The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Read Online Free PDF Page B

Wei. Crossing the river, he made for Xiangyang. But on the way he heard the shocking report that Jingzhou had been seized by Lu Meng and his family, trapped inside the city. Greatly alarmed, Guan Yu dared not proceed to Xiangyang but turned toward Gongan.
    Soon, scouts came with the sad news that Fu Shi-ren had defected and the city was also in the hands of Wu. Guan Yu was brimming with fury at this betrayal when there came yet another blow. Some of the men sent to collect grain returned from Nanjun and reported the murder of their leader by Fu Shi-ren and the further betrayal of Mi Fang. At this last blow Guan Yu was overcome with rage. It was really too much. His wound reopened, and he collapsed to the ground.
    When he regained consciousness, he said to Wang Fu, “How I regret I did not heed your words! And now all this happened just as you had forewarned me.”
    “But why weren’t the beacon fires lighted?” he asked incredulously.
    “Lu Meng ordered the sailors of his ships to disguise themselves as traders in white robes, but hid the soldiers in the holds of the vessels. They crossed the river and seized the beacon guards, so preventing them from kindling the fire.”
    Sighing deeply, Guan Yu stamped his foot and lamented, “I have fallen for their sinister ruse. How can I look my brother in the face?”
    Then Zhao Lei, the loyal officer in charge of supplies, spoke up: “Things are perilous now. We must send someone to Chengdu to ask for help, while also going by land to Jingzhou to try to recover it.”
    Guan Yu accepted this advice and so two messengers left at once for Chengdu to seek help, while the army set out for Jingzhou, Guan Yu leading and Liao Hua with Guan Ping bringing up the rear.
    The siege of Fancheng being thus lifted, Cao Ren went to see his master. With tears he acknowledged his fault.
    “It was the will of Heaven, and no fault of yours,” said Cao Cao.
    Then he rewarded his army and went to view the stockade at Sizhong. After inspecting the surrounding ground, he remarked, “The Jingzhou soldiers had surrounded their stockade with abatis ten layers deep, yet Xu Huang was brave enough to break through. With my thirty years of campaigning I should not have dared to penetrate into such a strong defense. He is truly valiant and wise, and both to a high degree.”
    All agreed in admiration for their comrade.
    Cao Cao’s army marched back to its camps. When Xu Huang returned, Cao Cao went out of the stockade to welcome him, and noted with joy the excellent order and discipline of his army. Every man was in his place, the ranks perfectly kept, all without a trace of disorder.
    “You are exactly the General Zhou Ya-fu * of today!” said Cao Cao, and on the spot conferred on him the title of “General–Pacifier of the South.” Xu Huang was sent soon after to strengthen the defense of Xiangyang against Guan Yu’s army.
    The fate of the Jingzhou region being still undecided, Cao Cao remained in his position, waiting for further news.
    Guan Yu found himself at a standstill on the road to Jingzhou with the army of Wu in front and the men of Wei coming up behind. What was to be done? He discussed the situation with Zhao Lei, who proposed sending someone to accuse Lu Meng of betraying the former alliance.
    Zhao Lei said, “When Lu Meng was at Lukou he had written to you, promising to join hands with you in the destruction of Cao Cao. Now he has fought for the enemy. This is a betrayal of our alliance. Let us halt here for the time being and send someone with your letter to reproach him. Let us await his response.”
    So the letter was written and sent.
    Meanwhile, by Lu Meng’s command, special protection was given to the families of all the officers who went on the expedition with Guan Yu, and they were supplied with all they needed. Even the ailing members of their households were treated by physicians, free of charge. Grateful for this kindness they made no attempt to disrupt the new rule. When