The Three Kingdoms, Volume 2: The Sleeping Dragon: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  This reply enraged Zhang Fei. In a moment the two steeds were rushing toward each other, and the two men raised their spears. A hundred bouts were fought but neither could prevail over the other.

  “A veritable tiger of a general,” sighed Liu Bei.

  Fearing that the fight might go amiss for Zhang Fei, he sounded the gong to signal the end of the combat. And each drew off to his own side. Zhang Fei rested his steed for a time, then, casting off his helmet and wrapping a turban about his head, he mounted and rode out again to resume the fight. Ma Chao also came out, and the duel continued.

  Liu Bei, anxious for his brother’s safety, put on his armor and went down to witness the combat. Taking his position close to the scene of the battle, he watched till they had fought another hundred bouts, and then as both seemed to wax fiercer than ever, he again gave the signal to cease the fight.

  Both drew off and each returned to his own side. It was then getting late, and Liu Bei said to his brother: “You must be careful—he’s a terrible opponent. Let’s go back to the pass now and you can fight him again tomorrow.”

  But as Zhang Fei’s lust for combat burned, he refused to listen to his brother’s advice.

  “No,” he shouted, “even death will not make me go back!”

  “But it’s late—you can’t go on fighting,” said Liu Bei.

  “Let them bring torches, and we’ll have a night battle,” said Zhang Fei.

  Ma Chao having mounted a fresh steed, now rode out and shouted, “Do you dare to fight a night battle, Zhang Fei?”

  Zhang Fei, provoked to even greater excitement, hastily changed horses with his brother, and rushed forth.

  “If I do not capture you, I will not go back to the pass,” said Zhang Fei.

  “And if I do not overcome you, I will not return to the camp,” said Ma Chao.

  Both sides cheered. They lit hundreds of torches till it seemed as light as day, and the two great warriors went out to fight. At the twentieth bout Ma Chao turned his steed to go.

  “Where are you going?” shouted Zhang Fei.

  Now Ma Chao, seeing he could not win in direct combat, decided to try a ruse. By a false flight he intended to draw Zhang Fei into pursuit. Then secretly taking out a copper hammer, he suddenly turned and threw it straight at his opponent. Zhang Fei, who had been on his guard when he saw his rival taking flight, dodged just in time, and the hammer flew narrowly past his ear. Then Zhang Fei turned his horse to go back but Ma Chao came to pursue. Zhang Fei pulled up and, taking out his bow and arrow, shot at Ma Chao who also dodged, and the arrow flew by. Then each returned to his own side.

  Liu Bei rode to the front of his battle line and called out to his opponent: “Ma Chao, I believe in treating people with kindness and justice. You can withdraw and rest. I will not take advantage of your repose to pursue or attack.”

  Ma Chao, hearing these words, ordered his men to withdraw, he himself guarding the rear. Gradually his army retreated and Liu Bei also drew his army back to the pass.

  Early the next day Zhang Fei was once more going down the pass to fight when they told him that the chief advisor, Zhuge Liang, had arrived. Liu Bei went to receive him, and Zhuge Liang at once began to speak of Ma Chao.

  “He is the most terrifying warrior of the age—if he and Yi-de fight a desperate battle, one of the two will inevitably suffer. So I have left Mianzhu in the care of Zi-long and come as quickly as I can. With a little ruse I think I can bring Ma Chao over to our side.”

  “He is so brave and I do admire him,” said Liu Bei. “How can we win him over?”

  Zhuge Liang said, “Well, Ma Chao is now in the service of Zhang Lu, who greatly desires the title of Prince of Hanning. Among his subordinates there is one called Yang Song whom I know is open to bribery. We can send a person secretly to see him and bribe him with gold and silver so as to win his support. This done, we will write to Zhang Lu and tell him that your fighting with Liu Zhang for Yizhou is actually in his interest; that he should not listen to slanders against you; and that you will petition the Emperor to confer on him his coveted title. This will make him order Ma Chao to return, and when that happens I will find a means of winning him over.”

  Liu Bei accordingly wrote the letter and sent it by the hand of Sun Qian, together with gold and pearls for the greedy Yang Song. Sun Qian went by secret roads to see Yang Song, to whom he explained his mission. Greatly pleased with the gifts Yang Song quickly introduced him to his master.

  “How can Liu Bei petition the throne to confer on me the rank of prince when he is but a general himself?” asked Zhang Lu, when he understood the offer and its conditions.

  “He is an uncle of the Emperor,” said Yang Song. “He is exactly the right person to present such a memorial.”

  Zhang Lu assented. He sent a messenger to tell Ma Chao to cease fighting. In the meantime, Sun Qian remained at Yang Song’s house, waiting for further news. Before long, the messenger came back with a reply from Ma Chao saying that he could not cease fighting since he had not yet triumphed. A second, and then a third, messenger was sent, but returned with a similar response.

  “This Ma Chao is untrustworthy,” said Yang Song. “His unwillingness to withdraw can only mean he wants to rebel.”

  Then Yang Song began to set a rumor afloat that Ma Chao desired to establish himself as the ruler of the west so as to avenge the death of his father, and would no longer be content with a subordinate rank. The false rumor came to the ear of Zhang Lu, who again turned to Yang Song for advice.

  Yang Song said, “You can take two measures. On the one hand, send someone to tell Ma Chao that if he wants to fight on, you will allow him a month on the condition that he accomplish three things within that period: the capture of Yizhou, the head of Liu Zhang, and the repulse of Liu Bei’s troops. If he can do all these he will be rewarded. Otherwise he will be put to death. On the other hand, you must strengthen the defense at various passes and cities to guard against his possible rebellion.”

  Zhang Lu took his advice and hence a messenger was sent to declare the three conditions to Ma Chao.

  Ma Chao was greatly shocked. “How come things change so quickly?” he said in distress.

  He discussed the matter with his cousin, Ma Dai, and the two decided to suspend fighting and withdraw. Hearing this, Yang Song started another rumor that Ma Chao’s return with an army meant rebellion. Hence all the strategic points on the homeward road were closely guarded to deny him entrance. Thus Ma Chao, unable either to fight or to retreat, could see no way out of his plight.

  At this moment Zhuge Liang said to his lord, “Now Ma Chao is in a fix. I am going to his camp, and with my three-inch-long tongue, I will persuade him to come over to our side.”

  “But I do not like you to run such a risk. You are my most trusted advisor—if anything happened to you, what should I do?”

  Zhuge Liang, however, was set upon going but Liu Bei persistently refused. At this juncture it was announced that Zhao Yun had sent a letter by the hand of someone who wished to yield to Liu Bei. The man turned out to be Li Hui of Jianning, who had formerly advised Liu Zhang not to let Liu Bei enter the west.

  “You once pleaded with your master to keep me out—why do you want to join me now?”

  “As the saying goes, the prudent bird chooses the branch to perch and the wise man his master to serve. I did attempt to dissuade my old master from a course which I felt to be disastrous, and thereby fulfilled my duty as his servant. He rejected my counsel and I knew he would fail. Your kindness and virtue is known to all the province, and I know success must be yours. That is why I wish to serve under your banner.”

  “Your service will surely be of great benefit to me, sir,” said Liu Bei.

  Then Li Hui began to talk of Ma Chao. “I met him once in Longxi. He is now in great straits, and I may be able to talk him over. What do you say?”

  “Just the man to go on my behalf,” interjected Zhuge Liang. “But what arguments will you use?”

/>   Li Hui leaned over and whispered something in his ear. What he said seemed to please Zhuge Liang mightily, and he was sent on the mission.

  Arriving at the camp, Li Hui sent in his name, at which Ma Chao remarked, “Yes, I know him. A glib and specious talker. I know why he has come, too.”

  So he placed a score of armed guards in hiding about his tent and told them to cut the visitor to pieces if the signal was given.

  A moment later the guest walked in proudly. His host, remaining seated stiff and upright, asked roughly, “Why are you here?”

  “Especially to talk you round.”

  “This sword here in my scabbard is newly sharpened. You may go ahead with your persuasion, but if the words cannot convince me I will ask you to try my sword.”

  Li Hui smiled, saying, “General, danger is not far off. I am afraid your newly-ground sword will not be tried on my head, but on your own.”

  “What danger could there be for me?”

  “I was told that the worst vilification could not hide the beauty of Xishi* nor could the most fulsome flattery smooth over the ugliness of Wu yan.† When the sun rises to the mid-sky it declines westward; and when the moon waxes to the full it wanes. All things obey the law. Now, sir, you are at enmity with Cao Cao for your father’s death, and in teeth-grinding hatred with Longxi for the loss of your family. You can neither rescue Liu Zhang by repulsing the army from Jingzhou, nor can you subdue Yang Song to seek an interview with Zhang Lu. Large as the world is, you can find no place for shelter nor a lord to serve—and if you experience further defeats, like that one on the Wei River, or the loss of Jicheng, will you be able to look any man in the face?”

  Ma Chao bowed his head. “You are absolutely right. I am helpless.”

  “If you think my words are reasonable, why do you place those fearsome guards hiding in your tent?” asked Li Hui.

  Ma Chao, ashamed, ordered them to retire. Li Hui continued his speech: “Liu Bei, the uncle of the Emperor, is affable to his subordinates. I am certain he will succeed and so I have forsaken Liu Zhang to cling to him. Your honored father once joined him in denouncing Cao Cao. Why don’t you abandon darkness for light? You can avenge your father as well as make a name for yourself.”

  Ma Chao, convinced of the wisdom of the course thus recommended, sent for Yang Bo, brother of the slanderous Yang Song, and slew him at once. Taking with him the head of his victim, he accompanied Li Hui to Jiameng Pass and tendered his submission. Liu Bei welcomed him warmly and treated him as a highly honored guest.

  Ma Chao bowed his head and said, “Meeting you, my lord, is like dispersing the clouds to see the clear sky.”

  By that time Sun Qian had also returned from his mission in Hanzhong.

  Leaving the pass in the care of Meng Da and his comrade, Liu Bei returned with his army back to Mianzhu, from where he would proceed to take Chengdu. At this time two Shu officers came to oppose Liu Bei, and Zhao Yun volunteered to go out against them. Liu Bei, in the meantime, was getting a banquet ready to entertain Ma Chao. Before it even started, Zhao Yun had slew both his opponents and brought their heads to the banqueting chamber. This exploit surprised Ma Chao and doubled his respect for his new master.

  “My lord, there is no need for you to fight,” said Ma Chao. “I will make Liu Zhang surrender of his own accord. Should he resist, my cousin and I will seize the city of Chengdu and offer it to you.”

  Liu Bei was very pleased with this pledge and the day passed in rejoicing. But his kinsman Liu Zhang was greatly distressed at the news of his fresh misfortune, which reached him with the return of his defeated soldiers. He barred the gates and stopped all exits. Before long came news of the approach of Ma Chao with an army of relief. Only then did he venture to mount the walls. Looking down he saw Ma Chao and Ma Dai standing below the ramparts. Ma Chao called out, “I wish to speak with Liu Zhang.”

  Then Liu Zhang showed himself, and Ma Chao plunged into the matter without further ado. “When I took command of Zhang Lu’s army I meant to rescue you,” he said, flourishing his whip. “But little did I expect that he would listen to the malicious tongue of Yang Song and want to slay me. I have now gone over to the side of Liu Bei, the Emperor’s uncle. I advise you, sir, to do the same and hand over your land. Thus you and your people will all escape harm. If you persist in stubborn resistance I will take the city first.”

  His words came as a severe shock, and Liu Zhang, turning ashen with anguish, collapsed. When he came to he said, “I was stupid and it is too late to regret. Better open the gate and surrender so as to save all the people in the city.”

  “No, no,” cried Dong He. “There are still 30,000 good soldiers in the city and ample money and supplies to sustain a year. There is no reason why we should submit now.”

  But Liu Zhang was heartbroken. “My father and I have ruled here for more than twenty years and have done no particular good for the people. During the past three years of war the land was stained with the blood of my people and the fault was all mine. I could not bear it, and so I see no better way than to surrender, so that I may finally bring peace to the people.”

  All those who heard him wept. Suddenly one man said, “Your words, my lord, correspond to the will of Heaven.”

  Turning toward him they recognized him to be Qiao Zhou, who had the reputation of being an astrologer. Liu Zhang asked him for the reason and he replied, “I have studied the aspect of the heavens and found a multitude of stars gathering over our region, one of which shone as bright as the full moon, clearly a star for an emperor. And I recall a street urchin’s chant last year: ‘When comes the ruler from the east; then may you have new rice to eat.’ This is a presage. None can withstand the decree of the Most High.”

  Huang Quan and another official were so angry at such a speech that they wanted to put the astrologer to death. But Liu Zhang checked them.

  Next came news that the prefect of the metropolitan district had gone over to the invaders. This was the last straw. Liu Zhang went home weeping.

  The next day he was told that Liu Bei’s envoy Jian Yong was calling at the city gate. He told the guards to open the gate and admit him. Jian Yong entered, riding in a carriage and looking about him most haughtily. Suddenly he was hailed from the street by a man with a sword in his hand, who cried, “You insolent wretch! You have got your wish and you behave as if there is no one to compare with you. How dare you look so contemptuously at we men of Shu?”

  Jian Yong quickly got out of his carriage to greet the speaker, who was a man of Mianzhu named Qin Mi.

  “Worthy brother,” he said. “I didn’t recognize you. Please don’t be angry.”

  Both men then went to see Liu Zhang, to whom Jian Yong said that his master, Liu Bei, being generous and broadminded, had no intention of harming him. Liu Zhang was persuaded and at last made up his mind to give up resistance. So he treated Jian Yong very honorably that day. And the next day, taking his seal and insignia of office and his archives, he went out of the city in the same carriage with Jian Yong to Liu Bei’s camp. Liu Bei came out in person to receive him. Taking Liu Zhang by the hand, he wept, saying, “It is not that I wish to act so unrighteously, but I am forced by circumstances and cannot help it.”

  They entered the camp together, where the seal of office and the documents changed hands. Afterwards, they rode into the city side by side. The people gave Liu Bei a cordial welcome, opening their doors and burning incense. The victor went to the official assembly hall, where he took his seat and was saluted by all the former subordinates of Liu Zhang, except Huang Quan and Liu Ba, who stayed away from the ceremony. This annoyed Liu Bei’s officers, who wished to go and kill the two disobedient men. Liu Bei hastened to issue an order, threatening severe punishment to anyone who tried to harm these two. Then he went to visit the two recalcitrants. Moved by this gesture, both agreed to enter Liu Bei’s service.

  Zhuge Liang said, “Since we have vanquished all opposition in the land I suggest we remove Liu Zhang to Jingzho
u—for there cannot be two rulers in the same place.”

  “But I do not wish to exile him,” said Liu Bei.

  “He lost his territory because of his weakness. If you cling to the effemi-nate virtue of mercy and hesitate before matters of importance, neither will you hold this land for long.”

  Seeing his advice was wise, Liu Bei gave a great banquet at which he asked Liu Zhang to pack up his belongings and move to Jingzhou, together with his family and servants. He gave the deposed ruler of the west country the title of General of High Prestige. Thus Liu Zhang and his followers were sent away without delay to the south.

  In the meantime, Liu Bei assumed the office of Governor of Yizhou. All the civil and military officials who had surrendered were well-rewarded. Yan Yan was given a high rank in the army. Fa Zheng became Prefect of the District of Shu. Several others whose positions had been prominent in the former administration, including Huang Quan and Liu Ba, were also given high ranks and fine titles, while officials to the number of three score or more were appointed new offices.

  Naturally, honors were distributed generously to Liu Bei’s immediate helpers, to whose efforts he owed his victory. Zhuge Liang became Chief Military Counselor of the Forces; his brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were each created a general with a specially honorable title and a marquisdom; Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, and Ma Chao were all conferred the rank of general with meritorious titles. All the others, including those who had been guarding Jingzhou and Xiangyang, received promotions and rewards.

  In addition, a special gift of five hundred catties of gold, a thousand catties of silver, a large amount of copper money, and a thousand rolls of Shu silk, was sent to Guan Yu in Jingzhou. And all the other men were given varied gifts according to their ranks. Huge numbers of oxen and horses were slaughtered to feast the army and granaries were opened to give grain to the civilians. There was great rejoicing for both the soldiers and the common folk.

  Yizhou being settled, Liu Bei next desired to confiscate the famous estates in the capital city and divide them among his officers. But here Zhao Yun pointed out to him that the local people, after years of war, had lost a great deal of their property and that it would be wise policy to return the estates to the people and let them settle back in to their original occupations as soon as possible.