The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 (12 page)

Liu Zong replied, “It is not that I will not follow your advice, but I fear I will be a laughingstock to the whole country if I were to abandon my inheritance without an effort.”

He was interrupted by another speaker who said, “Their advice is very good, why not follow it?”

They turned toward the speaker and saw that he was Wang Can of Shanyang, a short and lean man. However, his talents did not conform to his physical appearance. When he was yet a youth he went to visit the famous scholar Cai Yong, then an official in court, and although many guests of exalted rank were present, the host hastened to welcome the newcomer with the greatest deference. The others were astonished and asked why he was so respectful to a mere youth.

“He is an unusually gifted young man, more learned than me,” said Cai Yong.

Wang Can was widely read and had a most retentive memory, better than any of his contemporaries. Once, he glanced at a roadside monument as he passed and he remembered every word of the inscription. Another time, when he was watching people playing
weiqi
and the board was overturned, he replaced every piece in its proper place. He was also a good mathematician and his poems were exquisite. At seventeen he was appointed a palace official but did not take up the appointment. When the disturbance in the empire grew serious he sought refuge in Jingzhou, where he was received with great honor by the prefect.

That day he asked his young master, “My lord, how do you compare with Cao Cao?”

“Inferior,” replied Liu Zong.

Wang Can continued, “Cao Cao has veteran soldiers and bold officers— he is able and resourceful. He has wiped out numerous rivals and suppressed rebellions. To name a few examples, he has captured Lu Bu, eliminated Yuan Shao, drove Liu Bei into Longyou, and destroyed Ta Dun at the White Wolf Hills. Now he is on his way here and it will be very difficult to withstand him. The submission proposed by Fu Xuan and Kuan Yue is the best you can expect and you should not delay and hesitate till it is too late, for that will bring only regret.”

“Worthy sir, you indeed speak to the point but I must inform my mother,” said the young master.

But just then they saw his mother appear from behind a screen—she had been listening to all that was said.

“Why refer to me when three of them agree in their opinions?” she said.

So he decided on submission and the letter of surrender was composed. Song Zhong was entrusted with the job of conveying it secretly to Cao Cao. He went straight to Cao Cao’s headquarters and presented the letter. It was received with rapture and the bearer was well rewarded. The submission was accepted and Song Zhong was told to tell his master to come out of the city to welcome Cao Cao—then he would be confirmed in perpetual tenure of his land.

Song Zhong left and took the homeward way. He had nearly reached the ferry when he fell in with a body of troops. On a closer look he saw the leader was Guan Yu. The messenger tried to avoid being seen but was stopped by Guan Yu, who questioned him for details of what had happened in Jingzhou. At first he prevaricated, but on being closely questioned, revealed the whole story. Guan Yu was greatly startled so he took the man to Xinye and made him repeat his story to Liu Bei, who was also extremely alarmed.

Zhang Fei said, “In that case I propose that we put this fellow to death, then cross the river to take Xiangyang, and slay the mother and son. After that we can fight with Cao Cao.”

But Liu Bei told him to keep silent and said that he knew what to do. Then turning to the prisoner he said reproachfully, “You knew they did all this. Why didn’t you come to tell me? As things stand now there is nothing to be gained by killing you. Leave here at once.”

Song Zhong stammered his thanks and, throwing his hands over his head, quickly ran away.

Liu Bei was very sad. As he sat worrying about the critical situation, Liu Qi’s messenger, Yi Qi, was announced. Liu Bei was very grateful to this man for having saved his life before so he went down the steps to welcome him.

Yi Qi said, “The young master has heard that his father is dead, but his stepmother and her family have kept back the news and have set up Liu Zong as the new ruler. He knows the news is true, as he has sent a special messenger to find out. He is afraid that you might still be in the dark so he has sent me to deliver this obituary and he begs you to lead all the men you have to Xiangyang to help him assert his rights.”

Liu Bei read the letter. Then he said, “Well, you only know that the younger son has usurped the lordship, but you hardly know that he has already offered the nine districts to Cao Cao.”

This news shocked Yi Qi. “Where did you get this news?” he asked.

Liu Bei told him of the capture of Song Zhong. Yi Qi said, “In that case you can use the excuse of mourning over our late lord’s death to go to Xiangyang and so draw Liu Zong out of the city to welcome you. Then you can seize him, slay his party, and take the district.”

“This is good advice,” said Zhuge Liang. “My lord, you ought to take it.”

Tears rolled down his face as Liu Bei said, “On his deathbed my brother entrusted his sons to my care. If I lay hands upon one of his sons and seize the land, how will I be able to look my brother in the face when I meet him bye and bye under the nine springs?”

“If you do not act in this way now how will you repel Cao Cao, who has already reached Wancheng?” asked Zhuge Liang.

“We can take refuge in Fancheng,” replied Liu Bei.

At about this time scouts came to say that Cao Cao’s army had reached Bowang. So Yi Qi was immediately sent back with instructions for Liu Qi to prepare the defense of Jiangxia, while Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang discussed plans for countering the enemy.

Zhuge Liang urged his master to take heart. As he had seen the last army destroyed by fire, so would he see this one suffer the same strategy. He said, “We can no longer stay here. Better move over to Fancheng as soon as possible.”

Then notices were posted at the four gates to inform all the residents, men or women, old or young, that, if they would, they could follow their ruler at once to the new city to escape danger. Sun Qian was entrusted with the job of preparing boats to transport the people and Mi Zhu was responsible for the safe conveyance of the families of the officials.

Then the officers assembled to take orders from Zhuge Liang. Guan Yu, at the head of a thousand men, was to lay an ambush at the upper reaches of the White River. His men were to carry bags to be filled up with sand and earth to dam the river, until they heard the arrival of the enemy at the lower reaches, at about the third watch the next day. Then the waters were to be freed to drown their foe. At the same time he was to come downstream to join in the fight.

Zhang Fei, with another thousand men, was to go to Boling Ferry, where the current was the slowest. After the waters of the White River had been let loose on Cao Cao’s men they would surely attempt to get across the river at the ferry. He was to attack them while they were trying to escape.

Zhao Yun was to divide 3,000 soldiers into four sections and take one to lie in wait outside the east gate. The other three were to be posted outside the other gates. But before they left for their posts they were to pile sulfur niter and other combustibles onto the roofs of the houses in the city.

The intention was to again attack the enemy with fire. When Cao Cao’s men arrived, they would certainly look for shelter first. There would be a strong wind the following evening, which would fan the flames. When this wind began to blow, Zhao Yun’s men were to shoot arrows of fire into the city from the south, west, and north gates. When the flames were high the men were to raise a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate was to be left free for the enemy to escape, but as they did so they would be smitten by Zhao Yun, who was to join Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at daybreak—together they would set out for Fancheng after the battle.

Other orders were given to Mi Fang and Liu Feng, who were to take command of 2,000 men, one half carrying red flags and the other half blue flags. They were to camp at Magpie Tail slope, about thirty
li
from the city. At the sight of Cao Cao’s army the soldiers with red flags were to move on the left and those with blue flags were to move on the right. The enemy would be so confused that they would be afraid to advance further. The two of them should wait until they saw the city on fire. Then they were to attack the defeated enemy and later to move forward to the upper reaches of the river to assist in the fighting against Cao Cao’s men.

All the orders being given, the various officers went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei stood on a promontory, where they could witness what would happen and await for reports of victory.

Meanwhile, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, with their 100,000 men, preceded by Xu Chu, leading 3,000 mailed men, marched toward Xinye. They presented a formidable sight. They reached Magpie Tail slope about noon. Looking ahead, they saw what seemed a substantial army with blue and red flags. Xu Chu urged his men to press forward. But, as he got near, the soldiers holding the flags moved respectively to the right and left and he hesitated. Suspecting an ambush, Xu Chu called a halt and rode back to the main army to see Cao Ren.

“Those soldiers are only to confuse you,” said Cao Ren. “Advance, there is no ambush. I will hasten up with the supporting forces.”

So Xu Chu rode to the slope again and advanced. When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags, he found it deserted. By then the sun had already set in the west, but he decided to move on. At that moment he heard from the hills the sound of drums and trumpets and, looking up, saw on the hilltop two umbrellas surrounded by many banners. There sat Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, quietly drinking. Enraged, he sought for a way up, but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down and he was driven back. At the same time there came a confused roar from the rear of the hills. He tried to find a way to attack but darkness had descended.

Then Cao Ren arrived and ordered an attack on Xinye, so that his army might have a place to rest later. When they got to the walls they found the gates wide open. They met with no resistance as they entered and they discovered that it was a completely deserted city. No one was visible.

“This shows they are panic-stricken,” said Cao Ren. “They have all run away, people and all. We may as well occupy the city and rest for the night. Tomorrow we will advance again.”

The soldiers were fatigued after the long march and hungry as well, so they lost no time in scattering among the houses and setting about preparing food. The two leaders took up quarters in the official residence.

After the first watch a strong wind began to blow. Soon after, guards at the gates reported that a fire had started.

“Some careless men must have let sparks fly about. There is nothing to worry about,” said Cao Ren.

Hardly had he finished speaking when along came urgent reports of similar fires from the south, west, and north gates. Cao Ren realized that the fires were not due to accidents. So he immediately gave orders to evacuate the city. Soon, the whole city was on fire and a red glow hung in the sky. The army was beset with fire fiercer than it had been at Bowang.

Thrice wicked was Cao, but he was bold;

Though all in the capital he controlled,
Yet with this he was not content,
So southward his ravaging army went.

But, the fall wind aiding, the Spirit of Fire

Wrought to his army destruction dire.

Officers and men dashing through the smoke and fire in utter confusion sought some way of escape, and hearing that the east gate was free, they made for that quarter. Out they rushed pell-mell, many being trodden down and trampled to death. Those who got through took the road to the east.

But presently there was shouting behind them and Zhao Yun came up with his men and attacked. Cao Ren’s men scattered, each fleeing for his life. None would turn back and fight. A little later they were further smitten by Mi Zhu and Liu Feng. At about the fourth watch the fleeing men, most of them badly burned and very wearied, reached the shore of the White River.

To their joy, the river was shallow and fordable. And both men and horses went down into the stream and drank their fill, men shouting and horses neighing.

In the meantime Guan Yu had dammed the river with sandbags at its upper part, so that its waters were collected in a lake. Toward dusk he saw the red glow of the burning city and began to listen for his signal. At about the fourth watch he heard the sounds of men and horses downstream and at once ordered the breaking of the dam. The water rushed down in a torrent and overwhelmed the horses and men in the bed of the river. Many were swept away and drowned.

Cao Ren led the remainder to escape from where the current was not so swift. But to their dismay, as they reached the ferry at Bowang they were again faced with loud shouting, and they found their road barred by a troop led by Zhang Fei.

“You Cao brigands!” shouted Zhang Fei. “Come and meet your fate!”

Within the city the red flame leaps out:

On the riverbank black anger is met.

Whether Cao Ren could escape death will be told in the next chapter.

*
Also called Yan Yuan (521
B.C.
–490
B.C.
), the best-known disciple of Confucius.