Gansu

“ I shall tell Ts‘ao Jên to besiege Yenchou and I shall go to Puyang.”
When Ch‘ên Kung heard of the enemy’s approach he spoke, saying “The enemy will be fatigued with long marches so attack quickly before they have time to recover.”
Lü Pu replied, “I, a single horseman, am afraid of none. I go and come as I will. Think you I fear this Ts‘ao Ts‘ao? Let him settle his camp; I will take him after that.”
Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao neared Puyang and he made a camp. And soon after he led out his commanders and they arrayed their men in open and desert country. ”

“ So forthwith Liu Pei, leaving Mi Chu and Chien Yung at Hsüchou, went south, taking in his train his brothers and Sun Ch‘ien. And Ts‘ao led his army to Hsiaop‘ei.
Lü Pu felt very secure in his refuge. He had good store of grain and he had the protection of the river, so he sat quiet, satisfied that he could maintain his defence. So he allowed Ts‘ao’s army to approach without molestation.
“You ought to attack Ts‘ao’s army as they come up before they have time to make camps and defences. They will only have fatigued men to oppose to your fresh troops and you will certainly defeat them.” ”

“ Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “Liu Pei has his army at Hsüchou and he carries on the administration of the prefecture. Lü Pu fled to him when defeated and Pei gave him Hsiaop‘ei to live in. If these two agreed to join forces and attack, my position would be most serious. What precautions can be taken?”
Then rose Hsü Ch‘u, saying, “Give me five legions and I will give the Minister both their heads.”
Hsün Yü said, “O Leader, you are brave, but you are no strategist. You cannot start sudden war just as the capital has been changed. However, there is a certain ruse known as The Rival Tigers. ”

“ Then Kuan Yü rode out with his huge and weighty moon-curved sword and attacked Lü Pu on the other flank. The three steeds stood like the letter T and their riders battered away at each other for nearly two score bouts, yet still Lü Pu stood firm. Then Liu Yüan-tê rode out to his brothers’ aid, his double sword raised ready to strike. The steed with the flowing mane was urged in at an angle and now Lü Pu had to contend with three warriors at whom he struck one after another, and they at him, the flashing of the warriors’ weapons looking like the revolving lamps suspended at the new year. ”

“ Now Sun Ts‘ê acquired a new adherent in the person of Ch‘ên Wu. He was a soldier of middle height, sallow of complexion and dark eye, an odd looking man. But Sun held him in high esteem, gave him rank and put him in the van for the attack on Hsüeh Li. As van-leader he and half a score horsemen made a dash into the enemy’s formation, where they slew half a hundred men. So Hsüeh Li would not fight but remained within his defences. As Sun was attacking the city a spy came in with the news that Liu Yu and Chai Jung had gone to attack Nuichu, which made Sun move thither in haste. ”

“ Once the evil Tsau Tsau had incited the enemies of his master, the Emperor, to take the city by treachery. When Guan Yu heard of it he hastened up with an army to relieve the town. But he fell into an ambush, and, together with his son, was brought a captive to the capital of the enemy's land. The prince of that country would have been glad to have had him go over to his side; but Guan Yu swore that he would not yield to death himself. Thereupon father and son were slain. When he was dead, his horse Red Hare ceased to eat and died. ”

“ He then held talks with Guo Si, Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, saying, "Although Lü Bu is brave, he lacks a strategic mind, and is not worth worrying about. I will take my army and block the opening to the valley. Every day, I will draw him into a fight. General Guo will take his army and flank Bu, taking his rear. We will do it the same way that Peng Yue did when he circled to the rear of Chu: sounding the gongs will mean to advance, and beating the drums will mean to retreat. Zhang and Fan will split up, and make a two-pronged direct assault on Chang'an. ”

“ Kungsun Tsan told them it was Kuan Yü, brother of Liu Yüan-tê.
“And what is he?”
“He is in the train of Liu Yüan-tê as a mounted archer.”
“An insult to us all!” roared the chief’s brother from his place. “Have we no leader? How dare an archer speak thus before us? Let us beat him forth!”
But Tsʻao Tsʻao intervened. “Peace, O Kung-lu! Since he speaks great words, he is certainly valiant. Let him try. If he fail, then you may reproach him.”
“Hua Hsiung will laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him,” said the chief.”
“He looks no common person. ”

“ You must confess that the State has rewarded you liberally. True, Kuo has seized the officers of State, but you have done the same to “The Most Revered.” Who is worse than the other?”
Li angrily drew his sword and shouted, “Did the Son of Heaven send you to mock and shame me?”
But Yang Fêng checked him. “Kuo Ssŭ is still alive,” said he, “and to slay the imperial messenger would be giving him a popular excuse to raise an army against you. And all the nobles would join him.” ”

“ Kuo Ssŭ’s army arrived and Li Ts‘ui went out to give battle. Kuo’s men had no success and retired. Then Li Ts‘ui removed the imperial captives to Meiwu with his nephew as gaoler. Supplies were reduced and famine showed itself on the faces of the eunuchs. The Emperor sent to Li to request five measures of rice and five sets of bullock bones for his attendants. Li angrily replied, “The Court gets food morning and evening; why do they ask for more?” ”

“ Ts‘ao said, “I wish to attack Lü Pu. I fear not Yüan Shao, but Liu Piao and Chang Hsiu may attack me in the rear.”
Hsün Yü replied. “Both these latter have been too recently defeated to do anything so rash. But Lü Pu is a bold fighting man, and if he joined forces with Yüan Shu and they set themselves to conquer Huai and Ssŭ [1] the problem would be difficult.”
Then spoke Kuo Chia, “Let us take advantage of the moment before they have fully made up their mind. Smite before they are fully prepared.” And Ts‘ao Ts‘ao did so. Five legions with four captains were sent in advance. ”

“ Then he went to offer the head to Lü Pu. Lü Pu enquired into the matter and when a follower told him the truth, he put the double traitor to death.
Then he advanced against the rebels and fell in with Li Ts‘ui’s force. Without giving them time to form in battle array, he attacked. Horses curvetting and spears set, the men dashed in irresistibly and Li Ts‘ui, making no stand, fell back a long way. He took up a position under a hill and thence sent to call his fellows to council.
Li Ts‘ui said, “Lü Pu though brave in battle is no strategist and so not really formidable. ”

“ At sight of the yellow umbrella Li Ts‘ui and Kuo Ssŭ checked their men and they all shouted “Long life O Emperor!” (Wan-sui!) . The Emperor stood by the tower and addressed them, “Nobles, what means it that you enter the capital in this unruly manner and without my summons?”
The two leaders looked up and said, “Tung Cho, Your Majesty’s Minister, has been slain by Wang Yün and we are here to avenge him. We are no rebels, Sire. Let us only have Wang Yün and we draw off our men.” ”

“ When his army approached the people used to flee in terror, but when it had arrived and they saw that no one was permitted to loot and not the least attempt was made on their houses, they rejoiced and presented the soldiers with oxen and wine, for which they were in turn duly rewarded. Gladness filled the country side. The soldiers who had followed Liu Yu were kindly treated. Those who wished to join Sun’s army did so; those who preferred not to be soldiers were sent home with presents. And thus Sun Ts‘ê won the respect and praise of every one in Kiangnan and became very powerful. ”

“ At once a leader appeared in front in whom, by the glare of the torches, he recognised Sun Ts‘ê. Chou Hsin made a rush at him but fell under Sun Ts‘ê’s spear. The men surrendered. However, the White Tiger managed to cut his way out.
Wang Lang soon heard of the loss and not daring to return to the city retreated in all haste to Haiyü. And so Sun Ts‘ê got possession of the city.
Having restored order, a few days later a man came bringing the head of the White Tiger as an offering to Sun Ts‘ê. This man was a native of the district. He was of medium height, with a square face and wide mouth. ”

“ The redoubtable Hsü Ch‘u went to fight with him, but after a score of bouts neither combatant was any the worse.
“He is not the sort that one man can overcome,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and he sent Tien Wei to assist. Lü Pu stood the double onslaught. Soon after the flank commanders joined in and Lü Pu had six opponents. These proved really too many for him so he turned his horse and rode back to the city.
But when the members of the T‘ien family saw him coming back beaten they raised the drawbridge. Pu shouted to open the gates, but the T‘iens said, “We have gone over to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” ”

“ That crafty leader shore his locks when forfeit was his head,
O full of guile wert thou, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, as every one has said.
On the first news of the approach of Tsʻao Tsʻao with an army Chang Hsiu wrote to Liu Piao for help. Then he sent out his men under command of Lei Hsü and Chang Hsien. When the array was complete Chang Hsiu took his station in front and pointing at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao railed at him saying, “O false and pretended supporter of benevolence and justice! O shameless one! You are just a beast of the forest, and absolutely devoid of humanity.” ”

“ You had better remove him.”
“Now is just the time to make use of good men. I will not forfeit the regard of the world for the sake of removing one individual. Kuo Fêng-hsiao and I both see this in the same light.”
Wherefore he rejected all persuasion to work against Liu Pei but sent him soldiers and a large supply of grain, and set him on his way to Yü (Honan) . He was to march to Hsiaop‘ei, occupy it, call together his former soldiers and attack Lü Pu.
When Liu Pei reached Yüchou he sent to inform Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who prepared to march an army to subjugate Lü Pu. ”

“ Sun Ce said, “Now that I’m here, why don’t you surrender?” A person from behind Liu Yao raised his spear and rode out on his horse. It was Yu Mi, one of his junior officers. Yu fought with Ce for no more than three rounds, before he was captured alive by Ce. Ce wheeled his horse around, and headed back toward his lines. When Fan Neng, another one of Liu Yao’s generals, saw that Yu Mi had been captured, he raised his spear and gave chase. The spear was thrusting toward the middle of Ce’s back, when a soldier from Ce’s lines shouted out, “Behind you! Someone’s trying to get the drop on you!” ”

“ It's like leading a tiger into a group of lambs." Fu responded, "I am a former employee of the Yuan family, and I know that my abilities do not match those of Benchu. The ancients would select men of talent and then defer to them. Why are you all so jealous of him?" Geng Wu sighed, saying, "Jizhou is done for!" After that, more than thirty people abandoned their posts; only Geng Wu and Guan Chun remained hidden outside of the city walls, in anticipation of Yuan Shao's arrival. ”

“ The rebel leader rode out to the front saying, “I know this district is fruitful and can well spare ten thousand ‘stone’ of grain. Give me that and we retire: refuse, and we will batter down the city walls and destroy every soul.”
The Prefect shouted back, “I am a servant of the great Hans, entrusted with the safety of their land. Think you I will feed rebels?”
The leader Kuan Hai whipped his steed, whirled his sword around his head and rode forward. Tsung Pao, one of K‘ung’s captains, set his spear and rode out to give him battle, but after a very few bouts was cut down. ”

“ General Zhang Ying said, "I will station an army at Niuzhu. Even if he has a million soldiers, he won't be able to get close to you." Before he could finish speaking, a subordinate yelled out, "I volunteer to take the lead." Everyone looked at him. It was Taishi Ci from Huang County. After Ci broke through the enemy lines at Beihai, he made his way to Liu Yao, who retained him as a subordinate. As soon as he heard that Sun Ce had arrived, he volunteered to be in the vanguard. Yao said, "You are still young. You're not yet ready to be a general. ”

“ His chief secretary Zhang Zhao said, “Their forces were attacked by Zhou Yu at Qu’e, and they have lost the will to fight. Tonight is the perfect time to raid their camp.” Sun Ce followed the advice. That evening, he divided his troops into five units. Each following a different route, they rapidly advanced over a long distance. Liu Yao’s army suffered a major defeat, and all of them fled in disarray. Taishi Ci was having difficulty carrying on alone, so he made his way throughout the night toward Jing County, accompanied by a dozen or so mounted troops. ”

“ Hardly a bowshot outside the gate they saw a thick cloud of dust out of which came all the clash and clamour of an advancing army. The Emperor and his Consort were dumb with fear. Then appeared a horseman; he was the messenger returning from Shantung. He rode up to the chariot, made an obeisance and said, “General Ts‘ao, as commanded, is coming with all the military force of Shantung, but hearing that Li and Kuo had again approached the capital he has sent Hsiahou Tun in advance. With him are many capable leaders and five legions of proved soldiers. They will guard Your Majesty.” ”

“ When Zan received the letter and saw that he and Shao were to jointly attack Jizhou, and then split up the land between them, he was overjoyed and raised an army that very day. Shao also sent someone to secretly tip off Han Fu. Fu hastily gathered together his two advisors Xun Chen and Xin Ping to discuss the matter. Chen said, "Zan will rapidly deploy a large force from the area near Yan and Dai; we will be unable to keep the tips of their spears at bay. Not only that, he will have Liu Bei, Guan and Zhang assisting him. We will have a difficult time fighting off this enemy. ”