When they came Yuan Shao said, “As there is nothing but war and trouble outside our border it is necessary to settle internal affairs as soon as possible. So I wish to appoint my successor. My eldest son is stubborn and cruel while my second, mild and unfit. The youngest has the outward form of a hero, appreciates the wise, and is courteous to his subordinates. I want him to be my heir but I would like to hear your opinions.”
Guo Tu said, “Tan is your first born and he is posted away from Jizhou, beyond your control. If you disregard the eldest in favor of the youngest you sow the seeds of turbulence. The prestige of the army has been somewhat lowered recently and enemies are on our border. Should you add to our weakness by stirring up strife between father and son, elder and younger brothers? It is better to consider how the enemy can be repulsed first and turn to the question of the heir later.”
Then the natural hesitation of Yuan Shao asserted itself and he could not make up his mind. Soon came news that his sons, Tan and Xi, and his nephew, Gao Gan, were coming with large armies to help him and he turned his attention to preparations for fighting with Cao Cao.
When Cao Cao drew up his victorious army on the banks of the Yellow River, some aged locals brought offerings of food and wine to bid him welcome. Their venerable and hoary appearances inspired respect from Cao Cao, who invited them to be seated in his tent.
“Venerable sirs, may I know your age?” he asked them.
“We are all nearly a hundred,” replied one of the ancients.
“I’m very sorry that my men have disturbed your village,” said Cao Cao.
“In the days of Emperor Huan a yellow star was seen in the southwest. A certain astrologist from the north, named Yin Kui, happened to be spending the night here and he told us that the star, shining directly over this area, foretold the arrival of the true Lord in these parts fifty years hence. That was exactly fifty years ago. Now Yuan Shao is very hard on the people and we hate him. You, sir, have raised this army in the cause of humanity and righteousness to save the people and punish the criminal lords. Your victory at Guandu that destroyed the hordes of Yuan Shao fulfills the prophecy of Yin Kui, and millions may look now for tranquillity.”
“How dare I presume that I am he?” said Cao Cao with a smile.
Wine and refreshments were brought in and the old gentlemen were sent away with presents of these as well as silk and cloth. An order was issued to the army that if anyone killed so much as a fowl or a dog belonging to the villagers, he would be punished as if for murder. The soldiers obeyed it out of fear but the people admired him for his kindness. In his heart Cao Cao secretly rejoiced for the fine image he had cut among the people.
Soon, scouts came with the report that the total army from the four prefectures under the Yuan family amounted to 200–300,000 soldiers and they were camped at Changting. Cao Cao then advanced and made a strong camp near them.
The two armies set up their own battle orders against each other. On one side Cao Cao rode to the front surrounded by his officers, and on the other appeared Yuan Shao supported by his three sons, his nephew, and his officers.
Cao Cao spoke first: “Yuan Shao, you are at the end of your schemes and strength, why still refuse to consider surrender? Are you waiting till the sword is upon your neck? Then it will be too late.”
Yuan Shao was beside himself with rage. He turned to those about him and said, “Who dares go out?”
His son, Yuan Shang, was anxious to exhibit his prowess in the presence of his father, so he flourished a pair of swords and rode to and fro in front of the two armies. Cao Cao pointed at him and asked who he was and they told him. Before they had finished speaking, from their own side rode out Shi Huan, armed with a spear. The two fought a few bouts and suddenly Yuan Shang turned to flee. His opponent followed. Yuan Shang took his bow, fitted an arrow, turned round and shot at Shi Huan, wounding him in the left eye. He fell from the saddle and died on the spot.
Yuan Shao, taking advantage of his son’s victory, gave the signal for attack and the whole army thundered forward. A tremendous battle ensued and it was only after much slaughter that the gongs on both sides sounded the retreat and the fight ceased.
When he returned to camp Cao Cao sought counsel from his men for a plan to overcome Yuan Shao. Cheng Yu proposed the tactic of “Ten Ambushes.” He advised Cao Cao to let the army retreat to the riverside and set up ten ambushes on the way to induce Yuan Shao to pursue as far as the river. “Our men will be placed in a desperate situation as they must either fight for their lives or be driven into the river. They will surely exert themselves and Yuan Shao can be defeated,” he concluded.
Cao Cao accepted this scheme and he dispatched five troops to lie in ambush on one side of the road of retreat and another five on the other, while Xu Chu commanded the vanguard of the central force.
The next day the ten companies started first and hid themselves right and left, as ordered. Deep in the night Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to lead his force forward and feign an attack on Yuan Shao’s camps, which aroused all the men in his five camps. This done, Xu Chu retreated and the enemy army pursued. The roar of battle went on without cessation and at dawn Cao Cao’s army was chased to the riverside and could retreat no further. Then Cao Cao shouted, “There is no road in front, so all must fight to the death.”
The retreating army turned about and advanced vigorously. Xu Chu flew to the very front and killed more than ten enemy officers, throwing Yuan Shao’s army into great confusion. They hastened to turn back, but Cao Cao was close behind. As they marched quickly, suddenly drums of the enemy were heard and from right and left there appeared the first pair of the ambushing forces. Yuan Shao collected about him his three sons and his nephew and they struggled desperately to cut their way out and flee. Ten li further on, they fell into another ambush and here many more men were lost so that their corpses lay over the open fields and their blood filled the water courses.
A further ten li and they met the third pair of companies barring their road of retreat. Here they lost heart and bolted for an old camp that was near, and bade their men prepare a meal. But just as the food was ready to eat, down came Zhang Liao and Zhang He to attack the camp.
Yuan Shao mounted and fled as far as Changting, where he was exhausted and his steed spent. But there was still no rest, for Cao Cao’s men came in close pursuit. Yuan Shao now raced for life. But presently he found his onward course again blocked and he groaned aloud.
“If we don’t make most desperate efforts we are all captives,” he shouted, and they plunged forward and finally managed to get through. His second son and his nephew were wounded by arrows and almost all of his men were dead or had disappeared. He gathered his sons into his arms and wept bitterly. Then he fell unconscious. The others hurried to help him up.
When he came to, blood gushed out of his mouth. He sighed, “Many battles have I fought and little did I think to be driven to this embarrassing state. Heaven is afflicting me. Each of you had better return to your own place. I swear to fight Cao Cao to the end.”
Then he told the two advisors, Xin Ping and Guo Tu, to follow his eldest son to his district at once and get prepared for any possible attack from the enemy. His second son and his nephew were to go back to their own prefectures to muster men and horses for repulsing Cao Cao. Yuan Shao returned to Jizhou to nurse his health, together with his youngest son and the remnant of his officers. All military affairs were entrusted to his youngest son and the two advisors Shen Pei and Feng Ji.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao was distributing liberal rewards to his army for the victory and at the same time sending out scouts to find out the situation in Jizhou. He soon learned that Yuan Shao was ill and that his youngest son and Shen Pei were maintaining strong defenses in the city, while his two other sons and nephew had each returned to their own districts. Cao Cao’s advisors were all in favor of a speedy attack, but he objected.
“Jizhou is large and well supplied. Shen Pei is an able strategist and it is necessar
y to be careful. I would rather wait till autumn, when the crops have been gathered in, so that the people will not suffer.”
While the attack was being discussed there came a letter from Xun Yu in which he said that Liu Bei had strengthened himself in Runan and was taking advantage of the prime minister’s expedition to invade the capital. He advised Cao Cao to hasten homeward to defend it. This news disturbed Cao Cao greatly and, with orders for Cao Hong to maintain an appearance of strength on the river, he led the main part of his army back to meet the threatened attack from Runan.
Now Liu Bei, together with his brothers and supporters, had led his army out on a march with the intention of attacking the capital. As they approached the Rang Hills Cao Cao’s men came upon them. So Liu Bei camped by the hills and divided his army into three forces, sending his two brothers with one section each to entrench themselves at the southeast and southwest angles respectively, while he himself and Zhao Yun commanded the main body.
When Cao Cao came close, Liu Bei’s army beat the drums and went out. Cao Cao arrayed his men and called Liu Bei to speak with him, and when the latter appeared under his great standard, Cao Cao pointed at him with his whip and reproached him.
“I treated you as a guest of high honor—why do you turn your back on righteousness and forget my kindness?”
Liu Bei replied, “Under the name of prime minister you are really a rebel. I am a direct descendant of the Emperor’s family and I have a secret decree from the throne to defeat you.”
Then, seated on his steed, he recited the secret decree that the Emperor had given to Dong Cheng, hidden in the girdle.
Cao Cao grew very angry and ordered Xu Chu to go out to give battle. On Liu Bei’s side, out rode Zhao Yun with his spear ready to thrust. The two warriors exchanged thirty bouts but neither could prevail over the other. Then there arose an earth-rending shout and up came the two brothers, Guan Yu from the southeast and Zhang Fei from the southwest. The three armies then began a great attack. Fatigued by the long march, Cao Cao’s men were worsted and fled. Having scored this victory, Liu Bei returned to camp.
On the following day he sent out Zhao Yun again to challenge but no response came from his enemy. For ten days Cao Cao’s army remained inside. Then Zhang Fei went out to offer battle but again the offer went unanswered. Liu Bei began to grow more and more anxious. Suddenly, news came that the enemy had intercepted their supplies and at once Zhang Fei went to the rescue. Worse still was the news that followed—an army led by Xiahou Dun had outflanked them to attack Runan.
Extremely alarmed, Liu Bei said, “If this is true I’ll have enemies in front and behind and there’ll be no place for me to go.”
He then sent Guan Yu to try to recover the city and thus both his brothers were absent from his side. Very soon a messenger rode up to report that Runan had fallen, but Liu Pi had escaped, and Guan Yu was surrounded by enemies. To make matters worse another disheartening piece of news came to say that Zhang Fei, who had gone to protect the supplies, was also trapped.
Liu Bei wanted to withdraw but was afraid of being attacked from behind by Cao Cao. He was thus undecided what step to take when the sentinels came in to say that Xu Chu was challenging outside the camp. Liu Bei was too scared to lead his men out. He waited till dawn, and then the soldiers were told to eat a good meal and be ready to start. When ready, the infantry went out first followed by the cavalry, leaving only a few nightwatchmen to beat the gongs to mark time and maintain an appearance of habitation.
After traveling a short distance they passed some low hills but all of a sudden torches blazed out and from the top of a hill came loud shouting: “Don’t let Liu Bei get away! The prime minister is waiting for him here!”
Liu Bei hastened to look for a way of escape.
Zhao Yun said, “Have no fear, my lord, just follow me.” And setting his spear, he galloped in front opening a lane as he went. Liu Bei gripped his double swords and followed close behind. As they fought their way ahead, Xu Chu came in pursuit and engaged Zhao Yun in a fierce combat, but soon two other of Cao Cao’s officers came up. Seeing the situation so desperate Liu Bei plunged into the wilderness and fled. Gradually the sounds of battle died down and he picked his way among the most secluded parts of the hills, a single horseman fleeing for his life. He kept on thus till daybreak, when a troop suddenly appeared beside the road. Liu Bei was terrified at first but was relieved to find that it was the friendly Liu Pi with about a thousand of his defeated men from Runan, escorting his family. With them also were Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Mi Fang.
They told him that the attack on their city had been too strong to resist so they had been compelled to abandon it and flee, but then they had been chased and only Guan Yu’s timely arrival had rescued them.
Liu Bei said, “I wonder where Yun-chang is now.”
“Let’s push ahead first and try to find out later,” said Liu Pi.
They pushed on. Before they had gone far the beating of drums was heard and in front of them appeared Zhang He and his troops. He cried, “Liu Bei, quickly dismount and surrender.”
Liu Bei was about to turn back when he saw red banners waving at the top of a hill and down rushed forth another body of men under Gao Lan. Caught between two enemy forces, there was no escape for Liu Bei. He looked up to Heaven and cried, “Oh, Heaven, why render me into this state of misery? Nothing is left to me but death.” And he drew his sword to slay himself.
Liu Pi hastily stayed his hand and said, “Let me try to fight a way out to save you.”
So saying, he went forth to engage Gao Lan, but unfortunately the bold man was cut down in the third bout. Liu Bei, now panic-stricken, was on the verge of fighting himself when there was sudden confusion among the rear ranks of his opponents and a warrior dashed up and knocked Gao Lan down from his horse with one powerful thrust. The newcomer was Zhao Yun.
His arrival was most opportune. With his spear set, he plunged into the enemy’s rank and scattered the soldiers in all directions. Then he turned back all by himself to fight the enemy in front. Zhang He came into the combat and fought with Zhao Yun for about thirty bouts before he had to turn away defeated. Zhao Yun and the others followed vigorously but were presently trapped in a narrow passage in the hill, strongly defended by their opponents. While trying to find an outlet they saw Guan Yu coming up with Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, and three hundred men. Together they attacked Zhang He and soon drove him off. Then they came out of the narrow defile and occupied a strong position on the hill, where they made a camp. Liu Bei at once asked Guan Yu to go and look for their brother Zhang Fei.
Now Zhang Fei had been sent to rescue Gong Du and the grain supplies, but when he reached there Gong Du had already been slain by the enemy. Zhang Fei beat the enemy off and gave chase. Then another of Cao Cao’s forces came along and surrounded him. Guan Yu found him in this plight, after having met some of his scattered men and learned about his situation. They drove off the enemy and returned to their eldest brother. Soon they were informed of the approach of a large body of Cao Cao’s army. Liu Bei asked Sun Qian and some others to guard his family and sent them on ahead, while he and his brothers and Zhao Yun followed behind, sometimes fighting and sometimes marching. Seeing that Liu Bei had gone very far, Cao Cao decided to call off the chase and withdrew his army.
When Liu Bei collected his men he found they numbered only a thousand. This scattered and broken force marched as fast as possible to the west. Coming to a river they asked the natives its name, and were told it was the Han. Nearby Liu Bei made a temporary camp. When the local people found out who he was they presented him with wine.
By the sandy bank of the Han River, they drank the wine. After they had been drinking awhile, Liu Bei addressed his faithful followers with a deep sigh: “All of you have talents to be major advisors to a monarch, but your destiny has led you to follow my poor self. My fate is bitter and full of misery. Today I do not even have an inch of land to call my own and I fear I am leading you astray. I thin
k you should abandon me and go to some illustrious lords, where you may be able to make a career.”
At these words they all covered their faces and wept. Guan Yu said, “Brother, you are wrong to speak like this. When the great founder of Han contended with Xiang Yu he was defeated many times, but he won at Nine Mile Hill and that victory was the foundation of a dynasty that endured for four centuries. Victory and defeat are but ordinary events in a soldier’s career—why should you give up?”
“Success and failure both have their seasons,” said Sun Qian, “but we are not to lose heart. This place is not too far from Jingzhou, where Liu Biao is positioned. He commands nine prefectures and has a powerful army and affluent supplies. Besides, he is also of the House of Han. Why not go to him?”
“But he may not receive me,” said Liu Bei.
“Let me go and prepare the way. I will make Liu Biao come out of his border to welcome you.”
Liu Bei was very pleased. So with his lord’s approval Sun Qian set off immediately for Jingzhou. When he reached there he was taken to see Liu Biao. After exchanging greetings, Liu Biao asked him of the purpose of his visit.
Sun Qian said, “My lord Liu Bei is one of the heroes of the day. Although at the moment he does not have many soldiers and officers, his mind is set upon restoring the Han House to its former glory. While at Runan the two commanders, Liu Pi and Gong Du, though bound to him by no ties, were willing to die for the sake of this ideal. You, illustrious sir, like Liu Bei, are a scion of the imperial family. Now my lord has recently suffered a defeat and he thinks of seeking a home in the east with Sun Quan. I have ventured to dissuade him, saying that he should not turn from a relative and go to a mere acquaintance. I told him that you, sir, are well known to be courteous to the wise and polite to scholars, so that they flock to you as the waters flow to the east, and I assured him that you would certainly show kindness to one of your kinsmen. Therefore he has sent me to explain matters and request your commands.”