ang Liao。 〃But we will destroy them by a simple ruse。〃
He bade them light torches and yell 〃Treachery！ Rebellion！〃 and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge。
When Taishi Ci saw the gates swing open； he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate。 But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded； and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain。 Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out。 But he was wounded in many places。 And in the pursuit that followed； more than half the troops under Taishi Ci were cut off。 As he drew near his own lines； a rescue force led by Lu Xun and Dong Xi came to his aid； and the Cao Cao's soldiers ceased from pursuit。
Sun Quan was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful general had been grievously wounded。 Then Zhang Zhao prayed him to cease from war； and Sun Quan was content。 They gathered in their soldiers to their ships and sailed to Nanxu and Runzhou where they camped。
Meanwhile Taishi Ci was dying。
When his lord went to ask how he fared； he cried； 〃When a worthy person is born into a turbulent world； he has to be a soldier and gird on a three…span sword to step on the mountains to mend the sky。 I have not rendered great service。 Why must I die before I have attained my desire？〃
These were his last words。 He was forty…one years of age。
Single minded and perfectly loyal；
Such was Taishi Ci； in Donglai；
Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits；
Riding or archery； all humans he excelled；
One in Bohai who admired his valor；
Cared for his mother while he was fighting；
How he roared in the battle at Shenting！
Dying； he spoke as a hero；
All throug