# San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 64

CHAPTER LXIV.
Plan for the Capture of Chang Jen; Borrowing Soldiers to Destroy Ma Chʻao.
As stated in the last chapter, Chang Fei asked Yen Yen to tell him how he might conquer the whole of Shu. This was the reply: “All the fortified posts between this and Loch'êng are under my control and the commanders of all the garrisons owe to me their commissions. The only way for me to prove my gratitude is to make them all yield, as I myself have done. Let me lead the advance and I will summon them one by one to surrender.”
Chang thanked him again and again, and the march on this plan began. Whenever the army arrived at a post, Yen summoned the commander and there it ended. Occasionally, one would hesitate, when Yen would say, “You see I have submitted; how much more ought you to do so?”
These bloodless victories followed each other day after day, supporters rallying to the invaders without question. They simply came.
In the meantime, K‘ung-ming was preparing. Having decided upon the date of departure, he wrote to inform Yüan-tê and he made Loch'êng the rendezvous for the various armies. On receipt of this letter, Yüan-tê assembled his officers and explained to them its purport. He bade them be ready to march on the twenty-second day of the seventh month. Both river and land forces were to set out the same day.
But the fiery old man Huang Chung was dissatisfied that there should be no local victory. He said, “Day after day the enemy has come to challenge us and day after day we have refused. They must have grown lax, and I propose a night raid on their camp. We shall catch them unprepared and shall score a victory.”
Yüan-tê agreed to try. He arranged for a night raid, Huang on the right, Wei on the left, of the centre force under his own command. They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found their opponents unprepared, rushed the camp and set it on fire. The flames were very fierce, and the men of Shu fled in confusion and sought shelter in Loch'êng. They were admitted. After pursuing them for some distance Yüan-tê made a camp.
Next day Yüan-tê marched right up to the city to besiege it. Chang Jên kept quiet within and made no attempt to beat off ​the besiegers. On the fourth day Liu Pei led an attack on the west gate, sending his two lieutenants to attack the east. The south gate was left to give the besieged a chance to escape if they would.
Now, outside the south gate of Loch'êng the country was rough and hilly, while the swift Fou River ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall Chang Jên watched the progress of the attack and saw Yüan-tê the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two captains, Wu Lan and Lei T‘ung, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Liu Pei’s two lieutenants. He said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Liu Pei. Lest the withdrawal of men from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.
At sundown Yüan-tê ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Chang Jên and his force. Chang made straight for Yüan-tê, who was in the middle of his army. His men were thrown into confusion. As his two lieutenants on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Yüan-tê fled to the hills. Chang followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Yüan-tê plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.
“An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!” cried he.
But all was not lost. As they drew nearer he recognised his own men, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Chang Fei.
Chang Fei and Yen Yen had happened to take that road and Chang Fei had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.
The two Changs soon came up with each other and they fought a half score bouts. By this time Yen Yen with the main body had come up and Chang Jên turned and fled. Chang Fei followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Chang Jên to enter and at once shut drawbridge was raised.
The Then Chang Fei returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way. Hearing that K‘ungming had not yet arrived, he rejoiced, saying, “So I have the credit of first arrival although he is travelling by river.”
​Yüan-tê said, “But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?”
Chang replied, “The fact is I have taken the forty-five places on the way by making use of the veteran general Yen, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort.”
He told the story of Yen’s capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself. ”
Yüan-tê said, “General, my brother’s speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help. Whereupon he took off the golden chain mantlet he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.
Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared a messenger came to say that Huang and Wei had been fighting with the two captains Wu and Lei and had held their own till enemy reinforcements had arrived. They had then gone away eastward. Chang Fei at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Wu and Lei saw the men of Han coming they retired into the city. The other two continued the pursuit.
The coming of Yüan-tê and Chang Fei threatened their rear and the fugitives turned and recommenced the battle. The two captains were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Yüan-tê returned to his own camp near the city.
The loss of his two captains grieved Chang Jên sorely. He called his remaining two and asked advice. They proposed to risk all in one desperate battle while they sent to Ch'êngtu to tell their master of their sorry plight.
Chang Jên agreed. Said he, “To-morrow I will go and challenge them. If they accept and come out to fight, I will feign retreat and inveigle them round to the north side of the city. As they follow me, a sortie must be made when they pass the gate so as to cut their army in two. We ought to overcome them in this way.”
“Let me lead the sortie,” said Wu I. “General Liu can stay to help our lord’s son guard the city.”
This also was agreed to. Next morning Chang Jên went out to offer the challenge, his men waving flags and shouting lustily. At once Chang Fei took up the challenge and rode out. He stayed not to parley, but galloped up to Chang Jên and engaged him. After half a score of bouts Chang Jên seemed to be getting worsted, so he turned and fled, taking the way around the north of the city. Chang Fei pursued him with all speed. Then as he passed the gate the sortie was made so that Chang Fei was between two forces and unable to get clear. Chang Jên turned back to attack.
Chang Fei seemed in a parlous state. But at this very moment a body of soldiers came up from the river-side and a ​fierce warrior rode straight for Wu I, and in the first bout made him prisoner. His men were then easily forced back and Chang Fei was free. It was Chao Yün who had so opportunely appeared.
“Where is the Commander-in-chief?” asked Chang Fei.
“He has arrived; I think he has already seen our lord,” replied Chao.
The prisoner was carried to the camp where K‘ung-ming was. Fei dismounted and went in to greet him. K‘ung-ming was surprised, and said, “How comes it that you arrived before me?”
Yüan-tê told the story of Fei’s prudence and sagacity in dealing with Yen. K‘ung-ming congratulated him and said, “When Chang Fei behaves with such skill my lord’s good fortune is indeed ample.”
When the prisoner was taken in, Yüan-tê asked him if he would surrender.
He replied, “Why not, seeing I am a prisoner?”
Thereupon Yüan-tê himself loosed his bonds. K‘ung-ming began to question him upon the defence. Wu told him the names of the officers, adding, “Liu Kuei does not count for much, but Chang Jên is a man to be avoided.”
“Then before we can get the city we must capture Chang,” said K‘ung-ming.
“There is a bridge on the east; what is it called?”
“It is known as the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose.'”
K‘ung-ming rode over to the bridge and scrutinised the neighbourhood.
After his return to camp he summoned Huang and Wei for orders. To them he said, “On the east of the city is a bridge called the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose' and about five li south of this I saw a dense growth of reed and sedge which would afford excellent shelter. Wei is to lead a company of men to the left and attack, but only attack horsemen. Huang will lead a company of swordsmen who are to hough the horses. When Chang Jên has lost most of his men and horses he will flee by the hill road, where he will fall into an ambush.
Next Chao Yün was called and sent to lie in ambush close to the bridge, which he was to destroy as soon as the enemy had crossed. That done, Chao was to take up a position beyond the bridge to prevent the enemy from getting away to the north. Forced to the south, their destruction was inevitable.
These arrangements made, K‘ung-ming himself went to challenge the enemy and try to bring them to battle.
The Prefect had sent two captains to reinforce Chang Jên. He sent one of them to the help of Liu Kuei in the city, while the other, Cho Ying by name, was to march second with Chang himself. K‘ung-ming guilefully led out a mob of disorderly looking soldiers, all in disarray, whom he drew up as if they ​were a fighting force. He himself, dressed in a simple robe and toying with a fan, took his seat in a small four-wheeled carriage. A few horsemen caracolling gaily to and fro formed his escort.
Having crossed the bridge, K‘ung-ming halted and pointed to Chang Jên, saying, “Dare you withstand me and not surrender when Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s hundred legions fled at my name?”
But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into “fives” at all. With a cynical smile, he said, “People talk of Chuko Liang’s superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false.”
With that he whirled his spear about his head and he dashed forward with all his men. As he came, K‘ung-ming left his carriage, mounted a horse and retired to the far side of the bridge. Chang impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.
As soon as he had got across the bridge the two bodies of soldiers came to the attack. Chang turned to re-cross to the north, but Chao Yün had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. He made to turn away north, but Chao’s men stopped the way. So he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Wei and his company of spearmen, who attacked fiercely while Huang, with his swordsmen, houghed the horses. Men and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords.
No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Chang and got away to the hills. There they met Chang Fei, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few men and captured the leader. Seeing Chang Jên a prisoner, his second in command turned toward Chao Yün and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Yüan-tê rewarded Cho Ying.
When the leader Chang Jên was led in by Chang Fei, K‘ungming was seated beside his lord.
“Why have you held out so long after all the other captains of Shu have yielded?” said Yüan-tê.
“Can a loyal servant take a second master?” cried Chang fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.
“You do not know the times; submission means life.”
“I might submit to-day, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You had better slay me.”
Yüan-tê was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last ​the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.
A poem says:—
No second lord the heroic servant knows, The way of death Chang Jên contented goes. Clear shines his fame as doth the heavenly moon That nightly lights the ramparts of Lo Town.
Yüan-tê grieved for him although he had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. He was given honourable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.
Next day the army moved on to Loch'êng, Yen Yen and the other captains who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Liu Kuei abused the treacherous Yen and took his bow to shoot, but just as he was fitting the arrow to the string another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.
As Yüan-tê entered the city by one gate, Liu Hsün, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Ch‘êngtu.
Yüan-tê put forth proclamations to allay the fears of the inhabitants of the city. He enquired who had been on his side in cutting down Liu Kuei and was told it was one Chang I, of Wuyang. He and all who had helped in the capture were amply rewarded.
“Our next city is Ch'êngtu.” said K‘ung-ming. “However, in the meantime there may be some trouble in pacifying the outlying districts, and hence it will be well for you to send Chao Yün and Chang Fei, with a certain number of those who have joined us, into the country around to reassure the people and to repress any risings that may take place. There will be no need for any especial precautions in the neighbourhood of Ch'êngtu.”
The two warriors went their ways, and then K‘ung-ming began to make careful enquiries concerning the road to Ch'êngtu. Certain of those who had given in their allegiance to the invaders said that the only place where they could expect any serious defence was Mienchu. Once they had passed this the capital lay at their mercy.
Then Fa Chêng was consulted. Said he, “With the fall of Loch'êng the land of Shu passed to you. Let our lord only deal with the people kindly and justly and there will be no need of weapons. I can write such a letter to the Prefect Liu Chang as shall make him surrender at call.”
“That would be most excellent,” said K‘ung-ming.
The letter was written and sent by the hand of a messenger.
​Liu Hsün, son of the Prefect, presently reached Ch'êngtu and told his father of the loss of Loch'êng. The Prefect at once called his counsellors together, and the Secretary Ch‘êng Tu said, “Although Liu Pei has been successful and captured cities and towns, yet his army is but small, his hosts are not near him, he depends upon chance for his grain and has no proper supplies. Therefore our best plan is to remove the people of Pahsi and Tzŭchang to the farther side of the River Fou, burn all the granaries, fortify the city and let starvation defeat him. Let us reject all challenges to battle and in a hundred days his men will go off of their own accord. Then we can do with him as we will.”
“I like not the plan,” said Liu Chang said Liu Chang. “Oppose invaders in order that tranquillity may prevail,” is a well-worn maxim, but till now I have never heard of disturbing the people in order to oppose the march of an enemy. Your words are not such as mean safety.”
Just at the moment the letter from Fa Chêng arrived. It was opened and the Prefect read: “I was sent to Chingchou to negotiate an alliance, but the opposition of those about you to its lord has resulted in the present situation. However, the ruler of Chingchou still remembers old friendship and is mindful of the ties of relationship. If you, my master, could reverse your policy and lend your support to your relative, I think you would be generously treated. I hope you will consider this carefully.”
Liu Chang flew into a passion. He tore the letter to fragments and began to abuse its writer as a traitor, an ingrate, a renegade, and drove the bearer of the letter from his presence. He then sent an army under the leadership of Fei Kuan, his wife’s brother, to reinforce Mienchu.
Fei Kuan at once recommended as his assistant one Li Yen and the two mustered their men, three legions, and set out for the city. At this juncture the Prefect of Ichou wrote advising to borrow aid from Hanchung, but Liu Chang rejected this plan, saying it would be useless to try to obtain help from a district under the influence of his relentless enemy Chang Lu. Tung Ho, of Ichou, replied, “He may be an enemy, but Liu Pei is in possession of Loch'êng and the situation is extremely dangerous. When the lips are gone the teeth are cold. If you clearly indicate the dangers to him he must come to our help.”
So a letter was written.
Two years had elapsed since Ma Ch‘ao had been defeated and gone over to the Ch‘iang tribes of Tangut. He had made friends with them and with their aid had conquered portions of Shênsi. His expeditions had been very successful, the people opening their gates at the first summons. Only Chichou had stood out, but ever this was on the point of yielding. The Governor of the district had sent many urgent appeals for help ​to Hsiahou Yüan, who, however, would do nothing without his master’s order. Wei K‘ang, the Governor, was in despair, and at a council his officers advised him to yield. However, one of them, Yang Fou, earnestly opposed yielding, saying they could not surrender to a lot of rebels such as were Ma and his colleagues.
“What is there to hope for?” asked Wei K‘ang despairingly.
Although Yang Fou besought him with bitterness to hold out, it was useless; K‘ang rejected his advice, opened the city gates and bowed his head in submission.
“You only yield now as the last resource,” cried Ma, angry at the delay he had suffered. “This is no real submission.”
Whereupon he put to death Wei K‘ang and all his to the number of two score.
But when one told him that Yang had been really responsible for the long delay, in that he had urged his master to hold out, Ma did not put him to death but praised him and said Yang had but done his duty. He further showed his approval by employing Yang and two of his friends in his own army. These two friends were named Liang K‘uan and Chao Ch'ü.
One day Yang went to his new chief and said, “My wife has died in Lint‘ao; I wish to take leave for two months to bury her.”
Wherefore he was granted leave and went away from the army. On the way, he went to his maternal cousin, one Chiang Hsü, the general in command at Tungch'êng. The general’s mother, then an old lady of eighty-two, was Yang’s aunt. When Yang saw her he wept before her, saying, “Behold an unfortunate man! The city I had to defend is lost; my master is dead; and I have survived him. I am ashamed to look you in the face. Now this Ma Ch‘ao ravages the country-side, and every man hates him. Yet my cousin sits still and does nothing against him. Is this fitting conduct for a state servant?”
He wept bitterly. The old lady was moved by his grief, called in her son and said to him reproachfully, “You are the cause of the evil that has come upon the noble Wei.” Then turning once more toward Yang she said, “But what can now be done? You have surrendered and, more than that, you have accepted service under your late enemy.”
“It is true,” replied Yang. “I have surrendered and I have accepted service, but it is with the desire to preserve my miserable life till I can avenge my master.”
“A bold man is Ma Ch‘ao, and difficult to destroy,” said Chiang.
“Not very difficult,” replied Yang, “for though he is bold yet he is unskilful. Already I have two friends by his side, and they would help against him if you, my brother, would only supply a force.”
​“What is to be gained by delay?” then said the old lady. “Is there any who will not have to die? To perish in the way of loyalty and righteousness is to die in the right path. Do not think of me, for if you do, and heed not the call of your cousin, then will I die at once so that you may be free to make up your mind.”
There was now no excuse for delay, and Chiang had to act. He summoned two of his officers, Ying Fêng and Chao Ang, and took counsel with them.
Now the latter of these had a son, Yueh, who was an officer in the army of Ma Ch‘ao. When Ch‘ao had to consent to take part against his son’s chief he became very unhappy and went home to talk over it with his wife. He said, “I have to-day been led into a scheme to destroy Ma Ch‘ao and avenge Wei K‘ang. But there is our son there in Ma’s service, and Ma will certainly put him to death as soon as he hears that we are arming against him. What is to be done?”
But his wife replied angrily, “Should any grudge even his life to avenge his liege lord or his father? How much less a son? My lord, if you let the thought of your son stay your hand then will I die forthwith.”
This decided the matter, and without further parley Chao decided to share the expedition and set about preparations. The army was soon on the way. Chiang and Yang went and camped at Lich‘êng; the other two, Yin and Chao, camped at Ch‘ishan. The wife of Chao Ang sold her ornaments and went in person to her husband’s camp to feast his soldiers.
The fears of Chao Ang concerning the fate of his son were only too soon justified. At the first news of the march of an army against him, Ma beheaded the young man. A force was sent to Lich'êng, and the men under Chiang and Yang went out to oppose it. The two leaders on the avenging side went to battle dressed in mourning white. They railed at Ma, calling him traitor and wicked and rebellious.
Ma Ch‘ao angrily dashed across toward them, and the fight began. From the very first it was seen that the defenders of the city could not hope to beat off the attack, and they turned to flee. Ma pursued them. But soon he heard the shouting of soldiers behind him and found the other army was attacking his rear. Wherefore he was between two armies and had a · double battle to fight. As he turned toward that in his rear those he had been pursuing returned again to the attack. And while engaged with these two, there suddenly appeared a third force under Hsiahou Yüan, who had just received orders from Ts‘ao to come against Ma.
Three attacks at once were too much for Ma, and he fled, his force in utter confusion. He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Chich'êng. He hailed the gate, but a flight of arrows was the response. Soon after, Liang ​K‘uan and Chao Ch'ü appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above. More than this, they dragged his wife up upon the wall, murdered her before his face and threw the bloody body at his feet. They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of half a score and more. And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall.
Rage and despair filled Ma’s bosom; he almost fell from his steed. But little time was allowed to grieve, for Hsiahou Yüan was nearly upon him. Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory, he made no battle line, but set off with two of his captains to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet. Their sole object was escape, so when they fell upon Yang and Chiang they only fought to get through, and in the same way they forced a road through the small army under Yin and Chao. However, they lost most of their few followers, and at the end had only some three score left.
About the fourth watch they came to Lich'êng. In the darkness the gate guards, thinking only of the return of their own men, opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy. Once in the city the slaughter began, and every one, soldier or common person, was slain, till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very centre.
Presently they came to the residence of Chiang Hsü and dragged forth his aged mother. She showed no sign of fear, but reviled Ma Ch‘ao till in his anger he slew her with his own sword. Thence they went to the house of Yin and Chao and slew all they found therein. The only person who escaped the massacre was the wife of Chao Ang, who had accompanied her husband.
But the city proved no place of safety. Hsiahou with his army appeared the following day, and Ma fled before him to the west. But ere he had gone twenty li he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array. Yang Fou was the leader. Grinding his teeth with rage, Ma set his spear and rode at Yang, while his two captains, Ma Tai and P‘ang Tê, attacked the rear. Yang was overcome, and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain. Yang himself was wounded in five places, but still fought on till he was made prisoner.
However, Hsiahou had not left pursuing Ma. He came up to the city, and Ma fled before him to the west. His army was now reduced to the two captains and about half a score of horsemen, and these few were left to go their way.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s general, Hsiahou Yüan, set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the district, after which he apportioned its defence among Chiang Hsü and certain other trustworthy men. The captive leader Yang Fou was sent to the ​capital in a cart. When he arrived he saw Ts‘ao, who offered him the title of Marquis. But Yang declined the honour, saying, “I have neither the credit of a successful defence nor the merit of death in the attempt. Death should be my portion rather than honours. How could I accept the offer?”
Ts‘ao praised him and did not insist.
Having escaped from their pursuers, Ma Ch‘ao and his few followers decided to make for Hanchung and offer their services to Chang Lu. He received them gladly, for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Ichou on the west as well as repel Ts‘ao on the east. More than this, he thought to cement the friendship by giving Ma a daughter to wife. But this displeased one of his captains, Yang Po.
“The misfortune that befell Ma Ch‘ao’s wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct. Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife?” said Yang.
Chang Lu again considered the matter and abandoned his intention. But a certain busybody told Ma what had been proposed and that Yang had defeated the scheme. Whereupon Ma was very annoyed and sought to compass the death of Yang. Yang and his brother Sung on the other side conspired to destroy Ma.
At this time a messenger arrived in Hanchung begging for assistance against the invader Liu Pei. Chang Lu refused help. But then Huang Ch'üan came on the same errand. He first saw Yang Sung and talked to him and brought him to favour the scheme, pointing out the inter-dependence of the eastern and western countries, which stood next each other as the lips are close to the teeth. So he won over Yang Sung, who led him to see his master. To him again Huang spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Chang promised his help.
One of Chang’s officers tried to dissuade him by pointing out the old enmity between him and Liu Chang, but another suddenly interjected, saying, “Useless I may be, but if you will give me troops I will capture this Liu Pei and you will retain all your land.”
The land’s true lord goes west and then Hanchung sends forth its bravest men.
Who made this bold offer? The next chapter will tell.