〃This scheme is just after my own heart；〃 said Sun Quan。
So Sun Quan appointed Lu Meng and Gan Ning as Van Leaders； Jiang Qin and Pan Zhang as Rear Guards； he himself with Zhou Tai； Chen Wu； Dong Xi； and Xu Sheng manded the center。 But the manders Cheng Pu； Huang Gai； and Han Dang were not called to take part in this expedition as they were guarding certain especial places。
The army crossed the river and captured Hezhou on the way。 Governor Zhu Guang sent an urgent message to Hefei for help and set himself to strengthen his fortifications for a siege。 Sun Quan went very near the city walls of Huancheng to observe its defense； and a flight of arrows greeted him； some striking his great official parasol。 He went back to camp and asked his officers to offer plans of attack。
Then Dong Xi said； 〃Pile up great hills of earth and attack from the summits。〃
Said Xu Sheng； 〃Set up long ladders and construct platforms whence you can look over the city walls and thus attack。〃
But Lu Meng said； 〃All such plans need a long time to prepare； and in the meantime the soldiers of Cao Cao will arrive from Hefei。 Do not try such long…drawn…out schemes； but take advantage of the fine； fresh spirit of our newly arrived troops and attack impetuously。 Their elan will carry the wall。 If you attack tomorrow at dawn； the city will fall before noon。〃
So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch； and the army went to the attack。 The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones。 Gan Ning took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall。 They shot at him with bows and crossbows； but he turned aside the arrows and bolts； and he threw the chain round Governor Zhu Guang to pull him down。 Lu Meng beat the drum for the attack。 The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall； and they slew Zhu Guang。 His officers and soldiers gave in； and so Huancheng fell to Sun Quan。 It was still a long time to noon。
In the meantime Zhang Liao was marching to the aid of the city。 Half…way he heard that the city had fallen； and so he returned to Hefei。
Soon after the conqueror's entry into Huancheng； Ling Tong came there with his army。 The next few days were devoted to feasting the army。 Special rewards were given to the two generals who had done such good work at the capture； and at the banquet to the officers； Gan Ning was seated in the seat of honor； which his colleague； Lu Meng； readily yielded to him for his late prowess。
But as the cup of felicitation was passing round； Ling Tong's thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Gan Ning for having slain his father； and the praises which Lu Meng now heaped upon Gan Ning filled Ling Tong's heart with bitterness。 For some time he glared savagely at Gan Ning； and then he determined on revenge。
Drawing his sword； Ling Tong suddenly rose to his feet and cried； 〃There is nothing to amuse the assembly。 I will give them a display of swordsmanship！〃
Gan Ning quickly saw his real intention。 He pushed back his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand； crying； 〃And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon！〃
Lu Meng saw the evil meaning of both； and assuming his sword and shield； he hastily stepped between the two warriors； saying； 〃Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I。〃
So he forced the two batants asunder； while someone ran to tell Sun Quan。 The Marquis hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall。 At sight of their lord； they all three lowered their weapons。
〃I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity；〃 said Sun Quan。 〃Why do you revive it today？〃
Ling Tong prostrated himself in tears。 Sun Quan exhorted him to forget his quarrel； and once again there was peace。
The next day the army set out for Hefei。
Because of the loss of Huancheng； Zhang Liao grieved greatly。 Cao Cao had sent by the hands of Xue Ti a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words； 〃If rebels e； open this。〃
So when he received the news of the ing of a powerful army； Zhang Liao opened the casket and read the letter therein：
〃If Sun Quan es to attack Hefei； the two Generals Li Dian and Zhang Liao are to go out to oppose him； and Yue Jing is to be left to guard the walls。〃
Zhang Liao sent the letter to the two men named therein。
〃What do you think to do？〃 said Yue Jing。
Zhang Liao replied； 〃Our lord is away； and Wu is ing to attack for certain。 We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard。 Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace； and then we can hold as best we may。〃
But Li Dian was silent； for he was ever unfriendly to Zhang Liao。
Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off； Yue Jing said； 〃I am for remaining on the defensive； since the enemy is so much more numerous than we。〃
〃Gentlemen； it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the mon weal；〃 said Zhang Liao。 〃You may have your private reasons for what you do； but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy。 I will fight them to the death。〃
Thereupon Zhang Liao bade his servants saddle his steed。
At this； Li Dian's better feelings were aroused； and he rose； saying； 〃How can I be careless of the mon weal and indulge my private feelings？ I am ready to follow you and do as you mand。〃
Zhang Liao was elated at this moral victory； and said； 〃Since I can depend upon your help； my friend； then I would ask you to lie in ambush on the north of Xiaoyao Ford in order to destroy the Xiaoshi Bridge there as soon as the army of Wu has crossed。 I； with my friend Yue Jing； will smite the enemy。〃
Li Dian went away to muster his troops and prepare the ambush。
As has been recorded； the leaders of the advance guard of the southern army were the veterans Lu Meng and Gan Ning。 Sun Quan and Ling Tong were in the center； the other generals followed them。 The leaders of the van met Yue Jing first； and Gan Ning rode out and challenged him。 After a few bouts； Yue Jing pretended to be defeated and fled。 Gan Ning called to his colleague to join in the pursuit。
When Sun Quan heard that this advance guard had been successful； he hastened his army to Xiaoyao Ford。 But then there came a series of explosions； and up came Zhang Liao and Li Dian； one on each flank。 Sun Quan was unprepared for this and sent messengers to call off the pursuit and ask for help from Lu Meng and Gan Ning。 Before it could arrived； Zhang Liao had e up。 Manifestly； Ling Tong； who had with him only a small troop of three hundred horse； could not long withstand the army of Cao Cao； but he faced them and fought bravely。
Presently Ling Tong cried to his lord； 〃Cross the Xiaoshi Bridge and run back； my lord！〃
Sun Quan galloped for the bridge； but the southern end had been already broken down and there was a wide breach between the end of the bridge and the shore。 Not a single plank was there by which to cross。 What could be done？ Sun Quan was in a quandary； and helpless。
〃Go back and jump for it！〃 yelled one of the generals； Gu Li by name。
Sun Quan did so。 Backing his horse some thirty spans or so； he then gave it its head and lashed it with his whip。
The good beast leaped； cleared the chasm and his master wee safe on the southern shore。
Once Dilu leant across the Tan Torrent wide；
And when defeat