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But Lu Meng said, “All such plans need a long time to prepare, and in the meantime the soldiers of Cao Cao will arrive from Hefei. Do not try such long-drawn-out schemes, but take advantage of the fine, fresh spirit of our newly arrived troops and attack impetuously. Their elan will carry the wall. If you attack tomorrow at dawn, the city will fall before noon.”

So the early meal was taken at the fifth watch, and the army went to the attack. The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones. Gan Ning took an iron chain in his hand and climbed up the wall. They shot at him with bows and crossbows, but he turned aside the arrows and bolts, and he threw the chain round Governor Zhu Guang to pull him down. Lu Meng beat the drum for the attack. The soldiers made a rush forward to climb the wall, and they slew Zhu Guang. His officers and soldiers gave in, and so Huancheng fell to Sun Quan. It was still a long time to noon.

In the meantime Zhang Liao was marching to the aid of the city. Half-way he heard that the city had fallen, and so he returned to Hefei.

Soon after the conqueror's entry into Huancheng, Ling Tong came there with his army. The next few days were devoted to feasting the army. Special rewards were given to the two generals who had done such good work at the capture; and at the banquet to the officers, Gan Ning was seated in the seat of honor, which his colleague, Lu Meng, readily yielded to him for his late prowess.

But as the cup of felicitation was passing round, Ling Tong's thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Gan Ning for having slain his father, and the praises which Lu Meng now heaped upon Gan Ning filled Ling Tong's heart with bitterness. For some time he glared savagely at Gan Ning, and then he determined on revenge. Drawing his sword, he suddenly rose to his feet and cried, “There is nothing to amuse the assembly. I will give them a display of swordsmanship.” Gan Ning quickly saw his real intention. He pushed back his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand, crying, “And you may also watch an adept in the use of this weapon!”

Lu Meng saw the evil meaning of both, and assuming his sword and shield, he hastily stepped between the two warriors, saying, “Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I.”

So he forced the two combatants asunder, while some one ran to tell Sun Quan. The Marquis hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall. At sight of their lord, they all three lowered their weapons.

“I have bidden you two to forget this old enmity,” said Sun Quan. “Why do you revive it today?”

Ling Tong prostrated himself in tears. Sun Quan exhorted him to forget his quarrel, and once again there was peace.

The next day the army set out for Hefei.

Because of the loss of Huancheng, Zhang Liao grieved greatly. Cao Cao had sent by the hands of Xue Ti a small casket sealed with his own seal and bearing outside the words, “If rebels come, open this.”

So when he received the news of the coming of a powerful army, Zhang Liao opened the casket and read the letter therein, which said, “If Sun Quan comes to attack Hefei, the two Generals Li Dian and Zhang Liao are to go out to oppose him, and Yue Jin is to be left to guard the walls.”

Zhang Liao sent the letter to the two men named therein.

“What do you think to do?” said Yue Jin.

Zhang Liao replied, “Our lord is away, and Wu is coming to attack for certain. We must go out to repel them and exert ourselves to the utmost to inflict defeat upon their advanced guard. Thus we shall appease the fears of the populace, and then we can hold as best we may.”

But Li Dian was silent, for he was ever unfriendly to Zhang Liao.

Then seeing his colleague inclined to hold off, Yue Jin said, “I am for remaining on the defensive since the enemy is so much more numerous than we.”

“Gentlemen, it seems you are selfish and not devoted to the common weal,” said Zhang Liao. “You may have your private reasons for what you do, but I intend to go out and try to repel the enemy. I will fight them to the death.”

Thereupon Zhang Liao bade his servants saddle his steed. At this, Li Dian's better feelings were aroused, and he rose, saying, “How can I be careless of the common weal and indulge my private feelings? I am ready to follow you and do as you command.”

Zhang Liao was elated at this moral victory, and said, “Since I can depend upon your help, my friend, then I would ask you to lie in ambush on the north of the Flageolet Ford in order to destroy the bridge there as soon as the army of Wu has crossed. I, with my friend Yue Jin, will smite the enemy.”