The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 (48 page)

“The rebels very nearly caught me today,” he said smiling.

“They would have got across the river if someone had not turned out the cattle and horses to distract them,” said Xu Chu.

“Who was that person?” asked Cao Cao.

Someone who knew told him. Before long the magistrate came in to pay his respects and Cao Cao thanked him.

“I should have been a prisoner but for your clever plan,” he said. And the magistrate was given a post in the army.

“Though they have gone, they will assuredly return tomorrow,” said the magistrate. “You must prepare to repel them.”

“My preparations are all made.”

Cao Cao ordered his officers to spread themselves along the riverbank and dig tunnels as temporary shelters. If they saw the enemy approaching they were to lead their men outside the tunnel but create an impression of occupation by placing ensigns around. Along the river they were to dig ditches, which were to be hidden from sight by putting some boards and loose soil over them. After that, they were to entice the enemy there, who would stumble into the pits and fall easy victims.

Ma Chao returned to tell Han Sui how he had nearly captured Cao Cao, but a certain bold officer had carried Cao Cao on his back and leaped with him into a boat.

Han Sui replied, “I have heard that Cao Cao’s personal guards were the bravest and strongest soldiers under the command of Dian Wei and Xu Chu. They are called the Tiger Guards. As Dian Wei is dead, the man you saw must have been Xu Chu. He is both brave and powerful and goes by the name of Mad Tiger. Do be careful when you meet him.”

“I know his name, too,” said Ma Chao.

“Cao Cao now means to attack our rear,” continued Han Sui. “Let us attack first, before he can establish camps and stockades. Once he is encamped it will be difficult to dislodge him.”

“My idea is that we should hold the north bank and prevent him from crossing the river.”

“What about you keeping guard here while I go and fight Cao Cao?”

“If you go, take Pang De with you,” said Ma Chao.

So Han Sui and Pang De, with 50,000 men, went down to the river. Cao Cao at once ordered his officers to take up positions by the sides of the tunnel to draw the enemy there. Pang De was ahead with a goodly squadron of ironclad horsemen and they charged along at full speed. Then there arose a confused shouting as they all went plunging into the pits prepared for them. Pang De mustered all his strength and soon leaped out onto the level ground, slew several men around and thus, even without his steed he struggled his way out of the thick of the fight.

But Han Sui was surrounded by that time and Pang De went on foot to aid him. On the way he met an enemy officer, whom he slew with one thrust. Then, mounting the dead man’s steed, he rode forward fiercely and saved Han Sui, leaving a trail of blood as he passed. The men of Cao Cao pursued him, but were driven off by reinforcement forces led by Ma Zhao, who also rescued a great number of Han Sui’s men. The battle continued till evening, when they withdrew. Back at the pass, Ma Chao and Han Sui mustered their men together and found that they had lost two officers and more than two hundred men, who were killed when they fell into the pits.

The two commanders discussed what their next move should be. “If we give the enemy time, he will set up strong fortifications on the north bank,” said Ma Chao. “I think it is better to raid his camp tonight with a light force.”

“We must divide our force into two so that we can support each other,” said Han Sui.

So it was decided that Ma Chao was to lead the striking force, with Pang De and Ma Dai as supports. They would set out at nightfall.

At the same time Cao Cao was also maneuvering on the north bank of the river. He called forth his officers to whom he said, “Our enemy is sure to launch a raid on us tonight, for they think we have not yet set up stockades and are therefore more vulnerable. I want you to place your men in ambush all around, leaving the center unoccupied. At the signal of a loud explosion, fall upon the raiders, who can then be captured without difficulty.”

However, at nightfall Ma Chao first sent out a small scouting party of thirty riders who presently arrived at Cao Cao’s position. Seeing no soldiers around, they penetrated into the center of the enemy’s lines. At once the signal was given. Out leapt the hidden men on all sides only to surround a meager force of thirty soldiers. The leader of the scouting party was soon slain. However, their main force in three divisions led by Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai came dashing up to meet their foe.

Plan an ambush to meet your foe you may,

Warriors who strive to win are not to be tamed.

Which side would win the battle will be told in the next chapter.

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Xu Chu Strips for a Fight with Ma Chao

Cao Cao Sows Dissension Between Ma Chao and Han Sui

T
he
fight between Ma Chao and Cao Cao lasted till morning, when each side drew off. Ma Chao camped by the river, from where he kept up harassing attacks on his enemy, day and night. Cao Cao, stationed on the north bank, began to construct three floating bridges with rafts and chains so as to facilitate communication with the south bank, while Cao Ren established a camp on the river, which he barricaded with his carts and wagons.

When Ma Chao was informed of this new development, he had each of his men carry a bundle of grass and a torch. Then together with Han Sui he advanced to Cao Cao’s position, where the soldiers were told to pile up the grass and kindle it, and soon there was a raging fire all around. Unable to withstand the heat, Cao Cao’s men had to abandon their position and flee. All the wagons and the floating bridges were destroyed in the fire. It was a great victory for the Xiliang army and gave them the command of the Wei River.

Cao Cao was worried at the failure to build a strong camp and fearful of his defenselessness. Then Xun You proposed building a mud wall, using the sandy soil by the river. So 30,000 soldiers were assigned to carry soil and set up a mud rampart. Seeing this, Ma Chao sent his two trusted officers with five hundred riders to perpetually harass the workmen, so that the job progressed very slowly. Besides, the sandy soil was not compact enough and the wall would not hold, but collapsed in the same breath as it was built. Cao Cao felt that he was at the end of his tether.

The time was the end of the ninth month and the frigid cold weather was just coming on. The sky was overcast day after day. As Cao Cao sat in his tent, feeling much disheartened, an old man came to see him and to offer some advice. He was a very superior-looking man who gave his name as Lou Zibo, and said that he came from Jingzhao. He was a recluse and a Taoist, his religious name being Meng Mei, or “Dreaming of Plums.” Cao Cao received him with great courtesy and presently the venerable old man began: “Sir, you have long been striving to make a camp on the river. Now is your opportunity—why not begin?”

“The soil is too sandy to stick together,” said Cao Cao. “Have you some other plan to propose?”

“You are a great commander, sir. You surely know the times and seasons. It has been overcast for many days and these clouds foretell a north wind and intense cold. When the wind begins to blow you should hurry your men to carry up the earth and sprinkle it with water. By dawn your wall will be complete.”

Cao Cao seized upon this advice. He offered his aged visitor a reward, but the man would not accept anything.

That night the north wind swept in at full force. Every one of his men was driven to carrying earth and wetting it. As they had no other means of carrying water they made bags that they filled with water and then poured on the earth. And so as they piled the earth they froze it solid with water, and by dawn the wall, standing firm, was completed.

Spies told Ma Chao that the enemy had built a wall and he rode out to see it. He was greatly perplexed at the sight and began to suspect help from the gods.

However, the next day amid loud beating of drums, he marched out his whole army for a major attack. Cao Cao himself rode out of the camp, with only the redoubtable Xu Chu in attendance, and advanced toward his young opponent. Flourishing his whip he called out: “I am here alone and I want Ma Chao to come out to speak with me.”

So Ma Chao rode out, his spear set ready to thrust.

“You thought that I would be unable to build a camp, but look! in one single night, I have my stockade readily constructed. Why do you not surrender?”

Ma Chao was so enraged that he almost rushed at Cao Cao, but he was not too angry to fail to notice the henchman behind his enemy, glowering at him with a gleaming sword in his grip. Suspecting this man to be Xu Chu, he flourished his whip and asked, “I hear you have a man called Lord Tiger in your army. Where is he?”

At this Xu Chu lifted his sword and roared, “I am Xu Chu of Qiaojun!” His eyes gleamed fiercely and his whole being was so powerful that Ma Chao dared not move. He turned his steed and retired.

Cao Cao and his doughty follower also returned to their camp. The two armies witnessed this confrontation, and there was not a man there but felt a quiver of fear.

“They, too, know that Xu Chu is Lord Tiger,” said Cao Cao to his officers when he returned.

And thereafter Xu Chu came to be known by that name.

“I will capture that fellow Ma Chao tomorrow,” said Xu Chu.

“Ma Chao is very bold,” said his master. “Be careful.”

“I swear to fight him to death,” said Xu Chu.

Then he sent a written challenge to his enemy with the words, “Lord Tiger dares Ma Chao to a decisive duel on the morrow.”

Ma Chao was very angry when he received this. “How dare he insult me so?” he cried. Then he wrote underneath the challenge his reply: “I vow to slay Mad Tiger on the morrow.”

The next day both armies moved out and arrayed in battle formations. Pang De and Ma Dai took command of the two wings, while Han Sui held the center. Ma Chao took up his position in front and called, “Come out, Mad Tiger!”

Cao Cao, who was on horseback by the standard, turned and said: “He is as bold as Lu Bu.”

Xu Chu rode forth whirling his sword and the duel began. They fought over a hundred bouts and neither could prevail over the other. But then, as their steeds were quite spent with so much galloping to and fro, each withdrew to his own side to obtain a fresh horse. The contest was renewed and a hundred further encounters took place, still without victory to either warrior.

Suddenly Xu Chu galloped back to his own side, stripped off his armor, showing his bulging muscles and, naked as he was, leaped again into the saddle and rode out to continue the battle.

Again the champions engaged, while both armies stood aghast. Thirty bouts more, and Xu Chu, summoning up all his force, raised high his sword and then brought it down heavily on his opponent. Ma Chao dodged, set his spear directly at his opponent’s heart, and thrust. Discarding his sword, Xu Chu caught the spear in his hands. Then ensued a struggle for the spear. Xu Chu, being a man of mighty strength, snapped the shaft so that each held one half of the spear. And the duel continued, each belaboring the other with the broken piece of the weapon.

At this point Cao Cao, for fear lest his champion might suffer, ordered two of his officers to go forth and help. Seeing this, Pang De and Ma Dai led their armored horsemen out to attack. They dashed ferociously into the enemy formation. A melee began in which Cao Cao’s men were worsted and Xu Chu received two arrow wounds in the shoulder. So they retreated to their stockade, Ma Chao following them to the river. In this battle a great majority of Cao Cao’s men were either wounded or killed.