After that, Cao Cao sent his men to the home village of Zhuge Liang to seize his family, but they were nowhere to be found. The wise advisor had already anticipated this search and had moved his family to a safe place deep in the rivers. It was much to Cao Cao’s resentment that the search was fruitless.
As Xiangyang was settled, Xun You advised his master to advance further to Jiangling. He said, “Jiangling is an important place, very rich in supplies. If Liu Bei gets it, it will be difficult to dislodge him.”
“I have not forgotten that,” said Cao Cao.
Then he called together the old officers of Xiangyang to look for one who could lead the way. They all came, except Wen Ping.
Cao Cao sent for him and he came. “Why are you late?” asked Cao Cao.
“To be an officer and see his master lose his land is most shameful. I was too sad and ashamed to show up earlier.”
He burst into tears as he finished speaking. Cao Cao admired his loyalty and rewarded him with office and a title. Then he was ordered to lead the way to Jiangling.
Scouts came in to report how Liu Bei was hampered by the crowds of people who had followed him. And he was then only 300 li away. Cao Cao decided to give chase at once, so he picked out 5,000 of the most powerful cavalrymen and sent them after Liu Bei, ordering to overtake him within one day and night. The main army would follow.
As has been said, Liu Bei was traveling with a huge following. Guan Yu had been sent to Jiangxia. One day Zhuge Liang said, “There is as yet no news from Yun-chang. I wonder what is happening.”
“I hope you can go there too,” said Liu Bei. “Liu Qi will remember your former kindness to him and seeing you he will consent to assist us.”
Zhuge Liang agreed and set out with Liu Feng, the adopted son of Liu Bei, taking an escort of 500 soldiers.
That day, while progressing in company with three of his close followers, a sudden blast of wind swirled up right in front of Liu Bei, and a huge column of dust shot up into the air, covering even the face of the sun. Liu Bei was frightened and asked what that might portend. Jian Yong, who knew something of the mysteries of nature, took the auspices by counting secretly on his fingers. It turned out to be a very bad omen and he announced in great fright that a calamity would threaten them that very night. He urged his lord to abandon the people at once and flee quickly. But Liu Bei refused to think of it.
“If you allow your sympathy to overcome your judgment, then misfortune is very near,” said Jian Yong.
Liu Bei asked, “Where are we now?” His attendants told him that they were near the town of Dangyang and there was a hill called Jingshan. Liu Bei gave orders for the procession to camp by the hill.
The season was late fall, just changing to winter, and the icy wind pierced their very bones. As evening fell, long-drawn howls of misery were heard on every side. In the middle of the fourth watch, two hours after midnight, they heard a rumbling sound in the northwest. Liu Bei halted and placed himself at the head of his own troop of 2,000 men to meet whatever might come. Presently, Cao Cao’s men appeared and attacked with a fierce onslaught. Defense was impossible, though Liu Bei fought desperately. By good fortune, just at the critical moment Zhang Fei came up, cut his way through, rescued his brother, and got him away toward the east. However, they were stopped by Wen Ping.
“You turncoat! Are you brazen enough to look men in the face?” cried Liu Bei.
Wen Ping was overwhelmed with shame and led his men away toward the northeast. Zhang Fei, now fighting, now fleeing, protected his brother till dawn. By that time the sound of battle was far away and Liu Bei stopped to rest. He looked about him and saw there were only a hundred or so of his men still at his side. He knew nothing of the fate of his people, his family, or his trusted officers. He raised his voice in deep lamentation. “Myriads of living souls are suffering from this calamity because they did not want to desert me. My officers and my family are all lost. Even a man of clay or wood cannot help weeping at such great sorrow.”
While he was lamenting he saw Mi Fang staggering up, with several of the enemy’s arrows still sticking in his face. Seeing him, Mi Fang said, “Zhao Yun has gone over to Cao Cao!”
Liu Bei angrily told him to be silent. “Zi-long is my old friend. How can he betray me?” he cried.
“Perhaps he has gone over to seek fortune,” said Zhang Fei. “He must see that we are nearly lost.”
“He has followed me faithfully through all my misfortunes. His heart is firm as a rock. No fortune could move him.”
“I saw him go away toward the northwest,” said Mi Fang.
“Let me go and find him,” said Zhang Fei. “If I find him, I’ll kill him.”
“Don’t misjudge him,” said Liu Bei. “Have you forgotten how your brother slew Yuan Shao’s two generals? There is bound to be some good reason why he has gone that way. I’m sure he’ll never desert me.”
But Zhang Fei would not be convinced. Taking a score of his men, he rode to the Long Slope Bridge. Seeing a wood near the bridge, an idea suddenly struck him. He ordered his followers to cut branches from the trees, tie them to the tails of the horses, and ride to and fro so as to raise a great dust as though an army were concealed in the wood. He himself took up his position on the bridge, with his spear set ready for action, and kept watch toward the west.
Now Zhao Yun, after fighting with the enemy from the fourth watch till daylight, could see no sign of his lord and, moreover, had lost his lord’s family. He thought bitterly to himself: “My master left his family and the young lord in my care; and yet I’ve lost them. How can I look him in the face? I can only go now and fight to the death. Whatever happens I must find the ladies and my lord’s son.”
Turning about he found he had but two score followers left. He rode forth among the scattered soldiers looking for the two ladies. The lamentations of the people about him were enough to make heaven and earth weep. Some had been wounded by arrows, others by spears—numerous of them had abandoned their children, and were flying in crowds they knew not where.
As he was riding along he saw a man lying in the grass and recognized him as Jian Yong.
“Have you seen the two ladies?” he cried.
Jian Yong replied, “They gave up their carriage and ran away, taking the baby with them. I galloped after them but as I turned a slope I was wounded by an enemy spear and fell from my horse. The horse was snatched. I could fight no longer and had to lay down here.”
Zhao Yun put the wounded man on the horse of one of his followers, ordered two soldiers to accompany him, and asked him to tell their lord what had happened. “Tell him that I will seek the ladies and the child in Heaven or hell, through good or evil, and if I fail to find them I will die on the battlefield.”
Then he rode off toward the Long Slope Bridge. As he went a voice called out, “General Zhao, where are you going?”
“Who are you?” asked Zhao Yun, pulling up.
“One of our lord’s carriage guards. I am wounded by an arrow.”
“Do you know anything of the two ladies?”
“Not very long ago I saw Lady Gan going south with a party of other women. Her hair was down and she was barefoot.”
Hearing this, without even tending the speaker, Zhao Yun put his horse at full gallop toward the south. Soon he saw a crowd of several hundred people, male and female, walking hand in hand.
“Is Lady Gan among you?” he called out.
A woman in the rear of the party looked up at him and uttered a loud cry. Zhao Yun slipped off his steed, struck his spear in the earth, and wept. “It was my fault that you were separated from our lord. But where are Lady Mi and the baby?”
She replied, “She and I were forced to abandon our carriage and mingle with the crowd on foot. Then a band of soldiers came up and we were separated. I do not know where they are. I alone escaped here.”
As she spoke a howl of distress rose from the crowd of fugitives, for a company of soldiers appeared. Zhao Yun recovered his
spear and mounted ready for action. Presently he saw among the soldiers a prisoner bound upon a horse—the prisoner was Mi Zhu. Behind him was an enemy officer gripping a huge sword and leading a thousand or more soldiers. The men belonged to the army of Cao Ren and the officer, having captured Mi Zhu, was taking him to his chief as a proof of his prowess.
Zhao Yun shouted and rode at the captor who was speedily unhorsed and his captive was set free. Then snatching two horses, Zhao Yun placed the lady on one and Mi Zhu on the other. They rode away toward the Long Slope.
There, standing grim on the bridge, was Zhang Fei. As soon as he saw Zhao Yun he called out, “Zi-long, why have you betrayed my brother?”
“I fell behind because I was seeking the ladies and our young lord,” said Zhao Yun. “What do you mean by talking of betrayal?”
“If Jian Yong had not arrived before you I should hardly have spared you.”
“Where is the master?” said Zhao Yun.
“Not far away, just in front.”
Zhao Yun said to Mi Zhu, “Please conduct Lady Gan to him. I am going to look for Lady Mi and the baby again.” And he turned back to resume his search among the enemy troops.
Before long he saw one of Cao Cao’s officers galloping up, followed by a score of riders. He was armed with an iron spear and carrying a sword slung across his back. Without uttering a word Zhao Yun rode straight at him and attacked. At the first pass he slew his opponent and brought him down to earth. His followers fled away.
This fallen officer was Xiahou En, Cao Cao’s sword-bearer—and the sword on his back was his master’s. Cao Cao had two precious swords, one called Yi Tian (“Trust in Heaven”) and the other Qing Gang (“Blue Light”). Yi Tian was the weapon he usually wore at his side, the other being carried by his sword-bearer. Qing Gang would cut clean through iron as though it were mud and no sword had so keen an edge.
When Zhao Yun fell in with Cao Cao’s sword-bearer the latter was simply blundering along behind his master, depending upon the authority conferred by his office. Little did he expect to come across Zhao Yun and was killed instantly
So Zhao Yun got possession of the sword. Seeing the name Qing Gang embossed in gold characters, he recognized its value at once. He stuck it in his belt, took his spear, and again plunged into the enemy troops. Just as he did so he glanced back and saw he had not a single follower left. He was all alone.
Nevertheless, not for a single instant did he think of turning back, for he was too intent upon his quest. To and fro, back and forth, he rode about. Whenever he met crowds of people he questioned them for news of Lady Mi. At length a man said, “Lady Mi, with the child in her arms, is wounded in the thigh so that she cannot walk. She is sitting over there inside the broken wall.”
Zhao Yun hastened to look and there, beside a dry well behind the broken wall of a burned house, sat the mother clasping the child to her breast and weeping.
Zhao Yun was on his knees before her in a moment.
“The child will live now that you are here,” cried Lady Mi. “Pity his father, General, for he has drifted about the world half of his lifetime but has only this son of his own flesh and blood. Take him to his father and I can die content.”
“It is my fault that you have suffered,” replied Zhao Yun. “But it is useless to say any more. Pray take my horse and I will walk beside you and protect you till we get clear.”
“No,” she objected. “How can you be without a steed, General? The boy here depends on your protection. I am badly wounded and cannot hope to live. Pray take him and go your way. Do not trouble more about me.”
“I hear shouting,” said Zhao Yun. “The soldiers will be upon us again in a moment. Pray mount quickly.”
“Indeed I cannot go,” she said. “Do not let there be a double loss!” And she held out the child toward him as she spoke.
“Take the child,” she cried. “His life is in your hands.”
Again and again Zhao Yun begged her to get onto his horse, but she would not. The shouting drew nearer and nearer. Zhao Yun spoke harshly, “If you will not do what I say, what will happen when the soldiers are here?”
At this she said no more. Putting the child on the ground she turned and threw herself into the dry well. And there she perished.
The warrior relies upon the strength of his charger,
Afoot, how could he shield his young master from harm?
Brave mother! who died to preserve the son of her husband’s line;
Heroine was she, bold and decisive!
Seeing that the lady had died and there was nothing more to be done, Zhao Yun pushed down the broken wall to cover the well lest the dead body should suffer shame. Then he loosened his armor, let down the heart-protecting mirror, and placed the child in his breast. This done he took his spear and remounted.
He had gone but a short distance when he was confronted by Yan Ming, one of Cao Cao’s lesser captains. This warrior used a double-edged, three pointed-weapon and he offered battle. However, Zhao Yun disposed of him after a very few bouts and dispersed his men.
As the road cleared before him he saw another detachment barring his way. At the head of this was an officer of rank exalted enough to display a banner with his name, Zhang He. Zhao Yun didn’t wait to parley but attacked at once. However, this was a more formidable antagonist and half a score of bouts found neither any nearer defeat. But Zhao Yun, with the child in his bosom, could only fight with the greatest caution and so he decided to flee.
Zhang He pursued and as Zhao Yun thought only of spurring his steed to get away, a little way down the road he suddenly went crashing into a pit. On came his pursuer, his spear poised to thrust. Suddenly a brilliant flash of light seemed to shoot out of the pit and the fallen horse leapt with it into the air and was again on firm earth.
A bright glory surrounds the child of the imperial line, now in danger.
The powerful charger forces his way through the press of battle,
Bringing to safety the prince who was to sit on the throne two score years and two;
And the general thus manifested his godlike courage.
This apparition frightened Zhang He, who abandoned the pursuit forthwith. Zhao Yun rode off. Very soon, however, he heard two enemy officers shouting behind him, calling him to halt, and at the same time he saw two more officers blocking his way in front. All four of them had formerly been Yuan Shao’s men. Attacked by the four, Zhao Yun’s position seemed desperate, but he fought fearlessly.
As numerous men of Cao Cao’s came pressing on he drew out the precious sword to beat them off. Nothing could resist the special blade. The sword cut through armor and clothing without effort and blood gushed forth in fountains wherever it struck. The four officers were soon beaten off and Zhao Yun was once again free.
From a hilltop, Cao Cao now saw him showing such valor that none could withstand him, so he immediately asked those around him whether they knew who he was. As no one recognized him, Cao Hong galloped down to the battlefield and shouted to the hero, asking him his name.
“I am Zhao Zi-long of Changshan,” replied Zhao Yun.
Cao Hong returned and told his lord, who said, “A very tiger of a warrior! I must get him alive.” Therefore he sent messengers to all detachments with urgent orders that no arrows were to be fired at any point Zhao Yun should pass—he was to be taken alive.
And so Zhao Yun was able to survive the ordeal, which was also partly due to the good fortune of the child. During this fierce battle of slaughter, Zhao Yun, bearing in his bosom the future lord, cut down two banners, seized three spears, and slew more than fifty of Cao Cao’s renowned officers.
Blood dyed his fighting robe and crimsoned his buff coat;
None dared engage the terrible warrior at Dangyang;
Since days of old only the brave Zhao Yun,
Had fought on the battlefield for his lord in danger.
Thus he fought his way out of the encroachment and away from the scene of the battle. His fighting
robe was soaked in blood.
On his way, however, from behind a slope emerged two other bodies of men under two Zhong brothers. One of these was armed with a massive ax, the other a halberd. As soon as they saw Zhao Yun they shouted, “Quickly dismount and be bound!”
He has only escaped from the tiger’s cave,
To risk the deep pool’s sounding wave.
How Zhao Yun escaped will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Zhang Fei Raises Havoc at Long Slope Bridge
Liu Bei Retreats to Jiangxia in Defeat
At the close of the last chapter two brothers appeared in front of our heroic warrior and barred his way of advance. Zhao Yun raised his spear and thrust forth. The brother with the battle-ax came forward to engage him but after only three bouts he was unhorsed. Zhao Yun galloped away. The other brother followed behind him, halberd in hand. The two horses, nose against tail, got so close that the reflection of the halberd could be seen in the heart-protecting mirror on Zhao Yun’s back. Zhao Yun suddenly wheeled round and faced his pursuer, chest to chest. With his spear in his left hand he warded off the halberd and in his right he swung the sharp-edged sword. One slash and he had cut through both helmet and head. The poor man fell to the ground dead, a corpse with only half of a head attached to his body. The other pursuers fled and Zhao Yun continued on the road toward Long Slope Bridge.
But in his rear arose another tumultuous shouting and Wen Ping came up from behind with his men. By the time he reached the bridge he was weary and his horse spent. As he saw Zhang Fei waiting there, all ready for battle, he called out, “Help me, Yi-de!”
“Hurry along,” cried Zhang Fei. “I’ll keep back the pursuers.”
Twenty li from the bridge Zhao Yun saw Liu Bei and the others resting under some trees. He dismounted and bowed to the ground, weeping. Tears also came to Liu Bei’s eyes when he saw his faithful warrior.
Still panting from his exertions, Zhao Yun gasped out, “My fault is too grave, even death is too light a punishment. Lady Mi was severely wounded—she refused my horse and threw herself into a well. She is dead and all I could do was to cover up the well by pushing down the broken wall. But I placed the babe in the breast of my fighting robe and have fought my way out of the enemy’s encirclement, thanks to Your Lordship’s good fortune. At first he cried a good deal, but for some time now he has not stirred or made a sound. I fear I may not have saved his life after all.”
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 2: The Sleeping Dragon: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 10