The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  “He is like my own brother,” said Liu Biao in great joy, “and I have long desired to see him, but so far no opportunity has occurred. I should be very happy if he would come.”

  Here Cai Mao broke in. “No, no!” he objected. “Liu Bei first followed Lu Bu, then he served Cao Cao, and next he joined himself to Yuan Shao. But he stayed with none of these, so you can see what manner of man he is. If he comes here Cao Cao will assuredly move against us. Better cut off this messenger’s head and send it as an offering to Cao Cao, who will reward you well for that.”

  Sun Qian sat unmoved by this hostile speech. Then he said solemnly, “I am not afraid of death. My lord is true and loyal to the state and cannot be mentioned in the same breath with Lu Bu, Cao Cao, or Yuan Shao. It is true he once followed these three, but only because he had no choice. Now he knows your lord is a descendant of the Han House and so of the same ancestry as himself. That is why he has come thus far to join you. How can you slander a good man like that?”

  Liu Biao ordered Cai Mao to be silent and said, “I have decided and you need say no more.”

  Cai Mao sulkily left the audience chamber. Then Sun Qian was told to return with the news that Liu Bei would be welcome and Liu Biao went thirty li beyond his city wall to meet his guest. Liu Bei greeted his host with the utmost politeness and was warmly welcomed in return. Then Liu Bei introduced his two sworn brothers and friends to his host and together they entered Jingzhou. Liu Bei and his followers were properly accommodated in separate quarters.

  As soon as Cao Cao knew where his enemy had gone he wished to attack Liu Biao, but Cheng Yu argued against such a move because Yuan Shao, the dangerous enemy, was still left with potential power to inflict damage. He advised him to return to the capital to refresh the men so that they might be ready for a campaign in the mild spring weather. Cao Cao accepted his advice and set out for the capital.

  In the first month of the seventh year of the period Jian An, Cao Cao once again prepared for war. He sent two officers to guard Runan as a precaution against Liu Biao. Then, leaving Xun Yu and one of his cousins to be responsible for the safety of the capital, he marched a large army to Guandu, the scene of the battle against Yuan Shao the year before.

  As for Yuan Shao, who had been spitting blood but was then in better health, he, too, began to think of moving against the capital. Shen Pei tried to dissuade him. “The army is not yet fully recovered from last year’s setbacks,” he said. “It would be better to make your position impregnable and set to improving the army.”

  Just then came the news of Cao Cao’s arrival in Guandu for an invasion of their city. Yuan Shao said, “If we allow our enemy to get close to the city we will have missed our opportunity. I must go out to repel this army.”

  Here his youngest son interposed: “Father, you are not well enough for a campaign and should not go so far. Let me lead the army to challenge the enemy.”

  Yuan Shao consented and he sent messengers to call upon his other two sons and his nephew to launch a joint attack against Cao Cao.

  Against Runan they beat the drum,

  And from Jizhou the armies come.

  Who would win the victory will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Yuan Shang Strives for the Rule of Jizhou

  Xu You Schemes to Flood the Zhang River

  Yuan Shang was puffed up with pride after his last victory over one of Cao Cao’s minor officers and, without deigning to wait for the arrival of his brothers, he marched out to Liyang to meet the enemy. Zhang Liao came out to challenge him and Yuan Shang rode out with spear set. But he only managed to fight three bouts before he had to give way. Zhang Liao smote with full force and Yuan Shang, quite broken, fled pell-mell back to Jizhou. His defeat was a heavy blow to his father, who suffered a severe fit at the news and collapsed.

  Lady Liu, mother of Yuan Shang, got him to his bed in a hurry, but he did not rally and she soon saw it was necessary to prepare for the end. So she at once sent for the two advisors loyal to her son to determine the matter of succession. They came and stood by the sick man’s bed, but by this time he could no longer speak and only made gestures with his hands. When his wife asked him whether Yuan Shang was to succeed he nodded. Shen Pei, the advisor, wrote out the dying man’s testament at the bedside. Presently Yuan Shao turned in his bed, uttered a loud moan and, after another violent fit of vomiting blood, he passed away.

  Born of a line of nobles famous for generations,

  He himself in his youth was vigorous and daring.

  Vainly he called to his side warriors skilled and courageous,

  Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers.

  He was, however, timid at heart, a lambskin dressed as a tiger,

  Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless.

  Pitiful was the fate of his house, for when he departed

  Brothers strove and quarrels arose in the household.

  Shen Pei and the others set about the mourning ceremonies for their dead leader. His wife, Lady Liu, put to death all five of his favorite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that she even shaved the hair and slashed the faces of the corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the other world. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the five victims in case they should avenge their death.

  Shen Pei and Feng Ji declared Yuan Shang successor and governor of the four prefectures of Jizhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou and sent out reports of the death of the late governor.

  At this time, Yuan Tan, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Cao Cao but hearing of his father’s death he called in his two advisors to discuss what course of action he should take.

  “In your absence, sir,” said Guo Tu, “the two advisors of your youngest brother will certainly have set him up as ruler. Therefore you must act quickly.”

  “But those two will have already laid their plans,” warned Xin Ping. “If you go you will be harmed.”

  “Then what should I do?” asked Yuan Tan.

  Guo Tu replied, “Go and camp near the city and watch what is taking place, while I enter and inquire.”

  Accordingly, Guo Tu went into the city and sought an interview with the new governor.

  Saluting them, Yuan Shang asked, “Why didn’t my brother come?”

  Guo Tu said, “He is not feeling well so he cannot come.”

  “By the command of my late father I have taken the governorship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I want him to go at once to attack Cao Cao, who is pressing on our border. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.”

  “There is no one in our camp to consult for good advice,” said Guo Tu. “We wish to have the services of Shen Pei and Feng Ji.”

  “I also rely on these two to work out schemes for me now and then,” said Yuan Shang. “I don’t see how I can do without them.”

  “Then let one of them come,” replied Guo Tu.

  Yuan Shang could not but accede to this request, so he told the two men to cast lots to determine who should go to his brother. The task fell to Feng Ji, who then accompanied Guo Tu to his camp, taking with him the seal of the new office for Yuan Tan. When he arrived, however, he found Yuan Tan in perfect health. Full of apprehension, he presented the seal. Yuan Tan felt humiliated at this appointment and he was inclined to put the advisor to death, but Guo Tu dissuaded him in private.

  “Cao Cao is pressing down on our border at present. It is better to keep him here to allay your brother’s suspicion. After we have beaten Cao Cao we can make an attempt on Jizhou.”

  Yuan Tan agreed and at once broke up his camp to march toward Liyang. When he reached there he lost no time in offering battle. But the first encounter between the two armies ended in a severe defeat on his side and he hastily retreated back into Liyang, from where he dispatched a messenger to his brother for reinforcements.
/>
  Yuan Shang discussed the matter with Shen Pei and only sent 5,000 men. Cao Cao, hearing of the arrival of the rescue force, sent two of his officers to waylay them, and the meager force was soon destroyed. When Yuan Tan heard of the inadequate force sent and its destruction he was very angry and severely abused Feng Ji.

  “Let me write to my lord and beg him to come himself,” said Feng Ji.

  So the letter was written and sent. When it arrived Yuan Shang again consulted Shen Pei who said, “Guo Tu, your eldest brother’s advisor, is full of guile. Last time your brother did not contend with you for governorship because Cao Cao’s army was on the border. If he should overpower Cao Cao he will surely aim at this city. Better to withhold assistance and use Cao Cao’s hand to destroy your rival.”

  Yuan Shang took his advice and no reinforcements were sent. When the messenger returned without success Yuan Tan was very angry and showed it by putting Feng Ji to death. He also began to consider surrendering to Cao Cao. Soon, spies brought news of this to Yuan Shang and again Shen Pei was called in.

  “If he goes over to Cao Cao they will both attack Jizhou and we will be in great danger,” said the advisor.

  Finally it was decided that Shen Pei and a general were to take care of the defense of the city while Yuan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother.

  “Who dares to lead the van?” asked Yuan Shang to his men.

  Two brothers named Lu volunteered and they were given 30,000 men under their command. They were the first to reach Liyang.

  Yuan Tan was pleased that his brother had come to his aid himself so he abandoned the thought of going over to the enemy. Soon, Yuan Shang arrived and camped outside the city to occupy a strategic position. Before long the second brother, Yuan Xi, and their cousin, Gao Gan, arrived with their troops and they also camped outside the city.

  Skirmishes occurred daily. Yuan Shang suffered many defeats and Cao Cao was victorious. In the second month of the eighth year of Jian An, Cao Cao launched separate attacks on all four armies and claimed victory against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Cao Cao pursued them to Jizhou, where Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang fortified the city, while their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away to put up a show of strength. For days Cao Cao attempted to take the city, but without success. At this point Guo Jia suggested the following plan.

  He said, “There is dissension among the Yuan brothers because the elder one has been superseded in the succession. Each of them is as strong as the other and each has his own party of followers. If we press them hard they will unite to assist each other but if we loosen our grip they will split and compete for power among themselves. I think we will do better to march southward to attack Liu Biao first and let the fraternal quarrels develop. When the brothers are more weakened by family strife we can smite them and settle the matter in one battle.”

  Cao Cao approved of the plan. So after arrangement was made to ensure the defense of the newly-acquired cities of Liyang and Guandu, he led the army to move toward Jingzhou.

  The two brothers, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, congratulated each other on the withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Yuan Xi and cousin returned to their own districts.

  Then the quarrels began. Yuan Tan said to his two trusted advisors, “I am the eldest and yet I have been deprived of the right to succeed my father while the youngest son, born of a second wife, received the governorship. I feel bitter at this.”

  Guo Tu said, “Camp your men outside, then invite your brother and Shen Pei to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter can be easily solved.”

  Yuan Tan agreed. It so happened that one of his subordinates arrived just then from his own city and Yuan Tan confided to him the plot. But the official opposed this plan and said, “Brothers are as one’s own limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your own brother and sever the relationship, whom can you call a relation in all the world? That fellow Guo Tu is a dangerous mischief maker, who is ready to sow dissension between brothers for a temporary advantage—I beg you to shut your ears to his vile words.”

  This was displeasing to Yuan Tan and he angrily dismissed the official. In the meantime, the treacherous invitation was sent to his brother.

  Yuan Shang talked over the matter with his advisor who said, “This must be a trick of Guo Tu’s. If you go you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them first.”

  So Yuan Shang put on his mail and rode out to give battle. Seeing that he had come with a big army, Yuan Tan knew that his plot had been discovered, so he also took the field. When the two forces were close enough, Yuan Shang let out a volley of abuse on his eldest brother, who returned the curses. “You poisoned our father and usurped power—and now you have come to slay your elder brother!” shouted Yuan Tan.

  The two brothers fought with each other but the elder one was soon defeated. Yuan Shang himself took part in the battle, risking arrows and stones. He urged on his men and drove his elder brother from the field. Yuan Tan took refuge in Pingyuan and Yuan Shang drew off his men to his won city.

  Yuan Tan and his advisor decided upon a new attack and this time they chose Cen Bi to lead the army. Yuan Shang went to meet him. When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Cen Bi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. Yuan Shang was going to answer the challenge himself, when one of his officers went out before him. The two of them fought but a few bouts when Cen Bi fell. Yuan Tan’s men were once more defeated and fled to Pingyuan again. Shen Pei urged his master to follow it up with pursuit and Yuan Tan was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go forth. So the city was besieged on three sides.

  Yuan Tan consulted his strategist on what should be done next and the latter said, “The city is short of food and our enemy is too flushed with victory for us to withstand. My idea is to send someone to offer surrender to Cao Cao and thus get him to attack Jizhou. Your brother will be forced to return there, which will leave you free to join the attack. And he can be captured. If Cao Cao gets the better of your brother’s army we will collect his force to fight against Cao Cao, and as Cao Cao’s army comes from a long way away, he will be short of supply and he will soon withdraw. Then we can seize Jizhou and plan our own great cause.”

  Yuan Tan accepted his advice and asked him who could be sent as a messenger.

  “I think Xin Bi is the right person to send. He is the younger brother of your advisor Xin Ping, and magistrate of this very place. He is a fluent speaker and well-suited to your purpose.”

  So Xin Bi was summoned and he accepted the mission readily enough. A letter was given to him and an escort of 3,000 soldiers took him beyond the border. He traveled as quickly as possible to see Cao Cao.

  At that time Cao Cao’s camp was at Xiping and he was attacking Liu Biao, who had sent Liu Bei out as the pioneer force to resist the enemy. No battle had yet taken place.

  Soon after his arrival Xin Bi was admitted to Cao Cao’s presence and, after exchanging friendly salutations, was asked about the object of his visit. Xin Bi explained that Yuan Tan wanted assistance and presented his letter. Cao Cao read it and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his advisors and officers to a council.

  The council met. Cheng Yu said, “Yuan Tan has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure from his brother’s attack. You cannot trust him.”

  Lu Qian and Man Chong said, “You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yuan Tan?”

  “Gentlemen, I’m afraid none of your advice is good enough,” interposed Xun You. “This is how I regard it. As we know, there is universal strife in the country, yet in the midst of this Liu Biao remains quietly content with his position between the Yangtze and the Han rivers. It is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yuans hold four prefectures and have many legions of soldiers
. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family and none can foresee who will rule the land in the future. Now the fraternal conflict has forced one of them to yield to our lord. We can take advantage of this to remove Yuan Shang, and then wait until suitable opportunities arise so that Yuan Tan can be destroyed in his turn. Thus the empire will be ours. These present circumstances should be taken advantage of in full.”

  Cao Cao realized the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he asked, “But is Yuan Tan’s surrender real or false? Do you really think that Yuan Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”

  Xin Bi replied, “Do not inquire the degree of his sincerity, sir—rather, consider if the situation is favorable to you. The Yuans have been suffering military losses for years. They are exhausted by wars abroad and weakened by conflicts among advisors within. The brothers are alienated from each other because they listen to slanders around them and their land is thus divided. In addition to all this there is famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion. Therefore, everybody, wise or simple, can see that the catastrophe is near—that the time ordained by Heaven for the destruction of the Yuans is at hand. Now, when you go and attack Jizhou, Yuan Shang will be put in a dilemma. If he does not return to rescue the city, he will lose his place of refuge; but if he does, he will be pursued from behind by his brother. With your military power to counter his exhausted army it will be as easy as an autumn gale sweeping away the fallen leaves.