Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

  “In former days, after having gained ascendancy over a weakling King of the powerful Ts’in Dynasty, Chao Kao wielded the whole authority of the Throne, overruling the government. All dignity and fortune came through him and his contemporaries were restrained so that none dared to speak openly. Slowly but surely evolved the tragedy of the Wangi Temple, when the Emperor was slain and the Imperial tablets perished in the flames. He, the author of these crimes, has ever since been held up to obloquy as the arch example of an evil doer.

  “In the later days of the Empress Lu of the Hans the world saw Lu Chan and Lu Lu, brothers of the Empress and fellows in wickedness, monopolising the powers of government. Within the capital they commanded two armies and without they ruled the feudal states of Liang and Chao. They arbitrarily controlled all State affairs and decided all questions in the council chamber and the Court. This dominance of the base and declension of the noble continued till the hearts of the people grew cold within them.

  “Thereupon Chou P’o, Marquis of Chiang, and Liu Chang Marquis of Chuhsu, asserted their dignity and let loose their wrath. They destroyed the contumacious ministers and restored their Ruler to his royal state. Thus they enabled the kingly way to be re-established and the glory to be manifested. Here are two instances where ministers asserted their authority.

  “This Ts’ao, now a minister, forsooth, had for ancestor a certain eunuch named T’eng, fitting companion of Tso Kuan and Hsu Huang. All three were prodigies of wickedness and insatiably avaricious and, let loose on the world, they hindered ethical progress and preyed upon the populace. This T’eng begged for and adopted Ts’ao’s father who, by wholesale bribery, wagons of gold and cartloads of jewels presented at the gates of the influential, contrived to sneak his way into considerable office where he could subvert authority. Thus Ts’ao is the depraved bantling of a monstrous excrescence, devoid of all virtue in himself, ferocious and cunning, delighting in disorder and revelling in public calamity.

  “Now I, Mu-fu, a man of war, have mustered my armies and displayed my might that I may sweep away and destroy the evil opponents of government. I have already had to deal with Tung Cho, the ruffian who invaded the official circle and wrested the government. At that time I grasped my sword and beat the drums to restore order in the east. I assembled warriors, selected the best and took them into my service. In this matter I came into relations with this Ts’ao and conferred with him to further my scheme. I gave him command of a subordinate force and looked to him to render such petty service as he was equal to. I suffered his stupidities and condoned his shortcomings, his rash attacks and facile retreats, his losses and shameful defeats, his repeated destruction of whole armies. Again and again I sent him more troops and filled the gaps in his depleted ranks. I even addressed a memorial to the Throne for him to be appointed Governor of Yenchou. I made him feared as he were a tiger. I added to his honours and increased his authority, hoping that eventually he would justify himself by a victory such as fell to Meng Ming of Ts’in.

  “But Ts’ao availed himself of the opportunity to overstep all bounds, to give free rein to violence and evil. He stripped the common people, outraged the good and injured the virtuous. Pien Jang, Prefect of Kiukiang, was a man of conspicuous talent and of world-wide reputation. He was honest in speech and correct in demeanour. He spoke without flattery. He was put to death and his head exposed, and his family utterly destroyed. From that day to this scholars have deeply mourned and popular resentment has steadily grown. One man raised his arm in anger and the whole countryside followed him Whereupon Ts’ao was smitten at Hsuchou and his district was snatched by Lu Pu. He fled eastward without shelter or refuge.

  “My policy is a strong trunk and weak branches, a commanding central government and obedient feudal lords. Also I am no partizan. Therefore I again raised my banners, donned my armour and moved forward to attack. My drums rolled for an assault on Lu Pu and his multitudes incontinently fled. I saved Ts’ao from destruction and restored him to a position of authority. Wherein I must confess to showing no kindness to the people of Yenchou although it was a great matter for Ts’ao.

  “Later it happened that the imperial cortege moved west and a horde of rebels rose and attacked. The course of government was hindered. At that moment my territory was threatened from the north and I could not leave it. Wherefore I sent one of my officers to Ts’ao to see to the repair of the temples and the protection of the youthful sovereign. Thereupon Ts’ao gave the rein to his inclinations. He arbitrarily ordered the removal of the Court. He brought shame upon the ruling House and subverted the laws. He engrossed the presidency of the three highest offices and monopolised the control of the administration. Offices and rewards were conferred according to his will; punishment was at his word. He glorified whole families of those he loved; he exterminated whole clans of those he hated. Open critics were executed; secret opponents were assassinated. Officials locked their lips; wayfarers only exchanged glances. Presidents of Boards recorded levies and every government official held a sinecure.

  “The late Yang Piao, a man who had filled two of the highest offices of State as President of two Boards, because of some petty grudge was, though guiltless, charged with a crime. He was beaten and suffered every form of cruelty. This arbitrary and impulsive act was a flagrant disregard of constitutional rules.

  “Another victim was the Councillor Chao Yan. He was faithful in remonstrance, honest in speech, endowed with the highest principles of rectitude. He was listened to at Court. His words carried enough weight with the Emperor to cause him to modify his intention and confer reward for outspokenness. Desirous of diverting all power into his own hands and stifle all criticism, Ts’ao presumed to arrest and put to death this censor, in defiance of all legal procedure.

  “Another evil deed was the destruction of the tomb of Prince Liang Hsiao, the brother of the late Emperor. His tomb should certainly have been respected, even its mulberries and lindera trees, its cypresses and its pines. Ts’ao led soldiers to the cemetery and stood by while it was desecrated, the coffin destroyed and the poor corpse exposed. They stole the gold and jewels of the dead. This deed brought tears to the eyes of the Emperor and rent the hearts of all men. Ts’ao also appointed ‘Openers-of-Grave-Mounds’ and ‘Seekers-for-Gold,’ whose tracks were marked by desecrated graves and exhumed bodies. Indeed, while assuming the position of the highest officer of State, he indulged the inclination of a bandit, polluting the State, oppressing the people, a bane to gods and men.

  “He added to this by setting up minute and vexatious prohibitions so that there were nets and snares spread in every pathway, traps and pitfalls laid in every road. A hand raised was caught in a net, a foot advanced was taken in an entanglement. Wherefore the men of Yen and Yu waxed desperate and the inhabitants of the metropolis groaned and murmured in anger.

  Read down the names through all the years

  Of ministers that all men curse

  For greed and cruelty and lust;

  Than Ts’ao you will not find a worse.

  “I have investigated the cases of evil deeds in the provinces, but I have been unable to reform him. I have given him repeated opportunities hoping that he would repent. But he has the heart of a wolf, the nature of a wild beast. He nourishes evil in his bosom and desires to pull down the pillars of the State, to weaken the House of Han, to destroy the loyal and true and to stand himself conspicuous as the chiefest of criminals.

  “Formerly, when I attacked the north, Kungsun Tsan, that obstinate bandit and perverse bravo, resisted my might for a year. Before he could be destroyed this Ts’ao wrote to him that, under the pretence of assisting the Imperial armies, he would covertly lead them to destruction. The plot was discovered through his messengers and Tsan also perished. This blunted Ts’ao’s ardour and his plans failed.

  “Now he is camped at the Ao Granaries with the river to strengthen his position. Like the mantis in the story, who threatened the chariot with its forelegs, he thinks himself terribl
e. But with the dignity and prestige of Han to support me I confront the whole world. I have spearmen by millions, horsemen by thousands of squadrons, fierce and vigorous warriors strong as Chung Huang, Hsia Yu and Wu Huo, those heroes of antiquity. I have enlisted expert archers and strong bowmen. In Pingchou my armies have crossed the Taihang Range and in Chingchou they have forded the Chi and T’a Rivers. They have coasted down the Yellow River to attack his van, and from Chingchou they have descended to Wanyeh to smite his rearguard. Thunder-like in the weight of their march, tiger-like in the alertness of their advance, they converge on Lot’ing. They are as flames let loose among light grass, as the blue ocean poured on glowing embers. Is there any hope that he escape destruction?

  “Of the hordes of Ts’ao, those who can fight are from the north or from other camps and they all desire to return home. They weep whenever they look to the north. The others belong to Yen or Yu, being remnants of the armies of Lu Pu and Chang Yang. Beaten, stern necessity forced them to accept service, but they take it only as a temporary expedient. Every man who has been wounded is an enemy. If I give the signal to return and send my drums and shawms to the mountain tops, and wave the white flag to show them they may surrender, they will melt away like dew before the sun and no blood will be shed. The victory will be mine.

  “Now the Hans are failing and the bonds of Empire are relaxed, The sacred Dynasty has no supporter, the Ministers are not strong enough to cope with the difficulties. Within the capital the responsible Ministers are crestfallen and helpless. There is no one to rely upon. Such loyal and high principled men as are left are browbeaten by a tyrannical Minister. How can they manifest their virtue?

  “Ts’ao has surrounded the Palace with seven hundred veterans, the ostensible object being to guard the Emperor, but the covert design being to hold him prisoner. I fear this is but the first step in usurpation and so I take my part. Now is the time for loyal Ministers to sacrifice their lives, the opportunity for officers to perform meritorious deeds. Can I fail to urge you?

  “Ts’ao has forged commands to himself to undertake the control of government affairs and, in the name of the State, sends out calls for military assistance. I fear lest distant districts may obey his behest and send troops to help him, to the detriment of the multitude and their everlasting shame. No wise man will do so.

  “The forces of four prefectures are moving out simultaneously. When this call reaches Chingchou you will see their forces co-operate with those of Chang Hsiu. All districts and departments ought to organise volunteers and set them along their borders to demonstrate their force an prove their loyal support of the Dynasty. Will not this be rendering extraordinary service?

  “The rank of Marquis, with feudal rights over five thousand households and a money reward of fifty millions, will be the reward of him who brings the head of Ts’ao. No questions will be asked of those who surrender. I publish abroad this notice of my bounty and the rewards offered that you may realise that the Dynasty is in real danger.”

  Shao read this effusion with great joy. He at once ordered copies to be posted everywhere, in towns and cities, at gates (tax stations) and ferries and passes. Copies found their way to the capital and one got into Ts’ao Ts’ao’s palace. That day he happened to be in bed with a bad headache. The servants took the paper to the sick man’s room. He read it and was frightened from the tips of his hair to the marrow of his very bones. He broke out into a cold perspiration and his headache vanished. He bounded out of bed and said to Ts’ao Hung,“Who wrote this?”

  “They say it is Ch’en Lin’s pencil,” replied he.

  Ts’ao laughed “They have the literary gift; they had better have the military too to back it up. This fellow may be a very elegant writer, but what if Yuan Shao’s fighting capacity falls short?”

  He called his advisers together to consider the next move. K’ung Jung heard of the summons and went to his master saying,“You should not fight with Yuan Shao; he is too strong. Make peace.”

  Hsun Yu said,“He is despicable: do not make peace.”

  Jung replied,“His land is wide and his people strong. He has many skilful strategists and he has loyal and able captains. You cannot say he is despicable.”

  Yu laughed saying,“His army is a rabble. One captain, T’ien Feng, is bold but treacherous; another, Hsu Yu, is greedy and ignorant; Shen P’ei is devoted but stupid; Feng Chi is steady but useless. And these four of such different temperaments, mutually incompatible, will make for confusion rather than efficiency. Yen Liang and Wen Ch’ou are worthless and can be disposed of in the first battle and the others are poor, rough stuff. What is the use even of their legions?”

  K’ung Jung was silent and Ts’ao smiled.“They are even as Hsun Wen-jo describes,” said he.

  Then Ts’ao issued orders. Generals Liu Tai and Wang Chung were to lead an army of five legions, displaying the minister’s banners, and march against Hsuchou to attack Liu Pei.

  This Liu Tai had been governor of Yenchou but had surrendered and entered Ts’ao Ts’ao’s service after the fall of the city. Ts’ao had given him a rank as supernumerary leader and now was disposed to make use of him.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao himself took command of a large army of twenty legions for a simultaneous attack on Yuan Shao at Liyang.

  A certain adviser said he thought the two captains sent against Liu Pei were unequal to their task.

  “I know,” said Ts’ao.“They are not meant to fight Liu Pei; it is merely a feint. They have orders not to make any real attack till I have overcome Yuan, Shao. Then Liu Pei will be next.”

  Liu Tai and Wang Chung went their way and Ts’ao Ts’ao marched out his grand army, which came into touch with the enemy, then eighty li distant, at Liyang. Both sides made fortified camps and waited watching each other. This went on for two months.

  There was dissension in Yuan Shao’s camp. Hsu Yu was at enmity with his colleague, Shen P’ei, and the strategist Chu Shou resented the rejection of his plan. So they would not attack. Yuan Shao also could not make up his mind. Tired of this state of inaction Ts’ao Ts’ao then gave certain commanders definite points to hold and marched back to Hsutu.

  The five legions sent against Liu Pei went into camp a hundred li from Hsuchou. The camp made an imposing display of the banners of the Prime Minister but no attacks followed. Their spies were very busy north of the river. On the defensive side, Liu Pei, as he was uncertain of the strength of the force against him, dared not move.

  Suddenly orders came for the Ts’ao army to attack and then discord showed itself.

  Liu Tai said,“The Minister orders an attack; you advance.”

  Wang Chung replied,“You were named first.”

  “I am the Commander in Chief; it is not my place to go first.”

  “I will go with you in joint command,” said Chung.

  “Let us cast lots and he upon whom the lot falls must go,” said Tai.

  They drew lots and it fell to Wang Chung, who advanced toward Hsuchou with half the force.

  When Yuan-te heard of the threatened attack he called Ch’en Teng to consult.

  Yuan-te said,“There is dissension in Yuan Shao’s camp at Liyang so they do not advance. We do not know where Ts’ao Ts’ao is but his own banner is not displayed in his Liyang camp. Why then is it shown here?”

  Ch’en Teng replied,“His tricks take a hundred forms. It must be that he regards the north as most important and has gone there to look after its defence. He dares not show his flag there and I feel sure it is only meant to mislead us. He is not here.

  Yuan-te then asked whether one of his brothers would find out the truth and Chang Fei volunteered to go.

  “I fear you are unsuited for this,” said Yuan-te.“You are too impetuous.”

  “If Ts’ao is there I will haul him over here,” said Fei.

  “Let me go first and find out,” said Kuan Yu.

  “If you go I shall feel more at ease,” said Yuan-te.

  So Kuan Yu set out with three
companies to reconnoitre. It was then early winter and snow was falling from a gloomy sky. They marched regardless of the snow and came near Wang Chung’s camp with arms all ready to attack. Kuan Yu summoned Wang Chung to a parley.

  “The Minister is here: why do you not surrender?” said Wang Chung.

  “Beg him to come to the front for I would speak with him,” replied Kuan Yu.

  “Is he likely to come out to see such as you?”

  Kuan Yu angrily dashed forward and Wang Chung set his spear to meet him. Yu rode till he came close to his antagonist, then suddenly wheeled away. Wang Chung went after him and followed up a slope. Just as they passed the crest, Yu suddenly wheeled again, shouted and came on flourishing the mighty sword. Wang Chung could not withstand that and fled. But Kuan Yu, changing the huge sword to his left hand, with his right laid hold of his victim by the straps of his breastplate, lifted him out of the saddle and rode away to his own lines with the captive laid across the pommel of his saddle. Wang Chung’s men scattered.

  The captive was sent to Hsuchou, where he was summoned into the presence of Liu Pei.

  “Who are you? What office do you hold? How dare you falsely display the ensigns of the Minister Ts’ao Ts’ao?” said Liu Pei.

  “What do you mean by falsely when I simply obeyed my orders?” said Wang.“My master wanted to produce the impression that he was present. Really he was not there.”

  Liu Pei treated him kindly, giving him food and clothing; but put him in prison till his colleague could be captured. Kuan Yu said that, knowing his brother had peaceful intentions in his mind, he captured the man instead of slaying him.

  “I was afraid of Chang Fei’s hasty and impulsive temper,” said Liu Pei.“He would have slain this man. So I could not send him. There is no advantage in killing persons of this sort and while alive they are often useful in amicable settlements.”

  Here Chang Fei said,“You have got this Wang; now I will go and get the other man.”