Romance of the three kin.., p.7
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II, page 7
But his wife replied angrily, “Should any grudge even his life to avenge his liege lord or his father? How much less a son? My lord, if you let the thought of your son stay your hand then will I die forthwith.”
This decided the matter, and without further parley Chao decided to share the expedition and set about preparations. The army was soon on the way. Chiang and Yang went and camped at Lich’eng; the other two, Yin and Chao, camped at Ch’ishan. The wife of Chao Ang sold her ornaments and went in person to her husband’s camp to feast his soldiers.
The fears of Chao Ang concerning the fate of his son were only too soon justified. At the first news of the march of an army against him, Ma beheaded the young man A force was sent to Lich’eng, and the men under Chiang and Yang went out to oppose it. The two leaders on the avenging side went to battle dressed in mourning white. They railed at Ma, calling him traitor and wicked and rebellious.
Ma Ch’ao angrily dashed across toward them, and the fight began. From the very first it was seen that the defenders of the city could not hope to beat off the attack, and they turned to flee. Ma pursued them. But soon he heard the shouting of soldiers behind him and found the other army was attacking his rear. Wherefore he was between two armies and had a double battle to fight. As he turned toward that in his rear those he had been pursuing returned again to the attack. And while engaged with these two, there suddenly appeared a third force under Hsiahou Yuan, who had just received orders from Ts’ao to come against Ma.
Three attacks at once were too much for Ma, and he fled, his force in utter confusion. He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Chich’eng. He hailed the gate, but a flight of arrows was the response. Soon after, Liang K’uan and Chao Ch’u appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above. More than this, they dragged his wife up upon the wall, murdered her before his face and threw the bloody body at his feet. They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of half a score and more. And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall.
Rage and despair filled Ma’s bosom; he almost fell from his steed. But little time was allowed to grieve, for Hsiahou Yuan was nearly upon him. Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory, he made no battle line, but set off with two of his captains to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet. Their sole object was escape, so when they fell upon Yang and Chiang they only fought to get through, and in the same way they forced a road through the small army under Yin and Chao. However, they lost most of their few followers, and at the end had only some three score left.
About the fourth watch they came to Lich’eng. In the darkness the gate guards, thinking only of the return of their own men, opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy. Once in the city the slaughter began, and every one, soldier or common person, was slain, till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very centre.
Presently they came to the residence of Chiang Hsu and dragged forth his aged mother. She showed no sign of fear, but reviled Ma Ch’ao till in his anger he slew her with his own sword. Thence they went to the house of Yin and Chao and slew all they found therein. The only person who escaped the massacre was the wife of Chao Ang, who had accompanied her husband.
But the city proved no place of safety. Hsiahou with his army appeared the following day, and Ma fled before him to the west. But ere he had gone twenty li he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array. Yang Fou was the leader. Grinding his teeth with rage, Ma set his spear and rode at Yang, while his two captains, Ma Tai and P’ang Te, attacked the rear. Yang was overcome, and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain. Yang himself was wounded in five places, but still fought on till he was made prisoner.
However, Hsiahou had not left pursuing Ma. He came up to the city, and Ma fled before him to the west. His army was now reduced to the two captains and about half a score of horsemen, and these few were left to go their way.
Ts’ao Ts’ao’s general, Hsiahou Yuan, set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the district, after which he apportioned its defence among Chiang Hsu and certain other trustworthy men. The captive leader Yang Fou was sent to the capital in a cart. When he arrived he saw Ts’ao, who offered him the title of Marquis. But Yang declined the honour, saying, “I have neither the credit of a successful defence nor the merit of death in the attempt. Death should be my portion rather than honours. How could I accept the offer?”
Ts’ao praised him and did not insist.
Having escaped from their pursuers, Ma Ch’ao and his few followers decided to make for HanChung and offer their services to Chang Lu. He received them gladly, for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Ichou on the west as well as repel Ts’ao on the east. More than this, he thought to cement the friendship by giving Ma a daughter to wife. But this displeased one of his captains, Yang Po.
“The misfortune that befell Ma Ch’ao’s wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct. Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife?” said Yang.
Chang Lu again considered the matter and abandoned his intention. But a certain busybody told Ma what had been proposed and that Yang had defeated the scheme. Whereupon Ma was very annoyed and sought to compass the death of Yang. Yang and his brother Sung on the other side conspired to destroy Ma.
At this time a messenger arrived in HanChung begging for assistance against the invader Liu Pei. Chang Lu refused help. But then Huang Ch’uan came on the same errand. He first saw Yang Sung and talked to him and brought him to favour the scheme, pointing out the inter-dependence of the eastern and western countries, which stood next each other as the lips are close to the teeth. So he won over Yang Sung, who led him to see his master. To him again Huang spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Chang promised his help.
One of Chang’s officers tried to dissuade him by pointing out the old enmity between him and Liu Chang, but another suddenly interjected, saying, “Useless I may be, but if you will give me troops I will capture this Liu Pei and you will retain all your land.”
The land’s true lord goes west and then
HanChung sends forth its bravest men.
Who made this bold offer? The next chapter will tell.
CHAPTER LXV
GREAT BATTLE AT CHIAMING PASS:
LIU PEI TAKES THE GOVERNORSHIP
OF ICHOU
It was Yen Pu who thus opposed sending help to Liu Chang. Then Ma Ch’ao rose and said, “I have been the recipient of much kindness from my lord, which I feel I can never repay adequately. Now let me lead an army to take Chiaming Pass and capture Liu Pei. Then, my lord, Liu Chang will surely lose his twenty districts, and they shall be yours.”
This offer rejoiced Chang Lu, who sent away Huang Ch’uan without an answer and told off two legions for Ma Ch’ao to lead. As P’ang Te was too ill to take part in the expedition, Yang Po was sent in his place. The day to march was chosen.
Meanwhile, the messenger sent by Fa Cheng had returned to Fouch’eng to say Cheng Tu had advised his master to set fire to all the plains and valleys between the capital and the invaders, as well as the granaries, to move away the people and to stand solely on the defensive. This news caused Liu Pei and K’ungming great anxiety, for it would be a grave danger to them. However, Fa Cheng was more sanguine.
“Do not be anxious,” said he, “the plan would be extremely harmful, but it will not be carried out. Liu Chang will not do that.”
Surely enough, very soon they heard that Liu Chang had not adopted the suggestion; he would not remove the people. It was a great relief to Yuan-te.
Then said K’ungming, “Now let us capture Mienchu quickly, for, that done, Ch’engtu is as good as ours.”
He therefore told off Huang Chung and Wei Yen to advance first. When Fei Kuan heard of their advance he ordered Li Yen to go out to stop them, and Li led out his three companies. The two sides being arrayed, Huang Chung rode out and fought some half hundred bouts with Li Yen. Neither was able to claim a victory, and so K’ungming from the midst of the host ordered them to beat the gongs to cease from battle. When Huang Chung had got back to his side again he said, “O Commander, why did you sound the retirement just as I was getting the better of my opponent?”
“Because I saw that he was not to be overcome by mere force. Tomorrow you shall fight again, and then you shall lead him into the hills by the ruse of pretended defeat. There will be a surprise awaiting him.”
Huang Chung agreed to try this ruse, and so on the morrow accepted Li Yen’s challenge when it was offered. After about the tenth bout he and his men pretended to be worsted and ran. Li pursued and was quickly lured into the mountains. Suddenly his danger flashed into his mind, and he turned to go back. But he found Wei Yen’s men drawn up across his path, while K’ungming from a hill top near by cried, “You had better yield; if not, there are bows and crossbows on both sides of you all ready to avenge the death of our P’ang T’ung.”
Li dropped off his horse, threw aside his armour and offered submission. Not a man of his had been hurt. The prisoner was conducted to Yuan-te, who was very affable and so won his heart that he offered to try to seduce Fei Kuan from his allegiance.
“Though he is related to Liu Chang, yet Fei and I are very close friends. Let me go and persuade him.”
Wherefore Li was sent back to the city to induce his chief to come over to Liu Pei’s side. He talked to such effect of the kindness and virtues of Liu Pei that Fei was won over, opened the city gates and admitted the invaders.
As soon as Yuan-te had entered Mienchu he set out his men to take the capital. While thus engaged, a hasty messenger came to tell of the doings at Chiaming Pass, whereat had suddenly appeared an army from the east under Ma Ch’ao and his captains. They had attacked, and the Pass would certainly be lost if help was not sent quickly.
“We need both Chang Fei and Chao Yun for this,” remarked K’ungming. “Then we could oppose successfully.”
“But Tzulung is away,” said Yuan-te. “However, I-te is here. Let us send him quickly.”
“Do not say anything, my lord,” said K’ungming. “Let me stir him to fight his noblest.”
But as soon as Chang Fei heard of the danger he came rushing in, shouting, “I must say farewell, brother. I am-off to fight Ma Ch’ao.”
However, K’ungming made as if he heard not and said to Yuan-te, “That Ma Ch’ao has invaded the Pass and we have no one to drive him back. Nobody can stand up to him—unless we can get Kuan Yu from Chingchou. He could do it.”
“Why do you despise me, O Commander?” cried Chang Fei. “Did I not once drive back a whole army? Think you that I mind a stupid fool like Ma Ch’ao.”
K’ungming said, “Yes, I-te; but when you forced back the waters and broke the bridge you succeeded because your enemies were doubtful. If they had known, General, you would not have come off so easily. All the world knows this Ma Ch’ao and has heard about his six battles at the Wei Bridge; and how he made Ts’ao Ts’ao cut off his beard and throw away his robe. He very nearly slew him too. This is no lightsome task like that, and even your brother might fail.”
“All I care for is to go, and if I do not overcome this fellow, I will take the consequences.”
“Well, if you will put that in writing, you may lead the attack. And I will ask our lord to lead another army to back you up this time. He can leave the defence of this town to me till Chao Yun returns.”
“I also want to go,” said Wei Yen.
Wei Yen was allowed to go with a half company of light horse in advance of Chang Fei. Yuan-te marched third. Wei Yen and his scouts soon arrived at the Pass and there fell in with Yang Po. They engaged; but after a few bouts Yang fled.
At this success Wei Yen was seized with ambition to rival it and try to snatch the credit that would fall to Chang Fei. So he pursued. But he presently came across a line of battle all drawn up, the commander being Ma Tai. Wei Yen, thinking it was the redoubtable Ma Ch’ao, rode toward him whirling his sword. Soon Ma Tai turned and ran away, and Wei Yen followed him. However, Ma Tai presently turned back and shot an arrow, which wounded his pursuer in the left arm, so that he left the pursuit and turned his face the other way. Then Ma Tai came after him and chased Wei Yen nearly up to the Pass.
Here Ma Tai was suddenly confronted by a fierce thunder-roaring leader who dashed down from the Pass as on a flying steed.
It was Chang Fei, who had just arrived. Hearing the noise of battle below the Pass he had come to learn what it meant and saw the arrow wound Wei Yen. Soon he was in the saddle and off to the rescue, but before he engaged he would ascertain if the foeman was worthy of his steel.
“Who are you? Tell your name,” cried Chang Fei, “then I may fight with you.”
“I am Ma Tai of Hsiliang,”
“As you are not Ma Ch’ao go away quickly, for you are no match for me. You may bid Ma Ch’ao himself come, and tell him that Chang I-te of the north is here.
“How dare you treat me with contempt?” cried Ma Tai in hot anger, and he came galloping up with his spear set ready to thrust. But after a half score bouts he fled. Chang Fei was about to pursue when a rider came up to him hastily, crying, “Do not pursue, my brother.”
The rider was Yuan-te, and Chang Fei stopped. The two returned together to the Pass.
“I knew your impulsive temper, and so I followed you. Since you have got the better of him you may well rest and recuperate for the fight tomorrow with Ma Ch’ao.”
The rolling of drums at dawn next day declared the arrival of Ma Ch’ao. Yuan-te looked at the array from a point of vantage and saw Ma Ch’ao emerge from the shadow of his great standard. He wore a lion helmet and his belt was clasped with the shaggy head of a wild beast. His breastplate was silver and his robe of white. As his dress and bearing were not as other men’s so were his abilities superior. And Yuan-te looked at him admiringly.
“He justifies what people say,” said Liu Pei. “Handsome Ma Ch’ao.”
Chang Fei was for going down at once, but his brother once more checked him, saying, “No; not yet. Avoid the first keenness of his fighting ardour.”
Thus below was Ma Ch’ao challenging Chang Fei, while, above, Chang Fei was fretting at being unable to settle Ma Ch’ao. Time after time Fei was setting out, but each time his brother checked him. And so it continued till past midday, when Yuan-te, noticing signs of fatigue and weariness among Ma Ch’ao’s men, decided that it was time to let Chang Fei try his fortune. Whereupon he chose out a half company of horsemen to accompany his brother and let the party go.
Ma Ch’ao seeing Chang Fei coming with so small a force, signalled with his spear to his array to retire a bowshot, and Chang Fei’s men halted. When all his men had taken their places, Fei set his spear and rode out.
“Do you know who I am?” shouted Fei, “I am Chang Fei of Yen.”
Ma Ch’ao replied, “My family having been noble for many generations I am not likely to know any rustic dolts.”
This reply upset Chang Fei, and in a moment the two steeds were rushing toward each other, both men with poised spears. The fight began and continued for a hundred bouts. Neither had the advantage.
“A veritable tiger of a leader,” sighed Yuan-te.
But he felt that Chang Fei was running a risk, wherefore he sounded the gong as a signal to cease the fight. And each drew off to his own side. Chang Fei rested his steed for a time, then, leaving his helmet, he wound a turban about his head, mounted and rode out to renew the fight. Ma Ch’ao also came out, and the duel continued.
Presently Yuan-te thought his brother in danger. So he girded on his armour and went down into the plain. He watched till they had fought another hundred bouts, and then as both seemed to wax fiercer than ever he gave the signal again to cease the battle.
Both drew off and returned each to his own side. It was then getting late, and Yuan-te said to his brother, “You had better retire for to-day; he is a terrible opponent. Try him again tomorrow.”
But Chang Fei’s spirit was roused, and was it likely that such advice would be palatable?
“No,” shouted he, “I will die and not come back.”
“But it is late; you cannot go on fighting,” said Yuan-te.
“Let them bring torches, and we will have a night battle,” said Fei.
Ma Ch’ao having mounted a fresh steed, now rode out and shouted, “Dare you try a night battle, Chang Fei?”
Chang Fei’s excitement rose higher. He hastily changed horses with his brother and rode forth.
“If I do not capture you, I will not go back to the Pass,” said Fei.
“And if I do not overcome you I will not return to the camp,” said Ma.
Both sides cheered. They lit many torches till it seemed as light as day, and the two great captains went to the front to fight. At the twentieth bout Ma Ch’ao turned his steed and fled.
“Whither are you going?” called out Fei.
The fact was that Ma Ch’ao had begun to see he could not win in direct and simple combat, so he thought to try a ruse. By a false flight, as though he knew he had lost, he would inveigle Chang Fei into pursuit. He picked up a copper hammer secretly and kept a careful watch on his opponent for the most favourable moment to strike. But his enemy’s flight only put Chang Fei upon his guard, and when the moment came for the blow with the hammer he dodged, so that the weapon flew harmlessly past his ear. Then Fei turned his horse. Whereupon Ma Ch’ao began to pursue. Then Fei pulled up, took his bow, fitted an arrow to the string and let fly at Ma. But Ma also dodged, and the arrow flew by. Then each returned to his own side.
Then Yuan-te came out to the front of his battle line and called out, “Note well, O Ma Ch’ao, that I, who have never treated men other than with kindness and justice and truth and sincerity, swear that I will not take advantage of your period of repose to pursue or attack. Wherefore you may rest awhile in peace.”
