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

by Luo Guanzhong

  “Very good,” agreed Chen Gong.

  So they rode up to the farmhouse and dismounted at the gate. Then they went in to see the host.

  “I hear they have sent stringent orders everywhere to arrest you. Your father has gone into hiding in Chenliu. How did you manage to come here?” asked the uncle.

  Cao Cao told him what had happened and said, “If not for the magistrate, I would have been hacked to pieces by now.”

  Lu Bo-she bowed low to the magistrate and said, “Thank you so much for saving my nephew and the Cao family. Without your help the entire household would be exterminated. But rest at ease now. You can spend the night in my humble cottage.”

  He then rose and went to the inner chamber. After a long while, he came out and said to the former magistrate: “There is no good wine in the house. I’m going to get some for you in the West Village.” And he hastily mounted his donkey and rode away.

  The two fugitives sat for a long time. Suddenly they heard the sound of the sharpening of a knife coming from the back of the house.

  Cao Cao said, “He’s not my real uncle. I begin to doubt his reasons for going off. Let’s go inside and listen.”

  So they quietly stepped into the back of the cottage. Soon they heard someone inside saying, “Bind first, then kill, eh?”

  “As I thought,” said Cao Cao, “unless we strike first we will be taken.”

  They burst into the room, swords in hand, and slew everyone they saw, male and female, eight persons in all. After this they searched the house. When they came to the kitchen they found a pig bound ready to be slaughtered.

  “You are too suspicious,” said the former magistrate. “We have killed honest folk.”

  They at once mounted and rode away in a great hurry. But presently they met their host coming home with two vessels of wine hanging down from the saddle and fruit and vegetables in his hands.

  “Why are you leaving so soon?” asked the old man.

  “Condemned people dare not linger,” said Cao Cao.

  “But I have told my folk to kill a pig. Why do you refuse to spend just one night here? Please ride back with me.”

  Cao Cao paid no attention but urged his horse forward. Suddenly, however, he drew his sword and rode after the old man.

  “Who is that coming along?” he called out to his uncle.

  The old man turned back to look and at the same instant Cao Cao cut him down from his donkey.

  His companion was shocked. “You were wrong enough before,” he cried. “What now is this?”

  “When he got home and saw his family killed, do you think he would let the matter drop? If he should raise an alarm and chase after us, we would certainly be in danger.”

  “To kill deliberately is very wrong,” said Chen Gong.

  “I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me,” was Cao Cao’s reply.

  Chen Gong could say nothing. They rode on in silence for several li by the moonlight and then knocked on the door of a village inn for shelter.

  After feeding the horses, Cao Cao went to sleep first but his companion sat thinking.

  “I took him for a true man and left all to follow him, but he is actually as vicious as a wolf. If I spare him today, he will surely be the cause of trouble later.” And he drew his sword, intending to kill Cao Cao.

  With a heart full of vice he is not a true man,

  In no way does he differ from his foe Dong Zhuo.

  The fate of Cao Cao will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * Feudal code of behavior that requires officials to obey their king, sons to obey their father, and wives to obey their husbands.

  † An official carries this in his hands at court for writing things on.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Many Lords Respond to Cao Cao’s Call Against Dong Zhuo

  The Three Brothers Fight with Lu Bu in the Battle at Tigertrap Pass

  At the end of the last chapter Chen Gong was about to slay Cao Cao. But the memory of why he had decided to throw in his lot with his companion’s stayed his hand. He put the sword back into the sheath and, without waiting for daybreak, rode off toward his own home-town in the east. Cao Cao awoke at daybreak and missed his companion. He thought to himself, “He thinks me brutal because of a couple of egoistic phrases I used and so he has gone. I must also push on and not linger here.”

  So he traveled as quickly as possible toward home. When he saw his father he related to him what had happened and said that he wanted to dispose of all their property and enlist soldiers with the money.

  “Our possessions are but small,” said his father, “and not enough to do anything with. However, there’s a scholar here by the name of Wei Hong, careless of wealth but careful of virtue, whose family is very rich. With his help we might hope for success.”

  Following his father’s advice, Cao Cao invited the rich man to a feast at his home. At the feast, Cao Cao said to his guest, “The Hans have no lord of their own and Dong Zhuo is really a tyrant. He disregards the Emperor and persecutes the people, who gnash their teeth in hatred. I would restore the Hans but my means are insufficient. You are a man of loyalty and justice, sir, may I appeal to you for help?”

  To this, his guest replied: “I have for so long desired this but so far have not found a man fit to undertake the task. Now that you, Meng-de, have so noble a desire, I am willing to devote my property to your cause.”

  This was really joyful news for Cao Cao. So the call to arms was prepared and sent far and near. Then he established a corp of volunteers and set up a large, white banner inscribed with the words “Loyalty and Justice.” The response was rapid and volunteers came like rain drops in number.

  Two of these volunteers were Yue Jin and Li Dian, who were both appointed to Cao Cao’s personal staff. Another man called Xiahou Dun was descended from a notable general’s family and had been trained from his boyhood to use the spear and the club. When only fourteen he had been attached to a certain master-in-arms. One day when someone spoke dis-respectfully of his master, he killed the man and had to live in exile for some years. On hearing of Cao Cao’s actions he came to give service, accompanied by his cousin Xiahou Yuan, each bringing a thousand or so valiant young men. In fact, these two were Cao Cao’s cousins, since his father was originally of the Xiahou family and had become a member of the Cao family only by adoption.

  Several days later, two young men from the Cao family, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, also came to assist, each accompanied by a thousand soldiers. As the two Cao brothers were accomplished horsemen and trained in the use of arms, they were asked to drill the troops in the village ground. Clothing, armor, flags, and banners were purchased with the money donated by the generous Wei Hong. Numerous people from all sides also poured in to give grain to the army.

  When Yuan Shao received the call to arms, he left his prefecture of Bohai with all his advisors and officers as well as 30,000 soldiers to form an alliance with Cao Cao. Then Cao Cao issued a denunciation of Dong Zhuo, which ran as follows:

  We, Cao Cao and associates, moved by a high sense of justice, now proclaim to the world: The arch-devil Dong Zhuo defies Heaven and Earth. He has destroyed the empire and slain the Emperor. He pollutes the palace and persecutes the people. Being cruel, vicious, and greedy, he has committed heinous crime upon crime. Now we have received a secret edict from the new Emperor to mobilize soldiers of justice. We vow to cleanse the empire and wipe out all the malicious elements. We hope you will raise a voluntary army. Let us join our forces in an effort to avenge the public wrong, maintain the dynasty, and succor the people. Respond immediately when you receive this.”

  Soon, response came from seventeen lords of various regions, including Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, Bao Xin, and Sun Jian. All of them led their subordinates, civil and military, and an armed force of about 30,000 soldiers on a journey to the capital Luoyang.

  Now Gongsun Zan, Prefect of Beiping,* was on his way to the capital with his
force of 15,000 veteran soldiers. While passing through the city of Pingyuan he saw among the mulberry trees in the distance a yellow banner under which rode a small group of people. When they drew near, he found the leader was Liu Bei.

  “Why are you here, my good brother?” asked the general.

  “I am magistrate of this district. It was on your recommendation that I got this post. I hear that you and your army are passing through, so I have come specially to invite you to take a rest inside the city.”

  “Who are these two?” asked the general, pointing to Liu Bei’s two brothers.

  “They are Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, my sworn brothers,” answered Liu Bei.

  “Were they the people who fought with you against the Yellow Turban rebels?”

  “Yes. I owe all my successes to their efforts,” said Liu Bei.

  “And what offices do they fill?”

  “Guan Yu is a mounted archer and Zhang Fei, a foot archer.”

  “How sad to waste the talents of real heroes like this!” sighed the general. Then he continued, “Now Dong Zhuo is stirring up trouble and all the lords in the country are uniting to destroy him. I suggest you abandon this petty office and join us in our fight against Dong Zhuo for the restoration of the House of Han. What do you think of this?”

  “I would like to go with you,” said Liu Bei.

  “If you’d let me kill that fellow at that time, you wouldn’t have the trouble today,” said Zhang Fei.

  “Well, what’s the use of talking about that? Let’s just pack and go,” said Guan Yu.

  So the three brothers, with a few horsemen as their escort, followed Gongsun Zan to the capital, where they were received by Cao Cao. One after another all the other lords also came and set up their camps which extended over 200 li and more. When all had arrived, Cao Cao, as the organizer, prepared sacrificial bullocks and horses and invited all the lords to a great assembly to discuss their plan of attack.

  Prefect Wang Kuang of Henei said: “We have assembled here to uphold justice. We must first elect a leader and bind ourselves to obedience to him. Then can we start the battle against our enemy.”

  Cao Cao continued, “For four generations the Yuan family have held highest offices in the government and their former subordinates are everywhere. As a descendant of notable ministers of Han, Yuan Shao is a suitable man to be our leader.”

  Yuan Shao again and again declined this honor. But all those present said, “It must be you. There is no one else.” Finally he agreed.

  The next day, a three-storied altar was erected and all around it were planted banners inscribed with the five characters meaning east, south, west, north, and center. They also set up white yaks’ tails and golden axes as well as emblems of military authority and the commander’s seal on the altar. Clad in a ceremonial robe and girt with a sword, he stepped onto it like a true hero. There he lit the incense and bowed reverently several times. Then he read out the oath:

  Misfortune has befallen the House of Han and the imperial authority has suffered. The wicked minister Dong Zhuo takes advantage of this to start trouble. He brought disasters to the Emperor and tyrannized over the common folk. We, Shao, and his confederates, have assembled military forces to rescue the country from calamity. All of us who join the alliance pledge to exert ourselves and act in unison for the success of our cause. There must never be any departure from our aim. Should anyone fail to observe this pledge, may he lose his life and leave nothing for posterity. Almighty Heaven and Earth and the enlightened spirits of our ancestors, please be our witnesses!

  The reading finished, he smeared the blood of the sacrifice upon his lips. Moved by the strong fervor of his speech, all the listeners shed tears.

  Then he descended from the altar and was led to his tent, where he took the seat of the commander-in-chief while the others arranged themselves on both sides according to rank and age.

  After serving wine for several rounds, Cao Cao said, “Now that we’ve chosen our own leader we must obey him in every move and join our efforts in protecting the empire. There must be no feeling of rivalry or superiority among us.”

  Yuan Shao said, “Unworthy as I am, yet as elected leader I will reward every merit and punish every offense. A state has its criminal laws and an army its precepts. All of us must obey these and not break them.”

  “Your orders will be strictly observed,” promised everyone.

  Then Yuan Shao appointed his brother Yuan Shu to be in charge of army provision and ordered him to keep all the camps well-supplied.

  He continued, “But the need for the moment is a van leader who will go to Sishui Pass to provoke a battle and the others must take up key positions to support him.”

  “I will lead the van,” volunteered Sun Jian, Prefect of Changsha.

  “You are valiant and fierce, equal to this service,” said the commander.

  The army under Sun Jian set out and presently came to Sishui Pass. The officer there dispatched a swift rider to Dong Zhuo’s house in the capital to report the urgency of the situation.

  Ever since Dong Zhuo had secured his dominant position he had indulged himself in excessive eating and drinking. When Li Ru, his chief advisor, got the urgent news, he went straight to his master. On hearing this, Dong Zhuo was much alarmed and immediately called a great council.

  Lu Bu stood up and said, “Don’t worry, father. I look upon all the lords outside the pass as mere stubble and with the men of our fierce army I will put every one of them to death and hang their heads at the gates of the capital.”

  “With you in my service I can sit back and relax.” Dong Zhuo was greatly relieved.

  He had hardly finished his speech when someone behind Lu Bu cried out, “A butcher’s knife to kill a chicken! There is no need for the young master to go. I will cut off their heads as easily as I would take a thing out of my pocket.”

  Dong Zhuo looked up and his eyes rested upon a stalwart man of fierce mien, lithe and supple. He had a tiger’s body and a wolf’s waist. His head was like a leopard’s and his shoulders like an ape’s. His name was Hua Xiong. Dong Zhuo was overjoyed at his bold words and at once gave him high rank and command over 50,000 horse and foot soldiers. Without delay, Hua Xiong led the men on a quick march toward Sishui Pass together with three other commanding officers.

  Among the lords serving Yuan Shao was Bao Xin, who was jealous lest the chosen van leader, Sun Jian, should win the honor of the victory of the first battle. Determined to meet the foe first, he secretly dispatched his brother Bao Zhong with 3,000 horse and foot soldiers to get to the pass by a back road. As soon as this small force reached their destination they offered battle. Hua Xiong, at the head of five hundred mail-clad horsemen, swept down from the pass to meet them. Frightened, Bao Zhong hastened to turn back but it was too late. Hua Xiong raised his arm and the great sword fell, cutting his victim down from his horse. Many of his men were captured. The poor man’s head was sent to Dong Zhuo as proof of the victory and Hua Xiong was duly promoted to an even higher rank.

  Soon Sun Jian also approached the pass. He had four subordinate officers with him: Cheng Pu, whose weapon was an iron-spined spear; Huang Gai, who wielded an iron whip; Han Dang, a swordsman; and Zu Mao, who fought with double swords. Sun Jian himself donned fine silver armor and wore a red turban wrapped around his head. He carried across his body his sword of ancient ingot iron and rode a dappled horse with flowing mane. He advanced to the pass and shouted up at its defenders: “Surrender, you lackeys of Dong Zhuo!”

  Down from the pass came Hu Zhen with 5,000 men to respond to the challenge. Cheng Pu with the snaky lance rode out to fight against him. After only a few bouts, Hu Zhen was killed by a thrust through his throat. Then Sun Jian led his army to push forward, but from the pass rained down showers of stones that proved too much for the assailants and they retired into their camp at Liangdong. A messenger was sent to announce the victory to Yuan Shao and also to ask Yuan Shu for immediate supplies of grain.

  But
some of his advisors said to Yuan Shu, “Sun Jian is a very tiger. If he should take the capital and destroy Dong Zhuo, it would be like driving out a wolf to bring in a tiger. Do not send him grain and his army will fall apart.” Yuan Shu listened to this and sent no grain or forage. Soon, chaos emerged among the hungry soldiers under Sun Jian and spies reported the news to the pass defenders, who decided upon a speedy attack on Sun Jian from the front and rear. They hoped to capture him in this way.

  Hua Xiong gave his soldiers a large meal and told them to be ready to set out when darkness fell. That night the moon was bright and the wind cool. By midnight his troops had reached Sun Jian’s camp. Then they beat drums and shouted loudly as they pressed forward. Sun Jian hastily put on his fighting gear and rode out. He ran straight into Hua Xiong and the two immediately engaged in battle. After they had exchanged a few passes, another army came up from the rear and set fire to whatever would burn. Sun Jian’s men were thrown into great confusion and fled like rats. A general melee ensued and soon only Zu Mao was at his chief’s side. The two of them broke through the enemy’s encirclement and fled. Hua Xiong came in hot pursuit. Sun Jian took his bow and let fly two arrows in quick succession but both missed. When he fitted a third arrow to the string he drew the bow so fiercely that it snapped. He had to give it up and rode off at full speed.

  Zu Mao said, “My lord, the red turban around your forehead is a mark that the enemy recognizes easily. Take it off and let me wear it.”

  So they exchanged their headpieces and parted. The pursuers went only after the wearer of the red turban. So Sun Jian was able to escape through a bypath. Zu Mao, hotly pursued, tore off the headpiece and hung it on the post of a half-burned house. Then he dashed into the thick woods to hide. Seeing the turban from a distance, Hua Xiong’s men dared not approach it but instead encircled from every side and shot at it with arrows. Before long the deception was discovered and they went up to seize the turban.