Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics)

by Lo Kuan-Chung

  Chou Yu turned pale and a low groan escaped him, while his visitor went on,“You feel depressed, do you not? As though troubles were piling up in your heart?”

  ‘That is exactly how I feel.”

  “You need cooling medicine to dissipate this sense of oppression.”

  “I have taken a cooling draught, but it has done no good.”

  “You must get the humours into good order before the drugs will have any effect.”

  Chou Yu began to think K’ungming knew what was really the matter and resolved to test him.“What should be taken to produce a favourable temper?”

  “I know one means of producing a favourable temper,” replied K’ungming.

  “I wish you would tell me.”

  K’ungming got out writing materials, sent away the servants and then wrote a few words·.—“One should burn out Ts’ao; all is ready, but there is no east wind,” this he gave to the sick general, saying “That is the origin of your illness.”

  Chou Yu read the words with great surprise and it confirmed his secret opinion that K’ungming really was rather more than human. He decided that the only course was to be open and tell him all. So he said,“Since you know the cause of the disease, what do you recommend as treatment? The need of a remedy is very urgent.”

  “I have no great talent,” said K’ungming,“but ! have had to do with men of no ordinary gifts from whom I have received certain magical books. I can call the winds and summon the rains. Since you need a southeast breeze, General, you must build an altar on the Nanping Mountains, the Altar of the Seven Stars. It must be nine feet high, with three steps, surrounded by a guard of one hundred and twenty men bearing flags. On this altar I will work a spell to procure a strong southeast gale for three days and three nights. Do you approve?”

  “Never mind three whole days,” said Chou Yu,“one day of strong wind will serve my purpose. But it must be done at once and without delay.”

  “I will sacrifice for a wind for three days from the twentieth day of the moon; will that suit you?”

  Chou Yu was delighted and hastily rose from his couch to give the necessary orders. He commanded that five hundred men should be sent to the mountains to build the altar and he told off the guard of one hundred and twenty to bear the flags and be at the orders of K’ungming.

  K’ungming took his leave, went forth and rode off with Lu Su to the mountains where they measured out the ground. He bade the soldiers build the altar of red earth from the southeast quarter. It was two hundred and forty feet in circuit, square in shape, and of three tiers, each of three feet, in all nine feet high. On the lowest tier he placed the flags of the twenty-eight “houses” of the heavens, on the east seven, with blue flags, on the north seven, with black flags, on the west seven, with white flags, and on the south seven, with red flags. Around the second tier he placed sixty-four yellow flags, corresponding to the number of the diagrams of the Book of Divination, in eight groups of eight. Four men were stationed on the highest platform, each wearing a Taoist headdress and a black silk robe embroidered with the phoenix and confined with wide sashes. They wore scarlet boots and square-cut skirts. On the left front stood a man supporting a tall pole bearing at its top a plume of light feathers to show by their least movement the wind’s first breathing. On the right front was a man holding a tall pole whereon was a flag with the symbol of the seven stars to show the direction and force of the wind. On the left rear stood a man with a sword, and on the right rear a man with a censer. Below the altar were two score and four men holding flags, umbrellas, spears, lances, yellow banners, white axes, red bannerols and black ensigns. And these were spaced about the altar.

  On the appointed day K’ungming, having chosen a propitious moment, bathed his body and purified himself. Then he robed himself as a Taoist, loosened his locks and approached the alter.

  He bade Lu Su retire saying,“Return to the camp and assist the General in setting out his forces. Should my prayers avail not, do not wonder.”

  So Lu Su left him. Then he commanded the guards on no account to absent themselves, to maintain strict silence and to be reverent; death would be the penalty of disobedience.

  Next with solemn steps he ascended the altar, faced the proper quarter, lighted the incense and sprinkled the water in the basins. This done he gazed into the heavens and prayed silently. The prayer ended he descended and returned to his tent. After a brief rest he allowed the soldiers by turns to go away to eat.

  Thrice that day he ascended the altar and thrice descended; but there was no sign of the wind.

  Here it may be related that Chou Yu with Cheng P’u and Lu Su and a certain number of military officials on duty, sat waiting in the tent till the wished-for wind should blow and the attack could be launched. Messengers were also sent to Sun Ch’uan to prepare to support the forward movement.

  Huang Kai had his fire ships ready, a score of them. The fore parts of the ships were thickly studded with large nails, and they were loaded with dry reeds, wood soaked in fish oil and covered with sulphur, saltpetre and other inflammables. The ships were covered in with black oiled cloth. In the prow of each was a black dragon flag with indentations. A fighting ship was attached to the stern of each to propel it forward. All were ready and awaited orders to move.

  Meanwhile Ts’ao Ts’ao’s two spies, the brothers Ts’ai, were being guarded carefully in an outer camp far from the river bank and daily entertained with feasting. They were not allowed to know of the preparations. The watch was so close that not a trickle of information reached the prisoners.

  Presently, while Chou Yu was anxiously awaiting in his tent for the desired wind, a messenger came to say that Sun Ch’uan had anchored at a place eighty-five li from the camp, where he awaited news. Lu Su was sent to warn all the various commanders to be ready, the ships and their weapons, sails and oars, all for instant use, and to impress upon them the penalties of being caught unprepared. The soldiers were indeed ready for the fight and yearning for the fray.

  But the sky remained obstinately clear and as night drew nigh no breath of air stirred.

  “We have been cajoled,” said Chou Yu.“Indeed what possibility is there of a southeast wind in mid-winter?”

  “K’ungming would not use vain and deceitful words,” replied Lu Su.

  Towards the third watch the sound of a movement arose in the air. Soon the flags fluttered out. And when the general went out to make sure he saw they were flowing toward the northwest. In a very short time the southeast wind was in full force.

  Chou Yu was, however, frightened ` of the man whose help he had invoked.“Really the man has power over the heavens and authority over the earth; his methods are incalculable, beyond the ken of god or devil. He cannot be allowed to live to be a danger to our land of Wu. We must slay him soon to fend off later evils.”

  So he resolved to commit a crime to remove his dangerous rival. He called two of the captains of his guard, Ting Feng and Hsu Sheng, and bade each take a party, one along the river, the other along the road, to the altar on the mountains. As soon as they got there, without asking questions or giving reasons, they were to seize and behead K’ungming. They might expect a solid reward if they brought his head.

  The two went off on their nefarious errand, one leading dagger-and axe-men going as fast as oars could propel them along the river, the other at the head of archers and bowmen on horseback. The southeast wind buffeted them as they went on their way.

  High was raised the Seven Stars’ Altar,

  On it prayed the Sleeping Dragon

  For an eastern wind, and straightway

  Blew the wind. Had not the wizard

  Exercised his mighty magic

  Nought had Chou Yu’s skill availed.

  Ting Feng first arrived. He saw the guards with their flags, dropped off his steed and marched to the altar, sword in hand. But he found no K’ungming. He asked the guards; they told him he had just gone down. Ting Feng ran down the hill to search. There he met his
fellow and they joined forces. Presently a simple soldier told them that the evening before a small, fast boat had anchored there near a sand spit and K’ungming had been seen to go on board. Then the boat had gone up river. So they divided their party into two, one to go by water, the other by land.

  Hsu Sheng bade his boatmen put on all sail and take every advantage of the wind. Before very long he saw the fugitive’s boat ahead and when near enough, stood in the prow of his own and shouted,“Do not flee, O Instructor of the Army! The General requests your presence.”

  K’ungming, who was seated in the stern of his boat, just laughed aloud,“Return and tell the General to make good use of his men. Tell him I am going up river for a spell and will see him again another day.”

  “Pray wait a little while,” cried Hsu.“I have something most important to tell you.”

  “I knew all about it, that he would not let me go and that he wanted to kill me. That is why Chao Yun was waiting for me. You had better not approach nearer.”

  Seeing the other ship had no sail, Hsu Sheng thought he would assuredly come up with it and so maintained the pursuit. Then when he got too close Chao Yun fitted an arrow to the bowstring and, standing up in the stern of his boat, cried,“You know who I am and I came expressly to escort the Instructor. Why are you pursuing him? One arrow would kill you, only that would cause a breach of the peace between two houses. I will shoot and just give you a specimen of my skill.”

  With that he shot, and the arrow whizzed overhead cutting the rope that held up the sail. Down came the sail trailing in the water and the boat swung round. Then Chao Yun’s boat hoisted its sail and the fair wind speedily carried it out of sight.

  On the bank stood Ting Feng. He bade his comrade come to the shore and said,“He is too clever for any man; and Chao Yun is bravest of the brave. You remember what he did at Tangyang Slope. All we can do is to return and report.”

  So they returned to camp and told their master about the preparations that K’ungming had made to ensure safety. Chou Yu was indeed puzzled at the depth of his rival’s insight.“I shall have no peace day or night while he lives,” said he.

  “At least wait till Ts’ao is done with,” said Lu Su.

  And Chou Yu knew he spake wisely. Having summoned the leaders to receive orders, first he bade Kan Ning take with him the false deserter Ts’ai Chung and his soldiers and go along the south bank, showing the flags of Ts’ao Ts’ao, till they reached the “Black” Forest (Wu Lin) just opposite the enemy’s main store of grain and forage. Then they were to penetrate as deeply as possible into the enemy’s lines and light a torch as a signal. Ts’ai Chung’s brother was to be kept in camp for another purpose.

  The next order was for Taishih Tzu; he was to lead two companies as quickly as possible to Huangchou and cut the enemy’s communications with Hofei. When near the enemy he was to give a signal and if he saw a red flag he would know that Sun Ch’uan was at hand with reinforcements.

  These two had the farthest to go and started first. Then Lu Meng was sent into Wu Lin (the “Black” Forest) with three companies as a support. Kan Ning was ordered to set fire to the camp. A fourth party was to go to the borders of Iling and attack as soon as the signal from the forest was seen. A fifth party of three companies went to Hanyang to fall upon the enemy along the river. Their signal was a white flag and a sixth division supported them.

  When these six parties had gone off, Huang Kai got ready his fire ships and sent a soldier with a note to tell Ts’ao Ts’ao that he was coming over that evening. Four fighting ships were told off to support Huang Kai.

  The four squadrons, each of three hundred ships, were placed under four commanders, Han Tang, Chou Tai, Chiang Ch’in and Ch’en Wu. The score of fire ships preceded them. Chou Yu and Cheng P’u went on board one of the large ships to direct the battle. Their guards were Ting Feng and Hsu Sheng. Lu Su, K’an Tse and the advisers were left to guard the camp. Cheng P’u was greatly impressed with Chou Yu’s ordering of the attack.

  Then came a messenger bearing a mandate from Sun Ch’uan making Lu Hsun leader of the van. He was ordered to go to Ch’ihuang. The Marquis himself would support him. Chou Yu also sent a man to the western hills to make signals and to hoist flags on the Nanping Mountains.

  So all being prepared they waited for dusk.

  Here it is necessary to diverge from the direct narrative to say that Yuan-te was at Hsiak’ou anxiously awaiting the return of his adviser. Then appeared a fleet, led by Liu Ch’i, who had come to find out how matters were progressing. Yuan-te sent to call him to the battle tower and told him of the southeast wind that had begun to blow and that Chao Yun had gone to meet K’ungming. Not long after a single sail was seen coming up before the wind and he knew it was K’ungming, the Instructor of the Army. So he and Liu Ch’i went down to meet the boat. Soon the vessel reached the shore and K’ungming and Chao Yun disembarked.

  Yuan-te was very glad and after they had enquired after each other’s well-being K’ungming said,“There is no time to tell of any other things now. Are the soldiers and ships ready?”

  “They have long been ready,” replied Yuan-te.“They only await you to direct how they are to be used.”

  The three then went to the tent and took their seats. K’ungming at once began to issue orders.“Chao Yun, with three companies is to cross the river and go to the Wu Lin by the minor road. He will choose a dense jungle and prepare an ambush. Tonight, after the fourth watch, Ts’ao Ts’ao will hurry along that way. When half his men have passed, the jungle is to be fired. Ts’ao Ts’ao will not be wholly destroyed but many will perish.”

  “There are two roads,” said Chao Yun.“One leads to the southern districts and the other to Chingchou. I do not know by which he will come.”

  “The south road is too dangerous; Ts’ao Ts’ao will certainly pass along the Chingchou road, so that he may get away to Hsuch’ang.”

  Then Chao Yun went away. Next K’ungming said to Chang Fei,“You will take three companies over the river to cut the road to Iling. You will ambush in the Hulu Valley. Ts’ao Ts’ao, not daring to go to South Iling, will go to North Iling. Tomorrow, after the rain, he will halt to refresh his men. As soon as the smoke is seen to rise from their cooking fires you will fire the hill side. You will not capture Ts’ao Ts’ao but you will render excellent service.”

  So Chang Fei left. Next was called Mi Chu, Mi Fang and Liu Feng. They were to take command of three squadrons and go along the river to collect the weapons that the beaten soldiers would throw away.

  The three left. Then K’ungming said to Liu Ch’i,“The country around Wuchang is very important and I wish you to take command of your own troops and station them at strategic points. Ts’ao Ts’ao, being defeated, will flee thither, and you will capture him. But you are not to leave the city without the best of reasons.”

  And Liu Ch’i took leave.

  Then K’ungming said to Yuan-te,“I wish you to remain quietly and calmly in Fank’ou while Chou Yu works out his great scheme this night.”

  All this time Kuan Yu has been silently waiting his turn but K’ungming said no word to him. When he could bear this no longer he cried,“Since I first followed my brother to battle many years ago I have never been left behind. Now that great things are afoot is there no work for me? What is meant by it?”

  “You should not be surprised. I wanted you for service at a most important point only that there was a something standing in the way that prevented me from sending you,” said K’ungming.

  “What could stand in the way? I wish you would tell me.”

  “You see Ts’ao Ts’ao was once very kind to you and you cannot help feeling grateful. Now when his soldiers have been beaten he will have to flee along the Huayung road and if I sent you to guard it you would have to let him pass. So I will not send you.”

  “You are most considerate, Instructor. But though it is true that he treated me well, yet I slew two of his most redoubtable opponents by way of repayment, be
side raising a siege. If I happened upon him on this occasion I should hardly let him go.”

  “But what if you did?”

  “You could deal with me by military rules.”

  “Then put that in writing.”

  So Kuan Yu wrote a formal undertaking and gave the document to K’ungming.

  “What happens if Ts’ao Ts’ao does not pass that way?” said Kuan Yu.

  “I will give you a written engagement that he will pass.” Then he continued,“On the hills by the Huayung Valley you are to raise a heap of wood and grass to make a great column of smoke and mislead Ts’ao Ts’ao into coming.”

  “If Ts’ao Ts’ao sees a smoke he will suspect an ambush and will not come.” said Kuan Yu.

  “You are very simple,” said K’ungming.“Do you not know more of war’s ruses than that? Ts’ao Ts’ao is an able leader but you can deceive him this time. When he sees the smoke he will take it as a subterfuge and risk going that way. But do not let your kindness of heart rule your conduct.”

  Thus was his duty assigned Kuan Yu and he left, taking his adopted son, P’ing, Chou Ts’ang and a half company of swordsmen.

  Said Liu Pei,“His sense of rectitude is very profound; I fear if Ts’ao Ts’ao should come that way that my brother will let him pass.”

  “I have consulted the stars and Ts’ao the rebel is not fated to come to his end yet. I have purposely designed this manifestation of kindly feeling for Kuan Yu to accomplish and so act handsomely.”

  “Indeed there are few such farseeing men as you are,” said Yuan-te.

  The two then went to Fank’ou whence they might watch Chou Yu’s evolutions. Sun Chuan and Chien Yung were left on guard.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was in his great camp in conference with his advisers and awaiting the arrival of Huang Kai. The southeast wind was very strong that day and Cheng Yu was insisting on the necessity for precaution, But Ts’ao laughed saying,“The Winter Solstice depends upon the sun and nothing else; there is sure to be a south wind at some one or other of its recurrences. I see nothing to wonder at.”