The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  The Lings, father and son, then went to meet Sun Ce, who employed them in his service as a reward for their part in dealing with the White Tiger. The army began to cross the river.

  The White Tiger gathered his men and took up a position at the western ferry but he was there attacked by Cheng Pu and escaped to Guiji that night. The prefect of the place, Wang Lang, was sympathetic with the White Tiger and wanted to support him. But when he proposed this, one of his men stood forth and objected, “No! No! Sun Ce as a leader is humane and just, while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian. Better capture him and give him over to Sun Ce as a peace offering.”

  The prefect turned angrily toward the speaker, who was an official named Yu Fan, and ordered him to be silent. He withdrew, sighing deeply. And the prefect went to the aid of the White Tiger, with whom he joined forces at Shanyin.

  Soon Sun Ce’s army came to the spot. When both sides were in battle array Sun Ce rode out and addressed Wang Lang: “I have come with an army of justice and benevolence and my aim is to restore peace to Zhejiang. Why do you assist the ruffian?”

  Wang Lang replied, “Your greed is insatiable. You have taken possession of the Wu districts and now you want to annex my area. Today I am going to avenge the Yans!”

  This response greatly angered Sun Ce. He was about to rush forth and give battle when Taishi Ci flew out and engaged Wang Lang. Before they had exchanged many passes Wang Long’s officer, Zhou Xin, came out to help him. At once Huang Gai rode out to meet him. On both sides sounded thunderous drums and a ferocious fight ensued between the two pairs.

  Suddenly, confusion started in the rear of Wang Lang’s army caused by a surprise onslaught of a small troop led by Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu. Wang Lang was startled and immediately turned to engage his new enemy. But attacked from both the front and the rear, he was in a hopeless position. So together with the White Tiger and Zhou Xin, he fought desperately, only just managing to reach the shelter of the city. The drawbridge was then raised, the gates closed, and preparations made to repel a siege.

  Sun Ce followed right up to the city wall and divided his men so as to attack all four gates. Seeing how fiercely his enemy raided the city, Wang Lang proposed sallying forth and fighting it out with Sun Ce, but the White Tiger argued that it was hopeless to struggle against so strong a force. He advised the prefect to strengthen his defense and remain behind the shelter of the ramparts until hunger forced the besiegers to retreat. Wang Lang agreed and the siege went on.

  For several days a vigorous attack was maintained but with little success. Sun Ce sought counsel with his officers. His uncle Sun Jing said, “Since they are holding the city with such resolution it will be difficult to dislodge them. But the bulk of their supplies are stored at Chadu, which is not far from here. Our best plan is to seize that place, thus attacking where the enemy is unprepared.”

  Sun Ce said with joy: “Your plan is wonderful, uncle. The enemy will surely be crushed.” So he issued orders to kindle fires at the four gates and leave the banners standing all around, to create an appearance of soldiers in position, while the army was to break camp and go south.

  Zhou Yu said, “When you go away, sir, the besieged will undoubtedly come out and follow you. We can prepare a surprise attack for them.”

  Sun Ce replied, “I have thought about that. The city will be captured tonight.”

  Then the army set out.

  Wang Lang heard that the besiegers had gone and he went up to the tower to investigate. He saw beneath the city wall fires blazing, smoke rising, and banners fluttering in the wind as usual. He did not know what to make of it all and suspicion filled his heart.

  Zhou Xin said, “Sun Ce has gone and this is only a trick to deceive us. Let us go out and smite him.”

  The White Tiger said, “Maybe he is attacking Chadu. Let us pursue.”

  “That place is our base of supply,” said Wang Lang, “and must be defended. You two lead the way and I will follow with the reserve force.”

  So the White Tiger and Zhou Xin went forth with 5,000 men and came to a dense forest, some twenty li from the city, at about the first watch. Suddenly drums rolled and lighted torches sprang up on all sides. Frightened, the White Tiger turned to retreat. At once an enemy officer appeared in front who, by the glare of the torches, he recognized as Sun Ce. Zhou Xin came to his aid and made a rush at Sun Ce, but fell under his spear. The men surrendered. However, the White Tiger managed to cut his way out.

  Wang Lang soon heard of the loss and, not daring to return to the city, fled in haste to the coast.

  Sun Ce then turned back to capture the city and appease the people. The following day a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as an offering to him. This man was a native of this district named Dong Xi. He was of medium height with a square face and wide mouth. Sun Ce was very pleased and employed him as an officer in his army. After this the whole district came under Sun Ce’s rule. Having placed his uncle in command and Zhu Zhi as the prefect, he returned to the east.

  While Sun Ce was absent a band of brigands suddenly made an attack on the city of Xuan, left in the care of his brother Sun Quan and an officer called Zhou Tai. The onslaught was made on all sides at once, and late in the night the enemy got the upper hand. Zhou Tai helped Sun Quan onto a horse and tried to escape, but scores of robbers came up with swords to assault them. Zhou Tai, without horse or mail, met them on foot and slew more than ten of them. Then a brigand rode directly at him with his spear ready to strike, but Zhou Tai laid hold of his opponent’s weapon and pulled him down from his horse. Then he mounted the robber’s horse and, thrusting this way and that with the spear, he fought his way out and rescued his young master Sun Quan. He himself, however, received more than a dozen wounds.

  These wounds being caused by metal would not heal but swelled enormously, and the brave soldier’s life hung in the balance. When Sun Ce returned and learned about this, he was deeply grieved. Then Dong Xi said, “I once fought with some pirates and suffered many spear wounds. Fortunately a kind official named Yu Fan recommended to me a very good doctor who cured me in two weeks.”

  “Is he also called Yu Zhong-xiang?” asked Sun Ce.

  “Yes, he is.”

  “I know he is truly an upright man. I will invite him to my service.”

  So Sun Ce sent Dong Xi and Zhang Zhao to go and find this man and he came with them. He was treated graciously and appointed an official. Then the question of finding a doctor for the dying man was brought up.

  “The doctor’s name is Hua Tuo, native of Peiguo. He has perfectly marvelous skill in the art of medicine. I will ask him to come,” said Yu Fan.

  Shortly after came the famous doctor, a man of youthful complexion yet snowy hair. He looked more like a saint who had transcended this life. He was treated very courteously and taken to see the sick man.

  “The case is not difficult,” said the doctor and he prepared special dressings that would heal the wounds in a month. Sun Ce was greatly pleased and rewarded the doctor very handsomely.

  Next Sun Ce went into the mountains to destroy the brigands, thus bringing peace to the whole region. To protect his rule, he assigned officers to guard all the strategically important positions, and this done, commended to the court what he had achieved to acquire official recognition. Then he sent gifts to Cao Cao to reach an understanding with him while at the same time he wrote to Yuan Shu, demanding the return of the Imperial Seal.

  Yuan Shu, however, secretly ambitious, did not want to return it. He wrote back and made some excuses to justify himself. In his own place he hastily summoned his trusted subordinates to a council.

  “Sun Ce borrowed an army from me to start his expedition to the east and now he has acquired the whole area. Instead of feeling grateful to me he demands back the Imperial Seal. He is really impudent. What steps can I take to destroy him?”

  One of his subordinates said, “Sun Ce has the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and a powerful army and abundant supplies.
You cannot do anything against him now that he is so strongly placed. Better remove Liu Bei first in revenge for having attacked you without cause, and then deal with Sun Ce. I have a scheme to capture Liu Bei in a very short time.”

  Instead of going to the east to destroy a tiger,

  He leads his army to Xuzhou to attack a dragon.

  What his scheme was will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnote

  * Sun Ce’s familiar name.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Lu Bu Performs a Feat in Archery

  Cao Cao Loses a Battle at Yushui River

  “What is your plan to attack Liu Bei?” asked Yuan Shu.

  The advisor replied, “Though Liu Bei, now camped in Xiaopei, can easily be taken, Lu Bu is strongly positioned in the vicinity. And I think he would help Liu Bei because of the grudge he bears against you for not giving him the money and grain you promised. Now you can send Lu Bu a present to win him over to your side so that he will keep quiet while you deal with Liu Bei. You can deal with him after this is done. Then Xuzhou will be yours.”

  Yuan Shu took his advice and sent a large quantity of millet with a letter to Lu Bu. The gift pleased Lu Bu immensely and he treated the messenger with great cordiality. Feeling sure of no trouble from him, Yuan Shu dispatched a big army led by Ji Ling and some other officers to invade Xiaopei.

  When Liu Bei heard about this he called in his officers and advisors for a council. Zhang Fei was for an open war with the enemy but Sun Qian said that they lacked both men and supplies to fight and suggested asking Lu Bu for help.

  “Do you think that fellow will do anything?” asked Zhang Fei cynically.

  Liu Bei favored Sun Qian’s advice and at once wrote a letter to Lu Bu.

  It read as follows:

  Thanks to you, General, I have been able to take shelter in Xiaopei. Your kindness is as great as the heavens. Yuan Shu, out of his desire for revenge, is sending an army to assault this place and its destruction is imminent unless you intervene. I earnestly hope you will dispatch a force to relieve us from this crisis. I will be most grateful.

  After reading this Lu Bu discussed the matter with Chen Gong to whom he said, “Earlier, Yuan Shu sent me grain and a letter with the intention of restraining me from assisting Liu Bei. Now Liu Bei has also written to me asking for help. It seems to me that Liu Bei can do me no harm now that he is stationed in Xiaopei, but if Yuan Shu overcomes Liu Bei then he can combine with the forces of the north against me and I will never be able to sleep secure. It will be a better course if I assist Liu Bei.” So he assembled his army and set out for Xiaopei.

  Now Yuan Shu’s army had arrived at its destination and soon the country to the southeast of the town fluttered with banners of war by day and blazed with watch fires by night, while the rolling of drums resounded to the skies.

  The few men at Liu Bei’s disposal were led out of the town and arrayed for battle to make a brave show, but it was good news to him to hear that Lu Bu had arrived with his army and camped only one li away. When Ji Ling, commander of Yuan Shu’s force, heard of this he at once wrote to Lu Bu to reproach him for his treachery. Lu Bu smiled as he read.

  “I know how to make both of them bear no grudge against me,” he said.

  So he issued invitations to both leaders to ask them to a banquet at his camp. Liu Bei was ready to accept the invitation and go to the banquet but his two brothers tried to dissuade him.

  “You shouldn’t go, brother,” they said. “Lu Bu must have some evil intentions in his heart.”

  “I’ve treated him very well. I don’t think he’ll harm me,” replied Liu Bei.

  Then he mounted and rode away and his two brothers followed. Soon they were inside Lu Bu’s camp.

  The host said, “I have come specially to rescue you from the danger. I hope you will not forget this when you are powerful.”

  Liu Bei thanked him and was invited to take a seat. The two brothers took up their usual places behind him as guards.

  Presently Ji Ling was announced. Liu Bei was greatly startled and rose to avoid him.

  Lu Bu said, “I have asked both of you here for a counsel together. Have no fear.”

  Liu Bei, being quite ignorant of his true intention, was very uneasy. In a moment his fellow guest entered. Seeing Liu Bei seated in the tent, he was extremely surprised and at once turned to leave. The attendants tried to stop him but in vain. Lu Bu went forth and pulled him back easily, as if he were as light as a child.

  “Do you want to slay me?” Ji Ling asked.

  “Not at all,” replied Lu Bu.

  “Then you are going to slay the Long Ears (Liu Bei)?”

  “No, not that.”

  “Then what do you mean?”

  “Liu Bei and I are as close as brothers. Now he is besieged by you, General, and so I have come to his rescue.”

  “If so, you want to slay me,” said Ji Ling.

  “That does not make sense. All my life I have disliked fighting but loved making peace. And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two.”

  “May I ask how you are going to do it?”

  “I have a way to let it be determined by Heaven.”

  Then he drew Ji Ling inside the tent to meet Liu Bei. The two men faced each other, full of suspicion in their hearts, but their host made them take their seats on both sides of himself.

  The banquet began. After several rounds of wine, Lu Bu spoke: “I hope you two gentlemen will listen to me and put an end to your quarrel.”

  Liu Bei made no reply but Ji Ling said, “I have come with an army of 100,000 men at the express order of my master to take Liu Bei. How can I cease the fighting?”

  “What!” exclaimed Zhang Fei in wrath, drawing his sword. “Few as we are, we regard you no more than mere dirt. What are you compared with a million Yellow Turbans? You dare to hurt our brother?”

  Guan Yu hastened to silence him. “Let’s see what General Lu has to say first,” he said. “Afterwards, there will be time for us to go back to our camps and fight.”

  “I beg you both to come to an understanding. I cannot let you fight,” said Lu Bu.

  Now on one side, Ji Ling was discontented and angry; on the other, Zhang Fei was dying for a fight. Lu Bu lost his temper. He turned to his attendants and ordered, “Bring me my halberd!” Both guests turned pale as they saw him with his powerful weapon in hand.

  Lu Bu continued, “I have been trying to persuade you to make peace, for that is the command of Heaven. It will be put to the test.”

  He then commanded his men to take the halberd outside and set it up far away beyond the gate. Then he said to the two guests, “That gate is 150 paces from here. If I can hit the tiny center branch of the halberd-head with an arrow, you must both withdraw your armies. If I miss, you can go and prepare for immediate battle. I will compel you to honor the result by force.”

  Ji Ling thought to himself, “That small mark at that far distance! How could he not miss it?” So he assented, feeling sure that he would have plenty of fighting after his host had missed the mark. Liu Bei was, of course, willing.

  Lu Bu told them to sit down again and drink one more cup of wine. When they finished the wine, the host called for his bow and arrows. Liu Bei silently prayed that he would hit the mark.

  Lu Bu folded back his sleeves, fitted an arrow to the string, and pulled the bow to its utmost stretch. A slight exclamation escaped him as the bow curved like the harvest moon sailing through the sky and the arrow sped like a comet falling to the earth. Clop! and it struck the slender tongue of the halberd head full and square. From all sides rose a roar of acclamation to greet this wonderful display of archery.

  Oh, Lu Bu was a wonderful archer,

  And the arrow he shot sped straight;

  By hitting the mark he saved his friend

  That day at his camp’s gate.

  Hou Yi, the archer of ancient days,

  Brought down each mocking sun;

  And the apes that g
ibbered to frighten You Ji

  Were shot by him, one by one.

  But we sing of Lu Bu that drew the bow,

  And his feathered shaft that flew;

  For a myriad men could doff their mail

  When he hit the mark so true.

  Lu Bu laughed with delight at the success of his shot. Dropping his bow to the ground he seized his guests by the hands and said, “The will of Heaven indeed! And now you must cease fighting!”

  He ordered his soldiers to pour out large goblets of wine and each drank. Liu Bei secretly rejoiced at this great piece of luck; his fellow guest sat silent for some time. Then Ji Ling said to Lu Bu, “I dare not disobey your command, General, but when I go back, what will my master say and will he believe me?”

  “I will write a letter to him to explain everything,” said Lu Bu.

  After a few more rounds of wine Ji Ling took the letter and departed.

  “You would be in danger but for me,” Lu Bu again reminded Liu Bei of the debt he owed him. Liu Bei thanked him humbly and then left with his two brothers. The next day, all the soldiers dispersed.

  When Ji Ling got back he told his master about the feat of archery and the peace-making that followed. Then he presented Lu Bu’s letter. Yuan Shu was beside himself with rage.

  “That is how he repays me for all the grain I sent him!” he cried. “How dare he protect Liu Bei with this bit of play-acting! I will lead a large army myself to destroy Liu Bei and take Lu Bu as well.”

  “You should not act too much in a hurry, my lord,” said Ji Ling. “Lu Bu is so powerful that no one can compete with him. Besides, he has the wide territory of Xuzhou. He and Liu Bei together make a formidable combination, not easy to break. I was told that he has a daughter by his wife, Lady Yan, who is of marriageable age and as you have a son, you could arrange a matrimonial alliance with him. If his daughter were married to your son he would certainly slay your enemy for you. This is the tactic of ‘Blood is thicker than water.’ A mere acquaintance cannot separate relations.”