Zhuge Liang said； 〃My lord should not worry。 We have burned the army of Cao Cao at Bowang Slope； so we will see them fallen into another ruse in Xinye。 This is no place to live in。 We will move over to Fancheng。〃
Then notices were posted at all the gates that all the people； without any exception； were to follow their ruler at once to the new city to escape danger。 Boats were prepared and the people sent away under the direction of Sun Qian。 Mi Zhu saw to the safe conveyance of the families of the officials。
Then the officers assembled for orders。
Zhuge Liang gave directions； 〃Guan Yu is to go to the upper of the White River with one thousand troops。 His men are to carry bags to fill with sand and earth to dam the river till the enemy shall be heard； about the third watch next day。 Then the waters are to be freed to drown one of the armies。 He is then to march down river。
〃Zhang Fei is to go to the Boling Ferry； where the current is slow。 After the waters of the White River have been let loose on Cao Cao's soldiers； they will try to get over the river at the ferry。 They are to be attacked by Zhang Fei and his one thousand troops。
〃Zhao Yun is to divide three thousand troops into four parties and take one to the east gate。 The other three are for the other gates。 The roofs of the houses within the city walls are piled with sulfur； saltpeter； and other bustibles。 The intention is to set fire to the city when the army of the enemy has entered it for shelter。 There will be a strong breeze next day in the evening which will fan the flames。 When this wind begins to blow； fire arrows are to be shot into the city from all sides。 When the flames are high； there is to be a great shouting outside to add to the general terror。 The east gate is to be left free for escape； but the flying men are to be smitten after passing the gate。
〃Mi Fang and Liu Feng are to take mand of two thousand troops； one half with red flags and the other half with blue。 They are to go to Magpie Tail Slope； about ten miles from the city and camp。 When they see Cao Cao's army ing along； the red flags are to move left and the blue right to confuse the enemy so that they shall be afraid to advance further。 Then an ambush is to be laid to smite the enemy when the fire in Xinye starts。 After that Mi Fang and Liu Feng are to go to the river to meet us。
〃After the battle； all generals shall gather at Fancheng。〃
All the orders given； the various leaders went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city。 Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei went away to an eminence whence they could watch what happened and where they would await the reports of victory。
Cao Hong and Cao Ren； with their one hundred thousand troops； preceded by Xu Chu leading three thousand of mailed men； marched toward Xinye。 They formed a mighty host and reached Magpie Tail Slope about noon。 Looking ahead； they saw what seemed a goodly army with many blue and red flags。 Xu Chu pressed forward。 As he neared； the flags moved from side to side； and he hesitated。
He began to think； 〃It could be an ambush。 It is unwise to advance。〃
Finally Xu Chu decided to go no farther and called a halt； and he rode back to the main body to see Cao Ren。
〃Those troops are only make…believe；〃 said Cao Ren。 〃Advance； there is no ambush。 I will hasten up the supports。〃
So Xu Chu rode to his own mand again and advanced。 When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags； he saw no one at all。 It was then late in the afternoon but he decided to move on。 Then he heard from the hills the sound of musical instruments and； looking up； saw on the hill top two umbrellas surrounded by many banners。 There sat Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang quietly drinking。
Angry at their coolness； Xu Chu sought for a way up； but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down； and he was driven back。 Further； from the rear of the hills came a confused roar。 He could find no way to attack； and the sun began to set。
Then Cao Ren and Cao Hong arrived and ordered an attack on Xinye that he might have a place to rest in。 They marched to the walls and found the gates wide open。 They entered and found a deserted city。 No one was visible。
〃This shows they are done；〃 said Cao Hong。 〃They have all run away； people and all。 We may as well occupy the city and rest our soldiers ready for tomorrow。〃
The soldiers were fatigued with marching and hungry as well； so they lost no time in scattering among the houses and setting about preparing food in the deserted kitchens。 The leaders took up their quarters in the state residence to rest。
After the first watch the wind began to blow。 Soon after the gate guards reported that a fire had started。
〃The careless men have let sparks fly about；〃 said Cao Ren。
He thought no more about it just then； but along came other reports of like nature； and soon he realized that fires breaking out in all quarters were not due to accident。 So he gave orders to evacuate the city。 Soon the whole city seemed on fire； and a red glow hung in the sky。 The army was beset with fire fiercer than what Xiahou Dun had experienced at Bowang Slope。
Thrice wicked was Cao Cao； but he was bold；
Though all in the capital he controlled；
Yet with this he was not content；
So southward his ravaging army went。
But； the autumn wind aiding； the Spirit of Fire
Wrought to his army destruction dire。
Officers and troops dashing through the smoke and fire in utter confusion sought some way of escape； and hearing that the east gate was free； they made for that quarter。 Out they rushed pell…mell； many being trodden down and trampled to death。 Those who got through took the road to the east。
But presently there was a shouting behind them； and Zhao Yun's pany came up and attacked。 Then Cao Cao's troops scattered； each fleeing for his life。 No stand was made。 A little later Mi Fang and Liu Feng came to take another toll。 The fleeing Cao Ren then had very few followers； and those left him were scorched and burned。
They directed their way to the White River； joyfully remembering that the river was shallow and fordable。 And they went down into the stream and drank their fill； humans shouting and horses neighing。
Meantime Guan Yu； higher up its course； had dammed the river with sandbags so that its waters were collected in a lake。 Toward evening he had seen the red glow of the burning city and began to look out for his signal。 About the fourth watch； he heard down stream the sounds of soldiers and horse and at once ordered the breaking of the dam。 The water rushed down in a torrent and overwhelmed the men just then in the bed of the river。 Many were swept away and drowned。 Those who escaped made their way to where the stream ran gently and got away。
Presently Cao Ren and his troops reached the Boling Ferry。 Here； where they thought there would be safety； they found the road barred。
〃You Cao Cao brigands！〃 shouted Zhang Fei。 〃e and receive your fate！〃
Within the city the red flame leaps out；
On the river bank burning anger is met。
What happened will appear in later chapters。
Main Next to Chapter 41 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Liu Bei Leads His People Over The River；
Zhao Yun Rescues