Now Sun Quan had gathered his men and driven them to attack Xiakou. Huang Zu’s troops were defeated and near ruin. Realizing he could not hold Jiangxia, he abandoned it and turned toward Jingzhou to flee. Gan Ning predicted that Huang Zu would go only to Jingzhou, so he laid an ambush outside the eastern gate.

Huang Zu rode out with a few dozen riders. As he was leaving, Gan Ning called out and blocked him. Huang Zu said from horseback,

“I have never treated you lightly before. Why do you force me this time?”

Ning shouted back,

“When I was in Jiangxia I won many merits. Yet you treated me as a river-bandit. What do you say to this now?”

Huang Zu knew escape was all that remained, so he turned his horse and rode. Ning pushed through the soldiers and drove straight after him. He then heard shouting behind him and saw several riders coming up. It was Cheng Pu. Fearful that Cheng Pu would steal his share of the glory, Ning hastily nocked an arrow and shot backward at Huang Zu from horseback. Huang Zu was hit, turned over, and fell from his horse. Ning took his head, returned, and joined Cheng Pu’s men, then went back to Sun Quan and presented Huang Zu’s severed head.

Sun Quan ordered it placed in a wooden chest, to be brought home to Jiangdong and offered before his late father’s spirit. He rewarded the armies and promoted Gan Ning to Commandant. The court discussed how to split the force and defend Jiangxia. Zhang Zhao said,

“A lone city cannot be held. Better to pull back to Jiangdong for now. Liu Biao will know we have broken Huang Zu and will surely come to seek revenge. Let him come and exhaust himself first. When he is spent, we can strike him and then take Jing and Xiang too.”

Sun Quan agreed. They abandoned Jiangxia and withdrew back to Jiangdong.

Su Fei, confined in a cage-cart, secretly sent word to Gan Ning begging for aid. Ning replied, “Fei has not said a word to me, but how could I forget him?” As the main army reached Wujui, Sun Quan ordered Su Fei’s head to be brought out and offered together with Huang Zu’s. Ning then entered court and knelt to report,

“If I had not found Su Fei, my bones would by now be filling ditches and ravines. How could I then have served your banner? His offense merits death, but I remember the kindness he once showed me and beg that I restore his rank and atone for him.”

Sun Quan said,

“He has done you good service once, and I forgive him for your sake. But if he flees, what then?”

Ning said,

“If he escapes death and receives pardon, he will still have no place to repay this grace. He would not run. If he ran, I would rather bring his head to these steps myself.”

Sun Quan pardoned Su Fei. He left out the sacrifice of Huang Zu’s head only. After the rites were done, there was a banquet to celebrate with all civil and military officers.

While they were drinking, one man in the hall suddenly wept, rose up with a drawn sword, and moved straight at Gan Ning. Ning quickly raised a stool to meet him. Sun Quan looked closely and saw it was Ling Tong. During the Jiangxia affair, Gan Ning had shot Ling Tong’s father, Ling Cao, and Ling Tong had come to avenge him.

Sun Quan hurriedly restrained him and said,

“Xingba killed Ling Cao while serving the man to whom he owed loyalty, and Ling Cao had none but that duty too. Now you are of one household. Could you still hold on to old enmity? Everything is in my hands.”

Ling Tong knelt and wept again,

“A grudge with whom we cannot share heaven and earth in common cannot remain unanswered.”

Sun Quan and the officials pleaded with him again and again, but Ling Tong kept his eyes furious. Sun Quan at once ordered Gan Ning to take five thousand soldiers and one hundred warships to Xiakou and garrison there to avoid Ling Tong. Ning thanked him, took command, and departed.

Sun Quan also conferred on Ling Tong the title of Commandant. Ling Tong had no choice but to swallow his resentment.

From then on, Eastern Wu built more warships in force and split troops to hold the riverbank; Sun Quan also ordered Sun Jing to guard one contingent at Wuhui. Sun Quan himself led the main army and encamped at Chaisang. Zhou Yu trained the water forces at Poyang Lake day after day to prepare for battle.

The narrative splits.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, sent scouts for news of Jiangdong. They returned: Eastern Wu had already broken Huang Zu and now had troops posted at Chaisang. Liu Bei at once asked Zhuge Liang to deliberate. In the middle of this, a messenger from Liu Biao arrived requesting that Liu Bei come to Jingzhou for consultation.

Zhuge Liang said,

“This is certainly because the Jiangdong army broke Huang Zu and now calls this meeting to discuss vengeance. I will go with you, and at the moment we can find a good way.”

Liu Bei agreed. He left Guan Yu, whose courtesy name was Yunchang, at Xinye, and ordered Zhang Fei, whose courtesy name was Yide, to lead five hundred horse and men to follow him to Jingzhou.

Liu Bei said to Zhuge Liang while on horseback,

“When we meet Liu Biao, what should I answer him first?”

Kongming replied,

“First, apologize for what happened at Xiangyang. If he asks you to raise an expedition against Jiangdong, refuse it. Say you must return to Xinye and arrange your troops.”

As instructed, Liu Bei reached Jingzhou and took lodging. He left Zhang Fei with a detachment outside the city. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang then entered to meet Liu Biao. After the formal greetings, Liu Bei knelt and asked pardon.

Liu Biao said,

“I already know of the matter in which my junior brother was harmed. At the time I wished to behead Cai Mao’s head and offer it to your brother. But when the elders pleaded, I forgave him for now. Do not fear punishment.”

Liu Bei replied,

“It was not only General Cai’s doing. It must have been done by some of the attendants beneath him.”

Liu Biao said,

“Now Jiangxia has fallen, and Huang Zu is dead. I ask that my younger brother join me to discuss a plan of retaliation.”

Liu Bei replied,

“Huang Zu was violent and could not use capable men, which caused this disaster. If we raise troops for a southern expedition and Cao Cao advances from the north, what then?”

Liu Biao said,

“I am old and sick and cannot manage affairs anymore. You may come to assist me. After I die, you may take charge of Jingzhou.”

Liu Bei said,

“How can you say this, big brother? I do not dare to take so great a burden.”

Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Bei, and Liu Bei said,

“Let me consider carefully and find a better strategy.”

So they withdrew. When Liu Bei returned to the inn, Kongming said,

“Jingsheng proposes to entrust Jingzhou to your lordship. Why do you refuse?”

Liu Bei said,

“Jingsheng has shown us kindness beyond measure. How could I seize the province while his position is weak?”

Kongming sighed,

“He is truly a benevolent lord.”

As they were still discussing, Liu Qi came in. Liu Bei invited him to step forward. Liu Qi knelt and wept,

“My stepmother cannot bear me. My life hangs on tomorrow’s dawn. Please save me, uncle.”

Liu Bei answered,

“This is family business, and he asks me.”

Liu Bei then asked Zhuge Liang for counsel. Kongming said,

“This is a private matter of household blood, and I dare not involve myself.”

After a while, Liu Bei sent Liu Qi out and said in a low voice,

“Tomorrow I will send Kongming back to return your greeting. He will have a way to help.”

Liu Qi thanked him and left.

The next day Liu Bei pretended an ache in his stomach and ordered Zhuge Liang to go in his place to visit Liu Qi. Kongming agreed and rode to the young lord’s house. He dismounted before the gate and was received within.

Liu Qi invited him to the rear hall. After tea, he said,

“Liu Qi cannot find favor with his stepmother. I beg the Master to speak one word and save me.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“I am but your guest here. I dare not interfere with blood relations. If anything were revealed, the harm would not be light.”

He rose to leave, but Liu Qi said, “How can he who has honored me so highly wait on me with such formality?” and drew him into a private room to drink.

As they drank, Liu Qi said again,

“My stepmother still gives me no welcome. I beg the Master to save me.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“This is not a thing I dare to devise.”

After speaking he prepared to rise. Liu Qi said,

“If the Master remains silent, let him go. Why then leave at once?”

Kongming sat again.

Liu Qi then said,

“I keep an old book. Please, Master, look at it.”

He led him up into a small pavilion.

Kongming asked, “Where is the book kept?”

Liu Qi knelt and wept,

“My life is on the edge of dawn and dusk. My stepmother gives no welcome. If the Master says nothing, how can he save me?”

Zhuge Liang rose and prepared to go, and at that moment the staircase had already been removed. Liu Qi said,

“I seek a true stratagem from the Master. The Master fears leakage and will not speak. Today I am between heaven and earth—if your mouth can open and his ear can hear, then I may receive the teaching.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“When one who is not intimate speaks to kin, how can Kongming counsel the prince?”

Liu Qi replied,

“Will the Master never teach me at all? My life cannot be kept. Let me die before you now.”

He drew his sword to stab himself. Zhuge Liang stopped him and said,

“I have already found a good plan.”

Liu Qi knelt and said,

“Then grant me instruction at once.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“Have you not heard of Shensheng and Chong’er? Shensheng died within while Chong’er survived by staying outside. Now Huang Zu has just fallen and Jiangxia has few men to guard it. Why does the young lord not speak up and request to station troops there? Then you may avoid disaster.”

Liu Qi knelt again in thanks and sent men to fetch a ladder and bring Zhuge Liang down.

Back with Liu Bei, Kongming recounted all that had happened. Liu Bei was overjoyed. The next day Liu Qi submitted a request to defend Jiangxia. Liu Biao hesitated, so he asked Liu Bei to discuss with him. Liu Bei said,

“Jiangxia is an important place and not for ordinary men to hold. It must be the prince himself who goes there. The southern matter should be borne by father and son there; for the northwest, I, Liu Bei, am willing to hold.”

Liu Biao said,

“I have heard that Cao Cao has made the Xuanwu Pond in Ye Commandery to train water troops and likely intends a southern expedition. We must prepare against that.”

Liu Bei replied,

“I know that. Do not worry.”

He then took his leave and returned to Xinye. Liu Biao ordered Liu Qi to bring three thousand soldiers and garrison Jiangxia.

Cao Cao, abolishing the offices of the Three Dukes, assumed the Chancellorship and appointed Mao Jie as Eastern Clerk of the Chancellor’s Office, Cui Yan as Western Clerk, and Sima Yi, whose courtesy name was Zhongda, as Literary Clerk. Sima Yi was from Wen in Henei. He was a grandson of Sima Juan, Administrator of Yingchuan; a son of Sima Fang, Intendant of Jingzhao; and a younger brother of Sima Lang, who served as a clerk. The civil office was now fully staffed, and Cao Cao gathered the generals to discuss a southern campaign.

Xiahou Dun proposed,

“I have heard that Liu Bei has been training his men daily at Xinye. He will become trouble later. We should plan against him early.”

Cao Cao immediately appointed Xiahou Dun as Chief Commander, with Yu Jin, Li Dian, Xiahou Lan, and Han Hao as deputies, and ordered him to lead one hundred thousand soldiers straight to Bowang to reconnoiter Xinye.

Xun Yu advised,

“Liu Bei is a hero, and now he has Zhuge Liang as his military adviser. We should not treat him lightly.”

Dun replied,

“Liu Bei is no more than a rat. I will surely capture him.”

Xu Shu said,

“Do not underestimate Liu Xuande, though he is called by that name. Since he has received Zhuge Liang, he is like a tiger with winged support.”

Cao Cao asked,

“Who is Zhuge Liang?”

Xu Shu answered,

“His name is Kongming, known as Master Wòlóng [Sleeping Dragon]. He has talents that map heaven and ground and strategies that enter beyond spirits. He is an exceptional man of this age, not one to be underestimated.”

Cao Cao said,

“What of yourself, then?”

Xu Shu said,

“This humble adviser has no right to compare with Kongming. I am but a firefly’s light; he is the moon’s clear brilliance.”

Xiahou Dun laughed and said,

“Yu, your words are mistaken. I look on Zhuge Liang as a blade of grass. Why should we fear him? If I do not capture Liu Bei alive and seize Zhuge Liang in one battle, I will offer their heads to the Chancellor.”

Cao Cao said,

“Report good news soon and ease my heart.”

Xiahou Dun rose at once, saluted, and left to march.

Liu Bei had received Kongming and treated him with due reverence. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were displeased.

“He is young. What talent has he? Your devotion to him is too much. And we have yet to see him prove himself,” they said.

Liu Bei answered,

“Since I found Kongming, it is as a fish finding water. You two should not add further words.”

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei withdrew in silence.

One day, someone brought a buffalo tail to court. Liu Bei took the tail and tied it onto his cap himself. Zhuge Liang entered and said sharply,

“My lord, do you have no far ambition anymore, but only this task at hand?”

Liu Bei threw the cap onto the ground and apologized,

“I only put this on to set aside my worries.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“How does my lord measure yourself against Cao Cao?”

Liu Bei said,

“By no means equal.”

Zhuge Liang replied,

“Your men are but a few thousand. If Cao’s host comes, how can you meet it?”

Liu Bei said,

“That is what has been worrying me. I have no good plan.”

Zhuge Liang said,

“Recruit the local militia at once; let me train them. They can wait for the enemy.”

Liu Bei did so at Xinye and raised three thousand men. Kongming taught them formation and maneuvers day and night.

They soon heard that Xiahou Dun had arrived with one hundred thousand men from Cao Cao marching hard toward Xinye. When Zhang Fei heard, he said to Guan Yu,

“Brother, why not send ‘the strategist’ first?”

Liu Bei said,

“Our hopes rest on Kongming, and courage on my two brothers. I cannot lay all this aside.”

When Guan and Zhang had gone, Liu Bei requested Zhuge Liang to devise a plan.

Zhuge Liang said,

“I fear the two of you will not obey my orders. If my lord wishes for me to lead an army, please grant me your sword seal.”

Liu Bei gave the seal to Kongming. Zhuge Liang then assembled the assembled commanders and issued orders.

Zhang Fei said to Guan Yu,

“Let us listen and then go. Let us see how he directs them.”

Kongming ordered,

“To the left of Bowang is Yushan Mountain; to the right is a wood called Anlin. It is fit for concealing men and horse. Guanyu, send one thousand men to Yushan and set ambush first. Let the enemy arrive, and let him pass us by and wear himself down. Their baggage and grain will surely come behind. Watch for a blaze from the south, then send your men out to strike and burn their grain train. Yide [Zhang Fei], take one thousand men and hide in the valley behind the mountain at Anlin. Again, when fire rises from the south, ride out and burn what stores were previously stacked at Bowang where supplies were kept. Guan Ping and Liu Feng should bring five hundred and keep prepared burning materials on either side behind the Bowang slope, so that at the first watch, once the enemy troops arrive they can set fire. Also, recall Zhao Yun from Fan City and make him the vanguard. Instruct him not to seek a hard victory, but to keep yielding ground.”

“My lord should draw one army and hold as reserve. Each man must act by this plan without fail.”

Guan Yu asked,

“We all go out to meet the enemy. What is the master strategist to do?”

Kongming said,

“I will stay and defend this city.”

Zhang Fei laughed,

“We all go to fight while you sit at home and hold your seat?”

Kongming said,

“The sword seal is here. Whoever disobeys my order will be cut down.”

Liu Bei said,

“Have you not heard, ‘deciding and planning in the tent, settling victory a thousand li away’? You two must not disobey.”

Zhang Fei gave him a cold laugh and left.

Guan Yu said,

“Let us see if his plan works or not; we can ask him later.”

After they left, no one among the gathered commanders fully understood Kongming’s stratagem. Though they followed orders, all were uncertain.

Kongming told Liu Bei,

“Today, my lord, move and encamp at the foot of Bowang Mountain. Tomorrow at dusk the enemy will certainly arrive. Then my lord should abandon your camp and withdraw. When you see flames rise, return at once and kill in enclosure. I will go with Mi Zhu and Mi Fang leading five hundred to guard the county. Send Sun Qian and Jian Yong to prepare a celebratory feast and ready the rewards ledger.”

All these deployments were made, but Liu Bei still wavered.

Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin, with their forces, arrived at Bowang and split half of the picked troops as the vanguard, while the rest guarded the baggage wagons. In the autumn a wind slowly rose. As the men and horses ran, dust suddenly rose before them ahead. Xiahou Dun formed the troops and asked the local guide, “What place is this?”

The guide replied,

“Ahead is Bowang Slope. Behind lies Luochuan Pass.”

Xiahou Dun ordered Yu Jin and Li Dian to hold the line and went forward himself. He looked ahead at the approaching army and suddenly burst out laughing.

When the others asked why, he said,

“I laugh that Xu Yuan [Xun Yu] praised Zhuge Liang to the Chancellor as one among gods and men. Look how he now uses his troops in battle: these horses and riders would be just like dogs loosed against tigers and leopards! I boasted before the Chancellor that I would capture Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang alive. My words will be fulfilled now.”

He spurred directly forward.

Zhao Yun rode out.

Xiahou Dun shouted,

“You cling to Liu Bei as a lonely soul clings to a ghost!”

Zhao Yun, enraged, spurred forward to battle. The two horses met, exchanged only a few blows, and Liu Bei’s ally feigned retreat. Xiahou Dun chased.

After about ten li, Zhao Yun turned and fought again, then feigned retreat once more, and did this more than once. Han Hao rode up to intercede,

“Zhao Yun is luring the enemy. He must have laid a trap.”

Xiahou Dun said,

“Even if there were ten ambushes, what do I fear?”

He ignored Han Hao and pressed on to Bowang Slope.

A single heavy blast sounded. At that same moment, Liu Bei drove his army forward and came to join and exchange blows. Xiahou Dun said to Han Hao,

“That is the ambushed force indeed! I swear I will not stop killing until I take Xinye tonight!”

He drove the force onward.

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun withdrew and retreated.

Night had now fallen and dense clouds covered the sky. There was still no moon. The daytime wind had risen, and the night wind rose stronger. Xiahou Dun, intent only on pressing forward, drove the men to kill and chase.

Yu Jin and Li Dian reached a narrow place, with reeds on both sides. Li Dian said to Yu Jin,

“Those who rely on deception often lose. The south road is narrow, mountains and streams hem you in, trees are thick. If they use fire, what then?”

Yu Jin answered,

“You speak truly. I will go forward to warn the Chief Commander. You hold the rear army.”

Li Dian hauled back his horse and shouted, “Hold the rear ranks!” But no wall could have held them at that pace. Yu Jin then shouted harder, “The rear ranks of the commander’s column should slow their pace!”

As Xiahou Dun rode onward, he saw Yu Jin coming back from the rear and asked why.

Yu Jin said,

“The southern road is narrow. Mountains and water constrict it, and trees crowd together. They may use fire.”

Xiahou Dun suddenly realized this. He wheeled and ordered the cavalry to stop. He had not finished giving the order when a roar rose from behind. He turned and saw flames spreading at once. Soon the reeds on both sides were burning too. In a moment, all around was fire in every direction. With the wind high, the flames grew fierce.

Cao’s men trampled one another in panic; the dead were too many to count.

Zhao Yun countercharged and pursued, and Xiahou Dun rode through smoke and fire to escape.

Li Dian saw the tide turning badly and ran back to Bowang City. In the firelight a column blocked him. At its front was no other than Guan Yu.

Li Dian wheeled his horse into close fighting and forced through. Yu Jin saw that the baggage wagons and supplies were already burning and bolted down a side track.

Xiahou Lan and Han Hao came to recover the baggage, and met Zhang Fei. The two fought for only a few exchanges. Zhang Fei drove his spear through Xiahou Lan and downed him with the horse. Han Hao stole away.

The fighting continued until dawn before the army could be reassembled. Heaps of bodies lay in the fields, and blood ran like a river.

A later song said:

At Bowang, the lines held in fire attack, Their command and deployment came as easy as idle chat. At once it shook Cao Gong’s courage; This was the first merit of the thatched-cottage master.

Xiahou Dun gathered his remnant and returned to Xuchang.

Kongming then assembled his men. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said,

“Kongming truly is a heroic man.”

After only a few li, they saw Mi Zhu and Mi Fang bringing a small formation, and in one wagon a man sat upright: it was Kongming.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei dismounted and knelt before the wagon. Before long, Liu Bei, Zhao Yun, Liu Feng, Guan Ping, and the others arrived. They gathered the troops, assigned the seized grain and baggage, and distributed rewards to the soldiers before returning to Xinye.

The people of Xinye blocked the roads and bowed as the troops passed, saying,

“You all live because we live by your lord’s strength and by this worthy man!”

Returning within the county, Kongming told Liu Bei,

“Although Xiahou Dun has been beaten, Cao Cao will surely bring a great army himself.”

Liu Bei asked,

“How shall we respond?”

Zhuge Liang replied,

“I have one plan by which we can meet Cao’s army.”

So it was:

Though the enemy has been broken, the battle horses cannot yet rest; to evade pursuit, good strategy will again be required. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.