Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics)

by Lo Kuan-Chung

  Yuan-te replied,“Not to let brigands surrender is well. But the city is surrounded as by an iron barrel. If the rebels’ request be refused they will be desperate and fight to the death and a myriad such men cannot be withstood. In the city there are many times that number, all doomed to death. Let us withdraw from one corner and only attack the opposite. They will all assuredly flee and have no desire to fight. We shall take them.”

  Chu Chien saw that the advice was good and followed it. As predicted the rebels ran out, led by Han Chung. The besiegers fell upon them as they fled and their leader was slain. They scattered in all directions. But the other two rebels came with large reinforcements, and as they appeared very strong, the government soldiers retired and the new body of rebels entered Wanch’eng.

  Chu Chien encamped ten li from the city and prepared to attack. Just then there arrived a body of horse and foot from the east. They were led by one Sun Chien.

  Sun Chien had a broad open face, was lithe and yet powerfully built. He was a native of Wu, a descendant of Sun Wu. His minor name was Wen-tai. When he was seventeen he was with his father on the Ch’ientang River and saw a party of pirates, who had been plundering a merchant, dividing their booty on the river bank.

  “We can capture these,” said he to his father.

  So, gripping his sword, he ran boldly up the bank and cried out to this side and that as if he was calling his men to come on. This made the pirates believe the soldiers were on them and they fled, leaving their booty behind them. He actually killed one of the pirates.

  In this way he became known and was recommended for official rank. Then, in collaboration with the local officials, he raised a band and helped to quell the rebellion of one Hsu Chang, who called himself the Yangming Emperor. The rebel’s son was also slain. For this he was commended in a memorial to the throne and received further promotion.

  When the Yellow Turban rebellion began he gathered together the young men of his village, some of the merchant class, got a company and a half of veteran soldiers and took the field. Now he had reached the fighting area.

  Chu Chien welcomed him gladly and ordered him to attack the south gate. Other gates were simultaneously attacked, but the east gate was left free to give the rebels a chance of exit. Sun Chien was the first to mount the wall and cut down a score of men with his own hand. The rebels ran, but Chao Hung their leader, rode directly at Sun Chien with his spear ready to thrust. Sun Chien leaped down from the wall, snatched away the spear and with it knocked the rebel from his horse. Then mounting the horse he rode hither and thither, slaying as he went.

  The rebels fled north. Meeting Yuan-te they declined to fight and scattered. But Yuan-te drew his bow, fitted an arrow and wounded their leader Sun Chung, who fell to the ground. The main army came up, and after tremendous slaughter, the others surrendered. Thus was peace brought to the country about Nanyang.

  Chu Chien led his army to the capital, was promoted to a General of Cavalry and received the governorship of Honan. He did not forget those who had helped him to win victory.

  Sun Chien, having influential friends to support him, quickly got an appointment and went to it. But Yuan-te, in spite of Chu Chiens memorial, waited in vain for preferment and the three brothers became very sad.

  Walking along one day Yuan-te met a Court official, Chang Chun by name, to whom he related his services and told his sorrows. Chang was much surprised at this neglect and one day at Court spoke to the Emperor about it.

  Said he,“The Yellow Turbans rebelled because the eunuchs sold offices and bartered ranks. There was employment only for their friends, punishment only for their enemies. This led to rebellion. Wherefore it would be well to slay the eunuchs and expose their heads and proclaim what had been done throughout the whole empire. Then reward the worthy. Thereby the land would be wholly tranquil.”

  But the eunuchs fiercely opposed this and said the memorialist was insulting the Emperor and they bade the guard thrust him without.

  However, the eunuchs took counsel together and one said,“Surely some one who rendered some service against rebels resents being passed over.”

  So they caused a list of unimportant people to be prepared for preferment by and by. Among them was Yuan-te, who received the post of magistrate of the Anhsi district, to which he proceeded without delay after disbanding his men and sending them home to their villages. He retained a score or so as escort.

  The three brothers reached Anhsi, and soon the administration of the district was so reformed and the rule so wise that in a month there was no law-breaking. The three brothers lived in perfect harmony, eating at the same table and sleeping on the same couch. But when Yuan-te was in the company of others, the two younger brothers would stand in attendance, were it even a whole day.

  Four months after their arrival there came out a general order for the reduction of the number of military officers holding civil posts, and Yuan-te began to fear that he would be among those thrown out. In due course the inspecting official arrived and was met at the boundary, but to the polite obeisance of Yuan-te he made no return, save a wave of his whip as he sat on his horse. This made the younger brothers furious; but worse was to follow.

  When the inspector had arrived at his lodging, he took his seat on the dais leaving Yuan-te standing below. After a long time he addressed him.

  “Magistrate Liu, what was your origin?”

  Liu Pei replied,“I am descended from Prince Ching. Since my first fight with the Yellow Turban rebels at Chochun I have been in some score of battles, wherein I gained some trifling merit. My reward was this office.”

  “You lie about your descent and your statement of services is false,” roared the inspector.“Now the Court has ordered the reduction of your sort of low class officials.”

  Yuan-te muttered to himself and withdrew. On his return to the magistracy he took council with his secretaries.

  “This pompous attitude only means he wants a bribe,” said they.

  “I have never wronged the people to the value of a single stalk of stubble, then where is a bribe to come from?”

  Next day the inspector had the minor officials before him and forced them to bear witness that their master had oppressed the people. Yuan-te time after time went to rebut this charge, but the doorkeepers drove him away and he could not enter.

  Now Chang Fei had been all day drowning his sorrow in wine and had drunk far too much. Calling for his horse he rode out past the lodging of the inspector, and at the gate saw a small crowd of white-haired men weeping bitterly. He asked why. They said,“The inspector has compelled the underlings to bear false witness against our magistrate, with the desire to injure the noble Liu. We came to beg mercy for him, but are not permitted to enter. Moreover, we have been beaten by the doorkeepers.”

  This provoked the irascible and half intoxicated man to fury. His eyes opened till they became circles; he ground his teeth; in a moment he was off his steed, had forced his way past the scared doorkeepers into the building and was in the rear apartments. There he saw the inspector sitting on high with the official underlings in bonds at his feet.

  “Oppressor of the people, robber!” cried Fei,“do you know me?”

  But before he could reply Fei had him by the hair and had dragged him down. Another moment he was outside and firmly lashed to the hitching post in front of the building. Then breaking off a switch from a willow tree Fei gave his victim a severe thrashing, only staying his hand when the switch was too short to strike with.

  Yuan-te was sitting alone, communing with his sorrow, when he heard a shouting before his door. He asked what was the matter. They told him General Chang had bound somebody to a post and was thrashing him. Hastily going outside he saw who the unhappy victim was and asked the reason.

  “If we do not beat this sort of wretch to death what may we expect?” said Fei.

  “Noble Sir, save me,” cried the victim.

  Now Yuan-te had always been kindly and gracious, wherefore he bade hi
s brother release the officer and go his way.

  Then Kuan Yu came up saying,“Brother, after your magnificent services you only got this petty post and even here you have been insulted by this fellow. A thorn bush is no place for a phoenix. Let us slay this fellow, leave here and go home till we can evolve a bigger scheme.”

  Yuan-te contented himself with hanging the official seal about the inspector’s neck saying,“If I hear that you injure the people I will assuredly kill you. I now spare your life and I return to you the seal. We are going.”

  The inspector went to the Prefect and complained, and orders were issued for the arrest of the brothers, but they got away to Taichou and sought refuge with Liu Hui, who sheltered them because of Liu Pei’s noble birth.

  But nothing will be here related of this. By this time the Ten Eunuchs had everything in their hands and they put to death all who did not stand in with them. From every officer who had helped to put down the rebels they demanded presents, and if these were not forthcoming he was removed from office. Huangfu and Chu both fell victims to these intrigues, while on the other hand the eunuchs received the highest honours. Thirteen of them were ennobled. The government grew worse and worse and every one was irritated.

  Rebellion broke out in Changsha led by one Ou Hsing, and in other places. Memorials were sent up in number as snow flakes in winter, but the eunuchs suppressed them all. One day the Emperor was at a feast in one of the gardens with the eunuchs when a certain high minister Liu Tao suddenly appeared showing very great distress. The Emperor asked what was the matter.

  “Sire, how can you be feasting with these when the Empire is at the last gasp?” said Liu Tao.

  “All is well,” said the Emperor,“Where is anything wrong?”

  Said Tao,“Robbers swarm on all sides and plunder the cities. And all is the fault of the Ten Eunuchs who sell offices and injure the people, oppress the prince and deceive their superiors. All virtuous men have left the services and misfortune is before our very eyes.”

  At this the eunuchs pulled off their hats and threw themselves at their master’s feet.

  “His Excellency disapproves of us,” they said,“and we are in danger. We pray that our lives be spared and we may go to our homes. Lo! we yield our property to help defray military expenses.”

  And they wept bitterly. The Emperor turned angrily to the minister, saying,“You also have servants; why can you not bear with mine?”

  And thereupon he called to the guards to eject Tao and put him to death. Liu Tao cried aloud,“My death matters nothing. The pity is that the Hans, after four centuries of reign, are falling fast.”

  The guards hustled him away and were just about to carry cut their orders when another minister stopped them, saying,“Strike not! Wait till I have spoken with His Majesty.”

  It was the Ssu-tu, Cheng Tan. He went in to the Emperor, to whom he said,“For what fault is Liu the Censor to be put to death?” “He has vilified my servants; and has insulted me,” said the Emperor.

  “All the Empire would eat the flesh of the eunuchs if they could, and yet, Sire, you respect them as if they were your parents. They have no merit, but they are created nobles. Moreover, Feng Hsu was in league with the late rebels. Unless Your Majesty looks to it the State will fall.

  “There was no proof against Feng,” replied the Emperor.“Are there none faithful among the eunuchs?”

  The minister beat his forehead on the steps of the throne and did not desist from remonstrance. Then the Emperor grew angry and commanded his removal and imprisonment with Liu T’ao. That night he was murdered.

  Then a forged edict went forth making Sun Chien Prefect of Changsha, with orders to suppress the rebellion, and in less than two months he reported the district all tranquil. For this he was created Marquis of Wuch’eng. Further Liu Yu was made magistrate of Yuchow to move against Yuyang and suppress Chang Chu and Chang Shun. The Prefect of Taichow recommended Yuan-te to Liu Yu, who welcomed him and gave him rank and sent him against the rebels. He fought with and worsted them, and entirely broke their spirit. Chang Shun was cruel and his men turned against him. One of his officers then slew him and brought in his head, after which the others submitted. The other leader Chang Chu saw that all was lost and committed suicide.

  Yuyang being now tranquil Liu Pei’s services were reported to the throne and he received full pardon for the insult to the inspector. He also became an official in Mich’eng. Then Sun Chien stated his previous good services and he was made Pieh-pu Ssu-tna and sent to Pingyuan.

  This place was very prosperous and Yuan-te recovered something of his old manner before the days of adversity. Liu Yu also received preferment.

  In the summer of the year A.D. 189 the Emperor became seriously ill and summoned Ho Chin into the palace to arrange for the future. This man Ho had sprung from a humble family of butchers, but a sister had become a concubine of rank and borne a son to the Emperor, named Pien. After this she became Huang-hou or Empress and Ho Chin became powerful. The Emperor had also greatly loved a beautiful girl named Wang who had borne him a son named Hsieh. The Empress Ho had poisoned the girl from jealousy, and the babe had been given into the care of the Empress Dowager Tung, who was the mother of the Emperor Ling. She was the wife of Liu Chang, the Marquis of Tu-ting. As time went on and the Emperor Huan had no son of his own he adopted the son of the marquis, who succeeded as the Emperor Ling. After his accession he had taken his own mother into the palace to live and had conferred upon her the title of T’ai-hou, or Empress Dowager.

  The Dowager Empress had always tried to persuade her son to name Hsieh as the Heir Apparent, and in fact the Emperor greatly loved the boy and was disposed to do as his mother desired. When he fell ill one of the eunuchs said,“If Hsieh is to succeed, Ho Chin must be killed.” The Emperor saw this too and commanded Ho Chin to come to him. But at the very gates of the palace Ho had been warned of his danger and had secreted himself. Ho had then called many of the ministers to his side and they met to consider how to put the eunuchs to death.

  At this assembly Ts’ao Ts’ao had spoken saying,“The influence of the eunuchs dates back half a century and has spread like a noxious weed in all directions. How can we hope to destroy it? Above all keep this plot secret or you will be exterminated.”

  Ho Chin was very angry at this speech and cried,“What do inferiors like you, know of the ways of government?”

  And in the midst of the confusion a messenger came to say the Emperor was no more. He also told them the eunuchs had decided to keep the death a secret and forge a command to Ho, the ‘State Uncle,’ to come into the palace to settle the succession. Meanwhile to prevent trouble they had inscribed the name of Hsieh on the roll. And as he finished speaking the edict arrived.

  ‘The matter for the moment is to set up the rightful heir,” said Ts’ao Ts’ao.“The other affair can wait.”

  “Who dares to join me?” asked Ho Chin.

  At once one stood forward saying,“Give me five companies of veterans and we will break into the palace, set up the true heir, slay the eunuchs and sweep clean the government. Then will follow peace.”

  The energetic speaker was Yuan Shao, who then held the rank of Hsiao-yu.

  Ho Chin mustered five companies of the guards. Shao put on complete armour and took command. Ho Chin, supported by a large number of ministers, went into the palace and in the hall where lay the coffin of the late Emperor they placed Pien on the throne. After the ceremony was over and all had bowed before the new Ruler. Yuan Shao went in to arrest the eunuch Chien Shih. Shih in terror fled into the palace garden and hid among the shrubs, where he was discovered and murdered by another eunuch. The guards under his command went over to the other side. Shao thought the moment most opportune to slay all the eunuchs and it had been well if his advice had been taken. But the eunuchs scented the danger and went to the Empress Dowager Ho.

  They said,“The originator of the plan to injure your brother was Chien Shih; only he was concerned and no other.
Now General Ho, on his lieutenant’s advice, wishes to slay every one of us. We implore thy pity, O Grandmother.”

  “Fear not,” said she,“I will protect you.”

  She sent for her brother, and said,“I and you are of lowly origin and we owe our good fortune to the eunuchs. The misguided Chien Shih is now dead and need you really put all the others to death as Yuan Shao advises?”

  And Ho Chin obeyed her wish. He explained to his party that the real offender having met his fate they need not exterminate the whole party nor injure his colleagues.

  “Slay them, root and branch,” cried Shao,“or they will ruin you.”

  “I have decided,” said Ho, coldly,“say no more.”

  Within a few days Ho became a President of a Board and his friends received offices.

  Tung T’ai-hou summoned the eunuch Chang Jang and his party to a council. Said she,“It was I who first brought forward the sister of Ho Chin. Today her son is on the throne and all the officials are her friends/ and her influence is enormous. What can we do?”

  Jang replied,“Madam should administer the state from ‘behind the veil’; create the Emperor’s son Hsieh a prince, give ‘Uncle’ Tung high rank and place him over the army and use us. That will do it.”

  Tung, T’ai-hou approved. Next day she held a court and issued an edict in the sense proposed. When Ho T’ai-hou saw this she prepared a banquet to which she invited her rival. In the middle of the feast, when all were well warmed with wine, she rose and offered a cup to her guest saying,“It is not fitting, that we two women should meddle in state affairs. Of old when Lu T’ai-hou laid hands upon the government all her clan were put to death. We ought to remain content, immured in our palaces, and leave state affairs to the statesmen. That would be well for the country and I trust you will act thus.”

  But the Empress Tung only got angry.“You poisoned the lady Wang out of jealousy. Now, relying upon the fact that your son sits on the throne and that your brother is powerful, you speak these wild words. I will command that your brother be beheaded and that can be done as easily as I turn my hand.”