“Ts’ao and his associates, moved by a sense of duty, now make this proclamation. Tung Cho defies heaven and earth. He is destroying the State and injuring his prince. He pollutes the palace and oppresses the people. He is vicious and cruel. His crimes are heaped up. Now we have received a secret command to call up soldiers and we are pledged to cleanse the Empire and destroy the evil-doers. We will raise a volunteer army and exert all our efforts to maintain the dynasty and succour the people. Respond to this, O Nobles, by mustering your soldiers.”
Many from every side answered the summons as the following list shows:—
The Prefect of Nanyang, Yuan Shu.
The Governor of Ichow, Han Fu.
The Governor of Yuchow, K’ung Yu.
The Governor of Yenchow, Liu Tai.
The Prefect of Honei, Wang K’uang.
The Prefect of Ch’en-liu, Chang Mo.
The Prefect of Tungchun, Chiao Mao.
The Prefect of Shanyang, Yuan I.
The Hsiang of Chipei, Pao Hsin.
The Prefect of Peihai, K’ung Yung.
The Prefect of Kuangling, Chang Ch’ao.
The Governor of Hsuchow, Tao Ch’ien.
The Prefect of Hsiliang, Ma Teng.
The Prefect of Peip’ing, Kungsun Tsan.
The Prefect of Shangtang, Chang Yang.
The Prefect of Ch’angsha, Sun Chien.
The Prefect of Pohai, Yuan Shao.
These contingents varied in size, but each was complete in itself with its officers, civil and military, and battle-leaders, and they assembled at Loyang.
The Prefect of Peip’ing, Kungsun Tsan, while on his way with his force of a legion and a half, passed through P’ingyuan. There he saw among the mulberry trees a yellow flag under which marched a small company. When they drew nearer he saw the leader was Liu Yuan-te.
“Good brother, what do you here?”
“You were kind to me once and on your recommendation I was made magistrate of this district. I heard you were passing through and came to salute you. May I pray my elder brother to enter into the city and rest his steed?”
“Who are these two?” said Tsan pointing to the other two brothers.
‘These are Kuan Yu and Chang Fei, my sworn brothers.”
“Were they fighting with you against the rebels?”
“All my success was due to their efforts,” said Yuan-te.
“And what offices do they fill?”
“Kuan Yu is a mounted archer: Fei is a foot archer.”
‘Thus are able men buried!” said Tsan, sighing. Then he continued.“All the highest in the land are now going to destroy the rebellious Tung Cho. My brother would do better to abandon this petty place and join us in restoring the House of Han. Why not?”
“I should like to go,” said Yuan-te.
“If you had let me kill him that other time you would not have this trouble today,” said Chang Fei.
“Since things are so let us pack and go,” said Kuan Yu.
So without more ado the three brothers, with a few horsemen, joined Kungsun Tsan and marched with him to join the great army.
One after another the feudal lords came up and encamped. Their camps extended over three hundred li and more. When all had arrived Ts’ao, as the head, prepared sacrificial bullocks and horses and called all the lords to a great assembly to decide upon their plan of attack.
Then spake the Prefect Wang saying “We have been moved by a noble sense of right to assemble here. Now must we first choose a chief and bind ourselves to obedience.”
Then said Ts’ao Ts’ao,“For four generations the highest offices of state have been filled by members of the Yuan family and his clients and supporters are everywhere. As a descendant of ancient ministers of Han, Yuan Shao is a suitable man to be our chief lord.”
Yuan Shao again and again declined this honour. But they all said,“It must be he; there is no other.” And then he agreed.
So a three-storeyed altar was built and they planted about it the five banners of the divisions of space. And they set up white yaks’ tails and golden axes and emblems of military authority and the seals of leadership round about.
All being ready the chief lord was invited to ascend the altar. Clad in ceremonial robes and girt with a sword, Yuan Shao reverently ascended. There he burned incense, made obeisance and recited the oath:—
“The House of Han has fallen upon evil days, the bands of imperial authority are loosened. The rebel minister, Tung Cho, takes advantage of the discord to work evil, and calamity falls upon honourable families. Cruelty overwhelms simple folk. We, Shao and his confederates, fearing for the safety of the imperial prerogatives, have assembled military forces to rescue the State. We now pledge ourselves to exert our whole strength and act in concord to the utmost limit of our powers. There must be no disconcerted or selfish action. Should any depart from this pledge may he lose his life and leave no posterity. Almighty Heaven and Universal Mother Earth and the enlightened spirits of our forefathers, be ye our witnesses.”
The reading finished, he smeared the blood of the sacrifice upon his lips and upon the lips of those who shared the pledge. All were deeply affected by the ceremony and many shed tears.
This done the oath-chief was supported down from the high place and led to his tent, where he took the highest place and the others arranged themselves according to rank and age. Here wine was served.
Presently Ts’ao Ts’ao said,“It behoves us all to obey the chief we have this day set up, and support the State. There must be no feeling of rivalry or superiority based upon numbers.”
Shao replied,“Unworthy as I am, yet as elected chief I must impartially reward merit and punish offences. Let each see to it that he obeys the national laws and the army precepts. These must not be broken.”
“Only thy commands are to be obeyed” cried all.
“My brother, Yuan Shu, is appointed Chief of the Commissariat. He must see to it that the whole camp is well supplied. But the need of the moment is a van-leader who shall go to Ssushui Pass and provoke a battle. The other forces must take up positions in support.”
Then the Prefect of Ch’angsha offered himself for this service.
“You are valiant and fierce, and equal to this service,” said Yuan Shao.
The force under Sun Chien set out and presently came to the Pass. The guard there sent a swift rider to the capital to announce to the tyrant the urgency of the situation.
Ever since Tung Cho had secured his position he had given himself up to luxury without stint. When the urgent news reached the adviser Li Ju, he at once went to his master, who much alarmed called a great council.
Lu Pu stood forth and said,“Do not fear, my father, I look upon all the lords without the Pass as so much stubble and with the men of our fierce army I will put every one of them to death and hang their heads at the gates of the capital.”
“With your aid I can sleep secure,” said Tung Cho.
But some one behind Lu Pu broke in upon his speech saying “A butcher’s knife to kill a chicken! There is no need for the Marquis to go: I will cut off their heads every one as easily as I would take a thing out of my pocket.”
Cho looked up and his eyes rested on a stalwart man of fierce mien, lithe and supple. He had a small round head like a leopard and shoulders like an ape’s. His name was Hua Hsiung. Cho rejoiced at his bold words and at once gave him high rank and command over five legions of horse and foot. He, with Li Su, Hu Chen and Chao Ts’en hastily moved toward the Pass.
Among the feudal lords Pao Hsin was jealous lest the chosen van-leader should win too great honours. Wherefore he endeavoured to meet the foe first and so he secretly despatched his brother Chung with three companies by a bye road. As soon as this small force reached the Pass they offered battle. Hua Hsiung at the head of half a company of mail-clad horsemen swept down from the Pass crying “Flee not, rebel.”
But Pao Chung was afraid and turned back. Hsiung came on, his arm rose, the swor
d fell, and Chung was cut down from his horse. Most of his company were captured. His head was sent to the minister’s palace. Hua Hsiung was promoted to Tu-tu, or Commander in Chief.
Sun Chien presently approached the Pass. He had four captains: Ch’eng P’u, whose weapon was an iron-spined snaky lance; Huang Kai, who wielded an iron whip; Han Tang, a swordsman, and Tsu Mou, who fought with a pair of swords.
The Commander Sun wore a helmet of fine silver wrapped round with a purple turban. He carried across his body his sword of ancient ingot iron and rode a dappled horse with flowing mane.
He advanced to the Pass and hailed the defenders, calling them helpers of a fool, and summoned them to surrender. A half legion under Hu Chen went out against him whom Ch’eng P’u with the snaky lance rode out and engaged. After a very few bouts Hu Chen was killed on the spot by a thrust through the throat. Then the signal was given for the main army to advance. But from the Pass they rained down showers of stones, which proved too much for the assailants and they retired into camp at Liangtung to await further help from Yuan Shao.
An urgent message for supplies was sent to the commissary. But one said to him, the Controller: “This Sun Chien is a very tiger. Should he take the capital and destroy Tung Cho we should have a tiger in place of a wolf. Do not send him grain. Starve his men and that will decide the fate of that army.”
And Yuan Shu gave ear to the detractors and sent no grain or forage. Soon the hungry soldiers showed their disaffection by indiscipline and the spies bore the news to the defenders of the Pass, who decided upon a speedy attack in front and rear. They hoped to capture the Sun Chien.
So the soldiers of the attacking face were told off and given a full meal. At dark they left the Pass and crept by secret paths to the rear of Sun Chiens camp. The moon was bright and the wind cool. They arrived about midnight and the drums beat an immediate attack. Sun Chien hastily donned his fighting gear and rode out. He ran straight into Hua Hsiung and the two warriors engaged. But before they had exchanged many passes Li Su’s men came up and set fire to whatever would burn.
Sun’s army were thrown into confusion and fled like rats. A general melee ensued and soon only Tsu Mou was left at his chief’s side. These two broke through the pass and fled. Hua Hsiung coming in hot pursuit, Sun Chien took his bow and let fly two arrows in quick succession, but both missed. He fitted a third arrow to the string, but drew the bow so fiercely that it snapped. He cast the magpie painted bow to the earth and set off at full gallop.
Then spake Tsu Mou saying,“My lord’s purple turban is a mark that the rebels will too easily recognise. Give it to me and I will wear it.”
So Sun Chien exchanged his silver helmet with the turban for his faithful friend’s headpiece, and the two men parted, riding different ways. The pursuers looking only for the purple turban went after its wearer and Sun escaped along a bye-road.
Tsu Mou, hotly pursued, then tore off the headdress which he hung on the post of a half-burned house as he passed and dashed into the thick woods. Hua Hsiung’s men seeing the purple turban standing motionless dared not approach, but they surrounded it on every side and shot at it with arrows. Presently they discovered the trick, went up and seized it.
This was the moment that the hidden man awaited. At once he rushed forth, his two swords whirling about, and dashed at the leader. But Hua Hsiung was too quick. With a loud yell he slashed at Tsu Mou and cut him down. Day had now broken and the victor led his men back to the Pass.
The three other leaders in time met their chief and the soldiers halted. Sun Chien was much grieved at the loss of his generous subordinate.
When news of the disaster reached Yuan Shao he was greatly chagrined and called all the lords to a council. They assembled and Kungsun Tsan was the last to arrive. When all were seated in the tent Yuan Shao said,“The brother of General Pao, disobeying the rules we made for our guidance, rashly went to attack the enemy; he was slain and with him many of our soldiers. Now Sun Wen-t’ai has been defeated. Thus our fighting spirit has suffered and what is to be done?”
Every one was silent. Lifting his eyes the chief looked round from one to another till he came to Kungsun Tsan and then he remarked three men who stood behind his seat. They were of striking appearance as they stood there, all three smiling cynically.
“Who are those men behind you?” said the chief.
Kungsun told Yuan-te to come forward, and said,“This is Liu Pei, magistrate of P’ingyuan and a brother of mine who shared my humble cottage.”
“It must be the Liu Yuan-te who broke up the Yellow Turban rebellion,” said Ts’ao.
“It is he,” said his patron and he ordered Liu Pei to make his obeisance to the assembly, to whom he then related his services and his origin, all in full detail.
“Since he is of the Han line he should be seated,” said the chief and he bade Liu Pei sit.
Liu Pei modestly thanked him.
Said Shao,“This consideration is not for your fame and office; I respect you as a scion of the imperial family.”
So Liu Pei took his seat in the lowest place of the long line of lords. And his two brothers with folded arms took their stations behind him.
Even as they were at this meeting came in a scout to say that Hua Hsiung with a company of mail-clad horsemen was coming down from the Pass. They were flaunting Sun Chien’s captured purple turban on the end of a bamboo pole. The enemy was soon hurling insults at those within the stockade and challenging them to fight.
“Who dares go out to give battle?” said the chief.
“I will go,” said Yu She, a leader who belonged to the train of Yuan Shu.
So he went and almost immediately one came back to say that he had fallen in the third bout.
Fear began to lay its cold hand on the assembly. Then said another,“I have a brave warrior among my men. Pan Feng is his name and he could slay this Hua Hsiung.”
So Pan was ordered out to meet the foe. With his great battleaxe in his hand he mounted and rode forth. But soon came the direful tidings that he too had fallen. The faces of the gathering paled at this.
“What a pity my two able leaders, Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou, are not here! Then should we have some one who would not fear this man,” said the chief.
He had not finished when from the lower end a voice cried,“I will go, take his head and lay it before you here.”
All turned to look at the speaker. He was tall and had a long beard. His eyes were those of a phoenix and his eyebrows thick and bushy like caterpillars. His face was a swarthy red and his voice deep as the sound of a great bell.
“Who is he?” asked the chief.
Kungsun Tsan told them it was Kuan Yu, brother of Liu Yuan-te.
“And what is he?”
“He is in the train of Liu Yuan-te as a mounted archer.”
“An insult to us all!” roared the chief’s brother from his place.“Have we no leader? How dare an archer speak thus before us? Let us beat him forth!”
But Ts’ao Ts’ao intervened.“Peace, O Kung-lu! Since he, speaks great words, he is certainly, valiant. Let him try. If he fail, then you may reproach him.”
“Hua Hsiung will laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him,” said the chief.
“He looks no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman?” said Ts’ao Ts’ao.
“If I fail then can you take my head,” cried Kuan.
Ts’ao Ts’ao bade them heat some wine and offered a stirrup cup to Kuan Yu as he went out.
“Pour it out,” said Kuan.“I shall return in a little space.”
He went with his sword in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the tent heard the fierce roll of the drums and then a mighty sound as if skies were falling and earth rising, hills trembling and mountains tearing asunder. And they were sore afraid. And while they were listening with ears intent, lo! the gentle tinkle of horse bells, and Kuan Yu threw at their feet the head of the slain leader, their enemy Hua Hsiung.
> The wine was still warm!
This doughty deed has been celebrated in verse.
The power of the man stands first in all the world,
At the gate of the camp was heard the rolling of the battle drums:
Then Yun-ch’ang set aside the wine cup till he should have
displayed his valour, And the wine was still warm when the enemy had been slain.
Ts’ao Ts’ao was pleased at this success. But Chang Fei’s voice was heard, shouting,“Brother, you slew the leader; why did you not break through the Pass and seize Tung Cho? Could there have been a better time?”
Again arose the voice of the peevish Yuan Shu,“We high officials are too meek and yielding. Here is the petty follower of a small magistrate daring to flaunt his prowess before us! Expel him from the tent, I say.”
But again Ts’ao Ts’ao interposed,“Shall we consider the station of him who has done a great service?”
“If you hold a mere magistrate in such honour then I simply withdraw,” said Yuan Shu.
“Is a word enough to defeat a grand enterprise?” said Ts’ao Ts’ao.
He told Kungsun Tsan to lead his three companions back to their own camp and the other chiefs then dispersed. That night he secretly sent presents of flesh and wine to soothe the three after this adventure.
When Hua Hsiung’s men straggled back and told the story of defeat and death Li Su was greatly distressed. He wrote urgent letters to his master who called in his trusted advisers to a council. Li Ju summed up the situation.“We have lost our best leader and the rebel power has thereby become very great. Yuan Shao is at the head of this confederacy and Yuan Wei of the same family is holder of high office in the government. If those in the capital combine with those in the country we may suffer. Therefore we must remove them. So I request you, Sir Minister, to place yourself at the head of your army and break this confederation.”
Tung Cho agreed and at once ordered Li Tsui and Kuo Ssu to take half a company and surround the residence of Yuan Wei, the Tai-fu, slay every soul, and hang the head of the high officer outside the gate as a trophy. And Cho commanded twenty legions to advance in two armies. The first five legions were under Li Tsui and Kuo Ssu and they were to hold Ssushui Pass. They should not necessarily fight. The other fifteen legions under Tung Cho himself went to Tigertrap Pass.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics) Page 8