At
the sight of Guan Yu falling from his charger, Cao Ren led his army out of the
city to follow up with an attack, but Guan Ping drove him off and escorted his
father back to camp.
There
the arrow was extracted, but the arrow head had been poisoned.
The
wound was deep, and the poison had penetrated to the bone. The right arm was
discolored and swollen and useless.
Guan Ping consulted with the other leaders and proposed, saying,
"As fighting is impossible for the moment, we should withdraw to Jingzhou,
where my father's wound can be treated."
Having
decided upon this, they went to see the wounded warrior.
"What
have you come for?" asked Guan Yu when they entered.
"Considering
that you, Sir, have been wounded in the right arm, we fear the result of the
excitement of battle. Moreover, you can hardly take part in a fight just now,
and we therefore propose that the army retire till you are recovered."
Guan Yu replied angrily, "I am on the point of taking
the city, and if I succeed, I must press forward to Capital Xuchang, and
destroy that brigand Cao Cao, so that the Hans may be restored to their own.
Think you that I can vitiate the whole campaign because of a slight wound?
Would you dishearten the army?"
Guan Ping and his
colleagues said no more, but somewhat unwillingly withdrew.
Seeing
that their leader would not retire and the wound showed no signs of healing,
the various generals inquired far and near for a good surgeon to attend their
general.
One
day a person arrived in a small ship and, having landed and come up to the gate
of the camp, was led in to see Guan Ping. The visitor wore a square-cut cap and
a loose robe. In his hand he carried a small black bag.
He said, "My name is Hua Tuo, and I belong to Qiao. I have heard of
the wound sustained by the famous general and have come to heal it."
"Surely
you must be the physician who treated Zhou Tai in the South Land," said
Guan Ping.
"I
am."
Taking
with him the other generals, Guan Ping went in to see his father. Guan Yu was
engaging in a game of chess with Ma Liang, although his arm was very painful.
But
Guan Yu kept up appearances so as not to discourage the troops. When they told
him that a physician had come, he consented to see him.
Hua
Tuo was introduced, asked to take a seat and, after the tea of ceremony, was
shown the injured arm.
"This was caused by an arrow," said the doctor. "There is
poison in the wound, and it has penetrated to the bone. Unless the wound is
soon treated, the arm will become useless."
"What
do you propose to do?" asked Guan Yu.
"I
know how to cure the wound, but I think you will be afraid of the remedy."
"Am I likely to be afraid of that when I am not even afraid of
death? Death is only a return home after all."
Then
Hua Tuo said, "This is what I shall do. In a private room I shall erect a
post with a steel ring attached. I shall ask you, Sir, to insert your arm in
the ring, and I shall bind it firmly to the post. Then I shall cover your head
with a quilt so that you cannot see, and with a scalpel I shall open up the
flesh right down to the bone. Then I shall scrape away the poison. This done, I
shall dress the wound with a certain preparation, sew it up with a thread, and
there will be no further trouble. But I think you may quail at the severity of
the treatment."
Guan
Yu smiled.
"It all sounds easy enough," said he. "But why the post
and the ring?"
Refreshments
were then served, and after a few cups of wine, the warrior extended his arm
for the operation. With his other hand he went on with his game of chess.
Meanwhile the surgeon prepared his knife and called a lad to hold a basin
beneath the limb.
"I
am just going to cut. Do not start," said Hua Tuo.
"When
I consented to undergo the treatment, did you think I was afraid of pain?"
The
surgeon then performed the operation as he had pre-described. He found the bone
much discolored, but he scraped it clean. When the knife went over the surface
of the bone and made horrible sounds, all those near covered their eyes and
turned pale. But Guan Yu went on with his game, only drinking a cup of wine now
and again, and his face betrayed no sign of pain.
When the wound had been
cleansed, sewn up and dressed, the patient stood up smiling and said,
"This arm is now as good as it ever was. There is no pain. Indeed, Master,
you are a marvel."
"I
have spent my life in the art," said Hua Tuo, "but I have never seen
such a patient as you, Sir. You are as if not from the earth but heaven."
Here as surgeons, there physicians, all boast their skill;
Bitter few are those that cure one when one's really ill.
As for superhuman valor rivals Guan Yu had none,
So for holy touch in healing Hua Tuo stood alone.
When the cure was well advanced, Guan Yu gave a fine banquet in honor of
Hua Tuo and offered him a fee of a hundred ounces of gold.
But
Hua Tuo declined it, saying, "I had come to treat you, O General, from
admiration of your great virtue and not for money. Although your wound is
cured, you must be careful of your health, and especially avoid all excitement
for a hundred days, when you will be as well as ever you were."
Then Hua Tuo, having prepared dressings for the wound, took his leave,
refusing fees to the very last.
Having captured Yu Jin and
accomplished the death of Pang De, Guan Yu became more famous and more
fear-inspiring through the empire than even before.
Cao
Cao called together his advisers to help him decide upon what he should do.
Said Cao Cao, "I must acknowledge this Guan Yu as the one man who,
in skill and valor, overtops the whole world. Lately he has obtained possession
of Jingzhou and the territory near it, and has so become very terrible. He is a
tiger with wings added. Pang De is no more; Yu Jin is his prisoner; the armies
of Wei have lost their morale; and if he led his armies to Xuchang, we should
be helpless. I can only think of avoiding the peril by removal of the capital.
What think you?"
|
"No, do not take that
step," said Sima Yi, rising to reply. "Yu Jin and all the others you
lost were victims of the flood and slain in battle. These losses do no harm at
all to your great plan. The Suns and Lius are no longer friends since Guan Yu
has accomplished his desire. You may send a messenger into Wu to foment the
quarrel and cause Sun Quan to send his armies to attack the army of Guan Yu
from the rear, promising that, when things are tranquil, you will reward the
south to Sun Quan. In this way you will relieve Fancheng."
Here Minister Jiang Ji said, "Sima Yi speaks well, and
the messenger should lose no time. Do not move the capital and disturb the
people."
Cao
Cao therefore did not carry out his first proposal.
But
he was sad at the loss of Yu Jin, and spoke of him affectionately, "Yu Jin
had followed me faithfully for thirty years, yet in that moment of truth he was
less than Pang De."
It was necessary to send someone with the letters to Wu and also to find
another leader willing to face Guan Yu. Cao Cao had not long to wait for the
latter, as an officer stepped out from the ranks of those in waiting and
offered himself. It was Xu Huang.
Xu Huang's offer was
accepted, and he was given fifty thousand of veterans. Lu Qian was sent as his
second, and the army marched to Yangling Slope, where they halted to see if any
support was coming from the southeast.
Sun
Quan fell in with the scheme of Cao Cao as soon as he had read Cao Cao's
letter. He at once prepared a reply for the messenger to take back, and then
gathered his officers, civil and military, to consult.
Zhang
Zhao was the first speaker.
"We
know Guan Yu has captured one leader and slain another. This has added greatly
to his fame and reputation. Cao Cao was going to move the capital rather than
risk an attack. We also know that Fancheng is in imminent danger. Cao Cao has
asked for our help; but when he has gained his end, I doubt whether he will
hold to his promise."
Before
Sun Quan had replied they announced the arrival of Lu Meng, who had come in a
small ship from Lukou with a special message. He was at once called in and
asked what it was.
Said Lu Meng, "The armies of Guan Yu being absent at Fancheng, the
opportunity should be taken to attack Jingzhou."
"But
I wish to attack Xuzhou in the north. What of this plan?" said Sun Quan.
"It
would be better to attack Jingzhou, and so get control of the Great River. Cao
Cao is far away to the north and too occupied to regard the east. Xuzhou is
weakly held and could be taken easily, but the lie of the land favors the use
of an army rather than a navy force. If you capture it, it will not be easy to
hold. But once you hold Jingzhou, you can evolve other schemes."
"Really, my desire was to attack Jingzhou, but I wished to hear
what you would say to the other plan. Now, Sir, make me a plan speedily, and I
will act upon it."
So
Lu Meng took his leave and went back to Lukou. But soon they heard that Guan Yu
had had beacon towers erected at short distances all along the Great River, and
that the army of Jingzhou was being put into most efficient condition.
"If
this is so, it is hard to make a plan that will ensure success," said Lu
Meng. "I have already advised my master to attack Jingzhou, but I am
unable to meet this complication."
Therefore he made illness
an excuse to stay at home, and sent to inform Sun Quan, who was very distressed
at the news.
Then
said Lu Xun, "The illness is feigned. He is quite well."
"If
you know that so well, go and see," said Sun Quan.
Away
went Lu Xun and speedily arrived at Lukou, where he saw Lu Meng, who indeed
appeared to be in perfect health. Nor did his face bear any signs of recent
illness.
"The Marquis of Wu has sent me to inquire after your honorable
complaint," said Lu Xun.
"How
distressed I am that the state of my wretched carcass has caused the Marquis
the inconvenience of inquiring" replied Lu Meng.
"The
Marquis placed a very heavy responsibility on your shoulders, but you are not
making the best use of the opportunity. However, what is the real origin of
your distress?"
Lu
Meng sat gazing at his visitor a long time without replying.
"I
have a little remedy," said Lu Xun. "Do you think you might use
it?"
Lu
Meng dismissed the servants, and when the two were alone, he said, "This
remedy, my friend, please tell me what it is."
"Your ailment is due simply to the efficiency of the Jingzhou soldiers.
I know how to keep the beacons from flaring, and I can make the defenders of
Jingzhou come to you with their hands tied. Would that cure you?"
"My
friend, you speak as if you saw into my inmost heart. Pray unfold your good
scheme."
"Guan Yu thinks himself too much of a hero for anyone to dare to
face him, and his only anxiety is yourself. Now you must take advantage of this
excuse you have made of illness actually to resign this post, so that the
pretense may be kept up and another person be appointed to your place. Let this
person, your successor, humbly praise Guan Yu till that general becomes so
conceited that he will withdraw all the troops from Jingzhou to send them
against Fancheng. When Jingzhou is left undefended then is our chance, and the
city will fall into our hands."
"The
plan seems most excellent," said Lu Meng.
Wherefore
Lu Meng's malady waxed worse, so that he was confined to bed. He gave Lu Xun
his letter of resignation to carry back to Sun Quan. The messenger hastened
back and explained the ruse to his master, who soon after issued a command for
Lu Meng to retire and attend to the recovery of his health.
But
Lu Meng came to Sun Quan to discuss the matter of a successor.
Sun
Quan said to him, "As to the appointment at Lukou, you know Zhou Yu
recommended Lu Su, who at his last moment proposed you. Now you ought to be
able to mention some other talented and well-known officer to succeed
you."
"If
you choose a well-known man, Guan Yu will certainly be on his guard against
him. Now Lu Xun is deep and farseeing, but he has no widespread fame. Hence no
particular notice would be taken of his appointment and no countermeasures
taken. So he is the most suitable person to send."
Sun Quan agreed and thereupon promoted Lu Xun to the rank of General of
the Right Army and Admiral of the Right Fleet, and sent him to defend the port.
"I
am very young," said Lu Xun, "and feel unequal to such a post."
"Lu
Meng has proposed you, and you will not make any mistakes. Pray do not
decline," said Sun Quan.
So the appointment was made, and Lu Xun set out at once.
When
he had assumed charge of the cavalry, the infantry, and the marines, he set
about drawing up a letter to Guan Yu, and he selected fine horses and beautiful
silks and good wines and delicacies suitable for gifts to go with the letter.
He sent all by the hand of a trusty messenger to Fancheng.
The
news of the change of command reached Guan Yu when he lay ill from the effects
of his wound and unable to conduct any military operations. Close upon the news
came the letter and the gifts from Lu Xun, and the bearer was called in to see
the warrior.
"Friend
Sun Quan was not very prudent when he made a Commanding General out of a mere
youth," said Guan Yu, pointing to the messenger.
The
messenger said, "General Lu Xun sends this letter and some presents, which
he hopes you will accept. He also sends his felicitations, and would rejoice if
the two houses could become friends."
Guan Yu read the letter, which was couched in most modest
language, and then threw back his head and laughed aloud.
He bade the attendants
receive the various gifts, and sent the bearer away.
The messenger forthwith
returned to Lukou and reported to Lu Xun, "Guan Yu seemed very gratified, and
he felt no anxiety and danger toward the South Land.”
Spies were sent out to
report on proceedings, and they returned to say that half the troops of
Jingzhou had been sent to assist in the siege of Fancheng. That city was to be
seriously assaulted as soon as Guan Yu had recovered.
This
news was promptly sent on to Sun Quan, who at once called in Lu Meng to decide
upon the next move.
"Now is the favorable moment to get possession of Jingzhou,"
said Sun Quan. "I propose to send you and my brother, Sun Jiao, to lead
the army."
This
Sun Jiao was really only a cousin, as he was the second son of Sun Quan's
uncle, Sun Jing.
But Lu Meng objected. "My lord, if you think to employ me, then
employ me only; if Sun Jiao, then Sun Jiao only. You cannot have forgotten that
Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu were associate commanders, and although the final decision
lay with Zhou Yu, yet the other presumed upon his seniority and there was some
unfriendliness between the two. All ended well because Cheng Pu recognized the
ability of his colleague and so supported him. I know I am not so clever as Zhou
Yu, but Sun Jiao's consanguinity will be a greater obstacle than mere length of
service, and I fear he may not be wholly with me."
Sun
Quan saw the force of the contention, and appointed Lu Meng to sole command
with Sun Jiao to help him in the commissariat. Lu Meng thanked his lord for his
commission, soon got his thirty thousand marines together, and assembled eighty
ships for the expedition.
Lu Meng dressed a number of
sailors in the plain white costumes of ordinary merchants and put them on board
to work his vessels. He concealed his veterans in the compartments. He selected
seven generals---Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, Xu Sheng,
and Ding Feng---to serve under him and settled the order of their successive
movements. The remainder of the forces was left with Sun Quan as supports and
reserves.
Letters
were also written to Cao Cao that he might cooperate by sending his army to
attack Guan Yu in the rear, and to Lu Xun that he would act in concert.
Then the sailors in plain white dress navigated the ships to River
Xunyang as quickly as possible, and then crossed to the north bank.
When the beacon-keepers
came down to question them, the men of Wu said, "We are traders forced
into the bank by contrary winds."
And they offered gifts to
the beacon-keepers, who accepted them and let the ships come to an anchor close
to the shore.
At
about the second watch the soldiers came out of hiding in the holds of the
transports, suddenly fell upon the beacon-keepers and made them prisoners,
officers and soldiers.
Next
the signal for a general landing was given, and all the soldiers from the
eighty ships went ashore. The guard stations were attacked, and all the troops
captured and carried off to the ships, not one being allowed to escape. Then
the force of Wu hurried off to the city of Jingzhou, having so far carried out
their plans that no one knew of their coming.
Nearing
Jingzhou, Lu Meng spoke kindly to his captives, and gave them gifts and
comforted them in order to induce them to get the gates opened for him to enter
the city.
He
won them over to his side, and they promised to aid him. They would show a
flare as a signal that the gates were free. So they went in advance and arrived
at the gates about midnight. They called the watch. The wardens of the gate,
recognizing their voices, opened for them. Once within, they shouted and lit
the flares. Immediately the soldiers of Wu came in with a rush and were soon in
possession.
The
first order issued by Lu Meng was to spare the people. Instant death should be
the punishment for any murder or robbery.
The
various officials in the city were retained in their offices and continued
their functions.
Special guards were set
over Guan Yu's family dwelling, and none dared break open any other house. A
messenger was sent with tidings to Sun Quan.
One
very wet day Lu Meng, with a few horsemen as escort, was going round the walls
and visiting the gates. One of the soldiers took from a passer-by a
broad-brimmed hat and put it on over his helmet to keep his armor dry. Lu Meng
saw it, and the offender was seized. He was a fellow-villager of Lu Meng, but
that did not save him.
"You
are an old acquaintance, but you knew my order. Why did you disobey it?"
"I
thought the rain would spoil my uniform, and I took the hat to protect it. I
did not take it for my own advantage, but to protect state property. Spare me,
O General, for the sake of our common dwelling-place."
"I
know you were protecting your armor, but still it was disobedience to the order
against taking anything from the people."
The
soldier was beheaded, and his head exposed as a warning. But when all was over,
Lu Meng had the body buried decently and wept at the grave for the loss of his
friend. Never after this was there the least laxity of discipline.
When
Sun Quan visited the city, Lu Meng met him at the boundary and led him to the
official residence, where Sun Quan issued rewards and commendations. This done,
Sun Quan ordered Pan Jun to take charge of the new possession. Yu Jin, who was
in prison, was freed and sent back to Cao Cao. When the people had been
comforted and the soldiers rewarded, there was a great banquet in honor of the
success of the expedition.
Then
said Sun Quan to Lu Meng, "We have got the city of Jingzhou, but now Fu
Shiren is holding Gongan and Mi Fang Nanjun. How can we get these two
territories?"
Suddenly
Yu Fan started up and offered his services.
"You will need neither bows nor arrows," said Yu Fan,
"unless my little tongue is worn out. I can persuade Fu Shiren to
surrender."
"Friend
Yu Fan, how will you do it?" asked Sun Quan.
"Fu
Shiren and I are very old friends, ever since we were boys. If I explain the
matter to him, I am sure he will come over to this side."
So
Yu Fan, with an escort, left quickly for Gongan, where his friend was in
command.
Now when Fu Shiren heard of the capture of Jingzhou, he closed his
gates. Yu Fan arrived, but was refused entrance. So Yu Fan wrote a letter,
attached it to an arrow, and shot it over the city wall. A soldier picked it up
and took it to his commander, who found therein much persuasion to surrender.
Having read all this, he
thought within himself, "I think I should do well in surrender, for at his
departure Guan Yu was very bitter against me."
Without
further ado, he bade the wardens open the gate, and his friend came in.
After their greetings they
talked of old times, and Yu Fan praised Sun Quan's magnanimity and liberality
and greatness generally. So finally Fu Shiren decided to exchange masters and
went away, taking with him his seal of office. He was presented to Sun Quan, who
reappointed him to the command of Gongan under its new lord.
Lu Meng thought the appointment
imprudent and said to Sun Quan, "Guan Yu is yet unconquered. We should not
put Fu Shiren in Gongan. Instead, send him to Nanjun to induce his former
colleague and fellow Mi Fang to join him in desertion to the enemy."
Lu
Meng's advice was followed, and Fu Shiren was recalled.
"Go to Nanjun and win over Mi Fang, and I will reward you richly,"
said Sun Quan.
Fu
Shiren accepted the mission and duly left for Nanjun.
Jingzhou's defenders failed when tried,
So Wang Fu's words were justified.
For the events of the journey see the next chapter.
|
Wang
Fu & Lu Meng & Sun Quan & Zhang Zhao & Messenger of Wu & Ma
Zhong
|
|
Sun Quan
|
|
Wang
Fu & Pan Jun |
|
Sun Jiao & Hua Tuo |