The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  One inscribed pledge brought mountains of sorrow.

  The fate of the Emperor will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * A poet and political theorist during the West Han Dynasty.

  † An official in the West Han Dynasty, who volunteered to negotiate peace between Han and South Yue.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Cao Cao Kills Lady Dong, the Emperor’s Concubine

  Liu Bei Seeks Refuge with Yuan Shao after His Defeat by Cao Cao

  The last chapter closed with the discovery of the decree and the assembly of Cao Cao’s advisors to consider the deposition of Emperor Xian. Cheng Yu spoke strongly against this: “Sir, the reason why you impress the world and rule the government is because you act in the name of the House of Han. In these times of turmoil and rivalry among the nobles, such a step as the deposition of the ruler will certainly bring about war against you and should be minimized.”

  After reflection Cao Cao abandoned the design. But Dong Cheng and his four friends, with every member of their households totaling seven hundred or more, were taken and put to death at the four gates of the city. Both officials and the people all wept at such brutal slaughter.

  A poet composed the following to praise the loyal Dong Cheng:

  A secret decree in a girdle sewn,

  In red blood written, the Emperor’s own,

  To the staunch and faithful Dong addressed,

  Who had saved him once when enemies pressed,

  And who, sore grieved at his sovereign’s fate,

  Expressed in dreams his ceaseless hate.

  Speak not that he had failed

  For his glory remained.

  Another poet wrote of the sad fate of Wang Zi-fu and his friends:

  Undaunted they signed the silken roll,

  And pledged themselves to save their King from shame.

  Alas! black death of them took heavy toll,

  To write their names upon the roll of fame.

  But the slaughter of the five officials and their entire households did not appease the wrath of the cruel minister. As the Emperor’s concubine was the sister of Dong Cheng, Cao Cao, sword in hand, went into the palace to slay her. The Emperor loved her tenderly, the more so as she was then in the fifth month of pregnancy. That day the Emperor and the Empress were sitting in their room, secretly wondering why nothing seemed to have been done about the decree. The sudden appearance of the angry minister, armed as he was, frightened them greatly.

  “Does Your Majesty know that Dong Cheng conspired against me?” asked Cao Cao.

  “Dong Zhuo died long ago,” replied the Emperor.

  “Not Dong Zhuo—Dong Cheng,” roared Cao Cao.

  The Emperor trembled with terror but he gasped out, “Really, I did not know.”

  “So the cut finger and the decree written in blood are all forgotten, eh?”

  The Emperor could not answer. Cao Cao commanded his guards to go and take Lady Dong.

  “This girl is five-months pregnant. Please have pity for her!” pleaded the Emperor.

  “If Heaven had not interposed I would be a dead man. How could I leave this woman to work evil on me by and by?”

  The Empress also begged: “Imprison her in one of the palaces till her confinement. Do not harm her now.”

  “Do you wish me to spare her offspring so that he will grow up to avenge his mother?” retorted Cao Cao.

  “I pray that my body may be spared mutilation and not put to shame,” said Lady Dong.

  Cao Cao bade his men bring her the white silk cord. The Emperor wept bitterly.

  “Please do not hate me in the nether world,” said the Emperor to her. And his tears fell like rain.

  The Empress also wept bitterly.

  Cao Cao said furiously, “Stop this affectation.” So saying he told the guards to take her away and strangle her in the courtyard.

  In vain had the fair girl found favor in the sight of her lord,

  She died, and the fruit of her womb perished.

  Heartbroken her lord sat, powerless to save,

  Hiding his face while tears gushed forth.

  When leaving the palace, Cao Cao gave strict orders to the guards to bar entrance to any imperial relatives by marriage. He told them sternly, “If anyone enters without my permission, put him to death; and the guards will share the same punishment for failing to perform their duty.”

  To make sure that nothing would go amiss he appointed 3,000 of his own trusted men as imperial guards, with Cao Hong in command.

  Then Cao Cao said to his councilor, Cheng Yu: “The conspirators in the capital have been removed but there are yet two others, Ma Teng and Liu Bei. These must not be left at large.”

  Cheng Yu replied, “Ma Teng is strong in the west and could not be easily captured. Send him a letter of kind words so that he will not suspect. Then entice him to come to the capital and he will be at your mercy. Liu Bei is now in Xuzhou, strongly positioned, and not to be lightly treated either. Furthermore, Yuan Shao is at Guandu and his one desire is to attack you. Any attempt on the east will send Liu Bei to him for help. If he comes here while you are away, what then?”

  “You are wrong,” replied Cao Cao. “Liu Bei is an outstanding figure. If we wait till he is fully fledged and winged, he will be more difficult to deal with. Yuan Shao may be strong but he is not to be feared. He is too undecided to act.”

  As they were discussing another advisor, Guo Jia, came in and Cao Cao referred the matter to him.

  “I want to attack Liu Bei but I fear Yuan Shao might take advantage. What do you think of it?”

  “Yuan Shao is slow and hesitant by nature and his advisors are jealous of each other. He is not to be feared. Liu Bei is getting together a new army and has not yet won their hearts. You could secure the east in one battle.”

  Being in harmony with Cao Cao’s own opinion, this advice pleased him and he prepared an army of 200,000 men to move in five divisions against Xuzhou.

  Scouts took the news of these preparations to Xuzhou. Sun Qian at once informed Guan Yu and Liu Bei in the two neighboring towns. Liu Bei discussed the matter with him and decided that help must be sought from Yuan Shao. So Sun Qian went north, taking with him a letter from Liu Bei. When he arrived there, he went to see the advisor Tian Feng first, and asked to be introduced to Yuan Shao. Tian Feng took him to his master, to whom Sun Qian presented the letter.

  But Yuan Shao was of melancholy countenance and his dress was all awry.

  Tian Feng asked, “You do not look well today, sir. What is the matter?”

  “I am going to die,” replied Yuan Shao.

  “How can you say so?”

  “I have five sons, but only the youngest is clever enough to understand my ideas. Now he is suffering from a disease which places his life in jeopardy. Do you think I have any heart to talk about other matters?”

  “But,” said Tian Feng, “the present combination of circumstances is unparalleled. Cao Cao is going to attack the east and the capital will be empty. You can enter it with your army of justice and so perform a good service to the Emperor and save the people from sorrow. You have only to make up your mind to act.”

  “I know the chance is excellent but I am distressed and fear failure.”

  “What are you distressed about?” said Tian Feng.

  “Among my sons only this special one is remarkable and if anything happens to him I will die.”

  Thus he was determined not to dispatch any army. He said to Sun Qian: “Go home and tell Liu Bei the reason why I cannot do anything and say that if anything should happen he can come over to me and I will find some means to help him.”

  Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff. “What a pity!” he cried. “To miss such a unique opportunity just because of the illness of a child. All is lost now!”

  He went out, sighing deeply. Seeing that no aid could be obtained Sun Qian returned in great haste. When he related what had happened, Liu Bei was extremely
alarmed and did not know what to do.

  “Don’t be troubled, brother,” said Zhang Fei. “Cao Cao’s army is coming from a long distance and will be exhausted. We can make a sudden attack before they have time to camp.”

  “That agrees with the rules of war,” said Liu Bei. “I’ve always thought you were just a bold warrior, but that move against Liu Dai shows that you’re becoming a strategist, too.”

  So he divided his forces between the two of them to carry out his plan that night.

  Now while Cao Cao was in the midst of his march toward Xiaopei a strong gust of wind sprang up and broke the staff of one of the banners. Cao Cao called a halt to the march and asked his advisors what this portended.

  Xun Yu asked, “From what direction did the wind blow and what was the color of the flag?”

  “The wind was from the southeast and the flag was blue and red.”

  “There is only one interpretation—there will be a raid on the camp tonight.”

  Cao Cao nodded. At that moment, Mao Jie entered and reported a similar incident. Cao Cao asked him what it might mean.

  “To my mind, it means a night raid,” he replied.

  Pity this descendant of Hans,

  Who placed his faith on a night raid.

  But the broken staff of a banner warned his enemy.

  Why should Heaven favor the wicked?

  “This is evidently providence,” said Cao Cao and he began to make preparations. He divided his army into nine sections, placing eight of them in ambush all around and leaving only one to put up a show of making a camp.

  There was but little moonlight as Liu Bei and Zhang Fei marched their respective armies toward Cao Cao’s camp. They had left only Sun Qian to guard Xiaopei. Zhang Fei, since he was the originator of the stratagem, led the way with his light cavalry. As they drew near they found the camp almost empty. Then suddenly lights flashed out all about them and Zhang Fei saw he had fallen into a trap. The ambushing troops came simultaneously from all the eight directions.

  Zhang Fei, dashing this way and rushing that, tried desperately to fight his enemies in front and behind to clear a way. But his soldiers, being originally Cao Cao’s men, gave in and went over to their old master when the situation became critical.

  Zhang Fei met Xu Huang and the two engaged in a fierce battle, but soon he was also attacked by another enemy from behind. At last Zhang Fei cut his way out, followed by only a score of his men. He wanted to return to Xiaopei but the road of retreat was cut off. He thought of making for Xuzhou, but felt certain that way would also be barred. No other way seemed open and so he made for the Mangdang Hills.

  In the meantime, Liu Bei was still unaware of what had happened to his youngest brother. As he drew near Cao Cao’s camp he heard a great noise. Then he was attacked in the rear and very soon had lost half of his force. Next came Xiahou Dun to assault him. Liu Bei fled but was again pursued by Xiahou Yuan. Glancing about, he found he had less than fifty men supporting him. He hastened in the direction of Xiaopei.

  But before long he saw that place in flames. He had to change his plan and went toward Xiapi. However, he found the whole countryside swarmed with his enemy and it was impossible for him to get through. He thought to himself, “Yuan Shao has told Sun Qian that I can find refuge with him if things go awry. I’d better go to him till I can form some other plan of my own.” So he decided to take the Qingzhou road but it was also blocked. He finally managed to escape into the open country and made his way north. He was not pursued but his few remaining followers were all captured.

  He hastened alone toward Qingzhou, traveling more than three hundred li a day. When he reached the city he called the guards to open the gate for him. The guards asked who he was and went in to tell their master Yuan Tan, the eldest son of Yuan Shao. The young man was greatly surprised, but he opened the gates and went to meet Liu Bei, whom he treated with due respect.

  Liu Bei told him about his defeat by Cao Cao and expressed his wish for asylum. He was invited to stay at the guesthouse temporarily, while the young man wrote to inform his father. Then he provided an escort to accompany Liu Bei on his journey further north.

  At the border of Pingyuan he was met by Yuan Shao himself with a big retinue. Liu Bei offered a humble obeisance, which Yuan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son’s illness, I failed to come to your aid. It is great joy to see you now—the one desire of my life is satisfied.”

  Liu Bei replied, “I am but a wretched man of ill fortune. I have long desired to serve under you, but fate has hitherto denied me that privilege. Now, attacked by Cao Cao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, are generous enough to receive men from all sides. Therefore I have put aside my feeling of shame to come to you. I trust that I may be found worthy and one day I will prove my gratitude.”

  Yuan Shao was very pleased and treated him exceedingly well. So from then on Liu Bei settled down in Jizhou with Yuan Shao.

  After the capture of Xiaopei, Cao Cao pressed on toward Xuzhou. After a short struggle and the flight of the majority of the defenders, the city was surrendered by Cheng Deng. Cao Cao led his army into the city, restored order, and pacified the people. His next target was Xiapi, where Guan Yu was holding out and guarding Liu Bei’s family.

  Xun Yu said, “Guan Yu is there, protecting his brother’s family, and he will defend the city to the last. If you do not take it quickly Yuan Shao will get it.”

  “I have always admired Guan Yu, both for his fighting skills and his noble character. I want him to enter my service. Better send someone to persuade him to come over to my side.”

  “He will not do that,” said Guo Jia, “His sense of loyalty is too firm. I fear anyone who goes to speak with him will be harmed.”

  Then a man stepped out and said, “I know him slightly and I will go.”

  The speaker was Zhang Liao. Cheng Yu said to him, “Though you are an old acquaintance of his I don’t think he is the kind of person to be persuaded. But I have a scheme that will leave him with no alternative and then he will have to enter the service of our minister.”

  They set the fatal trap beside the lordly tiger’s tail,

  They hide the hook with fragrant bait to catch the mighty whale.

  How was Guan Yu going to be entrapped? This will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Guan Yu Proposes Three Conditions on Top of a Hill

  Cao Cao Breaks the Siege at Baima

  At the close of the last chapter Cheng Yu was about to disclose his plan to induce Guan Yu to betray his brothers. He said, “As Guan Yu is an unusually brave warrior, he can only be reached by superior strategy. Let us send some of the soldiers who have recently surrendered into Xiapi, where they can say they have escaped. They will thus be our men in the city. Then arrange an attack and a feigned defeat to entice Guan Yu to move away from the city. In the meantime, send veteran troops to cut his escape route. Only then can Zhang Liao go and talk to him.”

  Cao Cao accepted the scheme and a few score of the men who had lately been Liu Bei’s men in Xuzhou were sent to Xiapi. Guan Yu believed the story they told him and let them stay in his place.

  After this part of the game had been played, Xiahou Dun led 5,000 men to offer battle. At first Guan Yu would not accept the challenge; however, provoked by men sent to hurl insults at him from the foot of the wall, his temper got the better of him and he moved out with 3,000 soldiers. They exchanged some ten bouts and then Xiahou Dun turned to run away. Guan Yu pursued. His opponent stopped and engaged him for a few bouts and fled again. Thus alternately fighting and retreating, he succeeded in enticing Guan Yu to move away from the city for twenty li. Then Guan Yu, suddenly remembering the risk to the city, turned his men homeward.

  Soon, the sound of a signal bomb was heard and out moved two bodies of men to bar his way. They were commanded by Cao Cao’s fiercest fighters, Xu Huang and Xu Chu. Guan Yu fought his way through and
hastened forward but from both sides a hundred or so archers let forth arrows that flew like locusts on the wing. Advancing was impossible and he was forced to turn back, but was again attacked by the joint forces of his two enemies. He fought furiously to drive them offand got onto the road to his own city, but soon Xiahou Dun came up again and attacked as fiercely as before. Evening came and still Guan Yu was hemmed in, so he finally went up a low hill, upon which he encamped for a rest.

  He was surrounded on all sides by enemies. Looking toward his city, he saw it lit up in raging fire. But he did not know that it was the soldiers sent by his enemy that had opened the gate to Cao Cao, who had gone in with his mighty force. They had started the fire in order to upset Guan Yu, and indeed the sight alarmed him very much.

  In the night he made several efforts to escape from the hill, but every attempt was checked by flights of arrows. At daybreak he prepared for one more effort, but before moving he saw a horseman riding up at full speed and he recognized him as his old acquaintance Zhang Liao. When within speaking distance, Guan Yu asked, “Have you come to fight me?”

  “No,” replied Zhang Liao. “I have come to see you because of our old friendship.”

  He threw aside his sword, dismounted and came forward to greet him. And the two sat down on top of the hill.

  “You must have come to talk me round then,” said Guan Yu.

  “Nor that either,” said Zhang Liao. “Sometime ago you saved me—how can I not save you?”

  “Do you mean you have come to help me?”

  “Not exactly that,” replied Zhang Liao.

  “Then what are you doing here if you have not come to help me?”

  “Well, at present nothing is known of the fate of your elder brother, nor whether your younger brother is alive or dead. Last night your city fell into the hands of Cao Cao, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed and guards were assigned to look after the family of Liu Bei lest they should be alarmed. I come to tell you how well they have been treated.”