This Pass is fifty li from Loyang and as soon as they arrived Tung Cho bade Lu Pu take three legions and make a strong stockade on the outside of the Pass. The main body with Cho would occupy the Pass.
News of this movement reaching the confederate lords the chief summoned a council. Said Ts’ao Ts’ao,“The occupation of the Pass would cut our armies in two, therefore must we oppose Tung Cho’s army on the way.”
So eight of the confederate lords went in the direction of the Pass to oppose their enemy. Ts’ao Ts’ao and his men were a reserve to render help where needed.
Of the eight, the Prefect of Honei was the first to arrive and Lu Pu went to give battle with three companies of mailed horsemen.
When Wang K’uang, Prefect of Honei, had ordered his army, horse and foot, in battle array he took his station under the great banner and looked over at his foe. There he saw Lu Pu, a conspicuous figure in front of the line. On his head was a triple curved headdress of ruddy gold. He wore a robe of Ssuch’uan silk embroidered with flowers and over that breast and back mail adorned with a gaping animal’s head, joined by rings at the sides and girt to his waist with a belt fastened by a beautiful lion-head clasp. His bow and arrows were slung on his shoulders and he carried a trident-halberd (hua-chi). He was seated on his snorting steed “The Hare”. Indeed he was the man among men, as his steed was the horse among horses.
“Who dares go out to fight him?” asked Wang K’uang turning to those behind him. In response a tried warrior named Fang spurred to the front, his spear set ready for battle. The two met: before the fifth bout Fang fell under a thrust of the halberd and Lu Pu dashed forward. Wang K’uang’s men could not stand and scattered in all directions. Lu Pu went to and fro slaying all he met. He was quite irresistible.
Happily two other troops came up and rescued and wounded leader and his opponent retreated. The three having lost many men withdrew thirty li and made a stockade. And before long the remaining five lords came up and joined them. They held a council.
“This Lu Pu is irresistible,” said they.
And while they sat there anxious and uncertain, it was announced that Lu Pu had returned to challenge them. Each mounted his horse and placed himself at the head of his force, each body in its station on lofty cliffs. Around them was the opposing army, innumerable horse and foot, their embroidered banners waving in the breeze.
They attacked. Mu Shun, a leader from Shangtang, rode out, but fell at the first encounter with Lu Pu. This frightened the others. Then galloped forth Wu An-kuo of the iron mace. Lu Pu whirling his halberd and urging on his steed came to meet him. The two fought, well matched for half a score bouts, when a blow from the halberd broke Wu An-Kuo’s wrist. Letting his mace fall to the ground he fled. Then all eight of the lords led forth their men to his rescue and Lu Pu retired.
The fighting then ceased and after their return to camp another council met.
Ts’ao Ts’ao said,“No one can stand against the prowess of Lu Pu. Let us callup all the lords and evolve some good plan. If only Lu Pu were taken, his master could easily be killed.”
While the council was in progress again came Lu Pu to challenge them and again they moved out against him. This time Kungsun Tsan, flourishing his spear, went to meet the enemy. After a very few bouts Tsan turned and fled, Lu Pu following at the topmost speed of “The Hare.”
“The Hare” was a thousand-li-a-day horse, swift as the wind. As they watched “The Hare” gained rapidly upon the flying horseman and his rider’s spear was poised ready to strike Tsan just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider with round glaring eyes and a bristling moustache, and armed with a long snakelike spear.
“Stay, O thrice named slave!” roared he,“I, Chang Fei, await you.”
Seeing this opponent Lu Pu left the pursuit of Tsan and engaged the new adversary. Fei fought with all his energies. They two were worthily matched and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to either side. Then Kuan Yu rode out with his huge and weighty moon-curved sword and attacked Lu Pu on the other flank. The three steeds stood like the letter Τ and their riders battered away at each other for nearly two score bouts, yet still Lu Pu stood firm. Then Liu Yuan-te rode out to his brothers’ aid, his double sword raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle and now Lu Pu had to contend with three warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors’ weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. And the spectators gazed rapt with amazement at such a battle.
But Lu Pu’s guard began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Yuan-te he feigned a fierce thrust thus making him suddenly draw back. Then, lowering his halberd, Lu dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.
But was it likely they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard. The men of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers and all dashed forward, pressing after Lu Pu as he made for the shelter of the Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three heroic brothers.
An ancient poet has told of this famous fight in these lines:
The fateful day of Han came in the reigns of Huan and Ling,
Their glory declined as the sun sinks at the close of day.
Tung Cho, infamous minister of state, pulled down the youthful sovereign from his throne.
It is true Liu Hsieh was a weakling, too timid for his times.
Then Ts’ao Ts’ao proclaimed abroad these wicked deeds,
And the great lords, moved with anger, assembled their forces.
In council met they and chose as their oath-chief Yuan Shao,
Pledged themselves to maintain the ruling house and tranquillity.
Of the warriors of that time peerless Lu Pu was the boldest.
His valour and prowess are sung by all within the four seas.
He clothed his body in silver armour like the scales of a dragon,
On his head was a golden headdress, fastened with a massive pin,
About his waist a shaggy belt, the clasp, two wild beasts’ heads with gripping jaws,
His flowing, broidered robe fluttered about his form,
His swift courser bounded over the plain, a mighty wind following,
His terrible halberd flashed in the sunlight, bright as a placid lake.
Who dared face him as he rode forth to challenge?
The bowels of the confederate lords were torn with fear and their hearts trembled within them.
Then leaped forth Chang Fei, the valiant warrior of the north,
Gripped in his mighty hand the long snakelike spear,
His moustache bristled with anger, standing stiff like wire.
His round eyes glared, lightning flashes darted from them.
Neither quailed in the fight, but the issue was undecided.
Kuan Yun-ch’ang stood out in front, his soul vexed within him,
Black Dragon his sword shone white as hoar frost in the sunlight,
His bright coloured fighting robe fluttered like butterfly wings,
Demons and angels shrieked at the thunder of his horse hoofs,
In his eyes was fierce anger, a fire to be quenched only in blood.
Next Yuan-te joined the battle, gripping his twin sword blades,
The heavens themselves trembled at the majesty of his wrath.
These three closely beset Lu Pu and long drawn out was the battle,
Always he warded their blows, never faltering a moment.
The noise of their shouting rose to the sky, and the earth re-echoed it,
The heat of battle ranged to the frozen pole star.
Worn out, feeling his strength fast ebbing, Lu Pu thought to flee,
He glanced at the hills around and thither would fly for shelter,
Then, reversing his halberd and lowering its lofty point,
Hastily he fled, loosing himself from the battle;
With head low bent, he g
ave the rein to his courser,
Turned his face away and fled to Hulaokuan.
The three brothers maintained the pursuit to the Pass. Looking up they saw an immense umbrella of black gauze fluttering in the west wind.
“Certainly there is Tung Cho,” cried Chang Fei.“What is the use of pursuing Lu Pu? Better far seize the chief rebel and so pluck up the evil by the roots.”
And he whipped up his steed toward the Pass.
To quell rebellion seize the leader if you can;
If you need a wondrous service then first find a wondrous man.
The following chapters will unfold the result of the battle.
CHAPTER VI
BURNING THE CAPITAL, TUNG CHO COMMITS AN ATROCITY: HIDING THE SEAL, SUN CHIEN BREAKS FAITH
C hang Fei rode hard up to the Pass but the defenders sent down stones and arrows like rain so that he could not enter and he returned. The eight lords all joined in felicitations to the three heroes for their services and the story of victory was sent to Yuan Shao, who ordered Sun Chien to advance.
Thereupon Sun with two trusty friends went over to the camp of Yuan Shu. Tracing figures on the ground with his staff Sun Chien said,“Tung Cho and I had no personal quarrel. Yet now I have thrown myself into the battle regardless of consequences, exposed my person to the risk of wounds and fought bloody battles to their bitter end. And why? That I might be the means of ridding my country of a rebel and—for the private advantage of your family. Yet you, heeding the slanderous tongues of certain enemies, formerly withheld the supplies absolutely necessary to me, and so I suffered defeat. How can you explain, General?”
Yuan Shu, confused and frightened, had no word to reply. He ordered the death of the slanderers to placate Sun.
Then suddenly they told Sun,“Some officer has come riding down from the Pass to see you, General, he is in the camp.”
Sun Chien therefore took his leave and returned to his own camp where he found the visitor was an officer, much beloved of Tung Cho, named Li Tsui.
Wherefore come you?” said Chien.
He replied,“You are the one person for whom my master has respect and admiration, and he sends me to arrange a matrimonial alliance between the two families. He wishes that his daughter may become the wife of your son.”
“What! Tung Cho, that rebel and renegade, that subverter of the throne! Would that I could destroy his nine generations as a thank-offering to the Empire! Think you I would be willing to have an alliance with such a family? I will not slay you as I ought, but go, and go quickly! Yield the Pass and I may spare your lives. If you delay I will grind your bones to powder and make mincemeat of your flesh.”
Li Tsui threw his arms over his head and ran out. He returned to his master and told him what a rude reception he had met with. Cho asked his adviser Li Ju how to reply to this and he said that as Lu Pus late defeat had somewhat blunted the edge of his desire for battle it would be well to return to the capital and remove the Emperor to Changan, as the street boys had been lately singing:—
“A Han on the west, a Han on the east.
The deer will be safe in Changan, poor beast.”
Li continued “If you think out this couplet it applies to the present juncture. Half the first line refers to the founder of the dynasty, who became ruler in the western city, which was the capital during twelve reigns. The other half corresponds to Kuang-Wu who ruled from Loyang, the capital during twelve later reigns. The revolution of the heavens brings us to this moment and if the minister remove to Changan there will be no need for anxiety.”
Tung Cho was exceedingly pleased and said,“Had you not spoken thus I should not have understood.”
Then taking Lu Pu with him he started at once for the capital. Here he called all the officials to a great council in the palace and addressed them thus:—
“After two centuries of rule here the royal fortune has been exhausted and I perceive that the aura of rule has migrated to Changan, whither I now desire to move the court. All you had better pack up for the journey.”
The minister Yang Piao said,“I pray you reflect. Within that city all is destruction. There is no reason to renounce the ancestral temples and abandon the imperial tombs here. I fear the people will be alarmed. It is easy to alarm them but difficult to pacify them.”
“Do you oppose the State plans?” said Cho angrily.
Another official, Huang Yuan, supported his colleague,“In the rebellion of Wang Mang, in the days of Keng Shih and Fan Chung of the Red Eyebrows, the city was burned and became a place of broken tiles. The inhabitants scattered all but a few. It is wrong to abandon these palaces for a desert.”
Tung Cho replied,“East of the Pass is full of sedition and all the Empire is in rebellion. The city of Changan is protected by Yaohan and very near Shensi, whence can be easily brought building material. In a month or so palaces can be erected. So an end to your wild words!”
Yet another raised a protest against disturbing the people but the tyrant overbore him also.
“How can I stop to consider a few common people when my scheme affects the Empire?”
That day the three objectors were degraded to the rank of ordinary people.
As Cho went out to get into his coach he met two other officers who made obeisance. They were the President, Chou Pi, and the Captain of the City Gate, Wu Ch’ing. Cho stopped and asked them what they wanted. Said the former,“We venture to try to dissuade you from moving the capital to Changan.”
Cho replied,“They used to say you two were supporters of Yuan Shao; now he has already turned traitor and you are of the same party.”
And without more ado he bade his guards take both outside the city and put them to death.
The command to remove to the new capital immediately was issued. On the advice of Li Ju, who pointed out that money was short and the rich people of Loyang could be easily plundered and that it was a good occasion to remove the supporters of their opponents, Cho sent five companies out to plunder and slay. They captured very many wealthy folk and, having stuck flags on their heads saying they were traitors and rebels, drove them out of the city and put them to death. Their property was all seized.
The task of driving forth the inhabitants, some millions, was given to two of Tung Cho’s creatures. They were sent off in bands of a hundred, each band between two parties of soldiers, who urged them forward. Enormous numbers fell by the road side and died in the ditches, and the escort plundered the fugitives and defiled the women. A wail of sorrow arose to the very sky. The tyrant’s final orders as he left were to burn the whole city, houses, palaces and temples, and everything was devoured by the flames. The capital became but a patch of scorched earth.
Tung Cho sent Lu Pu to desecrate the tombs of the Emperors and their consorts for the jewels therein, and the common soldiers took the occasion to dig up the graves of officers and plunder the cemeteries of the wealth. The spoil of the city, gold and silver, pearls and silks, and beautiful ornaments, filled many carts and with these and the persons of the Emperor and his household Tung Cho moved off to the new capital.
The city being thus abandoned the commander at Ssushui Pass evacuated that post of vantage, which Sun Chien at once occupied. The three brothers took Tigertrap Pass and the confederate lords advanced.
Sun Chien hastened to the late capital which was still in flames. When he arrived demise smoke hung all over it and spread for miles around. No living thing, not a fowl, or a dog, or a human being, remained. Sun told off his men to extinguish the fires and set out camping places for the confederate lords.
Ts’ao Ts’ao went to see the chief and said,“Tung has gone west; we ought to follow and attack without loss of time; why do you remain inactive?”
“All our colleagues are worn out and there is nothing to be gained by attack,” said Yuan Shao.
Ts’ao Ts’ao urged him to strike a blow for the moment was most propitious in the utter confusion that reigned, palaces burned, the Emperor abducted, the whol
e world upset and no one knowing whither to turn. But all the confederate lords seemed of one mind and that mind was to postpone action. So they did nothing. However, Ts’ao Ts’ao and his subordinates, with a full legion of soldiers, started in pursuit.
The road to the new capital led through Jungyang, and when the cavalcade reached it the Prefect went to welcome Tung Cho. Li Ju said,“As there is some danger of pursuit it would be well to order the Prefect of this place to lay an ambush ready to cut off the retreat of our pursuers when our army beats them off. That will teach any others not to follow.”
Then Lu Pu was ordered to command the rear guard. Very soon they saw Ts’ao Ts’ao coming up and Lu Pu laughed at his colleague’s foresight. He set out his men in fighting order.
Ts’ao Ts’ao rode forward crying,“Rebels, abductors, drovers of the people, where are you going?”
Lu Pu replied,“Treacherous simpleton, what mad words are these?”
Then from Ts’ao Ts’ao’s army rode against him Hsiahou Tun with his spear set and they two engaged. The combat had hardly begun when Li Tsui with a cohort came in from the left. Ts’ao Ts’ao bade Hsiahou Yuan meet this onslaught. However, on the other side appeared Kuo Ssu, against whom was sent Ts’ao Jen. The onrush on three sides was too much to withstand and Lu Pu showed no signs of being vanquished, so Hsiahou Tun had to retire to the main line. Thereupon Lu Pus mail-clad men attacked and completed the defeat. The beaten men turned toward Jungyang.
They got as far as the foot of a bare hill in the second watch, about nine in the evening, and the moon made it as light as day. Here they halted to reform. Just as they were burying the boilers to prepare a meal there arose a great noise of shouting on all sides and out came the men from the ambush fresh to attack.
Ts’ao Ts’ao, thrown into a flurry, mounted and fled. He ran right in the way of the waiting Prefect. Then he dashed off in another direction, but the Prefect shot an arrow after him which struck him in the shoulder. The arrow still in the wound, he fled for his life. As he went over the hill two soldiers lying in wait among the grass suddenly dashed out and wounded his horse, which fell and rolled over, and as its rider slipped from the saddle he was seized and made prisoner.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Page 9
