CHIA HSÜ ENGINEERS A GREAT VICTORY:
HSIAHOU TUN LOSES AN EYE.
Chia Hsü, as he had guessed the enemy’s intention, had also devised a
counter-move. So he went to his chief and said, “I saw Tsʻao Tsʻao very
carefully reconnoitring round about the city and he certainly noticed
that the south-east angle of the wall had been lately restored with mud
bricks of a different kind and that the abatis 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 north-west. His men will scale
the walls in the darkness and try to enter at the south-east.”
“Supposing your surmise correct, what do you advise?” asked Chang Hsiu.
“The counter-move 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 south-east corner. Then
disguise the townspeople as soldiers and send them to pretend to defend
the north-west. To-night 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
Tsʻao Tsʻao himself.”
The stratagem was decided upon. Soon the scouts told Tsʻao that the
defenders of the city had moved to the north-west where noisy
preparations for defence were going on. The opposite corner was left
undefended.
“They have fallen into my trap,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao gleefully.
They prepared shovels and hooks and all the gear needed for scaling
walls, and all day they kept up the attack on the north-west angle.
But at the second watch they despatched the veterans to the opposite
corner, where they climbed the wall, broke up the abatis 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 Chang Hsiu immediately fell on the
rear. Tsʻao’s men were totally defeated and fled out of the gate into
the country. Chang Hsiu kept up the pursuit till daybreak, when he
retired into the city again.
Tsʻao Tsʻao then rallied his army and mustered his men. He had lost
five legions and much baggage, while two of his captains, Lü Chʻien and
Yü Chin were wounded.
Tsʻao Tsʻao being thus worsted, Chang Hsiu wrote off to Liu Piao to cut
off his retreat that he might be utterly destroyed.
An army was preparing for this purpose when a scout came to say that
Sun Tsʻê had encamped at Hukʻou. Kʻuai Liang urged the immediate
departure of the expedition as he said this move of Sun Tsʻê was part
of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s strategy and there would be never-ending regret if he
were allowed to escape. Wherefore Liu Piao moved out with his army to
Anchung, leaving Huang Tsu to hold the point of vantage. Chang Hsiu,
having been informed of the movement to attack his enemy in the rear,
went with Chia Hsü to smite him once more.
In the meantime Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army, marching very leisurely, had
arrived at Hsianchʻêng. Walking one day beside the Yushui River 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 captain Tien Wei. Is that not a reason to grieve?”
Thereupon he 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 Tsʻao An-ming and his eldest son Tsʻao An,
both of whom had died at the same time. He also sacrificed to his lost
soldiers and even to his steed which had been killed by an arrow.
Soon Hsün Yü wrote to tell him that Liu Piao had gone to help Chang
Hsiu and was camped at Anchung, thereby cutting his road of retreat.
Tsʻao 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 near Anchung, my enemy will be broken. You need not have
any fears.”
Then he hastened his march till he came near where Liu Piao had taken
position. Chang Hsiu still followed. Tsʻao 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 and Chang met. As Tsʻao Tsʻao’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, Tsʻao’s soldiers
went outside the pass and encamped.
The two leaders on the other side restored order among their beaten men
and then held a conference.
“How could we have foreseen such a wicked ruse?” said Liu Piao.
“Let us try again,” said his colleague.
Wherefore they joined forces at Anchung.
But Hsün Yü discovered through his spies that Yüan Shao was preparing
an attack on Hsütu, the then capital, so he at once wrote to Tsʻao
Tsʻao who, much disturbed by this news, set out homeward at once. When
Chang Hsiu heard this through his scouts he wished to follow the
retreating army. Chia Hsü opposed it and said it would lead to a
defeat. However Liu Piao was also of opinion that it was wrong to lose
such a chance and so finally pursuit was decided upon.
They had not marched very far before they came upon Tsʻao’s rear-guard,
who fought with great vigour and bravery, so that the pursuers were
beaten off and went home discomfited.
Chang Hsiu said to Chia, “This defeat comes from my not following your
advice.”
“Now set your army in order and pursue,” said Chia.
“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 Chia.
Chang Hsiu had confidence, but his colleague was afraid and would not
accompany him. So one army only started in pursuit.
However, this was enough. Tsʻao Tsʻao’s rear-guard was thoroughly
routed and abandoned their waggons and their baggage in their hasty
flight. Chang Hsiu pursued, but suddenly a troop came out from the
shelter of some hills and checked him. Fearful to try further he
hastened back to Anchung.
The other general, Liu Piao, asked the adviser to explain his apparent
inconsistency. “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 the enemy had lost a battle he had
able captains to keep the rear and guard against pursuit. Our men are
good, but not a match for them. That is how I knew. Forasmuch as Tsʻao
Tsʻao’s hurried retreat was due to trouble in the capital and he had
beaten off our men, I knew he would retire at his utmost speed and not
take his usual precautions. I ventured to take advantage of his
laxity.”
Liu and Chang could not but affirm his complete understanding of the
conditions.
On the advice of Chia Hsü then Liu Piao returned to Chingchou, while
Chang Hsiu took up his position at Hsiangchʻêng so that each
strengthened the other as the lips protect the teeth from cold.
When Tsʻao, during his retreat, heard that his army was being pursued
he hastily turned back to support the rear-guard. Then he saw the
pursuing army draw off. The soldiers of the beaten rear-guard said,
“Had it not been for the troop that came out of the hills we should all
have been lost.”
“What troop?” asked Tsʻao Tsʻao in surprise.
The leader of the troop then advanced, slung his spear and,
dismounting, made a low obeisance. He was Li Tʻung, a captain of some
rank and reputation from Chianghsia.
Tsʻao asked him why he had come.
Li Tʻung replied, “I was in command at Junan when I heard of the
struggle going on, so I came to lend you any help I could.”
To show his gratitude Tsʻao conferred upon Li the title Marquis of
Established Merit, and confirmed him in his command as a defence
against Liu Piao. Then Li Tʻung took his leave.
On his return to the capital Tsʻao Tsʻao presented a memorial on the
good services rendered by Sun Tsʻê and he was created Marquis of Wu
with the title General “Captor of Rebels.” The messenger bearing the
decree bore also the order to repress Liu Piao.
Tsʻao Tsʻao went to his palace and there received the ceremonial calls
of congratulation. These finished, Hsün Yü asked, saying, “You, Sir,
marched very leisurely to Anchung; how came it that you felt certain of
victory?”
Tsʻao replied, “He who retires and finds his retreat cut off fights
desperately. I retired slowly to entice them into following whereby I
could do as I wished with them. Basing my movements on these
considerations I felt secure.”
Hsün bowed his head in admiration.
When Kuo Chia entered Tsʻao said, “Why so late, Sir?”
The visitor drew a letter from his sleeve saying to his master, “Yüan
Shao sends this saying he desires to send an army to attack Kungsun
Tsan and wishes you to lend provisions and men.”
“I heard he was going to attack Hsütu; I suppose my return has made him
change his intention,” said Tsʻao.
Then he opened the letter and read it. It was couched in very arrogant
terms.
“He is so exceedingly rude that I will attack him,” said Tsʻao, “Only I
think I am not quite strong enough. What should be done?”
“My lord, you know well who lost, and why, in the conflict between Liu
Pang and Hsiang Yü; the former won only by superior wisdom. Hsiang Yü
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.
“Shao is over-much 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 men after their ability; this is the
advantage of correct appreciation. He is a visionary and 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 men of renown: you
treat a man as you find him regardless of his 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 Shao.”
“How can I be worth as much as you say?” said Tsʻao, smiling.
“What he has said about the ten points in your favour agrees exactly
with what I think,” said Hsün Yü. “Shao’s army is not formidable in
spite of its size.”
“The real and dangerous enemy is Lü Pu,” said Kuo Chia. “When Yüan Shao
has gone north to destroy Kunsun Tsan, we ought to sweep away Lü Pu and
so clear away our danger from that side, for if this is not done our
attack on Shao will be the signal for an attempt on the capital. That
would be most serious.”
Tsʻao Tsʻao saw things in the same light as his advisers and began to
discuss plans for an attack on Lü Pu. Hsün Yü was of opinion that they
should first secure the fidelity and aid of Liu Pei. So letters were
written and they waited his assurance before moving a soldier. Then, in
order to reassure Yüan Shao, his emissary was treated with great
kindness and a memorial presented asking extra honours for him. With
all this a private letter was written urging upon him to attack Kungsun
and promising assistance. So Yüan Shao’s army started.
In the meantime the two Chʻêns were playing their game. At every feast
and gathering in Hsüchou they uttered the most fulsome praises of Lü
Pu. Chʻên Kung 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 men.”
“No ears for loyal words”; said Chʻên Kung, as he went away sad at
heart, “and we shall suffer.”
He thought seriously of abandoning Lü Pu, 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 Hsiaopʻei 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 Chʻên Kung.
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
Tsʻao Tsʻao’s letter to Liu Pei. The messenger and the letter were both
taken straight to Lü Pu. He questioned the man, who said he had been
sent to Liu Pei with a letter and was now taking back the reply. He
knew nothing more. He was ignorant of the contents of the letter. So Lü
Pu tore it open and read:—“I have received your commands concerning the
destruction of Lü Pu 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
men shall be got ready and weapons prepared. I await your command.”
Lü Pu was really alarmed. “The wretch!” said he, “To dare to act thus!”
The unhappy messenger was put to death and counter-moves planned. Chʻên
Kung and Tsang Pa went to enlist the help of the Tʻaishan bandits and
take Yenchou in Shantung. Kao Shun and Chang Liao went to attack Liu
Pei in Pʻeichʻêng. Sung Hsieu and Wei Hsü went west to attack Juying
and Lü Pu took command of a large body of men ready to afford help
wherever needed.
The departure of the army under Kao Shun against Hsiaopʻei was told Liu
Pei who assembled his officers at a council. Sun Chʻien advised sending
a message to the capital to inform Tsʻao Tsʻao of their danger and, in
response to the chief’s call, Chien Yung, a fellow-townsman of Liu
Pei’s, offered to take the message. Up to that moment he had served as
a secretary. So a letter was written and the late secretary set out at
once on his journey.
Then preparations were made for defence, Yüan-tê commanding at the
south gate and the two brothers and Sun Chʻien taking each a gate. Mi
Chu and his brother Fang commanded the family guard.
The two Mi’s were put in command of the house guard because they were
Liu Pei’s brothers-in-law, he having taken a sister of Mi Chu as a
second wife. Hence they were suitable men to guard the family.
In due course Kao Shun came to the south gate. Liu Pei ascended the
tower and said, “I have no quarrel with your master, why do you come
here with an army?”
“You have plotted with Tsʻao Tsʻao to injure my master as we know now;
why should I not ‘bind’ you?”
So saying he gave the signal to attack. But Yüan-tê did not go out to
repulse him; he only kept the gate fast closed.
Soon after Chang Liao led an attack on the west gate, then kept by
Yün-chʻang, who addressed him from the wall.
“You are too good a man to waste yourself on rebels,” said he.
Chang hung his head and made no reply.
Kuan Yü knew that he had a sound heart and high principles and said no
more as he was unwilling to wound him. Nor did he go out to attack.
Chang Liao then drew off and proceeded to the east gate, and Chang Fei
went out to give battle. Soon it was told Kuan Yü, who came over
quickly. He saw Chang Fei going out, but Chang Liao was already
withdrawing. 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
Fei.
“No,” said his brother. “As a warrior he is not inferior to either of
us, but I have spoken a few straight words and they have sunk deep. He
is repentant and that is why he will not meet us.”
So Chang Fei understood and the gates were shut and orders given for
careful defence.
When Liu Pei’s messenger reached the capital he saw Tsʻao Tsʻao who
told him what had happened. The advisers were called to discuss a plan.
Tsʻao said, “I wish to attack Lü Pu. I fear not Yüan Shao, but Liu Piao
and Chang Hsiu may attack me in the rear.”
Hsün Yü replied. “Both these latter have been too recently defeated to
do anything so rash. But Lü Pu is a bold fighting man, and if he joined
forces with Yüan Shu and they set themselves to conquer Huai and Ssŭ
[10] the problem would be difficult.”
Then spoke Kuo Chia, “Let us take advantage of the moment before they
have fully made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared.”
And Tsʻao Tsʻao did so. Five legions with four captains were sent in
advance. Tsʻao commanded the rear army, which marched by divisions, and
Chien Yung brought up the rear.
Soon the scouts informed Kao Shun. He sent flying messengers to Lü Pu,
who detached two hundred horse to assist him. Kao Shun posted this
reinforcement about thirty li from the city to meet Tsʻao’s army. He
followed close.
When Liu Pei saw the enemy retiring from the city he knew Tsʻao’s army
was close at hand. So, making arrangements for guarding the city
within, he and his two brothers marched their men out of the city and
made a camp, that they might be ready to assist.
Now the division of Tsʻao’s army under Hsiahou Tun, having marched out
in advance, first came into touch with Kao Shun. The former captain at
once rode out with spear set and offered a challenge. It was accepted
and the two leaders fought half a hundred bouts. Then Kao Shun began to
weaken and had to own he had lost the day. His adversary pressed him
hard and he rode round to the rear of his array. Tun was not the man to
quail so he followed right into the enemy’s country. Then Tsʻao Hsing,
one of the captains, secretly strung his bow, fitted an arrow and, when
Tun had come quite near, shot at him. The arrow hit Hsiahou Tun 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 he, and he put the eye into his mouth and swallowed it.
Then resuming his firm grip of his spear he went after this new enemy.
There was no escape for Tsʻao Hsing. He was overtaken and fell with a
spear wound full in the face. Both sides were stricken dumb with
amazement.
Having thus slain the man who had wounded him Tun rode back toward his
own side. Kao Shun went in pursuit and, waving on his men, attacked so
vigorously that he won the day. Hsiahou Tun saved his elder brother,
with whom he fled. The various divisions rallied at Chipei and made a
camp there.
Kao Shun having scored this victory, returned to attack Liu Pei, and as
Lü Pu opportunely arrived with Chang Liao, these three arranged their
forces so that each attacked one of the brothers.
Dauntless was Tun, 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 Yüan-tê will be told in the next chapter.