The five legions sent against Liu Bei went into camp thirty-five miles from Xuzhou. The camp made an imposing display of the banners of the Prime Minister, but no attacks followed. Their spies were very busy north of the river to get news of Cao Cao's movement. On the defensive side, Liu Bei, as he was uncertain of the strength of the force against him, dared not move.
Suddenly orders came for the Cao Cao's army to attack, and then discord showed itself.
Liu Dai said, “The Prime Minister orders an attack; you advance.”
Wang Zhong replied, “You were named first.”
“I am the Commander-in-Chief; it is not my place to go first.”
“I will go with you in joint command,” said Wang Zhong.
“Let us cast lots, and he upon whom the lot falls must go,” said Liu Dai.
They drew lots, and it fell to Wang Zhong, who advanced toward Xuzhou with half the force.
When Liu Bei heard of the threatened attack, he called Chen Deng to consult.
Liu Bei said, “There is dissension in Yuan Shao's camp at Liyang, so they do not advance. We do not know where Cao Cao is, but his own banner is not displayed in his Liyang's camp. Why then is it shown here?”
Chen Deng replied, “His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that he regards the north as more important and has gone there to look after its defense. He dares not show his flag there, and I feel sure it is only meant to mislead us. He is not here.”
Liu Bei then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth, and Zhang Fei volunteered to go.
“I fear you are unsuited for this,” said Liu Bei. “You are too impetuous.”
“If Cao Cao is there, I will haul him over here,” said Zhang Fei.
“Let me go first and find out,” said Guan Yu.
“If you go, I shall feel more at ease,” said Liu Bei.
So Guan Yu set out with three thousand soldiers to reconnoiter. It was then early winter, and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched regardless of the snow and came near Wang Zhong's camp with arms all ready to attack. Guan Yu summoned Wang Zhong to a parley.
“The Prime Minister is here; why do you not surrender?” said Wang Zhong. “Beg him to come to the front, for I would speak with him,” replied Guan Yu.
“Is he likely to come out to see such as you,” said Wang Zhong.
Guan Yu angrily dashed forward, and Wang Zhong set his spear to meet him. Guan Yu rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly wheeled away. Wang Zhong went after him and followed up a slope. Just as they passed the crest, Guan Yu suddenly wheeled again, shouted, and came on flourishing the mighty sword. Wang Zhong could not withstand that and fled. But Guan Yu, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate, lifted him out of the saddle, and rode away to his own lines with the captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Wang Zhong's army scattered.
The captive was sent to Xuzhou, where he was summoned into the presence of Liu Bei.
“Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the ensigns of the Prime Minister?” said Liu Bei.
“What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?” said Wang Zhong. “My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present. Really he was not there.”
Liu Bei treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him in prison till his colleague could be captured.
Guan Yu said to Liu Bei, “I knew you had peaceful intentions in your mind; therefore, I captured Wang Zhong instead of slaying him.”
“I was afraid of Zhang Fei's hasty and impulsive temper,” said Liu Bei. “He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no advantage in killing persons of this sort, and while alive they are often useful in amicable settlements.”
Here Zhang Fei said, “You have got this Wang Zhong; now I will go and get the other man.”
“Be careful,” said Liu Bei. “Liu Dai was once Imperial Protector of Yanzhou, and he was one of the nobles who met at Tiger Trap Pass to destroy Dong Zhuo. He is not to be despised.”
“I do not think him worth talking about so much. I will bring him in alive just as Second Brother did this other.”
“I fear that if his life be lost, it may upset our designs,” said Liu Bei.
“If I kill him, I will forfeit my own life,” said Zhang Fei.
So he was given three thousand soldiers and went off quickly.
The capture of his colleague made Liu Dai careful. He strengthened his defenses and kept behind them. He took no notice of the daily challenges and continual insults which began with Zhang Fei's arrival.
