Soon after, Cao Cao raised troops to campaign west, splitting his army into three corps: the vanguard under Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He, himself in the center with the principal generals, and the rear under Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, which hauled the grain and forage. A spy had already reported from Hanzhong. Zhang Lu and his brother Zhang Wei discussed how to repel the invaders. Zhang Wei said, “Hanzhong is most dangerous and difficult to hold, and none is stronger than Yangping Pass. Put ten or more stockades on both sides of the pass by the hills and woods, and meet Cao’s army there. Brother, you remain at Hanning and send out as much grain and grain-fodder as needed.”

Zhang Lu followed that advice and sent the commanders Yang Ang and Yang Ren off with his brother at once. Their cavalry and mounted men reached Yangping Pass and finished setting camp. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He of the forward corps arrived soon after and, hearing that Yangping Pass was already prepared, camped fifteen li away from it. That night the soldiers were exhausted and each unit lay down to rest.

Suddenly, from behind the camp arose a single sudden blaze. Yang Ang and Yang Ren came in along two routes, killing and looting through the camp. Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He rushed to their horses in alarm. Huge forces came up all around, and Cao’s men suffered a heavy defeat and withdrew before Cao Cao.

When they reported in, Cao Cao was furious: “You two have been marching for many a long year. Do you not know that when soldiers march far they become worn and weary, and one must guard against raids on the camp? Why did you make no such preparation?” He wanted to execute both men to set an example under military law. The officers begged for clemency.

The next day Cao Cao himself led the troops forward as the first line. Seeing the savage ridges, tangled woods, and no clear road, he feared an ambush and withdrew to camp. “If I had known this ground was so perilous, I would not have come out with troops,” he said as he addressed Xu Chu and Xu Huang.

Xu Chu said, “The army has already come this far, my lord, and it is no shame to bear hardship.”
The following day Cao Cao mounted up with only Xu Chu and Xu Huang and came to inspect Zhang Wei’s stockades. Three horses rounded the slope, and he saw Zhang Wei’s defenses at once.

Cao Cao raised his riding-whip and pointed from afar. “As they are now, these works are sturdy and hard to assail.”
He had not finished speaking when a shout rose from behind, and arrows came down like rain. Yang Ang and Yang Ren came charging from two directions.

Cao Cao was greatly startled. Xu Chu shouted, “I will confront the villains! Xu Gongming, stand by and protect my lord!” He drew his sword, leapt upon his horse, and rushed forward to oppose them. Yang Ang and Yang Ren could not match Xu Chu’s courage and turned back, while the rest dared not come on. Xu Huang kept close to Cao Cao as he rode over the slope; another unit arrived in front. When they arrived, it was Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He; hearing the battle cries, they came up in support. They drove back Yang Ang and Yang Ren and brought Cao Cao back to camp in safety.

Cao Cao gave the four generals great rewards. From then on both sides faced each other for more than fifty days without battle. Cao Cao then ordered a withdrawal. Jia Xu said, “We have not yet seen how strong or weak the enemy really is, why should Your Excellency retreat?” Cao Cao said, “I judge that the enemy is on daily alert and therefore hard to crush by direct attack. I will make this appear a retreat, let the enemy slacken its guard, and then send light cavalry to sweep through the rear. Then we will win.”

Jia Xu said, “The Chancellor’s stratagem is unfathomable.”

So he ordered Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to split into two routes and lead three thousand light cavalry each along a side path, cutting behind Yangping Pass. Cao Cao ordered the main army to pull up camp in full. Yang Ang heard that Cao’s troops were withdrawing and spoke with Yang Ren, wanting to exploit the moment and strike. Yang Ren said, “Cao has too many tricks. We do not know if it is real. Do not give chase.” Yang Ang said, “If you will not go, I will go alone.” Yang Ren’s strong remonstration was ignored.

Yang Ang pushed all five-stockade units and the cavalry forward and left only a handful of soldiers to guard the stockade. That day fog was thick, and the two sides could not see each other. Halfway there, his force could not proceed and had to wait.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Yuan’s force, which had cut around the mountain, saw a heavy fog hanging in layers and heard voices and horsecalls; fearing an ambush, he urged everyone forward. In the thick fog he mistakenly rode into the front of Yang Ang’s stockade. The guard on watch there, hearing horse-hoof sounds, thought it was Yang Ang’s troops returning and opened the gate.

The Wei soldiers surged inside, found it an empty stockade, and set it alight. The five stockade troops abandoned their posts and fled. As the fog lifted, Yang Ren came with his men to rescue and fought Xiahou Yuan, but before they could gain much ground, Zhang He’s men arrived behind him. Yang Ren found a way out and ran back to Nanzheng. Yang Ang, when he tried to leave, discovered that Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He had already taken the stockades. At that same moment, Cao Cao’s main body came thundering up from behind. The Yuan army was caught on both sides with no road in any direction.

Yang Ang tried to break through the lines, but collided with Zhang He. The two fought; Zhang He killed him. His defeated men ran back to Yangping Pass to report to Zhang Wei. In fact, Zhang Wei had learned his two commanders had failed and that the camps were already lost; in the middle of the night he abandoned the pass and ran off.

Cao Cao now gained Yangping Pass and the other stockades.

Zhang Wei returned to Zhang Lu and said that the two commanders had lost the choke point and could no longer hold the pass. Zhang Lu grew furious and wanted to behead Yang Ren. Yang Ren said, “I had earlier remonstrated with Yang Ang and begged him not to pursue Cao’s soldiers. He refused to heed me, which brought this disaster. Permit me one more army to go forth and challenge them. I will cut down Cao Cao. If I fail, I will accept the penalty of command.”

Zhang Lu handed him the command order. Yang Ren mounted and led twenty thousand troops out from Nanzheng, leaving camp.

Now Cao Cao advanced again. First he ordered Xiahou Yuan with five thousand men to scout the Nanzheng route. There he met Yang Ren’s cavalry, and the two lines of soldiers deployed. Yang Ren sent his officer Chang Qi to challenge; they fought not three rounds before Xiahou Yuan cut him down from horseback. Yang Ren lifted his spear and entered the fight himself, trading with Xiahou Yuan for more than thirty rounds without clear result. Xiahou Yuan feigned defeat and withdrew; Yang Ren pursued from behind.

Xiahou Yuan then used a sweeping-sword trick and he was cut down beneath his horse. Yang Ren’s soldiers were routed and ran back.

Cao Cao learned that Xiahou Yuan had slain Yang Ren and immediately pushed forward to Nanzheng, reaching the bottom of the camp line. Zhang Lu gathered civilians and officials to discuss. Yan Pu said, “One man alone could match the commanders under your Excellency.” Zhang Lu asked who.

Yan Pu said, “Pang De of Nanan. He had once followed Ma Chao and then submitted to your Excellency. When Ma Chao went west to Sichuan, Pang De fell sick and could not move. Now that he is nourished by your Excellency’s kindness, why not send him?”

Zhang Lu rejoiced and summoned Pang De, rewarding him richly. He gave him an order for ten thousand horse and troops and told him out. Ten li beyond the city wall, they met Cao’s army face to face. Pang De rode out to grapple in battle.

At the Weiqu Bridge, Cao Cao had already learned of Pang De’s valor, and he instructed the officers, “Pang De is a brave general of Xiliang, once a follower of Ma Chao. Though he now serves Zhang Lu, it is not in his heart. I want this man. You must engage him gradually, wear his strength down, and then capture him.”

Zhang He moved first and, after a few exchanges, withdrew. Xiahou Yuan too fought for several passes and withdrew. Xu Huang also fought three to five rounds before withdrawing. Finally, even after more than fifty rounds, Xu Chu withdrew as well. Pang De fought hard against all four and showed no fear. Each general before Cao Cao praised Pang De’s martial art.

Cao Cao rejoiced in his heart and conferred with the officers, “How can we bring this man to submission?” Jia Xu said, “I know there is a strategist under Zhang Lu named Yang Song. He is very greedy for bribes. We can secretly send him gold and silks, and he will slander Pang De before Zhang Lu. Then we may act.”

Cao Cao said, “How can we get inside Nanzheng?” Jia Xu said, “Tomorrow in the clash, feign defeat and retreat, as if abandoning the camp; when Pang De takes our stockade, I will in the deep night lead troops to seize that stockade. Pang De will certainly retreat into the city. Then choose a soldier with a good voice, dress him in Han Commandery soldier garb and let him mingle in their ranks; he can slip into the city.”

Cao Cao accepted the plan and chose one excellent soldier, showered him with reward, and gave him a suit of gold-trimmed mail, telling him to wear it beneath the skin-tight layer and the outer uniform of Han Commandery soldiers. He waited halfway along the route. The next day Cao first sent two wings, Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He, off to hide far away. He then ordered Xu Huang to challenge; after only a few rounds he was routed and withdrew.

Pang De charged and struck all that he could; Cao’s soldiers all pulled back. Pang De seized Cao’s stockade. Seeing abundant grain and provisions there, he rejoiced and at once reported it to Zhang Lu and held a celebration feast in the stockade.

After the second watch that night, flames suddenly rose from three directions: directly in front were Xu Huang and Xu Chu; to the left Zhang He; to the right Xiahou Yuan. The three cavalry waves came together to loot the camp. Pang De had no time to prepare; he could only mount and break through while still fighting, then ride toward the city. Three routes of soldiers followed him.

Pang De shouted for the gates to be opened and led his force in a rush back inside.

Now spies had already mixed into the city and went straight to Yang Song’s residence to report. “The Duke of Wei, Chancellor Cao Cao, has long heard of your great virtue. He has specially sent me to deliver gold and armor as a token of good faith.” Yang Song’s face lit up. Reading the message, he said to the messenger, “Tell the Wei Chancellor that he may be at ease. I have a good scheme and will report it.” He sent the messenger back first and then entered Zhang Lu’s presence that night, saying Pang De had taken Cao’s bribe and sold this battle. Zhang Lu became furious, summoned Pang De, and shouted him down, wanting to execute him. Yan Pu remonstrated. Zhang Lu said, “If you fail tomorrow in battle you shall die by my hand!” Pang De withdrew in resentment.

The next day Cao’s soldiers attacked the city and Pang De rode out. Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to engage. Xu Chu feigned defeat, and Pang De came after him. Cao Cao himself mounted on a slope and called out, “Pang De, why did you not submit to me earlier?”

Pang De thought, “If I can catch Cao Cao I might ransom a thousand commanders!” and spurred his horse up the slope. With a shout he leapt; the earth seemed to split. He and horse and rider tumbled into a pit. Hooks and ropes were cast at once, and he was taken alive and hauled up the slope.

Cao Cao dismounted, drove back the soldiers, and personally unbound him. He asked whether Pang De would submit. Pang De considered that Zhang Lu was no longer humane and preferred to swear allegiance. Cao Cao helped him back on his horse and returned deliberately in the opposite direction so that the city could witness him. He reported Pang De to Zhang Lu, saying he rode with Cao together.

Zhang Lu believed Yang Song’s earlier report more than ever.

The next day Cao Cao raised three ladders on all three faces and set up incendiary projectiles in attack. Zhang Lu saw the force had become critical and discussed with his brother Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei said, “Burn all storehouses and granaries and ride south to Ba Zhong for safety.” Yang Song said, “Better open the gates and surrender.” Zhang Lu hesitated.

Zhang Wei said, “If you burn them and leave, then go.”
Zhang Lu replied, “I at one time meant to return to the court, but my purpose has not been fulfilled. Now, if I have no choice but to flee, the storehouses and grain and coffers are of the state and can never be abandoned.” So he ordered all gates sealed.

That night in the second watch, Zhang Lu led his entire household and opened the south gate to break out. Cao Cao gave no command to chase. He entered Nanzheng and, seeing the sealed stores and granaries, was moved. He sent men to Ba Zhong to urge surrender.

Zhang Lu wished to yield, but Zhang Wei refused. Yang Song sent a secret letter to Cao Cao and arranged for internal coordination. Cao Cao received it and personally moved troops toward Ba Zhong. Zhang Lu sent his brother Wei out to engage, but he fought Xu Chu and was cut down from horseback. His defeated force returned and reported. Zhang Lu wanted to stand firm.

Yang Song said, “If you do not now come out, you will sit and die by waiting. I can hold the city; you, Your Majesty, must come out and decide this final battle.”
Zhang Lu followed him. Yan Pu remonstrated and asked Zhang Lu to stay in, but he did not listen and led his soldiers out to meet them.

Before they even clashed, the rear ranks had already fled. Zhang Lu hastily retreated, and the soldiers of Cao came up from behind. He reached the foot of the city walls, but Yang Song shut the gates and would not admit him. With no road left, Cao Cao himself followed close and called out, “Why did you not surrender in time?” Zhang Lu dismounted and prostrated himself.

Cao Cao was greatly pleased. Remembering his refusal to burn the stores, he treated him honorably and bestowed on him the title of General Who Guards the South. Yan Pu and others were all made marquises. Thus Hanzhong was fully pacified. Cao Cao ordered each commandery to establish Administrators and Chief Commanders and awarded the soldiery generously.

But Yang Song, who sold his lord for glory, Cao Cao had put to death before the camp gate as an example for all.

Later a poem was composed:

The traitor who sells a true man, boasting of strange exploits,
collects all the gold and silver, yet all of it is empty.
His family does not prosper; his body receives the axe;
for ten thousand years they will laugh at Yang Song.

After Cao Cao had taken Dong Chuan, Sima Yi said, “Liu Bei has taken Liu Zhang by force and deception, and the Shu people have not yet yielded their hearts. Now Your Excellency has gained Hanzhong; Yi Province is shaken. We should quickly push forward and attack; if we press now, it will surely collapse. Those who can take occasion are precious for seizing time; one must not miss the hour.” Cao Cao sighed and said, “People never know enough. After gaining Longyou, one wants Shu as well.”

Liu Ye said, “Sima Zhongda is right. If we are slow by even a little, Zhuge Liang, now wise in governance and a prime minister, and the valiant Guan and Zhang are the strongest in all three armies. The people of Shu will be settled, and they hold the mountain passes. It will not be easy to break through.”

Cao Cao said, “The soldiers have crossed far and are fatigued. We should care for them.” He therefore held his troops in readiness and did not advance.

In the western Sichuan countryside, when people heard Cao Cao had taken Dong Chuan and assumed he would next take West Sichuan, fear passed through them repeatedly in a single day. Liu Bei asked his military adviser for counsel. Zhuge Liang said, “Ming has a plan. Cao Cao will withdraw on his own.”

Liu Bei asked, “What is the plan?”
Zhuge Liang said, “Cao Cao has split his army and is garrisoning Hefei, fearing Sun Quan. If we now return Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang commanderies to Wu and dispatch an eloquent envoy to explain the gains and dangers, and have Wu raise troops against Hefei, he will be forced to pull south.”

Liu Bei asked, “Who can go as envoy?”
Yi Ji said, “I volunteer.” Liu Bei rejoiced and prepared a letter with full ceremony, sending Yi Ji first to Jing Province to notify Yunchang, then onward to Wu.

Yi Ji went to Moleng and presented himself before Sun Quan, who had already been informed of his name. The king summoned him. After Yi Ji finished the rites, Sun Quan asked, “Why have you come here?”
Yi Ji said, “Yesterday I was entrusted by Master Ziyu to manage the handover of the three commanderies, and the military adviser is absent; the handover failed. I now bring word and return what is due. The southern commanderies of Jing Province and Lingling were to be sent back; but Cao Cao has taken Dong Chuan, leaving General Guan no place to stand. Hefei is now empty of force. I ask Your Majesty to take up arms and assault it, so that Cao Cao will turn his army south. If my lord takes Dong Chuan, then I will return all of Jingzang to him in full.”

Sun Quan said, “Return now to the guest hall. Let me consider this with my council.”

Yi Ji withdrew, and Sun Quan asked his strategists. Zhang Zhao said, “It is true Liu Bei fears Cao Cao taking West Sichuan, and therefore devised this stratagem. Still, since Cao Cao now stands at Hanzhong and can strike Hefei in momentum, this is best as a grand plan.” Sun Quan agreed.

He dismissed Yi Ji back to Shu and, while he finished, ordered troops to rise against Cao. He told Lu Su to take possession of Jiangxia, Changsha, and Guiyang commanderies and station them at Lukou; then called for Lü Meng and Gan Ning to return. He also ordered Ling Tong from Yu Hang.

Not many days passed before Lü Meng and Gan Ning arrived. Lü Meng proposed a plan: “Cao Cao has placed Zhu Guang, the Cangjiang governor of Lujiang, in Wan City; he has opened wide paddies and stored grain in Hefei, supplying the army. We should first take Wan City, then strike Hefei.”
Sun Quan said, “That plan matches my thought.” He sent Lü Meng and Gan Ning forward as the vanguard, Jiang Qin and Pan Zhang to follow, and Sun Quan himself led Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, Dong Xi, and Xu Sheng as the center. At the time, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang were posted at various fortresses and did not join the campaign.

The army crossed the river, took Hezhou, and went straight to Wan City. The governor Zhu Guang sent men to Hefei to beg for relief and, while doing so, stood firm in the city and refused to move. When Sun Quan arrived below the walls, arrows rained down from above and struck the canopy over his banner. Sun Quan returned to camp and asked his lieutenants how to take the city.

Dong Xi said, “You may send soldiers to build an earthen mound and attack.”
Xu Sheng said, “We could erect ladders and build a rainbow bridge, then observe and press from above.”
Lü Meng said, “Those methods waste time and day by day, and Hefei’s relief force may arrive soon. Our men are newly arrived and fierce with fresh zeal. We should strike now. Tomorrow at dawn we advance, and by midday we will break the city.”

Sun Quan agreed. At dawn the next day, after the soldiers had taken their morning meal, the three armies advanced. Arrows and stones fell like rain from the ramparts. Gan Ning, gripping an iron chain, charged through the hail of weapons. Zhu Guang ordered his archers and crossbowmen to fire together at once; Gan Ning swiped aside the storm of arrows and with one sweep brought Zhu Guang down. Sun Quan personally struck the war drum. The soldiers surged forward and slashed down on the city walls with their broad sabers. Many enemy troops surrendered, and by just past noon they took Wan City. Zhang Liao arrived halfway and, when messengers said Wan City had fallen, he turned back to Hefei.

Sun Quan entered Wan City, and Ling Tong also arrived with his force. After words of thanks, Sun Quan rewarded the three armies and poured in praise and rewards for Lü Meng and Gan Ning and the generals, then held a triumph banquet.

Lü Meng stepped down to let Gan Ning sit above him and loudly praised his merit. When drink had reached half intoxication, Ling Tong recalled that Gan Ning had killed his father and saw Lü Meng praising him too highly. He glared at Gan Ning for a long while, then suddenly drew the sword at his side and stood at the table: “There is no music on this mat. Watch me with my sword.” Gan Ning understood and pushed away the table and stool, sprang up with both hands and took up two spears, then said, “I shall move the swords on this mat.” Lü Meng saw both men with ill intent. He drew his sword in one hand, his blade in the other, stepped between them, and said, “Though both gentlemen are able, neither surpasses my skill.” He then drew his knife and danced between the two.

Word reached Sun Quan promptly. He spurred his horse and hurried straight to the table. Seeing Sun Quan arrive, the generals set down their weapons. Sun Quan said, “I have told the two of you many times to forget old grudges. How can this be now?” Ling Tong knelt and wept. Sun Quan again and again exhorted him to refrain.

The next day he raised the army to continue the march against Hefei and sent the whole host onward.

Zhang Liao, for losing Wan City, returned to Hefei with a troubled heart. Cao Cao suddenly sent Xue Ti with a wooden casket bearing a sealed note: “Open this when the bandits arrive.” That day the report came that Sun Quan had brought one hundred thousand soldiers and was attacking Hefei. Zhang Liao opened the box and read the instruction within: “If Sun Quan arrives, let Generals Zhang and Li take the field. Let Yue General hold the city.”

He showed Li Dian and Yue Jin the note. Yue Jin asked, “What is Your Excellency’s thought?” Zhang Liao said, “Our lord is campaigning far afield. The Wu troops think we are certainly broken. We should send out forces to meet them, strike with force to dull their edge and steady the people, and then hold.”

Li Dian, who had never gotten along with Zhang Liao, heard this and answered nothing. When Yue Jin saw Li Dian fall silent, he said, “The enemy is many and we are few; it is hard to meet them in the open. Better to hold fast.” Zhang Liao said, “You both speak from private feeling and do not serve the state. I will go out and meet them now to decide this by force of blood.” He ordered his men to prepare his horse.

Li Dian rose in sorrow and said, “General, if you are thus, how could I, Mancheng, allow private resentment to make me neglect duty? I will take command.” Zhang Liao was pleased and said, “Since Mancheng can aid, tomorrow you will take one corps and lie in ambush north of Xiaoyao Ford. When Wu’s army charges across, cut Xiaoyao Bridge first; I and Le Wenqian will strike them.” Li Dian took his command and left to post the ambush.

Now Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng and Gan Ning forward as the vanguard, Ling Tong in the center. The other generals arrived in succession and came toward Hefei in attack. Lü Meng and Gan Ning’s forward troops met Yue Jin. Gan Ning rode out to face Yue Jin and after only a few passes Yue Jin feigned defeat and withdrew. Gan Ning called Lü Meng, and both brought their corps in pursuit.

Sun Quan, in the second line, heard the front had succeeded and drove men on toward the north of Xiaoyao Ford. At that moment, a rapid succession of signal blasts sounded: Zhang Liao’s army from the left and Li Dian’s from the right arrived. Sun Quan was in alarm and hurriedly ordered Lü Meng and Gan Ning back in rescue, but Zhang Liao’s men were already there. Ling Tong had only three hundred and some riders, and he could not stand against the massed Cao forces.

Ling Tong shouted, “My lord, hurry across Xiaoyao Bridge!”

Before he could finish, Zhang Liao came riding with more than two thousand men to strike first. Ling Tong turned and died fighting. Sun Quan spurred his horse onto the bridge; the south section of it had been torn apart by more than a zhang and no plank remained. Sun Quan stood frozen for a moment.

His guardsman Gu Li shouted, “My lord, pull back the horse and then let him go forward again. Make him leap over the broken bridge.” Sun Quan reeled the horse back three more zhang, then stood him and struck with the reins; the horse leapt over the broken span at the bridge’s south end.

Later people made this poem:

The hero once leaped the Tan Creek;
once again Wu Hou was defeated at Hefei.
After turning back, he flogged on the swift horse,
and above Xiaoyao Ford a jade-scaled dragon rose.

After Sun Quan leapt past the damaged bridge, Xu Sheng and Dong Xi met him by boat. Ling Tong and Gu Li blocked Zhang Liao. Lü Meng and Gan Ning turned back to rescue, but Yue Jin pursued from behind and Li Dian cut them off in close fighting. The Wu army lost nearly half.

The three hundred and more men under Ling Tong were all cut down. Ling Tong was pierced by many spears and fought to the bridge, but the bridge was already broken. He went around the river to escape. Sun Quan in a boat saw him and ordered Dong Xi to paddle over; he was ferried across.

Lü Meng and Gan Ning both fought desperately and escaped across to the river’s southern bank. This fight made everyone in Jiangnan frightened; hearing Zhang Liao’s great name, even children would no longer cry at night. Generals protected Sun Quan on the return to camp. Sun Quan rewarded Ling Tong and Gu Li and withdrew the armies to Ruxu, repairing ships and discussing a combined attack by water and land. He sent men to Jiangnan again to raise more men for the fight.

Zhang Liao learned Sun Quan was at Ruxu and wished to raise troops and march, fearing the city was too weak for a stand. He hastened to order Xue Ti, at once in the night, to run south to Hanzhong and report to Cao Cao, requesting reinforcements. Cao Cao discussed with his officers and asked whether this was the time to take West Sichuan. Liu said, “Shu is now somewhat settled and prepared; we cannot strike now. Better to withdraw from here and rush south to save Hefei.”

Cao Cao therefore left Xiahou Yuan guarding the mountain pass at Dingjun to hold Hanzhong, and left Zhang He at Mengtou Cliffs and the other chokepoints. The rest of the army pulled up camp and went swiftly to Ruxu.

It was just now:

Iron-clad riders can just flatten the Longyou frontier,
and banners once again point south to Jiangnan.
How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.