Yan Pu was trying to persuade Zhang Lu not to aid Liu Zhang when Ma Chao stood up and declared, “General I owe the lord so much kindness that I can never repay it fully. I will take a full detachment and attack Jiameng Pass. I will capture Liu Bei alive if I can. See to it that Liu Zhang hands over twenty commanderies and returns them to my lord.”

Zhang Lu rejoiced. He first sent Huang Quan by the back road and immediately gathered twenty thousand men under Ma Chao. Pang De was bedridden and unable to move, so he remained in Hanzhong. Zhang Lu ordered Yang Bo to supervise the army. Ma Chao and his younger brother Ma Dai set out at once.

Liu Bei’s troops were in Luo City. A messenger from Fa Zheng returned with news: “Zheng Du advised Liu Zhang to burn every field of wild grain and every granary, move the people of Ba Xi to the west of the Fu River, dig deep ditches and raise high stockades, and never fight.”

Liu Bei, Kongming, that is, Zhuge Liang, were both greatly alarmed.

“Your camp is in danger if this plan is used,” Fa Zheng said with a laugh. “Do not worry. The stratagem is cruel, but Liu Zhang will not be able to carry it out.”

Within a day, word spread that Liu Zhang refused to move the people and did not follow Zheng Du’s advice. Liu Bei finally breathed easier.

Kongming said, “We should move quickly and take Mianzhu. Once we have that place, Chengdu will be easy.” He sent Huang Zhong and Wei Yan forward.

Fei Guan heard that Liu Bei’s army had come and ordered Li Yan out. Li Yan led three thousand men and deployed his troops. Huang Zhong charged out, fighting Li Yan for forty to fifty exchanges without a clear edge. In the midst of the line, Kongming rang the golden signal and called for withdrawal. Huang Zhong reformed his formation and asked, “I was waiting for the chance to take Li Yan. Why does the strategist pull us back?”

Kongming said, “I have already seen Li Yan’s skill. He cannot be taken by force. Fight again tomorrow. You can feign defeat, draw him into a valley, and win with a surprise force.”

Huang Zhong carried out the plan.

The next day Li Yan brought out the troops again. Huang Zhong went out to battle him and, after fewer than ten exchanges, feigned defeat and broke off. Li Yan pressed him hard, then chased into the valley before realizing what was happening. As he turned to retreat, Wei Yan appeared in front, having laid out his troops.

Kongming, who stood on the mountain, called out, “If you do not surrender, there are two prepared crossbow lines behind you, and you will be made to repay the debt owed to Pang Shiyuan. Do not force this further.”

Li Yan quickly dismounted, removed his armor, and surrendered. Kongming ordered no one among his men to harm him.

Kongming brought Li Yan to Liu Bei, who received him with great courtesy. Li Yan said, “Fei Guan is a relative of Yizhou and an old acquaintance. I am close to him. Let me go and speak with him.”

Liu Bei then ordered Li Yan back to Mianzhu to persuade Fei Guan to surrender.

When Li Yan entered Mianzhu, he praised Liu Bei’s humanity and benevolence. Fei Guan, persuaded, opened the gate and surrendered.

Liu Bei then entered Mianzhu and planned how to divide forces to take Chengdu. A messenger came in haste: “Meng Da and Huo Jun are guarding Jiaming Pass. At this moment, Ma Chao has arrived with Yang Bo and Ma Dai from Zhang Lu of Dongchuan to press the attack. If we delay, the strong pass will be lost.”

Liu Bei was alarmed. Kongming said, “Only Generals Zhang and Zhao can meet this opponent now.”

Liu Bei said, “Zilong is still outside and has not returned. Yide is here. I can send for him at once.” Kongming said, “My lord, do not speak yet. Let us let Liang stir him.”

When Zhang Fei heard that Ma Chao was attacking the pass, he burst in and shouted, “Let me leave my elder brother and go fight Ma Chao now!”

Kongming feigned not to hear and said to Liu Bei, “No one can meet Ma Chao at the gate now unless we bring Guan Yu from Jing Province. Then and only then could we stand against him.”

Zhang Fei said, “Why does the strategist look down on me? I once alone held off Cao Cao’s army of a million. How could I fear one horseman?”

Kongming replied, “Yide once held back crossing waters and burned bridges, but then Cao Cao did not know the facts. Had he known, he would not have given you such an easy chance. Ma Chao’s courage is known throughout the realm. At the battle of Weiqiao he forced Cao Cao to cut off his beard and cast off his cloak and nearly took his life. This is no ordinary contest. Even Yunchang may not beat him.”

Zhang Fei said, “I go now. If I cannot prevail against Ma Chao, I will submit to command as an obedient soldier.”

Kongming said, “If you are willing to write one order, you can lead the vanguard. Have my lord go once in person as well, and leave Kongming to hold Mianzhu. When Zilong returns, we will discuss.”

Wei Yan said, “I too am ready to go.”

Kongming ordered Wei Yan to ride ahead with five hundred cavalry scouts, Zhang Fei second, and Liu Bei with the rear guard. They set out for Jiameng Pass.

Wei Yan’s scouts arrived first beneath the pass and immediately met Yang Bo. Wei Yan fought Yang Bo, and within fewer than ten exchanges the latter fell back in retreat.

Wei Yan sought to seize all the credit from Zhang Fei and chased after him. Ahead a formation opened, and at its front was Ma Dai. Wei Yan believed him to be Ma Chao and, blade flashing, leapt from the saddle to meet him.

After fewer than ten exchanges Wei Yan was close to victory and Ma Dai turned and withdrew. Wei Yan chased, and Ma Dai shot him from the shoulder with a single arrow before Wei Yan could recover. He wheeled back and mounted fast.

Ma Dai rode to the pass entrance. There a man shouted like thunder and came galloping down over the parapet. It was Zhang Fei, who had just reached the pass. He had heard the clash below and gone to inspect; he saw Wei Yan wounded from the arrow, so he dismounted in haste and rode down to rescue him.

Zhang Fei called out, “Tell me your name first. Then we will continue this struggle!”

Ma Dai said, “I am Ma Dai of Xilang.”

Zhang Fei said, “So you are not Ma Chao. Go back at once! You are no opponent for me. Send word that Zhang Yixide, the Yanman, is here.”

Ma Dai, furious, said, “How dare you look down on me?” He lowered his spear, vaulted his horse, and drove straight at Zhang Fei. After fewer than ten exchanges, he was forced to retreat.

Zhang Fei set out in pursuit, but seeing Liu Bei arrive with horses at the pass, he checked his course.

“Brothers, stop pursuit!”

He turned back. Liu Bei had arrived.

Zhang Fei did not continue. Together they climbed into the pass.

Liu Bei said, “Because I feared your rash temper, I followed at a distance. Since you have already beaten Ma Dai, rest one night. Tomorrow we fight Ma Chao.”

At dawn the next day, drumbeats thundered at the gate. Ma Chao’s troops were already arriving.

From the top of the pass, Liu Bei looked down. In the flickering pennants, Ma Chao rode out with spear in hand, in a lion helmet with beast trappings, silver armor, white robe. In both appearance and bearing he was no ordinary man. Liu Bei sighed, “People call him ‘Brocade-Horse Ma Chao.’ The name is no exaggeration.”

Zhang Fei moved to descend, but Liu Bei quickly stopped him.

“Do not go yet. First let his sharpness blow past.”

At the foot of the gate, Ma Chao challenged Zhang Fei to meet him alone. Above, Zhang Fei, burning with fury and wanting to swallow Ma Chao whole, came up but was turned back by Liu Bei three or four times.

By mid-afternoon Liu Bei saw the men and horses in Ma Chao’s formation had grown tired. He chose five hundred riders, followed by Zhang Fei, and charged down from the gate.

Ma Chao saw Zhang Fei’s troops arrive, thrusted his spear backward once, and drew back to within one arrow’s distance. Zhang Fei’s horsemen all braced and stopped; troops came out one by one from the pass.

Zhang Fei rose in the saddle, spear in hand, and shouted, “Do you even recognize me, Yán-man Zhang Yide?”

Ma Chao answered, “My family has borne noble rank for generations. Would I meet a village roughneck like you?”

Zhang Fei roared with anger. The two charged. Both spears rose together. For more than a hundred exchanges they fought, with no sign of a winner. Liu Bei sighed in awe.

“Truly a tiger-general,” he said. “I fear Zhang Fei may lose his footing.” He ordered the brass signal to recall the lines.

The two withdrew.

Zhang Fei, once back in camp, only rested his horse briefly. Without helmet and with only a headcloth, he mounted again and rode out to match Ma Chao.

Ma Chao returned to meet him. Liu Bei, fearing another risk, removed his own armor and rode to the front of the formation. He watched Zhang Fei and Ma Chao for another hundred exchanges; both grew fiercer. Liu Bei again rang the gold and called the retreat.

The two commanders parted and returned to their own lines. The day had already fallen dark.

Liu Bei said to Zhang Fei, “Ma Chao is very valiant. Do not take him lightly. Go back to the gate and rest. We fight again tomorrow.”

Zhang Fei, inflamed, would not relent.

He shouted, “I swear I will not return!”

Liu Bei said, “Night has fallen. We cannot fight now.”

Zhang Fei replied, “Then light a hundred torches. We can fight through the night.”

Ma Chao, now on another horse, rode out and shouted, “Zhang Fei! Will you dare to fight at night?”

Zhang Fei stood up in his saddle, changed his seat, and charged out in a roar, “If I fail to catch you, I will not return to the gate!”

Ma Chao answered, “If I cannot beat you, I will not return to camp!”

The two armies screamed and raised hundreds of torches that made the night bright as noon. The two commanders returned to their front lines and locked in close battle. After more than twenty exchanges, Ma Chao reined up and turned away as if retreating.

“Where do you go?” Zhang Fei called.

In truth, Ma Chao knew he could not win a clean victory over Zhang Fei. A thought came to him. He deliberately feigned defeat and withdrawal to lure Zhang Fei in. When Zhang Fei charged, Ma Chao drew a bronze hammer with his other hand, twisted his body, and cut for him.

Zhang Fei had kept his guard up and slipped aside. The hammer passed so close to his ear that it hissed by.

As Zhang Fei brought his horse back, Ma Chao came on again. Zhang Fei steadied his mount and drew an arrow, firing at Ma Chao. Ma Chao sidestepped, and both returned to their own ranks.

From the front Liu Bei called out, “I have treated men with benevolence and do not use trickery. Ma Mengqi, halt your advance and rest. I will not pursue you while the moment is favorable.”

Hearing this, Ma Chao personally detached the rear guard and withdrew. As the rest of his troops gradually pulled back, Liu Bei also ordered a withdrawal up the pass.

The next day Zhang Fei wished once more to go down and fight Ma Chao. A messenger arrived saying the strategist had come.

Liu Bei welcomed Kongming.

Kongming said, “I have heard that Mengqi is a tiger among the generals of his age. If he fights Yide to the death, one of them will surely be gravely wounded. Therefore I left Zilong and Huang Zhong to hold Mianzhu and came here through the night.”

He then added, “We can use a small stratagem to bring Ma Chao to surrender to our lord.”

Liu Bei said, “I admire Ma Chao’s courage. But how can that be done?”

Kongming said, “I have heard that Zhang Lu of Dongchuan wants to proclaim himself King of Hanning. His chief adviser, Yang Song, is notorious for greed. We can send someone by a side road to Hanzhong, first befriend Yang Song with gold and silver, then send a letter to Zhang Lu saying,

I fight Liu Zhang for Xichuan and this is my way of avenging old injury against my father. Do not believe the words that divide us. After matters are settled, I will preserve your title as King of Hanning.

If he receives this, he will order Ma Chao to withdraw troops. Then when he pulls back, we can draw him to surrender.”

Liu Bei rejoiced and immediately drafted a letter. He sent Sun Qian to carry pearls by a side road to Hanzhong to present the gift to Yang Song.

Sun Qian presented the gold- and silver-laden message through him. Yang Song rejoiced and first brought Sun Qian before Zhang Lu, explaining how useful this was.

Zhang Lu said, “Liu Bei is only General of the Left. How can he preserve my title as King of Hanning?”

Yang Song answered, “Bei is the Imperial Uncle of Han. He is precisely suited to grant such a favor.”

Zhang Lu was pleased and sent word to have Ma Chao drop his campaign. Sun Qian waited at Yang Song’s home for the reply.

Before a day had passed, a messenger returned: “Ma Chao says the mission has not succeeded and he will not pull back.”

Zhang Lu sent people again. He refused once more. Three times he did not return.

Yang Song said, “This man has no habit of words matching his actions. He will not halt. His intention is surely to turn against us.” He spread the rumor that

Ma Chao intends to seize Xichuan, set himself up as lord of Shu, and avenge his father himself, and will not submit to Hanzhong.

When Zhang Lu heard this, he sought counsel.

Yang Song said, “At once send a message to Ma Chao: If you truly wish to succeed, take this one-month limit. Obey my three terms. If you can carry them out, there will be reward. If not, you must give me your head.”

He continued, “First, take all of Xichuan. Second, bring Liu Zhang’s head. Third, send the troops from Jingzhou away. If these three are not fulfilled, surrender your own head.”

At once he instructed Zhang Wei to station troops at the pass, guarding the approach in case Ma Chao mutinied.

Zhang Lu followed this, sent word to Ma Chao’s camp, and had the three demands read aloud. Ma Chao was greatly startled.

“How did it come to this?”

He consulted with Ma Dai: better to pull back the troops.

Yang Song then spread another rumour: if Ma Chao withdrew, he would still harbor rebellious intent. Zhang Wei then split his force into seven routes and blocked the approaches, holding the gate so Ma Chao could not enter with his men.

Ma Chao could neither advance nor retreat and had no plan left.

Kongming told Liu Bei, “Now Ma Chao is truly in a deadlock between advance and retreat. I will go myself, with my unbreakable tongue, and persuade him to surrender.”

Liu Bei said, “You are my right arm and loyal heart. If you misstep, what will become of me?”

Kongming persisted in his wish to go. Liu Bei refused repeatedly.

In the midst of hesitation, word came that Zhao Yun had sent a man from Xichuan and recommended him for surrender.

Liu Bei summoned him. He was Li Hui, from Yuyuan in Jianning. His surname was Li, personal name Hui, courtesy name De’ang.

Liu Bei asked, “I once heard you had taken great pains to remonstrate with Liu Zhang. Why have you come to me now?”

Li Hui replied, “They say, ‘A good hawk chooses a proper perch; a wise minister chooses his lord and then serves.’ I once remonstrated fully for Liu Yizhou in faithful service. Since I could not be heard, I know I would lose. Now your forbearance and mercy fill Shu, and I know success is in your hands. So I have come.”

Liu Bei said, “Your coming must help me.”

Li Hui said, “I have heard that Ma Chao is now trapped between advance and retreat. In Longxi I had one meeting with him once. I could go and persuade him to surrender, if you allow.”

Kongming said, “I have been hoping to send one man on this task. Tell me your wording.”

Li Hui explained his plan to Kongming at the ear. Kongming was pleased and immediately dispatched him.

When Li Hui reached Ma Chao’s camp, he first sent in word of his name and name. Ma Chao replied, “I know Li Hui is a polished rhetorician. He has certainly come to speak with me.” He summoned twenty halberd-ax bearers and laid them in the tent, ordering, “If he blunders, cut him up for meat paste.”

Soon Li Hui entered on his own.

Ma Chao sat unmoving on his couch and barked, “Why have you come?”

Li Hui said, “I have come as your guest.”

Ma Chao said, “My treasured sword is newly whetted. Speak your mind; if your argument is weak, test it on me.”

Li Hui smiled and said, “General, your disaster is near. I only suspect your freshly polished sword cannot test my head. I suspect you wish to test me first.”

Ma Chao said, “What disaster could you mean?”

Li Hui said, “Even the cleverest slanderer cannot conceal Xi Zi’s beauty, and even the cleverest praise cannot hide Wuyan’s ugliness. ‘When the sun reaches noon, it declines; when the moon is full, it wanes.’ Such is the constant principle of the world. Now you have a father-killing grudge against Cao Cao and a tooth-and-nail hatred toward Longxi. You could not rescue Liu Zhang and drive back the troops from Jing Province; afterward, you could not thwart Yang Song or gain an audience with Zhang Lu. At present, nowhere within the four seas will receive you, and you have no lord to serve. If you suffer another defeat at the Wei Bridge and another loss of Ji City, how will you show your face to the people of the world?”

Ma Chao bowed his head and thanked him. “Your words are excellent,” he said. “Yet I have no path to act on them.”

Li Hui said, “If you listened, why have axemen waited outside the tent?”

Ma Chao was ashamed and withdrew them at once.

Li Hui continued, “Liu the Imperial Uncle honors worthy men and low-born scholars equally. I know he must prevail, so I have left Liu Zhang and come to him. You are a respected elder. In past years you and he promised to punish the bandits together. Why do you not leave darkness and stand in light to repay your father’s injury and gain rank?”

Ma Chao was greatly delighted. He called for Yang Bo, cut him down with one sword stroke, and brought the head, together with Li Hui, to the pass to surrender to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei met him personally, gave him guest honors, and Ma Chao bowed and said, “I have found a sovereign like clear sky after fog and rain. My vision has cleared.”

Sun Qian had already returned. Liu Bei ordered Huo Jun and Meng Da to guard the pass, then withdrew his forces to take Chengdu.

Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong entered Mianzhu.

A report came: “The Shu commanders Liu Jun and Ma Han have arrived with their troops.”

Zilong said, “I volunteer to ride and capture these two.”

He had just mounted and led his troops out when Liu Bei in the city hall ordered refreshments for Ma Chao. Before he could even seat himself, Zilong had already cut off the heads of both and laid them at the table.

Ma Chao was astonished and his respect increased.

Ma Chao said, “Do not make slaughter here by the lord’s order. I can summon Liu Zhang myself and bring him in to surrender. If he refuses, then Ma and his brother Ma Dai will take Chengdu and bring it as tribute in both hands.”

Liu Bei rejoiced. He made everything a festival that day.

A defeated messenger returned to Yizhou to report to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was stunned and shut himself in the gates.

When it was reported that Ma Chao and Ma Dai had arrived as relief from the north, Liu Zhang dared to come onto the wall.

Seeing them below, he shouted, “Ask Liu Jiyu to answer.”

Liu Zhang called from the wall: “Who is this?”

Ma Chao, mounted, pointed his whip and said, “I came with Zhang Lu’s troops to defend Yizhou. I had never expected Zhang Lu, by Yang Song’s slander, to turn and seek my ruin. I have now surrendered to the Imperial Uncle of Han. Receive him and accept your surrender, and spare the people from further suffering. If you insist on stubbornness, then I will attack this city.”

Liu Zhang was so shocked that his face turned the color of earth and he nearly fainted atop the wall. His attendants revived him.

Liu Zhang said, “In my blindness, what can repentance do now? It is no use. I had better open the gates and surrender to save the whole city.”

Dong He said, “There are still more than thirty thousand soldiers inside the city, and we have money, silk, and grain enough for a year. Why surrender?”

Liu Zhang replied, “My father and I have remained in Shu over twenty years without bringing grace to the people. Three years of war has bled men and women across the wild fields. All this is my guilt. What peace can be mine? Better to surrender and spare the people.”

The men around him all wept at the words.

Suddenly someone stepped forward. “My lord’s words accord with Heaven’s will.” He was Qiao Zhou from Xichong, with the surname Qiao, personal name Zhou, courtesy name Yunnan. He was one who knew astronomy. Liu Zhang asked what sign he had seen.

He said, “For one night I watched the heavenly form and saw the stars clustered over Shu Commandery. The great star burned like moonlight: this is the sign of an emperor. One year ago a child’s rhyme said, ‘If one wants to taste fresh rice, one must wait for the First Lord to come.’ This is a forewarning. We cannot oppose the way of Heaven.”

Huang Quan and Liu Ba both raged and wanted him executed. Liu Zhang restrained them.

Then came word: “The Administrator of Shu Commandery, Xu Jing, has crossed the walls and defected.” Liu Zhang wept and returned to his residence.

The next day another report arrived: “Yun Gong Jian Yong, bearer from the Imperial Lord’s camp, waits below your gate and calls for entry.” Liu Zhang ordered the gates opened and Jian Yong received.

Jian Yong sat in his carriage with an air of haughtiness. Suddenly a man drew his sword and shouted, “A young man newly in favor acts as though no one is present. How dare you disdain figures in Shu?”

That man was Qin Mi of Mianzhu in Guanghan. Surname Qin, name Mi, courtesy name Zhi. He was proud of his courage.

Jian Yong smiled and said, “You do not know a worthy elder. Please do not fault me.” He then entered to meet Liu Zhang and described Liu Bei’s broad mercy and the lack of any intent to harm. Thus Liu Zhang resolved to surrender and treated Jian Yong generously.

The next day he personally carried the seal, edict, and records, and rode out with Jian Yong to surrender.

Liu Bei came out to receive him, clasped his hands, and wept, “It is not that I did not hold to benevolence and righteousness. Circumstance left me no way.”

They entered camp together, handed over seals and records, then entered the city.

When Liu Bei entered Chengdu, citizens lined the streets with flowers and candles and welcomed him at the gate. In the public hall he ascended and sat.

The county officials all knelt in the hall below, but only Huang Quan and Liu Ba kept their doors shut. The generals became angry and wished to kill them.

Liu Bei shouted, “Whoever harms these two will see three families erased!”

Liu Bei himself went to invite them out. They were moved by his generosity and appeared.

Kongming then said, “Now that Xichuan is pacified, this land can no longer accommodate two lords. Better to send Liu Zhang to Jing Province.”

Liu Bei said, “I have now only just received Shu, how can I send Jiyu away?”

Kongming answered, “Liu Zhang lost the foundations of his state because he was too weak. If my lord rules by a woman’s pity and cannot decide in a crisis, this land may not hold long.”

Liu Bei accepted and held a great banquet. He asked Liu Zhang to gather his property, take charge of the Marshal of Tremendous Might seal and credential, and send his wives and children, and all dependents, to Nanjun An’gang to rest. They would depart that day.

Liu Bei then personally assumed the office of Yizhou Governor.

As for the defeated officials who submitted, he gave them rewards and ranks at once:

• Yan Yan as Grand General in the First Rank,
• Fa Zheng as Administrator of Shu Commandery,
• Dong He as Colonel of Central Military Personnel,
• Xu Jing as chief clerk to the Left General,
• Pang Xi as Camp Staff Officer,
• Liu Ba as Left General,
• Huang Quan as Right General.

Among the other officials and officers who had submitted as civilians and soldiers—Wu Yi, Fei Guan, Peng Yang, Zhuo Ying, Li Yan, Wu Lan, Lei Tong, Li Hui, Zhang Yi, Qin Mi, Qiao Zhou, Lü Yi, Huo Jun, Deng Zhi, Yang Hong, Zhou Qun, Fei Yi, Fei Shi, Meng Da—there were over sixty in all, and they were all promoted.

Zhuge Liang was appointed military adviser. Guan Yu was made General Who Subdues Bandits and Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion. Zhang Fei became General Who Conquers the Distant and Marquis of Xinting. Zhao Yun became General Who Guards the Distant. Huang Zhong became General Who Conquers the West. Wei Yan was made General Who Spreads Martial Courage. Ma Chao was made General Who Pacifies the West.

Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Liu Feng, Wu Ban, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, Ma Liang, Ma Su, Jiang Wan, Yi Ji, and the officials of Jingxiang from earlier days all received rewards.

He sent envoys with 500 jin of gold, 1,000 jin of silver, fifty million cash, and one thousand bolts of Shu brocade to present to Guan Yu. Other officers received gifts according to rank.

Cattle and horses were slaughtered, soldiers lavishly rewarded, and granaries opened to relieve the people. Soldier and civilian alike rejoiced.

When Yizhou had been secured, Liu Bei intended to divide Chengdu’s famous houses and fields among his officers. Zhao Yun remonstrated.

“The people of Yizhou have been burned and ruined by war repeatedly. Their homes and fields are empty. We should return these back to the people and let them settle and resume their livelihoods. Only then will popular feeling harden into trust. It is improper to make them private gifts,” he said.

Liu Bei gladly agreed and asked Zhuge Liang to draft regulations for governing the state.

The laws were still quite severe.

Fa Zheng said, “In ancient times Gaozu gave only three edicts, and commoners all praised his virtue. Please ask the strategist to lighten punishments and ease statutes to satisfy public wishes.”

Kongming replied, “You know one thing and not the second. Qin used violent law and all the people resented him; Gaozu won them back through lenient benevolence. But Liu Zhang was blind and weak. Good governance was never raised; stern penalties were never enforced. The relationship of lord and minister has already turned upside down. Favor makes one proud when one rises too high; when favor exhausts itself, they become arrogant. So we arrived at this disorder by this path.”

“In this I will uphold law. When law is clear, men know grace. When rank is bounded, men know honor. When grace and honor are both present, each side keeps its station. That is the beginning of order.”

Fa Zheng listened and submitted.

From then on the people and soldiers were calm and secure.

The forty-one prefectures were assigned by force and garrisoned, and all were pacified.

Fa Zheng was made Administrator of Shu Commandery. Even a meal once owed by him and even the smallest grievance against him was repaid in justice.

Someone told Kongming, “Xiaozhi is too overbearing. You should restrain him somewhat.”

Kongming said, “When my lord was trapped in Jingzhou, fearing Cao Cao to the north and fearing Sun Quan to the east, he relied upon Xiaozhi’s support as his wing and staff and by sudden vigor took to the air. He can no longer be held by strict restraints. How can I now forbid Xiaozhi from acting according to his nature?”

He said no more.

Fa Zheng heard and also tempered himself.

One day Liu Bei was at leisure with Kongming when he received word that Guan Yu sent Guan Ping to thank him for the gifts of gold and silk.

Guan Ping saluted and handed a letter.

It said:

My father says Ma Chao’s martial skill is extraordinary and he wants to come into Sichuan to compare themselves in strength. I have informed my elder uncle of this matter.

Liu Bei was alarmed. “If Guan Yu enters Sichuan to face Mengqi, this will not end with both in peace.”

Kongming said, “No matter. The strategist will write back.”

Liu Bei feared Guan Yu’s impetuousness, so he had Kongming write and send him back by night.

When Guan Ping reached Jingzhou, Guan Yu asked, “I intend to match Mengqi. Did you mention it to your lord?”

Guan Ping answered, “The strategist has sent a letter; it is here.”

He opened it:

The strategist has heard that General wishes to test himself against Mengqi. Measured against him, Mengqi’s ferocity surpasses the ordinary, yet he is no more than men such as Kui Bu and Peng Yue. Even if he runs with Yunchang to take first place, he still does not approach the matchless standard of the Beardy-Whiskered Lord. Since you hold command in Jingzhou, do not think this rank is light. If once you enter Sichuan and Jingzhou suffers, your guilt is beyond measure. I only beg you to understand clearly.

After reading it, Guan Yu stroked his whiskers and laughed.

“Zhuge Liang understands my heart,” he said. He then showed the letter to all his guests and dropped any intention of entering Sichuan.

Meanwhile, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu learned that Liu Bei had absorbed Xichuan and had driven Liu Zhang to An’gang. He summoned Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong to discuss.

Sun Quan said, “When Liu Bei borrowed my Jingzhou, he said that if he secured Xichuan he would return Jingzhou. He has taken the forty-one prefectures of Bashu. He should now give back the commanderies north of the river. If he does not, we will take up arms.”

Zhang Zhao said, “Wu has only lately been in peace; do not mobilize troops. I have one plan: force Liu Bei to return Jingzhou with both hands to the lord.”

So it was:

In western Shu, a new sun and moon have only begun to shine; Eastern Wu now demands the old rivers and mountains back.

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