第六十四回

第六十四回 孔明定计捉张任 杨阜借兵破马超

却说张飞问计于严颜，颜曰：“从此取雒城，凡守御关隘，都是老夫所管，官军皆出于掌握之中。今感将军之恩，无可以报，老夫当为前部，所到之处，尽皆唤出拜降。”张飞称谢不已。于是严颜为前部，张飞领军随后。凡到之处，尽是严颜所管，都唤出投降。有迟疑未决者，颜曰：“我尚且投降，何况汝乎？”自是望风归顺，并不曾厮杀一场。

却说孔明已将起程日期申报玄德，教都会聚雒城。玄德与众官商议：“今孔明、翼德分两路取川，会于雒城，同入成都。水陆舟车，已于七月二十日起程，此时将及待到。今我等便可进兵。”黄忠曰：“张任每日来搦战，见城中不出，彼军懈怠，不做准备，今日夜间分兵劫寨，胜如白昼厮杀。”玄德从之，教黄忠引兵取左，魏延引兵取右，玄德取中路。当夜二更，三路军马齐发。张任果然不做准备，汉军拥入大寨，放起火来，烈焰腾空。蜀兵奔走，连夜直赶到雒城，城中兵接应入去。玄德还中路下寨，次日引兵直到雒城，围住攻打，张任按兵不出。攻到第四日，玄德自提一军攻打西门，令黄忠、魏延在东门攻打，留南门北门放军行走。原来南门一带都是山路，北门有涪水：因此不围。张任望见玄德在西门，骑马往来，指挥打城，从辰至未，人马渐渐力乏。张任教吴兰、雷铜二将引兵出北门，转东门，敌黄忠、魏延；自己却引军出南门，转西门，单迎玄德。城内尽拨民兵上城，擂鼓助喊。

却说玄德见红日平西，教后军先退。军士方回身，城上一片声喊起，南门内军马突出，张任径来军中捉玄德。玄德军中大乱。黄忠、魏延又被吴兰、雷铜敌住，两下不能相顾。玄德敌不住张任，拨马往山僻小路而走。张任从背后追来，看看赶上。玄德独自一人一马，张任引数骑赶来。玄德正望前尽力加鞭而行，忽山路一军冲来。玄德马上叫苦曰：“前有伏兵，后有追兵，天亡我也！”只见来军当头一员大将，乃是张飞。原来张飞与严颜正从那条路上来，望见尘埃起，知与川兵交战。张飞当先而来，正撞着张任，便就交马。战到十馀合，背后严颜引兵大进。张任火速回身。张飞直赶到城下，张任退入城，拽起吊桥。

张飞回见玄德曰：“军师溯江而来，尚且未到，反被我夺了头功。”玄德曰：“山路险阻，如何无军阻当，长驱大进，先到于此？”张飞曰：“于路关隘四十五处，皆出老将严颜之功，因此于路并不曾费分毫之力。”遂把义释严颜之事，从头说了一遍，引严颜见玄德。玄德谢曰：“若非老将军，吾弟安能到此？”即脱身上黄金锁子甲以赐之，严颜拜谢。正待安排宴饮，忽闻哨马回报：“黄忠、魏延和川将吴兰、雷铜交锋，城中吴懿、刘又引兵助战，两下夹攻，我军抵敌不住，魏、黄二将败阵投东去了。”张飞听得，便请玄德分兵两路，杀去救援。于是张飞在左，玄德在右，杀奔前来。吴懿、刘见后面喊声起，慌退入城中。吴兰、雷铜只顾引兵追赶黄忠、魏延，却被玄德、张飞截住归路。黄忠、魏延又回马转攻。吴兰、雷铜料敌不住，只得将本部军马前来投降。玄德准其降，收兵近城下寨。

却说张任失了二将，心中忧虑。吴懿、刘曰：“兵势甚危，不决一死战，如何得兵退？一面差人去成都见主公告急，一面用计敌之。”张任曰：“吾来日领一军搦战，诈败，引转城北，城内再以一军冲出，截断其中，可获胜也。”吴懿曰：“刘将军相辅公子守城，我引兵冲出助战。”约会已定。次日，张任引数千人马，摇旗呐喊，出城搦战。张飞上马出迎，更不打话，与张任交锋。战不十馀合，张任诈败，绕城而走，张飞尽力追之。吴懿一军截住，张任引军复回，把张飞围在垓心，进退不得。正没奈何，只见一队军从江边杀出，当先一员大将，挺枪跃马，与吴懿交锋，只一合，生擒吴懿，战退敌军，救出张飞。视之，乃赵云也。飞问：“军师何在？”云曰：“军师已至。想此时已与主公相见了也。”二人擒吴懿回寨。张任自退入东门去了。

张飞、赵云回寨中，见孔明、简雍、蒋琬已在帐中。飞下马来参军师，孔明惊问曰：“如何得先到？”玄德具述义释严颜之事。孔明贺曰：“张将军能用谋，皆主公之洪福也。”赵云解吴懿见玄德。玄德曰：“汝降否？”吴懿曰：“我既被捉，如何不降？”玄德大喜，亲解其缚。孔明问：“城中有几人守城？”吴懿曰：“有刘季玉之子刘循，辅将刘、张任。刘不打紧，张任乃蜀郡人，极有胆略，不可轻敌。”孔明曰：“先捉张任，然后取雒城。”问：“城东这座桥名为何桥？”吴懿曰：“金雁桥。”孔明遂乘马至桥边，绕河看了一遍，回到寨中，唤黄忠、魏延听令曰：“离金雁桥南五六里，两岸都是芦苇蒹葭，可以埋伏。魏延引一千枪手伏于左，单戳马上将；黄忠引一千刀手伏于右，单砍坐下马。杀散彼军，张任必投山东小路而来。张翼德引一千军伏在那里，就彼处擒之。”又唤赵云伏于金雁桥北：“待我引张任过桥，你便将桥拆断，却勒兵于桥北，遥为之势，使张任不敢望北走，退投南去，却好中计。”调遣已定，军师自去诱敌。

却说刘璋差卓膺、张翼二将，前至雒城助战。张任教张翼与刘守城，自与卓膺为前后二队——任为前队，膺为后队——出城退敌。孔明引一队不整不齐军，过金雁桥来，与张任对阵。孔明乘四轮车，纶巾羽扇而出，两边百馀骑簇捧，遥指张任曰：“曹操以百万之众，闻吾之名，望风而走。今汝何人，敢不投降？”张任看见孔明军伍不齐，在马上冷笑曰：“人说诸葛亮用兵如神，原来有名无实！”把枪一招，大小军校齐杀过来。孔明弃了四轮车，上马退走过桥，张任从背后赶来。过了金雁桥，见玄德军在左，严颜军在右，冲杀将来。张任知是计，急回军时，桥已拆断了，欲投北去，只见赵云一军隔岸摆开，遂不敢投北，径往南绕河而走。走不到五七里，早到芦苇丛杂处。魏延一军从芦中忽起，都用长枪乱戳。黄忠一军伏在芦苇里，用长刀只剁马蹄。马军尽倒，皆被执缚。步军那里敢来？张任引数十骑望山路而走，正撞着张飞。张任方欲退走，张飞大喝一声，众军齐上，将张任活捉了。原来卓膺见张任中计，已投赵云军前降了，一发都到大寨。玄德赏了卓膺。张飞解张任至，孔明亦坐于帐中。玄德谓张任曰：“蜀中诸将，望风而降，汝何不早投降？”张任睁目怒叫曰：“忠臣岂肯事二主乎？”玄德曰：“汝不识天时耳。降即免死。”任曰：“今日便降，久后也不降！可速杀我！”玄德不忍杀之。张任厉声高骂。孔明命斩之以全其名。后人有诗赞曰：

烈士岂甘从二主，张君忠勇死犹生。高明正似天边月，夜夜流光照雒城。

玄德感叹不已，令收其尸首，葬于金雁桥侧，以表其忠。

次日，令严颜、吴懿等一班蜀中降将为前部，直至雒城，大叫：“早开门受降，免一城生灵受苦！”刘在城上大骂。严颜方待取箭射之，忽见城上一将，拔剑砍翻刘，开门投降。玄德军马入雒城，刘循开西门走脱，投成都去了。玄德出榜安民。杀刘者，乃武阳人张翼也。玄德得了雒城，重赏诸将。孔明曰：“雒城已破，成都只在目前。惟恐外州郡不宁，可令张翼、吴懿引赵云抚外水江阳、犍为等处所属州郡，令严颜、卓膺引张飞抚巴西德阳所属州郡，就委官按治平靖，即勒兵回成都取齐。”张飞、赵云领命，各自引兵去了。孔明问：“前去有何处关隘？”蜀中降将曰：“止绵竹有重兵守御，若得绵竹，成都唾手可得。”孔明便商议进兵。法正曰：“雒城既破，蜀中危矣。主公欲以仁义服众，且勿进兵。某作一书上刘璋，陈说利害，璋自然降矣。”孔明曰：“孝直之言最善。”便令写书遣人径往成都。

却说刘循逃回见父，说雒城已陷，刘璋慌聚众官商议。从事郑度献策曰：“今刘备虽攻城夺地，然兵不甚多，士众未附，野谷是资，军无辎重。不如尽驱巴西梓潼民，过涪水以西。其仓廪野谷，尽皆烧除，深沟高垒，静以待之。彼至请战，勿许。久无所资，不过百日，彼兵自走。我乘虚击之，备可擒也。”刘璋曰：“不然。吾闻拒敌以安民，未闻动民以备敌也。此言非保全之计。”正议间，人报法正有书至，刘璋唤入。呈上书，璋拆开视之，其略曰：

昨蒙遣差结好荆州，不意主公左右不得其人，以致如此。今荆州眷念旧情，不忘族谊。主公若能幡然归顺，量不薄待。望三思裁示。

刘璋大怒，扯毁其书，大骂：“法正卖主求荣、忘恩背义之贼！”逐其使者出城。即时遣妻弟费观，提兵前去守把绵竹。费观举保南阳人姓李，名严，字正方，一同领兵。当下费观、李严点三万军来守绵竹。益州太守董和，字幼宰，南郡枝江人也，上书与刘璋，请往汉中借兵。璋曰：“张鲁与吾世仇，安肯相救？”和曰：“虽然与我有仇，刘备军在雒城，势在危急，唇亡则齿寒，若以利害说之，必然肯从。”璋乃修书遣使前赴汉中。

却说马超自兵败入羌，二载有馀，结好羌兵，攻拔陇西州郡。所到之处，尽皆归降，惟冀城攻打不下。刺史韦康，累遣人求救于夏侯渊。渊不得曹操言语，未敢动兵。韦康见救兵不来，与众商议：“不如投降马超。”参军杨阜哭谏曰：“超等叛君之徒，岂可降之？”康曰：“事势至此，不降何待？”阜苦谏不从。韦康大开城门，投拜马超。超大怒曰：“汝今事急请降，非真心也！”将韦康四十馀口尽斩之，不留一人。有人言：“杨阜劝韦康休降，可斩之。”超曰：“此人守义，不可斩也。”复用杨阜为参军。阜荐梁宽、赵衢二人，超尽用为军官。杨阜告马超曰：“阜妻死于临洮，乞告两个月假，归葬其妻便回。”马超从之。

杨阜过历城，来见抚彝将军姜叙。叙与阜是姑表兄弟，叙之母是阜之姑，时年已八十二。当日，杨阜入姜叙内宅，拜见其姑，哭告曰：“阜守城不能保，主亡不能死，愧无面目见姑。马超叛君，妄杀郡守，一州士民，无不恨之。今吾兄坐据历城，竟无讨贼之心，此岂人臣之理乎？”言罢，泪流出血。叙母闻言，唤姜叙入，责之曰：“韦使君遇害，亦尔之罪也。”又谓阜曰：“汝既降人，且食其禄，何故又兴心讨之？”阜曰：“吾从贼者，欲留残生，与主报冤也。”叙曰：“马超英勇，急难图之。”阜曰：“有勇无谋，易图也。吾已暗约下梁宽、赵衢。兄若肯兴兵，二人必为内应。”叙母曰：“汝不早图，更待何时？谁不有死，死于忠义，死得其所也。勿以我为念。汝若不听义山之言，吾当先死，以绝汝念。”

叙乃与统兵校尉尹奉、赵昂商议。原来赵昂之子赵月，现随马超为裨将。赵昂当日应允，归见其妻王氏曰：“吾今日与姜叙、杨阜、尹奉一处商议，欲报韦康之仇。吾想子赵月现随马超，今若兴兵，超必先杀吾子，奈何？”其妻厉声曰：“雪君父之大耻，虽丧身亦不惜，何况一子乎！君若顾子而不行，吾当先死矣！”赵昂乃决。次日一同起兵。姜叙、杨阜屯历城，尹奉、赵昂屯祁山。王氏乃尽将首饰资帛，亲自往祁山军中，赏劳军士，以励其众。

马超闻姜叙、杨阜会合尹奉、赵昂举事，大怒，即将赵月斩之，令庞德、马岱尽起军马，杀奔历城来。姜叙、杨阜引兵出，两阵圆处，杨阜、姜叙衣白袍而出，大骂曰：“叛君无义之贼！”马超大怒，冲将过来，两军混战。姜叙、杨阜如何抵得马超，大败而走。马超驱兵赶来，背后喊声起处，尹奉、赵昂杀来。超急回时，两下夹攻，首尾不能相顾。正斗间，刺斜里大队军马杀来。原来是夏侯渊得了曹操军令，正领军来破马超。超如何当得三路军马，大败奔回。走了一夜，比及平明，到得冀城叫门时，城上乱箭射下。梁宽、赵衢立在城上，大骂马超，将马超妻杨氏从城上一刀砍了，撇下尸首来。又将马超幼子三人，并至亲十馀口，都从城上一刀一个，剁将下来。超气噎塞胸，几乎坠下马来。背后夏侯渊引兵追赶。超见势大，不敢恋战，与庞德、马岱杀开一条路走。前面又撞见姜叙、杨阜，杀了一阵，冲得过去，又撞着尹奉、赵昂，杀了一阵。零零落落，剩得五六十骑，连夜奔走。四更前后，走到历城下，守门者只道姜叙兵回，大开门接入。超从城南门边杀起，尽洗城中百姓。至姜叙宅，拿出老母，母全无惧色，指马超而大骂。超大怒，自取剑杀之。尹奉、赵昂全家老幼，亦尽被马超所杀。昂妻王氏因在军中，得免于难。次日，夏侯渊大军至，马超弃城杀出，望西而逃。行不得二十里，前面一军摆开，为首的是杨阜。超切齿而恨，拍马挺枪刺之。阜宗弟七人，一齐来助战。马岱、庞德敌住后军。宗弟七人，皆被马超杀死。阜身中五枪，犹然死战。后面夏侯渊大军赶来，马超遂走。只有庞德、马岱五七骑后随而去。夏侯渊自行安抚陇西诸州人民，令姜叙等各各分守，用车载杨阜赴许都，见曹操。操封阜为关内侯。阜辞曰：“阜无捍难之功，又无死难之节，于法当诛，何颜受职？”操嘉之，卒与之爵。

却说马超与庞德、马岱商议，径往汉中投张鲁。张鲁大喜，以为得马超，则西可以吞益州，东可以拒曹操，乃商议欲以女招超为婿。大将杨柏谏曰：“马超妻子遭惨祸，皆超之贻害也。主公岂可以女与之？”鲁从其言，遂罢招婿之议。或以杨柏之言，告知马超。超大怒，有杀杨柏之意。杨柏知之，与兄杨松商议，亦有图马超之心。正值刘璋遣使求救于张鲁，鲁不从。忽报刘璋又遣黄权到。权先来见杨松，说：“东西两川，实为唇齿；西川若破，东川亦难保矣。今若肯相救，当以二十州相酬。”松大喜，即引黄权来见张鲁，说唇齿利害，更以二十州相谢。鲁喜其利，从之。巴西阎圃谏曰：“刘璋与主公世仇，今事急求救，诈许割地，不可从也。”忽阶下一人进曰：“某虽不才，愿乞一旅之师，生擒刘备，务要割地以还。”正是：方看真主来西蜀，又见精兵出汉中。未知其人是谁，且看下文分解。

CHAPTER 64. Zhuge Liang Plans For The Capture Of Zhang Ren; Yang Fu Borrows Soldiers To Destroy Ma Chao.

As stated in the last chapter, Zhang Fei asked Yan Yan to tell him how he might conquer the whole of the Western Land of Rivers. This was the reply: “All the fortified posts between this and Luocheng are under my control, and the commanders of all the garrisons owe to me their commissions. The only way for me to prove my gratitude is to make them all yield, as I myself have done. Let me lead the advance, and I will summon them one by one to surrender.”

Zhang Fei thanked him again and again, and the march on this plan began. Whenever the army arrived at a post, Yan Yan summoned the commander, and there it ended. Occasionally, one would hesitate, when Yan Yan would say, “You see I have submitted; how much more ought you to do so?”

These bloodless victories followed each other day after day, supporters rallying to the invaders without question. They simply came.

In the meantime, Zhuge Liang was preparing. Having decided upon the date of departure, he wrote to inform Liu Bei and he made Luocheng the rendezvous for the various armies. On receipt of this letter, Liu Bei assembled his officers and explained to them its purport. He bade them be ready to march on the twenty-second day of the seventh month. Both river and land forces were to set out the same day.

But the fiery old man Huang Zhong was dissatisfied that there should be no local victory in the River Fu Pass.

He said, “Day after day the enemy has come to challenge us, and day after day we have refused. They must have grown lax, and I propose a night raid on their camp. We shall catch them unprepared and shall score a victory.”

Liu Bei agreed to try. He arranged for a night raid, Huang Zhong on the right, Wei Yan on the left, and the center force under his own command. They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found Zhang Ren's troops unprepared, rushed the camp, and set it on fire. The flames were very fierce, and the troops of Yiazhou fled in confusion and sought shelter in Luocheng. They were admitted. After pursuing them for some distance, Liu Bei made a camp.

Next day Liu Bei marched right up to the city to besiege it. Zhang Ren kept quiet within and made no attempt to beat off the besiegers. On the fourth day Liu Bei led an attack on the west gate, sending Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to attack the east. The south gate was left to give the besieged a chance to escape if they would.

Now, outside the south gate of Luocheng the country was rough and hilly, while the swift River Fu ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall, Zhang Ren watched the progress of the attack and saw Liu Bei the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west, the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two generals, Wu Lan and Lei Tong, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Huang Zhong and Wei Yan. Zhang Ren said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Liu Bei. Lest the withdrawal of troops from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.

At sundown Liu Bei ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Zhang Ren and his force. Zhang Ren made straight for Liu Bei, who was in the middle of his army. Liu Bei's soldiers were thrown into confusion. As his two generals on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Liu Bei fled to the hills. Zhang Ren followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Liu Bei plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.

“An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!” cried Liu Bei.

But all was not lost As they drew nearer, he recognized his own troops, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei and Yan Yan had happened to take that road, and Zhang Fei had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.

Zhang Fei and Zhang Ren soon came up with each other, and they fought ten bouts. By this time Yan Yan with the main body had come up, and Zhang Ren turned and fled. Zhang Fei followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Zhang Ren to enter and at once shut. The drawbridge was raised.

Then Zhang Fei returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way.

Hearing that Zhuge Liang had not yet arrived, Zhang Fei rejoiced, saying, “So I have the credit of first arrival although he is traveling by river.”

Liu Bei said, “But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?”

Zhang Fei replied, “The fact is I have taken the forty-five garrisons on the way by making use of General Yan Yan, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort.”

Zhang Fei told the story of Yan Yan's capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself.

Liu Bei said, “General, my brother's speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help.”

Whereupon Liu Bei took off the golden chain mantle he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.

Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared, a messenger came to report, saying, “Huang Zhong and Wei Yan had been fighting with Wu Lan and Lei Tong and had held their own, till enemy reinforcements led by Wu Yi and Liu Gui arrived. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan then fled eastward.”

Zhang Fei at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Wu Yi and Liu Gui saw the army of Jingzhou coming, they retired into the city. Wu Lan and Lei Tong continued the pursuit. The coming of Liu Bei and Zhang Fei threatened their rear, and Huang Zhong and Wei Yan turned and recommenced the battle. Wu Lan and Lei Tong were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Liu Bei returned to his own camp near the city.

The loss of his two generals grieved Zhang Ren sorely. He called his remaining two and asked advice. They proposed to risk all in one desperate battle while they sent to Chengdu to tell their master of their sorry plight.

Zhang Ren agreed.

Said he, “Tomorrow I will go and challenge them. If they accept and come out to fight, I will feign retreat and inveigle them round to the north side of the city. As they follow me, a sortie must be made when they pass the gate so as to cut their army in two. We ought to overcome them in this way.”

“Let me lead the sortie,” said Wu Yi. “General Liu Gui can stay to help our lord's son Liu Xun guard the city.”

This also was agreed to. Next morning Zhang Ren went out to offer the challenge, his troops waving flags and shouting lustily. At once Zhang Fei took up the challenge and rode out. He stayed not to parley, but galloped up to Zhang Ren and engaged him. After about ten bouts Zhang Ren seemed to be getting worsted, so he turned and fled, taking the way around the north of the city. Zhang Fei pursued him with all speed. Then as he passed the gate, Wu Yi made a sortie so that Zhang Fei was between two forces and unable to get clear. Zhang Ren turned back to attack.

Zhang Fei seemed in a parlous state. But at this very moment a body of soldiers came up from the river-side and a fierce warrior rode straight for Wu Yi, and in the first bout made him prisoner; his troops were then forced back, and Zhang Fei was free. It was Zhao Yun who had so opportunely appeared.

“Where is the Directing Instructor?” asked Zhang Fei.

“He has arrived; I think he has already seen our lord,” replied Zhao Yun.

The prisoner was carried to the camp where Zhuge Liang was. Zhang Fei dismounted and went in to greet him.

Zhuge Liang was surprised, and said, “How comes it that you arrived before me?”

Liu Bei told the story of Zhang Fei's prudence and sagacity in dealing with Yan Yan.

Zhuge Liang congratulated Zhang Fei and said, “When Zhang Fei behaves with such skill, my lord's good fortune is indeed ample.”

When the prisoner was taken in, Liu Bei asked him if he would surrender.

Wu Yi replied, “Why not, seeing I am a prisoner?”

Thereupon Liu Bei himself loosed his bonds. Zhuge Liang began to question him upon the defense.

Wu Yi told him the names of the officers, saying, “The son of the Imperial Protector, Liu Xun, and his generals Liu Gui and Zhang Ren are the defenders. Liu Gui does not count for much, but Zhang Ren is a man to be avoided.” “Then before we can get the city we must capture Zhang Ren,” said Zhuge Liang. “There is a bridge on the east; what is it called?”

“It is known as the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose.'“

Zhuge Liang rode over to the bridge and scrutinized the neighborhood.

After his return to camp, he summoned Huang Zhong and Wei Yan for orders.

To them he said, “On the east of the city is a bridge called the Bridge of the Golden Goose, and about two miles south of this I saw a dense growth of reed and sedge which would afford excellent shelter. Wei Yan is to lead a thousand spearmen to the left and attack, but only attack horsemen. Huang Zhong will lead a thousand swordsmen who are to cut the horses. When Zhang Ren has lost most of his troops and horses, he will flee by the hill road, where he will fall into an ambush of Zhang Fei.”

Next Zhao Yun was called and sent to lie in ambush close to the bridge, which he was to destroy as soon as the enemy had crossed. That done, Zhao Yun was to take up a position beyond the bridge to prevent the enemy from getting away to the north. Forced to the south, their destruction would be inevitable.

These arrangements made, Zhuge Liang himself went to challenge the enemy and try to bring them to battle.

Imperial Protector Liu Zhang had sent two generals, Zhang Yi and Zhuo Ying, to reinforce Zhang Ren. Zhang Ren sent Zhang Yi to the help of Liu Gui in the city, while Zhuo Ying was to march second with Zhang Ren himself to encounter the enemy.

Zhuge Liang led across the bridge a mob of disorderly looking soldiers, all in disarray, whom he drew up as if they were a fighting force. He himself, dressed in a simple robe and toying with a fan, took his seat in a small four-wheeled carriage. A few horsemen caracoling gaily to and fro formed his escort.

Having crossed the bridge, Zhuge Liang halted and pointed to Zhang Ren, saying, “Dare you withstand me and not surrender when Cao Cao's million troops fled at my name?”

But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into formation at all.

With a cynical smile, Zhang Ren said, “People talk of Zhuge Liang's superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false.”

With that Zhang Ren whirled his spear about his head, and he dashed forward with all his troops. As he came, Zhuge Liang left his carriage, mounted a horse, and retired to the far side of the bridge. Zhang Ren impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.

As soon as he had got across the bridge, the two bodies of soldiers under Liu Bei and Yan Yan came to the attack. Zhang Ren turned to get back to the bridge, but Zhao Yun had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. Zhang Ren made to turn sway north, but Zhao Yun's troops stopped the way so he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Wei Yan and his company of spearmen, who stabbed at the horsemen fiercely while Huang Zhong, with his swordsmen, cut down the horses. Soldiers and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords. No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Zhang Ren and got away to the hills. There they met Zhang Fei, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few followers, and captured the leader. Seeing Zhang Ren a prisoner, his second in command Zhuo Ying turned toward Zhao Yun and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Liu Bei rewarded Zhuo Ying.

When the leader Zhang Ren was led in by Zhang Fei, Zhuge Liang was seated beside his lord.

“Why have you held out so long after all the other generals of Yiazhou have yielded?” said Liu Bei.

“Can a loyal servant take a second master?” cried Zhang Ren fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.

“You do not know the times; submission means life.”

“I might submit today, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You would better slay me.”

Liu Bei was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.

A poem says:

No second lord the heroic servant knows,

The way of death Zhang Ren contented goes.

Clear shines his fame as doth the heavenly moon

That nightly lights the ramparts of Luocheng Town.

Liu Bei grieved for Zhang Ren, although Zhang Ren had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. Zhang Ren was given honorable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.

Next day the army moved on to Luocheng, Yan Yan and the other generals who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Liu Gui abused the treacherous Yan Yan and took his bow to shoot. But just as Liu Gui was fitting the arrow to the string, another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.

As Liu Bei entered the city by one gate, Liu Xun, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Chengdu.

Liu Bei put forth proclamations to allay the fears of the inhabitants of the city. He inquired who had been on his side in cutting down Liu Gui and was told it was Zhang Yi of Wuyang. Zhang Yi and all who had helped in the capture were amply rewarded.

“Our next city is Chengdu,” said Zhuge Liang. “However, in the meantime there may be some trouble in pacifying the outlying counties, and hence it will be well for you to send Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun with Wu Yi, Zhang Yi, Yan Yan, and Zhuo Ying leading the way, into the country along the river and Changyang, Deyang, and Baxi to reassure the people and to repress any rising that may take place. There will be no need for any especial precautions in the neighborhood of Chengdu.”

The warriors went their ways, and then Zhuge Liang began to make careful inquiries concerning the road to Chengdu.

Those who had given in their allegiance to the invaders said, “The only place where you can expect any serious defense is Mianzhu. Once you have passed this, the capital lies at your mercy.”

Then Fa Zheng was consulted.

Said he, “With the fall of Luocheng, the Western Land of Rivers passed to you. Let our lord only deal with the people kindly and justly, and there will be no need of weapons. I can write such a letter to Imperial Protector Liu Zhang as shall make him surrender at call.”

“That would be most excellent,” said Zhuge Liang.

The letter was written and sent by the hand of a messenger.

Liu Xun, son of the Imperial Protector, presently reached Chengdu and told his father of the loss of Luocheng.

The Imperial Protector at once called his counselors together, and Adviser Zheng Du said, “Although Liu Bei has been successful and captured cities and towns, yet his army is but small, his hosts are not near him, and he depends upon chance for his grain and has no proper supplies. Therefore our best plan is to remove the people of Baxi and Zitong to the farther side of River Fu, burn all the granaries, fortify the city, and let starvation defeat him. Let us reject all challenges to battle, and in a hundred days his troops will go off of their own accord. Then we can do with him as we will.”

“I like not the plan,” said Liu Zhang. “Oppose invaders in order that tranquillity may prevail is a well-worn maxim, but till now I have never heard of disturbing the people in order to oppose the march of an enemy. Your words are not such as safety.”

Just at the moment the letter from Fa Zheng arrived. It was opened and the Imperial Protector read:

“I was sent to Jingzhou to negotiate an alliance, but the opposition of those about you to their lord has resulted in the present situation. However, the ruler of Jingzhou still remembers old friendship and is mindful of the ties of relationship. If you, my master, could reverse your policy and lend your support to your relative, I think you would be generously treated. I hope you will consider this carefully.”

Liu Zhang flew into a passion. He tore the letter to fragments and began to abuse its writer, crying, “That traitor, ingrate, and renegade! How dares he talk thus to me?”

And Liu Zhang drove the bearer of the letter from his presence. He then sent an army under the leadership of Fei Guan, his wife's brother, to reinforce Mianzhu.

Fei Guan at once recommended as his assistant one Li Yan of Nanyang, and the two mustered their troops, thirty thousand, and set out for the city.

At this juncture Dong He, the Governor of Yiazhou City, wrote advising to borrow aid from Hanzhong, but Liu Zhang rejected this plan, saying, “It will be useless to try to obtain help from a region under the influence of our relentless enemy Zhang Lu.”

Dong He replied, “He may be an enemy, but Liu Bei is in possession of Luocheng, and the situation is extremely dangerous. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. If you clearly indicate the dangers to him, he must come to our help.”

So a letter was written and sent to Hanzhong.

Two years had elapsed since Ma Chao had been defeated and gone over to the Qiang tribes in the northwest. He had made friends with them and with their aid had conquered portions of Longxi. His expeditions had been very successful, the people opening their gates at the first summons. Only Jicheng had stood out, but ever this was on the point of yielding. The Governor of Jicheng, Wei Kang, had sent many urgent appeals for help to Xiahou Yuan, who, however, would do nothing without his master's order.

Wei Kang was in despair, and at a council his officers advised him to yield. However, one of them, Yang Fu, earnestly opposed yielding, saying, “We cannot surrender to a lot of rebels such as are Ma Chao and his colleagues.”

“What is there to hope for?” asked Wei Kang despairingly.

Although Yang Fu besought Wei Kang with bitterness to hold out, it was useless; Wei Kang rejected his advice, opened the city gates, and bowed his head in submission.

“You only yield now as the last resource,” cried Ma Chao, angry at the delay he had suffered. “This is no real submission.”

Whereupon he put to death Wei Kang and all his family to the number of two score.

But when one told Ma Chao that Yang Fu had been really responsible for the long delay, in that Yang Fu had urged his master to hold out, Ma Chao did not put him to death but praised him and said, “Yang Fu had but done his duty.”

Ma Chao further showed his approval by employing Yang Fu and two of his friends in his own army. These two friends were named Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu.

One day Yang Fu went to his new chief and said, “My wife has died in Lintao; I wish to take leave for two months to bury her.”

Wherefore Yang Fu was granted leave and went away from the army. On the way, he went to his maternal cousin, General Jiang Xu, Commander of Licheng. The general's mother, then an old lady of eighty-two was Yang Fu's aunt.

When Yang Fu saw her, he wept before her, saying, “Behold an unfortunate man! The city I had to defend is lost; my master is dead; and I have survived him. I am ashamed to look you in the face. Now this Ma Chao ravages the countryside, and everyone hates him. Yet my cousin sits still and does nothing against Ma Chao. Is this fitting conduct for a state servant?”

Yang Fu wept bitterly. The old lady was moved by his grief, called in her son and said to him reproachfully, “You are the cause of the evil that has come upon the noble Wei Kang.”

Then turning once more toward Yang Fu, she said, “But what can now be done? You have surrendered and, more than that, you have accepted service under your late enemy.”

“It is true,” replied Yang Fu. “I have surrendered and I have accepted service, but it is with the desire to preserve my miserable life till I can avenge my master.”

“A bold man is Ma Chao, and difficult to destroy,” said Jiang Xu. “Not very difficult,” replied Yang Fu, “for though he is bold, yet he is unskillful. Already I have two friends Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu by his side, and they would help against him if you, my brother, would only supply a force.”

“What is to be gained by delay?” then said the old lady. “Is there any who will not have to die? To perish in the way of loyalty and righteousness is to die in the right path. Do not think of me, for if you do, and heed not the call of your cousin, then will I die at once so that you may be free to make up your mind.”

There was now no excuse for delay, and Jiang Xu had to act. He summoned two of his officers, Zhao Ang and Yin Feng, and took counsel with them.

Now Zhao Ang had a son, Zhao Yue, who was an officer in the army of Ma Chao. When Zhao Ang had to consent to take part against his son's chief, he became very unhappy and went home to talk over it with his wife, Lady Wang.

He said, “I have today been led into a scheme to destroy Ma Chao and avenge Wei Kang. But there is our son there in Ma Chao's service, and Ma Chao will certainly put our son to death as soon as he hears that we are arming against him. What is to be done?”

But his wife replied angrily, “Should anyone grudge even his life to avenge his liege lord or his father? How much less a son? My lord, if you let the thought of your son stay your hand, then will I die forthwith.”

This decided the matter, and without further parley Zhao Ang decided to share the expedition and set about preparations. The army was soon on the way. Jiang Xu and Yang Fu camped at the city of Licheng; Zhao Ang and Yin Feng camped at Qishan. The wife of Zhao Ang sold her ornaments and went in person to her husband's camp to feast his soldiers.

The fears of Zhao Ang concerning the fate of his son were only too soon justified. At the first news of the march of an army against him, Ma Chao beheaded the young Zhao Yue. Then Ma Chao marched his force, together with Pang De and Ma Dai, to Licheng, and the troops under Jiang Xu and Yang Fu went out to oppose it. The two leaders on the avenging side went to battle dressed in mourning white. They railed at Ma Chao, crying, “Wicked traitor! Rebel!”

Ma Chao angrily dashed across toward them, and the fight began. From the very first it was seen that the defenders of the city could not hope to beat off the attack, and they turned to flee. Ma Chao pursued them. But soon he heard the shouting of soldiers behind him and found the other army led by Zhao Ang and Yin Feng was attacking his rear. Wherefore he was between two armies and had a double battle to fight. As he turned toward that in his rear, Jiang Xu and Yang Fu returned again to the attack. And while engaged with these two, there suddenly appeared a third force under Xiahou Yuan, who had just received orders from Cao Cao to come against Ma Chao.

Three attacks at once were too much for Ma Chao, and he fled, his force in utter confusion. He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Jicheng. He hailed the gate, but a flight of arrows was the response. Soon after, Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above. More than this, they dragged his wife, Lady Yang, up upon the wall, hacked her before his face, and threw the bloody body at his feet. They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of ten and more. And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall.

Rage and despair filled Ma Chao's bosom; he almost fell from his steed. But little time was allowed to grieve, for Xiahou Yuan was nearly upon him. Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory, he made no battle line, but set off with two of his generals, Ma Dai and Pang De, to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet. Their sole object was escape, so when they fell upon Yang Fu and Jiang Xu, they only fought to get through, and in the same way they cut an arterial alley through the army under Yin Feng and Zhao Ang. However, they lost most of their few followers, and at the end had only some sixty horsemen left.

About the fourth watch they came to Licheng. In the darkness, the gate guards, thinking only of the return of their own troops, opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy. Once in the city Ma Chao and his followers began the slaughter, and every one, soldier or common person, was slain, till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very center.

Presently they came to the residence of Jiang Xu and dragged forth his aged mother. She showed no sign of fear, but reviled Ma Chao till in his anger he slew her with his own sword. Thence they went to the house of Yin Feng and Zhao Ang and slew all they found therein. The only person who escaped the massacre was Lady Wang, wife of Zhao Ang, who had accompanied her husband.

But the city proved no place of safety. Xiahou Yuan with his army appeared the following day, and Ma Chao fled before him to the west. But ere he had gone seven miles, he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array. Yang Fu was the leader.

Grinding his teeth with rage, Ma Chao set his spear and rode at Yang Fu, while his two generals, Ma Dai and Pang De, attacked the rear. Yang Fu was overcome, and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain. Yang Fu himself was wounded in five places, but still fought on till he was wounded down.

However, Xiahou Yuan had not left pursuing Ma Chao. He came up to the city, and Ma Chao fled before him to the west. His army was now reduced to the two generals and about five or six of horsemen, and these few were left to go their way.

Cao Cao's general, Xiahou Yuan, set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the region of Xizhou, after which he apportioned its defense among Jiang Xu and other trustworthy commanders. The wounded leader Yang Fu was sent to the capital in a carriage. When he arrived Xuchang, he saw Cao Cao who offered him the title of Lordship.

But Yang Fu declined the honor, saying, “I have neither the credit of a successful defense nor the merit of death with my master. Death should be my portion rather than honors. How could I accept the offer?”

Cao Cao praised him and insisted on granting the lordship.

Having escaped from their pursuers, Ma Chao and his few followers decided to make for Hanzhong and offer their services to Governor Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu received them gladly, for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Yiazhou on the west as well as repel Cao Cao on the east. More than this, he thought to cement the friendship by giving Ma Chao a daughter to wife. But this displeased one of his generals, Yang Bo.

“The misfortune that befell Ma Chao's wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct. Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife?” said Yang Bo.

Zhang Lu again considered the matter and abandoned his intention. But a certain busybody told Ma Chao what had been proposed and that Yang Bo had defeated the scheme. Whereupon Ma Chao was very annoyed and sought to compass the death of Yang Bo. Yang Bo and his brother, Yang Song, on the other side conspired to destroy Ma Chao. At this time a messenger from Liu Zhang of Yiazhou arrived in Hanzhong begging for assistance against the invader Liu Bei. Zhang Lu refused help. But then Huang Quan came on the same errand. He first saw Yang Song and talked to him and brought him to favor the scheme.

Huang Quan said, “The Eastern and Western Lands of Rivers, which stand next each other as the lips are close to the teeth, are interdependent. If Yiazhou is lost, Hanzhong has little chance to survive. On the other hand, once relieved by your help, Imperial Protector Liu Zhang will reward twenty counties to Hanzhong as compensation.”

So Huang Quan won over Yang Song, who led him to see his master. To Zhang Lu again Huang Quan spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Zhang Lu promised his help.

Yan Pu, one of Zhang Lu's officers, tried to dissuade him by pointing out the old enmity between him and Liu Zhang, but another suddenly interjected, saying, “Useless I may be, but if you will give me troops, I will capture this Liu Bei and you will retain all your land.”

The land's true lord goes west and then

Hanzhong sends forth its bravest men.

Who made this bold offer? The next chapter will tell.