For the events of the journey see the next chapter.

CHAPTER 76. Xu Huang Fights At The River Mian; Guan Yu Retreats To Maicheng.

The fall of Jingzhou put Mi Fang in a quandary; and before he could decide upon any course, his old colleague Fu Shiren came to see him. Fu Shiren was admitted, and when asked why he had come, he blurted out his business without beating about the bush.

“I am faithful enough, but I got into difficulties and danger and could not hold on, so I have surrendered to Wu. And I advise you to do the same.”

“You and I have both fed on the bounty of the Prince of Hanzhong, and I cannot understand how you can turn against him.”

“Guan Yu went away hating both of us intensely; and even if he comes back victorious, I do not think he will forgive us. Just think it over.”

“My brother and I have followed the Prince these many years, and I do not like leaving him like this.”

Mi Fang hesitated.

Before he could make up his mind, there came a messenger, saying, “The army in Fankou is short of grain, and I was sent to demand white rice for the soldiers. Nanjun and Gongan are to send ten thousand carts at once. Delay will be most severely punished.”

This sudden demand was a shock to Mi Fang.

“Where am I to get the rice?” said he despairingly to his friend and tempter. “Jingzhou is now in the hands of Wu.”

“Do not dilly-dally,” said Fu Shiren. Thereupon he drew his sword and slew the messenger as he stood in the hall.

“What have you done?” cried Mi Fang.

“Guan Yu wanted to slay us two and has forced me to this. Are we to fold our hands and await death? Either you give in at once and go over to Wu, or you will be put to death by Guan Yu.”

Just then they heard that Lu Meng's troops had actually reached the city wall. Mi Fang saw that nothing could save his life but desertion, so he went out with Fu Shiren and gave in his allegiance to Lu Meng, by whom he was led to Sun Quan. Sun Quan gave both of them presents, after which he proceeded to restore order and to reward his army for their services.

At the time that great discussion about Jingzhou was going on in Xuchang, a messenger arrived with a letter from Sun Quan. It told the tale of the acquisition of Jingzhou and begged Cao Cao to send an army to attack Guan Yu in the rear, enjoining the utmost secrecy.

At the meeting of advisers that Cao Cao summoned to consultation, First Secretary Dong Zhao said, “Now that the relief of Fankou is contemplated, it would be well to shoot letter into the city to let the besieged know, so that they may not yield to depression and to inform Guan Yu. If Guan Yu hears that Jingzhou is in the hands of Wu, he will come back to try to recover it. Then let Xu Huang take the chance to attack, and our victory will be complete.”

Cao Cao agreed that the plan was good, and so he sent a messenger to urge Xu Huang to attack. Cao Cao himself led a large force to Yangling Slope, south of Luoyang, to rescue Cao Ren.

Xu Huang was sitting in his tent when they told him that a messenger from the Prince of Wei had arrived.

The messenger was called in and said, “The Prince has led an army to Luoyang, and he wishes you to hasten to attack Guan Yu in order to relieve Fankou.”

Just then the scouts came to report: “Guan Ping has encamped at Yencheng and Liao Hua at Sizhong. The enemy have built a line of twelve stockades.”

Xu Huang ordered two of his generals — Lu Qian and Xu Shang — to Yencheng to masquerade as if he himself was in command, by showing his ensigns. Xu Huang himself, at the head of five hundred veterans, went along River Mian to attack Yencheng in the rear.

When Guan Ping heard of the approach of Xu Huang, he prepared his own division to meet him. When both sides were arrayed, Guan Ping rode out and engaged Xu Shang. After three encounters Xu Shang had the worst of it and fled. Then the other general, Lu Qian, went out. He fought half a dozen bouts and also ran away. Thereupon Guan Ping went in pursuit and smote the flying enemy for seven miles. But then there was an alarm of fire within Yencheng, and Guan Ping knew that he had been inveigled into the pursuit and was a victim. So he turned and set out for the city again. On his way he met a body of troops, and standing under the great standard was Xu Huang.

Xu Huang shouted out, “Guan Ping, my worthy nephew, it is strange that you do not recognize death when it stares you in the face. Your Jingzhou has fallen into the hands of Wu, and yet you act so madly.”

Guan Ping, whirling his sword, just rode hard at Xu Huang, and they engaged. But after the third bout there was a tremendous shouting among the soldiers, for the flames within the city burst up higher than before. Guan Ping could not follow up his desire to continue the fight, but cut his way out and made a dash for Sizhong, where Liao Hua received him with the news of the disaster to Jingzhou.