The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: An Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation

by Luo Guanzhong

  Zhong Hui agreed and told Jiang Wei to take armed guards to execute the captives. But just as he was starting out, Jiang Wei was seized with a sudden pain of the heart, so severe that he fainted. The attendants helped him up but he did not revive until after a long while. Then suddenly a tremendous hubbub arose outside the palace. Zhong Hui at once sent someone to find out its cause, but at that moment cries of war shook the earth and multitudes of troops rushed up from every direction.

  “That must be the officers in mutiny,” said Jiang Wei. “Slay them at once.”

  But it was reported that the troops had already entered the palace. Zhong Hui ordered the gates to be closed and told his men to climb up to the roof to pelt the incoming soldiers with tiles. Dozens were slain on either side.

  Then fire broke out on all sides outside the palace and the assailants broke open the gates. Zhong Hui drew his sword and slew several, but was shot by an arrow and he fell. His enemies hacked off his head.

  Jiang Wei, taking his sword, ran up the hall and fought the enemy on every side. But unfortunately he suffered another heart spasm.

  Turning to Heaven, he cried, “My plan has failed. This is the will of Heaven.”

  These were his last words. He put an end to his life with his own sword. He was fifty-nine years old.

  Several hundred were slain within the palace. Wei Guan presently ordered the soldiers to return to their various camps to await the orders of the Emperor. The soldiers of Wei, out of revenge, slit open the abdomen of Jiang Wei and found his gall as large as an egg. They also seized and slew Jiang Wei’s family members.

  Seeing that Deng Ai’s enemies had perished, his former subordinates hastened to chase the cage carts to rescue him. When Wei Guan heard of this, he feared for his own life.

  “I was the one who arrested him,” said Wei Guan. “If he gets free it means my death.”

  Tian Xu said to him, “When Deng Ai took Jiangyou he wished to put me to death. It was only after the pleading of my comrades that he let me off. This is the moment for my revenge.”

  So at the head of five hundred men Tian Xu went in pursuit of the cage-carts. He caught up with them at Mianzhu, where he found that the two prisoners had just been released from the carts and were on their way to Chengdu. When he saw Tian Xu, Deng Ai assumed that his own troops had come up, so he took no precaution to defend himself. Before he could ask any questions he was cut down by Tian Xu, whose men fell upon the son, Deng Zhong, and slew him also. Later a poem was written to lament over Deng Ai:

  From early years he could scheme and plan;

  He was an able commander as a man.

  The earth could hide no secrets from his eye,

  With equal skill he read the starry sky.

  Mountains and hills cleft as his horse rode up

  And roads opened when his troops arrived.

  But foulest murder closed a great career,

  His soul curls amid the mist o’er River Han.

  A poem was also composed in lamentation for Zhong Hui:

  Of mother-wit Zhong had no scanty share,

  And in due time at court did office bear.

  His subtle plans shook Sima’s hold on power,

  He was well named the Zi-fang* of the hour.

  At Shouchun he won renown for his schemes,

  In Sword Pass he displayed his martial skills.

  Ambitious, he would not in the hills roam;

  Now his wandering spirit grieves for home.

  Another poem, in pity of Jiang Wei, runs:

  Tianshui boasted of a distinguished hero,

  Liangzhou produced an unusual talent.

  For ancestor he claimed the famed Jiang Shang,†

  And in skill he was tutored by Zhuge Liang,

  So valiant was he that he feared nothing,

  Always pressing forward and never returning,

  Grieved were the generals of Han

  When he died in Chengdu that day.

  And thus died three great warriors. Zhang Yi and some other officers also perished in the fight. Liu Rui, the Heir Apparent, and Guan Yi, grandson of Guan Yu, were both killed by Wei troops. A great confusion followed and there were clashes between the army and the people, resulting in numerous deaths.

  Ten days later Jia Chong arrived. He put out notices to pacify the people and order was finally restored. He left Wei Guan in defense of the city of Chengdu and took the captive Second Ruler to Luoyang. Few officials accompanied the deposed Second Ruler on this disgraceful journey. Liao Hua and Dong Jue pleaded illness as an excuse not to go. They died of grief later.

  At this time the reign-style of Wei was changed from the fifth year of Jing Yuan to the first year of Xian Xi. In the third month of that year, Ding Feng, the veteran general of Wu, seeing that Shu had already been destroyed, called back his relief force and returned to his own country.

  At the Wu court, an official named Hua Jiao said to the Emperor, “Wu and Shu were as close as are lips and teeth, and ‘when the lips are gone the teeth are cold.’ Without doubt Sima Zhao will attack us at any moment. I beg Your Majesty to strengthen the defenses to guard against his invasion.”

  The Emperor shared his view, so he appointed Lu Kang, son of the able commander Lu Xun, General–Guardian of the East, Prefect of Jingzhou, and entrusted him with the defense of the Yangtze. General Sun Yi was sent to hold the strategic points in and around Nanxu. As a further precaution hundreds of camps were set up along the riverbanks, with the veteran general Ding Feng in full control, to guard against Wei troops.

  When Huo Yi, Prefect of Jianning, heard that Chengdu had fallen, he put on a mourning robe of white and, facing west toward the capital, he wept for three days.

  “Now that the Emperor has lost his throne, why not surrender at once?” suggested his officers.

  Huo Yi replied in tears, “With all links cut, I don’t know the fate of our lord, whether he is safe or not. If the ruler of Wei treats him with courtesy, then it will not be too late for me to yield the city. But if the captors put him to shame, then it is my duty to die, but not to surrender.”

  The others agreed and a man was sent to Luoyang to find out the fate of their former ruler.

  It happened that when Liu Shan, the Second Ruler, reached the capital of Wei, Sima Zhao had already returned from Chang’an. At court Sima Zhao upbraided him: “You indulged yourself in dissipation, dismissed the wise, and misgoverned your country. For these faults you ought to be executed.”

  Hearing this, Liu Shan turned ashen with fear, not knowing how to respond.

  But the courtiers said, “Although he has misruled his country, he has fortunately rendered a timely surrender. He now deserves pardon.”

  Following their counsel Sima Zhao created Liu Shan Duke of Anle (Comfort), and assigned him a residence and a revenue, as well as a gift of 10,000 rolls of silk and a hundred maids and servants. His son, Liu Yao, and the officials who had accompanied him into exile were given noble ranks. Liu Shan thanked him and took his leave. But Huang Hao, for the crimes of undermining the country and oppressing the people, was cruelly put to death in public. When news of all this reached Huo Yi, Prefect of Jianning, he came with a retinue to yield to Wei.

  The next day Liu Shan went to the residence of Sima Zhao to express his gratitude again, and the latter gave a banquet to entertain him. At the banquet music and dances from Wei were performed first and all the guests from Shu felt sad—except Liu Shan, who looked quite at ease. Then Sima Zhao had artists from Shu perform their own dances and music before the guests. As they watched tears rolled down their faces, but their lord, utterly unaffected, laughed merrily.

  After drinking for some time, Sima Zhao said to Jia Chong: “How un-feeling he is! Even if Zhuge Liang had lived, he could not have maintained his rule for long, let alone Jiang Wei.”

  Turning to Liu Shan, Sima Zhao asked, “Do you miss Shu?”

  “I am so happy here that I do not miss Shu at all,” replied Liu Shan.

  Presently
Liu Shan rose and left the table for a while. Xi Zheng followed him outside and said, “How could you say that you do not miss Shu, Your Majesty? If he asks you again, say in tears, ‘The tomb of my father is far away in Shu and not a single day passes without my heart grieving for the west.’ Then he will let you return to Shu.”

  Liu Shan memorized his words and went back to the banquet table. When he was a little intoxicated with wine, Sima Zhao raised the same question again, to which Liu Shan replied as he had been instructed. He also tried to weep, but failed to produce a tear, so he shut his eyes.

  “How come you sound so much like Xi Zheng?” remarked his host.

  “Yes, it is just as you say,” replied Liu Shan in surprise, opening his eyes.

  Sima Zhao and his attendants all laughed. This convinced Sima Zhao of Liu Shan’s honesty and felt that he had nothing to fear from him.

  He pursued pleasure and joy, his face lit with smiles;

  Ne’er did he have the slightest grief for his lost empire.

  Happy in an alien land, his home state out of his mind.

  How unfit he was to sit on the throne, all said.

  The courtiers of Wei thought that so grand an exploit as the conquest of the west was worthy of higher honor, so they petitioned the ruler of Wei to confer a princedom on Sima Zhao. At that time, Cao Huan ruled in name only, for all matters of the state were decided by Sima Zhao, whose will the Emperor himself dared not cross. And so, in due course, Sima Zhao became Prince of Jin.

  Sima Zhao’s wife was the daughter of Wang Su. They had two sons. The elder son was named Sima Yan, who was a man of a very powerful build, his flowing hair reaching to the ground when he stood up, and his arms hanging below his knees. He was intelligent, handsome, and very brave. The second son, Sima You, was of a mild disposition, a filial son, and a dutiful brother. His father loved him dearly. As Sima Shi had no heir, this youth became his adopted son to continue the family line.

  Sima Zhao respected his elder brother very much and used to say that the empire belonged to his brother. Therefore after he received the prince-dom, he wanted to name his younger son his heir.

  “It is improper to cast aside the elder and set up the younger,” objected one of his followers. “It will only cause trouble.”

  Jia Chong and two others argued in the same strain. “Your elder son is intelligent and imperial in appearance, with talents beyond his age. Men place high hopes in him and Heaven bestows him majestic looks. He is certainly destined not to serve under another.”

  Sima Zhao hesitated. But two other officials of rank also expressed their opposition. “In former dynasties, the installing of a younger son resulted in trouble for the country. Pray reflect upon this.”

  Finally persuaded, Sima Zhao named his son Yan his successor.

  At court a high-ranking official addressed Sima Zhao: “Some time ago a giant descended from the sky in the town of Xiangwu. The figure was twenty feet (six meters) tall and his footprint measured over three feet two inches (one meter). He had white hair and a hoary beard. He wore an un-lined yellow robe and a yellow scarf. In his hand he held a black-handled staff to help him walk. This extraordinary man declared, ‘I am the king of men and I have a message for you: When a change of ruler occurs, peace will reign at once. Then he roamed the town for three days and then suddenly vanished.

  “Evidently this indicates felicity to yourself, Your Highness. Now you should wear the imperial headdress with twelve strings of pearls, raise the imperial banner, and have the roads cleared when you go out. You should ride in the golden-shafted carriage with six horses. Your consort should be styled ‘Queen’ and your heir the ‘Heir Apparent.’”

  Sima Zhao was greatly pleased in his heart. He returned to his palace, but just as he was going to have his meal, he suddenly had a stroke and lost all speech. By the following day he was dying. Many court officials, led by the three most important courtiers Wang Xiang, He Zeng, and Xun Kai, came to inquire after his health, but he could not say a word. He pointed at his heir, Sima Yan, then died. It was the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month.

  He Zeng said, “The care of the state devolves upon the Prince of Jin—let us first put his heir in place. Then we can arrange for the funeral.”

  Thus Sima Yan was set up in his father’s place. He Zeng was appointed prime minister and three others were given important posts. The posthumous title of “Prince Wen” was conferred upon his late father, Sima Zhao.

  After the funeral rites were performed, Sima Yan summoned Jia Chong and Pei Xiu into his palace and said, “Cao Cao once said, ‘Even if Heaven’s mandate rests upon me, I will be another Duke Wen of Zhou.’* Did he really say that?”

  Jia Chong replied, “Cao Cao and his ancestors had long been in the service of Han. He said these words because he feared lest posterity should reproach him with usurpation. It was apparent that he intended to let his son Cao Pi become emperor.”

  “How did my father compare with Cao Cao?” asked Sima Yan.

  Jia Chong answered, “Although Cao Cao excelled in his achievements, yet people feared him for his power and credited him with no virtue. His son Cao Pi succeeded him, during whose rule forced labor was common and people were driven hither and thither without any peace for a single year. Later your grandfather and your uncle repeatedly scored great successes and treated the people with compassion, who had long regarded them as their leaders. Your late father overcame Shu in the west and his merit surpassed all throughout the country. How could Cao Cao compare with him?”

  Sima Yan said, “Cao Pi could continue the rule of Han—can I not continue that of Wei?”

  The two counselors bowed low and said, “It is perfectly right that Your Highness should take as a precedent Cao Pi’s inheritance of the rule of Han and do as he did. Erect an altar, make a proclamation to the whole country, and ascend the throne.”

  Sima Yan was delighted. The next day he entered the palace armed with his sword. Cao Huan, the Emperor, had held no court for several days, for he was feeling ill at ease and full of dread. When Sima Yan appeared, the Emperor hurriedly rose from his place and advanced to welcome him.

  Sima Yan sat down and asked, “By whose efforts did Wei win the kingdom?”

  “By the efforts of the father and grandfather of the Prince of Jin,” replied the Emperor.

  Sima Yan smiled. “Your Majesty, you have neither the talent of a scholar to run a government nor the skill of a commander to defend a kingdom. Why not step down and let another who is more able and virtuous rule?”

  The Emperor was dumbfounded. Beside him stood an official named Zhang Jie, who cried, “You are wrong to speak like this. In the old days, Emperor Wu (Cao Cao) fought east and west, north and south, and won the kingdom by strenuous efforts. The present Emperor is virtuous and without fault. Why should he yield his place to another?”

  Sima Yan replied angrily, “The imperial right belongs to the Hans, and Cao Cao coerced the Emperor and controlled the lords. He made himself Prince of Wei and usurped the throne of Han. Three generations of my forefathers upheld the house of Wei. It is well known that they owe their kingdom to the efforts of us Simas, and not to their own abilities. Am I not entitled to continue the rule of Wei?”

  “If you do this you will be a traitor who usurped the throne,” Zhang Jie said, denouncing him.

  Sima Yan flared up in wrath. “I am avenging the Hans. What is wrong with that?”

  He ordered guards to drag Zhang Jie down and beat him to death. The Emperor, weeping, knelt down and pleaded.

  Sima Yan rose and left. The Emperor turned to Jia Chong and Pei Xiu. “This is a crisis. What should I do?”

  They replied, “Your Majesty, the spell of your good fortune is over and you cannot oppose the will of Heaven. You must abdicate as Emperor Xian of Han once did. Rebuild the altar of abdication and prepare a great ceremony to formally request the Prince of Jin to accept the throne, so as to comply with Heaven’s mandate and satisfy the desire of the people. Mor
eover, your personal safety will be guaranteed.”

  The Emperor could only accept this advice, and Jia Chong was entrusted with the building of the altar. The first day of the twelfth month was chosen for the ceremony. On that day the Emperor stood on the altar, with the imperial seal in his hand, in the presence of a great assembly.

  As Wei displaced Han, so Jin devoured Wei.

  Thus turns fate’s wheel, none its grinding escapes.

  Zhang Jie the true stood in the way and died.

  Vain hope with one small hand to block out Mount Tai!

  Then Sima Yan was requested to ascend the altar, and there received the seal. Cao Huan then descended and took his place at the head of the assembly, dressed in a robe that befitted his new role as an official.

  Sima Yan now sat upright on the altar, while Jia Chong and Pei Xiu stood on his two sides, sword in hand. Cao Huan was ordered to prostrate himself and listen to the command.

  Jia Chong read: “Forty-five years have elapsed since in the twenty-fifth year of the period of Jian An Wei inherited the throne from Han. But the favor of Heaven has left Wei and reverted to Jin. The merits and virtues of the Sima family reach to the high heavens and pervade the earth. The Prince of Jin is fitted for the throne and so to continue the rule. Now you are given the title of Prince of Chenliu; you are to proceed at once to reside in the city of Jinyong. You are forbidden to come to the capital unless summoned.”

  Cao Huan thanked the new Emperor and withdrew tearfully.

  Weeping, Sima Fu (uncle of Sima Zhao) bowed before the deposed Emperor and promised eternal devotion. “I have been a servant of Wei and will never betray it.”

  Seeing this, the new Emperor conferred the title of Prince of Tranquillity to Sima Fu, but he refused and withdrew.

  The new Emperor was now seated in his place, and all the officials and officers bowed before him and shouted again and again: “Long live the Emperor!”