Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  But a bomb exploded and this was the signal for an attack on all four sides. Han Dang and Jiang Qin pressed in from the east; Zhou Tai and Pan Zhang, from the west; Chen Wu and Lu Meng, from the north; and Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, from the south. The result was a severe defeat for the raiders, and the army of Cao Ren was entirely broken and scattered abroad so that no one part of the beaten army could aid the other.

  Cao Ren, with a few horsemen got out of the press and presently met Cao Hong. The two leaders ran away together, and by the fifth watch they had got near Nanjun. Then they heard a beating of drums, and Ling Tong appeared barring the way. There was a small skirmish, and Cao Ren went off at an angle. But he fell in with Gan Ning, who attacked him vigorously. Cao Ren dared not go back to Nanjun, but he made for Xiangyang along the main road. The forces of the South Land pursued him for a time and then desisted.

  Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu then made their way to Nanjun where they were startled to see flags on the walls and every sign of occupation.

  Before they had recovered from their surprise, there appeared one who cried, “Pardon, General; I had orders from the Directing Instructor to take this city. I am Zhao Yun of Changshan.”

  Zhou Yu was fiercely angry and gave orders to assault the city, but the defenders sent down flights and flights of arrows, and his troops could not stay near the rampart. So he withdrew and took counsel. In the meantime he decided to send Gan Ning with a force of several thousand to capture Jingzhou City, and Ling Tong with another army to take Xiangyang. Nanjun could be taken later.

  But even as these orders were being given, the scouts came in hurriedly to report, saying, “After Nanjun fell, Zhuge Liang, suddenly forging a military commission, induced the guards of Jingzhou to leave it and go to the rescue of Cao Ren. Whereupon Zhang Fei occupied the town.”

  Soon after another messenger came, saying, “Xiahou Dun, at Xiangyang, received from Zhuge Liang dispatches, supported by a commission in due form, saying that Cao Ren was in danger and needed help, whereupon Xiahou Dun marched off, and Guan Yu seized that city.”

  Thus the two cities that Zhou Yu wanted had fallen, without the least effort, into the hands of his rival Liu Bei.

  “How did Zhuge Liang get this military commission with which he has imposed on the generals?” asked Zhou Yu.

  Cheng Pu replied, “He seized that of Chen Jiao and so has got all this region into his power.”

  Zhou Yu uttered a great cry, for at that moment his wound had suddenly burst open.

  A city falls, but not to us the gain;

  The guerdon is another's; ours the pain.

  The next chapter will say what befell Zhou Yu.

  CHAPTER 52. Zhuge Liang Negotiates With Lu Su; Zhao Yun Captures Guiyang.

  Zhou Yu's anger at seeing that his rival, Zhuge Liang, had surprised Nanjun, and at hearing the same news of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, was but natural. And this sudden fit of rage caused his wound to reopen. However, he soon recovered. All his officers besought him to accept the situation, but he said, “What but the death of that bumpkin Zhuge Liang will assuage my anger? If Cheng Pu can but aid me in an attack on Nanjun, I can certainly restore it to my country.”

  Soon Lu Su came in, to whom Zhou Yu said, “I simply must fight Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang till it is decided which shall have the upper hand. I must also recapture the city. Perhaps you can assist me.”

  “It cannot be done,” replied Lu Su. “We are now at grips with Cao Cao, and victory or defeat is undecided. Our lord has not been successful in overcoming Hefei. Do not fight near home, or it will be like people of the same household destroying each other; and should Cao Cao take advantage of this position to make a sudden descent, we should be in a parlous condition. Further, you must remember that Liu Bei and Cao Cao are united by the bonds of old friendship; if the pressure becomes too great, Liu Bei may relinquish these cities, offer them to Cao Cao, and join forces with him to attack our country. That would be a real misfortune.”

  “I cannot help being angry” said Zhou Yu, “to think that we should have used our resources for their benefit. They get all the advantage.”

  “Well, let me go and see Liu Bei and talk reason to him. If I can arrive at no understanding, then attack at once.”

  “Excellent proposal!” cried all present.

  So Lu Su, with his escort, went away to Nanjun to carry out his proposal and try to arrange matters. He reached the city wall and summoned the gate, whereat Zhao Yun came out to speak with him.

  “I have something to say to Liu Bei;” said he, “I wish to see him.”

  “My lord and Zhuge Liang are in Jingzhou,” was the reply.

  Lu Su turned away and hasted to Jingzhou. He found the walls bedecked with flags and everything in excellent order. In his heart he admired the sight, and thought what an able person was the commander of that army.

  The guards reported his arrival, and Zhuge Liang ordered them to throw wide the gate. Lu Su was led to the government house and, after the usual exchange of salutes, Zhuge Liang and his visitor took their respective seats.

  Having finished the tea, Lu Su said, “My master, Marquis Sun Quan, and the commander of his army, Zhou Yu, have sent me to lay before the Imperial Uncle their views. When Cao Cao led his huge host southward, he gave out that it was for the conquest of the South Land; really his intention was to destroy Liu Bei. Happily our army was able to repulse that mighty host and so saved him. Wherefore Jingzhou with its nine territories of forty-one counties ought to belong to us. But by a treacherous move, your master has occupied Jingzhou and Xiangyang, so that we have spent our treasure in vain and our armies have fought to no purpose. The Imperial Uncle has reaped the benefits to the full. This is not as it should be.”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “Lu Su, you are a man of high intelligence; why do you hold such language? You know the saying that all things turn to their owner. These places have never belonged to the South Land, but were of the patrimony of Liu Biao, and though he is dead, his son remains. Should not the uncle assist the nephew to recover his own? Could my master have refrained?”

  “If the nephew Liu Qi, the rightful heir, had occupied these cities there would have been something to say. But he is at Jiangxia and not here.”

  “Would you like to see him?” said Zhuge Liang.

  At the same time he ordered the servants to request Liu Qi to come. Thereupon Liu Qi at once appeared, supported by two attendants.

  Addressing Lu Su he said, “I am too weak to perform the correct ceremonies; I pray you pardon me, Lu Su.”

  Lu Su said not a word; he was too much taken aback. However, he recovered himself presently and said, “But if the heir had not been here, what then?”

  “The heir is living but from day to day; should he go, then — there will be something to talk about.”

  “Should he die, then you ought to return these cities to us.”

  “You state the exact facts,” said Zhuge Liang.

  Then a banquet was prepared and, that over, Lu Su took his leave. He hastened back to his own camp and gave Zhou Yu an account of his mission.

  “But what is there for us in the chance of Liu Qi's death?” said Zhou Yu. “He is in his very first youth. When will these places fall to us?”

  “Rest content, General; let me guarantee the return of these places.”

  “But how can you?” asked Zhou Yu.

  “Liu Qi has indulged too freely in wine and women; he is a wreck and rotten to the core, miserably emaciated and panting for breath. I will not give him half a year's life. Then I will go to Liu Bei, and he will be unable to deny the request.”

  But Zhou Yu was still unmollified. Suddenly came a messenger from Sun Quan, who said, “Our lord is laying siege to Hefei but in several battles has had no victory. He now orders you to withdraw from here and go to Hefei to help him.”

  Thereupon Zhou Yu marched back to Chaisang. Having reached home, he began to give attention to the recovery of his health. He sent Cheng Pu with the marine
and land forces to Hefei ready for Sun Quan's call. Liu Bei was exceedingly well satisfied with the possession of his new region, and his thoughts turned to more ambitious schemes. Then a certain man came to him to suggest a plan. This man was Yi Ji and, remembering the kindly feeling of other days, Liu Bei received him most graciously.

  When Yi Ji was seated, and his host had asked what he proposed, he said, “You wish for a plan to accomplish yet greater deeds; why not seek wise people and ask them?”

  “Where are these wise people to be found?” asked Liu Bei.

  Yi Ji replied, “In this region there is a certain family named Ma, five brothers, all of whom are known as men of ability. The youngest is called Ma Su. The ablest is Ma Liang, who has white hairs in his eyebrows, and the villagers have a little rhyming couplet that means 'There are five sons in the family Ma, but white eyebrows is the best of them.' You should get this man to draw up a plan for you.”

  So Liu Bei told them to request his presence. Ma Liang came and was received with great respect.

  He was asked to suggest a plan for the security of the newly acquired region, and he said, “Attacked as it is on all sides, this region is not one in which one is permanently secure. You should let Liu Qi remain here till he is recovered from his present illness; the actual protection of the place being left in the hands of trusty friends. Obtain an edict appointing him Imperial Protector of Jingzhou, and the people will be content. Then conquer Wuling, Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling; and with the resources you will thus acquire, you will have the means for further plans. That should be your policy.”

  “Which of the four territories should be first taken?” asked Liu Bei.

  “The nearest, Lingling, which lies in the west of River Xiang. The next is Wuling, and after these the other two.”

  Ma Liang was given an appointment as Imperial Protector Assistant, with Yi Ji as his second. Then Liu Bei consulted Zhuge Liang about sending Liu Qi to Xiangyang, so that Guan Yu could be free to return. Next they made preparations to attack Lingling, and Zhang Fei was to lead the van. Zhao Yun was to guard the rear, while Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were to command the main body. A fifteen thousand troops were left to hold Jingzhou. Mi Zhu and Liu Feng were left to guard Jiangling.

  The Governor of Lingling was Liu Du. When danger thus threatened, he called in his son Liu Xian, and they discussed the case.

  The son was very self-confident and said to his father, “Have no anxiety. They may have the known and famous warriors, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, but we have our leader, Xing Darong, who is match for any number of men. He can withstand them.”

  So Liu Xian, with the famous leader, was entrusted with the defense. At the head of a full ten thousand troops, they made a camp about ten miles from the city, with the shelter of hills and a river. Their scouts brought news that Zhuge Liang was close at hand with one army. Xing Darong decided to check his advance and went forth to oppose him. When both sides were arrayed, Xing Darong rode to the front.

  In his hand he held a battle-ax called Cleaver of Mountains. In a mighty voice he cried, “Rebels, how comes it that you have dared to enter our territory?”

  From the center of the opposing army, where appeared a cluster of yellow flags, there came out a small four-wheeled carriage in which sat, very erect, a certain man dressed in white, with a turban on his head. In one hand he held a feather fan, with which he signed to the warrior to approach. At the same time he said, “I am Zhuge Liang of Nanyang, whose plans broke up the countless legions of Cao Cao so that nothing of them returned whence they started. How then can you hope to oppose me? I now offer you peace, and it will be well for you to surrender.”

  Xing Darong laughed derisively, saying, “Their defeat was owing to the plan of Zhou Yu; you had nothing to do with it. How dare you try to deceive me?”

  So saying he swung up his battle-ax and came running toward Zhuge Liang. But Zhuge Liang turned his carriage and retired within the lines which closed up behind him. Xing Darong came rushing on. As he reached the array, the troops fell away on both sides and let him enter. Well within he looked round for his chief opponent. Seeing a yellow flag moving along quietly, he concluded that Zhuge Liang was with it and so followed it. When the flag had gone over the shoulder of a hill it stopped. Then suddenly as if the earth had opened and swallowed it up, the four-wheeled carriage disappeared, while in its place came a ferocious warrior, with a long octane-serpent halberd in his hand and mounted on a curvetting steed. It was Zhang Fei, who dashed at Xing Darong with a tremendous roar.

  Nothing daunted, Xing Darong whirled up his battle-ax and went to meet Zhang Fei. But after four or five bouts, Xing Darong saw that there was no chance of victory for him, so he turned his horse and ran. Zhang Fei pursued, the air shaking with the thunder of his voice.

  Then the ambushing troops appeared. Xing Darong, nothing daunted, rushed into their midst. But in front appeared another warrior barring the way, who called out, “Do you know me? I am Zhao Yun of Changshan.”

  Xing Darong knew that all was over; he could neither fight nor fly. So he dismounted and gave in. He was fettered and taken to camp, where were Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei ordered him out to execution, but Zhuge Liang hastily checked him.

  “We will accept your submission if you capture Liu Xian for us,” said Zhuge Liang.

  The captive accepted the offer without the least hesitation, and when Zhuge Liang asked how he intended to do it, he replied, “If you will set me free, I shall be cunning of speech. If you raid the camp this evening, you will find me your helper on the inside. I will make Liu Xian a prisoner and will hand him over to you. He being captured, his father will surrender at once.”

  Liu Bei doubted the good faith of the man, but Zhuge Liang said, “Xing Darong is not deceiving.”

  Wherefore Xing Darong was set free and went back to camp, where he related all that had occurred.

  “What can we do?” asked Liu Xian.

  “We can meet trick with trick. Put soldiers in ambush tonight outside our camp while within everything will appear as usual. When Zhuge Liang comes we shall capture him.”

  The ambush was prepared. At the second watch an army came out of the darkness and appeared in the gate. Each carried a torch and they began to set fire to all about them. Out dashed Liu Xian and Xing Darong, and the incendiaries forthwith fled. The two warriors pursued them, but the fugitives ran and then suddenly disappeared at about three miles from the camp. Much surprised the two turned to wend their way back to their own camp.

  It was still burning for no one had extinguished the flames. Soon from behind them came out Zhang Fei. Liu Xian called out to his companion, saying, “Do not enter the burning camp, but to go to attack Zhuge Liang's stockade.”

  Thereupon they turned again, but at a distance of three miles Zhao Yun and an army suddenly debouched upon their road. Zhao Yun attacked and slew Xing Darong by a spear thrust. Liu Xian turned to flee, but Zhang Fei was close upon him and made him prisoner. He was thrown across a horse, bound, and taken to camp. When he saw Zhuge Liang, Liu Xian said, “The ruse was Xing Darong's evil counsel; I was forced to follow.”

  Zhuge Liang ordered them to loose his bonds, had him properly dressed, and gave him wine to cheer him and help him forget his troubles. When he was recovered, he was told to go to his father and persuade him to yield.

  “And if he does not, the city shall be destroyed and every one put to death,” said Zhuge Liang as Liu Xian left.

  The son returned to the city and told his father these things. Liu Du at once decided to yield and forthwith hoisted the flag of surrender, opened the gates, and went out taking his seal of office with him. He was reappointed to his governorship, but his son was sent to Jingzhou for service with the army.

  The people of Lingling all rejoiced greatly at the change of rulers. Liu Bei entered the city, calmed and reassured the people and rewarded his army.

  But he at once began to think of the next move and asked for an officer to volunteer
to take Guiyang. Zhao Yun offered, but Zhang Fei vehemently proposed himself for the command of the expedition. So they wrangled and contended.

  Then said Zhuge Liang, “Undoubtedly Zhao Yun was first to volunteer, wherefore he is to go.”

  Still Zhang Fei opposed and insisted on going. They were told to decide the dispute by drawing lots, and Zhao Yun drew the winning lot.

  Zhang Fei was still very angry and grumbled, “I would not have wanted any helpers: just three thousand soldiers and I would have done it.”

  “I also only want three thousand soldiers,” said Zhao Yun. “And if I fail, I am willing to suffer the penalties.”

  Zhuge Liang was pleased that Zhao Yun recognized his responsibility so fully, and with the commission gave Zhao Yun three thousand of veterans.

  Though the matter was thus settled, Zhang Fei was discontented and pressed his claim till Liu Bei bade him desist and retire.

  With his three thousand troops, Zhao Yun took the road to Guiyang. The Governor, Zhao Fan, soon heard of his approach and hastily called his officers to take counsel. Two of them, Chen Ying and Bao Long, offered to meet the invaders and turn them back.

  These two warriors belonged to Guiyang and had made themselves famous as hunters. Chen Ying used a “Flying Fork,” and Bao Long could draw a bow with such force that he had been known to send an arrow through two tigers. So strong were they, as well as bold.

  They stood before Zhao Fan and said, “We will lead the way against Liu Bei.”

  The Governor replied, “I know that Liu Bei is of the imperial family, and Zhuge Liang is exceedingly resourceful. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are very bold. But the commander of this force is Zhao Yun who, on one occasion, faced a hundred legions of Cao Cao and never blenched. Our small force here cannot stand against such people. We shall have to yield.”

  “Let me go out to fight,” said Chen Ying. “If I cannot capture Zhao Yun, then you can yield.”

  The Governor could not resist him and gave his consent. Then Chen Ying, with three thousand troops, went forth; and soon the two armies came within sight of each other. When Chen Ying's army was drawn up, he girded on his flying fork and rode to the front. Zhao Yun gripped his spear and rode to meet him.