Zhou Yu then decided to move。 The van under Gan Ning was to advance； supported by two wings led by Han Dang and Jiang Qin。 Zhou Yu would lead the center body in support。 The next morning the early meal was eaten in the fourth watch； and the ships got under weigh in the fifth with a great beating of drums。
Cao Cao was greatly angered when he heard that his letter had been torn to fragments； and he resolved to attack forthwith。 His advance was led by the Supreme Admiral Cai Mao； the Vice…Admiral Zhang Yun； and others of the Jingzhou officers who had joined his side。 Cao Cao went as hastily as possible to the meeting of the three rivers and saw the ships of the South Land sailing up。
In the bow of the foremost ship from the south stood a fine figure of a warrior； who cried； 〃I am Gan Ning。 I challenge anyone to bat！〃
Cai Mao sent his young brother； Cai Xun； to accept the challenge。 But as Cai Xun's ship approached； Gan Ning shot an arrow and Cai Xun fell。 Gan Ning pressed forward； his crossbowmen keeping up a heavy discharge which Cao Cao's troops could not stand。 The wings of Han Dang from the left and Jiang Qin from the right also joined in。
Cao Cao's soldiers； being mostly from the dry plains of the north； did not know how to fight effectually on water； and the southern ships had the battle all their own way。 The slaughter was very great。 However； after a contest lasting till afternoon； Zhou Yu thought it more prudent； in view of the superior numbers of his enemy； not to risk further the advantage he had gained。 So he beat the gongs as the signal to cease battle and recall the ships。
Cao Cao was worsted； but his ships returned to the bank； where a camp was made and order was restored。
Cao Cao sent for his defeated leaders and reproached them； saying； 〃You did not do your best。 You let an inferior force overe you。〃
Cai Mao defended himself； saying； 〃The Jingzhou marines have not been exercised for a long time； and the others have never been trained for naval warfare at all。 A naval camp must be instituted； the northern soldiers trained； and the Jingzhou force drilled。 When they have been made efficient； they will win victories。〃
〃You are the Supreme Admiral。 If you know what should be done； why have you not done it？〃 said Cao Cao。 〃What is the use of telling me this？〃
So Cai Mao and Zhang Yun organized a naval camp on the river bank。 They established twenty…four 〃Water Gates；〃 with the large ships outside as a sort of rampart； and under their protection the smaller ships went to and fro freely。 At night when the lanterns and torches were lit； the very sky was illuminated； and the water shone red with the glare。 On land the smoke of the camp fires could be traced for one hundred mile without a break。
Zhou Yu returned to camp and feasted his victorious fighting force。 A messenger bore the joyful tidings of victory to his master Sun Quan。 When night fell； Zhou Yu went up to the summit of one of the hills and looked out over the long line of bright lights stretching toward the west； showing the extent of the enemy's camp。 He said nothing； but a great fear came in upon him。
Next day Zhou Yu decided that he would go in person to find out the strength of the enemy。 So he bade them prepare a small squadron which he manned with strong； hardy men armed with powerful bows and stiff crossbows。 He also placed musicians on each ship。 They set sail and started up the stream。 When they got opposite Cao Cao's camp； the heavy stones that served as anchors were dropped； and the music was played while Zhou Yu scanned the enemy's naval camp。 What he saw gave him no satisfaction； for everything was most admirable。
He said； 〃How well and correctly built is that naval base！ Anyone knows the names of those in mand？〃
〃They are Cai Mao and Zhang Yun；〃 said his officers。
〃They have lived in the south a long time；〃 said Zhou Yu； 〃and are thoroughly experienced in naval warfare。 I must find some means of removing them before I can effect anything。〃
Meanwhile on shore the sentinels had told Cao Cao that the enemy craft were spying upon them； and Cao Cao ordered out some ships to capture the spies。 Zhou Yu saw the motion of the manding flags on shore and hastily gave the order to unmoor and sail down stream。 The squadron at once got under way and scattered； to and fro went the oars； and each ship seemed to fly。 Before Cao Cao's ships could get out after them； they were all far away。
Cao Cao's ships took up the chase but soon saw pursuit was useless。 They returned and reported their failure。
Again Cao Cao found fault with his officers and said； 〃The other day you lost a battle； and the soldiers were greatly dispirited。 Now the enemy have spied out our camp。 What can be done？〃
In eager response to his question one stepped out； saying； 〃When I was a youth； Zhou Yu and I were fellow students and pledged friends。 My three…inch tongue is still good； and I will go over and persuade him to surrender。〃
Cao Cao； rejoiced to find so speedy a solution； looked at the speaker。 It was Jiang Gan of Jiujiang； one of the counseling staff in the camp。
〃Are you a good friend of Zhou Yu？〃 said Cao Cao。
〃Rest content； O Prime Minister；〃 replied Jiang Gan。 〃If I only get on the other side of the river； I shall succeed。〃
〃What preparations are necessary？〃 asked Cao Cao。
〃Just a youth as my servant and a couple of rowers。 Nothing else。〃
Cao Cao offered him wine； wished him success； and sent him on his way。
Clad in a simple white robe and seated in his little craft； the messenger reached Zhou Yu's camp and bade the guards say that an old friend Jiang Gan wished to see him。
The mander was in his tent at a council when the message came； and he laughed as he said to those about him； 〃A persuader is ing。〃
Then he whispered certain instructions in the ear of each one of them； and they went out to await his arrival。
Zhou Yu received his friend in full ceremonial garb。 A crowd of officers in rich silken robes were about him。 The guest appeared； his sole attendant a lad dressed in a simple blue gown。 Jiang Gan bore himself proudly as he advanced； and Zhou Yu made a low obeisance。
〃You have been well I hope since last we met；〃 said Jiang Gan。
〃You have wandered far and suffered much in this task of emissary in Cao Cao's cause；〃 said Zhou Yu。
〃I have not seen you for a very long time；〃 said the envoy much taken aback； 〃and I came to visit you for the sake of old times。 Why do you call me an emissary for the Cao Cao's cause？〃
＇e＇ Shi Kuang； aka Master Kuang； was perhaps the most famous musician in ancient China； said to have been music master to Duke Ping of Jin in the Spring and Autumn Period。 Huainanzi says that when Shi Kuang played 〃Bai Xue〃 （White Snow） strange birds descended； acpanied by wind and rain。 Bai Xue gives expression to the meanings of 〃awe…inspiring righteousness and cleanness〃 and 〃as superb as the bamboo in snow〃。 。。。。。
〃Though I am not so profound a musician as Shi Kuang* of old； yet I can prehend the thought behind the music；〃 replied Zhou Yu。
〃As you choose to treat your old friend like this； I think I will take my leave；〃 said Jiang Gan。
Zhou Yu laughed again； and taking Jiang Gan by the arm； said； 〃Well； I feared you might be ing on his b