Yuan Shao

“ Yuan Shao Fights with Kungsun Tsan at P‘anho:
Sun Chien Attacks Liu Piao.
At the close of the last chapter Sun Chien was surrounded. However he eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of three of his best leaders and more than half his men and he returned to Chiangtung. Henceforward he and Liu Piao were open enemies.
Yüan Shao was in Honei. Being short of supplies he sent to borrow from Ichou, whence he obtained the wherewithal to support his army. Then his adviser, Fêng Chi, said to him, “You are really the strongest power here about, why then depend upon another for food? ”

“ Yüan Shao is Defeated and Loses a Leader:
Kuan Yü Abandons Rank and Wealth.
As the last chapter closed Yüan-tê had been condemned to die. He spoke up, however, and said, “Pray hear one word, Illustrious Sir, before you decide. I have lost sight of my brother since my misfortune at Hsüchou and know not whether Yün-ch‘ang be dead or alive. There are many men in the world who resemble him. Is every red-faced man with a beard named Kuan? Should you not rather seek some evidence?” ”

“ Then he requested Yüan-tê once more to resume his seat in the tent and advise him how to avenge Yen Liang.
Soon from the lower end a voice was heard , saying, “Yen Liang and I were as brothers and can I allow any other to avenge his death?”
The speaker was a man of middle height with a face like a unicorn, a famous leader from Hopei, named Wên Ch‘ou.
Yüan Shao was pleased and said, “You are the only man who can do it. I will give you ten legions and you can cross the Yellow River, and quickly smite that rebel Ts‘ao.”
“You cannot do it; he will fail,” said Chu Shou. ”

“ Ts‘ao heard that these armies had started and at once despatched eight divisions to make a simultaneous attack on the nearly empty camp. Yüan Shao’s men were too dispirited to fight and gave way on all sides.
Yüan Shao without waiting to don his armour went forth in simple dress with an ordinary cap upon his head and mounted his steed. His son Shang followed him. Four of the enemy captains with their men pressed in his rear and Shao hastened across the river, abandoning all his documents and papers, baggage, treasure and stores. Only eight hundred men followed him over the stream. ”

“ So he bade the would-be pursuer begone and say no more about pursuit.
“You were exceedingly good to Kuan Yü,” said Ch‘êng Yü, “but he went off very rudely. He certainly left a screed behind with his reasons, but he affronted you and that is no light matter. Now to let him join Yüan Shao is to add wings to a tiger. You had better catch him and put him to death so as to guard against future evil.”
Ts‘ao replied, “But he had my promise and can I break my word? Each has his master. Do not pursue.” ”

“ Zan said, "He is a cavalry archer for Liu Xuande." From the raised platform inside the tent, Yuan Shu bellowed, "Are you falsely implying that we nobles lack any great generals? Seeing as you're nothing but an archer, how dare you make such outlandish statements! Let me kick him out!" Cao Cao rushed to stop him, saying, "Gonglu, calm down. For this person to make such grandiose statements, he must be brave and cunning. Why not try sending him out. If he doesn't win, it won't yet be too late." Yuan Shao said, "But if we send an archer out to fight, Hua Xiong will laugh at him for sure." ”

“ It was a most complete victory for Ts‘ao and he made over all the spoil to the army.
Among the papers of Yüan Shao was found a bundle of letters showing secret correspondence between him and many persons in the capital and army. Ts‘ao’s personal staff suggested that the names of those concerned should be abstracted and the persons arrested, but their lord said, “Shao was so strong that even I could not be sure of safety; how much less other men?” ”

“ He made up his mind to move. But again the adviser T‘ien intervened. Then Shao grew angry, saying, “You fellows who cultivate literature and despise war have made me miss a lot.”
T‘ien Fêng bowed his head and said, “Neglect your servant’s wise words and you will fail in the field.”
Yüan Shao was so angry that he wanted to put him to death. ”

“ At Yehchün he was met by Yüan Shao in person, with a great escort. Yüan-tê made a humble obeisance which Yüan Shao hastened to return and said, “I have been very distressed that, on account of my son’s illness, I did not come to your aid. It is great joy to see you; the one desire of my life is satisfied.”
Yüan-tê replied, “The poor Liu Pei you see here has long desired to take refuge with you, but fate has hitherto denied him that privilege. Now, attacked by Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, my family lost, I remembered that you, General, would receive gentlemen from all sides. ”

“ Easily moved to anger Yüan Shao was going to execute T‘ien, but this time he forebore at the entreaties of many of his officers. However, he was not appeased, for he said, “I will punish him when I return from conquering Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”
Meanwhile he hastened to start. The banners of his host filled the horizon, their swords were as trees in the forest. They marched to Yangwu and there made a strong camp.
Then Chü Shou once more opposed any hasty movement, saying, “Though our soldiers are many they are not so bold as the enemy; however, veterans as are the enemy they have not ample supplies. ”

“ As they were discussing these things Kuo Chia came in and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao suddenly referred the matter to him.
“If I attack Liu Pei, then Yüan Shao is to be feared: what do you think of it?”
“Shao by nature is dilatory and hesitating and his various advisers are jealous of each other. He is not to be feared. Liu Pei is getting together a new army and has not yet won their hearts. You could settle the east in one battle.”
This advice being in harmony with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s own opinion was pleasing to him and he prepared an army of twenty legions, to move in five divisions against Hsüchou. ”

“ At that time a messenger from Yüan Shao was also there with certain proposals for an alliance and it was necessary to decide which side to espouse. All the advisers came together to consider the question. Then the secretary, Han Sung, said, “As you have now two offers you can please yourself and choose your own way to destroy your enemies, for if one refuse you can follow the other. Now Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is an able general and has many capable men in his train. It looks as though he may destroy Yüan Shao and then move his armies across the river. ”

“ You cannot do better than ask him to assist in administering this district. He will certainly treat you with generosity and you need have no fear from Kungsun Tsan.”
The Prefect agreed and sent a message to Yüan Shao. But the commandant of the palace, Kêng Wu, remonstrated with his master saying, “Yüan Shao is a needy man with a hungry army and as dependent on us for existence as an infant in arms on its mother. Stop the flow of milk and the infant dies. Why should you hand the district over to him? It is nothing less than letting a tiger into the sheepfold.” ”

“ But Yüan dashed his helmet to the ground, crying “The brave man rather faces death in the battle than seeks safety behind a wall!”
This bold speech gave new courage to his men who now fought desperately and with such success that Chao Yün could nowhere force his way in. Shao was soon reinforced by the arrival of his main body and Yen Liang, so that Chao Yün could only just get his master safe out of the press. When clear they both returned to the bridge. ”

“ The other is at Hsüchou, strongly posted, and not to be lightly attacked. More than this, Yüan Shao is at Kuantu and his one desire is to attack you. Any attempt on the east will send Liu Pei to him for help and he will come here at once. Then what will you do?”
“You are at fault,” replied Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “Liu Pei is a bold warrior and if we wait till he is fully fledged and winged, he will be more difficult to deal with. Shao may be strong but he is not to be feared. He is too undecided to act.” ”

“ 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. ”

“ Now the general has listened to Yuan Shao's advice and wants to kill all of us. We beg our empress for mercy!" Empress He replied, "Don't you worry, I will protect you." She then sent a decree which ordered He Jin to enter her chambers. The empress dowager confided in him, "You and me, we're both from humble and lowly origins. If it weren't for Zhang Rang and the others, how could we possibly have attained this wealth and prestige? Jian Shuo has now acted ungraciously, and was killed for his misdeeds. How can you believe what people are saying, and want to kill all of the eunuchs?" ”

“ This was the plan proposed to Yüan-tê: “Yüan Shao is Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s terror. He is strongly posted in an extensive district with a hundred legions of fighting men and many able officers. Write letters and pray him to rescue you.”
Liu Pei replied, “But we have never had any dealings with each other and he is unlikely to do such a thing for one who has just destroyed his brother.”
“There is some one here whose family have been on intimate terms with the Yüans for a hundred years. Shao would surely come if he wrote.”
“And who is this?”
“A man you know well and respect greatly ”

“ The soldiers were told to keep the discovery a secret. But who could guess that one among them was a compatriot of the elected chief of the confederacy? He thought this might be of great advantage to him so he stole away out of the camp and betrayed his master. He received a liberal reward and Yüan Shao kept him in his own camp. So when Sun Chien came to take leave saying “I am rather unwell and wish to return to Changsha,” Shao laughed saying “I know what you are suffering from; it is called the Hereditary Seal!” ”

“ Li Ru said to Zhuo, "In our times, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have both proven to be men of outstanding abilities. As we speak, they are slaughtering each other at the Pan River. We should write a forged edict of the Son of Heaven, and send someone with it so that they will make peace with each other. ”

“ In the night Ts‘ao ordered the advanced front to feign an attack on the camp, which roused all the enemy in all their camps. This done Hsü Chu retreated and the Shao army came in pursuit. The roar of battle went on without cessation and at dawn Ts‘ao’s army rested on the river and could retreat no farther. Then Ts‘ao shouted, “There is no road in front, so all must fight to the death.”
The retreating army turned about and advanced vigorously. Hsü Chu simply flew to the front, smote and killed a half score captains and threw Yüan Shao’s army into confusion. ”

“ When they met to consult, Yüan Shao said, “As there is nought but war and trouble outside our borders it is necessary that tranquillity within be early provided for and I wish to appoint my successor. My eldest son is hard and cruel, my second is mild and unfit. The third has the outward form of a hero, appreciates the wise and is courteous to his subordinates. ”

“ The prestige of the army has been somewhat lowered and enemies are on our border. Should you add to our weakness by making strife between father and son, elder and younger brothers? Rather consider how the enemy may be repulsed and turn to the question of the heirship later.”
Then the natural hesitation of Yüan Shao asserted itself and he could not make up his mind. Soon came news that his sons, T‘an and Hsi, and his nephew, Kao Kan, were coming with large armies to help him and he turned his attention to preparations for fighting Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. ”

“ But Kuo Chia was of different advice. “You are wrong,” said he. “Though the prestige of our lord fills the Empire, yet the men of the desert, relying upon their inaccessibility, will not be prepared against us. Wherefore I say attack, and we shall conquer them. Beside Yüan Shao was kind to the nomads and the two brothers have been more so. They must be destroyed. As for Liu Piao he is a mere gossip, who need not cause the least anxiety. ”

“ He is an incapable.”
But even as he spoke he saw in front the redoubtable Chao Yün. His guards hastened to prepare their bows, but before they could shoot Chao with a few followers was in their midst and men were falling before him wherever he went. The others fled. Kungsun Tsan’s army then gathered round and hemmed in Yüan Shao. ”

“ The two made their obeisance and Yüan Shao said, “A letter from Chêng the President has arrived, counselling me to support Liu Pei in an attack on Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Now am I to send an army or not send an army?”
They both cried with one voice, “Send! Your armies are numerous enough and strong enough; you will destroy a traitor and help the dynasty.” ”

“ Liu Pei first followed Lü Pu, then he served Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and next he joined himself to Yüan Shao. And he stayed with none of these, so that you can see what manner of man he is. If he come here Tsʻao Tsʻao will assuredly come against us and fight. Better cut off this messenger’s head and send it as an offering to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who would reward you well for the service.”
Sun Ch‘ien sat unmoved while this harangue was pronounced, saying at the end, “I am not afraid of death. Liu, the Princely One, is true and loyal to the State and so out of sympathy with Lü Pu, or Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, or Yüan Shao. ”