Ling Tong turned to his rival and bowed low。
〃I could not have supposed you would have rendered me such a service; Sir;〃 said he to Gan Ning。
This episode ended the strife and enmity between the two leaders; who thereafter swore perpetual friendship。
On the other side Cao Cao saw to it that Yue Jing's wound was dressed。 Next day he launched an attack against Ruxu along five different lines。 He himself led one army in the center; on the left Zhang Liao and Li Dian led two armies; on the right Xu Huang and Pang De manded the other two。 Each army was ten thousand strong; and they marched to give battle on the river bank。 The crews and fighting troops of the South Land's naval squadron were greatly frightened by the approach of these armies。
〃You have eaten the bread of your prince; and you must give loyal service。 Why fear?〃 said Xu Sheng。
Thereupon he put some hundreds of his best men into small boats; went along the bank; and broke into the legion under Li Dian。 Meanwhile Dong Xi on the ships beat drums and cheered them on。 But a great storm came on; lashing the river to fury; and the waves rolled mountains high。 The larger ships rolled as if they would overturn; and the soldiers of Wu were frightened。 They started to get down into the bulkier cargo…boats to save their lives。 But Dong Xi threatened them with his sword; cutting down some half score of the mutineers。
〃My orders are to hold this point against the enemy;〃 shouted he。 〃We dare not abandon the ships!〃
However; the wind increased; and presently the bold Dong Xi was thrown into the river by the rolling of his ship and was drowned; together with his men。
Xu Sheng dashed hither and thither among Li Dian's army; slaying right and left。 Chen Wu; hearing the