“I know all this. But Guan Yu is my uncle, and I cannot bear to sit still and not try to save him.”
“So you hold him as an uncle!” said Meng Da with a smile. “Yet I do not think he holds you much as a nephew. When the Prince of Hanzhong adopted you, Guan Yu was greatly annoyed. And after the Prince had accepted his new dignity and was nominating his heir, I heard he consulted Zhuge Liang, who said the affair was one to be decided within the family and declined to advise. Then the Prince sent to ask Guan Yu's advice. Did Guan Yu name you? Not at all. You were only a son by adoption and could have no place in the succession. Further, Guan Yu advised that you be sent to a distance lest you might cause trouble. This is common knowledge, and I am surprised that you are ignorant of it. Yet today you make capital out of the relationship and are willing to run a great risk to support it.”
“Granted that what you say is true, still what reply can we give?”
“Simply say that this city is still unsettled, and you dare not move lest it be lost.”
Liu Feng took his colleague's view, sent for the messenger and told him. Liao Hua was greatly disappointed. He threw himself on the ground and knocked his head, imploring assistance.
“If you act thus, there is an end of Guan Yu!” cried Liao Hua.
“Will a cup of water extinguish a wagon load of blazing wood?” said Meng Da. “Hasten back and await patiently for the coming of help from the west.” Liao Hua renewed his entreaties. The two commanders simply rose, shook out their sleeves, and left him. Liao Hua saw that things had gone against him and thought his best course would be to go at once to Chengdu. He rode out of the city cursing its defenders and went away west.
Guan Yu from his fortress looked anxiously, but vainly, for the coming of the expected aid. He was in a sorry plight. His army numbered but a few hundred, many wounded; there was no food.
Then someone came to the foot of the wall and, calling out to the defenders on the wall not to shoot, said he had a message for the commander. He was allowed to enter; it was Zhuge Jin. When he had made his salutations and taken tea, he began his harangue.
“I come at the command of my master, the Marquis of Wu, to persuade you to a wise course. From of old it has always been recognized that the hero must bow to circumstances. The region with its nine territories and forty-one counties that you ruled have come under another, with the exception of this single city. Within, there is no food, without, no help, so that it must fall quickly. Wherefore, O General, why not hear me and join your fortunes to those of Wu? You shall be restored to your governorship, and you will preserve your family. If haply, Sir, you would reflect thereon.”
Guan Yu replied, quite calmly, “I am a simple soldier from the village of Jieliang. I am the 'hands and feet' of my lord. How can I betray him? The city may fall, and then I can but die. Jade may be shattered, but its whiteness remains; bamboo may be burned, but its joints stand straight. My body may be broken, but my fame shall live in history. Say no more, but leave the city, I beg. I will fight Sun Quan to the death.”
“My master desires to enter into such a league with you as did Jin and Qin in former days, that you may mutually assist to destroy Cao Cao and restore the Hans. That is his idea, and why do you persist in this wrong course?”
As Zhuge Jin finished this speech, Guan Ping, who was by, drew his sword to slay him. But his father checked him.
“Remember his brother is in Shu, helping your uncle. If you hurt him, you will injure the principle of fraternity.”
Guan Yu then bade his servants lead Zhuge Jin away. Zhuge Jin went, his face covered with shame, and left the city. When he reached his master, he told of Guan Yu's obduracy and rejection of all argument.
“He is indeed a loyal servant!” said Sun Quan. “Still, what is to be done next?”
“Take some casts in the Book of Changes,” said Lu Fan.
So the lots were taken and explained to mean that the Marquis' enemies should flee to a distance.
Then Sun Quan asked Lu Meng, saying, “If he flies to a distance, how can he be captured?”
“The divination exactly fits in with my schemes;” replied Lu Meng, “and though Guan Yu had wings to soar to the skies, he would not escape my net.”
The scheme of Lu Meng will be unfolded in the next chapter.
