Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  The late Emperor Xian controlled his emotion, thanked the Emperor Pi for his clemency and left on horseback. But those who saw the departure could not help a feeling of pity for him.

  Said Cao Pi to his courtiers, “Now I understand the story of Shun and Yu.”

  Then they all shouted: “O ruler, may thy life be eternal!”

  The ruling policy of Han had failed them,

  Dangers pressed in upon the House,

  And the land they had held so long

  Passed from them forever.

  Little thought he, who then snatched their scepter,

  That the precedent he then claimed

  Would be used in due time by another

  To justify the destruction of his own House.

  The officials then requested Cao Pi to make a solemn declaration to Heaven and Earth, which he did with humble obeisance.

  But at this moment a sudden storm burst whirling up the dust and rolling along stones till no one could see the face of his neighbor. All the lights on the terrace were extinguished. The newly enthroned Emperor was terrified and fell prostrate. He was borne away unconscious. When he revived, he was assisted into the palace, but for many days he was too ill to hold a court.

  When he had somewhat recovered, he met his courtiers and received their felicitations. He rewarded Hua Xin, who had taken so active and prominent a part in the late scenes, with the post of Minister of Instruction, and Wang Lang with that of Minister of Works. All the officers were advanced in rank. But as his recovery was slow, he began to think there was too much witchcraft about the palaces at Xuchang and left it for Luoyang, where he erected a large palace complex.

  The tale of these doings reached Chengdu and caused great grief to the Prince of Hanzhong, for it was told him the late Emperor had been put to death. He issued an order for mourning to be worn and instituted sacrifices, and he conferred the posthumous title of Emperor Xian the Filial on the late Emperor. This worry brought on an illness, so that he could not transact the business of the court, which was left in the hands of Zhuge Liang.

  Then Zhuge Liang and some of his colleagues took counsel one with another, saying, “The empire cannot be one single day without its ruler, wherefore we desire that our Prince should be honored with the title of 'Emperor.'“

  Qiao Zhou said, “There have been auspicious indications. A yellow vapor has been seen in the northwest of Chengdu rising to the clouds, and the star of emperor has greatly increased in splendor and shined like the moon. These signs mean that our Prince is to become Emperor in succession to the House of Han. There can be no doubt.”

  Whereupon Zhuge Liang and Xu Jing, at the head of a large number of officers, presented a memorial requesting the Prince to assume the title of Emperor. But Liu Bei objected.

  “O Nobles, do you desire to set my feet in the way of disloyalty and wrong-doing?”

  “Not so,” said Zhuge Liang. “But Cao Pi has usurped the Throne, while you are a scion of the House. It is right and proper that you succeed and prolong the line.”

  But the Prince suddenly showed anger, saying, “Can I imitate the deeds of such a rebel?”

  He rose and left the chamber, going to his own apartments. So the officials dispersed. But three days later Zhuge Liang again led a deputation to the court, and they requested that the Prince should come forth and hear them. He came, and they all prostrated themselves.

  Xu Jing spoke, “The late Emperor of the Hans has been slain by Cao Pi. You, O Prince, will fail both in loyalty and rectitude if you do not assume the succession and destroy the wrong-doers. The whole empire requests you to rule that you may avenge the death of the late Emperor, and the people will be disappointed if you do not accede to their wishes.”

  The Prince replied, “Although I am descended from the grandson of Emperor Myers, I have not been of the least advantage; and if I assumed the title of 'Emperor,' how would that act differ from usurpation?”

  Zhuge Liang pleaded with him again and again, but the Prince remained obdurate. Then Zhuge Liang bethought that where argument failed a ruse might succeed. So having arranged the parts his several colleagues were to play, he pleaded illness and remained at home. Presently it was told the Prince that his adviser's condition was becoming serious, wherefore Liu Bei went to see him as he lay on his couch.

  “What illness affects you, my Commander-in-Chief?” asked Liu Bei.

  “My heart is sad like unto burning, and I shall soon die.”

  “What is it that causes you such grief?”

  But Zhuge Liang did not reply. And when the question was repeated again and again he said nothing, but just lay with his eyes closed as if he was too ill to speak.

  The Prince, however, pressed him to reply, and then with a deep sigh he said, “Great Prince, from the day I left my humble cottage to follow you, you have always listened to my words and accepted my advice, and now this western domain, the whole of the two Lands of Rivers is yours just as I said it would be. But this usurpation of Cao Pi means the annihilation of the Hans and the cessation of their sacrifices, wherefore my colleagues and I desired you to become Emperor in order to crush this upstart Wei and restore the Hans. We all worked for this end, never thinking that you would refuse so obstinately to accede to our wishes. Now the officers are all annoyed, and they will drift away before very long. If you are left alone and Wu and Wei come to attack, it will be difficult for you to hold on to what you have. Do you not think this sufficient reason for me to feel grieved?”

  “Unless I refused, the whole land would blame me; and I am afraid,” replied the Prince.

  Quoting Confucius the Teacher, Zhuge Liang replied, “'If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.' In other words, if one be not really straight, people will not speak of one favorably. O Prince, you are straight, and people speak of you favorably. What more is there to say? You know when Heaven offers and you refuse, you are certainly to blame.”

  “When you have recovered, it shall be done,” said the Prince.

  Up leapt Zhuge Liang from his bed, tapped at the screen in front of a doorway and in rushed a number of high officers, who prostrated themselves, crying, “So you have consented. O Prince! Then choose the day for the ceremony.”

  They were all the most trusted of his court: Imperial Guardian Xu Jing, General Who Brings Peace to Han Mi Zhu; Lord of Qingyi Xiang Ju, Lord of Yangquan Liu Bao, Deputy Governor Zhao Zuo; First Secretary Yang Hong, Counselor Du Qiong, Secretary Zhang Shuang, Minister Lai Gong, Minister He Zong, Doctorate Scholar Yin Mo, Minister Qiao Zhou, Commander Yin Chun, Commander Zhang Yi, Doctorate Scholar Yi Ji, Counselor Qin Mi, and many others.

  The Prince was greatly startled, and said, “You are committing me to doing what is dishonorable!”

  But Zhuge Liang said, “Since consent has been given, let a terrace be built and a day chosen for the great ceremony.”

  The Prince was escorted back to his palace, and Academician Xu Ci and Minister Meng Guang were told off to see to the building of the terrace south of Chengdu. And when all was ready, a great concourse of officers solemnly escorted the Prince, seated in a carriage of the imperial pattern, to the ground prepared, and he went up to the altar and performed the appointed sacrifice.

  This done, the solemn announcement was read in a loud voice:

  “On this twelfth day of the fourth month of the year of the Rebuilt Tranquillity Era, Liu Bei, the Emperor, makes this

  solemn announcement to Heaven and Earth.

  “The dynasty of Han has possessed the empire for years without end. Formerly Wang Mang rebelled against his sovereign, and Liu Xiu the Founder of Later Han rose in his wrath and put him to death, thus restoring the prerogatives of the great sacrifices to him who rightly exercised them. Lately Cao Cao, powerful and cruel, slew the Empress, and his crimes cry aloud to Heaven for vengeance. His son, Cao Pi, carrying evils into every quarter, then seized the scepter.

  “My subordinates, regarding the dynasty as ha
ving been overthrown, think it fitting that I, Liu Bei, would continue the line. As successor to my two warrior ancestors, Liu Bang and Liu Xiu, I will punish as Heaven decrees.

  “Fearing lest my virtue be inadequate to the Imperial Throne, I consulted the voices of the people, and all, even the most distant, have said that the mandate of Heaven may not be disobeyed, and the great task of my ancestors may not continue in the hands of another; the land must have a lord, and they aver the cynosure of all eyes is myself.

  Now I, respecting the mandate of Heaven and fearing lest the great achievements of Liu Bang and Liu Xiu may be overthrown, have reverently selected this auspicious day to ascend the altar, sacrifice and announce my assumption of the Imperial Seal in order to comfort all the people, rejoice the ancestors of the Dynastic House, and bring eternal tranquillity to all the domains.”

  When the reading was ended, and the sacrifice and the prayer, Zhuge Liang, in the name of all those assembled, presented the Imperial Seal. The Prince received it in both hands, laid it upon the altar, and again declined acceptance, saying, “I, Liu Bei, am unfitted; I pray that another, more able, may be chosen.”

  But Zhuge Liang said, “Our lord has settled the empire, and his merits are manifest to the whole world. Moreover, he is of the Dynastic Family and it is fitting that he succeed. Now that the great announcement has been made, such self-abnegation is impossible.”

  So all the officers shouted, “Eternal life to the Emperor!” And they did obeisance.

  Then the style of the reign was announced to be Manifest Might, the First Year (AD 220). The Lady Wu was declared Empress, and the eldest son, Liu Shan, was declared Heir-Apparent. The second son Liu Yung was made Prince of Lu, and the third son Liu Li, Prince of Liang (the lands of the ancient states of Lu and Liang). Zhuge Liang became Prime Minister, and Xu Jing, Imperial Guardian. Many others were promoted, and a general amnesty was proclaimed, so that there was great rejoicing throughout all the length and breadth of the two Lands of Rivers.

  Next day the first court was held, and after the ceremonial prostration, and when they were all arranged in due order, the First Ruler made a pronouncement.

  “In the Peach Garden I and my brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei pledged ourselves to live and die together. Unhappily my brother Guan Yu came to his end at the hands of Sun Quan of Wu, and I must avenge him lest I fail to fulfill the oath. Therefore will I devote the whole force of my kingdom to the destruction of Wu and the capture of its rebellious chief, whereby to wipe away my reproach.”

  But just as he closed this oration, an officer threw himself down at the foot of the throne, crying, “It may not be so.”

  All eyes turned to this man; he was Zhao Yun.

  “Dire vengeance will I wreak!” so cried the King,

  His minister replied, “Do no such thing.”

  What arguments were used will appear in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 81. Eager For Vengeance, Zhang Fei Is Assassinated; Athirst Of Retribution, The First Ruler Goes To War.

  Zhao Yun was opposed to the attempt to fight Wu, and spoke against the plan.

  “The real rebel was not Sun Quan, but Cao Cao; and now it is his son who has usurped the Imperial Throne and called forth the anger of gods and men. You should first aim at the inside by camping on the River Wei, from which to attack the rebel. After that the right-thinking sort on the east of the Passes will do their utmost to help you. If you leave River Wei out of consideration in order to fight Wu, your military force will be engaged, and could you disengage it quickly in case of necessity? It is worth reflection.”

  The First Ruler replied, “Sun Quan slew my brother. Furthermore, Fu Shiren, Mi Fang, Pan Zhang, and Ma Zhong are on his side, all of whom I hate so much that I could eat their flesh with gusto and devour their relatives, whereby I should have my vengeance. Why, Noble Sir, do you obstruct me?”

  “Because the enmity against Cao Cao is a public matter; vengeance for the manner of your brother's end is private. The empire should be placed first.”

  “What care I for myriads of square miles of territory as long as my brother is unavenged?”

  So Zhao Yun's remonstrance was disregarded, and orders went forth to prepare an army against Wu. The First Ruler also sent into the Five Valleys to borrow the aid of fifty thousand of tribesmen. He sent a messenger to Langzhong conferring on Zhang Fei the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and the title of Lord of Xiliang. Zhang Fei became also Governor of Langzhong.

  When Zhang Fei heard the tidings of Guan Yu's death at the hands of Sun Quan, he wept very bitterly day and night, so that his raiment was soaked with his tears. His subordinates tried to cheer him with wine, but he over-drank, and this increased his ill-humor, which he vented on any offender in his camp. Some of his people even died under the lash. Every day he gazed southward, grinding his teeth with rage and glaring. He wept and groaned without ceasing.

  Then a messenger was announced. He was summoned immediately, and Zhang Fei at once tore open and read his dispatches. When Zhang Fei read the edict, he accepted his new rank in all humility, bowing northward toward the imperial mandate. Then he gave a banquet to the messenger.

  He said, “My enmity for the death of my brother is deep as the sea. Why do not the officers at the court propose an avenging expedition?”

  The messenger replied, “Most of them favor first the destruction of Wei; Wu is to follow.”

  “What sort of talk is this?” cried Zhang Fei angrily. “When we three swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, we pledged ourselves to die together. Now, alas! my brother has perished by the way, and can we enjoy wealth or honors without him? I must see the Son of Heaven and pray to be allowed to lead the van. I will wear mourning, and in that garb I will smite Wu and capture the bandit that rules there. Sun Quan shall be sacrificed to my brother's manes in virtue of our oath.”

  Zhang Fei accompanied the messenger to Capital Chengdu. In the meantime the First Ruler had been training his armies. Day after day he went to the drill ground, and he decided upon a day to start, and he would accompany the expedition. Thereupon a number of courtiers went to the palace of the Prime Minister to talk with Zhuge Liang, trying to get this intention modified.

  They said, “It is not in accordance with the importance due to the Emperor's position that he should go in personal command of this army, particularly as he has but lately assumed his throne. You, Sir, hold the weighty post of adviser in such a matter, and why do you not dissuade him?”

  “I have done so, most sincerely and repeatedly, but he will not listen. But now you all come with me to the drill ground, and we will try once more.”

  So they proceeded thither, with Zhuge Liang at their head, and he said, “Your Majesty has but lately taken the imperial seat. If the expedition was one to march northward to destroy the rebels against Han and in the interest of rectitude, it would be perfectly correct for the Emperor to lead the army, but an officer of high rank should more properly be sent against Wu. Why should Your Majesty expose yourself to such fatigues?”

  The First Ruler was touched by the depth of his minister's concern and the sincerity of his counsel, and was on the point of yielding when the arrival of Zhang Fei was announced. Zhang Fei was immediately summoned and came to the pavilion on the drill ground, where he threw himself on the ground and clasped the First Ruler's feet, weeping bitterly. The First Ruler joined in the lamentation.

  “Your Majesty is now ruler and too quickly forgets the oath in the Peach Garden; why is our brother's death not avenged?”

  The First Ruler replied, “Many officers dissuade me from such a course; I cannot act rashly.”

  “What do others know of our oath? If Your Majesty will not go, then let me sacrifice myself to avenge our brother. If I cannot, then would I rather die and see your face no more.”

  “Then will I go with you,” said the First Ruler. “Bring your own troops from Langzhong, and I will bring my veterans to meet you at Jiangzhou. We will both attack Wu and w
ipe out the reproach.”

  As Zhang Fei rose to take leave, the First Ruler said to him, “I know that your weakness for wine leads you astray, and you become very cruel in your cups, and hog your people, and keep the beaten ones near you. They may be dangerous, and it is certainly the road to misfortune. Now you must be more kindly and not give way to passion as before.”

  Thus admonished, Zhang Fei said farewell and left.

  Soon after, when the First Ruler was preparing to march out, the High Minister Qin Mi memorialized, saying, “That Your Majesty, the Lord of a Myriad Chariots, should risk his person in what is not the way of perfect rectitude is not what the ancients would have done. I pray that this may be reflected upon.”

  But the First Ruler replied, “Guan Yu and I were as one body, and the way of perfect rectitude is here. Have you forgotten?”

  But the officer remained at his feet and said, “I fear disaster if Your Majesty disregards your servant's words.” The First Ruler replied angrily, “Why do you use such bad words when I desire to march?”

  He bade the executioners thrust forth and put to death the bold speaker. Still Qin Mi's face showed no sign of fear.

  He only smiled, saying, “I die without regret. It is a pity that this newly established state should be overturned ere it be well begun.”

  Other officials interceding, the death punishment was remitted, but the faithful officer was committed to prison.

  “Your fate will be decided when the army of vengeance return,” said the First Ruler.

  Zhuge Liang sent up a memorial in favor of Qin Mi, saying:

  “I, Zhuge Liang, address Your Majesty in my own name and those of my colleagues; we regard as most grievous the

  recent events — Wu's perfidy, by which Jingzhou was lost, the star of a great general was brought down, and the pillar holding the sky was broken—, and we shall never forget. But it is to be remembered that the crime of overturning the Throne of Han rests on Cao Cao, and the fault of driving away the Liu Family lies not on Sun Quan. We venture to think that the destruction of Wei would involve the submission of Wu, wherefore we beg consideration of the valuable words of Qin Mi. Thus the army will be spared needless exertion and occasion given to make other plans for the prosperity of the Throne and the happiness of the people.”