Again Sun Quan turned to his advisers. Gu Yong said, "Although their plan is self-serving, it is reasonable. Let us send the messenger back with our agreement to coordinate against Liu Bei; but send an agent over the river, too, to probe the activities of Lord Guan. That is the way to proceed." Then Zhuge Jin suggested, "I have heard that Liu Bei found Lord Guan a wife when he came to Jingzhou. First she bore him a son, then a daughter. The daughter, still young, has not yet been promised in marriage. I would like to seek her hand for your heir. If Lord Guan consents, we can begin planning joint action against Cao Cao. Otherwise, we help Cao Cao take Jingzhou."12 Sun Quan adopted the plan; he sent Man Chong back to Xuchang and Zhuge Jin on to Jingzhou.
Zhuge Jin presented himself before Lord Guan. The ceremonies concluded, Lord Guan asked Zhuge Jin's purpose in coming. "I come for one particular purpose," responded Zhuge Jin, "to bind the amity of our two houses. My master has a son, a youth of high intelligence. And, I understand, you have a daughter; it is her hand I come to seek. If our two houses form this union and combine to destroy Cao Cao, it will be truly splendid. I beg you to consider it, my lord." Lord Guan's answer came in a burst of anger: "My tiger-lass married off to a mongrel? I'd have your head if you weren't Kongming's brother! Speak of it no more!" Lord Guan called for his aides, who drove Zhuge Jin scurrying off.
Back in the Southland Zhuge Jin could not conceal what had happened. Hearing the report, Sun Quan exclaimed, "What insolence!" and summoned Zhang Zhao and others to consult on a strategy for taking Jingzhou. Bu Zhi argued, "Cao Cao has been planning to usurp the dynasty for a long time; all he fears is Liu Bei. Now he wants us to attack Liu Bei, deflecting the blow intended for him." But Sun Quan said, "I have waited too long for Jingzhou!" "Cao Ren has troops in Xiangyang and in Fan," Bu Zhi replied. "No river bars his way; he could take Jingzhou by land, yet he wants to get you to do it. Why? This shows his real mind. Your Lordship, send a representative to Xuchang with a proposal that Cao Cao first have Cao Ren move by land against Jingzhou. Lord Guan will surely try to capture Fan. And once Lord Guan takes that step, a single Southland general will suffice to make the province ours, and with little trouble."
Sun Quan approved the suggestion and sent a man across the river to present the proposal to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was delighted and sent his acceptance back by the same messenger. He then ordered Man Chong to Fan to assist Cao Ren in planning the operation. At the same time he sped a call to the south to have marine forces ready to reinforce his land troops in the attack on Jingzhou.
Xuande, king of Hanzhong, having made Wei Yan responsible for the defense of the east Riverlands region, brought his court back to Chengdu. There he assigned officials to supervise construction of a palace. In addition he had way stations built for a post road; from Chengdu northeast to Baishui more than four hundred were set up. Grain was widely stored and many weapons manufactured. All these measures envisioned the eventual capture of the northern heartland.
Spies brought word that Cao Cao and Sun Quan had formed an alliance for the purpose of taking Jingzhou; the king of Hanzhong, Xuande, hastily called Kongming to counsel. "This plan of Cao Cao's is not at all unexpected," the director general said. "And the Southland is well provided with advisers of its own who will make sure Cao Ren takes the field first." The king replied, "And what do we do then?" "Send a messenger to inform Lord Guan of his new office," Kongming advised, "then have him capture Fan. That should scare the enemy and make them scatter." The king, delighted, sent Fei Shi, a captain in the forward unit, to perform the mission.
Lord Guan received Fei Shi personally in front of the city walls and led him to the government buildings. The amenities concluded, Lord Guan asked, "With what rank has the king invested me?" "Chief of the 'Five Tiger Generals," ' was the reply. "What 'Five Tiger Generals'?" Lord Guan wanted to know. "Yourself, Zhang Fei, Zhao Zilong, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong," Fei Shi answered. Lord Guan said angrily, "Zhang Fei is my younger brother; Ma Chao comes from a family of long-standing eminence. Zilong has followed my elder brother for many years and is as good as my younger brother, too. For them to have a position equivalent to my own is perfectly understandable. But who is Huang Zhong to rank alongside me? No self-respecting warrior would ever league himself with an old common soldier." Thereupon Lord Guan refused the seal and cord that Xuande had sent to confirm his appointment.13
Fei Shi smiled and said, "You are making a mistake, General. Remember that prime ministers Xiao He and Cao Shen participated with the Supreme Ancestor in creating the dynasty. No man was closer to the Emperor than those two; yet Han Xin, a general who had defected from the enemy, was honored as a king—a position greater than Xiao He's or Cao Shen's. Neither of the prime ministers, however, is known to have complained. In this case, although the king of Hanzhong has named you as one of the 'Five Tiger Generals, ' there is also the bond of brotherhood between you and him. To him, you and he are one. General, you are as good as king of Hanzhong; and the king of Hanzhong, you. How could you be classed with those others? You have the king's generous favor and should share joy and grief with him, blessing and misfortune, without niggling over status and titles. I beg you to consider this, General."
Lord Guan realized his mistake and saluted Fei Shi with clasped hands. "My ignorance, but for your advice, might have ruined the whole endeavor," he acknowledged, and received the seal of office with due reverence.
Now Fei Shi produced the royal writ directing Lord Guan to capture Fan.14 Lord Guan accepted his assignment and sent Fu Shiren and Mi Fang, forming the vanguard, to station their men outside the city wall. At the same time he feted Fei Shi inside the city. They caroused on into the second watch. Suddenly fires were reported in the camps outside the wall. Lord Guan donned his armor and took to his horse. He found that Fu Shiren and Mi Fang had been drinking and had neglected a fire behind their tent, which touched off the incendiary bombards. The whole camp was in an uproar: weapons, grain, and fodder had all been destroyed. Lord Guan and his own unit fought the fire, managing to extinguish it by the fourth watch. He then summoned the two vanguard leaders.
"I ordered you to take the vanguard," Lord Guan said, "yet before even setting out, you have lost weapons, grain, and fodder in the fire and your own men have been killed by the bombards. If you ruin things in this way, what good are the likes of you to me?" He gave the order to behead the commanders. But Fei Shi spoke in their behalf. "Before battle," he said, "it is bad luck to execute important commanders. Their crime could be excused for the time being."
Too angry to be assuaged, Lord Guan said sharply, "If Fei Shi were not here, I would have your heads." He called on his armed guards to give each forty strokes of the stave, and he stripped them of their instruments of command. Mi Fang was sent down to defend Nanjun, and Fu Shiren to Gong'an. Lord Guan added, "The day I return victorious, I will apply the law for the least infraction—including this." Their faces suffused with shame, the two commanders withdrew making obeisance.
Lord Guan now placed Liao Hua in the vanguard and made his son, Ping, Hua's lieutenant. Lord Guan himself took command of the main force; Ma Liang and Yi Ji were his counselors. Together they set forth to conquer Fan. Prior to these events, Hu Ban, son of Hu Hua, had arrived in Jingzhou and surrendered to Lord Guan. And Lord Guan, mindful that Hua had saved him in the old days,15 treated him with sincere affection, and sent him on to the Riverlands with Fei Shi to receive a rank from the king of Hanzhong. Fei Shi took his leave and went back with Hu Ban to the Riverlands.
That same day Lord Guan performed sacrifice before his banner inscribed "Chief Commander," and that night he slept fully clothed in his tent. He dreamed that a black boar the size of a bull charged into the tent and bit his foot. Angrily he snatched his sword and killed it. Its squealing sounded like the tearing of silk. At that instant Lord Guan awoke and realized it had been only a dream; but his foot continued to hurt. Troubled by the dream, he mentioned it to his son, Guan Ping, who said, "The boar can, after all, symbolize the dragon.
Its coming to your foot implies a sudden rise in your position. No need to be suspicious."
When Lord Guan told his assembled officers of the sign in his dream, some interpreted it as auspicious, but others did not. Lord Guan said, "Death no longer moves a man near sixty." Even as he spoke, a royal communication from the king of Hanzhong arrived designating him forward general, conferring the dual credentials of seal and broadaxe, and giving him full authority over the nine districts of Jingzhou.16 Lord Guan accepted the commission, and the officers respectfully congratulated him, saying, "This shows that the boar signifies the dragon." His confidence restored, Lord Guan moved his army swiftly toward Xiangyang.
Cao Ren was holding the city of Fan when he was told of Lord Guan's advance. Alarmed, Red wanted to defend from the walls and not to take the field. But a lieutenant, one Zhai Yuan, argued, "The king of Wei has arranged with the Southland to capture Jingzhou. The enemy is walking to their doom. There is no need to avoid engaging them." Man Chong advised, "I know Lord Guan for a brave and wily warrior, one to be reckoned with. To hold tight is the best policy." But Valiant Cavalry Commander Xiahou Cun said, "A pedant's logic. Don't you know that 'floods are met with earthworks and enemy generals with an army'? We are rested and they are worn: the victory should be ours."
Cao Ren heeded this counsel and ordered Man Chong to defend Fan while he went forth to engage Lord Guan. Lord Guan summoned his two commanders, Guan Ping and Liao Hua, and sent them off to carry out orders. The opposed armies consolidated their lines, and Liao Hua rode forth to issue the challenge. Zhai Yuan opposed him. After a brief combat Hua feigned defeat and fled; Zhai Yuan pursued. Lord Guan's Jingzhou troops withdrew some twenty li.
The following day Liao Hua returned, and Xiahou Cun and Zhai Yuan rode forth to meet him. Again the Jingzhou troops fell back twenty li, and Cao's commanders pursued another twenty. Suddenly, to the rear, Xiahou Cun and Zhai Yuan heard a rumbling clamor above the sound of drums and horns. Cao Ren urgently ordered his vanguard back, but Guan Ping and Liao Hua struck hard from behind and routed his troops.
Cao Ren realized a trap was closing and pulled his men back toward Xiangyang. But a few li from the city his eye caught an unfurled banner under which Lord Guan stood before him, mount poised, sword leveled. Cao Ren's courage failed, his gall shivered, his heart pounded. Cao Ren turned onto a side road to Xiangyang and raced off. Lord Guan did not pursue. Moments later Xiahou Cun arrived and rushed furiously into combat with Lord Guan. They closed but once, and Lord Guan cut him down. Zhai Yuan fled, but Guan Ping overtook him and killed him with one stroke. Lord Guan's army carried the day. More than half of Cao Ren's troops perished in the River Xiang, and Ren himself withdrew to a defensive position in Fan.
Lord Guan occupied Xiangyang, rewarded the troops, and quieted the populace's fears. Wang Fu, a commanding officer in the army, said to him, "General, you have subdued Xiangyang in a single battle. Cao's army may be demoralized; but, if I may say so, Lü Meng of the Southland stands posted at Lukou, and Lü Meng has ever coveted Jingzhou. What if he makes a direct move?" "That has occurred to me, too," Lord Guan replied. "You take care of it. Pick out some high spots twenty or thirty li apart up- and downstream for signal-flare stations. Have fifty men guard each one. If Southland troops cross the river by night, light the flares; if by day, raise smoke. I'll lead the counterattack."
Wang Fu said, "Mi Fang and Fu Shiren may not defend the two access points as vigorously as they should. We need another man to put in charge of Nanjun." Lord Guan replied, "I have already assigned Lieutenant Inspector Pan Jun to defend the city. Is there anything to worry about?" "Pan Jun is a suspicious sort, always looking out for his own interests. I wouldn't trust him. He should be replaced by Zhao Lei, field director of the Commissary; he is loyal, sincere, and straightforward. With him in charge, nothing will go wrong." Lord Guan replied, "I know Pan Jun well, but I can't change an assignment once it's made. Besides, I need Zhao Lei to take charge of food supplies, an equally important job. Don't be so suspicious, just get those beacon stations built for me." Dismayed, Wang Fu took his leave. Lord Guan ordered Guan Ping to prepare the boats to cross the river and attack Fan.
After losing two commanders, Cao Ren retreated to Fan. He said to Man Chong, "I should have taken your advice. My army is broken, my commanders killed; Xiangyang is lost. What can I do?" Man Chong replied, "Lord Guan is a fierce general, clever and cunning, not to be lightly opposed. All you can do is hold tight here." But even as they spoke, Lord Guan's approaching force was reported. He had crossed the river. Cao Ren was terrified; Man Chong repeated, "Hold tight." But one of Ren's commanders, Lu Chang, said spiritedly, "Give me a few thousand men and I'll meet the advancing enemy on the river." Man Chong objected, and Lü Chang answered angrily, "If we follow the 'hold tight' advice of you bookish officials, how will we ever repel the enemy? Don't you know the basic principle of warfare, 'Catch the enemy while he's crossing the water'? Lord Guan is halfway across. This is the time to attack. If they get close to our walls, to the edge of the moat, resistance will be most difficult."
Cao Ren put two thousand men under Lü Chang's command and ordered him to meet the attackers. Lü Chang reached the mouth of the river; there he saw Lord Guan in front of his bold banner, riding forth with leveled sword. Lü Chang prepared to engage, but the soldiers behind him fled at the spectacle of Lord Guan's awesome presence, and Lü Chang's shouts had no power to stop them. Lord Guan came on in force and wiped out more than half of Cao Ren's cavalry and infantry. The beaten remnant raced back to Fan.
Cao Ren sent for help at once. His messenger reached Chang'an and informed Cao Cao: "Lord Guan has overrun Xiangyang. We need a large force at Fan to relieve his siege." Cao Cao singled out a man in his ranks and said, "You're the one to raise the siege." All eyes turned to Yu Jin, who responded instantly. Yu Jin said, "I will need another commander for the van." Cao Cao asked those present, "Is there a volunteer for the van?" Another rose fearlessly and said, "I will do what must be done to deliver that fellow Guan." Cao Cao regarded the man with satisfaction. Indeed:
Before the Southland got the chance the strike,
The northerners were adding to their strength.
Who was the volunteer?
Read on.
74
Pang De Carries His Coffin to His Final Battle;
Lord Guan Floods the Enemy's Seven Armies
Pang De was the man who promptly answered Cao Cao's call for a volunteer to take the vanguard of Yu Jin's rescue force. Elated, Cao Cao said, "That fellow Guan has terrified the entire north; he has yet to meet his match. But Pang De will be a formidable opponent." He promoted Yu Jin to General Who Conquers the South, and Pang De to Vanguard Leader Who Conquers the West. They brought seven armies into the field and headed for Fan.
The seven armies were formed of the northerners' toughest fighters. That day the two subcommanders, Dong Heng and Dong Chao, brought the various captains before Yu Jin to offer their respects. Dong Heng said, "General, today you have called up seven strong units to break the siege at Fan. This is a battle we must win. Yet you have placed in the van a man sure to ruin our campaign." Yu Jin was startled and asked Dong Heng to explain himself. "Pang De once served Ma Chao as deputy commander," Dong Heng replied. "He surrendered to Lord Cao by force of circumstance. Now his former lord is in the Riverlands, holding the position of 'Five Tiger General. ' In addition, his brother Pang Rou is an official in the Riverlands. To make him vanguard leader is like pouring oil on a fire. General, why don't you and the king of Wei find another leader?"
Yu Jin went to speak to Cao Cao that same night. Cao Cao understood the problem; he summoned Pang De and ordered him to hand over his seal of vanguard leader. Astonished, Pang De said, "This is the day before I will show Your Highness what I can do. Why are you unwilling to use me now?" "I myself have no reservations," Cao Cao replied, "but Ma Chao is in the Riverlands, as is your brother Rou. And both serve Liu Bei. Even if you have my confidence, what about t
he troops'?" At these words Pang De removed his cap and knocked his head on the ground until blood covered his face. "I surrendered to Your Highness in Hanzhong; and I have never forgotten your generous favor, which my very life's blood could not repay. Why does Your Highness doubt me? Long ago in my home village when I was living with my elder brother, his wife did not behave as a virtuous sister-in-law; while I was drunk I killed her. My brother has hated me ever since, swearing never to see me again. We have severed all relations. My former lord, Ma Chao, was brave but foolish. His army defeated, his territory lost, he went alone to the side of the Riverlands. Now he and I serve different masters, and our bonds too are broken. After all your kind treatment, how could a disloyal thought sprout in me? If only Your Highness would consider this." Cao Cao helped Pang De to his feet and consoled him, saying, "I have always believed in your loyalty and honor. What I said was simply to quiet the minds of the others. Strive and accomplish! If you are true to me, so will I be to you."
Pang De prostrated himself in gratitude; then he returned home, had a coffin made, and invited a few friends to view it at a banquet the following day. They reacted with astonishment. "General," they said, "what use has something so inauspicious before the campaign?" Raising his cup, Pang De replied, "Honored by the generous favor of the king of Wei, to whom my very life is sworn, I go today to Fan to fight Lord Guan to the finish. If he does not die at my hands, then I will die at his. This coffin demonstrates my determination not to return without achieving my objective." The company was aghast. Pang De called his wife, Lady Li, and his son Pang Hui. "This time I go in the vanguard," he said to her. "For honor's sake I face death on the field of battle. If I die, take good care in bringing up our boy. He has unusual signs and will grow up to avenge me." Lady Li and the child wept sorely, seeing him off. Pang De had the coffin carried along as he prepared to set out.
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