Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics)

by Lo Kuan-Chung

Chou Yu, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanchun, came upon Ts’ao Jen and his army marching to save Iling. The two armies engaged and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both drew off and Ts’ao Jen withdrew into the city.

  During the night he called his officers to a council. Then said Ts’ao Hung,“The loss of Iling has brought us to a dangerous pass; now it seems the time to open the letter of the Minister our Chief and see what plans he arranged for our salvation in this peril.”

  “You but say what I think,” replied Ts’ao Jen. Whereupon he tore open the letter and read it. His face lighted up with joy and he at once issued orders to have the morning meal prepared at the fifth watch. At daylight the whole army moved out of the city but they left a semblance of occupation in the shape of banners on the walls.

  Chou Yu went up to the tower of observation and looked over the city. He saw that the flags along the battlements had no men behind them and he noticed that every man carried a bundle at his waist behind so that he was prepared for a long march. Thought Chou Yu to himself, ‘Ts’ao Jen must be prepared for a long march.”

  So he went down from the tower of observation and sent out an order for two wings of the army to be ready. One of these was to attack and, in case of its success, the other was to pursue at full speed till the clanging of the gongs should call them to return. He took command of the leading force in person and Cheng P’u commanded the other. Thus they advanced to attack the city.

  The armies being arrayed facing each other, the drums rolled out across the plain. Ts’ao Hung rode forth and challenged, and Chou Yu, from his place by the standard, bade Han Tang respond. The two champions fought near two score bouts and then Ts’ao Hung fled. Thereupon Ts’ao Jen came out to help him and Chou T’ai rode out at full speed to meet him. These two exchanged a half score passes and then Ts’ao Jen fled.

  His army fell into confusion. Thereupon Chou Yu gave the signal for the advance of both his wings and the men of Ts’ao were sore smitten and defeated. Chou Yu pursued to the city wall, but Ts’ao’s men did not enter the city. Instead, they went away northwest. Han Tang and Chou T’ai pressed them hard.

  Chou Yu, seeing the city gates standing wide open and no guards upon the walls, ordered the raiding of the city. A few score horsemen rode in first, Chou Yu followed and whipping his steed. As he galloped into the enclosure around the gate, Ch’en Chiao stood on the defence tower. When he saw Chou Yu enter, in his heart he applauded the godlike perspicacity of the Minister Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  Then was heard the clap-clap of a watchman’s rattle. At this signal the archers and crossbowmen let fly and the arrows and bolts flew forth in a sudden fierce shower, while those who had won their way to the van of the inrush went headlong into a deep trench. Chou Yu managed to pull up in time, but turning to escape, he was wounded in the left side and fell to the ground. Niu Chin rushed out from the city to capture the chief, but Hsu Sheng and Ting Feng at the risk of their lives got him away safe. Then the men of Ts’ao dashed out of the city and wrought confusion among the men of Wu, who trampled each other down and many more fell into the trenches. Cheng P’u tried to draw off, but Ts’ao Je and Ts’ao Hung came toward him from different directions and the battle went hardly against the men from the east, till help came from Ling T’ung, who bore back their assailants. Satisfied with their success Ts’ao led his men into the city, while the losers marched back to their own camp.

  Chou Yu, sorely wounded, was taken to his own tent and the army physician called in. With iron forceps he extracted the sharp bolt and dressed the wound with a lotion designed to counteract the poison of the metal. But the pain was intense and the patient rejected all nourishment. The physician said the missile had been poisoned and the wound would require a long time to heal. The patient must be kept quiet and especially free from any irritation, which would cause the wound to re-open.

  Thereupon Cheng P’u gave orders that each division was to remain in camp. Three days later Niu Chin came within sight and challenged the men of Wu to battle, but they did not stir. The enemy hurled at them taunts and insults till the sun had fallen low in the sky, but it was of no avail and Niu withdrew.

  Next day Niu Chin returned and repeated his insulting abuse. Cheng P’u dared not tell the wounded general. The third day, waxing bolder, the enemy came to the very gates of the stockade, the leader shouting that he had come for the purpose of capturing Chou Yu.

  Then Cheng P’u called together his officers and they discussed the feasibility of retirement into Wu that he might seek the opinion of the Marquis.

  Ill as he was Chou Yu still retained control of the expedition. He knew that the enemy came daily to the gates of his camp and reviled him although none of his officers told him. One day Ts’ao Jen came in person and there was much rolling of drums and shouting. Cheng P’u, however, steadily refused to accept the challenge and would not let any one go out. Then Chou Yu summoned the officers to his bedside and said,“What mean the drums and the shouting?”

  “The men are drilling,” was the reply.

  “Why do you deceive me?” said Chou Yu angrily.“Do I not know that our enemies come day by day to our gates and insult us? Yet Cheng P’u suffers this in silence and makes no use of his powers and authority.”

  He sent for Cheng P’u and, when he arrived, asked him why he acted thus.

  “Because you are ill and the physician said you were on no account to be provoked to anger. Wherefore, although the enemy challenged us to battle, I kept it from you.”

  “And if you do not fight what think you should be done?” said Chou Yu.

  And they all said they desired to return to the east till he had recovered from his wound, when they would make another expedition.

  Chou Yu lay and listened. Suddenly he sprang up, crying,“The noble man who has eaten of his lord’s bounty should die in his lord’s battles; to return to one’s home wrapped in a horse’s hide is a happy fate. Am I the sort of man to bring to nought the grand designs of my country?”

  So speaking he proceeded to gird on his armour and he mounted his horse. The wonder of the officers only redoubled when their General placed himself at the head of some hundreds of horsemen and went out of the camp gates toward the enemy, then fully arrayed. Ts’ao Jen, their general, stood beneath the great standard.

  At sight of the opponents Ts’ao Jen flourished his whip and began to hurl abuse at them,“Chou Yu, you babe! I think your fate has met you. You dare not face my men.”

  The stream of insult never ceased. Presently Chou Yu could stand it no longer. Riding out to the front he cried,“Here I am, base churl; look at me!”

  The whole Ts’ao army were taken aback. But Ts’ao Jen turned to those about him and said,“Let us all revile him!” And the whole army yelled insults.

  Chou Yu grew angry and sent Pan Chang out to fight. But before he had delivered his first blow Chou Yu suddenly uttered a loud cry, and he fell to the ground with blood gushing from his mouth.

  At this the Ts’ao army rushed to the battle and the men of Wu pressed forward to meet them. A fierce struggle waged around the General’s body, but he was borne off safely and taken to his tent.

  “Do you feel better?” asked Cheng P’u anxiously.

  “It was a ruse of mine,” whispered Chou Yu in reply.

  “But what avails it?”

  “I am not suffering, but I did that to make our enemies think I was very ill and so oppose them by deceit. I will send a few trusty men to pretend desertion and tell them I am dead. That will cause them to try a night raid on the camp and we shall have an ambush ready for them. We shall get Ts’ao Jen easily.”

  “The plan seems excellent,” said Cheng P’u.

  Soon from the tent there arose the sound of wailing as for the dead. The soldiers around took up the cry and said one to another,“The General is dead of his wound,” and they all put on the symbols of mourning.

  Meanwhile Ts’ao Jen was consulting with his officers. Said h
e,“Chou Yu lost his temper and that has caused his wound to re-open and brought on that flow of blood. You saw him fall to the ground and he will assuredly die soon.”

  Just then there came in one who said that a few men had come over from the enemy asking to be allowed to join the army of Ts’ao; among them were two of Ts’ao’s men who had been made prisoners.

  Ts’ao Jen sent for the deserters and questioned them. They told him a story of Chou Yu’s wound and death that day. The leaders were all in mourning. They had deserted because they had been put to shame by the second in command.

  Pleased at this news Ts’ao Jen at once began to arrange to make a night attack on the camp and, if possible, get the head of the dead general to send to the capital.

  “Success depends upon promptitude, so act without delay,” said Ch’en Chiao.

  Niu Chin was told off as van leader, Ts’ao Jen himself led the centre, while the rear was commanded by Ts’ao Hung and Ts’ao Shun. Ch’en Chiao, and a few men, were left to guard the city.

  At the first watch they left the city and took the way toward Chou Yu’s camp. When they drew near not a man was visible, but flags and banners and spears were all there, evidently to keep up an appearance of preparation. Feeling at once that they had been tricked they turned to retreat. But a bomb exploded and this was the signal for an attack on all four sides. The result was a severe defeat for the raiders and the army of Ts’ao Jen was entirely broken and scattered abroad so that no one part of the beaten army could aid the other.

  Ts’ao Jen, with a few horsemen got out of the press and presently met Ts’ao Hung. The two leaders ran away together and by the fifth watch they had got near Nanchun. Then they heard a beating of drums and Lin T’ung appeared barring the way. There was a small skirmish and Ts’ao Jen went off at an angle. But he fell in with Kan Ning, who attacked him vigorously. Ts’ao Jen dared not go back to Nanchun, but he made for Hsiangyang along the main road. The men of Wu pursued him for a time and then desisted.

  Chou Yu and Cheng P’u then made their way to Nanchun 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 my chief to take this city. I am Chao Tzu-lung of Ch’angshan.”

  Chou Yu was fiercely angry and gave orders to assault the city, but the defenders sent down flights and flights of arrows and his men could not stay near the rampart. So he withdrew and took counsel. In the meantime he decided to send a force to capture Chingchou and another to take Hsiangyang. Nanchun could be taken later.

  But even as these orders were being given the scouts came in hurriedly to report that Chuko Liang, suddenly producing a military commission, had induced the guards of Chingchou to leave it and go to the rescue of Chou Yu. Whereupon Chang Fei had occupied the town. Soon after another messenger came to say that Hsiahou Tun, at Hsiangyang, had received from Chuko Liang despatches, supported by a commission in due form, saying that Ts’ao Jen was in danger and needed help, whereupon Hsiahou Tun had marched off and Kuan Yu had seized that town.

  Thus the two towns that Chou Yu wanted had fallen, without the least effort, into the hands of his rival Liu Pei.

  “How did Chuko Liang get this military commission with which he has imposed on the captains?” asked Chou Yu.

  Cheng P’u replied,“He seized that of Ch’en Chiao; and so has got all this district into his power.”

  Chou 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 Chou Yu.

  CHAPTER LII

  CHUKO LIANG TALKS CUNNINGLY TO LU SU: CHAO YUN, BY A RUSE, CAPTURES KUEIYANG

  C hou Yu’s anger at seeing that his rival, K’ungming, had surprised Nanchun, and at hearing the same news of Chingchou and Hsiangyang, was but natural. And this sudden fit of rage caused his wound to re-open. However, he soon recovered. All his officers besought him to accept the situation, but he said,“What but the death of that bumpkin, Chuko, will assuage my anger? If Cheng P’u can but aid me in an attack on Nanchun I can certainly restore it to my country.”

  Soon Lu Su came in, to whom Chou Yu said,“I simply must fight Liu Pei and Chuko 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 Ts’ao Ts’ao and victory or defeat is undecided. Our lord has not been successful in overcoming Hopei. Do not fight near home, or it will be like people of the same household destroying each other and should Ts’ao Ts’ao take advantage of this position to make a sudden descent we should be in a parlous condition. Further, you must remember that Liu Pei Ts’ao Ts’ao are united by the bonds of old friendship and, if the pressure becomes too great, Liu Pei may relinquish these cities, offer them to Ts’ao Ts’ao and join forces with him to-attack our country. That would be a real misfortune.”

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

  “Well, let me go and see Yuan-te 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 Nanchun to carry out his proposal and try to arrange matters. He reached the city wall and summoned the gate, whereat Chao Yun came out to speak with him.

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

  “My lord and Chuko Liang are in Chingchou,” was the reply.

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

  The guards reported his arrival and K’ungming ordered them to throw wide the gate. He was led to the government house and, after the usual exchange of salutes, K’ungming and his visitor took their respective seats. Having finished the tea, Lu Su said,“My master, the Marquis Wu, and the Commander of his army, Chou Yu, have sent me to lay before the Imperial Uncle their views. When Ts’ao Ts’ao led his huge host southward he gave out that it was for the conquest of Chiangnan; really his intention was to destroy Liu Pei. Happily our army was able to repulse that mighty host and so saved him. Wherefore Chingchou with its nine districts ought to belong to us. But by a treacherous move your master has occupied Chingchou and Hsiangyang, 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.”

  K’ungming replied,“Tzuching, 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 Wu, but were of the patrimony of Liu Piao, 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 Ch’i, the rightful heir, had occupied these cities there would have been something to say. But he is at Chianghsia and not here.”

  “Would you like to see him?” said K’ungming.

  At the same time he ordered the servants to request Liu Ch’i to come. Thereupon he 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, Tzuching.”

  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 K’ungming.


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

  “But what is there for us in the chance of Liu Ch’i’s death?” said Chou 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 Chou Yu.

  “Liu Ch’i 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 Pei and he will be unable to deny the request.”

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

  Thereupon Chou Yu marched back to Ch’aisang. Having reached home he began to give attention to the recovery of his health. He sent Cheng P’u with the marine and land forces to Hofei ready for Sun Ch’uan’s call.

  Liu Pei was exceedingly well satisfied with the possession of his new territory and his thoughts turned to more ambitious schemes. Then a certain man came to him to suggest a plan. This man was I Chi and, remembering the kindly feeling of other days, Yuan-te received him most graciously. When he 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 men and ask them?”

  “Where are these wise men to be found?” asked Yuan-te.

  I Chi replied,“In this district there is a certain family named Ma, five brothers, all of whom are known as men of ability. The youngest is called Ma Su, or Ma Yu-ch’ang. The ablest is Ma Liang, or Chi-ch’ang, 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 Yuan-te 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 district and he said,“Attacked as it is on all sides this district is not one in which one is permanently secure. You should let Liu Ch’i 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 Governor and the people will be content. Then conquer Wuling, Changsha, Kueiyang and Linling and with the resources you will thus acquire you will have the means for further plans. That should be your policy.”