It is said that Pang Tong, whose courtesy name was Shiyuan, and Fa Zheng, whose courtesy name was Xiaozhi, advised Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, to kill Liu Zhang on the spot while they sat together at table. Liu Bei replied, “This is not something I can do. I have only newly entered Shu, and my favor and trust are not yet established.” The two men pressed him again and again, but Liu Bei did not yield. The next day they again held a banquet with Liu Zhang in the city and spoke with one another in close and friendly conversation. By the time the wine had warmed both sides, Pang Tong and Fa Zheng conferred.

“Now the matter has reached this point. It is no longer possible to avoid action, my lord.”

They told Wei Yan to mount the hall steps and dance with his sword. As Liu Zhang entered the room, Wei Yan drew his blade and went forward, saying, “The banquet has offered no real amusement. Allow me to dance for pleasure.”

Pang Tong then called in the bodyguards and lined them below the hall, waiting for Wei Yan’s cue. When Liu Zhang’s own captains saw Wei Yan’s sword dance before the table, they saw too the guards below with blades drawn, and they fixed their eyes on the hall above. Zhang Ren also drew his sword and joined the dance, saying, “Swordplay needs an opponent. I will dance with Wei General.”

The two men danced together before the table. Wei Yan fixed his eye on Liu Feng, and Liu Feng drew his blade and assisted.

Then Liu Gui, Leng Bao, and Deng Xian all drew their swords and stepped forth saying, “We should dance in a group and make this a joyful occasion.”

Liu Bei was startled. He quickly drew the swords worn by the guards at his side and stood up at the table.

“Brothers are meant to meet and drink deeply in frank friendship. We bear no suspicion toward one another, and this is no banquet at Hongmen. Why all this swordplay? If any man draws steel without cause, he will be beheaded!”

Liu Zhang also shouted, “We are brothers in spirit. Why must we still carry swords?” He ordered his attendants to remove all their ceremonial blades.

The attendants withdrew in confusion. Liu Bei called his officers to the dais and gave them wine.

“I and my brothers are of one bloodline and one brotherhood. We have discussed a grave matter and have no divided heart. There is nothing here for you to suspect.”

All the officers bowed in thanks. Liu Zhang took Liu Bei’s hand and wept. “I shall never forget your kindness, my brother.”

The two men then drank until evening and parted. Liu Bei returned to his camp and said to Pang Tong, “How have you dared to urge me toward an unjust act? Never do this again.” Pang Tong sighed and withdrew.

When Liu Zhang returned to his camp, Liu Gui and the others said, “My lord, did you see how strange yesterday’s banquet appeared? It would be better to return home at once and prevent future trouble.”

Liu Zhang said, “My brother, Liu Xuande, is not like others.”

The generals replied, “Even if Xuande himself has no such design, those under his command all want to absorb West Shu and grasp riches.”

Liu Zhang said, “You are wrong to doubt my brotherly feeling. For this reason I will not listen.” He went on talking with Liu Bei cheerfully every day.

Soon a report came that Zhang Lu had been putting his troops in order and was preparing to strike at Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang invited Liu Bei to go out and resist. Liu Bei agreed with feeling and moved at once with his own troops toward Jiameng Pass.

The commanders advised Liu Zhang that his chief generals should hold all passes closely, to guard against any treachery from Liu Bei. Liu Zhang at first refused, but later, at repeated entreaty, he ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei to guard Fushui Pass. He then returned to Chengdu.

When Liu Bei arrived at Jiameng, he enforced strict discipline among his soldiers and extended generous favor to secure the people’s hearts.

A covert report had long reached Eastern Wu. Sun Quan, lord of Wu, convened his civil and military officers.

Gu Yong said, “Liu Bei has dispersed his army across difficult routes and far terrain. It will not be easy for him to return quickly. Why not send one force first to block the Sichuan approaches and cut his road home, then raise all of Wu’s troops and descend into Jingzhou in one rush? This opportunity must not be missed.”

Sun Quan said, “This is a fine plan!”

As they were discussing it, a voice shouted from behind a screen, “Whoever proposed this should be executed. Do you intend to kill my daughter?” The officials turned in shock. It was Sun Quan’s mother.

She was furious: “I have had only one daughter in my life. I married her to Liu Bei. If you move now, what is to become of her life?” Then she shouted at Sun Quan, “You bear your father’s and elder brother’s legacy and rule over eighty-one commanderies, and yet you are still not satisfied? You seek only small profit and forget your blood ties.”

Sun Quan answered repeatedly, “How could I violate my mother’s instruction?” He sent the officers away.

The Empress Dowager withdrew in displeasure. Sun Quan stood under his pavilion and thought to himself, “If this chance is lost, when will I ever take Jingzhou?”

While he still pondered, Zhang Zhao came in and asked, “What concerns Lord Sun?”

Sun Quan said, “I have been thinking about what just happened.”

Zhang Zhao said, “It is easy. Send one trusted general with only five hundred men, send him secretly into Jingzhou, and place a letter in the lady’s hands. Tell her that Madam Mother is seriously ill and wants to see her daughter. Have her return to Wu by night. Liu Bei has but one son—ask her to bring A-dou with her. In that case, Liu Bei will trade Jingzhou for his child. If he resists, then let us take up arms as planned.”

Sun Quan said, “This is excellent. I know one man named Zhou Shan. He is fearless, and from childhood he could slip in and out of houses and often followed my brother.”

Zhang Zhao said, “Use him at once and do not let the matter leak.”

So Sun Quan secretly ordered Zhou Shan to leave with five hundred men, disguised as merchants and divided into five boats. He also prepared counterfeit government documents for questioning, and hidden weapons were stowed within the boats.

Zhou Shan obeyed and came by water toward Jingzhou.

At a riverside landing he sent no alarm, entered Jingzhou, and asked the gate officers to summon Madam Sun. The gate officer reported to her. She ordered Zhou Shan admitted, and he presented the secret letter. On reading it, she burst into tears and asked anxiously.

Zhou Shan reported that Madam Mother had grown dangerously ill and longed constantly to see her daughter, and that, if delayed, she might not live to meet her.

Sun Furen said, “The Imperial Uncle has brought troops far from home. If I now go back, I must send word to our strategist first.”

Zhou Shan said, “What if the strategist answers that you are to wait for his command before leaving?”

Sun Furen replied, “If I simply leave without permission, there will surely be obstruction.”

Zhou Shan said, “A boat is already prepared on the river. Please climb aboard and leave at once.”

When she heard her mother was near death, Sun Furen was in no state to be calm. She placed seven-year-old A-dou in the carriage, and with thirty men bearing swords rode out with her.

With sword at each hip they set out from Jingzhou. Before anyone in the household could report to the city, Sun Furen had already reached Shatou and boarded the ship.

When Zhou Shan was about to cast off, he heard from shore a cry, “Do not set the ship adrift yet! Give the mistress leave to take leave!”

It was Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun had just returned from patrol and, hearing the news, had ridden four or five horsemen with windlike speed along the riverbank. Zhou Shan held a long halberd in his hand and shouted, “Who are you, to confront the mistress?” He shouted to his soldiers, “Set the ship in motion and bring all weapons out.”

The wind was favorable and the current swift, so the ships drifted downstream.

Zhao Yun galloped along the riverbank for ten li. Then he saw a fishing boat moored on a slant of the bank. He dropped his horse and, spear in hand, leapt into that boat.

Two men rowed forward, while Sun Furen’s ship pressed on behind. Zhou Shan ordered his soldiers to shoot.

Zhao Yun turned away the arrows with his spear; the shafts splashed into the water.

Now the ships were separated by more than ten Chinese feet. Wu soldiers stabbed wildly with their spears. Zhao Yun threw the spear onto the fishing boat and drew the Qinggang sword at his belt.

He opened a narrow path with his thrust and, at once, springing from the boat, leapt aboard the larger ship. The Wu soldiers all recoiled in astonishment.

Inside that vessel, Sun Furen held A-dou in her arms. She cried out, “How dare you behave without decency!”

Zhao Yun bowed his sword and replied, “Your ladyship, where are you going? Why was no strategist informed?”

Sun Furen said, “My mother is on the edge of death. I have no time to report.”

Zhao Yun said, “Why is Your ladyship bringing the little master out when he is your child to visit illness?”

Sun Furen said, “A-dou is my son. Who at Jingzhou can watch him if I do not bring him?”

Zhao Yun said, “Your ladyship is mistaken. This is the last line of blood in his father’s life. I rescued him once amid the hundred-thousand-strong troops of Changyang’s Longban slope. How can you carry him away today?”

She said angrily, “You are only one foot-soldier beneath the standard. Who are you to meddle in my household?”

Zhao Yun said, “If Your ladyship insists on leaving, leave. But leave the little master.”

She shouted to a maid, and the woman moved forward to pull back the child.

Zhao Yun pushed her down and, taking A-dou from her arms, held him to his chest and moved to the bow.

She wished to go ashore, but there was no hand to assist her. She wished to do violence, but reason and principle held her back. She found herself trapped.

When Sun Furen again cried for a maid to seize A-dou, Zhao Yun held the child with one arm and supported himself on his sword in the other; nobody dared come near.

Zhou Shan at the stern held the rudder and kept the ship in midstream. The current was strong and the wind favorable; they moved with the flow toward deep water.

Zhao Yun had only one pair of hands and one arm to spare, but he could protect the child and could not bring the ship to land.

At that point of extreme peril, he saw more than ten ships come out of the headwater harbor below, banners flying and drums sounding.

Zhao Yun thought, “This is the Wu plan.”

On the lead ship a senior general, a long spear in hand, shouted, “Sister-in-law, leave the nephew with us!”

It was Zhang Fei, who had been on patrol. He had heard the news and rushed to the river mouth at Youjiang, colliding just then with the Wu vessel and blocking it.

Zhang Fei leapt over with sword in hand.

Zhou Shan saw him come aboard and drew his own blade in greeting. One stroke from Zhang Fei cut him down, and he flung the head at Sun Furen’s feet.

Sun Furen cried out, “Uncle, how is this not disrespect?”

Zhang Fei said, “Sister-in-law does not honor my elder brother, and she has gone home in secret. That is disrespect!”

Sun Furen replied, “My mother is in grave condition. If I wait for your brother’s return, my mother’s condition will worsen. If you do not let me go now, I will throw myself into the river.”

Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun considered together. Zhang Fei said, “To force Lady Sun is not the way for one of us. Let us only protect A-dou and get him across.”

He spoke to her, “My brother, the Imperial Uncle of the great Han, would never disgrace his sister-in-law. Now we part. If you remember his kindness, return quickly.”

Having said this, he took A-dou and returned with Zhao Yun to their boat, leaving five of Sun Furen’s vessels to continue.

Later there were verses praising Zi Long:

In former years I saved the master at Dangyang. Today I plunged from the bank into the great river. All the Wu soldiers aboard ship lost courage; Zi Long’s heroism has no equal beneath the world.

There were also verses praising Yi De:

On Changban Slope anger mounted like a roaring storm; with one tiger cry he drove back Cao’s army. This morning on the river he lifts a fallen lord; Let the annals bear his name for ten thousand years.

The two rejoiced as they returned to their ship. Before they had gone far, Zhuge Liang drew out a large escort of boats in succession.

When they saw A-dou safe in hand, he rejoiced greatly. The three men rode back together.

Kongming hastily sent a written dispatch to Jiameng Pass to report to Liu Bei.

Sun Furen later returned to Wu and described Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun killing Zhou Shan, seizing back A-dou, and intercepting the river crossing.

Sun Quan was furious: “My sister has returned, and relations are no longer warm. They have killed our Zhou Shan. If they can do that to a messenger, how can they go unpunished?” He gathered his civil and military staff and discussed launching an attack to seize Jingzhou.

No sooner had they begun arranging troop movements than a report arrived: Cao Cao had raised four hundred thousand troops to answer the wound from Red Cliffs. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. He at once paused his Jingzhou drive and discussed meeting Cao Cao’s threat.

News then came that his chief counselor Zhang Hong had asked leave from illness to return home, and that he had in fact died, sending a memorial before he passed.

In it Zhang Hong advised Sun Quan to move the seat to Moling, saying that Moling’s hills and waters held the atmosphere of kingship and that he should transfer the capital there for a work meant to last ten thousand generations.

Sun Quan read the letter and wept before everyone, saying, “How could I fail to listen? Zhang Ziwang urges me to move to Moling.” He ordered a full transfer of government to Jianye and ordered the building of the Stone City.

Lü Meng said, “When Cao Cao’s army comes, we should build works at the Rusu mouth and meet him there.”

The other generals objected: “If he lands, we can charge on foot. Why build walls and fortifications?”

Lü Meng replied, “Armies have strength and sluggishness; no battle can be certain. If the enemy suddenly appears, if horse and foot press each other in close ground, there will be no time even to climb the ships.”

Sun Quan said, “‘One who does not plan from afar will surely meet worries nearby.’ Brother Ziming sees farther than the rest.”

He ordered several tens of thousands of troops and began building Rusu redoubt at once. Through one night of labor, the work was finished by the appointed day.

Cao Cao in Xu rose in authority and prestige. His chief adviser Dong Zhao spoke to him.

“Since ancient times,” he said, “no minister has achieved what the Chancellor has. Not even Zhou Gong or Lü Wang can rival him. For thirty years through wind and rain you have swept away unruly men and removed danger from the people so that the Han Court survived. Why should you stand beside your ministers as an equal? I recommend that you receive the title Wei Gong and accept the Nine Honours.”

He then recited:

1. Horses and chariots
2. Robes
3. Music offices
4. Vermilion gates
5. the right to approach the steps
6. Tiger Guards
7. the battleaxe and halberd
8. bows and arrows
9. the juchang tripod and guizan jade implement

Palace Attendant Xun Yu, whose courtesy name was Wenruo, said, “No. The Chancellor raised troops in the name of righteousness and to support the Han Court. He should keep the resolve of loyalty and upright truth and hold the spirit of humility. A gentleman wins loyalty by virtue, not this display.”

Hearing him, Cao Cao’s face darkened.

Dong Zhao replied, “How can one man stand against the longing of all under heaven?” He filed a memorial urging Cao to be honored as Wei Gong and to receive the Nine Honours.

Xun Yu sighed, “I never expected to witness this.”

Cao Cao heard how deeply he resented him and concluded he was not assisting him. In the tenth month of Jian’an seventeenth year, Cao Cao raised troops and moved south.

Cao Cao ordered Xun Yu to accompany him, but Xun Yu, knowing Cao intended him harm, feigned illness and remained at Shouchun. Suddenly Cao sent him a gift box with a sealed note in Cao’s own hand.

When he opened it, there was nothing inside. He understood the meaning and took poison.

He was fifty years old. Later, people wrote:

Wenruo’s brilliance was famed throughout the world, Yet pity that he met ruin at a ruler’s gate. Men later likened him to Marquis Liu, Yet he died without being able to face the Son of Heaven.

Xun Yu’s son, Xun Yun, sent a letter of mourning to Cao Cao. Cao was deeply regretful, ordered a rich burial, and gave him the posthumous title "Marquis Jing."

Now Cao Cao’s main army arrived at Rusu. First he sent Cao Hong with thirty thousand iron-clad cavalry to scout, to the riverbank.

He reported, “From far upstream along the river there are countless banners; I cannot tell where the troops are concentrated.”

Cao Cao remained uneasy and marched personally with all his men. He deployed his forces at the mouth of Rusu.

He went up a hillock with a hundred retainers and surveyed the warships.

He ordered the battalions in five different arrays so that every band of troops and every weapon line was clear and distinct.

On the central great ship, beneath a blue gauze parasol, sat Sun Quan, with his civil and military officials standing on both sides.

Cao Cao pointed with his whip and shouted, “If one has a son, one should be like Sun Zhongmou! What kind of son is Liu Jingsheng’s? He has no better than dogs and piglets for sons!”

There was a sudden commotion and at once the southern ships surged forward together. Another force inside Rusu redoubt broke out and struck hard at Cao’s army.

The cavalry of Cao backed and withdrew. He could not hold them long.

Then hundreds of riders came up to the mountain flank. At their head sat a man with blue eyes and purple beard.

The men all recognized him as Sun Quan.

Sun Quan drew a cavalry force and came straight to strike Cao. Cao was startled and turned back. On the way out, Wu’s generals Han Dang and Zhou Tai rode in with two squadrons to strike.

Behind him, Xu Chu flung forward his horse and wielded his sword in a broad sweep, breaking the two commanders, and Cao Cao managed to escape into camp.

Xu Chu fought the two for thirty bouts and then returned.

Back in the camp, Cao Cao rewarded Xu Chu heavily, and blamed all the generals.

“Those who turn and retreat before the enemy sap my vigor. If this happens again, all of you will be executed by beheading.”

By the third watch of that night, a roar of shouting rose outside the camp. Cao Cao mounted at once.

He saw fires everywhere. He had already been seized into the great camp by Wu forces.

The fighting continued until dawn, and when morning came the Wei troops withdrew more than fifty li and set up camp downstream.

Cao Cao was heavy of heart. While he idly studied military writings, Cheng Yu said to him,

“Your Excellency knows warfare. Do you not know that in war, speed is king? You raised this host and delayed long, allowing Sun Quan enough time to prepare. If one seizes the Rusu crossing for fortification, attack becomes difficult. Better to withdraw and return to Xuchang, then make another plan.”

Cao Cao made no reply. Cheng Yu withdrew.

Cao Cao lay down on a raised cot. Suddenly he heard a roaring tide, as if ten thousand horses were breaking into a gallop.

He looked up and saw a red sun rising in the great river, its light blinding. Again he looked at the sky and saw two suns confronting one another.

Then the red sun in the river rose straight up and crashed into the mountain before camp, sounding like thunder.

He jolted awake and realized he had been dreaming in his tent.

From the watchword it was noon. Cao Cao ordered his mounts made ready and, with fifty riders, rode straight out of camp.

He rode to the spot where in his dream the sun had seemed to set upon the mountain. As he watched, he saw one group of horsemen coming, led by a man in gold helmet and gold armor.

It was Sun Quan.

Sun Quan saw Cao arriving and did not panic. From the mountain he reined in his horse and pointed his whip.

“The Chancellor sits among the center plains, with wealth and rank already at their peak. Why is your greed never satisfied, that you again invade my Jiangnan?”

Cao Cao replied, “You are a vassal under heaven. Why raise your head against the Han throne? I come by imperial command to attack you.”

Sun Quan laughed. “Does that not shame you? Does not all under Heaven know you seize the Son of Heaven and move the lords at your pleasure? I do not dishonor the Han Court. I have come precisely to punish you and set the realm right.”

Cao Cao raged and ordered his generals, and the mountain behind them was filled with a drumbeat.

Two groups of troops emerged: on the right Han Dang and Zhou Tai, on the left Chen Wu and Pan Zhang. Four generals led three thousand crossbow men who loosed arrows in rain.

Cao Cao hurriedly drew his men back and fled.

The four generals pursued him with speed. Halfway back, Xu Chu and his Tiger Guard cavalry blocked the pursuers and pulled Cao Cao to safety.

The Wu troops played victory songs in full chorus and returned to Rusu.

Back in camp, Cao Cao reflected, “Sun Quan is not an ordinary man. The sign of the red sun must in time make him emperor.” He decided to withdraw, but still feared mockery from Wu.

At that moment, still undecided, both sides remained in opposition for more than a month and fought several times, each side alternately gaining and losing.

Until the following January, with spring rains unbroken and river ports all flooded, soldiers stood in mud and water, suffering heavily.

When he was in camp, Cao Cao held a meeting with his advisers. Some urged immediate withdrawal, while some argued that the spring weather favored holding on and should not permit retreat.

Cao wavered.

There then came report that an envoy from Wu had arrived with a letter.

Cao Cao opened it. It read:

We are both ministers serving the Han court. The Chancellor does not think to secure the state and the people and so rashly takes up arms and massacres the living. Is this worthy of a humane man? Spring waters have just begun to rise. Leave at once, Your Excellency. If not, the calamity of Chibi will return.

On the reverse he wrote two lines:

If you do not die, I cannot find peace.

Cao Cao looked it over and laughed, “Zhongmou is no fool.”

He rewarded the envoy richly and issued orders for a full retreat.

He named the Administrator of Lujiang, Zhu Guang, to hold Wancheng, and he led the great army back to Xuchang.

Sun Quan also drew back to Moling. He and his commanders discussed.

“Although Cao Cao has withdrawn north, Liu Bei is still at Jiameng and has not yet returned. Why not take the force that resisted Cao and turn it on Jingzhou?”

Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “Do not move yet. I have one strategy that can keep Liu Bei from returning to Jingzhou again.”

That is to say:

Mengde’s mighty host only now turns north, Yet Zhongmou’s vast ambition rises again toward the south. How else might one measure the plan Zhang Zhao was about to reveal? How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.