The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 (20 page)

“Why, General, all you need to do is to find their father so as to buy them from him with a thousand gold pieces and send them over to Cao Cao. The object of the expedition being attained, he will certainly withdraw satisfied. This is the scheme that Fan Li
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of Yue once used when he sent the beauty Xi Shi to the king of Wu in the old days. Why not do it quickly?”

“How do you know he so greatly desires these two maidens?” asked Zhou Yu.

“Because his youngest son, Cao Zhi, who is an able writer, at the command of his father wrote a poem entitled ‘Ode to the Bronze Bird Tower’ in which he focuses on the themes of their family’s fitness to obtain the throne and the determination to get the two Qiao girls.”

“Do you remember the poem?” asked Zhou Yu.

“I liked its beautiful language so I made an effort to learn it by heart,” replied Zhuge Liang.

“Pray recite it for me,” said Zhou Yu.

Then Zhuge Liang recited the poem in full:

Let me follow our wise ruler in pursuit of pleasure,

And ascend the terraced tower to gladden my heart,
I see the wide extent of the heavenly palace,
And gaze upon the plans of his virtuous soul.

The exalted gates rise high as hills,
The double watchtowers pierce the blue vault
It stands so beautifully in the midst of the heavens,
And ranges with the lofty pavilions of the west city,
Overlooking the rolling waves of the Zhang River,
And the abundance of fruits in the nearby orchards.

The two turrets, one on either flank,
This named Jade Dragon, and that Golden Phoenix.

Holding in his arms the two Qiao beauties from the southeast
He enjoys morn and eve in their company.

He looks down at the grand beauty of an imperial city,
And glances up at the floating clouds.

He rejoices at the multitude of scholars that assemble
In answer to the felicitous dream of the winged bear
He breathes harmony in the warm spring breeze
And listens to the doleful songs of the birds
The lofty tower stands erect beneath the sky
The double wishes of the family are blessed with success.

His benevolence pours out over all the world,
His capital is bathed in solemn dignity.

Even the richly prosperous rules of Han and Wen
Cannot compare with his wise and sensible reign.

What fortune! What beauty!

The gracious kindness spreads afar,

Our imperial house is supported by all
And peace reigns over the entire land.

Bounded only by the universe,
Bright as the glory of the sun and moon,
Ever honorable and ever enduring,
Our ruler will live to the age of the Eastern Emperor.
With dragon banners he travels to the farthest limit
In phoenix chariot he returns home from afar.

His benevolence is felt throughout the four seas,
His state prospers and his people live in affluence.
May the tower endure for ever and ever,
May joy never cease through all the ages.

Zhou Yu listened to the end and then flew up in a rage. He left his seat and, pointing to the north, he cried, “You old rascal—this insult is too deep!”

Zhuge Liang hastily rose too and, as if to soothe him, said, “But remember when the nomads constantly invaded the Han borders, the Emperor gave their sultan a princess as wife. That was the price of peace. You surely should not grudge two women from the common folks.”

“You do not know, sir,” said Zhou Yu. “These two women you mentioned—the elder is the widow of General Sun Ce and the younger is my wife!”

Zhuge Liang feigned the greatest astonishment and apologized profusely, “No, indeed, I did not know. I have certainly blundered. It is unforgivable! I deserve death!”

“One of us has to go, either the old rebel or I—we will not both live,” cried Zhou Yu.

“Well, you had better give it more thought before you decide,” cautioned Zhuge Liang. “Otherwise you may regret it later.”

Zhou Yu replied, “General Sun Ce, our late lord, placed a great trust in me. I will never submit to Cao Cao. What I said just now was only to test you. In fact, when I left the lake I was already thinking of attacking the north, and nothing can change my mind, not even when the sword or the ax is on my neck. But I trust you will help me and we will smite Cao Cao together.”

“If you trust me I will be happy enough to render such humble services as I can,” said Zhuge Liang. “Perhaps I might be able to offer a plan to oppose him.”

“I will see my lord tomorrow to discuss this matter,” said Zhou Yu. Then Zhuge Liang and Lu Su left.

Early the next morning Sun Quan went to the council chamber, where his officials, both civil and military, were already assembled. They numbered about three score in all. The civil, with Zhang Zhao at their head, were on the right while the military, with Cheng Pu as their leader, were ranged on the left. All were in full ceremonial attire and the pendants or swords they wore clanked as they moved. Soon Zhou Yu entered to pay his respects and Sun Quan received him with gracious greetings.

Zhou Yu said, “I hear that Cao Cao is encamped on the river and has sent a letter to you. I wonder what your opinion is, my lord.”

Sun Quan showed him the letter. After reading it through Zhou Yu said with a smile, “The old rebel must think there are no able men on our land that he dares insult us so.”

“What do you think?” asked Sun Quan.

“Have you discussed this with the officials?” asked Zhou Yu.

“We have been discussing this for days. Some advise me to surrender, and others urge me to fight. I cannot make up my mind and therefore I have asked you to come and decide it for me.”

“Who has advised you to surrender?” asked Zhou Yu.

“Zhang Zhao and the other civil advisors.”

Zhou Yu then turned to Zhang Zhao and said, “I would like to hear why you are for surrender, sir.”

Zhang Zhao replied, “Cao Cao has been attacking all his rivals in the name of the Emperor, who is entirely under his control. Every time he starts an expedition he declares he is acting with a decree from the government. His latest occupation of Jingzhou has further increased his strength. Our only defense against him is the river, but now he also has a fleet of thousands of boats, so he can attack us both on land and on water. How can we hope to withstand him? Therefore I advise our lord to submit for the present and wait till some chance is offered later.”

“This is but the opinion of a pedant,” said Zhou Yu. “How can we think of abandoning this country that we have held for three generations?”

“If so,” said Sun Quan, “what do you propose to do?”

“Though Cao Cao assumes the title of prime minister of the empire, he is actually a rebel. You, General, are a genius in warfare and a brave warrior. From your father and brother you have inherited the vast territory of Wu and Yue. You command a good army and possess plentiful supplies. It is time for you to overrun the whole country and rid it of every evil. There is no reason why you should surrender to a rebel.

“Moreover, Cao Cao has undertaken this campaign in defiance of all the rules of war. First, the north is unsubdued and his rear is threatened by Ma Teng and Han Sui, yet he persists in his southern expeditions. Secondly, the northern men are unused to fighting on water; yet he is relinquishing his well-tried cavalry and trusting to his fleet to fight us. Thirdly, we are now in the middle of winter and the weather is at its coldest, so there will be no fodder for his horses. Fourthly, his soldiers, who have been driven far away from the north to march in a wet country among lakes and rivers, will find themselves in an alien climate and are likely to fall ill. Since Cao Cao has violated so many rules of war, his defeat is certain, however numerous his army. This is your very chance to capture Cao Cao. Give me several hundred thousand veterans and I will go and destroy him.”

Sun Quan, greatly inspired, rose to his feet and said, “The rebellious old rascal has been longing for years to overthrow the Hans and set himself up as emperor. Now he has eliminated all those he feared, save only myself. I swear I will fight it out with him till one of us perishes. Your proposal of going to war against him, my good General, is just what I think. Heaven has certainly sent you to my assistance.”

“I will fight to the death for you,” said Zhou Yu, “and never shrink from any sacrifice but I fear, my lord, you might not have made up your mind.”

Sun Quan drew the sword that hung at his side and slashed a corner off the table in front of him, exclaiming, “Let any man mention surrender again and he shall suffer the same fate as this table.”

Then he handed the sword to Zhou Yu and appointed him commander-in-chief of his army. Cheng Pu became second in command and Lu Su was nominated as his aide. In conclusion Sun Quan said, “With this sword you are authorized to slay any civil or military official who dares disobey your commands.”

Zhou Yu took the sword, and turning to the assembly said, “You have all heard. Our lord has charged me to lead you to destroy Cao Cao. I want you all to assemble at the riverside camp tomorrow to receive my orders. Should anyone be late or absent, full military law will be enforced—he will be punished according to the seven prohibitions and the fifty-four penalties.”

After taking leave of Sun Quan he left the chamber. The others said nothing but dispersed.

When Zhou Yu reached his own place he sent for Zhuge Liang for consultation. He told him of the decision that had been taken and asked him for a good plan to deal with Cao Cao.

“But your master is still in doubt,” said Zhuge Liang. “We cannot make our plans now.”

“What do you mean?” asked Zhou Yu.

“In his heart he is still fearful of Cao Cao’s massive numbers and is worried that they might be too much for your small army to overcome. You will have to explain away those numbers and bring him to a final decision before anything can be effected.”

“You are absolutely right,” agreed Zhou Yu and he went to see his master again that night.

Sun Quan said, “It must be something of real importance that has brought you here tonight.”

“I am going to deploy our forces tomorrow,” said Zhou Yu. “Do you still have any doubts in your heart, my lord?”

“Well, I am a bit nervous about the disparity in number between our army and his,” said Sun Quan. “That is my only doubt.”

“I have come specially to remove this doubt of yours. Let me explain. Cao Cao’s letter speaks of a million soldiers both on land and water, and that makes you feel so worried that you no longer try to find out his real strength. In fact, his own force from the central areas amounts to only 150–160,000, and all of them have long been fatigued. Then he got some 70–80,000 men from the Yuans, but many of those are still doubtful and unwilling to fight. Now these two forces combined may seem a great many but as they are either exhausted or doubtful, they are not at all fearsome. I can smash them with 50,000 men. So, there is no need to worry, my lord.”

Sun Quan patted his general on the back and said, “You have certainly explained away my doubt. Zhang Zhao is no strategist and has failed me completely. Only you and Lu Su have a real understanding of my heart. Tomorrow you two and Cheng Pu can pick your troops and start the expedition at once. I will follow with a strong reserve force with plentiful supplies to support you. If anything goes awry you can at once call for aid from me and I will fight a decisive battle with Cao Cao myself.”

Zhou Yu thanked him and left, but deep in his heart he felt uneasy. He thought, “So Zhuge Liang had already guessed what was on my master’s mind. He’s too clever for me and will eventually be a danger to us. I’d better put him out of the way now.”

So that very night he sent a messenger to ask Lu Su to come to him and told him what he intended to do. Lu Su, however, did not approve.

“Oh, no,” Lu Su objected. “It’s self-destructive to make away with your ablest advisor before Cao Cao is destroyed.”

“But he’s Liu Bei’s man and will surely be a threat to us,” said Zhou Yu.

“Zhuge Jin is his elder brother,” said Lu Su. “You can ask him to persuade Zhuge Liang to come over to our side. Wouldn’t it be an excellent thing?”

“Yes, indeed,” replied Zhou Yu.

The next morning Zhou Yu went to his camp and took his seat in the council tent. On both sides stood guards holding swords or axes. And the officers assembled to listen to his orders.

All came except Cheng Pu, who being older than Zhou Yu, was angry at his inferior position. So he stayed away from the assembly, excusing himself as indisposed, and sent his son instead to represent him.

Zhou Yu addressed the gathering: “The law knows no partiality and you must all attend to your own duties. Cao Cao is now more of a tyrant than Dong Zhuo. He has imprisoned the Emperor in the capital and assembled a most cruel army on our borders. I have received a command to destroy Cao Cao and you must all strive to press forward. Remember also that the army must not inflict hardship on the people. Rewards for good services and punishments for faults will be given impartially.”

Having delivered this speech he appointed Han Dang and Huang Gai as leaders of the vanguard troops. They were to advance at once with their own fleet and sail to the meeting place of the three rivers, where they were to encamp and await further orders. Then he assigned ten officers to lead five more forces, with two officers in each, to follow the van in quick succession. Another two officers were appointed inspectors to ensure that the troops mobilized in the six districts of their region would advance by land and water and reach their destination by the pre-arranged time.