The Three Kingdoms, Volume 2: The Sleeping Dragon: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  Presently tea was served and Sun Quan began to speak.

  “Lu Su has often spoken of your genius,” he said. “It is a great pleasure to meet you. I hope you will instruct me.”

  “I have neither talent nor learning,” said Zhuge Liang modestly. “I fear you will be disappointed in me.”

  “You have been at Xinye lately and you helped your master to fight that decisive battle with Cao Cao, so you must know exactly the measure of his military strength.”

  “My master’s army is weak and his officers are few,” answered Zhuge Liang, “and Xinye is a small city short of supplies. How could we oppose such a force as Cao Cao’s?”

  “How many men does he have in all?”

  “Horse and foot, land and marine, he has more than a million men.”

  “Isn’t there something exaggerated about that?” asked Sun Quan.

  “Not at all—when Cao Cao was in Yanzhou he already had 200,000 men from Qingzhou. He gained another 500–600,000 when Yuan Shao fell. Recently he has recruited more than 300–400,000 in the central areas. Now he has acquired 200–300,000 more from Jingzhou. If you add them all together the total is no less than 1.5 million. I said just a million because I was afraid of frightening your people.”

  At this Lu Su, much disturbed, turned pale and looked anxiously at Zhuge Liang who, however, pretended not to notice.

  Sun Quan asked again, “How many officers does he have?”

  “Well, his clever strategists and experienced officers number to more than one or even two thousand,” replied Zhuge Liang.

  “What will be Cao Cao’s next move now that he has taken Jingzhou?”

  “He is camped along the river and is preparing a fleet. If he does not intend to invade your territory, what other place does he want to take?”

  “If that is his intention, it is a case of fight or not fight. I hope you can decide that for me.”

  “I have something to say, but I fear, sir, you might not care to hear it.”

  “I would like to hear your valuable view,” answered Sun Quan.

  “For a long time the empire has been in utter chaos. So you have taken the region east of the Yangtze and my master has assembled his forces south of the Han River, to challenge Cao Cao for the empire. Now Cao Cao has overcome most obstacles and his recent conquest of Jingzhou has made him the one man to fear across the land. Even though there are heroes bold enough to wrestle with him, they have no footholds to display such heroism. That is why my master has been forced to flee here. But, General, I think you must estimate your own strength before you act. If you think you are able to resist Cao Cao’s army of the north, then you should break with him without loss of time. If not, then perhaps you should follow the advice of your counselors—cease your military preparations and serve under Cao Cao.”

  Before Sun Quan could reply his guest went on: “Beneath your outward show of submission you are inwardly still hesitating. The situation is developing quickly and disaster will be upon you if you do not act soon.”

  Then Sun Quan replied, “If your words are true, why doesn’t Liu Bei yield?”

  “In the past, Tian Heng was only a brave warrior of the state of Qi, yet he would not suffer the shame of submission—let alone my master, who is a descendent of the imperial family as well as a man of great renown, respected by all. His lack of success so far is simply the will of Heaven but he will never bow his knee to anyone.”

  These last words touched Sun Quan to the quick and he could scarcely control his anger. With a flick of his sleeves, he rose and left the audience chamber. The officials present snickered as they dispersed.

  Greatly annoyed, Lu Su reproached Zhuge Liang for his insolent way of talking to Sun Quan. “Luckily for you my lord is too high-minded to rebuke you to your face, but your disparaging speech was a monstrous insult to him.”

  Zhuge Liang threw back his head and laughed. “What a sensitive man he is!” he cried. “I know how to destroy Cao Cao, but he never asked me—so I said nothing.”

  “If you do know how that could be done, I will certainly beg my lord to ask you.”

  “Cao Cao’s million men are but swarms of ants in my eyes. I have only to lift my hand and they will be crushed to powder.”

  Lu Su at once went in to see his master, who was still smoldering with anger. “Zhuge Liang insulted me too deeply,” said Sun Quan to him.

  “I have also reproached him for this,” said Lu Su, “and he laughed and said you were too sensitive. He would not disclose his plan to defeat Cao Cao without being asked for it. Why not seek advice from him, my lord?”

  At once Sun Quan’s anger changed to joy. He said, “So he had a plan ready and his words were meant to provoke me. My shortsightedness nearly disrupted a great cause.”

  So he returned to the audience chamber where Zhuge Liang was still seated and asked him to continue his speech. He apologized courteously: “Please do not take offense for my rudeness just now.”

  “And I also was rude,” replied Zhuge Liang. “I beg you to pardon me.”

  Zhuge Liang was then invited into the inner chamber, where wine was served. After the wine had gone round several times, Sun Quan said, “Cao Cao has always regarded as his most-hated enemies Lu Bu, Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, and myself. Now most of these are gone and only Liu Bei and I remain. I cannot allow the entire land of Wu to be dictated by another and I have decided to fight it out with him. But the only one who could assist me in withstanding Cao Cao is Liu Bei, but he has been defeated lately. How can he withstand another battle?”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “Although we have suffered a defeat recently, Guan Yu is still commanding 10,000 veterans and Liu Qi leads another 10,000 men of Jiangxia. Cao Cao’s army comes from afar and his men are worn out after the long journey. During his last battle with us his light cavalry rode 300 li in a day and a night in pursuit of us. Just as a crossbow, at its final kick, cannot even penetrate the finest gauze, so his army has no more strength. Besides, the soldiers are from the north and unskilled in marine warfare, while the men of Jingzhou, though from the south, are unwilling supporters. They have no desire to help Cao Cao. Now if you, General, and my master fight together with one heart and mind, Cao Cao will certainly be defeated and he will be compelled to withdraw to the north. Then your country and Jingzhou will be strong and firmly established. But the scheme must be carried out without delay and only you can decide.”

  Sun Quan replied with great joy: “Your words, sir, have enlightened me at once. My mind is made up and I have no more doubts. I will begin preparations for our joint attack against Cao Cao without delay.”

  So he told Lu Su to carry the news of his decision to all his officials and escort Zhuge Liang to the guesthouse for rest.

  When Zhang Zhao heard of the decision he met his colleagues and said to them: “Our lord has fallen into Zhuge Liang’s trap.”

  They went in a body to their lord and said, “We hear you are going to attack Cao Cao—but how do you think you stand compared with Yuan Shao? In those days Cao Cao had a weak force and few officers and yet he overcame Yuan Shao in a single strike. Today he has a million men and he is certainly not to be treated lightly. If you listen to Zhuge Liang’s advice and go rashly into war, it would be like carrying firewood to extinguish a raging fire.”

  Sun Quan only lowered his head and made no reply. Then another advisor took up the argument. “Liu Bei has been defeated and he wants to borrow our army to help him beat his enemy. Why do you let him take advantage of you, sir? Pray listen to Zhang Zhao’s words.”

  Doubts rose again in the mind of Sun Quan. When the group of advisors had retired, Lu Su also came in and said, “These people came to exhort you not to fight, but to surrender to Cao Cao, simply because they wish to secure the safety of themselves and their families. They only think of their own interests. I hope you will not take their advice.”

  As Sun Quan seemed still undecided, Lu Su went on, “If you hesitate any longer, you w
ill certainly be led astray by the majority.”

  “Leave me for a while,” said his master. “I must think it over carefully.”

  So Lu Su left the chamber. Among the officers some were for war, but of the civil advisors, all were in favor of surrender and so there were many discussions and debates.

  Sun Quan went to his private chamber, greatly troubled in mind. He could neither eat nor sleep, for he was again wavering between fight or submission.

  Seeing how worried he was his mother’s sister, Lady Wu, asked him, “What is troubling you that you cannot even eat or sleep?”

  Sun Quan told her of the dangerous situation and the different opinions of his advisors, as well as his doubts and fears. He said, “If we go to war, we may not be able to overcome his huge army—and if we surrender, Cao Cao may harm us. So I can’t make up my mind.”

  She replied, “Have you forgotten the last words of my sister?”

  Like one recovering from a fit of drunkenness, or waking out of a dream, Sun Quan was reminded of the dying words of his mother.

  His mother’s advice he called to mind,

  “In Zhou Yu’s counsels you safety find.”

  The last words of his mother will be related in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Zhuge Liang Stirs Zhou Yu to Action

  Sun Quan Decides to Attack Cao Cao

  Now Lady Wu, seeing how undecided Sun Quan was, said to him: “On her deathbed, my sister told you the last words of your brother Ce: ‘For internal matters, consult Zhang Zhao, and for external ones, consult Zhou Yu.’ Why don’t you ask Zhou Yu for advice?”

  Sun Quan was greatly relieved. He at once sent a messenger to ask Zhou Yu to come back from Poyang Lake.

  But Zhou Yu was already on the way. He had been training his naval forces when he heard of the approach of Cao Cao’s army and had immediately started for the headquarters without delay. So before the messenger set out he had already arrived. As he and Lu Su were close friends the latter went to welcome him and told him of all that had happened.

  “Don’t worry,” said Zhou Yu. “I know what to do. Now please go quickly and ask Zhuge Liang to come and see me.”

  So Lu Su went away. Zhou Yu, however, soon had many other visitors. First came Zhang Zhao and his supporters to find out what might be afoot. They were welcomed in and, after an exchange of the usual greetings, Zhang Zhao asked: “Have you heard of the grave danger we are in, Commander?” “No, I have heard nothing,” replied Zhou Yu.

  “Cao Cao and his huge army of a million men are encamped up the river. He sent us a letter yesterday asking our lord to join him in attacking Jiangxia. He may have a desire to absorb our territory—if so, he has not openly announced it. We entreated our lord to offer submission for the moment and so avoid the horrors of war on our land, but now Lu Su has returned from his trip to Jiangxia, bringing with him Liu Bei’s advisor Zhuge Liang. Out of his own desire for revenge this man has come specially to talk our lord into war, yet Lu Su persists in supporting him and refuses to come to his senses. We are all waiting for your decision.”

  “Are you unanimous in your opinion?”

  “Yes, we are of the same mind,” said the others who had come with Zhang Zhao.

  Zhou Yu said, “I have also wished to submit for a long time. I beg you to leave me now. Wait until tomorrow when we see our lord, there will be a final decision.”

  So they took their leave but they were soon followed by the military group led by Cheng Pu. They were admitted and duly exchanged greetings with their host. Then the leader said, “Have you heard that our land is about to fall into the hands of another?”

  Again Zhou Yu denied any knowledge.

  Cheng Pu continued: “We helped General Sun to establish his authority here and carve out this kingdom, and we fought hundreds of big and small battles before we gained these six districts. But now our lord lends his ear to his civil advisors and wishes to submit to Cao Cao. This is the most shameful and pitiful thing! We would rather die than suffer such great shame. So it is our hope that you will persuade our lord to decide on war. We promise to struggle to the last man.”

  “And are you unanimous, generals?” asked Zhou Yu.

  Huang Gai rose angrily and, beating his forehead, cried: “They may take my head but I swear never to surrender to Cao Cao!”

  “Neither will we,” cried all the others.

  “I also want to settle matters with Cao Cao on the battlefield,” answered Zhou Yu. “Submission has never crossed my mind. Now I pray you will leave me, generals. When I see our lord I will settle his doubts.”

  Thus the war group also left. They were quickly succeeded by Zhuge Jin and some other civil officials. They were invited in, and after the usual courtesies, Zhuge Jin said, “My younger brother has come down the river to say that Liu Bei desires to ally himself with our lord against Cao Cao. The civil and military differ in their opinions as to what course to pursue, but as my brother is so deeply involved I dare not say much about this. We are awaiting your decision, Commander.”

  “And what do you think will be the right decision?”

  “Submission will be an easy road to peace while war may lead us to destruction,” replied Zhuge Jin.

  Zhou Yu said with a smile, “I know what to do. Tomorrow we will assemble in our lord’s place and decide.”

  So Zhuge Jin and his group took their leave. But soon after came Lu Meng and his friends, who were also eager to discuss the issue with their commander. Some were for war, others were for submission, and they disputed with each other.

  Zhou Yu stopped them. “Say no more. Let us decide it tomorrow at our lord’s place.”

  They went away. Zhou Yu smiled cynically to himself.

  As evening came on it was announced that Lu Su had brought Zhuge Liang to see him. Zhou Yu went out of the main gate to welcome them in. When they had taken their respective seats as host and guests, Lu Su spoke first.

  “Cao Cao has come with a huge army against the south. Our lord is unable to make up his mind whether to submit or to fight and waits for your decision. What is your opinion?”

  Zhou Yu replied, “We should not oppose Cao Cao as he is acting in the name of the Emperor. Moreover, he is very strong and to attack him is to take serious risks. In my opinion, opposition inevitably means defeat whereas submission means peace. I have decided to advise our lord to send an offer of surrender.”

  “But you are wrong,” stammered Lu Su in astonishment. “This land here has been ours for three generations. How can we abandon it to another so easily? General Sun Ce said before he died that you were to be entrusted with external matters and we expect you to secure the safety of our land, knowing you will be as reliable as Mount Tai. How come you adopt the view of the cowards and propose to yield?”

  “What about the numerous people in the six districts of ours?” replied Zhou Yu. “If I were to bring upon them the misery of war they would certainly blame me. So I have decided to advise submission.”

  “But with your heroism and our strong defense Cao Cao may not be able to achieve his aim,” argued Lu Su.

  While the two argued with each other, Zhuge Liang just looked on with folded arms, smiling coldly at them. Presently Zhou Yu asked him why he smiled like that and he replied, “I am laughing at none other than Lu Su, who knows nothing of the affairs of the day.”

  “What do you mean, sir?” asked Lu Su.

  “The commander’s intention to submit is perfectly reasonable,” said Zhuge Liang.

  “There, you see,” exclaimed Zhou Yu. “Zhuge Liang understands how things are. I knew he would agree with me.”

  “How come you, too, suddenly talk like that?” said Lu Su angrily to Zhuge Liang.

  “Cao Cao is an excellent commander, so good that no one dares oppose him,” replied Zhuge Liang. “In the past only Lu Bu, the Yuan brothers, and Liu Biao attempted it, but they have all been exterminated. Now he has no opponents in the whole country except Liu Bei,
who was so stubbornly impractical that he vigorously defied him, with the result that he is now isolated in Jiangxia and in a very perilous state. The commander’s decision to submit is to secure the safety of one’s family and to win riches and honor for oneself. But the dignity of the country is not worth consideration. Just leave that to Heaven.”

  Lu Su cried indignantly: “You want our lord to bend his knee before that traitor!”

  “Well, there is another way, and a much easier way, too,” continued Zhuge Liang. “There will be no need to ‘lead sheep and carry pots of wine’ for presents, nor to yield territory and surrender seals of office, nor even to cross the river yourselves. All you need is a simple messenger and a small boat to ferry a couple of people across the river. If Cao Cao only got these two persons his million men would take off their armor, furl their banners, and withdraw.”

  “Who are these two persons that can make Cao Cao go away like that?” asked Zhou Yu.

  “Two insignificant persons who can be easily spared from this populous country,” answered Zhuge Liang, deliberately holding back the names. “They will not be missed any more than a leaf from a tree or a grain of millet from a granary. But if Cao Cao could only get them he would certainly leave rejoicing.”

  “But who are the two, anyway?” persisted Zhou Yu.

  Zhuge Liang said, “When I was back in my home village I heard that Cao Cao was building a tower by the Zhang River called the Tower of the Bronze Bird. It is going to be a most magnificent building and he has sought throughout the country for the most beautiful maidens to dwell in it. As you know, Cao Cao is a man given to lust. Now he knows that there are two beauties in your place, born of the Qiao family. So beautiful are these women that at sight of them, birds alight and fishes drown, the moon hides her face and flowers blush for shame. Cao Cao has vowed to do two things—one is to wipe out all his adversaries and establish his own empire; the other is to get the two Qiao girls and keep them in the Tower of the Bronze Bird to amuse him in his old age. Given these two things, he said he would die without regret. In fact, his real aim in coming down with such a huge army against your country is to obtain these two beauties.