Yuan Shao clashes with Gongsun at Pan River. Sun Jian crosses the river and strikes at Liu Biao.

Earlier, Sun Jian is besieged by Liu Biao. Thanks to Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, who risk their lives to save him, Sun Jian breaks out, though his force suffers heavy losses, and forces a road open to return to Jiangdong. From then on, Sun Jian and Liu Biao become enemies.

Elsewhere, Yuan Shao camps in Henei. He is short of provisions. Han Fu, Governor of Jizhou, sends supply grain to support the army. Adviser Feng Ji says to Yuan Shao: “A man of broad ambitions under heaven should not have to wait for others to send him food to eat. Jizhou is a land of broad and abundant grain and wealth. Why does the General not take it?” Yuan Shao says, “I have no good plan yet.” Feng Ji says, “You can send a secret courier to Gongsun Zan, ordering him to move in with his troops and attack Jizhou. Strike from both sides, and he will certainly raise his forces. Han Fu has no strategic sense; he will ask you to take over provincial administration. In that arrangement, taking what is needed from him is easy.”

Yuan Shao is delighted and immediately sends a sealed dispatch to Gongsun Zan. Gongsun receives it and orders his troops to mobilize at once, thinking Jizhou can be divided after they attack together. Yuan Shao then sends a trusted agent with secret news to Han Fu. Han Fu panics and gathers his counselors Xun Shen and Xin Ping for counsel.

Xun Shen says, “Gongsun Zan brings troops from Yan and Dai as his leading force, and their momentum is hard to withstand. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei also support him. Yuan Shao is beyond ordinary in wisdom and valor; he has many famous generals. Ask him to govern the province under you. He will certainly treat you well. No threat from Gongsun Zan.” Han Fu sends his officer Guan Chun at once to invite Yuan Shao.

Chancellor Geng Wu remonstrates: “General Yuan Shao is a lone guest and an impoverished army, drawing breath from us. It is like an infant in our palm—if its nursing is cut off, it will soon die of hunger. Why would we entrust the province to him? This is like leading a tiger into a flock of sheep.” Han Fu replies, “I am an old retainer of the Yuan house, and I am not as capable as Benchu. In former times, the worthies were invited and entrusted with office; why are you all resentful?” Geng Wu sighs, “Jizhou is doomed!”

So more than thirty officials leave office. Only Geng Wu and Guan Chun wait outside the city to receive Yuan Shao. After several days, Yuan Shao arrives with his troops.

Geng Wu and Guan Chun draw their swords and rush out to stab Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao’s general Yan Liang immediately beheads Geng Wu, and Wen Chou kills Guan Chun with his saber.

Yuan Shao enters Jizhou, appoints Han Fu as General Who Expands the Might of the Army, and places Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and Feng Ji to share control of provincial administration, stripping Han Fu of authority. Han Fu repents too late. He gives up wife and family and, on one horse, rides to Chenliu to surrender himself to Governor Zhang Miao.

Later, Gongsun Zan hears that Yuan Shao has already taken Jizhou and sends his brother Gongsun Yue to request a division of the land. Yuan Shao answers, “Let your brother come here in person. I have a matter to discuss.” Gongsun Yue departs.

Not yet fifty li from home, a band of horsemen appears from the roadside and shouts: “I am an armed retainer from Chancellor Dong’s household!” Arrows flew and killed Gongsun Yue. The survivors return to Gongsun Zan with the news of Yue’s death. Gongsun Zan is furious and says, “Yuan Shao lured me to raise troops against Han Fu, then took this place in his own hands. Now he sent Dong’s household soldiers in disguise and killed my brother! How can such a grievance go unavenged?” He raises all his forces and rides toward Jizhou.

When Yuan Shao learns that Gongsun Zan is approaching, he also leads the army out. The two forces meet at Pan River.

Yuan Shao takes his camp east of the bridge at the river; Gongsun Zan stays west of it. Gongsun Zan mounts on the bridge and shouts: “You traitorous man of loyalty and righteousness! How dare you sell me out!” Yuan Shao also rides to the bridge edge and says, “Han Fu has no talent. I have offered to take Jizhou into my charge; what concern have you?” Gongsun Zan replies, “You once were counted loyal and upright, and you were made alliance leader. What you do now is the conduct of a heart with a wolf’s heart and dog’s gait. How can you still face this world?”

Yuan Shao is furious: “Who can seize him?”

Before he finishes, Wen Chou spurs his horse with spear raised and rides straight onto the bridge. Gongsun Zan closes with him at the bridge edge. The two fight for less than ten exchanges. Gongsun Zan cannot withstand the pressure, and he breaks from the line to flee.

Wen Chou pursues hard. Gongsun Zan runs into the main formation. Wen Chou gallops directly into the rear rank, weaving through and clashing again and again. Four of Gongsun Zan’s strongest captains rush forward together, but Wen Chou with one spear thrust slays one and makes that captain fall from his horse; the other three give way. Wen Chou presses on in pursuit after Gongsun Zan breaks away from the host. Gongsun Zan runs toward a valley in the hills; Wen Chou yells, “Dismount and yield!” and shouts at him. Gongsun’s helmet falls and his arrows are spent. He lets his hair stream, wheels his horse on the slope, and the horse stumbles. Gongsun tumbles down the hillside.

Wen Chou quickly turns his horse and lifts his spear to strike. Suddenly, from the left side of the grass slope, one young commander appears on horseback. He rides in, spear raised high, and attacks Wen Chou directly. Gongsun climbs up after him. He is tall, broad-shouldered, with thick brows and bright eyes, a wide face, and a heavy jawline. He has a majestic air. For five or six dozen passes, he and Wen Chou trade blows, and victory is still undecided.

Gongsun’s rescue force arrives. Wen Chou wheels his horse away and pulls back. The young man does not give chase. Gongsun hurries down from the slope and asks his name. The young man bows and says, “My surname is Zhao, my personal name is Yun, and my courtesy name is Zilong. I am from Zhen Ding in Changshan, and was once under Yuan Shao’s command. Seeing that Yuan Shao has no loyalty to his lord or compassion for the people, I abandoned him and came under your banner; I did not expect to meet you here.”

Gongsun rejoices and takes him back to camp to arrange the troops.

The next day, Gongsun deploys his cavalry in matching left and right wings, like wings to a bird in flight. He has over five thousand horses, most of them white. Because Gongsun once fought the Qiang, he chose white horses for the vanguard, bearing the title “White Horse General.” The Qiang fled at the sight of the white horses, so he had many of them.

Yuan Shao appoints Yan Liang and Wen Chou as the vanguard, each bringing one thousand bowmen, arranged again in two wings: the left to shoot at Gongsun Zan’s right wing, the right to shoot at his left. He also orders Qiu Yi to lead eight hundred crossbowmen and fifteen thousand infantry to form the main formation. Yuan Shao himself brings several thousand cavalry and foot soldiers in the rear.

Gongsun, just now reinforced by Zhao Yun, trusts him no more than before and assigns him to a separate force in the rear. He sends the general Yan Gang to lead the vanguard. He leads the center himself, mounting on the bridge and setting a broad red banner marked with a gold-ringed Shuai in front of his horse.

From the Chén period through the Sì period, drums thunder and Yuan Shao’s army does not advance.

Qiu Yi orders the bowmen to lie below the arrow screens and hold fire until the signal. Yan Gang bellows and rushes forward, striking straight for Qiu Yi. Qiu Yi’s men freeze as they see Yan Gang arrive. When he is close enough, the signal sounds and all eight hundred bowmen fire together.

Yan Gang, forced to turn back, is cut down when Qiu Yi beats his horse and swings his saber. He beheads him at the horse’s foot. Gongsun’s force is routed.

Both left and right wings try to come to its aid, but Yan Liang and Wen Chou’s bowmen hold them at bay. Yuan Shao’s army advances, pressing to the bridge edge when Qiu Yi’s horse arrives. The first to fall is the flag-bearer, and the embroidered banner falls.

When Gongsun Zan sees the banner fall, he turns his horse and rides back across the bridge to retreat. Qiu Yi chases toward the rear and crashes directly into Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun lifts his spear, leaps from the saddle, and drives it home. In no more than a handful of exchanges, Qiu Yi falls from his horse.

Zhao Yun flies into Yuan Shao’s host on his own horse, cutting left and right like entering empty land.

Gongsun rallies his men and turns to strike back. Yuan Shao’s army collapses.

Yuan Shao had already sent scouts; they returned reporting that Qiu Yi had killed the flag-bearer and captured the banner, and had pursued the routed troops. In overconfidence he makes no further preparations and rides out with Tian Feng and several hundred halberdiers and a handful of mounted bowmen, riding hard. “Look at this wretched Gongsun Zan, he is good for nothing!” he laughs. Before the words are done, Zhao Yun bursts in before him.

The mounted bowmen move to shoot, but Zhao Yun spears several of them and the others scatter. Behind him Gongsun Zan’s whole army closes in all around.

Tian Feng panics and says to Yuan Shao, “My lord, hide behind the wall for a moment.” Yuan Shao throws down his helmeted weight and roars, “A man of honor goes into battle and dies; how could I hide behind a wall and hope to live?”

The soldiers all stand as one and fight to the death. Zhao Yun cannot break through to the far side. Yuan Shao’s main force arrives in depth, then Yan Liang also brings his force; the two strike together. Zhao Yun protects Gongsun Zan through the heavy encirclement and returns to the border bridge.

Yuan Shao presses in and presses them to cross the bridge again. Men fall into the water, beyond counting. Yuan Shao himself chases within five li before shouts rise from behind the hill and a company of horsemen bursts forth. Three riders lead them: Liu Bei (Xuande), Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

They had learned in Pingyuan that Gongsun and Yuan Shao were fighting and come in aid. On three horses with three kinds of weapons, they charge straight at Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao is struck with shock and his cherished sabre falls from his hand. He turns and rides off in panic, and his men fight hard to cover him as they carry the crossing of the bridge in haste.

Gongsun also gathers his army and returns to camp. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei ask after him. Gongsun says, “If Xuande had not come all this way to save me, I would have been reduced to misery.” He has them receive Zhao Yun.

Liu Bei is deeply respectful of him and not willing to part.

Yuan Shao, after losing a hard battle, holds his ground and does not sortie. For a month the two armies stare across each other. Someone goes to Chang’an and reports to Dong Zhuo. Li Ru says, “Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are both prominent heroes now. Since they are fighting at Pan River, we should use the emperor’s edict to send envoys and make peace between them. If they receive the Great Tutor’s command, they will yield.” Dong Zhuo is delighted.

The next day he sends Grand Tutor Ma Ridi and Master of the Stable Zhao Qi with an imperial edict. The two arrive in Hebei; Yuan Shao receives them one hundred li out and bows to them twice. The following day they go to Gongsun Zan’s camp and read the edict.

Gongsun then sends a memorial to Yuan Shao and agrees to reconciliation talks. The envoys return and report in the capital.

That same day Gongsun dismisses his army and recommends Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, for the office of Pingyuan Administrator.

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun part ways, clasping hands and crying, reluctant to separate. Zhao Yun says, “I only just mistook Gongsun Zan for a hero; now that I have seen him, he is no different from men like Yuan Shao.”

Liu Bei says, “For now, submit and serve him. We will meet again.” They part in tears.

Yuan Shu in Nanyang hears that Yuan Shao has just taken Jizhou. He sends a request for one thousand horses. Yuan Shao refuses, and Yuan Shu is angry. From then on, the brothers are estranged.

Yuan Shu sends another envoy to Liu Biao asking for two hundred thousand rations. Biao refuses as well.

Yuan Shu, still resentful, sends a secret letter to Sun Jian saying:

Formerly, Liu Biao cut off my return route—that was Benchu’s design. Now Benchu is secretly in counsel with Biao and intends to attack Jiangdong. You should quickly raise troops and strike Liu Biao. I will capture Benchu for you; then the two grudges can be repaid together. You take Jingzhou, and I will take Jizhou. Do not miss the moment.

Sun Jian reads the letter and says, “I cannot bear Liu Biao! Earlier he blocked my route, and that was Benchu’s plot. He did not take vengeance then, and now the time still comes. Why do we wait?” He gathers Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang to discuss.

Cheng Pu says, “Yuan Shu is full of deceit and cannot be trusted.” Sun Jian replies, “I already mean to repay this injury. I need not wait for Yuan Shu’s help.” He orders Huang Gai to the river first, preparing ships. The boats are loaded with weapons and grain, and the largest vessels carry warhorses. He fixes an auspicious day and raises troops.

Scouts on the water report to Liu Biao. Liu Biao is greatly alarmed and gathers his civil and military officers to discuss. Kuai Liang says, “No reason for alarm. Have Huang Zu’s unit lead the troops of Jiangxia as vanguard, while you lead Jing and Xiang forces in support. Sun Jian crosses river and lake and cannot really bring force here.” Liu Biao accepts this and orders Huang Zu to make preparations while he mobilizes a major army.

Now Sun Jian has four sons by Lady Wu: his eldest is Sun Ce, courtesy name Bo Fu; second is Sun Quan, courtesy name Zhongmou; third is Sun Yi, courtesy name Shubi; fourth is Sun Kuang, courtesy name Jizuo. Lady Wu’s younger sister is Sun Jian’s second wife. She bore him one son and one daughter as well: a son named Lang, courtesy name Zao'an, and a daughter named Ren.

He also had another son by Lady Yu named Shao, courtesy name Gongli. He has a younger brother, Jing, whose courtesy name was Youtai.

As Sun Jian leaves, Jing brings the sons before the horses and remonstrates: “Dong Zhuo now monopolizes power. The Son of Heaven is weak, and the realm is in turmoil under competing lords. In Jiangdong, things are still relatively calm. To raise troops for a private grievance is not fitting. Consider this carefully.” Sun Jian says, “Do not urge me further. A man who means to stride through the world does not let an injury go unavenged.”

His eldest son Sun Ce says, “If my father must go, I will go with him.” Sun Jian grants permission, and they both board and sail for Fancheng.

Huang Zu deploys bowmen along the bank. As the boats approach shore, his men pour out arrows all together. Sun Jian orders the troops not to move recklessly. They stay aboard and bait them in and out. For three days, the ships come by the bank repeatedly. Huang Zu’s men keep firing until their arrows are spent.

Sun Jian has his men haul out the arrows from the ships, around ten-thousand or more in number. That day the wind is favorable, and Sun Jian orders the troops to fire all at once from the boats. Huang Zu’s men break and fall back.

Sun Jian’s forces land. Cheng Pu and Huang Gai divide and advance in two directions, striking directly at Huang Zu’s camp. Han Dang leads the support behind. With the army pressed from three sides, Huang Zu is routed, abandons Fancheng, and retreats into Dengcheng.

Sun Jian leaves Huang Gai to guard the ships and personally leads the pursuit. Huang Zu takes the field to meet him and arrays his troops in open ground. Sun Jian arranges formations and appears under the gate banner. Sun Ce, fully armed, raises his spear and mounts at his father’s side.

Huang Zu brings out two commanders: one Zhang Hu of Jiangxia and the other Chen Sheng of Xiangyang.

Huang Zu cracks his whip and shouts, “Mouse thieves of Jiangdong, how dare you invade Han ancestral territory!” He orders Zhang Hu into battle.

Han Dang rides out to meet him. The two horses clash; they fight for more than thirty exchanges. Seeing Chen Sheng stronger than Zhang Hu, Chen Sheng rides up to assist. Sun Ce sees this, braces his spear, nocks an arrow, and shoots it into Chen Sheng’s face. Chen Sheng is knocked from his horse.

Seeing Chen Sheng fall, Zhang Hu is startled and unsure what to do; Han Dang’s blade cuts through half his skull at once. Cheng Pu rides directly toward Huang Zu’s front. Huang Zu drops both helmet and war horse and flees into the infantry ranks.

Sun Jian pursues the defeated enemy to the Han River and orders Huang Gai to bring the ships into the Han River harbor.

Huang Zu gathers his broken host and reports to Liu Biao that Sun Jian is now beyond check. Liu Biao swiftly asks Kuai Liang for counsel.

Kuai Liang says, “The army has no fighting heart after this defeat. Open deep ditches and build high ramparts to avoid his thrust; meanwhile, secretly request help from Yuan Shao. This siege can then be relieved.” Cai Mao says, “The matter that Kuai Liang proposes is a narrow plan. If the army is already at the walls and the riverbank, can we stand and die there waiting for rescue? Though I am unfit, I ask to lead soldiers out and force a decisive engagement.” Liu Biao grants permission.

Cai Mao leads over ten thousand men out of Xiangyang and sets a camp on Xianshan. Sun Jian charges with his victorious troops. Cai Mao comes out too.

Sun Jian says, “This man is a brother of Liu Biao’s newly acquired wife. Who among us can capture him?” Cheng Pu rides with his iron-backed halberd and clashes with Cai Mao. After only a few exchanges, Cai Mao breaks and runs. Sun Jian’s army continues slaughter until the plain is covered with bodies.

Cai Mao escapes into Xiangyang. Kuai Liang says Cai Mao ignored his counsel and brought disaster; by military law he should be beheaded. Liu Biao, having recently taken a new wife, refuses to punish him.

Sun Jian then divides forces in four and besieges Xiangyang. One day, a raging wind rises and breaks the banner staff of the command center.

Han Dang says, “This is inauspicious. We should suspend the attack briefly and retreat.” Sun Jian says, “I have won battle after battle. Xiangyang will fall tomorrow or the day after. We do not stop because a banner staff broke.” He refuses and presses harder.

Kuai Liang tells Liu Biao, “Last night I observed the skies and saw one general star about to fall. Judged by where it falls, the star should strike Sun Jian. Your lordship should quickly send a letter to Yuan Shao and ask for his help.” Liu Biao sends the letter.

The question is who can break through the lines to the enemy. Veteran Lu Gong volunteers immediately.

Kuai Liang advises: “You go out and keep five hundred horses with you, plus as many good archers as possible. Ride to Xianshan. He will pursue when he sees you. Send one hundred men to the ridge with stones prepared. Keep another hundred among the trees with bows and crossbows in ambush. If there is a pursuer, do not run straight away. Turn in winding paths, drawing him to the ambush. Then fire all together. If you win, fire the chain cannon and the city will send support. If no pursuer comes, do not fire; leave quickly while dusk remains.”

Lu Gong takes this plan and tightens the reins. At dusk he secretly opens the east gate and brings out troops.

Sun Jian is in his tent when he hears the commotion and rides out with more than thirty riders to investigate. The troops report: “A band of mounted men has broken out and is moving toward Xianshan.” Sun Jian does not wait for his whole command and chases with only thirty riders.

Lu Gong is already in position in mountain thickets, and he and his men are concealed for ambush in the brush. Sun Jian rides hard and closes in fast, alone with his vanguard close behind.

Sun Jian shouts, “Do not flee!” Lu Gong rears his horse and turns toward Sun Jian. Their horses clash once. Lu Gong then turns and slips into a mountain path.

Sun Jian chases after him and is suddenly struck by drum, gong, and stone. Stones crash from the hill and arrows pour out of the woods. A stone-arrow pierces Sun Jian. His brain bursts and both he and his horse die at Xianshan. He is thirty-seven.

Lu Gong intercepts thirty of Sun Jian’s riders and kills them all, then sounds the linked cannon. In the city, Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao each lead troops out in separate directions, and Jiangdong troops are thrown into confusion.

Huang Gai hears the sky-filling cry, drives his water troops in and blocks Huang Zu. They fight for less than two exchanges, and Huang Gai captures Huang Zu alive.

Cheng Pu protects Sun Ce and searches for a way out. He meets Lu Gong. Cheng Pu spurs forward and in a few exchanges drives a spear into Lu Gong at his horse’s side. The two armies clash until dawn, then withdraw.

Liu Biao’s army returns to the city. Sun Ce returns to the Han River and learns his father’s body has been shot by random arrows; Liu Biao’s soldiers carried the corpse inside with a bier. He cries out.

All his men weep together.

Sun Ce says, “My father’s body is there. How can we return home?” Huang Gai says, “We have Huang Zu alive in camp. Send one man into the city as envoy to negotiate. Return Huang Zu, and in exchange recover our lord’s body. Let both sides stop and never cross this boundary again.”

Before he finishes, the officer Huan Kai steps forward: “I have old ties with Liu Biao and ask leave to enter the city as envoy.” Sun Ce grants it.

Huan Kai enters Xiangyang and reports all. Liu Biao says, “I have placed Lord Wentai’s body in a coffin here. Return Huang Zu at once. Let both sides stand down and never invade each other again.”

Huan Kai bows to leave. On the stair below, Kuai Liang appears and cries out, “No! No! I have one plea: if we wish all Jiangdong soldiers not to return, first execute Huan Kai, and only then set the plan in motion.”

So it is written:

Sun Jian dies as he gives chase, and Huan Kai is punished while seeking peace. Unknown is Huan Kai’s fate.

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