Three Kingdoms
Page 99
Fu Shiren lacked the will to defend his post.
If only Lord Guan had heeded Wang Fu's warning!
What was the outcome of Fu Shiren's mission?8
Read on.
76
Xu Huang Wages War on the River Mian;
Lord Guan Flees to Mai in Defeat
The news of the loss of Jiangling left Mi Fang completely nonplussed. Suddenly the arrival of Fu Shiren was announced. Mi Fang received him excitedly and asked his purpose in coming. "It is not that I am disloyal," Fu Shiren began, "but circumstances overwhelmed me. I could not maintain my position, and have surrendered to the Southland. I think, General, that an early surrender would be in your best interests, too." "We here," Mi Fang responded, "have enjoyed the favor of the king of Hanzhong. I could not bear to betray him." Shiren said, "At the time of his departure Lord Guan had little love for either of us. And the day he returns victorious, there will be no easy clemency for us, you can be sure. Look clearly at the situation." "My brother and I have long served the king of Hanzhong," Mi Fang went on. "I cannot simply turn against him without warning."
Torn between two choices, Mi Fang was informed of the arrival of a messenger from Lord Guan. Ushered into the reception room, the messenger said, "The army is short of grain. Lord Guan is looking particularly to Gong'an and Nanjun for one hundred thousand piculs of rice. He orders both of you generals to deliver it to the front immediately."1 Astounded, Mi Fang said to Fu Shiren, "Jiangling has been taken by the south. How can I send this grain over to him?" Shiren retorted sharply, "Enough shillyshallying!" He drew his sword and killed the messenger right in the main hall. "Why did you do that?" Mi Fang exclaimed. Shiren replied, "Guan's purpose was nothing less than to have us killed. Are we supposed to tie our hands and wait quietly for that? If you don't surrender to the south, Guan is sure to kill you." At that moment it was reported that Lu Meng was marching on the city, and so the frightened Mi Fang went with Fu Shiren outside the walls and surrendered. Lü Meng was delighted and brought Mi Fang before Sun Quan, who rewarded both defectors richly. After reassuring the population, Sun Quan held a grand feast for the entire army.
Cao Cao was in Xuchang meeting with his counselors on the Jingzhou situation when a messenger from the Southland arrived with Sun Quan's letter. The letter described the coming attack on Jingzhou and appealed to Cao Cao for joint operations against Lord Guan, closing with an admonition not to disclose the contents and thereby give Lord Guan the chance to prepare. In the ensuing discussion Cao Cao's first secretary, Dong Zhao, argued, "Lord Guan has Fan surrounded. The people there are desperate for relief. I think we should have this letter shot into the city of Fan to improve the morale of the troops and also to let Lord Guan know that the south is going to attack Jingzhou. Guan will withdraw rather than lose Jingzhou. We should then have Xu Huang fall upon Guan and his men and complete the victory." Cao Cao adopted Dong Zhao's proposal. He sent a man to urge Xu Huang to fight at once; and he took personal command of a large force and marched to Yangling Slope, south of Luoyang, to aid Cao Ren. Zhao, argued, "Lord Guan has Fan surrounded. The people there are desperate for relief. I think we should have this letter shot into the city of Fan to improve the morale of the troops and also to let Lord Guan know that the south is going to attack Jingzhou. Guan will withdraw rather than lose Jingzhou. We should then have Xu Huang fall upon Guan and his men and complete the victory." Cao Cao adopted Dong Zhao's proposal. He sent a man to urge Xu Huang to fight at once; and he took personal command of a large force and marched to Yangling Slope, south of Luoyang, to aid Cao Ren.
Xu Huang was in his tent when Cao Cao's messenger arrived. "Today the king of Wei and his troops have passed Luoyang," he announced. "He commands you, General, to do battle with Lord Guan and relieve the siege at Fan without delay." At this moment a spy reported: "Guan Ping has encamped at Yan and Liao Hua at Sizhong in a string of twelve well-constructed bases in good communication with each other." Xu Huang immediately sent his lieutenant commanders, Xu Shang and Lü Jian, to fight Guan Ping at Yan—but they were to fly Xu Huang's colors as a decoy. Xu Huang himself took five hundred picked troops and, skirting the River Mian, went to surprise Yan from the rear.
When Guan Ping heard that Xu Huang was marching toward him, he went to meet the enemy with his own unit. The two armies faced off and Guan Ping rode forth. After three clashes with Xu Shang, Guan Ping was victorious and Xu Shang fled. The second lieutenant commander, Lü Jian, took the field; but he too fled in defeat after five or six clashes. Guan Ping gave chase some twenty li, dealing bloody slaughter as he rode. A report of fire in his city brought him up short. Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Guan Ping wheeled around and went back to save Yan. But a force of well-deployed troops confronted him; at their head was Xu Huang. Poised on his horse, banners flying above him, he called out, "Guan Ping, worthy nephew. Have you no fear of death? The southerners hold your Jingzhou now, yet you refuse to behave yourself here!"
In great anger Ping gave rein, wheeling his blade and making straight for Xu Huang. But after they had locked weapons and broken three or four times, his men began shouting: Yan was burning down. No longer able to give himself to the fight, Guan Ping cut a great bloody swath as he charged headlong toward the second camp at Sizhong. Liao Hua received him, saying, "I hear that Lü Meng has taken Jingzhou. Our troops are close to panic. What are we going to do?" "It's a lie!" retorted Ping. "Execute anyone repeating it!" At that moment an express messenger brought word that Xu Huang had attacked the first position north of Yan. Guan Ping said to Liao Hua, "If that position is lost, our camps will not be secure. Here, however, we are right on the River Mian. The bastards won't dare approach. Let's go and relieve it."
Liao Hua instructed his own unit commanders: "You are to hold these camps and outworks at all costs. Signal by fire if the bastards come." The commanders replied, "The outworks at Sizhong are guarded by many rings of tree branches and defensive stakes. Not even a bird could get through. Never mind them!" So Guan Ping and Liao Hua mustered their best troops and headed for the first camp. Observing northern soldiers stationed on a low hill, Ping said to Liao Hua, "Xu Huang did not exploit the geography of this place. We can raid that camp tonight." "General," Liao Hua said, "you take half the troops and make the raid. I will hold the fort with the rest."
That night Guan Ping and a detachment of men fell upon the northern camp. Finding it empty, Ping realized he had entered a trap and withdrew swiftly, but Xu Shang and Lü Jian struck from both sides. Ping, badly defeated, made it back to the first camp. Pressing their advantage, the northerners surrounded it. Guan Ping and Liao Hua abandoned the camp and struck out for Sizhong; but it was too late. Already flames were visible in the distance, and they arrived to find the walls of Sizhong flying northern flags. Guan Ping withdrew and fled down the main road to Fan.
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Guan Ping and Liao Hua, blocked on the road by a detachment led by Xu Huang, managed to get away in desperate fighting. Back at camp they came before Lord Guan and said, "Xu Huang has taken Yan and the other bases. Cao Cao is bringing a major force in a three-pronged advance to the relief of Fan. And other reports say that Lü Meng has taken Jingzhou." "Lies!" Lord Guan shouted. "Lies spread by the enemy to weaken our morale. Lü Meng is seriously ill; some young fellow, Lu Xun, took his place. Nothing to worry about."
At this moment Xu Huang's army arrived. It was reported to Lord Guan, who called for his horse. Guan Ping said, "You cannot engage the enemy, Father, while your strength is still impaired." "I've known Xu Huang many years," Lord Guan replied, "and am fully aware of what he can and cannot do. If he doesn't pull back, I will take the initiative and kill him; that'll give the generals of the north a good scare!"
Lord Guan emerged, vigorous and fearless, appointed with sword and armor. As he rode, he struck fear into the northmen who saw him. He reined in and called out his challenge: "Xu Huang, where are you!" Where banners parted at the entrance to the northerner
s' camp, Xu Huang rode forth. He bowed deeply. "My lord," he began, "since we parted, many years have fled. Who would have thought your hair and beard would turn so grey! Yet well and fondly do I remember the lusty years of our companionship, when I gained much from your tutelage. Today the effect of your triumphs is felt throughout our land. It makes an old friend sigh in admiration. Here fortune grants us a meeting, and long-endured yearnings are appeased."
To this Lord Guan replied, "The friendship between us is deep indeed—deeper than any other. Why, then, have you time and again driven my son so utterly to the limit?" Xu Huang turned to the commanders behind him and cried out harshly, "A thousand pieces of gold to the man who takes his head!" Lord Guan was astonished. "My friend," he said, "how can you say this?" Xu Huang answered, "Today I serve the government. I am not one to set public duty aside for personal sentiment." With that, he took on Lord Guan in direct combat, his poleaxe whirling. In a fury Lord Guan met him with circling blade. After some eighty bouts Lord Guan finally felt his right arm begin to weaken, though his fighting skill was at its peak. Fearful for his father, Guan Ping hastily sounded the gongs, and Lord Guan rode back to the base.
All of a sudden a deafening clamor surrounded the camp. What had happened was this: the moment Cao Ren had heard that Cao Cao was coming to relieve Fan, he had led his troops out of the city and joined forces with Xu Huang. Together they attacked and routed the Jingzhou troops. Lord Guan took flight, riding pell-mell with his men to the upper reaches of the Xiang River, the troops of Wei in hot pursuit. Lord Guan crossed quickly and headed south for Xiangyang. On the way, an express courier found him and informed him that Jiangling had fallen and that Lü Meng had his family in custody. Lord Guan began to panic. Xiangyang was no longer safe, so he led his men toward Gong'an. But scouts brought a new report: "Fu Shiren has surrendered Gong'an to the south." Lord Guan was furious. Then his quartermaster arrived and announced, "Fu Shiren has gone to Nanjun, killed your messenger, and induced Mi Fang to surrender."
At this latest news, Lord Guan exploded in anger. His wound split open, and he passed out on the ground. When his commanders revived him, he said to Major Wang Fu, "Things would never have turned out so badly had I only heeded your advice." Lord Guan then asked, "What happened to the beacon flares along the river?" The scout replied, "The guards never got to raise their flares. Lü Meng crossed the river with his mariners dressed like merchants. The boats held crack troops, who overwhelmed the station guards." Lord Guan staggered and groaned. "Trapped by the cunning enemy! How can I face my elder brother again?" Commissariat Chief Zhao Lei said, "The situation is critical. We must send to Chengdu for help. And we must take the land route to try and recapture Jiangling." Lord Guan agreed. He sent Ma Liang and Yi Ji racing west to Chengdu with letters seeking aid. Lord Guan himself set out for Jiangling; he took the van, Guan Ping and Liao Hua the rear.
The siege of Fan was lifted. Cao Ren led his commanders to see Cao Cao, before whom he prostrated himself and tearfully confessed his fault.2 Cao Cao said, "What Heaven ordains is no fault of yours." Cao Cao rewarded the army richly and then personally inspected the outworks at the recently conquered Sizhong. Turning to his commanders, he said, "For Xu Huang to have penetrated their moat and barricades of branches is a great achievement. In more than thirty years of soldiering I have never been able to break through enemy outworks straightaway. Xu Huang excels in tactics as well as courage." The commanders, too, expressed great admiration.
Cao Cao withdrew and repositioned at Mopo. When Xu Huang arrived, Cao Cao received him outside of the base, noting with satisfaction how Xu Huang's troops moved in orderly ranks with great precision. "General Xu upholds the great tradition of Zhou Yafu!"3 Cao Cao exclaimed, and he honored Xu Huang with the title General Who Vanquishes the South. Xu Huang and Xiahou Shang then went to Xiangyang to check Lord Guan while Cao Cao posted his troops at Mopo, awaiting word of the pacification of Jingzhou.
Lord Guan had no base and nowhere to turn. He said to Zhao Lei, "The southern forces are ahead, the northern behind. I am caught in the middle, and no rescue has come.4 What are we to do?" Zhao Lei answered, "Lü Meng once wrote to Your Lordship from Lukou committing himself to the common effort to punish the traitor Cao. Now, instead, he is helping Cao Cao by attacking us. I advise you to station the army here, Your Lordship, and write to Lü Meng reproving him for betraying the alliance. See what he says." Lord Guan sent a messenger to Jiangling.
In Jiangling in Jingzhou, Lü Meng had issued orders that the families of the warriors accompanying Lord Guan, whatever district they might be in, were to be issued monthly rations, shielded from any harassment, and provided with medical care. The grateful families went on with their lives peacefully. When Lord Guan's representative arrived, Lü Meng met him outside the wall and welcomed him into the city as an honored guest. On delivery of Lord Guan's letter, Lü Meng told the messenger, "In concluding an accord with General Guan, I acted on my own. Today I am under orders. I am not my own master here, and I must trouble you, when you report back to the general, to convey my view as amicably as you can." Lü Meng ordered a banquet for the representative and escorted him to the post station, where the families of Lord Guan's warriors surrounded him for news. Some pressed letters on him and some gave him spoken messages, all to the effect that the families were well and had enough food and clothing. Lü Meng escorted Lord Guan's courier outside the city.
When the messenger brought back Lü Meng's answer and the tidings of Lord Guan's and his commanders' families, Lord Guan was moved to rage. "Treacherous, treasonous tricks!" he cried. "But I will take revenge, for I will kill him while I live, or else after I am dead!" Lord Guan roughly sent the messenger out, and the man was quickly surrounded by commanders seeking news of their families. As they took in hand the letters from home and learned of the security and comfort their loved ones enjoyed and the pains Lü Meng had taken to be considerate, the commanders felt grateful and began to lose their will to fight.
Lord Guan led his army on toward Jiangling, but during breaks in the march many there deserted and fled. Hate and anger rose up in him, and he pressed the army to advance. Suddenly there was a thunderous clamor. A band of soldiers blocked his way, at the head a chief commander—Jiang Qin. Reining in, he raised his spear and shouted, "Guan! Surrender now!" Lord Guan swore back, "I am a Han general and will never surrender to a rebel!" Laying on the whip, his blade dancing, Guan went for Jiang Qin. The clash was brief. Qin fled in defeat. Lord Guan had pursued him some twenty li, when more shouting began. On the left Han Dang came charging out of a ravine; on the right Zhou Tai came out of another. Then Jiang Qin reversed direction and gave battle. Caught between three forces, Lord Guan pulled back and fled.
After proceeding several li Lord Guan saw groups of men on the ridges of some hills to the south. Near them, a white flag bearing the words "Natives of Jingzhou" caught the breeze. They shouted down a plea: "All native warriors surrender quickly!" Lord Guan wanted to rush the hills and kill them. But he was assaulted by two more units, which had sprung from the shady side of the hills: to the left, Ding Feng; to the right, Xu Sheng. Their men now joined those of Jiang Qin, Han Dang, and Zhou Tai. Amid earth-shaking yells and drums and horns that filled the sky with noise, they closed in. Lord Guan's immediate commanders were slowly being eliminated as the fighting wore on into the sunset. Lord Guan saw Jingzhou troops on the surrounding hills, brothers calling to brothers, sons searching for fathers and fathers for sons. It went on and on; the men were turning against him, quitting in response to the calls, ignoring Lord Guan's commands. Soon he was left with only three hundred followers.5
The fighting went on into the third watch. Due east a great cry went up. It was Guan Ping and Liao Hua. They had broken through the encirclement to rescue Lord Guan. Guan Ping said, "The troops are out of control. We have to get to a fortified place and hold it until help comes. The town of Mai, though small, should serve." Lord Guan approved and urged his remnant force toward the town. Aft
er entering, they sealed the four gates tight. Then they took counsel. Zhao Lei said, "We are close to Shangyong. Liu Feng and Meng Da are defending it. Send to them for help. Even a small contingent, just to relieve us until a larger force comes from the Riverlands, will restore morale."
At this moment it was reported that Southland troops had surrounded Mai. Lord Guan asked, "Who will break out and go to Shangyong for help?" Liao Hua volunteered, and Guan Ping agreed to escort him through the enemy lines. Lord Guan composed a letter, which Liao Hua concealed on his person. The two volunteers supped well, mounted, and went out the gate. Ding Feng of the Southland confronted them. Guan Ping attacked valiantly and drove him off. Seizing the moment, Liao Hua got through the siege and made for Shangyong. Guan Ping reentered the city and resolutely refused to appear.
Liu Feng and Meng Da, since occupying Shangyong, had received the submission of Shen Dan, the district governor. As a result, the king of Hanzhong appointed Liu Feng deputy general to guard the city together with Meng Da. Liu Feng and Meng Da were conferring about Lord Guan's defeats when Liao Hua arrived and was conducted to their quarters. "Lord Guan's army is defeated," Liao Hua announced. "He is under siege at Mai. The danger is great, and the Riverlands relief force needs time to get there. He sent me through the enemy lines for help. We are counting on you two to rally your troops to aid us. The slightest delay could mean the fall of my lord." Liu Feng suggested that Liao Hua rest himself while he considered the request. Liao Hua went to the guesthouse to await the muster of the troops.