Liu Bei meets a reclusive figure in South Nanzhang.
Dan Fu meets a worthy lord in Xinye.

Yet as Cai Mao was about to return to the city, Zhao Yun drove troops out of it.
Zhao Yun had been drinking when he suddenly noticed men and horses in motion, so he hurried inside to investigate. Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, was no longer at the seat. He was greatly startled. He rushed out to the inn and heard someone say, “Cai Mao has taken the troops westward.” Yun, in haste, snatched up his spear and mounted, leading three hundred soldiers he had brought with him. He galloped out the West Gate and met Cai Mao head-on. “Where is my lord?” he demanded.

“Your lord left the banquet in haste and disappeared. I do not know where he has gone,” Cai Mao replied.

Zhao Yun was meticulous and never hasty, so he kept his horse moving forward. From a distance he looked toward the great creek, saw no path of escape, and turned his horse back. “You invited my lord to a banquet,” he called. “Why did you come chasing with an armed force?”
“The officials from nine provinces and forty-two counties are all here,” Cai Mao replied. “As chief commander, how could I fail to give protection?”

“Where have you driven my lord to?” Yun asked.

“I heard His Lordship rode out the West Gate alone on a single horse,” Cai Mao said, “and then was no longer to be seen at this place.”

Zhao Yun was uncertain and alarmed. He had gone down to the creek and looked there himself and saw only a broad line of disturbed water on the far bank. “Could he have leapt with his horse across the creek?” he thought in silence. He ordered the three hundred to spread out and search, but no trace was found.
When he rode back, Cai Mao had already returned to the city. Yun seized a gate soldier and asked, and all said that Lord Liu had ridden out alone through the West Gate. He wanted to enter again, but fearing an ambush, he hurriedly brought the troops back to Xinye.

Liu Bei meanwhile had leapt his horse across the creek as if drunk and dazed, thinking: to clear such a broad ravine in one bound—was this not Heaven’s will? He proceeded slowly along Nanzhang, riding southward as the sun sank west.

While he was still on the road, he saw a shepherd boy riding astride a bull, blowing a short flute as he came. Liu Bei sighed, “I am no match for him.” He pulled up and watched. The boy stopped playing, turned the flute aside, and studied him closely.

“General, are you not Liu Bei, the one who crushed the Yellow Turbans?” the boy asked.

Liu Bei asked in surprise, “You are a village child. How do you know my surname and name?”

The boy said, “I did not know before. But whenever our master receives guests, many have spoken of a man named Liu Bei: tall about seven chi and five cun, with drooping hands past the knees, and eyes that can see his own ears. He is a hero of this age. Seeing you now, it must be he.”

Liu Bei said, “Who is your master?”

The boy replied, “My master’s family name is Sima. His given name is Hui, and his courtesy name is Decao. He comes from Yingchuan. People call him Master Water Mirror.”

Liu Bei asked, “Whom does your master count as friends?”

The boy said, “A Pang Degong and Pang Tong in Xiangyang.”

Liu Bei asked, “Who is this Pang Degong?”

“An uncle and nephew,” said the boy. “Pang Degong’s courtesy name is Shanmin; he is ten years older than my master. Pang Tong’s courtesy name is Shiyuan; he is five years younger. Once, my master was collecting mulberry leaves in a tree when Pang Tong happened to visit. The two sat under the tree and talked the whole day without tiring. My master loves Pang Tong deeply and calls him his younger brother.”

Liu Bei asked, “Where is your master now?”

The boy pointed toward the woods ahead. “There, in that grove, is his manor.”

Liu Bei said, “I am Liu Bei. Take me to your master so I can pay him my respects.”

The boy led him on. After more than two li they dismounted at the gate, entered the courtyard, and reached the inner gate. They heard exquisite zither music. Liu Bei told the boy to hold off the announcement and listened. The music stopped abruptly. A man laughed and came out.

“The tune of the zither was clear and pure,” he said. “Yet within it rose strains of high, penetrating force. There must have been a hero eavesdropping.”
The boy pointed at Liu Bei: “This is my master, Master Water Mirror.”

Liu Bei looked at him and saw a tall, upright body with a crane-like frame and a bearing beyond compare. He hurried forward and paid his respects, though his robe was still damp at the collar.

“Lord,” the master said, “you have escaped great peril today.”

Liu Bei was astonished.

The boy added, “This is Liu Bei.”

Master Water Mirror invited him into the thatched pavilion and seated guest and host. Liu Bei saw shelves piled with books, and outside the windows thickly planted pines and bamboos. A zither and chessboard stood on the stone bed, and an elegant fragrance floated about.

Water Mirror asked, “My lord, where do you come from?”

Liu Bei replied, “I passed this way by chance. Since your boy pointed me here, I have gained a chance to pay my respects and am deeply happy.”

Master Water Mirror smiled. “My lord, do not hide it. You are certain to have fled disaster and come here.”

Liu Bei told him about the affair at Xiangyang.

Water Mirror said, “From your color and presence I already understood.”

He asked, “For a long time I have heard of your reputation. Why are you still so poor and unrewarded?”

Liu Bei said, “My road has long been full of twists. That is why I am here.”

Water Mirror said, “Not so. It is because the men around the general are not the right men.”

Liu Bei answered, “Though I am limited, I have Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, and Jian Yong in civil matters and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun in war. They are loyal and support me to the utmost. I owe much to their strength.”

Water Mirror said, “Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun are each worth ten thousand men, but no master can use them well. Men like Sun Qian and Mi Zhu are white-faced scholars, not strategists fit to govern and save the age.”

Liu Bei said, “I have often sought the worthy hidden in valleys and hills, but I have not yet met them.”

Water Mirror said, “Did you not hear what Confucius said: ‘In every town with ten households, there is at least one who is loyal and truthful’? How can you say there are none?”

Liu Bei replied, “I am ignorant. I would welcome instruction.”

Water Mirror said, “Have you heard the saying in the counties of Jing and Xiang?”

Liu Bei said, “No.”

Water Mirror recited:

“In the eighth and ninth years things first begin to decline;
by the thirteenth there is no one left.
In the end Heaven’s mandate returns to its home,
and the coiled dragon from the mud soars toward the sky.”

“This saying began at the start of Jian’an. In Jian’an eight, Liu Jingsheng lost his former wife and disorder came to his household—this is what is meant by ‘beginnings decline.’ ‘No one left’ means that Liu Jingsheng was about to die, and his civil and military retainers scattered with none left behind. As for ‘Heaven’s mandate returns’ and ‘the dragon rises from the mud,’ these point to the general.”

Liu Bei was startled and grateful. “I dare not presume I could receive such as this!”

Water Mirror said, “All the extraordinary talent under Heaven is concentrated in this one man. You must go and seek him.”

Liu Bei urgently asked, “Where is this singular talent? Who is he?”

Water Mirror clapped his hands and laughed. “Good! Good!”

When Liu Bei asked again, Water Mirror said, “If you can obtain one of the pair, the country can be set at peace: Fulong and Fengchui.”

Liu Bei asked, “Who are Fulong and Fengchui?”

Water Mirror laughed broadly and twice said, “Good! Good!”

Liu Bei asked yet again. Water Mirror said, “Night has fallen. Let the general stay here for one night. Tomorrow he shall hear the full answer.” He ordered the boy to prepare wine and dishes, and had the horses led to the rear yard to be fed.

After Liu Bei finished dinner, he stayed the night in the side of the pavilion. He could not sleep, thinking over what Water Mirror had said. Late in the night, he heard a knock and saw someone enter. Water Mirror asked, “What brings Yuan Zhi?”

Liu Bei rose and listened carefully. The man answered, “I have long heard that Liu Jingsheng, though he distinguishes between right and wrong, does not know how to use what is right, and though he knows evil, he cannot remove it. So I left him by letter and came here.”

Water Mirror said, “My lord has talent to stabilize the realm; you should choose men carefully and enter service. Why go personally to present yourself to Jingsheng? Heroic heroes are before your eyes, but you do not recognize them yourself.”

The man replied, “What my lord says is true.”

Liu Bei listened with joy and thought this must be one of Fulong and Fengchui, so he wished to step out and meet him, yet feared to act in haste. At dawn he asked Water Mirror who had come in the night.

Water Mirror said, “He is my friend.”

Liu Bei begged to be introduced. Water Mirror replied, “This man seeks to serve a great lord and has already gone to another place.”

Liu Bei asked again for his name. Water Mirror only laughed and repeated, “Good! Good!”

Liu Bei again asked, “So are Fulong and Fengchui the same men?”

Water Mirror answered only with, “Good! Good!”

Liu Bei implored, “Master, leave the mountains and aid me. Help me uphold the Han court together.”

Water Mirror said, “I am a reclusive man, given to life in field and mountain; I cannot be used by the world. There will be someone ten times better than I to assist you. You should go and seek him.”

While they were still speaking, someone outside the estate shouted and horses whinnied. A boy came to report, “A general and several hundred men have come to the estate.”

Liu Bei was greatly startled and stepped out; it was Zhao Yun. Liu Bei rejoiced.

Zhao Yun dismounted and entered, saying, “I returned to the county the other night and could not find my lord. I tracked him through the night and came here. My lord should return the county quickly. I fear men may come to slaughter there.”

Liu Bei thanked Water Mirror and departed with Zhao Yun, mounting to ride back to Xinye.

After going not far, a force arrived and turned out to be Guan Yu (Yunchang) and Zhang Fei (Yide). They rejoiced at meeting each other. Liu Bei explained how he had leapt the creek at Tanxi. All shared in wonder and regret.

Back in the county he conferred with Sun Qian and others.

Sun Qian said, “First send a letter to Jingsheng to report this matter.”

Liu Bei followed that counsel and ordered Sun Qian to carry the letter to Jing Province.
Liu Biao summoned him and asked, “I invited Liu Bei to meet in Xiangyang. Why did he flee the banquet?”

Sun Qian presented the letter. It stated clearly that Cai Mao had plotted to harm him and that Liu Bei had escaped only by leaping Tanxi. Liu Biao was furious and immediately ordered Cai Mao brought out and executed.

Cai’s wife came out and wept to spare him from death, but Liu Biao’s anger had not yet cooled. Sun Qian said, “If you kill Cai Mao, Imperial Uncle will never rest in this place.” Liu Biao then held him to account, blamed him, and finally released him, sending his eldest son Liu Qi and Sun Qian to Liu Bei with an apology.

Liu Qi arrived and carried out the order. Liu Bei received him and held a feast.

When the wine grew deep, Liu Qi suddenly burst into tears. Liu Bei asked why.

Liu Qi said, “Lady Cai has always harbored intent to harm him. As her nephew I have no way to avert the calamity. I am fortunate my uncle has taught me.”

Liu Bei urged him, “Keep dutiful devotion carefully, and naturally there will be no danger.”

The next day Liu Qi took leave in tears.

Liu Bei rode out of the city gate with him, and as he looked toward the horse he said, “If not for this horse, I would now be beneath the earth.”

Liu Qi replied, “It is not the horse’s strength; it is your uncle’s great good fortune.”

After parting, Liu Qi wept and returned. Liu Bei rode back into the city.

As he entered, he saw a man in the market wearing a coarse cap and hemp robe, black cord and dark leather boots, singing loudly:

The world turns and turns, and the fire is near to dying.
A grand hall begins to collapse; one beam cannot hold it.
The worthy in valleys and hills wish to offer themselves to a bright lord.
The bright lord seeks the worthy and does not know me.

Liu Bei silently thought, “Could this be one of the Fulong or Fengchui that Water Mirror spoke of?” He dismounted, approached, and brought him into the county yamen for questioning.

He asked his name. The man answered, “I am a man of Ying. My surname is Dan, my given name Fu. I have long heard that my lord receives men and recruits worthies, and I came to entrust myself here, but did not dare to enter directly. So I sang in the market to draw your honored hearing.”

Liu Bei was very pleased and treated him as a guest of honor.

Dan Fu said, “Your horse, which your lord has ridden, I ask to see once more.”

Liu Bei ordered its reins loosened and brought it beneath the hall. Dan Fu said, “Is this not a Dilu horse? Though it is a thousand-li horse, it hinders the lord and should not be ridden.”

Liu Bei said, “I have already made use of it.” He then explained the leap at Tanxi.

Dan Fu said, “This is a horse that saved your lord, not one that harmed him. It will certainly hinder another lord. There is a way to avert that.”

Liu Bei asked, “I would hear the way to avert it.”

Dan Fu replied, “If there is someone in your heart who bears you a grudge, give this horse to him. After this one is barred, then ride it again and there will be no mishap.”

Liu Bei’s face changed as he listened. “When you first came here, you did not teach me the righteous way, but now you counsel a practice of harming another for selfish gain. I dare not follow it.”

Dan Fu smiled and bowed in thanks. “I had heard that my lord had a reputation for benevolence, and so I did not dare to trust it fully at once. I spoke this only to test you.”

Liu Bei at once changed expression and thanked him. “I am not one who can claim mercy and benevolence toward others; it is my teacher who has taught it.”

Dan Fu said, “Since I came from Ying, I have heard the people of Xinye sing: ‘In Xinye live the pastoral officer, Liu the Imperial Uncle. Since he came here, the people are plenty and rich.’ It is proof of my lord’s benevolence and kindness.”

Liu Bei appointed Dan Fu as military adviser and organized training for the main force.

Later, Cao Cao returned from Ji Province to Xuchang. He often had intent to seize Jing Province, so he sent Cao Ren, Li Dian, and the defected commanders Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang with thirty thousand troops to hold Fan City, watch Jingxiang, and test conditions.

Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang reported to Cao Ren, “Liu Bei is now encamped in Xinye. He is recruiting soldiers and buying horses, storing grass and grain. His intent is not small, and it cannot be left unexamined. Since we both have not earned even a foot of merit since we submitted to the Chancellor, we ask for five thousand picked troops to take Liu Bei’s head and offer it to the Chancellor.”

Cao Ren rejoiced and, with the two Lü men and five thousand men, marched toward Xinye to engage them.

An envoy brought news to Liu Bei. He consulted Dan Fu.

Dan Fu said, “Since enemy troops have already arrived, do not let them enter the territory. Send Guan Yu with one force out to the left to cut them in the road of their approach. Send Zhang Fei with one force to the right to strike at their rear. The general should lead Zhao Yun out ahead of the vanguard to meet them first. Their force can be broken.”

Liu Bei did as he said. He had Guan and Zhang set out and then, with Dan Fu, Zhao Yun, and others, led two thousand horse and men out through the gate to meet them.

After only a short distance, dust billowed behind a mountain and the two Lü took command near the front. They aligned both battle lines.

Liu Bei rode into the flag gate and shouted, “Who comes? Who dares to violate my borders?”

Lü Kuang rode out and said, “I am Great General Lü Kuang, and by order of the Chancellor I have come to seize you.”

Liu Bei grew angry and sent out Zhao Yun. The two commanders fought not for long; in one lance thrust Zhao Yun struck Lü Kuang under the horse.

Liu Bei signaled his troops to surround and kill. Lü Xiang could not withstand the pressure and withdrew in disorder.

As they pressed onward, a force burst from the roadside. At its head was a great commander: Guan Yu. It split the formation in one charge. Lü Xiang lost over half of his men and broke through to escape.

Before they had gone ten li, another force blocked the road again. Its leading commander raised his spear and shouted, “Zhang Yide is here!”

He drove straight at Lü Xiang, who was caught unprepared, and Zhang Fei thrust him once through with a spear. Lü Xiang turned and fell from the horse, dead. The rest scattered in flight.

Liu Bei gathered and pursued. Most of them were captured.

Liu Bei returned to the county, gave ample reward to Dan Fu, and honored the troops.

The defeated troops reported to Cao Ren. They said both Lü men had been killed and many soldiers captured alive. Cao Ren was greatly startled and spoke with Li Dian. Li Dian said, “The two commanders were lost while engaging the enemy. Now we should hold position and report first to the Chancellor, then bring out large forces for an exterminating campaign. That is the best course.”

Cao Ren said, “No. Two commanders are dead and many troops are lost; this feud cannot wait to be answered. If Xinye is only a small territory no larger than a handful of bullets, why must I summon the Chancellor’s great army?”

Li Dian said, “Liu Bei is a person of outstanding talent. He should not be underestimated.”

Cao Ren replied, “Are you fearful?”

Li Dian said, “The Art of War says, ‘Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will be victorious in a hundred battles.’ I am not afraid of fighting, only fearful that we may not surely win.”

Cao Ren grew angry. “Do you have divided loyalty? I will take Liu Bei alive if I can.”

Li Dian said, “If the general goes, I will hold Fan City.”

“If you do not follow me,” Cao Ren said, “then you truly harbor divided loyalty.”

Unable to refuse, Li Dian agreed. Cao Ren raised twenty-five thousand horse and troops, crossed the river, and rode toward Xinye.

Thus it was said:

The attached contingent has already borne the shame of a litter-bound corpse,
And the main general rises again to lead troops and avenge the disgrace.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.