Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics)

by Lo Kuan-Chung

  Ts’ao Ts’ao himself crossed the River Wei, and when Ma Ch’ao heard of the new military movements he said,“I understand. The Pass is left, rafts are being prepared; that means that he is going to cross to the north side and cut off my retreat. I must coast along the river and keep him off. If I can do that his food will run short within twenty days and that will cause a mutiny. I will travel along the south bank and attack.”

  Han Sui did not approve this plan. He quoted the military maxim to strike when troops were half over the river.“Attack from the south bank when his army is in the act of crossing and his men will be drowned in the river,” said he.

  “Uncle, your words are good,” replied Ma Ch’ao. And the spies went forth to find out the time of crossing the river.

  When Ts’ao Ts’ao’s preparations were complete and all was ready he sent three parties of soldiers over the river first. They reached the ferry at the first sign of dawn and the veterans were sent over first and lay out a camp. Ts’ao and his guard took up station on the south bank to watch the crossing.

  Very soon the sentinels reported the approach of a General dressed all in white, whom everyone knew must be Ma Ch’ao. This terrified them and they made a rush to get into the boats. The river bank became a scene of shouting men struggling who could first embark. Ts’ao Ts’ao sat watching and never stirred. He only issued orders to stop the confusion. Meanwhile the yelling of the men and the neighing of the horses of the approaching army came nearer and nearer. Suddenly a captain jumped out of one of the boats and shouted to Ts’ao.“The rebels are close! Get into a boat, O Minister.”

  ‘The rebels are near; why not?” replied Ts’ao simply to the speaker, who was Hsu Ch’u. And he turned round to look at them.

  As a fact Ma Ch’ao was very close, not a hundred paces away, and Hsu Ch’u laid hold of Ts’ao and dragged him down the bank. The boat had already pushed off and was ten feet from the bank but Hsu Ch’u took Ts’ao Ts’ao on his back and leaped on board. The boat was small and in danger of being overturned, wherefore Hsu Ch’u drew his sword and chopped away at the hands clinging to the side so that the men fell back into the water.

  The boat went down stream, Hsu Ch’u standing in the prow poling as hard as he could. His master crouched out of sight at his feet.

  When Ma Ch’ao saw the boat in mid-stream drifting down with the current he took his bow and arrows and began to shoot. He also ordered his brave captains to go along the river and shoot so that a shower of arrows fell about the boat. Hsu Ch’u fearing Ts’ao Ts’ao would be wounded, protected him with a saddle which he held over him with his left hand, for Ma Ch’ao’s shooting was not in vain. Many of the men working the boat were wounded. Some had fallen overboard, while more lay in the bottom of the boat. The boat itself got out of control and was whirled hither and thither by the current. Hsu Ch’u straddled over the tiller and tried thus to guide the boat while he poled with one hand and with the other held the protecting saddle over Ts’ao Ts’ao’s head.

  Then the Magistrate of Weinan, Ting P’ei, who from a hill top saw that Ts’ao Ts’ao was very closely pressed, nay, even in danger of his life, drove out from his camp all the cattle and horses there, so that they scattered over the hillside. This was too much for the born herdsmen of the plains. At sight of the beasts, they left the river and ran off to secure them. Nor had they any inclination to pursue their enemy.

  And so Ts’ao Ts’ao escaped. As soon as they reached the northern shore the boat was scuttled. The rumour had spread that Ts’ao Ts’ao was on the river and in danger, so all his officers came to his aid. But he was now safe on shore. Hsu Ch’u’s double armour was stuck full of arrows. His officers escorted Ts’ao Ts’ao to the camp where they made their obeisance and expressed the hope that he had not suffered seriously.

  ‘The rebels veiy nearly caught me today,” said he smiling.

  “They would have got across the river had they not been enticed away by the freeing of the cattle and horses, said Hsu Ch’u.

  “Who was it that drew them off?” said Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  Some one who knew told him. Before long the Magistrate Ting came in to pay his respects and Ts’ao Ts’ao thanked him.

  “I should have been a prisoner but for your happy thought,” said he. And the Magistrate received a rank in the army.

  “Though they have gone, yet they will assuredly return tomorrow,” said Ting Pei.“You must prepare to repel them.”

  “My preparations are all made,” was the reply.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao ordered his captains to spread themselves along the river bank and throw up mounds as shelters for camps. If they saw the enemy approaching the soldiers were to be withdrawn from behind the mounds, leaving the ensigns all flying, so as to give the impression that each camp contained a garrison. Along the river they were to dig ditches and put up sheds, thus to entice the enemy there and their men would stumble into the pits and fall easy victims.

  Ma Ch’ao returned to Han Sui and told him how he had nearly captured Ts’ao Ts’ao, but a certain bold captain had taken Ts’ao on his back and leaped with him into a boat.

  Han Sui replied,“I have heard that Ts’ao Ts’ao had a body guard of the bravest and strongest soldiers under the command of Tien Wei and Hsu Ch’u. They are called the Tiger Guards. Now as Tien Wei is dead, the man you saw must have been Hsu Ch’u. He is both brave and powerful and goes by the name of Tiger-lust. You will do well to avoid him.”

  “I know his name, too,” said Ma.

  ‘Ts’ao Ts’ao now means to attack our rear,” continued Han Sui; “let us attack first, before he can establish camps and stockades. If once he can do that it will be difficult to dislodge him.”

  “My idea is that we should hold the north bank and prevent him from crossing.”

  “Worthy nephew, keep guard here while I go along the bank of the river and fight Ts’ao Ts’ao.”

  “If you will take P’ang Te as your van-leader, I am content,” said Ma Ch’ao.

  So Han Sui and P’ang Te, with five legions, went away down to the river, while Ts’ao again warned his captains to entice the enemy. Pang Te was in advance with a goodly squadron of iron-clad horsemen and they burst along at full speed. Then there arose a confused shouting as they all went plunging into the ditches prepared for them. P’ang Te soon leaped out, gained the level ground and laid about him with all his might. He slew many men and presently got out of the thick of the fight.

  But Han Sui had also been involved and P’ang went afoot to try to aid him. On the way he met Ts’ao Jung, whom he cut down. Then mounting the dead man’s steed he rode forward fiercely, slaying as he passed. He reached his leader whom he led away southeast. The men of Ts’ao Ts’ao pursued him, but Ma Ch’ao came with reinforcements and drove them off. He rescued a great number and they continued fighting till evening when they withdrew and mustered their men. Some officers were missing and a couple of hundred men had been killed when they fell into the pits.

  Ma Ch’ao and Han Sui discussed what should next be done.“If we give the enemy time, he will make himself strong on the north bank. I think we can do no better than to raid his camp tonight.”

  “We must have a force and supports for it,” said Han Sui.

  So it was decided that Ma Ch’ao should lead the striking force with P’ang Te and Ma Tai as supports. They would start at nightfall.

  Now Ts’ao’s men were on the north bank of the Wei and he gave his captains orders, saying,“The rebels will try to surprise us as they are deceived by my not having set up stockades. You will place your men in ambush.”

  At nightfall Ma Ch’ao sent out a small scouting party, which seeing nothing, penetrated deep into the enemy’s lines. Presently the signal was given. Out leapt the hidden men and in a few moments the whole scouting party were killed. And close at hand came the main army.

  Wait for the foe all undismayed,

  Place your men in ambuscade.

  Captains striving to outvie

 
Are not beaten easily.

  Who got the advantage will presently be told.

  CHAPTER LIX

  HSU CH’U STRIPS FOR A FIGHT WITH MA CH’AO: TS’AO TS’AO WRITES A LETTER TO SOW DISSENSION

  T he fight narrated in the last chapter lasted till morn when each side drew off, Ma Ch’ao camping on the Wei River, whence he kept up harassing attacks both day and night. Ts’ao Ts’ao, also camped in the bed of the same river, began to construct three floating bridges out of his rafts and boats so as to facilitate communication with the south bank. Ts’ao Jen established a camp on the river, which he barricaded with his carts and waggons.

  Ma Ch’ao determined to destroy this camp, so his men collected straw and each man marched with a bundle and took fire with him. Han Sui’s men were to fight. While one party attacked, the other party piled up the straw, which they lit, and soon there was a fierce fire all around. The defenders could do nothing against it so they abandoned the camp and ran away. All the transport and bridges were destroyed. It was a great victory for the Hsiliang army and gave them the command of the River Wei.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was sad at the failure to make good his strong camp and fearful of his defencelessness. Then Hsun Yu proposed a mud wall. So three legions were set to build a mud rampart. The enemy seeing this harassed the workmen with perpetual attacks at different points so that the work went slowly. Beside the soil was very sandy and the wall would not stand but collapsed as fast as it was built. Ts’ao Ts’ao felt helpless.

  It was the ninth month and the fierce cold of winter was just coming on. Ominous clouds covered the sky day after day with never a break. One day as Ts’ao Ts’ao sat in his tent, very disheartened, a stranger was announced and was led in. He was an old man who said he had a suggestion to offer. He was tall, sparely built and spiritual looking. He gave his name as Lou Tzu-po and said he came from Chingchao. He was a recluse and a Taoist, his religious name being Meng-mei or “Plum-blossom Dreamer.” Ts’ao Ts’ao received him with great courtesy and presently the venerable one began,“O Minister, you have long been striving to make a camp on the river. Now is your opportunity; why not begin?”

  “The soil is too sandy to stand,” said Ts’ao. But If you have some other plan to propose, pray tell me what it is, O hermit.”

  “You are more than human, O Minister, in the art of war, and you surely know the times and seasons. It has been overcast for many days and these clouds foretell a north wind and intense cold. When the wind begins to blow you should hurry your men to carry up the earth and sprinkle it with water. By dawn your wall will be complete.”

  Ts’ao Ts’ao seized upon the suggestion. He offered his aged visitor a reward but he would receive nothing.

  That night the wind came down in full force. Every man possible was set to earth-carrying and wetting. As they had no other means of carrying water they made stuff bags which they filled with water and let out the water over the earth. And so as they piled the earth they froze it solid with water, and by dawn the wall was finished and stood firm.

  When his scouts told Ma Ch’ao that the enemy had built a wall, and he had ridden out and seen it, he was greatly perplexed and began to suspect help from the gods.

  However, very soon after he got his whole army together and sounded an attack. Ts’ao Ts’ao himself rode out of the camp, with only the redoubtable Hsu Ch’u in attendance, and advanced toward the enemy. Flourishing his whip he called out,“I, Meng-te, am here alone and I beg Ma Ch’ao to come out to parley with me.”

  Thereupon Ma Ch’ao rode out, his spear set ready to thrust.

  “You despised me because I had no wall to my camp but lo! in one single night, God has made me a wall. Do you not think it time to give in?”

  Ma Ch’ao was so enraged that he almost rushed at Ts’ao Ts’ao, but he was not too angry to notice the henchman behind him, glaring in angry fashion, who held a gleaming sword in his grip. He thought this man could be no other than Hsu Ch’u, so he determined to find out. With a flourish of his whip he said,“Where is the noble ‘Tiger Marquis’ that I hear you have in your camp?”

  At this Hsu lifted his sword and roared,“I am Hsu Ch’u of Ch’iaochun!” From his eyes shot gleams of supernatural light and his attitude was so terror-striking that Ma dared not move. He turned his steed and retired.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao and his doughty follower returned to their camp and as they two passed between the armies not a man there but felt a quiver of fear.

  ‘They know our friend Hsu Ch’u over there as Marquis Tiger,” said Ts’ao Ts’ao when he returned.

  And thereafter the soldiers all called him by that name.

  “I will capture that fellow Ma tomorrow,” said Hsu.

  “Ma Ch’ao is very bold,” said his master.“Be careful.”

  “I swear to fight him to the death,” said Hsu.

  Then he sent a written challenge to his enemy saying that the ‘Tiger Marquis” challenged Ma Ch’ao to a decisive duel on the morrow.

  Ma Ch’ao was very angry when he received the letter.“Dare he insult me so?” cried he. Then he wrote his pledge to slay, Tiger-lust on the morrow.

  Next day both armies moved out and arrayed in order of battle. Ma Ch’ao gave P’ang Te and Ma Tai command of the two wings, while Han Sui took the centre. Ma Ch’ao took up his station in front of the centre and called to Tiger-lust to come out. Ts’ao Ts’ao, who was on horseback by the standard, turned and said,“He is no less bold than Lu Pu.”

  As he spoke, Hsu Ch’u rode forth whirling his sword and the duel began. They fought over a hundred bouts and neither had the advantage. But then, their steeds being spent with galloping to and fro, each retired within his own lines and obtained a fresh mount. The contest was renewed and a hundred more encounters took place, still without victory to either.

  Suddenly Hsu Ch’u galloped back to his own side, stripped off his armour, showing his magnificent muscles and, naked as he was, leaped again into the saddle and rode out to continue the battle.

  Again the champions engaged, while both armies stood aghast. Thirty bouts more, and Hsu, summoning up all his force, plunged toward Ma with his sword held high to strike. But Ma avoided the stroke and rode in with his spear pointing directly at his opponent’s heart. Throwing down his sword, Hsu dashed aside the spear, which passed underneath his arm.

  Then ensued a struggle for the spear and Hsu by a mighty effort snapped the shaft so that each held one half. Then the duel was continued, each belabouring the other with the pieces of the broken spear.

  At this point Ts’ao Ts’ao began to fear for his champion and so ordered two of his captains to go out and take a hand. At this P’ang Te and Ma Tai gave the signal to their armoured horsemen to attack. They rode in and a melee began in which Ts’ao’s men were worsted and the great champion Hsu Ch’u received two arrow wounds in the shoulder. So the men of Ts’ao retreated to their stockade, Ma Ch’ao following them to the river. Ts’ao’s men lost more than half their number.

  Ts’ao barred his gates and allowed none to go out. Ma Ch’ao went down to the river. When he saw Han Sui he said,“I have seen some wicked fighters, but none to match that man. He is aptly nicknamed Tiger-lust.”

  Thinking that by strategy he might get the better of Ma Ch’ao, Ts’ao Ts’ao secretly sent two bodies of men across the river to take up position so that he might attack in front and rear.

  One day from his ramparts, Ts’ao Ts’ao saw Ma Ch’ao and a few horsemen ride close up to the walls and then gallop to and fro like the wind. After gazing at them for a long time be tore off his helmet and dashed it on the ground saying,“If that Ma is not killed may I never be buried!”

  Hsiahou Yuan heard him and his heart burned within him. He cried,“May I die here at once if I do not destroy that rebel!”

  Without more ado he flung open the gates and rode out with his company. Ts’ao Ts’ao tried to stop this mad rush, but it was no good, so, fearing, he might come to grief, he rode out after him. At sight of the men
of Ts’ao, Ma Ch’ao faced his men about extended them in line and, as the enemy approached, dashed forward to the attack. Then noticing Ts’ao himself among them he left Hsiahou and rode straight for Ts’ao. Panic seized Ts’ao and he rode for his life, while his men were thrown into confusion.

  It was during the pursuit of this portion of the Ts’ao army that Ma Ch’ao was told of the force on the other bank of the river. Realising the danger he abandoned the pursuit, called in his men and went to his own camp, there to consult with Han Sui.

  “What now? Ts’ao has crossed the river and we can be attacked in the rear,” said Ma.

  A certain Li K’an said,“Then you had better come to an agreement; sacrifice some territory and make peace. Then both can repose through the winter and await the changes and chances that may come with the spring warmth.”

  “He is wise,” said Han Sui,“and I advise the same.”

  But Ma Ch’ao hesitated. Others exhorted him to make peace and at length he agreed. So Yang Ch’iu and Hou Hsuan were sent as messengers of peace to the camp of Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  “You may return; I will send my reply,” said Ts’ao when they had declared the purport of their mission. And they left.

  Then Chia Yu said to Ts’ao Ts’ao,“What is your opinion, O Minister?”

  “What is yours?” asked Ts’ao.

  “War allows deceit, therefore pretend to agree. Then we can try some means of sowing suspicions between Han and Ma so that we may thereby destroy both.”

  Ts’ao clapped his hands for very joy.“That is the best idea of all! Most suitable! You and I agree in our ideas; I was just thinking of that.”

  So an answer was returned saying,“Let me gradually withdraw my soldiers and I will give back the land belonging to you on the west of the river.” And at the same time Ts’ao ordered the construction of a floating bridge to help in the withdrawl.

  When the reply arrived, Ma Ch’ao said to Han Sui,“Although he agrees to peace, yet he is evil and crafty. We must remain prepared against his machinations. Uncle, you and I will take turns in watching Ts’ao and Hsu Huang on alternate days. So shall we be safe against his treachery.”