The two armies mixed in close combat that night until dawn, then each withdrew and drew back to camp. Ma Chao stationed his troops at Wei Mouth, shifting men by day and night and striking in waves. Cao Cao, on the Wei River, ordered boats and rafts chained into three floating bridges to connect across to the south bank. Cao Ren brought troops across, set up a stockade, and linked the grain wagons as a shield.

When Ma Chao heard this, he told his soldiers to carry a bundle of straw each with fire ready in hand. He and Han Sui drove forward together to the front of the camp, heaped the straw, and set it alight. Cao’s men could not withstand the flames and abandoned the camp. The horses, wagons, and the floating bridges were burned. The Xiliang army won decisively and cut the Wei. Cao Cao could not restore a camp and began to worry deeply.

Xun You, whose courtesy name was Wenruo, said, “Take the Weihe sands and earth and build an earthen wall. It can hold.” Cao sent thirty thousand soldiers to shoulder the soil and build. Ma Chao then ordered Pang De and Ma Dai, five hundred cavalry apiece, to trade charges repeatedly. Worse, the sandy soil was unstable. What was raised collapsed quickly. Cao had no immediate plan.

By then it was late September. The weather was violently cold; red-brown clouds closed over the sky and had not opened for days. Cao sat in the camp in a mood of bewilderment. Suddenly someone reported: “An old man has come to see the Chancellor and wishes to set out a strategy.” Cao invited him in.

He had a long-necked, crane-boned frame and a weathered face. It later emerged he was from Jingzhao, living in seclusion on Mount Zhongnan, surname Lou, courtesy name Zi Bo, and Daoist title Master Mengmei. Cao received him with a guest’s honors. Zi Bo said, “The Chancellor has long wanted to cross the Wei and settle in place. Why do you not do it now?”

Cao asked, “This is sandy ground; building a wall will not hold. What is your good strategy?”

Zi Bo replied, “The Chancellor fights like a god. Do you not know the weather? For many days overcast clouds and then wind out of the north are coming. There will be hard frost. Once the wind rises, order the men to carry soil and splash water. By dawn the earthen wall will be complete.”

Cao suddenly understood. He rewarded Zi Bo well, but the recluse refused and left.

That night the north wind rose in strength. Cao drove his men to carry water in cloth sacks for lack of proper containers, using it to wet the earth as it rose; they built while it froze. By the time dawn came, the soil was hard and the earthen wall was finished.

An agent reported it to Ma Chao. He inspected it and was astonished, suspecting divine aid. The next day he gathered his whole army, sounded drums, and advanced.

Cao himself rode out alone from camp, Xu Chu, whose courtesy name was Zhongkang, following.

Cao lifted his whip and shouted, “Mengde has come here on one horse. Ma Chao, come out and answer.”

Ma Chao rode out, spear raised. Cao said, “You have failed to break my camp. In one night, with weather’s help, it is built complete. Why did you not surrender early?”

Ma Chao burned with anger and aimed to dash forward and seize him. He saw behind Cao a man with fierce, startled eyes, standing with a steel knife in hand and reins taut, watching. Ma Chao wondered if it was Xu Chu and called, “Where is your Tiger Marquis in your army?”

Xu Chu called back, “I am Xu Chu of Qiao Commandery!” His eyes flashed, his presence awe-inspiring.

Ma Chao did not dare move. He reined back. Cao also drew Xu Chu back into camp.

All who watched were stunned. Cao told his officers, “The rebels even know Zhongkang is the Tiger Marquis.” From then on all the army called Xu Chu Tiger Marquis.

Xu Chu said, “On another day I will capture Ma Chao.”

Cao said, “Ma Chao is brave and cannot be lightly matched.”

Xu Chu said, “I swear I will fight to death!” He had a challenge written out for single combat on the next day between Xu Chu Tiger Marquis and Ma Chao.

Ma Chao read it and grew furious: “How dare anyone dare to trick me this way?” He replied in writing that he would kill the Tiger Idiot the next day.

Next day both armies rode out and arrayed their ranks. Ma Chao assigned Pang De to the left wing, Ma Dai to the right, and Han Sui the center. Ma Chao lowered his spear and rode upright before the lines, shouting, “Tiger Idiot, come out at once!”

Cao looked back from behind the gate and told the other generals, “Ma Chao is no less valiant than Lü Bu.” Before he had finished, Xu Chu beat with his horse and came out brandishing his sword.

Ma Chao and Xu Chu met in battle. They fought more than a hundred rounds, and the outcome could not be decided. The horses grew exhausted. Both withdrew to their units, changed mounts, and came out again. Again they fought for over a hundred rounds with no winner.

Xu Chu’s spirit rose. He returned to camp, cast off his armor, and came bare-shouldered with sword raised. He vaulted back onto his horse and charged to decide with Ma Chao.

Both armies were greatly startled. They battled again for over thirty exchanges. Xu Chu raised and swung his blade, striking Ma Chao.

Ma Chao dodged and thrust a spear toward Xu Chu’s chest.

Xu Chu dropped the sword and caught the spear. On horseback the two wrestled for it. Xu Chu, with force alone, snapped the shaft with one sharp crack, and each held a half while still riding, striking wildly.

Cao feared Xu Chu might lose. He ordered Xiahou Yuan, whose courtesy name was Miaocai, and Cao Hong to advance together and strike in from both sides. Pang De and Ma Dai saw the Chancellors ride out and sent their heavy cavalry in with a straight-on charge, colliding and slashing. Cao’s army became confused.

Xu Chu took two arrows to the upper arm.

The other generals in haste fell back into camp. Ma Chao drove straight to the riverbank, and Cao’s men were maimed and broken by a half. Cao ordered the camp to close up tightly and not come out.

Ma Chao returned to Wei Mouth and told Han Sui, “I have seen no one who can match Xu Chu in fierce battle. He is truly a Tiger Idiot.”

Cao Cao judged that Ma Chao could be broken by stratagem. He secretly ordered Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to cross fully to the west bank and set up camp to strike from both front and rear.

On one occasion Cao, standing atop the wall, saw Ma Chao lead several hundred riders straight up to the front of camp, coming and going as if flying. He watched for a long while, then threw his helmet to the ground and said, “If that horseman does not die, there will be no burial ground for me.”

Hearing this, Xiahou Yuan burned with anger and shouted, “I would rather die here than fail. I vow to wipe out Ma the bandit!” He led out over a thousand of his core unit and opened the gate wide to charge.

Cao could not restrain him; he mounted at once and rode forward to assist. When Ma Chao saw Cao’s troops close in, he made the front lines become the rear and the rear become vanguard, opening into one line. He reached Xiahou Yuan and fought him.

Among the chaotic troops, Ma Chao saw Cao and abandoned Xiahou, pressing straight toward Cao. Cao was shocked and wheeled away. The army broke.

Just as the chase began, there was sudden word: Cao had an army already crossed west and pitched camp there.

Ma Chao was startled and no longer chased. He drew back in dismay, pulled his men back to camp, and spoke with Han Sui: “Cao’s troops have crossed to the west bank while there was an opening. Our own forces are attacked in front and behind. How can we meet this?”

Officer Li Kan said, “Better to concede land and make peace, and let each side stop for now. Let us endure winter and make plans when spring warms.”

Han Sui said, “Li Kan speaks best. We should follow it.”

Still Ma Chao hesitated. Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan both pressed for peace. Han Sui therefore sent Yang Qiu as envoy and asked for a written separation and peace.

Cao replied, “Return to your camp. I will report back tomorrow.” Yang Qiu took leave.

Jia Xu, whose courtesy name was Wenhe, entered and said, “What is the Chancellor’s intent?” Cao asked, “And what do you see?”

Jia Xu answered, “War does not disdain deception. It may accept the proposal first, then use divided counsel to make Han and Ma suspect one another. Then one drumbeat can break them.”

Cao laughed and struck his palms. “Many in the world can observe this. Wenhe’s plan is exactly the one in my own thoughts.” He ordered a return message: “I will slowly withdraw, and restore your western bank to you.” At the same time he had the floating bridges raised as if preparing for withdrawal.

When Ma Chao got the reply, he told Han Sui, “Though Cao appears to consent, this villainous hero is hard to measure. If we are not prepared, we become trapped by him. Today I and my uncle will alternate our troops: today I face Cao while my uncle faces Xu Huang; tomorrow I face Cao and my uncle faces Xu Huang. We should prepare in separate parts against treachery.”

Han Sui followed this plan.

Before long a report reached Cao. He said to Jia Xu, “It is nearly settled. Who is to come out against us tomorrow?” The report came: Han Sui.

The next day Cao brought out all his commanders and surrounded the field. He alone rode in the center. Han Sui’s men, many not knowing Cao, came out to observe his formation. Cao cried, “Do your troops wish to see Chancellor Cao? I am still human. I have no four eyes and two mouths; I simply possess more stratagems.”

All the troops wore a look of fear.

Cao sent a messenger through the lines to Han Sui: “The Chancellor respectfully requests that General Han come and speak.” Han Sui rode out at once. Seeing Cao without armor and in light clothing, he too discarded his cuirass and rode out simply.

The two riders drew close and came with reins in hand, facing each other.

Cao said, “Your father and I shared the same civil service route. I once served him in my youth, like an uncle.”

He added, “Your and my offices came by the same road too. Years have passed beyond counting. How old are you now, General?”

Han Sui replied, “I am forty.”

Cao said, “Only recently in the capital you were still young. How strange that you are already in your middle years! How will the land ever be brought back to peace and shared joy?”

He spent the time recalling old events in detail without touching army matters. After a full hour they separated, turning back their horses and returning to their camps.

Soon after, someone reported this to Ma Chao. He came in haste asking Han Sui, “What was said by Cao in front of your lines?”

Han Sui answered, “Only old stories from the capital.”

Ma Chao said, “How can one not speak of military affairs?”

Han Sui replied, “Cao did not speak. Why should I alone speak?”

Ma Chao doubted still more and withdrew in silence.

Cao returned to camp and told Jia Xu, “Do you understand the meaning of our parley before the lines?”

Jia Xu said, “This is clever, but still it does not fully separate them. I have one scheme by which Han and Ma will kill each other.”

Cao asked for the plan.

Jia Xu said, “Ma Chao is a brave warrior and does not read hidden intent. The Chancellor should write one letter with his own hand to Han Sui, leave the crucial phrases blurred, then seal and send it. Let Ma Chao know it. He will ask for it to read.”

“If he sees blurred places, he will assume Han Sui, fearing that Ma Chao learned secrets, has altered those places himself. That matches the suspicion from yesterday’s single-horse talk. Suspicion gives rise to disorder. Then I will secretly sow division among Han Sui’s own officers. In that way Ma Chao can be taken apart.”

Cao said, “A most excellent stratagem.” He wrote a letter, blotted over every crucial place, sealed it, and had many riders carry it to Han Sui, then withdrew them.

Sure enough, Ma Chao was informed. His suspicion deepened. He came straight to Han Sui for the letter. Han Sui handed it to him.

When Ma Chao saw the blotched writing, he said, “How come this is all rubbed and blurred?” Han Sui said, “The original was like this. I do not know why.”

Ma Chao said, “Would anyone send a rough draft by messenger? Your uncle must fear I could know sensitive details. He must have altered the lines first. That is exactly why this is.”

Han Sui replied, “Could Cao accidentally have sent out a draft instead?”

Ma Chao said, “I do not believe it. Cao is precise in everything. Could he make such an error? I have fought beside my uncle as one to destroy this bandit. How can sudden treachery rise?”

Han Sui said, “If you do not trust me, tomorrow when I speak with Cao, break out from within and thrust a spear into him.”

Ma Chao answered, “If so, then I will know my uncle’s true heart.”

They fixed this.

The following day Han Sui sent Hou Xuan, Li Kan, Liang Xing, Ma Wan, and Yang Qiu out to form the line. Ma Chao concealed himself behind the gate.

Han Sui sent a man to Cao’s camp and shouted, “General Han asks the Chancellor to speak face-to-face.” Cao ordered Cao Hong to lead several dozen riders directly to meet Han Sui before the lines.

Their horses were only a few strides apart when Cao Hong bent low on horseback and said, “Last night the Chancellor conveyed this intention to you: do not misunderstand.”

He turned and returned.

Ma Chao heard this and was furious. He snapped his spear, spurred hard, and struck toward Han Sui. The five officers blocked him and urged him back into camp. Han Sui said, “Esteemed nephew, hold your doubts. I hold no evil intent.”

Ma Chao did not yield.

Han Sui then met with those five on how to explain the matter. Yang Qiu said, “Ma Chao leans on his courage and often harbors a heart above his lord. If he defeats Cao, will he yield anything? In my poor view, better to defect to Cao in secret. A future enfeoffment may still be yours.”

Han Sui said, “I and Ma Teng once made brotherhood vows. How could I be disloyal?”

Yang Qiu said, “When matters are this far advanced, there is no other path.”

Han Sui asked, “Who can carry this message?”

Yang Qiu answered, “I volunteer.”

Han Sui wrote a sealed letter and sent Yang Qiu to Cao’s camp, telling of surrender.

Cao was very glad. He promised Han Sui the Marquisate of Xiliang, Yang Qiu Administrator of Xiliang, and offices to the rest. They agreed the signal would be fire and that both within and without would cooperate.

Yang Qiu took leave and returned to Han Sui, reporting every detail:

“Tonight we are to light a fire. Inside and outside will move together.” Han Sui was delighted and ordered dry timber piled behind the central command tent, and the five generals to keep swords and blades unsheathed and ready.

Han Sui considered setting a banquet to invite Ma Chao and catch him there, but never reached final decision.

Ma Chao had already detected all of it. He had come ahead with his close guard and a few riders, carrying his sword, to the fore, and he told Pang De and Ma Dai to hold back for relief. He slipped into Han Sui’s tent. He found the five generals and Han Sui in close conference. All he heard from Yang Qiu’s mouth was, “This must not be delayed. Do it at once!”

Ma Chao grew enraged and shouted, “How can this gang of thieves dare to plot my death?” He drew his sword and entered in full force.

He all but cried, “A band of villains, how dare you.” The men all started in alarm. Ma Chao swung straight for Han Sui’s face.

Han Sui flung out his hand to parry. His left hand was cut away at once.

The five generals drew their own blades and rushed out together. Ma Chao stepped from the pavilion and the five closed around him. He alone swung his treasured sword against them. Where the blade flashed, blood splashed. He cut down Ma Wan and hacked Liang Xing; three of them fled. When Ma Chao went back toward Han Sui’s pavilion to finish him, Han Sui had been carried out by his own men.

A fire rose behind the pavilion and soldiers from all camps surged.

Ma Chao quickly mounted. Pang De and Ma Dai had arrived and joined the struggle. When Ma Chao cut out with his force, he found himself ringed by Cao’s troops: Xu Chu in front, Xu Huang in rear, Xiahou Yuan on the left, Cao Hong on the right. The Xiliang troops, being pressed together, began to kill one another.

Ma Chao no longer saw Pang De or Ma Dai and drew over one hundred riders to hold at Wei Bridge.

By first light he saw Li Kan leading a unit crossing beneath the bridge. Ma Chao lowered his spear and rushed. Li Kan ran while dragging his spear.

At that moment Yu Jin came running from behind Ma Chao and loosed an arrow. Ma Chao heard the bowstring and dodged in time, but the bolt hit Li Kan in front, killing him and sending him off his horse.

Ma Chao wheeled and came back to strike Yu Jin, but Yu Jin spurred away.

Ma Chao held at the bridgehead. Cao’s troops came on from all sides. The Tiger Guard was first, and arrows flew in crossing rain. Ma Chao deflected them with his spear so that the shafts came down all over the ground.

He ordered his riders to charge in and out, to kill and split through, but Cao’s lines were thick and held firm. They could not force a way through.

On the bridge, Ma Chao shouted, rode hard into the north bank, and cut toward safety; the riders following him were cut apart.

Ma Chao fought alone inside the press. He was struck down on horseback by a hidden crossbow bolt.

Ma Chao fell to the ground. Cao’s army closed in.

At that critical moment a band of soldiers came in from the northwest corner to strike—Pang De and Ma Dai.

The two saved Ma Chao. One with Ma Chao in hand of horse, heaved together through the blood. They turned and cut out a blood-licked path and rode northwest.

When Cao heard that Ma Chao had escaped, he ordered all his generals, “Pursue him night and day. Whoever brings Ma Chao’s head will receive a thousand pieces of gold and be enfeoffed as a marquis of ten thousand households. Whoever captures him alive shall be made General-in-Chief.”

The commands were carried out. All sought to outpace one another in pursuit.

Ma Chao, with no thought for the weariness of men and horses, kept running. His riders gradually scattered. Foot soldiers who could not keep pace were taken.

Only thirty-odd riders remained, and with Pang De and Ma Dai they fled toward Longxi and Lintao.

Cao pursued to Anding himself. Learning Ma Chao had gone far, he finally gathered his forces and returned to Chang’an.

The whole host assembled there. Han Sui’s left hand was gone. He had become an invalid. Cao ordered him kept in Chang’an to rest and granted him the title Marquis of Xiliang. Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were made marquesses and placed at Wei Mouth.

Cao ordered the army to return to Xuchang.

Yang Fu, an assistant general from Liangzhou, courtesy name Yishan, arrived directly in Chang’an to see Cao.

Cao asked, “What do you hear?”

Yang Fu said, “Ma Chao has courage like Lü Bu and has deeply won the hearts of the Qiang. If Your Highness does not press and exterminate him now, in time he will gather force there, and the commanderies of Long can no longer be called ours. For now, please do not pull your troops back yet.”

Cao said, “I did intend to leave forces to punish him. But the Central Plains are in turmoil and the south not settled. I cannot stay long. You must guard it for me.”

Yang Fu obeyed, and again recommended Wei Kang as Inspector of Liangzhou. He was to command troops and camp at Jicheng to defend against Ma Chao.

As Yang Fu prepared to leave, he said, “Chang’an must hold heavy reserves there as fallback.”

Cao said, “I have already arranged that. Trust me.”

Yang Fu withdrew.

Other generals asked, “When the bandits first held Tongguan and the road north of the Wei was open, why did the Chancellor not strike Henan and destroy Fengyi, but instead return to defend Tongguan and then stay so long before crossing north to build this camp and fortify?”

Cao said, “At first the bandits held Tongguan. Had I gone at once, I would have taken Hedong. The rebels then would have divided, stationing each outpost at every ford, and then the west bank could not be crossed. So I gathered all my forces at Tongguan and made them hold southward, while west of the river they were unprepared. For this reason Xu Huang and Zhu Ling could cross.

I then crossed north, linked carts and stockades into causeways, raised an ice fortress, and let them believe I was weak so as to swell their pride and keep them unready. I then used the trick of reverse intelligence and the force of my soldiers in one stroke to crush them. As the saying goes: not even swift thunder can cover the ear.”

The generals asked, “The Chancellor rejoices whenever he hears that the bandits are bringing in more troops and men. Why is that?”

Cao said, “The Central Plain is far and hard to govern. If every bandit clings to a pass and rough ground, to pacify them takes one or two years. Now they have gathered all in one place. Their ranks are large, but their hearts are not one. They are easy to divide and one strike can wipe them out. That is why I am glad.”

The generals knelt and said, “No one in this world can equal the Chancellor’s divine design.” Cao replied, “It is due to the strength of your civil and military men too.” He rewarded them heavily.

He left Xiahou Yuan to garrison Chang’an. The surrendered soldiers were assigned by units.

Xiahou Yuan recommended a man from Fengyi named Zhang, surname Zhang, given name Ji, courtesy name Derong, a native of Gaoling, who served as Prefect of Jingzhao, to share the defense with him.

Cao then completed his march back to the capital. Emperor Xian drove out the ceremonial carriage and rode to the gate to welcome him. By decree he did not publicly announce Cao’s promotion; but when Cao entered court he did not kneel, and ascended with sword and boots, as in the old story of Chancellor Xiao He under Han. From then on his power shook the inner and outer realms.

News of this entered Hanzhong early and startled the Administrator of Hanning, Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu had been a native of Feng in Pei. His ancestor, Zhang Ling, in West Sichuan made Daoist scriptures on Mount Huming and used them to mislead people. The people respected him. When he died, his son Zhang Heng carried it on. The people who studied the Way gave him five dou of grain in aid and were called “grain thieves.” After Zhang Heng’s death, Zhang Lu inherited it.

In Hanzhong Zhang Lu styled himself “Shijun.” Those who came for the Way were called “ghost soldiers.” The leaders among them were “ji jiu,” and those who commanded many were “zhitou da ji jiu.” Their order was founded on honesty. Fraud was forbidden. If one was ill, one was put in a quiet room to ponder one’s own offense and present one’s face before making prayer.

The official who conducted the prayers was titled the Superintending jijiu. For prayer, one wrote down the name and admission of guilt, then composed three documents called the “Three Officials’ Handscroll.” One was burned on a summit to report to Heaven, one was buried in the earth to report to Earth, and one was sunk in deep water to report to the Water Official.

Afterward, if recovered, they offered five dou of grain as thanks.

He also maintained charity halls, provisioned with rice, firewood, and meat, where travelers could eat as much as needed; if someone took too much, he was said to fall under Heaven’s punishment.

Within his domains, criminals were granted three chances to repent; only those who did not amend were punished. There were no official magistrates there. The entire administration was in the hands of the ji jiu.

Thus he held Hanzhong firmly for thirty years.

The state tolerated this because of distance, and made him General Who Defends the Southern Court and Administrator of Hanning, accepting tribute.

When he heard Cao had broken the Xiliang host and that the land trembled under this report, he gathered his men and discussed: “Ma Teng of Xiliang is dead, and Ma Chao has newly failed. Cao Cao will surely invade Hanzhong. I wish to call myself King of Hanning and set a force to block him. What should we do?”

Yan Pu said, “Hanzhong has over one hundred thousand households. Its wealth and grain are abundant. It is surrounded by strong passes on all four sides. Since Ma Chao has just failed, the people from Xiliang who fled into Hanzhong through Ziwu Valley number not less than tens of thousands. In my poor opinion, Liu Zhang in Yi Province is weak and foolish. Better to first secure the forty-one prefectures of Xichuan before taking the title.”

Zhang Lu was pleased, and discussed uprising with his brother Zhang Wei. Spies were already brought in from Sichuan.

Back in Yi Province, Liu Zhang, courtesy name Jiyu, was the son of Liu Yan and a descendant of King Gong of Lu of the Han house. In the Yuanhe era of Emperor Zhang, a cadet branch of the family was transferred in enfeoffment to Jingling and settled there. Liu Yan later rose to become Governor of Yi Province and died of an ulcer in the first year of Xingping. Senior officers of Yi Province, including Zhao Wei, then supported Liu Zhang as Governor. Liu Zhang had already killed Zhang Lu’s mother and younger brother, and the two sides were enemies.

Liu Zhang appointed Pang Xi as Administrator of Bashi to oppose Zhang Lu.

At that time Pang Xi learned Zhang Lu intended to raise troops and take Sichuan, so he rushed the message to Liu Zhang.

Liu Zhang, timid by nature, grew greatly anxious and quickly gathered his officers to discuss. Then one man stepped forward: “My lord, take heart. Though I am no able man, with a three-inch, never-failing tongue, I can keep Zhang Lu from looking at Sichuan head-on.”

As said:

Only because a strategist entered Shu, the heroes of Jingzhou have been drawn in.

Who this man is,

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