It is time to return to Zhou Yu. When he went to Caisang to nurse his wound he left Gan Ning to guard Baling and Ling Tong to defend Hanyang. The fleet was shared between these two places to be ready to move when required. The remainder of the force under the command of Cheng Pu went to Hefei, where Sun Quan had been wrestling with the northern men since the battle of the Red Cliff. He’d had a dozen or more big and small battles with his enemy, but neither side had gained a decisive victory. He dared not camp near the city, but entrenched himself about fifty li away.
When he heard of the approach of reinforcements he was very pleased and went in person to meet and welcome his men. Soon, guards came to announce Lu Su’s arrival before the others and Sun Quan dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet him. As soon as he saw this, Lu Su slid out of the saddle in a hurry and made his obeisance. This unusually respectful attitude toward Lu Su was not lost on the other officers, who were greatly amazed. Sun Quan then asked Lu Su to remount and ride by his side. Presently he said secretly to Lu Su, “Just now I dismounted to greet you. Wasn’t that enough recognition of your position?”
“No,” replied Lu Su.
“Then what more can I do?”
“I want to see your authority and virtue spread over the four seas and embrace the nine provinces, fulfilling the great design of establishing your own empire. Then my name will be inscribed in the annals and I will indeed be accorded the fullest recognition.”
Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. They went into the camp, where banquets were prepared to reward the newly arrived officers and men for their remarkable services at the great battle of the Red Cliff. In the meantime, the destruction of Hefei was also under discussion.
Just then guards came in to say that Zhang Liao had sent a letter of challenge. Sun Quan tore open the cover and read it. “How impudent that Zhang Liao is!” he cried in wrath. “He hears that Cheng Pu has arrived and deliberately sends this challenge. Tomorrow I will fight him with my original force, without the new arrivals.”
Orders were given that the army was to move out of camp at the fifth watch the next morning and advance toward Hefei. Halfway through their journey they were met by the northern army, and each side drew up in battle array. Sun Quan, with a helmet and breastplate of gold, rode to the front, supported by Song Qian and Jia Hua on each side, both armed with a halberd.
When the third roll of the drum ceased, the center of the northern army opened and out came three fully-armed warriors, with Zhang Liao in the middle, supported on each side by Li Dian and Yue Jin. Zhang Liao rode out and addressed his challenge directly to Sun Quan, who took his spear and was about to engage him when one of his officers, Taishi Ci, galloped forth and raised his spear to thrust. Zhang Liao whirled up his sword to meet the newcomer and the two fought nearly a hundred bouts, but neither could overcome the other.
Then Li Dian said to Yue Jin, “That person with the golden helmet is Sun Quan—if we could but capture him the loss of our huge army would be amply avenged.”
At this Yue Jin dashed out all by himself, one rider and one sword, and swift as a flash of lightning, he cut in sideways and slashed at Sun Quan. The two officers beside Sun Quan hastened to shield their master with their halberds. The sword fell, snapping both halberds, and the two officers used their broken weapons to hammer away on the head of Yue Jin’s steed and forced him back.
One of the two officers, Song Qian, picked up a spear from a soldier and went in pursuit of Yue Jin, but Li Dian, on the opposite side, fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed at his heart. And Song Qian fell as the bowstring twanged.
Hearing the fall of someone behind him, Taishi Ci gave up the fight with Zhang Liao and returned to his own line. At this Zhang Liao pressed on with a swift attack and the army of Wu, thrown into confusion, scattered and fled.
Zhang Liao, having spotted Sun Quan in the distance, urged his steed forward in hot pursuit and had nearly come up with him when Cheng Pu timely rushed in from one side, engaged Zhang Liao in battle, and saved his master. Then Zhang Liao withdrew his forces to Hefei.
Sun Quan was escorted back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him. The death of Song Qian greatly pained him and he wept aloud.
But one of his faithful officials, named Zhang Hong, reproached him. “My lord, you rely too much upon your martial prowess and will go rashly into battle against a formidable enemy, which scares all of us here in the army. Now it is the duty of an officer, but not for you, to display valor on the battlefield, slaying opponents and seizing banners. I earnestly urge you to curb and repress such physical feats as befitting a strong warrior and contemplate ways of exercising princely virtues for forging your own empire. It is because you had rushed into battle that Song Qian perished at the hands of your enemy. Hereafter, you should regard as most important your personal safety.”
“You are right—it is indeed my fault,” said Sun Quan. “I will reform.”
Soon after, Taishi Ci entered and said, “I have a man called Ge Ding who is the sworn brother of a groom in the army of Zhang Liao. This groom is deeply resentful because of some punishment he had suffered and is anxious for revenge. He has sent someone over to say that he will show a torch as a signal tonight when he has assassinated Zhang Liao in revenge for the death of Song Qian. I want you to give me some men to support them from the outside.”
“Where is this Ge Ding?” asked Sun Quan.
“He has already mingled with the enemy and gone into the city. Let me have 5,000 men.”
Zhuge Jin was opposed to this. “Zhang Liao is very shrewd and he might be prepared,” he said. “You shouldn’t go.”
But Taishi Ci insisted. Sun Quan, much grieved over the death of Song Qian, was also anxious for revenge and so the permission was given and the force gathered.
Now this Ge Ding, a fellow villager of Taishi Ci’s, had made his way into the city without being detected, found the groom, and discussed with him as to how they could slay Zhang Liao. Ge Ding also told him that Taishi Ci would come over that night to help them and asked him what they should do.
His sworn brother, the groom, said, “The stable here is far away from the central tent and it won’t be possible to approach there at night. I think it’s better for me to start a fire on the hay while you go to the front to raise a hue and cry. That’ll throw all into confusion and we’ll have a chance to kill Zhang Liao.”
“What an excellent plan!” applauded Ge Ding.
Now after the victory Zhang Liao returned to the city and rewarded his men but he issued orders that everyone was to sleep lightly with his armor on. His attendants said, “You have gained a great victory today and the enemy are far away. Why not take off your armor, general, and get some good rest?”
Zhang Liao replied, “That’s not the way of a commander. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause grief. If the men of Wu suspect that we are unprepared and attack, how are we going to repel them? We must be doubly careful tonight.”
Scarcely had he said this than a fire started in the rear camp and cries of “rebellion” arose on all sides. Instantly, reports of the incident swarmed in. Zhang Liao went out and called together a dozen or so officers and guards to take up positions in the main passageway.
“The shouts are insistent,” said the others. “Let’s go and see what it means.”
“A whole city can’t be all traitors,” he said. “It must be the work of a few rebels who are intentionally trying to frighten the soldiers. If I see anyone panicking I’ll slay him first.”
Soon after Li Dian dragged up Ge Ding and the groom. After forcing the truth out of them Zhang Liao had them beheaded. Then there arose a great noise of shouting and the rolling of drums outside the gate.
“That means the men of Wu have come to help those two,” said Zhang Liao. “But we’ll destroy them at their own game.”
He told his men to light a fire and yell “Treachery! Rebellion!” At the same time the cit
y gates were opened and the drawbridge let down.
When Taishi Ci saw the gates swing open he thought his scheme was working, so in full confidence he rode in ahead of the others. But at the entrance an explosion was suddenly heard and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a trap and turned to leave, but he was already wounded in several places. And in the pursuit that followed more than half of his men were slain. As he drew near his own camp a rescue force came out to his aid and the northern soldiers withdrew.
Sun Quan was even more sad when he learned that his faithful warrior Taishi Ci was grievously wounded. Then Zhang Zhao proposed withdrawal to the south and Sun Quan consented. He collected his men together and sailed back to Nanxu, where they camped.
Meanwhile Taishi Ci was dying. When his lord sent Zhang Zhao and others to ask after him, he cried, “When a man is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and make wondrous services with his three-foot-long sword. Why must I die before I have attained my ambition?”
These were his last words. He was forty-one years of age at the time of his death.
A filial son and a loyal officer,
Such was Taishi Ci, in Donglai was he born,
Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,
Riding or archery, all men he excelled,
His righteous deeds in Beihai were well remembered,
His true valor at Shenting was by all admired.
Dying, he spoke of his unfulfilled aspirations,
All through the ages men sigh for his doleful fate.
Sun Quan was overcome with sorrow when another of his officers died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honorably at the foot of a hill and took his son into his own house to be brought up.
When Liu Bei heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Wu and of their retirement to Nanxu, he discussed the situation with Zhuge Liang. The advisor said, “I was studying the sky during the night and saw a star falling in the northwest. The imperial family is to suffer a loss.”
He had scarcely said this when news arrived of the death of Liu Qi, son of Liu Biao.
Liu Bei at once began to wail bitterly. But his advisor said to him, “Life and death are beyond our control, so do not be too sad, my lord, for grief may injure your health. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. We need to send someone to assume control of Xiangyang and make arrangements for the funeral.”
“Who can go?” asked Liu Bei.
“It must be Guan Yu.”
So they sent him to guard the city of Xiangyang.
Liu Bei soon began to worry about his promise to Lu Su that he would surrender Jingzhou to Wu on the death of Liu Qi, but Zhuge Liang assured him that he knew what to say if an envoy should come. Two weeks later it was announced that Lu Su had come to offer his condolences.
With schemes ready in mind,
They waited for the envoy to arrive.
What reply Zhuge Liang would give will be disclosed in the next chapter.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Dowager Wu Meets Her Son-in-Law at a Temple
Liu Bei Takes a Worthy Consort
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang went out of the city to welcome the envoy of Wu and saw him to the guesthouse. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said, “Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord has prepared some gifts and sent me to offer them at the funeral. General Zhou Yu also sends his condolences to you both.”
Both rose to thank him for the courtesy. Then the mourning gifts were handed over and the guest was invited to a banquet at which he revealed the real object of his visit.
“You said, sir, that Jingzhou would be returned to us after the death of Liu Qi. Now that he is dead I hope you will keep your promise—I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place.”
“We will discuss that later—in the meantime let us go on with our wine,” said Liu Bei.
Reluctantly, Lu Su continued his drink but after a while he returned to the subject. Before Liu Bei spoke, Zhuge Liang, changing color, said to Lu Su, “How can you be so unreasonable? Why do you have to wait till others point the truth out for you? From the very first days when the Han empire was founded, the great heritage of the Han house has devolved till today when, unfortunately, evil lords have risen one after another and strived to seize such portions of territory where they can. But with Heaven’s will, unity will ultimately be restored. My lord is a member of the imperial house, a descendant of Emperor Jing. Now, as an uncle of the present Emperor, shouldn’t he have a share of the empire? Moreover, Liu Biao was my lord’s elder brother and there is certainly nothing wrong in inheriting a brother’s estate. But what is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the Qiantang River, without having rendered any service to the throne. Just because he is powerful he now possesses a large tract of territory, including six districts and eighty-one towns, yet he is still insatiable in his greed and desire to swallow the territory of the Hans. This empire belongs to the Liu family. Isn’t it strange that my lord, who is of that name, has no share in it whereas your master, whose surname is Sun, should claim it by force? Besides, at the battle of the Red Cliff my lord did good service while his officers risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your men of Wu that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind that meant so much for Zhou Yu, could he have achieved anything? If you had been conquered by Cao Cao, not only the two Qiao beauties would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Tower, but the families of your people would not have survived. Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe that a scholar of your intelligence would understand the situation without a detailed explanation. Why, then, are you so slow to see the point?”
This long speech absolutely shut the guest’s mouth and he could find no word to reply. After an interval he said, “What you say is not without sense but you are making things difficult for me.”
“What is so difficult?” asked Zhuge Liang.
Lu Su replied, “When your lord was in serious straits at Dangyang it was I who conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord; later, when Zhou Yu was going to attack Jingzhou, I again prevented him from doing so; and then when you proposed returning the place to us at Liu Qi’s death, it was still I who pledged support for you. Now how can I go back and say you have broken your promise? Both my lord and Zhou Yu will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be so wrathful that he may make war and you will have no peace in Jingzhou. You will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world.”
Zhuge Liang replied, “Even Cao Cao, with his million men and the Emperor at his back, could not scare me—do you think I will fear such a youngster as your Zhou Yu? However, as it may cause you some embarrassment I will try to persuade my master to put it in writing that he is temporarily occupying Jingzhou as a base, and when he can obtain possession of some other place this will be returned to you. What do you think of this?”
“Wait till what other place is obtained?” asked Lu Su.
“Well, it is too early to think of attacking the north, but Liu Zhang in West Chuan is weak and my master will attack him. If he gets that western province then this place will be handed over to you.”
Lu Su had no alternative but to accept the offer. Liu Bei wrote down the pledge himself and signed his name. Zhuge Liang, as guarantor, also signed the document.
“Since I belong to one party I can hardly be a proper guarantor,” said Zhuge Liang to Lu Su. “I will trouble you to sign, too. The document will look better when you show it to your master.”
Lu Su agreed. “I know that your master is perfectly honorable and will not fail me.”
And so he signed. Then, taking the document, he departed. He was escorted away with every mark of great respect, both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang accompanying him to his boat. There, Zhuge Liang made a last exhortation to Lu Su. “When you see your master, explain the situation fully to him so that he will not do anything rash.
If he rejects our document we may get angry and we will take all his territory. The important thing now is for our two sides to live in harmony and not give Cao Cao an opportunity to laugh at us.”
Lu Su went down to his ship. He first went to Caisang to see Zhou Yu, who asked, “Well, how did you fare with your demand for Jingzhou?”
“I have obtained a written pledge,” said Lu Su, giving the document to Zhou Yu to read.
“You have been fooled by Zhuge Liang,” said Zhou Yu, stamping his foot in distress. “In name it may be temporary occupation but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the western province. Who knows when that will be? If they don’t get the place in ten years, does it mean Jingzhou won’t be returned to us in ten years? What’s the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its execution! If they don’t give us the city, you’ll get into trouble. Suppose our lord blames you for it, what then?”
Lu Su was dumbfounded. Then he said, “I think Liu Bei will be true to me.”
“You, my friend, are honest and sincere but Liu Bei is an unscrupulous adventurer and Zhuge Liang, a cunning schemer. They and you are utterly different.”
“What then is to be done?” cried Lu Su, crestfallen.
“You’re my dear friend and your kindness in generously offering your store of grain to relieve my difficulty is still fresh in my memory. Of course I’ll save you. Don’t be anxious, but wait a few days until my spies come back with news of what is happening there—then we can decide upon a plan.”
Lu Su passed some very uneasy days. Then the spies came back saying that a funeral was being prepared in Jingzhou, while outside the city they were building a new tomb for Lady Gan, wife of Liu Bei. All the soldiers were in mourning.
When Zhou Yu knew who was dead, he said to his friend, “My plan is made. You will see Liu Bei stand to be captured and we will get Jingzhou as easily as turning a hand.”
“What is your plan?” asked Lu Su.