Chapter 67

Cao Cao Pacifies Hanzhong; Zhang Liao Strikes Terror at Xiaoyao Ford

Now Cao Cao raised an army for a western campaign and divided it into three columns. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He led the vanguard; Cao Cao himself commanded the generals in the center; and Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun brought up the rear, escorting the grain and fodder. Spies soon carried word into Hanzhong. Zhang Lu and his brother Zhang Wei discussed how to repel the enemy. Zhang Wei said, “Of all the strongholds in Hanzhong, none is more formidable than Yangping Pass. We should establish more than ten stockades on either side of the pass, taking advantage of the mountains and forests, and there meet Cao Cao’s army. You, brother, remain in Hanning and send ample grain and fodder to support us.”

Zhang Lu followed his advice and dispatched the generals Yang Ang and Yang Ren with his brother, ordering them to set out that very day. When their forces reached Yangping Pass, they established their encampments. The advance army under Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He soon arrived; hearing that Yangping Pass had already been prepared for defense, they pitched camp fifteen li from the pass. That night, the soldiers, exhausted from the march, settled down to rest. Suddenly a blaze sprang up behind the camp, and Yang Ang and Yang Ren came charging in from two directions to raid it. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He hastily mounted their horses, but enemy troops were already pouring in from every side. Cao Cao’s army suffered a great defeat and withdrew to report to him. Cao Cao angrily said, “You two have campaigned for many years. Do you not know the maxim, ‘When troops are weary from a long march, guard against a raid upon the camp’? Why did you make no preparations?” He meant to behead them as a warning under military law, but the officers pleaded for their pardon.

The next day, Cao Cao personally led the vanguard. Seeing that the terrain was steep and treacherous, the woods dense and tangled, and the paths impossible to discern, he feared an ambush and immediately led the army back to camp. He said to the two generals Xu Chu and Xu Huang, “Had I known this place was so perilous, I would never have raised an army to come here.” Xu Chu said, “The army has already come this far. My lord must not shrink from hardship.” The following day, Cao Cao mounted his horse and, taking only Xu Chu and Xu Huang, went to inspect Zhang Wei’s stockades. As the three riders rounded a mountain slope, Zhang Wei’s defenses came into view. Cao Cao raised his whip and pointed toward them in the distance, saying to the two generals, “With fortifications so strong, they will be difficult to take quickly!”

Before he had finished speaking, a great shout arose behind them and arrows fell like rain. Yang Ang and Yang Ren came charging from two directions. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. Xu Chu cried, “I will hold off the enemy! Xu Gongming, protect our lord!” With that, he raised his saber, spurred forward, and fought the two generals with all his strength. Yang Ang and Yang Ren could not withstand Xu Chu’s valor and wheeled their horses in retreat; none of their remaining troops dared advance. Xu Huang guarded Cao Cao as they galloped over the slope, where another force appeared ahead. Looking closely, they saw that it was led by Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He, who had heard the shouting and brought troops to their aid. Together they drove back Yang Ang and Yang Ren and rescued Cao Cao, bringing him safely to camp. Cao Cao richly rewarded all four generals. From then on, the two sides faced each other for more than fifty days without giving battle. At last Cao Cao ordered a retreat. Jia Xu said, “We have not yet determined whether the enemy is strong or weak. Why does my lord withdraw of his own accord?” Cao Cao replied, “I judge that the enemy remains on guard every day, making a swift victory difficult. I shall announce a withdrawal so that they grow lax and unprepared. Then I will send light cavalry by separate routes to strike their rear. We shall certainly defeat them.” Jia Xu said, “The prime minister’s divine strategy is beyond all fathoming.”

Cao Cao accordingly ordered Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to divide their troops into two columns, each leading three thousand light cavalry along minor paths to circle behind Yangping Pass. Meanwhile, Cao Cao struck camp and led the main army away. When Yang Ang heard that Cao Cao’s forces were retreating, he sought out Yang Ren and proposed taking advantage of the moment to attack. Yang Ren said, “Cao Cao has innumerable stratagems. We do not yet know whether this retreat is genuine, so we must not pursue.” Yang Ang said, “If you will not go, I shall go alone.” Yang Ren earnestly remonstrated with him, but he would not listen. Yang Ang led forward all the troops from the five stockades, leaving only a few soldiers behind to guard them. That day a dense fog spread everywhere, so thick that no one could see the person opposite him. Halfway along their route, Yang Ang’s troops could go no farther and had to halt where they were.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Yuan’s column had circled behind the mountain. Seeing the heavy fog hanging over the land and hearing voices and neighing horses, he feared an ambush and urgently pressed his men and horses onward. In the dense fog they took a wrong turn and arrived before Yang Ang’s camp. Hearing the sound of hoofbeats, the guards assumed that Yang Ang’s troops were returning and opened the gates to admit them. Cao Cao’s soldiers surged inside, found the camp nearly empty, and immediately set it ablaze. The defenders of all five stockades abandoned their positions and fled. By the time the fog lifted, Yang Ren had led troops back to the rescue. He fought Xiahou Yuan for only a few bouts before Zhang He’s troops arrived behind him. Yang Ren hacked a path to freedom and fled back to Nanzheng. When Yang Ang tried to return, Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He had already occupied the stockades. Then Cao Cao’s main army came rushing up from behind. Attacked from both sides, Yang Ang found every road blocked. He tried to break through the encirclement but ran directly into Zhang He. The two crossed weapons, and Zhang He slew him. The defeated troops fled back toward Yangping Pass to report to Zhang Wei. But Zhang Wei had already learned that the two generals had been defeated and the camps lost, so at midnight he abandoned the pass and fled back. Cao Cao thus took Yangping Pass and all its stockades.

Zhang Wei and Yang Ren returned to see Zhang Lu. Zhang Wei said that the two generals had lost the strategic approaches and that he had therefore been unable to hold the pass. Zhang Lu flew into a rage and intended to execute Yang Ren. Yang Ren said, “I warned Yang Ang not to pursue Cao Cao’s troops. He refused to listen, and that is why we suffered this defeat. I beg once more for an army with which to challenge the enemy. I shall surely behead Cao Cao. If I fail, I will willingly submit to military law.” Zhang Lu required him to sign a military pledge. Yang Ren then mounted his horse and led twenty thousand troops out from Nanzheng to establish a camp.

Meanwhile, as Cao Cao prepared to advance, he first ordered Xiahou Yuan to lead five thousand troops along the road to Nanzheng and reconnoiter. Xiahou Yuan encountered Yang Ren’s army, and the two sides drew up their formations. Yang Ren sent out his subordinate commander Chang Qi to fight Xiahou Yuan. Before three bouts had passed, Xiahou Yuan cut him down from his horse with a single stroke. Yang Ren then rode out with leveled spear and fought Xiahou Yuan for more than thirty bouts, neither gaining the advantage. Xiahou Yuan feigned defeat and fled, and Yang Ren pursued him. Xiahou Yuan used the trailing-saber stratagem and cut him down from his horse. His troops returned in utter defeat.

When Cao Cao learned that Xiahou Yuan had slain Yang Ren, he advanced at once and pitched camp directly before Nanzheng. Zhang Lu hastily assembled his civil and military officers to deliberate. Yan Pu said, “I can recommend a man capable of opposing any of Cao Cao’s generals.” Zhang Lu asked who it was. Yan Pu replied, “Pang De of Nan’an. He formerly followed Ma Chao and later submitted to my lord. When Ma Chao went to Western River, Pang De was ill and could not accompany him. He now enjoys my lord’s generous patronage. Why not send him?”

Zhang Lu was delighted. He immediately summoned Pang De and bestowed generous rewards upon him, then assigned him ten thousand troops and ordered him to march out. More than ten li from the city, Pang De came face-to-face with Cao Cao’s army and rode out to issue a challenge. Cao Cao had witnessed Pang De’s valor at the Wei Bridge and knew it well. He therefore instructed his generals, “Pang De is a valiant commander from Xiliang and formerly served under Ma Chao. Though he now depends upon Zhang Lu, he has not found his true place. I wish to win this man. Each of you must fight him cautiously and prolong the contest until his strength is spent; then we can capture him.”

Zhang He rode out first, fought a few bouts, and withdrew. Xiahou Yuan likewise fought a few bouts and retired. Xu Huang engaged him for another three or five bouts and also withdrew. Finally, Xu Chu fought Pang De for more than fifty bouts before retreating as well. Pang De had fought four generals with all his might and shown no fear whatsoever. Each of the generals praised Pang De’s superb martial skill before Cao Cao. Cao Cao was greatly pleased and consulted his officers, saying, “How can we induce this man to surrender?” Jia Xu said, “I know that Zhang Lu has an adviser named Yang Song, a man exceedingly greedy for bribes. We can secretly send him gold and silks and have him slander Pang De to Zhang Lu. Then our design can succeed.” Cao Cao said, “But how can anyone enter Nanzheng?” Jia Xu replied, “In tomorrow’s battle, we shall feign defeat, abandon our camp, and flee. Pang De will occupy our camp. Then, in the dead of night, we shall lead troops back to raid it. Pang De will surely retreat into the city. We can select an eloquent soldier, disguise him as one of Pang De’s men, and mingle him among the routed troops. In that way he will enter the city.”

Cao Cao accepted the plan. He selected an intelligent and capable soldier, rewarded him lavishly, and gave him a golden breastplate to wear against his skin. Over it he was to wear the uniform of a Hanzhong soldier and wait beforehand at the midpoint of the road. The next day, Cao Cao first dispatched two forces under Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to lie in ambush at a distance. He then ordered Xu Huang to issue a challenge. After only a few bouts, Xu Huang fled in defeat. Pang De waved his army forward in pursuit, and all of Cao Cao’s troops withdrew. Pang De captured Cao Cao’s stockade. Finding a great quantity of grain and fodder within, he was overjoyed and immediately sent a report to Zhang Lu, while holding a victory feast in the camp.

That night, after the second watch, fires suddenly flared up in three directions. Xu Huang and Xu Chu attacked in the center, Zhang He on the left, and Xiahou Yuan on the right. All three forces fell upon the camp at once. Pang De had no time to prepare. He mounted his horse, fought his way out, and fled toward the city, pursued from behind by all three columns. Pang De called for the gates to be opened, and he and his troops surged inside.

By then, Cao Cao’s spy had mingled with the routed troops and entered the city. He went directly to Yang Song’s residence and sought an audience, explaining in full: “Duke Cao, the prime minister, has long heard of your eminent virtue and has specially sent me to present this golden armor as a token of good faith. I also have a secret letter for you.” Yang Song was delighted. After reading the message, he said to the spy, “Report to Duke Cao that he may set his mind at ease. I have an excellent plan with which to answer his wishes.” He sent the man back at once, then went that very night to see Zhang Lu and accused Pang De of accepting bribes from Cao Cao and deliberately throwing away the battle. Zhang Lu flew into a rage, summoned Pang De, reviled him, and meant to execute him. Yan Pu pleaded strenuously for his life. Zhang Lu said, “Go out and fight again tomorrow. If you do not win, you will certainly be beheaded!” Pang De withdrew, nursing bitter resentment.

The next day, Cao Cao’s troops attacked the city, and Pang De led his men charging out. Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to engage him. Xu Chu feigned defeat, and Pang De pursued. Seated on his horse atop a hillside, Cao Cao called out, “Pang Lingming, why do you not surrender at once?” Pang De thought, “To capture Cao Cao would be worth a thousand great generals!” He spurred his horse swiftly up the slope. Suddenly, with a roar like heaven collapsing and earth splitting apart, horse and rider plunged into a concealed pit. Men rushed forward from all sides with hooks and ropes, captured Pang De alive, and hauled him up the slope. Cao Cao dismounted, ordered the soldiers back, and personally untied Pang De’s bonds. He asked whether Pang De would surrender. Reflecting on Zhang Lu’s cruelty and injustice, Pang De willingly bowed and submitted. Cao Cao personally helped him onto a horse, and they returned to the main camp together, deliberately riding where those upon the city walls could see them. Someone reported to Zhang Lu that Pang De and Cao Cao were riding side by side. Zhang Lu now believed Yang Song’s accusations all the more.

The next day, Cao Cao raised scaling ladders on three sides and bombarded the city with stone-throwing engines. Seeing that the situation had become desperate, Zhang Lu consulted his brother Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei said, “Set fire to all the granaries, storehouses, and treasuries, then flee to the southern mountains and defend Bazhong.” Yang Song said, “It would be better to open the gates and surrender.” Zhang Lu remained undecided. Zhang Wei said, “Simply burn everything and leave.” Zhang Lu replied, “I have always wished to offer my allegiance to the state, but my purpose was never understood. Now I am compelled to flee, yet the granaries, storehouses, and treasuries belong to the state and must not be destroyed.” He therefore had them all sealed.

At the second watch that night, Zhang Lu took his entire household, old and young, opened the southern gate, and fought his way out. Cao Cao ordered his troops not to pursue and led the army into Nanzheng. When he saw that Zhang Lu had sealed the treasuries and storehouses, he greatly admired him and sent envoys to Bazhong to urge him to surrender. Zhang Lu wished to submit, but Zhang Wei refused. Yang Song secretly wrote to Cao Cao, telling him to advance and promising to act as his agent within. Upon receiving the letter, Cao Cao personally led his army toward Bazhong. Zhang Lu sent his brother Zhang Wei out with troops to meet the enemy. Zhang Wei crossed weapons with Xu Chu and was cut down from his horse. When the defeated soldiers returned and reported this to Zhang Lu, he wished to hold the city firmly. Yang Song said, “If we do not go out now, we shall merely sit here awaiting death. I will guard the city; my lord should personally go forth and fight a battle to the death.”

Zhang Lu followed his advice. Yan Pu urged him not to go out, but Zhang Lu would not listen and led his army forth to meet the enemy. Before battle could be joined, his rear ranks had already fled. Zhang Lu hastily retreated, with Cao Cao’s troops pursuing close behind. When he reached the foot of the city walls, Yang Song shut the gates and refused him entry. With no road of escape, Zhang Lu was overtaken by Cao Cao, who shouted, “Why did you not surrender sooner?” Zhang Lu dismounted and bowed in submission. Cao Cao was delighted. Remembering Zhang Lu’s care in sealing the storehouses and treasuries, he treated him with exceptional courtesy and appointed him General Who Guards the South. Yan Pu and the others were all enfeoffed as marquises. Thus all Hanzhong was pacified. Cao Cao issued orders appointing administrators to the various commanderies and commandants to their posts, and he lavishly rewarded the officers and soldiers. Yang Song alone had betrayed his lord in pursuit of honor, so Cao Cao ordered him beheaded in the marketplace as a warning to all. A later poet lamented:

He thwarted worth, betrayed his lord, and vaunted wondrous deeds;The gold and silver he amassed proved empty gains indeed.Before his house found wealth and rank, his own life met its doom;For ages men have laughed with scorn at treacherous Yang Song.

Cao Cao had now taken Eastern River. His chief secretary, Sima Yi, came forward and said, “Liu Bei took Liu Zhang through cunning and force, and the people of Shu have not yet given him their hearts. Now that my lord possesses Hanzhong, Yizhou is trembling. If we advance swiftly and attack, it will surely crumble. The wise man values the proper moment; this opportunity must not be lost.” Cao Cao sighed and said, “Men suffer because they do not know contentment. Having gained Long, must I now covet Shu as well?” Liu Ye said, “Sima Zhongda speaks truly. If we delay even a little, Zhuge Liang, skilled in governing a state, will serve as minister, while Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others, whose valor surpasses all armies, will serve as generals. Once the people of Shu are settled and the strategic passes firmly defended, the land will be impossible to invade.” Cao Cao said, “The soldiers have suffered greatly in their long march. For now, they must be spared and cared for.” He therefore held his army in place and made no move.

Meanwhile, when the people of Western River heard that Cao Cao had taken Eastern River, they assumed he would inevitably come to seize Western River as well, and several times in a single day they were seized with panic. Xuande summoned the military adviser for consultation. Kongming said, “I have a plan that will make Cao Cao withdraw of his own accord.” Xuande asked what the plan was. Kongming replied, “Cao Cao has stationed part of his army at Hefei because he fears Sun Quan. If we now return the three commanderies of Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang to Wu and send an eloquent envoy to explain the advantages and dangers, persuading Wu to attack Hefei, Cao Cao’s position will be shaken and he will certainly turn his forces south.” Xuande asked, “Who can serve as envoy?” Yi Ji said, “I am willing to go.” Xuande was delighted. He prepared a letter and suitable gifts, ordering Yi Ji first to visit Jingzhou and inform Yunzhang, and then proceed into Wu. Upon reaching Moling, Yi Ji went to see Sun Quan and first sent in his name. Sun Quan summoned him inside. After Yi Ji had performed the proper courtesies, Sun Quan asked, “Why have you come here?” Yi Ji said, “When Zhuge Ziyu recently came to take possession of Changsha and the other two commanderies, our military adviser was absent, and so they were not duly transferred. I have now brought a letter restoring them. As for Nan Commandery and Lingling in Jingzhou, my lord originally intended to return them as well, but Cao Cao’s sudden seizure of Eastern River has left General Guan no place where he can establish himself. Hefei is now empty and weak. We hope that Your Lordship will raise an army and attack it, compelling Cao Cao to withdraw his forces southward. If my lord then takes Eastern River, he will return the whole of Jingzhou.” Sun Quan said, “Return to your lodging for now and allow me to deliberate.”

After Yi Ji withdrew, Sun Quan asked his advisers for a plan. Zhang Zhao said, “Liu Bei has proposed this scheme because he fears that Cao Cao will seize Western River. Even so, now that Cao Cao is in Hanzhong, taking advantage of the moment to capture Hefei is indeed the best policy.” Sun Quan accepted his advice. After sending Yi Ji back to Shu, he immediately discussed raising an army against Cao Cao. He ordered Lu Su to take possession of the three commanderies of Changsha, Jiangxia, and Guiyang and station troops at Lukou; he recalled Lü Meng and Gan Ning; and he also sent to Yuhang for Ling Tong.

Within a few days, Lü Meng and Gan Ning arrived first. Lü Meng proposed a plan: “Cao Cao has appointed Zhu Guang administrator of Lujiang and stationed him at Wan City. Zhu Guang has opened extensive rice fields and sends the grain to Hefei to supply the army. We should take Wan City first and then attack Hefei.” Sun Quan said, “This plan accords perfectly with my intentions.” He therefore appointed Lü Meng and Gan Ning as the vanguard, Jiang Qin and Pan Zhang to bring up the rear, while he himself led Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, Dong Xi, and Xu Sheng in the central army. At the time, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were guarding various other places and did not accompany the expedition.

The army crossed the river, took Hezhou, and advanced directly upon Wan City. Zhu Guang, administrator of Wan City, sent a messenger to Hefei requesting aid, while he firmly defended the city and refused to come out. Sun Quan personally rode beneath the walls to inspect them, but arrows poured down like rain and struck the canopy over his command standard. Sun Quan returned to camp and asked his generals, “How can Wan City be taken?” Dong Xi said, “We can order the soldiers to build earthen mounds from which to attack it.” Xu Sheng said, “We can erect scaling ladders and construct raised bridges from which to look down into the city and assault it.” Lü Meng said, “Both these methods will take many days to complete. If reinforcements from Hefei arrive, the city will be beyond our grasp. Our army has only just arrived and its spirit is at its keenest. We must take advantage of that ardor and attack with all our strength. If we advance at daybreak tomorrow, the city should fall by noon.”

Sun Quan followed his advice. The next day, after the troops had eaten at the fifth watch, all three armies advanced. Arrows and stones came raining down from the walls. Gan Ning, wielding an iron chain, pressed forward through the missiles. Zhu Guang ordered all his crossbowmen to shoot together, but Gan Ning swept aside the forest of arrows and struck Zhu Guang down with one blow of his chain. Lü Meng personally beat the war drum. The soldiers swarmed forward and hacked Zhu Guang to death with their blades. Most of the remaining defenders surrendered, and Wan City was taken—yet it was still only the hour of the dragon. Zhang Liao, leading reinforcements, had reached the midpoint of his march when a scout returned to report that Wan City had fallen. Zhang Liao immediately turned his army back to Hefei.

Sun Quan entered Wan City, and Ling Tong also arrived with his troops. After commending them, Sun Quan feasted the entire army, richly rewarded Lü Meng, Gan Ning, and the other generals, and held a banquet to celebrate their victory. Lü Meng yielded the seat of honor to Gan Ning and lavishly praised his achievement. When the wine had begun to flow freely, Ling Tong recalled that Gan Ning had killed his father. Seeing Lü Meng praise him so highly, Ling Tong became furious and glared fixedly at Gan Ning for a long while. Suddenly he drew the sword hanging at his side, stepped into the banquet space, and said, “There is no entertainment at this feast. Watch me perform a sword dance.” Gan Ning understood his purpose. Pushing aside the banquet table, he rose, took two halberds in his hands, tucked them beneath his arms, and strode forward, saying, “Then watch me wield my halberds before the feast.” Lü Meng saw that neither man meant well. Taking a shield in one hand and a saber in the other, he stepped between them and said, “You two may be skillful, but neither of you can match my art.” With that, he began a saber-and-shield dance and forced the two men apart.

Someone had already reported the matter to Sun Quan. In alarm, Sun Quan mounted his horse and rode straight to the banquet. Only when the generals saw him arrive did they lower their weapons. Sun Quan said, “I have repeatedly told you both to put aside your former enmity. Why have you behaved like this again today?” Ling Tong fell weeping to the ground and bowed before him. Sun Quan admonished and consoled him again and again until the quarrel ceased. The next day, he raised his army to advance upon Hefei, and all three forces marched out.

Having lost Wan City, Zhang Liao returned to Hefei in deep distress. Suddenly Xue Ti arrived, sent by Cao Cao, bearing a wooden box sealed by Cao Cao himself. Written on the side were the words: “Open only when the enemy arrives.” That same day came a report: “Sun Quan is personally leading an army of one hundred thousand to attack Hefei.” Zhang Liao opened the box and examined its contents. The written order inside said: “If Sun Quan comes, Generals Zhang and Li are to go out and fight; General Yue is to defend the city.” Zhang Liao showed the instructions to Li Dian and Yue Jin. Yue Jin asked, “What is the general’s view?” Zhang Liao said, “Our lord is away on a distant expedition, and the troops of Wu believe they will surely destroy us. We must now send troops out to meet them and fight with all our strength, breaking the edge of their assault and steadying the hearts of our men. Only then can we defend the city.”

Li Dian had long been at odds with Zhang Liao. Hearing these words, he remained silent and made no reply. When Yue Jin saw that Li Dian said nothing, he observed, “The enemy is numerous and we are few. It will be difficult to meet them in the field. Better to defend the city firmly.” Zhang Liao said, “You are both ruled by private feelings and pay no heed to public duty. I shall go out alone to meet the enemy and fight to the death.” He ordered his attendants to prepare his horse. Li Dian rose with passionate resolve and said, “If the general is prepared to act so, how could I dare let a private grievance make me forget public duty? I am ready to obey your command.” Zhang Liao was overjoyed and said, “Since Mancheng is willing to assist me, tomorrow lead a force into ambush north of Xiaoyao Ford. When the troops of Wu come rushing forward, first cut away Xiaoshi Bridge. Yue Wenqian and I will then attack them.” Li Dian accepted the order and went to muster his troops for the ambush.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan appointed Lü Meng and Gan Ning to command the vanguard, while he and Ling Tong occupied the center. The other generals followed in succession as the army advanced toward Hefei. The vanguard under Lü Meng and Gan Ning pressed forward and encountered Yue Jin. Gan Ning rode out and crossed weapons with him, but after only a few bouts Yue Jin feigned defeat and fled. Gan Ning called to Lü Meng, and together they led their troops in pursuit. Sun Quan, with the second column, heard that his vanguard had won and urged his army onward. When they reached the north of Xiaoyao Ford, a sudden succession of cannon blasts sounded. Zhang Liao’s force charged from the left and Li Dian’s from the right. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed and hastily sent men to recall Lü Meng and Gan Ning to the rescue, but Zhang Liao’s troops were already upon him. Ling Tong had only a little more than three hundred horsemen under his command, and they could not withstand Cao Cao’s army, which came down upon them like a collapsing mountain. Ling Tong shouted, “My lord, why do you not cross Xiaoshi Bridge at once?”

Before he had finished speaking, Zhang Liao led more than two thousand horsemen in a headlong charge. Ling Tong wheeled around and fought desperately. Sun Quan spurred his horse onto the bridge, but more than a zhang of its southern end had already been torn away, without a single plank remaining. Sun Quan was so alarmed he did not know what to do. His aide-de-camp Gu Li shouted, “My lord, draw your horse back, then set it racing forward and leap across!” Sun Quan backed his horse more than three zhang, loosened the reins, and struck with his whip. The horse sprang into the air and cleared the gap to the southern side. A later poet wrote:

At Tan Creek Dilu once leaped clear;At Hefei Wu’s lord met defeat.He backed, then whipped his splendid steed—At Xiaoyao the jade dragon flew.

When Sun Quan had leaped to the south of the bridge, Xu Sheng and Dong Xi came to meet him in boats. Ling Tong and Gu Li held Zhang Liao at bay. Gan Ning and Lü Meng led their troops back to the rescue, but Yue Jin pursued them from behind while Li Dian cut them off and engaged them. More than half the army of Wu was lost. All the little more than three hundred men commanded by Ling Tong were slain. Ling Tong himself suffered several spear wounds. He fought his way to the bridge, only to find it broken, and escaped by circling along the river. Sun Quan saw him from his boat and hastily ordered Dong Xi to row over and rescue him, thus bringing him safely across. Lü Meng and Gan Ning likewise fought desperately and escaped to the southern bank. The terror of this battle spread throughout Jiangnan. At the mere sound of Zhang Liao’s great name, even small children dared not cry at night. The generals escorted Sun Quan back to camp. Sun Quan richly rewarded Ling Tong and Gu Li, then withdrew his army to Ruxu, where he prepared the ships and discussed a combined advance by land and water. At the same time, he sent messengers back to Jiangnan to raise more troops for the campaign.

Meanwhile, when Zhang Liao heard that Sun Quan was at Ruxu and preparing to advance, he feared that the garrison at Hefei was too small to withstand him. He urgently ordered Xue Ti to travel night and day to Hanzhong, report the situation to Cao Cao, and request reinforcements. Cao Cao consulted his officers, saying, “Can Western River be taken at this time?” Liu Ye replied, “Shu has now become somewhat settled and is already prepared. It cannot be attacked. Better to withdraw our troops to relieve the crisis at Hefei, then press onward into Jiangnan.”

Cao Cao therefore left Xiahou Yuan to guard the strategic approaches at Mount Dingjun in Hanzhong and Zhang He to guard the passes at Mengtou Cliff and elsewhere. The rest of the army struck camp and marched with all speed toward the fortress of Ruxu. Truly:

His iron horsemen had but newly pacified the lands west of Long,When once again his standards and plumes pointed south of the Yangtze.

What the outcome would be is unknown; read the next chapter to learn how events unfold.

Cao Cao Pacifies Hanzhong; Zhang Liao Strikes Terror at Xiaoyao Ford

Now Cao Cao raised an army for a western campaign and divided it into three columns. The vanguard was led by Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He; Cao Cao himself commanded the generals in the center; and Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun brought up the rear, escorting the provisions and fodder. Spies soon carried the news into Hanzhong. Zhang Lu and his younger brother Zhang Wei discussed how to repel the enemy. Zhang Wei said, “Of all the strongpoints in Hanzhong, none is more formidable than Yangping Pass. We can establish more than ten fortified camps on both sides of the pass, backed by the mountains and sheltered by the woods, and meet Cao Cao’s army there. You should remain in Hanning and send us ample provisions and fodder.”

Zhang Lu followed his advice and sent the generals Yang Ang and Yang Ren to set out that very day with his younger brother. When the army reached Yangping Pass, they established their camps. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He soon arrived with the vanguard. Learning that preparations had already been made at Yangping Pass, they camped fifteen li from it. That night, their soldiers were exhausted from the march and lay down to rest. Suddenly a fire broke out behind the camp, and Yang Ang and Yang Ren attacked from two directions to raid it. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He hurriedly mounted their horses, but enemy troops poured in from every side. Cao Cao’s forces suffered a crushing defeat and withdrew to report to him. Cao Cao said angrily, “You two have commanded armies for many years. Do you not know the saying, ‘When troops are weary from a long march, guard against a raid on the camp’? Why did you make no preparations?” He meant to behead them both to uphold military law, but the officers pleaded for their lives.

The next day Cao Cao personally led the vanguard. When he saw how rugged and dangerous the mountains were, with dense, tangled woods and no clear roads or paths, he feared an ambush and immediately led the army back to camp. He said to Xu Chu and Xu Huang, “Had I known this place was so treacherous, I would never have launched this campaign.” Xu Chu said, “Now that the army has come this far, my lord must not shrink from hardship.” The following day Cao Cao mounted his horse and, taking only Xu Chu and Xu Huang with him, went to inspect Zhang Wei’s fortified camps. After the three riders rounded a mountain slope, Zhang Wei’s defenses came into view. Pointing toward them with his whip, Cao Cao said to the two generals, “They are so strong that they will be very difficult to take quickly!”

Before he had finished speaking, a shout arose behind them and arrows fell like rain. Yang Ang and Yang Ren charged in from two directions. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. Xu Chu cried, “I will hold off the enemy! Xu Gongming, protect our lord!” With that, he raised his saber, spurred his horse forward, and fought both generals with all his might. Yang Ang and Yang Ren could not withstand Xu Chu’s valor and wheeled their horses around to retreat; none of the other soldiers dared advance. Xu Huang protected Cao Cao as they galloped over the slope, where another force appeared ahead. It proved to be Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He, who had heard the fighting and led troops out to their aid. Together they drove back Yang Ang and Yang Ren and rescued Cao Cao, escorting him safely to camp. Cao Cao richly rewarded all four generals. From then on, the two sides remained locked in confrontation for more than fifty days without fighting a single battle. At last Cao Cao gave orders to withdraw. Jia Xu said, “We have not yet determined the enemy’s strength or weakness. Why does my lord wish to retreat?” Cao Cao replied, “I judge that the enemy is on guard every day, making a quick victory difficult. I will announce a withdrawal so that they grow lax and cease their preparations. Then I will send light cavalry by separate routes to strike their rear, and we will surely defeat them.” Jia Xu said, “The prime minister’s divine strategy is beyond all fathoming.”

Cao Cao then ordered Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to divide their forces into two columns, each leading three thousand light cavalry along minor roads to circle behind Yangping Pass. Meanwhile, Cao Cao struck camp and withdrew the entire main army. When Yang Ang heard that Cao Cao’s troops were retreating, he asked Yang Ren to discuss pursuing and attacking them. Yang Ren said, “Cao Cao is full of cunning schemes. We do not yet know whether this retreat is genuine, so we must not pursue.” Yang Ang said, “If you will not go, I will go myself.” Yang Ren earnestly tried to dissuade him, but he would not listen. Yang Ang led out all the troops from five camps, leaving only a few soldiers behind to guard them. That day a dense fog spread everywhere, making it impossible to see anyone directly ahead. Halfway along their route, Yang Ang’s troops could go no farther, so they temporarily halted and made camp.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Yuan’s force had made its way around the rear of the mountains. Seeing the heavy fog hanging in the air and hearing voices and neighing horses, he feared an ambush and hurriedly urged his men and horses onward. Lost in the fog, they mistakenly arrived before Yang Ang’s camp. When the defenders heard the sound of hoofbeats, they assumed Yang Ang’s troops had returned and opened the gates to admit them. Cao Cao’s troops surged inside, discovered that the camp was nearly empty, and promptly set it on fire. The soldiers in all five camps abandoned their positions and fled. By the time the fog lifted, Yang Ren had led troops back to the rescue. He had fought Xiahou Yuan for only a few rounds when Zhang He’s forces arrived behind him. Yang Ren cut a path to safety and fled back to Nanzheng. When Yang Ang tried to return, Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He had already occupied the fortified camps, while Cao Cao’s main army was bearing down from behind. Attacked from both sides, with every road blocked, Yang Ang tried to break through the enemy formation, only to encounter Zhang He. The two fought, and Zhang He killed him. The defeated soldiers fled back toward Yangping Pass to report to Zhang Wei. But Zhang Wei had already learned that the two generals had been defeated and the camps lost, so in the middle of the night he abandoned the pass and fled back. Cao Cao thus took Yangping Pass and all the surrounding camps.

Zhang Wei and Yang Ren returned to report to Zhang Lu. Zhang Wei said that the two generals had lost the strategic approaches, making it impossible to hold the pass. Zhang Lu was furious and intended to behead Yang Ren. Yang Ren said, “I warned Yang Ang not to pursue Cao Cao’s troops, but he refused to listen, and that is why we suffered this defeat. I now beg for another army with which to challenge the enemy. I will surely behead Cao Cao. If I fail, I will willingly submit to military law.” Zhang Lu required him to sign a military pledge. Yang Ren then mounted his horse and led twenty thousand troops out of Nanzheng to establish a camp.

Meanwhile, as Cao Cao prepared to advance, he first ordered Xiahou Yuan to take five thousand troops and scout the road to Nanzheng. There they encountered Yang Ren’s army, and the two sides drew up their battle lines. Yang Ren sent his subordinate general Chang Qi forward to fight Xiahou Yuan. In fewer than three rounds, Xiahou Yuan cut him down from his horse with a single stroke. Yang Ren then rode out with his spear leveled and fought Xiahou Yuan for more than thirty rounds, with neither gaining the advantage. Xiahou Yuan feigned defeat and fled, and Yang Ren pursued him from behind. Xiahou Yuan then used the trailing-saber stratagem and cut him down from his horse. Yang Ren’s troops fled back in utter defeat.

When Cao Cao learned that Xiahou Yuan had slain Yang Ren, he immediately advanced and established camp directly outside Nanzheng. In alarm, Zhang Lu gathered his civil and military officials to discuss the situation. Yan Pu said, “I can recommend a man capable of matching any of Cao Cao’s generals.” Zhang Lu asked who it was. Yan Pu replied, “Pang De of Nan’an. He formerly served under Ma Chao and later surrendered to you, my lord. When Ma Chao went to the Western Riverlands, Pang De was ill and could not accompany him. He now enjoys your generous support. Why not send him?”

Zhang Lu was delighted. He immediately summoned Pang De and rewarded him generously, then assigned him ten thousand troops and ordered him into battle. More than ten li from the city, Pang De came face-to-face with Cao Cao’s troops and rode forward to issue a challenge. Cao Cao had witnessed Pang De’s valor at the Bridge of the Wei and knew it well. He therefore instructed his generals, “Pang De is a valiant general from Xiliang and was originally one of Ma Chao’s men. Though he now serves Zhang Lu, he does so against his true wishes. I want this man. When each of you fights him, you must draw out the battle and wear down his strength. Then we can capture him.”

Zhang He went out first, fought several rounds, and withdrew. Xiahou Yuan also fought several rounds before retreating. Xu Huang went out next, fought three or five rounds, and likewise withdrew. Finally, Xu Chu fought more than fifty rounds before he too retreated. Pang De had fought four generals with all his strength without showing the least fear. Each of the generals praised Pang De’s superb martial skill before Cao Cao, who was delighted. He consulted his officers, saying, “How can we persuade this man to surrender?” Jia Xu said, “I know that Zhang Lu has an adviser named Yang Song. The man is exceedingly greedy for bribes. We can secretly send him gold and silk and have him slander Pang De to Zhang Lu. Then our objective can be achieved.” Cao Cao said, “But how can anyone enter Nanzheng?” Jia Xu replied, “In tomorrow’s battle we will feign defeat, abandon our camp, and flee, allowing Pang De to occupy it. Then, late at night, we will lead troops in a raid on the camp. Pang De will certainly withdraw into the city. We can select an eloquent soldier, dress him as one of Pang De’s men, and have him mingle with the troops. In that way he will enter the city.”

Cao Cao accepted the plan. He chose an astute soldier, rewarded him generously, and gave him a gold breastplate to wear against his skin beneath a Hanzhong soldier’s uniform. He then ordered him to wait along the road in advance. The next day Cao Cao first sent Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He with two forces to lie in ambush at a distance. He then ordered Xu Huang to issue a challenge. After only a few rounds Xu Huang fled in defeat. Pang De called his troops forward in pursuit, and all of Cao Cao’s soldiers withdrew. Pang De seized Cao Cao’s fortified camp. Finding it filled with provisions and fodder, he was overjoyed and immediately sent a report to Zhang Lu, while holding a banquet in the camp to celebrate.

After the second watch that night, fires suddenly broke out in three directions. Xu Huang and Xu Chu attacked in the center, Zhang He on the left, and Xiahou Yuan on the right. All three forces came together to raid the camp. Pang De had no time to prepare. He could only mount his horse, fight his way out, and flee toward the city, with all three enemy forces pursuing behind him. Pang De called for the city gates to be opened and led his troops surging inside.

By this time Cao Cao’s agent had slipped into the city with Pang De’s troops. He went straight to Yang Song’s residence and requested an audience, explaining in full: “Duke Cao, the prime minister, has long heard of your illustrious virtue and has specially sent me to present this golden armor as a token of good faith. I also have a secret letter for you.” Yang Song was delighted. After reading the letter, he said to the agent, “Report to the Duke of Wei that he may set his mind at ease. I have an excellent plan and will soon give him my answer.” He sent the man back first, then went that very night to see Zhang Lu and claimed that Pang De had accepted a bribe from Cao Cao and deliberately thrown the battle. Zhang Lu was furious. He summoned Pang De, berated him, and intended to have him beheaded. Yan Pu earnestly pleaded for him. Zhang Lu said, “Go out to battle again tomorrow. If you do not win, you will certainly be beheaded!” Pang De withdrew, nursing bitter resentment.

The next day Cao Cao’s troops attacked the city, and Pang De led his forces charging out. Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to engage him. Xu Chu feigned defeat, and Pang De pursued him. From horseback on a hill, Cao Cao called out, “Pang Lingming, why do you not surrender at once?” Pang De thought, “Capturing Cao Cao would be worth a thousand great generals!” He therefore galloped up the hill. At a sudden shout, it seemed as though heaven and earth collapsed beneath him, and both horse and rider plunged into a pitfall. Men rushed in from all sides with hooks and ropes, captured Pang De alive, and brought him up the hill. Cao Cao dismounted, ordered the soldiers back, personally untied Pang De, and asked whether he would surrender. Reflecting on Zhang Lu’s cruelty, Pang De willingly bowed in submission. Cao Cao personally helped him onto a horse, and they rode side by side back to the main camp, deliberately allowing those on the city walls to see them. A report reached Zhang Lu that Pang De and Cao Cao had ridden off together. Zhang Lu now believed Yang Song’s accusations more firmly than ever.

The next day Cao Cao erected scaling ladders on three sides of the city and bombarded it with catapults. Seeing that the situation had become desperate, Zhang Lu consulted his younger brother Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei said, “Set fire to all the granaries, government buildings, and storehouses, then flee to the southern mountains and hold Bazhong.” Yang Song said, “It would be better to open the gates and surrender.” Zhang Lu remained undecided. Zhang Wei said, “Just burn everything and leave.” Zhang Lu replied, “I have always intended to submit my life to the state, but I never had the opportunity to make my intentions known. Now I am forced to flee, but the granaries, government buildings, and storehouses belong to the state and must not be destroyed.” He therefore had them all sealed shut.

At the second watch that night, Zhang Lu took his entire household, young and old, opened the southern gate, and fought his way out. Cao Cao ordered his men not to pursue and led his army into Nanzheng. When he saw that Zhang Lu had sealed the storehouses and treasuries, he felt great regard for him and sent envoys to Bazhong to urge him to surrender. Zhang Lu wished to submit, but Zhang Wei refused. Yang Song secretly wrote to Cao Cao, telling him to advance and promising to act as his agent inside the city. Upon receiving the letter, Cao Cao personally led his army toward Bazhong. Zhang Lu sent his younger brother Zhang Wei out with troops to meet the enemy. Zhang Wei engaged Xu Chu, who cut him down from his horse. When the defeated troops returned and reported to Zhang Lu, he resolved to defend the city. Yang Song said, “If we do not go out now, we will only sit here waiting to die. I will guard the city while you, my lord, personally fight one final battle to the death.”

Zhang Lu agreed. Yan Pu advised him not to go out, but Zhang Lu would not listen and led his army out to meet the enemy. Before the two sides could engage, his rear ranks were already fleeing. Zhang Lu hurriedly withdrew, with Cao Cao’s troops pursuing behind him. When he reached the city, Yang Song shut the gates and refused him entry. With nowhere left to go and Cao Cao bearing down behind him, Zhang Lu heard Cao Cao shout, “Why did you not surrender sooner?” Zhang Lu dismounted and bowed in submission. Cao Cao was delighted. Remembering Zhang Lu’s desire to preserve the granaries and storehouses, he treated him with exceptional courtesy and appointed him General Who Guards the South. Yan Pu and the others were all made ranked marquises. Thus all Hanzhong was pacified. Cao Cao issued orders appointing administrators to the various commanderies and establishing commandants, and he richly rewarded the soldiers. But Yang Song had betrayed his lord in pursuit of honor, so Cao Cao ordered him beheaded in the marketplace as a warning to all. A later poet lamented:

He thwarted the worthy and sold out his lord to display his clever skill;All the gold and silver he amassed came in the end to nothing.Before his household knew glory, he himself was put to death,And for a thousand years men have laughed at Yang Song.

Cao Cao had now gained the Eastern Riverlands. His secretary Sima Yi advised him, “Liu Bei took Liu Zhang through deceit and force, and the people of Shu have not yet given him their full allegiance. Now that you, my lord, have taken Hanzhong, Yizhou is shaken. If you advance quickly and attack, it will inevitably collapse. A wise man values the opportunity of the moment, and this moment must not be lost.” Cao Cao sighed and said, “Men suffer because they are never satisfied. Having gained Long, must I now covet Shu as well?” Liu Ye said, “Sima Zhongda is right. If we delay even a little, Zhuge Liang, with his brilliance in governing a state, will serve as chief minister, while Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others, whose courage surpasses the entire army, will serve as generals. Once the people of Shu are settled and they have secured the strategic passes, they will be impossible to attack.” Cao Cao said, “The soldiers have suffered from marching such a great distance. For now, they should be allowed to rest and recover.” He therefore kept the army in place and made no further move.

Meanwhile, when the people of the Western Riverlands heard that Cao Cao had already taken the Eastern Riverlands, they assumed he would certainly come to seize their land next, and panic swept through them several times in a single day. Liu Bei called in his military adviser to discuss the situation. Kongming said, “I have a plan that will make Cao Cao withdraw of his own accord.” Liu Bei asked what the plan was. Kongming replied, “Cao Cao has troops stationed at Hefei because he fears Sun Quan. If we now return the three commanderies of Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang to Wu and send an eloquent envoy to explain the advantages and disadvantages, persuading Wu to raise an army and attack Hefei, the threat will force Cao Cao to turn his army south.” Liu Bei asked, “Who can serve as envoy?” Yi Ji said, “I am willing to go.” Liu Bei was delighted. He wrote a letter and prepared the proper gifts, ordering Yi Ji to go first to Jingzhou and inform Guan Yu, and then to enter Wu. Upon reaching Moling, Yi Ji went to see Sun Quan and first sent in his name. Sun Quan summoned him. After Yi Ji had completed the formal courtesies, Sun Quan asked, “Why have you come here?” Yi Ji replied, “When Zhuge Ziyu recently came to take possession of Changsha and the other two commanderies, our military adviser was absent, so the transfer was not properly completed. I have now brought a letter returning them. As for Nan Commandery and Lingling in Jingzhou, we originally intended to return those as well, but Cao Cao’s seizure of the Eastern Riverlands has left General Guan with no place to establish himself. Hefei is now weakly defended. We hope that you, my lord, will raise an army and attack it, forcing Cao Cao to withdraw his troops southward. If my lord takes the Eastern Riverlands, he will then return the whole of Jingzhou.” Sun Quan said, “For now, return to your guesthouse and allow me to discuss the matter.”

After Yi Ji withdrew, Sun Quan asked his advisers for their views. Zhang Zhao said, “Liu Bei has proposed this plan because he fears Cao Cao will take the Western Riverlands. Even so, now that Cao Cao is in Hanzhong, taking advantage of the situation to seize Hefei would also be the best policy.” Sun Quan accepted his advice. After sending Yi Ji back to Shu, he immediately discussed raising an army against Cao Cao. He ordered Lu Su to take possession of Changsha, Jiangxia, and Guiyang and station troops at Lukou. He also recalled Lü Meng and Gan Ning, then sent to Yuhang to recall Ling Tong.

Within a few days, Lü Meng and Gan Ning arrived first. Lü Meng proposed a plan: “Cao Cao has appointed Zhu Guang administrator of Lujiang and stationed him at Wancheng, where he has opened extensive rice fields and is sending grain to Hefei to supply the army. We should first take Wancheng and then attack Hefei.” Sun Quan said, “This plan accords perfectly with my intentions.” He appointed Lü Meng and Gan Ning as vanguard commanders, Jiang Qin and Pan Zhang to secure the rear, and personally led Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, Dong Xi, and Xu Sheng in the central army. At the time, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were stationed in various regions and did not accompany the campaign.

The army crossed the Yangtze, took Hezhou, and proceeded directly to Wancheng. Zhu Guang, the administrator of Wancheng, sent a messenger to Hefei to request reinforcements while he held the city firmly and refused to come out. When Sun Quan personally approached the city to inspect it, arrows poured down from the walls like rain, one of them striking the canopy over his command standard. Sun Quan returned to camp and asked his generals, “How can we take Wancheng?” Dong Xi said, “We can order the soldiers to build earthen mounds from which to attack it.” Xu Sheng said, “We can erect scaling ladders and construct elevated bridges, then look down into the city and attack.” Lü Meng said, “Both methods will take many days to complete. Once reinforcements arrive from Hefei, we will be unable to achieve our objective. Our army has only just arrived, and the soldiers’ fighting spirit is at its height. We should take advantage of that spirit and attack with all our strength. If we advance at dawn tomorrow, we should break the city between noon and two.”

Sun Quan followed his advice. The next day, after the soldiers had eaten during the fifth watch, the entire army advanced. Arrows and stones rained down together from the walls. Gan Ning, wielding an iron chain, pressed forward through the barrage. Zhu Guang ordered all his archers to shoot at once, but Gan Ning swept aside the forest of arrows and struck Zhu Guang down with one blow of his chain. Lü Meng personally beat the war drum. The soldiers swarmed up the walls and hacked Zhu Guang to death with a flurry of blades. Most of the remaining defenders surrendered. They had taken Wancheng while it was still only the hour of the dragon. Zhang Liao was halfway there with reinforcements when his scouts returned and reported that Wancheng had fallen. Zhang Liao immediately turned his army back to Hefei.

Sun Quan entered Wancheng, and Ling Tong also arrived with his troops. After commending them, Sun Quan held a great feast for the entire army, rewarded Lü Meng, Gan Ning, and the other generals generously, and gave a banquet to celebrate their victory. Lü Meng yielded the seat of honor to Gan Ning and lavishly praised his achievements. When the wine had flowed freely, Ling Tong remembered that Gan Ning had killed his father. Seeing Lü Meng praise him so highly, he became furious and glared at Gan Ning for a long time. Suddenly he drew the sword at his side, stepped into the banquet area, and said, “There is no entertainment at this feast. Watch me perform a sword dance.” Gan Ning understood his intent. He pushed aside his table, rose, grasped two halberds in his hands, and strode forward, saying, “Watch me wield my halberds before the banquet.” Lü Meng saw that neither man had good intentions. Holding a shield in one hand and a saber in the other, he stepped between them and said, “Though you two are both skilled, neither is as dexterous as I am.” With that, he began a saber-and-shield dance and forced the two men apart.

Someone had already reported the matter to Sun Quan. In alarm, he mounted his horse and rode straight to the banquet. Only when the generals saw Sun Quan arrive did they put down their weapons. Sun Quan said, “I have repeatedly told you both to put aside your old feud. Why are you behaving this way again today?” Ling Tong fell to his knees and wept. Sun Quan repeatedly urged them to stop. The next day he raised the army to advance on Hefei, and all three divisions set out.

Because he had lost Wancheng, Zhang Liao returned to Hefei deeply troubled. Suddenly Cao Cao sent Xue Ti with a wooden box bearing Cao Cao’s seal. Written on the side were the words: “Open only when the enemy comes.” That same day came the report: “Sun Quan is personally leading an army of one hundred thousand to attack Hefei.” Zhang Liao opened the box and read the message inside: “If Sun Quan arrives, Generals Zhang and Li are to go out and fight, while General Yue guards the city.” Zhang Liao showed the written order to Li Dian and Yue Jin. Yue Jin asked, “What do you think the order means, General?” Zhang Liao replied, “Our lord is away on a distant campaign, and the Wu army believes it is certain to defeat us. We must now send troops out to meet them, fight with all our strength, and blunt the edge of their advance to steady our men’s morale. Only then can we defend the city.”

Li Dian had long been on bad terms with Zhang Liao. On hearing these words, he remained silent and gave no answer. Seeing that Li Dian said nothing, Yue Jin said, “The enemy is numerous and we are few. It will be difficult to meet them in battle. It would be better to hold our defenses.” Zhang Liao said, “You are both governed by personal considerations and disregard the affairs of the state. I will go out alone to meet the enemy and fight to the death.” He ordered his attendants to prepare his horse. Li Dian rose with passionate resolve and said, “If you are prepared to do this, General, how could I dare let a private grievance make me forget public duty? I am ready to obey your command.” Zhang Liao was overjoyed. “Since Mancheng is willing to help me, tomorrow lead a force into ambush north of Xiaoyao Ford. When the Wu army advances, first cut the Little Master Bridge. Yue Wenqian and I will then attack them.” Li Dian accepted the order and went to muster his troops for the ambush.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan had appointed Lü Meng and Gan Ning to lead the vanguard, while he followed in the center with Ling Tong. The other generals advanced in succession as the army moved against Hefei. Lü Meng and Gan Ning led the vanguard forward and encountered Yue Jin. Gan Ning rode out and engaged him. After only a few rounds, Yue Jin feigned defeat and fled. Gan Ning called to Lü Meng, and together they led their troops in pursuit. Sun Quan was with the second column. Hearing that the vanguard had won, he urged his soldiers onward. When they reached the north side of Xiaoyao Ford, a rapid succession of cannon blasts suddenly sounded. Zhang Liao’s force attacked from the left, and Li Dian’s from the right. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly sent men to recall Lü Meng and Gan Ning, but Zhang Liao’s troops were already upon him. Ling Tong had only a little more than three hundred cavalry under his command, and they could not withstand Cao Cao’s army, which bore down like a collapsing mountain. Ling Tong shouted, “My lord, why do you not quickly cross the Little Master Bridge?”

Before he had finished speaking, Zhang Liao arrived at the head of more than two thousand cavalry. Ling Tong wheeled around and fought desperately. Sun Quan spurred his horse onto the bridge, only to find that more than a zhang of its southern end had been torn away, without a single plank remaining. Sun Quan was so alarmed that he did not know what to do. His officer Gu Li shouted, “My lord, back your horse up, then charge forward and leap across the gap!” Sun Quan backed his horse more than three zhang, then loosened the reins and lashed it with his whip. The horse sprang into the air and cleared the gap to the southern side. A later poet wrote:

Long ago Dilu leaped across the Tan Stream;Now the lord of Wu was routed at Hefei.Backing up, he whipped his swift steed into flight;Over Xiaoyao Ford the Jade Dragon soared.

After Sun Quan leaped to the southern side of the bridge, Xu Sheng and Dong Xi brought boats to meet him. Ling Tong and Gu Li held off Zhang Liao. Gan Ning and Lü Meng led their troops back to the rescue, but Yue Jin pursued them from behind while Li Dian blocked their way and engaged them. More than half the Wu troops were lost. All of the more than three hundred men under Ling Tong’s command were killed. Ling Tong himself suffered several spear wounds but fought his way to the bridge. Finding it broken, he fled around the riverbank. Sun Quan saw him from the boat and urgently ordered Dong Xi to row over and rescue him, enabling him to cross safely. Lü Meng and Gan Ning also risked their lives to escape to the southern side of the river. This battle left everyone in the Southlands terrified. At the mere sound of Zhang Liao’s name, even small children no longer dared cry at night. The generals escorted Sun Quan back to camp. Sun Quan richly rewarded Ling Tong and Gu Li, then withdrew the army to Ruxu, where he prepared the ships and discussed a combined advance by land and water. At the same time, he sent men back to the Southlands to raise more troops as reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Zhang Liao learned that Sun Quan was at Ruxu and intended to raise an army for another attack. Fearing that the small garrison at Hefei could not withstand him, he urgently ordered Xue Ti to travel night and day to Hanzhong, report the situation to Cao Cao, and request reinforcements. Cao Cao discussed the matter with his officials, saying, “Can we take the Western Riverlands now?” Liu Ye said, “Shu has now become somewhat settled and has already made preparations, so it cannot be attacked. It would be better to withdraw the army to relieve the crisis at Hefei, then proceed down into the Southlands.”

Cao Cao therefore left Xiahou Yuan to guard the strategic approaches at Mount Dingjun in Hanzhong and Zhang He to guard the passes at Mengtou Cliff and elsewhere. The rest of the army struck camp and set out for the Ruxu stockade. Thus:

His iron cavalry had only just pacified the lands west of Long,When his banners and standards once more pointed toward the Southlands.

What the outcome would be is unknown; read the next chapter to learn how events unfold.