Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

“What is there to laugh at?” asked the officers.

  “People say those two are able and crafty; I do not see it. They are a couple of incapables. If an ambush had been placed here we should all be prisoners.”

  He had not finished this speech when the explosion of a bomb broke the silence and a half company of men with swords in their hands appeared and barred the way. The leader was Kuan Yu holding the famous Black Dragon sword, bestriding the “Red Hare” steed. At this sight the spirits of the soldiers left them and they gazed into each others’ faces in panic.

  “Now we have but one course,” said Ts’ao Ts’ao,“we must fight to the death.”

  “How can we?” said the officers.“The men are scared, the horses are spent.”

  Cheng Yu said,“I have always heard that Kuan Yu is haughty to the proud but kindly to the humble; he despises the strong, but is gentle with the weak. He discriminates between love and hate and is always righteous and true. You, O Minister, have shown him kindness, and if you will remind him of that we shall escape this evil.”

  Ts’ao Ts’ao agreed to try. He rode out to the front, bowed low and said,“General, I trust you have enjoyed good health.”

  “I had orders to await you, O Minister,” replied he, bowing in return,“and I have been expecting you these many days.”

  “You see before you Ts’ao Ts’ao, defeated and weak. I have reached a sad pass and I trust you, O General, will not forget the kindness of former days.”

  “Though indeed you were kind to me in those days, yet I slew your enemies for you and relieved the siege of Paima. As to the business of today, I cannot allow private feelings to outweigh public duty.”

  “Do you remember my generals, slain at the five passes? The noble man values righteousness. You are well versed in the histories and must recall the action of Yu-kung, the archer, when he found his master Tzu-cho in his power.”

  Kuan Yu was indeed a very mountain of goodness and could not forget the great kindness he had received at Ts’ao Ts’ao’s hands, and the magnanimity he had shown over the deeds at the five passes. He saw the desperate straits to which his benefactor was reduced and tears were very near to the eyes of both. He could not press him hard. He pulled at the bridle of his steed and turned away saying to his followers,“Break up the formation.”

  From this it was evident that his design was to release Ts’ao Ts’ao, who then went on with his officers, and when Kuan Yu turned to look back they had all passed. He uttered a great shout and the soldiers jumped off their horses and knelt on the ground crying for mercy. But he also had pity for them. Then Chang Liao, whom he knew well, came along and was allowed to go free also.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao, his army lost, fled to the Huayung Valley,

  There in the throat of the gorge met he Kuan Yu.

  Grateful was Kuan, and mindful of former kindness,

  Wherefore slipped he the bolt and freed the imprisoned dragon.

  Having escaped this danger Ts’ao Ts’ao hastened to get out of the valley. As the throat opened out he glanced behind him and saw only two score and seven horsemen. As evening fell they reached Nanchun and they came upon what they took to be more enemies. Ts’ao Ts’ao thought the end had surely come, but to his delight they were his own men and he regained all his confidence. Ts’ao Jen, who was the leader, said that he had heard of the misfortunes of his master, but he was afraid to venture far from his charge else he would have met him before.

  “I nearly missed you as it was,” said Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  The fugitives found repose in the city, where Chang Liao soon joined them. He also praised the magnanimity of Kuan Yu.

  When Ts’ao Ts’ao mustered the miserable remnant of his host he found nearly all were wounded and he bade them rest. Ts’ao Jen poured the wine of consolation whereby his master might forget his sorrows. And as Ts’ao drank among his familiars he became exceedingly sad.

  Wherefore they said,“O Minister, when you were in the cave of the tiger and trying to escape you showed no sign of sorrow; now that you are safe in a city, where you have food and the horses have forage, where all you have to do is to prepare for revenge, suddenly you lose heart and grieve; why thus?”

  Replied Ts’ao Ts’ao,“I am thinking of my friend Kuo Chia; had he been alive he would not have let me suffer this loss.”

  He beat his breast and wept, saying “Alas for Feng-hsiao! I grieve for Feng-hsiao! I sorrow for Feng-hsiao!”

  The reproach shamed the advisers. Next day Ts’ao Ts’ao called Ts’ao Jen and said,“I am going to the capital to prepare another army for revenge. You are to guard this district and, in case of necessity, I leave with you a sealed plan. You are only to open the cover when hard-pressed, and then you are to act as directed. Wu will not dare to look this way.”

  “Who is to guard Hofei and Hsiangyang?”

  “Chingchou is particularly your care and Hsiahou Tun is to hold Hsiangyang. As Hofei is most important I am sending Chang Liao thither with good aids. If you get into difficulties send at once to tell me.”

  Having made these dispositions Ts’ao Ts’ao set off at once with a few followers. He took with him the officers who had come over to his side when Chingchou fell into his hands.

  Ts’ao Jen placed Ts’ao Hung in charge of the south of Iling.

  After having allowed the escape of Ts’ao Ts’ao, Kuan Yu found his way back to headquarters. By this time the other detachments had returned bringing spoil of horses and weapons and supplies of all kinds. Only Kuan Yu came back empty-handed. When he arrived Chuko Liang was with his brother congratulating him on his success. When Kuan Yu was announced K’ungming got up and went to welcome him, bearing a cup of wine.

  “Joy! O General,” said he.“You have done a deed that overtops the world. You have removed the country’s worst foe and ought to have been met at a distance and felicitated.

  Kuan Yu muttered inaudibly and K’ungming continued,“I hope it is not because we have omitted to welcome you on the road that you seem sad.”

  Turning to those about him he said,“Why did you not tell us he was coming?”

  “I am here to ask for death,” said Kuan Yu.

  “Surely Ts’ao Ts’ao came through the valley?”

  “Yes; he came tljat way, and I could not help it, I let him go.”

  “Then whom have you captured?”

  “No one.”

  “Then you remembered the old kindness of Ts’ao Ts’ao and so allowed him to escape. But your acceptance of the task with its conditions is here. You will have to suffer the penalty.”

  He called in the lictors and told them to take away Kuan Yu and put him to death.

  Kuan Yu risked life when he spared Ts’ao

  In direst need,

  And age-long admiration gained

  For kindly deed.

  What actually befell will be seen in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER LI

  A GREAT BATTLE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH: K’UNGMING ANGERS CHOU YU

  K uan Yu had died there but for his elder brother, who said to the great strategist,“We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother Yun-ch’ang has offended I cannot bear to break our oath. I hope you will only record this against him and let him atone later for the fault by some specially meritorious service.”

  So the sentence was remitted. In the meantime Chou Yu mustered his officers and called over his men, noted the special services of each and sent full reports to his master. The soldiers who had surrendered were all transported across the river. All this done they spread the feast of victory.

  The next step was to attack and capture Nanchun. The van of the army camped on the river bank. There were five camps and the general’s tent was in the centre. He summoned his officers to a council. At this moment Sun Ch’ien arrived with congratulations from Liu Pei. Chou Yu received him and, having saluted in proper form, Ch’ien said,“My lord sent me on this special mission to felicitate the General on his great virtue and offer some unw
orthy gifts.”

  “Where is Yuan-te?” asked Chou Yu.

  “He is now encamped at Yuchiangk’ou.”

  “Is K’ungming there?” asked Chou Yu, taken aback.

  “Both are there,” said Ch’ien.

  “Then return quickly, and I will come in person to thank them.”

  The presents handed over, Sun Ch’ien was sent back forthwith to his own camp. Then Lu Su asked Chou Yu why he had started when he heard where Liu Pei was camped.

  “Because,” replied Chou Yu,“camping there means that he has the intention of taking Nanchun. Having spent much military energy and spared no expenditure, we thought the district should fall to us easily. Those others are opposed to us and they wish to get the advantage of what we have already accomplished. However, they must remember that I am not dead yet.”

  “How can you prevent them?” asked Lu Su.

  “I will go myself and speak with them. If all goes well, then, let it be so; in case it does not, then I shall immediately settle up Liu Pei without waiting for Nanchun to be taken.”

  “I should like to accompany you,” said Lu Su.

  The General and his friend started, taking with them a guard of one squadron of light horse. Having arrived at Yuchiangk’ou they sought out Sun Cb’ien, who, in turn, went in to see Yuan-te and told him Chou Yu had come to render thanks.

  “Why has he come?” asked Yuan-te of his all-wise adviser.

  “Is it likely he would come out of simple politeness? Of course he has come in connection with Nanchun.”

  “But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?” asked Yuan-te.

  “When he comes you may reply thus and thus.”

  Then they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers upon the bank and when the arrival of Chou Yu was formally announced, Chao Yun, with some horsemen, went to welcome him. When Chou Yu saw what bold men they looked he began to feel uncomfortable, but he went on his way. Being met at the camp gates by Liu Pei and K’ungming, he was taken in to the chief tent, where the ceremonies were performed and preparations for a banquet had been made.

  Presently Liu Pei raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory gained by his guest. The banquet proceeded and after a few more courses Chou Yu said,“Of course you are camped here with no other idea than to take Nanchun?”

  “We heard you were going to take the place and came to assist. Should you not take it then we will occupy it.”

  Chou Yu laughed.“We of the east have long wished for this district. Now that it is within our grasp we naturally shall take it.”

  Liu Pei said,“There is always some uncertainty. Ts’ao Ts’ao left Ts’ao Jen to guard the district and you may be certain that there is good strategy behind him to say nothing of his boldness as a warrior. I fear you may not get it.”

  “Well, if we do not take it then, Sir, you may have it, said Chou Yu.

  “Here are witnesses to your words,” said Liu Pei, naming those at table.“I hope you will never repent what you have just said.”

  Lu Su stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the witnesses but Chou Yu said,“When the word of a noble man has gone forth it is ended; he never regrets.”

  “This speech of yours, Sir, is very generous,” interjected K’ungming.“Wu shall try first, but if the place does not fall there is no reason why my lord should not capture it.”

  The two visitors then took their leave and rode away. As soon as they had left Liu Pei turned to K’ungming and said,“O Master, you bade me thus reply to Chou Yu, but though I did so I have turned it over and over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. I am alone and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desired to get possession of Nanchun that I might have, at least, a temporary shelter, yet I have said that Chou Yu may attack it first and if it fall to Wu, how can I get possession?”

  K’ungming laughed and replied,“First I advised you to attack Chingchou, but you would not listen; do you remember?”

  “But it belonged to Liu Piao and I could not bear to attack it then. Now it belongs to Ts’ao Ts’ao I might do so.”

  “Do not be anxious,” replied the adviser.“Let Chou Yu go and attack it, some day, my lord, I shall make you sit in the high places thereof.”

  “But what design have you?”

  “So and so,” replied K’ungming.

  Yuan-te was satisfied with the reply, and only strengthened his position at Chiangk’ou. In the meantime Chou Yu and Lu Su returned to their own camp and the latter said,“Why did you tell Liu Pei that he might attack Nanchun?”

  “I can take it with a flick of my finger,” replied Chou Yu,“but I just manifested a little pretended kindliness.”

  Then he enquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city. One Chiang Ch’in offered himself, and was put in command of the vanguard, with Hsu Sheng and Ting Feng as helpers. He was given five companies of veterans and they moved across the river. Chou Yu promised to follow with supports.

  On the other side Ts’ao Jen ordered Ts’ao Hung to guard Iling and so hold one corner of a triangular defence. When the news came that Wu had crossed the river Han, Ts’ao said,“We will defend and not offer battle.”

  But Niu Chin said impetuously,“To let the enemy approach the walls and not offer battle is timidity. Our men, lately worsted, need heartening and must show their mettle. Let me have half a company of veterans and I will fight to a finish.”

  Ts’ao Jen could not withstand this offer and so the half company went out of the city. At once Ting Feng came to challenge the leader and they fought a few bouts. Then Ting Feng pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight and retreated into his own lines. Niu Chin followed him hard. When he had got within the Wu formation, at a signal from Ting Feng, the army closed round and Niu Chin was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing him in the toils, Ts’ao Jen, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armour and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of horsemen and burst in among the men of Wu to try to rescue his colleague. Beating back Hsu Sheng he fought his way in and presently rescued Niu Chin.

  However, having got out he saw several score of horsemen still in the middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Chiang Ch’in on whom he and Niu Chin made a violent onslaught. Then the brother Ts’ao Shun came up with supports and the great battle ended in a defeat for the men of Wu.

  So Ts’ao Jen went back victor, while the unhappy Chiang Ch’in returned to report his failure. Chou Yu was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.

  Then he prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But Kan Ning said,“General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first and attack Iling, the supporting angle of the triangle. After that the conquest of Nanchun will be easy.”

  Chou Yu accepted the plan and Kan, with three companies, went to attack Iling.

  When news of the approaching army reached him Ts’ao Jen called to his side Ch’en Chiao, who said,“If Iling be lost then Nanchun is lost too. So help must be sent quickly.”

  Thereupon Ts’ao Shun and Niu Chin were sent by secret ways to the aid of Ts’ao Hung. Ts’ao Shun sent a messenger to the city to ask that they should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements should arrive.

  So when Kan Ning drew near, Ts’ao Hung went out to meet and engage him. They fought a score of rounds, but Ts’ao Hung was overcome at last and Kan Ning took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements came up and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The scouts went off immediately to tell Chou Yu of this sudden change of affairs which greatly alarmed him.

  “Let us hasten to his rescue,” said Cheng P’u.

  “This place is of the greatest importance,” said Chou Yu,“and I am afraid to leave it undefended lest Ts’ao Jen should atta
ck.”

  “But he is one of our first leaders and must be rescued,” said Lu Meng.

  “I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my place?” said Chou Yu.

  “Leave Lin Tung here,” said Lu Meng; “I will push on ahead and you can protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the paean of victory.”

  “Are you willing?” said Chou Yu to the man who was to act for him.

  “If the ten day period is not exceeded I may be able to carry on for that time; I am unequal to more than that.”

  “Ling’s Tung consent pleased Chou Yu who started at once, leaving a legion for the defence of the camp. Lu Meng said to his chief,“South of Iling is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack on Nanchun. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat the defeated will take this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall capture.”

  Chou Yu approved and the men set out. When the main army drew near Iling, Chou Yu asked who would try to break through the besiegers and Chou Tai offered himself. He girded on his sword, mounted his steed and burst straight into the Ts’ao army. He got through to the city wall.

  From the city wall Kan Ning saw the approach of his friend Chou Tai and went out to welcome him. Chou Tai told him that the Commander-in-Chief was on the way to his relief and Kan Ning at once bade the defenders prepare from within to support the attack of the rescuers.

  When the news of the approach of Chou Yu had reached Iling the defenders had sent to teli Ts’ao Jen, who was at Nanchun and they prepared to repel the assailants. So when the army of Wu came near they were at once attacked. Simultaneously Kan Ning and Chou Tai attacked on two sides and the men of Ts’ao were thrown into confusion. The men of Wu fell on lustily and the three leaders all fled by a bye-road, but, finding the way barred with felled trees and other obstacles, they had to abandon their horses and go afoot. In this way the men of Wu gained some five hundred steeds.

  Chou Yu, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanchun, came upon Ts’ao Jen and his army marching to save Iling. The two armies engaged and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both drew off and Ts’ao Jen withdrew into the city.