第五十九回

第五十九回 许褚裸衣斗马超 曹操抹书间韩遂

却说当夜两兵混战，直到天明，各自收兵。马超屯兵渭口，日夜分兵，前后攻击。曹操在渭河内将船筏锁链作浮桥三条，接连南岸。曹仁引军夹河立寨，将粮草车辆穿连，以为屏障。马超闻之，教军士各挟草一束，带着火种，与韩遂引军并力杀到寨前，堆积草把，放起烈火。操兵抵敌不住，弃寨而走，车乘、浮桥，尽被烧毁。西凉兵大胜，截住渭河。曹操立不起营寨，心中忧惧。荀攸曰：“可取渭河沙土筑起土城，可以坚守。”操拨三万军担土筑城。马超又差庞德、马岱各引五百马军，往来冲突，更兼沙土不实，筑起便倒，操无计可施。时当九月尽，天气暴冷，彤云密布，连日不开。曹操在寨中纳闷，忽人报曰：“有一老人来见丞相，欲陈说方略。”操请入。见其人鹤骨松姿，形貌苍古。问之，乃京兆人也，隐居终南山，姓娄，名子伯，道号“梦梅居士”。操以客礼待之。子伯曰：“丞相欲跨渭安营久矣，今何不乘时筑之？”操曰：“沙土之地，筑垒不成。隐士有何良策赐教？”子伯曰：“丞相用兵如神，岂不知天时乎？连日阴云布合，朔风一起，必大冻矣。风起之后，驱兵士运土泼水，比及天明，土城已就。”操大悟，厚赏子伯，子伯不受而去。

是夜北风大作，操尽驱兵士担土泼水。为无盛水之具，作缣[1]囊盛水浇之，随筑随冻。比及天明，沙水冻紧，土城已筑完。细作报知马超，超领兵观之，大惊，疑有神助。次日，集大军鸣鼓而进。操自乘马出营，止有许褚一人随后。操扬鞭大呼曰：“孟德单骑至此，请马超出来答话。”超乘马挺枪而出。操曰：“汝欺我营寨不成，今一夜天已筑就，汝何不早降！”马超大怒，意欲突前擒之，见操背后一人，睁圆怪眼，手提钢刀，勒马而立。超疑是许褚，乃扬鞭问曰：“闻汝军中有虎侯，安在哉？”许褚提刀大叫曰：“吾即谯郡许褚也！”目射神光，威风抖擞。超不敢动，乃勒马回，操亦引许褚回寨。两军观之，无不骇然。操谓诸将曰：“贼亦知仲康乃虎侯也！”自此军中皆称褚为虎侯。许褚曰：“某来日必擒马超。”操曰：“马超英勇，不可轻敌。”褚曰：“某誓与死战！”即使人下战书，说虎侯单搦马超来日决战。超接书大怒曰：“何敢如此相欺耶！”即批次日誓杀“虎痴”。

次日，两军出营布成阵势。超分庞德为左翼，马岱为右翼，韩遂押中军。超挺枪纵马，立于阵前，高叫：“虎痴快出！”曹操在门旗下回顾众将曰：“马超不减吕布之勇！”言未绝，许褚拍马舞刀而出，马超挺枪接战。斗了一百馀合，胜负不分。马匹困乏，各回军中，换了马匹，又出阵前。又斗一百馀合，不分胜负。许褚性起，飞回阵中，卸了盔甲，浑身筋突，赤体提刀，翻身上马，来与马超决战，两军大骇。两个又斗到三十馀合，褚奋威举刀便砍马超。超闪过，一枪望褚心窝刺来。褚弃刀将枪挟住。两个在马上夺枪。许褚力大，一声响，拗断枪杆，各拿半节在马上乱打。操恐褚有失，遂令夏侯渊、曹洪两将齐出夹攻。庞德、马岱见操将齐出，麾两翼铁骑，横冲直撞，混杀将来，操兵大乱。许褚臂中两箭，诸将慌退入寨。马超直杀到壕边，操兵折伤大半。操令坚闭休出。马超回至渭口，谓韩遂曰：“吾见恶战者莫如许褚，真‘虎痴’也！”

却说曹操料马超可以计破，乃密令徐晃、朱灵尽渡河西结营，前后夹攻。一日，操于城上见马超引数百骑，直临寨前，往来如飞。操观良久，掷兜鍪于地曰：“马儿不死，吾无葬地矣！”夏侯渊听了，心中气忿，厉声曰：“吾宁死于此地，誓灭马贼！”遂引本部千馀人，大开寨门，直赶去。操急止不住，恐其有失，慌自上马前来接应。马超见曹兵至，乃将前军作后队，后队作先锋，一字儿摆开。夏侯渊到，马超接住厮杀。超于乱军中遥见曹操，就撇了夏侯渊，直取曹操。操大惊，拨马而走，曹兵大乱。正追之际，忽报操有一军，已在河西下了营寨。超大惊，无心追赶，急收军回寨，与韩遂商议，言：“操兵乘虚已渡河西，吾军前后受敌，如之奈何？”部将李堪曰：“不如割地请和，两家且各罢兵。捱过冬天，到春暖别作计议。”韩遂曰：“李堪之言最善，可从之。”

超犹豫未决。杨秋、侯选皆劝求和。于是韩遂遣杨秋为使，直往操寨下书，言割地请和之事。操曰：“汝且回寨。吾来日使人回报。”杨秋辞去。贾诩入见操曰：“丞相主意若何？”操曰：“公所见若何？”诩曰：“兵不厌诈，可伪许之。然后用反间计，令韩、马相疑，则一鼓可破也。”操抚掌大喜曰：“天下高见，多有相合。文和之谋，正吾心中之事也。”于是遣人回书，言：“待我徐徐退兵，还汝河西之地。”一面教搭起浮桥，作退军之意。马超得书，谓韩遂曰：“曹操虽然许和，奸雄难测。倘不准备，反受其制。超与叔父轮流调兵，今日叔向操，超向徐晃；明日超向操，叔向徐晃；分头提备，以防其诈。”韩遂依计而行。

早有人报知曹操。操顾贾诩曰：“吾事济矣！”问：“来日是谁合向我这边？”人报曰：“韩遂。”次日，操引众将出营，左右围绕，操独显一骑于中央。韩遂部卒多有不识操者，出阵观看。操高叫曰：“汝诸军欲观曹公耶？吾亦犹人也，非有四目两口，但多智谋耳。”诸军皆有惧色。操使人过阵谓韩遂曰：“丞相谨请韩将军会话。”韩遂即出阵，见操并无甲仗，亦弃衣甲，轻服匹马而出。二人马头相交，各按辔对语。操曰：“吾与将军之父，同举孝廉，吾尝以叔事之。吾亦与公同登仕路，不觉有年矣。将军今年妙龄几何？”韩遂答曰：“四十岁矣。”操曰：“往日在京师，皆青春年少，何期又中旬矣！安得天下清平共乐耶！”只把旧事细说，并不提起军情，说罢大笑。相谈有一个时辰，方回马而别，各自归寨。早有人将此事报知马超，超忙来问韩遂曰：“今日曹操阵前所言何事？”遂曰：“只诉京师旧事耳。”超曰：“安得不言军务乎？”遂曰：“曹操不言，吾何独言之？”超心甚疑，不言而退。

却说曹操回寨，谓贾诩曰：“公知吾阵前对语之意否？”诩曰：“此意虽妙，尚未足间二人。某有一策，令韩、马自相仇杀。”操问其计。贾诩曰：“马超乃一勇之夫，不识机密。丞相亲笔作一书，单与韩遂，中间朦胧字样，于要害处，自行涂抹改易，然后封送与韩遂，故意使马超知之，超必索书来看。若看见上面要紧去处，尽皆改抹，只猜是韩遂恐超知甚机密事，自行改抹，正合着单骑会语之疑，疑则必生乱。我更暗结韩遂部下诸将，使互相离间，超可图矣。”操曰：“此计甚妙。”随写书一封，将紧要处尽皆改抹，然后实封，故意多遣从人送过寨去，下了书自回。果然有人报知马超。超心愈疑，径来韩遂处索书看。韩遂将书与超，超见上面有改抹字样，问遂曰：“书上如何都改抹糊涂？”遂曰：“原书如此，不知何故。”超曰：“岂有以草稿送与人耶？必是叔父怕我知了详细，先改抹了。”遂曰：“莫非曹操错将草稿误封来了。”超曰：“吾又不信。曹操是精细之人，岂有差错？吾与叔父并力杀贼，奈何忽生异心？”遂曰：“汝若不信吾心，来日吾在阵前赚操说话，汝从阵内突出，一枪刺杀便了。”超曰：“若如此，方见叔父真心。”

两人约定。次日，韩遂引侯选、李堪、梁兴、马玩、杨秋五将出阵，马超藏在门影里。韩遂使人到操寨前，高叫：“韩将军请丞相攀话。”操乃令曹洪引数十骑径出阵前与韩遂相见。马离数步，洪马上欠身言曰：“夜来丞相拜意将军之言，切莫有误。”言讫便回马。超听得大怒，挺枪骤马，便刺韩遂。五将拦住，劝解回寨。遂曰：“贤侄休疑，我无歹心。”马超那里肯信，恨怨而去。韩遂与五将商议曰：“这事如何解释？”杨秋曰：“马超倚仗武勇，常有欺凌主公之心，便胜得曹操，怎肯相让？以某愚见，不如暗投曹公，他日不失封侯之位。”遂曰：“吾与马腾结为兄弟，安忍背之？”杨秋曰：“事已至此，不得不然。”遂曰：“谁可以通消息？”杨秋曰：“某愿往。”遂乃写密书，遣杨秋径来操寨，说投降之事。操大喜，许封韩遂为西凉侯、杨秋为西凉太守，其馀皆有官爵。约定放火为号，共谋马超。杨秋拜辞，回见韩遂，备言其事：“约定今夜放火，里应外合。”遂大喜，就令军士于中军帐后堆积干柴，五将各悬刀剑听候。韩遂商议，欲设宴赚请马超，就席图之，犹豫未去。

不想马超早已探知备细，便带亲随数人，仗剑先行，令庞德、马岱为后应。超潜步入韩遂帐中，只见五将与韩遂密语，只听得杨秋口中说道：“事不宜迟，可速行之！”超大怒，挥剑直入，大喝曰：“群贼焉敢谋害我！”众皆大惊。超一剑望韩遂面门剁去，遂慌以手迎之，左手早被砍落。五将挥刀齐出。超纵步出帐外，五将围绕混杀。超独挥宝剑，力敌五将。剑光明处，鲜血溅飞，砍翻马玩，剁倒梁兴，三将各自逃生。超复入帐中来杀韩遂时，已被左右救去。帐后一把火起，各寨兵皆动。超连忙上马，庞德、马岱亦至，互相混战。超领军杀出时，操兵四至：前有许褚，后有徐晃，左有夏侯渊，右有曹洪。西凉之兵，自相并杀。超不见了庞德、马岱，乃引百馀骑，截于渭桥之上。天色微明，只见李堪领一军从桥下过，超挺枪纵马逐之，李堪拖枪而走。恰好于禁从马超背后赶来，禁开弓射马超。超听得背后弦响，急闪过，却射中前面李堪，落马而死。超回马来杀于禁，禁拍马走了。超回桥上住扎。操兵前后大至，虎卫军当先，乱箭夹射马超。超以枪拨之，矢皆纷纷落地。超令从骑往来突杀，争奈曹兵围裹坚厚，不能冲出。超于桥上大喝一声，杀入河北，从骑皆被截断。超独在阵中冲突，却被暗弩射倒坐下马，马超堕于地上，操军逼合。正在危急，忽西北角上一彪军杀来，乃庞德、马岱也。二人救了马超，将军中战马与马超骑了，翻身杀条血路，望西北而走。曹操闻马超走脱，传令诸将：“无分晓夜，务要赶到马儿。如得首级者，千金赏，万户侯，生获者封大将军。”众将得令，各要争功，迤逦追袭。马超顾不得人马困乏，只顾奔走。从骑渐渐皆散。步兵走不上者，多被擒去。止剩得三十馀骑，与庞德、马岱望陇西临洮而去。

曹操亲自追至安定，知马超去远，方收兵回长安。众将毕集，韩遂已无左手，做了残疾之人，操教就于长安歇马，授西凉侯之职。杨秋、侯选皆封列侯，令守渭口。下令班师回许都。凉州参军杨阜，字义山，径来长安见操。操问之，杨阜曰：“马超有吕布之勇，深得羌人之心。今丞相若不乘势剿绝，他日养成气力，陇上诸郡，非复国家之有也。望丞相且休回兵。”操曰：“吾本欲留兵征之，奈中原多事，南方未定，不可久留。君当为孤保之。”阜领诺，又保荐韦康为凉州刺史，同领兵屯冀城，以防马超。阜临行，请于操曰：“长安必留重兵以为后援。”操曰：“吾已定下，汝但放心。”阜辞而去。众将皆问曰：“初贼据潼关，渭北道缺，丞相不从河东击冯翊，而反守潼关，迁延日久，而后北渡，立营固守，何也？”操曰：“初贼守潼关，若吾初到，便取河东，贼必以各寨分守诸渡口，则河西不可渡矣。吾故盛兵皆聚于潼关前，使贼尽南守，而河西不准备，故徐晃、朱灵得渡也。吾然后引兵北渡，连车树栅为甬道，筑冰城，欲贼知吾弱，以骄其心，使不准备。吾乃巧用反间，畜士卒之力，一旦击破之。正所谓‘疾雷不及掩耳’。兵之变化，固非一道也。”众将又请问曰：“丞相每闻贼加兵添众，则有喜色，何也？”操曰：“关中边远，若群贼各依险阻，征之非一二年不可平复。今皆来聚一处，其众虽多，人心不一，易于离间，一举可灭，吾故喜也。”众将拜曰：“丞相神谋，众不及也！”操曰：“亦赖汝众文武之力。”遂重赏诸军。留夏侯渊屯兵长安，所得降兵，分拨各部。夏侯渊保举冯翊高陵人姓张名既，字德容，为京兆尹，与渊同守长安。操班师回都。献帝排銮驾出郭迎接。诏操“赞拜不名，入朝不趋，剑履上殿”：如汉相萧何故事。自此威震中外。

这消息播入汉中，早惊动了汉宁太守张鲁。原来张鲁乃沛国丰人。其祖张陵在西川鹄鸣山中造作道书以惑人，人皆敬之。陵死之后，其子张衡行之。百姓但有学道者，助米五斗，世号“米贼”。张衡死，张鲁行之。鲁在汉中自号为“师君”，其来学道者皆号为“鬼卒”，为首者号为“祭酒”，领众多者号为“治头大祭酒”，务以诚信为主，不许欺诈。如有病者，即设坛使病人居于静室之中，自思己过，当面陈首[2]，然后为之祈祷，主祈祷之事者，号为“奸令祭酒”。祈祷之法，书病人姓名，说服罪之意，作文三通，名为“三官手书”：一通放于山顶以奏天，一通埋于地以奏地，一通沉于水以申水官。如此之后，但病痊可，将米五斗为谢。又盖义舍：舍内饭米、柴火、肉食齐备，许过往人量食多少，自取而食，多取者受天诛。境内有犯法者，必恕三次，不改者，然后施刑。所在并无官长，尽属祭酒所管，如此雄据汉中之地已三十年。国家以为地远不能征伐，就命鲁为镇南中郎将，领汉宁太守，通进贡而已。当年闻操破西凉之众，威震天下，乃聚众商议曰：“西凉马腾遭戮，马超新败，曹操必将侵我汉中。我欲自称汉宁王，督兵拒曹操，诸君以为何如？”阎圃曰：“汉川之民，户出十万馀众，财富粮足，四面险固。今马超新败，西凉之民，从子午谷奔入汉中者，不下数万。愚意益州刘璋昏弱，不如先取西川四十一州为本，然后称王未迟。”张鲁大喜，遂与弟张卫商议起兵。早有细作报入川中。

却说益州刘璋，字季玉，即刘焉之子，汉鲁恭王之后。章帝元和中，徙封竟陵，支庶因居于此。后焉官至益州牧，兴平元年患病疽而死，州大吏赵韪等共保璋为益州牧。璋曾杀张鲁母及弟，因此有仇。璋使庞羲为巴西太守，以拒张鲁。时庞羲探知张鲁欲兴兵取川，急报知刘璋。璋平生懦弱，闻得此信，心中大忧，急聚众官商议。急一人昂然而出曰：“主公放心。某虽不才，凭三寸不烂之舌，使张鲁不敢正眼来觑西川。”正是：只因蜀地谋臣进，致引荆州豪杰来。未知此人是谁，且看下文分解。

[1] 缣（jiān）——一种很细密、不易透水的丝织物。

[2] 陈首——自己供认自己的罪过。

CHAPTER 59. Xu Chu Strips For A Fight With Ma Chao; Cao Cao Writes A Letter To Sow Dissension.

The fight narrated in the last chapter lasted till morn when each side drew off, Ma Chao camping on the River Wei, whence he kept up harassing attacks both day and night. Cao Cao, also camped in the bed of the same river, began to construct three floating bridges out of his rafts and boats so as to facilitate communication with the south bank. Cao Ren established a camp on the river, which he barricaded with his carts and wagons.

Ma Chao determined to destroy this camp, so his troops collected straw and each man marched with a bundle and took fire with him. Han Sui's forces were to fight. While one party attacked, the other party piled up the straw, which they lit, and soon there was a fierce fire all around. The defenders could do nothing against it, so they abandoned the camp and ran away. All the transport and bridges were destroyed. It was a great victory for the Xiliang army and gave them the command of the River Wei.

Cao Cao was sad at the failure to make good his strong camp and fearful of his defenselessness. Then Xun You proposed a mud wall. So three thousand soldiers were set to build a mud rampart. The enemy seeing this harassed the workmen with perpetual attacks at different points so that the work went slowly. Beside, the soil was very sandy, and the wall would not stand but collapsed as fast as it was built. Cao Cao felt helpless.

It was the ninth month of the sixteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 211), and the fierce cold of winter was just coming on. Ominous clouds covered the sky day after day with never a break. One day as Cao Cao sat in his tent, very disheartened, a stranger was announced and was led in. He was an old man who said he had a suggestion to offer. He was tall, as delicate as a crane and as refined as a pine tree. He gave his name as Lou Zibo and said he came from Jingzhao. He was a recluse and a Taoist, his religious name being Plum-Blossom Dreamer.

Cao Cao received him with great courtesy, and presently the venerable one began, saying, “O Prime Minister, you have long been striving to make a camp on the river. Now is your opportunity; why not begin?”

“The soil is too sandy to stand,” said Cao Cao. “But if you have some other plan to propose, pray tell me what it is, O Hermit.”

“You are more than human, O Prime Minister, in the art of war, and you surely know the times and seasons. It has been overcast for many days, and these clouds foretell a north wind and intense cold. When the wind begins to blow, you should hurry your army to carry up the earth and sprinkle it with water. By dawn your wall will be complete.”

Cao Cao seized upon the suggestion. He offered his aged visitor a reward, but the venerable one would receive nothing.

That night the wind came down in full force. Every man possible was set to earth-carrying and wetting. As they had no other means of carrying water, they made stuff bags which they filled with water and let out the water over the earth. And so as they piled the earth, they froze it solid with water, and by dawn the wall was finished and stood firm. When his scouts told Ma Chao that the enemy had built a wall, he rode out and saw it. Ma Chao was greatly perplexed and began to suspect help from the gods.

However, very soon after, he got his whole army together and sounded an attack. Cao Cao himself rode out of the camp, with only the redoubtable Xu Chu in attendance, and advanced toward the enemy. Flourishing his whip he called out, “I, Cao Cao, am here alone, and I beg Ma Chao to come out to parley with me.”

Thereupon Ma Chao rode out, his spear set ready to thrust.

“You despised me because I had no wall to my camp, but lo! in one single night, God has made me a wall. Do you not think it time to give in?”

Ma Chao was so enraged that he almost rushed at Cao Cao, but he was not too angry to notice the henchman behind him, glaring in angry fashion, who held a gleaming sword in his grip. Ma Chao thought this man could be no other than Xu Chu, so he determined to find out. With a flourish of his whip, he said, “Where is the noble 'Marquis Tiger' that I hear you have in your camp?”

At this Xu Chu lifted his sword and roared, “I am Xu Chu of Qiao!”

From Xu Chu's eyes shot gleams of supernatural light and his attitude was so terror-striking that Ma Chao dared not move. He turned his steed and retired.

Cao Cao and his doughty follower returned to their camp; and as they two passed between the armies, not a man there but felt a quiver of fear.

“They know our friend Xu Chu over there as Marquis Tiger,” said Cao Cao when he returned.

And thereafter the soldiers all called Xu Chu by that name.

“I will capture that fellow Ma Chao tomorrow,” said Xu Chu.

“Ma Chao is very bold,” said his master. “Be careful!”

“I swear to fight him to the death,” said Xu Chu.

Then Xu Chu sent a written challenge to his enemy saying that the Marquis Tiger challenged Ma Chao to a decisive duel on the morrow.

Ma Chao was very angry when he received the letter.

“Dare he insult me so?” cried he. Then he wrote his pledge to slay Tiger-Lust on the morrow.

Next day both armies moved out and arrayed in order of battle. Ma Chao gave Pang De and Ma Dai command of the two wings, while Han Sui took the center. Ma Chao took up his station in front of the center and shouted, “Where is the Tiger-Lust?”

Cao Cao, who was on horseback by the standard, turned and said, “Ma Chao is no less bold than Lu Bu!”

As he spoke, Xu Chu rode forth whirling his sword and the duel began. They fought over a hundred bouts, and neither had the advantage. But then, their steeds being spent with galloping to and fro, each retired within his own lines and obtained a fresh mount. The contest was renewed, and a hundred more encounters took place, still without victory to either.

Suddenly Xu Chu galloped back to his own side, stripped off his armor, showing his magnificent muscles and, naked as he was, leaped again into the saddle and rode out to continue the battle.

Again the champions engaged, while both armies stood aghast. Thirty bouts more, and Xu Chu, summoning up all his force, plunged toward Ma Chao with his sword held high to strike. But Ma Chao avoided the stroke and rode in with his spear pointing directly at his opponent's heart. Throwing down his sword, Xu Chu dashed aside the spear, which passed underneath his arm.

Then ensued a struggle for the spear, and Xu Chu by a mighty effort snapped the shaft so that each held one half. Then the duel was continued, each be laboring the other with the pieces of the broken spear.

At this point Cao Cao began to fear for his champion and so ordered two of his generals, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Hong, to go out and take a hand. At this Pang De and Ma Dai gave the signal to their armored horsemen to attack. They rode in, and a melee began in which Cao Cao's troops were worsted, and the great champion Xu Chu received two arrow wounds in the shoulder. So the troops of Cao Cao retreated to their stockade, Ma Chao following them to the river. Cao Cao's army lost more than half their number.

Cao Cao barred his gates and allowed none to go out.

Ma Chao went down to the river. When he saw Han Sui, he said, “I have seen some wicked fighters, but none to match that Xu Chu. He is aptly nicknamed Tiger-Lust”

Thinking that by strategy he might get the better of Ma Chao, Cao Cao secretly sent two bodies of troops across the river to take up position so that he might attack in front and rear.

One day from his ramparts, Cao Cao saw Ma Chao and a few horsemen ride close up to the walls and then gallop to and fro like the wind. After gazing at them for a long time, Cao Cao tore off his helmet and dashed it on the ground, saying, “If that Ma Chao is not killed, may I never know my place of burial!”

Xiahou Yuan heard his master, and his heart burned within him. He cried, “May I die here at once if I do not destroy that rebel!”

Without more ado, Xiahou Yuan flung open the gates and rode out with his company. Cao Cao tried to stop this mad rush, but it was no good; so, fearing Xiahou Yuan might come to grief, Cao Cao rode out after him. At sight of the soldiers of Cao Cao, Ma Chao faced his troops about, extended them in line and, as the enemy approached, dashed forward to the attack. Then noticing Cao Cao himself among them, Ma Chao left Xiahou Yuan and rode straight for Cao Cao. Panic seized Cao Cao and he rode for his life, while his troops were thrown into confusion.

It was during the pursuit of this portion of the Cao Cao's army that Ma Chao was told of a force of the enemy on the west of River Wei. Realizing the danger, he abandoned the pursuit, called in his forces, and went to his own camp, there to consult with Han Sui.

“What now? Cao Cao has went to the west of the river, and we can be attacked in the rear,” said Ma Chao.

Commander Li Kan said, “Then you would better come to an agreement, sacrifice some territory, and make peace. Then both can repose through the winter and await the changes and chances that may come with the spring warmth.” “He is wise,” said Han Sui, “and I advise the same.”

But Ma Chao hesitated. Others exhorted him to make peace, and at length he agreed. So Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were sent as messengers of peace to the camp of Cao Cao.

“You may return; I will send my reply,” said Cao Cao when they had declared the purport of their mission. And they left.

Then Jia Xu said to Cao Cao, “What is your opinion, O Prime Minister?”

“What is yours?” asked Cao Cao.

“War allows deceit, therefore pretend to agree. Then we can try some means of sowing suspicions between Han Sui and Ma Chao so that we may thereby destroy both.”

Cao Cao clapped his hands for very joy, saying, “That is the best idea of all! Most suitable! You and I agree in our ideas; I was just thinking of that.”

So an answer was returned:

“Let me gradually withdraw my soldiers, and I will give back the land belonging to you on the west of the river.”

And at the same time Cao Cao ordered the construction of a floating bridge to help in the withdrawal.

When the reply arrived, Ma Chao said to Han Sui, “Although he agrees to peace, yet he is evil and crafty. We must remain prepared against his machinations. Uncle, you and I will take turns in watching Cao Cao and Xu Huang on alternate days. So shall we be safe against his treachery.”

They agreed and began the regular alternate watch. Soon Cao Cao got to know what they were doing, and he turned to Jia Xu, saying, “I am succeeding.”

“Who keeps the look-out on this side tomorrow?” asked Cao Cao.

“Han Sui,” replied some one.

Next day Cao Cao at the head of a large party of his generals rode out of the camp, and the officers presently spread out right and left, he himself remaining a solitary rider visible in the center. Han Sui did not know that Cao Cao had come out.

Presently Cao Cao called out, “Do any of you soldiers want to see Cao Cao? Here I am quite alone. I have not four eyes nor a couple of mouths, but I am very knowing.”

The soldiers turned pale with fright. Then Cao Cao called up a man and told him to go and see Han Sui and say, “Sir, the Prime Minister humbly asks you to come and confer with him.”

Thereupon Han Sui went out, and seeing Cao Cao wore no armor, Han Sui also threw off his and rode out clad in a light robe. Each rode up to the other till their horse's heads nearly touched and there they stood talking.

Said Cao Cao, “Your father and I were granted filial degrees at the same time, and I used to treat him as an uncle. You and I set out on our careers at the same time, too, and yet we have not met for years. How old may you be now?”

“I am forty,” replied Han Sui.

“In those old days in the capital, we were both very young and never thought about middle age. If we could only restore tranquillity to the state, that would be a matter of rejoicing.”

After that they chatted long about old times, but neither said a word on military matters. They gossiped for a couple of hours before they took leave of each other.

It was not long before some one told Ma Chao of this meeting, and he went over to his ally to ask about it.

“What was it Cao Cao came out to discuss today ?” said Ma Chao.

“He just recalled the old days when we were together in the capital.”

“Did he say nothing about military matters?”

“Not a word; and I could not talk about them alone.”

Ma Chao went out without a word, but he felt suspicious.

When Cao Cao returned to his camp, he said to Jia Xu, “Do you know why I talked with him thus publicly?”

“It may be an excellent idea,” said Jia Xu, “but it is not sufficient simply to estrange two people. I can improve on it, and we will make them quarrel and even kill each other.”

“What is your scheme?”

“Ma Chao is brave but not very astute. You write a letter with your own hand to Han Sui himself and put in it some rambling statements about some harm that is going to happen. Then blot it out and write something else. Afterwards you will send it to Han Sui, taking care that Ma Chao shall know all about it. Ma Chao will demand to read the letter, and when he sees that the important part of the letter has been changed, he will think that Han Sui has made the changes lest his secrets should leak out. This will fit into the private talk you had with Han Sui the other day, and the suspicion will grow until it has brought about trouble. I can also secretly corrupt some of Han Sui's subordinates, and get them to widen the breach and we can settle Ma Chao.”

“The scheme looks excellent,” said Cao Cao.

And he wrote the letter as suggested, and then erased and changed it, after which he sealed it securely and sent it across to Han Sui.

Surely enough some one told Ma Chao about the letter, which increased his doubts, and he came to Han Sui's quarters to ask to see it. Han Sui gave it to him, and the erasures and alterations struck Ma Chao at once.

“Why are all these alterations here?” asked he.

“It came like that; I do not know.” “Does any one send a rough draft like this? It seems to me, Uncle, that you are afraid I shall know something or other too well, and so you have changed the wording.”

“It must be that Cao Cao has sealed up the rough draft by mistake.”

“I do not think so. He is a careful man and would not make such a mistake. You and I, Uncle, have been allies in trying to slay the rebel; why are you turning against me now ?”

“If you doubt my word, I will tell you what you can do. Tomorrow, in full view of the army, I will get Cao Cao to come out and talk. You can hide in behind the ranks ready to kill me if I am false.”

“That being so, I shall know that you are true, Uncle.”

This arrangement made, next day Han Sui with five generals in his train—Li Kan, Ma Wan, Yang Qiu, Hou Xuan, and Liang Xing—rode to the front, while Ma Chao concealed himself behind the great standard. Han Sui sent over to say that he wished to speak to the Prime Minister.

Thereupon at his command, Cao Hong, with a train of ten horsemen rode out, advanced straight to Han Sui, leaned over to him and said, loudly enough to be heard plainly, “Last night the Prime Minister quite understood. Let there be no mistake.”

Then without another word on either side Cao Hong rode away.

Ma Chao had heard. He gripped his spear and started galloping out to slay his companion in arms. But the five generals checked him and begged him to go back to camp.

When Han Sui saw him, he said, “Nephew, trust me, really I have no evil intentions.”

But Ma Chao, burning with rage, went away. Then Han Sui talked over the matter with his five generals.

“How can this be cleared up?”

“Ma Chao trusts too much to his strength,” said Yang Qiu. “He is always inclined to despise you, Sir. If we overcome Cao Cao, do you think he will give way to you? I think you should rather take care of your own interests, go over to the Prime Minister's side, and you will surely get rank one day.”

“I was his father's pledged brother and could not bear to desert him,” said Han Sui.

“It seems to me that as things have come to this pass: you simply have to now.”

“Who would act as go-between?” asked Han Sui.

“I will,” said Yang Qiu.

Then Han Sui wrote a private letter which he confided to Yang Qiu, who soon found his way over to the other camp. Cao Cao was only too pleased, and he promised that Han Sui should be made Lord of Xiliang and Yang Qiu its Governor. The other confederates should be rewarded in other ways. Then a plot was planned: when the preparations for the act of treachery were complete, a bonfire was to be lighted in Han Sui's camp, and all would try to do away with Ma Chao.

Yang Qiu went back and related all this to his chief, and Han Sui felt elated at the success of his overtures. A lot of wood was collected in camp at the back of his tent ready for the signal blaze, and the five generals got ready for the foul deed. It was decided that Ma Chao should be persuaded into coming to a banquet, and there they would slay him then.

All this was done, but not without some hesitation and delay, and some news of the plot reached Ma Chao. He found out the careful preparations that had been made and resolved to act first. Leaving Ma Dai and Pang De in reserve, he chose a few trusted leaders and with stealthy steps made his way into Han Sui's tent. There he found Han Sui and his five confederates deep in conversation. He just caught a word or two that Yang Qiu said, “We must not delay, now is the time.”

In burst Ma Chao raging and yelling, “You herd of rebels! Would you dare to plot against me?”

They were taken aback. Ma Chao sprang at Han Sui and slashed at his face. Han Sui put up his hand to ward off the blow, and it was cut off. The five drew their swords and set on Ma Chao and his men who rushed outside. Soon Ma Chao was hemmed in by the five, but he kept them at bay by wonderful swordsmanship. And as the swords flashed, the red blood flowed. Soon Ma Wan was down and Liang Xing disabled; then the other three fled.

Ma Chao ran back into the tent to finish Han Sui, but the servants had removed him. Then a torch was lit, and soon there was commotion all through the camp. Ma Chao mounted his horse, for Pang De and Ma Dai had now arrived, and the real fight began. Cao Cao's troops poured in from all sides, and the Xiliang soldiers fought with each other.

Losing sight of his companions, Ma Chao and a few of his followers got to the head of the floating bridge over the River Wei just about dawn. There he fell across Li Kan coming over the bridge. Ma Chao set his spear and rode at him full tilt. Li Kan let go his spear and fled. Lucky for him, it seemed at first that Yu Jin came up in pursuit. But unable to get near enough to seize Ma Chao, Yu Jin sent an arrow flying after him. Ma Chao's ear caught the twang of the bowstring, and he dodged the arrow, which flew on and killed Li Kan. Ma Chao turned to attack his pursuer, who galloped away, and then he returned and took possession of the bridge.

Quickly Cao Cao's troops gathered about him, and the fiercest among them, the Tiger Guards, shot arrows at Ma Chao, which he warded off with his spear shaft so that they fell harmless to the earth. Ma Chao and his troops rode to and fro striking a blow wherever there was a chance, but the enemy were very thick about him, and he could not force his way out. In desperation he cut an arterial alley northwards and got through, but quite alone. Of his followers everyone fell.

Still he kept on dashing this way and that, till he was brought down by a crossbow bolt. He lay upon the ground and his enemies were pressing in. But at the critical moment, an army came in from the northwest and rescued him. Pang De and Ma Dai had come up in the very nick of time.

Thus Ma Chao was rescued, and they set him on one of the soldiers' horses, and he again took up the battle. Leaving a trail of blood in his rear, he got away northwest.

Hearing that his enemy had got away, Cao Cao gave order to his generals, “Pursue him day and night, and rich rewards are for him dead or alive. For his head the rewards are a thousand ounces of gold and the lordship of a fief of ten thousand families. If any one captures Ma Chao, the reward is the rank of general.”

Consequently the pursuit was hot as every one was anxious to win renown and reward. Meanwhile careless of all but flight, Ma Chao galloped on, and one by one his followers dropped by the way. The footmen who were unable to keep up were captured till very few remained, and only some scores of riders were left. They traveled toward Lintao, a city in Longxi.

Cao Cao in person joined the pursuit and got to Anding, but there Ma Chao was still far in advance, so he gave up and returned. Gradually the generals did the same, all coming back to Changan. Poor Han Sui, with the loss of his left hand, was an invalid, but he was rewarded with the Lordship of Xiliang. Yang Qiu and Hou Xuan were given noble ranks and offices in Weikou.

Then orders were given to lead the whole army back to the capital. Yang Fu, a military adviser from Liangzhou, came to Changan to point out the danger of withdrawal.

“Ma Chao has the boldness of Lu Bu and the heart of a barbarian. Unless you destroy him this time, he will come again and he will be both bolder and stronger, and the whole west will be lost. Wherefore you should not with draw your army.”

Cao Cao said, “I would be quite willing to finish the subjugation, but there is much to do in the capital and the south is still to conquer. So I cannot remain. But you, Sir, might secure this country for me. Do you consents”

Yang Fu did consent. And he brought to Cao Cao's notice Wei Kang, who was made Imperial Protector of Liangzhou, with joint military powers. Just before Yang Fu left, he said to Cao Cao, “A strong force ought to be left in Changan, as a reserve in case they be required.”

“That has been already dealt with,” replied Cao Cao.

Contentedly enough Yang Fu took leave and went away.

Cao Cao's generals asked him to explain his recent policy, saying, “Since the first outbreak at Tong Pass, O Prime Minister, the north bank of River Wei was undefended. Why did you not cross to the north bank from the east of the river? But instead you engaged in the attack of the Pass for many days before crossing to the north bank.”

And he replied, “The rebels first held the Pass. Had I forthwith taken the east of the river, the rebels would have defended the camps one by one and mustered at all the ferries, and I should never have got across the river to the north bank. So I massed troops against Tong Pass and made the rebels guard the south bank so that the west of the river was left open. Thus Xu Huang and Zhu Ling could move there, and I was able later to cross over to the north. Then I made the raised road and the mud rampart to deceive the enemy and cause them to think I was weak and thus embolden them up to the point of attacking without proper preparation. Then I used the clever device of causing dissension in their ranks and was able in one day to destroy the stored up energy of all their forces. 'It was a thunder clap before you could cover your ears.' Yes indeed; the mutations of the art of war can be called infinite.”

“But one thing more puzzled us,” said the officers, “and we ask you to explain it. When you heard the enemy was reinforced, you seemed to grow happier. Why was that?”

“Because Tong Pass is distant from Xuchang; and if the rebels had taken advantage of all defensible points and held them, they could not have been quelled in less than a couple of years. When they came on altogether, they made a multitude but they were not unanimous. They easily quarreled and, disunited, were easily overcome. So I had reason to rejoice that they came on altogether.”

“Indeed no one can equal you in strategy,” said his officers, bowing low before him. “Still, remember that I rely on you,” said Cao Cao.

Then he issued substantial rewards to the army and appointed Xiahou Yuan to the command at Changan. The soldiers who had surrendered were distributed among the various troops. Xiahou Yuan recommended Zhang Ji of Gaoling, as his aids.

So the army returned to Capital Xuchang where it was welcomed by the Emperor in state chariot. As a reward for his service, Cao Cao was given the court privileges of omitting his distinctive name when he was received in audience and of proceeding toward the court without assuming the appearance of frantic haste. Further he might go to court armed and booted, as did the Han Founding Minister Xiao He of old. Whence his prestige and importance waxed mightily.

The fame of these doings penetrated west into Hanzhong, and one of the first to be moved to indignation was Zhang Lu, Governor of Hanning. This Zhang Lu was a native of Pei ((an ancient state)). He was a grandson of Zhang Ling who retired to Mount Humming, in the Eastern Land of Rivers, where he had composed a work on Taoism for the purpose of deluding the multitude.

Yet all the people respected Zhang Ling, and when he died his son, Zhang Heng, carried on his work, and taught the same doctrines. Disciples had to pay a fee in rice, five carts. The people of his day called him the Rice Thief.

Zhang Lu, his son, styled himself Master Superior, and his disciples were called Commonly Devil Soldiers. A headman was called Libationer, and those who made many converts were called Chief Libationers. Perfect sincerity was the ruling tenet of the cult, and no deceit was permitted. When any one fell ill, an altar was set up and the invalid was taken into the Room of Silence where he could reflect upon his sins and confess openly. Then he was prayed for. The director of prayers was called Superintending Libationer.

When praying for a person, they wrote his name on a slip and his confession and made three copies thereof, called “The writing of the Three Gods.” One copy was burned on the mountain top as a means of informing Heaven; another was burned to inform Earth; and the third was sunk in water to tell the Controller of the Waters. If the sick person recovered, he paid as fee five carts of rice.

They had Public Houses of Charity wherein the poor found rice and flesh and means of cooking. Any wayfarer was allowed to take of these according to the measure of his appetite. Those who took in excess would invite punishment from on high. Offenses were pardoned thrice; afterwards offenders were punished. They had no officials but all were subject to the control of the Libationers.

This sort of cult had been spreading in Hanzhong for some thirty years and had escaped repression so far because of the remoteness of the region. All the Government did was to give Zhang Lu the title of General Who Guards the South and the post of Governor of Hanning and take means to secure from him a full quota of local tribute.

When the reports of Cao Cao's success against the west, and his prestige and influence, reached the Hanzhong people, Zhang Lu met with his counselors, saying, “Ma Teng has died, and Ma Chao defeated, thus the northwest has fallen. Cao Cao's next ambition will be the southwest, and Hanzhong will be his first attack. I should act first by assuming the title of Prince of Hanzhong and superintending the defense.1”

In reply one Yan Pu said, “The army of this region counts one hundred thousand, and there are ample supplies of everything. The Eastern Land of Rivers is a natural stronghold with its mountains and rivers. Now Ma Chao's soldiers are newly defeated, and the fugitives from the Ziwu Valley are very numerous. We can add them to our army by several ten-thousands more. My advice is that as Liu Zhang of Yiazhou is weak, we should take possession of the forty-one counties of the Western Land of Rivers, and then you may set up your sovereign as soon as you like.”

This speech greatly pleased Zhang Lu, who then began to concert measures with his brother, Zhang Wei, to raise an army.

Stories of the movement reached Yiazhou, whose Imperial Protector was Liu Zhang. A son of Liu Yan, a descendant from Prince Gong of the Imperial House. Prince Gong had been moved out to Jingling several generations ago, and the family had settled there. Later, Liu Yan became an official, and when he died in due course, his son was recommended for the vacant Protectorship of Yiazhou.

There was enmity between Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu, for Liu Zhang had put to death Zhang Lu's mother and brother. When he knew of the danger, Liu Zhang dispatched Pang Xi as Governor of Baxi to ward off Zhang Lu.

But Liu Zhang had always been feeble, and when he received news from his commander of Zhang Lu's movements, his heart sank within him for fear, and he hastily called in his advisers.

At the council one haughtily said, “My Master, be not alarmed; I am no genius, but I have a bit of a healthy tongue, and with that I will make Zhang Lu afraid even to look this way.”

When plots did grow about the west,

It suited Jingzhou's plans the best.

The speaker's name and lineage will be told in the next chapter.