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

by Luo Guanzhong

  Zhao Yun listened with simulated joy. He had wine served to the two men and urged them to drink so that they were soon quite overcome. Then he had both of them bound with cords. When this was done, he called up their followers and questioned them about the truthfulness of their desertion and they confessed. Zhao Yun gave the soldiers food and wine and said, “Those who wanted to harm me are your officers and not you. If you do as I tell you, you will be well rewarded.”

  The soldiers threw themselves to the ground and promised obedience. So the two officers were beheaded while their five hundred followers were made to lead the way and act as a screen for Zhao Yun’s one thousand men. The party set out that very night for the city of Guiyang. When they got there they called the guards to open the gate, saying that the two officers had slain Zhao Yun and had returned to speak with the prefect.

  Those on the wall lighted torches and looked down at those outside the gate. Sure enough, they wore the uniforms of their own people. The prefect hastened out to meet them but was immediately seized and made prisoner. Then Zhao Yun entered the city and, after order was restored, dispatched a messenger to report the news to Liu Bei, who came to Guiyang at once with Zhuge Liang.

  When they had taken their seats the prefect was brought in and placed at the foot of the steps. In response to Zhuge Liang’s questions he related the story of the proposed marriage.

  Zhuge Liang said to Zhao Yun, “But this seems a fine thing—why did you refuse?”

  “Zhao Fan and I had just sworn brotherhood and so marriage with his sister-in-law would incur universal criticism of myself. That is one reason. Secondly, to make a woman marry again would mean a great loss of virtue to her. And thirdly, I did not think I could give such great trust to someone who had just yielded so easily to accept a proposal of marriage. My lord, your position as a recent victor is still far from secured and could I risk the failure of your plans for the sake of a woman?”

  “But now that the city has been seized, would you care to marry her?”

  “There are plenty of women in the world. Should I fear that I will find no wife? For me, my only fear is whether I will cut a fine figure in the world.”

  “You are indeed most honorable,” said Liu Bei.

  Zhao Fan was released and given back his post and Zhao Yun was handsomely rewarded.

  But Zhang Fei was angry and disappointed. “So Zi-long gets all the credit and I’m worth nothing,” he cried. “Just give me 3,000 men and I will take Wuling and bring you its prefect.”

  This pleased Zhuge Liang, who said, “There is no reason why you shouldn’t go, but you must fulfill one requirement.”

  The advisor plans cleverly to achieve victory in battle;

  Generals compete keenly to gain renown in fighting.

  What precondition Zhuge Liang had in mind will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

  Guan Yu Releases Huang Zhong from a Sense of Righteousness

  Sun Quan Fights a Great Battle with Zhang Liao

  What Zhuge Liang required from Zhang Fei was a formal recognition of responsibility for success. He said, “When Zi-long went on his expedition he gave written guarantees that he would be successful, and you ought to do the same. Then you may have your men and start for Wuling.”

  So Zhang Fei signed the required document and happily received the 3,000 soldiers he had demanded. He set out at once and traveled without rest till he reached Wuling.

  When the Prefect of Wuling, Jin Xuan by name, heard that an expedition against him was afoot he assembled his officers and men, mustered his weapons and equipment, and was ready to move his army out of the city for battle.

  One of his subordinates, Gong Zhi, said, “Liu Bei is recognized as an uncle of the Emperor. His kindness and righteousness are known to all. And his brother Zhang Fei is exceptionally bold. We have no hope of success in battle. Our best course is to give in.”

  But his master replied angrily, “Do you want to play the traitor and help the rebels?”

  He called in the guards and told them to put Gong Zhi to death. The other officers interceded for him, saying, “It means ill fortune to start an expedition by slaying one of your own men.”

  So the prefect spared his life and ordered him to withdraw. Then he himself led the army out of the city. After marching twenty li, he met with Zhang Fei’s army.

  Zhang Fei at once rode to the front and shouted at the prefect, his spear ready to thrust. The prefect turned to his officers and asked for a volunteer to go out and give battle, but no one responded, for they were all too afraid to venture forward.

  So the prefect himself galloped out, flourishing his sword. Seeing him advance Zhang Fei roared in a voice of thunder. White with panic the poor prefect dared not fight but turned his steed and fled. Then Zhang Fei and his army followed in pursuit and smote the runaway prefect and his men, chasing them right to the city wall.

  Here, the fugitives were greeted by a flight of arrows from their own walls. Greatly frightened, the prefect looked up to see what this meant and there was Gong Zhi, who had opposed him, standing on the wall.

  “You brought defeat upon yourself because you opposed the will of Heaven,” cried Gong Zhi. “I have the people on my side. We are determined to yield to Liu Bei.”

  Before he had finished speaking, an arrow shot the prefect in the face and he fell to the ground. Soon his own men cut off his head, which they at once presented to Zhang Fei. Gong Zhi then went out and made a formal submission. Zhang Fei ordered him to take the seal of office to Guiyang to Liu Bei, who was pleased to hear of his brother’s success and appointed Gong Zhi the new prefect. Soon after Liu Bei came in person to the newly occupied city to soothe the people.

  Later, in a letter to Guan Yu, he told him of the two victories. Guan Yu at once wrote back to say that the city of Changsha was yet to be taken and if he was not thought too incapable he would like to be appointed for the task. Liu Bei read the letter with great pleasure and immediately sent Zhang Fei to relieve Guan Yu of the defense of Jingzhou so that he could return and prepare for an expedition to Changsha. Guan Yu came and went in to see his elder brother and Zhuge Liang.

  Zhuge Liang said, “The other two have won their battles with 3,000 soldiers. Now the Prefect of Changsha is not worth mentioning, but he has a very strong officer, named Huang Zhong. He used to be in the service of Liu Biao and helped his nephew Liu Pan defend Changsha. After Liu Biao’s death he joined the present prefect. Although he is nearly sixty he is a man to be feared and a warrior of indomitable valor. You ought to take a larger number of men with you when you go.”

  Guan Yu replied, “Why do you extol other people’s merit, sir, and damp down our own spirit? I don’t think the old soldier is worth any consideration and I don’t need 3,000 men. I will only take my own five hundred swordsman and I will present the heads of both Huang Zhong and the prefect to you.”

  Liu Bei tried hard to dissuade Guan Yu from making such a rash decision, but Guan Yu would not listen. So in the end he set out with only the five hundred men under his command.

  “He underestimates Huang Zhong’s strength,” said Zhuge Liang. “I am afraid there will be a mishap. You must go to support him, my lord.”

  Liu Bei took the advice and also set out toward Changsha with another force.

  The prefect of Changsha was a man of short temper and would kill without mercy, so he was universally hated. When he heard of the approach of Guan Yu’s troops he called in his veteran officer, Huang Zhong, to discuss the matter.

  Huang Zhong said, “Do not be distressed, sir. With my sword and bow I will slay whoever dares to invade us.”

  Here it should be mentioned that Huang Zhong was very skillful in archery, and could bend a bow as weighty as two hundred catties and shoot with absolute accuracy.

  At this moment another man spoke up: “It is not necessary for the old general to go out to battle. Just leave it to me and I will have this Guan Yu a prisoner in your hands.”


  The speaker was called Yang Ling. The prefect gladly accepted his offer and Yang Ling, leading a thousand men, quickly rode out of the city. About fifty li from the city they observed a great cloud of dust approaching and they knew that the invaders had come. Riding in front Yang Ling set his spear and hurled abuse at his enemy. Guan Yu made no reply to the abuse but rode forward angrily, flourishing his weighty sword. A struggle between the two followed but in the third encounter Yang Ling was slain. Guan Yu’s troops dashed forward and pursued the defeated force to the city wall.

  When the prefect heard of this he was greatly alarmed and ordered the veteran Huang Zhong to go out, while he went up the city wall to watch the fight.

  Huang Zhong took his sword and crossed the drawbridge at the head of five hundred cavalrymen. Guan Yu, seeing an old warrior riding out, knew it must be Huang Zhong. He told his men to spread out in a line. Holding his mighty sword Guan Yu asked, “Are you Huang Zhong?”

  “Since you know my name, how come you dare to invade our land?” replied the old warrior.

  “I have come expressly to get your head.”

  Then the combat began. They fought a hundred and more bouts but neither could subdue the other. At this point the prefect, fearful of possible misfortune to his veteran general, beat the gong to call back his men and the battle ceased. Huang Zhong withdrew into the city and Guan Yu camped some ten li away.

  In his camp Guan Yu thought to himself, “That old general really lives up to his reputation. He has not betrayed a single flaw in a hundred bouts. Tomorrow I must use a feint ( or a ‘Parthian’ maneuver) to overcome him.”

  The next day, after breakfast, Guan Yu came to the city wall and issued a challenge. The prefect seated himself on the city wall and again sent out Huang Zhong who, at the head of his hundreds of men, dashed across the drawbridge. The two warriors engaged and at the end of more than fifty bouts neither was nearer victory. On both sides soldiers cheered on lustily while drums beat furiously. Suddenly Guan Yu wheeled around his horse and fled. Huang Zhong followed. Just as he was to strike the unexpected blow, Guan Yu heard behind him a tremendous crash and, glancing back, he saw his pursuer lying flat on the ground, thrown down by his steed, which had stumbled. Guan Yu turned, raised his sword and cried fiercely, “I spare your life now. Quickly get another horse and come again to fight.”

  Huang Zhong hastily pulled his horse to its feet, leaped upon its back, and went into the city at full speed. The prefect was astonished and asked for an account of the incident.

  “That horse has not been in battle for a long time,” replied Huang Zhong. “So it stumbled.”

  “Why didn’t you shoot him since your archery is so perfect?” asked the prefect.

  “I will try that tomorrow,” said Huang Zhong. “I will feign defeat and so lure him to pursue me to the drawbridge and then shoot him.”

  The prefect gave him a black horse that he himself usually rode. Huang Zhong thanked him and retired. But in his heart he could not forget Guan Yu’s generous conduct. He thought to himself, “How noble Guan Yu is! Since he was so kind as to spare my life, how can I bear to take his? But if I don’t shoot, I will betray my duty as a soldier.” This thought troubled him the whole night but he could not make up his mind. At daybreak he was told that Guan Yu was again challenging outside and he led his men out to meet him.

  Now Guan Yu, having fought for two days without success, was rather impatient. That morning he mustered all his energy and went forth, determined to fight it out with his opponent. When they had got to the thirtieth bout Huang Zhong fled as if he was overcome. Guan Yu pursued.

  Remembering Guan Yu’s kindness the day before, Huang Zhong could not bear to harm him. Putting up his sword, he took his bow but twanged the string only. Guan Yu heard the sound of the string and dodged hastily, but seeing no arrow in the air, he continued his pursuit. Again Huang Zhong twanged the bowstring and again Guan Yu dodged, but still no arrow was fired. Thinking that Huang Zhong did not know how to shoot, Guan Yu pressed on with the pursuit.

  As they neared the drawbridge, Huang Zhong stopped, fitted an arrow to his bow, and shot. Twang! and the arrow hit right at the tip of the plume on Guan Yu’s helmet.

  The soldiers shouted in alarm. Guan Yu, surprised, turned back for camp with the arrow still sticking in his helmet. Only then did he realize that Huang Zhong’s skill in archery was equal to piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces. With this also came the realization that Huang Zhong’s shooting at his helmet plume was to show gratitude for his merciful act the day before. So he withdrew.

  When Huang Zhong returned to see the prefect, he was at once seized. “I have committed no crime,” cried Huang Zhong.

  “I have been watching you these last three days. How can you fool me? You did not exert yourself the day before, which proved you had some sinister intention. Yesterday, your horse stumbled yet he spared your life, which showed that you were in league with him. And today you twice twanged your bowstring without shooting, while the third time you only shot at his helmet. Dare you say there is no secret conspiracy in all this? If I do not put you to death you will assuredly bring harm to me.”

  The prefect ordered him to be executed outside the city gate. When the other officers attempted to intercede for their colleague he silenced them by saying that anyone who pleaded for the condemned would be regarded as an accomplice.

  The executioners hustled the old warrior out of the city but at the very moment when the sword was raised in the air and on the point of descending, an officer suddenly dashed in, cut down the executioner, and rescued Huang Zhong.

  “Huang Zhong is the bulwark of our city,” he shouted. “To destroy him is to destroy the Changsha people. This prefect is cruel and ruthless. He shows no respect for wise scholars and is arrogant toward his officers. It is he who ought to be slain! Those of you who share my view, follow me!”

  All eyes turned toward this bold speaker, who was of swarthy complexion and had eyes like bright stars. Some of them knew him as Wei Yan, a native of Yiyang. He had tried to follow Liu Bei in Xiangyang but, unable to come up with him, had gone into the service of this prefect, who disliked his arrogant carriage and lack of polish and would not give him important positions. And so his talents were wasted in this place.

  After the rescue of Huang Zhong, he called upon the people to join him in doing away with the prefect. Soon he had a following of several hundred people. Huang Zhong tried to stop them, but in vain. In a very short time Wei Yan had fought his way onto the wall and killed the prefect with one slash of his sword. Taking his victim’s head, Wei Yan rode out of the city with his following to surrender to Guan Yu, who, overjoyed, entered the city to restore order.

  When the people were pacified, Guan Yu sent his men to invite Huang Zhong to come and see him, but the old warrior declined, claiming to be indisposed.

  Then Guan Yu sent the good news to his brother and to Zhuge Liang, asking them to come.

  However, shortly after Guan Yu had left for Changsha, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang had followed him with reinforcements in case of need. While on the march, a black flag was furled in reverse and a crow flying from north to south croaked thrice as it passed.

  “What omens do these portend?” asked Liu Bei.

  While seated on his horse, Zhuge Liang performed a rapid calculation on his fingers of the meaning of these signs and replied, “Changsha is taken and a great warrior obtained. We will know soon after noon.”

  Sure enough, a soldier presently came galloping along with the welcome tidings of the capture of the city and the procurement of two warriors. “Everything is in order,” said the messenger. “They are only waiting for your arrival, sir.”

  Liu Bei was delighted with the news and happily entered the city, where he was welcomed into the magistracy and told everything about Huang Zhong.

  Liu Bei went in person to Huang Zhong’s house and invited him to enter his service, upon which the old warrior conceded and yielded to him form
ally. He then requested to be permitted to bury the remains of the late prefect in the east of the city.

  Lofty as Heaven was the spirit of the warrior,

  Who, even in his old age, defended the south;

  Calmly had he approached death, with no thought of resentment,

  But, bowing before the conqueror, he hung his head in shame.

  Praise the sword, gleaming snow-white, and the glory of superhuman bravery,

  Consider the mail-clad steed sniffing the wind and rejoicing in the battle,

  That warrior’s name will stand high and its brightness be undiminished,

  While the cold moon sheds her light on the waters of Xiang and Tan.

  Liu Bei was very generous toward the veteran warrior who had joined his banner. Then Guan Yu brought in Wei Yan to be introduced but at the sight of him Zhuge Liang suddenly ordered him to be taken away and put to death.

  “He has done a good service and has committed no fault,” exclaimed Liu Bei in surprise. “Why do you want to slay him?”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “To enjoy the bounty of one’s master yet slay him is most disloyal—to live on his land yet offer his territory to another is ungrateful. I see there is a bone of treachery at the back of his head, which means he will certainly turn again. Therefore it is well to put him to death now to prevent him from doing harm in the future.”

  “But to slay this man will frighten away all others who may wish to surrender,” argued Liu Bei. “I pray you pardon him.”

  Zhuge Liang pointed his finger at Wei Yan and said, “I will spare your life now. Remember to be always faithful to your lord and never to conceive any thought of treason or I will have you beheaded.”

  Wei Yan pledged allegiance and then withdrew.

  Having submitted with good grace, Huang Zhong recommended to his new master Liu Biao’s nephew Liu Pan, then living in Youxian nearby. Liu Bei employed him in the administration of Changsha.