t。 Thus was the city captured and with it great booty of jewels； which were made over to the army as a reward for their prowess。
The few soldiers who escaped went away and told Meng Huo： 〃The city of Three Rivers was lost； and King Duo Si slain！〃
Meng Huo was much distressed。 Before he had recovered； they told him： 〃The army of Shu has e over and is encamped at the mouth of Silver Pit Ravine。〃
Just as he was in the very depths of distress； a laugh came from behind the screen。
A woman appeared； saying； 〃Though you are brave； how silly you are！ Though I am a woman； but I want to go out and fight。〃
The woman was his wife； Lady Zhurong。 She was a descendant of the Zhurong family of the Southern Mang。 She was expert in the use of the flying sword and never missed her aim。
Meng Huo rose and bowed to her。 Lady Zhurong thereupon mounted a horse and forthwith marched out at the head of a hundred generals； leading fifty thousand troops of the ravines； and set out to drive off the troops of Shu。
Just as the host got clear of the Silver Pit Palace； it was stopped by a cohort led by Zhang Ni。 At once the Mangs deployed； and the lady leader armed herself with five swords such as she used。 In one hand she held an eighteen…foot signal staff； and she sat a curly…haired； reddish horse。
Zhang Ni was secretly troubled at the sight before him； but he engaged the lady mander。 After a few passes the lady turned her steed and bolted。 Zhang Ni went after her； but a sword came flying through the air directly at him。 He tried to fend off with one hand； but it wounded his arm； and he fell to the ground。 The Mangs gave a loud shout； some of them pounced on the unlucky leader and made him prisoner。
Then Ma Zheng； hearing his rade had bee