Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (74 page)

When Chiang Wei saw that his left camp had been attacked on two sides he mounted and took his position in front of the centre camp.

"Let no one move on pain of death!" he shouted. "Stand still, and when the enemy approaches shoot."

The right camp was ordered to stand fast. His defence was effective. Half a score of times the men of Wei came forward, only to be driven back before the arrows and bolts of the defenders. Daylight found the Shu camps still firm, and Teng Ai drew off.

"Chiang Wei has indeed learned of K'ung-ming," said Teng. "His men stood the night attack without flinching, and the leaders took the chances of battle quite calmly. He is able."

When the two commanders of the camp that had been attacked went to confess their fault, Chiang said, "It was less your fault than mine, for I did not clearly recognise the nature of the terrain."

So no penalty was inflicted. The camp was made stronger, and the subterranean passage was filled with the bodies of the slain.

A challenge to battle for the following day was sent to Teng, who accepted it joyfully.

Next day the two armies were arrayed in front of Ch'ishan, the men of Shu according to the "Eight Formations" designed by Chuko Liang, which are called Heaven, Earth, Wind, Cloud, Bird, Serpent, Dragon and Tiger. While the manoeuvre was in progress, Teng recognised it as the
pa-kua
and placed his men accordingly. Chiang Wei then gripped his spear and rode out, saying, "You have made a good imitation of my eight, but can you work variations?"

"You call these yours! Did you think that you alone held the secret? Since I have made it, of course I know the variations."

Teng re-entered his ranks, gave the signal officers certain orders, and the "eight eights" of the variations were evolved in rapid succession. Then he rode to the front again.

"What of my evolutions?" asked he.

"Not so bad; would you like to try a surrounding move with me?" replied Chiang.

"Why not?"

The two armies moved in orderly ranks. Teng stood in the midst of his army giving the necessary orders. Then the clash came, but his tactics did not grip. Then Chiang waved a certain signal flag, and his force suddenly assumed the form of a serpent coiled on the ground with Teng in the centre. Shouts arose all about him. He could not understand what had happened and began to feel afraid. Gradually the men of Shu closed in upon him, and he saw no way of escape.

"Teng Ai, you must surrender," cried the soldiers.

"Indeed I am in the toils," he replied.

Suddenly from the north-west a cohort dashed in. To Teng's great joy they were soldiers of Wei, and they crossed over and released him. The leader was Ssuma Wang.

But although Teng had been rescued, his nine camps were seized by his enemy and he had to retire. He led his army to the south of the River Wei and halted.

"How did you know exactly where to strike?" asked Teng of his rescuer.

Ssuma replied, "In my youth I studied tactics and was friendly with Kuang Yuan of P'ingshih. He explained that formation to me. Chiang Wei used what is known as "The Serpent Coil," and the only way to break it is to attack the head, which I saw was in the north-west."

Teng replied, "Although I have studied formations, I do not know all the modifications. But since you know about this we may be able to recover our camps."

"
I
fear the little I have learned will not be enough to overcome Chiang Wei."

"Tomorrow you shall contend with him, and while his attention is engaged I will attack the rear of Ch'ishan, and we will recover our camps."

So a force was prepared to attack on the morrow, and he sent a challenge to a contest in tactics for the same day. Chiang accepted.

Chiang Wei said to his officers, "In the secret book that I received from the marquis the variations are three hundred and sixty-five, corresponding to the circuit of the heavens. This challenge from them is as one going to teach hewing to the God of Carpenters. I think some ruse lies behind this. Can you guess what it is?"

Liao replied, "While they engage your attention in this competition they intend to attack our rear."

"Just so, that is my opinion." replied Chiang.

So he prepared a counter-stroke by sending Liao and Chang, two of his captains, to lie in wait at the back of the hills.

Next day the men from the nine camps were led out and drawn up in front of the hills. Ssuma Wang came out on the other side and presently rode to the front to parley.

"You have challenged me to a contest; now draw up your men for me to see," said Chiang.

Ssuma did so and arrayed the eight diagrams,
pa-kua.

"That is what we know as the eight diagrams," said Chiang. "But it is nothing wonderful, only a sort of array fit for a brigand's raid."

"You also have only stolen another man's tactics," replied his adversary.

"How many modifications of this are there?" asked Chiang.

"Since I have arranged this, naturally I know the variations, of which there are nine nines, making eighty-one."

"Try them."

Ssuma returned to his array and evolved many, finally riding out and asking his opponent if he recognised them.

"My formation admits of three hundred and sixty-five variations. You are but a frog in a well and know nothing of the deeper mysteries."

Now Ssuma knew that so many variations were possible, but had not studied them. However, he put on a bold air and said contemptuously that he did not believe it. And he challenged Chiang to show them.

"Go and call Teng Ai," raplied he. "I will display them to him."

"General Teng has excellent plans and does not think much of such tactics."

"What plans? I suppose you mean a plan to keep me here while he tries a surprise attack in the rear."

Ssuma was aghast. He made a sudden dash forward, and a melee began. Chiang-Wei made a signal with his whip, and his men poured in from both wings. The men of Wei were seized with sudden panic, threw down their weapons and fled.

Now Teng had hurried on Cheng Lun to make the first attack. As Cheng turned the corner of the hill a bomb exploded. At once the drums rolled and an ambush discovered itself. Liao was in command. Neither side stayed to parley, and the leaders engaged in single combat. In the first encounter Cheng fell.

Teng had not expected such preparation, and he hastened to withdraw. Then Chang came forth and attacked on the other side. The army of Wei was worsted. Teng fought his way clear, but he bore four arrow wounds upon his body. He got to the river, where he found Ssuma Wang, and they discussed how to get away.

But Ssuma proposed another form of attack.

"The King of Shu has a favourite, the eunuch Huang Hao, in whom he places all his trust and with whom he spends his time in one round of pleasure. Let us use the eunuch to sow distrust between the king and his general and so get Chiang Wei recalled. In that way we shall retrieve our defeat."

So Teng assembled his advisers and asked who could go into Shu and get into communication with the eunuch, the king's favourite.

A certain Tang Chun volunteered at once. To him was entrusted gold and pearls and precious things, and he was sent into Shu to win the treacherous alliance of the eunuch. As he went he also disseminated reports that Chiang Wei was angry and intended to desert.

These rumours became the common talk in Ch'engtu, and everyone believed them. Huang Hao carried them to the king, and a messenger was sent to call the general to the capital.

Meanwhile Chiang tried every day to bring the enemy to give battle, but they remained obstinately behind their defences. Chiang began to think some evil scheme was afoot, when suddenly he was recalled. Although ignorant of the reason, he could not disobey, and when he retired the Wei leader knew that their plot had succeeded.

They broke camp and set out to attack the retreating army.

Because of Court intrigues
Yo I and Yo Fei failed.

How matters went will be told in the next chapter.

CHAPTER CXIV
KING MAO DRIVES TO HIS DEATH:
CHIANG WEI ABANDONS STORES
AND CONQUERS

W
hen
the order to retreat was given, Liao Hua reminded his general of the standing precept that a leader in the field is independent and need not obey even the command of his prince, but Chiang was not inclined to disobey, and beside he recognised that the people, tired of war and disappointed with unfulfilled hopes, would be glad to rest.

Chang I said, 'The country begins to resent these many years of war; rather take the occasion of the victory you have just won to return and pacify the people."

"It is good," said Chiang Wei.

A systematic and orderly retirement began. The army of Wei, loth to forgo an opportunity, followed, but the absence of the least confusion gave them no chance, and as he saw his enemy disappearing in perfect order Teng Ai had to confess that Chiang Wei was a worthy inheritor of the warlike methods of Chuko. He returned to his camp on Ch'ishan.

On his return to Ch'engtu, Chiang Wei had audience with the king whereat he inquired why he had been commanded to return.

The king replied, "Because you have been so long on the frontier, noble Sir; I thought the soldiers must be weary. There was no other reason."

"O King, thy servant had got his camps on Ch'ishan and was on the eve of complete success. To leave off thus in the middle just played into the hands of our enemies. Surely Teng Ai found means of sowing distrust in me." The king sat lost in thought, and silent.

Chiang Wei continued, "I am pledged to destroy those rebels and prove my devotion to my country. Your Majesty should not listen to the babble of mean persons till distrust grows in your heart."

"I do not distrust you," said the king after a long pause. "You may return into HanChung and await the next favourable opportunity."

Chiang Wei left the court and betook himself into HanChung to the army.

Tang Chun went back to the Ch'ishan camp and reported his success. The two leaders rejoiced, knowing that trouble was not far off when the king had lost confidence in his servants. They sent Tang to Loyang to tell his own story to Ssuma Chao, who also rejoiced, for he ardently desired to subdue Shu.

On this matter he consulted the military officer Chia Ch'ung.

"What do you think of an attack upon Shu?"

"Not to be considered," said Chia. "The Emperor does not trust you, and your departure would be the beginning of trouble for you. When the yellow dragon was seen in the well and all the officers were felicitating the king upon such a very auspicious occurrence the Emperor said, 'It is not auspicious; just the reverse. The dragon symbolises the ruler. To be neither in heaven, nor on earth among the people, but to be in a well, is a dark portent and bodes evil.' He wrote some verses, and one stanza undoubtedly points to you, my lord."

The dragon scotched a prisoner is,
No longer leaps he in th' abyss,
He soars not to the Milky Way,
Nor can he in the meadows play;
But coiled within a dismal well,
With slimy creatures he must dwell,
Must close his jaws, his claws retract,
Alas! quite like myself in fact.

The recital of the poem annoyed Ssuma Chao. "This fellow is very like Ts'ao Fang, and if I do not remove him he will hurt me," said he.

"I will see to it for you," said Chia.

In the fifth year, during the fourth month, Ssuma Chao had the effrontery to go to Court armed. However, the king received him with exaggerated courtesy, and the courtiers began to praise and magnify his services and say that he had been inadequately rewarded with the title "Duke of Chin" and the Nine Gifts.

And Ssuma himself said discontentedly, "My father and my brother have all given great services to Wei, and yet I am a mere duke; something seems wrong."

"Should I dare not do what you requested?" said the king.

"That poem about the Lurking Dragon called us slimy creatures; what sort of politeness is that?" said Ssuma Chao.

The king had nothing to say, and the haughty minister left the chamber, smiling cruelly as he strode past the shivering courtiers.

The king retired, taking with him Wang Shen, Wang Ching and Wang Yeh, and they went to a privy chamber to consult. The king was very sad. He said, "There is no doubt that he intends to usurp the throne; everybody knows that. But I will not sit thereon patiently awaiting the indignity of being pushed off. Cannot you gentlemen help me to kill him?"

"He may not be slain," said Wang Ching. "That will not do. In the old state of Lu, Duke Shao could not bear with the Ch'i family, and ran away, thus losing his country. But this man and his family have been in power very long and have innumerable supporters, many of whom are quite independent of any act of his whether loyal or disloyal. They support him under any conditions. Your Majesty's guards are few and weak and incapable; not the men for any desperate effort. It would be most lamentable if Your Majesty could not bear this trial. The correct course is to wait and not act hastily."

"If I can bear this, what cannot I bear?" said the king. "But I will do something, and if I die, what matters?"

He went into the private apartments and spoke to his Consort. The three men sat outside talking.

"This matter is coming to a head, and unless we want to be put to death and all our loved ones with us, we had better go and warn Ssuma Chao," said Wang Shen.

This advice angered Wang Ching, whose nature was more noble, and he said, "The king's sorrow is the minister's shame, and a shamed minister dies. Dare you contemplate treachery?"

Wang Ching would have nothing to do with this visit to Ssuma Chao, but the other two went to the Ssuma palace to betray their king.

Shortly after, King Mao appeared, called the officer of the guard, Chiao Po, and bade him muster his men, grey-heads and lads, as many as he could. He got together about three hundred, and this little force marched out to the beating of a drum as escort to a small carriage, in which sat the king gripping his sword. They proceeded south. Wang Ching stepped to the front and prayed the king to stay his steps and not go.

"To go against Ssuma with such a force is driving the sheep into the tiger's jaws. To die such a death is a vain sacrifice. You can do nothing," said Wang.

"Do not hinder me. I have made up my mind," replied the king, heading toward the Dragon Gate.

Presently Chia Ch'ung came in sight. He was armed and mounted on a fine horse. Beside him rode two officers, and behind him followed a body of mail-clad men, who shouted one to another as they rode.

Then Mao held up his sword and cried, "
I
am the Emperor. Who are you thus breaking into the forbidden precincts? Are you come to murder your lawful ruler?"

The soldiers suddenly stopped, for they were palace guards. Then Chia shouted to one of the officers, Ch'eng Chi, saying, "What did the general train you for if not for this day's work?"

Ch'eng took his halberd and turned to Chia, saying, "Death or capture?" "Ssuma said he had to die," replied Chia.

Ch'eng rushed toward the carriage.

"Fool! How dare you?" cried the king.

But the shout was cut short by a thrust from the halberd full in the breast; another thrust, and the point came out at the back, so that the king lay there dead beside his carriage. Chiao Po coming up to strike a blow in defence was also slain, and the little escort scattered.

Wang Ching, who had followed, upbraided Chia Ch'ung, calling him traitor and regicide till Chia bade his lictors arrest him and stop his tongue.

When they told Ssuma, he went into the palace, but the king was dead. He assumed an air of being greatly shocked and beat his head against the carriage, weeping and lamenting the while. He sent to tell all the officials of high rank.

When the
T'ai-fu
Ssuma Fu saw the dead body of the king he threw himself beside it, his head resting thereon, and wept, saying, "It is my fault that they slew Your Majesty."

He had a coffin brought, and the remains were laid therein and borne to the side hall. Therein Ssuma Chao entered and summoned the chief officers to a council. They came, all but the President Ch'en T'ai. Ssuma noticed his absence and sent Hsun Chuan, his uncle and colleague, to call him. Ch'en T'ai wept aloud, saying, "Gossips will class me and my uncle together. Yet is my uncle less virtuous than I."

However, he obeyed the summons and came, dressed in the coarse hempen cloth of mourning, and prostrated himself before the bier. Ssuma Chao feigned to be grieved also.

"How can this day's work be judged?" said he.

"If only Chia Ch'ung be put to death, that will scarce be an atonement to satisfy the empire," replied Ch'en T'ai.

Ssuma was silent and thought long before he spoke. Then he said, "What next, think you?"

"That is only the beginning; I know not the sequel."

"Ch'eng Chi is the ungodly rebel and actual criminal; he should suffer the death of shame; and his family," said Ssuma Chao.

Thereupon Ch'eng broke out into abuse of Ssuma and reviled him, saying, "It was not my crime; it was Chia Ch'ung who passed on your own orders."

Ssuma bade them cut out his tongue and put him to death. They did so; and he and his brother were both put to death in the market place, and their families were exterminated.

'The king must die," thus spoke Ssuma full plain
In Chia Chung's hearing; and the king was slain.
Although they killed Ch'eng Chi, who dealt the blow,
The author of the crime we all well know.

Wang Ching's whole household were imprisoned. He himself was standing by the
T'ing-yu
Pavilion when he saw his mother being brought up a prisoner. He knocked his head on the ground and wept, saying, "O unfilial son to bring distress upon a gentle mother!"

But his mother laughed.

"Who does not die?" cried she. "The only thing to be feared is not dying the proper death. Who would regret dying like this?"

When next day the family were led out to execution, both mother and son smiled as they went past. But the whole city wept tears of sorrow.

Fu Chien was famous at the rise of Han,
When Han declined, Wang Ching was proved a man
Of purest virtue and unfaltering heart;
With resolution stern he played his part.
His fortitude was great as T'aihua Mount,
His life but as the floating down did count,
The fame of son and mother n'er will die,
So long as shall endure the earth and sky.

Ssuma Fu proposed that the body of the late king should receive a royal funeral, and the minister consented. Chia Ch'ung and those of his party urged Ssuma Chao to put Wei Ch'an on the throne in place of Ts'ao Mao, but he refused.

"Formerly King Wen had two-thirds of the state, and yet he supported and served Yin. Wherefore the Holy One called him 'Complete of Virtue.' Emperor Wu of Wei would not take Ch'an into the Hans, nor will I receive a Ch'an into Wei."

Those who heard this felt that in these words was an implication that he intended to place his own son Ssuma Yen on the throne, and they ceased to urge him to act.

In the sixth year Ts'ao Huang, Duke of Ch'angtaohsiang, was raised to the throne as Emperor, the period-style being changed to
Ching-Yuan.
The personal name of the Emperor was also changed to Huan. He was a grandson of Ts'ao Ts'ao. Ssuma was still Prime Minister and Duke of Chin. Beside, he received rich gifts, and all the officers were promoted or received honours.

When these doings in Wei were told in Shu, Chiang Wei seized upon them as pretext for another war, to punish Wei for the deposition of its ruler. So letters were written calling upon Wu to help, and a memorial was sent to the Throne. The army raised was fifteen legions, and there were many carts with boxes made to fit them. The two van-leaders went by Tzuwu and Lo Valleys, while Chiang Wei took the Hsieh Valley road. They marched at the same time and hastened toward Ch'ishan.

Teng Ai was still on the mountain training the Wei soldiers when he heard that the Shu armies were once more on the war path. He called his officers together. And Wang Kuan said he had a plan to propose, but he would not tell it openly. However, he agreed to write it, and he placed it before the leader.

'Though excellent, I fear it is not enough to beguile the leader of Shu," said Teng Ai as he finished reading.

"I am willing to stake my life on it," said Wang, "and I will lead the way."

"Since you have such confidence you may try. You ought certainly to succeed."

So half a legion of men were put under the leadership of Wang, and they set out for Hsieh Valley, where they fell in with the scouts of Chiang Wei's force. Seeing these, their leader, Wang, shouted, "We are deserters: tell your leader."

So the scouts told Chiang Wei, who replied, "Hold up the soldiers, letting their leader only come to me."

Wang Kuan went forward and kneeled before him, saying, "I am a nephew of Wang Ching, and I hate Ssuma Chao for what he has done to the king, and my uncle and I wish to join you and my men with me. I also desire to be sent against the rebel crew that I may avenge my uncle."

Then said Chiang Wei, "Since you are sincere in your desertion, I must be sincere in my treatment of you. The one thing my army needs is grain. There is plenty at Ch'uank'ou, and if you can transport it to Ch'ishan I can go straightway and take the Ch'ishan camps."