“All the enemies' forty camps had been moved into the shade. Now, Sir, you can attack!” said they.

That was not a bad plan, an ambush to set,

Thus thought he his chiefest opponent to get.

Whether Lu Xun acted upon the suggestion of his subordinates will be seen in the next chapter.

CHAPTER 84. Lu Xun Burns All Consecutive Camps; Zhuge Liang Plans The Eight-Array Maze.

The last chapter closed with the report that the First Ruler had shifted camp in search of cool shade, and the news was very welcome to Lu Xun. He went forthwith to assure himself of the truth of the report and observe the new position. A level plain lay at his feet, whereon he saw something short of ten thousand Shu troops, the greater part of whom appeared invalids. On the banner of their leader he read the name “Van Leader Wu Ban”.

“We consider these troops children,” said Zhou Tai. “Let me and General Han Dang go out and smite them. I will give the formal guarantee of victory.”

The Commander-in-Chief made no reply, but remained gazing out before him. Presently he said, “It seems to me that an air of slaughter is rising over there from that valley; surely there is an ambush there. These poor troops in the foreground are nothing but a bait. No, Gentlemen; do not leave your positions.”

Those who heard this took it only as another proof of the imbecility of their pedant commander.

Next day Wu Ban's soldiers approached closer and challenged to battle, swaggering about and brandishing their weapons and shouting volleys of abuse without end. They manifested contempt by throwing off their armor and clothing and moving to and fro with the utmost carelessness, bare bodies and naked forms, blatantly unready to fight. Some even sat or lay asleep.

Xu Sheng and Ding Feng came to the commander's tent to complain, saying, “Those Shu soldiers despise us so much. Let us go out and punish them!”

But Lu Xun only smiled, saying, “You see everything from the point of view of brute courage. You seem not to know the principles of war laid down by Sun Zi and Wu Qi. This display is only meant to entice us into fight. You will see the pretense yourselves in about three days.”

“In three days the change of camp will be complete, and the enemy will be too strongly posted for our success,” said they.

“I am just letting them move their camp.”

Xu Sheng and Ding Feng left the tent also sniggering. But on the third day the officers were assembled at a look-out point whence they saw that Wu's army had left.

“There is still a deadly look over the valley,” said Lu Xun. “Liu Bei will soon appear.”

Very soon they saw a whole army all well accoutered pass across the field escorting the First Ruler. And the sight took away all their courage.

“That is why I would not listen to those of you who wanted to fight Wu Ban,” said Lu Xun. “Now that the ambush has been withdrawn, we can settle them in about ten days.”

“The proper time to attack was when they began to transfer their camp. Now they are fully established with encampments stretching two hundred miles. Having spent seven or eight months in strengthening where they might be attacked, will it not be difficult to destroy them?” said they.

“I see you do not understand how to carry on war. This man Liu Bei is a capable and crafty man. When he first started on this expedition his methods were of the best, and he kept to them for a long time, so we gave him no chance against us. When his troops are worn out and his thoughts cease to be clear, that will be our day to attack.”

At last they agreed with their chief.

The general discoursed on war,

According to the book;

Right craftily the bait for whales

Was put upon the hook.

When kingdoms three were carved out,

Though famous men were many,

Lu Xun of Wu

At least stands high as any.

Lu Xun had already had the plan whereby the Shu army was to be crushed, and at this stage he wrote to the Prince of Wu in full details, even naming a day for the victory.

“We have found another remarkably able leader,” said the Prince, “and I have no further anxiety. They all said he was a useless pedant, and only I knew better. Reading this letter shows him nothing at all of a pedant.”

Then the Prince of Wu mustered the remainder of his soldiers to hold in reserve.

Meanwhile the First Ruler had sent orders to hasten the marines down the river and take up stations along the banks deep in the territory of Wu.