Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 2 (Tuttle Classics) Page 2

  The warrior sheathed his sword and said humbly, “Whither may my mistress be going, and why goes she privily?”

  “My mother is ill and on the point of death; I had no time to inform any person of my departure,” said the Lady Sun.

  “But why take the young master if you are going merely to see a sick person?” said Chao.

  “O-tou is my son and I would not leave him behind to be neglected.”

  “Mistress, you have acted wrongly. My lord has but this one son of his body and I rescued him from among many legions in the great battle at Ch’angpan Slope. There is no reason for you to take him away.”

  The Lady Sun took refuge in anger. “You leave my family affairs alone, you common soldier,” cried she.

  “My lady, if you will go, then go, but leave the young master behind.”

  “You are a rebel, jumping on board the ship like that!” shrieked the Lady Sun.

  “If you will not leave the young lord behind I refuse to let you go, come what may,” said Chao.

  The Lady Sun called in her maids to seize him, but he just pushed them off. Then he took the boy froivi her arms and ran out to the prow of the ship. He tried to get the vessel in to the bank, but no one would aid him, and he thought it would be wrong to begin to slay indiscriminately. He knew not what to do in such a quandary. And the Lady Sun was screaming to her maids to take the boy away from Chao. But he kept too firm a grip on the child, and the good sword in his other hand kept every one at bay.

  Chou Shan was at the helm, giving all his attention to getting the ship out into the current and away down the river. He steered for the middle of the stream, where the wind was strong. Chao Yun, one hand taken up with holding the boy, was quite unable to get the vessel in toward the shore.

  Just as things looked most desperate, Chao saw a string of ships filing out from a creek lower down the stream, flags fluttering and drums beating. He thought that certainly all was over and he was about to fall a victim to a stratagem of Wu, when he noticed a mighty warrior standing in the prow of the leading craft. He was armed with a long spear, and it was Chang Fei. He also shouted to his sister-in-law to leave the child.

  Chang Fei had been out scouting when he heard the news of his sister-in-law’s sudden departure, and he at once made for the Yu River with the intention of intercepting her flight. He had arrived just in the nick of time to cut off the ships of Wu. Very soon, sword in hand, he had boarded the vessel. As he came on board Chou drew his sword and advanced toward him. but one sweep of Chang’s blade laid him on the deck dead. And the grim warrior flung his head at the feet of the Lady Sun.

  “Why this very unseemly behaviour?” cried the Lady Sun, now quite frightened.

  “Sister,” said Chang, “you thought very little of my brother when you set out on this mad journey. That was behaving rudely.”

  “My mother is very ill; it is a matter of life and death,” cried she. “If I had waited for your brother’s permission to go I should have been too late. If you do not let me go now I will throw myself into the river.”

  The two soldiers took counsel together. It was hardly the correct thing for servants to force their lord’s wife into committing suicide. Suppose they kept the child and let the vessel go.

  Then they said, “O Lady, we cannot allow the wife of our exalted brother to die a death of shame and so we will take our leave. We trust you will not forget our brother and that you will return quickly.”

  Taking the child with them they left the vessel, and the five ships of Wu continued their voyage down stream. One poet has praised the conduct of Chao Yun:—

  Some years before, Chao saved O-tou,

  What time his mother died;

  Again like service he performs,

  Upon the Yangtse’s tide.

  The men of Wu all in the ship,

  Were stricken down with fear,

  Search all the world, you never find

  Of bold Chao Yun the peer.

  Another has eulogised Chang Fei:—

  At Long Slope Bridge,

  With rage Fei boiled,

  Like wild beast roared,

  And men recoiled.

  From danger now

  His prince is saved.

  On history’s page

  His name is graved.

  Quite satisfied with their success the two warriors sailed homeward. Before they had gone far they met K’ungming with a squadron of ships. He was very pleased to find they had recovered the child and they three joyfully returned to Chingchou, whence an account of the whole adventure was written to Liu Pei.

  When the Lady Sun reached her home she related the story of the death of Chou Shan and the carrying off of the child. Naturally Sun Ch’uan was very wrath at the miscarriage of his scheme and he resolved to attack Chingchou in revenge for his messenger’s murder.

  “Now that my sister has returned home there is no longer any family tie to prevent the attack, and I will take full measure of revenge for the death of my henchman,” said Sun. So he called the council to consider the expedition.

  But before they could decide upon any plan their deliberations were suddenly cut short by the news that Ts’ao Ts’ao was coming down upon the south with forty legions, burning to avenge his defeat at Ch’ihpi (Red Wall). All thoughts now turned toward repelling his attack.

  The Recorder Chang Hung, who had retired to his home ill, had just died and his testament was sent to his lord to read. Therein he advised Sun Ch’uan to remove the seat of government to Moling, where the scenery seemed to bear the impress of kingly dignity, befitting a man who cherished the ambition of founding an enduring dynasty. Sun read this document out to his councillors at this meeting, not without some tears in memory of the writer. He told them he could not withstand such advice, and he at once gave orders to surround with a wall the city which he intended henceforth to make his capital.

  As a protection against Ts’ao the Admiral Lu Meng proposed building a rampart at Port Juhsu. Some other officers opposed this, saying, “When the enemy appears you will have to land in order to attack him, and after that you will return to your ships. What is the use of a rampart?”

  Lu Meng replied, “One must prepare against possibilities. Soldiers vary in keenness and sometimes lose battles. If an urgent occasion arises the men may be unable to reach the water’s edge, and how then are they to embark? They will then need shelter.”

  Sun Ch’uan said, “Provision against eventualities, such as he proposes, is good. Against a distant risk provide, and sorrow walks not by your side.”

  So they sent many legions of men to build ramparts at Juhsu, and as the work ceased not day or night the wall was soon completed.

  In the capital Ts’ao Ts’ao’s influence and glory waxed daily greater. Tung Chao proposed that the title of Kung (Duke) should be conferred upon him. He said, “In all history no one has rendered such services as you have, O Minister, not even Duke Chou or Lu Wang. These thirty years you have exposed yourself to all risks, been ‘combed by the wind and bathed by the rain’ and you have swept evil from the land, succoured the distressed and restored the Hans. Who of all statesmen can rank with you? It would be fitting for you to become the Duke of Wei and receive the Nine Gifts, that your merit and virtue be known to all.”

  Nowe.—

  Chariots and Horses (gilt chariots and war chariots drawn by eight horses);10

  Court Dress;

  Music at Banquets, etc.;

  Red Doors,

  Steps to the Dais;

  Guards (300 at the gates);

  Axes;

  Bow and Arrows (red-lacquered bow with 100 arrows);

  Libation Vessels.

  However, all the courtiers were not of one mind. Said Hsun Yu, “This should not be done, O Minister. You raised a force by an appeal to the innate sense of righteousness of the people, and with that force you restored the Han authority. Now you should remain loyal and humble. The virtuous man loves men with a virtuous love and would not act in
this way.”

  Ts’ao Ts’ao did not take this opposition kindly. Tung Chao said, “How can we disappoint the hopes of many because of the words of one?”

  So a memorial went to the Throne and Ts’ao’s ambitions and desires were gratified with the title of Duke of Wei. The Nine Gifts were added.

  “I did not think to see this day,” said Hsun, sighing.

  This remark was repeated to the newly created Duke and angered him. He took it to mean that Hsun Yu would no longer aid him or favour his designs.

  In the winter of the seventeenth year, Ts’ao decided to send an army to conquer Wu, and he ordered Hsun Yu to go with it Hsun Yu understood from this that Ts’ao wished his death, so he declined the appointment on the plea of illness. While he was at home he received one day a box such as one sent with presents of dainties. It was addressed in Ts’ao’s own handwriting. Opening it he found therein nothing. He understood; he took poison and died. He was fifty-two years of age.

  Wen-jo’s talents were to all men known,

  ‘Twas sad that at the door of power he tripped.

  Posterity is wrong to class him with the noble Liu,

  For, nearing death, he dared not face his lord of Han.

  News of his death came to Ts’ao in the form of the ordinary letter of mourning. Then he was sorry and gave orders for an imposing funeral. He also obtained for the dead man the posthumous title of Marquis.

  The northern army reached Juhsu, whence he sent a reconnaisance of three legions down to the river. On the river he saw displayed a fleet of ships all arranged in admirable order, the divisions being marked by distinctive flags. The equipment glittered in the sunlight. In the centre was a large ship whereon was a huge umbrella, and beneath the shade sat Sun Ch’uan in the midst of his staff.

  “That is the sort of son to have,” said Ts’ao in admiration, “not such piglets and puppies as Liu Piao’s.”

  Suddenly, at the explosion of a bomb, the snips got under way and came flying toward him, while a force moved out of Juhsu. Ts’ao’s men at once retired in great haste. A company led by the grey-eyed, red-bearded Sun Ch’uan made straight for Ts’ao, who hastily retreated. But he was sore pressed by other captains and it had gone hard with him but that Hsu Chu came to his rescue and fought with the men of Wu till his master could escape. Hsu Chu fought some score bouts before he could draw off and return to his own side.

  When Ts’ao returned to camp he conferred rich rewards upon his henchman who had saved him and he reprimanded his other captains for their too hasty retirement. “You blunt the keen spirits of the men, and if you do such a thing again I will put you to death,” said he.

  About midnight that night there arose great commotion at the gates of the camp, and when Ts’ao went outside he found that the enemy had crept up secretly and started a conflagration. They forced their way into the stockade and went hither and thither, slaying till morning broke. Then Ts’ao and his army retired.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was greatly distressed by this misfortune. He was sitting in his tent poring over the Book of War when Ch’engYu came in to see him.

  “O Minister,” said Ch’eng, “you who know so thoroughly the art of war, have you forgotten the maxim to strike quickly? You had your army ready, but you postponed action and allowed your enemies to build them ramparts at Juhsu. Now you will find it hard to capture the place. It would be better now to retreat on the capital and await a more propitious moment.”

  Ts’ao listened, but said nothing; after a time Ch’eng went away. Ts’ao remained seated in his tent, leaning on a small table by his side. And he fell asleep. Suddenly he heard a sound as of a rushing stream or galloping squadrons of horse, and out of the river in front of him arose a huge red sun, so bright that his eyes were dazzled by it. Looking up at the sky he saw two other suns as if reflections of this one. And as he wondered the first sun suddenly flew up and then dropped among the hills in front of his camp with a roar like thunder.

  This woke him. He was in his tent and had been dreaming, and the sentry at his tent door was just reporting noon.

  Soon he had his horse saddled and rode out, with a small escort, toward the spot he had seen in his dream. As he stood gazing around him a troop of horse came along with Sun Ch’uan at their head. He wore a glittering helmet and was clad in silver armour. Seeing his chief enemy he showed no sign of haste or dismay, but reined in his steed on a rise and, pointing with his whip at Ts’ao, said, “Behold the all-powerful Minister who holds the capital in the hollow of his hand. He has reached the acme of wealth and good fortune and yet he is not content, but must needs come to encroach upon our southern country.”

  Ts’ao replied, “You are disobedient, and the command of the Emperor is to exterminate you.”

  “What words!” cried Sun with a laugh. “Are you not ashamed? Every one knows that you control every act of the Emperor and you tyrannise over the nobles. I am no rebel against the dynasty, but I do desire to capture you and reform the government.”

  Ts’ao grew angry at this speech and bade his captains go over and take Sun prisoner. But before they could obey, two troops of soldiers marched out to the sound of beating drums, and arrows and crossbow bolts began to fall like raindrops around Ts’ao Ts’ao. He turned to retire, and the archers and bowmen followed him. However, presently appeared Hsu Chu, with the Tiger Guard, who rescued Ts’ao and took him back to his camp. The men of Wu had scored a victory and they marched back to Juhsu.

  Alone in his camp, Ts’ao thought, “This Sun Ch’uan certainly is no ordinary man, and by the presage of the sun in my dream he will become an emperor.”

  He began to think it would be well to retire from the expedition, only that he feared the men of Wu would exult over him. So the two armies remained facing each other a whole month, fighting occasional skirmishes and battles in which victory fell sometimes to the one and sometimes to the other.

  And so it went on till the new year and the spring rains filled the watercourses to overflowing and the soldiers were wading in deep mud. Their sufferings were extreme and Ts’ao became sad at heart. At the council board his officers were divided, some being for retirement and others anxious to hold on till the warm weather. Their chief could not make up his mind.

  Then there came a messenger from Wu bearing a letter, which read: “You and I, O Minister, are both servants of Han, but you are careless for the tranquillity of the people and think only of battle, thereby causing great suffering. Is this conduct worthy of a kindly man?

  “But spring with its heavy rains is at hand and you would be wise to retire while you can. If not, you may expect a repetition of the misfortune at Red Wall. It would be well to consider this.”

  And on the back of the letter was a note in two lines running thus: “No tranquillity for me while you live.”

  Ts’ao read the letter and laughed. “Chung-mou, you cannot beguile me!” said he.

  He rewarded the messenger and issued orders to retreat. The Prefect of Luchiang was left to guard Huanch’eng the army marched for the capital.

  Sun Ch’uan returned to Moling. At a meeting of his advisers he said, ‘Ts’ao Ts’ao has marched north, Liu Pei is at Chiaming: why should I not lead the army that has just repulsed the northern men to take Chingchou?”

  Thereupon Chang Chao offered another plan saying, “Do not move a man; I know how to keep Liu Pei from returning to Chingchou.”

  Meng-te’s army march away,

  Chung-mou’s thoughts then southward stray.

  The scheme proposed by Chang will be unfolded in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER LXII

  TAKING OF FOU PASS: YANG AND

  KAO SLAIN: SIEGE OF LO CITY:

  HUANG AND WEI RIVALS

  Chang Chao proceeded to unfold his device. “If you undertake any expedition farther west Ts’ao Ts’ao will undoubtedly return to the attack. Rather write two letters, one to Liu Chang saying that Liu Pei has leagued himself with you against the west, which will raise suspicions in
the mind of Liu Chang and cause him to attack his guest, and another persuading Chang Lu to march upon Chingchou, which will embarrass Liu Pei. Between these two conflicting matters Chingchou will be neglected and we can march against it.”

  Sun Ch’uan approved, wrote the two letters and sent them by two messengers.

  In the meantime, Liu Pei had been winning the hearts of the peoples about Chiaming Pass, where his army lay. When he received the news of his wife’s flight and of Ts’ao’s threatened attack, he called in P’ang T’ung and laid the matter before him. “The victor, whichever it is, will assuredly possess himself of our city of Chingchou,” said Liu Pei at the close.

  “You need not trouble about that city,” said P’ang. “I do not think Wu will try to take it so long as K’ungming is there. But, my lord, write to Liu Chang telling him you wish to return on account of this threatening danger. It will be a plausible excuse. You may say that on account of Ts’ao’s attack, Sun has sent to you for help and that as his country and yours are neighbours and dependent upon each other for safety you cannot refuse. Further, you will assure him that there is no danger of any invasion by Chang Lu. However, we have too few men for our purpose and insufficient grain, so you must also urge your relative to send you three or four legions of veterans and a plentiful supply of food. He will not refuse, and with more men and provisions we can do as we please.”

  Liu Pei agreed to this and sent a messenger to Ch’engtu. When his messenger reached the Pass, Yang Huai and Kao P’o, who commanded the garrison, already knew of the design, and the former of the two captains went with him to the city. After reading the letter the Prefect asked Yang why he had come.

  “Only because of that letter,” he replied. “This Liu Pei, from the day he first entered the province, has been trying to win over the hearts of your people by a display of kindness and virtue. He certainly intends no good, and I think you should refuse both the men and the supplies he asks. To help him is like adding fuel to a fire.”

  “We are affectionate brothers and I must help him,” said the Prefect.”

  “Liu Pei is nothing but a vagabond swashbuckler,” some one cried, “and if you keep him here in Shu you are loosing a tiger in your household. If you give him the men and supplies he asks you are adding wings to your tiger.”