Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Xu Huang led his army across the Han River. Wang Ping earnestly remonstrated with him, but he would not listen. Having crossed the Han River, he pitched camp. Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun went to Xuande and said, "Let each of us lead our own troops to meet the Cao forces." Xuande gave his assent. The two men led their troops forth. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, "Xu Huang has come relying on his bravery. Let us not engage him for now. Wait until evening when his troops are weary, and then we can divide our forces and attack from two sides." Zhao Yun agreed. Each led one army and took up positions behind their stockade. Xu Huang led his troops to challenge battle from the morning hours all the way through the afternoon, but the Shu forces did not move. Xu Huang ordered all his archers and crossbowmen forward to shoot into the Shu camp. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, "Xu Huang has ordered his archers to shoot because his army is about to withdraw. We can strike at this moment." Before he had finished speaking, a report came that the rear ranks of the Cao army were indeed pulling back. Thereupon the Shu camp resounded with the beating of war drums: Huang Zhong led his troops out from the left, and Zhao Yun led his troops out from the right. Attacking from both sides, they routed Xu Huang utterly. His soldiers were driven into the Han River, and countless numbers perished. Xu Huang fought desperately to escape. Returning to camp, he reproached Wang Ping, saying, "You saw that my army was in grave danger—why did you not come to its aid?" Wang Ping replied, "Had I come to help, this camp could not have been held either. I remonstrated with you not to advance, but you would not listen, and this defeat is the result." Xu Huang flew into a rage and wanted to put Wang Ping to death. That very night, Wang Ping led his own troops into the camp and set fires. The Cao forces fell into great disorder. Xu Huang abandoned the camp and fled. Wang Ping crossed the Han River and came to surrender to Zhao Yun, who presented him to Xuande. Wang Ping spoke in full about the terrain of the Han River region. Xuande was overjoyed and said, "Now that I have Wang Zijun, the capture of Hanzhong is assured!" He thereupon appointed Wang Ping as a general of the auxiliary and guide commander.

Xu Huang fled back and reported to Cao Cao, saying that Wang Ping had rebelled and gone over to Liu Bei. Cao Cao was furious and personally led a great army to seize the Han River camp. Zhao Yun, fearing that his isolated force could not hold out, withdrew to the west bank of the Han River. The two armies faced each other across the river. Xuande and Zhuge Liang came to survey the situation. Zhuge Liang noticed that upstream on the Han River there was a stretch of earthen hills where a thousand men could be concealed. He returned to camp and summoned Zhao Yun, instructing him: "Take five hundred men, all carrying drums and horns, and conceal them beneath those earthen hills. Whether at midnight or at dusk, wait only for the sound of a cannon from our camp. For every cannon shot, beat the drums once. Do not go out to engage the enemy." Ziyun received the orders and departed. Zhuge Liang, from a high mountain, observed in secret.

The next day, the Cao forces came to challenge battle, but not a single man emerged from the Shu camp, and no arrows or bolts were fired. The Cao troops withdrew on their own. That night, when it was deep and still, Zhuge Liang saw that the lights in the Cao camp had been extinguished and the soldiers had settled down, so he gave the signal. Ziyon heard it and ordered the drums and horns to sound together. The Cao troops were thrown into a panic, suspecting a raid on their camp. When they came out of camp, they saw not a single soldier. They had just returned to camp and were about to rest when the signal sounded again, the drums and horns blared once more, and the shouting shook the earth, with the mountain valleys echoing it back. The Cao troops were in turmoil all through the night. For three nights in a row this went on, filling them with alarm and suspicion. Cao Cao's heart grew faint, and he pulled back thirty miles to pitch camp in an open area. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "Although Cao Cao understands military principles, he does not understand cunning stratagems." He then asked Xuande to personally cross the Han River and pitch camp with his back to the river. Xuande asked for the plan, and Zhuge Liang said, "We can do thus and so."

When Cao Cao saw that Xuande had pitched camp with his back to the river, he was filled with suspicion and sent someone to deliver a challenge for battle. Zhuge Liang wrote on the letter that they would fight the following day. The next day, the two armies met before Wujie Mountain on the middle road and drew up their formations. Cao Cao rode out and stood beneath the banner at the gate of his formation, with dragon and phoenix pennants arrayed on both sides. After the drums had been beaten three times, he called on Xuande to come out and parley. Xuande rode out with Liu Feng, Meng Da, and the various generals from the lands of Shu. Cao Cao raised his whip and cursed him loudly, saying, "Liu Bei, you are an ingrate and a rebel against the court!" Xuande replied, "I am of the imperial clan of the Great Han, carrying out the Emperor's decree to punish rebels. You murdered the Empress Dowager above and set yourself up as king, usurping the imperial regalia—if that is not rebellion, what is it?" Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered Xu Huang to ride out and give battle. Liu Feng rode out to meet him. During the engagement, Xuande withdrew into his formation first. Feng could not hold his own against Huang and turned his horse to flee. Cao Cao issued the order: "Whoever captures Liu Bei shall be made King of Xichuan." The entire army shouted with one voice and charged across the formation. The Shu forces fled toward the Han River, abandoning all their camps. Horses and weapons littered the road. The Cao army scrambled to seize them. Cao Cao urgently sounded the gong to recall his troops. His generals said, "We were just about to capture Liu Bei—why does Your Majesty recall the army?" Cao Cao replied, "I see that the Shu forces have pitched camp with their back to the Han River—that is the first thing that arouses suspicion. They have abandoned many horses and weapons—that is the second. We must withdraw at once and not take any of their belongings." He thereupon issued the order: "Anyone who takes so much as a single item shall be executed on the spot. Withdraw with all speed!" Just as the Cao troops were turning back, Zhuge Liang raised his signal flag: Xuande led the central army out, Huang Zhong attacked from the left, and Zhao Yun attacked from the right. The Cao forces broke and fled in utter rout. Zhuge Liang pressed the pursuit through the night.

Cao Cao issued orders for the army to return to Nanzheng. But fires broke out on five routes: it turned out that Wei Yan and Zhang Fei, having left Yan Yan to guard Langzhong, had led troops in and captured Nanzheng first. Cao Cao was alarmed and fled toward Yangping Pass. Xuande's great army pursued him as far as Nanzheng and Baozhou. After the pacification of the people was complete, Xuande asked Zhuge Liang, "Cao Cao came this time with such force—why did he lose so quickly?" Zhuge Liang replied, "Cao Cao has always been a man of many suspicions. Though he can use troops, suspicion leads to many defeats. I defeated him with troops of suspicion." Xuande said, "Now that Cao Cao has retreated to Yangping Pass and his position is isolated, what strategy will you use to drive him out?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I have already calculated it." He then dispatched Zhang Fei and Wei Yan with two columns to cut Cao Cao's supply routes, and ordered Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun with two columns to set fires in the mountains. The four columns of generals, each with their guide troops, departed on their missions.

Now Cao Cao fell back and held the Yangping Pass, ordering his men to scout and reconnoiter. They returned and reported, "The Shu soldiers have blocked all the nearby and distant paths; wherever there was firewood to be gathered, they have burned it all to cinders. We cannot tell where their troops are." Just as Cao Cao was lost in puzzlement, another report came that Zhang Fei and Wei Yan had divided their forces to raid his grain supplies. Cao Cao asked, "Who dares to face Zhang Fei?" Xu Chu declared, "I will go!" Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to lead a thousand elite troops to the road leading to the Yangping Pass to escort the grain. The grain officer met him and said joyfully, "Had you not arrived, General, the grain would never have reached Yangping." He then offered Xu Chu the wine and meat from the carts. Xu Chu drank deeply and became thoroughly intoxicated. Riding the tide of his drunken bravado, he urged the grain carts forward. The grain officer said, "The sun is already setting. Ahead, the terrain of Baozhou is treacherous and perilous—we should not attempt to cross." Xu Chu replied, "I possess the valor of ten thousand men—why should I fear anyone? Tonight, riding the moonlight, is the perfect time to move the grain carts." Xu Chu took the lead, his saber drawn, his horse galloping, and led the army forward. After the second watch, they advanced along the road to Baozhou. When they were halfway there, suddenly drums and horns thundered from a mountain hollow, and a body of troops blocked their path. At their head was the great general Zhang Fei, spear leveled, horse charging straight for Xu Chu. Xu Chu brandished his saber to meet him, but being drunk, he could no longer withstand Zhang Fei. After only a few bouts, Zhang Fei pierced him in the shoulder with his spear, and Xu Chu tumbled from his horse. His soldiers hastily rescued him and fell back in retreat. Zhang Fei seized all the grain carts and returned in triumph.

Now the other generals escorted Xu Chu back to Cao Cao. Cao Cao ordered physicians to treat his wounds, while he personally led his troops to give battle to the Shu army. Liu Bei led forth his forces. The two armies drew up in formation, and Liu Bei ordered Liu Feng to ride out. Cao Cao cursed him: "That little sandal-peddler, always sending a bastard son to face me! If I were to call my yellow-bearded son, your bastard would be ground into mincemeat!" Liu Feng flew into a rage, raised his spear, and spurred his horse straight at Cao Cao. Cao Cao ordered Xu Huang to meet him, but Liu Feng feigned defeat and fled. Cao Cao led his troops in pursuit. From the Shu camp, cannon fire erupted on all sides, and drums and horns sounded together. Cao Cao, fearing an ambush, hastily ordered a retreat. The Cao soldiers trampled one another, and the dead were many. They fled back to the Yangping Pass and had only just caught their breath when the Shu troops arrived at the city walls—setting fires to the east gate and raising a clamor at the west; setting fires to the south gate and beating drums at the north. Cao Cao was terrified and abandoned the pass in flight. The Shu soldiers pursued from behind. As Cao Cao fled, Zhang Fei appeared ahead with a body of troops to block the way; Zhao Yun led a force to strike from behind, and Huang Zhong came charging from Baozhou as well. Cao Cao suffered a great defeat. His generals protected him as they fought their way through. Just as they reached the border of Xiegu, dust suddenly rose ahead and a body of troops appeared. Cao Cao said, "If this is an ambush, I am done for!" But as the troops drew near, it turned out to be Cao Cao's second son, Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang, styled Ziwu, had been skilled in horsemanship and archery from youth. He possessed extraordinary strength and could wrestle wild beasts with his bare hands. Cao Cao had admonished him: "You do not study books but delight in bow and horse—such is the courage of a common fellow, and nothing to be prized." Cao Zhang replied, "A great man should emulate Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, winning merit on the frontier, leading hundreds of thousands of troops in a long drive across the world—what use is there in becoming a scholar?" Cao Cao once asked his sons their ambitions. Cao Zhang said, "I wish to be a general." Cao Cao asked, "What does it mean to be a general?" Cao Zhang answered, "To don armor and wield weapons, to face peril without flinching, to be the first into battle; rewards must be given, punishments must be certain." Cao Cao laughed heartily. In the twenty-third year of Jian'an, the Wuhuan of Dai Commandery rebelled, and Cao Cao ordered Cao Zhang to lead fifty thousand troops to suppress them. Before his departure, he admonished him: "At home you are father and son; on duty you are lord and minister. The law shows no favoritism—take this deeply to heart." When Cao Zhang reached Dai Prefecture, he led the charge himself and fought as far as Sangqian, pacifying the entire north. Learning that Cao Cao had been defeated at Yangping, he came to join the battle. Seeing Cao Zhang arrive, Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "My yellow-bearded son has come—Liu Bei will surely be crushed!" He then rallied his forces and returned, making camp at the border of Xiegu. A report reached Liu Bei that Cao Zhang had arrived. Liu Bei asked, "Who dares to face Cao Zhang?" Liu Feng said, "I will go." Meng Da also volunteered. Liu Bei said, "Go together, and let us see who succeeds." Each led five thousand troops to meet him—Liu Feng in front, Meng Da behind. Cao Zhang rode out to engage Liu Feng, and after only three bouts, Liu Feng was routed and fled back. Meng Da advanced with his troops, just as he was about to join battle, when suddenly the Cao forces fell into chaos. It turned out that Ma Chao and Wu Lan had attacked with their two armies, throwing the Cao troops into panic. Meng Da led his forces to strike from the flank. Ma Chao's soldiers, having stored their energy for a long time, now displayed their might with irresistible force. The Cao troops were defeated and fled. Cao Zhang encountered Wu Lan; after only a few bouts, Cao Zhang pierced Wu Lan with his halberd and unhorsed him. The three armies clashed in a confused battle. Cao Cao rallied his troops and encamped at the border of Xiegu.

Cao Cao had stationed his troops for many days. He wished to advance, but Ma Chao blocked his path. He wished to withdraw, yet feared the mockery of the Shu army. His mind was torn, unable to decide. Just then, the kitchen officer presented a chicken broth. Cao Cao noticed a chicken rib in the bowl, and it stirred something within him. As he sat lost in thought, Xiahou Dun entered the tent and requested the night's password. Cao Cao spoke offhandedly: "Chicken rib! Chicken rib!" Xiahou Dun passed the word to the officers, and all proclaimed "chicken rib." The army's chief clerk, Yang Xiu, upon seeing the word "chicken rib" transmitted, instructed the traveling soldiers each to pack their belongings and prepare for the journey home. Someone reported this to Xiahou Dun. Dun was greatly alarmed and summoned Yang Xiu to his tent, asking, "Sir, why are you packing your belongings?" Xiu replied, "From tonight's password, I know that the King of Wei will soon withdraw his forces and return home. A chicken rib: eating it yields no meat, yet discarding it has flavor. Now we cannot advance to victory, and if we retreat we fear mockery. Remaining here serves no purpose. Better to return home soon. Tomorrow the King of Wei will surely order the army home. Therefore I am packing my belongings beforehand, to avoid haste and confusion when the time comes." Xiahou Dun said, "You truly know what lies in the King of Wei's heart!" and proceeded to pack his belongings as well. Thereupon, every general in the camp made preparations to return home. That night, Cao Cao's mind was in turmoil and he could not sleep. He took up a steel axe and walked privately around the camp. He saw that within Xiahou Dun's camp, the soldiers were each packing their belongings. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. He hurried back to his tent and summoned Xiahou Dun to ask the reason. Dun replied, "The chief clerk Yang Dezu already knew Your Majesty's intention to return home." Cao Cao called for Yang Xiu and questioned him. Xiu answered with the meaning of the chicken rib. Cao Cao flew into a rage. "How dare you fabricate words and disorder my army's morale!" He ordered the executioners to lead him out and behead him, and his head was displayed outside the camp gate.

Now, Yang Xiu had always been arrogant in his talents and had repeatedly offended Cao Cao's sensibilities. Cao Cao once had a garden built. When it was finished, Cao Cao went to inspect it. He offered no praise or criticism, but merely took a brush and wrote the character *huo* ("alive") on the gate, then left. No one understood his meaning. Xiu said: "Adding the character *huo* inside the character *men* ('gate') makes the character *kuo* ('broad'). The Prime Minister found the garden gate too broad." Thereupon the wall was rebuilt and narrowed. When the renovation was complete, Cao Cao was invited to inspect it again. He was greatly pleased and asked, "Who understood my meaning?" Those around him said, "Yang Xiu." Though Cao Cao spoke approvingly, in his heart he harbored deep resentment. Another day, a box of pastry was sent from the northern frontier. Cao Cao himself wrote the characters "yi he su" ("one box of pastry") on the lid and placed it on his desk. Xiu entered, saw it, and proceeded to take a spoon and share the pastry among the assembled men until it was gone. Cao Cao asked why. Xiu replied: "On the box it clearly reads 'one person, one mouth of pastry.' How would I dare disobey the Prime Minister's command?" Though Cao Cao smiled pleasantly, in his heart he loathed him.

Cao Cao feared that people might secretly plot against him. He often instructed those around him: "I have a habit of killing people in my dreams. Whenever I am asleep, none of you must come near me." One day, he was napping in his tent during the daytime when his blanket fell to the ground. A nearby attendant hurried to pick it up and cover him. Cao Cao leaped up, drew his sword, and cut the attendant down, then returned to bed. After a while he rose, feigned surprise, and asked, "Who killed my attendant?" The others told him the truth. Cao Cao wept bitterly and ordered a lavish burial. Everyone believed that Cao Cao truly killed people in his dreams. Only Xiu understood his intent. As the attendant was being buried, Xiu pointed and sighed, saying, "The Prime Minister was not in a dream—you are the one in a dream!" When Cao Cao heard this, his hatred for Xiu grew even deeper.

Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhi, admired Xiu's talent and often invited him to converse through the night without rest. Cao Cao, deliberating with his officers, wished to establish Zhi as his heir. Cao Pi learned of this and secretly invited the Changge prefect, Wu Zhi, to the inner palace to confer. Fearing that someone might discover them, he hid Wu Zhi inside a large bamboo trunk, claiming it contained only bolts of silk, and had it carried into the palace. Xiu learned of this matter and went directly to report it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao ordered men to watch Cao Pi's gate. Pi, in a panic, informed Wu Zhi, who said, "Have no fear. Tomorrow, use a large bamboo trunk to bring in silk again, to throw them off." Pi followed his advice and had a large bamboo trunk of silk brought in. The searchers examined the trunk and found only silk. They reported this to Cao Cao. Cao Cao therefore suspected that Xiu had slandered Cao Pi, and his hatred for Xiu deepened further.

Cao Cao wished to test the abilities of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi. One day, he ordered each to leave through the Ye city gate, but secretly instructed the gate officials not to let them pass. Cao Pi arrived first. The gate official blocked him, and Pi had no choice but to turn back. Zhi heard of this and asked Xiu for advice. Xiu said: "You go forth by the King's command. If anyone obstructs you, execute them on the spot." Zhi agreed with these words. When he reached the gate, the gate official blocked him. Zhi shouted, "I go by the King's command—who dares obstruct me!" and immediately cut the official down. Thereupon Cao Cao considered Zhi capable. Later someone reported to Cao Cao: "This was all Yang Xiu's instruction." Cao Cao was furious, and for this reason he too came to favor Zhi less.

Xiu had also once prepared over ten model answers for Cao Zhi. Whenever Cao Cao asked a question, Zhi would reply according to these prepared answers. Whenever Cao Cao asked Zhi about matters of state and war, Zhi answered fluently without hesitation. Cao Cao was deeply suspicious. Later, Cao Pi secretly bribed Zhi's attendants and stole the model answers to show to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao saw them, he roared in fury: "How dare this fellow deceive me!" By then he already had the intention to kill Xiu. Now, taking the opportunity of the charge of confusing and disordering the army's morale, he had him put to death. Yang Xiu was thirty-four years old when he died. A later poet wrote:

The brilliant Yang Dezu, from a line of hereditary office,

His brush moved like dragons and snakes, his heart held brocade and embroidery.

His discourse astonished the assembled, his swift replies surpassed the multitude.

He died because his talent led him astray—it had nothing to do with the retreat of the army.

After Cao Cao had put Yang Xiu to death, he feigned anger at Xiahou Dun and wished to execute him as well. The officers pleaded for mercy, and he was spared. Cao Cao then rebuked Xiahou Dun and ordered him dismissed, and commanded that the army advance the following day.

The next day, the army marched out through the mouth of Xie Valley. An opposing force appeared ahead, with Wei Yan as their leading general. Cao Cao summoned Wei Yan to surrender, but Wei Yan showered him with curses. Cao Cao ordered Pang De to engage. While the two warriors were locked in combat, fire broke out within Cao's camp. A messenger reported that Ma Chao had seized the central and rear encampments. Cao Cao drew his sword and declared, "Any general who retreats shall be beheaded!" The officers pressed forward with all their might. Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled. Cao Cao then turned his army to face Ma Chao, taking his stand on a high mound to watch the two armies clash. Suddenly a body of troops burst before him, shouting, "Wei Yan is here!" He fitted an arrow to his bow and shot Cao Cao. Cao Cao fell from his horse. Wei Yan cast aside his bow, seized his saber, and spurred his horse up the slope to slay Cao Cao. From a side path a general sprang forth, crying, "Do not harm my lord!" It was Pang De. Pang De fought with all his strength, drove back Wei Yan, and escorted Cao Cao forward. Ma Chao had already withdrawn. Cao Cao returned to camp wounded: Wei Yan's arrow had struck him on the philtrum, knocking out two of his front teeth. He at once summoned physicians to treat his injury. Only then did he recall Yang Xiu's words. He had Yang Xiu's body retrieved and given a proper burial, then ordered the army to withdraw, placing Pang De in command of the rear guard. Cao Cao lay in a felt-covered wagon, escorted on either side by the Tiger Guard. Suddenly word came that fires had broken out on both sides of the mountain at Xie Valley, and hidden troops were advancing. Cao's soldiers were seized with panic. Truly it was:

A scene recalling the peril of Tong Pass of old,

A moment echoing the danger at Red Cliffs of yore.

What became of Cao Cao's life? Read on in the following chapter.