“Those who despise the enemy are beaten,” said Li Dian to Yu Jin. “Away south there the roads are narrow, and streams and mountains make the country difficult. The forests are dense, and if the enemy used fire we should be lost.”

“You are right,” replied Yu Jin. “I will get on and warn the Commanding General; perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up.”

Yu Jin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice, “Halt the train!”

Xiahou Dun saw him coming up and asked what was the matter. Yu Jin said, “The roads here are narrow and difficult. Around us are thick forests. What if they use fire?”

Xiahou Dun's ferocity had then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main body.

Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in “the four quarters and the eight sides,” and fanned by a strong wind.

Xiahou Dun's troops were thrown into confusion and trampled each other down. Many perished. Zhao Yun turned on them again to make a slaughter. Xiahou Dun dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.

Now Li Dian saw that things were going very badly, so he turned to get back to Bowang but fell upon a body of troops in the way, led by Guan Yu. He desperately dashed into their midst and managed to get clear. Yu Jin saw the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to guard, so he escaped along a bye-path. Two other generals, who came to try to save the baggage train, met Zhang Fei; and Xiahou Lan was slain forthwith, but Han Hao managed to flee. Next morning the countryside was strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.

The armies met on Bowang Slope

And Zhuge Liang fought with fire;

A perfect strategist, he bent

All humans to his desire.

But poor Cao Cao, his enemy,

He trembled in his shoes

Before the man, who'd never fought

But yet could armies use.

Xiahou Dun drew up the battered remains of his army and led them back to Xuchang.

Zhuge Liang ordered his armies to collect; and as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rode homeward they confessed, saying, “Zhuge Liang is really a fine strategist!”

Before long they saw Mi Zhu and Mi Fang leading out a small body of soldiers; among them was a light carriage in which the Directing Instructor Zhuge Liang was seating. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei dismounted and bowed before him. The remaining bodies came in. The spoil was distributed among the soldiers and all returned to Xinye, where the populace lined the roads to bid them welcome.

“We owe our lives to the Prince,” they cried to Liu Bei.

Said Zhuge Liang, “Xiahou Dun has been driven off, but Cao Cao will come with a stronger force.”

“And what shall we do?” replied Liu Bei.

“My plan is quite ready,” said Zhuge Liang.

Always battles, nowhere rest for horse or human;

Must rely on ruses, dodging where one can.

The plan prepared against Cao Cao will be unfolded in the next chapter.

CHAPTER 40. Lady Cai Discusses The Renunciation of Jingzhou; Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye.

When Liu Bei asked how his adviser hoped to repel Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang replied, “Xinye is a small city and unfitted for our lengthy occupation. Liu Biao is ill and failing fast, so this is the time to take his region as a base where we may be safe against Cao Cao.”

“You speak well, but Liu Biao has shown me great kindness, and I could not bear to serve him an ill turn.”

“If you do not take this opportunity, you will regret it ever after,” said Zhuge Liang.

“I would rather perish than do what is wrong.”

“We will discuss it again,” replied Zhuge Liang.

When Xiahou Dun reached the capital, he presented himself to his master in bonds and craved death. But his master loosed him and let him tell his tale. And he said, “I was the victim of Zhuge Liang's evil machinations; he attacked with fire.”

“As a soldier from your youth, you should have remembered that fire was a likely weapon in narrow roads.”

“Li Dian and Yu Jin reminded me; I am sorry enough now.”

Cao Cao rewarded Li Dian and Yu Jin who had warned their leader.

“Liu Bei as strong as he is now certainly is a menace to our existence, and he must be quickly destroyed,” said Xiahou Dun.

“He is one of my anxieties,” replied Cao Cao. “Sun Quan is the other. The rest do not count. We must take this chance to sweep the south clean.”