The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 (34 page)

By then Taishi Ci had assembled 2,000 strong young men in addition to his own troops for the purpose of avenging his former master, Liu Yao. Sun Ce, on the other hand, consulted Zhou Yu on how to capture Taishi Ci alive. Zhou Yu’s plan was to attack the city on three sides, leaving the east gate free for flight. At some distance from the city an ambush was to be prepared on three separate roads, where their target, his men fatigued and horses spent, would fall an easy prey.

The new recruits under Taishi Ci were mostly local hillmen unaccustomed to discipline. Besides, the walls of the city were pitiably low. That night Sun Ce ordered Chen Wu, striped of his long robe and armed with a dagger, to climb up the wall and set fire to the city. Seeing the flames spreading, Taishi Ci made for the east gate. As soon as he got outside, Sun Ce followed in pursuit. The chase was maintained for quite some time, when the pursuers stopped. Taishi Ci rode for as long as he could, finally halting to rest in a spot surrounded by reeds. Suddenly, a tremendous shouting was heard. Taishi Ci was about to move when tripping ropes arose on both sides, throwing him and his horse down on the ground. He was taken prisoner and carried off to Sun Ce’s camp. As soon as Sun Ce heard the news he rode out to meet him. Ordering the soldiers to disperse, he loosened the cords that bound Taishi Ci with his own hands. He took off his own embroidered robe and put it over the captive’s shoulders. Then he invited him into his camp.

“I know you are a real hero,” said Sun Ce. “Liu Yao was a fool not to employ you as his chief officer, so he was beaten.”

Taishi Ci, overcome by this generosity, agreed to surrender.

Sun Ce seized his hand and said, laughing: “If you had taken me at that fight we had near the temple, would you have killed me?”

“Who knows?” said Taishi Ci, smiling.

Sun Ce laughed again and they entered his tent, where his former rival was placed in the seat of honor at a banquet.

Taishi Ci said, “I am thinking of going back to muster as many of the soldiers of my late master as I can. They will turn against him after his recent defeat and they will be a great help for you. But can you trust me so far as to let me go?”

“This is exactly what I most desire. I will make an agreement with you that I expect you back by noon tomorrow.”

Taishi Ci agreed and went off. All the other officers said he would never return.

“He is trustworthy and will not break his word,” said Sun Ce.

None of the officers believed he would come back. The next day they planted a bamboo stick outside their camp and just as its shadow marked noon Taishi Ci returned, bringing with him about a thousand men. Sun Ce was very pleased and all his officers had to admit that he had rightly judged this man.

Sun Ce now had an army of several hundred thousand soldiers and the east was his. He improved the conditions of the people and maintained order so that adherents and supporters increased daily. He was known to the local people as Sun Long, or Sun, the Junior. On hearing of his army’s approach people would flee in terror, but when they saw that his men were ordered not to loot or make any attempt on their houses, they rejoiced and presented the soldiers with oxen and wine, for which they were duly rewarded. Happiness filled the countryside. The former soldiers of Liu Yao were kindly treated. Those who wished to join his army were allowed to stay, while those who preferred not to be soldiers were sent home with presents. Thus Sun Ce won the respect and praise of the people in the region and became very powerful.

He settled his mother and the rest of his family in Qua and appointed his brother, Sun Quan, to guard the city of Xuan together with Zhou Tai. And he himself headed for another expedition to the south to conquer Wujun and its neighboring districts. At that time Wujun was ruled by Yan Bai-hu, or the White Tiger, who styled himself Virtuous Prince of Eastern Wu. Hearing of Sun Ce’s approach, he sent his brother Yan Yu to oppose him. The two armies met at the Maple Bridge.

Yan Yu, sword in hand, took his stand on the bridge. This was reported to Sun Ce, who prepared to accept the challenge. One of his advisors tried to dissuade him: “The commander’s fate is bound up with that of his army and should not risk himself for a mere ruffian. I hope you will remember your own status, sir.”

“Your words are as good as precious stones, sir, but I fear my men will not exert themselves if I myself do not share their danger,” replied Sun Ce.

Then he ordered Han Dong to take up the challenge. But before he reached the bridge two other officers, Jiang Qin and Chen Wu, had already got under the bridge by boat, from where they shot out a flight of arrows and drove off the enemy soldiers on the bank. Then the two men rushed up and fiercely attacked Yan Yu, who fled in fright. Han Dong pursued Yan Yu up to the city gate, where he escaped.

Sun Ce advanced by both land and water and laid siege on Suzhou. For three days no one came out to offer battle. Then at the head of his army he came to the city gate and summoned his enemy to surrender. From the gate tower an officer of inferior rank stood out with one hand resting on a beam, while with the other he used to point as he abused those below. Quickly Taishi Ci reached for his bow and arrow.

“See me hit that fellow’s left hand,” he said to his companions.

Even before the sound of his voice died away, the bowstring twanged, the arrow flew and pierced the officer’s left hand to lodge in the beam, thus firmly pinning the hand to the beam. Both sides, those on the wall and those below it, marveled at such marksmanship.

The wounded man was taken away. When the White Tiger heard of this he was greatly upset. “How can we hope to withstand an army with such men as this in it?” he said.

And his thoughts turned toward a peace. He sent his brother Yan Yu out to see Sun Ce, who received him politely, invited him into his tent, and set wine before him.

“And what does your brother propose?” asked Sun Ce.

“He is willing to share this district with you,” was the reply.

“The rat! how dare he put himself on a level with me?’ cried Sun Ce.

He commanded that the messenger be put to death. Yan Yu started up and drew his sword, but out flew Sun Ce’s blade and the victim fell to the ground. His head was hacked off and sent into the city to his brother.

This had its effect. The White Tiger saw resistance was hopeless, so he abandoned the city and fled. Sun Ce pressed on with the invasion. Soon, Huang Gai captured Jiaxing and Taishi Ci took Wucheng. The district was quickly subdued. The White Tiger rushed off toward Hangzhou in the south, plundering wherever he went, till the local people organized themselves under the leadership of one Ling Cao and drove him fleeing toward Guiji.

The Lings, father and son, then went to meet Sun Ce, who employed them in his service as a reward for their part in dealing with the White Tiger. The army began to cross the river.

The White Tiger gathered his men and took up a position at the western ferry but he was there attacked by Cheng Pu and escaped to Guiji that night. The prefect of the place, Wang Lang, was sympathetic with the White Tiger and wanted to support him. But when he proposed this, one of his men stood forth and objected, “No! No! Sun Ce as a leader is humane and just, while the White Tiger is a savage ruffian. Better capture him and give him over to Sun Ce as a peace offering.”

The prefect turned angrily toward the speaker, who was an official named Yu Fan, and ordered him to be silent. He withdrew, sighing deeply. And the prefect went to the aid of the White Tiger, with whom he joined forces at Shanyin.

Soon Sun Ce’s army came to the spot. When both sides were in battle array Sun Ce rode out and addressed Wang Lang: “I have come with an army of justice and benevolence and my aim is to restore peace to Zhejiang. Why do you assist the ruffian?”

Wang Lang replied, “Your greed is insatiable. You have taken possession of the Wu districts and now you want to annex my area. Today I am going to avenge the Yans!”

This response greatly angered Sun Ce. He was about to rush forth and give battle when Taishi Ci flew out and engaged Wang Lang. Before they had exchanged many passes Wang Long’s officer, Zhou Xin, came out to help him. At once Huang Gai rode out to meet him. On both sides sounded thunderous drums and a ferocious fight ensued between the two pairs.

Suddenly, confusion started in the rear of Wang Lang’s army caused by a surprise onslaught of a small troop led by Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu. Wang Lang was startled and immediately turned to engage his new enemy. But attacked from both the front and the rear, he was in a hopeless position. So together with the White Tiger and Zhou Xin, he fought desperately, only just managing to reach the shelter of the city. The drawbridge was then raised, the gates closed, and preparations made to repel a siege.

Sun Ce followed right up to the city wall and divided his men so as to attack all four gates. Seeing how fiercely his enemy raided the city, Wang Lang proposed sallying forth and fighting it out with Sun Ce, but the White Tiger argued that it was hopeless to struggle against so strong a force. He advised the prefect to strengthen his defense and remain behind the shelter of the ramparts until hunger forced the besiegers to retreat. Wang Lang agreed and the siege went on.

For several days a vigorous attack was maintained but with little success. Sun Ce sought counsel with his officers. His uncle Sun Jing said, “Since they are holding the city with such resolution it will be difficult to dislodge them. But the bulk of their supplies are stored at Chadu, which is not far from here. Our best plan is to seize that place, thus attacking where the enemy is unprepared.”

Sun Ce said with joy: “Your plan is wonderful, uncle. The enemy will surely be crushed.” So he issued orders to kindle fires at the four gates and leave the banners standing all around, to create an appearance of soldiers in position, while the army was to break camp and go south.

Zhou Yu said, “When you go away, sir, the besieged will undoubtedly come out and follow you. We can prepare a surprise attack for them.”

Sun Ce replied, “I have thought about that. The city will be captured tonight.”

Then the army set out.

Wang Lang heard that the besiegers had gone and he went up to the tower to investigate. He saw beneath the city wall fires blazing, smoke rising, and banners fluttering in the wind as usual. He did not know what to make of it all and suspicion filled his heart.

Zhou Xin said, “Sun Ce has gone and this is only a trick to deceive us. Let us go out and smite him.”

The White Tiger said, “Maybe he is attacking Chadu. Let us pursue.”

“That place is our base of supply,” said Wang Lang, “and must be defended. You two lead the way and I will follow with the reserve force.”

So the White Tiger and Zhou Xin went forth with 5,000 men and came to a dense forest, some twenty
li
from the city, at about the first watch. Suddenly drums rolled and lighted torches sprang up on all sides. Frightened, the White Tiger turned to retreat. At once an enemy officer appeared in front who, by the glare of the torches, he recognized as Sun Ce. Zhou Xin came to his aid and made a rush at Sun Ce, but fell under his spear. The men surrendered. However, the White Tiger managed to cut his way out.

Wang Lang soon heard of the loss and, not daring to return to the city, fled in haste to the coast.

Sun Ce then turned back to capture the city and appease the people. The following day a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as an offering to him. This man was a native of this district named Dong Xi. He was of medium height with a square face and wide mouth. Sun Ce was very pleased and employed him as an officer in his army. After this the whole district came under Sun Ce’s rule. Having placed his uncle in command and Zhu Zhi as the prefect, he returned to the east.

While Sun Ce was absent a band of brigands suddenly made an attack on the city of Xuan, left in the care of his brother Sun Quan and an officer called Zhou Tai. The onslaught was made on all sides at once, and late in the night the enemy got the upper hand. Zhou Tai helped Sun Quan onto a horse and tried to escape, but scores of robbers came up with swords to assault them. Zhou Tai, without horse or mail, met them on foot and slew more than ten of them. Then a brigand rode directly at him with his spear ready to strike, but Zhou Tai laid hold of his opponent’s weapon and pulled him down from his horse. Then he mounted the robber’s horse and, thrusting this way and that with the spear, he fought his way out and rescued his young master Sun Quan. He himself, however, received more than a dozen wounds.

These wounds being caused by metal would not heal but swelled enormously, and the brave soldier’s life hung in the balance. When Sun Ce returned and learned about this, he was deeply grieved. Then Dong Xi said, “I once fought with some pirates and suffered many spear wounds. Fortunately a kind official named Yu Fan recommended to me a very good doctor who cured me in two weeks.”

“Is he also called Yu Zhong-xiang?” asked Sun Ce.

“Yes, he is.”

“I know he is truly an upright man. I will invite him to my service.”

So Sun Ce sent Dong Xi and Zhang Zhao to go and find this man and he came with them. He was treated graciously and appointed an official. Then the question of finding a doctor for the dying man was brought up.

“The doctor’s name is Hua Tuo, native of Peiguo. He has perfectly marvelous skill in the art of medicine. I will ask him to come,” said Yu Fan.