第49部分(第5/7 頁)

　began　a　fierce　attack　as　the　white　flag　had　just　appeared；　and　Lu　Bu　had　to　turn　all　his　energies　to　defense。　The　assault　lasted　till　noon；　when　the　attacking　force　drew　off　for　a　time。

Lu　Bu　was　taking　a　rest　in　the　tower　and　fell　asleep　in　his　chair。　Song　Xian　sent　away　Lu　Bu's　attendants。　When　they　had　gone；　he　stole　Lu　Bu's　weapon；　the　trident　halberd　in　which　he　trusted。　Then　Song　Xian　and　Wei　Xu　fell　upon　Lu　Bu　together　and　before　he　was　well　awake　had　bound　him　with　cords；　trussing　him　so　that　he　could　not　move。　Lu　Bu　shouted　for　his　guards；　but　they　were　driven　off　by　the　two　traitor　generals　and　could　not　e　near。　Then　a　white　flag　was　shown；　and　the　besiegers　again　approached　the　city。

The　traitors　shouted　out；　〃Lu　Bu　has　been　captured　alive！〃

But　Xiahou　Yuan　could　hardly　believe　it　till　they　threw　down　the　famous　halberd。　The　gates　were　flung　open；　and　the　enemy　entered　the　city。　Gao　Shun　and　Zhang　Liao；　who　were　at　the　opposite　gate；　were　surrounded　and　cut　off　by　the　water　and　helpless。　They　were　captured。　Chen　Gong　made　a　dash　to　the　south　gate　but　was　also　taken　by　Xu　Huang。　Presently　Cao　Cao　entered　and　at　once　gave　orders　to　turn　the　streams　back　into　their　usual　courses。　He　put　out　proclamations　to　sooth　the　people。

Cao　Cao　and　Liu　Bei；　with　Guan　Yu　and　Zhang　Fei　behind；　seated　themselves　side　by　side　in　the　White　Gate　Tower。　The　captives　were　brought　before　them。　Lu　Bu　looked　a　pitiable　object。　Although　a　very　tall　man；　he　was　tied　up　in　a　veritable　ball。

〃The　bonds　are　very　tight；〃　cried　he；　〃I　beseech　you　to　loosen　them！〃

〃Bindings　a　tiger　must　binding　tight；　of　course；〃　replied　Cao　Cao。

Seeing　Hou　Cheng；　Song　Xian；　and　Wei　Xu　standing　there　looking　pleased　at　their　success；　Lu　Bu　said；　〃I　treated　you