第074回
三國演義
第074回
卻說曹操欲使于禁赴樊城救援,問眾將誰敢作先鋒,一人應聲願往。操視之,乃龐德也。操大喜曰:「關某威震華夏,未逢對手;今遇令名,真勁敵也。」遂加于禁為征南將軍,加龐德為征西都先鋒,大起七軍,前往樊城。這七軍,皆北方強壯之士。兩員領軍將校:一名董衡,一名董超。當日引各頭目參拜于禁。董衡曰:「今將軍提七枝重兵,去解樊城之厄,期在必勝;乃用龐德為先鋒,豈不誤事。」禁驚問其故。衡曰:「龐德原係馬超手下副將,不得已而降魏;今其故主在蜀,職居『五虎上將』;況其親兄龐柔亦在西川為官;今使他為先鋒,是潑油救火也。將軍何不啟知魏王,別換一人去?」
禁聞此語,遂連夜入府啟知曹操。操省悟,即喚龐德至階下,令納下先鋒印。德大驚曰:「某正欲與大王出力,何故不肯見用?」操曰:「孤本無猜疑;但今馬超現在西川,汝兄龐柔亦在西川,俱佐劉備;孤縱不疑,奈眾口何?」龐德聞之,免冠頓首,流血滿面而告曰:「某自漢中投降大王,每感厚恩;雖肝腦塗地,不能補報。大王何疑於德也?德昔在故鄉時,與兄同居;嫂甚不賢,德乘醉殺之;兄恨德入骨髓,誓不相見,恩已斷矣。故主馬超,有勇無謀,兵敗地亡,孤身入川,今與德各事其主,舊義已絕。德感大王恩遇,安敢萌異志?惟大王察之。」操乃扶起龐德,撫慰曰:「孤素知卿忠義,前言特以安眾人之心耳。卿可努力建功,卿不負孤,孤亦必不負卿也。」
德拜謝回家,令匠人造一木櫬。次日,請諸友赴席,列櫬於堂。眾親友見之皆驚,問曰:「將軍出師,何用此不祥之物?」德舉盃謂親友曰:「吾受魏王厚恩,誓以死報。今去樊城,與關某決戰,我若不能殺彼,必為彼所殺;即不為彼所殺,我亦當自殺:故先備此櫬,以示無空回之理。」眾皆嗟歎。德喚其妻李氏與其子龐會出,謂其妻曰:「吾今為先鋒,義當效死疆場。我若死,汝好生看養吾兒。吾兒有異相,長大必當與吾報讎也。」妻子痛哭送別,德令扶櫬而行。臨行謂部將曰:「吾今去與關某死戰,我若被關某所殺,汝等急取吾屍置此櫬中;我若殺了關某,吾亦即取其首,置此櫬內,回獻魏王。」部將五百人皆曰:「將軍如此忠勇,某等敢不竭力相助?」於是引軍前進。有人將此言報知曹操。操喜曰:「龐德忠勇如此,孤何憂焉!」賈詡曰:「龐德恃血氣之勇,欲與關某決死戰,臣竊慮之。」操然其言,急令人傳旨戒龐德曰:「關某智勇雙全,切不可輕敵。可取則取,不可取則宜謹守。」龐德聞命,謂眾將曰:「大王何重視關某也?吾料此去,當挫關某三十年之聲價。」禁曰:「魏王之言,不可不從。」德奮然趲軍前至樊城,耀武揚威,鳴鑼擊鼓。
卻說關公正坐帳中,忽探馬飛報:「曹操差于禁為將,領七枝精壯兵到來。前部先鋒龐德,軍前抬一木櫬,口出不遜之言,誓欲與將軍決一死戰。兵離城止三十里矣。」關公聞言,勃然變色,美髯飄動,大怒曰:「天下英雄,聞吾之名,無不畏服;龐德豎子,何敢藐視吾耶!關平一面攻打樊城,吾自去斬此匹夫,以雪吾恨!」平曰:「父親不可以泰山之重,與頑石爭高下。辱子願代父去戰龐德。」關公曰:「汝試一往,吾隨後便來接應。」
關平出帳,提刀上馬,領兵來迎龐德。兩陣對圓,魏營一面皂旗上大書「南安龐德」四個白字。龐德青袍銀鎧,鋼刀白馬,立於陣前;背後五百軍兵緊隨,步卒數人肩抬木櫬而出。關平大罵龐德:「背主之賊!」龐德問部卒曰:「此何人也?」或答曰:「此關公義子關平也。」德叫曰:「吾奉魏王旨,來取汝父之首!汝乃疥癩小兒,吾不殺汝!快喚汝父來!」平大怒,縱馬舞刀,來取龐德。德橫刀來迎。戰三十合,不分勝負,兩家各歇。
早有人報知關公。公大怒,令廖化去攻樊城,自己親來迎敵龐德。關平接著,言與龐德交戰,不分勝負。關公隨即橫刀出馬,大叫曰:「關雲長在此,龐德何不早來受死!」鼓聲響處,龐德出馬曰:「吾奉魏王旨,特來取汝首!恐汝不信,備櫬在此。汝若怕死,早下馬受降!」關公大罵曰:「量汝一匹夫,又何能為!可惜我青龍刀斬汝鼠賊!」縱馬舞刀,來取龐德。德輪刀來迎。二將戰有百餘合,精神倍長。兩軍各看得癡呆了。魏軍恐龐德有失,急令鳴金收軍,關平恐父年老,亦急鳴金。二將各退。龐德歸寨,對眾曰:「人言關公英雄,今日方信也。」正言間,于禁至。相見畢,禁曰:「聞將軍戰關公,百合之上,未得便宜,何不且退軍避之?」德奮然曰:「魏王命將軍為大將,何太弱也?吾來日與關某共決一死,誓不退避!」禁不敢阻而回。
卻說關公回寨,謂關平曰:「龐德刀法慣熟,真吾敵手。」平曰:「俗云:『初生之犢不懼虎。』父親縱然斬了此人,只是西羌一小卒耳;倘有疏虞,非所以重伯父之託也。」關公曰:「吾不殺此人,何以雪恨?吾意已決,再勿多言!」次日,上馬引兵前進。龐德亦引兵來迎,兩陣對圓,二將齊出,更不打話,出馬交鋒。鬥至五十餘合,龐德撥回馬拖刀而走。關公從後追趕。關平恐有疏失,亦隨後趕去。關公口中大罵:「龐賊欲使拖刀計,吾豈懼汝?」原來龐德虛作拖刀勢,卻把刀就鞍鞽挂住,偷拽雕弓,搭上箭,射將來。關平眼快,見龐德拽弓,大叫:「賊將休放冷箭!」關公急睜眼看時,弓弦響處,箭早到來;躲閃不及,正中左臂。關平馬到,救父回營。
龐德勒回馬輪刀趕來,忽聽得本營鑼聲大震。德恐後軍有失,急勒馬回。原來于禁見龐德射中關公,恐他成了大功,滅禁威風,故鳴金收軍。龐德回馬,問何故鳴金。于禁曰:「魏王有戒:關公智勇雙全。他雖中箭,只恐有詐,故鳴金收軍。」德曰:「若不收軍,吾已斬了此人也。」禁曰:「緊行無好步,當緩圖之。」龐德不知于禁之意,只懊悔不已。
卻說關公回營,拔了箭頭。幸得箭射不深,用金瘡藥敷之。關公痛恨龐德,謂眾將曰:「吾誓報此一箭之讎!」眾將對曰:「將軍且待安息幾日,然後與戰未遲。」次日,人報龐德引兵搦戰。關公就要出戰。眾將勸住。龐德令小軍毀罵。關平把住隘口,分付眾將休報知關公。龐德搦戰十餘日,無人出迎,乃與于禁商議曰:「眼見關公箭瘡舉發,不能動作;不若乘此機會,統七軍一擁殺入寨中,可救樊城之圍。」于禁恐龐德成功,只把魏王戒旨相推,不肯動兵。龐德累欲動兵,于禁只是不允;乃移七軍轉過山口,離樊城北十里,依山下寨。禁自領兵截斷大路,令龐德屯兵於谷後,使德不能進兵成功。
卻說關平見關公箭瘡已合,甚是喜悅。忽聽得于禁移七軍於樊城之北下寨,未知其謀,即報知關公。公遂上馬,引數騎上高阜處望之,見樊城城上旗號不整,軍士慌亂;城北十里山谷之內,屯著軍馬;又見襄江水勢甚急。看了半晌,喚鄉導官問曰:「樊城北十里山谷,是何地名?」對曰:「罾口川也。」關公大喜曰:「于禁必為我擒矣。」眾軍士問曰:「將軍何以知之?」關公曰:「『魚』入『罾口』,豈能久乎?」諸將未信。公回本寨。時值八月秋天,驟雨數日。公令人預備船筏,收拾水具。關平問曰:「陸地相持,何用水具?」公曰:「非汝所知也。于禁七軍不屯於廣易之地,而聚於罾口川險隘之處;方今秋雨連綿,襄江之水,必然泛漲;吾已差人堰住各處水口,待水發時,乘高就船,放水一渰,樊城、罾口川之兵,皆為魚鱉矣。」關平拜服。
卻說魏軍屯於罾口川,連日大雨不止。督將成何來見于禁曰:「大軍屯於川口,地勢甚低;雖有土山,離營稍遠,今秋雨連綿,軍士艱辛。近有人報說荊州兵移於高阜處,又於漢水口預備戰筏;倘江水泛漲,我軍危矣。宜早為計。」于禁叱曰:「匹夫惑吾軍心耶!再有多言者斬之!」成何羞慚而退,卻來見龐德,說此事。德曰:「汝所見甚當。于將軍不肯移兵,吾明日自移軍屯於他處。」計議方定,是夜風雨大作。龐德坐在帳中,只聽得萬馬爭奔,征鼙震地。德大驚,急出帳上馬看時,四面八方,大水驟至;七軍亂竄,隨波逐浪者,不計其數;平地水深丈餘。于禁、龐德與諸將各登小山避水。比及平明,關公及眾將皆搖旗鼓譟,乘大船而來。于禁見四下無路,左右止有五六十人,料不能逃,口稱願降。關公令盡去衣甲,拘收入船,然後來擒龐德。
時龐德並二董及成何,與步卒五百人,皆無衣甲,立在堤上。見關公來,龐德全無懼怯,奮然前來接戰。關公將船四面圍定,軍士一齊放箭,射死魏兵大半。董衡、董超見勢已危,乃告龐德曰:「軍士折傷大半,四下無路,不如投降。」龐德大怒曰:「吾受魏王厚恩,豈肯屈節於人!」遂親斬董衡、董超於前,厲聲曰:「再說降者,以此二人為例!」於是眾皆奮力禦敵。自平明戰至日中,勇力倍增。關公催四面急攻,矢石如雨。德令軍士用短兵接戰。德回顧成何曰:「吾聞『勇將不怯死以苟免,壯士不毀節以求生。』今日乃我死日也。汝可努力死戰。」成何依令向前,被關公一箭射落水中。眾軍皆降,止有龐德一人力戰。正遇荊州數十人,駕小船近堤來,德提刀飛身一躍,早上小船,立殺十餘人,餘皆棄船赴水逃命。龐德一手提刀,一手使短棹,欲向樊城而走。只見上流頭,一將撐大筏而至,將小船撞翻,龐德落於水中。船上那將跳下水去,生擒龐德上船。眾視之,擒龐德者,乃周倉也。倉素知水性,又在荊州住了數年,愈加慣熟;更兼力大,因此擒了龐德。于禁所領七軍,皆死於水中。其會水者料無去路,亦俱投降。後人有詩曰:
夜半征鼙響震天,襄樊平地作深淵。
關公神算誰能及?華夏威名萬古傳!
關公回到高阜去處,升帳而坐。群刀手押過于禁來。禁拜伏於地,乞哀請命。關公曰:「汝怎敢抗吾?」禁曰:「上命差遣,身不由己。望君侯憐憫,誓以死報。」公綽髯笑曰:「吾殺汝,猶殺狗彘耳,空污刀斧!」令人縛送荊州大牢內監候,「待吾回,別作區處。」發落去訖,關公又令押過龐德。德睜眉怒目,立而不跪,關公曰:「汝兄現在漢中;汝故主馬超,亦在蜀中為大將;汝如何不早降?」德大怒曰:「吾寧死於刀下,豈降汝耶!」罵不絕口。公大怒,喝令刀斧手推出斬之。德引頸受刑。關公憐而葬之。於是乘水勢未退,復上戰船,引大小將校來攻樊城。
卻說樊城周圍,白浪滔天,水勢益甚;城垣漸漸浸塌,男女擔土搬磚,填塞不住。曹軍眾將,無不喪膽,慌忙來告曹仁。仁曰:「今日之危,非力可救;可趁敵軍未至,乘舟夜走;雖然失城,尚可全身。」正商議。方欲備船出走,滿寵諫曰:「不可。山水驟至,豈能長存?不旬日即當自退。關公雖未攻城,已遣別將在郟下。其所以不敢輕進者,慮吾軍襲其後也。今若棄城而去,黃河以南,非國家所有矣。願將軍固守此城,以為保障。」仁拱手稱謝曰:「非伯寧之教,幾誤大事。」乃自騎白馬上城,聚眾將發誓曰:「吾受魏王命,保守此城;但有言棄城而去者斬!」諸將皆曰:「某等願以死據守!」仁大喜,就城上設弓弩數百。軍士晝夜防護,不敢懈怠。老幼居民,擔土石填塞城垣。旬日之內,水勢漸退。
關公自擒魏將于禁等,威震天下,無不驚駭。忽次子關興來寨內省親。公就令興齎諸官立功文書去成都見漢中王,各求陞遷。興拜辭父親,逕投成都去訖。
卻說關公分兵一半,直抵郟下。公自領兵四面攻打樊城。當日關公自到北門,立馬揚鞭,指而問曰:「汝等鼠輩,不早來降,更待何時?」正言間,曹仁在敵樓上,見關公身上止披掩心甲,斜袒著綠袍,乃急招五百弓弩手,一齊放箭。公急勒馬回時,右臂上中一弩箭,翻身落馬。正是:
水裡七軍方喪膽,城中一箭忽傷身。
未知關公性命如何,且看下文分解。
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三國演義
الفصل 74
وَيُحكَى أَنَّ تساو تساو أَرَادَ أَنْ يُرْسِلَ يُو جِين لِإِغَاثَةِ فَانْتشِنغ، فَسَأَلَ الْأُمَرَاءَ: مَنْ يَتَطَوَّعُ لِيَكُونَ طَلِيعَةَ الْجَيْشِ؟ فَأَجَابَهُ رَجُلٌ مُعْلِنًا اسْتِعْدَادَهُ. فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ بَانغ دِيه. فَفَرِحَ تساو تساو قَائِلًا: "كْوَان يُو يُخَافُ فِي جَمِيعِ أَرْجَاءِ الْصِّينِ، وَلَمْ يَلْقَ لَهُ مُثْلًا؛ وَالْآنَ إِذَا لَقِيَ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ الْمَشْهُورَ فَسَيَكُونُ خَصْمًا عَنِيدًا حَقًّا." فَأَعْطَى يُو جِين لَقَبَ "جَنَرَالِ الْغَزْوِ الْجَنُوبِيِّ"، وَأَعْطَى بَانغ دِيه لَقَبَ "طَلِيعَةِ الْغَزْوِ الْغَرْبِيِّ"، وَجَمَعَ سَبْعَةَ جُيُوشٍ كَبِيرَةٍ وَانْطَلَقُوا إِلَى فَانْتشِنغ. وَكَانَتْ هَذِهِ السَّبْعَةُ جُيُوشٍ مُؤَلَّفَةً كُلُّهَا مِنْ أَبْطَالِ الشَّمَالِ الْأَقْوِيَاءِ. وَعَلَيْهَا قَائِدَانِ هُمَا دونغ هِينغ وَدُونغ تْشَاو. وَفِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ أَحْضَرَا رُؤَسَاءَ الْمَجَامِيعِ لِيُبَايِعُوا يُو جِين. فَقَالَ دُونغ هِينغ: "إِنَّ الْجَنَرَالَ يَحْمِلُ الآنَ سَبْعَةَ جُيُوشٍ ثَقِيلَةٍ لِإِنْقَاذِ فَانْتشِنغ مِنَ الْمِحْنَةِ، وَيَرْجُو الْفَوْقَ حَتْمًا؛ وَمَعَ ذَلِكَ جَعَلَ بَانغ دِيه طَلِيعَةً لِلْجَيْشِ، أَلَيْسَ هَذَا خَطَأً؟" فَفَزِعَ يُو جِين وَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ السَّبَبِ. فَقَالَ هِينغ: "إِنَّ بَانغ دِيه كَانَ فِي الْأَصْلِ نَائِبَ قَائِدٍ عِنْدَ مَا تْشَاو، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ بُدٌّ مِنَ الِاسْتِسْلَامِ لِوِي؛ وَالْآنَ سَيِّدُهُ الْأَصْلِيُّ فِي شُو، وَيَشْغُلُ مَنْصِبَ أَحَدِ 'الْأَسَدِ الْخَمْسَةِ'؛ وَأَخُوهُ بَانغ رُو أَيْضًا يَعْمُلُ فِي شِي تشْوَن؛ فَإِذَا جَعَلْتَهُ طَلِيعَةً فَكَأَنَّكَ تُطْفِئُ النَّارَ بِالزَّيْتِ. فَلِمَ لَا تُخْبِرُ مَلِكَ وِي وَتَسْتَبْدِلُهُ بِرَجُلٍ آخَرَ؟"
فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ يُو جِين كَلَامَهُ، أَسْرَعَ فِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةِ إِلَى دَارِ الْحُكْمِ وَأَخْبَرَ تساو تساو. فَأَفَاقَ تساو تسَاو مِنَ الْغَفْلَةِ وَدَعَا بَانغ دِيه إِلَى قَدَمَيْهِ وَأَمَرَهُ بِإِعَادَةِ خَاتَمِ الطَّلِيعَةِ. فَصُعِقَ بَانغ دِيه وَقَالَ: "إِنِّي أَرَدْتُ أُنَاضِلَ مَعَ الْمَلِكِ، فَلِمَاذَا لَا تَثِقُ بِي؟" فَقَالَ تساو تساو: "إِنِّي لَا أَظُنُّ بِكَ سُوءًا؛ وَلَكِنَّ مَا تْشَاو الْآنَ فِي شِي تْشْوَن، وَأَخَاكَ بَانغ رُو أَيْضًا فِي شِي تْشْوَن، وَكِلَاهُمَا يَخْدُمَانَ لِيو بِي؛ وَإِنْ كُنْتُ لَا أَظُنُّ بِكَ سُوءًا، فَكَيْفَ أَرُدُّ كَلَامَ النَّاسِ؟" فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ بَانغ دِيه ذَلِكَ، خَلَعَ قَبَّعَتَهُ وَخَرَّ لِلْجَبِينِ وَسَالَ دَمُهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ وَقَالَ: "إِنِّي مُنْذُ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي لِلْمَلِكِ فِي هَانْتشُونغ، وَأَشْعُرُ بِإِحْسَانِهِ الْعَظِيمِ؛ وَلَوْ أَنَّي فَدَيْتُهُ بِرَأْسِي وَدَمِي مَا كُنْتُ أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ أُكَافِئَهُ. فَلِمَاذَا يَشُكُّ الْمَلِكُ فِيَّ؟ إِنِّي فِي الْقَدِكُ كُنْتُ أَسْكُنُ مَعَ أَخِي؛ وَكَانَتْ زَوْجَتُهُ سَيِّئَةَ الْخُلُقِ، فَقَتَلْتُهَا وَأَنَا سَكْرَانِ; فَأَبْغَضَنِي أَخِي حَتَّى الْعِظَامِ وَأَقْسَمَ أَلَّا يَرَانِي أَبَدًا، وَانْقَطَعَتْ بَيْنَنَا صِلَةُ الْقَرَابَةِ. وَسَيِّدِي الْأَصْلِيُّ مَا تْشَاو رَجُلٌ شُجَاعٌ لَا حِيلَةَ لَهُ، وَتَحَطَّمَ جَيْشُهُ وَضَاعَتْ أَرْضُهُ، وَدَخَلَ شِي تْشْوَن وَحْدَهُ؛ وَالْآنَ كُلٌّ مِنَّا يَخْدُمُ سَيِّدَهُ، وَانْقَطَعَتْ بَيْنَنَا عُرَى الْوُدِّ الْقَدِيمَةِ. إِنِّي أَشْعُرُ بِإِحْسَانِ الْمَلِكِ وَتَفَضُّلِهِ، فَكَيْفَ أَجْسُرُ عَلَى الْخِيَانَةِ؟ لِيَتَأَمَّلِ الْمَلِكُ فِي أَمْرِي."
فَأَقَامَهُ تساو تساو وَوَاسَاهُ قَائِلًا: "إِنِّي أَعْرِفُ إِخْلَاصَكَ وَوَفَاءَكَ مُنْزُ زَمَنٍ، وَمَا قُلْتُهُ آنِفًا إِلَّا لِتَهْدِئَةِ النَّاسِ فَقَطْ. فَاجْتَهِدْ فِي إِحْرَازِ الْفَضْلِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَخُنِّي لَنْ أَخُونَكَ أَبَدًا."
فَخَرَجَ بَانغ دِيه مُمْتَنًّا وَأَمَرَ النَّجَّارَ أَنْ يَصْنَعَ لَهُ تَابُوتًا خَشَبِيًّا. وَفِي الْيَوْمِ التَّالِي دَعَا أَصْدِقَاءَهُ إِلَى وَلِيمَةٍ، وَوَضَعَ التَّابُوتَ فِي الْقَاعَةِ. فَلَمَّا رَآهُ أَصْدِقَاؤُهُ صُعِجُوا وَسَأَلُوهُ: "سَتَخْرُجُ إِلَى الْمَعْرَكَةِ، فَلِمَاذَا تَأْتِي بِهَذَا الشَّيْءِ الْمُنْذِرِ بِالسُّوءِ؟" فَرَفَعَ كَأْسَهُ وَقَالَ لِأَصْدِقَائِهِ: "إِنِّي أَتَلَقَّى إِحْسَانَ مَلِكِ وِي الْعَظِيمَ، وَأَقْسَمْتُ أَنْ أُفَدِّيَهُ بِحَيَاتِي. الْآنَ سَأَذْهَبُ إِلَى فَانْتشِنغِ لِأُحَارِبَ كْوَان يُو، فَإِنْ لَمْ أَقْتُلْهُ فَسَيَقْتُلُنِي، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْتُلْنِي فَسَأَقْتُلُ نَفْسِي. فَقَدَّمْتُ هَذَا التَّابُوتَ لِأُثْبِتَ أَنَّنِي لَنْ أَعُودَ فَارِغًا." فَتَأَلَّمَ الْجَمِيعُ. ثُمَّ دَعَا زَوْجَتَهُ لِي شِي وَابْنَهُ بَانغ هُوي وَقَالَ لِزَوْجَتِهِ: "إِنِّي الْآنَ طَلِيعَةُ الْجَيْشِ، وَيَجِبُ عَلَيَّ أَبْذُلَ حَيَاتِي فِي سَاحَةِ الْقِتَالِ. فَإِنْ مُتُّ فَأَحْسِنِي رِعَايَةَ ابْنِنَا؛ فَإِنَّ ابْنَنَا عَلَيْهِ أَمَارَاتٌ لِأَنَّهُ إِذَا كَبُرَ سَيَأْخُذُ بِثَأْرِي." فَبَكَتْ زَوْجَتُهُ وَابْنُهُ وَوَدَّعَتْهُ، وَأَمَرَ بِحَمْلِ التَّابُوتِ مَعَهُ. وَعِنْدَ الْخُرُوجِ قَالَ لِأَمْرَادِهِ: "إِنِّي الْآنَ سَأُحَارِبُ كْوَان يُو قِتَالَ الْمَوْتِ. فَإِنْ قَتَلَنِي كْوَان يُو فَأَسْرَعُوا إِلَى أَخْذِ جُثَّتِي وَضَعُوهَا فِي هَذَا التَّابُوتِ؛ وَإِنْ قَتَلْتُ كْوَان يُو فَسَآخُذُ رَأْسَهُ وَأَضَعُهُ فِي هَذَا التَّابُوتِ وَأَعُودُ بِهِ إِلَى مَلِكِ وِي." فَقَالَ أَمْرَادُهُ الْخَمْسُمِائَةِ: "إِنَّ الْجَنَرَالَ بِهَذَا الْإِخْلَاصِ وَالشَّجَاعَةِ، فَنَحْنُ كَيْفَ لَا نَسْعَى بِقُوَّتِنَا لِمُسَاعَدَتِهِ؟" وَانْطَلَقَ الْجَيْشُ. فَأَخْبَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ تساو تساو بِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ. فَفَرِحَ تساو تساو وَقَالَ: "إِنَّ بَانغ دِيه بِهَذَا الْإِخْلَاصِ وَالشَّجَاعَةِ، فَمَاذَا أَخَافُ؟" فَقَالَ جِيَا يُو: "إِنَّ بَانغ دِيه يَعْتَمِدُ عَلَى شَجَاعَةِ الشَّبَابِ وَيُرِيدُ مُوَاجَهَةَ كْوَان يُو فِي قِتَالِ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَخْشَى عَلَيْهِ." فَوَافَقَهُ تساو تساو وَأَسْرَعَ بِإِرْسَالِ أَمْرٍ إِلَى بَانغ دِيه قَائِلًا: "إِنَّ كْوَان يُو ذُو حِكْمَةٍ وَشَجَاعَةٍ، فَلَا تَسْتَخِفَّ بِخَصْمِكَ. فَإِنْ أَمْكَنَ الْقَتْلُ فَاقْتُلْ، وَإِلَّا فَالْزَمِ الدِّفَاعَ." فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ بَانغ دِيه الْأَمْرَ قَالَ لِأَمْرَادِهِ: "لِمَاذَا يُعْظِمُ الْمَلِكُ أَمْرَ كْوَان يُو هَذَا الْإِعْظَامَ؟ إِنِّي أَظُنُّ أَنَّنِي سَأُحَطِّمُ سُمْعَتَهُ الَّذِي بَنَاهَا فِي ثَلَاثِينَ عَامًا." فَقَالَ يُو جِين: "لَا بُدَّ مِنِ اتِّبَاعِ قَوْلِ مَلِكِ وِي." فَانْطَلَقَ بَانغ دِيه مُسْرِعًا بِجَيْشِهِ حَتَّى بَلَغَ فَانْتشِنغ، وَأَظْهَرَ قُوَّتَهُ وَبَأْوَهُ، وَقَرَعَ الْأَجْرَاسَ وَدَقَّ الطُّبُولَ.
وَيُحكَى أَنَّ كْوَان كُونغ كَانَ جَالِسًا فِي خَيْمَتِهِ، فَإِذَا بِالْمُسْتَطْلِعِ يَأْتِي مُسْرِعًا وَيُخْبِرُهُ: "إِنَّ تساو تسَاو أَرْسَلَ يُو جِين قَائِدًا يَقُودُ سَبْعَةَ جُيُوشٍ قَوِيَّةٍ. وَطَلِيعَتُهُ بَانغ دِيه، يَحْمِلُ أَمَامَ الْجَيْشِ تَابُوتًا خَشَبِيًّا، وَيَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ بَذِيءٍ، وَيَقْسِمُ أَنْ يُحَارِبَكَ قِتَالَ الْمَوْتِ. وَقَدْ بَلَغَ الْجَيْشُ عَلَى بُعْدِ ثَلَاثِينَ مِيلًا مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ." فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ كْوَان كُونغ ذَلِكَ، تَغَيَّرَ لَوْنُهُ، وَتَحَرَّكَتْ لِحْيَتُهُ الْجَمِيلَةُ، وَغَضِبَ غَضَبًا شَدِيدًا وَقَالَ: "جَمِيعُ أَبْطَالِ الْعَالَمِ إِذَا سَمِعُوا بِاسْمِي لَا يَمْلِكُونَ إِلَّا الْخُضُوعَ؛ فَكَيْفَ يَجْسُرُ هَذَا الْغُلَامُ بَانغ دِيه عَلَى ازْدِرَائِي؟ سَأَذْهَبُ أَنَا لِأَقْطَعَ رَأْسَ هَذَا الْجَاهِلِ لِأُزِيلَ غَيْظِي." فَقَالَ كْوَان بِينغ: "يَا أَبَتِ، لَا يَنْبَغِي لَكَ أَنْ تُنَازِلَ الْحَجَرَ وَكُلُّ وَاحِدٍ يَعْرِفُ أَنَّ جَبَلَ تَاي أَثْقَلُ مِنَ الْحَجَرِ. أَنَا أَذْهَبُ بَدَلَكَ لِأُحَارِبَ بَانغ دِيه." فَقَالَ كْوَان كُونج: "اذْهَبْ أَنَا أَوَّلًا، وَسَأَتْبَعُكَ لِأَمُدَّكَ."
فَخَرَجَ كْوَان بِينغ مِنَ الْخَيْمَةِ، وَتَنَاوَلَ سَيْفَهُ وَرَكِبَ فَرَسَهُ وَقَادَ الْجَيْشَ لِمُوَاجَهَةِ بَانغ دِيه. وَتَصَفَّفَ الْجَيْشَانِ، وَعَلَى رَايَةِ وِي السَّوْدَاءِ مَكْتُوبٌ بِحُرُوفٍ بَيْضَاءِ "بَانغ دِيه مِنْ نَانْآنْ". وَكَانَ بَانغ دِيه يَلْبِسُ دِرْعًا فِضِّيَّةً وَرِدَاءً أَزْرَقَ، وَمَعَهُ سَيْفٌ حَدِيدِيٌّ وَفَرَسٌ أَبْيَضُ، وَاقِفًا فِي صَفِّ الْجَيْشِ؛ وَخَلْفُهُ خَمْسُمِائَةِ جُنْدِيٍّ، وَعَدَدٌ مِنَ الْمُشَاةِ يَحْمِلُونَ التَّابُوتَ الْخَشَبِيَّ. فَصَاحَ كْوَان بِينغ عَلَى بَانغ دِيه: "يَا خَائِنَ السَّيِّدِ!" فَسَأَلَ بَانغ دِيه جُنُودَهُ: "مَنْ هَذَا؟" فَقَالُوا: "هَذَا ابْنُ كْوَان كُونغ الْأَدَبِيُّ كْوَان بِينغ." فَنَادَى بَانغ دِيه: "إِنِّي حَسْبُ أَمْرِ مَلِكِ وِي جِئْتُ لِآخُذَ رَأْسَ أَبِيكَ! أَنَا غُلَامٌ حَقِيرٌ، لَنْ أَقْتُلَكَ! أَدْعُ أَبَاكَ سَرِيعًا!" فَغَضِبَ كْوَان بِينغ وَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ مُسْرِعًا يَرْكُبُ فَرَسَهُ وَيَرْفَعُ سَيْفَهُ. وَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ بَانغ دِيه بِسَيْفِهِ. وَقَاتَلَاهُ ثَلَاثِينَ جَوْلَةً دُونَ أَنْ يَغْلِبَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ، فَانْصَرَفَ الْجَيْشَانِ لِلِاسْتِرَاحَةِ.
No translation was provided because the original text to translate was not included in your message. Please provide the passage you would like translated into Modern Standard Arabic.
وقالت: أما جيش وي فقد عسكر في نهر زنغكو، والأمطار الغزيرة لم تتوقف لأيام متتالية. جاء القائد تشنغ هي إلى يو جين وقال له: "الجيش معسكر عند فم النهر، والموقع منخفض جداً؛ ورغم وجود تلال ترابية إلا أنها بعيدة عن المعسكر. والآن وقد توالى مطر الخريف، يعاني الجنود مشقة بالغة. وقد ورد أن جيش جينغتشو قد انتقل إلى مرتفع، وأعدّ طوافات حربية عند فم نهر هان. فإن ارتفع ماء النهر، فسنكون في خطر داهم. ينبغي أن نتدبر أمرنا في وقت مبكر." فصاح يو جين: "يا لك من رجل تُفسد معنويات جنودي! من يزيد في الكلام بعد اليوم أقطع رأسه!" فخرج تشنغ هي خجلاً، ثم جاء إلى بانغ ده وأخبره بالأمر. فقال بانغ ده: "ما رأيته صائب جداً. لكن الجنرال يو يأبى نقل الجيش، سأنقل الجيش بنفسي إلى مكان آخر غداً." وما إن انتهوا من التشاور حتى هبت عاصفة مطر وريح في تلك الليلة. كان بانغ ده جالساً في خيمته، فسمع صهيل عشرات الآلاف من الخيول ودق الطبول يهز الأرض. ففزع بانغ ده، وخرج مسرعاً من الخيمة وركب حصانه ليرى الحال، فإذا بالمياه تتدفق من كل اتجاه؛ وجيش الألوف يتفرق يمنة ويسرة، ومن يغرق في الأمواج يُعد بالمئات؛ وقد بلغ عمق الماء في الأرض المنبسطة أكثر من عشرة أذرع. فصعد يو جين وبانغ ده وبقية القادة إلى تل صغير يتقون الماء. ولما أصبح الصباح، جاء غوان غونغ وقادته يهزون أعلامهم ويضربون طبولهم ويصيحون، راكبين سفناً ضخمة. ونظر يو جين حوله فلم يجد مفراً، ولم يكن معه سوى خمسين أو ستين رجلاً، فأيقن أنه لا مهرب، وصرخ بانه يرغب في الاستسلام. فأمر غوان غونغ بتجريدهم من دروعهم وأسلحتتهم وحبسهم في السفن، ثم انطلق ليقتنص بانغ ده.
أما بانغ ده ومعه دونغ هنغ ودونغ وتشاو وتشنغ هي وخمسمائة من المشاة، فكانوا بلا دروع يقفون على السد. ولما جاء غوان غونغ، لم يُظهر بانغ ده أي خوف أو جبن، بل اندفع ببسالة للقاء القتال. فأحاط غوان غونغ بالسفن من كل جانب، وأطلق الجنود سهامهم دفعة واحدة، فقُتل أكثر من نصف جنود وي. فلما رأى دونغ هنغ ودونغ تشاو أن الوضع قد أصبح يائساً، قالا لبانغ ده: "الجنود قُتل معظمهم، ولا مفر من أي اتجاه، فلنستسلم." فغضب بانغ ده غضباً شديداً وقال: "أنا أحظى بعظيم فضل ملك وي، فكيف أرضك وأنني أذل نفسي لغيره!" ثم بنفسه قطع رأسي دونغ هنغ ودونغ تشاو أمام الجميع، وصاح بحدة: "من يتكلم بالاستسلام بعد اليوم، فهذا مصيره!" فاستمات الجميع في الدفاع. واقتتلوا من الصباح حتى الظهيرة، وتضاعفت شجاعتهم. وحثّ غوان غونغ جنوده على هجوم مكثف من كل جانب، وسالت السهام والحجارة كالمطر. فأمر بانغ ده جنوده بالقتال القريب. والتفت بانغ ده إلى تشنغ هي وقال: "سمعت أن 'الشجاع لا يخاف الموت ليحيا ذليلاً، والبطل لا يضيع شرفه طالباً للنجاة.' اليوم هو يوم موتي. فحارب حتى الموت." فانطلق تشنغ هي كما أمره، فأصابه سهم من غوان غونغ فسقط في الماء. واستسلمت كل القوات، ولم يبق يقاتل إلا بانغ ده وحده. وبينما هو كذلك، جاءه عشرون أو ثلاثون رجلاً من جينغتشو على زورق صغير اقتربوا من السد، فالتقط بانغ ده سيفه وقفز بسرعة على الزورق الصغير، وقتل أكثر من عشرة أشخاص في الحال، و抛弃 الباقون زورقهم وغطوا في الماء هاربين. فأمسك بانغ ده بيمينه سيفه وبميسه مجدافاً قصيراً، يريد العبور إلى فانتشنغ. وإذا بقائد يدفع طوفاً ضخماً من أعلى النهر، فصدم الزورق الصغير وقلبه، فسقط بانغ ده في الماء. فقفز القائد الذي على الطوف إلى الماء، وأمسك بانغ ده حياً وأصعده إلى الطوف. فنظر الجميع، فإذا الذي أسر بانغ ده هو تشو تسانغ. وكان تشو تسانغ يجيد السباحة بطبعه، ولبث سنوات في جينغتشو فازداد براعة في الماء، إضافة إلى قوته البدنية الكبيرة، لذلك تمكن من أسر بانغ ده. وجيش الألوف الذي كان يقوده يو جين هلك غرقاً في الماء. ومن كان يجيد السباحة أيقن أنه لا مهرب، فاستسلموا جميعاً. وقد قال أحد الشعراء لاحقاً:
دقّت الطبول في منتصف الليل فهزّت السماء،
وتحولت سهانغ وفان إلى بحار عميقة.
من يضاهي عبقرية غوان غونغ الحسابية؟
ومجد حواي نينغ يُخلّد للأبد!
عاد غوان غونغ إلى المرتفع، وجلس في خيمته الكبرى. وأُدخل عليه يو جين مقيداً بين أيدي الحرّاس بسيوفهم. فسجد يو جين على الأرض، يتوسل ويتضرع طالباً العفو. فقال غوان غونغ: "كيف تجرؤ على مواجهتي؟" فقال يو جين: "أُرسلت بأمر فوقي، فلم أملك لنفسي شيئاً. أرجو من سيدي الإحسان، وأقسم أن أموت في خدمتك." فضحك غوان غونغ ومسح لحيته وقال: "إن قتلك كقتل كلب أو خنزير، ولا يستأهل أن أوسّخ له سيفي!" ثم أمر بإرساله مكبلاً إلى سجن جينتشو الكبير ليُحتجز هناك، "حتى أعود أنا فأتخذ فيه قراراً." وبعد أن صرف أمره، أمر غوان غونغ بإحضار بانغ ده. فجاء بانغ ده شديد الغضب عابساً، واقفاً لا يسجد. فقال غوان غونغ: "أخوك موجود في هانتشونغ، وسيدك السابق ما تشاو هو أيضاً قائد كبير في شو؛ فلماذا لا تستسلم مبكراً؟" فغضب بانغ ده غضباً شديداً وقال: "أموت تحت السيف ولا استسلم لك!" وظل يشتم بلا توقف. فغضب غوان غونغ غضباً عظيماً، وأمر الحرّاج بسيوفهم باخراجه وإعدامه. فمدّ بانغ ده رقبته لقبول العقاب. فأشفق عليه غوان غونغ وأمر بدفنه. ثم ركب سفنه قبل أن تنحسر مياه الفيضان، وقاد قادته وضباطه لمهاجمة فانتشنغ.
أما فانتشنغ فقد كان يحيط بها الطوفان من كل جانب، وازداد الماء ارتفاعاً؛ وبدأت أسوارها تنهار شيئاً فشيئاً، والنساء والرجال يحملون التراب والطوب يسدّون الثغرات فلا يستطيعون. فلم يبقَ قائد من قادة جيش تساو إلا وقد ذابت روحه خوفا، فجاءوا مسرعين يخبرون تساو جين. فقال تساو جين: "هذا الخطر اليوم لا يمكن دفعه بالقوة؛ علينا أن نركب القوارب ونغادر ليلاً قبل أن يصل العدو؛ ورغم أننا نخسر المدينة إلا أننا نحافظ على حياتنا." وكانوا يتشاورون ويعتزمون تجهيز القوارب للفرار، إذا بتشمان تشونغ نصحهم قائلاً: "لا تفعلوا. جاء الماء والطوفان فجأة، فهل سيبقى طويلاً؟ في غضون أيام قليلة سينحصر من تلقاء نفسه. غوان غونغ لم يهاجم المدينة بعد، لكنه أرسل قادة آخرين إلى جياشيا. وما يمنعه من التقدم الجرئ هو خوفه من أن نضرب من خلفه. فإن تركنا المدينة وخرجنا، فإن ما جنوب النهر الأصفر لن يعود للدولة. أرجو من الجنرال أن يتشبث بهذه المدينة كحصن." فوضع تساو جين يده في يده شاكراً وقال: "لولاه نصيحتك يا بو نينغ لكنا وقعنا في خطأ كبير." ثم ركب حصانه الأبيض وصعد إلى سور المدينة، وجمع القادة وأقسم قائلاً: "أنا أملك أمر ملك وي بأن أحمي هذه المدينة؛ فمن يتكلم بترك المدينة أقطع رأسه!" فقال القادة جميعاً: "نحن على استعداد أن نموت مدافعين عنها!" ففرح تساو جين فرحاً عظيماً، وأقام على السور مئات من أقواس النشاب. وحرس الجنود المدينة ليلاً ونهاراً دون كلل. وسكان المدينة شيباً وشباباً يحملون التراب والحجارة يسدون ثغرات الأسوار. وفي غضون أيام قليلة، بدأ الماء بالانحسار.
ولما أسر غوان غونغ قائد وي يو جين وغيره، اهتزت له الأرض في كل مكان، ولم يبقَ أحد إلا وتصدع قلبه من الرعب. وفجأة جاء ابنه الثاني غوان شينغ إلى المعسكر في زيارة أباه. فأمره غوان غونغ أن يحمل وثائق استحقاق القادة ويذهب إلى تشدو ليقدمها إلى ملك هانتشونغ، ليُرقّى كل منهم إلى منصب أعلى. فودع غوان شينغ والده وانطلق مباشرة إلى تشدو.
أما بعد، فقد قسم غوان غونغ قواته إلى نصفين، وتقدم بنصف منها مباشرةً حتى بلدة جياشيا، بينما قاد هو بنفسه النصف الآخر وحاصر مدينة فانتشنغ من جميع الجهات. وفي ذلك اليوم، ركب غوان غونغ حصانه عند البوابة الشمالية، ورفع سوطه وأشار إليهم قائلاً: "أيها الجرذان الخاسئون، لماذا لم تسلموا أنفسكم منذ وقت طويل؟ وماذا تنتظرون؟" وفي أثناء كلامه، كان تساو رن فوق برج المراقبة، فرأى غوان غونغ لا يرتدي سوى درع صدري، ورداؤه الأخضر مائل عن كتفه، فاستدعى بسرعة خمسمائة من رامي النباش، أطلقوا سهامهم عليه جميعاً. فأسرع غوان غونج بإلجام حصانه للعودة، لكن سهماً أصاب ذراعه الأيمن، فسقط عن ظهر حصانه. وقد صدق المثل:
"سبعة جيوش في الماء ذابت قلوبهم من الرعب، وسهم واحد في المدينة فجأة أصاب جسده."
وماذا كان من أمر غوان غونغ؟ هذا ما سنعرفه في الفصل التالي.
Chapter 74
Now Cao Cao wished to send Yu Jin to relieve Fan City and asked which of his generals dared to serve as vanguard. One man stepped forward at once, volunteering for the task. Cao Cao looked and saw that it was Pang De. Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "Guan Yu's might has shaken the length and breadth of the land, and he has yet to meet his match. Now he encounters you, Qiming—a truly formidable foe!" He thereupon appointed Yu Jin as General Who Subdues the South and Pang De as Vanguard Commander of the Western Expedition, and raised a great force of seven armies to march on Fan City. These seven armies were all composed of sturdy warriors from the north. The two officers commanding them were Dong Heng and Dong Chao. That day they led their subordinate commanders to pay their respects to Yu Jin. Dong Heng said, "You, General, now lead seven heavy armies to lift the siege of Fan City, and victory is expected without fail. Yet you appoint Pang De as vanguard—is this not courting disaster?" Yu Jin, startled, asked why. Dong Heng said, "Pang De was originally a subordinate general under Ma Chao and surrendered to Wei only out of necessity. Now his former master is in Shu and holds a rank among the 'Five Tiger Generals.' Moreover, his own elder brother Pang Rou also serves as an official in Xichuan. To make such a man your vanguard is like pouring oil on a fire. Why not inform the King of Wei and have someone else sent in his stead?"
Yu Jin, having heard this, went at once to the palace that night and reported the matter to Cao Cao. Cao Cao saw the point and summoned Pang De to the foot of the steps, ordering him to hand over the seal of vanguard command. Pang De was greatly alarmed and said, "I was just wishing to exert myself for Your Majesty. Why will you not employ me?" Cao Cao said, "I harbor no suspicion of you. But Ma Chao is now in Xichuan, and your brother Pang Rou is also in Xichuan—both serving Liu Bei. Even if I do not doubt you, what can I do against the clamor of many tongues?" At this, Pang De removed his cap and struck his head upon the floor until his face streamed with blood, and said, "Since I surrendered to Your Majesty in Hanzhong, I have ever felt deeply indebted for your great kindness. Even if I died with my liver and brains scattered upon the ground, I could not repay it. Why does Your Majesty suspect me? When I lived in my hometown, I dwelt with my elder brother. His wife was most unvirtuous, and in a fit of drunkenness I killed her. My brother hated me to the marrow of his bones and swore never to see me again—our bond of kinship is severed. As for my former master Ma Chao, he is brave but without strategy. He lost his army and his territory and entered Xichuan alone. Now he and I each serve different lords, and our old ties are broken. I am moved by Your Majesty's generous treatment—how could I harbor any disloyal thought? I beg Your Majesty to see this clearly."
Cao Cao thereupon raised Pang De to his feet and comforted him, saying, "I have long known of your loyalty and righteousness. My earlier words were merely meant to set the minds of the others at ease. You may now strive to win merit. If you do not fail me, I most certainly shall not fail you."
Pang De bowed in thanks and went home, where he ordered a craftsman to make a wooden coffin. The next day, he invited all his friends to a banquet and set the coffin in the hall. When his guests saw it, they were all startled and asked, "What use has a general setting out on campaign for such an ill-omened object?" Pang De raised a cup and said to his friends, "I have received the deepest kindness from the King of Wei and have vowed to repay him with my life. Now I go to Fan City to fight Guan Yu to the death. If I cannot kill him, he will surely kill me. Even if he does not kill me, I shall kill myself. Therefore I have prepared this coffin in advance, to show that I intend to return empty—or not at all." All present sighed with admiration. Pang De called forth his wife Lady Li and his son Pang Hui, and said to his wife, "I now go as vanguard and by duty should give my life on the battlefield. If I die, you must carefully raise my son. My son has an extraordinary appearance, and when he grows up he will surely avenge me." His wife and son wept bitterly as they saw him off. Pang De ordered the coffin to be carried along with the army. Before setting out, he said to his officers, "Now I go to fight Guan Yu to the death. If Guan Yu kills me, you must take my body and place it in this coffin at once. If I kill Guan Yu, I will take his head and place it in this coffin, and bring it back to present to the King of Wei." His five hundred officers all said, "Since you, General, are so loyal and brave, how dare we not exert ourselves to the utmost to aid you?" Thereupon they led the army forward. Someone reported these words to Cao Cao, who said with delight, "Pang De is so loyal and brave as this—what have I to worry about?" Jia Xu said, "Pang De relies on the courage of his blood and wishes to fight Guan Yu to the death. I have my private misgivings." Cao Cao agreed with his assessment and hastily sent orders to caution Pang De, saying, "Guan Yu possesses both wisdom and valor. On no account treat the enemy lightly. If you can take him, do so; if not, you would do well to defend carefully." Upon receiving these orders, Pang De said to his officers, "Why does His Majesty set such great store by Guan Yu? I reckon that this expedition will crush Guan Yu's reputation of thirty years." Yu Jin said, "The King of Wei's words must not be disregarded." Pang De, burning with eagerness, hastened his army to Fan City, where they paraded their might, beating drums and sounding gongs.
Now Guan Yu was sitting in his tent when a scout came riding at full speed to report: "Cao Cao has sent Yu Jin as commander, leading seven elite armies. His vanguard Pang De has a wooden coffin carried before his army. He makes insolent pronouncements and swears he will fight Your Lordship to the death. The enemy are now only thirty leagues from the city." At these words, Guan Yu's countenance changed abruptly. His beautiful beard trembled with fury, and he cried in a rage, "The heroes of the world, hearing my name, all hold me in awe. How dare this wretched boy Pang De show me such contempt! Guan Ping, you continue the assault on Fan City. I shall go and cut down this fellow myself, to wipe away this insult!" Guan Ping said, "Father, you should not descend from the weight of Mount Tai to compete with a worthless stone. Your son is willing to go in your place and fight Pang De." Guan Yu said, "Go ahead and try. I shall follow to support you."
Guan Ping left the tent, took up his blade, mounted his horse, and led his troops out to meet Pang De. The two armies drew up in battle formation. On the Wei side, a black banner bore four large white characters: "Pang De of Nan'an." Pang De, in blue robes and silver armor, with a steel blade and a white horse, stood at the front of the line. Behind him followed five hundred soldiers, and several footmen carried the coffin out on their shoulders. Guan Pang roundly cursed Pang De as "a traitor to his master!" Pang De asked his officers, "Who is this man?" Someone replied, "This is Guan Yu's sworn son, Guan Ping." Pang De called out, "I bear the King of Wei's orders to take your father's head! You are a mere pockmarked brat—I will not kill you! Quickly call your father here!" Guan Ping, furious, spurred his horse and swung his blade to attack Pang De. Pang De leveled his sword to meet him. They fought thirty bouts with neither gaining the upper hand, and both sides called a halt to rest.
News of this quickly reached Lord Guan. Flying into a rage, he ordered Liao Hua to attack Fancheng while he himself rode out to face Pang De. Guan Ping came to report, saying that he had fought Pang De to a draw. Lord Guan then rode forth with his great blade, crying out, "I, Guan Yunchang, am here! Why does Pang De not come and die at once!" At the sound of the drums, Pang De rode out and said, "I bear the command of the King of Wei, who sent me to take your head! Lest you doubt it, I have brought a coffin. If you fear death, dismount at once and surrender!" Lord Guan cursed him: "What can a mere fellow like you accomplish? It is a pity that my Green Dragon Blade must cut down such a rat-robber!" He spurred his horse and swung his blade to strike Pang De. Pang De raised his weapon to meet him. The two generals fought more than a hundred bouts, their spirits growing fiercer with each exchange. Both armies stood transfixed in awe. The Wei troops, fearing Pang De might be defeated, hastily sounded the gong to recall their forces. Guan Ping, worried that his father was growing old, also sounded the gong. Both generals withdrew. Pang De returned to his camp and said to his men, "They say Lord Guan is a hero — today I believe it." Even as he spoke, Yu Jin arrived. After they had exchanged greetings, Yu Jin said, "I heard that you fought Lord Guan for over a hundred bouts and gained no advantage. Why not withdraw your troops and avoid him?" Pang De replied with spirit, "The King of Wei appointed you as Grand General — how can you be so weak? Tomorrow I shall fight Guan Yu to the death, and I swear I shall not retreat!" Yu Jin dared not dissuade him and returned to his own camp.
Meanwhile, Lord Guan returned to his camp and said to Guan Ping, "Pang De's sword technique is highly polished — he is a true match for me." Guan Ping replied, "As the saying goes, 'A newborn calf does not fear the tiger.' Even if you slay this man, he is but a minor soldier from Xiangqiang. If anything goes wrong, it would dishonor the trust your elder brother placed in you." Lord Guan said, "If I do not kill this man, how can I avenge my grievance? My mind is made up — speak no more of this!" The next day, he mounted his horse and led his troops forward. Pang De also brought his forces out to meet him. The two armies drew up in formation. The two generals rode forth together, exchanged no words, and engaged in combat. After some fifty bouts, Pang De turned his horse and fled, dragging his blade behind him. Lord Guan gave chase from behind. Guan Ping, fearing something might go wrong, followed as well. Lord Guan shouted, "You scoundrel tries to use the 'dragging blade' trick — do you think I fear you?" In truth, Pang De had feigned the dragging blade maneuver. He had hung his blade on his saddle and secretly drawn his carved bow, fitted an arrow, and shot it at Lord Guan. Guan Ping had sharp eyes and saw Pang De draw the bow. He cried out, "The enemy general is loosing a sneak arrow!" Lord Guan looked up quickly, but even as the bowstring sounded, the arrow had already arrived. Unable to dodge, he was struck squarely on his left arm. Guan Ping rode up and rescued his father back to camp.
Pang De wheeled his horse around and came swinging his blade in pursuit, when suddenly the gongs of his own camp sounded with a great clamor. Fearing something had gone wrong with his rear forces, he hastily reined in his horse and turned back. The truth was that when Yu Jin saw Pang De strike Lord Guan with an arrow, he feared Pang De might achieve great glory and overshadow his own reputation, so he had sounded the recall. Pang De returned and asked why the gong had been sounded. Yu Jin said, "The King of Wei gave strict warning: Guan Yu is both wise and brave. Though he has been struck by an arrow, we must suspect a trick. That is why I sounded the recall." Pang De said, "Had you not recalled the troops, I would have already slain the man!" Yu Jin replied, "Haste makes waste — we must take a gradual approach." Pang De did not understand Yu Jin's true intent and was filled with nothing but frustration.
Meanwhile, Lord Guan returned to his camp and pulled out the arrowhead. Fortunately, the wound was not deep, and he applied golden wound medicine to it. Lord Guan burned with hatred for Pang De and said to his officers, "I swear to avenge this arrow!" The officers replied, "General, you should rest for a few days before fighting again." The next day, it was reported that Pang De had brought his troops to challenge them to battle. Lord Guan was about to ride out, but his officers restrained him. Pang De ordered his soldiers to shout insults. Guan Ping blocked the pass and instructed his men not to report this to Lord Guan. Pang De challenged them for more than ten days, but no one came out to meet him. He then conferred with Yu Jin: "Clearly Lord Guan's arrow wound has flared up and he cannot move. If we do not seize this opportunity and lead all seven armies to storm his camp, we can lift the siege of Fancheng." Yu Jin, fearing Pang De might succeed, hid behind the King of Wei's instructions and refused to move his troops. Pang De repeatedly wanted to act, but Yu Jin would not permit it. He then moved the seven armies across the mountain pass and camped ten *li* north of Fancheng, at the foot of the mountain. Yu Jin took his own forces to block the main road, stationing Pang De's troops behind the valley so that Pang De could not advance to achieve victory.
Meanwhile, Guan Ping saw that Lord Guan's arrow wound had healed and was overjoyed. Suddenly he heard that Yu Jin had moved the seven armies to camp north of Fancheng. Not knowing his intentions, he reported this to Lord Guan. Lord Guan then mounted his horse, led several riders to a high vantage point, and looked out. He saw that the banners atop Fancheng's walls were in disarray and the soldiers in confusion. Ten *li* to the north, inside the valley, were encamped the enemy troops. He also saw that the waters of the Xiang River were running with great force. After gazing for some time, he called for the guide and asked, "What is the name of the valley ten *li* north of Fancheng?" The reply came: "It is called Zengkou Chuan — the Fish-Net Mouth Valley." Lord Guan was overjoyed and said, "Yu Jin shall be my captive!" The officers asked, "How does the General know this?" Lord Guan replied: "A 'fish' that enters the 'fish-net mouth' — how can it last long?" The officers were not yet convinced. Lord Guan returned to his camp. It was then the eighth month of autumn, and sudden rains fell for several days. Lord Guan ordered his men to prepare boats and rafts and to gather water equipment. Guan Ping asked, "We are fighting on land — why do we need water equipment?" Lord Guan replied, "This is beyond your understanding. Yu Jin's seven armies have not camped on open and easy ground but are gathered in the narrow and dangerous Zengkou Chuan valley. With the continuous autumn rains, the Xiang River will surely flood. I have already sent men to dam the various outlets. When the waters rise, we will take to our boats on high ground and release the dams, and the soldiers of Fancheng and Zengkou Chuan will all become fish and turtles." Guan Ping bowed in admiration.
Meanwhile, the Wei army was encamped at Zengkou Chuan, where heavy rains had not ceased for days. The supervising general Cheng He came to see Yu Jin and said, "Our army is camped at the mouth of the chuan, in very low-lying terrain. Although there are earthen mounds, they are some distance from the camp. Now the autumn rains are unending, and our soldiers are in great hardship. Recently it was reported that the Jingzhou troops have moved to higher ground and have also prepared war rafts at the mouth of the Han River. Should the river swell, our army will be in grave danger. We must plan ahead."
Yu Jin snapped at him: "Do you mean to sow doubt in the hearts of my soldiers? Anyone who speaks further on this matter shall die!" Cheng He withdrew in shame and humiliation, but went to see Pang De and told him what had happened.
Pang De said, "What you observed is sound. General Yu refuses to relocate his troops—tomorrow I shall move our forces to another location on my own." Just as they settled on this plan, that very night a great wind and rain arose. Pang De sat in his tent, hearing only the thunderous galloping of ten thousand horses and the shaking of war drums across the earth. Greatly alarmed, he rushed out of his tent and mounted his horse to look around. From every direction, floodwaters came rushing in. The seven armies scattered in chaos, swept away by the waves beyond counting. On level ground, the water rose over ten feet deep. Yu Jin, Pang De, and the other generals each climbed small hills to escape the flood.
By the time dawn broke, Guan Yu and his generals beat their drums and raised a great clamor, approaching in large boats. Yu Jin saw that there was no escape in any direction; only fifty or sixty men remained at his side. Knowing he could not flee, he declared his willingness to surrender. Guan Yu ordered them stripped of their armor and taken into the boats under guard. Then he turned to capture Pang De.
At that time, Pang De, the two Dong brothers, Cheng He, and five hundred foot soldiers—all without armor—stood upon the embankment. Seeing Guan Yu approach, Pang De showed no fear whatsoever and rushed forward fiercely to engage in battle. Guan Yu's ships surrounded them on all sides, and his soldiers fired their arrows in unison, killing more than half the Wei troops. Dong Heng and Dong Chao, seeing the situation now desperate, said to Pang De, "More than half our soldiers have been killed or wounded, and there is no escape in any direction. We might as well surrender."
Pang De flew into a rage. "I have received the great grace of the King of Wei—how could I ever bend my knee to another?" He then personally executed Dong Heng and Dong Chao before the troops and cried out in a stern voice: "Anyone who speaks of surrender again shall meet the same fate as these two!" Thereupon all the soldiers fought with renewed strength. From dawn until midday, their valor only doubled. Guan Yu pressed the attack from all four sides, and arrows and stones fell like rain. Pang De ordered his men to fight with short weapons. Pang De turned to Cheng He and said, "I have heard: 'A brave general does not shirk death to save himself; a valiant warrior does not destroy his honor to preserve his life.' Today is the day I die. You must fight to the death with all your might."
Cheng He obeyed and advanced, but was struck by an arrow from Guan Yu and fell into the water. All the remaining soldiers surrendered. Only Pang De continued to fight alone. Just then several dozen men from Jingzhou came in small boats near the embankment. Pang De raised his saber, leaped into one of the boats, and at once killed over ten men; the rest abandoned their boats and fled into the water for their lives. Pang De held his saber in one hand and a short oar in the other, trying to make his way toward Fancheng. But from upstream came a general propelling a large raft, which struck and overturned the small boat, sending Pang De into the water. The general on the raft leaped into the water and captured Pang De alive, bringing him aboard. All who looked saw that the man who had captured Pang De was Zhou Cang. Zhou Cang had always been skilled in the ways of water, and having lived in Jingzhou for several years, he was even more practiced than before. Moreover, his strength was great, and so he had captured Pang De.
The seven armies under Yu Jin all perished in the water. Those who could swim, seeing no means of escape, likewise surrendered. A later poet wrote:
At midnight the war drums shook the heavens,
Xiang and Fan became flatlands and deep pools.
Who could match the divine calculations of Lord Guan?
His fame through Huaxia shall be sung through the ages!
Guan Yu returned to the higher ground and sat in his command tent. The executioners escorted Yu Jin before him. Yu Jin prostrated himself on the ground, begging for mercy and pleading for his life.
Guan Yu said, "How dare you have opposed me?"
Yu Jin replied, "I was sent by superior orders—I had no choice in the matter. I look to your lordship's compassion, and I swear to repay you with my death."
Guan Yu stroked his beard and laughed. "Killing you would be no different than slaughtering a pig or a dog—it would only waste my blade and axe!" He ordered Yu Jin bound and sent to the great prison in Jingzhou to be held in custody, saying, "When I return, I shall decide what to do with him." After Yu Jin was dispatched, Guan Yu then ordered Pang De brought forward.
Pang De glared with knitted brows and blazing eyes, standing upright and refusing to kneel.
Guan Yu said, "Your elder brother is now in Hanzhong; your former lord Ma Chao also serves as a great general in the Shu lands. Why do you not surrender at once?"
Pang De erupted in fury. "I would rather die beneath your blade than surrender to you!" He cursed without ceasing.
Guan Yu, greatly enraged, ordered the executioners to lead him out and behead him. Pang De stretched his neck to receive the blow. Guan Yu, moved by pity, gave him a proper burial. Then, taking advantage of the waters not yet receded, he boarded his warship once more and led his officers of every rank to attack Fancheng.
Now the waters surged around Fancheng, white waves reaching to the sky; the flood grew ever more severe. The city walls gradually crumbled and collapsed, and the men and women carried earth and bricks to fill the breaches, but could not hold them back. The generals of the Cao army were all seized with terror and came in haste to report to Cao Ren.
Cao Ren said, "Today's peril cannot be overcome by force. We should take advantage of the enemy's not yet having arrived and escape by boat under cover of night. Although we lose the city, we may yet save our lives."
They were just deliberating and preparing to set out by boat when Man Chong remonstrated: "You must not do this. The floodwaters came suddenly—how could they last? Within ten days they will recede of their own accord. Although Lord Guan has not yet attacked the city, he has already sent other generals to Jiaxia. The reason he does not advance lightly is that he fears our army might strike him from behind. If we abandon the city now, all the land south of the Yellow River will be lost to the state. I entreat you, General, to defend this city firmly and hold it as our bulwark."
Cao Ren clasped his hands and thanked him: "Had it not been for your counsel, Bo'ning, I nearly made a grave mistake." He then mounted his white horse and ascended the city wall, where he gathered his generals and swore an oath: "I have received the King of Wei's command to defend this city. Anyone who speaks of abandoning it shall be executed!"
All the generals declared: "We are willing to defend it to the death!"
Cao Ren was greatly pleased. He had several hundred bows and crossbows set up upon the wall. The soldiers stood guard day and night without slackening. Old and young among the populace alike carried earth and stone to fill the breaches in the city walls. Within ten days, the floodwaters gradually receded.
After Guan Yu had captured the Wei general Yu Jin and the others, his might shook the world, and none were not struck with awe. Suddenly his second son, Guan Xing, came to the camp to visit his father. Guan Yu ordered Guan Xing to carry the records of meritorious deeds by the various officers to Chengdu to see the Prince of Hanzhong, that each might seek promotion. Guan Xing took leave of his father and departed straight for Chengdu.
It was now that Guan Yu divided his force, sending half directly to Xiangru. He himself led the rest to besiege Fancheng on all four sides. That very day, Guan Yu rode to the North Gate, reined in his horse, raised his whip, and called out, "You rats! Why not surrender at once, and wait for what?" Even as he spoke, Cao Ren, standing on the enemy tower, noticed that Guan Yu wore only a breastplate over his body, his green robe hanging loosely over one shoulder. He quickly summoned five hundred crossbowmen, who loosed their bolts together. Guan Yu hastily pulled his horse around, but a bolt struck him in his right arm, and he tumbled from his mount. Truly it was:
The seven armies on the water had scarcely lost their nerve,
When a single bolt from the city wall wounded his body.
What became of Guan Yu's life will be told in the next chapter.
