第七十四回

第七十四回 庞令明抬榇决死战 关云长放水淹七军

却说曹操欲使于禁赴樊城救援，问众将谁敢作先锋。一人应声愿往，操视之，乃庞德也。操大喜曰：“关某威震华夏，未逢对手，今遇令明，真劲敌也。”遂加于禁为征南将军，加庞德为征西都先锋，大起七军，前往樊城。这七军，皆北方强壮之士，两员领军将校一名董衡，一名董超，当日引各头目参拜于禁。董衡曰：“今将军提七枝重兵，去解樊城之厄，期在必胜，乃用庞德为先锋，岂不误事？”禁惊问其故，衡曰：“庞德原系马超手下副将，不得已而降魏。今其故主在蜀，职居‘五虎上将’，况其亲兄庞柔亦在西川为官。今使他为先锋，是泼油救火也。将军何不启知魏王，别换一人去？”

禁闻此语，遂连夜入府启知曹操。操省悟，即唤庞德至阶下，令纳下先锋印，德大惊曰：“某正欲与大王出力，何故不肯见用？”操曰：“孤本无猜疑，但今马超现在西川，汝兄庞柔亦在西川，俱佐刘备。孤纵不疑，奈众口何？”庞德闻之，免冠顿首，流血满面而告曰：“某自汉中投降大王，每感厚恩，虽肝脑涂地，不能补报，大王何疑于德也？德昔在故乡时，与兄同居，嫂甚不贤，德乘醉杀之，兄恨德入骨髓，誓不相见，恩已断矣。故主马超，有勇无谋，兵败地亡，孤身入川，今与德各事其主，旧义已绝。德感大王恩遇，安敢萌异志？惟大王察之。”操乃扶起庞德，抚慰曰：“孤素知卿忠义，前言特以安众人之心耳。卿可努力建功。卿不负孤，孤亦必不负卿也。”

德拜谢回家，令匠人造一木榇[1]。次日，请诸友赴席，列榇于堂。众亲友见之，皆惊问曰：“将军出师，何用此不祥之物？”德举杯谓亲友曰：“吾受魏王厚恩，誓以死报。今去樊城与关某决战，我若不能杀彼，必为彼所杀，即不为彼所杀，我亦当自杀。故先备此榇，以示无空回之理。”众皆嗟叹。德唤其妻李氏与其子庞会出，谓其妻曰：“吾今为先锋，义当效死疆场。我若死，汝好生看养吾儿。吾儿有异相，长大必当与吾报仇也。”妻子痛哭送别，德令扶榇而行。临行，谓部将曰：“吾今去与关某死战，我若被关某所杀，汝等即取吾尸置此榇中，我若杀了关某，吾亦即取其首，置此榇内，回献魏王。”部将五百人皆曰：“将军如此忠勇，某等敢不竭力相助！”于是引军前进。有人将此言报知曹操。操喜曰：“庞德忠勇如此，孤何忧焉！”贾诩曰：“庞德恃血气之勇，欲与关某决死战，臣窃虑之。”操然其言，急令人传旨戒庞德曰：“关某智勇双全，切不可轻敌。可取则取，不可取则宜谨守。”庞德闻命，谓众将曰：“大王何重视关某也？吾料此去，当挫关某三十年之声价。”禁曰：“魏王之言，不可不从。”德奋然趱军前至樊城，耀武扬威，鸣锣击鼓。

却说关公正坐帐中，忽探马飞报：“曹操差于禁为将，领七枝精壮兵到来。前部先锋庞德，军前抬一木榇，口出不逊之言，誓欲与将军决一死战。兵离城止三十里矣。”关公闻言，勃然变色，美髯飘动，大怒曰：“天下英雄，闻吾之名，无不畏服。庞德竖子，何敢藐视吾耶！关平一面攻打樊城，吾自去斩此匹夫，以雪吾恨！”平曰：“父亲不可以泰山之重，与顽石争高下。辱子愿代父去战庞德。”关公曰：“汝试一往，吾随后便来接应。”关平出帐，提刀上马，领兵来迎庞德。两阵对圆，魏营一面皂旗上大书“南安庞德”四个白字。庞德青袍银铠，钢刀白马，立于阵前，背后五百军兵紧随，步卒数人肩抬木榇而出。关平大骂庞德：“背主之贼！”庞德问部卒曰：“此何人也？”或答曰：“此关公义子关平也。”德叫曰：“吾奉魏王旨，来取汝父之首！汝乃疥癞小儿，吾不杀汝！快唤汝父来！”平大怒，纵马舞刀，来取庞德。德横刀来迎。战三十合，不分胜负，两家各歇。

早有人报知关公。公大怒，令廖化去攻樊城，自己亲来迎敌庞德。关平接着，言与庞德交战，不分胜负。关公随即横刀出马，大叫曰：“关云长在此，庞德何不早来受死！”鼓声响处，庞德出马曰：“吾奉魏王旨，特来取汝首！恐汝不信，备榇在此。汝若怕死，早下马受降！”关公大骂曰：“量汝一匹夫，亦何能为！可惜我青龙刀斩汝鼠贼！”纵马舞刀，来取庞德，德轮刀来迎。二将战有百馀合，精神倍长。两军各看得痴呆了。魏军恐庞德有失，急令鸣金收军。关平恐父年老，亦急鸣金。二将各退。庞德归寨，对众曰：“人言关公英雄，今日方信也。”正言间，于禁至。相见毕，禁曰：“闻将军战关公，百合之上，未得便宜，何不且退军避之？”德奋然曰：“魏王命将军为大将，何太弱也？吾来日与关某共决一死，誓不退避！”禁不敢阻而回。

却说关公回寨，谓关平曰：“庞德刀法惯熟，真吾敌手。”平曰：“俗云：‘初生之犊不惧虎。’父亲纵然斩了此人，只是西羌一小卒耳，倘有疏虞，非所以重伯父之托也。”关公曰：“吾不杀此人，何以雪恨？吾意已决，再勿多言！”次日，上马引兵前进。庞德亦引兵来迎。两阵对圆，二将齐出，更不打话，出马交锋。斗至五十馀合，庞德拨回马，拖刀而走。关公随后追赶。关平恐有疏失，亦随后赶去。关公口中大骂：“庞贼！欲使拖刀计，吾岂惧汝？”原来庞德虚作拖刀势，却把刀就鞍鞒挂住，偷拽雕弓，搭上箭，射将来。关平眼快，见庞德拽弓，大叫：“贼将休放冷箭！”关公急睁眼看时，弓弦响处，箭早到来，躲闪不及，正中左臂。关平马到，救父回营。庞德勒回马轮刀赶来，忽听得本营锣声大震。德恐后军有失，急勒马回。原来于禁见庞德射中关公，恐他成了大功，灭禁威风，故鸣金收军。庞德回马，问：“何故鸣金？”于禁曰：“魏王有戒：关公智勇双全。他虽中箭，只恐有诈，故鸣金收军。”德曰：“若不收军，吾已斩了此人也。”禁曰：“‘紧行无好步’，当缓图之。”庞德不知于禁之意，只懊悔不已。

却说关公回营，拔了箭头。幸得箭射不深，用金疮药敷之。关公痛恨庞德，谓众将曰：“吾誓报此一箭之仇！”众将对曰：“将军且暂安息几日，然后与战未迟。”次日，人报庞德引军搦战，关公就要出战，众将劝住。庞德令小军毁骂。关平把住隘口，分付众将休报知关公。庞德搦战十馀日，无人出迎，乃与于禁商议曰：“眼见关公箭疮举发，不能动止，不若乘此机会，统七军一拥杀入寨中，可救樊城之围。”于禁恐庞德成功，只把魏王戒旨相推，不肯动兵。庞德累欲动兵，于禁只不允，乃移七军转过山口，离樊城北十里，依山下寨，禁自领兵截断大路，令庞德屯兵于谷后，使德不能进兵成功。

却说关平见关公箭疮已合，甚是喜悦。忽听得于禁移七军于樊城之北下寨，未知其谋，即报知关公。公遂上马，引数骑上高阜处望之，见樊城城上旗号不整，军士慌乱，城北十里山谷之内屯着军马，又见襄江水势甚急。看了半晌，唤向导官问曰：“樊城北十里山谷，是何地名？”对曰：“罾口川也。”关公喜曰：“于禁必为我擒矣。”将士问曰：“将军何以知之？”关公曰：“‘鱼’入‘罾口’，岂能久乎？”诸将未信。公回本寨。时值八月秋天，骤雨数日，公令人预备船筏，收拾水具。关平问曰：“陆地相持，何用水具？”公曰：“非汝所知也，于禁七军不屯于广易之地，而聚于罾口川险隘之处。方今秋雨连绵，襄江之水必然泛涨，吾已差人堰住各处水口，待水发时，乘高就船，放水一淹，樊城、罾口川之兵皆为鱼鳖矣。”关平拜服。

却说魏军屯于罾口川，连日大雨不止，督将成何来见于禁曰：“大军屯于川口，地势甚低，虽有土山，离营稍远。即今秋雨连绵，军士艰辛。近有人报说荆州兵移于高阜处，又于汉水口预备战筏。倘江水泛涨，我军危矣，宜早为计。”于禁叱曰：“匹夫惑吾军心耶！再有多言者斩之！”成何羞惭而退，却来见庞德，说此事。德曰：“汝所见甚当。于将军不肯移兵，吾明日自移军屯于他处。”

计议方定，是夜风雨大作。庞德坐于帐中，只听得万马争奔，征鼙震地。德大惊，急出帐上马看时，四面八方，大水骤至；七军乱窜，随波逐浪者，不计其数。平地水深丈馀，于禁、庞德与诸将各登小山避水。比及平明，关公及众将皆摇旗鼓噪，乘大船而来。于禁见四下无路，左右止有五六十人，料不能逃，口称“愿降”。关公令尽去衣甲，拘收入船，然后来擒庞德。时庞德并二董及成何，与步卒五百人，皆无衣甲，立在堤上。见关公来，庞德全无惧怯，奋然前来接战。关公将船四面围定，军士一齐放箭，射死魏兵大半。董衡、董超见势已危，乃告庞德曰：“军士折伤大半，四下无路，不如投降。”庞德大怒曰：“吾受魏王厚恩，岂肯屈节于人！”遂亲斩董衡、董超于前，厉声曰：“再说降者，以此二人为例！”于是众皆奋力御敌。自平明战至日中，勇力倍增。关公催四面急攻，矢石如雨，德令军士用短兵接战。德回顾成何曰：“吾闻‘勇将不怯死以苟免，壮士不毁节而求生’。今日乃我死日也。汝可努力死战。”成何依令向前，被关公一箭射落水中。众军皆降，止有庞德一人力战。正遇荆州数十人，驾小船近堤来，德提刀飞身一跃，早上小船，立杀十馀人，馀皆弃船赴水逃命。庞德一手提刀，一手使短棹，欲向樊城而走。只见上流头，一将撑大筏而至，将小船撞翻，庞德落于水中。船上那将跳下水去，生擒庞德上船。众视之，擒庞德者，乃周仓也。仓素知水性，又在荆州住了数年，愈加惯熟，更兼力大，因此擒了庞德。于禁所领七军，皆死于水中。其会水者料无去路，亦皆投降。后人有诗曰：

夜半征鼙响震天，襄樊平地作深渊。关公神算谁能及，华夏威名万古传。

关公回到高阜去处，升帐而坐。群刀手押过于禁来，禁拜伏于地，乞哀请命。关公曰：“汝怎敢抗吾？”禁曰：“上命差遣，身不由己。望君侯怜悯，誓以死报。”公绰髯笑曰：“吾杀汝，犹杀狗彘耳，空污刀斧！”令人缚送荆州大牢内监候：“待吾回，别作区处。”发落去讫。关公又令押过庞德。德睁眉怒目，立而不跪，关公曰：“汝兄现在汉中，汝故主马超，亦在蜀中为大将，汝如何不早降？”德大怒曰：“吾宁死于刀下，岂降汝耶！”骂不绝口。公大怒，喝令刀斧手推出斩之。德引颈受刑，关公怜而葬之。于是乘水势未退，复上战船，引大小将校来攻樊城。

却说樊城周围，白浪滔天，水势益甚，城垣渐渐浸塌，男女担土搬砖，填塞不住。曹军众将，无不丧胆，慌忙来告曹仁曰：“今日之危，非力可救，可趁敌军未至，乘舟夜走。虽然失城，尚可全身。”仁从其言，方欲备船出走，满宠谏曰：“不可。山水骤至，岂能长存？不旬日即当自退。关公虽未攻城，已遣别将在郏下。其所以不敢轻进者，虑吾军袭其后也。今若弃城而去，黄河以南，非国家之有矣。愿将军固守此城，以为保障。”仁拱手称谢曰：“非伯宁之教，几误大事。”乃骑白马上城，聚众将发誓曰：“吾受魏王命，保守此城，但有言弃城而去者斩！”诸将皆曰：“某等愿以死据守！”仁大喜，就城上设弓弩数百，军士昼夜防护，不敢懈怠。老幼居民，担土石填塞城垣。旬日之内，水势渐退。

关公自擒魏将于禁等，威震天下，无不惊骇。忽次子关兴来寨内省亲，公就令兴赍诸官立功文书去成都见汉中王，各求升迁。兴拜辞父亲，径投成都去讫。

却说关公分兵一半，直抵郏下。公自领兵四面攻打樊城。当日关公自到北门，立马扬鞭，指而问曰：“汝等鼠辈，不早来降，更待何时？”正言间，曹仁在敌楼上，见关公身上止披掩心甲，斜袒着绿袍，乃急招五百弓弩手，一齐放箭。公急勒马回时，右臂上中一弩箭，翻身落马。正是：水里七军方丧胆，城中一箭忽伤身。未知关公性命如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 木榇——棺材。

CHAPTER 74. Pang De Takes His Coffin On A Decisive Campaign; Guan Yu Drowns The Seven Armies.

The bold and self-confident leader of Cao Cao's army who promised to make an end of Guan Yu was Pang De. Cao Cao was glad to find such a man.

“That fellow Guan Yu has a great reputation, and in the whole country he has no rival. He has not met his match yet, but now you are going, he will find all his work cut out.”

So spoke Cao Cao. He conferred on Yu Jin the title of General Who Corrects the South and on Pang De that of General Who Corrects the West, and he made Pang De Leader of the Van. The two generals marched out with their seven armies to Fankou.

These seven armies were composed of sturdy fellows from the north, led by two of their own commanders named Dong Heng and Dong Chao. Hearing who was to command them, these two, supported by their generals, went to see Yu Jin and represented that the Leader of the Van was unsuitable.

Dong Heng said, “Sir General, the expedition you lead is for the relief of Fankou, and it can confidently expect victory, but is it not unwise to place such as Pang De in command of the van?”

“Why?” said Yu Jin, surprised.

“Because Pang De was once under the command of Ma Chao. He had no alternative but to surrender and fight for Wei. But his former chief is now in high honor in Shu, one of the Five Tiger Generals, and his own brother Pang Rou is there, too, as an officer. To send Pang De as Leader of the Van just now seems like trying to extinguish a fire with oil. Would it not be well to inform the Prince of Wei and ask him to exchange this man for another?”

Without further argument or delay, Yu Jin went to see the Prince and laid before him the objections to Pang De's appointment. As soon as Cao Cao understood, he summoned Pang De to the steps and bade him yield his seal as Leader of the Van.

“O Prince, why do you reject my services? I was just about to do my best for you.”

“I do not doubt you, but Ma Chao is now in the west, and your brother also; both in the service of Liu Bei. I myself have no doubts, but it is what all the crowd are saying. What can I do?”

Pang De took off his head-dress and prostrated himself, bitter tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Since I surrendered to you, O Prince, I have experienced much kindness, so that I would undergo any sufferings to show my gratitude. I hope you will trust me. When my brother and I were at home together, his wife was a wicked woman and I slew her, pretending I was drunk. My brother has never forgiven me, but is permeated with hate for me. He swears never to see me again, and we are enemies. For my old master, Ma Chao, I have profound contempt. He is bold, but only that, and was in a pitiable and dejected state when he found his way to the west. Now, like me, he serves his own master, but our friendship is at an end. How could I think of another after your kindness to me?”

Cao Cao raised Pang De from the ground and soothed him, saying, “I have always known what a noble man you are, and what I said just now was to satisfy the feelings of other people. Now you can strive to win fame; and if you do not turn your back on me, I shall not on you.”

Then Pang De took his leave and returned to his house, where he ordered the artificers to make him a coffin. Next he invited all his friends to a banquet, and the coffin was set out in the reception room for all to see.

And they asked one another, “What can that inauspicious thing mean putting out on the eve of a campaign?”

By and by, drinking to them, Pang De said, “The Prince of Wei has been generous to me, and I am pledged to show my gratitude to the death. I am about to go out against this Guan Yu, and I have to kill him or he must kill me. If he does not kill me, I must commit suicide, and so I have prepared what is necessary. I will not return leaving my task unachieved.”

The terrible omen saddened the guests, and they fell to sighing. Then Pang De called in his wife, Lady Li, and bade her bring their son Pang Hui, whom he commended to her care.

“I have been appointed Leader of the Van of this new expedition against Guan Yu, and my duty bids me seek death or glory on the battlefield. If I die, our son is in your special care. Alas, the child has been born ill-starred, and when he grows up he will have to avenge a father.”

Both mother and son wept as they bade him farewell. When the army marched, the coffin was carried in its train.

He bade his officers, saying, “I will fight to the end with Guan Yu. Place my body therein if I fall in combat. And if I slay him, then will I bring his head in this coffin as an offering to our Prince.”

Then out spoke his five hundred veterans and said, “If you are like this, O General, then we also will follow you to the end.”

The vanguard then marched away. A certain man told the story of these happenings to Cao Cao, who was very pleased, saying, “I have no anxiety with such a general to lead my armies.”

But Jia Xu said, “I am anxious for Pang De's safety. He is over-bold and imprudent to fight with Guan Yu to the death.”

Cao Cao thought such an act would be unwise, and he hastily sent a messenger with an edict warning Pang De against his antagonist.

“This Guan Yu lacks neither cunning nor valor. You are to be most cautious in engaging him. If you can conquer, then conquer; but if there be any doubt, remain on the defensive.”

“How highly does our Prince regard this fellow Guan Yu!” said the general to his officers when he heard this new command. “But I think I shall be able to take the keen edge off his thirty-year reputation.”

“The command of the Prince is to be obeyed,” said Yu Jin. Pang De hastened to Fankou in all the pomp and panoply of war, his gongs clanging, his drums rolling as he marched.

Guan Yu was sitting in his tent when his spies came to report: “Seven armies of the north under Yu Jin are approaching. They are ten miles away. The van leader is Pang De.”

Rage took possession of Guan Yu. His face changed color, his beard shook, and he roared out, “There is never a fighting man in all the world who has heard my name without trembling. Does this fellow dare disdain me?”

Then he ordered Guan Ping to attack Fankou while he went out to stay the impudent boaster who dared him.

“Father,” said Guan Ping, “Taishan Mountain in its majesty does not quarrel with a pebble. Let me go and fight this Pang De.”

“Well, my son, go and try; I will support you.”

So Guan Ping took his sword, mounted his steed, and went out with his troops. Both sides being drawn up for battle. On the side of Wei there flew a single black flag on which was inscribed “Pang De, Corrector of the West” in white. The leader himself wore a blue robe with a silver helmet and rode a white charger. He stood out in front backed by his five hundred veterans, and a few foot soldiers were there too, bearing the gruesome coffin.

Guan Ping was very angry, crying out, “Turncoat! Traitor!”

“Who is that?” asked Pang De of his followers.

A certain one replied, “That is Guan Yu's adopted son, Guan Ping.”

Pang De cried, “I have an edict from the Prince of Wei to take your father's head. You are but a weakling and I will spare you. But call your father.”

Guan Ping dashed forward flourishing his sword. Pang De went to meet him, and there followed thirty odd bouts with no advantage to either.

Both sides then drew off to rest. Soon the news of this combat reached Guan Yu, and he was not pleased. He sent Liao Hua to assault the city while he went to do battle with Pang De. Guan Ping met his father and related the story of the indecisive fight. So Guan Yu rode out with his green-dragon saber ready, and he shouted to Pang De, “Come quickly and be slain!”

The drums reechoed as Pang De rode out and replied, “The edict from the Prince of Wei tells me to take your head. In case you disbelieve it, here is the coffin ready to receive it. If you fear death, down from your horse and surrender.”

“I hold you for a simple fool,” cried Guan Yu. “What can you do? It is a pity to stain my blade with the blood of such a rat.”

Then he galloped out toward Pang De, flourishing the saber. Pang De whirled his blade and came to meet him, and they two fought a hundred bouts. And as they fought, the lust of battle seemed to grow and both armies were lost in amazement. But the army of Wei began to fear for their champion, and the gongs sounded the retirement. At the same time Guan Ping began to think of his father's fatigue, and his gongs clanged too. So that both armies drew off at the same time.

“People rumor Guan Yu is a mighty man of war; today I really believe that,” said Pang De, when he had got back among his own line.

Then his chief, Yu Jin, came to see him and said, “O General, you fought the great combat of a hundred bouts, which ended indecisively. I think it would be prudent to retire out of his way.”

But Pang De replied haughtily, “What makes you so soft? Yet the Prince gave you the command of the seven armies! But tomorrow I will fight again and that to the death. I swear I will never give way.”

Yu Jin could not overcome his decision, so he went back to his own camp.

When Guan Yu had got back to his camp, he extolled Pang De, saying, “His swordsmanship is perfect; he is my worthy enemy.”

“The new-born calf fears not the tiger,” said Guan Ping. “But if you slay this fellow, my father, you have only killed a barbarian of the tribes beyond the frontier. If any accident occurs, then you will have the reproach of not having considered your brother's charge.”

“How can my resentment be assuaged save by the death of this man?” returned Guan Yu. “I have decided to fight, so say no more.”

Next day Guan Yu took the field first, but Pang De quickly came out. Both arrayed their troops and then went to the front at the same moment. This time neither spoke, but the combat began forthwith. It went on for fifty bouts, and then Pang De pulled his horse, sheathed his sword, and fled. Guan Yu went in pursuit, and Guan Ping followed lest there should be need of him. Guan Yu roared out reviling to his flying foe, “Traitor! You want to use the 'swinging-horse stab,' but here I am, never afraid of that.”

But the fact was that Pang De had only pretended to try for a foul stroke in order to cover a resort to his bow. He pulled in his horse, fitted an arrow to the string, and was just on the point of shooting when Guan Ping, who was sharp-eyed, shouted out a warning.

“The bandit is going to shoot!”

Guan Yu saw it, but the bowstring twanged, and the arrow came flying. He was not nimble enough to avoid it and it wounded his left arm. Guan Ping at once went to his father's assistance and led him away to the camp. Pang De wished to follow up this advantage and came back whirling his sword, but, ere he could strike, the gongs of his own side rang out. He thought there was something amiss in the rear and stopped.

The signal for retreat had been sounded by Yu Jin out of jealousy, for he had seen that Guan Yu had been wounded, and he grudged his colleague the glory which would eclipse his own. Pang De obeyed, but when he got back, he wanted to know why retreat had been sounded on the very verge of a great success.

“Why did the gongs clang?” asked Pang De.

“Because of our Prince's warning. Though Guan Yu was wounded, I feared some trick on his part. He is very cunning.” “I should have killed him if you had not done that,” said Pang De.

“Haste makes slow going; you can postpone your fight with him,” said Yu Jin.

Pang De, though ignorant of the real reason why he was made to miss success at the critical moment, was still very vexed.

Guan Yu went back to camp, and the arrow-head was puled out of the wound. Happily it had not penetrated very deeply, and the usual remedies against injuries by metal were applied.

Guan Yu was very bitter against his enemy and declared, “I swear I will have my revenge for this arrow.”

“Never mind anything but recovering now,” said his officers. “Rest and get well; then you may fight again.

Before long, Pang De renewed his challenge, and Guan Yu was for going out to fight; however, he yielded to the entreaties of his officers. And when Pang De set his soldiers to reviling the warrior, Guan Ping saw to it that his father never heard it. After ten days of challenges hurled uselessly at an army that ignored them, Pang De took council with Yu Jin.

“Evidently Guan Yu is helpless from the effects of that arrow-wound. We ought to advance all our seven armies against him while he is ill and destroy his camp. Thereby we shall relieve Fankou.”

Thus spoke Pang De, but jealousy of the glory that might accrue to his next in command again made Yu Jin urge caution and obedience to the command of the Prince of Wei. Yu Jin refused to move his army in spite of Pang De's repeated persuasion; still more, Yu Jin led the army to a new camping ground behind the hills some three miles north of Fankou. There his own army prevented communication by the main road, while he sent Pang De into a valley in the rear so that Pang De could do nothing.

To Guan Ping's great joy, Guan Yu's wound soon healed. Soon after they heard of Yu Jin's new camp, and as Guan Ping could assign no reason for the change, and suspected some ruse, he told his father, who went up to a high place to reconnoiter. Looking round, Guan Yu noted that there seemed much slackness about everything—from flags to soldiers—in Fankou, that the relief armies were camped in a valley to the north, and that River Xiang seemed to run very swiftly. After impressing the topography on his mind, he called the guides and asked the name of the gully about three miles north of the city.

“Zengkou Stream,” was the reply.

He chuckled.

“I shall capture Yu Jin,” said he.

Those with him asked how he knew that.

He replied, “Why, how can any fish last long in such a trap?”

Those in his train gave but little weight to what he said, and presently he went back to his own tent. It was just then the time for the autumn rains, and a heavy downpour came on, lasting several days. Orders were given to get ready boats and rafts and such things. Guan Ping could not think what such preparations meant in a dry land campaign. So he asked his father.

“Do you not know even?” replied his father. “Our enemies have camped in difficult ground instead of the open country and are crowded in the dangerous valley there. After some days of this rain, River Xiang will swell, and I shall send people to dam up all the outlets and so let the water rise very high. When at its highest, I shall open the dams and let the water out over Fankou. That valley will be flooded too, and all the soldiers will become aquatic animals.”

The Wei armies had camped in the gully, and after several days of heavy rain, Army Inspector Cheng He ventured to speak to his commander.

He said, “The army is camped near the mouth of a stream in a depression. There are hills around us, but they are too far off to keep the water away. Our soldiers are already suffering from these heavy rains, and, moreover, they say the Jingzhou troops have moved to higher ground. More than that, at River Han they are preparing boats and rafts so that they can take advantage of the floods if there are any. Our army will be in great danger, and something should be done.”

But Yu Jin scoffed at his words, saying, “You fool! Do you want to injure the spirit of our soldiers? Talk no more, or your head will be fallen.”

Cheng He went away greatly ashamed.

Then he went to Pang De, who saw the force of his words and said, “What you said is excellent. If Yu Jin will not move camp tomorrow, I myself will do so.”

So Cheng He left it at that.

That night there came a great storm. As Pang De sat in his tent, he heard the sound as of ten thousand horses in stampede and a roar as of the drums of war seeming to shake the earth. He was alarmed, left his tent, and mounted his charger to go and see what it meant. Then he saw the rolling waters coming in from every side and the seven armies flying from the flood, which speedily rose to the height of ten spans. Yu Jin, Pang De, and several other officers sought safety by rushing up the hills.

As day dawned, Guan Yu and his marines came along in large boats with flags flying and drums beating. Yu Jin saw no way of escape, and his following was reduced to about fifty or sixty soldiers. They all said they must surrender. Guan Yu made them strip and then took them on board.

After that he went to capture Pang De, who was standing on a hillock with Dong Heng, Dong Chao, Cheng He, and his five hundred troops, all unarmed. Pang De saw his archenemy approach without a sign of fear, and even went boldly to meet him. Guan Yu surrounded the party with his boats, and the archers began to shoot. When more than half the troops had been struck down, the survivors became desperate. Dong Heng and Dong Chao pressed their chief to give in, saying, “We have lost more than half of our men. Surrender is the only course.”

But Pang De only raged, saying, “I have received great kindness from the Prince; think you that I will bow the head to any other?”

Pang De cut down Dong Heng and Dong Chao right in the battlefield and then shouted, “Anyone who says surrender shall be as these two.”

So the survivors made a desperate effort to beat off their enemies, and they held their own up to midday. Then Guan Yu's marines redoubled their efforts, and the arrows and stones rained down upon the defenders, who fought desperately hand to hand with their assailants. “The valorous leader fears death less than desertion; the brave warrior does not break faith to save his life,” cried Pang De. “This is the day of my death, but I will fight on to the last. And you, General, should fight to your end, too.”

So Cheng He pressed on till he fell into the water by an arrow of Guan Yu, and then the soldiers yielded.

Pang De fought on. Then one of the boats happened to close in to the bank. With a tremendous leap Pang De lighted on it and slashed at the marines, killing ten of them. The others jumped overboard and swam away. Then Pang De one hand still holding his sword, tried to maneuver the boat across the river to Fankou. Then there came drifting down a raft, which collided with and upset his boat so that he was struggling in the water. But a general on the raft jumped into the water, gripped him, put him on the boat again.

The captor was Zhou Cang, a skillful waterman who, having lived in Jingzhou for many years, was thoroughly expert in boat navigation. Beside, he was very powerful and so was able to make Pang De a prisoner.

In this flood perished the whole of the seven armies, except the few that saved themselves by swimming; these latter, having no way of escape, surrendered to the victors.

In the depth of night rolled the war drums,

Summoning the warriors as to battle;

But the enemy was no man,

For the waters had risen and the flood came.

This was the plan of Guan Yu, the crafty,

To drown his enemies. More than human was he in cunning. The ages hand on his fame

As his glory was told in his own day.

Guan Yu then returned to the higher ground, where his tent was pitched and therein took his seat to receive his prisoners. The lictors brought up Yu Jin, who prostrated himself humbly.

“How dared you think to oppose me? To execute you would be like killing a hog. It would be soiling weapons for nothing,” said Guan Yu, stroking his beard.

Yu Jin was hound and sent to the prison in Jingzhou.

“I will decide your fate when I return,” said Guan Yu.

The general having thus dealt with the chief, Pang De was sent for. He came, pride and anger flashing from his eyes; he did not kneel but stood boldly erect.

“You have a brother in Hanzhong, and your old chief was Ma Chao, also in high honor in Shu. Would you not better join them?”

“Rather than surrender to you, I would perish beneath the sword,” cried Pang De.

He reviled his captors without ceasing till, losing patience at last, Guan Yu sent him to his death. Pang De was beheaded. He stretched out his neck for the headsman's sword. Out of pity he was honorably buried.

The floods were still out, and taking advantage of them, the troops of Jingzhou boarded the boats to move toward Fankou, which now stood out as a mere island with waves breaking against the walls.

The force of the waters being great, the city wall was beginning to give way, and the whole population, male and female, were carrying mud and bricks to strengthen it. Their efforts seemed vain, and the leaders of Cao Cao's army were very desperate.

Some of the generals went to see Cao Ren, who said, “No ordinary person's strength can fend off today's danger. If we can hold out till nightfall, we may escape by boat. We shall lose the city, but we shall save our skins.”

But Man Chong interposed before the boats could be got ready. He said, “No! No! Though the force of these mountainous waters is great, we only have to wait ten days or so, and the flood will have passed. Though Guan Yu has not assaulted this city, yet he has sent another army to Jiaxia, which indicates he dares not advance lest we should fall upon his rear. Remember, too, that to retire from this city means the abandonment of everything south of the Yellow River. Therefore I decide that you defend this place.”

Cao Ren saluted Man Chong as he concluded his harangue, saying, “What a tremendous error I should have committed had it not been for you, Sir!”

Then riding his white charger he went up on the city walls, gathered his officers around him, and pledged himself not to surrender.

“The Prince's command being to defend this city, I shall defend it to the last. And I shall put to death anyone who even mentions abandonment,” said he.

“And we desire to defend it to out last gasp,” chimed in his officers.

Then they saw to it that the means of offense were good. Many hundreds of archers and crossbowmen were stationed on the wall and kept watch night and day. The old and the young of ordinary people were made to carry earth and stones to strengthen the wall.

After some ten days the flood was at an end. Then the news of Guan Yu's success against the Wei campaign got abroad, and the terror of his name spread wider and wider. About the same time, too, his second son, Guan Xing, came to visit his father in camp. Guan Yu thought this a good opportunity to send his report of success to Capital Chengdu and entrusted to Guan Xing a dispatch mentioning each officer's services and requesting promotion for them. Guan Xing accordingly took leave of his father and left.

After Guan Xing's departure, the army was divided into two halves, one under Guan Yu to attack Fankou, and the other to go to Jiaxia. One day Guan Yu rode over to the north gate. Halting his steed, he pointed with his whip toward the defenders on the wall, and called out, “You lot of rats will not give in then! What are you waiting for?”

Cao Ren, who was among his soldiers on the wall, saw that Guan Yu had no armor on, so he ordered his men to shoot. The archers and bowmen at once sent a great flight of arrows and bolts that way. Guan Yu hastily pulled the reins to retire, but an arrow struck him in the arm. The shock of the blow made him turn in the saddle, and he fell from his horse.

Just now a mighty army perished

By the river's overflow;

A crossbow bolt from the city wall

Lays a valiant warrior low.

What further befell Guan Yu will be told in the next chapter.