第26部分(第1/7 頁)

Before　long　the　man　had　reached　the　foot　of　the　wall　and　called　out；　〃Open　the　gate！〃

But　the　defenders　would　not　open　to　an　unknown　man；　and　in　the　delay　a　crowd　of　rebels　gathered　round　the　rider　along　the　edge　of　the　moat。　Suddenly　wheeling　about；　the　warrior　dashed　in　among　them　and　bowled　over　a　dozen　at　which　the　others　fell　back。　At　this　Kong　Rong　ordered　the　wardens　to　open　the　gates　and　let　the　stranger　enter。　As　soon　as　he　was　inside；　he　dismounted；　laid　aside　his　spear；　ascended　the　wall；　and　made　humble　obeisance　to　the　Governor。

〃My　name　is　Taishi　Ci；　and　I　am　from　the　county　of　Laihuang。　I　only　returned　home　yesterday　from　the　north　to　see　my　mother；　and　then　I　heard　that　your　city　was　in　danger　from　a　rebel　attack。　My　mother　said　you　had　been　very　kind　to　her　and　told　me　I　should　try　to　help。　So　I　set　out　all　alone；　and　here　I　am。〃

This　was　cheering。　Kong　Rong　already　knew　Taishi　Ci　by　reputation　as　a　valiant　fighting　man；　although　they　two　had　never　met。　The　son　being　far　away　from　his　home；　Kong　Rong　had　taken　his　mother；　who　dwelt　a　few　miles　from　the　city；　under　his　especial　protection　and　saw　that　she　did　not　suffer　from　want。　This　had　won　the　old　lady's　heart　and　she　had　sent　her　son　to　show　her　gratitude。

Kong　Rong　showed　his　appreciation　by　treating　his　guest　with　the　greatest　respect；　making　him　presents　of　clothing　and　armor；　saddles　and　horses。

Presently　said　Taishi　Ci；　〃Give　me　a　thousand　soldiers；　and　I　will　go　out　and　drive　off　these　fellows。〃

〃You　are　a　bold　warrior；　but　they　are　very　numerous。　It　is　a　serious　matter　to　go　out　among　them；〃　said　Kong　Rong。

〃My　mother　sent　me　because　of　your　goodness　to　her。　How　shall　I　be　able　to　look　her　in　the　face　if　I　do　not　raise　the　siege？　I　would　pr