Later, Cao Ren saw Guan Yu fall from his horse and led troops in a charge out of the city. Guan Ping drove them back in one rush, rescued Guan Yu, and returned him to camp, then withdrew the arrow from his arm. The arrowhead was coated with poison; the toxin had penetrated into the bone. His right arm had swollen blue and could not be moved.

Guan Ping and the officers, all in a panic, conferred together. “If Father loses this arm, how can he face the enemy? It is better for him to return to Jing Province and recuperate for now.” With that agreement they entered Guan Yu’s tent. Guan Yu asked, “What has brought you all here?”

The officers answered, “Because we saw that my lord’s right arm is badly injured, we fear you may become angry in the field and that close combat will be difficult. The officers have decided it is best for you to pull back your campaign for now and return to Jing Province to treat the wound.”

Guan Yu growled, “I will take Fan City and it is but a short distance away. Once I have taken Fan City, I will drive the army forward and march straight to Xu City, wipe out the Wei rebels, and then pacify the Han court. How can a small wound be allowed to endanger the great work?”

The officers remained silent and withdrew.

Since he could not be persuaded to retire and the wound had not healed, he sent men in all directions to look for a famous physician. One day, somebody came from Jiangdong in a small boat and landed before the camp gate. A junior officer introduced him to Guan Ping. Guan Ping looked at him closely.

He wore a broad scarf and loose robe, with a blue medicine satchel strapped to his arm. He said, “My name is from Qiao Commandery in Pei State. My surname is Hua, my given name is Tuo, and my courtesy name is Yuanhua.”

He added, “I heard that General Guan is the heroic man of all beneath Heaven. Now that he has been poisoned by an arrow, I came especially to treat him.”

Guan Ping exclaimed, “Could you be the physician who once healed Zhou Tai of Eastern Wu?”

Hua Tuo replied, “I am.”

Guan Ping was overjoyed and led Hua Tuo, together with the officers, into Guan Yu’s tent. Guan Yu, though in pain in his arm and fearing any delay to his soldiers, was then playing chess with Ma Liang. When he heard a doctor had arrived, he sent for him.

After the formalities, he was seated and given tea. After tea ended, Hua Tuo asked to examine his arm. Guan Yu removed part of his outer robe, stretched out the arm, and ordered him to inspect it.

Hua Tuo said, “This is an injury from a crossbow bolt, and the arrowhead contains poison of aconite. It has gone straight through to the bone. If not treated quickly, this arm will be useless.”

Guan Yu asked, “What shall be used to treat it?”

Hua Tuo said, “I have my own method, but I fear your lordship may be afraid.”

Guan Yu laughed. “I look at death as going home. What is there to fear?”

Hua Tuo replied, “In a quiet place, set up a tall post and fasten a large ring to it. Ask your lordship to pass his arm through the ring and tie it with rope. Then cover his head with a quilt. I will take a sharp knife and cut through the skin and flesh down to the bone, scrape away the poison from the bone, apply medicine, and stitch the wound shut with thread. Then all will be well. Again, I fear your lordship may be afraid.”

Guan Yu laughed again. “If it is so straightforward, why a post and ring at all?”

He ordered that a banquet be prepared.

After several cups of wine, Guan Yu resumed his game with Ma Liang, extended his arm, and asked Hua Tuo to make the cut.

Hua Tuo took a narrow knife in hand, told one junior officer to hold a large basin under the arm to catch blood, and said, “I will begin at once. Your lordship should not startle.”

Guan Yu replied, “Do as you wish. Am I like the ordinary men of this world who are afraid of pain?”

Then Hua Tuo cut through the skin and flesh to the bone; the bone was already stained blue. He scraped with his knife and heard a harsh, rasping sound. All who watched, both within and without the tent, covered their faces and turned pale.

Guan Yu drank his wine and ate meat, still chatting and laughing over chess without a sign of pain.

In a little while blood flowed in full measure. Hua Tuo scraped away all the poison, applied medicine, and stitched the wound. Guan Yu sat up and laughed.

He said to the officers, “The arm feels as free as before and there is no pain at all. You are truly a divine physician, Master.”

Hua Tuo said, “In my life I have never seen anything like this. My lord is truly heaven-endowed!”

Later, people made this poem:

In treatment, one must distinguish inner from outer wounds, For the world has few arts that surpass this craft. His divine authority can scarcely match General Guan, But the holy hand that heals can be only Hua Tuo.

After the arrow wound had healed, Guan Yu held a formal seat and thanked Hua Tuo. Hua Tuo said, “Your lord’s wound is healing, but it still requires care. Do not let anger touch and worsen it. After more than one hundred days, it will be as it was before.”

Guan Yu paid him one hundred taels of gold. Hua Tuo said, “I heard of my lord’s lofty righteousness and came only to treat him. Why should he expect a payment from me?” he refused and would not take it. He left a single prescription for medicine to be applied to the wound and left, bidding farewell.

Meanwhile, Guan Yu had captured Yu Jin and executed Pang De. His fame grew and shook all of Hua Xia, and all under the Central Plains were astonished. A courier arrived at Xu City.

Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. He gathered his civil and military officers and discussed the matter. “I have long known that Yunchang’s wisdom and courage fill the world. Now he has seized Jingzhou and Xiang province; like a tiger he has sprouted wings. Yu Jin has been captured and Pang De beheaded. If his forces then push directly on Xu City, what can we do? I wish to move the capital to escape him.”

Sima Yi remonstrated, “Do not do that. Yu Jin and the rest were swept by water, not defeated in battle. For the larger design of the state, this has not truly harmed us. Now Sun and Liu are out of favor with each other and Yunchang has risen. Sun Quan will not be pleased. Your Majesty can send a message east to Wu and explain the dangers; ask Sun Quan to raise troops in secret behind Yunchang’s lines. On the day the matter is settled, grant Sun land south of the river as a fief, and the peril at Fan City will dissolve.”

The registrar Jiang Ji said, “Zi-da’s words are sound. We can send a messenger to Eastern Wu immediately and need not move the capital with all the court.”

Cao Cao accepted the advice and did not move the capital. He sighed and said to the officers, “Yu Jin has served me for thirty years. How could he, in disaster, fail me more than Pang De?”

“He must have already been captured while crossing the river. At least he did not fall in battle,” he said, then added in frustration, “I will dispatch one message to Wu, and at the same time I must appoint a great general to blunt Yunchang’s edge.”

Before he had finished speaking, a junior commander shouted from below, “I volunteer.”

Cao Cao looked at him: it was Xu Huang.

Cao Cao rejoiced and immediately raised fifty thousand troops, appointing Xu Huang commander with Lu Jian as his deputy. They set out at dawn, advanced to the Yangling Marsh, and made camp. From there they waited for a fitting signal from the southeast before advancing.

When Sun Quan received Cao Cao’s letter, he read it and readily agreed. He had a reply prepared and sent it back by messenger, then gathered his ministers and officers for discussion.

Zhang Zhao said, “I just heard that Yunchang has captured Yu Jin and executed Pang De, shaking all the lands. Cao Cao now speaks of moving his capital to evade this thrust. Fan City is in danger, and he has asked for aid. After the matter is settled, he may turn and break his promise.”

Sun Quan had not yet spoken when he suddenly heard the report: Lü Meng had come in a small boat from Lukou with matters to present in person. He summoned him.

Lü Meng said, “Guan Yunchang has brought his army to besiege Fan City. This is a chance: he has moved far out. Strike into Jingzhou while he is absent.”

Sun Quan asked, “I had intended to seize Xu Province in the north. What do you think?”

Lü Meng replied, “Cao Cao is far away in Hebei and has no time to attend to the east. Xu Province has few guards and can be taken, but its terrain favors land warfare and does not favor water. Even if we take it, holding it will be difficult. Better to take Jingzhou first, hold the Yangtze fully, and then make better plans.”

Sun Quan said, “I did say I wanted Xu Province; I spoke to test you only. Draw my plan in writing as quickly as you can. I will raise troops thereafter.”

Lü Meng took leave and returned to Lukou. Soon scouts reported signals along the river, two or three tens of li apart, with beacons lit on raised mounds. They also heard that Jingzhou was already in strict order and seemingly preparing for contingencies. Lü Meng was startled. “If this is so, there is urgent reason to rethink! Before the Lord of Wu, I urged taking Jingzhou—what shall I do now?” He could find no answer.

He pretended to be sick, stayed indoors, and sent word back to Sun Quan of illness.

Hearing that Lü Meng was unwell, Sun Quan was pained and somewhat resentful. Lu Xun spoke, “Lu Ziming’s illness is a pretense, not real.”

Sun said, “Since Boyan already knows the pretense, he should go at once to inspect him.”

Lu Xun accepted the order and that night came to the camp at Lukou to see Lü Meng. As expected, he had no look of illness.

He said, “I am here on behalf of the lord of Wu to inquire respectfully about your valued health, General Ziming.”

Lü Meng answered, “My humble body is somewhat unwell. What need to worry?”

Lu Xun said, “The lord has entrusted you with heavy responsibility. You did not act in time and hold back your troops in resentment. Why is that?”

Lü Meng looked at Lu Xun for some time but said nothing.

Lu Xun continued, “I have a small remedy for the general’s sickness. Can it be used?”

Lü Meng dismissed his attendants and asked, “General Boyan has a sound method. Lend it to me at once.”

Lu Xun laughed. “Ziming’s illness is not in his body. It is because Jingzhou’s forces are fully drilled and beacons stand ready along the river. My idea is this: order all frontier officers along the Yangtze to be unable to raise beacon fires. Then the troops of Jingzhou will be left with no choice but to surrender. Can that be done?”

Lü Meng, startled, thanked him. “Those words cut through my lungs and entrails as if they were my own. I wish to hear the full stratagem.”

Lu Xun said, “Yunchang relies on his reputation and believes he is invincible; his only concern is this general. Use this moment. Feign illness and resign, leaving Lu-kou to another. Let that other praise Guan Yu in humble words and flatter him so that he becomes proud. He will pull all his Jingzhou troops toward Fan City. If Jingzhou has no precautions prepared, then with a single brigade and unusual tactics he can be struck. Jingzhou will then be in our grasp.”

Lü Meng was delighted. “It is excellent strategy.”

Following this, Lü Meng stayed in bed and submitted a petition of resignation. Lu Xun returned to Sun Quan and explained the full stratagem. Sun then recalled Lü Meng to Jianye to continue his recovery.

When Lü Meng arrived, he presented himself before Sun Quan. Sun said, “For the post of Lukou, Lord Zhou Jujin once recommended Lu Ziming’s predecessor, and Lu Ziming then recommended you in his place. Now you must recommend a man both reputable and respected to replace you here.”

Lü Meng said, “If a man of famous standing is chosen, Yunchang will become cautious. Lu Xun has deep thought but no wide name, and is no target for Yunchang’s suspicion. If he were put in my place immediately, it could do good.”

Sun Quan rejoiced and that very day appointed Lu Xun as Deputy General and Right Commander, replacing Lü Meng at Lukou.

Lu Xun bowed and said, “I am young and unlearned. I fear I am not equal to so great a responsibility.”

Sun Quan said, “Yiming, I cannot trust you to fail. Do not decline.”

Lu Xun accepted the token of office and rode through the night. The transfer of the mounted and naval forces was completed. He then drafted a letter and included names of horse, patterned brocade, wine, and gifts and asked a messenger to carry it to Fan City to greet Guan Yu.

At that time Guan Yu was really only resting his arrow wound and had not moved. A messenger announced: “The frontier commander of Lukou, Lü Meng, is critically ill. Sun has brought him back to recover. He has now made Lu Xun a commander, replacing Lü Meng. Today Lu Xun has dispatched messengers with gifts, to first congratulate your lordship and second seek peace between our two houses. Pray permit their stay.”

Guan Yu summoned the messenger and said, “Zhongmou’s insight is shallow; he puts this child in command!”

The messenger dropped to his knees and said, “General Lu has submitted a letter and honors, one for your lordship’s celebration and one to beg that friendship between the two households be restored. He begs mercy to let them stay in laughter at court.”

Guan Yu read the letter. Its wording was exceedingly humble. After he had finished reading it, he laughed aloud, then ordered the gifts returned and sent back through the envoy. The messenger, upon returning, told Lu Xun, “Guan says he is delighted and has no more concern about Jingdong at all.”

Lu Xun rejoiced. Quietly he sent men and confirmed that Guan Yu had in fact withdrawn the greater part of his Jingzhou army and marched to Fan City awaiting orders; once the arrow wound recovered, he would move forward.

Lu Xun understood the full details and sent word to Sun by night.

Sun discussed it with Lü Meng and said, “Now that Yunchang has pulled back most of the Jingzhou troops to attack Fan City, we can plan to seize Jingzhou at once. You and my brother Sun Jiao should lead the main forces ahead. What do you think?”

Sun Jiao, whose courtesy name was Shuming, was the second son of Sun Jing, the uncle of Sun Quan.

Lü Meng replied, “If your lordship thinks I am usable, use me alone. If he thinks Shuming usable, use him alone. Did not Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu once serve as joint right and left commanders? The matter was decided by You, but because Cheng Pu was an old retainer and stood below You, the two did not get on. Only later, after he saw Yu’s talent, did he truly respect him. My talent does not surpass Zhou Yu’s, and Uncle Shuming’s family ties exceed Cheng Pu’s; I do not think this can work either.”

Sun Quan understood at once and made Lü Meng Grand Commander, placing all Jiangdong armies under his command. He ordered Sun Jiao to follow in rear with supply support.

Lü Meng accepted and thanked him, then raised thirty thousand troops and above eighty fast boats. He chose swimmers and had them pose as merchants in white clothing.

On the boats, they rowed while concealing seasoned troops in the hulls. Then he summoned Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, to join in turn. The rest followed as reserves for joint support after the lord of Wu.

At the same time he sent word to Cao Cao, urging advance to strike Yunchang’s rear, then sent advance notice to Lu Xun, and only then dispatched the white-clad men in fast boats toward Xunyang River.

Day and night they rushed on and came directly to the north bank. When the guards at a beacon post on the Yangtze bank questioned the river troops, the men from Wu said, “We are only merchants. A wind barrier is blocking the river, so we have stopped here for shelter.” They sent gifts with goods to the watch troops. The soldiers accepted them and allowed them to tie up at the riverbank.

Around the second watch, all the hidden soldiers in the boats leapt out together. At once they seized the sentries at the beacon garrisons, then gave one concealed signal; in an instant the eighty-odd boats of elite troops rose up and moved.

They captured every soldier at key posts and loaded them into the boats. Not one escaped.

Then they rushed on and immediately moved straight for Jingzhou, where no one noticed. When they came before Jingzhou, Lü Meng took those garrison troops taken from the riverbank stations and pacified them with fair words, rewarding each richly.

He ordered them to open the city gate and to set fire to their signal stations as a signal. The entire army obeyed his order, and the vanguard advanced.

By the time it was half the night, Lü Meng shouted from before the gate. The gate guard recognized him as Jiangzhou troops and opened the gates. The whole force burst through with one cry, then raised signal fires within the city. Wu troops entered at once and attacked; Jingzhou was taken.

Lü Meng gave an order throughout the army: “Whoever kills a man without need, whoever takes a civilian possession without authority, will be punished under military law.”

The original officials all kept their former offices. He ordered Guan Yu’s family to be housed in a separate residence and forbade strangers to disturb them. Then he sent word to Sun Quan of the success.

One day there was heavy rain. Lü Meng mounted and with a few riders inspected all four gates. He saw a man using a reed hat from among the people to cover his armor. Lü Meng shouted for him to be seized and questioned. It was a fellow native of Lü Meng.

Lü Meng said, “Though you are one of my kinsmen in origin, my command has already gone out. You broke it by wearing this, and must be punished under military law.”

The man wept and said, “I feared my officer armor would get wet in the rain, so I took a cover. I did not do it for private use. I beg your general’s sympathy as one from the same native place.”

Lü Meng said, “I know you truly meant only to cover your armor, but you still should not have taken a civilian object.”

He shouted for his men to drag him down and execute him. He displayed the severed head as warning and then collected the corpse and buried it with tears.

From this time the whole army grew strict and orderly.

After not long, Sun Quan arrived at the city with his retinue.

Lü Meng came out beyond the gate to receive him at the yamen. After comforting him and praising him for the effort, Sun appointed Pan Jun as chief administrator and gave him charge of Jingzhou’s government. He ordered Yu Jin released from custody and sent back to Cao Cao. He settled the people and rewarded the soldiers, then held a feast to celebrate.

Sun asked Lü Meng, “Jingzhou is ours now, but what of Gong’an and Nanjun? What is the best way to recover these two places?”

Before he finished, someone stood forth and spoke: “It is not necessary to draw bow and fire arrow. By my unfailing tongue alone, I can bring Fu Shiren to surrender. Is that possible?”

All turned to him. He was Yu Fan.

Sun asked, “What good scheme has Zhongxiang to bring Fu Shiren under peace?”

Yu Fan said, “I have known Fu Shiren since we were boys. If I explain profit and danger to him clearly, he will return.”

Sun rejoiced and ordered Yu Fan to take five hundred troops and march directly to Gong’an.

When he heard that Jingzhou had been lost, Fu Shiren ordered the city gates shut and tightly defended. Yu Fan arrived and saw the gate firmly closed, so he wrote a letter and tied it to an arrow, shooting it into the city.

The sentry recovered it and presented it to Fu Shiren.

Fu Shiren opened it and saw it called for surrender. He read it and thought back on the resentment he had once held toward Guan. Better to submit now than delay.

He ordered the city gates opened widely and invited Yu Fan inside. The two finished ritual courtesy and spoke of old ties. Yu Fan praised Sun Quan as generous and broad-minded, one who honored worth and lowered himself to lesser men.

Fu Shiren was delighted and together with Yu Fan brought his official seal and commission, submitting himself at Jingzhou.

Sun rejoiced and kept him in charge at Gong’an.

Lü Meng told Sun privately, “Yunchang has not yet been captured. If Fu Shiren remains in Gong’an, there will surely be change in time. Better send him to Nanjun to recruit Mi Fang into surrender.”

Sun summoned Fu Shiren and said, “Your connection with Mi Fang is close. You may summon him. If you return him, I will reward you greatly.”

Fu Shiren accepted with emotion and led ten or more riders directly to Nanjun to invite Mi Fang and bring him over.

So it was:

This day in Gong’an there is no will to stand and defend; In former days, Wang Fu indeed spoke well. Who can yet know what lies ahead? How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.