Zhou Yu had stood atop the mountain peak for a long time, gazing across the river at the northern fleet. The massive warships were arrayed in perfect formation, their banners and pennants snapping in orderly rows, a display of discipline that chilled the blood. Suddenly, without warning, he staggered backward and collapsed. Blood gushed from his mouth, and he lay senseless. His attendants rushed him back to his tent. All the generals came to inquire, their faces pale with shock as they exchanged helpless glances. "A million men from north of the river crouch like a tiger ready to devour the land," one murmured. "If the Commander-in-Chief falls ill like this, and Cao Cao's army arrives, what hope is there for us?" In haste, they dispatched a messenger to inform Sun Quan, while summoning physicians to treat Zhou Yu.
Lu Su, deeply troubled by Zhou Yu's sudden illness, went to see Zhuge Liang and told him what had happened. "What do you make of this?" Lu Su asked. "This is Cao Cao's good fortune and Jiangdong's calamity!" Zhuge Liang smiled. "I can cure Commander Zhou's illness." "If that is true," Lu Su said, his heart leaping, "then the entire realm will be blessed!" He immediately invited Zhuge Liang to come and examine the patient. Lu Su entered Zhou Yu's tent first. Zhou Yu lay covered with a blanket, his face hidden. "How fares the Commander-in-Chief?" Lu Su asked. "My heart and stomach are twisted with pain," Zhou Yu groaned. "I am often unconscious." "Have you taken any medicine?" Lu Su inquired. "I feel nauseous," Zhou Yu replied. "I cannot keep anything down." "I just went to see Zhuge Liang," Lu Su said. "He claims he can cure your illness. He is waiting outside the tent now. Shall I ask him to attend to you?" Zhou Yu ordered Zhuge Liang to be brought in. He had his attendants help him sit up on the bed. "It has been many days since I last saw you, Commander," Zhuge Liang said. "I never expected to find you in such poor health." "Man has his morning and evening fortunes," Zhou Yu replied. "Who can be certain of his own fate?" Zhuge Liang smiled again. "Heaven has its unexpected winds and clouds. How can man predict them?" Zhou Yu's face paled, and he let out a groan. "Commander," Zhuge Liang said, "does it feel as if a heavy weight is pressing on your heart?" "Yes," Zhou Yu admitted. "Then you require a cooling medicine to relieve the congestion," Zhuge Liang said. "I have already taken cooling medicines," Zhou Yu said, "but they have had no effect." "You must first regulate your qi—your inner energy," Zhuge Liang explained. "If the qi flows smoothly, then with every breath you take, you will naturally recover." Zhou Yu suspected that Zhuge Liang already knew his true ailment. He decided to probe him. "If I wish to smooth my qi," he asked carefully, "what medicine should I take?" Zhuge Liang smiled again. "I have a prescription that will surely soothe the Commander's qi." He asked for paper and a brush, then ordered Zhou Yu's attendants to withdraw. In the privacy of the tent, he wrote sixteen characters:
"To defeat Lord Cao, fire is the key; all is prepared, only the east wind is missing."
He handed the note to Zhou Yu. "Here is the source of your illness, Commander." Zhou Yu read the words and was stunned. He thought to himself: "Zhuge Liang is truly a divine being! He knew my heart's secret all along. I have no choice but to confess." He forced a smile. "Since you know the source of my illness, what medicine will you use to cure it? The matter is urgent. Please, I beg you, tell me." "I am not a man of great talent," Zhuge Liang replied, "but I once met a remarkable sage who taught me the esoteric arts of the 'Mysterious Gate and Hidden Armor'—the power to summon wind and rain. If you desire a southeast wind, Commander, I can build an altar on the Southern Screen Mountain. It will be called the Seven-Star Altar. It will be nine feet high, built in three tiers, with one hundred and twenty men standing around it, holding banners and pennants. I will perform the ritual on the altar and summon a great southeast wind for three days and three nights. Will that aid your campaign?" "Even one night of strong wind would be enough to achieve victory," Zhou Yu said, his eyes lighting up. "But time is of the essence. We must not delay." "On the twentieth day of the eleventh month, the day of Jiazi, I will begin the ritual," Zhuge Liang said. "The wind will cease on the twenty-second, the day of Bingyin. What say you?" Zhou Yu was overjoyed. He sprang to his feet, his illness seemingly forgotten. He immediately ordered five hundred elite soldiers to proceed to Southern Screen Mountain and construct the altar, and assigned one hundred and twenty men to stand guard with banners, awaiting Zhuge Liang's commands.
Zhuge Liang took his leave and, accompanied by Lu Su, rode to Southern Screen Mountain to survey the terrain. He ordered the soldiers to take red earth from the southeast and build the altar. It was to be twenty-four zhang in circumference. Each of its three tiers was three feet high, making nine feet in total. On the lowest tier, they planted flags representing the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions: seven green flags in the east, arranged in the shape of the Azure Dragon; seven black flags in the north, forming the Black Tortoise; seven white flags in the west, crouching like the White Tiger; and seven red flags in the south, taking the shape of the Vermilion Bird. On the second tier, sixty-four yellow flags were placed around the perimeter, corresponding to the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching, each set in its proper direction. On the highest tier, four men stood: each wore a cap that bound his hair, a black silk robe, a phoenix-patterned coat with a broad sash, and red shoes with square-toed slippers. The man in the front-left held a long pole with a bundle of chicken feathers tied to its tip, used to test the direction of the wind. The man in the front-right held a long pole with a seven-star pennant to indicate the wind's color. The man in the rear-left carried a precious sword; the man in the rear-right held a censer. Below the altar, twenty-four men stood in a circle, each holding a banner, a canopy, a halberd, a long spear, a yellow battle-axe, a white yak-tail standard, a red streamer, or a black flag.
On the twentieth day of the eleventh month, the auspicious day of Jiazi, Zhuge Liang purified himself with a bath and a fast. He donned a Taoist robe, bared his feet, and let his hair hang loose. He came to the altar and instructed Lu Su: "Zijing, you go to the camp and assist Commander Zhou in deploying his troops. If my prayers are not answered, do not hold it against me." Lu Su departed. Zhuge Liang then ordered the soldiers guarding the altar: "No one is to leave his post. No one is to whisper to his neighbor. No one is to speak out of turn. No one is to show fear or alarm. Any man who disobeys these orders will be executed!" The soldiers all acknowledged the command. Zhuge Liang walked slowly up the altar. He checked his position, then lit incense in the censer, poured water into a basin, and looked up to the heavens, murmuring a silent prayer. He descended the altar and rested briefly in his tent, allowing the soldiers to take turns eating. He ascended the altar three times that day and descended three times. Still, no southeast wind arose.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yu had summoned Generals Cheng Pu and Lu Su, along with a full assembly of officers, to his tent. They were all waiting for the southeast wind to rise, at which point they would deploy their forces. Messengers had been sent to inform Sun Quan to prepare his reinforcements. Huang Gai had already prepared twenty fire ships. Their prows were studded with large iron spikes. Their holds were filled with reeds and dry brushwood, soaked in fish oil and covered with sulfur and saltpeter—all highly flammable materials. Each ship was covered with blue oilcloth. At their prows were planted green dragon-tooth banners, and at their sterns were tied fast skiffs for escape. Huang Gai's men were waiting for Zhou Yu's signal. Gan Ning and Kan Ze had been ordered to keep Cai He and Cai Zhong, the spies from Cao Cao's camp, confined within the river fortress. They drank with them every day, never allowing a single soldier to go ashore. The surrounding area was packed with Sun Quan's troops, sealed off so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through. They too were waiting for orders from the commander's tent. As Zhou Yu sat in his tent conferring with his officers, a scout arrived with a report: "The Lord of Wu's ships are anchored eighty-five li from the camp, awaiting the Commander-in-Chief's good news." Zhou Yu immediately sent Lu Su to circulate an order to all officers and soldiers: "Every man is to prepare his ships, weapons, sails, and oars. When the signal is given, there must be no delay. Any man who disobeys will face military execution." The soldiers received the order. They all rubbed their hands and stamped their feet, eager for the coming battle.
As evening approached, the sky was clear and still. Not a breath of wind stirred. Zhou Yu said to Lu Su: "Zhuge Liang's words were false. In the depths of winter, how can there be a southeast wind?" "I believe Zhuge Liang would not speak falsely," Lu Su replied. As the third watch approached, a sudden sound of wind was heard. The banners and pennants began to stir. Zhou Yu rushed out of his tent to look. The flags were now pointing to the northwest! In an instant, a mighty southeast wind began to howl. Zhou Yu stared in shock. "This man possesses the power to steal the very workings of Heaven and Earth," he muttered. "His arts are beyond the reach of gods and demons. If we let him live, he will be the ruin of Jiangdong. I must kill him now, before he becomes a future threat." He urgently summoned two commanders of his guard, Ding Feng and Xu Sheng. "Take one hundred men each," he ordered. "Xu Sheng, go by the river. Ding Feng, go by land. Both of you proceed to the Seven-Star Altar on Southern Screen Mountain. Without asking any questions, seize Zhuge Liang and behead him on the spot. Bring me his head as proof of your service." The two commanders acknowledged the order. Xu Sheng boarded a boat with a hundred axemen, who swiftly took up their oars. Ding Feng mounted his horse with a hundred archers, each riding a war steed. They set off for Southern Screen Mountain. As they rode, the southeast wind blew fiercely in their faces.
A poet of the time later wrote: "On the Seven-Star Altar, the Sleeping Dragon ascended; one night of east wind made the river surge. Had Zhuge Liang not employed his subtle scheme, how could Zhou Yu have displayed his skill?"
Ding Feng's cavalry arrived first. They saw the soldiers on the altar standing firm against the wind, holding their banners. Ding Feng dismounted, drew his sword, and climbed the altar. But Zhuge Liang was not there. He frantically questioned the soldiers on guard. "He just descended from the altar and left," they replied. Ding Feng hurried down to search. By then, Xu Sheng's boat had arrived. The two met on the riverbank. A soldier reported: "Last night, a fast boat was moored at the mouth of the creek. Just now, we saw Zhuge Liang, his hair loose, board that boat. It sailed upstream." Ding Feng and Xu Sheng immediately split their forces to pursue him by water and land. Xu Sheng ordered his boat's sails to be hoisted to the full, racing with the wind. They could see a boat ahead, not far away. Xu Sheng stood on his prow and shouted: "Lord Strategist, do not leave! The Commander-in-Chief requests your presence!" Zhuge Liang stood on the stern of his boat and laughed heartily. "Tell the Commander-in-Chief to use his troops well," he called back. "Zhuge Liang is returning to Xiakou for now. We will meet again another day." "Please stop for just a moment," Xu Sheng shouted. "I have urgent business to discuss." "I knew the Commander-in-Chief would not tolerate me," Zhuge Liang replied, "and that he would send men to kill me. I have already arranged for Zhao Zilong to come and escort me. General, you need not pursue." Xu Sheng saw that the boat ahead had no sails. He urged his men to row faster. As they drew near, Zhao Yun nocked an arrow and stood on the stern of his boat, shouting: "I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan!
I have been ordered to escort the Lord Strategist. Why do you pursue us? I could shoot you dead with a single arrow, but that would cause ill will between our two sides. Let me show you my skill instead!" As he spoke, he loosed his arrow. It struck the rigging of Xu Sheng's boat, severing the rope that held the sail. The sail collapsed into the water, and Xu Sheng's boat spun sideways. Zhao Yun ordered his own crew to hoist their sails to the full. They sped away with the wind, their boat flying like an arrow, impossible to catch. On the shore, Ding Feng summoned Xu Sheng's boat to land. "Zhuge Liang's divine calculations are beyond the reach of mortal men," Ding Feng said. "And Zhao Yun has the courage of ten thousand men. Do you remember what he did at Changban Slope? We have no choice but to report back." The two commanders returned to Zhou Yu and reported that Zhuge Liang had pre-arranged for Zhao Yun to meet him and escort him away. Zhou Yu was greatly alarmed. "This man is so full of schemes," he said, "that he keeps me restless day and night!" "Let us first defeat Cao Cao," Lu Su advised. "Then we can deal with him." Zhou Yu heeded his advice and summoned all his generals to receive their orders.
First, he ordered Gan Ning: "Take Cai Zhong and his surrendered soldiers and march along the southern bank. Use the northern army's banners and flags. Head straight for Wulin, where Cao Cao has stored his grain supplies. Infiltrate his camp and light a fire as your signal. Leave Cai He here in my tent—I have a use for him." Second, he summoned Taishi Ci. "Take three thousand men and march directly to the Huangzhou border," Zhou Yu ordered. "Cut off Cao Cao's reinforcements from Hefei. Press close to his troops and light a fire as your signal. When you see a red flag, it means the Lord of Wu's reinforcements have arrived." These two units had the farthest to travel, so they departed first. Third, he ordered Lü Meng to take three thousand men to Wulin to support Gan Ning and burn Cao Cao's camp. Fourth, he ordered Ling Tong to take three thousand men to cut off the road at Yiling. He was to wait for the fire at Wulin and then attack. Fifth, he ordered Dong Xi to take three thousand men to attack Hanyang, then march through Hanchuan and assault Cao Cao's camp. He was to look for a white flag as a signal for reinforcements. Sixth, he ordered Pan Zhang to take three thousand men, all carrying white flags, to Hanyang to support Dong Xi. These six naval squadrons each departed on their separate missions. Then Zhou Yu ordered Huang Gai to prepare his fire ships and send a messenger to Cao Cao with a letter, pretending that Huang Gai would surrender that night. He also assigned four warships to follow behind Huang Gai's ships as support. The first squadron was commanded by Han Dang, the second by Zhou Tai, the third by Jiang Qin, and the fourth by Chen Wu. Each squadron had three hundred warships, with twenty fire ships in the lead. Zhou Yu himself, along with Cheng Pu, boarded a large covered warship to oversee the battle. Xu Sheng and Ding Feng served as his personal guards. Only Lu Su, Kan Ze, and the other strategists remained behind to guard the camp. Cheng Pu, seeing how masterfully Zhou Yu deployed his troops, was filled with admiration.
Just then, a messenger arrived from Sun Quan bearing the command seal. He reported that Sun Quan had already sent Lu Xun as the vanguard, advancing directly toward the Qichun and Huangzhou regions, while Sun Quan himself would follow as the rear guard. Zhou Yu also sent men to set off signal cannons on the Western Mountain and to raise signal flags on Southern Screen Mountain. Everything was prepared. They only waited for dusk to fall.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei was waiting anxiously in Xiakou for Zhuge Liang's return. A fleet of boats suddenly appeared, carrying Liu Qi, who had come to seek news. Liu Bei invited him to sit in the command tower. "The southeast wind has been blowing for some time," Liu Bei said. "Zhao Zilong went to escort the Lord Strategist, but he has not yet returned. My heart is filled with worry." A soldier pointed toward the mouth of Fankou Harbor. "A single sailboat is coming with the wind," he said. "It must be the Lord Strategist!" Liu Bei and Liu Qi descended from the tower to welcome him. Soon the boat arrived, and Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun came ashore. Liu Bei was overjoyed. After exchanging greetings, Zhuge Liang said, "There is no time for pleasantries. Are the troops and warships we discussed earlier all prepared?" "They have been ready for a long time," Liu Bei replied, "awaiting your orders." Zhuge Liang then entered the command tent with Liu Bei and Liu Qi and took his seat. He addressed Zhao Yun: "Zilong, take three thousand men and cross the river. Head straight for the small road at Wulin. Find a place dense with trees and reeds and set up an ambush. After the fourth watch tonight, Cao Cao will surely flee along that road. When his troops are halfway through, set a fire. Even if you cannot kill them all, you will cut down half of them." Zhao Yun asked: "At Wulin, there are two roads: one leads to Nanjun, the other to Jingzhou. Which one will he take?" "Nanjun is too close to our forces," Zhuge Liang replied. "Cao Cao will not dare go there.
He will head for Jingzhou, and from there, he will retreat to Xuchang." Zhao Yun acknowledged the plan and departed. Next, Zhuge Liang summoned Zhang Fei. "Yide, take three thousand men and cross the river. Cut off the road at Yiling and set up an ambush at Hulu Valley. Cao Cao will not dare take the southern road to Yiling; he will head for the northern road. Tomorrow, after the rain, he will surely stop to cook a meal. When you see the smoke from his campfires, set fire to the hillside. Even if you do not capture Cao Cao himself, Yide, this will be no small achievement." Zhang Fei acknowledged the plan and departed. Next, Zhuge Liang summoned Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, and Liu Feng. "Each of you take a boat and patrol the river," he ordered. "Capture any fleeing soldiers and seize their weapons." The three acknowledged the plan and departed. Zhuge Liang then turned to Liu Qi. "Wuchang is within sight of here. It is a critical position. Please return immediately and lead your troops to line the riverbank. When Cao Cao is defeated, many of his men will flee this way. Capture them as they come, but do not leave the city walls." Liu Qi took his leave of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang and departed. Zhuge Liang then said to Liu Bei: "My Lord, station your troops at Fankou. Climb to a high place and watch. Tonight, you will see Zhou Yu achieve his great victory."
Guan Yu was standing nearby, but Zhuge Liang had not given him a single order. Guan Yu could not contain himself. He stepped forward and said in a loud voice: "I, Guan Yu, have followed my elder brother in battle for many years and have never fallen behind. Today, when we face a great enemy, the Lord Strategist has not assigned me any task. What is the meaning of this?" Zhuge Liang smiled. "Lord Guan, do not be offended. I had intended to ask you to guard a most critical pass, but there is a difficulty that prevents me from sending you." "What difficulty?" Guan Yu demanded. "Please tell me plainly." "In the past, Cao Cao treated you with great kindness," Zhuge Liang said. "You must repay that debt. Today, when he is defeated, he will surely flee through the Huarong Road. If I send you there, you will certainly let him pass. That is why I dare not send you." "The Lord Strategist's suspicions are excessive!" Guan Yu exclaimed. "It is true that Cao Cao treated me well, but I have already repaid him—by slaying Yan Liang and Wen Chou and lifting the siege at Baima. If I meet him today, how could I let him go?" "And if you do let him go?" Zhuge Liang asked. "I am willing to accept military punishment!" Guan Yu declared. "Then let us put it in writing," Zhuge Liang said. Guan Yu immediately wrote out a pledge of his own life. "And if Cao Cao does not take that road?" Guan Yu asked. "I will give you a written pledge as well," Zhuge Liang replied. Guan Yu was delighted. "Lord Guan," Zhuge Liang continued, "go to the high mountain paths of Huarong. Pile up brushwood and set a fire. The smoke will lure Cao Cao." "If Cao Cao sees the smoke," Guan Yu said, "he will know it is an ambush. Why would he come?" Zhuge Liang smiled. "Have you not heard the principle of warfare: 'Appear weak when you are strong, appear strong when you are weak'? Cao Cao is a skilled commander, but this one ruse will deceive him. When he sees the smoke, he will think it is a bluff—a false sign to frighten him away. He will surely take that road. Do not let your personal feelings interfere, General." Guan Yu accepted the order. He led Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, and five hundred sword-wielding soldiers to set up the ambush on the Huarong Road.
Liu Bei said to Zhuge Liang: "My younger brother is a man of deep honor. If Cao Cao truly takes the Huarong Road, I fear he may indeed let him go." "I have observed the celestial signs," Zhuge Liang replied. "It is not yet Cao Cao's fate to die. Let us give Guan Yu this opportunity to repay his debt of gratitude. It is a fitting arrangement." "Your divine calculations are beyond compare in this world!" Liu Bei exclaimed. Zhuge Liang then accompanied Liu Bei to Fankou to watch Zhou Yu's battle. They left Sun Qian and Jian Yong to guard the city.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao sat in his great camp, conferring with his generals, waiting for news from Huang Gai. The southeast wind was blowing fiercely. Cheng Yu entered and said: "My Lord, the southeast wind is rising. We should take precautions." Cao Cao laughed. "At the winter solstice, the yang energy begins to return. Of course there is a southeast wind. What is so strange about that?" A soldier suddenly reported that a small boat from Jiangdong had arrived, carrying a secret letter from Huang Gai. Cao Cao urgently summoned the messenger. The man presented the letter. In it, Huang Gai wrote: "Zhou Yu keeps a tight guard on me, so I have been unable to escape. But now, a shipment of grain has arrived from Poyang Lake, and Zhou Yu has sent me to inspect it. I finally have my opportunity. By hook or by crook, I will kill one of Jiangdong's famous generals and bring you his head as a token of my surrender. Tonight, at the second watch, look for the ships with the green dragon-tooth banners. Those are the grain ships." Cao Cao was overjoyed. He led his generals to the great warship in the river fortress to watch for Huang Gai's arrival.
As evening fell over Jiangdong, Zhou Yu summoned Cai He. He ordered his soldiers to bind him. "I am innocent!" Cai He cried out. "Who do you think you are," Zhou Yu said, "daring to come here as a false defector? I am in need of a sacrifice for my banners. Your head will serve perfectly." Cai He could not deny the charge any longer. He shouted: "Kan Ze and Gan Ning of your own side were also involved in the plot!" "They were acting on my orders," Zhou Yu replied. Cai He's regrets were too late. Zhou Yu ordered him taken to the riverbank, beneath the black banner. There, they poured a libation of wine and burned paper offerings. With a single stroke of the sword, Cai He was beheaded. His blood was used to consecrate the banners. Then Zhou Yu gave the order to set sail.
Huang Gai was on the third fire ship. He wore only a light breastplate and carried a sharp sword. His banner bore the words: "Vanguard Huang Gai." Riding the full force of the east wind, he set course for Red Cliffs. The wind was howling, and the waves were churning. Cao Cao, standing on his flagship, gazed across the river. The moon was rising, its light shimmering on the water like ten thousand golden serpents dancing among the waves. Cao Cao laughed into the wind, confident of his victory. Suddenly, a soldier pointed and shouted: "From the south, a cluster of sails is approaching with the wind!" Cao Cao looked out from his high vantage point. The report came: "They all carry green dragon-tooth banners. Among them is a large banner bearing the name of Vanguard Huang Gai." Cao Cao laughed again. "Huang Gai has come to surrender! Heaven itself aids me!" The approaching ships drew nearer. Cheng Yu watched them for a long time, then said to Cao Cao: "Those ships are certainly a ruse. Do not let them approach the camp." "How do you know?" Cao Cao asked. "If they were grain ships," Cheng Yu replied, "they would ride low and heavy in the water. But these ships are light and buoyant. And tonight, the southeast wind is blowing fiercely. If this is a trick, how will we defend against it?" Cao Cao's eyes widened in realization. "Who will go to stop them?" he asked. "I am skilled in naval warfare," Wen Ping said. "Let me go." He jumped into a small boat and gave a signal. A dozen patrol boats followed him out. Wen Ping stood at the prow and shouted: "The Chancellor's order! The southern ships are not to approach the camp! Halt where you are in the middle of the river!" The soldiers on the patrol boats all shouted: "Lower your sails at once!" Before the words had died away, a bowstring twanged. An arrow struck Wen Ping in the left arm. He collapsed into his boat. Chaos erupted among the patrol boats, and they all turned and fled. The southern ships were now only two li from Cao Cao's camp. Huang Gai raised his sword. At the signal, the fire ships burst into flames. The wind fanned the fire, and the fire fed the wind. The ships flew forward like arrows, smoke and flames filling the sky. The twenty fire ships slammed into Cao Cao's river fortress. In an instant, all the northern warships were ablaze. And because they were chained together with iron links, there was no escape. From across the river came the roar of cannons. Fire ships converged from all directions. On the waters of the Three Rivers, the flames chased the wind, and a sea of red spread across the sky, blotting out both heaven and earth.
Cao Cao turned to look at his camps on the shore. Smoke and fire were rising from several places. Huang Gai jumped into a small boat. A few men rowed him through the smoke and flames, searching for Cao Cao. Seeing the desperate situation, Cao Cao was about to leap onto the shore when Zhang Liao arrived in a small skiff. He helped Cao Cao into the boat just as the great warship behind them was engulfed in flames. Zhang Liao and a dozen men protected Cao Cao as they sped toward the riverbank. Huang Gai saw a man in a crimson robe boarding a boat and guessed it was Cao Cao. He urged his boat forward, brandishing his sword, and shouted: "Traitor Cao, do not flee! Huang Gai is here!" Cao Cao groaned in despair. Zhang Liao nocked an arrow. He waited until Huang Gai was close, then let fly. The wind was howling, and in the midst of the flames, Huang Gai could not hear the twang of the bowstring. The arrow struck him in the shoulder. He tumbled backward into the water. Of him, it is said: "When the flames of disaster raged, he met disaster in the water; when his whip wounds had barely healed, he suffered the wound of a blade." Whether Huang Gai lived or died, the next chapter will reveal.