The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 (52 page)

“Not so, indeed,” said Zhang Song. “Illustrious sir, you are a member of the Hans and your noble character is widely known. It is nothing excessive, even if you set yourself up as Emperor, let alone occupying some towns and cities.”

Liu Bei deprecated such a suggestion: “Sir, you go too far—how dare I aspire to this?”

The next three days were spent in banquets and wine parties, but all the time no mention was made of the western province. At last it was time for Zhang Song to leave. Liu Bei prepared wine at the roadside pavilion to bid him farewell. Liu Bei raised his wine cup and said, “I am sincerely grateful that you have been kind enough to stay here for three days, but now the moment of parting has come. Who knows when I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions again?”

As he said this his tears flowed. Zhang Song, willing to believe that this emotion was on his account, thought how wonderfully kind and noble his host must be to be thus affected. He decided to ask his host to take the west province. So he said, “I, too, would like to wait on you day and night, sir, but it is not possible. This place of yours, I think, is not wholly desirable for you to remain long. I see Sun Quan in the south, always ready to pounce on you; I see Cao Cao in the north, never ceasing to desire to swallow the place.”

“I know this too well,” said Liu Bei, “but I have no secure place to go to.”

“Yizhou is well protected by its natural barriers. It is rich and populous, with a thousand
li
of fertile soil. Its wise and talented people have long admired you for your righteousness. If you march your army westward you can easily become a real power there and restore the glory of the Hans.”

“But how dare I attempt this? The ruler of Yizhou is also of the imperial house and the people there are devoted to him for his bounties. No other man could hope to unseat his hold.”

“It is not that I am betraying my master for gains,” said Zhang Song, “but in your presence I feel constrained to be perfectly open. Liu Zhang, Governor of Yizhou, is weak by nature and can neither make good use of the wise nor the capable. What is more, Zhang Lu is posing a perpetual threat in the north. People are distracted and will gladly welcome a sagacious ruler. The journey I have just made was to propose to support Cao Cao and place the province under him, but I found him set on evil, and arrogant toward the scholarly and the wise. So I have turned to you. You should take West Chuan first as your base, from where you can move north to seize Hanzhong, and later the central plains. In this way you will restore the rightful line of rule. Your name will live in history and your contributions to the country will be unprecedented. If you intend to take West Chuan I am willing to do what little I can as an ally within. But do you contemplate such a step?”

“I am deeply grateful that you think so well of me. But the governor being a member of my own family, I should lay myself open to general criticism if I were to attack him.”

“It is the duty of a true hero in the world to work out his destiny, to exert himself, and press forward among the foremost. If you fail to seize this opportunity, some others will get in before you and then it will be too late to regret.”

“I have heard much of the rugged country of Shu with its many high mountains and numerous streams. Wagons cannot travel together nor can horses ride side by side. Even though one has the intention to take it, how could such a country be conquered?”

Then Zhang Song drew the map from his sleeve. “I am deeply moved by your virtue, so I offer you this map of the country, from which you will know its roads and rivers.”

Liu Bei unrolled the map: it was covered with detailed notes of the topography of the western land, showing its rivers and hills, its dangerous sites, its storehouses and granaries, and its treasuries. Everything was clearly stated.

Zhang Song went on, “Sir, you can prepare your plans promptly. I have two best friends, who will certainly help you. And when they come to see you, you may be perfectly frank with them. Their names are Fa Zheng and Meng Da.”

Liu Bei thanked him with joined hands. He said, “As the green hills never grow old and the green waters always remain, so will I never forget your kindness. And when I shall have accomplished my task you will have no mean reward.”

“How dare I expect a reward? Having met a true lord like you I feel compelled to bare my heart.”

Zhang Song took his leave soon after. Guan Yu and the others escorted him a long way.

When he arrived in Yizhou, Zhang Song lost no time in meeting his friends, Fa Zheng and Meng Da. The former was the first to come and he was told of Cao Cao’s arrogance toward men of talents. “He is a man to share worries but not joy,” continued Zhang Song. “I have promised Yizhou to Liu Bei, the uncle of the Emperor, and I have come especially to consult you on the matter.”

“I think Liu Zhang incapable,” said Fa Zheng, “and I have been thinking of going over to Liu Bei for some time. So we are of the same mind.”

Shortly after, Meng Da arrived. Seeing the other two in secret conversation, Meng Da said: “I know what you two are about—you are scheming to hand over Yizhou to somebody.”

“Exactly,” said Zhang Song, “But can you guess to whom it should go?”

“None but Liu Bei,” replied Meng Da.

All three clapped their hands and laughed.

Fa Zheng said to Zhang Song, “You will see our lord tomorrow. What are you going to say?”

“I will recommend you two to be sent to Jingzhou as envoys.”

They both agreed that it was a suitable scheme. The following day, Zhang Song went to see his master Liu Zhang, who asked him about his mission in the capital.

Zhang Song said, “Cao Cao is a rebel who desires to get the whole country into his hands. We cannot rely on him. And he also hankers after this district.”

“Then what will become of us?” said Liu Zhang.

“I have a plan to check both our enemies,” said Zhang Song. “Liu Bei, the Emperor’s uncle, now in Jingzhou, is of the imperial house, like you. He is generous and well-disposed, with the air of a respectable elder. After the battle of the Red Cliff his name was a terror to Cao Cao. How can Zhang Lu withstand him? Why not send someone over to form an alliance with him and ask him to come and assist you in fighting against Cao Cao and Zhang Lu?”

“I have been thinking about that for a long time,” said Liu Zhang. “Can you recommend a suitable emissary?”

“That must be Fa Zheng and Meng Da.”

These two were summoned. Fa Zheng was given a letter and ordered to proceed first to Jingzhou as emissary to set up friendly relations with Liu Bei; Meng Da would follow in due course with a troop of 5,000 men to welcome Liu Bei into the west country.

While they were discussing the details of the plan, a person rushed in, his face all running with sweat, and cried out: “My lord, your land will be lost to another if you listen to Zhang Song’s words.”

Greatly startled, Zhang Song turned to look at the intruder, who was

Huang Quan, an official in the governor’s service.

The governor said, “Why do you say so? Liu Bei is of my family and so I am seeking his support.”’

Huang Quan said, “I know what kind of a man Liu Bei is: he is generous to people so as to win their hearts; he is soft but his softness can overcome the hardest and withstand heroes. Those from far off admire him and those nearby look up to him. He also has the wisest advisors and the boldest warriors. If you call him here to assist you, do you think that he will be content to remain a subordinate? And if you treat him as an honored guest, can a state stand two rulers? Listen to me, my lord, and you stand secure as Mount Tai; be deaf to my words and your position is as precarious as a pile of eggs. This Zhang Song has lately come home through Jingzhou, where he has certainly been plotting with Liu Bei. Slay this man first and then destroy Liu Bei. That will be for the happiness of this land.”

“But how else am I to fend off my two enemies?”

“Fortify your country; dig deep the moat and raise your ramparts. Then wait for the matter to resolve itself.”

“If the invaders come the situation will be as critical as when one’s eyebrows are singed. It is idle talk to tell me to wait for the matter to resolve itself,” Liu Zhang said.

So he took no notice of Huang Quan’s advice, but ordered Fa Zheng to set out. However, another of his subordinates, named Wang Lei, voiced his dissent.

With bowed head Wang Lei said, “My lord, you will bring misfortune upon yourself if you listen to Zhang Song.”

Liu Zhang said, “How can it be? I am going to enter into an alliance with Liu Bei in order to withstand Zhang Lu.”

“An invasion by Zhang Lu will be but a skin disease. Liu Bei’s entry into this country will be a mortal malady. Liu Bei is an unscrupulous adventurer. He was once in Cao Cao’s service, yet plotted against him. Then he hung on to Sun Quan and seized Jingzhou. This shows his character and his designs. Do you think that you two can dwell together? If you invite him, then this place is lost.”

“No more wild talk!” cried Liu Zhang angrily. “Liu Bei is of my clan and will not take my territory.”

He told his attendants to lead both men outside and ordered Fa Zheng to depart. So he did—and before long came to Jingzhou to see Liu Bei. After proper obeisance was made Fa Zheng presented his master’s letter, which Liu Bei opened and read.

“Liu Zhang, a junior member of the House of Liu, to General Liu Bei: From my humble place long have I gazed in your direction, but the roads of Shu are precipitous and I have failed to send you my tribute. This is to my shame. I have often heard that ‘Friends rescue each other in misfortune and aid each other in difficulty’. If friends can be so supportive of one another, how much more should members of the same family? Now Zhang Lu is mustering an army to invade my northern frontier, much to my anxiety. So I send this letter to appeal to you for help. If you remember the close bonds of family and will play a brotherly part, I pray that you will lead your army here to destroy these ruffians. You will be my eternal protector and I will see to it that you are richly rewarded. This letter leaves much unsaid, but I await your arrival.”

This letter greatly pleased Liu Bei. He gave a banquet for the envoy, and after several rounds of wine, he dismissed the attendants and spoke to Fa Zheng confidentially: “Sir, I have long heard your name and your friend Zhang Song has told me a great deal about your admirable virtues. I feel so grateful that I have at last the opportunity to hear your instructions.”

Fa Zheng bowed. “That is too great praise for a humble emissary from Shu. But they say that horses neighed when they saw Bo Luo, the supreme judge of horses of old days, and men die for their lords who recognize their talents. Have you thought further of Zhang Song’s proposals, sir?”

“All my life I have been a wanderer, seeking a living under another’s roof, and I cannot help lamenting over my poor lot. It has often crossed my mind that even a tiny bird like the wren has a twig to call its own and a cunning hare has three burrows to secure its safety. Does not a man need at least a shelter? Your land of Shu is fertile and tempting, but its ruler is of my family and I cannot plot against him.”

“Yes, Yizhou is a very paradise. But without a ruler who can withstand trouble it cannot exist. Liu Zhang does not know how to use the wise and the land will speedily pass to another. Today it is offered to you and you must not miss this opportunity. Remember the saying, ‘The leader in the hunt gets the quarry.’ If you intend to take it, I will serve you to death.”

Liu Bei thanked him but said, “Let me think about this further.”

The banquet terminated and the guest was conducted to his lodging by Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei sat thinking by himself. Presently, Pang Tong went in and said, “It is foolish not to decide when decision is needed. You are highly intelligent, my lord—why do you hesitate?”

“What should my reply be?” asked Liu Bei.

“Jingzhou is threatened by Sun Quan in the east and Cao Cao in the north and it will be difficult for you to attain your ends here. But Yizhou is a populous, fertile, and rich land, a base with the greatest possibilities. You have the promise of assistance from two men within and it seems like a gift of providence. Why hesitate?”

“Now in this world, the person who is exactly my opposite is Cao Cao. We are as different as fire and water. He is impetuous and I am tolerant; he is cruel and I am humane; he is deceitful and I am loyal. In everything, if I act directly contrary to him, I will succeed. I do not want to risk the loss of the confidence and trust of the people for a trifling advantage.”

Pang Tong smiled at these sentiments. “My lord, your words are quite in accord with traditional rectitude but they scarcely suit the present days of chaos. To use force to conquer is of course not right but to adhere too obstinately to traditional decency is to do nothing. One must be ready to adapt to circumstances. And it is also the practice of the ancient kings ‘To annex the weak and attack the evil’ and ‘To seize by force but rule with moderation.’ If after the seizure you reward with righteousness and turn the land into a great country, will you be guilty of a breach of trust? Remember if you do not take it now, another will.”

Liu Bei, suddenly seeing the light, replied, “Your words are as jewels— they should be engraved on my very heart.”