Zhuge Liang bade them make balls of flour paste after the manner of human heads and stuff them with the flesh of oxen and goats。 These would be used instead of human heads； and they called these 'mantou' or 'human heads'。
By nightfall； an altar had been set up on the bank of the river with the sacrificial objects all arranged。 There were also forty…nine lamps。 Flags were flying to summon the souls。 The forty…nine mantous were piled up on the ground。 In the middle of the third watch； at midnight； Zhuge Liang； dressed in Taoist garb； went to offer the sacrifice in person； and he bade Dong Jue read this prayer：
〃On the first day of the ninth month of the third year of the era Beginning Prosperity of the Han Dynasty； I； Zhuge Liang； Prime Minister of Han； Lord of Wuxiang； Imperial Protector of Yizhou； reverently order this sacrifice to appease the shades of those soldiers of Shu who have died in their country's service and those of the southern people who have perished。
＇e＇ Five Feudatories： Duke Huan of Qi； Duke Wen of Jin； Duke Xiang of Song； Duke Mu of Qin； and King Chang of Chu。
＇e＇ King Yu； founder of Xia； King Tang； founder of Shang； King Wen； founder of Zhou。
＇e＇ Nine Regions symbolized all the lands of the empire。 Ancient China was divided into nine regions。 But over the time； more regions were created。 During the Three Kingdoms period； there were already more than nine regions。
〃I now declare to you； O ye shades； the majesty of my master； the Emperor of the mighty Han Dynasty； excelling that of the Five Feudatories* and brilliantly continuing the glory of the Three Dynastic Kings*。 Recently； when the distant south rebelliously invaded his territory； contumeliously sent an army； loosed the venom of their sorcery； and gave free rein to their savagery in rebellion； I was manded to punish their crimes。 Wherefore my brave armies marched and utterly destroyed the contemptible rebels。 My brave soldiers gathered like the clouds； and the insensate rebels melted away。 Hearing of the easy successes I won； they were entirely demoralized。
〃My army consists of heroes from the Nine Regions*； and officers and people are famous in the empire； all are expert in war and skilled in the use of arms。 They go whither light leads them and serve the Emperor。 All have exerted themselves to obey orders and carried out the plans for the seven captures of Meng Huo。 They were whole…hearted in their service and vied in loyalty。 Who could foresee that you； O Spirits； would be sacrificed in the strategy and be involved in the enemies' wicked wiles？ Some of you went down to the deep springs wounded by flying arrows。 Others went out into the long night hurt by lethal weapons。 Living you were valorous； dead you left behind a name。
〃Now we are returning home。 The victors' song is in our mouths and our prisoners acpany us。 Your spirits are with us still and certainly hear our prayers。 Follow the banners； e with the host； return to your country； each to his own village； where you may enjoy the savor of the meat offerings and receive the sacrifices of your own families。 Do not bee wandering ghosts in unfamiliar hamlets of restless shades in strange cities。 I will memorialize our Emperor that your wives and little ones may enjoy his gracious bounty； every year gifts of food and clothing； every month donations for sustenance。 fort yourselves with this provision。
〃As for you； Spirits of this place； shades of the departed people of the south； here is the usual sacrifice。 You are near home。 Year…round sacrifice is not lacking。 Living you stood in awe of the celestial majesty； dead you e within the sphere of refining influence。 It is right that you should hold your peace and refrain from uttering unseemly cries。 With bowed head I pray you partake of the sweet savor of this sacrifice。
〃Alas； ye dead！ To you this offering！〃
Zhuge Liang broke into loud lamentations at the end of this prayer and manifested extreme emotion； and the whole army shed tears。 Meng Huo and his followers also moaned and wept； and amid the sad clouds and angry mists they saw the vague forms of many demons floating away on the wind till they disappeared。
The material portion of the sacrifice was then thrown into the river。 Next day the army stood on the south bank with a clear sky over their heads and calm waters at their feet； the clouds gone and the winds hushed； and the crossing was made without misadventure。 They continued their way； whips cracking； gongs clanging； spurs jingling； and ever and anon the song of victory rising over all。
Passing through Yongchang； Wang Kang and Lu Kai were left there in mand of the four territories………Yizhou； Yongchang； Zangge； and Yuesui。 And then Meng Huo was permitted to leave。 He was ordered to be diligent in his administration； maintain good control； and soothe and care for the people left to him to govern and to see to it that agriculture was promoted。 He took leave with tears rolling down his cheeks。
When the army neared Capital Chengdu； the Latter Ruler came out ten miles in state to wele his victorious minister。 The Emperor stood by the roadside as Zhuge Liang came up； and waited。
Zhuge Liang quickly descended from his chariot； prostrated himself and said； 〃Thy servant has offended in causing his master anxiety。 But the conquest of the south was long。〃
The Emperor took Zhuge Liang kindly by the hand and raised him。 Then the chariots of the Son of God and his minister returned to Chengdu side by side。 In the capital were great rejoicings with banquets and rewards for the army。 Henceforward distant nations sent tribute to the Imperial Court to the number of two hundred。
As proposed in a memorial； the Emperor provided for the families of the soldiers who had lost their lives in the expedition； and they were made happy。 And the whole land enjoyed tranquillity。
＇e＇ Lady Zhen； a famous lady in the North of Yellow River （Hebei）； wife to Yuan Xi； son of Yuan Shao。 When Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao； both Cao Cao's sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi claimed her； not to mention Cao Cao himself。 Cao Pi eventually won her hand； wedded her； and made her an empress。 She later became the Goddess of River Luo； according to folktales。 。。。。。
Meanwhile in the Middle Land； the Ruler of Wei； Cao Pi； had now ruled seven years； and it was the fourth year of Beginning Prosperity in Shu…Han calendar。 Cao Pi had taken to wife a lady of the Zhen family； formerly the wife of the second son of Yuan Shao。 He had discovered Lady Zhen* at the sack of Yejun and had married her。 She bore him a son； Cao Rui； who was very clever and a great favorite with his father。
Later Cao Pi took as Beloved Consort a daughter of Guo Yong in Guangzong。 Lady Guo was a woman of exceeding beauty； whom her father said； 〃She is the king among women！〃 And the name 〃Lady King〃 stuck to her。
But with Lady Guo's arrival at court； Lady Zhen fell from her lord's favor； and the Beloved Consort's ambition led her to intrigue to replace the Empress。 She took Zhang Tao； a minister at the court； into her confidence。
At that time the Emperor was indisposed； and Zhang Tao alleged； saying； 〃In the palace of the Empress has been dug up a wooden image with Your Majesty's date of birth written thereon。 It is me