Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (75 page)

This reply rejoiced Wang Kuan, who saw that Chiang Wei was just going to walk into the trap. So he agreed at once.

"But you will not want half a legion to see after the transport. Take three companies and leave two as guides for me."

Wang Kuan, thinking that suspicions would be raised by a refusal, took the three companies, and the other two were attached to the army of Shu.

Then Hsiahou Pa was announced, and, when he was come in he said, "O Commander, why have you believed the tale of this Wang? I never heard that he was related to Wang Ching, though it is true I never made particular enquiries. You should look to it, for there is much pretence in his story."

"I know he is false," said Chiang Wei, with a smile. "That is why I have taken away many of his men. I am meeting trick with trick."

"Ssuma Chao is as wicked as Ts'ao Ts'ao. If he slew all Wang Ching's family, would he have left a nephew on the male side, and sent him beyond his own reach with soldiers? You saw this, as did I."

So Chiang Wei did not go out by the Hsieh Valley, but he set an ambush there ready for any move of the so-called deserters. And indeed, within ten days, the ambush caught a man with a letter from Wang to Teng telling him what had come about, and from the letter and the bearer thereof they learned that a convoy was to be diverted to the Wei camps on the twentieth and Teng Ai was to send men to Yunshan to help. Another letter was sent to Teng Ai by a man dressed as a Wei soldier, the date being made the fifteenth instead of the twentieth.

As a preparation, many waggons were emptied of their grain and laden with inflammables, covered with green cloth. The two companies of Wei soldiers were ordered to show flags belonging to the transport corps. Then Chiang Wei and his colleague went into the valleys in ambush, while three bodies of men were sent to attack Cb'ishan.

The letter, apparently from Wang Kuan, was sufficient for Teng Ai, and he wrote back to say it was agreed. So on the fifteenth day five legions hove in sight near Yunshan. And the scouts saw endless carts of grain and fodder in the distance coming from the mountains. When Teng Ai got closer, he distinguished the uniforms of Wei. His staff urged him to hurry as it was getting dark, but Teng was more cautious.

"It is gloomy and dark over there," said the general. "If by any chance an ambush has been laid we could hardly escape. We will wait here."

But just then two horsemen came up at a gallop and said, "Just as General Wang was crossing the frontier with the convoy he was pursued, and reinforcements are urgently needed."

Teng Ai, realising the importance of the request, gave orders to press onward. It was the first watch, and a full moon was shining as bright as day. The shouting heard behind the hills he could only conclude was the noise of the battle in which his colleague was engaged.

So he dashed over the hills. But suddenly a body of men came out from the shelter of a grove of trees, and at their head rode the Shu leader, Fu Ch'ien.

"Teng Ai, you are stupid! You have just fallen into the trap set for you by our general. Dismount and prepare for death!"

Teng Ai halted and turned to flee. Then the waggons burst into flame. That flame was a signal, and down came the men of Shu. Teng Ai heard shouts all round him, "A thousand taels for anyone who captures Teng Ai, and a marquisate as well!"

Terrified, Teng dropped his arms, threw aside his armour, slipped from his steed, mingled with the footmen, and with them scrambled up the hills. The captains of Shu only looked for him among the mounted leaders, never guessing that he had got away among the common soldiers. So he was not captured.

Chiang Wei gather in his victorious men and went to meet Wang Kuan with his convoy.

Having made all arrangements, as he thought, complete, Wang Kuan was patiently awaiting the development of his scheme, when a trusted friend came and told him that the ruse had been discovered and Teng Ai had already suffered defeat. Wang sent out some scouts, and the report was confirmed, with the addition that armies were coming against him. Moreover, clouds of dust were rising. There was no way of escape, so he ordered his men to set fire to the convoy, and soon huge flames were rising high into the air.

'The case is desperate," cried Wang. "It is a fight to the death."

He led his men westward, but the men of Shu came in pursuit. Chiang Wei thought his enemy would try at all costs to get back to his own, but instead, Wang Kuan went on toward HanChung, and as his men were too few to risk a battle he destroyed the military stations and covered ways as he went. Fearing the loss of HanChung, Chiang Wei abandoned all thought of pursuing Teng Ai, but made all haste along the by-roads after Wang Kuan. Surrounded on all sides, Wang Kuan jumped into the Black Dragon River and so died. Those of his men who survived were slain by Chiang Wei.

A victory had been won, but it was costly. Many men had been killed, much grain had been lost and the covered roads had been destroyed. Chiang led his men into HanChung.

Teng Ai made his way back to Ch'ishan. From there he reported his defeat to the King of Wei and asked for degradation as a penalty. However, in view of his victories, he was not degraded, but, on the other hand, was consoled with magnificent gifts, which he distributed to the families of the men who had been killed. Ssuma Chao also sent him five legions as reinforcement lest Shu should attack again.

Chiang Wei set about the restoration of the covered roads ready for the next expedition.

Repair the roads for marching feet to tread,
The strife will only cease when all are dead.

The next chapter will tell who won.

CHAPTER CXV
THE KING LISTENS TO SLANDER AND
RECALLS HIS ARMY: CHIANG WEI TAKES
COMMAND OF THE CANTONMENTS AND ESCAPES DEATH

I
n
the autumn of the fifth year of
Cbing-Yao,
Chiang Wei was occupied with preparations for the renewal of an attack; mending the hill roads, gathering stores and mobilising his boats on the waterways of HanChung. These things done, he asked permission to go again to the attack, saying, "Although I have not been wholly victorious nor accomplished great things, yet I have put fear into the hearts of the Wei armies. Our men have been long under training, and they must now be used, or the army will go to pieces for lack of employment. The men are ready to die, the officers prepared for all risks and I am determined to conquer or perish."

The king did not consent at once. As he was hesitating, Chiao Chou stood forth and said, "F have observed the heavens. I have seen the men of Shu scattered over the wilds and the leader stars dull and obscured. This expedition will be disastrous, and I hope Your Majesty will not approve."

The king replied, "Let us see the results of this campaign; if it fail, then the war shall cease."

Chiao resented the rejection of his advice, withdrew to his home and retired on the pretext of illness.

As the final preparations were being made, Chiang Wei said to Liao Hua, "We are pledged to get through to the capital this time: what do you advise to start with?"

"I dare not presume to advise you, General. For years we have been fighting and giving the people no rest. In Teng Ai we find a most formidable and resourceful opponent and an extraordinarily capable man, so that you must exert yourself to the very utmost."

Chiang Wei was annoyed. Said he, "The late minister made six attempts, all for the state. I have attacked eight times. Was any one of those attacks to serve my private ends? This time I go to attack Taoyang, and no one shall say me nay. I will punish opposition with death."

He left Liao Hua in charge of the base in HanChung and marched with thirty legions. His movements were reported in the Ch'ishan camps, and Teng's spies confirmed the news.

It happened that Ssuma Wang was with Teng Ai discussing military matters, and the former, when he heard it, said, "That move is a blind; he does not mean it. What he really intends is an attack on Ch'ishan."

"However, he has really gone to T'aoyang," said Teng.

"How can you know?"

"Formerly he has always opened with a march to that part of the country where we have stored supplies. T'aoyang has no stores, so he thinks we shall not have taken care for its defence as we shall concentrate our efforts on Ch'ishan. But if he can take that place he can collect stores there, and get in touch with the
Ch'iang
and finally work out some grand plan."

"Supposing this is true, what should we do?"

"I advise the abandonment of this place and a march in two bodies toward T'aoyang. I know a small town on the Hou River, not far from T'aoyang, which is the throat of the place. You go to T'aoyang, secrete your force and open the gates. Then act as I shall tell you presently. I will lie in wait at Hou River. We shall score a victory."

An officer of low rank was left in charge of Ch'ishan station when the main body left.

Meanwhile Hsiahou Pa led the van of the army toward T'aoyang. As he drew near he noticed the place seemed to have no defences; not a flagstaff reared its head. The gates stood wide open. He was too wary to go straight in however, though his captains agreed that the city looked empty. A few people were running away along the southern road.

Hsiahou rode south and saw there that the north-west road, at a little distance from the city, was crowded with fugitives.

"The city is really empty," said Hsiahou.

He led the way in all ready to fight, and the men followed. As they came near to the curtain wall, however, a bomb exploded. At this sound the drums beat, trumpets blared, and flags suddenly appeared. At the same moment the drawbridge rose.

"Caught!" said Hsiahou.

As he turned to retire, the arrows and stones flew down in clouds, and under these Hsiahou and many of his men lost their lives.

Most able strategist and brave,
Hsiahou, outwitted here
By Teng, more prudent still, and slain,
Deserves a pitying tear.

The flights of arrows from the ramparts was followed by a sortie, which broke up the force of Shu entirely, and the men fled. However, Chiang Wei came up and drove off Ssuma Wang, and the men of Shu camped beside the walls. He was very grieved at the loss of his able colleague.

That night Teng Ai came up secretly and attacked the camp. At the same time the men within the city made a sortie. Chiang Wei could not resist the double attack, and left the field. He marched some twenty
li
and camped.

Twice beaten, the men of Shu were very downcast. The general tried to console them with the truisms and platitudes of war, the need to bear misfortune as well as enjoy good fortune, and such sayings; but he wound up his speech with severity:

"But remember, no mutiny! He who talks of retreat will suffer death."

Then Chang I said, "With so many men of Wei here, their camp at Ch'ishan must be undefended. I propose, General, that while you continue the contest here I go to try to capture the nine camps. If I succeed, Ch'angan will be at our mercy."

The second division of the army was detached to march on Ch'ishan, and Chiang Wei went down to the river to provoke Teng Ai into fighting. The challenge this time was accepted forthwith, but after several bouts without a decision, both retired to their camps.

For days after this, Chiang challenged again and again, but Teng declined and would not fight. The Shu soldiers howled abuse and hurled insults at their opponents, but all without effect.

Then Teng thought within him, 'There must be some reason for this persistence. I think they have sent an army to try to seize Ch'ishan while they hold me here. The force there is insufficient, and I shall have to go to the rescue."

Teng called his son Chung, and said, "Hold this place most carefully. Let them challenge as they may, do not go out. Tonight I go to the help of Ch'ishan."

It was night, and Chiang Wei was in his tent, intent upon his plans, when he was disturbed by a great shouting and drumming. They told him Teng Ai had suddenly appeared. The captains asked leave to go out to fight.

"Let no one move!" said Chiang Wei.

The fact was Teng Ai had only made a demonstration at the camp of Shu on his way to reinforce Ch'ishan.

Then Chiang Wei said to his officers, "The attack of Teng Ai was a feint; he has certainly gone to relieve Ch'ishan."

So Chiang decided to go to the aid of Chang I. He left Fu Ch'ien to guard the city.

Chang I was then actually attacking the Wei position on Ch'ishan. The defenders were few, and it looked as though they must soon give in, when the sudden appearance of Teng Ai made all the difference. The onslaught of Teng's force drove off Chang I, and he was forced to take refuge behind the hills. No road was open to him. When things looked worst he saw the Wei soldiers suddenly falling back in confusion.

"General Chiang has come!" they told him.

Chang I took the opportunity to return to the attack, and the tables were turned. Teng Ai lost the game and retired into his camp, which Chiang Wei surrounded.

Here a digression is necessary. In Ch'engtu the king fell daily more and more under the malign influence of Huang Hao, who encouraged him in every form of self-indulgence and ministered to every desire for luxury and dissipation. Government was left to look after itself.

A certain minister, Liu Yen, had a very beautiful wife. One day she went into the palace to visit the Empress, who kept her there a whole month. Liu Yen was not without suspecting an intrigue with the Latter Ruler and took a brutal revenge. He bound the lady, and made five hundred of his soldiers shame her to the last degree by beating her on the face with their boots. She swooned many times.

The story got to the ears of the king, and he ordered the officials concerned to investigate and decide the crime and its punishment. The judges found that 'soldiers were not proper persons to administer a punishment to a woman, and the face was not a portion of the body to be mortified; the author of this crime ought to be put to death.' Wherefore Liu Yen was beheaded.

Thereafter women were forbidden to go to Court. As time went on the king indulged in unbridled sensuality, and gradually all good men left the government, giving place to the meanest, who soon swarmed there.

Among the sycophants of Huang Hao was a certain incapable and worthless general named Yen Yu, whose lack of merit had not stood in the way of preferment. Hearing of Chiang's defeats at Ch'ishan, he got his friend the eunuch to propose to the king that Chiang should be recalled and he himself sent in command. The king agreed, and the edict was issued.

One day, as Chiang Wei was working out his plan of attack on the camps of Wei, three edicts came, all to the same effect, recalling him to the capital. Disobedience being out of the question, Chiang Wei ceased all operations and sent the T'aoyang force back first. Then gradually he withdrew the others.

Teng Ai in his camp wondered at the rolling of drums one night, but next day he heard that the Shu camps were empty. However, he suspected some ruse and did not pursue.

Arrived in HanChung, the army halted, and its leader went on to the capital in company with the messenger who had brought his orders. Here he waited ten days, and still the king held no Court. He began to suspect mischief.

One day near the palace gate he met a secretary, Ch'i Cheng, whom he knew, and asked whether he knew the reason for his recall.

"What General! Do you not know? Huang Hao wanted to push Yen Yu into favour, so he intrigued for your recall. Now they have found out Teng Ai is too clever to be tackled, and so they are not fighting any more."

"I shall certainly have to put this eunuch fellow out of the way," said Chiang Wei.

"Hush! You are the successor of the great minister, the man to whom he bequeathed his unfinished task. You are too important to act hastily or indiscreetly. If the Emperor withdrew his support, it would go ill with you."

"Sir, what you say is true," replied Chiang.

However, soon after this Chiang, with a small party, got into the palace. The king was enjoying himself with the eunuch in the gardens. They told Huang Hao, who at once hid himself. Chiang approached his master and prostrated himself, saying, "Why did Your Majesty recall me? I had the enemy in my power at Ch'ishan when the triple edict came."

The king hummed and hawed, but made no reply. Then Chiang Wei began his real grievance.

'This Huang Hao is wicked and artful and seems to have the last say in everything. The times of the Emperor Ling and The Ten have returned. Your Majesty may recall Chang Jang or Chao Kao, but if you will only slay this man the Court will be purified and you may return gloriously to the home of your fathers."

The king smiled. "Huang Hao is but a minor servant, one who runs errands for me. If he tried to do as you say, he could not. I always wondered why Tung Yun seemed to hate poor Hao so much. I pray you, noble Sir, to take no notice of him."

"Unless Your Majesty gets rid of him, evil is very close," said Chiang, beating his head upon the ground.

The king replied, "If you love anyone, you want him to live; if you dislike him, you desire his death; can you not bear with my one poor eunuch?"

He bade one of the attendants go and call Huang Hao. When he approached the pavilion, the king told him to ask pardon of Chiang Wei.

Huang Hao prostrated himself and wept, saying, "I am always in attendance upon the Sacred One; that is all I do. I never meddle in state affairs. I pray you, General, to pay no heed to what people say. If you desire my death, I am in your hands, but pity me."

And tears ran down his cheeks. Chiang Wei went away in ill humour. Outside he sought his friend Ch'i Cheng and told him what had happened.

"General, you are in grave danger," said Ch'i. "And if you fall, the country falls with you."

"Can you advise me?" said Chiang. "How can I secure the state and myself?"

Ch'i replied, "There is a place of refuge for you in Shensi, and that is MiaoChung. It is a rich country, and, you can make a cantonment there like the Marquis of Wu did. Request the Emperor to let you go thither. You can gather in corn for your armies, you can secure all the west of Shensi, you can keep Wei from troubling HanChung, you will retain your military authority, so that no one will dare intrigue against you, and you will be safe. Thus you can ensure the safety of the state and yourself. You should lose no time."

"Your speech is gold and jewels," said Chiang Wei, gratefully.

Without loss of time, Chiang memorialised the throne and obtained the king's consent. Then he returned to HanChung, assembled his officers and told them his plans.

"Our many expeditions have failed to achieve success owing to lack of supplies. Now I am about to take eight legions to MiaoChung to form a cantonment and grow corn ready for the next expedition. You are spent with much fighting and may now repose while collecting grain and guarding HanChung. The armies of Wei are from home and have to drag their grain over the mountains. They will be worn out with the labour and must soon retire. That will be the time to smite them, and success must be ours."