Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Now, let us turn to Zhou Yu. When he learned that Kongming had seized Nanjun, and then heard that he had also taken Jing and Xiangyang, how could he not be enraged? The fury aggravated his arrow wound, and he lay unconscious for a long while before the generals revived him. They repeatedly urged him to calm himself. Zhou Yu declared, "If I do not slay that rustic Zhuge, how can I vent the resentment in my heart? Cheng Demou shall aid me in attacking Nanjun—I must reclaim it for Eastern Wu."

As they were deliberating, Lu Su arrived. Zhou Yu said to him, "I wish to raise troops to settle matters once and for all with Liu Bei and Kongming, and to recover the cities. Zijing, I count on your help." Lu Su replied, "That cannot be done. At present we are locked in a standstill with Cao Cao, and the outcome is still undecided. Our lord has attacked Hefei but cannot take it. If we were to turn upon one another now, and Cao's forces took advantage of our weakness to strike, our position would be perilous indeed. Moreover, Liu Xuande was once on good terms with Cao Cao. If we press him too hard, he might surrender the cities and join Cao Cao in attacking us—what then?" Zhou Yu said, "We have exhausted our strategies, lost soldiers and horses, spent our money and grain—and he reaps the spoils without effort. Is that not infuriating?" Lu Su said, "Gongjin, bear with it for now. Allow me to go in person to see Xuande and reason with him. If he will not listen, then it will not be too late to resort to force." The generals all said, "Zijing's counsel is sound."

Accordingly, Lu Su led his attendants straight to Nanjun. Arriving at the gates, he called out to be admitted. Zhao Yun came out to inquire. Lu Su said, "I wish to see Liu Xuande—I have words for him." Zhao Yun replied, "My lord and the Military Adviser are in Jingzhou city." Lu Su therefore did not enter Nanjun but went directly to Jingzhou. There he saw the banners arrayed in perfect order and the military bearing most impressive. Lu Su secretly marveled, "Kongming is truly no ordinary man!" A soldier entered the city to report that Lu Zijing wished to have an audience. Kongming ordered the city gates thrown wide open and received Lu Su into the yama. After the formal courtesies were completed, host and guest took their seats. Tea was served, and Lu Su said, "My lord, the Marquis of Wu, and Commander Gongjin have instructed me to convey their message to Your Excellency on several occasions. Earlier, when Cao Cao led a million troops southward, his true aim was to destroy Your Excellency. Happily, Eastern Wu repelled Cao's forces and saved Your Excellency. All nine commanderies of Jingzhou rightfully belong to Eastern Wu. Now Your Excellency has used cunning stratagems to seize Jing and Xiangyang, causing the Eastern River region to waste its money, grain, and military resources, while Your Excellency reaps the profits. I fear this is hardly in accordance with reason."

Kongming replied, "Zijing, you are a man of keen discernment—why do you speak thus? As the saying goes: 'All things return to their rightful owner.' The nine commanderies of Jingzhou do not belong to Eastern Wu—they are the legacy of Liu Jingsheng. My lord is Jingsheng's younger brother. Though Jingsheng has passed away, his son still lives. For an uncle to assist his nephew and so hold Jingzhou—what is wrong with that?" Lu Su said, "If it were truly the young master Liu Qi holding the territory, there might be some room for discussion. But the young master is at Jiangxia—he is not here." Kongming said, "Would Zijing like to see the young master?" He then ordered his attendants to bring the young master forth. Two attendants helped Liu Qi out from behind the screen. Liu Qi said to Lu Su, "This sick body cannot perform the proper courtesies—I hope Zijing will forgive me." Lu Su was greatly taken aback. He sat in silence for a long while before speaking. "If the young master were not here, then what?" Kongming said, "While the young master lives a day, he holds it a day. If he is no longer here, we can discuss other arrangements." Lu Su said, "If the young master is gone, then the cities must be returned to Eastern Wu." Kongming said, "What Zijing says is right." He then ordered a feast to be prepared.

When the feast concluded, Lu Su took his leave and went back to his camp. He returned that very night and reported everything to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu said, "Liu Qi is in the prime of youth—how could he die so soon? When shall we ever recover Jingzhou?" Lu Su said, "Commander, set your mind at ease. Leave it to me—I will see to it that Jing and Xiangyang are reclaimed for Eastern Wu." Zhou Yu said, "What plan do you have, Zijing?" Lu Su said, "I have observed that Liu Qi indulges excessively in wine and women. The illness has penetrated his very bones—his face is haggard and wasted, he gasps for breath and vomits blood. In half a year at most, he will be dead. When that time comes, we can move to take Jingzhou, and Liu Bei will have no excuse to refuse." Zhou Yu's anger still smoldered within him when suddenly an envoy from Sun Quan arrived. Zhou Yu ordered him to be admitted. The envoy said, "Our lord has besieged Hefei but has won no victories after repeated battles. He has commanded the Commander to withdraw the main force and dispatch troops to reinforce him at Hefei." Zhou Yu had no choice but to return his army to Chaisang to recuperate from his wound, ordering Cheng Pu to lead the warships and soldiers to Hefei to await Sun Quan's orders.

Now, when Liu Xuande had taken Jingzhou, Nanjun, and Xiangyang, he was overjoyed and began deliberating on long-term plans. Suddenly a man stepped forward into the hall to offer counsel—it was Yi Ji. Liu Xuande, mindful of a past kindness, treated him with great respect and seated him to speak. Yi Ji said, "If you wish to devise a lasting strategy for Jingzhou, why not seek out a worthy scholar and consult him?" Liu Xuande said, "Where is such a scholar to be found?" Yi Ji said, "The Ma brothers of Jing and Xiangyang—there are five of them, all renowned for their talents. The youngest is named Su, style Youchang. The most distinguished among them has a white mark between his brows—his name is Liang, style Jichang. A saying circulates among the villagers: 'Of the Five Constants of the Ma family, the White Brow is the best.' Why not seek this man out and take counsel with him?" Liu Xuande at once ordered him to be invited. When Ma Liang arrived, Liu Xuade received him with the highest courtesy and asked his strategy for defending Jing and Xiangyang. Ma Liang said, "Jing and Xiangyang are surrounded on all sides by enemies and cannot be held for long. You should have the young master Liu Qi reside here to recover from his illness, rally the former officials and people to defend the territory, and petition the court to appoint Liu Qi as Governor of Jingzhou so as to settle the people's hearts. Then campaign south to take the four commanderies of Wuling, Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling, accumulating money and grain to serve as your foundation. This is the long-term strategy."

Liu Xuande was greatly pleased. He asked, "Of the four commanderies, which should we take first?" Ma Liang said, "West of the Xiang River, Lingling is the nearest—take it first. Next take Wuling. Then east of the Xiang River, take Guiyang. Changsha will be last." Liu Xuade thereupon appointed Ma Liang as an Attendant Officer, with Yi Ji as his deputy. He asked Kongming to arrange for Liu Qi to return to Xiangyang and for Guan Yu to return to Jingzhou. He then dispatched troops to take Lingling, with Zhang Fei as vanguard and Zhao Yun bringing up the rear, while Kongming and Liu Xuande commanded the main force—fifteen thousand troops in all. He left Guan Yu to defend Jingzhou, and Mi Zhu and Liu Feng to hold Jiangling.

Now Liu Du, the Governor of Lingling, having heard of Xuande's approaching army, consulted with his son Liu Xian. Liu Xian said, "Father, have no fear. Though they have the martial prowess of Zhang Fei and Yun, our own Xing Daorong in this province can match ten thousand men single-handedly. He can stand against them." Liu Du therefore ordered Liu Xian and Xing Daorong to lead over ten thousand troops and make camp thirty li from the city, beside a mountain and along a river. A scout reported: "Kongming himself leads a column of soldiers approaching." Daorong then led his troops out to battle. When the two armies were drawn up in formation, Daorong rode forth, wielding a great mountain-splitting axe, and bellowed fiercely: "Rebels! How dare you invade our territory!"

He saw in the opposing ranks a cluster of yellow banners. The gate-flags parted, and out rolled a four-wheeled chariot. Seated upright within was a man wearing a gauze cap and a crane-feather cloak, holding a feather fan. With his fan he beckoned to Xing Daorong and said: "I am Zhuge Kongming of Nanyang. When Cao Cao led a million troops, I applied a small stratagem and routed him so utterly that not a single armored soldier remained. How can you hope to oppose me? I have come to offer you amnesty. Why do you not surrender at once?"

Daorong laughed loudly and said: "The battle at Red Cliff was the work of Zhou Yu's strategy—what had it to do with you? How dare you come with such boasts!" He swung his great axe and charged straight at Kongming. Kongming turned his chariot and rode back toward his own lines, and the formation gates closed behind him. Daorong charged straight through, and the formation hastily parted and scattered on both sides. Daorong saw from afar a cluster of yellow banners at the center and, judging that Kongming must be there, pursued the banners alone. When he had passed the foot of the mountain, the yellow banners halted. Suddenly the center parted, and the four-wheeled chariot was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a general with spear and charger burst forth, gave a great shout, and rode straight at Daorong—it was Zhang Yide. Daorong raised his great axe to meet him, but after a few exchanges his strength was failing, and he turned his horse to flee. Yide pursued close behind, his shouts thundering, and ambushes on both sides rose up at once. Daorong broke through at the risk of his life, but ahead a great general blocked the road, crying out: "Do you know Zhao Zilong of Changshan?"

Daorong knew he could not prevail, and there was nowhere to escape. He dismounted and begged to surrender. Zilong bound him and brought him to the camp to see Xuande and Kongming. Xuande ordered his immediate execution. Kongming hastily stopped him and asked Daorong: "If you capture Liu Xian for me, I will permit your surrender." Daorong eagerly agreed. Kongming said: "By what means will you capture him?" Daorong replied: "If the Marshal will release me to return, I have a clever plan. Tonight let the Marshal lead troops to raid our camp, and I will act as an inside ally. I will capture Liu Xian alive and present him to the Marshal. Once Liu Xian is taken, Liu Du will surrender of his own accord." Xuande did not trust his words. Kongming said: "General Xing is not speaking falsely." He then released Daorong to return.

Daorong, having been released, went back to camp and told Liu Xian everything that had happened. Liu Xian said: "What shall we do?" Daorong said: "We can turn his own stratagem against him. Tonight station troops in ambush outside the camp. Inside the camp, set up empty banners and pennants. When Kongming comes to raid the camp, we will seize him." Liu Xian followed this plan.

That night, in the second watch, a body of soldiers indeed arrived at the camp gate. Each man carried a bundle of kindling, and they set fires all at once. Liu Xian and Daorong attacked from two sides, and the fire-setting troops retreated. Liu Xian and Daorong's forces pressed the pursuit, but after several li the enemy soldiers had all vanished. Liu Xian and Daorong were greatly alarmed and hastened back to their own camp. There the fires had not yet died, and a general burst forth from the camp—it was Zhang Yide. Liu Xian called to Daorong: "Do not enter the camp—let us go raid Kongming's camp instead!" They turned their troops around. Before they had gone ten li, Yun led a column of soldiers out from the flank and, with a single spear-thrust, struck Daorong from his horse. Liu Xian hastily turned his horse to flee, but Zhang Fei came up behind him, captured him alive, bound him, and brought him before Kongming. Liu Xian pleaded: "Xing Daorong told me to do this—it was never my own wish." Kongming ordered his bonds removed, gave him clothes to drink and wine to calm his fears, and sent him into the city to persuade his father to surrender. He said: "If he does not surrender, we will breach the city and put his entire family to death."

Liu Xian returned to Lingling and saw his father Liu Du. He recounted in full Kongming's virtue and urged his father to surrender. Liu Du agreed. He raised a banner of surrender on the city wall, threw open the gates, and bearing his seal and credentials, went out of the city to Xuande's great camp and submitted. Kongming appointed Liu Du to remain as governor of the commandery, while his son Liu Xian was sent to Jingzhou to serve with the army. The people of the entire Lingling commandery rejoiced.

After Xuande had entered the city and completed the pacification, and had rewarded the troops, he asked his generals: "Lingling has been taken. Who among you dares to take Guiyang Commandery?" Yun answered: "I volunteer." Zhang Fei stepped forward eagerly and said: "I volunteer as well!" The two contended. Kongming said: "After all, Zilong answered first. Let Zilong go." Zhang Fei was displeased and insisted on going. Kongming told them to draw lots—whoever drew the marked one would go. Again it was Zilong who drew it. Zhang Fei angrily said: "I want no help from anyone. Let me take three thousand troops alone and capture the city without fail." Yun said: "I too will take only three thousand troops. If I fail to take the city, I accept the penalty of military law." Kongming was greatly pleased. He had them write out a pledge of military obligation and chose three thousand elite soldiers to give to Yun. Zhang Fei remained displeased, and Xuande dismissed him with a word.

Yun led his three thousand troops straight toward Guiyang. A scout had already reported this to the Governor of Guiyang, Zhao Fan. Fan hastily gathered his subordinates to discuss the matter. Army Commanders Chen Ying and Bao Long volunteered to lead troops into battle. Both men had been hunters from the mountain villages of Guiyang Ridge. Chen Ying was skilled with flying tridents, and Bao Long had once shot and killed two tigers. Relying on their own martial prowess, they said to Zhao Fan: "If Liu Bei comes, we two will serve as the vanguard." Zhao Fan said: "I have heard that Liu Xuande is a prince of the great House of Han. Moreover, Kongming is full of stratagems, Guan and Zhang are supremely brave, and the one leading troops now is Zhao Zilong, who at Changban Slope in the midst of a million soldiers moved as though no one were there. How many troops does our Guiyang have? We cannot oppose him—we can only surrender." Ying said: "Let me go out to fight. If I cannot capture Zhao Yun, then you may surrender at your leisure."

Fan could not prevail, and was forced to consent. Chen Ying led three thousand troops out of the city to meet the enemy, and soon saw Zhao Yun approaching with his army. Chen Ying drew up his battle lines, rode out with his trident at the ready. Zhao Yun leveled his lance and rode forth, rebuking Chen Ying: "My lord Liu Xuande is the younger brother of Liu Jing-sheng. Now he assists young master Liu Qi in governing Jing Province, having come specifically to pacify the people. Why do you oppose us?" Chen Ying cursed back: "We serve only Prime Minister Cao—how could we submit to Liu Bei!" Zhao Yun flew into a rage, leveled his lance, and spurred his horse straight at Chen Ying. Ying raised his trident to meet him. The two horses crossed, and after four or five bouts, Chen Ying realized he was no match. He wheeled his horse and fled. Zhao Yun gave chase. Chen Ying glanced back and saw Zhao Yun's horse closing in. He hurled his flying trident, but Zhao Yun caught it and hurled it back. Ying barely dodged it, but Yun's horse was already upon him. Yun seized Chen Ying alive, pulled him across his horse, flung him to the ground, and ordered his soldiers to bind him and take him back to camp. The defeated troops scattered in all directions. Yun entered the camp and rebuked Chen Ying: "Think you could match me! I will not kill you—I release you to return and tell Zhao Fan to surrender at once."

Chen Ying thanked him for his mercy and scurried back to the city like a rat with his tail between his legs. He reported everything to Zhao Fan. Fan said: "I intended to surrender all along. You insisted on fighting—this is the result." He dismissed Chen Ying with a rebuke, then took his seal and ribbons, led a dozen horsemen, and rode out of the city to surrender at the great camp. Yun came out of camp to welcome him, treated him as an honored guest, and shared wine with him, accepting his seal and ribbons. After several rounds of drinking, Fan said: "General, your surname is Zhao, and mine is as well. Five hundred years ago, we were one family. You are a man of Zhending, and I too am from Zhending—we are fellow townsmen. If you would not disdain me, I would consider it the greatest fortune to become sworn brothers with you." Yun was overjoyed, and they each stated their ages. Yun and Fan were born in the same year. Yun was four months older, so Fan bowed to Yun as his elder brother. The two men shared the same hometown, the same birth year, and the same surname—they got along splendidly. When the banquet ended that evening, Fan took his leave and returned to the city.

The next day, Fan invited Yun into the city to reassure the people. Yun ordered his soldiers to remain still and entered the city with only fifty horsemen. The townsfolk burned incense and knelt along the road to welcome him. After Yun had finished pacifying the people, Zhao Fan invited him to a banquet at the yamen. When the wine had flowed freely, Fan led Yun deeper into the rear hall, where they rinsed their cups and drank again. Yun was slightly drunk when Fan suddenly brought out a woman to pour wine for Yun. Zi-Long saw that the woman was dressed in white mourning garments and possessed a beauty that could topple kingdoms. He asked Fan: "Who is this?" Fan said: "My sister-in-law, Fan Shi." Zi-Long's expression changed, and he treated her with respect. After Fan Shi had poured the wine, Fan asked her to be seated. Yun declined. Fan Shi excused herself and returned to the rear hall. Yun said: "Dear brother, why trouble your sister-in-law to raise a cup?" Fan smiled and said: "There is a reason—I beg you not to refuse. My elder brother passed away three years ago, and my sister-in-law has been widowed since. This cannot be a permanent arrangement. I have often urged her to remarry. She said: 'I will marry only a man who meets three conditions: first, he must be accomplished in both civil and martial arts, with a name known throughout the land; second, he must be handsome and imposing in bearing; third, he must share my late husband's surname.' Tell me—where in all the world could one find such a coincidence? Now, elder brother, you have a commanding presence and a name that shakes the four seas, and you share my late brother's surname—you match exactly what my sister-in-law described. If you do not find her unworthy, I would provide a dowry and give her to you as a wife, binding our families for generations. What say you?"

Yun rose in a fury and said sternly: "Since we have become sworn brothers, your sister-in-law is my sister-in-law as well. How could you propose such a violation of propriety!" Zhao Fan's face flushed with shame and anger. He replied: "I meant only kindness—how can you be so rude!" He glanced meaningfully at his attendants, signaling them to do Yun harm. Yun perceived this, punched Zhao Fan to the ground, strode straight out of the mansion, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city.

Fan hastily summoned Chen Ying and Bao Long to confer. Ying said: "This man has left in anger—we have no choice but to fight him." Fan said: "I fear we cannot defeat him." Bao Long said: "Let the two of us pretend to surrender to his army. You, Prefect, lead troops to challenge us in battle, and we will seize him on the field." Chen Ying said: "We must bring some soldiers." Long said: "Five hundred horsemen will suffice."

That night, the two men led five hundred troops straight to Zhao Yun's camp to surrender. Yun already knew in his heart that their surrender was a ruse, but he ordered them brought in. The two generals arrived at his tent and said: "Zhao Fan intended to use a beauty trap to ensnare you—once you were drunk, he planned to help you to the rear hall and murder you, then take your head to Prime Minister Cao as an offering of merit. Such was his treachery. We two saw you leave in anger, and knew we would be implicated, so we have surrendered." Zhao Yun feigned delight and set out wine for the two men to drink deeply. When both were thoroughly drunk, Yun had them bound in the tent. He seized their attendants and questioned them—sure enough, it was a false surrender. Yun called in the five hundred soldiers, gave each of them wine and food, and issued this order: "The ones who sought to harm me are Chen Ying and Bao Long—this does not concern the rest of you. If you follow my plan, you will all receive rich rewards." The soldiers bowed in thanks. The two false surrenderers, Chen and Bao, were beheaded on the spot. Yun then had the five hundred soldiers lead the way, while he brought a thousand troops behind them, and through the night they advanced to the walls of Guiyang and called out at the gate.

From the walls, they heard it said that Generals Chen and Bao had slain Zhao Yun and were returning, requesting the Grand Administrator to discuss matters. The defenders on the walls held up torches to look, and indeed it was their own troops. Fan rushed out of the city, but Yun ordered his men to seize him, then entered the city. After pacifying the people and restoring order, he sent a swift report to Xuande.

Xuande and Kongming personally traveled to Guiyang. Yun came out to welcome them into the city and pushed Fan down before the steps. Kongming questioned him, and Fan gave a full account of the matter regarding the proposed marriage to his widowed sister-in-law. Kongming said to Yun, "This is a fine thing. Why do you act this way?" Yun replied, "First, Fan has become my sworn brother, and if I were to take his elder brother's widow as my wife, I would invite the scorn and ridicule of others. Second, for his wife to remarry would cause her to lose her great virtue. Third, Fan has just surrendered, and his true intentions are hard to fathom. Our lord has only recently stabilized the Jianghan region and has yet to rest securely—how would I dare sacrifice our lord's great cause for the sake of one woman?"

Xuande said, "Now that the great matter has been settled, what if I arrange for you to marry her?" Yun replied, "Women are not scarce in this world. I only fear that my reputation may not be established—why should I worry about having no wife?" Xuande declared, "Zilou is a true man!" He then released Fan and restored him as Grand Administrator of Guiyang, bestowing rich rewards upon Zhao Yun.

Zhang Fei roared, "It was always Zilou who got to earn the merit—was I the useless one? Just give me three thousand troops to take Wuling Commandery and capture the Grand Administrator Jin Xuan alive to present to you!" Kongming was greatly pleased and said, "Yide, you may go, but you must agree to one condition." Indeed:

The strategist decides victory with wondrous schemes;

The generals strive to be first in battle merit.

What was this one condition that Kongming spoke of? Read on to find out.

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Romance of the Three Kingdoms