A Tale of 100,000 Arrows

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The Ingenious Strategy of Zhuge Liang: A Tale of 100,000 Arrows

Zhou Yu was envious of Zhuge Liang. One day, Zhou Yu invited Zhuge Liang to discuss military matters and said, "We are about to engage in battle with Cao's army. What is the best weapon to use for a naval battle?" Zhuge Liang replied, "Bows and arrows are the best." Zhou Yu said, "Exactly, sir, you think the same as I do. We are currently short of arrows in the army, and I would like to ask you to be responsible for making 100,000 arrows. This is an official matter, and I hope you won't refuse." Zhuge Liang said, "Since the commander has entrusted me, I will certainly comply. When do you need these 100,000 arrows?"

Zhou Yu asked, "Can you make them in ten days?" Zhuge Liang said, "If we are about to go into battle, ten days would surely delay important matters." Zhou Yu asked, "How many days do you estimate it will take?" Zhuge Liang replied, "Just three days." Zhou Yu said, "The military situation is urgent; this is no time for jokes." Zhuge Liang said, "How would I dare joke with the commander? I am willing to sign a military order. If I don't complete it in three days, I will accept severe punishment."

Zhou Yu was very pleased and had Zhuge Liang sign the military order in front of him. He then hosted a banquet to entertain Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang said, "It's too late today; let's start from tomorrow. On the third day, please send 500 soldiers to the riverside to collect the arrows." After a few drinks, Zhuge Liang left.

Lu Su said to Zhou Yu, "How can 100,000 arrows be made in three days? Zhuge Liang must be lying." Zhou Yu replied, "He said it himself; I didn't force him. I will instruct the craftsmen to deliberately delay and not prepare the materials for making arrows. When the time comes and he fails, we can punish him, and he will have no excuse. You go and spy on him to see what he's planning and report back to me."

Lu Su went to see Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang said, "To make 100,000 arrows in three days, I need your help." Lu Su said, "You brought this on yourself. How can I help you?" Zhuge Liang said, "Lend me twenty boats, each with over thirty soldiers. Cover the boats with blue cloth and place over a thousand straw bundles on both sides of the boats. I have a clever plan. On the third day, I guarantee there will be 100,000 arrows, but the commander must not know. If he finds out, my plan will be ruined."

Lu Su agreed. He didn't know what Zhuge Liang needed the boats for, but he reported back to Zhou Yu without mentioning the boats. He only said that Zhuge Liang wasn't using bamboo, feathers, or glue. Zhou Yu became suspicious and said, "Let's see what he does on the third day!" Lu Su secretly prepared twenty fast boats, each with over thirty soldiers, as Zhuge Liang had instructed, with blue cloth and straw bundles. On the first day, there was no movement from Zhuge Liang; on the second day, still nothing. Until the fourth watch on the third day, Zhuge Liang secretly invited Lu Su onto the boat. Lu Su asked, "Why did you call me here?" Zhuge Liang said, "To collect the arrows with me." Lu Su asked, "Where are we going to get them?" Zhuge Liang said, "No need to ask, you'll see when we get there." Zhuge Liang ordered the twenty boats to be tied together with ropes and headed towards the northern shore. At this time, a thick fog covered the sky, and people on the river couldn't see each other. By the fifth watch, the boats were near Cao's army's water camp. Zhuge Liang ordered the boats to line up in a row, with the bows facing west and the sterns facing east, and ordered the soldiers to beat drums and shout. Lu Su was shocked and said, "What if Cao's soldiers come out?" Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "With such a thick fog, Cao Cao won't dare to send out his troops. We will just drink and enjoy ourselves until the fog clears, then we will return." Cao Cao, hearing the commotion on the river, ordered, "There is a thick fog on the river, and the enemy's sudden attack must be a trap. We can't see clearly, so do not act rashly. Just have the archers shoot at them."

He then sent for 6,000 archers to support the navy, and over 10,000 archers began shooting arrows at the river, like rain. Zhuge Liang then ordered the boats to turn around, with the bows facing east and the sterns facing west, continuing to beat drums and shout, moving closer to Cao's water camp to receive more arrows. At dawn, Zhuge Liang ordered the return.

The straw bundles on both sides of the boats were full of arrows. Zhuge Liang ordered the soldiers to shout in unison, "Thank you, Prime Minister Cao, for the arrows!" Cao Cao realized he had been tricked, but Zhuge Liang's boats, light and swift, had already sailed more than twenty miles away, making it impossible to pursue them. When the twenty boats docked, the 500 soldiers Zhou Yu sent to collect the arrows were already waiting by the river. Each boat had five to six thousand arrows, totaling over 100,000 arrows. Lu Su reported the entire process to Zhou Yu, who was astonished and sighed, "Zhuge Liang's divine strategy surpasses mine!"

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