Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (46 page)

Ts'ui Liang took the advice of his officers. Most of them said, "If you do not go, and Nanan is taken, we shall be blamed for giving up the Son-in-law. He must be rescued."

Thereupon the Prefect marched; the civil officers were left in charge of the city. The little army took the high road to Nanan. They saw flames shooting up to the sky all the time. When fifty
li
from the city, there was heard the drums of an attacking force, and the scouts came to say that the road ahead was held by Kuan Hsing, while Chang Pao was coming up quickly in their rear.

At this news the soldiers scattered in all directions. The Prefect had a few men left with whom he tried to cut his way out that he might return to his own city. He got through. But when he came to his own city a flight of arrows greeted him from the wall, and Wei Yen shouted to him, saying, "I have taken the city; you had better yield."

This was what had happened. Wei Yen, disguised as an Anting soldier, in the darkness of the night had beguiled the wardens of the gate into opening it, and the men of Shu had got in.

Ts'ui Liang set off for Tienshui. But one march away a cohort came out, and beneath the great flag he saw a light chariot. In the chariot sat a man in Taoist robe with a feather fan in his hand. He at once recognised K'ung-ming, but as he turned, up came Kuan and Chang, who summoned him to surrender. As he was entirely surrounded, no other course was open to him, so he gave in. He went to the great camp with K'ung-ming, who treated him with courtesy.

After a time K'ung-ming said, "Is the Prefect of Nanan a friend of yours?"

"He is one Yang Ling, a brother of Yang Fou. Being neighbouring districts we are very good friends.'

"I wish to trouble you to persuade him to capture Hsiahou Mou
_;
can you?"

"If you, O Minister, order me to do this, I would ask you to withdraw your men and let me go into the city to speak with him."

K'ung-ming consented and ordered the besiegers to draw off twenty
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and camp. Ts'ui Liang himself went to the city and hailed the gate. He entered and went forthwith to his friends residence. As soon as he had finished the salutations, he related what had happened.

"After the kindness we have received from Wei we cannot be traitors," said Yang Ling. "But we will meet ruse with ruse."

He led Ts'ui Liang to the general and told the whole story.

"What ruse do you propose?" asked Hsiahou Mou.

"Let us pretend to offer the city, and let the men of Shu in. Once they are in we can massacre them."

Ts'ui Liang agreed to take a share in this scheme, and went back to K'ung-ming's camp, where he told the necessary tale, adding that Yang Ling's men were too few and he wanted help.

"That is simple enough," replied K'ung-ming. "Your hundred men are here. We can mix with them some of my captains dressed as your officers and so let them get into the city. They can hide in Hsiahou's dwelling and arrange with Yang to open the gates in the night."

Ts'ui Liang thought within himself that not to take the Shu captains would arouse suspicion. So he agreed, determining to kill them as soon as they got within the walls. Then, thought he, he would give the signal and beguile K'ung-ming to enter, and so dispose of him.

So he consented to K'ung-ming's proposal, and K'ung-ming gave him instructions, saying, "I will send my trusty Kuan Hsing and Chang Pao with you. You will pass them off as the rescuers just to set Hsiahou Mou's mind at rest. But when you raise a fire I shall take that as my signal and come in."

At dusk the two trusty captains, having received their secret orders, put on their armour, mounted, took their weapons and got in among the Anting men. Ts'ui Liang led the small force to the gate. Yang Ling was on the wall. The drawbridge was hoisted. He leaned over the guard rail and scanned the men below.

"Who are you?" asked he.

"We are rescuers from Anting."

Now Ts'ui shot an arrow over the wall, to which a secret letter was bound, saying, "Chuko Liang is sending two captains into the city that they may help him to get in, but do nothing till we get inside lest the ruse gets known and the game be spoiled."

Yang went to show this letter to the general, who said, "Then Chuko Liang is going to be our victim. Put a company of axe and bill men in the palace, and as soon as these two captains get inside shut the gates and fall on. Then give the signal. As soon as Chuko gets inside the gate, seize him."

All arrangements being made, Yang Ling went back to the wall and said, "Since you are Anting men you may be allowed in."

The gate was thrown open and, while Kuan followed close after Ts'ui, Chang Pao was a little way behind. Yang Ling came down to the gate to welcome them. As soon as Kuan got near he lifted his sword and smote Yang, who fell headless. Ts'ui Liang was startled and lashed his steed to flee.

Chang Pao cried, "Scoundrel! Did you think your vile plot would be hidden from the eyes of our master?"

With that Ts'ui fell from a spear thrust. Then Kuan went up on the wall and lit the fire. Soon the men of Shu filled the city. Hsiahou Mou could make no defence, so he tried to fight his way through the south gate. There he met Wang P'ing and was captured. Those with him were slain.

K'ung-ming entered the city and at once forbade all plunder. The various captains reported the deeds of valour. The captive general was placed in a prisoner's cart.

Then Teng Chih asked how the treachery of Ts'ui Liang had been discovered.

"I knew the man was unwilling in his heart to yield, so I sent him into the city that he might have a chance to weave a counter plot with Hsiahou Mou. I saw by his manner he was treacherous, and so I sent my two trusty captains with him to give him a feeling of security. Had he been true to me he would have opposed this, but he accepted it gaily and went with them lest I should suspect him. He thought they could slay my two men and entice me in. But my two men already had orders what to do. Everything turned out as I thought, and as they did not expect."

The officers bowed their appreciation of his wonderful insight.

Then K'ung-ming said, "I sent one of my trusty men to pretend he was a certain P'ei Hsu of Wei and so deceive this Ts'ui Liang. I also sent another to T'ienshui to do the same, but nothing has happened yet, I do not know the reason. We will capture the place."

It was decided to take T'ienshui next, and thither they moved, leaving guards at Anting and Nanan.

When Ma Tsun, Prefect of T'ienshui, heard of Hsiahou Mou's disaster he called a council at which one party were strongly of opinion that a rescue should be attempted.

"If anything sinister happens to 'Son-in-law' Hsiahou, 'Golden Branch' and 'Jade Leaf as he is, we shall be held guilty of having made no attempt to save him. Wherefore, Prefect, you must do all you can," said they.

Ma Tsun found decision difficult, and while thinking over what was best to do the arrival of P'ei Hsu, a messenger from Hsiahou Mou, was announced. P'ei was taken to the Prefect's residence and there produced his despatch and asked for aid. Soon came another man saying that the Anting men had set out and calling upon Ma Tsun to hasten. This decided him, and he prepared his men.

Then an cutsider came in and said, "O Prefect, you are the sport of one of Chuko Liang's wiles."

All looked at him with surprise. He was one Chiang Wei, son of a former local official who had died in the king's service. Chiang Wei was well up in books, seeming to have read everything, and was also skilled in all warlike exercises. He had studied books on war. He was a very filial son and much esteemed. He held military rank.

Chiang Wei said to the Prefect, "I hear Chuko Liang has defeated Hsiahou, who is now in Nanan most closely besieged. How then can this messenger have got out? P'ei is an unknown officer whom no one has heard of, and this messenger from Anting bears no despatch. The fact is the men are imposters sent to beguile you into leaving your city undefended so that it may be the more easily captured."

The Prefect began to understand. He thanked Chiang for his caution. Then Chiang said, "But do not be anxious; I have a scheme by which we can capture Chuko Liang and relieve Nanan."

The fates all changing bring the man that's needed,
And warlike skill comes from a source unheeded.

The next chapter will unfold the ruse proposed by Chiang Wei.

CHAPTER VIIC
CHIANG WEI GOES OVER TO K'UNG-MING:
K'UNG-MING REVILES WANG LANG,
WHO DIES

C
hiang
Wei propounded his scheme of defence, saying, "Chuko Liang will lay an ambush behind the city, induce our soldiers to go out and then take advantage of its undefended state to capture it. Now give me three companies of good men, and I will place them in ambush at a certain critical place. Lead your men out, but go slowly and not too far, and then turn to retire. However, look out for a signal, and if you see one, attack, for the attack will be double. If Chuko is there himself we shall capture him."

The Prefect adopted this plan, gave the needed men to Chiang Wei, who marched at once, and then went forth himself with Liang Ch'ien. Only two civil officials were left to guard the city.

Chao Yun had been sent to lie in ambush in a secret place among the hills till the T'ienshui men left the city, when he was to rush in and capture it. His spies reported the departure of the Prefect, and he sent on the news to those who were acting with him, Chang I and Kao Hsiang, that they might attack Ma Tsun.

Chao Yun and his five companies then quickly marched to the city wall and called out, "I am Chao Tzu-lung of Ch'angshan; you have fallen into our trap you know, but if you will surrender quickly you will save many lives."

But instead of being alarmed Liang Hsu looked down and said, "On the contrary, you have fallen into our trap, only you do not know it yet."

Chao Yun began his attack on the walls. Soon there was heard a roar, and fire broke out all round, and forth came a youthful leader armed with a spear, riding a curvetting steed.

"Look at me, Chiang of T'ienshui!" cried he.

Chao Yun made at him, but after a few bouts he found Chiang Wei was getting too much for him. He was surprised, and wondered who the youngling could be, for he had never heard that such a man belonged to T'ienshui. As the fight went on along came the other forces under Ma Tsun and his colleague, now returning. As Chao Yun found he could not prevail, he set to cut his way through and lead off his defeated men. He was pursued, but the timely interposition of his colleagues saved him, and he got away safely.

K'ung-ming was surprised when he heard what had happened.

"Who is this," said he, "who has thus seen into the dark depths of my secret plan?"

A man of Nanan, who happened to be there, told him Chiang's name and all about him. Chao Yun also praised his skill with the spear, which was superior to any other's.

K'ung-ming said, "I want to take T'ienshui now; I did not expect to find such a man as this."

The Shu army then advanced in force. Chiang Wei went back to Ma Tsun and said, "Chao Yun's defeat will bring up K'ung-ming with the main body. He will conclude that we shall be in the city, wherefore you had better divide your force into four. I, with one party, will go into hiding on the east so that I may cut off our enemies if they come that way. You, O Prefect, and two other leaders, had better lie in ambush on the other sides of the city. Let Liang Hsu and the common people go up on the wall."

K'ung-ming's general orders were to proceed at once to attack a city from the first moment they reached it, and by the rolling of drums incite and urge the men to advance with a rush. The keenness of the men would be spoiled by any delay.

So this time also the army came straight up to the rampart. But they hesitated and dared not attack when they saw the flags flying in such good order and apparently such thorough preparation.

About the middle of the night, fires started up all around and a great shouting was heard. No one could see whence the soldiers were coming, but there were answering shouts from the wall. The men of Shu grew frightened and ran. K'ung-ming mounted a horse and, with Kuan Hsing and Chang Pao as escort, got out of danger. Looking back, they saw many mounted men with torches winding along like a huge serpent. K'ung-ming bade Kuan Hsing find out what this meant, and when he heard that these were Chiang Wei's men, he remarked that an army owed more to its leading than to its numbers.

"This man Chiang is a true genius," mused he.

He led the army back to camp, and then he thought for a long time. Suddenly he called up one of the Anting men and said, "Where is the mother of this Chiang Wei?"

"She lives in Chihsien," replied he.

K'ung-ming called Wei Yen and said to him, "March off with a body of men, giving out that you are going to take Chihsien. If Chiang Wei comes up let him enter the city

"What is the most important place in connection with this place?" asked K'ung-ming.

The man replied, "The storehouse of T'ienshui is at Shang-kuei; if that is taken the supplies are cut off."

This was good news, so Chao Yun was sent to attack Shangkuei while K'ung-ming made a camp some distance south of the city.

The spies took the news of the movements of these three forces into T'ienshui. When Chiang Wei heard that one army was to attack his own place he pleaded with Ma Tsun the Prefect to let him go to its defence, that he might keep the city and do his duty by his mother at the same time. So he received command of three companies and marched toward his home.

When Chiang Wei came near the walls he saw a cohort under Wei Yen. He attacked. After a show of defence Wei Yen retreated, and Chiang entered the city. He closed the gates and prepared to defend the wall. Then he went home to see his mother.

In the same way Liang Ch'ien was allowed to enter Shangkuei.

Then K'ung-ming sent for his prisoner, Hsiahou Mou, and, when he was brought to his tent, said suddenly. "Are you afraid of death?"

Hsiahou prostrated himself and begged for his life.

"Well, Chiang Wei of T'ienshui, who is now gone to guard Chihsien, has sent a letter to say that he would surrender if only that would secure your safety. Now I am going to let you go if you will promise to induce Chiang Wei to come over to me. Do you accept the condition?"

"I am willing to induce him to yield to you," said Hsiahou Mou.

K'ung-ming then gave his prisoner clothing and a horse and let him ride away. Nor did he send anyone to follow him, but let him choose his own road.

Having got outside, Hsiahou wanted to get away, but he was perfectly ignorant of the roads and knew not which to take. Presently he came across some people, apparently in flight, and he questioned them.

"We are Chihsien people," said they. "Chiang Wei has surrendered the city and deserted to Chuko Liang. The men of Shu are looting and burning, and we have escaped. We are going to Shangkuei."

"Do you know who is holding T'ienshui?"

"The Prefect Ma is in there," said they.

Hearing this, Hsiahou rode quickly toward T'ienshui. Presently he met more people, evidently fugitives, leading sons and carrying daughters, who told the same story. By and by he came to the gate of the city, and, as he was recognised, the wardens of the gate admitted him, and the Prefect came to greet him and asked of his adventures. He told all that had happened, that Chiang Wei had surrendered and related what the fugitives had said.

"I did not think Chiang Wei would have gone over to Shu," said the Prefect sadly.

"It seems he thought by this to save you, General," said Liang Hsu. "I am sure he has made only a pretence of surrendering."

"Where is the pretence when it is a fact that he has surrendered?" said Hsiahou.

They were all perplexed. Then at the watch-setting the men of Shu came to begin an attack. The fires round the wall were very bright, and there in the glare was seen Chiang Wei, armed and riding up and down under the ramparts calling out for Hsiahou Mou.

Hsiahou Mou and the Prefect ascended the wall, whence they saw Chiang Wei swaggering to and fro. Seeing the chiefs on the wall, he called out, "I surrendered for the sake of you, General; why have you gone back on your word?"

"Why did you surrender to Shu after enjoying so much of Wei's bounty?" said Hsiahou. "And why do you talk thus?"

"What do you mean talking thus after writing me a letter telling me to surrender? You want to secure your own safety by involving me. But I have surrendered, and as I am a superior captain in their service now, I see no sense in returning to Wei."

So saying, he urged the men on to the attack. The assault continued till dawn, when the besiegers drew off.

Now the appearance of Chiang Wei in this fashion was but a ruse. K'ung-ming had found among his men one who resembled Chiang Wei and had disguised him so that Chiang Wei appeared to be leading the attack on the ramparts. In the smoke and fire during the night no one could penetrate the disguise.

K'ung-ming then led the army to attack Chihsien. The grain in the city was insufficient to feed the people. From the wall Chiang Wei saw waggons of grain and forage being driven into Wei Yen's camp, and he determined to try to secure some. So he led three companies out of the city to attack the train of waggons. As soon as he appeared the convoy abandoned the carts and fled. Chiang Wei seized them, and was taking them into the city, when he was met by a cohort under the command of Chang I. They fought. After a short time Wang P'ing came to reinforce his colleague, so that Chiang Wei was attacked on two sides. All Chiangs efforts were vain, and he had to abandon the spoil and try to re-enter the city.

But as he drew near he saw the walls were decorated with Shu ensigns, for Wei Yen had captured the place and was in possession. By desperate fighting Chiang Wei got clear and set off for T'ienshui. But he only had a few score horsemen left. Presently the small force fell in with Chang Pao, and at the end of this engagement Chiang Wei found himself alone, a single horseman. He reached the city and hailed the gate. The watchers above the gate knew him and went to tell the Prefect.

"This fellow has come to beguile me into opening the gate," said Ma Tsun.

So he ordered the defenders to shoot at him. Chiang Wei turned back, but there were the men of Shu close at hand. He set off as fast as he could for Shangkuei. But when he got there Liang Ch'ien hurled a valley of abuse at him.

"You traitor," cried he. "Dare you come to try to cajole me out of my city? I know you have surrendered to Shu."

His men also began to shoot at the hapless fugitive.

Chiang Wei was helpless. He could not explain the real truth to those who doubted him. Lifting his eyes to heaven, while tears rolled down his cheeks, he whipped up his steed and rode off toward Ch'angan.

Before he had got very far he came to a spot where were many heavy foliaged trees. From among these appeared a company of soldiers, led by Kuan Hsing. Weary as were both horse and rider, there was no chance of successful resistance, and Chiang Wei turned back. But soon appeared a small chariot in which sat K'ung-ming, dressed simply as usual in a white robe and carrying his feather fan.

"Friend Chiang," said he, "is it not time to yield?"

Chiang Wei stopped and pondered. There was K'ung-ming, and Kuan Hsing's men were behind him. There was no way out. So he dismounted and bowed his head in submission. K'ung-ming at once got out of the chariot and bade him welcome, taking him by the hand and saying, "Ever since I left my humble cottage I have been seeking some worthy man to whom I might impart the knowledge that my life has been spent in acquiring. I have found no one till this moment, and row my desire is attained. You are the one."

Chiang Wei bowed and thanked him, and they two returned to camp.

Soon after their arrival the new recruit and K'ung-ming consulted how to capture T'ienshui and Shangkuei. Chiang Wei had a scheme.

"The two civil officers in charge of the city are excellent friends of mine," said he, "and I will write a letter to each, shoot it over the wall tied to an arrow, and ask them to help by raising a revolt within the city."

They decided upon this, and two secret letters were duly written and sent flying over the ramparts, where they were found and taken to the Prefect. Ma Tsun was doubtful what action to take and consulted with Hsiahou Mou, asking him to decide.

"Put both the men to death," he replied.

But Yin Shang heard what was toward and said to his colleague, "The best course for us is to yield the city to Shu and trust to them to treat us well as our recompense."

That evening Hsiahou Mou sent many times to summon the two officers to him, but they thought it too great a risk to answer the call. Instead, they armed themselves and rode at the head of their own soldiers to the gates, opened them and let in the men of Shu. The Prefect and his exalted guest fled by the west gate with a few faithful followers and sought refuge with the
Ch'iang.

The traitors welcomed K'ung-ming, who entered the city, restored order and calmed the people.

This done, K'ung-ming asked how he might capture Shangkuei. Liang Hsu said, "My brother holds that city, and I will call upon him to yield it."

Thereupon Liang Hsu rode over to Shangkuei and called out his brother to submit. K'ung-ming rewarded him and then made Liang Hsu Prefect of T'ienshui; Yin Shang, magistrate of Chich'eng; and Liang Ch'ien, magistrate of Shangkuei.

Next the army prepared to advance. Some of the officers asked their chief why he did not pursue and capture Hsiahou Mou.

He replied, "I let him go as I would release a duck; in my friend Chiang Wei I recognised a phoenix."