AT CHINGCHOU THE SON OF LIU PIAO THRICE BEGS ADVICE:
AT POWANG SLOPE THE MASTER DIRECTS HIS FIRST BATTLE.
Now Sun Chʻüan fought against Hsiakʻou. When Huang Tsu recognised that
he was beaten and could not maintain his position, he abandoned
Chianghsia and took the road to Chingchou. Kan Ning, foreseeing this,
had laid an ambush outside the east gate. Soon after the fugitive, with
a small following, had burst out of the gate he found his road blocked.
From horseback, Huang Tsu said, “I treated you well in the past, why do
you now press me so hard?”
Kan Ning angrily shouted, “I did good service for you and yet you
treated me as a pirate. Now what have you to say?”
There was nothing to be said, and Huang turned his horse to escape. But
Kan Ning thrust aside his men and himself rode in pursuit. Then he
heard a shouting in his rear and saw Chʻêng Pʻu coming up. Fearing lest
this other pursuer should overpass him and score the success he desired
for himself, Kan fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the fugitive.
Huang was hit and fell from his steed. Then Kan Ning cut off his head.
After this, joining himself to Chʻêng Pʻu, the two returned bearing the
ghastly trophy to their lord. Sun Chʻüan ordered them to place it in a
box to be taken back home and offered as a sacrifice to the manes of
his father.
Having rewarded the soldiers for the victory and promoted Kan Ning, Sun
Chʻüan next discussed the advisability of sending a force to hold
Chianghsia. But his adviser, Chang Chao, said it was useless to try to
hold one city alone. It would be better to return home and prepare for
the expedition that Liu Piao would surely send in revenge. They would
defeat him, push home the attack and capture his district.
Sun Chʻüan saw the advice was wise so he left Chianghsia and led his
army home to the east.
Now Su Fei was still confined, but he got some one to go to Kan Ning to
beg him to plead for mercy. Kan Ning had expected this although the
prisoner had said no word and he was averse from leaving his friend and
one-time protector to perish. “I should not have forgotten him even if
he had said nothing,” said Kan.
When the army had reached Wuhui the victor gave orders for Su Fei’s
execution that his head might be offered with that of Huang Tsu. Then
Kan Ning went in to his lord and said, weeping, “Long ago, if it had
not been for Su Fei, my bones would have been rotting in some ditch and
how then could I have rendered service under your banner? Now he
deserves death, but I cannot forget his kindness to me and I pray you
take away the honours you have bestowed on me as a set-off to his
crime.”
Sun Chʻüan replied, “Since he once showed kindness to you, I will
pardon him for your sake. But what can be done if he run away?”
“If he be pardoned and escape death he will be immeasurably grateful
and will not go away. If he should, then will I offer my life in
exchange.”
So the condemned man escaped death and only one head was offered in
sacrifice. After the sacrificial ceremonies a great banquet was spread
in honour of the victories. As it was proceeding suddenly one of the
guests burst into loud lamentations, drew his sword and rushed upon Kan
Ning. Kan hastily rose and defended himself with the chair on which he
had been sitting. The host looked at the assailant and saw it was Ling
Tʻung, whose father had fallen under an arrow shot by Kan Ning. The son
was now burning to avenge his father’s death.
Hastily leaving his place, Sun Chʻüan checked the angry officer,
saying, “If he slew your noble father, then remember each was fighting
for his lord for whom he was bound to exert himself to the utmost. But
now that you are under one flag and are of one house you may not recall
an ancient injury. You must regard my interests continually.”
Tsʻao Ling beat his head upon the floor and cried, saying, “But how can
I not avenge this? It is a blood feud and we may not both live under
the same sky.”
The guests interfered, beseeching the man to forgo his revenge, and at
last he ceased from his murderous intention. But he sat glaring
wrathfully at his enemy.
So soon after Kan Ning was despatched with half a legion and a squadron
of ships to guard Hsiakʻou, where he was beyond the reach of his
enemy’s wrath. Then Sun Chʻüan promoted Tsʻao Ling and so he was
somewhat appeased.
From about this time Wu enlarged her fleets, and men were sent to
various points to guard the river banks. The brother of the chieftain
was placed in command at Wuhui and Sun Chʻüan himself, with a large
army, camped at Chʻaisang. Chou Yü, the Commander-in-Chief of the
forces, was on the Pʻoyang Lake training the naval forces, and general
preparations were made for defence and attack.
Here our story digresses to follow the adventures of Liu Pei. By his
spies he had tidings of the doings in the lower portion of the great
river, and knew of the death of Huang Tsu. So he consulted Kʻung-ming
as to his action. While they were discussing matters, there arrived a
messenger from Liu Piao, begging Liu Pei to go to see him. Kʻung-ming
advised him to go and said, “This call is to consult you about avenging
Huang Tsu. You must take me with you and let me act as the
circumstances direct. There are advantages to be got.”
Leaving his second brother in command at Hsinyeh, Liu Pei set forth,
taking Chang Fei with half a company as his escort. On the way he
discussed the course of action with his adviser, who said, “First you
must thank him for having saved you from the evil that was planned
against you at Hsiangyang. But you must not undertake any expedition
against Wu; say you must return to Hsinyeh to put your army in good
order.”
With this admonition Liu Pei came to Chingchou and was lodged in the
guest-house. Chang Fei and the escort camped without the walls. In due
course Liu Pei and Kʻung-ming were received, and after the customary
salutations, the guest apologised for his conduct.
The host said, “Worthy brother, I know you were the victim of a vile
plot and I should have put the prime mover to death for it had there
not been so universal a prayer for mercy. However, I remitted that
penalty. I hope you do not consider that I was wrong.”
“Mao had little to do with it; I think it was due to his subordinates,”
replied Pei.
Piao said, “Chianghsia is lost, as you know; Huang is dead. So I have
asked you to come that we might take measures of vengeance.”
“Huang was harsh and cruel and never used his men in the proper way;
that was the real cause of his fall. But have you reflected what Tsʻao
Tsʻao may do on the north if we attack the south?”
“I am getting old and weak and I am unable to manage affairs properly;
will you aid me, brother? After I am gone you will have this district.
“Why do you say this, my brother? Think you that I am equal to such a
task?”
Here Kʻung-ming glanced at Liu Pei who continued, “But give me a little
time to think it over.”
And at this point he took his leave. When they had reached their
lodging, Kʻung-ming said, “Why did you decline his offer of the
district?”
“He has always been most kind and courteous. I could not take advantage
of his weakness.”
“A perfectly kindly and gracious lord,” sighed Kʻung-ming.
Soon after the son of Liu Piao was announced and Liu Pei received him
and led him in. The young man began to weep saying, “My mother cannot
bear the sight of me. My very life is in danger. Can you not save me,
Uncle?”
“My worthy nephew, this is a family affair. You should not come to me.”
Kʻung-ming, who was present, smiled. Liu Pei turned to him to know what
he should do.
“This is a family affair; I cannot touch it!” replied Kʻung-ming.
The young man soon left and when Yüan-tê was saying good-bye he
whispered, “I will get Kʻung-ming to return your call and you can talk
with him. He will advise you.”
Liu Chi thanked him and left. Next day when the call was to be returned
Yüan-tê pretended to be suffering from colic and made that an excuse to
send Kʻung-ming to return the call. The adviser went, and when he had
reached the Palace, dismounted and was led in, Liu Chi conducted him
into one of the inner rooms and when the tea had been brought, said, “I
am an object of my stepmother’s dislike; can you advise me what to do?”
“As a mere stranger guest I can hardly have anything to do with your
own ‘bone and flesh’ matters. If I did, and the story got abroad, much
harm might ensue.”
With this he rose to take leave. But Chi was unwilling to say farewell.
He said, “Your glory has turned in my direction, you cannot mean to go
away so pointlessly.”
He led his visitor into a private chamber and had refreshments brought.
While they ate and drank Chi repeated his first request: what was he to
do since his stepmother disliked him?
“It is not the sort of thing I can advise in,” replied Kʻung-ming, as
he rose for the second time to take leave.
“Master, if you will not reply, that is well. But why incontinently
leave me?”
So the adviser once more seated himself and Liu Chi said, “There is an
ancient writing I should like to show you.” And he led his visitor to a
small upper room.
“Where is the writing?” said Kʻung-ming.
Instead of answering Liu Chi wept, saying, “My stepmother cannot bear
me; my life is in danger. O Master, will you not say a word to save
me?”
Kʻung-ming flushed and rose to go away. But he found the ladder by
which they had mounted had been removed. Again Chi besought some
advice, “Master, you fear lest it may get abroad! Is that why you are
silent? Here we are between earth and sky and what you say will come
out of your mouth directly into my ear. No other soul can hear. Now can
you tell me what to do?”
“Sow not dissension among relatives,” said Kʻung-ming. “Is it possible
for me to make any plan for you?”
“Then is my life indeed in danger,” said the young man. “I will die at
your feet.”
So saying, he pulled out a dagger and threatened to make an end of
himself.
Kʻung-ming checked him. “There is a way,” said he.
“I pray you tell me.”
“You have heard of Shên Shêng and Chʻung Erh, have you not? Shên Shêng
stayed at home and died; his brother went away and lived in peace. Now
that Huang Tsu is gone and Chianghsia is weakly defended, why do you
not ask to be sent there to guard it? Then you would be out of the way
of harm.”
Chi thanked him. Then he called to his people to restore the ladder and
he escorted Kʻung-ming down to the level ground.
Kʻung-ming returned to Yüan-tê and related the whole interview. The
young man soon acted on the advice given him, but his father would not
at first consent to let him go. To settle his doubts he sent for
Yüan-tê, who said, “Chianghsia is important and your son is the most
suitable man to defend it. You must let him go. The south-east will be
defended by your son; the north-west I will look after.”
“I hear that Tsʻao Tsʻao has been training a naval force and I am
afraid he has intentions against us. We must be on our guard.”
“I know all about it; you need feel no anxiety,” said Yüan-tê.
He took leave of his relative and went home while Liu Chi received
command of three companies and went to guard Chianghsia.
At this time Tsʻao Tsʻao suppressed the three high officers of State
and exercised their functions himself. He appointed as his general
secretaries or Tsʻao-chʻuan, Mao Chieh and Tsʻui Yen, and as literary
secretary, Ssŭma I, grandson of Ssŭma Sui and son of Ssŭma Fang. Thus
he was strong in literary talent.
He then called his military officers to a council to discuss an
expedition against the south. Hsiahou Tun opened the debate saying,
“Liu Fei is drilling his army at Hsinyeh, and is a source of danger. He
should be destroyed.”
Accordingly he was appointed Commander-in-Chief and four assistants
were given him. With these he led ten legions to Powangchʻêng, whence
he could observe Hsinyeh.
Hsün Yü was opposed to this and said, “Liu Pei is a famous warrior and
he has lately taken to himself as his director of training Chuko Liang.
Caution is needed.”
Tun replied, “Liu Pei is a mean rat. I will certainly take him
prisoner.”
“Do not despise him,” said Hsü Shu. “Remember he has Chuko Liang to
help him and so he is like a tiger who has grown wings.”
Tsʻao Tsʻao said, “Who is this Chuko Liang?”
“He is also called Kʻung-ming, and has taken a Taoist cognomen of
‘Sleeping Dragon.’ He is a perfect genius, god and devil combined, the
greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him.”
“How does he stand as compared with you?” asked Tsʻao.
“There is no comparison. I am a mere glow-worm spark; he is the glory
of the full moon,” replied Hsü Shu.
“You are mistaken,” replied Tun. “This Chuko Liang of yours is of no
account. Who would fear him? If I do not take him and his master
prisoners in the first battle, then here is my head, a free gift to our
lord, the minister.”
“Hasten to comfort me with news of victory,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao.
Hsiahou Tun hastened to depart.
The advent of Kʻung-ming and the extravagant deference shown him did
not please Liu Pei’s sworn brothers who grumbled, saying, “He is very
young although he is clever and learned. Our brother really treats him
too well. We have not seen any evidence of his wonderful skill.”
Liu Pei replied, “You do not know his worth. To me it seems as if the
fish had got into the water again. Pray do not discuss this matter
further, my brothers.”
They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied. One day a man presented Liu Pei
with a yak’s tail and he at once put it in his cap as an ornament.
Kʻung-ming came in and noticed it at once. “Then you have renounced all
ambition, my lord; you are just going to attend to this sort of thing,”
he quietly remarked.
Yüan-tê snatched off his cap and flung it away. “I was only amusing
myself with the thing,” replied he.
“How do you think you stand compared with Tsʻao Tsʻao?” asked
Kʻung-ming.
“Inferior.”
“Yes; your army is less than one legion and the chances are ten
thousand to one that he will attack. How can we meet him?”
“I am greatly distressed about it; but I see no way.”
“You might recruit and I will train them. Then we might be able to
oppose him.”
So recruiting began and three companies were enlisted. Kʻung-ming set
about drilling them diligently.
Soon they heard that Hsiahou Tun was leading an army of ten legions
against them. When he heard it Chang Fei said to his brother, Kuan Yü,
“We will get this Kʻung-ming to go and fight them.”
Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked
their advice.
“Why not send the ‘Water’ brother?” said Chang Fei.
“For method I rely on Kʻung-ming; but for action I put my faith in you,
my brothers. Are you going to fail me?”
They went out and Kʻung-ming was called. “I fear your brothers will not
obey me,” said Kʻung-ming. “Wherefore, if I am to direct the campaign,
you must give me a seal of office and a sword of authority.”
So Yüan-tê gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power he
assembled the officers to receive their orders.
“We will go just to see what he will do,” said one brother to the
other.
In the assembly Kʻung-ming spoke saying, “On the left of Powang are
hills called Yüshan. On the right is a forest, Anlin. There we will
prepare an ambush. Kuan Yü will go to the former place with one
company. He will remain there quiescent till the enemy has passed, but
when he sees a flame in the south, that will be the signal to attack.
He will first burn their baggage train. Chang Fei will go to a valley
behind the forest. When he sees the signal he is to go to the old
stores depôt at Powang and burn that. Kuan Pʻing and Liu Fêng will take
half a company each, prepare combustibles and be ready with them beyond
Powang Slope. The enemy will arrive about dusk and then they can start
the blaze.”
“Chao Yün, now recalled from Fanchʻêng, is to lead the attack, but he
is to lose and not win. And Liu Pei is to command the reserve. See that
each one obeys these orders and let there be no mistakes.”
Then said Kuan Yü, “All of us are to go out to meet the enemy, but I
have not yet heard what you are going to do.”
“I am going to guard the city.”
Chang Fei burst into a laugh, “We are to go out to bloody battle and
you are to stay quietly at home quite comfortable.”
“Here is the sword and here the seal,” replied the strategist,
displaying the emblems of authority. “Disobedience of orders will be
death.”
Liu Pei said, “Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a
little chamber decide success over thousands of li? Do not disobey the
command, my brothers.”
Chang Fei went out smiling cynically.
Kuan Yü remarked, “Let us await the result. If he fail then we can look
to it.”
The brothers left. None of the officers understood anything of the
general line of strategy and, though they obeyed orders, they were not
without doubts and misgivings.
Kʻung-ming said to Liu Pei, “You may now lead your men to the hills and
camp till the enemy shall arrive to-morrow evening. Then you are to
abandon the camp and move away retreating till the signal is seen. Then
you will advance and attack with all force. The two Mi and I will guard
the city.”
In the city he prepared banquets to celebrate the victory and also
prepared the books to record exceptional services. Liu Pei noted all
these things with not a little trouble in his heart.
Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army in due course reached Powang. Then half of them, the
veterans, were told off for the first attack and the remainder were to
guard the baggage train and supplies. Thus they marched in two
divisions. The season was autumn and a chilly wind began to blow.
They pressed forward. Presently they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them
and the general ordered the ranks to be reformed. He questioned the
guides as to the name of the place. They told him the place in front
was Powang Slope and behind them was the Lokʻou Stream. Then Hsiahou
Tun rode to the front to reconnoitre, leaving Yü Chin and Li Tien to
finish setting out the battle array.
Presently he began to laugh and, when they asked the cause of this
merriment, he replied, “Hsü Shu praised Chuko Liang to the very skies
as something more than human. But now that I see how he has placed his
men and the stuff he has put into his vanguard, it seems to me that he
is sending dogs or sheep against tigers and leopards. I bragged a
little when I said I would take him prisoner, but I am going to make
good my boast.”
Then he rode forward at full speed. Chao Yün rode to meet him and Tun
opened a volley of abuse. “You lot, followers of Liu Pei, are only like
wraiths following devils.”
This angered Chao Yün and a combat began. In a little time Chao Yün
turned and retreated as if he was worsted. Tun pressed after him and
kept up the chase for some ten li. Then Chao suddenly turned again and
offered fight; but only to retreat after a few passes.
Seeing these tactics Han Hao, one of Tun’s captains, rode up to his
chief and urged him to use caution saying he feared he was being
inveigled into an ambush.
“With such antagonists as these I should not fear a score of ambushes,”
replied Tun, pressing forward eagerly.
Just as he reached the slope he heard the roar of a bomb and out came
Liu Pei to attack. “Here is your ambush,” said Hsiahou Tun, laughing.
“I will get to Hsinyeh this evening before I have done.”
He urged his men forward and his opponents retired in measure as he
advanced.
As evening came on, thick clouds overcast the whole sky. The wind
increased but the leader still urged his men after the retreating foe.
The two captains came to a narrow part of the road with reeds and
rushes thick all round them.
“Those who despise the enemy are beaten,” said Li Tien to Yü Chin.
“Away south there the roads are narrow, and streams and mountains make
the country difficult. The forests are dense and if the enemy used fire
we should be lost.”
“You are right,” replied Chin. “I will get on and warn the Commander.
Perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up.”
Yü Chin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice. Hsiahou Tun saw
him coming up and asked what was the matter. Chin told him of the state
of the country and reminded him of the danger of fire. His ferocity had
then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main body.
Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the
reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread
and soon the fire was in “the four quarters and the eight sides,” and
fanned by a strong wind.
The Tsʻao troops were thrown into confusion and trampled each other
down. Many perished. Chao Yün turned on them again. The
Commander-in-Chief dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.
Now Li Tien saw that things were going very badly so he turned to get
back to Powangchʻêng but fell upon a body of men in the way, led by
Kuan Yü. He dashed into their midst and managed to get clear. Yü Chin
saw the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to
guard, so he escaped along a bye-path. Two other captains, who came to
try to save the baggage train, met Chang Fei and one of them was slain
forthwith, but the other escaped. Next morning the countryside was
strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.
The armies met on Powang Slope
And Kʻung-ming fought with fire;
A perfect strategist, he bent
All men to his desire.
But poor Tsʻao Tsʻao, his enemy,
He trembled in his shoes
Before the man, who’d never fought
But yet could armies use.
Hsiahou Tung drew up the battered remains of his army and led them back
to the capital.
Kʻung-ming ordered his armies to collect, and as Kuan and Chang rode
homeward they confessed to each other that the new strategist was a
fine fellow. Before long they met him seated in a light carriage and
they dismounted and bowed before him. The remaining bodies came in. The
spoil was distributed among the soldiers and all returned to Hsinyeh,
where the populace lined the roads to bid them welcome.
“We owe our lives to the Prince,” they cried to Liu Pei.
Said Kʻung-ming, “Hsiahou Tun has been driven off, but Tsʻao Tsʻao will
come with a stronger force.”
“And what shall we do?” replied Liu Pei.
“My plan is quite ready,” said Kʻung-ming.
Always battles, nowhere rest for horse or man;
Must rely on ruses, dodging where one can.
The plan prepared against Tsʻao Tsʻao will be unfolded in the next
chapter.