The mighty Yangtze River rolls eastward, its waves washing away all heroes. Right and wrong, success and failure, in a turn of the head, vanish. The green hills remain as ever, how many times have they witnessed the setting sun's crimson glow? On the river's islet, a white-haired fisherman and woodcutter, accustomed to the autumn moon and spring breeze, share a jug of unstrained wine in joyful meeting. How many tales of ancient and modern times are all consigned to laughter and idle talk? — A tune to "Immortal by the River."
It is said that the great trend of all under Heaven: long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. At the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the Seven Warring States contended, and were absorbed into Qin. After the fall of Qin, Chu and Han struggled for supremacy, and were once again absorbed into the great Han. The Han Dynasty rose when its first ancestor, Gaozu, slew the white serpent and raised a righteous army, unifying the realm. Later, Emperor Guangwu restored the dynasty, but by the time the throne passed to Emperor Xian, the empire was split into three kingdoms. Tracing the root of this chaos, it began with Emperors Huan and Ling. Emperor Huan imprisoned virtuous men and trusted eunuchs. After Huan's death, Emperor Ling ascended the throne, assisted by Grand General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan. But eunuchs like Cao Jie seized power. Dou Wu and Chen Fan plotted to eliminate them, but their scheme was not kept secret, and they were instead slain by the eunuchs. From then on, the eunuchs grew ever more tyrannical.
In the second year of the Jianning era, on the day of the full moon in April, the Emperor was holding court in the Wen Virtue Hall. As he took his seat, a fierce wind suddenly rose from a corner of the hall. A great green serpent, descending from the rafters, coiled itself upon the throne. The Emperor, stricken with terror, collapsed, and his attendants rushed him into the inner palace. The hundred officials scattered in panic. In a moment, the serpent vanished. Then came a great thunderstorm with hail, which did not cease until midnight, destroying countless houses. In the fourth year of Jianning, in the second month, an earthquake struck Luoyang; the seas overflowed, and the coastal inhabitants were all swept into the ocean by the great waves. In the first year of the Guanghe era, a hen turned into a rooster. On the first day of the sixth month, a black vapor, over ten zhang high, flew into the Wen Virtue Hall. In the autumn of the seventh month, a rainbow appeared in the Jade Hall; the cliffs of Mount Wuyuan all split and collapsed. These were but a few of the many portents of ill omen. The Emperor issued a decree asking his ministers the cause of these calamities. Court Gentleman Cai Yong submitted a memorial, stating that the falling rainbow and the hen's transformation were caused by women and eunuchs meddling in state affairs. His words were direct and cutting. The Emperor, reading the memorial, sighed, and rose to change his clothes. Eunuch Cao Jie, spying from behind, reported Cai Yong's words to his fellow eunuchs. They then framed Cai Yong on other charges and exiled him to his home village. Later, ten eunuchs—Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Feng Xu, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, Hou Lan, Jian Shuo, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and Guo Sheng—formed a clique, calling themselves the "Ten Regular Attendants." The Emperor revered and trusted Zhang Rang, calling him "Father Zhang." Court affairs grew daily more corrupt, so that the hearts of the people yearned for rebellion, and bandits rose like a swarm of hornets.
At that time, in Julu Commandery, there were three brothers: Zhang Jiao, Zhang Bao, and Zhang Liang. Zhang Jiao, originally a failed scholar, was gathering herbs in the mountains when he encountered an old man with emerald eyes and a youthful face, leaning on a thornwood staff. The old man summoned Jiao into a cave and bestowed upon him three volumes of a celestial text. "This is called the 'Essential Arts for Peace,'" the old man said. "When you acquire it, you must act as Heaven's agent to spread virtue and save all people. If you harbor treacherous thoughts, you will surely reap evil retribution." Jiao bowed and asked the old man's name. The old man replied, "I am the Immortal of Southern Hua." With these words, he transformed into a gentle breeze and vanished. Jiao, having obtained this book, studied it day and night, learning to summon wind and rain, and was called the "Peaceful Taoist."
In the first month of the first year of the Zhongping era, a plague was rampant. Zhang Jiao distributed charmed water to cure the sick, calling himself the "Great and Virtuous Teacher." He had over five hundred disciples who wandered the four directions, all skilled in writing talismans and reciting incantations. Soon, his followers grew daily in number. Jiao established thirty-six divisions—the larger ones with over ten thousand men, the smaller with six or seven thousand—and appointed leaders for each, whom he called generals. He spread the rumor: "The Azure Heaven is dead; the Yellow Heaven shall soon be established. In the year of Jiazi, all under Heaven shall know great good fortune." He ordered everyone to write the two characters "Jia Zi" on their front gates with white earth. In the eight provinces of Qing, You, Xu, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, and Yu, every household worshipped the name of the Great and Virtuous Teacher, Zhang Jiao. Jiao sent his follower Ma Yuanyi with secret gifts of gold and silk to bribe the eunuch Feng Xu, securing him as an inside agent. Jiao then consulted his two brothers, saying, "What is hardest to obtain is the people's hearts. Now that the people's hearts are with us, if we do not seize this opportunity to take the realm, it would be a true pity." So, on the one hand, they secretly manufactured yellow banners and set a date for the uprising; on the other, they sent the disciple Tang Zhou with a swift letter to Feng Xu. But Tang Zhou went straight to the imperial secretariat and reported the conspiracy. The Emperor summoned Grand General He Jin to mobilize troops to capture Ma Yuanyi, who was beheaded; then Feng Xu and his associates were arrested and imprisoned.
Zhang Jiao, learning that the plot had been exposed, raised his army that very night. He proclaimed himself "General of Heaven," Zhang Bao "General of Earth," and Zhang Liang "General of Humanity." He declared to the multitude: "The destiny of Han is at an end. A great sage has appeared. You must all follow Heaven and obey the righteous, to enjoy the blessings of peace." The common people of the four directions, wrapping their heads in yellow turbans, followed Zhang Jiao in rebellion, numbering four to five hundred thousand. The rebel force was immense, and the imperial army fled before them like grass before the wind. He Jin urgently memorialized the Emperor to issue a swift decree for all regions to prepare defenses, to attack the rebels and earn merit. He also ordered Generals of the Household Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun to lead elite troops in three separate armies to suppress the rebellion.
Now, Zhang Jiao's army advanced into the territory of You Province. The Grand Administrator of You Province, Liu Yan, a native of Jingling in Jiangxia and a descendant of the Han's Prince Gong of Lu, heard that the rebel army was approaching. He summoned Commandant Zou Jing for counsel. Jing said, "The rebels are many; our forces are few. My lord should quickly recruit volunteers to meet the enemy." Liu Yan agreed and immediately posted a notice calling for righteous volunteers.
The notice reached Zhuo County, and there it drew forth a hero. This man was not overly fond of reading; he was gentle and generous in nature, sparing of speech, and his joy and anger never showed on his face. He had always harbored great ambitions and delighted in befriending the boldest heroes of the realm. He was seven and a half feet tall, with ears that hung to his shoulders, arms that extended past his knees, and eyes that could see his own ears. His face was like jade, and his lips were as if painted with vermilion. He was a descendant of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. His surname was Liu, his given name Bei, and his style name Xuande. Liu Sheng's son, Liu Zhen, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Zhuo Lu Ting during the reign of Emperor Wu, but later lost his title for failing to contribute his due share of gold for the imperial ancestral rites, thus leaving this branch of the family in Zhuo County. Xuande's grandfather was Liu Xiong, and his father was Liu Hong. Hong had been recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt (Xiàolián, a Han-dynasty civil service recommendation based on filial piety and incorrupt conduct) and had served as a minor official, but he died early. Xuande was orphaned as a child and served his mother with utmost filial piety. His family was poor, and he made a living by weaving straw sandals and mats. He lived in Lou Sang Village in his home county. To the southeast of his home stood a great mulberry tree, over five zhang tall. Seen from afar, its canopy was like the carriage awning of a noble. A physiognomist once said, "This household will surely produce a man of great rank." When Xuande was a child, he played under this tree with the other village boys and said, "When I become the Son of Heaven, I shall ride in a carriage with this as its canopy." His uncle, Liu Yuanqi, marveled at his words and said, "This is no ordinary child!" Seeing that Xuande's family was poor, he often provided for them. At the age of fifteen, his mother sent him to study, and he became a student of Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi, and befriended Gongsun Zan.
By the time Liu Yan posted the recruiting notice, Xuande was already twenty-eight years old. That day, upon seeing the notice, he heaved a long sigh of regret. Just then, a man behind him said in a stern voice, "A noble man should be devoting himself to his country's cause—yet here you are sighing alone?" Xuande turned to look at the speaker. He was eight feet tall, with a head like a leopard's, round eyes, a swallow's jowls, and a tiger's whiskers. His voice boomed like thunder, and his bearing was like a galloping horse. Seeing his extraordinary appearance, Xuande asked his name. The man replied, "My surname is Zhang, my given name Fei, and my style name Yide. I have lived for generations in Zhuo Commandery, with a fair amount of fields and property. I sell wine and slaughter pigs, and I delight in befriending the boldest heroes of the realm. Just now, I saw you sighing as you looked at the notice, and so I asked." Xuande said, "I am a scion of the Han imperial house, my surname Liu, my given name Bei. Now I hear that the Yellow Turbans are in revolt. I have the ambition to crush the rebels and bring peace to the people, but I regret that I lack the strength to do so. That is why I sighed." Fei said, "I have considerable wealth. Let me recruit some village braves, and we can undertake this great enterprise together. What do you say?" Xuande was overjoyed, and they went together to a village tavern to drink.
As they were drinking, they saw a great, tall man pushing a cart, who stopped at the tavern door. He entered, sat down, and called to the waiter, "Pour the wine quickly! I must get to the city to enlist." Xuande looked at the man: he was nine feet tall, with a beard two feet long. His face was the color of a dark date, and his lips were like vermilion. He had phoenix eyes and eyebrows like sleeping silkworms. His appearance was dignified, and he carried himself with an awe-inspiring presence. Xuande invited him to sit with them and asked his name. The man said, "My surname is Guan, my given name Yu, and my former style name Changsheng, now changed to Yunchang. I am a native of Xieliang in Hedong. Because a local bully in my area used his power to oppress others, I killed him and have been a fugitive for five or six years. Hearing that there is a call for volunteers to crush the rebels, I have come to enlist." Xuande then told him of his own ambition, and Yunchang was overjoyed. They went together to Zhang Fei's farm to discuss their plans. Fei said, "Behind my farm is a peach orchard, where the blossoms are in full bloom. Tomorrow, let us make an offering in the orchard to Heaven and Earth, and swear an oath as brothers. With united hearts and strength, we can then plan our great enterprise." Xuande and Yunchang answered in unison, "This is an excellent idea."
The next day, in the peach orchard, they prepared a black ox, a white horse, and other sacrificial offerings. The three men burned incense and, bowing low, made their vow: "We, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, though of different surnames, now swear to be brothers, united in heart and strength, to rescue the distressed and aid the endangered. Above, we shall serve our country; below, we shall bring peace to the common people. We do not ask to be born on the same day, in the same month, or in the same year, but we only ask to die on the same day, in the same month, and in the same year. May Heaven and Earth bear witness to our hearts. Should any one of us turn against the other and forget our bond, may both gods and men destroy him!" After the oath, they bowed to Liu Bei as the eldest brother, Guan Yu as the second, and Zhang Fei as the youngest. Having sacrificed to Heaven and Earth, they then slaughtered an ox and laid out wine, gathering three hundred village braves, and feasted in the peach orchard until they were dead drunk. The next day, they prepared weapons, but regretted having no horses to ride. As they were pondering this, a report came that two merchants were approaching the farm, leading a drove of horses. Xuande said, "This is Heaven's blessing!" The three brothers went out of the farm to greet them. The two merchants were wealthy traders from Zhongshan: Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang. They traveled north every year to trade horses, but had turned back recently due to the rebellion. Xuande invited them into the farm, prepared wine to entertain them, and told them of his desire to suppress the rebels and bring peace to the people. The two merchants were delighted and offered to donate fifty fine horses, along with five hundred taels of gold and silver and a thousand jin of fine iron for making weapons.
Xuande thanked the two merchants and had a skilled smith forge a pair of Twin Swords. Guan Yu forged the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, also called "Frost-Fair Blade," weighing eighty-two jin. Zhang Fei forged an Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear. Each also had a full suit of armor. They gathered over five hundred village braves and went to see Zou Jing. Zou Jing led them to Grand Administrator Liu Yan. After the three presented themselves and gave their names, Xuande spoke of his lineage. Liu Yan was overjoyed and acknowledged Xuande as his nephew. Within a few days, a report came that the Yellow Turbans general Cheng Yuanzhi was leading an army of fifty thousand to invade Zhuo Commandery. Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to lead Xuande and the other two, with five hundred troops, to go and crush the enemy. Xuande and his brothers eagerly led their forces forward until they reached the foot of Mount Daxing, where they encountered the rebel army. The rebels were all bare-headed, with yellow turbans tied around their foreheads. The two armies faced each other. Xuande rode out, with Yunchang on his left and Yide on his right, and raised his whip, shouting, "Rebels against the state! Why do you not surrender at once?" Cheng Yuanzhi was enraged and sent his deputy general, Deng Mao, into battle. Zhang Fei, wielding his Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear, charged straight out. With a single thrust, he pierced Deng Mao through the heart, and Deng Mao tumbled from his horse. Seeing Deng Mao fall, Cheng Yuanzhi spurred his horse and, brandishing his blade, charged directly at Zhang Fei. Yunchang, swinging his great blade, galloped forward to meet him. Cheng Yuanzhi, startled, was caught off guard, and with a stroke of Yunchang's blade, he was cleaved in two.
A poet of the time recorded: "On this day, true heroism blazed into the light—one tested his spear, the other his blade. From their very first campaign, their martial prowess announced itself, marking names that would one day define the Three Kingdoms."
Seeing Cheng Yuanzhi slain, the rebel troops threw down their weapons and fled. Xuande waved his army forward in pursuit. Countless rebels surrendered, and they returned in great victory. Liu Yan came out to greet them in person and rewarded the soldiers. The next day, a dispatch arrived from Gong Jing, the Grand Administrator of Qing Province, stating that the Yellow Turbans were besieging his city and it was about to fall, begging for reinforcements. Liu Yan consulted with Xuande. Xuande said, "I am willing to go to their aid." Liu Yan ordered Zou Jing to lead five thousand troops, and together with Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, they marched to Qing Province. When the rebel forces saw the relief army arriving, they divided their troops to engage in a chaotic battle. Xuande's forces were outnumbered and could not prevail. They withdrew thirty li and set up camp.
Xuande said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "The rebels are many; we are few. We must use an unconventional strategy to win." He then ordered Guan Yu to lead a thousand men to ambush on the left side of the mountain, and Zhang Fei to lead a thousand men to ambush on the right. At the signal of the gongs, they were to attack together. The next day, Xuande and Zou Jing led their forces forward with a great clamor. The rebels came out to meet them, and Xuande's army feigned a retreat. The rebels gave chase. As they crossed the mountain ridge, the gongs in Xuande's army sounded together. The ambushing forces from left and right attacked simultaneously, while Xuande turned his army around to rejoin the fight. Attacked from three sides, the rebels were utterly routed. They were pursued all the way to the walls of Qing Province, where Grand Administrator Gong Jing led his own militia out of the city to join the battle. The rebel army was completely defeated, with many slain, and the siege of Qing Province was lifted.
A poet of the time praised Xuande: "His strategies and calculations were divinely inspired; two tigers must yield to a single dragon. Achieving such great deeds from his very first campaign, it was only fitting that in his humble beginnings, the tripod would be divided."
After Gong Jing had feasted the army, Zou Jing wished to return. Xuande said, "I have heard that General of the Household Lu Zhi is locked in battle with the rebel leader Zhang Jiao at Guangzong. I was once a student of Lu Zhi, and I wish to go and assist him." So Zou Jing led his army back, while Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei marched their five hundred men to Guangzong. They entered Lu Zhi's camp, paid their respects, and explained their purpose. Lu Zhi was overjoyed and kept them with his army, ready for his commands.
At that time, Zhang Jiao had a force of one hundred and fifty thousand, while Lu Zhi had only fifty thousand. They were at a stalemate at Guangzong, with neither side yet victorious. Lu Zhi said to Xuande, "I have the rebels besieged here. Zhang Jiao's brothers, Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, are at Yingchuan, facing Generals Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun. You can take your own troops, and I will also give you a thousand regular soldiers. Go to Yingchuan to gather intelligence and coordinate a joint attack." Xuande accepted the order and led his men day and night toward Yingchuan.
Generals Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun were engaging the rebels. The rebels, losing the battle, retreated into Changshe and set up camp in the tall grass. Huangfu Song said to Zhu Jun, "The rebels are camped in the grass. We should use fire." He ordered each soldier to prepare a bundle of dry grass and set up an ambush. That night, a great wind suddenly arose. After the second watch, they set the grass on fire all at once. Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun each led their troops to attack the rebel camp. The flames rose to the sky. The rebels, in panic, had no time to saddle their horses or don their armor, and fled in all directions.
The battle raged until dawn. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao, leading the remnants of their shattered army, fought their way through. Suddenly, they saw a unit of cavalry, all flying red banners, blocking their path. At the head of this force was a general, seven feet tall, with narrow eyes and a long beard. He held the rank of Colonel of Cavalry and was a native of Qiao Commandery in Pei State. His surname was Cao, and his given name Cao Cao; his style name was Mengde.
Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was originally of the Xiahou clan. Because he became the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng, he took the surname Cao. Cao Song fathered Cao Cao, whose childhood name was A Man, also known as Ji Li. As a child, Cao Cao loved hunting and revelry, delighted in music and dance, and was cunning and resourceful. He had an uncle who, seeing Cao Cao's unrestrained behavior, often grew angry and reported it to Cao Song. Cao Song would then reprimand Cao Cao. One day, Cao Cao suddenly devised a scheme. Seeing his uncle coming, he pretended to fall to the ground, feigning a seizure. His uncle, alarmed, told Cao Song. Cao Song rushed to look, but Cao Cao was perfectly fine. Cao Song asked, "Your uncle said you had a seizure. Is it cured?" Cao Cao replied, "I have never had such an illness. Because I have lost my uncle's favor, he slanders me falsely." Cao Song believed him. After that, whenever his uncle reported Cao Cao's faults, Cao Song paid no attention. Thus, Cao Cao was able to indulge his wild ways. There was a man named Qiao Xuan who said to Cao Cao, "The realm is about to fall into chaos. Only a man of extraordinary talent can save it. The one who can bring peace—could it be you?" When He Yong of Nanyang saw Cao Cao, he said, "The Han Dynasty is about to fall. The one who will bring peace to the realm is surely this man." Xu Shao of Runan was famous for his ability to judge men. Cao Cao went to see him and asked, "What kind of man am I?" Xu Shao did not answer. Cao Cao asked again, and Xu Shao said, "You would be a capable minister in times of peace, and a bold and cunning figure in times of chaos." Cao Cao was greatly pleased to hear this. At the age of twenty, he was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt (Xiàolián, a Han-dynasty civil service recommendation based on filial piety and incorrupt conduct), became a Gentleman of the Palace, and was appointed Commandant of the Northern District of Luoyang. Upon taking office, he had over a dozen five-colored clubs placed at the four gates of the district. Anyone who violated the law, regardless of rank or wealth, was beaten. One night, the uncle of the eunuch Jian Shuo was walking abroad with a drawn sword. Cao Cao, on patrol, apprehended him and had him beaten with the clubs. From then on, no one within or without dared to break the law, and his reputation for sternness spread far and wide.
Later, he became the magistrate of Dunqiu. When the Yellow Turbans rose, he was appointed Colonel of Cavalry and led five thousand cavalry and infantry to Yingchuan to join the campaign. He arrived just as Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao were being routed. Cao Cao blocked their path, and in a fierce battle, slew over ten thousand of them, capturing countless banners, drums, and horses. Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao fought desperately and managed to escape. Cao Cao then met with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, and immediately led his troops in pursuit of Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao.
Meanwhile, Xuande led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei toward Yingchuan. Hearing the sounds of battle and seeing the flames lighting up the sky, they hurried forward, but by the time they arrived, the rebels had already been scattered. Xuande met with Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun and explained Lu Zhi's plan. Huangfu Song said, "Zhang Liang and Zhang Bao are exhausted and out of options. They will surely flee to Guangzong to join Zhang Jiao. Xuande, you should go there immediately to help." Xuande accepted the order and led his troops back. Halfway there, they saw a group of soldiers escorting a prisoner cart. The prisoner inside was none other than Lu Zhi. Xuande was greatly alarmed. He dismounted from his horse and asked what had happened. Lu Zhi said, "I had Zhang Jiao surrounded and was on the verge of breaking him. But Zhang Jiao used sorcery, and I could not win quickly. The court sent the eunuch Zuo Feng to investigate. He demanded a bribe from me. I replied, 'My army is already short of food. How can I have extra money to bribe an imperial envoy?' Zuo Feng, harboring a grudge, reported to the court that I was building high ramparts and refusing to fight, and that I was demoralizing the army. The court, in a rage, sent General of the Household Dong Zhuo to replace me and ordered me back to the capital for punishment." Zhang Fei, hearing this, flew into a rage and wanted to kill the escorting soldiers to rescue Lu Zhi. Xuande quickly stopped him, saying, "The court will surely have its own judgment. How can you act rashly?" The soldiers escorted Lu Zhi away. Guan Yu said, "General Lu has been arrested. With someone else in command, we have no one to rely on. We might as well return to Zhuo Commandery." Xuande agreed, and they marched north. After two days of travel, they suddenly heard a great clamor from behind a mountain. Xuande, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, galloped up a high ridge to look. They saw the Han army in full retreat, and behind them, covering the mountains and plains, a vast sea of yellow-turbaned rebels. On their banners was written in large characters: "General of Heaven." Xuande said, "That is Zhang Jiao! We must attack quickly!" The three spurred their horses and led their troops out. Zhang Jiao had just defeated Dong Zhuo and was pressing forward when he suddenly encountered the three brothers. His army was thrown into confusion and routed, fleeing for over fifty li.
The three brothers rescued Dong Zhuo and returned to his camp. Dong Zhuo asked them what positions they held. Xuande replied, "We are commoners." Dong Zhuo treated them with great contempt and showed them no courtesy. Xuande withdrew. Zhang Fei was furious. "We shed our blood in battle to save this wretch, and he treats us with such insolence! If I do not kill him, I will not be able to vent my anger!" He was about to draw his sword and charge into the tent to kill Dong Zhuo. Truly: "Favor and contempt based on worldly power have been the same from ancient times to the present. Who can recognize a hero when he is a commoner? When will we find a man as quick to action as Yide, to slay all the ungrateful wretches in the world?" Whether Dong Zhuo would live or die, the next chapter will reveal.