The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (25 page)

“The sky does not have two suns,” replied Deng Zhi, “nor can the people recognize two kings. If Wei is destroyed, no one can predict upon whom the divine command will devolve. All I know is that a ruler must perfect his virtue while officials must be wholly loyal. In this way strife will cease.”

Sun Quan laughed and said, “So you are as honest as that!”

Deng Zhi was given rich gifts and allowed to return. After this Wu and Shu were friendly again.

The alliance between his two rivals was reported without loss of time to Cao Pi, who became very angry. “This alliance can only mean that they intend to invade my country. My best move is to strike first.”

He called a great council. At that time two influential figures, Cao Ren and Jia Xu, had both died. An official called Xin Pi stepped forward and said, “Our country is extensive but the population is sparse. Hence, no successful army can be raised just now. My advice is to wait for ten years, during which time we build an army and cultivate the land till we have an ample store of grain and a powerful military force. Then both our rivals can be destroyed.”

“This is the view of a pedant! Now that our enemies have made this league they may fall upon us at any moment. How can it be postponed for ten years?” cried Cao Pi furiously.

So he gave orders for an immediate expedition to attack Wu. Sima Yi then pointed out that ships were necessary as Wu was protected by the Yangtze.

“Your Majesty must lead the expedition,” said Sima Yi. “The navy can advance by way of the Cai and Yun Waters to take Shouchun first. And when you reach Guangling, cross the river to seize Nanxu.”

His plan was accepted and the construction of dragon ships began. Ten of these were built, each two hundred feet long to accommodate more than 2,000 men. Another 3,000 fighting ships were also gathered for the military action.

In the autumn of the fifth year of Cao Pi’s rule, the officers were all assembled and Cao Zhen was appointed leader of the first corps with four major generals, including Zhang Liao and Zhang He. Xu Zhu and another officer were guards of the center, while Cao Xiu commanded the rearguard. Two strategists were also appointed to accompany the army. In all, land and marine forces numbered over 300,000. When the departure day was decided upon, Sima Yi was left in the capital with the power of a regent.

While the Wei army set forth, spies of Wu were vigilant and soon Sun Quan was alerted of the grave danger.

A general council was again convened, at which Gu Yong said: “My lord, you can ask Shu to help according to the peace agreement. Write to Zhuge Liang and get him to send a troop so as to divert part of Wei’s army. At the same time dispatch an army to Nanxu to oppose the invaders there.”

“I will have to recall Lu Xun,” said the prince. “He is the only man to undertake this great task.”

“But he is necessary for the protection of Jingzhou.”

“Yes, I know—but there is no other person to replace him.”

At these words Xu Sheng advanced and said, “Incapable as I am, I would like to be given an army to avert this danger. If Cao Pi crosses the river in person I will capture him and present him to you. If he does not, I will slay so many of his men that his army will not dare even to look this way.”

Sun Quan, pleased to find a willing volunteer, replied, “Noble sir, I will have no more anxiety with you in charge of defense.”

Xu Sheng was given the title of General–Protector of the East and made commander-in-chief of all the forces in Nanxu. He thanked his lord and retired to the camp, where he ordered his men to gather large quantities of weapons and banners for the protection of the riverbanks.

But an impetuous young officer, anxious to take more vigorous measures, stood forth, crying, “Sir, our lord has laid upon you a heavy responsibility, but if you really desire to capture the ruler of Wei you should cross the river and meet him in Huainan rather than wait till the northern men come here. It will be too late, I fear.”

The young man was Sun Shao, nephew of the Prince of Wu. He had already earned himself the rank of a general, and was once in command at Guangling. Young and impetuous, he was a valiant soldier.

“Cao Pi’s army is strong and its generals famous,” replied Xu Sheng. “I don’t think we should cross the river to meet him. We will wait until all his ships are on the other side—I have a plan ready to destroy them.”

“I have 3,000 men of my own and I know the country about Guangling up to my fingertips. Let me go across the river and fight a battle. I will willingly suffer the penalty if I fail.”

However, Xu Sheng refused, but his impetuous officer pleaded again and again. Finally, the commander-in-chief grew angry and said, “What control will I have if you are allowed to disobey orders?” He told the guards to take him out and put him to death.

They hustled him out and at once the black flag of death was hoisted. But one of Sun Shao’s men went off in hot haste to tell Sun Quan, who came immediately to save his favorite nephew.

Happily the execution had not been exercised when the prince appeared on the scene, dismissed the executioners, and rescued the youth. Tearfully he began to press his claim to the prince. “I have been at Guang ling and I know the region like the palm of my hand. If we do not attack Cao Pi there, but let him cross the river, that will be the end of Wu.”

Sun Quan walked into the camp and Xu Sheng came to welcome him. When the prince was seated, Xu Sheng said: “My lord, you placed me in command of the force to repulse Wei. Now this officer of mine, Sun Shao, is disobedient and should be put to death. May I ask why he should be pardoned?”

“He is hot and impetuous so he has unwittingly offended the military law. I do hope you will pardon him this time.”

“The law is not of my making nor is it yours, my lord—it is a state penalty. If family connections are enough to evade it, where is discipline?”

“He has offended the law and you certainly have the right to punish him. But although his real name was Yu, yet my brother loved him and gave him our family name. He has rendered me good services, and if he should be put to death I should fail in my duty to my late brother.”

“Well, since you have intervened, I will postpone the death penalty for the time being.”

Sun Quan told his nephew to thank his chief, but the youth refused to bow. On the contrary, he loudly protested, “I insist we should lead our men to fight Cao Pi,” he cried. “I will never accept your view, not even at my death.”

Xu Sheng’s countenance changed for the worst.

Sun Quan, after ordering the unruly young man to leave the tent, said to the commander, “He will not be any loss to the army. Just do not employ him any more.”

Then the prince left and returned to his own palace. That night sentinels reported to Xu Sheng that Sun Shao had secretly crossed the river with his own force, and the commander, who did not wish the young man to come to harm, as evidently that would displease the prince, sent a force to support him. Ding Feng was chosen to lead the reinforcements and was told what to do.

The Ruler of Wei, in his dragon ships, reached Guangling, where his vanguard corps had already encamped by the riverbank. He came to survey the position.

“How many soldiers are there on the other bank?” asked Cao Pi.

Cao Zhen replied, “I have not seen a single one—nor are there any flags or signs of encampment.”

“That must be a ruse—I will go and find out.”

So he sailed out in one of the dragon ships into the Yangtze. The ship anchored by the bank. Displayed on his ship were emblems proper to an imperial status, which shone out brilliantly in the sunlight. Seated in the ship, Cao Pi surveyed the south bank, but not a man was visible.

“Do you think we should cross?” he asked of his strategists.

“The rules of war allow for deceits and falsities. Knowing the approach of our army they ought to be prepared. We think Your Majesty should exercise caution. Wait for a few days and watch what happens. Then perhaps the van might be sent to make a reconnaissance.”

“Exactly,” said Cao Pi.

That night he stayed on his ship in the river. It was a moonless night. But the ship was brilliantly lit up by torches so it was bright as day on board. However, all along the south bank there appeared not a glimmer of light.

“What do you think it means?” asked Cao Pi.

The courtiers replied, “Obviously they must have heard of the approach of Your Majesty’s heavenly army and so have run away like rats.”

Cao Pi smiled smugly to himself. When daylight came there appeared a thick fog, and nothing on the opposite bank could be seen. After a time the wind rose, which dispersed the fog and blew off the clouds, and then, to their immense astonishment, they found that the whole length of the south bank as far as they could see was one extended battlement, with spears and swords glittering in the sun and flags and pennants fluttering in the breeze. Almost immediately scouts began sending in reports that from Nanxu to the Stone City (modern Nanjing), stretching hundreds of
li
, was an unending line of wall towers, boats, and carriages, which had been placed there overnight. Cao Pi was greatly alarmed.

In fact this was a ruse of Xu Sheng’s. The walls were imitation and the warriors that manned them were bundles of reeds dressed in soldiers’ uniforms. But the sight chilled the courage of the invaders.

“My multitudes of men are of no use against such warriors of the south,” sighed Cao Pi. “Wu is not to be conquered yet.”

Just as he was lamenting over this, the wind gathered force and surging white waves began to heave in the river, sending seas high up into the air and dampening his dragon robe. The ship lurched helplessly as if she would roll right over. Cao Zhen hastened to send Wen Ping out with some small boats to rescue his master. Now the lurches of the ship were appalling and the men on it could hardly maintain their balance. Therefore Wen Ping, who was a good swimmer, leaped on board the ship and helped Cao Pi down into one of the smaller craft, which then flew away before the wind and got safely into a bay.

Soon came a hasty messenger from the west to say that Zhao Yun had marched out of Yangping Pass to seize Chang’an. This frightened Cao Pi so much that he decided to withdraw. The various divisions of the army turned back to run their separate ways to the north, pursued by the men of Wu. To hasten the retreat, Cao Pi ordered his men to abandon all the imperial paraphernalia. However, as the dragon ships were about to withdraw into the Huai River, there suddenly arose the sounds of an approaching enemy force, with shouts of men, rolling of drums and the blaring of trumpets, and a troop came upon them from the side. At the head was the impetuous youth Sun Shao.

The men of Wei could make no effective stand and many were slain, while large numbers were driven into the river and drowned. By dint of the great efforts of his officers, Cao Pi was saved and got away up the Huai River. But when they had sailed about thirty
li
, they saw ahead some blazing reeds. The enemy had poured fish oil over the dry reeds and set them alight. The wind was spreading the flames downstream toward the men of Wei, and the heat was intense. The dragon ships had to stop.

Cao Pi was at once helped into a small boat and taken on shore; his larger ships soon caught fire and were destroyed. Hurriedly he mounted a horse and dashed down the bank, but presently another body of men blocked the way. This time it was the supporting force under Ding Feng.

Zhang Liao rode ahead to engage Ding Feng, who shot an arrow and wounded his opponent in the loins. However, the wounded man was rescued by Xu Huang. In the end the ruler of Wei escaped the turmoil but the loss of men was heavy, and a huge booty of horses, wagons, ships, and weapons fell to the victors.

So the Wei army retreated northward, thoroughly beaten. Xu Sheng scored a great success, for which he was richly rewarded.

Zhang Liao got to Xuchang, where he died from his wounds. He was honorably buried by his master, but the story of his funeral will not be told here.

It has been mentioned above that Zhao Yun had led an army out of Yangping Pass to take Chang’an. But soon after that he received a dispatch from Zhuge Liang, calling him to return, because an aged general in Yizhou, named Yong Kai, had joined himself with the Mans and invaded four of the Shu districts. So Zhao Yun was recalled and Ma Chao was put in charge of the Yangping Pass. Zhuge Liang then prepared an army at Chengdu for an expedition to pacify the southern border.

First Wu met Wei and drove them north,
Then Shu against the Mans went forth.

The result of this expedition will be related in the next chapter.

*
   In ancient China, it was the practice of a new ruler to adopt a new reign title. Here it means Sun Quan was establishing himself as an independent ruler.

*
   Referring to Buddhism, Confuciunism, and Taoism.

*
   A mythical figure with the face of a human and the body of a snake.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN