Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Meanwhile, Xuande saw that Lady Sun's chamber bristled with spears and swords on both sides, and that all the serving maids wore swords at their waists. He turned pale with fright. The stewardess came forward and said, "Noble sir, do not be alarmed. My lady has loved martial affairs since childhood and often has the maids fence for amusement, hence this arrangement." Xuande said, "This is no sight for a lady. It chills my heart. Have them removed." The stewardess reported this to Lady Sun: "The weapons displayed in the chamber disturb the honored guest. They should be removed at once." Lady Sun laughed and said, "Having fought for half a life, should one still fear weapons?" She ordered them all taken away and commanded the maids to unbuckle their swords and attend to their duties. That night Xuande and Lady Sun were wed, and their mutual affection was deep and harmonious. Xuande also distributed gold and silks to the serving maids to win their loyalty, and first sent Sun Qian back to Jingzhou to report the good news. From then on, he drank wine day after day. The Dowager Madame held him in the highest esteem and affection.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan sent an official to Chaisang Commandery to report to Zhou Yu: "Our mother insisted with all her influence, and my sister has already been married to Liu Bei. It was never meant to become real, but now it has come to pass. What shall be done about it?" When Zhou Yu heard this, he was greatly alarmed and could neither sit nor rest in peace. He devised a plan and wrote a sealed letter, which he gave to the messenger to carry back to Sun Quan. Sun Quan broke the seal and read the letter, which said in essence: "What I planned has turned out so contrary to expectation. Since the false has become true, we should now turn it to our advantage. Liu Bei, with the bearing of a fierce hero, commands the likes of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, and moreover has Zhuge Liang to devise his strategies. He is certain not to remain long in subservience to others. In my humble opinion, the best course is to keep him confined in Wu through soft means—lavishly build palaces and mansions to dull his ambition; send him many beauties and rare pleasures to gratify his eyes and ears; separate him from the bond with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and distance him from his compact with Zhuge Liang, placing each in a different location. Then strike with our forces, and great matters can be settled. If we let him go now, I fear that once the dragon obtains clouds and rain, he will no longer be a creature of the pond. I pray you, my lord, consider this carefully."

When Sun Quan finished reading, he showed the letter to Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao said: "Gongjin's strategy accords perfectly with my own thinking. Liu Bei rose from humble origins and has wandered the length of the land. He has never enjoyed wealth and honor. If now we give him splendid halls, women, and treasures to indulge in, he will naturally grow distant from Zhuge Kongming, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the rest. Let each of them nurse resentment, and then Jingzhou can be seized. My lord, you should follow Gongjin's plan and act without delay." Sun Quan was overjoyed. That very day he refurbished the East Mansion, planted flowers and trees in abundance, and furnished it richly, inviting Xuande and his sister to reside there. He also added several dozen female musicians and provided jade, gold, brocade, and all manner of precious playthings. The Dowager Madame believed it was merely Sun Quan's goodwill and was delighted beyond measure. Xuande, as it turned out, was indeed ensnared by music and beauty and gave no thought at all to returning to Jingzhou.

Now Zhao Yun and his five hundred soldiers were quartered before the East Mansion. They had nothing to do all day but go outside the city to shoot arrows and ride horses. As the year drew to a close, Zhao Yun was suddenly struck by a thought: "Zhuge Liang gave me three brocade bags and instructed me to open the first upon arriving at Xuzhou, the second when the year had passed, and the third when I reached a moment of desperate crisis with no way out. Within them are strategies so cunning and marvelous that they can ensure our lord's safe return home. Now the year is nearly over, yet our lord is infatuated with women's company and does not even grant me an audience. Why should I not open the second brocade bag and act according to its plan?" He broke it open and read it. Truly it contained a divine strategy. That very day he went straight to the mansion hall to request an audience with Xuande.

The serving maids reported: "Zhao Zilong has urgent business to report to the noble lord." Xuade summoned him in and asked what it was. Zhao Yun feigned a look of alarm and said: "My lord dwells deep within painted halls—can it be that you no longer think of Jingzhou?" Xuande said: "What matter is so startling?" Zhao Yun said: "This morning Zhuge Kongming sent word that Cao Cao, seeking to avenge his defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, is leading five hundred thousand elite troops toward Jingzhou. The situation is most critical. He begs you to return at once." Xuande said: "I must discuss this with my lady." Zhao Yun said: "If you discuss it with the lady, she will certainly not let you go. Better say nothing and depart tonight. Any delay may prove fatal." Xuande said: "Withdraw for now. I shall handle this in my own way."

Zhao Yun deliberately pressed him several more times before withdrawing. Xuande went in to see Lady Sun, secretly shedding tears. Lady Sun said: "Why is my lord troubled?" Xuande said: "I think of how I have drifted as a stranger in a strange land. In life I cannot serve my parents, nor can I offer sacrifices to my ancestors. This is the height of unfilial conduct. Now with the New Year approaching, my heart is filled with melancholy." Lady Sun said: "Do not try to deceive me. I have already heard of it. Just now Zhao Zilong reported that Jingzhou is in danger and that you wish to return home. That is why you put on this pretense." Xuande knelt and confessed: "Since you already know, how dare I conceal it? If I do not go and Jingzhou is lost, I shall be mocked by the whole world. But if I go, I cannot bear to part from you. That is why I am troubled." Lady Sun said: "I have already given myself to you. Wherever you go, I shall follow." Xuande said: "Though your heart is so, will the Dowager Madame and the Marquis of Wu ever consent to let you go? If you take pity on Liu Bei, then for the time being we must part." With that, his tears fell like rain. Lady Sun urged him: "My lord, do not grieve. I shall plead earnestly with my mother and surely she will let me go with you." Xuande said: "Even if the Dowager Madame consents, the Marquis will certainly stand in the way." Lady Sun pondered for a long while, then said: "When you and I pay our New Year's respects, I shall say that I am going to the riverbank to sacrifice to your ancestors, and we shall leave without telling anyone. What do you think?" Xuande knelt again and thanked her: "If you do this, I shall never forget it as long as I live. But do not let it be known."

The two had already settled their plan. Liu Bei secretly summoned Zhao Yun and instructed him: "On New Year's Day, you will lead the soldiers out of the city first and wait along the main road. I will claim to be performing ancestral rites, and depart together with my lady." Zhao Yun accepted the order.

In the first month of spring, the fifteenth year of Jian'an, on New Year's Day, the Marquis of Wu gathered all his civil and military officials in the great hall. Liu Bei and Lady Sun went in to pay their respects to the Dowager. Lady Sun said, "My husband thinks of his parents and ancestral tombs, all of which are in Zhuojun. He grieves day and night without respite. Today he wishes to go to the riverbank and offer sacrifices facing north. I must inform you, Mother, of this." The Dowager said, "This is the way of filial piety—how could I not grant it? Though you have not met your husband's parents, you may accompany him to perform the rites, which also shows the propriety of a wife." Lady Sun and Liu Bei bowed in thanks and departed. At this time, only Sun Quan was kept in the dark.

Lady Sun rode in a carriage, bringing only her personal attendants and valuables. Liu Bei mounted his horse, leading several riders out of the city to join Zhao Yun. Five hundred soldiers surrounded them front and left, and they departed from Xuzhou, hastening on their way.

That day Sun Quan was extremely drunk, and his attendants helped him into the inner hall. The civil and military officials all dispersed. By the time the officials learned that Liu Bei and his wife had fled, it was already late in the evening. They wished to report to Sun Quan, but he was too drunk to wake. When he finally awoke, it was already the fifth watch. The next day, upon hearing that Liu Bei had escaped, Sun Quan hastily summoned his officials for counsel. Zhang Zhao said, "Now that this man has escaped, sooner or later he will surely bring calamity. We must pursue him at once." Sun Quan ordered Chen Wu and Pan Zhang to select five hundred elite soldiers and pursue without regard for day or night, determined to overtake and capture him. The two generals received their orders and departed. Sun Quan harbored deep hatred for Liu Bei and smashed the inkstone on his desk to pieces. Cheng Pu said, "My lord, your rage may reach the heavens, but I predict Chen Wu and Pan Zhang will never capture this man." Sun Quan said, "How dare they disobey my orders!" Cheng Pu said, "The princess has enjoyed observing military affairs since she was young, and she is stern, resolute, and upright—all the generals fear her. Since she has consented to follow Liu Bei, they must be of one mind. If the pursuing generals encounter the princess, how could they bring themselves to attack?"

Sun Quan flew into a rage, drew his sword from its scabbard, and summoned Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, saying, "You two take this sword and bring me the heads of my sister and Liu Bei! Those who disobey will be beheaded on the spot!" Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai received their orders and led three thousand soldiers in pursuit.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei whipped his horse and pressed forward with all haste. That night they rested briefly on the road for two watches, then hurried on again. They had reached the border of Chaisang when they saw great clouds of dust rising behind them. A soldier reported: "The pursuing troops have arrived!" Liu Bei anxiously asked Zhao Yun, "Since the pursuers are upon us, what shall we do?" Zhao Yun said, "My lord, go ahead. I will hold the rear."

They rounded a bend at the foot of a mountain, where a body of troops blocked their path. At the vanguard stood two great generals, shouting at the top of their voices: "Liu Bei, dismount and submit to capture at once! We act on Grand Commander Zhou Yu's orders and have long been waiting here!" It turned out that Zhou Yu, fearing Liu Bei might escape, had previously sent Xu Sheng and Ding Feng with three thousand troops to encamp at this strategic point. They regularly sent men to climb high and keep watch, reckoning that if Liu Bei took the land road, he must pass through this way. That day, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng spotted Liu Bei's party approaching, seized their weapons, and blocked the road.

Liu Bei was alarmed. He reined in his horse and turned to Zhao Yun, "There are troops blocking us ahead and pursuing us behind—no way forward or back. What shall we do?" Zhao Yun said, "My lord, do not panic. Our military advisor left three ingenious plans, sealed in brocade pouches. We have already opened two, and both proved true. There is a third one here, with instructions that it should be opened only in a moment of grave danger. Today the time has come—let us open it at once." He tore open the pouch and presented it to Liu Bei.

After reading it, Liu Bei went at once to the front of the army and tearfully addressed Lady Sun: "I have words from my heart that I must now speak truthfully." Lady Sun said, "Husband, what do you have to say? Tell me plainly." Liu Bei said: "In former days, the Marquis of Wu and Zhou Yu conspired together to arrange your marriage to me. Their true purpose was not to benefit you, but to imprison me and seize Jing Province. Once they had Jing Province, they would surely have killed me. Thus you were used as bait to hook me. I came regardless of the danger of ten thousand deaths, because I knew you possessed the spirit of a man of honor and would surely pity me. When I heard that the Marquis of Wu intended to do me harm, I used the pretext that Jing Province was in peril in order to devise a plan to return. Fortunately, you did not abandon me, and we have come thus far together. Now the Marquis of Wu has sent men pursuing us from behind, and Zhou Yu has sent men to block us ahead. Only you can resolve this calamity. If you refuse, I beg to die before your carriage as a repayment for your kindness."

Lady Sun said in fury, "Since my own brother does not treat me as his flesh and blood, what face do I have to see him again? Today's peril, I shall resolve myself." She ordered her attendants to push the carriage forward directly, raised the curtain, and herself called out to Xu Sheng and Ding Feng: "Do you two intend to rebel?" The two generals hastily dismounted, threw down their weapons, and bowed before the carriage, saying, "How dare we rebel? We act on Grand Commander Zhou Yu's orders, stationed here specifically to await Liu Bei." Lady Sun said angrily, "Zhou Yu, you rebel villain! Has Eastern Wu ever wronged you? Liu Bei is a royal uncle of the Great Han and my husband. I have already told my mother and brother that I am returning to Jing Province. Now the two of you have stationed troops at the foot of this mountain to block the road—do you intend to rob my husband and me of our possessions?" Xu Sheng and Ding Feng bowed repeatedly, saying, "We dare not. Please calm your anger, my lady. This is not our doing—it is Grand Commander Zhou Yu's order." Lady Sun scolded them: "You fear only Zhou Yu and not me? If Zhou Yu can kill you, cannot I kill Zhou Yu?" She heaped abuse upon Zhou Yu for a long time, then ordered the carriage to advance. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng said to themselves, "We are subordinates—how dare we oppose the princess?" Moreover, they saw Zhao Yun blazing with anger. They could only call their soldiers to stand aside and open a broad road to let them pass.

They had traveled no more than five or six li when Chen Wu and Pan Zhang came galloping up from behind. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng explained what had happened. The two generals said, "You let him pass—that was a mistake. We two bear orders from Marquis Wu to pursue and bring him back." So the four commanders joined forces and pressed on in haste.

While Xuande was on the march, he suddenly heard a great clamor rising behind him. He turned to Lady Sun and said, "The pursuing troops have caught up again. What shall we do?" Lady Sun replied, "My lord, go ahead with Zhao Yun and I will hold the rear." Xuande led three hundred soldiers toward the riverbank, while Zhao Yun reined his horse beside the carriage, deployed his troops in formation, and waited for the approaching generals.

When the four commanders saw Lady Sun, they had no choice but to dismount and stand with clasped hands. Lady Sun said, "Chen Wu, Pan Zhang—what business brings you here?" The two generals replied, "We bear our lord's command to escort Lady Sun and Xuande back." Lady Sun rebuked them sternly: "It is you ruffians who have sown discord between brother and sister! I have been married to another man. Returning home today is no elopement. I act on my mother's sacred instruction, which bids me and my husband return to Jingzhou. Even if my own brother came, he too would observe the proper rites. Do you two rely on armed force to murder me?" Her words left the four staring at one another. Each thought to himself: "Brother and sister they remain, no matter what. Moreover, the Dowager Marquise gave her sanction. Marquis Wu is a man of supreme filial piety—how could he defy his mother's word? If she turns against us tomorrow, we alone will bear the blame. Better to do her a kindness." Nor could they see Xuande anywhere among the troops; only Zhao Yun, glaring with fury, ready to fight. So the four commanders withdrew with repeated murmurs of assent. Lady Sun ordered the carriage to proceed. Xu Sheng said, "Let the four of us go together to report this to Grand Commander Zhou Yu."

As the four hesitated, a body of troops appeared like a whirlwind. It was Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai. The two generals asked, "Have you seen Liu Bei?" The four replied, "He passed this morning—half a day ago now." Jiang Qin said, "Why wasn't he seized?" Each of the four recounted Lady Sun's rebuke. Jiang Qin said: "Marquis Wu anticipated even this. He sealed a sword here with orders: kill his sister first, then slay Liu Bei. Disobedience means death on the spot." The four commanders said, "He is already far off. What can we do?" Jiang Qin replied: "They are all foot soldiers and cannot move fast. Generals Xu and Ding, ride swiftly to the Grand Commander and have him send warships in pursuit by water. We four will pursue on land. By water or dry road, whichever route catches them, kill them—heed no arguments." Thereupon Xu Sheng and Ding Feng rode at full speed to report to Zhou Yu, while Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, and Pan Zhang led their troops along the river in pursuit.

Now Xuande's party had traveled some distance from Chaisang and arrived at Liulang Ford. Only then did their spirits ease somewhat. They searched along the riverbank for a ferry, but all they saw was water stretching endlessly—no boats in sight. Xuande lowered his head in troubled thought. Zhao Yun said, "My lord escaped from the tiger's mouth and is now close to our own territory. I expect the Counselor-General has made his arrangements. Why doubt?" At these words, Xuande suddenly recalled the splendor of his days in Eastern Wu, and tears flowed unbidden. A later poet lamented:

Wu and Shu were wed by waters clear,

Pearl-canopied tents and houses of gold.

Who knew one woman could hold the world so cheap,

And seek to change the Tripartite Heart of Liu?

Xuande sent Zhao Yun ahead to scout for boats. Word came suddenly: dust billowed skyward behind them. Xuande climbed high to look and saw troops covering the ground as far as the eye could see. He sighed, "Days of flight have exhausted men and horses alike. The pursuers are upon us again—there is no place left to die!" The shouting drew nearer. Just as panic peaked, they saw twenty or more covered boats moored in a line along the bank. Zhao Yun cried, "Heaven sends these boats! Row across to the far shore and we shall see what can be done!"

Xuande and Lady Sun rushed aboard. Zhao Yun brought five hundred soldiers onto the boats as well. From within the cabin stepped a figure in a silk headscarf and Taoist robes, laughing heartily: "My lord, rejoice! Zhuge Liang has been waiting here a long time." The men disguised as merchants aboard were all Jingzhou marines. Xuande was overjoyed. Before long, the four pursuing commanders arrived. Zhuge Liang pointed smiling at those on the shore and called out: "I calculated all this long ago. Go back and tell Zhou Yu to play no more beauty-trap stratagems." Arrows flew wildly from the shore, but the boats were already far away. Jiang Qin and his three companions could only stare helplessly.

As Xuande and Kongming proceeded, a sudden roar arose from the river. They turned to see an armada of warships. Beneath the commander's banner, Zhou Yu led his battle-hardened marines, with Huang Gai on the left and Han Dang on the right—swift as flying horses, fast as shooting stars. They were gaining fast. Kongming ordered the boats to steer for the north shore. They abandoned the boats and took to land, mounting their carriages and riding on. Zhou Yu reached the bank and pursued on foot as well. All the marines marched on foot; only the leading officers rode horseback. Zhou Yu was in the vanguard, with Huang Gai, Han Dang, Xu Sheng, and Ding Feng close behind. Zhou Yu asked, "Where are we?" A soldier replied, "Ahead is the border of Huangzhou." Seeing Xuande's troops not far off, Zhou Yu ordered a concerted assault.

As they pressed forward, a drum sounded from the valley and a company of swordsmen burst forth, led by a mighty general—Guan Yunchang himself. Zhou Yu lost his composure and wheeled his horse to flee. Guan Yu gave chase, and Zhou Yu spurred his horse in desperate flight. As he galloped, Huang Zhong appeared on the left and Wei Yan on the right, both charging out. The Wu troops were routed. Zhou Yu scrambled down to his ship, when the soldiers on shore shouted in unison: "Zhou Yu's fine scheme to pacify the world—he lost the lady and lost his soldiers too!" Enraged, Zhou Yu cried, "Let me go ashore again and fight to the death!" Huang Gai and Han Dang restrained him by force. Zhou Yu thought to himself: "My plan has failed. What face do I have to show Marquis Wu?" He gave a great cry, his old wound burst open, and he collapsed aboard the ship. The generals rushed to revive him, but he had already lost consciousness. And so it was:

Twice the cunning schemes backfired and brought only folly; today she departs, resentment mingled with shame.

What became of Zhou Yu's fate? Turn to the following chapter for the answer.