Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (6 page)

Kuan accepted without hesitation or thought of excuse. A special banquet was prepared at which the seal was to be handed over to him.

"All the future rests with you, General," said K'ung-ming as he raised the symbol of office to place it in the hands of the veteran warrior.

"When a man of honour accepts such a task he is only released by death," replied Kuan.

But that ill-omened word "death" displeased K'ung-ming, and even then he would have retracted but that his word had gone forth. He went on. "Now if Ts'ao Ts'ao attack what is to be done?"

"Repel him with all my strength."

"But if Ts'ao Ts'ao and Sun Ch'uan attack you together, what then?"

"Fight both; half my force against each."

K'ung-ming said, "In that case, Chingchou would be in danger. I will give you my advice in a few words, and if you remember them the city is safe."

"What are these few words?" asked Kuan.

"North, fight Ts'ao; south, ally with Sun."

"These words, O Commander, are engraven on my heart."

Thereupon the seal was placed in his hands. K'ung-ming also appointed tried and worthy men to assist the new commander.

This done, K'ung-ming began to prepare for his departure. Chang Fei, with a legion, was sent to fight his way into the country west of Pachou and Loch'eng and he was to go with all speed. The earlier he got through the greater merit would be his. Chao Yun was to lead a force up the river and make a junction at Loch'eng. K'ung-ming, with his own body of men, would follow.

Among those who followed K'ung-ming was one Chiang Wan, a noted scholar from Linghsiang. He went as Recorder.

K'ung-ming and Chang Fei set out the same day. Just before leaving, the great strategist said to Chang, "Do not think lightly of the men of Ssuch'uan, for there are many mighty men among them. On the march restrain your men from plunder and licence lest the ordinary people be against us. Wherever you halt be compassionate and kindly and do not give way to anger and flog your men. I shall expect you to reach Loch'eng very soon."

Chang joyously mounted and left. He marched rapidly, and on the way all places that surrendered suffered nothing whatever.

When they drew near the Pachou district the scouts of Shu sent out by the Prefect of that place informed their master, Yen Yen. This Yen was one of the famous captains of Shu, and even then, although he was rather old, he had lost none of his boldness and could still pull the stiffest bow and wield the heaviest sword.

Being so famous, Yen was not the man to surrender at the first approach of an enemy. So when Chang came near he cautiously encamped about ten
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from the city. Thence he sent a messenger to summon the Prefect to surrender. "Tell the old fool to give in, or I will trample down his walls and leave no soul alive."

Yen had never favoured inviting Liu Pei into Shu. When he had first heard of the Prefect's intention, he said, "This is like calling a tiger to protect one when one is alone on a bare hill side." When he heard of the seizure of Fou Pass he was very angry and offered again and again to lead an army and drive out the aggressors. He had feared that his city would be attacked along this very road, so he had prepared his men, and when Chang's message came he mustered them, five companies or so, to oppose him.

Then a certain man said to him, "You must be careful how you oppose a man who by the mere sound of his voice scared the many legions of Ts'ao Ts'ao at Tangyang Slope. Even Ts'ao himself was careful to keep out of his way. Your safety is in defence, lying behind your ramparts and within your deep moats till hunger shall have vanquished your enemies. This Chang has a very violent temper, and if he is provoked he vents his anger in flogging his men. If you avoid battle he will be irritated and his cruelty to his men will cause them to mutiny. Then you can attack and will succeed."

Yen thought the advice good. He therefore resolved only to defend, and he set all his men on the walls. When one of Chang's soldiers came up to the gate and shouted for them to open, Yen gave orders to open the gate and admit the man. When he had come within he gave the message as has been related before. But the Prefect was exceedingly angry and said, "Fool that you are! How dare you speak thus to me? Think you that I, General Yen, will surrender to such as he? By your mouth indeed will I send a message."

Then he bade the executioner cut off the man's ears and nose. And thus mutilated he returned to Chang. When Chang heard of it his wrath boiled up and he cursed the defender of the city. Grinding his teeth and glaring with rage, he put on his armour, mounted his steed and went up close to the walls, with a few mounted men, and challenged those on the ramparts to fight him. But the men on the walls only replied with shameful abuse and none accepted the challenge. Chang galloped again and again to the drawbridge, only to be driven off each time with flights of arrows. But not a man came outside the walls. As the day closed in, the warrior, still fuming with wrath, returned to his own camp.

Next day Chang again led his men to the foot of the wall and challenged; again the challenge was refused. But Yen shot an arrow from the tower that struck Chang's helmet. This angered him still more, and pointing the finger of disdain at his enemy, Chang cried, "I will capture you yet, you old fool, and then I will devour your flesh."

So again at eventide the men of Han returned to camp baulked of their desire. On the third day Chang and his men made the circuit of the city along the edge of the moat, hurling insults at their enemies.

It so happened that the city was set on a hill with rugged heights all round, so that going around it the assailants were sometimes on hill tops and sometimes on the level. While standing on one of the hills, Chang noticed that he could see clear down into the city. There stood the defenders in their ranks, all readly for battle although none of them came out. And the common people went to and fro carrying bricks and bringing stones to strengthen the defences. Then he ordered his horsemen to dismount and his footmen to sit down so that they could not be seen from the city. He hoped thus to cheat the defenders into thinking that there were none to attack and so induce them to come out. But this also was vain, for still they declined battle and another day was lost. The army once more returned to camp.

That night Chang sat in his tent trying to think out some means to overcome an enemy that steadily refused to come out from behind the walls. Presently, however, the brain behind the knitted brow conceived a plan. So next day, instead of sending all the men to offer a challenge from the foot of the wall, he kept most of them in camp and sent only a few to howl insults and hurl abuse. He hoped by this means to inveigle Yen out to attack the small number of men. But this also failed, and he was left all day rubbing his hands with impatience. Never a man appeared without the wall.

Foiled again, another ruse grew up behind the knitted brows above his bushy eyebrows. He set his men to cut firewood and seek out and explore the tracks that lay about the city. No longer did they challenge the wall. After some days of this, Yen began to wonder what mischief was brewing, and he sent out spies, dressed as were the firewood cutters, to mingle with them and try to discover what was afoot.

That day, when the men returned to camp, Chang sat in his tent stamping his foot with rage and execrating his enemy. "The old fool! Assuredly I shall die of disappointed wrath," cried he.

Just then he noticed three or four men lurking about his tent door as if they wished to speak with him. And one of them said, "General, do not let your heart be hot within you. These last few days we have discovered a narrow road by which we can sneak past this city."

"Why did you not come and tell me before?" cried he.

"Because we have only lately discovered it," said they.

"I will lose no time then," said he. "This very night let food be ready at the second watch and we will break camp and steal away as silently as possible. I will lead the way and you shall go with me as guides."

The requisite orders were given. Having made sure that the preparations for the march were really being made, the three spies, for such were they, returned into the city.

"I guessed right, then," said Yen Yen gleefully when the three spies reported their success. "I cannot bear the old fool. He will now try to sneak past with his commissariat following and I will cut off his rear. How can he get through? He is very stupid to fall thus into my trap."

Orders were given to prepare for battle, to have the food ready at the second watch and move out at the third. The force was to hide in the woods and thickets till the greater part of the army had passed and Chang Fei had arrived in the very throat of the road. Then the blow would be struck.

They waited till night had fallen. In due time the late meal was taken, the men donned their armour, stole silently out of the city and hid as they had been told. The Prefect himself, with a few of his captains, went out also, dismounted and hid in a wood. They waited till after the third watch. Then Chang came along, urging his men to the top of their speed. His spear lay ready to thrust. He looked very handsome as he rode at the head of his men. The carts were three or four
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in the rear.

When the soldiers had got well past, Yen gave the signal. The drums rolled out, up sprang the hidden men and fell on the baggage train.

They began to plunder. But suddenly a gong clanged and along came a company of soldiers Yen had not seen. At the same time a voice was heard shouting, "Old rebel, do not flee; I have been waiting for this chance a long time."

Yen turned his head. The leader of this band was a tall man with a leopard-like bullet head, round eyes, a sharp chin and bristling tiger moustache. He was armed with a long spear and rode a jet-black steed. In a word, it was Chang Fei.

All around the gongs were clanging, and many captains were rushing toward Yen, already too frightened to be able to defend himself. However, the two leaders engaged. Very soon Chang purposely gave his opponent an opening and Yen rushed in to cut down his enemy with his sword. But Chang evaded the blow, made a sudden rush, seized Yen by the lace of his armour and flung him on the ground. He was a prisoner, and in a moment was fast bound with cords.

The handsome leader who had passed first had not been Chang Fei at all, but someone dressed and made up to resemble him. To add to the confusion, Chang had exchanged the signals, making the gong the signal for his men to fall on instead of the usual drum.

As the gongs clanged, more and more of the men of Han came into the fray. The men of Shu could make no fight, and most of them dropped their weapons and surrendered. To reach the walls of the city was now easy. After entering the gates the leader ordered his men not to hurt the people, and he put out proclamations to pacify the citizens.

By and by a party of executioners brought in the prisoner.

Chang Fei took his seat in the great hall, and the late commander of the city was brought before him by a party of executioners. Yen refused to kneel before his captor.

"Why did you not surrender at first?" cried Chang, angrily grinding his teeth. "How dared you try to oppose me?"

"Because you are a lot of unrighteous and lawless invaders," replied Yen without the least sign of fear. "You may behead me an you will, but I will not surrender to you."

Chang angrily gave the order for his execution.

"Strike, if you want to, fool; why be angry?" said Yen.

This bold defiance was not lost upon Chang. Rising from his seat he went down the steps, put aside the lictors and began to loosen the prisoner's bonds. Then he dressed him in new garments, led him to the high place, and, when he was seated, made a low bow, saying, "I have always known you were a hero. Now I pray you not to remember against me the roughness of my speech."

Yen Yen was overcome with this kindness and forthwith surrendered.

A graybeard ruled in western Shu,
Clear fame is his the whole world through,
As radiant sun his loyalty,
Unmatched his soul's nobility.
When captive taken rather he
Would suffer death than crook his knee.
Pachou he ruled for many a year,
The world cannot produce his peer.

A poet has also written concerning Chang Fei:—

Yen Yen made prisoner, then the matchless one
Exchanged the sword for reason, and so won
The place he holds among the sacred ones
Of Shu, to whom they sacrifice today.

Then Chang asked him to suggest the means of overcoming Shu. Yen replied, "I am but the defeated leader of a defeated force, indebted to the victor for my life. I have nothing but my humble services to offer, but I can tell you how to get possession of Ch'engtu without drawing a bow or shooting an arrow."

Cities yield in quick succession
Because of one old man's secession.

The proposal will be unfolded in the next chapter.

CHAPTER LXIV
PLAN FOR THE CAPTURE OF CHANG JEN:
BORROWING SOLDIERS
TO DESTROY MA CH'AO

A
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stated in the last chapter, Chang Fei asked Yen Yen to tell him how he might conquer the whole of Shu. This was the reply: "All the fortified posts between this and Loch'eng are under my control and the commanders of all the garrisons owe to me their commissions. The only way for me to prove my gratitude is to make them all yield, as I myself have done. Let me lead the advance and I will summon them one by one to surrender."

Chang thanked him again and again, and the march on this plan began. Whenever the army arrived at a post, Yen summoned the commander and there it ended. Occasionally, one would hesitate, when Yen would say, "You see I have submitted; how much more ought you to do so?"

These bloodless victories followed each other day after day, supporters rallying to the invaders without question. They simply came.

In the meantime, K'ung-ming was preparing. Having decided upon the date of departure, he wrote to inform Yuan-te and he made Loch'eng the rendezvous for the various armies. On receipt of this letter, Yuan-te assembled his officers and explained to them its purport. He bade them be ready to march on the twenty-second day of the seventh month. Both river and land forces were to set out the same day.

But the fiery old man Huang Chung was dissatisfied that there should be no local victory. He said, "Day after day the enemy has come to challenge us and day after day we have refused. They must have grown lax, and I propose a night raid on their camp. We shall catch them unprepared and shall score a victory."

Yuan-te agreed to try. He arranged for a night raid, Huang on the right, Wei on the left, of the centre force under his own command. They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found their opponents unprepared, rushed the camp and set it on fire. The flames were very fierce, and the men of Shu fled in confusion and sought shelter in Loch'eng. They were admitted. After pursuing them for some distance Yuan-te made a camp.

Next day Yuan-te marched right up to the city to besiege it. Chang Jen kept quiet within and made no attempt to beat off the besiegers. On the fourth day Liu Pei led an attack on the west gate, sending his two lieutenants to attack the east. The south gate was left to give the besieged a chance to escape if they would.

Now, outside the south gate of Loch'eng the country was rough and hilly, while the swift Fou River ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall Chang Jen watched the progress of the attack and saw Yuan-te the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two captains, Wu Lan and Lei T'ung, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Liu Pei's two lieutenants. He said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Liu Pei. Lest the withdrawal of men from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.

At sundown Yuan-te ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Chang Jen and his force. Chang made straight for Yuan-te, who was in the middle of his army. His men were thrown into confusion. As his two lieutenants on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Yuan-te fled to the hills. Chang followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Yuan-te plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.

"An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!" cried he.

But all was not lost. As they drew nearer he recognised his own men, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Chang Fei.

Chang Fei and Yen Yen had happened to take that road and Chang Fei had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.

The two Changs soon came up with each other and they fought a half score bouts. By this time Yen Yen with the main body had come up and Chang Jen turned and fled. Chang Fei followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Chang Jen to enter and at once shut. The drawbridge was raised.

Then Chang Fei returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way. Hearing that K'ung-ming had not yet arrived, he rejoiced, saying, "So I have the credit of first arrival although he is travelling by river."

Yuan-te said, "But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?"

Chang replied, "The fact is I have taken the forty-five places on the way by making use of the veteran general Yen, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort."

He told the story of Yen's capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself.

Yuan-te said, "General, my brothers speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help." Whereupon he took off the golden chain mantlet he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.

Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared a messenger came to say that Huang and Wei had been fighting with the two captains Wu and Lei and had held their own till enemy reinforcements had arrived. They had then gone away eastward. Chang Fei at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Wu and Lei saw the men of Han coming they retired into the city. The other two continued the pursuit.

The coming of Yuan-te and Chang Fei threatened their rear and the fugitives turned and recommenced the battle. The two captains were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Yuan-te returned to his own camp near the city.

The loss of his two captains grieved Chang Jen sorely. He called his remaining two and asked advice. They proposed to risk all in one desperate battle while they sent to Ch'engtu to tell their master of their sorry plight.

Chang Jen agreed. Said he, "Tomorrow I will go and challenge them. If they accept and come out to fight, I will feign retreat and inveigle them round to the north side of the city. As they follow me, a sortie must be made when they pass the gate so as to cut their army in two. We ought to overcome them in this way."

"Let me lead the sortie," said Wu I. "General Liu can stay to help our lord's son guard the city."

This also was agreed to. Next morning Chang Jen went out to offer the challenge, his men waving flags and shouting lustily. At once Chang Fei took up the challenge and rode out. He stayed not to parley, but galloped up to Chang Jen and engaged him. After half a score of bouts Chang Jen seemed to be getting worsted, so he turned and fled, taking the way around the north of the city. Chang Fei pursued him with all speed. Then as he passed the gate the sortie was made so that Chang Fei was between two forces and unable to get clear. Chang Jen turned back to attack.

Chang Fei seemed in a parlous state. But at this very moment a body of soldiers came up from the river-side and a fierce warrior rode straight for Wu I, and in the first bout made him prisoner. His men were then easily forced back and Chang Fei was free. It was Chao Yun who had so opportunely appeared.

"Where is the Commander-in-chief?" asked Chang Fei.

"He has arrived; I think he has already seen our lord," replied Chao.

The prisoner was carried to the camp where K'ung-ming was. Fei dismounted and went in to greet him. K'ung-ming was surprised, and said, "How comes it that you arrived before me?"

Yuan-te told the story of Fei's prudence and sagacity in dealing with Yen. K'ung-ming congratulated him and said, "When Chang Fei behaves with such skill my lord's good fortune is indeed ample."

When the prisoner was taken in, Yuan-te asked him if he would surrender.

He replied, "Why not, seeing I am a prisoner?"

Thereupon Yuan-te himself loosed his bonds. K'ung-ming began to question him upon the defence. Wu told him the names of the officers, adding, "Liu Kuei does not count for much, but Chang Jen is a man to be avoided."

"Then before we can get the city we must capture Chang," said K'ung-ming.

"There is a bridge on the east, what is it called?"

"It is known as the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose.'"

K'ung-ming rode over to the bridge and scrutinised the neighbourhood.

After his return to camp he summoned Huang and Wei for orders. To them he said, "On the east of the city is a bridge called the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose' and about five
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south of this I saw a dense growth of reed and sedge which would afford excellent shelter. Wei is to lead a company of men to the left and attack, but only attack horsemen. Huang will lead a company of swordsmen who are to hough the horses. When Chang Jen has lost most of his men and horses he will flee by the hill road, where he will fall into an ambush.

Next Chao Yun was called and sent to lie in ambush close to the bridge, which he was to destroy as soon as the enemy had crossed. That done, Chao was to take up a position beyond the bridge to prevent the enemy from getting away to the north. Forced to the south, their destruction was inevitable.

These arrangements made, K'ung-ming himself went to challenge the enemy and try to bring them to battle.

The Prefect had sent two captains to reinforce Chang Jen. He sent one of them to the help of Liu Kuei in the city, while the other, Cho Ying by name, was to march second with Chang himself. K'ung-ming guilefully led out a mob of disorderly looking soldiers, all in disarray, whom he drew up as if they were a fighting force. He himself, dressed in a simple robe and toying with a fan, took his seat in a small four-wheeled carriage. A few horsemen caracolling gaily to and fro formed his escort.

Having crossed the bridge, K'ung-ming halted and pointed to Chang Jen, saying, "Dare you withstand me and not surrender when Ts'ao Ts'ao's hundred legions fled at my name?"

But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into "fives" at all. With a cynical smile, he said, "People talk of Chuko Liang's superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false."

With that he whirled his spear about his head and he dashed forward with all his men. As he came, K'ung-ming left his carriage, mounted a horse and retired to the far side of the bridge. Chang impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.

As soon as he had got across the bridge the two bodies of soldiers came to the attack. Chang turned to re-cross to the north, but Chao Yun had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. He made to turn away north, but Chaos men stopped the way. So he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Wei and his company of spearmen, who attacked fiercely while Huang, with his swordsmen, houghed the horses. Men and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords.

No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Chang and got away to the hills. There they met Chang Fei, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few men and captured the leader. Seeing Chang Jen a prisoner, his second in command turned toward Chao Yun and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Yuan-te rewarded Cho Ying.

When the leader Chang Jen was led in by Chang Fei, K'ung-ming was seated beside his lord.

"Why have you held out so long after all the other captains of Shu have yielded?" said Yuan-te.

"Can a loyal servant take a second master?" cried Chang fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.

"You do not know the times; submission means life."

"I might submit today, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You had better slay me."

Yuan-te was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.

A poem says:—

No second lord the heroic servant knows,
The way of death Chang Jen contented goes.
Ciear shines his fame as doth the heavenly moon
That nightly lights the ramparts of Lo Town.

Yuan-te grieved for him although he had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. He was given honourable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.

Next day the army moved on the Loch'eng, Yen Yen and the other captains who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Liu Kuei abused the treacherous Yen and took his bow to shoot, but just as he was fitting the arrow to the string another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.

As Yuan-te entered the city by one gate, Liu Hsun, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Ch'engtu.