Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Cao Hong, who displayed very great valor, burst into the press of battle and met Yuan Tan face to face. The two slashed and hammered at each other and Yuan Tan was killed.

  Guo Tu saw that his side was wholly disorganized and tried to withdraw into the shelter of Nanpi. Yue Jin saw this and opened a tremendous discharge of arrows so that Guo Tu fell and the moat was soon filled with dead.

  The city fell to Cao Cao; he entered and set about restoring peace and order. Then suddenly appeared a new army under two of Yuan Xi's generals, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan. Cao Cao led out his troops to meet them, but the two commanders laid down their arms and yielded. They were rewarded with the rank of lordship.

  Then Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Hills Brigands, came with one hundred thousand troops and gave in his submission. He was made General Who Pacifies the North.

  By an order of Cao Cao, the head of Yuan Tan was exposed and death was threatened to any one who should lament for him. Nevertheless a man dressed in mourning attire was arrested for weeping below the exposed head at the north gate. Taken into Cao Cao's presence, he said he was Wang Xiu and had been an officer in Qingzhou. He had been expelled because he had remonstrated with Yuan Tan; but when the news of Yuan Tan's death came, he had come to weep for his late master.

  “Did you know of my command?” said Cao Cao.

  “I knew it.”

  “Yet you were not afraid?”

  “When one has received favors from a man in life, it would be wrong not to mourn at his death. How can one stand in the world if one forgets duty through fear? If I could bury his body, I would not mind death.” Cao Cao said, “And there were many such as this in the north. What a pity that the Yuan family could not make the best of them! But if they had done so, I should never have dared to turn my eyes toward this place.”

  The intrepid mourner was not put to death. The remains of Yuan Tan were properly interred, and Wang Xiu was well treated and even given an appointment.

  In his new position Wang Xiu was asked for advice about the best way to proceed against Yuan Shang, who had fled to his brother, but Wang Xiu remained silent, thereby winning from Cao Cao renewed admiration for his constancy.

  “He is indeed loyal!” said Cao Cao.

  Then he questioned Guo Jia, who advised him, saying, “Give Yuan Xi's former generals the command and ask them to attack Youzhou.”

  Whereupon Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan were given the command and reinforced by the armies under Lu Xiang, Lu Kuang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Yi to bring about the surrender of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. Then six generals, to attack Youzhou along three routes. Other armies led by Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Zhang Yan were sent against Gao Gan at Bingzhou.

  The two Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang heard of Cao Cao's advance with dismay for they had no hope of successful resistance. Therefore they abandoned Youzhou and hastily marched into Liaoxi to seek refuge with the Wuhuan tribespeople in the frontier Wuhuan State.

  Then Wuhuan Chu, new Imperial Protector of Youzhou, was not disposed to incur the enmity of the powerful Cao Cao, so he called his subordinates together to swear them to support him and said, “I understand that Cao Cao is the most powerful man of the day, and I am going to support him and those who do not go with me I shall put to death.”

  Each in turn smeared his lips with the blood of sacrifice and took the oath till it came to the turn of Han Heng. Instead he dashed his sword to the ground, crying, “I have received great promotions and benefits from the Yuans. Now my lord has been vanquished; my knowledge was powerless to save him, my bravery insufficient to cause me to die for him; I have failed in my duty. But I refuse to commit the crowning act of treachery and ally myself with Cao Cao.”

  This speech made the others turn pale.

  The chief said, “For a great undertaking there must be lofty principles. However, success does not necessarily depend upon universal support, and since Han Heng is actuated by such sentiments then let him follow his conscience.”

  So Wuhuan Chu turned Han Heng out of the assembly. Wuhuan Chu then went out of the city to meet and welcome Cao Cao's army and rendered his submission. He was well received and the title given him of General Who Guards the North.

  Then the scouts came to report: “Generals Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Zhang Yan had marched to Bingzhou, but that Gao Gan had occupied Wine Jar Pass and could not be dislodged.”

  So Cao Cao marched thither himself. The defender still maintaining his position, Cao Cao asked for plans. Xun You proposed that a band should go over pretending to be deserters. Cao Cao assented and then called the two Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang, to whom he gave whispered orders. They left with their companies. Soon they came near the pass and called out, saying, “We are old officers in Yuan Shao's armies forced into surrender to Cao Cao. We find him so false and he treats us so meanly that we want to return to help our old master. Wherefore quickly open your gates to us.”

  Gao Gan was suspicious, but he let the two officers come up to the pass; and when they had stripped off their armor and left their horses, they were permitted to enter.

  And they said to Gao Gan, “Cao Cao's troops are new to the country and not settled; you ought to fall upon their camp this very evening. If you approve, we will lead the attack.”

  Gao Gan decided to trust them and prepared to attack, giving the two brothers the leadership of ten thousand soldiers. But as they drew near Cao Cao's camp, a great noise arose behind them and they found themselves in an ambush attacked on all sides. Realizing too late that he had been the victim of a ruse, Gao Gan retreated to the pass, but found it occupied by Li Dian and Yue Jin. Gao Gan then made the best of his way to the Chieftain of the Xiongnu People. Cao Cao gave orders to hold the passes and sent companies in pursuit.

  When Gao Gan reached the boundary of the Xiongnu State, he met Ce Xian, the Khan of the northern tribespeople.

  Gao Gan dismounted and made a low obeisance, saying, “Cao Cao is conquering and absorbing all the borders and your turn, O King, will come quickly. I pray you help me and let us smite together for the safety of the northern regions.”

  Ce Xian the Khan replied, “I have no quarrel with Cao Cao; why then should he invade my land? Do you desire to embroil me with him?”

  He would have nothing to do with Gao Gan and sent him sway. At his wits' end, Gao Gan decided to try to join Liu Biao and go southward so far on his journey as Shanglu when he was taken prisoner and put to death by Governor Wang Yan. His head was sent to Cao Cao, and Wang Yan received lordship for this service.

  Thus Bingzhou was conquered. Then Cao Cao began to discuss the overthrow of Wuhuan State.

  Cao Hong, speaking in the name of his brother officials, said, “The two Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang are nearly done for and too weak to be feared. They have fled far into the Sea of Sand; and if we pursue them thither; it may bring down Liu Biao and Liu Bei upon the capital. Should we be unable to rescue it, the misfortune would be immense. Wherefore we beg you to return to Xuchang.”

  But Guo Jia was of different advice.

  “You are wrong,” said he. “Though the prestige of our lord fills the empire, yet the peoples of the desert, relying upon their inaccessibility, will not be prepared against us. Wherefore I say attack, and we shall conquer them. Beside Yuan Shao was kind to the nomads, and the two brothers have been more so. They must be destroyed. As for Liu Biao he is a mere gossip, who needs not cause the least anxiety. And Liu Bei is unfit for any heavy responsibility and will take no trouble over a light one. You may leave the base with perfect safety and make as long an expedition as you choose. Nothing will happen.”

  “You speak well, O Guo Jia,” said Cao Cao.

  He led his legions, heavy and light, to the edge of the desert, with many wagons. The expedition marched into the desert. The rolling ocean of yellow sand spread its waves before them, and they saw far and near the eddying sand pillars, and felt the fierce winds that drove them forward. The road became precipitous and progress difficult. Cao Cao began to think of returning and s
poke thereof to Guo Jia, who had advised the journey.

  Guo Jia had speedily fallen victim to the effects of the climate, and at this time he lay in his cart very ill.

  Cao Cao's tears fell as he said, “My friend, you are suffering for my ambition to subdue the Gobi Desert. I cannot bear to think you should be ill.”

  “You have always been very good to me,” said the sick man, “and I can never repay what I owe you.”

  “The country is exceedingly precipitous, and I am thinking of going back; what think you?”

  Guo Jia replied, “The success of an expedition of this kind depends upon celerity. To strike a sudden blow on a distant spot with a heavy baggage train is difficult. To ensure success the need is light troops and a good road to strike quickly before an enemy has time to prepare. Now you must find guides who know the road well.”

  Then the sick adviser was left at Yizhou for treatment, and they sought among the natives for some persons to serve as guides. Tian Chou, one of Yuan Shao's old generals, knew those parts well, and Cao Cao called him and questioned him.

  Tian Chou said, “Between autumn and summer this route is under water, the shallow places too heavy for wheeled traffic, the deep parts insufficient for boats. It is always difficult. Therefore you would do better to return and at Lulong cross the Baitan Pass into the desert. Then advance to Liucheng and smite before there is time to prepare. One sudden rush will settle King Mao Dun.”

  For this valuable information and plan, Tian Chou was made General Who Calms the North, and went in advance as leader and guide. Next after him came Zhang Liao, and Cao Cao brought up the rear. They advanced by double marches.

  Tian Chou led Zhang Liao to White Wolf Hills, where they came upon Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and Mao Dun and a force of ten thousand cavalry. Zhang Liao galloped to inform his chief, and Cao Cao rode up to the top of an eminence to survey the foe. He saw a large mass of cavalry without any military formation advancing in a disorderly crowd.

  Said he, “They have no formation, we can easily rout them.”

  Then he handed over his ensign of command to Zhang Liao who, with Xu Chu, Yu Jin, and Xu Huang, made a vigorous attack from four different points, with the result that the enemy was thrown into confusion. Zhang Liao rode forward and slew Mao Dun, and the other generals gave in. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang with a few thousand of horse got away east into Liaodong.

  Cao Cao then led his army into Liucheng. For his services, Tian Chou was conferred the rank of Lord of Liucheng and Commander of that county.

  But Tian Chou declined the rank, saying with tears, “I am a renegade and a fugitive. It is my good fortune that you spared my life and how can I accept a rank for betraying Lulong? I would rather die than accept the lordship.”

  Cao Cao recognized that reason was on Tian Chou's side and conferred upon him the office of Court Counselor. Cao Cao then pacified the Xiongnu Chieftains; collected a large number of horses and at once set out on the homeward march.

  The season was winter, cold and dry. For seventy miles there was no water, and grain also was scanty. The troops fed on horse flesh. They had to dig very deep, three or four hundred spans to find water.

  When Cao Cao reached Yizhou, he rewarded those who had remonstrated with him against the expedition.

  He said, “I took some risk in going so far, but by good fortune I have succeeded; with the aid of Heaven I have secured victory. I could not be guided by your advice, but still they were counsels of safety, and therefore I reward you to prove my appreciation of advice and that hereafter you may not fear to speak your minds.”

  Adviser Guo Jia did not live to see the return of his lord. His coffin was placed on the bier in a hall of the government offices, and Cao Cao went thither to sacrifice to his manes.

  Cao Cao mourned for him, crying, “Alas! Heaven has smitten me; Guo Jia is dead.”

  Then turning to his officers he said, “You, gentlemen, are of the same age as myself, but he was very young to die. I needed him for the future generation, and unhappily he has been torn from me in the flower of his age. My heart and my bowels are torn with grief.”

  The servants of the late adviser presented his last testament, which they said his dying hand had written, and he had told them to say, “If the Prime Minister shall follow the advice given herein, then Liaodong will be secure.”

  Cao Cao opened the cover and read, nodding his head in agreement and uttering deep sighs. But no other person knew what was written therein.

  Shortly after, Xiahou Dun at the head of a delegation presented a petition, saying, “For a long time the Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Kang, has been contumacious, and it bodes ill for peace that the Yuan brothers have fled to him. Would it not be well to attack before they move against you?”

  “I need not trouble your tiger courage, Sirs,” said Cao Cao smiling. “Wait a few days and you will see the heads of our two enemies sent to me.”

  They could not believe it.

  As has been related the two Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang escaped to the east with a few hundreds of horse. The Governor of Liaodong was a son of Gongsun Du the Warlike, the General of Han. Gongsun Kang was a native of Xiangping. When he heard that Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were on their way to his territory, he called a council to decide upon his plan.

  At the council Gongsun Gong rose, saying, “When Yuan Shao was alive, he nourished the plan of adding this territory to his own. Now his sons, homeless, with a broken army and no officers, are coming here; it seems to me like the dove stealing the magpie's nest. If we offer them shelter, they will assuredly intrigue against us. I advise that they be inveigled into the city, put to death, and their heads sent to Cao Cao, who will be most grateful to us.”

  Said the Governor Gongsun Kang, “I have one fear; Cao Cao will come against us. If so, it would be better to have the help of the Yuans against him.”

  “Then you can send spies to ascertain whether Cao Cao's army is preparing to attack us. If it is, then save the Yuans alive; if not, then follow my advice.”

  It was decided to wait till the spies came back. In the meantime, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang had taken counsel together as they approached Liaodong, saying, “Liaodong has a large army strong enough to oppose Cao Cao. We will go thither and submit till we can slay the Governor and take possession. Then when we are strong enough, we will attack and recover our own land.”

  With these intentions they went into the city. They were received and lodged in the guests' quarters; but when they wished to see Gongsun Kang, he put them off with the excuse of indisposition. However, before many days the spies returned with the news that Cao Cao's army was quiescent and there was no hint of any attack.

  Then Gongsun Kang called Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang into his presence. But before they came he hid swordsmen and ax-men behind the arras in the hall. When the visitors came and had made their salutations, Gongsun Kang bade them be seated.

  Now it was bitterly cold and on the couches where they were sitting were no coverings. So Yuan Shang said, “May we have cushions?”

  The host said, “When your heads take that long, long journey, will there be any cushions?”

  Before Yuan Shang could recover from his fright, Gongsun Kang shouted, “Why do you not begin?”

  At this out rushed the assassins and the heads of the two brothers were cut off as they sat. Packed in a small wooden box they were sent to Cao Cao at Yizhou.

  All this time Cao Cao had been calmly waiting. His impatient officers had petitioned in a body, saying, “Let's march to the capital to ward off Liu Biao's threat if we are not going to attack the east.”

  Cao Cao said, “I am waiting for the heads of the enemy. We will go as soon as the heads arrive.”

  In their secret hearts they laughed. But then, surely enough, messenger soon came from Liaodong bringing the heads. Then they were greatly surprised; and when the messenger presented Gongsun Kang's letters, Cao Cao cried, “Just as Guo Jia said!”

  He amply rewarded the messenger, and th
e Governor of Liaodong was made Lord of Xiangping and General of the Left Army. When the officers asked what had happened, Cao Cao told them what the late adviser had predicted. He read to them the dead officer's testament, which ran something like this:

  “Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang are going to Liaodong. Illustrious Sir, you are on no account to attack, for Gongsun Kang

  has long lived in fear lest the Yuans should absorb his country. When they arrive, Gongsun Kang will hesitate. If you attack, he will save the Yuans to help him; if you wait, they will work against each other. This is evident.”

  The officers simply jumped with surprise to see how perfectly events had been foreseen. Then Cao Cao at the head of all his officers performed a grand sacrifice before the coffin of the wise Guo Jia. He had died at the age of thirty-eight, after eleven years of meritorious and wonderful service in wars.

  When Heaven permitted Guo Jia's birth,

  It made him ablest man on earth.

  He knew by rote all histories,

  From him war kept no mysteries.

  Like Fan Li's, his plans were quite decisive,

  As Chen Ping's, his strokes were most incisive.

  Too soon he ran his earthly race,

  Too soon the great beam fell from place.

  When Cao Cao returned to Jizhou, he sent off the coffin of his late adviser to Capital Xuchang where it was interred.

  Then Cheng Yu and others said, “As the north has been overcome, it is time to settle the south.”

  Cao Cao was pleased and said, “That has long occupied my thoughts.”

  The last night he spent in Jizhou, Cao Cao went to the eastern corner tower and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Xun You.

  Presently Cao Cao said, “That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there.”

  “What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?” said Xun You.

  Suddenly a beam of golden light shot up out of the earth.

  “Surely a treasure is buried there,” remarked Xun You.

  They went down from the city wall, called some guards, and led them to the point whence the light proceeded. There the men were ordered to dig.