Zhong Jin and Zhong Sheng now blocked Zhao Yun's path, engaging him in fierce combat. Zhao Yun thrust his spear forward, and Zhong Jin, wielding a great axe, charged to meet him. Their horses crossed, but before three exchanges were completed, Zhao Yun's spear pierced Zhong Jin, hurling him from his saddle. Zhao Yun cut his way through, but behind him, Zhong Sheng pursued with a halberd, his horse's nose nearly touching Zhao Yun's tail. The halberd's shadow flickered menacingly at Zhao Yun's back. In a desperate move, Zhao Yun abruptly reined his horse around, and the two mounts crashed chest to chest. Zhao Yun's left hand parried the halberd with his spear, while his right hand drew the Green-Glazed Sword, a blade of legendary sharpness. With a single stroke, he cleaved through Zhong Sheng's helmet and skull, splitting his head in two. Zhong Sheng fell dead from his horse, and his remaining soldiers scattered in terror. Thus freed, Zhao Yun raced toward Changban Bridge, but behind him, the clamor of pursuit grew thunderous—Wen Ping had arrived with his troops. Reaching the bridge, Zhao Yun found his men exhausted and his horses spent. There, he saw Zhang Fei, his serpent spear in hand, standing firm on the bridge astride his horse. Zhao Yun cried out, "Yide, save me!" Zhang Fei bellowed in reply, "Zilong, ride on! I will hold off the pursuers!"
Zhao Yun galloped across the bridge. After traveling more than twenty li, he found Xuande resting with his company beneath a tree. Zhao Yun dismounted, prostrated himself on the ground, and wept. Xuande wept as well. Gasping for breath, Zhao Yun said, "My crime deserves ten thousand deaths! Lady Mi, grievously wounded, refused to mount a horse and threw herself into a well to die. I could only push a wall of earth over her to give her burial. Clutching the young lord to my breast, I broke through the enemy's heavy encirclement. Thanks to my lord's great fortune, I managed to escape. The young prince was crying in my arms moments ago, but now I hear nothing—I fear he may not have survived." He then untied the bundle to look, and found that A-dou was sleeping soundly, not yet awake. Overjoyed, Zhao Yun exclaimed, "Thank Heaven the young lord is safe!" He presented the child with both hands to Xuande. Xuande took the boy and hurled him to the ground, saying, "For this wretched child, I nearly lost one of my finest generals!" Zhao Yun hastily scooped up A-dou from the ground, weeping as he bowed, "Even if my liver and brains were spilled upon the ground, I could never repay this kindness!"
A poet of the time recorded this scene: From amidst Cao Cao's army, a flying tiger emerged; within Zhao Yun's arms, a young dragon slumbered. With no other way to comfort his loyal officer's heart, the lord cast his own son before his horse.
Meanwhile, Wen Ping pursued Zhao Yun to Changban Bridge, only to see Zhang Fei standing on the bridge, his tiger whiskers bristling, his round eyes blazing, his serpent spear in hand, mounted and defiant. Beyond the woods east of the bridge, a great dust cloud rose, and Wen Ping, suspecting an ambush, reined in his horse and dared not approach. Soon, Cao Ren, Li Dian, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Yue Jin, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, and Xu Chu all arrived. Seeing Zhang Fei's furious gaze and leveled spear on the bridge, and fearing it might be another of Zhuge Liang's stratagems, none dared advance. They halted their forces, drawing up in a line west of the bridge, and sent a rider to report to Cao Cao. Upon hearing the news, Cao Cao mounted his horse and hurried to the rear of the formation. Zhang Fei, his round eyes straining, saw the blue silk canopy and ceremonial banners of the commander's retinue approaching and knew that Cao Cao, suspicious, had come to see for himself. Zhang Fei then let out a thunderous roar: "I am Zhang Yide of Yan! Who dares to fight me to the death?" His voice crashed like a clap of thunder. The Cao army trembled at the sound, their legs shaking. Cao Cao urgently ordered his canopy removed and said to his attendants, "I have heard Guan Yunzhang say that Yide can pluck the head of a general from amidst a million troops as easily as taking something from his pocket. Now that we face him, we must not take him lightly." Before he could finish, Zhang Fei's eyes blazed as he roared again, "Zhang Yide of Yan is here! Who dares to meet me in mortal combat?" Seeing Zhang Fei's fierce spirit, Cao Cao began to consider retreat. Zhang Fei noticed the rear of Cao Cao's army shifting and, leveling his spear, shouted a third time: "You will not fight, and you will not retreat—what is the meaning of this?" Before his shout died away, Xiahou Jie, standing beside Cao Cao, was so terrified that his liver and gallbladder burst, and he toppled backward from his horse. Cao Cao wheeled his horse and fled. At this, all the officers and troops fled westward together.
Truly, how could a beardless youth endure the crash of thunder? How could a sickly woodcutter withstand the roar of a tiger or leopard? In that moment, countless men cast aside their spears and helmets. The human tide surged, horses tumbled like an avalanche, and the army trampled itself in its panic. Later, a poet wrote in praise: At Changban Bridge, a killing aura was born; spear leveled, horse poised, eyes blazing wide. With a single roar like a thunderclap, he alone repelled a million of Cao's men.
So it was that Cao Cao, terrified by Zhang Fei's might, spurred his horse westward in flight, his hairpin falling from his crown as he fled with hair unbound. Zhang Liao and Xu Chu caught up, seizing his bridle. Cao Cao was frantic and confused. Zhang Liao said, "Let not the Chancellor be alarmed. Zhang Fei is but one man—why should we fear him? If we turn our army back now and attack, Liu Bei can be captured." Only then did Cao Cao's composure return. He ordered Zhang Liao and Xu Chu to ride back to Changban Bridge to reconnoiter.
Zhang Fei, seeing the Cao army retreat in a single wave, did not dare to pursue. He quickly summoned the twenty or so riders who had been with him, untied the branches from their horses' tails that had raised the dust, and ordered the bridge destroyed. Then he rode back to see Xuande and reported what he had done. Xuande said, "My brother, you are brave, but you have acted without due consideration." Zhang Fei asked why. Xuande replied, "Cao Cao is full of schemes. You should not have broken the bridge. Now he will surely pursue us." Zhang Fei said, "After my single shout, he retreated several li—how would he dare to chase us again?" Xuande explained, "If you had left the bridge intact, he would have suspected an ambush and dared not advance. But now that you have broken it, he knows we have few troops and are afraid. He will certainly pursue. He commands a million men—they could fill the Yangtze and Han rivers with their bodies and cross. Why would they fear a broken bridge?" So they immediately set out, taking a small road toward Hanjin, heading in the direction of Mianyang.
Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao and Xu Chu to scout Changban Bridge. They returned and reported, "Zhang Fei has broken the bridge and departed." Cao Cao said, "He broke the bridge and fled—that shows his fear." He then ordered ten thousand troops to quickly construct three pontoon bridges, commanding that they cross that very night. Li Dian cautioned, "This may be a trick of Zhuge Liang's. We should not advance rashly." Cao Cao replied, "Zhang Fei is a man of mere brute courage—he is incapable of such deception!" He then issued orders for a rapid advance.
As Xuande approached Hanjin, he suddenly saw a great dust cloud rising behind him, with drums thundering and shouts shaking the earth. Xuande cried out, "Before us lies the great river, and behind us, the pursuing army—what are we to do?" He urgently ordered Zhao Yun to prepare for battle. Cao Cao commanded his army, "Now Liu Bei is a fish in a pot, a tiger in a pit. If we do not seize him now, it will be like releasing a fish into the sea or letting a tiger return to the mountains. Officers, press forward with all your might!" The officers received their orders, each vying to be the first in the chase. Suddenly, from behind a hillside, drums sounded and a troop of cavalry burst forth, shouting, "I have been waiting here for a long time!" At their head rode a great general, wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and mounted on Red Hare. It was Guan Yunchang, who had borrowed ten thousand troops from Jiangxia. Learning of the great battle at Dangyang Changban, he had cut across this road to intercept the enemy. The moment Cao Cao saw Guan Yu, he reined in his horse and said to his officers, "Once again, I have fallen for Zhuge Liang's scheme!" He ordered the entire army to retreat swiftly.
Guan Yu pursued them for more than ten li, then turned his troops back to protect Xuande and his company as they reached Hanjin. Boats were already waiting there. Guan Yu invited Xuande, Lady Gan, and A-dou aboard, where they settled. Guan Yu asked, "Where are my two sisters-in-law?" Xuande recounted the events at Dangyang. Guan Yu sighed, "If you had followed my advice during the hunt at Xutian, we would not face such troubles today." Xuande said, "At that time, I feared to harm the vessel for the sake of the jewel."
As they spoke, they suddenly heard war drums booming from the southern shore of the river. Boats, countless as ants, came sailing with the wind, their sails unfurled. Xuande was greatly alarmed. As the boats drew near, they saw a man in white robes and silver armor standing at the prow, calling out, "Uncle, I trust you are well! Forgive your nephew's offense." Xuande looked and saw it was Liu Qi. Liu Qi crossed over to Xuande's boat, weeping as he bowed, "Hearing that you were trapped by Cao Cao, Uncle, I have come to your aid." Xuande was overjoyed. They joined their forces and sailed on. As they were sharing their tales aboard the ship, a line of warships appeared from the southwest, riding the wind with a loud whistle. Liu Qi exclaimed in alarm, "I have already brought all the troops from Jiangxia! These warships blocking our path must belong either to Cao Cao or to the forces of Jiangdong. What do we do?" Xuande went to the prow to look and saw a man in a scholar's headdress and Daoist robes sitting at the bow—it was Kongming, with Sun Qian standing behind him. Xuande hastily invited him aboard and asked why he was here. Kongming said, "When I reached Jiangxia, I first sent Yunzhang to land at Hanjin to meet you. I calculated that Cao Cao would surely pursue, and that you would not come via Jiangling but would take the road to Hanjin. So I asked the young lord to come to your aid first, while I went to Xiakou to raise all the troops there and bring them to help." Xuande was delighted. They combined their forces and discussed how to defeat Cao Cao. Kongming said, "Xiakou is a strategically defensible city with ample grain and supplies, and it can be held for a long time. I suggest that you, my lord, station your forces at Xiakou. The young lord should return to Jiangxia to reorganize his warships and weapons, forming a pincer formation with us to resist Cao Cao. If we all go to Jiangxia, our position will become isolated." Liu Qi said, "The military strategist speaks well. But I would ask that my uncle come to Jiangxia first, to rest and reorganize before returning to Xiakou." Xuande said, "My nephew's words are also reasonable." He then left Guan Yu with five thousand troops to guard Xiakou, while Xuande, Kongming, and Liu Qi set out for Jiangxia.
Cao Cao, seeing Guan Yu cut off his path on land, suspected an ambush and dared not pursue. Fearing that Xuande might seize Jiangling by water first, he marched his army day and night toward Jiangling. Deng Yi, the Administrator of Jing Province, and Liu Xian, the Assistant Officer, who were fully aware of the situation at Xiangyang and knew they could not resist Cao Cao, led the officials and people of the city out to surrender. Cao Cao entered the city, pacified the people, released Han Song from prison, and appointed him Grand Herald. The other officials each received their rewards. Cao Cao then addressed his officers, saying, "Now Liu Bei has fled to Jiangxia. If he forms an alliance with Eastern Wu, the threat will spread like weeds. How should we deal with him?" Xun Yu said, "Let us now display our overwhelming military might. Send an envoy with a proclamation to Jiangdong, inviting Sun Quan to join us in a hunt at Jiangxia, to capture Liu Bei together, and to divide the lands of Jing Province between us, forging a lasting alliance. Sun Quan will be alarmed and will come to surrender, and our plan will succeed." Cao Cao followed this advice. He dispatched a proclamation and an envoy to Eastern Wu, while mustering his forces—830,000 cavalry, infantry, and naval troops, falsely claiming a million. They advanced by both land and water, with ships and horsemen proceeding in parallel along the river, their camps stretching for over 300 li from the western reaches of Jing and Xia to the eastern borders of Qi and Huang.
Let us turn now to the other side. Sun Quan of Jiangdong, stationed at Chaisang, heard that Cao Cao's great army had reached Xiangyang, that Liu Cong had surrendered, and that Cao Cao was now marching day and night to seize Jiangling. He summoned his advisors to discuss defensive strategies. Lu Su said, "Jing Province borders our lands. Its mountains and rivers are strategically defensible, and its people are prosperous. If we can take possession of it, we will have the foundation for an empire. Now that Liu Biao has just died and Liu Bei has been newly defeated, I request permission to go to Jiangxia on the pretext of offering condolences. I will then persuade Liu Bei to rally Liu Biao's former officers and join us in a united effort to defeat Cao Cao. If Liu Bei agrees, our great plan can succeed." Sun Quan was pleased and agreed, sending Lu Su with gifts to Jiangxia to offer condolences. Meanwhile, Xuande arrived at Jiangxia and discussed strategy with Kongming and Liu Qi. Kongming said, "Cao Cao's power is immense; it will be difficult to resist him directly. It would be better to seek aid from Sun Quan of Jiangdong, making him our ally. Let the north and south contend, and we can seize the advantage from the middle. What objection could there be?" Xuande said, "Jiangdong is full of talented men, and they will surely have long-term plans. Why would they be willing to accept us?" Kongming smiled and replied, "Cao Cao now leads a million men and is poised like a tiger over the Yangtze and Han rivers. Jiangdong will surely send someone to probe our situation. If such a person arrives, I will borrow a favorable wind and sail to Jiangdong. With my eloquence, I will set the northern and southern armies against each other. If the southern army wins, we can join them in destroying Cao Cao and seize Jing Province. If the northern army wins, we can take advantage of the situation to seize Jiangnan." Xuande said, "This is an excellent plan. But how will we get someone from Jiangdong to come?"
As they were speaking, a messenger reported that Sun Quan of Jiangdong had sent Lu Su to offer condolences, and his boat had already docked. Kongming laughed and said, "Our great plan is accomplished!" He then asked Liu Qi, "When Sun Ce died, did Xiangyang send anyone to offer condolences?" Liu Qi replied, "Jiangdong and our house have a blood feud—how could we have exchanged such courtesies?" Kongming said, "Then Lu Su's arrival is not for condolences; he has come to probe our military situation." He then said to Xuande, "When Lu Su arrives, if he asks about Cao Cao's movements, my lord, you must pretend to know nothing. If he presses you, say only that he should ask Zhuge Liang." Having settled this plan, they sent someone to welcome Lu Su. Lu Su entered the city to offer condolences. After accepting the gifts, Liu Qi invited Lu Su to meet with Xuande. When the formalities were concluded, they were invited into the rear hall to drink. Lu Su said, "I have long heard of the Imperial Uncle's great reputation, but never had the chance to pay my respects. Today, I am fortunate to meet you, and I am truly gratified. I hear that you have recently engaged Cao Cao in battle. You must know his true strength. May I ask how many troops Cao Cao has?" Xuande replied, "My forces are few and my generals weak. The moment I heard of Cao Cao's approach, I fled. I truly do not know his true strength." Lu Su said, "I hear that you employed Zhuge Kongming's strategies, and that two great fires made Cao Cao lose his soul and courage. How can you say you do not know?" Xuande said, "Unless you ask Kongming, you will not learn the details." Lu Su asked, "Where is Kongming? I wish to meet him." Xuande ordered Kongming to come out and meet him.
When Lu Su saw Kongming, he completed the formalities and said, "I have long admired your talent and virtue, but never had the chance to meet. Now that I am fortunate enough to encounter you, I wish to hear your views on the current crisis." Kongming replied, "I am fully aware of Cao Cao's treacherous schemes. But I regret that our strength is insufficient to counter him, so we have had to avoid him for now." Lu Su asked, "Does the Imperial Uncle intend to stop here?" Kongming said, "My lord has an old friendship with Wu Chen, the Grand Administrator of Cangwu, and plans to seek refuge with him." Lu Su said, "Wu Chen has few troops and little grain; he cannot even protect himself. How could he take in others?" Kongming replied, "Though Wu Chen's domain is not suited for a long stay, we might take temporary shelter there while we devise a better plan." Lu Su said, "General Sun rules over six commanderies like a tiger. His troops are well-trained and his grain is abundant. He is also extremely respectful toward men of talent and virtue. All the heroes of Jiangdong have flocked to him. If I may offer a suggestion, it would be best to send a trusted agent to form an alliance with Jiangdong and plan our great enterprise together." Kongming said, "Lord Liu and General Sun have never had any prior relationship. I fear it would be a waste of words. Besides, we have no one trustworthy to send." Lu Su said, "Your elder brother is now an advisor in Jiangdong, and he longs daily to meet with you. I am not a man of great talent, but I am willing to accompany you to meet General Sun and discuss our great plan together." Xuande said, "Kongming is my teacher. I cannot be parted from him for even a moment. How can he go?" Lu Su insisted that Kongming accompany him. Xuande pretended to refuse. Kongming said, "The situation is urgent. I request permission to go." Only then did Xuande agree. Lu Su then took his leave of Xuande and Liu Qi, and boarded the boat with Kongming, heading for Chaisang.
Truly, it was because of Zhuge Liang's solitary boat journey that Cao Cao's army would be brought to ruin. What would become of Kongming's mission? Let the next chapter reveal the outcome.