第六十三回

第六十三回 诸葛亮痛哭庞统 张翼德义释严颜

却说法正与那人相见，各抚掌而笑。庞统问之，正曰：“此公乃广汉人，姓彭，名羕，字永言，蜀中豪杰也。因直言触忤刘璋，被璋髡钳为徒隶[1]，因此短发。”统乃以宾礼待之，问羕从何而来。羕曰：“吾特来救汝数万人性命，见刘将军方可说。”法正忙报玄德。玄德亲自谒见，请问其故。羕曰：“将军有多少军马在前寨？”玄德实告：“有魏延、黄忠在彼。”羕曰：“为将之道，岂可不知地理乎？前寨紧靠涪江，若决动江水，前后以兵塞之，一人无可逃也。”玄德大悟。彭羕曰：“罡星在西方，太白临于此地，当有不吉之事，切宜慎之。”玄德即拜彭羕为幕宾，使人密报魏延、黄忠，教朝暮用心巡警，以防决水。黄忠、魏延商议，二人各轮一日，如遇敌军到来，互相通报。

却说泠苞见当夜风雨大作，引了五千军，径循江边而进，安排决江。只听得后面喊声乱起，泠苞知有准备，急急回军。前面魏延引军赶来，川兵自相践踏。泠苞正奔走间，撞着魏延，交马不数合，被魏延活捉去了。比及吴兰、雷铜来接应时，又被黄忠一军杀退。魏延解泠苞到涪关，玄德责之曰：“吾以仁义相待，放汝回去，何敢背我？今次难饶！”将泠苞推出斩之，重赏魏延。玄德设宴管待彭羕。忽报荆州诸葛亮军师特遣马良奉书至此，玄德召入问之。马良礼毕，曰：“荆州平安，不劳主公忧念。”遂呈上军师书信。玄德拆书观之，略云：

亮夜算太乙数，今年岁次癸巳，罡星在西方；又观乾象，太白临于雒城之分：主将帅身上多凶少吉。切宜谨慎。

玄德看了书，便教马良先回。玄德曰：“吾将回荆州，去论此事。”庞统暗思：“孔明怕我取了西川，成了功，故意将此书相阻耳。”乃对玄德曰：“统亦算太乙数，已知罡星在西，应主公合得西川，别不主凶事。统亦占天文，见太白临于雒城，先斩蜀将泠苞，已应凶兆矣。主公不可疑心，可急进兵。”

玄德见庞统再三催促，乃引军前进，黄忠同魏延接入寨去。庞统问法正曰：“前至雒城，有多少路？”法正画地作图。玄德取张松所遗图本对之，并无差错。法正言：“山北有条大路，正取雒城东门，山南有条小路，却取雒城西门，两条路皆可进兵。”庞统谓玄德曰：“统令魏延为先锋，取南小路而进，主公令黄忠作先锋，从山北大路而进，并到雒城取齐。”玄德曰：“吾自幼熟于弓马，多行小路。军师可从大路去取东门，吾取西门。”庞统曰：“大路必有军邀拦，主公引兵当之。统取小路。”玄德曰：“军师不可。吾夜梦一神人，手执铁棒击吾右臂，觉来犹自臂疼。此行莫非不佳？”庞统曰：“壮士临阵，不死带伤，理之自然也。何故以梦寐之事疑心乎？”玄德曰：“吾所疑者，孔明之书也。军师还守涪关，如何？”庞统大笑曰：“主公被孔明所惑矣：彼不欲令统独成大功，故作此言以疑主公之心。心疑则致梦，何凶之有？统肝脑涂地，方称本心。主公再勿多言，来早准行。”当日传下号令，军士五更造饭，平明上马，黄忠、魏延领军先行。玄德再与庞统约会，忽坐下马眼生前失，把庞统掀将下来。玄德跳下马，自来笼住那马。玄德曰：“军师何故乘此劣马？”庞统曰：“此马乘久，不曾如此。”玄德曰：“临阵眼生，误人性命。吾所骑白马，性极驯熟，军师可骑，万无一失。劣马吾自乘之。”遂与庞统更换所骑之马。庞统谢曰：“深感主公厚恩，虽万死亦不能报也。”遂各上马取路而进。玄德见庞统去了，心中甚觉不快，怏怏而行。

却说雒城中吴懿、刘听知折了泠苞，遂与众商议。张任曰：“城东南山僻有一条小路，最为要紧，某自引一军守之。诸公紧守雒城，勿得有失。”忽报汉兵分两路前来攻城。张任急引三千军，先来抄小路埋伏。见魏延兵过，张任教尽放过去，休得惊动。后见庞统军来，张任军士遥指军中大将：“骑白马者必是刘备。”张任大喜，传令教如此如此。

却说庞统迤逦前进，抬头见两山逼窄，树木丛杂，又值夏末秋初，枝叶茂盛。庞统心下甚疑，勒住马问：“此处是何地？”数内有新降军士，指道：“此处地名落凤坡。”庞统惊曰：“吾道号凤雏，此处名落凤坡，不利于吾。”令后军疾退。只听山坡前一声炮响，箭如飞蝗，只望骑白马者射来。可怜庞统竟死于乱箭之下。时年止三十六岁。后人有诗叹曰：

古岘相连紫翠堆，士元有宅傍山隈。儿童惯识呼鸠曲，闾巷曾闻展骥才。预计三分平刻削，长驱万里独徘徊。谁知天狗流星坠，不使将军衣锦回。

先是东南有童谣云：

一凤并一龙，相将到蜀中。才到半路里，凤死落坡东。风送雨，雨随风，隆汉兴时蜀道通，蜀道通时只有龙。

当日张任射死庞统，汉军拥塞，进退不得，死者大半。前军飞报魏延。魏延忙勒兵欲回，奈山路逼窄，厮杀不得。又被张任截断归路，在高阜处用强弓硬弩射来，魏延心慌；有新降蜀兵曰：“不如杀奔雒城下，取大路而进。”延从其言，当先开路，杀奔雒城来。尘埃起处，前面一军杀至，乃雒城守将吴兰、雷铜也，后面张任引兵追来，前后夹攻，把魏延围在垓心。魏延死战不能得脱。但见吴兰、雷铜后军自乱，二将急回马去救。魏延乘势赶去，当先一将，舞刀拍马，大叫：“文长，吾特来救汝！”视之，乃老将黄忠也。两下夹攻，杀败吴、雷二将，直冲至雒城之下。刘引兵杀出，却得玄德在后当住接应，黄忠、魏延翻身便回。玄德军马比及奔到寨中，张任军马又从小路里截出。刘、吴兰、雷铜当先赶来。玄德守不住二寨，且战且走，奔回涪关。蜀兵得胜，迤逦追赶。玄德人困马乏，那里有心厮杀，且只顾奔走。将近涪关，张任一军追赶至紧。幸得左边刘封，右边关平，二将领三万生力军截出，杀退张任，还赶二十里，夺回战马极多。

玄德一行军马，再入涪关，问庞统消息。有落凤坡逃得性命的军士，报说：“军师连人带马，被乱箭射死于坡前。”玄德闻言，望西痛哭不已，遥为招魂设祭，诸将皆哭。黄忠曰：“今番折了庞统军师，张任必然来攻打涪关，如之奈何？不若差人往荆州，请诸葛军师来商议收川之计。”正说之间，人报张任引军直临城下搦战。黄忠、魏延皆要出战。玄德曰：“锐气新挫，宜坚守以待军师来到。”黄忠、魏延领命，只谨守城池。玄德写一封书，教关平分付：“你与我往荆州请军师去。”关平领了书，星夜往荆州来。玄德自守涪关，并不出战。

却说孔明在荆州，时当七夕佳节，大会众官夜宴，共说收川之事。只见正西上一星，其大如斗，从天坠下，流光四散。孔明失惊，掷杯于地，掩面哭曰：“哀哉！痛哉！”众官慌问其故。孔明曰：“吾前者算今年罡星在西方，不利于军师。天狗犯于吾军，太白临于雒城，已拜书主公，教谨防之。谁想今夕西方星坠，庞士元命必休矣！”言罢，大哭曰：“今吾主丧一臂矣！”众官皆惊，未信其言。孔明曰：“数日之内，必有消息。”是夕酒不尽欢而散。

数日之后，孔明与云长等正坐间，人报关平到，众官皆惊。关平入，呈上玄德书信。孔明视之，内言：“本年七月初七日，庞军师被张任在落凤坡前箭射身故。”孔明大哭，众官无不垂泪。孔明曰：“既主公在涪关进退两难之际，亮不得不去。”云长曰：“军师去，谁人保守荆州？荆州乃重地，干系非轻。”孔明曰：“主公书中虽不明言其人，吾已知其意了。”乃将玄德书与众官看曰：“主公书中，把荆州托在吾身上，教我自量才委用。虽然如此，今教关平赍书前来，其意欲云长公当此重任。云长想桃园结义之情，可竭力保守此地。责任非轻，公宜勉之。”云长更不推辞，慨然领诺。孔明设宴，交割印绶，云长双手来接。孔明擎着印曰：“这干系都在将军身上。”云长曰：“大丈夫既领重任，除死方休。”孔明见云长说个“死”字，心中不悦，欲待不与，其言已出。孔明曰：“倘曹操引兵来到，当如之何？”云长曰：“以力拒之。”孔明又曰：“倘曹操、孙权，齐起兵来，如之奈何？”云长曰：“分兵拒之。”孔明曰：“若如此，荆州危矣。吾有八个字，将军牢记，可保守荆州。”云长问：“那八个字？”孔明曰：“北拒曹操，东和孙权。”云长曰：“军师之言，当铭肺腑。”

孔明遂与了印绶，令文官马良、伊籍、向朗、糜竺，武将糜芳、廖化、关平、周仓，一班儿辅佐云长，同守荆州。一面亲自统兵入川。先拨精兵一万，教张飞部领，取大路杀奔巴州、雒城之西，先到者为头功。又拨一枝兵，教赵云为先锋，溯江而上，会于雒城。孔明随后引简雍、蒋琬等起行。那蒋琬字公琰，零陵湘乡人也，乃荆襄名士，现为书记。

当日孔明引兵一万五千，与张飞同日起行。张飞临行时，孔明嘱付曰：“西川豪杰甚多，不可轻敌。于路戒约三军，勿得掳掠百姓，以失民心。所到之处，并宜存恤，勿得恣逞鞭挞士卒。望将军早会雒城，不可有误。”

张飞欣然领诺，上马而去，迤逦前行。所到之处，但降者秋毫无犯。径取汉川路，前至巴郡。细作回报：“巴郡太守严颜，乃蜀中名将，年纪虽高，精力未衰，善开硬弓，使大刀，有万夫不当之勇，据住城郭，不竖降旗。”张飞教离城十里下寨，差人入城去，“说与老匹夫：早早来降，饶你满城百姓性命；若不归顺，即踏平城郭，老幼不留！”

却说严颜在巴郡，闻刘璋差法正请玄德入川，拊心而叹曰：“此所谓独坐穷山，引虎自卫者也！”后闻玄德据住涪关，大怒，屡欲提兵往战，又恐这条路上有兵来。当日闻知张飞兵到，便点起本部五六千人马，准备迎敌。或献计曰：“张飞在当阳长坂，一声喝退曹兵百万之众。曹操亦闻风而避之，不可轻敌。今只宜深沟高垒，坚守不出。彼军无粮，不过一月，自然退去。更兼张飞性如烈火，专要鞭挞士卒，如不与战必怒，怒则必以暴厉之气待其军士。军心一变，乘势击之，张飞可擒也。”严颜从其言，教军士尽数上城守护。忽见一个军士，大叫：“开门！”严颜教放入问之。那军士告说是张将军差来的，把张飞言语依直便说。严颜大怒，骂：“匹夫怎敢无礼！吾严将军岂降贼者乎！借你口说与张飞！”唤武士把军人割下耳鼻，却放回寨。

军人回见张飞，哭告严颜如此毁骂。张飞大怒，咬牙睁目，披挂上马，引数百骑来巴郡城下搦战，城上众军百般痛骂。张飞性急，几番杀到吊桥，要过护城河，又被乱箭射回。到晚全无一个人出，张飞忍一肚气还寨。次日早晨，又引军去搦战。那严颜在城敌楼上，一箭射中张飞头盔。飞指而恨曰：“若拿住你这老匹夫，我亲自食你肉！”到晚又空回。第三日，张飞引了军，沿城去骂。原来那座城子是个山城，周围都是乱山，张飞自乘马登山，下视城中。见军士尽皆披挂，分列队伍，伏在城中，只是不出；又见民夫来来往往，搬砖运石，相助守城。张飞教马军下马，步军皆坐，引他出敌，并无动静。又骂了一日，依旧空回。张飞在寨中自思：“终日叫骂，彼只不出，如之奈何？”猛然思得一计，教众军不要前去搦战，都结束了在寨中等候；却只教三五十个军士，直去城下叫骂，引严颜军出来，便与厮杀。张飞磨拳擦掌，只等敌军来。小军连骂了三日，全然不出。张飞眉头一纵，又生一计，传令教军士四散砍打柴草，寻觅路径，不来搦战。严颜在城中，连日不见张飞动静，心中疑惑，着十数个小军，扮作张飞砍柴的军，潜地出城，杂在军内，入山中探听。

当日诸军回寨。张飞坐在寨中，顿足大骂：“严颜老匹夫！枉气杀我！”只见帐前三四个人说道：“将军不须心焦：这几日打探得一条小路，可以偷过巴郡。”张飞故意大叫曰：“既有这个去处，何不早来说？”众应曰：“这几日却才哨探得出。”张飞曰：“事不宜迟，只今二更造饭，趁三更明月，拔寨都起，人衔枚，马去铃，悄悄而行。我自前面开路，汝等依次而行。”传了令便满寨告报。

探细的军听得这个消息，尽回城中来，报与严颜。颜大喜曰：“我算定这匹夫忍耐不得！你偷小路过去，须是粮草辎重在后；我截住后路，你如何得过？好无谋匹夫，中我之计！”即时传令，教军士准备赴敌：“今夜二更也造饭，三更出城，伏于树木丛杂去处。只等张飞过咽喉小路去了，车仗来时，只听鼓响。一齐杀出。”传了号令，看看近夜，严颜全军尽皆饱食，披挂停当，悄悄出城，四散伏住，只听鼓响；严颜自引十数裨将，下马伏于林中。约三更后，遥望见张飞亲自在前，横矛纵马，悄悄引军前进。去不得三四里，背后车仗人马，陆续进发。严颜看得分晓，一齐擂鼓，四下伏兵尽起。正来抢夺车仗，背后一声锣响，一彪军掩到，大喝：“老贼休走！我等的你恰好！”严颜猛回头看时，为首一员大将，豹头环眼，燕颔虎须，使丈八矛，骑深乌马，乃是张飞。四下里锣声大震，众军杀来。严颜见了张飞，举手无措，交马战不十合，张飞卖个破绽，严颜一刀砍来，张飞闪过，撞将入去，扯住严颜勒甲绦，生擒过来，掷于地下。众军向前，用索绑缚住了。原来先过去的是假张飞。料道严颜击鼓为号，张飞却教鸣金为号，金响诸军齐到。川兵大半弃甲倒戈而降。

张飞杀到巴郡城下，后军已自入城。张飞叫休杀百姓，出榜安民。群刀手把严颜推至，飞坐于厅上，严颜不肯下跪。飞怒目咬牙大叱曰：“大将到此，何为不降，而敢拒敌？”严颜全无惧色，回叱飞曰：“汝等无义，侵我州郡！但有断头将军，无降将军！”飞大怒，喝左右斩来。严颜喝曰：“贼匹夫！砍头便砍，何怒也？”张飞见严颜声音雄壮，面不改色，乃回嗔作喜，下阶喝退左右，亲解其缚，取衣衣之，扶在正中高坐，低头便拜曰：“适来言语冒渎，幸勿见责。吾素知老将军乃豪杰之士也。”严颜感其恩义，乃降。后人有诗赞严颜曰：

白发居西蜀，清名震大邦。忠心如皎月，浩气卷长江。宁可断头死，安能屈膝降？巴州年老将，天下更无双。

又有赞张飞诗曰：

生获严颜勇绝伦，惟凭义气服军民。至今庙貌留巴蜀，社酒鸡豚日日春。

张飞请问入川之计。严颜曰：“败军之将，荷蒙厚恩，无可以报，愿施犬马之劳，不须张弓只箭，径取成都。”正是：只因一将倾心后，致使连城唾手降。未知其计如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 髡（kūn）钳为徒隶——髡钳是古代的一种封建刑罚：剪去头发叫髡，用铁环束住脖子叫钳。为徒隶，充当苦役犯。

CHAPTER 63. Zhuge Liang Mourns For Pang Tong; Zhang Fei Releases Yan Yan.

Fa Zheng and the new comer met with every sign of joy, clapping their hands and laughing with pleasure.

“This is Peng Yang of Guanghan, one of our heroes. His blunt speech, however, offended Imperial Protector Liu Zhang, who put him to shame by shaving his head, loading him with fetters, and forcing him into a monastery. That is why his hair is short.”

The introduction made, Pang Tong treated the stranger with all the courtesy due to a guest and asked why he had come.

“To save a myriad of your soldiers' lives. I will explain fully when I see General Liu Bei.”

A message was sent to Liu Bei, who came over to see the visitor.

“How many troops have you, General?” asked Peng Yang, when Liu Bei arrived.

Liu Bei told him.

“As a leader you cannot be ignorant of the lie of the land. Your camps over there are on River Fu; if the river be diverted and the enemy hold your army in front and rear, not a soul can escape.”

Liu Bei realized that this was true.

Peng Yang continued, “In the heaven, the bowl of the Dipper lies toward the west, and Venus stands over against us. The aspect is ominous of evil, and some misfortune threatens. It must be warded off.”

Liu Bei offered Peng Yang an appointment as an adviser. Then he sent messages to the generals at the camps telling them to keep most vigilant look-out to guard against the cutting of the river bank. When this message came, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan agreed together to take duty day and night about and maintain the strict watch necessary in the presence of an enemy near at hand. They arranged means of communication in case either met with a body of the enemy.

One very stormy night, Ling Bao ventured out with a strong reconnoitering party and went along the river bank to seek a suitable place for the breach. But a sudden shouting in his rear told him that the army of Jingzhou were on the alert, and he at once retired. Wei Yan came in pursuit and, as he pressed nearer, Ling Bao's troops hurried forward, trampling each other down in their haste. Suddenly Ling Bao and Wei Yan ran against each other, and they engaged. The fight was very short, for Wei Yan soon took his opponent prisoner. Wu Lan and Lei Tong who came to Ling Bao's rescue were easily beaten off, and Ling Bao was carried away. When Wei Yan reached the Pass, Liu Bei saw Ling Bao and greatly blamed him for his base ingratitude.

“I treated you generously and set you free; you repaid me with ingratitude. I cannot forgive again.”

So the prisoner was beheaded, and his captor was rewarded. A banquet was given in honor of Peng Yang.

Soon after this came a letter from Zhuge Liang, by the hand of Ma Liang, who reported all calm in Jingzhou and told Liu Bei that he need feel no anxiety. Opening the letter, Liu Bei read:

“I have been making some astrological calculations. This is the last year of the cycle, the bowl of the Dipper is in the western quarter, and the planet Venus approaches Luocheng. The configuration is inimical to leaders, and the utmost caution is necessary.”

Having read this and sent Ma Liang away, Liu Bei said, “I will return myself to Jingzhou and discuss the matter.”

But Pang Tong, who thought in his heart that Zhuge Liang's warning was due to a jealous desire to prevent him from winning the glory of conducting a victorious campaign, opposed this, saying, “I also have made calculations, and I read the signs to mean that the time is favorable for you to get possession of this land, and no evil is foreshown. Therefore be not of doubtful heart, my lord, but advance boldly.”

Liu Bei was won over and decided to follow Pang Tong's advice. He ordered Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to lead.

Pang Tong asked of Fa Zheng what roads there were to follow, and the latter drew a map, which was found to agree exactly with that left by Zhang Song.

Fa Zheng said, “North of the mountains is a high road leading to the east gate. South of the mountains is another path leading to the west gate. Both these roads are suitable for the advance of an army.”

So Pang Tong said to Liu Bei, “With Wei Yan to lead the way, I will go along the southern road, while you, my lord, will advance along the high road, with Huang Zhong in the van. We will attack Luocheng at the same time.”

Liu Bei replied, “I was trained as a mounted archer and am accustomed to by-roads, wherefore, O Instructor, I think you should take the high road and let me take the other.”

“There will be opposition on the high road, and you are the best to deal with it. Let me take the by-road.”

“No; this does not suit me,” replied Liu Bei. “A spirit bearing a massive iron club appeared to me in a dream and struck my right arm, so that I suffered great pain. I feel sure this expedition will turn out badly.”

Pang Tong replied, “When a soldier goes into battle, he may be killed, or he may be wounded; he accepts whichever is his fate. But should one hesitate because of a dream?”

“The real reason of my hesitation is the letter from Zhuge Liang. Wherefore I wish you to remain and guard River Fu Pass. Do you agree to that?”

Pang Tong smiled, saying, “Zhuge Liang has indeed filled your mind with doubts. The real thing is that he is unwilling to let me have the merit of accomplishing a great undertaking alone. That is why he has written this. And your doubts and hesitations have produced the dream. But I see nothing ill-omened, and I am prepared for any sacrifice and mean just what I say. Pray, my lord, say no more, but prepare to set forth.”

So the order went forth that the morning meal was to be taken early and the army was to march at dawn. Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were to take the lead, one along each road. These two set out first, and in due time Liu Bei and Pang Tong mounted and followed. Suddenly Pang Tong's horse shied and stumbled, throwing him off.

Liu Bei jumped down and seized the horse by the bridle, saying, “Why do you ride this wretched beast?”

“I have ridden him a long time, and he has never done this before,” was the reply.

“A shying steed risks a person's life,” said Liu Bei. “Ride my horse, which is thoroughly trained and will never fail you. Give me yours.”

They exchanged horses.

“I am deeply affected by your kindness,” said Pang Tong. “I could never repay you if I suffered death a thousand times.”

Soon their ways diverged. After his adviser had left, Liu Bei felt ill at ease and rode gloomily.

When the news of Ling Bao's capture and death reached Luocheng, Wu Yi and Liu Gui took counsel together. Their colleague, Zhang Ren, said, “I know a by-road on the east which is of great importance, and I pray you let me guard it while you two hold the city.”

So as soon as the news of the advancing armies came, Zhang Ren led three thousand troops to this road and placed them in ambush. They remained hidden while Wei Yan passed and made no attack. The main body under Pang Tong soon followed.

The soldiers in ambush saw a rider on a fine white horse and pointed him out to one another, saying, “That surely is Liu Bei on the white horse.”

Their leader Zhang Ren rejoiced too, and he gave certain orders.

Pang Tong hastened forward. By and by the mountain road narrowed to a defile with dense thickets on either hand, and as the season was when summer changes into autumn, the foliage was thick and impenetrable. His heart alarmed him, and presently he reined in his steed and asked if any knew the name of that place.

One of the soldiers of Yiazhou who had joined his army said, “This is called 'The Fallen Phoenix Slope.'“

Pang Tong shuddered. “An evil omen for me, since Blooming-Phoenix is my Taoist name. There is no luck for me here.”

He decided to retire. But as he gave the order, the roar of a bomb rent the air and arrows began to fly toward him thick as swarming locusts. All the hidden men were shooting at the rider of the white horse. And there, wounded by many arrows, poor Pang Tong died at the age of thirty-six.

A poem says:

Deep in the blue recesses of Xian Hills

Lay hid the modest cot of Pang Tong.

But now each village urchin knows his story,

And any village rustic tells his exploits.

He knew the empire must be triply rent,

And far he traveled lonely, to and fro.

None knew that Heaven would cast down his star,

Forbidding his return in glory clad.

A song was also written referring to Pang Tong:

They were two, the Phoenix and the Dragon,

And they would travel far to the west;

But on the road thither

The Phoenix died on the mountain slope.

The wind drives off the rain,

The rain sends off the wind.

It was the day of the Han restoration,

When the west was attained,

But in the attainment

The Dragon was alone.

Not only was the leader of the expedition slain, but more than half of his soldiers fell in the narrow road that fatal day. Some of the troops in the van escaped and ran off to tell Wei Yan of the mishap to the army, and he halted and turned back to help. However, it was difficult to march back, and he could not hack a way through, for the road was held by Zhang Ren, and archers and crossbowmen occupied all the heights.

Then one of the renegades proposed that they should try to return along the high road, and they started for Luocheng this way. But in front of them arose a great cloud of dust, betraying the approach of an enemy. Wu Lan and Lei Tong, the defenders of the city, were moving toward them, and Wei Yan was between the two armies closed in like the kernel of a nut. Wei Yan fought hard to get through. When his case seemed most desperate and hopeless, he observed signs of confusion in the army that lay between him and the city. Soon that army turned and faced the other way. He pressed forward and presently saw troops of his own side, led by the veteran Huang Zhong.

“I will rescue you, Wei Yan!” shouted Huang Zhong, as he came near.

Now the defenders of Luocheng found themselves between two enemies, and they were smitten heavily. They could not check Wei Yan and Huang Zhong, who got close to the very walls of Luocheng. Seeing them near, Liu Gui, who had been left to defend the city, poured out against them. Thereupon Huang Zhong and Wei Yan, in spite of the nearness of the army of Liu Bei, refused battle and turned sway from the city.

Liu Bei's army made a dash for two stockades, but when Zhang Ren came along the by-road, and the other three defenders of the city came on, the stockades could not be held, and Liu Bei's army had to retire. Now fighting and now marching, the army of Liu Bei strove hard to reach River Fu Pass, but Zhang Ren pressed close. However, Liu Feng and Guan Ping came up, and not only drove back the pursuers but chased them some seven miles. Finally, Liu Bei and his troops reached the Pass, weary and dispirited. His son and nephew returned from the pursuit with many horses they had captured from the flying enemy. However, nothing had been gained and the victory lay rather with the army of the Western Land of River.

One of the fugitives from the army finally reached River Fu Pass and told Liu Bei of the sad news of Pang Tong, man and horse wounded to death. Liu Bei turned his face to the west and mourned bitterly.

Although the body of the slain leader lay far away, they instituted sacrifice to call the spirit, and all the generals keened for him.

Then said Huang Zhong, “Now that our leader is no more, certainly the enemy will return to attack the Pass. What is to be done? I think we would better send to Jingzhou for Zhuge Liang and get him to lay plans for getting possession of the Western Land of Rivers.” And even then came in one to say that the enemy under Zhang Ren had come and were now offering a challenge at the rampart.

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan wished to go forth to fight, but Liu Bei disapproved, saying, “We have suffered a severe check, and the soldiers are low-spirited. Let us rather remain on the defensive until the Directing Instructor can arrive.”

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan made no objection, but set themselves to guard the Pass most vigilantly, while a letter was written to Zhuge Liang and sent by the hand of Guan Ping. He set forth at once, and Liu Bei gave himself up to holding the Pass.

In Jingzhou, it was the seventh day of the seventh moon, and in the evening Zhuge Liang invited his officers to a banquet. Conversation turned toward the enterprise in the Western Land of Rivers. Suddenly a large and brilliant meteor appeared falling in the west, illuminating the whole sky. It so disturbed the host that he dashed his wine cup to the ground, covered his face, and burst into tears.

“Alas! Alas!”

The guests eagerly asked him why he wept.

Zhuge Liang replied, “I knew by my calculations that the bowl of the Dipper would be in the west at this season and that the auspices would be unfavorable to leaders of armies, and lo! the Heavens have gone against our army. When Venus was about to stand over Luocheng, I wrote to our lord warning him to be very cautious. I never contemplated the falling of the star this evening. Now Pang Tong is no more.”

Again he fell to weeping. “My lord has lost an arm!” moaned he.

The guests were rather disturbed, but they only half believed that such a misfortune had happened.

“We shall hear the sad news in a very few days,” said Zhuge Liang.

The banquet ended sadly enough, and the guests went their ways. A few days later, while Zhuge Liang was sitting with Guan Yu and a few others, they reported the arrival of Guan Ping with letters from the west. When the letters were opened, they knew that Pang Tong had fallen the same evening that the meteor had appeared.

Zhuge Liang wailed and the others wept with him.

Then Zhuge Liang said, “I must go to help our lord; he is hemmed in at the Pass and cannot move.”

“If you go away, who will guard this region?” asked Guan Yu. “It is of very great importance.”

“Our lord has not written plainly, but I know what was in his mind.” Then he showed the letter to the others and said, “Provision for the defense of this region is laid upon me, and I am to find one equal to the task. I read the letter to mean that he desires Guan Yu to undertake the defense, and I know that Guan Yu will do it for the sake of the pledge taken long ago in the Peach Garden. The task is no light one.”

Guan Yu accepted without hesitation or thought of excuse. A special banquet was prepared at which the seal was to be handed over to him.

“All the future rests with you, General,” said Zhuge Liang as he raised the symbol of office to place it in the hands of the commander.

“When a person of honor accepts such a task, he is only released by death,” replied Guan Yu.

But that ill-omened word “death” displeased Zhuge Liang, and even then he would have retracted but that Guan Yu's word had gone forth. Zhuge Liang went on.

“Now if Cao Cao attack what is to be done?” said Zhuge Liang.

“Repel him with all my strength.”

“But if Cao Cao and Sun Quan attack you together, what then?”

“Fight both; half my force against each.”

Zhuge Liang said, “In that case, Jingzhou would be in danger. I will give you my advice in a few words, and if you remember them the region is safe.”

“What are these few words?” asked Guan Yu.

“North, fight Cao Cao; south, ally with Sun Quan.”

“These words, O Commander, are engraved on my heart.”

Thereupon the seal was placed in his hands. Zhuge Liang also appointed tried and worthy people to assist the new commander. Guan Yu's civil staff included Ma Liang, Mi Zhu, Yi Ji, and Xiang Lang; and on military side, he was assisted by Mi Fang, Liao Hua, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang.

This done, Zhuge Liang began to prepare for his departure. Zhang Fei, with ten thousand troops, was sent to fight his way into the country west of Bazhou and Luocheng, and he was to go with all speed. The earlier he got through, the greater merit would be his. Zhao Yun was to lead a force up the Great River and make a junction at Luocheng. Zhuge Liang, with his own body of fifteen thousand troops, would follow.

Among those who followed Zhuge Liang was one Jiang Wan, a noted scholar from Lingling. Jiang Wan went as Secretary.

Zhuge Liang and Zhang Fei set out the same day.

Just before leaving, the Directing Instructor said to Zhang Fei, “Do not think lightly of the soldiers of Yiazhou, for there are many mighty warriors among them. On the march restrain your soldiers from plunder and license lest the ordinary people be against us. Wherever you halt, be compassionate and kindly and do not give way to anger and flog your soldiers. I shall expect you to reach Luocheng very soon.”

Zhang Fei joyously mounted and left. He marched rapidly, and on the way all places that surrendered suffered nothing whatever.

When they drew near the county of Bazhou, the scouts of the Western Land of Rivers sent out by the Governor of that place informed their master, Yan Yan. This Yan Yan was one of the famous generals of Yiazhou, and even then, although he was rather old, he had lost none of his boldness and could still pull the stiffest bow and wield the heaviest sword. Being so famous, Yan Yan was not the man to surrender at the first approach of an enemy. So when Zhang Fei came near, he cautiously encamped about three miles from the city. Thence he sent a messenger to summon the Governor to surrender.

Zhang Fei said, “Tell the old fool to give in, or I will trample down his walls and leave no soul alive.”

Yan Yan had never favored inviting Liu Bei into Yiazhou. When he had first heard of the Imperial Protector's intention, he said, “This is like calling a tiger to protect one when one is alone on a bare hill side.” When he heard of the seizure of River Fu Pass, he was very angry and offered again and again to lead an army and drive out the aggressors. He had feared that his city would be attacked along this very road, so he had prepared his army, and when Zhang Fei's message came, he mustered them, five thousand or so, to oppose him.

Then a certain person said to Yan Yan, “You must be careful how you oppose a man who by the mere sound of his voice scared the many legions of Cao Cao at Long Slope Bridge. Even Cao Cao himself was careful to keep out of his way. Your safety is in defense, lying behind your ramparts and within your deep moats till hunger shall have vanquished your enemies. This Zhang Fei has a very violent temper; and if he is provoked, he vents his anger in flogging his soldiers. If you avoid battle, he will be irritated; and his cruelty to his soldiers will cause them to mutiny. Then you can attack and will succeed.”

Yan Yan thought the advice good. He therefore resolved only to defend, and he set all his soldiers on the walls. When one of Zhang Fei's soldiers came up to the gate and shouted for them to open, Yan Yan gave orders to open the gate and admit the man. When the soldier had come within, he gave the message as has been related before.

But the Governor was exceedingly angry and said, “Fool that you are! How dare you speak thus to me? Think you that I, General Yan Yan, will surrender to such as him. By your mouth indeed will I send a message.”

Then Yan Yan bade the executioner cut off the man's ears and nose. And thus mutilated he returned to Zhang Fei. When Zhang Fei heard of it, his wrath boiled up and he cursed the defender of the city. Grinding his teeth and glaring with rage, he put on his armor, mounted his steed, and went up close to the walls with a few mounted followers, and challenged those on the ramparts to fight him. But the defenders on the walls only replied with shameful abuse, and none accepted the challenge. Zhang Fei galloped again and again to the drawbridge, only to be driven off each time with flights of arrows. But not a man came outside the walls. As the day closed in, the warrior, still fuming with wrath, returned to his own camp.

Next day Zhang Fei again led his troops to the foot of the wall and challenged; again the challenge was refused. But Yan Yan shot an arrow from the tower that struck Zhang Fei's helmet. This angered him still more, and pointing the finger of disdain at his enemy, Zhang Fei cried, “I will capture you yet, you old fool, and then I will devour your flesh!”

So again at eventide the troops of Jingzhou returned to camp bucking their desire. On the third day Zhang Fei and his troops made the circuit of the city along the edge of the moat, hurling insults at their enemies.

It so happened that the city was set on a hill with rugged heights all round, so that going around it the assailants were sometimes on hill tops and sometimes on the level. While standing on one of the hills, Zhang Fei noticed that he could see clear down into the city. There stood the defenders in their ranks, all ready for battle although none of them came out. And the common people went to and fro carrying bricks and bringing stones to strengthen the defenses. Then Zhang Fei ordered his horsemen to dismount and his footmen to sit down so that they could not be seen from the city. He hoped thus to cheat the defenders into thinking that there were none to attack and so induce them to come out. But this also was vain, for still the defenders declined battle, and another day was lost. The army once more returned to camp.

That night Zhang Fei sat in his tent trying to think out some means to overcome an enemy that steadily refused to come out from behind the walls. Presently, however, the brain behind the knitted brows conceived a plan. So next day, instead of sending all the troops to offer a challenge from the foot of the wall, Zhang Fei kept most of them in camp and sent only a few to howl insults and hurl abuse. He hoped by this means to inveigle Yan Yan out to attack the small number of troops. But this also failed, and he was left all day rubbing hid hands with impatience. Never a man appeared without the wall.

Foiled again, another ruse grew up behind his bushy eyebrows. He set his troops to cut firewood and seek out and explore the tracks that lay about the city. No longer did they challenge the wall. After some days of this, Yan Yan began to wonder what mischief was brewing, and he sent out spies, dressed as were the firewood cutters, to mingle with them and try to discover what was afoot.

That day, when the troops returned to camp, Zhang Fei sat in his tent stamping his foot with rage and execrating his enemy.

“The old fool! Assuredly I shall die of disappointed wrath,” cried he.

Just then he noticed three or four soldiers lurking about his tent door as if they wished to speak with him.

And one of them said, “General, do not let your heart be hot within you. These last few days we have discovered a narrow road by which we can sneak past this city.”

“Why did you not come and tell me before?” cried he.

“Because we have only lately discovered it,” said they.

“I will lose no time then,” said he. “This very night let food be ready at the second watch, and we will break camp and steal away as silently as possible. I will lead the way, and you shall go with me as guides.”

The requisite orders were given.

Having made sure that the preparations for the march were really being made, the spies of the Governor returned into the city.

“I guessed right, then,” said Yan Yan gleefully when the spies reported their success. “I cannot bear the fool. He will now try to sneak past with his commissariat following, and I will cut off his rear. How can he get through? He is very stupid to fall thus into my trap. All are to prepare for battle; the food is to be ready at the second watch, and the army is to move out at the third; we will hide in the woods and thickets till the greater part of the enemy's army has passed and Zhang Fei has arrived in the very throat of the road. Then the blow will be struck.”

They waited till night had fallen. In due time the late meal was taken, the soldiers donned their armor, stole silently out of the city, and hid as they had been told. The Governor himself. with a few of his generals, went out also, dismounted and hid in a wood. They waited till after the third watch. Then Zhang Fei came along, urging his troops to the top of their speed. His spear lay ready to thrust. He looked very handsome as he rode at the head of his army. The carts were one or two miles in the rear.

When the soldiers had got well past, Yan Yan gave the signal. The drums rolled out, up sprang the hidden troops and fell on the baggage train.

The western troops began to plunder. But suddenly a gong clanged and along came a company of soldiers Yan Yan had not seen. At the same time a voice was heard shouting, “Old rebel, do not flee! I have been waiting for this chance a long time.”

Yan Yan turned his head. The leader of this band was a tall man with a leopard-like bullet head, round eyes, a sharp chin, and bristling tiger mustache. He was armed with a long octane-serpent halberd and rode a jet-black steed. In a word, it was Zhang Fei.

All around the gongs were clanging, and many troops of Jingzhou were rushing toward Yan Yan, already too frightened to be able to defend himself. However, the two leaders engaged. Very soon Zhang Fei purposely gave his opponent an opening, and Yan Yan rushed in to cut down his enemy with his sword. But Zhang Fei evaded the blow, made a sudden rush, seized Yan Yan by the lace of his armor, and flung him on the ground. Yan Yan was a prisoner, and in a moment was fast bound with cords.

The handsome leader who had passed first had not been Zhang Fei at all, but someone dressed and made up to resemble him. To add to the confusion, Zhang Fei had exchanged the signals, making the gong the signal for his troops to fall on instead of the usual drum.

As the gongs clanged, more and more of the troops of Jingzhou came into the fray. The troops of Yiazhou could make no fight, and most of them dropped their weapons and surrendered. To reach the walls of the city was now easy. After entering the gates, the leader ordered his soldiers not to hurt the people, and he put out proclamations to pacify the citizens.

By and by a party of executioners brought in the prisoner.

Zhang Fei took his seat in the great hall, and the late commander of the city was brought before him by a party of executioners. Yan Yan refused to kneel before his captor.

“Why did you not surrender at first?” cried Zhang Fei, angrily grinding his teeth. “How dared you try to oppose me?”

“Because you are a lot of unrighteous and lawless invaders!” replied Yan Yan without the least sign of fear. “You may behead me as you will, but I will not surrender to you.”

Zhang Fei angrily gave the order for his execution.

“Strike, if you want to, fool; why so angry?” said Yan Yan.

This bold defiance was not lost upon Zhang Fei. Rising from his seat, he went down the steps, put aside the lictors, and began to loosen the prisoner's bonds. Then he dressed Yan Yan in new garments and led him to the high place.

When Yan Yan was seated, Zhang Fei made a low bow, saying, “I have always known you were a hero. Now I pray you not remember against me the roughness of my speech.”

Yan Yan was overcome with this kindness and forthwith surrendered.

A graybeard ruled in western Shu,

Clear fame is his the whole world through,

As radiant sun his loyalty.

Unmatched his soul's nobility.

When captive taken rather he

Would suffer death than crook his knee.

Bazhou he ruled for many a year,

The world cannot produce his peer.

A poet has also written concerning Zhang Fei:

Yan Yan made prisoner, then the matchless one

Exchanged the sword for reason, and so won

The place he holds among the sacred ones

Of the west, to whom they sacrifice today.

Then Zhang Fei asked Yan Yan to suggest the means of overcoming the Western Land of Rivers.

Yan Yan replied, “I am but the defeated leader of a defeated force, indebted to the victor for my life. I have nothing but my humble services to offer, but I can tell you how to get possession of Chengdu without drawing a bow or shooting an arrow.”

Cities yield in quick succession

Because of one old man's secession.

The proposal will be unfolded in the next chapter.