“Your wisdom has no equal, sir,” said the officers.
And the soldiers were sent along the pathway. The men were starving and the horses weary. Some had been scorched by the flames and had to lean on sticks to plod onwards; others were wounded by arrows or spear thrusts and they struggled on with what remained of their strength. All were soaking wet and none were properly clad. Their weapons and banners were in a deplorable state. Few of the horses had saddles or bridles, for in the confusion of pursuit these had been abandoned. In the bitter cold of winter their suffering was indescribable.
Noticing that the leading party had stopped advancing, Cao Cao sent someone to ask the reason for the halt. The man returned and said, “The path is narrow and after the rain in the morning water has collected in the pits so that the horses are bogged down in the mire and cannot move.”
Cao Cao flared up in a rage and said, “Soldiers are supposed to build roads to cut through a hill and construct bridges to cross a stream. Can such a thing as mud stay an army?”
So he ordered the old, weak, and wounded to go to the rear and come on as they could, while the strong and robust were to cut down trees and gather plants and reeds to fill up the holes. And it was to be done without delay, death being the punishment for those who disobeyed.
So the men were compelled to dismount and fell trees and cut bamboo to level the path. Fearing pursuit, Cao Cao ordered three officers to lead a hundred swordsmen to hasten the soldiers and slay any that did not work fast enough.
By then the soldiers were so hungry and exhausted that they fell to the ground. Cao Cao, however, still ordered men and horses to move on and many were trodden to death. Cries of misery were heard the whole length of the way.
“What are you howling for?” raged Cao Cao. “Life or death is fated. Anyone who howls will be put to death.”
One third of his followers had fallen behind, another third filled up the pits and hollows, so that only one third escorted Cao Cao. Eventually they went past the precipitous part of the road and on to moderately level ground. Cao Cao turned to look at his following and saw he had barely three hundred men, none of whom were fully equipped for battle.
But he still urged them to press on, and when the officers told him the horses were exhausted and must rest a while, he replied: “We can rest when we get to Jingzhou.”
So they moved on. They had gone only a few li when Cao Cao flourished his whip and broke once again into loud laughter.
“What is there to laugh about?” asked the officers.
“People say Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang are able and crafty but I think they are merely a couple of incompetents. If an ambush had been placed here we would all be prisoners.”
He had not finished this speech when a bomb exploded and 500 men with swords in their hands appeared on both sides and blocked the way. The leader was Guan Yu, holding the famous Blue Dragon sword and be-striding the Red Hare steed. At the sight of him Cao Cao’s men were so scared that their very souls seemed to leave them and they gazed into each others’ faces in panic.
“Since there is no way out,” said Cao Cao, “we must fight to the death.”
“Even if we men are not afraid, the horses are spent,” said the officers. “How can we fight?”
Cheng Yu said, “I have always known that Guan Yu acts proudly to those above him but kindly to those beneath him—he defies the strong, but is gentle with the weak. He discriminates between gratitude and grudge and is always righteous and true. You have shown him kindness, and if you remind him of that we will be able to escape this danger.”
Cao Cao agreed to try. He rode out to the front, bowed to Guan Yu and said, “General, I trust you have been keeping well.”
Guan Yu bowed in return and said, “By the order of our advisor I have been waiting for you for a long time, sir.”
“I am defeated and my situation is desperate. Now I have no way out and I trust you, General, will not forget our old friendship.”
“Though indeed you were kind to me in those days, I have repaid you by slaying two of your most feared enemies and relieving the siege of Baima. As for the business in hand, I cannot allow my personal feelings to outweigh public duty.”
“Do you remember how you slew my six officers at the five passes? The noble man values righteousness. You are well versed in the histories and must recall the story of Yugong Zisi, the ancient archer, and his pursuit of his opponent Zizhuo Ruzi. Yugong was unwilling to harm his opponent when he found him unable to defend himself because of illness.”
Guan Yu was indeed a man with the highest sense of righteousness. He could not forget the great kindness he had received at Cao Cao’s hands and the magnanimity he had shown over what happened at the five passes. Besides, his compassion was roused at the sight of Cao Cao’s panic-stricken men, who were all on the verge of tears. He could not bear to press him hard so he turned his steed and said to his followers, “Spread out.”
Evidently this was meant to let Cao Cao escape. Seeing this, Cao Cao dashed through with his officers, and when Guan Yu turned around they had already passed. He uttered a great shout to the remaining troops of Cao Cao, who jumped off their horses and knelt on the ground crying for mercy. Guan Yu took great pity on them and could not bring himself to harm them. Just then, Zhang Liao rode up and the memory of their friendship melted Guan Yu’s heart. Heaving a long sigh, he allowed all of them to go free.
Cao Cao, his army lost, fled to Huarong,
There in the narrow path he met Guan Yu.
Unable to forget his great kindness,
Guan Yu freed the dragon in plight.
Having escaped this danger Cao Cao hastened to get out of the valley. He glanced back and saw only twenty-seven horsemen still following him. Toward dusk they reached Nanjun, where again they came upon what they took to be more enemies. Cao Cao thought the end had surely come, but to his delight they were his own men and his fear died down. Cao Ren, who was the leader, said that he had heard of the defeat, but was afraid to venture far from his charge, so he only tried to meet him at a short distance from his camp.
“I was nearly unable to see you again,” said Cao Cao.
The fugitives at last found repose in the city. Soon they were joined by Zhang Liao, who told them of the magnanimity of Guan Yu.
When Cao Cao mustered the miserable remnant of his men together he found most of them were wounded and he told them to rest. Cao Ren prepared wine to console his master. All the advisors were also present. And as he drank, Cao Cao suddenly looked up to the sky and broke into violent weeping.
His advisors were perplexed. “When you were trying to escape from the tiger’s cave you showed no sign of fear,” they said. “Now that you are safe in the city, where men have food and the horses have forage, where all you have to do is to prepare for revenge, suddenly you lose heart and grieve. Why is this?”
Cao Cao replied, “I am thinking of my friend Guo Jia. Had he been alive he would not have let me suffer this loss.”
He beat his breast and, calling his deceased advisor by name, wept passionately. The implicit reproach shamed the advisors into silence. The next day, Cao Cao called his cousin Cao Ren to him and said, “I’m going to the capital to prepare another army for revenge. You are to guard this district and I leave with you a sealed plan. You are only to open it in case of emergency, and then you are to act as directed. Then Zhou Yu will not dare to undermine you.”
“Who is to guard Hefei and Xiangyang?”
“I have already assigned Xiahou Dun to hold Xiangyang and you are to take care of Jingzhou as well. As for Hefei, it is strategically most important and I am sending Zhang Liao there as commander and Li Dian and Yue Jin as his aides. If you run into difficulties, send news to me at once.”
Having arranged these dispositions, Cao Cao mounted and set off with the rest of his men. He also took with him the officers who had come over to his side when Jingzhou fell into his hands.
After they left, Cao Ren placed his
brother Cao Hong in charge of the south of Yiling, as well as Nanjun, to guard against possible attacks from Zhou Yu.
Guan Yu, having allowed Cao Cao to flee, found his way back to the headquarters. By this time the others had also returned, bringing spoils of horses, weapons, equipment, money, and grain. Only Guan Yu came back empty-handed. When he arrived Zhuge Liang was congratulating Liu Bei on his success. As soon as Guan Yu was announced Zhuge Liang rose from his seat and went out to welcome him, bearing a cup of wine.
“Congratulations, General!” he said. “It’s a great joy to know that you have done a really splendid service and have removed the country’s worst evil. I ought to have come out a long way to congratulate you.”
Guan Yu could say nothing.
Zhuge Liang continued, “Are you annoyed because we haven’t come out to welcome you on the road?” Turning to those about him he said reproachfully, “Why didn’t you report earlier?”
“I’m here to ask for death,” said Guan Yu.
“Could it be that Cao Cao didn’t come that way?”
“Yes, he did. But I was incompetent enough to let him escape.”
“Then which officers and men have you captured?”
“None.”
“In that case you must have intentionally allowed him to escape for his past kindness to you,” said Zhuge Liang. “But since you have signed a written pledge you will have to suffer the penalty.”
Then he called in the guards to take Guan Yu out and put him to death.
He risked his very life for friendship’s sake,
And for ages to come gained a fine name.
What would actually befall Guan Yu will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
A Great Battle Is Fought Between North and South
Zhuge Liang Provokes Zhou Yu to Anger for the First Time
At the end of the last chapter Guan Yu was about to be put to death for allowing Cao Cao to escape. Then Liu Bei said to Zhuge Liang, “We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother has done wrong I cannot bear to break our oath. I hope you will only record this misdeed and let him atone for his fault later by some meritorious service.”
So the sentence was remitted.
In the meantime, Zhou Yu assembled his officers and men, noted the special services of each, and submitted full reports to his master. The surrendered soldiers were all sent across the river. Then a feast was given to celebrate the victory.
The next step was to attack and capture Nanjun. The army set up five camps on the riverbank, with Zhou Yu’s tent in the center, where he summoned his officers and advisors to a council. At this moment Sun Qian arrived with congratulations from Liu Bei. He was admitted and, having saluted Zhou Yu politely, Sun Qian said: “My lord sent me to thank you for your great kindness and to bring you some trifling gifts.”
“Where is Liu Bei?” asked Zhou Yu.
“He is now encamped by the You River.”
“Is Zhuge Liang there, too?” asked Zhou Yu, taken aback.
“Yes, both are there,” answered Sun Qian.
“Please return first, and I will come in person to thank them.”
Zhou Yu accepted the presents and sent Sun Qian back to his master.
Then Lu Su asked him, “Why were you surprised just now?”
Zhou Yu said, “In camping by the You River, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang must have the intention of taking Nanjun. We have spent so much military resources and money that the district is now ours for the taking. But they wish to use what we have already accomplished to their advantage. However, they must remember that I’m not dead yet.”
“How can you prevent them?” asked Lu Su.
“I’ll go myself and speak with them,” said Zhou Yu. “If all goes well, then, let it be so; in case it doesn’t, I’ll simply slay Liu Bei before he can make an attempt to capture Nanjun.”
“I’d like to accompany you,” said Lu Su.
So Zhou Yu and his friend started for Liu Bei’s camp by the river, taking with them 3,000 light cavalrymen.
Now San Qian, having returned from his trip, went in to see Liu Bei and told him of Zhou Yu’s intended visit to thank him for the gifts.
“What is the real purpose of his visit?” asked Liu Bei of his all-wise advisor.
“Is it likely he would come out of simple politeness for these trifling gifts? Of course he has come because of Nanjun.”
“But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?” asked Liu Bei.
Then Zhuge Liang told Liu Bei what he should say to Zhou Yu when he came.
To prepare for Zhou Yu’s visit, they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers on the bank. Soon, the arrival of Zhou Yu and Lu Su with an army was announced. Zhao Yun went to welcome them with a cavalry escort. The fine display of military strength was not lost on Zhou Yu and he felt rather uneasy. At the camp gates the guests were met by Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang and led into the tent, where a banquet was prepared in their honor.
Presently, Liu Bei raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory gained by his guests. The banquet proceeded and after a few more rounds of wine Zhou Yu said, “You have moved your troops here. Are you thinking of taking Nanjun?”
“We hear you are going to occupy the place so we have come to assist,” replied Liu Bei. “Should you not take it, then we will.”
Zhou Yu laughed. “We of the east have long thought about conquering this district. Now that it is within our grasp we will surely take it.”
Liu Bei said, “There is always some uncertainty. Before he departed, Cao Cao ordered Cao Ren to guard the district, and it is quite certain that he must have left some effective strategy behind him. Besides, Cao Ren is a very brave warrior. I fear you may not get it, General.”
“Well, if we do not succeed, sir, then you may try to take it,” said Zhou Yu.
“Here are witnesses to your words,” said Liu Bei, naming Lu Su and Zhuge Liang at the table. “I hope you will never regret what you have just stated.”
Lu Su hesitated and seemed unwilling to bear witness to this, but Zhou Yu said, “Once I have spoken I never regret.”
“This speech of yours, sir, is very fair,” interjected Zhuge Liang. “You will try first, but if the place does not fall, there is no reason why my lord should not attempt to capture it.”
The two visitors then took their leave and rode away. As soon as they had left, Liu Bei turned to Zhuge Liang and said, “Just now I replied to Zhou Yu according to your instructions. However, although I did so, I have turned it over and over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. Here I am, isolated and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desire to get possession of Nanjun so that I might have, at least, a temporary shelter—but if we let Zhou Yu attack it first then the district will fall to Wu. How can I get the city?”
Zhuge Liang laughed and replied, “Do you remember I advised you to take Jingzhou in the past but you would not listen? So you want it now?”
“But the city belonged to Liu Biao at that time and I could not bear to attack it. Now that it belongs to Cao Cao I can certainly do so.”
“These things are nothing to worry about,” replied the advisor. “Let Zhou Yu go and fight. Sooner or later, my lord, I will make you sit comfortably in that city.”
“But what plan do you have in mind?”
Zhuge Liang told him.
Liu Bei was greatly satisfied with the reply and so he maintained his position at the riverbank and patiently awaited an opportunity.
In the meantime, Zhou Yu and Lu Su returned to their own camp and the latter asked, “Why did you promise Liu Bei that he might attack Nanjun?”
“I can take the city with a flick of my fingers,” replied Zhou Yu. “That promise was a mere gesture of generosity.”
Then he inquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city. Jiang Qin offered himself, and was put in command of the vanguard of 5,000 veterans, with Xu She
ng and Ding Feng to aid him. They were to move across the river at once, and Zhou Yu himself would follow with the supporting troops.
On the other side, Cao Ren ordered Cao Hong to guard Yiling and so hold one corner of a triangular defense. When the news came that the troops of Wu had crossed the Han River, Cao Ren decided to defend the city firmly and not to give battle.
But Niu Jin, one of his valiant officers, said impetuously, “It is cowardly to let the enemy approach the city walls and not offer battle. Our men, lately worsted, need heartening and must deomonstrate their mettle. Give me five hundred veterans and I will fight them.”
Cao Ren agreed to this brave offer and so the small force went out of the city. At once Ding Feng came to combat Niu Jin and they fought a few bouts. Then Ding Feng pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight, and retreated into his own lines. Niu Jin followed him hard. When he had got within the Wu formation, at a signal from Ding Feng, the army closed in all around and Niu Jin was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing this from the wall tower, Cao Ren donned his armor and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of cavalrymen and burst into the men of Wu to try to rescue his colleague. Xu Sheng dashed forward to engage him but was overpowered and Cao Ren fought his way in and rescued Niu Jin.
However, when he looked back, Cao Ren saw that several score of his men were still trapped in the middle, unable to make their way out. He turned and dashed again into the enemy formation to their rescue. This time he met Jiang Qin, who blocked his way, but together with Niu Jin he managed to break through. Then his brother Cao Chun also came up with support and the battle ended in a defeat for the men of Wu.
So Cao Ren went back victorious, while the unhappy Jiang Qin returned to report his failure. Zhou Yu was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 2: The Sleeping Dragon: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 22