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Chapter 5 Cao Cao Appeals To The Powerful Lords; |
At the close of the
last chapter, Chen Gong was about to slay Cao Cao. But Chen Gong reflected,
"I joined him to do righteous things. Now if I killed him, I would only do
unrighteousness, and the people would condemn me. I rather leave in silence."
Rising from his bed
before the sunrise, Chen Gong mounted his horse and rode away eastward to his
home county of Dongjun.
Cao Cao awoke with
the day and missed his companion. Thought he, "Chen Gong thinks me brutal
because of a couple of egoistic phrases I used, and so he has gone. I ought to
push on too and not linger here."
So Cao Cao traveled
as quickly as possible toward Qiao. When he saw his father, he related what had
happened and said he wanted to dispose of all the family property and enlist
soldiers with the money.
"Our
possessions are but small," said his father, "and not enough to do
anything with. However, there is a graduate here, one Wei Hong, careless of
wealth but careful of virtue, whose family is very rich. With his help we might
hope for success."
A feast was
prepared, and Wei Hong was invited.
Cao Cao made him a
speech: "The Hans have lost their lordship, and Dong Zhuo is really a
tyrant. He flouts his prince and is cruel to the people, who gnash their teeth
with rage. I would restore the Hans, but my means are insufficient. Sir, I
appeal to your loyalty and public spirit."
Wei Hong replied,
"I have long desired this but, so far, have not found a person fit to
undertake the task. Since you, Cao Cao, have so noble a desire, I willingly
devote all my property to the cause."
This was joyful
news, and the call to arms was forthwith prepared and sent far and near. So
they established a corps of volunteers and set up a large white recruiting
banner with the words Loyalty and Honor inscribed thereon. The response was
rapid, and volunteers came in like rain drops in number.
|
[e] Xiahou Ying (?-173) a major general of Liu Bang. Ennobled as the Marquis of Ruyin and commonly called the Lord of Tang. ..... |
One day came a
certain Yue Jin from Yangping and another Li Dian from Julu. These two were
appointed to Cao Cao's personal staff. Another was one Xiahou Dun from Qiao. He
was descended from Xiahou Ying of old. Xiahou Dun had been trained from his
early boyhood to use the spear and the club. When only fourteen he had been
attached to a certain master-in-arms. One day one person spoke disrespectfully
of his master, and Xiahou Dun killed that person. For this deed, however, he
had to flee and had been an exile for some time. Now he came to offer his
services, accompanied by his cousin Xiahou Yuan. Each brought a thousand
trained soldiers. Really these two were brothers of Cao Cao by birth, since Cao
Cao's father was originally of the Xiahou family, and had only been adopted
into the Cao family.
A few days later
came Cao Cao's two cousins, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, each with one thousand
followers. These two were accomplished horsemen and trained in the use of arms.
Then drill began,
and Wei Hong spent his treasure freely in buying clothing, armor, flags, and
banners. From all sides poured in gifts of grain.
When Yuan Shao
received Cao Cao's call to arms, he collected all those under his command to
the number of thirty thousand. Then he marched from Bohai to Qiao to take the
oath to Cao Cao. Next a manifesto was issued:
"Cao Cao and
his associates, moved by a sense of duty, now make this proclamation. Dong Zhuo
defies Heaven and Earth. He is destroying the state and injuring his prince. He
pollutes the Palace and oppresses the people. He is vicious and cruel. His
crimes are heaped up. Now we have received a secret command to call up
soldiers, and we are pledged to cleanse the empire and destroy the evil-doers.
We will raise a volunteer army and exert all our efforts to maintain the
dynasty and succor the people. Respond to this, O Nobles, by mustering your
soldiers."
Many from every side
answered the summons as the following list shows:
|
1. Governor of Nanyang---Yuan Shu |
These contingents
varied in size, from ten thousand to thirty thousand, but each was complete in
itself with its officers, civil and military, and battle-leaders. They were
heading for Capital Luoyang.
The Governor of
Beiping, Gongsun Zan, while on his way with his force of fifteen thousand,
passed through the county of Pingyuan. There he saw among the mulberry trees a
yellow flag under which marched a small company. When they drew nearer he saw
the leader was Liu Bei.
"Good brother,
what do you here?" asked Gongsun Zan.
"You were kind
to me once, and on your recommendation I was made the magistrate of this
county. I heard you were passing through and came to salute you. May I pray
you, my elder brother, enter into the city and rest your steed?"
"Who are these
two?" said Gongsun Zan, pointing to Liu Bei's brothers.
"These are Guan
Yu and Zhang Fei, my sworn brothers."
"Were they
fighting with you against the Yellow Scarves?" asked Gongsun Zan.
"All my success
was due to their efforts," said Liu Bei.
"And what
offices do they fill?"
"Guan Yu is a
mounted archer; Zhang Fei is a foot archer."
"Thus are able
people buried!" said Gongsun Zan, sighing. Then he continued. "All
the highest in the land are now going to destroy the rebellious Dong Zhuo. My
brother, you would do better to abandon this petty place and join us in
restoring the House of Han. Why not?"
"I should like
to go," said Liu Bei.
"If you had let
me kill him that other time, you would not have this trouble today," said
Zhang Fei to Liu Bei and Guan Yu.
"Since things
are so, let us pack and go," said Guan Yu.
So without more ado,
the three brothers, with a few horsemen, joined Gongsun Zan and marched with
him to join the great army.
One after another
the feudal lords came up and encamped. Their camps extended over seventy miles
and more. When all had arrived, Cao Cao, as the head, prepared sacrificial
bullocks and horses and called all the lords to a great assembly to decide upon
their plan of attack.
Then spoke the
Governor of Henei, Wang Kuang, "We have been moved by a noble sense of
right to assemble here. Now must we first choose a chief and bind ourselves to
obedience."
Then said Cao Cao,
"For four generations the highest offices of state have been filled by
members of the Yuan family, and their clients and supporters are everywhere. As
a descendant of ancient ministers of Han, Yuan Shao is a suitable man to be our
chief lord."
Yuan Shao again and
again declined this honor. But they all said, "It must be he; there is no
other!"
And then he agreed.
So the next day a
three-story altar was built, and they planted about it the banners of all
parties in five directions of space. And they set up white yaks' tails and
golden axes and emblems of military authority and the seals of leadership round
about.
All being ready, the
chief lord was invited to ascend the altar. Clad in ceremonial robes and girded
with a sword, Yuan Shao reverently ascended. There he burned incense, made
obeisance and recited the oath:
"The House of
Han has fallen upon evil days, the bands of imperial authority are loosened.
The rebel minister, Dong Zhuo, takes advantage of the discord to work evil, and
calamity falls upon honorable families. Cruelty overwhelms simple folks. We, Yuan
Shao and his confederates, fearing for the safety of the imperial prerogatives,
have assembled military forces to rescue the state. We now pledge ourselves to
exert our whole strength and act in concord to the utmost limit of our powers.
There must be no disconcerted or selfish action. Should any depart from this
pledge, may he lose his life and leave no posterity. Almighty Heaven and
Universal Earth and the enlightened spirits of our forebears, be ye our
witnesses."
The reading
finished, Yuan Shao smeared the blood of the sacrifice upon his lips and upon
the lips of those who shared the pledge. All were deeply affected by the
ceremony and many shed tears.
This done, the chief
lord was supported down from the high place and led to his tent, where he took
the highest place and the others arranged themselves according to rank and age.
Here wine was served.
Presently Cao Cao
said, "It behooves us all to obey the chief we have this day set up, and
support the state. There must be no feeling of rivalry or superiority based
upon numbers."
Yuan Shao replied,
"Unworthy as I am, yet as elected chief I must impartially reward merit
and punish offenses. Let each see to it that he obeys the national laws and the
army precepts. These must not be broken."
"Only thy
commands are to be obeyed!" cried all.
Then Yuan Shao said,
"My brother, Yuan Shu, is appointed Chief of the Commissariat. He must see
to it that the whole camp is well supplied. But the need of the moment is a van
leader who shall go to River Si Pass and provoke a battle. The other forces
must take up strategic positions in support."
Then the Governor of
Changsha, Sun Jian, offered himself for this service.
"You are
valiant and fierce, and equal to this service," said Yuan Shao.
The force under Sun
Jian set out and presently came to River Si Pass. The guard there sent a swift
rider to the capital to announce to the Prime Minister the urgency of the
situation.
Ever since Dong Zhuo
had secured his position, he had given himself up to luxury without stint. When
the urgent news reached the adviser Li Ru, he at once went to his master, who
much alarmed called a great council.
Lu Bu stood forth
and said, "Do not fear, my father. I look upon all the lords beyond the
Pass as so much stubble. And with the warriors of our fierce army, I will put
everyone of them to death and hang their heads at the gates of the
capital."
"With your aid
I can sleep secure!" said Dong Zhuo.
But someone behind
Lu Bu broke in upon his speech saying, "An ox-cleaver to kill a chicken!
There is no need for the General to go; I will cut off their heads as easily as
I would take a thing out of my pocket."
Dong Zhuo looked up
and his eyes rested on a stalwart man of fierce mien, lithe and supple as a
beast. He had round head like a leopard and shoulders like an ape's. His name
was Hua Xiong of Guanxi. Dong Zhuo rejoiced at Hua Xiong's bold words and at
once appointed him Commander of Royal Cavaliers and gave him fifty thousand of
horse and foot. Hua Xiong and three other generals---Li Su, Hu Zhen, and Zhao
Cen---hastily moved toward River Si Pass.
Among the feudal
lords, Bao Xin, the Lord of Jibei, was jealous lest the chosen Van Leader Sun
Jian should win too great honors. Wherefore Bao Xin endeavored to meet the foe
first, and so he secretly dispatched his brother, Bao Zhong, with three
thousand by a bye road. As soon as this small force reached the Pass, they
offered battle.
Fast reacting, Hua
Xiong at the head of five hundred armored horsemen swept down from the Pass
crying, "Flee not, rebel!"
But Bao Zhong was
afraid and turned back. Hua Xiong came on, his arm rose, the sword fell, and
Bao Zhong was cut down from his horse. Most of Bao Zhong's company were
captured. Bao Zhong's head was sent to the Prime Minister's palace. Hua Xiong
was promoted to Commander in Chief.
Sun Jian presently
approached the Pass. He had four generals: Cheng Pu of Tuyin whose weapon was
an iron-spined lance with snake-headed blade; Huang Gai of Lingling who wielded
an iron whip; Han Dang of Lingzhi using a heavy saber; and Zu Mao of Wujun who
fought with a pair of swords.
Commander Sun Jian
wore a helmet of fine silver wrapped round with a purple turban. He carried
across his body his sword of ancient ingot iron and rode a dappled horse with
flowing mane.
Sun Jian advanced to
the Pass and hailed the defenders, crying, "Helpers of a villain! Be quick
to surrender!"
Hua Xiong bade Hu
Zhen lead five thousand out against Sun Jian. Cheng Pu with the snaky lance
rode out from Sun Jian's side and engaged. After a very few bouts, Cheng Pu
killed Hu Zhen on the spot by a thrust through the throat. Then Sun Jian gave
the signal for the main army to advance. But from the Pass, Hua Xiong's troops
rained down showers of stones, which proved too much for the assailants, and they
retired into camp at Liangdong. Sun Jian sent the report of victory to Yuan
Shao.
Sun Jian also sent
an urgent message for supplies to the commissary. But a counselor said to the
Controller Yuan Shu, "This Sun Jian is a very tiger in the east. Should he
take the capital and destroy Dong Zhuo, we should have a tiger in place of a
wolf. Do not send him grain. Starve his troops, and that will decide the fate
of that army."
And Yuan Shu gave
ears to the detractor and sent no grain or forage. Soon Sun Jian's hungry
soldiers showed their disaffection by indiscipline, and the spies bore the news
to the defenders of the Pass.
Li Ru made a plot
with Hua Xiong, saying, "We will launch tonight a speedy attack against
Sun Jian in front and rear so that we can capture him."
Hua Xiong agreed and
prepared for the attack. So the soldiers of the attacking force were told off
and given a full meal. At dark they left the Pass and crept by secret paths to
the rear of Sun Jian's camp. The moon was bright and the wind cool. They
arrived about midnight and the drums beat an immediate attack. Sun Jian hastily
donned his fighting gear and rode out. He ran straight into Hua Xiong and the
two warriors engaged. But before they had exchanged many passes, Li Ru's army
came up from behind and set fire to whatever would burn.
Sun Jian's army were
thrown into confusion and fled in disorder. A general melee ensued, and soon
only Zu Mao was left at Sun Jian's side. These two broke through the Pass and
fled. Hua Xiong coming in hot pursuit, Sun Jian took his bow and let fly two
arrows in quick succession, but both missed. He fitted a third arrow to the
string, but drew the bow so fiercely that it snapped. He cast the bow to the
earth and set off at full gallop.
Then spoke Zu Mao,
"My lord's purple turban is a mark that the rebels will too easily
recognize. Give it to me, and I will wear it."
So Sun Jian
exchanged his silver helmet with the turban for his general's headpiece, and
the two men parted, riding different ways. The pursuers looking only for the
purple turban went after its wearer, and Sun Jian escaped along a by-road.
Zu Mao, hotly pursued,
then tore off the headdress which he hung on the post of a half-burned house as
he passed and dashed into the thick woods. Hua Xiong's troops seeing the purple
turban standing motionless dared not approach, but they surrounded it on every
side and shot at it with arrows. Presently they discovered the trick, went up
and seized it.
This was the moment
that Zu Mao awaited. At once he rushed forth, his two swords whirling about,
and dashed at the leader. But Hua Xiong was too quick. With a loud yell, Hua
Xiong slashed at Zu Mao and cut him down the horse. Hua Xiong and Li Ru
continued the slaughter till the day broke, and they led their troops back to
the Pass.
Cheng Pu, Huang Gai,
and Han Dang in time found their chief and the soldiers gathered. Sun Jian was
much grieved at the loss of Zu Mao.
When news of the
disaster reached Yuan Shao, he was greatly chagrined and called all the lords
to a council. They assembled and Gongsun Zan was the last to arrive.
When all were seated
in the tent Yuan Shao said, "The brother of General Bao Xin, disobeying
the rules we made for our guidance, rashly went to attack the enemy: He was
slain and with him many of our soldiers. Now Sun Jian has been defeated. Thus
our fighting spirit has suffered and what is to be done?"
Everyone was silent.
Lifting his eyes, Yuan Shao looked round from one to another till he came to
Gongsun Zan, and then he remarked three men who stood behind Gongsun Zan's
seat. They were of striking appearance as they stood there, all three smiling cynically.
"Who are those
men behind you?" said Yuan Shao.
Gongsun Zan told Liu
Bei to come forward, and said, "This is Liu Bei, Magistrate of Pingyuan
and a brother of mine who shared my humble cottage when we were students."
"It must be the
Liu Bei who broke up the Yellow Scarves rebellion," said Cao Cao.
"It is
he," said Gongsun Zan, and he ordered Liu Bei to make his obeisance to the
assembly, to whom Liu Bei then related his services and his origin, all in full
detail.
"Since he is of
the Han line, he should be seated," said Yuan Shao, and he bade Liu Bei
sit.
Liu Bei modestly
thanked him, declining.
Said Yuan Shao,
"This consideration is not for your fame and office. I respect you as a
scion of the imperial family."
So Liu Bei took his
seat in the lowest place of the long line of lords. And his two brothers with
folded arms took their stations behind him.
Even as they were at
this meeting came in a scout to say that Hua Xiong with a company of mail-clad
horsemen was coming down from the Pass. They were flaunting Sun Jian's captured
purple turban on the end of a bamboo pole. The enemy was soon hurling insults
at those within the stockade and challenging them to fight.
"Who dares go
out to give battle?" said Yuan Shao.
"I will
go," said Yu She, a renown general of Yuan Shu, stepping forward.
So Yu She went, and
almost immediately one came back to say that Yu She had fallen in the third
bout of Hua Xiong.
Fear began to lay
its cold hand on the assembly.
Then Imperial
Protector Han Fu said, "I have a brave warrior among my army. Pan Feng is
his name, and he could slay this Hua Xiong."
So Pan Feng was
ordered out to meet the foe. With his great battle-ax in his hand, Pan Feng
mounted and rode forth. But soon came the direful tidings that General Pan Feng
too had fallen. The faces of the gathering paled at this.
"What a pity my
two able generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here! Then should we have
someone who would not fear this Hua Xiong," said Yuan Shao.
He had not finished
when from the lower end a voice tolled, "I will go, take Hua Xiong's head,
and lay it before you here."
All turned to look
at the speaker. He was tall and had a long beard. His eyes were those of a
phoenix and his eyebrows thick and bushy like silkworms. His face was a swarthy
red and his voice deep as the sound of a great bell.
"Who is
he?" asked Yuan Shao.
Gongsun Zan told
them it was Guan Yu, brother of Liu Bei.
"And what is
he?" asked Yuan Shao.
"He is in the
train of Liu Bei as a mounted archer."
"What! An
insult to us all!" roared Yuan Shu from his place. "Have we no
leader? How dare an archer speak thus before us? Let us beat him forth!"
But Cao Cao
intervened. "Peace, O Yuan Shu! Since this man speaks great words, he is
certainly valiant. Let him try. If he fails, then we may reproach him."
"Hua Xiong will
laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him," said Yuan Shao.
"This man looks
no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman?" said Cao
Cao.
"If I fail,
then can you take my head," spoke Guan Yu.
Cao Cao bade them
heat some wine and offered a cup to Guan Yu as he went out.
"Pour it
out," said Guan Yu. "I shall return in a little space."
Guan Yu went with
his weapon in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the tent heard the
fierce roll of the drums and then a mighty sound as if skies were falling and
earth rising, hills trembling and mountains tearing asunder. And they were sore
afraid. And while they were listening with ears intent, lo! the gentle tinkle of
horse bells, and Guan Yu returned, throwing at their feet the head of the slain
leader, their enemy Hua Xiong.
The wine was still
warm!
This doughty deed
has been celebrated in verse:
|
The power of the man stands first in all
the world; |
Cao Cao was greatly
excited at this success.
But Zhang Fei's
voice was heard, shouting, "My brother has slain Hua Xiong. What are we
waiting for? Why not break through the Pass and seize Dong Zhuo? Could there
have been a better time?"
Again arose the
angry voice of Yuan Shu, "We high officials are too meek and yielding.
Here is the petty follower of a small magistrate daring to flaunt his prowess
before us! Expel him from the tent, I say."
But again Cao Cao
interposed, "Shall we consider the station of him who has done a great
service?"
"If you hold a
mere magistrate in such honor, then I simply withdraw," said Yuan Shu.
"Is a word
enough to defeat a grand enterprise?" said Cao Cao.
Then he told Gongsun
Zan to lead the three brothers back to their own camp, and the other chiefs
then dispersed. That night Cao Cao secretly sent presents of meat and wine to
soothe the three after this adventure.
When Hua Xiong's
troops straggled back and told the story of defeat and death, Li Ru was greatly
distressed. He wrote urgent letters to his master who called in his trusted
advisers to a council.
Li Ru summed up the
situation, saying, "We have lost our best leader, and the rebel power has
thereby become very great. Yuan Shao is at the head of this confederacy, and
his uncle, Yuan Wei, is holder of the office of Imperial Guardianship. If those
in the capital combine with those in the country, we may suffer. Therefore we
must remove them. So I request you, Sir Prime Minister, to place yourself at the
head of your army and break this confederation."
Dong Zhuo agreed and
at once ordered his two generals, Li Jue and Guo Si, to take five hundred
troops and surround the residence of Imperial Guardian Yuan Wei, slay every
soul regardless of age, and hang the head of Yuan Wei outside the gate as
trophy. And Dong Zhuo commanded two hundred thousand troops to advance in two
armies. The first fifty thousand were under Li Jue and Guo Si, and they were to
hold River Si Pass. They should not necessarily fight. The other one hundred
fifty thousand under Dong Zhuo himself went to Tiger Trap Pass. His counselors
and commanders---Li Ru, Lu Bu, Fan Chou, Zhang Ji, and others---marched with
the main army.
Tiger Trap Pass is
fifteen miles from Capital Luoyang. As soon as they arrived, Dong Zhuo bade Lu
Bu take thirty thousand soldiers and make a strong stockade on the outside of
the Pass. The main body with Dong Zhuo would occupy the Pass.
News of this
movement reaching the confederate lords. Yuan Shao summoned a council.
Said Cao Cao,
"The occupation of the Pass would cut our armies in two; therefore, we
must oppose Dong Zhuo's army on the way."
So eight of the
commanders---Wang Kuang, Qiao Mao, Bao Xin, Yuan Yi, Kong Rong, Zhang Yang, Tao
Qian, and Gongsun Zan---were ordered to go in the direction of the Tiger Trap
Pass to oppose their enemy. Cao Cao and his troops moved among them as reserve
to render help where needed.
Of the eight, Wang
Kuang, the Governor of Henei, was the first to arrive, and Lu Bu went to give
battle with three thousand armored horsemen. When Wang Kuang had ordered his
army, horse and foot, in battle array, he took his station under the great
banner and looked over at his foe.
Lu Bu was a
conspicuous figure in front of the line. On his head was a triple curved
headdress of ruddy gold with pheasant tails. He wore a warring velvet-red robe
of Xichuan silk embroidered with thousand flowers, which was overlapped by
golden mail adorned with a gaping animal's head, joined by rings at the sides
and girt to his waist with a belt fastened by a beautiful lion-head clasp. His
bow and arrows were slung on his shoulders, and he carried a long heavy trident
halberd. He was seated on his snorting steed Red Hare. Indeed Lu Bu was the man
among humans, as Red Hare was the horse among horses.
"Who dares go
out to fight him?" asked Wang Kuang turning to those behind him.
In response a
valiant general from Henei named Fang Yue spurred to the front, his spear set
ready for battle. Lu Bu and Fang Yue met: Before the fifth bout Fang Yue fell
under a thrust of the trident halberd, and Lu Bu dashed forward. Wang Kuang's
troops could not stand and scattered in all directions. Lu Bu went to and fro
slaying all he met. He was irresistible.
Luckily, two other
troops led by Qiao Mao and Yuan Yi came up and rescued the wounded Wang Kuang,
and Lu Bu pulled back. The three, having lost many troops, withdrew ten miles
and made a stockade. And before long the remaining five commanders came up and
joined them. They held a council and agreed Lu Bu was a hero no one could
match.
And while they sat
there anxious and uncertain, it was announced that Lu Bu had returned to
challenge them. They mounted their horses and placed themselves at the heads of
eight forces, each body in its station on the high ground. Around them was the
opposing army in formation, commanded by Lu Bu, innumerable horse and foot,
with splendid embroidered banners waving in the breeze.
They attacked Lu Bu.
Mu Shun, a general of Governor Zhang Yang, rode out with his spear set, but
soon fell at the first encounter with Lu Bu. This frightened the others. Then
galloped forth Wu Anguo, a general under Governor Kong Rong. Wu Anguo raised
his iron mace ready at his rival. Lu Bu whirling his halberd and urging on his
steed came to meet Wu Anguo. The two fought, well matched for ten bouts, when a
blow from the trident halberd broke Wu Anguo's wrist. Letting his mace fall to
the ground he fled. Then all eight of the lords led forth their armies to his
rescue, and Lu Bu retired to his line.
The fighting then
ceased, and after their return to camp another council met.
Cao Cao said,
"No one can stand against the prowess of Lu Bu. Let us call up all the
lords and evolve some good plan. If only Lu Bu were taken, Dong Zhuo could
easily be killed."
While the council
was in progress again came Lu Bu to challenge them, and again the commanders
moved out against him. This time Gongsun Zan, flourishing his spear, went to
meet the enemy. After a very few bouts Gongsun Zan turned and fled; Lu Bu
following at the topmost speed of Red Hare. Red Hare was a
five-hundred-mile-a-day horse, swift as the wind. The lords watched Red Hare
gained rapidly upon the flying horseman, and Lu Bu's halberd was poised ready
to strike Gongsun Zan just behind the heart. Just then dashed in a third rider
with round glaring eyes and a bristling mustache, and armed with a ten-foot
serpent halberd.
|
[e] Yan was a state in the Warring States period. Located in the northeast, and north of Qi. ..... |
"Stay, O twice
bastard!" roared he, "I, Zhang Fei of Yan*, await you!"
Seeing this
opponent, Lu Bu left the pursuit of Gongsun Zan and engaged the new adversary.
Zhang Fei was elated, and he rode forth with all his energies. They two were
worthily matched, and they exchanged half a hundred bouts with no advantage to
either side. Then Guan Yu, impatient, rode out with his huge and weighty
green-dragon saber and attacked Lu Bu on the other flank. The three steeds
formed a triangle and their riders battered away at each other for thirty
bouts, yet still Lu Bu stood firm.
Then Liu Bei rode
out to his brothers' aid, his double swords raised ready to strike. The steed
with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle, and now Lu Bu had to contend
with three surrounding warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they
at him, the flashing of the warriors' weapons looking like the revolving lamps
suspended at the new year. And the warriors of the eight armies gazed rapt with
amazement at such a battle.
But Lu Bu's guard
began to weaken and fatigue seized him. Looking hard in the face of Liu Bei, Lu
Bu feigned a fierce thrust thus making Liu Bei suddenly draw back. Then,
lowering his halberd, Lu Bu dashed through the angle thus opened and got away.
But was it likely
they would allow him to escape? They whipped their steeds and followed hard.
The soldiers of the eight armies cracked their throats with thunderous cheers
and all dashed forward, pressing after Lu Bu as he made for the shelter of the
Tiger Trap Pass. And first among his pursuers were the three brothers.
An ancient poet has
told of this famous fight in these lines:
|
The fateful day of Han came in the reigns
of Huan and Ling, |
The three brothers
maintained the pursuit to the Pass. Looking up they saw an immense umbrella of
black gauze fluttering in the west wind.
"Certainly
there is Dong Zhuo," cried Zhang Fei. "What is the use of pursuing Lu
Bu? Better far seize the chiefest rebel and so pluck up the evil by the
roots!"
And he whipped up
his steed toward the Pass.
|
To quell rebellion seize the leader if
you can; |
The following
chapters will unfold the result of the battle.
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