Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  So horses were brought, and the two rode out to the lines, host and visitor on equal terms, side by side. They ascended a hill whence they had a wide view of the land base.

  After looking all round Pang Tong remarked, “Wu Qi the Great General, came to life again, could not do better, nor Sun Zi the Famed Strategist if he reappeared! All accords with the precepts. The camp is beside the hills and is flanked by a forest. The front and rear are within sight of each other. Gates of egress and ingress are provided, and the roads of advance and retirement are bent and broken.”

  “Master, I entreat you not to overpraise me, but to advise me where I can make further improvements,” said Cao Cao.

  Then the two men rode down to the naval camp, where twenty four gates were arranged facing south. The cruisers and the battleships were all lined up so as to protect the lighter crafts which lay inside. There were channels to pass to and fro and fixed anchorages and stations.

  Pang Tong surveying all this smiled, saying, “Sir Prime Minister, if this is your method of warfare, you enjoy no empty reputation.”

  Then pointing to the southern shore, he went on, “Zhou Yu! Zhou Yu! You are finished; you will have to die.”

  Cao Cao was mightily pleased. They rode back to the chief tent and wine was brought. They discussed military matters, and Pang Tong held forth at length. Remarks and comments flowed freely between the two, and Cao Cao formed an exalted opinion of his new adherent's abilities and treated him with the greatest honor.

  By and bye the guest seemed to have succumbed to the influence of many cups and said, “Have you any capable medical people in your army?”

  “What are they for, Master?” said Cao Cao.

  “There is a lot of illness among the marines, and you ought to find some remedy.”

  The fact was that at this time Cao Cao's men were suffering from the climate; many were vomiting and not a few had died. It was a source of great anxiety to him, and when the newcomer suddenly mentioned it, of course he had to ask advice.

  Pang Tong said, “Your marine force is excellent, but there is just one defect; it is not quite perfect.”

  Cao Cao pressed him to say where the imperfection lay.

  “I have a plan to overcome the ailment of the soldiers so that no one shall be sick and all fit for service.”

  “What is this excellent scheme?” said Cao Cao.

  “The river is wide, and the tides ebb and flow. The winds and waves are never at rest. Your troops from the north are unused to ships, and the motion makes them ill. If your ships, large and small, were classed and divided into thirties, or fifties, and joined up stem to stem by iron chains and boards spread across them, to say nothing of soldiers being able to pass from one to the next, even horses could move about on them. If this were done, then there would be no fear of the wind and the waves and the rising and falling tides.”

  Coming down from his seat, Cao Cao thanked his guest, saying, “I could never defeat the land of the south without this scheme of yours.”

  “That is my idea;” said Pang Tong, “it is for you to decide about it.”

  Orders were then issued to call up all the blacksmiths and set them to work, night and day, forging iron chains and great bolts to lock together the ships. And the soldiers rejoiced when they heard of the plan.

  In the Red Cliffs' fight they used the flame,

  The weapon here will be the same.

  By Pang Tong's advice the ships were chained,

  Else Zhou Yu had not that battle gained.

  Pang Tong further told Cao Cao, saying, “I know many bold humans on the other side who hate Zhou Yu. If I may use my little tongue in your service, I can induce them to come over to you; and if Zhou Yu be left alone, you can certainly take him captive. And Liu Bei is of no account.”

  “Certainly if you could render me so great a service, I would memorialize the Throne and obtain for you one of the highest offices,” said Cao Cao.

  “I am not doing this for the sake of wealth or honors, but from a desire to succor humankind. If you cross the river, I pray you be merciful.”

  “I am Heaven's means of doing right and could not bear to slay the people.”

  Pang Tong thanked him and begged for a document that would protect his own family. Cao Cao asked, “Where do they live?”

  “All are near the river bank.”

  And Cao Cao ordered a protection declaration to be prepared. Having sealed it, he gave it to Pang Tong, who said, “You should attack as soon as I have gone, but do not let Zhou Yu doubt anything.”

  Cao Cao promised secrecy, and the wily traitor took his leave. Just as he was about to embark, he met a man in a Taoist robe, with a bamboo comb in his hair, who stopped him, saying, “You are very bold. Huang Gai is planning to use the 'personal injury ruse', and Kan Ze has presented the letter of pretended desertion. You have proffered the fatal scheme of chaining the ships together lest the flames may not completely destroy them. This sort of mischievous work may have been enough to blind Cao Cao, but I saw it all.”

  Pang Tong become helpless with fear, his viscera flown away, his spirit scattered.

  By guileful means one may succeed,

  The victims too find friends in need.

  The next chapter will tell who the stranger was.

  CHAPTER 48. Banquet On The Great River, Cao Cao Sings A Song; Battle On Open Water, The Northern Soldiers Fight With The Chained Ships.

  In the last chapter Pang Tong was brought up with a sudden shock when some one seized him and said of his scheme. Upon turning to look at the man, Pang Tong saw it was Xu Shu, an old friend, and his heart revived.

  Looking around and seeing no one near, Pang Tong said, “It would be a pity if you upset my plan; the fate of the people of all the eighty-one southern counties is in your hands.”

  Xu Shu smiled, saying, “And what of the fate of these eight hundred thirty thousand soldiers and horse of the north?”

  “Do you intend to wreck my scheme, Xu Shu?”

  “I have never forgotten the kindness of Uncle Liu Bei, nor my oath to avenge the death of my mother at Cao Cao's hands. I have said I would never think out a plan for him. So am I likely to wreck yours now, Brother? But I have followed Cao Cao's army thus far; and after they shall have been defeated, good and bad will suffer alike and how can I escape? Tell me how I can secure safety, and I sew up my lips and go away.”

  Pang Tong smiled, “If you are as high-minded as that, there is no great difficulty.”

  “Still I wish you would instruct me.”

  So Pang Tong whispered something in his ear, which seemed to please Xu Shu greatly, for he thanked him most cordially and took his leave. Then Pang Tong betook himself to his boat and left for the southern shore.

  His friend gone, Xu Shu mischievously spread certain rumors in the camp, and next day were to be seen everywhere soldiers in small groups, some talking, others listening, heads together and ears stretched out, till the camps seemed to buzz.

  Some of the officers went to Cao Cao and told him, saying, “A rumor is running around the camps that Han Sui and Ma Teng are marching from Xiliang to attack the capital.”

  This troubled Cao Cao, who called together his advisers to council.

  Said he, “The only anxiety I have felt in this expedition was about the possible doings of Han Sui and Ma Teng. Now there is a rumor running among the soldiers, and though I know not whether it be true or false, it is necessary to be on one's guard.”

  At this point Xu Shu said, “You have been kind enough to give me an office, Sir, and I have really done nothing in return. If I may have three thousand troops, I will march at once to San Pass and guard this entrance. If there be any pressing matter, I will report at once.”

  “If you would do this, I should be quite at my ease. There are already troops beyond the Pass, who will be under your command, and now I will give you three thousand of horse and foot, and Zang Ba shall lead the van and march quickly.”

  Xu Shu took
leave of the Prime Minister and left in company with Zang Ba. This was Pang Tong's scheme to secure the safety of Xu Shu.

  A poem says:

  Cao Cao marched south, but at his back

  There rode the fear of rear attack.

  Pang Tong's good counsel Xu Shu took,

  And thus the fish escaped the hook.

  Cao Cao's anxiety diminished after he had thus sent away Xu Shu. Then he rode round all the camps, first the land forces and then the naval. He boarded one of the large ships and thereon set up his standard. The naval camps were arranged along two lines, and every ship carried a thousand bows and crossbows.

  While Cao Cao remained with the fleet, it occurred the full moon of the eleventh month of the thirteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 208). The sky was clear; there was no wind and the river lay unruffled. He prepared a great banquet, with music, and thereto invited all his leaders. As evening drew on, the moon rose over the eastern hills in its immaculate beauty, and beneath it lay the broad belt of the river like a band of pure silk. It was a great assembly, and all the guests were clad in gorgeous silks and embroidered robes, and the arms of the fighting soldiers glittered in the moonlight. The officers, civil and military, were seated in their proper order of precedence.

  The setting, too, was exquisite. The Nanping Mountains were outlined as in a picture; the boundaries of Chaisang lay in the east; the river showed west as far as Xiakou; on the south lay the Fan Mountains, on the north was the Black Forest. The view stretched wide on every side.

  Cao Cao's heart was jubilant, and he harangued the assembly, saying, “My one aim since I enlisted my first small band of volunteers has been the removal of evil from the state, and I have sworn to cleanse the country and restore tranquillity. Now there is only left this land of the south to withstand me. I am at the head of a hundred legions. I depend upon you, gentlemen, and have no doubt of my final success. After I have subdued the South Land, there will be no trouble in all the country. Then we shall enjoy wealth and honor and revel in peace.”

  They rose in a body and expressed their appreciation, saying, “We trust that you may soon report complete victory, and we shall all repose in the shade of your good fortune.”

  In his elation, Cao Cao bade the servants bring more wine and they drank till late at night.

  Warmed and mellowed, the host pointed to the south bank, saying, “Zhou Yu and Lu Su know not the appointed time. Heaven is aiding me bringing upon them the misfortune of the desertion of their most trusted friends.”

  “O Prime Minister, say nothing of these things lest they become known to the enemy,” said Xun You.

  But the Prime Minister only laughed.

  “You are all my trusty friends,” said he, “both officers and humble attendants. Why should I refrain?”

  Pointing to Xiakou, he continued, “You do not reckon for much with your puny force, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. How foolish of you to attempt to shake the Taishan Mountains!”

  Then turning to his officers, he said, “I am now fifty-four and if I get the South Land, I shall have the wherewithal to rejoice. In the days of long ago, the Patriarch Duke Qiao in the south and I were great friends, and we came to an agreement on certain matters, for I knew his two daughters — Elder Qiao and Younger Qiao — were lovely beyond words. Then by some means, they became wives to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. But now my palace of rest is built on the River Zhang, and victory over the South Land will mean that I marry these two fair women. I will put them in the Bronze Bird Tower, and they shall rejoice my declining years. My desires will then be completely attained.”

  He smiled at the anticipation.

  Du Mu, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, in one poem says:

  A broken halberd buried in the sand,

  With deep rust eaten,

  Loud tells of ancient battles on the strand,

  When Cao Cao was beaten.

  Had eastern winds Zhou Yu's plan refused to aid

  And fan the blaze,

  the two fair Qiaos, in the Bronze Bird's shade,

  Would have been locked at spring age.

  But suddenly amid the merriment was heard the hoarse cry of a raven flying toward the south.

  “Why does the raven thus cry in the night?” said Cao Cao to those about him.

  “The moon is so bright that it thinks it is day,” said they, “and so it leaves its tree.”

  Cao Cao laughed; by this time he was quite intoxicated. He set up his spear in the prow of the ship and poured a libation into the river and then drank three brimming goblets.

  As he lowered the spear, he said, “This is the spear that broke up the Yellow Scarves, captured Lu Bu, destroyed Yuan Shao, and subdued Yuan Shu, whose armies are now mine. In the north it reached to Liaodong, and it stretched out over the whole south. It has never failed in its task. The present scene moves me to the depths, and I will sing a song in which you shall accompany me.”

  And so he sang:

  “When goblets are brimming then sang is near birth,

  But life is full short and has few days of mirth,

  Life goes as the dew drops fly swiftly away,

  Beneath the glance of the glowing hot ruler of day.

  Human's life may be spent in the noblest enterprise,

  But sorrowful thoughts in his heart oft arise.

  Let us wash clean away the sad thoughts that intrude,

  With bumpers of wine such as Du Kang once brewed.

  Gone is my day of youthful fire

  And still ungained is my desire.

  The deer feed on the level plain

  And joyful call, then feed again.

  My noble guests are gathered round.

  The air is trilled with joyful sound.

  Bright my future lies before me.

  As the moonlight on this plain;

  But I strive in vain to reach it.

  When shall I my wish attain?

  None can answer; and so sadness

  Grips my inmost heart again.

  Far north and south,

  Wide east and west,

  We safety seek;

  Vain is the quest.

  Human's heart oft yearns

  For converse sweet.

  And my heart burns

  When old friends greet.

  The stars are paled by the full moon's light,

  The raven wings his southward flight.

  And thrice he circles round a tree,

  No place thereon to rest finds he.

  They weary not the mountains of great height,

  The waters deep of depth do not complain,

  Duke Zhou 2 no leisure found by day or night

  Stern toil is his who would the empire gain.”

  The song made they sang it with him and were all exceedingly merry; save one guest who suddenly said, “When the great army is on the point of battle and lives are about to be risked, why do you, O Prime Minister, speak such ill words?”

  Cao Cao turned quickly toward the speaker, who was Liu Fu, Imperial Protector of Yangzhou. This Liu Fu sprang from Hefei. When first appointed to his post, he had gathered in the terrified and frightened people and restored order. He had founded schools and encouraged the people to till the land. He had long served under Cao Cao and rendered valuable service.

  When Liu Fu spoke, Cao Cao dropped his spear to the level and said, “What ill-omened words did I use?”

  “You spoke of the moon paling the stars and the raven flying southward without finding a resting place. These are ill-omened words.”

  “How dare you try to belittle my endeavor?” cried Cao Cao, very wrathful; and with that he smote Liu Fu with his spear and slew him.

  The assembly broke up, and the guests dispersed in fear and confusion. Next day, when Cao Cao had recovered from his drunken bout, he was very grieved at what he had done. When the murdered man's son, Liu Xi, came to crave the body of his father for burial, Cao Cao wept and expressed his sorrow.

  “I am guilty of your fath
er's death; I was drunk yesterday. I regret the deed exceedingly. Your father shall be interred with the honors of a minister of the highest rank.”

  Cao Cao sent an escort of soldiers to take the body to the homeland for burial.

  A few days after the two leaders of the naval force, Mao Jie and Yu Jin, came to say the ships were all connected together by chains as had been ordered, and all was now ready. They asked for the command to start.

  Thereupon the leaders of both land and naval forces were assembled on board a large ship in the center of the squadron to receive orders. The various armies and squadrons were distinguished by different flags: Mao Jie and Yu Jin led the central naval squadron with yellow flag; Zhang He, the leading squadron, red flag; Lu Qian, the rear squadron, black flag; Wen Ping, the left squadron, blue flag; and Li Tong, the right squadron, white flag. On shore Xu Huang commanded the horsemen with red flag; Li Dian, the vanguard, black flag; Yue Jin, the left wing, blue flag; and Xiahou Yuan, the right wing, white flag. Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong were in reserve, and the general staff was under the leadership of Xu Chu and Zhang Liao. The other leaders were ordered to remain in camps, but ready for action.

  All being ready, the squadron drums beat the roll thrice, and the ships sailed out under a strong northwest wind on a trial cruise. When they got among the waves, they were found to be as steady and immovable as the dry land itself. The northern soldiers showed their delight at the absence of motion by capering and flourishing their weapons. The ships moved on, the squadrons keeping quite distinct. Fifty light cruisers sailed to and fro keeping order and urging progress.

  Cao Cao watched his navy from the General's Terrace and was delighted with their evolutions and maneuvers. Surely this meant complete victory. He ordered the recall and the squadrons returned in perfect order to their base.

  Then Cao Cao went to his tent and summoned his advisers. He said, “If Heaven had not been on my side, should I have got this excellent plan from the Blooming-Phoenix? Now that the ships are attached firmly to each other, one may traverse the river as easily as walking on firm earth.”