The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (37 page)

This alarmed the Emperor of Wei, who asked his officials if any of them would lead an army to repel the enemy’s advance. At once one man stood out, crying, “My father died in Hanzhong, and to my bitter regret his death is unavenged. I will go and destroy the enemy with my own fierce troops and I hope Your Majesty will also allow me to command the forces of the west. Besides avenging my father, I will render a service to the state. I will not flinch even if I have to die a myriad deaths.”

The speaker was Xiahou Mao, son of Xiahou Yuan. He was by nature very impulsive and also extremely stingy. When young he had been adopted by Xiahou Dun. When Xiahou Yuan was killed by Huang Zhong, Cao Cao had taken pity on him and married his daughter, Princess Qing-he, to him, so that he became one of his sons-in-law. For this position he enjoyed great deference at court. But although he held a military commission, he had never been in a battle. However, as he had requested the command, he was made commander-in-chief to lead the various forces of the west to oppose the enemy.

At this Wang Lang voiced his opposition. “His Highness has never seen a battle and is unsuitable for this post, especially when his opponent is the clever and crafty Zhuge Liang, a man thoroughly versed in strategy. He should not be treated lightly.”

“Are you in collaboration with Zhuge Liang to act as his accomplice from the inside?” reproached Xiahou Mao. “Ever since I was a boy I have studied strategy with my father, and I am well acquainted with the art of war. Why do you despise me for my youth? If I do not capture this Zhuge Liang, I swear I will not return again to see the Emperor.”

Wang Lang and the other officials were silenced. Xiahou Mao took leave of the Emperor of Wei and hastened to Chang’an to put his army in order. He had 200,000 men under his command.

He would go to battle, take the signal flags in grip,
But could he play the leader, he a lad with callow lips?

The result of the battle will be told in the next chapter.

*
   The Kingdom of Shu is assumed to be a continuation of the Han empire, since Liu Bei was a member of the Han house.

*
   A kind of witchcraft meant to exert an evil control over the person the wooden image represents.

*
   Sima Yi’s familiar name.

CHAPTER NINETY-TWO

Zhao Yun Heroically Slays Five Wei Officers

Zhuge Liang Cleverly Seizes Three Cities

O
n
the march toward the north, Zhuge Liang and his army arrived at Mianyang, where Ma Chao’s tomb stood. To pay tribute to the deceased general, Zhuge Liang told Ma Dai, cousin of Ma Chao, to dress in mourning, while he went to offer sacrifices at the grave.

After this ceremony, Zhuge Liang returned to his tent. When he was discussing with his subordinates about the military campaign, scouts sent in a report that Cao Rui had put in motion an army under Xiahou Mao. Wei Yan went in to see Zhuge Liang to suggest a complicated and lengthy ruse, saying, “Xiahou Mao is nothing but a spoilt son of a rich family, soft and stupid. Give me 5,000 men, and I will go out by Baozhong, follow the range of the Qinling Mountains east to the Meridian Valley, and then turn north. In ten days I can reach Chang’an. Hearing of my movements, Xiahou Mao will hasten to abandon the city and escape toward Hengmen for sure. I will move in by the east, and you, sir, can advance with the main body by Ye Valley. In this way the whole region west of Xianyang will be ours all at once.”

Zhuge Liang smiled at the proposal. “I don’t think the plan is perfect,” he said. “Do you think there are no capable men in the north? If someone suggests placing an ambush on narrow mountain paths to obstruct and destroy your army, the result is not only 5,000 victims but the severe damage this might do to the fighting spirit of the entire force. This ruse won’t work.”

“But if you go by the high road they will bring their whole host against you and may hold you indefinitely. When can we hope to seize the northern territory?”

“I’ll take the level ground by way of Longyou and follow the rule of war. How can I fail?”

So he did not adopt the plan suggested by Wei Yan, who withdrew sulk-ily. Then Zhuge Liang ordered Zhao Yun to advance.

In the meantime, Xiahou Mao was mustering his forces at Chang’an. There came an officer from Xiliang, named Han De, a man of unusually powerful strength, whose weapon was a mighty battle-ax. He brought with him 80,000 Qiang tribesmen and offered his service to Xiahou Mao, who rewarded him liberally and made him van leader of his army.

This Han De had four sons, all well-trained soldiers and experts in archery and horsemanship. Han De led his sons and the army to the Hill of Phoenix Songs, where they encountered the men of Shu.

When the two sides had drawn up in battle formation, the father, with his four sons, rode to the front and began to revile their enemy as rebels and invaders. Provoked to anger, Zhao Yun rode forward alone to challenge the father. The eldest son galloped out to accept the challenge but was slain in the third bout. Immediately his brother went out, whirling his sword. Zhao Yun mustered his powerful dash and vigor of old, and the young man was unable to resist. At this the third son took his great halberd and rode out to his brother’s aid. Faced with two opponents, Zhao Yun nevertheless was totally undaunted, never failing a single stroke. Seeing that his two brothers were unable to defeat Zhao Yun, the fourth son went to join in the fray, armed with his Sun and Moon sword. Surrounded by his three opponents, the veteran warrior still kept them at bay.

Presently a spear thrust hit home on the youngest of the four brothers, who fell. From the ranks of the Wei army rushed forth an officer, who rescued the young man back to his own side. Then Zhao Yun lowered his spear and turned to leave. Seeing this, the third son took his bow and shot three arrows at the retreating veteran warrior, who parried all three away with his spear. Infuriated, the young man set his halberd again and went in pursuit. By then, Zhao Yun had got his bow ready and shot an arrow that wounded his pursuer in the head. So the third son also fell and died. The second son, Han Yao, then galloped up and raised his sword to strike, but Zhao Yun, throwing down his spear and evading the blow, captured Han Yao with his bare hands. He quickly galloped back to his own lines with his captive, dropped him, and then dashing out again, recovered his spear and pressed on toward the enemy ranks.

Han De, overwhelmed by the loss of all his sons, turned to seek refuge behind his line. The Qiang tribesmen, who had always known the reputation of Zhao Yun, were frightened to see him as brave as ever. None of them dared to come forward to fight the veteran warrior. So wherever Zhao Yun rode up, the tribesmen retreated. A single rider with a single spear, Zhao Yun rode at will into the enemy ranks. A poem was written in praise of Zhao Yun:

I thought of Zhao Yun of Changshan,
Who did a wondrous service at three score and ten.
Slaying four officers, he dashed into the enemy ranks
Brave as at Dangyang when he saved his lord’s heir.

Seeing the invincible Zhao Yun, Deng Zhi led his men to join the fight. This completed the distress of the Xiliang men, who fled. Han De, who was nearly captured by Zhao Yun, threw off his armor and escaped on foot. The men of Shu drew off and returned to their camp.

“Congratulations, General!” said Deng Zhi. “At the age of seventy, you’re very much the same hero as of old. Your feat in slaying four officers today is indeed rare.”

“Well, the prime minister thought me too old and didn’t wish to employ me. I had to give him some proof.” Then he sent his men to deliver the captive Han Yao and an account of the victory to the prime minister.

In the meantime, Han De led his defeated army back to his chief, to whom he related his sad story in tears. Then Xiahou Mao decided to lead his own army out against Zhao Yun.

When scouts reported his coming, Zhao Yun took his spear and mounted his steed. Leading some thousand men, he rode out to the Hill of Phoenix Songs, at the foot of which he deployed his forces. Xiahou Mao wore a golden helmet, rode a white horse, and carried in his hand a huge sword. From his place beneath the great standard he saw Zhao Yun galloping to and fro. He was going out to give battle when Han De checked him.

“Let me go and avenge my four sons!” he shouted.

He picked up his battle-ax and rode directly at Zhao Yun, who advanced furiously to engage. The contest was but short, for in the third encounter Zhao Yun’s spear thrust brought Han De to his death. Without waiting a second he made straight for Xiahou Mao, who hastily dashed behind his ranks to escape. Then Deng Zhi led on the main body and completed the victory. The men of Wei retired more than ten
li,
where they established another camp.

Xiahou Mao, having lost two battles, discussed the situation with his officers that evening. He said, “I have long heard of Zhao Yun’s name but I have never seen him. In spite of his old age he is still so brave and powerful. Now at last I believe the story of his heroism at Dangyang. None of us can repel him, I think. What is to be done, then?”

Cheng Wu, an advisor (and son of Cao Cao’s old advisor, Cheng Yu), said: “To my mind, he may be a brave soldier but he knows nothing about strategies. We need not be afraid of him. Next time before you go out to give battle, you can place two forces in ambush on the right and left flanks. When the fighting begins, feign retreat and so draw him into the ambuscades. Then from a vantage point you can direct the forces to surround him on all sides. In this way Zhao Yun can be captured.”

The plan was adopted. Two parties of 30,000 men each, led by Dong Xi and Xue Ze, set up in ambush. Having made the preparation, Xiahou Mao advanced once more to challenge, with drums rolling and flags flying. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi went out to meet him.

Deng Zhi said, “The men of Wei were beaten only yesterday. This renewed attempt must mean they have some trick. You should be cautious, General.”

“I don’t think this youth, with the smell of his mother’s milk still on his lips, is worth caring about. I’ll surely capture him today.”

So ignoring the warning Zhao Yun sallied forth, and from the Wei side came an officer to meet him. But after only three bouts the man quickly ran way. Zhao Yun pursued. Then there came out to engage him no less than eight officers of Wei. The combat was not long either, for these eight men, after letting their commander Xiahou Man escape first, also fled one after another. Zhao Yun pressed forward at full speed, Deng Zhi coming up behind.

By degrees Zhao Yun was led into the heart of the enemy’s trap. All of a sudden a deafening shouting rose all around. Deng Zhi hastened to halt the pursuit and retreat, but it was too late. From two sides emerged the Wei officers waiting in ambush and Deng Zhi, with his weak force, was unable to go to his comrade’s rescue. Zhao Yun was thus entirely surrounded. However, he fought on fearlessly but the enemy seemed to increase at every attempt he made to break through, while he had but a meager force of about a thousand. Presently Zhao Yun fought to the foot of a hill, where he saw Xiahou Mao directing the operation from the top. Whichever direction he took, Xiahou Mao would indicate to his men, thus making it impossible for Zhao Yun to escape. Zhao Yun decided to charge up the hill, but was hampered by rolling logs and tumbling rocks.

The battle lasted almost a whole day, yet Zhao Yun was still unable to escape. So he dismounted to rest a while, intending to renew the struggle when the moon was up. But he had barely sat down with his armor off and the moon had just risen when, amid towering flames, thundering drums, and showers of arrows, his enemies came up, all shouting loudly, “Surrender quickly, Zhao Yun!”