Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (69 page)

Both went in to see King Liang, and they laid the matter before him.

"I am afraid of him, too," replied the king. "I have wanted to remove him for some time, but have found no opportunity. If you would prove your loyalty you would do it for me."

Then said Teng, "Your Majesty can give a banquet and invite him, and let a few bravos be ready hidden behind the arras. At a signal, as the dropping of a wine cup, they might slay him, and all further trouble would be avoided."

Chuko Ch'uo had never been to court since his return from the unfortunate expedition. Under a plea of indisposition he had remained moping at home. One day he was going out of his reception room when he suddenly saw coming in a person dressed in the hempen garb of mourning.

"Who are you?" said he, rather roughly.

The person seemed too terror-stricken to reply or resist when he was seized. They questioned him, and he said he was in mourning for his father newly dead, and had come into the city to seek a priest to read the Liturgy. He had entered by mistake, thinking it was a temple.

The gate wardens were questioned. They said, "There are scores of us at the gate, which is never unwatched. We have not seen a man enter."

Chuko raged and had the whole lot put to death. But that night he was restless and sleepless. By and by he heard a rending sound that seemed to come from the reception hall, so he arose and went to see what it was. The great main beam had broken in two.

Chuko, much disturbed, returned to his chamber to try once more to sleep. But a cold wind blew, and, shivering in the chilly air, he saw the figures of the hempen-clad mourner and the gate wardens he had put to death. They advanced toward him holding their heads in their hands and seemed to threaten him. He was frightened, and fell in a swoon.

Next morning, when washing his face, the water seemed tainted with the smell of blood. He bade the maid throw it away and bring more; it made no difference, the odour was still there.

He was perplexed and distressed. Then came a messenger with an invitation to a royal banquet. He had his carriage prepared. As he was passing through the gate a yellow dog jumped up and caught hold of his garment and then howled lugubriously.

"The dog even mocks me," said he, annoyed, and he bade his attendants take it away. Then he set out for the palace. Before he had gone far, he saw a white rainbow rise out of the earth and reach up to the sky. While he was wondering what this might portend, his friend Chang Yueh came up and spake a word of warning.

"I feel doubtful about the real purpose of this banquet," said Chang, "and advise you not to go."

Chuko gave orders to drive home again, but before he had reached his own gate the two conspirators rode up and asked why he was turning back.

"I feel unwell and cannot see the king today," replied Chuko.

They replied, "This court is appointed to be held especially to do honour to you and the army. You have not yet reported, and there is a banquet for you. You may be ill, but you really must go to court."

Chuko yielded, and once more set his face toward the palace. The two conspirators went with him, and his friend Chang followed. The banquet was spread when he arrived, and after he had made his obeisance he went to his place.

When the wine was brought in Chuko, thinking it might be poisoned, excused himself from drinking on account of his state of health.

"Will you have some of the medicated wine brought from your own residence?" said Sun Hsun.

"Yes, I could drink that," replied he.

So a servant was sent for a supply that he might drink with the other guests.

After several courses, the king made an excuse and left the banquet hall. Sun went to the foot of the hall and changed his garments of ceremony for more homely garb, but underneath these he put on armour. Then suddenly he raised his keen sword and ran up the hall, shouting, "The king has issued an edict to slay a rebel."

Chuko, startled so that he dropped his cup, laid his hand upon his sword. But he was too late; bis head rolled to the floor. His friend Chang drew his sword and rushed at the assassin, but Sun evaded the full force of the blow and was only wounded in the finger. Sun slashed back at Chang'and wounded him in the right arm. Then the bravos dashed in and finished him.

The ruffians were then sent to murder the Chuko family, while the bodies of the two victims were hastily rolled in matting, thrown into a cart, taken to the outside of the south gate and tossed into a rubbish pit.

While Chuko was absent in the palace, his wife sat in the women's quarters at home feeling strangely unquiet. Presently a maid came in and, when she drew near her mistress, said, "Why does your clothing smell of blood?"

To her horror the maid suddenly transformed into a weird creature with rolling eyes and gritting teeth, that went dancing about the room and leaping till it touched the roof-beams, shrieking all the time, "I am Chuko Ch'uo, and I have been slam by that dastard Sun Hsun."

By this time the whole family were frightened and began wailing. And a few minutes later the residence was surrounded by a crowd of armed men sent to murder the inmates, whom they bound, carried off to the market-place and put to the sword.

These things occurred in the second year of the period
Ta-Hsing.
Before Chuko Chin, father of the murdered minister, died he had a premonition that his son's ability would lead him into trouble and that he would not safeguard his family. Others had also predicted an early death. A certain officer in Wei said Chuko would die soon, and when asked why replied, "Can a man live long when his dignity endangers that of his lord?"

Sun Hsun, the chief conspirator and real murderer, became Prime Minister in place of his victim. He was also placed in command of all the military forces, and became very powerful. The control of all matters was in his hands.

When the letter asking help from Chiang Wei arrived in Shu, Chiang had audience with the king and requested authority to raise an army against the north.

The army fought, but fought in vain,
Success may crown a new campaign.

Who were victorious will appear in the next chapter.

CHAPTER CIX
SSUMA SURROUNDED: A HAN LEADER
EMPLOYS AN UNEXPECTED RUSE:
THE KING DETHRONED: RETRIBUTION
FOR THE WEI FAMILY

I
t
was in the sixteenth year of
Yen-Hsi
that Chiang Wei's army of twenty legions was ready to march against the House of Wei. Miao Hua and Chang I were leaders of the van, Hsiahou Pa was strategist; Chang Ni was in command of the commissariat. The army marched out by the Yangp'ing Pass.

Discussing the plan of campaign with Hsiahou Pa, Chiang Wei said, "Our former attack on Yungchou failed, so this time they will doubtless be even better prepared to resist. What do you suggest?"

The strategist replied, "Nanan is the only well-provided place in all Shensi; if we take that it will serve as an excellent base. Our former ill-success was due to the non-arrival of the
Ch'iang.
Let us therefore send early to tell them to assemble, after which we will move out at Shihying and march to Nanan by way of Tungt'ing."

Chiang approved the plan and at once sent Ch'i Cheng as his envoy, bearing gifts of gold and pearls and Ssuch'uan silk to win the help of the Prince of the
Ch'iang,
whose name was Mitang. The mission was successful, the prince accepted the presents and sent five legions to Nanan under the leadership of Ohoshaoko.

When Kuo Huai heard of the threatened attack, he sent a hasty memorial to Loyang. Ssuma Shih at once asked who of his captains would go out to meet the army from the west. Hsu Chih volunteered, and as the Prime Minister had a high opinion of his capacity, he was appointed leader of the van. The brother of the Prime Minister, Ssuma Chao, went as Commander-in-chief.

The Wei army set out for Shensi, reached Tungt'ing and there fell in with Chiang Wei. When both sides were arrayed Hsu Chih, who wielded a mighty axe called "Splitter of Mountains" as his weapon, rode out and challenged. Miao Hua went forth to accept, but after a few bouts he took advantage of a feint and fled.

Then Chang I set his spear and rode forth to continue the fight. He also soon fled and returned within his own ranks. Thereupon Hsu Chih gave the signal to fall on in force, and the army of Shu lost the day. They retired thirty
li
_;
Ssuma also drew off his men, and both sides encamped.

"Hsu Chih is very formidable; how can we overcome him?" asked Chiang Wei.

"Tomorrow make pretence of defeat and so draw them into an ambush," was the reply.

"But remember whose son this Ssuma Chao is," said Chiang. "He cannot be a novice in war, and if he sees a likely spot for an ambush he will halt. Now the men of Wei have cut our communications many times; let us do the same to them, and we may slay this Hsu."

He called in the two leaders of his van and gave them secret orders, sending them in different directions. Then he laid iron caltrops along all the approaches and planted
chevaux defrise
("deer-horns") as if making a permanent defence. When the men of Wei came up and challenged, the men of Shu refused battle.

The scouts discovered that the Shu supplies were coming up along the rear of Tiehlung Mountains, and they were using the wooden oxen and running horses as transport. They also reported the look of permanency in the defences and said they were evidently awaiting the arrival of their allies the barbarian tribes.

Then said Ssuma, "We formerly defeated the army of Shu by cutting off supplies, and we can do that again. Let half a legion go out tonight and occupy the road."

About the middle of the first watch Hsu Chih marched across the hills, and when he came to the other side he saw a couple of hundred men driving a hundred or so head of mechanical animals laden with grain and forage. His men rushed down upon them with shouts, and the men of Shu, seeing that their road was impassable, abandoned their supplies and ran away. Hsu took possession of the supply train, which he sent back to his own camp under the escort of half his men. With the other half he set out in pursuit.

About ten
li
away, the road was found blocked with carts set across the track. Some of his men dismounted to clear the way, but as they did so the brushwood on both sides burst into a blaze. Hsu at once drew off his men and turned to retire, but coming to a defile he found the road again blocked with waggons, and again the brushwood began to burn. He made a dash to escape, but before he
could get clear a bomb roared, and he saw the men of Shu coming down on him from two directions. Both fell on Hsu with great fury, and the men of Wei were wholly defeated. Hsu Chih himself got clear, but without any following.

He struggled on till he and his steed were almost spent with fatigue. Presently he saw another company of the enemy in his way, and the leader was Chiang Wei. He could make no resistance. His horse fell from a spear thrust, and as Hsu Chih lay on the ground he was cut to pieces.

Meanwhile those men of Wei who had been sent to escort to camp the convoy of supplies which they had seized were captured by Hsiahou Pa. They surrendered. Hsiahou then stripped them of their weapons and clothing and therein disguised some of his own men. Holding aloft banners of Wei, these disguised men made for the Wei camp. When they arrived they were mistaken by those in the camp for comrades, and the gates were thrown open.

They rushed in and began to slay. Taken wholly by surprise, Ssuma Chao leaped upon his steed and fled. But Miao Hua met him and drove him back. Then appeared Chiang Wei in the path of retreat, so that no road lay open. Ssuma made off for the hills, hoping to be able to hold out on the T'iehlung Hill.

Now there was but one road up the hill, which rose steeply on all sides. There was but one small spring of water, enough to serve a hundred men or so, while Ssuma's force numbered six thousand. Their enemies had blocked the only road. This one fountain was unequal to supplying the needs of the beleaguered army, and soon they were tormented with thirst. In despair, Ssuma looked up to heaven and sighed, saying, "Death will surely come to me here."

The host of Wei on T'iehlung Hill
Were once fast held by Chiang Wei's skill;
When P'ang first crossed the Maling line
His strategy was reckoned fine
As Hsiang Yu's at the Nine Mile Hill;
Both bent opponents to their will.

In this critical situation a certain civil officer, Wang T'ao by name, reminded his leader of what Keng Kung had done, saying, "O General, why do you not imitate Keng Kung, who, being in great need, prostrated himself and prayed at a well, wherefrom he afterwards was supplied with sweet water?"

So the leader went to the summit of the hill and knelt beside the spring and prayed thus:—"The humble Chao received a command to repulse the army of Shu. If he is to die here, then may this spring cease its flow, when he will end his own life and let his soldiers yield to the enemy. But if his allotted span of life be not reached, then, O Blue Vault, increase the flow of water and save the lives of this multitude."

Thus he prayed; and the waters gushed forth in plenty, so that they all quenched their thirst and lived.

Chiang Wei had surrounded the hill, holding the army thereon as in a prison. He said to his officers, "I have always regretted that our great minister was unable to capture Ssuma I in the Shangfang Valley, but now I think his son is doomed to fall into our hands."

However, news of the dangerous position of Ssuma Chao had come to Kuo Huai, who set about a rescue.

Ch'en T'ai said to him, "Chiang Wei has made a league with the
Ch'iang,
and they are helping him. They will first take Nanan. If they have arrived, and you go away to rescue Ssuma, leaving this city weak, they will attack from the rear. Therefore I would propose to send some one to the barbarians to try to create a diversion and get them to retire. If they are disposed of, you may go to the rescue of Ssuma.

Kuo saw there was much reason in this and told Chien to take a small force and go himself to the camp of the Prince of the
Ch'iang.
When he reached the camp he threw off his armour and entered weeping and crying that he was in danger of death.

He said, "Kuo Huai sets himself up as superior to everyone and is trying to slay me. Therefore I have come to offer my services to you. I know all the secrets of the Wei army, and if you will, this very night I can lead you to their camp. I have friends in the camp to help, and you can destroy it."

Prince Mitang was taken with the scheme, and sent his lieutenant Ohoshaoko to go with Ch'en. The deserters from Wei were placed in the rear, but Ch'en himself rode with the leading body of
Ctiiang.
They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found the gates open, and Ch'en rode in boldly.

But when the
Ctiiang)
galloped in, there suddenly arose a great cry as men and horses went tumbling into great pits. At the same time Ch'en came round in the rear and attacked while Kuo appeared on the flank. The barbarians trampled each other down, and many were killed. Those who escaped death surrendered, and the leader, Ohoshaoko, committed suicide.

Kuo and Ch'en then hastened back into the camp of the
Cb'iang.
Mitang, taken unprepared, rushed out of his tent to get to horse, but was made prisoner. He was taken before Kuo Huai, who hastily dismounted, loosed the prisoner's bonds and soothed him with kindly words.

"Our government has always regarded yon as a loyal and true friend," said Kuo. "Why then are you helping our enemies?"

Mitang sank to the ground in confusion, while Kuo continued, "If you will now raise the siege of T'iehlung Hill and drive off the men of Shu, I will memorialise and obtain a substantial reward for you."

Mitang agreed. He set out forthwith, his own men leading and the men of Wei in the rear. At the third watch he sent on a messenger to tell Chiang Wei of his coming. And the Shu leader was glad. Mitang was invited to enter, leaving the greater portion of his men outside.

On the march the men of Wei had mingled with the
Ch'iang,
and many of them were in the forefront of the army. Mitang went up toward the gate with a small company, and Chiang Wei with Hsiahou Pa went to welcome him. Just as they met, before Mitang could say a word, the Wei captains dashed on past him and set on to slay. Chiang was taken aback, leaped on his steed and fled, while the mixed force of men of Shu and barbarians drove the camp defenders before them and sent them flying.

When Chiang leaped upon his steed at the gate he had no weapon in his hand, only his bow and quiver hung at his shoulder. In his hasty flight the arrows fell out and the quiver was empty, so when he set off for the hills with Kuo Huai in pursuit, Chiang had nothing to oppose to the spears of his pursuers. As they came near he laid hands upon his bow and made as if to shoot. The string twanged and Kuo Huai blenched. But as no arrow went flying by he knew Chiang had none to shoot. Kuo therefore hung his spear, took his bow and shot. Chiang caught the arrow as it flew by and fitted it to his bowstring. He waited till his enemy came quite near, when he pulled the string with all his force and sent the arrow flying straight at Kuo's face. Kuo fell even as the bowstring sang.

Chiang pulled up and turned to finish his fallen enemy, but the men of Wei were nearly upon him, and he had only time to snatch up his spear and ride off. Now that Chiang Wei was armed and their own leader wounded, the soldiers of Wei had no more desire to fight. They picked up their general and carried him to camp. There the arrow-head was pulled out, but the flow of blood could not be staunched, and Kuo Huai died.

Ssuma descended from the hill as soon as Chiang moved away, and pursued some distance.

Hsiahou Pa rejoined his colleague as soon as he could, and they marched together. The losses of Shu in this defeat were very heavy. On the road they dared not halt to muster or reform, but went helter-skelter into HanChung. The leaders said to themselves that, though they had been defeated, they bad killed two generals on the other side and had damaged the prestige of Wei.

After rewarding the
Ch'iang
for their help, Ssuma led his army back to Loyang, where he joined his brother in administering the government. They were too strong for any of the officers to dare opposition, and they terrorised King Fang so that he shook with fright whenever he saw Ssuma Shih at court, and felt as if needles were being stuck into his back.

One day, when the king was holding a Court, Ssuma Shih came into the hall wearing his sword. The king hastily left his place to receive him.

"What does this mean? Is this the correct etiquette for a prince when his minister approaches?" said Ssuma, smiling. "I pray Your Majesty remember your dignity and listen while the ministers address the Throne."

Court business then proceeded. Ssuma decided every question without reference to the king, and when he retired he stalked haughtily down the hall and went home, followed by his escort, which numbered thousands of horse and foot.

When the king left the court only three followed him to the private apartments. They were Hsiahou Hsien, Li Feng and Chang Ch'i, all ministers. The last was the father of his Consort. Sending away the servants, the king and these three went into a private chamber.

Seizing his father-in-law's hand, the king began to weep saying, "That man Ssuma Shih treats me as a child and regards the officers of state as if they were so many straws. I am sure the throne will be his one day."