There was no escape for Ts’ao Hsing. He was overtaken and fell with a spear wound full in the face. Both sides were stricken dumb with amazement.
Having thus slain the man who had wounded him Tun rode back toward his own side. Kao Shun went in pursuit and, waving on his men, attacked so vigorously that he won the day. Hsiahou Tun saved his elder brother, with whom he fled. The various divisions rallied at Chipei and made a camp there.
Kao Shun having scored this victory, returned to attack Liu Pei, and as Lu Pu opportunely arrived with Chang Liao, these three arranged their forces so that each attacked one of the brothers.
Dauntless was Tun, that warrior hold,
His courage had been proved of old;
But smitten sore one hapless day,
He might not in the battle stay.
The fate of Yuan-te will be told in the next chapter.
Footnote
* The country about modern Kiangsu and south Shantuag
CHAPTER XIX
TS’AO TS’AO FIGHTS AT HSIAP’EI: LU PU PERISHES AT THE WHITE GATE TOWER
A s was stated before, Kao Shun and Chang Liao together went to smite Kuan Yu, while Lu Pu attacked the younger brother’s camp. Both brothers went out to give battle, while Liu Pei’s force was held in reserve. Lu Pu attacked from the rear and the brothers were forced to flee. Liu Pei with a few score horsemen rushed back to P’eich’eng. As he approached the gate with Lu Pu pressing him close, he shouted to the soldiers on the wall to lower the drawbridge. Lu Pu was so close behind that the archers on the wall feared to shoot lest they should wound their lord and so Lu Pu got into the gate. The gate guards could not force him back so they scattered in all directions. Lu Pu led his force into the city.
Liu Yuan-te saw the position was too desperate for him to reach his residence and he must abandon all his family. So he hastened through the city and left by the west gate out at which he and his scanty following fled for very life.
When Lu Pu reached the residence he was met by Mi Chu who said,“The hero does not destroy a man’s wife. Your rival for the Empire is Ts’ao Ts’ao, and my master, always mindful of the good turn you did him at your gate, would not be ungrateful. But he could not help going to Ts’ao Ts’ao and I think you will pity him.”
Lu Pu replied,“We two are old friends; how could I bear to harm his wife and children?”
Whereupon he sent the family to Hsuchou with Mi Chu to take care of them. Next Lu led his army into Shantung to Yenchou, leaving Kao Shun and Chang Liao to guard Hsiao-p’ei.
During these troubles Sun Ch’ien had also fled out of the city and the two brothers, each with a handful of men, had got away to the hills. As Liu Pei with his few horsemen was making the best of their way from the scene of his defeat he heard some one coming up behind him. When he got closer the person proved to be Sun Ch’ien.
“Alas! I know not the fate of my brothers, whether they be alive or dead, and my wife and children are lost to me! What can I do?” said Liu Pei.
Sun replied,“I see nothing better than getting away to Ts’ao Ts’ao, whence we may be able to plan our future moves.”
Liu Pei had no better plan to propose and the two men directed their way to Hsutu, choosing bye-roads rather than highways, When their small supplies ran out they entered a village to beg. But when the people of any place heard that Liu of Yuchou was the man who needed help they vied with each other in offering all that was required.
One day they sought shelter at a house whence a youth came out and made a low obeisance. They asked his name and he gave it as Liu An, of a well known family of hunters. Hearing who the visitor was the hunter wished to lay before him a dish of game, but though he sought for a long time nothing could be found for the table. So he came home, killed his wife and prepared a portion for his guest. While eating Liu Pei asked what flesh it was and the hunter told him “wolf.” Yuan-te knew no better and ate his fill. Next day at daylight, just as he was leaving, he went to the stables in the rear to get his horse and passing through the kitchen he saw the dead body of a woman lying on the table. The flesh of one arm had been cut away. Quite startled he asked what this meant, and then he knew what he had eaten the night before. He was deeply affected at this proof of his host’s regard and the tears rained down as he mounted his steed at the gate.
“I wish I could go with you,” said Liu An,“but as my mother still lives I cannot go so far from home.”
Liu Pei thanked him and went his way. The party took the road by Liangch’eng and as they were going out they saw not far off a thick cloud of dust. When the troop came nearer they found they were men of Ts’ao Ts’ao’s army, and with them they travelled to the main camp where they found Ts’ao Ts’ao himself. He wept at the sad story of Liu’s distress, the loss of the city, his brothers and wife and children. When he told him of the hunter who had sacrificed his wife to feed them Ts’ao sent the hunter a present of a hundred ounces of silver as a reward.*
The march then was continued to Chipei, where Hsiahou Yuan welcomed them. They heard that his brother was still ill from the wound he had received in the eye. Ts’ao Ts’ao went to the sick man’s bedside to see him and had him removed to Hsutu for skilled treatment.
Presently scouts, sent out particularly for tidings of Lu Pu, returned saying that he had allied himself with the bandits in the east and they were attacking Yenchou. At this Ts’ao Ts’ao despatched Ts’ao Jen with three companies to take P’eich’eng, while he, in conjunction with Liu Pei, moved against Lu Pu.
They went east. As they neared Artemisia Pass (Hsiao Kuan) they met the T’aishan brigands with three legions barring their road. However, they were easily beaten back and were chased right up to the pass.
The scouts told Lu Pu, who was then in Hsuchou, whither he had gone to start an expedition to save Hsiaop’ei. He left the protection of his city to Ch’en Kuei and set out with Ch’en Teng.
As this latter was starting Ch’en Kuei said to him,“Remember the words of Ts’ao Ts’ao, that the business of the east is in our hands. Now is our moment for Lu Pu is about to suffer defeat.”
“Father, your son can look after the outside. But when he returns beaten you must arrange with Mi Chu to keep him out of the city. I shall find a means of escape,” said Teng.
“His family is here and he has many friends. How about them?”
“I also have a scheme to settle them.”
Then he went to see Lu Pu, to whom he said,“Hsuchou is surrounded and this city will be fiercely attacked. We ought to provide for possible retreat and I advise storing grain and money in Hsiaop’ei. We could retreat there if the day went adversely. Why not see about this in good time?”
“Your words are indeed wise. I will also send my wife and little ones thither,” said Lu.
The family left under escort and with them was sent much grain and silver. And then the soldiers marched to the relief of the pass. About half way there Ch’en Teng said,“Let me go first to reconnoitre so that you, my lord, may advance with confidence.”
Thus Ch’en Teng parted company with his chief and preceded him to the pass where he was received by Ch’en Kung. He said,“The Marquis greatly wonders why you do not advance. He is going to enquire into it.”
“The enemy is in great force and we cannot be too careful,” said Kung.“We are holding the pass and you should persuade our master to take steps to guard P’eich’eng.”
Ch’en Teng muttered to himself and said no more. That evening he went up to the heights from which he could see Ts’ao’s army, which was quite close to the pass. Then he wrote three notes, tied them to arrows and shot them into Ts’ao’s camp.
Next day he left and hastened back to Lu Pu.“Those bandits are about to give up the pass to the enemy, but I have left Ch’en Kung to hold it. You had better make an attack tonight and hold him.”
“Had it not been for you the pass would have been lost,” said Lu.
Then he sent Ch’en Teng back to arrange a signal with Ch’en Ku
ng for simultaneous action. So Teng returned to Kung to whom he said,“Ts’ao’s men have found a secret way through the pass and I fear Hsuchou is already lost. You ought to go back at once.”
At this the pass was abandoned and Kung began to retreat. Then the prearranged signal was given.
Lu Pu advanced in the darkness to the relief of the pass. Presently he met Ch’en Kun’s men, and as neither recognised the other in the darkness a fierce battle ensued. Nor was the trick discovered till daylight came.
While these things were going on Ts’ao Ts’ao had noted the signal and advanced as fast as possible. The bandits, who alone remained to hold the pass, were easily driven out and scattered in all directions.
When daylight came and the trick was discovered Lu Pu and Ch’en Kung set off together for Hsuchou. But when they arrived and summoned the gate, instead of opening the doors the men on the wall saluted them with a thick flight of arrows. At the same time Mi Chu appeared on the defence tower and shouted,“You stole our master’s city and now we are going to give it back to him. You will not enter here again.”
“Where is Ch’en Kuei?” cried Lu Pu, angrily.
“We have slain him,” was the reply.
“Where is that son of his?” said Pu turning to Ch’en Kung.
“Do you still hold to your delusion, General, that you ask where this specious rogue is?”
Lu Pu bade them search through all the ranks, but he was not to be found. Then they decided to go to Hsiaop’ei. But ere they had got half way there suddenly appeared the troops under the command of Kao Shun and Chang Liao. They said Ch’en Teng had come to them saying their lord was surrounded and wanted help so they had come at once.
“Another trick of that false rogue!” said Lu Pu.“Surely he shall die for this.”
They went with all speed to the city, only to see as they drew near the ensigns of the enemy displayed all along the walls, for the city had been taken by Ts’ao Jen.
While Lu Pu stood at the foot of the rampart reviling the traitor Ch’en Teng, Teng himself appeared on the wall and pointing to Lu Pu cried,“Did you think that I, a Minister of the Dynasty, would serve a rebel like you?”
Lu Pu in his wrath was about to make a desperate attack but suddenly a great noise was heard and an army came up behind him. It was led by no other than Chang Fei.
Kao Shun went to engage him, but he had no chance of success. Lu Pu then joined in the fray. Then another army appeared, and the leader this time was Ts’ao Ts’ao himself, and his army rushed to the attack. Seeing that he had no hope of victory Lu Pu went away toward the east, with Ts’ao Ts’ao in pursuit. His army marched till they were worn out. Then appeared a new force under Kuan Yu. Holding his sword ready to strike he called out,“Do not flee, O Lu Pu, Kuan Yu is waiting for you.”
Lu Pu joined battle; he was flurried and scarce knew what was happening. And soon Chang Fei came up once more. By desperate efforts Lu Pu and his men cut their way through the press and got free. After this they started for Hsiaop’ei as fast as they could travel and Hou Ch’eng helped to keep the pursuers at bay.
So the two brothers Kuan Yu and Chang Fei were together again after their separation. Both shed tears of joy as they told each other what they had seen and suffered.
“I was on the Haichow road when I heard of you,” said Yun-ch’ang.“I lost no time in starting.”
“And I had been camped in the Mangtang Hills for a long time. It is happiness to be together again.”
So they talked. Then they marched off together to find their elder brother, and made their salutations with tears. In Yuan-te’s heart sadness and joy intermingled. Next they were presented to Ts’ao Ts’ao and with him they went into the captured city.
Mi Chu soon came with the welcome news of the safety of the family. And the two Ch’en’s, betrayers of Lu Pu, came to present their salutations. A grand banquet was prepared for the officers at which Ts’ao Ts’ao presided as host and Ch’en Kuei and Yuan-te occupied the seats of honour. At the close of the banquet Ts’ao Ts’ao paid the two Chens the highest compliments on their success and rewarded them with the revenues of ten departments beside giving the son the title of Fu-po Chang-chun or General,“Queller of Waves.”
Ts’ao Ts’ao was very pleased with his success and at once began to scheme for the taking of Hsiaop’ei, the sole place now left to Lu Pu, where he had taken refuge. Ch’eng Yu said the course was inadvisable.
“If Lu Pu be pressed too hard he may get clear by a desperate effort and throw himself into the arms of our especial enemy Yuan Shu. These two as allies would be difficult to overcome. Rather send a capable man to guard Huainan, one able to secure you against Lu Pu on one hand and to hold Yuan Shu on the other. Moreover the bandits are in Shantung and still our enemies. They must be watched.”
Ts’ao replied,“I can keep the whole of Shantung and I will request Yuan-te to take the south.”
“Could I dare withstand your command?” said Yuan-te.
So forthwith Liu Pei, leaving Mi Chu and Chien Yung at Hsuchou, went south, taking in his train his brothers and Sun Ch’ien. And Ts’ao led his army to Hsiaop’ei.
Lu Pu felt very secure in his refuge. He had good store of grain and he had the protection of the river, so he sat quiet, satisfied that he could maintain his defence. So he allowed Ts’ao’s army to approach without molestation.
“You ought to attack Ts’ao’s army as they come up before they have time to make camps and defences. They will only have fatigued men to oppose to your fresh troops and you will certainly defeat them.”
So said Ch’en Kung but Lu Pu replied,“I have suffered too many defeats lately to take any risk. Wait till they actually attack and you will see them floating away on the waters.”
So he neglected the confidant’s advice and waited till the enemy had settled into their camp. This done, the attackers advanced against the city. From the foot of the wall Ts’ao Ts’ao called to Lu Pu to listen while he spoke. Lu Pu ascended to the wall where he stood.
Ts’ao addressed him, saying,“When I heard that your family and that of Yuan Shu were likely to be united by marriage I sent an army against you, for Yuan was guilty of treason while you had to your credit the destruction of Tung Cho. For what reason have you sacrificed all your merits to throw in your lot with a rebel? It will be over late to regret when this city shall have fallen. But if you surrender and help me to support the ruling house you shall not lose your rank of Marquis.”
Lu Pu replied,“If the Minister will retire we may be able to discuss the matter.”
But Ch’en Kung, standing near his master, began to rail at Ts’ao Ts’ao for a rebel and shot an arrow that struck his plumed helmet.
“My oath, but I will slay you at least!” cried Ts’ao, pointing his finger at Ch’en Kung.
Then the attack on the walls began.
“They have come from far and cannot maintain this for long,” said Ch’en Kung.“General, go out with your horse and foot and take up a position outside, leaving me to maintain the defence with the remainder of our men. If he engages you, I will come out and strike at his rear ranks; if he attacks the city, you can come to our aid. In a few days their stores will fail and we can beat them off. This will place them between the horns.”
“The advice seems good,” said Lu Pu.
He went back to his palace and prepared his weapons. As it was the depth of winter he made his men take plenty of wadded clothing to keep them warm. His wife heard of it and came to ask whither he was going. He told her of Ch’en Kung’s plan.
She said,“My lord, you are leaving an undamaged city, abandoning your wife and little ones and going with a paltry force. Should any untoward event happen will your handmaid and her lord ever meet again?”
Lu Pu hesitated, and for three days made no move. Then Ch’en Kung came to see him again and said,“The enemy are all round the city and unless you go out soon you will be quite hemmed in.”
“I am thinking it would be better to
maintain a stubborn defence,” said Lu.
“Our enemies are short of food and have sent for supplies to Hsutu. These will soon arrive and you should go out with some veterans and intercept the convoy. That loss would be a heavy blow.”
Lu Pu agreed and went in to tell his wife the new plan. She wept saying,“If you go do you think those others equal to the defence of the city? Should anything go wrong you would be very sorry. You abandoned me at Changan and it was only through the fortunate kindness of P’ang Hsu that I was hidden from our enemies and rejoined you. Who would have thought you would leave me again? But go, go your way as far as you wish, and do not mind your wife?”
And she wept bitterly. Lu Pu very sadly went to take leave of Little Cicada who said,“You are my lord, you must not be careless and ride out alone.”
“You need not fear; with my mighty halberd and the Hare, my swift steed, who dare come near me?”
He went out. He met Ch’en Kung and said,“That story about supplies for Ts’ao Ts’ao is all false, one of his many ruses I am not going to stir.”
Ch’en Kung sighed; he felt all was lost.
“We shall die and no man shall know our burying place,” said he.
Thereupon Lu Pu remained in his own quarters with his women folk, drinking freely to dissipate his sorrows. Two of his advisers went in and proposed that he should write to the powerful Yuan Shu for help. Yuan would hardly refuse to rescue the affianced bride of his son. So he wrote and bade these two take the letter.
Hsu Ssu said,“You ought to send a strong escort with us to force a way through.”
So Lu told off a company and two captains to conduct his messenger beyond the pass. They started that same night at the second watch, Chang Liao leading and Ho Ming bringing up the rear. They got out of the city, crept past Yuan-te’s camp and got beyond the danger zone. Then half the escort went on and Chang Liao led the remainder back toward the city. At the pass he found Yun-ch’ang waiting. However, at that moment Kao Shun came to his help and they all returned and reentered the gates.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Page 28
