Chapter 53

Guan Yu Righteously Releases Huang Zhong; Sun Quan Battles Zhang Liao

Now Zhuge Liang said to Zhang Fei, “When Zilong went to take Guiyang Commandery, he first gave a written pledge under military law. Today, if Yide wishes to take Wuling, he too must give such a pledge before he may lead troops there.” Zhang Fei promptly gave the pledge and, in high spirits, led three thousand men on a forced march through the night toward the borders of Wuling.

When Jin Xuan heard that Zhang Fei was approaching with an army, he assembled his officers, mustered his picked troops, inspected their weapons, and marched out of the city to meet the enemy. His aide Gong Zhi remonstrated: “Liu Xuande is an imperial uncle of the Great Han, and his benevolence and righteousness are renowned throughout the realm. Moreover, Zhang Yide is a warrior of extraordinary valor. We must not engage him. Our best course is to open the gates and surrender.” Jin Xuan flew into a rage. “Do you mean to conspire with the rebels and betray us from within?” he cried, and ordered the guards to drag Gong Zhi away and behead him. But all the officials pleaded, “To execute one of your own before battle would bode ill for the army.”

Jin Xuan therefore had Gong Zhi driven away, then personally led his troops out. Twenty li from the city, he encountered Zhang Fei. Fei leveled his spear from horseback and thundered a challenge at Jin Xuan. Xuan asked his officers, “Who dares go forth and fight him?” All were terrified, and none dared advance. Xuan himself spurred his horse forward, brandishing his saber. Zhang Fei gave a tremendous roar like a peal of thunder. Jin Xuan turned pale and, not daring to cross weapons with him, wheeled his horse and fled. Fei led his troops in a sweeping pursuit. When Jin Xuan reached the city walls, a storm of arrows came down from above. He looked up in alarm and saw Gong Zhi standing on the battlements, crying, “You defied the mandate of Heaven and brought ruin upon yourself. The people and I have surrendered to Liu Bei!”

Before he had finished speaking, an arrow struck Jin Xuan squarely in the face, and he fell from his horse. The soldiers cut off his head and presented it to Zhang Fei, while Gong Zhi came out of the city to offer its surrender. Fei ordered Gong Zhi to take the seals and insignia of office to Guiyang and present himself to Xuande. Xuande was overjoyed and appointed Gong Zhi to Jin Xuan’s former post. Xuande then went in person to Wuling and, after pacifying the people, sent an urgent dispatch to Guan Yu reporting that Yide and Zilong had each taken a commandery. Guan Yu wrote back with a request: “I hear that Changsha has yet to be taken. If Elder Brother does not consider me unequal to the task, I would be glad if you entrusted this achievement to Guan.”

Xuande was delighted. He ordered Zhang Fei to march through the night and relieve Guan Yu in the defense of Jingzhou, while Guan Yu was to come and take Changsha. Upon arriving, Guan Yu went in to see Xuande and Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang said, “Zilong took Guiyang and Yide took Wuling, each with three thousand men. Han Xuan, the governor of Changsha, is certainly of little account; but he has under him a great general from Nanyang, whose surname is Huang, personal name Zhong, and style Hansheng. He served Liu Biao as a General of the Household and, together with Liu Biao’s nephew Liu Pan, defended Changsha. Later he entered Han Xuan’s service. Though he is now close to sixty, he possesses valor that ten thousand men could not withstand. You must not underestimate him. If you go, Yunzhang, you must take a larger force.”

Guan Yu replied, “Why does the military adviser exalt another’s prowess while diminishing our own? What is one old soldier worth mentioning? I have no need of three thousand men. With only the five hundred swordsmen of my own command, I shall assuredly cut off the heads of Huang Zhong and Han Xuan and lay them before you.” Xuande earnestly tried to dissuade him, but Guan Yu would not listen. He departed with only five hundred swordsmen. Zhuge Liang said to Xuande, “Yunzhang has underestimated Huang Zhong. I fear he may suffer a reverse. My lord should go to support him.” Xuande agreed and soon afterward led an army toward Changsha.

Now Han Xuan, governor of Changsha, had always been hot-tempered and ready to kill, so everyone detested him. When he learned that Guan Yu’s army had arrived, he summoned the veteran general Huang Zhong to consult with him. Zhong said, “My lord need not worry. With this saber and this bow of mine, if a thousand come, a thousand shall die!” Huang Zhong could draw a bow of two shi and strike the mark with every shot. Before he had finished speaking, a man below the steps came forward and declared, “There is no need for the veteran general to fight. I shall certainly capture this Guan alive with my own hands.” Han Xuan looked and saw that it was Yang Ling, a commandant of the troops. Greatly pleased, Han Xuan ordered Yang Ling to lead one thousand men racing out of the city. After traveling some fifty li, they saw a cloud of dust rising ahead: Guan Yu’s army had already arrived. Yang Ling leveled his spear, rode forward, and stood before the battle line shouting abuse and challenges. Guan Yu, enraged, wasted no words. He galloped forward, brandishing his saber, and charged straight at Yang Ling. Ling met him with leveled spear. Before three bouts had passed, Guan Yu raised his saber and brought it down, cutting Yang Ling from the saddle. He pursued the routed troops all the way to the city walls.

Han Xuan was greatly alarmed when he heard the news and ordered Huang Zhong to take the field. Xuan himself went up onto the walls to watch. Zhong took up his saber, mounted his horse, and led five hundred cavalrymen flying across the drawbridge. Seeing an old general ride out, Guan Yu knew it must be Huang Zhong. He drew up his five hundred swordsmen in a single line, then sat his horse with saber held crosswise and asked, “Can the general before me be Huang Zhong?” Zhong replied, “Since you know my name, how dare you invade my territory?” Guan Yu said, “I have come expressly to take your head!” With that, their horses closed. They fought for more than a hundred bouts without either gaining the advantage. Fearing that Huang Zhong might come to harm, Han Xuan sounded the gong to recall his troops. Huang Zhong withdrew into the city, while Guan Yu also retired and made camp ten li away. To himself he mused, “The veteran Huang Zhong is indeed worthy of his fame. In a hundred bouts he revealed not a single opening. Tomorrow I must use the trailing-saber ruse and cut him down from behind.” The next day, after his morning meal, he returned beneath the city walls and challenged Huang Zhong to battle. Han Xuan sat upon the walls and ordered Huang Zhong to ride out. Zhong led several hundred horsemen charging across the drawbridge and once more engaged Guan Yu. They fought another fifty or sixty bouts without deciding victory or defeat, while both armies shouted their acclaim.

At the height of the drumming, Guan Yu suddenly wheeled his horse and fled. Huang Zhong pursued him. Just as Guan Yu was about to turn and strike with his saber, he heard a crash behind him. Looking back quickly, he saw that Huang Zhong’s warhorse had stumbled, pitching its rider to the ground. Guan Yu instantly turned his horse, raised his saber in both hands, and roared, “For now I spare your life! Quickly change horses and come fight me again!” Huang Zhong hastily pulled up his horse, sprang into the saddle, and raced back into the city. Han Xuan asked him in alarm what had happened. Zhong replied, “That horse had not been used in battle for a long time, and so it stumbled.” Xuan said, “Your arrows never miss. Why did you not shoot him?” Zhong replied, “When we fight again tomorrow, I shall feign defeat, lure him near the drawbridge, and shoot him there.” Han Xuan gave Huang Zhong the dapple-gray horse he himself rode. Zhong bowed his thanks and withdrew, thinking, “How rare is Yunzhang’s righteousness! He could not bear to kill me; how then can I bear to shoot him? Yet if I do not shoot, I fear I shall disobey my military orders.” All that night he hesitated, unable to decide.

At daybreak the next morning, word came that Guan Yu was challenging them to battle. Huang Zhong led his troops out of the city. After two days of failing to defeat Huang Zhong, Guan Yu was extremely impatient. Summoning all his might, he engaged Zhong once more. Before they had fought thirty bouts, Zhong feigned defeat, and Guan Yu pursued him. Remembering the mercy shown him the day before, Zhong could not bring himself to shoot. He secured his saber and made a false draw of his bow, twanging the string. Guan Yu dodged sharply but saw no arrow. He pursued again, and Zhong once more made a false draw. Again Guan Yu dodged, and again there was no arrow. Thinking that Huang Zhong did not know how to shoot, he cast off all caution and continued the chase. As they neared the drawbridge, Huang Zhong nocked an arrow upon the bridge and drew his bow. The string sang and the arrow flew, striking squarely at the base of the plume on Guan Yu’s helmet. The troops ahead raised a mighty shout. Guan Yu was startled and returned to camp with the arrow still lodged there. Only then did he understand that Huang Zhong possessed the skill to pierce a willow leaf from a hundred paces and that, by shooting only his helmet plume, he had repaid the mercy shown him the previous day.

Guan Yu withdrew his troops. Huang Zhong returned to the city and went to see Han Xuan, who at once shouted for his attendants to seize him. Zhong cried, “I am innocent!” Han Xuan raged, “I have watched you for three days, and still you dare deceive me! The day before yesterday you did not fight with all your strength, so you must harbor some private design. Yesterday, when your horse stumbled, he did not kill you; there must be an understanding between you. Today you twice drew your bow without loosing, and with the third arrow you struck only his helmet plume. How can this be anything but collusion with the enemy? If I do not execute you, you will surely become a future menace!” He ordered the executioners to drag Huang Zhong outside the city gate and behead him. The officers were about to plead for him, but Xuan declared, “Whoever begs that Huang Zhong be spared shall be held equally guilty!” Huang Zhong had just been dragged outside the gate, and the executioner was about to raise his blade, when suddenly a general came slashing in, cut down the executioner, rescued Huang Zhong, and cried in a mighty voice, “Huang Hansheng is the bulwark of Changsha! To kill Hansheng is to kill the people of Changsha! Han Xuan is cruel and inhumane; he scorns the worthy and insults men of honor. Let us all put him to death! Whoever will follow me, come now!”

The people looked and saw a man whose face was the color of a dark-red date and whose eyes shone like bright stars. It was Wei Yan of Yiyang. He had pursued Liu Xuande from Xiangyang but failed to catch him, and so had entered Han Xuan’s service. Han Xuan, disliking his arrogance and lack of ceremony, had refused to employ him in any important capacity, leaving him buried in obscurity. That day, after rescuing Huang Zhong, Wei Yan called upon the people to join him in killing Han Xuan. He bared his arm and raised a single cry, and several hundred rallied to him. Huang Zhong tried to restrain them but could not. Wei Yan fought his way straight to the top of the wall, cut Han Xuan in two with a single stroke, took his head, mounted his horse, and led the people out of the city to submit to Guan Yu. Guan Yu was overjoyed. He entered the city and, after pacifying it, invited Huang Zhong to meet him. Zhong pleaded illness and would not come out. Guan Yu immediately sent men to summon Xuande and Zhuge Liang.

Now after Guan Yu had set out to take Changsha, Xuande and Zhuge Liang had followed behind, pressing the troops onward to support him. As they marched, a green banner suddenly curled backward, and a crow flew from north to south, calling three times before it vanished. Xuande asked, “What fortune or calamity does this portend?” There in the saddle, Zhuge Liang cast a divination within his sleeve and replied, “Changsha Commandery has already been won, and a great general has been gained as well. After noon all will certainly become clear.”

Before long, a junior officer came galloping up to report: “General Guan has taken Changsha Commandery and received the submission of the generals Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. He awaits my lord’s arrival there.” Xuande was overjoyed and entered Changsha. Guan Yu received him in the great hall and gave a full account of Huang Zhong’s conduct. Xuande then went in person to Huang Zhong’s home to invite him to serve. Only then did Zhong come forth and submit, asking leave to bury Han Xuan’s remains east of Changsha. A later poet praised Huang Zhong:

The general’s lofty spirit reached the skies;Though white-haired, he languished south of Han.Till death he served content, without complaint;In yielding, still he bowed his head in shame.His treasured saber flashed like snow, proclaiming valor;His iron steed faced the wind, recalling furious battle.Through endless ages his great name shall never fade,But with the lonely moon shine over Xiangtan.

Xuande treated Huang Zhong with the greatest generosity. Guan Yu then brought Wei Yan forward to be presented, but Zhuge Liang shouted for the executioners to drag him out and behead him. Xuande asked in astonishment, “Wei Yan is a man of merit and without offense. Why does the military adviser wish to kill him?” Zhuge Liang replied, “To receive a lord’s stipend and then slay that lord is disloyal; to dwell in his lands and then offer those lands to another is unrighteous. I observe a traitor’s bone at the back of Wei Yan’s head. In time he will certainly rebel. Therefore I would kill him now and tear out the root of future calamity.” Xuande said, “If we kill this man, I fear that every newly surrendered officer will feel himself in danger. I beg the military adviser to pardon him.” Zhuge Liang pointed at Wei Yan and said, “Today I spare your life. You must serve your lord with perfect loyalty and harbor no treacherous designs. Should any treachery arise in your heart, I shall have your head, come what may.” Wei Yan repeatedly murmured assent and withdrew. Huang Zhong recommended Liu Biao’s nephew Liu Pan, who was then living in retirement in You County. Xuande summoned him and placed Changsha Commandery in his charge. With the four commanderies pacified, Xuande led his army back to Jingzhou and renamed the mouth of the You River Gong’an. From that time onward, money and grain were abundant, and worthy men came to join him. His troops and horses were dispersed among the strategic passes.

Now Zhou Yu, after returning to Chaisang to recover from his illness, ordered Gan Ning to defend Baling Commandery and Ling Tong to defend Hanyang Commandery. Warships were stationed at both places to await his commands. Cheng Pu led the remaining officers and soldiers to join Sun Quan at Hefei County. Since the fierce fighting at Red Cliffs, Sun Quan had remained for a long time at Hefei, where he had fought Cao Cao’s troops in more than ten engagements, great and small, without deciding the outcome. Not daring to encamp close beneath the walls, he had stationed his army fifty li from the city. When he heard that Cheng Pu’s forces had arrived, Sun Quan was delighted and personally rode out of camp to welcome and reward them. Then it was reported that Lu Su had arrived ahead of them. Quan dismounted and stood waiting. Su hurriedly rolled out of his saddle and offered his respects. The other generals were greatly astonished to see Quan treat Su with such honor. Quan invited Su to remount, and as they rode side by side, he said to him privately, “Was my dismounting to welcome you enough to bring you distinction?” Su replied, “Not yet.” Quan asked, “Then what must happen before you attain distinction?” Su replied, “I hope that Your Excellency’s might and virtue will extend throughout the four seas, that you will unite the Nine Provinces and successfully found an imperial enterprise, so that Su’s name may be inscribed upon bamboo and silk. Only then shall I have attained distinction.”

Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. Together they entered the command tent, where he held a great banquet to reward the officers and men who had fought so fiercely, and they discussed plans for taking Hefei. Suddenly it was reported that Zhang Liao had sent a man with a letter of challenge. Quan opened the letter, read it, and said furiously, “Zhang Liao insults me beyond endurance! He has heard of Cheng Pu’s arrival and has therefore deliberately sent someone to challenge us. Tomorrow I shall not use the newly arrived troops against him. Watch me fight a great battle!” He issued orders that at the fifth watch that very night, the entire army was to leave camp and advance toward Hefei. Around the hour of the dragon, while the troops were still halfway there, Cao Cao’s army arrived, and both sides formed their battle lines. Sun Quan rode forth in golden helmet and golden armor. Song Qian was on his left and Jia Hua on his right, both wielding painted halberds and guarding him on either side. After three rolls of the drums, the gate banners in Cao Cao’s formation parted, and three generals, fully armed and accoutered, took their places before the line: Zhang Liao in the center, Li Dian on the left, and Yue Jin on the right. Zhang Liao spurred forward alone and challenged Sun Quan by name to single combat. Quan gripped his spear and was about to fight in person when a general charged out through the battle lines with leveled spear. It was Taishi Ci. Zhang Liao swept up his saber to meet him, and the two generals fought for seventy or eighty bouts without either gaining the advantage. In Cao Cao’s formation Li Dian said to Yue Jin, “The man opposite us in the golden helmet is Sun Quan. If we capture him, we shall have amply avenged the army of eight hundred and thirty thousand.”

Before he had finished speaking, Yue Jin, alone on one horse and armed with a single saber, charged obliquely from the flank straight at Sun Quan. Like a streak of lightning he flew before him, raised his saber, and struck. Song Qian and Jia Hua hastily crossed their painted halberds to block the blow, but wherever the saber fell, both halberd heads were severed at once. They could only beat at the head of Yue Jin’s horse with the remaining shafts. Yue Jin wheeled away, while Song Qian snatched a spear from a common soldier and pursued him. Li Dian set an arrow to his bow and shot straight at Song Qian’s heart. At the twang of the string, Song Qian fell from his horse. Seeing that someone behind him had been struck down, Taishi Ci broke off his fight with Zhang Liao and turned back toward his own formation. Zhang Liao seized the advantage and charged in pursuit. The soldiers of Wu fell into confusion and fled in every direction. Zhang Liao caught sight of Sun Quan and galloped after him. Just as he was about to overtake him, another force burst out from the flank, led by the great general Cheng Pu. Cheng Pu fought fiercely for a time and rescued Sun Quan. Zhang Liao then recalled his troops and returned to Hefei.

Cheng Pu escorted Sun Quan back to the main camp, and the defeated soldiers straggled in one after another. At the sight of Song Qian’s loss, Sun Quan began to weep aloud. Zhang Hong, the chief clerk, said, “My lord relies upon the vigor of his youth and treats a formidable enemy too lightly, causing every man in the three armies to lose heart. Even the feats of slaying generals and seizing banners, though they may make one’s might resound across the battlefield, are the duty of a subordinate commander, not conduct befitting my lord. I beg you to restrain the courage of Meng Ben and Xia Yu and cherish instead the designs of a king and hegemon. Moreover, Song Qian died today amid blades and arrows entirely because my lord underestimated the enemy. Henceforth you must take the greatest care of yourself.” Quan replied, “The fault is mine. From this day forward, I shall change my ways.”

A short while later, Taishi Ci entered the tent and said, “There is a man under my command whose surname is Ge and personal name Ding. He is sworn as a brother to the groom in charge of the rear stables under Zhang Liao. That groom was punished and bears a grudge. Tonight he sent word that he will set a fire as a signal and assassinate Zhang Liao, thereby avenging Song Qian. I ask leave to lead troops in support from outside.” Quan asked, “Where is Ge Ding?” Taishi Ci replied, “He has already slipped into the city of Hefei. I request five thousand men.” Zhuge Jin said, “Zhang Liao is full of stratagems. I fear he may be prepared. We must not act rashly.” But Taishi Ci insisted on going. Sun Quan, grieving over Song Qian’s death and eager for revenge, ordered Taishi Ci to take five thousand men and provide support from outside.

Now Ge Ding was a fellow countryman of Taishi Ci. That day he had mingled with the troops and followed them into Hefei, where he sought out the groom in charge of the rear stables. The two conferred together. Ge Ding said, “I have already sent someone to inform General Taishi Ci. He will certainly come tonight to support us. How do you mean to act?” The groom replied, “This place is rather far from the army quarters, and at night we cannot quickly force our way in. We shall simply set fire to the haystacks. You go to the front and cry that there is a revolt. Once the troops in the city are in confusion, we shall take the opportunity to assassinate Zhang Liao, and the rest of his army will flee on its own.” Ge Ding said, “An excellent plan!”

That night Zhang Liao returned victorious to the city, rewarded the entire army for its exertions, and issued orders that no one was to remove his armor to sleep. His attendants said, “Today we won a complete victory and the soldiers of Wu fled far away. Why does the general not remove his armor and rest?” Liao replied, “No. The way of a commander is not to rejoice in victory or grieve over defeat. Suppose the soldiers of Wu judge us unprepared and attack while our guard is down—how would we meet them? Our defenses tonight must be even more vigilant than on any other night.” Before he had finished speaking, fire broke out in the rear camp, and everywhere voices cried, “Rebellion!” Reports came flooding in. Zhang Liao left his tent, mounted his horse, summoned several dozen trusted officers, and took his stand astride the main road. His attendants said, “The shouting is very urgent. We should go and investigate.” Liao replied, “How could an entire city rebel? Those plotting treason are merely raising an alarm to throw the soldiers into confusion. Whoever causes disorder shall be executed first!”

Before long, Li Dian brought Ge Ding and the groom in custody. Zhang Liao questioned them and learned the whole truth, then had them beheaded at once before his horse. Presently they heard gongs and drums beyond the city gate, while tremendous battle cries arose. Zhang Liao said, “These are the soldiers of Wu coming to support the conspirators. We can turn their scheme against them and destroy them.” He ordered a fire lit inside the city gate. Everyone shouted, “Rebellion!” Then they flung the gate wide open and lowered the drawbridge.

When Taishi Ci saw the city gate thrown open, he assumed that an uprising had broken out within. Leveling his spear, he spurred forward and entered first. At the blast of a cannon from the walls, a storm of arrows came down. Taishi Ci hurriedly retreated, but several arrows struck him. Behind him Li Dian and Yue Jin came charging out. More than half the soldiers of Wu were lost, and Cao Cao’s troops pressed their advantage, pursuing them all the way to their camp. Lu Xun and Dong Xi fought their way out, rescued Taishi Ci, and drove Cao Cao’s troops back. When Sun Quan saw that Taishi Ci had been gravely wounded, his grief deepened. Zhang Zhao urged Quan to abandon the campaign. Quan agreed, withdrew his troops to the ships, and returned to Nanxu and Runzhou. By the time the troops and horses were settled in camp, Taishi Ci’s condition had become critical. Quan sent Zhang Zhao and others to inquire after him. Taishi Ci cried aloud, “A true man born into an age of disorder should take up a three-foot sword and establish achievements unmatched in all the world. Now my aspirations remain unfulfilled—how can I die?” With those words, he passed away at the age of forty-one. A later poet praised him:

Resolved to fulfill both loyalty and filial devotion,Such was Taishi Ci of Donglai.His name shone across the distant frontiers;His bow and horse struck awe through mighty hosts.At Beihai he repaid a debt of gratitude;At Shenting he reveled in the fury of battle.At death he spoke his lofty aspirations;Through endless ages all shall grieve for him.

When Sun Quan heard of Taishi Ci’s death, his mourning knew no bounds. He ordered him buried with great honors at the foot of Mount Beigu in Nanxu and took his son, Taishi Xiang, into his own residence to be reared.

Now Xuande was drilling and reorganizing his troops in Jingzhou when he heard that Sun Quan had been defeated at Hefei and had already returned to Nanxu. He consulted Zhuge Liang, who said, “Last night I observed the signs among the stars and saw one fall to earth in the northwest. It must signify the death of a member of the imperial clan.”

Even as he spoke, a sudden report came that Young Master Liu Qi had died of illness. When Xuande heard the news, he wept without cease. Zhuge Liang consoled him, saying, “Life and death are fixed by destiny. My lord must not grieve, lest you injure your noble health. Attend instead to the great affairs before us. You should swiftly send someone there to defend the city and also arrange the funeral.” Xuande asked, “Who can be sent?” Zhuge Liang replied, “None but Yunzhang will do.” Guan Yu was immediately ordered to go and defend Xiangyang. Xuande said, “Now that Liu Qi is dead, Eastern Wu will certainly come to demand Jingzhou. How shall we answer them?” Zhuge Liang replied, “If anyone comes, I shall know what to say.” Half a month later, it was reported that Lu Su and others had come from Eastern Wu to offer condolences. Truly:

First every stratagem was laid and planned;They waited only for Eastern Wu’s envoy to arrive.

How Zhuge Liang answered them will be told in the next chapter.

Guan Yu Righteously Releases Huang Zhong; Sun Quan Battles Zhang Liao

Now Kongming said to Zhang Fei, “When Zilong went to take Guiyang Commandery, he signed a military pledge before setting out. Today, if Yide wants to take Wuling, he too must sign a military pledge before he may lead troops there.” Zhang Fei immediately signed the pledge and gladly led three thousand troops, marching day and night toward the borders of Wuling.

When Jin Xuan heard that Zhang Fei was approaching with an army, he assembled his officers, reviewed his best troops and weapons, and went out of the city to meet the enemy. His aide Gong Zhi remonstrated with him: “Liu Xuande is an imperial uncle of the Great Han, and his benevolence and righteousness are known throughout the realm. Moreover, Zhang Yide is exceptionally fierce and brave. We cannot meet them in battle. It would be best to surrender.” Jin Xuan flew into a rage. “Are you trying to collude with the rebels and betray us from within?” he cried, and ordered the guards to drag Gong Zhi away and behead him. All the officials pleaded, “To execute one of your own men before battle would bring ill fortune to the army.”

Jin Xuan then ordered Gong Zhi dismissed and personally led his troops out. Twenty li from the city, he encountered Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei leveled his spear from horseback and roared a challenge at Jin Xuan. Jin Xuan asked his officers, “Who dares go out and fight him?” They were all afraid, and none dared advance. Jin Xuan himself spurred forward, brandishing his saber to meet him. Zhang Fei gave a tremendous roar, like a thunderclap. Jin Xuan turned pale and, not daring to engage him, wheeled his horse and fled. Zhang Fei led his forces in pursuit, cutting down the fugitives. When Jin Xuan reached the city, a shower of arrows came down from the walls. He looked up in alarm and saw Gong Zhi standing above, calling, “You refused to follow Heaven’s will and have brought defeat and destruction upon yourself. The people and I have surrendered to Liu Bei!”

Before he had finished speaking, an arrow struck Jin Xuan squarely in the face, and he fell from his horse. The soldiers cut off his head and presented it to Zhang Fei, while Gong Zhi came out of the city to surrender. Zhang Fei immediately ordered Gong Zhi to take the official seal and ribbon to Guiyang and present himself to Xuande. Xuande was delighted and appointed Gong Zhi to succeed Jin Xuan in office. Xuande personally went to Wuling and, after restoring order among the people, sent an urgent letter to Guan Yu reporting that Yide and Zilong had each taken a commandery. Guan Yu wrote back with a request: “I hear that Changsha has not yet been taken. If Elder Brother does not consider me incapable, I would be glad if you would let me win this achievement.”

Xuande was overjoyed. He ordered Zhang Fei to travel through the night to relieve Guan Yu in the defense of Jingzhou, and summoned Guan Yu to come and take Changsha. When Guan Yu arrived, he went in to see Xuande and Kongming. Kongming said, “Zilong took Guiyang and Yide took Wuling, each with three thousand troops. Han Xuan, the administrator of Changsha, is certainly of no account, but he has a great general under him. This man is a native of Nanyang. His surname is Huang, his given name is Zhong, and his courtesy name is Hansheng. He served under Liu Biao as a General of the Gentlemen of the Household and guarded Changsha together with Liu Biao’s nephew Liu Pan; afterward, he entered Han Xuan’s service. Though he is nearly sixty this year, he possesses courage that ten thousand men could not withstand. He must not be underestimated. When you go, Yunchang, you must take a larger force.”

Guan Yu said, “Why does the Military Adviser exalt another man’s prowess and diminish our own prestige? He is merely an old soldier—hardly worth mentioning! I have no need of three thousand troops. Five hundred sword-bearing guards from my own command will be enough. I will surely cut off the heads of Huang Zhong and Han Xuan and present them beneath your banner.” Xuande tried earnestly to stop him, but Guan Yu would not listen and departed with only five hundred sword-bearing guards. Kongming said to Xuande, “Yunchang underestimates Huang Zhong. I fear he may suffer a reverse. My lord should go to support him.” Xuande agreed and followed with an army toward Changsha.

Now Han Xuan, the administrator of Changsha, had always been hot-tempered and quick to kill, and everyone hated him. When he heard that Guan Yu’s army had arrived, he summoned the veteran general Huang Zhong to discuss the matter. Huang Zhong said, “My lord need not worry. With this saber and this bow of mine, if a thousand come, a thousand will die!” Huang Zhong could draw a bow requiring two shi of force and could hit his target with every shot. Before he had finished speaking, a man stepped forward from below the dais and declared, “There is no need for the old general to go into battle. I will certainly capture Guan Yu alive with my own hands.” Han Xuan looked and saw that it was Yang Ling, a commandant in charge of the troops. Han Xuan was delighted and ordered Yang Ling to lead one thousand soldiers racing out of the city. After they had gone about fifty li, they saw dust rising in the distance: Guan Yu’s troops had already arrived. Yang Ling leveled his spear, rode forward, and stood before his formation shouting challenges. Guan Yu flew into a rage. Without exchanging another word, he galloped forward, brandishing his saber, and charged straight at Yang Ling. Yang Ling raised his spear to meet him. In fewer than three bouts, Guan Yu’s saber rose and fell, cutting Yang Ling down from his horse. He pursued and slaughtered the defeated troops all the way to the city walls.

When Han Xuan heard this, he was greatly alarmed and immediately ordered Huang Zhong into battle. Han Xuan himself went up onto the city wall to watch. Huang Zhong raised his saber, spurred his horse, and led five hundred cavalrymen racing across the drawbridge. When Guan Yu saw an old general ride out, he knew it was Huang Zhong. He arrayed his five hundred sword-bearing guards in a single line, held his saber crosswise, and asked from horseback, “Is the approaching general Huang Zhong?” Huang Zhong replied, “Since you know my name, how dare you invade my territory?” Guan Yu said, “I have come expressly to take your head!” With that, the two horses met. They fought for more than a hundred bouts without either gaining the advantage. Fearing that Huang Zhong might come to harm, Han Xuan sounded the gong to recall his army. Huang Zhong withdrew into the city. Guan Yu also retired and made camp ten li from the walls, thinking to himself, “The veteran general Huang Zhong lives up to his reputation. After a hundred bouts, he showed no opening at all. Tomorrow I must use the trailing-saber stratagem and cut him down from behind.” The next day, after breakfast, he returned to the city walls and challenged Huang Zhong to battle. Han Xuan sat atop the wall and ordered Huang Zhong to ride out. Huang Zhong led several hundred cavalrymen charging across the drawbridge and again engaged Guan Yu. They fought another fifty or sixty bouts without deciding the victor. Both armies cheered them loudly.

As the drums beat furiously, Guan Yu wheeled his horse and fled. Huang Zhong pursued him. Just as Guan Yu was about to turn and strike with his saber, he suddenly heard a crash behind him. He quickly looked back and saw that Huang Zhong’s warhorse had stumbled on its forelegs and thrown him to the ground. Guan Yu immediately turned his horse, raised his saber with both hands, and shouted fiercely, “For now I will spare your life! Quickly change horses and come fight me again!” Huang Zhong hastily pulled up his horse, vaulted into the saddle, and fled back into the city. Han Xuan asked him in alarm what had happened. Huang Zhong replied, “This horse has not been used in battle for a long time, and that is why it stumbled.” Han Xuan said, “Your arrows strike the target every time. Why did you not shoot him?” Huang Zhong replied, “When we fight again tomorrow, I will pretend to be defeated, lure him to the drawbridge, and shoot him there.” Han Xuan gave Huang Zhong the fine blue horse he himself rode. Huang Zhong bowed his thanks and withdrew, thinking, “How rare it is for Guan Yu to show such righteousness! He could not bear to kill me, so how can I bear to shoot him? Yet if I do not shoot him, I fear I will disobey my military orders.” All that night he hesitated, unable to decide.

At daybreak the next morning, word came that Guan Yu was challenging them to battle. Huang Zhong led his troops out of the city. After failing to defeat Huang Zhong for two days, Guan Yu was extremely impatient. He summoned all his imposing might and engaged him. Before they had fought much more than thirty bouts, Huang Zhong pretended to be defeated, and Guan Yu pursued him. Remembering how Guan Yu had spared his life the day before, Huang Zhong could not bear to shoot him at once. He secured his saber, drew his bow without an arrow, and released the string with a twang. Guan Yu quickly dodged, but saw no arrow. He pursued again, and Huang Zhong once more drew the empty bow. Guan Yu dodged again, but still there was no arrow. Thinking that Huang Zhong did not know how to shoot, he confidently continued the pursuit. As they approached the drawbridge, Huang Zhong fitted an arrow to his bow and drew it while on the bridge. The string twanged and the arrow flew, striking precisely at the base of the plume on Guan Yu’s helmet. The troops ahead raised a mighty shout. Guan Yu was startled and returned to his camp with the arrow still lodged there. Only then did he realize that Huang Zhong possessed the skill to pierce a willow leaf from a hundred paces. By shooting only his helmet plume that day, Huang Zhong had repaid the mercy Guan Yu had shown him the day before.

Guan Yu led his troops away. Huang Zhong returned to the city and presented himself before Han Xuan, who immediately ordered his attendants to seize him. Huang Zhong cried, “I have committed no crime!” Han Xuan flew into a rage. “I have watched you for three days, and still you dare deceive me! The day before yesterday you did not fight with all your strength, so you must have harbored private intentions. Yesterday, when your horse stumbled, he did not kill you, so you must have had secret dealings with him. Today you twice drew an empty bowstring, and with your third shot you struck precisely upon his helmet plume. How can this be anything but collusion with the enemy, both outside and within? If I do not behead you, you will certainly become a future danger!” He ordered the executioners to drag Huang Zhong outside the city gate and behead him. The officers were about to plead for him, but Han Xuan said, “Anyone who asks me to spare Huang Zhong is guilty of the same crime!” They had just dragged him outside the gate and were about to raise the blade when a general suddenly charged in, swinging his saber. He cut down the executioner, rescued Huang Zhong, and shouted, “Huang Hansheng is the bulwark of Changsha! To kill Hansheng is to kill the people of Changsha! Han Xuan is cruel and inhumane; he slights the worthy and treats men of ability with contempt. We must all put him to death! Anyone willing to follow me, come now!”

Everyone looked at the man. His face was the color of a dark-red date, and his eyes were like bright stars. It was Wei Yan, a native of Yiyang. He had tried to catch up with Liu Xuande at Xiangyang but failed, and so had entered Han Xuan’s service. Han Xuan disliked his arrogance and lack of courtesy and refused to give him important duties; consequently, he had languished there in obscurity. That day, after rescuing Huang Zhong, he called upon the people to join him in killing Han Xuan. He bared his arm and raised a single cry, and several hundred people rallied to him. Huang Zhong was unable to hold them back. Wei Yan fought his way straight onto the city wall and cut Han Xuan in two with a single stroke. He took Han Xuan’s head, mounted his horse, and led the people out of the city to bow in submission before Guan Yu. Guan Yu was delighted. He entered the city and, after restoring order among the people, requested that Huang Zhong come to see him. Huang Zhong claimed to be ill and would not come out. Guan Yu immediately sent men to invite Xuande and Kongming.

Now ever since Guan Yu had set out to take Changsha, Xuande and Kongming had been following with their forces to support him. As they marched, a green banner suddenly rolled backward, and a crow flew from north to south, called three times, and disappeared. Xuande asked, “What good or ill fortune does this omen signify?” Kongming immediately performed a divination inside his sleeve while still on horseback and said, “Changsha Commandery has already been taken, and my lord has also gained a great general. After noon, everything will certainly become clear.”

A short while later, a junior officer came galloping up with a report: “General Guan has taken Changsha Commandery and received the surrender of the generals Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. He is waiting there for my lord’s arrival.” Xuande was overjoyed and entered Changsha. Guan Yu welcomed him into the main hall and gave him a full account of Huang Zhong’s conduct. Xuande then went personally to Huang Zhong’s home to invite him. Only then did Huang Zhong come out and surrender, asking permission to bury Han Xuan’s body east of Changsha. A later poet praised Huang Zhong:

The general’s heroic spirit rose as high as heaven;Though white-haired, he remained confined in southern Han.Until his death he would serve gladly, free of bitterness;When forced to yield, he bowed his head, still filled with shame.His treasured saber flashed like snow, proclaiming godlike courage;His iron steed faced the wind, recalling battle’s heat.His lofty name through countless ages shall not fade,But follow the lonely moon that shines on Xiangtan.

Xuande treated Huang Zhong with great generosity. Guan Yu brought Wei Yan in to see him, but Kongming shouted for the executioners to drag Wei Yan out and behead him. Xuande asked Kongming in astonishment, “Wei Yan is a man of merit who has committed no crime. Why does the Military Adviser wish to kill him?” Kongming replied, “To receive a lord’s salary and then kill that lord is disloyal. To dwell in his territory and then offer that territory to another is unrighteous. I observe a traitor’s bone at the back of Wei Yan’s head. In time he will surely rebel, so I would behead him now and eliminate the root of future disaster.” Xuande said, “If we kill this man, I fear everyone who surrenders to us will feel endangered. I ask the Military Adviser to pardon him.” Kongming pointed at Wei Yan and said, “Today I spare your life. You must serve your lord with complete loyalty and harbor no disloyal thoughts. If you ever do conceive such thoughts, one way or another I will take your head.” Wei Yan repeatedly murmured his assent and withdrew. Huang Zhong recommended Liu Biao’s nephew Liu Pan, who was then living in retirement in You County. Xuande recalled him and placed him in charge of Changsha Commandery. With the four commanderies pacified, Xuande led his army back to Jingzhou and renamed the mouth of the You River “Gong’an.” From then on, his money and grain grew abundant, worthy men came to join him, and his troops and horses were dispersed among the strategic passes.

Now Zhou Yu had returned to Chaisang to recover from his illness. He ordered Gan Ning to guard Baling Commandery and Ling Tong to guard Hanyang Commandery. Warships were stationed at both places, ready for deployment. Cheng Pu led the remaining officers and troops toward Hefei County to join Sun Quan. Ever since the fierce battle at Red Cliffs, Sun Quan had remained near Hefei, exchanging attacks with Cao Cao’s troops. They had fought more than ten battles, great and small, without deciding the outcome. Sun Quan did not dare camp too close to the city and had stationed his army fifty li away. When he heard that Cheng Pu’s forces had arrived, he was delighted and personally came out of camp to welcome and reward them. Then word came that Lu Zijing had arrived first. Sun Quan dismounted and stood waiting for him. Lu Su hurriedly rolled out of his saddle, dismounted, and saluted. When the generals saw Sun Quan treat Lu Su this way, they were all greatly astonished. Sun Quan asked Lu Su to mount, and the two rode side by side. Sun Quan privately asked him, “Was my dismounting to welcome you enough to bring you distinction?” Lu Su replied, “Not yet.” Sun Quan asked, “Then what would bring you distinction?” Lu Su replied, “I hope Your Lordship will extend your might and virtue across the four seas, unite all nine provinces, and successfully establish an imperial enterprise, so that my name may be recorded on bamboo and silk. Only then will I have attained distinction.”

Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. They entered the command tent together, where he laid out a great banquet to reward the officers and soldiers who had fought so fiercely, and they discussed a plan for defeating Hefei. Suddenly, a report came that Zhang Liao had sent a man with a letter of challenge. Sun Quan opened and read the letter, then flew into a rage. “Zhang Liao has gone too far in insulting me! He heard that Cheng Pu’s army had arrived, and that is why he deliberately sent someone to challenge us! Tomorrow I will not use the newly arrived troops against him. Watch me fight a great battle!” He issued orders that at the fifth watch that night, all three armies were to leave camp and advance toward Hefei. Around the hour of the dragon, while the army was still halfway there, Cao Cao’s troops arrived, and both sides drew up their formations. Sun Quan rode out in a golden helmet and golden armor. Song Qian was on his left and Jia Hua on his right, each armed with a painted halberd and guarding him from either side. After three rolls of the drums, the gate banners in Cao Cao’s formation parted, and three generals in full armor took their places at the front: Zhang Liao in the center, Li Dian on the left, and Yue Jin on the right. Zhang Liao galloped forward and challenged Sun Quan personally to a decisive duel. Sun Quan grasped his spear and was about to fight when a general from within his formation leveled his own spear and galloped out ahead of him. It was Taishi Ci. Zhang Liao swung his saber and rode to meet him. The two generals fought seventy or eighty bouts without either gaining the advantage. In Cao Cao’s formation, Li Dian said to Yue Jin, “The man across from us in the golden helmet is Sun Quan. If we capture him, we can avenge the army of eight hundred and thirty thousand.”

Before he had finished speaking, Yue Jin, alone on one horse with a single saber, charged diagonally straight at Sun Quan. Like a flash of lightning, he flew before him and brought his saber down. Song Qian and Jia Hua hastily raised their painted halberds to block the blow, but the saber cut through both halberds at once. They could only strike at Yue Jin’s horse’s head with the broken shafts. Yue Jin wheeled his horse away, and Song Qian snatched a spear from a soldier’s hands and pursued him. Li Dian fitted an arrow to his bow and shot Song Qian in the heart. Song Qian fell from his horse as soon as the bowstring sounded. Seeing that someone had fallen from his horse behind him, Taishi Ci abandoned his fight with Zhang Liao and turned back toward his own formation. Zhang Liao seized the opportunity to charge after him. The Wu army fell into chaos and scattered in every direction. Zhang Liao spotted Sun Quan and spurred his horse in pursuit. Just as he was about to catch him, a force charged in from the side. The leading general was Cheng Pu. He fought a fierce engagement and rescued Sun Quan. Zhang Liao then withdrew his army and returned to Hefei.

Cheng Pu escorted Sun Quan back to the main camp, and the defeated soldiers gradually returned. When Sun Quan saw that Song Qian had been lost, he burst into loud sobs. Chief Clerk Zhang Hong said, “My lord relies upon the vigor of youth and treats a powerful enemy lightly. At this, there is not a man in all three armies whose heart does not turn cold. Even cutting down enemy generals, seizing their banners, and spreading one’s might across the battlefield are duties for a subordinate general, not tasks suitable for my lord. I hope you will restrain the courage of Meng Ben and Xia Yu and keep in mind the designs of a king and hegemon. Song Qian died under blade and arrow today entirely because my lord underestimated the enemy. From now on, you must take the greatest care of yourself.” Sun Quan said, “The fault was mine. From now on, I will change my ways.”

A short while later, Taishi Ci entered the tent and said, “One of my men is named Ge Ding. He and the groom who tends the horses under Zhang Liao are brothers. The groom resents being punished, and tonight he sent a man with a message. He will set a fire as a signal, assassinate Zhang Liao, and avenge Song Qian. I request permission to lead troops to support him from outside.” Sun Quan asked, “Where is Ge Ding?” Taishi Ci replied, “He has already slipped into the city of Hefei. I ask for five thousand troops.” Zhuge Jin said, “Zhang Liao is full of schemes. I fear he has made preparations. We must not act rashly.” Taishi Ci stubbornly insisted on going. Because Sun Quan was grieving over Song Qian’s death and urgently desired revenge, he ordered Taishi Ci to lead five thousand troops to provide support from outside.

Now Ge Ding was from the same hometown as Taishi Ci. That day he had mingled with the troops and followed them into the city of Hefei, where he found the groom. The two discussed their plan. Ge Ding said, “I have already sent someone to report to General Taishi Ci. He will certainly come to support us tonight. How will you act?” The groom replied, “This place is rather far from the army, and at night we cannot quickly make our way in. We will simply set fire to a haystack. You go to the front and shout that there is a rebellion. Once the troops in the city are thrown into confusion, we will assassinate Zhang Liao from within, and the rest of the army will flee on its own.” Ge Ding said, “An excellent plan!”

That night, Zhang Liao returned victorious to the city, rewarded the three armies, and issued orders that no one was to remove his armor before sleeping. His attendants said, “We won a complete victory today, and the Wu troops have fled far away. Why does the general not remove his armor and rest?” Zhang Liao said, “No. The proper way for a commander is not to rejoice in victory or grieve over defeat. Suppose the Wu troops judge us unprepared and attack when we are vulnerable—how would we respond? Our precautions tonight must be even more vigilant than on any other night.” Before he had finished speaking, a fire broke out in the rear camp, and cries of “Rebellion!” rose everywhere. Messengers came pouring in with reports. Zhang Liao left his tent, mounted his horse, summoned several dozen officers from his personal retinue, and took his stand in the main road. His attendants said, “The shouting is urgent. We should go and investigate.” Zhang Liao replied, “How could an entire city rebel? The conspirators are merely trying to frighten and confuse the soldiers. Anyone who creates disorder will be beheaded first!”

Before long, Li Dian brought in Ge Ding and the groom as prisoners. Zhang Liao questioned them and learned the full circumstances. He had them beheaded before his horse on the spot. Then the sound of gongs and drums came from outside the city gates, accompanied by thunderous shouting. Zhang Liao said, “These are Wu troops coming to support the conspirators from outside. We can turn their own scheme against them and defeat them.” He ordered a fire to be set inside the city gate. Everyone shouted, “Rebellion!” The city gates were thrown wide open, and the drawbridge was lowered.

When Taishi Ci saw the city gates standing wide open, he assumed there had been an uprising within. Leveling his spear, he spurred his horse and charged in first. A cannon sounded from the city wall, and a shower of arrows came down. Taishi Ci hastily retreated, but several arrows struck him. Li Dian and Yue Jin charged out behind him. More than half of the Wu troops were lost, and Cao Cao’s forces pressed their advantage, pursuing them all the way to the camp. Lu Xun and Dong Xi charged out, rescued Taishi Ci, and forced Cao Cao’s troops to withdraw. When Sun Quan saw Taishi Ci grievously wounded, his sorrow deepened. Zhang Zhao urged Sun Quan to end the campaign. Sun Quan agreed, withdrew his troops to the ships, and returned to Nanxu and Runzhou. By the time his troops and horses had settled into camp, Taishi Ci’s condition had become critical. Sun Quan sent Zhang Zhao and others to inquire after him. Taishi Ci cried out, “A true man born in an age of chaos should carry a three-foot sword and accomplish deeds unparalleled in the world. Now my ambition remains unfulfilled—how can I die?” When he had finished speaking, he passed away at the age of forty-one. A later poet praised him:

Resolved to fulfill both loyalty and filial devotion—Taishi Ci, the hero from Donglai.His name was renowned beyond the distant frontiers;His bow and horsemanship shook mighty armies.At Beihai, he repaid a debt of gratitude;At Shenting, he reveled in the heat of battle.At death he spoke his soaring aspiration;Through all the ages, men lament his fate.

When Sun Quan heard of Taishi Ci’s death, he mourned him without end. He ordered that Taishi Ci be buried with great honor at the foot of Mount Beigu in Nanxu, and he brought Taishi Ci’s son, Taishi Xiang, into his household to be raised.

Now Xuande was reorganizing his troops and horses in Jingzhou when he heard that Sun Quan had been defeated at Hefei and had returned to Nanxu. He discussed the matter with Kongming. Kongming said, “Last night, I observed the stars and saw one fall to earth in the northwest. This must signify the death of a member of the imperial clan.”

While he was still speaking, a sudden report arrived that the young lord Liu Qi had died of illness. When Xuande heard this, he wept without end. Kongming consoled him, saying, “Life and death are fixed by fate. My lord must not grieve so deeply that you harm your honored health. You must attend to the greater matter. Send someone there at once to guard the city and arrange the funeral.” Xuande asked, “Who can go?” Kongming replied, “No one but Yunchang will do.” He immediately ordered Guan Yu to go to Xiangyang and defend it. Xuande said, “Now that Liu Qi is dead, Eastern Wu will certainly come to demand Jingzhou. How are we to answer them?” Kongming said, “If anyone comes, I will know what to say in reply.” Half a month later, word came that Lu Su and others from Eastern Wu had arrived to offer condolences. Truly:

The strategy had first been carefully arranged;They only waited for Eastern Wu’s envoy to arrive.

What answer Kongming gave will be revealed in the next chapter.