Chapter 61

Zhao Yun Rescues A-Dou on the River; Sun Quan’s Letter Forces Cao Cao to Retreat

Now Pang Tong and Fa Zheng urged Xuande to kill Liu Zhang there at the banquet, saying that Western Sichuan would then be his for the taking. Xuande said, “I have only just entered Shu, and have not yet established either benevolence or good faith. This absolutely must not be done.” The two pressed him again and again, but Xuande steadfastly refused. The next day, he again feasted with Liu Zhang in the city. They spoke intimately of all that lay in their hearts, and their affection grew exceedingly close. When the wine had brought them to half-drunkenness, Pang Tong and Fa Zheng conferred together, saying, “Matters have come to this; our lord can no longer have his own way.” They instructed Wei Yan to ascend the hall and perform a sword dance, then seize the opportunity to kill Liu Zhang. Wei Yan accordingly drew his sword and stepped forward, saying, “There is nothing here to enliven the banquet. Allow me to perform a sword dance for your amusement.” Pang Tong at once summoned the warriors to enter and array themselves below the hall, waiting only for Wei Yan to strike. Liu Zhang’s generals saw Wei Yan dancing with his sword before the banquet, and also saw the warriors beneath the steps gripping their sword hilts and staring fixedly into the hall. Zhang Ren, an aide in Liu Zhang’s service, likewise drew his sword and began to dance, saying, “A sword dance must have a partner. I am willing to dance with General Wei.”

The two danced opposite each other before the banquet. Wei Yan glanced at Liu Feng, who also drew his sword and joined the dance. At this, Liu Gui, Leng Bao, and Deng Xian each drew his sword and came forward, saying, “We should all dance together to add to the merriment.” Xuande was greatly alarmed. He hastily drew the sword worn by one of his attendants, stood up at the banquet, and cried, “We brothers have met to drink our fill, with neither doubt nor suspicion between us. This is no Banquet at Hong Gate! What need is there for sword dancing? Whoever does not cast down his sword shall be beheaded at once!” Liu Zhang also rebuked them, saying, “When brothers gather together, what need is there for weapons?” He ordered all the attendants to remove their swords. Amid general confusion, everyone descended from the hall. Xuande summoned the officers and soldiers back onto the terrace, gave them wine, and said, “We brothers are of the same clan, flesh and blood, and have come together to discuss great affairs. There is no disloyalty between us. You must harbor no suspicions.” The generals all bowed and thanked him. Liu Zhang took Xuande by the hand and wept, saying, “I swear that I shall never forget my elder brother’s kindness!” The two drank merrily until evening and then parted. On returning to his camp, Xuande reproached Pang Tong: “How could you gentlemen seek to entrap me in an unrighteous deed? Never do such a thing again.” Pang Tong sighed and withdrew.

Now when Liu Zhang returned to his camp, Liu Gui and the others said, “Did our lord see what happened at today’s banquet? It would be better to return home early and avoid future calamity.” Liu Zhang said, “My elder brother Liu Xuande is not like other men.” The generals said, “Even if Xuande himself has no such intention, all his subordinates desire to annex Western Sichuan in pursuit of wealth and rank.” Liu Zhang said, “Do not sow discord between us brothers.” He refused to listen and continued to spend each day in pleasant conversation with Xuande.

Suddenly a report came that Zhang Lu had marshaled his troops and was about to attack Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang accordingly asked Xuande to go and resist him. Xuande readily accepted and that very day led his own troops toward Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang’s generals urged him to order his senior commanders to guard all the strategic passes closely, lest Xuande’s troops revolt. At first Liu Zhang would not listen, but after their persistent entreaties, he ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei, the commanders at Baishui, to defend Fushui Pass. Liu Zhang himself returned to Chengdu. Upon reaching Jiameng Pass, Xuande placed his soldiers under strict discipline and bestowed favors far and wide in order to win the hearts of the people.

Spies had already carried word of these events to Eastern Wu. The Marquis of Wu, Sun Quan, assembled his civil and military officers for counsel. Gu Yong stepped forward and said, “Liu Bei has divided his forces and gone far away across rugged mountain country; he cannot easily return. Why not send an army first to block the entrance to Sichuan and cut off his road back, then raise the full strength of Eastern Wu and take Jingzhou and Xiangyang at one stroke? This is an opportunity that must not be lost.” Sun Quan said, “An excellent plan!”

While they were still deliberating, someone suddenly strode out from behind a screen and shouted, “The man who proposed this scheme deserves to be beheaded! Do you mean to endanger my daughter’s life?” Everyone looked around in alarm and saw that it was Lady Wu, the Dowager. She said angrily, “In all my life I have had but one daughter, and she is married to Liu Bei. If we now resort to arms, what will become of her life?” Then she rebuked Sun Quan: “You have inherited the achievements of your father and elder brother and sit as lord over eighty-one districts, yet still you are not content. You grasp at petty advantage without a thought for your own flesh and blood!” Sun Quan repeatedly murmured his assent and replied, “How would I dare disobey my honored mother’s instruction?” He then dismissed all the officials with a rebuke. Lady Wu went back inside, still indignant. Standing beneath the veranda, Sun Quan thought to himself, “If this opportunity is lost, when shall I ever obtain Jingzhou and Xiangyang?”

While he stood pondering, Zhang Zhao entered and asked, “What doubt or anxiety troubles my lord?” Sun Quan said, “I was thinking about what just occurred.” Zhang Zhao said, “That is easily managed. Send one trusted officer with only five hundred men to slip secretly into Jingzhou and deliver a confidential letter to the Lady. Say only that Lady Wu is gravely ill and wishes to see her own daughter, and have the Lady return to Eastern Wu that very night. Xuande has had only one son in his whole life, so instruct her to bring the child as well. Xuande will then surely exchange Jingzhou for Adou. If he does not, we may resort to arms as we please; what obstacle will remain?” Sun Quan said, “An excellent plan! I have just the man: his surname is Zhou, his given name Shan, and he possesses extraordinary courage. From childhood he has been adept at slipping through houses and into private chambers, and he often attended my elder brother. He may be sent.” Zhang Zhao said, “Above all, do not let the matter leak out. Order him to depart at once.”

Sun Quan therefore secretly dispatched Zhou Shan with five hundred men, disguised as merchants and divided among five vessels. He also had a state letter forged for use in case they were questioned, while weapons were concealed inside the boats. Having received his orders, Zhou Shan traveled by water toward Jingzhou. The boats moored beside the river, and Zhou Shan entered Jingzhou alone, instructing the gatekeeper to report his arrival to Lady Sun. She ordered Zhou Shan admitted, and he presented the confidential letter. When she read that Lady Wu was gravely ill, she burst into tears and anxiously questioned him. Zhou Shan bowed and reported, “Lady Wu is desperately ill and thinks of nothing, day and night, but you, my lady. If you delay in going, I fear you may not see her alive. She also asks that you bring Adou so she may see him once.” The Lady said, “The Imperial Uncle has led his army far away. If I wish to return now, I must first send someone to inform the Military Adviser before I can depart.” Zhou Shan said, “But what if the Military Adviser replies, ‘We must inform the Imperial Uncle and await his answer before you may board a vessel’? What then?” The Lady said, “If I leave without taking my farewell, I fear I may be stopped.” Zhou Shan said, “The boats have already been made ready on the great river. I beg you, my lady, to enter your carriage and leave the city this very moment.” How could Lady Sun remain calm when she heard that her mother was at the point of death? She placed the seven-year-old Adou in her carriage, took with her more than thirty attendants, each armed with sword or saber and mounted on horseback, and left the city of Jingzhou for the riverbank, where she boarded one of the boats. By the time the people of her residence sought to report what had happened, Lady Sun had already reached Shatou and gone aboard.

Zhou Shan was just about to order the boats away when someone on the bank shouted, “Do not cast off yet! Allow me to give the Lady a parting cup!” They looked and saw that it was Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun had just returned from patrol when he heard the news. Greatly startled, he took only four or five riders and raced like a whirlwind along the riverbank. Zhou Shan brandished a long halberd and shouted, “Who are you, to dare obstruct your lord’s lady?” He ordered the soldiers to cast off all at once. They brought out their weapons and arrayed themselves on the boats. With a fair wind and a swift current, all the vessels sped downstream. Zhao Yun galloped along the bank, shouting, “The Lady may go wherever she pleases! I ask only to report one matter to her.”

Zhou Shan paid no heed and only urged the boats to greater speed. Zhao Yun pursued them along the river for more than ten li, until he suddenly saw a fishing boat moored at an angle on the riverbank. Abandoning his horse and gripping his spear, Zhao Yun leaped aboard. With only two men to handle the boat, he came downstream in pursuit of the great vessel carrying the Lady. Zhou Shan ordered his soldiers to shoot. Zhao Yun swept the arrows aside with his spear, and they fell one after another into the water. When his little boat was still more than a zhang from the great vessel, the soldiers of Wu thrust wildly at him with their spears. Zhao Yun cast his own spear down in the fishing boat, drew the Blue Steel Sword from his side, beat aside the stabbing spears, and sprang bodily toward the Wu vessel. In an instant he had gained the deck of the great boat. All the soldiers of Wu recoiled in terror.

Zhao Yun entered the cabin and saw the Lady holding Adou in her arms. She shouted at him, “Why do you behave with such insolence?” Zhao Yun sheathed his sword, saluted, and said, “Where does my lord’s lady intend to go? Why did you not have the Military Adviser informed?” The Lady said, “My mother is critically ill; there was no time to notify him.” Zhao Yun said, “If my lord’s lady is going to visit the sick, why does she take the young lord with her?” The Lady said, “Adou is my son. If I left him in Jingzhou, there would be no one to care for him.” Zhao Yun said, “My lord’s lady is mistaken. In all his life, my lord has had only this one child of his own flesh and blood. I, his humble general, rescued him from amid a million soldiers at the Long Slope of Dangyang. Yet today you would carry him away. What reason is there in that?” The Lady angrily replied, “You are no more than a common warrior in my husband’s service. How dare you meddle in my family affairs?” Zhao Yun said, “If the Lady wishes to go, then go; only leave the young lord behind.” The Lady cried, “You have broken into my boat midway on my journey. You must be plotting treason!” Zhao Yun said, “Unless you leave the young lord behind, though I die ten thousand deaths, I dare not let you go.”

The Lady ordered her maids to seize Zhao Yun. He thrust them down, snatched Adou from her arms, and carried him out to the bow. He wished to bring the boat to shore but had no one to assist him; he wished to use force, but feared that doing so would violate propriety. Thus he could neither advance nor retreat. The Lady commanded her maids to take Adou back, but Zhao Yun held the child securely in one arm and wielded his sword with the other, so that none dared approach. At the stern, Zhou Shan clung to the rudder and thought only of sending the boat downstream. With the wind behind them and the current swift, they sped toward midstream. One hand alone cannot make a clapping sound: Zhao Yun could do no more than protect Adou, and had no means of bringing the vessel to shore.

At this critical moment, more than ten boats suddenly emerged in a line from a harbor downstream, their crews waving banners and beating drums. Zhao Yun thought, “This time I have fallen into a stratagem of Eastern Wu!” Then he saw a great general standing on the leading vessel, a long spear in his hand, shouting in a mighty voice, “Sister-in-law, leave my nephew behind!” It was Zhang Fei. While out on patrol he had heard the news and hurried to the mouth of the Youjiang River, where he met the Wu vessels head-on and hastily moved to intercept them.

Zhang Fei at once drew his sword and leaped aboard the Wu vessel. When Zhou Shan saw him come aboard, he raised his saber and went to meet him. With a single stroke of his sword, Zhang Fei cut him down, then took his head and flung it before Lady Sun. Greatly alarmed, she said, “Why are you so discourteous, brother-in-law?” Zhang Fei replied, “Sister-in-law, you show no regard for my elder brother and secretly return to your own home. That is discourtesy!” The Lady said, “My mother is gravely ill and in dire peril. If I wait for your brother to return, my affairs will surely be delayed. If you do not let me go home, I would rather throw myself into the river and die!”

Zhang Fei conferred with Zhao Yun: “If we drive the Lady to her death, we shall fail in the duty of subjects. Let us simply protect Adou and take him to our own boat.” He then said to the Lady, “My elder brother is an Imperial Uncle of the Great Han; he has brought no dishonor upon you, sister-in-law. We part today, but if you remember my brother’s kindness and devotion, return soon.” Having said this, he took Adou in his arms and went back with Zhao Yun to their own vessel, allowing Lady Sun’s five boats to depart. A later poet praised Zilong:In former years at Dangyang he saved his lord;Today he flew aboard a boat upon the Great River.The soldiers of Wu all quailed in terror on the deck;Zilong’s heroic valor stands unmatched beneath Heaven!Another poem praised Yide:Beside the Long Slope Bridge his fury towered high;One tiger’s roar drove back Cao Cao’s troops.Today upon the river he preserved his lord in peril;The annals shall transmit his name through ages without end.

The two returned joyfully in their boat. Before they had traveled more than a few li, Kongming came to meet them with a great fleet of vessels. When he saw that Adou had been recovered, he rejoiced greatly. The three then rode back side by side. Kongming immediately sent a written report to Jiameng Pass to inform Xuande.

Now Lady Sun returned to Wu and gave a full account of how Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun had killed Zhou Shan, barred the river, and seized Adou. Sun Quan was furious. “Now that my sister has returned, she has no further ties of affection with Liu Bei. How can I fail to avenge Zhou Shan’s death?” He summoned his civil and military officers to discuss raising an army to take Jingzhou. While they were still considering the deployment of the troops, a sudden report came that Cao Cao was advancing with an army of four hundred thousand to avenge the defeat at Red Cliffs. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. For the moment he set aside the matter of Jingzhou and took counsel on how to resist Cao Cao. Then someone reported that Chief Clerk Zhang Hong, who had pleaded illness and returned home, had now died, and that a final memorial from him had been presented. Sun Quan opened and read it. In the letter, Zhang Hong urged him to move his capital to Moling, saying that its mountains and rivers possessed the aura of an imperial seat and that he should move there without delay to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations.

After reading the letter, Sun Quan wept and said to his officers, “Zhang Zigang urged me to move my seat to Moling. How could I fail to follow his counsel?” He immediately ordered his government moved to Jianye and had Stone City built. Lü Meng stepped forward and said, “As Cao Cao’s army is approaching, we should build a fortified dock at the mouth of the Ruxu River to resist him.” The generals all said, “When we go ashore to attack the enemy, we board our vessels barefoot. What need have we to build a fortress?” Lü Meng said, “Armies may have the advantage or be at a disadvantage; no battle is certain of victory. If we suddenly encounter the enemy and his infantry and cavalry press us closely, our men will not even have time to reach the water, much less board the boats.” Sun Quan said, “‘He who takes no thought for the distant future will soon have troubles close at hand.’ Ziming’s foresight reaches far.” He therefore assigned tens of thousands of soldiers to build the fortified dock at Ruxu. They labored together day and night and completed it by the appointed date.

Now Cao Cao’s power to grant favor and inflict punishment increased daily in the capital of Xu. Chief Clerk Dong Zhao came forward and said, “From ancient times to the present, no subject has ever rendered service equal to that of the Prime Minister. Not even the Duke of Zhou or Lü Wang can compare with him. For more than thirty years he has combed his hair in the wind and bathed in the rain, sweeping away every villain, delivering the common people from harm, and preserving the imperial house of Han. How can he be ranked with the ordinary ministers and officers of state? He should receive the rank of Duke of Wei and be granted the Nine Bestowments, to make manifest his merit and virtue.” And what were those Nine Bestowments?:First, chariots and horses;:Second, robes of state;:Third, musical instruments;:Fourth, vermilion gates;:Fifth, an inner stairway;:Sixth, imperial guards;:Seventh, the ax of authority;:Eighth, bows and arrows;:Ninth, black millet wine with a jade libation cup;Palace Attendant Xun Yu said, “This must not be done. The Prime Minister originally raised a righteous army to uphold and restore the house of Han. He should preserve a loyal and steadfast purpose and maintain the virtue of modest withdrawal. A gentleman cherishes another through virtue; such a thing is improper.” When Cao Cao heard this, his face changed violently. Dong Zhao said, “How can one man be allowed to thwart the hopes of all?” He accordingly submitted a memorial requesting that Cao Cao be elevated as Duke of Wei and granted the Nine Bestowments. Xun Yu sighed and said, “I never thought I would live to see this day!”

When Cao Cao heard of this, he bitterly resented Xun Yu, believing that he would not support him. In the tenth month of winter, in the seventeenth year of Jian’an, Cao Cao raised an army and marched south of the Yangtze, ordering Xun Yu to accompany him. Xun Yu already knew that Cao Cao intended to kill him, so he pleaded illness and remained at Shouchun. Suddenly a messenger from Cao Cao arrived with a box said to contain food. On its lid was a seal in Cao Cao’s own hand. Xun Yu opened the box and looked inside, but it contained nothing at all. Understanding Cao Cao’s meaning, he took poison and died. He was fifty years old. A later poet lamented:Wenruo’s brilliant gifts were famed throughout the realm;Alas, he stumbled through the gates of power.Later men may idly liken him to the Marquis of Liu,But dying, he had no face to meet the sovereign of Han.

His son, Xun Yun, sent a letter of mourning to inform Cao Cao. Cao Cao deeply regretted what had happened and ordered Xun Yu buried with great honors, conferring on him the posthumous title Marquis Jing.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao’s great army reached Ruxu. He first sent Cao Hong with thirty thousand armored cavalrymen to reconnoiter as far as the riverbank. Cao Hong returned and reported, “Looking from afar along the whole stretch of the river, I saw countless flags and banners, but could not tell where the troops were concentrated.” Cao Cao remained uneasy and led his army forward in person, drawing up his battle lines at the mouth of the Ruxu River. With more than a hundred men, Cao Cao ascended a hillside and looked into the distance at the warships, which were divided into squadrons and arrayed in perfect order. Their banners were of five colors, and their weapons shone brightly. On a great vessel in the center, beneath a green silk canopy, sat Sun Quan. Civil and military officers stood in attendance on either side. Pointing with his whip, Cao Cao said, “If a man has a son, he should be like Sun Zhongmou! Liu Jingsheng’s sons were mere pigs and dogs!”

Suddenly, at a great signal, all the southern ships darted forward together. Another force sallied out of the fortified dock at Ruxu and threw Cao Cao’s troops into disorder. Cao Cao’s soldiers and horsemen turned and fled, and no shouted orders could halt them. Suddenly a thousand cavalrymen came galloping toward the foot of the hill. The leader was a man with blue eyes and a purple beard. Everyone recognized him as Sun Quan. Sun Quan himself was leading a troop of cavalry to attack Cao Cao. Greatly alarmed, Cao Cao hastily turned his horse. The Eastern Wu generals Han Dang and Zhou Tai charged straight at him on horseback. From behind Cao Cao, Xu Chu spurred forward, whirling his saber, and held off the two generals, allowing Cao Cao to escape back to camp. Xu Chu fought the pair for thirty bouts before returning. Once back in camp, Cao Cao richly rewarded Xu Chu, then berated his generals: “You retreated before engaging the enemy and blunted the edge of my army’s spirit! If this happens again, every one of you will be beheaded!”

That night, during the third watch, a tremendous roar of battle suddenly arose outside the camp. Cao Cao hastily mounted his horse and saw fires springing up on every side: the troops of Wu had broken into the main camp. The fighting continued until daybreak, when Cao Cao’s army retreated more than fifty li before pitching camp. Cao Cao was deeply troubled and idly read a treatise on war. Cheng Yu said, “Since the Prime Minister understands the art of war, how can he not know that ‘in war, speed is precious’? After raising your army, Prime Minister, you delayed for many days, thereby allowing Sun Quan to make his preparations. He has built a fortified dock enclosing both sides of the Ruxu River mouth, and it will be difficult to attack. It would be better to withdraw the army to the capital of Xu for now and devise some other sound plan.”

Cao Cao made no reply, and Cheng Yu withdrew. Cao Cao laid his head upon his desk and fell asleep. Suddenly he heard the tide surging and roaring like ten thousand horses racing abreast. He hastily looked and saw a round red sun rise from the midst of the Great River, its radiance dazzling his eyes. Looking up into the heavens, he saw two more suns shining opposite each other. Suddenly the red sun in the middle of the river flew straight upward and fell among the hills before his camp with a thunderous crash. Cao Cao awoke with a start and realized that he had been dreaming in his tent. The guards outside reported that it was noon. Cao Cao ordered his horse made ready and rode directly out of the camp with more than fifty horsemen. He reached the hillside where, in his dream, he had seen the sun fall. While he was looking around, he suddenly saw a company of horsemen. At their head rode a man in a golden helmet and golden armor. Cao Cao looked closely and saw that it was Sun Quan.

When Sun Quan saw Cao Cao approach, he showed no alarm, but reined in his horse upon the hill and pointed his whip at Cao Cao, saying, “The Prime Minister holds the Central Plain, and his wealth and honor have reached their height. Why, then, is your greed still unsatisfied, that you come again to invade my lands south of the Yangtze?” Cao Cao replied, “You are a subject, yet you show no respect for the imperial house. I have come by command of the Son of Heaven expressly to chastise you!” Sun Quan laughed and said, “Are you not ashamed to speak such words? Does anyone under Heaven not know that you hold the Son of Heaven hostage to command the feudal lords? It is not that I fail to honor the Han; rather, I mean to punish you and thereby set the state in order!”

Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered his generals up the hill to seize Sun Quan. Suddenly a drum sounded, and two strong bodies of troops emerged from behind the hill. On the right were Han Dang and Zhou Tai; on the left, Chen Wu and Pan Zhang. The four generals led three thousand crossbowmen and archers in a wild volley, and arrows fell like rain. Cao Cao hastily led his generals in retreat, with the four enemy commanders pursuing close behind. Halfway back, Xu Chu arrived with the Tiger Guard, held off the attackers, and rescued Cao Cao. The troops of Wu sang songs of victory together and returned to Ruxu.

Back in camp, Cao Cao reflected, “Sun Quan is no ordinary man. The omen of the red sun means that in years to come he will surely become an emperor.” His thoughts therefore turned toward withdrawing the army. Yet he feared the ridicule of Eastern Wu and remained undecided whether to advance or retreat. The two sides faced each other for more than another month and fought several battles, with victory and defeat alternating between them. At last, in the first month of the following year, unbroken spring rains filled every stream and inlet. Most of the soldiers stood amid mud and water, suffering extraordinary hardship. Cao Cao was deeply worried. One day, while in his camp, he discussed the situation with his advisers. Some urged him to withdraw the army; others said that the spring weather was now warm and favorable for maintaining the standoff, and that he must not retreat. Cao Cao still hesitated, unable to decide. Suddenly it was reported that an envoy from Eastern Wu had arrived with a letter. Cao Cao opened and read it. In substance, it said: “I and the Prime Minister are both ministers of the Han court. Yet the Prime Minister, instead of thinking how to repay the state and bring peace to the people, recklessly resorts to arms and cruelly destroys living creatures. Is this the conduct of a benevolent man? The spring waters are now beginning to rise, and you should depart without delay. If you do not, another disaster like Red Cliffs will befall you. You would do well to consider this for yourself.”

On the back of the letter two more lines had been added: “So long as you live, I can have no peace.” When Cao Cao had finished reading, he laughed loudly and said, “Sun Zhongmou does not deceive me.” He richly rewarded the envoy, then gave orders to withdraw. He commanded Zhu Guang, the Administrator of Lujiang, to hold Wan County, and personally led the main army back to Xuchang. Sun Quan likewise withdrew his forces to Moling. He then conferred with his generals: “Although Cao Cao has gone north, Liu Bei is still at Jiameng Pass and has not returned. Why do we not use the army that resisted Cao Cao to seize Jingzhou?” Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “We must not resort to arms yet. I have a scheme that will make it impossible for Liu Bei ever to return to Jingzhou.” Indeed:Mengde’s mighty army had only just withdrawn north,When Zhongmou’s bold ambition turned once more toward the south.What plan Zhang Zhao proposed will be revealed in the next chapter.

Zhao Yun Rescues A-Dou on the River; Sun Quan’s Letter Forces Cao Cao to Retreat

Now Pang Tong and Fa Zheng urged Xuande to kill Liu Zhang at the banquet, saying that Western Sichuan would then be his for the taking. Xuande said, “I have only just entered Sichuan, and have not yet established my grace and good faith. This absolutely cannot be done.” The two pressed him again and again, but Xuande refused to listen. The next day, he again feasted with Liu Zhang in the city. They spoke intimately of all that was in their hearts, and their friendship became very close. When the wine had brought them to half-drunkenness, Pang Tong and Fa Zheng conferred together, saying, “Things have come to this point. Our lord can no longer decide the matter.” They then ordered Wei Yan to enter the hall and perform a sword dance, taking the opportunity to kill Liu Zhang. Wei Yan drew his sword, stepped forward, and said, “There is nothing to enliven the banquet. Allow me to perform a sword dance for your amusement.” Pang Tong immediately summoned the warriors inside and arrayed them below the hall, waiting only for Wei Yan to strike. Liu Zhang’s generals saw Wei Yan dancing with his sword before the banquet and also saw the warriors below the steps gripping their sword hilts and staring straight into the hall. Zhang Ren, an aide in Liu Zhang’s service, also drew his sword and began to dance, saying, “A sword dance must have a partner. I am willing to dance with General Wei.”

The two danced opposite each other before the banquet. Wei Yan looked toward Liu Feng, who also drew his sword and joined the dance. Then Liu Gui, Leng Bao, and Deng Xian each drew his sword and stepped forward, saying, “We should all dance together to add to the amusement.” Xuande was greatly alarmed. He snatched a sword from one of the attendants beside him, stood up at the banquet, and said, “We brothers have met to drink our fill, without the slightest suspicion or mistrust between us. This is not the Feast at Hong Gate. What need is there for sword dancing? Anyone who does not throw down his sword will be beheaded at once!” Liu Zhang also rebuked them, saying, “When brothers gather together, why is there any need to carry weapons?” He ordered all the guards to remove their swords. Amid a great commotion, everyone left the hall. Xuande summoned the generals and officers back onto the terrace, gave them wine, and said, “We brothers are flesh and blood of the same clan, meeting together to discuss great affairs. There is no duplicity between us. You must not be suspicious.” All the generals bowed and thanked him. Liu Zhang took Xuande by the hand and wept, saying, “I swear I will never forget my elder brother’s kindness!” The two drank happily until evening and then parted. When Xuande returned to camp, he reproached Pang Tong, saying, “How could you gentlemen seek to entrap me in an unrighteous act? Never do such a thing again.” Pang Tong sighed and withdrew.

Now when Liu Zhang returned to his camp, Liu Gui and the others said, “My lord, did you see what happened at today’s banquet? You would do better to return home at once and avoid future trouble.” Liu Zhang said, “My elder brother Liu Xuande is not like other men.” The generals said, “Even if Xuande has no such intention, all his subordinates want to annex Western Sichuan in pursuit of wealth and rank.” Liu Zhang said, “Do not sow discord between us brothers.” He refused to listen and spent each day in happy conversation with Xuande.

Suddenly a report came that Zhang Lu was marshaling his troops and preparing to attack Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang asked Xuande to go and resist him. Xuande readily agreed and that same day led his own troops toward Jiameng Pass. The generals urged Liu Zhang to order his senior commanders to guard every strategic pass closely, in case Xuande’s troops rebelled. At first Liu Zhang refused, but after everyone pressed him insistently, he ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei, the commanders at Baishui, to guard Fushui Pass. Liu Zhang himself returned to Chengdu. When Xuande reached Jiameng Pass, he imposed strict discipline on his soldiers and distributed favors widely to win the people’s hearts.

Spies soon carried the news to Eastern Wu. The Marquis of Wu, Sun Quan, assembled his civil and military officials for consultation. Gu Yong stepped forward and said, “Liu Bei has divided his forces and traveled far away through dangerous mountains, so he cannot easily return. Why not dispatch an army to block the river passage first and cut off his road back, then mobilize all the forces of Eastern Wu and take Jingzhou and Xiangyang in a single assault? This is an opportunity that must not be lost.” Sun Quan said, “An excellent plan!”

While they were still deliberating, someone suddenly rushed out from behind a screen and shouted, “The man who proposed this plan deserves to be beheaded! Are you trying to take my daughter’s life?” Everyone looked in astonishment and saw that it was Dowager Lady Wu. She said angrily, “I have only one daughter in all the world, and she is married to Liu Bei. If you raise an army now, what will become of her life?” She then rebuked Sun Quan, saying, “You inherited the domain founded by your father and elder brother and rule eighty-one prefectures, yet that is still not enough for you. You care about a small gain and give no thought to your own flesh and blood!” Sun Quan repeatedly murmured his assent and replied, “How could I dare disobey my mother’s instruction?” He then angrily dismissed all the officials. Dowager Lady Wu went back inside, still full of resentment. Sun Quan stood beneath the veranda and thought to himself, “If this opportunity is lost, when will I ever obtain Jingzhou and Xiangyang?”

While he was still pondering, Zhang Zhao entered and asked, “My lord, what is troubling you?” Sun Quan said, “I was thinking about what just happened.” Zhang Zhao said, “That is very easily handled. Send one trusted commander with only five hundred soldiers to slip secretly into Jingzhou and deliver a confidential letter to your sister. Say that Dowager Lady Wu is gravely ill and wishes to see her own daughter, and have your sister return to Eastern Wu that very night. Xuande has only one son, so tell her to bring him as well. Xuande will then certainly exchange Jingzhou for A-Dou. If he does not, we can freely send out our army. What obstacle would remain?” Sun Quan said, “An excellent plan! I have a man named Zhou Shan who is extremely daring. Since childhood he has gone in and out of every chamber and household, and he often accompanied my elder brother. He can be sent.” Zhang Zhao said, “You must not let the secret leak. Order him to depart immediately.”

Sun Quan secretly dispatched Zhou Shan with five hundred men disguised as traveling merchants and divided among five boats. He also had a forged state document prepared for use in case they were questioned. Weapons were hidden inside the boats. Zhou Shan accepted his orders and came by the waterways to Jingzhou. After the boats moored beside the river, Zhou Shan entered Jingzhou alone and had the gate official report his arrival to Lady Sun. She ordered Zhou Shan admitted, and he presented the confidential letter. When she read that Dowager Lady Wu was gravely ill, she shed tears and anxiously asked for details. Zhou Shan bowed and reported, “Dowager Lady Wu is desperately ill and thinks of nothing day and night but you, my lady. If you arrive too late, I fear you will not see her alive. She also asks you to bring A-Dou so she may see him once.” Lady Sun said, “The Imperial Uncle has led the army far away. If I wish to return now, I must send someone to notify the military adviser before I can leave.” Zhou Shan said, “What if the military adviser replies, ‘We must inform the Imperial Uncle and wait for his answer before you may board the boats’? What will you do then?” Lady Sun said, “If I leave without saying farewell, I fear someone may try to stop me.” Zhou Shan said, “The boats are already waiting on the great river. I ask you to board your carriage and leave the city at once.” Hearing that her mother was gravely ill, how could Lady Sun not panic? She placed the seven-year-old child A-Dou in a carriage and took more than thirty attendants with her. Each carried a sword or saber and mounted a horse, and together they left Jingzhou and went straight to the riverbank to board the boats. By the time the people in the residence tried to report what had happened, Lady Sun had already reached Shatou Town and boarded a boat.

Zhou Shan was just about to set sail when someone on the bank shouted, “Do not sail yet! Allow me to give my lady a parting toast!” They looked and saw Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun had just returned from patrol when he heard the news. Startled, he brought only four or five riders and raced along the riverbank like a whirlwind. Zhou Shan held a long halberd and shouted, “Who are you, to dare obstruct your lord’s lady?” He ordered the soldiers to set sail at once. They all brought out their weapons and formed ranks on the boats. With a favorable wind and a swift current, all the boats sped downstream. Zhao Yun raced along the bank, calling, “My lady may go wherever she wishes! I ask only to report one matter to her.”

Zhou Shan ignored him and merely urged the boats onward faster. Zhao Yun pursued them along the river for more than ten li, when he suddenly saw a fishing boat moored at an angle on the riverbank. Zhao Yun abandoned his horse, took up his spear, and leaped into the fishing boat. With only two men rowing, he set off in pursuit of the large boat carrying Lady Sun. Zhou Shan ordered the soldiers to shoot arrows. Zhao Yun knocked them aside with his spear, and the arrows fell one after another into the water. When the fishing boat came within a little more than ten feet of the larger vessel, the Wu soldiers thrust wildly at him with their spears. Zhao Yun left his spear in the small boat and drew the Green Steel Sword at his waist. Sweeping aside the stabbing spears, he launched himself toward the Wu boat with a great leap and landed aboard the larger vessel. All the Wu soldiers recoiled in alarm.

Zhao Yun entered the cabin and saw Lady Sun holding A-Dou in her arms. She shouted at him, “Why are you behaving so rudely?” Zhao Yun sheathed his sword, saluted, and said, “Where does my lady intend to go? Why did you not have the military adviser notified?” Lady Sun said, “My mother is critically ill. I had no time to send word.” Zhao Yun said, “If my lady is going to visit her sick mother, why are you taking the young lord with you?” Lady Sun said, “A-Dou is my son. If I leave him in Jingzhou, there will be no one to look after him.” Zhao Yun said, “My lady is mistaken. My lord has only this one child of his own flesh and blood. I rescued him from among a million soldiers at Changban Slope in Dangyang. Yet today you are carrying him away. What reason is there in that?” Lady Sun said angrily, “You are nothing more than a common fighting man under my husband’s command! How dare you interfere in my family affairs?” Zhao Yun said, “If my lady wishes to leave, then leave, but you must give up the young lord.” Lady Sun shouted, “You boarded my boat without leave in the middle of my journey. You must be plotting treason!” Zhao Yun said, “Unless you leave the young lord behind, I would not dare let you go, even if I had to die ten thousand deaths.”

Lady Sun ordered her maids to seize Zhao Yun. He knocked them down, snatched A-Dou from her arms, and carried him out to the bow of the boat. He wanted to bring the boat to shore, but had no one to help him. He wanted to use force, but feared that this would violate proper conduct. He could neither advance nor retreat. Lady Sun ordered the maids to snatch A-Dou back, but Zhao Yun held A-Dou firmly in one arm and wielded his sword with the other, so no one dared approach him. At the stern, Zhou Shan gripped the rudder and kept the boat moving downstream. With a favorable wind and a swift current, it headed toward midstream. Zhao Yun could not accomplish everything single-handed. He could protect A-Dou, but how could he move the boat toward the shore?

At this critical moment, more than ten boats suddenly emerged in a line from an inlet downstream, their flags waving and drums thundering. Zhao Yun thought to himself, “This time I have fallen into Eastern Wu’s trap!” Then he saw a great general standing on the leading boat, holding a long spear and shouting, “Sister-in-law, leave my nephew behind!” It was Zhang Fei. While on patrol, he had heard the news and hurried to the mouth of the Youjiang River, where he encountered the Wu boats and quickly moved to intercept them.

Zhang Fei drew his sword and leaped aboard the Wu boat. When Zhou Shan saw him board, he came forward with his saber, but Zhang Fei raised his sword and cut him down with a single stroke. He took Zhou Shan’s head and threw it before Lady Sun. Greatly alarmed, she said, “Why are you behaving so rudely, brother-in-law?” Zhang Fei said, “Sister-in-law, you show no regard for my elder brother and are secretly returning to your own home. It is you who are behaving rudely!” Lady Sun said, “My mother is gravely ill and in extreme danger. If I wait for your elder brother to return, my business will be delayed. If you do not let me go back, I would rather throw myself into the river and die!”

Zhang Fei conferred with Zhao Yun, saying, “If we drive our lady to her death, we will have failed in the duty of subjects. Let us simply protect A-Dou and take him over to our boat.” He then said to Lady Sun, “My elder brother is an Imperial Uncle of the Great Han, so he has not disgraced you, sister-in-law. We part today, but if you remember my elder brother’s kindness and loyalty, come back soon.” When he had finished speaking, he took A-Dou and returned to his own boat with Zhao Yun, allowing Lady Sun’s five boats to depart. A later poet praised Zilong:Years ago at Dangyang he saved his young lord;Today he launched himself above the great river.Every Wu soldier aboard the boat shook with fear;Zilong’s heroic courage has no equal in the world!Another poem praised Yide:Beside Changban Bridge his fury towered high;One tiger’s roar drove Cao Cao’s troops away.Today upon the river he saved his lord from danger;The annals shall preserve his name for ten thousand years.

The two men happily returned to their boat. They had traveled only a few li when Kongming approached with a large fleet of boats. He was overjoyed to see that A-Dou had already been recovered. The three men rode back side by side. Kongming then sent an official dispatch to Jiameng Pass to inform Xuande.

Now when Lady Sun returned to Wu, she gave a full account of how Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun had killed Zhou Shan, intercepted her on the river, and taken back A-Dou. Sun Quan was furious and said, “Now that my sister has returned, she is no longer bound to him. How can I fail to avenge Zhou Shan’s death?” He summoned his civil and military officials to discuss raising an army to seize Jingzhou. While they were discussing the deployment of troops, a sudden report arrived that Cao Cao had raised an army of four hundred thousand men and was coming to avenge his defeat at Red Cliffs. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. He set aside the matter of Jingzhou for the time being and discussed how to resist Cao Cao. Then someone reported that Chief Clerk Zhang Hong, who had pleaded illness and returned home, had now died, and that a final letter from him had been presented. Sun Quan opened and read it. In the letter, Zhang Hong urged him to move his capital to Moling, saying that the mountains and rivers around Moling possessed the aura of an emperor and king, and that he should relocate there quickly to establish a foundation for ten thousand generations.

After reading the letter, Sun Quan wept and said to his officials, “Zhang Zigang urged me to move to Moling. How could I refuse to follow his advice?” He immediately ordered his seat of government moved to Jianye and had Stone City built. Lü Meng stepped forward and said, “Since Cao Cao’s army is coming, we can build a fortified camp at the mouth of the Ruxu River to resist him.” The generals all said, “When we go ashore to attack the enemy, we can return to the boats barefoot. What need is there to build a fort?” Lü Meng said, “Troops may have good fortune or bad, and no battle is certain to be won. If we suddenly encounter the enemy and his infantry and cavalry press us hard, our men will have no time even to reach the water, much less board the boats.” Sun Quan said, “‘A man without foresight will soon have worries close at hand.’ Ziming’s vision reaches far.” He then assigned tens of thousands of soldiers to build the Ruxu fortifications. They worked day and night together and completed them by the appointed deadline.

Now Cao Cao’s authority in Xudu grew more imposing with each passing day, whether he granted favors or imposed punishment. Chief Clerk Dong Zhao came forward and said, “Since ancient times, no subject has ever accomplished as much as the Chancellor. Not even the Duke of Zhou or Lü Wang could equal him. For more than thirty years, he has combed his hair in the wind and washed it in the rain, sweeping away every villain, ridding the people of evil, and preserving the imperial house of Han. How can he remain ranked alongside the other ministers and officials? He should receive the title Duke of Wei and be granted the Nine Bestowments to proclaim his achievements and virtue.” These were the Nine Bestowments:First, carriages and horses;Second, ceremonial robes;Third, musical instruments;Fourth, vermilion gates;Fifth, a private stairway;Sixth, Tiger Guard soldiers;Seventh, the battle-ax;Eighth, bows and arrows;Ninth, black-millet sacrificial wine and the jade libation vessel.Palace Attendant Xun Yu said, “That must not be done. The Chancellor originally raised a righteous army to uphold and support the imperial house of Han. He should maintain a loyal and steadfast purpose and observe the virtue of modestly declining honors. A gentleman cares for others by promoting virtue. Such a thing is not appropriate.” When Cao Cao heard this, his expression suddenly changed. Dong Zhao said, “How can one man be allowed to obstruct the hopes of all?” He therefore submitted a memorial requesting that Cao Cao be honored as Duke of Wei and granted the Nine Bestowments. Xun Yu sighed and said, “I never thought I would live to see such a thing!”

When Cao Cao heard of this, he deeply resented Xun Yu, believing that Xun Yu would not support him. In the tenth month of winter in the seventeenth year of Jian’an, Cao Cao raised an army and marched south of the Yangtze, ordering Xun Yu to accompany him. Xun Yu already knew that Cao Cao intended to kill him, so he claimed illness and remained at Shouchun. Suddenly a messenger from Cao Cao arrived with a box said to contain food. The box bore a seal written in Cao Cao’s own hand. Xun Yu opened it and found that there was nothing inside. Understanding Cao Cao’s meaning, he took poison and died. He was fifty years old. A later poet lamented:Wenruo’s brilliance was renowned beneath the sky;How pitiful that he stumbled through a powerful lord’s gate.Later men idly compare him to the Marquis of Liu,But at his death he lacked the face to meet the Han emperor.

His son, Xun Yun, sent a letter of mourning to Cao Cao. Cao Cao deeply regretted what had happened, ordered Xun Yu buried with great honors, and posthumously named him Marquis Jing.

Now Cao Cao’s great army reached Ruxu. He first sent Cao Hong with thirty thousand armored cavalrymen to scout as far as the riverbank. Cao Hong returned and reported, “From a distance, I saw countless flags and banners all along the river, but I do not know where the troops are concentrated.” Cao Cao remained uneasy, so he personally led his troops forward and drew up his battle formation at the mouth of the Ruxu River. Cao Cao led more than a hundred men up a hillside and gazed at the warships in the distance. Each contingent was arranged in proper order. Their flags were divided among five colors, and their weapons shone brightly. On a large ship in the center, beneath a green silk canopy, sat Sun Quan. His civil and military officers stood in attendance on either side. Pointing with his whip, Cao Cao said, “A man should have a son like Sun Zhongmou! Liu Jingsheng’s sons are nothing but pigs and dogs!”

Suddenly a great noise arose, and all the ships from the south came speeding forward together. Another force emerged from the Ruxu fortifications and charged Cao Cao’s troops. Cao Cao’s soldiers and cavalry turned and fled, and no amount of shouting could stop them. Suddenly a thousand cavalrymen came racing toward the hillside. The man at their head had blue eyes and a purple beard. Everyone recognized him as Sun Quan. Sun Quan had personally led a cavalry unit to attack Cao Cao. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed and hurriedly wheeled his horse around. The Eastern Wu generals Han Dang and Zhou Tai charged straight toward him on horseback. Behind Cao Cao, Xu Chu spurred forward, brandished his saber, and held off both generals, allowing Cao Cao to escape back to camp. Xu Chu fought the two generals for thirty bouts before returning. When Cao Cao reached camp, he rewarded Xu Chu generously and cursed his generals, saying, “You retreated before engaging the enemy and blunted the edge of my army’s spirit! If this happens again, every one of you will be beheaded!”

At the third watch that night, tremendous battle cries suddenly erupted outside the camp. Cao Cao quickly mounted his horse and saw flames rising on every side. Wu troops had broken into the main camp. The fighting continued until dawn, and Cao Cao’s army retreated more than fifty li before making camp again. Cao Cao was depressed and idly read a military treatise. Cheng Yu said, “Since the Chancellor understands military strategy, can he not know that ‘speed is the essence of war’? After raising the army, the Chancellor delayed for a long time, which allowed Sun Quan to prepare. He has built fortifications on both sides of the mouth of the Ruxu River, making them difficult to attack. It would be better to withdraw the army to Xudu for now and devise another sound plan.”

Cao Cao did not answer. Cheng Yu left. Cao Cao leaned over his desk and fell asleep. Suddenly he heard the tide surging like ten thousand horses racing together. He quickly looked and saw a red sun rising from the great river, its radiance dazzling his eyes. When he looked up at the sky, he saw two more suns shining opposite each other. Suddenly the red sun in the middle of the river flew straight upward and fell among the hills in front of the camp with a sound like thunder. Cao Cao awoke with a start and discovered that he had been dreaming inside his tent. A soldier outside reported that it was noon. Cao Cao ordered his horse prepared and led more than fifty riders straight out of camp. He reached the hill beside which the sun had fallen in his dream and was looking around when he suddenly saw a body of mounted troops. The man at their head wore a golden helmet and golden armor. Cao Cao looked closely and saw that it was Sun Quan.

When Sun Quan saw Cao Cao arrive, he showed no alarm. He reined in his horse on the hill, pointed his whip at Cao Cao, and said, “Chancellor, you command the central plains, and your wealth and rank have reached their utmost height. Why is your greed still unsatisfied? Why have you come again to invade my lands south of the Yangtze?” Cao Cao answered, “You are a subject, yet you do not honor the imperial house. I have come by the Son of Heaven’s decree expressly to punish you!” Sun Quan laughed and said, “Are you not ashamed to say such a thing? Does anyone beneath Heaven not know that you hold the Son of Heaven hostage to command the feudal lords? It is not that I fail to honor the Han dynasty. I intend to punish you precisely so that order may be restored to the state!”

Cao Cao was furious and ordered his generals to charge up the hill and capture Sun Quan. Suddenly a drum sounded, and two powerful forces emerged from behind the hill: Han Dang and Zhou Tai on the right, and Chen Wu and Pan Zhang on the left. The four generals commanded three thousand archers and crossbowmen, who shot wildly until the arrows fell like rain. Cao Cao hurriedly led his generals in retreat. The four enemy generals pursued them closely from behind. Halfway back, Xu Chu arrived with the Tiger Guard troops, held off the enemy, and rescued Cao Cao. The Wu troops sang songs of victory together and returned to Ruxu.

After Cao Cao returned to camp, he thought to himself, “Sun Quan is no ordinary man. The omen of the red sun means that in time he will surely become an emperor and king.” He therefore began to consider withdrawing his army. Yet he feared Eastern Wu would ridicule him, so he remained undecided whether to advance or retreat. The two sides faced each other for more than another month and fought several battles, each winning some and losing others. At last, in the first month of the following year, unbroken spring rains filled all the waterways. Many soldiers were forced to remain amid mud and water, suffering extreme hardship. Cao Cao was deeply troubled. That day, while in camp, he consulted with all his advisers. Some urged him to withdraw the army. Others said that the spring weather was now warm and ideal for maintaining the confrontation, so he must not retreat. Cao Cao hesitated, unable to decide. Suddenly it was reported that an envoy from Eastern Wu had arrived with a letter. Cao Cao opened and read it. The letter said in substance: “I and the Chancellor are both ministers of the Han dynasty. Yet instead of thinking how to repay the state and bring peace to the people, the Chancellor has recklessly resorted to war and cruelly destroyed living beings. Is this the conduct of a benevolent man? The spring floods are now beginning to rise, so you should depart at once. If you do not, you will suffer another disaster like Red Cliffs. You should consider this carefully.”

Two more lines had been added to the back of the letter: “So long as you remain alive, I can have no peace.” When Cao Cao finished reading, he laughed loudly and said, “Sun Zhongmou does not deceive me.” He rewarded the envoy generously and then ordered the army to return. He appointed Zhu Guang, Administrator of Lujiang, to guard Wancheng, while he personally led the main army back to Xuchang. Sun Quan also withdrew his army to Moling. He then consulted with his generals, saying, “Although Cao Cao has gone north, Liu Bei is still at Jiameng Pass and has not returned. Why should we not use the army that resisted Cao Cao to seize Jingzhou?” Zhang Zhao offered a plan, saying, “We should not move the army yet. I have a plan that will make Liu Bei unable to return to Jingzhou.” Just so:Mengde’s mighty army had only now withdrawn north,When Zhongmou’s bold ambition again turned south.What plan did Zhang Zhao propose? Read the next chapter to find out.