Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (44 page)

Wang Lang said, "Ssuma I is a master of strategy and skilled in tactics. Moreover, he is ambitious and will cause mischief if he be allowed to live."

Wherefore Ts'ao Jui wrote a command to raise an army, which he would lead to punish the minister. Suddenly Ts'ao Chen stood forth from the rank of military officers and said, "What you advise is impossible. His late Majesty confided his son to the care of certain officers of state, of whom Ssuma I is one, wherefore it is certain that he felt sure of his probity. So far nothing is known certainly. If you hastily send an army to repress him, you may force him into rebellion. This may be but one of the base tricks of Shu or Wu to cause dissension in our midst so that occasion be found to further their own aims. As no one knows, I pray Your Majesty to reflect before you do anything."

"Supposing Ssuma I really contemplates a revolt; what then?"

Ts'ao Chen replied, "If Your Majesty suspects him, then do as did Han Kao-Tsu when, under pretence of taking a trip on the lakes Yun and Meng he summoned his vassals—and seized Han Hsin, who had been denounced. Go to Ani; Ssuma I will assuredly come out to meet you, and his actions and demeanour may be watched closely. He can be arrested if need be."

Ts'ao Jui changed his mind. Leaving Ts'ao Chen to regulate the affairs of state, the young king went out with the Imperial Guards, to the number of ten legions, and travelled to Ani. Ignorant of the reason of his coming, and anxious to show off his dignity, Ssuma I went to welcome his ruler in all the pomp of a commander of a great army. As he approached, the courtiers told the king that Ssuma Is defection was certain since such a large army could only mean that he was prepared to resist. Whereupon Ts'ao Hsiu, with a large force, was sent in front to meet him. Ssuma I distrusted this show of force, but he advanced alone and stood humbly by the roadside till Ts'ao Hsiu came up.

Ts'ao Hsiu advanced and said, "Friend, His late Majesty entrusted you with the heavy responsibility of caring for his son
_;
why are you in revolt?"

Ssuma I turned pale, and a cold sweat broke out all over him as he asked the reason for such a charge. Ts'ao Hsiu told him what had occurred.

"This is a vile plot on the part of our rivals to cause dissension," said he. "It is a design to make the Emperor work evil upon his ministers that thereby another may profit. I must see the Son of Heaven and explain."

Ordering his army to retire, he went forward alone to the Emperor's chariot, bowed low and said, weeping, "His late Majesty gave me charge of his son; could I betray him? This is a wile of the enemy. I crave permission to lead an army, first to destroy Shu and then to attack Wu, whereby to show my gratitude to the late Emperor and Your Majesty and manifest my own true heart."

However, Jui did not feel quite convinced, and Hua Hsin said, "In any case withdraw his military powers and let him go into retirement."

And thus it was decided. Ssuma I retired to his native village. Ts'ao Hsiu succeeded to his command, and Jui returned to Loyang.

K'ung-ming rejoiced when they tou him of the success that had attended the ruse.

"Ssuma I and the forces he commanded have been the obstacles in my long-wished-for attack on Wei. Now he has fallen I have no more anxiety."

At the first great assembly of officers at court K'ung-ming stepped forth and presented a memorial on the expedition he contemplated.

"The late Emperor had accomplished but half his great task at his death. At this moment the empire is in three parts, and our country is weak; it is a most critical moment for us. Still, ministers are not remiss in the capital, and loyal and devoted soldiers sacrifice their lives abroad, for they still remember the special kindness of the late Emperor and wish to show their gratitude to him by service to Your Majesty. Therefore it would be indeed fitting that you should extend your holy virtue to glorify his virtuous memory in the stimulation of the will of your purposeful officers. Your Majesty should not lose yourself in the pursuit of mean things, quoting phrases to confound the eternal principles of rectitude and so preventing remonstrance from honest men. One rule applies to the palace of the Emperor and the residence of a courtier; there must be one law rewarding the good and punishing the evil. Evil-doers and law-breakers, as also true and good men, should be dealt with according to their deserts by the officers concerned in order to manifest Your Majesty's impartial and enlightened administration. Partiality is wrong, as is one law for the court and another for the provinces.

"The high officers Kuo Yu-chih, Fei I and Tung Yun are honest men, devotedly anxious to be loyal to the last degree; wherefore His late Majesty chose them in his testament. My advice is to consult them in all palace matters, great or small, before taking action. Your Majesty will reap the enormous advantage of having any failings corrected.

"General Hsiang Ch'ung is a man of well-balanced temperament, versed in military matters, to whom, after testing him, the late Emperor applied the epithet 'capable.' The concensus of opinion is that he should be Commander-in-chief. My advice is to consult him in all military matters, great or small, whereby your military forces will yield their maximum, each one being employed to the best advantage.

"Attract worthy men; repel mean men. This policy achieved the glory of the Former Hans, while its reversal ruined the Latter Hans. When the late Emperor was with us he often discussed this with your servant, and he took much to heart the story of Huan and Ling.

"President Ch'en Chen and Historian Chiang Wan are both incorruptible and enlightened men, honest to the death. I would that Your Majesty should have them near and hold them in confidence. If this be done, then the glory of the House of Han will be quickly consummated.

"1 was originally a private person, a farmer in Nanyang, concerned only to secure personal safety in a troubled age and not seeking conversation with the contending nobles. His late Majesty, overlooking the commonness of my origin, condescended to seek me thrice in my humble cot and consult me on the trend of events. His magnanimity affected me deeply, and I consented to do my utmost for him. Then came defeat, and I took office at a moment of darkest outlook and at most difficult crisis. This is twenty-one years ago. The late Emperor recognised my diligent care, and when dying he confided the great task to me. From that day I have lived a life of anxiety lest I should fail in my trust and so dim his glory. That is why I undertook the expedition to the wastes beyond the Lu River. Now the south has been quelled, and our army is in good condition. I ought to lead it against the north, where I may meet with a measure of success in the removal of the wicked ones, the restoration of Han and a return to the old capital. This is my duty out of gratitude to the late Emperor and loyalty to Your Majesty. As to a discussion of the pros and cons and giving a true version of the whole matter, that belongs to Kuo and Chiang and Tung. I desire Your Majesty to confide to me the task of slaying the rebels and restoring the Hans. If I fail, then punish me by telling the spirit of the late Emperor. If you know not what restoration implies that is the fault of your advisers.

"Your Majesty should take pains to be guided into the right path and examine carefully what is laid before, you, carefully remembering the late Emperor's testament."

"I cannot express what would be my delight if you had the goodness to accept and act on my advice."

"Now I am about to depart on a distant expedition I write this with tears and scarce know what I have said."

The king read it through and said, "My Father-Minister, you have only just returned from a distant and fatiguing expedition; you are not yet refreshed, and I fear this march to the north will be almost too much even for you."

K'ung-ming replied, "The heaviest responsibility lies upon me, the well-being of Your Majesty confided to me by the late Emperor. My efforts may not be relaxed night or day. The south is at rest, at home is no anxiety; what better time could be hoped for to destroy the rebels and recover the capital?

Forth from the ranks of courtiers stood Ch'iao Chou and said, "I have studied the aspect of the stars; the northern quarter is brilliant and strong. The scheme will not speed." Then turning toward the Prime Minister, he continued, "You, O Minister, understand the mysteries of the skies; why do you oppose the stars?"

"Because the stars are not in their courses," replied K'ung-ming; "they have been disturbed. One may rely on the stars too much. Moreover, I have already sent the army into HanChung, where I shall act as soon as I have studied what is afoot."

Ch'iao Chou pleaded in vain; K'ung-ming was too strongly set upon his purpose to yield. So Kuo Yu-chih, Tung Yun and Fei I were ordered to attend to matters in the palace; Hsiang Ch'ung was to control all military affairs and forces. Many special appointments were made; Ch'en Chen became
Shih-Chung
_;
Chiang Wan became
Ts'an-Chun
_;
Chang I, Controller of the Prime Minister's palace; Tu Ch'inug was created Censor; Tu Wei and Yang Hung, Presidents; Meng Kuang and Lai Min, Libationers; Yin Mo and Li Chuan,
Po-sbib;
Ch'i Cheng and Fei Shih, Private Secretaries; Ch'iao Chou, a
T'ai-sbib,
and others to the number of over a hundred, all to control the administration of Shu in the absence of Chuko Liang.

After having received his Emperor's command to lead an expedition against the north, K'ung-ming returned to his palace and summoned the officers of the army to listen to the orders. And they came, and to each was appointed a duty in the great army of Chuko Liang, Commander-in-chief of the North-conquering Expedition, Prime Minister, of Shu, Marquis of Wu-haiang, Governor of Ichou, Director of Internal and External Affairs.

Li Yen was given the task of guarding the country against Wu.

All being ready, a day was chosen for the start, the fifth year, the third month on the day
ping-yen.

After the appointments had all been made, there came forward a veteran who had listened in vain for the duty assigned him.

"Old I may be," said he, "yet have I still the valour of Lien P'o, the heroism of Ma Yuan. Why am I thought useless any more than these two who refused to acknowledge old age?"

It was Chao Yun.

K'ung-ming said, "I have lost my friend Ma Ch'ao by illness since I returned from the south, and I feel as I had lost an arm. Now, General, you must own that the years are mounting up. Any slight lapse would not only shake the life-long reputation of yourself, but might have a bad effect on the whole army."

Chao replied bitterly, "I have never quailed in the presence of the enemy from the day I first joined the late Emperor; I have ever pressed to the front. It is a happy ending for a man of valour to die on the frontier. Think you that I should resent it? Let me lead the van, I pray."

K'ung-ming used all his skill to dissuade the veteran, but in vain; he was set on it, threatening suicide if this honour was refused him. At last K'ung-ming yielded on the condition that he would accept a colleague.

"I will go to help the veteran leader," cried Teng Chih, without a moment's hesitation. "I am not worth much, but I will help lead the attack on the enemy."

Accordingly five companies of veterans were chosen for the advanced guard, and with them, to assist Chao Yun, went Teng Chih and half a score of lessor captains.

After the vanguard had set out, the main body marched by the north gate, the Emperor himself going to see his minister start. The farewell was taken ten
li
from the gate, in the face of the grand army with its banners and pennons flaunting in the wind, and spears and swords gleaming in the sun. Then they took the road leading to HanChung.

Naturally, this movement was duly reported in Loyang at a court held by Ts'ao Jui, when a minister said, "A report from the border stations says that Chuko Liang has marched thirty legions into HanChung. Chao Yun and Teng Chih are leading the advanced guard."

The report alarmed the king, and he asked who could lead an army to repel the advance. At once out spake one, saying, "My father died in HanChung, and to my bitter resentment his death is unavenged. Now I desire to lead the army agains't Shu, and I pray that the armies west of the Pass may be given me for this purpose. As well as taking vengeance for my private wrong I shall render a service to the state. I care not what fate may befall me."

The speaker was Hsiahou Yuan's son Mou. He was by nature very impulsive and also very miserly. When young he had been adopted by Hsiahou Tun. When Hsiahou Yuan was killed by Huang Chung, Ts'ao Ts'ao had taken pity, on him and married him to one of his daughters, Ching-ho (or Clear River), so that he was an Emperor's son-in-law. As such he enjoyed great deference at court. But although he held a military commission, he had never been with the army. However, as he requested the command he was made Commander-in-chief to get the army ready to march.

The Minister Wang Lang spoke against the appointment, saying, "The appointment is wrong. Hsiahou, the "Son-in-law," has never seen a battle and is unsuitable for this post, especially when his opponent is the clever and crafty Chuko Liang, a man thoroughly versed in strategy."

"I suppose you have arranged with Chuko Liang to be his ally, sneered Hsiahou. "Ever since I was a boy I have studied strategy, and I am well acquainted with army matters. Why do you despise my youth? Unless I capture this Chuko Liang I pledge myself never again to see the Emperors face."