Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Now Zhang Fei asked Yan Yan for a strategy. Yan Yan said, "From here to Luocheng, every pass and fortified position under defense falls under my jurisdiction; all the troops are at my disposal. Today, moved by your lordship's kindness, I have nothing with which to repay you. I shall serve as the vanguard, and wherever we arrive, I shall summon all to come forth and surrender." Zhang Fei thanked him profusely. Thus Yan Yan served as the vanguard, with Zhang Fei leading the army behind. Wherever they arrived, all were under Yan Yan's jurisdiction, and he summoned them to surrender. For those who hesitated and could not decide, Yan Yan said, "Even I have submitted—how much more so you?" From then on, all submitted upon hearing the news, without a single battle being fought.

Now Kongming had already reported the date of departure to Xuande, and the entire army was to assemble at Luocheng. Xuande discussed with his officers: "Now Kongming and Yide are taking two separate routes to seize Shu, and they will meet at Luocheng together before entering Chengdu. The water and land routes by boat and carriage departed on the twentieth day of the seventh month, and they should be arriving soon. Now we may advance our troops." Huang Zhong said, "Zhang Ren comes daily to challenge us to battle, but seeing that our forces do not leave the city, his troops have grown slack and make no preparations. Tonight we should divide our forces to raid their camp—this would be better than fighting in broad daylight." Xuande followed this plan, ordering Huang Zhong to lead troops to the left and Wei Yan to lead troops to the right. Xuande took the center route. That night, at the second watch, the three armies set out together. Zhang Ren indeed had made no preparations. The Han army poured into the great camp and set fires, with fierce flames leaping into the sky. The Shu soldiers fled, and word was carried through the night to Luocheng, where the city troops came out to meet them. Xuande returned to set up camp at the center. The next day, he led his troops straight to Luocheng and besieged it, attacking the city. Zhang Ren kept his forces within and did not come out. On the fourth day of the siege, Xuede personally led an army to attack the western gate, ordering Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to attack the eastern gate, while leaving the southern and northern gates open for the enemy troops to pass through. It turned out that the southern gate area consisted entirely of mountain roads, and the northern gate had the Fu River, so these were not besieged.

Zhang Ren saw Xuande at the western gate, riding back and forth directing the assault on the city. From morning until late afternoon, his men and horses gradually grew weary. Zhang Ren ordered the two generals Wu Lan and Lei Tong to lead troops out of the northern gate, circle around to the eastern gate to engage Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, while he himself led troops out of the southern gate, circling around to the western gate to face Xuande alone. Inside the city, all the militia were ordered onto the walls to beat drums and shout in support.

Now Xuande, seeing the red sun sinking in the west, ordered the rear troops to withdraw first. As the soldiers turned, a great shout arose from atop the walls, and soldiers and horses burst forth from within the southern gate. Zhang Ren went straight into the army to capture Xuande. Xuande's army fell into great disorder. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were engaged by Wu Lan and Lei Tong and could not aid each other. Xuande could not withstand Zhang Ren and turned his horse to flee down a remote mountain path. Zhang Ren pursued from behind, drawing closer and closer. Xuande was alone with his horse, and Zhang Ren pursued with several riders.

Xuande was spurring his horse forward with all his strength when suddenly a force burst forth from the mountain road. Xuede cried out from atop his horse, "Ambushers ahead and pursuers behind—Heaven has doomed me!" But the vanguard commander of the approaching force turned out to be Zhang Fei. It happened that Zhang Fei and Yan Yan had been coming along that very road; seeing the dust rise, they knew a battle with Shu troops was underway. Zhang Fei charged ahead and ran straight into Zhang Fei, and they engaged at once. After more than ten exchanges, Yan Yan led the main force forward from behind. Zhang Ren hastily turned back. Zhang Fei pursued him all the way to the city walls. Zhang Ren retreated into the city and raised the drawbridge.

Zhang Fei returned to see Xuande and said, "The military adviser is coming up the river and has not yet arrived, yet I have seized the foremost merit." Xuande said, "The mountain roads are treacherous—how was it that no army blocked your way, allowing you to drive straight through and arrive first?" Zhang Fei said, "Along the route there were forty-five passes, all due to the merit of the old general Yan Yan; therefore along the entire way we did not expend the slightest effort." He then recounted from beginning to end the story of how he had righteously released Yan Yan, and presented Yan Yan to Xuande. Xuande thanked him, saying, "Without this old general, how could my brother have arrived here?" He then removed the golden chain mail armor from his own body and bestowed it upon Yan Yan. Yan Yan bowed in thanks. Just as they were preparing a banquet, suddenly a scout reported: "Huang Zhong and Wei Yan engaged the Shu generals Wu Lan and Lei Tong in battle, but Wu Yi and Liu Gui from the city led troops to aid them as well. Attacked from both sides, our forces could not hold, and Wei and Huang have been defeated and fled east." Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei asked Xuande to divide the forces into two routes and charge to their aid. Thus Zhang Fei took the left and Xuande the right, and they charged forward. Wu Yi and Liu Gui, hearing the shouts from behind, hastily retreated into the city. Wu Lan and Lei Tong had been pursuing only Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, but their return route was cut off by Xuande and Zhang Fei. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan turned their horses and counterattacked. Wu Lan and Lei Tong, unable to withstand the assault, had to bring their own troops to surrender. Xuande accepted their surrender and drew his troops back to set up camp near the city walls.

Now Zhang Ren, having lost two generals, was filled with anxiety. Wu Yi and Liu Gui said, "The military situation is dire. If we do not fight to the death, how can we drive back the enemy? On one side, send someone to Chengdu to report the emergency to our lord; on the other, employ a stratagem to counter them." Zhang Ren said, "Tomorrow I will lead a force to challenge them to battle, feign defeat, and draw them north of the city; then a force from within the city will burst forth and cut them in the middle—we can achieve victory." Wu Yi said, "General Liu will assist the young lord in defending the city; I will lead troops out to join the battle."

The rendezvous was set. The next day, Zhang Ren led several thousand troops out of the city, with banners waving and war cries raised, to challenge the enemy to battle. Zhang Fei mounted his horse and rode out to meet him. Without a word spoken, he engaged Zhang Ren in combat. After fewer than ten exchanges, Zhang Fei feigned defeat and fled around the city walls. Zhang Fei gave chase with all his might. Wu Yi's force cut off his advance, and Zhang Ren led his troops back, surrounding Zhang Fei in the center of the battlefield, unable to advance or retreat.

Just as he was at his wit's end, he saw a column of soldiers charge out from the riverbank. At the lead, a great general galloped forward with spear in hand, engaging Wu Yi in combat. In a single exchange, he captured Wu Yi alive, routed the enemy troops, and rescued Zhang Fei. It was Zhao Yun. Zhang Fei asked, "Where is the Military Adviser?" Zhao Yun said, "The Military Adviser has already arrived. By now, he has likely met with our lord." The two of them took the captured Wu Yi back to camp. Zhang Ren withdrew through the east gate.

Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun returned to camp and found that Kongming, Jian Yong, and Jiang Wan were already in the tent. Zhang Fei dismounted and paid his respects to the Military Adviser. Kongming asked in surprise, "How did you arrive so quickly?" Liu Bei recounted in full the matter of releasing Yan Yan out of righteousness. Kongming congratulated him, saying, "General Zhang is capable of employing strategy—this is all due to Your Lordship's great fortune." Zhao Yun brought Wu Yi before Liu Bei. Liu Bei said, "Will you surrender?" Wu Yi said, "Since I have been captured, how can I not surrender?" Liu Bei was greatly pleased and personally loosened his bonds. Kongming asked, "How many men are defending the city?" Wu Yi said, "There is Liu Xun, the son of Liu Zhang, with auxiliary generals Liu Gui and Zhang Ren. Liu Gui is nothing to worry about, but Zhang Ren is a man of Shu Commandery, possessing great courage and resourcefulness—he must not be underestimated." Kongming said, "First we must capture Zhang Ren, then take Luo City." He asked, "What is the name of the bridge to the east of the city?" Wu Yi said, "The Golden Wild Goose Bridge."

Kongming then rode to the bridge and surveyed the area along the river before returning to camp. He summoned Huang Zhong and Wei Yan and gave his orders: "Some five or six li south of the Golden Wild Goose Bridge, both banks are covered with reeds and rushes—ideal for an ambush. Wei Yan, lead one thousand spearmen and hide on the left, striking only at enemy generals on horseback. Huang Zhong, lead one thousand swordsmen and hide on the right, hacking only at the legs of their mounts. Once their army is routed, Zhang Ren is certain to flee east along the mountain path. Zhang Yide, lead one thousand soldiers and wait there—capture him on the spot." He then ordered Zhao Yun to conceal himself north of the Golden Wild Goose Bridge: "When I lead Zhang Ren across the bridge, you are to destroy it and array your troops north of the bridge, making a show of force from afar so that Zhang Ren dare not head north and instead retreat south—exactly as our plan requires."

With the deployments set, Kongming went himself to lure the enemy.

Now Liu Zhang had sent two generals, Zhuo Ying and Zhang Yi, ahead to Luo City to reinforce the battle. Zhang Ren ordered Zhang Yi and Liu Gui to defend the city while he and Zhuo Ying formed two columns—one in front and one in the rear. Zhang Ren took the vanguard, Zhuo Ying the rear guard, and they rode out to repel the enemy. Kongming led a force that was neither orderly nor imposing across the Golden Wild Goose Bridge to face Zhang Ren. Kongming rode out in his four-wheeled cart, wearing a silk headband and wielding a feather fan, flanked by over a hundred cavalry. He pointed at Zhang Ren and said, "When Cao Cao commanded a million men, he fled at the mere mention of my name! Who are you, that you dare not surrender?"

Zhang Ren saw that Kongming's troops were in disarray and laughed from horseback, "People say Zhuge Liang's military skill is godlike—so it turns out his reputation far exceeds his ability!" He beckoned with his lance, and the entire force charged forward. Kongming abandoned his four-wheeled cart, mounted his horse, and retreated across the bridge. Zhang Ren pursued from behind. After crossing the Golden Wild Goose Bridge, he found Liu Bei's army on the left and Yan Yan's army on the right, charging toward him. Zhang Ren realized it was a trap and tried to turn his army back, but the bridge had already been destroyed. He wished to flee north, but saw Zhao Yun's troops arrayed on the opposite bank, so he dared not head north and instead turned south, making his way along the river.

Before he had gone five or six li, he reached a dense thicket of reeds. Wei Yan's force suddenly rose from the midst of the reeds, thrusting wildly with long spears. Huang Zhong's soldiers, hidden among the reed beds, swung their long blades at the horses' hooves. The cavalry was thrown and all were bound and captured. Who among the infantry dared approach? Zhang Ren led several dozen horsemen toward the mountain path, and ran straight into Zhang Fei. Zhang Ren was about to retreat when Zhang Fei let out a great shout. His men rushed forward and captured Zhang Ren alive. As it turned out, Zhuo Ying, seeing that Zhang Ren had fallen into the trap, had already surrendered to Zhao Yun's forces, and all of them arrived at the main camp together.

Liu Bei rewarded Zhuo Ying. Zhang Fei brought Zhang Ren forward. Kongming was also seated in the tent. Liu Bei said to Zhang Ren, "The generals of Shu have surrendered at the first sign of our forces—why do you not surrender early?" Zhang Ren glared and shouted angrily, "Would a loyal lord ever serve two masters?" Liu Bei said, "You simply do not understand the will of Heaven. Surrender, and your life will be spared." Zhang Ren said, "I will not surrender today, nor will I surrender in the future! Kill me at once!" Liu Bei could not bear to put him to death. Zhang Ren cursed furiously and loudly. Kongming ordered him beheaded, so that his reputation might be preserved. A later poet wrote in praise:

A martyr would never serve two lords;

Lord Zhang's loyalty and courage live on beyond death.

His brilliance is like the moon in the sky,

Night after night casting its light upon Luo City.

Liu Bei sighed with deep emotion and ordered that Zhang Ren's body be recovered and buried beside the Golden Wild Goose Bridge, in honor of his loyalty. The next day, he ordered Yan Yan, Wu Yi, and the other Shu generals who had surrendered to serve as the vanguard, advancing straight to Luo City. They called out, "Open the city gates and surrender at once, and spare the people of this city from suffering!" Liu Gui cursed them from atop the city walls. Yan Yan was about to take an arrow and shoot him when suddenly a general on the city wall drew his sword and cut down Liu Gui, then opened the gates and surrendered. Liu Bei's army entered Liu City. Liu Xun escaped through the west gate and fled to Chengdu. Liu Bei issued proclamations to pacify the people. The one who had killed Liu Gui was Zhang Yi, a man of Wuyang.

Liu Bei captured Luocheng and bestowed generous rewards upon his generals. Kongming said, "Luocheng has fallen, and Chengdu lies just ahead. Yet I fear the outlying prefectures may not be pacified. Have Zhang Yi and Wu Yi lead Zhao Yun to stabilize the outer waters and pacify Jiangyang, Qianwei, and their subordinate prefectures. Have Yan Pin and Zhuo Ying lead Zhang Fei to pacify Baxi, Deyang, and their subordinate prefectures. Appoint officials to govern and restore order, then have the troops march back to Chengdu to rendezvous." Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun received their orders and led their forces away separately. Kongming asked, "What strategic passes lie ahead?" A surrendered general from Shu replied, "Only Mianzhu is heavily defended. If Mianzhu is taken, Chengdu can be seized with ease." Kongming then discussed advancing the army. Fa Zheng said, "Now that Luocheng has fallen, Shu is in grave danger. If Your Lordship wishes to win the people through benevolence and righteousness, you should not advance. I shall write a letter to Liu Zhang, laying out the stakes, and he will naturally surrender." Kongming said, "Xiaozhi's counsel is most sound." He then had a letter written and sent a messenger directly to Chengdu.

Meanwhile, Liu Xun escaped and returned to his father, reporting that Luocheng had fallen. Liu Zhang, in a panic, assembled his officials for counsel. Zheng Du, a supernumerary official, offered a strategy: "Although Liu Bei has captured cities and seized territory, his forces are not large, his soldiers have not fully submitted, and he relies on wild grain for provisions, with no supply trains. We should drive all the people of Baxi and Zitong across the Fu River to the west. Burn all granaries and wild grain stores, dig deep moats, and raise high ramparts, waiting quietly for the enemy. When they arrive and seek battle, refuse them. Without supplies for long, within a hundred days their army will withdraw on its own. We can then strike when they are vulnerable and capture Liu Bei." Liu Zhang replied, "No. I have heard of protecting the people to resist the enemy; I have never heard of disturbing the people to prepare against the enemy. This is not a plan for preservation." As they were deliberating, a report came that Fa Zheng had sent a letter. Liu Zhang summoned the messenger, who presented the letter. Liu Zhang opened and read it, which read in substance:

"Formerly I was sent to establish good relations with Jingzhou. It was not expected that Your Lordship's attendants would be so unsuitable, leading to this situation. Now Jingzhou, cherishing old ties and forgetting not the bonds of kinship, will treat Your Lordship generously if you would but turn and submit. I hope you will reflect carefully and decide."

Liu Zhang flew into a rage, tore up the letter, and cursed, "Fa Zheng, a traitor who sells his lord for glory, an ungrateful villain!" He expelled the messenger from the city. At once he dispatched his brother-in-law Fei Guan with troops to defend Mianzhou. Fei Guan recommended a man from Nanyang named Li Yan, style Zhengfang, to join him in command. Fei Guan and Li Yan then raised thirty thousand troops to defend Mianzhu. Dong He, the Grand Administrator of Yizhou, whose style was Youzai and who was from Zhijiang in Nan Commandery, wrote to Liu Zhang requesting to go to Hanzhong to borrow troops. Liu Zhang said, "Zhang Lu and I are hereditary enemies. How would he agree to help?" Dong He replied, "Though he bears a grudge against us, Liu Bei's army is at Luocheng and the situation is dire. When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold. If we explain the stakes to him, he will certainly agree." Liu Zhang then wrote a letter and sent an envoy to Hanzhong.

Now, Ma Chao, after his defeat, had fled to the Qiang tribes and had spent over two years there, forging alliances with the Qiang and capturing prefectures in Longxi. Everywhere he went, cities surrendered without resistance. Only Jicheng he could not take. Wei Kang, the Inspector of the prefecture, repeatedly sent men to beg Xiahou Yuan for aid. Xiahou Yuan, lacking Cao Cao's authorization, dared not move his troops. Wei Kang, seeing no reinforcements arrive, discussed with his officers: "We might as well surrender to Ma Chao." Yang Fu, a military advisor, tearfully remonstrated: "Ma Chao and his ilk are rebels against their sovereign. How can we surrender to them?" Wei Kang said: "Matters have come to this. If not surrender, what else can we do?" Yang Fu pleaded in vain. Wei Kang opened the city gates wide and surrendered to Ma Chao. Ma Chao, in a fury, said: "You surrender only because you are in dire straits—this is no act of sincerity!" He put Wei Kang and over forty others to the sword, sparing not a single one. Someone said, "Yang Fu advised Wei Kang not to surrender—he should be executed." Ma Chao said: "This man upheld righteousness; he cannot be killed." He reappointed Yang Fu as military advisor. Yang Fu recommended Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu, and Ma Chao appointed both as officers. Yang Fu told Ma Chao: "My wife died in Lintao. I beg two months' leave to bury her and will return."

Ma Chao granted his request. Yang Fu passed through Licheng and visited Jiang Yi, the General Who Pacifies the Tribes. Jiang Yi and Yang Fu were cousins on their mothers' side. Jiang Yi's mother was Yang Fu's aunt, and she was eighty-two years old. That day, Yang Fu entered Jiang Yi's private residence, paid respects to his aunt, and weeping, said: "I could not defend the city, and I could not die with my lord—I am ashamed to face you, Aunt. Ma Chao rebelled against his sovereign and wantonly killed the Grand Administrator. Not a single man or woman in this prefecture does not hate him. Now my brother sits in possession of Licheng yet harbors no intention to punish the traitor—is this the duty of a subject?" As he spoke, tears of blood streamed down. When Jiang Yi's mother heard this, she summoned Jiang Yi and rebuked him: "Inspector Wei was killed, and this is your fault as well." Then she said to Yang Fu: "You have surrendered to another and receive his stipend—why do you then raise your heart to fight him?" Yang Fu said: "I followed the traitor only to preserve my remaining life, so that I might avenge my lord." Jiang Yi said: "Ma Chao is brave and fierce—he is difficult to overcome in haste." Yang Fu said: "He has courage but no cunning—he is easy to overcome. I have already secretly secured the agreement of Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu. If my brother will raise troops, these two will surely act as inside allies." Jiang Yi's mother said: "If you do not act soon, when will you? All men must die. To die for loyalty and righteousness is to die well. Do not think of me. If you do not heed the words of Yishan, I will die first to sever your hesitation."

Jiang Yi then discussed the matter with Yin Feng, the Colonel Who Commands Troops, and Zhao Ang. Now, Zhao Ang's son Zhao Yue was serving as an assistant general under Ma Chao. Zhao Ang agreed that day and went home to tell his wife, Lady Wang: "Today I met with Jiang Yi, Yang Fu, and Yin Feng to discuss avenging Inspector Wei. But my son Zhao Yue is now with Ma Chao. If we raise troops, Ma Chao will surely kill my son first. What can I do?" His wife said in a stern voice: "To wash away the great disgrace of your lord and father, even the loss of one's own life is not too great a price—let alone a single son! If you spare your son and do not act, I will die first." Zhao Ang was thus resolved. The next day they raised troops together. Jiang Yi and Yang Fu encamped at Licheng; Yin Feng and Zhao Ang encamped at Mount Qi. Lady Wang then gathered all her jewelry and silks and went personally to the army at Mount Qi to reward and encourage the soldiers, rousing their spirits.

When Ma Chao learned that Jiang Xu and Yang Fu had joined forces with Yin Feng and Zhao Ang to raise troops and launch a campaign, he was furious. He immediately had Zhao Yue put to death, and ordered Pang De and Ma Dai to marshal all their forces and march on Licheng. Jiang Xu and Yang Fu led their troops out to meet them. When the two armies faced each other, Yang Fu and Jiang Xu emerged in white robes, crying out, "You traitorous villain who has turned against your lord!" Ma Chao flew into a rage and charged forward, and the two armies fell into a pitched battle. Jiang Xu and Yang Fu were no match for Ma Chao and were decisively defeated, fleeing in retreat. Ma Chao pressed his troops forward in pursuit. Then, from behind, a great shout arose as Yin Feng and Zhao Ang attacked. Ma Chao wheeled his forces about in haste, but the enemy struck from both sides, and he could not attend to both front and rear. Even as the battle raged, a large body of troops came charging in from an unexpected quarter. It was Xiahou Yuan, who had received Cao Cao's orders and was leading his army to crush Ma Chao. How could Ma Chao withstand the combined forces of three armies? He was utterly routed and fled, riding through the night. By the time dawn broke, he reached Jicheng and called out at the gates, only to have a shower of arrows rain down from the walls. Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu stood atop the city wall, cursing Ma Chao. They had Ma Chao's wife, Yang Shi, cut down with a single stroke from the battlements and her corpse hurled over the side. Then they threw down Ma Chao's three young sons and more than ten of his closest kin, one by one, each beheaded from the wall above.

Ma Chao was so choked with fury that he nearly fell from his horse. Behind him, Xiahou Yuan's forces pressed in pursuit. Seeing the overwhelming odds, Ma Chao did not dare linger to fight. He and Pang De and Ma Dai cut their way through and fled. Ahead, they ran into Jiang Xu and Yang Fu again and fought their way through once more. Then they collided with Yin Feng and Zhao Ang and fought yet another battle. Scattered and shattered, only fifty or sixty horsemen remained. They pressed on through the night. Around the fourth watch, they arrived at the foot of Licheng. The gatekeepers, thinking Jiang Xu's troops had returned, threw open the gates to let them in. Ma Chao began killing from the south gate and slaughtered the townspeople without mercy. He went to Jiang Xu's residence and seized his old mother. The mother showed no trace of fear; she pointed at Ma Chao and cursed him fiercely. Ma Chao was enraged. He drew his sword and killed her himself. Yin Feng and Zhao Ang, together with all their families, young and old, were likewise slaughtered by Ma Chao. Zhao Ang's wife, Wang Shi, happened to be with the army and thus escaped the calamity.

The following day, Xiahou Yuan's main force arrived. Ma Chao abandoned the city and broke out, fleeing westward. He had ridden no more than twenty li when an army appeared ahead, drawn up in battle formation. At their head was Yang Fu. Ma Chao ground his teeth in hatred, spurred his horse, and leveled his spear to strike. Yang Fu's seven brothers rushed forward to join the fight. Pang De and Ma Dai held off the enemy's rear force. All seven of Yang Fu's brothers were killed by Ma Chao. Yang Fu himself received five spear wounds yet fought on desperately. Behind him, Xiahou Yuan's great army was closing in, so Ma Chao fled once more. Only Pang De and Ma Dai, with six or seven horsemen, followed him. Xiahou Yuan personally proceeded to pacify the people of the western provinces, ordering Jiang Xu and the others to garrison their respective districts. He had Yang Fu carried by carriage to Xudu to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao bestowed on Yang Fu the title of Marquis of Guannei. Yang Fu declined, saying, "I have no merit in repelling the enemy and no integrity in facing death. By law I deserve execution—what face do I have to accept an office?" Cao Cao praised him and ultimately conferred the title upon him.

Meanwhile, Ma Chao consulted with Pang De and Ma Dai, and they resolved straightaway for Hanzhong to seek service under Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu was overjoyed, thinking that with Ma Chao in his service, he could swallow Yizhou in the west and hold off Cao Cao in the east. He proposed giving his daughter to Ma Chao in marriage. His general Yang Bai remonstrated, saying, "Ma Chao's wife and children suffered a terrible fate—it was all brought about by his own calamitous nature. How can Your Lordship give your daughter to him?" Zhang Lu heeded his counsel and abandoned the plan. Someone reported Yang Bai's words to Ma Chao. Ma Chao was furious and harbored the intent to kill Yang Bai. Yang Bai learned of this and conferred with his elder brother Yang Song; they too began plotting against Ma Chao.

At this very time, Liu Zhang sent an envoy to beg Zhang Lu for aid, but Zhang Lu refused. Then it was reported that Liu Zhang had dispatched Huang Quan. Huang Quan first went to see Yang Song and said, "The two regions of East and West Chuan are truly as lips and teeth to each other. If West Chuan falls, East Chuan will be hard to defend as well. If you are willing to come to our aid, we will reward you with twenty provinces." Yang Song was overjoyed and immediately brought Huang Quan to see Zhang Lu, explaining the mutual dependence of lips and teeth and offering the twenty provinces as thanks. Zhang Lu, coveting the gain, agreed. Yan Pu of Baxi remonstrated, saying, "Liu Zhang and Your Lordship are hereditary enemies. Now that he is in desperate strait and begs for help, he fraudulently offers to cede territory. You must not agree!" Suddenly, a person at the foot of the steps stepped forward and said, "Though I am unworthy, I beg leave to lead a single regiment of troops to capture Liu Zhang alive and compel him to return the territory." Indeed:

Scarcely had the true lord come to West Chuan,

When again a mighty force sallied from Hanzhong.

Who this person was will be told in the next chapter.