The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 (40 page)

Cao Cao then rallied his army and mustered his men. He had lost 50,000 men and much baggage, while two of his captains , Lu Qian and Yue Jin, were wounded.

Cao Cao being thus worsted, Zhang Xiu wrote to Liu Biao to urge him to cut off his retreat so that he might be utterly destroyed.

Liu Biao was beginning to prepare an army for this purpose when a scout came to say that Sun Ce had encamped at the mouth of the river. His advisor Kuai Liang proposed that the expedition depart immediately, arguing that Sun Ce’s move was part of Cao Cao’s strategy to pose an appearance of threat so as to discourage them from pursuing him.

“Cao Cao would certainly come to our harm if he were allowed to escape this time,” concluded Kuai Liang.

Therefore Liu Biao moved out with his army to camp at Anzhong to block Cao Cao’s way of retreat, leaving Huang Zu behind to hold firmly the point of vantage. Zhang Xiu, having been informed of his ally’s movement, went with Jia Xu to smite Cao Cao once more.

In the meantime Cao Cao’s army, marching at a slow pace, had arrived at the Yu River. Suddenly he uttered a great cry, and when his officers asked him the reason, he replied, “I remember that it was here, only a year ago, that I lost my great warrior Dian Wei. I cannot hold back my tears.”

Therefore he gave orders to halt while he administered a solemn memorial service to lament over his lost hero. At the ceremony he himself burned incense and wailed and bowed. The army was much affected by his devotion. After that he offered sacrifices to his deceased nephew and his eldest son, as well as all his lost soldiers—and even his steed, which had been killed by an arrow.

The next day a messenger sent by Xun Yu came from the capital with the news that Liu Biao had gone to Zhang Xiu’s assistance and was camped at Anzhong, thereby cutting his road of retreat. In his letter to his advisor Cao Cao stated: “I have been marching only a short distance each day and of course knew of the pursuit. But my plans are laid and, as I get near Anzhong, my enemy will be broken. You need not have any fears.”

Then he hastened his march till he came close to where Liu Biao had taken up position. Zhang Xiu still followed. During the night, Cao Cao ordered his men to open a secret way through a pass, where he laid an ambush.

With the first light of dawn the two armies of Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu met. As Cao Cao’s force looked small, they thought he had escaped so they boldly advanced into the pass to smite him. All at once the ambushed soldiers rushed out and both the attackers’ forces were badly mauled. The fighting ended, Cao Cao’s men left the pass and encamped.

Meanwhile, the two defeated leaders collected together their beaten men and held a conference.

“How come we fell for his wicked ruse?” said Liu Biao in disbelief.

“We will try to get him again,” replied his colleague.

And so they joined forces at Anzhong.

But at that time Xun Yu discovered through his spies that Yuan Shao was preparing an attack on the capital, so he at once wrote to Cao Cao who, much disturbed by this news, set out homeward at once. When Zhang Xiu heard this through his scouts he wanted to follow the retreating army. Jia Xu strongly opposed the idea and said it would surely lead to a defeat. However, Liu Biao was also of the opinion that it was wrong to lose such a chance and so finally pursuit was decided upon.

They had not marched very far before they came upon Cao Cao’s rear force, who fought with great vigor and bravery, so that the pursuers were beaten off and returned home discomfited.

Zhang Xiu said to Jia Xu, “This defeat comes from my not following your advice.”

“Now set your army in order and pursue,” said Jia Xu.

“But we have just suffered defeat!” cried both leaders. “Do you now want us to pursue again?”

“Yes, and the result will be a great victory if you go immediately. I will guarantee that with my head.”

Zhang Xiu was persuaded but his colleague was unconvinced and would not accompany him. So only one army started in pursuit.

However, this was enough. Cao Cao’s rear force was thoroughly routed and abandoned their wagons and their baggage in their hasty flight. Zhang Xiu pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from behind some hills and checked him. Fearful to push further, he hastened back to Anzhong.

Feeling quite confused, Liu Biao asked the adviser to explain his apparent inconsistency. “When our veteran and brave soldiers were going to pursue those who retreated you said our men would lose the day; and when our defeated men pursued the victors you predicted victory. You were right in both cases, but I hope you would enlighten me as to how?”

“It is easy to explain. You, generals, although skilled leaders, are not a match for Cao Cao. Though he had lost a battle he would certainly place able warriors in the rear to guard against pursuit. Our men are good, but not a match for them. That was how I knew we would be defeated. Now Cao Cao’s hurried retreat can only be interpreted by trouble in the capital and after he had beaten off our men, I knew he would retreat at his utmost speed and not take his usual precautions. I ventured to take advantage of his laxity.”

Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu could not but admire his wisdom.

On the advice of Jia Xu, Liu Biao returned to Jingzhou, while Zhang Xiu took up his position at the neighboring Xiangcheng, so that each strengthened the other as the lips protect the teeth.

When Cao Cao, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued he hastily turned back to support the rear. By then, however, the pursuing army had already drawn off. The defeated men said: “Had it not been for the troop that came out of the hills we would all have been captured.”

“What troop?” asked Cao Cao in surprise.

The leader of the troop, taking his spear and dismounting, came forward to bow to Cao Cao and introduced himself as Li Tong, an officer of some rank.

Cao Cao asked him where his troop was stationed.

Li Tong replied, “I am holding the nearby city of Runan. When I heard of the battle, sir, I came specially to lend you any help I could.”

To show his gratitude Cao Cao conferred upon him an honorable title and commanded him to guard the region west of Runan as a defense against Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao. Then Li Tong thanked him and took his leave.

On his return to the capital, Cao Cao offered a memorial on the good services rendered by Sun Ce, who was duly created Lord of Wu as well as General-Captor of Rebels. The envoy bearing the decree to the south bore also an order urging Sun Ce to subdue any attack from Liu Biao.

Cao Cao went to his house, where he received the ceremonial calls of his subordinates. These finished, Xun Yu asked, “You, sir, marched very leisurely to Anzhong; how come that you felt certain of victory?”

Cao Cao replied, “He who finds his retreat cut off will fight desperately. I went slowly to entice them into following so that I could smite them. Basing my movement on these considerations I felt secure.”

Xun Yu bowed to him in admiration.

Just then Guo Jia entered. “Why are you so late?” asked his master.

The late comer drew a letter from his sleeve and said: “Yuan Shao has sent you this in which he says he desires to attack Gongsun Zan and wishes to borrow provisions and men from you.”

“I heard he was going to attack the capital—I suppose my return has made him change his mind,” said Cao Cao.

Then he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant language.

“He is so exceedingly rude that I wish to attack him,” said Cao Cao to Guo Jia. “Only I think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?”

Guo Jia replied, “My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu; the former won only by superior strategies. Xiang Yu was the stronger, but in the end he was overcome. Your rival has ten weak points, whereas you have ten strong ones. Although his army is large, it is not irresistible.

“Yuan Shao is too caught up in ceremony and show while you, on the other hand, are more practical. He is often antagonistic and tends to force things, whereas you are more conciliatory and try to guide things to their proper courses, giving you the advantage of popular support. His extravagance hinders his administrative ability while your better efficiency is a great contribution to the government, granting you the edge of a well-structured and stable administration. On the outside he is very kind and giving but on the inside he is grudging and suspicious. You are just the opposite, appearing very exacting but actually very understanding of your followers’ strengths and weaknesses. This grants you the benefit of tolerance. He lacks commitment where you are unfaltering in your decisions, promptly acting on your plans with full faith that they will succeed. This shows an advantage in strategy and decisiveness. He believes a man is only as good as his reputation, which contrasts with you, who looks beyond this to see what kind of person they really are. This demonstrates that you are a better judge of moral character. He only pays attention to those followers close to him, while your vision is all-encompassing. This shows your superior supervision. He is easily misled by poor advice, whereas you maintain sound judgment even if beset by evil council. This is a sign of your independence of thought. He does not always know what is right and wrong but you have an unwavering sense of justice. This shows how you excel in discipline. He has a massive army, but the men are poorly trained and not ready for war. Your army, though much smaller, is far superior and well provisioned, giving you the edge in planning and logistics, allowing you to execute effectively. With your ten superiorities you will have no difficulty in subduing Yuan Shao.”

“How can I be worth as much as you say?” said Cao Cao, smiling.

“What he says agrees exactly with what I think,” said Xun Yu. “Yuan Shao’s army is not formidable in spite of its size.”

“The really dangerous enemy is Lu Bu,” said Guo Jia. “Since Yuan Shao is going north to destroy Gongsun Zan, we ought to strike at Lu Bu and so clear away the threat from that side, which is a better policy. Otherwise if we attack Yuan Shao, Lu Bu will seize the opportunity to make an attempt on the capital. That would be disastrous.”

Cao Cao agreed with his advisors and began to discuss with them plans for an attack on Lu Bu. Xun Yu was of the opinion that they should first secure the fidelity and aid of Liu Bei before taking any action. So a letter was dispatched to Liu Bei while they waited for his assurance of aid. Then, in order to pacify Yuan Shao, his emissary was treated with great kindness and a decree obtained from the Emperor to confer extra honors on him, creating him governor of the four prefectures in the north. A private letter was also sent to him approving his attack on Gongsun Zan and promising assistance. Yuan Shao was very pleased with Cao Cao’s reply and his army set out.

Let us now shift our attention to Lu Bu in Xuzhou. Chen Deng and his father, secret allies of Cao Cao, were playing their game. At every feast and gathering they would utter the most extravagant compliments of Lu Bu. Chen Gong was greatly displeased and took an opportunity to talk about this to his master. “These two flatter you to your face, but it is hard to tell what they harbor in their hearts. You ought to be more careful on your guard.”

“Hold your tongue!” was the angry reply. “You are simply slandering them without the slightest cause. Do you want to harm good men?”

“He turns a deaf ear to loyal words and we will suffer,” sighed Chen Gong as he went away, sad at heart.

He thought seriously of abandoning Lu Bu, but that would be too painful a wrench. Besides, he feared people would mock him.

So the days passed sorrowfully for him. One day, with a few horsemen, he rode out to the country near Xiaopei to hunt. On the high road he saw a messenger galloping along in hot haste and began to wonder what it might mean. He gave up the hunt, rode across the country and intercepted the rider.

“Where are you from? Who sent you?” asked Chen Gong.

The messenger was too terrified to reply, for he knew to which party his captors belonged. Chen Gong ordered his men to search him and found a letter, the secret reply to Cao Cao’s letter from Liu Bei. The messenger and the letter were both taken straight to Lu Bu. He questioned the man, who said he had been sent by the prime minister to Liu Bei with a letter and was now taking back the reply. He was ignorant of the content of the letter. Lu Bu tore it open and read it.

The letter said, “I have received your command concerning the destruction of Lu Bu and never for a moment dare I venture to disregard it. But my force is weak and I must act with extreme discretion. If you move your main body, then I will hasten forward as the van and in the meantime my men will be getting ready and weapons prepared. I await your command.”

Lu Bu was furious. “That wretch Cao Cao!” he cried. “How dare he act thus!”

The unhappy messenger was put to death and counter-moves planned. Chen Gong and Zang Ba, together with the outlaws in the Taishan Mountains, were ordered to take Yanzhou in Shandong. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao were to attack Liu Bei in Xiaopei. Two other officers were to go and conquer the west regions. Lu Bu himself took command of the center force ready to offer help wherever needed.

The departure of the army under Gao Shun and Zhang Liao against Xiaopei was reported to Liu Bei, who at once assembled his men for a council. Sun Qian suggested sending an urgent message to inform Cao Cao of their danger and his advice was accepted. In response to the chief’s call, Jian Yong, a fellow townsman of Liu Bei’s, offered to take the message. So a letter was written and the man set out at once on his journey.