During the night Cao Cao, agitated and unable to sleep, armed himself and made a private tour of the camp. He was astonished to find Xiahou Dun's men packing up and summoned Dun for an explanation. Dun told him that First Secretary Yang had anticipated Cao's wish to return. Next, Cao Cao summoned Yang Xiu, who attributed his interpretation to the chicken ribs. Cao Cao was enraged and said, "You dare concoct statements like this and ruin my men's morale!" He shouted for his guards to remove and execute the secretary and to post his head at the main gate as a warning to all.
Now Secretary Yang Xiu—a free spirit who presumed on his talent—had crossed Cao Cao more than once. One time, Cao Cao had had a garden built. When it was ready, he went to inspect it. Without uttering a word of praise or blame, Cao Cao took a brush and wrote a single word, "Alive," on the gate to the garden, then departed. No one could interpret what this meat, but Yang Xiu said, "The graph alive inside the graph gate makes the graph broad." His Excellency was simply saying that the gate is too wide. "The result was that the workmen rebuilt the surrounding wall, thus changing it to suit their lord. They then invited him to make another visit. Cao Cao came and was delighted." Who guessed my meaning? "he asked." Yang Xiu, "they all responded; Cao Cao, though he voiced his admiration, secretly resented the man.4 Another time, a box of kumiss was sent to Cao Cao from north of the border. Cao Cao wrote three words on the box," One box cream, "and placed it in his cabinet. When Yang Xiu entered and happened to see it, he opened the cabinet and distributed the treat. Cao Cao later asked him why he had done it, and Yang Xiu replied," You wrote quite plainly on the box, 'per man, one mouthful cream. ' How could I deviate from Your Excellency's command? "Cao Cao smiled with pleasure at the play on words, but in his heart he felt hatred.5
Cao Cao lived with a constant fear of assassination and was forever warning his attendants: "I like to kill people in my dreams, so when I fall asleep be sure not to come too close." Once while napping during the day, his blanket slipped to the ground and a guard hastened to cover him again. But Cao Cao leaped up, drew his sword and slew the man, then went back to sleep. When he arose a little later, he feigned surprise and said, "Who has killed my man?" When the other attendants told him the truth, he wept sorely and ordered a funeral with full honors. Everyone believed that he had done the killing in his dream—except Yang Xiu, who had read Cao Cao's mind. At the time of the burial Yang Xiu pointed at the dead man and said, "His Excellency was not dreaming; only you were!"6 These words were reported to Cao Cao, whose hatred of Yang Xiu only increased.
Cao Cao's third son, Zhi, was a great admirer of Yang Xiu's ability and often had him over for discussions which lasted all night. When Cao Cao had proposed naming Cao Zhi his heir apparent, Cao Pi, the eldest, secretly requested the elder of Zhaoge, Wu Zhi, to come and advise him. To prevent detection, he had Wu Zhi brought in a large box made to hold bolts of silk. Yang Xiu found out the truth, however, and reported it directly to Cao Cao, who put Cao Pi's quarters under surveillance. Pi nervously informed Wu Zhi, who advised Pi to bring in another container with real bolts of silk to deceive the investigators. Cao Pi did so the next day, and, after searching, Cao Cao's men had to report that silk was all they had found. Cao Cao therefore came to believe that Yang Xiu had intended harm to Cao Pi and hated him the more for it.
Cao Cao then decided to put Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to a test. One day he asked his two sons to appear outside the city gate of Ye, but he told the guards not to let them out. Cao Pi arrived first and was turned back. Cao Zhi heard what had happened at the gate and asked Yang Xiu about it. "When you go forth on the king's command," Xiu said, "it is appropriate to cut down anyone who tries to stop you." Cao Zhi thought this right. And so when he was stopped at the gate, he cried out, "I bear a royal command. Who dares prevent me?" and immediately had the guard cut down. The result was that Cao Cao regarded Zhi as the more capable. Later, however, he was told that Yang Xiu had coached Cao Zhi; he became so angry that he subsequently lost his preference for Cao Zhi.
Yang Xiu had prepared a special primer on state affairs for Cao Zhi's use. As a result, whenever Cao Cao posed questions about state affairs, Zhi responded so eloquently that Cao Cao eventually became suspicious. Later, Cao Pi bribed a few of Zhi's followers, who secretly showed Cao Cao the special primer. In a fury Cao Cao said, "How dare this fellow make a fool of me!" It was at this time that he conceived the idea of killing Yang Xiu. Now, using the "chicken ribs" incident as his pretext, he carried it out. Yang Xiu was thirty-four years old. A poet of later times has left these lines describing Yang Xiu:
Brilliant and all-seeing was Yang Xiu;
His family always wore the cap of state.
Words from his brush sprang magically to life;
And poetry took shape within his breast.
He starts to speak: all hearers are amazed;
His swift replies confound a brilliant throng.
Alas, he died by his own talent wronged;
Cao Cao's retreat was not the cause at all.7
After ordering Yang Xiu's execution, Cao Cao pretended to be angry at Xiahou Dun as well for preparing for retreat ahead of time. He proposed putting Dun to death but let his other commanders persuade him instead to dismiss Dun roughly with orders to advance against the enemy the following day.
That next day the troops left the Ye Gorge and faced Wei Yan in the field. Cao Cao invited Wei Yan to surrender but was denounced for his offer. Cao Cao then sent Pang De into the field. As the two generals grappled, fires broke out in Cao's camps and he learned that Ma Chao had raided his two rear positions. Cao Cao drew his sword and cried, "Whoever retreats will die!" and the commanders pressed forward. Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled, and Cao Cao signaled his troops to turn around and fight Ma Chao. Cao himself rode to a hillock to observe the action.
Suddenly a body of men came straight at Cao Cao. The leader shouted, "Wei Yan, here!" He took his bow and fitted an arrow to the string; the shot struck Cao Cao, who tumbled to the ground. Dropping his bow and raising his sword, Wei Yan charged up the slope to kill Cao Cao. But a general cut athwart him shouting, "Don't touch our lord!" It was Pang De. With a burst of energy De advanced, drove Wei Yan off, and protected Cao Cao. Ma Chao had already retreated, and so Cao Cao was brought safely back to camp.
Wei Yan's bolt had struck Cao Cao's upper lip, knocking out two teeth. A physician was called, and while being treated, Cao remembered what Yang Xiu had said about marching home. He had the scholar's body recovered and given an honorable burial. He then ordered the army to withdraw to the capital. Pang De was assigned to prevent pursuit. Cao Cao lay in a felt-lined carriage, guarded by a royal escort. Suddenly a report came: there were fires on both sides of the Ye Gorge hills covering an ambush. Cao Cao's troops panicked. Indeed:
Was this so different from the rout at Tong Pass,
Or his forces' ruin at Red Cliffs?
Was Cao Cao's life in danger?
Read on.
73
Xuande Becomes King of Hanzhong;
Lord Guan Storms Xiangyang District
Kongming surmised that Cao Cao, having retreated to Ye Gorge, would evacuate the Hanzhong region. Accordingly, Kongming sent Ma Chao and other commanders to harry Cao Cao's defenses with a dozen squads. Wounded, unable to maintain a position in Hanzhong, Cao Cao urgently ordered his forces home. Throughout his army morale was fading. The moment Cao's forward units began pulling back, flames whipped up around them, and Ma Chao's hidden troops emerged and pursued them. Cao's soldiers lost all courage. Cao Cao ordered the pace quickened, and the army pressed on without resting. Only after reaching Chang'an did Cao Cao feel secure.
On Xuande's order Liu Feng, Meng Da, and Wang Ping captured the Shangyong districts of eastern Hanzhong.1 Shen Dan and others surrendered to Xuande as soon as they learned of Cao Cao's flight. Xuande calmed the populace and rewarded his troops. There was general rejoicing.
The military leaders wanted to raise Xuande to the imperial dignity; but, reluctant to broach the subje
ct directly, they petitioned Director General Zhuge Liang. "I have already decided on that," he told them and went with Fa Zheng to see Xuande. "Cao Cao has so aggrandized his power, the people have lost their rightful sovereign," Kongming began. "But Your Lordship, celebrated for humanity and justice, now has full control of the Riverlands. It might be well to accept the will of Heaven and follow the mood of the people—to assume the throne.2 Thus, rightfully and justifiably you could bring the traitor to justice. This brooks no delay; we appeal to you to select an auspicious time."
Xuande was taken aback. "You are quite mistaken, Director General," he said. "I may be of the royal house, but I am a subject nonetheless. If I do this, it will be an act of opposition to the dynasty." "That is not so," Kongming went on. "At present the empire perishes of its divisions. Contenders arise one after the other declaring their dominion over one portion or another, while throughout the realm virtuous and talented men who have faced death in the service of a sovereign long to clamber onto a dragon, to attach themselves to a phoenix, thereby to establish their merit and their fame. If now, merely to deflect criticism, you cling to a narrow sense of honor, you will risk failing the expectations of the people. I beg Your Lordship to reconsider."3
To this appeal Xuande replied, "If you mean for me to occupy the imperial dignity unlawfully, I must refuse. Try to come up with a better plan." His commanders said, "If you decline, my lord, the commitment of the people will slacken."4 Kongming added, "Your Lordship, for whom honor is principle, may be reluctant to proclaim the imperial title outright. But now that you hold Jingzhou and the Riverlands, you might become king of Hanzhong."
To this proposal Xuande replied, "Though you would all honor me as king, without the Emperor's public edict, it would be usurpation." "It would be more appropriate to depart from the norm in this case," Kongming responded. "Do not cling to convention." At this point Zhang Fei shouted, "Other men who bear surnames other than Liu are trying to become sovereign, yet you, brother, are a branch of the lineage of the Han dynasty. Never mind 'king of Hanzhong'—declare yourself August Emperor. There is no reason not to!"5 "You have said too much," retorted Xuande in a tone of rebuke. Kongming spoke again: "Merely as an expedient, Your Lordship, you might first assume the title of king; then memorialize the Emperor. It will still be in good time."6
After declining repeatedly, Xuande finally acceded. In the seventh month of Jian An 24 (a. d. 219), an altar for the ceremony was erected at Mianyang in a space nine li around. The five directions, symbolizing the sphere of Xuande's rule, were marked out, flags and honor guard assigned to each. The whole body of officials assembled by rank. Xu Jing and Fa Zheng bade Xuande ascend the altar, and after the presentation of the cap of state and the seal with its silken cord, Xuande faced south and seated himself while—now a king—he received the respectful felicitations of all his officers and officials.7
His son Shan (Ah Dou) was established as his heir; Xu Jing was honored as imperial guardian; and Fa Zheng was named chief of the Secretariat. Zhuge Liang was made director general and given overall direction of military and state affairs. Lord Guan, Zhang Fei, Zhao Zilong, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong were honored as the "Five Tiger Generals." Wei Yan was made governor of Hanzhong. Others were awarded rank in accordance with their merits.
As king of Hanzhong, Xuande composed a memorial and had it taken to the Emperor in the capital. The document read:8
As a servant of Your Majesty—though one unworthy of the name—I assumed a senior command and, exercising broad military authority, bore your writ abroad. But my inability to suppress the criminal conspiracy at court and stabilize the royal house caused Your Majesty's edifying example to lose its sagely influence years ago. Within the six conjunctions of the universe things have reached their nadir, with no return to the heights yet in prospect. My anxiety over this torments me, and the anguish sears my mind.
Some time ago Dong Zhuo contrived to depose and replace the lawful sovereign, letting loose a host of evils that have ravaged the realm. Nonetheless, depending on Your Majesty's sage virtue and awe-inspiring presence, I and many another subject have risen to your call. Sometimes men loyal and true have acted vigorously to bring traitors to justice; sometimes Heaven itself has sent down divine punishment. Violence and rebellion are being quelled, and the situation is slowly being resolved.
Only Cao Cao remains to be executed and his corpse publicly displayed. He began by encroaching on, then usurping, the powers of the ruling house until his ambitions culminated in blatant sedition. There was a time when I planned together with General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng to bring Cao Cao to justice. But a failure of security at the critical moment cost Dong Cheng his life; and I was thrown on my own, moving from place to place, my commitment to loyalty and honor unfulfilled. This enabled Cao Cao to commit the ultimate evil: the Empress was put to death; the royal heir was poisoned. Though we formed a league, intending to exert our utmost efforts against him, we proved weak and ineffectual in arms and accomplished little over the years. We fear our time will pass before we can requite the benevolence of the ruling house. In the night we heave long sighs, apprehensive for the dangers that bode.
Now this is the considered view of the advisers and retainers who serve your vassal Bei: The Counsels of Gao Yao says: "Scrupulously order the nine degrees of kinship, and the wise men of the realm will lend their aid." In our long tradition of emperors and kings, this teaching has never been set aside. The Zhou, reflecting on the lesson in the fall of the two preceding houses, widely established its own clan, the Ji. The two powerful kingdoms of Jing and Zheng guided and supported the Zhou. When the Han was founded and the Supreme Ancestor assumed the Dragon Throne, he honored his sons and brothers as kings. He inaugurated the nine kingdoms and terminated the various branches of the Lü clan, thus ensuring the security of the ancestral clan of Liu.9
But now Cao Cao, who detests the true and corrupts the upright, multiplies his henchmen; and his malevolent ambition, the usurpation of the throne, is becoming manifest. With the imperial house enfeebled and the clan without position or influence, my advisers have adjusted time-honored protocol and fallen back on the temporary expedient of elevating your vassal Bei to serve as grand marshal and king of Hanzhong.
Humbly and often have I reflected on my motives and conduct. Having received the bounteous favor of the Han, I was authorized to govern an important region. But my efforts bore no fruit. My rewards having exceeded my merits, it is hardly fitting for me now to add to my status and thus add to the weight of criticism I must rightly bear. So many advisers and retainers have exerted pressure on me in the name of honor and duty, however, that I have retired and reconsidered. The criminal traitor has not been publicly executed; the threat of usurpation has not yet passed; the ancestral temple stands in dire peril; and the shrine to soil and grain is on the verge of being thrown down. Truly, this is a time when your vassal's aching heart could well drive him to self-destruction. But if by rising to this unique occasion I can resolve the crisis and bring peace to your sagely court, I would shirk no risk. I have therefore, albeit arbitrarily, acceded to the general wish and respectfully accepted the seal of these offices out of respect for the authority of the court.
I think both of station—titles high and favor rich—and of duty—deeply conscious of a grave task. I breathe in trepidation, alert and fearful as if at a precipice, and dare do no less than give my all in complete sincerity. I shall renew the morale of the armed forces and lead the multitudes of the loyal so that, as Heaven and occasion seem to require, our sacred shrine may know peace. With cautious reverence I submit this memorial to your notice.10
Xuande's memorial reached the capital at Xuchang. Cao Cao was in Ye when he learned that Xuande had installed himself as king of Hanzhong. In a great rage he cried, "The low-down mat-weaver presumes too much. I vow now to annihilate him," and ordered a general mobilization for a march into the Riverlands to settle the question of supremacy with the king of Hanzhong. One m
an, however, stepped out from the ranks to object: "Do not engage in remote campaigns for the sake of a moment's anger, Your Highness. There is a way to bring about Liu Bei's ruin in the Riverlands without expending a single arrow; and when the strength of his forces is exhausted, a single general will suffice to crush him." Cao Cao regarded the man. It was Sima Yi (styled Zhongda). Cao Cao asked amiably, "Zhongda, what is your esteemed view?" "Sun Quan, lord of the Southland," Sima Yi replied, "married his sister to Liu Bei, only to seize the occasion to steal her back again. Liu Bei holds Jingzhou and refuses to return it. Thus, bitter enmity exists between the two. Now is the time to send a man of persuasive powers with a letter to convince Sun Quan to send an army to capture Jingzhou. That should force Liu Bei to send his entire army to rescue it, and Your Highness will be able to capture Hanzhong while Liu Bei, unable to coordinate his fronts, will be in peril."
Immensely pleased by this proposal, Cao Cao ordered Man Chong to visit Sun Quan as his representative. Sun Quan learned of Man Chong's arrival and summoned his counselors. Zhang Zhao proposed a receptive response. "There is no real enmity between the kingdom of Wei and the Southland," he said. "In the past we bought Zhuge's arguments, with the result that military conflict between us and the north has gone on year after year, to the detriment of the living souls in both our lands. Now Man Chong can be coming only to talk peace. He should be greeted with courtesy."
Sun Quan approved Zhang Zhao's plan and arranged for Man Chong to be escorted into the city. The ceremonies concluded, Sun Quan treated Man Chong as an honored guest. Submitting Cao Cao's letter, Man Chong said, "The Southland and Wei have no quarrel; Liu Bei has been the cause of the hostilities between us. The king of Wei has sent me here to work out an agreement whereby you, General, will attack and take over Jingzhou while he brings his army up to Hanzhong so that we can attack Liu Bei on two fronts. Once he is destroyed, we can divide his territories, pledging to respect the boundary between." After reading the letter, Sun Quan held a grand banquet for Man Chong and then had him escorted to the government's guesthouse to rest.11
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