When Counselor Fa Zheng met that man, the two laughed and clapped one another on the shoulders. Pang Tong asked, “Who is this person?”

Fa Zheng replied, “This man is from Guanghan. His family name is Peng, his given name was Yang, and his courtesy name was Yongyan. He is a distinguished warrior among Shu. He offended Liu Zhang by speaking too plainly, and Liu Zhang reduced him to household servitude, which is why his hair was cropped short. I received him as a guest and asked where he had come from.”

Peng Yang said, “I have come especially to save ten thousand of your soldiers from death. I can speak plainly only when I meet your general.”

Fa Zheng quickly reported to Liu Bei. Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, personally went to meet him and asked for the reason. Peng Yang asked, “How many riders and troops are there in your forward encampment, General?” Liu Bei answered straightforwardly, “Huang Zhong and Wei Yan are there.”

“Is that how a commander is supposed to act?” Peng Yang asked. “Can he not know the terrain? The forward encampment sits by the Fu River. If we release its waters and block the approaches with soldiers both in front and behind, not one man will be able to escape.”

Liu Bei suddenly understood. Peng Yang continued, “The star Kang is in the west, and Venus is directly above this place. Harm is due. You should be careful.”

Liu Bei made Peng Yang a guest among the tents at once, sent men quietly to Wei Yan and Huang Zhong, and instructed them to patrol morning and evening with full attention to prevent the water being let out. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan planned it together: one day on each watch; if enemy troops arrived, they would report to one another at once.

Leng Bao saw that the night brought wind and rain and moved five thousand troops along the riverbank, intending to seize the channel. As soon as he began to open the river, cries rose from behind.

Leng Bao knew preparations had been made and withdrew in haste. Behind him Wei Yan arrived in pursuit; men from the river units trampled one another in the rush. As Leng Bao fled, he collided with Wei Yan.

Their horses clashed only a few times, and Wei Yan took him alive.

By the time Wu Lan and Lei Tong came to reinforce, Huang Zhong’s force also came charging. Wei Yan brought Leng Bao in to Fu Pass.

Liu Bei reproached him: “I treated you with benevolence and let you go. How dare you now betray me! This offense is not to be excused.”

He had Leng Bao brought out and beheaded, then rewarded Wei Yan highly.

Liu Bei then held a banquet in honor of Peng Yang. Just then word arrived that Master Strategist Zhuge Liang of Jingzhou had sent Ma Liang by dispatch with a sealed letter.

Liu Bei summoned him in. After Ma Liang presented his respects he said, “Jingzhou is at peace. Do not trouble yourselves with concern.” Then he presented his master’s letter.

Liu Bei opened and read it. It said in part:

“Master Kongming has calculated the Taiyi numbers this night. This year is the guihai year cycle. Kang is in the west. Also by observing the heavenly signs, Venus descends on the sector of Luo City. The general-in-chief and field commander has more inauspicious signs than good ones. Extreme caution is required.”

After reading the letter, Liu Bei told Ma Liang to return first. “I will return to Jingzhou and talk this matter through there.”

Pang Tong thought privately, “Kongming fears that I will take Western Region and win renown, so he sent this letter to delay me on purpose.” He said aloud to Liu Bei: “I also cast the Taiyi numbers. I already know Kang is in the west, so your lordship ought to obtain Xichuan. It does not signify an ill omen. I observed the heavenly patterns as well and saw Venus over Luo City. We already beheaded Leng Bao, fulfilling the warning already. Do not doubt your mind; advance at once.”

After being pressed repeatedly by Pang Tong, Liu Bei moved his army forward. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan went ahead toward the encampment.

Pang Tong asked Fa Zheng, “How many routes lead to Luo City from here?”

Fa Zheng drew a map on the ground. Liu Bei compared it with the copy of the chart that Zhang Song had left behind; it matched exactly.

Fa Zheng explained, “To the north of the mountains there is one broad route, which should go directly to the east gate. To the south there is a small route, which leads to the west gate. Both routes can admit a force.”

Pang Tong said to Liu Bei, “Let Wei Yan be the vanguard. He should take the southern small road. You should send Huang Zhong in as vanguard along the northern broad road. Take both and break into Luo City together.”

Liu Bei said, “I learned to ride and draw a bow from childhood and can use smaller paths easily. The strategist should go by the broad road and take the east gate. I will take the west gate.”

Pang Tong replied, “If we use the broad road, the enemy will have a force waiting to intercept. Your lordship should lead the main body to meet it. I will take the small road.”

Liu Bei said, “No, strategist. I had a dream in the night: a spirit figure held an iron club and struck my right arm. When I woke, my arm still ached. This march may not be favorable.”

Pang Tong said, “A brave man is not killed by battle only because he enters it wounded. It is only a matter of nature. Why should you let a dream disturb your mind?”

Liu Bei said, “What I doubt is Kongming’s letter. Why should the strategist remain to guard Fu Pass?”

Pang Tong laughed and said, “Your lordship has been misled by Kongming. He does not want you to win this campaign alone and earn all the achievement, so he planted those words to cast doubt in your heart. Doubt brings dreams; if doubt is present, what misfortune can arise? I would lay my heart and mind to the ground to show my true loyalty. Do not press the matter any further. We move at once.”

On that day the order passed: the troops cooked at the dawn watch and mounted at first light. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan led the troops ahead.

Liu Bei and Pang Tong arranged to ride together again. As they sat down to mount, Liu Bei noticed something wrong in his horse’s gait and pulled Pang Tong from the saddle.

He leapt down and took the reins of that mount himself. He said, “Why are you riding this bad horse, Military Adviser?”

Pang Tong answered, “I have ridden this horse for a long time and it has never failed before.”

Liu Bei said, “A horse that stumbles before the battle can cost men their lives. Mine is a white horse, very tractable. You should ride it and there will be no misstep. I will ride this poor horse.”

Then they exchanged mounts. Pang Tong bowed. “My lord’s kindness is too great. Even ten thousand deaths could not repay it.”

They mounted and took the road forward. As Pang Tong rode away, Liu Bei felt no joy in his heart and moved forward in a heavy mood.

In Luo City, Wu Yi and Liu Gui heard that Leng Bao had been cut down. They consulted together with their officers. Zhang Ren said, “There is a narrow but crucial path in the southeast of the city’s hills. I will lead one force there myself. All remain tight on Luo City and allow nothing to slip.”

Just then word came that Han troops were coming in two columns to attack.

Zhang Ren quickly led three thousand men, came first to cut through the path, and lay an ambush. Seeing Wei Yan’s force pass, he ordered them to pass unhindered, making no noise.

When they later saw Pang Tong’s men coming, an officer in Zhang Ren’s ranks pointed and said, “The one on white horse must be Liu Bei.” Zhang Ren rejoiced and gave an order.

Pang Tong advanced slowly, looked up and saw narrow twin ridges and dense thickets. It was late summer, early autumn, and the foliage was still luxuriant. He grew increasingly uneasy and reined in his horse.

“What is this place called?” he asked.

A newly surrendered soldier in their ranks pointed and answered, “This place is called Luo Feng Slope.”

Pang Tong cried out in alarm, “I am nicknamed the Phoenix Chick. This place is called Fallen Phoenix Slope. It is not favorable to me.” He ordered the rear ranks to fall back at once.

A cannon-like report sounded ahead on the slope. Arrows came as thick as locusts, all aimed at the rider on the white horse. Poor Pang Tong was killed beneath the hail of arrows. He was thirty-six years old.

Years later, men wrote in verse:

Ancient spurs touch, the purple-green ridges pile high, Shiyuan’s house once clung to the hollow of the hill. Children knew by heart the Cuckoo Song; in the lanes they had heard him reveal the speed of a warhorse. He planned to cleave the three kingdoms as one and stride alone, a tall frame wandering for ten thousand li. Who could have foreseen the heavenly dog and falling star would deny the general his return in robes of brocade?

There had once been a folk rhyme in the southeast:

A phoenix and a dragon came together, moving as one toward Shu. Only halfway on the road, the phoenix fell on Luo’s eastern slope. Wind sends rain; rain sends wind, When Han’s rising age brings the road to Shu, and when it opens only the dragon may pass.

On the day Zhang Ren shot Pang Tong, the Han soldiers packed tightly shoulder to shoulder and could neither advance nor retreat; most were slain.

A runner reported to Wei Yan. Wei Yan immediately formed ranks and tried to return, but the mountain road was too narrow for close combat. Zhang Ren blocked their way home and at a high rise cut down on them with heavy bows and crossbows. Wei Yan grew uneasy.

One newly surrendered Shu soldier said, “Let us cut through and run straight into Luo City and take the broad road.”

Wei Yan followed this advice. He led the first break in the way and cut forward toward Luo City.

In the dust rise of their feet, a force appeared in front: it was the city’s defenders, Wu Lan and Lei Tong. Behind them Zhang Ren’s troops came in pursuit. Surrounded front and rear, Wei Yan was hemmed in the center.

Wei Yan fought hard and could not break free. He saw Wu Lan and Lei Tong’s rear force growing confused and disorderly. The two commanders turned their horses and rushed back to rescue.

Wei Yan seized the moment and rode on, the first commander in line, striking his horse and crying, “Wenchang! I have come to save you!” It was the old general Huang Zhong.

The two flanks fought together and defeated Wu and Lei, then drove straight toward the foot of Luo City. Liu Gui led troops out and met them, but Liu Bei was behind holding the line to cover their return. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan turned back at once.

Liu Bei’s cavalry, by the time it reached the camps, saw Zhang Ren’s cavalry break out from the small path. Liu Gui, Wu Lan, and Lei Tong came in hot pursuit. Liu Bei could not hold both camps and withdrew while fighting, then ran back to Fu Pass.

Shu troops won and chased on, and Liu Bei’s men came on in a chain. But his men were exhausted and his horses tired; there was no heart left for close fighting, only for flight.

As they neared Fu Pass, Zhang Ren’s army pursued close.

By good fortune, Liu Feng arrived on the left and Guan Ping on the right.

Liu Feng and Guan Ping on the left and right brought thirty thousand fresh soldiers and broke through, driving Zhang Ren back.

They pursued twenty li and reclaimed a great number of warhorses.

Liu Bei’s column of horses entered Fu Pass again. He asked for news of Pang Tong.

A soldier who had escaped from Luo Feng Slope reported, “The strategist and his horse were shot to death by wild arrows at the foot of the slope.”

When Liu Bei heard this, he turned westward and wept without ceasing, and made distant arrangements for a mourning rite. All commanders wept.

Huang Zhong said, “We have now lost Pang Tong, the strategist. Zhang Ren will surely come to strike Fu Pass. What are we to do? Send someone to Jingzhou and request Master Strategist Zhuge Liang to discuss how to secure Sichuan.”

Just then, while speaking, someone reported that Zhang Ren had brought troops and come straight beneath the city, contesting at the gate.

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan both moved to go out with force. Liu Bei said, “Our edge is newly blunted; we should hold fast and wait for the strategist to arrive.”

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan obeyed and held the city firmly.

Liu Bei wrote a letter and told Guan Ping to carry it: “You and I are going to Jingzhou to fetch the strategist.”

Guan Ping took the letter and rode through the night to Jingzhou.

Liu Bei himself held Fu Pass and did not go out to fight.

Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang was in Jingzhou. It was Qixi Festival and he had gathered his officers for a night banquet, all speaking of how to finish taking Sichuan, when one star appeared in the west above the horizon, huge as a dipper, and fell from heaven, scattering light.

Kongming was shaken, threw down his cup, covered his face, and wept.

“Alas! I am stricken!” he cried.

The officers, alarmed, asked why.

Kongming said, “I computed this year that Kang is in the west, so this expedition is unfavorable for me. The Heavenly Dog has struck my army, and Venus presides over Luo City. I already sent a letter to my lord and told him to be on guard. To think now a star from the west has fallen—Shiyuan’s life is finished.”

When he had spoken, he wept again: “Today my lord has lost one of his vital arms.”

The officers were all astonished and did not believe him at once.

Kongming said, “Within a few days there will be news.”

The wine and banquet that night did not reach joy before they parted.

A few days later, while Kongming and Yunzhang etc? Guan Yu sat together, a runner announced Guan Ping’s arrival.

All officers were startled. Guan Ping came and presented Liu Bei’s letter.

Kongming read, and inside it said, “On the seventh day of the seventh month this year, Strategist Pang was struck by arrows and killed by Zhang Ren before Luo Feng Slope.”

Kongming wept deeply, and all officers wept as well.

Kongming said, “Since my lord is in Fu Pass in a position of advance and retreat both difficult, I have no choice but to go.”

Guan Yu said, “If you go, who will guard Jingzhou? Jingzhou is no light matter.”

Kongming said, “Though my lord does not state a person plainly, I have understood his intention.”

He showed Liu Bei’s letter to everyone and said, “In the letter, he entrusts Jingzhou to me and asks me to assign duties as I judge fit. Though he wrote so, he has now sent Guan Ping with this message: he wants you, honored general of the Peach Garden oath, to take this heavy charge.”

Guan Yu said, “Our brotherly oath from the Peach Garden compels me; I can defend this place with all my strength.”

Kongming replied, “The responsibility is grave. You should strive to bear it.”

Guan Yu did not decline and accepted with composure.

Kongming set a banquet and handed over seal and badge. Guan Yu came forward and accepted with both hands.

Kongming raised the seal and said, “From this moment all this responsibility rests on you, General.”

Guan Yu said, “A great man who takes a heavy charge rests only in death.”

Kongming, seeing that he had uttered the word “death,” was displeased and wished to object, but the words had already gone out.

He asked, “If Cao Cao brings troops here, what will you do?”

Guan Yu answered, “Resist with force.”

Kongming asked, “If Cao Cao and Sun Quan rise together, what will you do?”

Guan Yu answered, “Split the army and resist them.”

Kongming said, “If so, Jingzhou is endangered. I have eight characters for you to hold and remember, and they can keep Jingzhou secure.”

Guan Yu asked what the eight characters were.

Kongming said, “‘Block Cao Cao in the north; make peace with Sun Quan in the east.’”

Guan Yu said, “Your words, Master Strategist, will be engraved in my lungs and marrow.”

Kongming then handed over the seals and symbols and ordered Ma Liang, Yi Ji, Xiang Lang, and Mi Zhu from the civil side, and Mi Fang, Liao Hua, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang from the military side to aid Guan Yu in jointly defending Jingzhou.

At the same time he personally took command of the army entering Sichuan.

He first sent ten thousand veteran troops under Zhang Fei, saying, “Take the main road and cut hard to Ba Prefecture, then to the west of Luo City. He who arrives first wins the chief honor.”

He sent another detachment with Zhao Yun as vanguard to ride along the river upstream and join at Luo City.

Zhuge Liang then set out at once with Jian Yong and Jiang Wan and others. Jiang Wan’s courtesy name was Gongyan; he came from Lingling in Xiang. He was a noted literatus of Jingxiang and now served as a clerk.

That day Zhuge Liang led fifteen thousand troops, marching with Zhang Fei at the same hour.

Before departure, he charged Zhang Fei: “Many mighty men of Xichuan await you. Do not make light of them. On the way, bind and regulate your three armies. Do not seize and plunder the common people, else you will lose their hearts. Wherever we reach, keep to humane treatment and do not let soldiers strike people with reckless cruelty. I hope General, you will reach Luo City quickly and make no mistake.”

Zhang Fei cheerfully accepted and mounted to depart, advancing steadily.

Every place they passed, those who submitted were not harmed even by a hairsbreadth.

He headed directly along the Han River route.

When he arrived at Bazhou, scouts reported, “The Prefect of Bazhou is Yan Yan. He is a famous commander of Shu. Though old, he has not lost strength. He is skilled with a heavy bow and a great saber. He has courage beyond what ten thousand men can match. He is holding the city and has not raised a surrender flag.”

Zhang Fei made camp ten li outside the walls and sent men into the city: “Tell that old old fighter to come in and surrender quickly, and your city’s entire households’ lives will be spared. If you do not submit, I will flatten this city; neither young nor old will be spared.”

Yan Yan in Bazhou heard that Liu Bei had entered Sichuan at Liu Zhang’s request through Fa Zheng, and, clasping his chest, sighed: “He is one of those men who sits alone in a remote mountain and calls a tiger to guard himself!” Later he heard Liu Bei held Fu Pass and grew angry, repeatedly trying to raise troops for battle but fearing troops might come down this road as well.

That same day, hearing that Zhang Fei’s force was arriving, he called out five or six thousand of his own men and horses and prepared to meet them.

One adviser submitted a plan:

“Zhang Fei turned Cao Cao’s army of ten thousand on the battlefield at Changban with one shout and made them run. Cao Cao even heard of it and moved away in fear. We should not underestimate him. We should dig deep moats and build high stockades, hold fast and not sally out. His army has no provisions; within a month it must retreat. Moreover, Zhang Fei’s temperament is fiery and he likes to cane his men. If we do not fight, he will rage. Raged, he will meet his soldiers with savage violence. If his army’s spirit changes, the moment is ours to strike and Zhang Fei can be captured.”

Yan Yan followed this and ordered all soldiers to climb the walls and guard. Suddenly one soldier cried out, “Open the gate!”

Yan Yan ordered him let in and asked who it was.

That soldier reported he came on behalf of Commander Zhang and delivered Zhang Fei’s words faithfully.

Yan Yan grew furious: “How dare a rough soldier speak so without courtesy! Is Old General Yan a man to yield to thieves?” He called a warrior and had the soldier’s ears and nose cut off, then sent him back to camp.

The men returned to Zhang Fei and tearfully reported Yan Yan’s abuse. Zhang Fei was enraged, bared his teeth, and mounted in armor. He led a few hundred riders to a skirmish below Bazhou walls.

City soldiers above hurled insults at them in every way. Zhang Fei, quick-tempered, rode close several times to the bridge, hoping to cross the moat, but he was again driven back by a storm of arrows.

By evening no one had left the city. Zhang Fei swallowed his rage and returned to camp.

Early next morning he went out again to skirmish. Yan Yan, from the enemy wall, shot one arrow that struck Zhang Fei’s helmet.

Zhang Fei pointed and shouted in fury, “I will seize this old brute and eat your flesh with my own hands!”

By evening again they returned empty-handed.

On the third day Zhang Fei led the army along the city and railed aloud.

The city was a hill fort, ringed by broken mountains. Zhang Fei rode up and down, looked down from his horse into the city and saw soldiers all fully armed and arrayed in lines, lying hidden in the city, refusing to come out; he also saw common laborers passing back and forth carrying bricks and stones to aid the defense.

He ordered the cavalry to dismount and the infantry to sit. He drew them out against the walls, yet there was still no movement. He shouted all day and still returned with nothing.

In camp, Zhang Fei thought, “All day I only shout and insult him, and he still does not come out. What are we to do?”

Then he found a plan.

He ordered the whole army not to press close for skirmish, but to stand ready in camp and wait for melee in one place. He told only three to five dozen soldiers to go to the city base and keep shouting, in order to lure Yan Yan’s men out for close fighting.

Zhang Fei ground his palms and fists and waited for their arrival.

The small detachment shouted for three days and not one came out. Zhang Fei furrowed his brows and devised another plan.

He ordered the troops to scatter and chop at brush and brushwood, seeking paths, and not return to skirmish.

Yan Yan in the city, seeing no movement from Zhang Fei for several days, was puzzled. He took ten or so junior soldiers, disguised them as Zhang Fei’s woodcutters, sent them out quietly, hid them in the camp, and had them blend in to reconnoiter in the hills.

That day, when the armies returned to camp, Zhang Fei sat in the camp and stamped his feet shouting, “That old brute Yan Yan wastes his breath killing our men in vain!”

Three or four men before his tent said, “General, do not worry. These few days we have discovered a small path by which one might sneak across Bazhou.”

Zhang Fei purposely shouted, “If this way exists, why did you only bring it up today?”

They replied, “It was only now, these past few days, that scouting found it.”

Zhang Fei said, “Delay is not wise. Tonight at the second watch we cook, at third watch under the moonlight pull up the camp, carry grains in our mouths, tie the horse bells low, and move silently. I will open the way in front; the rest will follow in sequence.”

He gave the order and the whole camp was informed.

The scouting little troops heard this and hurried back into the city to tell Yan Yan.

Yan Yan rejoiced: “I am certain this brute cannot bear waiting. When this fellow takes the small path, his supply train will be behind him. I will cut off the road behind; how then can he escape? This fool has no foresight and has fallen into my plan!”

At once he ordered all soldiers to get ready for battle:

“At the second watch we will also cook. At the third, leave the city; lie hidden in the thickets. Wait till Zhang Fei reaches the hidden-necked path and has passed it. When the baggage train comes, listen for the drum, and all break out together.”

After the order, by near-nightfall, Yan Yan had all troops fully fed and armored. They slipped out quietly and scattered to hidden points in the woods. At a sign, Yan Yan himself led ten or so auxiliary officers, dismounted, and lay low under the trees.

About half past the third watch, far ahead they could just see Zhang Fei leading in person, spear in hand, drawing his horse slowly and silently forward. Not three or four li after, the baggage and horse-train began to follow in succession behind.

Yan Yan read it perfectly. He had the drums resound at once, and all the ambush troops sprang out from every side.

When they rushed in to seize the baggage train, a gong sounded from the rear and a squadron of cavalry crashed in. A commander’s cry rang out: “Old brigand, do not run! We have been waiting for you!”

Yan Yan turned sharply and saw at their front a commander with a tawny face-ringed head, an aquiline jaw, tiger whiskers, wielding a seven-foot spear on a deep black horse. It was Zhang Fei.

The four-way drums thundered, and soldiers surged on. Yan Yan froze, hand and arm stilled.

In the first clash of horse, Zhang Fei made a feint. Yan Yan struck with a single stroke; Zhang Fei dodged, slammed into him, tore at the seams of Yan Yan’s armor, and captured him alive, hurling him to the ground.

The soldiers surged forward and bound him with cords.

It had been a decoy that had gone ahead.

Yan Yan had thought the drum he sounded would be the signal; Zhang Fei had ordered the bronze gong as his sign. When the gong sounded, his troops all arrived and most of the Shu army threw down helmets and spears and surrendered.

Zhang Fei rode to the gate of Bazhou city. His rearguard had already entered.

He called for no killing of civilians and hung a proclamation to calm the people.

Hired swordsmen pushed Yan Yan forward.

Zhang Fei sat in the hall; Yan Yan refused to kneel.

The general shouted fiercely, teeth bared, “A commander has come this far. Why do you not surrender and dare to resist?”

Yan Yan did not show fear. He shouted back, “You are without righteousness, invading my commandery! I have but one fate: decapitation! I will not become a surrendering commander!”

Zhang Fei, angry, called for him to be cut down.

Yan Yan shouted, “Bandit! If you want to cut, cut. Why are you so angry?”

Seeing Yan Yan’s ringing voice and steady face, Zhang Fei’s anger faded. He turned as if to scold, then laughed, stepped down from the stage, and shouted his men back.

He untied the prisoner himself, removed his bindings, covered him with a cloak, and set him upright on a raised seat in the hall.

Then he lowered his head and bowed: “The words I spoke when you came were presumptuous. Please do not punish me for them. I always knew this old general was a hero among men.”

Yan Yan was moved by this kindness and submitted.

Later men wrote a poem praising him:

White-haired he dwells in western Shu; his clear fame shakes a great realm. His loyalty is like the clear sun; his vast spirit churns the Yangtze. Better to die with a severed head than kneel in surrender. In old age in Ba Prefecture, there is no second of him under Heaven.

Another poem praised Zhang Fei:

By capturing Yan Yan he found courage beyond compare, and only by righteousness won over both troops and households. To this day his altars in Ba and Shu remember, and at seasonal wine and sacrifice the chicken and pork are offered every spring.

Zhang Fei asked how to enter Sichuan. Yan Yan said, “A general of a beaten army is in your debt for your great grace; I can do nothing as repayment. Let me offer any labor of horse and hound. Do not lift bow or arrow. Go straight for Chengdu.”

It was said:

Only because one general gave his heart to honor, the whole city yielded as if handed over at a touch.

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