“I have ever been true to him, and yet he wants to kill me. It is hard to be either friendly or reasonable.”
Then he decided to take E Huan into his confidence, and called him. E Huan was much prejudiced in favor of Zhuge Liang, and said, “Zhuge Liang is a most benevolent man, and it would be ill to turn our backs upon him. It is Yong Kai's fault that we are now rebels, and our best course would be to slay him and betake ourselves to Zhuge Liang.”
“How could it be done?” asked Gao Ding.
“Invite him to a banquet. If he refuses, it means he is a traitor, and then you can attack him in front while I will lie in wait behind his camp to capture him as he runs away.”
They agreed to try this plan; the banquet was prepared and Yong Kai invited. But as Yong Kai's mind was full of suspicion from what his returned soldiers had said, he would not come. That night, as soon as darkness fell, Gao Ding attacked his camp.
Now the soldiers who had been released were imbued with the goodness of Gao Ding all quite ready to help him fight. On the other hand, Yong Kai's troops mutinied against him, and so Yong Kai mounted his steed and fled. Before he had gone far, he found his road blocked by the cohort under E Huan, who galloped out with his halberd and confronted the fugitive. Yong Kai could not defend himself, and was struck down. E Huan decapitated him. As soon as they knew he was dead, his troops joined themselves to Gao Ding, who then went and surrendered to Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang received Gao Ding sitting in state in his tent, but at once ordered the lictors to decapitate Gao Ding.
But Gao Ding said, “Influenced by your kindness, Sir, I have brought the head of my colleague as a proof of the sincerity of my surrender; why should I die?”
“You come with false intent; do you think you can hoodwink me?” said Zhuge Liang, laughing.
“What proof have you that I am false?”
Zhuge Liang drew a letter from his box, and said, “Zhu Bao sent this secretly to say he wished to surrender, and he said you and Yong Kai were sworn friends to death. How could you suddenly change your feelings and slay him? That is how I know your treachery.”
“Zhu Bao only tried to make trouble,” cried Gao Ding, kneeling.
Zhuge Liang still refused to believe him, and said, “I cannot believe you without more solid proof. If you would slay Zhu Bao, I could take that as proving you were sincere in your surrender.”
“Do not doubt me. What if I go and capture this man?”
“If you did that, my doubts would be set at rest.”
Thereupon Gao Ding and his subordinate, E Huan, led away their troops to the camp of Zhu Bao. When they were about three miles from his camp, Zhu Bao appeared with a cohort. As soon as they recognized each other, Zhu Bao hastily came forward to parley.
But Gao Ding cried out to him, “Why did you write a letter to the Prime Minister and so intrigue with him to get me killed?”
Zhu Bao stared open mouthed and could not reply. Then E Huan rode out from behind his chief and struck Zhu Bao with his halberd so that he fell to the ground.
Thereupon Gao Ding shouted, “The soldiers should either yield or be slain!”
And they yielded in a body.
Gao Ding then went back to Zhuge Liang and offered the head of the man just slain.
Zhuge Liang laughed again. “I have made you kill both these as a proof of loyalty.”
Then he created Gao Ding Governor of Yiazhou and chief of three territories, while E Huan was made General. Thus the three divisions were disposed of and troubled the peace no more.
Governor Wang Kang of Yongchang then came out of the city and welcomed Zhuge Liang; and, when Zhuge Liang had made his entry into that city, he called Wang Kang and asked, “Who has aided you in the defense of this city?”
The Governor said, “The safety of this city is due entirely to Lu Kai.”
So Lu Kai was called. He came and bowed.
Zhuge Liang said, “Long since I heard of you as a remarkable person of this area. We are greatly indebted to you for its safety. Now we wish to conquer the Mangs; have you any advice to offer?”
Lu Kai then produced a map of the country and presented it, saying, “From the time of my appointment, I have felt certain that the southern tribespeople would rise against you, and so I sent secret agents to map out the country and find the strategic points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call 'The Plan to Subdue the Mangs.' I beg you, Sir, to accept it, as it may be of use.”
Then Zhuge Liang took Lu Kai into his service as Military Adviser and Guide. With Lu Kai's help, Zhuge Liang advanced and penetrated deeply into the country.
While the army was advancing, there came a messenger from the court. When he appeared, Zhuge Liang saw it was Ma Su, and he was clothed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Ma Liang, who had just died.
He said, “I come by special command of the Emperor with gifts of wine and silks for the soldiers.”
