Chapter 83

Chapter 83

It was the first month of spring in the second year of the Zhangwu era. Huang Zhong, the Rear General of Wuwei, had accompanied the First Emperor on the campaign against Wu. When he suddenly heard the First Emperor say that old generals were of no use, he at once drew his sword, mounted his horse, and rode with a retinue of five or six personal attendants straight into the Yiling camp. Wu Ban, Zhang Nan, and Feng Xi received him and asked, "Why has the old general come here?"

Huang Zhong replied, "I have followed His Majesty from Changsha until now, bearing much toil and labor. Though I am now over seventy, I can still eat ten catties of meat, draw a bow of two stone's pull, and ride a horse that can gallop a thousand leagues—I am not yet too old. Yesterday His Majesty said that we old men are decrepit and useless, so I have come here to cross swords with Eastern Wu. Watch me cut down their generals—am I old or not?"

Even as he spoke, a report came that the vanguard of the Wu army had arrived, with scouts approaching the camp. Huang Zhong rose with fierce energy and rode out of the tent. Feng Xi and the others urged, "Old General, do not advance rashly." He would not listen, but galloped away. Wu Ban ordered Feng Xi to lead troops to support him.

Huang Zhong took his position before the Wu battle lines, reined in his horse, and held his saber across his body, singling out the vanguard commander Pan Zhang for single combat. Pan Zhang sent his lieutenant Shi Ji out to meet him. Shi Ji, taking advantage of Huang Zhong's age, leveled his spear and rode to engage. After no more than three exchanges, Huang Zhong cut him down with a single stroke of his saber. Pan Zhang flew into a rage, wielding the Green Dragon Saber that Lord Guan had once carried, and came to fight Huang Zhong. They clashed several times with neither gaining the upper hand. Huang Zhong pressed the attack with all his might, and Pan Zhang, judging he could no longer hold out, turned his horse and fled. Huang Zhong pursued him in triumph and returned in complete victory.

On the road he met Guan Xing and Bao Zhang. Guan Xing said, "We have received the Imperial decree to assist you, old general. Since you have already won your victory, please return to camp at once." Huang Zhong would not listen.

The next day, Pan Zhang came to challenge once more. Huang Zhong mounted his horse with fierce resolve. Guan Xing and Bao Zhang wished to join the fight, but he refused; Wu Ban also wished to support him, but he refused likewise. He took only five thousand of his own troops to meet the enemy. After a few exchanges, Pan Zhang feigned defeat and fled, dragging his saber. Huang Zhong galloped after him, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Do not flee, you villain! Today I avenge Lord Guan!" He pursued him for more than thirty leagues, when suddenly the shouts of soldiers rose on all four sides and the hidden troops appeared. Zhou Tai was on the right, Han Dang on the left, Pan Zhang in front, and Ling Tong behind, surrounding Huang Zhong in the very center of the trap.

Then a violent wind arose. As Huang Zhong hurried to retreat, Ma Zhong led a force out from the hillside and shot an arrow that struck Huang Zhong in the shoulder socket, nearly unhorsing him. Seeing their commander hit, the Wu soldiers all pressed their attack. Suddenly a great shout rose from behind, and two columns of troops charged in. The Wu forces broke and scattered, and Huang Zhong was rescued—it was Guan Xing and Bao Zhang. The two young commanders escorted Huang Zhong straight to the Imperial camp.

Old and weakened by loss of blood, Huang Zhong's arrow wound split open with pain. His condition grew grave. The First Emperor came in his own carriage to see him and stroked his back, saying, "That I have allowed this old general to be wounded is my fault." Huang Zhong said, "Your minister is merely a military man, yet I have had the good fortune to meet Your Majesty. I am now seventy-five years old—my lifespan is already full enough. I pray Your Majesty will cherish his dragon person and plan for the recovery of the Central Plains!" With these words, he lost consciousness. That night he died in the Imperial camp. A later poet composed this verse in lament:

They spoke of the veteran Huang Zhong,

Who won great merit in the conquest of the West.

Once more he donned his golden-linked armor,

And drew with both hands his iron-walled bow.

His courage startled the northern reaches,

His prestige commanded the land of Shu.

Though his head was white as snow at the hour of death,

He still showed himself a hero to the last.

When the First Emperor saw that Huang Zhong had breathed his last, he was overcome with grief. He ordered a coffin to be prepared and had him buried in Chengdu. The First Emperor sighed, "Of the Five Tiger Generals, three are already dead. And I have yet to avenge them—how bitter this is!" He then led the Imperial Guard straight to Xiaoting, where he assembled all his generals and divided his forces into eight columns, advancing by both water and land. The water route was placed under the command of Huang Quan, while the First Emperor himself led the main army overland. This was in the middle of the second month of the second year of the Zhangwu era.

Han Dang and Zhou Tai, hearing that the First Emperor had come in person to lead the campaign, marched out to meet him. The two armies drew up in battle array. Han Dang and Zhou Tai rode forward and saw that from the gate of the Shu camp, the First Emperor himself appeared, with a golden canopy of yellow gaupe silk, flanked by white yak-tail standards and golden axes on the left and right, and gold and silver banners and staffs surrounding him front and back.

Han Dang cried out, "Your Majesty is now the ruler of Shu—why do you expose yourself so lightly? If anything should happen, it would be too late for regret!" The First Emperor pointed at him from afar and cursed, "You dogs of Wu! You have harmed my own flesh and blood—I swear I will not share heaven and earth with you!" Han Dang turned to his generals and asked, "Who will charge the Shu forces?" His lieutenant Xia Xun leveled his spear and rode out. From behind the First Emperor, Bao Zhang leveled his eighteen-foot spear, galloped forth with a great shout, and charged straight at Xia Xun. When Xia Xun heard Bao Zhang's voice like a thunderbolt, his heart filled with terror. Just as he was about to flee, Zhou Tai's younger brother Zhou Ping, seeing that Xia Xun could no longer hold his ground, drew his saber and rode to the rescue. Guan Xing saw this, leaped onto his horse, and rode to meet him with saber raised. Bao Zhang let out a thunderous shout and thrust his spear through Xia Xun, who toppled from his horse. Zhou Ping was stunned, caught off guard, and was cut down by Guan Xing in a single stroke.

The two young commanders then pressed toward Han Dang and Zhou Tai. Han and Zhou hurried back into their own lines. The First Emperor watched and sighed, "A tiger father will have no hound sons!" With a gesture of his Imperial riding whip, the Shu soldiers charged forward as one, and the Wu army was utterly routed. The eight columns of troops surged like a spring flood, slaughtering the Wu soldiers until corpses covered the fields and blood flowed like rivers.

Now Gan Ning was recovering from illness aboard his ship when he heard that the Shu army had arrived in great force. He hastily mounted his horse and came upon a band of barbarian warriors, all with unbound hair and bare feet, armed with bows, crossbows, long spears, shields, sabers, and axes. At their head was King Shamoko, whose face seemed to spew blood, with bulging green eyes. He carried an iron caltrop-mace and wore two bows at his waist, full of fierce majesty. Gan Ning, seeing the strength of their force, did not dare to engage and turned his horse to flee. Shamoko shot an arrow that struck Gan Ning in the skull. Gan Ning fled with the arrow still in him and reached the mouth of Fuchi, where he sat beneath a great tree and died. Several hundred crows gathered in the tree, circling his corpse.

When the King of Wu heard of this, he was stricken with grief. He gave Gan Ning a lavish funeral with full rites and had a temple erected for his worship. A later poet composed this verse in lament:

In Wu commandery lived Gan Xingba,

Whose brocade-sailed boats commanded the Yangtze.

He repaid his lord for knowing his worth,

And turned a friend's enmity to vengeance.

He raided camps with his light cavalry,

And led his troops to drink from great bowls.

The sacred crows manifested his spirit—

His incense shall endure a thousand autumns.

Then the First Lord took advantage of the momentum to pursue and slay, and so obtained Xiaoting. The Wu soldiers scattered and fled in all directions. The First Lord gathered his troops, but Guan Xing was nowhere to be seen. The First Lord, in alarm, ordered Zhang Bao and others to search for him in every direction. It turned out that Guan Xing had charged into the Wu ranks and happened upon his enemy Pan Zhang. He spurred his horse in pursuit. Pan Zhang was greatly startled and fled into a mountain valley, and no one knew where he had gone. Xing reckoned he must be somewhere in the mountains, and searched back and forth but could not find him. As it grew late in the day, he lost his way and could not trace his path. Fortunately, the stars and moon gave some light. He pursued into a remote mountain area—it was already the second watch of the night. He came to a farmhouse, dismounted, and knocked at the gate. An old man came out and asked who he was. Xing said, "I am a military commander who has lost his way and arrived here. I ask for a meal to satisfy my hunger." The old man invited him in. Xing saw that bright candles were lit in the hall, and in the central chamber was painted an image of Lord Guan. Xing wept loudly and bowed. The old man asked, "Why does the general weep and bow?" Xing said, "This is my father." Upon hearing this, the old man at once bowed. Xing said, "Why do you make offerings to my father?" The old man replied, "This entire area belongs to the honored deity. While he was alive, every household served him—how much more so now that he has become a god? This old man only hoped the Shu army would come early to avenge him. Now that the general has arrived, the people here are blessed." He then set out wine to entertain him, unsaddled his horse, and fed it.

After the third watch, suddenly someone outside knocked at the gate. The old man went out to inquire—it was the Wu general Pan Zhang, also seeking lodging. Just as he entered the thatched hall, Guan Xing saw him, drew his sword, and shouted, "Rebel traitor, do not flee!" Pan Zhang turned and rushed out. Then suddenly a man appeared at the gate—his face was as red as a dark jujube, with phoenix eyes and silkworm-eyebrows, wearing three flowing strands of beautiful whiskers, dressed in a green robe and golden armor, entering with his hand on his sword. Pan Zhang saw that it was Lord Guan manifesting as a spirit, cried out in a great voice, and his soul scattered in terror. He tried to turn and escape, but Guan Xing raised his sword and brought it down, cutting him down on the ground. He took out his heart and drained the blood, offering sacrifice before the image of Lord Guan. Xing obtained his father's Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and hung Pan Zhang's head beneath his horse's neck. He took leave of the old man, rode Pan Zhang's horse, and set out toward his own camp. The old man himself dragged out Pan Zhang's corpse and burned it.

Now then, Guan Xing traveled an unknown number of li when suddenly he heard the shouts of men and the neighing of horses—a force of soldiers arrived. The leading general was Ma Zhong, an officer under Pan Zhang. Zhong saw that Xing had killed his commander Pan Zhang and hung his head beneath his horse's neck, and that the Green Dragon Blade had also been taken by Xing. He was filled with furious rage and spurred his horse to attack Guan Xing. Xing saw that Ma Zhong was the enemy who had harmed his father, and his anger rose to the heavens. He raised the Green Dragon Blade and slashed at Zhong. Zhong's three hundred soldiers rushed forward with united force. With a shout, they surrounded Guan Xing in the center. Xing's strength was isolated and his position perilous. Suddenly a force of soldiers came charging from the northwest—it was Zhang Bao. Ma Zhong saw that reinforcements had arrived and hastily withdrew his army. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao pursued together. They had not chased far when Mi Fang and Fu Shiren appeared ahead with troops, searching for Ma Zhong. The two forces joined and fought a fierce battle. Bao and Xing had fewer troops and hastily withdrew, returning to Xiaoting to see the First Lord. They presented the head and recounted what had happened. The First Lord was amazed and rewarded and feasted the three armies.

Now then, Ma Zhong returned to see Han Dang and Zhou Tai. They gathered the defeated troops and each took up positions to guard different areas. The number of soldiers wounded was beyond counting. Ma Zhong brought Fu Shiren and Mi Fang to camp on the river islets. That night, after the third watch, the soldiers all wept without ceasing. Mi Fang listened secretly. One group of men said, "We are all soldiers from Jingzhou. By Lü Meng's treacherous scheme we caused our lord's death. Now the Imperial Uncle has personally led the campaign, and Wu will be finished before long. Our hatred is for Mi Fang and Fu Shiren. Why do we not kill these two traitors and go surrender to the Shu camp? It would be no small merit." Another group of soldiers said, "Do not be hasty—wait for an opportunity and then act." When Mi Fang heard this, he was greatly alarmed. He conferred with Fu Shiren, saying, "The army's loyalty is shifting—our two lives are in danger. Now the one the Shu lord hates is Ma Zhong. Why do we not kill him, take his head, and go present it to the Shu lord, saying: 'We surrendered to Wu against our will, and now that we know the imperial carriage has come, we have come specially to the camp to plead our guilt.'" Shiren said, "We must not do this—going there will surely bring disaster." Fang said, "The Shu lord is generous, kind, and virtuous. Moreover, the Crown Prince Ah Dou is my nephew. He will surely consider our kinship as relatives of the state and will not bring harm upon us."

Having settled their plan, they prepared horses first. At the third watch, they entered the tent and assassinated Ma Zhong, cut off his head. The two men, leading several dozen riders, went straight to Xiaoting. The soldiers guarding the road first brought them to Zhang Nan and Feng Xi, who heard their account. The next day, they went to the imperial camp to see the First Lord. They presented Ma Zhong's head and wept as they reported: "Your subjects truly had no rebellious intentions. We were deceived by Lü Meng's scheme—he claimed that Lord Guan had already died, lured us into opening the city gates, and we surrendered because we had no choice. Now that we have heard the imperial carriage has come, we have specially killed this traitor to avenge the wrath of Your Majesty. We humbly beg Your Majesty to forgive our crimes." The First Lord said in great anger, "Ever since I left成都 a long time ago, why did you two not come to plead your guilt? Now that the situation is perilous, you come with crafty words, hoping to preserve your lives! If I were to spare you, when I go down to the springs below, what face would I have to see Lord Guan?" Having spoken this, he ordered Guan Xing to set up a spirit tablet for Lord Guan in the imperial camp. The First Lord personally carried Ma Zhong's head forward and offered sacrifice. He also ordered Guan Xing to strip Mi Fang and Fu Shiren of their clothing, make them kneel before the spirit tablet, and personally cut them apart with a knife to sacrifice to Lord Guan. Suddenly Zhang Bao came to the tent, wept, and bowed before him, saying: "The enemies of my second uncle have all been executed. But when will the wrong done to my father be avenged?" The First Lord said, "Good nephew, do not worry. I shall pacify the lands south of the river and slay every last dog of Wu. I will make certain to capture these two traitors and have you personally mince them to sacrifice to your father." Bao wept, thanked him, and withdrew.

At this time, the First Emperor's prestige resounded mightily, and all the people of Jiangnan were terror-stricken, weeping day and night. Han Dang and Zhou Tai were greatly alarmed and hastened to report to the King of Wu, telling him in full details that Mi Fang and Fu Shiren had killed Ma Zhong and gone to submit to the Emperor of Shu, but were also put to death by the Emperor of Sun Quan grew fearful and thereupon assembled his civil and military officials for counsel. Bu Zhi memorialized: "The ones the Lord of Shu hates are Lü Meng, Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, Mi Fang, and Fu Shiren. All of these men are now dead. Only Fan Jiang and Zhang Da remain, and they are presently in Eastern Wu. Why not seize these two men, along with Zhang Fei's head, and send an envoy to return them, hand over Jingzhou, send back His Lady, and present a memorial seeking peace, so that we may renew our former friendship and join together to destroy Wei? Then the Shu army will withdraw of its own accord." Sun Quan followed his advice. He thereupon prepared a sandalwood casket to hold Zhang Fei's head, bound Fan Jiang and Zhang Da, and imprisoned them in cage wagons. He appointed Cheng Bing as envoy, bearing a state letter, to head toward Xiaoting.

Now, the First Emperor wished to advance his army. Suddenly a palace attendant reported: "Eastern Wu has sent an envoy bringing the head of Zhang Cheqi, and has imprisoned the two traitors Fan Jiang and Zhang Da." The First Emperor struck his palms to his forehead and said: "This is Heaven's gift, and also due to the spirit of my third brother!" He at once ordered Zhang Bao to set up a spirit tablet for Zhang Fei. The First Emperor saw Zhang Fei's head in the casket, his face unchanged, and he wept aloud. Zhang Bao took up a sharp sword himself and had Fan Jiang and Zhang Da subjected to the slow death of a thousand cuts to sacrifice to his father's spirit. After the sacrifice was completed, the First Emperor's rage was not yet spent; he was determined to destroy Wu. Ma Liang memorialized: "All your enemies have been slain, and your hatred may be avenged. The Wu Grand Master of Instructions Cheng Bing has come, wishing to return Jingzhou and send back His Lady, to form an eternal alliance and join in destroying Wei, awaiting your sacred edict." The First Emperor angrily said: "The enemy I bear in my teeth is Sun Quan. If I now make peace with him, I would betray the oath my two brothers swore that day. Now I shall first destroy Wu, then destroy Wei." He wished to execute the envoy to sever all ties with Wu. Only after the many officials pleaded bitterly was the envoy spared. Cheng Bing fled with his tail between his legs and reported to the King of Wu: "Shu does not agree to peace talks; they vow to destroy Eastern Wu first, then attack Wei. The many officials remonstrated bitterly but he would not listen. What can be done?"

Sun Quan was greatly alarmed and at a loss. Kan Ze stepped forward from his place and memorialized: "You have a pillar that holds up the heavens—why not use him?" Sun Quan hastily asked who it was. Ze said: "In the past, the great affairs of Eastern Wu were entirely entrusted to Zhou Yu. Later Lu Zijing succeeded him. After Zijing's death, decisions fell to Lü Ziming. Now although Ziming has died, Lu Boyan is in Jingzhou. This man's name may be that of a scholar, but he truly has the grand talents of a strategist. In my estimation, he is not inferior to Zhou Yu. The previous defeat of Lord Guan was all due to Boyan's schemes. If Your Lordship can employ him, the defeat of Shu is assured. If there should be any failure, I am willing to share the blame." Sun Quan said: "Were it not for your words, Runze, I would have erred in a great matter." Zhang Zhao said: "Lu Xun is merely a scholar—he is no match for Liu Bei. I fear he cannot be used." Gu Yong also said: "Lu Xun is young and of little repute; I fear the various lords will not submit to him. If they do not submit, disorder will arise, and a great matter will be ruined." Bu Zhi also said: "Xun's talents are sufficient to govern a commandery. If you entrust him to a great matter, it is not fitting." Kan Ze cried out loudly: "If you do not use Lu Boyan, then Eastern Wu is finished! I am willing to pledge my entire family in his guarantee!" Sun Quan said: "I have long known that Lu Boyan is a man of extraordinary talent. My mind is made up. Speak no more of this."

Thereupon he ordered Lu Xun to be summoned. Xun was originally named Lu Yi, later changed to Xun, with the courtesy name Boyan. He was a man of Wu Commandery in Wu. He was the grandson of Lu Yu, Colonel Director of Retainers of the Han, and the son of Lu Jun, Commandant of Jiujiang. He was eight feet tall, with a face like beautiful jade. He held the office of General Who Guards the West. He received the summons and came. After the obeisance was complete, Sun Quan said: "Now the Shu army is at our borders. I specially appoint you to command the armies and defeat Liu Bei." Xun said: "The civil and military officials of Jiangdong are all Your Lordship's old ministers. I am young and without talent—how can I control them?" Sun Quan said: "Kan Runze has pledged his entire family in your guarantee, and I have long known your talents. Now I appoint you Commander-in-Chief. Do not decline." Xun said: "What if the civil and military officials do not submit?" Sun Quan took the sword from his person and gave it to him, saying: "If anyone disobeys your orders, behead him first and report afterward." Xun said: "Having received this heavy charge, how dare I refuse the command? But I beg Your Lordship to assemble the various officials tomorrow and then confer it upon me." Kan Ze said: "In ancient times, when a general was appointed, an altar was built and the assembled multitudes were gathered; the white-haired banner and golden axe, the seals and ribbons and military tallies were bestowed, and then authority was exercised and orders were carried out with solemnity. Now Your Lordship should follow this ritual. Choose a day, build an altar, and invest Boyan as Commander-in-Chief with the ceremonial axe. Then the multitudes will have no reason not to submit." Sun Quan followed this advice. He ordered men to build the altar through the night and complete it. He assembled all the officials and invited Lu Xun to ascend the altar and be invested as Commander-in-Chief, Right General Who Guards the West, General Who Guards the West, advanced in title to Marquis of Lou, and given the precious sword, seals, and ribbons. He was placed in command of the armies of the six commanderies and eighty-one provinces, together with all the forces of Jing and Chu. The King of Wu charged him: "Within the threshold, I shall rule; beyond the threshold, the general shall command."

Lu Xun received his orders and descended from the altar. He appointed Xu Sheng and Ding Feng as his escorts and set out that very day. At the same time, he mobilized troops from all routes, advancing by both land and water.

When the dispatch reached Xiaoting, Han Dang and Zhou Tai were greatly alarmed. "How could His Majesty entrust overall command to a mere bookish scholar?" By the time Lu Xun arrived, none of the officers submitted to his authority. When he ascended the tent to discuss matters of war, they offered only grudging salutations. Lu Xun said, "His Majesty has appointed me Grand Commander to lead the army against Shu. The military has its established laws, and each of you must observe them strictly. Those who transgress will find the law knows no favorites—do not say I did not warn you." All fell silent. Zhou Tai said, "Now Sun Huan, the Andong General, is His Majesty's own nephew. He is besieged in Yiling city, with no grain inside and no relief forces outside. I beg the Commander to devise an early plan to rescue Sun Huan and set His Majesty's mind at ease." Lu Xun replied, "I have long known that the Andong General Sun Huan is deeply cherished by his troops. He will certainly hold firm—there is no need to relieve him. Once I have crushed the enemy from Shu, Sun Huan will come out on his own." All withdrew, secretly sneering.

Han Dang said to Zhou Tai, "To appoint this callow youth as commander is the end of Eastern Wu! Did you see how he conducts himself?" Zhou Tai replied, "I tested him with my words just now, and he has not a single stratagem. How could he possibly defeat Shu?"

The next day, Lu Xun issued orders commanding the generals to guard their respective passes and hold the strategic points firmly, not daring to engage the enemy lightly. All laughed at his cowardice and refused to maintain their defenses. The following day, Lu Xun summoned the generals to the tent and said, "I have received the royal command to direct all the armies. Yesterday I issued orders three times and repeated them five times, instructing each of you to hold your positions. Yet none of you have obeyed my orders. Why?" Han Dang said, "I have followed General Sun in pacifying the lands south of the Yangzi, fighting hundreds of battles. The other generals served either under the General Who Punishes Rebels or under the present King—all men who have donned armor and wielded weapons, who have risked life and death. Now His Majesty has appointed you Grand Commander and ordered you to drive back the Shu forces. You should have devised a plan early, deployed the troops, and sent them on separate campaigns to achieve great things. Yet you merely order us to hold firm and not fight—do you expect Heaven itself to slay the enemy? I am no coward. Why should you drain the fighting spirit of us all?" At this, the generals beneath the tent all responded in chorus: "General Han speaks truly. We would rather fight to the death!" Lu Xun listened to the end, drew his sword, and said sternly, "I am indeed a mere scholar, but His Majesty has entrusted me with this heavy responsibility because I have some small merit and can bear humiliation to accomplish a great task. Each of you must guard the passes firmly, hold the strategic points securely, and not act rashly. Anyone who violates this order will be beheaded!" All withdrew, seething with resentment.

Meanwhile, the First Ruler had deployed his troops from Xiaoning all the way to the mouth of the Yangzi, stretching over seven hundred li with forty camps in front and rear. By day their banners blotted out the sun; by night their fires illumined the sky. Suddenly a spy reported: "Eastern Wu has appointed Lu Xun as Grand Commander to oversee all the troops. Lu Xun has ordered the generals to hold their strategic points and not sally forth." The First Ruler asked, "What sort of man is this Lu Xun?" Ma Liang reported, "Though Lu Xun is merely a scholar of Eastern Wu, he is young yet highly gifted, with deep strategic foresight. The previous seizure of Jingzhou was entirely due to his cunning schemes." The First Ruler flew into a rage. "That wretch's treacherous schemes cost me my two brothers. I shall capture him now!" He thereupon issued orders to advance. Ma Liang remonstrated: "Lu Xun's talent is no less than Zhou Yu's. He must not be taken lightly." The First Ruler replied, "I have been wielding armies for many years—how could I fall short of a beardless youth!" He then personally led the vanguard to assault the various fords and passes.

When Han Dang saw the First Ruler's forces approaching, he sent word to Lu Xun. Fearing Han Dang might act rashly, Lu Xun rode swiftly to observe for himself. He found Han Dang mounted on a hill, gazing far into the distance at the Shu forces spreading across the mountains and plains. Among the army could faintly be seen a yellow canopy and parasol. Han Dang met Lu Xun, and they rode side by side to observe. Han Dang pointed and said, "There must be Liu Bei in that army. I wish to strike him." Lu Xun replied, "Liu Bei has led his forces eastward and won more than ten engagements in succession. His army's morale is at its peak. For now we must only occupy the heights and guard the strategic points—we must not sally forth lightly, for to do so would bring no advantage. We should reward our officers and men and spread out our defensive deployments, watching for changes. Now they gallop freely across the open plains, feeling thoroughly satisfied. If we hold firm and refuse battle, unable to force an engagement, they will certainly shift their camps among the mountains and forests. Then I shall defeat them with a stratagem." Though Han Dang gave his assent verbally, in his heart he remained unconvinced.

The First Ruler sent forward his vanguard to provoke battle, hounding them with every manner of insult. Lu Xun ordered his men to stop their ears and not go out to meet them. He personally toured all the passes and strategic points, comforting his officers and men, commanding them all to hold firm. When the First Ruler saw that the Wu army would not come out, he grew anxious. Ma Liang said, "Lu Xun has deep strategic foresight. Your Majesty has come from afar to attack, from spring through to summer. His refusal to engage is because he is waiting for some change in our army. I beg Your Majesty to consider this carefully." The First Ruler replied, "What stratagem could he have? He is simply afraid of the enemy. He has been defeated several times already—how dare he come out again?" The vanguard commander Feng Xi reported: "The weather is now extremely hot. The army is encamped in blazing fire, and fetching water is most inconvenient." The First Ruler therefore ordered all camps to move to places where the mountain forests were lush, near streams and mountain brooks. They would wait until summer passed and autumn arrived, then advance with united force. Feng Xi received the decree and moved all the camps to places where the trees cast dense shade. Ma Liang reported: "If our army moves and the Wu forces suddenly arrive, what shall we do?" The First Ruler replied: "I shall have Wu Ban lead over ten thousand weak troops to encamp on flat ground near the Wu camp. I personally will select eight thousand elite soldiers and conceal them in the valleys. If Lu Xun learns that I have shifted my camps, he will certainly seize the opportunity to attack. Then I shall have Wu Ban feign defeat. If Lu Xun pursues, I will lead my troops out from concealment and cut off his line of retreat. That young wretch can be captured." All the civil and military officials congratulated him: "Your Majesty's divine calculations surpass those of all your ministers!"

Ma Liang said, "I have lately heard that Prime Minister Zhuge Liang is inspecting the various passes in Dongchuan, fearing an invasion by Wei. Why does Your Majesty not map out the locations where each camp is to be moved and submit it to the Prime Minister for his counsel?" The First Emperor said, "I myself have some knowledge of military strategy. Why must I consult the Prime Minister again?" Ma Liang said, "The ancients said, 'Listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one side and you remain in the dark.' I beg Your Majesty to consider this." The First Emperor said, "You may go yourself to each camp, draw up maps showing the four cardinal directions and all eight approaches, and go in person to Dongchuan to consult the Prime Minister. If anything proves inconvenient, return at once to report to me." Ma Liang received the command and departed. Thereupon the First Emperor moved his troops to a place thick with trees and shade to escape the heat. Spies soon reported this to Han Dang and Zhou Tai. When the two heard this news, they were greatly pleased and went to see Lu Sun, saying, "At present the Shu army's more than forty camps have all been moved to dense forests in the mountains, nestling beside streams and brooks, resting cool by the water. You, Commander, may take advantage of this vulnerability and strike." Truly it was said:

The Lord of Shu, with cunning, laid his trap;

The Wu soldiers, for all their valor, were sure to be snared.

Whether Lu Sun would heed their words or not, read on and see.