The Three Kingdoms, Volume 1: The Sacred Oath: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  “You should not act too much in a hurry, my lord,” said Ji Ling. “Lu Bu is so powerful that no one can compete with him. Besides, he has the wide territory of Xuzhou. He and Liu Bei together make a formidable combination, not easy to break. I was told that he has a daughter by his wife, Lady Yan, who is of marriageable age and as you have a son, you could arrange a matrimonial alliance with him. If his daughter were married to your son he would certainly slay your enemy for you. This is the tactic of ‘Blood is thicker than water.’ A mere acquaintance cannot separate relations.”

  This scheme appealed to Yuan Shu, who soon sent Han Yin with gifts to go and act as the matchmaker. When Han Yin saw Lu Bu he spoke of the immense respect his master had for him and his desire to ensure a permanent alliance between the two families through marriage.

  Lu Bu went in to consult his wife. Now Lu Bu had two wives and one concubine. He first married a lady of the Yan family and she was the legal wife. Then he took Sable Cicada as a concubine and while living in Xiaopei he had married Cao Bao’s daughter, who became the second wife. Lady Cao had died young leaving no child. Neither had Cicada born him any children. So he had but one child, this daughter, whom he loved dearly.

  When he broached the subject to his, wife she said, “I hear Yuan Shu has dominated this part of the country these many years. He has a large army and his area is very prosperous. One day a Yuan family member will become emperor and our daughter may hope to be an empress. But how many sons does he have?”

  “Only this one.”

  “Then we should accept the offer. Even if our daughter doesn’t become an empress, our city will be safe from now on.”

  Lu Bu decided to give consent to the marriage proposal and so treated the messenger with great hospitality. Han Yin went back to report the good news. The wedding gifts were then prepared and sent again by Han Yin to the bride’s family. The were received with joy and the messenger was cordially entertained and well accommodated.

  The next day Chen Gong went to see the messenger in his lodging, and after the usual greetings, the two men sat down to talk. After the servants had been sent out of earshot Chen Gong said, “Who originated this scheme to unite Yuan Shu with Lu Bu by marriage so that Liu Bei’s head may fall?”

  Han Yin was terrified. “I beg you not to let it get abroad,” he entreated.

  “I will certainly keep it a secret. But if there is any delay some other person will surely see through the trick, and that spells failure.”

  “What can be done then? Please help me.”

  “I will see Lu Bu and get him to send the girl immediately. How about that?” said Chen Gong.

  “If so, my master will be much indebted to you for your kindness,” replied Han Yin.

  Chen Gong took his leave and sought an interview with Lu Bu.

  “I hear your daughter is to be married to Yuan Shu’s son. A very good match indeed, but when is the wedding?” he asked.

  “That has yet to be considered,” answered Lu Bu.

  “Since olden days there have been fixed rules as to the period between sending presents and consummation of a marriage: emperors, one year; nobles, six months; high officials, three months; and common people, one month.”

  Lu Bu replied, “I think the imperial rule will apply since Heaven has already put into Yuan Shu’s hands the Imperial Seal and he will surely ascend the throne one day.”

  “No, it won’t.”

  “The nobles’ rule, then?”

  “No, nor that.”

  “The high officials’ rule?”

  “Not even that.”

  Lu Bu laughed. “Then you mean me to go by the rule for common people?”

  “Not that either,” replied Chen Gong.

  “Then what do you mean?”

  Chen Gong explained: “In the midst of the present troubles, when there is great rivalry between the lords, don’t you see that the others will be exceedingly jealous of your marriage alliance with such a family as the Yuans? If you set the wedding date a long time away, it is not unlikely that when the day arrives the wedding party will fall into an ambush on the road, and the bride carried off. Then what is to be done? My opinion is that you would have done better to refuse. But since you have consented, then you should send your daughter to Shouchun at once, before the lords hear of it. You can arrange to let her stay in a separate house till you have selected the wedding day. The odds against any failure are lower.”

  “What you say is quite right,” said Lu Bu with pleasure.

  He went in to tell his wife about this. So the trousseau was prepared that very night and a beautiful wedding carriage drawn by fine horses was readied for use. The escort consisted of Han Yin and two military officers and the procession was seen out of the city amid the sound of drums and pipes.

  Now at this time Chen Deng’s father had retired from office and was resting at home. Hearing this burst of music he inquired about the occasion and his servants told him.

  “They’re playing the trick of ‘Blood is thicker than water,’” the old man said. “Liu Bei’s in danger.”

  Therefore in spite of his infirmities he went to see Lu Bu.

  “What brings you here, sir?” asked Lu Bu.

  “I hear you are dying and I have come to mourn,” replied the old man.

  Lu Bu was greatly surprised. “Why do you say that?” he asked.

  “Some time ago Yuan Shu sent you presents so that you would not interfere when he came down to slay Liu Bei, but later by that miraculous shot you succeeded in effecting the withdrawal of his army. Now he suddenly proposes a marriage alliance with you. His intention is to take your daughter as a hostage. The next move will be an attack on Xiaopei and if that place is lost, Xuzhou will also be in peril. Furthermore, whatever he may ask in future—grain or men or anything else—if you yield, you will exhaust yourself and make yourself hated all around. If you refuse, you will be neglecting the duties of a relative and that will be an excuse for an open attack on you. Besides, this Yuan Shu intends to call himself Emperor, which is rebellion, and you will be part of the rebel family. Surely this will not be tolerated by the whole country!”

  Lu Bu was much disturbed to hear this. “I have been misled by Chen Gong!” he cried.

  So he hurriedly ordered Zhang Liao to bring back the wedding party. When they had returned he threw Han Yin into prison and sent someone else to tell Yuan Shu that the girl’s trousseau was not ready and that he would send her there when it was. The old man also suggested handing over Han Yin to the court in the new capital, but Lu Bu hesitated as to which course to take.

  At this time his men came to report to him that Liu Bei was recruiting soldiers and buying horses in Xiaopei for no apparent reason.

  “He is simply doing his duty as a general. There is nothing to be alarmed about,” said Lu Bu.

  Just then two of his officers came in and said, “On your order we went into Shandong to purchase horses. We had bought three hundred but when we came to the border area of Xiaopei on our way back, some robbers snatched half of them. Later we heard that the robbers were actually Zhang Fei and his men in disguise.”

  Lu Bu was very angry at this and immediately set out on an expedition against Xiaopei. When Liu Bei heard about it he was startled and hastened to lead out his army to confront it—the two armies faced each other in battle array. Liu Bei rode to the front and asked: “Why do you bring your army here, brother?”

  Lu Bu said angrily, “I saved you from grave danger last time when I shot that arrow. Why then did you steal my horses?”

  “I did buy some horses because we needed them. But I would never dare to take yours.”

  “You let Zhang Fei snatch one hundred and fifty horses from me. Can you deny it?”

  At this Zhang Fei rode out, his spear set, and cried, “Yes, I took your horses, what are you going to do about it?”

  Lu Bu responded angrily, “You goggle-eyed thief! You are always trying to provoke me.”

  Zhang Fei ret
orted, “I took your horses and you get angry, yet you did not say anything when you stole my brother’s city.”

  Lu Bu rode forward to give battle and Zhang Fei advanced to engage him. A violent fight began and the two warriors exchanged more than a hundred bouts, but still neither could prevail over the other. Then Liu Bei, fearing that his brother might get hurt, hurriedly beat the gongs as a signal to withdraw from the battle. His army then returned into the city. Lu Bu, however, did not retreat but besieged the city on all sides.

  Liu Bei called his brother to him and blamed him as the cause of all this misfortune.

  “Where are the horses?” he asked.

  “I put them in the temples,” replied Zhang Fei.

  Liu Bei then sent a messenger to Lu Bu’s camp to offer to return the stolen horses and to propose peace. Lu Bu was disposed to agree but Chen Gong objected. “You will fall into his hands if you don’t remove him now.”

  Under his influence Lu Bu rejected the request for peace and pressed harder with his attack on the city.

  Liu Bei sought advice from Mi Zhu and Sun Qian.

  Sun Qian said, “The one person that Cao Cao detests is Lu Bu. Let us then abandon the city and seek refuge from him and borrow his army to destroy Lu Bu. This is the best policy.”

  “If we try to get away, who will take the lead and break through the encirclement?” asked Liu Bei.

  “I will fight to death,” said Zhang Fei.

  So Zhang Fei led the way. Guan Yu was placed in the rear and in the center was Liu Bei himself with the non-fighting portion. At about third watch during the night they started out through the north gate under the bright moonlight. They met some opposition but the two officers that tried to stop them were driven off by Zhang Fei and they broke through the besieging force without difficulty. Zhang Liao came to pursue them but was held off by Guan Yu. It seemed that Lu Bu was not bothered at their flight, for he took no trouble to prevent it. He entered the city to calm the residents and, after appointing Gao Shun to guard the place, he returned to Xuzhou.

  Liu Bei approached the new capital and encamped outside the city. He sent Sun Qian to see Cao Cao and relate the events that brought him there. Cao Cao was very friendly and said that he regarded Liu Bei as his own brother. He invited Liu Bei to enter the capital.

  Leaving his two brothers at the camp, Liu Bei, accompanied by Sun Qian and Mi Zhu, went to see Cao Cao, who received him with great respect. The story of Lu Bu’s perfidy was again related.

  “He is a faithless fellow,” said Cao Cao. “You and I will attack him together.”

  Liu Bei thanked him. A banquet was then prepared and it was late evening before the visitor left for his own camp.

  Xun Yu went in to see his master and said, “Liu Bei is quite a figure. You should destroy him otherwise he will be your undoing in future.”

  Cao Cao made no reply and his advisor retired. Presently, Guo Jia came and Cao Cao asked him: “I have been advised to kill Liu Bei. What do you think of this advice?”

  “Very bad advice indeed,” said Guo Jia. “You, sir, are raising an armed force to uphold justice and to relieve the people from oppression. Only by truth and rectitude can you secure the support of the noble-minded. Your only fear is lest they should stay away. Now Liu Bei is famous as a hero. He has come to you for help and protection—to put him to death will not only harm a good man but alienate all the wise men and put fear into the hearts of all the able advisors. Where, then, will you find those whose help you need? To remove the danger represented by one man and thus injure yourself in the eyes of all is a sure means of destruction. The pros and cons of these matters need to be carefully weighed.”

  “Exactly what I think,” said Cao Cao, greatly pleased with these remarks.

  The next day he petitioned the Emperor to give Liu Bei the governor-ship of Yuzhou in Henan.

  However, another of his advisors also tried to warn him of Liu Bei’s potential threat. He said, “Liu Bei is sure to rise to the top. He will never remain in the subordinate position. You had better remove him.”

  Cao Cao replied, “Now is the time to make use of distinguished men. I will not forfeit the regard of the world for the sake of removing one individual. Guo Jia and I both see this issue in the same light.”

  Therefore he rejected all persuasions against Liu Bei but provided him with 3,000 soldiers and a large quantity of grain. It was decided that Liu Bei was to take office in Yuzhou and then march to Xiaopei to call together his former men for an attack on Lu Bu.

  When Liu Bei reached Yuzhou he sent someone to inform Cao Cao, who began to prepare an army to subdue Lu Bu. But just at that time urgent news came that Zhang Ji, who had been attacking Nanyang, had died from a wound by a stray arrow. His nephew Zhang Xiu had succeeded to the command of his army and with Jia Xu as his advisor he had formed a league with Liu Biao and camped at Wancheng, intending to attack the capital and carry off the Emperor.

  Cao Cao was placed in a dilemma. He would like to destroy this combination but he feared lest Lu Bu would take the advantage of his absence to raid the capital. So he sought advice from Xun Yu.

  “This is easy,” said Xun Yu. “Lu Bu is a simpleton, easily taken in by any little advantage that presents itself. All you need to do is to obtain promotion for him, giving him some additional title, and tell him to make peace with Liu Bei. Then he will not want to start an expedition against the capital.”

  “Good,” said Cao Cao and he acted as he was advised. An officer was sent to Xuzhou with the official announcement of a title for Lu Bu and a letter urging peace, while he went on with preparations to relieve the other danger. When ready he led a huge army to march forward in three divisions with Xiahou Dun as the van leader. Soon they arrived at Yushui River, where they encamped.

  In Zhang Xiu’s camp, Jia Xu had succeeded in pointing out to his master the hopelessness of resistance.

  “You would do better if you surrendered since his army is too strong for you to oppose,” he said.

  Seeing the truth of this, Zhang Xiu sent Jia Xu to his opponent’s camp to offer submission. Cao Cao talked with the messenger and was greatly impressed by his ready and fluent speech. So he tried to win him over to his service.

  Jia Xu replied, “I was formerly with Li Jue and was blamed by all. Now I am with Zhang Xiu, who followed all of my advice—I cannot bear to abandon him.”

  He left and the next day he introduced his master to Cao Cao, who treated him very well. Then Cao Cao entered the city with a small force while the greater part of his army remained in camp outside, where the line of tents extended some ten li. Inside the city banquets were given every day to entertain Cao Cao.

  One day Cao Cao returned to his quarters in a more than usual merry mood and he asked his attendants if there were any singing girls in the city. The son of his elder brother heard the question and said to him in private, “Last night I saw by a fleeting glance a perfectly beautiful woman who lives next door to us. They told me she is the wife of Zhang Xiu’s uncle.”

  Cao Cao told his nephew to go and bring her to him. He did so supported by an armed escort, and very soon the lady stood before Cao Cao.

  She was a beauty indeed and Cao Cao asked her who she was.

  “I am Zhang Ji’s wife, born of the Zhou family,” she replied.

  “Do you know who I am?”

  “I have known Your Lordship by reputation for a long time. I am happy to be permitted to bow before you,” she said humbly.

  “It was for Your Ladyship’s sake that I allowed Zhang Xiu to submit; otherwise, his whole clan would be exterminated.”

  “Indeed I owe my very life to you. I am most grateful.”

  “It is a blessing from heaven for me to set eyes upon you. Stay here for the night and then come with me to the capital, where we can enjoy a life of luxury together. What do you say to that?”

  She thanked him. That night she stayed in his bedchamber.

  “Zhang Xiu will surely suspect if you continue
to live in the city and besides, gossip wll begin to spread,” she said.

  “I will go with you to my camp outside the city tomorrow,” said Cao Cao.

  So the following day Cao Cao left the city to stay in his tent, where Dian Wei was appointed as a special guard to bar the entrance to anyone not permitted. Therefore Cao Cao was divorced from affairs outside and he passed days in idle dalliance with the lady, quite content to let time flow by.

  Soon Zhang Xiu’s people told him about this and he was very angry at the shame brought upon the family. He confided his trouble to Jia Xu who said, “Keep quiet about this. There should be no leaks. Wait until he comes again to attend to business.” And then he told his master his plan to punish Cao Cao in great secret.

  Not long after this Zhang Xiu had an interview with Cao Cao. He told him that, as many of his men were deserting, it would be well to put them in the center. Cao Cao agreed and so Zhang Xiu was able to move his soldiers and place them in four camps, ready to start an attack at any time.

  But Dian Wei, the special guard of Cao Cao’s tent, was a man to be feared, being both brave and powerful. It was hard to get near to him. So Zhang Xiu discussed the matter with an officer called Hu Ju-er, a man of enormous strength and great stamina. He could carry a burden of 600 pounds (272 kg) and travel 700 li in a day.

  The officer said, “The fearsome thing about Dian Wei are his double iron spears. Invite him to a wine party and make sure that he is quite drunk before you send him back. I will mingle among his escort and so get into his tent to steal his weapons. Then we need not be afraid of him.”

  Zhang Xiu was very pleased with this. So the necessary arms were prepared and orders given to his men in the four camps. When the date to strike the blow came, Dian Wei was invited and plied with copious wine so that he was quite intoxicated when he left. And, as arranged, Hu Ju-er mingled with his escort and made away with the weapon.

  That night when Cao Cao was drinking with the lady, he heard the voices of men and the neighing of horses outside. He sent someone to find out what was the matter, and the man returned to say that it was Zhang Xiu’s soldiers doing the night patrol. Cao Cao was assured.