第六十八回

第六十八回 甘宁百骑劫魏营 左慈掷杯戏曹操

却说孙权在濡须口收拾军马，忽报曹操自汉中领兵四十万前来救合淝。孙权与谋士计议，先拨董袭、徐盛二人领五十只大船，在濡须口埋伏，令陈武带领人马，往来江岸巡哨。张昭曰：“今曹操远来，必须先挫其锐气。”权乃问帐下曰：“曹操远来，谁敢当先破敌，以挫其锐气？”凌统出曰：“某愿往。”权曰：“带多少军去？”统曰：“三千人足矣。”甘宁曰：“只须百骑，便可破敌，何必三千！”凌统大怒，两个就在孙权面前争竞起来。权曰：“曹军势大，不可轻敌。”乃命凌统带三千军出濡须口去哨探，遇曹兵，便与交战。凌统领命，引着三千人马，离濡须坞。尘头起处，曹兵早到。先锋张辽与凌统交锋，斗五十合，不分胜败。孙权恐凌统有失，令吕蒙接应回营。

甘宁见凌统回，即告权曰：“宁今夜只带一百人马去劫曹营；若折了一人一骑，也不算功。”孙权壮之，乃调拨帐下一百精锐马兵付宁，又以酒五十瓶，羊肉五十斤，赏赐军士。甘宁回到营中，教一百人皆列坐，先将银碗斟酒，自吃两碗，乃语百人曰：“今夜奉命劫寨，请诸公各满饮一觞，努力向前。”众人闻言，面面相觑。甘宁见众人有难色，乃拔剑在手，怒叱曰：“我为上将，且不惜命；汝等何得迟疑！”众人见甘宁作色，皆起拜曰：“愿效死力。”甘宁将酒肉与百人共饮食尽，约至二更时候，取白鹅翎一百根，插于盔上为号，都披甲上马，飞奔曹操寨边，拔开鹿角，大喊一声，杀入寨中，径奔中军来杀曹操。原来中军人马，以车仗伏路穿连，围得铁桶相似，不能得进。甘宁只将百骑，左冲右突，曹兵惊慌，正不知敌兵多少，自相扰乱。那甘宁百骑，在营内纵横驰骤，逢着便杀，各营鼓噪，举火如星，喊声大震。甘宁从寨之南门杀出，无人敢当。孙权令周泰引一枝兵来接应，甘宁将百骑回到濡须。操兵恐有埋伏，不敢追袭。后人有诗赞曰：

鼙鼓声喧震地来，吴师到处鬼神哀！百翎直贯曹家寨，尽说甘宁虎将才。

甘宁引百骑到寨，不折一人一骑。至营门，令百人皆击鼓吹笛，口称：“万岁！”欢声大震。孙权自来迎接，甘宁下马拜伏。权扶起，携宁手曰：“将军此去，足使老贼惊骇。非孤相舍，正欲观卿胆耳！”即赐绢千匹，利刀百口。宁拜受讫，遂分赏百人。权语诸将曰：“孟德有张辽，孤有甘兴霸，足以相敌也。”

次日，张辽引兵搦战。凌统见甘宁有功，奋然曰：“统愿敌张辽。”权许之。统遂领兵五千，离濡须，权自引甘宁临阵观战。对阵圆处，张辽出马，左有李典，右有乐进。凌统纵马提刀，出至阵前，张辽使乐进出迎，两个斗到五十合，未分胜败。曹操闻知，亲自策马到门旗下来看，见二将酣斗，乃令曹休暗放冷箭。曹休便闪在张辽背后，开弓一箭，正中凌统坐下马，那马直立起来，把凌统掀翻在地。乐进连忙持枪来刺，枪还未到，只听得弓弦响处，一箭射中乐进面门，翻身落马。两军齐出，各救一将回营，鸣金罢战。凌统回寨中拜谢孙权，权曰：“放箭救你者，甘宁也。”凌统乃顿首拜宁曰：“不想公能如此垂恩！”自此与甘宁结为生死之交，再不为恶。

且说曹操见乐进中箭，令自到帐中调治。次日，分兵五路来袭濡须：操自领中路；左一路张辽，二路李典；右一路徐晃，二路庞德。每路各带一万人马，杀奔江边来。时董袭、徐盛二将，在楼船上见五路军马来到，诸军各有惧色。徐盛曰：“食君之禄，忠君之事，何惧哉！”遂引猛士数百人，用小船渡过江边，杀入李典军中去了。董袭在船上，令众军擂鼓呐喊助威。忽然江上猛风大作，白浪掀天，波涛汹涌。军士见大船将覆，争下脚舰逃命。董袭仗剑大喝曰：“将受君命，在此防贼，怎敢弃船而去！”立斩下船军士十馀人。须臾，风急船覆，董袭竟死于江口水中。徐盛在李典军中，往来冲突。

却说陈武听得江边厮杀，引一军来，正与庞德相遇，两军混战。孙权在濡须坞中，听得曹兵杀到江边，亲自与周泰引军前来助战。正见徐盛在李典军中搅做一团厮杀，便麾军杀入接应。却被张辽、徐晃两枝军，把孙权困在垓心。曹操上高阜处看见孙权被围，急令许褚纵马持刀杀入军中，把孙权军冲作两段，彼此不能相救。

却说周泰从军中杀出，到江边，不见了孙权，勒回马，从外又杀入阵中，问本部军：“主公何在？”军人以手指兵马厚处，曰：“主公被围甚急！”周泰挺身杀入，寻见孙权。泰曰：“主公可随泰杀出。”于是泰在前，权在后，奋力冲突。泰到江边，回头又不见孙权，乃复翻身杀入围中，又寻见孙权。权曰：“弓弩齐发，不能得出，如何？”泰曰：“主公在前，某在后，可以出围。”孙权乃纵马前行。周泰左右遮护，身被数枪，箭透重铠，救得孙权。到江边，吕蒙引一枝水军前来接应下船。权曰：“吾亏周泰三番冲杀，得脱重围。但徐盛在垓心，如何得脱？”周泰曰：“吾再救去。”遂轮枪复翻身杀入重围之中，救出徐盛。二将各带重伤。吕蒙教军士乱箭射住岸上兵，救二将下船。

却说陈武与庞德大战，后面又无应兵，被庞德赶到峪口，树林丛密，陈武再欲回身交战，被树株抓住袍袖，不能迎敌，为庞德所杀。曹操见孙权走脱了，自策马驱兵，赶到江边对射。吕蒙箭尽，正慌间，忽对江一宗船到，为首一员大将，乃是孙策女婿陆逊，自引十万兵到，一阵射退曹兵，乘势登岸追杀曹兵，复夺战马数千匹。曹兵伤者，不计其数，大败而回。于乱军中寻见陈武尸首。

孙权知陈武已亡，董袭又沉江而死，哀痛至切，令人入水中寻见董袭尸首，与陈武尸一齐厚葬之。又感周泰救护之功，设宴款之。权亲自把盏，抚其背，泪流满面，曰：“卿两番相救，不惜性命，被枪数十，肤如刻画，孤亦何心不待卿以骨肉之恩、委卿以兵马之重乎！卿乃孤之功臣，孤当与卿共荣辱、同休戚也。”言罢，令周泰解衣与众将观之：皮肉肌肤，如同刀剜，盘根遍体。孙权手指其痕，一一问之，周泰具言战斗被伤之状，一处伤令吃一觥酒。是日，周泰大醉。权以青罗伞赐之，令出入张盖，以为显耀。

权在濡须，与操相拒月馀，不能取胜。张昭、顾雍上言：“曹操势大，不可力取，若与久战，大损士卒，不若求和安民为上。”孙权从其言，令步骘往曹营求和，许年纳岁贡。操见江南急未可下，乃从之，令：“孙权先撤人马，吾然后班师。”步骘回覆，权只留蒋钦、周泰守濡须口，尽发大兵上船回秣陵。

操留曹仁、张辽屯合淝，班师回许昌。文武众官皆议立曹操为“魏王”，尚书崔琰力言不可。众官曰：“汝独不见荀文若乎？”琰大怒曰：“时乎，时乎！会当有变！任自为之！”有与琰不和者，告知操。操大怒，收琰下狱问之，琰虎目虬髯，只是大骂曹操欺君奸贼。廷尉白操，操令杖杀崔琰在狱中。后人有赞曰：

清河崔琰，天性坚刚。虬髯虎目，铁石心肠。奸邪辟易，声节显昂。忠于汉主，千古名扬！

建安二十一年夏五月，群臣表奏献帝，颂魏公曹操功德，“极天际地，伊、周莫及，宜进爵为王。”献帝即令钟繇草诏，册立曹操为“魏王”。曹操假意上书三辞。诏三报不许，操乃拜命受“魏王”之爵，冕十二旒，乘金根车，驾六马，用天子车服銮仪，出警入跸，于邺郡盖魏王宫，议立世子。操大妻丁夫人无出。妾刘氏生子曹昂，因征张绣时死于宛城。卞氏所生四子：长曰丕，次曰彰，三曰植，四曰熊。于是黜丁夫人，而立卞氏为魏王后。第三子曹植，字子建，极聪明，举笔成章，操欲立之为后嗣。长子曹丕，恐不得立，乃问计于中大夫贾诩，诩教如此如此。自是但凡操出征，诸子送行，曹植乃称述功德，发言成章，惟曹丕辞父，只是流涕而拜，左右皆感伤。于是操疑植乖巧，诚心不及丕也。丕又使人买嘱近侍，皆言丕之德。操欲立后嗣，踌躇不定，乃问贾诩曰：“孤欲立后嗣，当立谁？”贾诩不答，操问其故。诩曰：“正有所思，故不能即答耳。”操曰：“何所思？”诩对曰：“思袁本初、刘景升父子也。”操大笑，遂立长子曹丕为王世子。

冬十月，魏王宫成，差人往各处收取奇花异果，栽植后苑。有使者到吴地，见了孙权，传魏王令旨，再往温州取柑子。时孙权正尊让魏王，便令人于本城选了大柑子四十馀担，星夜送往邺郡。至中途，挑担役夫疲困，歇于山脚下，见一先生，眇一目，跛一足，头戴白藤冠，身穿青懒衣，来与脚夫作礼，言曰：“你等挑担劳苦，贫道都替你挑一肩何如？”众人大喜。于是先生每担各挑五里，但是先生挑过的担儿都轻了，众皆惊疑。先生临去，与领柑子官说：“贫道乃魏王乡中故人，姓左，名慈，字元放，道号‘乌角先生’。如你到邺郡，可说左慈申意。”遂拂袖而去。

取柑人至邺郡见操，呈上柑子。操亲剖之，但只空壳，内并无肉。操大惊，问取柑人。取柑人以左慈之事对。操未肯信。门吏忽报：“有一先生，自称左慈，求见大王。”操召入。取柑人曰：“此正途中所见之人。”操叱之曰：“汝以何妖术，摄吾佳果？”慈笑曰：“岂有此事！”取柑剖之，内皆有肉，其味甚甜。但操自剖者，皆空壳。操愈惊，乃赐左慈坐而问之。慈索酒肉，操令与之，饮酒五斗不醉，肉食全羊不饱。操问曰：“汝有何术，以至于此？”慈曰：“贫道于西川嘉陵峨嵋山中，学道三十年，忽闻石壁中有声呼我之名，及视，不见。如此者数日。忽有天雷震碎石壁，得天书三卷，名曰‘遁甲天书’。上卷名‘天遁’，中卷名‘地遁’，下卷名‘人遁’。天遁能腾云跨风，飞升太虚；地遁能穿山透石；人遁能云游四海，藏形变身，飞剑掷刀，取人首级。大王位极人臣，何不退步，跟贫道往峨嵋山中修行？当以三卷天书相授。”操曰：“我亦久思急流勇退，奈朝廷未得其人耳。”慈笑曰：“益州刘玄德乃帝室之胄，何不让此位与之？不然，贫道当飞剑取汝之头也。”操大怒曰：“此正是刘备细作！”喝左右拿下，慈大笑不止。操令十数狱卒，捉下拷之。狱卒着力痛打，看左慈时，却齁齁熟睡，全无痛楚。操怒，命取大枷，铁钉钉了，铁锁锁了，送入牢中监收，令人看守。只见枷锁尽落，左慈卧于地上，并无伤损。连监禁七日，不与饮食。及看时，慈端坐于地上，面皮转红。狱卒报知曹操，操取出问之。慈曰：“我数十年不食，亦不妨，日食千羊，亦能尽。”操无可奈何。

是日，诸官皆至王宫大宴。正行酒间，左慈足穿木履，立于筵前，众官惊怪。左慈曰：“大王今日水陆俱备，大宴群臣，四方异物极多，内中欠少何物，贫道愿取之。”操曰：“我要龙肝作羹，汝能取否？”慈曰：“有何难哉！”取墨笔于粉墙上画一条龙，以袍袖一拂，龙腹自开。左慈于龙腹中提出龙肝一副，鲜血尚流。操不信，叱之曰：“汝先藏于袖中耳！”慈曰：“即今天寒，草木枯死。大王要甚好花，随意所欲。”操曰：“吾只要牡丹花。”慈曰：“易耳。”令取大花盆放筵前，以水噀之。顷刻发出牡丹一株，开放双花。众官大惊，邀慈同坐而食。少刻，庖人进鱼脍。慈曰：“脍必松江鲈鱼者方美。”操曰：“千里之隔，安能取之？”慈曰：“此亦何难取！”教把钓竿来，于堂下鱼池中钓之。顷刻钓出数十尾大鲈鱼，放在殿上。操曰：“吾池中原有此鱼。”慈曰：“大王何相欺耶？天下鲈鱼只两腮，惟松江鲈鱼有四腮。此可辨也。”众官视之，果是四腮。慈曰：“烹松江鲈鱼，须紫芽姜方可。”操曰：“汝亦能取之否？”慈曰：“易耳。”令取金盆一个，慈以衣覆之。须臾，得紫芽姜满盆，进上操前。操以手取之，忽盆内有书一本，题曰《孟德新书》。操取视之，一字不差。操大疑。慈取桌上玉杯，满斟佳酿进操曰：“大王可饮此酒，寿有千年。”操曰：“汝可先饮。”慈遂拔冠上玉簪，于杯中一画，将酒分为两半，自饮一半，将一半奉操。操叱之。慈掷杯于空中，化成一白鸠，绕殿而飞。众官仰面视之，左慈不知所往。左右忽报：“左慈出宫门去了。”操曰：“如此妖人，必当除之！否则必将为害。”遂命许褚引三百铁甲军追擒之。褚上马引军赶至城门，望见左慈穿木履在前，慢步而行。褚飞马追之，却只追不上。直赶到一山中，有牧羊小童，赶着一群羊而来，慈走入羊群内。褚取箭射之，慈即不见。褚尽杀群羊而回。牧羊小童守羊而哭，忽见羊头在地上作人言，唤小童曰：“汝可将羊头都凑在死羊腔子上。”小童大惊，掩面而走。忽闻有人在后呼曰：“不须惊走，还汝活羊。”小童回顾，见左慈已将地上死羊凑活，赶将来了。小童急欲问时，左慈已拂袖而去，其行如飞，倏忽不见。

小童归告主人，主人不敢隐讳，报知曹操。操画影图形，各处捉拿左慈。三日之内，城里城外，所捉眇一目、跛一足、白藤冠、青懒衣、穿木履先生，都一般模样者，有三四百个，哄动街市。操令众将，将猪羊血泼之，押送城南教场。曹操亲自引甲兵五百人围住，尽皆斩之。人人颈腔内各起一道青气，到上天聚成一处，化成一个左慈，向空招白鹤一只骑坐，拍手大笑曰：“土鼠随金虎，奸雄一旦休！”操令众将以弓箭射之。忽然狂风大作，走石扬沙，所斩之尸，皆跳起来，手提其头，奔上演武厅来打曹操。文官武将，掩面惊倒，各不相顾。正是：奸雄权势能倾国，道士仙机更异人。不知曹操性命如何，且看下文分解。

CHAPTER 68. Gan Ning's Hundred Horsemen Raid The Northern Camp; Zuo Ci's Flung-Down Cup Fools Cao Cao.

Sun Quan was occupied in ordering his army at Ruxu when he heard of the coming of Cao Cao with four hundred thousand troops to the relief of Hefei. He told off a fleet of fifty large ships to lie in the port while Chen Wu went up and down the river banks on the look-out.

“It would be well to inflict a defeat upon Cao Cao's army before they recover from the long march; it would dishearten them,” said Zhang Zhao.

Looking around at the officers in his tent, Sun Quan said, “Who is bold enough to go forth and fight this Cao Cao and so take the keen edge off the spirit of his army?”

And Ling Tong offered himself.

“I will go!” said he.

“How many soldiers do you require?”

“Three thousand troops will suffice,” replied Ling Tong.

But Gan Ning struck in, saying, “Only a hundred horse would be needed; why send three thousand?”

Ling Tong was angry, and he and Gan Ning began to wrangle even in the presence of their chief.

“Cao Cao's army is too strong to be attacked recklessly,” said Sun Quan.

Finally he gave the commission to Ling Tong with his three thousand, bidding him reconnoiter just outside Ruxu, and fight the enemy if he met him.

Marching out, Ling Tong very soon saw a great cloud of dust, which marked the approach of an army. As soon as they came near enough, Zhang Liao, who led the van, engaged with Ling Tong, and they fought half a hundred bouts without sign of victory for either. Then Sun Quan began to fear for his champion, so he sent Lu Meng to extricate Ling Tong from the battle and escort him home.

When Ling Tong had come back, his rival Gan Ning went to Sun Quan and said, “Now let me have the hundred horsemen, and I will raid the enemy's camp this night. If I lose a soldier or a mount, I will claim no merit.”

Sun Quan commended his courage and chose a hundred of his best veterans, whom he placed under Gan Ning's command for the raid. Sun Quan also gave him as a feast for the soldiers fifty flasks of wine and seventy five pounds of mutton.

Returning to the tents, Gan Ning drew up his little force and made them sit down in rows. Then he filled two silver goblets with wine, solemnly drank to them, and said, “Comrades, tonight our orders are to raid the camp of the enemy. Wherefore fill your goblets and call up all your strength for the task.”

But the men did not welcome his words; instead they looked one at another uncertain.

Seeing them in this mood, Gan Ning adopted a fierce tone, drew his sword and cried, “What are you waiting for? If I, a leader of rank, can risk my life, cannot you?”

Moved by the angry face of the leader, the men rose, bowed their heads and said, “We will fight to the last.”

Then the wine and meat were distributed to them and each one ate his fill. The second watch was chosen as the hour to start, and each man stuck a white goose plume in his cap whereby they could recognize each other in the darkness.

At the time appointed they buckled on their armor, mounted and, galloping away, quickly came to Cao Cao's camp. Hastily throwing aside the thorny barriers, they burst in with a yell that rose to the very heavens. They made straight for the center, hoping to slay Cao Cao himself. But the troops of the leader's brigade had made a rampart of their carts within which they were sheltered as if in an iron tun, so that the raiders failed to find a way in.

However, Gan Ning and his small force dashed hither and thither, cutting and slashing, till Cao Cao's men were quite bewildered and frightened. They had no notion of the number of their assailants. All their efforts only increased the confusion. Wherefore the hundred men had it all their own way and rushed from point to point slaying whomever they met. But soon the drums beat in every camp and torches were lit and shouts arose, and it was time for the raiders to get away.

Gan Ning led his little body of troops out through the south gate with never a soldier trying to stop him, and rode for his own camp. He met Zhou Tai, who had been sent to help him in case of need; but the need had not arisen, and the hundred heroes with their leader rode back in triumph. There was no pursuit.

A poem was written praising this exploit:

The drums of war make earth to shake

When the South Land comes near even devils quake.

People long will tell of that night raid,

That Gan Ning's goose-plumed warriors made.

On his return, Gan Ning took the tale of his men at the camp gate, not a man nor a horse was missing. He entered to the sound of drum and fife and the shouting of his men.

“Long life!” shouted they, as Sun Quan came to welcome them.

Gan Ning dismounted and prostrated himself. His lord raised him, and took him by the hand, saying, “This expedition of yours must have given those rebels a shaking. I had yielded to your desire only I wished to give you the opportunity to manifest your valor. I did not wish to let you be sacrificed.”

Gan Ning's exploit was rewarded with gifts, a thousand rolls of silk and a hundred keen swords, all of which he distributed among his soldiers.

Sun Quan was very proud of his subordinate's doughty deed, and said, “Cao Cao may have his Zhang Liao, but I can match him with my friend Gan Ning.”

Soon Zhang Liao came to proffer another challenge, and Ling Tong, impatient at being excelled by his rival and enemy, begged that he might go out to fight. His request was granted, and he marched out a short distance from Ruxu with five thousand troops. Sun Quan, with Gan Ning in his train, went out to look on at the encounter.

When both armies had come out on the plain and were arrayed, Zhang Liao, with Li Dian and Yue Jin, one on either side, advanced to the front. Ling Tong, sword in hand, galloped out towards him and, at Zhang Liao's command, Yue Jin took the challenge and went to open the combat. They fought half a hundred bouts, and neither seemed to have the better of the other.

Then Cao Cao, hearing of the great contest going on, rode up to the battlefield and took position under the great standard, whence he could see the fighting. Seeing both combatants were waxing desperate, he thought to decide the struggle by an unfair blow. He bade Cao Xiu let fly a secret arrow, which he did by creeping up under cover of Zhang Liao. It struck Ling Tong's steed, which reared and threw its rider. Yue Jin dashed forward to thrust at the fallen warrior with his spear, but before the blow could be given, the twang of another bow was heard and an arrow speeding by hit Yue Jin full in the face. He fell from his horse. Then both sides rushed forward to rescue their champions; the gongs clanged, and the combat ceased. Ling Tong returned to his camp and reported himself to his master.

“The arrow that saved you was shot by Gan Ning,” said Sun Quan.

Ling Tong turned to his rival and bowed low.

“I could not have supposed you would have rendered me such a service, Sir,” said he to Gan Ning.

This episode ended the strife and enmity between the two leaders, who thereafter swore perpetual friendship.

On the other side Cao Cao saw to it that his general's wound was dressed, and next day he launched an attack against Ruxu along five different lines. He himself led one army in the center; on the left Zhang Liao and Li Dian led two armies; on the right Xu Huang and Pang De commanded the other two. Each army was ten thousand strong, and they marched to give battle on the river bank. The crews and fighting troops of the South Land's naval squadron were greatly frightened by the approach of these armies.

“You have eaten the bread of your prince, and you must give loyal service; why fear?” said Xu Sheng.

Thereupon he put some hundreds of his best men into small boats, went along the bank, and broke into the legion under Li Dian. Meanwhile Dong Xi on the ships beat drums and cheered them on. But a great storm came on, lashing the river to fury, and the waves rolled mountains high. The larger ships rolled as if they would overturn, and the soldiers of Wu were frightened. They started to get down into the bulkier cargo-boats to save their lives. But Dong Xi threatened them with his sword, cutting down some half score of the mutineers.

“My orders are to hold this point against the enemy;” shouted he, “we dare not abandon the ships.”

However, the wind increased, and presently the bold Dong Xi was thrown into the river by the rolling of his ship and was drowned, together with his men.

Xu Sheng dashed hither and thither among Li Dian's army, slaying right and left. Chen Wu, hearing the noise of battle, set out for the river bank. On his way Chen Wu met Pang De and the legion under him. A melee ensued. Then Sun Quan with Zhou Tai and his troops joined in.

The small force from the ships that had attacked Li Dian was now surrounded. So Sun Quan gave the signal for an onslaught that should rescue them. This failed, and Sun Quan was himself surrounded in turn and soon in desperate straits. From a height, Cao Cao saw his difficulties and sent in Xu Chu to cut Sun Quan's column in halves so that neither half could aid the other.

When Zhou Tai had cut an arterial alley out of the press and reached the river-side, he looked for his master. But Sun Quan was nowhere visible, so Zhou Tai dashed once again into the battle. Coming to his own troops, he cried, “Where is our lord?”

They pointed to where the press was most dense. Zhou Tai stiffened and dashed in. Presently he reached his lord's side and cried out, “My lord, follow me and I will hack a way out!”

Zhou Tai fought his way out to the river bank. Then he turned to look, and Sun Quan was not behind him. So he turned back, forced his way in and once again found his way to his master's side.

“I cannot get out; the arrows are too thick,” said Sun Quan.

“Then go first, my lord, and I will follow.”

Sun Quan then urged his steed as fast as he could go, and Zhou Tai kept off all pursuit. Zhou Tai sustained many wounds and the arrows rattled on his helmet, but he got clear at last and Sun Quan was safe. As they neared the river bank, Lu Meng came up with some of the naval force and escorted Sun Quan down to the ships.

“I owe my safety to Zhou Tai, who thrice came to my aid,” said Sun Quan. “But Xu Sheng is still in the thick of the fight, and how can we save him?”

“I will go to his rescue,” cried Zhou Tai.

Whirling his spear, Zhou Tai again plunged into the battle and presently brought his colleague safely out of the press. Both were severely wounded.

Lu Meng ordered his troops to keep up a rapid flight of arrows so as to command the bank, and in this way the two leaders were enabled to get on board the ships.

Now Chen Wu had engaged the legion under Pang De. Being inferior in force and no aid being forthcoming, Chen Wu was forced into a valley where the trees and undergrowth were very dense. He tried to turn, but was caught by the branches, and while so entangled he was killed by Pang De.

When Cao Cao saw that Sun Quan had escaped from the battle to the river bank, he urged his steed forward in pursuit. He sent flights of arrows toward the fugitives. By this time Lu Meng's troops had emptied their quivers, and he began to be very anxious. But just then a fleet of ships sailed up led by Lu Xun, the son-in-law of Sun Ce, who came with one hundred thousand marines and drove back Cao Cao's army. Then he landed to pursue. He captured many thousands of horses and slew many men, so that Cao Cao was quite defeated and retired. Then they sought and found the body of Chen Wu among the slain.

Sun Quan was much grieved when he came to know that Chen Wu had been slain and Dong Xi drowned, and wept sore. Men were sent to seek for Dong Xi's body, which at last was found. Both generals were buried with great honors.

As a recompense for Zhou Tai's services in Sun Quan's rescue, Sun Quan prepared in his honor a great banquet, where Sun Quan himself offered Zhou Tai a goblet of wine and complimented and embraced him while the tears coursed down his cheeks.

“Twice you saved my life, careless of your own,” cried Sun Quan, “and you have received many wounds. It is as if your skin had been engraved and painted. What sort of a man should I be if I did not treat you as one of my own flesh and blood? Can I regard you, noble Sir, merely as a unit in my army? You are my meritorious minister. I share the glory you have won and mine are your joys and sorrows.”

Then Sun Quan bade Zhou Tai open his dress and exhibit his wounds for all the assembly to see. The skin was gashed all over as if his body had been scored with a knife. Sun Quan pointed to the wounds one after another and asked how each one had been received. And, as Zhou Tai told him, for every wound Sun Quan made him drink off a goblet of wine till he became thoroughly intoxicated. Sun Quan then presented him with a black silk parasol and bade him use it on all occasions as a sign of the glory that was his.

But Sun Quan found his opponents too stable; at the end of a month the two armies were both at Ruxu and neither had won a victory.

Then said Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong, “Cao Cao is too strong, and we cannot overcome him by mere force. If the struggle continues longer, you will only lose more soldiers. You would better seek to make peace.”

Sun Quan followed this advice and dispatched Bu Zhi on a peace mission to Cao Cao's camp. Sun Quan offered a yearly tribute. Cao Cao also saw that the South Land was too strong to be overcome, and consented.

Cao Cao insisted, “The Marquis should first send away his army, and then I would retire.”

Bu Zhi returned with this message, and Sun Quan sent away the greater part, leaving only Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin to hold Ruxu. The army returned to Capital Moling.

Cao Cao left Cao Ren and Zhang Liao in charge of Hefei, and he marched the army back to Capital Xuchang.

On arrival, all Cao Cao's officers, military and civil, persuaded him to become Prince of Wei. Only the Chair of the Secretariat, Cui Yan, spoke strongly against the scheme.

“You are, then, the only man who knows not the fate of Xun Yu,” said his colleagues.

“Such times! Such deeds!” cried Cui Yan. “You are guilty of rebellion, but you may commit it yourselves. I will bear no part in it.”

Certain enemies told Cao Cao, and Cui Yan was thrown into prison. At his trial he glared like a tiger, and his very beard curled with contempt; he raged and cursed at Cao Cao for a betrayer of his prince, and a rebel. The interrogating magistrate reported his conduct to Cao Cao, who ordered Cui Yan to be beaten to death in prison.

Cui Yan of Qinghe-Greenriver,

Firm and unyielding was he,

With beard crisp curling and gleaming eyes,

Which showed the man of stone and iron within.

He drove the evil from his presence,

And his glory is fair and high.

For loyalty to his lord of Han,

His fame shall increase as the ages roll.

In the twenty-first year of Rebuilt Tranquillity(216), in the fifth month of that year, a great memorial signed by many officers went up to Emperor Xian, praying:

“The Duke of Wei has rendered so great services that no minister before him, in Heaven as well as on Earth, not even Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou, could match his manifest merits to the state. Thus, the title of kingship should be granted to him.”

The memorial was approved, and a draft edict was prepared by the famous Zhong Yao to make Cao Cao Prince of Wei. Thrice Cao Cao with seeming modesty pretended to decline the honor, but thrice was his refusal rejected. Finally he made his obeisance and was enrolled as Prince of Wei with the usual insignia and privileges, a coronet with twelve strings of beads and a chariot with gilt shafts, drawn by six steeds. Using the formalities of the Son of God, he decorated his imperial chariot with bells and had the roads cleared when he passed along. He built himself a palace at Yejun.

Then he began to discuss the appointment of an heir-apparent. His principal wife, Lady Ding, was without issue; but a concubine, Lady Liu, had borne him a son, Cao Ang, who had been killed in battle at the siege of Wancheng when Cao Cao fought against Zhang Xiu. A second concubine, Lady Bian, had borne him four sons: Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, and Cao Xiong. Wherefore he elevated Lady Bian to the rank of Queen of Wei in place of Lady Ding.

The third son, Cao Zhi, was very clever and a ready master of composition. Cao Cao wished him to be named the heir.

Then the eldest son, Cao Pi sought from the High Adviser Jia Xu a plan to secure his rights of primogeniture, and Jia Xu told him to do so and so. Thereafter, whenever the father went out on any military expedition, Cao Zhi wrote fulsome panegyrics, but Cao Pi wept so copiously at bidding his father farewell that the courtiers were deeply affected and remarked that though Cao Zhi was crafty and clever, he was not so sincerely filial as Cao Pi. Cao Pi also bought over his father's immediate attendants, who then rang the praises of his virtues so loud that Cao Cao was strongly disposed to name him as the heir after all.

After hesitating a long time, the matter was referred to Jia Xu.

“I wish to name my heir; who shall it be?” said Cao Cao.

Jia Xu would not say, and Cao Cao asked why.

“I was just recalling the past in my mind and could not reply at once,” said Jia Xu.

“What were you recalling?”

“I was thinking of two fathers, Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, and their sons.”

Cao Cao smiled. Soon after this he declared his eldest son his heir.

In the winter of that year, in the tenth month, the building of the palace of the new Prince of Wei was completed and the furnishing begun. From all parts were collected rare flowers and uncommon trees to beautify the gardens. One agent went into the South Land and saw Sun Quan, to whom he presented a letter from Cao Cao asking that he might be allowed to proceed to Wenzhou to get some oranges. At that period Sun Quan was in a most complaisant mood toward Cao Cao, so from the orange trees in his own city, he picked forty loads of very fine fruits and sent them immediately to Yejun.

On the way, the bearers of the oranges fell tired, and they had to stop at the foot of a certain hill. There came along an elderly man, blind of one eye and lame of one leg, who wore a white rattan head-dress and a black loose robe. He saluted the bearers and stayed to talk.

Presently he said, “Your burdens are heavy, O porters; may this old Taoist lend you a shoulder? What do you say?”

Naturally they were pleased enough, and the amiable wayfarer bore each load for two miles. When they resumed their burdens, they noticed that the loads seemed lighter than before, and they felt rather suspicious.

When the Taoist was taking his leave of the officer in charge of the party, he said, “I am an old friend from the same village as the Prince of Wei. My name is Zuo Ci. Among Taoists I bear the appellation of 'Black-Horn'. When you get to the end of your journey, you may say that I was inquiring after your lord.”

Zuo Ci shook down his sleeves and left. In due course the orange bearers reached the new palace, and the oranges were presented. But when Cao Cao cut one open, it was but an empty shell of a thing; there was no pulp beneath the rind. Cao Cao was rather puzzled and called in the porters, who told him of their falling in with the mysterious Taoist on the way. But Cao Cao scouted the idea of that being the reason.

But just then the warden of the gate sent to say that a certain Taoist named Zuo Ci was at the gate and wished to see the king.

“Send him in,” said Cao Cao.

“He is the man we met on the way,” said the porters when he appeared.

Cao Cao said curtly, “What sorcery have you been exercising on my beautiful fruit?”

“How could such a thing happen?” said the Taoist.

Thereupon he cut open an orange and showed it full of pulp, most delicious to the taste. But when Cao Cao cut open another, that again was empty, nothing but rind.

Cao Cao was more than ever perplexed. He bade his visitor be seated, and, as Zuo Ci asked for refreshment, wine and food were brought in. The Taoist ate ravenously, consuming a whole sheep, and drank in proportion. Yet he showed no sign of intoxication or repletion.

“By what magic are you here?” said Cao Cao.

“I am but a poor Taoist. I went into Shu, and on Mount Omi, I studied the way for thirty long years. One day I heard my name called from out the rocky wall of my cell. I looked, but could see nothing. The same thing happened next day, and so on for many days. Then suddenly, with a roar like thunder, the rock split asunder, and I saw a sacred book in three volumes called 'The Book of Concealing Method'. From the first volume I learned to ascend to the clouds astride the wind, to sail up into the great void itself; from the second to pass through mountains and penetrate rocks; from the third, to float light as vapor, over the seas, to become invisible at will or change my shape, to fling swords and project daggers so as to decapitate a man from a distance. You, O Prince, have reached the acme of glory; why not now withdraw and, like me, become a disciple of the Taoists? Why not travel to Mount Omi and there mend your ways so that I may bequeath my three volumes to you ?”

“Oft have I reflected upon this course and struggled against my fate, but what can I do? There is no one to maintain the government,” replied Cao Cao.

“There is Liu Bei of Yiazhou, a scion of the dynastic family; could you not make way for him? If you do not, I may have to send one of my flying swords after your head one day.”

“You are one of his secret agents,” said Cao Cao, suddenly enraged. “Seize him!” cried he to his lictors.

They did so, while the Taoist laughed. And Zuo Ci continued to laugh as they dragged him down to the dungeons, where they beat him cruelly. And when they had finished, the Taoist lay there gently respiring in a sound sleep, just as if he felt nothing whatever.

This enraged Cao Cao still more, and he bade them put the priest into the large wooden collar and nail it securely and then chain him in a cell. And Cao Cao set guards over him, and the guards saw the collar and chains just fall off while the victim lay fast asleep not injured in the least.

The Taoist lay in prison seven days without food or water; and when they went to look at him, he was sitting upright on the ground, quite well and rosy looking.

The gaolers reported these things to Cao Cao, who had the prisoner brought in.

“I do not mind going without food for years,” said the victim, when Cao Cao questioned him, “yet I could eat a thousand sheep in a day.”

Cao Cao was at the end of his resources; he could prevail nothing against such a man.

That day there was to be a great banquet at the new palace, and guests came in crowds. When the banquet was in progress and the wine cup passing freely, suddenly the same Taoist appeared. He had wooden clogs on his feet. All faces turned in his direction and not a few were afraid; others wondered.

Standing there in front of the great assembly, the Taoist said, “O powerful Prince, here today you have every delicacy on the table and a glorious company of guests. You have rare and beautiful objects from all parts of the world. Is there anything lacking? If there be anything you would like, name it and I will get it for you.”

Cao Cao replied, “Then I want a dragon's liver to make soup: can you get that?”

“Where's the difficulty?” replied Zuo Ci.

With a pencil the Taoist immediately sketched a dragon on the whitewashed wall of the banquet hall. Then he flicked his sleeve over it, the dragon's belly opened of itself, and therefrom Zuo Ci took the liver all fresh and bloody.

“You had the liver hidden in your sleeve,” said Cao Cao, incredulous. “Then there shall be another test,” said the Taoist. “It is winter and every plant outside is dead. What flower would you like, O Prince. Name any one you will.”

“I want a peony,” said Cao Cao.

“Easy,” said the Taoist.

At this request they brought out a flower-pot, which was placed in full view of the guests. Then he spurted some water over it, and in a very short time up came a peony with two fully expanded flowers.

The guests were astonished, and they asked the Taoist to be seated and gave him wine and food. The cook sent in some minced fish.

“The best mince is made from the perch of River Song,” said the Taoist.

“How can you get fish five hundred miles away?” said Cao Cao.

“Not at all difficult. Tell someone to get a rod and hook, and fish in the pond just below this banquet hall.”

They did so, and very soon several beautiful perches lay on the steps.

“I have always kept some of these in my ponds, of course,” said Cao Cao.

“O Prince, do you think to deceive me? All perches have two gills except the River Song perch, which has two pairs. That is the distinguishing feature.”

The guests crowded round to look, and, surely enough, the fish had four gills.

“To cook this perch one needs purple sprout ginger though,” said the Taoist.

“Can you also produce that?” asked Cao Cao.

“Easily.”

Zuo Ci told them to bring in a silver bowl, which the magician filled with water. Very soon the ginger filled the bowl, and he presented it to the host. Cao Cao put out his hand to pick some, when suddenly a book appeared in the bowl and the title was “Cao Cao's New Treatise on the Art of War”. He took it out and read it over. Not a word of his treatise was missing.

Cao Cao became more mystified. Zuo Ci took up a jade cup that stood on the table, filled it with fine wine, and presented it to Cao Cao.

“Drink this, O Prince, and you will live a thousand years.”

“Drink of it first yourself,” said Cao Cao.

The Taoist took the jade pin from his head-dress and drew it across the cup as if dividing the wine into two portions.

Then he drank one half and handed the cup with the other half to Cao Cao. But Cao Cao angrily refused it. The Taoist then threw the cup into the air, where it was transformed into a white dove which circled round the banquet hall and then flew away.

All faces were turned upward following the flight of the dove, and so no one had noticed the going of the Taoist. But he was gone; and soon the gate warden reported that he had left the palace.

Said Cao Cao, “A magician like this ought to be put to death, or he will do some mischief.”

The redoubtable Xu Chu and a company of three hundred armed men were sent to arrest the Taoist. They saw the Taoist, still wearing his wooden clogs, not far ahead but striding along quickly. Xu Chu rode after Zuo Ci, but in spite of all his horse could do, he could not come up with Zuo Ci. He kept up the chase right to the hills, when he met a shepherd lad with a flock of sheep. And there walked the Taoist among the sheep. The Taoist disappeared. The angry warrior slew the whole flock of sheep, while the shepherd lad looked on weeping.

Suddenly the boy heard a voice from one of the severed heads, telling him to replace the heads on the bodies of his sheep. Instead of doing so, he fled in terror, covering his face.

Then he heard a voice calling to him, “Do not run away; you shall have your sheep again.”

He turned, and lo! the sheep were all alive again, and Zuo Ci was driving them along. The boy began to question him, but the Taoist made no reply. With a flick of his sleeves, he was gone.

The shepherd lad went home and told all these marvels to his master. He could not conceal such a story, and it reached Cao Cao. Then sketches of the Taoist were sent everywhere with orders to arrest him. Within three days were arrested in the city and outside three or four hundred persons all blind of one eye, lame of one leg, and wearing a rattan head-dress, a black loose robe and wooden clogs. They were all alike and all answered to the description of the missing Taoist.

There was a great hubbub in the street. Cao Cao ordered his officer to sprinkle the crowd of Taoists with the blood of pigs and goats in order to exorcise the witchcraft and take them away to the drill ground on the south of the city. Thither he followed them with his guards, who surrounded the crowd of arrested persons and slew every one. But from the neck of each one, after the head was severed, there floated up into the air a wreath of black vapor, and all these wreaths drifted toward a center where they joined up into the image of another Zuo Ci, who presently beckoned to him a white crane out of the sky, mounted it and sat as on a horse.

Clapping his hands, the Taoist cried merrily, “The rats of the earth follow the golden tiger, and one morning the doer of evil shall be no more.”

The soldiers shot arrows at both bird and man. At this a tremendous storm burst over the city. Stones were driven along, sand was whirled about, and all the corpses arose from the ground, each holding his own head in his hands. They rushed toward Cao Cao as if to strike him. The officials covered their eyes, and none dared to look another in the face.

The power of a bold man will overturn a state,

The art of a necromancer also produces wonders.

Read the next chapter and you will know the fate of Cao Cao.