The Three Kingdoms: The Sacred Oath

by Luo Guanzhong

  The plan was carried out as he had designed. At midnight Zhang Fei, with his veterans, went to cut off Liu Dai’s road of retreat. The thirty men commanded to start a fire made their way into the camp and were successful. When the flames arose, Liu Dai’s men who had been lying in ambush rushed out to attack, only to find themselves assailed on both sides. This confused them and as they knew nothing of the number of their attackers they were panic-stricken and scattered.

  Liu Dai, with a company of his men, got clear of the fight and fled, but he ran straight into Zhang Fei. Escape was impossible and after only one bout he was captured by Zhang Fei and his men surrendered.

  Zhang Fei immediately sent news of this success to his brothers.

  Liu Bei was very pleased. He said to Guan Yu, “Yi-de’s always been rather impetuous, but this time he’s acted wisely.”

  They rode out of the city to welcome their brother.

  “You said I was too rough; how about now?” said Zhang Fei to his brothers.

  “If I hadn’t put you on your mettle you’d not have developed this stratagem,” said Liu Bei.

  Zhang Fei laughed. Then the captive Liu Dai was brought forth. Liu Bei at once dismounted and loosened the cords. “My young brother was rather hasty. Please pardon him.”

  He was welcomed into the city, where his colleague was also released and both were cared for.

  Liu Bei said to them, “I was forced to put Che Zhou to death when he tried to kill me, but the prime minister mistook it as defection and sent you two generals to punish me. I have received much kindness from him and certainly would not dream of betraying him. I will appreciate it if you can explain this to the prime minister when you get back.”

  “We are deeply grateful that you spare our lives and we will tell the prime minister that we can guarantee your loyalty on the lives of our two households.”

  The next day, the two leaders and their army were allowed to depart unharmed. But before they had gone ten li they heard the beating of drums and there appeared Zhang Fei, barring the road.

  “My brother is not in his right mind. How could he set free you two captives?”

  This made the two men tremble with fear, but as the fierce-eyed warrior with uplifted sword charged toward them they heard another man galloping up and shouting, “Don’t behave so disgracefully!”

  The newcomer was Guan Yu, whose appearance relieved the two men of all fear.

  “Our brother has released them. Why do you disobey his order and try to stop them?” he cried.

  “If they’re let go today they’ll surely come back,” said Zhang Fei.

  “Wait till they do, then you may kill them,” replied Guan Yu.

  The two leaders with one voice cried, “Even if the prime minister slays our whole clan we will never come again. Please pardon us.”

  Zhang Fei said, “If Cao Cao himself comes I’ll destroy him completely. Not even a single fragment of armor will remain. But for this time I leave you your heads.”

  Clapping their hands to their heads the two men scuttled off, while the two brothers returned to the city.

  “Cao Cao will certainly come,” they said.

  Sun Qian advised, “This is not a city that can hold out for long. We should send part of our forces to the two neighboring towns of Xiaopei and Xiapi. The three places can assist each other against Cao Cao.”

  Liu Bei agreed and told Guan Yu to guard Xiapi, to which he also sent his two wives, the ladies Gan and Mi. The former was a native of Xiaopei, while the latter was Mi Zhu’s sister. Sun Qian and three others were left to defend Xuzhou and Liu Bei went to station in Xiaopei with Zhang Fei.

  The two released officers returned to the capital and explained to Cao Cao that Liu Bei had not rebelled. But he became exceedingly angry with them. “You shameful cowards, what use do you have?”

  He roared to the guards to take them away for instant execution.

  How can a dog or a pig expect to conquer in a tiger’s strife?

  Minnows and shrimps that with dragons contend already have done with life.

  The fate of the two officers will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * Works of poetry allegedly composed by two Maos in the beginning of the West Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 24)

  * A powerful eunuch in the Qin Dynasty, who controlled the state after the death of the first emperor of Qin.

  * Wife of Liu Bang, founder of the Han Dynasty, who tried to establish her own rule after her husband’s death.

  * Yuan Shao’s territory included the four prefectures of Jizhou, Youzhou, Qingzhou, and Bingzhou in north China.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Mi Heng Strips and Rails at Cao Cao

  Ji Ping Is Tortured for Poisoning Cao Cao

  At the close of the last chapter the two unsuccessful officers, Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, were in danger of death. However, Kong Rong remonstrated with Cao Cao, saying, “You knew these two men were no match for Liu Bei. If you put them to death because they failed, you will lose the support of your men.”

  Therefore the death sentence was not carried out but they were deprived of rank and status. Cao Cao would have led an army himself to attack Liu Bei, but the weather was too inclement. So it was decided to wait until the spring. In the interval there would be time to arrange peace with Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao.

  So an envoy was sent to Zhang Xiu and in due time he reached his destination. He first had an interview with Jia Xu, to whom he extolled Cao Cao’s virtues. Jia Xu seemed to be impressed, and kept him as a guest at his home.

  The next day the advisor went in to see Zhang Xiu and told him that Cao Cao had sent a messenger to negotiate peace. While the discussion was in progress another messenger from Yuan Shao was announced and he was called in. The man presented Yuan Shao’s letter, which also proposed terms of peace. Jia Xu asked him how his master’s war with Cao Cao was progressing.

  “The war is suspended for the moment on account of the cold weather,” replied the messenger. “As you, General, and Liu Biao are both well respected officers of the state, I have been sent to request your help.”

  Jia Xu laughed. “You can return to your master and say that he could not even tolerate rivalry from his own brother. How could he put up with that of all the officers of the state?”

  So saying he tore the letter into fragments before the messenger’s face and angrily sent him away.

  Zhang Xiu said, “But his master, Yuan Shao, is stronger than Cao Cao. You have torn up his letter and driven away his man. What if he comes to attack us?”

  “Better to join hands with Cao Cao,” said Jia Xu.

  “Between us there is still an unavenged enmity. He will not really accept me.”

  Jia Xu said, “There are three advantages in joining hands with Cao Cao. First, he has an order from the Emperor to restore peace in the country. Secondly, as Yuan Shao is very strong, the little help we can offer will not be appreciated, while we will loom large and be well treated by Cao Cao. Thirdly, Cao Cao has ambitious designs and he will ignore all private feuds in order to impress the whole country of his magnanimity. I hope, General, you will see these things clearly and hesitate no longer.”

  Zhang Xiu was persuaded and received Cao Cao’s messenger, who again eulogized the virtues of his master. “If my master had any thought of the old quarrel he would hardly have sent me to make peace, would he?” he added.

  Zhang Xiu, now convinced, proceeded with Jia Xu to the capital, where formal submission was made. At the interview he bowed low at the entrance, but Cao Cao, hastening forward, took him by the hand and helped him to his feet. “Please forget that little fault of mine,” said Cao Cao.

  Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu were both rewarded with high ranks.

  Cao Cao then asked Zhang Xiu to write to his friend Liu Biao to seek his support.

  Jia Xu said, “Liu Biao favors scholarly men. If some famous scholar can be delegated with the job he would submit immediately.”

  T
hen Xun You suggested that Kong Rong was the right person to take up the task. Cao Cao agreed and sent him to speak with Kong Rong about this.

  Xun You went to see Kong Rong and said, “The prime minister wants a scholar of reputation to act as a messenger to Liu Biao. Can you undertake this task?”

  Kong Rong replied, “I have a friend called Mi Heng whose talents are ten times greater than mine. He ought to be constantly at the side of the Emperor and not merely be sent as a state messenger. I will recommend him to the Emperor.”

  So he wrote the following memorial:

  “I hear great waters flow across the land and the Emperor seeks out men of talent from all directions. In olden times, when Emperor Wu of West Han desired to enlarge his borders, crowds of scholars responded to his call.

  “Being intelligent and holy, Your Majesty ascended the throne. You have fallen upon evil days, but have been diligent, modest, and untiring in your efforts. Now from on high have descended gods and on all sides appear men of genius.

  “I, your humble servant, know of a certain scholar, Mi Heng by name, of Pingyuan, a young man of twenty-four. His moral character is excellent, his talents eminent. As a youth he took a high place in study and penetrated into the very secret of learning. What he saw he could repeat, what he heard once he never forgot. His character conforms with high principles and his thoughts are divine. His mental calculations and mnemonic feats can be compared with the best in history. Loyal and honest, he cherishes the noblest of aspirations. He regards the good with deferential respect, he detests the evil with uncompromising hatred. Even the most renowned officials in ancient days could not surpass him in unflinching candor and severe rectitude.

  “Hundreds of hawks are not worth one osprey. If Mi Heng be given a court appointment, notable results must follow. Ready in debate, quick of speech, his overwhelming intelligence wells up in profusion—in solving problems and unraveling difficulties he has no peer.

  “In former days Jia Yi* asked to be sent to a vassal state to tame its king and Zhong Jun† offered to bring the ruler of a southern kingdom with a long rope. The brave conducts of these youths have been much admired. Examples of extraordinary talents also occur in our time. And Mi Heng is no less capable. Should he be got, then all possibilities may be realized; the dragon may leap into the celestial paths and fly along the Milky Way; fame will extend to the poles of the universe and hang in the firmament with rainbow glory. He will add to the glory of all the officials in court and enhance the majesty of the palace. The music from Heaven must possess fantastic beauty and the palace of the Emperor should contain rare treasures.

  “Men like Mi Heng are rare. As with the singing of the most beautiful songs of old, the best performers are sought, and the fastest horses are looked for by the most skillful judges of horses, so I, ever humble, dare not conceal this man. Your Majesty is careful in the selection of servants and should try him. Let him be summoned as he is, simply clad in his plain robe, and should he not appear worthy then may I be punished for the fault of deception.”

  The Emperor read the memorial and passed it on to Cao Cao, who duly summoned Mi Heng. The young man came, but after his formal salutations were over he was left standing and not invited to sit down. Looking up to heaven he sighed deeply and said, “Wide as the universe is, it cannot produce a single man.”

  “Under my orders are scores of men who are all recognized heroes. What do you mean by saying there is not a single man?” said Cao Cao.

  “I should be glad to hear who they are,” said Mi Heng.

  “Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu are all men of profound wisdom and prophetic vision, superior to Xiao He and Cheng Ping, who served the founder of West Han; Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Yue Jin are bravest warriors, better than the two generals, Cen Peng and Ma Wu, who fought for the first emperor of East Han. Lu Qian and Man Chong are my secretaries; Yue Jin and Xu Huang are my van leaders; Xiahou Dun is one of the country’s marvels, and Cao Ren the most successful officer of the age. Now how can you say there are no men?”

  “Sir, you are quite mistaken,” said Mi Heng with a smile. “I know all these men you have just named. None of them is equal to what I mean by ‘man.’ Xun Yu is qualified only to pose at a funeral or ask after a sick man; Xun You, to be a tomb warden; Cheng Yu, to shut doors and bolt windows; Guo Jia, to recite poems; Zhang Liao, to beat drums and clang gongs; Xu Chu, to lead cattle to pasture; Yue Jin, to be a clerk at a criminal court, and Li Dian, to deliver dispatches and notices; Lu Qian, to make armor; Man Chong, to drink wine and eat brewers’ grains; Yue Jin, to carry planks and build walls; and Xu Huang, to kill pigs and slay dogs. Xiahou Dun should be styled ‘Whole Body’ General and Cao Ren should be called ‘Money-grubbing Prefect.’ As for the remainder, they are mere clothes horses, rice sacks, wine butts, and flesh bags.”

  “And what special gifts do you have?’ said Cao Cao angrily.

  “I know everything in the sky above and the earth beneath. I am conversant with the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. I could make my Emperor the rival of the wise, ancient rulers Yao and Shun and compare in virtue with Confucius and his best disciple, Yan Yuan. Can I be discussed on equal terms with common people?”

  At that moment only Zhang Liao was present at Cao Cao’s side and he raised his sword to slay the impudent speaker but Cao Cao said, “I need a drummer to play on festive occasions. I can use him for the job.”

  Instead of indignantly refusing this role, Mi Heng accepted the position and went out.

  “He was very insolent,” said Zhang Liao, “Why not put him to death?”

  “He enjoys some sort of a reputation and is known to people far and near. If I put him to death, they will say I am intolerant. As he boasts of ability, I have made him a drummer to humble him.”

  A few days later, Cao Cao instituted a banquet to which a great many guests were invited. He gave orders for the new drummer to play. The old drummer told Mi Heng that he should wear new clothes to beat the drum. But Mi Heng took his place with the other musicians clad in old and worn garments. The piece chosen was an old tune and from the very first taps on the drum the effect was exquisite, profound as the notes from metal and stone. The performance stirred so deeply the emotions of the guests that they even shed tears.

  The attendants said sternly, “Why didn’t you put on your new robe?”

  Mi Heng stripped off his frayed and torn robe and stood there facing them, naked as he was born. The assembled guests covered their faces. Then the drummer drew up his under garments.

  “Why do you behave so rudely at this sacred place?” reproached Cao Cao.

  “To flout one’s king and insult one’s superiors is real rudeness,” cried Mi Heng. “I bare the form bestowed to me by my parents to reveal my clean body.”

  “So you are clean! And who is foul?”

  “You do not distinguish between the wise and the foolish, which is to have foul vision; you do not read the Odes or the Histories, which is to have foul speech; you are deaf to honest words, which is to have foul ears; you are not conversant with past and present events, which is to be foul without; you cannot tolerate the nobles, which is to be foul within; you harbor thoughts of rebellion, which is to have a foul heart. I am the most famous scholar in the world and you make me a drummer boy—that is like Yang Huo belittling Confucius or Zang Chang vilifying Mencius. You aspire to be the greatest of nobles, yet you insult men of wisdom like this!”

  Now Kong Rong, who had recommended Mi Heng to the Emperor, was among the guests and he feared for the life of his friend. So he tried to calm the storm.

  “Mi Heng is as guilty as a common prisoner,” he said slowly. “He is not worth your notice, sir.”

  Pointing to Mi Heng, Cao Cao said, “I will send you to Jingzhou as my messenger and if Liu Biao surrenders to me I will give you a post at court.”

  But Mi Heng would not go. So Cao Cao ordered two of his men to go with him. They were to prepare three horses, set M
i Heng in the middle one and drag him along the road between them.

  On the day they departed Cao Cao told his subordinates of various ranks to assemble at the east gate to see the messenger start. Xun Yu said, “When Mi Heng comes we will not rise to salute him.”

  So when Mi Heng came, dismounted, and entered the waiting room, they all sat stiff and silent. Mi Heng wailed loudly.

  “Why are you doing that?” asked Xun Yu.

  “Should not one wail when one walks among corpses in coffins?” said Mi Heng.

  “We may be corpses,” they cried together, “but you are a headless wild ghost.”

  “I am an official of Han and I will not be a partisan of Cao Cao’s,” he said. “How can I have no head?”

  They were so angry that they wanted to kill him, but Xun Yu checked them. “He is but a paltry thing, not worth soiling your blades with.”

  “I may be paltry yet I still have the soul of a man and you are mere worms,” said Mi Heng.

  They all went away very angry.

  Mi Heng began his journey and presently reached Jingzhou, where he saw Liu Biao. But under the pretense of extolling his virtue, he held him in derision. Liu Biao was annoyed and sent him away to see Huang Zu.

  “Why didn’t you put the fellow to death for his impudence?” asked his men.

  Liu Biao explained, “Mi Heng ridiculed Cao Cao several times, but Cao Cao did not kill him for fear of losing popular favor. So he sent him to me in an attempt to use my hand to slay him so that I will suffer the loss of my good name. Now I have sent him on to Huang Zu to let Cao Cao see that I have seen through his scheme.” His clever caution met with general approval.

  At that time a messenger from Yuan Shao also arrived with proposals for an alliance and it was necessary to decide which side to support. All the advisors were called together to consider the question.

  Han Song said, “Now that the two powerful men Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are at war with each other, it is your chance, General, to destroy them and accomplish your own great plans. But if you have no schemes for the present, then I think you should choose to support the one that is more likely to win the war. Now Cao Cao is an able general and has many capable men in his service. It seems to me that he may destroy Yuan Shao and then move his armies across the river. I fear, General, that you would be unable to withstand him. So I think it would be wise to support Cao Cao. He will treat you with respect.”