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Chapter 1 Three Heroes Swear Brotherhood In The Peach
Garden; |
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[e] Up to this time AD 168, China had had five dynasties: Mythology (BC 5000-2200), Xia Dynasty (BC 2200-1700), Shang Dynasty (BC 1700-1050), Zhou Dynasty (BC 1050-221), Qin Dynasty (BC 221-206), and Han Dynasty (BC 206-AD 220). The Age of Seven States was BC 475-221, which was also known as the Warring States Period. The seven main states were Qin, Chu, Yan, Qi, Wei, Zhao, and Han. ..... [e] At the end of
the Warring States Period, Qin conquered other states, and consolidated the
empire. The first emperor of Qin is credited with the building of the Great
Wall in large scale. ..... [e] Qin ruled for
only one and a half generations, then the old states emerged again. ..... [e] Liu Bang (or
Gao Zu) (BC 256-195) was the founder of Han Dynasty, aka Western Han (capital
in Changan). From a farmer family. His first office was assistant to a
magistrate in Pei. Joined peasant rebellions against Qin Dynasty. Fought
under Chu banner. Became a general, then ennobled as King of Han. In BC 206
Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu and won the empire. .....
[e] Wang Mang (BC
45-AD 23) was regent and a nephew of the empress dowager Wang. He assumed the
throne from AD 9 to 23. ..... [e] Liu Xiu (or
Guang Wu) (BC 5-AD 57) (reigned AD 25-57) restored Han after Wang Mang's
usurpation. The dynasty Liu Xiu restored is also known as Eastern Han
(capital in Luoyang) or Latter Han. ..... [e] From remote
antiquity, eunuchs were employed in China in two main functions: As guards
and servants in harems or other women's quarters, and as chamberlains to
kings. The eunuchs' confidential position frequently enabled them to exercise
an important influence over their royal masters and even to raise themselves
to stations of great trust and power. ..... [e] Regent Marshal
was the highest military office, while Imperial Guardian highest civilian
office. |
Domains under
heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of
union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity. When the rule of the Zhou
Dynasty weakened, seven contending kingdoms sprang up*, warring one with
another until the kingdom of Qin prevailed and possessed the empire*. But when
Qin's destiny had been fulfilled, arose two opposing kingdoms, Chu and Han, to
fight for the mastery. And Han was the victor*.
The rise of the
fortunes of Han began when Liu Bang the Supreme Ancestor* slew a white serpent
to raise the banners of uprising, which only ended when the whole empire
belonged to Han (BC 202). This magnificent heritage was handed down in
successive Han emperors for two hundred years, till the rebellion of Wang Mang
caused a disruption*. But soon Liu Xiu the Latter Han Founder restored the
empire*, and Han emperors continued their rule for another two hundred years
till the days of Emperor Xian, which were doomed to see the beginning of the
empire's division into three parts, known to history as The Three Kingdoms.
But the descent into
misrule hastened in the reigns of the two predecessors of Emperor
Xian---Emperors Huan and Ling---who sat in the Dragon Throne about the middle
of the second century.
Emperor Huan paid no
heed to the good people of his court, but gave his confidence to the Palace
eunuchs*. He lived and died, leaving the scepter to Emperor Ling, whose
advisers were Regent Marshal Dou Wu and Imperial Guardian Chen Fan*. Dou Wu and
Chen Fan, disgusted with the abuses of the eunuchs in the affairs of the state,
plotted the destruction for the power-abusing eunuchs. But Chief Eunuch Cao Jie
was not to be disposed of easily. The plot leaked out, and the honest Dou Wu
and Chen Fan were put to death, leaving the eunuchs stronger than before.
It fell upon the day
of full moon of the fourth month, the second year, in the era of Established
Calm (AD 168), that Emperor Ling went in state to the Hall of Virtue. As he
drew near the throne, a rushing whirlwind arose in the corner of the hall and,
lo! from the roof beams floated down a monstrous black serpent that coiled
itself up on the very seat of majesty. The Emperor fell in a swoon. Those
nearest him hastily raised and bore him to his palace while the courtiers
scattered and fled. The serpent disappeared.
But there followed a
terrific tempest, thunder, hail, and torrents of rain, lasting till midnight
and working havoc on all sides. Two years later the earth quaked in Capital
Luoyang, while along the coast a huge tidal wave rushed in which, in its
recoil, swept away all the dwellers by the sea. Another evil omen was recorded
ten years later, when the reign title was changed to Radiant Harmony (AD 178):
Certain hens suddenly crowed. At the new moon of the sixth month, a long wreath
of murky cloud wound its way into the Hall of Virtue, while in the following
month a rainbow was seen in the Dragon Chamber. Away from the capital, a part
of the Yuan Mountains collapsed, leaving a mighty rift in the flank.
Such were some of
various omens. Emperor Ling, greatly moved by these signs of the displeasure of
Heaven, issued an edict asking his ministers for an explanation of the
calamities and marvels.
A court counselor,
Cai Yong, replied bluntly: "Falling rainbows and changes of fowls' sexes
are brought about by the interference of empresses and eunuchs in state
affairs."
The Emperor read
this memorial with deep sighs, and Chief Eunuch Cao Jie, from his place behind
the throne, anxiously noted these signs of grief. An opportunity offering, Cao
Jie informed his fellows, and a charge was trumped up against Cai Yong, who was
driven from the court and forced to retire to his country house.
With this victory
the eunuchs grew bolder. Ten of them, rivals in wickedness and associates in
evil deeds, formed a powerful party known as the Ten Regular Attendants---Zhang
Rang, Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Duan Gui, Feng Xu, Guo Sheng, Hou Lan, Jian
Shuo, Cao Jie, and Xia Yun.
One of them, Zhang
Rang, won such influence that he became the Emperor's most honored and trusted
adviser. The Emperor even called him "Foster Father". So the corrupt
state administration went quickly from bad to worse, till the country was ripe
for rebellion and buzzed with brigandage.
At this time in the
county of Julu was a certain Zhang family, of whom three brothers bore the name
of Zhang Jue, Zhang Ba, and Zhang Lian, respectively. The eldest Zhang Jue was
an unclassed graduate, who devoted himself to medicine. One day, while culling
simples in the woods, Zhang Jue met a venerable old gentleman with very bright,
emerald eyes and fresh complexion, who walked with an oak-wood staff. The old
man beckoned Zhang Jue into a cave and there gave him three volumes of the Book
of Heaven.
"This
book," said the old gentleman, "is the Way of Peace. With the aid of
these volumes, you can convert the world and rescue humankind. But you must be
single-minded, or, rest assured, you will greatly suffer."
With a humble
obeisance, Zhang Jue took the book and asked the name of his benefactor.
"I am Saint
Hermit of the Southern Land," was the reply, as the old gentleman
disappeared in thin air.
Zhang Jue studied the
wonderful book eagerly and strove day and night to reduce its precepts to
practice. Before long, he could summon the winds and command the rain, and he
became known as the Mystic of the Way of Peace.
In the first month
of the first year of Central Stability (AD 184), there was a terrible
pestilence that ran throughout the land, whereupon Zhang Jue distributed
charmed remedies to the afflicted. The godly medicines brought big successes,
and soon he gained the tittle of the Wise and Worthy Master. He began to have a
following of disciples whom he initiated into the mysteries and sent abroad
throughout all the land. They, like their master, could write charms and recite
formulas, and their fame increased his following.
Zhang Jue began to
organize his disciples. He established thirty-six circuits, the larger with ten
thousand or more members, the smaller with about half that number. Each circuit
had its chief who took the military title of General. They talked wildly of the
death of the blue heaven and the setting up of the golden one; they said a new
cycle was beginning and would bring universal good fortune to all members; and
they persuaded people to chalk the symbols for the first year of the new cycle
on the main door of their dwellings.
With the growth of
the number of his supporters grew also the ambition of Zhang Jue. The Wise and
Worthy Master dreamed of empire. One of his partisans, Ma Yuanyi, was sent
bearing gifts to gain the support of the eunuchs within the Palace.
To his brothers
Zhang Jue said, "For schemes like ours always the most difficult part is
to gain the popular favor. But that is already ours. Such an opportunity must
not pass."
|
[e] One of the Ten Regular Attendants |
And they began to prepare.
Many yellow flags and banners were made, and a day was chosen for the uprising.
Then Zhang Jue wrote letters to Eunuch Feng Xu* and sent them by one of his
followers, Tang Zhou, who alas! betrayed his trust and reported the plot to the
court. The Emperor summoned the trusty Regent Marshal He Jin and bade him look
to the issue. Ma Yuanyi was at once taken and beheaded. Feng Xu and many others
were cast into prison.
The plot having thus
become known, the Zhang brothers were forced at once to take the field. They
took up grandiose titles: Zhang Jue the Lord of Heaven, Zhang Ba the Lord of
Earth, and Zhang Lian the Lord of Human. And in these names they put forth this
manifesto:
"The good
fortune of the Han is exhausted, and the Wise and Worthy Man has appeared.
Discern the will of Heaven, O ye people, and walk in the way of righteousness,
whereby alone ye may attain to peace."
Support was not
lacking. On every side people bound their heads with yellow scarves and joined
the army of the rebel Zhang Jue, so that soon his strength was nearly half a
million strong, and the official troops melted away at a whisper of his coming.
Regent Marshal and
Guardian of the Throne, He Jin, memorialized for general preparations against
the Yellow Scarves, and an edict called upon everyone to fight against the
rebels. In the meantime, three Imperial Commanders---Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and
Zhu Jun---marched against them in three directions with veteran soldiers.
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[e] Ancient China was divided into nine regions or zhou's. Each region had a capital city, often of the same name. The nine regions were Bingzhou, Jingzhou, Jizhou, Liangzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yizhou, Youzhou, and Yuzhou. Over the time more regions were created. During the Three Kingdoms period, there were already more than nine regions. A few of the new regions were Xizhou, Yangzhou, and Yongzhou. (see map) [e] Imperial
Protector was the highest office in a region. |
Meanwhile Zhang Jue led
his army into Youzhou, the northeastern region of the empire*. The Imperial
Protector* of Youzhou was Liu Yan, a scion of the Imperial House. Learning of
the approach of the rebels, Liu Yan called in Commander Zhou Jing to consult
over the position.
Zhou Jing said,
"They are many and we few. We must enlist more troops to oppose
them."
Liu Yan agreed, and
he put out notices calling for volunteers to serve against the rebels. One of
these notices was posted up in the county of Zhuo, where lived one man of high
spirit.
This man was no mere
bookish scholar, nor found he any pleasure in study. But he was liberal and
amiable, albeit a man of few words, hiding all feeling under a calm exterior.
He had always cherished a yearning for high enterprise and had cultivated the
friendship of humans of mark. He was tall of stature. His ears were long, the
lobes touching his shoulders, and his hands hung down below his knees. His eyes
were very big and prominent so that he could see backward past his ears. His
complexion was as clear as jade, and he had rich red lips.
|
[e] Reigned BC 157-141. |
He was a descendant
of Prince Sheng of Zhongshan whose father was the Emperor Jing*, the fourth
emperor of the Han Dynasty. His name was Liu Bei. Many years before, one of his
forbears had been the governor of that very county, but had lost his rank for
remissness in ceremonial offerings. However, that branch of the family had
remained on in the place, gradually becoming poorer and poorer as the years
rolled on. His father Liu Hong had been a scholar and a virtuous official but
died young. The widow and orphan were left alone, and Liu Bei as a lad won a
reputation for filial piety.
At this time the
family had sunk deep in poverty, and Liu Bei gained his living by selling straw
sandals and weaving grass mats. The family home was in a village near the chief
city of Zhuo. Near the house stood a huge mulberry tree, and seen from afar its
curved profile resembled the canopy of a wagon. Noting the luxuriance of its
foliage, a soothsayer had predicted that one day a man of distinction would
come forth from the family.
As a child, Liu Bei
played with the other village children beneath this tree, and he would climb up
into it, saying, "I am the Son of Heaven, and this is my chariot ."
His uncle, Liu Yuanqi, recognized that Liu Bei was no ordinary boy and saw to
it that the family did not come to actual want.
When Liu Bei was
fifteen, his mother sent him traveling for his education. For a time he served
Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi as masters. And he became great friends with Gongsun Zan.
Liu Bei was
twenty-eight when the outbreak of the Yellow Scarves called for soldiers. The
sight of the notice saddened him, and he sighed as he read it.
Suddenly a rasping
voice behind him cried, "Sir, why sigh if you do nothing to help your
country?"
Turning quickly he
saw standing there a man about his own height, with a bullet head like a
leopard's, large eyes, a swallow pointed chin, and whiskers like a tiger's. He
spoke in a loud bass voice and looked as irresistible as a dashing horse. At
once Liu Bei saw he was no ordinary man and asked who he was.
"Zhang Fei is
my name," replied the stranger. "I live near here where I have a
farm; and I am a wine seller and a butcher as well; and I like to become acquainted
with worthy people. Your sighs as you read the notice drew me toward you."
Liu Bei replied,
"I am of the Imperial Family, Liu Bei is my name. And I wish I could
destroy these Yellow Scarves and restore peace to the land, but alas! I am
helpless."
"I have the
means," said Zhang Fei. "Suppose you and I raised some troops and
tried what we could do."
This was happy news
for Liu Bei, and the two betook themselves to the village inn to talk over the
project. As they were drinking, a huge, tall fellow appeared pushing a
hand-cart along the road. At the threshold he halted and entered the inn to
rest awhile and he called for wine.
"And be
quick!" added he. "For I am in haste to get into the town and offer
myself for the army."
Liu Bei looked over
the newcomer, item by item, and he noted the man had a huge frame, a long
beard, a vivid face like an apple, and deep red lips. He had eyes like a
phoenix's and fine bushy eyebrows like silkworms. His whole appearance was
dignified and awe-inspiring. Presently, Liu Bei crossed over, sat down beside
him and asked his name.
"I am Guan
Yu," replied he. "I am a native of the east side of the river, but I
have been a fugitive on the waters for some five years, because I slew a ruffian
who, since he was powerful, was a bully. I have come to join the army
here."
Then Liu Bei told
Guan Yu his own intentions, and all three went away to Zhang Fei's farm where
they could talk over the grand project.
Said Zhang Fei,
"The peach trees in the orchard behind the house are just in full flower.
Tomorrow we will institute a sacrifice there and solemnly declare our intention
before Heaven and Earth. And we three will swear brotherhood and unity of aims
and sentiments; thus will we enter upon our great task."
Both Liu Bei and
Guan Yu gladly agreed.
All three being of
one mind, next day they prepared the sacrifices, a black ox, a white horse, and
wine for libation. Beneath the smoke of the incense burning on the altar, they
bowed their heads and recited this oath:
"We three---Liu
Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei---though of different families, swear brotherhood,
and promise mutual help to one end. We will rescue each other in difficulty; we
will aid each other in danger. We swear to serve the state and save the people.
We ask not the same day of birth, but we seek to die together. May Heaven, the
all-ruling, and Earth, the all-producing, read our hearts. If we turn aside
from righteousness or forget kindliness, may Heaven and Human smite us!"
They rose from their
knees. The two others bowed before Liu Bei as their elder brother, and Zhang
Fei was to be the youngest of the trio. This solemn ceremony performed, they
slew other oxen and made a feast to which they invited the villagers. Three
hundred joined them, and all feasted and drank deep in the Peach Garden.
The next day weapons
were mustered. But there were no horses to ride. This was a real grief, but
soon they were cheered by the arrival of two horse dealers with a drove of
horses.
"Thus does Heaven
help us!" said Liu Bei.
And the three
brothers went forth to welcome the merchants. They were Zhang Shiping and Su
Shuang from Zhongshan. They went northwards every year to buy horses. They were
now on their way home because of the Yellow Scarves. The brothers invited them
to the farm, where wine was served before them. Then Liu Bei told them of the
plan to strive for tranquillity. Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang were glad and at
once gave the brothers fifty good steeds, and beside, five hundred ounces of
gold and silver and one thousand five hundred pounds of steel fit for the
forging of weapons.
The brothers
expressed their gratitude, and the merchants took their leave. Then blacksmiths
were summoned to forge weapons. For Liu Bei they made a pair of ancient swords;
for Guan Yu they fashioned a long-handled, curve blade called Green-Dragon
Saber, which weighed a full one hundred twenty pounds; and for Zhang Fei they
created a ten-foot spear called Serpent Halberd. Each too had a helmet and full
armor.
When weapons were
ready, the troop, now five hundred strong, marched to Commander Zhou Jing, who
presented them to Imperial Protector Liu Yan. When the ceremony of introduction
was over, Liu Bei declared his ancestry, and Liu Yan at once accorded him the esteem
due to a relation.
Before many days it
was announced that the rebellion had actually broken out, and a Yellow Scarves
chieftain, Cheng Yuanzhi, had invaded the region with a body of fifty thousand
rebels. Liu Yan bade Zhou Jing and the three brothers to go out to oppose them
with the five hundred troops. Liu Bei joyfully undertook to lead the van and
marched to the foot of the Daxing Hills where they saw the rebels. The rebels
wore their hair flying about their shoulders, and their foreheads were bound
with yellow scarves.
When the two armies
had been drawn up opposite each other, Liu Bei rode to the front, Guan Yu to
his left, Zhang Fei to his right.
Flourishing his
whip, Liu Bei began to hurl reproaches at the rebels, crying, "O
malcontents! Why not dismount and be bound?"
Their leader Cheng
Yuanzhi, full of rage, sent out one general, Deng Mao, to begin the battle. At
once rode forward Zhang Fei, his serpent halberd poised to strike. One thrust
and Deng Mao rolled off his horse, pierced through the heart. At this Cheng
Yuanzhi himself whipped up his steed and rode forth with sword raised ready to
slay Zhang Fei. But Guan Yu swung up his ponderous green-dragon saber and rode
at Cheng Yuanzhi. At the sight fear seized upon Cheng Yuanzhi, and before he
could defend himself, the great saber fell, cutting him in halves.
Their leader fallen,
the rebels threw away their weapons and fled. The official soldiers dashed in
among them. Many thousands surrendered and the victory was complete. Thus this
part of the rebellion was broken up.
On their return, Liu
Yan personally met them and distributed rewards. But the next day, letters came
from Imperial Protector Gong Jing of Qingzhou Region saying that the rebels
were laying siege to the chief city and it was near falling. Help was needed
quickly.
"I will
go," said Liu Bei as soon as he heard the news.
And he set out at
once with his own soldiers, reinforced by a body of five thousand under Zhou
Jing. The rebels, seeing help coming, at once attacked most fiercely. The
relieving force being comparatively small could not prevail and retired some
ten miles, where they made a camp.
"They are many
and we but few," said Liu Bei to his brothers. "We can only beat them
by superior strategy."
So they prepared an
ambush. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, each with a goodly party, went behind the hills,
right and left, and there hid. When the gongs beat they were to move out to
support the main army.
These preparations
made, the drums rolled noisily for Liu Bei to advance. The rebels also came
forward. But Liu Bei suddenly retired. Thinking this was their chance, the
rebels pressed forward and were led over the hills. Then suddenly the gongs
sounded for the ambush. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei poured out from right and left as
Liu Bei faced around to meet the rebels. Under three-side attack, the rebels
lost heavily and fled to the walls of Qingzhou City. But Imperial Protector
Gong Jing led out an armed body to attack them, and the rebels were entirely
defeated and many slain. Qingzhou was no longer in danger.
After the
celebrations in honor of victory were over, Commander Zhou Jing proposed to
return to Youzhou.
But Liu Bei said,
"We are informed that Imperial Commander Lu Zhi has been struggling with a
horde of rebels led by Zhang Jue at Guangzong. Lu Zhi was once my teacher, and
I want to go to help him."
So Liu Bei and Zhou
Jing separated, and the three brothers with their troops made their way of
Guangzong. They found Lu Zhi's camp, were admitted to his presence, and
declared the reason of their coming. The Commander received them with great
joy, and they remained with him while he made his plans.
At that time Zhang
Jue's one hundred fifty thousand troops and Lu Zhi's fifty thousand troops were
facing each other. Neither had had any success.
Lu Zhi said to Liu
Bei, "I am able to surround these rebels here. But the other two brothers,
Zhang Ba and Zhang Lian, are strongly entrenched opposite Huangfu Song and Zhu
Jun at Yingchuan. I will give you a thousand more troops, and with these you
can go to find out what is happening, and we can then settle the moment for
concerted attack."
So Liu Bei set off
and marched as quickly as possible to Yingchuan. At that time the imperial
troops were attacking with success, and the rebels had retired upon Changshe.
They had encamped among the thick grass.
Seeing this, Huangfu
Song said to Zhu Jun, "The rebels are camping in the field. We can attack
them by fire."
So the Imperial
Commanders bade every man cut a bundle of dry grass and laid an ambush. That
night the wind blew a gale, and at the second watch they started a blaze. At
the same time Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's troops attacked the rebels and set
their camp on fire. The flames rose to the very heaven. The rebels were thrown
into great confusion. There was no time to saddle horses or don armor: They
fled in all directions.
The battle continued
until dawn. Zhang Lian and Zhang Ba, with a group of flying rebels, found a way
of escape. But suddenly a troop of soldiers with crimson banners appeared to
oppose them. Their leader was a man of medium stature with small eyes and a
long beard. He was Cao Cao, a Beijuo man, holding the rank of General of the
Flying Cavalry. His father was Cao Song, but he was not really a Cao. Cao Song
had been born to the Xiahou family, but he had been brought up by Eunuch Cao
Teng and had taken this family name.
As a young man Cao
Cao had been fond of hunting and delighted in songs and dancing. He was
resourceful and full of guile. An uncle, seeing the young fellow so unsteady,
used to get angry with him and told his father of his misdeeds. His father
remonstrated with him.
But Cao Cao made
equal to the occasion. One day, seeing his uncle coming, he fell to the ground
in a pretended fit. The uncle alarmed ran to tell his father, who came, and
there was the youth in most perfect health.
"But your uncle
said you were in a fit. Are you better?" said his father.
"I have never
suffered from fits or any such illness," said Cao Cao. "But I have
lost my uncle's affection, and he has deceived you."
Thereafter, whatever
the uncle might say of his faults, his father paid no heed. So the young man
grew up licentious and uncontrolled.
A man of the time
named Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao, "Rebellion is at hand, and only a man of
the greatest ability can succeed in restoring tranquillity. That man is
yourself."
And Ho Yo of Nanyang
said of him, "The dynasty of Han is about to fall. He who can restore
peace is this man and only he."
Cao Cao went to
inquire his future of a wise man of Runan named Xu Shao.
"What manner of
man am I?" asked Cao Cao.
The seer made no
reply, and again and again Cao Cao pressed the question.
Then Xu Shao
replied, "In peace you are an able subject; in chaos you are a crafty
hero!"
Cao Cao greatly
rejoiced to hear this.
|
[e] One of the Ten Regular Attendants |
Cao Cao graduated at
twenty and earned a reputation of piety and integrity. He began his career in a
county near Capital Luoyang. In the four gates of the city he ruled, he hung up
clubs of various sorts, and he would punish any breach of the law whatever the
rank of the offender. Now an uncle of Eunuch Jian Shuo* was found one night in
the streets with a sword and was arrested. In due course he was beaten.
Thereafter no one dared to offend again, and Cao Cao's name became heard. Soon
he became a magistrate of Dunqiu.
At the outbreak of
the Yellow Scarves, Cao Cao held the rank of General and was given command of
five thousand horse and foot to help fight at Yingchuan. He just happened to
fall in with the newly defeated rebels whom he cut to pieces. Thousands were
slain and endless banners and drums and horses were captured, together with
huge sums of money. However Zhang Ba and Zhang Lian got away; and after an
interview with Huangfu Song, Cao Cao went in pursuit of them.
Meanwhile Liu Bei
and his brothers were hastening toward Yingchuan, when they heard the din of
battle and saw flames rising high toward the sky. However, they arrived too
late for the fighting. They saw Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun to whom they told the
intentions of Lu Zhi.
"The rebel
power is quite broken here," said the commanders, "but they will
surely make for Guangzong to join Zhang Jue. You can do nothing better than
hasten back."
The three brothers
thus retraced their steps. Half way along the road they met a party of soldiers
escorting a prisoner in a cage-cart. When they drew near, they saw the prisoner
was no other than Lu Zhi, the man they were going to help. Hastily dismounting,
Liu Bei asked what had happened.
Lu Zhi explained,
"I had surrounded the rebels and was on the point of smashing them, when
Zhang Jue employed some of his supernatural powers and prevented my victory.
The court sent down Eunuch Zhuo Feng to inquire into my failure, and that
official demanded a bribe. I told him how hard pressed we were and asked him
where, in the circumstances, I could find a gift for him. He went away in wrath
and reported that I was hiding behind my ramparts and would not give battle and
that I disheartened my army. So I was superseded by Dong Zhuo, and I have to go
to the capital to answer the charge."
This story put Zhang
Fei into a rage. He was for slaying the escort and setting free Lu Zhi. But Liu
Bei checked him.
"The government
will take the proper course," said Liu Bei. "You must not act
hastily!"
And the escort and
the three brothers went two ways.
It was useless to
continue on that road to Guangzong, so Guan Yu proposed to go back to Zhuo, and
they retook the road. Two days later they heard the thunder of battle behind
some hills. Hastening to the top, they beheld the government soldiers suffering
great loss, and they saw the countryside was full of Yellow Scarves. On the
rebels' banners were the words Zhang Jue the Lord of Heaven written large.
"We will attack
this Zhang Jue!" said Liu Bei to his brothers, and they galloped out to
join in the battle.
Zhang Jue had
worsted Dong Zhuo and was following up his advantage. He was in hot pursuit
when the three brothers dashed into his army, threw his ranks into confusion,
and drove him back fifteen miles. Then the brothers returned with the rescued
general to his camp.
"What offices
have you?" asked Dong Zhuo, when he had leisure to speak to the brothers.
"None,"
replied they.
And Dong Zhuo
treated them with disrespect. Liu Bei retired calmly, but Zhang Fei was
furious.
"We have just
rescued this menial in a bloody fight," cried Zhang Fei, "and now he
is rude to us! Nothing but his death can slake my anger."
Zhang Fei stamped
toward Dong Zhuo's tent, holding firmly a sharp sword.
Dong Zhuo's fate will
be unrolled in later chapters.