Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Cao Cao's ships took up the chase but soon saw pursuit was useless. They returned and reported their failure.

  Again Cao Cao found fault with his officers and said, “The other day you lost a battle, and the soldiers were greatly dispirited. Now the enemy have spied out our camp. What can be done?”

  In eager response to his question one stepped out, saying, “When I was a youth, Zhou Yu and I were fellow students and pledged friends. My three-inch tongue is still good, and I will go over and persuade him to surrender.”

  Cao Cao, rejoiced to find so speedy a solution, looked at the speaker. It was Jiang Gan of Jiujiang, one of the counseling staff in the camp.

  “Are you a good friend of Zhou Yu?” said Cao Cao.

  “Rest content, O Prime Minister,” replied Jiang Gan. “If I only get on the other side of the river, I shall succeed.”

  “What preparations are necessary?” asked Cao Cao.

  “Just a youth as my servant and a couple of rowers; nothing else.”

  Cao Cao offered him wine, wished him success, and sent him on his way.

  Clad in a simple white robe and seated in his little craft, the messenger reached Zhou Yu's camp and bade the guards say that an old friend Jiang Gan wished to see him.

  The commander was in his tent at a council when the message came, and he laughed as he said to those about him, “A persuader is coming.”

  Then he whispered certain instructions in the ear of each one of them, and they went out to await his arrival.

  Zhou Yu received his friend in full ceremonial garb. A crowd of officers in rich silken robes were about him. The guest appeared, his sole attendant a lad dressed in a simple blue gown. Jiang Gan bore himself proudly as he advanced, and Zhou Yu made a low obeisance.

  “You have been well I hope since last we met,” said Jiang Gan.

  “You have wandered far and suffered much in this task of emissary in Cao Cao's cause,” said Zhou Yu.

  “I have not seen you for a very long time,” said the envoy much taken aback, “and I came to visit you for the sake of old times. Why do you call me an emissary for the Cao Cao's cause?”

  “Though I am not so profound a musician as Shi Kuang of old, yet I can comprehend the thought behind the music,” replied Zhou Yu.

  “As you choose to treat your old friend like this, I think I will take my leave,” said Jiang Gan.

  Zhou Yu laughed again, and taking Jiang Gan by the arm, said, “Well, I feared you might be coming on his behalf to try to persuade me. But if this is not your intention, you need not go away so hastily.”

  So they two entered the tent; and when they had exchanged salutes and were seated as friends, Zhou Yu bade them call his officers that he might introduce them. They soon appeared civil and military officials, all dressed in their best. The military officers were clad in glittering silver armor and the staff looked very imposing as they stood ranged in two lines.

  The visitor was introduced to them all. Presently a banquet was spread, and while they feasted, the musicians played songs of victory and the wine circulated merrily. Under its mellowing influence, Zhou Yu's reserve seemed to thaw and he said, “Jiang Gan is an old fellow student of mine, and we are pledged friends. Though he has arrived here from the north, he is no artful pleader so you need not be afraid of him.”

  Then Zhou Yu took off the commanding sword which he wore as Commander-in-Chief and handed it to Taishi Ci, saying, “You take this and wear it for the day as master of the feast. This day we meet only as friends and speak only of friendship, and if any one shall begin a discussion of the questions at issue between Cao Cao and our country, just slay him.”

  Taishi Ci took the sword and seated himself in his place. Jiang Gan was not a little overcome, but he said no word.

  Zhou Yu said, “Since I assumed command, I have tasted no drop of wine, but today as an old friend is present and there is no reason to fear him; I am going to drink freely.”

  So saying he quaffed a huge goblet and laughed loudly.

  The rhinoceros cups went swiftly round from guest to guest till all were half drunk. Then Zhou Yu, laying hold of the guest's hand, led him outside the tent. The guards who stood around all braced themselves up and seized their shinning weapons.

  “Do you not think my soldiers a fine lot of fellows?” said Zhou Yu.

  “Strong as bears and bold as tigers,” replied Jiang Gan.

  Then Zhou Yu led him to the rear of the tent whence he saw the grain and forage piled up in mountainous heaps.

  “Do you not think I have a fairly good store of grain and forage?”

  “Your troops are brave and your supplies ample; the world's rumor is not unfounded.”

  Zhou Yu pretended to be quite intoxicated and went on, “When you and I were students together, we never looked forward to a day like this, did we?” “For a genius like you, it is nothing extraordinary,” said the guest.

  Zhou Yu again seized his hand and they sat down.

  “A man of the time, I have found a proper lord to serve. In his service, we rely upon the right feeling between minister and prince outside, and at home we are firm in the kindly feeling of relatives. He listens to my words and follows my plans. We share the same good or evil fortune. Even when the great old persuaders like Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Lu Jia, and Li Yiji lived again, even when their words poured forth like a rushing river, their tongues were as a sharp sword, it is impossible to move such as I am!”

  Zhou Yu burst into a loud laugh as he finished, and Jiang Gan's face had become clay-colored. Zhou Yu then led his guest back into the tent, and again they fell to drinking.

  Presently Zhou Yu pointed to the others at table and said, “These are all the best and bravest of the land of the south; one might call this the 'Meeting of Heroes.'“

  They drank on till daylight failed and continued after lamps had been lit. Zhou Yu even gave an exhibition of sword play and sang this song:

  When a man is in the world, O,

  He ought to do his best.

  And when he's done his best, O.

  He ought to have his rest.

  And when I have my rest, O,

  I'll quaff my wine with zest.

  And when I'm drunk as drunk can be, O,

  I'll sing the madman's litany.

  A burst of applause greeted the song. By this time it was getting late, and the guest begged to be excused.

  “The wine is too much for me,” said Jiang Gan.

  His host bade them clear the table; and as all the others left, Zhou Yu said, “It has been many a day since I shared a couch with my friend, but we will do so tonight.”

  Putting on the appearance of irresponsible intoxication, he led Jiang Gan into the tent and they went to bed. Zhou Yu simply fell, all dressed as he was, and lay there emitting uncouth grunts and groans, so that to the guest sleep was impossible.

  Jiang Gan lay and listened to the various camp noises without and his host's thunderous snores within. About the second watch he rose and looked at his friend by the dim light of the small lamp. He also saw on the table a heap of papers, and coming out and looking at them furtively, he saw they were letters. Among them he saw one marked as coming from Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, Cao Cao's Supreme Admiral and Vice-Admiral. He read it and this is what it said:

  “We surrendered to Cao Cao, not for the sake of pay but under stress of circumstances. Now we have been able to

  hold these northern soldiers into this naval camp but, as soon as occasion offers, we mean to have the rebel's head to offer as a sacrifice to your banner. From time to time there will be reports as occasions serve, but you may trust us. This is our humble reply to your letter.”

  “Those two were connected with the South Land in the beginning,” thought Jiang Gan, so he secreted the letter in his dress and began to examine the others. But at that moment Zhou Yu turned over, and so Jiang Gan hastily blew out the light and went to his couch. Zhou Yu was muttering as he lay there as if dreaming, saying, “Friend, I am goi
ng to let you see Cao Cao's head in a day or two.”

  Jiang Gan hastily made some reply to load on his host to say more. Then came, “Wait a few days; you will see Cao Cao's head. The old wretch!”

  Jiang Gan tried to question him as to what he meant, but Zhou Yu was fast asleep and seemed to hear nothing. Jiang Gan lay there on his couch wide awake till the fourth watch was beating.

  Then some one came in, saying, “General, are you awake?”

  At that moment as if suddenly awakened from the deepest slumber, Zhou Yu started up and said, “Who is this on the couch?”

  The voice replied, “Do you not remember, General? You asked your old friend to stay the night with you; it is he, of course.”

  “I drank too much last night,” said Zhou Yu in a regretful tone, “and I forgot. I seldom indulge to excess and am not used to it. Perhaps I said many things I ought not.”

  The voice went on, “A man has arrived from the north.”

  “Speak lower,” said Zhou Yu, and turning toward the sleeper, he called him by name. But Jiang Gan affected to be sound asleep and made no sign.

  Zhou Yu crept out of the tent, while Jiang Gan listened with all his ears. He heard the man say, “Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, the two commanders, have come.”

  But listening as he did with straining ears, he could not make out what followed. Soon after Zhou Yu reentered and again called out his companion's name. But no reply came, for Jiang Gan was pretending to be in the deepest slumber and to hear nothing. Then Zhou Yu undressed and went to bed.

  As Jiang Gan lay awake, he remembered that Zhou Yu was known to be meticulously careful in affairs, and if in the morning Zhou Yu found that a letter had disappeared, he would certainly slay the offender. So Jiang Gan lay there till near daylight and then called out to his host. Getting no reply, he rose, dressed, and stole out of the tent. Then he called his servant and made for the camp gate.

  “Whither are you going, Sir?” said the watchmen at the gate.

  “I fear I am in the way here,” replied Jiang Gan, “and so I have taken leave of the Commander-in-Chief for a time. So do not stop me.”

  He found his way to the river bank and reembarked. Then, with flying oars, he hastened back to Cao Cao's camp. When he arrived, Cao Cao asked at once how he had sped, and he had to acknowledge failure.

  “Zhou Yu is very clever and perfectly high-minded,” said Jiang Gan. “Nothing that I could say moved him in the least.”

  “Your failure makes me look ridiculous,” said Cao Cao.

  “Well, if I did not win over Zhou Yu, I found out something for you. Send away these people and I will tell you,” said Jiang Gan.

  The servants were dismissed, and then Jiang Gan produced the letter he had stolen from Zhou Yu's tent. He gave it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was very angry and sent for Cai Mao and Zhang Yun at once. As soon as they appeared, he said, “I want you two to attack.”

  Cai Mao replied, “But the soldiers are not yet sufficiently trained.”

  “The soldiers will be well enough trained when you have sent my head to Zhou Yu, eh?”

  Both commanders were dumb-founded, having not the least idea what this meant. They remained silent for they had nothing to say. Cao Cao bade the executioners lead them away to instant death. In a short time their heads were produced.

  By this time Cao Cao had thought over the matter, and it dawned upon him that he had been tricked. A poem says:

  No one could stand against Cao Cao,

  Of sin he had full share,

  But Zhou Yu was more treacherous,

  And caught him in a snare.

  Two commanders to save their lives,

  Betrayed a former lord,

  Soon after, as was very met.

  Both fell beneath the sword.

  The death of these two naval commanders caused much consternation in the camp, and all their colleagues asked the reason for their sudden execution. Though Cao Cao knew they had been victimized, he would not acknowledge it.

  So he said, “These two had been remiss, and so had been put to death.”

  The others were aghast, but nothing could be done. Two other officers, Mao Jie and Yu Jin, were put in command of the naval camp.

  Spies took the news to Zhou Yu, who was delighted at the success of his ruse.

  “Those two Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were my only source of anxiety,” said he. “Now they are gone; I am quite happy.”

  Lu Su said, “General, if you can continue like this, you need not fear Cao Cao.”

  “I do not think any of them saw my game,” said Zhou Yu, except Zhuge Liang. He beats me, and I do not think this ruse was hidden from him. You go and sound him. See if he knew.”

  Zhou Yu's treacherous plot succeeded well,

  Dissension sown, his rivals fell.

  Drunk with success was he, but sought

  To know what cynic Zhuge Liang thought.

  What passed between Lu Su and Zhuge Liang will next be related.

  CHAPTER 46. Using Strategy, Zhuge Liang Borrows Arrows; Joining A Ruse, Huang Gai Accepts Punishment.

  Lu Su departed on his mission and found Zhuge Liang seated in his little craft.

  “There has been so much to do that I have not been able to come to listen to your instructions,” said Lu Su.

  “That is truly so,” said Zhuge Liang, “and I have not yet congratulated the Commander-in-Chief.”

  “What have you wished to congratulate him upon?”

  “Why Sir, the matter upon which he sent you to find out whether I knew about it or not. Indeed I can congratulate him on that.”

  Lu Su turned pale and gasped, saying, “But how did you know, Master?”

  “The ruse succeeded well thus played off on Jiang Gan. Cao Cao has been taken in this once, but he will soon rise to it. Only he will not confess his mistake. However, the two men are gone, and your country is freed from a grave anxiety. Do you not think that is a matter for congratulation? I hear Mao Jie and Yu Jin are the new admirals, and in their hands lie both good and evil for the fate of the northern fleet.”

  Lu Su was quite dumbfounded; he stayed a little time longer passing the time in making empty remarks, and then took his leave.

  As he was going away, Zhuge Liang cautioned him, saying, “Do not let Zhou Yu know that I know his ruse. If you let him know, he will seek some chance to do me harm.”

  Lu Su promised; nevertheless he went straight to his chief and related the whole thing just as it happened.

  “Really he must be got rid of;” said Zhou Yu, “I have quite decided to put the man out of the way.”

  “If you slay him, will not Cao Cao laugh at you?”

  “Oh, no; I will find a legitimate way of getting rid of him so that he shall go to his death without resentment.”

  “But how can you find a legitimate way of assassinating him?”

  “Do not ask too much; you will see presently.”

  Soon after all the officers were summoned to the main tent, and Zhuge Liang's presence was desired. He went contentedly enough.

  When all were seated, Zhou Yu suddenly addressed Zhuge Liang, saying, “I am going to fight a battle with the enemy soon on the water: what weapons are the best?”

  “On a great river arrows are the best,” said Zhuge Liang.

  “Your opinion and mine agree. But at the moment we are short of them. I wish you would undertake to supply about a hundred thousand arrows for the naval fight. As it is for the public service, you will not decline, I hope'“

  “Whatever task the Commander-in-Chief lays upon me, I must certainly try to perform,” replied Zhuge Liang. “May I inquire by what date you require the hundred thousand arrows?”

  “Could you have them ready in ten days?”

  “The enemy will be here very soon; ten days will be too late,” said Zhuge Liang.

  “In how many days do you estimate the arrows can be ready?”

  “Let me have three days; then you may send for your hundred thousand.”

>   “No joking, remember!” said Zhou Yu. “There is no joking in war time.”

  “Dare I joke with the Commander-in-Chief? Give me a formal military order; and if I have not completed the task in three days, I will take my punishment.”

  Zhou Yu, secretly delighted, sent for the secretaries and prepared the commission then and there. Then he drank to the success of the undertaking and said, “I shall have to congratulate you most heartily when this is accomplished.”

  “This day is too late to count,” said Zhuge Liang. “On the third from tomorrow morning send five hundred small boats to the river side to convey the arrows.”

  They drank a few more cups together, and then Zhuge Liang took his leave.

  After he had gone, Lu Su said, “Do you not think there is some deceit about this?”

  “Clearly it is not I! It is he who has signed his own death warrant,” said Zhou Yu. “Without being pressed in the least, he asked for a formal order in the face of the whole assembly. Even if he grew a pair of wings, he could not escape. Only I will just order the workers to delay him as much as they can, and not supply him with materials, so that he is sure to fail. And then, when the certain penalty is incurred, who can criticize? You can go and inquire about it all and keep me informed.”

  So off went Lu Su to seek Zhuge Liang, who at once reproached him with having blabbed about the former business.

  Zhuge Liang said, “He wants to hurt me, as you know, and I did not think you could not keep my secret. And now there is what you saw today and how do you think I can get a hundred thousand arrows made in three days? You will simply have to rescue me.”

  “You brought the misfortune on yourself, and how can I rescue you?” said Lu Su.

  “I look to you for the loan of twenty vessels, manned each by thirty people. I want blue cotton screens and bundles of straw lashed to the sides of the boats. I have good use for them. On the third day, I have undertaken to deliver the fixed number of arrows. But on no account must you let Zhou Yu know, or my scheme will be wrecked.”