Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  As they neared the city wall, the veteran stopped on the drawbridge, fitted an arrow, pulled the bow, and sent an arrow flying that just hit the base of the plume on Guan Yu's helmet.

  The soldiers shouted at the display of marksmanship. Guan Yu was taken aback and set off for camp with the arrow still sticking. Then he heard that Huang Zhong's skill was said to be equal to piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces, and Guan Yu understood that he owed this warning in the shape of an arrow in his plume to gratitude for sparing the veteran the preceding day.

  Both withdrew. But when the veteran leader went up on the wall to see the Governor, he was at once seized.

  “What have I done?” cried Huang Zhong.

  “I have seen these last three days that you were fooling me; you were slack the day before yesterday, which proved you had some sinister intention. Yesterday, when your horse stumbled and he spared you, it showed that you were in league with him. And today you twice twanged a vain bowstring, while at the third shot you only hit your opponent's helmet. Dare you say there is no secret understanding in all this? If I do not put you to death, it will assuredly redound to my own hurt.”

  Han Xuan ordered Huang Zhong to be executed outside the city gate. Han Xuan also met the intercession of the officers by saying, “Any one who pleads for the condemned shall be regarded as in the plot.”

  The executioners had hustled the old man out of the city and the sword was in the air and on the point of descending, when a man suddenly dashed in, cut down the lictor, and rescued Huang Zhong.

  “Huang Zhong is our bulwark;” shouted he, “to destroy him is to destroy the Changsha people. This Governor is too fierce and cruel, too lightly values good people, and is too arrogant toward his officers. We ought rather to kill him, and those who will, let them follow me.”

  All eyes turned toward this bold speaker, who was bronzed and had eyes like the Cowherd's star. Some of them knew him as Wei Yan, a native of Yiyang. He would have followed Liu Bei from Xiangyang but, unable to come up with him, had gone into the service of Han Xuan. Han Xuan took exception to his arrogant carriage and lack of polish and neglected him. And so Wei Yan had remained in the city without office.

  After the rescue of Huang Zhong, Wei Yan called upon the people to make an end of the Governor. He waved his arm and shouted to the people. Soon he had a following of several hundreds. Huang Zhong could not stop them. In a very short time, Wei Yan had dashed up on the wall, and Han Xuan lay dead. Taking his head, Wei Yan rode off out of the city to lay the bloodstained trophy at the feet of Guan Yu, who forthwith went into the city to restore confidence.

  When the people were all quiet, Guan Yu sent to request Huang Zhong to come to see him, but the old general pleaded illness.

  Next Guan Yu sent the good news to his brother and to Zhuge Liang and asked them to come.

  Soon after Guan Yu had left to capture Changsha, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang had followed him up with supports in case of need. While on the march, a black flag was furled backwards and a crow flew over from north to south croaking thrice as it passed.

  “What good or evil things do these omens presage?” asked Liu Bei.

  With hands hidden within his long sleeves, Zhuge Liang performed a rapid calculation on his fingers of the auspices and replied, “Changsha is taken and a great leader mastered. We shall know soon after noon.”

  Sure enough a simple soldier presently came galloping along with the welcome tidings of the capture of the city, and saying that the two city warriors who had aided them were near waiting the arrival of Liu Bei. Soon after they arrived, Liu Bei entered the city, where he was escorted to the magistracy and heard the recital of Huang Zhong's deeds.

  Liu Bei went in person to Huang Zhong's house and inquired for him, whereupon Huang Zhong came forth and yielded formally. Huang Zhong requested to be permitted to bury the remains of the late Governor on the east of the city.

  Lofty as is heaven above earth was the spirit of the general,

  Who, even in his old age, suffered sorrows in the south;

  Cheerfully had he approached death, with no thought of resentment,

  But, bowing before the conqueror, he hung his head and was ashamed.

  Praise the sword, gleaming snow-white, and the glory of super-human bravery,

  Consider the mail-clad steed snuffing the wind and rejoicing in the battle,

  That warrior's name shall stand high and its brightness be undiminished,

  While the cold moon sheds her light on the waters of River Xiang.

  Liu Bei was generous toward the veteran leader who had come under his banner. But when Wei Yan was introduced, Zhuge Liang suddenly ordered him to be thrust forth and put to death.

  “He has merit; he has committed no fault,” exclaimed Liu Bei. “Why slay him?”

  But Zhuge Liang replied, “Ingratitude; to eat a man's bread and slay him is most disloyal; to live on his land and offer his territory to another is most wrong. He will certainly turn against his new master. Wherefore it is well to put him to death and prevent him from doing harm.”

  “If we slay this man, others who may wish to surrender will be deterred by the danger. I pray you forgive him.”

  Zhuge Liang pointed his finger at Wei Yan and said, “You are pardoned. You would do well to be perfectly faithful to your lord as well as grateful. Do not let a single thought stray elsewhere, or I will have your head by fair means or foul.”

  Wei Yan made a low obeisance.

  Having given in with good grace, Huang Zhong introduced a nephew of Liu Biao, named Liu Pan, then living in Yuxian near by. Liu Bei gave Liu Pan the governorship of Changsha.

  All being tranquil at the four territories, Liu Bei and his army returned to Jingzhou City. The name of Youkou was changed to Gongan, and soon all was prosperous. Able people from all sides came to assist in the administration. Guards were placed at strategic points.

  When Zhou Yu went to Chaisang to recover from his wound, he left Gan Ning in command at Baling and Ling Tong at Hanyang. The fleet was shared between these two places to be ready to move when required. The remainder of the force was under Cheng Pu, and he went to Hefei, where Sun Quan had been since the fight at the Red Cliffs. Sun Quan was still fighting the northern army, and in half a score encounters, small and great, neither had gained a decided advantage. Sun Quan could not approach the city but entrenched himself about fifteen miles away.

  When Sun Quan heard of the coming of reinforcements of Cheng Pu, he was very pleased and went in person to meet and welcome the leaders. Lu Su was in advance of the main body, and Sun Quan dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet him. As soon as he saw this, Lu Su slid out of the saddle and made his obeisance.

  But the officers were amazed at the attitude of Sun Quan, and still more so when Sun Quan asked Lu Su to remount and ride by his side.

  Presently Sun Quan said secretly to Lu Su, “I, the Lone One, dismounted to greet you as you saw; was that manifestation enough for you?”

  “No,” replied Lu Su.

  “Then what further can I do?”

  “I want to see your authority and virtue spread over the four seas and enfold the nine regions, and you yourself playing your part as emperor. Then will my name be inscribed in the annals, and I shall indeed be known.”

  Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed gleefully.

  When they reached the camp, a banquet was prepared and the services of the new arrivals were praised and glorified.

  The destruction of Hefei was one day under discussion when one came in to say that Zhang Liao had sent a written challenge to battle. Sun Quan tore open the cover, and what he read therein made him very wrath.

  “This Zhang Liao has insulted me grossly,” said he. “He hears that Cheng Pu has arrived and sends a challenge. Tomorrow, O newly-come warriors, you shall see me fight with him. You shall have no share in the battle.” Orders were given that next morning the army would move out of camp and advance on Hefei. Early in the morning, when they
had advanced about halfway, they met the army of Cao Cao and prepared for battle. Sun Quan, with helmet of gold and breastplate of silver, rode to the front with Song Qian and Jia Hua, each armed with a halberd to support him and guard him one on each side.

  When the third roll of the drum ceased, the center of Cao Cao's army opened to allow the exit of three warriors, all fully armed. They were Zhang Liao, supported by Li Dian and Yue Jin. Zhang Liao, the central figure, especially designated Sun Quan as the object of his challenge. Sun Quan took his spear and was about to accept the challenge, from when the ranks behind him came out Taishi Ci, who galloped forth with his spear ready to thrust. Zhang Liao whirled up his sword to strike the newcomer, and the two fought near a hundred bouts without a decisive blow.

  Then said Li Dian to Yue Jin, “He there opposite us with the golden helm is Sun Quan; could we but capture him, the loss of our eight hundred thirty thousand soldiers at the Red Cliffs would be amply avenged.”

  So speaking Yue Jin rode out, alone, just one man and one sword, and went sidelong toward the two combatants. Then suddenly, swift as a flash of lightning, he ran forward and slashed at Sun Quan. But Sun Quan's two guards were too quick for him. Up went the two halberds of Song Qian and Jia Hua guarding their lord's head. The blow fell, but on the crossed halberds which were shorn through near the head, and in another moment they were hammering away on the head of Yue Jin's steed with the shafts of their broken weapons and forcing it back.

  Song Qian snatched a spear from a soldier near and went in pursuit of Yue Jin, but Li Dian, on the other side, fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed at Song Qian's heart from behind. And Song Qian fell as the bowstring twanged.

  Then Taishi Ci, seeing his colleague fell, left off the fight with Zhang Liao and returned to his own line. At this Zhang Liao fell on in a swift attack, and the army of Sun Quan, thrown into confusion, scattered and fled.

  Zhang Liao, having distinguished Sun Quan in the distance, galloped in pursuit and had nearly come up with him, when Cheng Pu happily rushed in from one side of the line of fight, stayed the pursuit, and saved his master. Zhang Liao withdrew to Hefei. Sun Quan was escorted back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him and their ranks were reformed.

  When Sun Quan knew of the death of Song Qian, he was greatly pained and wept aloud.

  But Zhang Hong, the adviser, reproached him, saying, “My lord, you relied too much upon your martial prowess and lightly engaged in battle with a formidable enemy. Every person in the army was chilled with fear, and you lost a general and some of your banners. It is not for you to exhibit prowess on the actual battlefield and encroach upon the duties of a general. Rather curb and repress such physical feats as those ancient Xia Yu and Meng Ben, and contemplate schemes of exercising princely virtues with the hegemony of all the feudal states. It is because of your ill-regulated action in engaging in battle that Song Qian perished at the hands of your enemies. Hereafter you should regard as most important your personal safety.”

  “Yes; it is indeed a fault,” said Sun Quan. “I will reform.”

  Soon after, Taishi Ci entered the tent and said, “In my command there is a certain Ge Ding, brother of a groom in the army of Zhang Liao. This servant is deeply resentful on account of a punishment inflicted upon him and is anxious to be revenged. He has sent over to say that he will show a signal tonight when he has assassinated Zhang Liao in revenge for the death of your late leader Song Qian. I wish to take some troops over to await this signal to attack.” “Where is Ge Ding?” asked Sun Quan.

  “Ge Ding has mingled with the enemy and gone into the city. Let me have five thousand soldiers.”

  Zhuge Jin said, “Zhang Liao is full of guile; I think you will find him prepared for your coming. Be careful.”

  As Taishi Ci urged his chief to let him go, and Sun Quan was deeply hurt by the death of his leader, the permission was given and the force started.

  Now here it must be said that Taishi Ci and this Ge Ding were natives of the same place. Ge Ding had made his way into the city without detection, found his brother, and the two had arranged their plot. Ge Ding also told him, saying, “Taishi Ci will come over tonight to help us; what need to be done now?”

  His brother, the groom, said, “As the troops of Sun Quan are far away, I fear they cannot be here tonight, so we will make a huge bonfire of straw and then you can rush out and cry treachery. That will throw all into confusion and will give a chance to kill Zhang Liao.”

  “This is an excellent plan,” said Ge Ding.

  Now after the victory, Zhang Liao returned to the city and rewarded his soldiers, but he issued orders that no one was to doff his armor or sleep. His attendants said, “You have gained a great victory today, and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armor and get some repose.”

  But Zhang Liao replied, “That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If those of the South Land suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack; and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready tonight and be doubly careful.”

  Scarcely had he said this than a fire started and cries of “Treachery!” arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way.

  Those about him said, “The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means.”

  “A whole city cannot be traitors,” said Zhang Liao. “Some discontented person has frightened the soldiers. If I see any one doing so, I will slay him.”

  Soon after this Li Dian dragged up Ge Ding and his fellow traitor. After a few brief questions, they were beheaded.

  Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate.

  “That means the troops of South Land are there to help,” said Zhang Liao. “But we will destroy them by a simple ruse.”

  He bade them light torches and yell “Treachery! Rebellion!” and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge.

  When Taishi Ci saw the gates swing open, he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate. But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded, and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places. And in the pursuit that followed, more than half the troops under Taishi Ci were cut off. As he drew near his own lines, a rescue force led by Lu Xun and Dong Xi came to his aid, and the Cao Cao's soldiers ceased from pursuit.

  Sun Quan was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful general had been grievously wounded; and when Zhang Zhao prayed him to cease from war, Sun Quan was content. They gathered in their soldiers to their ships and sailed to Nanxu and Runzhou where they camped.

  Meanwhile Taishi Ci was dying.

  When his lord went to ask how he fared, he cried, “When a worthy person is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and gird on a three-span sword to step on the mountains to mend the sky. I have not rendered great service. Why must I die before I have attained my desire?”

  These were his last words; he was forty-one years of age.

  Single minded and perfectly loyal,

  Such was Taishi Ci, in Donglai,

  Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,

  Riding or archery, all humans he excelled,

  One in Bohai who admired his valor,

  Cared for his mother while he was fighting,

  How he roared in the battle at Shenting!

  Dying, he spoke as a hero;

  All through the ages people sigh for his fate.

  Sun Quan was exceedingly grieved when this second of his leaders died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honorably outside the north wall of Nanxu on Beigu Hill and took his son, Taishi Heng, into his own palace to be brought up.

  In Jingzhou, when Liu Bei heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Sun Quan and of his re
tirement to Nanxu, he and Zhuge Liang discussed their plans.

  Said Zhuge Liang, “I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the northwest. The imperial family is to suffer a loss.”

  Zhuge Liang had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Liu Qi, son of Liu Biao.

  Liu Bei at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him, “Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one to assume control and make arrangements for the interment.”

  “Who can go?” asked Liu Bei.

  “No other than Guan Yu.”

  So they sent Guan Yu to guard the city of Xiangyang.

  Liu Bei at once began to feel troubled about his promise to surrender Jingzhou on the death of Liu Qi. Zhuge Liang did not consider this a matter of moment.

  Zhuge Liang said, “I will have somewhat to say to any one who comes to ask fulfillment of the promise.” In half a month it was announced that Lu Su would come to mourn at the funeral.

  To claim the promise one will come,

  But they will send him empty home.

  What reply Zhuge Liang made may be read in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 54. The Dowager Marchioness Sees Her Son-In-Law At A Temple; The Imperial Uncle Takes A Worthy Consort.

  Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang went out of the city to welcome the envoy of the South Land and led him to the guest-house. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said, “Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord Sun Quan has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Zhou Yu also sends regards to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Zhuge Liang.”

  Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.

  “You said, Sir, that Jingzhou should be returned to us after the death of Liu Qi. Now that that event has happened, rendition becomes due, and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place.”