Ancient China : Three Kingdoms - Read along (Vol II)

Welcome to 2008! We will continue the read-along of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms with the second volume (chapters 33 to 63). Still catching up? Read or comment the first volume thread). Volume II should last us until summer.

Spoiler alert: The chapter under discussion will be indicated, so don't read further if you like a spoiler-free world. Please also refrain from discussing events beyond the chapter, as I intend to keep my veil of ignorance regarding the plot and characters. Feel free however to enlighten me regarding Chinese customs, history etc.

2008 (starting February the year of the rat, incidentally also my Chinese sign) will see two major Three Kingdom movies: First the John Woo/Tony Leung double feature Red Cliff (Wikipedia, USD 80 mil., ) which supposedly relies more on the historical record than the novel and is said to be released before and after the Summer Olympics. Secondly, Andy Lau/Maggie Q's Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon (Wikipedia, USD 25 mil.) which deals with the kingdom of Shu. Trailers/clips from both films feature huge mass scenes. I hope they do not forget the drama part and limit the didactic element (In the TV series, they even label the minor characters on screen.). Can the two films be interpreted as proclaiming Bejing and Hongkong views? We will see.

I will post the summary of chapter 33 on Thursday.

Chapter 33 The end of the Yuan

We left the last chapter with Cao Pi, Cao Cao's son, threatening the women of the vanquished Yuan Shao. Now, he abstains from further violence and is awarded Lady Zhen, wife of Yuan Xi, one of Yuan Shao's three sons (and still alive and kicking). Meanwhile, Cao Cao takes Yuan Shao's province, goes talent hunting and mops up the sons of Yuan Shao. First, Yuan Tan who is cut down by Cao Hong in a brutal battle. Yuan Tan's head is displayed as a trophy at the north gate until a loyal adviser is allowed to bury the body. Liu Bei and Biao also make a guest appearance in the chapter exhibiting their trademark vacillation.

Next, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi. Again, Cao Cao assigns the mission to Yuan turncoats to test their new loyalty (and to spare his own men). The two brothers flee into the northern deserts. Cao Cao's first pursuit ends in a logistical nightmare. With a smaller task force, Cao Cao manages to surprise and defeat the desert tribes sheltering the brothers. Cao Cao's return trip is again a march of hunger and thirst, the North being a hostile place. After the defeat, the two Yuan brothers flee to Liaodong, home of their father's enemy who promptly sends their heads to Cao Cao - under the (correct) assumption that Cao Cao will not trouble them anymore and turn South to more lucrative endeavors.

After a tribute to a deceased adviser, the chapter ends with Cao Cao admiring the night sky when a meteor (?) strikes nearby. What does it reveal?

So ends the Yuan family's play for power. Papa Yuan has been a questionable leader at best, his sons preferred to quarrel among themselves.

Cao Cao has braved the unhealthy Northern climate and again displayed his ample diplomatic skills. He has become a kind of takeover specialist: reordering neglected domains, reassigning and promoting better managers and advisers. With Yuan Shao's former provinces at his command, who can stop him now?

Thanks, Jcbrunner! i was afraid you'd not come back :) I am on Chapter 15 so still tagging along.

Hare and tortoise ... and I thought that I had given enough time to catch up. Now for a chapter that starts slowly but builds up to a climax:

Chapter 34 For want of a gift horse

The meteor has uncovered a bronze bird (probably placed there by a quick-thinking mandarin) which bolsters Cao Cao's imperial aspirations. Cao Cao's son Cao Zhi proposes to build on that spot a nice triple tower dedicated to the jade dragon, bronze bird and golden phoenix (I would have preferred a silver bird). Cao Cao consolidates his conquests, rests and recovers his forces.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei has thoroughly infiltrated Liu Biao's court. Having defeated some insurgents (and captured a magnificent horse), Liu Bei's principal commanders guard the borders while he himself stays with Liu Biao (who is a bit under his wife's thumb). The gift horse illustrates the power structures of Ancient China: Captured by Zhao Zhilong, it ends up as property of Liu Bei who in turn has to yield it to Liu Biao (no Achilles he, Liu Bei). Liu Biao convinced that the horse's markings bear ill omen returns the gift horse to Liu Bei who is less superstitious and keeps it. To remove Liu Bei from the capital, he is given a city to rule. There, a son, Liu Shan, is born with auspicious white cranes as props.

Liu Biao confides his succession problems to Liu Bei who in turn weeps about his weight problems (mid-life crisis?). Whoa, are we getting all emotional now? Liu Biao wails about his inferiority and Liu Bei for once loses his tact and acknowledges it. Liu Biao's ambitious second wife intends to resolve the situation with a little assassination, but Chinese palaces are terrible places to keep secrets (The Japanese seem much better at it, ninja et al.). Forewarned, Liu Bei escapes to his city.

Thwarted, the would-be assassins write a mock poem on the wall, but Liu Biao is, again, unwilling to move. The would-be assassins invite Liu Bei to a conference. Zhao Zhilong (and guards) accompany their master in a sort of Nibelungentreue to this invitation. The trap is set, even Zhao Zhilong lured away from his master's side - but again, Liu Bei is tipped off at the last minute, mounts the cursed steed, rides like the devil (hopefully shedding some pounds on the way) and even crosses a dangerous river (thanks to the devil horse). Escape artist Liu Bei has done it again ...

The chapter ends with faithful but negligent Zhao Zhilong catching up with the assassin squad led by Cai Mao.

Chapter 35 Regime change is in the air

Zhao Zhilong spares Cai Mao and goes on a search for his master. Lucky escapee Liu Bei is recognized by a cowherd (actually a cowboy, a translation which would have sparked wrong associations) and led to his master, a Taoist recluse who is surprisingly well-informed about politics and counsels Liu Bei to look for a better adviser (either Sleeping Dragon or Young Phoenix). He then offers a poem as a prophesy of Liu Biao's fall and Liu Bei'S rise:

In nine years' time things start to waste;
In thirteen years there isn't a trace.
Heaven sends things where they're due:
The mudbound dragon mounts the blue.

The last line should refer to Liu Bei, but I cannot understand its meaning. What is the essence of a mudbound dragon? Is "mounts the blue" a reference to Liu Bei's river crossing with mud clinging to his armour?

The men retire to their quarters. Finally, Liu Bei's brave horse is cared for. In reality, a horse put under such strain would have needed prior attention to reduce the risk of a soar back or a cold. Probably an ex post status marker, as the real Liu Bei - like any knight - would have taken good care of his mount. The next day, Zhao Zhilong catches up with Liu Bei and they return to their base. They inform Liu Biao about the murder attempt, but he stands helpless between the two factions - the Cai family of his second wife and Liu Bei (protector of Liu Qi, Liu Biao's son of the first marriage).

Liu Bei acquires the services of an adviser called Shan Fu (recommended by the recluse) based on hearing a poem sung in the market (an early form of advertising jingle?). Shan Fu is tasked to reorganize Liu Bei's troops.

Cao Cao's turncoat generals are given the mission to attack Liu Bei with inadequate forces. Either Cao Cao has not learned from the Lü Bu episode or he purposely wants these untrustworthy troops whipped out. Based on a plan of Shan Fu, Liu Bei's troops annihilate the forces in a staged ambush. Having seen the first expedition destroyed, Cao Ren personally leads a larger army of 25,000 against Liu Bei. Unity of command is threatened however, as his fellow general Li Dian preferred to wait and is reluctantly dragged along.

In this chapter, Liu Bei the survivor is given another chance to set up his "kingdom". He has gathered his trusted lieutenants and advisers, a small base and a good option to reign in the name of Liu Qi when Liu Biao passes away.

Anybody out there? Anyway, another short chapter.

Chapter 36 The War for Talents

Liu Bei's new wonder-weapon Shan Fu churns out plans that utterly destroy Cao Ren's army and base at Fan. There, Liu Bei adopts a son (renamed Liu Feng). Zhao Zhilong usually eclispses the sworn brothers in battle - being given the most dangerous missions. I am wondering how Zhang Fei reacts to this loss of status.

To entice Shan Fu to the dark side, Cao Cao captures Shan Fu's mother and orders him to the capital. Unselfishly, Liu Bei lets him go (not without some melodramatics). As a parting gift, he recommends a scholar, Zhuge "Sleeping Dragon" Liang to Liu Bei and reveals that the other adviser mentionned by the recluse in the last chapter is called Pang "Young Phoenix" Tong. On his way to Cao Cao, Shan Fu stops at Zhuge Liang's to check his mood but is rebuffed.

Yes, I'm here but only on chapter 17. I have to tell you that I am simply amazed by the degree of reference in Chinese historical films about the personages, strategies found in Sanguo Yanyi. I recognize them now that I've come familiar with them in my slow reading. I am so tickled when I know exactly what they are referring to.

Yes, the turtle is chasing the hare.

I'm here and pretty much keeping up.

Thanks for hanging on. The game of references requires a discerning audience ... Today, many people will be more familiar with Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, the Disney movies etc. than the underlying myths and fairy tales.

The names of Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix led me to look up the Chinese Phoenix, an interesting cultural parallelism and concomitant invention (bird as an image of peace and change): the Chinese Phoenix Fenghuang is the master of all birds, appears at the start of a new era and vanishes in times of trouble. The Boston MFA has a magnificent Japanese Phoenix screen (which I missed during my visit last summer). The MAK here in Vienna has also nice cobalt blue phoenix porcelain ware.

Chapter 37 Please leave a message, the dragon is sleeping

The chapter starts with a shocker (too shocking for the TV series): After a meet-and-greet with Cao Cao, Shan Fu visits his mother who lashes out at him for his foolishness and then hangs herself (without a word of good-bye). True Spartan women, these Ancient Chinese mothers.

Liu Bei spends the rest of this chapter courting the Sleeping Dragon, Zhuge Liang. At the first visit, Liu Bei announces himself in all his pomposity only to be rebuffed by a servant with the reminder that he cannot remember all those titles. Hilarious! Zhuge Liang is not home.

On the way back and on the next visit they meet a lot of singing (the TV series makes me tremble for ever listing to Chinese Idol) country folk and friends of Zhuge Liang but not the man himself. At least, they meet his younger brother, Zhuge Jun (the Zhuge family being a force in the consulting business with the eldest currently employed by Sun Quan). Better luck for courtship in spring time.

The TV series again does not conform to the chapter structure, so I have had a glance at the man, fan et al.

Chapter 38 An adviser wooed, a sea battle won

Three is the charm: Zhuge Liang is finally at home when the courting Liu Bei arrives in spring time, no less. After a further round of stalling the suitor, Zhuge Liang deigns Liu Bei worthy of disclosing his plan for Liu Bei (which is actually the only workable plan: take over the two provinces currently ruled by the Liu(s? Do Chinese family names take a plural s or not in English?), ally with the South to defeat Cao Cao).

"To Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang appeared singularly tall (despite the daily presence of the towering Lord Guan?), with a face like gleaming jade and a plaited silken band around his head. Cloaked in crane down, he had the buoyant air of a spiritual transcendent (a bit of a pleonasm, spirits being by definition beyond this world)." In my opinion, they overdid the fairy impression in the TV series, Zhuge Liang appears almost camp.

The chapter then turns to the (overall neglected) South: Consolidating his position (namedropping lists of advisers etc), Sun Quan refuses to send a son as a hostage to Cao Cao. Trouble between the two lie ahead. A vignette worthy of Shakespeare has Lady Xu avenge the murder of her husband, younger brother of Sun Quan. Death also takes away Sun Quan's mother.

Sun Quan plans to overwhelm minor warlord Huang Zu before attacking Liu Biao (not exactly in step with Zhuge's ideas). A turncoat-adventurer/pirate called Gan Ning helps Sun Quan win a river battle pitting one hundred small boats against two large war-junks carrying 1,000 archers each. Huang Zu is defeated and flees.

Zhuge Liang finally makes his entrance! I always get unduly excited when I get to chapter 37.

The TV series' portrayal of Guan and Zhang's disgruntlement at Zhuge Liang's arrogance and Liu Bei's exalted treatment of him always makes me laugh.

Lets see whether I also catch the Zhuge bug. Currently, I think that any decent commander should be able to formulate such battle plans himself.

Chapter 39 Dragon breath

Sun Quan has some trouble integrating the turncoat pirate Gan Ning into his command structure, as another commander, Ling Tong, seeks to avenge his father's death. Sun Quan assigns the two to separate locations. A seed of later disunity?

Liu Bei declines to takeover from Liu Biao. Again, has he learned nothing from experience? Strangely, the Cai family does not use the opportunity of Liu Bei's presence in their lair to kill him. Liu Biao's heir, however, still fears for his life. In an interesting example of the strict separation between public and private matters, Zhuge Liang vehemently declines to offer advice on family problems. Only physically trapped, does he recommend Liu Qi to seek a distant command at the Southern border (also a good position for supplying information to Liu Bei).

Cao Cao, having already lost the last two engagements against Liu Bei, sends the eager Xiahou Dun to battle. The first chance for Zhuge Liang to work his magic, after Liu Bei quells the "revolt" of his sworn brothers who dislike being subordinates to the new kid on the block. The plan itself is a repeat of Shan Fu's with the addition of a little spark: Zhao Zhilong lures Xiahou Dun into a precipitate advance to be smoked out by fire and then ambushed by the two sworn brothers.

Another army of Cao Cao destroyed. Like Napoleon, Cao Cao has a delegation problem: His presence is necessary for success.

Shan Fu (aka Xu Shu) was a pal of Zhuge's from when he was doing his retreat thing, but by my calculations Zhuge is about 10 years younger (he's only 27 at this point, part of the reason for the disgruntlement of Guan and Zhang).

The thing with Cao Cao is, while he's brilliant and quite a few advisers of his are brilliant, that's no use when none of them are there at the site of the battle, or their good advise is not taken by the guy in charge. The Xiahous seem to fall foul of the latter often.

Cao Cao lacks legitimacy. Thus, any too successful rival general poses a danger (Napoleon pushed rival generals such as Marceau, Bernadotte etc. into exile, relying increasingly on yes men).

Chapter 40 Exodus

A strange duality lies within Cao Cao's management style: First he leniently pardons the failed general Xiahou Dun, then he goes nuts when Kong Rong opposes his invasion plans: Cao Cao has him and his family executed. Perhaps loyalty is the clue. Xiahou may not be the sharpest general, but he is a Cao man. Kong Rong preferring the old order is a threat to Cao Cao (especially if left behind in the under-garrisoned capital) that must be eliminated. The chapter notes elaborate that Kong Rong's opposition was mainly on Cao Cao's wine prohibition edict after a poor harvest - a sensible idea of increasing the food supply. Kong "Marie Antoinette" Rong, staunch defender of the elite and a Liu sympathizer is on the wrong side of history and pays with his life for it.

Liu Biao dies too - but in his bed. Despite Zhuge Liang's pleas, Liu Bei once again, hesitates to take over the province. The less scrupulous Cai faction proclaims the second born Liu Zong as heir, barring the entrance to the first born Liu Qi. Wedged between Liu Bei and Liu Qi, with Cao Cao's armies approaching, the Cai faction seek their fortune by offering to surrender the city to Cao Cao. The latter is happy to gain a province without bloodshed. The returning messenger is captured by Lord Guan, but Liu Bei spares his life. Liu Bei can either attack Liu Zong who is expecting Cao Cao's support or retreat. Again, Liu Bei chooses retreat to Fan.

But what a retreat: The population is ordered to join the retreat. Zhuge Liang tricks Cao Cao's soldiers. First, he stalls their advance by a ruse, then he sets the occupied city ablaze (Moscow), then he drowns the pursuers by bursting a dam (Moses). Having braved fire and water, Cao Ren is blocked by the earthy Zhang Fei.

Chapter 41 and 42 Liu Bei defeated again

The flight continues. Liu Zong directed by his puppet masters cowardly refuses to open the gates, so Liu Bei intends to go to Liu Qi. Lord Guan and Sun Qian are sent ahead. Meanwhile, Cao Cao displays his supreme skills of intrigue and politics. First, he promotes Liu Zong's cronies. Then he accepts Liu Zong's surrender and assigns him to a different province (lifting the fish out of the water) to finally have him killed to resolve all future imponderabilities. Two Lius to go. Cao Cao sends a cavalry strike force after Liu Bei.

Burdened by a trek of civilians advancing ten li per day (4 km), Liu Bei's forces are quickly forced to make a stand against Cao Cao's swift riders. Where is Zhuge Liang's strategic thinking (he caves in to Liu Bei's wrong-headed protective feelings)? Probably to immunize himself from the looming catastrophe, Zhuge Liang and Liu Feng are also sent to Liu Qi (further weakening Liu Bei's forces, strangely Liu Bei's wives remain behind).

At dawn, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei battle Cao's forces but have to retreat. They are cut off from Zhao Zilong who should protect Liu Bei's wives. Strange choice! Zhao Zilong had previously failed in his protection mission (ch. 34). Liu Bei has staffing problems with only the two "fighters" Zhao Zilong and Zhang Fei remaining. He should have sent the wives with either Lord Guan or Zhuge Liang. Zhao Zilong fighting forgets his mission and loses track of both wives and the infant. Slashing his way through a myriad of foes, he first rescues Lady Gan and escorts her to Zhang Fei, then captures a magic sword "Black Pommel" and finds the wounded Lady Mi with the infant. In order to improve her son's chances of escape, she throws herself down a well (What suicidal streak triggers this behavior in Chinese women? In this man's world, denying men control over their body may be their only power, but where is the Chinese Cleopatra, Boudica or Cassandra?). Zhao Zilong straps the infant inside his armor and slashes his way back to Zhang Fei. In the TV series, this triggers a celebratory video clip of bad music, bad stunts and bad acting (reminding me of irony-free Turkish TV). Zhao Zilong returns to Liu Bei (minus one wife) where one of the most shocking events occur - I was completely unprepared for it as the TV series combines the two chapters:

"Safe and sound", Zhao Zilong announces happily. "Fortune smiles." He handed Ah Dou (the two-year old) carefully to Liu Bei, who flung him to the ground the instant he received him. "For the sake of a suckling like you", Liu Bei cried, "I risked losing a great commander!" Zhao Zilong swept the child off the ground and prostrated himself, saying through his tears,"If I cut my heart out here, I could not repay your kindness to me."

The TV series at least has Zhao Zilong catch the baby before it hits the ground. As with the cannibal episode (ch. 19), I have troubles with Liu Bei's moral compass and priorities. The loss of Lady Mi does not trigger any response at all chez Liu Bei and parental feelings do not run high. Given the high infant mortality, attachment to children below a certain age may have been lower, but Ah Dou remains his only child while he can promote any soldier to the rank of general.

Back at the Steepslope bridge, Zhang Fei stares down Cao Cao's whole army (Horatio at the bridge). Zhang Fei has the bridge destroyed and retreats. Cao Cao's pursuit is stopped by the arrival of Lord Guan with reinforcements from Liu Qi. Leaving Lord Guan behind with 5000 soldiers at Xiakou, Liu Bei proceeds to Jiangxia. Cao Cao offers an alliance to Sun Quan to finish off Liu Bei. Sun Quan, however, prefers a balance of power, sends an envoy to Liu Bei to escort Zhuge Liang for diplomatic talks.

Apologies if I'm spoiling a future line here, since I forget where it's said, but Liu Bei is said to have remarked that 'wives are like clothes, brothers are like limbs': meaning that consorts are very replaceable whereas his comrades in arms are not. It's very reflective of the role of women in ancient China.

As you point out, one of the few ways women could be 'heroic' in this social and historical context is to kill themselves to deny others. There are other ways, though, and some of them are portrayed during the course of this novel.

As for the famous 'for the sake of a suckling like you' incident, again the promotion of the comradely bond over the family one - I suppose one could also have more children, whereas a general like Zilong is irreplaceable and in a practical sense more important to Liu Bei's survival. This incident has been hotly debated over, although most of the debate has centered on whether Liu Bei is a hypocrite whose display of emotion is designed to make his generals more loyal to him (an argument I reject, but one which is interesting enough).

Poor Zhuge Liang, destined to fight against Liu Bei's morals as he tries to advance Bei's agenda.

I still am more of the Zhang Fei/Lord Guan school of questioning Zhuge Liang's worth. Liu Bei's actions have ample precedents Zhuge should have been well aware of and thus incorporate into his recommendations. No use transforming a frog into a bull.

Is there a reader of some of these debates available in English (or any other European language)?

Chapter 43 Snake-oil Salesman

Sun Quan has to decide whether to submit to or fight against Cao Cao. Like the South in the American Civil War, Wu can probably defend itself against northern incursions but is too weak to conquer the North in turn. As most former allies of Liu Bei have paid for that alliance with their lives, it is a tough sale.

Zhuge Liang and Sun Quan's advisers have a rap battle in which they accuse Zhuge Liang of having exalted his standing, of lacking scholarly cred and of advising a loser (with a dubious pedigree). While Zhuge Liang ignites the rhetorical fireworks and cuts his opponents back to size, he has to concede that his cards are weak. He does not answer the question how he intends to counter the huge army of Cao Cao. Strangely, the formal elements carry much greater weight than the content (almost like the media treats US presidential debates). The medieval deference shown to tradition, ancestry and history is interesting (compare this to the self-made man or homo novus).

Having shown that he can keep up with Sun Quan's advisers, Zhuge Liang is escorted to Sun Quan. On the way, Zhuge Liang has a brief, very formal meeting with his older brother, promising a later visit.

Zhuge's selling strategy to Sun Quan has two stages. In the first stage, he plays on Sun Quan's ambitions and emotions. Sun Quan even storms off, before he accepts the idea of an alliance. Sun Quan certainly hates the idea of playing second fiddle. The second stage consists in presenting the idea that Cao Cao is overextended and unfamiliar with the South, thus touchable. After Zhuge Liang has retired, Sun Quan's advisers manage to reverse his influence. Sun Quan is uncertain. But Mama Sun, Lady Wu, carries the day against Cao Cao. These Chinese mothers are a true force ...

Chapter 44 Palace Politics

Apparently I missed footnote 9: Lady Wu is not the Sun Quan's real mother but his aunt who moved up this position when his real mother died (ch. 38, I now fuzzily recall). As Sun Ce advised to listen to Zhou Yu on external relations, war and peace are that man's decision. Now follows a good illustration of palace decision-making. Zhou Yu meets with various delegations, asks for their opinions and concurs to present that consensus in the general meeting. After multiple consultations, he comes down on both sides of the issue, slick Willie ... Only with Zhuge Liang, does he voice his opposition to war. The latter overcomes this by inventing (?) or highlighting Cao Cao's desire for Zhou Yu's wife (expressed in a mistakenly transposed rhapsody). This clinches the deal for war. Zhuge Liang has a sure grasp of what makes men tick.

The next day, Sun Quan and Zhou Yu declare war in public. To overcome Sun Quan's last minute buyer's remorse, Zhuge Liang sends Zhou Yu to explain that Cao Cao's million soldiers are actually only 150,000 (half of which inherited reluctantly from Yuan Shao). With 50,000 crack local troops, they should be beatable. This steadies Sun Quan's wobbly spine (no Sun Ce, he). Zhou Yu as first field marshal of the South aptly prepares his troops for the coming battle.

Having seen Zhuge Liang's skills, the Southerners consider to murder him, but then have his brother try to hire him for Wu by appealing to brotherly unity. Zhuge Liang effortlessly turns the tables by appealing to his brother to switch sides. The first round goes to Zhuge Liang (who has now rescued Liu Bei from certain destruction).

I may still catch up with you yet, jcbtrunner. My Chinese reading speed has increased and I refer to the Moss Roberts less frequently. Almost done with Vol. 1 and the story gets better and better.

Great, as much as I like the conversations with myself, some company and commentary is nicer.

Wow, chapter 45 is marvelous - intrigue, assassination attempts, battles and murder, all in 16 pages. Best chapter yet.

Chapter 45 Pros and cons of the direct and indirect approach to murder

Zhou Yu wants to send Zhuge Liang on a suicide mission to cut Cao Cao's grain supply. Zhuge Liang is not so easily trapped: His jokes about Zhou Yu's limited skills hit the mark. Defending his honor becomes more important than killing Zhuge Liang. Both men need each other, so via Lu Su, Zhou Yu can be convinced to attack Cao Cao on the river.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei manoeuvres himself into another assassination trap. Guarded only by the faithful Lord Guan (not sloppy Zhao Zilong) and twenty men, he boards a ship to visit Zhou Yu who is ecstatic about the new target: He conceals armed men behind a curtain who should kill Liu Bei on Zhou Yu's signal of dropping his glass. Zhuge Liang discovers the waiting assassins, sees the attentive Lord Guan - and does not intervene. Lucky Liu Bei escapes unharmed again - as Zhou Yu chickens out faced with Lord Guan's mutual assured destruction strategy. Liu Bei returns to his base. Zhou Yu values his life more than his service to the Southland ...

Being a messenger offers few long-term prospects: Zhou Yu beheads Cao Cao's messenger as a show of strength. This triggers Cao Cao's premature three-pronged naval attack. Ex-pirate Gan Ning trashes the northern landlubbers in battle by manoeuvre and missile superiority. Back to the training camp for Cao Cao.

Zhou Yu undertakes a reconnaissance of the naval camp, sees their progress and learns the names of the naval commanders Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. Cao Cao tries again to approach Zhou Yu. This time, by a school mate (less likely to be killed on the spot). He joins Zhou Yu in a banquet where Zhou Yu triggers cognitive dissonance by alternating threats and praise. The sober Zhou Yu plays drunk and insists on spending the night in the same bed with his school mate. To ensure an uncomfortable sleep, Zhou Yu vomits all over the place. Wandering around, the school mate finds incriminating documents about Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. After the horror night, the school mate returns to Cao Cao with the forged documents. Better be safe than sorry - Cao Cao has the innocent generals killed. He quickly realizes his mistake and covers it up.
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Given the stress between Liu Bei and the Southerners, Cao Cao should simply return to the capital for a season (although Zhou Yu nearly murdered Liu Bei anyway). When will Liu Bei ever learn? Like Flash Gordon, he stumbles into every trap, only to be rescued next week. Zhou Yu is a master schemer. If he cannot trap Zhuge Liang, what does this say about the latter? Does he have a dark side?

Disappointed by the wordy rendering of chapter 45 in the TV series. Played better in my mind ...

Chapter 46 Disadvantages of inter-operable weapon systems

The incredibly vain Zhuge Liang drives jealous Zhou Yu nuts. Why, oh why? Zhou Yu is second dog of Wu, Zhuge Liang is adviser to a man who has been kicked all over China and who currently commands about 5,000 soldiers and one city. Zhou Yu is also married to a beauty while Liu Bei has not been exactly eager to see his wives and has lost track of them a number of times. Zhuge Liang is a bit smarter than Zhou Yu, but the Three Kingdom is littered with the graves of smart advisers ...

Zhuge Liang is challenged to produce 100,000 arrows in ten days (a rather small number, if, say, 1 in 5 soldiers of the 50,000 are archers - ten arrows per person (not including stocks)? Medieval European archers carried bundles of 30.). Cockily, he wagers to do the job in three days. In a thick fog, he tricks Cao Cao's troops in showering his ships (covered with bundled straw) with arrows which he has only to collect. A good yarn (Sensibly, some of Cao Cao's troops would have used fire arrows transforming the ships into a bonfire. In fact, it was Zhou Yu who pulled the trick.). Bested again, Zhou Yu seems finally to accept Zhuge Liang's mastery.

Cao Cao sends two Cai brothers south as spies in a fake surrender. I think the book gives a wrong impression of Cao Cao's intent. The Cai family, never in Cao Cao's camp in the first place, has been twice wronged (murders of half-Cai Liu Zong and Cai Mao) and would forsake Cao at the first opportunity. So I see this as Cao's reply to the Cai Mao affair expecting Zhou Yu to do the dirty work. Cao Cao wins in any case: Either he receives information or he loses two potential traitors.

Zhou Yu tries to feed Cao Cao false information and play the same trick. One of his commanders accepts to be publicly flogged (to be reported by the Cai brothers) before sending a letter to Cao ...

Chapter 47 Cao Cao deceived again and again

Cao Cao, mistrusting his instincts, first falls for the sham surrender. The two not very bright Cai brothers reveal their clumsy spying to the fake turncoats. Zhou Yu's foolish school mate is sent south again, this time bringing Pang "Young Phoenix" Tong, another genius adviser working to deceive Cao Cao, along. Flattery and appealing to Cao Cao's scholarly vanity (hiding a large inferiority complex) are the way to go, Cao Cao laps up the wrong information like a puppy. Cao Cao used to be an excellent recruiter and judge of men. Recently, only mediocrities surround him. Is he growing old? Is there one general worth his salt among his forces? Only brute force still assures his victory ... Anyway, Pang Tong convinces Cao Cao to connect the ships together to ease his soldiers' sea-sickness, turning the connected ships into huge firetraps. Foolishly, he even allows Pang Tong to return south.

"Look for a boat with a blue-green jack at the prow." Is the blue-green an instance of the non-distinction of the two colors such as the Japanese ao?

Chapter 48 Beware of singing dictators

Xu Shu, Liu Bei's former and half-heartedly Cao Cao's current adviser, seeks a way out of the impending naval disaster. On a hint of Pang Tong, he has himself assigned on a mission to protect Cao Cao's flanks against Ma Teng far away from harm's way.

Cao Cao meanwhile enjoys his navy with a party and a song. The TV series perfectly shows Cao Cao's isolation and friendless status as he drinks alone in a multitude of followers. Dancing around with an oversized spear - a perfect illustration of a man in mid-life crisis. In an amazing Alexander the Great repeat, the drunken Cao Cao kills an adviser with the spear (the heavy, oar-like TV spear would be useless as a weapon) - showing remorse afterwards.

Otherwise, Cao Cao has commanders train his fleet. Two of Cao Cao's commanders set out with a flotilla of small boats but are crushed by the Southern forces. Cao Cao sees this as a proof of the soundness of the linked-boats platform strategy and dismisses the risk of fire (due to the prevailing wind conditions). Cao's flag is torn down by the wind, a bad omen. The rejoicing Zhou Yu is struck likewise: He collapses with blood in his mouth.

By the way, a good TV episode with plenty of mass scenes and ships.

Chapter 49 Burn, baby, burn

Zhou Yu's psychosomatic breakdown is cured by Zhuge Liang's promise to conjure up an (improbable) southeast wind to kindle the fire that will burn Cao Cao's fleet. For this feat, an elaborate altar with 120 flag bearers is constructed where Zhuge Liang performs his rites (in the TV series, bad sword tai chi forms). The wind shifts. Zhou Yu elated to be able to defeat Cao Cao and afraid about Zhuge Liang's metrological powers, commands (again) the murder of Zhuge Liang. The latter has anticipated this move, boarded Zhao Zilong's ship and returns to Liu Bei.

Zhou Yu prepares his forces for battle. Two commandos are set to attack the grain supply and stop possible reinforcements. A number of land-based attacks as well as the naval attack with fireships are set in motion. Liu Bei on the other side also prepares to interdict Cao Cao's retreat. Zhuge Liang assigns (Liu Bei's best general) Lord Guan to hold a pass and capture Cao Cao, reluctantly as Lord Guan owes Cao Cao for sparing his life. Liu Bei expects Lord Guan to not fulfill his mission and Zhuge Liang concurs. Apparently, the stars do not predict Cao Cao's death (nice excuse for a crucial strategy failure).

Cao Cao meanwhile awaits the southern defector and ignores the wind. Strangely, he says a southeast wind is quite normal (contradicting the southerners). A letter announces that the defector will arrive with a fleet. And so it is, only that the ships are filled with fire instead of grain. At the last moment, Cao Cao sees the ruse. Frantically, his soldiers try to stop the ships - in vain. The linked ships go up in flames, Cao Cao abandons his ship, his faithful paladin wounds the would-be defector who plunges into the water.

The first part of the plan worked perfectly. Tune in Sunday, to read about the results of the land battle.

Chapter 50 Defeat and Escape

Cao Cao reaches land and the wounded defector is picked up by friendly Southerners. Cao's fleet, burning and attacked from all sides, goes down. On land, the Southern forces join in with their concentric fire attacks. Cao Cao with an escort of only a hundred horsemen is desperate to escape. He picks up some rear guard forces on his retreat until, having joked about an ambush, he is ambushed and blocked by Zhao Zilong near the Black Forest. Cao retraces his steps. After marching all night in a torrential downpour, Cao Cao rests his fatigued forces at a crossing, again cracking a joke. This time, it's Zhang Fei who punishes Cao who manages again to escape. His exhausted men struggle against the bad roads. When Cao jokes again about Zhuge Liang's failed strategy, Lord Guan appears. The two men meet and Lord Guan lets Cao Cao and all his men escape due to the past kindness shown to him. Cao Cao regroups at Jiangling where reinforcements of Cao Ren ensure stability. Like Napoleon after the defeat in Russia, Cao Cao rushes back to the capital (to quell any idea of dissent and to gather new forces) Cao Ren meanwhile is charged with holding Jiangling (with a secret battle plan). Xiahou Dun holds Xiangyang. If they hold on to these cities, Cao Cao may have lost an army and a fleet but not much territory. Lord Guan cost the alliance the victory. Lord Guan gloomily returns to camp, the only one without spoils. Having failed in his mission, Zhuge Liang claims the death penalty for Lord Guan ...

As Zhuge Liang had foreseen Lord Guan's action, he should either have personally supervised compliance or set up another ambush behind Lord Guan. A living but weakened Cao is in Liu Bei's best interest. Otherwise, it would just have transfered Cao's position to Sun Quan. Sun Tzu says, "Leave an escape for a surrounded enemy."

Chapter 51 When two quarrel, the third rejoices

Zhuge Liang continues with the charade of executing Lord Guan and is only stopped by Liu Bei. Sacrificing one of your best generals to satisfy some abstract principle? Methinks Zhuge Liang enjoys bitchslapping Lord Guan, his only serious challenger in Liu Bei's camp.

For dividing the spoils, Zhou Yu and Liu Bei meet and agree that if Zhou Yu's attack on the city fails, it will be Liu Bei's turn. A bad decision by Zhou Yu: Liu Bei absolutely needs Liu Biao's old province to stay in play. Thus, even if he succeeds in capturing the city from Cao Ren, he will be immediately besieged by Liu Bei. On the other hand, letting Liu Bei and Cao Ren battle it out, would have allowed his own troops some rest after the previous engagement. Foolishly, he accepts to go first, essentially doing Liu Bei's work.

Zhou Yu and Cao Ren fight for Nanjun. After some initial difficulties, Cao Ren wins the first round. Zhou Yu's forces then capture the weaker city of Yiling but are besieged in turn by Cao Ren's reinforcements. Zhou Yu comes to the rescue. First he blocks the southern escape route. Having coordinated his plans with the besieged soldiers, Zhou Yu defeats Cao Ren's troops who flee past Zhou Yu's obstruction until they reach the safety of Cao Ren's further reinforcements. The two forces meet and fight a drawn battle. Having lost the city of Yiling, Cao Ren opens Cao Cao's secret instructions which advise to abandon Nanjun to trap the hotheaded Zhou Yu. The latter falls for the plot and charges into the city, straight into an ambush: Struck by a crossbow, Zhou Yu barely manages to escape capture. Cao Ren takes again possession of Nanjun.

With Zhou Yu down, his generals refuse to give battle despite Cao Ren's taunts. Weakened, Zhou Yu mounts his horse and challenges Cao Ren - to little effect as he topples from his horse. Making the best out of a miserable situation, he feigns death - enticing Cao Ren into a premature attack on Zhou Yu's camp. Cao Ren is utterly defeated and flees. No spoils for Zhou Yu, however. While the two were fighting, Zhao Zilong occupied Nanjun, Zhang Fei Jingzhou and Lord Guan Xiangyiang. Liu Bei recovers Liu Biao's province practically for free. Zhou Yu's anger promises the end of the alliance (which was always defensive) ...

Apart from the blood spilled, we are back at the starting point of the campaign.

Chapter 52 Liu Bei conquers a base

The diplomatic Lu Su manages to contain the raging, wounded Zhou Yu. Lu Su meets with Zhuge Liang to claim Nanjun but has to concede Liu Qi's legitimate claim, especially when he appears in person. Not expecting the sickly youth to live long, Lu Su accepts Liu Qi's claim in return for Zhuge Liang's promise of future partition renegotiations. As Sun Quan needs Zhou's forces in Hefei, an uneasy truce sets in. Liu Bei starts to enlarge his base by gobbling up districts.

First, Lingling. The local Lius don't give up without a fight, but their champion has no chance against Zhang Fei and Zhao Zilong. Captured, he promises to entice his lords to surrender. Freed, he reneges and plans to ambush the attackers who had already forseen this. They kill him and capture a Liu. Thus, the Lius agree to serve Liu Bei.

Secondly, Guiyang. Zhuge Liang assigns the mission to Zhao Zilong (to the anger of Zhang Fei, always forced into the role of underdog among Liu Bei's generals). Zhao Zilong overpowers the local champion, binds him and then sends him back to prompt his lords into surrender. So it happens. The local lord by the name Zhao Fan sees the common name as a bonding and drinking exercise. He even offers his widowed sister-in-law in marriage to Zhao Zilong who acts bewildered. Either the dissonance between the described "extraordinary beauty, the kind that overturns nations and cities" and the spoken "a woman of such common looks" is true or Zhao Zilong is acting weird. Babbling about a potential incest because of his new "brotherhood" with Zhao Fan, he angrily storms out. A battle is looming between Zaho Fan and Zhao Zilong. Two underlings of Zhao Fan fake surrender in order to trap Zhao Zilong, who however has them beheaded and conquers the city. The spilling of blood obviously calms Zhao Zilong's nerves, and Zhan Fan's surrender works this time. Returning with Zhan Fan to Liu Bei, the marriage offer is repeated and declined again. Zhao Zilong: "The world is full of women, I seek fame, not a wife." Liu Bei replies: "You are indeed manly." A lone superhero. Or a poet (Rilke - Von den Mädchen: Keine darf sich je dem Dichter schenken, wenn sein Auge auch um Frauen bat; denn er kann euch nur als Mädchen denken: das Gefühl in euren Handgelenken würde brechen von Brokat.). Liu Bei surely leads a group of old bachelors. After nearly fifteen years of fighting, shouldn't they think about settling down?

Grumpy Zhang Fei awaits his turn at conquest (martial not marital). Will Zhang Fei get his chance capturing the third district? Or will he mess up as usual?

Chapter 53 A southern high water mark?

Zhang Fei captures Wuling - rather effortlessly by decapitating its champion (a small payoff for the buildup from the last chapter). Next, Lord Guan is tasked with capturing Changsha, defended by an anti-aging proponent, the sixty-year old Huang Zhong who matches Lord Guan in fighting skill. After a first indecisive round, Lord Guan manages to unhorse Huang Zhong but chivalrously allows him to remount. The next day, Huang Zhong repays the kindness by not using his archery skills. He first fires twice an empty bow at Lord Guan and then aims and hits his helmet. When Changsha's governor tries to punish Huang Zhong for this, he is toppled by a palace revolt. Thus, Liu Bei not only gains a district but two generals: Huang Zhong and Wei Yan who led the uprising (narrowly escaping Zhuge Liang's proposal for his execution as a rebel. Holier than thou Zhuge Liang would feel right at home as an inquisitor or as a Stalinist judge.).

Meanwhile, the reinforced Sun Quan takes the field personally in Hefei. The northerners charge Sun Quan whose paladins barely manage to rescue him. His flight triggers a defeat of the southern forces. Taishi Ci plans a ruse to overcome the enemy. Unfortunately, the two brothers inside the enemies' gate act clumsily, are discovered and beheaded. Cao Cao's local commander Zhang Liao turns the table and lures Taishi Ci into a premature attack of the city gate where he is mortally wounded. The southerners abandon the campaign and return south.

More luck for the southerners on another front. The sickly Liu Qi dies and Lu Su quickly arrives to claim the territory promised by Zhuge Liang. What sophistry will Zhuge Liang use to trick Lu Su?

Chapter 54 A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife

Shifting from the battlefields to the palaces. Poor Lu Su, the hapless go-between, trusted Zhuge Liang to hand over the province after Liu Qi's death. Without Lu Su's intervention, Zhuge Liang would have been killed early by Zhou Yu. Zhuge Liang ruthlessly exploits Lu Su's kindness (and weakness). Realpolitik, baby! Rules are for others to follow ... Zhuge Liang, having just broken his word, appeals Lu Su to respect higher (imperial) authority (!). Having just bounced a check, Zhuge Liang writes a new one with a promise to hand over the province in the future. Lu Su, fooled again, honors this worthless paper with his own signature (vouching for an insincere man). Zhuge Liang will only hand over the province if it makes political sense to do so (ie if he needs Wu's forces). Zhou Yu justly berates Lu Su for having been fooled twice.

The death of Liu Bei's wife opens up new possibilities of a trap or an alliance. Sun Quan's sister, a Chinese Brühnhilde ("she is a woman to outman any man" - a good complement to "Mr. Retreat" Liu Bei), is offered to Liu Bei with the intention to murder him when he enters her rooms. After some diplomatic niceties, Liu Bei with Zhao Zilong and five hundred stalwarts move into the southern lair. Zhuge Liang has Zhao Zilong make grandiose public marriage preparations - which reach the ears of mother Wu who is enchanted by the marriage bug. If Liu Bei is to her liking, she will ensure the marriage.

At the big meeting between Liu Bei, Sun Quan and Lady Wu, a group of soldiers awaits the order to assassinate Liu Bei. With steely nerves, Liu Bei calls the bluff and informs Lady Wu about the waiting soldiers. Their plan exposed, their faces lost, the southerners have their soldiers back down. Lady Wu is not amused. The middle aged gentleman is much to her liking. Marriage it shall be.

To test the auspices, Liu Bei cuts a stone in two with his sword which promises him to succeed in this marriage adventure and also in his imperial mission. Not to be outdone, Sun Quan also cuts a piece of stone promising his dynasty to thrive. Chinese stones obviously do not conform to ISO standards. Like Napoleon and Alexander at Tilsit, the alliance between the rivals Liu Bei and Sun Quan does not run deep, but offers a great Kodak moment (expressed in poetry). Then both, ever competitive, show off their riding skills. I see them clashing in the future.

Still anxious, Liu Bei and troops move into the palace and protection of Lady Wu. After the marriage ceremony, Liu Bei walks into the bride's chamber and is startled by her armed maids. Another plot? Or will he now have to wrestle Brünhilde?

Chapter 55 Bonnie and Clyde

Disappointingly, the meek lady puts her weapon collection away without protest. The two newly-weds spend some quality time. Encouraged by Sun Quan & Co, Liu Bei enjoys palace life. Zhao Zilong rouses Liu Bei with a (prepackaged) message from Zhuge Liang to return home. Liu Bei confides in his new wife and together they hatch a plan to escape from Wu. On the pretext of visiting an ancestral shrine, the two escape. Now, Liu Bei is in his element. Nobody surpasses him in flight. They outwit guards and pursuers who are constrained by their lack of orders and their unwillingness to improvise. Oh, the perils of command-and-control rule! Liu Bei's new wife shows herself fit, courageous and intelligent (with some hereditary claim on Wu as an added bonus) - a good catch. They meet Zhuge Liang, cross the river - hotly pursued by Zhou Yu. Their flight ends when Lord Guan with troops emerges. It is Zhou Yu's turn to flee. Back at the river, he has a (psychosomatic?) breakdown.

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon had its Asia premiere on April 3 (no info when it will appear elsewhere). According to the limited amount of English text available (dreadful website), it does not bother much with historical accuracy (inserting a fictional kick-ass Maggie Q character for extra punishment) and bends Zhao Zilong's story. Reminds me of Hollywood's tanked adaptation of Heidi setting the story in Austria instead of Switzerland and choosing WWII as the time period (similar to having a Canadian Huckleberry Finn fight in the First World War). The original story stood the test of time, why do directors think they can do a better job? Give us Zhao Zilong or name your hero differently. By the way, there is a special place reserved in hell for all the participants in Troy. I hope Red Cliff stays on message.

Chapter 56 Deceived Deceivers

Sun Quan sends Cao Cao a recommendation to appoint Liu Bei protector of Jingzhou (either as a form of reconciliation with Liu Bei or supreme cunning by playing à la bande). Cao Cao, after enjoying a banquet at the newly completed Bronze Bird Tower with archery showmanship, bad poetry and listening to his own voice (an early Fidel Castro), counters by appointing Zhou Yu governor of Nanjun instead, something the latter can not refuse. To turn up the heat, poor Lu Su is sent again to petition Liu Bei to relinquish Jingzhou (now that Zhou Yu is also governor). After a show of cries and tears by Liu Bei, and a little deception by Zhou Yu, they agree to have a Wu army conquer the Riverlands for Liu Bei who can then hand back Jingzhou to Sun Quan. Planning to use a resupply stop in Jingzhou to murder Liu Bei, Zhou Yu is himself ambushed by a concentric advance directed by Zhuge Liang. The chapter ends again with a psychosomatic breakdown of Zhou Yu.

Apparently, the actors are unaware of the niceties how safe-passage is arranged by offering high-value hostages, eg Zhou Yu could have sent his beautiful and cherished wife on a visit to Liu Bei.

jcbrunner, just to let you know I am still with you. Trailing but on Chapter 50.

Nice, I slow down to one chapter per week, so you can close the remaining 100 page gap (or even less in Chinese) quickly. The TV series has already crossed the half way mark (at episode 42), the book will soon too (chapter 60) - and remarkably, we are already in the third season (autumn, winter, spring).

>35 jcbrunner: Giving and taking hostages was an old established tradition in China, and one of the best-known things about it was that it often worked out badly. Texts abound with stories of hostages mistreated or murdered and of hair-breadth escapes by hostages whose well-being had been jeopardized by careless or callous moves on the part of those who had given them into hostage. There is more than one story of a ruler's wife absolutely forbidding the sending of her son into hostage. Generally we hesitate to assume ignorance of Chinese history on the part of a high personage in China.

Interesting, as hostage exchanging is the travel modus operandi of Xenophon's Greeks. Maybe the difference lies in the more hierarchical Confucianism compared to the more egalitarian Greek friendship bonding.

On the other hand, the Chinese rulers seem to be far less ruthless towards their peers (not their subordinates) than their renaissance or sengoku jidai counterparts where assassination and poisoning was the ordre du jour. Cao Cao is the major exception (perhaps to cast him as a villain) as the following chapter illustrates.

Chapter 57 Death and an ugly duckling

His invasion plans blunted, Zhou Yu passes away - not before receiving a letter from Zhuge Liang reminding him of the perils of campaigning, again rubbing salt into his wounds. "After making me, Zhou Yu, did you have to make Zhuge Liang?" his final lament.

Zhuge Liang, royal pain and bane of Zhou Yu's existence, manages even to use Zhou's burial to upstage him by offering a grandiose eulogy (which, as ever, indirectly praises Zhuge Liang). On his way home, Zhuge Liang banters with Pang "Young Phoenix" Tong and asks him to join Liu Bei, handing him a personal letter of recommendation.

Replacing Zhou, the poor diplomat Lu Su becomes the new southern commander, so expect calmer relations between Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Lu Su presents Pang Tong to Sun Quan who, disturbed by Pang's ugliness and unorthodox thinking, refuses to employ him. Off he goes to Liu Bei (armed with a letter of recommendation by Lu Su). The ugly duckling does not impress Liu Bei either: He assigns him a prefecture in the outbacks. The slighted Pang Tong goes into slacker mode until Zhang Fei (the right person to judge drunk behavior!) and Sun Qian are sent to investigate the mess. In a Herculean whirlwind, Pang Tong completes the work of the last hundred days in a half day. After Pang Tong has played another charade with his double whammy recommendation letters, not wanting to waste such a talent in the province, Liu Bei promotes him to Deputy Director General and Imperial Corps commander. Transfer season complete, Sleeping Dragon and Young Phoenix finally play for the same team. The five tiger generals are still short one member, though. Cao Cao to the rescue.

Meanwhile, on the dark side, Cao Cao plots against Ma Teng, in charge of Xiliang (besides Cao Cao and Liu Bei, the only survivor of the old guard). Cao Cao summons him to the capital. Leaving his one son, Ma Chao behind, he marches with his two other sons, his nephew and a small army to the capital. Cao Cao sends a traitor's son, Huang Kui, as emissary to Ma Teng who falls for the bait and in turns plans to murder Cao Cao. Huang Kui is betrayed in turn by his concubine whose lover (Huang's brother-in-law !) reveals the plot to Cao Cao. The next day, Ma Teng and his two sons are captured outside the gates and killed. Only the nephew, Ma Dai, in charge of the rear guard, escapes. Ruthless Cao Cao has the whole sorry traitor and informant family of questionable morale executed.

Ma Teng dead, the west will be quiet for some time (although the remaining Mas will be furious!). Cao Cao turns against Liu Bei.

(Curiously, the novel whitewashes Ma Teng who historically held the capital for Cao Cao during his Red Cliff campaign. A job Cao Cao would have been unlikely to hand to an uncertain follower. Thus, Ma Teng must have switched to Cao's side (breaking his vow to the Emperor).)

Hi, JC--Just finished Chapter 57, so I'm reading right along side you. Where did you learn that Ma Teng held the capital? Is this from reading on the side? I'm not challenging you. I just don't recall if this was indicated in the romance.

Now I can fully appreciate your wry statements. I laughed out loud as I read the last post. I won't be coming up with anything astute but will follow along, trying to read at the same pace.

You are right, I mixed up (the Western Han capital) Chang'an and with (the current capital) Xuchang (Moss Roberts ch. 57 fn. 11). Oops, my sense of Chinese geography and history is obviously still very rudimentary. I also miscalculated the Ma reaction. I thought that the decapitation strategy worked. Instead, it stirred a hornet's nest.

Chapter 58 A Close Shave

After an intro where Zhuge Liang again takes credit for other people's actions, Ma Chao hears about the murder of his father and brothers, assembles an army of 200.000 (!), marches on and captures Chang'an. Cao Cao did not expect such a swift reaction either. He orders his generals, his impulsive nephew Cao Hong and professional Xu Huang, to hold the critical Tong Pass for ten days to contain the threat. For eight days, all goes well. On the ninth, Xu Huang left Cao Hong unattended. With 3.000 soldiers he charges down from the pass into the Western soldiers. After initial successes, his forces are cut to pieces and flee. Ma Chao snags the important pass.

Cao Cao is rightfully angry about his reckless relative and even threatens him with execution. Cao Hong gets off with a scolding though. The two armies meet. Ma Chao in splendid white mourning dress is quite the looker with rosy lips and shapely physique. The boy can fight too: He defeats Cao Cao's champions, inspiring his army to charge and defeat Cao's. Cao Cao is forced to flee (again) - shedding first his red coat, then his beard and finally his whip. Ma Chao advances to avenge his father, hurling a spear against Cao Cao who hides behind a tree. Finally, Cao Hong redeems himself by checking Ma Chao which permits Cao Cao to escape to safety. The two armies stay in proximity.

To break the stalemate, Cao Cao sends Xu Huang and Zhu Ling on a flanking march, Cao Hong on rafts and Cao Ren guarding the camp (blocking position). When the troops crossed the river, Ma Chao was ready for them, however. Cao Cao, recklessly in the van of his defeated assault troops, is barely rescued by Xu Chu, put on a raft and sheltered from countless arrows by Xu Chu's personal armor. Cao Cao, a man of nine lives! Cao Cao's escape is eased by a local prefect releasing oxen and horses into the fields - drawing Ma Chao's soldiers off-target. As ever, Cao Cao rewards good service and promotes the local to commander. Ma's counterattack led by Pang De and Han Sui is ambushed as well. The Westerners launch a second attack, this time staged with a forlorn hope of 30 riders (which triggers Cao Cao's premature ambush). The chapter ends with Ma's main attack in full force. Who will win this time?

Two close escapes for Cao Cao who had underestimated the Westerners. His personal exposure is reckless - given his clear numerical superiority. As Sherman flanked Joe Johnston's Confederates in the Atlanta campaign, he should have applied simultaneous pressure at multiple points. Instead, we see the smaller army defeat the larger one by putting its leader to flight. Cao Cao, an excellent strategist, is a lousy tactical commander (recklessly brave, yet paralyzed like Dareios. As Lincoln said, stunned like a duck hit on its head.).

Chapter 59 In the Eye of the Tiger

The last chapter ended with a showdown battle which ends inconclusively in this chapter. Cao Cao tries at first unsuccessfully to fortify his bridgehead. With a little meteoric help, he succeeds at last.

Coming up next on Chinese Gladiators: a duel between Xu "Tiger Lord" Chu and Ma "the Splendid" Chao (Actual tigers are on the verge of extinction in China today, extinct in the wild and barely surviving in zoos due to their limited gene-pool. Beautiful but smelly creatures!). 100, 200 bouts, then Xu strips to expose his pecs. After another 30 bouts, Xu clasps Ma's spear under his arm and breaks it in two; the warriors continue to fight each with a broken part each. Cao Cao, fearing for his champion's life, sends in his men and a general melee ensues which Ma Chao's soldiers win. Cao Cao withdraws.

Having established a second bridgehead, Cao Cao sends Xiahou Yuan to battle Ma Chao who ignores him and charges Cao Cao instead. Cao Cao flees again, so his forces abandon the attack as well. Ma Chao then realizes that his army is wedged in between Cao Cao's two bridgeheads and seeks a parley. The ensuing truce breaks down quickly. Cao Cao manages to seed discord between Han Sui and Ma Chao. Han Sui is prepared to surrender and even murder Ma Chao to Cao Cao in exchange for a lordship. Ma Chao discovers the conspirators, storms in and cuts off Han Sui's left hand and kills two of five co-conspirators. Too late, already Cao Cao's and the conspirators' forces are closing in on Ma's few stalwarts. Ma Chao escapes with only thirty riders, among them Pang De and Ma Dai.

The surrender of Ma's army allows Cao Cao total control of the province. He assigns faithful commanders and incorporates the troops into his own army. In triumph, Cao Cao returns to the capital and is given new privileges. The Ma collapse threathens and emboldens Zhang Lu, leader of a local Taoist sect based in Hanzhong, to attack the Riverlands which feeling threatened too looks to an unlikely source for help ...

So Cao Cao's gamble paid off in the end, even though his personal exposure was unsound. The chapter lauds Cao Cao's generalship, whereas his success was built more upon intrigue and politics.

Chapter 60 Half time with the Riverlands served on a platter

I imagined the mystery visitor to be Zhuge Liang. It turns out it is an ugly local dwarf named Zhang "Yoda" Song who convinces Liu Zhang to send him to Cao Cao who is also repulsed by the visitor's appearance and leaves him to scholar Yang Xiu. After offering the Cliff Note of Yizhou, the dwarf insults the scholar's pride. The scholar hits back by reading all of thirteen chapters of Cao Cao's writings to the dwarf (a grueling torture - as anyone who has sat through a lecture by a presentation challenged Chinese professor. Only in Asia can someone manage to break eye contact for ten minutes.). After a few more insults to Cao Cao, the dwarf recites Cao's work from memory which happens to be a plagiarized ancient text. Caught, Cao Cao has "his" work burned. Having failed to impress the dwarf intellectually, Cao Cao stages a soldiers' parade. Again, the dwarf slams Cao Cao first by contrasting Cao's military might to the Riverlands' humanity and justice to end reciting all of Cao humilating defeats. The insolent dwarf is kicked out. So he goes to see Liu Bei, being met at the border by a friendly Zhao Zilong, Lord Guan and finally Liu Bei and friends. What a contrast! After three days of feasting, Zhang Song offers the Riverlands to Liu Bei, handing over a map with invasion routes and indicating two guides. Alas, there remains the tricky problem that the current ruler of the Riverlands is a distant kinsman of Liu Bei.

Zhang Song goes even further, sending his ruler to receive Liu Bei and his army (while Zhuge Liang, Lord Guan, Zhao Zilong and Zhang Fei cover Jingzhou). Two of Liu Zhang's advisers try to protect him with the ultimate passive resistance: One bloodies his head on the floor and sinks his teeth into Liu Zhang's clothing (if only Colin Powell had shown equal devotion). The other threatens to hang himself and follows through - all in vain: Liu Zhang meets Liu Bei and they are best of buddies. All coax Liu Bei into murdering the unsuspecting Liu Zhang, but he dithers (probably waiting Liu Zhang to die from all the affection, or more realistically, for a renegade scapegoat to do the deed, leaving Pontius Pilate Liu with clean hands). The chapter ends without resolving the matter. Will Liu Bei continue to lead by meekness?

--
Thanks to the power of the internet, I managed to see Resurrection of the Dragon (and will watch it again on the big screen when/if it arrives here, say, in one, two years?). Much better than the rather tepid reviews. The first half is fast, entertaining and powerful. The second half, alas, is weak and slow as molasses, a bit like bolting the films Spartacus and Hamlet together. I was surprised about Andy Lau's good performance of both the young and the aged Zhao Zilong. Maggie Q in her unhistorical role fortunately has just a few appearances (pure cover candy). In my phantom edit, I would cut most of the last twenty minutes (including "Jar-Jar" Maggie) to an action-packed five.

The English subtitles had a lot of chess references, which made me wonder: Did they play Go or Xiangqi (or both)?

Having familiarized myself with the rules of Xiangqi, I'll buy a nice set in one of the local Chinese stores. A great conversation/display piece, as I assume it is hellishly difficult to find local players in real life (as it is with Go). Fortunately, there is the internet.

>43 jcbrunner: Sinks his teeth into the clothing and loses his two front teeth! The other official did not "hang" himself" but hung upside down from the gate. He cut the rope and crashed to the ground.

JC, in Western history, have you come across suicide of this nature? Women are especially fond of committing suicide by running head long
into walls.

According to my limited understanding, in the West, suicide is/was a sin, its stigma falling on the individual which is the opposite of the intended effect. Thus, suicides as a form of political protest are rare. The only one that comes to my mind is Jan Palach (Prague 1969). The classic suicides in the West are caused by despair (Werther, Romeo, Stefan Zweig), failure (Mark Anthony, Cleopatra) or dishonor (Lucretia, ever popular in art for gratuitous nudity).

The preferred Western method of protest of the meek is to put "blood on their hands" exposing the injustice of a ruler (Socrates, Jesus, Thomas More, Bruno Giordano, martyrs; as the Church had technical concerns about spilling blood, similar to the crazy Bush administration's organ failure argumentation, it used drowning, burning and hanging.).

As far as I notice these Ancient Chinese suicides, their main point is to expose a ruler's neglect, not caring about the Confucian obligation towards their inferiors. By making their suicides in public even more brutal by an inept choice of method that prolongs suffering, they enhance the shock value of their act: Shaming by suffering as a display of bravery ("Indians show no pain.").

I still wonder about the technicality of the methods. No 1 may have had a rotten set of teeth. Given a healthy bite, wouldn't our (rather weaker than a dog's) jaw muscles relax earlier before bones break? I remember a circus artist suspended by his teeth, flipping and spinning about.

Due to my size, hitting my head against a door frame is a regular occurrence. Even though my sturdy Swiss frame will take a lot more punishment than a delicate Chinese princess', I doubt the practicality and possibility of killing oneself (a concussion and gashes, yes. Death unlikely). I see it more as a kind of an euphemism for other methods (poison, dagger) which dissolve the responsibility (and thus punishability) of the environment (similar to the elaborate dance doctors have to perform in legal assisted suicide).

Chapter 61 Liu Bei waits, Sun Quan schemes, Cao Cao attacks

The two Lius continue their friendship while both their retinues want to murder each other's leader. Liu Bei barely manages to calm his men at a sword dance. Hoping that the physical separation will cool his men's murderous intents, Liu Bei takes up position at a pass (shifting into waiting mode).

Lady Sun in Liu Bei's home prevents Sun Quan from attacking. He requests her to come to her mother's (faked) sick bed. She complies quickly and rather stealthily even takes An Douh, Liu Bei's heir, with her. She escapes onto a Southern boat - which the pursuing Zhao Zilong reaches with the utmost effort. He grasps An Douh and tries to defend himself and the child against her escorts while the boat drifts south. All seems lost, until Zhang Fei with a blocking fleet appears. Game over! The child is recovered, Lady Sun is permitted to travel on. Is this the end of her marriage or will she return to Liu Bei? Probably a matter of Sun Quan's politics. Sun Quan shifts his capital to Moling (near modern Nanking).

Cao Cao enjoys the fruits of office in his capital, number one being a suitable set of company cars/chariots with three four-horse teams (1 black, 2 cream). One of Cao Cao's counselors is not amused by this splendor and sulks. Cao Cao, not unlike a mafia boss, sends him an empty present box. The counselor reads the sign, poisons himself. Cao Cao shows remorse by providing for a suitable burial. A dead enemy does no harm.

Cao Cao moves south against Sun Quan - but is ambushed again. The next day, Sun Quan and Cao Cao meet to insult each other. In the ensuing melee, the Southerners chase Cao Cao away, despite the valiant Xu Chu. After a fruitless siege, both sides retire to their capitals. With his troops freed from Cao Cao, Sun Quan turns to Liu Bei.

"Due to my size, hitting my head against a door frame is a regular occurrence. Even though my sturdy Swiss frame will take a lot more punishment than a delicate Chinese princess."--ROFL! Please don't visit the traditional old houses in Japan!

No need to go to Japan for that. Medieval castles do the job just fine ...

Chapter 62 Liu Bei, warts and all

Sun Quan intrigues against Liu Bei (this usually backfires) by sending letters to Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu. Liu Bei shows no emotional reaction about his wife's escape. Not his favorite piece of garment ... He then asks his kinsman Liu Zhang to supply him with an army and grain. Even though this would be extremely foolish, Liu Zhang nearly complies, until an adviser mixes metaphors: "Liu Bei is a crafty owl. To keep him in Shu is like letting a tiger into your house (owl to tiger?). And now to grant him what he requests is to add wings to that tiger (what use are wings in a house?)." Liu Zhang only sends a token force to Liu Bei which triggers the hypocrite Liu Bei to rant against Liu Zhang: BFF no more. Liu Bei "informs" Liu Zhang about his retreat. The feint miscarries as another revealing letter is discovered. Liu Zhang sends troops to guard the passes to Chengdu. Now, is it ok for the kinsmen to fight each other?

The first round goes to Liu Bei who tricks Liu Zhang's local commanders and has them murdered. Oh, saintly Liu Bei finds a reason - they were supposed to murder him too. Always in need of soldiers, Liu Bei pardons the now leaderless Riverlands troops. They help Liu Bei in tricking the garrison of the pass into surrendering too. Exalted, Liu Bei drinks heavily and insults Pang Tong (but apologizes the next day). A strange glimpse behind Liu Bei's mask?

Fortunately for the Riverlanders, there is another pass at Luoxian which Liu Zhang covers with 50.000 men. His two commanders Liu Gui and Ling Bao consult a local Taoist who offers them a prophecy they do not understand: "A dragon left, a phoenix right, he flies into the Riverlands. Young Phoenix drops to earth; Sleeping Dragon soars on high. One gain, one loss, as Heaven's lots dictate. Act as opportunity beckons and avoid perishing below in the Nether Springs." Pang Tong' exit looms. Lucky Zhuge Liang continues his winning streak. Ling Bao and Deng Xian take up forward positions, while Liu Gui guards the city of Luoxian.

Liu Bei assigns the mission of defeating Ling Bao and Deng Xian to his two quarreling generals, oldie Huang Zhong and hotheaded Wei Yan. The two attack uncoordinated. Wei Yan is defeated by Ling Bao. Huang Zhong rescues his fellow general by killing Deng Xian with his bow, then routing Ling Bao, Seeing Liu Bei's reinforcements already in his camp, Ling Bao flees but is captured by Wei Yan. This capture redeems Wei Yan's earlier defeat. Liu Bei paroles the captured soldiers and sends Ling Bao to Luoxian hoping for a quick surrender, but Ling Bao breaks his word. Liu Gui in Luoxian asks and receives reinforcements from Liu Zhang. Liu Gui intends to flood the land to drown Liu Bei's army.

Liu Bei covers his back by sending two officers to hold a pass against Zhang Lu/Sun Quan. Pang Tong receives a hungry and tired mystery visitor. Fortunately, the summoned Fa Zheng knows the guy ...

"A strange glimpse behind Liu Bei's mask?" I had the same reaction that he is momentarily unmasked and is quick to paint a pretty face when he is again sober in the morning.

Chapter 63 A bird shot, or going down in flames

The mystery visitor is just an average traitor giving Liu Bei some information and advises caution due to bad luck star constellations, confirmed by Zhuge Liang's letter asking for caution too. At first, Liu Bei is lucky. Ling Bao is captured again and executed. The stage is set for the tragedy of Pang Tong. Ignoring a string of warning signs (which would have shamed Oedipus or Caesar), Liu Bei's forces advance on two roads. Pang Tong exchanges his balking horse for Liu Bei's conspicuous white charger. He is ambushed and killed in a barrage of bolts at a place suitably called Fallen Phoenix Slope. Liu Bei's defeated forces retreat to Fu Pass and waits for Zhuge Liang and reinforcements.

Zhuge Liang has already divined the sad news from the stars when a messenger (Lord Guan's adoptive son) informs him about Pang Tong's death and Liu Bei's plight. Leaving only Lord Guan behind, Zhuge Liang sets all the remaining forces in motion. All the chips are in. Either they conquer the province or all is lost. Lord Guan is given a mantra: North - repel Cao Cao, East - conciliate Sun Quan. On the move to Liu Bei, Zhang Fei shows surprising insight. After an unsuccessful siege, he tricks the local garrison commander into an ambush, defeats and captures him. By an act of untypical magnaminity, Zhang Fei gains the man's trust. The general offers a plan to conquer Chengdu.

--
So ends volume II. Liu Bei is on the verge of finally conquering a base. He barely holds on to Liu Biao's province, the battleground (Belgium?) between the two big contenders. Having been chased all over China, perhaps Liu Bei finds some quietness there.

Sun Quan controls the South but has little else to show for all his efforts. He has no chance of conquering the North and did not even have the strength to subdue Liu Bei. He should seek some form of accommodation with Cao Cao (a sort of virtual overlordship by the Emperor).

Cao Cao has suffered a temporary defeat at Red Cliff and made little progress against Liu Bei and Sun Quan. He has, however, knocked out Ma Teng and gained control of the North-East. He should concentrate on eliminating Liu Bei and even offer (again) Jingzhou to Sun Quan.

Hooray! We are both done with 2 volumes. Now on to volume 3. I love the references you make to European wars. I've read "The History of Warfare," by John Keegan so appreciate any analogies you make.

Also reading the Illiad, which is nice accompaniment to "Three Kingdoms." The poetry and the piercing description lends more color to the "drier" Chinese novel on war.

If you had not started this read along, I would not have picked up "Three Kingdoms" for a second read. As I said in an earlier post, I read this book with the help of my mother and I didn't get much out of it back then. I am older and "wiser" now--tee hee.

Older and wiser ... I actually grew up watching the (Japanese) Water Margin TV series, so I must have been spoilt early on, although traditional Chinese would be horrified by the Swiss tradition of "sic semper tyrannis" ...

I love Homer (but not the Simpson kind of). My mother read me the Iliad and Odyssey from a beautiful version illustrated with black figure pottery which showed the heros (unhistorically) as hoplites with spears, greaves and their magnificent painted shields (hoplon). The different helmets endlessly fascinated me, especially Athena with her high-arched feather bush (and she has been my goddess ever since. Bad choice, Paris!). Having soaked up the German prose version of the 19th century giant Gustav Schwab, I was quite shocked to discover how short the original poem actually is. But what a splendid imagination and poetry, what a celebration of combat and dying. The Iliad meticulously notes the place of a wound and comments on how the hero expires. In contrast, 3K is interested in counting the number of jousts and less in gore.

The Iliad gives a pretty good picture of prehistoric fighting where selected champions fight one another while their supporters cheer them on (and sometimes hurl spears or shoot arrows, not unlike modern sport events). I saw a documentary about the Bolivian highlands where this style of fighting continues to this day. See also Jared Diamond's recent New Yorker article Vengeance Is Ours about New Guinea where clan wars are about women and pigs - not so different from the Trojan War (today, people are fighting less about pigs but about other greasy stuff).

3K mixes three different eras of warfare: The champion prehistoric one, the heroic "follow me" one (of Alexander the Great where, once battle is joined, the leader fights in front of his men, losing tactical control of the battle) and the modern one (where the generals direct their forces from the Feldherrenhügel (commander's hill). In China and Japan, this hill is lavishly decorated with flags and tents in which the commander sits armed with a non-lethal instrument like a flyswatter, fan, ...). In my (un-researched) opinion, the actual 3K battles were massive clashes of organized armies where individual bravery had little impact on a battle's result, the opposite of the 3K narrative which glorifies the duel of heroes.

Compare also the emotional difference between Liu Bei's loss of his wife with Menelaos'. The one is a cold fish, the other goes ballistic ...

JC, thanks, above post all fascinating and helpful.

For me, 3K is entirely about deception. The only one who does not resort to mendacity is Guangong and, for this, he is still revered.

In 3K, the most gruesome thing we see is Xia Houdun swallowing his own eyeball.

The Illiad is just too beautiful. I am gasping at the dazzling death scenes. Never imagined I'd find the throes of death so mesmerizing.

There was an excellent program a few weeks ago on BBC Radio 3 where we were taken on a walk upon the plain where the battles took place. The narrator bent down to pick flowers and to sit by the Skamander(sp). I'd imagined the plain outside of Troy dusty but it wasn't so. It was and is still quite lush and there are birds, stopping for a drop of refreshment in the streams.

We had a fairly nice description of the forested mountain in the chapter where Young Phoenix meets his death. I don't recall any other portion in 3K to be as extravagant about the landscape.

JC--here is a link to the NYTimes interactive map of the Sichuan earthquake zone:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/05/12/world/05132008_CHINA_MAP.html
Notice Mianzhu. This city you will come across in Chapter 64. Liu Bei must take out this garrison before attacking Chengdu so as not to have the enemy at his back. It gave me chills when I came across this name and to make the connection with the NYTimes map. There is an image of rubble, what left of a building.

Two aspects of the Iliad I love most: how it always rekindles the hope that Hector (and to a lesser degree, Achilles) will survive, and its vivid supporting cast. I can recommend the 1985 BBC documentary In Search of the Trojan War. Some anniversary one or two years ago resulted in a flood of new documentaries with nice computer graphics reconstructions. I have yet to visit Troy. It is a little bit off the tourist hot spots of Greece and Turkey. The Eastern Mediterranean landscape is too hot and arid for my taste - I prefer lush meadows.

The BBC correspondent's impression is very close to one I had at Ypres where a sea of poppies was in full bloom in the now peaceful plains of Belgium. One can hardly believe that some of mankind's most vicious fighting took place there less than a century ago. I memorized the poem In Flanders Field on the spot. Very moving. One day, I will listen to Homer on site. In contrast, I was quite disappointed by the unchallenging task of running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (great museum, though) ...

3K helps me to improve my (still poor) mental model of China. I am amazed to rediscover places I hear or read about in the (good or bad) news or books. The number of Chinese people transcends my level of comprehension. The number of casualties would wipe out entire towns and cities here. Living in a small country where one is never beyond two to three degrees of separation (many Kevin Bacons), I can hardly grasp a society where an individual is literally one in a billion. One probably mentally adjusts as I do with US distances, meal sizes, and value judgments (US "great" equals European "ok").

The BBC has started an excellent nature documentary series called Wild China (which my cable company in all its wisdom diffuses during the dead of night to my faithful VCR and the restless few). The first episode highlighted the limestone mountains and caves of the South, which have suffered much more erosion than its Swiss equivalent, the Jura mountain range (of Jurassic Park fame, but no T.Rex. She belongs to the Cretaceous.), which is a fairly recent creation of the African plate slamming into Europe. Statistically, a large earthquake is overdue in Switzerland. The appearance of solid rock is deceiving.