San Kuo/Volume 1/Chapter 30
CHAPTER XXX.
Yüan Shao Defeated at the Ferry:
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao Burns the Wuch‘ao Granaries.
Hearing that Yüan Shao was hastening to attack at Kuantu, Hsiahou Tun wrote to the capital urgently asking for reinforcements, and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao told off seventy legions with which he marched. Hsün Yü was left to guard the capital.
Just as Yüan’s army was starting T‘ien Fêng sent out a remonstrance from his prison cell denouncing the policy of attack and counselling Shao to wait upon such times as Heaven should appoint.
An enemy said to Yüan, “Why does this T‘ien Fêng utter ill-omened words? My lord is sending forth an army in the cause of humanity and justice.”
Easily moved to anger Yüan Shao was going to execute T‘ien, but this time he forebore at the entreaties of many of his officers. However, he was not appeased, for he said, “I will punish him when I return from conquering Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”
Meanwhile he hastened to start. The banners of his host filled the horizon, their swords were as trees in the forest. They marched to Yangwu and there made a strong camp.
Then Chü Shou once more opposed any hasty movement, saying, “Though our soldiers are many they are not so bold as the enemy; however, veterans as are the enemy they have not ample supplies. Therefore they will wish to force on a speedy battle, while our policy is to hold them off and delay. If we can keep from a decisive battle long enough the victory will be ours without fighting.”
This advice did not appeal to the General. Said he, threateningly, “T‘ien Fêng spake discouraging words to my armies and I will assuredly put him to death on my return. How dare you follow in the same way?”
He summoned the lictors and sent away the adviser in chains, saying, “When I have overcome Ts‘ao then will I deal with you and T‘ien Fêng together.”
The huge army was camped in four divisions, one toward each point of the compass. The camps were ninety li in circuit. Scouts and spies were sent out to discover the strong and the weak points of the enemy.
Ts‘ao’s army arrived and were smitten with fear when they heard of the strength of their enemy. The leader called together his council. Then said the adviser Hsün Yu, “The enemy are many but not terrible. Ours is an army of veterans, every man worth ten, but our advantage lies in a speedy battle for unhappily our stores are insufficient for a long campaign.”
“You speak to the point,” said Ts‘ao. “I think the same.”
Therefore he issued orders to press forward and force on a battle. Yüan Shao’s men took up the challenge and the two sides were arrayed. On Yüan’s side a legion of crossbow men were placed in ambush on the two wings, while half a legion of archers held the centre. The signal for general attack was a bomb and the onset was to continue through three rolls of the drum.
Yüan Shao wore a silver helmet and breastplate and an embroidered robe held in by a jewelled belt. He took up his post in the centre with his numerous captains ranged right and left. His banners and ensigns made a brave show.
When the Ts‘ao army centre opened and the banners moved aside the great captain appeared on horseback with his staff of doughty leaders all fully armed. Pointing with his whip at Yüan Shao he cried, “In the presence of the Emperor I pressed your claims to consideration and obtained for you the title of Generalissimo; why do you now plan rebellion?”
Yüan replied, “You take the title of a minister of Han, but you are really a rebel against the House. Your crimes and evil deeds reach to the heavens, and you are worse than the usurper Mang and the rebel Cho. What are these slanderous words about rebellion that dare you address to me?”
“I have a command to make you prisoner.”
“I have the Girdle Decree to arrest rebels,” replied Yüan.
Then Ts‘ao became wrathful and bade Chang Liao ride forth as his champion. From the other side rode Chang Ho on a curvetting steed. The two champions fought four or five bouts with no advantage to either. In his heart Ts‘ao thought the contest amazing. Then Hsü Ch‘u whirled up his sword and went to help. To match him rode out Kao Lan with his spear in rest, and the contestants were now four, battling two and two. Then Ts‘ao ordered three companies under Hsiahou Tun and Ts‘ao Hung to attack the opponents’ array. Thereupon on Yüan’s side the signal for attack was also given and the legion of crossbow men on the wings shot and the centre archers let fly all together. The arrows flew all over the field in front and Ts‘ao’s men could not advance. They hastened away toward the south. Yüan threw his soldiers on their rear and they were broken. They went away toward Kuantu and Yüan advanced another stage. He camped near them.
Then Shên P‘ei said, “Now send ten legions to guard Kuantu and get near Ts‘ao’s camp, then throw up observation mounds to get a clear view of the enemy and choose vantage points whence to shoot arrows into the midst of their host. If we can force him to evacuate this place we shall have gained a strategical point whence Hsüch‘ang can be attacked.”
Yüan adopted this suggestion. From each of the camps they sought out the strongest veterans who dug with iron spades and carried earth to raise mounds near Ts‘ao’s camp.
Ts‘ao’s men saw what their enemies were doing and were anxious to make a sortie and drive them off. But the archers and crossbow men came out commanding the narrow throat through which it was necessary to attack and stayed them. At the end of ten days they had thrown up more than half a hundred mounds and on the summit of each was a lofty tower, whence the archers could command their opponents’ camp. Ts‘ao’s men were greatly frightened and held up their bucklers to keep off the various missiles. From the mounds the arrows flew down, pang! pang! like a fierce rain. The men of the Yüan army laughed and jeered when they saw their enemies crouching under their shields and crawling on the ground to avoid their missiles.
Ts‘ao saw that his soldiers were getting out of hand under this attack so he called a council. Liu Yeh spoke up saying, “Let us make ballistæ and so destroy them.”
Ts‘ao at once had models brought and set cunning workmen to make these machines. They soon constructed some hundreds and placed them along the walls of the camp inside, just opposite the high ladders on the enemy’s mounds.
Then they watched for the archers to ascend the towers. As soon as they began to shoot all the ballistæ began to heave their stone balls into the skies and they wrought great havoc. There was no shelter from them and enormous numbers of the archers were killed. Yüan’s men called these machines “Rumblers” and after their appearance the archers dared not ascend the mounds to shoot.
Then Shên P‘ei, the strategist, thought out another plan. He set men to tunnel under the walls into the midst of Ts‘ao’s camp and called this corps “The Sappers.” Ts‘ao’s men saw the enemy digging out pits behind the mounds and told the chief, who at once sought a counter plan from Liu Yeh.
“As Yüan Shao can no longer attack openly he is attacking secretly and is tunnelling a road under ground into the midst of our camp,” said he.
“But how to meet it?”
“We can surround the camp with a deep moat which renders their tunnel useless.”
So a deep moat was dug as quickly as possible and when the enemy sappers arrived thereat, lo! their labour had been in vain and the sap was useless.
It is recorded that Ts‘ao held Kuantu throughout the eighth and ninth months when, the men being worn out and provisions failing, he began to think of giving up and returning to the capital. As he could not make up his mind he referred his difficulties by letter to Hsün Yü, whom he had left to guard Hsüch‘ang. The reply he got was to this effect:—“I have received your command to decide whether to continue the campaign or retire. It appears to me that Yüan Shao assembled such large forces at Kuantu with the expectation of winning a decision. You, Sir, are very weak while he is very strong and if you cannot get the better of him he will be able to work his will on you for this is a crisis of empire. Your opponents are indeed numerous, but their leader knows not how to use them. With your military genius and discernment where are you not sure to succeed? Now though your numbers are small it is not as when Ch‘u and Han were between Jungyang and Ch‘êngkao. You are securely intrenched with your hands on his throat, and even if you cannot advance, that state of things cannot endure for ever but must change. This is the time to play some unexpected move and you must not miss it. The device I leave to your illustrious ingenuity.”
This letter greatly pleased Ts‘ao and he urged upon his men to use every effort to maintain the position.
Yüan having retired some thirty li, Ts‘ao sent out scouts to ascertain his new dispositions. One of Hsü Huang’s officers captured an enemy spy and sent him to his chief, who interrogated him and found out that a convoy of supplies was expected and that this spy and others had been sent to find out what were the risks of the route. Hsü Huang went at once to tell Ts‘ao. When the adviser Hsün Yu heard that the commander of the convoy was Han Mêng he said, “That fellow is a valiant fool. A few companies of light horse sent to intercept him can capture the whole train and cause much trouble in the enemy’s camp.”
“Whom should I send?” asked Ts‘ao.
“You might send Hsü Huang; he is capable of such a task.”
So Hsü was deputed and he took with him Shih Huan, who had captured the spy, and his company. And this party was supported by Chang Liao and Hsü Ch‘u.
It was night when the commissariat train of many thousands of carts drew near Yüan Shao’s camp. As they passed through a defile Ts‘ao’s men came out and stopped the train. Han Mêng galloped up to give battle but was soon overcome. The guard was scattered and soon the whole train was in flames. The escort and their leader got away.
The glow of the flames seen from Shao’s camp caused great consternation, which became fear when the escaped soldiers rode in and told their tale.
Yüan sent out Chang Ho and Kao Lan to try to intercept the raiders and they came upon Hsü Huang and his company. Just as they were attacking reinforcements came up and the Yüan men were between two fires. They were cut to pieces and the successful captains rode back to Kuantu, where they were richly rewarded.
As an additional safeguard Ts‘ao made a supporting outpost in front of the main camp to be the apex of a triangle of defence.
When Han Mêng returned with his woeful tidings Yüan Shao was angry and threatened to put him to death. His colleagues begged him off.
Then said Shên P‘ei, “Food is very important for an army in the field and must be defended with the greatest diligence. Wuch‘ao is our main depôt and must be carefully guarded.”
“My plans being complete,” said Shao, “you may as well return to Yehtu and undertake the control of the supplies. Let there be no shortage.” So Shên P‘ei left the army.
Then a force of two legions under six captains was told off to defend the depôt. One of these captains, Shunyu Ch‘iung, was a hard man and a heavy drinker, who in his cups was a terror to the men. Under the idle life of guarding the supply depôt the leaders gave themselves up to indulgence and drank heavily.
In Ts‘ao’s army also food was getting scarce and a message was sent to the capital to send grain quickly. The messenger with the letter, however, had not gone far when he fell into the hands of Shao’s men, who took him to the adviser Hsü Yu. Seeing from the letter that Ts‘ao was short of supplies the adviser went to his master and told him saying, “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and we have been at grips here for a long time and the capital must be undefended. A small army sent quickly could take it and at the same moment an attack here would deliver Ts‘ao into our hands. Now is the moment to strike, for his supplies are short.”
Shao replied, “Ts‘ao is full of ruses and this letter is artfully designed to bring about a battle to suit himself.”
“If you do not take this chance he will do you some injury by and by.”
Just at this juncture in came a despatch from Yehchün in which, after some details regarding the forwarding of grain, Shên P‘ei said he had discovered that Hsü Yu had been in the habit of receiving bribes while in Ch‘ichou and had winked at his relatives collecting excess taxes. One son and nephew were then in prison.
At this Yüan Shao turned on Hsü Yu angrily and said, “How can you have the face to stand before me and propose plans, you extortionate fellow? You and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao have old likings for each other and he has bribed you to do his dirty work for him and help his base schemes. Now you want to betray my army. I ought to take off your head, but temporarily I will let your neck carry it away. Get out and never let me see you again.”
The discredited adviser sighed and went out, saying, “Faithful words offend his ear. He is a pest and unworthy of advice from me. And now that Shên P‘ei has injured my son and nephew how can I look my fellow men in the face again?”
And he drew his sword to end his life. But his people prevented that. They said, “If Yüan Shao rejects your honest words then assuredly he will be taken by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. You are an old friend of Ts‘ao’s; why not abandon the shade for the sunlight?”
Just these few words awakened him to consciousness of his position and he decided to leave Yüan Shao and go over to Ts‘ao Tsʻao for he was an old friend.
Vainly now for chances lost
Yüan sighs; once he was great.
Had he taken Hsü’s advice,
Ts‘ao had not set up a State.
Hsü Yu stealthily left the camp and set out for Ts‘ao’s lines. He was captured on the way. He told his captors he was an old friend of the Minister’s and asked them to tell him that Hsü Yu of Nanyang wished to see him.
They did so. Ts‘ao was resting in his tent, his clothing loose and comfortable after the toils of the day. When he heard who wished to see him he arose quite joyfully and dressed himself hastily to receive Hsü. He went forth to greet him. They saw each other in the distance and Ts‘ao Tsʻao clapped his hands with gladness bowing to the ground when near enough to his visitor. Hsü Yu hastened to help him rise, saying, “Sir, you, a great Minister, should not thus salute a simple civilian like me.”
“But you are my old friend and no name or office makes any difference to us,” replied Ts‘ao.
“Having been unable to choose the lord I would serve I had to bow my head before Yüan Shao. But he was deaf to my words and disregarded my plans. Wherefore I have left him and come now to see my old friend from whom I hope employment.”
“If Tzŭ-yuan is willing to come then have I indeed a helper,” said Ts‘ao. “I desire you to give me a scheme for the destruction of Yüan Shao.”
“I counselled him to send a light force to take the capital so that head and tail be both attacked.”
Ts‘ao was alarmed. “If he does so, I am lost.”
“How much grain have you in store?” said the new adviser.
“Enough for a year.”
“I think not quite,” said Yu smiling.
“Well, half a year.”
The visitor shook out his sleeves, rose and hurried toward the door of the tent, saying, “I offer him good counsel and he repays me with deceit. Could I have expected it?”
Ts‘ao held him back. “Do not be angry,” said he. “I will tell you the truth. Really I have here only enough for three months.”
“Everybody says you are a marvel of wickedness and indeed it is true,” said Yu.
“But who does not know that in war there is no objection to deceit?” replied Ts‘ao. Then whispering in the other’s ear he said, “Actually here I have only supplies for this month’s use.”
“O do not throw dust in my eyes any more. Your grain is exhausted and I know it.”
Ts‘ao was startled, for he thought no one knew of the straits he was in.
“How did you find that out?” said he.
Hsü Yu produced the letter, saying, “Who wrote that?”
“Where did you get it?”
Whereupon he told Ts‘ao the story of the captured messenger. Ts‘ao seized him by the hand saying, “Since our old friendship has brought you to me I hope you have some plan to suggest to me.”
Hsü Yu said, “To oppose a great army with a small one is to walk in the way of destruction unless you inflict quick defeat. I can propose a plan which will defeat the innumerable hordes of Yüan Shao without fighting a battle. But will you follow my advice?”
“I desire to know your plan,” said Ts‘ao.
“Your enemy’s stores of all kinds are at Wuch‘ao, where the commander of the guard is that drunkard Shunyu Ch‘iung. You can send some of your trusty veterans to pretend they belong to Chiang Chi, one of Yüan’s generals, sent to help guard the depôt. These men can find an opportunity to fire the grain and stores of all kinds, which will upset all Yüan Shao’s calculations.”
Ts‘ao approved. He treated Hsü Yu very liberally and kept him in his camp. Forthwith he chose five companies of horse and foot ready for the expedition. Chang Liao protested the enterprise would be futile as the grain depôt would certainly be well guarded and he suggested treachery on the part of the newly arrived strategist.”
“Hsü Yu is no traitor,” said Ts‘ao. “He has come sent by Heaven to defeat Yüan Shao. If we do not get grain it will be hard to hold out and I have either to follow his advice or sit still and be hemmed in. If he was a traitor he would hardly remain in my camp. Moreover this raid has been my desire for a long time. Have no doubts; the raid will certainly succeed.”
“Well, then, you must look out for an attack here while the camp is undefended.”
“That is already well provided for,” said Tsʻao gleefully.
The defenders of the camp were then told off. Among them was Hsü Yü.
The arrangements for the raid on the grain depôt were made with extreme care to ensure success. When all was ready they set out, Ts‘ao himself in the centre. The army showed the ensigns of their opponents. The men carried bundles of grass and faggots to make a blaze. The men were gagged and the horses tied round the muzzles so as to prevent any noise. They set out at dusk.
The night was fine and the stars shone brightly. Chü Shou, still a prisoner in Yüan Shao’s camp, saw the stars were very brilliant and told his gaolers to conduct him out to the central pavilion whence he could study them. While watching he saw the planet Venus invade the quarter of the Bear and Lyra, which startled him very greatly.
“Some misfortune is near,” said he.
So although it was still night he went to see his master. But Yüan Shao was sleeping after indulgence in too much wine and was in bad humour. However, when they had roused him saying that the prisoner had a secret message to deliver, he got up.
“While I happened to be studying the aspect of the heavens,” said the night visitor, “I saw Venus, then between Hydra and Cancer, suddenly shoot into the neighbourhood of the Bear and Lyra. There is danger of a robber raid and special precautions must be taken at the grain depôt. Lose no time in sending good soldiers and vigorous leaders thither and keep a lookout on the byeways among the hills that you may escape the wiles of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”
“You are a criminal,” said Shao. “How dare you come with such wild nonsense to upset my armies.”
And turning to the gaolers he continued, “I bade you confine him; why did you let him come?”
Then he issued orders to put the gaolers to death and appointed others to keep the prisoner in close custody.
Chi Shou went away, wiping his falling tears and sighing deeply. “Our soldiers’ destruction is at hand and I know not where my poor corpse may find a resting place.”
Blunt truth offended Yüan Shao,
Too stupid any plan to make,
His stores destroyed ’tis evident
That Ch‘ichou also is at stake.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s raiding party went along through the night. Passing one of Yüan Shao’s outpost camps they were challenged. Tsʻao sent forward a man to say, “Chiang Chi has orders to go to Wuch‘ao to guard the grain stores.”
Seeing that the raiders marched under the ensigns of Yüan Shao the guard had no suspicions and let them pass. At every post this ruse was effective and they got safely through.
They reached their objective at the end of the fourth watch, the straw and wood were placed in position without loss of time and the blaze started. Then the captains beat to attack.
At the time of the attack Shunyu Chʻiung and his companions were all asleep after a heavy drinking bout. However, when the alarm was given, they sprang up and asked what was the matter. The hubbub was indescribable. Very soon the fuddled officers were caught with hooks and hauled out of their camp.
Mu Yüan-chin and Chao Jui were just returning from taking grain to the camp and weeing the flames arise, they hastened to assist. Some of Tsʻao’s soldiers ran to tell him that some of the enemy were coming up in the rear and ask him to send reinforcements, but he only replied by ordering the generals to press on to the front till the enemy was actually close at hand and then face about. So the attack was pressed and they all hastened forward.
Very soon the fire gained strength and thick smoke hung all around filling the sky. When Mu and Chao drew near, Tsʻao turned about and attacked them. They could not stand this for a moment and both captains were killed. Finally the stores of grain and forage were utterly destroyed.
The commander, Shunyu Chʻiung, was made prisoner and taken to Tsʻao who ordered him to be deprived of ears, nose and hands. He was bound on a horse and sent, thus horribly mutilated, to his master.
From Yüan’s camp the flames of the burning depôt were seen away in the north and they knew what they meant. Yüan hastily summoned his officers to a council to send a rescue party. Chang Ho offered to go with Kao Lan but Kuo Tʻu said, “You may not go; it is certain that Tsʻao Tsʻao is there in person, wherefore his camp is undefended. Let loose our soldiers on the camp and that will speedily bring Tsʻao back again. This is how Sun Pin besieged Wei and thereby rescued Han.”
But Chang Ho said, “Not so; Tsʻao is too wily not to have fully prepared against a chance attack. If we attack his camp and fail and Shunyu Ch‘iung should be caught we shall all be captured too.”
Kuo Tʻu said, “Tsʻao will be too intent on the destruction of the grain to think of leaving a guard. I entreat you to attack his camp.”
So five companies under Chang Ho and Kao Lan were sent to attack Tsʻao’s camp and Chiang Chi was sent to try to recover the grain store.
Now after overcoming Shunyu, Tsʻao’s men dressed themselves in the armour and clothing of the defeated soldiers and put out their emblems, thus posing as defeated men running back to their own headquarters. And when they happened upon Chiang Chi’s rescue legion they said they had been beaten at Wuch‘ao and were retreating. So they were suffered to pass without molestation while Chiang Chi hastened on. But soon he came to Chang Liao and Hsü Chu who cried out to him to stop. And before he could make any opposition Chang Liao had cut him down. Soon his men were killed or dispersed and the victors sent false messengers to Shao’s camp to say that Chiang Chi had attacked and driven away the defenders of the granaries. So no more reliefs were sent that way. However, reinforcements were sent to Kuantu.
In due course the Yüan men came down upon Ts‘ao’s camp at Kuantu and the defenders at once came out and fought them on three sides so that they were worsted. By the time reinforcements arrived Ts‘ao’s army, returning from the raid, had also come and Yüan’s men were attacked in the rear. So they were quite surrounded. However, Chang Ho and Kao Lan managed to force their way out and got away.
When the remains of the defenders of the grain stores reached their master’s camp they were mustered. Seeing the mutilated state of their one time leader, Shao asked how he had come to betray his trust and to suffer thus and the soldiers told their lord that their commander had been intoxicated at the time of the attack. So Shun-yu was forthwith executed.
Kuo T‘u, fearing lest Chang Ho and Kao Lan would return and testify the whole truth, began to intrigue against them. First he went to his lord saying, “Those two, Chang and Kao, were certainly very glad when your armies were defeated.”
“Why do you say this?” asked Yüan.
“O they have long cherished a desire to go over to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, so when you sent them on the duty of destroying his camp they did not do their best and so brought about this disaster.”
Shao accordingly sent to recall these two to be interrogated as to their faults. But Kuo T‘u, their enemy, sent a messenger in advance to warn them, as though in friendly guise, of the adverse fate that awaited them. So when the orders reached them to return to answer for their faults they asked why they were recalled. When the messenger disclaimed all knowledge of the reasons, Kao Lan drew his sword and killed him. Chang Ho was stupefied at this demonstration but Lan said, “Our lord has allowed some one to malign us and say we have been bought by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. What is the sense in our sitting still and awaiting destruction? Rather let us surrender to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao in reality and save our lives.”
“I have been wanting to do this for some time,” replied Chang Ho.
Wherefore both, with their companies, made their way to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s camp to surrender.
When they arrived, Hsiahou Tun said to his master, “These two have come to surrender but I have doubts about them.”
Ts‘ao replied, “I will meet them generously and win them over even if they have treachery in their hearts.”
The camp gates were opened to the two officers and they were invited to enter. They laid down their weapons, removed their armour and bowed to the ground before Ts‘ao who said, “If Yüan Shao had listened to you he would not have suffered defeat. Now you two coming to surrender are like Wei Tzŭ going to Yin and Han Hsin going over to Han.”
He gave both men the rank of general and the title of marquis, which pleased them much.
And so as Yuan Shao had formerly driven away his adviser, Hsü Yu, so now he had alienated two captains and had lost his stores at Wuch‘ao and the army was depressed and down-hearted.
When Hsü Yu advised Ts‘ao to attack as promptly as he could the two newly surrendered men volunteered to lead the way. So these two were sent to make a first attack on the camp, and left in the night with three divisions. The fighting went on confusedly all night but stayed at dawn. Shao had lost heavily.
Then Hsün Yu suggested a plan saying, “Now is the moment to spread a report that a party of men will go to take Suantsao and attack Yehchün, and another to take Liyang and intercept the enemy’s retreat. Yüan Shao, when he hears of this, will be alarmed and tell off his men to meet this new turn of affairs, and while he is making these new dispositions we can have him at great disadvantage.”
The suggestion was adopted and care was taken that the report spread far around. It came to the ears of Yüan’s soldiers and they repeated it in camp. Yüan Shao believed it and ordered Yüan Shang with five legions to rescue Yehchün, and Hsin Ming with another five to go to Liyang and they marched away at once. Ts‘ao heard that these armies had started and at once despatched eight divisions to make a simultaneous attack on the nearly empty camp. Yüan Shao’s men were too dispirited to fight and gave way on all sides.
Yüan Shao without waiting to don his armour went forth in simple dress with an ordinary cap upon his head and mounted his steed. His son Shang followed him. Four of the enemy captains with their men pressed in his rear and Shao hastened across the river, abandoning all his documents and papers, baggage, treasure and stores. Only eight hundred men followed him over the stream. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s men followed hard but could not come up with him; however, they captured all his impedimenta and they slew many thousands of his men so that the watercourses ran blood and the drowned corpses could not be counted. It was a most complete victory for Ts‘ao and he made over all the spoil to the army.
Among the papers of Yüan Shao was found a bundle of letters showing secret correspondence between him and many persons in the capital and army. Ts‘ao’s personal staff suggested that the names of those concerned should be abstracted and the persons arrested, but their lord said, “Shao was so strong that even I could not be sure of safety; how much less other men?”
So he ordered the papers to be burned and nothing more was said.
Now when Yüan Shao’s men ran away Chü Shou, being a prisoner, could not get away and was captured. Taken before Ts‘ao, who knew him, he cried aloud, “I will not surrender.”
Said Ts‘ao, “Yüan Shao was foolish and neglected your advice; why still cling to the path of delusion? Had I had you to help me I should have been sure of the Empire.”
The prisoner was well treated in the camp but he stole a horse and tried to get away to Yüan Shao. This angered Ts‘ao who put him to death, which he met with brave composure.
“I have slain a faithful and righteous man,” then said Ts‘ao sadly. And the victim was honourably buried at Kuantu.
His tomb bore the inscription “This is the tomb of Chü the loyal and virtuous.”
Chü honest was and virtuous,
The best in Yuan’s train,
From him the stars no secrets held,
In tactics all was plain.
For him no terrors had grim death,
Too lofty was his spirit,
His captor slew him, but his tomb
Bears witness to his merit.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao now gave orders to attack Ch‘ichou.
In feeling over confident, that’s where one’s weakness lay;
The other bettered him by plans which never went agley.
The following chapter will tell who won the next campaign.