Chapter 17: Yuan Shu Marches with Seven Armies; Cao Cao Meets with Three Generals
Chapter 17: Yuan Shu Raises Seven Armies; Cao Mengde Gathers Three Generals
Now Yuan Shu, in Huainan, had vast territory and abundant grain, and with the imperial seal pledged by Sun Ce, he harbored the desire to usurp the title of emperor. He convened a great assembly of his subordinates and said, "In former times, the Han Emperor Gaozu was merely a chief of the Sishui Pavilion, yet he came to possess the empire. Now the Han dynasty, after more than four hundred years, has exhausted its mandate, and the realm is in chaos. My family has held the position of the Three Dukes for four generations and is a house to which the people turn their hearts. I wish to follow Heaven’s will and the people’s aspirations, ascend the throne, and proclaim myself emperor. What do you all think?" The Registrar Yan Xiang said, "This cannot be done. In ancient times, the Zhou dynasty’s Hou Ji accumulated virtue and merit, and by the time of King Wen, they possessed two-thirds of the empire’s territory, yet they still served the Shang dynasty with submission. Though your lordship’s lineage is distinguished, it is not as flourishing as the Zhou’s; and though the Han house is declining, it is not as tyrannical as King Zhou of Shang. This matter absolutely cannot proceed." Yuan Shu angrily retorted, "Our Yuan clan descends from the state of Chen, and Chen is the descendant of the Great Shun. To succeed fire with earth accords with the cycle of destiny. Moreover, there is a prophecy that says, ‘He who replaces the Han shall be Dangtu Gao.’ My style name is Gonglu, which matches this prophecy. Additionally, I hold the imperial seal in my hands. If I do not become emperor, I would be defying Heaven’s way. My mind is made up; whoever speaks further shall be beheaded!"
Thus, he formally established the reign title of Zhongshi, set up ministries and offices, rode in dragon-and-phoenix carriages, performed sacrifices to Heaven and Earth at the southern and northern suburbs, made Feng Fang’s daughter empress, and installed his son as the heir apparent. He then sent an envoy to hasten Lü Bu, demanding his daughter as the crown prince’s consort. However, he learned that Lü Bu had already sent Han Yin in chains to Xuchang, where Cao Cao had him beheaded. Enraged, he appointed Zhang Xun as Grand General, commanding a vast army of over 200,000, divided into seven routes to attack Xuzhou: The first route, led by General Zhang Xun, held the center; the second, led by Senior General Qiao Rui, held the left; the third, led by Senior General Chen Ji, held the right; the fourth, led by Deputy General Lei Bo, held the left; the fifth, led by Deputy General Chen Lan, held the right; the sixth, led by Surrendered General Han Xian, held the left; and the seventh, led by Surrendered General Yang Feng, held the right. Each led their own valiant captains, setting out on an auspicious day. He also appointed the Inspector of Yanzhou, Jin Shang, as Grand Commandant, supervising the transport of grain and funds for the seven routes. Jin Shang refused to comply, so Yuan Shu executed him and appointed Ji Ling as the Supreme Relief Commander for the seven routes. Yuan Shu himself led 30,000 troops, dispatching Li Feng, Liang Gang, and Le Jiu as Advance Officers to support the seven armies.
Lü Bu’s scouts reported that Zhang Xun’s army was advancing directly on Xuzhou via the main road, Qiao Rui’s army was attacking Xiaopei, Chen Ji’s army was attacking Yidu, Lei Bo’s army was attacking Langya, Chen Lan’s army was attacking Jieshi, Han Xian’s army was attacking Xiapi, and Yang Feng’s army was attacking Junshan. The seven forces marched fifty li daily, plundering along the way. Lü Bu hastily summoned his advisers to discuss the situation. Chen Gong and the father and son Chen Gui and Chen Deng all arrived. Chen Gong said, "The calamity befalling Xuzhou was brought on by the father and son Chen Gui and Chen Deng. They curried favor with the court to gain rank and salary, and now they have transferred the disaster to you, General. If you cut off their heads and send them to Yuan Shu, his army will naturally withdraw."
Hearing this, Lü Bu ordered Chen Gui and Chen Deng seized. Chen Deng laughed loudly and said, "How can you be so timid? To me, those seven armies are like seven piles of rotten grass—what is there to fear from them?" Lü Bu said, "If you have a plan to defeat the enemy, I will spare your life." Chen Deng replied, "If you, General, adopt my humble advice, Xuzhou can be secured without worry." Lü Bu said, "Speak, and let me hear it." Chen Deng said, "Though Yuan Shu’s army is numerous, they are a motley crowd with no mutual trust. We can defend with regular troops and attack with irregular forces, and we will surely succeed. There is another plan: not only can we protect Xuzhou, but we can also capture Yuan Shu alive." Lü Bu asked, "How should the plan be carried out?" Chen Deng said, "Han Xian and Yang Feng were former Han officials who fled because they feared Cao Cao. With no home to return to, they temporarily sought refuge with Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu must despise them, and they are unwilling to serve him. If we send a letter to win them over as our inside allies, and also contact Liu Bei as an external reinforcement, we can surely capture Yuan Shu." Lü Bu said, "You must personally deliver the letter to Han Xian and Yang Feng." Chen Deng agreed.
Lü Bu then submitted a memorial to Xuchang and sent a letter to Yuzhou, after which he ordered Chen Deng to take a few horsemen and wait for Han Xian on the road to Xiapi. Han Xian led his troops to arrive and pitched camp. Chen Deng entered the tent to seek an audience. Han Xian asked, "You are Lü Bu’s man—what are you doing here?" Chen Deng smiled and said, "I am a high minister of the Great Han—how can you say I am Lü Bu’s man? As for you, General, you were once a subject of the Han, but now you have become a subject of a rebel, causing your past merits in escorting the emperor at Tong Pass to turn to nothing. I privately think this is not advisable for you. Moreover, Yuan Shu is by nature extremely suspicious, and sooner or later you will be killed by him. If you do not plan ahead now, it will be too late for regrets." Han Xian sighed and said, "I wish to return to the Han, but I have no way to do so." Chen Deng then produced Lü Bu’s letter. After reading it, Han Xian said, "I understand. You go back first. I and General Yang will turn our weapons against him. Watch for the signal of a fire; when you see it, Lord Wenhou should lead his troops to support us."
Chen Deng took his leave of Han Xian and hurried back to report to Lü Bu. Lü Bu then divided his forces into five routes: Gao Shun led one army to attack Xiaopei, to confront Qiao Rui; Chen Gong led one army to attack Yidu, to confront Chen Ji; Zhang Liao and Zang Ba led one army to strike Langya, to confront Lei Bo; Song Xian and Wei Xu led one army to strike Jieshi, to confront Chen Lan; and Lü Bu himself led one army from the main road to confront Zhang Xun. Each commanded 10,000 men, while the rest guarded the city. Lü Bu marched thirty li out of the city and pitched camp. When Zhang Xun’s army arrived, judging that he could not overcome Lü Bu, he temporarily withdrew twenty li and encamped, awaiting reinforcements from the other routes.
That night, during the second watch, Han Xian and Yang Feng divided their troops and set fires everywhere. Lü Bu’s supporting forces charged into the camp. Zhang Xun’s army fell into great chaos. Lü Bu took advantage of the moment to press the attack, and Zhang Xun fled in defeat. Lü Bu pursued until dawn, when he encountered Ji Ling’s reinforcements. The two armies met, and just as they were about to engage, Han Xian and Yang Feng’s forces attacked from both sides. Ji Ling fled in utter defeat. Lü Bu led his troops in pursuit, but from behind the hills, another force arrived. As the gate banners opened, a troop appeared bearing dragon-and-phoenix, sun-and-moon banners, with four-dou and five-direction pennants, gold melons and silver axes, yellow battle-axes and white yak-tail streamers. Beneath a yellow silk canopy with gold decorations, Yuan Shu, clad in golden armor and with two swords hanging from his wrists, stood at the front of the formation, cursing Lü Bu: "Faithless slave who betrayed his master!"
Lü Bu, enraged, leveled his halberd and charged forward. Yuan Shu’s general Li Feng met him with a spear; before three exchanges, Lü Bu wounded his hand, and Li Feng dropped his spear and fled. Lü Bu commanded his troops to charge, and Yuan Shu’s army fell into chaos. Lü Bu led his men in pursuit, seizing countless horses, armor, and weapons. Yuan Shu, with his defeated troops, had fled less than a few li when a force emerged from behind the hills and blocked their path. At the forefront was a general—none other than Guan Yunchang, who shouted, "Rebel! Come quickly and accept your death!" Yuan Shu fled in panic, while the rest of his men scattered in all directions. Yunchang inflicted a heavy defeat on them. Yuan Shu gathered his broken army and fled back to Huainan.
Lü Bu, victorious, invited Yunchang, along with Yang Feng, Han Xian, and their troops, to Xuzhou, where he hosted a grand banquet in their honor. The soldiers were also rewarded. The next day, Yunchang took his leave and departed. Lü Bu recommended Han Xian as Governor of Yidu and Yang Feng as Governor of Langya, and he considered keeping the two of them in Xuzhou. Chen Gui said, "That will not do. If Han and Yang occupy Shandong, within a year, all the cities and towns of Shandong will belong to you, General." Lü Bu thought this was right, so he sent the two generals temporarily to station at Yidu and Langya, awaiting the court’s appointment. Chen Deng privately asked his father, "Why not keep the two men in Xuzhou as a root for killing Lü Bu?" Chen Gui replied, "If these two assist Lü Bu, it would be like adding claws to a tiger." Chen Deng then admired his father’s far-sighted wisdom.
Now Yuan Shu, defeated, returned to Huainan and sent a messenger to Jiangdong to ask Sun Ce to lend troops for revenge. Sun Ce angrily said, "You relied on my imperial seal to usurp the title of emperor, betraying the Han house—an act of great treason! I was just about to raise an army to punish you; how could I instead help a rebel?" He then wrote a letter severing ties with him. The messenger returned with the letter to Yuan Shu. After reading it, Yuan Shu flew into a rage and said, "You beardless child! How dare you! I will attack him first!" The Chief Clerk Yang Dajiang strenuously remonstrated with him, and only then did he desist.
Now Sun Ce, after sending his letter, prepared against an attack from Yuan Shu by mustering his troops to guard the mouth of the river. Suddenly a messenger from Cao Cao arrived, appointing Sun Ce as Grand Administrator of Kuaiji and ordering him to raise an army to attack Yuan Shu. Sun Ce then discussed the matter, intending to move his forces. Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao said: “Although Yuan Shu has just been defeated, he still has many troops and ample provisions; he cannot be taken lightly. It would be better to send a letter to Cao Cao, urging him to lead a southern campaign, while we act as his rear support. If the two armies aid each other, Yuan Shu’s forces will surely be defeated. Should there be any mishap, we can rely on Cao Cao for rescue.” Sun Ce heeded his advice and sent an envoy to convey this intention to Cao Cao.
Now Cao Cao, returning to Xuchang, thought of Dian Wei, set up a shrine to honor him, and enfeoffed his son Dian Man as a Commandant, keeping him in the household. Suddenly a report came that Sun Ce had sent an envoy with a letter. After Cao Cao read it, another report arrived that Yuan Shu was short of provisions and was plundering Chenliu, hoping to take advantage of the situation to attack him. So Cao Cao raised an army for a southern campaign, ordering Cao Ren to guard Xuchang, while the other generals accompanied him—170,000 infantry and cavalry, with over a thousand carts of grain and supplies. At the same time, he sent word to rendezvous with Sun Ce, as well as Liu Bei and Lü Bu.
When the army reached the borders of Yuzhang, Liu Bei had already led his troops out to welcome him. Cao Cao ordered him to enter the camp. After they met, Liu Bei presented two heads. Cao Cao asked in surprise: “Whose heads are these?” Liu Bei replied: “These are the heads of Han Xian and Yang Feng.” Cao Cao said: “How did you obtain them?” Liu Bei said: “Lü Bu had stationed these two men temporarily in the counties of Yidu and Langya. Unexpectedly, they let their soldiers plunder the people, causing widespread resentment. So I arranged a banquet, pretending to invite them for discussions. During the drinking, I dropped my cup as a signal, and my brothers Guan and Zhang killed them, taking all their troops into submission. Today I have come specially to confess my fault.” Cao Cao said: “You have removed a scourge for the state—this is a great achievement; how can it be called a fault?” He then richly rewarded Liu Bei, and the armies united as one, advancing to the borders of Xuzhou.
Lü Bu came out of the city to welcome them. Cao Cao spoke kindly to soothe him, enfeoffing him as General of the Left, and promised that after returning to Xuchang, he would issue him a new official seal and ribbon. Lü Bu was greatly pleased. Cao Cao then assigned Lü Bu’s army to the left wing, Liu Bei’s army to the right wing, and took command of the main force in the center, ordering Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin to serve as the vanguard.
When Yuan Shu learned of Cao Cao’s arrival, he ordered his great general Qiao Rui to lead 50,000 troops as the vanguard. The two armies clashed at the borders of Shouchun. Qiao Rui rode out first and engaged Xiahou Dun; before three exchanges, Xiahou Dun pierced him with a spear, killing him. Yuan Shu’s army was utterly defeated and fled back into the city. Suddenly a report came that Sun Ce had raised troops and was attacking from the river’s western side, Lü Bu was attacking from the east, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were attacking from the south, and Cao Cao himself was leading 170,000 troops to attack from the north. Yuan Shu was greatly alarmed and hastily summoned all his civil and military officials for counsel. Grand General Yang Hong said: “Shouchun has suffered floods and droughts for years, and the people are short of food. Now, by raising troops and disturbing the populace, the people are already filled with resentment. When the enemy arrives, it will be hard to resist. It would be better to leave a portion of the army in Shouchun without engaging in battle. Wait until their provisions are exhausted, and a change is sure to occur. Your Majesty should temporarily lead the Imperial Guard across the Huai River. First, this will allow us to rely on the ripened grain; second, we can temporarily avoid the enemy’s sharp edge.” Yuan Shu adopted his plan, leaving Li Feng, Le Jiu, Liang Gang, and Chen Ji with 100,000 troops to defend Shouchun, while the remaining officers, soldiers, and all the gold, silver, and treasures from the treasury were packed up and taken across the Huai River.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao’s 170,000 troops consumed enormous amounts of grain daily. The various commanderies were suffering from drought and famine, unable to supply him. Cao Cao urged his army to press for a quick battle, but Li Feng and the others kept the gates closed and refused to fight. After more than a month of stalemate, provisions were nearly exhausted. Cao Cao wrote to Sun Ce, borrowing 100,000 hu of grain, but it was still insufficient for distribution. The grain official, Ren Jun’s subordinate, the granary keeper Wang Hou, came to report to Cao Cao: “With many troops and little grain, what should be done?” Cao Cao said: “Use smaller measures for distribution, to tide over the immediate crisis.” Wang Hou said: “If the soldiers complain, what then?” Cao Cao said: “I have my own plan.”
Wang Hou obeyed the order and distributed grain using smaller measures. Cao Cao secretly sent men to listen in at the various camps, and the soldiers all sighed with resentment, saying that the Chancellor was deceiving them. Cao Cao then secretly summoned Wang Hou and said: “I wish to borrow something from you to calm the troops’ minds. You must not begrudge it.” Wang Hou said: “What does the Chancellor wish to borrow?” Cao Cao said: “I want to borrow your head to display to the troops.” Wang Hou was shocked and said: “I am truly without fault.” Cao Cao said: “I know you are without fault, but if I do not kill you, the army’s morale will collapse. After you die, I will naturally provide for your wife and children; do not worry.” Before Wang Hou could speak further, Cao Cao had already called the executioners to drag him out and behead him. His head was hung on a high pole, and a notice was posted saying: “Wang Hou deliberately used small measures to distribute grain, stealing official provisions, and has been executed according to military law.” Thus the soldiers’ resentment began to subside.
The next day, Cao Cao issued orders to all camp commanders: “If the city is not broken within three days, all commanders will be beheaded!” Cao Cao himself went to the foot of the city walls, urging the troops to carry earth and stones to fill the moat. Arrows and stones rained down from the city walls. Two junior officers, afraid, turned back, and Cao Cao drew his sword and personally beheaded them on the spot. Then he dismounted and joined in carrying earth to fill the trenches. From then on, all officers and soldiers, great and small, vied to press forward, and the army’s spirit soared. The defenders on the walls could not hold out. Cao’s troops scrambled to scale the walls, cut the crossbars, and the great host poured in like a flood. Li Feng, Chen Ji, Le Jiu, and Liang Gang were all captured alive. Cao Cao ordered them all beheaded and their heads displayed. The counterfeit palaces and buildings, along with all illicit articles, were burned. The city of Shouchun was plundered clean. Cao Cao discussed advancing across the Huai River to pursue Yuan Shu. Xun Yu advised: “Recently there has been drought and famine, and grain is scarce. If we advance further, we will exhaust the troops and harm the people, with no certain advantage. It would be better to return temporarily to Xuchang, and when the wheat ripens next spring, with ample provisions, we can plan again.”
Cao Cao hesitated. Suddenly a fast rider arrived, reporting: “Zhang Xiu, relying on Liu Biao, has become rampant again. The counties of Nanyang have rebelled. Cao Hong could not hold out and has lost several battles in a row. He now sends an urgent plea for help.” Cao Cao then wrote a letter to Sun Ce, ordering him to cross the river and deploy his forces to act as a decoy to contain Liu Biao, so that he would not dare to act rashly. Cao Cao himself that same day turned his army back and returned to the capital, to discuss the campaign against Zhang Xiu separately. Before leaving, he ordered Liu Bei to remain stationed at Xiaopei, to form a brotherly bond with Lü Bu, aiding each other, and not to attack one another. Lü Bu led his troops back to Xuzhou. Cao Cao secretly said to Liu Bei: “I have stationed you at Xiaopei as a ‘pit-digging, tiger-waiting strategy.’ You need only consult with Chen Gui and his son, and make no mistakes. I will act as your external support.” With these words, they parted.
Now Cao Cao led his army back to Xuchang. Someone reported that Duan Wei had killed Li Jue, and Wu Xi had killed Guo Si, sending their heads as tribute. Duan Wei also captured Li Jue’s entire clan of over two hundred people, young and old, and sent them in bonds to Xuchang. Cao Cao ordered them all beheaded at the various gates, and their heads displayed to the people, who clapped their hands in joy. The Emperor ascended the throne, summoned all civil and military officials, and held a grand peace banquet. Duan Wei was enfeoffed as General Who Quells Rebels, and Wu Xi as General Who Destroys Harm, each leading troops to garrison Chang’an. The two thanked the Emperor and departed. Cao Cao then submitted a memorial saying that Zhang Xiu was causing trouble and that an army should be sent to punish him. The Emperor then personally arranged the imperial carriage and saw Cao Cao off on his campaign. It was the fourth month of the third year of the Jian’an era.
Cao Cao left Xun Yu in Xuchang to dispatch troops and generals, while he himself led the main army forward. Along the march, they saw that the wheat in the fields was already ripe. The common people, fearing the army’s arrival, had fled and dared not harvest it. Cao Cao sent men to announce far and wide to the village elders and the local officials guarding the borders: “I have received the Emperor’s clear decree to march forth and punish rebels, to rid the people of harm. Now is the season of wheat ripening, and I am compelled to raise troops. All officers and soldiers, great and small, who pass through wheat fields and trample them shall be beheaded. The military law is strict; you people should not be alarmed or fearful.” When the people heard this announcement, they all rejoiced and praised him, kneeling by the roadside to watch the dust of his passing. The officers and soldiers, when passing through wheat fields, all dismounted and carefully handed the wheat stalks from one to another, not daring to trample them.
As Cao Cao was riding along on horseback, a spotted dove suddenly startled up from the fields. His horse, being unfamiliar with the sight, bolted into the wheat field and trampled a large patch of wheat. Cao Cao immediately summoned his marching registrar to determine the penalty for trampling the wheat. The registrar said, “How can the Prime Minister be punished?” Cao Cao replied, “I made the law myself, and now I have violated it—how can I command the obedience of others?” He then drew his sword to cut his own throat. The men hastily restrained him. Guo Jia said, “In ancient times, the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals hold that punishment does not apply to the noble. You, Prime Minister, command the great army—how can you kill yourself?” Cao Cao pondered for a long time, then said, “Since the Spring and Autumn Annals say punishment is not applied to the noble, I will temporarily spare my life.” He then used his sword to cut off his own hair, threw it to the ground, and said, “Cutting off my hair shall serve as a substitute for beheading.” He sent a man to display the hair throughout the three armies, saying, “The Prime Minister trampled the wheat and should have been beheaded as a warning, but now he has cut off his hair instead.” Thus, all the officers and soldiers were awestruck, and none dared to disobey the military commands. A later poet commented:
“A hundred thousand fierce warriors, a hundred thousand hearts;
One man’s command, yet hard to hold all parts.
He drew his blade, cut off his hair as a sign—
Thus Cao Man’s deep deceit was clearly defined.”
Again, when Zhang Xiu learned that Cao Cao was leading troops against him, he hastily sent a letter to Liu Biao, asking him to provide support. Meanwhile, he led his generals Lei Xu and Zhang Xian out of the city to meet the enemy. The two armies arrayed themselves in battle formation. Zhang Xiu rode out and pointed at Cao Cao, cursing, “You hypocrite, devoid of righteousness and shame—how are you any different from a beast!” Cao Cao, enraged, ordered Xu Chu to advance. Zhang Xiu commanded Zhang Xian to engage. In only three exchanges, Xu Chu cut Zhang Xian down from his horse, and Zhang Xiu’s army was utterly defeated. Cao Cao led his forces in pursuit all the way to Nanyang city wall. Zhang Xiu entered the city and shut the gates, refusing to come out.
Cao Cao besieged the city and launched an assault. Seeing that the moat was very wide and the water deep, making it difficult to approach the walls, he ordered the soldiers to transport earth to fill the moat. He also had earth bags mixed with firewood and timber to create makeshift steps and platforms near the wall, and set up scaling ladders to spy into the city. Cao Cao himself rode around the city to inspect. After three days of this, Cao Cao issued an order for the soldiers to pile up firewood at the western corner of the city wall, gather the generals, and prepare to scale the walls from that point.
Inside the city, Jia Xu observed this and said to Zhang Xiu, “I now know Cao Cao’s intention; we can turn his scheme against him and act accordingly.” Truly:
“Among the strong, there is always one stronger still;
When one employs deceit, he meets one who knows the skill.”
What his plan was, and how it unfolded, will be revealed in the next chapter.