The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 (70 page)

Guo Tu said, “Camp your men outside, then invite your brother and Shen Pei to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter can be easily solved.”

Yuan Tan agreed. It so happened that one of his subordinates arrived just then from his own city and Yuan Tan confided to him the plot. But the official opposed this plan and said, “Brothers are as one’s own limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your own brother and sever the relationship, whom can you call a relation in all the world? That fellow Guo Tu is a dangerous mischief maker, who is ready to sow dissension between brothers for a temporary advantage—I beg you to shut your ears to his vile words.”

This was displeasing to Yuan Tan and he angrily dismissed the official. In the meantime, the treacherous invitation was sent to his brother.

Yuan Shang talked over the matter with his advisor who said, “This must be a trick of Guo Tu’s. If you go you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them first.”

So Yuan Shang put on his mail and rode out to give battle. Seeing that he had come with a big army, Yuan Tan knew that his plot had been discovered, so he also took the field. When the two forces were close enough, Yuan Shang let out a volley of abuse on his eldest brother, who returned the curses. “You poisoned our father and usurped power—and now you have come to slay your elder brother!” shouted Yuan Tan.

The two brothers fought with each other but the elder one was soon defeated. Yuan Shang himself took part in the battle, risking arrows and stones. He urged on his men and drove his elder brother from the field. Yuan Tan took refuge in Pingyuan and Yuan Shang drew off his men to his won city.

Yuan Tan and his advisor decided upon a new attack and this time they chose Cen Bi to lead the army. Yuan Shang went to meet him. When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Cen Bi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. Yuan Shang was going to answer the challenge himself, when one of his officers went out before him. The two of them fought but a few bouts when Cen Bi fell. Yuan Tan’s men were once more defeated and fled to Pingyuan again. Shen Pei urged his master to follow it up with pursuit and Yuan Tan was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go forth. So the city was besieged on three sides.

Yuan Tan consulted his strategist on what should be done next and the latter said, “The city is short of food and our enemy is too flushed with victory for us to withstand. My idea is to send someone to offer surrender to Cao Cao and thus get him to attack Jizhou. Your brother will be forced to return there, which will leave you free to join the attack. And he can be captured. If Cao Cao gets the better of your brother’s army we will collect his force to fight against Cao Cao, and as Cao Cao’s army comes from a long way away, he will be short of supply and he will soon withdraw. Then we can seize Jizhou and plan our own great cause.”

Yuan Tan accepted his advice and asked him who could be sent as a messenger.

“I think Xin Bi is the right person to send. He is the younger brother of your advisor Xin Ping, and magistrate of this very place. He is a fluent speaker and well-suited to your purpose.”

So Xin Bi was summoned and he accepted the mission readily enough. A letter was given to him and an escort of 3,000 soldiers took him beyond the border. He traveled as quickly as possible to see Cao Cao.

At that time Cao Cao’s camp was at Xiping and he was attacking Liu Biao, who had sent Liu Bei out as the pioneer force to resist the enemy. No battle had yet taken place.

Soon after his arrival Xin Bi was admitted to Cao Cao’s presence and, after exchanging friendly salutations, was asked about the object of his visit. Xin Bi explained that Yuan Tan wanted assistance and presented his letter. Cao Cao read it and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his advisors and officers to a council.

The council met. Cheng Yu said, “Yuan Tan has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure from his brother’s attack. You cannot trust him.”

Lu Qian and Man Chong said, “You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yuan Tan?”

“Gentlemen, I’m afraid none of your advice is good enough,” interposed Xun You. “This is how I regard it. As we know, there is universal strife in the country, yet in the midst of this Liu Biao remains quietly content with his position between the Yangtze and the Han rivers. It is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yuans hold four prefectures and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family and none can foresee who will rule the land in the future. Now the fraternal conflict has forced one of them to yield to our lord. We can take advantage of this to remove Yuan Shang, and then wait until suitable opportunities arise so that Yuan Tan can be destroyed in his turn. Thus the empire will be ours. These present circumstances should be taken advantage of in full.”

Cao Cao realized the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he asked, “But is Yuan Tan’s surrender real or false? Do you really think that Yuan Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”

Xin Bi replied, “Do not inquire the degree of his sincerity, sir—rather, consider if the situation is favorable to you. The Yuans have been suffering military losses for years. They are exhausted by wars abroad and weakened by conflicts among advisors within. The brothers are alienated from each other because they listen to slanders around them and their land is thus divided. In addition to all this there is famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion. Therefore, everybody, wise or simple, can see that the catastrophe is near—that the time ordained by Heaven for the destruction of the Yuans is at hand. Now, when you go and attack Jizhou, Yuan Shang will be put in a dilemma. If he does not return to rescue the city, he will lose his place of refuge; but if he does, he will be pursued from behind by his brother. With your military power to counter his exhausted army it will be as easy as an autumn gale sweeping away the fallen leaves.

“If you do not give up this opportunity to attack Liu Biao in Jingzhou, you will be making a serious mistake. Now Jingzhou is a land of prosperity, the government is peaceful, the people submissive and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, Hebei is the very place that nourishes trouble. If Hebei is conquered, then your supremacy will be established. I pray you, sir, think of all this.”

“How I regret that I had not met you earlier!” said Cao Cao, much gratified with this speech.

So orders were given to return and attack Jizhou. Liu Bei, fearing this retreat was only a trick, allowed it to proceed without interference, and he himself returned to Jingzhou.

When Yuan Shang heard that Cao Cao had crossed the river he hastily led his army back to his own place, ordering the two Lus to guard the rear. Seeing this, his brother Yuan Tan started from Pingyuan with a force in pursuit. He had not proceeded far when he heard an explosion and two bodies of men came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were the Lu brothers.

Yuan Tan reined in and addressed them. “While my father lived I never treated you badly—why do you support my brother and try to injure me?”

The two men had no reply, so they dismounted and yielded to him.

Yuan Tan said, “Don’t surrender to me but to Prime Minister Cao.” And he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Cao Cao and then presented the two of them. Cao Cao was very happy and promised to give his daughter in marriage to Yuan Tan, with the two Lu brothers as matchmakers.

Yuan Tan asked Cao Cao to attack Jizhou but his new patron said, “Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must first dredge the rivers so that grain can be conveyed here, and afterwards I can advance.”

Ordering Yuan Tan to remain in Pingyuan, Cao Cao withdrew into camp at Liyang. The two Lu brothers, who were renegades from Yuan Shang, now raised to the ranks of nobles, followed the army to render their service whenever necessary.

Guo Tu noted their advancement and said to Yuan Tan, “Cao Cao has promised you a daughter as wife. I fear he is not being true. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lus and taken them with him. This is a trick to win the hearts of the northern people, which will ultimately ruin us. You, my lord, should confer the title of general on the two Lus and have the seals engraved. Then send them secretly to the brothers and ask them to be your men in his camp, ready for the day when Cao Cao has destroyed your brother and we can begin to work against him.”

The seals were engraved and sent. However, as soon as the Lu brothers received them they went to show them to Cao Cao, who laughed and said: “He wants your support so he sends you seals as his officers. He is waiting for his chance after I have dealt with Yuan Shang. You may keep the seals for the time being. l know what to do.” After this Cao Cao began to think of killing Yuan Tan.

In Jizhou Yuan Shang was also discussing the situation with his advisor Shen Pei.

“Cao Cao is getting grain into Baigou, which means he will attack Jizhou. What is to be done?” asked Yuan Shang.

Shen Pei replied, “Send a letter to Yin Kai, bidding him to camp at Maocheng to secure the road of transportation for grain, and direct Ju Gu to maintain Handan as a distant support. Then you can unleash a swift assault on Pingyuan and attack your brother. First destroy him and then deal with Cao Cao.”

The plan seemed good. Yuan Shang left Shen Pei and Chen Lin in charge of Jizhou, appointed two officers as van leaders, and set out hastily for Pingyuan.

When Yuan Tan heard of the approach of his brother’s army, he sent urgent messages to Cao Cao for help. Cao Cao said, “I am going to get Jizhou this time.”

Just at this time, Xu You came down from the capital. When he heard that Yuan Shang was attacking his brother, Yuan Tan he went in to see Cao Cao and said, “Sir, you sit here idle—are you waiting for thunder from Heaven to strike down the two Yuans?”

“I have thought it all out,” smiled Cao Cao.

Then he ordered Cao Hong to go and attack Jizhou, while he led another force to smite Yin Kai. When Cao Cao’s army arrived, Yin Kai led his men out to oppose him. However, he was soon killed by Xu Chu and his men ran away and presently joined Cao Cao’s army. Next he led the army to Handan and Ju Gu came out to fight him. Zhang Liao advanced to engage him in combat and after the third encounter Ju Gu was defeated and fled. Zhang Liao went after him and when their two horses were not far apart, he took his bow and shot. The fleeing officer fell as the bowstring twanged. Cao Cao himself commanded the onslaught that completed the rout and Ju Hu’s force was dispersed.

Now Cao Cao led his army for an attack on Jizhou. Cao Hong was close to the city and a regular siege began. The invading army surrounded the city by throwing up mounds all around. They also secretly dug tunnels in order to enter the city through the underground passage.

Within the city Shen Pei turned his whole care to the defense and issued the severest commands. The officer of the east gate, Feng Li, was drunk and failed to maintain his watch, for which he was severely punished. In resentment he sneaked out of the city to surrender to the besiegers and told them how the city could be entered. The traitor told that the earth within one of the gates was solid enough to be tunneled and entrance could be effected there. So Feng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under cover of darkness.

After Feng Li had deserted to the enemy, Shen Pei went every night to the wall to inspect the men on duty. That night he went to that gate and saw that there were no lights outside the city. All was perfectly quiet. He said to himself, “Feng Li is certain to guide the enemy into the city by an underground passage.” So he ordered his men to carry stones and pile them outside the opening of the tunnel. The opening was stopped up and Feng Li and the three hundred men perished in the tunnel. Cao Cao, having failed in this attempt, abandoned the scheme of underground attack. He drew off the army to a place by the Huan River to wait till Yuan Shang should return to relieve the city.

As soon as Yuan Shang heard of the defeat of his two supporters by Cao Cao and the siege of his own city, he withdrew from Pingyuan to return to Jizhou. One of his officers said: “The high road will surely be ambushed—we must find some other way. We can take a byroad from the West Hills and get through to the Fu River, from where we can fall upon Cao Cao’s camp.”

The plan was accepted and Yuan Shang started off with the main body while two of his officers brought up the rear.

Cao Cao’s spies soon found out this move and reported it to him. Cao Cao said, “If he comes by the high road I will have to keep out of the way but if he comes by the byroad I can decisively defeat him. And I think he will light a blaze as a signal to the besieged so that they will make a sortie. I will prepare to attack both.” So he made his arrangements.

Now Yuan Shang went out by the Fu River Pass and turned east to Yangping near where he camped. The place was seventeen
li
to his own city and the Fu River ran beside the camp. He ordered his men to collect firewood and grass ready for the blaze he intended to make at night as a signal. He also sent Li Fu, a civil official, disguised as an officer of Cao Cao’s army, to inform Shen Pei of his intentions.

Li Fu reached the city wall safely and called out to the guards to open the gates for him. Shen Pei recognized his voice and let him in. Thus Shen Pei knew of his master’s arrangements and it was agreed that a blaze should be raised within the city so that the sortie could be simultaneous with Yuan Shang’s attack. Orders were given to collect inflammables.