Now, Zhuge Liang, riding in his small carriage and accompanied by several hundred cavalry, went ahead to reconnoiter the terrain. Before them lay a river called the Xier River. Though its current was slow, there were no boats or rafts to be found. Zhuge Liang ordered timber cut to build rafts for crossing, but when the logs were placed in the water, they sank. He then consulted Lü Kai, who said, "I have heard that upstream on the Xier River there is a mountain covered with bamboo, some of it several arm spans in girth. You can send men to cut it down and build a bamboo bridge across the river to transport the army and horses." Zhuge Liang immediately dispatched thirty thousand men into the mountains, where they cut down hundreds of thousands of bamboo stalks, floated them downstream, and at a narrow point on the river, constructed a bamboo bridge over ten spans wide. He then deployed his main army on the northern bank in a single line of camps, using the river as a moat, the floating bridge as a gate, and piling up earth to form a wall. Across the bridge on the southern bank, he set up three large camps in a row to await the tribal forces.
Meanwhile, Meng Huo, burning with rage, led several hundred thousand tribal troops toward the Xier River. As they drew near, Meng Huo advanced with ten thousand vanguard knife-and-shield warriors, charging straight to the front of the Shu camp to provoke a battle. Zhuge Liang appeared, wearing a silk headband, draped in a crane-feather cloak, holding a feather fan in his hand, and riding in a four-horse carriage, flanked by his generals on all sides. Zhuge Liang saw Meng Huo clad in rhinoceros-hide armor, sporting a vermilion helmet, a shield on his left arm, a blade in his right hand, and riding a red-haired ox. The the southern king hurled insults, while his ten thousand cave warriors, all brandishing knives and shields, surged back and forth. Zhuge Liang urgently ordered his troops to withdraw into their camp, sealing it tightly on all sides and forbidding any engagement. The tribal soldiers, stripped to the waist, came right up to the camp gate to hurl abuse. The Shu generals, furious, came to Zhuge Liang and said, "We beg to leave the camp and fight to the death!" Zhuge Liang refused. They pleaded repeatedly for battle, but Zhuge Liang stopped them, saying, "These men from the southern wilds do not follow the king's civilizing ways. Now that they have come, their rage and ferocity are at their peak—we cannot meet them head-on. We should hold firm for a few days until their arrogance and frenzy subside. Then I will have a cunning plan to break them."
Thus the Shu army held its position for several days. From a high vantage point, Zhuge Liang observed that the tribal troops had grown lax and weary. He gathered his generals and asked, "Do you dare to give battle now?" The generals eagerly agreed. Zhuge Liang first summoned Zhao Yun and Wei Yan into his tent and whispered instructions in their ears, commanding them to act in a certain way. The two men received their orders and departed. He then called Wang Ping and Ma Zhong into the tent, gave them their orders, and sent them off. Next, he summoned Ma Dai and instructed him, saying, "I am now going to abandon these three camps and withdraw north across the river. Once our army has pulled back, you must dismantle the floating bridge and move it downstream. Then ferry Zhao Yun and Wei Yan's forces across the river to support us." Ma Dai accepted the plan and left. Finally, he called Zhang Yi and said, "When our army retreats, set up many lanterns in the camps. When Meng Huo sees this, he will surely give chase. You must cut off his rear." Zhang Yi received his orders and departed. Zhuge Liang kept only Guan Suo to guard his carriage. The army withdrew, and the camps were filled with lanterns. When the tribal troops saw this, they dared not attack.
At dawn the next day, Meng Huo led his main tribal force straight to the Shu camps, only to find all three camps empty of men and horses, with several hundred carts of grain and supplies abandoned inside. Meng You said, "Zhuge Liang has abandoned his camps and fled—could this be a trap?" Meng Huo replied, "I believe Zhuge Liang has left his supplies behind because of an urgent matter in his kingdom. Either Wu is invading, or Wei is attacking. That is why he lit lanterns to create a false show of strength and abandoned his carts. We must pursue him quickly and not miss this chance." So Meng Huo drove his vanguard straight to the Xier River. On the northern bank, they saw the camps with banners still neatly arrayed, bright as brocade clouds, and along the riverbank, a fortified wall had been built. The tribal scouts, seeing this, dared not advance. Meng Huo said to Meng You, "This is Zhuge Liang's fear of our pursuit. He has paused briefly on the northern bank, but within two days, he will surely flee." He then stationed his tribal troops along the riverbank and sent men into the mountains to cut bamboo for rafts to cross the river, moving his most daring soldiers to the front of the camp. Little did they know that the Shu army had already entered their own territory.
That day, a great wind arose. From all sides, torches blazed and drums thundered as the Shu army attacked. The tribesman warriors and cave soldiers collided with each other in chaos. Meng Huo, terrified, quickly led his clan and cave warriors to cut a path and flee straight for his old camp. Suddenly, a force burst out from the camp—it was Zhao Yun. Meng Huo frantically turned back toward the Xier River, fleeing into the mountain wilds. Another force emerged—it was Ma Dai. With only a few dozen battered remnants, Meng Huo escaped into the mountains. Seeing dust clouds and firelight to the south, north, and west, he dared not advance in those directions and could only flee eastward. As he rounded a mountain pass, he saw before a great forest several dozen attendants leading a small carriage, in which sat Zhuge Liang, laughing heartily. "King Meng Huo of the Southern Tribes! Heaven has brought you to ruin here. I have been waiting for you for a long time!" Meng Huo, enraged, turned to his men and said, "I have fallen for this man's tricks and been shamed three times. Now I meet him here. Charge forward with all your might and smash him, carriage and all, into pieces!" A few southern wilds cavalrymen rushed forward with all their strength. Meng Huo led the charge, shouting, but as he reached the edge of the great forest, with a crashing sound, he fell into a hidden pit, and all his men tumbled down with him. From within the forest, Wei Yan emerged with several hundred soldiers, who dragged them out one by one and bound them with ropes. Zhuge Liang first returned to his camp, where he issued amnesty to the tribal soldiers and the various tribal chieftains and cave warriors. By this time, most had already returned to their villages. Aside from the dead and wounded, the rest surrendered. Zhuge Liang treated them to wine and meat, comforted them with kind words, and ordered them all released. The tribal soldiers departed with gratitude. Shortly afterward, Zhang Yi brought Meng You in chains. Zhuge Liang admonished him, saying, "Your brother is stubborn and foolish—you should have advised him. Now that he has been captured four times, what face does he have to show anyone?" Meng You, deeply ashamed, prostrated himself on the ground and begged for his life. Zhuge Liang said, "I will not kill you today. I will spare your life so that you may counsel your brother." He ordered the guards to untie his ropes and release Meng You. Weeping, Meng You bowed and departed.
Soon after, Wei Yan brought Meng Huo in chains. Zhuge Liang, feigning great anger, said, "You have been captured by me again this time. What do you have to say for yourself?" Meng Huo replied, "I have fallen into your treacherous schemes this time, and even in death, I will not close my eyes!" Zhuge Liang ordered the guards to take him out and behead him. Meng Huo showed no fear, turning back to Zhuge Liang and saying, "If you dare to release me again, I will surely avenge this fourth humiliation!" Zhuge Liang laughed and ordered his attendants to remove the ropes. He offered Meng Huo wine to calm his nerves and seated him in the tent. Zhuge Liang asked, "I have treated you with courtesy four times now, yet you remain unconvinced. Why is that?" Meng Huo replied, "Though I am a man from beyond the pale of civilization, I do not resort to the cunning tricks that you, Chancellor, specialize in. How could I ever submit willingly?" Zhuge Liang said, "If I release you again, will you be able to fight?" Meng Huo answered, "If you capture me again, Chancellor, I will then surrender with all my heart, offering the treasures of my cave to reward your army, and I swear never to rebel again."
Zhuge Liang smiled and sent him away. Meng Huo, overjoyed, bowed in thanks and departed. He gathered several thousand able-bodied men from the various caves and marched southward. Before long, they saw a cloud of dust rising ahead, and a troop of soldiers appeared—it was his brother Meng You, who had regrouped his shattered forces to avenge their previous defeats. The two brothers embraced, weeping, and recounted their recent ordeals. Meng You said, "Our troops have been repeatedly defeated, while the Shu army has won every time. We cannot withstand them. The only option is to retreat into a mountain cave and avoid battle. When the Shu soldiers cannot bear the summer heat, they will naturally withdraw." Meng Huo asked, "Where can we hide?" Meng You replied, "To the southwest, there is a cave called the Bald Dragon Cave. Its chieftain, King Duosi, is a close friend of mine. We can take refuge with him." So Meng Huo first sent Meng You to the Bald Dragon Cave. When Meng You met King Duosi, the chieftain hastily led his cave warriors out to welcome them. Meng Huo entered the cave, exchanged formal greetings, and recounted their misfortunes. Duosi said, "Rest easy, Great King. If the Shu army comes, I will ensure that not a single man or horse returns home. Zhuge Liang and all his men will die here!" Meng Huo, delighted, asked Duosi for his plan. Duosi explained, "This cave has only two approaches. The northeastern road, the one you took to come here, is flat and broad, with good earth and sweet water—suitable for men and horses. If we block the cave entrance with wood and stone, even a million men cannot enter. The northwestern road is steep and treacherous, with narrow paths.
Though there are small trails, they are infested with venomous snakes and scorpions. At dusk, miasmic vapors rise and do not clear until noon, leaving only the hours of late afternoon and early evening safe for travel. The water is undrinkable, and men and horses can barely pass. Furthermore, there are four poisonous springs here. The first is the Mute Spring—its water is quite sweet, but whoever drinks it becomes unable to speak and dies within ten days. The second is the Annihilation Spring—its water is boiling hot, and whoever bathes in it has their flesh and skin rot away, exposing the bones, leading to certain death. The third is the Black Spring—its water is slightly clear, but if it splashes on a person, their hands and feet turn black, and they die. The fourth is the Soft Spring—its water is like ice, and whoever drinks it feels their throat grow cold, their body becomes limp as cotton, and they die. There are no birds or insects here. Only General Fu Bo of the Han Dynasty once passed through this place, and no one has come since. Now, if we block the northeastern road, you can rest securely in my humble cave. If the Shu army sees the eastern road cut off, they will have to take the western path. With no water along the way, they will surely drink from these four springs. Even a million men will never return. What need is there for weapons?" Meng Huo, overjoyed, raised his hand to his forehead in thanks and said, "Now at last I have a place to call my own!" He pointed northward and added, "Let Zhuge Liang use all his divine schemes and cunning calculations—they will avail him nothing!
The waters of these four springs are enough to avenge all our defeats!" From that day on, Meng Huo and Meng You feasted daily with King Duosi.
Now, when Zhuge Liang saw that Meng Huo had not emerged for battle for several days, he issued orders for the main army to leave the Xier River and march south. It was the height of the sixth month, and the heat was like fire. A poet of later times, describing the bitter heat of the southern lands, wrote: "The mountains and marshes seemed parched to ash; flames covered the vast sky. Who could know what heat lay beyond the boundaries of heaven and earth?" Another poet added: "The Red Emperor wielded his scepter of power; no dark clouds dared to form. Steam rose, and the lone crane gasped for breath; the sea boiled, startling the great turtle. Who could bear to sit by the stream? Too lazy to walk among the bamboo. How could the traveler on the sandy frontier don his armor and march on a long campaign?"
As Zhuge Liang led his great army forward, a scout galloped in with a report: "Meng Huo has retreated into the Bald Dragon Cave and will not come out. He has blocked the main road to the cave entrance with wood and stone and stationed troops to guard it. The mountains are steep and treacherous, making it impossible to advance." Zhuge Liang summoned Lü Kai for advice. Lü Kai said, "I have heard that there is a path to this cave, but I do not know the details." Jiang Wan said, "Meng Huo has been captured four times and has lost his nerve. How dare he emerge again? Moreover, the weather is scorching, and our troops are exhausted. There is no benefit in continuing this campaign. It would be better to return to the capital." Zhuge Liang replied, "If we do that, we will fall right into Meng Huo's trap. As soon as our army withdraws, he will surely pursue us. Now that we have come this far, how can we turn back?" He then ordered Wang Ping to lead several hundred soldiers as the vanguard and commanded the newly surrendered tribal troops to guide them, searching for a small northwestern path to enter. They soon came to a spring. Men and horses, parched with thirst, rushed to drink from it. Wang Ping, having found this path, reported back to Zhuge Liang. By the time they returned to the main camp, all the men who had drunk the water were unable to speak, only pointing to their mouths.
Zhuge Liang was greatly alarmed, realizing they had been poisoned. He mounted his small carriage and, accompanied by a few dozen men, went to investigate. They saw a pool of clear water, so deep its bottom was invisible, with a chilling vapor rising from it. The soldiers dared not test it. Zhuge Liang dismounted and climbed to a high point to survey the area. On all sides were steep peaks and ridges, and not a single bird or insect could be heard. He grew deeply suspicious. In the distance, on a mountain ridge, he spotted an old temple. Zhuge Liang climbed hand over hand through the vines and creepers until he reached it. Inside a stone chamber, a statue of a general sat upright, with a stone stele beside it. It was a temple dedicated to General Ma Yuan, the Han Dynasty's Fu Bo General, who had passed through this region during his southern campaigns, and the locals had built this temple to honor him. Zhuge Liang prostrated himself and prayed, saying, "I, Liang, bear the heavy burden entrusted to me by the late Emperor. Now, following the sacred decree of the current Emperor, I have come here to pacify the the Southern Tribes. My intention is to first subdue the southern lands, then attack Wei and swallow Wu, and restore the Han Dynasty. My soldiers, unfamiliar with this terrain, have mistakenly drunk poisoned water and can no longer speak. I humbly beseech you, honored spirit, mindful of the grace and righteousness of the Han court, to manifest your divine power and protect the three armies!"
After finishing his prayer, he left the temple to seek out a local to question. In the distance, on the opposite mountain, he dimly saw an old man with a staff approaching, his appearance quite extraordinary. Zhuge Liang invited the old man into the temple, exchanged formal greetings, and they sat facing each other on a stone. Zhuge Liang asked, "May I ask your honorable surname, venerable elder?" The old man replied, "I have long heard of the great reputation of the Chancellor of the Central Kingdom. I am fortunate to meet you now. The people of the southern wilds owe their lives to your mercy and are deeply grateful." Zhuge Liang asked about the springs, and the old man answered, "The water your soldiers drank is from the Mute Spring. Those who drink it lose their speech and die within a few days. Besides this spring, there are three others. To the southeast is a spring whose water is ice-cold. Whoever drinks it feels their throat grow cold, their body becomes limp, and they die—it is called the Soft Spring. Directly to the south is a spring: if its water splashes on a person, their hands and feet turn black and they die—it is called the Black Spring. To the southwest is a spring that boils like hot soup. Whoever bathes in it has their skin and flesh fall away and dies—it is called the Annihilation Spring. These four springs gather all the poisonous vapors of this region, and there is no medicine to cure them. Moreover, miasmic vapors rise thickly, and only during the hours of late afternoon and early evening can one travel safely. At all other times, the miasma is dense, and contact with it means certain death."
Zhuge Liang said, "If this is so, then the southern lands cannot be pacified. If the south is not pacified, how can I swallow up Wu and Wei and restore the Han Dynasty? I would be failing the heavy trust placed in me by the late Emperor. It would be better to die than to live!" The old man replied, "Do not worry, Chancellor. I will guide you to a place where a remedy can be found." Zhuge Liang said, "Venerable elder, I beg you to share your wise counsel." The old man said, "A few miles due west of here, there is a valley. Enter it and travel twenty miles, and you will come to a stream called the Ten Thousand Peace Stream. On its bank lives a recluse known as the Ten Thousand Peace Hermit. He has not left that stream for over ten years. Behind his thatched cottage is a spring called the Peace and Joy Spring. If someone is poisoned, drinking its water will cure them. If someone has sores or scabies, or is afflicted by miasma, bathing in the Ten Thousand Peace Stream will naturally relieve them. In front of the cottage, there is also a type of herb called the Fragrant Leek Leaf. If a person holds a leaf in their mouth, miasma cannot harm them. Chancellor, you must go quickly and seek his help." Zhuge Liang bowed in thanks and asked, "I am deeply grateful for your life-saving guidance. May I ask your honorable name?" The old man entered the temple and said, "I am the mountain god of this place, sent by General Fu Bo to guide you." With these words, he cried out, and the stone wall behind the temple split open, and he entered it. Zhuge Liang was astonished. He bowed again to the temple's spirit, then returned to his carriage by the old path and went back to the main camp.
The next day, Zhuge Liang prepared incense and gifts, and with Wang Ping and all the mute soldiers, he traveled through the night toward the place the mountain god had indicated. They entered a small valley path and, after traveling about twenty miles, saw tall pines and great cypresses, lush bamboo and exotic flowers surrounding a farmstead. Amid the hedges stood several thatched cottages, and a fragrant scent filled the air. Zhuge Liang was overjoyed. He went to the gate of the farmstead and knocked. A young boy came out. As Zhuge Liang was about to announce his name, a man emerged—wearing a bamboo hat and straw sandals, a white robe with a black sash, with blue eyes and yellow hair—and said cheerfully, "Is this not the Han Chancellor?" Zhuge Liang smiled and asked, "Venerable sir, how did you know?" The hermit replied, "I have long heard that the Chancellor was leading a southern campaign. How could I not know?" He then invited Zhuge Liang into the thatched hall. After exchanging formal greetings, they took their seats as host and guest. Zhuge Liang said, "I bear the heavy burden entrusted to me by the late Emperor, Emperor Zhaolie. Now, following the sacred decree of the current Emperor, I have led a great army here to subdue the tribesman tribes and bring them under the king's civilizing influence. Unexpectedly, Meng Huo has hidden himself in a cave, and my soldiers mistakenly drank the water of the Mute Spring. Last night, General Fu Bo appeared to me in a vision and told me that you, venerable sir, possess a medicinal spring that can cure them. I humbly beg you, out of compassion, to grant me the divine water to save the lives of my soldiers." The hermit said, "I am but a worthless recluse in the mountains. Why should the Chancellor trouble himself to visit me? The spring is right behind my cottage." He ordered his attendants to fetch the water. The boy then led Wang Ping and all the mute soldiers to the stream, where they drew water and drank it. Immediately, they vomited foul phlegm and regained their speech. The boy also led the soldiers to bathe in the Ten Thousand Peace Stream.
In the cottage, the hermit served cypress-seed tea and pine-flower dishes to entertain Zhuge Liang. The hermit advised him, "The the cave strongholds here are full of venomous snakes and scorpions. Willow catkins drift into the streams and springs, making the water undrinkable. You must dig wells to draw water instead." Zhuge Liang asked for the Fragrant Leek Leaf herb, and the hermit ordered the soldiers to gather as much as they could, saying, "Let each man hold a leaf in his mouth, and the miasma will not harm him." Zhuge Liang bowed and asked the hermit's name. The hermit smiled and said, "I am Meng Jie, the elder brother of Meng Huo." Zhuge Liang was startled. The hermit continued, "Chancellor, do not be suspicious. Allow me to explain. Our parents had three sons: myself, the eldest; Meng Huo, the second; and Meng You, the youngest. Our parents are both dead. My two younger brothers are violent and stubborn, refusing to submit to the king's civilizing ways. I repeatedly advised them, but they would not listen. So I changed my name and went into hiding here. Now my rebellious brothers have caused you, Chancellor, to lead your army deep into this barren land, putting you to such trouble. I, Meng Jie, deserve ten thousand deaths. I therefore beg your forgiveness in advance." Zhuge Liang sighed and said, "Now I truly believe that the stories of the sage and the bandit being brothers are real." He then said to Meng Jie, "I will petition the Emperor to make you a king. What do you think?" Meng Jie replied, "I fled here to escape fame and fortune. How could I now covet wealth and rank?" Zhuge Liang offered him gold and silk, but Meng Jie firmly refused. Zhuge Liang sighed deeply, took his leave, and departed. A poet of later times wrote of this: "The recluse dwelt in seclusion, closing his door to the world; the Marquis of Wu once passed through here to defeat the southern tribes. To this day, among the ancient trees in this uninhabited land, cold mist still clings to the old mountains."
When Zhuge Liang returned to the main camp, he ordered the soldiers to dig wells. They dug over twenty spans deep but found no water. They tried more than ten different locations, all with the same result. The soldiers grew panicked. At midnight, Zhuge Liang burned incense and prayed to Heaven, saying, "I, Liang, though lacking in talent, rely on the blessings of the Great Han Dynasty and have been commanded to pacify the the Southern Tribes. Now, on this march, we are short of water, and the men and horses are parched. If Heaven does not wish the Han Dynasty to end, then grant us sweet springs! But if the dynasty's fortunes are exhausted, then I, Liang, and my men are willing to die here!" After this prayer, at dawn the next day, they found that all the wells were filled with sweet water. A poet of later times wrote: "To pacify the south, he led a mighty army; his heart, aligned with the righteous path, moved the gods. Geng Gong prayed at the well, and sweet water gushed forth; Zhuge Liang's sincerity brought water in the night."
Now that Zhuge Liang's army had obtained sweet water, they advanced safely along the small path and set up camp before the Bald Dragon Cave. When the tribal scouts learned of this, they reported to Meng Huo, saying, "The Shu army has not been affected by the miasma, nor do they suffer from thirst. None of the springs have worked against them." King Duosi refused to believe it and went with Meng Huo to a high mountain to observe. They saw the Shu army going about their business as if nothing were wrong, carrying water in large buckets and small loads, watering their horses and cooking their meals. When Duosi saw this, his hair stood on end. He turned to Meng Huo and said, "These are divine soldiers!" Meng Huo said, "My brother and I will fight the Shu army to the death. I would rather fall on the battlefield than be taken prisoner!" Duosi replied, "If you, Great King, are defeated, my wife and children are as good as dead. We must slaughter oxen and horses, generously reward the cave warriors, and charge the Shu camp without fear of fire or water. Only then can we win." So they lavishly rewarded the tribal soldiers.
Just as they were about to set out, a report came that Yang Feng, the chieftain of the Silver Smith Cave, located to the west behind the Bald Dragon Cave, had arrived with thirty thousand troops to offer assistance. Meng Huo, overjoyed, said, "With neighboring troops to help me, I am sure to win!" He and King Duosi immediately went out of the cave to welcome him. Yang Feng led his men in and said, "I have thirty thousand elite soldiers, all clad in iron armor, capable of crossing mountains and leaping ravines—enough to match a million Shu troops. I also have five sons, all skilled in martial arts. I wish to help you, Great King." Yang Feng ordered his five sons to come forward and pay their respects. They were all powerfully built, with the physiques of tigers and imposing presences. Meng Huo was delighted and prepared a feast to honor Yang Feng and his sons. When the wine had flowed freely, Yang Feng said, "The camp lacks entertainment. I have brought along some tribal dancing women who are skilled in the knife-and-shield dance, to add to our merriment." Meng Huo happily agreed. In a moment, several dozen tribal women, with disheveled hair and bare feet, danced and leaped into the tent. The tribal soldiers clapped their hands and sang along. Yang Feng ordered two of his sons to serve wine. The two young men raised their cups and approached Meng Huo and Meng You. They took the cups and were about to drink, when Yang Feng let out a great shout. His two sons immediately seized Meng Huo and Meng You and dragged them from their seats. King Duosi tried to flee but was captured by Yang Feng. The tribal women formed a line across the tent, and no one dared to approach. Meng Huo said, "When the fox dies, the hare grieves—we are all of the same kind. You and I are both chieftains of our respective caves. We have never had any grievance. Why do you harm me?" Yang Feng replied, "My brothers, sons, and nephews have all been saved by Chancellor Zhuge Liang's mercy, and we had no way to repay him. Now that you are rebelling, why should I not capture you and present you to him?"
Thus the tribal soldiers from the various caves all fled back to their villages. Yang Feng delivered Meng Huo, Meng You, and King Duosi to Zhuge Liang's camp. Zhuge Liang ordered them brought in. Yang Feng and his men bowed before the tent and said, "Our sons and nephews are all grateful for the Chancellor's kindness and virtue. That is why we captured Meng Huo, Meng You, and the others to present to you." Zhuge Liang rewarded them generously and ordered Meng Huo brought forward. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Are you convinced now?" Meng Huo replied, "This is not your doing. It is because my own cave men have turned against each other that things have come to this. If you want to kill me, then kill me—but I will never submit!" Zhuge Liang said, "You lured me into a waterless land and used the poisonous Mute Spring, Annihilation Spring, Black Spring, and Soft Spring against me. Yet my army remained unharmed. Is this not Heaven's will? Why are you so obstinate?" Meng Huo replied, "My ancestral home is in the Silver Pit Mountain. It is protected by the peril of three rivers and the strength of many passes. If you can capture me there, then I will submit with all my heart, and my descendants will serve you for generations." Zhuge Liang said, "I will release you again. Go and reorganize your army, and we will fight to a decisive conclusion. If you are captured then and still refuse to submit, I will exterminate your entire clan." He ordered his attendants to untie Meng Huo's ropes and set him free. Meng Huo bowed and departed. Zhuge Liang also released Meng You and King Duosi, offering them wine and food to calm their nerves. The two men, trembling with fear, dared not look him in the eye. Zhuge Liang ordered horses and saddles provided to send them back. Truly: "To venture deep into dangerous terrain was no easy feat; to deploy even more extraordinary schemes was no mere accident!"
Whether Meng Huo would regroup his forces and return, and who would win or lose, remains to be seen in the next chapter.