The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 (38 page)

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Governor of Huainan, a spacious and prosperous region, Yuan Shu was very powerful. Later the possession of the Imperial Seal added to his self-esteem. And he began to seriously think of assuming the title of Emperor. So he assembled all his subordinates and addressed them as follows:

“Of old the founder of the Han Dynasty was only an official of a very low rank and yet he became ruler of an empire. Now, after four hundred years of rule, the Hans have exhausted their fortune. They no longer have authority; and the country is the scene of turbulent unrest. My family has held the highest offices of the state for four generations and is universally respected. Therefore I intend to assume the imperial dignity in response to the will of Heaven and the desire of the people. What do you all think of this?”

Yan Xiang rose at once to oppose. “No, you should not do this. In the past, the ancestor of the House of Zhou was of distinguished virtue and had many merits. Later when King Wen ruled the House of Zhou he had already acquired two-thirds of the empire, yet he still served the Emperor of the Shang Dynasty as his lord. Your family is honorable but it is not so glorious as that of the House of Zhou in its prime. The Hans may be weak but they are not so abominably cruel as Emperor Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Indeed, what you propose should never be done.”

Yuan Shu heard his words with great anger. “We Yuans came from Chen, who was a descendant of the ancient Emperor Shun. So I am of royal descent and my element of fortune is ‘earth,’ which agrees with the heavenly revelation that ‘fire,’ the element for the Hans, is to be replaced by ‘earth.’ Secondly, there is an oracle which says, ‘He who succeeds the Hans must be on the high roads.’ My name, Gong-lu, means ‘the high road.’ It fits exactly. Thirdly, I possess the Hereditary Seal of the State. If I do not become lord of all I will be acting against Heaven’s rule. My mind is made up. Whoever dares to object will be put to death.”

So he declared himself the new Emperor and his subordinates were given official titles of ministers. He rode in a carriage decorated with a dragon and a phoenix and offered sacrifices to Heaven and Earth after the manner of an Emperor in the north and south suburbs. A girl of the Feng family was made the Empress and his son, the Heir Apparent. Then he sent his men to Xuzhou to press for an early wedding of Lu Bu’s daughter with his son, so that the palace entourage might be complete.

But when he heard of the fate of his marriage ambassador he was very angry and began at once to plot revenge. Zhang Xun was made the general commander leading an enormous army of more than 200,000 men in seven divisions, each with its own leader and instructed to make a specific town his objective. The Governor of Yanzhou was ordered to superintend the supply of provisions, but he declined the office and so was put to death. General Ji Ling was in command of the reserve forces to help wherever he was required. Yuan Shu himself led 30,000 soldiers to reinforce the seven divisions and he appointed three veteran officers to supervise and see that the various armies did not lag behind.

Lu Bu found out from his scouts that Xuzhou, Xiaopei, and five other towns were the immediate targets under attack. The armies were marching fifty
li
a day, and plundering the countryside as they advanced.

He summoned his advisers to a council, to which came Chen Gong as well as Chen Deng and his father. When all had assembled Chen Gong said, “This misfortune is provoked by Chen Deng and his father, who fawned upon the court in order to obtain ranks and appointments for themselves. Now they shift the blame on to you, General. Just put these two to death and send their heads to Yuan Shu and the armies will withdraw.”

Lu Bu assented and had the two arrested. But the son, Chen Deng, only laughed. “What is this anxiety about?” he said. “These seven armies are no more to me than so many heaps of rotting straw. They are not worth thinking about.”

“If you can show us how to overcome them I will spare your life,” said Lu Bu.

“General, if you will listen to my words the city will be perfectly safe,” said Chen Deng.

“Let us hear what you have to say.”

“Yuan Shu’s men are numerous but they are only a motley crowd, not an army under a leader. There is no mutual trust. I can keep them at bay with a firm defense or overcome them by surprise strategies. What is more, I have another plan by which not only the city can be protected but Yuan Shu will be captured.”

“Go ahead and tell us,” said Lu Bu.

“Yang Feng and Han Xian, two of the seven leaders of our enemies, are old servants of the Han Dynasty who fled from fear of Cao Cao and, being homeless, sought temporary refuge with Yuan Shu. Naturally he despises them and they, in their turn, are dissatisfied to be in his service. A letter from you will secure their help as our allies from the inside, and with Liu Bei to help us on the outside we can certainly capture Yuan Shu.”

“You must deliver the letters yourself,” said Lu Bu.

Chen Deng agreed. Then Lu Bu prepared a memorial to report the situation to the court, wrote the letters to the two leaders and to Liu Bei, and finally sent Chen Deng, with a small escort, to wait for Han Xian on the road. When Han Xian’s army had halted and pitched camp, Chen Deng went to see him.

“What are you here for?” asked Han Xian. “You are Lu Bu’s man.”

“I am an official of the great Hans. Why do you call me Lu Bu’s man? But you, General, used to be an imperial officer, now serve under a traitor. You cancel out the grand services you rendered in protecting the Emperor and I do not think it a worthy exchange. Besides, Yuan Shu is by nature a suspicious person and he will surely harm you later. If you do not take this opportunity to work against him it will be too late to regret.”

Han Xian sighed. “I would give my allegiance to Han if there should be any opportunity.”

Then Chen Deng gave him the letter from Lu Bu. After reading it he said, “I see. Please go back and tell your master that General Yang and I will turn our weapons around and smite Yuan Shu. Look out for a signal flare and ask your master to come to our aid.”

As soon as Chen Deng had got back and reported his success, Lu Bu divided his men into five divisions of 10,000 soldiers each. He himself went to oppose Yuan Shu’s main body under the chief commander, Zhang Xun, and sent the others to four points to meet their enemies. The rest were left to guard the city.

Lu Bu camped thirty
li
from the city. Soon his enemy came up. Knowing that he was no match for Lu Bu, the enemy commander retreated twenty
li
to await reinforcements.

That night, in the second watch, Han Xian and Yang Feng arrived and at once the flare was lighted as arranged. Lu Bu’s men were admitted into the camp, causing great confusion. Taking advantage of this Lu Bu launched a fierce attack and Zhang Xun fled in defeat. Lu Bu pursued till daylight, when he fell in with one of Yuan Shu’s other armed forces led by Ji Ling. The two armies faced each other, but just as they were beginning to engage in battle Yang Feng and Han Xian also came up to join the attack and Ji Ling was forced to fly.

Lu Bu went in pursuit but soon from the rear of some hills appeared another force, marching toward him with all the pomposity of a royal expedition. It was preceded by flags bearing the dragon and the phoenix, representations of the sun and moon, and all kinds of imperial emblems. And beneath a yellow silken umbrella sat Yuan Shu on horseback, clad in golden mail with a sword handle showing at each wrist.

Riding in front of his army Yuan Shu railed at his opponent, calling him a traitor and a slave. Lu Bu said nothing but rode forward to give battle and one of Yuan Shu’s officers advanced to take the challenge. They met, but at the third bout, the man was wounded in the hand, at which he fled leaving his spear on the ground. Lu Bu waved on the advance and his men prevailed. The other side fled, leaving much spoil, including clothing, mail, and horses.

Yuan Shu’s defeated men had not gone far, however, when another strong troop, led by Guan Yu, appeared before them and barred their way of escape.

“You rebel! Get down and be slain!” cried Guan Yu.

Yuan Shu fled in great trepidation and his army melted in all directions. Guan Yu led his men to fall upon them with great slaughter. Yuan Shu and the remnant of his army retreated back to his own district.

Victory being now secure, Lu Bu, in company with Guan Yu, Yang Feng, and Han Xian, returned to Xuzhou, where he entertained his guests with banquets and rewarded all, including the soldiers. These over, Guan Yu took his leave, while Han Xian and Yang Feng were both recommended by Lu Bu to be magistrates of two cities in Shandong.

Lu Bu consulted his advisors about whether he should keep these two in Xuzhou but Chen Gui was opposed to it. “Let them hold those places in Shandong, which will all be yours within a year.” Lu Bu agreed and so they were sent to station their armies there and, in the meantime, to await court confirmations of their posts.

“Why not retain them here?” asked Chen Deng secretly of his father. “They can be used for our plan against Lu Bu.”

“But if they helped him, on the other hand, he would be made even stronger,” said his father.

Chen Deng could only but admire his father’s foresight.

Yuan Shu returned home burning to avenge his defeat, so he sent a messenger to Sun Ce to borrow soldiers from him. Sun Ce was very angry at the request. He said, “He does not return me the Imperial Seal but assumes the title of Emperor on the strength of it and betrays the Hans. He is an out-and-out rebel! I am just going to lead my army to punish him. How dare he expect me to help him?”

So he refused. His letter refusing help added to Yuan Shu’s anger. “What impudence!” he cried. “That callow youth! I will smite him before I deal with Lu Bu.” It was only after earnest dissuasion from one of his advisors that he gave up this course.

Having sent the letter of refusal to Yuan Shu, Sun Ce thought it wise to take measures for his own safety. So he stationed an army at the mouth of the river. Soon after, an envoy from Cao came with a decree bearing his appointment as Prefect of Guiji and ordering him to raise an army against Yuan Shu.

Sun Ce was inclined to carry out these orders and he called a council to discuss the matter at hand. But Zhang Zhao opposed this course. He said, “Although recently defeated, Yuan Shu still has many men and ample supplies. He is not to be treated lightly. You had better write to Cao to persuade him to lead an expedition to the south and we will support him. If our two armies join forces Yuan Shu will certainly be defeated. If, by the remotest chance, we lose, we have Cao to come to our rescue.” This plan was adopted and a messenger was sent to lay it before Cao Cao.

Back in the capital Cao Cao’s first thought was to dedicate sacrifices to his lost warrior Dian Wei. He conferred rank upon his son and took him into his own house to be cared for.

Presently Sun Ce’s messenger arrived with the letter from his master and next came a report that Yuan Shu, being short of food, had raided Chenliu. Cao Cao thought the moment opportune, so he issued orders for the expedition south, leaving Cao Ren to hold the city. The force consisted of 170,000 horse and foot soldiers, with wagons of food to the number of over a thousand. Messages were sent to summon Sun Ce, Liu Bei, and Lu Bu to launch a joint attack.

When the army reached Yuzhou, Liu Bei was already there to welcome Cao Cao and was called into his tent. After the usual salutations Liu Bei produced two heads.

“Whose are these?” asked Cao Cao in surprise.

“The heads of Han Xian and Yang Feng.”

“How did this happen?’

“They were sent by Lu Bu to station in two cities in Shandong but they allowed their soldiers to plunder the people and bitter complaints arose. So I invited them to a banquet during which my brothers slew them when I gave the signal by dropping a cup. All their men gave in at once. I must apologize for my fault.”

“You have removed an evil, which is a grand service: why talk of a fault?”

And he praised Liu Bei for what he had done.

When the joint army reached the borders of Xuzhou, Lu Bu came to meet them. Cao Cao spoke graciously to him and conferred upon him the title of General of the Left Division, promising to confirm his governership of Xuzhou as soon as he returned to the capital. Lu Bu was very pleased.

Then the three armies were made into one force, Cao Cao being in the center and the other two on the wings. Xiahou Dun and Yue Jin were van leaders.

On Yuan Shu’s side a major officer named Qiao Sui was appointed van leader with 50,000 men. The armies met in the confines of Shouchun. The two van leaders rode out and opened battle. Qiao Sui fell in the third bout and his men fled into the city. Then came news that Sun Ce’s fleet was near and would attack on the west while the three land corps of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Lu Bu attacked on the three other sides—the city was in a perilous state.

At this juncture Yuan Shu summoned his advisors for immediate consultation. Yang Da-jiang said, “Shouchun has suffered from flood or drought for several years and the people are on the verge of famine. Now the war adds to their distress and anger, and resistance would be uncertain. I think it would be better not to fight, but to hold on till the besiegers are conquered by lack of supplies. Your Majesty can move over to the other side of the river with your palace guards so as to be ready for the harvest season and to avoid open confrontation with the enemy.”