When Zhou Yu learned that Kongming had seized Nan Commandery, and then heard that he had also taken Jing Province and Xiangyang, how could he not be enraged? The fury reopened his arrow wound, and it was some time before he regained consciousness. His generals repeatedly urged him to calm himself. Zhou Yu said, "If I do not kill that village fool Zhuge, how can my resentment ever be quenched! Cheng Demou, you must aid me in attacking Nan Commandery—I am determined to reclaim it for the East." As they were discussing this, Lu Su arrived. Zhou Yu said to him, "I intend to raise an army and settle this once and for all with Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, to retake our cities. Zijing, I hope you will support me." Lu Su replied, "That cannot be. Right now we are locked in a stalemate with Cao Cao, and the outcome is still undecided. Our lord is currently besieging Hefei without success. If we start devouring one another, and Cao Cao's forces take advantage of our weakness to strike, the situation will become perilous. Moreover, Liu Xuande was once on friendly terms with Cao Cao. If we press him too hard, he might simply hand over the cities and join Cao Cao in attacking us—what then?" Zhou Yu said, "We devised the strategies, we lost men and horses, we spent grain and gold—and he just waltzes in and takes the fruits of our labor! Is that not infuriating?" Lu Su said, "Gongjin, be patient. Allow me to go see Xuande myself and reason with him. If persuasion fails, then we can move our troops—it will not be too late." The generals all said, "Zijing's words are wise."
And so Lu Su, taking only his attendants, went straight to Nan Commandery. At the city gate, he called out. Zhao Yun came out to question him. Lu Su said, "I wish to see Liu Xuande—I have something to discuss." Zhao Yun replied, "My lord and the military strategist are both in Jing Province city." Lu Su therefore did not enter Nan Commandery but proceeded directly to Jing Province. There he saw banners arrayed in perfect order and an army of impressive discipline. Lu Su thought to himself with admiration, "Kongming is truly no ordinary man!" The soldiers reported his arrival, saying that Lu Zijing wished for an audience. Kongming ordered the city gates thrown wide open and welcomed Lu Su into the government office. After the formal greetings were completed, they took their places as guest and host. When tea had been served, Lu Su said, "My lord, the Marquis of Wu, and our commander-in-chief, Gongjin, have sent me to convey their regards to the Imperial Uncle. Some time ago, Cao Cao led a million men, ostensibly to subdue the Southlands, but in truth he came to destroy the Imperial Uncle. Fortunately, the East Wu drove back Cao Cao's forces and saved the Imperial Uncle. All nine commanderies of Jing Province rightfully belong to East Wu. Now the Imperial Uncle has used deceitful schemes to seize Jing Province and Xiangyang, causing the Jiangdong region to waste its money, grain, and soldiers, while the Imperial Uncle sits back and enjoys the benefit. This hardly seems reasonable." Kongming said, "Zijing, you are a man of high intelligence—how can you speak such words? As the saying goes, 'Everything must return to its rightful owner.' The nine commanderies of Jing Province are not East Wu's territory—they are the inheritance of Liu Biao. Our lord is Liu Biao's younger brother. Though Liu Biao has passed away, his son still lives. For an uncle to assist his nephew and take charge of Jing Province—what is wrong with that?" Lu Su said, "If it were truly young master Liu Qi who held the province, that would be one thing. But the young master is in Jiangxia—he is not here!" Kongming said, "Does Zijing wish to see the young master?" He then ordered his attendants, "Invite the young master out." At that, two servants emerged from behind a screen, supporting Liu Qi. Liu Qi said to Lu Su, "My ailing body cannot perform the proper bows—please forgive me, Zijing." Lu Su was startled into silence. After a long pause, he said, "But what if the young master should pass away?" Kongming replied, "As long as the young master lives, he will hold the province. When he is gone, we can discuss the matter further." Lu Su said, "Then when the young master is no more, you must return the cities to East Wu." Kongming said, "Zijing's words are reasonable." And so he prepared a banquet in Lu Su's honor.
After the feast, Lu Su took his leave and rode out of the city. He returned to camp that night and reported everything that had happened. Zhou Yu said, "Liu Qi is in the prime of his youth—how can we expect him to die soon? When will Jing Province ever be returned?" Lu Su said, "Commander-in-chief, do not worry. Leave it to me—I will make sure we get Jing Province back." Zhou Yu said, "Zijing, what plan do you have?" Lu Su replied, "I observed Liu Qi—he is debauched with wine and women, and his illness has penetrated to the very core. His complexion is sallow and thin, he breathes with difficulty, and he coughs up blood. He will be dead within half a year. When that time comes, we will go to claim Jing Province, and Liu Bei will have no excuse to refuse." Zhou Yu was still seething with anger when a messenger arrived from Sun Quan. Zhou Yu ordered him brought in. The messenger said, "Our lord is besieging Hefei, but after many battles, he has not succeeded. He orders the commander-in-chief to recall the main army and send reinforcements to Hefei." Zhou Yu had no choice but to withdraw his forces and return to Chaisang to recuperate. He ordered Cheng Pu to lead the war vessels and soldiers to Hefei, placing them under Sun Quan's command.
Now Liu Xuande, having obtained Jing Province, Nan Commandery, and Xiangyang, was overjoyed. He began discussing long-term plans for holding the region. Suddenly, a man came forward in the hall to offer advice. It was Yi Ji. Xuande, grateful for Yi Ji's past kindness, treated him with great respect and invited him to sit and speak. Yi Ji said, "If you wish to secure Jing Province for the long term, why not seek out worthy scholars to advise you?" Xuande asked, "Where can such scholars be found?" Yi Ji replied, "In the Jing-Xiang region, there is the Ma family—five brothers, all famous for their talents. The youngest is named Ma Su, styled Youchang. But the most worthy among them has a patch of white hair between his eyebrows. His name is Ma Liang, styled Jichang. The local people have a saying: 'Among the five Mas of Chang, the one with the white brow is the best.' Why not seek this man out and consult with him?" Xuande immediately sent for him. Ma Liang arrived, and Xuande received him with great courtesy, asking for his strategy to defend Jing Province. Ma Liang said, "Jing Province is surrounded on all sides by potential enemies—it may be difficult to hold for long. Let young master Liu Qi remain here to recuperate, and summon his old retainers to help defend the province. Then petition the throne to appoint Liu Qi as Provincial Inspector of Jing Province, to reassure the people. After that, march south and take the four commanderies of Wuling, Changsha, Guiyang, and Lingling. Gather their grain and wealth to build a strong foundation. This is the long-term plan." Xuande was delighted and asked, "Which of the four commanderies should we take first?" Ma Liang said, "West of the Xiang River, Lingling is the closest—take that first. Then take Wuling. After that, cross east of the Xiang River and take Guiyang. Changsha should be last." Xuande appointed Ma Liang as his aide and Yi Ji as his assistant. He then summoned Kongming to discuss sending Liu Qi back to Xiangyang and having Guan Yu return to Jing Province. He began deploying troops to take Lingling, appointing Zhang Fei as vanguard commander, Zhao Yun as rear guard, with Kongming and Xuande commanding the central army—fifteen thousand men in total. He left Guan Yu to defend Jing Province, and Mi Zhu and Liu Feng to hold Jiangling.
When Liu Du, the Grand Administrator of Lingling, heard that Xuande's army was approaching, he consulted with his son Liu Xian. Liu Xian said, "Father, do not worry. Though they have the courage of Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, our province's top general, Xing Daorong, has the strength to match ten thousand men—he can oppose them." Liu Du then ordered Liu Xian and Xing Daorong to lead over ten thousand men and set up camp thirty li from the city, positioning themselves against the mountains and near the water. Scouts reported, "Kongming himself is leading an army this way." Xing Daorong led his troops out to give battle. The two armies drew up in opposing formations. Xing Daorong rode out, wielding a great mountain-splitting axe, and shouted in a thunderous voice, "Rebel! How dare you invade my territory!" From the opposing side, a cluster of yellow banners emerged. As the banners parted, a four-wheeled cart was pushed forward, and in the cart sat a man, wearing a kerchief of silk, draped in a crane-feather cloak, holding a feather fan in his hand. He beckoned to Xing Daorong with the fan and said, "I am Zhuge Kongming of Nanyang. Cao Cao led a million men against me, and I barely used a small trick and left him utterly routed, not even a scrap of armor remaining. How can you possibly stand against me? I have come now to offer you amnesty—why not surrender at once?" Xing Daorong laughed loudly and said, "The battle at Red Cliffs was Zhou Yu's strategy—what do you have to do with it? How dare you spout such nonsense!" He swung his great axe and charged straight at Kongming. Kongming turned his cart and retreated into his own formation, where the gates of the formation closed behind him.
Xing Daorong charged directly into the enemy lines. The formation suddenly split in two and fled in opposite directions. Xing Daorong saw a cluster of yellow banners in the center and, assuming it marked Kongming's position, gave chase. As he rounded the foot of a mountain, the yellow banners came to a halt. Suddenly, the banners parted in the middle, but instead of the four-wheeled cart, there was a general, gripping a spear and urging his horse forward, who let out a mighty roar and charged straight at Xing Daorong. It was Zhang Yide. Xing Daorong swung his great axe to meet the attack. After only a few exchanges, his strength began to fail, and he wheeled his horse to flee. Yide pursued him closely, and with a great shout, ambush troops sprang out from both sides. Xing Daorong fought desperately to break through, but ahead of him, another great general blocked his path, shouting, "Do you recognize Changshan Zhao Zilong?!" Xing Daorong knew he could not prevail, and with no escape route left, he had no choice but to dismount and beg for surrender. Zilong bound him and brought him to the camp to see Xuande and Kongming. Xuande ordered him executed. Kongming hastily stopped him and said to Xing Daorong, "If you capture Liu Xian for me, I will accept your surrender." Xing Daorong eagerly agreed. Kongming asked, "What method will you use to capture him?" Xing Daorong replied, "If the military strategist will release me and let me return, I have a plan. Tonight, if you send troops to raid our camp, I will act as your inside man and capture Liu Xian alive, presenting him to you. Once Liu Xian is taken, Liu Du will surely surrender." Xuande did not believe him. Kongming said, "General Xing is not lying." So he released Xing Daorong and let him go. When Xing Daorong returned to camp, he told Liu Xian everything that had happened. Liu Xian said, "What do we do now?" Xing Daorong replied, "We can turn their own strategy against them. Tonight, we will hide our troops outside the camp and leave only empty banners inside. When Kongming comes to raid our camp, we will capture him." Liu Xian agreed to the plan.
That night, at the second watch, a band of soldiers did indeed approach the camp. Each man carried a bundle of straw, and they all set fire at once. Liu Xian and Xing Daorong attacked from two sides, and the fire-raisers immediately retreated. Liu Xian and Xing Daorong pursued them with all their forces. After chasing them for more than ten li, the fleeing soldiers suddenly vanished. Liu Xian and Xing Daorong were greatly alarmed and hastily turned back toward their own camp. They saw that the fires had not yet gone out, and from within the camp burst forth a general—it was Zhang Yide. Liu Xian shouted to Xing Daorong, "Do not enter the camp! Let us go and raid Kongming's camp instead!" So they turned their army around. They had not gone ten li when Zhao Yun led a force that struck them from the flank, and with a single thrust of his spear, he ran Xing Daorong through, killing him on the spot. Liu Xian frantically wheeled his horse to flee, but Zhang Fei was right behind him. He captured Liu Xian alive, bound him, and brought him before Kongming. Liu Xian pleaded, "Xing Daorong was the one who devised this plan—it was not my idea!" Kongming ordered his bonds removed, gave him fresh clothes to wear, and offered him wine to calm his nerves. He then sent him into the city to persuade his father to surrender, warning that if he refused, the city would be stormed and every member of his household put to death. Liu Xian returned to Lingling and saw his father Liu Du. He recounted Kongming's virtue in full detail and urged his father to surrender. Liu Du agreed. He raised the white flag on the city walls, threw open the gates, and, bearing his seal and official ribbons, went straight to Xuande's camp to offer his submission. Kongming ordered Liu Du to remain as Commandery Governor, while his son Liu Xian was to serve in the army at Jing Province. The people of Lingling Commandery were all overjoyed.
After Xuande had entered the city and pacified the region, he rewarded his troops. He then asked his generals, "Lingling has been taken. Who dares to take Guiyang Commandery?" Zhao Yun stepped forward and said, "I am willing to go." Zhang Fei also stepped forward eagerly and said, "I am willing to go as well!" The two began to argue. Kongming said, "Zilong spoke first—let Zilong go." Zhang Fei was not satisfied and insisted on going. Kongming ordered them to draw lots. Zilong drew the winning lot again. Zhang Fei said angrily, "I do not need anyone's help! Give me three thousand men, and I will take the city on my own!" Zhao Yun said, "I will also take only three thousand men. If I fail to take the city, I will accept whatever punishment you decree." Kongming was greatly pleased. Zhao Yun signed a written pledge, and Kongming selected three thousand elite troops for him. Zhang Fei was still unhappy, but Xuande ordered him to stand down.
Zhao Yun led his three thousand men and set out for Guiyang. Scouts soon reported his approach to Zhao Fan, the Grand Administrator of Guiyang. Zhao Fan hastily summoned his officers for counsel. Two of his military commandants, Chen Ying and Bao Long, volunteered to lead the troops into battle. Both men were originally hunters from the mountain villages of Guiyang. Chen Ying was skilled with the flying trident, and Bao Long had once killed two tigers with his bow. Proud of their martial prowess, they said to Zhao Fan, "If Liu Bei comes, we two are willing to lead the vanguard." Zhao Fan said, "I have heard that Liu Xuande is the Imperial Uncle of the great Han. Moreover, Kongming is full of cunning schemes, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are extremely brave. The general leading this attack, Zhao Zilong, fought his way through Cao Cao's million-strong army at Dangyang Slope as if no one could stop him. How many men do we have in Guiyang? We cannot oppose him—we can only surrender." Chen Ying said, "Let me go out and fight. If I cannot capture Zhao Yun, then you may surrender—it will not be too late." Zhao Fan could not dissuade him, so he reluctantly agreed.
Chen Ying led three thousand men out of the city to meet the enemy. Soon he saw Zhao Yun's army approaching. Chen Ying drew up his formation, then galloped out, brandishing his trident. Zhao Yun rode out, spear in hand, and shouted at Chen Ying, "My lord Liu Xuande is Liu Biao's younger brother. He now assists young master Liu Qi in governing Jing Province and has come to pacify the people. How dare you oppose him?!" Chen Ying shouted back, "We serve only Chancellor Cao—why would we submit to Liu Bei?!" Zhao Yun was enraged. He spurred his horse forward and charged straight at Chen Ying. Chen Ying raised his trident to meet him. Their horses crossed, and after four or five exchanges, Chen Ying realized he could not match his opponent. He turned his horse and fled. Zhao Yun pursued. Chen Ying looked back and saw Zhao Yun closing in. He hurled his flying trident at Zhao Yun, but Zhao Yun caught it and threw it back. Chen Ying barely dodged it, but by then Zhao Yun's horse was upon him. Zhao Yun grabbed Chen Ying, lifted him from his saddle, threw him to the ground, and ordered his soldiers to bind him and take him back to camp. The defeated troops scattered in all directions. Zhao Yun entered his camp and berated Chen Ying, "How dare a man like you stand against me? I will not kill you today. I am releasing you to go back and tell Zhao Fan to surrender at once." Chen Ying thanked him for his mercy and fled back to the city, clutching his head. He reported everything to Zhao Fan. Zhao Fan said, "I wanted to surrender all along, but you insisted on fighting—and now look what has happened!" He dismissed Chen Ying in disgrace, then took up his seal and official ribbons, led a dozen horsemen, and rode out to Zhao Yun's camp to surrender.
Zhao Yun came out of his camp to greet him, treating him with the courtesy due an honored guest. He set out wine and they drank together. After Zhao Fan had presented his seal, and several rounds of wine had been drunk, Zhao Fan said, "General, your surname is Zhao, and mine is also Zhao. Five hundred years ago, we were likely of the same clan. You are from Zhending, and I am also from Zhending—we are fellow townsmen as well. If you do not find it beneath you, let us swear brotherhood. That would be a great fortune indeed." Zhao Yun was delighted. They exchanged their birth years and found that they were the same age. Zhao Yun was four months older, so Zhao Fan honored him as an elder brother. Being from the same town, born in the same year, and sharing the same surname, the two got along extremely well. When evening came and the feast ended, Zhao Fan took his leave and returned to the city. The next day, Zhao Fan invited Zhao Yun into the city to pacify the people. Zhao Yun ordered his troops to remain where they were and entered the city with only fifty horsemen. The common people lined the streets, holding incense and bowing in welcome. After Zhao Yun had completed his work of pacification, Zhao Fan invited him into the government office for another banquet. When the wine had flowed freely and they were halfway through the feast, Zhao Fan invited Zhao Yun deeper into the private quarters, where they washed their cups and began drinking again. Zhao Yun was slightly tipsy. Suddenly, Zhao Fan summoned a woman to come forward and offer Zhao Yun a cup of wine.
Zilong saw that the woman was dressed in white silk and possessed a beauty that could topple kingdoms—a face of surpassing loveliness. He asked Zhao Fan, "Who is this?" Zhao Fan replied, "She is my elder brother's wife, Lady Fan." Zilong's expression changed to one of respect. After Lady Fan had presented the wine, Zhao Fan ordered her to sit down. Zhao Yun declined. Lady Fan withdrew to the inner chambers. Zhao Yun said, "Virtuous brother, why did you trouble your sister-in-law to offer me wine?" Zhao Fan laughed and said, "There is a reason for this, and I beg you, brother, not to object. My elder brother passed away three years ago. My sister-in-law has remained a widow, and this cannot go on forever. I have often urged her to remarry. She said, 'I will only marry a man who possesses three qualities: first, he must be accomplished in both civil and military arts, and renowned throughout the land; second, he must have a dignified appearance and an imposing presence; third, he must share my late husband's surname.' Now, where in the world could you find such a perfect match? But you, my honored elder brother, have a majestic bearing and a fame that shakes the four seas. Moreover, you share my brother's surname. You perfectly match my sister-in-law's conditions. If you do not find her appearance too plain, I would be happy to provide a dowry and give her to you as your wife, so that our families may be joined for generations. What do you say?" When Zhao Yun heard this, he rose in fury and thundered, "I have sworn brotherhood with you! Your elder sister-in-law is now my elder sister-in-law as well!
How could I commit such an act that violates all human decency?!" Zhao Fan's face flushed crimson with shame. He stammered, "I offered this out of goodwill—why do you treat me so rudely?" He then glanced meaningfully at his attendants, who moved as if to attack. Zhao Yun sensed the danger. With one blow of his fist, he knocked Zhao Fan to the ground, strode out of the government office, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city.
Zhao Fan hastily summoned Chen Ying and Bao Long to discuss the matter. Chen Ying said, "This man has left in a rage—we have no choice but to fight him." Zhao Fan said, "But I fear we cannot defeat him." Bao Long said, "We two will pretend to surrender to his army. You, Grand Administrator, lead your troops out to challenge him, and we will capture him on the battlefield." Chen Ying said, "We must bring some men with us." Bao Long said, "Five hundred horsemen will be enough." That night, the two men led five hundred troops straight to Zhao Yun's camp and offered their surrender. Zhao Yun already suspected they were feigning surrender, but he ordered them brought in. When the two generals entered his tent, they said, "Zhao Fan tried to use a beautiful woman to lure you into a trap. His plan was to wait until you were drunk, then drag you into the private quarters and murder you, sending your head to Chancellor Cao as a trophy. Such is his villainy! We saw that you left in anger and feared we would be implicated, so we have come to surrender." Zhao Yun pretended to be pleased. He set out wine and drank heartily with the two men. When they were thoroughly drunk, Zhao Yun had them bound inside his tent. He then interrogated their men and confirmed that it was indeed a feigned surrender. Zhao Yun summoned the five hundred troops, gave each of them wine and food, and issued a decree: "The ones who plotted against me were Chen Ying and Bao Long—the rest of you are innocent. If you follow my orders, you will all be richly rewarded." The troops bowed in gratitude. Zhao Yun immediately executed the two feigning generals, Chen Ying and Bao Long. He then ordered the five hundred troops to lead the way, while he followed behind with a thousand men. They marched through the night and arrived at the gates of Guiyang. When the guards on the wall called down to ask who they were, the soldiers replied that Generals Chen and Bao had killed Zhao Yun and were returning to report to the Grand Administrator. The guards on the wall raised torches to look and, seeing that it was indeed their own troops, opened the gates. Zhao Fan hurried out of the city to meet them. Zhao Yun shouted an order, and his men seized Zhao Fan. He then entered the city, pacified the people, and sent a swift messenger to report to Xuande.
Xuande and Kongming came personally to Guiyang. Zhao Yun welcomed them into the city and had Zhao Fan dragged before them. Kongming questioned him, and Zhao Fan told the whole story of how he had offered his sister-in-law in marriage. Kongming said to Zhao Yun, "This was an excellent opportunity—why did you refuse?" Zhao Yun replied, "Zhao Fan and I had sworn brotherhood. If I had married his sister-in-law, I would have invited the scorn and curses of all men—that is one reason. For a woman to remarry is to lose her virtue—that is the second reason. Zhao Fan had only just surrendered, and his intentions were still unclear—that is the third reason. Our lord has only recently secured the Jiang-Han region, and his bed has not yet been made comfortable. How could I dare to let a woman interfere with our lord's great enterprise?" Xuande said, "Now that the great matter is settled, what if I arrange the marriage for you?" Zhao Yun replied, "There are plenty of women in the world. My only fear is that my reputation may not be established—why should I worry about not finding a wife?" Xuande exclaimed, "Zilong is a true man indeed!" He then released Zhao Fan and ordered him to remain as Grand Administrator of Guiyang, while he richly rewarded Zhao Yun.
Zhang Fei shouted out, "So Zilong gets all the glory, and I am useless! Just give me three thousand men to take Wuling Commandery—I will capture Grand Administrator Jin Xuan alive and present him to you!" Kongming was greatly pleased and said, "Yide may go if he wishes, but you must agree to one condition." As the saying goes: The military strategist's decisive plans were full of cunning schemes; The generals vied to be first, eager to establish their merit. What was the condition that Kongming was about to propose? Let us see in the next chapter.