As the previous chapter told, Zhou Yu’s chest swelled with rage, and he fell from his horse. His attendants hurriedly carried him back to the boat. Soldiers reported, “Xuande and Kongming are drinking and making merry on the mountaintop ahead.” Zhou Yu’s fury knew no bounds. Gnashing his teeth, he swore, “You say I cannot take Western Sichuan? I swear I will!” While he was still burning with resentment, a messenger announced that Sun Quan had sent his younger brother, Sun Yu, to assist him. Zhou Yu received Sun Yu and recounted the situation. Sun Yu said, “I have come on my brother’s orders to aid the Commander-in-Chief.” He then ordered the army to press forward. As they marched to Baqiu, scouts reported that Liu Feng and Guan Ping had blocked the river upstream with their forces. Zhou Yu’s anger intensified. Suddenly, another messenger arrived, bearing a letter from Zhuge Liang. Zhou Yu tore open the seal and read:
“Zhuge Liang, Strategist of the Han Army, sends this letter to the Commander-in-Chief of Eastern Wu, Lord Gongjin. Since parting at Chaisang, I have thought of you constantly. I hear you intend to take Western Sichuan, which I believe is unwise. The land of Yi Province is strong and its terrain perilous; though Liu Zhang is weak and dim-witted, he can still defend it. To launch a distant campaign, transporting supplies over ten thousand li, in hopes of total victory—even Wu Qi could not devise such a plan, nor Sun Wu secure its aftermath. Cao Cao suffered defeat at Red Cliffs—do you think he has forgotten his vengeance for even a moment? If you march far away on this campaign, and Cao Cao strikes at your undefended rear, the lands south of the Yangtze will be ground to dust. I cannot bear to watch idly, so I write to warn you. I pray you will consider this carefully.”
After reading the letter, Zhou Yu heaved a long sigh. He called for writing materials and penned a memorial to Sun Quan. Then, gathering his officers, he said, “It is not that I am unwilling to serve my lord with utmost loyalty, but Heaven’s mandate has expired for me. Serve the Lord of Wu well and accomplish our great enterprise together.” Having spoken, he fell into a faint. Slowly, he revived, looked up to heaven, and cried out, “Since Heaven gave birth to Yu, why did it also give birth to Liang!” He repeated this several times before he died. He was thirty-six years old. A poet of later times lamented: “At Red Cliffs, his heroic deeds blazed bright; in youth, his fame rang clear and true. His lute and songs revealed a noble heart; with wine and feasts, he thanked his worthy friends. Once, he could consume three thousand measures of grain; often, he commanded a hundred thousand troops. At Baqiu, his life met its end; to mourn him fills the heart with sorrow.”
Zhou Yu’s body was laid in state at Baqiu. His officers sealed the letter he had written and sent a swift messenger to report to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan heard of Zhou Yu’s death, he wept aloud. He unsealed the letter, which recommended Lu Su as his successor. The letter read: “I, Zhou Yu, a man of ordinary talent, was fortunate to receive your extraordinary favor. You entrusted me with your deepest confidences and placed me in command of your armies. How could I not exhaust every sinew to repay you? But life and death are unpredictable; the span of years is fixed by fate. My humble ambitions remain unfulfilled; my insignificant body has already perished. What regret could be greater? Now, Cao Cao holds the north, and the borders are not yet at peace. Liu Bei is like a guest in our midst, akin to raising a tiger. The fate of the realm remains uncertain. This is a time for court officials to labor without rest, and for Your Highness to bear deep concern. Lu Su is loyal and steadfast; he handles affairs with meticulous care. He can take my place. When a man is about to die, his words are good. If you will heed this advice, I shall be forever grateful.”
Having read the letter, Sun Quan wept and said, “Gongjin possessed the talent of a true king’s advisor. Now that he has died so young, on whom can I rely? Since his dying words specially recommend Zijing, dare I refuse?” That very day, he appointed Lu Su as Commander-in-Chief, giving him command of all forces. At the same time, he ordered Zhou Yu’s coffin to be sent back for burial.
Meanwhile, in Jing Province, Zhuge Liang was observing the night sky. Seeing a general’s star fall to earth, he smiled and said, “Zhou Yu is dead.” At dawn, he informed Liu Bei. Liu Bei sent someone to investigate, and indeed, Zhou Yu had died. Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang, “Now that Zhou Yu is dead, what should we do?” Zhuge Liang replied, “The one who will succeed him in command must be Lu Su. I have observed the celestial signs; the general’s stars are gathering in the east. I will go to Jiangdong on the pretext of offering condolences, and there I will seek out worthy men to assist you, my lord.” Liu Bei said, “I fear the officers of Wu may harm you.” Zhuge Liang answered, “I did not fear Zhou Yu when he was alive; now that he is dead, what is there to worry about?” He then took Zhao Yun and five hundred soldiers, prepared sacrificial offerings, and set sail for Baqiu to mourn. Along the way, they learned that Sun Quan had already appointed Lu Su as Commander-in-Chief and that Zhou Yu’s coffin had been returned to Chaisang.
Zhuge Liang arrived directly at Chaisang, where Lu Su received him with due ceremony. Zhou Yu’s officers were eager to kill Zhuge Liang, but seeing Zhao Yun at his side with a sword, they dared not act. Zhuge Liang ordered the sacrificial offerings placed before the spirit tablet. He personally poured the libation, knelt on the ground, and read his funeral oration: “Alas, Gongjin! Untimely taken! The span of life is Heaven’s decree—who would not grieve? My heart is truly pained; I pour this cup of wine. If your spirit has awareness, accept this offering! I mourn your youth, when you befriended Bofu; you were generous with wealth, giving your home to the people. I mourn your early manhood, when you soared ten thousand li, establishing a hegemonic base, holding the lands south of the Yangtze. I mourn your prime, when you secured Baqiu far away; Liu Biao worried, but the rebel Sun Ce had no cause for concern. I mourn your noble bearing, matched with the fair Xiao Qiao; a son-in-law of the Han court, worthy of that age. I mourn your spirit, when you advised against sending hostages; you never bowed your head, and finally spread your wings. I mourn your conduct at Poyang, when Jiang Gan came to persuade; you were at ease, magnanimous and high-minded. I mourn your vast talent, skilled in both civil and military arts; with fire you defeated the enemy, turning strength into weakness. I think of you in those days, heroic and dashing; I weep for your early death, my tears fall to the ground. Loyal and righteous heart, heroic and noble spirit; your life ended at thirty-six, but your fame will last a hundred generations. My grief for you is deep; my sorrow is a thousand knots. Only my heart and liver are broken; my sadness knows no end. Heaven darkens; the three armies mourn. Your lord weeps for you; your friends shed tears. I, though unworthy, sought your plans and strategies, aiding Wu to resist Cao, supporting Han to secure Liu. We were like the horns of an ox, supporting each other from head to tail. With you alive, what had I to fear? With you dead, what worry remains? Alas, Gongjin! Life and death part us forever! I keep my loyalty pure, though all fades into darkness. If your spirit has awareness, witness my heart: from this day on, there is no one in the realm who truly knows me. Alas, the pain! Vouchsafe to accept this offering.”
Having finished the oration, Zhuge Liang prostrated himself on the ground and wept bitterly, tears streaming like a fountain, his grief unending. The officers said among themselves, “Everyone said Gongjin and Kongming were at odds, but seeing his heartfelt mourning, those words must be false.” Lu Su, seeing Zhuge Liang’s profound sorrow, was also moved. He thought to himself, “Kongming is truly a man of deep feeling. It was Gongjin who was narrow-minded and brought about his own death.” A poet of later times lamented: “The Crouching Dragon slept in Nanyang, not yet awake; then another bright star descended upon Shucheng. Since Heaven had already given birth to Gongjin, why did the world need Kongming as well?”
Lu Su hosted a banquet for Zhuge Liang. After the feast, Zhuge Liang took his leave. As he was about to board his boat, a man in a Daoist robe and bamboo cap, with black sash and plain shoes, seized him by the arm and laughed loudly, saying, “You drove Zhou Yu to his death with rage, and now you come to offer condolences! Do you think there is no one in Eastern Wu to see through your game?” Zhuge Liang looked closely and saw it was the Young Phoenix, Pang Tong. Zhuge Liang laughed as well. The two took each other’s hands and boarded the boat, where they spoke of their innermost thoughts. Zhuge Liang left a letter for Pang Tong and instructed him, “I predict that Sun Quan will not be able to use you well. If things do not go as you wish, come to Jing Province and help Liu Bei. This man is benevolent and generous; he will not betray the learning you have cultivated your whole life.” Pang Tong agreed, and they parted. Zhuge Liang returned to Jing Province.
Lu Su accompanied Zhou Yu’s coffin to Wuhu, where Sun Quan received it. He wept and offered sacrifices before it, then ordered a lavish burial in Zhou Yu’s hometown. Zhou Yu had two sons and one daughter: the elder son, Zhou Xun; the younger, Zhou Yin. Sun Quan provided generously for all of them. Lu Su said, “I am a man of mediocre talent, unworthy of Gongjin’s heavy recommendation. I am truly unfit for this post, and I wish to recommend another man to assist you, my lord. This man understands all the workings of Heaven above and the patterns of Earth below. His strategic insight is no less than that of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi; his ability to grasp the pivotal is equal to Sun Wu and Wu Qi. In the past, Zhou Gongjin often followed his advice, and Zhuge Liang deeply respects his wisdom. He is now in Jiangdong. Why not employ him?” Sun Quan was delighted and asked the man’s name. Lu Su replied, “This man is from Xiangyang. His surname is Pang, his given name Tong, and his style name Shiyuan. He is known as the Young Phoenix.” Sun Quan said, “I have long heard of his name. Since he is here, summon him at once.”
Thus, Lu Su invited Pang Tong to meet Sun Quan. After the formal greetings, Sun Quan saw that Pang Tong had bushy eyebrows, a flat nose, a dark face, and a short beard—his appearance was strange and ugly. Sun Quan was displeased. He asked, “What is the foundation of your learning, sir?” Pang Tong replied, “I do not cling to any single method; I adapt to circumstances.” Sun Quan asked, “How does your talent compare with Gongjin’s?” Pang Tong smiled and said, “My learning is quite different from Gongjin’s.” Sun Quan had always loved Zhou Yu most deeply, and hearing Pang Tong speak lightly of him, his displeasure grew. He said to Pang Tong, “You may withdraw for now. When I have need of your services, I will summon you.” Pang Tong sighed deeply and left. Lu Su said, “My lord, why do you not employ Pang Shiyuan?” Sun Quan replied, “He is an arrogant scholar. What use would he be?” Lu Su said, “During the great battle at Red Cliffs, this man proposed the chain-link strategy, which was the first and greatest achievement. You must know of this, my lord.” Sun Quan said, “At that time, it was Cao Cao himself who wanted to chain his ships together. It was not necessarily Pang Tong’s doing. I will never employ him.”
Lu Su went out and said to Pang Tong, “It is not that I did not recommend you, but the Lord of Wu is unwilling to employ you. Be patient for now.” Pang Tong hung his head and sighed deeply, saying nothing. Lu Su asked, “Are you perhaps not interested in serving Wu?” Pang Tong did not answer. Lu Su pressed, “You possess the talent to save the age. Wherever you go, you will succeed. Tell me honestly: where do you intend to go?” Pang Tong said, “I was thinking of going to Cao Cao.” Lu Su replied, “That would be like casting a bright pearl into darkness. Go to Jing Province and offer your service to Imperial Uncle Liu. He will surely give you an important post.” Pang Tong said, “That is indeed my intention. My previous words were a jest.” Lu Su said, “I will write a letter of recommendation for you. If you assist Liu Bei, it will surely ensure that Sun and Liu do not attack each other, but join forces to destroy Cao Cao.” Pang Tong said, “That has always been my lifelong aspiration.” He then asked for Lu Su’s letter and set off directly for Jing Province to meet Liu Bei.
At this time, Zhuge Liang had not yet returned from his inspection tour of the four commanderies. The gatekeeper reported, “Pang Tong, a famous scholar from Jiangnan, has come to offer his services.” Liu Bei had long heard of Pang Tong’s reputation, so he ordered him to be admitted. Pang Tong entered, but only made a deep bow without kneeling. Liu Bei, seeing Pang Tong’s ugly appearance, was also displeased. He asked, “You have come from afar—it must not have been easy.” Pang Tong did not produce the letters of recommendation from Lu Su and Zhuge Liang but merely replied, “I heard that you, Imperial Uncle, are recruiting worthy men, so I came to offer my services.” Liu Bei said, “Jing Province has only recently been pacified, and I am short of suitable posts. One hundred and thirty li to the northeast is a county called Leiyang. It lacks a magistrate. I would ask you to fill this post for now. When a more suitable vacancy arises, I will give you a more important role.” Pang Tong thought to himself, “Liu Bei treats me so shabbily!” He wanted to impress him with his learning, but seeing that Zhuge Liang was not present, he could only force himself to take his leave and depart.
When Pang Tong arrived at Leiyang, he paid no attention to government affairs. He spent his days drinking and making merry, ignoring all matters of grain levies, lawsuits, and official business. Someone reported this to Liu Bei, saying that Pang Tong had left the affairs of Leiyang entirely neglected. Liu Bei was furious. “How dare that pedantic scholar disrupt my laws and regulations!” He summoned Zhang Fei and ordered him to take some men and make an inspection tour of the commanderies south of Jing Province. “If you find any injustice or lawlessness, investigate and punish it. If anything is unclear, consult with Sun Qian.” Zhang Fei received his orders and, together with Sun Qian, proceeded to Leiyang. The local military and civilian officials all came out of the city to greet them, but the county magistrate was nowhere to be seen. Zhang Fei asked, “Where is the magistrate?” His colleagues replied, “Magistrate Pang has been in office for over a hundred days now, but he has never once attended to county affairs. He drinks every day from morning till night, always in a drunken stupor. Today he is still drunk from last night and has not yet risen.” Zhang Fei was furious and wanted to arrest him. Sun Qian said, “Pang Shiyuan is a man of great wisdom. Do not take him lightly. Let us go to the county office and question him. If he is truly in the wrong, we can punish him later.” Zhang Fei then entered the county office, seated himself in the main hall, and ordered the magistrate to appear.
Pang Tong came out, his clothes and cap in disarray, leaning on someone for support, still drunk. Zhang Fei roared, “My elder brother trusted you as a man of talent and made you a county magistrate. How dare you completely neglect the affairs of the county!” Pang Tong smiled and asked, “General, what county affairs have I neglected?” Zhang Fei said, “You have been in office for over a hundred days, drunk every day. How can the government not be neglected?” Pang Tong replied, “A mere hundred-li county—such trivial matters—what difficulty is there in deciding them? General, sit for a moment and watch me handle them.” He immediately summoned the clerks and ordered them to bring all the accumulated official business of the past hundred days for him to adjudicate. The clerks hurriedly carried in armloads of documents and placed them on the hall table. The plaintiffs and defendants knelt in a circle at the foot of the steps. Pang Tong, writing with one hand, pronouncing judgments with his mouth, and listening to testimony with his ears, distinguished right from wrong with perfect clarity, making not a single error. The people all kowtowed in submission.
In less than half a day, he had settled all the accumulated business of over a hundred days. He threw down his brush and said to Zhang Fei, “Where are the neglected affairs now? I regard Cao Cao and Sun Quan as easily as reading a map in the palm of my hand. What is this tiny county to me?” Zhang Fei was astonished. He rose from his seat and apologized, “Sir, you are a man of great talent. I have been disrespectful. I will strongly recommend you to my elder brother.” Pang Tong then produced Lu Su’s letter of recommendation. Zhang Fei asked, “When you first met my elder brother, why did you not show this?” Pang Tong replied, “If I had produced it immediately, it would have seemed as though I was relying solely on a letter of recommendation to get ahead.” Zhang Fei turned to Sun Qian and said, “If not for you, I would have lost a great worthy man.” He then took his leave of Pang Tong and returned to Jing Province to report to Liu Bei, recounting Pang Tong’s extraordinary talent. Liu Bei was shocked and said, “To have treated a great worthy so poorly—this is my fault!” Zhang Fei presented Lu Su’s letter. Liu Bei tore it open and read. The letter roughly said: “Pang Shiyuan is not a man for a mere hundred-li post. If you place him in the office of a Provincial Administrator or Assistant, only then will he be able to display his full ability. If you judge him by his appearance, you may waste his learning, and he will end up serving another. That would be a great pity!”
As Liu Bei was sighing over this, a messenger announced that Zhuge Liang had returned. Liu Bei welcomed him in. After the formalities, Zhuge Liang immediately asked, “Is Military Advisor Pang well?” Liu Bei said, “He is currently administering Leiyang, but he drinks heavily and neglects his duties.” Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “Shiyuan is not a man for a hundred-li post. The learning in his breast is ten times greater than mine. I had a letter of recommendation in his possession. Did he ever present it to you, my lord?” Liu Bei said, “Today I received Zijing’s letter, but I have not seen your letter.” Zhuge Liang said, “When a great worthy is placed in a minor post, he often dulls his senses with drink and wearies of attending to business.” Liu Bei said, “If not for my younger brother’s report, I would have nearly lost a great worthy.” He immediately sent Zhang Fei to Leiyang to respectfully invite Pang Tong to Jing Province. Liu Bei descended from the hall to apologize for his mistake. Pang Tong then produced Zhuge Liang’s letter of recommendation. Liu Bei read its contents, which said that as soon as the Young Phoenix arrived, he should be given an important post. Liu Bei was overjoyed. “In the past, Sima Huizhi said, ‘If one can obtain either the Crouching Dragon or the Young Phoenix, one can pacify the realm.’ Now I have both! The Han dynasty can be revived!” He then appointed Pang Tong as Deputy Military Advisor and General of the Household, to assist Zhuge Liang in formulating strategy, training the troops, and preparing for future campaigns.
Word soon reached Xuchang that Liu Bei had secured Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong as his strategists, was recruiting soldiers and buying horses, stockpiling grain and fodder, and had allied with Eastern Wu. Sooner or later, he would launch a northern expedition. When Cao Cao heard this, he gathered his advisors to discuss a southern campaign. Xun You proposed, “Zhou Yu has just died. We should first attack Sun Quan, then turn on Liu Bei.” Cao Cao said, “If I launch a distant campaign, I fear Ma Teng may attack Xuchang. During the Red Cliffs campaign, there were rumors of an invasion from the Western Liang. This is a threat we cannot ignore.” Xun You replied, “In my humble opinion, it would be better to issue an imperial decree appointing Ma Teng as General Conquering the South, ordering him to attack Sun Quan. Then, lure him into the capital and eliminate him first. Once he is gone, the southern campaign will be free of trouble.” Cao Cao was delighted and sent a messenger that very day with the decree to summon Ma Teng from Western Liang.
Ma Teng, whose style name was Shoucheng, was a descendant of Ma Yuan, the Han dynasty’s General of the Subduing Waves. His father, Ma Su, styled Zishuo, had served as a county commandant in Tianshui during the reign of Emperor Huan. After losing his post, he drifted to Longxi and lived among the Qiang people, where he married a Qiang woman and fathered Ma Teng. Ma Teng was eight feet tall, with a striking and imposing appearance. By nature, he was gentle and kind, and many respected him. In the late years of Emperor Ling, when the Qiang tribes frequently rebelled, Ma Teng recruited militia and defeated them. In the early years of the Chuping era, for his merit in suppressing rebels, he was appointed General Conquering the West and became sworn brothers with Han Sui, General Pacifying the West. On receiving the imperial decree, he discussed it with his eldest son, Ma Chao. “Ever since I joined with Dong Cheng in receiving the Emperor’s secret edict on the belt, I have sworn with Liu Xuande to destroy the traitor. Unfortunately, Dong Cheng is dead, and Xuande has suffered repeated defeats. I am isolated here in Western Liang and have been unable to assist him. Now I hear that Xuande has taken Jing Province, and I was just thinking of fulfilling my long-held ambition. But instead, Cao Cao summons me. What should I do?” Ma Chao said, “Cao Cao is acting under the Emperor’s authority to summon you, Father. If you do not go, he will accuse you of defying the imperial command. You should take advantage of this summons to go to the capital and act from within. Then our old ambition can be fulfilled.” Ma Teng’s nephew, Ma Dai, advised against it. “Cao Cao’s heart is unfathomable. If you go, Uncle, I fear you will be harmed.” Ma Chao said, “I am willing to raise all the troops of Western Liang and follow my father to Xuchang to rid the realm of this evil. What is wrong with that?” Ma Teng said, “You will command the Qiang troops and guard Western Liang. I will take only my second son, Ma Xiu, third son, Ma Tie, and my nephew Ma Dai with me. Cao Cao, knowing that you are here in Western Liang and that Han Sui is our ally, will not dare to harm me.” Ma Chao said, “If you insist on going, Father, do not enter the capital carelessly. Be alert and adapt to circumstances.” Ma Teng replied, “I know how to handle this. Do not worry.”
Thus, Ma Teng led five thousand Western Liang troops. He ordered Ma Xiu and Ma Tie to lead the vanguard, leaving Ma Dai to bring up the rear. They marched slowly toward Xuchang and encamped twenty li from the city. When Cao Cao learned that Ma Teng had arrived, he summoned Huang Kui, a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and instructed him, “Ma Teng is about to embark on a southern campaign. I am appointing you as Field Operations Advisor. Go first to Ma Teng’s camp to reward the troops. Tell him that the road from Western Liang is long, transport is difficult, and he cannot bring too many men. I will send additional troops to join him. Tomorrow, let him enter the city to pay homage to the Emperor, and I will provide him with grain and fodder.” Huang Kui received his orders and went to see Ma Teng, who entertained him with wine. Half-drunk, Huang Kui said, “My father, Huang Wan, was killed during the chaos caused by Li Jue and Guo Si, and I have always nursed a deep hatred. I never thought I would encounter another traitor who deceives the Emperor!” Ma Teng asked, “Who is this traitor?” Huang Kui replied, “The traitor is Cao Cao. Do you not know this, that you ask me?” Ma Teng, suspecting Cao Cao might have sent Huang Kui to test him, quickly stopped him. “There are ears and eyes everywhere. Do not speak recklessly.” Huang Kui retorted, “Have you forgotten the secret edict on the belt?” Seeing that Huang Kui had revealed his own secret, Ma Teng confided his true intentions to him in private. Huang Kui said, “Cao Cao wants you to enter the city to see the Emperor. This is certainly not a good sign. Do not go in rashly. Tomorrow, you should draw up your troops outside the city walls. When Cao Cao comes out to review the troops, kill him on the spot. Then our great deed will be accomplished.” The two men finalized their plan.
Huang Kui returned home, still seething with rage. His wife pressed him repeatedly to explain, but he refused to speak. Unknown to him, his concubine, Li Chunxiang, was having an affair with his wife’s younger brother, Miao Ze. Miao Ze, eager to possess Chunxiang, had been casting about for a way. Seeing Huang Kui’s anger, the concubine said to Miao Ze, “Gentleman Huang came back from discussing military affairs today, looking very angry. I wonder who he is angry at.” Miao Ze said, “You can sound him out by saying, ‘Everyone says Imperial Uncle Liu is benevolent and virtuous, while Cao Cao is a treacherous villain. Why is that?’ See what he says.” That night, Huang Kui indeed went to Chunxiang’s room. The concubine probed him as instructed. In his drunkenness, Huang Kui said, “You are only a woman, yet you know right from wrong. How much more should I? The one I hate is Cao Cao. I want to kill him!” The concubine asked, “If you want to kill him, how will you do it?” Huang Kui said, “I have already made an agreement with General Ma. We will kill him tomorrow when he reviews the troops outside the city.” The concubine reported this to Miao Ze, who in turn informed Cao Cao. Cao Cao secretly summoned Cao Hong and Xu Chu and gave them their instructions. He then summoned Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang and gave them their orders. Each man went to carry out his task. Meanwhile, Cao Cao had Huang Kui’s entire household arrested.
The next day, Ma Teng led his Western Liang troops toward the city. Seeing a cluster of red banners ahead bearing the Chancellor’s insignia, Ma Teng assumed Cao Cao had come in person to review the troops and spurred his horse forward. Suddenly, a cannon shot rang out. The red banners parted, and a volley of arrows flew. The first general to charge out was Cao Hong. Ma Teng wheeled his horse around to retreat, but war cries erupted from both sides. Xu Chu attacked from the left, Xiahou Yuan from the right, and Xu Huang’s troops closed in from the rear, cutting off the Western Liang army and trapping Ma Teng and his two sons in the center. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Ma Teng fought desperately. Ma Tie was shot dead by a volley of arrows. Ma Xiu followed his father, charging left and right, but they could not break out. Both were severely wounded, and their horses were shot from under them. Father and son were captured. Cao Cao ordered Huang Kui and Ma Teng and his son to be bound together. Huang Kui shouted, “I am innocent!” Cao Cao had Miao Ze confront him. Ma Teng cursed, “You worthless scholar have ruined my great plan! I cannot kill the traitor for the state—this is Heaven’s will!” Cao Cao ordered them taken away. Ma Teng continued to curse without ceasing, and he, his son Ma Xiu, and Huang Kui were all executed. A poet of later times lamented Ma Teng: “Father and son shared a radiant glory; loyalty and integrity adorned their house. They sacrificed their lives for the nation’s crisis, vowing to die repaying their sovereign’s grace. Their oath, sealed in blood, still stood; the righteous compact against the traitor remained. Western Liang boasted of its noble lineage—truly worthy descendants of the Subduing Waves General!”
Miao Ze said to Cao Cao, “I seek no reward—only Li Chunxiang as my wife.” Cao Cao laughed and said, “For the sake of a woman, you have destroyed your brother-in-law’s entire family. What use is such an unfaithful wretch?” He then ordered Miao Ze, Li Chunxiang, and Huang Kui’s entire household to be executed in the marketplace. All who witnessed it sighed in pity. A poet of later times lamented: “Miao Ze, for private lust, destroyed a loyal minister; Chunxiang did not gain her desire, but lost her life instead. The treacherous villain himself showed no mercy; in vain they schemed, playing the part of petty men.”
Cao Cao ordered the Western Liang troops to be pacified, announcing to them, “Ma Teng and his son were plotting rebellion. This has nothing to do with the rest of you.” He also sent men to seal the passes, ensuring that Ma Dai could not escape. As it happened, Ma Dai was leading a thousand men in the rear. Soldiers who had fled from Xuchang brought him the news. Ma Dai was horrified. Abandoning his troops, he disguised himself as a merchant and fled through the night. Having killed Ma Teng and the others, Cao Cao resolved to launch his southern campaign. Suddenly, a messenger reported, “Liu Bei is drilling his troops, gathering equipment, and preparing to take Sichuan.” Cao Cao was alarmed. “If Liu Bei takes Sichuan, his wings will be fully grown. How will we deal with him then?” Before he finished speaking, a man stepped forward from below the hall and said, “I have a plan that will prevent Liu Bei and Sun Quan from aiding each other, and will deliver both the lands south of the Yangtze and Western Sichuan into your hands, Chancellor.” Truly: “The hero of the western regions had just been slaughtered; the heroes of the southern lands were about to suffer calamity.” Who was this man offering the plan? The next chapter will reveal.