Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Guan Xing had not gone far when he caught the sound of human voices and horses neighing. Suddenly, a body of soldiers flashed into view; their leader, Ma Zhong, a subordinate commander under Pan Zhang. Ma Zhong spied his master's head swinging from Guan Xing's horse and the dragon blade that Guan Xing had seized. Overcome by anger, he raced for Guan Xing. Guan Xing recognized his father's murderer, and his fury mounted to the stars. He raised the Green Dragon in preparation to strike, when Ma Zhong's three hundred yelling soldiers surrounded him. In mortal danger, the outnumbered Guan Xing spotted a troop of riders to the northwest fighting their way toward him: Zhang Bao had come to his rescue. Rather than fight on, Ma Zhong led a retreat. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao both started out after him; after a few li's chase they came upon Mi Fang and Fu Shiren looking for Ma Zhong. The two companies skirmished; then Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, having too small a force, hastily returned to Xiaoting. They offered the Emperor the captured head and delivered their tale, which he followed with amazement. The Emperor ended by rewarding the whole armed forces.

  Ma Zhong reported back to Han Dang and Zhou Tai, regathered his defeated fighters, and posted them to various positions. An appalling number had been wounded. Ma Zhong then led Fu Shiren and Mi Fang to occupy a spit of land in the river. That night at the third watch the soldiers vented their grief and despair as Mi Fang listened silently. One group said, "We are all Jingzhou men, fooled by Lü Meng into sending Lord Guan to his doom. Now the imperial uncle has started a war the Southland is sure to lose. But if we killed those he hates most—the two traitors Mi Fang and Fu Shiren—and surrendered ourselves in the western camp, it would be well appreciated." Another group of soldiers said, "Not so fast. Wait for the right moment to act."

  Astounded by all he had heard, Mi Fang said to Fu Shiren, "The soldiers have turned against us. Our lives are at risk. The one man the ruler of Shu, Liu Bei, hates is Ma Zhong. What if we took his head to him and said, 'We joined the South against our will. The moment we heard of Your Majesty's approach, we came to answer for our crime'?" Fu Shiren said, "No! That would be our ruin." "The ruler of Shu," Mi Fang persisted, "is tolerant and humane, a man of ample virtue. The present crown prince, Ah Dou, is my late sister's son. His father is bound to keep us from harm, if only for the sake of family feeling." Thus, the two men concluded their little dispute and readied their horses. During the third watch they entered Ma Zhong's tent and severed his head, then headed for Xiaoting with a few dozen followers.

  Sentinels brought them first before Zhang Nan and Feng Xi, to whom the defectors told their story. The next day they offered Ma Zhong's head to the Emperor, explaining bitterly as they stood before him, "We never meant to rebel. Lü Meng tricked us. He said Lord Guan was dead, and induced us to open the gate and surrender the city against our will. But once we heard Your Lordship was marching east, we killed the traitor to satisfy Your Majesty's desire for revenge. We humbly beg forgiveness."

  In great anger the Emperor said, "You never came to confess before, in all the time since I left Chengdu! Only now do you come forth with cunning fables to save your skins in a moment of peril. If I spared you, I could not face Lord Guan in the world below." So saying, the Emperor ordered Guan Xing to set up a tablet to Lord Guan in the royal camp; he then personally carried Ma Zhong's severed head in both hands and offered it in sacrifice before the altar. Finally, he commanded Guan Xing to remove Mi Fang's and Fu Shiren's clothing and to have them kneel before the altar while he personally sliced them up as an offering to Lord Guan.2

  Zhang Bao suddenly came into the Emperor's tent and flung himself to the ground before the Emperor. "My uncle's enemies," he cried, "have all been executed. When will my own father's death be avenged?" "Do not be anxious, good nephew," the Emperor replied. "When I have conquered the Southland and slain every southern dog, we will catch the two traitors who murdered him and you can make mincemeat out of them as an offering to your father's spirit." Zhang Bao retired with tearful thanks.

  By this time the Emperor's awesome reputation had so intimidated the southerners that they wept aloud day and night. In alarm Han Dang and Zhou Tai urgently informed King Sun Quan of Wu that Mi Fang and Fu Shiren had killed Ma Zhong and offered their allegiance to the western king only to be executed themselves. Feeling his own courage failing, Sun Quan gathered his advisers for a conference.

  Bu Zhi addressed the king: "The ruler of Shu hated Lü Meng, Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, Mi Fang, and Fu Shiren. Now they are all dead, although Fan Jiang and Zhang Da are still alive in our homeland. Why not send them, along with Zhang Fei's head, back to the ruler of Shu, hand Jingzhou over to him, return his wife Lady Sun, and submit a memorial suing for peace so that you two kings can meet again in the former spirit of friendship and concert your efforts for the elimination of the kingdom of Wei? That should make the western soldiers withdraw." Sun Quan approved the suggestion. He had Zhang Fei's head put in a fragrant aloeswood case, and the two defectors bound and put in cage-carts. Sun Quan entrusted the mission to Cheng Bing, provided him with his personal letter, and sent him to Xiaoting.

  As the Emperor was preparing his invasion, a personal vassal addressed him thus: "The Southland has sent an envoy with General Zhang Fei's head, together with the two murderers Fan Jiang and Zhang Da under guard." The Emperor touched both hands to his forehead in a gesture of rejoicing and said, "This comes from Heaven! And the spirit of third brother has helped!" He immediately ordered Zhang Bao to set up an altar to his father. When the Emperor looked at Zhang Fei's head, its features unchanged, a sharp cry broke from his lips. Zhang Bao took a sharp knife and slowly sliced the murderers to death as an offering to his father's spirit.

  When the ritual was over, the Emperor, still unassuaged, reaffirmed his intention to destroy the Southland. But Ma Liang said, "The culprits are dead; your grievance is answered. Cheng Bing, a high official, has come to return Jingzhou, send back Lady Sun, and seal an everlasting amity with a view to the destruction of Wei. He humbly awaits your royal decree." But the Emperor said angrily, "Sun Quan I hate. To ally with him now would be to betray my fraternal covenant. We will destroy Wu first, and then Wei!"3 The Emperor would have executed the southern envoy, but was dissuaded by his officers. Cheng Bing fled in humiliation and reported to the lord of Wu: "The kingdom of Shu will not talk peace. They have sworn to destroy the south first and then attack Wei; they are deaf to the protests of their officials. What are we to do?"

  Sun Quan was in a quandary. Kan Ze stepped forward to address him: "We have among us a pillar of strength. Why not use him?" Sun Quan eagerly asked whom he meant, and Kan Ze continued, "In times past all great affairs of the south were entrusted to Zhou Yu. After Zhou Yu's death, Lu Su assumed the responsibility, and after he died, Lü Meng. Now Lü Meng, too, is dead. But in Jingzhou we have Lu Xun (styled Boyan). Though known only as a scholar, Lu Xun's ability compares, I judge, to Zhou Yu's. Lord Guan's defeat was entirely his doing. If Your Lordship can use his talents, we will surely defeat the kingdom of Shu. If he fails, I beg to share whatever punishment Lu Xun is condemned to suffer." Sun Quan replied, "Kan Ze, your words have saved the day."

  But Zhang Zhao said, "Lu Xun is a mere pedant, no match for Liu Bei. I doubt that he can be of service to us." Gu Yong seconded this opinion. "Lu Xun," he said, "is too young and too little known for our leaders to accept his authority. His appointment will cause disorder and ruin our cause." Bu Zhi added his view: "Lu Xun may have the talent to administer a district but not to undertake such a major responsibility." To these negative views Kan Ze shouted back, "Without Lu Xun's services, the Southland is done for! I will guarantee him with the lives of my family." "I have long known of Lu Xun's rare ability and have decided to employ him. You gentlemen need say no more," Sun Quan said, and he summoned Lu Xun.

  Lü Yi was the man's original name; later he changed it to Lu Xun and adopted the style Boyan. He was a southerner from the district of Wu. His grandfather was Lu Yu, commandant of the City Gates; his father Lü Jun, military
commander of Jiujiang. Lu Xun stood eight spans tall; his face was like exquisite jade. The office he held was General Who Quells the West. On receiving Sun Quan's summons, Lu Xun came at once.

  Lu Xun's obeisance completed, Sun Quan said to him, "The western army is bearing down on our border. I am giving you overall command of our forces to destroy Liu Bei." Lu Xun replied, "Among the Southland's civil and military officers, Your Majesty has vassals long in service. How can someone as young and lacking in talent as I keep control of them?" To this Sun Quan responded, "Kan Ze has pledged his family in recommending you; I too have long known of your talents. Please do not decline my offer to make you chief commander." "What if the officers and officials refuse to accept my authority?" he asked. Sun Quan handed Lu Xun his sword, saying, "Whoever disobeys, execute; and report to me afterward." "I am obliged by your heavy charge and can only honor your command, but I beg Your Majesty not to bestow the sword and formally empower me until you assemble the officials."

  Kan Ze said, "In ancient times they always built an altar and assembled the court when empowering a general. The white command banner and golden battle-axe, the seal, the seal-cord, and the military tally were publicly transferred in order to make the general's authority effective and his orders strictly executed. Your Majesty should observe this ceremony. Select a day for building the altar, honor Lu Xun as chief commander, bestow the battle-axe of authority, and no one will deny his allegiance." Following this suggestion, Sun Quan had the altar built without delay, assembled his court, and invited Lu Xun to ascend. Before the officials he installed Lu Xun as chief commander, honored him as guardian of the Right and General Who Quells the West, and raised his status to lord of Lou. He bestowed his own sword on the general and granted him the seal placing him in charge of the eighty-one areas of the six districts of the Southland as well as the districts of Jingzhou and giving him command of all armed forces. The king of Wu's final injunction to Lu Xun was, "I will take care of the home front; in the field you are in charge." Lu Xun accepted his command and descended from the altar. He ordered Xu Sheng and Ding Feng to serve as his guard; and that day he led forth the ground and naval forces.

  Near Xiaoting, the news of the new Southland appointment alarmed Han Dang and Zhou Tai. "How could our lord put a pedant in charge of our forces?" they wondered aloud. By the time Lu Xun actually arrived at the front, no one was prepared to accept his authority. When Lu Xun held his first meeting in the command tent, the commanders participated grudgingly. Lu Xun began by saying, "The king has given me chief command to lead our forces in the destruction of the enemy. In the army there are unvarying regulations, which it would behoove you gentlemen to adhere to. For violators, the royal law shows no partiality. Do not do anything you will regret." The assembled commanders kept silent until Zhou Tai said, "At this time the king's nephew, Sun Huan, General Who Secures the East, is under siege at Yiling. They have neither food nor provender, and no hope of rescue from outside. Would the chief commander kindly work out a plan as soon as possible to save him and relieve the king's anxiety?"

  To this challenge Lu Xun responded, "I have no doubt that General Sun Huan has the complete confidence of his men. He will be able to defend his position without our assistance and will get out on his own after we have defeated the west." The commanders retired with mockery in their hearts. Han Dang said to Zhou Tai, "With this child for its leader, the Southland is doomed. You saw the way he conducted himself?" And Zhou Tai replied, "I was merely testing him. He had no plan at all! How could he defeat the west?"

  The next day Lu Xun ordered the commanders to defend the several passes and avoid engaging the enemy. Mocking Lu Xun's caution, the commanders disdained to keep a strict guard. The following day Lu Xun called a meeting in his tent and said to them, "As royally appointed chief commander, I have repeatedly enjoined you to maintain the strictest defense at the various strongpoints. Why have you disregarded my orders?" Han Dang replied, "Since joining General Sun in the conquest of the Southland, I have been in hundreds of battles. Some commanders have served his elder brother Sun Ce; others have served His Majesty. Every one has seen long years of combat. Now the king commands your service as our chief in order to drive back the western army. A plan needs to be made at once for coordinating our forces in several lines of march so that our purposes can be accomplished. But all you have done is call for a strict defense and no fighting. Do you mean for us to wait until Heaven itself puts the enemy to death? We are not men who covet life and fear death. What is gained by depressing our spirits like this?"

  The commanders in the tent responded in unison, "General Han Dang is right! A battle to the death is what we want!" Facing their demand, Lu Xun took Sun Quan's sword and cried harshly, "I may be no more than a pedant. But his lordship has appointed me because I have something to offer him; and I will suffer any humiliation, bear any burden required of me. You have only to defend the access points and take no rash action. Whoever disobeys, dies." The crowd withdrew indignantly.

  Meanwhile, the Emperor (Liu Bei) had moved out from Xiaoting and reached the eastern border of the Riverlands. His forces stretched over a distance of seven hundred li, occupying forty base camps. By day their banners darkened the sun. By night their fires lit up the sky. Suddenly a spy sent in a report: "The Southland has given Lu Xun general command of their forces, and he has ordered his commanders to hold their strongpoints and not come out." The Emperor replied, "What kind of man is Lu Xun?" Ma Liang said, "Though he is a scholar, he has great talent for his youth and lays deep plans. It was he who planned their successful attack on Jingzhou." "By a boy's tricks I lost my second brother! I want him captured!" the Emperor said angrily and ordered a general advance. But Ma Liang remonstrated, "He is no less capable than Zhou Yu was! Do not risk a rash engagement." "I am seasoned in the ways of war," the Emperor replied. "Do you think a milksop of a child too much for me?" So saying, he took personal command of the forward contingent and attacked the various fords and passes.

  Han Dang informed Lu Xun of the advance of the western forces; Lu Xun sped to the front to survey the situation and forestall any rash move on Han Dang's part. Lu Xun arrived when Han Dang, sitting astride his horse on a hilltop, was viewing the enemy swarming over the hills and covering the flatlands; dimly visible in the distance was a yellow silk umbrella. Han Dang received Lu Xun, and they reined in their horses side by side to observe. Pointing toward the umbrella, Han Dang said, "Liu Bei must be there. I want to attack." Lu Xun replied, "After more than ten victories on this eastern expedition, Liu Bei's fighting spirits are at their peak. All we can do now is occupy the highground and defend our strongpoints. If we go forth against them, we will suffer defeat. We need to whet the mettle of our officers and men, to broaden our defensive strategy until the situation changes. At the moment they enjoy control of the flat-lands before us. But by maintaining a strict defense, we deny them the engagement they seek, causing them to move into the wooded hills—that is when we shall take them by surprise."

  Han Dang, though he gave verbal assent to this plan, remained unconvinced. The Emperor sent his vanguard to provoke the southerners, reviling them in a hundred ways. Lu Xun ordered everyone to stuff up his ears, however, and would not permit any engagement of forces. He personally went to each control point to cheer the men and reaffirm his orders for maintaining the defense. No southern soldiers appeared, and the Emperor seethed with impatience. Ma Liang said to him, "Lu Xun is a deep planner; and Your Majesty has come a long distance to wage war. Spring has turned to summer. They are keeping behind their defenses, hoping that something will happen to our troops. Let Your Majesty look into this." The Emperor answered, "What can their plan be? They fear us, that's all. After their string of defeats, they don't dare show themselves." Vanguard Commander Feng Xi addressed the Emperor. "The weather is scorching hot," he said. "Camped in this burning plain, the army is having trouble getting water." Consequently, the Emperor commanded him to move into the lush hills, near the mountain stre
ams, and deferred the attack until autumn. Feng Xi, as ordered, had the commanders shift all camps into the shade of the woods.

  Ma Liang addressed the Emperor, saying, "If we make this move and the southerners come suddenly, what will you do?" "I have had Wu Ban take ten thousand inferior troops and position them on the plain near the southern defenses. I myself will take eight thousand elite troops and place them in ambush in the ravines. When Lu Xun learns of our move, he will not fail to strike. When he does, I have told Wu Ban to feign defeat. If Lu Xun pursues those inferior troops, I will charge in and seal off his retreat. The little devil will be ours!" All civil and military officials praised his plan, saying, "Your Majesty's ingenious designs and exquisite calculations are beyond us all!"

  Ma Liang said, "I heard recently that Prime Minister Zhuge is in the east Riverlands inspecting our defenses in anticipation of incursion by northern troops of Wei. Your Majesty, why not make a map of the positions you intend moving into for the prime minister to look over?" The Emperor replied, "I am versed in warfare well enough to do without his opinion." "There is an old saying, 'Broad consultation makes one wise; one-sided consideration makes one blind. ' I hope Your Majesty will not ignore this," was Ma Liang's answer. The Emperor said, "Then chart the area yourself and go to the east Riverlands to show the prime minister your maps. Report to me at once anything unfavorable in them." Ma Liang departed with his orders.

  And so the Emperor moved his army into the woods where the shade afforded some relief from summer's heat. Spies quickly informed Han Dang and Zhou Tai of these changes in the western position. And the two commanders were delighted to report to Lu Xun: "They have moved their camps, more than forty in all, into the wooded hills, where their proximity to mountain streams affords them drinking water and cooling relief. Chief Commander, now is the time to strike." Indeed: