“He has always been most kind and courteous. I couldn’t bear to take advantage of his weakness.”
“A kindly and gracious lord indeed,” sighed Zhuge Liang.
As they were talking the elder son of Liu Biao was announced and Liu Bei welcomed him in. The young man, Liu Qi by name, bowed and then began to weep. “My stepmother hates me and my very life is in danger. Can’t you save me, uncle?”
“My worthy nephew, this is a family affair. You shouldn’t come to me.”
Zhuge Liang, who was present, smiled. Liu Bei turned to him for help.
“This is a family affair—I cannot be involved,” replied Zhuge Liang.
The young man soon left and when Liu Bei was seeing him out he whispered, “I’ll get Zhuge Liang to return your call and you can talk to him.” Then he whispered something in his ear.
Liu Qi thanked him and left. The next day, when the call was to be made, Liu Bei pretended to be suffering from stomach ache and made that an excuse to send Zhuge Liang alone on the visit. So the advisor went to Liu Qi’s house and was conducted into the inner hall by the young host. When tea was brought to them, Liu Qi said: “I am an object of my stepmother’s dislike—can you advise me what to do?”
“As a mere guest I can hardly have anything to do with your own ‘flesh and bone’ matters. If I did, and the story got abroad, much harm might ensue.”
With this he rose to take leave. But Liu Qi was unwilling to let him go. He said, “Since you have taken the trouble to come, you cannot mean to go away so soon.”
He led his visitor into a private chamber and had wine brought in. While they drank he repeated his previous plea and begged Zhuge Liang to teach him how to avoid being harmed by his stepmother, who would not tolerate his existence.
“It is not the sort of thing I can advise on,” replied Zhuge Liang, as he rose for the second time to take leave.
“Well, it is all right if you will not reply, sir. But why leave so early?”
So Zhuge Liang once more seated himself and Liu Qi said, “I have an ancient book that I would like to show you.” And he led his visitor to a small building.
“Where is the book?” asked Zhuge Liang when they had got there.
Instead of answering Liu Qi bowed to him and said in tears, “My stepmother cannot bear me and my life is in danger. Oh, sir, will you not say a word to save me?”
Zhuge Liang flushed and rose to go away. But he found the ladder by which they had mounted had been removed. Again Liu Qi begged for some advice: “You were afraid lest what you advised me might get abroad. Is that why you kept silent? Here we are, between earth and sky, and what you say will come out of your mouth and go directly into my ear. No other soul can hear. Now you can tell me what to do.”
“As the saying goes, ‘Do not sow dissension among relatives,’” said Zhuge Liang. “How can I scheme on your behalf?”
“Then my life is indeed in danger,” said the young man. “I will die at your feet.”
So saying, he pulled out a dagger and threatened to commit suicide.
Zhuge Liang checked him. “There is a way,” he said.
“Please tell me.”
“Have you not heard of the story of the two brothers, Shen Sheng and Chong Er?* Shen Sheng stayed at home and died, while his brother went away and lived. Now that Huang Zu is gone and no one is guarding Jiangxia, why not ask to be sent there to hold it? Then you will be out of harms way.”
Liu Qi thanked him again and again. Then he called his people to restore the ladder and he escorted Zhuge Liang down.
Zhuge Liang returned and related to Liu Bei the whole story, which pleased him very much. The young man soon acted on Zhuge Liang’s advice, but his father would not at first consent to let him go. To settle his doubts he consulted Liu Bei, who said, “Jiangxia is important and your son is the most suitable man to guard it. You must let him go. Then the southeast will be defended by your son and I will look after the northeast.”
“I hear that Cao Cao has been training a naval force,” said Liu Biao. “I’m afraid he intends to attack us. We must be on our guard.”
“I know all about it—have no fears,” said Liu Bei.
He took his leave and went home while Liu Qi received command of 3,000 men and went to guard Jiangxia.
At this time Cao Cao had abolished the three high offices of the government and exercised their functions himself. He appointed as his secretaries, Mao Jie, Cui Yan, and Sima Yi, the last of whom was a grandson of Sima Jun, and son of Sima Fang. Thus he was firmly established on the civil side.
He then called his military officers to a council to discuss an expedition against the south. Xiahou Dun spoke first, “Liu Bei is drilling his army at Xinye and is a source of danger. He should be destroyed.”
Cao Cao was of the same opinion so he appointed Xiahou Dun commander of an army of 100,000 men to leave for Bowang, from where he could observe Liu Bei’s movements in Xinye. Four other officers were assigned to assist him.
However, the advisor Xun Yu was opposed to this. He said, “Liu Bei is a resourceful warrior and he has lately gained Zhuge Liang as his advisor. We must be cautious.”
Xiahou Dun retorted, “Liu Bei is a mean rat. I will certainly take him prisoner.”
“Do not despise him, General,” said Xu Shu. “Now he has Zhuge Liang to help him, he is like a tiger who has grown wings.”
Cao Cao asked, “Who is this Zhuge Liang?”
“He is also called ‘Master Sleeping Dragon.’ He is a perfect genius and is so brilliantly talented that he can compare with gods or spirits, the greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him.”
“How does he stand compared with you?” asked Cao Cao.
“How dare I compare with him? I am a mere glowworm spark, whereas he is the glory of the full moon,” replied Xu Shu.
“You are spreading a myth,” replied Xiahou Dun. “To my mind, this Zhuge Liang is of no account and not worth thinking about. If I do not take him and his master prisoners in the first battle, then I will submit my head to you.”
“Send me news of your victory as soon as possible to put my heart at ease,” said Cao Cao.
Xiahou Dun, greatly encouraged, took his leave and soon departed for the expedition.
The advent of Zhuge Liang and the deference shown him did not please Liu Bei’s sworn brothers, who complained to him: “Zhuge Liang is quite young. How can he have any real learning or talent? You’re treating him much too well. And we haven’t seen any evidence of his skill.”
Liu Bei replied, “You don’t know his worth. To me it’s like the fish getting back to the water. Say no more about this, brothers.”
They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied. One day a man presented Liu Bei with a yak’s tail and he put it in his cap as an ornament. Zhuge Liang came in and noticed it at once. “Then you have forgotten all about your ambition, my lord—you are just going to attend to this sort of trifle,” he remarked coldly.
Liu Bei flung his cap to the floor immediately. “I was trying to forget my worries with this,” he explained.
“How do you think you stand compared with Cao Cao?” asked Zhuge Liang.
“He is stronger.”
“Your army amounts to only a few thousand and if his army comes to attack, how are you going to deal with it?”
“That’s exactly what I’m worrying about—but I can see no way.”
“You should recruit men at once and I will train them. Then we will be able to oppose him.”
So recruiting began and 3,000 were enlisted. Zhuge Liang set about drilling them diligently.
Soon they heard that Xiahou Dun was leading a large army to attack them. When he heard this, Zhang Fei said to his brother, Guan Yu: “We’ll get this Zhuge Liang to go and fight him.”
Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked them for their advice.
“Why not send ‘water’ to oppose him, brother?” mocked Zhang Fei.
“For strategy
I rely on Zhuge Liang—but for action I depend on you, brothers. Are you going to fail me?”
They went out and Zhuge Liang was called. “I fear your brothers will not obey me,” said Zhuge Liang. “If I am to direct the campaign, you must lend me your sword and seal of authority.”
So Liu Bei gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power, Zhuge Liang summoned the officers to receive orders.
Zhang Fei said to Guan Yu, “Let’s go and see how he deploys the troops.”
When all were assembled, Zhuge Liang said, “On the left of Bowang are hills and on the right, a forest. There we will lay ambushes. Guan Yu, you will go to the hill with a thousand men. When the enemy comes, keep quiet and let them pass without fighting. I am sure their baggage and provisions will be at the back of the column. Then, when you see a flame in the south, come out and burn their supplies. Zhang Fei, you will go to the valley behind the forest. When you see the fire in the south, go to the old storage depot at Bowang and burn that. Guan Ping and Liu Feng, you two are to take 500 men each, prepare combustibles, and wait on separate sides of Bowang slope. The enemy will arrive at around the first watch and then start the blaze.”
Then he sent a messenger to call Zhao Yun back from Fancheng. He would be put in the lead of the army, but he was to lose, not win. And Liu Bei was to take a thousand men and command the reserve force.
In conclusion Zhuge Liang said, “See that each one does what he is ordered to do and let there be no mistakes.”
Then Guan Yu said, “All of us are to go out and meet the enemy, but I have not yet heard what you are going to do.”
“I am going to guard the city.”
Zhang Fei burst into laughter. “We are all to go out to the bloody battle and you are to stay at home. How very comfortable!”
“Here is the sword and here is the seal,” replied the strategist, displaying the emblems of authority. “Disobedience of orders will be punished by death.”
Liu Bei said, “Don’t you understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber will determine victories thousands of li away? Don’t disobey the command, brothers.”
Zhang Fei went out smiling cynically.
Guan Yu remarked, “Let’s see if his strategies work or not. If he should fail, we can shame him.”
The two brothers left. None of the officers knew how good a strategist Zhuge Liang was and though they obeyed the orders, they were not without doubts and misgivings.
Zhuge Liang said to Liu Bei, “You can now lead your thousand men to camp by the hills. The enemy will arrive tomorrow evening. Then you are to abandon the camp and retreat till the fire signal is seen. Then you should turn back and attack with all your might. The two Mi brothers and I will guard the city with the remaining five hundred soldiers.”
In the city he asked Sun Qian and Jian Yong to prepare banquets to celebrate the victory and also get ready the books to record meritorious services. Liu Bei noted all these preparations with not a little misgiving in his heart.
In due course, Cao Cao’s army reached Bowang. Xiahou Dun put half of the force, composed of the veterans, in the front for the main attack and the other half to guard the baggage. Thus they marched in two divisions. The season was fall and a chilly wind began to blow.
They pressed forward. Presently, they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them and Xiahou Dun ordered the ranks to spread out. From the guide he learned that the place was called Bowang slope and behind it was Luo stream. Then he rode to the front, leaving Yu Jin and Li Dian to guard their position on two sides.
Suddenly he began to laugh. When asked about the cause of his merriment, he replied, “I’m laughing at Xu Shu, who praised Zhuge Liang to the very skies as if he were more than human. But now that I see how he has placed his men and the quality of his vanguard, it seems to me that he is sending dogs or sheep to fight against tigers and leopards. I bragged a little before the prime minister when I said I would take him and Liu Bei prisoners, but now I see I’m going to manage it.”
Then he rode forward at full speed. Zhao Yun came forth to meet him and Xiahou Dun shouted, “You stupid followers of Liu Bei! You are like wraiths clinging to the devil.”
This angered Zhao Yun and a combat began, but in a little time Zhao Yun turned and retreated as if he was defeated. Xiahou Dun pressed after him and kept up the chase for some ten li. Then Zhao Yun suddenly turned again and offered to fight—but only to retreat again after a few passes.
Seeing this rather suspicious behavior of Zhao Yun’s, one of Xiahou Dun’s subordinates rode up to his chief and urged him to be cautious, for he feared Zhao Yun was trying to lead him to an ambush.
“With such antagonists as these I should not fear a score of ambushes,” replied Xiahou Dun. And so he ignored the warning and pressed forward eagerly.
Just as he reached the slope he heard the roar of a bomb and out came Liu Bei to attack. “Here is your ambush,” said Xiahou Dun, laughing. “I swear I will get to Xinye this evening!”
He urged his men forward and his opponents retreated as he advanced.
As evening came on, the sky was overcast with thick clouds and there was no sign of the moon. The wind that had started to blow early in the day then increased its force. Nevertheless, Xiahou Dun still urged his men to pursue the retreating foe. His two assistant officers came to a narrow part of the road, with thick reeds and rushes all around them.
“Those who underestimate the enemy are sure to suffer defeat,” said Li Dian to Yu Jin. “Here in the south the roads are narrow, and streams and hills are everywhere. The woods are dense with trees. If the enemy should resort to fire we’d be lost.”
“That’s right,” replied Yu Jin. “I’ll go and warn the general. You tell the rear force to halt.”
Li Dian then reined in his horse and shouted at the top of his voice to halt those coming forward, but it was not possible to check the movement of an onrushing army.
Yu Jin, on the other hand, rode forward to the front and shouted, “Please halt, General!” Xiahou Dun saw him coming up and asked him what the matter was. Yu Jin told him of the state of the country and reminded him of the danger of fire. Only then did Xiahou Dun realize the seriousness of the situation. He at once ordered his men to stop advancing, But before he could finish speaking there arose loud shouting from behind. Immediately, great tongues of flame shot up here and there. Fanned by the strong wind, these spread very quickly and soon the fire was in “the four corners and the eight sides.”
Cao Cao’s troops were thrown into extreme confusion and many were trampled down by their own men. Countless soldiers perished. At this point Zhao Yun turned his forces to smite them and Xiahou Dun dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.
Seeing that things were going very badly Li Dian turned to get back to Bowang, but fell upon a body of men in the way, led by Guan Yu. He dashed into them and managed to force a way through. His colleague Yu Jin saw that the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to guard, so he fled along a bypath. Two other officers who came to try to save the supplies met Zhang Fei—one of them was slain at once but the other escaped. The battle lasted till the next morning and the countryside was strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.
The armies met on Bowang slope
And Zhuge Liang fought with fire;
A perfect strategist, he bent
All men to his desire.
But poor Cao Cao, his enemy,
He trembled in his shoes
Before the man, who’d never fought,
Yet he could armies use.
Xiahou Dun drew up the battered remnants of his army and led them back to the capital.
Zhuge Liang collected his army and as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rode homeward they said to each other that the new strategist was a real hero. Soon they saw coming toward them a light carriage in which was seated none other than the admirable advisor and they both dismounted and bowed before him. Then the other officers also returned. The spoils were distributed among
the officers and men and all marched back to Xinye, where the populace lined the roads to welcome them. “We survived this time,” cried the people. “It is all because you have acquired the assistance of a wise advisor.”
When Zhuge Liang got back to town, he said to his master: “Xiahou Dun has been driven off, but Cao Cao will certainly come with a stronger force.”
“And what can we do?” asked Liu Bei.
“I have a plan to drive him off,” said Zhuge Liang.
No time for rest yet for horses or men;
Plans are sought again to dodge where one can.
Zhuge Liang’s plan to defeat Cao Cao will be revealed in the next chapter.
Footnote
* Two sons of Duke Xian of Jing in the Spring and Autumn Period.
CHAPTER FORTY
Lady Cai Plans to Submit Jingzhou to Cao Cao
Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye
When Liu Bei asked how his advisor hoped to repel Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang replied, “Xinye is a small city and unsuitable for a long occupation. Liu Biao is ill and failing fast, so this is the time to capture his district and use it as a base where we may be safe against Cao Cao.”
“Your plan, though a good one, is not feasible. I am much indebted to Liu Biao for his kindness and I cannot bear to be so ungrateful to him.”
“If you do not take this opportunity you will regret it ever after,” said Zhuge Liang.
“I would rather perish than do what is wrong.”
“We will discuss it later,” replied Zhuge Liang.
When Xiahou Dun reached the capital he went to his master in bonds and bowed to the ground, pleading guilty for the defeat. But his master forgave him and let him tell his tale. He said, “I was victim of Zhuge Liang’s evil tricks—he assaulted us with fire.”
“As a soldier from your youth you should have known that fire was a likely weapon in narrow roads.”
“Li Dian and Yu Jin did remind me. How much I regret it now!”
Cao Cao rewarded the two officers who had warned their leader.