Zhuge Liang had given Huang Zhong his final instructions: "Since you insist on going, I will send Fa Zheng to assist you. Consult with him on every decision. I will dispatch reinforcements to support you shortly." Huang Zhong agreed and departed with Fa Zheng and his own troops. Zhuge Liang then turned to Liu Bei and said, "This old general needed the sting of my words to spur him on. Without that, even if he went, he would not succeed. Now that he has gone, we must send men to back him up." He summoned Zhao Yun. "Take a force of men and advance by a hidden path to support Huang Zhong with a surprise attack. If Huang Zhong is victorious, do not engage. But if he runs into trouble, go to his rescue immediately." He then ordered Liu Feng and Meng Da: "Take three thousand men to the most dangerous mountain passes and plant numerous banners to magnify our army's presence and sow confusion in the enemy's ranks." The three officers departed with their commands. Zhuge Liang also sent a messenger to Xia Bian with secret instructions for Ma Chao, and dispatched Yan Yan to guard the passes at Baxi and Langzhong, relieving Zhang Fei and Wei Yan so they could join the campaign to take Hanzhong.
Meanwhile, Zhang He and Xiahou Shang reported to Xiahou Yuan. "Tian Dang Mountain has fallen," they said. "We have lost Xiahou De and Han Hao. Now we hear that Liu Bei himself is leading an army to seize Hanzhong. You must urgently inform the King of Wei and request that he send elite troops and fierce generals to reinforce us." Xiahou Yuan immediately sent word to Cao Hong, who rode day and night to Xuchang to inform Cao Cao. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. He hastily assembled his civil and military officials to discuss sending reinforcements to Hanzhong. The Senior Imperial Secretary, Liu Ye, stepped forward and said, "If Hanzhong is lost, the Central Plains will be shaken. Your Majesty must not begrudge the hardship. You must lead the campaign personally." Cao Cao regretted his earlier inaction. "I curse myself for not heeding your advice then," he said. "It has come to this!" He promptly issued an order to raise an army of four hundred thousand for a personal expedition. It was the autumn of the twenty-third year of the Jian'an era.
Cao Cao's army advanced in three divisions. The vanguard was led by Xiahou Dun. Cao Cao himself commanded the center, with Cao Hu bringing up the rear. The three armies set out in sequence. Cao Cao rode a white horse with a golden saddle, adorned in a jade-studded belt and brocade robes. His guards carried a great red silk-and-gold canopy. To his left and right were gilded maces and silver battle-axes, staffs, and spears, while banners bearing the sun, moon, and dragon-and-phoenix motifs fluttered overhead. His personal escort of twenty-five thousand elite troops was divided into five units of five thousand each, arrayed in the colors of blue, yellow, red, white, and black. Their banners, armor, and horses all matched their assigned color. The spectacle was dazzling and supremely imposing.
As the army passed through Tong Pass, Cao Cao saw a dense cluster of trees from his saddle and asked his attendants, "What place is this?" They replied, "This is Lantian. Within those woods lies the estate of Cai Yong. His daughter, Cai Yan, and her husband, Dong Si, live there now." Cao Cao had long been a friend of Cai Yong. Cai Yan had originally been the wife of Wei Zhongdao, but she had been captured by northern tribesmans and taken to their lands, where she bore two sons and composed the famous "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute," which had spread through the Central Plains. Cao Cao, deeply pitying her, had sent a thousand gold pieces to the north to ransom her. The Xiongnu Chanyu, fearing Cao Cao's power, had returned Cai Yan to Han. Cao Cao then married her to Dong Si. On this day, standing before the estate, Cao Cao recalled his ties with Cai Yong. He ordered the army to proceed while he, with a hundred or so mounted attendants, dismounted at the estate gate.
Dong Si was away on official business, so only Cai Yan was home. When she heard of Cao Cao's arrival, she hurried out to greet him. Cao Cao entered the hall. After Cai Yan had paid her respects, she stood respectfully at his side. Cao Cao's eye was caught by a hanging scroll bearing the text of a stele inscription. He rose to examine it and asked Cai Yan about it. She replied, "This is the stele of Cao E. During the reign of Emperor He of Han, there lived a shaman in Shangyu named Cao Gan, who could dance to please the spirits. On the fifth day of the fifth month, he became drunk while dancing on a boat, fell into the river, and drowned. His fourteen-year-old daughter wept by the river for seven days and nights, then threw herself into the waves. Five days later, she surfaced with her father's corpse in her arms. The villagers buried them by the riverbank. The Magistrate of Shangyu, Du Shang, reported this to the court, and she was honored as a filial daughter. Du Shang ordered Handan Chun to compose an inscription for the stele. Handan Chun was only thirteen years old at the time, yet he wrote the text without a single correction, finishing it in one draft. The stele was erected beside her grave, and everyone marveled at it. My father, Cai Yong, heard of it and went to see it. By the time he arrived, it was dusk. In the darkness, he read the inscription by touching the characters with his hands, then asked for a brush and wrote eight large characters on the back of the stele.
Later, when the stone was carved, those eight characters were also engraved." Cao Cao read the eight characters: "Yellow silk, young woman, grandson of the family, mortar for pickled vegetables." He asked Cai Yan, "Do you understand this meaning?" She replied, "Though it was my father's writing, I truly do not understand it." Cao Cao turned to his assembled strategists and asked, "Do any of you understand?" None could answer. Then one man stepped forward and said, "I have grasped its meaning." Cao Cao looked and saw it was Yang Xiu, his Registrar. Cao Cao said, "Do not speak yet. Let me think on it." He then took his leave of Cai Yan and led his men out of the estate. After riding three li, he suddenly understood and, laughing, said to Yang Xiu, "Now, you may speak." Yang Xiu said, "This is a riddle. 'Yellow silk' is colored thread. The character for 'color' beside the character for 'silk' forms the character 'absolute.' 'Young woman' is a girl. The character for 'woman' beside the character for 'young' forms the character 'wonderful.' 'Grandson of the family' is a daughter's son. The character for 'woman' beside the character for 'son' forms the character 'good.' 'Mortar for pickled vegetables' is a vessel that receives five pungent ingredients. The character for 'receive' beside the character for 'pungent' forms the character 'words.' Put together, it reads: 'Absolute, wonderful, good, words.'" Cao Cao was astonished. "Exactly my thought!" he exclaimed. All the officials admired Yang Xiu's quick and sharp intellect.
Before many days had passed, the army reached Nanzheng. Cao Hong came out to greet Cao Cao and reported in detail on Zhang He's recent defeat. Cao Cao said, "It is not Zhang He's fault. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war." Cao Hong replied, "Now Liu Bei has sent Huang Zhong to attack Dingjun Mountain. Xiahou Yuan, knowing that Your Majesty's army has arrived, has been holding his position and has not yet engaged." Cao Cao said, "If he does not fight, it shows weakness." He immediately sent an emissary with an imperial token to Dingjun Mountain, ordering Xiahou Yuan to advance. Liu Ye advised against this, saying, "Xiahou Yuan's nature is too rigid. He may fall for a ruse." Cao Cao then wrote a personal letter and sent it with the emissary. When the emissary arrived at Xiahou Yuan's camp, Xiahou Yuan received him. The emissary presented the letter, and Xiahou Yuan opened and read it. It said, in brief: "A general must balance firmness with flexibility and not rely solely on his courage. To rely on bravery alone is to be the equal of a single man. I am now encamped with a great army at Nanzheng, and I wish to see your brilliant skill. Do not bring shame upon these two words." Xiahou Yuan was overjoyed after reading it. After dismissing the emissary, he consulted with Zhang He. "The King of Wei has stationed a great army at Nanzheng to punish Liu Bei," he said. "You and I have been guarding this place for so long—how can we build any merit? Tomorrow I will go into battle and capture Huang Zhong alive." Zhang He warned, "Huang Zhong is both resourceful and brave, and he has Fa Zheng to assist him. He is not to be underestimated. Moreover, the mountain roads here are treacherous. It is better to hold our ground." Xiahou Yuan replied, "If others achieve merit, what face will you and I have to meet the King of Wei? You stay and guard the mountain. I will go and fight." He then issued an order: "Who dares to go out on patrol and lure the enemy into battle?" Xiahou Shang volunteered. Xiahou Yuan said, "When you go out to scout and engage Huang Zhong, you must lose, not win. I have a plan, like this." Xiahou Shang received his orders and led three thousand men out from the main camp at Dingjun Mountain.
Meanwhile, Huang Zhong and Fa Zheng had encamped at the entrance to the Dingjun Mountain pass. They had issued repeated challenges, but Xiahou Yuan held his position and refused to come out. They wanted to attack, but feared the treacherous mountain paths and the difficulty of predicting the enemy's moves, so they could only hold their ground. On this day, they received word that some of Cao's troops were coming down from the mountain to provoke a fight. Huang Zhong was about to lead his men out to meet them when his lieutenant, Chen Shi, said, "General, do not move. Let me handle them." Huang Zhong was pleased and ordered Chen Shi to take a thousand men out of the pass and form up for battle. Xiahou Shang's force arrived, and the two sides engaged. After only a few exchanges, Xiahou Shang feigned defeat and fled. Chen Shi pursued him, but halfway along the road, rolling logs and crashing boulders were hurled down from both sides of the mountain, blocking his advance. As he was about to retreat, Xiahou Yuan suddenly emerged from behind with his troops. Chen Shi could not withstand the assault and was captured alive by Xiahou Yuan and taken back to camp. Most of his men surrendered. A few surviving soldiers escaped and returned to report to Huang Zhong that Chen Shi had been taken.
Alarmed, Huang Zhong urgently consulted with Fa Zheng. Fa Zheng said, "Xiahou Yuan is impulsive and arrogant, relying on his courage but lacking in strategy. We can rouse the troops to fight with spirit, then pull up our camp and advance step by step, fortifying each position. This will lure Xiahou Yuan into attacking us, where we can capture him. This is the strategy of turning the guest into the host." Huang Zhong adopted this plan. He distributed all the rewards and supplies to his soldiers, and the valleys rang with their cheers. The men swore to fight to the death. That very day, Huang Zhong struck camp and advanced, building a fortified position at every stop. He would stay for a few days at each camp, then advance again. When Xiahou Yuan heard of this, he wanted to attack. Zhang He advised, "This is the 'turn the guest into the host' strategy. You must not attack. To attack would be a mistake." Xiahou Yuan refused to listen. He ordered Xiahou Shang to lead several thousand men out to fight, advancing all the way to Huang Zhong's camp. Huang Zhong mounted his horse, took up his blade, and rode out to meet him. The two engaged, and in a single exchange, Huang Zhong captured Xiahou Shang alive and brought him back to camp. The rest of Xiahou Shang's men fled in defeat and reported back to Xiahou Yuan.
Xiahou Yuan immediately sent a messenger to Huang Zhong's camp, offering to exchange Chen Shi for Xiahou Shang. Huang Zhong agreed to make the exchange on the battlefield the next day. The following day, both armies assembled in a wide mountain valley and drew up their formations. Huang Zhong and Xiahou Yuan each took their positions beneath the banner of their own command. Huang Zhong brought out Xiahou Shang, and Xiahou Yuan brought out Chen Shi. Neither prisoner was given armor or robes; they wore only thin undergarments. At the sound of a drum, Chen Shi and Xiahou Shang each ran back toward their own lines. Just as Xiahou Shang reached the entrance of his own formation, Huang Zhong loosed an arrow that struck him in the back. Xiahou Shang returned to his lines with the arrow still in him. Xiahou Yuan flew into a rage. He spurred his horse and charged directly at Huang Zhong. Huang Zhong had been hoping to provoke Xiahou Yuan into a fight. The two generals clashed and fought for twenty exchanges, but then a gong sounded from the Cao camp, signaling a retreat. Xiahou Yuan hastily wheeled his horse and rode back, but Huang Zhong took advantage of the moment to press his attack. When Xiahou Yuan returned to his lines, he demanded of the officer in charge of signals, "Why did you sound the gong?" The officer replied, "I saw several banners of Shu troops in the mountain hollows and feared there was an ambush, so I urgently recalled the general." Xiahou Yuan accepted this explanation and resolved to hold his position and not come out again.
Huang Zhong pressed forward until he was directly beneath Dingjun Mountain. He consulted with Fa Zheng. Fa Zheng pointed and said, "To the west of Dingjun Mountain, there is a high peak, surrounded on all sides by treacherous paths. From the top of this mountain, you can see clearly the strengths and weaknesses of Dingjun Mountain. If you can take this peak, Dingjun Mountain will be in the palm of your hand." Huang Zhong looked up and saw that the summit was relatively flat, with only a few men stationed there. That night, at the second watch, Huang Zhong led his troops with a great clamor of gongs and drums, charging straight up the mountain. The peak was held by Du Xi, a subordinate of Xiahou Yuan, with only a few hundred men. Seeing Huang Zhong's main force swarming up the slope, Du Xi had no choice but to abandon the position and flee. Huang Zhong had taken the summit, which directly faced Dingjun Mountain. Fa Zheng said, "General, you should station yourself halfway up the mountain. I will remain at the summit. When Xiahou Yuan's troops arrive, I will raise a white flag as a signal. You will hold your position and not move. When the enemy grows tired and off their guard, I will raise a red flag, and you will descend the mountain and strike. By resting at ease to exhaust the enemy, you are sure to win." Huang Zhong was delighted and followed this plan.
Du Xi led his fleeing men back to Xiahou Yuan and reported that Huang Zhong had taken the opposing peak. Xiahou Yuan was furious. "Huang Zhong has occupied the peak opposite me," he said. "I cannot avoid battle now." Zhang He advised, "This is a scheme of Fa Zheng's. You must not fight. It is better to hold your ground." Xiahou Yuan retorted, "He has taken the peak opposite me and can see my strengths and weaknesses. How can I not fight?" Despite Zhang He's earnest protests, Xiahou Yuan would not listen. He divided his forces and surrounded the opposing peak, hurling insults and challenges. On the summit, Fa Zheng raised the white flag. No matter how Xiahou Yuan cursed and provoked, Huang Zhong did not come out. After noon, Fa Zheng saw that the Cao troops were growing weary and their fighting spirit had waned. Many had dismounted and were sitting down to rest. Then Fa Zheng unfurled the red flag. War drums and horns sounded together, and a great shout shook the heavens. Huang Zhong, riding at the very front, charged down the mountain with the force of an avalanche. Xiahou Yuan was caught completely off guard. Before he could even react, Huang Zhong was upon him, beneath his command canopy. With a thunderous roar, Huang Zhong struck before Xiahou Yuan could even raise his weapon. The old general's treasured blade fell, cleaving Xiahou Yuan from shoulder to waist, cutting him in two.
A poet of the time celebrated Huang Zhong: "A gray-haired elder facing a great foe, a white-haired head displaying godlike might. His strength drew the feathered bow, the wind welcomed his snow-white blade. His heroic voice was like the roar of a tiger, his fine steed like a flying dragon. Offering the head of the enemy, his merit was immense, expanding the realm and extending the emperor's domain."
With Xiahou Yuan slain by Huang Zhong, the Cao army collapsed in utter rout, each man scrambling for his own life. Huang Zhong pressed his advantage and moved to seize Dingjun Mountain itself. Zhang He led his troops to oppose him, but Huang Zhong and Chen Shi attacked from two sides, and in the chaotic melee, Zhang He was defeated. Suddenly, a fresh force emerged from the side of the mountain, blocking the road. At their head was a great general who roared, "Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here!" Zhang He was terrified. He led his defeated troops, fighting desperately to find a path back to Dingjun Mountain. But ahead, another force appeared to greet him—it was Du Xi. Du Xi said, "Dingjun Mountain has already been taken by Liu Feng and Meng Da." Zhang He was shocked. He and Du Xi led their routed soldiers to the Han River, where they set up camp. They immediately sent a rider to report to Cao Cao.
When Cao Cao heard of Xiahou Yuan's death, he wept bitterly. Only then did he understand the prophecy of Guan Lu: "Three and eight, horizontal and vertical" referred to the twenty-fourth year of the Jian'an era; "Yellow boar meets tiger" referred to the first month of the jihai year; "South of Dingjun" meant south of Dingjun Mountain; "A limb is broken" meant that Xiahou Yuan was like a brother to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao sent men to find Guan Lu, he had vanished. Cao Cao's hatred for Huang Zhong burned fiercely. He took personal command of his grand army and marched toward Dingjun Mountain to avenge Xiahou Yuan, with Xu Huang as his vanguard. When they reached the Han River, Zhang He and Du Xi met Cao Cao. The two generals reported, "Dingjun Mountain is already lost. We should move the grain supplies from Micang Mountain to the camp north of the mountain before we advance." Cao Cao agreed.
Huang Zhong took Xiahou Yuan's head and went to Jiameng Pass to present it to Liu Bei and claim his merit. Liu Bei was overjoyed. He promoted Huang Zhong to General Who Conquers the West and held a feast to celebrate. Suddenly, Lieutenant Zhang Zhu arrived to report: "Cao Cao himself is leading an army of two hundred thousand to avenge Xiahou Yuan. Right now, Zhang He is moving grain from Micang Mountain to the foot of the mountain north of the Han River." Zhuge Liang said, "Now that Cao Cao has brought a great army here, he fears his supplies will run short, so he is holding his advance. If we can send someone deep into his territory to burn his grain and seize his supplies, Cao Cao's fighting spirit will be broken." Huang Zhong said, "I am willing to undertake this mission." Zhuge Liang replied, "Cao Cao is not the equal of Xiahou Yuan. Do not take him lightly." Liu Bei added, "Though Xiahou Yuan was the commander, he was merely a brave fool. How could he compare to Zhang He? To kill Zhang He would be ten times greater a feat than killing Xiahou Yuan." Huang Zhong declared fervently, "I am willing to go and cut him down." Zhuge Liang said, "You may go with Zhao Zilong, sharing command of a single force. Consult with him on every decision, and we shall see who achieves merit." Huang Zhong agreed and prepared to depart. Zhuge Liang also appointed Zhang Zhu as his second-in-command. Zhao Yun said to Huang Zhong, "Cao Cao now has two hundred thousand men, divided into ten camps. For you to declare before the Lord that you will seize his grain is no small matter. What strategy will you use?" Huang Zhong replied, "Let me go first. How about that?" Zhao Yun said, "Let me go first." Huang Zhong retorted, "I am the main commander, and you are the second-in-command. Why do you vie for precedence?" Zhao Yun answered, "We both serve the same lord. Why be so particular? Let us draw lots. The one who draws the winning lot goes first." Huang Zhong agreed. Huang Zhong drew the winning lot. Zhao Yun said, "Since you are going first, I will support you. Let us set a time. If you return by that time, I will hold my position. If you are late and do not return, I will lead my men to your rescue." Huang Zhong replied, "You are right." They agreed on noon as the deadline. Zhao Yun returned to his own camp and said to his lieutenant, Zhang Yi, "Huang Hanzhong has agreed to go and seize the grain tomorrow. If he has not returned by noon, I will go to his aid. Our camp faces the Han River, and the terrain is dangerous. When I leave, you must guard the stockade carefully and not move rashly." Zhang Yi acknowledged the order.
Huang Zhong returned to his camp and said to his second-in-command, Zhang Zhu, "I have killed Xiahou Yuan, and Zhang He's courage is broken. Tomorrow I am ordered to raid the grain supplies. I will leave only five hundred men to guard the camp. You will assist me. Tonight, at the third watch, the men will eat their fill. At the fourth watch, we leave camp and strike directly at the foot of the northern mountain. First, we capture Zhang He; then, we seize the grain." Zhang Zhu followed the orders. That night, Huang Zhong led the main force, with Zhang Zhu following. They stealthily crossed the Han River and reached the foot of the northern mountain just as the sun was rising in the east. They saw mountains of grain piled up, with only a few soldiers on guard. When these guards saw the Shu army approaching, they abandoned their posts and fled. Huang Zhong ordered the cavalry to dismount, gather kindling, and pile it on top of the grain. Just as they were about to set it ablaze, Zhang He's troops arrived and engaged Huang Zhong in a chaotic melee. When Cao Cao heard of this, he urgently ordered Xu Huang to go to Zhang He's aid. Xu Huang advanced with his men and surrounded Huang Zhong. Zhang Zhu managed to break free with three hundred men and was heading back to camp when another force suddenly appeared, blocking his path. At their head was the general Wen Ping, and behind him, more Cao troops arrived, encircling Zhang Zhu.
Back at Zhao Yun's camp, he waited until noon. When Huang Zhong did not return, he hurriedly donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led three thousand men forward to the rescue. Before leaving, he said to Zhang Yi, "Guard the camp carefully. Set up many crossbows on both sides as a precaution." Zhang Yi repeatedly acknowledged the order. Zhao Yun spurred his horse and charged forward, spear at the ready. The first enemy general to block his path was Murong Lie, a subordinate of Wen Ping. Murong Lie rode forward, brandishing his blade, but Zhao Yun killed him with a single thrust of his spear. The Cao troops fled in defeat. Zhao Yun charged deep into the encirclement, only to be blocked by another force. At their head was the Wei general Jiao Bing. Zhao Yun shouted, "Where are the Shu troops?" Jiao Bing replied, "They have all been killed!" Zhao Yun was enraged. He spurred his horse and, with another thrust of his spear, killed Jiao Bing as well. He scattered the remaining soldiers and pressed on until he reached the foot of the northern mountain, where he saw Zhang He and Xu Huang surrounding Huang Zhong, whose men had been trapped for some time. With a mighty roar, Zhao Yun leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and charged into the encirclement, cutting left and right as if he were entering an empty land. His spear whirled around his body like falling pear blossoms, his entire form like swirling snowflakes. Zhang He and Xu Huang were terrified and dared not face him. Zhao Yun rescued Huang Zhong and fought his way out, slashing as they retreated. Wherever he went, no one dared to block him. Cao Cao, watching from a high vantage point, asked his generals in astonishment, "Who is that general?" Someone who recognized him replied, "That is Zhao Zilong of Changshan." Cao Cao said, "The hero of Dangyang Slope at Changban is still alive!" He immediately issued an order: "Wherever he goes, do not take him lightly." After rescuing Huang Zhong and cutting his way through the encirclement, one of his soldiers pointed and said, "The one surrounded to the southeast must be the second-in-command, Zhang Zhu." Instead of returning to his own camp, Zhao Yun charged toward the southeast. Wherever he went, the banner bearing the words "Zhao Zilong of Changshan" was seen. Those who knew of his prowess from the battle at Changban passed the word among themselves, and all fled before him. Zhao Yun also rescued Zhang Zhu.
Seeing Zhao Yun charge east and west, unstoppable, with no one daring to face him—rescuing Huang Zhong, then rescuing Zhang Zhu—Cao Cao was enraged. He personally led his own officers and men in pursuit of Zhao Yun. But Zhao Yun had already fought his way back to his own camp. His lieutenant, Zhang Yi, met him. Seeing the dust rising behind them, Zhang Yi knew the Cao army was in pursuit. He said to Zhao Yun, "The pursuers are getting closer. We should close the camp gates and man the watchtowers for defense." Zhao Yun shouted back, "Do not close the gates! Do you not remember how I, at Dangyang Slope at Changban, with a single spear and a lone horse, regarded Cao Cao's eight hundred and thirty thousand troops as nothing but weeds? Now I have an army and officers—what is there to fear?" He then ordered his crossbowmen to lie in ambush in the ditches outside the camp. Inside the camp, all the banners and flags were lowered, and the gongs and drums fell silent. Zhao Yun, alone on his horse with his spear, took his position directly outside the camp gate.
Zhang He and Xu Huang led their troops in pursuit of the Shu camp. By the time they arrived, dusk was falling. Seeing the camp with its banners furled and drums silent, and Zhao Yun standing alone on his horse outside the open gate, the two generals dared not advance. While they hesitated, Cao Cao himself arrived. He urged the troops forward. Obeying the order, the soldiers raised a great shout and charged toward the camp. But Zhao Yun did not move at all. The Cao troops turned and fled. Zhao Yun raised his spear as a signal, and the crossbowmen in the ditches loosed a volley. In the gathering darkness, the Cao army had no idea how many Shu troops were there. Cao Cao was the first to turn his horse and flee. Then, from behind them, a great clamor arose—war drums and horns sounded together, and the Shu troops gave chase. The Cao army trampled each other in their panic, and when they reached the banks of the Han River, countless men fell into the water and drowned. Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Zhang Zhu each led a force in relentless pursuit. As Cao Cao was fleeing, Liu Feng and Meng Da suddenly emerged from the Micang Mountain road with their troops, setting fire to the grain supplies. Cao Cao abandoned the grain at the northern mountain and hurried back to Nanzheng. Xu Huang and Zhang He could not hold their positions either and abandoned their camps as well. Zhao Yun occupied the Cao camp, Huang Zhong seized the grain, and countless weapons and supplies were captured along the Han River. It was a great and complete victory. Messengers were sent to report to Liu Bei. Liu Bei, accompanied by Zhuge Liang, came to the Han River and asked Zhao Yun's soldiers, "How did Zilong fight?" The soldiers recounted in detail how Zhao Yun had rescued Huang Zhong and held the Han River. Liu Bei was overjoyed. After surveying the treacherous mountain paths before and behind, he said to Zhuge Liang with delight, "Zilong is courage incarnate!"
A poet of the time praised him: "In the old days, he fought at Changban, his might undiminished still. Breaking through formations, he showed his heroism; surrounded, he displayed his bravery. Ghosts wept and spirits wailed; heaven was startled and earth darkened. Zhao Zilong of Changshan—his entire body is courage!"
Thereupon, Liu Bei bestowed upon Zhao Yun the title of General of Majestic Might. He generously rewarded his officers and men, and the feasting and celebration lasted until evening. Suddenly, a report arrived that Cao Cao had sent another great army advancing through the Xie Valley path to seize the Han River. Liu Bei laughed and said, "Cao Cao's efforts here will come to nothing. I am certain that we will gain the Han River." He then led his troops to the western bank of the Han River to meet them. Cao Cao ordered Xu Huang to lead the vanguard and engage the enemy. One man stepped forward from the ranks and said, "I am deeply familiar with the terrain. I wish to assist General Xu in defeating Shu." Cao Cao looked at him. He was from Dangqu in Baxi, named Wang Ping, styled Zijun, and currently serving as a General of the Camp Gate. Cao Cao was pleased and appointed Wang Ping as the second-in-command of the vanguard to assist Xu Huang. Cao Cao then encamped north of Dingjun Mountain. Xu Huang and Wang Ping led their troops to the Han River. Xu Huang ordered the forward units to cross the river and form up for battle. Wang Ping said, "If the army crosses the river, what will happen if we need to retreat in a hurry?" Xu Huang replied, "In the old days, Han Xin arrayed his troops with their backs to the river. This is the strategy of placing men in a death ground so that they will fight to survive." Wang Ping said, "That is not the same. Han Xin used that strategy because he knew his enemy was foolish. Can you predict what Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong will do?" Xu Huang answered, "You take the infantry and hold the enemy. Watch me break them with my cavalry." He then ordered a floating bridge to be built and immediately crossed the river to engage the Shu army.
Truly, the men of Wei foolishly thought to emulate Han Xin, but little did they know that the Shu Chancellor had a Zhang Liang of his own. Whether they would win or lose, the next chapter will reveal.