Chapter 72: Zhuge Liang Takes Hanzhong by Strategy; Cao Aman Withdraws from Xie Valley
Xu Huang led his troops across the Mian River, ignoring Wang Ping’s earnest. After crossing, he set up camp. Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun reported to Liu Bei, saying, “Let us each lead our own forces to meet the Cao army.” Liu Bei agreed. The two set out with their troops. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, “Xu Huang has come relying on his bravery; let us not engage him for now. When evening comes and the enemy is weary, we can split into two groups and attack them.” Zhao Yun agreed, and each led a force to hold the camp’s palisades. Xu Huang led his troops in challenges from the Chen hour (7–9 a.m.) all the way to the Shen hour (3–5 p.m.), but the Shu army remained motionless. Xu Huang ordered all crossbowmen forward to shoot arrows at the Shu camp. Huang Zhong said to Zhao Yun, “Xu Huang has ordered his crossbowmen to shoot; his army must be about to retreat. We can take this opportunity to attack him.” Before he finished speaking, someone reported that the Cao army’s rear guard had indeed begun to withdraw. Then the drumming in the Shu camp thundered: Huang Zhong led his troops out from the left, and Zhao Yun from the right. Attacking from both sides, they routed Xu Huang. His soldiers were driven into the Mian River, and countless drowned. Xu Huang barely escaped with his life after a desperate fight. Returning to camp, he rebuked Wang Ping, saying, “You saw our army in peril—why did you not come to the rescue?” Wang Ping replied, “If I had come to rescue you, this camp would have been lost as well. I advised you not to cross the river, but you would not listen, and that is why we suffered this defeat.” Xu Huang flew into a rage and wanted to kill Wang Ping. That night, Wang Ping led his own troops to set fire to the camp; the Cao soldiers fell into chaos, and Xu Huang abandoned the camp and fled. Wang Ping crossed the Mian River and came to surrender to Zhao Yun, who took him to see Liu Bei. Wang Ping gave a detailed account of the geography of the Mian River area. Liu Bei was overjoyed and said, “Now that I have Wang Ziping (Wang Ping’s courtesy name), taking Hanzhong is without doubt.” He then appointed Wang Ping as a Partial General and also as a guide officer.
Xu Huang fled back to see Cao Cao and reported that Wang Ping had rebelled and gone over to Liu Bei. Cao Cao was furious and personally led a great army to retake the camp and palisades by the Mian River. Zhao Yun, fearing he could not hold out alone with his isolated force, withdrew to the west bank of the Mian River. The two armies faced each other across the river. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang came to observe the situation. Zhuge Liang saw a row of earthen hills upstream along the Mian River, where over a thousand men could be hidden. Returning to camp, he summoned Zhao Yun and instructed him, “You can take five hundred men, all carrying drums and horns, and lie in ambush at the foot of those earthen hills. Whether it is midnight or dusk, wait only for the sound of a cannon shot from our camp. When the cannon fires once, beat the drums once, but do not engage.” Zhao Yun accepted the plan and left. Zhuge Liang then observed secretly from atop the high mountain.
The next day, the Cao troops came to challenge, but not a single man came out of the Shu camp, and not a single crossbow was fired. The Cao troops withdrew on their own. That night, in the deeper watches, Zhuge Liang saw that the lights in the Cao camp had just been extinguished and the soldiers had settled to rest. He then gave the signal cannon. When Zhao Yun heard it, he ordered the drums and horns to sound together. The Cao soldiers were thrown into panic, thinking they were being raided. But when they came out of camp to investigate, they saw not a single soldier. Just as they returned to camp to rest, the cannon sounded again, the drums and horns blared again, and shouts shook the heavens and earth, echoing through the valleys. The Cao army could not rest the whole night. This happened for three consecutive nights, and each time they were alarmed and bewildered. Cao Cao grew fearful, struck camp, and retreated thirty li, setting up camp in an open area. Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “Though Cao Cao understands military tactics, he does not fathom deception.” He then asked Liu Bei to personally cross the Mian River and encamp with his back to the river. Liu Bei asked for the strategy, and Zhuge Liang said, “Do thus and thus.”
When Cao Cao saw Liu Bei encamped with his back to the Mian River, he grew suspicious and sent a challenge letter. Zhuge Liang approved it, setting the next day for battle. The following day, the two armies met at the middle road before Wujie Mountain and drew up their battle formations. Cao Cao stood on horseback beneath his command flag, flanked by banners embroidered with dragons and phoenixes. After three rolls of drums, he called for Liu Bei to speak. Liu Bei came forward with Liu Feng, Meng Da, and the generals of Sichuan. Cao Cao raised his horsewhip and cursed loudly, “Liu Bei, you are an ungrateful rebel against the court!” Liu Bei replied, “I am a kinsman of the great Han imperial house, acting on the emperor’s edict to suppress rebels. You killed the Empress Dowager, set yourself up as king, and usurped the imperial carriage—is that not rebellion?” Cao Cao was enraged and ordered Xu Hang to ride out. Liu Feng advanced to meet him. As they fought, Liu Bei first withdrew into his ranks. Liu Feng could not withstand Xu Hang and turned his horse to flee. Cao Cao ordered, “Capture Liu Bei, and you will be made King of Western Sichuan.” The army shouted as one and charged across the battle line. The Shu troops fled toward the Mian River, abandoning their camp; horses, weapons, and equipment littered the road. The Cao soldiers all scrambled to pick them up. Cao Cao hastily sounded the gong to recall the troops. The generals said, “We were just about to capture Liu Bei—why did Your Majesty recall the troops?” Cao Cao replied, “I saw the Shu army encamped with their backs to the Mian River—that is the first suspicious sign. They abandoned many horses and weapons—that is the second suspicious sign. We must quickly withdraw; do not pick up the spoils.” He then ordered, “Anyone who takes a single item will be executed immediately. Withdraw at once.” Just as the Cao troops turned back, Zhuge Liang’s signal flag was raised: Liu Bei’s central army charged out, Huang Zhong attacked from the left, and Zhao Yun from the right. The Cao army was utterly defeated and fled, with Zhuge Liang pursuing them through the night.
Cao Cao ordered his army to retreat to Nanzheng. But then fires broke out in five places: it turned out that Wei Yan and Zhang Fei, having Yan Yan guard Langzhong in their stead, had split their forces and attacked, already taking Nanzheng. Cao Cao was alarmed and fled toward Yangping Pass. Liu Bei’s great army pursued them to Nanzheng and Baozhou. After pacifying the people, Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang, “Why did Cao Cao suffer such a swift defeat this time?” Zhuge Liang said, “Cao Cao has always been suspicious by nature. Though he is skilled in using troops, whenever doubt arises, he often fails. I defeated him with deceptive tactics.” Liu Bei said, “Now Cao Cao has retreated and holds Yangping Pass; his position is isolated. What plan does you, Master, have to drive him back?” Zhuge Liang said, “I have already calculated it.” He then dispatched Zhang Fei and Wei Yan in two columns to cut off Cao Cao’s grain supply, and ordered Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun in two columns to set fire to the mountains. The four generals each set out with their guide officers.
As for Cao Cao, he retreated to Yangping Pass and ordered scouts to reconnoiter. The scouts reported, “The Shu army has blocked all the paths, far and near; they have burned all the places for gathering firewood; their whereabouts are unknown.” While Cao Cao was still perplexed, another report came that Zhang Fei and Wei Yan had split their forces to intercept the grain. Cao Cao asked, “Who dares to go and oppose Zhang Fei?” Xu Chu said, “I am willing to go!” Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to lead a thousand picked troops to escort and support the grain convoy on the road to Yangping Pass. The grain officer received them and said joyfully, “If it were not for your arrival, General, the grain would never reach Yangping Pass.” He then offered the wine and meat from the carts to Xu Chu. Xu Chu drank heavily, becoming thoroughly drunk without realizing it. Roused by the wine, he urged the grain carts forward. The grain officer said, “It is already late; ahead, around Baozhou, the terrain is steep and dangerous—we cannot go on.” Xu Chu said, “I have the strength of ten thousand men—why should I fear anyone? Tonight, under the moonlight, let the grain carts proceed.” Xu Chu rode at the front, sword in hand, urging his horse forward, leading the troops. After the second watch, they made their way along the road to Baozhou. Halfway there, suddenly drums and horns shook the sky from a mountain hollow, and a force blocked the road. At its head was the great general Zhang Fei; he raised his spear and charged straight for Xu Chu. Xu Chu whirled his blade to meet him, but being drunk, he could not withstand Zhang Fei. After barely a few exchanges, Zhang Fei struck Xu Chu in the shoulder with his spear, sending him tumbling from his horse. The soldiers quickly rescued him and fled. Zhang Fei seized all the grain carts.
The generals protected Xu Chu and returned to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao ordered the physician to treat the gold-wound, and at the same time personally led the troops to fight a decisive battle with the Shu army. Liu Bei led out his troops to meet him. The two battle arrays were drawn up opposite each other. Liu Bei ordered Liu Feng to go out and fight. Cao Cao shouted, "You son of a straw-seller! You always send your false son to block the enemy! If I were to summon my yellow-bearded son (Cao Zhang), your false son would be ground into mud!" Liu Feng, greatly angered, leveled his spear, urged on his horse, and charged straight at Cao Cao. Cao Cao ordered Xu Huang to meet the challenge. Liu Feng feigned defeat and fled. Cao Cao led his troops in pursuit. From the Shu army's camp, cannon fire sounded on all sides, and drums and horns blared together. Cao Cao, fearing an ambush, hastily ordered a retreat. The Cao troops trampled each other, and the dead were very numerous. They fled back to Yangping Pass. Hardly had they settled down when the Shu troops pursued them to the foot of the wall. They set fires at the east gate, raised war cries at the west gate; set fires at the south gate, and beat drums at the north gate. Cao Cao, in great terror, abandoned Yangping Pass and fled. The Shu troops pursued from behind. While Cao Cao was fleeing, ahead Zhang Fei led a detachment blocking the road, Zhao Yun led a detachment attacking from the rear, and Huang Zhong also led troops attacking from Bao Prefecture. Cao Cao suffered a great defeat. The generals protected Cao Cao and fought their way out. Just as they reached the border of Xie Valley, dust suddenly rose ahead, and a detachment arrived. Cao Cao said, "If this detachment is an ambush, I am finished!" When the troops drew near, it turned out to be Cao Cao's second son, Cao Zhang.
Cao Zhang, styled Ziwen, had been skilled at horseback archery from childhood. His strength surpassed others; he could fight wild beasts with his bare hands. Cao Cao once admonished him, saying, "You do not study books but delight in bows and horses—this is the courage of a commoner. What is valuable about that?" Cao Zhang said, "A great man should emulate Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, establish merit in the deserts, lead hundreds of thousands of troops, and roam freely under heaven. How could he be a scholar?" Cao Cao once asked about the ambitions of his several sons. Cao Zhang said, "I like to be a general." Cao Cao asked, "What is it like to be a general?" Cao Zhang said, "To wear solid armor, grasp sharp weapons, face danger without regard for oneself, and take the lead among the troops; rewards must be given, punishments must be trusted." Cao Cao laughed heartily. In the twenty-third year of Jian'an, the Wuhuan of Dai Commandery rebelled. Cao Cao ordered Cao Zhang to lead fifty thousand troops to suppress them; before leaving, he admonished him, saying, "At home we are father and son; upon receiving the mission, we are ruler and subject. The law shows no favoritism—you must take this deeply to heart." Cao Zhang reached Daibei, charged personally at the front of the battle line, and fought all the way to Sanggan, pacifying the entire north. Because he heard that Cao Cao had been defeated at Yangping, he came to assist. When Cao Cao saw Cao Zhang arrive, he was overjoyed and said, "My yellow-bearded son has come! Defeating Liu Bei is certain!" Thereupon he mustered the army and returned, setting up camp at the border of Xie Valley. Someone reported to Liu Bei that Cao Zhang had arrived. Liu Bei asked, "Who dares to go and meet Cao Zhang in battle?" Liu Feng said, "I am willing to go." Meng Da also said he wished to go. Liu Bei said, "The two of you go together, and we shall see who succeeds." Each led five thousand troops to meet the enemy: Liu Feng in front, Meng Da behind. Cao Zhang rode out and engaged Liu Feng. After only three exchanges, Liu Feng was badly defeated and returned. Meng Da led his troops forward. Just as they were about to engage, the Cao troops fell into great disorder. It turned out that Ma Chao and Wu Lan's two armies had arrived, and the Cao troops were thrown into panic. Meng Da led his troops to attack from the flank. Ma Chao's soldiers, having rested and gathered strength for a long time, now displayed their might with irresistible force. The Cao troops were defeated and fled. Cao Zhang happened to encounter Wu Lan. The two fought; in less than a few exchanges, Cao Zhang struck Wu Lan from his horse with a single thrust of his halberd. The three armies fought in a melee. Cao Cao withdrew his troops and camped at the border of Xie Valley.
Cao Cao had camped for a long time. He wanted to advance but was blocked by Ma Chao's defense; he wanted to withdraw but feared being laughed at by the Shu troops. His mind was undecided and hesitant. Just then, the cook brought in chicken soup. Cao Cao saw chicken ribs in the bowl and was moved to reflection. While he was pondering, Xiahou Dun entered the tent to report and request the password for the night. Cao Cao said casually, "Chicken ribs! Chicken ribs!" Xiahou Dun passed the order to all officers, and they all used "chicken ribs." The Yang Xiu, upon hearing the password "chicken ribs" being issued, ordered the accompanying soldiers to each pack their gear and prepare for the return journey. Someone reported this to Xiahou Dun. Xiahou Dun was greatly startled, so he invited Yang Xiu into his tent and asked, "Why are you packing your gear?" Yang Xiu said, "Judging by tonight's password, I know that the Prince of Wei will soon retreat and return. The chicken rib—this thing, eating it yields no meat, discarding it is a pity. Now, advancing cannot bring victory, and retreating fears others' ridicule. There is no benefit here. It is better to return early. Tomorrow the Prince of Wei will surely order the army back to court. Therefore, I am packing the gear first, to avoid panic at the last moment." Xiahou Dun said, "You truly understand the Prince of Wei's thoughts!" So he also packed his gear. Consequently, every officer in the camp prepared to leave. That night, Cao Cao's mind was troubled; he could not sleep peacefully. So he took a steel axe and walked privately around the camp. He saw that the soldiers in Xiahou Dun's camp were each preparing their gear. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed and hastily returned to his tent to summon Xiahou Dun and ask the reason. Xiahou Dun said, "The registrar Yang Dezu knew in advance that Your Highness intended to return." Cao Cao summoned Yang Xiu and questioned him. Yang Xiu answered using the meaning of the chicken ribs. Cao Cao was furious and said, "How dare you spread rumors and disturb my army's morale!" He ordered the swordsmen to take him out and behead him, and had his head hung at the gate of the camp as a warning.
It turned out that Yang Xiu, relying on his talent, was unrestrained and dissolute, and had repeatedly offended Cao Cao's taboos. Cao Cao once built a garden. When it was completed, Cao Cao went to inspect it. He neither praised nor criticized, but merely took a brush and wrote the character "live" on the gate, then left. Everyone did not understand his meaning. Yang Xiu said, "Adding the character 'live' inside the character 'gate' forms the character 'wide.' The Chancellor finds the garden gate too wide." So they rebuilt the wall to enclose it. After the alterations were finished, they again invited Cao Cao to view it. Cao Cao was very pleased and asked, "Who knew my intention?" Those around him said, "Yang Xiu." Cao Cao praised him, but in his heart he was wary of him. Another day, someone from beyond the frontier sent a box of crisp pastry. Cao Cao personally wrote the three characters "one box crisp" on the box and placed it on his desk. Yang Xiu entered, saw it, and actually took a spoon and shared it with everyone, eating it all. Cao Cao asked the reason. Yang Xiu replied, "On the box it clearly says 'one person one mouthful crisp.' How dare I disobey the Chancellor's command?" Although Cao Cao smiled, in his heart he detested him.
Cao Cao feared that someone might secretly harm him, so he often told his attendants, "I like to kill people in my dreams. Whenever I am asleep, you must not come near." One day, Cao Cao was taking a nap in his tent during the day. The blanket fell to the ground. A close attendant hastily brought it and covered him. Cao Cao jumped up, drew his sword, and killed him, then went back to sleep. After half a day, he got up and feigned surprise, asking, "Who killed my close attendant?" The attendants told him the truth. Cao Cao wept bitterly and ordered him buried with honors. People all believed that Cao Cao indeed killed people in his dreams. Only Yang Xiu knew his real intention. At the burial, he pointed at the corpse and sighed, saying, "The Chancellor is not in a dream—you are the one in a dream!" When Cao Cao heard this, he detested him even more.
Cao Cao's third son, Cao Zhi, admired Yang Xiu's talent and often invited Yang Xiu to converse, continuing through the night without stopping. Cao Cao discussed with the assembly, intending to make Cao Zhi his heir. Cao Pi learned of this and secretly invited the Chief of Chaoge, Wu Zhi, into his inner residence to discuss the matter. Fearing discovery, he hid Wu Zhi in a large bamboo chest, claiming it contained silk rolls, and had it carried into the residence. Yang Xiu learned of this and directly reported it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao sent someone to watch at Cao Pi's gate. Cao Pi hurriedly told Wu Zhi, who said, "Do not worry. Tomorrow, use a large bamboo chest loaded with silk to transport it in and confuse them." Cao Pi followed his advice and used a large bamboo chest loaded with silk to bring it in. The messenger searched the chest and found it was indeed silk, and reported back to Cao Cao. Cao Cao therefore suspected Yang Xiu of slandering Cao Pi and detested him even more.
Cao Cao wished to test the abilities of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi. One day, he ordered them each to go out of the Ye city gate; but he secretly sent someone to instruct the gatekeeper not to let them out. Cao Pi arrived first. The gatekeeper stopped him, and Cao Pi had no choice but to turn back. When Cao Zhi heard of this, he asked Yang Xiu. Yang Xiu said, “If you go out by the king’s command, and someone blocks you, simply kill him.” Cao Zhi thought this was right. When he reached the city gate, the gatekeeper stopped him. Cao Zhi shouted, “I go by the king’s command—who dares to block me!” He immediately killed him. Thereupon Cao Zhi considered him talented. Later, someone told Cao Cao, “This was taught to him by Yang Xiu.” Cao Cao was greatly enraged, and from then on he also disliked Cao Zhi.
Yang Xiu had also prepared for Cao Zhi more than ten draft replies to questions; whenever Cao Cao had a query, Cao Zhi would answer according to the drafts. Cao Cao often questioned Cao Zhi on military and state affairs, and Cao Zhi responded fluently. Cao Cao was deeply suspicious. Later, Cao Pi secretly bribed someone close to Cao Zhi, stole the draft replies, and reported them to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao saw them, he was furious and said, “How dare this fellow deceive me!” He had already conceived the intention to kill Yang Xiu, and now he used the charge of disturbing the army’s morale to execute him. Yang Xiu was thirty-four years old at his death. Later generations wrote a poem:
Smart was Yang Dezu, from a line of nobles;
Beneath his brush, dragons and snakes coiled;
In his breast, brocade patterns were formed;
His speech startled the four seats;
His quick reponses surpassed all heroes.
His death was due to his talents, not because he wanted to retreat.
Smart was Yang Dezu, from a line of nobles;
Beneath his brush, dragons and snakes coiled;
In his breast, brocade patterns were formed;
His speech startled the four seats;
His quick reponses surpassed all heroes.
His death was due to his talents, not because he wanted to retreat.
After killing Yang Xiu, Cao Cao pretended to be angry with Xiahou Dun as well, and wanted to kill him too. All the officials pleaded for mercy and obtained his pardon. Cao Cao then rebuked Xiahou Dun and ordered an advance the next day.
The next day, the army set out from the border pass of Xie Valley. Ahead, an army came to meet them, led by the general Wei Yan. Cao Cao tried to persuade Wei Yan to surrender, but Wei Yan cursed him. Cao Cao ordered Pang De to fight. While the two generals were engaged in battle, a fire broke out within Cao Cao’s camp. Someone reported that Ma Chao had attacked the central and rear camps. Cao Cao drew his sword and said, “Any general who retreats will be beheaded!” The generals strove forward. Wei Yan pretended to retreat, and Cao Cao just commanded his army to turn and face Ma Chao, while he himself stood on high ground watching the two armies fight. Suddenly, a troop of cavalry charged before him, shouting, “Wei Yan is here!” He drew his bow, fitted an arrow, and shot Cao Cao. Cao Cao fell from his horse. Wei Yan dropped his bow, seized his saber, and spurred his horse up the slope to kill Cao Cao. From the side, a general dashed out, shouting, “Do not harm my lord!” It was Pang De. Pang De fought forward with all his might, drove Wei Yan back, and protected Cao Cao as he advanced. Ma Chao had already retreated. Cao Cao, wounded, returned to his camp. He had been shot by Wei Yan in the philtrum, losing two front teeth. He urgently ordered a physician to treat him. Only then did he recall Yang Xiu’s words, and forthwith had Yang Xiu’s corpse recovered and given a lavish burial. He then ordered the army to return to the capital; but he commanded Pang De to cover the rear. Cao Cao lay in a felt-covered carriage, guarded by the Tiger Guard escorting him on the march. Suddenly, it was reported that fires had started on both sides of Xie Valley, with ambushing troops rushing out. Every soldier in Cao’s army was terrified. Truly:
It was like the danger at Tong Pass in former days,
As if the crisis at Red Cliffs in that year had come again.
It was like the danger at Tong Pass in former days,
As if the crisis at Red Cliffs in that year had come again.
Whether Cao Cao would live or die, see the next chapter for the explanation.