Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Zhang Bao entered the command tent and addressed the Emperor: "Wu Ban's forces have come. I beg to be placed in the vanguard." Impressed by Zhang Bao's ardor, the Emperor presented the seal of the vanguard commander to him. Zhang Bao was about to take the seal, when another young commander rushed forward and said, "Leave the seal for me!" It was Guan Xing. "But I have the edict," Zhang Bao protested. "Are you fit for the task?" Guan Xing asked. "I have trained in the military arts since my youth," he replied. "My every arrow finds its mark." The Emperor said, "Let our worthy nephews show their skills, and we shall decide between them." Zhang Bao had some soldiers plant a banner with a red center one hundred paces away. Zhang Bao held his bow and drew three arrows. Each shot hit the center. The crowd shouted its acclamation.

  Guan Xing snatched his own bow and cried, "Nothing remarkable about that!" Suddenly, a line of geese flew overhead. Guan Xing pointed up and said, "I'll shoot down the third." He shot into the sky and the bird fell as the string hummed. The officials hailed Guan Xing in unison. Angered, Zhang Bao mounted swiftly and, gripping the eighteen-span spear his father had used, shouted, "A trial of arms with me?" Guan Xing mounted, raised a sword handed down from his father, and dashed out to meet the challenge. "Use your spear; I'll use my sword!"

  The two commanders had started to close, when the Emperor cried, "No more wrangling, lads!" The two hastily dismounted, threw down their weapons, and prostrated themselves as they begged the royal pardon. The Emperor continued, "In the district of Zhuo your fathers and I bound ourselves in friendship. Though of different surnames, we were as kinsmen. Now you two must join as brothers and commit yourselves utterly to avenge your fathers. What's the point of pitting yourselves against each other, neglecting the greater duty? Your fathers have been lately slain. If you go on like this, what will it lead to?" The two nephews bowed low and acknowledged their fault.

  The Emperor asked, "Which of you is older?" Zhang Bao replied, "I am, by one year." The Emperor commanded Guan Xing to honor Zhang Bao as elder brother, and the two sealed the pledge by breaking an arrow in front of the royal tent, vowing always to help one another. The Emperor placed Wu Ban in the vanguard and ordered Zhang Bao and Guan Xing to serve as his guards. By water and land the western force advanced: war-junks parallel to the cavalry, a vast tide bearing down on the Southland.

  Meanwhile, Fan Jiang and Zhang Da had transported Zhang Fei's head to Sun Quan. Hearing their account of the incident, the lord of the south accepted them and then addressed his officials: "Liu Bei has assumed the imperial throne, and now seven hundred thousand seasoned troops under his personal command are marching toward us. How shall we meet this mighty force?" The officials paled and stared at one another helplessly. Zhuge Jin came forward and said, "Long have I enjoyed Your Lordship's bounty without having rendered due service. I wish, whatever the risk, to go to meet the sovereign of the Riverlands and persuade him of the advantage of restoring friendship between our two states, that we may jointly scourge Cao Pi for his crimes." Well pleased, Sun Quan sent Zhuge Jin as his representative to persuade the Emperor to halt his armies. Indeed:

  A man was sent to the power bent on war;

  All hopes for peace rested with the message-bearer.11

  What was the fate of Zhuge Jin's mission?

  Read on.

  82

  Sun Quan Submits to Wei, Receives the Nine Dignities;

  The First Ruler Marches on Wu, Rewards All Armies

  In autumn, during the eighth month of the first year of Zhang Wu, the Emperor's army reached Kui Pass and pitched camp at the town of Baidi (which means "White Emperor" ); ahead, vanguard squads had already passed beyond Riverlands territory. A close attendant informed the Emperor that Zhuge Jin had come. The Emperor declined to receive the Southland envoy, but Huang Quan said, "Jin is the older brother of Your Majesty's own prime minister. He has not come for naught, and he should be received. Let's hear him out. Perhaps we can satisfy his request. At the least, we can use him to inform Sun Quan that we intend to make him answer for his crime." On this advice the Emperor called Zhuge Jin into Baidi.

  Zhuge Jin prostrated himself before the Emperor, who asked him, "What is the purpose of this visit?" Jin replied, "My younger brother has long served Your Majesty. I come today—even at the risk of execution—to put the question of Jingzhou before you once again. While Lord Guan held Jingzhou, Lord Sun of the Southland made several offers of alliance through marriage, which were always refused. After Lord Guan captured Xiangyang, Cao Cao sent several letters to Lord Sun urging him to attack Jingzhou.1 Lord Sun refused, but Lü Meng, whose relations with Lord Guan were never good, took action against him without Lord Sun's authorization. Lü Meng thus created an unfortunate incident, which Lord Sun deeply regrets; yet the fault was Lü Meng's, not my lord's. Now that Lü Meng is dead, the quarrel between us ends. Moreover, Lady Sun thinks only of returning to her husband.2 Lord Sun has sent me here, therefore, to communicate our desire to deliver Lady Sun and to repatriate those commanders of Lord Guan's who surrendered to us. Finally, we desire to restore Jingzhou to you to seal our amity in perpetuity that we may strive to eliminate the traitor and usurper Cao Pi."

  The Emperor retorted hotly, "You southerners murdered our brother. Don't ply us with clever arguments!" But Zhuge Jin continued, "Allow me to weigh the merits of the case. Your Majesty is an imperial uncle of the Han; the Han Emperor has been unlawfully deprived of his throne by Cao Pi. Yet instead of dedicating yourself to eliminating the traitors, you compromise your imperial dignity for a kinsman by oath, not by blood, and thereby forsake a sacred obligation for a lesser one. The northern heartland is the core of the realm; Chang'an and Luoyang are the recognized capitals of Han. Your Majesty, forsaking the north to fight for Jingzhou means forsaking what is important to pursue what is petty. The whole empire knows that by assuming the throne you could revive the Han and bring the mountains and rivers of this land within its rule once again. I venture to advise Your Majesty not to ignore Wei in order to wage war against Wu."

  In a fury the Emperor said, "That enemy who slew my brother will never share one sky with us. Nothing—save my death—will stop these troops. Were not the prime minister your brother, you would have already lost your head. However, you may return and tell Sun Quan to wash his neck: the executioner is coming." Thus, the Emperor stood firm, and Zhuge Jin betook himself home to the Southland.

  Zhang Zhao said to Sun Quan, "Zhuge Jin knows the strength of the Riverlands army and intends to defect. His peace mission is a cover. He will not be back." Sun Quan replied, "Zhuge Jin and I are fast friends, friends to the death. He would never betray me, nor I him. The last time Kongming came to Chaisang, Jin was here. I tried to get him to win his brother over, but he said, 'My brother serves Xuande with single-minded loyalty. He could no more remain with us than I could go over to them. ' Such words even the gods can hear. Zhuge Jin would never submit to the Riverlands. Our sacred friendship stands proof against outside intrusion." As he was speaking, Zhuge Jin returned. "You see?" Sun Quan said, and Zhang Zhao retreated shamefacedly.

  Sun Quan received Zhuge Jin, who told him that the Emperor had rejected reconciliation. Alarmed, Sun Quan said, "In that case, the Southland may fall." But below the platform a man stepped forth and said, "I have a plan to avert the danger." It was Zhao Zi, a ranking adviser at court. "What plan?" Sun Quan asked. "Let Your Lordship declare submission to Cao Pi, Emperor of Wei. Delegate me to deliver the petition, and I will show him that his advantage lies in attacking Hanzhong. That will exert pressure on the Riverlands army." Sun Quan responded, "An excellent plan. But do not lose the Southland's honor on this trip." Zhao Zi replied, "I would throw myself into the river first, for I could never face my countrymen if I committed the least fault in this."

  Sun Quan was delighted. He wrote the memorial declaring his allegiance to the Emperor, Cao Pi, and Zhao Zi bore it swiftly to Xuchang. There he was received by Grand Commandant Jia Xu and a number of major and minor officials. The n
ext day at morning court Jia Xu stepped forth from the ranks and addressed the throne: "The Southland has sent Senior Adviser Zhao Zi to present a memorial." Cao Pi smiled and said, "That's because they want the army of Shu driven back." He summoned the envoy, who threw himself to the ground in the vermillion courtyard of the palace.

  After reading the memorial, Cao Pi asked Zhao Zi, "What manner of master is the lord of the Southland?" "A man of understanding and insight, humanity and wisdom, valor and military judgment," was the reply. Cao Pi smiled and said, "Perhaps you overpraise him?" Zhao Zi said, "I cannot too much honor my lord. He took Lu Su, a man of ordinary rank, into his confidence: that shows his understanding. He raised up Lü Meng from the ranks of the army: that shows his insight. He seized Yu Jin but spared him: that shows his humanity. He captured Jingzhou without staining his swords: that shows his wisdom. From the vantage of his river-girded realm he has held the empire in awe: that shows his valor. And now he submits to Your Majesty's authority: that shows his judgment. He thus proves no less than all I claim."

  Next, Cao Pi asked him, "And is he also a man of learning?" "Lord Sun," Zhao Zi replied, "has a fleet of ten thousand ships and a million men under arms. The men serving him are honest and able. He concerns himself with administrative order, and with what leisure he has he reads the classics and commentaries and studies historical records, extracting their main ideas; he never follows the trifling example of pedantic scholars." Cao Pi responded, "I want to invade the south. Will I succeed?" Zhao Zi answered, "If your great kingdom has the forces for a campaign, our lesser kingdom has strategies for meeting the threat." "Does Wu fear Wei?" Cao Pi asked. "Why should we," Zhao Zi replied, "with a million men under arms and the Great River for our moat?" Cao Pi went on, "And how many like you are there in the Southland?" "We have eighty or ninety men of insight, vision, and accomplishment," he replied. "As for men like me, we come in cartloads, in bushels." "'Where'er you send him round the land, he never fails his king's command'—the saying fits you," Cao Pi concluded.

  Cao Pi issued an edict ordering Master of Ceremonies Xing Zhen to deliver documents honoring Sun Quan as king of the Southland and investing him with the Nine Dignities. Zhao Zi gave thanks for this gracious generosity and left the capital. A high courtier, Liu Ye, protested, "Sun Quan fears the army of Shu, which is why he offered to submit. My humble opinion is that war between those two kingdoms is Heaven's way of destroying them. This is the time to send your best commanders with tens of thousands of troops across the river to surprise Wu. Hit by Shu, their declared enemy, and Wei, their supposed ally, the Southland kingdom should fall in ten days' time; Shu will then be isolated. May Your Majesty take the necessary steps without delay."

  Cao Pi responded, "Sun Quan has officially submitted. To attack him will discourage others who might follow his example. The correct course is to accept his surrender." Liu Ye went on, "Brave and capable as Sun Quan is, under the fallen Han he was merely a Flying Cavalry general and lord of Nanchang. His offices were not high and so his influence was limited, yet still the northern lands stand in awe of him. Raise him now to king, and he will be but one step removed from Your Majesty. To put faith in Sun Quan's false surrender, augment his titles, and enrich him with fiefs is but to serve the enemy's ends, to 'lend the tiger wings, ' as they say." "I disagree," Cao Pi replied. "I mean to help neither Wu nor Shu but to wait to destroy the one that survives their conflict. How easy it will be then! My mind is made up. Do not refer to this again." With that, Cao Pi ordered Minister of Ceremonies Xing Zhen to accompany Zhao Zi back to the south to present the credentials and ceremonial articles to Sun Quan.

  At this time Sun Quan had summoned his court to discuss the Riverlands invasion. Suddenly a courier reported: "The Emperor of Wei honors Lord Sun as king of the Southland. Ceremony requires welcoming his envoy on the road." But the adviser Gu Yong protested: "Your Lordship should declare himself commander in chief and lord of the Nine Provinces and should not accept any title from the Wei emperor." Sun Quan replied, "Did not Liu Bang accept the title king of Han from Xiang Yu? It was appropriate at the time. Why should I refuse this honor?" So saying, he led the court beyond the city wall to welcome the northern envoy.3

  Xing Zhen felt so confident in his position as imperial emissary that he did not come down from his carriage after passing through the capital gates. Zhang Zhao, angered by this arrogance, shouted at him, "There can be no disrespect in ceremonies, nor levity in protocol. What are these high and mighty ways? Don't think the Southland is a kingdom without swords!" Xing Zhen hurriedly stepped down and was received by Sun Quan, who escorted him into the city. But someone behind the carriage wailed, "Oh, shame! To allow our lord to accept rank and title from others when we should rouse ourselves and lay down our lives to annex both kingdoms, Wei and Shu, for him!" The assembly turned to Xu Sheng. Hearing this, Xing Zhen reflected, "If the Southland has such generals and ministers, it will never remain under our rule."

  In the end, Sun Quan accepted the kingship from Cao Pi. After receiving the congratulations of the entire court, Sun Quan gathered jade and pearls and other articles, which he sent to Xuchang to express his gratitude. But spies had already reported to him: "The lord of Shu is marching against us, leading a mighty army of his own together with tens of thousands of Miao and Yao tribesmen under Chief Shamoke. In addition, they have naval and land forces under Du Lu and Liu Ning, two Han generals from Dongxi. The very heavens are atremble from the scale of this army. The naval force has already come through Wu Gorge, and the land force is now at Zigui."

  Although now a vassal king, Sun Quan despaired of significant help from the Wei ruler. He asked his advisers, "How do we meet this formidable force of Shu?" No one had an answer. Sun Quan sighed aloud and said, "After Zhou Yu we had Lu Su; and after Lu Su, Lü Meng. But Lü Meng is dead, and there is no one now to share my trials." Even as he spoke, a young commander stepped forward boldly, touched his head to the ground, and said to the king, "Though I am young, I know something of the art of war. I would like to ask for troops—several tens of thousands—with which I will defeat the Riverlands armies." Sun Quan regarded the speaker. It was Sun Huan (Shuwu). His real father was Yu He. Sun Ce had kindly allowed Yu He to assume the surname Sun and affiliate with the clan. Sun Huan was the eldest of Sun He's four sons, expert in both marksmanship and horsemanship. He frequently followed the Southland king on his campaigns and had striking achievements to his credit, for which he had been appointed commander of the Military Guard. Sun Huan was twenty-five years old.

  "What plan do you have?" Sun Quan asked Sun Huan. "I have two commanders under me," he replied, "Li Yi and Xie Jing—both men of unconquerable courage. I ask for thirty to fifty thousand troops to take Liu Bei alive." Sun Quan responded, "Despite your splendid courage, nephew, you are still too young. Find someone to assist you, and I will grant your request." Tiger General Zhu Ran came forward and said, "Let me accompany the young commander to seize Liu Bei." Sun Quan approved and detailed fifty thousand marine and ground troops. He appointed Sun Huan field marshal of the Left and Zhu Ran field marshal of the Right and began the mobilization. Scouts had already brought word that Riverlands troops were camped at Yidu. Sun Huan took twenty-five thousand men and stationed them at the access point to Yidu, where they drew up a line of three camps to repel the Riverlanders.

  The commander of the Riverlands vanguard, Wu Ban, had overawed all opposition since entering Southland territory and had reached Yidu by this time without bloodying a single sword. Informed that Sun Huan had camped there, Wu Ban sent word to the Emperor, who was already in Zigui. Angered, the Emperor said, "How dare that brat Sun Huan oppose us!" Guan Xing then addressed the Emperor: "If Sun Quan saw fit to send this boy as his commander, Your Majesty need not bother sending a top general against him. Allow me to go and capture him." "I am eager for a display of your mettle!" the Emperor responded and ordered Guan Xing to proceed forthwith. As Guan Xing was taking leave, Zhang Bao stepped forth and said, "I wish to j
oin him in punishing the traitors." The Emperor replied, "Although it is a fitting touch, my nephews, for both of you to go, caution is essential. Go, but do not act in haste."

  The two young warriors bade the Emperor good-bye and, joining as a vanguard, set out together, their troops in fine formation. Sun Huan soon heard that the Riverlands forces had arrived en masse and established themselves in a string of encampments. The armies formed opposing lines, and Sun Huan led Li Yi and Xie Jing on their mounts to the entrance to his formation. He saw two leading commanders emerge from the Riverlands camp. Each wore a silver-gilt helmet and armor and had a white horse and white banner: Zhang Bao menacingly raised his eighteen-span spear, and Guan Xing held his great sword leveled for combat.