Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (39 page)

But Menghuo's first act on his return to his own camp was to assassinate the two leaders Tungt'una and Ahuinan. Their corpses were thrown into a gully. Then he sent his friends to guard the most important strategical points, while he marched to fight a battle with Ma Tai. But when he got near the valley he saw no signs of the enemy, and, on questioning an inhabitant, he heard that the Shu army, with all their stores, had recrossed the river and joined the main body.

Menghuo then returned to his own ravine and discussed matters with his brother, Mengyu, and told him that he knew all the details of the enemy's force from what he had seen in their camp, and he gave his brother certain instructions, which he at once began to carry out. He loaded a hundred men with gold and jewels and pearls and ivory and rhinoceros horn, crossed the Lu River and was on his way to the main camp, when he was stopped by a cohort under Ma Tai himself. He did not expect to meet an enemy, and was surprised. But Ma Tai only asked what he had come for. And when he had heard, Mengyu was detained while a message was sent to K'ung-ming.

The messenger arrived while a council was in progress, the matter under discussion being how to reduce the
Mans.
When the messenger had announced that Mengyu had come bearing gifts of gold and pearls and such things, K'ung-ming turned to Ma Su, who was there, saying, "Know you why this man has come?"

"I dare not say plainly; but let me write it," said Ma Su.

"Write it, then."

So Ma Su wrote and handed the paper to his chief, who had no sooner read it than he clapped his hands with joy, crying, "What you say is exactly what I think. But you may know I have already made arrangements for the capture of Menghuo."

Then Chao Yun was called, and some orders were whispered into his ear. Next Wei Yen came, and he also went off with secret orders. Wang P'ing, Ma Chung and Kuan So also came, and left with particular instructions.

All these things done, the bearer of gifts was called. He came and bowed low at the door of the tent, saying, "The brother of my house, Menghuo, having received great kindness at your hands in sparing his life, feels bound to offer a paltry gift. He has presumed to collect a few pearls and some gold and other trifling jewels by way of something to give your soldiers. And hereafter he will send tribute to your Emperor."

"Where is your brother at this moment?" asked K'ung-ming.

"Having been the recipient of your great bounty, he has gone to the Silver Pit Hills (
Yink'eng Shan
) to collect some treasures. He will soon return."

"How many men have you brought?"

"Only about a hundred; I should not dare to bring any large number. They are just porters."

They were brought in for K'ung-ming's inspection. They had blue eyes and swarthy faces, auburn hair and brown beards. They wore earrings. Their hair was fuzzy, and they went barefoot. They were tall and powerful.

K'ung-ming made them sit down, and bade his captains press them to drink and treat them well and compliment them.

The King Menghuo was anxious about the reception that would be given to his brother and the treatment of his gifts, so he sat in his tent expecting the messenger at any moment. Then two men came, and he questioned them eagerly. They said the presents had been accepted, and even the porters had been invited to drink in the tent and had been regaled with beef and flesh in plenty.

"O King, your brother sent us with the news, and we were to tell you secretly that all would be ready at the second watch."

This was pleasing news, and he prepared his three legions ready to march out to the camp. They were divided into three divisions.

The king called up his chieftains and notables, and said, "Let each army carry the means of making fire, and as soon as they arrive let a light be shown as a signal. I am coming to try to capture Chuko Liang."

With these orders they marched, and they crossed the Lu River in the dusk. The king, with a hundred captains as escort, pressed on at once toward the main camp of Shu. They met with no opposition. They even found the main gate open, and Menghuo and his party rode straight in. But the camp was a desert; not a man was visible.

Menghuo rode right up to the large tent and pushed open the flap. It was brilliantly lighted with lamps, and lying about under their light were his brother and all his men, dead drunk. The wine they had been pressed to drink while the plays were going on had been heavily drugged, and the men had fallen down almost as soon as they had swallowed it One or two who had recovered a little could not speak: they only pointed to their mouths.

Menghuo then saw that he had been the simple victim of another ruse. However, he picked up his brother and the others and started off to return to his main army.

But as he turned, torches began to flash out and drums to beat. The
Mans
were frightened and took to their heels. But they were pursued, and the pursuing cohort was led by Wang P'ing. The king bore away to the left to escape, but again a cohort appeared in front of him
_;
Wei Yen was there. He tried the other side; and was stopped by Chao Yun. He was in a trap; and attacked on three sides and no fourth to escape by, what could he do? He abandoned everything, making one wild rush for the Lu River.

As he reached the river bank he saw a bark on the river with
Man
soldiers on board. Here was safety. He hailed the boat and jumped on board as soon as it touched the bank. No sooner had he embarked than suddenly he was seized and bound. The boat, which Ma Tai had provided and prepared, was part of the general plan, and the
Man
soldiers therein were his men disguised.

Many of Menghuo's men accepted the chance of surrender held out by K'ung-ming, who soothed them and treated them well and did not injure one of them.

The remains of the conflagration were stamped out, and in a short time Ma Tai brought along his prisoner. At the same time Chao Yun led in his brother, Mengyu. Each of the other captains had some prisoners too, chiefs or notables.

K'ung-ming looked at the king and laughed. "That was but a shallow ruse of yours to send your brother with presents to pretend to submit to me; did you really think I should not see through it? But here you are once more in my power; now do you yield?"

"1 am a prisoner owing to the gluttony of my brother and the power of your poisonous drugs. If I had only played his part myself and left him to support me with soldiers, I should have succeeded. I am the victim of fate and not of my own incapacity. No; I will not yield."

"Remember this is the third time; why not?" said K'ung-ming.

Menghuo dropped his head and made no answer.

"Ah well, I will let you go once more," said K'ung-ming.

"O Minister, if you will let me and my brother go we will get together our family and clients and fight you once more. If I am caught that time then I will confess myself beaten to the ground, and that shall be the end."

"Certainly I shall scarcely pardon you next time," said K'ung-ming. "You had better be careful. Diligently tackle your Book of Strategy: look over your list of confidants. If you can apply a good plan at the proper moment you will not have any need for late regrets."

The king and his brother and all the chiefs were released from their bonds. They thanked K'ung-ming for his clemency and went away.

By the time the released prisoners had got back to the river the army of Shu had crossed to the farther side and were all in order with their flags fluttering in the breeze. As Menghuo passed the camp, he saw Ma Tai sitting in state. Ma Tai pointed his sword at the king as he passed, and said, "Next time you are caught you will not escape."

When Menghuo came to his own camp he found Chao Yun in possession and all in order. Chao Yun was seated beneath the large banner, with his sword drawn, and as the king passed, he also said, "Do not presume on the kindness of the Prime Minister because you have been generously treated."

Menghuo grunted and passed on. Just as he was going over the frontier hills he saw Wei Yen and a company drawn up on the slopes. Wei Yen shouted, "See to it; we have got into the inmost recesses of your country and have taken all your defensive positions. Yet you are fool enough to hold out. Next time you are caught you will be quite destroyed. There will be no more pardons."

Menghuo and his companies ran away with their arms over their heads. Each one returned to his own ravine.

In the fifth moon, when the sun is fierce,
Marched the army into the desert land,
Marched to the Lu River, bright and clear,
But deadly with miasma.
K'ung-ming the leader eared not,
Pledged was he to subdue the south
Thereby to repay deference with service.
Wherefore he attacked the
Mans.
Yet seven times he freed their captured king.

After the crossing of the river the soldiers were feasted. Then he addressed his officers.

"I let Menghuo see our camp the second time he was our prisoner because I wanted to tempt him into raiding it. He is something of a soldier, and I dangled our supplies and resources before his eyes, knowing he would try to burn them and that he would send his brother to pretend to submit that thereby he could get into our camp and have a chance to betray us. I have captured and released him three times, trying to win him over. I do not wish to do him any harm. I now explain my policy that you may understand I am not wasting your efforts and you are not still to work your best for the government."

They all bowed, and one said, "O Minister, you are indeed perfect in every one of the three gifts: wisdom, benevolence and valor. Not even Chiang Tzu-ya or Chang Liang can equal you!"

Said K'ung-ming, "How can I expect to equal our men of old? But my trust is in your strength, and together we shall succeed."

This speech of their leader's pleased them all mightily.

In the meantime Menghuo, puffed up with pride at getting off three times, hastened home to his own ravine, whence he sent trusted friends with gifts to the Eight Hordes of Barbarians and the Ninety-three Tribes and all the Man quarters and clans to borrow shields and swords and
Lao
warriors and braves. He got together ten legions. They all assembled on an appointed day, massing like clouds and sweeping in like mists gathering on the mountains, each and all obeying the commands of the King Menghuo.

And the scouts knew it all, and they told K'ung-ming, who said, 'This is what I was waiting for, that the
Mans
should have an opportunity of knowing our might."

Thereupon he seated himself in a small carriage and went out to watch.

O let our enemy's courage glow
That we our greater might may show.

The history of the campaign will be continued in the next chapter.

CHAPTER LXXXIX
K'UNG-MING'S SUCCESSFUL FOURTH RUSE:
THE KING OF THE MANS CAPTURED
FOR THE FIFTH TIME

K
'ung-ming's
small carriage was escorted by only a few horsemen. Hearing that a sluggish river, the Western Erh, lay in the way, and having no boat, K'ung-ming bade the escort cut down some trees and make a raft. They did so; but the raft sank. So K'ung-ming turned to Lu K'ai and said, "There is close by a mountain covered with bamboos. I have heard of these bamboos, and some are several spans in girth. We can make a bridge of them for the army to cross."

So three legions were sent to the mountains, where they cut down many thousands of bamboos, and floated them down river. Then at the narrowest point they made a bridge a hundred feet or so in length. Next the main army was brought down to the river and camped in line along the bank. The camp was protected by a moat, crossed by a floating bridge, and a mud rampart. On the south bank they constructed three large stockades so as to prepare for the coming of the
Man
soldiers.

They had not long to wait. King Menghuo was hot with rage and came quickly. As soon as he got near the river, he led out a legion of fierce warriors and challenged the first stockade.

K'ung-ming went forth in simple state. He wore a silk cap, a white robe and held in his hand a feather fan. He sat in a small quadriga, and his captains rode right and left.

The King of the
Mans
was clad in mail of rhinoceros hide and wore a bright red casque. In his left hand he bore a shield, and his right gripped a sword. He rode an ordinary ox.

As soon as he saw his enemies he opened his mouth and poured forth abuse and insults, while his men darted to and fro brandishing their weapons.

K'ung-ming at once ordered the army to retire within the stockades and bar the gates. The
Mans
came close up to the stockade and pranced about naked, shouting in derision.

Within the stockade the captains grew very angry, and they went in a body to their leader to beg that he would withdraw the order to remain on the defensive. But he would not listen. Presently he said, "These men are ignorant of our culture and are naturally fierce and turbulent. In that mood we are no match for them. But all we have to do is to remain on guard for a few days till their ferocity has spent itself. Then I have a plan that will overcome them."

Days passed, and the men of Shu made no move; they only maintained the defensive. K'ung-ming watched the besiegers from an eminence, and saw the first vigour of their advance give way to careless idleness. Then K'ung-ming called together his captains and asked if they dared give battle. They all rejoiced at the suggestion; so he called them two by two or one by one and gave them secret orders. Chao Yun and Wei Yen went in first. Wang P'ing and Ma Chung followed.

To Ma Tai he said, "I am going to abandon these stockades and retire north of the river. As soon as we have crossed you are to cut loose the floating bridge and move it down the stream so that Chao and Wei may cross."

Chang I was to remain by the camp and light it up at night as if it was still occupied. When Menghuo pursued, then he was to cut off his retreat. Last of all, Kuan So was to escort K'ung-ming's carriage.

The soldiers marched out of the camp at evening, and the lamps were hung up as usual. The
Mans
saw this from a distance and dared not attack. But the next morning at dawn Menghuo led his men to the stockades and found all was quiet. He went close up and saw they were all empty and bare; not a man was there. Grain and fodder lay about among empty carts, all was in confusion, suggesting hasty departure.

"They have abandoned the camp," said Menghuo. "But this is only a ruse.

"I think that Chuko Liang has important news from the capital that has made him leave without his baggage train like this. Either Wu has invaded or Wei has attacked. They left these lamps burning to make us think the camps were occupied, but they ran away leaving everything behind. If we pursue we cannot go wrong."

So the king urged his army onward, himself heading the leading division. When they reached the Erhho bank they saw on the farther side that the camps were all in order and the banners flying as usual like a brightly tinted cloud of silk. Along the bank stood a wall of cloth. They dared not attack.

Menghuo said to his brother, "This means that Chuko fears lest we may pursue. That is only a temporary halt, and they will retire in a couple of days."

The
Mans
camped on the river bank while they sent into the mountains to cut bamboos to make rafts. The boldest of the soldiers were placed in front of the camp till the rafts should be ready to cross. Little did Menghuo suspect that the army of Shu was already within his borders.

One day was very stormy. Then the
Mans
saw great lights spring up around them, and at the same time the rolling of drums heralded an attack. The
Mans
and the
Laos
, instead of going out to meet the enemy, began a fight between themselves. Menghuo became alarmed and fled with all his clan and dependents. They fought their way through and made a dash for their former camp.

Just as they reached it there appeared a cohort of the enemy led by Chao Yun. Menghuo turned off west and sought refuge in the mountains. But he was stopped by a cohort under Ma Tai. With a small remnant of his men he got away into a valley. Soon he saw clouds of dust rising on three sides and the glow of torches, so that he was forced to halt. However, the east remained clear, and presently he fled in that direction. As he was crossing the mouth of a gully he noticed a few horsemen outlined against a thick wood and saw they were escorting a small carriage. And in that carriage sat K'ung-ming.

K'ung-ming laughed, and said, "So the defeated king of the
Mans
has got here! I have waited for you a long time, O King."

Menghuo angrily turned to his followers and said, "Thrice have I been the victim of this man's base wiles and have been put to shame. Now chance has sent him across my path, and you must attack him with all your energy. Let us cut him to pieces and those with him."

A few of the Man horsemen, with Menghuo shouting to encourage them, pushed forward in hot haste toward the wood. But in a few moments they all stumbled and disappeared into some pits that had been dug in the way. And just then Wei Yen emerged from the wood. One by one the Mans were pulled out of the pits and bound tight with cords.

K'ung-ming returned to his camp, where he arrived before the captors of the king could bring in their prisoner. He busied himself in soothing the other
Man
prisoners. Many of the notables and chiefs of the tributaries had betaken themselves to their own ravines and villages with their kerns and followers. Many of those who remained came over and yielded to Shu. They were well fed and assured of safety, and allowed to go to their own. They went off gladly enough.

By and by Chang I brought up the king's brother. K'ung-ming reproached him for his brother's behaviour.

"Your brother is a misguided simpleton; you ought to remonstrate with him and persuade him to change his course. Here you are, a captive for the fourth time, are you not ashamed? How can you have the effrontery to look anyone in the face?"

A deep flush of shame passed over his face, and he threw himself to the earth begging forgiveness.

K'ung-ming said, "If I put you to death, it shall not be today. This time I pardon you, but you are to talk to your brother."

So Mengyu was loosed from his bonds and allowed to get up. He went away weeping.

Very soon Wei Yen brought up the king, and to him K'ung-ming simulated great rage, saying, "What can you say now? You see you are in my hands again."

"I am again an unfortunate victim," said the king. "Once more I have blundered into your net, and now I shall die with no one to close my eyes."

K'ung-ming shouted to the lictors to take him away and behead him. Menghuo never blenched at the sentence, but he turned to his captor and said, "If you freed me only once more I would wipe out the shame of all four captures."

K'ung-ming smiled at the bold reply and bade the lictors loose his bonds, and the attendants served him with wine. Menghuo was invited to sit in the commander's tent.

Said K'ung-ming, "Four times you have been treated generously and yet you are still defiant. Why?"

"Though I am what you call a barbarian, I would scorn to employ your vile ruses. And that is why I remain defiant."

"I have liberated you four times; think you you can give battle again?"

"If you catch me again I will incline my heart to yield and I will give everything in my ravine to reward your men. I will also take an oath not to cause any further trouble."

K'ung-ming smiled, but let him go. The king thanked him and left. As soon as he was set at liberty the king got together as many of his adherents as he could and went away southward. Before long he fell in with his brother, Mengyu, who had got together some sort of an army and was on his way to avenge his brother. As soon as they saw each other the brothers fell upon each others necks and wept. They related their experiences.

Mengyu said, "We cannot stand against the enemy. We have been defeated several times. Now I think we had better go into the mountains and hide in some dark gully where they cannot find us. Those men of Shu will never stand the summer heat; they must retire."

"Where can we hide?" asked his brother.

"I know a valley away south-west from us called T'ulung Ravine,' or 'Bald Dragon Ravine,' and the chief, Tossu, is a friend of mine. Let us take refuge with him."

"Very well; go and arrange it," said Menghuo.

So Mengyu went. When he got there, the chief, Prince Tossu, lost no time, but came out with his soldiers to welcome Menghuo, who then entered the valley. After the exchange of salutations, Menghuo explained his case.

Tossu said, "O King, rest content. If those men from the Land of Streams come here I will see to it that not one goes home. And Chuko Liang will meet his death here too."

Naturally, Menghuo was pleased, but he wanted to know how his host could feel so secure.

Tossu said, "In this ravine there are only two roads, the one you came by and another by the north-west. The road you travelled along is level, soft and the waters are sweet. Men and horses may both use it. But if we close the mouth of the ravine with a barricade no one, however strong, can get in. The other road is precipitous, dangerous and narrow. The only path is beset with venomous serpents and scorpions, and as evening comes on there are malarial exhalations which are dangerous till past noon the next day. The road is only practicable between
shen
(3 p.m.) and yu (7 p.m.), for about three watches. Then the water is undrinkable. The road is very difficult.

"Then again there are four wells actually poisonous. One is called 'The Dumb Spring.' Its water is pleasant to the palate, but it makes men dumb and they die in a few days. A second fountain is called The Spring of Destruction' and is hot. But if a man bathe therein his flesh rots till his bones protrude and he dies. The third is 'The Black Spring.' Its waters are greenish. If it be sprinkled on a mans body his extremities turn black and presently he dies. The fourth is The Spring of Weak Water,' ice cold. If a man drink of this water his breath is chilled, he becomes weak as a thread and soon dies. Neither birds nor insects are found in this region, and no one but the Han Ceneral Ma Yuan, who was styled
'Fu-po'
for this exploit, has ever passed. Now the north-east road shall be blocked, and you may hide here perfectly safe from those men of Shu, for, finding that way blocked, they will try the other road, which is waterless save for the four deadly springs. No matter how many they be, they will perish, and we need no weapons."

"Now indeed I have found a place to live in," cried Menghuo, striking his forehead. Then looking to the north he said, "Even Chuko Liang's wonderful cunning will be of no avail. The four springs alone will defeat him and avenge my army."

The two brothers settled down comfortably as guests of the Prince Tossu, with whom they spent the days in feasting.

In the meantime, as the
Mans
did not appear, K'ung-ming gave orders to leave the West Erh (Hsierh) River and push south. It was then the sixth month, and blazing hot. A poet sang about the bitter heat of the south:—

The hills are sere, the valleys dry,
A raging heat fills all the sky,
Throughout the whole wide universe
No spot exists where heat is worse.

Another poem runs:—

The glowing sun darts out fierce rays,
No cloud gives shelter from the blaze,
In parching heat there pants a crane,
The whale swims through the hissing main.
The brook's cool margin now I love,
Or idle stroll through bamboo grove.
I would not march to deserts far
In leathern jerkin donned for war.

Just at the moment of setting out southward, the spies brought news of Menghuo's retreat into the Bald Dragon Ravine and the barricading of one entrance. They also said that the valley was garrisoned, the hills were precipitous and even impassable. So K'ung-ming called in Lu K'ai and questioned him, but he did not know exactly the conditions.