“There is no need for anxiety; Army Inspector Pan Jun is guarding the city.”

“The objection is the character of Pan Jun. He is jealous and selfish and not a fit person for the task. I think you would do well to replace him by Zhao Lei, now of the Chief of the Commissariat. Zhao Lei is loyal, trusty, clean-handed, and straight, a much more desirable man for the post.”

“I know Pan Jun very well, but I have delegated him for that duty and cannot change now. The work Zhao Lei has to do in the supplies is also most important. I do not think you need be anxious. Just get along with those beacons for me.”

Wang Fu, annoyed, took his leave. Then Guan Ping was bidden to prepare ships ready to cross the river and attack Fankou, whither Cao Ren had retired after his defeat.

Now Cao Ren said to Man Chong, “Neglecting your advice, I lost my soldiers, my two generals, and the city of Xiangyang. What am I to do now?”

“Guan Yu is very dangerous, too brave and skillful for us to try to defeat. We would better remain on the defensive,” replied Man Chong.

Just about this time came the tidings that Guan Yu was crossing the river on the way to attack. Man Chong maintained his policy of defense. But one of Cao Ren's generals, Lu Chang, was for going out to meet the enemy.

“I ask for a few thousand troops,” said Lu Chang, “and I will meet the enemy on the way.”

“You cannot do any good,” said Man Chong.

“According to the advice of you and the other bookish officials, there is only one thing to do. But will defense drive off the enemy? The proper way is to attack your enemy while he is crossing a river, and as Guan Yu is doing that now, why not attack? It will be quite another matter if you let him reach the walls and get possession of the moat.”

As a result of his arguments and protest, Lu Chang got command of two thousand troops, whom he led to the river. And there he found Guan Yu already arrayed for battle. Guan Yu at once rode out, and the bold Lu Chang was going to attack him. But his soldiers were panic-stricken at the sight of Guan Yu's fierce countenance and ran away. Lu Chang called them to come back, but they would not stop, and as Guan Yu came on with a rush, the army of Cao Cao again lost the day. Many were slain, and the remainder ran into Fankou. Cao Ren sent off a hasty messenger for help and a letter to Xuchang to tell what Guan Yu had done and how Fankou was in imminent danger of falling.

The letter reached Cao Cao, who chose a certain general among his leaders and assigned the task, “You go and defend Fankou!”

The man at once stepped out and accepted the assignment.

The man was Yu Jin.

“Let me have another general to lead the van,” said Yu Jin.

“Who volunteers?” asked Cao Cao, looking around.

“I do;” cried a man, “I will give my poor services for what they are worth. And I will capture this fellow Guan Yu and bring him as an offering before your standard.”

The soldiers of Wei began the war

Even before Wu had sent out armies.

But who was the man bold enough to say he would capture Guan Yu? For his name see the next chapter.

CHAPTER 74. Pang De Takes His Coffin On A Decisive Campaign; Guan Yu Drowns The Seven Armies.

The bold and self-confident leader of Cao Cao's army who promised to make an end of Guan Yu was Pang De. Cao Cao was glad to find such a man.

“That fellow Guan Yu has a great reputation, and in the whole country he has no rival. He has not met his match yet, but now you are going, he will find all his work cut out.”

So spoke Cao Cao. He conferred on Yu Jin the title of General Who Corrects the South and on Pang De that of General Who Corrects the West, and he made Pang De Leader of the Van. The two generals marched out with their seven armies to Fankou.

These seven armies were composed of sturdy fellows from the north, led by two of their own commanders named Dong Heng and Dong Chao. Hearing who was to command them, these two, supported by their generals, went to see Yu Jin and represented that the Leader of the Van was unsuitable.

Dong Heng said, “Sir General, the expedition you lead is for the relief of Fankou, and it can confidently expect victory, but is it not unwise to place such as Pang De in command of the van?”

“Why?” said Yu Jin, surprised.

“Because Pang De was once under the command of Ma Chao. He had no alternative but to surrender and fight for Wei. But his former chief is now in high honor in Shu, one of the Five Tiger Generals, and his own brother Pang Rou is there, too, as an officer. To send Pang De as Leader of the Van just now seems like trying to extinguish a fire with oil. Would it not be well to inform the Prince of Wei and ask him to exchange this man for another?”