AN EXPEDITION FOR REVENGE:
EXPEDIENTS TO CONCEAL IDENTITY.
“What is this good plan of yours, friend Chʻên?” asked Tsʻao of the
speaker, who was a civilian in his service named Chʻên Chʻün.
Chʻên replied, “Your two principal enemies are now firm allies, close
as lips and teeth. But Liu Pei wants Hsichʻuan and if you, O Minister,
send a mighty host against Sun Chʻüan, he must ask help from his friend
Liu, who, having his heart set on the west, will refuse it. Sun without
this aid cannot stand and will become so weak that Chiangtung will be
yours for the taking and Chingchou will follow in a tap of the drum.
The west will follow and the whole Empire is yours.”
“Those are my thoughts put into words,” replied Tsʻao Tsʻao.
The expeditionary force of thirty legions set out for the south. Chang
Liao of Hofei was in command of the supply department.
Sun Chʻüan speedily heard of the move and called in his advisers. At
the council Chang Chao said, “Let us send to Lu Su to tell him to write
at once to Liu Pei that he may help us. They are good friends and Liu
will certainly respond favourably. Beside, since Liu Pei and Sun Chʻüan
are now connected by marriage, there is no risk of refusal. With the
support of Liu Pei there is no danger to our country.”
Sun Chʻüan listened to this advice and sent to Lu Su bidding him to ask
help from Liu Pei. Accordingly, on receipt of this command, a letter
was written to Liu Pei, who after reading it, retained the messenger at
the guest-house till Kʻung-ming could arrive from Nanchün. As soon as
he arrived Liu Pei showed him the letter. The adviser said, “It is not
necessary for Chiangnan troops to move, nor need we send ours. I can
prevent Tsʻao Tsʻao from even daring to look in a south-easterly
direction.”
So he wrote a reply telling Lu Su he could lay aside all anxiety and
rest content, for should the northern army approach, they would be
forced backward at once.
The letter was given to the messenger and then Liu Pei asked his
adviser how he could hope to roll back the huge army that Tsʻao had
prepared to bring south.
He replied, “Tsʻao Tsʻao’s chief fear is Hsiliang. Now just lately he
has slain Ma Tʻêng and his son as well, and the men of Hsiliang are
grinding their teeth with rage. Now you must write and ask Ma Chʻao to
march through the pass and Tsʻao will have no leisure to think of any
expedition to the south.”
The letter was written, sent by a trusty hand and duly delivered.
Now Ma Chʻao was in Hsiliang. One night he had a vision. In his dream
he saw himself lying out on a snowy plain and many tigers were coming
up and biting him. He awoke in a fright and began to wonder what the
dream portended. Failing to explain it, he told the dream to his
officers. One of them ventured to say the portent was evil. This was
one, Pʻang Tê, a junior officer.
“What is your interpretation?” asked Ma Chʻao.
“Meeting with tigers on a snowy plain is a very inauspicious subject to
dream about. Assuredly our old General is in trouble at the capital.”
And at that moment one came in in hot haste and cast himself on the
earth weeping and crying, “Both your uncle and your brother are dead.”
It was Ma Tai and he told the story of the evil that had fallen through
Huang Kʻuei and the plotted assassination that had miscarried and
become known. They two had been put to death in the market place and he
had escaped in disguise.
Ma Chʻao fell to the ground and wept bitterly, grinding his teeth with
rage at his enemy Tsʻao. They lifted him to his feet and led him away
to repose.
Soon after arrived a messenger with a letter from Liu Pei, which read
like this:—“In these latter days of the hapless Hans, when the
rebellious and tyrannical Tsʻao monopolises all power, to the injury of
the Emperor and the wretchedness of the people, I, Liu Pei, recall that
I and your father were recipients of an edict and we swore to
exterminate the recreant. Now your father has suffered death at the
hands of the tyrant and you must avenge him. As the holy books say, you
cannot let the same sky cover you nor the same sun shine upon you and
your father’s murderer. If you can lead your men to attack Tsʻao on one
side I will march my armies to prevent his retreat and he will be taken
and all his evil crew can be exterminated. Then and thus will your
father be avenged and the Hans can be restored. I might add more but I
will await your reply.”
Wiping his tears, Ma Chʻao wrote a reply which was returned by the
bearer.
The Hsiliang army was then mustered; horse and foot were assembled.
Just before the day that had been fixed for the start the Governor of
the district, Han Sui, sent for Ma Chʻao, to whom he showed a letter
from Tsʻao Tsʻao promising the Marquisate of Hsiliang as a reward for
sending Ma Chʻao a prisoner to the capital.
“Bind us both, Uncle, and send us thither; you need not move a single
spear,” said the younger man prostrating himself.
But Han Sui raised him saying, “Your father and I were sworn brothers;
think you I would harm you? Rather will I help if you are going to
fight.”
Ma Chʻao expressed his gratitude. The unhappy bearer of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s
letter was dragged forth and beheaded. This done the two took count of
their armies. Han Sui had eight divisions under as many commanders, all
to be relied upon to follow Han Sui, while the younger man had twenty
legions counting those under Pʻang Tê and Ma Tai. Such were the forces
with which they could attack Chʻangan the capital.
The commander of that city was Chung Yu. As soon as he heard what was
afoot he sent a fleet messenger to Tsʻao and prepared for defence. He
led his force out into the open plain and arrayed it for battle.
Ma Tai, with a legion and half, came on first, pouring over the
countryside like a flood. Chung Yu would parley with him, but he came
forward, sword in hand, to attack. However, the defender did not take
the challenge but turned and fled. Ma Tai followed in pursuit. Soon the
main body of the invaders arrived and they surrounded the city, which
Chung Yu set about defending.
Chʻangan had been the capital of the western Hans and so was well
fortified with a solid wall and a deep moat, safe against the most
terrific attacks. The new armies besieged the city for ten days without
success. Then Pʻang Tê proposed a plan. Said he, “Since the land about
the city is barren and the water bitter, the people must have
communication with the country around in order to live. Further they
have no fuel. Ten days of siege must have exhausted the supplies in the
city, wherefore if we relax for a time—well, you will see. We shall
capture the city without moving a finger.”
“Your plan seems excellent,” said Ma Chʻao, when he heard what it was.
Thereupon they sent orders to each division to retire and Ma Chʻao
covered the retreat. Next day Chung Yu went up on the walls to look
around and saw that the besiegers had gone. However, suspecting a ruse,
he sent out spies, who returned to say the soldiers had really moved
away to a distance. Wherefore he felt much relieved and allowed both
soldiers and people to go out into the country to cut the much-needed
firewood and bring in water. The city gates, thrown wide open, were
thronged with those passing in and out.
This continued for five days and then they heard that Ma Chʻao’s army
was returning. A panic ensued. The people rushed into the city and the
gates were once more barred.
The captain of the west gate was Chung Chin, brother of Chung Yu. About
the third watch of the night a torch was seen moving just inside the
gate and when the captain went to see what was wrong, and was passing
the gateway, a man suddenly galloped up and slashed at him with a
sword. At the same time he shouted “Here is Pʻang Tê!” The captain of
the gate was taken aback, could not defend himself and was cut down.
The gate guard was soon disposed of, the gates were shattered and the
soldiers outside came pouring in. Chung Yu escaped by the opposite gate
and left the city in the hands of his enemies. He reached Chang Pass,
where he fortified himself and sent news of the misfortune to Tsʻao
Tsʻao.
Tsʻao Tsʻao threw aside all plans for his expedition to the south when
Chʻangan was lost. He at once ordered that the unfortunate Chung Yu at
Chang Pass should be replaced by Tsʻao Hung and Hsü Huang, who had a
legion under their command. They were told to hold the Pass at all
costs for at least ten days, or they should pay for its loss with their
heads. After ten days the Pass would be no concern of theirs, for Tsʻao
Tsʻao would be there with the main army.
The two captains made all haste to the Pass and took over the command
from Chung Yu. They confined themselves to defence, and though Ma Chʻao
appeared every day and reviled and said shameful things of the three
generations of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s family, the guardians of the Pass remained
quiet. But Tsʻao Hung fretted at the daily insults and would have led
the defenders out to fight had not his colleague restrained him.
“Ma Chʻao only wishes to provoke you to come out, but remember our
orders and go not. The Minister has some master plan.”
So spake Hsü Huang. But the advice was hard to follow for Ma Chʻao’s
men took turns in reviling the defenders of the Pass, resting neither
day nor night. And Hsü Huang found it hard to curb his colleague’s
impatience.
Thus it continued till the ninth day. Then the defenders saw that their
enemies had turned all their horses loose and were lolling about on the
grass and sleeping as if quite fatigued. Thereupon Tsʻao Hung bade them
saddle his horse, told off three companies and soon this small force
was dashing down to catch the besiegers unprepared. They at once fled
leaving their steeds and throwing aside their weapons. Tsʻao Hung could
not resist pursuit and chased them.
At this time Hsü Huang was higher up the road taking in cartloads of
grain and forage; but when he heard what his impulsive colleague had
done he hastily got some men together and went to his rescue. He
shouted to Tsʻao Hung to return.
Suddenly a great shouting arose near him and out dashed Ma Tai to
attack. Both Tsʻao and Hsü turned to flee, but the drums rolled and two
bodies of men came out from behind the hills. Then a battle began which
went against them from the first. The Tsʻao men fell fast, but some of
them thrust through the press and made for the Pass. Their enemies came
in close pursuit and they had to abandon their post and flee whither
they could find a way.
Tsʻao Hung made all haste to his master to give him the evil tidings.
“When I gave you the limit of ten days, why did you leave the Pass on
the ninth?”
“Those men from Hsiliang hurled every sort of insult at us,” replied
Tsʻao Hung, “And when I thought I had them unprepared I took the
opportunity. But I fell victim to their cunning.”
“You are young and impetuous. But, Hsü Huang, you ought to have known.”
“He would not listen though I told him many times. And that day I was
taking in stores in another part of the Pass. As soon as they told me I
felt sure there would be some misfortune and so I hastened after him,
but it was too late.”
Tsʻao Tsʻao was annoyed and ordered Tsʻao Hung to be put to death. But
his brother-officers begged that he might be pardoned, and as he had
confessed his fault, he was allowed to go free and unpunished.
Tsʻao Tsʻao advanced to Chang Pass and Tsʻao Jên said it would be well
to establish a strong stockade before attacking. So trees were felled
and a strong stockade built. They made three camps and Tsʻao himself
was in the centre one.
Soon after, Tsʻao and all his officers in a body rushed to attack the
Pass. They ran against the Hsiliang men posted on two sides, halted and
formed their array. This done, Tsʻao rode to the centre standard whence
he looked at his opponents.
He saw before him a body of fine men, every one with the bearing of a
hero. And the leader, Ma Chʻao, was worthy of them, with his pale face
and red lips, his supple hips and broad shoulders, his deep voice and
fierce strength. He was wearing a silver helmet and gripped a long
spear as he sat there on his charger. Pʻang Tê and Ma Tai supported him
and Tsʻao Tsʻao admired him in his secret heart. However, Tsʻao urged
forward his steed and shouted to Ma Chʻao, “Why are you arrayed against
the Hans, whom your father and grandfather served faithfully?”
Ma ground his teeth and cursed Tsʻao Tsʻao for a rebel, a betrayer of
both prince and people, the murderer of his father and brother. “My
hate for you is to the death; the same sky shall not continue to cover
us for I will take you captive and satiate my appetite on your living
flesh.”
With this he set his spear and rode over toward Tsʻao Tsʻao as if to
slay him. But Yü Chin came out from behind and engaged Ma Chʻao in
battle. These two fought some half score bouts and then Yü Chin had to
flee. Chang Ho, however, took his place and the two heroes exchanged a
score of passes. Then Chang Ho, too, ran away.
Next to come forth was Li Tʻung. Ma Chʻao’s martial prowess was now at
its height and he made short work of Li Tʻung, who went out of the
saddle at the first blow. Then Ma Chʻao flourished his spear at the men
behind him as a signal for them to come on, which they did like a
flood. They overwhelmed Tsʻao’s men and Ma Chʻao and his colleague rode
forward to try to capture Tsʻao Tsʻao.
They came close. Tsʻao heard one of his pursuers shout to another,
“That is he in the red dress!” So he hastily tore off his red robe and
threw it away. He also heard one say “That is Tsʻao Tsʻao with the long
beard!” At once Tsʻao took the sword that he wore at his side and sawed
off some of the beard. Yet again a soldier recognised him and told Ma
Chʻao that Tsʻao had now cut his beard, whereupon the order went forth
to capture short beards. And then Tsʻao Tsʻao wrapped the corner of a
flag about neck and jowl and fled.
Panic seized upon the soldiers at Tʻung Pass;
Frightened, Mêng-tê flung off his brocade robe
And, terror-stricken, sawed his beard off with a sword.
The fame of Ma Chʻao rose even to the sky.
Tsʻao had got clear of the battle and was getting calmer. Then again
the sound of hoofs fell upon his ears and on looking round he perceived
Ma Chʻao quite close. He and those near were panic-stricken, and all
scattered for their lives, careless of the fate of their captain.
“Tsʻao Tsʻao, do not flee!” cried Ma coming nearer.
The whip dropped from Tsʻao Tsʻao’s nerveless hand as he saw his enemy
coming closer and closer. But just as Ma had levelled his spear for a
thrust Tsʻao slipped behind a tree, changed the direction of his flight
and so escaped, while Ma struck the tree. He quickly pulled out his
spear but the delay gave the fugitive an advantage although it did not
quite free him from pursuit, for Ma Chʻao was soon again galloping on
his track. As they drew near the slope of some hills a bold captain
suddenly appeared, who cried, “Do not hurt my lord!”
This was Tsʻao Hung and he went toward Ma Chʻao, whirling his sword. Ma
Chʻao was stopped and this saved Tsʻao Tsʻao’s life. Tsʻao Hung and Ma
Chʻao fought half a hundred bouts till both began to grow weary and
become uncertain of their strokes. And when, shortly after, Hsiahou
Yüan appeared with a half score of horse, Ma Chʻao found it prudent to
retire.
Then Tsʻao Tsʻao was escorted to his camp. Although he had lost Tsʻao
Jên yet the camps were still unharmed and the losses had not been
great.
As he sat in his tent Tsʻao said, “Had I not spared Tsʻao Hung I should
have fallen at the hands of Ma Chʻao to-day.” So he called in his
rescuer and rewarded him well. And they got together the scattered men
and strengthened the camp, deepening the moat and raising the rampart.
Ma Chʻao came daily and challenged any one to combat and abused them
all shamefully, but, by the order of the General these insults were
treated with silent contempt.
“Our enemies use long spears,” said the officers. “We will meet them
with bows and crossbows.”
“They may have long spears,” replied Tsʻao Tsʻao, “but whether I give
battle or not depends on my decision. How can they thrust at us if we
do not go out? All you have to do is to take no notice of them and they
will speedily retire.”
The officers wondered. They said one to another, “The Minister came out
on this expedition of his own will and was foremost in the fight; why
does he accept defeat so easily?”
After some days the spies reported that Ma Chʻao had been reinforced by
the Chʻiang, the tribesmen beyond the frontier. Tsʻao Tsʻao took the
news gleefully. His officers asked him why the news pleased him and
Tsʻao Tsʻao replied, “Wait till I have defeated them and I will
explain.”
Three days later there was a report of further reinforcements and Tsʻao
not only smiled but gave a banquet. His officers ridiculed him in
secret.
Then said Tsʻao Tsʻao, “You gentlemen laugh because I cannot destroy Ma
Chʻao. Well then, can any one of you propose a plan?”
Then rose Hsü Huang and said, “O Minister, you have a large force here
and the enemy are strongly posted beyond the Pass. This means that on
the west side of the river they are unprepared. If you can get an army
secretly across the river and block the ferry you will cut off their
retreat, and if you can smite them on the north side of the river they
can get no reinforcements and must fail.”
“What you propose is just what I think,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao.
So Hsü Huang was placed over four companies and with Chu Ling marched
to the west of the river and hid in the gullies. They were to wait till
Tsʻao Tsʻao crossed the river to the north so that both could strike
together.
Then Tsʻao Tsʻao ordered Tsʻao Hung to prepare boats and rafts at the
ferry. Tsʻao Jên was left in command of the camps. Tsʻao Tsʻao himself
crossed the River Wei, and when Ma Chʻao heard of the new military
movements he said, “I understand. The Pass is left, rafts are being
prepared; that means that he is going to cross to the north side and
cut off my retreat. I must coast along the river and keep him off. If I
can do that his food will run short within twenty days and that will
cause a mutiny. I will travel along the south bank and attack.”
Han Sui did not approve this plan. He quoted the military maxim to
strike when troops were half over the river. “Attack from the south
bank when his army is in the act of crossing and his men will be
drowned in the river,” said he.
“Uncle, your words are good,” replied Ma Chʻao. And the spies went
forth to find out the time of crossing the river.
When Tsʻao Tsʻao’s preparations were complete and all was ready he sent
three parties of soldiers over the river first. They reached the ferry
at the first sign of dawn and the veterans were sent over first and lay
out a camp. Tsʻao and his guard took up station on the south bank to
watch the crossing.
Very soon the sentinels reported the approach of a General dressed all
in white, whom everyone knew must be Ma Chʻao. This terrified them and
they made a rush to get into the boats. The river bank became a scene
of shouting men struggling who could first embark. Tsʻao Tsʻao sat
watching and never stirred. He only issued orders to stop the
confusion. Meanwhile the yelling of the men and the neighing of the
horses of the approaching army came nearer and nearer. Suddenly a
captain jumped out of one of the boats and shouted to Tsʻao. “The
rebels are close! Get into a boat, O Minister.”
“The rebels are near; why not?” replied Tsʻao simply to the speaker,
who was Hsü Chʻu. And he turned round to look at them.
As a fact Ma Chʻao was very close, not a hundred paces away, and Hsü
Chʻu laid hold of Tsʻao and dragged him down the bank. The boat had
already pushed off and was ten feet from the bank but Hsü Chʻu took
Tsʻao Tsʻao on his back and leaped on board. The boat was small and in
danger of being overturned, wherefore Hsü Chʻu drew his sword and
chopped away at the hands clinging to the side so that the men fell
back into the water.
The boat went down stream, Hsü Chʻu standing in the prow poling as hard
as he could. His master crouched out of sight at his feet.
When Ma Chʻao saw the boat in mid-stream drifting down with the current
he took his bow and arrows and began to shoot. He also ordered his
brave captains to go along the river and shoot so that a shower of
arrows fell about the boat. Hsü Chʻu fearing Tsʻao Tsʻao would be
wounded, protected him with a saddle which he held over him with his
left hand, for Ma Chʻao’s shooting was not in vain. Many of the men
working the boat were wounded. Some had fallen overboard, while more
lay in the bottom of the boat. The boat itself got out of control and
was whirled hither and thither by the current. Hsü Chʻu straddled over
the tiller and tried thus to guide the boat while he poled with one
hand and with the other held the protecting saddle over Tsʻao Tsʻao’s
head.
Then the Magistrate of Weinan, Ting Pʻei, who from a hill top saw that
Tsʻao Tsʻao was very closely pressed, nay, even in danger of his life,
drove out from his camp all the cattle and horses there, so that they
scattered over the hillside. This was too much for the born herdsmen of
the plains. At sight of the beasts, they left the river and ran off to
secure them. Nor had they any inclination to pursue their enemy.
And so Tsʻao Tsʻao escaped. As soon as they reached the northern shore
the boat was scuttled. The rumour had spread that Tsʻao Tsʻao was on
the river and in danger, so all his officers came to his aid. But he
was now safe on shore. Hsü Chʻu’s double armour was stuck full of
arrows. His officers escorted Tsʻao Tsʻao to the camp where they made
their obeisance and expressed the hope that he had not suffered
seriously.
“The rebels very nearly caught me to-day,” said he smiling.
“They would have got across the river had they not been enticed away by
the freeing of the cattle and horses,” said Hsü Chʻu.
“Who was it that drew them off?” said Tsʻao Tsʻao.
Some one who knew told him. Before long the Magistrate Ting came in to
pay his respects and Tsʻao Tsʻao thanked him.
“I should have been a prisoner but for your happy thought,” said he.
And the Magistrate received a rank in the army.
“Though they have gone, yet they will assuredly return to-morrow,” said
Ting Pʻei. “You must prepare to repel them.”
“My preparations are all made,” was the reply.
Tsʻao Tsʻao ordered his captains to spread themselves along the river
bank and throw up mounds as shelters for camps. If they saw the enemy
approaching the soldiers were to be withdrawn from behind the mounds,
leaving the ensigns all flying, so as to give the impression that each
camp contained a garrison. Along the river they were to dig ditches and
put up sheds, thus to entice the enemy there and their men would
stumble into the pits and fall easy victims.
Ma Chʻao returned to Han Sui and told him how he had nearly captured
Tsʻao Tsʻao, but a certain bold captain had taken Tsʻao on his back and
leaped with him into a boat.
Han Sui replied, “I have heard that Tsʻao Tsʻao had a body guard of the
bravest and strongest soldiers under the command of Tien Wei and Hsü
Chʻu. They are called the Tiger Guards. Now as Tien Wei is dead, the
man you saw must have been Hsü Chʻu. He is both brave and powerful and
goes by the name of Tiger-lust. You will do well to avoid him.”
“I know his name, too,” said Ma.
“Tsʻao Tsʻao now means to attack our rear,” continued Han Sui; “let us
attack first, before he can establish camps and stockades. If once he
can do that it will be difficult to dislodge him.”
“My idea is that we should hold the north bank and prevent him from
crossing.”
“Worthy nephew, keep guard here while I go along the bank of the river
and fight Tsʻao Tsʻao.”
“If you will take Pʻang Tê as your van-leader, I am content,” said Ma
Chʻao.
So Han Sui and Pʻang Tê, with five legions, went away down to the
river, while Tsʻao again warned his captains to entice the enemy. Pʻang
Tê was in advance with a goodly squadron of iron-clad horsemen and they
burst along at full speed Then there arose a confused shouting as they
all went plunging into the ditches prepared for them. Pʻang Tê soon
leaped out, gained the level ground and laid about him with all his
might. He slew many men and presently got out of the thick of the
fight.
But Han Sui had also been involved and Pʻang went afoot to try to aid
him. On the way he met Tsʻao Jung, whom he cut down. Then mounting the
dead man’s steed he rode forward fiercely, slaying as he passed. He
reached his leader whom he led away south-east. The men of Tsʻao Tsʻao
pursued him, but Ma Chʻao came with reinforcements and drove them off.
He rescued a great number and they continued fighting till evening when
they withdrew and mustered their men. Some officers were missing and a
couple of hundred men had been killed when they fell into the pits.
Ma Chʻao and Han Sui discussed what should next be done. “If we give
the enemy time, he will make himself strong on the north bank. I think
we can do no better than to raid his camp to-night.”
“We must have a force and supports for it,” said Han Sui.
So it was decided that Ma Chʻao should lead the striking force with
Pʻang Tê and Ma Tai as supports. They would start at nightfall.
Now Tsʻao’s men were on the north bank of the Wei and he gave his
captains orders, saying, “The rebels will try to surprise us as they
are deceived by my not having set up stockades. You will place your men
in ambush.”
At nightfall Ma Chʻao sent out a small scouting party, which seeing
nothing, penetrated deep into the enemy’s lines. Presently the signal
was given. Out leapt the hidden men and in a few moments the whole
scouting party were killed. And close at hand came the main army.
Wait for the foe all undismayed,
Place your men in ambuscade.
Captains striving to outvie
Are not beaten easily.
Who got the advantage will presently be told.