Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (67 page)

After Ts'ao Shuang had suffered death, Chiang Chi recalled certain others who had been of his party and were still alive, notably Yang Tsung, who had opposed the surrender of the seal of the late minister. However, no action was taken against them.

"He is a righteous man who serves his master faithfully," said Ssuma, and he even confirmed these men in their offices.

Hsin Ch'ang remembered that it had been on the advice of his sister that he had decided to stand by his lord, and thus had saved his reputation.

A poet has praised his sister's conduct.

"You call him lord and take his pay,
Then stand by him when danger nears."

Thus to her brother spake Hsien-ying,
And won fair fame though endless years.

A general amnesty was extended to all Ts'ao's partizans, and no officer was removed or dismissed for having supported the late order of things. All were left in possession of their property, and soon all was tranquillity.

However, it is to be noted that Ho and Teng met the unhappy end that Kuan Lu had foretold for them.

The seer Kuan Lu was deeply read
In all the lore of th' ancient sages.

Thus he could see events to come
As clear as those of former ages.

And he perceived the soul of Ho,
Already in the vale of gloom,

And knew the outer shell of Teng
Was hastening to an early tomb.

After his recovery of power, Ssuma was made Prime Minister and received the Nine Gifts. Ssuma refused these honours, but the king insisted and would take no denial. His two sons were made assistants to their father, and all state affairs fell under the control of these three.

However, Ssuma remembered that one man. Hsiahou Pa, a member of the Ts'ao clan, still commanded at Yungchou. In his position he might be a real danger, and he must be removed. So an edict was issued calling him to the capital to discuss affairs. But instead of obeying this call, Hsiahou declared himself a rebel, although he had but a small force to support him. As soon as this was known, Kuo Huai marched to suppress the malcontent. The two armies were soon face to face, and Kuo went to the front and began to revile his opponent.

"How could you rebel against the ruling house, you who are of the same clan as our great founder, and who have always been treated generously?"

Hsiahou Pa replied, "My forefathers served the state right well, but who is this Ssuma that he has put to death my kinsmen and would now destroy me? What is his aim, if it be not to usurp the Throne? If I can cut him off and so frustrate his design I shall at least be no traitor to the state."

Kuo Huai rode forward to attack, and Hsiahou advanced to the encounter. They fought a half score of bouts, and then Kuo turned and fled. But this was only a feint to lead on his enemy, for ere Hsiahou had gone far he heard a shout behind him and turned to see Ch'en Tai about to attack. At the same moment Kuo turned again, and thus Hsiahou was between two fires. He could effect nothing, so he fled, losing many men. Soon he decided that his only course was to desert to Shu.

Wherefore he went into HanChung to see if haply the Later Ruler would accept his services. When Chiang Wei heard of his desire to surrender, he had doubts of his sincerity. However, after due enquiry Chiang was satisfied and allowed the renegade from Wei to enter the city. After making his obeisance, Hsiahou, with many tears, told the story of his wrongs. Chiang expressed sympathy.

Said he, "A thousand years ago Wei Tsu left the court of Chou in disgust, and this act has assured to him everlasting honour. You may be able now to assist in the restoration of the House of Han, and you will then stand no whit inferior to any man of antiquity."

A banquet was ordered, and while it was being prepared the host talked of affairs in the capital.

"The Ssuma family is now most powerful and in a position to carry out any scheme they planned. Think you that they have any intentions against us?"

"The old traitor has enough to do with his rebellion; he has no leisure to trouble about any outside matters. However two other men in Wei have lately come to the front, and if he sent them against your country and Wu it might go ill with you both."

"And who are these two?"

"One is named Chung Hui, a man of Ch'angsha; he is a descendant of the
T'ai-fu
Chung Yu. As a mere boy he was noted for being bold and smart. His father used to take him and his brother to court. Chung Hui was seven and his brother a year older. The Emperor Ts'ao P'ei noticed one day that the elder boy was sweating and asked him the reason.

'"Whenever I am frightened the sweat pours out and I cannot help it,'" replied the boy.

'"You do not seem frightened,' said the Emperor to the other.

"'I am so frightened that the sweat cannot come out,' replied he.

"The Emperor was the only one who discerned the extraordinary ability of the boy. A little later the lad was always studying books on war and tactics, and became an able strategist, so that he won admiration from both Ssuma and Chiang Chi.

"The second man is Teng Ai. He was left an orphan very early, but he was ambitious and enterprising. If he saw lofty mountains or wide marshes he always looked for those points where soldiers might be stationed or depots of provisions made or combustibles laid. People ridiculed him, but Ssuma saw there was much to admire and employed the young man on his staff.

"Teng Ai had an impediment in his speech, so that he called himself 'Ai-Ai,' and Ssuma used to make fun of him and asked him one day how many there were of him since he called himself 'Ai-Ai.'

"Teng at once replied, There was only one Feng in the
Lun-yu
when Chieh Yu cried 'O Feng.'

"This ready repartee shows the quickness of his intellect, and you may well be on your guard against him and the other, for they are to be feared."

"I do not think them worth even talking about," replied Chiang Wei.

Chiang Wei took Hsiahou Pa to Ch'engtu and presented him to the king, telling the story of events in Loyang, the overthrow of Ts'ao Shuang, the rise of the Ssuma family to supreme power, the weakness of Ts'ao Fang, the king, and then proposed that another attempt be made to re-establish the House of Han in its old capital.

But Fei I opposed any expedition, saying, "We have lately lost by death two trusty counsellors, and there is no one left fit to take care of the government. The attempt should be postponed."

"Not so," replied Chiang. "Life is short. Our days flash by as the glint of a white horse across a chink in the door. We are waiting and waiting. Are we never to try to restore Han to its old glory?"

"Remember the saying of the wise Sun: 'Know thyself and know thine enemy. Then is victory sure.' We are not the equals of the late Prime Minister, and where he failed, are we likely to succeed?"

Chiang said, "I would enlist the aid of the
Ch'iang.
I have lived near them in Shensi and know them well. With their help, even if we do not gain the capital and the whole empire, we can at least conquer and hold all west of Shensi."

The king here closed the discussion, saying, "Sir, as you desire to conquer Wei, do your best. I will not damp your enthusiasm."

Thus the king's consent was given. Then Chiang Wei left the court and betook himself, with Hsiahou Pa, into HanChung to prepare for a new expedition.

"We will first send an envoy to the
Ch'iang
to make a league with them," said Chiang. "Then we will march out by Hsip'ing to Yungchou, where we will throw up two ramparts near the Ch'u Hills and garrison them. The position is a point of vantage. Then we will send supplies to Ch'uank'ou, and advance gradually, according to the plan devised by the great strategist."

In the autumn of the year they sent the two Shu generals Chu An and Li Hsin, with a large force, to construct the two ramparts, of which Chu was to hold the eastern and Li the western.

When the news reached Yungchou, the Governor, Kuo Huai, sent a report to Loyang and also despatched a force to oppose the men of Shu. When that army arrived both the Shu captains led their men to meet it, but their armies were too weak and they once more retired into the city. The army of Wei laid siege and occupied the road that led to HanChung, so that supplies were cut off. After some days, and when the men of Shu began to feel the pinch of hunger, Kuo Huai came to see what progress his two lieutenants were making. At sight of the position he rejoiced exceedingly, and when he returned to camp he said to Ch'en T'ai, "In this high country the city must be short of water, which means that the besieged must come out for supplies. Let us cut off the streams that supply them, and they will perish of thirst."

So the soldiers were set to work to divert the streams above the city, and the besieged were soon distressed Li Hsin led out a strong force to try to seize the water sources and fought stubbornly, but was at length worsted and driven back within the walls.

Meanwhile the soldiers were parched with thirst. They could not account for the delay of Chiang Wei's reinforcements and finally decided that Li Hsin should try to fight his way out and get help.

So the gates were opened, and Li rode out with a score or so of horsemen. These were opposed and had to fight every inch of the way, but eventually the leader won though severely wounded. All his men had fallen.

That night a strong north wind brought a heavy fall of snow, and the besieged were thus temporarily relieved from the water famine. They melted the snow and prepared food.

Li Hsin, sorely wounded, made his way west along the hill paths. After two days he fell in with Chiang Wei. He dismounted, prostrated himself and told his story.

"The delay is not due to my slackness; the allies we depended upon have not come," said Chiang.

Chiang sent an escort with the wounded officer to conduct him to Ch'engtu, where his wounds could be treated. Turning to his colleague, Hsiahou Pa, he asked if he had any plan to propose.

Hsiahou replied, "If we wait for the coming of the
Ch'iang
it looks as if we shall be too late to relieve Ch'ushan. It is very probable that Yungchou has been left undefended, wherefore I propose that you go toward Niut'ou Hills and work round to the rear of Yungchou, which will cause the Wei armies to fall back to relieve Yungchou and so relieve our force,"

"The plan appears excellent," replied Chiang. And he set out.

When Ch'en Tai know that Li Hsin had escaped, he said to his chief. "Now that this man has got out he will Tell Chiang Wei of the danger, and he will conclude that our efforts are concentrated on the ramparts and will endeavour to attack our rear. Therefore I suggest, General, that you go to the Tao River and stop the supplies of our enemies, while I go to the Niut'ou Hills and smite them. They will retreat as soon as they know their supplies are threatened.

So Kuo Huai marched secretly to the Tao River, while his colleague went to the hills.

When the Shu army led by Chiang Wei came near they heard a great shouting, and the scouts came in to report that the road was barred. Chiang Wei himself rode out to look.

"So you intended to attack Yungchou, did you?" shouted Ch'en Tai. "But we know it and have been watching for you a long time."

Chiang Wei rode forth to attack. His opponent advanced with a flourish of his sword, and they engaged. Ch'en Tai soon ran away. Then the men of Shu came forward and fell on, driving the men of Wei back to the summit of the hills.

But they halted there, and Chiang encamped at the foot of th hills, whence he challenged the enemy every day. But he could gain no victory.

Seeing no result after some days of this, Hsiahou said, "This is no place to remain in. We can get no victory and are tempting fate by remaining open to a surprise. I think we should retire till some better plan can be tried."

Just then it was reported that the supplies road was in the hands of the enemy, and it was imperative to retreat Hsiahou marched away first, and Chiang covered the retreat. Ch'en Tai pursued in five divisions along five different roads, but Chiang got possession of the meeting point and held them all in check, finally forcing them back on the hills. But from this position such a heavy discharge of arrows and stones was maintained that the Wei armies were forced to abandon their position. Chiang went to the Tao River, where the men of Wei attacked. Chiang went to and fro smiting where he could, but he was surrounded and only got out by a desperate effort and after suffering great loss.

Chiang hastened toward Yangp'ing Pass, but fell in with another body of the enemy, at the head of which he saw a fierce, youthful leader, who at once rode out furiously to attack.

This leader had a round face, long ears and a square mouth with thick lips. Below his left eye was a large hairy mole It was the elder son of Ssuma I. He was a General of Cavalry.

"Simpleton, how dare you stand in my way?" yelled Chiang, as he rode forward with his spear set.

Ssuma Shih met the attack, and three bouts were fought. Chiang Wei came off victor and so was free to continue his way. Presently he reached the pass and was welcomed within its sheltering walls. Ssuma attacked soon after his arrival but those within the ramparts replied with the multiple crossbows which threw ten bolts at each discharge. For the men of Shu had made these engines of war after the design left by Chuko Liang.