Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (20 page)

After a great fight, Ts'ao Ts'ao's army was led off and went into camp at Hsiehku. Here Ts'ao remained many days, prevented from advancing by Ma Ch'ao and fearing ridicule if he should retreat. One day, while he was anxiously trying to decide what to do, his cook sent in some chicken broth. He noticed in the broth some chicken tendons, and this simple fact led him into a train of reflection. He was still deep in thought when Hsiahou Tun entered his tent to ask the watchword for that night. Ts'ao Ts'ao at once involuntarily replied, "Chicken tendon."

The word was passed on in orders. When the Recorder Yang Hsiu saw the order that the watchword was "chicken tendon" he told all his men to pack up their belongings ready for the march. One who saw this went and told Hsiahou Tun, who sent for Yang Hsiu and asked why he had packed up.

He replied, "By tonight's orders I see that the prince is soon going to retire. 'Chicken tendons' are tasteless things to eat, and yet it is a pity to waste them. Now if we advance we cannot conquer, and if we retire we fear we shall look ridiculous. There being no advantage here, the best course is to retire. You will certainly see the Prince of Wei retreat before long. I have made my preparations so as not to be hurried and confused at the last moment."

"You seem to know the prince's inmost heart," said Hsiahou Tun, and he bade his servants pack. The other captains seeing this, also made preparations for departure.

Ts'ao Ts'ao's mind was too perturbed for sleep. In the night he got up, took a steel battle-axe in his hand and wandered privily through the camp. When he got to Hsiahou Tun's tents he saw everything packed and ready for a move. Much surprised, he made his way back to his own tent and sent for that officer.

"Why is everything in your camp packed as if ready for the march?"

"Yang Hsiu, the Recorder, seems to have private knowledge of the Prince's design to retire," said he.

Ts'ao Ts'ao summoned Yang Hsiu and questioned him, and Yang replied with the chicken tendon incident.

"How dare you invent such a story and disturb the hearts of my army?"

Ts'ao called in his lictors and told them to take the man away and behead him and hang his head at the camp gate.

The victim was a man of acute and ingenious mind, but inclined to show off. His lack of restraint over his tongue had often wounded Ts'ao Ts'ao's susceptibilities. Once Ts'ao Ts'ao was having a pleasance laid out, and when it was completed he went to inspect the work. He uttered no word of praise or blame; he just wrote the word "alive" on the gate and left. Nobody could guess what he meant till Yang Hsiu heard of it.

"Gate" with "alive" inside it makes the word for "wide," said he. "The minister thinks the gates are too wide."

Thereupon they rebuilt the outer walls on an altered plan. When complete, Ts'ao Ts'ao was asked to go and see it. And he was then delighted.

"But who guessed what I meant?" said he.

"Yang Hsiu," replied his men.

Ts'ao Ts'ao thereafter lauded Yang's ingenuity, but in his heart be feared.

Another time Ts'ao Ts'ao received a box of cream cheese from Saipei (Mongolia). Ts'ao Ts'ao just scribbled three words on the top and left it on the table. The words seemed to have no meaning. But Yang Hsiu happened to come in, saw the box and at once handed a spoonful of the contents to each guest in the room. When Ts'ao asked why he did this, he explained that that was the interpretation of the words on the box, which, resolved into primary symbols, read, "Each man a mouthful."

"Could I possibly disobey your orders?" said he.

Ts'ao Ts'ao laughed with the others, but hatred was in his heart.

Ts'ao lived in constant fear of assassination, and said to his attendants, "Let none of you come near me when I am sleeping, for I am like to slay people in my dreams."

One day he was enjoying a siesta, and his quilt fell off. One of the attendants saw it and hastened to cover him again. Ts'ao Ts'ao suddenly leaped from the couch, cut down the intruder with his sword and lay down again to sleep. Some time after he awoke, simulated surprise and asked who had killed his attendant. When they told him, he wept aloud for the dead man and had him buried in a fine grave. Most people thought that Ts'ao Ts'ao had slain the man while asleep, but Yang Hsiu knew better, and at the funeral of the victim he remarked, 'The minister was in no dream, but the gentleman in him was asleep."

This only increased the hatred.

Ts'ao Ts'ao's third son, Chih, took great delight in Yang Hsiu's cleverness and often invited him, when they would talk the whole night.

When Ts'ao Ts'ao was considering the nomination of his heir and desired to name Chih, Ts'ao P'ei got to hear of the proposal to set him aside in favour of his younger brother, so he secretly requested the Master of the Court Singers, Wu Chih, to come and discuss this matter. Then fearing that someone might see his visitor, he got a large basket made, in which his friend was smuggled into the palace. He gave out that the basket contained rolls of silk. Yang Hsiu heard the truth and informed Ts'ao Ts'ao, who sent men to watch at the gates. Ts'ao P'ei, in alarm, told Wu Chih, who told him not to be afraid but to fill a basket actually with rolls of silk on the morrow and have it carried in as before. The searchers peeped into the basket and found the rolls of silk. They told Ts'ao Ts'ao the result of their search, and he began to think Yang Hsiu was plotting against his son. This also added to his hatred.

Another time Ts'ao, wishing to compare the abilities of his two sons P'ei and Chih, told them both to go out of the city, at the same time ordering the gate wardens to forbid their exit. Ts'ao P'ei first came to the gate, was stopped by the wardens and returned to his palace. But his brother Chih consulted Yang Hsiu, who said, "You have received orders from the prince to go out; simply cut down any who may try to prevent you."

When Ts'ao Chih went to the gate and was stopped, he shouted out to the wardens, "I have the prince's order to go out; dare you stop me?"

He slew the man who would have prevented him. Wherefore Ts'ao Ts'ao considered his younger son the more able. But when some other person told him that the device came from Yang Hsiu, he was angry and took a dislike to his son Chih.

Yang Hsiu also used to coach Chih in preparing replies to likely questions, which were learned by heart and quoted when necessary. Ts'ao Ts'ao was always asking this son his opinion on military matters, and Chih always had a fluent reply ready. His father was not without suspicions, which were turned into certainties when the eldest son gave his father the written replies which he had bribed a servant to filch from his brother's apartments. Ts'ao Ts'ao was quite angry.

"How dare he throw dust in my eyes like this?" said Ts'ao Ts'ao.

Yang Hsiu very nearly lost his life for his share in that business. Now sending him to execution on the charge of destroying the morale of the soldiers was only a subterfuge. Yang Hsiu was but thirty-four when he met his end.

Talented was Yang Hsiu,
Born of an illustrious stock,
His pen traced wonderful characters,
In his breast were beautiful words.
When he talked, his hearers were astonished,
His alert responses overpast every one.
He died because of misdirected genius
And not because he foretold retreat.

Ts'ao Ts'ao thus put to death the prime mover and simulated anger against Hsiahou Tun. He threatened to execute him, but listened to those who begged him to show mercy.

"Get out of this!" said he.

Next he issued an order to advance on the morrow. The army moved out of the valley and came face to face with the men of Shu led by Wei Yen. He summoned Wei to surrender, but received abuse and contumely in return.

P'ang Te went out to fight Wei Yen, but while the combat was in progress fires broke out in Ts'ao Ts'ao's camp and a soldier came flying to say that the rear and centre camps had been seized by Ma Ch'ao. Fearing lest this should lead to a rout, he drew his sword and stood before the army crying out, "Death for any officer who flinches!"

Wherefore they pressed forward valiantly, and Wei Yen, pretending defeat, retreated. Having driven back this army, Ts'ao Ts'ao gave the signal to turn toward camp and fight with Ma Ch'ao. He took up his station on the top of a hill whence he could survey the field. Suddenly a cohort appeared just below him, and the leader cried, "Wei Yen is here!" Wei fitted an arrow to his bow, shot and wounded Ts'ao Ts'ao just in the raphe of his lip. He turned and fell. Wei Yen threw aside his bow, seized his sword and came charging up the hill to finish his enemy. But with a shout P'ang Te flashed in.

"Spare my lord!" cried he.

He rushed up and drove Wei Yen backward. Then they took Ts'ao Ts'ao away. Ma Ch'ao also retired, and the wounded prince slowly returned to his own camp.

As has been said, Ts'ao Ts'ao was wounded full in the face, and the arrow knocked out two of his front teeth. When in the hands of the physicians he lay thinking over Yang Hsiu's words. In a repentant mood he had the remains decently interred.

Then he gave the order to retreat. P'ang Te was the rear guard. Ts'ao Ts'ao set out homeward in a padded carriage, escorted by his Tiger Guard.

Before they had gone far, there was an alarm of fire and ambush. The soldiers were all fear-stricken.

'Twas something like the danger once at T'ung Kuan met,
Or like the fight at Red Cliff which Ts'ao could n'er forget.

How Ts'ao Ts'ao fared will next be told.

CHAPTER LXXIIl
YUAN-TE BECOMES PRINCE OF HANChunG:
YUN-CH'ANG ATTACKS AND OCCUPIES
HSIANGYANG

W
hen
Ts'ao Ts'ao retired to Hsiehku, K'ung-ming considered it to mean the abandonment of his attempt to acquire possession of HanChung, and he sent out several parties to harass and hasten his retreat by guerilla attacks. For this reason the retreating army had to keep on the move. Beside, he was suffering from his wound, and marched as hurriedly as possible. But it was a dejected army. The leading legions once encountered fire on both flanks, which had been raised by men placed in ambush while Ma Ch'ao's main force kept driving the army before it. Every man in the Ts'ao army was dispirited, and there was no more courage in them. They pressed forward day and night alike without halting to rest. It was only after reaching Chingchao that they had some repose.

Then Yuan-te sent Liu Feng, Meng Ta and Wang P'ing to take Shangyung. Shen T'ang and his colleagues, knowing that Ts'ao Ts'ao had retreated, offered their submission. After confidence had been restored among the people, Yuan-te rewarded his army generously, and they were all joyful.

It was after this that the general body of the officers decided to urge Yuan-te to assume the title of "Emperor," but they dared not tell him so. However, they sent up a petition to K'ung-ming, who replied that he had already decided on this course. So he and Fa Cheng headed a deputation that went in to see their lord.

They said, "Now that Ts'ao Ts'ao really holds the reins of authority the people are without a king. Our lord, your kindness and sense of justice have spread throughout the empire. You have restored peace over this 'Land of Streams,' and your becoming Emperor would be according to God's will and the desire of the people. Then by right and title you could destroy rebels. This matter should not be delayed and we pray you to choose the auspicious day."

But Yuan -te evinced great surprise, and replied, "Your words, O Commander of the Army, are wrong. Although I am of the imperial house, yet I am but a minister, and to do this thing would be rebellion against Han."

K'ung-ming replied, "Not so. Today the empire is riven and many of the bolder spirits have seized upon, and claim the rule of, various portions. The talented of the empire and the virtuous among officers, who have risked death and lost their lives in serving those above them, all desire to have the opportunity of serving an Emperor and doing service for a Throne. Now, if you insist on modestly maintaining your righteous way I fear that you will lose popular support. My lord, I would that you should reflect upon this."

"But you desire me to usurp a place of great honour in the state, and I dare not. Let there be more delay and discussion."

But with one voice they said, "Our lord, if you reject this the hearts of the people will turn from you."

"My lord," said K'ung-ming, "you have made rectitude your motto all your life. If you really object to the most honoured title, then, since you have Chingchou and Hsiangyang, take the title temporarily of 'Prince of HanChung.'"

"Gentlemen, though you may desire to honour me by the title of 'Prince,' yet, without an edict from the Emperor, such action would be usurpation."

Said K'ung-ming, "The time demands recognition of the actual state of authority, and not a rigid adherence to all the rules of propriety."

And Chang Fei roared out, "All sorts of people with all sorts of names are making themselves rulers; how much more ought you, O Brother, who are of the dynastic stock? It ought not to be 'Prince of HanChung' but 'Emperor.' What prevents it?"

"Brother, say no more," said Yuan-te, roughly.

"My lord," said K'ung-ming, "it is fitting to follow political changes and suit one's conduct to circumstances. Wherefore first take the princedom and then memorialise the Throne."

As there seemed no option, Yuan-te listened and complied. In the twenty-fourth year (219
A.D.),
in the seventh month, an altar was set up at Mienyang (in Hupeh), square and nine
li
about, which was set around with the proper flags and banners and symbols, and thereon, in the presence of all his officers assembled according to their rank, and at the request of the two ministers Hsu Ching and Fa Cheng, Yuan-te received the head dress and seal of a prince. Then he took his seat, facing the south as a ruler should, and received the salutes and felicitations of all his officers as Prince of HanChung.

And his son Liu Ch'an was nominated his heir-apparent.

Hsu Ching was given the title of Royal Preceptor; Fa Cheng that of a president of a Board. Chuko Liang was reappointed Commander-in-chief of the Forces, with the additional powers of control over the whole state policy. The two brothers, with Chao Yun, Huang Chung and Ma Ch'ao, were the Five Tiger Leaders. Wei Yen was made Governor of HanChung, and all the others who had assisted were given ranks and offices.

As soon as the investiture was completed, Liu Pei composed a memorial and sent it to the capital. This is the document:—

"I, Pei, have but ordinary talents, yet was I made a general of high rank and led a great army. Though I received a commission to purge the empire of rebels I was unable to cleanse it and so renew the tranquillity to Your Majesty's house and restore the dynasty. Too long have I delayed to spread Your Majesty's sacred governance. The world is evil and not in good case, and as I sorrowfully think it over and over I am distressed as one in severe pain.

"Rebellion began with Tung Cho, and all kinds of evils have spread abroad; cruelty and ferocity have become rife. Strong in faith in Your Majesty's sacred virtue and inspiring presence, many banded together to help. The loyal exerted themselves to destroy the rebels, but others of them were smitten of heaven. The fierce and the contumacious have been exterminated, and gradually rebellion has melted away.

"Only Ts'ao Ts'ao now remains, too long unpunished. He has arrogated to himself the authority of the state. His wicked heart is very rebellious. Once I, with the officer of high rank Tung Ch'eng, conspired against him, but the plot was discovered and my fellow conspirator suffered. Thenceforward I was a wanderer and my loyalty availed nothing. It only allowed Ts'ao further licence and liberty to do evil, till he dared even to accomplish the death of the Empress and the destruction of her sons. Although we might band together and form associations, yet, with all our energy, we had to recognise that we were too weak for war. Wherefore the years passed and nothing was accomplished. In constant fear of destruction, we even forgot our duty to the state. Waking and sleeping we sighed, and our nights were times of anxiety.

"Now my fellows consider that history has repeated itself. They attach the utmost importance to the family and would manifest it with all their might. Hereditary succession of rulers is still a principle. The Rulers of Chou, taking the two preceding dynasties as models, strengthened its position through all the states, and it reinforced itself with the support of Chin and Cheng. When the great Founder of the Hans came into his own he ennobled his whole family. Later, the dynasty had to issue a general command throughout the whole of the nine divisions in order to destroy the widespread family of Lu.

"Now Ts'ao is an enemy of all rectitude, and his followers are all evil. His treachery is manifest. Since the members of the imperial clan are few and weak the clan is not honoured. Having reflected upon the ancient models and being desirous of temporary alleviation, my fellows have made me assume the title of 'Prince of HanChung' with the addition of
Ta-ssu-ma.
I have deeply considered these things. If one receive kindness from the Throne and accept the responsibility for a portion of the state and fail, then such a fault would only be made the more serious by holding high rank and thereby increasing the burden of reproach. But my fellows have urged me, and they have convinced me that it would be right; and, should I refuse, the wicked will not be destroyed and the danger to the state will not be removed. The temple of your ancestors is in danger, the imperial prerogatives are failing. A faithful servant, who in the day of tribulation can undertake a suitable policy whereby to preserve the dynasty, should not refuse his help at any cost. Wherefore I have yielded and accepted the position for the glory of the state.

"Humbly I think of such a title and its exalted position and the favour vouchsafed me, and I would endeavour to show true gratitude. My anxiety is deep, for the responsibility is heavy. I am as one on the brink of a great gulf. I must surely exert myself to the utmost and encourage my armies and lead all disciples of rectitude, in accordance with the will of heaven and as occasion serves, to smite rebellion so as to restore the dynasty."

When this memorial reached the capital, Ts'ao Ts'ao was in his palace at Puyeh and it annoyed him greatly.

"How dare this mean weaver of straw shoes behave thus?" said he. "Now I swear that I will destroy him."

So he issued orders for the whole force of the state to go out against Hsich'uan to wage fierce war with the new Prince of HanChung.

But a remonstrance came from the mouth of Ssuma I.

"Let not the great Prince trouble himself to go on a distant expedition because of a temporary annoyance. I can propose a plan of which the execution will need not the bending of a single bow, and yet it will make Liu Pei bring down disaster upon his own head. When his army shall have become exhausted, it will only be necessary to send one single captain against him and victory will be ours."

"What is your exalted view, my friend?" said Ts'ao Ts'ao.

"Sun Ch'uan's sister is wife to Liu Pei, but Sun has found an occasion to steal away the bride. Liu Pei is in possession of Chingchou still, and he and Sun are bitter enemies. Therefore send some able speaker with a letter to Wu to persuade him to send an army to recover Chingchou. That will draw thither all the armies of Hsich'uan, when you can send your army to Han and Ch'uan. Liu Pei will be helpless and his strength will be wasted."

The scheme pleased Ts'ao Ts'ao. He at once drew up a letter and sent it by the hand of Man Ch'ung, who soon arrived in Chiangtung. As soon as Sun Ch'uan knew of the mission, he summoned his advisers to consult.

Chang Chao said, "Wei and Wu are primarily enemies because of the dissension fomented by the words of Chuko. They have been fighting for several years and many lives have been lost. Now this messenger has surely come to discuss terms of friendship, and he should be welcomed.

On the strength of this, Man Ch'ung was well received and conducted into the city and into the presence of Sun Ch'uan. He presented his letters at the conclusion of the ceremonies of reception and declared his mission.

"Wu and Wei have no fundamental quarrel, and their dissension has been brought about by Liu Pei. My master sends me to covenant with you for an attack on Chingchou, while he goes against Han and Ch'uan. This double attack being successful, the conquered country can be divided between you two and you can both swear to respect each other's territory."

Having read the letter, Sun Ch'uan prepared a banquet in honour of Man Ch'ung and then sent him to the guest-house to rest while he discussed the matter with his council of advisers.

Said Ku Yung, "Although the messenger's speech was all special pleading it was correct in form. I propose that the messenger be allowed to return and that a covenant be made with Ts'ao Ts'ao for joint attack. In addition, let spies be sent over the river to find out Kuan Yu's movements, and then we may act."

Chuko Chin said, "I hear that since Kuan Yu has been in Chingchou, Liu Pei has found him a wife, who has borne him a son and a daughter. The daughter is too young to have been betrothed, wherefore let me go to ask her in marriage with your heir. If Kuan Yu agree, then we can arrange with him to attack Ts'ao. If Kuan Yu refuse, then let us aid Ts'ao in an attack on Chingchou."

Sun took this advice. So he sent Man Ch'ung away and sent Chuko Chin to Chingchou to try to arrange the betrothal. Chuko Chin was received; and when the time came to state the reason for his coming, Kuan Yu asked him bluntly what he had come for.

"I have come seeking to ally the two houses. My master, the Marquis of Wu, has a son who is quite clever. Hearing that you have a daughter, General, I ask her in marriage, whereby the two houses may join in an attack on Ts'ao Ts'ao. This would be an admirable result and I pray you to consider the proposal."

But the warrior flared up. "How can my tiger daughter marry with a dog's whelp? Were it not for your brother I would take your head. Say no more!"

Kuan Yu called his servants to hustle forth the hapless messenger, who ran away with his hands over his head too astonished to look any one in the face. And reaching his own place he dared not hide the manner of his reception, but told the whole truth.

"What ruffianism!" exclaimed the marquis.

Thereupon he ordered the council again to consider an attack on Chingchou.

Pu Chih rose and said, "It has been long manifest that Ts'ao Ts'ao wishes to usurp the Throne, but he is afraid of Liu Pei. Now we are to attack Shu with an army. The marriage has brought us misfortune indeed."

"But I also want the place," said Sun Ch'uan.

Said Pu Chih, "Ts'ao Jen is already camped at Fanch'eng in Hsiangyang and in no danger from the river. If Ts'ao can take Chingchou by land why does he not take it? However, he wants you, my lord, to send your army, and you can judge his real intention from this. Send to Ts'ao and tell him to make Ts'ao Jen attack by land. Then Kuan Yu must take the army from Chingchou to Fanch'eng. When he has left Chingchou you can send an army to seize it."