Now as for Zhou Yu, whose courtesy name was Gongjin, when he saw that Zhuge Liang had taken Nan Commandery and later heard that he had also taken Jing and Xiang, how could he not be furious? His old arrow wound was angry again, and it was only after a while that he recovered. The generals repeatedly urged him to calm himself. Yu said, “If we do not kill that rustic fellow Zhuge, how can I still the resentment in my chest? Cheng Demou can help me attack Nan Commandery. We must recover it for Eastern Wu.”

While they were still discussing this, Lu Su, whose courtesy name was Zijing, arrived. Zhou Yu said to him, “I plan to raise troops and go with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang to decide who is superior and to recover those lost cities. Zijing, I rely on you to help me.”

Lu Su said, “That cannot be done. At this hour Cao Cao still contests with us and the issue is not yet decided. My lord has just besieged Hefei and gained no victory. If we turn on one another and absorb one another’s strength, then if Cao’s soldiers seize the opening and come, our situation will be perilous. Moreover, Liu Xuande was once on good terms with Cao Cao. If we corner him now and make him surrender cities, and he then comes to help attack Eastern Wu, what then is our recourse?”

Yu said, “We devised plans and saved many soldiers and much grain, and he came to grasp what was already at hand. How could I not be angry?”

Zijing said, “Gongjin, please hold. Let me go and meet Xuande myself. I will try to reason with him. If he will not listen, it will not be too late to move troops then.” The generals replied, “Zijing’s words are very good.”

So Lu Su took his attendants and rode straight to Nan Commandery, calling at the gate. Zhao Yun, whose courtesy name was Zilong, came out to inquire. Zijing said, “I have matter for Liu Xuande to hear.”
Zhao Yun replied, “My lord and his strategist are inside the city of Jingzhou.”
Lu Su did not enter Nan Commandery. He rode straight to Jingzhou and saw the battle flags arranged in neat lines and the military array in full order. He thought to himself, “Kongming is truly no ordinary man!”
A soldier reported his arrival and said, “Lu Zijing wishes to be received.”
Zhuge Liang ordered the gates flung wide and had Zijing brought into the hall. After formal courtesy was exchanged, host and guest sat apart. When tea was done, Zijing said, “My lord, the Lord of Wu, and Commander-in-Chief Gongjin have sent me again and again to submit my thoughts on behalf of the Imperial Uncle.
Earlier, Cao Cao brought a host of a million and marched toward Jiangnan, truly with intent to seize the Imperial Uncle. It was only because Eastern Wu drove back Cao’s army that the Imperial Uncle was saved, and all nine commanderies of Jingzhou should therefore properly return to Eastern Wu. But Xuande has used trickery and seized Jing and Xiang; Jiangdong has spent money, grain, and troops for nothing, while the Imperial Uncle reaps the benefits. I doubt this accords with right.”

Zhuge Liang said, “How can Zijing, who is so far-sighted, utter such a line of argument? It is said, ‘What belongs to the lord must return to the lord.’ The nine commanderies of Jing and Xiang are not Eastern Wu’s land; they are the legacy of Liu Jingsheng. My lord is truly his brother. Jingsheng is dead, but his son yet lives. To take Jingzhou through one uncle and nephew—what is wrong with that?”

Zijing said, “If these districts were truly held by Prince Liu Qi, there would be room to explain it. But the prince is in Jiangxia; he is not here.”

Zhuge Liang said, “Does Zijing want to see the prince?” and ordered the attendants to bring him out.

Only two attendants came from behind the screen and raised Liu Qi, who had been seated there.
Liu Qi said to Lu Su, “My body is ill and cannot perform ceremony. Zijing, please forgive me.”
Lu Su was taken aback and fell silent. After some time he said, “If the prince is not present, then what should be done?”
Zhuge Liang said, “If the prince is here, he stays one day. If he is not here, we will decide another way.”
Zijing said, “If the prince is absent, we must return the city to Eastern Wu.”
Zhuge Liang said, “Zijing is correct.” and then held a banquet.

After the banquet Zijing took leave and rode out of the city overnight to his encampment and reported everything that had happened.

Yú said, “Liu Qi is still young and full of vigor. How could he die now? By what day will we recover Jingzhou?”

Zijing said, “Commander-in-Chief, put your trust in me. It rests on Lu Su alone. We must recover Jing and Xiang and return it to Eastern Wu.”
Yu said, “What wise idea do you have, Zijing?”

Zijing said, “I have observed Liu Qi. He has indulged in wine and women to excess, and the sickness has entered to the marrow. His face is already drawn, his breath is labored, and he even coughs blood. In no more than half a year that man must die. When that time comes, go and take Jingzhou then and do not let Liu Bei offer any pretext.”

Although Zhou Yu still smoldered with resentment, a messenger from Sun Quan arrived unexpectedly. Yu ordered him in.

The messenger said, “The Prince is besieging Hefei and has failed repeatedly in battle. He orders you to draw back the main force and send troops immediately to Hefei in aid.”

Zhou Yu could only disband and return to Chaisang to recover his health, ordering Cheng Pu to take command of the warships and soldiers and go to Hefei to serve as Sun Quan directed.

Liu Xuande, after taking Jingzhou, Nan Commandery, and Xiangyang, was greatly pleased and discussed matters of lasting strategy. Then one person came into the hall to present a plan. It was Yi Ji. Liu Bei respected him deeply for old kindness, treated him with full courtesy, sat and asked him.

Yi Ji said, “If you wish to know a long-term design for Jingzhou, why do you not seek a worthy man and ask?”
Liu Bei said, “Where is such a worthy man?”
Yi Ji said, “In the five brothers of the Ma family of Jing and Xiang, all have reputation. The youngest is named Shu and his courtesy name was Youchang. Most able among them is Liang, whose courtesy name was Jichang. A saying in the locality runs, ‘Of the five Ma, the one called Liang with white brows is best.’ Why do you not summon this man and plot with him?”

Liu Bei at once ordered him called in. When Ma Liang arrived, Liu Bei honored him and asked about a plan to hold Jing and Xiang.
Liang said, “Jing and Xiang is a place surrounded by enemies on four sides and hard to defend for long. Send Prince Liu Qi here to recover, and send him letters and orders to comfort old retainers so he holds it; then appoint the prince as Governor of Jing Province to steady the people’s hearts. After that go south to Wuling, Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling, gather money and grain, and make this your base. That is the strategy for the long term.”

Liu Bei rejoiced and asked, “Of the four commanderies, which should be taken first?”

Liang said, “Lingling is nearest on the west bank of the Xiang River; it can be taken first. Next take Wuling. Then take Guiyang on the east bank of the Xiang. Let Changsha come last.”

Liu Bei made Ma Liang a staff aide and placed Yi Ji as his deputy, then asked Zhuge Liang to discuss sending Liu Qi back to Xiangyang and asking Guan Yu to return to Jingzhou. He then ordered up troops to take Lingling, appointing Zhang Fei as vanguard and Zhao Yun as support. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei formed the center with fifteen thousand horse and men. He left Guan Yu to defend Jingzhou and ordered Mi Zhu and Liu Feng to hold Jiangling.

As for the Magistrate of Lingling, Liu Du, he heard that Liu Bei’s cavalry had arrived and discussed matters with his son Liu Xian.

Liu Xian said, “Father, do not worry. Though he has Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun in bravery, my local man Xing Dao-rong can meet ten thousand men and resist him.”

Liu Du therefore ordered Liu Xian and Xing Dao-rong to lead over ten thousand troops, leave the city three dozen li, settle by mountain and water, and pitch camp. A scout came and said, “Kongming has arrived, leading an army.” Dao-rong brought out the troops to battle.

The two formations stood facing each other in a full circle. Dao-rong came forward, took up a giant axe for breaking rocks, and cried out in a loud voice, “How dare rebels invade my territory?”

A cluster of yellow banners was seen in the opposing formation. Where the gate banner opened, a four-wheeled cart rolled out. Seated at its front was one man, his head wrapped in a silk kerchief, a crane-hued cloak on his shoulders, a feather fan in hand. He beckoned to Dao-rong and said, “I am Zhuge Liang of Nanyang. Cao Cao led a host of a million; I used a small stratagem and killed them so that none returned with even a scrap of armor. How can you stand against me? I have come to submit you to my terms. Why not surrender now?”

Dao-rong laughed loudly and said, “The battle at Red Cliffs was Zhou Lang’s stratagem. What matter is this to you? How dare you come and lie to us?”

He charged with that great axe. Zhuge Liang wheeled around his cart and withdrew to the rear of his formation, then the formation gate closed again. Dao-rong charged straight on and killed through, and the formation split in two and opened wide as it moved. Gazing from afar at the central cluster of yellow banners, he took that for Zhuge Liang and pressed on after it. When he reached the foot of the hill the yellow banners jammed fast; suddenly the center parted and vanished. The four-wheeled cart was gone, and there stood a general with a spear, leaping onto his horse and crying out as he came straight for Dao-rong. He was Zhang Yide.

Dao-rong brought his great axe to meet him. They fought but a few exchanges; his strength gave out, and he turned his horse and fled. Zhang Fei followed with a roar as a reserve burst from the flank on both sides. Dao-rong charged forward with a death rush, but before him stood another general blocking his way. That man shouted, “Do you recognize Zhao Zilong of Changshan?”

Realizing he could not withstand him and with no place to run, Dao-rong dismounted and surrendered. The two brought him into the camp and presented him before Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei ordered him to be beheaded.

Zhuge Liang hurried to stop him and asked Dao-rong, “If you help us capture Liu Xian, I will allow you to submit.”

Dao-rong instantly offered to do so.

Zhuge Liang said, “By what method will you capture him?”

Dao-rong said, “If the Strategist permits me to return, I have a clever explanation ready. This night, the Strategist will lead men to seize the camp. I will be the inside accomplice and take Liu Xian alive to present to the Strategist. Once Liu Xian is captured, Liu Du will surely surrender.”

Liu Bei did not believe him.

Zhuge Liang said, “General Xing is not a vain speaker,” and released Dao-rong.

Dao-rong returned to camp and reported what had passed to Liu Xian.
Liu Xian asked, “What can we do now?”
Dao-rong said, “Counter with a counterstroke. This night place troops in ambush outside the camp. Raise false banners inside camp as a lure. When Zhuge Liang comes to seize the camp, capture him.”

Liu Xian followed the plan. At second watch of the night there truly came a band of soldiers to the camp gate, each carrying bundles of dry grass. They all set them alight at once. Liu Xian and Dao-rong rushed forward and killed at the gate. As the fire troops withdrew, Liu Xian and Dao-rong’s two forces pursued on the momentum and chased them for over ten li, then both commands disappeared.

Liu Xian and Dao-rong were startled and quickly rode back to their own camp. The flames still burned. From the camp a general stood out; he was Zhang Yide.

Liu Xian shouted to Dao-rong, “Do not go in. Go first and seize Kongming’s camp.”
So they turned back.

They had not gone ten li when Zhao Yun led a unit and burst out through a diagonal pass, driving a spear through Dao-rong’s horse and pinning him under it. Liu Xian then spurred away in haste. Behind him Zhang Fei came and leapt down from his horse, taking him alive and binding him before Zhuge Liang.
Xian confessed, “General Xing-rong gave me this course; it was not from my own heart.”

Zhuge Liang ordered his bonds undone, had him put on clothes, and gave him wine to settle him. He sent him back to the city with orders: tell his father to surrender; if he did not, the city would be stormed and the whole household exterminated.

Liu Xian rode back to Lingling and reported fully to his father Liu Du, praising Zhuge Liang’s virtue. He urged his father to surrender. Liu Du agreed. He raised a white flag on the city wall, flung wide the gates, and came out carrying seals and ribbons to submit to Liu Bei’s main camp.

Zhuge Liang kept Liu Du as prefect of the commandery, and Liu Xian was sent to Jingzhou to serve with the army. The residents of Lingling were altogether pleased.

When Liu Bei had finished pacifying the city and rewarding the three armies, he asked his commanders, “Lingling has been taken. Who now dares take Guiyang Commandery?”

Zhao Yun answered, “I am willing to go.”
Zhang Fei strode out and said, “I too am willing to go!”

The two argued. Zhuge Liang said, “After all, it is Zilong who volunteered first. Send only him.” Zhang Fei refused and insisted on going.

Zhuge Liang called for drawing lots. The lot fell to Zilong.
Again it fell to Zilong.
Zhang Fei shouted in anger, “I need no one to aid me; I can take the commandery with three thousand troops alone.”
Zhao Yun said, “I too will lead only three thousand troops. If I fail to take the city, I will answer the army’s order.”

Zhuge Liang was greatly pleased and drafted a formal order, selecting three thousand picked troops and assigning them to Zhao Yun. Zhang Fei still refused, and Liu Bei sent him away.

Zhao Yun, with three thousand men and horses, rode straight to Guiyang at speed.

An advance scout had already reported his arrival to Zhao Fan, magistrate of Guiyang. Fan quickly gathered the people and deliberated. The official colonels Chen Ying and Bao Long offered to lead troops into battle. It was said that both men were from hunting villages in the hills around Guiyang. Chen Ying could wield a flying trident; Bao Long had once shot two tigers. Proud of themselves in courage and strength, they told Zhao Fan, “If Liu Bei comes, the two of us will be the vanguard.”

Fan said, “I have heard Liu Xuande is the Imperial Uncle of the Great Han. On top of that, Kongming is clever, and Guan Yunchang and Zhang Yide are supremely brave. Zhao Zilong now comes leading troops. In this field of Dangyang the million-strong army at Changban as though it were empty ground. How many men have we in Guiyang? We should not meet him in battle; we should submit.”

Chen Ying said, “I ask leave to meet you on the field. If we cannot capture Zhao Yun then, no delay in surrendering the prefecture will follow.”

Zhao Fan could not press him and allowed them to go.

Chen Ying marched out with three thousand men. Soon he saw Zhao Yun’s army arriving. He arrayed his force and sent a horseman with a forked spear flying forth. Zhao Yun raised his spear and rode out.

“My lord Liu Bei is Liu Xuande, elder brother to Lord Jing. He has come with Kongming to comfort the people, while jointly governing Jingzhou with Prince Liu Qi. Why do you meet us with battle?” Zhao Yun shouted.

Chen Ying shouted back, “We acknowledge only Cao Chancellor. How can we yield to Liu Bei?”

Zhao Yun grew furious. He raised his spear, urged his horse hard, and charged straight at Chen Ying. Chen Ying twined his forked spear to receive him. Their horses met, and they fought for four or five exchanges. Chen Ying found he could not match him and turned his horse away. Zhao Yun pursued.

Chen Ying looked back at Zhao Yun’s nearing horse and threw his flying trident. Zhao Yun caught it and cast it back at Chen Ying. Chen Ying dodged, and Zhao Yun’s horse arrived first; he took Chen Ying alive off his horse and threw him to the ground, shouting to the soldiers to bind and return him to camp.

The defeated army scattered and fled.
Zhao Yun entered camp and roared at Chen Ying, “How dare you dare face us! I do not kill you now; go back and tell Zhao Fan: he should come in at once and submit.”

Chen Ying apologized and fled in shame, then returned to the city and told Zhao Fan everything.
Fan said, “I wanted to surrender, but you forced me to fight and caused this.”
He then sent Chen Ying away and, carrying the seals and ribbons, rode out with a dozen riders to surrender at the main camp.

Zhao Yun came out to receive him, entertained him as honored guest and poured wine to drink. They drank together.

When several rounds had passed, Fan said, “My general’s surname is Zhao; mine is also Zhao. Five hundred years ago we were one family. General is truly from Zhen Ding, and I am also from Zhen Ding; we share a native place as well. If you do not disdain this, it would be our good fortune to make brothers. That would be blessed.”

Zhao Yun was greatly pleased, and they exchanged age reckoning. Zhao and Fan had the same age. They were within about four months of each other, and Fan promptly swore brotherhood with Zhao. Being same town, same age, and same surname, the two fit one another well.

When the banquet ended, Fan left and returned to the city.

The next day Fan invited Zhao Yun into the city to pacify the people. Zhao Yun told his soldiers not to move and entered with only fifty riders. Residents held incense and knelt in the road to welcome him. After Zhao Yun settled the town, Fan invited him to drink in the official hall.

By the time the wine had worked to half measure, Fan called him back into a deeper chamber and refilled the cups. Zhao Yun, slightly drunk, saw that Fan had called in a woman, and he shared her cups as he drank. Zhao Yun noticed her beauty in plain white cloth and asked Fan, “Who is she?”

Fan answered, “That is my sister-in-law, Madam Fan.”

Zilong showed deference and changed his expression accordingly.

Fan asked her to retire from the inner chamber. Zhao Yun said, “Why must we trouble our brother-in-law to raise her cup?”
Fan laughed and said, “There is a reason. Pray do not object. My elder brother died three years ago, and my sister-in-law remains a widow. Her household is not settled. I have often urged her to remarry. She said, ‘Only if one man can satisfy three conditions will I marry. First, he must be master of both letters and arms and famed through the world. Second, he must have a stately appearance and distinguished deportment. Third, he must share my brother-in-law’s surname.’ Tell me, how can this happen so exactly in this world?
Now your imposing appearance and name shake all the lands under heaven, and you share the same surname as my brother-in-law. You match every condition exactly. If you do not despise my sister-in-law’s plain looks, I am ready to offer the match as bridewealth. Would this not make for ties across the generations?”

Zhao Yun rose in sudden rage and cried, “I have already made Fan my brother; his wife is therefore my sister-in-law. How can you make this outrage upon the order of kinship?”

Fan, ashamed and humiliated, his face flushed, replied, “I only meant to treat you well. How can this be so rude?”
He fixed his eyes on the attendants in a threatening way.

Zhao Yun saw it, struck him once, knocking him down, then walked out through the gate, mounted, and rode from the city.

Fan immediately summoned Chen Ying and Bao Long for consultation.

Chen Ying said, “This man left in anger. We only need to fight him and kill him.”
Fan said, “I fear I cannot defeat him.”
Bao Long said, “The two of us have already feigned surrender and entered his camp. The prefect has brought out troops to wrestle with us and we two were only waiting on the field to capture him. We must do it that way.”

Chen Ying said, “We must bring some soldiers with us.”
Bao Long said, “Five hundred riders are enough.”

That night both men led five hundred troops straight to Zhao Yun’s camp and surrendered.

Zhao Yun already suspected the trick and had them called in. The two commanders said under his tent, “Zhao Fan intended to use the beauty snare to lure the general. He was waiting for him to become drunk, then carry him into the inner hall and slay him and send your head to Cao Chancellor as a boast. This is inhuman. Because you heard the general grow angry and ride away, we were tainted by it and therefore came to surrender.”

Zhao Yun feigned joy and gave them wine to drink with him. When both were drunk, he had them bound in the tent and questioned their men. It proved a fake surrender.
Zhao Yun called in the five hundred soldiers, gave them food and wine, and ordered, “The would-be killers are Chen Ying and Bao Long; the rest are not to blame. Do what I say, and you shall all be richly rewarded.”
The soldiers bowed in thanks. He executed Chen and Bao on the spot and then ordered the five hundred to lead the way. Zhao Yun brought up one thousand soldiers behind them and by night reached Guiyang’s gate at a run.

The city watch heard and relayed that Chen and Bao had killed Zhao Yun and returned, asking the magistrate to confer. The men on the ramparts set the watch fires, but it was plainly their own troops that had arrived.

Fan hurried out of the city. Zhao Yun told the guards to seize him, then entered, calmed the people, and stabilized the situation before sending fast word to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang came in person to Guiyang. Zhao Yun welcomed them into the city and pushed Zhao Fan down to the steps.

Zhuge Liang asked, “What happened? Tell me about the matter of your sister-in-law.”

Zhuge Liang said to Zhao Yun, “This is also a good thing, and yet why have you done so?”

Zhao Yun said, “If I marry Fan’s sister-in-law after he has made me brother, one, people would revile me. Two, that woman would remarry and lose her proper chastity. Three, Fan has just submitted and his heart is uncertain. Master, my lord has only newly settled the lands of Jianghan, and my bedding is not yet firm. How could I dare to forsake my lord’s great affairs for one woman?”

Liu Bei said, “Great matters have been decided today. Would you take her or not?”

Zhao Yun said, “There are many women in the world. I fear only that I cannot establish my reputation. What lack of wife and children would follow?”

Liu Bei said, “Zilong, you are a true man.”

He released Zhao Fan, kept him as magistrate of Guiyang, and greatly rewarded Zhao Yun.

Zhang Fei shouted, “All the merit was won by Zilong, while I am deemed useless! Give me three thousand troops and let me take Wuling. I will capture its prefect, Jin Xuan, and offer him in surrender!”

Zhuge Liang was pleased and said, “Yide, you may go if you wish, but you must obey one condition.”

The strategist won by many strange stratagems; the soldiers and officers competed to establish battle merit.

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