In the field he'll let his manly mettle shine again.
Would Cao Shuang survive the conspiracy against him?
Read on.
107
Wei's Rule Is Transferred to the House of Sima;
Jiang Wei Loses a Battle at Ox Head Mountain
The ruler of Wei, Cao Fang, left the city to pay his respects at the grave of his father, Emperor Ming. Afterward, he took his position at the head of the royal hunt. Accompanying the Emperor were Cao Shuang; Shuang's three younger brothers, Cao Xi, Cao Xun, and Cao Yan; Shuang's confidants He Yan, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Bi Gui, Li Sheng, and others. The Royal Guard was attending. The details of the excursion were known to Sima Yi.
Delighted by the opportunity of an emptied court, Sima Yi went straight to the imperial household and, on the authority of the battle-axe empowering him as regent, ordered Minister of the Interior Gao Rou to occupy Cao Shuang's military base. Next, Sima Yi ordered the superviser Wang Guan, to act as palace general, replacing Cao Xi. Sima Yi conducted the officials of the former reign into the rear chambers and declared before Queen Mother Guo that Cao Shuang had committed a crime deserving impeachment: trusted with the orphan sovereign by the late Emperor, he had betrayed that trust and had thus treacherously undermined the dynasty.
Shocked, Queen Mother Guo said, "The Son of Heaven has left the city. What shall we do?" Sima Yi responded, "Your servant's petition for the Emperor contains a plan for executing the traitors. Let the queen mother remain unperturbed." The queen mother, despite her fears, could only comply with Sima Yi's demand. Moving swiftly, Sima Yi ordered the grand commandant,1 Jiang Ji, and the chief of the Secretariat, Sima Fu, to draft petitions, which he sent to the Inner Bureau for delivery to the Emperor outside the city. Sima Yi himself occupied the armory with a large force.
The household of Cao Shuang was soon informed of Sima Yi's moves. Cao Shuang's wife (nee Liu) came forward and urgently summoned the officials in residence. "The master is away, and Sima Yi has raised troops. What is his intent?" she asked them. Pan Ju, commander of the Gate Guards, responded, "Have no fear, madam. I myself shall investigate," and led several dozen archers to the tower above the main gate. Directly before him he saw Sima Yi leading a force past Cao Shuang's official residence. On Pan Ju's order his men shot to prevent Sima Yi from marching past. But Suen Qian, a lieutenant commander positioned behind Pan Ju, said, "Imperial Guardian Sima acts in behalf of the dynasty. Hold your arrows!" Again and again Suen Qian attempted to stay the archers, and finally Pan Ju ordered the shooting to stop. Sima Yi, protected by his son Zhao, passed before Cao Shuang's gate and marched out of the city. His force took up positions at the River Luo, guarding the floating bridge there.
One of Cao Shuang's captains, Luu Zhi, realized that a coup was in progress and went to speak to the military adviser Xin Chang:2 "Sima Yi is staging a coup. What shall we do?" Xin Chang replied, "Let's take our own forces out to see the Son of Heaven." Luu Zhi approved of his advice.
Xin Chang returned in haste to his private chambers, where his older sister Xin Xian-ying asked him, "What are you dashing about so madly for?" Xin Chang answered, "The Son of Heaven is away from the court, and the imperial guardian has sealed the city gates. He must be planning a revolt." Xianying responded, "Lord Sima may not be planning a revolt. He may mean only to kill Regent-Marshal Cao Shuang." Xin Chang said uneasily, "Well, we don't really know." "The regent is sure to lose in any struggle with Lord Sima," Xianying went on. Xin Chang said, "Captain Luu Zhi has told me to go with him to the Emperor, but I don't know whether to go or not." Xianying answered, "A man's primary obligation is to perform the duties of his office. Even a stranger in trouble deserves our sympathy. To deny the service owed to one's master is an evil thing to do." Xin Chang approved of her suggestion and with Luu Zhi led several dozen horsemen to the gate. There they executed Sima Yi's guard, seized control of the area, and went out. This action was reported to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi feared Huan Fan3 would also flee and consequently had him summoned. Huan Fan consulted with his son, who said, "It would be better to go out by the south gate and find the Emperor." Huan Fan accepted his advice and rode to the Pingchang Gate. He found it sealed; but the gate commander, Si Fan, had formerly been in Huan Fan's service. Huan Fan produced a bamboo document from his sleeve and said to him, "I have an edict from the queen mother. Open the gate at once!" "May I examine it?" Si Fan replied. Huan Fan answered harshly, "You once served me. How dare you ask such a thing?" Si Fan could only let Huan Fan through. Once past the wall, Huan Fan shouted back to Si Fan: "The imperial guardian is in revolt. Follow me as fast as you can!" But the astounded Si Fan could not overtake Huan Fan. Apprised of the incident, Sima Yi was alarmed. "The 'Store of Wisdom' has been emptied. What are we to do?" he asked. Jiang Ji answered, ' "The worthless horse is content in its stall! ' He was of no use to us."
Sima Yi then summoned Xu Yun and Chen Tai and said to them, "Go to Cao Shuang and tell him the imperial guardian seeks only to have the military power of his three brothers reduced." Xu Yun and Chen Tai departed.
Next, Sima Yi summoned the commandant of the Palace Halls, Yin Damu, and he ordered Jiang Ji to write a letter for him to take to Cao Shuang. Sima Yi instructed Yin Damu: "You are on good terms with Cao Shuang and therefore qualified for this assignment. Tell Shuang that Jiang Ji and I have sworn by the waters of the Luo that we have no further purpose in mind." Yin Damu left to carry out his task.
Cao Shuang was with his hunting hawks and dogs when word of the coup and the imperial guardian's petition reached him. Cao Shuang nearly fell from his horse with astonishment. The Inner Bureau representative kneeling before the Son of Heaven then presented the petition. Cao Shuang snatched it, tore open the wrapping, and ordered an imperial attendant to read it aloud. It said:
Sima Yi, First Field Marshal Who Conquers the West and imperial guardian, in fear and trembling, with his head to the ground, submits this petition. Years ago, when I returned from Liaodong, the late Emperor issued an edict authorizing Your Highness, Cao Shuang, myself, and others to enter his throne room. Sitting up, the late Emperor took my hand and expressed the deepest concern for the future of his house.
But now General Cao Shuang has violated Emperor Ming's testamentary charge and played havoc with the sacred precepts of the dynasty. As he monopolizes power in the administration, usurpation is taking shape in the palace. Under the general supervision of Zhang Dang of the Inner Bureau, he has gathered all lines of communication into his own hands. He keeps watch over the supreme ruler and aims for the sceptre itself. The enmity in the royal family is turning kinsman against kinsman. The empire is a seething cauldron, and fear grips men's minds. This is far from what the late Emperor Ming intended in his edict to Your Highness and his charge to this vassal.
This vassal's life now nears its end, but I will not forget what was said in the past. Grand Commandant Jiang Ji and Secretary Sima Fu are both convinced that Cao Shuang has no thought for his sovereign and that his brothers should not control the policing of the palace. The queen mother in Yongning Palace has sanctioned my petition to her, thereby authorizing my actions.
I have summarily ordered those in authority and the chief of the Inner Bureau to divest Cao Shuang, Cao Xi, and Cao Xun of their officials and officers and return them to the status of simple lords to prevent any coercion against Your Majesty. Resort to any such means will be dealt with under military law. Despite my physical weakness, I have taken up military command and stationed forces at the floating bridge by the River Luo to watch for any irregularity. With all reverence I bring this to your attention and stand ready to do what your sagely wisdom may dictate.
The ruler of Wei, Cao Fang, heard Sima Yi's petition and said to Cao Shuang, "The imperial guardian has made his statement. How will you cope with him?" Dumbfounded, Cao Shuang turned to his two brothers and asked, "What shall we do?" Cao Xi replied, "I, your worthless younger brother, once reproached you on this matter. You clung to your illu
sions, refusing to listen—until now! No one is craftier than Sima Yi. Even Kongming could not get the better of him—how much less could we! My advice is to humble yourself before him and avoid certain death."
As Cao Xi spoke, the military adviser Xin Chang and Captain Luu Zhi arrived. Cao Shuang asked their views, and they answered, "They have the city sealed as tightly as an iron drum. Imperial Guardian Sima Yi has stationed his force by the floating bridge over the River Luo. There is no way for us to get back. We must choose our course now." Next, Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan rode swiftly up and said to Cao Shuang, "The imperial guardian has staged a coup. General, you might invite the Son of Heaven to grace the city of Xuchang and from there organize troops outside the capital to suppress Sima Yi's revolt." Cao Shuang said, "My whole family is in the city. How can I seek refuge elsewhere and appeal for aid?" Huan Fan responded, "Even an ordinary man seeks to survive when his life is threatened. Your Lordship attends the Son of Heaven, to whose command the entire empire is answerable. How can you return to a hopeless position?" Cao Shuang weighed the arguments but could reach no decision. Overcome by emotion, he wept.
Huan Fan continued, "The stay at Xuchang would be brief; however, there is enough grain in the city for several years. My lord, you have forces encamped elsewhere, just south of the pass. You have only to summon them. The chief commanding officer's seal of command I keep with me. Hurry, Your Lordship. Delay will destroy us." "Do not press me," Cao Shuang said. "Give me time to consider this carefully."
A while later Privy Counselor Xu Yun and Chief of the Secretariat Chen Tai arrived and declared to Cao Shuang, "The imperial guardian's only concern, General, is your excessive authority. He wants nothing more than to divest you of military authority. You may return to the city as soon as you like." Cao Shuang made no reply. Then he saw Palace Commandant Yin Damu arrive; the commandant said, "The imperial guardian has sworn by the waters of the Luo that his purpose is limited to what has been stated. Grand Commandant Jiang's letter is here to verify it. General, renounce your military powers and return to your official quarters." Cao Shuang trusted to the good faith of these statements, but Huan Fan again warned, "This is a critical moment. Do not let outsiders talk you into going to your death."
Evening found Cao Shuang still undecided. He drew his sword and sighed and pondered. He wept all night; by dawn he had still failed to come to a decision. Huan Fan entered his tent and urged him again, "My lord, you have deliberated all night. It is time to decide." Throwing aside his sword, Cao Shuang said with a sigh, "I shall not take the field. I am satisfied to resign my office and live in wealth and comfort." Huan Fan cried out in frustration and left the tent. "Cao Zhen often boasted of his shrewd planning. But these three brothers are no filial sons of his!" Huan Fan exclaimed. He wept long and bitterly.
Xu Yun and Chen Tai ordered Cao Shuang to give them the seal and cord of office for Sima Yi, but when Shuang went to deliver the credentials, his first secretary, Yang Zong, snatched them and said sharply, "Relinquishing military power will not save Your Lord-ship from public execution." "The imperial guardian would never break faith with me," Cao Shuang insisted, and he surrendered the seal and cord to Xu Yun and Chen Tai, who in turn conveyed them to Sima Yi. Shuang's soldiers dispersed once the seal of command was gone, leaving Cao Shuang with only a handful of mounted officers.
When Cao Shuang reached the floating bridge, Sima Yi issued an order for Cao Shuang and his two brothers to return to their homes; all others were taken into custody pending the Emperor's disposition. Cao Shuang and his party then entered the city, but not a person was there to attend them. As Huan Fan approached the side of the bridge, Sima Yi pointed his whip at him and said, "The high officer Huan Fan. What makes you look so sad?" Huan Fan lowered his head and silently entered the city.
Sima Yi bade the Emperor move from his encampment into the city of Luoyang. Cao Shuang and his brothers, after returning home, were locked in behind their gates; eight hundred townsmen were settled on their estate. Cao Shuang was deeply depressed. Cao Xi said to him, "Our households have no grain. Elder brother, could you write to the imperial guardian to borrow some? If he consents, it means he has no intention of harming us." Cao Shuang sent the appeal, and Sima Yi had one hundred bushels delivered to Cao Shuang's quarters in response. Cao Shuang, overjoyed, said, "Lord Sima does not intend to harm us." And his anxiety lifted.
Earlier Sima Yi had imprisoned Zhang Dang of the Inner Bureau to answer for his crimes. During the questioning Zhang Dang said, "I did not act alone. My coconspirators in the usurpation were He Yan, Deng Yang, Li Sheng, Bi Gui, and Ding Mi, these five." On this evidence, Sima Yi arrested He Yan and the others and subjected them to interrogation. They all confessed that a revolt was to have taken place within three months. Sima Yi had long wooden cangues fitted around the necks of all five. Next Si Fan, one of the city gate commanders, came forward with an accusation: "Huan Fan forged an edict and left the city, accusing the imperial guardian of plotting a revolt." Sima Yi said, "Those who accuse falsely must be punished for the crime alleged." So saying, he threw Huan Fan into prison with the others. Finally, Sima Yi had Cao Shuang and his brothers executed in the public market along with their co-conspirators. Their clans were exterminated, and their wealth confiscated for the treasury.
Among the victims was Cao Shuang's half brother Wenshu, who had been married to a daughter of Xiahou Ling. Widowed young, she had borne no children. Ling wanted her to marry again, but she cut off her ear to mark her vow to remain chaste. At the time of Cao Shuang's execution Ling tried to arrange another marriage for her, so she cut off her nose. In their distress her family said to her, "Man's life in the world is light as the dust that moves from leaf to leaf. How can you cause yourself such pain? Remember, too, that your late husband's clan has been wiped out by Sima Yi in public executions. For whom are you defending your chastity?" The woman wept and said, "I have been taught that 'humanity means fidelity to one's integrity, for better or worse; honor means an unchanging heart and mind even if survival is at stake. ' The house of Cao was prosperous when I committed myself to remain faithful to the end. How can I abandon them in their hour of destruction? I will not behave as beasts do." To honor this woman's constancy, Sima Yi gave her a child to adopt to preserve the name of Cao. A poet of later times wrote:
Slight as dust on restless grass, she saw with vision true,
Daughter of the Xiahou: honor mountain-firm.
You manly ones outdone by skirt and pin,
Look down at your beards and sweat for shame!4
After the execution of Cao Shuang, Grand Commandant Jiang Ji said, "Offenders remain. Luu Zhu and Xin Chang killed the gate guard and fled; and Yang Zong still has the seal he stole. They must not get away with these crimes." "They acted for their lords; they are honorable men," Sima Yi replied, and he restored their previous offices. Xin Chang sighed and said, "But for elder sister's counsel, I would have betrayed my allegiance." A poet of later times has left these lines in praise of Xin Xianying's advice.
"The liege man for his keep must study to requite
His liege with perfect duty at his liege's day of fate. "
Xianying of the house of Xin counseled Xin Chang so,
And all men ever since have praised her spirit bold.
After pardoning Xin Chang and certain others, Sima Yi issued the following instruction: "All ordinary retainers in the household of Cao Shuang are herewith spared; officials will be restored to their former positions." Soldiers and civilians remained in their several occupations, and order was restored in the court and throughout the land. The violent fates of He Yan and Deng Yang bore out the predictions of Guan Lu. As a poet praising Guan Lu later wrote,
Tradition tells this worthy sage unriddled every sign:
Guan Lu of Pingyuan could reach a world unseen.
"Agitated," "Evanescent," he judged of He and Deng,
Knowing them for dead men before their deaths were known.5
Meanwhil
e, the ruler of Wei, Cao Fang, appointed Sima Yi as his prime minister, conferring upon him the Nine Dignities.6 Sima Yi protested strenuously, but Cao Fang prevailed, requiring Sima Yi and his two sons to manage jointly the affairs of state. A thought then occurred to Sima Yi: "Although Cao Shuang's entire clan has been eradicated, Xiahou Xuan remains in control of Yongzhou7 and neighboring regions. He is a kinsman of Shuang's. Could we defend ourselves if he revolted? He must be disposed of." Sima Yi issued an urgent edict to Yongzhou recalling General Xiahou Xuan, Conqueror of the West, to Luoyang for a conference.
The edict so alarmed Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Xuan's uncle, that he went into revolt with three thousand of his own men. The imperial inspector on duty in Yongzhou, Guo Huai, immediately led a force out to confront Xiahou Ba. Guo Huai rode forth and railed upon the rebel: "You are a member of the imperial family of Wei. Has the Son of Heaven ever wronged you? How dare you betray him and revolt!" Xiahou Ba shouted back in scorn, "My grandfather spent his life toiling for the ruling house. Who is this Sima Yi, this nobody, to exterminate my cousin's clan and then come for me! He will soon be thinking of usurping the throne. What 'revolt' is there in loyally suppressing treason?"8
Guo Huai angrily raised his spear and charged, coming for Xiahou Ba headlong. Xiahou Ba bared his blade and entered the field. In less than ten passes-at-arms, Guo Huai fled defeated, and Xiahou Ba pursued him. Suddenly, Ba heard shouts from his rear force and turned his mount: Chen Tai was closing in on him. Guo Huai turned back at this point, catching Ba between two companies. Xiahou Ba fled in defeat, losing most of his men. With nowhere else to turn, he went to Hanzhong to surrender to the Second Emperor of Shu-Han.9
Three Kingdoms Page 142