This episode has been commemorated in verse:
He showed his contempt for the men of the east
By going alone to their evil feast.
So heroic was he at the banquet,
Even Xiangru of old was not his match.
So Guan Yu went his homeward way, leaving Lu Su and his friends worrying over their failure.
“What can be done now?” asked Lu Su.
“The only way is to tell our master and let him send an army,” replied Lu Meng.
Lu Su sent a messenger to Sun Quan, who, in his wrath, wanted to send every available soldier at once to seize Jingzhou. But at this time there came news that Cao Cao was raising a huge army with the intention of attacking the south again. So hasty orders were sent to Lu Su to make no move, but to march the army northward to repel Cao Cao first.
However, when Cao Cao planned to march south, one of his officers, Fu Gan, petitioned against the operation.
“I, Fu Gan, understand that inspiring fear is the chief consideration in war, as inculcating virtue is in government. These two combined in one man makes him fit to be a prince. Formerly, in the days of disturbance, you, sir, attacked the rebels and restored tranquillity across the land, the only districts not under your control being Wu and Shu. The former of these is protected by the wide Great River while the latter is secured by its high mountains, both difficult to conquer by force of arms. My humble opinion is that it is more fitting to strengthen the authority of civil government, to lay aside armor and weapons, and to rest your officers and men until the times are more favorable. But if you send a mighty army now to the banks of the Great River, and if the rebels should take refuge behind their natural defenses, then your men will be unable to prove their prowess, nor can they apply their wonderful strategies. In such a case your high prestige would be undermined. I pray, sir, you will consider this very carefully.”
After reading this, Cao Cao ceased to think of an expedition against the south. Instead, he set about establishing schools and inviting men of learning to his side.
About the same time four of his officials conceived the idea of gaining for Cao Cao the title of “Prince of Wei.” But their proposal was opposed by Xun You who said, “The prime minister is already created a duke, and has received the additional honor of the Nine Gifts, so that his rank has reached the very pinnacle. If he advances to the rank of prince it will be against reason.”
But Cao Cao was annoyed at this opposition and said, “Does he wish to emulate his uncle Xun Yu?”
When Xun You heard of this he was grieved and fell ill. About ten days later he died, at the age of fifty-eight. Cao Cao had his remains interred honorably, and he abandoned the idea for a princely rank.
One day he entered the palace wearing his sword and made his way to the chamber where the Emperor and Empress were seated. Seeing Cao Cao the Empress rose in fright and the Emperor trembled in terror.
“Sun Quan and Liu Bei have each seized a portion of the empire and no longer respect the court—what is to be done?”
To this abrupt speech the Emperor replied, “Whatever you say, sir.”
Cao Cao answered angrily, “If such a remark were known outside they would say I treat my lord without respect.”
“If you were to help me I would be most happy,” said the Emperor. “If not, then I trust to your kindness to let me alone.”
At this Cao Cao glared at the Emperor and left, full of resentment.
One of the courtiers said, “They say the Duke of Wei (Cao Cao) desires to assume the title of prince and soon he will aspire to the throne.”
Both the Emperor and his consort wept. Presently the Empress said, “My father, Fu Wan, has long nourished a desire to slay this man. Let me write a secret letter to my father and ask him to plan this.”
“Remember what happened to Dong Cheng. The secret was divulged and great misery ensued. I fear this might also leak out and both of us will be undone.”
The Empress said, “We pass our days in constant fear, like sitting on a rug full of needles. If life continues to be so miserable I would rather be dead. But I know one loyal man among the attendants to whom I may entrust the letter. He is Mu Shun and he will deliver it.”
Therefore she summoned Mu Shun, and having sent away all others, they told their distress to the faithful servant.
“That fellow Cao Cao desires the rank of prince and soon he will aspire to the throne itself. I, the Emperor, wish to order the father of my consort to make away with the man, but the difficulty is that all the courtiers are his men and there is none whom I can trust, save yourself. I desire you to convey this secret letter to Fu Wan. I know your loyalty and am sure you will not fail me.”
“I am the recipient of great kindness from Your Majesty,” wept Mu Shun, “for which not even death would prove my gratitude. Let me be allowed to undertake this.”
The letter was given to Mu Shun, who, hiding it in his hair, made his way secretly out of the palace and handed it to the father of the Empress. Fu Wan recognized the handwriting of his daughter and read it. Turning to the messenger he said, “You know Cao Cao’s henchmen are many, and it is no easy matter to deal with him unless we have the aid of Sun Quan and Liu Bei. If these two raise a joint force against him, Cao Cao will certainly lead his army out to fight them, and then we can rally together every loyal and faithful official in the court to oppose him. Thus there will be a simultaneous attack against him both from within and without. Only then can we hope for success.”
“Pray write a letter in reply to ask the Emperor for a secret edict, so that we may send it secretly to Wu and Shu, ordering them to join in an attack against Cao Cao.”
So Fu Wan composed a reply, which he gave to Mu Shun to take into the palace. This time the letter was also concealed in his hair.
But spies had already reported Mu Shun’s departure from the palace to Cao Cao, who waited at the palace gate for him to return.
“Where have you been?” asked Cao Cao, when the courtier appeared.
“The Empress is indisposed and has ordered me to summon a physician.”
“Where is the physician you have summoned?”
“He has not yet come.”
Cao Cao told his men to search Mu Shun, but they could find nothing on him. So he was allowed to go. But just then a gust of wind blew off his hat, and it struck Cao Cao that his headwear had not been examined. So Mu Shun was called back. Nothing was found in the hat, but when it was given back, Mu Shun put it on back to the front with both hands. There was something suspicious about the movement and Cao Cao told the searchers to examine his hair.
There the letter was found. Cao Cao read it, finding out that Sun Quan and Liu Bei were to be induced to help in a scheme against himself. Mu Shun was taken away into a secret place and interrogated, but he would confess nothing.
That night, 3,000 armored soldiers surrounded the dwelling of Fu Wan, who was arrested with all his family. After a careful search of the house they found the first letter in the handwriting of the Empress. Fu Wan and his family were then consigned to a jail.
At dawn, three hundred palace guards, under Chi Lu, bearing ensigns of authority, entered the palace with orders to take away the seal of the Empress. On the way they met the Emperor, who asked them what their business was.
“I have orders from the Duke of Wei to seize the Empress’s seal,” said Chi Lu.
The Emperor, aware that the secret had been exposed, felt as if his heart and gall were pounded to pieces. As soon as the Empress knew of this she recognized her danger and hid herself in the hollow walls of her private chamber, behind one of the ceremonial halls. She had not been long in hiding when the minister Hua Xin appeared with five hundred men and asked where she was. The palace maids all denied any knowledge of her whereabouts. The red doors of the chamber were forced open and Hua Xin looked in, but he saw no lady there. It occurred to him where she might be hidden, and he ordered his armored men to break open the wall. With his own h
ands he laid hold of the Empress’ hair and dragged her forth.
“Spare my life!” she pleaded.
“Say that to the Duke of Wei,” he cried surly.
With tumbling hair and bare feet the lady was pushed out by a couple of soldiers.
Here a little note may be added about this Hua Xin. This man had some reputation for learning. He and two others, named Bing Yuan and Guan Ning, made a little coterie which was known as “The Dragon.” Hua Xin was the “head,” his two friends the “belly” and the “tail” respectively. One day, while hoeing in their garden, he and Guan Ning turned up an ingot of gold. Guan Ning went on with his work undisturbed but Hua Xin picked it up to examine it and then cast it away.
Another day the two were reading together when there arose shouting outside the window of the study. An important personage was passing by. Guan Ning took no notice, but kept his eyes on his book; Hua Xin rose and went to the window. For these two incidents Guan Ning despised his companion. He cut in two the mattress which served as their seats to sit separately from him and never regarded him as a friend. Sometime after, Guan Ning moved to the northeast, where he led the life of a hermit. He often wore a white cap and lived in the upper part of a house, never even touching the ground with his feet. All his life he refused to enter Cao Cao’s service. But the mercenary Hua Xin led a totally different life. For a time he was with Sun Quan; then he went over to Cao Cao and served him. And here at last he was found actually laying hands upon the Empress. His base conduct is the subject of a poem:
‘Twas a despicable thing that Hua Xin did,
When he broke down the wall where the Empress hid
And dragged her forth by the hair.
He lent his aid to a foul, foul crime
And denunciations throughout all time,
Have been, and will be, his share.
A poet also wrote concerning Guan Ning:
East of the Liao, so stories tell
Is Guan Ning’s Tower, where long he dwelt.
The tower is empty when he is no more
But his fine name lives on.
Ignoble wealth was Hua Xin’s quest,
The hermit’s simple life was best.
As Hua Xin hurried the Empress out of the hall the Emperor saw her. He went over and clasped her to his bosom, weeping. Hua Xin forced her onward, saying he had orders from the Duke of Wei.
“My doom is sealed,” wept the Empress.
“And I don’t know how long I may live,” replied the Emperor.
The soldiers hustled the Empress forward, leaving His Majesty beating his breast in despair.
“Can it be that such things happen in the world?” cried the Emperor to Chi Lu, who stood by.
And he collapsed to the ground. Chi Lu told the courtiers to help him into the palace.
Meanwhile, the poor Empress was taken before Cao Cao.
“I have treated you people well,” he said angrily, “and you repaid me by plotting to murder me. If I do not kill you, you will surely kill me.”
He ordered the executioners to beat her to death with rods. After this, he went into the palace, seized her two sons and had them poisoned. In the evening of the same day the whole households of Fu Wan and Mu Shun were put to death publicly. Terror reigned everywhere. This happened in the late fall of the nineteenth year of Jian An (A.D. 211).
As Cao stands first in cruelty,
So stands Fu Wan in loyalty.
A married pair of low estate,
Is better than the royal couple in fate.
The Emperor grieved bitterly over the loss of his consort, and in his despair refused all food for days running. Cao Cao went in to see him.
“Do not be sad,” he said. “I am no rebel. My daughter is already waiting on you in the palace. She is virtuous and dutiful, fit to be your consort.”
The Emperor dared not refuse, and therefore at the new year, in the time of the festivities, her name was inscribed on the dynastic rolls as Empress. And none of the officials dared to protest.
Cao Cao thus became even more powerful. To eliminate his rivals in the land, he again thought of subduing Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Jia Xu proposed that Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren, who had been guarding the frontiers, should be called back to give their advice. They were sent for, and Cao Ren was the first to arrive. As a relative he felt he had the right to see the duke without delay and went direct to his residence.
But it so happened that Cao Cao had been sleeping after too much wine, and his faithful henchman, Xu Chu, would not allow Cao Ren to enter.
“I am of the family,” said Cao Ren, angry at the hindrance. “How dare you stop me?”
“General, you may be a relative, but you are an officer from the frontier. I am no relation, but I am a guard in the residence. Our lord is overcome with wine and asleep, and I dare not allow you to enter.”
The refusal came to Cao Cao’s knowledge, and he commended Xu Chu for his loyalty.
Soon after, Xiahou Dun also came and the discussion about the expeditions to Wu and Shu began. However, Xiahou Dun was not in favor of an operation against these two rivals. Instead, he proposed subduing Zhang Lu of Hanzhong first. “Then with the triumphant army we can seize Shu without difficulty,” he said. The advice coincided with Cao Cao’s own idea, and so he prepared an expedition for the west.
Barely had he ridden roughshod o’er a feeble king;
At once he hastened to sweep his west frontiers clean.
What happened will be told in the next chapter.
Footnote
* An old city in modern Henan where the two rulers of the Kingdoms of Zhao and Qin met in 279 B.C. Lin Xiangru, an official of Zhao was also present and his bravery prevented his lord from being humiliated by his powerful rival.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
Cao Cao Conquers Hanzhong
Zhang Liao Spreads Terror at Xiaoyao Ford
The expedition against Hanzhong was divided into three divisions, with Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He as leaders of the van, Cao Cao in command of the center, and Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun bringing up the rear, in charge of the supplies. Spies soon carried the news into Hanzhong, and Zhang Lu called in his brother Wei to discuss how to meet the invaders.
Zhang Wei said, “The most dangerous point to hold is Yangping Pass, and I will go and set up a dozen stockades there in the hills and woods to hold the enemy. You, my brother, should assist me with plenty of supplies from here.”
Accordingly two officers, Yang Ang and Yang Ren, were sent with Zhang Wei to Yangping Pass, where they built the stockades. Soon the vanguard of the enemy arrived and camped at a point fifteen li away. The soldiers were fatigued after the long march, and all lay down to rest without placing proper guards. Suddenly a fire broke out at the back of the camp, which was at once attacked by the two Yangs from two different points. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He mounted quickly and tried to beat off the raiders, but the enemy poured in all around, and Cao Cao’s men suffered a great loss. They returned to the main body to tell their master of their defeat and were severely reproached for their want of care.
“Don’t you know the warning, ‘Guard against a raid on the camp after a long and weary march?’ How could old soldiers like you have forgotten that?”
He was so angry that he even desired to put them to death to observe military law, but their fellow officers interceded and he spared them. Soon Cao Cao himself marched in the van. Then he saw the dangerous nature of the place, with its precipitous mountains and thick growth of trees and brambles. As he knew nothing of the roads he was afraid lest there was an ambush, so he returned to his camp.
Calling up his two henchmen, Xu Chu and Xu Huang, he said, “Had I known the place was so perilous I would never have come.”
Xu Chu replied, “The army is here now, my lord, and you cannot recoil before the hardships.”
The next day Cao Cao, with only these two officers, rode out to reconnoiter the enemy camp. As they rode over the crest of a hill the enemy position came i
nto view in the distance. Cao Cao pointed at it with his whip and said, “It will be very difficult to reduce a place as strong as this.”
Just then there arose a shout in their rear and a shower of arrows fell about them. The two Yangs were attacking and the danger was imminent.
“You look after our lord,” cried Xu Chu to his comrade. “I’ll hold the enemy.”
He galloped out and the two Yangs, who were unable to counter him, took flight, while their men scattered. In the meantime, Xu Huang led his master down the slope. Soon they met a troop of soldiers led by Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He, who had heard the sound of fighting and had come to the rescue, and Cao Cao got back safely to camp. The four officers were rewarded.
For fifty days the two armies held each other at bay without coming to battle. At the end of this time, Cao Cao gave orders to withdraw.
“We have not tried the strength of the enemy yet,” said Jia Xu. “Why withdraw, my lord?”
“I see that they are always on the alert,” replied Cao Cao. “I am only withdrawing to put them off their guard. Then I will send some light cavalry to attack their rear. In this way I can defeat them.”
“Your resourcefulness is without depth!” cried Jia Xu in admiration.
Two bodies of soldiers under Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He were then sent to get around to the back of the pass by unfrequented roads, while Cao Cao broke up his camp and led his main body to feign a retreat.
When Yang Ang heard of the retreat he thought it would be a good chance to attack, but Yang Ren, knowing how cunning their opponent was, opposed it. Yang Ang was nevertheless willful and said, “If you don’t go, I will.”
In spite of the protestations of his colleague, Yang Ang went in pursuit of the enemy, taking with him almost all the men of the five camps, leaving only a few to hold the stockades. However, the force soon ran into great difficulties, for there was a heavy fog that day and the soldiers could hardly see anything in front. As advance was impossible they had to encamp temporarily on the road.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 2: The Sleeping Dragon: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 46