The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  They had not marched very far before they came upon Cao Cao’s rear force, who fought with great vigor and bravery, so that the pursuers were beaten off and returned home discomfited.

  Zhang Xiu said to Jia Xu, “This defeat comes from my not following your advice.”

  “Now set your army in order and pursue,” said Jia Xu.

  “But we have just suffered defeat!” cried both leaders. “Do you now want us to pursue again?”

  “Yes, and the result will be a great victory if you go immediately. I will guarantee that with my head.”

  Zhang Xiu was persuaded but his colleague was unconvinced and would not accompany him. So only one army started in pursuit.

  However, this was enough. Cao Cao’s rear force was thoroughly routed and abandoned their wagons and their baggage in their hasty flight. Zhang Xiu pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from behind some hills and checked him. Fearful to push further, he hastened back to Anzhong.

  Feeling quite confused, Liu Biao asked the adviser to explain his apparent inconsistency. “When our veteran and brave soldiers were going to pursue those who retreated you said our men would lose the day; and when our defeated men pursued the victors you predicted victory. You were right in both cases, but I hope you would enlighten me as to how?”

  “It is easy to explain. You, generals, although skilled leaders, are not a match for Cao Cao. Though he had lost a battle he would certainly place able warriors in the rear to guard against pursuit. Our men are good, but not a match for them. That was how I knew we would be defeated. Now Cao Cao’s hurried retreat can only be interpreted by trouble in the capital and after he had beaten off our men, I knew he would retreat at his utmost speed and not take his usual precautions. I ventured to take advantage of his laxity.”

  Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu could not but admire his wisdom.

  On the advice of Jia Xu, Liu Biao returned to Jingzhou, while Zhang Xiu took up his position at the neighboring Xiangcheng, so that each strengthened the other as the lips protect the teeth.

  When Cao Cao, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued he hastily turned back to support the rear. By then, however, the pursuing army had already drawn off. The defeated men said: “Had it not been for the troop that came out of the hills we would all have been captured.”

  “What troop?” asked Cao Cao in surprise.

  The leader of the troop, taking his spear and dismounting, came forward to bow to Cao Cao and introduced himself as Li Tong, an officer of some rank.

  Cao Cao asked him where his troop was stationed.

  Li Tong replied, “I am holding the nearby city of Runan. When I heard of the battle, sir, I came specially to lend you any help I could.”

  To show his gratitude Cao Cao conferred upon him an honorable title and commanded him to guard the region west of Runan as a defense against Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao. Then Li Tong thanked him and took his leave.

  On his return to the capital, Cao Cao offered a memorial on the good services rendered by Sun Ce, who was duly created Lord of Wu as well as General-Captor of Rebels. The envoy bearing the decree to the south bore also an order urging Sun Ce to subdue any attack from Liu Biao.

  Cao Cao went to his house, where he received the ceremonial calls of his subordinates. These finished, Xun Yu asked, “You, sir, marched very leisurely to Anzhong; how come that you felt certain of victory?”

  Cao Cao replied, “He who finds his retreat cut off will fight desperately. I went slowly to entice them into following so that I could smite them. Basing my movement on these considerations I felt secure.”

  Xun Yu bowed to him in admiration.

  Just then Guo Jia entered. “Why are you so late?” asked his master.

  The late comer drew a letter from his sleeve and said: “Yuan Shao has sent you this in which he says he desires to attack Gongsun Zan and wishes to borrow provisions and men from you.”

  “I heard he was going to attack the capital—I suppose my return has made him change his mind,” said Cao Cao.

  Then he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant language.

  “He is so exceedingly rude that I wish to attack him,” said Cao Cao to Guo Jia. “Only I think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?”

  Guo Jia replied, “My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu; the former won only by superior strategies. Xiang Yu was the stronger, but in the end he was overcome. Your rival has ten weak points, whereas you have ten strong ones. Although his army is large, it is not irresistible.

  “Yuan Shao is too caught up in ceremony and show while you, on the other hand, are more practical. He is often antagonistic and tends to force things, whereas you are more conciliatory and try to guide things to their proper courses, giving you the advantage of popular support. His extravagance hinders his administrative ability while your better efficiency is a great contribution to the government, granting you the edge of a well-structured and stable administration. On the outside he is very kind and giving but on the inside he is grudging and suspicious. You are just the opposite, appearing very exacting but actually very understanding of your followers’ strengths and weaknesses. This grants you the benefit of tolerance. He lacks commitment where you are unfaltering in your decisions, promptly acting on your plans with full faith that they will succeed. This shows an advantage in strategy and decisiveness. He believes a man is only as good as his reputation, which contrasts with you, who looks beyond this to see what kind of person they really are. This demonstrates that you are a better judge of moral character. He only pays attention to those followers close to him, while your vision is all-encompassing. This shows your superior supervision. He is easily misled by poor advice, whereas you maintain sound judgment even if beset by evil council. This is a sign of your independence of thought. He does not always know what is right and wrong but you have an unwavering sense of justice. This shows how you excel in discipline. He has a massive army, but the men are poorly trained and not ready for war. Your army, though much smaller, is far superior and well provisioned, giving you the edge in planning and logistics, allowing you to execute effectively. With your ten superiorities you will have no difficulty in subduing Yuan Shao.”

  “How can I be worth as much as you say?” said Cao Cao, smiling.

  “What he says agrees exactly with what I think,” said Xun Yu. “Yuan Shao’s army is not formidable in spite of its size.”

  “The really dangerous enemy is Lu Bu,” said Guo Jia. “Since Yuan Shao is going north to destroy Gongsun Zan, we ought to strike at Lu Bu and so clear away the threat from that side, which is a better policy. Otherwise if we attack Yuan Shao, Lu Bu will seize the opportunity to make an attempt on the capital. That would be disastrous.”

  Cao Cao agreed with his advisors and began to discuss with them plans for an attack on Lu Bu. Xun Yu was of the opinion that they should first secure the fidelity and aid of Liu Bei before taking any action. So a letter was dispatched to Liu Bei while they waited for his assurance of aid. Then, in order to pacify Yuan Shao, his emissary was treated with great kindness and a decree obtained from the Emperor to confer extra honors on him, creating him governor of the four prefectures in the north. A private letter was also sent to him approving his attack on Gongsun Zan and promising assistance. Yuan Shao was very pleased with Cao Cao’s reply and his army set out.

  Let us now shift our attention to Lu Bu in Xuzhou. Chen Deng and his father, secret allies of Cao Cao, were playing their game. At every feast and gathering they would utter the most extravagant compliments of Lu Bu. Chen Gong was greatly displeased and took an opportunity to talk about this to his master. “These two flatter you to your face, but it is hard to tell what they harbor in their hearts. You ought to be more careful on your guard.”

  “Hold your tongue!” was the angry reply. “You are simply slandering them without the slightest cause. Do you want to harm good men?”

  “He turns a
deaf ear to loyal words and we will suffer,” sighed Chen Gong as he went away, sad at heart.

  He thought seriously of abandoning Lu Bu, but that would be too painful a wrench. Besides, he feared people would mock him.

  So the days passed sorrowfully for him. One day, with a few horsemen, he rode out to the country near Xiaopei to hunt. On the high road he saw a messenger galloping along in hot haste and began to wonder what it might mean. He gave up the hunt, rode across the country and intercepted the rider.

  “Where are you from? Who sent you?” asked Chen Gong.

  The messenger was too terrified to reply, for he knew to which party his captors belonged. Chen Gong ordered his men to search him and found a letter, the secret reply to Cao Cao’s letter from Liu Bei. The messenger and the letter were both taken straight to Lu Bu. He questioned the man, who said he had been sent by the prime minister to Liu Bei with a letter and was now taking back the reply. He was ignorant of the content of the letter. Lu Bu tore it open and read it.

  The letter said, “I have received your command concerning the destruction of Lu Bu and never for a moment dare I venture to disregard it. But my force is weak and I must act with extreme discretion. If you move your main body, then I will hasten forward as the van and in the meantime my men will be getting ready and weapons prepared. I await your command.”

  Lu Bu was furious. “That wretch Cao Cao!” he cried. “How dare he act thus!”

  The unhappy messenger was put to death and counter-moves planned. Chen Gong and Zang Ba, together with the outlaws in the Taishan Mountains, were ordered to take Yanzhou in Shandong. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao were to attack Liu Bei in Xiaopei. Two other officers were to go and conquer the west regions. Lu Bu himself took command of the center force ready to offer help wherever needed.

  The departure of the army under Gao Shun and Zhang Liao against Xiaopei was reported to Liu Bei, who at once assembled his men for a council. Sun Qian suggested sending an urgent message to inform Cao Cao of their danger and his advice was accepted. In response to the chief’s call, Jian Yong, a fellow townsman of Liu Bei’s, offered to take the message. So a letter was written and the man set out at once on his journey.

  At the same time preparations were made for defense. The four gates of the city were to be defended by the three brothers and Sun Qian, while the center force was left in the care of Mi Zhu and his brother. These two were Liu Bei’s brothers-in-law, he having taken their sister as a second wife. Hence they were suitable men to guard the family.

  In due course Gao Shun came up to the south gate. Liu Bei ascended the tower and asked, “I have nothing against your master. Why do you come here with an army?”

  “You have plotted with Cao Cao to injure my master. Now your treachery is exposed and you had better surrender.”

  So saying, he gave the signal to attack. But Liu Bei only kept the gate closed tight.

  The next day Zhang Liao led an attack on the west gate, which was protected by Guan Yu, who addressed him from the wall. “You appear no ordinary figure. Why waste yourself on a rascal?” he asked.

  Zhang Liao hung his head and made no reply.

  Knowing that he was a man of loyalty and high principles, Guan Yu said no more, as he was unwilling to wound him. Nor did he go out to attack.

  Zhang Liao then drew off and proceeded to the east gate, and Zhang Fei went out to give battle. This was immediately reported to Guan Yu, who came over quickly. He saw Zhang Fei going out, but Zhang Liao was already withdrawing. Zhang Fei wished to pursue, but his brother held him back.

  “He’s afraid and so has gone away—we’d better pursue,” said Zhang Fei.

  “No,” said his brother. “As a warrior he’s not inferior to either of us, but I’ve tried to move him with straight words and they’ve sunk deep. He’s repentant now and that’s why he won’t fight with us.”

  Zhang Fei understood. He ordered the soldiers to firmly guard the gate and did not go out to give battle.

  When Liu Bei’s messenger reached the capital, he went to see Cao Cao and told him what had happened. Cao Cao called in his advisors and said to them, “I wish to attack Lu Bu. I do not fear Yuan Shao, but Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu may attack me in the rear.”

  Xun Yu said, “These two have been too recently defeated to do something so rash. But Lu Bu is a remarkable fighting man, and if he joins forces with Yuan Shu and they set themselves to conquer the Huai and Si regions, it will be difficult to overcome him.”

  Then Guo Jia said, “Let us seize the present moment when his allies have not yet made up their minds. Smite before they are fully prepared.”

  Cao Cao assented. Fifty thousand men led by the Xiahou brothers and two other officers were sent in advance, while Cao Cao followed with the main force. Jian Yong also went with them.

  Soon scouts informed Gao Shun of Cao Cao’s movements. He at once relayed it to Lu Bu, who dispatched three officers and two hundred cavalry to assist him and ordered him to post his army thirty li from the city to meet Cao Cao’s army. He himself followed with the major body.

  When Liu Bei saw the enemy retreating from the city, he knew Cao Cao’s army was close at hand. So, leaving only the Mi brothers and Sun Qian to guard the city and his home, he and his two brothers marched all their men out of the city and made a camp so that they might be ready to assist Cao Cao.

  Now the division of Cao Cao’s army under Xiahou Dun, having marched out in advance, arrived first and came upon Gao Shun. He at once rode out with spear set and offered a challenge. Gao Shun accepted and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Gao Shun began to weaken and turned to ride back to his own army. His adversary pressed him hard and he fled to the rear of his army. Xiahou Dun still gave chase and followed him right into the enemy’s country. At this moment, Cao Xing, another of Lu Bu’s officers, secretly took his bow, fitted an arrow and, when Xiahou Dun had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit him full in the left eye. He cried out in pain, and reaching up, pulled out the arrow, and with it the eye.

  “Essence of my father, blood of my mother, I cannot throw this away,” he cried, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it.

  Then, resuming a firm grip of his spear, he charged after this new enemy. There was no escape for Cao Xing. He was overtaken and fell with a spear wound full in the face. Soldiers on both sides were stricken dumb with amazement.

  Having thus slain the man who had wounded him, Xiahou Dun rode back toward his own side. Guo Sheng went in pursuit and, waving on his men, attacked so vigorously that he won the day. Xiahou Yuan came to the rescue of his elder brother, and both fled. The defeated army retreated to Jibei and encamped there.

  Having scored this victory, Gao Shun returned to attack Liu Bei. And as Lu Bu opportunely also arrived with Zhang Liao, these three joined forces to attack the three brothers.

  Dauntless was Dun, that warrior bold,

  His courage had been proved of old;

  But smitten sore one hapless day,

  He might not in the battle stay.

  The fate of Liu Bei will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Cao Cao Assembles His Forces at Xiapi

  Lu Bu Perishes at the White Gate Tower

  At the close of the last chapter, the three brothers were being attacked by Lu Bu and his two valiant officers. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao went to smite Guan Yu, while Lu Bu attacked Zhang Fei’s camp. Both brothers went out to give battle, while Liu Bei’s force waited in reserve. Lu Bu divided his army and attacked from the rear and both Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were forced to flee. Liu Bei, with a few score horsemen, rushed back to Xiaopei. As he approached the gate with Lu Bu pressing hard on him, he shouted to the soldiers on the wall tower to lower the drawbridge. Lu Bu was so close behind that the archers were afraid to shoot lest they should wound their lord, and so Lu Bu got inside the gate. The guards were unable to hold him back so they scattered in all directions. Lu Bu led his force into the city.

  L
iu Bei saw the situation was too desperate for him to go to his residence. He had to abandon his family. He hastened through the city and escaped by the west gate. Alone on horseback, he fled for his very life.

  When Lu Bu reached Liu Bei’s house he was met by Mi Zhu, who said: “I hear that a great man does not harm another man’s wife. Your rival for the empire is Cao Cao, and my master, always mindful of the good turn you did him when you shot the wonderful arrow from your camp, would not be ungrateful. He was forced to seek help from Cao Cao and I hope you will pity him.”

  Lu Bu replied, “Your master and I are old friends—how could I bear to harm his family?”

  Therefore he sent Liu Bei’s family to Xuzhou, with Mi Zhu to take care of them. Then he led his army into Yanzhou in Shandong, leaving Gao Shun and Zhang Liao to guard Xiaopei.

  During the turmoil, Sun Qian had also managed to flee the city. Liu Bei’s two younger brothers, each with a handful of men, had got away to the hills. As Liu Bei was retreating from the scene of his defeat, he heard someone coming up behind him. When he got closer the person proved to be Sun Qian.

  “Alas! I don’t know the fate of my brothers, whether they are alive or dead, and my family are lost to me! What can I do?” said Liu Bei.

  Sun Qian replied, “I see nothing better than getting away to Cao Cao. We can plan our future moves later.”

  Liu Bei had no better plan to propose and the two men directed their way to the capital, choosing bypaths rather than highways. When their small supplies ran out they would enter a village to beg. Whenever his name was mentioned people vied with each other to offer all that was needed.

  One day they sought shelter at a cottage. A young hunter named Liu An came out and bowed low to him. 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 Bei asked him what meat it was. The hunter told him it was wolf. Liu Bei believed him and ate his fill. The 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 suddenly saw the dead body of a woman lying on the ground. 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 for him, and tears rained down as he mounted his steed at the gate.