The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  In this way they approached Liu Bei’s camp. The drums at once beat the alarm and the two younger brothers barred the way.

  “Stop!” they shouted.

  Lu Bu had no desire to fight—all he wished was to get through, so he made for a side road. Liu Bei also came in pursuit and the two parties engaged. Brave as he was, Lu Bu was hampered by a girl on his back, whom he was desperately anxious to shield from hurt. Soon, two of Cao Cao’s most powerful officers rushed forth to attack him and he had no alternative but to give up his project and return into the city. The besiegers returned to camp well pleased that no one had got beyond their lines. After this Lu Bu became even more depressed and found consolation only in the wine cup.

  The siege had gone on for two months and still the city held. At this time reports came to say that Zhang Yang, Prefect of Henei, had been inclined to come to the help of Lu Bu. But one of his subordinates had assassinated him and was bringing his head as an offering to Cao Cao when he also was slain by one of the prefect’s friends. The man had then fled. Hearing this report, Cao Cao ordered an officer to chase and slay the escaped man. Then he called a general council, at which all his advisors were present.

  Cao Cao said, “Though it is rather fortunate for us that Zhang Yang, who meant to hurt us, is no more, yet we are still threatened in the north by Yuan Shao and to the east by Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu. We are stuck here with no success against the city. I think we should leave Lu Bu to his fate for the time being and return home. What do you say to this?’

  Xun Yu at once objected. “You must not act like this,” he said. “Lu Bu has lost many battles and his fighting spirit is broken. The spirit of the leader expresses that of his men, and when the leader fails his men have no desire to fight. Chen Gong is clever but it is too late for him to do anything. Now that Lu Bu has not regained his vigor and Chen Gong has not come up with a better scheme, it only needs a speedy attack and we will win.”

  Guo Jia said, “I have a plan to overcome the city at once—a plan better than having 200,000 men.”

  “I suppose you mean to drown the city,” said Xun Yu.

  “That’s it,” said Guo Jia, smiling.

  Cao Cao embraced the suggestion with joy and set his men to cut the banks of the Yi and Si rivers. He moved his men to the high ground, from where they watched the city of Xiapi become submerged in water. Only the east gate tower remained clear of water.

  The besieged soldiers hastened to inform their leader. But Lu Bu was not alarmed. “Why should I fear?” he said. “My good horse can go as well through water as over land.” And he again returned to the wine cup for consolation, drinking deeply with his wife and concubine.

  The continual drinking bouts told at last and Lu Bu began to look haggard. Seeing himself in a mirror one day he was startled at the change. “I am injuring myself with too much wine; no more drink from this day onward.”

  He then issued an order to forbid the drinking of wine under penalty of death.

  Now one of his officers, Hou Cheng, had fifteen horses stolen by his stablemen, who intended to give them to Liu Bei. The thieves were eventually slain and the horses retrieved. His colleagues came to congratulate him on this. To celebrate the occasion he brewed some wine, intending to have a good drink with his guests. However, he was afraid that his chief might accuse him of disorder, so he sent several bottles of wine to his place and said, “By virtue of your renown I have recovered my horses. My colleagues have come to share my joy and I have prepared a little wine for this occasion. But I dare not drink it without your permission. So I have come to present you some to show my respect to you.”

  Lu Bu responded angrily and said, “I have just forbidden drinking, yet you dare to brew wine and give a wine party. Are you plotting against me?” Then he ordered the officer to be instantly executed. However, a number of his colleagues came in to plead for him and after a time Lu Bu softened.

  “You ought to lose your head for this deliberate disobedience, but for the sake of your colleagues the punishment will be reduced to a hundred strokes.”

  They tried to beg him off this, but only succeeded in reducing the number of blows to fifty.

  When the sentence had been carried out and the offender was permitted to return home, his colleagues came sadly to console him.

  “Hadn’t it been for you I would’ve been put to death,” said Hou Cheng.

  Song Xian said, “All he cares for is his women, there’s no pity for any one else. We’re no more than the weeds by the roadside.”

  Wei Xu said, “The city’s besieged and the water’s drowning us out. We can’t take much more of this, for we may die any day.”

  “He’s cruel and faithless. Let’s leave him,” proposed Song Xian.

  “That’s not a good policy. Rather, let’s seize him and hand him over to Cao Cao,” said Wei Xu.

  “I was punished because I got my horses back again, yet he counts on his own steed for success. If you two will open the gate and seize Lu Bu, I’ll steal his Red Hare and present it to Cao Cao.”

  They settled on how to carry out the plot. That very night, Hou Cheng sneaked into the stable and made away with the Red Hare. He hastened to the east gate, which was opened by Wei Xu, who then made a pretense of pursuing him.

  Hou Cheng reached Cao Cao’s camp, presented the horse, and told him what had been arranged. His two colleagues would show a white flag as a signal and open the gates to his army. Hearing this, Cao Cao had scores of notifications written out, which were attached to arrows and shot over the walls. This is one of them: “General Cao Cao has received a command from the Emperor to destroy Lu Bu. Those who interfere with the operations of his grand army, whatever their rank, will be put to death, together with his whole family on the day that the city is captured. Should any one capture Lu Bu or bring his head he will be well rewarded. Let all take note of this.”

  The next day at daylight a tremendous hubbub was heard outside the city and Lu Bu, halberd in hand, hastened out to see what it meant. As he went from gate to gate inspecting the defenses, he blamed Wei Xian for letting Hou Cheng escape and get away with his fine horse. He threatened to punish him. But just then the besiegers began a fierce attack as the white flag had appeared and Lu Bu was forced to turn all his energy to defense. The assault lasted till noon, when the attacking force drew off for a time.

  Lu Bu took a short rest in the tower and fell asleep in his chair. Song Xian sent away his attendants, and when they had gone he stole his master’s weapon, the powerful halberd. Then he and Wei Xu fell upon Lu Bu together, and before he was fully awake had bound him with cords, trussing him up so that he could not move. Lu Bu shouted for his men, but they were driven off by the two traitors and could not come close. Then a white flag was shown and the besiegers again approached the city. The traitors shouted out that Lu Bu was a prisoner. But Xiahou Yuan could hardly believe it till they threw down the famous halberd.

  The gates were flung open and the enemy entered the city. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao, who were at the west gate, were surrounded by water and could not get out. They were captured. Chen Gong made a dash to the south gate but was also taken. Presently, Cao Cao entered the city and at once gave orders to turn the streams back into their usual courses. Then he put out proclamations to soothe the people.

  He and Liu Bei seated themselves side by side in the White Gate tower, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in attendance. The captives were brought before them. Lu Bu looked pitiable. Although a very tall man he was tied up in a veritable bundle.

  “The bonds are too tight,” he cried. “Pray loosen them.”

  “A tiger must be bound tight,” replied Cao Cao.

  Seeing the three traitors standing by, Lu Bu asked: “I treated you all well enough—how could you turn against me?”

  Song Xian said, “You listened to the words of your women, but rejected the advice of your men. Was that what you mean by ‘well enough’?”

  Lu Bu was silent. Then Gao Shun was brought forwar
d.

  “What have you to say?” asked Cao Cao.

  Gao Shun sulkily held his tongue and was ordered out to be executed.

  Next Chen Gong was led in.

  “I hope you have been well since we last saw each other, sir?” asked Cao Cao.

  “Your ways were crooked and so I left you,” said Chen Gong.

  “You say my ways were crooked—why then do you serve Lu Bu?”

  “Though he is no strategist, he is not deceitful and wicked as you are.”

  “You say you are wise and resourceful. What about your situation now?’

  Turning toward Lu Bu, Chen Gong said, “This man would not follow my advice. Had he done so we would not now be your captives.”

  “What do you say to that?” asked Cao Cao.

  “There is death for me today and that is the end,” shouted Chen Gong.

  “Very well for you—but what of your mother and your wife?”

  “It is said that he who rules with due regard to filial piety does not harm a man’s family; and he who governs by benevolence does not cut off the sacrifices at a man’s tomb. My mother and my wife are in your hands. Since I have been taken prisoner I beg you to slay me at once. I am ready to die.”

  Cao Cao’s heart still leaned toward mercy, but Chen Gong turned and walked away, repulsing the attendants who would stop him. Cao Cao rose from his seat to escort him with tears in his eyes. But Chen Gong never even looked back. Turning to his men Cao Cao said, “Let his mother and family be taken to the capital at once and be well looked after. Whoever dares to show negligence will die.”

  Chen Gong heard him but uttered no words. He stretched out his neck to receive the blow. Tears sprang to the eyes of all present. His remains were honorably buried in the capital.

  A poem lamenting his fate said:

  Neither in life nor in death did he yield.

  How dauntless was he, a hero indeed!

  But his lord heeded not his words,

  In vain he possessed great talents.

  His loyalty deserves our respect

  And his loss to his family our pity.

  Who could be as brave as he was

  That day he died at the White Gate?

  While Cao Cao sadly escorted Chen Gong on his way to death, Lu Bu appealed to Liu Bei: “Noble sir, you sit there an honored guest while I lie bound at your feet. Will you not utter a word to alleviate my state?’

  Liu Bei nodded. As Cao Cao returned to his place his prisoner called out: “Your only worry, sir, is myself and I am now willing to obey you. You command and I will help you. Together the world will be at our feet.”

  “What do you think?” said Cao Cao, turning to Liu Bei.

  “You are willing to forget the episodes of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo?’

  “Truly you are not the most faithless,” said Lu Bu, looking at Liu Bei.

  “Strangle him,” said Cao Cao.

  As he was led away the prisoner turned once more to Liu Bei: “You long -eared rogue! You forget now how my arrow hit the mark and saved you!”

  Just then someone shouted, “Lu Bu, you coward! Death is but death. What is there to be so scared of?”

  Everyone turned to look—the guards were hustling in Zhang Liao.

  Lu Bu was strangled to death and then beheaded.

  A poet wrote the following upon the death of Lu Bu:

  The flood spreads wide, the city drowns,

  The day its lord is made captive,

  Leaving aside his steed of a thousand li a day

  And his powerful halberd that scares everyone away.

  The tiger erstwhile so fierce and so proud,

  Now whines meekly for mercy to be shown.

  Little did he doubt of the traitor’s words

  Of a falcon flown at will and hungry kept.

  Unable to resist the tearful plea of his wife

  Poor fool! He ignored Chen Gong’s wise advice.

  In vain he now rails against the long-eared Liu Bei

  For his lack of gratitude and faith.

  And another poem said this of Liu Bei:

  Bound tightly is the hungry tiger, eater of men,

  Since the blood of his victims is fresh and not yet dry.

  Liu Bei spoke no word in favor of Lu Bu,

  To whom even a father’s life was not sacred.

  How could he save him to be a menace to Cao Cao?

  It was recorded earlier that the executioners were hustling Zhang Liao forward. Pointing to him as he stood there, Cao Cao said, “His face is familiar.”

  “You were not likely to forget me; we met before in the city of Puyang,” said Zhang Liao.

  “So you remember it too?”

  “Yes, more is the pity.”

  “Pity for what?’

  “That the fire that day was not fierce enough to burn you to death, you rebel.”

  Cao Cao began to get angry. “How dare you insult me?” he cried and lifted his sword to kill the bold speaker.

  The undaunted Zhang Liao never changed color, but stretched out his neck for the blow. Then a man behind Cao Cao caught his arm and in front of him another dropped to his knees. They pleaded, “Oh, sir, please stay your hand.”

  Lu Bu whining was not spared,

  Railing Zhang Liao far better fared.

  Who pleaded with Cao Cao for Zhang Liao’s life will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Cao Cao Goes Hunting at Xutian

  Dong Cheng Receives a Secret Decree in the Palace

  The last chapter said that Cao Cao was checked in his angry attack upon Zhang Liao. It was Liu Bei who held his arm and Guan Yu who knelt before him.

  “A man as loyal-hearted as he is should be saved,” said Liu Bei.

  Guan Yu said, “I have always known him as loyal and righteous. I will vouch for him with my own life.”

  Cao Cao threw aside his sword. “I also know him to be a man of loyalty and goodness—I was just testing him,” he said.

  He loosed the prisoner’s bonds with his own hands, took off his own robe, and placed it around his shoulders. Then he led him to a seat of honor. This kindly treatment touched Zhang Liao’s heart and he yielded. So he was given a rank and a title and was sent on a mission to win over Zang Ba who, hearing what had happened, came forthwith and offered his submission. He was graciously received and in his turn, he brought in several of his former colleagues, with the exception of Cang Xi, who remained obstinate. All these former enemies who came over were kindly treated and given posts of responsibility. Lu Bu’s family were sent to the capital.

  After the soldiers had been rewarded with feasts the camp was broken up and the army moved back. Passing through Xuzhou the local people lined the roads and burned incense in honor of the victors. They also petitioned that Liu Bei should be their governor.

  Cao Cao replied: “Liu Bei has rendered great services. You must wait till he has received an audience with the Emperor and obtained his reward. After that he will be sent here.”

  Then he left a major officer of his to be in command of Xuzhou for the moment. When the army arrived at the capital, rewards were granted to all those who had been in the expedition. Liu Bei was retained in the capital, lodging in an annex to his residence. The next day at court, Cao Cao celebrated the services of Liu Bei and presented him to Emperor Xian. Dressed in court robes, Liu Bei bowed at the lower end of the audience arena. The Emperor called him into the hall and asked him about his ancestry.

  Liu Bei replied, “Your humble servant is the son of Liu Hong, grandson of Liu Xiong, who was a direct descendant of Prince Jin of Zhongshan, who was a son of His Majesty Emperor Jing.”

  The Emperor told his secretary to bring forth the Book of Genealogy. Consequently Liu Bei’s royal origin was proved, as the book had listed in a detailed family tree that he was, indeed, a descendant of Prince Jin of Zhongshan, who was the seventh son of the fourth Emperor Jing in West Han Dynasty.

  The Emperor compared this with the
registers of the imperial house and found by them that Liu Bei was his uncle by descent. The Emperor was greatly pleased and requested Liu Bei to go into one of the side chambers, where he might perform the ceremonial obeisance prescribed for a nephew to his uncle. In his heart he rejoiced to have this heroic warrior-uncle as a powerful supporter against Cao Cao, who really held all the power in his own hands, leaving him a mere puppet. He conferred upon his uncle the rank of general and the title of Lord of Yicheng.

  When the banquet was concluded Liu Bei thanked the Emperor and went out of the palace. And from this time onwards he was generally known as Liu, the Imperial Uncle.

  When Cao Cao returned to his place, Xun Yu and his fellow advisors went to see him. Xun Yu said, “It is no advantage to you, sir, that the Emperor recognizes Liu Bei as an uncle.”

  “He is now formally recognized as the Emperor’s uncle, which only makes it easier for me to order him about in the name of the throne. He will not dare to disobey. Besides, I will keep him here under the pretense of having him near his sovereign and he will be entirely in my hands. I have nothing to fear. The man I fear is the powerful Yang Biao, who is a relative of the two Yuans. If he should conspire with them, much harm might be done. He will have to be removed at once.”

  Hence Cao Cao secretly ordered one of his men to accuse Yang Biao of intriguing with Yuan Shu and on this false charge the innocent man was arrested and imprisoned. He seemed to be destined to die.

  But at that time Kong Yong, Prefect of Beihai, happened to be in the capital and he remonstrated with Cao Cao. “Minister Yang comes from a family famed for virtue for at least four generations. It is not right to charge him on account of the Yuans.”

  “It is the Emperor’s idea,” replied Cao Cao, trying to shift responsibility.

  “In the old days, Duke Zhou,* the regent, made the young Emperor Cheng put Duke Shao to death. Could Duke Zhou have pretended ignorance?’