Lady Wu of Wu saw that Sun Quan was still uncertain. She said to him, “Our late sister’s parting words were: ‘Bofu, on his deathbed, said this: when there is doubt about internal matters, ask Zhang Zhao; when there is doubt about external matters, ask Zhou Yu.’ Why do you not ask Gongjin to advise you?” Sun Quan, much pleased, immediately sent a messenger to Poyang to invite Zhou Yu to discuss affairs.

Zhou Yu had been at Poyang Lake drilling the water force. When he heard that Cao Cao’s great army had arrived at Han Shore, he returned overnight to Chaisang Commandery to meet about war plans. By the time the envoy departed, Zhou Yu had already arrived. Lu Su, with whom Zhou Yu was closest, came first to receive him and gave him a full account of the matter already discussed. Zhou Yu said, “Zijing, do not worry. I have my own conclusions. Ask Master Kongming to come at once.”

Lu Su mounted and left.

Zhou Yu had scarcely settled to rest when news came that Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Zhang Hong, and Bu Zhi had come to seek him. He received them in the hall, and after the usual greetings he spoke briefly with them. Zhang Zhao said, “Does the Chief Commander know the stakes for Jiangdong?”

Zhou Yu said, “I do not yet.”

Zhang Zhao said, “Cao Cao has gathered a million men and is encamped on the Han River. The edict only arrived yesterday and asks the lord to hold a hunting gathering at Jiangxia. There is an intent to swallow us, though it is not yet fully exposed. Zhang Zhao and the others counseled the lord to surrender, hoping to spare Jiangdong from disaster. Yet Zijing, coming from Jiangxia with Liu Yu Zhou’s strategist Zhuge Liang, came here on his own account to wash away his frustration and spoke words to stir the lord. Zijing remains stubborn and has not awakened. We should await the Chief Commander and then decide.”

Zhou Yu said, “Do all your opinions agree?” Gu Yong and the others said, “The same as ours.”

Zhou Yu said, “I too have wanted to surrender for some time. You may go home. Tomorrow when we stand before the lord, there will be a final resolution.”

Zhang Zhao and the rest withdrew.

Soon after, Chéng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and others of the commanders arrived.

Zhou Yu welcomed them in and finished asking after each of them. Chéng Pu said, “Does the Chief Commander know whether Jiangdong is to fall to another by tomorrow or by this day’s end?”

Zhou Yu said, “I do not yet.”

Chéng Pu said, “We have followed the great general of Wu from the founding of this state; in a few hundred skirmishes of large and small, we have only just secured six commanderies and cities. Now the lord listens to strategists and wants to surrender to Cao Cao. This is truly a shame and a bitter regret. We commanders will rather die than submit. I ask the Chief Commander to press the lord toward raising arms. We are ready to die in battle.”

Zhou Yu said, “Do all the commanders share that view?”

Huang Gai rose in anger and struck his brow with his hand: “I would cut off my own head first; I swear not to submit to Cao Cao!”

The others all said, “None of us wish to surrender.”

Zhou Yu said, “I too intend to fight Cao Cao. How can I submit to him? Leave this matter with your Commander. Tomorrow, in the court, the decision will be made.”

Chéng Pu and the others withdrew.

Not long after, Zhuge Jin, Lu Fan, and another group of civil officials arrived. Zhou Yu greeted them and performed the proper courtesies.

Zhou Jin said, “My younger brother, Zhuge Liang, came from the Han River front and says that Governor Liu of Yu Province wishes to join Eastern Wu to strike Cao Cao, but the civil and military counselors have not yet reached a decision. As I have sent my brother as envoy, I cannot offer much. I have waited for the Chief Commander to settle this matter.”

Zhou Yu said, “What do you judge this as?”

Zhuge Jin said, “To surrender is easy and secure; to fight is hard to preserve.”

Zhou Yu laughed and said, “I have my own intention. Come tomorrow; we shall settle it together in the office.”

Zhuge Jin and the rest withdrew.

Again there was report that Lü Meng, Gan Ning, and others had come. Zhou Yu invited them in and discussed the matter with them as well. Some spoke for war; some spoke for surrender; and they argued back and forth. Zhou Yu said, “There is no need for further words. Come tomorrow, all of you, to the office and discuss this in public.” They then withdrew. Zhou Yu kept smiling with cold amusement and did not stop.

By evening, Lu Su came to fetch Kongming to make his salutation. Zhou Yu came through the middle gate to receive him. After formalities, they sat as host and guest.

Lu Su spoke first. “Now that Cao Cao drives his army southward, there are two policies before us: peace or battle. The lord cannot decide and listens to his generals. What is your view, General?”

Zhou Yu said, “Cao Cao claims the emperor’s name, and his troops cannot be refused. Moreover, his force is huge; we should not lightly oppose him. In battle we will surely lose; in surrender we are secure. My mind is decided. Tomorrow, when we face the lord, we will send an envoy to accept submission.”

Lu Su was taken aback: “Your words are wrong. The foundation of Jiangdong has passed through three generations. Can we abandon it to others in one day? Bofu’s bequest entrusted external matters to you. Now that this is the time to save the state through your strength, and to be the pillar against the hills, why do you now follow the counsel of a coward?”

Zhou Yu said, “Jiangdong has six commanderies. The number of living souls is limitless. If the calamity of war and uprising lands on them, all the blame will fall to me. Therefore I have decided to seek terms.”

Lu Su said, “No. With your valor and Wu’s defenses, Cao Cao is not certain to win his will.”

They argued with each other. Kongming only folded his sleeves and smiled coldly.

Zhou Yu said, “Master, why do you smile?”

Kongming said, “Bright One does not laugh at others; he laughs that Zijing does not understand the times.”

Lu Su said, “How can you laugh at my not understanding the times?”

Kongming said, “Master Gongjin’s intention to surrender to Cao Cao is very reasonable.”

Zhou Yu said, “Then Kongming is surely a man who understands the times and has only your consent.”

Lu Su said, “Kongming, why do you also speak this way?”

Kongming said, “Cao Cao is superb at using troops; in the world none would dare oppose him. Before he was checked, only Lü Bu, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Liu Biao dared to resist him. Those few men are now all destroyed by him, and there is no one left in the world. Only Liu Yu Zhou, not understanding the times, still insists on weighing himself against him. You are alone at Jiangxia; your survival is uncertain. If the commander chooses surrender to Cao Cao, he can protect wife and children and preserve wealth and rank. Dynastic fate has turned many times to heaven’s decree. Why should one grieve over what is assigned?”

Lu Su was furious: “You would teach my lord to kneel in humiliation before a traitor to the state!”

Kongming said, “I have one plan. You need not burden pack animals with hauling wine and gift vessels, nor present earth and seal; you need not even cross the river yourself. Send one common messenger, and in a skiff send two people to the riverbank. If Cao Cao receives these two, the whole million-strong host will lay down its armor and stack its flags to withdraw.”

Zhou Yu said, “What two could make Cao Cao withdraw his troops?”

Kongming said, “From the perspective of Jiangdong, these two are like a single leaf on a giant tree, lighter than a grain removed from granaries. Yet if Cao Cao gains them, he will be delighted and leave.”

Zhou Yu asked again, “Then exactly which two are to be used?”

Kongming said, “When Bright One stayed at Longzhong, he heard that Cao Cao built a new platform on the Zhang River and called it the Copper-Sparrow Platform. It is vast and splendid. He selected beauties from all over the realm to fill it. Cao Cao, by nature a lover of women, has long heard that in Jiangdong there are two daughters of Qiao, the elder called Great Qiao and the younger called Little Qiao, with beauty like fish under water and geese in flight, like moonlight behind clouds and flowers ashamed to be seen. Cao Cao once swore: ‘I have one wish: to sweep and pacify all four seas and complete an imperial undertaking. I have another: to get the two women of Jiangdong, place them in the Copper-Sparrow Platform, and spend my old age in delight. Even in death I would be without regret.’ Although he now comes with a million men and eyes south like a tiger, this is truly for those two women. Why does the Commander not go to Qiao-gong and, with a thousand pieces of gold, buy these two women and send them to Cao Cao? When he gets them, his heart will be satisfied and he will certainly call back his army. It is the tactic Fan Li used to give up Xishi—why not do it at once?”

Zhou Yu said, “How is it proven that Cao Cao wants the two Qiaos?”

Kongming said, “Cao Cao’s young son, Cao Zhi, courtesy name Zijian, writes with ease and speed. Cao Cao once ordered him to compose a prose-poem called Rhapsody on the Copper-Sparrow Platform. Its intent plainly states that he sees himself fit for the Son of Heaven and vows to take the two Qiaos.”

Zhou Yu said, “Can you recite it?”

Kongming said, “I love the beauty of its prose and verse, and once memorized part of it. I can recite it now.”

Zhou Yu said, “Then recite.” Kongming recited:

Following dawn, he went out to sport and roam, and climbed the tiered tower for pleasure. He beheld the broad hall where all was opened and saw the sacred virtue the sovereign had established. He raised lofty, steeping gates and built soaring structures, the twin towers floating in the highest height. He set an ornate terrace in heaven’s middle and linked flying pavilions to the western city. He looked across the long current of the Zhang River, and saw the garden and fruit thrive in abundance. He placed twin platforms to his left and right, with a jade dragon and a golden phoenix. He embraced the two Qiaos in the southeastern quarter, delighting in their morning and evening companionship. He looked down on the vast imperial city and gazed at cloud and drizzle drifting in the sky. He rejoiced that many talents gathered and that their favorable dreams flew together like a flying bear. He raised his face to the gentle spring wind and heard the sorrowful cries of hundreds of birds. Heaven’s clouds stretched across the whole sky as he stood there, and this family wished to gain both women. He spread benevolent transformation through the cosmos and made all in the upper capital stand in reverent order. Only Han Wen was so splendid—how could it compare with august brightness? Beautiful it is, beautiful it is! Its blessings and grace reach far. Together I aid my royal house and settle the four directions. Conforming to Heaven and Earth in measure, he matched the radiance of sun and moon. Forever elevated and honored without limit, his life was to be equal to the Eastern Deity’s years. He drove a dragon banner to wander and circle, and returned the phoenix carriage in a circling rhythm. His grace extended through all four seas, rare things flourished and the people prospered. May this pavilion stand firm forever; may its joy endure to the end, never exhausted.

After Kongming finished, Zhou Yu rose in furious anger, pointed north, and shouted, “That old villain has cheated and insulted me far beyond measure!”

Kongming hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and said, “In former days, when the Xiongnu pressed the frontiers again and again, the Son of Heaven offered a princess in marriage. Why should two private women of the realm now be so precious?”

Zhou Yu said, “You do not know this. Great Qiao is the principal wife of General Sun Bofu; Small Qiao is your own wife.”

Kongming, feigning alarm, said, “Bright One truly did not know! I spoke in error and upset my own mouth. Death is my punishment. Death is my punishment!”

Zhou Yu said, “With the old villain I swore not to coexist.”

Kongming said, “A matter like this needs three times of thought, else regret will follow.”

Zhou Yu replied, “I was entrusted by Bofu. I have no place in submitting myself to Cao Cao. What I said earlier was only to test you. From the day I left Poyang Lake I had already held a heart for marching north. Even if axe and halberd should fall on my head, that resolve will not be changed. Ask Kongming to aid one flank and we will break Cao Cao together.”

Kongming said, “If he does not reject me, I will render service like a horse and dog, and by morning and night be ready at the sound of your commands.”

Zhou Yu said, “Tomorrow we enter court and discuss raising troops with the lord.” Kongming and Lu Su withdrew and parted.

The next morning at dawn, Sun Quan mounted the hall. On the left stood over thirty civil officials, such as Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong; on the right were more than thirty military officers, including Cheng Pu and Huang Gai. Their robes and hats were neat and complete, their swords and sheaths clanged; each stood by rank.

After a short time Zhou Yu entered for audience. After all formalities were complete, Sun Quan greeted him with ritual courtesies.

Zhou Yu said, “I have heard that Cao Cao has advanced troops to the Han frontier and sent this edict here. What does Your Majesty intend?”

Sun Quan handed the edict to Zhou Yu. After reading it, Zhou Yu laughed and said, “The old villain takes us in Jiangdong for having no men, and so he dares such disrespect.”

Sun Quan said, “What is your thought?”

Zhou Yu said, “Did Your Majesty already confer with all civil and military men?”

Sun Quan said, “For several days they have debated this matter. Some urged surrender; others urged battle. My decision is not fixed; therefore I ask Gongjin to decide it.”

Zhou Yu said, “Who urged surrender?”

Sun Quan said, “Zhang Zibu and the rest all pushed that policy.”

Zhou Yu asked Zhang Zhao, “I wish to hear your reason for pressing surrender.”

Zhang Zhao said, “Cao Cao carries the Son of Heaven and campaigns in all directions, using court authority as pretense. He has just obtained Jing Province, and his strength has only increased. If we in Jiangdong can refuse him, it is because of the Yangtze. Yet his war junks alone are no mere hundreds—they are in the thousands. He advances by land and water. We cannot withstand this. Better to surrender and seek a later opportunity.”

Zhou Yu said, “This is the argument of an over-stretched scholar. Since Jiangdong was founded, we have now passed three generations. How can we discard it in one stroke?”

Sun Quan said, “If this plan is adopted, where does it end?”

Zhou Yu said, “Cao Cao may claim to be regent of Han, but in truth he is a Han traitor. The commander possesses divine strength and heroic talent. Relying on his father’s and elder brother’s legacy, he holds Jiangdong, with disciplined troops and enough grain. Now is the hour to stride through all under heaven, to remove remnant brutality and tyrannies. Why then submit to a bandit? Consider further: Cao Cao’s present approach breaks several principles of warfare. First, the northern lands are not pacified. Ma Teng and Han Sui remain dangers behind him, a deep rear threat. Second, his northern armies are unaccustomed to river battles; he has set aside his horse and saddle and depends on boats and oars against Eastern Wu. Second, this is late winter in bitter cold, and grass for the horses is scarce. Third, soldiers from the central lands are driven far across lakes and rivers, unfamiliar with this water country; many illnesses will take them. There are four such dangers. When an enemy runs into all of them, even with a great number he must fail. Capturing Cao Cao is ours for this day. Give me an elite force of several thousand and let me post it at Xiaokou; I will break him.”

Sun Quan raised his eyes in astonishment and said, “That old villain has long wished to usurp the Han and set himself up. What he fears now are only the two Yüans, Lü Bu, and Liu Biao—until now all three are gone. I alone remain. This old villain and I have sworn we will not coexist. If you press to punish him, it matches my intent. It is Heaven that entrusts this command to you.”

Zhou Yu said, “I, your servant, will decide one battle with blood, and I do not shrink from ten thousand deaths. I only fear Your Majesty might hesitate.”

Sun Quan drew his belt sword, chopped a corner off the document table before him, and said, “Any of the officials or commanders who again raise the matter of surrendering to Cao Cao will meet what you see in this cut corner.” He then handed that sword to Zhou Yu, and immediately bestowed on him the title of Chief Commander, made Cheng Pu Deputy Chief Commander, and made Lu Su Colonel Who Assists the Army.

For any civil or military officer who disobeyed commands, he would be put to death by this sword.

Receiving the sword, Zhou Yu said to those assembled, “I carry out Your Majesty’s order to lead the troops and break Cao Cao. Tomorrow all commanders and officers should come to the banks of the river for camp and follow commands. Should anyone delay, the seven legal orders and five-and-fifty penalties will be enforced.” After he had finished speaking, he thanked the lord and rose to leave the hall. The civil and military ranks parted silently.

Zhou Yu returned to his residence and then invited Kongming to discuss the matter. Kongming arrived.

Zhou Yu said, “The deliberation in court this day is settled. I need a good plan to break Cao Cao.”

Kongming said, “The Lord of Wu has not fully settled in mind and should not yet make the final decision.”

Zhou Yu asked, “What do you mean by an unsettled mind?”

Kongming replied, “He fears Cao’s many soldiers and suspects his own small strength against that multitude. Use your command to open this to him and make this clear beyond doubt, and then the great matter can succeed.”

Zhou Yu said, “Your argument is excellent.”

He returned again to see Sun Quan.

Sun Quan said, “Gongjin came at night. Surely there is some matter.”

Zhou Yu said, “Did Your Majesty already arrange for moving horses and troops? Are you still uncertain?”

Sun Quan said, “I only fear that Cao’s army is large and that our small number cannot meet it. He has no doubt in my mind.”

Zhou Yu laughed and said, “This is exactly why I came: to clarify him. Your Majesty saw in Cao’s edict an army of hundreds of thousands, both by river and land, so you doubt and fear, and so you fail to judge it correctly. Compare with the reality: his force from the central lands is not more than one hundred fifty to one hundred sixty thousand, and they are already worn out. The troops he obtained from the Yuans are only seventy to eighty thousand and still many are uncertain and unconvinced in allegiance. For an army long exhausted in battle, and for troops still in doubt, however many, they are not truly to be feared. I have fifty thousand troops. That is sufficient to break him. Do not let Your Majesty worry.”

Sun Quan patted Zhou Yu’s back and said, “Your words, Gongjin, are enough to clear my doubt. Zibu has no strategy and has deeply disappointed me. Only you and Zijing and Cheng Pu are of one mind with me. You and Zijing and Cheng Pu should select forces and move at once. I will send men and grain on behind you. If your advanced army is not favorable, return to me at once. I will then personally decide with the Cao traitor and end this with no further doubt.”

Zhou Yu thanked him and left.

He reflected quietly to himself: “Kongming had already foreseen the heart of the ruler of Wu. His plan is one move above mine. He will one day be a calamity for Jiangdong. I should simply kill him.” He had a man sent that very night to summon Lu Su into his quarters to arrange Kongming’s death.

Lu Su said, “You cannot. The enemy of Cao is not yet broken; to kill a worthy scholar now is to discard his help yourself.”

Zhou Yu said, “This man aids Liu Bei; he will be a threat to Jiangdong.”

Lu Su said, “Could not his elder brother, Zhuge Jin, be asked to bring this man into common service with Eastern Wu? Is that not better?”

Zhou Yu accepted his counsel.

At dawn the next day Zhou Yu went to the field camp and mounted the high seat of the central command tent. Armed men with swords and axes stood at his sides, and civil and military officers gathered to receive orders.

Cheng Pu was older than Zhou Yu, and now Zhou Yu held rank over him, so Cheng Pu’s heart was not pleased. That day he feigned illness and did not go out, sending his eldest son, Cheng Zi, instead.

Zhou Yu announced to the assembled: “The law of the realm is no private thing; each of you keep to your posts. Right now Cao Cao has abused authority, worse than Dong Zhuo when he held the Son of Heaven in Xuchang and arrayed unruly troops on our border. I am under orders to punish him; each of you must press forward with all strength. In every place where the army moves, civilians are not to be disturbed. Reward and punishment for reward and fault are alike; I will not spare favoritism.”

When he finished, he assigned Han Dang and Huang Gai to be the first guard as the vanguard, and they were to take their main fleet and depart at once to Sanjiangkou, to set camp there and await separate orders. Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai were the second unit; Ling Tong and Pan Zhang the third; Taishi Ci and Lü Meng the fourth; Lu Xun and Dong Xi the fifth; Lu Fan and Zhu Zhi were placed to command the patrol guards in all directions. In all, six teams of regular troops were ordered forward, land and water together, each pushing to the appointed rendezvous.

Once orders had been sent, each general gathered ship and weapons and set out.

Cheng Zi returned to his father, Cheng Pu, and described Zhou Yu’s military deployment and method. Cheng Pu was greatly startled.

“I have always underestimated the young lord, thinking him too mild to command,” he said. “Now to do this with such method is true command talent. How could I still not submit?”

He then went personally to the field camp and apologized.

Zhou Yu also returned the apology in turn.

The next day Zhou Yu asked Zhuge Jin to come.

Zhou Yu said, “Your younger brother Kongming has talent to be a royal counselor and support this state. How can such a man serve Liu Bei in humiliation? Now that he has come to Jiangdong, I wish your favor to request him, without concern for gossip, to leave Liu Bei and serve Eastern Wu. Then Your Majesty would have a worthy adviser, and you brothers could see one another again. Is that not good? You should act at once.”

Zhuge Jin said, “Since I came to Jiangdong, I have nothing with which to boast. The Chief Commander has given command. How can I not do him service?” He mounted his horse at once and rode straight to the relay pavilion to meet Kongming.

Kongming received him, knelt and bowed in tears, and each spoke at length of long-lost feelings.

Zhuge Jin wept and said, “Brother, do you know of Bo Yi and Shu Qi?”

Kongming thought inwardly, “This must be Zhou-lang’s setup to convince me,” then replied, “Bo Yi and Shu Qi were sages of antiquity.”

Zhuge Jin said, “Though Bo Yi and Shu Qi died of hunger under the Shouyang heights, those two brothers remained together at one place. I, who shared mother’s milk with you, now serve different lords, and we cannot meet morning and evening. With a view of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, can we remain without shame?”

Kongming said, “What you say is affection; what I keep is righteousness. You and I are both Han men. Now Liu Huangshu is the shield of the Han house. If brother can leave Eastern Wu and serve Liu Huangshu with me, we can stand upright as Han ministers and still be siblings who are reunited. This does both emotion and duty. I do not know how you will judge it.”

Zhuge Jin reflected, “I came to persuade him, but he has persuaded me instead.” He spoke no more, rose, and took his leave.

He returned to Zhou Yu and recounted Kongming’s words in detail.

Zhou Yu asked, “What is your judgment?”

Zhuge Jin said, “I have received great kindness from the General. How can I stand against my lord?”

Zhou Yu said, “Since you are sincerely loyal and do not need to speak further. I already have my trap for Kongming.”

Where wisdom meets wisdom, it should come to one accord; yet talent and talent still clash and refuse to yield. In the end, what stratagem will Zhou Yu use to trap Kongming?

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