Chapter 40

Lady Cai Proposes Surrendering Jingzhou; Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye

Now Xuande asked Kongming for a plan to withstand Cao Cao’s army. Kongming said, “Xinye is but a small county and cannot be held for long. I have lately heard that Liu Jingsheng is gravely ill and near death. We might seize this opportunity to take Jingzhou as a secure base, and perhaps then we could resist Cao Cao.” Xuande said, “Your counsel is excellent. But I have received great kindness from Jingsheng—how could I bear to scheme against him?” Kongming said, “If you do not take it now, regret will come too late.” Xuande said, “I would sooner die than commit so faithless a deed.” Kongming said, “Then let us deliberate further.”

Meanwhile, Xiahou Dun returned defeated to Xuchang. He bound himself, went before Cao Cao, prostrated himself, and begged for death. Cao Cao released him. Xiahou Dun said, “I fell victim to Zhuge Liang’s cunning scheme. He used fire to destroy my army.” Cao Cao said, “You have commanded troops since your youth. Did you not know that in confined ground one must guard against an attack by fire?” Xiahou Dun said, “Li Dian and Yu Jin both warned me of it, but repentance came too late!” Cao Cao thereupon rewarded the two men. Xiahou Dun said, “Liu Bei has grown so rampant that he is truly a mortal threat. He must be eliminated without delay.” Cao Cao said, “The only men who concern me are Liu Bei and Sun Quan. None of the rest are worth considering. Now is the time to sweep the Southlands clean.” He issued orders to raise an army of five hundred thousand. Cao Ren and Cao Hong formed the first division; Zhang Liao and Zhang He, the second; Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun, the third; Yu Jin and Li Dian, the fourth; and Cao Cao himself, with the other commanders, led the fifth. Each division numbered one hundred thousand men. He further appointed Xu Chu General Who Breaks the Charge and gave him three thousand troops as the vanguard. The army was ordered to march on the bingwu day of the seventh month, in the autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian’an.

Kong Rong, Grand Palace Grandee, remonstrated: “Liu Bei and Liu Biao are both kinsmen of the imperial house and must not be lightly attacked. Sun Quan sits like a tiger over six commanderies, protected moreover by the natural barrier of the Great River, and he too will not be easily taken. If the prime minister now launches this unrighteous campaign, I fear he will forfeit the hopes of all beneath Heaven.” Cao Cao said angrily, “Liu Bei, Liu Biao, and Sun Quan are all ministers who defy the imperial command. How can they be left unpunished?” He shouted Kong Rong out of his presence and decreed that anyone who remonstrated again would be beheaded. Leaving the residence, Kong Rong raised his face to Heaven and sighed: “When the most inhumane attacks the most humane, how can he escape defeat?”

At the time, a retainer in the household of Imperial Censor Xi Lü heard these words and reported them to his master. Xi Lü had often suffered scorn and insult from Kong Rong and deeply resented him, so he repeated the remark to Cao Cao, adding: “Kong Rong has constantly treated the prime minister with insolent mockery. He was also an intimate friend of Mi Heng. Mi Heng praised Kong Rong by saying, ‘Confucius has not died,’ while Kong Rong praised Mi Heng by saying, ‘Yan Hui has been born again.’ Mi Heng’s former insults to the prime minister were in fact instigated by Kong Rong.” Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered the Commandant of Justice to arrest Kong Rong. Kong Rong had two sons, both still young, who were then sitting opposite each other at home playing chess. Attendants hurried in and reported, “Your honored father has been seized by the Commandant of Justice and is about to be executed. Why do you two young masters not flee at once?” The sons replied, “When the nest is overturned, how can any egg beneath it remain whole?”

Before they had finished speaking, officers of the Commandant of Justice arrived and arrested Kong Rong’s entire household, including his two sons. All were beheaded, and Kong Rong’s corpse was exposed in the marketplace as a warning. Zhi Xi of the capital district threw himself upon the body and wept. When Cao Cao heard of this, he was furious and wished to have him killed. Xun Yu said, “I have heard that Zhi Xi often admonished Kong Rong, saying, ‘Your unyielding candor is excessive and will bring disaster upon you.’ Now Kong Rong is dead, and he has come to mourn him. He is a righteous man and must not be killed.” Cao Cao desisted. Zhi Xi gathered the remains of Kong Rong and his sons and buried them all. A later poet praised Kong Rong:

Kong Rong dwelt in Beihai’s land,His bold spirit pierced the rainbow’s span.His hall was ever filled with guests,His wine jars never empty stood.His writings startled common minds;With jest and laughter he mocked lords.The historian’s brush commends his loyal candor,And office records him as Grand Palace Grandee.

After Cao Cao had killed Kong Rong, he ordered the five divisions to set out in succession, leaving only Xun Yu and others to guard Xuchang.

Meanwhile, Liu Biao of Jingzhou became gravely ill and sent for Xuande so that he might entrust his orphaned son to him. Xuande took Guan Yu and Zhang Fei with him to Jingzhou to see Liu Biao. Liu Biao said, “My illness has penetrated to the very heart of my being, and I shall soon die. I have summoned you especially to entrust my orphaned son to you, worthy brother. My son lacks ability, and I fear he cannot preserve his father’s inheritance. After my death, you may take command of Jingzhou yourself.” Weeping, Xuande bowed and said, “I shall devote all my strength to assisting my worthy nephew. How could I dare harbor any other intention?”

While they were speaking, a messenger reported that Cao Cao was personally leading a great army toward them. Xuande hastily took leave of Liu Biao and returned to Xinye through the night. When the ailing Liu Biao heard the news, he was greatly alarmed. He discussed drafting a testament appointing Xuande to assist his eldest son, Liu Qi, as lord of Jingzhou. When Lady Cai heard of this, she was furious. She barred the inner gate and ordered Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to hold the outer gate. At that time Liu Qi was in Jiangxia. Learning that his father was critically ill, he came to Jingzhou to visit him. No sooner had he reached the outer gate than Cai Mao blocked his way and said, “Young Master, you hold Jiangxia under your father’s command, and your responsibility is exceedingly grave. Now you have abandoned your post without leave. If troops from the Southland of Wu should arrive, what then? If you enter and see our lord, he will certainly become angry, and his illness will worsen. That would be unfilial. You should return at once.”

Standing outside the gate, Liu Qi wept bitterly. Then he mounted his horse and returned to Jiangxia. Liu Biao’s condition became critical, yet he waited in vain for Liu Qi to come. On the wushen day of the eighth month, he cried out several times and died. A later poet lamented Liu Biao:

Once we heard the Yuan clan held the lands north of the Yellow River;Then we saw Lord Liu rule supreme in Hanyang.Both brought ruin on their houses by letting the hen crow at dawn;How pitiful that all they built so swiftly passed away.

After Liu Biao’s death, Lady Cai, Cai Mao, and Zhang Yun conferred together. They forged a testament appointing the second son, Liu Cong, lord of Jingzhou, and only then raised the lamentation and announced the death. Liu Cong was just fourteen years old but quite intelligent. He assembled the officials and said, “My father has left this world, but my elder brother is now in Jiangxia, and my uncle Xuande is in Xinye. If you establish me as lord and my brother and uncle raise troops to demand an accounting, how will you explain yourselves?”

Before the assembled officials could reply, Li Gui, an officer of the secretariat, said, “The young master speaks most wisely. We should immediately send a letter of mourning to Jiangxia and invite the eldest young master to become lord of Jingzhou, while appointing Xuande to administer affairs alongside him. To the north we could oppose Cao Cao, and to the south resist Sun Quan. This is a plan of perfect security.” Cai Mao shouted, “Who are you, that you dare speak wildly and defy our late lord’s testament?” Li Gui cursed him loudly: “You have conspired inside and outside the household, falsely invoked the late lord’s command, deposed the elder, and enthroned the younger. Before our very eyes you are delivering the nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang into the hands of the Cai clan! If our late lord’s spirit still has power, he will surely strike you dead!” Cai Mao flew into a rage and ordered his attendants to drag Li Gui out and behead him. Li Gui continued reviling him until the moment of his death. Cai Mao then established Liu Cong as lord. Members of the Cai clan were given separate commands over the forces of Jingzhou, while Administrator Deng Yi and Aide Liu Xian were ordered to guard Jingzhou. Lady Cai herself accompanied Liu Cong to Xiangyang and took up her station there to guard against Liu Qi and Liu Bei. Liu Biao’s coffin was buried on the plains of Hanyang, east of Xiangyang, and no notice of his death was ever sent to Liu Qi or Xuande.

Liu Cong had scarcely dismounted in Xiangyang when a sudden report came that Cao Cao was leading his great army straight toward the city. Greatly alarmed, Liu Cong summoned Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, and the others to deliberate. Fu Xun, an assistant in the Eastern Bureau, stepped forward and said, “Cao Cao’s approaching army is not our only cause for concern. The eldest young master is now in Jiangxia and Xuande in Xinye, yet we have sent neither of them word of the late lord’s death. If they raise troops to demand an accounting, Jingzhou and Xiangyang will be imperiled. I have a plan that will make the people of Jingzhou and Xiangyang as secure as Mount Tai while preserving our lord’s rank and titles.” Liu Cong asked, “What is your plan?” Fu Xun replied, “We should present the nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to Cao Cao. He will assuredly treat our lord with honor.”

Liu Cong rebuked him: “What sort of words are these? I have inherited my late father’s foundations and have not yet sat securely in his seat. How could I surrender them at once to another?” Kuai Yue said, “What Fu Gongti says is right. Submission and defiance are governed by great principles, and strength and weakness follow settled circumstances. Cao Cao now campaigns south and north in the name of the imperial court. If our lord opposes him, our cause will not be legitimate. Moreover, our lord has only just been established; our troubles abroad have not been settled, while troubles within are about to arise. When the people of Jingzhou and Xiangyang hear that Cao Cao’s army has come, their courage will fail before battle is even joined. How could they oppose him?” Liu Cong said, “It is not that I refuse to follow your counsel, gentlemen. But if I surrender my late father’s inheritance to another in a single day, I fear I shall become the laughingstock of the realm.”

Before he had finished speaking, a man strode proudly forward and said, “The counsel of Fu Gongti and Kuai Yidu is excellent. Why not follow it?” Everyone looked and saw Wang Can, courtesy name Zhongxuan, a native of Gaoping in Shanyang. Wang Can was gaunt in appearance and short of stature. In his youth he once went to visit Cai Yong, the Court Gentleman. At the time Cai Yong’s hall was filled with distinguished guests, but when he heard that Wang Can had arrived, he rushed out to welcome him with his shoes on backward. The guests were all astonished and asked, “Why does Court Gentleman Cai show such singular respect to this boy?” Cai Yong replied, “This boy possesses extraordinary talent. I am not his equal.” Wang Can was so widely learned and had so powerful a memory that no one could surpass him. Once, after looking only once at an inscription on a roadside stele, he could recite it from memory. On another occasion he watched men playing chess. When the pieces were scattered, Wang Can restored the position without misplacing a single one. He was also skilled in calculation, and his literary compositions were unsurpassed in his time. At seventeen he was summoned to serve as Gentleman of the Yellow Gate but did not accept the post. Later, fleeing the disorders, he came to Jingzhou and Xiangyang, where Liu Biao treated him as an honored guest.

That day Wang Can said to Liu Cong, “General, how do you judge yourself in comparison with Lord Cao?” Liu Cong replied, “I am not his equal.” Wang Can said, “Lord Cao’s troops are strong, his commanders valiant, and his wisdom and stratagems abundant. He captured Lü Bu at Xiapi, crushed Yuan Shao at Guandu, drove Liu Bei into the lands west of Longshan, and defeated the Wuhuan at White Wolf Mountain. The fierce enemies he has destroyed and the territories he has pacified are beyond counting. Now he is bringing a great army south into Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and his force will be difficult to resist. The plan offered by Fu Xun and Kuai Yue is the best long-term policy. General, you must not hesitate and so bring future regret upon yourself.” Liu Cong said, “Your instruction is entirely right, sir. But I must first inform my mother.” Just then Lady Cai emerged from behind a screen and said to Liu Cong, “Since Zhongxuan, Gongti, and Yidu are all of one mind, why need you inform me?”

Liu Cong’s mind was thus made up. He wrote a letter of surrender and ordered Song Zhong to carry it secretly to Cao Cao’s camp. Song Zhong accepted the command and went straight to Wancheng, where he met Cao Cao and presented the letter of surrender. Cao Cao was overjoyed and richly rewarded Song Zhong. He instructed Liu Cong to come out of the city to welcome him and promised to make him lord of Jingzhou in perpetuity. Song Zhong bowed farewell to Cao Cao and took the road back to Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Just as he was about to cross the river, he suddenly saw a body of troops approaching. Looking closer, he recognized Guan Yunchang. Unable to avoid him, Song Zhong was hailed and stopped by Yunchang, who questioned him closely about affairs in Jingzhou. At first Song Zhong concealed the truth, but under Yunchang’s relentless interrogation he could hold out no longer and was forced to relate every detail from beginning to end. Yunchang was greatly alarmed. He seized Song Zhong and took him to Xinye to see Xuande, to whom he reported the whole affair.

When Xuande heard the news, he wept bitterly. Zhang Fei said, “Since matters have come to this, we should first behead Song Zhong, then raise our army, cross the river, seize Xiangyang, kill Lady Cai and Liu Cong, and afterward give battle to Cao Cao.” Xuande said, “Hold your tongue. I shall weigh the matter myself.” Then he rebuked Song Zhong: “You knew what these people were doing. Why did you not come and report it to me sooner? Even if I beheaded you now, it would do no good. Be gone at once.” Song Zhong bowed his thanks, clutched his head, and scurried away like a rat.

While Xuande was sunk in anxious gloom, a sudden report came that Young Master Liu Qi had sent Yi Ji to him. Remembering how Yi Ji had once saved him, Xuande descended the steps to welcome him and thanked him repeatedly. Yi Ji said, “The eldest young master is in Jiangxia. He heard that the lord of Jingzhou had died, but Lady Cai, Cai Mao, and the others conspired together, sent him no notice of mourning, and went so far as to establish Liu Cong as lord. The young master sent men to Xiangyang to investigate, and they returned saying that it was true. Fearing that you, Imperial Inspector, might not know, he specially sent me with this letter of mourning to report the matter. He also asks you to muster all the picked troops under your command and march with him to Xiangyang to demand an accounting.”

After reading the letter, Xuande said to Yi Ji, “Jibo, you know only that Liu Cong has usurped the succession. You do not know that he has already presented the nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to Cao Cao!” Yi Ji exclaimed in alarm, “How did you learn of this, Imperial Inspector?” Xuande related in full how Song Zhong had been captured. Yi Ji said, “If that is so, you should go to Xiangyang on the pretext of attending the funeral, lure Liu Cong out to welcome you, seize him on the spot, and put his faction to death. Then Jingzhou will belong to you.”

Kongming said, “Jibo’s counsel is right. My lord should follow it.” With tears falling, Xuande said, “When my elder brother was at the brink of death, he entrusted his orphaned son to me. If I now seize that son and take his lands, when I die and descend to the Nine Springs, with what face could I meet my brother again?” Kongming said, “If you do not do this, Cao Cao’s army has already reached Wancheng. How will you resist the enemy?” Xuande said, “We would do better to withdraw to Fancheng and avoid him.”

While they were still deliberating, a scout galloped in with the report that Cao Cao’s troops had reached Bowang. Xuande hastily sent Yi Ji back to Jiangxia to put the troops in readiness, while he himself discussed with Kongming a plan for resisting the enemy. Kongming said, “Set your mind at ease, my lord. Last time, one blaze burned away more than half of Xiahou Dun’s men. Now that Cao Cao’s army has come again, we shall surely make it fall into this stratagem. We can no longer remain in Xinye; we had best go to Fancheng without delay.”

He sent men to post proclamations at all four gates, informing the inhabitants: “Old or young, man or woman, whoever wishes to follow must accompany me today to take temporary refuge in Fancheng. Do not bring calamity upon yourselves.” He sent Sun Qian to the riverbank to requisition boats and help the common people, and Mi Zhu to escort the families of all the officials to Fancheng.

Then he assembled the commanders to receive their orders. First he told Yunchang to take one thousand soldiers and lie in ambush upstream on the White River: “Each man is to carry sacks and fill them with sand and earth to dam the waters of the White River. After the third watch tomorrow night, listen for the cries of men and neighing of horses downstream. At once remove the sacks and release the water to drown them; then charge downstream with the flood and give support.”

Next he ordered Zhang Fei to take one thousand soldiers and lie in ambush at the Boling ford: “The current is slowest there. After Cao Cao’s troops are flooded, they will certainly flee that way. Seize the opportunity to attack them and lend support.”

He then called Zhao Yun and said, “Take three thousand troops and divide them into four companies. Lead one company yourself and lie in ambush outside the eastern gate. The other three are to lie in ambush outside the western, southern, and northern gates. First conceal large quantities of sulfur, saltpeter, and other incendiary materials on the roofs of the houses inside the city. When Cao Cao’s troops enter, they will certainly lodge in the homes of the inhabitants. After dusk tomorrow, a strong wind is sure to rise. As soon as you see the wind spring up, have the ambushing troops at the western, southern, and northern gates shoot fire arrows into the city. When the flames are raging within, raise a great clamor outside to swell your might. Leave only the eastern gate open for the enemy to escape; you are to strike them from behind outside that gate. At daybreak, join forces with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, then withdraw the army to Fancheng.”

Finally, he ordered Mi Fang and Liu Feng to take two thousand troops, half carrying red banners and half blue, and encamp before Magpie-Tail Slope, thirty li outside Xinye: “As soon as Cao Cao’s army appears, the red-banner troops are to move off to the left and the blue-banner troops to the right. The enemy will grow suspicious and will not dare pursue. You two are then to divide and lie in ambush. The moment you see fire rise in the city, pursue and cut down the routed troops, then go upstream on the White River to lend support.”

When Kongming had completed all these dispositions, he and Xuande ascended a height to watch and await news of victory.

Meanwhile, Cao Ren and Cao Hong were leading one hundred thousand troops as the foremost division, while ahead of them Xu Chu had already taken three thousand armored soldiers to clear the road. In a vast and imposing host they drove toward Xinye. Around noon that day they reached Magpie-Tail Slope and saw a cluster of troops before it, all displaying blue and red banners. Xu Chu urged his soldiers forward. Liu Feng and Mi Fang divided their men into four companies, the blue and red banners withdrawing separately to left and right. Xu Chu reined in his horse and ordered, “Advance no farther for now. There must be an ambush ahead. Our troops will halt here.” He galloped back alone to report to Cao Ren in the leading division. Cao Ren said, “Those are decoy troops. There can be no ambush. Advance swiftly. I shall urge the army on behind you.”

Xu Chu returned to the slope and led his troops in the attack. But when he reached the woods and searched them, not a man was to be seen. By then the sun was sinking in the west. Just as Xu Chu was about to advance, he heard drums and music resounding loudly from the mountain. Raising his head, he saw a cluster of banners at its summit. Amid them stood two canopies, beneath which Xuande sat on the left and Kongming on the right, facing each other and drinking wine. Xu Chu flew into a rage and led his troops along a path up the mountain. But rolling timbers and hurtling stones came crashing down from above, and he could make no progress. Then he heard a tremendous roar of battle cries behind the mountain. He wished to find a path around and engage the enemy, but darkness had already fallen.

When Cao Ren arrived with the army, he ordered the troops to seize Xinye and rest there. When the soldiers reached the city, they found all four gates standing wide open. Cao Cao’s troops rushed in without meeting any resistance. Not a person could be seen within: it was nothing but an empty city.

Cao Hong said, “Their strength was isolated and their schemes exhausted, so they took all the common people and fled. For now our army may rest in the city, and at dawn tomorrow we shall advance.” By this time the troops were exhausted from marching and ravenously hungry, so they all sought houses in which to cook their meals. Cao Ren and Cao Hong took their rest in the government offices. After the first watch, a violent wind sprang up. The soldiers guarding the gates hurried in to report that fire had broken out. Cao Ren said, “Some careless soldiers must have let their cooking fires spread. There is no cause for alarm.”

Before he had finished speaking, several more urgent reports arrived in succession: fires had broken out at the western, southern, and northern gates. Cao Ren hastily ordered all the commanders to mount, but flames were rising throughout the whole county town, bathing everything above and below in crimson. That night’s conflagration surpassed even the fire that had burned the camp at Bowang. A later poet lamented:

Cao Cao, the crafty hero, held the Central Plain;In the ninth month he marched south to the Han River.The Earl of Wind descended wrathfully upon Xinye,And the God of Fire flew down, his flames scorching Heaven.

Cao Ren led the commanders through smoke and flame, seeking a road of escape. Hearing that there was no fire at the eastern gate, they rushed frantically toward it and burst out. The soldiers trampled one another underfoot, and countless men died. Cao Ren and the others had only just escaped the fiery peril when a great shout arose behind them. Zhao Yun led his troops against them, and a confused battle followed. The routed soldiers fled for their lives; who among them would turn back to fight?

As they fled, Mi Fang arrived with a body of troops and charged them in another fierce attack. Cao Ren suffered a crushing defeat and fought his way off along the road, only for Liu Feng to lead out another force and fall upon him once more. By the fourth watch, men and horses were utterly exhausted, and more than half the soldiers had scorched heads and blistered faces. When they reached the White River, they were delighted to find the water not very deep. Men and horses all went down into the river to drink. The men shouted and clamored, while the horses neighed without cease.

Meanwhile, Yunchang had dammed the water upstream with sacks. At dusk he saw the flames rise from Xinye. During the fourth watch he suddenly heard the cries of men and neighing of horses downstream, and at once ordered his soldiers to pull away all the sacks together. The waters rose mountain-high and surged downstream. Cao Cao’s men and horses were engulfed, and a great many drowned. Cao Ren led the commanders toward a place where the current was slower and fought his way out. When they reached the Boling ford, a great roar of battle cries suddenly arose, and an army barred their road. At its head was none other than Zhang Fei, who shouted, “Cao Cao’s traitorous dogs, come quickly and yield your lives!” Cao Cao’s troops were appalled. Truly:

Within the city they had scarcely seen red flames erupt,When by the river a black whirlwind came upon them.

Whether Cao Ren escaped with his life will be revealed in the next chapter.

Lady Cai Proposes Surrendering Jingzhou; Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye

Xuande asked Kongming for a plan to resist Cao Cao’s army. Kongming said, “Xinye is a small county and cannot be held for long. I have recently heard that Liu Jingsheng is gravely ill. You could take this opportunity to seize Jingzhou as a secure base, and then perhaps you would be able to resist Cao Cao.” Xuande said, “Your advice is excellent. But I have received great kindness from Jingsheng. How could I bear to plot against him?” Kongming said, “If you do not take it now, it will be too late for regrets afterward.” Xuande said, “I would rather die than commit such a betrayal of honor.” Kongming said, “Then let us discuss the matter again later.”

Meanwhile, Xiahou Dun returned defeated to Xuchang, bound himself, and went before Cao Cao. Prostrating himself, he asked to be put to death. Cao Cao released him. Xiahou Dun said, “I fell victim to Zhuge Liang’s treacherous scheme. He used fire to destroy my army.” Cao Cao said, “You have commanded troops since your youth. Did you not know that in confined terrain you must guard against fire attacks?” Xiahou Dun said, “Li Dian and Yu Jin both warned me of it, but now it is too late for regret!” Cao Cao rewarded the two men. Xiahou Dun said, “Liu Bei is running so rampant that he has become a mortal threat. He must be eliminated without delay.” Cao Cao said, “The only men who concern me are Liu Bei and Sun Quan. None of the others are worth considering. Now I must take this opportunity to sweep the south clear.” He issued orders to mobilize an army of five hundred thousand. Cao Ren and Cao Hong commanded the first division; Zhang Liao and Zhang He, the second; Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun, the third; Yu Jin and Li Dian, the fourth; and Cao Cao himself led the other generals in the fifth. Each division had one hundred thousand troops. Cao Cao also appointed Xu Chu General Who Breaks the Charge and gave him three thousand men as the vanguard. The army’s departure was set for the bingwu day of the seventh month in the autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian’an.

Grand Palace Counselor Kong Rong remonstrated with him, saying, “Liu Bei and Liu Biao are both members of the imperial house and must not be attacked lightly. Sun Quan holds six commanderies like a crouching tiger and is further protected by the natural barrier of the Great River, so he will not be easy to conquer either. Now, Chancellor, you are raising this unjust army, and I fear you will lose the confidence of the realm.” Cao Cao angrily replied, “Liu Bei, Liu Biao, and Sun Quan are all ministers who defy imperial commands. How can they be allowed to go unpunished?” He shouted at Kong Rong to leave and ordered that anyone who remonstrated again was to be beheaded. Leaving the residence, Kong Rong raised his face to heaven and sighed, “When the supremely inhumane attacks the supremely humane, how can he avoid defeat?”

At the time, a retainer in the household of Imperial Censor Xi Lü heard these words and reported them to Xi Lü. Kong Rong had often treated Xi Lü with contempt, and Xi Lü deeply resented him. He therefore reported the remark to Cao Cao and added, “Kong Rong has always mocked and insulted you, Chancellor, and he was also a close friend of Mi Heng. Mi Heng praised Kong Rong by saying, ‘Confucius has not died,’ while Kong Rong praised Mi Heng by saying, ‘Yan Hui has been born again.’ Mi Heng’s earlier humiliation of you, Chancellor, was instigated by Kong Rong.” Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered the Commandant of Justice to arrest Kong Rong. Kong Rong had two sons, both still young, who were then at home sitting across from each other playing weiqi. The people around them rushed in and reported, “Your honored father has been taken away by the Commandant of Justice and is about to be beheaded. Why do you two young masters not flee at once?” The two sons replied, “When the nest is overturned, how can any egg beneath it remain unbroken?”

Before they had finished speaking, the Commandant of Justice arrived again and arrested Kong Rong’s entire household, including both sons. All were beheaded, and Kong Rong’s corpse was displayed in the marketplace as a warning. Zhi Xi of the capital district threw himself over the body and wept. When Cao Cao heard of this, he was furious and wanted to put him to death. Xun Yu said, “I have heard that Zhi Xi often warned Kong Rong, ‘You are far too unyielding and forthright. This is the way to bring disaster upon yourself.’ Now that Kong Rong is dead, he has come to mourn him. He is a righteous man and must not be killed.” Cao Cao then relented. Zhi Xi recovered the bodies of Kong Rong and his sons and buried them all. A later poet praised Kong Rong:

Kong Rong dwelt in Beihai,His heroic spirit spanned the rainbow.His hall was always filled with guests,And his wine jars were never empty.His writings astonished the common world;Laughing and talking, he mocked lords and princes.The historian’s brush commends his loyal candor,And the records preserve his office of Grand Palace Counselor.

After killing Kong Rong, Cao Cao ordered the five divisions to set out one after another, leaving only Xun Yu and the others to guard Xuchang.

Meanwhile, Liu Biao of Jingzhou became gravely ill and sent someone to summon Xuande so that he could entrust his orphaned heir to him. Xuande took Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to Jingzhou to see Liu Biao. Liu Biao said, “My illness has become incurable, and I will soon die. I have summoned you especially to entrust my orphaned son to you, worthy brother. My son has no ability, and I fear he cannot carry on his father’s work. After I die, you may take command of Jingzhou yourself.” Weeping, Xuande bowed and said, “I will devote all my strength to assisting my worthy nephew. How could I dare harbor any other intention?”

While they were speaking, someone reported that Cao Cao was personally leading a great army toward them. Xuande hastily took leave of Liu Biao and returned to Xinye through the night. When the ailing Liu Biao heard this news, he was deeply alarmed. He planned to write a final testament instructing Xuande to assist his eldest son, Liu Qi, as lord of Jingzhou. When Lady Cai heard of this, she flew into a rage. She barred the inner gate and ordered Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to guard the outer gate. Liu Qi was then in Jiangxia. Learning that his father was critically ill, he came to Jingzhou to visit him. Just as he reached the outer gate, Cai Mao blocked him and said, “Young Master, you were ordered by your father to defend Jiangxia, a responsibility of the greatest importance. Now you have abandoned your post without permission. What will happen if troops from Eastern Wu arrive? If you go in to see our lord, he is certain to become angry, which will worsen his illness. That would not be filial. You should return at once.”

Liu Qi stood outside the gate and wept bitterly for a long while, then mounted his horse and returned to Jiangxia. Liu Biao’s condition became critical, but still Liu Qi did not come. On the wushen day of the eighth month, Liu Biao cried out several times and died. A later poet lamented Liu Biao:

Once we heard how the Yuan clan held the lands north of the Yellow River;Then we saw Lord Liu rule supreme in Hanyang.Both brought ruin on their houses by letting the hen announce the dawn;How pitiful that before long all they possessed had vanished.

After Liu Biao’s death, Lady Cai, Cai Mao, and Zhang Yun conspired to forge a final testament naming the second son, Liu Cong, lord of Jingzhou. Only then did they begin the mourning and announce the death. Liu Cong was just fourteen years old but quite intelligent. He gathered the officials and said, “My father has passed from this world, but my elder brother is now in Jiangxia, while my uncle Xuande is in Xinye. You have made me your lord, but if my brother and uncle raise troops to demand an accounting, how will you explain yourselves?”

Before the assembled officials could answer, the staff officer Li Gui replied, “Young Master, your words are entirely right. You should immediately send a letter of mourning to Jiangxia and invite the eldest young master to become lord of Jingzhou, while asking Xuande to join him in administering affairs. To the north you could oppose Cao Cao, and to the south resist Sun Quan. This would be a perfectly secure plan.” Cai Mao shouted, “Who are you to speak such wild words in defiance of our late lord’s final command?” Li Gui cursed him loudly: “You have conspired both inside and outside the household, falsely invoked the late lord’s command, displaced the elder son, and installed the younger. Before our very eyes, you are handing the nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang over to the Cai clan! If our late lord’s spirit has any power, he will surely strike you dead!” Cai Mao flew into a rage and ordered his attendants to drag Li Gui out and behead him. Li Gui continued cursing him until the moment of his death. Cai Mao then installed Liu Cong as lord. Members of the Cai clan divided command of Jingzhou’s forces among themselves, while Administrator Deng Yi and Aide Liu Xian were ordered to guard Jingzhou. Lady Cai personally accompanied Liu Cong to Xiangyang, where they established their headquarters to guard against Liu Qi and Liu Bei. They buried Liu Biao’s coffin on the plain of Hanyang, east of Xiangyang, without ever sending Liu Qi or Xuande an announcement of his death.

Liu Cong had barely dismounted to rest after reaching Xiangyang when a sudden report arrived that Cao Cao was leading a great army straight toward the city. Liu Cong was terrified and summoned Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, and the others to discuss the situation. Fu Xun, an aide in the Eastern Bureau, offered this advice: “Cao Cao’s approaching army is not our only cause for concern. The eldest young master is now in Jiangxia and Xuande is in Xinye, yet we have not informed either of the death. If they raise troops to demand an accounting, Jingzhou and Xiangyang will be in danger. I have a plan that can make the people of Jingzhou and Xiangyang as secure as Mount Tai while preserving Your Lordship’s title and rank.” Liu Cong asked, “What is your plan?” Fu Xun said, “It would be best to present the nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to Cao Cao. Cao Cao will surely treat Your Lordship with great honor.”

Liu Cong shouted, “What are you saying? I have inherited my late father’s domain and have not yet even settled securely in my seat. How could I simply abandon it to another?” Kuai Yue said, “What Master Fu Gongti says is correct. Submission and resistance must be judged according to the greater principle, and strength and weakness are determined by fixed circumstances. Cao Cao has campaigned north and south in the name of the imperial court. If Your Lordship opposes him, your cause will not be legitimate. Moreover, you have only just assumed your position. Our external troubles are not yet settled, and internal troubles are about to arise. When the people of Jingzhou and Xiangyang hear that Cao Cao’s army is coming, their courage will fail before battle is even joined. How could they oppose him?” Liu Cong said, “It is not that I refuse to follow your advice, gentlemen. But if I hand my late father’s domain to another man in a single day, I fear I will become the laughingstock of the world.”

Before he had finished speaking, one man strode proudly forward and said, “The advice of Fu Gongti and Kuai Yidu is excellent. Why not follow it?” Everyone looked and saw that he was Wang Can, courtesy name Zhongxuan, a native of Gaoping in Shanyang. Wang Can was thin and frail in appearance and short in stature. In his youth he once went to visit Cai Yong, the General of the Household. Cai Yong’s hall was then filled with distinguished guests, but when he heard that Wang Can had arrived, he rushed out so quickly to welcome him that he put his shoes on backward. All his guests exclaimed in surprise, “Why does General of the Household Cai show such extraordinary respect to this boy?” Cai Yong said, “This boy has exceptional talent. I cannot equal him.” Wang Can possessed broad learning and a prodigious memory that no one could match. Once, after glancing at an inscription on a roadside stele, he was able to recite it from memory. On another occasion, he watched men playing weiqi. When the board was disturbed, Wang Can reset every stone without misplacing a single one. He was also skilled in mathematics, and his literary writing was unsurpassed in his time. At the age of seventeen, he was appointed Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate, but declined the post. Later, fleeing the disorders, he came to Jingzhou and Xiangyang, where Liu Biao treated him as an honored guest.

That day Wang Can said to Liu Cong, “General, how do you think you compare with Lord Cao?” Liu Cong replied, “I am not his equal.” Wang Can said, “Lord Cao has powerful troops and valiant generals, and he abounds in wisdom and strategy. He captured Lü Bu at Xiapi, crushed Yuan Shao at Guandu, drove Liu Bei from Longyou, and defeated the Wuhuan at White Wolf Mountain. Those he has destroyed, eliminated, and pacified are too numerous to count. Now he is bringing a great army south into Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and his force will be difficult to resist. The plan proposed by Masters Fu and Kuai is the best long-term policy. General, you must not hesitate and bring regret upon yourself.” Liu Cong said, “Your instruction is entirely correct, sir. But I must first inform my mother.” Just then Lady Cai came out from behind a screen and said to Liu Cong, “Since Zhongxuan, Gongti, and Yidu are all of the same opinion, why is there any need to inform me?”

Liu Cong’s mind was thus made up. He wrote a letter of surrender and ordered Song Zhong to deliver it secretly to Cao Cao’s camp. Song Zhong accepted the order and went directly to Wancheng, where he met Cao Cao and presented the letter of surrender. Cao Cao was delighted and rewarded Song Zhong generously. He instructed Liu Cong to come out of the city to welcome him and promised that Liu Cong would remain lord of Jingzhou in perpetuity. Song Zhong took leave of Cao Cao and started back toward Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Just as he was about to cross the river, he suddenly saw a body of troops approaching. Looking more closely, he saw that their commander was Guan Yunchang. Song Zhong could not avoid him in time, and Yunchang called him to a halt and questioned him closely about affairs in Jingzhou. At first Song Zhong tried to conceal the truth, but he could not withstand Yunchang’s persistent interrogation and was forced to give a full and truthful account of everything that had happened. Yunchang was greatly alarmed. He seized Song Zhong and took him to Xinye to see Xuande, where he reported the entire matter.

When Xuande heard the news, he burst into tears. Zhang Fei said, “Since matters have come to this, we should first behead Song Zhong, then raise our army and cross the river, seize Xiangyang, kill Lady Cai and Liu Cong, and afterward give battle to Cao Cao.” Xuande said, “Hold your tongue. I will decide for myself what must be done.” He then rebuked Song Zhong: “You knew what those people were doing. Why did you not report it to me sooner? Beheading you now would not help matters, so leave at once.” Song Zhong bowed his thanks, clutched his head, and scurried away like a rat.

While Xuande was still sunk in anxiety, a sudden report announced that Young Master Liu Qi had sent Yi Ji to see him. Remembering how Yi Ji had once saved his life, Xuande descended the steps to welcome him and thanked him repeatedly. Yi Ji said, “The eldest young master is in Jiangxia. He heard that the lord of Jingzhou had died and that Lady Cai, Cai Mao, and the others had conspired not to report the death to him, but had instead installed Liu Cong as lord. The young master sent men to Xiangyang to investigate, and they returned saying that it was true. Fearing that you, Imperial Uncle, might not know, he specially sent me to present this letter of mourning and report the matter. He also asks you to muster all the elite troops under your command and join him in marching on Xiangyang to demand an accounting.”

After reading the letter, Xuande said to Yi Ji, “Jibo knows only that Liu Cong has usurped the position. He does not know that Liu Cong has already presented all nine commanderies of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to Cao Cao!” Yi Ji exclaimed in alarm, “How did you learn this, Imperial Uncle?” Xuande told him in detail how Song Zhong had been captured. Yi Ji said, “If that is so, Imperial Uncle, you should go to Xiangyang on the pretext of attending the funeral. Lure Liu Cong outside to welcome you, seize him on the spot, and execute all his followers. Then Jingzhou will belong to you.”

Kongming said, “Jibo’s advice is correct. My lord, you should follow it.” Tears fell from Xuande’s eyes as he said, “At the crisis of his life, my elder brother entrusted his orphaned son to me. If I now seize his son and take his lands, when I die and go to the Nine Springs, how could I face my elder brother again?” Kongming said, “If you will not do this, Cao Cao’s army has already reached Wancheng. How will you resist the enemy?” Xuande said, “It would be better to withdraw to Fancheng and avoid him.”

While they were still deliberating, a scout galloped in to report that Cao Cao’s army had already reached Bowang. Xuande hastily sent Yi Ji back to Jiangxia to put the troops in order, while he discussed with Kongming how to resist the enemy. Kongming said, “Set your mind at ease, my lord. Last time, one fire burned up more than half of Xiahou Dun’s army. Now that Cao Cao’s troops have come again, I will make certain they fall into this scheme. We can no longer remain in Xinye. We should go to Fancheng as soon as possible.” He sent men to post notices at all four gates, informing the inhabitants: “Whether old or young, men or women, all who are willing to follow us must come with us today to take temporary refuge in Fancheng. Do not bring disaster upon yourselves by delaying.” He sent Sun Qian to the riverbank to requisition boats and assist the common people, and sent Mi Zhu to escort the families of the officials to Fancheng. Then he assembled the generals to receive their orders. First, he instructed Yunchang to take one thousand troops and lie in ambush upstream on the White River: “Each man is to carry sacks and fill them with sand and earth to dam the river. After the third watch tomorrow night, when you hear men shouting and horses neighing downstream, quickly pull away the sacks and release the water to flood them. Then charge downstream with the current and join the attack.” Next, he ordered Zhang Fei to take one thousand troops and lie in ambush at the Boling ford: “The current is slowest there. Once Cao Cao’s army has been flooded, they are certain to flee that way. Take advantage of the moment, attack them, and join our other forces.” He then ordered Zhao Yun: “Take three thousand troops and divide them into four units. Lead one unit yourself and lie in ambush outside the east gate. The other three units are to lie in ambush outside the west, south, and north gates. First conceal large quantities of sulfur, saltpeter, and other incendiary materials on the roofs of the houses inside the city. When Cao Cao’s army enters, they are certain to quarter themselves in the homes of the townspeople. After dusk tomorrow, a strong wind is sure to rise. As soon as you see the wind begin, order the troops hidden at the west, south, and north gates to shoot fire arrows into the city. Once the fire is raging, have them raise battle cries outside the walls to increase the terror. Leave only the east gate open so the enemy can escape, and then attack them from behind outside the east gate. At daybreak, join forces with Generals Guan and Zhang, then withdraw the army to Fancheng.” Finally, he ordered Mi Fang and Liu Feng to take two thousand troops, half carrying red flags and half blue flags, and station themselves before Magpie Tail Slope, thirty li outside Xinye: “As soon as Cao Cao’s army appears, the soldiers with red flags are to move off to the left, and those with blue flags to the right. The enemy will become suspicious and will not dare pursue. The two of you must then separate and lie in ambush. As soon as you see the fire rise from the city, pursue and kill the defeated troops, then go upstream on the White River to support the others.” When Kongming had completed all his arrangements, he and Xuande climbed to high ground to watch and wait for news of victory.

Meanwhile, Cao Ren and Cao Hong led one hundred thousand troops as the first division. Ahead of them, Xu Chu was already opening the road with three thousand armored soldiers. In a vast and imposing mass, they advanced to attack Xinye. Around noon that day, they reached Magpie Tail Slope and saw a cluster of troops before it, all displaying blue and red banners. Xu Chu urged his troops forward. Liu Feng and Mi Fang split their soldiers into four units, with the blue and red banners moving away to the left and right. Xu Chu reined in his horse and ordered, “Do not advance yet. There must be an ambush ahead. Our troops will halt here.” Xu Chu rode off alone to report to Cao Ren in the leading division. Cao Ren said, “Those are decoy troops. There is certainly no ambush. Advance at once. I will urge the army forward behind you.”

Xu Chu returned to the foot of the slope and led his troops in an attack. When they reached the woods and searched them, they found no one. By then the sun was sinking in the west. Just as Xu Chu was about to advance, he heard a great din of drums and music from the mountain. Looking up, he saw a cluster of banners on the summit and, among them, two parasols. Beneath the one on the left sat Xuande, and beneath the one on the right sat Kongming. The two men were seated facing each other and drinking wine. Xu Chu flew into a rage and led his troops in search of a path up the mountain. But rolling logs and stone missiles came crashing down from above, making it impossible to advance. Then a tremendous roar of battle cries came from behind the mountain. Xu Chu wanted to find a route to engage the enemy, but darkness had already fallen.

When Cao Ren arrived with the army, he ordered them to seize Xinye and rest their horses there. As the troops reached the walls, they saw all four gates standing wide open. Cao Cao’s soldiers rushed in without meeting any resistance. They saw no one in the city either. It was entirely deserted.

Cao Hong said, “The enemy was isolated and had run out of plans, so they took all the people with them and fled. For now our army can rest in the city. We will advance at dawn tomorrow.” By then the troops were exhausted from marching and all were hungry, so they went off to find houses and cook their meals. Cao Ren and Cao Hong rested in the government offices. After the first watch, a violent wind arose. The soldiers guarding the gates hurried in to report that a fire had broken out. Cao Ren said, “Some soldiers must have been careless while cooking and let the fire spread. There is no need to alarm ourselves.”

Before he had finished speaking, several more urgent reports arrived in succession, announcing that fires had broken out at the west, south, and north gates. Cao Ren hastily ordered all the generals to mount, but flames had already erupted throughout the entire county town, dyeing everything above and below a blazing red. The fire that night was even fiercer than the one that had burned the encampment at Bowang. A later poet lamented:

The treacherous hero Cao Cao held the Central Plain;In the ninth month he marched south to the Han River.The Earl of Wind descended in fury upon Xinye,And Zhurong flew down as flames licked the sky.

Cao Ren led the generals through the smoke and flames, desperately searching for a way out. Hearing that there was no fire at the east gate, they rushed frantically toward it and escaped. The soldiers trampled one another, and countless men died. Cao Ren and the others had only just escaped the disaster of the flames when a great shout arose behind them. Zhao Yun came charging after them with his troops and plunged into battle. The defeated soldiers were all fleeing for their lives; none was willing to turn back and fight.

As they fled, Mi Fang arrived with a body of troops and charged into them again. Cao Ren suffered a crushing defeat and fought his way down the road, only for Liu Feng to appear with another force and attack him in turn. By the fourth watch, men and horses alike were exhausted, and more than half the soldiers had scorched heads and burned faces. When they reached the bank of the White River, they were delighted to find the water not very deep. Men and horses all went down into the river to drink. The men shouted noisily to one another, while all the horses neighed.

Meanwhile, Yunchang had used sacks to dam the White River upstream. At dusk he saw the fire rise from Xinye. By the fourth watch, he suddenly heard men shouting and horses neighing downstream, so he quickly ordered his soldiers to pull away all the sacks at once. The water surged like a flood from heaven and rushed downstream. Cao Cao’s men and horses were submerged, and an enormous number drowned. Cao Ren led the generals toward a place where the current was slower and fought his way out. When they reached the Boling ford, a tremendous roar of battle cries arose, and an army blocked their path. The general at its head was Zhang Fei, who shouted, “Cao Cao’s bandits, come quickly and surrender your lives!” Cao Cao’s troops were horrified. Indeed:

They had barely seen red flames burst forth inside the city,When beside the river they met another black tempest.

Whether Cao Ren lived or died will be revealed in the next chapter.