Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (21 page)

Sun Ch'uan thought the scheme good and sent letters with these proposals to Ts'ao Ts'ao. Ts'ao adopted the plan, and having sent the messenger back to Wu, he next sent Man Ch'ung to help Ts'ao Jen at Fanch'eng as assistant adviser in the matter of attack. He also sent despatches to Wu to ask for the assistance of Sun Ch'uan's marine force.

Having laid on Wei Yen the task of holding eastern Ch'uan, the Prince of HanChung, with his officers, returned to Ch'engtu and began to set his new house in order. A palace was begun and public guest-houses were built, and between Ch'engtu and Paishui, at selected places, they built four hundred rest-houses and post stations. The prince also set himself to accumulate great stores of grain and forage and to fill his arsenals with weapons with the design of mastering the capital and the whole country.

Then his spies told him of the treaty between Ts'ao and Wu, with designs upon Chingchou, and he hastily called in K'ung-ming to ask what should be done.

"I felt that Ts'ao Ts'ao would try to do this," said K'ung-ming, "and most of the advisers in Wu will persuade Ts'ao to order Ts'ao Jen to begin the campaign."

"But what am I to do?" asked the prince.

"First send a special messenger to Kuan Yu with his new title, telling him to capture Fanch'eng, which will so damp the ardour of the enemy that he will break off himself."

Therefore the prince sent Fei Shih, a high official from his Board of War, to take the patent of his new title to Kuan Yu, who received the delegate with great deference and conducted him into the city. After they had arrived at the official residence, Kuan Yu enquired what new title had been conferred upon him.

"Chief of the Five Tiger Generals," replied the delegate.

"And who are the five?"

"Their names are Kuan, Chang, Chao, Ma and Huang."

"The second is my brother," said Kuan Yu discontentedly. "Ma comes of a famous family and Chao Yun has been with my elder brother so long that he is as a brother. It is right for him to be put on a level with me. But what sort of a man is this Huang Chung that he is ranked with us? The really great man does not stand shoulder to shoulder with any old soldier that comes along."

And he refused both title and seal.

"You do wrong to refuse," said Fei Shih. "Of old, Hsiao Ho and Ts'ao Ts'an helped the Founder of the Han Dynasty in his great enterprise and were very dear friends, while Han Hsin was but a runaway leader from Ch'u. Yet Han Hsin became a prince, and so was placed over the heads of the other two. I have never heard that these two resented it. The prince has his Five Tiger Generals, but he is still your brother and all that that means. As his brother you are he and he is you. Is there any comparison with any other? The prince has always treated you with the greatest kindness. You are one in sorrow and joy, sharers of disaster and good fortune. No such question as that of a mere title ought to reckon at all. I pray you, Sir, to reflect."

Kuan Yu understood, and thanked the messenger for having prevented him from making a great mistake. He then received the seal with all humility.

Next Fei Shih produced the edict ordering the capture of Fanch'eng. Kuan Yu lost no time in obeying its command. He appointed Fushih Jen and Mi Fang leaders of the van to take the first army out of the city into camp. This done, a banquet was prepared for the messenger, and they sat late at their wine. While still at table there was an alarm of fire in the new camp, and Kuan Yu hastened out of the city to see. He found that the two captains had also been feasting and the fire had started behind their tent, a spark having fallen into some explosives, whence it spread and destroyed the whole camp and all that was in it. Kuan Yu and his men did what they could to put out the fire and then re-entered the city. There he summoned the two captains before him, abused them for their lack of care and sentenced them to death.

However, Fei Shih interceded for them, saying, "It is not well to put two leaders to death at the beginning of a campaign, before even the army has marched. You might reprieve them at least."

Kuan Yu's anger had by no means subsided, but he recalled the two peccant captains and said, "Were it not that I have the greatest regard for the President Fei here I had let the sentence take its course. Now I will only flog you."

So the two officers received forty blows each and were degraded from leading the van. Their seals were taken away and one was sent to NanChun, the other to Kungan.

"Now be warned," said Kuan Yu. "If, when I return from my victories, there is the least sign of disorder on your part, you will suffer for both faults."

The two men flushed crimson and went out.

Then two new officers were appointed, Liao Hua and Kuan P'ing. Next Kuan Yu took command of the main army, and he had two advisers. Then it was that Hu Hua's son, Hu Pan, came to Chingchou and joined Kuan, who loved him for the sake of his father and the good service he had rendered. Kuan Yu sent him to the Prince of HanChung in the train of Fei Shih.

The day that Kuan Yu sacrificed to his standard before starting, he was lying in his tent resting when suddenly there dashed into his tent a huge boar, very large, as big as a bullock and quite black. It bit his foot. He jumped up to kill the creature, when it squealed with the sound of tearing cloth—and he awoke. But he had a pain in his foot.

The dream perplexed him, and he could not explain it. He related it to his son, who interpreted it happily, saying that the boar was something of a royal beast, like the dragon, and coming to his feet meant a rise for his adopted father. When the dream got noised abroad, for he told his officers, some interpreted it as auspicious and some the reverse.

"When a man nears sixty he ought not to be greatly disturbed by the thought of death," said Kuan Yu. "After all, I am a man."

Just about that time came an edict from the Prince of HanChung making him Chief General, with honourable insignia of rank and control over the nine districts in Chingchou and Hsiangyang. When the officers congratulated him on his new honours they did not forget the dream.

"This shows what a dream of boars means."

This new distinction pleased Kuan Yu greatly and he had no more perplexing doubts. Soon he marched away along the great road to the point of danger.

Ts'ao Jen was in the city when he heard that the great warrior was coming against him. He was much put about, and inclined to trust solely to defence. But his next command, Chai Yuan, did not support this course and argued against it.

"Our prince has ordered you to act in concert with Wu and take Chingchou. For the other side to come against such a combination is to walk in the way of death; certainly we have no occasion to avoid a conflict."

On the other hand the newly sent adviser inculcated caution. Said he, "Kuan is brave and cunning and one not to be met lightly. I think defence is best."

Then Hsiahou Ts'un said contemptuously, "This is all the talk of a lot of book-folk. When the flood approaches bank up to keep it out. Let the enemy come and we shall only have to sit still and receive our reward, for we are sure of victory."

Ts'ao Jen was won over to the side of the men of action. He placed Man Ch'ung in command of the defences while he went outside to beat off Kuan Yu. When the two forces met, Kuan Yu called to his side Kuan P'ing and Liao Hua, to whom he gave certain orders. These two advanced, settled their array and Liao Hua then rode out and offered a challenge. Chai Yuan accepted it; but soon after the combat began Liao Hua made as if he was defeated and turned to leave the field. Chai Yuan went after him. The Chingchou men retired twenty
li
or so.

Soon the Chingchou soldiers came again and offered battle, when Hsiahou Ts'un and Chai Yuan both went out. The manoeuvre of the preceding day was repeated. But suddenly there was a detonation behind the men of Ts'ao and the rolling of drums as for attack. Ts'ao Jen hastily called upon his men to return. They did so
_;
but Kuan P'ing and Liao Hua then turned and followed on their heels so that the men of Ts'ao were thrown into confusion.

Ts'ao Jen by this time had seen that a trap had been laid and he had fallen therein, so he hastily marched with one army to Hsiangyang. He got to within a short distance of the city when he saw before him a handsome banner waving in the wind, and out came the great warrior with his sword ready to slay. Ts'ao Jen was powerless from fear, and, fighting being impossible, he turned off in a diagonal direction for Hsiangyang. Nor was he pursued.

Shortly after, Hsiahou Ts'un came. He fell into a rage at the sight of the old warrior and went to fight him. He was slam in the first encounter. His colleague fled, but Kuan P'ing captured and slew him. Then the pursuit was continued, and the loss on Ts'ao's side was very heavy. Many were drowned in the Hsiang River. This phase ended with Ts'ao Jen defending Fanch'eng and Kuan in possession of Hsiangyang. His was the victory.

"You have obtained this city very easily," said the Transport Officer Wang Fu, "but the task is not ended. Ts'ao's men have been beaten and their courage broken, but there is danger from the side of Wu. Lu Meng is at Luk'ou, and he has long cherished the desire to lay hands on Chingchou. Suppose he now attacks; what will happen?"

"I was e'en thinking of that myself. You may go and attend to this matter. You will certainly be able to find certain elevated spots on the river bank, not too far apart, suitable for alarm beacons, whence could be signalled any attempt of the men of Wu to cross the river. Fifty men could guard each station. Let there be a flame by night and a smoke by day. If they cross the river I must go and smite them."

Wang Fu replied, "Fushih Jen and Mi Fang are defending important places and doing it well. But there ought to be a commander-in-chief over Chingchou."

"There is no need for anxiety; Pan Chun is guarding the city."

"The objection is the character of Pan Chun. He is jealous and selfish and not a fit man for the task. I think you would do well to replace him by Chao Lei, now of the commissariat. He is loyal, trusty, clean-handed and straight, a much more desirable man for the post."

"
I
know Pan Chun very well, but I have delegated him for that duty and cannot change now. The work your friend has to do in the supplies is also most important. I do not think you need be anxious. Just get along with those beacons for me."

Wang Fu, annoyed, took his leave. Then Kuan P'ing was bidden to prepare ships ready to cross the river and attack Fanch'eng, whither Ts'ao Jen had retired after his defeat.

Now Ts'ao Jen said to Man Ch'ung, "Neglecting your advice I lost my men, my two captains and the city of Hsiangyang. What am I to do now?"

"Kuan Yu is very dangerous, too brave and skilful for you to try to defeat. You had better remain on the defensive," replied Man Ch'ung.

Just about this time came the tidings that Kuan Yu was crossing the river on the way to attack. Man maintained his policy, that of defence. But the subordinate leader Lu Ch'ang was for going out to meet the enemy.

"I ask for a few companies," said Lu, "and I will meet the enemy on the way."

"You cannot do any good," said Man.

"According to the advice of you and the other bookish officials there is only one thing to do. But will defence drive off the enemy? The proper way is to attack your enemy while he is crossing a river, and as Kuan Yu is doing that now, why not attack now? It will be quite another matter if you let him reach the walls and get possession of the moat."

As a result of his arguments and protest, Lu got command of two companies, whom he led to the river. And there he found Kuan Yu already arrayed for battle. Kuan Yu at once rode out, and the bold Lu was going to attack him. But his men were panic-stricken at the sight of Kuan Yu's fierce countenance and ran away. Lu Ch'ang called them to come back, but they would not stop, and as Kuan Yu came on with a rush, the army of Ts'ao again lost the day. Many were slain, and the remainder ran into Fanch'eng. Ts'ao Jen sent off a hasty messenger for help and a letter to Ch'angan to tell what Kuan Yu had done and how Fanch'eng was in imminent danger of falling.

The letter reached Ts'ao, who chose a certain one among his officers and asked if he could relieve Fanch'eng. The man at once stepped out and said he could.

The man was Yu Chin.

"Let me have some captain to lead the van," said he. "Who volunteers?" asked Ts'ao, looking around. "I do," cried a man; "I will give my poor services for what they are worth. And I will capture this fellow Kuan and bring him as an offering before your standard."

The men of Wei began the war
E'er Wu had sent out spies.

But who was the man bold enough to say he would capture Kuan Yu? For his name see the next chapter.

CHAPTER LXXIV
P'ANG TE TAKES HIS COFFIN
ON A CAMPAIGN; KUAN YU DROWNS
HIS ENEMIES

T
he
bold and self-confident officer of Ts'ao's army who promised to make an end of Kuan Yu was P'ang Te. Ts'ao was glad to find such a man.

"That fellow Kuan has a great reputation, and in the whole country he has no rival. He has not met his match yet, but now you are going he will find all his work cut out."

So spake Ts'ao Ts'ao. He conferred on Yu Chin the title of "Corrector of the South" and on P'ang Te that of "Corrector of the West and Leader of the Van," and they two marched out with their seven armies to Fanch'eng.

These seven armies were composed of sturdy fellows from the north, led by two of their own chiefs named Tung Heng and Tung Ch'ao. Hearing who was to command them, these two, supported by their chiefs, went to see Yu Chin and represented that the leader of the van was unsuitable.

Tung Heng spoke, and said, "Sir General, the expedition you lead is for the relief of Fanch'eng and it can confidently expect victory, but is it not unwise to place such as P'ang Te in command of the van?"

"Why?" said Yu Chin, surprised.

"Because he was once under the command of Ma Ch'ao. He had no alternative but to surrender and fight for Wei. But his former chief is now in high honour in Shu, one of the Five Tiger Generals, and his own brother is there, too, as an officer. To send him as leader of the van just now seems like trying to extinguish a fire with oil. Would it not be well to inform the Prince of Wei and ask him to exchange this man for another?"

Without further argument or delay Yu Chin went to see the prince and laid before him the objections to P'ang's appointment. As soon as Ts'ao understood, he summoned P'ang Te to the steps and bade him yield his seal as "Leader of the Van."

"O Prince, why do you reject my services? I was just about to do my best for you."

"I do not doubt you, but Ma Ch'ao is now in Hsich'uan and your brother also, both in the service of Liu Pei. I myself have no doubts, but it is what all the crowd are saying. What can I do?"

P'ang Te took off his head-dress and prostrated himself, bitter tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Since I surrendered to you, O Prince, I have experienced much kindness, so that I would undergo any sufferings to show my gratitude. I hope you will trust me. When my brother and I were at home together his wife was a wicked woman and I slew her, pretending I was drunk. My brother has never forgiven me, but is permeated with hate for me. He swears never to see me again, and we are enemies. For my old master, Ma Ch'ao, I have profound contempt. He is bold, but only that, and was in a pitiable and dejected state when he found his way to the west. Now, like me, he serves his own master, but our friendship is at an end. How could I think of another after your kindness to me?"

Ts'ao Ts'ao raised him from the ground and soothed him, saying, "I have always known what a noble man you are, and what I said just now was to satisfy the feelings of other people. Now you can strive to win fame, and if you do not turn your back on me I shall not on you."

Then P'ang took his leave and returned to his house, where he ordered the artificers to make him a coffin. Next he invited all his friends to a banquet, and the coffin was set out in the reception room for all to see. And they asked one another what that inauspicious thing could mean put out on the eve of a campaign. By and by, drinking to them, P'ang Te said, "The Prince of Wei has been generous to me, and I am pledged to show my gratitude to the death. I am about to go out against this Kuan, and I have to kill him or he must kill me. If he does not kill me I must commit suicide, and so I have prepared what is necessary. I will not return leaving my task unachieved."

The terrible omen saddened the guests, and they fell to sighing. Then he called in his wife and bade her bring their son Hui, whom he commended to her care.

"I have been appointed leader of the van of this new expedition against Kuan Yu, and my duty bids me seek death or glory on the battle-field. If I die, our son is in your special care. Alas, the child has been born ill-starred, and when he grows up he will have to avenge a father."

Both mother and son wept as they bade him farewell. When the army marched, the coffin was carried in its train. He bade his officers place his body therein if he fell in combat with Kuan Yu.

"And if I slay him, then will I bring his head in this coffin as an offering to our prince."

Then outspake a captain of five hundred men and said, "If you are like this, O General, then we also will follow you to the end."

The vanguard then marched away. A certain man told the story of these happenings to Ts'ao Ts'ao, who was very pleased, saying he had no anxiety with such a captain to lead his men.

But Chia Hsu said, "I am anxious for P'ang Te's safety. He is overbold and imprudent to fight with Kuan Yu to the death."

Ts'ao Ts'ao thought such an act would be unwise, and he hastily sent a messenger with an edict warning P'ang Te against his antagonist.

"This Kuan lacks neither cunning nor valour. You are to be most cautious in engaging him. If you can conquer, then conquer; but if there be any doubt remain on the defensive."

"How highly does our prince regard this fellow Kuan!" said the captain to his officers when he heard this new command. "But I think I shall be able to take the keen edge off his thirty-year reputation."

"The command of the prince is to be obeyed," said Yu Chin.

P'ang Te hastened to Fanch'eng in all the pomp and panoply of war, his gongs clanging, his drums rolling as he marched.

Kuan Yu was sitting in his tent when his spies came to tell him of the approach of the men from the north, seven cohorts of them, all bold fighting men. And they were thirty
li
away. Rage took possession of him. His face changed colour, his beard shook and he roared out, "There is never a fighting man in all the world who has heard my name without trembling. Does this fellow dare disdain me?"

Then he ordered Kuan P'ing to attack the city while he went out to stay the impudent boaster who dared him.

"Father," said Kuan P'ing, "Mount T'ai in its majesty does not quarrel with a pebble. Let me go and fight this P'ang Te."

"Well, my son, go and try; I will support you."

So Kuan P'ing took his sword, mounted his steed and went out with his men. Both sides being drawn up for battle. On the side of Wei there flew a single black flag on which was inscribed, "P'ang Te, 'Pacificator of the South,'" in white. The leader himself wore a blue robe with a silver helmet and rode a white charger. He stood out in front backed by his five hundred faithfuls, and a few foot soldiers were there too, bearing the gruesome coffin.

Kuan P'ing was startled at the crowd behind his opponent.

"Who is that?" asked P'ang Te of his followers.

A certain one replied, "That is Kuan's adopted son, Kuan P'ing."

P'ang cried, "I have an edict from the Prince of Wei to take your father's head. You are but a weakling and I will spare you. But call your father."

Kuan P'ing dashed forward flourishing his sword. P'ang Te went to meet him, and there followed thirty odd bouts with no advantage to either.

Both sides then drew off to rest. Soon the news of this combat reached Kuan Yu, and he was not pleased. He sent Liao Hua to assault the city while he went to do battle with P'ang Te. Kuan P'ing met his father and related the story of the indecisive fight. So Kuan Yu rode out with his great sword ready, and he shouted to P'ang Te, "Come quickly and be slain."

The drums re-echoed as P'ang Te rode out and replied, "The edict from the Prince of Wei tells me to take your head. In case you disbelieve it, here is the coffin ready to receive it. If you fear death, down from your horse and surrender."

"I hold you for a simple fool" cried Kuan Yu. "What can you do? It is a pity to stain my Black Dragon sword with the blood of such a rat."

Then he galloped out toward P'ang Te, flourishing the sword. P'ang Te whirled his blade and came to meet him, and they two fought a hundred bouts. And as they fought the lust of battle seemed to grow and both armies were lost in amazement.

But the army of Wei began to fear for their champion, and the gongs sounded the retirement. At the same time Kuan P'ing began to think of his father's fatigue, and his gongs clanged too So that both armies drew off at the same time.

"Kuan Yu is really a mighty man of war," said P'ang Te, when he had got back among his own men.

Then his chief, Yu Chin, came to see him and spoke of the great combat of a hundred bouts which had ended indecisively.

"I think it would be prudent to retire out of his way," said Yu Chin at the close.

But P'ang Te replied haughtily, "What makes you so soft? Yet the prince gave you the command! But tomorrow I will fight again and that to the death. I swear I will never give way."

Yu Chin could not overcome his decision, so he went back to his own camp.

When Kuan Yu had got back to his camp he extolled the swordsmanship of his opponent and acknowledged him a worthy enemy.

"The new-born calf fears not the tiger," said Kuan P'ing, "But if you slay this fellow, my father, you have only killed a barbarian of the tribes beyond the frontier. If any accident occur, then you will have the reproach of not having considered your brother's charge."

"How can my resentment be assuaged save by the death of this man? returned Kuan. "I have decided to fight, so say no more."

Next day Kuan took the field first, but P'ang quickly came out. Both arrayed their men and then went to the front at the same moment. This time neither spoke, but the combat began forthwith. It went on for fifty bouts and then P'ang pulled his horse, sheathed his sword and fled. Kuan went in pursuit, and Kuan P'ing followed lest there should be need of him. Kuan Yu roared out revilings to his flying foe and that he wanted to get the chance for an unfair blow. But he was not afraid.

But the fact was that P'ang Te had only pretended to try for a foul stroke in order to cover a resort to his bow. He pulled in his horse, fitted an arrow to the string and was just on the point of shooting when Kuan P'ing, who was sharp-eyed, shouted out a warning.

"The bandit is going to shoot!"

Kuan Yu saw it, but the bowstring sang and the arrow came flying. He was not nimble enough to avoid it and it wounded his left arm. Kuan P'ing at once went to his father's assistance and led him away to the camp. P'ang wished to follow up this advantage and came back whirling his sword, but, ere he could strike, the gongs of his own side rang out. He thought there was something amiss in the rear and stopped.

The signal for retreat had been sounded by Yu Chin out of jealousy, for he had seen that Kuan Yu had been wounded and he grudged his colleague the glory which would eclipse his own. P'ang obeyed, but when he got back he wanted to know why retreat had been sounded on the very verge of a great success.

"Why did the gongs clang?" asked he.

"Because of our prince's warning. Though he was wounded I feared some trick on his part. He is very cunning."

"I should have killed him if you had not done that," said P'ang.

"Haste makes slow going, you can postpone your fight with him," said Yu Chin.

P'ang Te, though ignorant of the real reason why he was made to miss success at the critical moment, was still very vexed.

Kuan Yu went back to camp, and the arrow-head was puled out of the wound. Happily it had not penetrated very deeply, and the usual remedies against injuries by metal were applied. Kuan Yu was very bitter against his enemy and declared that he would have his revenge for his wound.

"Never mind anything but recovering now," said his officers. "Rest and get well; then you may fight again."

Before long, P'ang Te renewed his challenge, and Kuan Yu was for going out to fight; however, he yielded to the entreaties of his officers. And when P'ang set his men to reviling the hero, Kuan P'ang saw to it that his father never heard it. After ten days of challenges hurled uselessly at an army that ignored them, P'ang took council with Yu Chin.

"Evidently Kuan Yu is helpless from the effects of that arrow-wound. We ought to advance all our seven armies against him while he is ill and destroy his camp. Thereby we shall relieve Fanch'eng."

Thus spake P'ang, but jealousy of the glory that might accrue to his next in command again made Yu Chin urge caution and obedience to the command of the prince. He refused to move his men in spite of Pang's repeated persuasion; still more, he led the army to a new camping ground behind the hills some distance north of Fanch'eng. There his own army stopped communication by the main road, while he sent P'ang into a valley in the rear so that he could do nothing.

To the son's great joy Kuan Yu's wound soon h.ealed. Soon after they heard of Yu Chin's new camp, and as Kuan P'ing could assign no reason for the change, and suspected some ruse, he told his father, who went up to a high place to reconnoitre. Looking round, he noted that there seemed much slackness about everything in Fanch'eng that horse and foot were camped in a valley to the north and that the Hsiang River seemed to run very swiftly. After impressing the topography on his mind he called the guides and asked the name of the gully about ten
li
north of the city.