Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Now it must be told that Zhou Yu, having been ambushed in advance by Zhuge Liang with three forces under Guan Yu, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan, suffered a crushing defeat. Huang Gai and Han Dang barely managed to rescue him aboard ship, but countless waterborne troops were lost. Gazing into the distance, he saw that Liu Bei, along with Lady Sun, their carriages, horses, and retainers, had all taken position atop the mountain peak. How could Zhou Yu not be enraged? His arrow wound had not yet healed, and the surge of fury caused the wound to split open; he fell unconscious to the ground. His officers revived him, and they sailed away in their ships.

Zhuge Liang ordered that no pursuit be made. He himself returned with Liu Bei to Jingzhou to celebrate, bestowing rewards upon the officers and men.

Zhou Yu made his own way back to Chaisang. Jiang Qin and the others returned to Xuzhou to report to Sun Quan. Quan was consumed with wrath and wished to appoint Cheng Pu as commander-in-chief, raising troops to seize Jingzhou. Zhou Yu also sent up a memorial, requesting that troops be raised to avenge this humiliation. Zhang Zhao remonstrated, saying: "This cannot be done. Cao Cao day and night nurses thoughts of revenge for the defeat at Red Cliff. It is precisely because he fears that Sun and Liu might act as one that he has not dared to raise an army. Now if Your Lordship, acting on a moment of anger, should turn to mutual destruction, Cao will certainly exploit our weakness and attack. The state would be in peril then." Gu Yong said: "Are there not spies from Xudu here? Should they learn that Sun and Liu are at odds, Cao will surely send someone to form an alliance with Liu Bei. Fearing Eastern Wu, Bei will then submit to Cao Cao. If that happens, when shall the Southland ever know peace? The best plan at present would be to send an envoy to Xudu, memorializing for Liu Bei to be appointed Governor of Jingzhou. When Cao Cao learns of this, he will be fearful and will not dare to direct his forces against the southeast. Moreover, this will prevent Liu Bei from bearing a grudge against Your Lordship. Then we can dispatch trusted agents to employ a stratagem of sowing discord, causing Cao and Liu to attack each other, while we seize the opportunity to pursue our aims. This is the proper course." Sun Quan said: "Your counsel, Yuan-tan, is excellent. But who shall serve as envoy?" Gu Yong said: "There is a man here whom Cao Cao holds in high esteem. He may serve as envoy." Quan asked who it was. Gu Yong said: "Hua Xin is here. Why not send him?" Quan was greatly pleased and at once dispatched Hua Xin bearing the memorial to Xudu. Hua Xin received the command and set out, proceeding directly to Xudu to seek an audience with Cao Cao. He heard that Cao was assembling his ministers at Ye Commandery to celebrate the completion of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, so he went to Ye Commandery to await an audience.

Since his defeat at Red Cliff, Cao Cao had constantly thought of revenge. His only concern was that Sun and Liu might combine their strength, and for this reason he had not dared to advance lightly. It was now the fifteenth year of Jian'an, spring, and the Bronze Sparrow Terrace had been completed. Cao Cao then assembled all his civil and military officials at Ye Commandery, holding a banquet in celebration. The terrace faced the Zhang River. At the center stood the Bronze Sparrow Terrace proper; to its left was a terrace called Jade Dragon Terrace, and to its right one called Golden Phoenix Terrace, each ten zhang in height. They were connected by two bridges spanning between them, with a thousand gates and ten thousand rooms, gleaming with gold and jade.

On that day, Cao Cao wore an inlaid golden cap and a green brocade robe with a jade belt and pearl-embroidered shoes, and he sat in a high position. His civil and military officials stood in attendance below the terrace. Cao Cao wished to observe the military officers compete in archery. He ordered his attendants to take a single battle robe of Sichuan red brocade and hang it upon a drooping willow branch. Below it an archery target was set, with a boundary of a hundred paces. The military officers were divided into two teams. Members of the Cao clan all wore red; the other officers all wore green. Each had his carved bow and fine arrows, mounted his horse, and awaited orders. Cao Cao issued his command: "Whoever can hit the red center of the target shall receive this brocade robe. If he misses, he shall be punished with a cup of water." The order had scarcely been given when from the red-clad team a young general galloped forth. All looked and saw that it was Cao Xiu. Xiu rode back and forth three times at full gallop, then nocked an arrow, drew the bow to its full, and loosed. The arrow struck the red center squarely. Bronze drums and gongs sounded together, and all cheered. Cao Cao, watching from the terrace, was greatly pleased and said: "This is the thousand-li colt of our house!" He was about to have someone fetch the robe and present it to Cao Xiu when a rider from the green-clad team came galloping out, shouting, "The Prime Minister's brocade robe should properly be taken by one of us of other surnames first—members of the clan should not be allowed to take precedence."

Cao Cao looked at the man and saw that it was Wen Pin. The assembled officers said, "Let us see Wen Zhongye's archery." Wen Pin took his bow, rode forth, and shot a single arrow, which also struck the red center. All cheered, and the drums and gongs sounded in clamor. Wen Pin cried out, "Fetch the robe at once!" Then from the red-clad team another general rode forth at full gallop, shouting fiercely, "Wen Lie shot first—how dare you contest it? Watch as the two of us settle this!" He drew his bow to the full, shot an arrow, and it too struck the red center. All cried out in unison in admiration. They looked and saw that it was Cao Hong. Hong was about to take the robe when from the green-clad team yet another officer emerged, raising his bow and calling out, "The archery of you three is nothing remarkable! Watch me shoot!" All looked and saw that it was Zhang He. Zhang He galloped forward, turned in his saddle, and shot backward, and his arrow also struck the red center. The four arrows clustered together squarely in the red center. All exclaimed, "Excellent archery!" Zhang He said, "The brocade robe should properly be mine!"

Before he had finished speaking, a general came galloping forth from the ranks of the red-robed archers, shouting, "You turned around to shoot—that's nothing extraordinary! Watch me hit the red center!" The crowd recognized Xiahou Yuan. He spurred his horse to the boundary marker, twisted his body, and loosed an arrow that landed exactly in the midst of the four previous shafts. Drums and gongs sounded together. Xiahou Yuan reined in his horse, held his bow, and called out, "Does this arrow deserve the brocade robe?" At once, from the ranks of the green-robed archers, a general rode forth in answer, crying, "Leave the robe for me—Xu Huang!" Xiahou Yuan said, "What shooting feat have you that can wrest this robe from me?" Xu Huang replied, "You shot the center of the target—that is nothing remarkable. Watch me take the robe itself!" He nocked an arrow and aimed at the willow branch in the distance. The arrow flew and severed the branch cleanly; the robe fell to the ground. Xu Huang galloped forward, seized the robe, and draped it over himself. He rode up to the terrace and called out, "I thank the Chancellor for the robe!" Cao Cao and all the officials marveled at the feat. Xu Huang had just reined his horse to return when suddenly a general in green leaped from beside the terrace, shouting, "Where do you think you're taking that brocade robe? Leave it here for me at once!" The crowd recognized Xu Chu. Xu Huang said, "The robe is already mine—how dare you try to seize it?" Xu Chu made no reply but charged his horse forward to grab the robe. As the two horses drew close, Xu Huang struck at Xu Chu with his bow. Xu Chu caught the bow with one hand and dragged Xu Huang from his saddle. Unable to release the bow, Xu Huang tumbled from his horse. Xu Chu dismounted as well, and the two grappled and wrestled on the ground. Cao Cao hastily ordered them separated. The brocade robe had already been torn to shreds. Cao Cao commanded both men to come up to the terrace. Xu Huang glared with knitted brows; Xu Chu gnashed his teeth—both still eager to fight. Cao Cao smiled and said, "I only wished to witness your valor. Why would I grudge a single brocade robe?" He then ordered all the generals to ascend the terrace and presented each of them with a bolt of Shu brocade. The generals each expressed their thanks. Cao Cao directed them to take their seats according to rank. Music filled the air, and delicacies from both land and water were laid out. Civil and military officials took turns offering toasts, pledging one another in a festive exchange.

Cao Cao turned to the civil officials and said, "The military officers have entertained us with their riding and archery, displaying their valor and prowess. You gentlemen are all men of great learning. Now that you have ascended this terrace, would you not present fine compositions to commemorate the glory of this occasion?" The officials bowed and replied, "We are happy to obey your command."

At this time, a group of civil officials—Wang Lang, Zhong Yao, Wang Can, and Chen Lin—presented poems and rhapsodies. Many of their verses praised Cao Cao's towering merits and suggested that he was destined to receive the Mandate of Heaven. Cao Cao read through them all, then smiled and said, "Your compositions are excellent, but you flatter me far too much. I am by nature dull and unremarkable. I was first recommended as a man of filial piety and integrity. Then, when the empire fell into great turmoil, I built a retreat some fifty li east of Qiao, intending to read in spring and summer and hunt in autumn and winter, waiting for the realm to be pacified before entering public service. Unexpectedly, the court summoned me to serve as a Commandant of the Imperial Guard, and I changed my plans, resolving instead to devote myself to suppressing rebels and winning merit for the state, so that after my death my tombstone might read: 'Here lies the Marquis Cao, the late General Who Pacifies the West of the Han dynasty.' That would have been the fulfillment of my life's wish. Since the campaigns against Dong Zhuo and the Yellow Turbans, I have destroyed Yuan Shu, defeated Lü Bu, crushed Yuan Shao, and pacified Liu Biao—and so brought peace to the realm. I now stand as Prime Minister, having reached the highest station to which a subject can aspire. What more could I desire? If not for me, I cannot say how many would have declared themselves emperor or king. Some, seeing the power I wield, rashly speculate that I harbor ulterior motives—this is a great error. I often recall Confucius's praise of King Wen's supreme virtue, and those words are ever in my heart. But if I were to relinquish my troops and return to the duties of my fief, the Marquis of Wuping, it would truly be impossible. I fear that the moment I lay down my command, I would fall victim to others' schemes; and if I were defeated, the state would be imperiled. Therefore I cannot pursue an empty reputation while courting real disaster. Surely you gentlemen understand my meaning." The officials all rose and bowed, saying, "Even Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou could not surpass you, Chancellor." A later poet wrote:

When the Duke of Zho feared slanderous tongues,

When Wang Mang humbly courted the learned,

Had either died in those very years,

Who would have known their truth from their deceits?

Cao Cao drank several cups in succession and grew intoxicated. He ordered his attendants to bring brush and inkstone, intending to compose a poem on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. He had just set brush to paper when a messenger reported: "The Wu envoy Hua Xin has memorialized the throne, appointing Liu Bei as Governor of Jingzhou. Sun Quan has given his younger sister in marriage to Liu Bei, and the greater part of the nine commanderies of the Han River region now belongs to Bei." When Cao Cao heard this, his hands and feet trembled in agitation, and he threw his brush to the ground. Cheng Yu said, "When the Chancellor was amid ten thousand troops, with arrows and stones flying, he never showed the slightest perturbation. Now that you have learned Liu Bei has gained Jingzhou, why are you so alarmed?" Cao Cao said, "Liu Bei is a dragon among men. All his life he has never found water. Now that he possesses Jingzhou, it is as though a trapped dragon has entered the vast sea. How can I not be moved?" Cheng Yu said, "Does the Chancellor understand Hua Xin's purpose in coming?" Cao Cao said, "I do not." Cheng Yu said, "Sun Quan originally harbored enmity toward Liu Bei and wished to attack him with force. But he feared that you might exploit the opportunity to strike, so he sent Hua Xin as his envoy to recommend Liu Bei for office. This is intended to set Liu Bei's mind at ease and to block your ambitions."

Cao Cao nodded and said, "Indeed so." Cheng Yu said, "I have a plan that will cause Sun Quan and Liu Bei to devour each other, while you seize the opportunity to act against them—both your enemies destroyed in one stroke." Cao Cao was delighted and asked what the plan was. Cheng Yu said, "What Wu relies upon is Zhou Yu. If Your Excellency now memorializes the throne to appoint Zhou Yu as Grand Administrator of Nan Commandery and Cheng Pu as Grand Administrator of Jiangxia, while retaining Hua Xin at court in a position of honor, Zhou Yu will certainly turn against Liu Bei on his own. We can then exploit their conflict to act against them—would that not be excellent?" Cao Cao said, "Your counsel, Zhongde, accords perfectly with my own thinking." He then summoned Hua Xin to the terrace and bestowed rich rewards upon him. When the banquet ended that day, Cao Cao led his civil and military officials back to Xuchang and submitted a memorial appointing Zhou Yu as Grand Administrator of Nan Commandery and Cheng Pu as Grand Administrator of Jiangxia. He appointed Hua Xin as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and kept him at Xuchang. When the imperial envoys arrived in Wu, Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu each accepted their appointments.

Having taken command of Nan Commandery, Zhou Yu grew ever more intent on revenge. He therefore wrote a letter to the Marquis of Wu, requesting that Lu Su be sent to demand the return of Jing Province. Sun Quan then summoned Lu Su and said, "You formerly guaranteed the loan of Jing Province to Liu Bei. Now he delays and has not returned it. How long shall we wait?" Lu Su replied, "The document clearly states that he will return it once he has taken Xichuan." Sun Quan scolded, "He only speaks of taking Xichuan, yet to this day he has not moved a single soldier. Shall we wait until he is old?" Lu Su said, "I am willing to go and speak with him." Thereupon he set out for Jing Province.

Now, Xuande and Kongming were in Jing Province, amassing grain and provisions and drilling their troops. Many men from far and near had come to join them. Suddenly it was reported that Lu Su had arrived. Xuande asked Kongming, "What is Zijing's purpose in coming here?" Kongming replied, "Recently Sun Quan memorialized the court to appoint Your Lordship as Governor of Jing Province—this was a scheme to cause alarm in Cao Cao's heart. Cao Cao appointed Zhou Yu as Grand Administrator of Nan Commandery—this was to set our two houses against each other so he might profit from the conflict. Now Lu Su has come again, and his purpose is that since Zhou Yu has received the post of Grand Administrator, he wishes to demand the return of Jing Province." Xuande asked, "How shall we answer him?" Kongming said, "If Lu Su raises the matter of Jing Province, Your Lordship should break into loud weeping. When the grief reaches its most pitiful point, I myself shall come out to console you."

The plan was set. Lu Su was received into the court, and after the formal courtesies were completed, they sat down. Lu Su said, "Today the Imperial Uncle has become the son-in-law of Eastern Wu and is therefore my master. How dare I sit?" Xuande smiled and said, "Zijing and I are old friends—why be so modest?" Lu Su then took his seat. After tea, Lu Su said, "I come now by the gracious command of the Marquis of Wu, solely on the matter of Jing Province. The Imperial Uncle has borrowed it for a long time, and it has not yet been returned. Now that the two families are joined in marriage, you should consider the ties of family affection and deliver it up promptly." At these words, Xuande covered his face and wept. Lu Su, startled, said, "Why does the Imperial Uncle act thus?" Xuande's sobs did not cease. Kongming emerged from behind the screen and said, "I have been listening for some time. Does Zijing know the reason my lord weeps?" Lu Su said, "Truly, I do not know." Kongming said, "How is it hard to perceive? When my lord first borrowed Jing Province, he promised to return it upon obtaining Xichuan. But consider carefully: Liu Zhang of Yizhou is my lord's brother—both are of the flesh and blood of the House of Han. If he were to raise troops to take his territory, he would fear the scorn of outsiders. Yet if he does not take it and returns Jing Province, where shall he find a home? And if he does not return it, it would look ill upon the face of your honorable uncle-in-law. Caught between two difficulties, tears therefore pour from his anguished heart." When Kongming had finished, he touched Xuande's innermost feelings, and indeed Xuande beat his breast and stamped his feet, weeping aloud. Lu Su urged, "Let the Imperial Uncle cease his distress, and deliberate with Kongming at length." Kongming said, "I must trouble Zijing to return and see the Marquis of Wu. Spare no effort in speech to lay before him these distressing circumstances, and ask that more time be granted." Lu Su said, "What if the Marquis of Wu does not consent?" Kongming said, "The Marquis of Wu has given his own sister in marriage to the Imperial Uncle—how could he refuse? I trust Zijing will speak well in reply."

Lu Su was a generous and kindly elder. Seeing Xuande in such grief, he could only agree. Xuande and Kongming bowed their thanks. The banquet concluded, and Lu Su was escorted to his boat. He proceeded directly to Chaisang, where he met Zhou Yu and related everything that had happened. Zhou Yu stamped his foot and said, "Zijing, you have fallen once more into Zhuge Liang's trap! When Liu Bei relied on Liu Biao in former days, he always harbored designs of annexation—how much more so with Liu Zhang of Xichuan! Such procrastination will only bring trouble upon you, old friend. I have a scheme by which Zhuge Liang cannot escape my calculations. You must go once more." Lu Su said, "I am glad to hear your ingenious plan." Zhou Yu said, "You need not go to see the Marquis of Wu. Go again to Jing Province and say to Liu Bei this: 'Since the Sun and Liu families are now joined in marriage, we are one house. If the Liu family is unwilling to take Xichuan, we of Eastern Wu will raise troops to take it. When Xichuan is taken, it shall serve as a dowry, and Jing Province shall be returned to Eastern Wu.'" Lu Su said, "Xichuan is far away, and taking it will no easy matter. Is not this plan of Your Excellency's unworkable?" Zhou Yu smiled and said, "You are truly a generous elder. Did you think I truly intend to take Xichuan for him? I use this only as a pretext—in truth I intend to take Jing Province and to catch them unprepared. When the Eastern Wu army passes by Jing Province on its way to conquer Xichuan, we shall demand money and provisions. Liu Bei will surely come out of the city to reward the troops. Then we shall seize the moment to kill him, seize Jing Province, avenge my hatred, and resolve your calamity."

Lu Su was overjoyed and set out once more for Jing Province. Xuande and Kongming conferred. Kongming said, "Lu Su certainly did not see the Marquis of Wu. He went only to Chaisang, where Zhou Yu hatched some scheme to entice us. Whatever he says, Your Lordship need only watch me nod, and then agree to everything." The plan was set. Lu Su was received and, after the formal courtesies, said, "The Marquis of Wu spoke most highly of the Imperial Uncle's abundant virtue and thereupon conferred with his generals about raising troops to take Xichuan on the Imperial Uncle's behalf. When Xichuan is taken, it will be exchanged for Jing Province, serving as the dowry in its stead. But when the army passes through, we hope you will provide some money and grain." Kongming, upon hearing this, quickly nodded and said, "How kind of the Marquis of Wu!" Xuande, clasping his hands in thanks, said, "This is all due to Zijing's persuasive words." Kongming said, "When the mighty army arrives, we shall go far to meet and reward it." Lu Su secretly rejoiced. The banquet concluded, and he took his leave.

Liu Bei asked Kongming, "What does this mean?" Kongming laughed loudly and said, "Zhou Yu's days are numbered! Even a child could not be fooled by such a scheme!" Liu Bei asked what to do. Kongming replied, "This is the strategy of 'borrowing a path to conquer Guo.' Under the pretense of taking Yi Province, his real aim is to seize Jing Province. When you go out of the city to reward his troops, he will seize the opportunity to take you captive, storm the city, and strike where we are unprepared and catch us off guard." Liu Bei said, "What then?" Kongming said, "My lord, set your mind at rest. Prepare only the ambush to capture the fierce tiger and set the bait to hook the great turtle. When Zhou Yu arrives, even if he does not die, nine parts of his breath will have left him." He then summoned Zhao Yun and gave him his instructions: "Do thus and thus. As for the rest, I have my own arrangements." Liu Bei was overjoyed. A later poet wrote:

Zhou Yu schemed to seize Jing Province,

But Zhuge Liang foresaw it from the first.

He counted on the Yangtze's bait to hold firm,

Unknowing of the hidden hook beneath.

Now, Lu Su returned to Zhou Yu and reported that Liu Bei and Kongming were delighted and unsuspecting, and were preparing to go out of the city to reward the troops. Zhou Yu laughed loudly and said, "So this time they have fallen into my trap!" He then instructed Lu Su to report to the Marquis of Wu and to send Cheng Pu with troops to rendezvous with them. By now Zhou Yu's arrow wound had gradually healed, and he was in good health. He made Gan Ning the vanguard, with himself, Xu Sheng, and Ding Feng as the second force, and Ling Tong and Lü Meng as the rear guard. With fifty thousand troops by land and water, they set out toward Jing Province. Zhou Yu, aboard his ship, smiled from time to time, believing that Kongming had fallen for his scheme. When the vanguard reached Xiakou, Zhou Yu asked, "Is anyone from Jing Province coming out to meet us?" A man reported, "The Imperial Uncle has sent Mi Zhu to see the Commander." Zhou Yu summoned him and asked about the arrangements for rewarding the troops. Mi Zhu said, "My lord has made all the preparations." Zhou Yu asked, "Where is the Imperial Uncle?" Mi Zhu replied, "He is waiting at the city gate of Jing Province to drink a toast with the Commander." Zhou Yu said, "This campaign is being waged for your lord's sake. Do not be stingy with the rewards for the troops." Mi Zhu took his instructions and returned ahead of them.

The war ships were closely packed upon the river, advancing one after another. As they approached Gongan, not a single warship was to be seen, nor anyone coming from afar to greet them. Zhou Yu urged the ships to hasten forward. When they were still some ten li from Jing Province, the river appeared calm and still. The scouts reported, "On the city walls of Jing Province, two white flags have been raised, and not a single person is to be seen." Zhou Yu, feeling uneasy, ordered the ships to pull ashore. He himself went ashore on horseback, taking Gan Ning, Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, and a company of officers, along with three thousand elite guards, and made straight for Jing Province. When they reached the city, there was no sign of activity. Zhou Yu reined in his horse and ordered his soldiers to call at the gate. Those on the wall asked who they were. The Wu soldiers replied, "The Grand Commander of Eastern Wu, Zhou Yu, is here in person." Before they had finished speaking, a clapper suddenly sounded, and on the walls, spears and swords were raised all at once. From the watchtower, Zhao Yun appeared and said, "Commander, what is the true purpose of your visit?" Zhou Yu said, "I am taking Xichuan for your lord. Do you not even know this?" Zhao Yun replied, "The Military Advisor Kongming already knows of your 'borrowing a path to conquer Guo' scheme, and so he left Zhao Yun here. My lord has said: 'I and Liu Zhang are both of the imperial clan of Han. How could I bear to act against righteousness and seize Xichuan? If Eastern Wu truly means to take Shu, I will let down my hair and retire to the mountains, so as not to lose the trust of the world.'" When Zhou Yu heard this, he turned his horse around to leave. Then a man bearing a flag with the character "command" rode up before him and reported, "Our scouts have discovered that troops from four directions are advancing together to attack: Guan Yu is coming from Jiangling, Zhang Fei from Zigui, Huang Zhong from Gongan, and Yan Yan from the side roads of Yiling. We do not know how many troops there are in all four armies. The shouting has been heard for a hundred li around, and they all say they mean to capture Zhou Yu." Zhou Yu cried out from horseback, his arrow wound split open again, and he fell from his horse. Indeed:

One move in chess too high to counter,

And all calculations come to naught.

What became of Zhou Yu's life? Read on to find out.