This mountain happened to have only one road. On all sides the ascent was treacherous and arduous. At the summit there was a well with water for no more than one hundred men. On this occasion Sima Zhao had six thousand. With Jiang Wei blocking the route, the well could not provide for so many, and the men and horses became desperate with thirst. Sima Zhao lifted his eyes to the heavens and, sighing resignedly, said, "Then I am to die here." A poet of later times has written:
For subtle schemes Jiang Wei's gift was rare:
He turned the enemy chief on Iron Cage
Into another Pang Juan caught at Maling Road,
Another Xiang Yu 'sieged at Nine Mile Hill!2
Sima Zhao's first secretary, Wang Tao, said, "Long ago Geng Gong, trapped this way, prayed to the well, and a sweet spring flowed. Why not try it, General?" Sima Zhao agreed. He climbed to the top of the mountain, prostrated himself by the well, and invoked its spirit: "I, Zhao, hold a royal edict to force back the Riverlands army. If I am to perish here, let these waters run dry. I will cut my throat and have my troops surrender. But if my mortal time runs yet, let the gray-blue heavens vouchsafe us drink and keep these men alive." After Sima Zhao had recited his prayer, water began gushing from the well, sufficient to provide for all his men and horses.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wei had surrounded the base of the mountain. He said to his commanders, "The late prime minister failed to capture Sima Yi in Shangfang Gorge; but today I shall capture his son."3
When Guo Huai heard that Sima Zhao was trapped on Iron Cage Mountain, he wanted to rescue him at once. Chen Tai said, "Jiang Wei has allied with the Qiang; their first goal is Nan'an. The Qiang have arrived by now, and if you try to save Sima Zhao, they will exploit our exposure to the rear. Have someone pretend to surrender to the Qiang and find out what he can from within. If we can drive back the Qiang, we can relieve the siege." Guo Huai approved the plan and ordered Chen Tai to take five thousand men to the base camp of the Qiang king.
Chen Tai came to the Qiang camp, removed his armor, and went in. Tearfully, he prostrated himself and said, "I have come to surrender. Guo Huai thinks far too highly of himself, and he has always intended to murder me. I can tell you everything about his army. Tonight I request command of a company of men to raid their camp. Once I arrive, collaborators within will aid me." Midang was delighted and ordered Eheshaoge to accompany Chen Tai on the raid. Eheshaoge put the surrendered troops in the rear and gave Chen Tai command of the forward unit.
That night during the second watch Chen Tai arrived at the Wei base. The gates were thrown open for him, and he rode in alone. Eheshaoge charged, spear high, and tried to enter, but with a cry of anguish he found himself and his mount at the bottom of a pit. Chen Tai's troops then attacked from the rear as Guo Huai struck from the right. In their confusion the Qiang troops trampled over one another, leaving countless dead; the survivors surrendered. Eheshaoge slit his throat. Guo Huai and Chen Tai led their troops straight for the Qiang camp. When King Midang tried to leave his tent and mount his horse, the Wei soldiers took him alive and brought him back to Guo Huai.
Guo Huai hurriedly dismounted and personally undid the king's bonds. Comforting him with kind words, Guo Huai said, "The court has ever regarded you as loyal and true. How could you help the Riverlanders against us?" Covered with shame, Midang acknowledged his offense. Guo Huai said to him, "Sir, take the forward unit now and relieve the siege at Iron Cage; drive back the Shu army, and a rich reward should follow on approval of my petition to the Emperor."
Midang was persuaded. He put Qiang troops in the van, Wei troops in the rear, and set out for the mountain. At the third watch Midang sent a man to inform Jiang Wei of his arrival. A delighted Jiang Wei invited the envoy to audience. The Wei troops were almost all dispersed among the Qiang units. When they came before the Riverlands base camp, Jiang Wei ordered the soldiers to dig in outside the perimeter. Midang and a hundred followers went to the command tent, and Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba came forth to welcome him. Before Midang could utter a word, the Wei commanders sprang out from behind him. Jiang Wei panicked and fled on horseback. The Qiang and Wei troops began to sack the camp, and the western soldiers, losing all discipline, escaped individually.
Jiang Wei carried no weapon save bow and arrow. As he fled, the arrows dropped, leaving his quiver empty. He raced on toward the hills, Guo Huai in hot pursuit. Seeing Jiang Wei unarmed, Guo Huai urged his mount on and, spear in hand, was soon upon him. Jiang Wei plucked his empty bow, and it sang out a dozen times. Each time Guo Huai ducked, but he saw no arrow and knew that Jiang Wei had run out. He holstered his spear and shot an arrow at Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei dodged and managed to catch the arrow by hand; he then fitted it to his own bow. He let Guo Huai ride close enough for a shot and then brought him down with an arrow sped with full force to the forehead. Jiang Wei wheeled around to slay Guo Huai as the Wei troops were racing up, but there was no time for the deed, so he made off with Guo Huai's spear.
The Wei troops did not pursue. They rescued Guo Huai and took him back to base, where the arrow was pulled out; but the bleeding would not stop, and Guo Huai died. Sima Zhao descended the mountain and tried to chase Jiang Wei, but he turned back after a time. Xiahou Ba joined Jiang Wei in flight, and the two made good their escape. Jiang Wei returned to Hanzhong, his ranks in disarray, his losses high. Despite the defeat, Jiang Wei had killed Guo Huai and Xu Zhi—a stunning blow to the pride of the northern kingdom—and so his achievement redeemed his offense.4
Meanwhile, Sima Zhao regaled the Qiang troops for their pains and sent them back to their own kingdom. He then withdrew the army to Luoyang and with his brother took control of court administration unopposed. The Wei ruler, Cao Fang, trembled on seeing Sima Shi enter court; he tingled with fear as if sitting on thorns.
One day Cao Fang was holding court, when Sima Shi entered wearing a sword. Cao Fang hurried down from his seat to welcome him. Sima Shi laughed and said, "There is no such thing as a sovereign greeting a subject. I beg Your Majesty, be less anxious." Moments later a group of officials presented a sheaf of petitions to the Emperor; but Sima Shi opened them all on his own authority, making decisions and comments without referring to the ruler. A little later court adjourned and Sima Shi strode imperiously down from the throne hall, his head held high. He rode in a carriage surrounded by several thousand soldiers whenever he came or went.
Cao Fang retired to his private chambers. A mere three officials attended him: Master of Ceremony Xiahou Xuan, Secretary Li Feng, and Director of the Palace Bureaus Zhang Qi. Zhang Qi was the father of Empress Zhang, and thus the imperial father-in-law. Cao Fang dismissed his personal attendants and conferred secretly with these three officials. Weeping, he took Zhang Qi's hand and said, "To Sima Shi, I, the Emperor, am a mere child, my officials as insignificant as a mustard plant. The dynastic shrines will soon fall into that man's hands." So saying, he continued to weep.
Li Feng said to him, "Your Majesty must not trouble himself. Despite my poor ability, I am willing to take your sagely edict and rally heroes from across the realm to rout the rebel." Xiahou Xuan added, "The only reason my uncle Xiahou Ba has surrendered to the Riverlands is his fear of conspiracy by the Sima brothers. I know he will come back if we drive out the traitors. I belong to a family related to the royal house for many generations, and I refuse to watch rebels and traitors overthrow the government. Together with Li Feng, I volunteer to receive your mandate to suppress them." "I doubt it can be done," was Cao Fang's response.
The three officials pleaded tearfully: "We are one in our vow to crush the traitors and thus requite Your Majesty's love." Cao Fang removed his dragon-and-phoenix undershirt. He bit into the end of a finger and used the blood to write his edict on the shirt. He gave the shirt to Zhang Qi and instructed him: "Dong Cheng was executed by my ancestor Cao Cao, the August Emperor Wu, because such a conspiracy was disclosed. You must protect the secret diligently."5 Li Feng replied, "Do not say such unlucky things. We are not of Dong Cheng's
ilk. And how can Sima Shi compare to Emperor Wu? Have no misgivings, Your Majesty." The three officials took leave and went out. When they came to the left of the Donghua Gate, Sima Shi, attended by several hundred armed men, approached them, wearing his sword.
The three officials stood by the side of the road. Sima Shi asked them, "Why were you so late leaving court?" Li Feng answered, "Because we were attending His sagely Majesty in the inner court while he studied some texts—nothing more." "What books?" demanded Sima Shi. "Works of the three ancient regimes of Xia, Shang, and Zhou," was Li Feng's reply. "What questions did His Majesty put to you?" demanded Sima Shi. Li Feng replied, "He asked how Yi Yin guided the Shang sovereign and how the Duke of Zhou conducted his regency. We told him, 'In our time Regent-Marshal Sima is what they were then. '" Sima Shi smiled coldly and said, "Why would you be comparing me to them when in your hearts you see me for a Wang Mang or Dong Zhuo?"6 The three officials replied, "We are your retainers, General. How could we think such a thing?" Angrily Sima Shi said, "You are a bunch of fawning flatterers. Just now what were you and the Son of Heaven crying about in his hidden chamber?" "That's not what it was like," they countered. Sima Shi said harshly, "Your eyes are still red—dare you deny it?" Xiahou Xuan realized their plan was revealed, and railed at Sima Shi in a frenzied tone: "We wept for your coercion of the ruler! And for your intent to usurp his place!"
In great anger Sima Shi called his guards to seize Xiahou Xuan. Xiahou Xuan turned up his sleeves and flailed at Sima Shi with his bare fists until the guards took hold of him. Sima Shi had the three searched, and on Zhang Qi's person they found the dragon-and-phoenix shirt with its bloodscript. The guards showed it to Sima Shi, who studied it. The secret edict read:
Sima Shi and his brother Zhao have seized the dynasty's authority and plan to supplant our rule. Edicts and regulations which they have promulgated are not in keeping with our wishes. Let the officers and commanders, functionaries and soldiers of every unit lend their loyal aid to a righteous cause by suppressing and exterminating the party of treason and upholding the sacred shrines of the ruling house. Rank and reward will be generously bestowed when our cause prevails.
Sima Shi flew into a rage. "Plotting to kill my brother and me all along! No one can stand for that!" he cried and gave the order to execute the three officials in the public marketplace by severing their bodies at the waist and to exterminate their three clans. The three railed on at Sima Shi without stop. By the time they had been dragged to the Eastern Market, all their teeth had been knocked out by the guards. Before dying they muttered a few last curses.
Sima Shi made straight for the palace's private chambers. He found the Wei ruler, Cao Fang, and Empress Zhang discussing the edict. "Within the court his eyes and ears are many," the Empress said. "If our plan gets out, the consequences will fall on me." That moment they saw Sima Shi enter. The Empress took fright.
Sima Shi touched his sword and said to Cao Fang, "In making Your Majesty emperor, my father—both in merit and in virtue—compared to the regent Duke of Zhou himself, while I, your vassal, have been another Prime Minister Yi Yin. Why then has Your Majesty taken our love for enmity, our service for fault, and conspired against our lives with a handful of petty officials?" "I had no such thought!" Cao Fang replied. From his sleeve Sima Shi produced the undershirt bearing the edict and threw it to the ground. "If not, who wrote this?" he cried. Cao Fang lost his self-possession and quaked as he answered, "I was coerced. How could such a thought spring from my heart?" "How should baseless slander of high officials be punished? It is a heinous crime!" Sima Shi exclaimed. Cao Fang kneeled and pleaded, "We confess the offense and beg the regent-marshal's forgiveness." Sima Shi answered, "Stand up, please, Your Majesty. The law is the law." Pointing to the Empress, he added, "Zhang Qi's daughter. Get rid of her!" Cao Fang's plea for mercy was futile. Sima Shi's guards forcibly moved the Empress to the Donghua Gate and strangled her there with a white cord. A poet of later times has left these lines:
Thrust barefoot from the palace ground, Queen Fu
Parted from her liege; she cried for pity.7
Today the Sima treat Queen Zhang in kind—
Thus Heaven pays back Cao's posterity.
The next day Sima Shi summoned a grand council of vassals and said, "The present ruler, wildly depraved and barbaric, has fallen in with unseemly companions. He gives ear to slander, thus barring the advancement of worthy men; his crimes exceed those of the Changyi prince, and he is incapable of ruling the empire. Respectfully, on the pattern established by Yi Yin and Huo Guang, a new emperor must be established to protect the sacred shrines and restore security in the realm. Are you with me?"8 The assembly responded, "If the regent-marshal acts as Yi Yin did—conforming, as they say, to the dictate of Heaven and the wishes of men—who will disobey his command?"9
After this, Sima Shi and his officials proceeded to the Hall of Eternal Peace and informed the queen mother. The queen mother said, "Whom does the regent intend to establish?" "In my judgment," Sima Shi responded, "the Pengcheng prince, Cao Ju— intelligent, humane, and filial—would make a good ruler of the realm." The queen mother said, "The prince is my uncle; I cannot accept him. Cao Mao, however, lord of Gaogui village, is a grandson of Emperor Wen (Cao Pi). He is gracious and courteous and knows well when to be accommodating. Let him be emperor. All you great vassals must plan with deliberation."
One man said, "The queen mother is right. Do what she says." Everyone turned to Sima Fu, Sima Shi's uncle on his father's side. Directly, Sima Shi sent a representative to Yuancheng to summon the lord of Gaogui village. At the same time Sima Shi invited the queen mother to ascend the Hall of the First Principle, in which he had also commanded Cao Fang to appear. Sima Shi there condemned Cao Fang: "Your wild depravity knows no limit. Clinging to unseemly company, you are an unfit receiver of the realm and must surrender the royal seal and return to your rank as prince of Qi. Begin the journey home at once and do not show yourself in this court again unless officially summoned." Cao Fang wept and prostrated himself before the queen mother. Then he handed over the seal of state, boarded a prince's carriage, and departed crying aloud. Only a few loyal attendants, holding in their tears, saw him off. As a poet of later times described it;
Back in the days when Cao Man served the Han,
He wronged the widow and orphan of the clan.
And now that forty years have come and gone
His own widows and orphans are the wronged.10
Cao Mao (Yanshi)—lord of Gaogui village, grandson of Emperor Wen, son of Cao Lin, prince of Ding of Donghai—was summoned to the palace in the name of the Empress by Sima Shi. Civil officials and military officers readied the royal carriage outside the west gate and, touching the ground, welcomed the new Emperor. Cao Mao promptly reciprocated the courtesy. Grand Commandant Wang Su said, 'it is not for the sovereign to reciprocate the courtesy. "" I, too, am a subject, "Cao Mao replied." How could I slight the ritual? "Officials and officers lifted Cao Mao onto the throne carriage to convey him into the palace. Cao Mao tried to decline, saying," Why the queen mother has summoned me remains unclear. How dare I take a seat in the throne carriage? " So saying, he proceeded on foot to the eastern chamber of the Hall of First Principle.
In the palace Sima Shi welcomed him, but Cao Mao first prostrated himself. Sima Shi hastened to raise him to his feet and, when their spoken greetings were done with, conducted him into the presence of the queen mother. The queen mother said, "I saw you as a child, and you had the markings of an emperor. Today you shall rule the empire. Strive to be courteous, temperate, and frugal. Manifest your virtue and extend your benevolence, and you will never dishonor the former emperors of this house." Cao Mao humbly declined three times. Sima Shi had the officials and officers invite Cao Mao to come forth from the Hall of First Principle, and on that day they established him as the new sovereign. The reign year, Jia Ping 6, was changed to Zheng Yuan l.11 A general amnesty was proclaimed. The golden battle-axe of supreme milita
ry authority was placed in the hands of Regent-Marshal Sima Shi. He was permitted to walk into the palace without hastening and bending over, to petition the Emperor without using his given name, and to ascend the throne hall wearing a sword. The entire body of officials received fiefs or rewards.
In the first month of the following year spies urgently reported that Controller of the East General Guanqiu Jian and Yangzhou's Imperial Inspector Wen Qin were advancing on the capital in force, claiming deposition of the Emperor as their just cause.12 Sima Shi was alarmed. Indeed:
Han vassals once had tried to save the throne;
Now Wei generals raised a loyalist host.
How did Sima Shi meet his enemies?
Read on.
110
Wen Yang, Riding Alone, Drives Back a Brave Force;
Jiang Wei, Back to the Water, Defeats a Great Enemy
In the first month of the second year of Zheng Yuan,1 General Guanqiu Jian (Zhong-gong) of Wenxi in Hedong was chief commander of Yangzhou, Controller of the East, and military authority for Huainan. On learning of Sima Shi's changes in the royal house, the general was deeply offended. His eldest son, Guanqiu Dian, said, "Father, can you remain secure in your control of this region while the dynasty is in imminent peril from Sima Shi's despotic deposition of the ruler?" "You are right," Guanqiu Jian said to his son, and he summoned Imperial Inspector Wen Qin to confer with him.
Three Kingdoms Page 145