Cao Ren wages war against the Eastern Wu army.
Zhuge Liang confronts Zhou Gongjin in one breath.

Zhuge Liang was prepared to execute Guan Yu. Liu Bei said, “When we three swore brotherhood, we promised to share life and death together. Now Guan Yu has broken the law, but I cannot betray our old oath. Ask Lord Sun to pardon him and let this service redeem the offense.” Only then did Kongming yield.

Zhou Yu gathered his troops and called over the commanders, had each man report his deeds, and sent a formal account to Lord Sun. All surrendered soldiers were sent across the river. He rewarded all three armies, then advanced to take Nan County. The vanguard reached the riverbank, made camp, and the host spread into five camps, with Zhou Yu in the center.

Zhou Yu was discussing the method of pressing the attack when he was suddenly informed: “Liu Bei has sent Sun Qian to present congratulations to the commander-in-chief.” Zhou Yu ordered him brought in. After Sun Qian paid his respects and said, “My lord Liu Bei sends word of thanks for your Great Virtue and brings a small token of courtesy.” Zhou Yu asked, “Where is Liu Bei now?” Sun Qian replied, “He has moved his troops and is now stationed at You River Mouth.” Zhou Yu cried out, “Then is Kongming at You River Mouth as well?” Sun Qian answered, “Kongming is with my lord at You River Mouth.” Zhou Yu said, “You return first. I myself will come to offer my thanks.”

After he passed on the gifts, Zhou Yu sent Sun Qian back ahead. Lu Su asked, “Why did the commander-in-chief just panic?” Zhou Yu answered, “Liu Bei has stationed troops at You River Mouth. He surely intends to take Nan County. We have spent so much money on men and horses; Nan County now lies ready to the hand. Their hearts hold no humanity; if a plunder is ripe, they take it. Someone may need to let Zhou Yu live by leaving him alive!”

Lu Su said, “What strategy should we use to make them go?” Zhou Yu answered, “I will go and speak with him myself. If all goes well, well and good. If not, we need not wait for him to take Nan County; we shall settle it with Liu Bei first.” Lu Su said, “I am willing to go with you.” So Zhou Yu and Lu Su rode out with three thousand light cavalry straight for You River Mouth.

After Sun Qian had returned to Liu Bei, he said that Zhou Yu would come in person to offer thanks. Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang, “What does he mean by this?” Zhuge Liang laughed, “Why does he come for these trifles? He has come for Nan County.” Liu Bei asked, “If he brings troops, how should we meet him?” Zhuge Liang replied, “When he comes, answer him this way.” Liu Bei then arrayed his war boats at You River Mouth and lined cavalry along the bank.

A report came that Zhou Yu and Lu Su were arriving with troops. Kongming sent Zhao Yun to escort him with a few riders. When Zhou Yu saw the scale of Liu Bei’s force, his heart was uneasy. As they came outside the gate and entered camp, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang received him. After formalities, they served a banquet and treated him as a guest. Liu Bei raised his cup to offer thanks for the battle arrangement.

After several rounds of wine, Zhou Yu said, “Why have your troops moved out of Yu Province? Is it to take Nan County?” Liu Bei answered, “Hearing that you intend to take Nan County, I came to assist. If you do not take it, I will take it.” Zhou Yu laughed, “For long ago, Eastern Wu wished to absorb the Han River region. Now Nan County is already in our grasp; how could we not take it?” Liu Bei said, “Victory and defeat cannot be predetermined. Cao Cao is near to leave the capital, and at places like Nan County he will surely have strange designs; besides, Cao Ren is fearless and hard to match. I only fear that you cannot take it.” Zhou Yu answered, “If I fail to take it, then by your leave let you take it.”

Liu Bei said, “Kongming and Zijing are here as witnesses. Do not regret it.” Lu Su hesitated, and Zhou Yu said, “When a man of standing has spoken, there is nothing to regret.” Zhuge Liang said, “That is common reason indeed. Let Eastern Wu take it first, and if you fail, my lord can take it. What difficulty is there in that?” Zhou Yu and Lu Su bade Liu Bei and Kongming farewell, mounted, and left.

When they had gone, Liu Bei said to Zhuge Liang, “You told me just now how to answer. Though we had spoken swiftly, the more I think on it, the less right it sounds. I am poor and homeless, lacking a place to stand. If I am to gain Nan County merely as refuge, then should Zhou Yu take it first, it will belong to Wu. How then can I hold it?” Zhuge Liang laughed heartily and said, “Did you not then ignore my old warning to take Jing Province?” Liu Bei said, “Before, it was Jing’s land under Jing Province, so I could not bear to seize it. Now it is Cao Cao’s land, and it is lawful to take it.” Zhuge Liang said, “Do not worry. Leave the fighting to Zhou Yu. Let him and you trade blows for a while; by morning or night your seat in the city of Nan County will be secure.” Liu Bei asked, “How will that plan unfold?” Zhuge Liang said, “Only just as I have laid it out.” Liu Bei rejoiced and remained stationed at the riverbank without moving further.

After Zhou Yu and Lu Su returned to their camp, Lu Su asked, “How could the commander even permit Liu Bei to take Nan County?” Zhou Yu said, “I could take Nan County at a snap of my fingers and yet leave a debt of favors in return.” He then asked his officers: “Who dare advance first toward Nan County?” One man stepped out at once: Jiang Qin. Zhou Yu said, “You will lead the vanguard. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng will be your deputy commanders. Take five thousand elite cavalry and infantry across the river first. I will follow with the main force.”

In Nan County, Cao Ren assigned Cao Hong to guard Yiling, using it as a hard-to-hit angle in the defense. A report came: “Wu soldiers have crossed the Han River.” Cao Ren said, “Hold fast and do not fight; this is best.” Niu Jin of the Fierce Cavalry leapt up and said, “When enemy troops stand under city walls and do not come out, that is cowardice. Our army has only just suffered loss; this is the moment to restore spirit. I ask leave to take five hundred picked troops and choose a decisive battle.”

Cao Ren agreed and ordered Niu Jin to lead the five hundred to fight. Ding Feng came on horse to meet him. After four or five exchanges, Ding Feng feigned defeat. Niu Jin chased him into the formation. Ding Feng then commanded his men to encircle Niu Jin in the heart of the field in an instant. Niu Jin and his attendants struggled, unable to break out. From the ramparts Cao Ren saw Niu Jin trapped in the center and threw off his armor, mounted, and led several hundred veterans out of the city, cutting down hard with his sword. He cut into the Wu formation. Xu Sheng met him but could not hold.

Cao Ren pressed into the center, broke out and rescued Niu Jin. Looking back, he saw dozens more riders trapped inside and unable to break out; he turned again, slashed and fought back in, and pulled them from the hard encirclement. At that moment Jiang Qin blocked the way. Cao Ren and Niu Jin drove through with all their strength. Cao Ren’s younger brother Cao Chun also came with reinforcements. There was a mingled clash, the Wu army broke and ran, and Cao Ren returned in victory.

Jiang Qin’s men were broken and he returned to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu wanted to behead him, but his generals interceded.

Zhou Yu then ordered his troops to be inspected and prepared to decide battle personally with Cao Ren. Gan Ning said, “The commander-in-chief should not be rash. Cao Ren has ordered Cao Hong to guard Yiling, which serves as a protruding point to be fixed and then struck. I am prepared to take three thousand picked soldiers straight to Yiling; only then can you take Nan County, Commander-in-chief.” Zhou Yu accepted the argument and first ordered Gan Ning to lead three thousand men against Yiling. A spy had already sent news to Cao Ren. Cao Ren and Chen Qiao consulted. Chen Qiao said, “If Yiling is lost, Nan County cannot be held either. We should rush to save it.” Cao Ren therefore secretly ordered Cao Chun and Niu Jin to lead relief forces.

Cao Chun first reported to Cao Hong to lure the enemy out. When Gan Ning arrived at Yiling, Cao Hong rode out and fought him directly. After more than twenty rounds, Cao Hong was defeated and ran. Gan Ning seized Yiling. By dusk Cao Chun and Niu Jin arrived, joined with their troops, and besieged Yiling.

A fast rider rushed to Zhou Yu and reported that Gan Ning was trapped inside the city of Yiling. Zhou Yu was startled. Cheng Pu said, “We should quickly divide and send troops to rescue him.” Zhou Yu said, “This place is the key crossroads. If I split the force to rescue him and Cao Ren arrives with another wave, what then?” Lu Meng said, “Gan Ning, that famous hero of Jiangdong, cannot be left unaided.” Zhou Yu said, “I will go myself to rescue him, but who can stay here and bear my post?” Ling Tong said, “Leave Ling Gong to hold this command. I will lead the vanguard; Commander-in-chief, you stay behind and send victory news within ten days.”

Zhou Yu asked, “Will Ling Gong accept that he may hold for only ten days?” Ling Tong replied, “If ten days is the term, I can do it; beyond ten days, I cannot hold the responsibility.”

Zhou Yu was pleased. He left more than ten thousand troops under Ling Tong’s charge and immediately rode with the main force toward Yiling. Gan Ning said to Zhou Yu, “Yiling’s southern lanes and side paths are obscure and narrow, and this route makes Nan County extremely close. Send five hundred troops to cut down trees and block the road. If their force is broken, it will only be able to flee this way. Their horses will fail and they will dismount; then we can take their mounts.”

Zhou Yu did so. By the time the main host neared Yiling, he asked, “Who can break through and ride in to save Gan Ning?” Zhou Tai offered to go and instantly spurred forward, saber in hand. He cut through the Cao forces and reached the foot of the city. Gan Ning saw Zhou Tai arrive and came out to greet him. Tai said, “The commander-in-chief is coming with the army.” Ning passed the order for his men to eat well and don full armor and prepare for inside support.

Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Niu Jin, hearing that Zhou Yu’s army was coming, sent men to Nan County to alert Cao Ren and split their force to meet the enemy. When the Wu army arrived, the Wei army met them. As battle joined, Gan Ning and Zhou Tai cut out on two fronts. Cao’s troops were thrown into disarray, and the Wu soldiers cut them down from all sides.

Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Niu Jin indeed fled by a small side path. But that path was choked with felled brush, the horses could not pass, and all abandoned their mounts and ran. The Wu army captured more than five hundred horses.

Zhou Yu drove his men onward through the night and reached Nan County in time to meet Cao Ren’s force coming to rescue Yiling. The two armies crashed together once in a mixed melee. Night had already fallen, and both armies withdrew.

Cao Ren returned to the city and conferred with his men. Cao Hong said, “Now that Yiling has been lost, things are dangerous. Why not open the late chancellor’s hidden directive?” Cao Ren said, “What you say fits exactly my mind.” He opened the letter and read it. Greatly delighted, he gave orders that at dawn all troops and horses should be fed at first watch. By first light all cavalry and infantry should abandon the city; flags should be hung all along the walls to inflate appearances, and the army should leave by three gates in sequence.

Now Zhou Yu had rescued Gan Ning and arranged his lines outside Nan County. Seeing the Wei force break out through three gates, he climbed the command platform and scanned it all. He saw empty flags stuck along the city wall with no one guarding, and each soldier’s waist bound with spare packs. Zhou Yu guessed that Cao Ren had already prepared a route of escape, so he went down from the platform and issued orders: divide the army into right and left wings. If the vanguard wins, it should press straight forward and pursue only until the golden gong sounds, and only then may it pull back. He put Cheng Pu in charge of the rear, while Zhou Yu led the forward line toward the city.

The battle drums sounded. Cao Hong came out from the gate to lock in combat. Zhou Yu rode under the gate, then sent Han Dang out as well to trade blows with him. After more than thirty exchanges, Hong was routed and withdrew. Cao Ren himself rode out to engage next. Zhou Tai charged to meet him. After ten or more exchanges, Ren was also turned back, and the formation became confused.

With a signal Zhou Yu’s two wings burst forth, and the Wei army was badly beaten. Zhou Yu led his force in pursuit to the foot of Nan County’s walls. The Wei troops did not enter the city but fled toward the northwest. Han Dang and Zhou Tai led the front wings to chase with all strength.

At the city gate Zhou Yu saw it wide open and no one on the battlements, so he ordered all troops to rush in. Dozens of riders were first to enter. Zhou Yu galloped at the rear with his horse and spurred in hard, riding straight into Weng City. Chen Qiao, on an enemy tower, saw Zhou Yu himself enter and muttered quietly, “The Chancellor’s plan works like divination!”

Then a clapper rang. Arrows and crossbows fired together from both sides in a downpour. Those who rushed in first all plunged into pits. As Zhou Yu pulled his horse sharply back, he was struck by a heavy crossbow bolt squarely in his left ribs. He turned over, falling from the saddle. Niu Jin burst out from the city to seize Zhou Yu. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng threw themselves forward to save him.

Wei troops burst from within the city while Wu soldiers trampled over one another in panic, and countless men dropped into the pits. Just when Cheng Pu was trying to pull the force back in, Cao Hong and Cao Ren split and struck from two routes. The Wu army was utterly defeated. Fortunately Ling Tong came with one contingent through a diagonal hidden path and checked the Wei force. Cao Ren led the victorious cavalry into the city, and Cheng Pu withdrew the broken troops back to camp.

Xu Sheng and Ding Feng carried Zhou Yu to the command tent. A field surgeon with iron tongs pulled out the arrowhead, and gold-ointment plaster was laid over the wound. The pain was unbearable, and he could not eat or drink.

The surgeon said, “The tip of this arrow carries poison; it cannot be cured quickly. If he lets anger break through, the wound will break open again.” Cheng Pu had all three wings keep strict watch in each camp and forbid loose sorties.

Three days later Niu Jin returned with troops and skirmished. Cheng Pu kept his troops in place. Niu Jin cursed until dusk and withdrew. The next day he came again to curse and attack. Cheng Pu feared Zhou Yu’s temper and did not dare to report it. On the third day, Niu Jin came all the way to the gate and shouted abuse, saying only that he would capture Zhou Yu. Cheng Pu and the officers conferred and thought to withdraw for a time and report to Lord Sun.

Yet Zhou Yu, though in pain, had his own design in mind. He had already noticed that Wei soldiers came each day to the camp to rage and cuss yet saw no commander giving report. One day Cao Ren himself brought the main army, drums pounding and shouting, and came out for battle. Cheng Pu barred him out. Zhou Yu called for all the commanders into his tent and asked, “From where comes this racket of drumming?” The commanders replied, “The soldiers are merely exercising.” Zhou Yu shouted in anger, “How dare you deceive me! I have known those Wei men come to cuss before the camp. Cheng Demou who now controls command yet allows this?”

He ordered them to summon Cheng Pu into the tent and ask him directly. Cheng Pu said, “I see your own arrow wound, and the surgeon warned against excitement. So when the Wei men came to provoke, I did not dare report.” Zhou Yu asked, “If the commanders do not fight, what is your plan?” Cheng Pu said, “All officers wish to withdraw temporarily and return to Jiangdong. When your arrow wound has healed, we can make better arrangements.”

When Zhou Yu finished, he suddenly leaped from his bed and said, “A true gentleman who has eaten the ruler’s grain should die on the field and return with his body under horsehide. Better that! Could we abandon the kingdom’s great work for one man, even me?” Saying so, he put on his armor and mounted.

Every general and officer stared in alarm. He drew out a few hundred riders and rode ahead of camp. Looking out, he saw the Wei force already arrayed in battle ranks, and Cao Ren mounted at the gate with whip raised and cried out, “You brat Zhou Yu, you will surely die young. Never dare to face my army again!”

Before the curse had even finished, Zhou Yu suddenly burst forth from among the riders and cried, “Cao Ren, rogue and fool! Do you now see Zhou Lang?” The Wei soldiers, seeing this, were all startled.

Cao Ren looked back and told his officers, “Cry out at once!” The whole Wei line replied with loud curses. Zhou Yu flung into a great rage and ordered Pan Zhang forward. They had not yet traded blows when Zhou Yu suddenly screamed, blood spurting from his mouth, and he tumbled from his horse. Cao troops came surging in. The generals moved to resist, and in a savage clash Zhou Yu was pulled out and carried back to the camp.

Cheng Pu asked, “How is your state, Commander?” Zhou Yu whispered to him, “This is my scheme.” Cheng Pu asked, “Where is this scheme to go?”

Zhou Yu answered, “I am scarcely in pain at all. I did this so the Wei soldiers would know I am near death. They will then dare to attack more boldly. Send my trusted soldiers to enter the city and feign surrender, saying I have already died. This night Cao Ren will come to raid the camp. I will then lie in ambush on all sides and capture him in one stroke.”

Cheng Pu said, “This plan is excellent.” He then raised cries of mourning in the tent. All officers were shocked, and the news spread to every camp that the commander-in-chief’s arrow wound had broken open and he had died. Every camp wore mourning.

In the city, Cao Ren held counsel with his men and said, “Now that Zhou Yu has become enraged, his hot temper and broken gold wound shattered, blood spraying from his mouth before he falls—he cannot live long.” As they talked, a report came: “Several soldiers have come in surrender from Wu. Two of them were once captured by Wei soldiers.”

Cao Ren hastened to summon them. The soldiers said, “Today Zhou Yu’s arrow wound burst apart at the front ranks; he returned to camp and died immediately. All the officers hang mourning now. Because we were insulted by Cheng Pu, we returned to surrender now and report this.”

Cao Ren rejoiced and then resolved to raid the camp tonight, seize Zhou Yu’s corpse, cut off his head, and send it to Xuchang. Chen Qiao said, “This plan must be done at once. Do not delay.” Cao Ren ordered Niu Jin as vanguard, put himself in the center, and set Cao Hong and Cao Chun in support, leaving Chen Qiao with a few soldiers to hold the city while the rest all rode out.

At the first watch they moved out and headed straight for Zhou Yu’s camp. On reaching the gate, they saw not one man, only empty flags and spears. Realizing they had been tricked, they withdrew in haste. Trumpets and firing roared all around. On the east, Han Dang and Jiang Qin struck in; on the west, Zhou Tai and Pan Zhang struck in; on the south, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng struck in; on the north, Chen Wu and Lu Meng struck in. The Wei army was routed; all three routes of their force were broken and no front or rear could aid each other.

Cao Ren broke out with a dozen riders from the crush and happened to meet Cao Hong. He then drove the shattered remnant together and kept running. By dawn they had gone a short distance from Nan County when a drum sounded. Ling Tong again brought another unit and blocked the road, cutting them down in one engagement. Cao Ren broke out diagonally and fled again, and then met Gan Ning for another great slaughter.

Cao Ren dared not return to Nan County. He headed straight for the Xiangyang road. The Wu army gave chase for a while, then withdrew.

Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu steadied the troops, marched directly to the wall of Nan County, and saw flags spread everywhere. A captain on the enemy tower shouted, “Commander, pardon my presumption. I obey the order of the Chief Strategist and have taken the city. I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan.”

Zhou Yu grew furious and ordered an assault. Arrows rained in disordered bursts from above the wall. Zhou Yu recalled everyone briefly to discuss. He ordered Gan Ning to lead several thousand horse and men directly to Jing Province and Ling Tong to lead several thousand horse and men directly to Xiangyang; only then would retaking Nan County not be late.

At that moment a runner arrived: “Zhuge Liang has already won Nan County. He used a military tally to summon the Jing Province garrison by night, while ordering Zhang Fei to attack Jing Province.”

Another runner then arrived: “Xiahou Dun is at Xiangyang. Zhuge Liang sent men with a military tally pretending to be from Cao Ren and drew Dun out. Then Guan Yu attacked Xiangyang and took it.” Zhou Yu said, “How did Zhuge Liang get that tally?” Cheng Pu said, “He has captured Chen Qiao, so all the tallies naturally belong to him.”

Zhou Yu shouted once, and the old wound in his ribs tore open. And then it was said:

How many counties and city walls can any of us truly claim? I have worked with such pain for whom? What will become of us now?

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