Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

  K’ung showed his appreciation by treating his guest with the greatest respect, making him presents of clothing and armour, saddles and horses.

  Presently said Taishih,“Give me a company and I will go out and drive off these fellows.”

  “You are a bold warrior, but these are very numerous. It is a serious matter to go out among them,” said K’ung.

  “My mother sent me because of your goodness to her. How shall I be able to look her in the face if I do not raise the siege? I would prefer to conquer or perish.”

  “I have heard Liu Yuan-te is one of the finest warriors in the world and if we could get his help there would be no doubt of the result. But there is no one to send.”

  “I will go as soon as I have received your letter.”

  So K’ung wrote letters and gave them to his new helper. T’aishih put on his armour, mounted his steed, attached his bow and quiver to his girdle, took his spear in his hand, tied his packed haversack firmly to his saddle bow and rode out at the city gate. He went quite alone.

  Along the moat a large party of the besiegers were gathered and they came to intercept the solitary rider. But he dashed in among them and cut down several and so finally fought his way through.

  The rebel leader, hearing that a rider had left the city, guessed what his errand would be and followed T’aishih with a party of horsemen. He spread them out so that the messenger rider was entirely surrounded. Then T’aishih laid aside his spear, took his bow, adjusted his arrows one by one and shot all round him. And as a rider fell from his steed with every twang of his bowstring, the pursuers dared not close in.

  Thus he got clear away and rode in hot haste to Liu Yuan-te. He reached P’ingyuan and after greeting his host in proper form he told how K’ung Pohai was surrounded and had sent him for help. Then he presented the letter which Liu Pei read.

  “Who are you?” asked he.

  “I am T’aishih Tz’u, a stupid fellow from Tunghai. I am not related by ties of kin to K’ung Jung, nor even by ties of neighbourhood, but I am by the bonds of sentiment and I share his sorrows and misfortunes. The rebel Kuan has invested his city and he is distressed with none to turn to and destruction is very near. You are known as humane and righteous and you are able to rescue him. Therefore at his command I have braved all dangers and fought my way through his enemies to pray you to save him.”

  Liu Yuan-te smiled, saying,“And does he know of my existence?”

  So the three brothers told off three companies and set out to help raise the siege. When the rebel leader saw these new forces arriving he led out his army to fight them, thinking he could easily dispose of so small a force.

  The brothers and T’aishih Tz’u with them sat on their horses in the forefront of their array. Kuan Hai, the rebel leader, hastened forward. T’aishih held back to allow Kuan Yu to open the combat. He rode forth and the two steeds met. The soldiers set up a great shout, for how could there be any doubt of the result? After a few bouts Black Dragon rose and fell, and with the stroke fell the rebel leader.

  This was the signal for the two other warriors to take a share and they advanced side by side. With their spear ready they dashed in and Yuan-te urged forward his men. The besieged Prefect saw his doughty rescuers laying low the rebels as tigers among a flock of sheep. None could withstand them and he then sent out his own men to join in the battle so that the rebels were between two armies. The rebels’ force was completely broken and many men surrendered, while the remainder scattered in all directions.

  The victors were welcomed into the city and as soon as possible a banquet was prepared in their honour. Mi Chu was presented to Liu Yuan-te and he related the story of the murder of Ts’ao Sung by Chang K’ai and Ts’ao’s vengeful attack on Hsuchou and his coming to beg for assistance.

  Yuan-te, said,“T’ao Kung-tsu is a kindly man of high character, and it is a pity that he should suffer this wrong for no fault of his own.”

  “You are a scion of the imperial family,” said the Prefect,“and this Ts’ao Ts’ao is injuring the people, a strong man abusing his strength. Why not go with me to rescue the sufferers?”

  “I dare not refuse, but my force is weak and I must act cautiously,” said Liu Pei.

  “Though my desire to help arises from an old friendship, yet it is a righteous act as well. Is it that your heart is not inclined toward the right?” said K’ung.

  Liu Pei said,“This being so, you go first and give me time to see Kungsun Tsan from whom I may borrow more men and horses. I will come anon.”

  “You surely will not break your promise?” said the Prefect.

  “What manner of man think you that I am?” said Yuan-te.“The wise one said, ‘Death is common to all: the man without truth cannot maintain himself.’ Whether I get the men or not, certainly I shall myself come.”

  So the plan was agreed to. Mi Chu set out to return forthwith while K’ung Jung prepared for his expedition.

  T’aishih Ts’u took his leave saying,“My mother bade me come to your aid and now happily you are safe. Letters have come from my fellow townsman, Liu Yu, Governor of Yangchou, calling me thither and I must go. I will see you again.”

  K’ung pressed rewards upon him but he would accept nothing and went away. When his mother saw him she was pleased at his success saying she rejoiced that he had been to prove his gratitude, and after this he departed for Yangchou.

  Here nothing will be said of the departure of the relieving force. But Yuan-te went away to his friend Kungsun Tsan and laid before him his design to help Hsuchou.

  “Ts’ao Ts’ao and you are not enemies; why do you spend yourself for the sake of another?” said Tsan.

  “I have promised,” he replied,“and dare not break faith.”

  “I will lend you two companies, horse and foot,” said Tsan.

  “Also I wish to have the services of Chao Tzu-lung,” said Yuan-te.

  Tsan agreed to this also.

  They marched away, their own men being in the front and Chao Tzu-lung, with the borrowed men, being in rear.

  In due course Mi Chu returned saying that K’ung Jung had also obtained the services of the three warrior brothers. The other messenger, Ch’en Yuanlung, came back and reported that T’ien K’ai would also bring help. Then was the Prefect’s heart set at ease.

  But both the leaders, though they had promised aid, greatly dreaded their antagonist and camped among the hills at a great distance, fearful of coming to close quarters. Ts’ao Ts’ao knew of their coming and divided his army into parts to meet them, so postponing the attack on the city itself. Presently Liu Pei came up and went to see K’ung Jung, who said,“The enemy is very powerful and Ts’ao Ts’ao handles his army skilfully. We must be cautious. Let us make most careful observations before we strike a blow.”

  “What I fear is famine in the city,” said Liu Pei.“They cannot hold out very long. I will put my men with yours under your command while I with Chang Fei make a dash through to see T’ao Ch’ien and consult with him.”

  K’ung Jung approved of this, so he and Tien K’ai took up positions on the “ox horn formation,” with Kuan Yu and Chao Yun on either side to support them.

  The day that Liu Pei and his company made their dash to get through Ts’ao’s army they got as far as the flank of his camp when there arose a great beating of drums, and horse and foot rolled out like billows on the ocean. The leader was Yu Chin. He checked his steed and called out,“You mad men from somewhere, where are you going?”

  Chang Fei heard him but deigned no reply. He only rode straight to attack the speaker. After they had fought a few bouts Yuan-te waved his double sword as signal for his men to come on and they drove Yu Chin before them. Chang Fei led the pursuit and in this way they reached the city wall.

  From the city wall the besieged saw a huge banner embroidered in white with the name of Liu Pei and the Prefect bade them open the gate for the rescuers to enter. The leader was made very welcome, conducted to the residency and a banquet pr
epared in his honour. The men also were feasted.

  T’ao Ch’ien was delighted with Liu Pei, admiring his noble appearance and clear speech. He bade Mi Chu offer him the seal and insignia of office. But the visitor shrank back startled.

  What does this mean?” said he.

  T’ao said,“There is trouble on every side and the kingly rule is no longer maintained. You, Sir, are a member of the family and eminently fitted to support them and their prerogatives. I am verging on senility and I wish to retire in your favour. I pray you not to decline and I will report my action to the Court.”

  Liu Pei started up from his seat and bowed before his host saying,“Scion of the family I may be, but my merit is small and my virtue meagre. I doubt my fitness even for my present post and only a feeling of doing right sent me to your assistance. To hear such speech makes me doubt. Surely you think I came with greed in my heart. May God help me no more if I cherished such a thought.”

  “It is a poor old man’s real sentiment,” said T’ao Ch’ien.

  Time after time T’ao Ch’ien renewed his offer to retire, but how could Liu Pei accept it?

  In the midst of this came Mi Chu to say the enemies had reached the wall and something must be done to drive them off. The matter of one officer retiring in favour of the other could await a more tranquil time.

  Said Liu Pei,“I ought to write to Ts’ao Ts’ao to press him to raise the siege. If he refuse, we will attack forthwith.”

  Orders were sent to the three camps to remain quiescent till the letters could reach Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  It happened that Ts’ao Ts’ao was holding a council when a messenger with a war letter was announced. The letter was brought in and handed to him and, when he had opened and looked at it, he found it was from Liu Pei.

  This is the letter, very nearly:—“Since meeting you outside the pass, fate has assigned us to different quarters of the world and I have not been able to pay my respects to you. Touching the death of your noble father, the Marquis, it was owing to the vicious nature of Chang K’ai and due to no fault of T’ao Kung-tsu. Now while the remnant of the Yellow Turbans is disturbing the provinces and Tung Cho’s partizans have the upper hand in the capital, I would that you, illustrious Sir, would regard the critical position of the Court rather than your personal grievances and so divert your forces from the attack on Hsuchou to the rescue of the State. Such would be for the happiness of that city and the whole world.”

  Ts’ao Ts’ao gave vent to a torrent of abuse.“Who is this Liu Pei that he dares write and exhort me? Beside, he means to be satirical.”

  He issued orders to put the bearer of the letter to death and to press on the siege. But Kuo Chia remonstrated,“Liu Pei has come from afar to help T’ao and he is trying the effect of politeness before resorting to arms. I pray you, my master, reply with fair words that his heart may be lulled with a feeling of safety. Then attack with vigour and the city will fall.”

  Ts’ao found this advice good, so he spared the messenger telling him to wait to carry back his reply. While this was going on a horseman came with news of misfortune. Lu Pu had made a raid on Yenchou.

  When Li and Kuo, the two partizans of Tung Cho, succeeded in their attack on the capital Lu Pu had fled to Yuan Shu, who however looked askance at him for his instability, and refused to receive him. Then he had tried Yuan Shao, who had made use of him in an attack upon Chang Yen in Ch’angshan. But his success filled him with pride and his arrogant demeanour so annoyed the other commandants that Shao was on the point of putting him to death. To escape this he had gone away to Chang Yang, who accepted his services.

  About this time P’ang Hsu, who had been protecting Lu’s family since his disappearance, restored them to him, which deed angered Li and Kuo so that they put P’ang to death and wrote to Lu Pu’s protector to serve him the same. To escape this Lu Pu once again had to flee and this time joined himself to Chang Mo.

  He arrived just as Chang Mo’s brother was introducing Ch’en Kung. Kung said to Mo,“The disrupture of the Empire has begun and warriors are seizing what they can. It is strange that you, with all the advantages you enjoy, do not strike for independence. Ts’ao Ts’ao has gone on an expedition against the east leaving his own district defenceless. Lu Pu is one of the fighting men of the day. If you and he together attacked and got Yenchow you could then proceed to the dominion.”

  Chang Mo was pleased and resolved to try. Soon Lu Pu was in possession of Yenchou and its neighbourhood, all but three small departments, which were desperately defended. Ts’ao Jen had fought many battles but was always defeated and the messenger with the evil tidings had come from him asking help.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was greatly disturbed by this and said,“If my own city be lost I have no home to return to. I must do something at once.”

  “The best thing would be to become friends with Liu Pei at any cost and return to Yenchou,” said Kuo Chia.

  Then he wrote to Liu Pei, gave the letter to the waiting messenger and broke camp. The news that the enemy had left was very gratifying to the Prefect, who then invited his various defenders into the city and prepared banquets and feasts in token of his gratitude.

  At one of these, when the feasting was over, he proceeded with his scheme of retirement in favour of Liu Pei. Placing him in the seat of highest honour he bowed before him and then addressed the assembly.

  “I am old and feeble and my two sons lack the 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. Let him then take over the rule of this district and only too willingly I shall retire to have leisure to nurse my health.”

  Liu Pei replied,“I came at the request of K’ung Wen-chu because it was the right thing to do. Hsuchou is saved, but if I take it surely the world will say I am a wicked man.”

  Mi Chu said,“You may not refuse. The House of Han is failing, their realm is crumbling and 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 dare not accept.”

  “The Prefect is a great sufferer,” said Ch’en Teng,“and cannot see to matters. You may not decline, Sir.”

  Said Yuan-te,“Yuan Shu belongs to a family of rulers and the highest offices of state were held four times in three generations. The whole empire respects him, why not invite him to this task?”

  “Because he is a rotting bone in a dark tomb; not worth talking about. This opportunity is a gift from Heaven and you will never cease to regret its loss,” said K’ung.

  So spake K’ung Jung, but still Liu Pei obstinately refused. T’ao Ch’ien besought him with tears.“I shall die if you leave me and there will be none to close my eyes.”

  “Brother, you should accept the offer thus made,” said Kuan Yu.

  “Why so much fuss?” said Chang Fei.“We have not taken the place; it is he who wishes to give it you.”

  “You all persuade me to do what is wrong,” said Liu Pei.

  Thrice did Tao entreat Liu Pei and thrice was he refused. Then he said,“As he is set in his determination perhaps he will consent to encamp at Hsiaop’ei. It is only a little town, but thence he can keep watch and ward over this city.”

  They all with one voice prayed Liu Pei to consent so he gave in. The feast of victory being now ended the time came to say farewell. When Chao Yun took his leave Liu Pei held his hands alternately while dashing away the falling tears. K’ung Jung and his leader went home to their own place.

  When Liu Pei and his brothers took up their abode in Hsiaop’ei, they first repaired the defences and then they put out proclamations in order to calm the inhabitants.

  In the meantime Ts’ao Ts’ao had marched toward his own district. His cousin, Ts’ao Jen, met him and told him Lu Pu was very strong and he had Ch’en Kung as adviser. Yenchou was as good as lost, with the exception of three small districts which had been desperately defended.

  Ts’ao Ts�
��ao said,“I own that Lu Pu is a bold fighter but nothing more; he has no craft. So we need not fear him seriously.”

  Then he gave orders to make a strong camp till they could think out some victorious plan. Lu Pu, knowing of Ts’ao Ts’ao’s return, called two of his subordinate captains, Hsueh Lan and Li Feng, to him and assigned to them the task of holding Yenchou, saying “I have long waited for opportunity to employ your skill: now I give you a legion and you are to hold the city while I go forth to attack Ts’ao Ts’ao.”

  They made no objection. But Ch’en Kung, the strategist, came in hastily saying,“You are going away; whither?”

  “I am going to camp my men at Puyang, that vantage point.”

  “You are making a mistake,” said Ch’en Kung.“The two you have chosen to defend this are unequal to the task. For this expedition remember that about one hundred and eighty Ii due south, on the road to Taishan, is a very advantageous position where you should place your best men in ambush. Ts’ao Ts’ao will hasten homeward by double marches when he hears what has happened and if you strike when half his men have gone past this point you may seize him.”

  Said Lu Pu,“I am going to occupy Puyang and see what develops. How can you guess?”

  So he left the two captains in command at Yenchou and went away.

  Now when Ts’ao Ts’ao approached the dangerous part of the road near Taishan, Kuo Chia warned him to take care as there was doubtless an ambush. But his master laughed,“We know all his dispositions. Do you think he has laid an ambush? I shall tell Ts’ao Jen to besiege Yenchou and I shall go to Puyang.”

  When Ch’en Kung heard of the enemy’s approach he spoke, saying “The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover.”

  Lu Pu replied,“I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Ts’ao Ts’ao? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that.”

  Now Ts’ao Ts’ao neared Puyang and he made a camp. And soon after he led out his commanders and they arrayed their men in open and desert country. Ts’ao Ts’ao took up his station on horseback between the two standards, watching while his opponents arrived and formed up in a circular area. Lu Pu was in front, followed by eight of his captains, all strong men. Two were called Chang Liao and Tsang Pa; and there were six others. They had five legions.