Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  “But at our lord's command we travel, even through fire and water; we never decline,” replied Zhang Song.

  “What sort of a country is this Yiazhou?”

  “Yiazhou is a name for the group of western counties and territories known of old as the state of Shu. The roads are intersected by streams, and the land bristles with steep mountains. The circuit is over two hundred stations and marches and the area over one hundred thousand square miles. The population is dense, villages being so close that the crowings of cocks in one waken the people in the next, and the dogs barking in this excite the curs in that. The soil is rich and well cultivated, and droughts or famines are equally unknown. Prosperity is general and the music of pipes and strings can always be heard. The produce of the fields is piled mountain high. There is no place its equal.”

  “But what of the people?”

  “Our administrators are talented as Sima Xiangru; our soldiers able as Ma Yuan; our physicians are expert as Zhang Ji; our diviners are profound as Yan Zun. Our schools of philosophy and our culture stand forth as models, and we have more remarkable people than I can enumerate. How should I ever finish the tale of them?”

  “And how many such as you, Sir, do you think there are at the orders of your Imperial Protector?”

  “Our officers are all geniuses: wise, bold, loyal, righteous, and magnanimous. As for poor simpletons like me, they are counted by hundreds; there are cartloads of them, bushels of them. No one could count them.”

  “What office may you hold then?” Zhang Song replied, “Mine can hardly be called an office. I am a Supernumerary Charioteer. But, Sir, what state affairs may you control?”

  “I am the First Secretary in the Palace of the Prime Minister,” replied Yang Xiu.

  “They say that members of your family held office for many generations, and I do not understand why you are not in court service actually assisting the Emperor, instead of filling the post of a mere clerk in the private palace of the Prime Minister.”

  Yang Xiu's face suffused with shame at this rebuke, but he mastered himself and replied, “Though I am among the minor officials, yet my duties are of great importance, and I am gaining experience under the Prime Minister's guidance. I hold the office for the sake of the training.”

  Zhang Song smiled, saying, “If what I have heard is true, Cao Cao's learning throws no gleaming light on the way of Confucius or Mencius, nor does his military skill illumine the art of Sun Zi or Wu Qi. He seems to understand the doctrine of brute force and holding on to what advantages he can seize, but I see not how he can give you any valuable training or enlighten your understanding.”

  “Ah, Sir; that comes of dwelling in out-of-the-way parts. How could you know of the magnificent talents of the great Prime Minister? But I will show you something.”

  Yang Xiu called up an attendant and bade him bring a book from a certain case. He showed this to his guest, who read the title “The New Book of Cao Cao”. Then Zhang Song opened it and read it through from the beginning, the whole thirteen chapters. They all dealt with the art of war.

  “What do you take this to be?” asked Zhang Song, when he had finished.

  “This is the great Prime Minister's discussion of the art of ancient and modern war composed on the model of Sun Zi's Treatise on the Art of War. You may be disdainful of the Prime Minister's talents, but will this not go down to posterity?”

  “This book! Every child in Yiazhou knows this by heart. What do you mean by calling it a new book? It was written by some obscure person of the time of the Warring States, and Cao Cao has plagiarized it. But he has deceived no one but you, Sir.”

  “But what is the use of your sarcastic insult in saying that your school children know the book by rote? It has never been given to the world, although copies have been made. It belongs to his private library.”

  “Do you disbelieve me? Why, I know it and could repeat it.”

  Then Zhang Song repeated the whole book, word for word, from beginning to end.

  Yang Xiu said, “You remember it like this after only one reading! Really you are marvelous.”

  He boasted not a handsome face,

  Nor was his body blessed with grace.

  His words streamed like a waterfall,

  He read a book and knew it all.

  Shu's glories could he well rehearse,

  His lore embraced the universe.

  Or text or note of scholiast

  Once read, his memory held fast. At leave-taking Yang Xiu said, “Remain a while in your lodgings till I can petition our Prime Minister to give you another interview.”

  Zhang Song thanked him and left. By and bye Yang Xiu went to see Cao Cao on the matter of receiving the emissary from the west and said, “Sir, why did you formerly treat Zhang Song so off-hand?”

  “He spoke very rudely; that is why.”

  “But you bore with Mi Heng; why not with this man?”

  “Mi Heng's reputation for scholarship stood highest of all, and I could not bear to put him to death. But what ability has this Zhang Song?”

  “To say nothing about his speech being like the River of Heaven, nothing daunts his talent for dialectic. I happened to show him your new treatise; he read it over once and could repeat it. From this, it is evident he is cultured and has a prodigious memory. There are few like him in the world. But he said the book was the work of an obscure person of a few hundred years back, and every school child in his country knew it.”

  “It only shows that the ancients and I are in secret sympathy,” replied Cao Cao.

  However, Cao Cao ordered the book to be torn up and burned.

  “Then may I bring him to see you, Sir, that he may see the glory of our court.”

  Cao Cao grudgingly consented, saying “I am reviewing troops tomorrow on the western parade ground. You may bring him there and let him see what my army looks like. He will be able to talk about it when he goes home. When I have dealt with the south, I shall take the west in hand.”

  Hence the very next day Yang Xiu took Zhang Song over to the west parade ground, where a review of the Tiger Guard was to be held. There were fifty thousand of them, and when drawn up in order, they made a very brave show with their gleaming helmets and bright new uniforms. Their drums rolled to shake the heavens, and their weapons glittered in the sun. Their discipline and order were perfect; their gay banners fluttered in the breeze. They looked ready to fly even, so alert and smart were they.

  Zhang Song glanced at them contemptuously. After a long time Cao Cao called up Zhang Song and, pointing to his army, said, “Have you ever seen such fine bold fellows in Yiazhou?”

  “We never see this military parade in Yiazhou; we govern the people by righteousness.”

  Cao Cao changed color and looked hard at the bold speaker, who gazed back at him without the least sign of fear.

  Yang Xiu shot a quick glance at Zhang Song, but Cao Cao went on, saying, “I regard the rat-class of the world as of no more importance than so many weeds, and for my army to reach a place is to overcome it, to give battle is to conquer, to besiege is to take. Those who are with me, live; but those who oppose me, die. Do you understand?”

  “O Prime Minister, I know well that when you march out your army, you always conquer. I knew it when you attacked Lu Bu at Puyang; and when you fought Zhang Xiu at Wancheng; and when you met Zhou Yu at the Red Cliffs; and when in Huarong Valley encountered Guan Yu; and on that day when you cut off your beard and threw away your robe at Tong Pass; and when you hid in a boat to escape the arrows on the River Wei. On all these occasions, no one could stand against you.”

  It made Cao Cao very angry to be thus twitted with his misfortunes and he said, “You stuck-up pedant! How dare you thus bring up all my failures?”

  Cao Cao called to his attendants to eject the bold disputant and put him to death.

  Yang Xiu ventured to argue with him, saying, “You may behead him, but he came from the west bearing tribute, and his death would have a very evil
effect on all distant peoples.”

  But Cao Cao was too angry to be reasonable and persisted. However, Xun Yu also remonstrated, and Zhang Song was not put to death. But he was beaten and ejected. He returned to his lodging and left the city that night, reflecting upon what he had intended and what he had accomplished.

  Thought he, “I did not expect such arrogance when I came with the intention of giving him a region. When I get back, Liu Zhang will expect great things. Now I am returning empty handed and a failure to endure the laughter of my fellow country people. I will not go back. I have heard of the virtues of Liu Bei, and I will go to him and see what manner of man he is. Then I can decide what to do.”

  So with his little escort and following he made for Jingzhou. He had reached the boundaries of Wuchang when he met a body of horsemen, at the head of whom rode a general in simple undress, who pulled up, saying, “Surely you are the Charioteer Zhang Song.”

  “I am he,” said Zhang Song.

  The general quickly dismounted and humbly said, “I have expected you these many days. I am Zhao Yun.”

  Zhang Song dismounted and returned the salutation, saying, “Then you are no other than the Fine Man of Changshan.”

  “No other,” was the reply. “And my lord Liu Bei bade me await you here and offer you refreshment after your long and toilsome journey.”

  At this some soldiers brought forward wine and food which they offered kneeling.

  Zhang Song said, “I am come because the world says Liu Bei is liberal and kindly disposed.”

  After a few cups of wine, the two retook the road toward Jingzhou City, which they neared next day at evening. They went to the guest-house. Here they found a large number of people who received the visitor with the beating of drums and every sign of respect.

  And the officer in command, bowing low, said, “My brother sent me to meet you after your long and dusty journey and prepare the guest-house for your reception. My name is Guan Yu.”

  So Zhang Song and Zhao Yun dismounted and entered the guest-house, where hosts and guest exchanged formal salutations and took their seats. In a short time refreshments were served, and both men were most diligent in their attention to the traveler. This roadside banquet was prolonged to the time of setting the watch, when they prepared for rest.

  Next morning, after the early meal, they mounted and continued their journey. Very soon they met Liu Bei himself, with an escort, and his two chief advisers, deferentially standing by the roadside. As soon as he recognized them, Zhang Song dismounted and walked toward them. Liu Bei received him with extreme respect.

  “Your exalted name has been long known to me;” said Liu Bei, “it has reverberated through my ears. My one regret is that cloudy hills and long distances have hitherto prevented me from enjoying the advantage of your instruction. Hearing that you were passing through, I have come to meet you; and if you would be willing to notice me and condescend to rest for a time in my city, thus allowing me to satisfy my long disappointed desire to see you, I should indeed hold myself fortunate.”

  Naturally the traveler's vanity was tickled, and he joyfully remounted. They rode bridle to bridle into the city. When they reached the residence, again they exchanged profound salutations and compliments before they took their various places as host and guest. And then a banquet was served. But all throughout Liu Bei refrained from saying a word about the west; he only chatted on general and common things.

  The visitor noted this steady avoidance and resolved to probe his host's thoughts.

  “How many counties are there in Jingzhou, where you are now, O Imperial Uncle?”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “Jingzhou is only ours temporarily; we have borrowed it from the South Land. They are always sending messengers to demand its return. However, now that our lord has married their daughter, his position is more secure. But it is still temporary.”

  “The South Land is large,” said Zhang Song, “yet their six territories and their eighty-one counties do not satisfy them. The people are strong and the land is fruitful.”

  Said Pang Tong, “Our lord, being of the dynastic family, has never occupied a territory of the empire. Those others, thievish as they are, may indeed seize upon as much territory as they are strong enough to hold, but such deeds are not according to the wise person's heart.”

  “Noble Sirs, pray say no more; what virtue have I that I should expect anything from the future?” said Liu Bei.

  “Not so, indeed,” said Zhang Song. “Illustrious Sir, you are of the lineage of Han; your noble character is widely known. No one could say that your fate excludes all thoughts of occupying territory, where you might begin to set up authority and take an emperor's position.”

  Liu Bei deprecated such a suggestion, “Sir, you go too far; this really is too much.”

  The next three days were spent in banquets and wine parties, but all the time no mention was made of the Western Land of Rivers. And when, at the end of that time, Zhang Song took leave, his host was at the three-mile “parting road” to bid him farewell and offer refreshment.

  When the moment came for the parting, Liu Bei raised his wine-cup and said, “I am sincerely grateful that you deigned to come here. You have prolonged your visit to three days, but now the moment of parting has come. Who knows when I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions again?”

  As Liu Bei said this, the tears flowed, but he hid them while 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. Quite overcome, Zhang Song decided to speak about the west.

  So he said, “I have thought that I, too, would come to you one day, but so far I have found no way. In Jingzhou I see Sun Quan on the east, always ready to pounce; I see Cao Cao on the north, greedy to swallow. So this is not a wholly desirable place for you to remain in.”

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

  “Yiazhou is well protected, has much fertile soil, is populous and well governed. Its scholars are attracted by your virtue. If you marched your armies westward, you could easily become a real power there and restore the glory of the Hans.”

  “But how dare I attempt this? The ruler is also of the Imperial House. The whole region is devoted to him for his good deeds, and no other person could attain such a hold.”

  “I am no traitor,” said Zhang Song, “but in your presence I feel constrained to be perfectly open and plain. Liu Zhang, the Imperial Protector of Yiazhou, is naturally weak and can neither use the wise nor employ the capable. Then again Zhang Lu threatens the north. People are distracted and would gladly welcome an appreciative ruler. The journey I have just made was to propose to support Cao Cao and place the region under him, but I found him rebellious and set on evil, proud and arrogant. So I have turned aside to you. If you will take Yiazhou, you will have a base from which to deal with Hanzhong when you will, and the whole country beside. You will continue the rightful line, and your name will live in history. Would not that be real fame? If then you think of taking our country, 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 Imperial Protector being a member of the family, I should lay myself open to general execration, were I to attack him.”

  “When a hero finds himself in the world, his duty is to work out his destiny, to exert himself and perform his task as best as he can, to press forward among the foremost. At the moment the position is that, if you fail to seize this opportunity, some other will take possession of Yiazhou, and you will regret when too late.”

  “And I have heard much of the difficult nature of the country, its many high mountains and numerous streams, and its narrow roads. How could such a country be invaded?”

  Then Zhang Song drew the map from his sleeve, saying, “I am so deeply affected by your virtue that I offer you this map of the country, whereby its
roads and rivers may be known.”

  Liu Bei unrolled the map; it was covered with notes, on the lie of the land, lengths and widths, and such matters. Strategic points on rivers and hills were shown, and store-houses and granaries and treasuries. Everything was plainly stated.

  Zhang Song went on, “Sir, you can prepare your plans promptly. I have two 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.

  Said he, “As the blue mountains grow not old and the green waters always remain, so shall I never forget. And when I shall have accomplished my task, you shall have no mean reward.”

  Replied Zhang Song, “I look for no reward. Having met with an enlightened lord, I felt compelled to unbosom myself to him.” Zhang Song left soon after, and Guan Yu escorted him for several miles.

  After arrival in Yiazhou, Zhang Song lost no time in sending for his friends, Fa Zheng and Meng Da. The former was the first to come, and he was told of Cao Cao's arrogance and haughtiness toward humans of parts.

  “As for the man himself,” said Zhang Song, “he is a man to grieve with but not a person to rejoice with. I have promised Yiazhou to Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, and I want your especial advice and assistance.”

  “I think Liu Zhang is incapable,” said Fa Zheng, “and I have felt drawn to Liu Bei for some time past. So we are in sympathy here.”

  Shortly after Meng Da arrived. Meng Da and Fa Zheng were fellow townsmen. When Meng Da entered the room and saw the other two in earnest and secret conversation, he said, “I know what you two are about; you are scheming to hand over Yiazhou to somebody.”

  “It is really so; you have guessed right,” said Zhang Song.

  “But to whom ought it to go?” said Fa Zheng.

  “There is but one: Liu Bei,” said Meng Da.

  All three clapped their hands and laughed.

  Then said Fa Zheng to Zhang Song, “You will see our lord tomorrow; what about that?”