Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (9 page)

"He is an Imperial Uncle," said Yang Sung, "with such a rank he could present such a memorial."

Chang Lu assented. He sent orders to Ma Ch'ao to cease fighting, and Sun Ch'ien remained as the guest of Yang Sung till he should see whether Ma Ch'ao would obey the command. Before long the messenger returned with a word from Ma that he could not cease fighting till he had been successful. A second messenger returned with a similar response.

This Ma is untrustworthy," said Yang Sung. "He will not withdraw his soldiers because he contemplates rebellion. That is the real reason."

He set stories afloat that Ma Ch'ao desired to make himself the ruler of Shu and had said that he would no longer be content with subordinate rank. And he meant to avenge the death of his father. The rumours came to the ear of Chang Lu, and he asked Yang Sung what should be done. Yang proposed that he should give Ma Ch'ao a limit of a month in order to accomplish his task, provided he consented to three conditions. And if he would not agree he would have to be put to death.

So a messenger was sent to declare the three conditions, which were: the capture of Hsich'uan, the head of Liu Chang and the repulse of the Chingchou troops.

"If he fails in any one of these just bring his head," said Chang.

While the messenger went to carry these orders Chang Wei was sent as guard at one of the strategic points which would control Ma's army in case of rebellion.

When Ma Ch'ao heard the three demands made on him he was greatly troubled, saying, "What can such a charge mean?"

After taking counsel with his son it seemed best to suspend fighting, and the army rested. But Yang had not yet attained his end, so he dropped another hint that Ma Ch'ao's return with an army would be a danger, and hence all the points of vantage on the homeward road were guarded so that he should not return. Thus Ma Ch'ao was helpless and could see no way out of the difficulty.

Then K'ung-ming said to his lord, "Now is my chance to use my little three inches of unworn tongue; Ma Ch'ao is in a fix. I am going to his camp to persuade him to come over to your side."

"But I do not like you to run such a risk, my Master. You are my most necessary support, and if anything happened to you, what should I do?"

K'ung-ming was set upon going and persisted in his request. Yuan-te again and again refused. At this juncture a messenger came with letters from Chao Yun. Yuan-te called him in and questioned him. He was Li Hui of Chienning, the man who had formerly remonstrated so earnestly with Liu Chang.

"You once pleaded with your master to keep me out; why are you here now?"

"Because the prudent bird chooses its perch and the wise man his master. I did attempt to dissuade Liu of Ichou from a course which I felt to be disastrous, and thereby fulfilled my duty as his servant. He rejected my counsel and I knew he would fail. Your liberality, O General, has won over all the Province, and success must be yours. I wish to serve under your banner."

"Your services will surely be of great advantage to me, Sir," said Yuan-te.

Then Li began to talk of Ma Ch'ao. "I knew him when we were in Shensi together. He is now in great straits, and I may be able to talk him over. What say you?"

"Just the man to go instead of me," interiected K'ung-ming. "But what arguments will you use?"

Li Hui leaned over and whispered in his ear thus—and thus—What he said seemed to please K'ung-ming mightily, and he was bidden to go forthwith.

Arrived at the camp, he sent in his name, at which Ma Ch'ao remarked, "Yes; I know him
_;
a glib and specious talker. I know what he has come for too."

So he placed a score of armed ruffians in hiding about his tent and told them to cut the visitor to pieces if the signal was given.

Then the guest was led in and came walking proudly. His host remained seated stiff and upright. He spoke roughly, saying, "What are you come for?"

"I am here as bearer of a message."

"This sword here in the scabbard is newly ground. You may try me by words, but if the words do not penetrate I shall ask you to try the sword."

Li Hui smiled, saying, "O, General, evil is not far off. However, I am thinking the newly ground sword will not be tried on my head. You will want to try it on your own."

"What evil were you talking about?"

'The worst vilification could not hide the beauty of Hsi-tzu nor could the most fulsome praise gloze over the ugliness of Wu-yen. The sun rises to the meridian and then declines; the moon waxes to the full and then wanes. All things obey the one law. Now, Sir, you are at enmity with Ts'ao Ts'ao for your father's death, but Shensi hates you with a stubborn, grinding hate. You can neither rescue Liu Chang by repulsing the army from Chingchou, nor can you settle Yang Sung by getting an interview with Chang Lu. The whole world now holds no place for a man without a lord, and if you experience further defeats, like that one on the Wei River, or the loss of Chich'eng, will you not be too shamed to look any man in the face?"

Ma Ch'ao bowed his head. "You speak well, Sir. But I am helpless."

"Now that you listen to me I would ask why those fearsome ruffians are in hiding by your tent?" continued Li Hui.

Ma, suddenly stricken with shame, ordered them to retire. Li Hui continued his speech.

"Liu, the Imperial Uncle, is considerate to his subordinates, and I am certain he will succeed, and so I have forsaken Liu Chang to cleave to him. Your honoured father joined him in destroying rebels. Why do you not flee from darkness into the light? Thereby you would avenge your father and become famous."

Ma, convinced of the wisdom of the course thus recommended, proved his conversion by sending for Yang Sung and slaying him forthwith. Taking with him the head of his victim, he accompanied Li Hui to the Pass and tendered his submission. Yuan-te welcomed him warmly and treated him as a highly honoured guest.

Ma Ch'ao bowed his head, saying, "Meeting you, O illustrious lord, is like seeing the clear sky when the clouds have been swept aside."

When Sun Ch'ien returned, Yuan-te detached certain forces to go to the capture of Ch'engtu, left two captains to guard the Pass and made a triumphant entry into Mienchu. Two of the Shu captains came to oppose Yuan-te, but Chao Yun went out against them while Yuan-te was entertaining Ma Ch'ao at a banquet on the city wall. Ere it had concluded, Chao Yun slew both the captains and brought their heads to the banquet chamber. This exploit put Ma Ch'ao on his mettle and doubled his respect for the conquerors.

"Let not my lord attack," said he. "I will make Liu Chang surrender of his own accord. Should he resist, my son and I will take the city and offer it to you with both hands."

Yuan-te was very pleased with the course of events; the day was indeed one of rejoicing. But Liu Chang was greatly distressed at the news of his fresh misfortunes, which reached him with the return of his defeated soldiers. He barred the gates and stopped all exit. Before long came news of the approach of Ma Ch'ao with an army of rescue. The Governor then ventured to mount the walls, and soon Ma Chao and Ma Tai rode up and stood below the ramparts. And the former called out, "I wish to speak with Liu Chi-yu."

Then Liu Chang showed himself, and Ma Ch'ao plunged into the matter without more ado.

"I took the leadership of Chang Lu's army to rescue Ichou, little thinking that, under the calumnious advice of Yang Sung, he would try to slay me. However, now I have gone over to the side of Liu, the Imperial Uncle, and advise you, Sir, to do the same, you and all your officers. Thereby you will all escape harm. If any one holds on a misguided course I shall take the city."

Such words came as a shock, and Liu Chang paled. His feelings overcame him and he swooned. When he came to his senses he muttered, "I am stupid and I am sorry. Better open the gates and end it. The city will be saved."

"No, no," cried Yung Ho. 'There are three legions of good soldiers in the city and ample money and stores for a year to come. Hold out."

But Liu was broken. "My father and I have ruled here for twenty years and have done no particular good for the people. If we fight for three years the grass will be stained with the blood of my people and the fault will be mine. I could not bear it, and so I see no better way than to surrender, whereby I may bring peace to the people."

Those about him wept. One man spoke, saying, "You speak as Heaven guides you."

Turning toward him they recognised a man of Pahsi named Ch'iao Chou, who had the reputation of being an astrologer.

"I have studied the aspect of the heavens and a multitude of stars gathered over Shu, one of which shone as the full moon; a right royal star. And I recall a popular couplet of last year.—

When comes the ruler from the east,
Then may you on new rice feast.

This is a sort of presage. None can withstand the decree of the Most High."

Huang and Liu, who heard these words, were very angry at such a speech and rose up to smite the speaker. But Liu Chang stayed them.

Next came news that Hsu Ching, Prefect of me metropolitan district, had gone over to the invaders. This was the last blow. Liu Chang went home weeping.

Next day they reported that Liu Pei, the Imperial Uncle, had sent a secretary to visit Liu Chang and he was even then at the city gate. He was admitted, and Chien Yung entered, riding in a carriage and looking about him most haughtily. Suddenly he was hailed from the street by a man with a sword in his hand, who cried, "You have got your wish, wretched creature, and seem to think there is no one to compare with you. But do not look so contemptuously at us of Shu."

Chien quickly got out of his carriage to speak to the speaker, who was a man of Mienchu named Ts'in Mi.

"Worthy brother," said he, "I did not recognise you. I pray you not to be angry."

Both then went to visit Liu Chang, and they spoke of the liberality and broad-mindedness of Liu Pei, said he had no intention to harm any one, and praised him to such effect that Liu Chang then and there made up his mind finally that he would give up the struggle. So he treated Chien very honourably that day. And the next day, taking his seal and insignia of office and his archives, he accompanied Chien out of the city and went to Yuan-te's camp. Yuan-te came out in person to receive him. Taking Liu Chang by the hand, he wept, saying, "It is not that I wish to act cruelly or wrongly; I am the victim of circumstances and cannot help it."

They entered the camp together, where the seal of office and the documents changed hands. Afterwards they rode into the city side by side. The people gave Yuan-te a cordial welcome, burning incense and illuminating the city. The victor went to the residence of the chief of the province, where he took his seat and was saluted by all the subordinate officials.

However, Huang Ch'uan and Liu Pa stayed away from the ceremony. This annoyed the more violent of Yuan-te's supporters, and they wished to kill the delinquents. But Yuan-te would not allow violence and threatened condign punishment to any one who might interfere with these two. When the reception was over he went to visit the two recalcitrants, whereupon both came out and made their obeisance.

Said K'ung-ming, "We have vanquished, and all opposition is at an end. But there cannot be two rulers, so you must remove Liu Chang to Chingchou."

"But I do not wish to exile him," said Yuan-te.

"He lost his prestige through weakness. If you are effeminately weak and undecided you also will not last long."

Yuan-te saw his advice was good, and so he gave a great banquet whereat he begged Liu Chang to pack up his treasures and prepare to move. He gave the dispossessed Prefect the title
Chen-wei Chiang-Chun
(Captain of Wide spread Prestige). Liu Chang went away to Chingchou, taking with him his family and all his possessions.

Yuan-te thus became Governor of Ichou. He conferred gifts on the inferior officers who joined him, confirming their ranks and titles. Yen Yen was given a high rank in the army. Fa Cheng became Prefect of the District of Shu. Others of the Shu officers whose aid had been conspicuous were given high ranks and finer titles under the new rule, while the services of minor men to the number of three score or more were well rewarded.

Naturally, honours were distributed freely to Yuan-te's immediate helpers, to whose efforts he owed his position. Chuko Liang became Master of the Forces; Kuan Yu,
Tang-k'ou Chiang-Chun
(General, Destroyer of Rebels) and a Marquis; Chang Fei, General, Assailant of the West, and a Marquis; Chao Yun, General, Guardian of the Distant; Huang Chung, General, Guardian of the West; Wei Yen, General, Wager of Successful War; Ma Ch'ao, General, Pacificator of the West. All the others, many of whom had come to Yuan-te from Chingchou and Hsiangjang, received promotion and rewards.

In addition, a special gift of five hundred "axes" (catties) of gold, a thousand "axes" of silver, much copper money and a thousand rolls of Ssuch'uan silk, was sent to Kuan Yu. And all the military men were given appointments. Huge numbers of oxen and horses were slaughtered for banquets to the army. And the contents of the granaries were given to the common people. So that there were great rejoicings.

Ichou being settled, Yuan-te next desired to confiscate the lands of the more famous of the inhabitants about the capital and divide them among his officers. But here Chao Yun and others dissuaded him, saying that the sufferings of the people had been severe and losses great; it would be wise policy to let them settle down to their occupations as soon as possible. "It would be wrong to reward his own men at the expense of these persons." Yuan-te listened and gave in with good grace.