Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Jia Xu had already divined Cao Cao's intentions and planned to turn his adversary's scheme against him. He said to Zhang Xiu, "I observed from the city walls as Cao Cao rode around the city for three days. He noticed that the bricks and earth on the southeast corner showed signs of new and old repairs, and that the abatis there were mostly destroyed—he means to attack from that quarter. But he has piled up grass openly on the northwest side, creating a false show to trick us into withdrawing our forces to defend the northwest. Then, under cover of darkness, he will scale the walls at the southeast corner."

Zhang Xiu said, "Then what shall we do?"

Jia Xu replied, "This is simple. Tomorrow, have your strongest soldiers eat their fill and go lightly armed, and hide them all inside the houses on the southeast side. Then have commoners dressed as soldiers mount a show of defending the northwest. At night, let him do as he pleases and climb the walls at the southeast corner. The moment they are inside the city, fire a cannon, and let the hidden troops rise all at once—we can capture Cao Cao alive."

Zhang Xiu was delighted and followed his plan. Soon a scout reported to Cao Cao that Zhang Xiu had pulled all his troops to the northwest corner, where they shouted and made a show of defending the wall, while the southeast was left virtually empty. Cao Cao said, "He has fallen into my trap!" He then ordered his army to prepare in secret picks, shovels, and scaling ladders. During the day, he led his men to attack only the northwest corner; but at the second watch of the night, he led his elite troops to the southeast corner, where they waded through the moat and broke through the abatis. The city was perfectly silent. The soldiers poured in all at once. Suddenly a cannon fired, and hidden troops rose on every side. The Cao army scrambled to retreat, but behind them Zhang Xiu personally drove his fierce warriors forward in pursuit. The Cao army suffered a crushing defeat, falling back outside the city and fleeing several tens of li. Zhang Xiu pressed the attack until dawn before finally withdrawing into the city. Cao Cao counted his losses: over fifty thousand men had been killed or scattered, and countless supplies and equipment lost. Lü Qian and Yu Jin had both been wounded.

When Jia Xu saw that Cao Cao had fled in defeat, he urged Zhang Xiu to send a letter to Liu Table at once, asking him to raise troops and cut off Cao Cao's line of retreat. Liu Biao received the letter and was about to mobilize when a scout reported that Sun Ce was encamped at the mouth of Hukou. Kuai Liang said, "Sun Ce's encampment at Hukou is part of Cao Cao's strategy. Now that Cao Cao has just suffered a defeat, if we do not strike while the advantage is ours, we shall surely face trouble later." Liu Biao therefore ordered Huang Zu to hold the mountain passes firmly, while he led his own troops to Anzhong County to cut off Cao Cao's rear. At the same time, he sent word to Zhang Xiu to join him. Zhang Xiu, learning that Liu Biao's forces were already in motion, set out with Jia Xu to attack Cao Cao.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao's army was moving slowly. When they reached the River Yu near Xiangcheng, Cao Cao suddenly burst into loud weeping upon his horse. His officers, startled, asked the reason. Cao Cao said, "I was thinking of how last year at this very place I lost my great general Dian Wei—how can I help but weep?" He at once ordered the army to halt and prepared a great sacrificial feast to honor Dian Wei's departed spirit. Cao Cao himself lit the incense and wept as his offering, and the entire army was moved to tears. When the rites for Dian Wei were completed, he sacrificed as well to his nephew Cao Ang and his eldest son Cao Ang, and to all the soldiers who had fallen in battle—even the great Ferghana horse that had been shot dead received its offering.

The next day, a messenger arrived from Xun Yu with a report: "Liu Biao is aiding Zhang Xiu with troops at Anzhong, cutting off our route of retreat." Cao Cao replied to Xun Yu's letter: "I march only a few li each day, not because I do not know the enemy is pursuing me, but because my plan is already settled. When we reach Anzhong, I will certainly crush Zhang Xiu. Have no doubts." He then urged his army forward to the border of Anzhong County. Liu Biao's forces already held the strategic passes, and Zhang Xiu's army was close behind. Cao Cao ordered his men to dig through the mountain passes by night and secretly position ambush troops.

As the sky began to brighten, the armies of Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu joined forces. Seeing that Cao Cao's troops were few, they suspected he had fled and advanced together into the narrow passes to attack. Cao Cao then sent forth his ambush force and utterly routed both armies. Once the Cao troops had passed beyond the Anzhong border, they made camp outside the pass. Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu gathered their defeated forces and met. Liu Biao said, "How could we have fallen for Cao Cao's treacherous scheme!" Zhang Xiu said, "Let us plan again." The two armies then regrouped at Anzhong.

Meanwhile, Xun Yu learned that Yuan Shao was preparing to raise an army and attack Xuchang. He sent a letter by night to Cao Cao. Upon receiving it, Cao Cao was alarmed and set out to return at once. Spies reported this to Zhang Xiu, who wished to pursue. Jia Xu said, "You must not pursue—if you do, you will certainly be defeated." Liu Biao said, "If we do not pursue today, we shall lose our chance." He strongly urged Zhang Xiu to lead over ten thousand men with him in pursuit. After marching some ten li or more, they caught up with the rear of the Cao army. The Cao troops fought fiercely, and both Zhang Xiu's and Liu Biao's forces were badly beaten and driven back. Zhang Xiu said to Jia Xu, "I did not follow your advice, and indeed we have suffered this defeat." Jia Xu said, "Now you may regroup and pursue him again." Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao both said, "We have already been defeated—how can we pursue again?" Jia Xu said, "If you pursue now, you will win a great victory. If I am wrong, you may cut off my head." Zhang Xiu believed him. Liu Biao was doubtful and would not go along. Zhang Xiu therefore led a single force in pursuit, and the Cao army was indeed routed, abandoning horses and supplies along the road as they fled.

Zhang Xiu was pressing forward in pursuit when suddenly a body of troops burst out from behind the hills. Zhang Xiu dared not advance further and withdrew his army back to Anzhong. Liu Biao asked Jia Xu, "Earlier, when we pursued a retreating army with our best troops, you said we would certainly be defeated. Now, when we attacked a victorious army with defeated soldiers, you said we would certainly prevail. In both cases, things turned out exactly as you said—how can opposite circumstances both prove true? I beg you to enlighten me." Jia Xu said, "This is easy to understand. General, though you are skilled in warfare, you are no match for Cao Cao. Even in defeat, Cao Cao always has strong generals covering his retreat to guard against pursuit; our troops, however keen, could not overcome them—that is why I knew we would be defeated. As for Cao Cao's haste to withdraw, it must be because something urgent has happened in Xuchang. After he had routed our pursuing army, he would certainly race back with light and fast troops, no longer maintaining defenses. If we pursued him again when he was unprepared, we could therefore prevail." Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu both acknowledged the brilliance of his insight. Jia Xu advised Liu Biao to return to Jingzhou and Zhang Xiu to hold Xiangcheng, so that the two could support each other like lips and teeth. The two armies then dispersed.

Now as Cao Cao was marching, word reached him that the rear army was being pursued by Zhang Xiu's forces. He hastily led his officers back to the rescue. When they arrived, Zhang Xiu's army had already withdrawn. The defeated soldiers reported to Cao Cao: "Had it not been for a company of men from behind the mountain who blocked the road, we would all have been captured." Cao Cao pressed them to identify who this was. The man lowered his spear, dismounted, and bowed before Cao Cao. It was Li Tong, styled WenDa, a General of the Guard and Pacifier of the West, from Pingchun in Jiangxia. Cao Cao asked how he had come there. Li Tong replied: "I have recently been guarding Runan. When I heard that Your Excellency was engaged in battle with Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao, I hastened to come to your aid." Cao Cao was pleased. He enfeoffed Li Tong as Marquis of Meritorious Service and stationed him at the western border of Runan to guard against Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu. Li Tong thanked him and departed.

Cao Cao returned to Xuchang. He memorialized the court on Sun Ce's merits, appointing him General Who Punishes the Rebellious and enfeoffing him as Marquis of Wu, then sent an envoy with an imperial edict to the lands east of the river, commanding Sun Ce to defend against and suppress Liu Biao. Cao Cao returned to his residence, and the assembled officials came to pay their respects. When they had finished, Xun Yu asked: "Your Excellency advanced slowly to Anzhong—how did you know for certain that you would defeat the enemy?" Cao Cao said: "When they retreated, they had no path to safety, so they would fight to the death. I slowly lured them while secretly plotting against them—that is how I knew we would surely win."

Xun Yu bowed in admiration. Guo Jia entered. Cao Cao said: "Why have you come so late?" Guo Jia drew a letter from his sleeve and presented it to Cao Cao, saying: "Yuan Shao has sent a letter to Your Excellency, saying that he wishes to attack Gongsun Zan and has come to borrow grain and troops." Cao Cao said: "I had heard that Yuan Shao intended to seize Xuchang. Now that he sees me return, he devises some other scheme instead." He then broke the seal and read the letter. Finding its language arrogant and insolent, he asked Guo Jia: "Yuan Shao is so disrespectful—I wish to punish him, but I regret my strength is insufficient. What can be done?"

Guo Jia said: "The reason Liu Bang prevailed over Xiang Yu is known to you. The Han founder triumphed through wisdom alone. Xiang Yu, for all his strength, was ultimately captured. Now Yuan Shao has ten faults, and Your Excellency has ten virtues. Though Yuan Shao's troops are numerous, there is no cause for fear. Yuan Shao is burdened with elaborate rituals and excessive ceremony, while Your Excellency acts with natural ease—this is the triumph of the Way. Yuan Shao moves in rebellion, while Your Excellency commands with loyalty to the throne—this is the triumph of righteousness. Since the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, governance has failed through excessive leniency. Yuan Shao uses leniency to remedy leniency, while Your Excellency corrects with firmness—this is the triumph of governance. Yuan Shao appears magnanimous on the outside but is suspicious within, and appoints mostly his own relatives, while Your Excellency is outwardly simple but inwardly discerning, employing men solely for their ability—this is the triumph of judgment. Yuan Shao deliberates much but decides little, while Your Excellency acts on a plan the moment it is formed—this is the triumph of strategy. Yuan Shao seeks to gather reputation and glory, while Your Excellency treats others with the utmost sincerity—this is the triumph of virtue. Yuan Shao cares for those near while neglecting those far away, while Your Excellency leaves nothing unconsidered—this is the triumph of benevolence. Yuan Shao listens to slander and is thrown into confusion, while Your Excellency sees through such attempts and they do not penetrate—this is the triumph of clarity. Yuan Shao confuses right and wrong, while Your Excellency maintains strict laws and standards—this is the triumph of civil order. Yuan Shao loves to make a show of force but understands nothing of military essentials, while Your Excellency defeats the many with the few, commanding troops as though with divine skill—this is the triumph of martial prowess. With these ten virtues on your side, bringing down Yuan Shao will be no difficult matter."

Cao Cao smiled and said: "From what you say, how could I possibly deserve such praise?" Xun Yu said: "Guo Fengxiao's analysis of ten victories and ten defeats accords precisely with my own humble view. Though Yuan Shao's troops are many, why should we fear them?" Guo Jia said: "Lü Bu in Xuzhou is truly a menace to our very heart and vitals. Now Yuan Shao is campaigning in the north against Gongsun Zan. We should take advantage of his absence to strike Lü Bu first, sweep away the southeast, and then turn our attention to Yuan Shao—this is the best plan. Otherwise, if we attack Yuan Shao now, Lü Bu will certainly seize the opportunity to strike at Xuchang, and the harm would be no small thing."

Cao Cao agreed with his counsel and began planning a campaign to the east against Lü Bu. Xun Yu said: "We should first send a man to arrange matters with Liu Bei. Once his reply returns, we can set the army in motion." Cao Cao followed this advice. On the one hand, he sent a letter to Xuande; on the other, he generously rewarded Yuan Shao's envoy and memorialized the court to appoint Yuan Shao as Grand Marshal and Grand Commandant, with concurrent authority over the provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing. In a secret letter in reply, he wrote: "You may attack Gongsun Zan—I will lend my assistance." Yuan Shao received the letter with great delight and advanced his forces against Gongsun Zan.

Now Lü Bu, whenever he held banquets and gatherings with his guests, Chen Gui and his son invariably heaped praise upon his virtues. Chen Gong was displeased. Seizing a private moment, he said to Lü Bu: "Chen Gui and his son flatter you to your face, but their intentions are unknowable. You should be on your guard against them." Lü Bu angrily rebuked him: "You spread slander without cause—do you wish to harm good men?" Chen Gong left with a sigh: "Loyal words go unheeded—we shall surely suffer for it." He considered abandoning Lü Bu and going elsewhere, but he could not bring himself to do so, and he feared he would be laughed at. So he passed his days in melancholy gloom.

One day, he took several horsemen out to the area of Xiaopei to go hunting and relieve his boredom. Suddenly he saw a single rider on the official post road galloping ahead. Chen Gong grew suspicious. He abandoned the hunting ground and led his followers along a small path to overtake the rider, asking: "What mission are you on?" The messenger, recognizing that these were men under Lü Bu, was too flustered to answer. Chen Gong ordered a search of his person and found a secret letter from Liu Bei in reply to Cao Cao. Chen Gong took both the man and the letter to see Lü Bu. Lü Bu asked what had happened. The messenger said: "The Prime Minister Cao sent me to deliver a letter to the Governor of Yuzhou, and I am now carrying his reply. I do not know what the letter says." Lü Bu then broke the seal and read the letter carefully. It read roughly as follows:

I have received your honored command to plot against Lü Bu. How dare I not devote myself to it day and night? However, my soldiers are few and my officers scarce, so I dare not act rashly. If Your Excellency raises a great army, I will serve as the vanguard. I am carefully preparing my troops and armor, awaiting only your orders.

When Lü Bu read this, he cried out in alarm: "How dare that scoundrel Cao act in such a manner!" He forthwith put the messenger to death. He first sent Chen Gong and Zang Ba to join with the bandits of Mount Tai—Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi—to seize the commanderies of Yanzhou to the east. He ordered Gao Shun and Zhang Liao to take the city of Pei and attack Xuande. He ordered Song Xian and Wei Xu to strike west toward Ru and Ying. Lü Bu himself commanded the central army as reinforcement for all three columns.

Now, when Gao Shun and the others led their forces out of Xuzhou and were approaching Xiaopei, someone brought the news to Xuande. Xuande hastily discussed it with his men. Sun Qian said, "We must send an urgent plea to Cao Cao at once." Xuande asked, "Who can go to Xu Capital to deliver the urgent message?" A man stepped forward from below the dais and said, "I will go." It turned out to be a fellow townsman of Xuande's, surnamed Jian, given name Yong, courtesy name Xianhe, currently serving as one of Xuande's aides. Xuande immediately drafted a letter and entrusted it to Jian Yong, sending him posthaste to Xu Capital to seek reinforcements. At the same time, he made preparations for the city's defense. Xuande himself would guard the South Gate, Sun Qian the North Gate, Yunchang the West Gate, and Zhang Fei the East Gate, while Mi Zhu and his younger brother Mi Fang were ordered to protect the central army. It happened that Mi Zhu had a younger sister married to Xuande as his second wife. Since Xuande had the bond of brother-in-law with these brothers, he assigned them to guard the central army and protect his family.

When Gao Shun's army arrived, Xuande asked from the watchtower, "I have no quarrel with Fengxian—why have you led your troops here?" Gao Shun replied, "You have conspired with Cao Cao to harm our lord. Now that the plot is exposed, why not surrender yourself?" With that, he ordered the assault on the city. Xuade kept the gates shut and did not go out. The next day, Zhang Liao led his forces to attack the West Gate. Yunchang called down to him from the wall, "Sir, your bearing is no ordinary one—why have you cast your lot with rebels?" Zhang Liao lowered his head and said nothing. Yunchang recognized that this man possessed a spirit of loyalty and righteousness, so he addressed him with no harsh words and likewise did not go out to engage.

Zhang Liao withdrew his forces to the East Gate, and Zhang Fei rode out to meet them. Someone quickly informed Lord Guan. Guan hastened to the East Gate and saw that Zhang Fei had just ridden out of the city and Zhang Liao's army was already withdrawing. Fei wanted to pursue them, but Guan urgently summoned him back inside. Fei said, "They withdrew in fear—why not chase them?" Guan replied, "This man's martial skill is no less than yours or mine. Because I moved him with upright words, he harbored a heart of regret and thus would not fight us." Fei understood at once and ordered his soldiers only to hold the gates firmly and not to go out and engage.

Meanwhile, Jian Yong arrived in Xu Capital and had an audience with Cao Cao, relating to him all that had happened. Cao Cao then gathered his counselors and said, "I wish to attack Lü Bu. I am not concerned that Yuan Shao might restrain me, but I fear that Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu might harass my rear." Xun You replied, "Those two have recently been defeated and will not dare act rashly. Lü Bu is fierce and brave—if he forms an alliance with Yuan Shu and ranges across the Huai and Si regions, he will be difficult to overcome in haste." Guo Jia said, "Now we should take advantage of the fact that he has just rebelled and his followers' hearts are not yet firmly united—we must strike swiftly."

Cao Cao followed his counsel and ordered Xiahou Dun together with Xiahou Yuan, Lü Qi, and Li Dian to lead fifty thousand troops as the vanguard, while he himself commanded the main army to advance in stages, with Jian Yong accompanying them. Scouts quickly reported this to Gao Shun, who sent an urgent dispatch to Lü Bu. Bu first ordered Hou Cheng, Hao Meng, and Cao Xing to lead over two hundred cavalry to reinforce Gao Shun, positioning them thirty li from the city of Pei to meet Cao's army, while he himself led the main force as a rear guard.

Xuande, seeing from within Xiaopei that Gao Shun had withdrawn, knew that Cao's troops had arrived. He left only Sun Qian to defend the city and Mi Zhu and Mi Fang to protect his household, while he himself, together with Lord Guan and Lord Zhang, led all his forces out of the city, dividing them into separate camps outside to link up with Cao's army.

Now, Xiahou Dun advanced his forces and encountered Gao Shun's army. He leveled his spear and rode out to challenge. Gao Shun came to meet him. The two horses crossed, and after forty or fifty exchanges, Gao Shun could no longer hold his ground and fell back from the field. Dun rode in pursuit, and Gao Shun circled around the formation. Dun, unwilling to give up, also circled the formation in pursuit. On the formation, Cao Xing saw this, quietly nocked an arrow to his bow, took careful aim, and loosed a shot that struck Xiahou Dun squarely in his left eye. Dun let out a great cry and hastily reached to pull out the arrow—but in doing so, he tore out the eyeball along with it. He shouted, "The essence of father and blood of mother—it cannot be cast away!" He then put it into his mouth and swallowed it, and still leveled his spear and rode straight at Cao Xing. Xing had no time to guard himself and was pierced through the face by a single spear thrust, dying beneath his horses. Soldiers on both sides who witnessed this were filled with horror.

Having slain Cao Xing, Xiahou Dun rode back. Gao Shun came up from behind and led his troops in a full assault. Cao's army was utterly routed. Xiahou Yuan rescued his elder brother and retreated. Lü Qi and Li Dian led the defeated troops north of the Ji River and made camp there. Gao Shun, having won the victory, turned his forces to strike at Xuande—and at that very moment, Lü Bu's main army also arrived. Bu divided his forces with Zhang Liao and Gao Shun into three columns to attack Xuande, Lord Guan, and Lord Zhang's camps on all sides. Truly it was said:

Though the eye-devouring fierce warrior could still fight, the arrow-stricken vanguard could not long endure.

What would become of Xuande's fortunes—victory or defeat? Listen to the explanation in the chapter below.