Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

And two years thence was dead, in Yong'an Palace still.

  Picture regal plumes upon those vacant hills;

  How blank and bare his hall of state in a country shrine!

  Fir and pine by the old fane keep cormorants5

  Till solstice feast days stir the old folks out:

  With Kongming's sanctum always right next door,

  In sacred union liege and man share the rites of worship.6

  Grieving officials, led by Kongming, bore the royal coffin back to Chengdu, where Heir Apparent Liu Shan received them outside the city walls. He had his father's body placed in state in the main hall of the palace. After the rites and mourning the testament was read:

  It began with no more than severe stomach cramps, but complications developed, and recovery became less and less likely. They say, "After fifty, one no longer dies young," so to die after sixty is hardly cause for regret, though you and your brothers still occupy my thoughts. Be vigilant! Be vigilant! If an evil is minor, resist it nonetheless. If a good deed is trifling, perform it all the same. Only wisdom and virtue can truly win men's devotion. My meagre virtue was unworthy of your emulation. Serve the prime minister as if he were your father; be neither negligent nor remiss. Seek to make a name for yourself. Such is my final charge.

  After the reading of the will, Kongming said, "A dynasty cannot go a single day without a sovereign. Let us enthrone the heir in order to continue the line of Han unbroken." The assembly thus inaugurated Liu Shan emperor and changed the reign title to Jian Xing, "Commence the Revival." Zhuge Liang was made lord of Wuxiang and protector of Yizhou. The late Emperor was interred at Huiling and posthumously titled August Emperor Zhao Lie, or Reflected Glory.7 The Empress, Lady Wu, was honored as queen mother. Lady Gan, the mother of Liu Shan, was posthumously honored as August Empress Zhao Lie. Lady Mi was posthumously remembered as Empress. The body of officials was promoted and rewarded; amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire.8

  News of Liu Bei's death soon made its way north, and imperial attendants informed the king. Cao Pi said delightedly, "With Liu Bei gone, my worries are over. Let us attack while they have no king." But Jia Xu remonstrated with him: "Liu Bei must have charged Zhuge Liang with the care of his son. Mindful of Liu Bei's kindness, Zhuge Liang will render to the heir the fullest measure of devotion. Your Majesty cannot invade precipitately." As Jia Xu spoke, someone stepped out from the rows of officials and cried with fervor, "Such an opportunity to attack will never come again!" The assembly turned to Sima Yi. The delighted Cao Pi asked his plan, and Sima Yi replied, "Troops from north China alone cannot succeed. To attain our objectives will require a vast force composed of five field armies concerted in an all-round attack to prevent Zhuge Liang from coordinating his van and his rear."

  Questioned further by Cao Pi, Sima Yi explained, "Prepare a letter to the Xianbi nation in Liaodong. An envoy will take it to their king, Kebineng, together with gifts of gold and silk to get him to raise a force of one hundred thousand Qiang soldiers from Liaoxi as our first field army; let them take Xiping Pass by land. Write a second letter for an envoy to take to the land of the Southern Man along with new titles and rewards. Have their king, Meng Huo, muster another hundred thousand—the second field army—for an attack on the four southern districts of the Riverlands: Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangge, and Yuesui.9 Next, send someone to the Southland to mend relations, promising them some territory to get Sun Quan to raise another hundred thousand soldiers—the third field army—for an attack on Three Gorges and the city of Fu. Then send an envoy to the general who has surrendered to us, Meng Da, so that one hundred thousand can be raised in Shangyong for an attack to the west on Hanzhong. That will be the fourth field army. Finally, give Cao Zhen chief command of one hundred thousand—the fifth army—to proceed from Jingzhao to Yangping Pass for the capture of the Riverlands itself. Even if he had the talents of a Lü Wang, Zhuge Liang could not contend with a concerted invasion by five hundred thousand."

  Delighted, Cao Pi dispatched four persuasive envoys on their secret missions, and he made Cao Zhen chief commander of an army of one hundred thousand to take Yangping Pass. Zhang Liao and other members of Cao Cao's old guard who had been made honorary lords and posted to various strategic points in Jizhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Hefei were not assigned to join in this campaign.

  Since the accession of the Second Ruler of Shu-Han, Liu Shan, many vassals of the old days had fallen ill and died; their particular fates may be passed over. All matters of state, appointment of officials, revenue and taxation, and judicial administration were left entirely in the hands of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang. The matter of an empress was still pending. Kongming and the courtiers petitioned the Emperor, "The daughter of Zhang Fei, late general of Chariots and Cavalry, is a worthy and virtuous woman. She is seventeen years and an acceptable consort for the new Emperor."10 Liu Shan accepted the prime minister's choice.

  In the eighth month of the first year of the new reign period, Jian Xing, a report from the border came in: "The kingdom of Wei has fielded five armies in order to conquer the Riverlands. The first, one hundred thousand men under Chief Commander Cao Zhen, is marching to Yangping Pass. The second, under the rebel Meng Da, is attacking Hanzhong with one hundred thousand Shangyong soldiers. The third consists of Sun Quan's crack troops, numbering one hundred thousand; they are coming into the Riverlands through Three Gorges. The fourth army is led by the Southern Man king Meng Huo; its goal is Yizhou and the other three southern districts. The fifth is the army of the Qiang king Ke-bineng; it will go against Xiping Pass. These five armies pose a mortal threat. We have reported their movements to the prime minister, but for reasons unknown he has not conducted business for several days."

  Alarmed by this report, the Second Emperor summoned Kongming to court. After a long while the messenger reported back, "According to his household staff, he is too ill to go out." The Second Emperor became more anxious. The next day he sent Inner Bureau Officer Dong Yun and Senior Court Counselor Du Qiong to announce the emergency to the prime minister in his sickroom. But the two men were not admitted to Kongming's residence. Du Qiong said to the gateman, "The late Emperor made the prime minister responsible for the heir. His Majesty has hardly assumed the throne, and Cao Pi's five armies have breached our borders. This is a military emergency. Why does the prime minister allege illness and not appear?" After a while the gateman conveyed the prime minister's answer: "As his indisposition had eased somewhat, he will be at the ministry tomorrow morning in his official capacity." The two dispirited envoys returned to the Emperor.

  The next day the officials came before the prime minister's residence and waited. The day passed, and he did not appear. The officials departed apprehensively. Du Qiong addressed the Second Emperor: "I beg Your Majesty to go personally to the prime minister's residence and ask his plan." The Second Emperor immediately led his officials into the palace to explain the situation to the queen mother. The queen mother, startled by what she was told, said, "Why, the prime minister could never betray the late Emperor's trust. I will go to him myself." But Dong Yun said to her, "Royal Mother, do not be hasty. Surely, the prime minister has a higher end in view. Let His Majesty go to him first. If the prime minister is unresponsive, there will be time enough for you to summon him into the ancestral shrine." The queen mother abided by this counsel.

  The next day the Second Emperor visited the ministerial residence. As His Majesty came into view, the gateman hurriedly prostrated himself. "Where is the prime minister?" the Emperor asked. "I do not know," the gateman replied. "But we were instructed to admit no officials." The Second Emperor came down form his carriage and walked through the third archway. He found Kongming leaning on a bamboo staff and peering into a small fishpond. The Second Emperor stood behind him a good while before saying deliberately, "Are things well with Your Excellency?" Kongming looked back. Seeing the Emperor, he threw down his staff and prostrated himself. "I deserve to die ten thousand times!" he exclaimed.11 The Emperor helped him t
o his feet and asked, "Cao Pi's armies have crossed our borders. The situation is serious. Prime Minister—Father—why will you not come out of seclusion and take care of this?"12

  Kongming smiled broadly as he helped the Emperor to a seat in the rear chamber. The prime minister then addressed the sovereign: "I knew all about the arrival of the five armies. I was not really viewing the fish, but thinking my own thoughts." "What can we do?" the Emperor said. "I have already driven back four of the armies: that of the Qiang king, Kebineng; that of the Man king, Meng Huo; that of the rebel general, Meng Da; and that of the Wei general, Cao Zhen. But as for the last army, that of Sun Quan— though I have worked out a plan, I will need a capable spokesmen to send to him. I was pondering whom to send when you saw me at the fishpond. It is unnecessary for Your Majesty to worry."

  Amazed and delighted, the Emperor said, "Prime Minister and Second Father, your designs are indeed marvelous and unfathomable. I would know your plan." Kongming replied, " How could I treat Your Majesty, whom the late Emperor entrusted to my care, with the slightest negligence? None of the Chengdu officials knows much of the art of war. What mattered most was keeping anyone from guessing my plan. The details had to be secret. Early on I knew that the Qiang king Kebineng meant to attack Xiping Pass, so I took the following steps: Ma Chao and his forebears, Riverlands people for generations, have always enjoyed the friendship of the Qiang. The Qiang regard Ma Chao himself as a heavenly general with supernatural powers. So I sent a swift envoy with orders for Ma Chao to guard Xiping Pass as tightly as possible and to place four units in ambush— to be rotated daily. That should take care of Kebineng, the first army.

  "Now for the Man king, Meng Huo, whose troops threaten our four southern districts: I have dispatched orders to Wei Yan to keep moving his army left and right of Meng Huo as decoys; the Man troops, who rely only on courage, are so mistrustful that decoys will surely deter their advance. So that army should cause no anxiety.

  "I also knew about Meng Da's advance on Hanzhong. Meng Da and Li Yan are friends to the death. When I got back to Chengdu, I left Li Yan guarding the Palace of Enduring Peace. I have written to Meng Da, copying Li Yan's hand. Meng Da will claim he is ill and will not join the action, thus weakening his troops' morale. That army, too, need occasion no further anxiety.

  "Finally, Cao Zhen's coming assault on Yangping Pass. This is formidable terrain, easy to defend well. I have already dispatched Zhao Zilong to maintain defensive positions there. When Cao Zhen realizes our soldiers will not show themselves, he will retreat before long. Thus, none of the four enemy armies is worth worrying about. But for an extra measure of security I have secretly sent Guan Xing and Zhang Bao with thirty thousand troops each to reinforce our other units at crucial points. All these arrangements were made without going through Chengdu, so no one here has heard a thing.

  "That leaves the Southland army—but it should not make any major move. It would be likely to attack if the other four armies were winning and if the Riverlands encountered a crisis. But what will they do if the four armies are making no progress? My guess is that Sun Quan has not forgotten Cao Pi's invasion and will be reluctant to do his bidding. Nonetheless, I still need an able talker to go there and persuade them where their true interests lie: when the Southland backs out, the other four armies will pose no threat. But I have yet to find the man who can convince the south, and so I have been in a quandary. Forgive me for having troubled Your Majesty to make this visit." The Emperor replied, "The queen mother also meant to come and see you, prime minister and second father. Now your explanation has wakened me from a dream and relieved my anxieties."

  Kongming shared several cups with the Second Emperor and then escorted him from his residence. The waiting officials surrounding the gate watched doubtfully as the Emperor, looking pleased, bade Kongming good-bye and returned to court in his carriage. Kongming noticed one of the courtiers, Deng Zhi, looking upward and laughing. Deng Zhi (Bomiao), from Xinye in Yiyang, was secretary of the Agricultural Tax Department, a descendant of Marshal Deng Yu of the Han. Kongming had him quietly detained and invited him to his library after the other officials had departed.

  Kongming asked Deng Zhi, "Now three kingdoms—Shu, Wei, and Wu—have formed. I want to wage war against the other two to unify the realm and restore the Han. Which kingdom should I attack first?" Deng Zhi responded, "In my humble opinion, Wei, though a traitor, is a formidable power, virtually unshakable. We should bide our time. The people's confidence in the new sovereign remains unsteady, so it seems sensible to unite again with the Southland for mutual defense, wiping clear the late Emperor's longstanding grievance against them. This is a plan for the long run. But what is Your Excellency's esteemed view?"

  Kongming laughed as he said, "These have been my thoughts, too, for some time. I've been looking for the right man. Today I have found him!" "What do you wish him to do?" Deng Zhi inquired. Kongming responded, "I want to send him to the Southland to repair the alliance. Good sir, since you understand our thinking, you are sure to do justice to the royal command. You are the perfect man for the mission. There is no one else." "The task may be too much for my meagre talent and shallow knowledge," Deng Zhi protested. "Tomorrow," Kongming answered, "I will advise the Son of Heaven to request that you make the trip. I urge you to accept." Deng Zhi assented and withdrew.

  The next day, as Kongming had advised, the Emperor delegated Deng Zhi as his representative to the Southland. Deng Zhi took leave and headed south. Indeed:

  No sooner had the Southland seen the end of war

  Than the Riverlands sent the gifts of peace.

  What would be the outcome of Deng Zhi's mission?13

  Read on.

  86

  To Thwart Zhang Wen, Qin Mi Shows Genius in Debate;

  To Defeat Cao Pi, Xu Sheng Employs Fire in Attack

  To mark Lu Xun's success in driving back the armies of Wei, the king of Wu honored him as General Who Upholds the Kingdom, lord of Jiangling, and protector of Jingzhou. Thereafter military authority was concentrated in Lu Xun's hands.

  On the recommendation of Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong, the king of Wu established his own reign title, Huang Wu.1 In the first year of the reign an envoy from the Wei ruler arrived unexpectedly and stated his purpose to Sun Quan: "Dearly we regret the mistake we made in giving military assistance to the Riverlands, but now we are mobilizing four armies to capture that territory, and half of it will be your prize if you back us up."2 Sun Quan, uncertain how to respond to this proposal, put the question to his advisers Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong. Zhang Zhao said, "Lu Xun has greater insight. We can ask him."

  Sun Quan summoned his chief commander, who said, "Cao Pi's hold on the heartland is firm enough to rule out a quick strike north. And should we refuse his proposal, we would become his enemy. I don't think Wei or Wu has a strategist to match Zhuge Liang, so I would say yes—reluctant as you may be—all the while enhancing our preparedness and gathering intelligence on the progress of their four armies. If their effort looks promising and the Riverlands is thrown into a crisis, and if Zhuge Liang's forces are disorganized, Your Majesty should send troops to aid Wei and try to take Chengdu. Such a plan is in our best interest. But if Wei's four armies are defeated, we shall have to reconsider."

  Sun Quan accepted this advice and said to the envoy, "The army is still being provisioned. We will fix a day now to begin our expedition." The envoy left with his answer. Before long Sun Quan learned that the Qiang force attacking Xiping Pass had retreated before Ma Chao without fighting; that Wei Yan, using decoy soldiers, had driven Southern Man leader Meng Huo and his troops back to their hollows, thus defeating his attack on the Riverlands' southern districts; that Meng Da had fallen ill en route and was unable to proceed; and that Cao Zhen had been checked by Zhao Zilong at Yanging Pass (giving fresh proof to the adage "A single commander at the pass can stop ten thousand men" ) and had turned back in frustration after posting his forces at Ye Gorge Road. Sun Quan then said to his counselors,
"Lu Xun calculated perfectly. An ill-conceived action on my part would again have given the Riverlands good reason to hate us."

  At this moment the Riverlands envoy, Deng Zhi, arrived.3 Zhang Zhao said, "Another of Zhuge Liang's maneuvers to deflect enemy forces—sending Deng Zhi to win our cooperation." "How shall I answer him?" Sun Quan asked. Zhang Zhao replied, "Place a cauldron filled with several hundred jin of oil in front of the main hall and heat it with a charcoal fire. When the oil is bubbling, have a thousand tall, hard-faced soldiers, arms in hand, form a line from the main hall out to the palace gate. Summon Deng Zhi and before he can open his mouth, tell him you are going to boil him alive as the king of Qi boiled Li Yiji. See how he responds."4

  Sun Quan set up the cauldron and detailed the soldiers as Zhang Zhao had advised. He then called for the envoy. Properly costumed, Deng Zhi came to the gate and saw the two lines of guards—with steel swords, battle-axes, halberds, and daggers—stretching up to the main hall. It was a chilling display. But Deng Zhi understood its purpose and, betraying no fear, strode up to the hall, where he found the giant cauldron of boiling oil. As the warriors to right and left eyed him, Deng Zhi smiled casually. The king's attendants led him to the curtain behind which the king sat. Deng Zhi bowed low from the waist but did not prostrate himself. Sun Quan had the curtain rolled up and shouted, "Why no obeisance?" With a confident air Deng Zhi responded, "The envoy of a great kingdom does not prostrate himself before the lord of a lesser one." Angrily Sun Quan responded, "You're asking for it! Try wagging that wordy little tongue of yours as well as Li Yiji and then throw yourself into the cauldron!"

  Deng Zhi laughed loudly and said, "The Southland is supposed to be rich in worthy men. Who would have expected you to fear a mere scholar!"5 "I, fear a reckless fool like you?" Sun Quan exclaimed. "If you don't fear the messenger, why worry about his message?" was the reply. "Tell me the truth," Sun Quan said. "Has Zhuge Liang sent you to persuade me to break off with Wei and turn toward Shu?" "I am but a scholar from the Riverlands," Deng Zhi went on, "who has come to speak of what is in the interest of the Southland.6 And you have set up a cauldron and soldiers to hold off a single envoy. It goes to show how petty you really are!"