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　medicines　and　further　supplies　of　grain。　He　saw　Zhuge　Liang；　and　then　proceeded　to　distribute　the　supplies　he　had　brought　according　to　orders。
Then　Zhuge　Liang　said；　〃What　force　have　you　brought？〃
〃Three　thousand；〃　replied　Ma　Dai。
〃My　people　are　weary　and　worn　out。　I　want　to　use　yours。　You　have　no　objections？〃
〃Of　course　not。　They　are　equally　government　troops。　They　are　ready　even　to　die　for　you　if　you　wish。〃
〃This　Meng　Huo　is　established　on　the　river；　and　we　have　no　means　of　crossing。　But　I　am　anxious　to　intercept　his　supplies；　so　that　his　troops　may　mutiny。〃
〃How　can　you　do　it？〃
〃Some　fifty　miles　lower　down　River　Lu　there　is　a　place　called　Shakou；　where　the　current　is　slow　and　shallow　because　of　sand。　You　could　cross　there　on　rafts。　I　wish　you　and　your　soldiers　to　cross　and　cut　the　road　of　supplies。　After　that　you　are　to　arrange　with　the　two　leaders………Dongtu　Na　and　Ahui　Nan………whose　lives　I　spared；　to　be　your　allies　on　the　inside；　and　we　shall　succeed。〃
Ma　Dai　went　off　gladly　enough；　and　marched　his　troops　to　Shakou；　where　they　set　about　the　crossing　at　once。　And　as　the　water　was　shallow；　they　did　not　trouble　to　make　rafts；　but　just　tucked　up　their　clothes　and　waded　in。　But　half…way　across；　the　men　began　to　fall　over；　and　when　they　had　been　rescued　and　taken　to　the　bank；　many　of　them　began　to　bleed　from　the　nose　and　mouth　and　died。　In　great　alarm；　Ma　Dai　sent　hasty　messages　to　Zhuge　Liang；　who　called　in　the　native　guides　and　asked　what　this　meant。
They　told　him；　〃It　happens　so　every　year。　In　the　hot　season；　poisonous　miasma　collects　over　the　waters　of　the　River　Lu；　especially　during　the　heat　of　the　day。　Anyone　who　drinks　the　water　will　surely　die。　Travelers　who　wish　to　cross　have　to　wait　till　night；　because　the　cooler　waters　do　not　breathe　out　the　poisonous　vapors。　Further；　the　crossing　should　be　attempted　on　a　full　stomach。〃
Zhuge　Liang　bade　the　local　guides　point　out　the　best　crossing　place。　He　sent　five　hundred　well…seasoned　soldiers　to　Ma　Dai　to　lash　together　poles　into　rafts　at　Shakou；　and　in　the　night　the　crossing　was　safely　acplished。　Further；　the　guides　then　led　two　thousand　men　of　Shu　over　to　where　the　grain　road　of　the　Mangs　led　through　a　narrow　valley；　called　Jiashan　Gorge；　where；　for　part　of　the　way；　only　single　file　was　possible　as　the　road　was　only　wide　enough　for　a　soldier　and　a　horse。
Ma　Dai　at　once　occupied　this　valley　and　stationed　a　force　there。　And　a　stockade　was　put　up　with　tents　inside。　Presently　a　convoy　of　grain　came　along；　and　it　was　captured；　more　than　a　hundred　wagons。　The　guards　ran　off　to　Meng　Huo's　great　camp　and　told　him。
Meng　Huo；　thinking　all　was　safe　during　the　hot　season；　was　enjoying　himself。　Wine　and　music　were　the　order　of　the　day；　and　military　matters　were　far　from　his　thoughts。　In　his　cups　he　admitted　Zhuge　Liang　was　ruseful；　but　said　his　army　had　nothing　to　fear。
Said　he；　〃If　I　attempt　to　oppose　Zhuge　Liang；　I　shall　certainly　fall　a　victim　to　some　wile　of　his。　However；　my　waiting　policy　is　a　safe　one。　With　our　defenses；　and　the　river　to　back　them；　we　can　wait　for　the　heat　to　overe　these　men　of　Shu；　who　cannot　stand　the　hot　season。　They　will　have　to　retreat；　and　then　we　can　harass　them。　And　we　will　capture　this　Zhuge　Liang。〃
He　lay　back　and　laughed　at　the　thought。
However；　one　chief；　more　prudent　than　the　others；　stood　forth　and　said；　〃Remember　the　shallows　at　Shakou。　It　would　be　very　serious　if　the　soldiers　of　Shu　got　across　there　secretly。　It　ought　to　be　guarded。〃
〃You　belong　to　these　areas。　Do　you　not　know　that　I　want　the　enemy　to　try　to　get　across　there？　Why；　they　will　all　perish　in　the　water。〃
〃But　what　if　the　natives　tell　them　to　cross　only　in　the　night？〃
〃Do　not　be　so　anxious；〃　said　Meng　Huo。　〃Our　own　people　will　not　help　the　enemy　that　far。〃
It　was　just　then　that　intelligence　came：　〃The　troops　of　Shu；　unknown　in　number；　have　crossed　the　river　and；　moreover；　have　seized　the　Jiashan　Gorge。　The　flags　show　the　words　'General　Who　Pacifies　The　North；　Ma　Dai'。〃
Meng　Huo　affected　indifference。
〃This　sort　of　fellow　is　not　worth　talking　about；〃　said　he。
He　sent　General　Mangya　Chang　with　three　thousands　troops　to　recapture　the　gorge　and　reopen　the　grain　road。
When　Ma　Dai　saw　the　Mang　soldiers　approaching；　he　placed　two　thousand　troops　in　front　of　the　hills　and　drew　up　the　troops　in　formal　array。　Then　Mangya　Chang　rode　out　to　give　battle。　This　was　but　a　small　engagement；　as　the　general　of　the　tribespeople　fell　at　the　first　stroke　of　Ma　Dai's　sword。　The　Mangs　ran　away　at　once。
They　returned　to　the　King's　camp　and　told　him　what　had　happened。　Whereupon　he　called　up　all　his　generals　and　asked　for　another　to　go　up　against　Ma　Dai。
〃I　will　go；〃　cried　Dongtu　Na。
The　King　gave　him　three　thousand　troops。　After　he　had　gone；　Meng　Huo　thought　it　would　be　wise　to　keep　others　from　crossing　the　river。　So　he　sent　a　force　of　three　thousand　under　Ahui　Nan　to　guard　Shakou。
Dongtu　Na　duly　arrived　at　the　gorge　and　made　a　camp。　Ma　Dai　came　out　to　meet　him。　Among　the　soldiers　in　his　cohort　were　some　who　recognized　the　leader　of　the　Mangs　and　told　Ma　Dai　certain　things　about　how　he　had　been　captured　and　liberated。
So　Ma　Dai　galloped　toward　him；　shouting；　〃O　you　ingrate！　How　could　you　forget　the　debt　to　the　Prime　Minister？　Have　you　known　no　shame？〃
Dongtu　Na　was　very　greatly　ashamed　and　turned　red　in　the　face；　and　turned　his　horse　before　striking　a　blow。　Ma　Dai　followed　and　fell　on；　slaying　many　of　the　Mangs。　Then　both　sides　withdrew。
Dongtu　Na　went　back　and　told　the　King　that　Ma　Dai　was　too　strong　for　him。
But　Meng　Huo　was　angry；　and　cried；　〃You　are　a　traitor！　I　know　Zhuge　Liang　was　good　to　you；　and　that　is　why　you　would　not　fight。〃
Meng　Huo　ordered　Dongtu　Na　out　to　execution。　However；　the　notables　and　chiefs　interceded；　and　the　death　penalty　was　remitted；　but　the　unhappy　leader　was　severely　beaten；　one　hundred　strokes　with　the　heavy　staff。
The　chiefs　were　mostly　on　the　side　of　the　beaten　general　and　against　the　King's　policy。
They　went　to　the　tent　of　Dongtu　Na　and　said；　〃Though　we　live　in　the　Mang　country；　we　have　never　had　any　thoughts　of　rebellion　against　the　Imperial　Government；　nor　has　the　Middle　Kingdom　ever　encroached　upon　our　land。　We　must　own　that　Meng　Huo's　superior　power　forced　us　into　this　rising；　and　we　could　not　help　ourselves。　Zhuge　Liang　is　too　clever　for　us；　and　no　one　can　guess　what　he　may　do。　Even　Cao　Cao　and　Sun　Quan　fear　him；　how　much　more　must　we？　Moreover；　we　have　received　kindness　at　his　hands　and　owe　him　our　lives。　We　ought　to　show　our　gratitude。　Now　let　us　at　all　risks　slay　this　Meng　Huo　and　submit　to　Zhuge　Liang　so　that　our　people　may　not　suffer。〃
Dongtu　Na　said；　〃I　do　not　know　your　inner　sentiments。〃
At　this；　all　those　who　had　been　prisoners　and　released　cried　with　one　voice；　〃We　desire　to　go　to　Meng　Huo。〃
Thereupon　Dongtu　Na　took　in　his　hand　a　sharp　sword；　placed　himself　at　the　head　of　more　than　a　hundred　malcontents；　and　rushed　into　the　great　camp。　At　that　moment　Meng　Huo　was；　as　usual；　intoxicated　and　lay　in　his　tent。　The　mutineers　rushed　in。　They　found　two　generals　on　guard。
〃You　also　received　kindness　from　Zhuge　Liang　and　ought　to　repay　it；〃　cried　Dongtu　Na。
They　replied；　〃You　do　not　have　to　slay　him。　Let　us　carry　him　a　prisoner　to　the　Prime　Minister。〃
So　they　bound　the　King　securely；　took　him　down　to　the　river；　and　crossed　in　a　boat　to　the　northern　bank。　There　they　halted；　while　they　sent　a　messenger　to　Zhuge　Liang。
Now　Zhuge　Liang　knew　what　had　been　happening；　and　he　had　issued　orders　for　every　camp　to　prepare　their　weapons。　All　being　ready；　he　told　the　chiefs　to　bring　up　their　prisoner；　and　bade　the　others　return　to　their　camps。　Dongtu　Na　went　first　and　told　the　matter　to　Zhuge　Liang；　who　praised　his　zeal　and　gave　him　presents。　Then　he　retired　with　the　chiefs；　and　the　executioners　brought　in　Meng　Huo。
〃You　said　once　before　that　if　you　were　captured　again；　you　would　give　in；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang；　smiling。　〃Now　will　you　yield？〃
〃This　capture　is　not　your　work；〃　replied　Meng　Huo。　〃It　is　the　work　of　these　minions　of　mine　who　want　to　hurt　me。　I　will　not　yield　on　this。〃
〃If　I　free　you　again；　what　then？〃
〃I　am　a　Mang；　and　so　I　am　not　wholly　ignorant　of　war。　If　you；　O　Minister；　let　me　return　to　my　ravines；　I　will　muster　another　army　and　fight　a　decisive　battle　with　you。　If　you　capture　me　again；　then　I　will　incline　my　heart　and　own　myself　beaten　and　yield。　I　will　not　go　back　on　my　promise　again。〃
〃If　you　refuse　to　yield　next　time　you　are　captured；　I　shall　hardly　pardon　you。〃
At　Zhuge　Liang's　orders　the　cords　were　loosed　and　refreshments　were　brought　for　the　prisoner。
〃Remember；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang；　〃I　have　never　failed　yet。　I　have　never　failed　to　win　a　battle　or　to　take　a　city　I　have　assaulted。　Why　do　you　Mangs　not　yield？〃
Meng　Huo　only　nodded　his　head；　he　said　nothing。　After　the　wine；　Zhuge　Liang　and　Meng　Huo　rode　round　the　camps　together；　and　the　King　saw　all　the　arrangements　and　the　piles　of　stores　and　heaps　of　weapons。
And　after　the　inspection　Zhuge　Liang　said；　〃You　are　silly　not　to　yield　to　me。　You　see　my　veteran　soldiers；　my　able　generals；　my　stores　of　all　kinds　and　war　gear。　How　can　you　hope　to　prevail　against　me？　If　you　will　yield；　I　will　inform　the　Emperor；　and　you　shall　retain　your　kingship；　and　your　sons　and　grandsons　shall　succeed　as　perpetual　guardians　of　the　Mang　country。　Do　you　not　think　it　would　be　well？〃
Meng　Huo　replied；　〃If　I　did　yield；　the　people　of　my　valleys　would　not　be　content。　If　you　release　me　once　more；　I　will　see　to　it　that　my　own　people　keep　the　peace　and　bring　them　round　to　unanimity　of　feeling；　and　then　they　will　not　oppose　any　more。〃
Zhuge　Liang　was　glad；　and　they　returned　to　the　main　camp　to　feast　until　dusk；　when　Meng　Huo　took　his　leave。　Zhuge　Liang　ordered　a　craft　and　went　to　see　him　across　River　Lu。
But　Meng　Huo's　first　act　on　his　return　to　his　own　camp　was　to　send　one　of　his　people　to　Dongtu　Na's　and　Ahui　Nan's　camps；　and　pretend　to　ask　them　to　e　to　meet　a　messenger　from　Zhuge　Liang。　When　the　two　generals　came；　Meng　Huo　ordered　assassins　who　had　been　placed　hidden　to　do　away　with　the　two　leaders。　Their　corpses　were　thrown　into　a　gully。　Then　he　sent　his　friends　to　guard　the　most　important　strategic　points；　while　he　marched　to　fight　a　battle　with　Ma　Dai。　But　when　he　got　near　the　valley；　he　saw　no　signs　of　the　enemy。
He　questioned　the　inhabitants；　and　they　said；　〃The　Shu　army；　with　all　their　stores；　recrossed　the　river　last　night　and　joined　the　main　body　in　the　northern　bank。〃
Meng　Huo　then　returned　to　his　own　ravine　and　discussed　matters　with　his　brother；　Meng　You；　saying；　〃I　know　all　the　details　of　the　enemy's　force　from　what　I　saw　in　their　camp。〃
And　Meng　Huo　gave　his　brother　certain　instructions；　which　Meng　You　at　once　began　to　carry　out。　Meng　You　loaded　a　hundred　men　with　gold　and　jewels　and　pearls　and　ivory　and　rhinoceros　horn；　crossed　River　Lu；　and　was　on　his　way　to　the　main　camp　of　the　Shu　army；　when　he　heard　the　sound　of　drums　and　a　cohort　under　Ma　Dai　poured　out　to　stop　him。　Meng　You　did　not　expect　to　meet　an　enemy；　and　was　surprised。　But　Ma　Dai　only　asked　what　he　had　e　for。　And　when　he　had　heard；　Meng　You　was　detained　while　a　message　was　sent　to　Zhuge　Liang。
The　messenger　arrived　while　a　council　was　in　progress；　the　matter　under　discussion　being　how　to　pacify　the　Mangs。
They　announced；　〃The　brother　of　Meng　Huo　has　e　bearing　gifts　of　gold　and　pearls。〃
Zhuge　Liang　turned　to　Ma　Su；　saying；　〃Know　you　why　this　man　has　e？〃
〃I　dare　not　say　plainly；　but　let　me　write　it；〃　said　Ma　Su。
〃Write　it；　then。〃
So　Ma　Su　wrote　and　handed　the　paper　to　his　chief；　who　had　no　sooner　read　it　than　he　clapped　his　hands　with　joy；　crying；　〃What　you　say　is　exactly　what　I　think。　But　you　may　know　I　have　already　made　arrangements　for　the　capture　of　Meng　Huo。〃
Then　Zhao　Yun　was　called；　and　some　orders　were　whispered　into　his　ear。　Next　Wei　Yan　came；　and　he　also　went　off　with　secret　orders。　Wang　Ping；　Ma　Zheng；　and　Guan　Suo　also　came；　and　left　with　particular　instructions。　All　these　things　done；　the　bearer　of　gifts　was　called。
Meng　You　came　and　bowed　low　at　the　door　of　the　tent；　saying；　〃The　brother　of　my　house；　Meng　Huo；　having　received　great　kindness　at　your　hands　in　sparing　his　life；　feels　bound　to　offer　a　paltry　gift。　He　has　presumed　to　collect　a　few　pearls　and　some　gold　and　other　trifling　jewels　by　way　of　something　to　give　your　soldiers。　An