Jia Xu, as he had guessed
the enemy's intention, had also devised a countermove. So he went to his chief
and said, "I saw Cao Cao very carefully reconnoitering round about the
city. He certainly noticed that the southeast corner of the wall had been
lately restored with mud bricks of a different kind, and that the fencing
barrier is badly out of repair. He will try to effect an entrance there.
Wherefore he is making a feint attack at the opposite point. He is piling up
straw and making ostentatious preparations whereby to cajole us into
withdrawing from the real point of attack to defend the northwest. His troops
will scale the walls in the darkness and try to enter at the southeast."
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"Supposing
your surmise correct, what do you advise?" asked Zhang Xiu.
"The countermove is plain. You issue an order for our best and
bravest soldiers to fill their bellies, to take only the lightest outfit and
conceal themselves in the houses near the southeast corner. Then disguise the
townspeople as soldiers and send them to pretend to defend the northwest.
Tonight we will let the enemy climb up the walls and enter the city and, once
they are fairly within, give the signal and the concealed soldiers will rush
out upon them. We may even capture Cao Cao himself."
The
stratagem was decided upon.
Soon
the scouts told Cao Cao: "The defenders of the city have moved to the
northwest where noisy preparations for defense are going on. The opposite
corner is left undefended."
"They have fallen into my trap!" said Cao Cao gleefully.
He
ordered his troops to prepare shovels and hooks and all the gear needed for
scaling walls, and all day they kept up the attack on the northwest angle.
But at the second watch they dispatched the veterans to the
opposite corner, where they climbed the wall, broke up the fencing barrier, and
got into the city apparently without disturbing any of the guards. There was no
sign of life anywhere as they entered.
But just as they were leaving the wall, suddenly a bomb
exploded and they found themselves in an ambush. They turned to retire, but
Zhang Xiu immediately fell on the rear and began a slaughter.
Cao Cao's troops were totally defeated and fled out of the
gate into the country.
Zhang Xiu kept up the pursuit till daybreak, when he retired
into the city again.
Cao
Cao then rallied his army and mustered his soldiers. He had lost fifty thousand
and much baggage, while two of his generals, Lu Qian and Yu Jin were wounded.
Cao
Cao being thus worsted, Jia Xu advised Zhang Xiu to write off to Liu Biao to
cut off Cao Cao's retreat so that he might be utterly destroyed.
Liu
Biao was preparing an army for this purpose, when a scout came to say that Sun
Ce had encamped in the river at Hukou.
Kuai
Liang said, "This move of Sun Ce in the river is part of Cao Cao's
strategy, and there will be never-ending regret if Cao Cao is allowed to
escape. An immediate expedition is necessary."
Wherefore
Liu Biao moved out with his army to Anzhong to block Cao Cao, leaving Huang Zu
to hold Jingzhou's points of vantage. Zhang Xiu, having been informed of the
movement of Liu Biao, went with Jia Xu to smite Cao Cao on the rear.
In
the meantime Cao Cao's army, marching very leisurely, had arrived at Xiangyang.
Walking one day beside
River Yu, he suddenly uttered a great cry, and when his officers asked the
reason thereof, he replied, "I remembered that here, only a year ago, I
lost my great general: Dian Wei. Is that not a reason to grieve?"
Thereupon
Cao Cao gave orders to halt, while he should make a great sacrifice and mourn
for his lost leader. At the ceremony he himself burned incense and wailed and
prostrated himself. The army was much affected by his devotion. After the
sacrifices to the lost hero, he sacrificed to the names of his nephew Cao Amin
and his eldest son Cao Ang, both of whom had died at the same time. He also
sacrificed to his lost soldiers and even to his Dawan steed which had been
killed by an arrow.
Next
day Xun Yu wrote to tell Cao Cao that Liu Biao had gone to help Zhang Xiu and
was camped at Anzhong, thereby cutting his road of retreat.
Cao Cao replied to the letter, saying, "I have been marching only a
short distance each day and of course knew of the pursuit. But my plans are
laid and, as I am near Anzhong, my enemy will be broken. You need not have any
fears."
Then
Cao Cao hastened his march till he came near where Liu Biao had taken position.
Zhang Xiu still shortened the distance. Cao Cao ordered his men during the
night to open a secret way through a pass, where he laid an ambush.
With the first light of
dawn Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu met. As Cao Cao's force looked small, they thought
he had retired so they boldly advanced into the pass to smite him.
Then
the ambush was opened, and both the attackers' forces were cut up. The fighting
ended; Cao Cao's soldiers went outside the pass and encamped.
The
two leaders on the other side restored order among their beaten troops and then
held a conference.
"How
could we have foreseen such a wicked ruse?" said Liu Biao.
"Let
us try again," said Zhang Xiu.
Wherefore
they joined forces at Anzhong.
But
Xun Yu discovered through his spies that Yuan Shao was preparing an attack on
Capital Xuchang, so he at once wrote to Cao Cao who, much disturbed by this news,
set out homeward right away.
When
Zhang Xiu heard this through his scouts, he wished to follow the retreating
army.
Jia
Xu opposed it and said, "It will lead to a defeat."
However,
Liu Biao said, "It is wrong to lose such a chance."
And so finally pursuit was decided upon.
They had not marched more
than four miles before they came upon Cao Cao's rearguard, who fought with
great vigor and bravery so that the pursuers were beaten off and went home
discomfited.
Zhang
Xiu said to Jia Xu, "This defeat comes from my not following your
advice."
"Now
set your army in order and pursue," said Jia Xu.
"But
we have just suffered defeat!" cried both leaders. "Do you now
counsel pursuit?"
"Yes, and the result will be a great victory if you go
now. I will venture my head on that," said Jia Xu.
Zhang
Xiu had confidence, but Liu Biao was afraid and would not accompany him. So one
army only started in pursuit.
However, this was enough. Cao Cao's rear-guard was thoroughly routed and
abandoned their wagons and their baggage in their hasty flight. Zhang Xiu
pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from the shelter of some hills and
checked him.
Fearful to try further, he hastened back to Anzhong.
The
other general, Liu Biao, asked the adviser to explain his apparent
inconsistency, saying, "When our veteran and brave soldiers were going to
pursue those who retreated, you said our men would lose the day; and when
defeated men pursued the victors, you foretold victory. You were right in both
cases, but we wish you would enlighten us."
"It is easy to explain. You, Generals, although skilled leaders,
are not a match for our enemy. Though Cao Cao had lost a battle, he had able
generals to keep the rear and guard against pursuit. Our soldiers are good, but
not a match for them. That is how I knew. For as much as Cao Cao's hurried
retreat was due to trouble in the capital, and he had beaten off our attack, I
knew he would retire at his utmost speed and not take his usual precautions. I
ventured to take advantage of his laxity."
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Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu
could not but affirm his complete understanding of the conditions. On the
advice of Jia Xu then Liu Biao returned to Jingzhou, while Zhang Xiu took up
his position at Xiangyang so that each strengthened the other as the lips protect
the teeth from cold.
When
Cao Cao, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued, he hastily
turned back to support the rearguard. Then he saw the pursuing army draw off.
The
soldiers of the beaten rearguard said, "Had it not been for the troops
that came out of the hills, we should all have been lost."
"What
troops?" asked Cao Cao in surprise.
The
leader of the troops then advanced, slung his spear and, dismounting, made a
low obeisance. He was Li Tong, Imperial Commander, from Jiangxia.
Cao
Cao asked him why he had come.
Li
Tong replied, "I was in command at Runan when I heard of the struggle
going on, so I came to lend you any help I could."
To
show his gratitude, Cao Cao conferred upon Li Tong the title Lord Who Renders
High Services, and confirmed him in his command as the defense of Runan against
Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu. Then Li Tong expressed his thanks and took his leave.
On
his return to the capital, Cao Cao presented a memorial on the good services
rendered by Sun Ce, and the Emperor made him Lord of Wu with the title General
Who Destroys Rebels. The messenger bearing the decree bore also the order to
repress Liu Biao.
Cao
Cao went to his palace and there received the ceremonial calls of
congratulation. These finished, Xun Yu asked, saying, "You, Sir, marched
very leisurely to Anzhong: How came it that you felt certain of victory?"
Cao
Cao replied, "My soldiers, who retire and find their retreat cut off,
fight vigorously and desperately. I retired slowly to entice the enemy into
following whereby I could do as I wished with them. Basing my movements on
these considerations I felt secure."
Xun
Yu bowed his head in admiration.
When
Guo Jia entered, Cao Cao said, "Why so late, Sir?"
The
visitor drew a letter from his sleeve, saying to his master, "Yuan Shao
sends this expressing he desires to send an army to attack Gongsun Zan and
wishes you to lend provisions and troops."
"I
heard Yuan Shao was going to attack Xuchang. I suppose my return has made him
change his intention," said Cao Cao.
Then
he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant terms.
"Yuan
Shao is so exceedingly rude that I will attack him," said Cao Cao.
"Only I think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?"
Guo
Jia said, "My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict
between Liu Bang, the Supreme Ancestor, and Xiang Yu, his rival. The former won
only by superior wisdom. Xiang Yu was the stronger, but in the end he was
overcome. Your rival has ten weak points whereas you have ten strong ones, and,
though his army is large, it is not terrible."
Then
Guo Jia continued, "Yuan Shao is overmuch devoted to ceremony and
deportment; while you are sympathetic and natural; this is an excellence in
conduct. He is antagonistic and drives; you are conciliatory and lead; so you
have the advantage of popular approval. For many years the government has been
lax, and he makes it more so; you strive vigorously after efficiency; this is
the excellence of able administration. He is outwardly liberal but grudging at
heart, and too given to nepotism; you appear exacting, but you understand and
use people after their ability; this is the advantage of correct appreciation. He
is a visionary but lacking in decision; you are a man of prompt decision and
direct action; this is an advantage in policy. He loves to gather about him
people of renown; you treat people as you find them regardless of their
reputation; this is where you excel in moral virtue. He is compassionate to
those at hand, but careless about those out of sight; your care is
all-embracing; this is where you excel in humanity. He lends a ready ear to
calumny and is misled; you may be flooded with evil counsel, but you preserve
independence; this is where you excel in perspicacity. His sense of right and
wrong is confused; your appreciation is accurate and clear; this is where you
excel in administrative capacity. He loves the make-believe force, but is
ignorant of military essentials; you would overcome with far inferior numbers
as you possess military genius; this is where you excel in war. With your ten
superiorities, you will have no difficulty in overcoming Yuan Shao."
"How
can I be worth as much as you say?" said Cao Cao, smiling.
"What
Guo Jia has said about the ten points in your favor agrees exactly with what I
think," said Xun Yu. "Yuan Shao's army is not formidable in spite of
its size."
"The
real and dangerous enemy is Lu Bu," said Guo Jia. "When Yuan Shao has
gone north to destroy Gongsun Zan, we ought to sweep away Lu Bu and so clear
away our danger from that side; for if this is not done, our attack on Yuan
Shao will be the signal for an attempt on the capital. That would be most
serious."
Cao Cao saw things in the
same light as his advisers and began to discuss plans for an attack on Lu Bu.
Xun Yu was of opinion that they should first secure the fidelity and aid of Liu
Bei. So letters were written, and they waited his assurance before moving a
soldier. Then, in order to reassure Yuan Shao, his emissary was treated with
great kindness, and a memorial presented to the Emperor asking extra honors for
him. Yuan Shao was made Imperial Protector of the four northern
regions---Jizhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou. With all this a private
letter was written by Cao Cao urging upon him to attack Gongsun Zan and
promising assistance.
So
Yuan Shao's army started.
In
the meantime the two Chen Deng and Chen Gui were playing their game. At every
feast and gathering in Xuzhou, they uttered the most fulsome praises of Lu Bu.
Chen
Gong was greatly displeased and took an opportunity to talk about them to his
master.
"They
flatter you to your face, but what is in their hearts? You ought to be most
carefully on your guard."
"Hold your tongue!" was the angry reply. "You are simply
slandering them without the slightest excuse. You want to harm good
people."
"No ears for loyal
words," said Chen Gong, as he went away sad at heart, "and we shall
suffer."
He thought seriously of
abandoning Lu Bu, but that would be too painful a wrench. Beside he feared
people would laugh at him.
So
the days passed sorrowfully for him. One day, with a few horsemen, he rode out
to the country near Xiaopei to hunt.
On the high road he saw a
messenger galloping along in hot haste and began to wonder what it might mean.
He left the hunt, rode across country, and intercepted the rider.
"Where
are you from? Who sent you?" asked Chen Gong.
The messenger made no reply for he knew to what party his captors
belonged. But they searched him and found a letter, the secret reply to Cao
Cao's letter from Liu Bei.
The
messenger and the letter were both taken straight to Lu Bu.
Lu
Bu questioned the man, who said, "The Prime Minister sent me to bear a
letter to Imperial Protector Liu Bei. I was now taking back the reply. I know
nothing more, and I am ignorant of the contents of the letters."
So
Lu Bu tore it open and read:
"I have received your commands concerning the
destruction of Lu Bu, and dare I for a moment venture to disregard them? But my
force is weak and I must act with extreme circumspection. If you move your main
body, then I will hasten forward, and in the meantime my army shall be got
ready and weapons prepared. I await your command."
Lu
Bu was really alarmed.
"The
wretches!" cried he. "To dare to act thus!"
The
unhappy messenger was put to death and countermoves planned.
Chen Gong and Zang Ba went
to enlist the help of the Taishan Mountains bandits---Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li,
and Chang Xi---so that they would take Yanzhou in the East of Huashan
Mountains. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao went to attack Liu Bei in Xiaopei. Song Xian
and Wei Xu went west to attack Runan and Yingchuan. And Lu Bu took command of a
large body of troops ready to afford help wherever needed.
The
departure of the army under Gao Shun against Xiaopei was reported to Liu Bei,
who assembled his officers at a council.
Sun Qian advised sending a message to the capital to inform Cao Cao of
their danger. In response to the chief's call, Jian Yong, a fellow townsman of
Liu Bei, offered to take the message. Up to that moment Jian Yong had served as
a secretary.
So a letter was written,
and Jian Yong set out at once on his journey.
Then
preparations were made for defense: Liu Bei commanding at the south gate; Sun
Qian at the north gate; Guan Yu at the west gate; and Zhang Fei at the east
gate. Mi Zhu and his brother Mi Fang commanded the family guard in the center.
The two Mis were put in command of the house guard because
they were Liu Bei's brothers-in-law; Liu Bei had taken a sister of Mi Zhu as a
second wife. Hence they were suitable men to guard the family.
In
due course Gao Shun came to the south gate. Liu Bei ascended the tower and
said, "I have no quarrel with your master, why do you come here with an
army?"
"You
have plotted with Cao Cao to injure my master as we know now: Why should I not
bind you?"
So
saying Gao Shun gave the signal to attack. But Liu Bei did not go out to
repulse Gao Shun; he only kept the gate fast closed.
Soon
after, Zhang Liao led an attack on the west gate, then kept by Guan Yu, who
addressed Zhang Liao from the wall.
"You are too good a man to waste yourself on rebels," said
Guan Yu.
Zhang
Liao hung his head and made no reply. Guan Yu knew that Zhang Liao had a sound
heart and high principles and said no more, as he was unwilling to wound Zhang
Liao. Nor did he go out to attack.
Zhang
Liao then drew off and proceeded to the east gate, and Zhang Fei went out to
give battle. Soon it was told Guan Yu, who came over quickly. He saw Zhang Fei
going out, but Zhang Liao was already withdrawing. Zhang Fei wished to pursue,
but his brother held him back.
"He
is afraid and so has gone away. It would be best to pursue," said Zhang
Fei.
"No,"
said Guan Yu. "As a warrior he is not inferior to either of us, but I have
spoken a few straight words, and he has sunk deep. He is repentant and that is
why he will not meet us."
So
Zhang Fei understood, and the gates were shut and orders given for careful
defense.
When
Jian Yong, Liu Bei's messenger, reached the capital, he saw Cao Cao and told
him what had happened. The advisers were called to discuss a plan.
Cao
Cao said, "I wish to attack Lu Bu. I fear not Yuan Shao, but Liu Biao and
Zhang Xiu may attack me in the rear."
Xun
You, the nephew of Xun Yu, replied, "Both these latter have been too
recently defeated to do anything so rash. But Lu Bu is a bold fighting man, and
if he joined forces with Yuan Shu and they set themselves to conquer River Huai
and River Si, the problem would he difficult."
Then
spoke Guo Jia, "Let us take advantage of the moment before they have fully
made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared."
And
Cao Cao did so. An army of fifty thousand were sent in advance with four
commanders---Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Lu Qian, and Li Dian. Cao Cao commanded
the Center Army, which marched by divisions, and Jian Yong brought up the rear.
Soon
the scouts informed Gao Shun. He sent flying messengers to Lu Bu, who detached
two hundred horse with Hou Cheng, Cao Xing, and He Meng to assist him. Gao Shun
posted this reinforcement and his army about ten miles from Xiaopei to meet Cao
Cao's army. Lu Bu and the main army also followed close.
When Liu Bei saw the enemy retiring from the city, he knew Cao Cao's
army was close at hand. So, making arrangements for guarding the city within,
he and his two brothers marched their troops out of the city and made a camp,
that they might be ready to assist.
Now
the division of Cao Cao's army under Xiahou Dun, having marched out in advance,
first came into touch with Gao Shun. Xiahou Dun at once rode out with spear set
and offered a challenge.
It
was accepted and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Gao Shun
began to weaken and had to turn back. He rode round to the rear of his array.
Xiahou Dun was not the man to quail, so he followed right into the enemy's
country.
Then Cao Xing, one of Lu Bu's generals, secretly strung his bow, fitted
an arrow and, when Xiahou Dun had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit
Xiahou Dun full in the left eye. He shrieked, and putting up his head, pulled
out the arrow and with it the eye.
"Essence
of my father, blood of my mother, I cannot throw this away!" cried Xiahou
Dun, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it.
Then
resuming his firm grip of his spear, Xiahou Dun went after this new enemy.
There was no escape for Cao Xing. He was overtaken and fell with a fatal spear
wound full in the face.
Both
sides were stricken dumb with amazement.
Having
thus slain the man who had wounded him, Xiahou Dun rode back toward his own
side. Gao Shun went in pursuit and, waving on his army, attacked so vigorously
that he won the day. Xiahou Yuan defended for his elder brother as they fled.
Lu
Qian and Li Dian led various divisions back to Jibei and made a camp.
Gao
Shun, having scored this victory, returned to attack Liu Bei; and as Lu Bu
opportunely arrived with Zhang Liao, these three arranged their forces so that
each attacked one of the brothers.
Dauntless was Xiahou Dun, that warrior bold,
His courage had been proved of old;
But smitten sore one hapless day,
He might not in the battle stay.
The
fate of Liu Bei will be told in the next chapter.
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Xiahou Dun |
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Xiahou Dun |