Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Zhu Bao stared open mouthed and could not reply. Then E Huan rode out from behind his chief and struck Zhu Bao with his halberd so that he fell to the ground.

  Thereupon Gao Ding shouted, “The soldiers should either yield or be slain!”

  And they yielded in a body.

  Gao Ding then went back to Zhuge Liang and offered the head of the man just slain.

  Zhuge Liang laughed again. “I have made you kill both these as a proof of loyalty.”

  Then he created Gao Ding Governor of Yiazhou and chief of three territories, while E Huan was made General. Thus the three divisions were disposed of and troubled the peace no more.

  Governor Wang Kang of Yongchang then came out of the city and welcomed Zhuge Liang; and, when Zhuge Liang had made his entry into that city, he called Wang Kang and asked, “Who has aided you in the defense of this city?”

  The Governor said, “The safety of this city is due entirely to Lu Kai.”

  So Lu Kai was called. He came and bowed.

  Zhuge Liang said, “Long since I heard of you as a remarkable person of this area. We are greatly indebted to you for its safety. Now we wish to conquer the Mangs; have you any advice to offer?”

  Lu Kai then produced a map of the country and presented it, saying, “From the time of my appointment, I have felt certain that the southern tribespeople would rise against you, and so I sent secret agents to map out the country and find the strategic points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call 'The Plan to Subdue the Mangs.' I beg you, Sir, to accept it, as it may be of use.”

  Then Zhuge Liang took Lu Kai into his service as Military Adviser and Guide. With Lu Kai's help, Zhuge Liang advanced and penetrated deeply into the country.

  While the army was advancing, there came a messenger from the court. When he appeared, Zhuge Liang saw it was Ma Su, and he was clothed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Ma Liang, who had just died.

  He said, “I come by special command of the Emperor with gifts of wine and silks for the soldiers.”

  When the ceremonies proper on receipt of a mandate from the Emperor had been performed, and the gifts distributed as instructed, Ma Su was asked to remain to talk over matters.

  Zhuge Liang said, “I have His Majesty's command to conquer these Mangs. I hear you have some advice to offer, and I should be pleased if you would instruct me.”

  “Yes; I have one thing to say that may be worth thinking over. These people refuse to recognize our supremacy, because they think their country is distant and difficult. If you should overcome them today, tomorrow they would revolt. Wherever your army marches, they are overcome and submit; but the day you withdraw the army and attack Cao Pi, they will renew their attack. In arms even it is best to attack hearts rather than cities; to fight with sentiment is better than to fight with weapons. It will be well if you can win them over.”

  “You read my inmost thoughts,” said Zhuge Liang.

  Then Ma Su was retained with the army as Military Adviser, and the army marched on.

  When the King of the Mangs, Meng Huo, heard how cleverly Zhuge Liang had got rid of Yong Kai, he called together the leaders of the “Three Ravines” to discuss matters. The chief of the first Ravine was Jinhua Sanjie, of the second Dongtu Na, and of the third Ahui Nan.

  These having come to the King's place, he said to them, “Zhuge Liang and his Grand Army has invaded our country, and we must exert our united strength to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your forces, and whoever conquers the enemy shall be chief of chiefs.”

  It was arranged that Jinhua Sanjie should march in the center division, Dongtu Na on the left, and Ahui Nan on the right. Each division was fifty thousand tribesmen.

  When the scouts made out that the Mang armies were coming, they at once told Zhuge Liang, who called Zhao Yun and Wei Yan to his side, but gave them no orders.

  Next he sent for Wang Ping and Ma Zhong, and said to them, “I cannot send Zhao Yun and Wei Yan against the Mangs because they do not know the country. You two are to go, one against each wing, and the two veteran warriors shall support you. Get your troops ready and start tomorrow at dawn.”

  Wang Ping and Ma Zhong took the orders and went out.

  Then Zhang Yi and Zhang Ni were given orders: “You two are to march against the center army; you are to act with Wang Ping and Ma Zhong tomorrow. I want to send Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, but I am still afraid they do not know the country well.”

  Zhang Yi and Zhang Ni also received the orders and went out. Zhao Yun and Wei Yan now began to feel hurt. Noticing this, Zhuge Liang said, “I have no wish to pass you over, you two, but I fear that if you get too deeply into the country and should fall victims to the Mangs, it will have an ill effect on the others.”

  “But what if we did know the geography of the country?” said Zhao Yun.

  “All I say to you is to be careful how you do anything,” replied Zhuge Liang.

  The two soldiers left and went together to the camp of Zhao Yun.

  Zhao Yun said, “We are greatly ashamed at being put in the background because we do not know the country. We cannot bear this.”

  “Then let us ride out and survey,” said his colleague. “Let us capture a few natives and make them show us the road, and let us defeat these tribesmen.”

  They rode off. Before they had gone far they saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Climbing a hill to get a better view, they saw a small party of mounted Mangs coming toward them. The two waited till they were near and then suddenly burst out. The Mangs, taken entirely by surprise, ran away all but a few, who yielded themselves prisoners. The two warriors returned to camp.

  The prisoners were given wine and food; and when they had satisfied their hunger, they were questioned.

  Said they, “The camp of Chief Jinhua Sanjie is just in front, just by the entrance to the mountains. Near the camp, running east and west, is the Five Valleys. The camps of the other two chiefs — Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan — are behind.”

  Having listening to this information, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan got together five thousand troops, took the captured men as guides, and marched out about the second watch. It was a clear night, and the moon gave light to march by.

  The first camp was reached about the fourth watch. The Mang soldiers were already awake and preparing their morning meal, as they intended to attack at daylight. Suddenly Zhao Yun and Wei Yan gave a signal of attack, and their troops poured forward. The vigorous and unexpected attack of the two generals threw the camp into confusion. Zhao Yun fought into the center of the camp and encountered Jinhua Sanjie. Both leaders engaged, and Zhao Yun slew Jinhua Sanjie by a spear thrust. Then Zhao Yun dismounted and cut off the head of the Chief.

  Then Wei Yan took half the force and went west to the second camp, while Zhao Yun marched east to the third one. By the time they reached the camps, day had dawned. The Mangs also had news of Wei Yan's coming, and drew up the camp to oppose. But when they had got clear, there was a great uproar behind them at the stockade gates, and confusion followed. The reason was the arrival of Wang Ping. Between the two bodies, the Mangs were beaten. Their Chief, Dongtu Na, forced his way out and got away. Wei Yan's soldiers followed, but they could not catch him.

  When Zhao Yun led his troops east to attack the third camp in the rear, Ma Zhong made an attack on the front. They scored a success, but the Chief Ahui Nan escaped.

  They returned to headquarters, and Zhuge Liang said, “The three parties of Mangs have fled, and Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan escaped; where is the head of Jinhua Sanjie?” Zhao Yun produced it. At the same time he reported: “Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan escaped by abandoning their horses and going over the hills. Therefore, we could not be followed.”

  “They are already prisoners,” said Zhuge Liang with a laugh.

  The fighting men could not credit it. But soon after Zhang Ni brought out Dongtu Na, and Zhang Yi Ahui Nan.

  When the Shu leaders expressed surprise and admiration, Zhuge Liang said, “I had s
tudied the map and knew the positions of the camps. I taunted Zhao Yun and Wei Yan into making a supreme effort into the camp of Jinhua Sanjie; at the same time that I sent other forces under Wang Ping and Ma Zhong, with the purpose to support Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and to force Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan to flee. I felt certain the two chiefs would run away along those small roads, and I set soldiers under Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi on those roads to wait for them. They also were supported.”

  They all bowed, saying, “The Prime Minister's calculations are divine and incomprehensible.”

  The two captive chiefs were then called. As soon as they appeared, Zhuge Liang loosed their bonds, gave them refreshments and released them, bidding them offend no more. They thanked him for their liberty, and disappeared along a by-road.

  Then Zhuge Liang said to his generals, “Tomorrow Meng Huo will come in person to make an attack. We shall probably capture him again.”

  Then he summoned Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and gave them orders. They left, each with five thousand troops. Next he sent Wang Ping. And then he sat in his tent to wait for the result.

  The King of the Mangs was sitting in his tent when the scouts told him that his three chiefs had been captured and their armies scattered. It made him very angry, and he quickly got his army ready to march. Soon he met Wang Ping, and, when the armies were arrayed, Wang Ping rode out to the front, saber in his hand. The flaunting banners of the array formation of his foes then opened out, and he saw their ranks. Many generals were on horseback on both sides. In the middle was the King, who advanced to the front. He wore a golden, inlaid head-dress; his belt bore a lion's face as clasp; his boots had pointed toes and were green; he rode a frizzy-haired horse the color of a red hare; he carried at his waist a pair of swords chased with the pine amber.

  He looked haughtily at his foes, and then, turning to his generals, said, “It has always been said that Zhuge Liang is a wonderful soldier, but I see that is false. Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder. There is not a weapon among all the swords and spears better than ours. If I had only realized this before, I would have fought them long ago. Who dares go out and capture a Shu general to show them what sort of warriors we are?”

  At once a general rode toward the leader Wang Ping. His name was Mangya Chang; his weapon was a huge headsman's sword, and he rode a dun pony. Riding up to Wang Ping, the two engaged.

  Wang Ping only fought a short time, and then fled. Meng Huo at once ordered his troops on in quick pursuit, and the troops of Shu retreated seven miles or so before the Mangs were near enough to fight. Just as the Mangs thought their enemies were in their power, a great shouting arose and two cohorts appeared, Zhang Ni from the left and Zhang Yi from the right, and attacked. The Mangs could not retreat, and as the force under Wang Ping and Guan Suo also turned upon them, the Mangs were surrounded and lost the day. Meng Huo and some of his generals fought their way out and made for the Brocade Mountains. The troops of Shu followed and forced them forward, and presently there appeared, in front, Zhao Yun.

  Meng Huo hastily changed his route to go deeper into the mountains, but Zhao Yun's soldiers spread around, and the Mangs could not make a stand. Here many were captured. Meng Huo and a few horsemen got away into a valley, which, however, soon became too narrow for the horses to advance. Meng Huo then left his horse and crawled up the mountains, but very soon he fell upon Wei Yan, who had been sent with five hundred troops to lie in wait in that very valley. Meng Huo tried to struggle but soon was captured.

  The King and his followers were taken to the main camp, where Zhuge Liang was waiting with wine and meat ready for the captives. But his tent was now guarded by soldiers all well armed with snow-glittering weapons, beside the lictors bearing the golden axes, a present from the Emperor, and other insignia of rank. The feather-hatted drummers and clarion players were in front and behind, and the Imperial Guards were extended on both sides. The whole was very imposing and awe-inspiring.

  Zhuge Liang was seated at the top of it all and watched the captives as they came forward in crowds. When they were all assembled, he ordered their bonds to be loosed, and then he addressed them.

  “You are all simple and well-disposed people who have been led into trouble by Meng Huo. I know your fathers and mothers, your brothers and wives, and your children are anxiously watching from the doorways for your return, and they are cut to dear suffering that the news of defeat and capture has reached their ears. They are weeping bitter tears for you. And so I will set you all free to go home and comfort them.”

  After they had been given food and wine and a present of grain, he sent them all away. They went off grateful for the kindness shown them, but they wept as they thanked Zhuge Liang.

  Then the guards were told to bring the King before the tent. He came, bound, being hustled forward. He knelt in front of the Commander-in-Chief, who said, “Why did you rebel after the generous treatment you have received from our Emperor?”

  “The two Lands of the Rivers belonged to others, and your lord took it from them by force, and gave himself the title of Emperor. My people have lived here for ages, and you and yours invaded my country without the least excuse. How can you talk of rebellion to me?”

  “You are my prisoner; will you submit or are you still contumacious?”

  “Why should I submit? You happened to find me in a narrow place; that is all.”

  “If I release you, what then?”

  “If you release me I shall return, and when I have set my army in order, I shall come to fight you again. However, if you catch me once more, I will submit.”

  The King's bonds were loosed; he was clothed and refreshed, given a horse and caparisons, and sent with a guide to his own camp.

  Once more the captured chieftain is let go,

  To yield tribesmen are ever slow.

  Further results of this war will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 88. Crossing River Scorpio — The Mang King Is Bound The Second Time; Recognizing A Pretended Surrender — Meng Huo Is Captured The Third Time.

  The officers did not approve of the release of the King of the Mangs, and they came to the tent of Zhuge Liang and said, “Meng Huo is the most important personage of all the Mangs, and his capture is the key to restoring order in the south. Why then, O Minister, did you release him?”

  “I can capture him just as easily as I can get something out of my pocket. What I want to do is to overcome and win his heart, so that peace may follow of itself.”

  They listened, but they had no great confidence in the success of the policy of conciliation.

  In the meantime Meng Huo had reached the River Lu, and there he fell in with some of his defeated leaders, who were trying to get news of their King's fate.

  They were surprised, but glad, to see him, and asked, “How were Your Highness able to get back?”

  The King lied, saying, “They confined me in a tent, and I broke out in the night. I slew more than ten guards and ran. And then I met one of their sentries, killed him, and that is how I got this horse.”

  They never doubted his word, and very joyfully they hurried him over the river to a camping place. Then all the notables assembled from the various ravines, and the soldiers that had escaped death were mustered and got into shape as a fighting force.

  The two leaders in the late campaign, Dongtu Na and Ahui Nan, were in one of the ravines, and Meng Huo sent to ask them to come. They were afraid, but they could not disobey, and they came with an escort.

  When all had assembled, the King proclaimed as follows: “I know Zhuge Liang is too full of ruses for us to conquer him in a fight; we should only fall victims to other base devices. However, we must remember that his soldiers have marched far and the weather is sultry, which are factors in our favor. Beside, River Lu is our rampart. We will have boats and rafts on the south side, and we will build a mud wall. With such good defenses we can afford to wait and see what the enemy intends.”

  His speech
met with approval, and his plan was carried out. The wall was supported by the hills and strengthened by fighting turrets, upon which were placed large bows and crossbows and arrows and stones. The defenses looked as if they were permanent. Moreover, each ravine sent supplies in plenty. And having made these preparations, Meng Huo felt comfortable and safe.

  Zhuge Liang had advanced, and his leading division was now close to the river. Spies came back to report: “No boats or rafts can be found to cross, and the current is too strong to think of fording. Beside, we can see the formidable defenses on the farther bank, the mud wall and the turrets all fully manned.”

  The weather was burning hot, for it was the fifth mouth, and the soldiers could not tolerate their armor nor even their clothing. When Zhuge Liang had inspected the river, he returned to his tent and assembled his officers, to whom he read this order: “The enemy is securely established on the south bank ready to repel our attack. Yet, having come so far, we cannot return empty. For the present you will all seek what shelter you can find in the forests, and rest and refresh your people.”

  Then he sent Lu Kai to a distance to select a cool stretch of thirty miles, and there he made four stockades. Within the stockades he built huts for the soldiers and sheds for the horses, so that they were sheltered from the intense heat. The four camps were stationed by Wang Ping, Zhang Ni, Zhang Yi, and Guan Suo.

  However, Jiang Wan, observed these shelters and went to Zhuge Liang, saying, “These shelters of Lu Kai are very unsuitable. He has made the same mistake as that which led to the defeat of the First Ruler at the hands of Wu. He has not taken into account the surroundings of the stockades, and if the Mangs should come over and start a fire, there could be no rescue.”

  “Do not anticipate trouble,” said the Commander-in-Chief, smiling. “I have provided against all such dangers.”

  Jiang Wan did not know what the chief meant to do, but he said no more. Then Ma Dai arrived from the Lands of Rivers, and he brought summer medicines and further supplies of grain. He saw Zhuge Liang, and then proceeded to distribute the supplies he had brought according to orders.