San Kuo/Volume 1/Chapter 51
CHAPTER LI.
A Great Battle Between North and South: K‘ung-ming Angers Chou Yu.
Kuan Yu had died there but for his elder brother, who said to the great strategist, “We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother Yün-ch‘ang has offended I cannot bear to break our oath. I hope you will only record this against him and let him atone later for the fault by some specially meritorious service.”
So the sentence was remitted. In the meantime Chou Yü mustered his officers and called over his men, noted the special services of each and sent full reports to his master. The soldiers who had surrendered were all transported across the river. All this done they spread the feast of victory.
The next step was to attack and capture Nanchün. The van of the army camped on the river bank. There were five camps and the general’s tent was in the centre. He summoned his officers to a council. At this moment Sun Ch‘ien arrived with congratulations from Liu Pei. Chou Yü received him and, having saluted in proper form, Ch‘ien said, “My lord sent me on this special mission to felicitate the General on his great virtue and offer some unworthy gifts.”
“Where is Yüan-tê?” asked Chou Yü.
“He is now encamped at Yuchiangk‘ou.”
“Is K‘ung-ming there?” asked Chou Yü, taken aback.
“Both are there,” said Ch‘ien.
“Then return quickly, and I will come in person to thank them.”
The presents handed over, Sun Ch‘ien was sent back forthwith to his own camp. Then Lu Su asked Chou Yü why he had started when he heard where Liu Pei was camped.
“Because,” replied Chou Yü, “camping there means that he has the intention of taking Nanchün. Having spent much military energy and spared no expenditure, we thought the district should fall to us easily. Those others are opposed to us and they wish to get the advantage of what we have already accomplished. However, they must remember that I am not dead yet.”
“How can you prevent them?” asked Lu Su.
“I will go myself and speak with them. If all goes well, then, let it be so; in case it does not, then I shall immediately settle up Liu Pei without waiting for Nanchün to be taken.”
“I should like to accompany you,” said Lu Su.
The General and his friend started, taking with them a guard of one squadron of light horse. Having arrived at Yuchiangk‘ou they sought out Sun Ch‘ien, who, in turn, went in to see Yüan-tê and told him Chou Yü had come to render thanks.
“Why has he come?” asked Yüan-tê of his all-wise adviser.
“Is it likely he would come out of simple politeness? Of course he has come in connection with Nanchün.”
“But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?” asked Yüan-tê.
“When he comes you may reply thus and thus.”
Then they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers upon the bank and when the arrival of Chou Yü was formally announced, Chao Yün, with some horsemen, went to welcome him. When Chou Yü saw what bold men they looked he began to feel uncomfortable, but he went on his way. Being met at the camp gates by Liu Pei and K‘ungming, he was taken in to the chief tent, where the ceremonies were performed and preparations for a banquet had been made.
Presently Liu Pei raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory gained by his guest. The banquet proceeded and after a few more courses Chou Yü said, “Of course you are camped here with no other idea than to take Nanchün?”
“We heard you were going to take the place and came to assist. Should you not take it then we will occupy it.”
Chou Yü laughed. “We of the east have long wished for this district. Now that it is within our grasp we naturally shall take it.”
Liu Pei said, “There is always some uncertainty. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao left Ts‘ao Jên to guard the district and you may be certain that there is good strategy behind him to say nothing of his boldness as a warrior. I fear you may not get it.”
“Well, if we do not take it then, Sir, you may have it,” said Chou Yü.
“Here are witnesses to your words,” said Liu Pei, naming those at table. “I hope you will never repent what you have just said.”
Lu Su stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the witnesses but Chou Yü said, “When the word of a noble man has gone forth it is ended; he never regrets.”
“This speech of yours, Sir, is very generous,” interjected Kʻung-ming. “Wu shall try first, but if the place does not fall there is no reason why my lord should not capture it.”
The two visitors then took their leave and rode away. As soon as they had left Liu Pei turned to K‘ung-ming and said, “O Master, you bade me thus reply to Chou Yü, but though I did so I have turned it over and over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. I am alone and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desired to get possession of Nanchün that I might have, at least, a temporary shelter, yet I have said that Chou Yü may attack it first and if it fall to Wu, how can I get possession?”
K‘ung-ming laughed and replied, “First I advised you to attack Chingchou, but you would not listen; do you remember?”
“But it belonged to Liu Piao and I could not bear to attack it then. Now it belongs to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao I might do so.”
“Do not be anxious,” replied the adviser. “Let Chou Yü go and attack it; some day, my lord, I shall make you sit in the high places thereof.”
“But what design have you?”
“So and so,” replied K‘ung-ming.
Yüan-tê was satisfied with the reply, and only strengthened his position at Chiangk‘ou. In the meantime Chou Yü and Lu Su returned to their own camp and the latter said, “Why did you tell Liu Pei that he might attack Nanchün?”
“I can take it with a flick of my finger,” replied Chou Yü, “but I just manifested a little pretended kindliness.”
Then he enquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city. One Chiang Ch‘in offered himself, and was put in command of the vanguard, with Hsü Shêng and Ting Fêng as helpers. He was given five companies of veterans and they moved across the river. Chou Yü promised to follow with supports.
On the other side Ts‘ao Jên ordered Ts‘ao Hung to guard Iling and so hold one corner of a triangular defence. When the news came that Wu had crossed the river Han, Ts‘ao said, “We will defend and not offer battle.”
But Niu Chin said impetuously, “To let the enemy approach the walls and not offer battle is timidity. Our men, lately worsted, need heartening and must show their mettle. Let me have half a company of veterans and I will fight to a finish.”
Ts‘ao Jên could not withstand this offer and so the half company went out of the city. At once Ting Fêng came to challenge the leader and they fought a few bouts. Then Ting Fêng pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight and retreated into his own lines. Niu Chin followed him hard. When he had got within the Wu formation, at a signal from Ting Fêng, the army closed round and Niu Chin was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing him in the toils, Ts‘ao Jên, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armour and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of horsemen and burst in among the men of Wu to try to rescue his colleague. Beating back Hsti Hsü Sheng he fought his way in and presently rescued Niu Chin.
However, having got out he saw several score of horsemen still in the middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Chiang Ch‘in on whom he and Niu Chin made a violent onslaught. Then the brother Ts‘ao Shun came up with supports and the great battle ended in a defeat for the men of Wu.
So Ts‘ao Jên went back victor, while the unhappy Chiang Ch‘in returned to report his failure. Chou Yü was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.
Then he prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But Kan Ning said, “General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first and attack Iling, the supporting angle of the triangle. After that the conquest of Nanchün will be easy.”
Chou Yü accepted the plan and Kan, with three companies, went to attack Iling.
When news of the approaching army reached him Ts‘ao Jên called to his side Ch'ên Chiao, who said, “If Iling be lost then Nanchün is lost too. So help must be sent quickly.”
Thereupon Ts‘ao Shun and Niu Chin were sent by secret ways to the aid of Ts‘ao Hung. Ts‘ao Shun sent a messenger to the city to ask that they should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements should arrive.
So when Kan Ning drew near, Ts‘ao Hung went out to meet and engage him. They fought a score of rounds, but Ts‘ao Hung was overcome at last and Kan Ning took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements came up and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The scouts went off immediately to tell Chou Yü of this sudden change of affairs which greatly alarmed him.
“Let us hasten to his rescue,” said Ch'êng P‘u.
“This place is of the greatest importance,” said Chou Yü, “and I am afraid to leave it undefended lest Ts‘ao Jên should attack.”
“But he is one of our first leaders and must be rescued,” said Lü Mêng.
“I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my place?” said Chou Yü.
“Leave Lin T‘ung here,” said Lü Mêng; “I will push on ahead and you can protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the pæan of victory.”
“Are you willing?” said Chou Yü to the man who was to act for him.
“If the ten day period is not exceeded I may be able to carry on for that time; I am unequal to more than that.”
Ling T‘ung’s consent pleased Chou Yü who started at once, leaving a legion for the defence of the camp. Lü Mêng said to his chief, “South of Iling is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack on Nanchün. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat the defeated will take this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall capture.”
Chou Yü approved and the men set out. When the main army drew near Iling, Chou Yü asked who would try to break through the besiegers and Chou T‘ai offered himself girded on his sword, mounted his steed and burst straight into the Ts‘ao army. He got through to the city wall.
From the city wall Kan Ning saw the approach of his friend Chou T‘ai and went out to welcome him. Chou T‘ai told him that the Commander-in-Chief was on the way to his relief and Kan Ning at once bade the defenders prepare from within to support the attack of the rescuers.
When the news of the approach of Chou Yü had reached Iling the defenders had sent to tell Ts‘ao Jên, who was at Nanchün and they prepared to repel the assailants. So when the army of Wu came near they were at once attacked. Simultaneously Kan Ning and Chou T‘ai attacked on two sides and the men of Ts‘ao were thrown into confusion. The men of Wu fell on lustily and the three leaders all fled by a bye-road, but, finding the way barred with felled trees and other obstacles, they had to abandon their horses and go afoot. In this way the men of Wu gained some five hundred steeds.
Chou Yü, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanchün, came upon Ts‘ao Jên and his army marching to save Iling. The two armies engaged and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both drew off and Ts‘ao Jên withdrew into the city.
During the night he called his officers to a council. Then said Ts‘ao Hung, “The loss of Iling has brought us to a dangerous pass; now it seems the time to open the letter of the Minister our Chief and see what plans he arranged for our salvation in this peril.”
“You but say what I think,” replied Ts‘ao Jên. Whereupon he tore open the letter and read it. His face lighted up with joy and he at once issued orders to have the morning meal prepared at the fifth watch. At daylight the whole army moved out of the city but they left a semblance of occupation in the shape of banners on the walls.
Chou Yü went up to the tower of observation and looked over the city. He saw that the flags along the battlements had no men behind them and he noticed that every man carried a bundle at his waist behind so that he was prepared for a long march. Thought Chou Yü to himself, “Ts‘ao Jên must be prepared for a long march.”
So he went down from the tower of observation and sent out an order for two wings of the army to be ready. One of these was to attack and, in case of its success, the other was to pursue at full speed till the clanging of the gongs should call them to return. He took command of the leading force in person and Ch'êng P‘u commanded the other. Thus they advanced to attack the city.
The armies being arrayed facing each other, the drums rolled out across the plain. Ts‘ao Hung rode forth and challenged, and Chou Yü, from his place by the standard, bade Han Tang respond. The two champions fought near two score bouts and then Ts‘ao Hung fled. Thereupon Ts‘ao Jên came out to help him and Chou T‘ai rode out at full speed to meet him. These two exchanged a half score passes and then Ts‘ao Jên fled.
His army fell into confusion. Thereupon Chou Yü gave the signal for the advance of both his wings and the men of Ts‘ao were sore smitten and defeated. Chou Yü pursued to the city wall, but Ts‘ao’s men did not enter the city. Instead, they went away north-west. Han Tang and Chou T‘ai pressed them hard.
Chou Yü, seeing the city gates standing wide open and no guards upon the walls, ordered the raiding of the city. A few score horsemen rode in first, Chou Yü followed and whipping his steed. As he galloped into the enclosure around the gate, Ch'ên Chiao stood on the defence tower. When he saw Chou Yü enter, in his heart he applauded the god-like perspicacity of the Minister Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.
Then was heard the clap-clap of a watchman’s rattle. At this signal the archers and crossbowmen let fly and the arrows and bolts flew forth in a sudden fierce shower, while those who had won their way to the van of the inrush went headlong into a deep trench. Chou Yü managed to pull up in time, but turning to escape, he was wounded in the left side and fell to the ground. Niu Chin rushed out from the city to capture the chief, but Hsü Shêng and Ting Fêng at the risk of their lives got him away safe. Then the men of Ts‘ao dashed out of the city and wrought confusion among the men of Wu, who trampled each other down and many more fell into the trenches. Ch‘êng P‘u tried to draw off, but Ts‘ao Jê and Ts‘ao Hung came toward him from different directions and the battle went hardly against the men from the east, till help came from Ling T‘ung, who bore back their assailants. Satisfied with their success Ts‘ao led his men into the city, while the losers marched back to their own camp.
Chou Yü, sorely wounded, was taken to his own tent and the army physician called in. With iron forceps he extracted the sharp bolt and dressed the wound with a lotion designed to counteract the poison of the metal. But the pain was intense and the patient rejected all nourishment. The physician said the missile had been poisoned and the wound would require a long time to heal. The patient must be kept quiet and especially free from any irritation, which would cause the wound to re-open.
Thereupon Ch'êng P‘u gave orders that each division was to remain in camp. Three days later Niu Chin came within sight and challenged the men of Wu to battle, but they did not stir. The enemy hurled at them taunts and insults till the sun had fallen low in the sky, but it was of no avail and Niu withdrew.
Next day Niu Chin returned and repeated his insulting abuse. Ch'êng P‘u dared not tell the wounded general. The third day, waxing bolder, the enemy came to the very gates of the stockade, the leader shouting that he had come for the purpose of capturing Chou Yü.
Then Ch'êng P‘u called together his officers and they discussed the feasibility of retirement into Wu that he might seek the opinion of the Marquis.
Ill as he was Chou Yü still retained control of the expedition. He knew that the enemy came daily to the gates of his camp and reviled him although none of his officers told him. One day Ts‘ao Jên came in person and there was much rolling of drums and shouting. Ch'êng P‘u, however, steadily refused to accept the challenge and would not let any one go out. Then Chou Yü summoned the officers to his bedside and said, “What mean the drums and the shouting?”
“The men are drilling,” was the reply.
“Why do you deceive me?” said Chou Yü angrily. “Do I not know that our enemies come day by day to our gates and insult us? Yet Ch'êng P‘u suffers this in silence and makes no use of his powers and authority.”
He sent for Ch'êng P‘u and, when he arrived, asked him why he acted thus.
“Because you are ill and the physician said you were on no account to be provoked to anger. Wherefore, although the enemy challenged us to battle, I kept it from you.' ”
“And if you do not fight what think you should be done?” said Chou Yü.
And they all said they desired to return to the east till he had recovered from his wound, when they would make another expedition.
Chou Yü lay and listened. Suddenly he sprang up, crying, “The noble man who has eaten of his lord’s bounty should die in his lord’s battles; to return to one’s home wrapped in a horse’s hide is a happy fate. Am I the sort of man to bring to nought the grand designs of my country?”
So speaking he proceeded to gird on his armour and he mounted his horse. The wonder of the officers only redoubled when their General placed himself at the head of some hundreds of horsemen and went out of the camp gates toward the enemy, then fully arrayed. Ts‘ao Jên, their general, stood beneath the great standard.
At sight of the opponents Ts‘ao Jên flourished his whip and began to hurl abuse at them, “Chou Yü, you babe! I think your fate has met you. You dare not face my men.”
The stream of insult never ceased. Presently Chou Yü could stand it no longer. Riding out to the front he cried, “Here I am, base churl; look at me!”
The whole Ts‘ao army were taken aback. But Ts‘ao Jên turned to those about him and said, “Let us all revile him!” And the whole army yelled insults.
Chou Yü grew angry and sent P‘an Chang out to fight. But before he had delivered his first blow Chou Yü suddenly uttered a loud cry, and he fell to the ground with blood gushing from his mouth.
At this the Ts‘ao army rushed to the battle and the men of Wu pressed forward to meet them. A fierce struggle waged around the General’s body, but he was borne off safely and taken to his tent.
“Do you feel better?” asked Ch'êng P‘u anxiously.
“It was a ruse of mine,” whispered Chou Yü in reply.
“But what avails it?”
“I am not suffering, but I did that to make our enemies think I was very ill and so oppose them by deceit. I will send a few trusty men to pretend desertion and tell them I am dead. That will cause them to try a night raid on the camp and we shall have an ambush ready for them. We shall get Ts‘ao Jên easily.”
“The plan seems excellent,” said Ch'êng P‘u.
Soon from the tent there arose the sound of wailing as for the dead. The soldiers around took up the cry and said one to another, “The General is dead of his wound,” and they all put on the symbols of mourning.
Meanwhile Ts‘ao Jên was consulting with his officers. Said he, “Chou Yü lost his temper and that has caused his wound to re-open and brought on that flow of blood. You saw him fall to the ground and he will assuredly die soon.”
Just then there came in one who said that a few men had come over from the enemy asking to be allowed to join the army of Ts‘ao; among them were two of Ts‘ao’s men who had been made prisoners.
Ts‘ao Jên sent for the deserters and questioned them. They told him a story of Chou Yü's wound and death that day. The leaders were all in mourning. They had deserted because they had been put to shame by the second in command.
Pleased at this news Ts‘ao Jên at once began to arrange to make a night attack on the camp and, if possible, get the head of the dead general to send to the capital.
“Success depends upon promptitude, so act without delay,” said Chiên Chiao.
Niu Chin was told off as van leader, Ts‘ao Jên himself led the centre, while the rear was commanded by Ts‘ao Hung and Ts‘ao Shun. Ch'ên Chiao, and a few men, were left to guard the city.
At the first watch they left the city and took the way toward Chou Yü's camp. When they drew near not a man was visible, but flags and banners and spears were all there, evidently to keep up an appearance of preparation. Feeling at once that they had been tricked they turned to retreat. But a bomb exploded and this was the signal for an attack on all four sides. The result was a severe defeat for the raiders and the army of Ts‘ao Jên was entirely broken and scattered abroad so that no one part of the beaten army could aid the other.
Ts‘ao Jên, with a few horsemen got out of the press and presently met Ts‘ao Hung. The two leaders ran away together and by the fifth watch they had got near Nanchün. Then they heard a beating of drums and Lin T‘ung appeared barring the way. There was a small skirmish and Ts‘ao Jên went off at an angle. But he fell in with Kan Ning, who attacked him vigorously. Ts‘ao Jên dared not go back to Nanchün, but he made for Hsiangyang along the main road. The men of Wu pursued him for a time and then desisted.
Chou Yü and Ch'êng P‘u then made their way to Nanchün where they were startled to see flags on the walls and every sign of occupation. Before they had recovered from their surprise there appeared one who cried, “Pardon, General; I had orders from my chief to take this city. I am Chao Tzu-lung of Ch‘angshan.”
Chou Yü was fiercely angry and gave orders to assault the city, but the defenders sent down flights and flights of arrows and his men could not stay near the rampart. So he withdrew and took counsel. In the meantime he decided to send a force to capture Chingchou and another to take Hsiangyang. Nanchün could be taken later.
But even as these orders were being given the scouts came in hurriedly to report that Chuko Liang, suddenly producing a military commission, had induced the guards of Chingchou to leave it and go to the rescue of Chou Yü. Whereupon Chang Fei had occupied the town. Soon after another messenger came to say that Hsiahou Tun, at Hsiangyang, had received from Chuko Liang despatches, supported by a commission in due form, saying that Ts‘ao Jên was in danger and needed help, whereupon Hsiahou Tun had marched off and Kuan Yü had seized that town.
Thus the two towns that Chou Yü wanted had fallen, without the least effort, into the hands of his rival Liu Pei.
“How did Chuko Liang get this military commission with which he has imposed on the captains?” asked Chou Yü.
Ch‘êng P‘u replied, “He seized that of Ch'ên Chiao; and so has got all this district into his power.”
Chou Yü uttered a great cry for at that moment his wound had suddenly burst open.
A city falls, but not to us the gain;
The guerdon is another’s; ours the pain.
The next chapter will say what befell Chou Yü.