# San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 71

CHAPTER LXXI.
At the Capture of Tui Hill Huang Chung Scores a Success; on the Han Waters Chao Yun Conquers a Host.
“If you are really determined to undertake this expedition, I shall send Fa Chêng with you,” said K‘ung-ming to the veteran leader. “You will have to discuss everything with him. I shall also despatch supports and reinforcements.”
The expedition set out. Then K‘ung-ming explained to Yüan-tê that he had purposely tried to spur on the old captain that he should really exert himself, else he feared he would not do much. After this, he ordered Chao Yün to march after the first army and help, if help was needed. So long as the old man was victorious, Chao Yün was to do nothing; if he was in difficulties then he was to be rescued. Three companies also were sent out among the hills to take position at strategical points and set up many banners and make a brave show in order to spread the impression of huge forces, and so frighten and perplex the enemy. In addition, he sent to Hsiapan to tell Ma Ch‘ao what part to play in the campaign; Yen Yen was to hold Langchung in place of Chang Fei.
The refugees, Chang Ho and Hsiahou Shang, reached Hsiahou Yüan’s camp and told their doleful tale of the loss of T‘ientang Mountain and the death of their colleague and the threatened attack. The news was sent to Ts‘ao Hung, who bore it quickly to the capital.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao lost no time in calling a council. Then the Historian Liu Hua said, “The loss of Hanchung would shake the whole country. You, O Prince, must not shrink from toil and hardship, but must yourself go to lead the army.”
“This state of things comes of my not heeding your words before, gentle Sir,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, then repentant.
However, he hastily prepared and issued an edict to raise an army of forty legions which he would lead. The army was ready in the seventh month, the early autumn, and marched in three divisions. The leading division was under Hsiahou Tun, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao commanded the centre and Ts‘ao Hsiu was the rear guard.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao rode a white horse, beautifully caparisoned. His guards were clad in embroidered silk. They carried the huge red parasol woven of silk and gold threads. Beside him in two lines were the symbols of princely dignity, the golden ​melons, silver axes, stirrups, clubs, spears and lances; bannerols embroidered with the sun and moon, dragon and phoenix, were borne aloft. His escort of twenty-five thousand stout warriors led by bold officers, marched in five columns of five thousand each, under banners of the five colours, blue, yellow, red, white and black. The five companies made a brave show as they marched, each column under its own flag with men in armour and horses in caparisons all of one colour and all glittering in the sun.
As they debouched through Chang Pass, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao noticed in the distance a thick wood, very luxuriant, and asked those near him what it was called.
“This place is Lant‘ien, the Indigo Fields,” they replied. “And in that wood is the estate of the late Ts‘ai Yung. His daughter, Ts‘ai Yen, and her present husband, Tung Chi, live there.”
Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and Ts‘ai Yung had been excellent friends at one time. His daughter had been first married to Wei Taochieh. Then she was abducted and taken away to the north, where she had borne two sons. She had composed & ballad called, “Eighteen Stanzas for the Mongol Flageolet,” which is well known. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had been moved by pity for her sorrows and sent a messenger with a thousand tales to ransom her. The Prince of Tsohsien, overawed by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s strength, had restored her to Ts‘ai Yung.
Ordering his escort to march on, Ts‘ao went up to the gate with only a few attendants, dismounted and enquired after the lady of the house. At this time Tung Chi was absent at his post and the lady was alone. As soon as she heard who her visitor was she hastened to welcome him and led him into the reception room. When he was seated and she had performed the proper salutations, she stood respectfully at his side. Glancing round the room, he saw a rubbing of a tablet hanging on the wall. So he got up to read it, and asked his hostess about it.
“It is a tablet of Ts‘ao Ê, or the fair lady Ts‘ao. In the time of the Emperor Ho (circ. I00 a d.), in Shangyü there was a certain magician named Ts‘ao Hsü, who could dance and sing like the very Spirit of Music. On the fifth of the fifth month he was out in a boat, and being intoxicated, fell overboard and was drowned. He had a daughter then fourteen years of age. She was greatly distressed and sought the body of her father for seven days and nights, weeping all the while. Then she threw herself into the waves, and five days later she floated to the surface with her father’s body in her arms. The villagers buried them on the bank, and the magistrate reported the occurrence to the Emperor as a worthy instance of daughterly affection and remarkable piety. A later magistrate had the story inscribed by Hantan Shun ​in memory of the event. At that time Hantan Shun was only thirteen, but the composition of the inscription was so perfect that neither jot nor tittle could be added, and yet he had written it currente calamo. The stone was set up beside the grave, and both inscription and story were the admiration of all the men of that day. My father went to see it. It was evening, but in the obscurity he felt out the inscription with his fingers. He got hold of a pencil and wrote eight large characters on the reverse of the stone and, later, some person recutting the stone engraved these eight words as well.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao then read the eight words; they formed an enigma. Literally they read, “yellow silk, young wife, a daughter’s child, pestle and mortar.”
“Can you explain?” asked Ts‘ao Ts‘ao of his hostess.
“No; although it is a writing of my father’s, thy handmaid cannot interpret it,” she replied.
Turning to the strategists of his staff, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “Can any one of you explain it?”
All but one made no reply. The man who said he had fathomed the meaning was a Recorder named Yang Hsiu.
“Do not tell me yet; let me think it out,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.
Soon after they took leave of the lady, went out of the tarm and rode on. About three li from the farm the meaning suddenly dawned upon Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and he laughingly turned to Yang Hsiu saying, “Now, you may try.”
“This is the solution of the enigma,” said Yang. “Yellow silk” is silk threads of natural colour, and the character for "silk” placed beside that for “colour” forms a word meaning "finally, decidedly"; the “young wife” is a “little female,” and the character for “female” with “little,” or “few,” placed beside it forms a word meaning “admirable, fine,”; the “daughter’s child” is “daughter” and “child,” which side by side make the word “good;” and a “pestle and mortar” suggest pounding together the five bitter herbs in a receptacle: the character for “receptacle” and “bitter” form a word meaning “to tell.” So the four words are “Decidedly fine and well told.”
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was astonished at his cleverness, and said, “Just what I made it.”
Those around greatly wondered at Yang’s ingenuity and knowledge.
In less than a day they reached Nanchün, where Ts‘ao Hung welcomed them. He told the tale of Chang Ho’s misfortunes.
“To suffer defeat is no crime;” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “that and victory are things that happen constantly in war.”
“Liu Pei has sent Huang Chung to take Tingchün Mount,” said Ts‘ao Hung. “Hsiahou Yüan, hearing you were coming, O Prince, has been defending the position and not going out to give battle.”
​“But standing always on the defensive is showing weakness,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.
Thereupon he bade a man carry a chieh, simple authority to act, to the mountain commander and so order him to attack the enemy.
“Hsiahou Yüan is very stern and inflexible, and he may be carried too far and fall victim to some vile ruse,” said Liu Hua.
Wherefore the prince wrote a letter to him to accompany the chieh. And when the messenger arrived and the letter was opened it read: “Every leader must exercise a combination of inflexibility and yielding. Boldness is not the only thing that counts; if he make it so, then is he a mere creature to fight. Now I am camped at Nanchün ready to watch the deeds of your admirable prowess and capacity, and all I have to say is, 'Do not disgrace your previous reputation.'”
The letter pleased the commander mightily. Having sent away the bearer, he called in Chang Ho to consult.
“The prince has a great army at Nanchün ready to destroy Liu Pei. We have been on the defence here long enough, and it is time we rendered some solid service. To-morrow I am going out to battle, and hope to capture Huang Chung.”
“Your opponent combines ready resource with boldness and prevision,” said Chang Ho. “Beside, he has Fa Chêng to aid him; and you must be cautious, for the country is very difficult and dangerous. You had better keep on the defensive.”
“How shall we be able to look our prince in the face when other men render good service? However, you just keep the hill, and I will go out to battle.”
Then an order was issued asking who would go out to reconnoitre and provoke a battle. His brother Hsiahou Shang volunteered. He was told that he was not to make a real stand, but merely to begin the fight. He was to lose and not win, for a grand ruse was ready for the enemy. He explained his plans, and Hsiahou Shang went away with a small column.
Now Huang Chung and his helper, Fa Chêng, were camped quite close to the Tingchün Mountain. They had endeavoured to entice Hsiahou Yüan out into the field to fight, but failed; to attack him as he stood in that country was very difficult. So thus far no advance had been made. But as soon as Ts‘ao’s men appeared and seemed to offer battle, Huang Chung was ready to march out to meet them at once. But a certain minor captain named Ch'ên Shih offered his services.
“Do not trouble yourself to move, O General,” said Ch'ên Shih, “for I will go out to fight them.”
Huang Chung consented, and placed three companies under Ch'ên Shih, who went out of the valley and set his army in array. And when Hsiahou Shang came up and, as arranged, ​merely fought a few bouts and ran away, Ch'ên Shih followed to take advantage of his success. But he was soon brought to a standstill by the rolling of logs and hurling of stones on the part of his opponents. As he turned to retire, Hsiahou Yüan brought out his men and attacked. Ch'ên Shih had no chance against them and was quickly made prisoner. Many of his men joined the enemy, but a few escaped to their own side and told Huang Chung of the misfortune.
Huang Chung at once asked advice from Fa Chêng, who said, “This Hsiahou Yüan is easily provoked to anger, and being angry he is bold without discretion. Your way now is to work up the enthusiasm of your men, then break camp and advance. Do this in a series of marches, and you will excite your enemy up to the point of giving battle, when you can capture him. They call this the 'Ruse of the Interchange of Host and Guest.'”
So Huang Chung collected all the things his men liked, and made them presents, till the sound of rejoicing filled the whole valley and the men were hot to fight. Then camp was broken, and the army marched forward a certain distance. Then they encamped. After some days' rest the manœuvre was repeated; and then again.
When tidings of the advance reached Hsiahou Yüan, he proposed to go out and fight.
“No, no,” said the prudent Chang Ho. “This is a wellknown ruse, and you should remain on the defensive. You will lose if you fight.”
Hsiahou was not the man to stomach this moderate advice, so he sent out Hsiahou Shang to give battle. As soon as this force reached the camp of Huang Chung, he mounted and rode out to fight. In the very first bout he captured Hsiahou Shang. Those who escaped told how their leader had been captured, and Hsiahou Yüan at once sent to offer an exchange of prisoners. This was agreed to, to be effected the following day in front of both armies.
So next day both sides were arrayed in a spot where the valley widened, the two leaders on horseback beneath their respective standards. Beside each stood his prisoner. Neither was encumbered with robe or helmet, but each wore thin, simple dress. At the first beat of the drum each started to race over to his own side. Just as Hsiahou Shang reached the ranks of his own side, Huang Chung shot an arrow and wounded him in the back. The wounded man did not fall, but went on.
But Hsiahou Yüan, mad with rage, could contain himself no longer. He galloped straight at Huang Chung, which was exactly what the latter wanted to irritate him into doing. The fight that then ensued went on for a score of bouts, when suddenly the gongs clanged out from Hsiahou Yüan’s side and ​he drew off, losing some men while doing so. When he reached his own side he asked why the gong had sounded.
“Because we saw the banners of Shu through openings in the hills in several places and we feared an ambush.”
The leader believed them, and did not return to the battlefield; he simply remained defensive. Before long, Huang Chung had got quite near to the Ts‘ao camp, and then he asked further advice from his colleague.
Fa Chêng pointed over to the hills, and said, “There rises a steep hill on the west of Tingchün Mountain, difficult of access, but from its summit one has a complete view of the defences of the enemy. If you can take this hill, the mountain lies in the hollow of your hand.”
Huang looked up and saw the top of the hill was a small tableland and there were very few men there. So that evening he left his camp, dashed up the hill, drove out the small host there and took it. It was just opposite Tingchün Mount.
Then said Fa Chêng, “Now take up position half way up the hill, while I go to the top. When the enemy appears I will show a white flag. But you will remain quiet till the enemy become tired and remiss, when I will hoist a red flag. That will be the signal for attack.
Huang cheerfully prepared to act on this plan. In the meantime Tu Hsi, who had been driven from the hill-top, had run back and reported the loss of the hill to Hsiahou Yüan.
“With Huang Chung in occupation of that hill I simply must give battle,” said he.
Chang Ho strongly dissuaded him, saying the whole thing was but a ruse of Fa Chêng’s, but Hsiahou Yüan was obstinate.
“From the top of that hill the whole of our position is visible, our strength and our weakness; I must fight.”
In vain were the remonstrances repeated. Hsiahou Yüan set out his men to surround the hill and then began to vent his rage at his enemy so as to incite him to give battle.
Then the white flag was hoisted. However, Hsiahou Yüan was allowed to fume and rage in vain. He tried every form of insult, but no one appeared. In the afternoon the men became weary and dispirited. Plainly their eagerness had gone; and Fa Chêng unfurled the red flag.
Then the drums rolled out, and the men shouted till the earth seemed to shake as the hoary old leader rode out and led his men down the slope with a roar as of an earthquake. Hsiahou Yüan was too surprised to defend himself. His chief enemy rushed straight to his standard and with a thundering shout raised his sword and cleft Hsiahou Yüan through between the head and shoulders so that he fell in two pieces.
Hoary headed is he, but he goes up to battle; Gray haired, yet recklessly mighty; With his strong arms he bends the bow,
The arrows fly. With the swiftness of the wind he rides, The white sword gleams. The sound of his voice is as the roar of a tiger, His steed is fleet as a dragon in flight. Victory is his and its rich rewards, For he extends the domain of his lord.
At the death of their captain, the soldiers fled for their lives, and Huang captured the mount. Chang Ho came out to oppose him, but, attacked at two points by Huang Chung and Ch'ên Shih, he could not stand. He lost the day and fled. However, before he had gone far, another cohort flashed out from the hills and barred his way. And the leader was Chao Yün. Confused and uncertain what to do, he led his men toward Tingchun Mount. But a body of soldiers came out to stop him and said that the mount was in the hands of the enemy. So he and Tu Hsi joined their forces and went to the Han Waters, where they camped.
Thence they sent to tell Ts‘ao Ts‘ao of their defeat. At the news of the death of his favourite, he uttered a great cry and then he understood the prediction of the soothsayer, Kuan Lu, that the sortes showed opposition. It was the twenty-fourth year of the period, the yellow boar had met the tiger and the year of the cycle was the thirty-sixth. The expedition had suffered a loss indeed by the death of a general, and the death had taken place at the mount known as “Army Halt.” The affection between Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and his captain had been very close.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao sent to enquire the whereabouts of Kuan Lu, but no one knew.
Ts‘ao nourished feelings of resentment against the slayer of his friend, and he led his army out against Tingchün Mount to avenge his death. Hsü Huang led the van. When the army reached the Han Waters, Chang Ho and Tu Hsi joined them.
They said to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “This mount is lost. Before marching farther, the stores in Granary Hill should be moved north.”
And Ts‘ao Ts‘ao agreed.
Huang Chung cut off the head of Hsiahou Yüan and took it to Yüan-tê when he reported his victory. For his services he was rewarded with the title “Conqueror of the West,” and great banquets were given in his honour.
While these were going on, his colleague, Ch'ên Shih, brought the news of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army of twenty legions on the way to avenge his friend’s loss; and the supplies on Granary Hill were being moved north.
Then said K‘ung-ming, “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is certainly short of supplies. If we can burn what he has and destroy his baggage train he will have but little spirit left to fight.”
“I am willing to undertake the task,” said Huang Chung.
​“Remember Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is a different sort of man from your latest victim.”
Yüan-tê said, “After all, Hsiahou Yüan was but a bold warrior. It would have been ten times better to have killed Chang Ho.”
“I will go and kill him,” said the aged one, firing up.
“Then go with Chao Yün,” said K‘ung-ming; “act in concert and see who can do best.”
Huang Chung agreed to this condition, and Chang Cho was sent as second.
Soon after the army had marched out, Chao Yün asked of his colleague what plan he had prepared against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army of twenty legions in their ten camps, and how the stores of grain and forage were to be destroyed.
“I am going to lead,” said Huang Chung.
“No wait; I am going first,” said Chao Yün.
“But I am the senior leader; you are only my second,” said Huang Chung.
“No; you and I are equal in responsibility and both anxious to render good service. We are no rivals. We are no rivals. Let us cast lots for who is to lead the way.”
They did so, and the aged one gained precedence.
“Since you have won the right to make the first attempt, you must let me help you,” said Chao Yün. “Now let us decide upon a fixed time, and if you have returned by that time I shall not need to stir. But if at that time you have not come back then I shall come to reinforce you.”
“That suits me admirably,” said Huang Chung.
So they decided upon noon as the time; and Chao Yün went back to his own camp, where he called in his next in command and said, “My friend Huang is going to try to burn the stores to-morrow. If he has not returned at noon I am to go to aid him. You are to guard our camp, which is in a dangerous place by the river, but you are not to move out unless compelled.”
Huang Chung went back to his camp and said to his senior captain, Chang, “I have slain one leader and cowed another. I am going to destroy the enemy’s store of grain to-morrow, taking with me most of the men. You are to come and assist me. A meal for the men is to be ready about midnight to-night, and we shall move at the fourth watch. We shall march to the foot of their hill, capture Chang Ho and then start the fire.”
All being ready, they set out—Huang Chung leading—and stole across the Han Waters to the foot of the hills. As the sun got up out of the east, they saw before them mountains of grain and only a few men on watch. These fled at first sight of the men of Shu. The horsemen dismounted and began to collect brushwood and pile it round the grain heaps. Just as they ​were starting the fire, there appeared a cohort led by Chang Ho, who at once began a fight with Huang Chung. Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao heard of the fight and sent Hsü Huang to help. He came up in the rear, and Huang Chung was surrounded. Chang Cho with a small company tried to get away to their camp, but they were intercepted by Wên P‘ing, and more men coming up by the rear he also was surrounded. Both were in difficulties.
Meanwhile, time passed and noon came with no news of Huang Chung. Wherefore Chao Yün girded on his armour, took three companies with him and went to his aid. Just as he was leaving he again warned Chang I to keep good watch.
“Guard the camp most carefully; see that you have archers and crossbow men on both sides.”
“Yes, yes,” said Chang.
Chao Yün rode off, spear in hand, and went out to give battle where he could find the enemy. Soon he fell in with one of Wên P‘ing’s companies: these were easily disposed of. Then he came to the real press. A cohort barred his way, led by Chiao Ping of Wei.
“Where are the soldiers of Shu?” cried Chao Yün.
“All killed,” cried Chiao Ping.
Chao Yün angrily dashed forward and thrust Chiao Ping through so that he died. The cohort scattered, and Chao Yün went on to the foot of the north hills, where he found Huang Chung surrounded. With a yell he dashed at the encircling ring, thrusting this way and shoving that, so that every one shrank and recoiled before him. The mighty spear laid low his opponents as the whirlwind scatters the petals of the wild pear tree till they lie on the bosom of the earth like snowflakes. Panic seized Chang Ho and Hsü Huang, so that they dared not stand in his way, and thus Chao Yün fought his way through and rescued his fellow warrior. Then they fought their way out and none could withstand them.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had been watching the course of the fighting from a high place, and when he saw a doughty warrior forcing his way into the press and all going down before him he asked of his officers if they knew who the hero was.
“That is Chao Yün of Ch‘angshan,” replied one who knew him.
“So the hero of Tangyang is still alive,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.
He gave general orders to his men not to attack Chao Yün without being sure of success, no matter where they met him.
Having rescued his colleague and got clear of the battle, someone pointed out Chang Cho hemmed in on a hill not far off. Wherefore Chao Yün went to his relief before going back to his own camp. He had little need to fight, for Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s soldiers no sooner saw the name emblazoned on the banners than they fled without more ado.
​But it filled Ts‘ao Ts‘ao with rage to see his men falling away before Chao Yün, who marched on as though no one would think of standing in his way, and he went in pursuit himself with his officers.
Chao Yün reached his own camp, where he was welcomed by Chang I. But a cloud of dust was seen in the distance, and they knew Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was in that cloud and coming upon them.
“Let us bar the gates while we make preparation,” said Chang I.
“Do not bar the gates,” said Chao Yün. “Have you never heard of my exploit at Tangyang, when I laughed at Ts‘ao’s many legions? Now that I have an army at my back and captains to help, what is there to fear?”
Then he placed the archers and the bowmen in a covered position outside, while he threw down all the weapons and flags within. And no drums beat. But he himself, alone, stood outside the gate of the camp.
It was dusk when Chang Ho and Hsü Huang neared the camp of the men of Shu. They saw that the ensigns and weapons had been overthrown, and no drums beat at their approach. They also saw the one figure of the doughty warrior at the gate, and then they halted and dared advance no farther. While they hesitated, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao arrived and urged his army to march quicker. They answered with a shout and made a dash forward—but they saw the one figure at the gate, and every man stood still. And before long, man by man they turned about and went away. Then Chao Yün beckoned to his men to come out of the moat, and the archers and bowmen began to shoot. The men of Ts‘ao knew not in the dusk how many their enemies were, but terror seized upon them and they ran, each trying to be first. And as they ran the drums rolled and the men shouted and pursued, till the flight became a perfect rout and a confused mass of men reached the banks of the Han Waters. The press continuing, many were forced into the river and were drowned.
The three captains of Shu followed close on the heels of the routed army, and while Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was making off with all speed, two other captains of Shu came along and set fire to all the army stores of food and forage. Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao abandoned the northern hill stores and set out hastily for Nanchün. Chang Ho and Hsü Huang could make no stand, and they also abandoned their camps, which Chao Yün at once occupied. Beside the stores of food, the victors collected countless weapons along the banks of the river.
They sent news of the victory to Liu Pei, who came with K‘ung-ming to the scene of the victory, and there they heard the full story of Chao Yün’s prowess. And Yüan-tê was glad, and when he had seen the steepness and difficulties of the surrounding hills and understood the fine deeds of valour that ​had been done, he turned to K‘ung-ming and said, “Truly, the man is brave all through.”
Behold Chao Yün, the warrior of Ch‘angshan, Whose whole body is valour; Formerly he fought at Ch‘angpan, And his courage to-day is no less. He rushes into the array to manifest his heroism; Surrounded by his enemies, He is dauntless and daring. Devils howl and spirits cry, The sky is afaid and earth trembles. Such is Chao Yün, the brave, Whose whole body is valour.
For his services Yüan-tê gave Chao Yün the title of “Tiger Terror.” And the men of his army were rewarded and there was banqueting to a late hour.
Soon it was reported that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was coming again down through Hsieh Valley to try to capture the Han Waters. But Yüan-tê laughed, saying, “He will not succeed, for I think that we shall gain command of the river.”
Then he led his army west of the river to oppose him. When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao drew near he sent out Hsü Huang to lead the van and open the battle. A certain Wang P‘ing, who said he knew the country, offered to go as well, and he was sent as second in command.
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao camped on the north of Tingchün Mount, and his advanced guard marched away making for the River Han. And when they reached the bank, Hsü Huang gave orders to cross to the other side.
“To cross the river is well,” said his second, “but what if you have to retreat?”
“When Han Hsin made his array with a river in his rear, he said that out of the place of death one could return to life.”
“You are mistaken now. The cases are not the same, for then Han Hsin knew his opponents were unskilful. Have you reckoned upon the skill of our opponents, Chao Yün and Huang Chung?”
“You may lead the footmen to hold the enemy while I destroy them with the horsemen,” said Hsü Huang.
Then bridges were built and the army crossed.
A man of Wei blindly quotes Han Hsin, In a minister of Shu who whould recognise another Chang Liang?
Who won the victory will next be revealed.