As the man and Fa Zheng met, they clasped hands and laughed together. Pang Tong inquired about him. Fa Zheng replied, "This gentleman is from Guanghan, named Peng Yang, styled Yongyan—a hero of Shu. Because of his blunt words that offended Liu Zhang, he was shaved and branded as a convict slave, hence his short hair." Pang Tong received him with the courtesy due a guest and asked why he had come. Peng Yang said, "I have come specifically to save the lives of tens of thousands of your men, but I can only speak before General Liu." Fa Zheng hurried to inform Xuande. Liu Bei went personally to greet him and asked the reason. Peng Yang said, "General, how many troops do you have in your forward camp?" Liu Bei told him truthfully, "Wei Yan and Huang Zhong are stationed there." Peng Yang said, "How can one who commands troops be ignorant of terrain? Your forward camp is pressed against the Fu River. If the river is breached and your forces are blocked front and rear, not a single man will escape." Liu Bei suddenly understood. Peng Yang added, "The baleful star is in the west, and Venus looms over this region—there will be ill omens. You must be cautious." Liu Bei immediately appointed Peng Yang as an advisor and secretly sent word to Wei Yan and Huang Zhong, ordering them to keep vigilant patrol day and night to prevent the river from being diverted. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan discussed the matter and agreed to take turns on duty, each day one man on watch, and to alert each other if the enemy approached.
That night, as a fierce storm raged, Ling Bao led five thousand troops along the riverbank, intending to breach the dikes. Suddenly, shouts erupted from behind. Knowing his plan had been discovered, Ling Bao hastily turned back. Ahead, Wei Yan’s forces charged forward, and the Sichuan troops trampled each other in panic. As Ling Bao fled, he collided with Wei Yan. After barely a few exchanges, Wei Yan captured him alive. By the time Wu Lan and Lei Tong arrived to reinforce, Huang Zhong’s forces had already driven them back. Wei Yan delivered Ling Bao to the Fu Pass. Liu Bei rebuked him, "I treated you with benevolence and righteousness and let you go free. How dare you betray me? This time, there is no mercy!" He ordered Ling Bao executed and richly rewarded Wei Yan.
Liu Bei held a banquet to honor Peng Yang when a messenger arrived, reporting that Zhuge Liang, the military strategist in Jing Province, had sent Ma Liang with a letter. Liu Bei summoned him and asked for news. After Ma Liang performed the formal greetings, he said, "Jing Province is secure; Your Lordship need not worry." He then presented the strategist’s letter. Liu Bei opened it and read: "I have calculated the celestial patterns by night. This year, the year-star is in the west, and Venus hangs over the Luo City region. This portends great danger for the commander of the army—more misfortune than good. You must be extremely cautious."
After reading the letter, Liu Bei ordered Ma Liang to return first. He said, "I will go back to Jing Province to discuss this matter." Pang Tong thought to himself, "Kongming fears I will take Sichuan and claim the glory, so he deliberately sends this letter to hinder me." He then said to Liu Bei, "I too have calculated the celestial patterns. I know the baleful star is in the west, but it signifies that you, my lord, are destined to conquer Sichuan—it does not portend disaster. I have also read the heavens: Venus hangs over Luo City, but we have already beheaded the Shu general Ling Bao, fulfilling the evil omen. Do not let doubt trouble you, my lord. Press forward quickly."
Urged on by Pang Tong’s insistence, Liu Bei advanced with his army. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan welcomed them into the camp. Pang Tong asked Fa Zheng, "How far is it to Luo City?" Fa Zheng drew a map on the ground. Liu Bei compared it with the atlas Zhang Song had left behind, and it matched perfectly. Fa Zheng said, "There is a main road north of the mountains leading to the eastern gate of Luo City, and a small path south of the mountains leading to the western gate. Both routes can be used to advance." Pang Tong said to Liu Bei, "I will order Wei Yan to lead the vanguard along the southern path, while you, my lord, take Huang Zhong as vanguard on the northern main road. We will rendezvous at Luo City." Liu Bei said, "I have been skilled with bow and horse since youth and have traveled many small paths. You, strategist, should take the main road to attack the eastern gate, while I take the western gate." Pang Tong replied, "The main road will surely be guarded. You, my lord, should take that route and confront the enemy. I will take the small path." Liu Bei insisted, "Strategist, you must not. Last night I dreamed a divine being struck my right arm with an iron staff, and I still feel the pain. This campaign may be ill-fated." Pang Tong said, "A bold warrior facing battle expects wounds or death—it is only natural. Why let a dream trouble your heart?" Liu Bei said, "What troubles me is Kongming’s letter. Why not have you, strategist, remain to guard the Fu Pass?" Pang Tong laughed loudly and said, "My lord, you are deceived by Kongming! He does not wish me to achieve this great deed alone, so he writes such words to sow doubt in your mind. Doubt breeds dreams—there is no ill fortune here! I would gladly give my life to fulfill my duty. Say no more, my lord. Tomorrow at dawn, we march."
That day, orders were given: the troops would prepare their meals at the fifth watch and mount at daybreak. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan led the army forward. As Liu Bei and Pang Tong met again to finalize their plans, Pang Tong’s horse suddenly stumbled, throwing him to the ground. Liu Bei dismounted and took hold of the horse’s bridle. He said, "Strategist, why ride such a vicious beast?" Pang Tong replied, "I have ridden this horse for a long time; it has never behaved this way." Liu Bei said, "A horse that shies before battle can cost a man his life. My white horse is gentle and well-trained. You should ride it, strategist—it will be safe. I will take this unruly one." So they exchanged mounts. Pang Tong thanked him, saying, "I am deeply moved by your generous kindness, my lord. Even ten thousand deaths could not repay it." They mounted and set off. As Liu Bei watched Pang Tong ride away, he felt a deep unease and proceeded with a heavy heart.
In Luo City, Wu Yi and Liu Gui learned of Ling Bao’s death and gathered to discuss the situation. Zhang Ren said, "There is a remote path in the southeastern hills that is most critical. I will take a force to guard it. The rest of you must hold the city securely." Suddenly, a report came that the Han forces were advancing in two columns to attack the city. Zhang Ren quickly led three thousand troops to set an ambush along the small path. He allowed Wei Yan’s troops to pass without disturbance. When Pang Tong’s forces appeared, Zhang Ren’s soldiers pointed to the general riding a white horse and said, "That must be Liu Bei." Overjoyed, Zhang Ren gave his orders accordingly.
As Pang Tong advanced slowly, he looked up and saw the mountains closing in on both sides, thick with tangled trees. It was late summer, early autumn, and the foliage was dense. Unease crept into Pang Tong’s heart. He reined in his horse and asked, "What place is this?" Among the newly surrendered soldiers, one pointed and said, "This place is called the Falling Phoenix Slope." Startled, Pang Tong exclaimed, "My style name is Fledgling Phoenix, and this place is called Falling Phoenix Slope—it is unlucky for me!" He ordered the rear guard to retreat quickly. But before the command could be carried out, a cannon blast echoed from the hillside, and arrows flew like a swarm of locusts, all aimed at the rider of the white horse. Alas, poor Pang Tong fell beneath the hail of arrows, dying at the age of thirty-six. A poet of later times lamented: "The ancient hills rise in layers of purple and green; Shiyuan’s cottage nestled by the mountain’s curve. Children in the lanes knew his songs like the call of the dove; The streets once echoed with his great talents. He plotted to divide the realm into three equal parts, riding alone across a thousand miles. Who could foresee that the Heavenly Dog’s falling star would strike, denying the general his triumphant return in silken robes?"
Before this, a children’s rhyme had spread in the southeast: "One phoenix and one dragon, together they went to Shu. But halfway on the road, the phoenix died east of the slope. The wind brings rain, and rain follows the wind; when the great Han rises, the roads of Shu open wide. When the roads of Shu open, only the dragon remains."
That day, Zhang Ren’s arrows killed Pang Tong. The Han army was trapped, unable to advance or retreat, and more than half were lost. The forward troops rushed a report to Wei Yan. Wei Yan tried to turn his forces back, but the mountain path was too narrow for battle. Zhang Ren cut off their retreat, shooting down from the high ground with powerful bows and crossbows. Panic seized Wei Yan. A newly surrendered Shu soldier suggested, "Better to charge straight to Luo City and take the main road." Wei Yan agreed and led the way, cutting a path toward Luo City. As dust rose, a force appeared ahead—it was Wu Lan and Lei Tong, the defenders of Luo City. Behind them, Zhang Ren’s troops gave chase. Surrounded on both sides, Wei Yan was trapped in the center. He fought desperately but could not break free. Suddenly, chaos erupted in the rear ranks of Wu Lan and Lei Tong. The two generals turned to meet the new threat, and Wei Yan seized the moment to charge forward. A general appeared before him, brandishing a blade and spurring his horse, shouting, "Wen Chang, I have come to save you!" It was the veteran Huang Zhong. Together, they attacked from both sides, routing Wu Lan and Lei Tong and driving straight to the walls of Luo City. Liu Gui led out his troops, but Liu Bei arrived from behind to reinforce them. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan turned back. As Liu Bei’s forces struggled to reach their camp, Zhang Ren’s troops cut them off from the small path. Liu Gui, Wu Lan, and Lei Tong gave chase. Unable to hold his two camps, Liu Bei fought as he retreated, fleeing back to the Fu Pass. The Shu army, victorious, pursued relentlessly. Exhausted and out of spirits, Liu Bei had no heart for battle and could only flee. As he neared the Fu Pass, Zhang Ren’s pursuit pressed hard. Fortunately, Liu Feng on the left and Guan Ping on the right, leading thirty thousand fresh troops, intercepted and drove back Zhang Ren, pursuing him for twenty li and recovering many horses.
Liu Bei and his army re-entered the Fu Pass and asked for news of Pang Tong. A soldier who had escaped from the Falling Phoenix Slope reported that the strategist, horse and all, had been shot dead by a rain of arrows before the slope. At this news, Liu Bei wept bitterly, facing west, and offered a distant sacrifice to summon Pang Tong’s spirit. All the generals wept. Huang Zhong said, "Now that we have lost Strategist Pang Tong, Zhang Ren will surely attack the Fu Pass. What should we do? Better to send word to Jing Province and ask Strategist Zhuge Liang to come and discuss the plan for taking Sichuan." Just as he spoke, a report came that Zhang Ren had brought his army directly to the city walls to challenge them. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan both wanted to go out and fight. Liu Bei said, "Our morale has just been broken. We should hold fast and wait for the strategist to arrive." Huang Zhong and Wei Yan accepted the order and strictly guarded the city. Liu Bei wrote a letter and instructed Guan Ping, "Take this to Jing Province and request the strategist to come." Guan Ping took the letter and rode day and night to Jing Province. Liu Bei remained in the Fu Pass, refusing to give battle.
Meanwhile, in Jing Province, Zhuge Liang was hosting a grand night banquet on the festival of the Seventh Eve, discussing the campaign to take Sichuan. Suddenly, a star in the western sky, as large as a ladle, fell from the heavens, its light scattering in all directions. Startled, Zhuge Liang dropped his cup and covered his face, weeping, "Alas! What sorrow!" The assembled officials anxiously asked the reason. Zhuge Liang said, "Earlier, I calculated that this year the baleful star is in the west, unfavorable for the military strategist. The Heavenly Dog star has invaded our army, and Venus looms over Luo City. I wrote to our lord, warning him to be cautious. Who could have imagined that tonight, a star would fall in the west? Pang Shiyuan’s life is surely ended!" He wept and said, "Now our lord has lost an arm!" The officials were astonished and doubted his words. Zhuge Liang said, "Within a few days, news will come." That night, the banquet ended in sorrow.
A few days later, as Zhuge Liang was sitting with Guan Yu and others, a report came that Guan Ping had arrived. The officials were alarmed. Guan Ping entered and presented Liu Bei’s letter. Zhuge Liang read it: it stated that on the seventh day of the seventh month, Pang Tong had been killed by Zhang Ren’s arrows at the Falling Phoenix Slope. Zhuge Liang wept bitterly, and all the officials shed tears. Zhuge Liang said, "Since our lord is in a difficult position at the Fu Pass, with no way forward or back, I must go." Guan Yu said, "If you leave, strategist, who will guard Jing Province? Jing Province is a vital place—its safety is no small matter." Zhuge Liang replied, "Though our lord’s letter does not name the person explicitly, I understand his intention." He showed the letter to the officials and said, "Our lord entrusts Jing Province to me and tells me to choose someone worthy. Yet he sent Guan Ping with this letter—his meaning is that Lord Guan should take this heavy responsibility. Lord Guan, think of the oath of the Peach Garden and protect this place with all your might. The burden is great; you must strive." Guan Yu did not decline and accepted the charge with a solemn oath. Zhuge Liang held a banquet to formally hand over the seal and ribbon of command. Guan Yu received them with both hands. As Zhuge Liang held the seal, he said, "This responsibility rests entirely on you, general." Guan Yu said, "A true man, having accepted a great task, will carry it even to death." Hearing the word "death," Zhuge Liang’s heart sank. He wished he could take back the seal, but the words were already spoken. He asked, "If Cao Cao leads his army here, what will you do?" Guan Yu replied, "I will resist with force." Zhuge Liang asked further, "If Cao Cao and Sun Quan both raise their armies against you, what then?" Guan Yu said, "I will divide my forces to fight them." Zhuge Liang said, "If you do that, Jing Province is in danger. I have eight words for you, general. Remember them well, and you can hold Jing Province." Guan Yu asked, "What eight words?" Zhuge Liang said, "Resist Cao Cao in the north; make peace with Sun Quan in the east." Guan Yu replied, "Your words, strategist, shall be engraved on my heart."
Zhuge Liang then handed over the seal and appointed the civil officials Ma Liang, Yi Ji, Xiang Lang, and Mi Zhu, and the military officers Mi Fang, Liao Hua, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang to assist Guan Yu in guarding Jing Province. He then personally led an army into Sichuan. First, he dispatched ten thousand elite troops under Zhang Fei’s command, ordering him to take the main road and strike toward Ba Prefecture and the western side of Luo City—whoever arrived first would claim the highest merit. He also sent a force with Zhao Yun as vanguard, advancing up the river to rendezvous at Luo City. Zhuge Liang then set out with Jian Yong and Jiang Wan. Jiang Wan, styled Gongyan, was a famous scholar from Xiangxiang in Lingling and currently served as a secretary.
On that day, Zhuge Liang led fifteen thousand troops and departed on the same day as Zhang Fei. Before Zhang Fei left, Zhuge Liang instructed him, "There are many heroes in Sichuan; do not underestimate them. Restrain your troops along the way—do not plunder the people, or you will lose their hearts. Wherever you go, show mercy, and do not indulge in whipping your soldiers. I hope you will reach Luo City quickly. Do not fail." Zhang Fei cheerfully accepted the order, mounted his horse, and rode off. As he advanced, he treated all who surrendered with the utmost respect, taking nothing from them. He took the road through Hanchuan and arrived at Ba Prefecture. Scouts reported back: "The Grand Administrator of Ba Prefecture, Yan Yan, is a renowned general of Shu. Though advanced in years, his strength has not waned. He is skilled with a strong bow and wields a great blade, with the courage of ten thousand men. He holds the city and has not raised the flag of surrender." Zhang Fei ordered his camp set up ten li from the city and sent a messenger to the city, saying, "Tell that old fool to surrender quickly, and I will spare the lives of all the people in the city. If he does not submit, I will raze the city to the ground and spare neither young nor old!"
In Ba Prefecture, Yan Yan had heard that Liu Zhang had sent Fa Zheng to invite Liu Bei into Sichuan. He beat his chest and sighed, "This is like sitting alone in a barren mountain and inviting a tiger to guard you!" Later, when he learned that Liu Bei had taken the Fu Pass, he was furious and often wanted to march out and fight, but feared an attack from another route. When he heard that Zhang Fei’s army had arrived, he mustered his five to six thousand troops and prepared for battle. An advisor suggested, "Zhang Fei once routed a million Cao troops with a single shout at Dangyang’s Long Slope. Even Cao Cao avoids him. Do not take him lightly. The best plan is to deepen your moats, strengthen your walls, and hold fast without giving battle. Their army will run out of food within a month and will naturally retreat. Moreover, Zhang Fei has a fiery temper and is known for flogging his soldiers. If we refuse to fight, he will grow angry, and in his rage, he will treat his men harshly. When their morale cracks, we can strike and capture him." Yan Yan took the advice and ordered his troops to guard the walls. Suddenly, a soldier appeared, shouting, "Open the gate!" Yan Yan had him brought in and questioned him. The soldier said he had been sent by General Zhang Fei and relayed Zhang Fei’s words directly. Yan Yan flew into a rage and cursed, "How dare that wretch be so insolent! Do you think I, General Yan Yan, would surrender to a rebel? Take your words back to Zhang Fei!" He ordered his guards to cut off the soldier’s ears and nose before sending him back to the camp.
The soldier returned to Zhang Fei and tearfully reported Yan Yan’s insults. Zhang Fei was furious. Gritting his teeth and glaring, he donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led a few hundred riders to the walls of Ba Prefecture to challenge the enemy. The troops on the walls hurled curses at him. Impatient, Zhang Fei several times charged to the drawbridge, trying to cross the moat, but was driven back by a rain of arrows. By evening, not a single enemy had emerged. Swallowing his rage, Zhang Fei returned to camp. The next morning, he led his troops to challenge them again. Yan Yan, from the city’s watchtower, shot an arrow that struck Zhang Fei’s helmet. Pointing his finger in anger, Zhang Fei shouted, "If I catch you, old fool, I will eat your flesh with my own hands!" That evening, he returned empty-handed again. On the third day, Zhang Fei led his troops around the city, cursing. The city was a mountain fortress, surrounded by rugged hills. Zhang Fei rode to a high vantage point and looked down into the city. He saw the troops fully armed, drawn up in ranks, lying in wait inside, refusing to come out. He also saw common laborers moving bricks and stones to help defend the walls. Zhang Fei ordered his cavalry to dismount and his infantry to sit down, hoping to lure the enemy out, but there was no response. After another day of cursing, he returned empty-handed once more. In his camp, Zhang Fei thought to himself, "Day after day of shouting, and they refuse to come out. What can I do?" Suddenly, an idea struck him. He ordered his troops not to go and challenge the enemy but to prepare themselves in camp. He sent only thirty or forty soldiers to the city walls to shout insults, hoping to lure Yan Yan’s forces out for a fight. Zhang Fei rubbed his hands in anticipation, waiting for the enemy to appear. The soldiers shouted for three days straight, but still, no one emerged. A frown creased Zhang Fei’s brow, and another plan came to him. He ordered his troops to scatter and gather firewood, searching for paths, and to stop challenging the enemy. In the city, Yan Yan grew suspicious at Zhang Fei’s sudden inactivity. He sent a dozen soldiers, disguised as Zhang Fei’s woodcutters, to slip out of the city, mingle with the Han troops, and explore the mountains.
That evening, the troops returned to camp. Zhang Fei sat in his tent, stamping his feet and cursing, "Yan Yan, you old fool! You are driving me mad!" Three or four men stepped forward and said, "General, do not fret. In the past few days, we have discovered a small path that can bypass Ba Prefecture." Zhang Fei deliberately shouted, "If such a route exists, why did you not tell me sooner?" They replied, "We only scouted it out these past few days." Zhang Fei said, "There is no time to waste. Prepare meals at the second watch. At the third watch, under the bright moon, we will strike camp silently—men with gags in their mouths, horses with bells removed—and move quietly. I will lead the way; you will follow in order." The order was spread throughout the camp.
The spies heard this news and returned to the city to report to Yan Yan. Overjoyed, Yan Yan said, "I knew that wretch could not endure. If you try to sneak past by a small path, your supplies and wagons will be in the rear. I will cut off your rear; how will you escape? What a fool! He has fallen into my trap!" He immediately ordered his troops to prepare for battle. They would eat at the second watch, leave the city at the third, and lie in ambush in the thick woods. When Zhang Fei’s main force had passed through the narrow pass and the wagons arrived, they would sound the drums and attack.
Orders were given. As night fell, Yan Yan’s entire army ate their fill, donned their armor, and quietly slipped out of the city, spreading out into ambush positions, waiting for the drum signal. Yan Yan himself, with a dozen subordinate officers, dismounted and hid in the woods. Around the third watch, they saw in the distance Zhang Fei himself, riding at the front, his serpent spear across his saddle, leading his troops forward in silence. After they had advanced no more than three or four li, the wagons and rear troops began to follow. Yan Yan saw his chance and ordered the drums to roll. Ambushers sprang up from all sides, rushing to seize the wagons. But then a gong sounded from behind, and a force of troops charged forward, shouting, "Old thief, do not flee! I have been waiting for you!" Yan Yan turned his head sharply and saw the leading general: a panther’s head, round eyes, a swallow’s jaw, and a tiger’s whiskers, wielding an eighteen-foot serpent spear, riding a dark black horse—it was Zhang Fei himself. Gongs clanged from all directions as the Han troops attacked. Seeing Zhang Fei, Yan Yan was caught off guard. They exchanged less than ten blows when Zhang Fei feigned a weakness. Yan Yan swung his blade, but Zhang Fei dodged, closed in, seized Yan Yan’s armor strap, and pulled him from his horse, throwing him to the ground. The Han soldiers rushed forward and bound him with ropes. The Zhang Fei who had passed first was a decoy. Zhang Fei had guessed that Yan Yan would use the drum as a signal, so he ordered the gong as his own signal—when the gong sounded, all his troops converged. Most of the Sichuan troops threw down their arms and surrendered.
Zhang Fei fought his way to the walls of Ba Prefecture, and his rear troops had already entered the city. He ordered that no civilians be harmed and posted proclamations to reassure the people. The guards dragged Yan Yan before him. Zhang Fei sat in the hall, but Yan Yan refused to kneel. Glaring and gnashing his teeth, Zhang Fei roared, "When a great general arrives, why do you not surrender? How dare you resist?" Yan Yan showed no fear and shouted back, "You are lawless men, invading our provinces! There are generals who will die, but none who will surrender!" Enraged, Zhang Fei ordered his guards to behead him. Yan Yan shouted, "You vile wretch! If you want to cut off my head, cut it off! Why all this anger?" Seeing Yan Yan’s powerful voice and unflinching demeanor, Zhang Fei’s anger turned to joy. He descended from the platform, dismissed the guards, personally untied Yan Yan, took a robe and draped it over him, helped him to the seat of honor, and bowed low before him, saying, "My earlier words were rude; I hope you will not take offense. I have long known that you, old general, are a hero among men." Moved by this kindness and righteousness, Yan Yan surrendered. A poet of later times praised Yan Yan: "White-haired in western Shu, his pure fame shook the great realm. His loyalty shone like the bright moon; his noble spirit swept the Yangtze. He would rather die with his head severed than bend his knee in surrender. The aged general of Ba Prefecture—unmatched under heaven."
Another poem praised Zhang Fei: "He captured Yan Yan alive with unmatched courage, and by his righteous spirit, he won over both army and people. To this day, his temple stands in Ba and Shu, where offerings of wine and meat are made daily, as if in eternal spring."
Zhang Fei asked Yan Yan for a plan to enter Sichuan. Yan Yan said, "I am a defeated general, yet you have shown me great kindness. I have nothing to repay you but my humble service. I will take Chengdu without firing a single arrow." Truly: "Because one general gave his heart, city after city fell without a fight."
What this plan was, let us see in the next chapter.