Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Upon a narrow road two meat hunks closed

  (A U-bone topped each head)

  And met by a mound of dirt:

  In a flash they butted and gored.

  Two foes, but one less tough—

  That meat prone in a pit.

  Not that his might was less,

  But his vital force had been clipped.

  Cao Pi and his court were astonished at Cao Zhi's performance. "Still," Pi said, "seven paces takes some time. Can you create a poem on a moment's notice?" "I shall address whatever theme you suggest," Zhi replied. "Our relation as elder and younger brother, then. But you are not to use the word 'brother, '" Cao Pi said. Without pausing to reflect, Cao Zhi spoke these lines:

  Beans asimmer on a beanstalk flame

  From inside the pot expressed their ire:

  "Alive we sprouted on a single root—

  What's your rush to cook us on the fire?"

  Cao Pi burst into tears. Lady Bian, advancing from the rear of the hall, said, "An elder brother should not push a younger brother so." Pi hastily left his seat and appealed to her: "It is simply that the law can not be ignored." Accordingly, he reduced Cao Zhi's position to lord of Anxiang. Cao Zhi then took his leave and departed on horseback.

  Since his succession to his father's throne, Cao Pi had thoroughly remade the laws and regulations of the dynasty; and he harassed the Han Emperor even more harshly than his father had. Spies quickly brought word of these changes to the king of Hanzhong in Chengdu.

  Gravely concerned by the new situation, the king took counsel with his civil and military officials. "Cao Cao is dead," he said to them, "and Cao Pi, his successor, harasses the Emperor far worse than Cao Cao ever did, while Sun Quan of the Southland submissively declares allegiance to the new order. It is my desire first to scourge the south and avenge my brother's death, and then to smite the north and rid the land of sedition." Even as Xuande spoke, Liao Hua stepped forward from the ranks and, prostrating himself, said through his tears, "It is the fault of Liu Feng and Meng Da that Lord Guan and his son are dead. I beg Your Lordship to punish the traitors." Xuande would have seized the two at once, but Kongming opposed it. "You had better take your time," he said. "Move too quickly and they'll defect. Instead, make them governors and assign them to separate districts before you arrest them." Accordingly, Xuande appointed Liu Feng governor of Mianzhu.

  It so happened that Peng Yang, a close friend of Meng Da, learned of this and rushed home to send a letter to Meng Da. His carrier was apprehended outside the city's south gate, however, and brought before the commander Ma Chao. In order to investigate the matter Ma Chao went to Peng Yang's home, where he was welcomed and offered wine. After several rounds Ma Chao said pointedly, "The king once treated you most handsomely. I wonder why he seems to have grown indifferent." Under the influence of the wine, Peng Yang said heatedly, "That perverse, ridiculous old war-horse. He'll get what he deserves!" Ma Chao probed further, saying, "I, too, have had to bear many grievances." "If you put your own units into action," Peng Yang replied, "and coordinate with Meng Da from without, I'll work with some Riverlands troops from within, and we can carry the day." "Your views are quite to the point," Ma Chao said. "Tomorrow we will discuss this further."

  After taking leave of Peng Yang, Ma Chao brought the captured messenger and letter before the king and gave him a detailed account of his conversation with the author of the letter. Xuande was furious and had Peng Yang thrown into jail and interrogated; his regrets availed him not. Xuande asked Kongming, "How should we handle Peng Yang's conspiracy?" "He may be only an idiosyncratic scholar," Kongming responded, "but he will make trouble later if you spare him." And so Peng Yang's fate was sealed, though in consideration of his status Xuande allowed him to die by his own hand.

  Meng Da was deeply disturbed by the news of Peng Yang's death. Subsequently he received Kongming's order for his partner Liu Feng to return to Mianzhu to serve as governor. Meng Da quickly called the military commanders of Shangyong and Fangling, the brothers Shen Dan and Shen Yi, to a meeting. "I have done no less for the cause of the king of Hanzhong than Fa Zheng has," he said. "Now Fa Zheng is dead, and the king forgets my former service.5 He would even see me harmed. What is to be done?" Commander Shen Dan replied, "I think I know how to prevent the king of Hanzhong from doing you injury." Delighted, Meng Da asked his plan. "My brother and I have long wanted to join the cause of the kingdom of Wei. You might prepare a formal document severing ties with the king of Hanzhong and offering allegiance to Cao Pi, king of Wei— who is sure to use you well. My brother and I will follow you in surrender." Instantly, Meng Da saw the wisdom of his proposal and wrote out a document for Kongming's messenger to take back. The same night, taking fifty riders, he went to serve the king of Wei.

  The messenger returned to Chengdu bearing Meng Da's note and the news of his defection. The First Ruler6 angrily read over the document, which said:

  As your servant, I humbly lay myself at your feet. In the beginning, Your Majesty strove to guide the dynasty toward greatness in the manner of Yi Yin of the Shang and Taigong Wang of the Zhou, to recover something of the grandeur of the hegemon-patriarchs Huan and Wen. Then, the southern powers, Jingzhou and the Southland, lent their strength to your cause. As a result, ambitious and capable talents, attracted by your prestige, tendered their allegiance. Since committing my humble self to your enterprise, I have compiled a long record of errors and offenses. Even I know that; how much more clearly must you see it. Now at Your Highness's court, brilliant men of talent are beyond numbering. But I, lacking the talent to assist the government and the ability to lead an army, would be truly ashamed to take my place among your meritorious vassals.

  I am mindful of Fan Li, who knew when he was no longer of use and set himself adrift on the lakes and rivers; mindful too of Uncle Fan, who, acknowledging his offenses, bade his lord good-bye on the banks of the Yellow River.7 At the opportune moment they begged to be released from their vassal's oath. Why? To resolve cleanly the dilemma of leaving or staying. For I, lowliest of those who serve you, can boast no high merit or striking achievement, having merely temporized. These examples of admired ancient worthies help me in my resolve to leave rather than endure the shame of remaining.

  In olden days no son was more filial than Shen Sheng, yet his father doubted him; no minister more loyal than Zixu, but his king had him executed. General Meng Tian extended the northern borders for the state of Qin, but he suffered capital punishment. Yue Yi destroyed the enemy state of Qi but fell victim to slander. The stories of these men always move me to passionate tears. Now a like fate confronts me, and I despair.8

  After the recent catastrophe in Jingzhou, the high officials surrendered. If others fled, I persevered in my duties. But after going to Fangling and Shangyong, I again ask your permission to seek my fortune elsewhere. I humbly hope that your sagely compassion and sympathetic understanding will enable you to indulge my wish and accept, if with sadness, my departing.

  Truly unworthy of respect is the man who does not finish what he has begun. No man can excuse the offense committed with knowledge aforethought. It is often said that 'friendships should end without harsh words' and that 'in parting, let lord and vassal utter no complaint. ' I have always taken to heart the teachings of the worthies, and I beg Your Highness to do likewise. I am overcome by trepidation.

  The letter put Xuande in a rage. "This underling in revolt! How dare he mock me with these fine words?" Xuande's impulse was to send the army, but Kongming checked him, saying, "Simply send Liu Feng and let the two tigers fight it out. Whether he wins or loses, Liu Feng will have to return here. Then we can easily get rid of him—killing two birds." On Kongming's suggestion, Xuande sent a man to Mianzhu with orders for Liu Feng to arrest Meng Da.

  Cao Pi had convened his civil and military officials when one of his aides announced suddenly: "The Riverlands general Meng Da comes to surrender!" Cao Pi summoned the man and challenged him: "Is this not a false surrend
er?" "I refused to rescue Lord Guan," Meng Da replied, "so the king of Hanzhong has decided to kill me. I came to avoid punishment, for no other reason." But Cao Pi remained unconvinced. It was reported that Liu Feng was coming to Xiangyang with fifty thousand men for the sole purpose of doing battle with Meng Da. "If you are sincere, then," Cao Pi said to Meng Da, "go to Xiangyang and bring me Liu Feng's head—and I will believe your story." "Let me explain the situation to Liu Feng," Meng Da answered, "and without any action on your part, Liu Feng too will offer his surrender." Delighted, Cao Pi appointed Meng Da mounted royal guard9 and General Who Establishes by Arms, as well as lord of Pingyang precinct and governor of Xincheng, to hold Xiangyang and Fan.

  It happened that generals Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang had already established the king of Wei's power in Xiangyang10 and were preparing to take over Shangyong. Meng Da reached Xiangyang and exchanged greetings with the two northern generals. Liu Feng was camped fifty li from the city. Meng Da sent him a letter inviting surrender.11 But Liu Feng responded to Meng Da's suggestion angrily: "This villain would break the bond between nephew and uncle and sunder the love of father and son, making me disloyal and unfilial." So saying, he tore up the letter and executed the messenger. The next day he went forth to challenge the foe.12

  Enraged by Liu Feng's defiance, Meng Da met him in the field. The opposing armies assumed their formations, and Liu Feng rode out beneath the banners marking the entrance to his position. "Traitor to the house of Han, speak no nonsense!" he cried, pointing his sword toward Meng Da. "Death is at your shoulder; still you dream on!" Meng Da shot back. Feng slapped his steed, flourished his blade, and went for Meng Da. They clashed briefly. Meng Da fled in defeat; Feng pursued his advantage, unopposed for twenty li. Then voices cried out, and an ambush was sprung. Xiahou Shang came from the left, Xu Huang from the right, and Meng Da turned and fought again. Squeezed between three armies, Liu Feng fled, badly defeated, and rode straight on to Shangyong, the troops of Wei in hot pursuit. Reaching the town, Liu Feng was met with a barrage of arrows.

  From the forward tower Commander Shen Dan shouted down: "I have surrendered to the Wei!" Enraged, Liu Feng made ready to assault the wall, but as his pursuers closed in, he fled to Fangling—only to find the flags of Wei flying on the city wall. From the tower Commander Shen Yi described an arc with his signal banner, and a company of men appeared from behind the wall; their standard read "General of the Right Xu Huang."

  Liu Feng could offer no resistance and made a desperate dash westward; Xu Huang gave chase. Hardly a hundred riders remained in Feng's command. Finally he reached Chengdu and was received by the king of Hanzhong, before whom he flung himself to the ground and wept as he recounted the events up to his arrival in the Riverlands. But Xuande said angrily, "Scapegrace! Have you the face to come before me again?" Liu Feng tried to defend himself, saying, "When my uncle was in trouble, Meng Da stopped me from going to him. It was not that I refused." But Xuande's anger only rose higher. "You eat as men do," he said to his adopted son, "wear what men wear. You're not made of clay or wood. How could a slandering traitor 'stop' you?" So saying, Xuande ordered Liu Feng executed. Only after the execution did the king learn how Liu Feng had spurned Meng Da's offer to surrender.13 Overcome by remorse and pining for Lord Guan as well, Xuande was taken ill and made no military moves.14

  Cao Pi, king of Wei since assuming his father's throne, promoted and rewarded all his civil and military officials. Next, he led three hundred thousand armored troops on a southern tour of Qiao county in the fief of Pei,15 where he held a magnificent feast at the ancestral graves. The village elders swarmed out to greet their native son, bearing flagons of wine as gifts as their forefathers had once done on the Supreme Ancestor's triumphant return. During the festivities, however, Regent-Marshal Xiahou Dun was reported to be ill, and Cao Pi returned early to Ye. By the time he arrived, the famous general had already died. Cao Pi went into mourning and arranged a burial of the most elaborate ceremony for the late regent-marshal.

  In the eighth month of the year (a. d. 220), strange manifestations were reported: in Shiyi county a phoenix showed itself, in Linzi a unicorn appeared, and in Ye itself a yellow dragon was seen. Imperial Corps Commander Li Fu and Grand Astrologer's Assistant Xu Zhi agreed between themselves that these various signs and omens foretold the replacement of the Han dynasty by the Wei and called for a ceremony of abdication at which Emperor Xian would yield the empire to the king of Wei.

  Following this, a delegation of more than forty civil and military officials—including Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, and Huan Jie—went directly into the imperial chamber to petition Emperor Xian to yield the throne to Cao Pi, king of Wei. Indeed:

  The shrines of Wei were about to be established;

  The land of Han was about to pass into another's hands.

  What would the Emperor say? And the king of Hanzhong?

  Read on.

  80

  Cao Pi Deposes the Emperor, Usurps the Liu Throne;

  The King of Hanzhong Assumes the Throne, Continues the Han Line

  Accompanied by a delegation of civil and military officials, Hua Xin entered the court and addressed Emperor Xian: "Reverently we observe that since the new king of Wei has come to the throne, his virtue has spread throughout the land to the benefit of all. Not even the sage founders of our civilization, Tang and Yu, surpass the king. The assembly of the court, after collective consultation, now deeming that the sacrifices of Han have come to term, beseech Your Majesty to emulate the ancient sage-king Yao by ceremonially relinquishing the mountains, rivers, and dynastic shrines to the new king of Wei. This will fulfill the will of Heaven and satisfy the minds of men and also will enable Your Majesty to secure the blessings of untroubled leisure, a boon to your ancestral clan and the living souls of the realm. Our conclusion having been reached, we come to deliver this formal appeal."

  The Emperor listened in fear and shock. After a long silence, he turned his gaze to the court of officials and began to sob. "I think back to the time," he said, "when the Supreme Ancestor, founder of the Han, slew the white serpent with his three-span sword and led the rebellion that quelled Qin and crushed Chu. He thus founded this house whose rule has passed from generation to generation in the Liu clan for four hundred years. Small though my talent be, what offense have I committed, what fault have I that justifies abandoning my ancestral right? Let the court reopen discussion!"

  Hua Xin then brought forth two astrologers, Li Fu and Xu Zhi, and continued, "If Your Majesty has doubts, let these two answer them." Li Fu addressed the throne: "Since the accession of the king of Wei, the unicorn has descended, the phoenix has manifested itself, the yellow dragon has appeared, prize grains grow luxuriantly, and sweet dew has dropped from the skies. Thus does Heaven give sign and token that Wei shall replace Han." Xu Zhi added: "We who monitor the divine configurations can see that the allotted time of the fire-signed Han has expired. Your Majesty's imperial star has dimmed, while stellar configurations representing Wei, from the cope of Heaven to the margins of the horizon, outnumber all telling. Furthermore, the occult auguries show first the graphs gui, 'ghost, ' and wei, 'consign, ' in association. Thus the supplanting of Han is indisputable.1 Next the auguries show yan, 'word, ' and wu, 'meridian, ' side by side; and finally they show two suns, ri, vertically aligned. The conclusion is clear: Your Majesty must abdicate, for the graphs properly joined together read 'Wei Xuchang' — that is, 'Wei to receive the abdication of Han in the capital at Xuchang.' I beg Your Majesty to take heed."2

  To this Emperor Xian responded, "Your tokens, your graphic riddles—all hollow and preposterous! Would you have me set aside my patrimony on the strength of baseless delusions?"3 Wang Lang came forward next and addressed the throne: "From time immemorial, what has flourished must decay; what has prospered must decline. Every dynasty ends; every house falls. The house of Han has reigned more than four hundred years; with Your Majesty its line expires. Retire
now, do not delay—or who knows what may happen next." Aggrieved, the Emperor retired to his rear chambers. The officials left smirking.

  The next day the courtiers reassembled in the great hall and sent a eunuch to request the presence of Emperor Xian. The sovereign, anxious and fearful, refused to appear. Empress Cao4 said, "How can Your Majesty obstruct an official request to hold court?" The Emperor sobbed as he replied, "Your brother, who intends to usurp my throne, has instructed the officials to coerce me. That is why I will not go." Angrily the Empress said, "How dare my brother commit lese majesty?" As she was speaking, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu, armed, entered and requested the Emperor to appear before the officials in the great hall. The Empress denounced them. "This comes of your sedition and treachery!" she cried. "Angling for wealth and power has led you into treason and conspiracy. Never did my father, whom the world admired above all others for his high and glorious deeds, covet the hallowed instruments of supreme authority. And yet my brother, who has hardly succeeded to the kingship of Wei, boldly yearns to supplant the Han. August and luminous Heaven will never confer its blessing." So saying, the distraught Empress withdrew to her palace, leaving the attendants weeping emotionally.5

  Cao Hong and Cao Xiu strenuously urged the Emperor to attend the court session. Unable to resist further, he donned his formal attire and proceeded to the front of the hall. Hua Xin addressed the throne: "Let Your Majesty be guided by our discussions of yesterday lest disaster strike." The Emperor cried bitterly, "All of you have long enjoyed rich recompense as servants of the Han. Can the many sons and grandsons of renowned vassals among you bear to commit this act of insubordination?" "If Your Majesty will not comply with the consensus," Hua Xin continued, "I fear disorder in the inner sanctum could erupt at any time. This is not a case of our disloyalty to Your Majesty." "Who would dare to murder me?" the Emperor demanded.