Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  “Last night, on my return to Xinye,” said Zhao Yun, “I could not find my lord, so I followed at once and traced you here. I pray you return quickly as I fear an attack on the city.”

  So Liu Bei took leave of his host and the whole company returned to Xinye. Before they had gone far another army appeared, and, when they had come nearer, they saw Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. They met with great joy, and Liu Bei told them of the wonderful leap his horse had made over the torrent. All expressed surprise and pleasure.

  As soon as they reached the city, a council was called and Zhao Yun said, “You ought first of all to indite a letter to Liu Biao telling him all these things.”

  The letter was prepared and Sun Qian bore it to the seat of government in Jingzhou City. He was received, and Liu Biao at once asked the reason of Liu Bei hasty flight from the festival. Whereupon the letter was presented and the bearer related the machinations of Cai Mao and told of the escape and the amazing leap over the Tan Torrent.

  Liu Biao was very angry, sent for Cai Mao, and berated him soundly, saying, “How dare you try to hurt my brother?”

  And he ordered Cai Mao out to execution.

  Liu Biao's wife, Cai Mao's sister, prayed for a remission of the death penalty, but Liu Biao refused to be appeased.

  Then spoke Sun Qian, saying, “If you put Cai Mao to death, I fear Uncle Liu Bei will be unable to remain here.”

  Then Cai Mao was reprieved, but dismissed with a severe reprimand.

  Liu Biao sent his elder son Liu Qi back with Sun Qian to apologize. When Liu Qi reached Xinye, Liu Bei welcomed him and gave a banquet in his honor.

  After some little drinking, the chief guest suddenly began to weep and presently said, “My step mother, Lady Cai, always cherishes a wish to put me out of the way, and I do not know how to avoid her anger. Could you advise me, Uncle?”

  Liu Bei exhorted him to be careful and perfectly filial and nothing could happen. Soon after the young man took his leave, and wept at parting.

  Liu Bei escorted Liu Qi well on his way and, pointing to his steed, said, “I owe my life to this horse; had it not been for him, I had been already below the Nine Golden Springs.”

  “It was not the strength of the horse, but your noble fortune, Uncle.”

  They parted, the young man weeping bitterly. On reentering the city, Liu Bei met a person in the street wearing a hempen turban, a cotton robe confined by a black girdle, and black shoes. He came along singing a song:

  “The universe is rived, O! Now nears the end of all.

  The noble mansion quakes, O! What beam can stay the fall?

  A wise one waits his lord, O! But hidden in the glen,

  The seeker knows not him, O! Nor me, of common humans.”

  Liu Bei listened.

  “Surely this is one of the people Water-Mirror spoke of,” thought he.

  He dismounted, spoke to the singer, and invited him into his residence. Then when they were seated, he asked the stranger's name.

  “I am from Yingchuan and my name is San Fu. I have known you by repute for a long time, and they said you appreciated humans of ability. I wanted to come to you but every way of getting an introduction seemed closed. So I bethought me of attracting your notice by singing that song in the market place.”

  Liu Bei thought he had found a treasure and treated the newcomer with the greatest kindness. Then San Fu spoke of the horse that he had seen Liu Bei riding and asked to look at it. So the animal was brought round.

  “Is not this a Dilu horse?” said San Fu. “But though it is a good steed, it risks his master. You must not ride it.”

  “It has already fulfilled the omens,” said Liu Bei, and he related the story of the leap over the Tan Torrent.

  “But that was saving his master, not risking him; it will surely harm some one in the end. But I can tell you how to avert the omen.”

  “I should be glad to hear it,” said Liu Bei.

  “If you have an enemy against whom you bear a grudge, give him this horse and wait till it has fulfilled the evil omens on this person, then you can ride it in safety.”

  Liu Bei changed color.

  “What, Sir! You are but a new acquaintance, and you would advise me to take an evil course and to harm another for my own advantage? No, Sir! I cannot listen.”

  His guest smiled, saying, “People said you were virtuous. I could not ask you directly, so I put it that way to test you.”

  Liu Bei's expression changed. He rose and returned the compliment, saying, “But how can I be virtuous while I lack your teaching?”

  “When I came here, I heard the people saying:

  “Since Liu Bei came here, O blessed day!

  We've had good luck: long may he stay!

  “So you see, the effects of your virtue extend to the ordinary people.” Thereupon San Fu was made Commanding Adviser of the army.

  The one idea that held Cao Cao after his return from Jizhou was the capture of Jingzhou. He sent Cao Ren and Li Dian, with the two brothers Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang who had surrendered, to camp at Fankou with thirty thousand troops and so threaten Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Thence he sent spies to find out the weak points.

  Then the two Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang petitioned Cao Ren, saying, “Liu Bei is strengthening his position at Xinye and laying in large supplies. Some great scheme is afoot, and he should be checked. Since our surrender we have performed no noteworthy service and, if you will give us five thousand soldiers, we promise to bring you the head of Liu Bei.”

  Cao Ren was only too glad, and the expedition set out. The scouts reported this to Liu Bei who turned to San Fu for advice.

  San Fu said, “They must not be permitted to cross the boundary. Send Guan Yu and Zhang Fei left and right, each with one thousand troops, one to attack the enemy on the march, the other to cut off the retreat. You and Zhao Yun will make a front attack.”

  Guan Yu and Zhang Fei started, and then Liu Bei went out at the gate with two thousand troops to oppose the enemy. Before they had gone far they saw a great cloud of dust behind the hills. This marked the approach of the Lu brothers. Presently, both sides being arrayed, Liu Bei rode out and stood by his standard.

  He called out, “Who are you who thus would encroach on my territory?”

  “I am the great General Lu Kuang, and I have the order of the Prime Minister to make you prisoner,” said the leader.

  Liu Bei ordered Zhao Yun to go out, and the two generals engaged. Very soon Zhao Yun with a spear thrust had disposed of his opponent, and Liu Bei gave the signal to attack. Lu Xiang could not maintain his position and led his troops off. Soon his force found themselves attacked by an army rushing in from the side led by Guan Yu. The loss was more than a half, and the remainder fled for safety.

  About three miles farther on they found their retreat barred by an army under Zhang Fei, who stood in the way with a long spear ready to thrust, crying out, “Zhang Fei is waiting!”

  Zhang Fei bore down upon Lu Xiang, who was slain without a chance of striking a blow. The troops again fled in disorder. They were pursued by Liu Bei, and the greater part killed or captured.

  Then Liu Bei returned into Xinye where he rewarded San Fu and feasted his victorious soldiers.

  Some of the defeated troops took the news of the deaths of the leaders and the capture of their comrades to Cao Ren at Fankou.

  Cao Ren, much distressed, consulted Li Dian who advised, saying, “The loss is due to our underestimation of our enemy. Now we should stay where we are, hold on, and request reinforcements.”

  “Not so,” said Cao Ren. “We cannot support calmly the death of two leaders and the loss of so many soldiers. We must avenge them quickly. Xinye is but a crossbow-slug of a place and not worth disturbing the Prime Minister for.” “Liu Bei is a man of metal,” said Li Dian. “Do not esteem him lightly.”

  “What are you afraid of?” said Cao Ren.

  “The Rule of War says 'To know your enemy and yourself is the secret of victory,'“ replied Li Dian
. “I am not afraid of the battle, but I do not think we can conquer.”

  “You are a traitor!” cried Cao Ren angrily. “Then I will capture Liu Bei myself.”

  “Do so; and I will guard this city,” said Li Dian.

  “If you do not go with me, it is a proof that you are a traitor,” retorted Cao Ren.

  At this reproach, Li Dian felt constrained to join the expedition. So they told off twenty five thousand troops with which they crossed the River Yu for Xinye.

  The officers all keenly felt the shame of many slain,

  The chief determines on revenge and marches out again.

  What measure of success the expedition met with will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 36. Shan Fu's Strategy: Fankou Is Captured; Xu Shu's Affection: Zhuge Liang Is Recommended.

  In hot anger, Cao Ren lost no time in marching out to avenge the loss of so many of his army. He hastily crossed the River Yu to attack Xinye and trample it in the dust.

  When San Fu got back into the city, he said to Liu Bei, “When Cao Ren, now at Fankou, hears of his losses, he will try to retrieve them and will come to attack us.”

  “What is the counter move?” asked Liu Bei.

  “As he will come with all his force, his own city will be left undefended; we will surprise it.”

  “By what ruse?”

  The adviser leaned over and whispered to his chief. Whatever the plan was, it pleased Liu Bei, who made arrangements. Soon the scouts reported Cao Ren crossing the river with a mighty host.

  “Just as I guessed,” said San Fu, hearing of it.

  Then he suggested that Liu Bei should lead out one army against the invaders. Liu Bei did so, and, when the formation was complete, Zhao Yun rode to the front as champion and challenged the other side.

  Li Dian rode out and engaged. At about the tenth bout Li Dian found he was losing and retired toward his own side. Zhao Yun pressed after him, but was checked by a heavy discharge of arrows from the wings. Then both sides stopped the battle and retired to their camps.

  Li Dian reported to his chief: “Our enemy are brave, very full of spirit, and we will be hard to overcome. We would better retreat to Fankou and wait for reinforcements.”

  Cao Ren angrily replied, “You damped the army's spirit before we started, and now you betray us. You have been bought and you deserve death.”

  Cao Ren called in the executioners, and they led away their victim. But the other officers came to intercede and Li Dian was spared. However, he was transferred to the command of the rear, while Cao Ren himself led the attack.

  Next day the drums beat an advance and Cao Ren, having drawn up his soldiers, sent a messenger over to ask if Liu Bei recognized his plan of battle array.

  So San Fu went on a hill and looked over it. Then he said to Liu Bei, “The arrangement is called 'The Eight Docked Gates,' and the names of the gates are Birth, Exit, Expanse, Wound, Fear, Annihilation, Obstacle, and Death. If you enter by one of the three Birth, Exit, or Expanse you succeed; if by one of the gates Wound, Fear, or Annihilation, you sustain injuries. The other two gates Obstacles and Death will bring the end. Now, though the eight gates are all there quite correct, the central key-post is lacking, and the whole formation can be thrown into confusion by entry from the southeast and exit due west.”

  Wherefore certain orders were issued and Zhao Yun, leading five hundred troops, rode out on his prancing steed to break the array. He burst in, as directed, at the southeast and, with great clamor and fighting, reached the center. Cao Ren made for the north, but Zhao Yun, instead of following him, made a dash westward and got through. Thence he turned round to the southeast again and smote till Cao Ren's army was in disarray. Liu Bei gave a general advance signal, and the victory was complete. The beaten enemy retired.

  San Fu forbade pursuit, and they returned. The loss of the battle convinced Cao Ren of the wisdom of his colleague Li Dian, and he sent for Li Dian to consult.

  “They certainly have some very able person in Liu Bei's army since my formation was so quickly broken,” said Cao Ren.

  “My chief anxiety is about Fankou,” said Li Dian.

  “I will raid their camp this night,” said Cao Ren. “If I succeed, we will decide upon what should be done next. If I fail, we will return to Fankou.”

  “Their camp will be well prepared against such a thing, and you will fail,” said Li Dian.

  “How can you expect to fight successfully when you are so full of doubts?” said Cao Ren, angrily.

  He held no more converse with his cautious colleague, but himself took command of the van and set out. Li Dian was relegated to the rear. The attack on the enemy's camp was fixed for the second watch.

  Now as San Fu was discussing plans with his chief a whirlwind from the northeast went by, which San Fu said, “There will be a raid on the camp tonight.”

  “How shall we meet it?” said Liu Bei.

  “The plans are quite ready,” was the reply.

  San Fu whispered them to the chief. So at the second watch, when the enemy arrived, they saw fires on all sides; the stockades and huts burning. Cao Ren understood at once that all hope of a surprise was vain, and he turned to get away as quickly as possible. This was the signal for Zhao Yun to fall on, and that cut Cao Ren's return road. He hastened north toward the river, and reached the bank, but, while waiting for boats to cross the stream, up came Zhang Fei and attacked.

  By dint of great efforts and with the support of Li Dian, Cao Ren got into a boat, but most of the soldiers were drowned in the stream. As soon as he got to the farther shore, he bolted for Fankou. He reached the wall and hailed the gate, but, instead of a friendly welcome, he heard the rolling of drums, which was soon followed by the appearance of a body of troops. Guan Yu led them.

  “I took the city a long time ago!” shouted Guan Yu.

  This was a severe shock to Cao Ren, who turned to flee. As soon as he faced about, Guan Yu attacked and killed many of his force. The remnant hastened to Xuchang. On the road the beaten general wondered who had advised his opponents with such success, and he asked the natives for the answer. While the defeated Cao Ren had to find his way back to the capital, Liu Bei had scored a great success. Afterwards he marched to Fankou, where he was welcomed by Magistrate Liu Mi, himself a scion of the ruling family, who had been born in Changsha. He received Liu Bei as a guest in his own house and gave banquets and treated him exceedingly well.

  In the train of the Magistrate, Liu Bei saw a very handsome and distinguished-looking young man, and asked who he was.

  Liu Mi replied, “He is my nephew, Kou Feng, an orphan, whom I am taking care of.”

  Liu Bei had taken a great liking for the lad and proposed to adopt him. His guardian was willing, and so the adoption was arranged. The young man's name was changed to Liu Feng. When Liu Bei left, he took his adopted son with him. Liu Feng was then made to bow before Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as uncles.

  Guan Yu was doubtful of the wisdom of adopting another son, saying, “You have a son; why do you think it necessary to adopt another? It may cause confusion.”

  “How? I shall treat him as a father should, and he will serve me as befits a son.”

  Guan Yu was displeased. Then Liu Bei and San Fu began further discussions of strategy, and they decided to leave Zhao Yun with one thousand soldiers to guard Fankou, and they returned to Xinye.

  In the meantime Cao Cao's defeated generals had gone back. When they saw the Prime Minister, Cao Ren threw himself on the ground weeping and acknowledging his faults. He told the tale of his losses.

  “The fortune of war,” said Cao Cao. “But I should like to know who laid Liu Bei's plans.”

  “That was San Fu,” said Cao Ren.

  “Who is he?” asked Cao Cao.

  Cheng Yu said, “The man is not San Fu. When young this man was fond of fencing and used to take up the quarrels of other men and avenge their wrongs. At the end of Emperor Ling, he killed a man to avenge his friend, and then he let
down his hair, muddled his face, and was trying to escape when a lictor caught him and questioned him. He would not reply. So they carted him through the streets beating a drum and asking if any one recognized him. Nobody dared own to knowing him, if they did so. However, his comrades managed to release him secretly, and he ran away under some other name. Then he turned to study and wandered hither and thither wherever scholars were to be found. He was a regular disputant with Sima Hui. His real name is Xu Shu and he comes from Yingchuan. San Fu is merely an assumed name.”

  “How does he compare with yourself'“ asked Cao Cao.

  “Ten times cleverer.”

  “It is a pity. If able people gather to Liu Bei, his wings will soon grow. What is to be done?”

  “Xu Shu is there now; but if you wanted him, it would not be difficult to call him,” replied Cheng Yu.

  “How could I make him come?” said Cao Cao.

  “He is noted for his affection for his mother. His father died young, leaving his mother a widow with one other son. Now that son is dead, and his mother, Lady Xun, has no one to care for her. If you sent and got his mother here and told her to write and summon her son, he would surely come.”

  Cao Cao sent without loss of time and had the old lady brought to the capital, where he treated her exceedingly well.

  Presently he said, “I hear you have a very talented son, who is now at Xinye helping on that rebel Liu Bei against the government. There he is like a jewel in a muck-heap; it is a pity. Supposing you were to call him, I could speak of him before the Emperor, and he might get an important office.”

  Cao Cao bade his secretaries bring along the “four precious things of the study,” with which Lady Xun could write to her son.

  “What sort of a man is Liu Bei?” asked she.

  Cao Cao replied, “A common sort of person from Zhuo, irresponsible enough to style himself Imperial Uncle, and so claiming some sort of connection with the Hans. He is neither trustworthy nor virtuous. People say he is a superior man as far as externals go, but a mean man by nature.”

  Lady Xun answered in a hard voice, “Why do you malign him so bitterly? Every one knows he is a descendant of one of the Han princes and so related to the House. He has condescended to take a lowly office and is respectful to all people. He has a reputation for benevolence. Every one, young and old, cowherds and firewood cutters, all know him by name and know that he is the finest and noblest man in the world. If my son is in his service, then has he found a fitting master. You, under the name of a Han minister, are really nothing but a Han rebel. Contrary to all truth you tell me Liu Bei is a rebel, whereby you try to induce me to make my son leave the light for darkness. Are you devoid of all sense of shame?”