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

by Luo Guanzhong

  “What does this mean?” asked Liu Bei, greatly startled.

  Tao Qian said, “There is trouble everywhere in the country and the Emperor’s rule is no longer maintained. You, sir, are a member of the imperial family and eminently suited to help restore the line of Han. I am but an old man without any ability and I want you to take over the city so that I can retire. Please do not refuse. I will report my action to the court.”

  Liu Bei rose from his seat and bowed to his host. “Scion of the Han House though I am, my merit is small and my virtue meager. I doubt if I am fitted for my present post, let alone the office of your city. I have come to your assistance out of a sense of righteousness. Do you suspect me of coming with greed in my heart to speak like that? May God bless me no more if I cherished such a thought!”

  “It is a poor old man’s real sentiment, sir,” said Tao Qian.

  Over and over Tao Qian repeated his offer, but how could Liu Bei accept it?

  At last Mi Zhu said, “Now the enemy is right at the gate. We need to find a way to drive them off first. This matter can wait until the siege is raised.”

  Liu Bei said, “I will write to Cao Cao to seek peace first. If he refuses, then we will fight.”

  Orders were therefore given to the men in the camps to remain in their positions. Meanwhile, the letter was written and sent to Cao Cao.

  When the arrival of the messenger with the letter was announced Cao Cao was holding a council with his officers. He opened it and found that it was from Liu Bei. The following is the letter in brief:

  Since our last meeting fate has assigned us to different quarters of the world and I have not been able to pay my respects to you.

  It was owing to the vicious nature of Zhang Kai but not to any fault of Prefect Tao that your noble father was murdered some time ago. Now the remnants of the Yellow Turbans are disturbing the provinces and Dong Zhuo’s partisans have the upper hand in the capital. I hope that you, Illustrious Sir, will place the critical condition of the country before your personal grievances and so divert your forces from the attack on Xuzhou to the rescue of the state. Such would be for the happiness of the city and the whole country.

  Cao Cao let out a torrent of abuse after reading the letter. “Who does this Liu Bei think he is that he dares to write and exhort me. Besides, he even uses an ironic tone in the letter.”

  He issued orders to put the bearer of the letter to death and to press on with the attack. But his advisor Guo Jia remonstrated: “Liu Bei has come from afar to help Tao Qian and he is observing the rule of politeness before resorting to force. I think you should reply with fair words, sir, so that his heart may be lulled into a false feeling of safety. Then attack with vigor and the city will fall.”

  Cao Cao found this advice good so he entertained the messenger and asked him to wait for his reply. While this matter was being seen to, a horseman came riding up with bad news—Lu Bu had captured Yanzhou and was entering Puyang.

  Now Lu Bu had fled to Yuan Shu’s place after Li Jue and Guo Si, the two partisans of Dong Zhuo, succeeded in their attack on the capital. However, Yuan Shu despised him for his infidelity, and refused to accept him. Then he had tried Yuan Shao, who had made use of him in defeating Zhang Yan at Changshan. But his success filled him with pride and his arrogant demeanor so annoyed the other commanders that Yuan Shao was on the point of putting him to death. To escape this he had sought refuge with Zhang Yang, who accepted his services.

  About this time a friend of his named Pang Shu, who had been protecting his family in the capital since his disappearance, restored them to him. When Li Jue learned about this he put Pang Shu to death and wrote to Zhang Yang, asking him to kill Lu Bu. So once again Lu Bu had to flee and this time he offered himself to Zhang Miao.

  He arrived just as Chen Gong was being introduced to Zhang Miao. Chen Gong said to Miao, “The disruption of the empire has begun and warriors are seizing what they can. It is a shame that you, sir, with all the strength you have, do not strike for independence. Cao Cao is now on an expedition against the east leaving his own district defenseless. Lu Bu is the best fighter of the day. If you employ him to capture Yanzhou you could then proceed to establish your own rule.”

  Zhang Miao was very pleased with the scheme and resolved to implement it. Soon, Lu Bu was in possession of Yanzhou and Puyang. And the whole area was quickly conquered, except for the three counties that were desperately defended by the two new advisors of Cao Cao. Cao Ren had fought many battles but was defeated each time and the horseman had been sent by him to report the emergent situation at home.

  Greatly disturbed, Cao Cao said, “If my own city is lost I have no home to return to. I must do my best to win it back.”

  “You can make use of this to do Liu Bei a favor and withdraw to recover Yanzhou,” advised Guo Jia.

  Cao Cao agreed. So he wrote to Liu Bei, gave the letter to the waiting messenger, and broke camp.

  The news that the enemy had left was really gratifying to Tao Qian, who then invited his friends into the city and entertained all his rescuers with feasts as a token of his gratitude.

  When the feasting was over, he asked Liu Bei to sit in the seat of the highest honor and addressed the assembly.

  “I am old and feeble and my two sons lacked ability to hold so important an office as this. The noble Liu is a descendant of the imperial house. He is of lofty virtue and great talent, suitable to take over the rule of this district. I will be only too willing to retire so as to have some leisure to nurse my health.”

  Liu Bei replied, “I came at the request of Prefect Kong because it was the right thing to do. If I take the city, the world will denounce me as a wicked man.”

  Mi Zhu said, “You should not refuse. The House of the Hans is falling and their realm crumbling. Now is the time for doughty deeds and signal services. This is a fertile district, well-populated, and you are the man to rule over it.”

  “But I will never dare to accept.”

  “The prefect is a sick man,” said another official of the city, “and cannot see to matters. You must not decline, sir.”

  Liu Bei said, “Yuan Shu belongs to a family of great ministers who held the highest offices of the state on four occasions in three generations. The whole country respects him. His prefecture is close by, too. Why not invite him to come?”

  “Because he is a rotting bone in a dark tomb, not worth talking about,” replied Kong Rong. “This opportunity is a gift from Heaven and you will never cease to regret its loss.”

  Liu Bei still obstinately refused. Tao Qian entreated him again with tears in his eyes. “I will die with my eyes open if you desert me.”

  Guan Yu also tried to persuade his brother. He said, “Brother, since Prefect Tao is so kind as to make you the offer, I think you should accept it for the time being.”

  “Why so much fuss?” cried Zhang Fei. “We haven’t forced him to yield the place—it is he who wishes to give it to you.”

  “Do you all want me to do what is wrong?” objected Liu Bei.

  Tao Qian continued to entreat Liu Bei, but again and again his offer was refused. Finally he said, “If you will never consent, I have another offer to make. Near here is a little town called Xiaopei, which is good enough to station an armed force. Perhaps you would care to encamp there so that you can keep watch over this city.”

  All those present urged Liu Bei to accept the new offer, so he gave in. With the feast of victory ended, the time came to say farewell. Liu Bei was very sad when Zhao Yun took his leave. Tears fell freely as he held his hands and said goodbye. Kong Rong and Tian Kai, too, returned to their own places.

  Then Liu Bei and his two brothers took up their abode in Xiaopei. They repaired the city walls and put out proclamations to calm the inhabitants.

  In the meantime, Cao Cao had marched back to his own district. His cousin Cao Ren met him and told him that Lu Bu was very strong and he had Chen Gong as his advisor. Yanzhou and Puyang were both lost and only three small
towns in the entire district had held on desperately.

  Cao Cao said, “Lu Bu is a fierce fighter but nothing more. He has no strategy and will not be a serious threat to us.”

  So he gave orders to make a strong camp and wait till they could think out some good plan. Lu Bu, knowing of Cao Cao’s return, called two of his subordinate officers, Xue Lan and Li Feng, to him and assigned to them the task of holding Yanzhou. He said to them, “I have long waited for an opportunity to employ your skill. Now I give you 10,000 soldiers—you are to hold the city while I go forth to attack Cao Cao.”

  Both of them agreed. But Chen Gong, the strategist, came in hastily and asked, “You are leaving Yanzhou. Where are you going, General?”

  “I am going to camp my men in Puyang to confront Cao Cao there,” said Lu Bu.

  “You are making a mistake,” said Chen Gong. “These two will never be able to hold Yanzhou. Remember, about one hundred and eighty li to the south, on the road to Taishan, is a very advantageous position where you should place a great number of your best soldiers in ambush. Cao Cao will hasten back when he hears Yanzhou is lost and if you strike when half of his men have gone past this point you may capture him.”

  Lu Bu said, “I have my plans to camp in Puyang. How can you guess?”

  So he left the two officers in command at Yanzhou while he himself went away.

  Now when Cao Cao approached the dangerous part of the road near Taishan, Guo Jia warned him of the possibility of an ambush. But his master only laughed. “Lu Bu is no strategist. Do you think he could have laid an ambush here?” So he told Cao Ren to besiege Yanzhou while he marched toward Puyang to fight Lu Bu.

  When he heard of the enemy’s approach, Chen Gong again advised: “The enemy will be fatigued after the long march here. We must attack quickly before they have time to recover.”

  Lu Bu replied, “Alone on my horse I can move around the country freely. Do you think I will be afraid of this Cao Cao? Let him set his camp. I will capture him after that.”

  By then Cao Cao had camped near Puyang. The following day he led out his officers and spread his men in the open country. Taking his position underneath the standard, he watched his opponents coming up and arranging themselves in battle formation. Lu Bu was in front and beside him were eight strong fighters. The two best ones were called Zhang Liao and Zang Ba. They had 50,000 men under their command.

  The drums began their thunderous roll and Cao Cao, pointing to his antagonist, said, “You and I had never quarreled, why then did you invade my land?”

  “The land of the Hans is the possession of all. What is your special claim?” retorted Lu Bu.

  So saying, he ordered Zang Ba to ride forth and challenge. From Cao Cao’s side came Yue Jin to accept the challenge. Lifting their spears they exchanged nearly two score bouts with no advantage to either. Then Xiahou Dun rode out to help his colleague; to match him, Zhang Liao went forth from Lu Bu’s side. The four of them fought.

  After some time Lu Bu lost patience and, raising high his halberd, urged his steed forward to join in the fighting. Seeing him approaching, both Xiahou Dun and Yue Jin fled, but Lu Bu pressed after them and Cao Cao’s army suffered disastrous losses. Retreating far, they made a new camp. Meanwhile, Lu Bu recalled his men and returned to the city.

  At Cao Cao’s camp, a council was held to discuss ways to counter Lu Bu. Yue Jin said, “I went up the hill today and saw from the top an enemy camp to the west of Puyang. There were not many soldiers there, and after their victory today, they will be off their guard. Let us attack it and if we can seize the camp we will strike fear into the heart of Lu Bu. This is our best plan.”

  The plan was adopted and Cao Cao, accompanied by six of his bravest warriors and a large army, left for the camp by a secret road.

  Lu Bu was feasting with his men when Chen Gong reminded him of the importance of the west camp and said that it might be attacked.

  “They have lost a battle. I do not think they dare to come,” replied Lu Bu.

  “Cao Cao is a very capable commander,” insisted Chen Gong. “You must keep a good lookout for him lest he attacks you by surprise.”

  Lu Bu agreed and sent three of his officers to defend the west camp.

  However, by dusk Cao Cao had reached the camp and his army began an immediate attack on all sides. The defenders could not hold him off. They ran in all directions and the camp fell into Cao Cao’s hands. Near the fourth watch, the three officers and their army arrived on the scene. Cao Cao sallied forth to meet them. Another battle then waged till dawn. About that time a rolling of drums was heard in the west and it was reported that Lu Bu himself was on his way to rescue the camp. Cao Cao abandoned the newly-captured place and fled.

  Escape was not easy, for Cao Cao was chased from behind by the three officers, while in front of him was Lu Bu himself. Two of Cao Cao’s officers fought Lu Bu, but were unable to ward him off. Cao Cao went toward the north. Soon, however, from behind some hills came more of Lu Bu’s army; as they could not be beaten off, Cao Cao sought safety in the west. Here again his retreat was barred—four of Lu Bu’s officers blocked his way ahead.

  The fight became desperate. Cao Cao himself took the lead to try to break the enemy’s line. Just then a clapper sounded and arrows like pelting rain flew toward him, completely blocking his way forward. Cao Cao, now at his wit’s end, cried out in fear, “Who can save me?”

  Then from among the riders dashed out Dian Wei with his double iron spears, crying: “Do not worry, my lord.” He leapt from his steed, put aside his spears, and took out a dozen darts. Turning to his attendants, he said, “When the enemy is at ten paces, call out to me.” Then he set off with mighty strides, plunging forward despite the flying arrows.

  Lu Bu’s horsemen followed and when they got near, his attendants shouted, “Ten paces!”

  “Five, then call,” shouted back Dian Wei and pushed on.

  At five paces, his attendants called out again, “Five!”

  Then Dian Wei spun round and flung his darts. With every fling a man fell from his saddle and in no time half a score were slain and the remainder all fled. Dian Wei quickly remounted his steed, set his twin spears, and rushed again into the fight with a ferocity that none of his opponents could withstand. Thus he was able to rescue Cao Cao. By and by, Cao Cao was joined by his other officers and together they looked for the way back to their camp.

  But as evening fell the noise of pursuit again rose behind them and soon Lu Bu appeared. “Halt, you wretch!” he shouted, as he approached with his halberd ready to thrust.

  All stopped and stared at each other: the men were weary, and their steeds spent. Fear gripped them. How they wished they could find some place of refuge!

  You may come safely out of the plight,

  But can you resist a strong foe in pursuit?

  Whether Cao Cao could survive this calamity will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * Birthplace of Confucius in modern Shandong Province.

  * Ancient Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism.

  * An old unit of weight measurement, one shi equaling 132 lbs (60 kilograms).

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Prefect Tao Thrice Offers Xuzhou to Liu Bei

  Cao Cao Fights a Great Battle Against Lu Bu

  The last chapter ended with Cao Cao in great danger. However, at that very moment help came. Xiahou Dun rushed forth with a body of soldiers from the south and immediately engaged Lu Bu in a fierce battle. They fought till dusk, when torrential rain forced both sides to withdraw and return to their own camps. When Cao Cao got back he rewarded Dian Wei handsomely and promoted him in rank.

  Lu Bu called in his advisor, Chen Gong, for counsel after he reached his camp.

  Chen Gong proposed a new scheme. He said, “Here in Puyang is a very wealthy man, by the name of Tian, who owns hundreds of servants. We can tell him to send a letter secretly to Cao Cao about your ferocity and the people’s hatred of you. Feed him false
information that you are going away, leaving the city to the care of Gao Shun only. Then end the letter by imploring Cao Cao to attack at once and promising your support. Thus our enemy will be deceived into entering the city and we will destroy them by setting fires at the four gates and laying an ambush outside. Even if he has an ability equal to encompassing the universe, Cao Cao will not be able to escape.”

  Lu Bu thought this trick might work so he arranged for the Tian family letter to be sent. Coming soon after his defeat, when Cao Cao felt uncertain as to what to do next, the letter was read with joy. It promised help and said that the secret signal should be a white flag with the word “Justice” written on it.

  “Heaven is bestowing Puyang to me,” said Cao Cao rapturously. So he rewarded the messenger very liberally and began to prepare for the expedition.

  But his advisor Liu Ye warned him: “Lu Bu is no strategist, but Chen Gong is full of guile. You must be careful in case there is treachery in this letter. If you must go, divide your army into three sections, and enter with only one third of your men, leaving the others outside the city as a reserve.”

  Cao Cao agreed to take this precaution. When he arrived at Puyang he found the city gay with fluttering flags. Scanning carefully, he saw among them at the corner of the west gate the white flag with the inscription. His heart rejoiced.

  At noon that day two officers came out of the gate as if to fight. Cao Cao ordered Dian Wei to oppose them. Neither, however, seemed to be able to withstand Dian Wei’s attack and fell back into the city at once. During the confusion some soldiers were seen to escape and come outside to Cao Cao. They told him that they had been sent by the Tian family and handed him another secret letter which said: “At about the first watch tonight you will hear the beating of a gong on top of the gate tower. That will be the signal for you to start the attack. I will open the gate for you.”

  Cao Cao then told Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong to station their men outside the city as reserve forces while he led Li Dian, Dian Wei, and two other officers to go into the city. Li Dian entreated his master to stay outside the city and let them go in first as a precaution, but Cao Cao would not listen. “If I don’t go, who will push ahead?” he said. So at the agreed time he led the way. The moon had not yet risen.