From shen (7 a.m.—9 a.m.) till ssu (9 a.m.— 11 a.m.) the drums rolled for the attack, but Yuans army made no move. Ch’u I made his bowmen hide under their shields. They heard the roar of explosions, the whistling of arrows and the rattle of the drums, as Yen Kang approached from the other side, but Ch’u I and his men lay closer than ever and never stirred. They waited till Yen Kang had got close on them and then, as the sound of a bomb rent the air, the whole company, eight hundred men, let fly their arrows in a cloud. Yen Kang was quite taken aback and would have retired, but Ch’u I rode furiously toward him, whirled up his sword and cut him down. So Kungsun’s men lost that battle. The two wings that should have come to the rescue were kept back by the bowmen under Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou and Yuans men advanced right up to the bridge. Then Ch’u I rode forward, slew the standard bearer and hacked through the staff of the embroidered banner. Seeing this Kungsun Tsan turned his steed and galloped away.
Ch’u I followed. But just as he caught up the fugitive there came prancing forth Chao Yun, who rode directly at him with spear ready to strike. After a few passes the pursuer was laid in the dust. Then Chao Yun attacked the soldiers and turned the tide. Plunging forward on this side, dashing in on that, he went through as if there were no antagonists and, seeing this, Kungsun Tsan turned and came again into the fight. The final victory was on his side.
From the men sent to find out how the battle went Yuan Shao heard the good news of Chu I’s success in slaying the standard bearer, capturing the flag and his pursuit. So he took no further care but rode out with his captains and a few guards to look on at the defeated enemy and enjoy his victory.
“Ha ha!” he laughed.“The poor fool! He is an incapable.”
But even as he spoke he saw in front the redoubtable Chao Yun. His guards hastened to prepare their bows, but before they could shoot Chao with a few followers was in their midst and men were falling before him wherever he went. The others fled. Kungsun Tsan’s army then gathered round and hemmed in Yuan Shao.
T’ien Feng then said to his master,“Sir, take refuge in this empty building here.”
But Yuan dashed his helmet to the ground, crying “The brave man rather faces death in the battle than seeks safety behind a wall!”
This bold speech gave new courage to his men who now fought desperately and with such success that Chao Yun could nowhere force his way in. Shao was soon reinforced by the arrival of his main body and Yen Liang, so that Chao Yun could only just get his master safe out of the press. When clear they both returned to the bridge. But Yuans men still came on and fought their way across the bridge, forcing multitudes of their adversaries into the water, where many were drowned.
Yuan was leading in person and his men still advanced. But not very far, for soon a great shouting was heard behind some hills, whence suddenly burst out a body of men led by the three brothers.
At P’ingyuan they had heard of the struggle between their protector and his enemy, Yuan Shao, and had at once set out to help. Now the three riders, each with his peculiar weapon, flew straight at Yuan, who was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body and fly beyond the confines of heaven. His sword fell from his hand and he fled for his life. He was chased across the bridge when Kungsun Tsan called in his men and they returned to camp.
After the usual greetings Kungsun said,“If you had not come to our help, we should have been in very bad case.”
Yuan-te and Chao Yun were made acquainted with each other and a warm affection sprang up from the very first so that they were always together.
Yuan had lost that battle and Kungsun Tsan would hot risk another. He strengthened his defences and the armies lay inactive for over a month. In the meantime news of the fighting had reached the capital and Tung Cho was told.
His adviser, Li Ju, went to see his master and said,“The two active warriors of today are Yuan Shao and Kungsun Tsan, who are at grips at P’anho. Pretend you have a command to make peace between them and both will support you out of gratitude for your intervention.
“Good!” said Tung Cho. So he sent a Grand Preceptor and a Court Chamberlain on the mission. When these men were arriving Yuan sent out to welcome them a hundred li from his headquarters and received the command with the greatest respect. Then the two officers went to Kungsun Tsan and made known their errand. Kungsun sent letters to his adversary proposing friendship. The two emissaries returned to report their task accomplished. Kungsun drew off his army. He also sent up a memorial eulogising Liu Yuan-te, who was raised in rank.
The farewell between Liu Pei and Chao Yun was affecting. They held each other’s hands a long time, their eyes streaming with tears, and could not tear themselves apart.
Chao Yun said with a sob,“I used to think Kungsun noble, but I see now that he is no different from Yuan. They are both alike.”
“But you are in his service, and we shall surely meet again.” said Yuan-te.
Both men wept freely as they separated.
Now Yuan Shu, hearing that his brother had come into lchou, sent to beg a thousand horses. The request was refused and enmity sprang up between the brothers. He also sent to Chingchow to borrow grain, which Liu Piao would not send. In his resentment he wrote to Sun Chien trying to get him to attack Liu Piao. The letter ran like this:—
“When Liu Piao stopped you on your way home it was at the instigation of my brother. Now the same two have planned to fall upon your district, wherefore you should at once strike at Liu Piao. I will capture my brother for you and both resentments will be appeased. You will get Chingchow and I shall have lchou.”
“I cannot bear Liu Piao,” said Sun.Chien as he finished reading this letter.“He certainly did bar my way home and I may wait many years for my revenge if I let slip this chance.”
He called a council.
“You may not trust Yuan Shu; he is very deceitful,” said Cheng P’u.
“I want revenge on my own part; what care I for his help?” said Chien.
He despatched Huang Kai to prepare a river fleet, arm and provision them. Some craft were to take horses on board. The force soon set out.
News of these preparations came to Liu Piao and he hastily summoned his advisers and warriors. K’uai Liang told him to be free from anxiety, and said,“Put Huang Tsu at the head of the Chianghsia army to make the first attack and you, Sir, support him. Let Sun Chien come ‘riding the rivers and straddling the lakes;’ what can he do?”
So Huang Tsu was bidden to prepare to march and a great army was assembled.
Here it may be said that Sun Chien had four sons, all the issue of his wife who was of the Wu family. Their names were Ts’e (Po-fu), Ch’uan (Chungmou), I (Shu-pi) and K’uang (Chi-tso). His wife’s sister was his second wife, and she bore him a son and daughter, the former called Lang (Tsao-an), the latter Jen. He had also adopted a son from the Yu family named Shao (Kung-li). And he had a younger brother named Ching (Yu-t’ai).
As Sun Chien was leaving on this expedition his brother with all his sons stood near his steed and dissuaded him, saying,“Tung Cho is the real ruler of the State for the Emperor is a weakling. The whole country is in rebellion, every one is scrambling for territory. Our district is comparatively peaceful and it is wrong to begin a war merely for the sake of a little resentment. I pray you, brother, to think before you start.”
Chien replied,“Brother, say no more. I desire to make my strength felt everywhere and shall I not avenge my injuries?”
“Then father, if you must go, let me accompany you,” said the eldest son.
His request was granted, and father and son embarked to go to ravage Fanch’eng.
Now Huang Tsu had placed archers and crossbowmen along the river bank. When the ships approached a flight of arrows met them. Sun ordered his men to remain under cover in the ships, which then sailed to and fro drawing the fire for three days. Several times a landing was tried, but showers of arrows repulsed each attempt. At last the arrows of the defenders were all shot away and Sun
, who collected them, found he had many myriads. Then with a fair wind Sun’s men shot them back at the enemy. Those on the bank were thrown into great disorder and retired. The army then landed and two divisions set out or Huang Tsu’s camp along different roads. Between them marched Han Tang and under this triple attack Huang Tsu was worsted. He left Fanch’eng and hastened to Tengch’eng.
Leaving the ships under the command of Huang Kai, Sun led the pursuing force. Huang Tsu came out of his city and drew up for battle in the open country. When Sun had disposed his army he rode out to the standard. His son, clad in armour, placed himself beside his father.
Huang Tsu rode out with two captains Chang Hu and Ch’en Sheng. Flourishing his whip, the chief abused his enemy,“You swarm of rebels from Chiangtung, why do you invade the land of a scion of the ruling house?”
Chang Hu challenged to combat and Han Tang went out to accept. The two champions fought two score bouts and then Ch’en Sheng, seeing his fellow captain becoming exhausted, rode to his aid. Sun Chien saw him coming, laid aside his spear, reached for his bow and shot an arrow wounding Ch’en Sheng in the face. He fell from his horse. Panic seized upon Chang at the fall of his comrade and he could no longer defend himself. Then Han Tang with a slash of his sword clove his skull in twain.
Both having fallen, Ch’eng P’u galloped up to make prisoner of Huang Tsu, who threw off his helmet, slipped from his steed and mingled for safety among his men. Sun Chien led on the attack and drove the enemy to the Han water, where he ordered Huang Kai to make an immediate attack on Hanchiang.
Huang Tsu led his defeated men back and told Liu Piao they were no match for Sun Chien. K’uai Liang was called in to advise and he said,“Our newly defeated men have no heart for fighting now. Therefore we must fortify our position, while we seek help from Yuan Shao. Then we can extricate ourselves.”
“A stupid move,” said Ts’ai Mao.“The enemy is at the city gates; shall we fold our hands and wait to be slain? Give me men and I ill go out and fight to the finish.”
So he was placed in command of a legion and went out to the Hsien hills where he drew up his battle line. Sun Ts’e led the invaders, now flushed with success. When Ts’ai approached, Sun Chien looked at him and said,“He is brother-in-law to Liu Piao; who will capture him?”
Ch’eng P’u set his supple spear and rode out. After a few bouts Ts’ai Mao turned and fled. The Suns smote him till corpses filled the countryside and he took refuge in Hsiangyang.
K’uai Yen said,“Ts’ai ought to be put to death by military law. This defeat was due to his obstinacy.” But Liu Piao was unwilling to punish the brother of his newly wedded wife.
Sun Chien surrounded Hsiangyang and assailed the walls daily. One day a fierce gale sprang up and the pole bearing his standard was broken.
“Very inauspicious!” said Han Tang.“We ought to go back.”
His lord said,“I have won every battle and the city is on the point of falling. Shall I return because the wind breaks a flagstaff?”
He flouted the advice and attacked the walls still more vigorously.
Within the city they had seen an omen. It was told Liu Piao that a great star had fallen into the wild country without the city, and they had calculated that it inferred the fall of their enemy. Piao was advised to seek help from Yuan Shao.
So he wrote. But who would undertake to fight his way through with the letter? One Lu Kung, a warrior of great strength, offered himself for this service. K’uai Liang said,“If you undertake this service listen to my advice. You will have five hundred men; choose good bowmen. Dash through the enemy’s formation and make for Hsien Hill. You will be pursued, but send a hundred men up the hill to prepare large stones and place a hundred archers in ambush in the woods. These are not to flee from the pursuers but to beguile them along devious ways round to the place where the boulders have along prepared. There stones will be rolled down and arrows shot. If you succeed, fire off a series of bombs as a signal and the men in the city will come out to help. If you are not pursued get away as fast as possible. Tonight will be suitable as there is very little moon. Start at dusk.”
Lu Kung, having received these directions, prepared his force to carry them out. As soon as day began to close in he went quietly out at the east gate. Sun Chien was in his tent when he heard shouting and at once mounted and rode out with thirty men to discover the cause. Lu Kung’s men had already hidden themselves in the thick woods. Chien rode ahead of his escort and soon he found himself alone and close to the enemy. He called out to them to halt. Lu at once turned back and came as if to fight. But they had only exchanged a single pass when he again fled, taking the road among the hills. Sun followed but soon lost sight of his foe.
Sun turned up the hill. Then the gongs clanged and down the hills fell showers of stones, while from among the trees the arrows flew in clouds. Sun was hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushed in his head. Both he and his steed were killed. And so his life ended at the age of thirty seven.
His escort was overpowered and every man of them slain. Then Lu let off a series of bombs, the sign of success, as agreed. At this signal three armies came out of the city and fell upon the Chiangtung men, throwing them into the utmost confusion.
When Huang Kai heard the sound of battle he led up the men from the ships. He met Huang Tsu and took him prisoner after a brief fight.
Ch’eng P’u set out to bear the sad news to Sun Ts’e. While he was seeking a way out he came across Lu Kung. He at once put his horse at full speed and engaged him. After a few bouts Lu went down under a spear thrust. The battle became general and continued till daylight broke, when each drew off his army. Liu Piao withdrew into the city and when Sun Ts’e returned to the river he heard that his father had perished in the fight, and his body had been carried within the enemy’s, walls. He uttered a great cry and the army joined him with wailing and tears.
“How can I return home leaving my father’s corpse with them?” cried Sun Ts’e.
Huang Kai said,“We have Huang Tsu as our prisoner. Let one enter the city and discuss peace, giving up our prisoner for our lord’s body.”
He had barely finished speaking when Huang K’ai offered himself as messenger saying he was an old friend of Liu Piao. So he went and peace was discussed. Liu Piao told him the body was already laid in a coffin and ready to be delivered as soon as Huang Tsu returned.“Let us both cease fighting and never again invade each other’s district,” said he.
Huan K’ai thanked him and took his leave. But as he went down the steps Kuai Liang suddenly broke in, saying,“No, No! Let me speak and I will see to it that not a single breastplate returns. I pray you first put this man to death and then employ my means.”
Pursuing his enemy, Sun Chien dies;
Even on a peaceful mission Huang K’ai is threatened.
The fate of the ambassador will be disclosed in a later chapter.
CHAPTER VIII
GOVERNOR WANG PREPARES THE “CHAIN” SCHEME: TUNG CHO’S RAGES AT THE FENGI PAVILION
T his is what K’uai Liang said,“Sun Chien is now gone and his sons are but youths. Seize this moment of weakness to break into Chiangtung and it is yours in one beat of the drum. If you return the corpse and make peace, you give them time to grow powerful and evil will ensue to this district.”
“How can I leave Huang Tsu in their hands?” said the Prefect.
“Why not sacrifice this blundering warrior for a district?”
“But he is my dear friend and to abandon him is wrong.”
So Huan K’ai was allowed to return to his own side with the understanding that Sun Chien’s dead body should be given in exchange. Sun Ts’e freed his prisoner, brought away his father’s coffin and the fighting ceased. Sun Chien was interred in the border of Chua and when the ceremonies were over Sun Ts’e led his army home again.
In his district Sun Ts’e set himself to the task of ruling well. He invited to his side men of wisdom and valour and so bore himself that all t
he best and bravest of the country gathered about him.
But this part of his story will not be told here. Tung Cho at the capital, when he heard of the death of the turbulent prefect, said,“An evil that pressed hard upon my heart has been removed.” He asked what sons he had left and when they told him the eldest was but seventeen he dismissed all anxiety from his thoughts.
From this time forward his arrogance and domineering spirit waxed worse and worse. He styled himself Shang Fu or “Imperial Rector,” a name full of honour, and in all his behaviour aped imperial state. He created his younger brother a marquis and made him Generalissimo of the Left. A nephew was placed in command of the Palace guards and everyone of his clan, young or old, was ennobled. At some distance from the capital he laid out a city, an exact replica of Changan, with its palaces, granaries, treasuries and magazines, and employed a quarter of a million people to build it. Here he accumulated supplies sufficient for twenty years. He selected eight hundred of the most beautiful maidens and sent them to dwell in his new city. The stores of wealth in every form were incalculable. All his family and retainers found quarters in this new city named Meiwu.
Tung Cho visited his city at intervals of a month or so and every visit was like an imperial progress, with booths by the roadside to refresh the officials and courtiers who attended him to the Hengmen and saw him start.
On one occasion he spread a great feast for all those assembled to witness his departure and while it was in progress there arrived a large number of malcontents from the north who had voluntarily surrendered. The tyrant had them brought before him as he sat at table and meted out to them wanton cruelties. The hands of this one were lopped off, the feet of that, one had his eyes gouged out; another lost his tongue. Some were boiled to death. Shrieks of agony arose to the very heavens and the courtiers were faint with terror, but the author of the misery ate and drank, chatted and smiled as if nothing was going on.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Page 11
