Pang Tong and Fa Zheng urged Liu Bei to kill Liu Zhang during the banquet, arguing that the entire western domain of Shu could be taken as easily as turning over a hand. Liu Bei refused, saying, "I have only just entered Shu. I have not yet established trust or kindness among the people. This action is absolutely impossible." The two strategists pressed him repeatedly, but Liu Bei would not yield. The next day, Liu Bei hosted another banquet for Liu Zhang in the city, where the two spoke intimately of their heartfelt concerns, their friendship seeming warm and close. When the wine had flowed halfway, Pang Tong and Fa Zheng consulted in private. "Things have reached this point," they said. "Our lord can no longer be allowed to choose." They instructed Wei Yan to enter the hall and perform a sword dance, using the opportunity to kill Liu Zhang. Wei Yan drew his blade and stepped forward, announcing, "Since the feast lacks entertainment, allow me to perform a sword dance for amusement." Pang Tong then summoned armed warriors into the hall, positioning them at the foot of the dais, awaiting Wei Yan's signal to strike. Liu Zhang's generals saw Wei Yan dancing with his sword before the feast, and also noticed the warriors below with hands on their sword hilts, staring fixedly at the main table. Zhang Ren, a military officer in Liu Zhang's service, also drew his sword and declared, "A sword dance must have a partner. I shall match the general's movements." The two men danced opposite each other before the assembled guests. Wei Yan shot a glance at Liu Feng, who immediately drew his sword and joined the dance. Then Liu Gui, Ling Bao, and Deng Xian each drew their blades, saying, "Let us all dance together, to add to the laughter." Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. He snatched a sword from one of his attendants, rose to his feet, and declared, "We brothers meet in joyful drink, without suspicion or jealousy. This is not the Feast at Hongmen—why should we need a sword dance? Whoever does not sheathe his blade will be cut down on the spot!" Liu Zhang also shouted, "When brothers gather, why carry weapons?" He ordered all attendants to remove their swords. The warriors scattered and descended from the hall. Liu Bei summoned the officers back to the dais and offered them wine, saying, "We are brothers of the same bloodline, discussing great affairs together. There is no division between us. Do not harbor suspicions." All the generals bowed in gratitude. Liu Zhang grasped Liu Bei's hand and wept, saying, "Your kindness, my elder brother, I swear never to forget!" The two drank joyfully until evening and then parted. Returning to his camp, Liu Bei rebuked Pang Tong, saying, "Why do you seek to trap me in an act of unrighteousness? Never do such a thing again." Pang Tong sighed deeply and withdrew.
When Liu Zhang returned to his own camp, his generals Liu Gui and others warned him, "Did you see what happened at the feast today, my lord? It would be better to return early and avoid future disaster." Liu Zhang replied, "My elder brother Liu Xuande is not like other men." The generals insisted, "Even if Xuande harbors no such intent, his men all desire to swallow up western Shu for their own wealth and advancement." Liu Zhang answered, "Do not sow discord between me and my brother." He refused to listen and continued to feast daily with Liu Bei. Then word came that Zhang Lu had mobilized his troops and was preparing to attack the Jiaomeng Pass. Liu Zhang requested Liu Bei to go and defend it. Liu Bei accepted the charge without hesitation and led his own troops to the Jiaomeng Pass that very day. Liu Zhang's generals urged him to have his own commanders guard all the strategic passes and fords to prevent Liu Bei's army from turning against him. Liu Zhang initially refused, but after repeated pleas, he ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei, the commanders of Baishui, to guard the Fushui Pass. He then returned to Chengdu. Once Liu Bei arrived at the Jiaomeng Pass, he strictly disciplined his soldiers and distributed generous favors to win the hearts of the people.
News of these events soon reached the eastern lands of Wu. Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu, summoned his civil and military officials for counsel. Gu Yong proposed, "Liu Bei has divided his forces and marched across treacherous mountains. It will not be easy for him to return. Why not send an army to cut off the mouth of the river in Shu, blocking his retreat, and then raise the full might of Wu to seize Jing and Xiang provinces in one stroke? This opportunity must not be lost." Sun Quan declared, "This is an excellent plan!" As they were discussing, a voice shouted from behind a screen, "The man who proposed this plan should be executed! Do you want to kill my daughter?" The startled officials turned to see Lady Wu, Sun Quan's mother. She raged, "I have only one daughter, and I married her to Liu Bei. If you raise an army now, what will become of her life?" She then rebuked Sun Quan, saying, "You inherited your father and elder brother's enterprise, ruling over eighty-one provinces without satisfaction. Now you would chase petty gains while disregarding the bonds of blood!" Sun Quan stammered his apologies, answering, "How dare I disobey my mother's instruction?" He dismissed the officials. Lady Wu withdrew in fury. Sun Quan stood beneath the eaves, brooding to himself, "If this opportunity slips away, when will I ever capture Jing and Xiang?" As he pondered, Zhang Zhao entered and asked, "What troubles my lord?" Sun Quan replied, "I am thinking about the matter we just discussed." Zhang Zhao said, "This is easily resolved. Send a trusted officer with only five hundred men, disguised to infiltrate Jing Province. Deliver a secret letter to the Lady of the Commandery, saying that Lady Wu is gravely ill and wishes to see her daughter. Have her return to Wu with all speed. Liu Bei has only one son, Ah Dou—order her to bring him as well. Then Liu Bei will surely exchange Jing Province for his son. If he refuses, we can move our armies without any further obstacle." Sun Quan exclaimed, "This is a brilliant plan! I have a man named Zhou Shan, who is bold and daring. He has served my brother since childhood and knows every corridor and chamber. I shall send him." Zhang Zhao warned, "Let nothing leak out. Send him at once."
Thus, Sun Quan secretly dispatched Zhou Shan with five hundred men, disguised as merchants, divided among five ships. They forged a letter from the state to prepare for any inspection, and concealed weapons within the vessels. Zhou Shan took his orders and sailed up the river route to Jing Province. When the ships docked at the riverbank, Zhou Shan entered the city and ordered the gatekeeper to report to Lady Sun, Liu Bei's wife. She summoned Zhou Shan into her presence. He presented the secret letter. When Lady Sun read that her mother was critically ill, she wept and questioned him urgently. Zhou Shan knelt and explained, "The Lady Dowager is gravely ill and thinks of you day and night. If you delay, you may never see her again. She commands you to bring Ah Dou to meet her." Lady Sun said, "My husband, the Imperial Uncle, is away on campaign. I must inform the military strategist before I can leave." Zhou Shan replied, "What if the strategist says he must report to the Imperial Uncle and await his reply before you can board the ship? What then?" Lady Sun answered, "If I leave without saying goodbye, I fear I will be stopped." Zhou Shan said, "I have ships waiting on the great river. Please take your carriage and leave the city now." Hearing that her mother was in such danger, Lady Sun was frantic with worry. She placed her seven-year-old son Ah Dou in her carriage, accompanied by thirty attendants, all armed with swords, and rode out of the city to the riverbank. By the time anyone in her household could report her departure, Lady Sun had already reached Shatou Town and boarded the ship.
Just as Zhou Shan was about to set sail, a shout came from the shore: "Do not cast off! Let me bid the lady farewell!" It was Zhao Yun. Having just returned from a patrol, Zhao Yun had heard the news and was shocked. He galloped along the riverbank with only four or five horsemen, like a whirlwind. Zhou Shan grasped a long halberd and shouted, "Who are you to dare block the lady?" He ordered the soldiers to set sail at once and to take up their weapons, lining them up on the deck. With a favorable wind and swift current, the ships sped away. Zhao Yun rode along the bank, calling out, "Let the lady go! I only have one thing to say!" Zhou Shan ignored him, urging the ships onward. Zhao Yun galloped for more than ten miles along the river until he spotted a fishing boat moored at a bend in the shore. He dismounted, seized his spear, and leaped onto the boat. With only two men to row, the small craft pursued the lady's ship. Zhou Shan ordered his soldiers to shoot arrows. Zhao Yun deflected them with his spear, and the arrows fell into the water like rain. When his boat was only a few yards from the larger vessel, the Wu soldiers thrust their spears at him. Zhao Yun dropped his spear, drew the Green Blade Sword from his belt, and pushed aside the spears. With a mighty leap, he landed on the Wu ship. The soldiers were frozen with shock. Zhao Yun entered the cabin and saw Lady Sun holding Ah Dou in her arms. She shouted, "How dare you act so rudely!" Zhao Yun sheathed his sword, bowed, and asked, "Where is my lady going?
Why did you not inform the military strategist?" Lady Sun replied, "My mother is dangerously ill. There was no time to inform him." Zhao Yun said, "If you are going to visit your mother, why take the young master with you?" Lady Sun answered, "Ah Dou is my son. If I leave him in Jing Province, there will be no one to care for him." Zhao Yun said, "My lady is mistaken. Our lord has only this one child—his only blood. I rescued him from a hundred thousand enemy troops at the Dangyang slopes. Now my lady wants to take him away. On what grounds?" Lady Sun said angrily, "You are nothing but a common soldier under my husband's command. How dare you interfere in my family affairs!" Zhao Yun replied, "My lady may go if she wishes, but you must leave the young master behind." Lady Sun shouted, "You have forced your way onto my ship! This is an act of rebellion!" Zhao Yun said, "If you do not leave the young master, even if it costs me my life, I will not let you go." Lady Sun ordered her maids to seize Zhao Yun, but he pushed them aside. He snatched Ah Dou from her arms and carried the child to the bow of the ship. He wanted to bring the boat to shore, but he had no help. He considered using force, but he feared it would violate propriety. He was trapped. Lady Sun ordered her maids to take back the child, but Zhao Yun held Ah Dou with one arm and brandished his sword with the other, so that no one dared approach. Zhou Shan, at the stern, held the rudder and steered the ship into the current.
With the wind and water at their backs, the vessel sped toward the middle of the river. Zhao Yun was alone and could only protect Ah Dou; he could not steer the ship to shore.
At this critical moment, a line of more than ten ships emerged from a harbor downstream, their flags waving and drums pounding. Zhao Yun thought to himself, "I have fallen into Wu's trap!" Then he saw a general standing at the prow of the leading ship, gripping a long spear, shouting, "Sister-in-law, leave my nephew behind!" It was Zhang Fei, who had heard the news while on patrol and rushed to the mouth of the You River, intercepting the Wu ships. Without hesitation, Zhang Fei drew his sword and leaped onto the Wu vessel. Zhou Shan saw Zhang Fei boarding and raised his blade to meet him. Zhang Fei struck him down with a single blow, cutting off his head and throwing it at Lady Sun's feet. Lady Sun was horrified and cried, "Brother-in-law, why are you so rude?" Zhang Fei replied, "Sister-in-law, you do not respect my elder brother and have taken it upon yourself to return home. That is the true rudeness!" Lady Sun said, "My mother is gravely ill. If I waited for your brother's reply, it would be too late. If you do not let me go, I will throw myself into the river and die!"
Zhang Fei consulted with Zhao Yun. "If we drive her to her death," he said, "that would not be the conduct of loyal subjects. Let us just take Ah Dou and return to our ship." He then said to Lady Sun, "My brother is the Imperial Uncle of the great Han. He is no disgrace to you. As you part today, remember his kindness and return to him soon." With that, he took Ah Dou in his arms and returned to his own ship with Zhao Yun, letting Lady Sun's five ships continue on their way. Of Zhao Yun,
a poet of the time recorded: "In years past, he saved his lord at Dangyang. Today, he flew across the great river. The Wu soldiers on the ship were terrified. Zhao Yun's bravery is unmatched in the world." Of Zhang Fei, another verse was composed: "At Changban Bridge, his fury blazed. A single tiger's roar drove back Cao's troops. Today, on the river, he rescued the young lord. His name shall be recorded for ten thousand generations." The two men returned to their ship in triumph. After sailing only a few miles, they met Zhuge Liang leading a large fleet. Seeing that Ah Dou had been rescued, he was overjoyed. The three rode back together. Zhuge Liang sent a dispatch to the Jiaomeng Pass, informing Liu Bei of what had happened.
When Lady Sun returned to Wu, she gave a full account of how Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun had killed Zhou Shan and seized Ah Dou from the river. Sun Quan was furious. "Now that my sister has returned," he said, "we are no longer bound to him. And how can I not avenge the death of Zhou Shan?" He summoned his civil and military officials to discuss raising an army to attack Jing Province. But as they were planning their troop movements, word arrived that Cao Cao had raised four hundred thousand men to avenge his defeat at Red Cliffs. Startled, Sun Quan set aside the matter of Jing Province and turned his attention to resisting Cao Cao. Then news came that the senior advisor Zhang Hong, who had returned home due to illness, had died. He had left behind a memorial. Sun Quan opened it and read that Zhang Hong urged him to move his capital to Moling, saying that the mountains and rivers there possessed the aura of an emperor and that he should relocate quickly to establish a lasting dynasty. Sun Quan wept upon reading this and said to his officials, "Zhang Zigan urged me to move to Moling. How could I refuse?" He immediately ordered the capital to be moved to Jianye and built the Stone City fortress. Lü Meng then advised, "Since Cao Cao's army is coming, we should build a fortified wall at the Ruxu River mouth to hold them off." All the other generals objected, saying, "When we go ashore to fight the enemy, we can just wade into the water and board our ships. Why do we need a wall?" Lü Meng replied, "War has its fortunes and misfortunes. There is no certainty of victory in battle. If we are suddenly caught by the enemy, with cavalry and infantry pressing upon us, we will not even have time to reach the water, let alone board our ships." Sun Quan said, "If a man has no long-term plans, he will soon face trouble. Ziming's insight is far-reaching." He dispatched tens of thousands of soldiers to build the Ruxu Fortress, working day and night until it was completed on schedule.
Meanwhile, in Xuchang, Cao Cao's authority and arrogance grew daily. The senior advisor Dong Zhao approached him and said, "Since ancient times, no minister has ever achieved such merit as you, Chancellor. Not even the Duke of Zhou or Lü Wang could match you. For more than thirty years, you have braved wind and rain, swept away all the villains, rid the people of their scourges, and preserved the Han dynasty. Should you be ranked among ordinary officials? You should accept the title of Duke of Wei and be granted the Nine Distinctions to manifest your virtue and achievement." Do you know what the Nine Distinctions are? First, the chariots and horses: a great golden chariot and a war chariot, with eight dark stallions and eight yellow horses. Second, the ceremonial robes: the imperial crown and robe, with red slippers. Third, the musical instruments: the music reserved for a king. Fourth, the vermilion gate: a red gate for your residence. Fifth, the inner staircase: a staircase to ascend to the hall. Sixth, the Tiger Guard: three hundred guardsmen for your gate. Seventh, the battle-axes: one great axe and one smaller axe. Eighth, the bows and arrows: one red bow with a hundred red arrows, and ten black bows with a thousand black arrows. Ninth, the sacrificial wine and jade ladle: a vessel of black millet wine and a jade ladle for the ancestral temple.
The Imperial Secretary Xun Yu objected, saying, "This cannot be done. You raised a righteous army to support the Han house. You should maintain your loyalty and integrity, and preserve a humble and retiring manner. A gentleman shows his love for another through virtue, not through such displays." Cao Cao's face darkened with fury. Dong Zhao said, "How can one man stand in the way of universal expectation?" He then submitted a memorial requesting that Cao Cao be honored as Duke of Wei and granted the Nine Distinctions. Xun Yu sighed and said, "I never thought I would live to see such a day!" When Cao Cao heard of this, he hated Xun Yu deeply for not supporting him. In the winter of the seventeenth year of the Jian'an era, Cao Cao raised an army to march south across the river. He ordered Xun Yu to accompany him. Xun Yu knew that Cao Cao intended to kill him, so he feigned illness and remained in Shouchun. Suddenly, Cao Cao sent a messenger with a food box. On the box was Cao Cao's personal seal. When Xun Yu opened it, he found it completely empty. He understood the meaning and took poison, dying at the age of fifty. A poet lamented: "Xun Yu's talent was renowned throughout the world. What a pity he stumbled at the gate of power. Let no one compare him to Zhang Liang of old. On his deathbed, he had no face to meet the Han emperor." Xun Yu's son, Xun Yun, sent a letter of mourning to Cao Cao. Cao Cao expressed deep regret and ordered a lavish burial, posthumously honoring him as the Marquis Jing.
Cao Cao's great army marched to Ruxu. He first sent Cao Hong with thirty thousand armored cavalry to scout the riverbank. Cao Hong returned and reported, "From a distance, we can see countless banners along the river. We cannot determine where the enemy forces are concentrated." Cao Cao was uneasy and led his troops forward himself, deploying his army at the mouth of the Ruxu River. He climbed a hillside with a hundred men and looked out at the enemy warships, which were arranged in neat formations. The banners were of five colors, and the weapons gleamed brightly. Beneath a blue silk canopy on the largest ship sat Sun Quan, his civil and military officials standing on either side. Cao Cao pointed with his whip and said, "A son should be like Sun Zhongmou! Liu Jingsheng's sons are nothing but pigs and dogs!" Suddenly, with a great roar, the southern ships all sped forward. A second force emerged from the Ruxu Fortress, charging into Cao Cao's army. Cao Cao's troops fell back in disorder, unable to be halted. A thousand horsemen reached the hillside, led by a man with green eyes and a purple beard—Sun Quan himself. He led a cavalry unit to attack Cao Cao. Cao Cao was terrified. As he wheeled his horse around, the Wu generals Han Dang and Zhou Tai charged straight at him. Xu Chu, Cao Cao's bodyguard, galloped forward, his sword dancing, and engaged the two generals, allowing Cao Cao to escape back to his camp. Xu Chu fought the two for thirty rounds before withdrawing. Back in camp, Cao Cao rewarded Xu Chu heavily and berated his other generals: "You retreated before the enemy, crushing our morale! If this happens again, you will all be beheaded." That night, during the second watch, shouts erupted outside the camp. Cao Cao hurriedly mounted his horse and saw fires breaking out everywhere. The Wu army had raided his camp. The fighting lasted until dawn. Cao Cao's army retreated fifty miles before setting up a new camp. Depressed, Cao Cao sat reading military texts. Cheng Yu said to him, "You know the art of war, Chancellor. Do you not know that speed is the essence of war? You have delayed so long that Sun Quan has had time to prepare and build a fortress at the mouth of the Ruxu. It will be difficult to attack. It would be better to withdraw to Xuchao and plan a different strategy." Cao Cao did not answer.
After Cheng Yu left, Cao Cao rested his head on the table and fell asleep. Suddenly, he heard the roar of the tide, like ten thousand horses in full gallop. He looked up and saw a red sun rising from the great river, its brilliance dazzling his eyes. Looking up at the sky, he saw two suns facing each other. Then the red sun in the river flew straight up and crashed into the mountains before his camp with a sound like thunder. He awoke with a start and realized it had been a dream. A guard reported that it was noon. Cao Cao ordered his horse and led fifty riders out of the camp to the mountain where the sun had fallen in his dream. As he was looking around, a group of horsemen appeared, led by a man in a golden helmet and golden armor. It was Sun Quan. Seeing Cao Cao, Sun Quan reined in his horse without any sign of fear. Pointing his whip at Cao Cao, he said, "You sit in power in the Central Plains, Chancellor, enjoying boundless wealth and honor. Why are you so greedy that you must invade my lands south of the river?" Cao Cao replied, "You are a subject who does not respect the imperial house. I have received the Emperor's decree to punish you!" Sun Quan laughed and said, "Are you not ashamed to say such things? Does the world not know that you are using the Emperor to command the lords? I do not disrespect the Han dynasty. I seek to punish you to set the state right." Cao Cao was enraged and ordered his generals to capture Sun Quan on the hill. Suddenly, a drumroll sounded, and two forces emerged from behind the hill: Han Dang and Zhou Tai on the right, Chen Wu and Pan Zhang on the left. These four generals led three thousand archers, who loosed a volley of arrows like a rainstorm. Cao Cao hurriedly led his men in retreat. The four generals pursued them fiercely. Halfway, Xu Chu led the Tiger Guard to hold them off, allowing Cao Cao to escape. The Wu army struck up a triumphant song and returned to Ruxu.
Back in his camp, Cao Cao thought to himself, "Sun Quan is no ordinary man. The red sun in my dream is an omen. In time, he will surely become an emperor." He then considered withdrawing, but he feared the shame of being mocked by the eastern Wu. He could not decide. The two armies faced each other for another month, fighting several battles with mixed results. By the first month of the new year, the spring rains came in an unbroken succession, filling all the waterways. The soldiers were bogged down in mud and water, suffering greatly. Cao Cao was deeply worried. One day, as he sat in his camp discussing matters with his advisors, some urged him to withdraw, while others said that the warm spring weather was ideal for maintaining the standoff and that retreat would be a mistake. Cao Cao remained undecided.
Suddenly, a messenger from the eastern Wu arrived with a letter. Cao Cao opened it and read. The letter said: "I and the Chancellor are both ministers of the Han court. You do not think of serving the state or bringing peace to the people. Instead, you recklessly raise arms, cruelly harming the innocent. Is this the act of a benevolent man? The spring waters are rising. You should leave quickly. If not, you will suffer another disaster like Red Cliffs. You should consider this carefully." On the back of the letter, two more lines were written: "If you do not die, I cannot be at peace." Cao Cao read it and laughed heartily, saying, "Sun Zhongmou does not deceive me." He rewarded the messenger generously and ordered the army to withdraw. He commanded Zhu Guang, the Grand Administrator of Lujiang, to guard the city of Wan, and led his main army back to Xuchang. Sun Quan also withdrew his forces to Moling. He then consulted with his generals, saying, "Though Cao Cao has returned north, Liu Bei is still at the Jiaomeng Pass and has not come back. Why not use the army we raised against Cao Cao to seize Jing Province?" Zhang Zhao proposed a plan, saying, "Do not move your troops yet. I have a scheme that will prevent Liu Bei from ever returning to Jing Province." Truly: "Cao Cao's mighty army had just retreated north; Sun Quan's ambitious plans now turned south." Let the reader see what scheme Zhang Zhao devised—it will be revealed in the next chapter.