The Three Kingdoms Volume 1 (30 page)

T
he
last chapter closed with the arrival of Li Yue, who shouted out falsely that Li Jue and Guo Si had come to recapture the Emperor. But Yang Feng recognized his voice and ordered Xu Huang to go out and fight him. Xu Huang killed the traitor in the first bout and then dispersed his followers, so the imperial cavalcade got safely through Qi Pass. Prefect Zhang Yang came to welcome the Emperor at Zhidao and supplied him plentifully with food and other necessaries. For his timely help the Emperor conferred a very high rank upon him, who then took his leave and camped near Luoyang.

The Emperor presently entered Luoyang, where he found total destruction. The palaces and halls had been burned out and the streets were overgrown with grass and brambles. What remained of the old palaces and courts were broken roofs and toppling walls. A small palace was hastily built and the officials presented their congratulations, standing in the open air among thorn bushes and brambles. The reign title was changed from Xing Ping to Jian An.

That was a year of grievous famine. The Luoyang people, reduced in number to a few hundred households, had nothing to eat and they prowled about outside the city, stripping the bark off trees and grubbing up the roots of plants to stave off hunger. All officials, except those of the highest ranks, went out into the country to gather firewood for fuel. Many died between ruined walls of dilapidated houses. At no time during the last days of Han did misery press harder than at this period.

Yang Biao went to see the Emperor and said, “Your Majesty’s decree to call in Cao Cao was issued to me some time ago but has never been acted upon. Now he is very strong in Shandong and it would be well to link him with the government so that he might support the ruling house.”

The Emperor replied, “There is no need to tell me about this again. Send for him when you will.”

So the decree was prepared and an envoy bore it into Shandong.

In the meantime, Cao Cao had heard that the Emperor was back in Luoyang. He called together his advisors to consult them on the matter.

Xun Yu said, “Of old, King Wen
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of Jin supported Emperor Xiang of the Zhou Dynasty and all the feudal lords backed him. The founder of the Hans also won popular favor by arranging the funeral ceremony for Emperor Yi, who never really occupied the throne. Now the present Emperor has been an exile on the dusty roads. To take the lead in offering an army to restore him to honor is to have an unrivaled opportunity to win universal respect. But you must act quickly or someone else will get in there before you.”

Cao Cao was very pleased with his words and at once prepared his army to move. Just at this moment the imperial envoy was announced with the very command he wanted and he set out without delay.

At Luoyang everything remained to be done. The city walls had fallen and there were no means of rebuilding them. But worse was yet to come. Soon reports arrived that Li Jue and Guo Si were on their way to invade the city.

The frightened Emperor asked Yang Feng, “What can be done? There is still no answer from Shandong and our enemies are near.”

Yang Feng and Han Xian said, “We will fight to the death to protect Your Majesty.”

Dong Cheng objected, “The fortifications are weak and our military resources are small. If we fight, we can hardly hope for victory. And what if we are defeated? I think we had better move into Shandong.”

The Emperor agreed to this and the journey began without further preparations. There being few horses, the officials had to follow on foot. However, no sooner had they left the capital than they saw a thick cloud of dust out of which came all the clash and clamor of an advancing army. The Emperor and his consort were dumb with fear. Then a single horseman emerged, who turned out to be the envoy returning from Shandong. He rode up to the chariot, bowed and said: “General Cao has received the order and is coming with all the military forces of Shandong, but on hearing that Li Jue and Guo Si had again approached the capital he has sent Xiahou Dun in advance. With him are ten capable warriors and 50,000 proven soldiers. They will guard Your Majesty.”

All fear was swept away. Soon after, Xiahou Dun and his staff arrived and they were presented to the Emperor who cordially addressed them.

Then another large army was found to be approaching from the east. At the Emperor’s command Xiahou Dun went to ascertain their identity. He soon returned to say that they were Cao Cao’s infantry.

In a short while Cao Hong and his officers came to pay their respects to the Emperor.

Cao Hong said: “When my cousin heard of the approach of the rebels he feared that the first batch of officers and men he had sent might be too weak, so he sent me to march quickly and reinforce them.”

“He is indeed my trusty general,” said the Emperor.

So orders were given for them to escort the Emperor in advancing forward. By and by scouts came to report that the rebels were coming up very quickly. The Emperor bade Xiahou Dun divide his force into two parts to oppose them. So the army threw out two wings with cavalry in front and foot behind. They attacked with great ferocity and the rebels were utterly overwhelmed. The Emperor was then asked to return to Luoyang and the army encamped outside the city.

Soon Cao Cao came with his great army and after setting up camp he went into the city to seek an audience with the Emperor. He knelt at the foot of the steps but was allowed to stand before the Emperor and be thanked.

Cao Cao replied, “Having been the recipient of great bounty from the state I have always longed to repay it with my services. The two rebels have committed countless crimes and their days are numbered. I have an army of 200,000 soldiers who are fully equal to destroying the rebels and securing the safety of Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will put the interests of the state first and take good care of your health.”

High honors were then conferred on Cao Cao, who then resumed his battle with the rebels.

Knowing that Cao Cao had traveled far, Li Jue and Guo Si planned to attack his army while it was fatigued from its long march, but their advisor Jia Xu was opposed to this.

“No, this will not do. Cao Cao has valiant officers and brave soldiers. The only way is to surrender so as to seek pardon for the wrongs you have committed,” said Jia Xu.

Li Jue was very angry at his suggestion and accused him of disheartening the army. He drew his sword to slay him but the other officers inter-ceded and saved Jia Xu. That night, Jia Xu stole out of the camp all by himself and went home to his native village.

Soon the rebels decided to offer battle. In reply, Cao Cao sent out three warriors with a small company of horsemen to dash into the rebel army three times before forming the battle array. Then two nephews of Li Jue rode out. At once from Cao Cao’s side dashed out Xu Chu, and in a moment one of them was cut down. The other was so startled that he fell out of his saddle. He, too, was slain. The victor rode back to his own side with the two heads. When he offered them to his master, Cao Cao patted him on the back and said, “You are really my most valiant warrior!”

Next there was a general advance, Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren leading the two wings and Cao Cao commanding the center. They advanced to the roll of the drum. The rebels fell back before them and fled. Sword in hand, Cao Cao himself led his army in pursuit. Many were killed and many more surrendered. Li Jue and Guo Si flew toward the west in panic, like dogs from a falling house. Having no place of refuge they took to the hills and became robbers.

The army returned and camped again outside the city. Yang Feng and Han Xian said to one another, “This Cao Cao has done a great service and he will be the man in power. There will be no place for us.” So they told the Emperor that they wished to pursue the rebels and under this excuse withdrew to camp at Daliang.

At Cao Cao’s camp an envoy of the Emperor came to summon him to the palace. Cao Cao noticed that the man looked remarkably well and could not understand why, since everyone else looked hungry and famine-stricken. So he asked, “You look very well, sir—how come?”

“Only this—I have been a vegetarian for thirty years.”

Cao Cao nodded. “What office do you hold?” he asked the envoy.

“Well, I used to serve under Yuan Shao but I came here when the Emperor returned. Now I am one of the secretaries. I am a native of Dingtao and my name is Dong Zhao.”

Cao Cao rose from his seat and said, “I have long heard of your name. How happy I am to meet you!”

Then wine was brought into the tent and Xun Yu was called in and introduced. While they were talking a messenger came in to report that a small force was moving eastward. Cao Cao was about to order the man to find out whose men these were when the visitor said, “They are Yang Feng and Han Yi, running off to Daliang because you have come.”

“Do they distrust me?” said Cao Cao.

“They are no strategists, unworthy of your attention.”

“What about this departure of Li Jue and Guo Si?”

“Tigers without claws, birds without wings, will not be able to escape from your grip very long. They are not worth thinking about.”

Cao Cao saw that he and his guest had much in common, so he began to consult him on state affairs.

Dong Zhao said, “You, sir, have swept away the rebellion with your noble army and have become the mainstay of the throne, an achievement comparable to the five lords in the Zhou Dynasty. But the officials will look at it in very different ways and not all favorably to you. I think you would not be wise to remain here and I advise a change of capital to Xudu in Henan. However, it must be remembered that the Emperor, after the long exile, had only recently returned to the capital and the attention of all the people is concentrated on Luoyang, hoping for a period of rest and tranquillity. Another move will displease many. But the performance of extraordinary service may mean the procurement of extraordinary achievement. It is for you to decide.”

“That is exactly what I have been thinking!” cried Cao Cao, smiling and seizing his guest’s hand. “But are there not dangers? What about Yang Feng at Daliang and the court officials here?”

“That is easily managed. Write to Yang Feng and set his mind at rest. Say plainly to the officials that there is no food in the capital here and so you are going to another place where there is no problem of scarcity. When the high-ranking officials hear this they will approve.”

Cao Cao was so pleased with his advice that when his guest took leave he held his hand once more and said gratefully, “I am indebted to you for whatever success I may accomplish.”

Dong Zhao thanked him and left. Cao Cao secretly discussed the change of capital with his advisors.

Now a certain official named Wang Li, who was a student of astrology, said to a friend: “I have been studying the night sky. Since last spring there have been signs in the movements of the stars indicating that a new ruler will emerge. The aura of the Hans will soon be exhausted and prosperity will rise in the districts of Jin and Wei.”
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He also presented to the Emperor a secret memorial which said: “The Mandate of Heaven has its course and the five elements
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are out of proportion. ‘Earth’ is attacking ‘Fire’ and the successor to the empire of Han is in Wei.”

When Cao Cao heard of his sayings and the memorial, he sent someone to warn the astrologer. “Your loyalty is well known, but the ways of Heaven are past finding out. The less said, the better.”

Then he asked Xun Yu to expound the meaning of the astrologer’s words. The advisor said, “The element of fortune for the Hans is ‘fire;’ yours is ‘earth’. Xudu is under the influence of ‘earth’ and so your fortune depends on getting there. ‘Fire’ can produce ‘earth,’ as ‘earth’ can multiply ‘wood.’ These agree with what Dong Zhao and the astrologer have forecast and you have only to bide your time.”

Xun Yu’s explanation helped Cao Cao make up his mind. The next day at court he said, “The capital is deserted and cannot be restored, nor can it be supplied easily with food. Xudu is a prosperous city, standing close to a fruitful district. It is everything that a capital should be. I venture to request that the court move there.”

The Emperor dared not oppose and the officials were too in awe of Cao Cao to have any independent opinion, so a day was chosen for the journey. Cao Cao commanded the escort and the officials all followed. When they had traveled some distance they saw before them a high mound and from behind this arose the beating of drums. Then Yang Feng and Han Xian came out and barred the way. In the forefront stood Xu Huang, who shouted, “Cao Cao, where are you taking the Emperor?”

Cao Cao rode forth to take a good look at the speaker and was quite struck by Xu Huang’s powerful physique. He ordered Xu Chu to go and fight him. The combat was ax against broadsword and the two men fought more than half a hundred bouts without advantage to either side. Then the gongs sounded and Cao Cao drew off his men.

In his camp a council was called. Cao Cao said, “Yang Feng and Han Xian are nothing but Xu Huang is a fine officer and I was unwilling to use force against him. I want to win him over to our side.”

At this moment, an officer called Man Chong said, “Do not let that trouble you, sir. He is an old acquaintance of mine. I will disguise myself as a soldier this evening and steal over to the enemy’s camp to talk to him. I promise I will persuade him to submit to you willingly.”