Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Hu Lie wept and said, “My son, Hu Yuan, is in command of a force outside the city. He will never suspect Zhong Hui capable of such a crime, and I pray you tell him. If I am to die, it will be with less regret if my son can be told.”

  “Kind master, have no anxiety; only leave it to me,” replied Qiu Jian.

  He went to Zhong Hui, and said, “Sir, you are holding in captivity a large number of officers, and they are suffering from lack of food and water. Will you not appoint an officer to supply their needs?”

  Zhong Hui was accustomed to yield to the wishes of Qiu Jian, and he made no difficulty about this. He told Qiu Jian to see to it himself, only saying, “I am placing great trust in you, and you must be loyal. Our secret must be kept.”

  “My lord, you may be quite content. I know how to keep a strict watch when necessary.”

  And Qiu Jian allowed to enter into the place of confinement a trusty confidant of Hu Lie, who gave him a letter to his son Hu Yuan.

  When Hu Yuan knew the whole story, he was astonished and told his subordinates, and they were greatly enraged. They came to their commander's tent to say: “We would rather die than follow a rebel.”

  So Hu Yuan fixed upon the eighteenth day of the month to attempt the rescue. He enlisted the sympathy of Wei Guan and got his army ready. He bade Qiu Jian tell his father what was afoot. Hu Lie then told his fellow-captives.

  One day Zhong Hui said to Jiang Wei, “Last night I dreamed a dream, that I was bitten by many serpents. Can you expound the vision?”

  Jiang Wei replied, “Dreams of dragons and snakes and scaly creatures are exceedingly auspicious.”

  Zhong Hui was only too ready to accept this interpretation. Then he told Jiang Wei that all was ready and they would put the crucial question to each captive.

  “I know they are opposed to us, and you would do well to slay them all, and that right quickly,” replied Jiang Wei.

  “Good,” replied Zhong Hui.

  He bade Jiang Wei with several braves kill the Wei leaders among the captives. But just as Jiang Wei was starting to carry out these instructions, he was seized with a sudden spasm of the heart, so severe that he fainted. He was raised from the earth and in time revived. Just as he came to, a tremendous hubbub arose outside the Palace. Zhong Hui at once sent to inquire what was afoot, but the noise waxed louder and louder, sounding like the rush of a multitude.

  “The officers must be raging,” said Zhong Hui. “We would best slay them at once.”

  But they told him: “The outside soldiers are in the Palace.”

  Zhong Hui bade them close the doors of the Hall of Audience, and he sent his own troops upon the roof to pelt the incoming soldiers with tiles. Many were slain on either side in the melee. Then a fire broke out. The assailants broke open the doors. Zhong Hui faced them and slew a few, but others shot at him with flights of arrows, and he fell and died. They hacked off his head.

  Jiang Wei ran to and fro slaying all he met till another heart spasm seized him.

  “Failed!” he shrieked, “But it is the will of Heaven.”

  He put an end to his own life. He was fifty-nine.

  Many hundreds were slain within the precincts of the Palace. Wei Guan presently ordered that the soldiers were to be led back to their various camps to await the orders of the Duke of Jin. The soldiers of Wei, burning for revenge of his many invasions, hacked the dead body of Jiang Wei to pieces. They found his gall bladder extraordinarily large, as large as a hen's egg. They also seized and slew all the family of the dead leader.

  Seeing that Deng Ai's two enemies on the spot were both dead, his old soldiers bethought themselves of trying to rescue him. When Wei Guan, who had actually arrested Deng Ai, heard this, he feared for his life.

  “If Deng Ai lives, I will die in his hand,” said Wei Guan.

  Furthermore, General Tian Xu said, “When Deng Ai took Jiangyou, he wished to put me to death. It was only at the prayer of my friends that he let me off. May I not have my revenge now?”

  So Wei Guan gave order. At the head of five hundred cavalry, Tian Xu went in pursuit of the cage-carts. He came up with them at Mianzhu and found that the two prisoners had just been released from the carts in which they were being carried to Luoyang. When Deng Ai saw that those coming up were soldiers of his own late command, he took no thought for defense. Nor did Tian Xu waste time in preliminaries. He went up to where Deng Ai was standing and cut him down. His soldiers fell upon the son, Deng Zhong, and slew him also, and thus father and son met death in the same place.

  A poem, pitying Deng Ai, was written:

  While yet a boy, Deng Ai loved to sketch and plan;

  He was an able leader as a man.

  The earth could hide no secrets from his eye,

  With equal skill he read the starry sky.

  Past every obstacle his way he won,

  And onward pressed until his task was done.

  But foulest murder closed a great career,

  His spirit ranges now a larger sphere.

  A poem was also composed in pity for Zhong Hui:

  Of mother wit Zhong Hui had no scanty share,

  And in due time at court did office bear;

  His subtle plans shook Sima Zhao's hold on power,

  He was well named the Zhang Liang of the hour.

  Shouchun-Bedford and Saber Pass ramparts straight fell down,

  When he attacked, and he won great renown.

  Ambition beckoned, he would forward press

  His spirit homeward wandered, bodiless.

  Another poem, in pity of Jiang Wei, runs:

  Tianshui boasts of a hero,

  Talent came forth from Xizhou,

  Lu Wang fathered his spirit,

  Zhuge Liang tutored his mind,

  Valiant he ever pressed forward,

  Nor had a thought of returning,

  Grieved were the soldiers of Han

  When death rapt his soul from his body.

  And thus died all three leaders. Many other generals also perished in the fighting, and with them died Zhang Yi and other officers. Liu Rui, the heir-apparent, and Guan Yi, Lord of Hanshou were also killed by the Wei soldiers. Followed a time of great confusion and bloodshed, which endured till Jia Chong arrived and restored confidence and order.

  Jia Chong set Wei Guan over the city of Chengdu and sent the captive Latter Ruler to Luoyang. A few officers — Fan Jian, Zhang Shao, Qiao Zhou, and Xi Zheng — accompanied the deposed emperor on this degrading journey. Liao Hua and Dong Jue made illness an excuse not to go. They died of grief soon after.

  At this time the year-style of Wei was changed from Wonderful Beginning, the fifth year, to Great Glory, the first year (AD 264). In the third month of this year, since nothing could be done to assist Shu to recover its independence, the troops of Wu under Ding Feng were withdrawn and returned to their own land.

  Now Secretary Hua Jiao sent up a memorial to Sun Xiu, the Ruler of Wu, saying, “Wu and Shu were as close as are one's lips to one's teeth, and when the lips are gone the teeth are cold. Without doubt Sima Zhao

  will now turn his thoughts to attacking us, and Your Majesty must realize the danger and prepare to meet it.”

  Sun Xiu knew that he spoke truly, so he set Lu Kang, son of the late leader Lu Xun, over the army of Jingzhou and the river ports with the title General Who Guards the East; Sun Yi was sent to Nanxu; and Ding Feng was ordered to set up several hundred garrisons along the river banks.

  When Huo Yi, Governor of Jianning, heard that Chengdu had been taken, he dressed himself in white and wailed during three days, facing east toward the capital.

  “Now that the capital has fallen and the Ruler of Shu is a captive, it would be well to surrender,” said his officers.

  Huo Yi replied, “There is a hindrance. I know not how fares our lord, whether he is in comfort or in misery. If his captors treat him generously, then will I yield. But perhaps they will put him to shame; and when the prince is shamed, the minister dies.”<
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  So certain persons were sent to Luoyang to find out how fared the Latter Ruler.

  Soon after the Latter Ruler reached the capital of Wei, Sima Zhao returned.

  Seeing the Latter Ruler at court, Sima Zhao upbraided him, saying, “You deserved death for your vicious courses — corrupt morality, unchecked self-indulgence, contempt of good people, and misgovernment—, which had brought misfortune upon yourself.”

  Hearing this, the face of the Latter Ruler turned to the color of clay with fear, and he was speechless.

  But the courtiers said, “He has lost his kingdom, he has surrendered without a struggle, and he now deserves pardon.”

  Thus the Latter Ruler suffered no injury, but was created Duke of Anle. Moreover, he was assigned a residence and a revenue, and he received presents of silk, and servants were sent to wait upon him, males and females in total one hundred. His son Liu Yao and the officers of Shu — Fan Jian, Qiao Zhou, Xi Zheng, and others — were given ranks of nobility. The Latter Ruler expressed his thanks and left.

  Huang Hao, whose evil influence had brought the kingdom to nought, and who had oppressed the people, was put to death with ignominy in the public place.

  When Huo Yi heard all these things, he came with his officers and yielded submission.

  Next day the Latter Ruler went to the residence of Sima Zhao to thank him for his bounty, and a banquet was prepared. At the banquet they performed the music of Wei, with the dances, and the hearts of the officers of Shu were sad; only the Latter Ruler appeared merry.

  Half way through the feast, Sima Zhao said to Jia Chong, “The man lacks feeling; that is what has ruined him. Even if Zhuge Liang had lived, he could not have maintained such a man. It is no wonder that Jiang Wei failed.”

  Turning to his guest, Sima Zhao said, “Do you never think of Shu?”

  “With such music as this, I forget Shu,” replied the Latter Ruler.

  Presently the Latter Ruler rose and left the table.

  Xi Zheng went over to him and said, “Why did Your Majesty not say you missed Shu? If Your Majesty are questioned again, weep and say that in Shu are the tombs of your forefathers and no day passes that Your Majesty do not grieve to be so far away. The Duke of Jin may let Your Majesty return.”

  The Latter Ruler promised he would.

  When the wine had gone round several more times, Sima Zhao put the same question a second time: “Do you never think of Shu?”

  The Latter Ruler replied as he had been told. He also tried to weep, but failed to shed a tear. So he shut his eyes.

  “Is not that just what Xi Zheng told you to say?” asked Sima Zhao.

  “It is just as you say,” was the reply.

  They all laughed. But really Sima Zhao was pleased with the frank answer and felt that nothing was to be feared from him.

  Laughter loving, pleasure pursuing,

  Rippling smiles over a merry face,

  Never a thought of his former glory

  In his callous heart finds place.

  Childish joy in a change of dwelling,

  That he feels and that alone;

  Manifest now that he was never

  Worthy to sit on his father's throne.

  The courtiers thought that so grand an exploit as the conquest of the west was worthy of high honor, so they memorialized the Ruler of Wei, Cao Huang, to confer the rank Prince of Jin on Sima Zhao. At that time, Cao Huang ruled in name only, for he had no authority. The whole land was under Sima Zhao, whose will the Emperor himself dared not cross. And so, in due course, the Duke of Jin became Prince of Jin.

  After being made Prince of Jin, Sima Zhao posthumously created his father, Sima Yi, the Original Prince and his late elder brother, Sima Shi, the Wonderful Prince.

  The wife of Sima Zhao was the daughter of Wang Su. She bore to him two sons, the elder of whom was named Sima Yan. Sima Yan was huge of frame, his flowing hair reached to the ground when he stood up, and both hands hung down below his knees. He was clever, brave, and skilled in the use of arms.

  The second son, Sima You, was mild of disposition, a filial son and a dutiful brother. His father loved him dearly. As Sima Shi had died without leaving sons, this youth, Sima You, was regarded as his son, to continue that line of the family. Sima Zhao used to say: “The empire was really my brother's.”

  Becoming a prince, it was necessary for Sima Zhao to choose his heir, and he wished to name his younger son Sima You. But Shan Tao remonstrated.

  “It is improper and infelicitous to prefer the younger,” said Shan Tao.

  And Jia Chong, He Zeng, and Pei Xiu followed in the same strain.

  “The elder is clever, able in war, one of the most talented people in the state and popular. With such natural advantages he has a great destiny; and was not born to serve.”

  Sima Zhao hesitated, for he was still unwilling to abandon his desire.

  But two other officers — Grand Commander Wang Xiang and Minister Xun Kai — also remonstrated, saying, “Certain former dynasties have preferred the younger before the elder and rebellion has generally followed. We pray you reflect upon these cases.”

  Finally Sima Zhao yielded and named his elder son Sima Yan as his successor.

  Certain officers memorialized: “This year a gigantic figure of a man descended from heaven in Xiangwu. His height was twenty feet and his footprint measured over three feet. He had white hair and a hoary beard. He wore an unlined yellow robe and a yellow cape. He walked leaning on a black-handled staff. This extraordinary man preached, saying, 'I am the king of the people, and now I come to tell you of a change of ruler and the coming of peace.' He wandered about for three days and then disappeared. Evidently this portent refers to yourself, Noble Sir, and now you should assume the imperial headdress with twelve strings of pearls, set up the imperial standard, and have the roads cleared when you make a progress. You should ride in the golden-shafted chariot with six horses. Your consort should be styled 'Empress' and your heir 'Apparent.'“

  Sima Zhao was greatly pleased. He returned to his palace, but just as he was sitting down, he was suddenly seized with paralysis and lost the use of his tongue. He quickly grew worse. His three chief confidants, Wang Xiang, He Zeng, and Xun Kai, together with many court officials, came to inquire after his health, but he could not speak to them. He pointed toward the heir apparent, Sima Yan, and died. It was the eighth month of that year.

  Then said He Zeng, “The care of the empire devolves upon the Prince of Jin; let us induct the heir. Then we can perform the sacrifices to the late prince.”

  Thereupon Sima Yan was set up in his father's place. He gave He Zeng the title of Prime Minister; Sima Wang, Minister of the Interior; Shi Bao, Commander of the Flying Cavalry; and conferred many other titles and ranks. The posthumous title of the “Scholar Prince” was conferred upon his late father.

  When the obsequies were finished, Sima Yan summoned Jia Chong and Pei Xiu into the palace, and said, “Cao Cao said that if the celestial mandate rested upon him, he could be no more than King Wen of Zhou, who served as a regent only; is this really so?”

  Jia Chong replied, “Cao Cao was in the service of Han and feared lest posterity should reproach him with usurpation. Wherefore he spoke thus. Nevertheless he cause Cao Pi to become Emperor.”

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

  “Although Cao Cao was universally successful, yet the people feared him and credited him with no virtue. Cao Pi's rule was marked by strife and lack of tranquillity. No single year was peaceful. Later the Original Prince and Wonderful Prince of your line rendered great services and disseminated compassion and virtue, so that they were beloved. Your late father overcame Shu in the west and was universally renowned. Comparison with Cao Cao is impossible.”

  “Still Cao Pi continued the rule of Han; can I not in like manner continue that of Wei?”

  Jia Chong and Pei Xiu bowed low and said, “Cao Pi's action may be taken as a precedent to continue an older dynas
ty. Wherefore prepare an abdication terrace to make the great declaration.”

  Sima Yan resolved to act promptly. Next day he entered the Palace armed with a sword. No court had been held for many days, for Cao Huang was ill at ease and full of dread. When Sima Yan appeared, the Ruler of Wei left his place and advanced to met him. Sima Yan sat down.

  “By whose merits did Wei succeed to empire?” he asked suddenly.

  “Certainly success was due to your forefathers,” replied Cao Huang.

  Sima Yan smiled, saying, “Your Majesty is unskilled in debate, inept in war, and unfit to rule. Why not give place to another more able and virtuous?”

  Cao Huang's lips refused a reply.

  But Zhang Jie, one of the ministers, cried, “You are wrong to speak thus, O Prince. His Majesty's ancestor conquered east and west, north and south, and won the empire by strenuous effort. The present Emperor is virtuous and without fault. Why should he yield place to another?”

  Sima Yan replied angrily, “The imperial right lay with the Hans, and Cao Cao coerced them as he did the nobles. In making himself the Prince of Wei, he usurped the throne of Han. Three generations of my forefathers upheld the House of Wei, so that their power is not the result of their own abilities, but of the labor of my house. This is known to all the world, and am I not equal to carrying on the rule of Wei?”

  “If you do this thing, you will be a rebel and an usurper,” said Zhang Jie.

  “And what shall I be if I avenge the wrongs of Han?”

  He bade the lictors take Zhang Jie outside and beat him to death, while the Ruler of Wei wept and besought pardon for his faithful counselor.

  Sima Yan rose and left.

  Cao Huang turned to Jia Chong and Pei Xiu, saying, “What should I do? Some decision must be taken.”

  They replied, “Truth to tell, the measure of your fate is accomplished and you cannot oppose the will of Heaven. You must prepare to abdicate as did Emperor Xian of the Hans. Resign the throne to the Prince of Jin and thereby accord with the design of Heaven and the will of the people. Your personal safety need not cause you anxiety.”

  Cao Huang could only accept this advice, and the terrace was built. The “mouse” day of the twelfth month was chosen for the ceremony. On that day the Ruler of Wei, dressed in full robes of ceremony, and bearing the seal in his hand, ascended the terrace in the presence of a great assembly.