第五十八回

第五十八回 马孟起兴兵雪恨 曹阿瞒割须弃袍

却说献策之人，乃治书侍御史陈群，字长文。操问曰：“陈长文有何良策？”群曰：“今刘备、孙权结为唇齿，若刘备欲取西川，丞相可命上将提兵，会合淝之众，径取江南，则孙权必求救于刘备。备意在西川，必无心救权。权无救则力乏兵衰，江东之地，必为丞相所得。若得江东，则荆州一鼓可平也。荆州既平，然后徐图西川，天下定矣。”操曰：“长文之言，正合吾意。”即时起大兵三十万径下江南，令合淝张辽准备粮草，以为供给。

早有细作报知孙权，权聚众将商议。张昭曰：“可差人往鲁子敬处，教急发书到荆州，使玄德同力拒曹。子敬有恩于玄德，其言必从；且玄德既为东吴之婿，亦义不容辞。若玄德来相助，江南可无患矣。”权从其言，即遣人谕鲁肃，使求救于玄德。肃领命，随即修书使人送玄德。玄德看了书中之意，留使者于馆舍，差人往南郡请孔明。孔明到荆州，玄德将鲁肃书与孔明看毕，孔明曰：“也不消动江南之兵，也不必动荆州之兵，自使曹操不敢正觑东南。”便回书与鲁肃，教：“高枕无忧。若但有北兵侵犯，皇叔自有退兵之策。”使者去了。玄德问曰：“今操起三十万大军，会合淝之众，一拥而来，先生有何妙计，可以退之？”孔明曰：“操平生所虑者，乃西凉之兵也。今操杀马腾，其子马超，现统西凉之众，必切齿操贼。主公可作一书，往结马超，使超兴兵入关，则操又何暇下江南乎？”玄德大喜，即时作书，遣一心腹人，径往西凉州投下。

却说马超在西凉州，夜感一梦，梦见身卧雪地，群虎来咬。惊惧而觉，心中疑惑，聚帐下将佐，告说梦中之事。帐下一人应声曰：“此梦乃不祥之兆也。”众视其人，乃帐前心腹校尉，姓庞，名德，字令明。超问：“令明所见若何？”德曰：“雪地遇虎，梦兆殊恶。莫非老将军在许昌有事否？”言未毕，一人踉跄而入，哭拜于地曰：“叔父与弟皆死矣！”超视之，乃马岱也。超惊问何为，岱曰：“叔父与侍郎黄奎同谋杀操，不幸事泄，皆被斩于市。二弟亦遇害。惟岱扮作客商，星夜走脱。”超闻言，哭倒于地，众将救起。超咬牙切齿，痛恨操贼。忽报荆州刘皇叔遣人赍书至，超拆视之，书略曰：

伏念汉室不幸，操贼专权，欺君罔上，黎民凋残。备昔与令先君同受密诏，誓诛此贼。今令先君被操所害，此将军不共天地、不同日月之仇也。若能率西凉之兵，以攻操之右，备当举荆襄之众，以遏操之前：则逆操可擒，奸党可灭，仇辱可报，汉室可兴矣。书不尽言，立待回音。

马超看毕，即时挥涕回书，发使者先回，随后便起西凉军马。正欲进发，忽西凉太守韩遂使人请马超往见。超至遂府，遂将出曹操书示之。内云：“若将马超擒赴许都，即封汝为西凉侯。”超拜伏于地曰：“请叔父就缚俺兄弟二人，解赴许昌，免叔父戈戟之劳。”韩遂扶起曰：“吾与汝父结为兄弟，安忍害汝？汝若兴兵，吾当相助。”马超拜谢。韩遂便将操使者推出斩之，乃点手下八部军马，一同进发。那八部？乃侯选、程银、李堪、张横、梁兴、成宜、马玩、杨秋也。八将随着韩遂，合马超手下庞德、马岱，共起二十万大兵，杀奔长安来。长安郡守钟繇飞报曹操，一面引军拒敌，布阵于野。西凉州前部先锋马岱，引军一万五千，浩浩荡荡，漫山遍野而来。钟繇出马答话。岱使宝刀一口，与繇交战。不一合，繇大败奔走，岱提刀赶来。马超、韩遂引大军都到，围住长安，钟繇上城守护。长安乃西汉建都之处，城郭坚固，壕堑险深，急切攻打不下。一连围了十日，不能攻破。庞德进计曰：“长安城中土硬水碱，甚不堪食，更兼无柴。今围十日，军民饥荒。不如暂且收军，只须如此如此，长安唾手可得。”马超曰：“此计大妙！”即时差“令”字旗传与各部，尽教退军，马超亲自断后。各部军马渐渐退去。钟繇次日登城看时，军皆退了，只恐有计，令人哨探，果然远去，方才放心。纵令军民出城打柴取水，大开城门，放人出入。至第五日，人报马超兵又到，军民竞奔入城，钟繇仍复闭城坚守。

却说钟繇弟钟进，守把西门。约近三更，城门里一把火起。钟进急来救时，城边转过一人，举刀纵马大喝曰：“庞德在此！”钟进措手不及，被庞德一刀斩于马下，杀散军校，斩关断锁，放马超、韩遂军马入城。钟繇从东门弃城而走。马超、韩遂得了城池，赏劳三军。钟繇退守潼关，飞报曹操。操知失了长安，不敢复议南征。遂唤曹洪、徐晃分付：“先带一万人马，替钟繇紧守潼关。如十日内失了关隘，皆斩；十日外，不干汝二人之事。我统大军随后便至。”二人领了将令，星夜便行。曹仁谏曰：“洪性躁，诚恐误事。”操曰：“你与我押送粮草，便随后接应。”

却说曹洪、徐晃到潼关，替钟繇坚守关隘，并不出战。马超领军来关下，把曹操三代毁骂。曹洪大怒，要提兵下关厮杀。徐晃谏曰：“此是马超要激将军厮杀，切不可与战。待丞相大军来，必有主画。”马超军日夜轮流来骂。曹洪只要厮杀，徐晃苦苦挡住。至第九日，在关上看时，西凉军都弃马在于关前草地上坐，多半困乏，就于地上睡卧。曹洪便教备马，点起三千兵杀下关来。西凉兵弃马抛戈而走，洪迤逦追赶。时徐晃正在关上点视粮车，闻曹洪下关厮杀，大惊，急引兵随后赶来，大叫曹洪回马。忽然背后喊声大震，马岱引军杀至。曹洪、徐晃急回走时，一棒鼓响，山背后两军截出：左是马超，右是庞德，混杀一阵。曹洪抵挡不住，折军大半，撞出重围，奔到关上。西凉兵随后赶来，洪等弃关而走。庞德直追过潼关，撞见曹仁军马，救了曹洪等一军。马超接应庞德上关。曹洪失了潼关，奔见曹操。操曰：“与你十日限，如何九日失了潼关？”洪曰：“西凉军兵，百般辱骂。因见彼军懈怠，乘势赶去，不想中贼奸计。”操曰：“洪年幼躁暴，徐晃你须晓事！”晃曰：“累谏不从。当日晃在关上点粮车，比及知道，小将军已下关了。晃恐有失，连忙赶去，已中贼奸计矣。”操大怒，喝斩曹洪。众官告免，曹洪服罪而退。

操进兵直叩潼关。曹仁曰：“可先下定寨栅，然后打关未迟。”操令砍伐树木，起立排栅，分作三寨：左寨曹仁，右寨夏侯渊，操自居中寨。次日，操引三寨大小将校，杀奔关隘前去，正遇西凉军马，两边各布阵势。操出马于门旗下，看西凉之兵，人人勇健，个个英雄。又见马超生得面如傅粉，唇若抹朱，腰细膀宽，声雄力猛，白袍银铠，手执长枪，立马阵前，上首庞德，下首马岱。操暗暗称奇，自纵马谓超曰：“汝乃汉朝名将子孙，何故背反耶？”超咬牙切齿，大骂：“操贼！欺君罔上，罪不容诛！害我父弟，不共戴天之仇！吾当活捉生啖汝肉！”说罢，挺枪直杀过来，曹操背后于禁出迎。两马交战，斗得八九合，于禁败走。张郃出迎，战二十合亦败走。李通出迎，超奋威交战，数合之中，一枪刺李通于马下。超把枪望后一招，西凉兵一齐冲杀过来，操兵大败。西凉兵来得势猛，左右将佐，皆抵当不住。马超、庞德、马岱引百馀骑，直入中军来捉曹操。操在乱军中，只听得西凉军大叫：“穿红袍的是曹操！”操就马上急脱下红袍。又听得大叫：“长髯者是曹操！”操惊慌，掣所佩刀断其髯。军中有人将曹操割髯之事，告知马超，超遂令人叫拿：“短髯者是曹操！”操闻知，即扯旗角包颈而逃。后人有诗曰：

潼关战败望风逃，孟德怆惶脱锦袍。剑割髭髯应丧胆，马超声价盖天高。

曹操正走之间，背后一骑赶来，回头视之，正是马超。操大惊。左右将校见超赶来，各自逃命，只撇下曹操。超厉声大叫曰：“曹操休走！”操惊得马鞭坠地。看看赶上，马超从后使枪搠来。操绕树而走，超一枪搠在树上，急拔下时，操已走远。超纵马赶来，山坡边转过一将，大叫：“勿伤吾主！曹洪在此！”轮刀纵马，拦住马超，操得命走脱。洪与马超战到四五十合，渐渐刀法散乱，气力不加。夏侯渊引数十骑随到，马超独自一人，恐被所算，乃拨马而回。夏侯渊也不来赶。

曹操回寨，却得曹仁死据定了寨栅，因此不曾多折军马。操入帐叹曰：“吾若杀了曹洪，今日必死于马超之手也！”遂唤曹洪，重加赏赐。收拾败军，坚守寨栅，深沟高垒，不许出战。超每日引兵来寨前辱骂搦战，操传令教军士坚守，如乱动者斩。诸将曰：“西凉之兵，尽使长枪，当选弓弩迎之。”操曰：“战与不战，皆在于我，非在贼也。贼虽有长枪，安能便刺？诸公但坚壁观之，贼自退矣。”诸将皆私相议曰：“丞相自来征战，一身当先；今败于马超，何如此之弱也？”过了几日，细作报来：“马超又添二万生力兵来助战，乃是羌人部落。”操闻知大喜。诸将曰：“马超添兵，丞相反喜，何也？”操曰：“待吾胜了，却对汝等说。”三日后又报关上又添军马。操又大喜，就于帐中设宴作贺，诸将皆暗笑。操曰：“诸公笑我无破马超之谋，公等有何良策？”徐晃进曰：“今丞相盛兵在此，贼亦全部现屯关上，此去河西，必无准备。若得一军暗渡蒲阪津，先截贼归路，丞相径发河北击之，贼两不相应，势必危矣。”操曰：“公明之言，正合吾意。”便教徐晃引精兵四千，和朱灵同去径袭河西，伏于山谷之中，“待我渡河北同时击之。”徐晃、朱灵领命，先引四千军暗暗去了。操下令，先教曹洪于蒲阪津，安排船筏。留曹仁守寨，操自领兵渡渭河。早有细作报知马超。超曰：“今操不攻潼关，而使人准备船筏，欲渡河北，必将遏吾之后也。吾当引一军循河拒住岸北，操兵不得渡，不消二十日，河东粮尽，操兵必乱，却循河南而击之，操可擒矣。”韩遂曰：“不必如此。岂不闻‘兵法’有云：‘兵半渡可击。’待操兵渡至一半，汝却于南岸击之，操兵皆死于河内矣。”超曰：“叔父之言甚善。”即使人探听曹操几时渡河。

却说曹操整兵已毕，分三停军，前渡渭河。比及人马到河口时，日光初起。操先发精兵渡过北岸，开创营寨。操自引亲随护卫军将百人，按剑坐于南岸，看军渡河。忽然人报：“后边白袍将军到了！”众皆认得是马超，一拥下船。河边军争上船者，声喧不止。操犹坐而不动，按剑指约休闹。只听得人喊马嘶，蜂拥而来，船上一将跃身上岸，呼曰：“贼至矣！请丞相下船！”操视之，乃许褚也。操口内犹言：“贼至何妨？”回头视之，马超已离不得百馀步。许褚拖操下船时，船已离岸一丈有馀，褚负操一跃上船。随行将士尽皆下水，扳住船边，争欲上船逃命。船小将翻，褚掣刀乱砍，傍船手尽折，倒于水中，急将船望下水棹去。许褚立于梢上，忙用木篙撑之，操伏在许褚脚边。马超赶到河岸，见船已流在半河，遂拈弓搭箭，喝令骁将绕河射之，矢如雨急。褚恐伤曹操，以左手举马鞍遮之。马超箭不虚发，船上驾舟之人，应弦落水，船中数十人皆被射倒。其船反撑不定，于急水中旋转。许褚独奋神威，将两腿夹舵摇撼，一手使篙撑船，一手举鞍遮护曹操。

时有渭南县令丁斐，在南山之上，见马超追操甚急，恐伤操命，遂将寨内牛只马匹，尽驱于外，漫山遍野，皆是牛马。西凉兵见之，都回身争取牛马，无心追赶，曹操因此得脱。方到北岸，便把船筏凿沉。诸将听得曹操在河中逃难，急来救时，操已登岸。许褚身披重铠，箭皆嵌在甲上。众将保操至野寨中，皆拜于地而问安。操大笑曰：“我今日几为小贼所困！”褚曰：“若非有人纵马放牛以诱贼，贼必努力渡河矣。”操问曰：“诱贼者谁也？”有知者答曰：“渭南县令丁斐也。”少顷，斐入见。操谢曰：“若非公之良谋，则吾被贼所擒矣。”遂命为典军校尉。斐曰：“贼虽暂去，明日必复来。须以良策拒之。”操曰：“吾已准备了也。”遂唤诸将各分头循河筑起甬道，暂为寨脚。贼若来时，陈兵于甬道外，内虚立旌旗，以为疑兵；更沿河掘下壕堑，虚土棚盖，河内以兵诱之：“贼急来必陷，贼陷便可击矣。”

却说马超回见韩遂，说：“几乎捉住曹操！有一将奋勇负操下船去了，不知何人。”遂曰：“吾闻曹操选极精壮之人，为帐前侍卫，名曰‘虎卫军’，以骁将典韦、许褚领之。典韦已死，今救曹操者，必许褚也。此人勇力过人，人皆称为‘虎痴’，如遇之，不可轻敌。”超曰：“吾亦闻其名久矣。”遂曰：“今操渡河，将袭我后，可速攻之，不可令他创立营寨。若立营寨，急难剿除。”超曰：“以侄愚意，还只拒住北岸，使彼不得渡河，乃为上策。”遂曰：“贤侄守寨，吾引军循河战操，若何？”超曰：“令庞德为先锋，跟叔父前去。”于是韩遂与庞德将兵五万，直抵渭南。操令众将于甬道两旁诱之。庞德先引铁骑千馀，冲突而来。喊声起处，人马俱落于陷马坑内。庞德踊身一跳，跃出土坑，立于平地，立杀数人，步行砍出重围。韩遂已被困在垓心，庞德步行救之。正遇着曹仁部将曹永，被庞德一刀砍于马下，夺其马，杀开一条血路，救出韩遂，投东南而走。背后曹兵赶来，马超引军接应，杀败曹兵，复救出大半军马。战至日暮方回，计点人马，折了将佐程银、张横，陷坑中死者二百馀人。超与韩遂商议：“若迁延日久，操于河北立了营寨，难以退敌，不若乘今夜引轻骑去劫野营。”遂曰：“须分兵前后相救。”于是超自为前部，令庞德、马岱为后应，当夜便行。

却说曹操收兵屯渭北，唤诸将曰：“贼欺我未立寨栅，必来劫野营。可四散伏兵，虚其中军。号炮响时，伏兵尽起，一鼓可擒也。”众将依令，伏兵已毕。当夜，马超却先使成宜引三十骑往前哨探。成宜见无人马，径入中军。操军见西凉兵到，遂放号炮。四面伏兵皆出，只围得三十骑，成宜被夏侯渊所杀。马超却自从背后与庞德、马岱兵分三路蜂拥杀来。正是：纵有伏兵能候敌，怎当健将共争先？未知胜负若何，且看下文分解。

CHAPTER 58. Ma Chao Launches An Expedition For Revenge; Cao Cao Flees The Field In Disguise.

“What is this good plan of yours, friend Chen Qun?” asked Cao Cao of the speaker, who was a civilian in his service.

Chen Qun replied, “Your two principal enemies—Liu Bei and Sun Quan—are now firm allies, close as lips and teeth. But Liu Bei wants the Western Land of Rivers and if you, O Prime Minister, send a mighty host against Sun Quan, Sun Quan must ask help from his friend Liu Bei, who, having his heart set on the west, will refuse it. Sun Quan without this aid cannot stand and will become so weak that the South Land will be yours for the taking, and Jingzhou will follow in a tap of the drum. The west will follow and the whole empire is yours.”

“Those are my thoughts put into words,” replied Cao Cao.

The expeditionary force of three hundred thousand troops set out for the south. Zhang Liao of Hefei was in command of the supply department.

Sun Quan speedily heard of the move and called in his advisers.

At the council Zhang Zhao said, “Let us send to Lu Su to tell him to write at once to Liu Bei that he may help us. They are good friends, and Liu Bei will certainly respond favorably. Beside, since Liu Bei and our lord are now connected by marriage, there is no risk of refusal. With the support of Liu Bei, there is no danger to our country.”

Sun Quan listened to this advice and sent to Lu Su bidding him to ask help from Liu Bei. Accordingly, on receipt of this command, a letter was written to Liu Bei, who after reading it, retained the messenger at the guest-house till Zhuge Liang could arrive from Nanjun. As soon as he arrived, Liu Bei showed him the letter.

The adviser said, “It is not necessary for the South Land's troops to move, nor need we send ours. I can prevent Cao Cao from even daring to look in the southeast direction.”

So Zhuge Liang wrote a reply telling Lu Su:

“You can lay aside all anxiety and rest content, for if the northern army approach, they will be forced backward at once.”

The letter was given to the messenger, and then Liu Bei asked his adviser, “How could the Instructor hope to roll back the huge army of three hundred thousand troops that Cao Cao is preparing to bring south?”

Zhuge Liang replied, “Cao Cao's chief fear is Xiliang. Now just lately he has slain Ma Teng and his sons as well, and the people of Xiliang are grinding their teeth with rage. Now you must write and ask Ma Chao to march through the pass, and Cao Cao will have no leisure to think of any expedition to the south.”

The letter was written, sent by a trusty hand, and duly delivered. Now Ma Chao was in Xiliang. One night he had a vision. In his dream he saw himself lying out on a snowy plain and many tigers were coming up and biting him. He awoke in a fright and began to wonder what the dream portended. Failing to explain it, he told the dream to his officers. One of them ventured to say the portent was evil. This was General Pang De.

“What is your interpretation?” asked Ma Chao.

“Meeting with tigers on a snowy plain is a very inauspicious subject to dream about. Assuredly our old General is in trouble at the capital.”

And at that moment one entered in hot haste and cast himself on the earth, weeping and crying, “The Uncle and his sons are dead!”

It was Ma Dai, the nephew of Ma Teng. And he told the story of the evil: “Uncle Ma Teng and Huang Kui had planned to assassinate Cao Cao, but the plot had miscarried and become known. Ma Tie fell in the battlefield, Uncle Ma Teng and Ma Xiu were put to death in the market place, and I escaped in disguise.”

Ma Chao fell to the ground and wept bitterly, grinding his teeth with rage at his enemy Cao Cao. They lifted him to his feet and led him away to repose.

Soon after arrived a messenger with a letter from Liu Bei, which read like this:

“In these latter days of the hapless Hans, when the rebellious and tyrannical Cao Cao monopolizes all power, to the injury of the Emperor and the wretchedness of the people, I, Liu Bei, recall that I and your father were recipients of an edict and we swore to exterminate the recreant. Now your father has suffered death at the hands of the tyrant, and you must avenge him. As the holy books say, you cannot let the same sky cover you nor the same sunshine upon you and your father's murderer. If you can lead your army to attack Cao Cao on one side, I will march my armies to prevent his retreat, and he will be taken, and all his evil crew can be exterminated. Then and thus will your father be avenged and the Hans can be restored. I might add more, but I will await your reply.”

Wiping his tears, Ma Chao wrote a reply which was returned by the bearer.

The Xiliang army was then mustered; horse and foot were assembled. Just before the day that had been fixed for the start, the Imperial Protector of Xizhou, Han Sui, sent for Ma Chao, to whom he showed a letter from Cao Cao promising the Lordship of Xiliang as a reward for sending Ma Chao a prisoner to the capital.

“Bind us both, Uncle, and send us thither; you need not move a single spear,” said the younger man prostrating himself.

But Han Sui raised him, saying, “Your father and I were sworn brothers; think you I would harm you? Rather will I help if you are going to fight.”

Ma Chao expressed his gratitude. The unhappy bearer of Cao Cao's letter was dragged forth and beheaded. This done, the two took count of their armies. Han Sui had eight divisions under eight commanders—Yang Qiu, Cheng Yin, Hou Xuan, Liang Xing, Cheng Yi, Li Kan, Ma Wan, and Zhang Heng—all to be relied upon to follow Han Sui. Ma Chao had two leaders, Pang De and Ma Dai. The total force was two hundred thousand troops with which the commanders march to Changan.

The Governor of that city was Zhong Yao. As soon as he heard what was afoot, he sent a fleet messenger to Cao Cao and prepared for defense. He led his force out into the open plain and arrayed it for battle.

Ma Dai, with fifteen thousand, came on first, pouring over the countryside like a flood. Zhong Yao would parley with him, but Ma Dai came forward, sword in hand, to attack. However, the defender did not take the challenge but turned and fled. Ma Dai followed in pursuit. Soon the main body of the invaders arrived, and they surrounded the city, which Zhong Yao set about defending.

Changan had been the capital of the Western Hans and so was well fortified with a solid wall and a deep moat, safe against the most terrific attacks. The new armies besieged the city for ten days without success. Then Pang De proposed a plan.

Said he, “Since the land about the city is barren and the water bitter, the people must have communication with the country around in order to live. Further they have no fuel. Ten days of siege must have exhausted the supplies in the city, wherefore if we relax for a time—well, you will see. We shall capture the city without moving a finger.”

“Your plan seems excellent,” said Ma Chao, when he heard what it was.

Thereupon they sent orders to each division to retire, and Ma Chao covered the retreat. Next day Zhong Yao went up on the walls to look around and saw that the besiegers had gone. However, suspecting a ruse, he sent out spies, who returned to say the soldiers had really moved away to a distance. Wherefore he felt much relieved and allowed both soldiers and people to go out into the country to cut the much needed firewood and bring in water. The city gates, thrown wide open, were thronged with those passing in and out.

This continued for five days, and then they heard that Ma Chao's army was returning. A panic ensued. The people rushed into the city, and the gates were once more barred.

The General of the west gate was Zhong Jin, brother of Zhong Yao. About the third watch of the night, a torch was seen moving just inside the gate; and when the General went to see what was wrong, and was passing the gateway, a man suddenly galloped up and slashed at him with a sword. At the same time the attacker shouted, “Here is Pang De!”

Zhong Jin was taken aback, could not defend himself and was cut down. The gate guard was soon disposed of, the gates were shattered, and the soldiers of Ma Chao and Han Sui came pouring in. Zhong Yao escaped by the opposite gate and left the city in the hands of his enemies. He reached Tong Pass, where he fortified himself and sent news of the misfortune to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao threw aside all plans for his expedition to the south when Changan was lost.

He at once gave orders, “Cao Hong and Xu Huang are to march your ten thousand troops to Tong Pass to support Zhong Yao. You are to hold the Pass at all costs for ten days, or you will pay for its loss with your heads. After ten days the Pass will be no concern of yours, for I will be there with the main army.”

Cao Ren said, “Cao Hong short of temper is unfitted to hold the Pass. Everything could happen.”

Cao Cao replied, “You will go to reinforce him.”

Cao Hong and Xu Huang made all haste to Tong Pass and took over the command from Zhong Yao. They confined themselves to defense; and though Ma Chao appeared every day and reviled and shouted shameful things of the three generations of Cao Cao's family, the guardians of the Pass remained quiet. But Cao Hong fretted at the daily insults and would have led the defenders out to fight had not his colleague restrained him.

“Ma Chao only wishes to provoke you to come out, but remember our orders and go not. The Prime Minister has some master plan.”

So spoke Xu Huang. But the advice was hard to follow, for Ma Chao's soldiers took turns in reviling the defenders of the Pass, resting neither day nor night. And Xu Huang found it hard to curb his colleague's impatience.

Thus it continued till the ninth day. Then the defenders saw that their enemies had turned all their horses loose and were lolling about on the grass and sleeping as if quite fatigued.

Thereupon Cao Hong bade them saddle his horse, told off three thousand troops, and soon this small force was dashing down to catch the besiegers unprepared. The soldiers of Ma Chao at once fled, leaving their steeds and throwing aside their weapons. Cao Hong could not resist pursuit and chased them.

At this time Xu Huang was higher up the road taking in cartloads of grain and forage; but when he heard what his impulsive colleague had done, he hastily got a force together and went to his rescue. He shouted to Cao Hong to return.

Suddenly a great shouting arose near Xu Huang, and out dashed Ma Dai to attack. Both Cao Hong and Xu Huang turned to flee, but the drums rolled and two bodies of troops led by Ma Chao and Pang De came out from behind the hills. Then a battle began which went against Cao Cao's troops from the first. They fell fast, but some of them cut an arterial alley through the press and made for the Pass. Their enemies flooded into the Pass in close pursuit, and they had to abandon their post and flee whither they could find a way.

Pang De pursued after Cao Hong, but Cao Ren came to his rescue and they both fled. Ma Chao and Pang De took the Pass.

Cao Hong made all haste to his master to give him the evil tidings.

“When I gave you the limit of ten days, why did you leave the Pass on the ninth?”

“Those soldiers from Xiliang hurled every sort of insult at us,” replied Cao Hong. “And when I thought I had them unprepared, I took the opportunity. But I fell victim to their cunning.”

“You are young and impetuous. But, Xu Huang, you ought to have known.”

Xu Huang said, “He would not listen, though I told him many times. And that day I was taking in stores in another part of the Pass. As soon as they told me, I felt sure there would be some misfortune, and so I hastened after him, but it was too late.”

Cao Cao was annoyed and ordered Cao Hong to be put to death. But his brother officers begged that he might be pardoned, and as he had confessed his fault, he was allowed to go free and unpunished.

Cao Cao advanced to Tong Pass.

Cao Ren said, “We should establish a strong stockade before attacking.”

So trees were felled and a strong stockade built. They made three camps: Cao Ren was in the left; Xiahou Yuan, the right; and Cao Cao himself was in the center one.

Soon after, Cao Cao and all his officers in a body rushed to attack the Pass. They ran against the Xiliang troops posted on two sides, halted and formed their array. This done, Cao Cao rode to the center standard whence he looked at his opponents.

He saw before him a body of fine troops, every one with the bearing of a hero. And the leader, Ma Chao, was worthy of them, with his vivid face as if powdered and red lips as if colored, his supple hips and broad shoulders, his deep voice and fierce strength. He was wearing silver helmet and armor and gripping a long spear as he sat there on his charger. Pang De and Ma Dai supported him, and Cao Cao admired Ma Chao in his secret heart.

However, Cao Cao urged forward his steed and shouted to Ma Chao, “Why are you arrayed against the Hans, whom your father and grandfather served faithfully?”

Ma Chao ground his teeth and cursed Cao Cao, “Rebel! Betrayer of both prince and people! Murderer of my father and brothers! My hate for you is to the death: the same sky shall not continue to cover us, for I will take you captive and satiate my appetite on your living flesh.”

With this he set his spear and rode over toward Cao Cao as if to slay him. But Yu Jin came out from behind and engaged Ma Chao in battle. These two fought some half score bouts, and then Yu Jin had to flee. Zhang He, however, took his place and the two warriors exchanged twenty passes. Then Zhang He, too, ran away.

Next to come forth was Li Tong. Ma Chao's martial prowess was now at its height, and he made short work of Li Tong, who went out of the saddle at the first blow. Then Ma Chao flourished his spear at the troops behind him as a signal for them to come on, which they did like a flood. They overwhelmed Cao Cao's forces, and Ma Chao, Pang De, and Ma Dai rode forward to try to capture Cao Cao.

They came close. Cao Cao heard one of his pursuers shout to another, “Cao Cao is he in the red dress!”

So he hastily tore off his red robe and threw it away. He also heard one say “Cao Cao is he with the long beard!”

At once Cao Cao took the sword that he wore at his side and sawed off some of the beard. Yet again a soldier recognized him and told Ma Chao that Cao Cao had now cut his beard, whereupon the order went forth to capture short beards. And then Cao Cao wrapped the corner of a flag about neck and jowl and fled.

Panic seized upon the soldiers at Tong Pass;

Frightened, Cao Cao flung off his brocade robe

And, terror-stricken, sawed his beard off with a sword.

The fame of Ma Chao rose even to the sky.

Cao Cao had got clear of the battle and was getting calmer. Then again the sound of hoofs fell upon his ears; and on looking round, he perceived Ma Chao quite close. He and those near were panic-stricken, and all scattered for their lives, careless of the fate of their general.

“Cao Cao, do not flee!” cried Ma Chao coming nearer.

The whip dropped from Cao Cao's nerveless hand as he saw his enemy coming closer and closer. But just as Ma Chao had leveled his spear for a thrust, Cao Cao slipped behind a tree, changed the direction of his flight and so escaped, while Ma Chao struck the tree. He quickly pulled out his spear, but the delay gave the fugitive an advantage, although it did not quite free him from pursuit, for Ma Chao was soon again galloping on his track. As they drew near the slope of some hills, a bold general suddenly appeared, who cried, “Do not hurt my lord!”

This was Cao Hong, and he went toward Ma Chao, whirling his sword. Ma Chao was stopped, and this saved Cao Cao's life. Cao Hong and Ma Chao fought half a hundred bouts till Cao Hong began to grow weary and become uncertain of his strokes. And when, shortly after, Xiahou Yuan appeared with some thirty horsemen, Ma Chao found it prudent to retire.

Then Cao Cao was escorted to his camp defended by Cao Ren. He found the camps were still unharmed and the losses had not been great.

As he sat in his tent, Cao Cao said, “Had I not spared Cao Hong, I should have fallen at the hands of Ma Chao today.”

So he called in his rescuer and rewarded him well.

And they got together the scattered troops and strengthened the camp, deepening the moat and raising the rampart. Ma Chao came daily and challenged any one to combat and abused them all shamefully, but, by the order of the Prime Minister, these insults were treated with silent contempt.

“Our enemies use long spears,” said the officers. “We will meet them with bows and crossbows.”

“They may have long spears,” replied Cao Cao, “but whether I give battle or not depends on my decision. How can they thrust at us if we do not go out? All you have to do is to take no notice of them, and they will speedily retire.”

The officers wondered. They said one to another, “The Prime Minister came out on this expedition of his own will and was foremost in the fight; why does he accept defeat so easily?”

After some days the spies reported: “Ma Chao has been reinforced by twenty thousand Qiangs, the tribespeople beyond the frontier.”

Cao Cao took the news gleefully. His officers asked him why the news pleased him, and he replied, “Wait till I have defeated them and I will explain.”

Three days later there was a report of further reinforcements, and Cao Cao not only smiled but gave a banquet. His officers ridiculed him in secret.

Then said Cao Cao, “You gentlemen laugh because I cannot destroy Ma Chao. Well then, can any one of you propose a plan?”

Then rose Xu Huang and said, “O Prime Minister, you have a large force here, and the enemy are strongly posted beyond the Pass. This means that on the west side of River Wei they are unprepared. If you can get an army secretly across the river and block the ferry, you will cut off their retreat; and if you can smite them on the north side of the river, they can get no reinforcements and must fail.”

“What you propose is just what I think,” said Cao Cao.

So Xu Huang was placed over four thousand troops, and with Zhu Ling, marched to the west of River Wei and hid in the gullies. They were to wait till Cao Cao crossed the river to the north so that both could strike together. Then Cao Cao ordered Cao Hong to prepare boats and rafts at the Reed Ferry. Cao Ren was left in command of the camps.

Cao Cao himself crossed River Wei, and when Ma Chao heard of the new military movements, he said, “I understand. The Pass is left, rafts are being prepared; that means that he is going to cross to the north side and cut off my retreat. I must coast along the river and keep him off. If I can do that, his food will run short within twenty days, and that will cause a mutiny. I will travel along the south bank and attack.”

Han Sui did not approve this plan. He quoted the military maxim to strike when troops were half over the river.

“Attack from the south bank when his army is in the act of crossing, and his army will be drowned in the river,” said he.

“Uncle, your words are good,” replied Ma Chao. And the spies went forth to find out the time of crossing the river.

When Cao Cao's preparations were complete and all was ready, he sent three parties of soldiers over the river first. They reached the ferry at the first sign of dawn, and the veterans were sent over first and lay out a camp. Cao Cao and his guard took up station on the south bank to watch the crossing.

Very soon the sentinels reported, “A general dressed all in white is approaching.”

Everyone knew it must be Ma Chao. This terrified them and they made a rush to get into the boats. The river bank became a scene of shouting men struggling who could first embark. Cao Cao sat watching and never stirred. He only issued orders to stop the confusion. Meanwhile, the yelling of the troops and the neighing of the horses of the approaching army came nearer and nearer. Suddenly a general jumped out of one of the boats and shouted to Cao Cao: “The rebels are close! Get into a boat, O Prime Minister.”

“The rebels are near; why not?” replied Cao Cao simply to the speaker, who was Xu Chu. And he turned round to look at them.

As a fact Ma Chao was very close, not a hundred paces away, and Xu Chu laid hold of Cao Cao and dragged him down the bank. The boat had already pushed off and was ten spans from the bank, but Xu Chu took Cao Cao on his back and leaped on board. The boat was small and in danger of being overturned, wherefore Xu Chu drew his sword and chopped away at the hands clinging to the side so that the soldiers fell back into the water.

The boat went down stream, Xu Chu standing in the prow poling as hard as he could. His master crouched out of sight at his feet.

When Ma Chao saw tile boat in midstream drifting down with the current, he took his bow and arrows and began to shoot. He also ordered his brave generals to go along the river and shoot so that a shower of arrows fell about the boat. Xu Chu fearing Cao Cao would be wounded, protected him with a saddle which he held over him with his left hand, for Ma Chao's shooting was not in vain. Many of the soldiers working the boat were wounded. Some had fallen overboard, while more lay in the bottom of the boat. The boat itself got out of control and was whirled hither and thither by the current. Xu Chu straddled over the tiller and tried thus to guide the boat while he poled with one hand and with the other held the protecting saddle over Cao Cao's head.

Then the Magistrate of Weinan, Ding Fei, who from a hill top saw that Cao Cao was very closely pressed, even in danger of his life, drove out from his camp all the cattle and horses there, so that they scattered over the hillside. This was too much for the born Qiang herdsmen of the plains. At sight of the beasts, they left the river and ran off to secure the cattle. Nor had they any inclination to pursue their enemy.

And so Cao Cao escaped. As soon as they reached the northern shore, the boat was scuttled. The rumor had spread that Cao Cao was on the river and in danger, so all his officers came to his aid. But he was now safe on shore. Xu Chu's double armor was stuck full of arrows. The officers escorted Cao Cao to the camp where they made their obeisance and expressed the hope that he had not suffered seriously.

“The rebels very nearly caught me today,” said he smiling.

“They would have got across the river had they not been enticed away by the freeing of the cattle and horses.” said Xu Chu.

“Who was it that drew them off?” said Cao Cao.

Some one who knew told him. Before long Magistrate Ding Fei came in to pay his respects, and Cao Cao thanked him.

“I should have been a prisoner but for your happy thought,” said he.

And the Magistrate received a rank of Commander in the army.

“Though they have gone, yet they will assuredly return tomorrow,” said Ding Fei. “You must prepare to repel them.”

“My preparations are all made,” was the reply.

Cao Cao ordered his generals to spread themselves along the river bank and throw up mounds as shelters for camps. If they saw the enemy approaching, the soldiers were to be withdrawn from behind the mounds, leaving the ensigns all flying, so as to give the impression that each camp contained a garrison. Along the river they were to dig ditches and put up sheds, thus to entice the enemy there and their army would stumble into the pits and fall easy victims.

Ma Chao returned to Han Sui and told him, saying, “I would have captured Cao Cao, but a certain bold general had taken him on his back and leaped with him into a boat.”

Han Sui replied, “I have heard that Cao Cao had a body guard of the bravest and strongest soldiers under the command of Dian Wei and Xu Chu. They are called the Tiger Guards. Now as Dian Wei is dead, the man you saw must have been Xu Chu. He is both brave and powerful and goes by the name of Tiger-Lust. You will do well to avoid him.”

“I know his name, too,” said Ma Chao.

“Cao Cao now means to attack our rear;” continued Han Sui, “let us attack first, before he can establish camps and stockades. If once he can do that, it will be difficult to dislodge him.”

“My idea is that we should hold the north bank and prevent him from crossing.”

“Worthy nephew, keep guard here while I go along the bank of the river and fight Cao Cao.” “If you will take Pang De as your van leader, I am content,” said Ma Chao.

So Han Sui and Pang De, with fifty thousand troops, went away down to the River Wei, while Cao Cao again warned his generals to entice the enemy. Pang De was in advance with a goodly squadron of iron-clad horsemen, and they burst along at full speed. Then there arose a confused shouting as they all went plunging into the ditches prepared for them. Pang De soon leaped out, gained the level ground, and laid about him with all his might. He slew many Cao Cao's soldiers and presently got out of the thick of the fight.

But Han Sui had also been involved, and Pang De went afoot to try to aid him. On the way he met Cao Yong, a general of Cao Ren. Pang De cut Cao Yong down. Then mounting the dead man's steed, he rode forward fiercely, slaying as he passed. He reached his leader whom he led away southeast. The troops of Cao Cao pursued him, but Ma Chao came with reinforcements and drove them off. He rescued a great number, and they continued fighting till evening when they withdrew and mustered their troops. Two commanders, Cheng Yin and Zhang Heng, were missing, and a couple of hundred soldiers had been killed when they fell into the pits.

Ma Chao and Han Sui discussed what should next be done.

“If we give the enemy time, he will make himself strong on the north bank. I think we can do no better than to raid his camp tonight,” said Ma Chao.

“We must have a force and supports for it,” said Han Sui.

So it was decided that Ma Chao should lead the striking force with Pang De and Ma Dai as supports. They would start at nightfall.

Now Cao Cao's troops were on the north bank of the River Wei, and he gave his generals orders, saying, “The rebels will try to surprise us as they are deceived by my not having set up stockades. You will place your soldiers in ambush. At the bomb signal, you will rush out from four directions to capture them.”

At nightfall Ma Chao sent out a small scouting party headed by Cheng Yi. Seeing nothing, Cheng Yi penetrated deep into the enemy's lines. Presently, a bomb was exploded. Out leapt the hidden troops, and in a few moments the whole scouting party were killed. Cheng Yi was cut down by the blade of Xiahou Yuan.

But close at hand came the main army led by Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Pang De that rushed into the ambush forces.

Wait for the foe all undismayed.

Place your men in ambuscade.

Generals striving to outvie

Are not beaten easily.

Who got the advantage will presently be told.