Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (52 page)

Having received all these marks of confidence and favour, Lu Hsun named as his two immediate assistants Chu Huan and Ch'uan Ts'ung, who were approved by the king. Their titles were Right and Left Commander-in-chief respectively.

Then the grand army, comprising all the forces of the eighty one districts of Chiangnan and the levies of Chingchou and Hu, seventy-one legions, was assembled and marched out in three divisions, Lu Hsun in the centre, with his two lieutenants supporting him right and left with the other two columns.

Then said Chu Huan, "Ts'ao Jen is neither able nor bold; he holds office because he is of the blood. He has fallen into the trap laid by Chou Fang and marched too far to be able to withdraw. If the Master of the Forces will smite he must be defeated. Defeated, he must flee along two roads, one Chiashih, the other Kueich'e, both of which are precipitous and narrow. Let me and my colleague go to prepare an ambush in these roads. We will block them and so cut off their escape. If this Ts'ao Hsiu could be captured, and a hasty advance made, success would be easy and sure. We should get Shouch'un, whence Hsuch'ang and Loyang can be seen. This is the one chance in the thousand."

"I do not think the plan good," said Lu Hsun. "I have a better one."

Chu Huan resented the rejection of his scheme and went away angry. Lu Hsun ordered Chuko Chin and certain others to garrison Chiangling and oppose Ssuma I and made all other dispositions of forces.

Ts'ao Hsiu neared Huanch'eng, and Chou Fang came out of the city to welcome him and went to the general's tent. Ts'ao Hsiu said, "I received your letter and the memorandum, which was most logical, and sent it to His Majesty. He has set in motion accordingly three armies. It will be a great merit for you, Sir, if Chiangtung can be added to his dominions. Men say you are insufficient in craft, but I do not believe what they say, for I think you will be true to me and not fail."

Chou Fang wept. He seized a sword from one of his escort and was about to kill himself, but Ts'ao Hsiu stopped him, Still leaning on the sword, Chou Fang said, "As to the seven things I mentioned, my regret is that I cannot show you all. You doubt me because some persons from Wu have been poisoning your mind against me. If you heed them the only course for me is to die. Heaven only can make manifest my loyal heart."

Again he made to slay himself. But Ts'no Hsiu in trepidation threw his arms about him, saying, "I did not mean it; the words were uttered in jest. Why do you act thus?"

Upon this, Chou Fang, with his sword, cut off his hair and threw it on the ground, saying, "1 have dealt with you with sincerity, Sir, and you joke about it. Now I have cut off the hair, which I inherited from my parents, in order to prove my sincerity."

Then Ts'ao Hsiu doubted no more, but trusted him fully and prepared a banquet for him, and when the feast was over Chou Fang returned to his own.

The General Chia K'uei came to Ts'ao Hsiu, and when asked whether there was any special reason for the visit, he said, "1 have come to warn you, Commander, to be cautious and wait till you and I can attack the enemy together. The whole army of Wu is encamped at Wanch'eng."

"You mean you want to share in my victory," sneered Ts'ao Hsiu.

"It is said Chou Fang cut off his hair as a pledge of sincerity; that is only another bit of deceit. According to the 'Spring and Autumn' Yao Li cut off his arm as a pledge that he meant to assassinate Ch'ing Chi; mutilation is no guarantee. Do not trust him."

"Why do you come to utter ill-omened words just as I am opening the campaign? You destroy the spirit of the army," said Ts'ao.

In his wrath he told the lictors to put Chia to death. However, the officers interceded, and Chia was reprieved; but he was not assigned any part in the campaign, and his men were left in reserve. He himself went away to Tung Kuan. When Chou Fang heard that Chia had been broken, he rejoiced in his heart, saying, "If Ts'ao Hsiu had attended to his words then Wu would have lost. Heaven is good to me and is giving me the means of achieving great things."

Then he sent a secret messenger to Wanch'eng, and Lu Hsun knew that the time had come He assembled the officers for orders.

Lu said, "Shiht'ing, lying over against us, is a hilly country fit for preparing an ambush. It will be occupied as suitable to array our army and await the coming of Wei. Hsu Sheng is to be leader of the van, and the army will move."

Now Ts'ao Hsiu told Chou Fang to lead the way for his attack. He asked Chou the name of the place lying ahead, and was told Shiht'ing.

"It is a suitable place to camp in," said Chou Fang.

So a great camp was made there. But soon after the scouts reported that a very large number of soldiers of Wu had occupied the hills. Ts'ao Hsiu began to feel alarmed. "Chou Fang said there were no soldiers; why these preparations?"

He hastily sought Chou Fang to ask him, and was told he had gone away, no one knew whither.

"I have been deceived and am in a trap," said Ts'ao Hsiu, now very repentant of his easy confidence. "However, there is nothing to fear."

Then he made his arrangements to march against the enemy, and when they were complete and the array drawn up, Chang P'u, the leader of the van, rode out and began to rail at the men of Wu.

"Rebel leader, come and surrender!" cried Chang.

Then rode out Hsu Sheng and fought with him. But Chang was no match for the men of Wu, as was soon evident, wherefore he led his men to retire.

"Hsu Sheng is too strong," said he when he saw Ts'ao Hsiu.

'Then will we defeat him by a surprise," said Ts'ao Hsiu.

He sent Chang with two legions to hide in the south of Shiht'ing, while another equal party was sent north. And they arranged that on the morrow Ts'ao Hsiu, by pretended defeat, should lead the men of Wei into the ambush thus prepared.

On the other side Lu Hsun called his two lieutenants Chu and Ch'uan and said, "Each of you is to lead three, legions and take a cross cut from Shiht'ing to the enemy's camp. Give a signal on arrival, and then the main army will advance between you."

As evening fell these two moved out their men, and by the middle of the second watch both had got close to the camp of Wei. Chang P'u, of Wei, who was there in ambush, as has been said, did not recognise that the men who approached him were enemies, but went as to meet friends and was at once slam by Chu Huan of Wu. The men of Wei then fled, and Chu lit his signal fires. Ch'uan Ts'ung, marching up, came across the southern ambush under Hsueh C'iao. Ch'uan began a battle at once, and the men of Wei were soon put to flight. Both the armies of Wu pursued, and confusion reigned in Ts'ao Hsiu's camp, men fighting with others of their own side and slaying each other.

Ts'ao Hsiu despaired and fled toward Chiashih. Hsu Sheng, with a strong force, came along the high road and attacked. And the men of Wei killed were very many. Those who escaped did so by abandoning all their armour.

Ts'ao Hsiu was in straits, but he struggled along the Chiashih Road. Here came a cohort into the road from the side It was led by Chia K'uei. Ts'ao Hsiu's alarm gave place to shame on meeting Chia K'uei.

"I took no notice of what you said, and so this evil came upon me," said he.

Chia K'uei replied, "Sir, you should quickly get out of this road, for if the men of Wu block see it we shall be in grave danger.

So Ts'ao Hsiu hastened, while Chia K'uei protected his retreat. And he behaved cunningly, setting flags and banners up among trees and in thickets and along by-paths, so as to give an impression of having many men posted all round. Wherefore when Hsu Sheng came in pursuit he thought the country was full of ambushed men and dared not proceed far. So he gave up the pursuit and retired.

By these means Ts'ao Hsiu was rescued, and finally Ssuma arrived and drove the enemy off.

In the meantime, Lu Hsun was awaiting news of victory. Soon his various captains came and reported their successes; and they brought great spoil of carts and bullocks, horses and mules and military material and weapons. And they had also many prisoners. There was great rejoicing, and Lu Hsun with Chou Fang led the army home into Wu. On their return Sun Ch'uan came out with a numerous cortege of officers to welcome the victors, and an imperial umbrella was borne over the head of Lu Hsun as they wended their way homeward.

When the officers presented their felicitations Sun Ch'uan noticed that Chou Fang had no hair, and he was very gracious to him, saying, "This deed of yours, and the sacrifice you made to attain it, will surely be written in the histories."

He created Cbou Marquis of the "Gate Within." Then there were great feastings and greetings and much revelry.

Lu Hsun said, "Ts'ao Hsiu has been thoroughly beaten, and the men of Wei are cowed. I think now is an occasion to send letters into Shu to advise Chuko Liang to attack Wei." Sun Ch'uan agreed, and letters were sent.

The east, successful in one fight,
Would unto war the west incite.

The next chapter will say if K'ung-ming once more tried to overcome Wei.

CHAPTER IIIC
K'UNG-MING PROPOSES TO RENEW
THE ATTACK ON WEI: CHIANG WEI DEFEATS
AN ARMY BY MEANS OF A FORGED LETTER

I
t
was in the autumn of the sixth year that the Wei army was defeated, with very great loss, by Lu Hsun of Wu. Ts'ao Hsiu's mortification brought on an illness from which he died in Loyang. By command of the king he received most honourable burial.

Then Ssuma I brought the army home again. The other officers went to welcome him and asked why he hurried home after a defeat, which affected him also as Master of the Forces. He replied that he came for reasons of strategy, because of K'ung-ming's probable intentions. They listened and smiled; for they thought he was afraid.

Letters from Wu came to Shu proposing a joint attack on Wei and detailing their recent victory. In these letters two feelings were gratified—that of telling the story of their own grandeur and prowess, and furthering the design of a treaty of peace. The king was pleased and sent the letters to K'ung-ming in HanChung.

At that time the army was in excellent state, the men hardy, the horses strong. There were plentiful supplies of all kinds. K'ung-ming was just going to propose a new war.

On receipt of the letter he made a great banquet to discuss an expedition. A severe gale came on from the north-east and brought down a fir tree in front of the general's shelter. It was an inauspicious omen to all the officers, and they were troubled. K'ung-ming cast lots to know what portent was intended, and announced the loss of a great leader. They hardly believed him. But before the banquet ended two sons of Chao Yun came and wished to see K'ung-ming.

K'ung-ming, deeply affected, threw aside his wine cup and cried, "That is it; Chao Yun is gone."

When the two young men came in they prostrated themselves and wept; their father had died the night before at the third watch. K'ung-ming staggered and burst into lamentation.

"My friend is gone; the country has lost its great beam and I my right arm."

Those about him joined in, wiping away their tears. K'ung-ming bade the two young men go in person to Ch'engtu to bear the sad tidings to the king. And the king also wept.

"Tzu-lung was my saviour and friend; he saved my life when I was a child in the time of great confusion," cried the king.

An edict was issued creating the late general "Marquis of Shun-p'ing" and permitting burial on the east of Chinp'ing Hill. A temple was ordered to his memory and sacrifices.

From Ch'angshan came a captain, tiger-bold,
In wit and valour he was fitting mate
For Kuan and Chang, his exploits rivalling
E'en theirs. Han Waters and Tangyang recall
His name. Twice in his stalwart arms he bore
The prince, his well-loved leader's son and heir.
In storied page his name stands out, writ large,
Fair record of most brave and loyal deeds.

The king showed his affectionate gratitude to the late leader, not only in according him most honourable burial, but in kindness to his sons, the elder, T'ung, being, made a "Fiercely-energetic"
Chunglang
General and the younger
Kuang Ya-men
General. He also set guards over the tomb.

When the two sons had left, the ministers reported to the king that the dispositions of the army were complete, and the leader proposed to march against Wei without delay. Talking this over with one and another, the king found the courtiers much inclined to a cautious policy and somewhat fearful. And the doubts entered into the king's mind so that he could not decide. Then came a memorial from K'ung-ming, and the messenger, Yang I, was called into the presence and gave it to the king. He spread it on the imperial table and read: "The late Emperor was anxious lest the rebels should set up a rival empire and the legitimate Ruler's domain be restricted. Wherefore he laid upon me, thy minister, to destroy them. Measuring my powers by his perspicacity he knew that I should attack and oppose my talents, inadequate as they might be, to their strength, for, if I did not, the royal domain would be destroyed. It was a question whether to await destruction without effort, or to attack? Wherefore he assigned me the task confidently. Thenceforward this task occupied all my thoughts.

"Considering that the south should be made secure before the north could be attacked, I braved the heat of summer and plunged deep into the wilds. Sparing not myself nor regarding privation, urged by the one consideration, that the royal domain should not be confined to the capital of Shu, I faced dangers in obedience to the late Emperor's behest. But there are critics who may say that I failed. Now the rebels have been weakened in the west and have become involved in the east. The rule of war is to take advantage of the enemy's weakness, and so now is the time to attack. I shall discuss the various circumstances in order.

"The enlightenment of the Founder of the Hans rivalled the glory of the sun and moon; his counsellors were profound as the ocean abyss. Nevertheless, he trod a hazardous path and suffered losses, only attaining repose after passing through great dangers. Your Majesty does not reach his level, nor do your counsellors equal Chang Liang and Ch'en P'ing, yet, while they desire victory, they would sit idle, waiting till the empire should become settled. This attitude is beyond my comprehension.

"Liu Yu and Waug Lang each occupied a district. They passed their time in talking of tranquillity and discussing plans, quoting the sayings of the sages till they were filled with doubts and obsessed with difficulties. So this year was not the time to fight, nor next year the season to punish, and, thus talking, it came about that Sun Ts'e grew powerful and possessed himself of all Chiangtung. This sort of behaviour I cannot understand.

"In craft Ts'ao Ts'ao surpassed all men. He could wield armies like the great strategists of old, Sun Wu and Wu Ch'i. Yet he was hemmed in in Nanyang, was in danger at Wuch'ao, was in difficulties at Ch'ilien, was hard pressed in Liyang, was nearly defeated at Peishan and nearly killed at Ch'angkuan. Yet, after all these experiences, there was a temporary and artificial state of equilibrium. How much less can I, a man of feeble powers, bring about a decision without running risks? I fail to understand.

"Ts'ao Ts'ao failed in five attacks on Changpa, and four times crossed the Ch'aohu without success. He employed Li Fu, who betrayed him, and put his trust in Hsiahou, who was defeated and died. His late Majesty always regarded Ts'ao Ts'ao as an able man, and yet he made such mistakes. How then can I, in my worn-out condition, necessarily conquer? I do not understand why.

"Only one year has elapsed since I went into HanChung yet we have lost Chao Yun, Yang Chun, Ma Yu, Yen Chih, Ting Li, Pai Shou, Liu Ho, Teng Tung, and others, and leaders of rank and captains of stations, to the number of near four score, all men unsurpassed in dash and valour, and more than a thousand of the irregular horse and trained cavalry of the
Sou
(aborigines) of Ts'ung and the Tanguts of Tsinghai (Gobi Desert), whose martial spirit we have fostered these ten years all about us, and not only in one district. If we delay much longer, two-thirds of this will have dissipated, and how then shall we meet the
situation?
I do not understand delay.

"The people are poor and the army exhausted indeed, and confusion does not cease. If confusion does not cease, then whether we go on or stand still the drain is the same. Yet it seems that attack should not be made yet! Is it that the rebels are to be allowed to obtain a permanent hold on some province? I do not understand the arguments.

"A stable condition of affairs is indeed difficult to obtain. Once, when the late Emperor was defeated in Chiu, Ts'ao Ts'ao patted himself on the back and said that the empire was settled. Yet, after that, the late Emperor obtained the support of Wu and Yueh on the east, took Pa and Shu on the west and undertook an expedition to the north, wherein Hsiahou lost his life. So Ts'ao Ts'ao's calculations proved erroneous, and the affairs of Han seemed about to prosper. But, still later, Wu proved false to pledges, our Kuan was defeated, we sustained a check at Tzukuei—and Ts'ao P'ei assumed the imperial style. Such events prove the difficulty of forecast. I shall strive on to the end, but the final result, whether success or failure, whether gain or loss, is beyond my powers to foresee."

The king was convinced, and by edict directed K'ung-ming to start on the expedition. He marched out with thirty legions of well-trained men, Wei Yen leading the first division, and made all haste to Ch'ents'ang.

The news soon reached Loyang, and Ssuma I informed the King of Wei, who called his council. Then Ts'ao Chen stepped forth and said, "I failed to hold Shensi, and my disgrace is terrible to bear. But now I beg to be given another command that I may capture Chuko Liang. Lately I have found a stalwart soldier for a leader, a man who wields a sixty catty sword, rides a swift and savage steed, bends the two hundred catty bow and carries hidden about him when he goes into battle three meteor maces with which his aim is certain. So valorous is he that none dare stand against him. He comes from Shensi and is named Wang Shuang. I would recommend him for my leader of the van."

Ts'ao
Jui
approved at once and summoned this marvel to the hall. There came a tall man with a dusky complexion, hazel eyes, strong as a bear in the hips and with a back supple as a tiger's.

"No need to fear anything with such a man," said Ts'ao Jui, laughing.

He gave the new hero rich presents, a silken robe and golden breastplate, and gave him the title "Tiger-majesty" General. And he became leader of the van of the new army.

Ts'ao Chen took leave of his master and left the court. He collected his fifteen legions of veterans and, in consultation with Kuo Huai and Chang Ho, decided upon the districts and the points to be guarded.

The first companies of the army of Shu sent out their scouts as far as Ch'ents'ang. They came back and reported that a rampart had been built and behind it was a captain named Hao Chao in command. The rampart was very strong and was further defended by "deerhorns." And they thought it would be well to give up all thought of taking it and go out to Ch'ishan by T'aipailing, where was a practicable, though winding, road.

But K'ung-ming said, "Due north of Ch'ents'ang is Chieht'ing, so that I must get this city in order, to advance."

We Yen was sent to surround the city and take it. He went, but days passed without success. Therefore he returned and told his chief the place was impregnable. In his anger K'ung-ming was going to put his general to death, but a certain Yin Hsiang, who said he was a close friend of Hao's, suddenly asked to be allowed to try the effect of persuasion.

How do you think you will persuade him?" said K'ung-ming. "What will you say?"

"We are both from Shensi and pledged friends from boyhood. If I can get to see him I will so lay matters before him that he must surrender."

He got permission to try, and rode quickly to the wall. Then he called out, "Friend Hao, your old chum Yin has come to see you."

A sentry on the wall told Hao Chao, who bade them let the visitor enter and bring him up on the wall.

"Friend, why have you come?" asked Hao.

"I am in the service of Shu, serving under K'ung-ming as an assistant in the tactical department. I am treated exceedingly well, and my chief has sent me to say something to you."

Hao was rather annoyed, and said, "Chuko is our enemy. I serve Wei while you serve Shu. Each serves his own lord. We were brothers once, but now we are enemies; so do not say any more."

And the visitor was requested to take his leave. He tried to reopen the conversation, but his friend left him and went up on the tower. The Wei soldiers hurried him on to his horse and led him to the gate. As he passed out he looked up and saw his friend leaning on the guard rail. He pulled up his horse, pointed with his whip at Hao, and said, "My friend and worthy brother, why has your friendship become so thin?"

"Brother, you know the laws of Wei," replied Hao. "I have accepted their bounty, and if that leads to death, so be it. Say no more, but return quickly to your master and tell him to come and attack. I am not afraid."

So the abashed Yin had to return and report failure.

"He would not let me begin to explain," said he.

"Try again," said K'ung-ming. "Go and really talk to him."

So the go-between soon found himself once more at the foot of the wall. Hao presently appeared on the tower, and Yin shouted to him, "My worthy brother, please listen to my words while I explain clearly. Here you are holding one single city; how can you think of opposing ten legions? If you do not yield, you will be sorry when it is too late. Instead of serving the great Hans, you are serving a depraved country called Wei. Why do you not recognise the decree of Heaven? Why do you not distinguish between the pure and the foul? Think over it."

Then Hao began to get really angry. He fitted an arrow to his bow and he called out, "Go! or I will shoot. I meant what I said at first, and I will say no more."

Again Yin returned and reported failure to K'ung-ming.

"The fool is very ill-mannered," said K'ung-ming. "Does he think he can beguile me into sparing the city?"

He called up some of the local people and asked about the forces in the city. They told him about three companies.

"I do not think such a small place can beat me," said K'ung-ming. "Attack quickly before any reinforcements can arrive."