Zhang Zhao offered a stratagem and said, “Do not set troops in motion yet. If we raise an army, Cao Cao will surely return. Better to draft two letters. One to Liu Zhang: tell him that Liu Bei has joined with Sun Quan and is preparing to seize Xichuan, so Liu Zhang will become suspicious and attack Liu Bei. One to Zhang Lu: instruct him to advance and come to Jing Province. Then Liu Bei, with no way to save both ends, will not be able to answer. After that I will raise troops and take it. All this will work out.” Sun Quan approved, and he immediately sent messengers to both places.

Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, remained long at Jiayong Pass and won much of the people’s goodwill. He then received a document from Kongming and learned that Lady Sun had returned to Eastern Wu. He also heard that Cao Cao had raised troops and moved against Runshu, so he asked Pang Tong, whose courtesy name was Shiyuan, “Cao Cao attacks Sun Quan. If Sun Quan wins, he too will claim Jing Province. If Cao Cao wins, he will still take it. What is to be done?”

Pang Tong replied, “My lord, do not worry. With Kongming there, you may trust that Eastern Wu will not dare to invade Jing Province. My lord should send word to Liu Zhang and urge him to direct all force toward attacking Sun Quan. Sun Quan will cry out for aid from Jing Province; although my lord and Sun Quan share a bond like gums and teeth, we cannot refuse each other. Zhang Lu stays to guard his own lands and will not dare to cross our border. I want to pull back the main force to Jing Province and together we will crush Cao Cao. But we are short of men and grain. Rely on kinship among the same lineage and send three or four wan of elite troops and ten thousand hu of grain in aid. Please do not fail us. If horses, money, and grain come by another route, we can discuss the rest.”

Liu Bei accepted and sent men to Chengdu. When they reached the frontier, Yang Hui and Gao Pei heard of it and ordered Gao Pei to guard the pass while Yang Hui went with emissaries into Chengdu, presenting Liu Bei’s letter. Liu Zhang read it and asked why Yang Hui had also come.

Yang Hui said, “I came only for this letter. Since Liu Bei entered Shu, he has spread his benevolence to win the hearts of the people. His intent is most troubling. If he requests horses, troops, and grain, do not grant it. If you assist him, it is like adding fuel to fire.”

Liu Zhang asked, “I and Liu Bei are tied by the bond of elder and younger brothers. Can I really refuse him?”

One man spoke, “Liu Bei is a reckless hawk. He has long remained in Shu and not departed; it is like letting a tiger into a house. To help him now with troops, horses, and grain is no different from adding wings to a tiger.”

All in the hall turned their eyes on him and recognized him as Liu Ba of Zhenyang in Lingling commandery, surname Liu, courtesy name Zichu. Hearing Liu Ba’s words, Liu Zhang hesitated but could not settle his mind. Huang Quan persisted in his appeal.

Liu Zhang apportioned four thousand old and weak soldiers and ten thousand hu of rice, then sent a reply to Liu Bei saying he had to do so. He also ordered Yang Hui and Gao Pei to hold the pass tightly. A messenger reached Fu Pass with Liu Zhang’s reply.

Liu Bei grew furious: “I have spent my strength and troubled my heart to stand against the enemy for you. Now you save money and withhold reward. How then can soldiers fulfill their duty?” He tore up the letter in anger, cursed, and stood.

The messenger fled back to Chengdu.

Pang Tong said, “My lord has always placed righteousness and justice above all. By tearing this letter and rising in anger, what you had before is wholly cast aside.”

Liu Bei asked, “What should I do now?”

Pang Tong replied, “I have three plans. Let my lord choose and act.”

Liu Bei asked which were the three. Pang Tong said, “The upper plan is this: choose picked troops at once and make a day-and-night forced march to strike Chengdu directly.

Yang Hui and Gao Pei are famous commanders in Shu, each relying on sturdy troops to hold the pass. If my lord returns to Jing Province only in name, the two generals will receive word and come out to escort him. When they come out to see him off, arrest and kill them, seize the pass, take Fu City first, and only then turn toward Chengdu—that is the core of this plan.

The lower plan is this: return to Baidi by night and then go back to Jing Province to plot a slower advance.

If my lord hesitates and delays, we will be in grave danger and cannot be saved.”

Liu Bei said, “Your foremost plan is too quick, and your lowest plan too slow. I can take the middle and set it in motion.”

He then wrote to Liu Zhang, saying that Cao Cao had sent Colonel Yue Jin with troops to Qinni town, that all commanders could not hold against it, and that he himself would go in person to meet him. He could not arrive for audience and sent this as an apology. The letter arrived at Chengdu.

Zhang Song heard that Liu Xuan [Liu Bei] sought to return to Jing Province and believed it sincere. He drafted a letter of his own to send to Liu Bei. Just then, his sworn brother Zhang Su, the administrator of Guanghan, arrived. Zhang Song hurriedly hid the letter in his sleeve and stayed with Zhang Su to converse.

Zhang Su saw Zhang Song’s distracted face and grew suspicious. Zhang Song poured wine and drank with him. In the moment of toasting and serving, the letter slipped from Zhang Song’s hand to the ground, and Zhang Su’s attendant picked it up. After the gathering ended, the attendant delivered it to Zhang Su.

Zhang Su opened it. It read,

Yesterday, I told His Imperial Uncle of a matter not false or fabricated. Why do you still delay your departure? To oppose and then comply in turn is what the ancients honored. Now the enterprise already lies in our grasp; why would you abandon it and return to Jing Province? If Zhang Song hears of this, he will feel that something has been lost. On the day this reaches you, quickly advance your forces. Zhang Song is to act as an inside accomplice. Do not fail yourself!

Zhang Su, upon reading it, was astonished and said, “My brother is planning a house-clearing rebellion. The head must be struck first.” He brought the letter to Liu Zhang overnight and told him plainly: his brother Zhang Song had conspired with Liu Bei and intended to deliver the west of Shu.

Liu Zhang was enraged. “I have never treated him poorly, so why does he now seek rebellion?” He ordered Zhang Song and all his family seized and all beheaded in the market.

Later, a poet lamented:

Though rare from ancient days is one who can see all from afar, who would have guessed that letters would expose Heaven’s design? Before seeing Xuande raise a royal enterprise, blood already stained his own clothes in Chengdu.

After Liu Zhang executed Zhang Song, he assembled civil and military officers and asked how to handle Liu Bei’s seizure.

Huang Quan said, “Do not delay. Send riders immediately to every pass with orders to add troops and hold them. Do not allow even one rider or rider-to-rider from Jing Province to enter.” Liu Zhang followed this and dispatched orders through the night.

Liu Bei took troops back to Fu City and first ordered that Yang Hui and Gao Pei be summoned to the gate to part ways. Upon receiving the summons, Yang and Gao conferred.

Gao Pei said, “Liu Bei’s return must hide an intent. We each should hide blades upon ourselves and, at the parting point, stab him to eliminate our lord’s trouble.”

Yang Hui said, “This plan is excellent.” The two men took only two hundred attendants, crossed the gate to bid farewell, and left most troops behind while Liu Bei’s main force moved ahead.

As they reached the stream above Fu, Pang Tong, still mounted, said to Liu Bei, “If Yang Hui and Gao Pei come with cheerful faces, guard against it; if they do not come, then take up arms at once and seize this pass directly. Do not delay.”

At that moment a whirlwind rose and toppled the forward-command flag with the character “Shuai” on it. Liu Bei asked Pang Tong what it portended.

Pang Tong said, “It is a warning cry. Yang Hui and Gao Pei both mean to assassinate. We should be prepared.” Liu Bei put on heavy armor and buckled his treasure-sword.

A report came that Generals Yang Hui and Gao Pei were arriving to escort him. Liu Bei ordered the horses and troops to rest.

Pang Tong instructed Wei Yan and Huang Zhong: “Any soldiers who come from the gate, whether mounted or on foot, and whoever they are, do not let one of them return.”

As ordered, both men rode away.

Yang Hui and Gao Pei, each with hidden blades, brought two hundred soldiers each and slung wine jars on donkeys straight to Liu Bei’s front. Seeing no special preparation, they were secretly pleased, thinking the trap had sprung in their favor.

They entered the command pavilion and saw Liu Bei sitting with Pang Tong. The two generals bowed and said together, “Hearing that His Imperial Uncle has returned from afar, we brought this humble offering as farewell tribute.” They offered wine to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei said, “Guarding this pass has not been easy; first, please drink this cup.”

After the two generals had drunk, Liu Bei said, “I have matters of state to discuss with you. Let all others step away.” He then ordered the two hundred they had brought all driven out of the center camp.

Liu Bei shouted, “Seize those two traitors!” Liu Feng and Guan Ping came out at once from behind the screen.

Yang and Gao moved to resist, and Liu Feng and Guan Ping each seized one. Liu Bei cried, “I and your lord are blood brothers of the same clan. Why did you two conspire to sever that brotherhood?”

Pang Tong shouted for soldiers to search their bodies. They found a blade on each, one in either waist. Pang Tong then ordered them beheaded.

Liu Bei hesitated.

Pang Tong said, “These two intended to kill our lord. Their crime cannot be pardoned.”

He then ordered sword and axe men to execute Yang Hui and Gao Pei before the pavilion.

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan had already taken the two hundred escorting soldiers earlier and captured them before one could escape.

Liu Bei called them in, gave each a cup to steady their nerves, and said, “Yang Hui and Gao Pei sought to split the brotherhood and then hid blades for assassination. Therefore they are executed. You have no fault. Do not be alarmed.” All paid respects.

Pang Tong said, “I will now employ you to lead the road. Bring my army through the pass. There will be heavy rewards.”

All agreed.

That night the two hundred went first. The main army followed. At the pass they shouted to the walls, “The two generals have urgent business and have returned. Open the gate quickly.” The city heard his own men’s voices and opened at once.

The entire force poured through at once, without bloodshed, and seized Fu Pass. The Shu soldiers all surrendered. Liu Bei granted heavy rewards and deployed his troops in front and rear to hold positions.

The next morning, after laboring the men, he held a banquet in the public hall. Later, drunk, Liu Bei looked at Pang Tong and said, “Was today’s gathering worthy of joy?”

Pang Tong replied, “To invade another man’s state and call it joy is not the army of a righteous man.”

Liu Bei said, “Did not King Wu invade Zhou and make music to mark victory? Is that not also no army of a righteous man? What you said fits ill. Step out at once!”

Pang Tong rose and laughed.

His attendants helped Liu Bei to the rear hall to sleep until half the night, when he woke. His officers then relayed Pang Tong’s words to him.

Liu Bei felt great regret and the next morning, dressed and entering the hall, asked Pang Tong to pardon him. “Yesterday in drunkenness my words were indiscreet. Do not hold them against me.”

Pang Tong answered in calm good humor. Liu Bei said, “Yesterday’s words were my own failing.”

Pang Tong replied, “Both minister and lord have erred; why only the lord?”

Liu Bei laughed and the mood returned.

Later Liu Zhang learned that Liu Bei had killed Yang Hui and Gao Pei and seized Fu Pass. He was startled and said, “I did not expect this today!” He assembled officials and military men to debate retreat or resistance.

Huang Quan said, “Send troops through the night to garrison Luo City and block the throat road. Even if Liu Bei has selected troops and fierce generals, he cannot pass.” Liu Zhang ordered Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, and Deng Xian to lead fifty thousand men and that night hold Luo City against Liu Bei.

As the four commanders marched, Liu Gui said, “I have heard there is an eccentric man in Jinping Mountain, called Master Zixu. He claims to know life and death and rank and fortune. We are now marching past that mountain. Why not ask him?”

Zhang Ren said, “Can a true man marching against the enemy ask directions from a mountain wanderer?”

Liu Gui said, “Not so. The sages said, ‘With true sincerity one may foresee.’ When we ask those of higher wisdom, we seek auspiciousness and avoid misfortune.”

So the four rode with fifty or sixty riders to the mountain’s foot and asked a woodcutter for the way. The woodcutter pointed to the summit where the elder dwelt.

The four climbed up to the hermitage and saw a young attendant there to receive them. After giving their names, they were brought inside. There sat Master Zixu on a rush mat on a low platform.

The four men knelt and asked about the prospects ahead.

Master Zixu said, “I am but a worthless man of the wilds and fields. How can I know what fortune brings?”

Liu Gui begged repeatedly. Master Zixu then ordered the attendant to fetch paper and brush and wrote eight lines, which he gave to Liu Gui.

Its text was:

The dragon on the left, the phoenix on the right, fly into Xichuan. The fledgling phoenix falls to earth; the lying-dragon rises to heaven. Gain and loss are both of Heaven’s tally. Act when the moment appears; lose not your way to the Nine Springs.

Liu Gui asked, “How stand the fortunes of our four men?”

Master Zixu said, “A fixed destiny cannot be escaped. Why ask again?”

Liu Gui pressed him once more. The old man lowered his brows and closed his eyes as if asleep and did not answer. The four men returned downhill.

Liu Gui said, “Words of an immortal should be trusted.”

Zhang Ren said, “He is a wild old fool. What use is this listening to?” They resumed their march.

When they reached Luo City and assigned men to the garrisons, Liu Gui said, “Luo City is Chengdu’s final refuge. If this is lost, Chengdu is hard to save. The four of us discussed together: two should hold the city; two should go ahead, one in front of Luo City, and with terrain to our side, build two major stockades in the hills. Do not let enemy troops come near the walls.”

Leng Bao and Deng Xian said, “One of us is willing to build the stockades.”

Liu Gui was pleased and divided two men each of 20,000, sending Leng Bao and Deng Xian to camp six tens of li south of the city. Liu Gui and Zhang Ren stayed to guard Luo City.

Liu Bei, having taken Fu Pass, then talked with Pang Tong about seizing Luo City. When he heard Liu Zhang had dispatched four commanders, he noted that same day Leng Bao and Deng Xian had each brought twenty thousand cavalry and infantry and had set two large camps.

Liu Bei called for volunteers to seize the two camps. The old commander Huang Zhong stepped forward at once.

Liu Bei said, “General Huang Zhong, lead your own men. If you take Leng Bao’s or Deng Xian’s stockade, there will be great reward.”

Huang Zhong rejoiced and prepared to depart.

A man in the courtyard stepped out and said, “General Huang Zhong is old and broad of frame. How can he go?”

It was Wei Yan.

Huang Zhong said, “I have already issued the order under you. How dare you interfere?”

Wei Yan replied, “General Huang’s strength does not lie in sinew and bone. I have heard Leng Bao and Deng Xian are famous generals of Shu, young and vigorous. You may not capture them. Would that not risk my lord’s enterprise? This is my good intent, but I offer to trade with him.”

Huang Zhong shouted in anger, “You dare call me old and compare yourself in arms with me?”

Wei Yan said, “Why not try before the ruler himself? Whichever one wins may go. What say you?”

Huang Zhong stepped down and called for a lieutenant to bring his sword. Liu Bei quickly stopped him. “No. I now bring the troops to lead the army into Sichuan. I rely on both of you. If two tigers clash, one will be wounded. It would endanger my great task. Both of you should reconcile, and do not argue.”

Pang Tong said, “Neither of you should contest.

Lengt Bao and Deng Xian have set up two camps already. Let each of you take your own detachment and each strike a camp. Whoever captures first will be first to gain merit.”

So it was fixed: Huang Zhong would strike Leng Bao’s camp; Wei Yan would strike Deng Xian’s. The two each took command and left.

Pang Tong warned, “The two may brawl on the way. My lord, have you bring a reserve force in the rear.”

Liu Bei left Pang Tong to hold the city and himself with Liu Feng and Guan Ping took five thousand to follow.

Huang Zhong returned to camp and ordered that at the fourth watch of the next day they prepare food, and at the fifth watch halt all cooking and at dawn advance into battle, entering by the left ravine.

Wei Yan, however, had already sent men to observe when Huang Zhong would move. A scout returned: “Tomorrow at the fourth watch they will cook, and at the fifth they will begin.” Wei Yan was pleased. He told his soldiers at the second watch to prepare food and at the third watch to rise and move, so they would reach Deng Xian’s camp by daybreak.

The soldiers obeyed. They ate a full meal, took off their bells, carried staffs in their teeth, tied their standards, buckled armor, and slipped forth to seize the camps.

Near the third watch, they moved out. Halfway there, Wei Yan thought from the saddle, “If I go only against Deng Xian’s camp, my strength will not be shown. Better go first against Leng Bao’s camp, and then use those men to strike Deng Xian’s. I will collect the credit from both camps.” He instantly ordered his men toward the left mountain path.

By first light they were not far from Leng Bao’s camp and told his men to rest little and arrange drums, banners, standards, spears, and blades.

A courier of hidden troops had already ridden in reporting that Leng Bao had prepared defenses. At one blast of gunfire, all three lines mounted and sallied out.

Wei Yan galloped, sword drawn, and engaged Leng Bao. The two riders met. The fight ran about thirty exchanges before troops from the Sichuan side came from two roads in support. The Han army had marched half the night; men and horses were exhausted and could not endure. They withdrew in disorder and retreated. Wei Yan, hearing the rear formations break, abandoned Leng Bao, wheeled his horse and ran back.

The Sichuan troops followed and Han forces suffered a major defeat. They had not gone five li when, behind them from the mountain gorge, drums burst across the valley. Deng Xian led a clump of troops bursting through and shouted, “Wei Yan, dismount and surrender!”

Wei Yan spurred his horse full speed, but the beast suddenly slipped on its forehoof and both forelegs knelt, throwing him down.

Deng Xian burst there, leveled a spear at Wei Yan. Before the spear-point arrived, an archer’s string sang, and Deng Xian crashed down off his mount.

Only then did Leng Bao move to assist; from the slope a senior general leapt from horseback and cried out, “General Huang Zhong is here!” and whirled his sword straight toward Leng Bao.

Leng Bao could not stand the assault and turned his mount back in flight.

Huang Zhong pursued, and the Sichuan army was thrown into confusion.

A unit under Huang Zhong rescued Wei Yan, killed Deng Xian, and drove straight to the camp.

Leng Bao turned again to match Huang Zhong and fight, but within no more than ten exchanges, a full host of horse and foot came behind him. Left with no way out, he abandoned the left camp and fled defeated to the right camp.

The banners there were wholly different.

Leng Bao reined in at once and saw, in the front of the host, a great general in golden armor and brocade robes—Liu Bei himself. Liu Feng stood to his left and Guan Ping to his right.

He cried, “This camp is already ours. Where can you go now?”

It was indeed Liu Bei arriving from the rear to reinforce and ride the momentum that had broken the two camps.

With no path ahead, Leng Bao sought a hidden track through the hills to return to Luo City. He had not gone ten li when ambushes rose in a narrow pass, hooks and ropes all cast together and he was taken alive.

It was Wei Yan, now aware he had committed an offense and had no excuse. He had drawn the Shu troops into this place and laid an ambush here, then waited for the exact moment, binding Leng Bao with rope and leading him bound back to Liu Bei’s camp.

Liu Bei raised a flag of pardon, but ordered that Sichuan soldiers who had turned their spears and stripped their armor not be killed. Even if wounded, their lives were to be repaid. He also announced to the captives: “You of Sichuan all have fathers and mothers, wives and sons. Those who wish to surrender will serve as household troops; those who do not may return home.”

Great rejoicing rose from the earth.

Huang Zhong returned from camp and reported to Liu Bei that Wei Yan had disobeyed orders and should be beheaded.

Liu Bei immediately summoned Wei Yan. Wei Yan presented Leng Bao to him.

Liu Bei said, “Even though Wei Yan has offended, this merit can absolve him.” He instructed Wei Yan to thank Huang Zhong for saving his life, and said there should be no further rivalry.

Wei Yan knelt and confessed his fault.

Liu Bei greatly rewarded Huang Zhong.

He ordered Leng Bao brought before him and had his bonds removed. He gave him wine to calm his fear and asked, “Will you surrender?”

Leng Bao said, “Now that I have been spared from death, how could I not? Liu Gui and Zhang Ren are sworn blood companions of mine. If I may return, I will bring both to surrender and offer Luo City.”

Liu Bei rejoiced and gave him clothing and horse and saddle, then ordered him back to Luo City.

Wei Yan said, “This man cannot be released. If he slips away once, he will never return.”

Liu Bei said, “If I treat people with righteousness, people will not fail me.”

Leng Bao returned to Luo City and told Liu Gui and Zhang Ren nothing of his capture and release. He claimed he had only killed more than ten and escaped with stolen horses.

Liu Gui hurried men to Chengdu for aid.

When Liu Zhang heard that Deng Xian had been cut down, he was startled. He hurriedly gathered all and deliberated.

His eldest son, Liu Xun, offered, “My lord, I will lead troops there to guard Luo City.”

Liu Zhang asked, “Since my son is willing, whom shall I send as his support?”

One man stepped forth saying, “I will go.” Liu Zhang saw it was his brother-in-law, Wu Yi.

He said, “It is best that your honored uncle goes. Who can act as his deputy commander?”

Wu Yi appointed Wu Lan and Lei Tong as deputies and raised twenty thousand mounted and foot soldiers to Luo City.

Liu Gui and Zhang Ren arrived, giving a full account.

Wu Yi asked, “An army under the walls is hard to repel. What superior insight do you have?”

Leng Bao said, “This stretch here lies by Fu River, whose current runs fierce. The camps ahead are lowest on the mountain foot. I request five thousand men, each with shovel and spade, to go forward and dam the river. We can then release all of it and drown Liu Bei’s army completely.”

Wu Yi followed this and sent Leng Bao to prepare the waterworks. Wu Lan and Lei Tong moved their troops to join him.

Meanwhile Liu Bei ordered Huang Zhong and Wei Yan each to hold one stockade and returned to Fu City to consult with his strategist Pang Tong.

A scout reported, “Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has made peace with Zhang Lu and plans to attack Jiayong Pass.”

Liu Bei was alarmed: “If Jiayong Pass is lost, our rear is cut and I cannot advance or withdraw. What is to be done?”

Pang Tong told Meng Da, “You are from Shu and know the terrain. Go guard Jiayong Pass. How do you plan to do it?”

Meng Da said, “I will send one man with me and there will be no failure.”

Liu Bei asked who.

Meng Da answered, “That man served under Liu Biao in Jing Province as an zhonglang general. He is from the Zijiang commandery of Nanzhou. His surname is Huo and his name is Jun; courtesy name Zhongmiao.”

Liu Bei was glad and at once sent Meng Da and Huo Jun to the pass.

Pang Tong returned to his quarters. The gateman reported, “A guest has arrived to visit without prior notice.”

Pang Tong went out to receive him. The man was eight chi tall, extremely imposing; his hair was cut short and hung around his neck; his clothes were not very neat. Pang Tong asked, “Sir, who are you?”

The man did not answer. He went straight into the hall and stretched out on a couch.

Pang Tong grew suspicious and asked again and again.

The man said, “Wait a little. I will tell you about the great affairs of the world.” Pang Tong grew even more doubtful and ordered wine and food. The man rose, ate heartily, and asked no modesty. He ate much; when done, he slept again.

Pang Tong was in doubt, so he sent for Fa Zheng to look in case it was a spy. Fa Zheng came quickly.

Pang Tong greeted him and said, “There is a man like this before us.” Fa Zheng stared and asked, “Could this be Peng Yong?”

He climbed the steps and stood over him. The man rose and said, “How goes it, has Xiazhi stayed well?”

It was then that this verse came:

Only because a man of Shu met an old acquaintance, the flood of the Fu River was brought to rest. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.