A GREAT BATTLE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH:
KʻUNG-MING ANGERS CHOU YÜ.
Kuan Yü had died there but for his elder brother, who said to the great
strategist, “We three pledged ourselves to live and die together.
Although my brother Yün-chʻang has offended I cannot bear to break our
oath. I hope you will only record this against him and let him atone
later for the fault by some specially meritorious service.”
So the sentence was remitted. In the meantime Chou Yü mustered his
officers and called over his men, noted the special services of each
and sent full reports to his master. The soldiers who had surrendered
were all transported across the river. All this done they spread the
feast of victory.
The next step was to attack and capture Nanchün. The van of the army
camped on the river bank. There were five camps and the general’s tent
was in the centre. He summoned his officers to a council. At this
moment Sun Chʻien arrived with congratulations from Liu Pei. Chou Yü
received him and, having saluted in proper form, Chʻien said, “My lord
sent me on this special mission to felicitate the General on his great
virtue and offer some unworthy gifts.”
“Where is Yüan-tê?” asked Chou Yü.
“He is now encamped at Yuchiangkʻou.”
“Is Kʻung-ming there?” asked Chou Yü, taken aback.
“Both are there,” said Chʻien.
“Then return quickly, and I will come in person to thank them.”
The presents handed over, Sun Chʻien was sent back forthwith to his own
camp. Then Lu Su asked Chou Yü why he had started when he heard where
Liu Pei was camped.
“Because,” replied Chou Yü, “camping there means that he has the
intention of taking Nanchün. Having spent much military energy and
spared no expenditure, we thought the district should fall to us
easily. Those others are opposed to us and they wish to get the
advantage of what we have already accomplished. However, they must
remember that I am not dead yet.”
“How can you prevent them?” asked Lu Su.
“I will go myself and speak with them. If all goes well, then, let it
be so; in case it does not, then I shall immediately settle up Liu Pei
without waiting for Nanchün to be taken.”
“I should like to accompany you,” said Lu Su.
The General and his friend started, taking with them a guard of one
squadron of light horse. Having arrived at Yuchiangkʻou they sought out
Sun Chʻien, who, in turn, went in to see Yüan-tê and told him Chou Yü
had come to render thanks.
“Why has he come?” asked Yüan-tê of his all-wise adviser.
“Is it likely he would come out of simple politeness? Of course he has
come in connection with Nanchün.”
“But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?” asked Yüan-tê.
“When he comes you may reply thus and thus.”
Then they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers
upon the bank and when the arrival of Chou Yü was formally announced,
Chao Yün, with some horsemen, went to welcome him. When Chou Yü saw
what bold men they looked he began to feel uncomfortable, but he went
on his way. Being met at the camp gates by Liu Pei and Kʻung-ming, he
was taken in to the chief tent, where the ceremonies were performed and
preparations for a banquet had been made.
Presently Liu Pei raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory
gained by his guest. The banquet proceeded and after a few more courses
Chou Yü said, “Of course you are camped here with no other idea than to
take Nanchün?”
“We heard you were going to take the place and came to assist. Should
you not take it then we will occupy it.”
Chou Yü laughed. “We of the east have long wished for this district.
Now that it is within our grasp we naturally shall take it.”
Liu Pei said, “There is always some uncertainty. Tsʻao Tsʻao left Tsʻao
Jên to guard the district and you may be certain that there is good
strategy behind him to say nothing of his boldness as a warrior. I fear
you may not get it.”
“Well, if we do not take it then, Sir, you may have it,” said Chou Yü.
“Here are witnesses to your words,” said Liu Pei, naming those at
table. “I hope you will never repent what you have just said.”
Lu Su stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the
witnesses but Chou Yü said, “When the word of a noble man has gone
forth it is ended; he never regrets.”
“This speech of yours, Sir, is very generous,” interjected Kʻung-ming.
“Wu shall try first, but if the place does not fall there is no reason
why my lord should not capture it.”
The two visitors then took their leave and rode away. As soon as they
had left Liu Pei turned to Kʻung-ming and said, “O Master, you bade me
thus reply to Chou Yü, but though I did so I have turned it over and
over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. I am alone
and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desired to
get possession of Nanchün that I might have, at least, a temporary
shelter, yet I have said that Chou Yü may attack it first and if it
fall to Wu, how can I get possession?”
Kʻung-ming laughed and replied, “First I advised you to attack
Chingchou, but you would not listen; do you remember?”
“But it belonged to Liu Piao and I could not bear to attack it then.
Now it belongs to Tsʻao Tsʻao I might do so.”
“Do not be anxious,” replied the adviser. “Let Chou Yü go and attack
it; some day, my lord, I shall make you sit in the high places
thereof.”
“But what design have you?”
“So and so,” replied Kʻung-ming.
Yüan-tê was satisfied with the reply, and only strengthened his
position at Chiangkʻou. In the meantime Chou Yü and Lu Su returned to
their own camp and the latter said, “Why did you tell Liu Pei that he
might attack Nanchün?”
“I can take it with a flick of my finger,” replied Chou Yü, “but I just
manifested a little pretended kindliness.”
Then he enquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city.
One Chiang Chʻin offered himself, and was put in command of the
vanguard, with Hsü Shêng and Ting Fêng as helpers. He was given five
companies of veterans and they moved across the river. Chou Yü promised
to follow with supports.
On the other side Tsʻao Jên ordered Tsʻao Hung to guard Iling and so
hold one corner of a triangular defence. When the news came that Wu had
crossed the river Han, Tsʻao said, “We will defend and not offer
battle.”
But Niu Chin said impetuously, “To let the enemy approach the walls and
not offer battle is timidity. Our men, lately worsted, need heartening
and must show their mettle. Let me have half a company of veterans and
I will fight to a finish.”
Tsʻao Jên could not withstand this offer and so the half company went
out of the city. At once Ting Fêng came to challenge the leader and
they fought a few bouts. Then Ting Fêng pretended to be defeated, gave
up the fight and retreated into his own lines. Niu Chin followed him
hard. When he had got within the Wu formation, at a signal from Ting
Fêng, the army closed round and Niu Chin was surrounded. He pushed
right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing him in the toils,
Tsʻao Jên, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armour
and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of
horsemen and burst in among the men of Wu to try to rescue his
colleague. Beating back Hsü Shêng he fought his way in and presently
rescued Niu Chin.
However, having got out he saw several score of horsemen still in the
middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the
battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Chiang Chʻin on
whom he and Niu Chin made a violent onslaught. Then the brother Tsʻao
Shun came up with supports and the great battle ended in a defeat for
the men of Wu.
So Tsʻao Jên went back victor, while the unhappy Chiang Chʻin returned
to report his failure. Chou Yü was very angry and would have put to
death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other
officers.
Then he prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But
Kan Ning said, “General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first
and attack Iling, the supporting angle of the triangle. After that the
conquest of Nanchün will be easy.”
Chou Yü accepted the plan and Kan, with three companies, went to attack
Iling.
When news of the approaching army reached him Tsʻao Jên called to his
side Chʻên Chiao, who said, “If Iling be lost then Nanchün is lost too.
So help must be sent quickly.”
Thereupon Tsʻao Shun and Niu Chin were sent by secret ways to the aid
of Tsʻao Hung. Tsʻao Shun sent a messenger to the city to ask that they
should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements
should arrive.
So when Kan Ning drew near, Tsʻao Hung went out to meet and engage him.
They fought a score of rounds, but Tsʻao Hung was overcome at last and
Kan Ning took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements
came up and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The
scouts went off immediately to tell Chou Yü of this sudden change of
affairs which greatly alarmed him.
“Let us hasten to his rescue,” said Chʻêng Pʻu.
“This place is of the greatest importance,” said Chou Yü, “and I am
afraid to leave it undefended lest Tsʻao Jên should attack.”
“But he is one of our first leaders and must be rescued,” said Lü Mêng.
“I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my
place?” said Chou Yü.
“Leave Lin Tʻung here,” said Lü Mêng; “I will push on ahead and you can
protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the pæan
of victory.”
“Are you willing?” said Chou Yü to the man who was to act for him.
“If the ten day period is not exceeded I may be able to carry on for
that time; I am unequal to more than that.”
Ling Tʻung’s consent pleased Chou Yü who started at once, leaving a
legion for the defence of the camp. Lü Mêng said to his chief, “South
of Iling is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack
on Nanchün. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road
so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat the defeated will take
this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall
capture.”
Chou Yü approved and the men set out. When the main army drew near
Iling, Chou Yü asked who would try to break through the besiegers and
Chou Tʻai offered himself. He girded on his sword, mounted his steed
and burst straight into the Tsʻao army. He got through to the city
wall.
From the city wall Kan Ning saw the approach of his friend Chou Tʻai
and went out to welcome him. Chou Tʻai told him that the
Commander-in-Chief was on the way to his relief and Kan Ning at once
bade the defenders prepare from within to support the attack of the
rescuers.
When the news of the approach of Chou Yü had reached Iling the
defenders had sent to tell Tsʻao Jên, who was at Nanchün and they
prepared to repel the assailants. So when the army of Wu came near they
were at once attacked. Simultaneously Kan Ning and Chou Tʻai attacked
on two sides and the men of Tsʻao were thrown into confusion. The men
of Wu fell on lustily and the three leaders all fled by a bye-road,
but, finding the way barred with felled trees and other obstacles, they
had to abandon their horses and go afoot. In this way the men of Wu
gained some five hundred steeds.
Chou Yü, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanchün, came upon
Tsʻao Jên and his army marching to save Iling. The two armies engaged
and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both
drew off and Tsʻao Jên withdrew into the city.
During the night he called his officers to a council. Then said Tsʻao
Hung, “The loss of Iling has brought us to a dangerous pass; now it
seems the time to open the letter of the Minister our Chief and see
what plans he arranged for our salvation in this peril.”
“You but say what I think,” replied Tsʻao Jên. Whereupon he tore open
the letter and read it. His face lighted up with joy and he at once
issued orders to have the morning meal prepared at the fifth watch. At
daylight the whole army moved out of the city but they left a semblance
of occupation in the shape of banners on the walls.
Chou Yü went up to the tower of observation and looked over the city.
He saw that the flags along the battlements had no men behind them and
he noticed that every man carried a bundle at his waist behind so that
he was prepared for a long march. Thought Chou Yü to himself, “Tsʻao
Jên must be prepared for a long march.”
So he went down from the tower of observation and sent out an order for
two wings of the army to be ready. One of these was to attack and, in
case of its success, the other was to pursue at full speed till the
clanging of the gongs should call them to return. He took command of
the leading force in person and Chʻêng Pʻu commanded the other. Thus
they advanced to attack the city.
The armies being arrayed facing each other, the drums rolled out across
the plain. Tsʻao Hung rode forth and challenged, and Chou Yü, from his
place by the standard, bade Han Tang respond. The two champions fought
near two score bouts and then Tsʻao Hung fled. Thereupon Tsʻao Jên came
out to help him and Chou Tʻai rode out at full speed to meet him. These
two exchanged a half score passes and then Tsʻao Jên fled.
His army fell into confusion. Thereupon Chou Yü gave the signal for the
advance of both his wings and the men of Tsʻao were sore smitten and
defeated. Chou Yü pursued to the city wall, but Tsʻao’s men did not
enter the city. Instead, they went away north-west. Han Tang and Chou
Tʻai pressed them hard.
Chou Yü, seeing the city gates standing wide open and no guards upon
the walls, ordered the raiding of the city. A few score horsemen rode
in first, Chou Yü followed and whipping his steed. As he galloped into
the enclosure around the gate, Chʻên Chiao stood on the defence tower.
When he saw Chou Yü enter, in his heart he applauded the god-like
perspicacity of the Minister Tsʻao Tsʻao.
Then was heard the clap-clap of a watchman’s rattle. At this signal the
archers and crossbowmen let fly and the arrows and bolts flew forth in
a sudden fierce shower, while those who had won their way to the van of
the inrush went headlong into a deep trench. Chou Yü managed to pull up
in time, but turning to escape, he was wounded in the left side and
fell to the ground. Niu Chin rushed out from the city to capture the
chief, but Hsü Shêng and Ting Fêng at the risk of their lives got him
away safe. Then the men of Tsʻao dashed out of the city and wrought
confusion among the men of Wu, who trampled each other down and many
more fell into the trenches. Chʻêng Pʻu tried to draw off, but Tsʻao
Jên and Tsʻao Hung came toward him from different directions and the
battle went hardly against the men from the east, till help came from
Ling Tʻung, who bore back their assailants. Satisfied with their
success Tsʻao led his men into the city, while the losers marched back
to their own camp.
Chou Yü, sorely wounded, was taken to his own tent and the army
physician called in. With iron forceps he extracted the sharp bolt and
dressed the wound with a lotion designed to counteract the poison of
the metal. But the pain was intense and the patient rejected all
nourishment. The physician said the missile had been poisoned and the
wound would require a long time to heal. The patient must be kept quiet
and especially free from any irritation, which would cause the wound to
re-open.
Thereupon Chʻêng Pʻu gave orders that each division was to remain in
camp. Three days later Niu Chin came within sight and challenged the
men of Wu to battle, but they did not stir. The enemy hurled at them
taunts and insults till the sun had fallen low in the sky, but it was
of no avail and Niu withdrew.
Next day Niu Chin returned and repeated his insulting abuse. Chʻêng Pʻu
dared not tell the wounded general. The third day, waxing bolder, the
enemy came to the very gates of the stockade, the leader shouting that
he had come for the purpose of capturing Chou Yü.
Then Chʻêng Pʻu called together his officers and they discussed the
feasibility of retirement into Wu that he might seek the opinion of the
Marquis.
Ill as he was Chou Yü still retained control of the expedition. He knew
that the enemy came daily to the gates of his camp and reviled him
although none of his officers told him. One day Tsʻao Jên came in
person and there was much rolling of drums and shouting. Chʻêng Pʻu,
however, steadily refused to accept the challenge and would not let any
one go out. Then Chou Yü summoned the officers to his bedside and said,
“What mean the drums and the shouting?”
“The men are drilling,” was the reply.
“Why do you deceive me?” said Chou Yü angrily. “Do I not know that our
enemies come day by day to our gates and insult us? Yet Chʻêng Pʻu
suffers this in silence and makes no use of his powers and authority.”
He sent for Chʻêng Pʻu and, when he arrived, asked him why he acted
thus.
“Because you are ill and the physician said you were on no account to
be provoked to anger. Wherefore, although the enemy challenged us to
battle, I kept it from you.”
“And if you do not fight what think you should be done?” said Chou Yü.
And they all said they desired to return to the east till he had
recovered from his wound, when they would make another expedition.
Chou Yü lay and listened. Suddenly he sprang up, crying, “The noble man
who has eaten of his lord’s bounty should die in his lord’s battles; to
return to one’s home wrapped in a horse’s hide is a happy fate. Am I
the sort of man to bring to nought the grand designs of my country?”
So speaking he proceeded to gird on his armour and he mounted his
horse. The wonder of the officers only redoubled when their General
placed himself at the head of some hundreds of horsemen and went out of
the camp gates toward the enemy, then fully arrayed. Tsʻao Jên, their
general, stood beneath the great standard.
At sight of the opponents Tsʻao Jên flourished his whip and began to
hurl abuse at them, “Chou Yü, you babe! I think your fate has met you.
You dare not face my men.”
The stream of insult never ceased. Presently Chou Yü could stand it no
longer. Riding out to the front he cried, “Here I am, base churl; look
at me!”
The whole Tsʻao army were taken aback. But Tsʻao Jên turned to those
about him and said, “Let us all revile him!” And the whole army yelled
insults.
Chou Yü grew angry and sent Pʻan Chang out to fight. But before he had
delivered his first blow Chou Yü suddenly uttered a loud cry, and he
fell to the ground with blood gushing from his mouth.
At this the Tsʻao army rushed to the battle and the men of Wu pressed
forward to meet them. A fierce struggle waged around the General’s
body, but he was borne off safely and taken to his tent.
“Do you feel better?” asked Chʻêng Pʻu anxiously.
“It was a ruse of mine,” whispered Chou Yü in reply.
“But what avails it?”
“I am not suffering, but I did that to make our enemies think I was
very ill and so oppose them by deceit. I will send a few trusty men to
pretend desertion and tell them I am dead. That will cause them to try
a night raid on the camp and we shall have an ambush ready for them. We
shall get Tsʻao Jên easily.”
“The plan seems excellent,” said Chʻêng Pʻu.
Soon from the tent there arose the sound of wailing as for the dead.
The soldiers around took up the cry and said one to another, “The
General is dead of his wound,” and they all put on the symbols of
mourning.
Meanwhile Tsʻao Jên was consulting with his officers. Said he, “Chou Yü
lost his temper and that has caused his wound to re-open and brought on
that flow of blood. You saw him fall to the ground and he will
assuredly die soon.”
Just then there came in one who said that a few men had come over from
the enemy asking to be allowed to join the army of Tsʻao; among them
were two of Tsʻao’s men who had been made prisoners.
Tsʻao Jên sent for the deserters and questioned them. They told him a
story of Chou Yü’s wound and death that day. The leaders were all in
mourning. They had deserted because they had been put to shame by the
second in command.
Pleased at this news Tsʻao Jên at once began to arrange to make a night
attack on the camp and, if possible, get the head of the dead general
to send to the capital.
“Success depends upon promptitude, so act without delay,” said Chʻên
Chiao.
Niu Chin was told off as van leader, Tsʻao Jên himself led the centre,
while the rear was commanded by Tsʻao Hung and Tsʻao Shun. Chʻên Chiao,
and a few men, were left to guard the city.
At the first watch they left the city and took the way toward Chou Yü’s
camp. When they drew near not a man was visible, but flags and banners
and spears were all there, evidently to keep up an appearance of
preparation. Feeling at once that they had been tricked they turned to
retreat. But a bomb exploded and this was the signal for an attack on
all four sides. The result was a severe defeat for the raiders and the
army of Tsʻao Jên was entirely broken and scattered abroad so that no
one part of the beaten army could aid the other.
Tsʻao Jên, with a few horsemen got out of the press and presently met
Tsʻao Hung. The two leaders ran away together and by the fifth watch
they had got near Nanchün. Then they heard a beating of drums and Lin
Tʻung appeared barring the way. There was a small skirmish and Tsʻao
Jên went off at an angle. But he fell in with Kan Ning, who attacked
him vigorously. Tsʻao Jên dared not go back to Nanchün, but he made for
Hsiangyang along the main road. The men of Wu pursued him for a time
and then desisted.
Chou Yü and Chʻêng Pʻu then made their way to Nanchün where they were
startled to see flags on the walls and every sign of occupation. Before
they had recovered from their surprise there appeared one who cried,
“Pardon, General; I had orders from my chief to take this city. I am
Chao Tzŭ-lung of Chʻangshan.”
Chou Yü was fiercely angry and gave orders to assault the city, but the
defenders sent down flights and flights of arrows and his men could not
stay near the rampart. So he withdrew and took counsel. In the meantime
he decided to send a force to capture Chingchou and another to take
Hsiangyang. Nanchün could be taken later.
But even as these orders were being given the scouts came in hurriedly
to report that Chuko Liang, suddenly producing a military commission,
had induced the guards of Chingchou to leave it and go to the rescue of
Chou Yü. Whereupon Chang Fei had occupied the town. Soon after another
messenger came to say that Hsiahou Tun, at Hsiangyang, had received
from Chuko Liang despatches, supported by a commission in due form,
saying that Tsʻao Jên was in danger and needed help, whereupon Hsiahou
Tun had marched off and Kuan Yü had seized that town.
Thus the two towns that Chou Yü wanted had fallen, without the least
effort, into the hands of his rival Liu Pei.
“How did Chuko Liang get this military commission with which he has
imposed on the captains?” asked Chou Yü.
Chʻêng Pʻu replied, “He seized that of Chʻên Chiao; and so has got all
this district into his power.”
Chou Yü uttered a great cry for at that moment his wound had suddenly
burst open.
A city falls, but not to us the gain;
The guerdon is another’s; ours the pain.
The next chapter will say what befell Chou Yü.