Chapter 59: Xu Chu Fights Ma Chao Bare-Chested; Cao Cao Sends a Doctored Letter to Sow Discord Between Ma Chao and Han Sui
That night the two armies fought in a confused battle until dawn, when each withdrew its forces. Ma Chao encamped at the mouth of the Wei River, dividing his troops day and night to attack from front and rear. Cao Cao, on the Wei River, linked his boats and rafts together with chains to form three pontoon bridges connecting to the southern bank. Cao Ren led troops to set up camps on both sides of the river, connecting grain and fodder wagons as a barrier. When Ma Chao heard of this, he ordered his soldiers each to carry a bundle of grass and tinder, and together with Han Sui led their forces to charge directly before the camp. They piled up the grass bundles and set them ablaze. Cao Cao’s troops could not withstand the attack and abandoned their camp, fleeing. The wagons and pontoon bridges were all burned to ashes. The Western Liang forces won a great victory, cutting off the Wei River. Cao Cao could not establish his camp and was filled with anxiety and fear. Xun You said, “You can take sand from the Wei River and build an earthen wall; it will allow you to hold your ground.” Cao Cao dispatched thirty thousand troops to carry earth and build the wall. Ma Chao then sent Pang De and Ma Dai, each leading five hundred cavalry, to charge back and forth; moreover, the sandy earth was not solid, and as soon as it was built it crumbled, leaving Cao Cao without a plan.
At that time it was the end of the ninth month, and the weather suddenly turned bitterly cold. Dense clouds gathered, and for days on end they did not clear. Cao Cao was restless in his camp. Suddenly someone reported, “An old man has come to see the Prime Minister, wishing to present a strategy.” Cao Cao invited him in for an audience. The man had the bearing of an immortal, with an aged and venerable appearance. Upon inquiry, he was from the capital region, living in seclusion in the Zhongnan Mountains. His surname was Lou, styled Zibo, and his Daoist name was Mengmei Jushi. Cao Cao treated him with the courtesy due a guest. Zibo said, “You, Prime Minister, have long wished to cross the Wei River and set up camp. Why not take advantage of this opportunity to build now?” Cao Cao said, “The sandy soil cannot form a wall. What good strategy does the hermit have to instruct me?” Zibo said, “You, Prime Minister, employ troops like a god—do you not know the seasons? For days the yin clouds have gathered. When the north wind rises, a great freeze will surely come. After the wind starts, drive the soldiers to transport earth and pour water. By dawn, the earthen wall will be completed.”
Cao Cao suddenly understood and rewarded Zibo generously. Zibo declined the reward and left. That night the north wind blew fiercely. Cao Cao drove all his troops to carry earth and pour water. Lacking vessels for holding water, they used silk bags to fill with water and sprinkle it, building and freezing simultaneously. By dawn, the sand and earth had frozen solid, and the earthen wall was completed. Scouts reported this to Ma Chao. Ma Chao led his troops to view it and was greatly startled, suspecting divine assistance. The next day, he assembled his army and advanced with drums beating. Cao Cao himself rode out of camp, with only Xu Chu following behind. Cao Cao raised his whip and shouted, “Mengde has come alone on a single horse. I ask Ma Chao to come out and speak.” Ma Chao rode out, spear in hand. Cao Cao said, “You bullied me because my camp could not be built. Now, overnight, heaven has built it. Why do you not surrender early!”
Ma Chao was enraged and wanted to charge forward and seize him, but he saw behind Cao Cao a man with glaring, fierce eyes, holding a steel blade, reining his horse and standing firm. Ma Chao suspected it was Xu Chu, so he raised his whip and asked, “I hear there is a Tiger Marquis in your army. Where is he?” Xu Chu lifted his blade and shouted, “I am Xu Chu of Qiao Commandery!” His eyes flashed like lightning, and his presence was awe-inspiring. Ma Chao dared not move and therefore reined his horse back. Cao Cao also led Xu Chu back to camp. The two armies watched, all shocked and awed. Cao Cao said to his generals, “Do the rebels know that Zhongkang is the Tiger Marquis?” From then on, the army called Xu Chu the Tiger Marquis. Xu Chu said, “Tomorrow I will surely capture Ma Chao.” Cao Cao said, “Ma Chao is brave; do not underestimate him.” Xu Chu said, “I will fight to the death!” He then sent a challenge, saying the Tiger Marquis would duel Ma Chao alone the next day. Ma Chao received the letter and said angrily, “How dare he insult me so!” He immediately replied that the next day he would surely kill the Tiger Fool.
The next day, both armies marched out and formed battle arrays. Ma Chao deployed Pang De as the left wing, Ma Dai as the right wing, and Han Sui to command the central army. Ma Chao raised his spear, gave his horse free rein, and stood at the front of the line, shouting loudly, “Tiger Fool, come out quickly!” Cao Cao, beneath the banner at the gate, turned to his generals and said, “Ma Chao’s bravery is not inferior to Lü Bu’s.” Before he finished speaking, Xu Chu spurred his horse, brandished his blade, and charged out. Ma Chao raised his spear to meet him. They fought over a hundred bouts without victory or defeat. Their horses grew tired, and each returned to his ranks. They changed mounts and came out again. They fought another hundred bouts, again with no decision. Xu Chu, growing fierce, raced back to his camp, removed his armor, his sinews standing out all over his body, and, bare-chested, raised his blade, mounted his horse, and came to fight Ma Chao to the death. The two armies were greatly alarmed. The two fought for another thirty-odd bouts. Xu Chu, exerting all his strength, raised his blade to cut at Ma Chao. Ma Chao dodged and thrust his spear at Xu Chu’s heart. Xu Chu dropped his blade and grabbed the spear. The two struggled for the spear on horseback. Xu Chu was strong, and with a loud crack, he snapped the spear shaft. Each held a broken half and struck wildly at the other while on horseback. Cao Cao, fearing Xu Chu might be lost, ordered Xiahou Yuan and Cao Hong, both generals, to charge out and attack from the flanks. Pang De and Ma Dai, seeing Cao Cao’s generals all rush out, directed the two wings of iron cavalry to charge recklessly, and a confused battle ensued. Cao Cao’s troops were in great disorder. Xu Chu took two arrows in his arm. The generals hastily withdrew into the camp. Ma Chao pursued straight to the riverbank, and more than half of Cao Cao’s troops were killed or wounded. Cao Cao ordered a strict defense and did not sally forth. Ma Chao returned to the mouth of the Wei and said to Han Sui, “In all my experience of fierce battles, none has matched Xu Chu. He is truly a Tiger Fool!”
Now Cao Cao calculated that Ma Chao could be defeated by stratagem, so he secretly ordered Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to cross the river to the west entirely and set up camp, to attack from front and rear. One day, Cao Cao was on the wall when he saw Ma Chao leading several hundred cavalry straight to the front of the camp, riding back and forth as if flying. Cao Cao watched for a long time, then threw his helmet to the ground and said, “If this Ma boy does not die, I will have no place to be buried!” Xiahou Yuan, upon hearing this, was filled with indignation and said sternly, “I would rather die here than fail to destroy the Ma rebels!” He then led his own force of over a thousand men, threw open the camp gate, and charged straight out. Cao Cao urgently tried to stop him but could not, and fearing he might be lost, hastily mounted his horse to come to his support. Ma Chao, seeing Cao Cao’s troops arrive, turned his front line into the rear and his rear into the vanguard, forming a single line. Xiahou Yuan arrived, and Ma Chao engaged him in combat. Amid the chaos, Ma Chao spotted Cao Cao from afar, abandoned Xiahou Yuan, and went straight for Cao Cao. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed, turned his horse, and fled. Cao Cao’s troops were thrown into great confusion.
Just as the pursuit was underway, a report suddenly came that a detachment of Cao Cao’s troops had already set up camp west of the river. Ma Chao was greatly startled, lost interest in the pursuit, and hastily withdrew his troops back to camp. He discussed with Han Sui, saying, “Cao Cao has crossed the river by stealth and is now west of us. Our army is attacked from front and rear. What is to be done?” The general Li Kan said, “It would be better to cede territory and sue for peace. Let the two sides suspend hostilities for a time. Endure the winter, and when spring warms, we can make other plans.” Han Sui said, “Li Kan’s words are best; we can follow them.” Ma Chao was hesitant and uncertain. Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan both urged making peace. So Han Sui sent Yang Qiu as an envoy, who went directly to Cao Cao’s camp with a letter proposing to cede territory and sue for peace. Cao Cao said, “You go back to your camp first. I will send someone with a reply tomorrow.” Yang Qiu took his leave and departed. Jia Xu came to see Cao Cao and said, “What is Your Excellency’s intention?” Cao Cao said, “What is your view?” Jia Xu said, “In war, deception is not excessive. You can pretend to agree, then use the stratagem of sowing discord to make Han Sui and Ma Chao suspicious of each other. Then with one drumbeat, they can be broken.” Cao Cao clapped his hands in delight and said, “Great minds often think alike. Wenhe’s plan is exactly what I had in mind.” He then sent a reply letter, saying, “Wait until I slowly withdraw my troops and return your land west of the river.” At the same time, he ordered the construction of pontoon bridges, making a show of retreating. When Ma Chao received the letter, he said to Han Sui, “Though Cao Cao has agreed to peace, this treacherous villain is hard to fathom. If we do not prepare, we will fall under his control. I suggest that you and I, Uncle, take turns commanding the troops. Today, Uncle will face Cao Cao, and I will face Xu Huang. Tomorrow, I will face Cao Cao, and you, Uncle, will face Xu Huang. We will defend separately to guard against his deception.”
Han Sui followed this plan, and word of it soon reached Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked at Jia Xu and said, “My plan is succeeding!” He asked, “Who will face me tomorrow?” Someone reported, “Han Sui.” The next day, Cao Cao led his generals out of camp, surrounded by guards on left and right. Cao Cao rode alone in the center. Many of Han Sui’s soldiers did not recognize Cao Cao and came out of their ranks to look. Cao Cao called out loudly, “Do you soldiers wish to see Cao Gong? I am just like any other man—not with four eyes or two mouths—only possessing a little more cunning.”
All the troops showed fear. Cao Cao sent a man across the battle lines to speak to Han Sui, saying: “The Chancellor humbly invites General Han for a conversation.” Han Sui immediately rode out; seeing that Cao Cao wore no armor and carried no weapon, he also removed his armor and came out lightly armed on a single horse. The two brought their horses head to head, each reining in to converse. Cao Cao said: “I, together with your father, once were recommended as Filial and Incorrupt candidates. I treated him with the respect due an uncle. I also entered officialdom with you, and before we knew it, many years have passed. How old are you this year, General?” Han Sui replied: “Forty years old.” Cao Cao said: “In days past at the capital, we were both in the bloom of youth. Who would have thought we have come to middle age! When will the world be peaceful and clear so we can enjoy happiness together!” He only spoke of old memories in detail, never mentioning military affairs. After speaking, he laughed heartily. They talked for a full two hours before turning their horses to bid farewell, each returning to his own camp.
Soon someone reported this to Ma Chao. Ma Chao hurriedly came to ask Han Sui: “What did Cao Cao speak with you about before the battle lines today?” Han Sui said: “He only spoke of old times in the capital.” Ma Chao said: “How could he not discuss military matters?” Han Sui said: “Cao Cao did not speak of them; why should I have been the one to bring them up?” Ma Chao grew deeply suspicious and, without saying another word, withdrew.
Cao Cao, upon returning to his camp, said to Jia Xu: “Do you know the meaning of my conversation with Han Sui before the battle lines?” Jia Xu said: “This idea, though clever, is still insufficient to sow discord between those two. I have a plan that will make Han Sui and Ma Chao destroy each other.” Cao Cao asked what his plan was. Jia Xu said: “Ma Chao is a man of courage but no strategy, and he does not understand secret affairs. Let the Chancellor write a letter yourself, addressed only to Han Sui, using some ambiguous phrasing, and at key points, smear and blot out the words yourself. Then seal it and send it to Han Sui, deliberately letting Ma Chao know of this matter. Ma Chao will surely ask to see the letter. If he sees that the important parts have been blotted out, he will suspect that Han Sui, fearing Ma Chao might learn some secret, altered it himself. This will confirm the suspicions from the private conversation before the battle lines; with suspicion, discord will surely arise. I will then secretly make contact with Han Sui’s subordinate officers, causing them to turn against each other. In this way, Ma Chao can be dealt with.” Cao Cao said: “This plan is excellent.” He then wrote a letter, blotted out the key passages, sealed it, and deliberately sent many attendants to deliver it to Han Sui’s camp, after which the attendants returned.
As expected, someone reported this to Ma Chao. Ma Chao’s suspicions deepened, and he went directly to Han Sui to demand the letter. Han Sui gave the letter to Ma Chao. Ma Chao saw the traces of erasures and asked Han Sui: “Why is the letter all smudged and illegible?” Han Sui said: “The original letter was like this; I do not know the reason.” Ma Chao said: “How could anyone send a draft to another? Surely Uncle, fearing I would learn the details, blotted it out first.” Han Sui said: “Perhaps Cao Cao mistakenly sent the draft by error.” Ma Chao said: “I do not believe that. Cao Cao is a meticulous man; how could he make such a mistake? I and my uncle are united in our efforts to kill the bandit; why have you suddenly harbored different intentions?” Han Sui said: “If you do not trust my sincerity, tomorrow I will lure Cao Cao out to speak before the battle lines. You can suddenly charge out from the formation and kill him with a single spear thrust.” Ma Chao said: “If that happens, then I will see my uncle’s true heart.” The two agreed on this.
The next day, Han Sui led the five generals Hou Xuan, Li Kan, Liang Xing, Ma Wan, and Yang Qiu out to the battle formation. Ma Chao hid behind the camp gate. Han Sui sent a man to Cao Cao’s camp, who shouted loudly: “General Han invites the Chancellor to come out and speak.” Cao Cao then had Cao Hong lead a few dozen riders directly before the battle formation to meet Han Sui. When their horses were a few paces apart, Cao Hong bowed from his horse and said: “Last night, the Chancellor entrusted you with a message; be sure not to make any mistakes.” Having said this, he turned his horse and returned. Ma Chao, hearing this, flew into a rage, leveled his spear, and spurred his horse, intending to stab Han Sui. The five generals blocked him, pacified him, and led him back to camp. Han Sui said: “Good nephew, do not be suspicious; I have no ill intentions.” Ma Chao would not believe him and left resentfully. Han Sui discussed with the five generals, saying: “How is this matter to be explained?” Yang Qiu said: “Ma Chao relies on his own bravery and often has thoughts of bullying his lord. Even if he defeats Cao Cao, how would he be willing to yield to you? In my humble opinion, it would be better to secretly surrender to Lord Cao. In the future, you will not fail to receive a marquisate.” Han Sui said: “I once swore brotherhood with Ma Teng; how can I bear to betray him?” Yang Qiu said: “Events have come to this; there is no other choice.” Han Sui said: “Who can go to convey the message?” Yang Qiu said: “I am willing to go.” Han Sui then wrote a secret letter and sent Yang Qiu to Cao Cao’s camp to discuss surrender.
Cao Cao was overjoyed and promised to make Han Sui the Marquis of Xiliang and Yang Qiu the Grand Administrator of Xiliang, with official ranks for the rest. They agreed to set fire as a signal and together plot against Ma Chao. Yang Qiu took his leave, returned to see Han Sui, and reported the details: “It is agreed that tonight we will set fire and coordinate from within and without.” Han Sui was greatly pleased and ordered the troops to pile dry firewood behind the central army tent. The five generals each hung up their swords and waited. Han Sui considered setting up a banquet to lure Ma Chao, then kill him during the feast, but he hesitated and did not decide.
But Ma Chao had already learned the full details. He took a few trusted followers, grasped his sword, and went first, ordering Pang De and Ma Dai to follow as backup. Ma Chao stealthily entered Han Sui’s tent and saw the five generals and Han Sui in secret discussion. He heard Yang Qiu say: “This matter must not be delayed; we should act quickly!” Ma Chao flew into a rage, brandished his sword, and burst in, shouting loudly: “How dare this pack of traitors plot against me!” Everyone was greatly startled. Ma Chao swung his sword at Han Sui’s face. Han Sui hastily raised his hand to block, and his left hand was cut off. The five generals drew their swords and charged together. Ma Chao quickly stepped out of the tent, and the five generals surrounded him in a melee. Ma Chao, alone wielding his sword, fought fiercely against the five. Where the sword light flashed, blood splattered: he cut down Ma Wan and chopped down Liang Xing; the remaining three generals fled for their lives. Ma Chao then entered the tent again to kill Han Sui, but Han Sui had already been rescued by his attendants. A fire broke out behind the tent, and all the camps’ troops were mobilized. Ma Chao hastily mounted his horse. Pang De and Ma Dai arrived, and they joined in the chaotic battle. As Ma Chao led his troops to break out, Cao Cao’s forces converged from all sides: Xu Chu in front, Xu Huang behind, Xiahou Yuan on the left, and Cao Hong on the right. The Xiliang troops fought among themselves. Ma Chao, unable to find Pang De and Ma Dai, led over a hundred riders to hold their ground on the Wei River Bridge.
As dawn was breaking, he saw Li Kan leading a troop passing under the bridge. Ma Chao leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and gave chase. Li Kan dragged his spear and fled. Just then, Yu Jin came up behind Ma Chao. Yu Jin drew his bow and shot at Ma Chao. Ma Chao heard the twang of the bowstring behind him and quickly dodged, but the arrow struck Li Kan in front, who fell from his horse dead. Ma Chao turned back to kill Yu Jin. Yu Jin whipped his horse and fled. Ma Chao returned to take position on the bridge. Cao Cao’s troops arrived in great numbers from all sides; the Tiger Guard charged ahead, and a volley of arrows rained down on Ma Chao. Ma Chao used his spear to parry, and the arrows fell to the ground. Ma Chao ordered his attendant cavalry to charge back and forth, but the Cao troops were too dense and tightly encircled; he could not break out. On the bridge, Ma Chao let out a great shout and charged into the area north of the river, but his attendant cavalry were cut off. Ma Chao, alone, charged through the formation, but his horse was felled by a hidden crossbow. Ma Chao fell to the ground, and the Cao army closed in on him.
Just at this critical moment, suddenly a force appeared from the northwest corner—it was Pang De and Ma Dai. The two rescued Ma Chao. They gave Ma Chao a warhorse from their own troops, and he turned to slash a bloody path, fleeing toward the northwest. When Cao Cao heard that Ma Chao had escaped, he issued orders to all his generals: “Day and night, without rest, you must pursue Ma Chao. The one who obtains his head will be rewarded with a thousand gold pieces and enfeoffed as a Marquis of ten thousand households; the one who captures him alive will be made a Great General.” All the generals received the order, each eager to claim the merit, and pursued Ma Chao without stop. Ma Chao, ignoring his own exhaustion and his horse’s weariness, fled without pause. His attendant cavalry gradually scattered. Those infantry who could not run fast were mostly captured. Only about thirty riders remained, and with Pang De and Ma Dai, they fled toward Longxi and Lintao.
Cao Cao personally pursued Ma Chao as far as Anding, and only when he knew that Ma Chao had fled far away did he withdraw his troops and return to Chang’an. All the generals gathered together. Han Sui had already lost his left hand and become a cripple. Cao Cao let him rest in Chang’an and granted him the title of Marquis of Xiliang. Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were both enfeoffed as lieutenants, and he ordered them to guard the mouth of the Wei River. He then gave the order to march the army back to Xuchang. Yang Fu, the military adviser of Liangzhou, whose style name was Yishan, came directly to Chang’an to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao questioned him. Yang Fu said: “Ma Chao has the bravery of Lü Bu and has deeply won the hearts of the Qiang people. Now, if the Chancellor does not take advantage of this opportunity to exterminate him, in the future when he has built up his strength, the various commanderies east of Long will no longer belong to the state. I hope the Chancellor will not withdraw his troops for the time being.” Cao Cao said: “I originally wanted to leave troops behind to campaign against him, but unfortunately there are many affairs in the Central Plains, and the south has not yet been pacified, so I cannot stay long. You should guard this place for me.”
Yang Fu received the order and further recommended Wei Kang to serve as the Inspector of Liangzhou, to lead troops together and station them at Ji City to guard against Ma Chao. Before Yang Fu left, he made a request to Cao Cao, saying: “Chang’an must leave a strong force as a rear support.” Cao Cao said: “I have already made arrangements; you may rest assured.” Yang Fu took his leave and departed. All the generals asked: “Initially, when the rebel army held Tong Pass, the road north of the Wei River was empty. Why did the Chancellor not attack Fengyi from Hedong, but instead hold Tong Pass, delay for a long time, and then cross the Wei River to the north, establish an encampment and hold it firmly?” Cao Cao said: “Initially, when the rebel army held Tong Pass, if I had immediately attacked Hedong upon arrival, the rebel army would certainly have divided their forces to guard the various ferry crossings, and then the west bank of the river could not have been crossed. Therefore, I deliberately gathered all the main army in front of Tong Pass, causing the rebel army to concentrate their defense on the southern side, leaving the west bank undefended. Thus, Xu Huang and Zhu Ling were able to cross. Then I led the troops north to cross, connected the carts, erected palisades to form a covered passage, and built an ice city. I wanted the rebel army to know that my forces were weak, making them proud and contemptuous, and thus they would not be on guard. Then I skillfully used the stratagem of sowing discord, nurtured our strength, and broke them in one strike. This is what is called ‘thunder that leaves no time to cover the ears.’ The variations in the use of troops are not fixed in a single pattern.”
The generals further asked: “Whenever the Chancellor heard that the rebel army had added troops and generals, he showed a joyful expression. Why was this?” Cao Cao said: “The region of Guanzhong is remote. If the rebel forces each relied on their own dangerous terrain, campaigning against them could not be completed in one or two years. Now they have all gathered in one place. Although their numbers are great, their hearts are not united, and they are easy to sow discord among. They can be wiped out in one stroke, so I was pleased.” The generals bowed and said: “The Chancellor’s divine calculations and marvelous strategies are beyond us!” Cao Cao said: “It also depends on the strength of you civil and military officials.” Thereupon, he richly rewarded the various armies, left Xiahou Yuan to guard Chang’an, and distributed the captured surrendered troops to the various units. Xiahou Yuan recommended a man from Gaoling, Fengyi, whose surname was Zhang, given name Ji, style name Derong, to serve as the Governor of Jingzhao, and he and Xiahou Yuan together guarded Chang’an. Cao Cao marched the army back to the capital. Emperor Xian arranged the imperial carriage and went out of the city to welcome him; he issued an edict permitting Cao Cao to not announce his name at court audiences, to not hurry his steps when entering the court, and to enter the hall wearing his sword and shoes, following the precedent of the Han Chancellor Xiao He. From then on, Cao Cao’s prestige shook the empire.
This news spread to Hanzhong and soon alarmed Zhang Lu, the Grand Administrator of Hanning. It turned out that Zhang Lu was a native of Feng County in Pei State. His grandfather Zhang Ling fabricated Daoist scriptures in the Guming Mountains of Xichuan to delude people, and people greatly revered him. After Zhang Ling died, his son Zhang Heng continued to promote these practices. Among the common people, whoever came to study the Way had to pay five piculs of rice as an offering, and the world called them “rice bandits.” After Zhang Heng died, Zhang Lu succeeded and carried on. Zhang Lu called himself “Master Teacher” in Hanzhong; those who came to study the Way were all called “ghost soldiers”; the leaders were called “libationers”; those who led large numbers were called “great libationers of governance.” Everything was based on sincerity and trust, and deception was not allowed. If someone was sick, an altar would be set up, the sick person would be placed in a quiet room to reflect on their own faults, confess face-to-face, and then prayers would be offered for them. The person in charge of the prayer service was called the “superintendent libationer.” The method of prayer was to write down the patient’s name, state the meaning of admitting guilt, and make three copies of the document, called the “three officials’ hand-written documents.” One copy was burned on the mountaintop to report to Heaven, one was buried in the earth to report to Earth, and one was sunk to the bottom of the water to report to the Water Official. After this, if the person recovered, they would pay five piculs of rice as thanks. They also built charity houses, where rice, grain, firewood, and meat were all prepared, allowing passersby to take as much as they needed according to their appetite. Those who took too much would be punished by Heaven. Those who committed crimes within the territory were forgiven three times; if they did not reform, only then were they punished. There were no local officials; everything was under the control of the libationers. In this way, they had held sway over the land of Hanzhong for thirty years. The court, because the region was remote and could not be campaigned against, appointed Zhang Lu as General of the South in Pacifying the Frontier, concurrently serving as Grand Administrator of Hanning, only requiring him to send tribute.
At this time, upon hearing that Cao Cao had defeated the Xiliang army and shaken the empire, Zhang Lu gathered his people and discussed: “Ma Teng of Xiliang has been killed, and Ma Chao has just been defeated. Cao Cao will surely invade our Hanzhong. I want to proclaim myself King of Hanning and lead troops to resist Cao Cao. What do you all think?” Yan Pu said: “The people of Hanchuan number over a hundred thousand households; the wealth is abundant and grain supplies are ample, and the four sides are dangerous and fortified. Now Ma Chao has just been defeated, and the people of Xiliang who have fled through Ziwu Valley into Hanzhong number no less than several tens of thousands. In my humble opinion, Liu Zhang of Yizhou is weak and incompetent. It would be better to first take the forty-one prefectures of Xichuan as a foundation, and then proclaim yourself king later.” Zhang Lu was very pleased and discussed raising troops with his brother Zhang Wei. Soon, scouts reported this news into Sichuan.
Now, as for Liu Zhang of Yizhou, his style name was Jiyu; he was the son of Liu Yan and a descendant of the Han Prince Gong of Lu. During the Yuanhe era of Emperor Zhang of Han, he was enfeoffed to Jingling, and the collateral descendants lived there. Later, Liu Yan rose to the position of Inspector of Yizhou, and in the first year of Xingping, he died of a back abscess. The Grand Administrator of Yizhou, Zhao Wei, and others jointly recommended Liu Zhang as Inspector of Yizhou. Liu Zhang had previously killed Zhang Lu’s mother and younger brother, so the two sides bore a grudge. Liu Zhang sent Pang Xi to serve as Grand Administrator of Baxi to resist Zhang Lu.
At this time, Pang Xi learned that Zhang Lu was about to raise troops to attack Xichuan and urgently reported it to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang, being timid and weak all his life, was greatly worried upon hearing this news and hastily summoned all his officials to discuss. Suddenly, one person stepped forward boldly and said: “My lord, rest assured. Though I have little talent, with my three inches of tongue, I can make Zhang Lu dare not even look directly at Xichuan.” It was exactly:
Only because the counselors of Shu spoke did they bring the hero from Jingzhou.
Only because the counselors of Shu spoke did they bring the hero from Jingzhou.
No one knew who this person was; let the next chapter explain.