the river at the ferry. He was to attack them while they were trying to escape.
Zhao Yun was to divide 3,000 soldiers into four sections and take one to lie in wait outside the east gate. The other three were to be posted outside the other gates. But before they left for their posts they were to pile sulfur niter and other combustibles onto the roofs of the houses in the city.
The intention was to again attack the enemy with fire. When Cao Cao’s men arrived, they would certainly look for shelter first. There would be a strong wind the following evening, which would fan the flames. When this wind began to blow, Zhao Yun’s men were to shoot arrows of fire into the city from the south, west, and north gates. When the flames were high the men were to raise a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate was to be left free for the enemy to escape, but as they did so they would be smitten by Zhao Yun, who was to join Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at daybreak—together they would set out for Fancheng after the battle.
Other orders were given to Mi Fang and Liu Feng, who were to take command of 2,000 men, one half carrying red flags and the other half blue flags. They were to camp at Magpie Tail slope, about thirty li from the city. At the sight of Cao Cao’s army the soldiers with red flags were to move on the left and those with blue flags were to move on the right. The enemy would be so confused that they would be afraid to advance further. The two of them should wait until they saw the city on fire. Then they were to attack the defeated enemy and later to move forward to the upper reaches of the river to assist in the fighting against Cao Cao’s men.
All the orders being given, the various officers went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei stood on a promontory, where they could witness what would happen and await for reports of victory.
Meanwhile, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, with their 100,000 men, preceded by Xu Chu, leading 3,000 mailed men, marched toward Xinye. They presented a formidable sight. They reached Magpie Tail slope about noon. Looking ahead, they saw what seemed a substantial army with blue and red flags. Xu Chu urged his men to press forward. But, as he got near, the soldiers holding the flags moved respectively to the right and left and he hesitated. Suspecting an ambush, Xu Chu called a halt and rode back to the main army to see Cao Ren.
“Those soldiers are only to confuse you,” said Cao Ren. “Advance, there is no ambush. I will hasten up with the supporting forces.”
So Xu Chu rode to the slope again and advanced. When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags, he found it deserted. By then the sun had already set in the west, but he decided to move on. At that moment he heard from the hills the sound of drums and trumpets and, looking up, saw on the hilltop two umbrellas surrounded by many banners. There sat Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, quietly drinking. Enraged, he sought for a way up, but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down and he was driven back. At the same time there came a confused roar from the rear of the hills. He tried to find a way to attack but darkness had descended.
Then Cao Ren arrived and ordered an attack on Xinye, so that his army might have a place to rest later. When they got to the walls they found the gates wide open. They met with no resistance as they entered and they discovered that it was a completely deserted city. No one was visible.
“This shows they are panic-stricken,” said Cao Ren. “They have all run away, people and all. We may as well occupy the city and rest for the night. Tomorrow we will advance again.”
The soldiers were fatigued after the long march and hungry as well, so they lost no time in scattering among the houses and setting about preparing food. The two leaders took up quarters in the official residence.
After the first watch a strong wind began to blow.
Zhao Yun was to divide 3,000 soldiers into four sections and take one to lie in wait outside the east gate. The other three were to be posted outside the other gates. But before they left for their posts they were to pile sulfur niter and other combustibles onto the roofs of the houses in the city.
The intention was to again attack the enemy with fire. When Cao Cao’s men arrived, they would certainly look for shelter first. There would be a strong wind the following evening, which would fan the flames. When this wind began to blow, Zhao Yun’s men were to shoot arrows of fire into the city from the south, west, and north gates. When the flames were high the men were to raise a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate was to be left free for the enemy to escape, but as they did so they would be smitten by Zhao Yun, who was to join Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at daybreak—together they would set out for Fancheng after the battle.
Other orders were given to Mi Fang and Liu Feng, who were to take command of 2,000 men, one half carrying red flags and the other half blue flags. They were to camp at Magpie Tail slope, about thirty li from the city. At the sight of Cao Cao’s army the soldiers with red flags were to move on the left and those with blue flags were to move on the right. The enemy would be so confused that they would be afraid to advance further. The two of them should wait until they saw the city on fire. Then they were to attack the defeated enemy and later to move forward to the upper reaches of the river to assist in the fighting against Cao Cao’s men.
All the orders being given, the various officers went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city. Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei stood on a promontory, where they could witness what would happen and await for reports of victory.
Meanwhile, Cao Ren and Cao Hong, with their 100,000 men, preceded by Xu Chu, leading 3,000 mailed men, marched toward Xinye. They presented a formidable sight. They reached Magpie Tail slope about noon. Looking ahead, they saw what seemed a substantial army with blue and red flags. Xu Chu urged his men to press forward. But, as he got near, the soldiers holding the flags moved respectively to the right and left and he hesitated. Suspecting an ambush, Xu Chu called a halt and rode back to the main army to see Cao Ren.
“Those soldiers are only to confuse you,” said Cao Ren. “Advance, there is no ambush. I will hasten up with the supporting forces.”
So Xu Chu rode to the slope again and advanced. When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags, he found it deserted. By then the sun had already set in the west, but he decided to move on. At that moment he heard from the hills the sound of drums and trumpets and, looking up, saw on the hilltop two umbrellas surrounded by many banners. There sat Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, quietly drinking. Enraged, he sought for a way up, but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down and he was driven back. At the same time there came a confused roar from the rear of the hills. He tried to find a way to attack but darkness had descended.
Then Cao Ren arrived and ordered an attack on Xinye, so that his army might have a place to rest later. When they got to the walls they found the gates wide open. They met with no resistance as they entered and they discovered that it was a completely deserted city. No one was visible.
“This shows they are panic-stricken,” said Cao Ren. “They have all run away, people and all. We may as well occupy the city and rest for the night. Tomorrow we will advance again.”
The soldiers were fatigued after the long march and hungry as well, so they lost no time in scattering among the houses and setting about preparing food. The two leaders took up quarters in the official residence.
After the first watch a strong wind began to blow.
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