YÜAN SHAO FIGHTS WITH KUNGSUN TSAN AT PʻANHO:
SUN CHIEN ATTACKS LIU PIAO.
At the close of the last chapter Sun Chien was surrounded. However he
eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of three of his
best leaders and more than half his men and he returned to Chiangtung.
Henceforward he and Liu Piao were open enemies.
Yüan Shao was in Honei. Being short of supplies he sent to borrow from
Ichou, whence he obtained the wherewithal to support his army. Then his
adviser, Fêng Chi, said to him, “You are really the strongest power
here about, why then depend upon another for food? Ichou is rich and
wide; why not seize it?”
“I have no good plan,” replied Yüan.
“You could secretly send a letter to Kungsun Tsan to attack, promising
him your support. The Prefect Han Fu being incapable must ask you to
take over his country and you will get it without lifting a finger.”
So the letter was sent, and when Kungsun Tsan saw therein the proposal
to make a joint attack and divide the territory, he agreed to give his
help. In the meantime Yüan Shao had sent to warn Han Fu of his danger.
Han sought advice from Hsün Shên and Hsin Pʻing. The former said that
if Kungsun came to attack them they could not stand against him,
especially if he had the help of Liu and Chang. So he counselled
getting aid from their powerful neighbour. “Yüan Pên-chʻu is bolder
than most and he has many able and famous leaders under him. You cannot
do better than ask him to assist in administering this district. He
will certainly treat you with generosity and you need have no fear from
Kungsun Tsan.”
The Prefect agreed and sent a message to Yüan Shao. But the commandant
of the palace, Kêng Wu, remonstrated with his master saying, “Yüan Shao
is a needy man with a hungry army and as dependent on us for existence
as an infant in arms on its mother. Stop the flow of milk and the
infant dies. Why should you hand the district over to him? It is
nothing less than letting a tiger into the sheepfold.”
Han Fu replied, “I am one of the clients of the Yüan family and I know
the abilities of Pên-chʻu. Why are you all so jealous? The ancients
counselled yielding to the sage.”
Kêng Wu sighed, “Ichou is lost!” said he.
When the news got abroad two score of officers of Ichou left their
employment and the city. However Kêng and Kuan hid in the suburbs to
await the arrival of Yüan Shao.
They had not long to wait. Soon Yüan Shao with his soldiers came and
the two men tried to assassinate him. This attempt failed. Yen Liang
killed one of them and Wên Chʻou the other. Thus both died and the
object of their hatred entered the prefecture.
His first act was to confer on Han Fu a high sounding title, but the
administration was entrusted to four of his own confidants who speedily
deprived the Prefect of all power. Full of chagrin Han soon abandoned
all, even his family, and took refuge with the Prefect of Chʻên-liu.
Hearing of Shao’s invasion Kungsun Tsan sent his brother, Yüeh, to see
the usurper and demand his share of the district. The brother was sent
back to request Kungsun himself to come, but on the homeward road he
was killed by assassins who loudly proclaimed they belonged to the
Minister, Tung Cho. Those of his followers who escaped carried the news
to their late master’s brother.
Kungsun Tsan was very angry and said, “He prevailed on me to attack and
now he has taken possession. Also he pretends the murderers of my
brother were not his men. Shall I not avenge my brother’s injury?”
Then he brought up all his force to the attack. Yüan sent out his army
and they met at Pʻanho. They halted on opposite sides of a stream, over
which was a bridge. Kungsun Tsan took his station on the bridge and
cried to his enemy, “Renegade, how dared you mislead me?”
Yüan rode to his end of the bridge and, pointing at Kungsun Tsan,
replied, “Han Fu yielded place to me because he was unequal to the
rule. What concern is it of yours?”
Kungsun replied, “Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public
spirited and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds
prove you cruel and base, wolf-hearted and currish in behaviour. How
can you look the world in the face?”
“Who will capture him?” cried Yüan in a rage.
At once Wên Chʻou rode out with his spear set. Kungsun Tsan rode down
the bridge to the enemy’s side, where the two engaged. Half a score
bouts showed Tsan he had met his master so he drew off. The enemy came
on. Tsan took refuge within his formation, but Wên Chʻou cut his way in
and rode this way and that, slaying right and left. The four best of
Tsan’s captains offered joint battle, but one fell under the first
stroke of the doughty warrior and the other three fled, Wên Chʻou
following clear through to the rear of the army. Kungsun made for the
mountains. Wên Chʻou forced his horse to its utmost pace crying
hoarsely, “Down! Dismount and surrender.”
Kungsun fled for life. His bow and quiver dropped from his shoulders,
his helmet fell off and his hair streamed straight behind him as he
rode in and out between the sloping hills. Then his steed stumbled and
he was thrown, rolling over and over to the foot of the slope.
Wên Chʻou was now very near and poising his spear for the thrust. Then
suddenly came out from the shelter of a grassy mound on the left a
leader of youthful mien, but sitting his steed bravely and holding a
sturdy spear. He rode directly at Wên Chʻou and Kungsun crawled up the
slope to look on.
The new warrior was of middle height with bushy eyebrows and large
eyes, a broad face and a heavy jowl, a youth of commanding presence.
The two exchanged some fifty bouts and yet neither had the advantage.
Then Kungsun’s rescue force came along and Wên Chʻou turned and rode
away. The youth did not pursue.
Kungsun Tsan hurried down the hill and asked the young fellow who he
was.
He bowed low and replied that his name was Chao Yün, or Tzŭ-lung, and
he was of Chêngting.
“I first served Yüan Shao, but when I saw that he was disloyal to his
prince and careless of the welfare of the people I left him and I was
on my way to offer service to you. This meeting in this place is most
unexpected.”
Kungsun was very pleased and the two went together to the camp, where
they at once busied themselves with preparations for a new battle.
Next day Kungsun prepared for fight by dividing his army into two
portions, like the wings of a bird. He had five thousand cavalry,
nearly all mounted on white horses and because he had formerly seen
service against the frontier tribes, the Chʻiang (Ouigours) where he
always placed his white horses in the van of his army, he had won the
sobriquet of General of the White Horse. The tribes held him so much in
fear that they always fled as soon as the white horses appeared.
On Yüan Shao’s side Yen Liang and Wên Chʻou were leaders of the van.
Each had a company of archers and crossbowmen. They were set out half
on either side, those on the left to shoot at Kungsun Tsan’s right and
those on the right to shoot at his left. In the centre was Chʻü I with
a small company of bowmen and a legion and a half of foot. The chief
took command of the reserve force in the rear.
In this fight Kungsun Tsan employed his new adherent Chao Yün for the
first time and, as he did not feel assured of his good faith, put him
in command of a company at the rear. The van-leader was Yen Kang and
Kungsun himself commanded the centre. He took his place on horseback on
the bridge beside an enormous red standard on which was displayed the
word “General” in gold embroidery.
From shên (7 a.m.–9 a.m.) till ssŭ (9 a.m.–11 a.m.) the drums rolled
for the attack, but Yüan’s army made no move. Chʻü I made his bowmen
hide under their shields. They heard the roar of explosions, the
whistling of arrows and the rattle of the drums, as Yen Kang approached
from the other side, but Chʻü I and his men lay closer than ever and
never stirred. They waited till Yen Kang had got close on them and
then, as the sound of a bomb rent the air, the whole company, eight
hundred men, let fly their arrows in a cloud. Yen Kang was quite taken
aback and would have retired, but Chʻü I rode furiously toward him,
whirled up his sword and cut him down. So Kungsun’s men lost that
battle. The two wings that should have come to the rescue were kept
back by the bowmen under Yen Liang and Wên Chʻou and Yüan’s men
advanced right up to the bridge. Then Chʻü I rode forward, slew the
standard bearer and hacked through the staff of the embroidered banner.
Seeing this Kungsun Tsan turned his steed and galloped away.
Chʻü I followed. But just as he caught up the fugitive there came
prancing forth Chao Yün, who rode directly at him with spear ready to
strike. After a few passes the pursuer was laid in the dust. Then Chao
Yün attacked the soldiers and turned the tide. Plunging forward on this
side, dashing in on that, he went through as if there were no
antagonists and, seeing this, Kungsun Tsan turned and came again into
the fight. The final victory was on his side.
From the men sent to find out how the battle went Yüan Shao heard the
good news of Chʻü I’s success in slaying the standard bearer, capturing
the flag and his pursuit. So he took no further care but rode out with
his captains and a few guards to look on at the defeated enemy and
enjoy his victory.
“Ha ha!” he laughed. “The poor fool! He is an incapable.”
But even as he spoke he saw in front the redoubtable Chao Yün. His
guards hastened to prepare their bows, but before they could shoot Chao
with a few followers was in their midst and men were falling before him
wherever he went. The others fled. Kungsun Tsan’s army then gathered
round and hemmed in Yüan Shao.
Tʻien Fêng then said to his master, “Sir, take refuge in this empty
building here.”
But Yüan dashed his helmet to the ground, crying “The brave man rather
faces death in the battle than seeks safety behind a wall!”
This bold speech gave new courage to his men who now fought desperately
and with such success that Chao Yün could nowhere force his way in.
Shao was soon reinforced by the arrival of his main body and Yen Liang,
so that Chao Yün could only just get his master safe out of the press.
When clear they both returned to the bridge. But Yüan’s men still came
on and fought their way across the bridge, forcing multitudes of their
adversaries into the water, where many were drowned.
Yüan was leading in person and his men still advanced. But not very
far, for soon a great shouting was heard behind some hills, whence
suddenly burst out a body of men led by the three brothers.
At Pʻingyüan they had heard of the struggle between their protector and
his enemy, Yüan Shao, and had at once set out to help. Now the three
riders, each with his peculiar weapon, flew straight at Yüan, who was
so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body and fly beyond the
confines of heaven. His sword fell from his hand and he fled for his
life. He was chased across the bridge when Kungsun Tsan called in his
men and they returned to camp.
After the usual greetings Kungsun said, “If you had not come to our
help, we should have been in very bad case.”
Yüan-tê and Chao Yün were made acquainted with each other and a warm
affection sprang up from the very first so that they were always
together.
Yüan had lost that battle and Kungsun Tsan would not risk another. He
strengthened his defences and the armies lay inactive for over a month.
In the meantime news of the fighting had reached the capital and Tung
Cho was told.
His adviser, Li Ju, went to see his master and said, “The two active
warriors of to-day are Yüan Shao and Kungsun Tsan, who are at grips at
Pʻanho. Pretend you have a command to make peace between them and both
will support you out of gratitude for your intervention.”
“Good!” said Tung Cho. So he sent a Grand Preceptor and a Court
Chamberlain on the mission. When these men were arriving Yüan sent out
to welcome them a hundred li from his headquarters and received the
command with the greatest respect. Then the two officers went to
Kungsun Tsan and made known their errand. Kungsun sent letters to his
adversary proposing friendship. The two emissaries returned to report
their task accomplished. Kungsun drew off his army. He also sent up a
memorial eulogising Liu Yüan-tê, who was raised in rank.
The farewell between Liu Pei and Chao Yün was affecting. They held each
other’s hands a long time, their eyes streaming with tears, and could
not tear themselves apart.
Chao Yün said with a sob, “I used to think Kungsun noble, but I see now
that he is no different from Yüan. They are both alike.”
“But you are in his service, and we shall surely meet again.” said
Yüan-tê.
Both men wept freely as they separated.
Now Yüan Shu, hearing that his brother had come into Ichou, sent to beg
a thousand horses. The request was refused and enmity sprang up between
the brothers. He also sent to Chingchow to borrow grain, which Liu Piao
would not send. In his resentment he wrote to Sun Chien trying to get
him to attack Liu Piao. The letter ran like this:—
“When Liu Piao stopped you on your way home it was at the instigation
of my brother. Now the same two have planned to fall upon your
district, wherefore you should at once strike at Liu Piao. I will
capture my brother for you and both resentments will be appeased. You
will get Chingchow and I shall have Ichou.”
“I cannot bear Liu Piao.” said Sun Chien as he finished reading this
letter. “He certainly did bar my way home and I may wait many years for
my revenge if I let slip this chance.”
He called a council.
“You may not trust Yüan Shu; he is very deceitful,” said Chʻêng Pʻu.
“I want revenge on my own part; what care I for his help?” said Chien.
He despatched Huang Kai to prepare a river fleet, arm and provision
them. Some craft were to take horses on board. The force soon set out.
News of these preparations came to Liu Piao and he hastily summoned his
advisers and warriors. Kʻuai Liang told him to be free from anxiety,
and said, “Put Huang Tsu at the head of the Chianghsia army to make the
first attack and you, Sir, support him. Let Sun Chien come ‘riding the
rivers and straddling the lakes;’ what can he do?”
So Huang Tsu was bidden to prepare to march and a great army was
assembled.
Here it may be said that Sun Chien had four sons, all the issue of his
wife who was of the Wu family. Their names were Tsʻê (Po-fu), Chʻüan
(Chung-mou), I (Shu-pi) and Kʻuang (Chi-tso). His wife’s sister was his
second wife, and she bore him a son and daughter, the former called
Lang (Tsao-an), the latter Jên. He had also adopted a son from the Yü
family named Shao (Kung-li). And he had a younger brother named Ching
(Yu-tʻai).
As Sun Chien was leaving on this expedition his brother with all his
sons stood near his steed and dissuaded him, saying, “Tung Cho is the
real ruler of the State for the Emperor is a weakling. The whole
country is in rebellion, every one is scrambling for territory. Our
district is comparatively peaceful and it is wrong to begin a war
merely for the sake of a little resentment. I pray you, brother, to
think before you start.”
Chien replied, “Brother, say no more. I desire to make my strength felt
everywhere and shall I not avenge my injuries?”
“Then father, if you must go, let me accompany you,” said the eldest
son.
His request was granted, and father and son embarked to go to ravage
Fanchʻêng.
Now Huang Tsu had placed archers and crossbowmen along the river bank.
When the ships approached a flight of arrows met them. Sun ordered his
men to remain under cover in the ships, which then sailed to and fro
drawing the fire for three days. Several times a landing was tried, but
showers of arrows repulsed each attempt. At last the arrows of the
defenders were all shot away and Sun, who collected them, found he had
many myriads. Then with a fair wind Sun’s men shot them back at the
enemy. Those on the bank were thrown into great disorder and retired.
The army then landed and two divisions set out for Huang Tsu’s camp
along different roads. Between them marched Han Tang and under this
triple attack Huang Tsu was worsted. He left Fanchʻêng and hastened to
Têngchʻêng.
Leaving the ships under the command of Huang Kai, Sun led the pursuing
force. Huang Tsu came out of his city and drew up for battle in the
open country. When Sun had disposed his army he rode out to the
standard. His son, clad in armour, placed himself beside his father.
Huang Tsu rode out with two captains Chang Hu and Chʻên Shêng.
Flourishing his whip, the chief abused his enemy, “You swarm of rebels
from Chiangtung, why do you invade the land of a scion of the ruling
house?”
Chang Hu challenged to combat and Han Tang went out to accept. The two
champions fought two score bouts and then Chʻên Shêng, seeing his
fellow captain becoming exhausted, rode to his aid. Sun Chien saw him
coming, laid aside his spear, reached for his bow and shot an arrow
wounding Chʻên Shêng in the face. He fell from his horse. Panic seized
upon Chang at the fall of his comrade and he could no longer defend
himself. Then Han Tang with a slash of his sword clove his skull in
twain.
Both having fallen, Chʻêng Pʻu galloped up to make prisoner of Huang
Tsu, who threw off his helmet, slipped from his steed and mingled for
safety among his men. Sun Chien led on the attack and drove the enemy
to the Han water, where he ordered Huang Kai to make an immediate
attack on Hanchiang.
Huang Tsu led his defeated men back and told Liu Piao they were no
match for Sun Chien. Kʻuai Liang was called in to advise and he said,
“Our newly defeated men have no heart for fighting now. Therefore we
must fortify our position, while we seek help from Yüan Shao. Then we
can extricate ourselves.”
“A stupid move,” said Tsʻai Mao. “The enemy is at the city gates; shall
we fold our hands and wait to be slain? Give me men and I will go out
and fight to the finish.”
So he was placed in command of a legion and went out to the Hsien hills
where he drew up his battle line. Sun Tsʻê led the invaders, now
flushed with success. When Tsʻai approached, Sun Chien looked at him
and said, “He is brother-in-law to Liu Piao; who will capture him?”
Chʻêng Pʻu set his supple spear and rode out. After a few bouts Tsʻai
Mao turned and fled. The Suns smote him till corpses filled the
country-side and he took refuge in Hsiangyang.
Kʻuai Yen said, “Tsʻai ought to be put to death by military law. This
defeat was due to his obstinacy.” But Liu Piao was unwilling to punish
the brother of his newly wedded wife.
Sun Chien surrounded Hsiangyang and assailed the walls daily. One day a
fierce gale sprang up and the pole bearing his standard was broken.
“Very inauspicious!” said Han Tang. “We ought to go back.”
His lord said, “I have won every battle and the city is on the point of
falling. Shall I return because the wind breaks a flagstaff?”
He flouted the advice and attacked the walls still more vigorously.
Within the city they had seen an omen. It was told Liu Piao that a
great star had fallen into the wild country without the city, and they
had calculated that it inferred the fall of their enemy. Piao was
advised to seek help from Yüan Shao.
So he wrote. But who would undertake to fight his way through with the
letter? One Lü Kung, a warrior of great strength, offered himself for
this service. Kʻuai Liang said, “If you undertake this service listen
to my advice. You will have five hundred men; choose good bowmen. Dash
through the enemy’s formation and make for Hsien Hill. You will be
pursued, but send a hundred men up the hill to prepare large stones and
place a hundred archers in ambush in the woods. These are not to flee
from the pursuers but to beguile them along devious ways round to the
place where the boulders have been prepared. There stones will be
rolled down and arrows shot. If you succeed, fire off a series of bombs
as a signal and the men in the city will come out to help. If you are
not pursued get away as fast as possible. To-night will be suitable as
there is very little moon. Start at dusk.”
Lü Kung, having received these directions, prepared his force to carry
them out. As soon as day began to close in he went quietly out at the
east gate. Sun Chien was in his tent when he heard shouting and at once
mounted and rode out with thirty men to discover the cause. Lü Kung’s
men had already hidden themselves in the thick woods. Chien rode ahead
of his escort and soon he found himself alone and close to the enemy.
He called out to them to halt. Lü at once turned back and came as if to
fight. But they had only exchanged a single pass when he again fled,
taking the road among the hills. Sun followed but soon lost sight of
his foe.
Sun turned up the hill. Then the gongs clanged and down the hills fell
showers of stones, while from among the trees the arrows flew in
clouds. Sun was hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushed in his
head. Both he and his steed were killed. And so his life ended at the
age of thirty seven.
His escort was overpowered and every man of them slain. Then Lü let off
a series of bombs, the sign of success, as agreed. At this signal three
armies came out of the city and fell upon the Chiangtung men, throwing
them into the utmost confusion.
When Huang Kai heard the sound of battle he led up the men from the
ships. He met Huang Tsu and took him prisoner after a brief fight.
Chʻêng Pʻu set out to bear the sad news to Sun Tsʻê. While he was
seeking a way out he came across Lü Kung. He at once put his horse at
full speed and engaged him. After a few bouts Lü went down under a
spear thrust. The battle became general and continued till daylight
broke, when each drew off his army. Liu Piao withdrew into the city and
when Sun Tsʻê returned to the river he heard that his father had
perished in the fight, and his body had been carried within the enemy’s
walls. He uttered a great cry and the army joined him with wailing and
tears.
“How can I return home leaving my father’s corpse with them?” cried Sun
Tsʻê.
Huang Kai said, “We have Huang Tsu as our prisoner. Let one enter the
city and discuss peace, giving up our prisoner for our lord’s body.”
He had barely finished speaking when Huang Kʻai offered himself as
messenger saying he was an old friend of Liu Piao. So he went and peace
was discussed. Liu Piao told him the body was already laid in a coffin
and ready to be delivered as soon as Huang Tsu returned. “Let us both
cease fighting and never again invade each other’s district,” said he.
Huan Kʻai thanked him and took his leave. But as he went down the steps
Kʻuai Liang suddenly broke in, saying, “No, No! Let me speak and I will
see to it that not a single breastplate returns. I pray you first put
this man to death and then employ my means.”
Pursuing his enemy, Sun Chien dies;
Even on a peaceful mission Huang Kʻai is threatened.
The fate of the ambassador will be disclosed in a later chapter.