Early as it was, yet the camp commander was on the alert, for the advancing force had been observed by his scouts. At a signal explosion the defenders of the camp attacked in full force. Wei Yan galloped up and made straight for Ling Bao. These two fought some thirty bouts when two more forces of Shu soldiers came up from two directions to join in the battle. The men of Han, as the force under Wei Yan may be called, having marched a long distance, were fatigued and could not withstand this onslaught, so they fell back. Wei Yan, hearing the confused sound of hoofs behind him, gave up his fight with Ling Bao, turned his horse, and fled. The men of Shu kept up the pursuit and the attackers were defeated and retired.
They had gone about only five li when another body of Shu men appeared from behind some hills. They advanced with beating drums. Their leader, Deng Xian, shouted to Wei Yan to surrender, but Wei Yan, whipping up his steed, fled even faster. However, the tired horse tripped and fell on its knees, throwing its rider to the ground. Deng Xian came galloping up and set his spear to slay Wei Yan. Before the spear could strike home, twang! sounded a bowstring, and Deng Xian lay flat upon the ground.
His comrade Ling Bao was about to go to his rescue when an enemy officer came dashing down the hill, and shouted: “The veteran general Huang Zhong is here.”
With uplifted sword Huang Zhong rode toward Ling Bao, who, unable to resist him, turned his steed and galloped away. Huang Zhong pursued, and the men of Shu were thrown into chaos. So Huang Zhong was able to rescue his rival Wei Yan. He had thus slain Deng Xian and forced his way up to the gate of the camp. Once again Ling Bao came on and engaged Huang Zhong. The two had fought a dozen bouts when the rear force swarmed forward, forcing Ling Bao to retreat again. This time he made for the other camp, abandoning his own to the men of Liu Bei.
But when he drew near he saw, instead of the familiar flags of his own side, alien banners fluttering in the wind. He checked his steed and stared at the new force. The leader was a general wearing a golden breastplate and clad in a silken robe—it was Liu Bei. On his left was his adopted son and on his right, his nephew.
“Where can you go?” cried Liu Bei. “I have captured the camp.”
Now Liu Bei had led his men in the track of his two officers ready to help either in case of need. He had come across the empty, undefended camp and taken possession.
Left without refuge, Ling Bao set off along a byway to try to get back to Luocheng. He had not gone far when he fell into an ambush set by Wei Yan, and was taken prisoner. Now Wei Yan, knowing he had committed a fault that could in no way be explained away, had collected his men together; and using some captured soldiers as guides, had laid an ambush and waited. He had Ling Bao bound with cords and sent to Liu Bei.
By then Liu Bei had hoisted the flag of pardon for the men of Shu, promising to spare the life of any soldier who would lay down his weapon and take off his armor. And if his men should harm those who surrendered, they would suffer the death penalty. Furthermore, he said to the men of Shu: “You men have parents and wives and little ones at home. Those who wish to return to them are free to go and those who wish to join my army will be received.”
At this proof of his generosity the sound of rejoicing filled the land.
Having made his camp, Huang Zhong came to Liu Bei and said, “Wei Yan should be put to death for disobedience.”
The culprit was summoned and came, bringing with him his prisoner. Liu Bei decided that the merit of capturing an important enemy officer exempted Wei Yan from punishment and told him to thank his rescuer Huang Zhong, prohibiting them both not to quarrel any more. Wei Yan bowed his head and admitted his fault, while Huang Zhong was handsomely rewarded.
The prisoner was then taken before Liu Bei, who loosened his bonds, gave him wine to relieve his fear, and asked him if he was willing to surrender.
“How can I not submit now that you have spared my life?” he said. “And I will do more than that. Liu Gui and Zhang Ren are sworn to live or die together with me. If you will release me I will return and bring them to you and thus you will gain possession of Luocheng.”
Liu Bei gladly accepted the offer. He gave Ling Bao clothing and a horse and asked him to go to the city to carry out his plan.
“Do not let him go,” said Wei Yan. “If you do, he will never come back again.”
Liu Bei replied, “If I treat men with kindness and justice they will not betray my trust.”
So the prisoner was set free. When he reached the city and saw his comrades he made up a story, saying that he had slain many of the enemy and had escaped by mounting the steed of one of his victims. Of his capture and release he said nothing. Messengers were sent in haste to Chengdu for help.
The loss of his officer, Deng Xian, disturbed the governor greatly. He called his advisors together for counsel. Then his eldest son Liu Xun said, “Father, let me go and defend Luocheng.”
The governor agreed and then he asked a volunteer to go with his son.
Wu Yi, the governor’s brother-in-law, at once offered himself. Two officers, called Wu Lan and Lei Tong, were then appointed to assist in the command. They were given 20,000 men, and the four departed for Luocheng. The officers came out of the city to welcome them and told them what had happened.
Wu Yi said, “If the enemy draws near it will be hard to drive them off again. What do you think should be done?”
Ling Bao replied, “The Fu River lies near and the current is strong. Where the enemy has set their camps the ground is the lowest. Give me 5,000 men with spades and shovels and I can turn the course of the river to flood their camps and drown Liu Bei and his army.”
The plan was approved, and Ling Bao went away to prepare the necessary tools. The two officers from Chengdu were to assist him.
Leaving Huang Zhong and Wei Yan in command of the two captured camps, Liu Bei went away to Fucheng to discuss further plans with his advisor Pang Tong. At this time spies brought in a report that Sun Quan had sent an envoy to form a league with Zhang Lu and urge him to attack Jiameng Pass. Liu Bei was alarmed. “If Jiameng Pass is taken I will have lost my way of retreat and my situation will be dangerous,” he said to Pang Tong. “What do you suggest, sir?”
Pang Tong turned to Meng De and said, “As a native of Shu you must be familiar with its topography. Would you like to go and keep the pass secure?”
“Let me recommend a man to accompany me and its safety will be guaranteed.”
“Who is he?” asked Liu Bei.
“He is called Huo Jun, formerly an officer under Liu Biao.”
This offer was accepted, and the two men departed.
That day when Pang Tong returned to his lodging, the doorkeeper told him that a visitor had arrived. Pang Tong went out to receive him and saw a large, tall, poorly dressed fellow whose hair had been cut short and hung upon his neck.
“Who are you, sir?” asked Pang Tong.
The visitor made no reply, but went straight into the room and lay upon the couch. Pang Tong, with rising suspicion, repeated his question several times. The visitor said, “Wait a minute and I will tell you about important things of the world.”
This answer only added to the mystery and increased the host’s suspicion, but he had wine and food brought in, which the guest ravenously devoured. Having eaten, he lay down again on the couch.
Pang Tong, greatly puzzled, suspected the man of being a spy. He sent for Fa Zheng, met him in the courtyard, and told him about the strange visitor.
“Can it be Peng Yang?” said Fa Zheng.
He went inside and looked. Immediately the visitor jumped up, saying, “My friend, I hope you have been keeping well since we parted last.”
Because two old friends meet again,
A river’s fatal flood is checked.
Who the strange visitor was will be disclosed in the next chapter.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Zhuge Liang Mourns the Death of Pang Tong
Zhang Fei Releases Yan Yan
Fa Zheng and the v
isitor showed every sign of joy to see each other, clapping their hands and laughing with pleasure.
“This is Peng Yang, one of the notable figures of this land. His blunt speech had once offended Prefect Liu, who put him to shame by shaving his head, chaining him, and forcing him to toil as a slave. That is why his hair is short.”
The introduction made, Pang Tong treated the stranger with all the courtesy due to a guest and asked him why he had come.
“To save a myriad of your men’s lives. I will explain fully when I see General Liu.”
A message was sent to Liu Bei, who came over to see the visitor.
“How many men do you have in the two camps, General?” asked the visitor, when he arrived.
Liu Bei told him.
“As a commander you cannot be ignorant of the topography of the land. Your camps over there are on the Fu River. If your enemy should divert the course of the river and hold your army in between their forces, not a single man of yours can escape.”
Liu Bei realized that this was true. The visitor continued, “The bowl of the Dipper is at present in the west and Venus stands above us, which forewarns of some misfortune. You must be very careful.”
Gratified for this warning, Liu Bei gave Peng Yang an appointment as an advisor. Then he sent a message to Huang Zhong and Wei Yan at the camps, telling them to keep a most vigilant lookout to guard against any plot to collapse the riverbank. After receiving this message the two officers decided to take turns to maintain a strict watch over the river and promised to keep the other informed as soon as enemy movement was spotted.
Away in the city, Ling Bao chose one very stormy night to carry out his scheme. Taking 5,000 men with him, he proceeded along the riverbank to seek a suitable place for the breach. But a sudden shouting to his rear told him that his enemy was on the alert, and he at once retreated. Wei Yan came in pursuit and many of Ling Bao’s men, in their haste to get away, trampled each other down. Suddenly Ling Bao and Wei Yan ran into each other, and they engaged in combat. The fight was very short, for Wei Yan soon took his opponent prisoner. The other two officers who came to assist Ling Bao were beaten off by Huang Zhong.
The prisoner was taken before Liu Bei at Fushui Pass. When he saw him, Liu Bei rebuked him severely for his ingratitude: “I treated you generously and set you free—you repaid me with betrayal. I cannot forgive you this time.”
So the prisoner was beheaded and his captor was rewarded. A banquet was given in honor of Peng Yang, who had alerted them to the danger.
Soon after this a letter came from Zhuge Liang, delivered by Ma Liang, who reported that all was calm in Jingzhou and told Liu Bei not to worry. Opening the letter, Liu Bei read: “I have been making some astrological calculations. This is the last year of the cycle, and the bowl of the Dipper is in the western quarter while Venus is above Luocheng. The configuration is unfavorable to commanders and utmost caution is necessary.”
Having read this and sent Ma Liang back, Liu Bei said he would return to Jingzhou and discuss the matter. But Pang Tong was opposed to this, for he thought in secret that Zhuge Liang’s warning was due to a jealous desire to prevent him from gaining the glory of seizing the whole of the west country. So he said, “I also have made calculations, and the fact that the bowl of the Dipper is in the western quarter can only mean that you are to get possession of this land. As for the evil omen indicated by Venus above Luocheng, the execution of Ling Bao has already proven it. Therefore there is no need to have any doubt, my lord. Just advance boldly.”
Liu Bei was persuaded and decided to follow Pang Tong’s advice. He ordered the two officers Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to lead.
Pang Tong asked Fa Zheng how far it was to get to Luocheng, and the latter drew a map, which was found to agree exactly with that left by Zhang Song.
Fa Zheng said, “North of the mountains is a high road leading to the east gate of Luocheng; south of the mountains is a byway leading to its west gate. Both these roads are suitable.”
So Pang Tong said to Liu Bei, “With Wei Yan to lead the way, I will go along the southern road, while you, my lord, will advance along the high road, with Huang Zhong in the van. We will attack at the same time.”
Liu Bei replied, “I was trained as a soldier and am accustomed to by-roads. I think you should take the high road and let me take the other.”
“There will be enemy opposition on the high road and you are the best to deal with it. Let me take the byroad.”
“No, you should not do that,” said Liu Bei. “I dreamed last night of a spirit hitting my right arm with a massive iron club and it still felt painful when I woke up. Could it mean that this expedition will turn out badly?”
Pang Tong replied, “When a soldier goes to battle he may be wounded, if not killed—he accepts whichever is his fate. Should he hesitate because of a dream?”
“The real thing that troubles me is the letter from Zhuge Liang. You had better remain here and guard Fu Pass. Do you agree to that?”
Pang Tong laughed, saying, “Zhuge Liang has filled your mind with doubts. He is unwilling to let me have the merit of accomplishing a great undertaking alone. That is why he has written that letter. And that dream of yours is the result of your doubts and hesitations and not a sign of ill omen. I am prepared for any sacrifice and I mean what I say. Please say no more, my lord. We will set forth early tomorrow morning.”
So an order was issued that the morning meal was to be taken at the fifth watch and the army was to depart at dawn. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were to take the lead, one along each road. These two set out first, and in due time Liu Bei and Pang Tong mounted and followed. Suddenly, Pang Tong’s horse shied and stumbled, throwing him off. Liu Bei jumped down and seized the horse by the bridle, saying, “Why do you ride this wretched beast?”
“I have ridden him a long time and he has never done this before,” was the reply.
“A shying steed in battle harms a man’s life,” said Liu Bei. “Ride my white horse, which is thoroughly trained and will never fail you. Give me yours.”
They exchanged horses. “I am deeply grateful for your kindness,” said Pang Tong. “I could never repay you if I were to suffer death a thousand times.”
Soon their ways diverged. After his advisor had left, Liu Bei felt ill at ease and rode on gloomily.
When the news of Ling Bao’s death reached Luocheng the commanders there took counsel together. Their comrade, Zhang Ren, said, “To the southeast of the city is a byroad which is of great importance. I am going to guard that point while you must do all you can to hold the city. There must be no mistakes.”
Soon news came of the advancing enemy to attack the city. Zhang Ren at once led 3,000 men to the byroad and placed them in ambush. They remained hidden and made no attack while Wei Yan passed. The main body under Pang Tong soon followed. The ambushing soldiers saw a rider on a fine white horse and pointed him out to Zhang Ren, saying that it must be Liu Bei. Zhang Ren, rejoicing greatly, gave orders to his men.
Suspecting nothing, Pang Tong hastened forward. By and by the mountain road narrowed to a defile with dense thickets on either side, and as the season was just changing from summer to fall, the foliage was thick and impenetrable. Suspicion began to rise in his heart. Reining in his steed, he asked his men if they knew the name of that place. One of the Shu soldiers, who had recently surrendered, said, “This place is called ‘Slope of the Fallen Phoenix’.”
Pang Tong was startled. “An evil omen for me!” he cried. “My Taoist name is ‘Phoenix Fledgeling’ and this place is called ‘Slope of the Fallen Phoenix’. There is no luck for me here.”
He immediately ordered the rearguard to retreat. But even as he gave the order, the roar of a bomb rent the air and arrows began to fly toward him, thick as swarming locusts. All the hidden men were shooting at the rider on the white horse. And there, pierced by numerous arrows, the poor strategist Pang Tong died at the age of thirty-six.
A poem says:
Deep in th
e blue recesses of the hills
Lay hid the modest hut of Pang Tong.
Each village urchin knew his story,
And any village rustic told his exploits.
He knew the empire must be triply rent,
And far he traveled lonely, to and fro.
None knew that Heaven would cast down his star,
Forbidding his return in glory clad.
A song was also written about Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang:
They were two, the Phoenix and the Dragon,
And they would travel far to Shu;
But on the road thither
The Phoenix died on the mountain slope.
The wind sends off the rain,
The rain pelts with the wind.
It was the day of the Han restoration,
When Shu was attained,
But in the attainment
Only the Dragon remained.
Not only was the leader of the expedition slain, but the majority of the soldiers died in the narrow road that fatal day. Some of the men in the van escaped and ran to tell Wei Yan of the mishap, and he hurriedly halted his advance. However, the narrow byroad rendered it impossible for him to fight and what is worse, his way of retreat was cut by Zhang Ren, whose archers and crossbowmen sent down flights of arrows at his men from all the heights. Wei Yan became seriously alarmed.
Then one of the former Shu soldiers proposed taking the high road for Luocheng. Wei Yan took the advice and the army started toward the city. But in front of them arose a great cloud of dust, signaling the approach of an enemy force which turned out to be Wu Lan and Lei Tong, two of the defenders of the city. Soon, from behind came Zhang Ren in pursuit and Wei Yan was closed in between the two armies like the kernel of a nut. Wei Yan fought desperately but was still unable to get through. When his situation seemed most dangerous and hopeless, he saw signs of confusion in the rear of the enemy force that lay between him and the city. The two leaders turned in a hurry to rally their men. Wei Yan, taking advantage of this, pressed after the enemy and presently saw men of his own side, led by the veteran Huang Zhong.