When Liu Bei saw the rows of spears and swords displayed within Lady Sun's chambers, and her waiting maids all wearing swords at their sides, he could not help but turn pale with alarm. The housekeeper stepped forward and said, "My lord, do not be afraid. The Lady has loved martial arts since childhood and is accustomed to having her maids practice swordplay for her amusement. That is why things are arranged this way." Liu Bei replied, "This is not a sight that pleases me. It chills my heart. Please have them removed for now." The housekeeper reported to Lady Sun, "The presence of weapons in the chamber makes the honored guest uneasy. Perhaps they should be taken away." Lady Sun laughed and said, "Has a man who has spent half his life in battle truly come to fear weapons?" She ordered all the arms removed and commanded her maids to unbuckle their swords and wait upon him unarmed. That night, Liu Bei and Lady Sun were wed, and their affection for each other was deep and mutual. Liu Bei distributed gold and silk among the maids to win their loyalty, and sent Sun Qian ahead to Jing Province to announce the joyful news. Days were spent in feasting, and the Dowager Lady Wu held Liu Bei in the highest esteem.
Meanwhile, Sun Quan sent a messenger to Zhou Yu at Chaisang Commandery, reporting, "My mother insisted, and I have married my sister to Liu Bei. What was meant to be a false scheme has become reality. What are we to do now?" Zhou Yu was greatly alarmed and could find no rest, pacing endlessly. At last, he devised a plan and wrote a secret letter, which he gave to the messenger to deliver to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan opened and read it, the letter said in essence:
"The scheme I devised has, against all expectation, turned out this way. Now that the false has become real, we must use this situation to our advantage. Liu Bei has the nature of a fierce and ambitious hawk. He commands generals like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, and has Zhuge Liang as his strategist. Such a man will never long remain subordinate to others. In my humble opinion, we should detain him in Wu by soft means: build him a grand palace to weaken his ambition; send him beautiful women and rare treasures to dull his senses. Separate him from Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and keep Zhuge Liang far away. Set them each in different places, and then attack with our armies—the great matter can be settled. If we let him go now, I fear that when the dragon obtains clouds and rain, he will no longer be a creature content to remain in a pond. I beg you, my lord, to consider this carefully."
After reading the letter, Sun Quan showed it to Zhang Zhao. Zhang Zhao said, "Zhou Yu's plan matches my own thoughts exactly. Liu Bei rose from humble beginnings and has wandered the realm, never having tasted true luxury. If we now give him grand halls, beautiful women, gold, and silks to enjoy, he will naturally grow distant from Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. They will become resentful of one another, and then Jing Province can be taken. My lord should follow Zhou Yu's plan without delay." Sun Quan was delighted. That very day, he ordered the Eastern Mansion to be renovated, planted with flowers and trees, and filled with fine furnishings. He invited Liu Bei and his sister to live there. He also sent dozens of female musicians, along with gold, jade, brocade, and rare treasures. The Dowager Lady, believing Sun Quan was acting out of goodwill, was overjoyed. And indeed, Liu Bei became so captivated by pleasure and beauty that he forgot all about returning to Jing Province.
Zhao Yun and his five hundred soldiers were quartered in front of the Eastern Mansion. With nothing to do day after day, they spent their time outside the city walls, practicing archery and riding. As the year drew to a close, Zhao Yun suddenly recalled: "Zhuge Liang gave me three silk bags and instructed me to open the first upon reaching Nanxu, the second when the year ended, and the third only when we are in desperate straits with no way out. He said they contain miraculous plans to bring our lord home safely. The year is almost over, and our lord is lost in the pursuit of pleasure. I have not even seen him. Why not open the second bag and see what plan it holds?" He tore it open and read its contents.
Truly, it was a divine strategy. That very day, he went straight to the main hall and demanded an audience with Liu Bei. A maid announced, "Zhao Zilong has urgent news for the honored lord." Liu Bei summoned him and asked what the matter was. Zhao Yun feigned a look of shock and said, "My lord, you have hidden yourself away in painted halls—have you forgotten Jing Province?" Liu Bei asked, "What is so urgent that you are so alarmed?" Zhao Yun replied, "This morning, a messenger arrived from Kongming, reporting that Cao Cao, seeking vengeance for his defeat at Red Cliffs, has raised five hundred thousand elite troops and is marching on Jing Province. The situation is critical. He begs you to return at once." Liu Bei said, "I must discuss this with my wife." Zhao Yun insisted, "If you discuss it with her, she will surely not allow you to leave. Better to say nothing. Set out tonight. Delay will bring disaster!" Liu Bei said, "Withdraw for now. I will find a way." Zhao Yun pressed him several more times before leaving. Liu Bei went in to see Lady Sun, tears streaming silently down his face. Lady Sun asked, "Husband, what troubles you?" Liu Bei replied, "I am a man adrift in a foreign land. In life, I could not serve my parents; in death, I cannot offer sacrifices to my ancestors. I am the most unfilial of men. Now the New Year approaches, and my heart is filled with sorrow."
Lady Sun said, "Do not try to deceive me. I have already heard the truth. Just now, Zhao Zilong reported that Jing Province is in danger, and you wish to return to your homeland. You are using this excuse to hide your true intent." Liu Bei knelt and confessed, "Madam, since you already know, I dare not conceal it from you. If I do not go, Jing Province will be lost, and I will be laughed at by all under Heaven. But if I go, I cannot bear to leave you. That is why I am so troubled." Lady Sun said, "I have married you, and I will go wherever you go. I will follow you." Liu Bei replied, "Though your heart is willing, how can the Dowager Lady and the Marquis of Wu allow you to leave? If you have pity on me, I must take a temporary leave of you." As he spoke, tears fell like rain. Lady Sun comforted him, "Husband, do not be distressed. I will beg my mother earnestly. She will surely allow me to go with you." Liu Bei said, "Even if the Dowager Lady agrees, the Marquis of Wu will surely stand in our way." Lady Sun was silent for a long time, then said, "What if, during the New Year's greetings, we pretend we are going to the riverbank to offer sacrifices to our ancestors, and leave without telling anyone?" Liu Bei knelt again and thanked her, "If we can do this, I will never forget it as long as I live! But we must not let the secret slip." Having agreed on their plan, Liu Bei secretly summoned Zhao Yun and instructed him: "On New Year's Day, lead the soldiers out of the city first and wait for me on the main road. I will pretend to go and offer sacrifices, and I will leave with my wife." Zhao Yun acknowledged the order.
On the first day of the first month of the fifteenth year of the Jian'an era (AD 210), the Marquis of Wu held a grand assembly of his civil and military officials in the main hall. Liu Bei and Lady Sun entered to pay their respects to the Dowager Lady. Lady Sun said, "My husband's parents and ancestral graves are in Zhuo Commandery, and he grieves for them day and night. Today, he wishes to go to the riverbank to offer sacrifices to the north, and I must inform you of this, Mother." The Dowager Lady replied, "This is an act of filial piety. How could I refuse? Though you have never met your husband's parents, you may accompany him to perform the rites. It is proper for a wife." Lady Sun and Liu Bei bowed their thanks and left.
Sun Quan was completely in the dark. Lady Sun rode in a carriage, taking only her most valuable personal belongings. Liu Bei mounted his horse and, with a few riders, left the city to meet Zhao Yun. The five hundred soldiers, forming a protective vanguard and rearguard, departed from Nanxu and pressed forward at full speed. That day, Sun Quan drank heavily and was carried into his private chambers by his attendants, completely drunk. The officials all dispersed. By the time the officers learned of Liu Bei and Lady Sun's flight, it was already dusk. They tried to report to Sun Quan, but he was too drunk to be roused. When he finally awoke, it was the fifth watch of the night. The next morning, Sun Quan learned that Liu Bei had fled. He immediately summoned his civil and military officials to discuss the matter. Zhang Zhao said, "Now that this man has escaped, he will surely bring trouble upon us sooner or later. We must pursue him at once." Sun Quan ordered Chen Wu and Pan Zhang to select five hundred elite soldiers and pursue Liu Bei day and night, with orders to capture him and bring him back at all costs. The two generals accepted their orders and departed.
Sun Quan's hatred for Liu Bei burned so fiercely that he smashed the jade inkstone on his desk to pieces. Cheng Pu said, "My lord vents his rage in vain. I doubt Chen Wu and Pan Zhang will be able to capture him." Sun Quan demanded, "How dare you defy my orders!" Cheng Pu replied, "The Princess has loved martial arts since childhood and is stern and resolute. All the generals fear her. Since she has willingly followed Liu Bei, she will surely stand with him. If the pursuing generals see the Princess, how can they dare to lay hands on her?" Sun Quan flew into a rage. He drew his sword and summoned Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai, commanding them: "Take this sword and bring me the heads of my sister and Liu Bei! Whoever disobeys my order shall be executed on the spot!" Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai accepted the order and led a thousand soldiers in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei whipped his horse and pressed forward at full speed. That night, they rested only for the space of two watches before resuming their desperate flight. As they approached the borders of Chaisang Commandery, they saw a great cloud of dust rising behind them. A scout reported, "The pursuers are upon us!" Liu Bei turned to Zhao Yun in alarm and asked, "The pursuers are here. What are we to do?" Zhao Yun replied, "My lord, go on ahead. I will hold the rear." As they rounded the foot of a mountain, a detachment of troops blocked their path. At the head were two generals, who shouted in harsh voices, "Liu Bei, dismount and surrender at once! We are under orders from Commander-in-Chief Zhou Yu and have been waiting for you!" It turned out that Zhou Yu, fearing Liu Bei might escape, had sent Xu Sheng and Ding Feng with three thousand troops to set up camp at this strategic pass. They had kept men on high ground watching for Liu Bei, knowing that if he took the land route, he would have to pass this way. That day, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng spotted Liu Bei's party and blocked the road, weapons at the ready. Liu Bei reined in his horse in panic and asked Zhao Yun, "Enemies block our path ahead, and pursuers are closing in from behind. There is no way forward or back. What are we to do?" Zhao Yun said, "My lord, do not panic. The military strategist gave me three excellent plans, sealed in silk bags. I have opened two, and both have proven true. I still have the third here. He instructed me to open it only in the direst emergency. This is such a moment." He tore open the bag and handed its contents to Liu Bei.
After reading it, Liu Bei hurried to the carriage and spoke to Lady Sun through tears: "My lady, I have a secret to confess to you now that we have come this far." Lady Sun said, "Husband, speak plainly to me." Liu Bei said, "When the Marquis of Wu and Zhou Yu conspired to marry you to me, it was never for your sake. It was to trap me and seize Jing Province. Once Jing Province was taken, they would have killed me. You were the bait on their hook, and I was the fish. I came here, braving ten thousand deaths, because I knew you had the heart of a man and would surely take pity on me. I recently learned that the Marquis of Wu intended to do me harm, so I used the pretext of Jing Province's danger to plan our escape. Thanks to your kindness, we have come this far together. Now the Marquis of Wu has sent men to pursue us from behind, and Zhou Yu has blocked our path ahead. Only you can save us from this disaster. If you refuse, I will die here before your carriage to repay your virtue." Lady Sun said angrily, "If my brother does not treat me as his own flesh and blood, what face do I have to see him again? I will resolve this danger myself." She ordered her attendants to drive the carriage forward, pulled back the curtain, and shouted at Xu Sheng and Ding Feng: "Are you two trying to rebel?" The two generals quickly dismounted, dropped their weapons, and bowed before the carriage, saying, "How dare we rebel? We are only following Commander-in-Chief Zhou Yu's orders to wait here for Liu Bei." Lady Sun said in a rage, "Zhou Yu, that treacherous villain! I, of Eastern Wu, have never wronged you! Liu Bei is the Imperial Uncle of the great Han and my husband. I have already told my mother and brother that I am returning to Jing Province. And now you two block the road with soldiers at the foot of this mountain. Do you intend to rob my husband and me of our belongings?" Xu Sheng and Ding Feng stammered their apologies, saying, "We dare not. Please calm your anger, my lady. This has nothing to do with us. It is Commander-in-Chief Zhou Yu's order." Lady Sun scolded them, "You fear only Zhou Yu, but do you not fear me? If Zhou Yu can kill you, can I not kill Zhou Yu?" She raged at Zhou Yu for a long time, then ordered the carriage to proceed. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng thought to themselves, "We are but subordinates. How can we defy the Princess?" And seeing Zhao Yun's furious expression, they had no choice but to order their men to stand aside and clear the road.
They had gone barely five or six li when Chen Wu and Pan Zhang caught up from behind. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng told them what had happened. Chen Wu and Pan Zhang said, "You made a mistake by letting them pass. We have orders from the Marquis of Wu himself to capture them and bring them back." The four generals combined their forces and pressed forward in pursuit. As Liu Bei was riding along, he heard a great clamor rising behind him. He again appealed to Lady Sun: "The pursuers are upon us again. What are we to do?" Lady Sun said, "Husband, go on ahead. I will hold the rear with Zilong." Liu Bei led three hundred soldiers toward the riverbank. Zhao Yun reined in his horse beside the carriage, deployed his troops, and waited for the approaching generals. When the four generals saw Lady Sun, they had no choice but to dismount and stand with their hands clasped respectfully. Lady Sun demanded, "Chen Wu and Pan Zhang, what business do you have here?" The two generals replied, "We are under orders from our lord to request that you and Liu Bei return." Lady Sun scolded them sternly, "It is scoundrels like you who have sown discord between my brother and me! I am a married woman, and I am returning to my husband's home. This is not an elopement. I have my mother's gracious permission to return to Jing Province with my husband. Even if my brother himself came, he would have to act according to propriety. Do you two think you can use military force to harm me?" The four generals looked at one another in dismay, each thinking, "Brother and sister they will always be. And with the Dowager Lady backing them—the Marquis of Wu is a filial son, how can he defy his mother's wishes? If they reconcile tomorrow, we will be the ones to blame. Better to do them a favor." Moreover, Liu Bei was nowhere to be seen, and Zhao Yun stood glaring, as if eager for battle. So the four generals bowed and withdrew, muttering their apologies. Lady Sun ordered the carriage to move forward. Xu Sheng said, "Let us all go together to report this to Commander-in-Chief Zhou Yu."
While the four generals were still hesitating, they saw a force approaching like a whirlwind. It was Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai. The two generals asked, "Have you seen Liu Bei?" The four replied, "He passed by this morning. It has been half a day." Jiang Qin said, "Why did you not capture him?" Each of the four explained what had happened with Lady Sun. Jiang Qin said, "The Marquis of Wu anticipated this. He gave me his sword and ordered me to kill his sister first, and then Liu Bei. Whoever disobeys shall be executed on the spot!" The four generals said, "They are far away by now. What can we do?" Jiang Qin said, "They are on foot and cannot move quickly. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, ride ahead to report to the Commander-in-Chief and have him send fast boats by water. The four of us will pursue along the shore. Whether by land or water, we must catch up and kill them. Do not listen to her words." Xu Sheng and Ding Feng galloped off to report to Zhou Yu, while Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, and Pan Zhang led their troops in pursuit along the riverbank.
Liu Bei's party, now far from Chaisang, arrived at Liulang Ford and felt some relief. They searched along the riverbank for a ferry, but the river stretched before them, vast and empty, with no boats in sight. Liu Bei bowed his head in despair. Zhao Yun said, "My lord, we have escaped the tiger's mouth and are now near our own borders. I am certain the military strategist has made preparations. Why hesitate?" At these words, Liu Bei was suddenly reminded of the pleasures he had enjoyed in Wu, and tears of sorrow flowed unbidden.
A poet of the time lamented: "At this river's edge, the marriage of Wu and Shu was sealed, with pearl-studded canopies and halls of gold. Who would have thought a woman could be so lightly valued, when she held the power to change the tripartite ambition of Liu Bei's heart?"
Liu Bei ordered Zhao Yun to scout ahead for boats. Suddenly, a scout reported that a great cloud of dust was rising behind them. Liu Bei climbed a height to look and saw an army advancing like a tide across the land. He sighed, "After days of desperate flight, men and horses are exhausted. The pursuers are upon us again. There is no place left for us to die!" As the war cries grew nearer, they saw, to their astonishment, a line of twenty or more covered boats moored along the riverbank. Zhao Yun exclaimed, "Heaven has sent us these boats! Why not board them quickly and cross to the other side? We can decide what to do later!" Liu Bei and Lady Sun hurried aboard. Zhao Yun led the five hundred soldiers onto the boats. Just then, a man in a silk headdress and Daoist robe stepped out from the cabin, laughing heartily, and said, "My lord, rejoice! I, Zhuge Liang, have been waiting here for some time." The men disguised as passengers on the boats were all Jing Province's naval troops. Liu Bei was overjoyed. Within moments, the four pursuing generals arrived at the shore. Kongming pointed at them and laughed, "I have calculated everything long ago. Go back and tell Zhou Yu to stop using his 'beauty trap' schemes." The generals on the shore fired a volley of arrows, but the boats were already far out of range. Jiang Qin and the other three could only stare helplessly.
As Liu Bei and Kongming sailed on, the river suddenly roared with the sound of oars. They looked back and saw countless war vessels. Beneath the commander's banner, Zhou Yu himself led his veteran naval forces, with Huang Gai on his left and Han Dang on his right. They came on like flying horses, as swift as shooting stars. They were closing in. Kongming ordered the boats to head for the northern shore. They abandoned the vessels and went ashore, taking to the road with their carriages and horses. Zhou Yu reached the riverbank and also went ashore to pursue. His entire naval force, from the greatest to the least, was on foot, with only the leading officers on horseback. Zhou Yu led the charge, with Huang Gai, Han Dang, Xu Sheng, and Ding Feng following close behind. Zhou Yu asked, "What place is this?" A soldier replied, "Ahead lies the border of Huang Province." Seeing Liu Bei's carriages and horses not far ahead, Zhou Yu ordered a full-speed pursuit. As they pressed forward, a drum roll sounded, and a band of swordsmen emerged from a mountain hollow. At their head was a great general—Guan Yu himself. Zhou Yu was thrown into confusion and hastily turned his horse to flee. Guan Yu gave chase, and Zhou Yu spurred his horse for his life. As he fled, a force under Huang Zhong emerged from the left, and another under Wei Yan from the right. The Wu army was utterly routed.
As Zhou Yu hurriedly boarded his boat, the soldiers on the shore shouted in unison: "Zhou Yu's brilliant plan to pacify the realm—he lost his wife and his soldiers as well!" Zhou Yu raged, "Let me go ashore and fight to the death!" Huang Gai and Han Dang strenuously opposed him. Zhou Yu thought to himself, "My plan has failed. What face do I have to see the Marquis of Wu?" He let out a great cry. The wound from his old injury burst open, and he collapsed on the deck. His officers rushed to help him, but he had already lost consciousness.
Truly, twice he had turned clever schemes into folly, and on this day, his rage was tinged with shame. Whether Zhou Yu's life was to be saved or lost, the next chapter will reveal.