The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  When the two armies had drawn up opposite each other, Liu Bei, with his two brothers, one on each side, rode to the front, and flashing his whip, began to hurl reproaches at the rebels and called upon them to surrender. Furious, the rebel leader sent out his chief officer to begin the battle. Zhang Fei at once rode forward, his long spear poised to strike. One thrust and the man rolled off his horse, pierced through the heart. At this the leader himself whipped up his steed and rode forth, his sword raised high, ready to slay Zhang Fei. Immediately, out rushed Guan Yu, swinging his heavy weapon. At the sight of this the rebel leader was seized with fear and before he could collect his wits, the great sword fell, cutting him down from his horse.

  Of this day, a poet wrote the following words:

  Two heroes new to war’s alarms,

  Ride boldly forth to try their arms.

  Their valiant deeds three kingdoms tell

  And poets sing how these befell.

  Seeing that their chief was slain, the rebels threw down their weapons and fled. The regular soldiers dashed in among them. Many thousands surrendered and the victory was complete. Liu Bei and his army returned to town in great triumph. The prefect himself came out to welcome the returning warriors and distribute rewards among officers and men. Thus this part of the rebellion was broken up.

  However, the next day, a letter came from the Prefect of Qingzhou, saying that the city, besieged by rebel forces, was near falling and help was urgently needed. When Liu Yan consulted Liu Bei on the matter, the latter said, “I will go and rescue them.” So Liu Yan told Zou Jing to take 5,000 soldiers and set out for Qingzhou with Liu Bei and his two brothers. Seeing the army approaching, the rebels at once sent out part of their forces to oppose them. Being smaller in number, Liu Bei’s army could not prevail and had to retreat some thirty li,* where they made a camp.

  “They are many but we are few,” said Liu Bei to his two brothers. “We can only win by a superior strategy.”

  So he prepared an ambush. He told his two brothers to take a thousand men each and hide behind the hills right and left. At the sound of the gongs they were to move out to aid the main army.

  The following day, Liu Bei and Zou Jing advanced with the remaining 3,000 soldiers amid the sound of the beating drums. When the rebels came forward to fight, Liu Bei suddenly retreated. Thinking this was their chance, the rebels pressed forward. But as soon as they were led over the hills, the gongs sounded and the two armies that had been lying in ambush rushed out from the flanks, and the main army also turned around to face the rebels. Attacked on three sides, the rebels lost heavily and were driven to the gate of the city, where they were further attacked by local forces, for the prefect also led out his soldiers to assist in the battle. The rebels were comprehensively defeated and many were slain. So the siege of Qingzhou was lifted at last.

  Tho’ fierce as tigers soldiers be,

  Battles are won by strategy.

  A hero comes; he gains renown,

  Already destined for a crown.

  After the celebrations in honor of the victory were over, Zou Jing proposed to return home, but Liu Bei preferred to go to the aid of his old master Lu Zhi, then struggling with a large number of rebels led by Zhang Jue. So they separated and the three brothers with their troops made their way to Guangzong. When they got there they were taken to see Lu Zhi in his camp. The general received them with great warmth when he learned about the reason of their coming, and asked them to remain with him in the camp while he deployed troops.

  The rebel forces were then three times greater in number than the imperial army (150,000 against 50,000). So far they had been drawn up against each other in the place, with no significant victory on either side. “I am surrounding the rebels here,” said Lu Zhi to Liu Bei, “but Zhang Jue’s two brothers, Liang and Bao, are opposing Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun at Yingchuan. I will give you a thousand more men, and with these you can go and find out what is happening there so that we can settle on a date for joint action.”

  So Liu Bei and his men set out at once on a quick march to Yingchuan. At that time the imperial troops led by Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were attacking with success and the rebels had withdrawn to Changshe, where they pitched camp by the thick grass. Seeing this, Huangfu Song decided to attack them by fire. So he ordered every soldier to prepare a bundle of dry grass and lie in ambush. That night a strong wind suddenly rose and just after midnight a blaze was started and the rebels were attacked. Fed by the strong wind, the flames went high into the sky. The rebels were thrown into utter confusion. There was no time for them to saddle horses or don armor and they fled in all directions. The battle continued till dawn. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, with what was left of their men managed to find a way of escape. Suddenly, however, a troop of soldiers with red banners confronted them and blocked their way. The leader was a man of medium stature with small eyes and a long beard whose name was Cao Cao, or more commonly, Cao Meng-de. He was from Qiaojun in Peiguo* holding the rank of an officer in the imperial army. His father was Cao Song, who had changed his family name from Xiahou to Cao because he was adopted by the eunuch Cao Teng. When Cao Cao was a child, he was also given the affectionate names of Ah-man and Ji-li.

  As a young man Cao Cao had been fond of hunting and traveling, and delighted in songs and dances. He was resourceful and full of guile. Dissatisfied with the young man’s idleness, his uncle used to get angry with him and told his father Cao Song of his misbehavior. As a result, he would be reproached by his father.

  But the youth was equal to the occasion. One day, seeing his uncle coming, he dropped to the ground, pretending to be seized by a fit. Alarmed, the uncle ran to tell the young man’s father, but when the latter hurried to Cao Cao’s side, he found the youth in perfect health.

  “Your uncle said you were in a fit. Are you better now?”

  “I never have such illness,” answered Cao Cao. “But I have lost my uncle’s affection so he always speaks evil of me.” From then on, whatever the uncle might say of his faults, his father paid no attention. So the young man grew up self-willed and uncontrolled.

  At that time a certain man called Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao: “Rebellion is at hand and only a man of the greatest ability can restore tranquillity to the land. That man is you.”

  Another person from Nanyang said this of him: “The House of Han is about to fall. He who can bring peace back to the people is none other than this man.”

  To inquire about his future, Cao Cao went to see a wise man in Runan.

  “What manner of man am I?” he asked. The seer made no reply. When Cao Cao put the question again, he replied, “You are capable enough to rule the world but wicked enough to bring trouble to it.” Hearing this Cao Cao was extremely pleased.

  At twenty he was recommended to be an official and he began his career in a district near Luoyang. As soon as he arrived at his post, he had clubs of various sorts hung up at the four gates of the city. Any breach of the law would be met with severe punishment, whatever the rank of the offender. One night, an uncle of a powerful eunuch was found walking in the street with a sword and was arrested. In due course the man was beaten. After that, no one dared to defy the law and Cao Cao’s name began to spread. Later he became a magistrate.

  At the outbreak of the rebellion he was created an officer and was given command of 5,000 soldiers to help fight at Yingchuan. He just happened to come across the newly defeated rebels, whom he cut to pieces. Many thousands were slain and countless banners, drums, and horses were captured. However, the two rebel leaders put up a desperate struggle and managed to get away. After an interview with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, Cao Cao went in pursuit of the rebels again.

  We return now to Liu Bei and his two sworn brothers. On arriving at Yingchuan, they heard the din of battle and saw flames rising high toward the sky. They hastened to the spot but were too late for the fighting. So they went to see the two generals to inform them of Lu Zhi’s intention.

  “Zhang Liang and Zh
ang Bao have little strength left,” said the two generals, “but they will surely make for Guangzong to join Zhang Jue. You’d better hurry back to help Lu Zhi.”

  The three brothers retraced their steps. Halfway on their journey they saw a group of soldiers escorting a prisoner in a cage-cart. When they drew near, they found to their great surprise that the prisoner was none other than Lu Zhi. Hastily dismounting, Liu Bei asked him what had happened. Lu Zhi explained, “I had surrounded Zhang Jue’s troops and was on the verge of smashing them when he employed some of his supernatural tricks and I was prevented from winning an immediate victory. The Emperor sent down a eunuch to investigate my failure and that official demanded a bribe. I told him that the army did not even have enough grain to feed itself and asked him where, in the circumstance, I could find extra money for him. In resentment he reported to the Emperor that I was hiding behind my ramparts and would not give battle, and accused me of disheartening my men. Infuriated, the Emperor gave orders that I was to be taken to the capital to answer the charge and my army was to be commanded by a man called Dong Zhuo.”

  This story put Zhang Fei into a rage. He held up his long spear and was about to slay the escorting soldiers to free Lu Zhi when his eldest brother checked him.

  “The government will take the proper course,” he said. “You mustn’t act too rashly.” Then the soldiers took Lu Zhi away.

  It was pointless to continue their journey. So Guan Yu proposed to go back to their hometown. Liu Bei agreed and they retook the road toward the north. They had not been two days on the road when they heard the thunder of battle behind some hills. Hastening to the top of a mound they saw the imperial soldiers suffering great loss and chasing after them were a whole army of Yellow Turbans, swarming from all around the place. On their banners were the words “General of Heaven” written in big characters.

  “That’s Zhang Jue,” said Liu Bei. “Let’s attack him, quick!” And they galloped down with their men to join in the battle.

  Zhang Jue had defeated Dong Zhuo and was following up his victory, in hot pursuit of his retreating enemy, but the three brothers charged into his army, throwing his ranks into great confusion and driving him back some fifty li or more. The three of them rescued Dong Zhuo and returned with him to his camp.

  “What offices do you hold now?” asked Dong Zhuo, when he had leisure to speak to the three brothers.

  “None,” replied Liu Bei. Dong Zhuo was contemptuous of them and brushed them aside with disrespect. Liu Bei retired quietly to the outside but Zhang Fei was furious.

  “We’ve just rescued this wretch in a bloody fight,” he cried, “and now he’s so rude to us! Nothing but his death can slake my anger!”

  So saying he took his sword and was all set to dash into the tent and slay the insulter.

  As it was in old times so it is now,

  True heroes may not to snobs be known.

  A blessing it’ll be if Zhang Fei the bold

  Could slay all the ungrateful in the world.

  Whether Dong Zhuo would be slain or not will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * 841–256 B.C.

  † 221–206 B.C.

  ‡ Headed by Xiang Yu (232–202 B.C.) who, though more powerful in military strength, was defeated by his rival Liu Bang of Han.

  § Headed by Liu Bang (256–195 B.C.) who established Han Dynasty, composed of West Han (206 B.C.–A.D. 8) and East Han (A.D. 25–220).

  ¶ Guang Wu (6 B.C.–A.D. 57), founder of East Han Dynasty, who restored the rule of Han after destroying the usurper Wang Mang (45 B.C.–A.D. 23).

  ** Referring to the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu (Han), and Wu, reigning from A.D. 220–280.

  * A place near modern Beijing.

  * One jin equals half a kilogram.

  * One li equals half a kilometer.

  * A place in modern Anhui in East China.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Zhang Fei Thrashes the Inspector in Wrath

  He Jin Plots to Kill the Eunuchs in Secret

  Now this Dong Zhuo, also known as Dong Zhong-ying, was from Lintao in northwest China. An arrogant man by nature, he held the official rank of Prefect of Hedong. But that day his disrespectful manner toward the three brothers had angered Zhang Fei so much that he wanted to kill him.

  “Remember he’s a government official,” said Liu Bei and Guan Yu, checking him hastily. “We’ve no right to slay him.”

  “It’s bitter to take orders from such a wretch—I’d rather slay him,” roared Zhang Fei. “You can stay here if you want but I’ll seek some other place.”

  “We three are one in life and death, there is no parting for us,” said Liu Bei. “We’ll all go, then.”

  This put Zhang Fei in a better mood, and they decided to go back to Zhu Jun’s place. They set out and lost no time in traveling till they came to Zhu Jun, who received them well and accepted their aid in attacking Zhang Bao.

  At this time Cao Cao had joined Huangfu Song in fighting against Zhang Liang and a fierce battle was fought at Quyang. In the meantime, Zhu Jun was ready to attack Zhang Bao who had mustered an army of about 80–90,000 men positioned behind some hills. Liu Bei was made to be leader of the vanguard to confront the rebels. When the two armies were drawn facing each other, a subordinate officer from the rebels’ side came out to offer battle. Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei to smite him. Zhang Fei rode out at full speed, his spear ready to strike. After a few bouts he pierced his opponent, who fell from his horse. At this Liu Bei led his army to press forward. But just then, Zhang Bao, while still mounted, loosened his hair, held up his sword and uttered incantations. All of a sudden the wind began to howl and the thunder to roll. A dense black cloud from the sky settled upon the ground and an innumerable number of horsemen and footmen seemed to rush out of the cloud, charging at the imperial troops. Liu Bei immediately turned back but the soldiers were already scared and they returned defeated.

  Liu Bei reported the matter to Zhu Jun, who said, “So he uses black magic. Tomorrow I will prepare the blood of slaughtered hogs, goats, and dogs as a counter magic.* Tell the soldiers to hide themselves at the hilltops, and when they see the enemies approach, sprinkle this blood over them. Then the black magic will lose its power.”

  Following Zhu Jun’s order, Liu Bei gave his two brothers a thousand men each and told them to get ready a plentiful supply of the blood of hogs, goats, and dogs and all kinds of filthy things and hide themselves on the high ground behind some hills. The next day, when the rebels with fluttering banners and beating drums came out to challenge, Liu Bei rode forth to meet them. While the two armies were fighting, again Zhang Bao resorted to black magic and again there were high winds and loud thunder. Sand and stones were swept up and flew through the air. Black masses of vapor filled the sky and numerous troops descended from on high. Liu Bei turned, as before, to flee and Zhang Bao followed in hot pursuit. But just as the rebels were passing through the hills, trumpets sounded and the ambushed soldiers threw down filth and showered blood. Then the masses of troops in the air fluttered to the ground, revealing themselves as paper men and straw horses. At once the wind abated, the thunder ceased to roll, the sand sank, and the stones lay still on the ground.

  Seeing that his magic had been countered, Zhang Bao quickly turned to retreat. But, attacked on the flanks by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and in the rear by Liu Bei and Zhu Jun, his army was completely routed. Liu Bei, seeing from afar the banner bearing the title of “General of Earth”, galloped toward it at full speed. Scared, Zhang Bao picked a side path and fled. Then Liu Bei shot an arrow, wounding Zhang Bao in the left arm. However, he still managed to get away into the city of Yangcheng, where he fortified himself and would not come out to fight.

  Zhu Jun laid a siege outside the city. At the same time he sent out scouts to get news of Huangfu Song. The scouts returned with the following report: “Huangfu Song had won great victories and was given the command of Dong Zhuo’s army by the Emperor because Dong Zhuo h
ad suffered many defeats. When Huangfu Song arrived at Guangzong, Zhang Jue had already died and his brother Zhang Liang had added Jiao’s army to his own in a vain attempt to confront the imperial troops. Huangfu Song had won seven successive victories and Zhang Liang was slain at Quyang. Beside this, Zhang Jue had been exhumed, the corpse beheaded and the head, after exposure, had been sent to the capital. For these services Huangfu Song had been promoted to the rank of General of Carriage and Cavalry and now ruled the prefecture of Jizhou. Then he presented a memorial to the Emperor concerning the case of Lu Zhi, who was restored to his former rank after the Emperor learned that he had committed no crime but had rendered good service. Cao Cao, too, had received advancement for his services and would soon return from the front and go to his new post at Jinan.”

  After hearing these reports, Zhu Jun pressed even harder on the city of Yangcheng, putting the rebels in a desperate situation. Then one of Zhang Bao’s officers killed the rebel leader and brought his head as a token of submission. So Zhu Jun was able to wipe out rebellion in that part of the country and a report was sent to the Emperor to announce the victory.

  However, the embers still smoldered. Three remaining members of the Yellow Turban rebellion—Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, and Sun Zhong—again gathered an army of tens of thousands of men. They burned and looted as they went, calling themselves avengers of Zhang Jue. Zhu Jun was commanded to lead his victorious troops to destroy them.

  So he at once set out toward Wancheng, which had fallen into the hands of the rebels. When he arrived, the rebels sent Han Zhong to oppose him. Zhu Jun asked Liu Bei and his two brothers to attack the city from the southwest. Han Zhong immediately rushed to the scene with the best of his men to confront them. Meanwhile, the general himself led 2,000 armored horsemen to attack it from the opposite direction. Afraid that the city might be lost, the rebels abandoned the southwest and turned back. Liu Bei pressed hotly in their rear, defeating them completely. The rebels took refuge behind the high walls of the city, which was surrounded on all sides by the imperial forces. Famine soon followed and in desperation the rebel leader sent out a messenger to offer surrender, but the offer was turned down by the general.