When Zhao Yun led his troops east to attack the third camp in the rear； Ma Zheng made an attack on the front。 They scored a success； but the Chief Ahui Nan escaped。
They returned to headquarters； and Zhuge Liang said； 〃The three parties of Mangs have fled； and Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan escaped。 Where is the head of Jinhua Sanjie？〃
Zhao Yun produced it。 At the same time he reported： 〃Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan escaped by abandoning their horses and going over the hills。 Therefore； we could not be followed。〃
〃They are already prisoners；〃 said Zhuge Liang with a laugh。
The fighting men could not credit it。 But soon after Zhang Ni brought out Dongtu Na； and Zhang Yi； Ahui Nan。
When the Shu leaders expressed surprise and admiration； Zhuge Liang said； 〃I had studied the map and knew the positions of the camps。 I taunted Zhao Yun and Wei Yan into making a supreme effort into the camp of Jinhua Sanjie。 At the same time I sent other forces under Wang Ping and Ma Zheng； with the purpose to support Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and to force Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan to flee。 I felt certain the two chiefs would run away along those small roads； and I set soldiers under Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi on those roads to wait for them。 They also were supported。〃
They all bowed； saying； 〃The Prime Minister's calculations are divine and inprehensible。〃
The two captive chiefs were then called。 As soon as they appeared； Zhuge Liang loosed their bonds； gave them refreshments； and released them； bidding them offend no more。 They thanked him for their liberty； and disappeared along a by…road。
Then Zhuge Liang said to his generals； 〃Tomorrow Meng Huo will e in person to make an attack。 We shall probably capture him again。〃
Then he summoned Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and gave them orders。 They left； each with five thousand troops。 Next he sent Wang Ping and Guan Suo away with instructions。 And then he and other officers sat in his tent to wait for the result。
The King of the Mangs was sitting in his tent when the scouts told him that his three chiefs had been captured and their armies scattered。 It made him very angry； and he quickly got his army ready to march。 Soon he met Wang Ping and Guan Suo； and； when the armies were arrayed； Wang Ping rode out to the front； saber in his hand。 The flaunting banners of the array formation of his foes then opened out； and he saw their ranks。 Many generals were on horseback on both sides。 In the middle was the King； who advanced to the front。 He wore a golden； inlaid headdress； his belt bore a lion's face as clasp； his boots had pointed toes and were green； he rode a frizzy…haired horse the color of a red hare； he carried at his waist a pair of swords chased with the pine amber。
He looked haughtily at his foes； and then； turning to his generals； said； 〃It has always been said that Zhuge Liang is a wonderful strategist； but I see that is false。 Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder。 There is not a weapon among all the swords and spears better than ours。 If I had only realized this before； I would have fought them long ago。 Who dares go out and capture a Shu general to show them what sort of warriors we are？〃
At once a general rode toward the leader Wang Ping。 His name was Mangya Chang。 His weapon was a huge headsman's sword； and he rode a dun pony。 Riding up to Wang Ping； the two engaged。
Wang Ping only fought a short time； and then fled。 Meng Huo at once ordered his troops on in quick pursuit； and the troops of Shu retreated seven miles or so before the Mangs were near enough to fight。 Just as the Mangs thought their enemies were in their power； a great shouting arose and two cohorts appeared； Zhang Ni from the left and Zhang Yi from the right； and attacked。 The Mangs could not retreat； and as the force under Wang Ping and Guan Suo also turned upon them； the Mangs were surrounded and lost the day。 Meng Huo and some of his generals fought their way out and made for the Brocade Mountains。 The troops of Shu followed and forced them forward； and presently there appeared； in front； Zhao Yun。
Meng Huo hastily changed his route to go deeper into the mountains； but Zhao Yun's soldiers spread around； and the Mangs could not make a stand。 Here many were captured。 Meng Huo and a few horsemen got away into a valley； which； however； soon became too narrow for the horses to advance。 Meng Huo then left his horse and crawled up the mountains； but very soon he fell upon Wei Yan； who had been sent with five hundred troops to lie in wait in that very valley。 Meng Huo tried to struggle but soon was captured。
The King and his followers were taken to the main camp； where Zhuge Liang was waiting with wine and meat ready for the captives。 But his tent was now guarded by soldiers all well armed with snow…glittering weapons； beside the lictors bearing the golden axes； a present from the Emperor； and other insignia of rank。 The feather…hatted drummers and clarion players were in front and behind； and the Imperial Guards were extended on both sides。 The whole was very imposing and awe…inspiring。
Zhuge Liang was seated at the top of it all and watched the captives as they came forward in crowds。 When they were all assembled； he ordered their bonds to be loosed； and then he addressed them。
〃You are all simple and well…disposed people who have been led into trouble by Meng Huo。 I know your fathers and mothers； your brothers and wives； and your children are anxiously watching from the doorways for your return； and they are cut to dear suffering that the news of defeat and capture has reached their ears。 They are weeping bitter tears for you。 And so I will set you all free to go home and fort them。〃
After they had been given food and wine and a present of grain； he sent them all away。 They went off grateful for the kindness shown them； and they wept as they thanked Zhuge Liang。
Then the guards were told to bring the King before the tent。 He came； bound； being hustled forward。 He knelt in front of the mander…in…Chief。
Zhuge Liang said； 〃Why did you rebel after the generous treatment you have received from our Emperor？〃
〃The two River Lands belonged to others； and your lord took it from them by force； and gave himself the title of Emperor。 My people have lived here for ages； and you and your cohorts invaded my country without the least excuse。 How can you talk of rebellion to me？〃
〃You are my prisoner。 Will you submit or are you still contumacious？〃
〃Why should I submit？ You happened to find me in a narrow place。 That is all。〃
〃If I release you； what then？〃
〃If you release me I shall return； and when I have set my army in order； I shall e to fight you again。 However； if you catch me once more； I will submit。〃
The King's bonds were loosed。 He was clothed and refreshed； given a horse and caparisons； and sent with a guide to his own camp。
Once more the captured chieftain is let go；
To yield tribesmen are ever slow。
Further results of this war will be related in the next chapter。
Main Next to Chapter 88 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Crossing River Lu………The Mang King Is Bound The Second Time；
Recognizing A Pretended Surrender………Meng Huo Is Captured The Third Time。