Zhuge Liang wins Hanzhong by stratagem, Cao Amin’s army retreats at Xie Valley.

Now, it was reported that Xu Huang led his army across the Han River. Wang Ping repeatedly remonstrated to stop, but was not heeded, and he crossed and camped. Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun then told Liu Bei, “We should each lead our own troops and go out to meet Cao’s army.” Liu Bei agreed. The two set out with their troops. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, “Xu Huang comes here relying on courage. Do not meet him yet. If we wait until dusk when the troops are tired, we can split our forces into two routes and strike.” Zhao Yun readily agreed, and each led a unit and held the stockades.

Xu Huang pushed the fight from the third watch until the ninth hour; the Shu soldiers did not move. Xu Huang ordered his bow and crossbow men forward to shoot toward the Shu camp. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, “When Xu Huang sends out his bow and crossbow men, his army is bound to retire; we should strike at that moment.” Before he had finished speaking, news came that the rear of the Cao forces was already falling back. Shu drums and war drums thundered across camp. Huang Zhong led his troops out on the left, Zhao Yun on the right. They struck from both sides; Xu Huang was badly defeated. Soldiers pressed back toward the Han River, and the dead were uncounted. Xu Huang fought his way free and returned to camp, saying to Wang Ping, “You saw my army in danger and did not come to rescue me. Why?”

Wang Ping answered, “If I had come to help, this stockade also could not have been held. I had begged you to leave, but you refused to listen. This defeat is the result.” Xu Huang in fury wanted to kill Wang Ping. That night Wang Ping brought his own troops to camp and set fires through the lines. The Wei ranks were thrown into confusion, and Xu Huang abandoned camp and fled. Wang Ping crossed the Han River and came to Zhao Yun, who brought him before Liu Bei. Wang Ping reported in full on the terrain along the river. Liu Bei was delighted and said, “I have gained Wang Zijun; there is no doubt we can take Hanzhong.” He then appointed Wang Ping as a Deputy General and made him Guide Officer.

Later Xu Huang returned to report to Cao Cao that Wang Ping had defected and joined Liu Bei. Cao was furious. He personally led the main army to take back the Han River fortifications. Fearing his army stood alone, Zhao Yun withdrew to the west bank of the Han River. The two armies confronted each other across the water.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang came to observe the situation. Zhuge Liang saw upstream on the Han a stretch of earthworks where a thousand men could lie hidden, then returned to camp and instructed Zhao Yun: “Take five hundred men, all carrying drums and horns, and lie hidden under that earthen ridge. Whether at midnight or dusk, when you hear one signal blast from my camp, answer with one beating of the drums. Do not enter open battle.” Zilong carried out the plan. Zhuge Liang remained concealed on a high mountain and watched.

The next day Cao’s men came and tested for battle, but not one in the Shu camp came out, and not a single bow or crossbow was fired. The Wei troops withdrew on their own.

Late that night, when the lamps in Cao’s camp had almost gone out and soldiers were settling, Zhuge Liang sounded the alarm. Zhao Yun heard and ordered drums and horns to sound together. The Wei troops panicked, thinking their camp had been raided. When they emerged, they found no one. Just as they began to return in order to rest, the alarm sounded again, drums and horns roared again, and cries shook the valleys. The soldiers of Cao passed the entire night in anxiety. This continued for three nights. Fearful and shaken, Cao moved back thirty li to an open site.

Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “Though Cao Cao knows military arts, he does not know deception.” He then invited Liu Bei to cross the Han River himself and camp with his back to the water.

Liu Bei asked for the plan. Zhuge Liang said, “This can be done exactly so.”

When Cao Cao saw Liu Bei pitching camp with his back to the river, he was full of suspicion and sent someone with a war letter. Zhuge Liang wrote back, “Tomorrow will decide in battle.”

The following day the two armies met before Wujie Mountain in the middle path and formed up in array. Cao Cao mounted his horse, stood beneath the banner awning, arranged two lines beneath dragon-and-phoenix standards, and beat the drums three times, calling for Liu Bei’s response.

Liu Bei came out with Liu Feng, Meng Da, and the commanders from the river ranks. Cao Cao brandished his whip and shouted, “Liu Bei, ungrateful and treacherous traitor who betrays the court!” Liu Bei replied, “I am a kinsman of the Great Han, acting under edict to punish rebels. You killed your mother and empress, claimed the Son of Heaven’s carriage for yourself, and set yourself up as king. How is this anything but rebellion?”

Enraged, Cao ordered Xu Huang to ride out and fight. Liu Feng met him. As soon as the engagement began, Liu Bei rode into the lines first. Liu Feng could not hold against Xu Huang, turned his horse, and fled. Cao issued the order: “Catch Liu Bei, and make him King of Xichuan.” The whole army roared and surged forward across the lines.

The Shu soldiers turned and ran toward the Han River, abandoning camp and stockades and leaving horses and equipment strewn across the roads. All the Wei men rushed to seize the spoils. Cao urgently sounded the drums to recollect his army. His generals said, “We were waiting only to capture Liu Bei. Your Majesty, why do you order a retreat?” Cao said, “I saw that Shu men camped with their backs to the Han River—that is one suspicious sign. So many horses and pieces of equipment were abandoned—that is a second. Withdraw at once. Do not take their clothing or goods.”

His command was, “Whoever takes even one article will be beheaded. Withdraw the army at speed.” As the Wei turned their backs, Zhuge Liang raised his flags and signal horns. Liu Bei led the center troops out and came forward. Huang Zhong struck in on the left, Zhao Yun on the right. The Wei army broke and fled, and Zhuge Liang pursued through the night.

Cao ordered the army back toward Nanzheng. Suddenly fires rose on five roads. It turned out Wei Yan and Zhang Fei, having replaced Yanyan to guard Langzhong, had split their men and moved in; they had taken Nanzheng first. Cao was alarmed and withdrew toward Yangping Pass.

Liu Bei’s main army pursued to Nanzheng and Baozhou. When civil order had been restored, he asked Zhuge Liang, “Why did Cao Cao fail so quickly?”

Zhuge Liang replied, “All his life Cao has been a man of suspicion. Though he can command soldiers, suspicion makes him lose often. I have defeated him by deceptive warfare.” Liu Bei said, “Now Cao has retired to Yangping Pass with his strength isolated. How will we drive him back?”

Zhuge Liang answered, “The plan is already set. Send Zhang Fei and Wei Yan, each splitting the troops into two routes, to cut Cao Cao’s supply lines. Send Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun, each splitting their troops, to set fires in the hills. Each of the four columns then moved off with their local guides.”

When Cao retreated to Yangping Pass, he sent scouts to reconnoiter. They reported, “Shu troops have sealed every nearby and distant track. Places for cutting firewood have all been burned through. They are no longer in any place we can identify.” While Cao was still in confusion, another report came that Zhang Fei and Wei Yan had split their forces and were raiding supplies.

“Who dares face Zhang Fei?” said Xu Chu, “I volunteer.” Cao ordered Xu Chu to lead a thousand picked soldiers and go out the Yangping Pass route to escort food and straw.

The supply official who met them said, with relief, “Without your arrival, the grain and forage would never have reached Yangping.” He brought the cartloads of wine and meat and presented them to Xu Chu.

Xu Chu drank hard and was overtaken by drunkenness, then, in that inebriated giddiness, urged the supply carts forward. The supply official said, “It is already evening. Beyond here toward Baozhou the ground is treacherous, not yet safe to pass.”

Xu Chu replied, “I have the courage of ten thousand men. Why should I fear others? The moonlight is perfect tonight for moving the grain carts.” He rode first, sword drawn, horse at full speed, and led the force ahead.

After the second watch they were halfway toward Baozhou when, from a hollow in the hills, drums and horns sounded like thunder and a column of troops appeared before them. At its head was Zhang Fei. He couched a spear and charged on horseback straight at Xu Chu. Xu Chu drew his knife in return, but his drunkenness let him fail to withstand Zhang Fei. After only a few exchanges, Zhang Fei’s spear struck his shoulder; he turned over and fell from the saddle. His men quickly pulled him up and fled backward. Zhang Fei seized the supply carts and returned.

The other generals protected Xu Chu and brought him back to Cao Cao. Cao ordered physicians to treat the puncture wound and at once personally rode out with troops to do battle against Shu.

Liu Bei came out to meet him. The two formations closed opposite one another. Liu Bei ordered Liu Feng to ride out first. Cao shouted, “Wretched boy, you keep sending a substitute child to meet the enemy! If I call for Old Hairy-cheek, your substitute would be minced into paste!”

Liu Feng was enraged, lowered his spear and lashed his horse toward Cao. Cao ordered Xu Huang to meet him, and Liu Feng feigned defeat and withdrew. Cao pursued. Within the Shu camp, signal blasts and horn calls thundered from all sides. Fearing an ambush, Cao hastily ordered retreat. The Wei troops trampled one another in panic and many died. They ran back to Yangping Pass and barely rested.

Shu soldiers arrived under the walls: fire at the East gate with shouts at the West gate; fire at the South gate and drums at the North. Cao was in great fear and abandoned the pass and fled.

Shu troops attacked from behind. As Cao was running, Zhang Fei blocked his way with a troop at the front. Zhao Yun struck from the rear with another unit, and Huang Zhong came from Baozhou with yet another troop. Cao was routed. Officers protected Cao and fought a fighting retreat through the roads.

Just as he reached the boundary of Xie Valley, a swirl of dust rose ahead, and another unit appeared. Cao said, “If this is an ambush, we are finished.” But when the men drew nearer, it was his second son, Cao Zhang.

Cao Zhang, with courtesy name Ziwen, was, in youth, good at riding and archery; he had strength beyond ordinary men and could wrestle wild beasts. Cao had once cautioned him, “You do not read and prefer bow and horse. This rough courage of a common brute is not enough for honor.” Cao Zhang answered, “A true man ought to follow Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, making achievements in the desert, riding fast through tens of thousands of troops, cutting across the world. How could one become a doctor?”

Cao had once asked the ambitions of his sons. Cao Zhang said, “I wish to be a general.” Cao asked, “What kind of general would you be?” Cao Zhang answered, “Wearing armor, carrying sharp weapons, ignoring danger, leading in front of my men; rewards are given, and punishments are trustworthy.” Cao laughed.

In the twenty-third year of Jian’an, when the Wuhuan in Dai Commandery rebelled, Cao ordered Cao Zhang to lead fifty thousand troops against them. He warned him before departure: “In the home one is a father and son, in office one is lord and subject. The law does not follow emotion—you must keep this deeply in mind.”

At Dai, Cao Zhang charged at the head of the line and fought all the way to Sanggan; the northern frontier was pacified. Hearing of Cao’s defeat at Yangping, he came to help.

When Cao saw Cao Zhang arrive, he rejoiced: “My Yellow-Mustache boy has come. Liu Bei will surely be broken.” He ordered the army to return and camp again at the mouth of Xie Valley.

Someone reported to Liu Bei, saying Cao Zhang had come. Liu Bei asked, “Who will go against Cao Zhang?” Liu Feng said, “I will go.” Meng Da also offered to go.

Liu Bei said, “The two of you will go together. See who succeeds.” Each brought five thousand troops to meet him: Liu Feng in front, Meng Da behind.

Cao Zhang fought with Liu Feng, and in only three rounds Liu Feng was severely defeated and turned back. Meng Da brought his force forward and was just about to make contact when he saw the Wei ranks in confusion. Ma Chao and Wu Lan were charging together; that movement alone threw the Wei troops into panic. Meng Da pressed in and attacked from both sides.

Ma Chao’s men had held their sharpness for a long time; when they came, they made a show of armoring strength and were impossible to withstand. The Wei army broke and fled.

Cao Zhang met Wu Lan directly. They faced each other; in only a few passes, Cao Zhang thrust a halberd and pierced Wu Lan beneath the horse. The three armies crashed together in confused battle. Cao gathered his men and halted at the edge of Xie Valley.

Cao had camped too long and wanted to advance, but was blocked again by Ma Chao and forced to withdraw to his position. He wished to retire but feared laughter at Shu, and thus remained undecided.

At that time the cooking steward brought chicken soup. Cao saw the chicken bones in the bowl and was moved in thought. While he was brooding, Xiahou Dun entered and requested permission for a night watchword. Cao, thinking aloud, said, “Chicken ribs. Chicken ribs!”

Dun relayed the word through the camp: all officers were to salute with the same phrase, “Chicken ribs.” The campaign clerk Yang Xiu, seeing the two characters, ordered all the marching soldiers to begin packing their gear and preparing for departure.

Someone informed Xiahou Dun. He was startled and brought Yang Xiu into the command tent to ask, “Why are everyone collecting gear?” Yang Xiu said, “From the signal of this night, it is clear the Lord of Wei will withdraw soon. Chicken ribs means there is flavor in discarding something useless when there is no flesh in it. Since we cannot win tomorrow and retreating would be laughed at if delayed, it is better to go home early. Tomorrow Wei Wang will certainly order the return march, so the troops must pack now to avoid confusion on the move.”

Xiahou Dun said, “You truly understand the Chancellor’s heart and lungs!” and he too prepared his own gear. Then every commander and soldier in the camp prepared to return.

That night Cao was troubled and could not sleep. He took his steel axe in hand and walked around camp alone. He saw inside Xiahou Dun’s position all the soldiers packing to march. Cao was greatly alarmed and hurried back to call Dun to account.

Dun replied, “It was the clerk Yang Zhezhu, who sensed your intention to return.” Cao called for Yang Xiu. Xiu answered with the meaning of chicken ribs. Cao shouted in fury, “How dare you invent such words and confuse my army!” He ordered sword and axe men to drag him out and execute him at once. He had his head raised on display outside the gate.

Yang Xiu had already been a man proud of talent and often offended Cao’s taboos. Once Cao had built a garden pavilion. After touring it, Cao made no praise or blame, but took up a brush, wrote one character on the gate—“alive”—and left. No one understood his meaning.

Yang Xiu said, “Putting “alive” inside 門 makes the character “kō.” In modern script, it is “wide,” meaning ‘a gate too broad.’ The Chancellor dislikes a broad gate.” So they raised another wall around it. Once rebuilt, he again invited Cao to inspect. Cao was delighted and asked who had known his intent. The attendants said, “Yang Xiu.” Cao praised him outwardly but remained deeply suspicious.

Another day, a large box of su from the frontier was brought in. Cao himself wrote on the box three characters: “one helping of su.” He placed it on the table. Yang Xiu came in, took out a ladle, and distributed it to everyone. Cao asked why. Yang Xiu answered, “The box clearly says ‘one helping per person.’ How could I disobey the Chancellor’s command?” Cao smiled on the surface, but his dislike grew.

Cao feared men might plot against his life in secret and often told his attendants, “When I dream, I am eager to kill people. Whenever I sleep, do not come near.” On one day he had a daytime nap in his tent and the quilt slipped to the floor. A close attendant hurriedly pulled it up for him. Cao sprang up and drew his sword, beheading the attendant, then returned to bed.

After a while he rose, feigned surprise, and asked, “Who killed my attendant?” They answered truthfully. Cao wept aloud and ordered the man buried with honor. Everyone thought Cao had truly killed him in a dream. Only Yang Xiu understood and at the funeral pointed and sighed, “His Excellency is not the one in the dream; it is Your Majesty who is in the dream!” Cao heard this and disliked him more.

Cao Cao’s third son, Cao Zhi, loved Yang Xiu’s talent and often invited him to talk through the night. Cao met with his men and discussed appointing Zhi as crown prince.

Cao Pi learned of this and privately asked the gate master of Zhaoge, Wu Zhi, to enter the inner court to discuss. Fearing discovery, he hid Wu Zhi inside a large wicker basket and claimed only lengths of silk were inside before it was carried to the household. Yang Xiu learned this and came straight to Cao to report.

Cao ordered guards to watch Cao Pi’s gate. Cao Pi, alarmed, warned Wu Zhi. Wu Zhi said, “Do not worry. Tomorrow he will be brought in again in another big basket of silk to deceive him.” Cao Pi did as advised and entered carrying silk in a large basket. A messenger searched the basket, found only silk, and reported to Cao Cao. Cao thus suspected Yang Xiu was setting Cao Pi against Cao Zhi and his dislike deepened.

Cao Cao wished to test both Cao Pi and Cao Zhi’s abilities. One day he ordered each to leave the gate of Ye City, but he secretly instructed gate officers not to let them out. Cao Pi arrived first and was stopped at the gate, forced to turn back.

When Cao Zhi heard, he asked Yang Xiu. “You serve under the king’s command. If someone blocks your way, he should be cut down,” Xiu advised. Cao Zhi agreed and followed the same counsel. At the gate, officers blocked him as well.

Cao Zhi shouted, “I am acting under the ruler’s command—who dares to stop me?” and immediately beheaded the gate officer. Cao Cao recognized him as capable from then on.

Later someone reported to Cao Cao, “This was taught by Yang Xiu.” Cao became furious and now also withdrew his favor for Cao Zhi.

Yang Xiu had once drafted more than ten reply templates for Cao Zhi, and when Cao asked anything, Cao Zhi answered by following those templates. Cao asked military and state questions; Cao Zhi answered smoothly each time. Cao grew deeply suspicious.

Later, Cao Pi secretly bought Cao Zhi’s attendants and had them report that his brother used prepared answers.

When Cao saw this, he was furious: “How can a common fellow dare deceive me?” By then he already had intent to kill Yang Xiu; now he used the charge of disordering the army’s spirit and executed him. Yang Xiu died at thirty-four.

A later poem says:

The brilliant Yang Dezu of inherited jade plume, Dragons and snakes race beneath his brush, Brocade is made within his chest. One opening speech startled fourfold the hall, his quick replies crowned him among the worthy. He died through trusting his talent too far, not for wanting to turn back the army.

After Cao had killed Yang Xiu, he feigned anger at Xiahou Dun and also wished to behead him. The ministers interceded, and he spared Xiahou Dun.

Cao shouted Dun away and ordered the army to advance the next day.

The next day troops marched out from the mouth of Xie Valley. A force came out to meet them, with Wei Yan at its head.

Cao invited Wei Yan to surrender; Wei Yan shouted insults.

Cao ordered Pang De to fight. As the two generals engaged, fire broke out in Cao’s camp. Someone reported that Ma Chao had raided the middle and rear stockades. Cao drew his sword and shouted, “Any officer who falls back will be beheaded!” The generals drove forward fiercely.

Wei Yan feigned defeat and withdrew. Cao then hauled his troops back to fight Ma Chao himself, mounted on a high knoll and watched the two armies struggle. Suddenly a troop crashed straight toward him, crying, “Wei Yan is here!” He drew bow and loosed an arrow, striking Cao.

Cao toppled and fell from his horse. Wei Yan discarded bow and lance and leapt forward up the hillside to kill Cao. From the slanted ridge, a general dashed out crying, “Do not strike my lord!” It was Pang De. Pang De forced forward, fought and repelled Wei Yan, and protected Cao’s advance.

Ma Chao had withdrawn. Cao, wounded, returned to camp. He had been hit in the face by Wei Yan’s shot, breaking two front teeth. He ordered physicians to treat him at once. Then he remembered Yang Xiu’s words; he had the body of Xiu brought back and buried in honor. He then ordered a general withdrawal, leaving Pang De to cover the rear.

Cao lay in a felt cart, with Tiger Guards around him as he moved. News came that fires rose on both sides of Xie Valley, and ambush forces were coming down the mountain. Every Wei soldier grew frightened.

Dimly recalled is his peril once at Tong Pass; Once more it seems the danger he faced at Red Cliffs.

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