Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

He sent for his two sons to come and make their bow. He put up Kuan in his house and provided for his escort in the farm buildings.

  In the meantime Sun Ch’ien had made his way to Ch’ichow and seen Yuan-te, who said,“Chien Yung also is here. We will send for him secretly to talk over this matter.”

  They did so, and when the usual salutes had been exchanged, they three began to consider the means of getting away.

  “You see Yuan Shao personally,” said Yung,“and say you wish to go to Chingchou to see Liu Piao about a scheme for the destruction of our enemy. That will give an excuse.”

  “That seems best,” said Liu Pei,“but will you go with me?”

  “I have another plan to extricate myself,” said Yung.

  Having settled their plans, Yuan-te soon went in to see his protector and suggested that, as Liu Piao was strong and well posted, his help should be sought against their enemy.

  “I have sent messengers repeatedly to ask his help, said Shao,“but he is unwilling.”

  “As he and I are of the same family he will not refuse me if I go and ask him,” said Liu Pei.

  “Certainly he is worth much more than Liu P’i; you shall go.”

  “I have just heard,” Shao continued,“that Kuan Yun-ch’ang has left Ts’ao Ts’ao and wants to come here. If he does I will put him to death out of revenge for my two officers.”

  “Illustrious Sir, you wished to employ him and so I sent for him. Now you threaten to put him to death. The two men he slew were but deer compared with such a tiger as he is. When you exchange a couple of deer for a tiger you need not complain of the bargain.”

  “Really I like him,” said Shao.“I was only joking. You can send another messenger for him and tell him to come soon.”

  “May I send Sun Ch’ien for him?”

  “Certainly.”

  After Yuan-te had gone Chien Yung came in and said to Shao,“If Yuan-te goes he will not come back. I had better go to speak to Liu Piao. And I can keep a watch on Liu Pei.”

  Yuan Shao agreed and issued orders for both to go.

  On the subject of the mission Kuo T’u came in to his chief to dissuade him. Said he,“He went to speak to Liu P’i, but he accomplished nothing. Now you are sending Chien Yung with him and I am sure neither will ever return.”

  “Do not be too suspicious,” said Shao.“Chien Yung is clever enough.”

  That was the end of the interview. Forthwith Yuan-te sent Sun Ch’ien back to Kuan Yu and then, with Chien Yung, took leave of Yuan Shao and rode out of the city. As soon as they reached the border line they met Sun Ch’ien and all three rode off to Kuan Ting’s farm to meet Kuan Yu. He came out to welcome them, bowed and then seized his brother’s hands while tears streamed down his face.

  Presently the two sons of their host came to bow to the visitors. Liu Pei asked their names.

  “These are of the same name as myself,” said Kuan Yu.“The sons are Kuan Ning, who is a student, and Kuan P’ing, who is to be a soldier.”

  “I have been thinking of sending the younger in your train, General,” said old Kuan,“would you take him?”

  “What is his age?” said Liu Pei.

  “He is eighteen “

  Liu Pei said,“Since, O Senior, you are so kind I venture to suggest that your son should be adopted by my brother, who has no son of his own. What think you of that?”

  Kuan Ting was perfectly willing, so he called his younger son and bade him make a son’s obeisance to Kuan Yu and to style Yuan-te,“Uncle.”

  Then it was time to get on their way lest they should be pursued and with them went Kuan P’ing in the train of his “father.” The lad’s real father escorted them a short distance and then left. They took the road to Sleeping Bull Hill. Before they had gone very far they met Chou Ts’ang with a small party. He was wounded. He was introduced to Yuan-te who asked him how it was. He replied,“Before I reached the Hill a certain warrior, all alone, had fought with my friend P’ei and killed him. Then many of our men surrendered to him and he occupied our old camp. When I reached it I tried to allure the soldiers back to my side but only succeeded with a few. The others were too afraid. I got angry and engaged the interloper, who however worsted me time after time and wounded me thrice.”

  “Who is the warrior? what does he look like?” asked Yuan-te.

  “All I know he is a doughty fighter, I do not know his name.”

  Thereafter they advanced toward the hill with Kuan Yu in front and Yuan-te in rear. When they drew near Chou Ts’ang began to abuse his enemy, who soon appeared, mailed and armed, coming down the hills.

  Suddenly Yuan-te rode out waving his whip and shouting,“You, O Comer, are surely Tzu-lung?”

  The rider, for it was Chao Tzu-lung, (Chao Yun), instantly slipped out of the saddle and bowed by the roadside.

  The brothers dismounted to talk with him and ask how he came to be there.

  “When I left you I had no idea that Kungsun Tsan was a man who would listen to no reason. The result was disaster and he perished in the flames. Yuan Shao invited me to him several times, but I thought too little of him to go. Then I wanted to go to Hsuchou to you, but you had lost that place and Yun-ch’ang had gone over to Ts’ao Ts’ao and you had joined Yuan Shao. Several times I thought of coming to you but I feared Yuan Shao. So I drifted from one place to another with nowhere to rest till I happened to come this way and P’ei Yuan-shao tried to steal my horse. So I slew him and took possession of his camp. I heard I-te was in Kuch’eng but thought it might be only a rumour. And so the days have passed till this happy meeting.”

  Yuan-te told him all that had happened to him since they parted and so did Kuan Yu.

  Said Liu P’ei,“The first time I saw you I felt drawn to you and did not want to part from you. I am very happy to meet you again.”

  “In all my wanderings, trying to find a lord worth serving, I have seen no one like you. Now I have reached your side that is enough for all my life. I care not what may happen to me.”

  Next they burned the camp, after which they all took the road back to Kuch’eng where they were welcomed They exchanged the stories of their several adventures and the two ladies related the valiant deeds of Kuan Yu whereat Yuan-te was too affected to speak.

  Then they performed a great sacrifice to Heaven and Earth with the slaughter of a bull and a horse.

  The soldiers also were recompensed for their toils. Yuan-te surveyed the conditions around him and found therein much to rejoice at. His two brothers were restored to his side and none of his helpers were missing. Moreover he had gained Chao Yun, and his brother Kuan Yu had acquired an adopted son P’ing. Another captain had joined his ranks in the person of Chou Ts’ang. There was every occasion for feasting and gratification.

  Scattered wide were the brothers, none knew another’s retreat,

  Joyfully now they foregather, dragon and tiger meet.

  At this time the forces under the command of the three brothers and their adherents numbered four or five thousand men. Yuan-te was in favour of leaving Kuch’eng and occupying Junan and just then Liu P’ei and Kung Tu, commanders of that city, sent to invite him to go there. So they went. There they devoted all their efforts to strengthen their army both horse and foot, but nothing will be said of the recruiting purchase of horses and such matters.

  However it must be noted that Yuan Shao was much annoyed when Yuan-te did not return and at first was for sending a force after him. However Kuo T’u dissuaded him.

  “Liu P’ei need cause you no anxiety; Ts’ao Ts’ao is your one enemy and must be destroyed. Even Liu Piao, though strongly posted on the river, is none too terrible. There is Sun Po-fu on the east of the river, strong, feared, with wide territory, a large army and able counsellors and leaders; you should make an alliance there against Ts’ao Ts’ao.”

  He won his chief to his view and wrote to Sun; sending the letter by Ch’en Chen.

  Just as one warrior leaves the north,

  Another from the east come
s forth.

  Future chapters will reveal the outcome of these dispositions.

  CHAPTER XXIX

  THE “LITTLE CHIEF OF THE FEUDAL LORDS” SLAYS YU CHI: THE “BLUE - EYED BOY” LAYS HOLD ON CHIANGTUNG

  W e may tell here how Sun Ts’e gradually became supreme on the east of the river. In the fourth year of the period “Established Peace,”* he took Luchiang by the defeat of the Prefect Liu Hsun. He despatched Yu Fan with a despatch to the Prefect of Yuchang,† Hua Hsin, and he surrendered. Thence his renown increased and he boldly sent a memorial on his military successes to the Emperor by the hand of Chang Hung.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao saw in him a powerful rival and said he was a lion difficult to contend with. So he betrothed his niece, daughter of Ts’ao Jen, to Sun K’uang, the youngest brother of Sun Ts’e, thus connecting the two families by marriage. He also retained Chang Hung near him in the capital.

  Then Sun Ts’e sought the title of Ta Ssu-ma, or Minister of War, one of the highest offices of State, but Ts’ao Ts’ao prevented the attainment of this ambition, and Sun Ts’e keenly resented it. Henceforward his thoughts turned toward an attack on Ts’ao Ts’ao.

  About this time the Prefect of Wuchun sent a secret letter to the capital to Ts’ao Ts’ao, saying that Sun Ts’e was a turbulent fellow of the Hsiang Chi type and the government ought, under the appearance of showing favour to him, to recall him to the capital for he was a danger in the provinces. But the bearer of this letter was captured on the Yangtse River and sent to Sun Ts’e, who immediately put him to death. Then he treacherously sent to ask the author of the letter, Hsu Kung by name, to come and consult over some affair. The unsuspecting man came. Sun Ts’e produced the letter, saying.“So you wish to send me to the land of the dead, eh?” and thereupon the executioners came in and strangled him. The family of the victim scattered, but three of his clients determined to avenge him if only they could find some means of attacking Sun.

  Their chance came in the hunting field. One day Sun went hunting in the hills to the west of Tant’u. A stag was started and Sun pressed after it at topmost speed and followed it deep into the forest. Presently he came upon three armed men standing among the trees. Rather surprised to see them there he reined in and asked who they were.

  “We belong to Han Tang’s army and are shooting deer,” was the reply.

  So Sun Ts’e shook his bridle to proceed. But just as he did so one of the men thrust at him with a spear and wounded his thigh. Sun drew the sword at his side, dashed forward and cut down the aggressor. The blade of his sword suddenly fell to the ground, only the hilt remaining in his hand. Then one of the assassins drew his bow and an arrow wounded Sun in the cheek. He plucked out the arrow and shot at the offender, who fell, but the other two attacked him furiously with their spears, shouting,“We are Hsu Kung’s men and his avengers!”

  Sun Ts’e then understood. But he had no weapons save his bow against them. He tried to draw off, keeping them at bay by striking with his bow, but the fight was getting too much for him and both he and his steed were wounded in several places. However, just at the critical moment, some of his own men came up and they made short work of the remaining two avengers.

  But their lord was in a sorry plight. His face was streaming with blood and some of the wounds were very severe. They tore up his robe and therewith bound up his wounds and they carried him home.

  A poem in praise of the three avengers says:—

  O Sun Ts’e was a warrior and a stranger he to fear,

  But he was basely murdered while hunting of the deer.

  Yet were they leal who slew him, to avenge a murdered lord,

  Self immolated like Yu-jang, they dreaded not the sword.

  Badly wounded, Sun Ts’e was borne to his home. They sent to call the famous physician, Hua To, but he was far away and could not be found. However, a disciple of his came and the wounded man was committed to his care.

  ‘The arrowheads were poisoned,” said the physician,“and the poison has penetrated deep. It will take a hundred days of perfect repose before danger will be past. But if you give way to passion or anger the wounds will not heal.”

  Sun’s temperament was hasty and impatient and the prospect of such a slow recovery was very distasteful. However, he remained quiet for some twenty of the hundred days. Then came a messenger from the capital and he insisted on seeing and questioning him.

  “Ts’ao Ts’ao fears you, my lord, very greatly,” said the messenger,“and his advisers have exceeding respect for you; all except Kuo Chia.”

  “What did he say?” asked the sick chieftain.

  The messenger remained silent, which only irritated his master and caused him to demand to be told. So the messenger had to speak the truth. He said,“The fact is Kuo Chia told Ts’ao Ts’ao that he need not fear you, that you were frivolous and unready, impulsive and shallow, just a stupid swaggerer who would one day come to his death at the hands of some mean person.”

  This provoked the sick man beyond endurance.

  “How dare he say this of me, the fool!” cried Sun Ts’e.“I will take the capital from Ts’ao, I swear.”

  It was no more a question of repose. Ill as he was he wanted to begin preparations for an expedition at once. They remonstrated with him, reminded him of the physician’s orders and urged him to rest.

  “You are risking your priceless self in a moment’s anger,” said Chang Chao.

  Then arrived Ch’en Chen, the messenger from Yuan Shao, and Sun would have him brought in. He said,“My master wishes to ally himself with Wu in an attack on Ts’ao Ts’ao.”

  Such a proposal was just after Sun’s heart. At once he called a great meeting of his officers in the wall tower and prepared a banquet in honour of the messenger. While this was in progress he noticed many of his captains whispering to each other and they all began to go down from the banquet chamber. He could not understand this and enquired of the attendants near him what it meant. They told him that Saint Yu had just gone by and the officers had gone down to pay their respects to him. Sun Ts’e rose from his place and went and leaned over the railing to look at the man. He saw a Taoist priest in snowy garb leaning on his staff in the middle of the road, while the crowd about him burnt incense and made obeisance.

  “What wizard fellow is this? Bring him here!” said Sun.

  “This is Yu Chi,” said the attendants.“He lives in the east and goes to and fro distributing charms and draughts. He has cured many people as everybody will tell you, and they say he is a saint. He must not be profaned.”

  This only angered Sun the more and he told them to arrest the man at once or disobey at their peril. So there being no help for it they went down into the road and hustled the saint up the steps.

  “You madman! How dare you incite men to evil?” said Sun Ts’e.

  “I am but a poor priest of the Lanyeh Palace. More than half a century ago, when gathering simples in the woods, I found near the Chuyang Spring a book called “The Way of Peace.” It contains a hundred and more chapters and taught me how to cure the diseases of men. With this in my possession I had only one thing to do, to devote myself to spreading its teachings and saving mankind. I have never taken any thing from the people. Can you say I incite men to evil deeds?”

  “You say you take nothing; whence came your clothes and your food? The fact is you are one of the Yellow Turban kidney and you will work mischief if you are left alive.” “Take him away and put him to death,” continued he to his attendants.

  Chang Chao interceded,“The Taoist has been here in the east these many years. He has never done any harm and does not deserve death or punishment.”

  “I tell you I will kill these wizard fellows just as I would cattle.”

  The officials in a body interceded, even the guest of honour Ch’en Chen, but in vain; Sun Ts’e refused to be placated. He ordered the Taoist to be imprisoned.

  The banquet came to an end and the messenger retired to his lodging. Sun Ts’e also returned to h
is palace.

  His treatment of the Taoist Holy Man was the theme of general conversation and soon reached the ears of his mother. She sent for her son to the ladies’ apartments and said to him,“They tell me you have put the Taoist in bonds. He has cured many sick people and the common folk hold him in great reverence. Do not harm him.”

  “He is simply a wizard who upsets the multitude with his spells and craft. He must be put to death,” replied Ts’e.

  She entreated him to stay his hand, but he was obstinate.“Do not heed the gossip of the street, mother,” said he.“I must be judge of these matters.”

  However, he sent to the prison for the Taoist in order to interrogate him. Now the gaolers having a great respect for Yu Chi and faith in his powers were very indulgent to him and did not keep him in the collar. However when Ts’e sent for him he went with collar and fetters all complete.

  Ts’e had heard of their indulgence and punished the gaolers so that the prisoner thereafter lay in constant torture. Chang Chao and some others, moved by pity, made a petition which they humbly presented and they offered to become surety for him.

  Sun Ts’e said to them,“Gentlemen, you are all great scholars, but why do you not understand reason? Formerly in Chiao chou was a certain Governor Chang Ching, who was deluded by these vicious doctrines into beating drums, twanging lyres, burning incense and such things. He wore a red turban and represented himself as able to ensure victory to an army. But he was slain by the enemy. There is nothing in all this, only none of you will see it. I am going to put this fellow to death in order to stop the spread of this pernicious doctrine.

  Lu Fan interposed,“I know very well this Yu Chi can control the weather. It is very dry just now, why not make him pray for rain as an amercement?”

  “We will see what sort of witchcraft he is equal to,” said Sun Ts’e.

  Whereupon he had the prisoner brought in, loosed his fetters and sent him up to an altar to intercede for rain.

  The docile Taoist prepared to do as he was bidden. He first bathed himself, then dressed himself in clean garments. After that he bound his limbs with cord and lay down in the fierce heat of the sun. The people came in crowds to look on.