Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Kongming was about to execute Yunlong. Xuande said, "When the three of us swore our oath of brotherhood in days past, we pledged to share life and death. Though Yunlong has transgressed the law, I cannot bear to break our earlier pact. I ask you to record this fault and allow him to atone through future merit." Only then did Kongming spare him.

Now Zhou Yu gathered his forces and reviewed his officers, each recounting their deeds of merit, and reported to the Prince of Wu. The prisoners taken were all sent across the river. He gave a great feast to the three armies and then advanced to attack and seize Nan Commandery. The vanguard encamped along the river, with five camps arrayed before and behind. Zhou Yu occupied the center.

As Zhou Yu was deliberating with his officers on strategy for the advance, a messenger suddenly reported: "Liu Xuande has sent Sun Qian to congratulate the Commander-in-Chief." Zhou Yu ordered him brought in. Sun Qian performed his obeisance and said: "My lord has specially commanded Qian to express the Commander-in-Chief's great virtue and presents a humble gift." Zhou Yu asked: "Where is Xuande?" Sun Qian replied: "He has now moved his forces to garrison Youjiang Kou." Zhou Yu, startled, said: "Is Kongming also at Youjiang?" Sun Qian said: "Kongming is with my lord at Youjiang." Zhou Yu said: "You may return first. I shall come personally to offer my thanks."

Zhou Yu accepted the gifts and sent Sun Qian back first. Su said: "Why was the Commander-in-Chief just now startled?" Zhou Yu said: "Liu Bei has encamped at Youjiang—he surely intends to seize Nan Commandery. We have expended much in men and horses, and much in money and grain, and now Nan Commandery is within our grasp. These men, harboring unkind designs, wish to reap where others have sown. They must contend with the fact that Zhou Yu still lives!" Su said: "What strategy shall we use to drive them off?" Zhou Yu said: "I shall go myself and speak with him. Well and good; if not, before they take Nan Commandery, I shall first settle Liu Bei!" Su said: "I wish to accompany you." And so Zhou Yu and Lu Su led three thousand light cavalry straight to Youjiang Kou.

First, let us return to Sun Qian, who went back to see Xuande and said that Zhou Yu would come personally to offer thanks. Xuande then asked Kongming: "What is his intention?" Kongming smiled and said: "He does not come to thank us for these trifling gifts. He comes only for Nan Commandery." Xuande said: "If he brings troops, how shall we deal with him?" Kongming said: "When he arrives, simply respond in such-and-such a manner." Thereupon they arrayed warships at Youjiang Kou and drew up their cavalry on shore.

A messenger reported that Zhou Yu and Lu Su had arrived with their forces. Kongming sent Zhao Yun with several riders to meet them. Zhou Yu saw the imposing military array and felt deeply uneasy. Upon reaching the camp gate, Xuande and Kongming welcomed them into the tent. After the exchange of courtesies, a feast was set. Xuande raised his wine cup to thank Zhou Yu for his efforts in the recent battle.

After several rounds, Zhou Yu said: "Has the Governor of Yu Province moved his forces here with designs upon Nan Commandery?" Xuande said: "I heard the Commander-in-Chief wished to take Nan Commandery, and so I came to assist. If the Commander-in-Chief does not take it, I certainly shall." Zhou Yu smiled and said: "My state of Wu has long desired to absorb the Han River region. Now Nan Commandery is in the palm of my hand—how could I not take it?" Xuande said: "Victory and defeat cannot be predetermined. When Cao Cao departed, he left Cao Ren to defend Nan Commandery and the surrounding areas, and he must have laid clever plans. Moreover, Cao Ren's valor is beyond reckoning. I fear only that the Commander-in-Chief may not be able to take it." Zhou Yu said: "If I cannot take it, then I shall let you have it." Xuande said: "Kongming and Zijing are here as witnesses—the Commander-In-Chief must not regret his words."

Lu Su hesitated and did not respond. Zhou Yu said: "When a great man has once spoken, what cause is there for regret?" Kongming said: "The Commander-in-Chief's words are most fair. Let Wu attempt to take it first; if they cannot, and my lord takes it, what objection can there be?" Zhou Yu and Su took their leave of Xuande and Kongming and mounted their horses to depart. Xuande asked Kongming: "Just now, sir, you instructed me to answer thus. Though I said it on the moment, upon reflection it does not hold. I am now alone and destitute, with no place to stand. I wished to obtain Nan Commandery as a temporary refuge. If we let Zhou Yu take it first, the city will already belong to Wu—where then shall I dwell?" Kongming laughed loudly and said: "At the beginning, I urged you to take Jing Province, but my lord would not listen. Have you forgotten so soon?" Xuande said: "Before, it belonged to Jing Sheng, and so I could not bear to take it. Now it belongs to Cao Cao, and it is rightfully ours to seize." Kongming said: "Let my lord have no concern. Let Zhou Yu do the fighting. Sooner or later, I shall see my lord seated in high honor within the walls of Nan Commandery." Xuande said: "What is your plan?" Kongming said: "Simply do thus and thus." Xuande was overjoyed. He remained encamped at the river mouth and kept his forces in place without moving.

Now let us return to Zhou Yu and Lu Su, who returned to their camp. Su said: "Why did the Commander-in-Chief also promise Xuande that he might take Nan Commandery?" Zhou Yu said: "I can take Nan Commandery with a snap of my fingers. I may as well make a show of generosity." He then asked the officers in his tent: "Who dares to be the first to take Nan Commandery?" One man answered and stepped forward—it was Jiang Qin. Zhou Yu said: "You shall be the vanguard, with Xu Sheng and Ding Feng as your lieutenants. I assign you five thousand elite troops to cross the river first. I shall follow with the main force to support you."

Now Cao Ren, stationed at Nan Commandery, had assigned Cao Hong to defend Yiling, to form a mutually supporting position. A messenger reported: "The Wu forces have crossed the Han River." Cao Ren said: "Our best course is to hold firm and not give battle." The valiant cavalryman Niu Jin stepped forward eagerly and said: "That the enemy has reached our walls and we do not sally forth to fight—this is cowardice. Moreover, our troops have just suffered defeat and must restore their fighting spirit. I request five hundred elite soldiers to fight to the death."

Cao Ren followed this advice and ordered Niu Jin to lead five hundred soldiers out of the city to engage the enemy. Ding Feng rode out to meet him on horseback. After some four or five exchanges, Ding Feng feigned defeat, and Niu Jin led his men in pursuit, charging into the formation. Ding Feng directed his troops to surround Niu Jin within the array. Niu Jin struggled left and right but could not break free.

From atop the city walls, Cao Ren saw Nui Jin trapped at the center of the encirclement. He thereupon donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led several hundred of his finest cavalry out of the city, wielding his blade with fierce resolve. He cut his way into the Wu formation. Xu Sheng came to oppose him but could not withstand him. Cao Ren fought his way to the heart of the encirclement and rescued Niu Jin. Looking back, he saw that several dozen cavalry were still trapped within the formation and unable to escape, so he turned around and charged back in, pulling them from the thick of the siege. There he ran into Jiang Qin blocking his way. Cao Ren and Niu Jin fought with all their strength and scattered him. Cao Ren's younger brother, Cao Chun, also led troops to support them. After a confused and furious battle, the Wu forces were routed, and Cao Ren returned victorious. Jiang Qin, having been defeated, went back to see Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu was furious and wished to execute him, but the other generals pleaded for mercy.

Zhou Yu immediately mustered his troops, intending to personally engage Cao Ren in a decisive battle. Gan Ning said, "My lord, you must not act rashly. At present, Cao Ren has ordered Cao Hong to hold Yiling, forming a position of mutual support. I volunteer to take three thousand elite soldiers and seize Yiling directly. After that, my lord may take Nanjun." Zhou Yu accepted his counsel and first ordered Gan Ning to lead three thousand soldiers to attack Yiling. Spies quickly reported this to Cao Ren, who consulted with Chen Jiao. Chen Jiao said, "If Yiling is lost, Nanjun cannot be held either. We must send reinforcements at once." Cao Ren then ordered Cao Chun and Niu Jin to secretly lead troops to relieve Cao Hong. Cao Chun first sent a messenger to inform Cao Hong, instructing him to lead his men out of the city to lure the enemy. Gan Ning led his forces to Yiling, and Cao Hong came out to engage him. After more than twenty exchanges, Cao Hong fled in defeat. Gan Ning seized Yiling. By the time evening fell, Cao Chun and Niu Jin arrived with their troops, and the two forces joined together to surround Yiling.

A scout rode at full speed to report to Zhou Yu that Gan Ning was besieged within Yiling. Zhou Yu was greatly alarmed. Cheng Pu said, "We must immediately divide our forces to rescue him." Zhou Yu replied, "This position is at a critical junction. If we divide our forces to go to his aid, what if Cao Ren leads his army to attack us here?" Lü Meng said, "Gan Xingba is a great general of Jiangdong—how can we not rescue him?" Zhou Yu said, "I wish to go myself to save him. But who shall remain here in my place?" Lü Meng said, "Leave Ling Gongxu in command. I will serve as the vanguard, and you, my lord, will bring up the rear. In less than ten days, we shall surely return in triumph." Zhou Yu said, "I do not know whether Ling Gongxu would be willing to take my place temporarily." Ling Tong said, "If the term is limited to ten days, I can manage it. Beyond ten days, I cannot guarantee success."

Zhou Yu was greatly pleased. He left over ten thousand troops in Ling Tong's command and set out with his main army for Yiling that very day. Lü Meng said to Zhou Yu, "There is a secluded path south of Yiling that leads most conveniently to Nanjun. Send five hundred soldiers to cut down trees and block the road. If the enemy is defeated, they will surely flee by this path. Their horses will not be able to pass, and they will have to abandon their mounts and flee on foot—and we will capture their horses."

Zhou Yu followed this advice and dispatched the soldiers to carry out the task. As the main army approached Yiling, Zhou Yu asked, "Who will break through the encirclement and enter the city to rescue Gan Ning?" Zhou Tai volunteered. At once he seized his sword, spurred his horse, and charged straight into the Cao army, fighting his way to the foot of the city walls. Gan Ning saw Zhou Tai approaching and rode out of the city to meet him. Zhou Tai told him, "The Commander-in-Chief has personally led his army here." Gan Ning issued orders for his soldiers to arm themselves fully and eat their fill, preparing to strike from within as support.

Meanwhile, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Niu Jin, having learned that Zhou Yu's army was approaching, first sent a messenger to Nanjun to inform Cao Ren, and then divided their forces to resist the enemy. When the Wu army arrived, the Cao forces met them. No sooner had the battle commenced than Gan Ning and Zhou Tai attacked from two sides simultaneously. The Cao forces fell into chaos, and the Wu soldiers fell upon them from all directions. Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Niu Jin indeed fled by the narrow path—but they found it blocked by felled timber, and their horses could not pass. They all abandoned their mounts and fled on foot. The Wu forces captured over five hundred horses. Zhou Yu drove his troops through the night and arrived at Nanjun, where they encountered Cao Ren's army coming to relieve Yiling. The two armies met and engaged in a furious battle. As darkness fell, each side withdrew its forces.

Cao Ren returned to the city and held a council with his officers. Cao Hong said, "We have now lost Yiling, and the situation is critical. Why not open the letter left behind by the Chancellor and see what it says, so as to resolve this crisis?" Cao Ren said, "Your words are exactly what I had in mind." He opened the letter and read it. Greatly pleased, he issued orders for the army to prepare their meals before the fifth watch. At dawn, the entire army, great and small, abandoned the city. They planted flags all along the city walls to create the illusion of a strong force, and the troops departed through the three gates.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu had rescued Gan Ning and arrayed his forces outside the walls of Nanjun. Seeing the Cao troops emerge through the three gates, Zhou Yu ascended his command platform to observe. He noticed that the flags along the parapet were planted but unmanned, and that each soldier had bundles tied at his waist. Zhou Yu reasoned to himself that Cao Ren must be preparing to flee. He descended from the platform and issued orders, deploying two armies as left and right wings. If the vanguard prevailed, they were to press forward in pursuit without stopping; they were not to retreat until the signal to withdraw was sounded. He ordered Cheng Pu to command the rear guard, while Zhou Yu personally led the assault on the city. At the sound of the drums, Cao Hong rode out to challenge the enemy. Zhou Yu went to the gate banner and sent Han Dang out to engage Cao Hong. After more than thirty exchanges, Cao Hong fled in defeat. Cao Ren himself rode out to take his place. Zhou Tai spurred his horse forward to meet him. After more than ten exchanges, Cao Ren also fled, and his formations fell into disorder.

Zhou Yu signaled the two wing armies to charge, and the Cao forces were utterly routed. Zhou Yu led his own troops in pursuit to the walls of Nanjun. The Cao soldiers did not enter the city but fled toward the northwest. Han Dang and Zhou Tai led the vanguard in hot pursuit. Zhou Yu saw that the city gates stood wide open and that there was no one on the walls, so he ordered his men to rush in and seize the city. Several dozen cavalry entered first. Zhou Yu, coming up behind, urged his horse forward at full gallop and charged straight into the inner gate tower. Chen Jiao, watching from the watchtower, saw Zhou Yu personally entering the city and murmured in admiration, "The Chancellor's stratagem is godlike!"

At the sound of a watchman's clapper, crossbows from both sides loosed their bolts together, swift as a sudden rain. Those who had rushed headlong into the city fell headfirst into the concealed pits. Zhou Yu hastily reined his horse to retreat, but a crossbow bolt struck him full in the left flank. He tumbled from his saddle. Niu Jin charged out of the city, aiming to capture Zhou Yu. Xu Sheng and Dung Feng risked their lives to rescue him and carry him away. The Wei soldiers burst forth from within the city; the Wu troops trampled one another, and countless men fell into the moat-ridden pits. Cheng Pu hastily gathered his forces. Cao Hong and Cao Ren divided their troops into two columns and struck back. The Wu army suffered a great defeat. Fortunately, Ling Tong led a force in from an oblique direction and held the Wei soldiers at bay. Cao Ren led his victorious troops into the city, while Cheng Pu gathered the routed soldiers back to camp. Ding and Xu, the two generals, brought Zhou Yu into the command tent. They called for the army surgeon, who used iron forceps to extract the arrowhead and applied a wound-powder to the injury. The pain was beyond endurance, and Zhou Yu could neither eat nor drink. The surgeon said, "This arrowhead was poisoned. Recovery will not be quick. If anger stirs within you, the wound will reopen." Cheng Pu ordered the three armies to guard their camps strictly and not venture out lightly.

Three days later, Niu Jin led his forces to provoke battle. Cheng Pu kept his troops from responding. Niu Jin cursed and taunted until sunset before withdrawing, and he returned the following day to challenge them again. Cheng Pu, fearing that the news would enrage Zhou Yu, dared not report it. On the third day, Niu Jin advanced all the way to the camp gate and shouted his abuses, declaring again and again that he meant to capture Zhou Yu. Cheng Pu consulted with his officers and proposed that they temporarily withdraw their troops, return to report to the Marquis of Wu, and deal with the matter afterward.

Now although Zhou Yu suffered from his wound, he had his own plans. He already knew that the Wei soldiers regularly came to curse and taunt at the camp, yet none of his generals came to report it to him. One day, Cao Ren personally led a great army, beating drums and shouting, to challenge them to battle. Cheng Pu held firm and would not go out. Zhou Yu summoned his generals into the tent and asked, "Where is that drumming and shouting coming from?" The generals replied, "The troops are drilling the soldiers." Zhou Yu flared with anger and said, "How dare you deceive me! I already know that the Wei soldiers regularly come to our camp to hurl insults. Cheng Demou shares command of the army with me—how can he sit by and do nothing?" He then ordered Cheng Pu to be summoned into the tent and questioned him. Cheng Pu said, "I saw that you, Gongjin, were suffering from your wound, and the surgeon said you must not be provoked to anger. Therefore, when the Wei army challenged us to battle, I dared not report it to you." Zhou Yu said, "Since you will not fight, what is your plan?" Cheng Pu said, "All the generals wish to withdraw our troops temporarily back to Jiangdong. We will wait for your arrow-wound to heal, and then decide what to do."

When Zhou Yu heard this, he sprang up fiercely from his bed and said, "A true man who has received his lord's stipend should die on the battlefield and be wrapped in horsehide for his burial—that is fortune indeed! How can we abandon the great affairs of the state for the sake of one man?" With these words, he donned his armor and mounted his horse. The officers and soldiers were all astounded. He then led several hundred riders out before the camp. He saw that the Wei army had already formed its battle lines. Cao Ren stood beneath his standard-banner, brandishing his whip and shouting loudly in contempt, "You brat Zhou Yu! You will surely die young—you dare not even look upon our troops!"

Before the insults had ceased, Zhou Yu suddenly emerged from among the mounted riders and shouted, "You rogue Cao Ren! Do you see Zhou Lang?" When the Wei soldiers beheld him, they were all struck with terror. Cao Ren turned to his officers and said, "Shout your worst at them!" The soldiers roared their insults furiously. Zhou Yu flew into a rage and ordered Pan Zhang to engage in combat. But before the two sides could clash, Zhou Yu suddenly let out a great cry, blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell from his horse. The Wei soldiers charged forward. The generals rushed ahead to hold them off, and after a confused battle, they rescued Zhou Yu and carried him back to the tent.

Cheng Pu asked, "How is the Commander's honored person?" Zhou Yu said to him privately, "This was my plan." Cheng Pu said, "What is the plan?" Zhou Yu said, "In truth, I suffer no great pain. I did this to make the Wei soldiers believe I was gravely ill and would certainly let down my guard. We can send trusted soldiers into the city to feign surrender, saying that I am dead. Tonight Cao Ren will certainly come to raid our camp. We will have ambush forces in place all around to meet him, and then Cao Ren can be captured in a single stroke." Cheng Pu said, "This plan is magnificent!" At once, wailing was raised beneath the tent. The soldiers were all greatly shocked, and word spread everywhere that the Commander had died when his arrow-wound had reopened. Every camp hung out mourning banners.

Now Cao Ren was in the city consulting with his officers. They said that Zhou Yu, driven by fury, had ruptured his wound, causing blood to gush from his mouth and making him fall from his horse—he would surely die before long. Even as they discussed this, a report came: "More than ten soldiers from the Wu camp have come to surrender. Among them are two who were originally Wei soldiers captured earlier." Cao Ren quickly summoned them and questioned them. The soldiers said, "Today Zhou Yu's wound ruptured on the battlefield. He returned to camp and died. The generals are all now in mourning. We were mistreated by Cheng Pu, so we have come especially to surrender and to report this matter."

Cao Ren was overjoyed. He immediately discussed plans to raid the camp that very night, seize Zhou Yu's corpse, cut off his head, and send it to Xuchang. Chen Jiao said, "This plan must be executed swiftly—there must be no delay." Cao Ren then ordered Niu Jin to serve as vanguard, took the center force himself, and assigned Cao Hong and Cao Chun to bring up the rear. He left only Chen Jiao with a small garrison to guard the city, while the rest of the army set out in full. They left the city at the first watch and made straight for Zhou Yu's great camp. When they reached the camp gate, not a single man was to be seen—only banners and spears stuck up as empty decoys. Realizing at once that they had fallen into a trap, they hastily began to withdraw. The sound of bombard cannon erupted on all four sides. From the east, Han Dang and Jiang Qin charged; from the west, Zhou Tai and Pan Zhang; from the south, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng; from the north, Chen Wu and Lü Meng. The Wei army suffered a great defeat. All three columns were scattered, and head and tail could not come to each other's aid.

Cao Ren fought his way out of the encirclement with a dozen or so riders. He encountered Cao Ren and led the battered remnant of his army in flight together. They fought until the fifth watch and were not far from Nanjun when the sound of a drum rang out. Ling Tong led yet another force to block their path and cut them down. Cao Ren led his troops off at an oblique angle and then encountered Gan Ning, who slaughtered them in another fierce engagement. Cao Ren dared not return to Nanjun but took the main road to Xiangyang instead. The Wu army pursued them for a distance, then turned back.

Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu gathered their forces and proceeded directly to the walls of Nan Commandery, where they saw banners flying everywhere. An upper general on the watchtower called out, "My apologies, Commander! By our Strategist's orders, I have already taken this city. I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan." Zhou Yu flew into a rage and ordered an assault on the city. A shower of arrows rained down from the walls. Zhou Yu ordered a withdrawal for deliberation, sending Gan Ling with several thousand troops to seize Jing Province, and Ling Tong with several thousand troops to seize Xiangyang, after which they could return to take Nan Commandery.

Just as the forces were being dispatched, a scout galloped in with urgent news: "After Zhuge Liang took Nan Commandery, he used the military tally to send a false order by night, summoning Jing Province's garrison troops to come to the rescue, while he had Zhang Fei seize Jing Province." Another scout arrived with further news: "At Xiangyang, Xiahou Duan was tricked by Zhuge Liang's men, who carried the military tally and falsely claimed that Cao Ren needed reinforcements. They lured Duan out with his troops, while Yun Chang seized Xiangyang. Both cities have fallen without effort, and now belong to Liu Xuande." Zhou Yu cried, "How did Zhuge Liang obtain the military tally?" Cheng Pu replied, "He captured Chen Jiao—naturally the tally fell into his hands." Zhou Yu let out a great cry, and his wound burst open. Indeed:

Several commanderies' cities—none are mine to claim;

A whole campaign of toil—and for whose gain?

What becomes of his fate? Read on to find out.