Romance of the Three Kingdoms Selection

Author: Miao Yu / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Zheng Hun, styled Wen Gong, was a native of Kaifeng, Henan. His great-grandfather Zhong and his grandfather Xing were both renowned scholars. Zheng Hun's brother Tai, along with Xun You and others, plotted to eliminate Dong Zhuo and became the Governor of Yangzhou before dying. Zheng Hun took his younger brother Tai's son Mao and fled to Huainan, where Yuan Shu treated him with great honor. Knowing Yuan Shu would surely fail, Zheng Hun crossed the river to join Hua Xin, who was the Governor of Yuzhang. Emperor Cao Pi, hearing of his upright character, summoned him as a clerk and later promoted him to the post of Magistrate of Xichai and later to the post of Magistrate of Shaoling. With the world still unstable, the people were unruly and neglected their livelihoods; they had no means to support their children and often abandoned them. Wherever Zheng Hun went, he confiscated their fishing and hunting tools, ordered them to farm and cultivate mulberry trees, and also opened up rice paddies, enforcing the law against abandoning children. At first, the people feared punishment, but later, they gradually became prosperous and took care of their children. Many of the children he raised were given the surname Zheng. He was appointed as a clerk under the Prime Minister and later promoted to the position of Left Commandant of Fenyang.
Hua Tuo, styled Yuan Hua, was from Qiao, Pei Province. He was also known as Fu. He studied in Xu and was versed in several classics. Chen Gui, the Governor of Pei, recommended him as a filial and incorrupt official, but both Emperor Huang Wan of the Grand Commandery and Hua Tuo declined the offers. He was skilled in the art of preserving health and was considered to be over a hundred years old but still looked youthful. He was also an expert in herbal medicine. When treating illnesses, he would use no more than a few types of decoctions, determine the dosage by heart, and without measuring, cook and serve them. He would instruct the patient on how to take them, and once they followed his instructions, they would recover. If acupuncture was needed, he would only use one or two points, each with no more than seven or eight stimulations, and the illness would be cured. If needle therapy was required, he would also use only one or two points, insert the needles, and say, "When you feel it reaching a certain point, tell me." When the patient said, "It has reached," he would withdraw the needles, and the illness would soon improve. If the illness was deep within the body and could not be treated with acupuncture or medicine, surgery was necessary. He would give the patient a mixture of anesthetics called "mabofensan," and in a moment, they would fall unconscious like being drunk. Then, he would perform the surgery. If the illness was in the intestines, he would cut the intestines, rinse them, sew the abdomen, and apply ointment. After four or five days, the patient would recover without pain, and they would not even wake up for a month before fully healing.
Cao Cao, a cunning enemy, was furious and did not think of the risks. He feared that Yuan Shu might secretly increase his forces to satisfy his ambitions. Although the army was weary, it was still fierce. Moreover, after a victory, it was common to become overconfident. The ancient military strategy said, "After a victory, the army must be even more vigilant." Hua Tuo advised, "General, please devise a comprehensive plan to ensure your complete victory." Although he was a scholar and slow in speech, he was honored by his reputation and enjoyed sharing his knowledge. Even if his plans were not perfect, they were still appreciated.
When Cao Cao reviewed Hua Tuo's plan, he found it humble and self-effacing, which greatly reassured him and his suspicions. Hua Tuo prepared a detailed report outlining the key points of capturing Cao Cao. Cao Cao then secretly marched his troops upstream and sent Hua Tuo and Lü Meng as the vanguard. They quickly captured Gong'an and Nanxun. Hua Tuo advanced directly, became the Governor of Yidu, was appointed as the General of Border Protection, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Huating. Fan You, the Governor of Yidu, abandoned the city and fled, and all the local officials and tribal leaders surrendered. Hua Tuo requested gold, silver, and bronze seals to issue to those who had recently surrendered. This was the eleventh month of the twenty-fourth year of the Jian'an era.
Hua Tuo sent generals Li Yi and Xie Jing with three thousand soldiers to attack the Shu general Zhan Yan and Chen Feng. Li Yi led the naval forces, while Xie Jing led the infantry. They blocked the strategic passes and quickly defeated Zhan Yan, capturing Chen Feng. He also attacked Deng Fu, the Governor of Fangling, and Guo Mu, the Governor of Nanxiang, and decisively defeated them. Wen Bu and Deng Kai, the prominent families of Zigui, gathered thousands of tribal soldiers and joined forces with the western tribes. Hua Tuo then led Xie Jing to defeat Bu and Kai. Bu and Kai fled, and Shu appointed them as generals. Hua Tuo lured them back, and Bu surrendered with his troops. In total, he captured, defeated, and recruited tens of thousands of people. Cao Cao appointed Hua Tuo as the Right Protector General and the General of Western Pacification, enfeoffing him as Marquis of Lou.
At that time, the scholars of Jing Province had just returned, and some were still struggling for positions. Hua Tuo submitted a memorial saying, "In the past, Emperor Gao of Han recruited outstanding talents, and Emperor Guangwu of Han brought together the best minds. If anyone could contribute to the prosperity of the state, they were not restricted by distance. Now that Jing Province has been pacified, the people have not yet been fully recognized. I, though humble, beg for the favor of the emperor to allow all to advance and contribute to the great cause." Cao Cao respectfully accepted his words.
In the first year of the Huangwu era, Liu Bei led a large army westward. Cao Cao appointed Hua Tuo as the Grand Commander, granted him a military commission, and ordered him to lead 50,000 troops, including Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Song Qian, Han Dang, Xu Sheng, Xian Yu Dan, and Sun Huan, to resist Liu Bei. Liu Bei besieged Yiling from the Wu Gorge and Jianping, establishing dozens of camps and using gold, silk, and titles to lure the barbarian tribes. He appointed Feng Xi as the Grand Commander and Zhang Nan as the vanguard, with Fu Kuang, Zhao Rong, Liao Chun, and Fu Rong as separate commanders. He first sent Wu Ban with thousands of soldiers to set up a camp in the open to provoke a fight. The generals all wanted to attack, but Hua Tuo said, "This must be a trick. Let's wait and see." Liu Bei knew his plan would not work and sent 8,000 hidden troops from the valleys. Hua Tuo said, "I did not listen to the generals' advice to attack Wu Ban because I suspected there was a hidden trick."
Hua Tuo submitted a memorial saying, "Yiling is a strategic point and a vital link for the state. Although it is easy to capture, it is also easy to lose. Losing it would not only mean the loss of one province but also the threat to Jing Province. Today, we must fight to ensure victory. Liu Bei has violated the heavens' order and dared to leave his hiding place. Although I am not talented, I rely on the emperor's power to obey and fight against the rebellious. The destruction of the enemy is near. Looking back, Liu Bei's previous military campaigns have been mostly failures. Based on this, he is not worth worrying about. I initially opposed his advance with both land and water forces, but now he has abandoned his ships and marched on foot, setting up camps everywhere. His strategy must be without hidden plans. I hope the emperor can rest assured and not be concerned." The generals all said, "We should have attacked Liu Bei earlier. Now he has advanced hundreds of miles, and after months of stalemate, his key positions are all fortified. Attacking him now would be futile." Hua Tuo replied, "Liu Bei is a cunning enemy with many past experiences. When his army first arrived, he was focused and determined. Now that he has been here for a while, his troops are weary and his plans are exhausted. Now is the time to corner him."
He first attacked one camp but failed. The generals said, "We are just wasting our soldiers." Hua Tuo replied, "I already know how to defeat them." He ordered each soldier to hold a bundle of grass and set fire to the camp. Once the fire spread, all the troops attacked simultaneously, capturing Zhang Nan, Feng Xi, and Sha Mo Ke, and destroying over forty camps. Liu Bei's generals Du Lu and Liu Ning were forced to surrender. Liu Bei retreated to the Ma'an Mountain, surrounded by his troops. Hua Tuo urged the soldiers to surround him from all sides, and the enemy collapsed like a house of cards, with tens of thousands of casualties. Liu Bei fled at night, carrying the baggage himself, burning his weapons behind him, and barely reached Baidi City. His ships, equipment, and troops were all lost, and corpses flowed down the river. Liu Bei was deeply humiliated and said, "I have been humiliated by Hua Tuo. Is this not the will of heaven?"
Earlier, Sun Huan had been besieged by Liu Bei's vanguard at Yidao and sought help from Hua Tuo. Hua Tuo said, "Not yet." The generals said, "Sun An is a nobleman and is already in a desperate situation. How can we refuse to help?" Hua Tuo replied, "Sun An has the people's loyalty, his city is well-fortified, and his supplies are sufficient. He will be fine. Wait for my plan to unfold, and he will be fine without our help." When Hua Tuo's plan was fully implemented, Liu Bei fled in disarray. Later, Sun Huan said to Hua Tuo, "I was truly angry that I was not helped at first, but now I see that your strategy was brilliant."
When dealing with Liu Bei, some of the generals were old friends of Sun Ce or members of the imperial family, each proud of their status and not willing to follow orders. Hua Tuo drew his sword and said, "Liu Bei is a renowned figure in the world and even Cao Cao feared him. Now he is at our borders, a formidable opponent. All of you have received the nation's favor and should work together to defeat this enemy and repay the state. If you do not, it is not right. Although I am a scholar, I was appointed by the emperor. The state has entrusted you to me because I have some merit and can endure hardships. Each of you has your duties, and there is no excuse. Military orders are constant and cannot be broken."
After defeating Liu Bei, most of the plans were Hua Tuo's, and the generals finally respected him. Cao Cao heard about this and said, "Why did you not report the generals' violations of orders at first?" Hua Tuo replied, "I have received great favor from the state and am overqualified for my position. Moreover, some of these generals are trusted advisors, capable subordinates, or loyal ministers, all of whom should share in the nation's great cause. Although I am mediocre, I admire the virtue of Sima Xun and Kou Xun, who showed humility to help the state." Cao Cao laughed and praised him, promoting him to the position of General of the Right Protectorate and Governor of Jing Province, and changing his title to Marquis of Jiangling.
Record of Zhuge Ke (Excerpt)
Zhuge Ke, styled Yuan Xun, was the eldest son of Zhuge Jin. He was renowned from a young age. At the age of twenty, he was appointed as a Cavalry Captain and studied the arts of governance alongside Gu Tan and Zhang Xiu, serving as close friends with the crown prince. He was promoted from a Middle Censor to the Left Assistant Commandant.
Zhuge Ke's father, Zhuge Jin, had a long face like a donkey. During a grand assembly of officials, someone led a donkey in and measured its face, writing "Zhuge Zi Yu" on it. Zhuge Ke knelt and said, "Please allow me to add two characters." He was given a pen and added "Zhi Donkey." Everyone laughed, and the donkey was given to Zhuge Ke. Later, when they met again, Cao Cao asked, "Who is more virtuous, your father or your uncle?" Zhuge Ke replied, "My father is more virtuous." Cao Cao asked why and Zhuge Ke said, "My father knows his duties, but my uncle does not. That is why my father is more virtuous." Cao Cao laughed again.
Cao Cao ordered Zhuge Ke to serve wine to Zhang Zhao, who was already drunk and refused to drink. He said, "This is not the way to honor the elderly." Cao Cao replied, "You must convince Zhang Zhao to drink before he can." Zhuge Ke challenged Zhang Zhao, saying, "In the past, Jiang Taishi, at the age of ninety, rode a donkey with a spear and shield and still did not retire. Now, in military matters, you are in the rear, but in matters of food and drink, you are in the forefront. How can this be considered not honoring the elderly?" Zhang Zhao had no response and eventually finished his cup.
Later, when a Shu envoy arrived, all the officials gathered for a banquet. Cao Cao told the envoy, "Zhuge Ke loves riding and horseback riding. Tell the Prime Minister to send him some fine horses." Zhuge Ke bowed in gratitude. Cao Cao asked, "Why thank me before the horses arrive?" Zhuge Ke replied, "Shu is the emperor's outer stable. With this imperial decree, the horses will surely arrive. How can I not thank you?" Zhuge Ke's wit was like this. Cao Cao was amazed and wanted to test him, so he appointed him as the Overseer of Grain Supplies. The job was tedious and not to his liking. Zhuge Ke, knowing that the Danyang mountains were rugged and the people were fierce, even though troops had been sent, only the people from the outer counties were captured, while the deeper areas remained untouched. He repeatedly requested to lead troops to expel them, and after three years, he could recruit 40,000 armored soldiers.
Many officials thought Danyang's terrain was too difficult, bordering Wu Jun, Huai'an, Xindu, and Poyang provinces, spanning thousands of miles with countless mountains and valleys. The people in the remote areas had never lived in cities or served officials, but roamed the forests with weapons, living like wild animals. Fugitives and evil-doers all fled to the mountains. The mountains produced copper and iron, and the people made their own weapons. They were fond of martial arts and warfare, valuing strength. They climbed mountains and traversed like fish swimming in deep waters and monkeys leaping through trees. They would take advantage of gaps to raid and steal, and when attacked, they would flee like birds. They had never been controlled in the past. Everyone thought it was too difficult.
Zhuge Ke's father, Zhuge Jin, heard about this and sighed, saying, "Zhuge Ke will either bring great glory to our family or bring great disaster to our clan." Zhuge Ke strongly argued that he would surely win. Cao Cao appointed him as the General of Pacifying the Barbarians and Governor of Danyang, giving him 300 cavalry and infantry with ceremonial weapons. After the appointment, Cao Cao ordered him to prepare ceremonial instruments and a band to escort him home. He was thirty-two years old at the time.
When Zhuge Ke arrived in Danyang, he sent letters to the local officials of the four neighboring counties, ordering them to protect their borders and clearly establish military units. He allowed the newly converted civilians to settle. He divided the troops and stationed them in the remote areas, repairing fences but avoiding direct confrontations. He waited until the crops were ripe and then sent troops to cut them, leaving nothing behind. The old crops were exhausted, new fields were not harvested, and the settled civilians had little income. The mountain people became hungry and poor, gradually surrendering. Zhuge Ke then issued an order: "Mountain people who have abandoned evil and followed the laws should be comforted and moved to outer counties. Do not hesitate or hold them back."
Hu Kang, the headman of Juyang, captured a surrendered civilian named Zhou Yi, who was an old evil-doer. Zhou Yi had temporarily fled but planned to rebel. Hu Kang bound him and sent him to the authorities. Zhuge Ke, thinking Hu Kang had violated his orders, executed him as an example and reported the matter to Cao Cao. The people heard that Hu Kang was executed for capturing someone and knew that the authorities only wanted them to leave. Thus, the old and young left together, and by the agreed time, the number of surrenderers matched the plan. Zhuge Ke led ten thousand soldiers himself, while the rest were assigned to the generals.