at had been happening； and he had issued orders for every camp to prepare their weapons。 All being ready； he told the chiefs to bring up their prisoner； and bade the others return to their camps。 Dongtu Na went first and told the matter to Zhuge Liang； who praised his zeal and gave him presents。 Then he retired with the chiefs； and the executioners brought in Meng Huo。
〃You said once before that if you were captured again； you would give in；〃 said Zhuge Liang； smiling。 〃Now will you yield？〃
〃This capture is not your work；〃 replied Meng Huo。 〃It is the work of these minions of mine who want to hurt me。 I will not yield on this。〃
〃If I free you again； what then？〃
〃I am a Mang； and so I am not wholly ignorant of war。 If you； O Minister； let me return to my ravines； I will muster another army and fight a decisive battle with you。 If you capture me again； then I will incline my heart and own myself beaten and yield。 I will not go back on my promise again。〃
〃If you refuse to yield next time you are captured； I shall hardly pardon you。〃
At Zhuge Liang's orders the cords were loosed and refreshments were brought for the prisoner。
〃Remember；〃 said Zhuge Liang； 〃I have never failed yet。 I have never failed to win a battle or to take a city I have assaulted。 Why do you Mangs not yield？〃
Meng Huo only nodded his head； he said nothing。 After the wine； Zhuge Liang and Meng Huo rode round the camps together； and the King saw all the arrangements and the piles of stores and heaps of weapons。
And after the inspection Zhuge Liang said； 〃You are silly not to yield to me。 You see my veteran soldiers； my able generals； my stores of all kinds and war gear。 How can you hope to prevail against me？ If you will yield； I will inform t