felt the shame of many slain;
The chief determines on revenge and marches out again。
What measure of success the expedition met with will be related in the next chapter。
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Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Shan Fu's Strategy: Fankou Is Captured;
Xu Shu's Affection: Zhuge Liang Is Remended。
In hot anger; Cao Ren lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army。 He hastily crossed the River Yu to attack Xinye and trample it in the dust。
When San Fu got back into the city; he said to Liu Bei; 〃When Cao Ren; now at Fancheng; hears of his losses; he will try to retrieve them and will e to attack us。〃
〃What is the counter move?〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃As he will e with all his force; his own city will be left undefended。 We will surprise it。〃
〃By what ruse?〃
The adviser leaned over and whispered to his chief。 Whatever the plan was; it pleased Liu Bei; who made arrangements。 Soon the scouts reported Cao Ren crossing the river with a mighty host。
〃Just as I guessed;〃 said San Fu; hearing of it。
Then he suggested that Liu Bei should lead out one army against the invaders。 Liu Bei did so; and; when the formation was plete; Zhao Yun rode to the front as champion and challenged the other side。
Li Dian rode out and engaged。 At about the tenth bout Li Dian found he was losing and retired toward his own side。 Zhao Yun pressed after him; but was checked by a heavy discharge of arrows from the wings。 Then both sides stopped the battle and retired to their camps。
Li Dian reported to his chief: 〃Our enemy are brave; very full of spirit; and we will be hard to overe。 We had better retreat to Fanchen