Chapter 57: At Chaisang Mouth, the Sleeping Dragon Pays Condolences; At Leiyang County, the Young Phoenix Administers Affairs

At Chaisang Mouth, the Sleeping Dragon Mourns the Dead; At Leiyang County, the Young Phoenix Attends to Affairs

Now Zhou Yu, his chest filled with rage, fell from his horse, and his attendants quickly rescued him and brought him back to the boat. The soldiers spread word: “Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang are drinking and amusing themselves on the mountain peak ahead.” Zhou Yu was furious, gnashing his teeth and saying, “You say I cannot take Western Chuan? I swear I shall take it!” While he was thus enraged, someone reported that Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu, had sent his younger brother Sun Yu to see him. Zhou Yu received him and explained the matter in detail. Sun Yu said, “I have come by my elder brother’s orders to assist the Commander-in-Chief.” Thereupon he ordered the army to advance. When they reached Baqiu, someone reported that Liu Feng and Guan Ping were leading troops to block the water route upstream. Zhou Yu grew even more furious. Suddenly, another report came that Zhuge Liang had sent a messenger with a letter. Zhou Yu opened and read it. The letter said:

“Zhuge Liang, Military Advisor and General of the Han, sends this letter to the tent of the Great Commander-in-Chief of Eastern Wu, Lord Gongjin: Since our parting at Chaisang, my thoughts of you have never ceased. I hear you intend to attack Western Chuan, and privately I consider this inadvisable. The people of Yizhou are fierce, and its terrain is perilous; though Liu Zhang is dull and weak, he is still capable of defending himself. Now to launch a distant expedition, transporting supplies over ten thousand li, hoping to achieve complete success—even Wu Qi could not devise such a plan, nor Sun Wu manage its aftermath well. After his defeat at Red Cliffs, does Cao Cao’s heart ever forget revenge for a moment? Now, if you raise an army for a distant campaign and Cao Cao takes the opportunity to strike, Jiangnan will be ground to dust. I cannot bear to sit idly by, and so I specially inform you, hoping you will see clearly.”

After reading the letter, Zhou Yu heaved a long sigh, called for paper and brush, and wrote a letter to the Lord of Wu, Sun Quan. Then he gathered his generals and said, “It is not that I do not wish to exhaust my loyalty and serve my country, but fate has run its course. You must serve the Lord of Wu well and together accomplish the great enterprise.” Having spoken, he fainted. Slowly he revived, looked up to heaven, and sighed deeply: “Since Zhou Yu was born, why must Zhuge Liang also be born?” After calling out several times, he died. He was thirty-six years old. Later, someone composed a poem in lament:

At Red Cliffs he left his heroic mark, in youth his fame resounded clear.

With strings and songs he knew refinement’s art, with cups of wine he thanked his friends sincere.

Once he received three thousand bushels’ store, and often drove a hundred thousand men.

At Baqiu his life’s journey’s end he bore; in mourning, grief and sorrow swell again.

At Red Cliffs he left his heroic mark, in youth his fame resounded clear.

With strings and songs he knew refinement’s art, with cups of wine he thanked his friends sincere.

Once he received three thousand bushels’ store, and often drove a hundred thousand men.

At Baqiu his life’s journey’s end he bore; in mourning, grief and sorrow swell again.

Zhou Yu’s coffin was placed at Baqiu. The generals sealed the letter he had left and sent a rider to report quickly to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan heard that Zhou Yu had died, he wept aloud. He opened the letter, which recommended Lu Su to replace him. The letter said in summary:

“I, Zhou Yu, a man of mediocre talent, received special favor and was entrusted as a trusted confidant to command the troops. How dared I not exert myself to the utmost to repay this? But life and death are unpredictable, and the span of years is ordained by fate. My ambition remains unfulfilled, and my humble body has already perished—my regret knows no end! Now Cao Cao is in the north, and the borders are not yet settled; Liu Bei dwells here like a fostered tiger; the affairs of the empire are still uncertain. This is a time for court officials to forget sleep and food, and for the ruler to labor in anxiety. Lu Su is loyal and resolute, never careless in affairs, and can succeed me in my post. ‘When a man is about to die, his words are good.’ If you deign to consider this, I, Zhou Yu, though dead, shall be immortal!”

After reading, Sun Quan wept and said, “Gongjin had the talent to assist an emperor, but now he has died young—on whom shall I rely? Since his testament specially recommends Zijing, how dare I not comply?” That very day, he appointed Lu Su as Commander-in-Chief, in command of all troops, and ordered Zhou Yu’s coffin to be sent back for burial.

Now Zhuge Liang, in Jingzhou, observed the stars at night and saw a general’s star fall. He smiled and said, “Zhou Yu is dead.” At dawn, he told Liu Bei. Liu Bei sent someone to investigate, and indeed he was dead. Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang, “Since Zhou Yu is dead, what should be done?” Zhuge Liang said, “The one who succeeds Zhou Yu in commanding the troops will certainly be Lu Su. I observe the stars; the general’s star has gathered in the east. I should go to Jiangdong on the pretext of offering condolences, and along the way seek out worthy men to assist you, my lord.” Liu Bei said, “I fear only that the officers of Wu might harm you, Sir.” Zhuge Liang said, “When Zhou Yu was alive, I did not fear him; now that he is dead, what is there to worry about?” So he took Zhao Yun and five hundred soldiers, prepared sacrificial offerings, boarded a boat, and went to Baqiu to mourn. On the way, he learned that Sun Quan had already appointed Lu Su as Commander-in-Chief, and Zhou Yu’s coffin had been sent back to Chaisang. Zhuge Liang went directly to Chaisang. Lu Su received him with courtesy. Zhou Yu’s officers all wanted to kill Zhuge Liang, but seeing Zhao Yun following with his sword at his side, they dared not act. Zhuge Liang had the offerings set before the spirit tablet, poured a libation himself, knelt on the ground, and read the funeral oration:

“Alas, Gongjin! Untimely dead! Long or short, life is Heaven’s decree—who could not grieve? My heart is truly pained; I pour a cup of wine. If your spirit has awareness, accept this sacrifice! I mourn your youthful studies, when you befriended Bofu; you upheld righteousness and scattered wealth, giving up your home for him to dwell. I mourn your early manhood, soaring ten thousand li; you established a hegemony, holding Jiangnan in division. I mourn your strength in your prime, when far you garrisoned Baqiu; Liu Biao was troubled, but the rebel-queller had no care. I mourn your grace and bearing, matched with fair Xiao Qiao; a son-in-law of Han’s ministers, you did not shame the court. I mourn your spirit, when you remonstrated against sending hostages; at first you did not droop your wings, and at last you soared aloft. I mourn your time at Poyang, when Jiang Gan came to persuade; you acted with ease, broad-minded and high-aspired. I mourn your vast talent, in both civil and military plans; with fire you broke the enemy, turning strength to weakness. Thinking of your days of old, your heroic bearing shone. I weep that you died so young, my head bowed, my tears like blood. A loyal and righteous heart, a spirit of heroic soul. Your life ended at thirty-six, your fame will last a hundred generations. My grief for you is deep, my sorrowing heart a thousand knots. Only I, of like mind and heart, mourn without end. The heavens grow dark, the three armies sorrow. The lord weeps for you, friends shed tears. I, Liang, though untalented, begged for plans and stratagems. I helped Wu to resist Cao, assisted Han to secure Liu. Like the horns of a beast, we aided each other, head and tail joined. Whether you lived or died, what worry or care had I? Alas, Gongjin! Life and death part forever! I keep my sincerity pure, in darkness and extinction. If your soul has awareness, look into my heart. From now on, under heaven, there is no more one who knows my thoughts! Alas, the pain! Deign to accept this offering!”

“Alas, Gongjin! Untimely dead! Long or short, life is Heaven’s decree—who could not grieve?

My heart is truly pained; I pour a cup of wine. If your spirit has awareness, accept this sacrifice!

I mourn your youthful studies, when you befriended Bofu; you upheld righteousness and scattered wealth, giving up your home for him to dwell.

I mourn your early manhood, soaring ten thousand li; you established a hegemony, holding Jiangnan in division.

I mourn your strength in your prime, when far you garrisoned Baqiu; Liu Biao was troubled, but the rebel-queller had no care.

I mourn your grace and bearing, matched with fair Xiao Qiao; a son-in-law of Han’s ministers, you did not shame the court.

I mourn your spirit, when you remonstrated against sending hostages; at first you did not droop your wings, and at last you soared aloft.

I mourn your time at Poyang, when Jiang Gan came to persuade; you acted with ease, broad-minded and high-aspired.

I mourn your vast talent, in both civil and military plans; with fire you broke the enemy, turning strength to weakness.

Thinking of your days of old, your heroic bearing shone. I weep that you died so young, my head bowed, my tears like blood.

A loyal and righteous heart, a spirit of heroic soul. Your life ended at thirty-six, your fame will last a hundred generations.

My grief for you is deep, my sorrowing heart a thousand knots. Only I, of like mind and heart, mourn without end.

The heavens grow dark, the three armies sorrow. The lord weeps for you, friends shed tears.

I, Liang, though untalented, begged for plans and stratagems. I helped Wu to resist Cao, assisted Han to secure Liu.

Like the horns of a beast, we aided each other, head and tail joined. Whether you lived or died, what worry or care had I?

Alas, Gongjin! Life and death part forever! I keep my sincerity pure, in darkness and extinction.

If your soul has awareness, look into my heart. From now on, under heaven, there is no more one who knows my thoughts!

Alas, the pain! Deign to accept this offering!”

After Zhuge Liang finished the sacrifice, he prostrated himself on the ground and wept bitterly, tears streaming like a fountain, his grief unceasing. The generals discussed among themselves: “Everyone said that Gongjin and Zhuge Liang were at odds, but now seeing how he mourns, it must all be rumor.” Lu Su, seeing Zhuge Liang so sorrowful, was also moved to grief, and thought to himself: “Zhuge Liang is naturally a man of deep feeling; it is only that Gongjin was narrow-minded and brought about his own downfall.” Later, someone wrote a poem in lament:

The Sleeping Dragon slept in Nanyang, not yet awake, then another star descended to Shucheng.

Since Heaven had already given birth to Gongjin, why did the mortal world need to produce Kongming?

The Sleeping Dragon slept in Nanyang, not yet awake, then another star descended to Shucheng.

Since Heaven had already given birth to Gongjin, why did the mortal world need to produce Kongming?

Lu Su hosted a banquet to entertain Kongming. After the banquet ended, Kongming took his leave and departed. Just as he was about to board his boat, he saw a man by the riverbank wearing a Daoist robe and a bamboo crown, with a black silk sash and white shoes. The man grabbed Kongming with one hand and laughed loudly, saying, "You angered Zhou Yu to death, yet come to mourn him—are you clearly bullying the fact that Wu has no men left?" Kongming quickly looked at the man, and it turned out to be Master Fenghuang, Pang Tong. Kongming also laughed heartily. The two took each other by the hand and boarded the boat, pouring out their innermost thoughts to one another. Kongming then left a letter for Pang Tong, instructing him, "I anticipate that Sun Zhongmou will certainly not be able to employ you well. If you encounter any dissatisfaction, you may come to Jingzhou to assist Xuande together. This man is generous and benevolent, and he will surely not fail your lifelong learning." Pang Tong agreed and then took his leave. Kongming returned to Jingzhou on his own.

Meanwhile, Lu Su escorted Zhou Yu's funeral cortege to Wuhu. Sun Quan came out to receive it, wept and offered sacrifices before the spirit, and ordered a lavish burial in his hometown. Zhou Yu had two sons and one daughter: the eldest son Zhou Xun, the second son Zhou Yin. Sun Quan treated them all with generous favor and support. Lu Su said, "I, Lu Su, am a mediocre talent, unworthy of the heavy recommendation Gongjin gave me. I wish to recommend one person to assist you, my lord. This man understands astronomy above and geography below; his strategies are no less than those of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, and his pivotal insights rival Sun Wu and Wu Qi. In the past, Zhou Gongjin often used his words, and Kongming deeply admires his wisdom. Now he is in Jiangnan—why not employ him?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Quan was overjoyed and asked the man's name. Lu Su said, "This man is from Xiangyang, surnamed Pang, named Tong, styled Shiyuan, and his Daoist name is Master Fenghuang." Sun Quan said, "I have long heard of his reputation. Since he is here now, he may be summoned to meet me at once." So Lu Su invited Pang Tong to an audience with Sun Quan. After the formalities were completed, Sun Quan saw that he had thick eyebrows, a snub nose, a dark face, and a short beard—a peculiar appearance—and felt displeased in his heart. He then asked, "What is the foundation of your lifelong learning?" Pang Tong said, "There is no need to be rigidly bound; I adapt to circumstances as they arise." Sun Quan said, "How does your talent compare with Gongjin's?" Pang Tong laughed and replied, "My talent differs greatly from Gongjin's." Sun Quan had always been most fond of Zhou Yu, and seeing Pang Tong belittle him made him even more displeased. He then said to Pang Tong, "You may withdraw for now. When there is a need for your services, I will summon you again."

Pang Tong let out a long sigh and left. Lu Su said, "Why does my lord not employ Pang Shiyuan?" Sun Quan said, "This is an arrogant scholar—what benefit is there in using him?" Lu Su said, "During the great battle at Red Cliffs, this man presented the chain-link plan and achieved the foremost merit. My lord surely knows this." Sun Quan said, "At that time, it was Cao Cao himself who wanted to nail the boats together; it may not have been this man's doing. I swear I will not employ him." Lu Su came out and said to Pang Tong, "It is not that I, Lu Su, failed to recommend you, but the Marquis of Wu is unwilling to employ you. You must be patient for a while." Pang Tong lowered his head, sighed deeply, and said nothing. Lu Su said, "Could it be that you have no intention of staying in Wu?" Pang Tong did not answer. Lu Su said, "You possess talent to aid the world—wherever you go, things will go smoothly. You can tell me truthfully: where do you intend to go?" Pang Tong said, "I was thinking of going to join Cao Cao." Lu Su said, "That would be casting a bright pearl into darkness. You can go to Jingzhou to join Lord Liu Xuande, and you will surely be employed with importance." Pang Tong said, "That is indeed what I have in mind; my previous words were a jest." Lu Su said, "I will write a letter of recommendation. If you assist Xuande, you must ensure that the Sun and Liu families do not attack each other but join forces to defeat Cao." Pang Tong said, "That has been my lifelong wish." So he obtained Lu Su's letter and went directly to Jingzhou to meet Xuande.

At this time, Kongming was on an inspection tour of the four commanderies and had not yet returned. The gatekeeper announced that Pang Tong, a famous scholar from Jiangdong, had come specifically to offer his services. Xuande had long heard of Pang Tong's reputation, so he ordered him to be invited in for an audience. When Pang Tong saw Xuande, he made a deep bow but did not kneel. Xuande saw that Pang Tong's appearance was ugly and also felt displeased in his heart. He then asked Pang Tong, "Your journey from afar must not have been easy, was it?" Pang Tong did not immediately produce Lu Su's letter or Kongming's recommendation letter; he only replied, "I heard that you, Imperial Uncle, were recruiting worthy men, so I came specifically to offer my services." Xuande said, "Jingzhou and Chu have only just been pacified, and I am troubled by a lack of idle posts. Some several hundred li to the southeast, there is a county called Leiyang, which lacks a magistrate. I would trouble you to take up that post. If a vacancy arises later, I will surely give you an important position."

Pang Tong thought to himself that Xuande was treating him so poorly, and he wanted to use his talent to impress him; but seeing that Kongming was not there, he had no choice but to take his leave reluctantly. When Pang Tong arrived at Leiyang, he paid no attention to government affairs and spent all day drinking and amusing himself. All matters of revenue, grain, lawsuits, and litigation were left completely unattended. Someone reported to Xuande that Pang Tong had entirely neglected the affairs of Leiyang. Xuande angrily said, "How dare this pedant disrupt my regulations!" He then summoned Zhang Fei and instructed him, "Take your attendants and make an inspection tour of the counties south of Jingzhou. If you find any injustice or lawlessness, investigate and question on the spot. If there is anything unclear, you may take Sun Qian along."

Zhang Fei received the order and went to Leiyang with Sun Qian. The army, civilians, and officials all came out of the city to greet them, but the magistrate was nowhere to be seen. Zhang Fei asked, "Where is the magistrate?" A colleague replied, "Magistrate Pang, since his arrival to this day, has been here for nearly a hundred days. All county affairs are left entirely unattended. He drinks every day, from morning till night, and is constantly in a drunken stupor. Today, he has not yet sobered up from last night's drinking and is still lying in bed, not rising."

Zhang Fei became furious and wanted to arrest him. Sun Qian said, "Pang Shiyuan is a man of lofty talent and should not be taken lightly. Let us first go to the county office to question him. If he is indeed in the wrong, punishing him will not be too late." So Zhang Fei entered the county office, took his seat in the main hall, and ordered the magistrate to appear. Pang Tong came out, with his robes and cap in disarray, staggering drunkenly, supported by someone. Zhang Fei angrily said, "My elder brother treated you as a man of talent and made you magistrate—how dare you entirely neglect all county affairs?" Pang Tong laughed and said, "What affairs of the county does the general think I have neglected?" Zhang Fei said, "You have been in office for over a hundred days, spending all day in a drunken stupor—how can you not have neglected government affairs?" Pang Tong said, "A mere county of a hundred li, with such trivial official business—what difficulty is there in deciding it? General, be seated for a while, and let me handle it." He then summoned the officials and ordered them to bring out all the accumulated official business of over a hundred days for judgment. The officials, carrying armfuls of case files, came up to the hall and presented the cases. The accused and witnesses knelt in a circle below the steps. Pang Tong, with his hand writing approvals, his mouth issuing verdicts, and his ears listening to testimony, distinguished right from wrong without the slightest error. The common people all kowtowed in submission. In less than half a day, he had finished handling all the accumulated affairs of over a hundred days. He threw down his brush on the ground and said to Zhang Fei, "Where are the neglected affairs? As for Cao Cao and Sun Quan, I see them as clearly as patterns on my palm—let alone this small county—why should it deserve my attention!"

Zhang Fei was greatly astonished. He came down from his seat and apologized, saying, "Sir, you have great talent. This young man was lacking in respect. I will certainly strongly recommend you to my elder brother." It was then that Pang Tong produced Lu Su's letter of recommendation. Zhang Fei said, "When you first met my elder brother, why did you not produce it?" Pang Tong said, "If I had produced it immediately, it would have seemed as if I were relying solely on a letter of recommendation to seek an official post." Zhang Fei turned to Sun Qian and said, "If not for you, I would have lost a great worthy man." So he took leave of Pang Tong and returned to Jingzhou to see Xuande, relating in detail Pang Tong's talents. Xuande was greatly startled and said, "It was my fault to have wronged a great worthy man!" Zhang Fei presented Lu Su's letter. Xuande opened and read it. The letter roughly said: "Pang Shiyuan is not a talent suited for governing a county of a hundred li. If you appoint him to the position of a or, he can fully display his abilities. If you judge by appearance, you may well fail his learning, and in the end he will be used by others—that would truly be a pity."

Xuande had just finished reading and was sighing with emotion when suddenly someone reported that Kongming had returned. Xuande welcomed him inside, and after they had exchanged bows, Kongming asked first, "How has Military Counselor Pang been lately?" Xuande replied, "Recently, while governing Leiyang County, he has taken to heavy drinking and neglected government affairs." Kongming smiled and said, "Shiyuan is no talent for governing a mere hundred-li county; the learning in his breast surpasses mine tenfold. I once had a letter of recommendation with him—did he ever present it to you, my lord?" Xuande said, "Today I received Zijing's letter, but I have not seen your letter." Kongming said, "When a great worthy holds a minor post, he often feigns drunkenness and indolence to avoid handling affairs." Xuande said, "If not for what my brother said, I would have nearly lost a great worthy." He then ordered Zhang Fei to go to Leiyang County and invite Pang Tong to Jingzhou. Xuande descended the steps to apologize. Only then did Pang Tong produce Kongming's letter of recommendation. Xuande read its contents, which indicated that as soon as the Young Phoenix arrived, he should be given an important post immediately. Xuande said joyfully, "Formerly, Sima Decao said, 'If one obtains either the Sleeping Dragon or the Young Phoenix, one can pacify the realm.' Now I have obtained both—the Han house can be restored!" Thereupon he appointed Pang Tong as Vice Military Counselor and General of the Center, to deliberate strategy together with Kongming, drill the troops, and await the call to campaign.

Soon someone reported to Xuchang that Liu Bei had obtained and Pang Tong as strategists, was recruiting soldiers and buying horses, stockpiling grain and fodder, and forming an alliance with Eastern Wu, and that sooner or later he would raise an army to march north. When Cao Cao heard this, he summoned his strategists to discuss a southern campaign. Xun You advised, "Zhou Yu has just died; we should first attack Sun Quan, then attack Liu Bei." Cao Cao said, "If I go on a distant expedition, I fear Ma Teng might attack Xuchang. Previously, at the Red Cliffs, there were rumors in the army about an invasion from the Western Liang—now we must not be unprepared." Xun You said, "In my opinion, it would be better to issue an imperial decree, appointing Ma Teng as General Who Conquers the South, and order him to attack Sun Quan; then lure him to the capital, eliminate him first, and then the southern campaign will be without worry." Cao Cao was greatly pleased, and that very day sent an envoy with the decree to Western Liang to summon Ma Teng.

Now, Ma Teng, styled Shoucheng, was a descendant of Ma Yuan, the General Who Calms the Waves of the Han dynasty. His father was named Su, styled Zishuo, who served as the county magistrate of Langan in Tianshui during the reign of Emperor Huan; later he lost his post and drifted to Longxi, living among the Qiang people, and there he married a Qiang woman and fathered Ma Teng. Ma Teng was eight feet tall, with a magnificent and extraordinary physique, and a gentle nature, so that many respected him. In the last years of Emperor Ling, the Qiang people frequently rebelled, and Ma Teng recruited militia to defeat them. During the Chuping era, because of his merit in suppressing bandits, he was appointed General Who Conquers the West, and became sworn brothers with Han Sui, General Who Pacifies the West.

On that day, having received the decree, he consulted with his eldest son, Ma Chao, saying, "Ever since I received the sash decree with Dong Cheng and made an oath with Liu Xuande to punish the traitor together, unfortunately Dong Cheng has died, and Xuande has suffered repeated defeats. I, too, am isolated in the Western Liang and have been unable to assist Xuande. Now I hear that Xuande has obtained Jingzhou, and I was just about to fulfill my former ambition, when Cao Cao instead summons me. What should I do?" Ma Chao said, "Cao Cao is summoning you, Father, under the imperial command. If you do not go now, he will surely charge us with defying orders. We should take advantage of this summons to go directly to the capital and act from within—then our former ambition can be realized."

Ma Teng's nephew, Ma Dai, admonished, saying, "Cao Cao's heart is unfathomable. If you go, Uncle, you will surely be harmed." Ma Chao said, "I am willing to raise all the troops of the Western Liang and follow my father to storm Xuchang, to rid the realm of this scourge—why not?" Ma Teng said, "You shall command the Qiang troops yourself and guard the Western Liang. I will take only my second son, Ma Xiu, and third son, Ma Tie, along with my nephew Ma Dai, to accompany me. Since Cao Cao knows you are in the Western Liang, and with Han Sui's assistance, I doubt he will dare to harm me." Ma Chao said, "If you go, Father, by no means enter the capital lightly. You must act according to circumstances and observe his moves." Ma Teng said, "I have my own plans; do not worry too much."

So Ma Teng led five thousand troops from the Western Liang, sending Ma Xiu and Ma Tie ahead as the vanguard, and leaving Ma Dai to bring up the rear. They marched toward Xuchang and encamped twenty li from the city. When Cao Cao heard that Ma Teng had arrived, he summoned Huang Kui, a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and instructed him, "Now that Ma Teng is to go on the southern campaign, I appoint you as staff officer for the march. Go first to Ma Teng's camp to reward the troops, and say to Ma Teng: 'The road from the Western Liang is far, and transporting grain is very difficult; you cannot bring too many men. I will send additional troops to advance together. Tomorrow, let him enter the city to see the Son of Heaven, and I will then provide his grain and fodder.'"

Huang Kui received the order and went to see Ma Teng. Ma Teng set out wine to entertain him. When Huang Kui was half-drunk, he said, "My father, Huang Wan, died in the disaster of Li Jue and Guo Si, and I have always harbored bitter resentment. I never thought I would encounter a lord who deceives his sovereign again today." Ma Teng said, "Who is this lord who deceives his sovereign?" Huang Kui said, "The deceiver of the sovereign is none other than that villain Cao Cao. Do you not know this, that you ask me?" Ma Teng, fearing that he might be sent by Cao Cao to test him, hastily stopped him, saying, "There are many eyes and ears—do not speak recklessly." Huang Kui rebuked him, "Have you forgotten the sash decree?" When Ma Teng saw that he had spoken of his secret thoughts, he secretly revealed the truth. Huang Kui said, "Cao Cao wants you to enter the city to see the sovereign—this is surely no good intention. You must not enter the city lightly. Tomorrow, you should draw up your troops outside the city wall, and when Cao Cao comes out to review the troops, kill him on the spot—then the great deed can be accomplished."

The two had just settled their plan, and Huang Kui returned home, still seething with anger. His wife pressed him repeatedly, but Huang Kui would not speak. Now, his concubine, Li Chunxiang, was having an illicit affair with Huang Kui's wife's younger brother, Miao Ze. Miao Ze wanted to obtain Chunxiang but had no scheme. Seeing Huang Kui's fury, the concubine said to Miao Ze, "Gentleman Huang came back today after discussing military matters, and his expression was very angry—I do not know why." Miao Ze said, "You can test him with words: 'Everyone says Imperial Uncle Liu is benevolent and virtuous, while Cao Cao is a crafty villain—why is that?' See what he says." That night, Huang Kui indeed came to Chunxiang's room. The concubine tested him with words. Huang Kui, drunk, said, "You are a woman, yet you know right from wrong—how much more so I? What I hate is wanting to kill Cao Cao." The concubine said, "If you want to kill him, how will you do it?" Huang Kui said, "I have already agreed with General Ma to kill him tomorrow when he reviews the troops outside the city." The concubine told Miao Ze, and Miao Ze reported it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao then secretly summoned Cao Hong and Xu Chu and instructed them accordingly; and summoned Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang and instructed them accordingly. Each received his orders and departed, while first arresting the entire household of Huang Kui.

The next day, Ma Teng led his Western Liang troops and was about to approach the city when he saw ahead a cluster of red flags bearing the Chancellor's banner. Ma Teng thought that Cao Cao himself had come to review the troops, so he spurred his horse forward. Suddenly, a cannon boomed, the red flags parted, and crossbows and arrows flew in unison. A general charged forward—it was Cao Hong. Ma Teng hurriedly wheeled his horse around, but shouts arose from both sides. Xu Chu attacked from the left, Xiahou Yuan from the right, and behind, Xu Huang led troops in to cut off the Western Liang forces, trapping Ma Teng and his two sons in the center.

Seeing the situation was dire, Ma Teng fought fiercely to break out. Ma Tie was already struck dead by random arrows. Ma Xiu followed Ma Teng, charging left and right, but could not escape. Both men were severely wounded, and their mounts were shot down by arrows, so father and son were both captured. Cao Cao ordered Huang Kui and Ma Teng and his son to be bound and brought before him. Huang Kui shouted, "I am innocent!" Cao Cao had Miao Ze confront him. Ma Teng cursed loudly, "You petty scholar have ruined my plan! I cannot kill the traitor for the state—this is Heaven's will!" Cao Cao ordered them taken out. Ma Teng, cursing without ceasing, was executed together with his son Ma Xiu and Huang Kui. Later, a man wrote a poem praising Ma Teng:

Father and son shared glorious fame,

Loyalty and virtue marked their name.

They sacrificed life for the nation's plight,

Swore to repay their sovereign's grace with death.

Their oath, sealed with blood, remains,

The righteous writ to slay the traitor stays.

The Western Liang honors this noble line,

Worthy descendants of the General Who Calms the Waves.

Father and son shared glorious fame,

Loyalty and virtue marked their name.

They sacrificed life for the nation's plight,

Swore to repay their sovereign's grace with death.

Their oath, sealed with blood, remains,

The righteous writ to slay the traitor stays.

The Western Liang honors this noble line,

Worthy descendants of the General Who Calms the Waves.

Miao Ze said to Cao Cao, "I do not seek reward; I only ask for Li Chunxiang as my wife." Cao Cao laughed and said, "For the sake of a woman, you have ruined your brother-in-law's entire family. What use is such an unfaithful person!" He then ordered Miao Ze, Li Chunxiang, and the entire household of Huang Kui to be beheaded in the marketplace. All who saw it sighed. Later, a man wrote a poem lamenting:

Miao Ze, for private gain, harmed a loyal subject;

Chunxiang, not gaining her wish, instead lost her life.

Even the crafty villain could not tolerate them;

In vain they schemed as petty men.

Miao Ze, for private gain, harmed a loyal subject;

Chunxiang, not gaining her wish, instead lost her life.

Even the crafty villain could not tolerate them;

In vain they schemed as petty men.

Cao Cao ordered an amnesty for the Western Liang troops, proclaiming to them, "Ma Teng and his son plotted rebellion; this has nothing to do with the rest of you." At the same time, he sent men to instruct the passes and fords to be strictly guarded, so that Ma Dai could not escape.

Now Ma Dai was leading a thousand troops in the rear. A soldier who had escaped from Xuchang City soon brought word to Ma Dai. Ma Dai was greatly alarmed and, abandoning his troops, disguised himself as a traveling merchant and fled away through the night. After executing Ma Teng and his companions, Cao Cao resolved to launch a southern campaign. Suddenly someone reported: "Liu Bei is drilling his troops, preparing weapons, and is about to attack Western Sichuan." Cao Cao exclaimed in surprise, "If Liu Bei seizes Western Sichuan, his wings will have grown strong. How shall I deal with him?"

Before he had finished speaking, a man stepped forward from below the hall and said, "I have a plan that will keep Liu Bei and Sun Quan from attending to each other, and both Jiangnan and Western Sichuan will fall into your excellency's hands." Indeed:

The hero of Western Sichuan had just met his doom,

When a champion of the southern kingdom faced his doom.

The hero of Western Sichuan had just met his doom,

When a champion of the southern kingdom faced his doom.

Who was the man who offered this plan? Let the following chapter unfold.