Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (19 page)

"You are mistaken now. The cases are not the same, for then Han Hsin knew his opponents were unskilful. Have you reckoned upon the skill of our opponents, Chao Yun and Huang Chung?"

"You may lead the footmen to hold the enemy while I destroy them with the horsemen," said Hsu Huang.

Then bridges were built and the army crossed.

A man of Wei blindly quotes Han Hsin,
In a minister of Shu who whould recognise another Chang Liang?

Who won the victory will next be revealed.

CHAPTER LXXII
CHUKO LIANG'S WIT TAKES
HANChunG; TS'AO A-MAN'S ARMY
RETIRES UP HSIEHKU

I
n
spite of the most earnest dissuasion, Hsu Huang crossed the river and camped. Huang Chung and Chao Yun asked to be allowed to go against the host of Ts'ao Ts'ao, and Yuan-te gave his consent.

Then said Huang Chung, "Hsu Huang has been bold enough to come; we will not go out against him till evening, when his men are fatigued. Then we will fall upon him one on either side."

Chao Yun consented, and each retired to a stockade. Hsu Huang appeared and for a long time tried to draw them into a fight, but they refused to go forth. Then Hsu ordered his bowmen to begin to shoot straight before them, and the arrows and bolts fell in the Shu camp.

Huang said, "He must be thinking of retreat or he would not shoot thus. Now is our time to smite him."

Then the scouts reported that the rearmost bodies of the enemy had begun to retreat. The drums of Shu rolled a deafening peal and the armies came to the attack, one on either side, and the double fight began. Defeated, the flying soldiers were forced to the Han Waters, where many were drowned. But their leader escaped, and when he got back to camp he blamed his colleague Wang P'ing for not having come to his aid.

"Had I done so, the camps would have been left unguarded," said Wang P'ing. "I tried to dissuade you from going, but you would not hear me, and you brought about this reverse yourself."

Hsu Huang in his wrath tried to slay Wang, but he escaped to his own camp. In the night a fire broke out and great confusion reigned in the lines. Hsu ran away, but Wang crossed the river and surrendered to Chao Yun, who led him to Yuan-te. He told Yuan-te all about the Han Waters and the country near by.

"I shall surely capture HanChung now that you are here to help me, friend Wang," said Yuan-te.

He gave Wang P'ing an appointment as a supernumerary leader and guide.

Wang P'ing's defection, when Hsu Huang told him, made Ts'ao Ts'ao very angry. He placed himself at the head of a force and tried to retake the bank of the river. Chao Yun, thinking his men too few, retired to the west side, and the two armies lay on opposite sides of the stream. Yuan-te and his adviser came down to view the position. The latter saw in the upper course of the stream a hill which might well screen a thousand men, so he returned to camp, called in Chao Yun and bade him lead half that number, with drums and horns, and place them in ambush behind the hill, to await certain orders which would come some time during the night or at dawn. When he heard a detonation he was not to appear, only give a long roll of the drums at every report.

Chao Yun departed to play his part in the drama, while K'ung-ming went to a hill whence he could overlook the scene.

When next the men of Ts'ao approached the camp of Shu and offered battle not a man came out, nor was an arrow or a bolt shot. They retired without any result. But in the depths of the night, when all the lights in the camp were extinguished and all appeared tranquil and restful, K'ung-ming exploded a bomb, and at once Chao Yun beat his drums and blared his trumpets. Ts'ao Ts'ao's men awoke in alarm, thinking it was a night raid. They rushed out, but there was no enemy, and as the hubbub ceased they went back to sleep. Soon after there was another bomb, and again the drums and the trumpets seeming to shake the earth itself, and the fearsome roar echoing along the valleys and from the hills again seared Ts'ao's soldiers. Thus the night passed in constant alarms. The next night was the same, and the next. On the fourth day Ts'ao broke up his camp, marched his men thirty
li
to the rear and pitched his camp in a clear, wide space among the hills.

K'ung-ming was pleased at the result of his ruse. Said he smiling, "Ts'ao is skilled in war, but still he is not proof against all deceitful tricks."

The men of Shu then crossed the river and camped with the stream behind them. When Yuan-te asked the next move he was told, but also told to keep the plan a secret.

Seeing his enemy thus encamped, Ts'ao Ts'ao became doubtful and anxious, and, to bring things to a decision, he sent a written declaration of war, to which K'ung-ming replied that they would fight a battle on the morrow.

On the morrow the armies faced each other half way between the two camps in front of The Hill of Five Frontiers and there they arrayed. Ts'ao Ts'ao presently rode up and stood beside his banner; with his officers right and left and the dragon and phoenix banners fluttering in the wind. His drums rolled thrice, and then he summoned Liu Pei to a parley Yuan-te rode out supported by his officers. Then Ts'ao insolently flourished his whip and vilified his opponent.

"Liu Pei, you have forgotten kindness and lost the sense of right; you are a rebel against the government."

Yuan-te answered, "I am related to the imperial family, and I hold an edict authorising me to seize all rebels. You have dared to lift up your hand against the Empress, made yourself a prince and arrogantly presume to an imperial chariot. If you are not a rebel, what are you?"

Then Ts'ao ordered Hsu Huang out to give battle, and Liu Feng went to meet him. As the combat began, Yuan-te retired within the ranks of his array. Liu Feng was no match for his opponent, and fled. Ts'ao Ts'ao issued an order to capture Liu Pei. At this the army of the king of the west country uttered one great roar of rage. Then Ts'ao's men came surging on. The men of Shu fled toward the river abandoning everything, even throwing aside their weapons, which littered the road. But as Ts'ao's men pressed forward, he suddenly clanged the gongs, called a halt and drew off.

"Why did you call us off, O Prince, just as we were on the point of success?"

"Because I saw the enemy had encamped with the river in them rear, which was very suspicious. They also abandoned their steeds and weapons, which made me doubt. Wherefore I could only retire. But retain your armour. Let not a man take off his harness on pain of death. Now retire as quickly as you can march."

As Ts'ao Ts'ao turned about to retire, K'ung-ming hoisted the signal to attack, and the retreating soldiers were harassed on every side both night and day till they were all disordered. Ts'ao Ts'ao ordered his army to take refuge in Nanch'eng.

Presently they saw flames rising all around, and soon it was known that their city of refuge was in the hands of their enemies. Disappointed and saddened, Ts'ao Ts'ao bade them march to Yangp'ing Pass. But Yuan-te with the main army followed them to Paochou in the Nanch'eng district and there pacified the people and restored confidence.

Ts'ao Ts'ao was exceedingly quickly overcome this time," said Liu Pei; "how was that?"

"He has always been of a suspicious nature," said K'ung-ming, "and that has led to many failures although he is a good leader of men. I have defeated him by playing upon his doubts."

"He is rather weakened now," said Liu Pei. "Can you not devise a plan to drive him away finally?"

"That is all thought out."

"Next Chang Fei and Wei Yen were sent along two different roads to cut off Ts'ao Ts'ao's supplies. Two other cohort were bidden to go and fire the hills. All these four had natives of the place to act as guides and show the way.

The scouts sent out from Yangp'ing Pass returned to report that the roads far and near were blocked by the men of Shu and every place seemed to be burning. They had not seen any soldiers. Ts'ao Ts'ao knew not what to do. Then they told him that his stores were being plundered by Chang Fei and Wei Yen. At this, he called for a volunteer to drive off the plunderers, and Hsu Ch'u offered. He was given a company of veterans, and went up to act as escort of the grain wagons. The officers in charge of the transport were very glad to get a guard of such renown.

"Except for you, O General, the grain could never reach Yangp'ing."

They entertained Hsu Ch'u with the wine and food on the carts; and he ate and drank copiously, so that he became very intoxicated. And in that state he insisted on marching, urging the convoy to start at once.

"The sun has nearly set," said the transport officers, "and the road near Paochou is bad and dangerous, so that we cannot pass there at night."

"I can face any danger," boasted the drunken captain; "
I
am brave as a myriad men put together. What do you think I fear? Beside, there is a good moon tonight, just the sort of thing to take grain carts along by."

Hsu Ch'u took the lead, sword in hand. By the second watch they were passing Paochou. About half the train had passed when the rolling drums and the blare of horns came down to them through a rift in the hills. It was soon followed by the appearance of a cohort led by Chang Fei. With spear ready, he came racing down straight for Hsu Ch'u, who, whirling his sword, dashed to the front to meet him.

But Hsu Ch'u was too drunk to stand against such a warrior. After a few bouts he received a spear thrust in the shoulder, turned round in his saddle and fell from his horse. His men rushed to his help, and they carried him away as they retreated, while Chang Fei took the whole transport train of fodder and forage away to his own camp.

The defeated escort carried their wounded leader back to Ts'ao's camp, where he was placed in the care of physicians. Then Ts'ao himself led out his army to fight a decisive battle with the men of Shu. Yuan-te went out to meet him, and, when both sides were arrayed, Liu Feng went out to challenge. Ts'ao at once let loose a torrent of taunts and reproaches.

"Seller of shoes, you are always sending out this pretended son of yours to fight for you. If I only call my youngster, your so-called son will be chopped to mincemeat."

These words enraged Liu Feng, who raised his spear and galloped toward Ts'ao. Ts'ao bade Hsu Huang do battle with the young man, and Feng at once ran away. Ts'ao led on his legions, but he was harassed by the explosion of bombs, the beating of drums and the blare of trumpets that came from every side. He concluded that he was being led into an ambush, and he hastened to retire. The retreat was unfortunate, for the soldiers trampled upon each other and many were killed. Anon they all ran off to Yangp'ing Pass as quickly as they could.

But the men of Shu came right up to the walls of the city, and some burned the east gate while others shouted at the west. Others, again, burned the north gate while drums rolled at the south. Leader and led were alike harassed and frightened, and presently they left the Pass and ran away. They were pursued and sore smitten.

The road to safety was not easy. In one direction Chang Fei barred the way, while Chao Yun and Huang Chung came and attacked from different points. Ts'ao's army lost many men, and he was severely defeated. His officers gathered about him and took him off toward Hsiehku. Here a great cloud of dust was seen in the distance.

"If that is an ambush it is the last of me," sighed Ts'ao.

The soldiers came nearer, and then Ts'ao recognised not a enemy but his second son, Chang. As a lad Chang was a good horseman and an expert archer. He was more powerful than most men and could overcome a wild beast with his bare hands. Ts'ao did not approve of the young man's bent, and often warned him to study instead.

"You do not study, but only love your bow and your horse; this is the courage of a mere person. Think you that this makes for an honourable career?"

But Chang replied, 'The really noble man ought to imitate such grand men as Wei Ching and Ho Ch'u-ping. They won their reputation in the Shamo Desert, where they led a mighty host able to overrun the whole world and go anywhere. What have I to do with scholarship?"

Ts'ao Ts'ao used to ask his sons what career they found admirable, and Chang always replied that he would be a leader of armies.

"But what should a leader be like?" asked Ts'ao.

"He should be inbued with firmness and courage; never turn aside from a difficulty, but be in the van of his officers and men. Rewards should be certain; and so should punishments."

Ts'ao Ts'ao smiled with pleasure.

In the twenty-third year of the period, Wu Huan of TaiChun revolted, and Ts'ao Ts'ao sent this son with five legions to suppress him. Just as he was leaving, his father read him a homily on his duty.

"At home we are father and son, but when a task is given you you have to consider your duty as a servant of your ruler. The law knows no kindness, and you must beware."

When the expedition reached the north of Tai he led the array and smote as far as Sangkan, and peace was restored. He had lately heard that his father was at Yangp'ing Pass, and had come to help him to fight.

His coming greatly pleased his father, who said, "Now that my callow-bearded son has arrived, we can destroy Liu Pei for certain."

Then the army was marched back again and pitched camp at Hsiehku.

Someone told Yuan-te of the arrival of Ts'ao Chang, and he asked for a volunteer to go out against him. Liu Feng offered. Meng Ta also desired to go, and Yuan-te decided to let both go.

"Vie with each other," said he.

Each captain had half a legion, and Liu Feng led the way. Ts'ao Chang rode out and engaged him, and in the third bout Feng was overcome and ran off. Then Meng Ta advanced, and a battle was just beginning when he saw that Ts'ao's men were in confusion. The cause was the sudden coming of Ma Ch'ao and Wu Lan. Before the enemy had recovered from the panic, Meng Ta attacked on another side. Ma Ch'ao's men, who had been nursing their courage for a long time, fought brilliantly, so that none could withstand their onslaught, and they won the day. But in combat with Ts'ao Chang, Wu Lan received a spear thrust and fell.