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

by Luo Guanzhong

  Now, Xiahou Yuan and his men were trying to find some bypath behind the hills when they heard the voices of men and the neighing of horses. In the dense fog they could see nothing, but fearing an ambush they hastened to turn back. They lost their way and presently stumbled on an enemy camp. The remaining soldiers thought their comrades had returned, so they threw open the gates to let them in. Seeing that the camp was empty, Xiahou Yuan’s men raised a blaze, which frightened those in the camps and they fled. As soon as the fog cleared, Yang Ren came to the rescue, but as more of Cao Cao’s men came up, the enemy force was too strong for him and he quickly fled toward Nanzheng.* When Yang Ang returned, he found his camp in the possession of Cao Cao’s men.

  Soon Cao Cao’s main army came up, and Yang Ang was between two forces. There was no way out for him and in desperation he made a dash to break through. However, he fell in with Zhang He and was slain. Those who escaped carried the news of the disaster to Zhang Wei, who abandoned the pass and fled.

  So the invaders took possession of the pass, and its former defenders, Zhang Wei and Yang Ren, had to go back and report failure to their master. Zhang Wei laid the blame on his companion, saying the pass could not be held after its supporting positions were lost. Zhang Lu, enraged, threatened to behead Yang Ren for his failure.

  Yang Ren argued, “I tried to prevent Yang Ang from taking a rash action, but he would not listen. Let me make another attack and if I fail I will abide by the consequences without regret.”

  Zhang Lu accepted his formal pledge and Yang Ren left with 20,000 men to camp some distance from Nanzheng.

  Before Cao Cao made any further advance he sent Xiahou Yuan with 5,000 men to reconnoiter the road to Nanzheng, and they encountered the force led by Yang Ren. Both sides drew up their battle formations. From Yang Ren’s side went forth a minor officer to engage Xiahou Yuan, who disposed of him in the third bout. Then Yang Ren himself set his spear and rode to the front. They two fought for nearly two score bouts but neither could claim victory. Then Xiahou Yuan pretended defeat and fled. The other rushed in pursuit. The fugitive suddenly turned to strike and Yang Ren, caught unprepared, was killed by his opponent. His men ran away.

  As soon as Cao Cao knew of this victory he pressed on to Nanzheng and camped outside the city.

  In a panic, Zhang Lu called a general council to discuss measures to overcome the enemy.

  “I can recommend a man able to stand against the best fighter of the enemy,” said Yan Pu.

  “Who is he?” asked Zhang Lu.

  “Pang De,” replied Yan Pu. “He came here with Ma Chao, but could not go with him into Yizhou, as he was sick at that time. He is under your wings now. Why not send him to fight the enemy?”

  Zhang Lu, greatly pleased, at once summoned Pang De, loaded him with gifts and appointed him commander of a force of 10,000 men. Pang De then marched off with his men and camped ten li from the city, near the besieging force.

  Having made his camp, Pang De rode out to challenge. Now Cao Cao, remembering Pang De’s boldness at the battle of the bridge over the Wei River, was desirous of winning this warrior for himself, so he told his men to try to weary him by prolonging the fights, and so make him captive.

  Therefore out rode Zhang He first to answer the challenge. He fought a few bouts and returned. Then Xiahou Yuan repeated the same trick. So did Xu Huang. Lastly went Xu Chu, who kept up the fight to fifty bouts before he, too, returned to his own side. Still Pang De showed no signs of fatigue or fear, and all those who had fought with him praised his prowess and skill.

  “If only I could win him over to my side!” said Cao Cao longingly.

  The advisor Jia Xu said, “I know Zhang Lu has a subordinate called Yang Song. He is avaricious and open to bribery. You can secretly send him presents and get him to slander Pang De before his master so as to weaken his position. Then your chance will come.”

  “But how can one get at this man? He is in Nanzheng.”

  “In the next battle pretend defeat and flee, leaving the camp for Pang De to occupy. Then raid the camp at night and drive him out, and he will be forced to retreat into the city. Choose a man with a persuasive tongue. Disguised as one of Pang De’s soldiers, he is to mingle among them and so gain entrance into the city.”

  A subtle agent was found, and goodly gifts were given to him in advance. He was entrusted with a golden breastplate as a bribe for the greedy official. He wore it next to his flesh and over it put on the coat of an ordinary soldier of Hanzhong. Then he made his way quietly to a point on the road to Nanzheng. There he waited for Pang De’s men, who would retreat into the city later in the night.

  The next day, after two bodies of soldiers left to wait in ambush, Xu Huang was sent out to challenge, but with orders to feign defeat. The scheme went well, and as Pang De came on to strike, Cao Cao’s men retreated before him till he found himself at their very camp. In he entered, and was exceedingly pleased to find grain and forage in great quantities.

  Having sent off a messenger to his chief to report the victory, he spread a feast in the camp to celebrate the happy occasion; and when night came, they slept. But about the second watch fire broke out on three sides, and the camp was raided by three forces. It was the night attack arranged by Cao Cao, and Pang De, who was entirely unprepared, could not make any defense. Hurriedly he mounted, cut his way through, and made for the city. With the attackers in close pursuit he reached the gate, opened it, and rushed in.

  And the spy also stole in amid the confusion. He made his way quickly to Yang Song’s residence to see him. He told the corrupt official that the Duke of Wei, who knew him by reputation and held him in high esteem, had sent him a golden breastplate and a confidential letter. The rapturous Yang Song accepted the bribe, read the letter, and said, “Tell the duke to have no anxiety for I will find a means of proving my gratitude. You may return.”

  He went to see Zhang Lu that very night and fabricated a story that Pang De had deliberately lost the battle because he had been bribed by Cao Cao. Zhang Lu summoned his general in a fury, abused him severely and even desired to put him to death. Yan Pu, however, interceded very strongly for his friend, and finally Zhang Lu agreed to give Pang De another chance. “If you lose again this time there will be no mercy for you,” added Zhang Lu.

  Pang De retired, full of resentment. The next day Cao Cao attacked the city, and Pang De went out to repel him. Cao Cao sent out his favorite, Xu Chu, to challenge but ordered him to feign defeat. When Pang De pursued, Cao Cao rode to a slope, where he halted and called to his pursuer to surrender.

  Pang De thought to himself that to capture Cao Cao would be worth the seizure of a thousand officers, so he boldly flew up the hill. But there arose a great shouting as if heaven and earth were clashing together and he and his horse went headlong into a pit. Out came men with ropes and hooks, and Pang De was caught.

  When he was taken before Cao Cao he was received with the greatest kindness. Cao Cao himself dismounted, loosened the captive’s bonds and asked him if he would surrender. Pang De, remembering the ill-treatment he had just received at the hands of Zhang Lu, gave in. Cao Cao was overjoyed. He himself helped Pang De onto a horse and intentionally accompanied him to his camp, so that those on the city wall would see them together. And, indeed, men on the city wall saw this and told Zhang Lu that Pang De was riding side-by-side with Cao Cao. This further convinced Zhang Lu that Yang Song had spoken truly.

  On the following day, scaling ladders were set against the city wall on three sides and catapults threw in great stones. The danger being imminent, Zhang Wei advised his brother to destroy all supplies in the city and escape to the mountains in the south, where they might be able to get to Bazhong. But Yang Song said the best course was to throw open the gates and surrender. Zhang Lu could not decide which to do. His brother insisted that burning everything and fleeing was the only course.

  Zhang Lu said, “I have always desired to return my to allegiance to the state but so far I have been un
able to attain this end. Now escape seems to be the only course open to me. However, the grain and money belong to the state and must be kept safe.”

  So the granaries and the government buildings were all carefully barred and sealed. The same night, Zhang Lu and his family went out through the south gate. Cao Cao told his men not to pursue, so they made their way through with ease. When he entered the city and saw that Zhang Lu had taken great care of the government property, Cao Cao rather pitied the man. He then sent a messenger into Bazhong to ask him to surrender. Zhang Lu was disposed to do so, but his brother would not hear of it. Yang Song wrote a secret letter to Cao Cao urging him to attack and promising to assist him from the inside.

  Cao Cao presently attacked, and Zhang Wei rode out to meet him. But his opponent was the mighty Xu Chu, who made short work of him. The beaten soldiers went back into the city, which Zhang Lu then decided to defend. As this would not give Yang Song the chance to carry out his treacherous scheme, he persuaded his master to go out and fight, leaving him to hold the city. Zhang Lu took this advice, despite Yan Pu’s opposition, and went out. But before he could fight with the enemy, his rear ranks began to desert, and Zhang Lu was forced to retreat, with Cao Cao’s men following in pursuit. However, when he called at the gate, Zhang Lu was denied entrance by the traitor Yang Song.

  Cao Cao came riding up and shouted, “Why not surrender at once?” There being no way out, Zhang Lu dismounted and bowed in submission. Cao Cao, remembering how he had taken care of the public property, treated him with great kindness and conferred on him the title of General–Guardian of the South. Yan Pu and many others were also given honorable posts. A prefect and a military officer were appointed to each district. All the officers and soldiers were duly rewarded, all except the traitor Yang Song, who was condemned to public execution and exposure.

  He slandered the able and betrayed his lord,

  But what he gained was of no use in the end.

  Before glory came to his house he died a shameful death;

  And he is an object of contempt for ages to come.

  As Hanzhong was quite subdued, Sima Yi, an important official, advised Cao Cao to attack Liu Bei. “The men of Shu are against Liu Bei because of his treacherous treatment of his kinsman Liu Zhang. If on the strength of your present success you press forward, Liu Bei will crumble as a shattered tile. The wise man knows how to seize the right occasion and this is a good opportunity that you should not miss.”

  Cao Cao sighed. “Men are insatiable—once you get Long* you want to take Shu.”

  Liu Ye supported Sima Yi, saying: “If you delay, Zhuge Liang, who knows how to run the government, will have consolidated their rule while Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the other bold warriors will be at the head of the army. If the men of Shu once establish themselves, and the points of vantage are firmly held, you will not be able to overcome them.”

  Cao Cao replied, “My men have suffered much on this long expedition. We must think of them.” Therefore he took no further action for a time in order to rest his army.

  Meanwhile, the populace of Yizhou, having heard of Cao Cao’s occupation of Hanzhong, concluded that they would be his next target, and fear spread among them. Liu Bei called in Zhuge Liang and asked him for advice. Zhuge Liang replied that he could make Cao Cao retreat of his own accord.

  “A part of Cao Cao’s army is camped at Hefei because of his fear of Sun Quan. If now we restore those three districts of the Jingzhou region to Wu, and send an eloquent speaker to persuade Sun Quan to attack Hefei, Cao Cao will be off on a southward journey.”

  “Who is a suitable person to be the messenger?” asked Liu Bei.

  At this Yi Ji replied, “I will go.”

  Liu Bei, well satisfied, wrote a letter and prepared gifts. Yi Ji took these offerings, calling in at Jingzhou on the way to tell Guan Yu. Then he went on to Moling to see Sun Quan. After the greetings, Sun Quan asked him the reason for his visit.

  Yi Ji replied, “On a former occasion Zhuge Jin came for the three districts that my master agreed to return to you, but the absence of our chief advisor at the time prevented the actual transfer. Now I have brought a letter to ask General Guan to give these districts back to you. The other districts, including Jingzhou and Nanjun, were meant to be restored to you as well, but as Cao Cao has got possession of Hanzhong, there is no place for General Guan to stay in Shu. Now Hefei is not well defended. We hope you will attack the city, so as to make Cao Cao withdraw to the south, and let my master seize Hanzhong. If that is taken, he will return the whole of the Jingzhou district to you.”

  “You may go back to the guesthouse and let me discuss this matter with my people.”

  After Yi Ji had gone, Sun Quan turned to his advisors and asked them what should be done.

  Zhang Zhao said, “Liu Bei fears that Cao Cao will attack him so he has resorted to this scheme. However, since Cao Cao is absent in Hanzhong, it will be advantageous to seize the opportunity to take Hefei.”

  Sun Quan accepted the advice. After he had sent the messenger away he began to prepare for the expedition. He ordered Lu Su to be in charge of the transfer of power of the three districts of Changsha, Jiangxia, and Guiyang. Then he encamped at Lukou and summoned three of his ablest officers to his side: Lu Meng, Gan Ning, and Ling Tong.

  Very soon, Lu Meng and Gan Ning arrived. After learning of their lord’s intentions, Lu Meng suggested a plan, saying, “Cao Cao has ordered the Prefect of Lujiang to station an army at Wancheng and cultivate a large tract of paddy fields to supply grain for Hefei. Let us first take Wancheng and then attack Hefei.”

  “This scheme is just after my own heart,” said Sun Quan.

  So he ordered Lu Meng and Gan Ning to lead the van while he commanded the center, aided by four officers. But the veteran warriors Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were not called to take part in this expedition, as they were away guarding various positions.

  The army crossed the river, captured Hezhou on the way and soon arrived at Wancheng. The prefect, after sending an urgent message to Hefei for help, set himself to strengthen the fortifications against a siege. Sun Quan went very near the city to observe its defense, and a flight of arrows greeted him, hitting his great umbrella. He went back to camp and asked his officers to propose plans to take the city.

  One of them suggested sending the soldiers to pile up mounds of earth and attack from the summits, while another recommended setting up long ladders and constructing overhead bridges so that they could attack from above.

  But Lu Meng was opposed to both plans. “Such plans need a long time to prepare, and in the meantime their supporters will have come from Hefei. Then it will be hard to capture the city. Now our men have only just arrived and we can take advantage of their high morale to launch a relentless attack. Their fresh fighting spirit will do the work. Tomorrow let us attack at dawn, and the city should fall by noon.”

  Sun Quan agreed. So the next morning breakfast was taken at the fifth watch and then the whole army advanced to the city wall. The defenders sent down showers of arrows and stones but were not able to discourage their enemy from the attack. Gan Ning, an iron chain in hand, climbed up the wall at the risk of his life. The prefect ordered his men to shoot at him but he pushed aside the arrows and bolts and, with his iron chain, knocked the prefect down. Lu Meng himself beat the drum for the attack. The soldiers made a rush forward to ascend the wall, and slew the prefect. His officers and soldiers gave in, and so the city fell to Sun Quan. It was still a long time to noon.

  In the meantime, Zhang Liao was bringing his army to aid the prefect. Halfway through the journey he heard that the city had fallen, and so he returned to Hefei.

  Soon after the conqueror’s entry into Wancheng, Ling Tong arrived with his army. Then banquets were prepared to celebrate the victory and entertain the army. Special rewards were given to Lu Meng, Gan Ning and others who had rendered splendid services at the battle. Lu Meng extolled the prowess of his comrade Gan Ning and yielded hi
m the seat of honor.

  But as the cup of felicitation was passing around, Ling Tong’s thoughts turned to the enmity he bore Gan Ning for having slain his father, and the praises which Lu Meng now heaped upon his enemy filled Ling Tong’s heart with bitterness. For some time he glared savagely at Gan Ning, and then, drawing an attendant’s sword, he suddenly rose to his feet and cried, “There is nothing to amuse the assembly. I’ll present a sword play.”

  Gan Ning quickly saw his real intention. He pushed aside his table and laid hold of a halberd in each hand, crying, “See how I’m adept in the use of this weapon.”

  Lu Meng saw the evil meaning of both, and taking his sword and shield he hastily stepped between the two warriors, shouting, “Neither of you gentlemen is so dexterous as I am.”

  Thus he kept the two combatants apart. At the same time the fight was reported to Sun Quan, who hastily jumped into the saddle and rode to the banquet hall. At the sight of their lord, all three immediately put down their weapons.

  “I have bidden you two to forget this old grudge,” said Sun Quan. “Why do you bring it up again today?”

  Ling Tong bowed to the ground, crying bitterly. After much persuasion from Sun Quan, he finally calmed down.

  The next day the army set out for Hefei.

  Meanwhile, Zhang Liao was grieving over the loss of Wancheng, when Cao Cao sent a small casket sealed by his own hand with the words, If rebels come, open this, written on the outside.

  So when he received the news of the coming of a powerful army, Zhang Liao opened the casket and read the letter inside, which said: “If Sun Quan comes to attack Hefei, Zhang Liao and Li Dian are to go out to oppose him and Yue Jin is to guard the city.”