Zhao Yun began to rail at Chen Ying, saying, “My master is the brother of Liu Biao to whom belonged this land. Now he is supporting his nephew, the heir and son of Liu Biao. Having taken Jingzhou, I am come to soothe and comfort the people here. Why then do you oppose me?”
“We are supporters of the Prime Minister Cao Cao and are no followers of your master,” was the reply.
Zhao Yun, waxing angry, firmly grasped his spear and rode forward. His opponent twirled the flying fork and advanced. The horses met, but after four or five encounters Chen Ying, realizing that there was no hope of victory, turned and fled. Zhao Yun followed. Suddenly turning, Chen Ying got close to Zhao Yun and flung the fork. Zhao Yun deftly caught it and threw it back. Chen Ying dodged away, but Zhao Yun soon caught him up, seized, dragged him out of the saddle, and threw him to the ground. Then Zhao Yun called up his soldiers and they bound the prisoner. Chen Ying was taken to the camp, while his troops scattered and fled.
“I thought you would not dare a combat with me,” said Zhao Yun to the prisoner when they had returned to camp. “However, I am not going to put you to death. You are free. But persuade your master to yield.”
Chen Ying asked pardon, put his hands over his head, and fled like a frightened rat. When he reached his city, he told the Governor all these things.
“My original desire was to yield, but you insisted on fighting, and this is what it has brought you to.”
So spoke the Governor. He bade Chen Ying begone and then prepared his letter of submission and put up his seal. With a small party, Zhao Fan went out of the city and wended his way to Zhao Yun's camp. Zhao Yun received him graciously, offered him wine, and then accepted the seal of office.
After the wine had gone round several times, Zhao Fan became talkative, saying, “General, your surname is the same as mine, and five centuries ago we were one family. You are from Changshan, and so am I. Moreover we are from the same village. If you do not mind, we might swear brotherhood. I should be very happy.”
Zhao Yun was pleased and they compared ages. They were of the same year. However, Zhao Yun was the elder by four months, and so Zhao Fan made his bow as younger brother. The two men, having so many things in common, were very pleased with each other and seemed fitted to be close friends.
At eventide the feast broke up, and the late Governor returned to his dwelling. Next day Zhao Fan requested Zhao Yun to enter the city, where, after Zhao Yun had assured the people of their safety, he went to a banquet at the state residence. When they had become mellow with wine, the Governor invited Zhao Yun into the inner quarters, where wine was again served. When Zhao Yun was a little intoxicated, his host bade a woman come forth and offer a cup of wine to the guest.
The woman was dressed entirely in white silk, and her beauty was such as to overthrow cities and ruin states.
“Who is she?” asked Zhao Yun.
“My sister-in-law; she is of the Fan family.”
Zhao Yun at once changed his look and treated her with deference. When she had offered the cup, the host told her to be seated and join the party, but Zhao Yun declined this addition to the evening and the lady withdrew.
“Why did you trouble your sister-in-law to present wine to me, Brother?” asked Zhao Yun.
“There is a reason,” said the host smiling. “I pray you let me tell you. My brother died three years ago and left her a widow. But this cannot be regarded as the end of the story. I have often advised her to marry again, but she said she would only do so if three conditions were satisfied in one man's person. The suitor must be famous for literary grace and warlike exploits, secondly, handsome and highly esteemed and, thirdly, of the same name as our own. Now where in all the world was such a combination likely to be found? Yet here are you, Brother, dignified, handsome, and prepossessing, a man whose name is known all over the wide world and of the desired name. You exactly fulfill my sister's ambitions. If you do not find her too plain, I should like her to marry you and I will provide a dowry. What think you of such an alliance, such a bond of relationship?”
But Zhao Yun rose in anger, shouting, “As I have just sworn brotherhood with you, is not your sister-in-law my sister-in-law? How could you think of bringing such confusion into the relationship?”
Shame suffused Zhao Fan's face, and he said, “I only thought of being kind to you; why are you so very rude to me?”
Zhao Fan looked right and left to his attendants with murder in his eye. Zhao Yun raised his fist and knocked him down.
Then he strode out of the place, mounted, and rode out of the city.
Zhao Fan at once called in his two generals.
Chen Ying said, “He has gone away in a rage, which means that we shall have to fight him.”
“I greatly fear you will lose,” said Zhao Fan.
“We will pretend to be deserters,” said Bao Long, “and so get among his soldiers. When you challenge him, we will suddenly catch him.”
“We shall have to take some others with us,” said Chen Ying.
“Five hundred troops will be ample,” said Bao Long. So in the night the two men and their followers ran over to Zhao Yun's camp to desert.
Zhao Yun understood the trick they would play, but he called them in, and they said, “When Zhao Fan tempted you with that fair lady, he wanted to make you drunk and get you into the private apartments so that he might murder you and send your head to Cao Cao. Yes; he was as wicked as that even. We saw you go away in anger, and we thought that would mean grave trouble for us, and so we have deserted.”
Zhao Yun listened with simulated joy, and he had wine served to the two men, and pressed them to drink so that they were quite overcome. When this was done, he had both bound with cords, called up their followers, and asked them whether this was real or pretended desertion, and they told him the truth.
Then he gave the soldiers wine and said, “Those who wanted to harm me are your leaders and not you. If you do as I tell you, you shall be well rewarded.”
The soldiers threw themselves to the ground and promised obedience. Thereupon the two leaders — Chen Ying and Bao Long — were beheaded. Their five hundred troops were made to lead the way and act as screen for a whole thousand of horsemen, and the party set out at full speed for Guiyang. When they got there, they summoned the gate and said that they had slain Zhao Yun and had got back. And they wished to speak with the Governor.
Those on the wall lighted flares and inspected those at the gate. Surely enough they wore the uniforms of their own people, and Zhao Fan went out to them. He was immediately seized and made prisoner. Then Zhao Yun entered the city, restored order, and sent off swift messengers to Liu Bei who at once, with his adviser, came to Guiyang.
When they had taken their seats, the late Governor was brought in and placed at the foot of the steps. In response to Zhuge Liang's questions, Zhao Fan related the history of the proposed marriage.
Said Zhuge Liang to Zhao Yun, “But this seems a fine project; why did you receive the proposal so roughly?”
Zhao Yun said, “Zhao Fan and I had just sworn brotherhood, and so marriage with his sister-in-law would have called down on my head universal blame. That is one reason. Another is that I should have made his sister fail to keep her dutiful chastity. And thirdly, I did not know whether I might trust such a proposal from one who had just yielded to force. My lord, your position as a recent victor was one of danger, and could I risk the failure of your plans for the sake of a woman?”
Liu Bei said, “But now that the plan has been carried out, and we are victors, would you care to marry her?”
“There are other women in the world. All my fear is for the building of a reputation. What is a family to me?”
“You are indeed right honorable,” said Liu Bei.
Zhao Fan was released and restored to the governorship. Zhao Yun was conspicuously rewarded.
But Zhang Fei was angry and disappointed.
“So Zhao Yun gets all the praise, and I am worth nothing,” cried
he. “Just give me three thousand soldiers, and I will take Wuling and bring you the Governor.” This pleased Zhuge Liang, who said, “There is no reason why you should not go, but I will only require one condition of you.”
Wondrous, the plans of the general, so doth he conquer in battle;
Soldiers keenly competing gain renown in the fighting.
The condition that Zhuge Liang made will appear in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 53. Guan Yu Releases Huang Zhong; Sun Quan Fights With Zhang Liao.
What Zhuge Liang required from Zhang Fei was a formal recognition of responsibility for success. Said Zhuge Liang, “When Zhao Yun went on his expedition, he gave written guarantee of being responsible for success, and you ought to do the same now that you are starting for Wuling. In that case you may have men and start.”
So Zhang Fei gave the required document and received joyfully the three thousand of soldiers he had demanded. He set out at once and traveled without rest till he reached Wuling.
When the Governor of Wuling, Jin Xuan by name, heard that an expedition against him was afoot, he mustered his officers and recruited brave soldiers and put his weapons in order ready for the struggle. And his army moved out of the city.
A certain secretary, Gong Zhi, remonstrated with his chief for opposing a scion of the imperial house, saying, “Liu Bei is of the Hans, and recognized as an uncle of the Emperor. All the world knows he is kindly and righteous. Added to that his brother Zhang Fei is extraordinarily bold. We cannot face them in battle with hope of success. Our best course is to give in.”
But his master angrily replied, “Do you want to play the traitor and take the side of the rebels and help them?”
Jin Xuan called in the lictors and told them to put Gong Zhi to death. The other officers interceded for Gong Zhi, saying, “It augers ill to start an expedition by slaying your own officer.”
So the Governor merely sent Gong Zhi sway. He himself led the army out of the city. After marching seven miles, he met with Zhang Fei's army.
Zhang Fei at once rode to the front, spear ready to thrust, and opened with a shout. Jin Xuan turned to his officers and asked who would go out to fight him, but no one replied; they were too afraid.
So the Governor himself galloped out, flourishing his sword. Seeing him advance, Zhang Fei shouted in a voice of thunder. Poor Jin Xuan was seized with panic, turned pale and could not go on. He turned his steed and fled. Then Zhang Fei and his army went in pursuit and smote the fugitives, chasing them to the city wall.
Here the fugitives were greeted by a flight of arrows from their own wall. Greatly frightened, Jin Xuan looked up to see what this meant, and there was Gong Zhi, who had opposed him, standing on the wall.
“You brought defeat upon yourself because you opposed the will of God,” cried the traitor. “I and the people with me are determined to yield to Liu Bei.”
Just as Gong Zhi finished speaking, an arrow wounded Jin Xuan in the face and he fell to the ground. Thereupon his own troops cut off his head, which they forthwith presented to Zhang Fei. Gong Zhi then went out and made formal submission, and Zhang Fei bade him take his letter and the seal to Guiyang to Liu Bei, who was pleased to hear of Zhang Fei's success and gave the governorship to Gong Zhi. Soon after Liu Bei came to Wuling in person and soothed the people.
This done he wrote to Guan Yu telling him Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei had gained a territory each.
Guan Yu at once wrote back and said, “Changsha is yet to be taken; and if I am not thought too feeble, I would like to be sent to attack it.”
Liu Bei agreed and sent Zhang Fei to relieved his brother, whom Liu Bei ordered to return and prepare for an expedition to Changsha. Guan Yu came and went in to see his elder brother and Zhuge Liang.
At this interview Zhuge Liang said, “Zhao Yun has taken Guiyang, and Zhang Fei Wuling. Both successful warriors have done their work with three thousand troops. The Governor of Changsha, Han Xuan, was not worth mentioning, but there was a certain general with him, named Huang Zhong, who had to be reckoned with.
“Huang Zhong is a native of Nanyang. He used to be in the service of Liu Biao and was a colleague Liu Biao's nephew, Liu Pan, when he was in command of Changsha. After Liu Biao's death, he joined Han Xuan when he took command of the city. Now, although he is nearly sixty, he is a man to be feared and a warrior of a thousand. You ought to take a larger number of troops.”
Guan Yu replied, “Instructor, what makes you damp another man's ardor to fight and do away with your own dignity? I do not think the old leader need be discussed, and I do not think I require three companies of soldiers. Give me my own five hundred of swordsmen, and I will have the heads of both Han Xuan and Huang Zhong to sacrifice to our standard.”
Liu Bei resisted this decision of Guan Yu, but Guan Yu would not give way. He just took his five hundred and set out.
“If he is not careful how he attacks Huang Zhong, there will be a mishap,” said Zhuge Liang. “You must go to support him.”
Liu Bei accordingly, at the head of another and larger party, set out toward Changsha.
Governor Han Xuan of Changsha was of hasty temperament with small compunction in matters of life and death and was universally hated. When he heard of the army coming against him, he called his veteran leader, Huang Zhong, to ask advice.
The latter said, “Do not be distressed; this sword of mine and my bow are equal to the slaughter of all who may come.”
Huang Zhong had been very strong and could bend the three-hundred-pound bow and was a most perfect archer.
When Huang Zhong referred to his prowess, a certain man spoke up and said, “Let not the veteran General go out to battle. Trust to my right arm, and you shall have this Guan Yu a prisoner in your hands.”
The speaker was General Yang Ling. The Governor accepted his offer and told off a thousand troops to go with him, and they quickly rode out of the city. About fifteen miles from the city, they observed a great cloud of dust approaching and soon distinguished the invaders. Yang Ling set his spear and rode to the front to abuse and fight. Guan Yu made no reply to the abuse, but rode forward flourishing his sword. The warriors soon met, and in the third encounter Yang Ling was cut down. Guan Yu's army dashed forward and pursued the defeated force to the city wall.
When the Governor heard of this reverse, he ordered the veteran Huang Zhong to go out while he went up on the city wall to watch the fight.
Huang Zhong took his sword and crossed the drawbridge of Changsha at the head of his force. Guan Yu, seeing an old leader riding out, knew it must be Huang Zhong. Guan Yu halted his troops and placed them in line with their swords at the point. Then sitting there on horseback, he said, “He who comes is surely Huang Zhong, eh?”
“Since you know me, how dare you come within my boundaries?” replied the veteran.
“I have come expressly to get your head!”
Then the combat began. They fought a hundred and more bouts, and neither seemed nearer victory. At this point the Governor, fearing some mishap to his veteran general, beat the gong to retreat and the battle ceased, one side going into the city of Changsha and the other camping three miles away to the rear.
Guan Yu thought in his heart that the fame of the veteran opposed to him was well merited. He had fought a hundred bouts and discovered never a weak spot. He determined that in the next encounter he would use a “swinging-horse stab” and so overcome Huang Zhong.
Next day, the early meal eaten, Guan Yu came to the city wall and offered his challenge. The Governor seated himself on the city wall and bade his veteran warrior go out to accept it. At the head of a few horsemen, Huang Zhong dashed across the drawbridge. The two champions engaged, and at the end of half a hundred bouts neither had the advantage. On both sides the soldiers cheered lustily.
When the drums were beating most furiously, suddenly Guan Yu wheeled round his horse and fled. Of course Huang Zhong followed. Just as the moment for the feint arrived, Guan Yu heard behind him a tremendous cr
ash and turned to see his pursuer lying prone upon the ground. Huang Zhong's steed had stumbled and thrown him.
Guan Yu turned, raised his sword in both hands, and cried in a fierce tone, “I spare your life, but quick! Get another horse and come again to battle.”
Huang Zhong pulled his horse to its feet hastily, leapt upon its back, and went into the city at full speed. The Governor was astonished and asked for an account of the accident.
“The horse is too old,” replied Huang Zhong.
“Why did you not shoot since your aim is so perfect?” asked the Governor.
“I will try again tomorrow,” said Huang Zhong. “Then I will run away as if overcome, and so tempt him to the drawbridge and then shoot him.”
Han Xuan gave the veteran a gray horse that he usually rode himself; Huang Zhong thanked him and retired.
But Huang Zhong could not forget Guan Yu's generous conduct, nor could he understand it. He could not make up his mind to shoot the man who had spared his life. Yet if he did not shoot, he betrayed his duty as a soldier. It was very perplexing, and the whole night spent in thinking it over found him still undecided.
At daybreak a man came in saying that Guan Yu was near the wall and challenging them again. So Huang Zhong gave order to go out.
Now Guan Yu, having fought for two days and not having overcome Huang Zhong, was very ill at ease. So he called up all his dignity when he went forth to fight that day. When they had got to the thirtieth bout, Huang Zhong fled as if he was overcome. Guan Yu pursued.
As he rode away, Huang Zhong thought in his heart, “He spared me only yesterday, and I cannot bear to shoot him today.”
Putting up his sword, Huang Zhong took his bow and twanged the string only; no arrow flew. Guan Yu dodged, but seeing no arrow in the air, he retook the pursuit. Again Huang Zhong twanged an arrowless bowstring, and again Guan Yu dodged, but no arrow came. Then Guan Yu said to himself, “He cannot shoot,” and pressed on in pursuit.
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