Sun Quan made the appointments as proposed. Gan Ning was ill with diarrhea just then, but he accepted the task.
Now the First Ruler had made a line of forty camps from Jianping near the Wu Gorge to Yiling, at a distance of seven hundred li apart. He was exceedingly pleased with his two nephews, who had distinguished themselves repeatedly in battles.
“All my former generals are old and useless,” he said. “But now I have two such brave nephews. What have I to worry about Sun Quan?”
Then he was told of the coming of Sun Quan’s army under newly appointed leaders, and before he could select an officer to oppose his enemy his men came to report that Huang Zhong had run off to Wu with half a dozen men.
“He is no traitor,” he said, smiling. “I made a slip of the tongue when I spoke of old and useless generals. He will not admit he is old and wants to demonstrate he is not.”
Then he called his two nephews and said to them, “Huang Zhong may fail in this rash action of his, so I want you two to go to his assistance. Do not mind the fatigue. As soon as he has achieved some sort of success make him return and do not let him come to grief.”
So the two got their men together and went off to assist the aged warrior.
When young, success is easy, thine at will,
Aged warriors may fail, though willing still.
What happened to Huang Zhong will be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
Liu Bei Gets His Sworn Enemies at Xiaoting
Lu Xun Is Made Commander to Guard the Yangtze
As has been said, the veteran warrior Huang Zhong was among the officers who followed the First Ruler to war against Wu. When he heard his master spoke disparagingly of old generals, he took his sword and made his way to the army camp at Yiling with a few faithful followers. He was welcomed by the officers there, but they wondered why he had come.
“Why have you come, general?” they asked.
“I have followed our lord the Emperor ever since he seized Changsha, and I have always exerted myself. I am now over seventy, but I have a good appetite, can stretch the strongest bow, and ride the fastest horse without fatigue. I am not an enfeebled old man. But our master says old generals are useless, so I have come to take part in the fight against Wu. I will show him that I am not too old to slay enemy officers.”
Just about that time the leading division of the Wu army drew near, and their scouts were close to the camp. Huang Zhong rose at once to go out into the battle.
“Wait, general, do not be too hasty,” warned the officers.
But Huang Zhong paid no attention and set off at full speed. Worried for his safety, the van leader sent Feng Xi to help him. As soon as he saw the array of the enemy, the old general pulled up and challenged the enemy van leader, Pan Zhang, to battle but the latter sent out one of his subordinates instead. Seeing how old his antagonist was the man rode casually forth with his spear set, but in the third bout Huang Zhong cut him down. This angered Pan Zhang, who flourished the Blue Dragon, the mighty sword of Guan Yu, and took up the battle. These two fought several bouts, but Pan Zhang, who soon realized that he could not overcome the old warrior, galloped off. Huang Zhong pursued and smote him, scoring a full victory.
On his way back he fell in with the two young officers, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, who told him they had come by their uncle’s command to aid him if necessary.
“And now that you have scored so complete a victory we beg you to return to the main camp.”
But the veteran would not listen. The next day Pan Zhang came to challenge again, and Huang Zhong at once accepted. He would not allow the two young men to go with him, nor would he accept assistance from the others. With 5,000 men he set out. Before many bouts had been exchanged Pan Zhang made a feint and escaped.
Huang Zhong pursued, shouting at him. “Do not attempt to flee, for now I will avenge the death of Guan Yu,” he cried.
Huang Zhong pursued some thirty li, when all of a sudden loud shouts rose on all sides and he found himself attacked on both flanks and in the rear; his erstwhile fleeing enemy also turned, so that he was completely surrounded. At that moment a great storm came on and the wind blew furiously. Huang Zhong hastened to retreat. But as he did so, Ma Zhong led another enemy troop down a slope and shot an arrow that wounded the veteran in the shoulder, nearly throwing him down from his horse. Seeing him wounded the men of Wu all came on to attack, but at that critical moment the two young officers rushed up, drove off the enemy, and rescued Huang Zhong.
He was taken back to the main camp. But he was too old to survive the serious wound which gaped wide, causing him great pain. On his deathbed the First Ruler visited him and, patting him on the back, said regretfully, “It is my fault that you have been hurt in the battle.”
“I am but a soldier,” said the old general. “I am glad that I could serve Your Majesty. Now I am seventy-five and I have lived long enough. Pray take good care of your health and strive to conquer the whole country.”
These were his last words. Then he lost consciousness and died that night.
A poem was written to honor him:
First among veterans stands Huang Zhong,
Who won great merit in the conquest of Shu.
Old, he still donned his coat of mail,
And laid his hand to the curving bow.
His valor was the talk of all the north,
His fame spread across the newly-won west.
Tardy he bowed his snow-white head to death,
Fighting to the end—in very truth a hero.
The First Ruler was very sad when he heard of Huang Zhong’s death and had him buried in Chengdu.
“Three of my Five Tiger Generals are gone,” he sighed, “yet I have been unable to avenge their deaths. How very grievous it is!”
Then he led the Imperial Guard to Xiaoting, where he called a great assembly. He divided his forces into eight units to launch an all-out attack on his enemy by land and water. The marines were placed under the command of Huang Quan, while he himself led the land force. It was then the second month of the second year of Zhang Wu (A.D. 222).
When Han Dang and Zhou Tai heard of the approach of the army of Shu, they led their own forces to confront it. When near, the two armies were arrayed against each other. The two leaders of Wu rode out and saw the First Ruler seated on horseback beneath the great standard amid every kind of imperial insignia, surrounded by his military staff.
Han Dang spoke loudly: “Your Majesty is now Ruler of Shu. Why do you risk your life on the battlefield? Should anything go amiss it would be too late to regret.”
The First Ruler pointed at the speaker and abused him vehemently: “You dogs of Wu killed my brother. I swear that you and I will never live under the same sky!”
“Who dares to plunge into the enemy line?” asked Han Dang, turning to those in his train.
An officer rode to the front with his spear set and as he did so Zhang Bao with a roar galloped out to meet him. Frightened by his thunderous voice the officer sought to flee. Then Zhou Tai’s brother, Zhou Ping, seeing that his colleague was panic-stricken, flourished his sword and rode out to his aid. At once Guan Xing dashed to the front to engage him. With another roar, Zhang Bao thrust his opponent down from his steed. His colleague’s death scared Zhou Ping and enfeebled his defense, so that Guan Xing speedily slew him. Then the two cousins plunged forward to attack the two enemy leaders, who hurriedly sought refuge in the rear of their force.
“The tiger fathers have no curs of sons,” said the First Ruler with a sigh of satisfaction.
Then he waved his whip as a signal to press on, and the Wu army suffered a great defeat. The force of the eight divisions was irresistible as a river in flood, and the slaughter was immense.
At that time Gan Ning was nursing his illness onboard a ship, but he dashed into his saddle when he heard the army of Shu had come. Soon he met a cohort of the barbarian soldiers. These men wore their hair loose and went barefoot.
Their weapons were crossbows, long spears, swords, or axes. And they had shields to ward off blows. They were led by their own ruler, King Shamoke. His face was spotted with red as if splashed with blood, and his eyes were blue and protruding. He wielded a spiked iron staff and had two bows slung at his belt, looking the very image of terror. Gan Ning, knowing that he had no chance of victory against such a man, dared not engage him but turned his steed to flee. But as he fled, Shamoke shot an arrow that hit Gan Ning’s head. Seriously wounded as he was, he rode on to Fuchikou, where he dismounted and sat under a tree. There he died. Hundreds of crows flew down from the tree and gathered round the corpse.
The Prince of Wu was genuinely grieved at the news of his death. He had the remains buried honorably and erected a shrine to his memory.
Gan Ning was first of warriors in Wu
With silken sails he stemmed the Yangtze’s tide,
Right loyally he served his prince, and true,
For friendship’s sake he saved his foe.
Light horse led he by night a camp to raid,
And first he warmed his men with generous wine.
His resting place the solemn birds betrayed,
And fragrant incense smolders at his shrine.
This victory gave the First Ruler possession of Xiaoting. But when the battle ended all returned except Guan Xing. Search parties were sent to look for him throughout the countryside.
Now when Guan Xing dashed in among the men of Wu he had caught sight of Pan Zhang, his arch enemy, and galloped after him in hot pursuit. In terror, Pan Zhang took to the hills and disappeared in the valleys. Thinking that his foe could only be in the hills, Guan Xing looked high and low, but Pan Zhang was nowhere to be found. Then darkness fell and he lost his way. Fortunately it was a clear, starry night. At about midnight he came to a farm, where he dismounted and knocked at the door. A venerable old man appeared and asked him who he was.
“I am an officer in the war, and I have lost my way,” said Guan Xing. “I wonder if you could give me something to eat.”
The old man led him into a hall lit by candles, and there he saw a picture of his father. At once he fell to his knees before it and wailed.
“Why do you cry?” asked the old man.
“This is my father,” said Guan Xing.
At this, the old man bowed to his guest.
“Why should you treat my father with such respect?” asked the young man.
“This place is protected by your father’s honored spirit. Even when he lived the people here served him, and even more so now he is a saint. I have been counting on the army of Shu to avenge his death, and it is indeed a good fortune for the people that you have come.”
Then he brought forth wine and food to serve his guest. He also unsaddled his horse and fed it.
Some two hours later a knocking came at the door, and when the old man opened it, the visitor turned out to be none other than Pan Zhang. He had also come to ask for shelter.
As he came in Guan Xing recognized him. Drawing his sword, he cried, “Stay, you ruffian!”
Pan Zhang immediately turned to flee, but on the threshold there suddenly appeared a figure of ruddy complexion with phoenix eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a long, flowing beard, who was clad in a green robe and golden armor, and armed with a weighty sword.
Recognizing Guan Yu in his spirit form, Pan Zhang shrieked in terror, and his very soul seemed to have been squeezed out of him. He tried to escape but before he could even turn round, Guan Xing raised his sword and as it fell, Pan Zhang lay dead. Taking the bloody heart of his dead enemy, Guan Xing presented it as a sacrifice before the picture of his father. After that he took possession of his father’s sword, the Blue Dragon, curved as the crescent moon. Having hacked off the head of his fallen enemy he fastened it to his bridle. Then he took leave of his host, saddled his enemy’s horse, and rode away toward his own camp. The old man dragged the corpse of the dead soldier outside and burned it.
Guan Xing had not gone very far when he heard the neighing of horses and soon met a troop led by Ma Zhong, one of Pan Zhang’s men, who fell into a great rage when he saw the head of his chief swinging under the neck of Guan Xing’s horse and the famous sword in his hand. He galloped up furiously and Guan Xing, who recognized him as another enemy of his late father, rushed forward and raised the Blue Dragon to strike him. Just then, however, Ma Zhong’s three hundred soldiers all came up to support their chief, and Guan Xing was surrounded. Fighting all alone against hundreds of enemies, Guan Xing was soon in dire danger, but at that moment a rescue force arrived from the northwest led by his cousin Zhang Bao. At this Ma Zhong drew off his men and rode away.
The two cousins pursued him. But before they had gone far they met another force under Mi Fang and Fu Shi-ren, who had come out to seek Ma Zhong. The two bodies of soldiers clashed, but as they had few men the two cousins hastily drew off. Then they made their way to Xiaoting, where they told their adventure to their uncle and presented the head of their enemy. The First Ruler was amazed but pleased that one of his sworn enemies had been slain.
Ma Zhong went back and rejoined his commanders. The defeated men, many of them wounded, were recalled to their camps to set up defenses. Ma Zhong, together with Mi Fang and Fu Shi-ren, encamped by the riverside.
That night many of their soldiers were groaning with the pain of their wounds. Mi Fang, who was listening, heard one of them say: “We used to be Jingzhou men and our general fell victim to Lu Meng’s vile machinations. Now the Emperor of Shu has arrived in person to destroy Wu, and sooner or later Wu will be wiped out. But he has a special grudge against Mi Fang and Fu Shi-ren. Why don’t we kill these two traitors and go over to Shu? We will have done a great service.” Then he heard another say: “Don’t be too hasty. Wait till there is a good opportunity.”
Mi Fang did not like this at all. He told Fu Shi-ren that the men were mutinous and their lives were in danger.
“The Emperor of Shu hates Ma Zhong most intensely,” he said to his comrade. “Suppose we kill him and surrender. We can say we were compelled to give in to Wu, but as soon as we learned of his coming we wanted to return to him and admit our fault.”
“No, it won’t do,” objected Fu Shi-ren. “If we go he will kill us.”
“No, I don’t think so,” insisted Mi Fang. “He is merciful and kind. And his heir, A-dou, is my nephew. He will surely not harm a relative.”
In the end they decided to go. At midnight they furtively crept into Ma Zhong’s tent and stabbed him to death. Then they cut off his head, and with their grisly trophy and dozens of followers they set off for the camp of the First Ruler. They arrived at the outpost and were taken to see the officers there, to whom they told their tale. The next day they were led into the main camp and brought before Liu Bei. They presented the trophy, knelt on the ground and wept, saying, “We are not traitors but victims of Lu Meng’s wickedness. He lied that General Guan was dead and tricked us into opening the city gate. We were then compelled to surrender. But when we heard Your Majesty had come we slew this man to avenge the general. We implore your forgiveness, Your Majesty.”
The First Ruler said, “I left Chengdu a long time ago—why did you not come to confess your crime earlier? Now you find yourselves in danger and you come with this specious tale to try to save your lives. If I pardon you, how can I look my brother in the face when we meet beneath the Nine Springs?”
Then he ordered Guan Xing to set up an altar to his father in the camp, and he himself offered Ma Zhong’s head before the tablet of Guan Yu. After that he had the two deserters stripped and made them kneel before the altar, and with his own hand he hewed them to pieces as sacrifices.
Suddenly Zhang Bao came in and wailed before him. “The two enemies of my uncle have been slain, but when will I avenge my father’s death?”
“Don’t grieve, my nephew,” said the First Ruler, “I’m going to lay waste the land of Wu and slay all the curs that live there. I will assuredly capture the two murde
rers of your father and let you offer them as sacrifices to his spirit.”
Zhang Bao thanked him and went away, still weeping.
By this time the powerful name of the First Ruler was felt very deeply among the men of Wu, who stood in mortal dread of him and wailed night and day. Their two commanders, Han Dang and Zhou Tai, were much upset by this unusual behavior of their soldiers, so they sent a dispatch to their master to tell him of what had happened to Ma Zhong and the other two.
Much distressed at the news, Sun Quan called together his counselors for advice. At this meeting Bu Ji said, “Among those whom Liu Bei hated most, five are already dead. The only remaining ones are the two murderers of Zhang Fei. Why not hand over the two assassins and Zhang Fei’s head? Then promise to give up Jingzhou and send back Lady Sun so as to have peace with Liu Bei, and propose to continue our former alliance against Wei. That will make the men of Shu withdraw.”
This proposal seemed good to Sun Quan. So the head of Zhang Fei was enclosed in a sandalwood box and the two assassins, Fan Jiang and Zhang Da, were bound and put in a cage-cart. All these were sent with a letter proposing peace through the envoy, Cheng Bing, to the First Ruler in Xiaoting.
The First Ruler was about to march farther east when he was told that a messenger had come from Wu with the head of his brother and the two assassins. The First Ruler raised both his hands to his forehead* and cried in joy, “This is indeed a gift from Heaven! It is also an indication of the power of my brother’s spirit!”
He told Zhang Bao to prepare an altar. When he opened the box and saw that his brother’s face looked so much alive, without an altered complexion, he broke into loud wailing. Then the son hacked the two men to pieces and offered them on the altar.
However, this friendly gesture from Sun Quan did not appease his anger and he still desired to destroy Wu.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 12