Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Now let me translate this passage faithfully, paragraph by paragraph:

Now it is said that when Mi Fang heard that Jing Province had been lost, he was at his wits' end. Suddenly it was reported that Fu Shiren, the commander of Gong'an, had arrived. Mi Fang hurried to welcome him into the city and asked what had happened. Fu Shiren said, "It is not that I am not loyal—the situation was desperate and I could not hold out. I have now surrendered to Eastern Wu. You, General, would do well to surrender early as well." Mi Fang said, "We have received great kindness from the Prince of Hanzhong. How could we bear to betray him?" Fu Shiren said, "Lord Guan, when he departed, bore a deep grudge against the two of us. Should he return victorious one day, he would certainly not show us any mercy. You must consider this carefully." Mi Fang said, "My brother and I have long served the Prince of Hanzhong. How could we betray him after a single day's deliberation?" While he was still wavering, suddenly it was reported that a messenger from Lord Guan had arrived. Mi Fang received him in the hall. The messenger said, "Lord Guan's army is short of grain. He has sent me to Nan Commandery and Gong'an to collect one hundred thousand bushels of white rice. He commands both generals to deliver it by night and hand it over at the army's front. Any delay will be punished by execution." Mi Fang was greatly alarmed and said to Fu Shiren, "Now that Jing Province has already been taken by Eastern Wu, how can this grain get through?" Fu Shiren said sternly, "There is no need for doubt!" He then drew his sword and cut down the messenger in the hall. Mi Fang cried out in shock, "What have you done?" Fu Shiren said, "Lord Guan's intention was precisely to have the two of us executed. How can we stand by and wait for death? If you do not surrender to Eastern Wu at once, you will surely be killed by Lord Guan." While they were speaking, suddenly it was reported that Lü Meng was leading his forces to attack the city walls. Mi Fang was greatly alarmed, and together with Fu Shiren, he went out of the city to surrender. Lü Meng was overjoyed and presented them before Sun Quan. Sun Quan rewarded them handsomely. After pacifying the people, he held a great feast for the three armies.

Now Cao Cao was in Xuchang, deliberating on the matter of Jing Province with his advisors, when suddenly it was reported that an envoy from Eastern Wu had arrived bearing a letter. Cao Cao summoned the envoy, who presented the letter. Cao Cao opened and read it. The letter stated in full that Wu forces were about to attack Jing Province and requested Cao Cao to join in attacking Lord Guan. It also urged him to keep the matter secret so that Lord Guan would not be forewarned. Cao Cao discussed this with his advisors. The Chief Secretary Dong Zhao said, "Now Fancheng is besieged and craning its neck for rescue. We should have someone shoot the letter into Fancheng to comfort the troops, and at the same time let Lord Guan know that Eastern Wu is about to attack Jing Province. Fearing that Jing Province may be lost, he will certainly withdraw his forces quickly, and we can then have Xu Huang pursue and attack him, achieving complete success." Cao Cao followed his counsel. On one hand, he sent a messenger to urge Xu Huang to press the attack urgently; on the other hand, he personally led the main army and proceeded to settle at Nanyanglingpo south of Luoyang to relieve Cao Ren.

Now Xu Huang was sitting in his tent when suddenly it was reported that a messenger from the King of Wei had arrived. Xu Huang received him and asked his purpose. The messenger said, "The King of Wei is now leading his army and has already passed Luoyang. He commands you to engage Lord Guan urgently to lift the siege of Fancheng." While they were speaking, a scout reported: "Guan Ping has stationed his troops at Yancheng, and Liao Hua has stationed his troops at Simuzhong. There are twelve camps in all, front and rear, linked together without break." Xu Huang then sent his lieutenants Xu Shang and Lü Jian, bearing Xu Huang's banner, to advance toward Yancheng and engage Guan Ping in battle. Xu Huang himself led five hundred elite troops along the Mianshui River to attack Yancheng from the rear.

Now it is said that when Guan Ping heard that Xu Huang was personally leading troops to attack, he took his own forces to meet the enemy. The two armies drew up in formation. Guan Ping rode out and engaged Xu Shang in combat. After only three bouts, Xu Shang was soundly defeated and fled. Lü Jian came out to fight and after five or six bouts also fled. Guan Ping pursued the victory for more than twenty li when suddenly it was reported that a fire had broken out in the city. Guan Ping knew he had been tricked and urgently turned his troops back to relieve Yancheng, when he encountered an army drawn up before him. Xu Huang sat astride his horse beneath the banner and called out loudly, "Young nephew Guan Ping, how little you understand death! Jing Province has already been seized by Eastern Wu, and yet you carry on with such arrogance!" Guan Ping flew into a rage, spurred his horse, and brandished his blade, charging straight at Xu Huang. After fewer than four bouts, the three armies raised a great shout, and flames blazed up from Yancheng. Guan Ping did not dare to prolong the fight. He cut his way out along the main road and galloped straight to Simuzhong camp. Liao Hua received him. Liao Hua said, "People are saying that Jing Province has already been attacked by Lü Meng. The troops are alarmed and frightened. What shall we do?" Guan Ping said, "This must be a rumor. Any soldier who speaks of it again will be beheaded."

Suddenly a swift messenger arrived, reporting that the northernmost camp had been attacked by Xu Huang's forces. Guan Ping said, "If the first camp is lost, how can the other camps remain secure? This area all depends on the Mianshui River—the enemy forces would not dare to come here. I will go with you to relieve the first camp." Liao Hua instructed his subordinates, saying, "You must defend the camp firmly. If the enemy approaches, light the signal fires at once." The subordinates said, "The Simuzhong camp has ten layers of abatis. Even birds could not get through. Why worry about the enemy?" Thereupon Guan Ping and Liao Hua mustered all the elite troops from Simuzhong camp and rushed to reinforce the first camp. Guan Ping saw that the Wei forces were encamped on a shallow hill and said to Liao Hua, "Xu Huang has positioned his troops without gaining the advantage of terrain. Tonight we can attack his camp." Liao Hua said, "General, you can take half the troops forward. I will guard this camp carefully."

That night, Guan Ping led a force into the Wei camp but found not a single man. Guan Ping realized it was a trap. As he hurried to withdraw, Xu Shang attacked from the left and Lü Jian attacked from the right, striking him from both sides. Guan Ping was defeated and fled back to his camp. The Wei forces pursued and attacked from all sides, surrounding him. Guan Ping and Liao Hua could not hold out and abandoned the first camp, retreating straight to Simuzhong camp. From a distance they could see fires already blazing in the camp. They hurried to the camp's front, only to see that all the banners were those of the Wei army. Guan Ping and the others retreated and fled along the main road toward Fancheng. An army blocked their path ahead. The leading general was none other than Xu Huang. Guan Ping and Liao Hua fought desperately and broke through, returning to the main camp. They went to see Lord Guan and said, "Now Xu Huang has seized Yancheng and the other positions. Moreover, Cao Cao personally leads the main army in three routes to relieve Fancheng. Many people are saying that Jing Province has already been attacked by Lü Meng." Lord Guan shouted, "These are the enemy's false rumors, meant to disturb our army's morale! The Eastern Wu commander Lü Meng is gravely ill, and the young Lu Xun has taken his place. There is nothing to worry about!"

Before Guan Yu had finished speaking, word came that Xu Huang's forces had arrived. Guan Yu ordered his horse saddled. Guan Ping remonstrated, "Father, you have not yet recovered. You must not engage the enemy." Guan Yu replied, "Xu Huang and I are old acquaintances. I know his abilities well. If he will not withdraw, I shall strike him down first to serve as a warning to the other Wei generals." Thereupon he donned his armor, took up his blade, and mounted his horse, riding forth with fierce determination. When the Wei army saw him, none failed to tremble with fear. Guan Yu reined in his horse and called out, "Where is Xu Gongming?" From the Wei camp, where the gate banners parted, Xu Huang rode forth on horseback and bowed, saying, "Since we parted from Your Grace, several years have passed in the blink of an eye. I did not expect that Your Grace's hair and beard would have turned white. I recall the days when we served together in our youth—I received much instruction from you, and my gratitude has never faded. Today your heroic spirit shakes all within the Four Seas, and when this old friend hears of it, he cannot help but sigh with admiration! It is my great fortune to see you once more—this deeply satisfies my longing." Guan Yu said, "The bond between you and me is deep, unlike that with any other man. Then why do you so persistently press my son?" Xu Huang turned to look at his generals and shouted in a stern voice, "Whoever takes the head of Guan Yunchang shall be rewarded with a thousand catties of gold!" Guan Yu was alarmed. "What words are these, Gongming?" Xu Huang replied, "Today this is a matter of the state. I dare not let private feeling override public duty."

With these words, he raised his great axe and charged straight at Lord Guan. Guan Yu flew into a rage and likewise raised his blade to meet him. They fought for more than eighty bouts. Although Guan Yu's martial skill was peerless, in the end his right arm lacked its former strength. Guan Ping, fearing his lord might suffer defeat, hastily ordered the gongs of retreat to be sounded. Guan Yu pulled his horse around and returned to his camp, when suddenly he heard shouts rising on all sides. It turned out that Cao Ren of Fancheng, hearing that Cao Cao's relief force had arrived, had led his troops out of the city to join Xu Huang, and the two forces attacked from both sides. The Jingzhou troops fell into great disorder. Guan Yu mounted his horse and led his officers in a hasty flight toward the upper reaches of the Xiang River. The Wei soldiers pressed close behind. Guan Yu hastily crossed the Xiang River and fled toward Xiangyang. Then a courier on a fast horse arrived with a report: "Jingzhou has been seized by Lü Meng, and our families have been captured." Guan Yu was greatly alarmed and dared not proceed to Xiangyang; instead he turned his troops toward Gong'an. A scout then reported: "Fu Shiren of Gong'an has surrendered to Eastern Wu." Guan Yu was filled with rage. Then the officer in charge of provisions arrived and reported: "Fu Shiren of Gong'an went to Nan Commandery, killed the imperial envoy, and induced Mi Fang to surrender to Eastern Wu as well."

When Guan Yu heard this, rage surged within him and his wound burst open. He collapsed unconscious upon the ground. His officers revived him. Guan Yu turned to the Prefect of the Horse, Wang Fu, and said, "I regret not heeding your words—today this has indeed come to pass!" He then asked, "Why were signal fires not lit along the river?" A scout replied, "Lü Meng had his boatmen all dress in white and disguise themselves as merchants crossing the river. He hid his elite soldiers in the holds of the ships, first seized the soldiers guarding the signal towers, and so the fires could not be lit." Guan Yu stamped his foot and sighed, "I have fallen into the villain's scheme! What face do I have to see my elder brother?" Zhao Lei, the Commissioner of Provisions, said, "The situation is now critical. We should send men in three directions to Chengdu to seek reinforcements, while also advancing by the overland route to retake Jingzhou." Guan Yu followed his counsel. He sent Ma Liang and Yi Ji bearing three dispatches, riding day and night to Chengdu to request aid, while he himself led his troops to retake Jingzhou. He commanded the vanguard personally, leaving Liao Hua and Guan Ping to cover the rear.

Now, when the siege of Fancheng was lifted, Cao Ren led his officers to see Cao Cao, weeping and bowing to beg forgiveness. Cao Cao said, "This was the will of Heaven—it is not your fault." Cao Cao richly rewarded the three armies and went in person to the Four Mounds camp to inspect the surroundings. Turning to his generals, he said, "The Jingzhou troops had encircled us with multiple layers of trenches and abatis, yet Xu Gongming penetrated deep into their midst and achieved complete success. I have commanded armies for over thirty years and have never dared to drive straight into an enemy encirclement. Gongming truly possesses both courage and wisdom!" All present sighed in admiration. Cao Cao led his army back and encamped at Mobei. When Xu Huang's forces arrived, Cao Cao personally rode out of the camp to greet him. He saw that Huang's troops marched in perfect order, without the slightest disorder. Cao Cao was greatly pleased and said, "General Xu truly possesses the spirit of Zhou Yafu!" He then appointed Xu Huang as General Who Pacifies the South, ordering him alongside Xiahou Shang to guard Xiangyang to block Guan Yu's army. Because the situation in Jingzhou remained unresolved, Cao Cao stationed his army at Mobei to await further developments.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu, on the road to Jingzhou, found himself with no way forward or back. He said to Zhao Lei, "At present, Wu troops are ahead of us and Wei troops are behind us. We are caught between them, and reinforcements have not arrived. What shall we do?" Zhao Lei said, "When Lü Meng was at Lukou, he once sent a letter to Your Grace, and the two sides agreed to join in destroying the traitor Cao. Now he has aided Cao Cao and attacked us—this is a breach of the alliance. Your Grace should temporarily encamp here and send a man with a letter to Lü Meng to reproach him and see how he responds." Guan Yu followed his advice and wrote a letter, dispatching an envoy to Jingzhou.

Now Lü Meng, in Jingzhou, issued orders throughout all the commanderies of Jingzhou: the families of the officers and soldiers who had accompanied Guan Yu on his campaign were not to be disturbed by Wu troops in any way; they were to be provided with grain each month, and those who fell ill were to be treated by physicians. The families of the officers and soldiers, moved by his kindness, remained settled and at peace. Suddenly it was reported that Guan Yu's envoy had arrived. Lü Meng went out of the city to welcome him and received him with the courtesies due a guest. The envoy presented the letter to Lü Meng. After reading it, Meng said to the envoy, "In former days, when I made my friendly overtures to General Guan, that was a matter of my private regard. Today's business has been assigned by higher authority—I have no choice in the matter. Please report to the General my earnest good wishes." He then held a banquet in the envoy's honor and escorted him to the guest quarters to rest. Meanwhile, the families of the officers who had joined the campaign all came to inquire after their loved ones. Some brought letters from home; others sent word by mouth—all saying that their households were safe and that food and clothing were in abundance. The envoy took his leave of Lü Meng, who personally escorted him out of the city. The envoy returned to Guan Yu and reported all that Lü Meng had said, adding that in the city of Jingzhou, the families of His Grace and all the generals were entirely safe and their needs fully provided for. Guan Yu flew into a rage and cried, "This is the villain's scheme! If I cannot kill him in life, I shall kill him in death to avenge my hatred!" He drove the envoy away. When the envoy left the camp, the generals all came to ask about their families. The envoy told them that every household was well and that Lü Meng was treating them with the utmost kindness, and he distributed the letters to the officers. The generals were all delighted and lost all will to fight.

Gong Quan took command of the troops to attack Jing Province. As the army advanced, many soldiers and officers deserted and fled back to Jing Province. Guan Gong grew increasingly bitter and enraged, and pressed the army forward. Suddenly a great shout erupted, and a force blocked the road. At its head was the great general Jiang Qian, who reined in his horse, leveled his spear, and cried out, "Yunchang, why not surrender early?" Guan Gong cursed him, saying, "I am a general of the Han—how could I surrender to a rebel!" He spurred his horse, brandished his sword, and rode straight at Jiang Qian. In fewer than three exchanges, Jiang Qian was routed and fled. Guan Gong raised his sword and pursued him for more than twenty li. Then shouts arose again: from the valley on the left, Han Dang led a charge; from the valley on the right, Zhou Tai led his troops forth; and Jiang Qian turned his horse and rejoined the fight. The three forces attacked from all sides. Guan Gong hastily withdrew his army and retreated. After traveling a great distance, he saw on the southern hilltop a gathering of people, with a white banner fluttering bearing the four words "Natives of Jingzhou." The crowd shouted, "People of this region, surrender at once!" Guan Guan was furious and wanted to ascend the hill and slay them. From within the mountain hollows, two more forces burst forth: Ding Feng on the left and Xu Sheng on the right. Together with Jiang Qian and the other three armies, they raised a deafening clamor, drums and horns thundering across the sky, trapping Guan Gong at the very center. His soldiers and officers gradually scattered.

By the time they fought until dusk, Guan Gong gazed out at the surrounding mountains and saw they were all filled with Jingzhou soldiers, calling to their brothers, searching for their sons and fathers, the cries unceasing. The army's loyalty had entirely shifted; they answered the calls and departed. Gong could not restrain them. He had only some three hundred followers left. They fought until the third watch of the night, when to the due east the shouts reached the heavens—it was Guan Ping and Liao Hua, who had led two columns of troops into the encirclement and rescued Guan Gong. Guan Ping reported, "The army's morale has collapsed. We must secure a city to garrison and await reinforcements. Though Mai City is small, it will suffice for encampment." Gong agreed and urged the remnants of his army forward to Mai City, dividing the troops to guard the four gates and gathering his officers to deliberate. Zhao Lei said, "This place is near Shangyong, where Liu Feng and Meng Da are stationed as garrison commanders. We can quickly dispatch men to request reinforcements. If we obtain this force to sustain us until the great army from the Riverlands arrives, the troops' morale will stabilize of its own accord."

While they were deliberating, a report suddenly came that the Wu army had arrived and surrounded the city on all four sides. Gong asked, "Who dares to break through the encirclement and go to Shangyong to seek aid?" Liao Hua said, "I volunteer to go." Guan Ping said, "I will escort you through the encirclement." Guan Gong immediately wrote a letter and gave it to Liao Hua, who concealed it on his person. After eating his fill, Liao Hua mounted his horse, and they opened the gate to leave the city. They ran straight into the Wu general Ding Feng, who blocked their way, but Guan Ping fought with all his might and charged through. Ding Feng was routed and fled. Liao Hua seized the moment and broke through the encirclement, heading for Shangyong. Guan Ping entered the city and held fast, refusing to sally forth.

Now it must be told that Liu Feng and Meng Da, having taken Shangyong, received the surrender of the Grand Administrator Shen Dan and his followers. For this reason the Prince of Hanzhong had promoted Liu Feng to Vice General, to hold Shangyong jointly with Meng Da. That day, having received word that Guan Guan's army had been defeated, the two were deliberating when a report came that Liao Hua had arrived. Liu Feng ordered him brought in and questioned him. Liao Hua said, "Guan Gong's army has been defeated and he is besieged in Mai City, surrounded with the utmost urgency. Reinforcements from the heartland of Shu cannot arrive overnight. He commanded me to break through the encirclement and come here to beg for aid. I hope you two generals will quickly raise the troops of Shangyong to rescue him from this peril. If there is the slightest delay, Gong will surely be lost." Liu Feng said, "Rest for now, General, while I deliberate."

Liao Hua then went to the guest quarters to rest and waited solely for the dispatch of troops. Liu Feng said to Meng Da, "My uncle is besieged—what shall we do?" Meng Da replied, "The soldiers and generals of Wu are formidable; moreover, the nine commanderies of Jingzhou all belong to them now. Only Mai City remains, and that is but a pellet of land. It is also said that Cao Cao himself leads an army of four or five hundred thousand encamped at Mochi. Given the size of our mountain stronghold's forces, how could we withstand the powerful armies of two states? We must not underestimate the enemy." Liu Feng said, "I know this as well. But Guan Gong is my uncle—how can I sit by and watch without saving him?" Meng Da smiled and said, "The General regards Guan Gong as his uncle, but I fear Guan Gong may not regard the General as his nephew. I have heard that when the Prince of Hanzhong first adopted you as his son, Guan Gong was displeased. Later, after the Prince ascended his throne and wished to name his heir, he consulted Kongming. Kongming said, 'This is a family matter—ask Guan and Zhang.' The Prince therefore sent a man to Jingzhou to consult Guan Gong. Guan Gong said that you, being an adopted son, could not legitimately be established as heir, and advised the Prince to station you far away in the mountain stronghold of Shangyong to prevent future trouble. This matter is known to everyone—does the General alone not know it? Why then, even today, do you cling so eagerly to the bond of uncle and nephew and wish to act rashly at such risk?" Liu Feng said, "Your words may be true, but with what excuse shall I refuse him?" Meng Da said, "Simply say that the mountain stronghold has only just submitted and the people's hearts are not yet settled, and that we dare not rashly raise troops for fear of losing what we hold." Liu Feng followed his advice. The next day, he summoned Liao Hua and said, "This mountain stronghold has only just submitted; we cannot divide our forces to send aid." Liao Hua was greatly alarmed and struck his head upon the ground, saying, "If this is so, then Guan Gong is doomed!" Meng Da said, "Even if we were to set out now, how could a cup of water extinguish a cartload of blazing fire? Return quickly, General, and wait for the Shu army to arrive." Liao Hua wailed and pleaded. Liu Feng and Meng Da both turned their sleeves and withdrew inside. Liao Hua saw that nothing could be accomplished; he resolved to petition the Prince of Hanzhong for aid instead. He mounted his horse, cursed as he rode out of the city, and headed for Chengdu.

Now, Guan Yu was in Maicheng, hoping for the troops from Shangyong to arrive, yet there was no sign of them. He had only five or six hundred men under his command, most of them wounded. There was no grain in the city, and the situation was most dire. Suddenly it was reported that a man had come to the foot of the city, calling out not for arrows to be fired, but saying he had words to see the Lord. Guan Yu ordered him brought in. Upon questioning, it turned out to be Zhuge Jin. After the formalities and tea had been exchanged, Jin said, "I come now by the command of the Marquis of Wu to offer counsel to you, General. Since ancient times it has been said: 'He who recognizes the times is a man of talent.' Now the nine commanderies of Han that you once governed have all fallen to others. You hold but a single isolated city, with no grain within and no reinforcements without—you stand on the brink of ruin. Why not follow my words, submit to the Marquis of Wu, and return to govern Xiangyang and Jingzhou? In this way you may preserve your family. I pray you consider this carefully."

Guan Yu spoke with stern countenance: "I am but a military man from Yie Liang. My lord has treated me as his own flesh and blood. How could I ever betray his righteousness and surrender to an enemy state? If the city falls, I shall die. A jade may be shattered but cannot lose its whiteness; a bamboo may be burned but cannot be destroyed in its integrity. Though my body perish, my name shall be inscribed upon the bamboo and silk for all time. Say no more—leave the city at once. I wish to fight Sun Quan to the death!"

Jin said, "The Marquis of Wu wishes to form a bond of kinship with you, Lord—to join forces against Cao Cao and together support the House of Han. He harms no other intention. Why are you so obstinate?"

Before he could finish, Guan Ping drew his sword and stepped forward, wishing to slay Zhuge Jin. Guan Yu stopped him, saying, "His younger brother Kongming serves in Shu, assisting your uncle. If we kill him now, we would wound the bond between brothers." He then ordered his attendants to drive Zhuge Jin out. Jin left with a face full of shame and humiliation, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city. He returned to the Marquis of Wu and reported: "Guan Yu's heart is as iron and stone—he cannot be persuaded."

Sun Quan said, "A truly loyal minister! But what are we to do in such a case?" Lü Fan said, "I beg permission to divine the outcome." Sun Quan ordered him to do so. Lü Fan cast the milfoil stalks and produced a hexagram: the *Shi* hexagram, "The Army," with the Dark Warrior attending the corresponding line, signifying that the enemy would flee far away.

Sun Quan asked Lü Meng, "The hexagram indicates that the enemy will flee far away. What strategy do you have to capture him?"

Lü Meng smiled and said, "This hexagram aligns perfectly with my scheme. Though Guan Yu may have the wings to soar to the heavens, he cannot fly beyond my net."

And so it was:

A dragon swimming in a ditch is mocked by shrimp;

A phoenix trapped in a cage is bullied by birds.

What, then, was Lü Meng's plan? Read on in the chapter that follows.