Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Meanwhile, Yuan Shu, in Huainan, commanded vast lands and abundant grain reserves, and moreover possessed the Imperial Seal that Sun Ce had given as a pledge. He therefore conceived the ambition of usurping the imperial title. He assembled his officials and addressed them: "In former times, Emperor Gaozu of Han was merely a village headman on the Si River, yet he came to possess all under Heaven. Now four hundred years have passed; the Han's allotted span is exhausted, and the realm seethes with turmoil. My family has produced three generations of highest ministers, and the people look to us. I intend to respond to Heaven and follow the will of the people by ascending the Dragon Throne. What do you all think of this?"

The Chief Clerk Yan Xiang said: "This cannot be done. Of old, Hou Ji of the Zhou accumulated virtue and merit, and by the time of King Wen, though the Zhou held two-thirds of the realm, they still served the Yin as vassals. Your family's lineage, though honored, does not rival the Zhou's flourishing; the Han house, though in decline, does not match the tyranny of Zhou of Yin. This matter must absolutely not be carried out."

Yuan Shu was furious. "My surname Yuan comes from Chen, and Chen is descended from the great Shun. Earth succeeds Fire—this accords with the propitious cycle. Moreover, the prophecy says: 'That which replaces the Han shall be Dang Tu Gao.' My style name is Gonglu—this corresponds exactly to the prophecy. Furthermore, I possess the Imperial Seal transmitted through the ages. If I do not become sovereign, I shall be acting against Heaven's will. My mind is made up. Those who speak further shall be beheaded!"

Thereupon he assumed the title Zhong, established a central government with its attendant offices, rode in a dragon-phoenix imperial carriage, performed sacrifices at the southern and northern suburbs, took the daughter of Feng Fang as empress, and named his son as heir to the throne. He then ordered an envoy to hasten the retrieval of Lü Bu's daughter to serve as consort to the heir. But he then learned that Lü Bu had already sent Han Yin to Xuchao, where Cao Cao had him executed. Enraged, Yuan Shu appointed Zhang Yun as Grand Commander and placed him in charge of an army of over two hundred thousand men, dividing them into seven columns to attack Xuzhou: Zhang Yun, as the leading general, commanded the central column; General Qiao Rui led the left; General Chen Ji led the right; Lieutenant General Lei Bo led the left; Lieutenant General Chen Lan led the right; the surrendered general Han Xian led the left; and the surrendered general Yang Feng led the right. Each commanded subordinate officers and was ordered to set out on a fixed day. Yuan Shu appointed Jin Shang, Governor of Yanzhou, as Grand Overseer to supervise the transport of provisions for the seven columns. When Jin Shang refused, Yuan Shu had him killed and appointed Ji Ling as General Coordinator of Reinforcements for the seven columns. Yuan Shu himself led thirty thousand troops, with Li Feng, Liang Gang, and Le Jiu as Commissioners of Advance, to support the seven columns.

Lü Bu sent scouts and learned that Zhang Yun's column was advancing along the main road directly toward Xuzhou; Qiao Rui's column was heading for Xiaopei; Chen Ji's column for Yidu; Lei Bo's column for Langya; Chen Lan's column for Jieshi; Han Xian's column for Xiapi; and Yang Feng's column for Junshan. The seven columns marched fifty li a day, plundering as they advanced. Lü Bu urgently summoned his advisors. Chen Gong and the father and son Chen Gui arrived. Chen Gong said: "The calamity that has befallen Xuzhou was brought about by Chen Gui and his son. They curried favor with the imperial court to seek titles and emoluments, and now they have shifted the disaster upon you, General. If you behead the two of them and offer their heads to Yuan Shu, his army will withdraw of its own accord."

Lü Bu, heeding his words, immediately ordered the arrest of Chen Gui and Chen Deng. Chen Deng laughed loudly. "How cowardly can you be! I regard these seven columns as no more than seven piles of rotting grass—nothing to trouble yourself over." Lü Bu said: "If you have a plan to defeat the enemy, I shall spare your life." Chen Deng said: "If the General will follow this humble man's counsel, Xuzhou can be preserved without danger." Lü Bu said: "Speak, then." Deng said: "Though Yuan Shu's forces are numerous, they are a rabble, held together by no bond of loyalty or trust. If we meet them with our main force in a defensive posture and strike with a surprise force, success is assured. There is yet another plan that will not only secure Xuzhou but also capture Yuan Shu alive." Lü Bu asked: "How shall it be carried out?" Deng replied: "Han Xian and Yang Feng are former ministers of the Han. They fled in fear of Cao Cao, having no home to return to, and have temporarily joined Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu is certain to hold them in contempt, and they for their part are unwilling to serve him. If we send letters to secure their cooperation as allies within, and coordinate with Liu Bei as a force from without, Yuan Shu is certain to be captured." Lü Bu said: "You must go in person to Han Xian and Yang Feng to deliver the letters." Chen Deng agreed.

Lü Bu thereupon dispatched a memorial to the court at Xuchao and sent letters to Yuzhou. He then ordered Chen Deng to take several horsemen and proceed ahead to await Han Xian on the road to Xiapi. When Han Xian arrived with his troops and had made camp, Deng went in to see him. Han Xian asked: "You are a man of Lü Bu's. What business brings you here?" Deng smiled and said: "I am a minister of the Great Han—how can you call me a man of Lü Bu's? As for you, General, you were once a minister of the Han, yet now you serve a rebel. You have rendered the meritorious service you performed in protecting the Emperor in Guanzhong utterly meaningless, and I must say I think poorly of such conduct. Moreover, Yuan Shu is by nature the most suspicious of men, and you will surely come to grief at his hands. If you do not act soon, you will regret it when it is too late." Han Xian sighed and said: "I wish to return to the Han, but I have no means of doing so." Deng then produced Lü Bu's letter. Han Xian read it and said: "I understand. You may return first. General Yang and I will turn our weapons against Yuan Shu. When you see fire as the signal, the Marquis of Wen can send his forces in support."

Deng took leave of Han Xian and hastened back to report to Lü Bu. Lü Bu thereupon divided his forces into five columns: Gao Shun led one column toward Xiaopei to oppose Qiao Rui; Chen Gong led one column toward Yidu to oppose Chen Ji; Zhang Lian and Zang Ba led one column toward Langya to oppose Lei Bo; Song Xian and Wei Xu led one column toward Jieshi to oppose Chen Lan; and Lü Bu himself led one column along the main road to oppose Zhang Yun. Each column numbered ten thousand men; the remainder were left to defend the city. Lü Bu advanced thirty li from the city and made camp. When Zhang Yun's army arrived, judging that he could not match Lü Bu, he fell back twenty li and encamped, awaiting reinforcements from the other columns.

That night, at the second watch, Han Xian and Yang Feng set fires throughout the enemy camp, creating openings for Lü Bu's forces to enter. Zhang Yun's army fell into chaos. Lü Bu seized the moment and fell upon them with a slaughter. Zhang Yun fled in defeat. Lü Bu pursued him until daybreak, when he encountered Ji Ling's reinforcements. The two armies faced each other, just as they were about to engage, when Han Xian and Yang Feng attacked from two sides. Ji Ling was utterly defeated and fled. Lü Bu pressed the pursuit, and from behind the hills a body of troops appeared. The banners parted, and a column of soldiers came into view, bearing dragon-phoenix banners and sun-and-emblem streamers, four-direction and five-quarter pennants, golden melons and silver axes, yellow halberds and white yak-tail plumes. Beneath a yellow-gauzed canopy of gold-embroidered silk, Yuan Shu himself stood in golden armor, two swords hanging at his wrists, and cursed Lü Bu before the battle line: "Faithless slave who has betrayed your master!"

Enraged, Lü Bu leveled his halberd and charged forward. Yuan Shu's general Li Feng raised his lance to meet him, but after fewer than three bouts, Lü Bu pierced his hand, and Feng dropped his lance and fled. Lü Bu ordered his troops to press the attack, throwing Yuan Shu's army into chaos. Lü Bu led his forces in pursuit from behind, seizing countless horses, suits of armor, and supplies. Yuan Shu led his defeated troops but had not gone several *li* when a body of soldiers emerged from behind a hill and blocked their path. At the head of this force was none other than Guan Yunchang. He bellowed, "Rebel! Why don't you submit to death!" Yuan Shu fled in panic, and his remaining soldiers scattered in all directions. Yunchang slaughtered them for a time. Yuan Shu gathered his defeated troops and fled back to Huainan.

After his victory, Lü Bu invited Guan Yunchang along with Yang Feng, Han Xian, and their men to Xuzhou, where he hosted a grand banquet in his honor. The soldiers were all rewarded with gifts. The next day, Yunchang took his leave. Lü Bu appointed Han Xian as Governor of Yidu and Yang Feng as Governor of Langya, and they discussed keeping both men in Xuzhou. Chen Gui said, "That cannot be done. Han and Yang occupy the region east of the mountains. Within a year, all the cities east of the mountains will belong to you, General." Lü Bu agreed, and so he sent the two generals to station their troops temporarily at Yidu and Langya, pending further orders. Chen Deng privately asked his father, "Why not keep the two men in Xuzhou, to serve as the means to kill Lü Bu?" Chen Gui said, "If the two men assist Lü Bu, that would be adding claws and teeth to a tiger." Deng then acknowledged his father's superior wisdom.

Now, after Yuan Shu's defeat and return to Huainan, he sent a man to Jiangdong to ask Sun Ce for troops to avenge the insult. Sun Ce was furious and said, "You relied on our imperial seal to usurp the title of emperor, turning your back on the House of Han—this is the height of treason! I am about to send troops to punish you. How could I possibly aid a rebel instead?" He then wrote a letter cutting off all relations. The messenger returned with the letter to see Yuan Shu. After reading it, Yuan Shu was enraged and said, "A mere beardless youth, how dare he! I shall attack him first!" Only after his Chief Clerk Yang Da remonstrated with all his might did Yuan Shu relent.

After Sun Ce sent the letter, he guarded against Yuan Shu's troops coming and stationed forces to hold the river mouth. Suddenly an envoy from Cao Cao arrived, appointing Sun Ce as Governor of Kuaiji and ordering him to raise troops to attack Yuan Shu. Sun Ce then held a council and was about to set out. His Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao said, "Although Yuan Shu has recently been defeated, his troops are numerous and his grain supplies ample—he should not be taken lightly. It would be better to send a letter to Cao Cao urging him to campaign southward, while we act as a rear force. With the two armies supporting each other, Yuan Shu's army will certainly be defeated. If anything goes wrong, we can also look to Cao Cao for rescue." Sun Ce followed his advice and sent a messenger to convey this intention to Cao Cao.

Now, when Cao Cao arrived at Xudu, he thought fondly of Dian Wei and established a shrine to sacrifice to him; he appointed Dian Wei's son Dian Man as a Gentleman of the Palace and took him into his household. Suddenly it was reported that Sun Ce had sent an envoy with a letter. Cao Cao finished reading the letter, and then someone reported that Yuan Shu was running short on grain and had been plundering Chenliu, so Cao Cao decided to take advantage of the situation and attack. He therefore raised troops for a southern campaign, leaving Cao Ren to guard Xudu while all others accompanied him—a combined force of 170,000 horse and infantry, with over a thousand carts of grain and supplies. At the same time, he sent men ahead to rendezvous with Sun Ce, Liu Bei, and Lü Bu.

When the troops reached the border of Yuzhang, Xuande had already led his forces forward to meet them. Cao Cao ordered that he be invited into the camp. After their greetings, Xuande presented two severed heads. Cao Cao, startled, said, "Whose heads are these?" Xuande said, "These are the heads of Han Xian and Yang Feng." Cao Cao said, "How did you obtain them?" Xuande said, "Lü Bu ordered the two men to temporarily garrison Yidu and Langya counties. Unexpectedly, they allowed their soldiers to plunder the people, and everyone groaned with resentment. Therefore, I arranged a banquet, pretending to invite them for discussion. During the drinking, I threw my cup as a signal and had my two sworn brothers Guan and Zhang kill them, and their troops all surrendered. I have come now to ask for punishment." Cao Cao said, "You have removed a scourge on behalf of the nation—this is truly a great merit. Why speak of punishment?"

He then richly rewarded Xuande, and their combined forces advanced to the border of Xuzhou. Lü Bu came out to meet them. Cao Cao spoke kindly to reassure him, appointing him General of the Left, and promised to bestow the official seal and ribbon when they returned to the capital. Lü Bu was overjoyed. Cao Cao then assigned Lü Bu's troops to the left flank and Xuande's troops to the right, while he himself commanded the main army in the center, with Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin as the vanguard.

When Yuan Shu learned of Cao Cao's approach, he ordered his general Qiao Rui to lead 50,000 troops as the vanguard. The two armies met at the border of Shouchun. Qiao Rui rode out first and engaged Xiahou Dun, but after fewer than three bouts, Xiahou Dun thrust him through and killed him. Yuan Shu's army was routed and fled back to the city. Suddenly it was reported that Sun Ce had launched boats to attack the western bank of the river, Lü Bu was leading troops to attack the east, Liu Bei, Guan, and Zhang were leading troops to attack the south, and Cao Cao personally led 170,000 troops to attack the north. Yuan Shu was greatly alarmed and hastily assembled his officials and officers for a council. Yang Da said, "Shouchun has suffered drought and flood in succession for years, and the people all lack food. Now if we mobilize troops to disturb the people further, the people will only breed resentment, and when the enemy arrives it will be difficult to resist. It would be better to leave our forces in Shouchun and not engage in battle. Wait until their grain is exhausted—then trouble will surely arise. Your Majesty should take the Imperial Guard across the Huai River: first, to reach more fertile lands, and second, to temporarily avoid their sharp offensive."

Yuan Shu followed this advice, leaving Li Feng, Le Ji, Liang Gang, and Chen Ji with 100,000 troops to hold Shouchun, while he gathered the remaining officers and soldiers together with all the gold, jade, and treasures from the imperial storehouse and crossed the Huai River with them.

Now, Cao Cao's army of 170,000 consumed an enormous amount of grain daily. The various commanderies had suffered drought and could not supply enough. Cao Cao urged his troops to press for a quick battle, but Li Feng and the others kept the city gates shut and would not come out. Cao Cao's army faced them for over a month, and their grain was nearly exhausted. He wrote to Sun Ce and borrowed 100,000 *hu* of rice, but even this was not enough to distribute. The grain supply officer Ren Jun's subordinate, the granary officer Wang Hou, entered and reported to Cao Cao, "With so many troops and so little grain, what should we do?" Cao Cao said, "You may distribute using smaller measures, to tide us over for the moment." Wang Hou said, "If the soldiers become resentful, what then?" Cao Cao said, "I have my own plan."

Wang Hou, following orders, distributed the grain using smaller measures. Cao Cao secretly sent men to each camp to listen, and without exception, the soldiers murmured in resentment, all saying that the Prime Minister was cheating the troops. Cao Cao then secretly summoned Wang Hou and said, "I wish to borrow something from you to suppress the hearts of the masses. You must not be stingy." Wang Hou said, "What does the Prime Minister wish to use?" Cao Cao said, "I wish to borrow your head to show to the troops." Wang Hou was greatly shocked and said, "I am truly without fault." Cao Cao said, "I also know you are without guilt, but if I do not kill you, the army's hearts will turn. After you die, I will personally support your wife and children. Do not worry." When Wang Hou tried to speak again, Cao Cao had already called the executioners, who dragged him out the gate, beheaded him with one stroke, and hung his head on a high pole. He issued a proclamation announcing: "Wang Hou deliberately used smaller measures and stole official grain. He has been executed according to military law." Thereupon the soldiers' resentment began to subside.

The next day, Cao Cao issued orders to the commanders of all camps: "If the city is not taken by force within three days, all will be beheaded!" Cao Cao went personally to beneath the city walls, supervising the various armies in carrying earth and transporting stones to fill the moats and trenches. Arrows and stones rained from the city walls like rain. Two lieutenant generals, fearing danger, retreated. Cao Cao drew his sword and personally executed them beneath the city walls, then dismounted himself and joined in carrying earth to fill the pits. Thereupon officers and soldiers, great and small, all pressed forward without hesitation, and the army's might was greatly raged. Those atop the city walls could not resist. Cao's soldiers vied to scale the city, cut through the gates, and lowered the locks. The great host poured in. Li Feng, Chen Ji, Yue Jiu, and Liang Gang were all taken alive. Cao Cao ordered all of them executed in the marketplace. They burned down the illicitly constructed palaces, halls, and all forbidden objects. Within the city of Shouchun, everything was plundered bare. They deliberated on advancing the army to cross the Huai River and pursue Yuan Shu. Xun Yu remonstrated, saying: "These past years have brought drought and famine, and grain is difficult to obtain. If we advance further, it will weary the army and harm the people, and may not bring advantage. It would be better to return temporarily to Xu Du, and wait until next spring when the wheat is ripe and military provisions are fully prepared. Then we can make our plans."

Cao Cao hesitated and had not yet decided. Suddenly a horseman arrived with a report, saying: "Zhang Xiu, relying on Liu Biao, has again grown rampant. The counties of Nanyang have rebelled once more. Cao Hong cannot withstand the enemy and has lost several battles in succession. He has come specially to report the emergency." Cao Cao then sent an express letter to Sun Ce, ordering him to deploy his forces across the river as a threat to make Liu Biao suspicious and prevent him from acting rashly. He himself set out to return with the army that very day and make separate plans to campaign against Zhang Xiu. Before departing, he ordered Xuande to remain stationed in Xiaopei and to form a sworn brotherhood with Lü Bu, so they would aid each other and never again encroach upon one another. Lü Bu led his army back to Xuzhou. Cao Cao said secretly to Xuande: "I ordered you to station troops in Xiaopei as a 'plan of digging a pit to await a tiger.' You need only deliberate with Chen Gui and his son, and ensure nothing goes wrong. I will serve with you as an external support." With these words, they parted.

Now, when Cao Cao led his army back to Xu Du, he was reported that Duan Wei had killed Li Jue and Wu Xi had killed Guo Si, and that they had sent the heads as tribute. Duan Wei also delivered alive over two hundred members of Li Jue's entire extended family to Xu Du. Cao Cao ordered them executed at each city gate, with their heads displayed as a proclamation, and the people rejoiced. The Emperor ascended the hall, assembled the civil and military officials, and held a feast of peace. Duan Wei was enfeoffed as General Who Sweeps Away Bandits, and Wu Xi as General Who Annihilates Calamities, each leading troops to garrison Chang'an. The two thanked the favor and departed. Cao Cao then memorialized that Zhang Xiu was in rebellion and that an army should be raised to punish him. The Emperor himself arranged his imperial carriage to see Cao Cao off as he set out with the army. This was in the fourth month of the summer of the third year of Jian'an.

Cao Cao left Xun Yu in Xu Du to deploy troops and generals, while he himself led the great army forward. During the march, he saw that the wheat along the road had ripened. The people, because the army had arrived, had fled and were hiding outside, daring not to harvest the wheat. Cao Cao sent men far and wide to announce to the village elders and all the local officials guarding the region: "I carry the Emperor's bright edict to lead troops and punish rebels, removing harm from the people. Now that the wheat is ripe, I have no choice but to raise an army. All officers and soldiers of every rank who pass through the wheat fields—anyone who tramples the wheat shall be beheaded. The military law is most strict; let the people not be alarmed or doubtful." The people, hearing the announcement, were all overjoyed and praised him, bowing in the dust and blocking the road. The official army, passing through the wheat fields, all dismounted and guided the wheat by hand, passing it from one to another, and none dared to trample it.

Cao Cao was riding his horse along the road when suddenly a pigeon was startled up from the field. His horse, startled, bolted into the wheat and trampled a large section of the wheat field. Cao Cao immediately called for the army's chief clerk to deliberate on his own crime of trampling the wheat. The chief clerk said, "How can the Prime Minister be charged with a crime?" Cao Cao said, "I myself made the law, and I myself have violated it. How can I make the masses submit?" He drew the sword at his waist, intending to cut his own throat. The crowd urgently rescued him. Guo Jia said: "In ancient times, according to the principles of the Spring and Autumn, the law does not apply to the exalted. The Prime Minister commands the great army—how can he harm himself?" Cao Cao pondered for a long time, then said: "Since the Spring and Autumn contains the principle that the law does not apply to the exalted, I will spare myself death." He then used his sword to cut off his own hair and cast it to the ground, saying: "I cut off my hair as a substitute for my head." He had the hair circulated and shown to the three armies, saying: "The Prime Minister trampled the wheat and should by law have been beheaded as a proclamation. Now I cut off my hair as a substitute." Thereupon the three armies were filled with dread, and none failed to strictly obey the military orders. A later poet composed a verse commenting on this:

A hundred thousand fierce warriors, a hundred thousand hearts—

One man's command is hard for the masses to restrain.

He drew his sword and cut his hair as a substitute for his head—

Thus one sees the depth of Cao Man's cunning arts.

Now, when Zhang Xiu learned that Cao Cao was leading troops to come, he urgently sent a letter to Liu Bao requesting him to serve as a rear support. On his own part, he led troops out of the city with Lei Xu and Xian Xian to meet the enemy. The two battle lines were drawn up in formation. Zhang Xiu rode out and pointed at Cao Cao, cursing him: "You are a man who feigns benevolence and righteousness and has no sense of shame—how are you any different from a beast!" Cao Cao was furious and ordered Xu Chu to ride out. Zhang Xiu ordered Xian Xian to engage in battle. In only three exchanges, Xu Chu cut Xian Xian down from his horse. Zhang Xiu's army was routed. Cao Cao led his troops in pursuit to the walls of Nanyang. Zhang Xiu entered the city and closed the gates, not venturing out.

Cao Cao besieged the city and attacked. Seeing that the moat was very wide and the water deep, making it difficult to approach the city, he ordered the soldiers to transport earth to fill the moat. He also used earth-filled bags mixed with firewood and straw to make ladders at the side of the city wall. He also set up cloud ladders to spy into the city. Cao Cao himself rode his horse around the city to observe. After three days of this, Cao Cao issued orders for the soldiers to pile firewood at the northwest corner of the city, assembled his generals, and planned to scale the city from that spot.

In the city, Jia Xu, observing the situation, said to Zhang Xiu: "I now understand Cao Cao's intention. We can turn his own stratagem against him." Indeed:

In the strong, there is always one stronger;

When using deceit, one meets a man who sees through deceit.

What stratagem did they employ? Read on to find out.