by Luo Guanzhong
Today's excerpt is from Chapter 5. Previously
16Let us now turn to Sun Jian, who led his four generals to the entrance of the pass. As for the four generals: the first one was from Tuyin in Youbeiping Commandery, his surname was Cheng, his given name was Pu, his style name was Demou, and his weapon of choice was an iron-ridge snake lance. The second one's surname was Huang, his given name was Gai, his style name was Gongfu, he was from Lingling Commandery, and his weapon of choice was an iron whip. The third one's surname was Han, his given name was Dang, his style namewas Yigong, he was from Lingzhi in Liaoxi Commandery, and his weapon of choice was alarge broadsword. The fourth one's surname was Zu, his given name was Mao, his style namewas Darong, he was from Fuchun in Wu Commandery, and his weapons of choice were a pair of broadswords. Sun Jian wore shiny armor that sparkled like silver, fastened a red kerchief around his head, carried a Guding broadsword, and rode a horse with a multi-colored mane. He pointed to the top of the pass, and cursed, "All of you commoners who are aiding villainy: why not surrender early!"
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Hu Zhen, Hua Xiong's second in command, led a force of 5,000 men out of the pass to join in the battle. Cheng Pu raised his lance and galloped his horse at full speed toward Hu Zhen. After several bouts, Cheng Pu stabbed Hu Zhen in the throat, which caused him to die at the foot of his horse. Jian led his army on a frontal assault of the pass amidst a hail of arrows and rocks. Sun Jian then led his troops back to the east of the ridge, and dug in. He sent someone to Yuan Shao's location to report a victory, and then to Yuan Shu's location to requisition provisions. Someone told Shu, "Sun Jian is known as the fierce tiger from the eastern bank of the Yangtze. If he smashes Luoyang and kills Dong Zhuo, it will be as though we have replaced a wolf with a tiger. If we don't give him any provisions now, his army will disperse for sure." Shu heeded this advice, and did not release any rations. Sun Jian's army went without food, and dissention sprang up within the ranks. A spy reported all of this to the forces on top ofthe pass. Li Su schemed with Hua Xiong, saying, "Tonight, I will lead an army down from the pass on a side trail, and attack Sun Jian from the rear of his encampment. If you attack the front of his encampment, Jian can be captured."
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Xiong did as he was told. He relayed orders for his troops to eat their fill, so that they could take advantage of the night to descend from the pass. On this night, the moon was bright and the air was crisp. It was midnight by the time they arrived at Jian's stronghold. They sounded the drums and charged directly at them. Jian hastily donned his armor and got on his horse, just in time to encounter Hua Xiong. The two horses met, and they fought several bouts. Just then, Li Su's forces arrived in the rear, and gave the order to set fires. Jian's army scattered. It was every man for himself, and only Zu Mao was able to break through the lines and flee with Sun Jian. Hua Xiong was following right behind them. Jian took out his arrows and shot two in a row, but Hua Xiong dodged them both. When he went to fire the third arrow, he used too much force, and snapped his magpie-decorated bow in two. He had no choice but to throw away his bow and gallop away on his horse. Zu Mao said, "My lord, you are wearing that red headband, which makes you a target. It is the reason the bandits can recognize you. Why don't you take it off and give it to me to wear?" Jian removed the headband and gave it to Mao, who tied it around his helmet. They then parted ways.Xiong's army only followed the one wearing the red headband. Jian was thus able to escape via a small side road. Zu Mao was being chased by Hua Xiong, so he stuck the headband onto the unburnt pole of a house, and hid in the woods.
Continued next week. Tomorrow is Poetry Day here at Literature Daily.
This is one of four great novels from China, published when it was the most highly civilization in the world. Map shows China at the time of this story.
Chapter Summary: A forged imperial edict is issued: all towns respond to Lord Cao; breaking through the soldiers at the pass: three heroes battle Lü Bu.
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This translation from Wikipedia. See license CC-BY-SA.
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