Story of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 11
Story of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 11
Liu Bei Saved Kong Rong at Beihai
Luu Bu Defeated Cao Cao at Puyang
The man was named Mi Zhu, from Ju County in the east. He was born
a very rich family. Once on a business trip to Luoyang, on his way
back there was a beautiful woman who asked for a ride on his carriage.
Mi Zhu got off the carriage and let the woman ride the carriage, but
he himself walked beside. The woman asked Mi Zhu to sit on the carriage
with her. Mi Zhu got on and sat straight, and didn't even lay an
eye on the woman. After a few miles, the woman got off. Before she
left, she said, "I am actually the God of Fire. I have been ordered
to burn down your house. But I am moved by your politeness and sense
of moral. You go home quickly and move everything out of your house,
before I come tonight." And she disappeared. Mi Zhu was shocked. He
immediately returned home, and move everything out of his house. That
night a fire started from the kitchen, and burnt down the whole house.
Since then Mi Zhu generously donated to charity and helped many people
in need. Later he was appointed a position in the government. Mi Zhu
now said, "I will go to Beihai to ask for help from Kong Rong. We will
send another man to Qing Province to ask Tian Kai. If we get help from
both places then we can defend against Cao Cao." Tao Qian agreed. He
wrote two letters, and sent Mi Zhu to Beihai, and Chen Deng to Qing
Province.
Kong Rong of Beihai was from Shandong, Qufu. He was the twentieth
generation descendant of the great Confucius. He was very smart when
he was young. When he was ten years old, he went to visit Governor of
Henan, Li Ying. The guards stopped him and would not let him in. He
said, "My family and Li's family have been friends for generations."
When he saw Li Ying, Li Ying asked, "When did your family become
friends of my family?" Kong Rong said, "Once Confucius said hello to
Lao Zi (Lao Tsu, his name was Li Er, Li being the family name). So
our families were friends back then." Li Ying was impressed. Later,
a minister named Chen Wei came. Li Ying told him, "Kong Rong is a
prodigy." Chen Wei said, "He who is smart when young may not be so
when he grows up." Kong Rong replied, "From what you said, you must
be very smart when you were young." Everyone laughed. They said,
"This child will be a great man when he grows up." And Kong Rong became
famous. Later Kong Rong was first named a general, then the Governor
of Beihai. He loved having parties. He often said, "My biggest wish
is to fill all the seats with guests and all the glasses with wines."
He ruled Beihai six years and was well liked there.
One day Kong Rong was partying with guests, when he was informed that
Mi Zhu arrived from Xuzhou. Kong Rong invited him in, and asked
what was the matter. Mi Zhu gave him the letter from Tao Qian, and
said, "Cao Cao is attacking hard, please save us." Kong Rong said, "I
am an old friend of Tao Qiang. Plus you came here yourself to ask for
help. How can I not help? Yet I have had no quarrels with Cao Cao. It's
best that I send a letter to him and ask him to resolve this peacefully.
If he doesn't agree then I can send troops." Mi Zhu said, "Cao Cao
won't be stopped by a letter." Kong Rong sent someone with a letter,
while starting to gather troops at the same time. Just at this time,
they received the report that several tens of thousands of Yellow
Turbans led by Guan Hai came toward Beihai. Kong Rong hurriedly led
his troops out of the city to meet the rebels. Guan Hai greeted Kong
Rong, and said, "I know that Beihai is a rich country. I want to
borrow a thousand tons of food. We will leave as soon as we get the
food. Otherwise we will take the city and kill everyone in it, old or
young." Kong Rong said, "I am a minister of the Han Emperor, guarding
his country. There is no food for thieves." Guan Hai rode his horse
toward Kong Rong, wielding his knife. Kong Rong's general, Zong Bao,
rode out to counter Guan Hai. Only a few rounds, Guan Hai chopped Zong
Bao off his horse. Kong Rong's troops broke ranks and fled into the
city. Guan Hai surrounded the city from four sides. Now both Kong Rong
and Mi Zhu have their own problems to worry about.
Next day, Kong Rong climbed up the wall to look at the enemy. It seemed
that the rebels were numerous. Kong Rong was really worried. Suddenly
there was some disturbance in the enemy camps. A man riding a horse
charged through the rebel camps, as if through a no man's land. He rode
to the wall, and shouted, "Open the gate." Kong Rong didn't know who he
was, and hesitated. The rebels followed him to the guarding ditch. He
rode back and killed a dozen of the rebels. They pulled back. Kong Rong
immediately gave the order to open the gate. The man went in, got off the
horse, threw down his spear, and climbed up the wall to meet Kong Rong.
Kong Rong asked his name. He replied, "I'm from Huang county. My name is
Taishi Ci. You have taken good care of my mother in the past. Yesterday
I came back from Liaodong. I heard that the rebels were attacking the
city. My mother sent me here to help." Kong Rong was glad to see him.
Although Kong Rong had never seen him before, he knew Taishi Ci was a
hero. Taishi Ci was away from home. His mother lived twenty miles from
the city. Kong Rong often sent food and clothings to her. Now she was
very grateful, and sent her son to help Kong Rong. Kong Rong gave
Taishi Ci uniform, armor, and the saddle. Taishi Ci said, "Give me a
thousand troops and I'll fight the rebels." Kong Rong said, "You are
very brave. But the rebels are too strong. We can't take them lightly."
Taishi Ci said, "My mother sent me here. If I cannot break the rebels
siege, I will not go back to face my mother. Let me fight, even if I
have to die." Kong Rong said, "If we can get help from Liu Bei, we can
break this siege. But I don't know who I can send." Taishi Ci said,
"You write the letter, I'll go." Kong Rong wrote the letter and gave
it to Taishi Ci. He had a big meal, then put on his armor, got on the
horse, with the spear in his hand, and arrows on his waist. As the
gate opened, he charged out of the city. As he crossed the ditch,
the rebels came to stop him. He killed several rebels, and charged
through them. Guan Hai saw him breaking out. He knew this was for
reinforcement. So he led a few hundred men and chased Taishi Ci. As
they caught up, Taishi Ci stopped. He leaned on his spear, took out
his bow, and started shooting arrows. Every time following the sound
of the string someone fell off his horse. The rebels did not dare to
get any closer. Taishi Ci thus got away.
Taishi Ci rode night and day, and arrived in Pingyuan. He met with
Liu Bei and gave him the letter from Kong Rong. Liu Bei read the letter,
then asked him, "Who are you?" Taishi Ci said, "My name is Taishi Ci,
a country folk from the east. I am not Kong Rong's relative, nor I
am his hometown party. But we share our commitment. Now Beihai is
surrounded by rebels. It will fall if there is no help. We knew that
you are kind to people, and always help them when they need. So I came
here to ask for your help." Liu Bei said, "I am glad that Kong Rong
knows my name." The three brothers brought three thousand troops and
marched to Beihai. Guan Hai saw the arrival of reinforcement. But
because of the small number he did not take them seriously. He led
his troops to meet them. Guan Hai's men lined up on one side, Liu
Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Taishi Ci and their troops on the other.
Guan Hai came to the front. Before Taishi Ci could respond, Guan
Yu charged out from the ranks already. The two armies shouted
encouragement. The two fought for a few dozen rounds, before Guan
Yu chopped Guan Hai off his horse. Zhang Fei and Taishi Ci both rode
forward and charged into the rebels formation. Liu Bei ordered his
men to charge. Kong Rong was on the top of the wall. When he saw
Liu Bei attacked the rebels, he gave orders to open the gates and
attacked from inside. The rebels were defeated. Most of them
surrendered.
Kong Rong greeted Liu Bei into the city. They had a large banquet
to celebrate the victory. Kong Rong introduced Mi Zhu to Liu Bei,
and told him of the killing of Cao Song by Zhang Kai. Mi Zhu said,
"Cao Cao's army have now surrounded Xuzhou. We are asking for
help." Liu Bei said, "Tao Qian is known to be a kind person. I can't
imagine Cao Cao would blame this on him." Kong Rong said, "You are
a relative of the Han Emperor. Now Cao Cao is bringing disaster to
the people. Why don't you go with me to stop Cao Cao?" Liu Bei
said, "But I don't have any men with me. It won't help much." Kong
Rong said, "Although I am an old friend of Tao Qian, I am helping
him as a friend, but above all for the just cause. Don't you have
any sense of morality?" Liu Bei said, "Well, let me borrow some
soldiers from Gongsun Zan. Please go first. I will join you
later." Kong Rong said, "We will be waiting for you." Liu Bei
said, "Are you taking me as some unreliable man? Confucius once
said, 'All men will die. But their names depend on the honesty and
trustworthiness.' Whether or not I can get some men, I will come
to meet you." Kong Rong was satisfied. He sent Mi Zhu back to
Xuzhou, and prepared for the march. Taishi Ci said, "My mother
sent me here to help defend the city. Now the rebel is put down.
The governor of Yangzhou is from my hometown. He has sent for me.
I need to leave now." Kong Rong tried to pay him some money, Taishi
Ci did not take it. He went home first to see his mother, then left
for Yangzhou.
Liu Bei left Beihai and went to see Gongsun Zan. He told him about
helping Xuzhou. Gongsun Zan said, "You have not had any trouble with
Cao Cao. Why do you want to fight for other people?" Liu Bei said,
"I have made a promise. I cannot betray it." Gongsun Zan said,
"All right, I will give you two thousand men." Liu Bei said, "I would
also like to borrow Zhao Yun to come with us." Gongsun Zan agreed.
Liu Bei then led Guan, Zhang and their three thousand men in the
front, followed by the two thousand men led by Zhao Yun, marched
toward Xuzhou.
Mi Zhu returned to Xuzhou, and reported that Beihai's Kong Rong also
got Liu Bei to come. Chen Deng also returned and reported that
Qing's Tian Kai was coming as well. Tao Qian now felt safer. The
two armies of Kong Rong and Tian Kai were afraid of Cao Cao, and
camped far way along the hills. Cao Cao divided his army to counter
the reinforcement, and stopped the attack on the city.
Later, Liu Bei arrived. He met with Kong Rong. Kong Rong said, "Cao
Cao is very strong. He is also very good in strategies. Let's not
hurry. Let's wait and look for an opportunity." Liu Bei said, "I am
afraid that the city will not last long without food and supplies.
Let me place Guan Yu and Zhao Yun with four thousand of my men
under your command. I will take Zhang Fei and a thousand men to break
into the city and meet with Tao Qian." Kong Rong agreed. He and
Tian Kai camped on two sides of Cao Cao's army, with Guan Yu and Zhao
Yun and their men connecting between them. Liu Bei and Zhang Fei led
a thousand men charged into Cao Cao's camp. Suddenly, following beats
of drums, a huge wave of army came out of the camp. The general
leading in the front, was Yu Jin. He shouted, "Where come you crazy
men! Where do you think you are going?" Zhang Fei without answering,
went directly for Yu Jin. After only a few rounds, Liu Bei waved his
swords and ordered his men to charge. Yu Jin fled. Zhang Fei charged
toward the wall of the city. The troops guarding the wall saw the
red flags with white characters "Liu Bei, Pingyuan." Tao Qian gave
the order to open the gate. Liu Bei went in and was greeted by Tao
Qian. Tao Qian had a banquet for Liu Bei's army. He was impressed by
Liu Bei's handsome looks, polite manners, and articulate words. He
took the official stamp of Xuzhou, and handed to Liu Bei. Liu Bei
was surprised, and asked, "What do you mean by this?" Tao Qian said,
"It is the time of chaos and disasters. The Emperor's orders cannot
reach far. You are a relative of the Emperor. It is your duty to
help rule the country. I am too old. I would like to give you the
governorship of Xuzhou. I will write a letter to the Emperor and
explain it." Liu Bei left his seat and knelt down. He said,
"Although I am a relative of the Emperor, I have not had a lot of
accomplishments myself. I do not even deserve to be the head of
Pingyuan. I came here to help you and the people, for the just
cause. You ask me this, do you think I have the ambition to take
over? If I have the slightest ambition, let God and Heaven condemn
me!" Tao Qian said, "I really want you to take this." He insisted
but Liu Bei would not accept. Mi Zhu said, "The city is still in
danger. Let's focus on the plan to defeat the enemy. We can discuss
the governorship later." Liu Bei said, "Let me write a letter to
Cao Cao and ask for peace. If he doesn't agree, we can fight." So
they held their troops, and sent a messenger to Cao Cao.
This day Cao Cao was meeting with his generals, the guards reported
a messenger from Xuzhou. Cao Cao took the letter and recognized it
was Liu Bei's handwriting. It said something like,
-
Since we met last time outside the Pass, we went to
separate places, and I haven't had a chance to serve you.
Respectfully, your dear father was murdered by Zhang Kai.
It was not the fault of Tao Qian. Look at the country today,
we still have the remanent of the Yellow Turbans making
trouble, and Dong Zhuo's party is still occupying the
capital. I know that you would put the worry of the country
ahead of the revenge of your own. You would be the savior
of the people of Xuzhou, and the savior of the country, if
you can withdraw your army from Xuzhou.
Cao Cao finished reading, and cursed, "Who does he think he is. How
dare he tell me what to do! And his letter is full of sarcasm."
He gave the orders to execute the messenger and start attacking the
city. Guo Jia stopped him and said, "Wait. Liu Bei came from afar.
We should treat him first with respect. If you reply with politeness,
he will not be prepared for our attack. Then we can take the city."
Cao Cao agreed, and asked the messenger to stay and wait for the
reply. Just then, there was an emergency report coming in. Cao Cao
asked what it was. The report said that Luu Bu had taken Hongzhou,
and was attacking Puyang. Luu Bu since the rebellion of Li Que and
Guo Si, escaped through the Wu Pass, and went to Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu
did not accept him because of his betrayal of the people he once
served. So Luu Bu turned for Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao accepted him and
with his help defeated Zhang Yan at Chang Mountain. Luu Bu became
arrogant and mistreated Yuan Shao's generals. Yuan Shao wanted to
kill Luu Bu. Luu Bu fled and went to serve Zhang Yang. Then a
minister in Changan, Pang Shu, hid Luu Bu's family. He sent them
to Luu Bu. Li Que and Guo Si learned it and executed Pang Shu. They
then sent a letter to Zhang Yang and ask him to execute Luu Bu. Luu
Bu fled again and went to Zhang Miao. At the same time Zhang Miao's
younger brother Zhang Chao brought Chen Gong there. Chen Gong told
Zhang Miao, "Today the country is already divided, and lords
everywhere are building their power. You have a land of a thousand
miles, yet you are still commanded by someone else. Aren't you
ashamed? Now Cao Cao is fighting in the east. Hongzhou is
unguarded. Luu Bu is the number one fighter in the country. If you
use Luu Bu to take Hongzhou, you can build your own empire."
Zhang Miao was delighted. He ordered Luu Bu to take Hongzhou,
and occupied Puyang. Of Cao Cao's territory, only three counties,
Juancheng, Donge, and Fan were still defended by Xun Yu and Cheng Yu.
The rest were all taken by Luu Bu. Cao Ren fought many battles but
could not win, so he sent the emergency message to Cao Cao. Cao
Cao was shocked to hear this, and said, "I lost Hongzhou, that
means I don't have a home to go back to. We need to get it back
immediately." Guo Jia said, "Why don't we sell the friendship to
Liu Bei, withdraw and retake Hongzhou." Cao Cao agreed. He
wrote a reply to Liu Bei and gave orders to withdraw.
The messenger returned to Xuzhou and reported to Tao Qian that Cao
Cao had already withdrew. Tao Qian read the letter, was very happy.
He invited Kong Rong, Tian Kai, Guan Yu, and Zhao Yun to come into
the city for the celebration. After the banquet, Tao Qian led Liu
Bei to the head seat, bowed to the crowd, and said, "I am very old,
and my two sons do not have the ability to run the affairs of the
country. Master Liu is a relative of the Emperor, is very capable
and has good reputation throughout the country. He will lead the
Province of Xuzhou. I would beg to retire and treat my illnesses."
Liu Bei said, "I followed Kong Rong here to save Xuzhou. It was for
the people, for the just cause. If I take Xuzhou for no reason,
everyone in the world will think Liu Bei is a person with no
morality." Mi Zhu said, "The Han dynasty is very weak today. The
world is turning upside down. It is now the time to accomplish
great aspirations. Xuzhou is a rich place, with a million population.
Master Liu, you needn't be polite. Please take this." Liu Bei said,
"I would not dare to do this." Chen Deng said, "Governor Tao has
many ailments. He cannot attend to the government affairs effectively.
Please do not refuse." Liu Bei said, "Yuan Shao is from a family
of lords. Everyone in the country respects him. He is nearby. Why
don't you ask him to take care of the business of the governorship?"
Kong Rong said, "Yuan Shao's family is like the skeletons in a tomb.
They are becoming insignificant. The heaven gives you a chance at
the governorship. You will regret it dearly if you don't take it now."
Liu Bei still did not accept. Tao Qian wept, and said, "If you leave
me, I will not close my eyes when I die." Guan Yu said, "Since
Governor Tao insists, you could take it temporarily." Zhang Fei said,
"It not that we are taking it by force. They want us to have it.
Why do you keep refusing?" Liu Bei said, "Do you both want me blamed
for being immoral?" Liu Bei did not want it no matter how Tao Qian
insisted. Finally, Tao Qian said, "There is a small town nearby, named
Xiaopei. You can station your troops there and guard Xuzhou. What do you
think?" Others also asked Liu Bei to stay. So Liu Bei agreed to stay
at Xiaopei. After the dinner, Zhao Yun led his soldiers to leave. Liu
Bei held Zhao Yun's hands and wept with tears as he said goodbye. Kong
Rong and Tian Kai each said goodbye and led their own armies back to
their places. Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei led their troops to
Xiaopei, repaired the city walls, and camped there.
Cao Cao returned his army back, and was greeted by Cao Ren. Cao Ren
said the Luu Bu's army was very strong, and with the help of Chen
Gong, it was difficult to beat. They have lost Hongzhou and Puyang.
If not for the ingenuity of Xun Yu and Cheng Yu, they could not have
saved Juancheng, Donge, and Fan counties either. Cao Cao said, "I know
Luu Bu is good on bravery but is short on strategy. You needn't worry."
Luu Bu heard that Cao Cao's army is back, and already passwd Teng
county. He told two of his generals, Xue Lan and Li Feng, "I have long
wanted to make good use of you two. I give you ten thousand men to
defend Hongzhou. I will take the rest of the army to meet Cao's army."
Chen Gong hurried to see Luu Bu after learning this, and said, "Why
are you giving up Hongzhou? Where are you going?" Luu Bu said, "I want
to camp my troops in Puyang to guard both places." Chen Gong said,
"That's bad. Xue Lan cannot defend Hongzhou. I have an idea. A hundred
miles south of here, in the mountains of Tai, there is a very narrow
road. We can hide ten thousand troops there. Cao Cao is now in a hurry.
He must be driving his troops very hard, and taking the shortest route.
We wait until half of his troops passed there, and attack. The victory
is assured." Luu Bu said, "I have other plans. You don't understand."
So he did not use Chen Gong's plan, and went to Puyang. He left Xue Lan
to defend Hongzhou. As Cao Cao's troops approached the mountain regions
of Tai, Guo Jia told Cao Cao, "Be careful. There may be an ambush here."
Cao Cao laughed, "Luu Bu is not a man of strategy. He is in Puyang now,
and left Xue Lan in Hongzhou. How can he setup an ambush here?" He
sent Cao Ren to surround Hongzhou, and himself attacked Puyang. Chen
Gong advised Luu Bu, "Cao Cao's army came from afar, and are tired. We
need to fight and achieve victory quickly. Do not let them get rested."
Luu Bu said, "I have fought all over the world all by myself. How
should I be afraid of Cao Cao? Let them camp. Watch how I defeat him."
Cao Cao arrived near Puyang, and set up camps. Next day, he led the
generals and the soldiers and established formations in the fields.
Cao Cao sat on the horse under the flag, watched as Luu Bu's army
came close and set up formations. Luu Bu came to the front, flanked
by eight of his generals: the first is from Maye of Yanmen, named
Zhang Liao; the second is from Huayin of Taishan, named Zang Ba.
Each of them led three generals, Hao Meng, Cao Xing, Cheng Lian,
Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng. Fifty thousand of Luu Bu's men
spread out in the fields, and the drums were heard everywhere. Cao
Cao pointed his finger at Luu Bu, and said, "I have never offended
you. Why did you take my land?" Luu Bu said, "It's Han Emperor's
land, everyone can have it. What entitles you?" And he ordered Zang
Wei to challenge a fight. Yue Jin from the other side responded.
The two horses went back and forth, two spears pointed. After more
than thirty rounds, no one could win. Xiahou Dun came out from Cao
Cao's camp to help, and was intercepted by Zhang Liao from Luu Bu's
side. Luu Bu became impatient, and charged out himself. Xiahou Dun
and Yue Jin both fled, Luu Bu's army charged forward, and Cao Cao
was badly defeated. They retreated thirty miles. Luu Bu held back
the troops and returned to the city. After losing a battle, Cao Cao
gathered the generals and tried to find a strategy. Yu Jin said,
"Today I observed on the hill that Luu Bu has another camp of troops
west of Puyang. But there weren't many soldiers there. Tonight
They will think that we just lost a battle and won't be prepared if
we sneak into their camp. It will be a victory if we can take that
camp." Cao Cao therefore took six generals, Cao Hong, Li Dian, Mao
Jie, Yu Jin, and Dian Wei, with twenty thousand troops, and set out
for a night attack.
Luu Bu was celebrating the victory. Chen Gong said, "The west camp
is very important for us. What if Cao Cao attacks it tonight?"
Luu Bu said, "He just lost a battle. How would he dare to come
again?" Chen Gong said, "Cao Cao is very good in strategies. He
would do what we not not prepared for." Luu Bu ordered Gao Shun,
commanding Wei Xu and Hou Cheng and their troops to reinforce
the west camp.
Cao Cao's troops arrived at the west camp at dusk. They attacked
from four sides. The soldiers inside could not hold and fled in
all directions. Cao Cao thus took the camp. Past midnight, Gao
Shun's reinforcement arrived, and the two armies fought battle amid
great chaos. By dawn, load drum beats came from the west. That was
Luu Bu and his army came to help. Cao Cao abandoned the camp and
withdrew. Gao Shun, Wei Xu, and Hou Cheng chase after them, while
Luu Bu was still in front of them. Yu Jin and Yue Jin could not
hold Luu Bu. Cao Cao retreated to north. From behind the hills came
Zhang Liao from the left and Zang Ba from the right. Cao Cao ordered
Luu Qian and Cao Hong to counter them. He turned the rest of the
troops to west. Suddenly shouts broke out from the front of the
troops. The road was blocked by Hao Meng, Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, and
Song Xian. Cao Cao led the charge, but they were stopped by arrows
coming down like rain drops. Cao Cao had nowhere to go, and shouted,
"Someone save me!" Dian Wei jumped out of the formation and shouted,
"Don't worry, here I come!" He jumped off the horse, took a dozen
daggers in both hands, and walked into the rain of arrows. He told
his followers, "Tell me when the enemy is within ten feet of me."
Several dozens of Luu Bu's soldiers chased after Dian Wei. Someone
shouted "Ten feet!" Dian Wei said, "Tell me when it's five feet."
Someone then shouted "Five feet!" Dian Wei turned around and threw
daggers, each dropped an enemy. The rest fled. He then jumped back
on the horse, took his pair of iron forks, and charged into the
enemy formation. Hao, Cao, Cheng, Song four generals could not
resist, and fled. Dian Wei saved Cao Cao, and gathered the other
generals. They then looked for a road to go back to their camp.
It was already in the afternoon, and was getting dark. Suddenly
shouts in the back, and Luu Bu himself, riding on a horse, with a
spear in his hand, charge forward, followed by his soldiers. He
shouted, "Cao Cao, don't flee!" Now everyone was tired. They looked
at each other, don't know what to do. Each was thinking how they
could flee. If you want to know whether Cao Cao survived this, wait
for the next chapter.