p them in oil for half a year。 Then they are dried in the sun。 When dry they are steeped again； and so on many times。 Then they are plaited into helmets and armor。 Clad in this； the men float across rivers； and it does not get wet。 No weapon can penetrate it。 The soldiers are called the Rattan Army。 You may seek aid from this king； and with his help you can take Zhuge Liang as easily as a sharp knife cleaves a bamboo。〃
Meng Huo went to the Wuguo Kingdom and saw the King。 The people of this country do not live in houses； but dwell in caves。 Meng Huo told the story of his woes。
And King Wutu Gu said； 〃I shall muster all my men to avenge you。〃
Meng Huo bowed low and expressed great gratitude。
Wutu Gu called up two generals named Xi Ni and Tu An and gave them thirty thousand of the rattan…armored soldiers and bade them march northeast。
They came to a river called the River of Peach Flowers； on both banks of which grow many peach trees。 Year after year the leaves of these trees fall into the river and render it poisonous to all but the natives。 But to the natives it is a stimulant which doubles their vigor。 They camped on the bank of this river to await the ing of the army of Shu。
Now Zhuge Liang was informed of the journey of Meng Huo and its results； and he knew when the rattan…clad army camped at the ford。 He also knew that Meng Huo had collected all the soldiers of his own that he could help。 Zhuge Liang at once marched to the ford。 He questioned the natives； and they told him that the peach leaves were falling and the water of the river was undrinkable。 So he retired two miles and camped。 Only Wei Yan was left to hold the bank of the River of Peach Flowers。
Next day Wutu Gu led the Wuguo warriors across the stream； and； w