第39部分 (第1/7页)

essed　the　attack。　Huang　Gai　captured　Jiaxing；　and　Taishi　Ci　took　Wucheng。　Several　other　southern　cities　were　fallen。　The　territory　was　quickly　subdued。　Yan　Baihu　rushed　off　toward　Yuhang　in　the　east；　plundering　on　all　sides；　till　a　band　of　villagers　under　the　leadership　of　one　Ling　Cao　checked　his　career　of　robbery　there。　Yan　Baihu　then　fled　toward　Kuaiji。

Ling　Cao　and　his　son　then　went　to　meet　Sun　Ce；　who　took　them　into　his　service；　and　appointed　them　manders　as　a　reward　for　their　service；　and　the　joint　forces　crossed　the　Great　River。

The　White　Tiger；　Yan　Baihu；　gathered　his　scattered　forces　and　took　up　a　position　at　Western　Ford；　but　Cheng　Pu　attacked　him　there　and　scattered　the　defenders；　chasing　them　as　far　as　Kuaiji。　The　Governor　of　the　place；　Wang　Lang；　was　on　Yan　Baihu's　side　and　inclined　to　support　him　actively。

But；　when　Wang　Lang　proposed　this；　one　of　his　officers　stood　forth；　saying；　〃No！　No！　Sun　Ce　as　a　leader　is　humane　and　upright；　while　the　White　Tiger　is　a　savage　ruffian。　Rather　capture　him　and　offer　his　person　as　a　peace　offering　to　Sun　Ce。〃

The　Governor　turned　angrily　toward　the　speaker；　who　was　an　official　named　Yu　Fan　from　Kuaiji；　and　bade　him　be　silent。　Yu　Fan　withdrew　sighing　deeply。　And　the　Governor　went　to　the　help　of　the　White　Tiger　with　whom　he　joined　forces　at　Shanyin。

Sun　Ce　came　up。　When　both　sides　were　arrayed；　Sun　Ce　rode　out　and　addressed　Wang　Lang；　saying；　〃Mine　is　an　army　of　good　soldiers；　and　my　aim　is　to　restore　peace　to　this　region；　but　you　give　your　support　to　a　rebel！〃

Wang　Lang　replied；　〃Your　greed　is　insatiable。　Having　got　possession　of　Wujun；　you　want　also　my　territory。　I　shall　revenge　for　the　Yans！〃

This　response　greatly　angered　Sun　Ce。　Just　as　battle　was　to　be　joined；　Taishi