The First Ruler replied, “Yun-chang and I were as one body, and it is a very important matter of integrity. How can I forget that?”
But the official, still kneeling on the ground, continued, “I fear mishap may occur if Your Majesty disregards your servant’s words.”
The First Ruler replied in wrath, “How dare you use such ominous words before I start?”
He told the executioners to hustle him out and put him to death. Without showing any sign of fear, the official glanced back and said, smiling, “I have no regret in dying but it is a pity that this newly established state will be overturned before it is on its way.”
However, at the intervention of the other officials, the death penalty was remitted, but the speaker was committed to prison and his fate was to be decided after the return of the army of vengeance. When he heard of this Zhuge Liang hastened to send up a petition to rescue his colleague, which read:
I, Zhuge Liang, address Your Majesty in my own name and those of my comrades. We are fully aware that the loss of Jingzhou was the result of the wicked schemes of the perfidious scoundrels of Wu. Thus the star of our great general was brought down and the mighty pillar of our state fell. This is a most grievous wrong and must never be forgotten. However, we cannot help remember that the subversion of the reign of Han lies with Wei and the removal of the Liu family is not the fault of Wu. We think that the destruction of Wei will determine the submission of Wu. Therefore we beg you to reconsider the valuable advice of Qin Mi so that the army will be fully rested for other exertions. That will bring the greatest happiness to the throne and the people.
But the petition was ignored. After reading it, the First Ruler cast it to the ground and said, “My mind is made up! No more remonstrance.” Then he appointed Zhuge Liang regent and guardian of his son, to take charge of the administration of the kingdom, and ordered Ma Chao, Ma Dai, and Wei Yan to guard Hanzhong. For the expedition, Zhao Yun was to make up the reserve and to take care of the supplies while Huang Zhong was to lead the vanguard. The whole army, including the borrowed troops from the Five Valleys, numbered 750,000. A day in the seventh month was selected for the start of the expedition.
As soon as Zhang Fei had got back to his post he issued orders that his men should be ready to march in three days and the whole body was to be in mourning attire, with white flags and white armor. On the following day two officers named Fan Jiang and Zhang Da went to see their chief, saying that the time allowed to prepare the white flags and armor was insufficient and asked for more time.
“I am so anxious to avenge my brother that I wish I were on the land of my enemy now,” roared Zhang Fei. “Do you dare disobey my order?”
He called in the guards, had the two officers bound to trees and given fifty lashes each. At the close of the flogging he said, “By tomorrow you must get everything ready! If not, I will put you to death and expose your bodies!”
The two officers returned to their camp, spitting blood and hot with anger. Fan Jiang said, “We have been beaten today—what about tomorrow? This man’s temper is like fire, and if things are not ready we will both be killed.”
“Why don’t we slay him rather than be slain by him?” said Zhang Da.
“But how can we get near him?”
“If we are to have a chance to live, he will go to bed drunk; if we are to die, he will remain sober.” And they made their plan to slay their chief that night.
In his tent Zhang Fei was greatly disturbed in his mind and restless. He asked some of his subordinates, “I feel creepy and shivery today and cannot even rest. What can it mean?”
“This is due to too much brooding over the loss of your brother,” they explained.
Then Zhang Fei told them to bring wine, and he drank with his officers. Presently he became intoxicated and lay down on a couch in his tent.
Meanwhile, the two assassins had been watching his every movement very closely, and so they knew that he was lying on his couch, dead drunk. That night at the first watch they stole into his tent, each armed with a dagger. They sent away the attendants by saying that they had confidential matters to report and so got into his bedchamber.
But even then they dared not go near him, for Zhang Fei always slept with his eyes open, and he lay there as if still awake. However, the thunderous snores convinced them that he was really asleep, and they crept to the side of the couch. Then simultaneously they both stabbed him deep into the abdomen. Zhang Fei uttered one loud cry and lay still.
So Zhang Fei was murdered at the age of fifty-five.
He who whipped th’ inspector years ago,
Who helped Han to sweep the rebels,
Whose prowess shone at Tigertrap Pass,
Whose roar frightened millions at Long Slope Bridge,
Who freed a captive and thus won a friend
That helped him and his brothers conquer Shu,
Whose wisdom to a district brought repose,
Is dead, the victim of assassins’ blows,
‘Ere he could have avenged his brother’s death.
Langzhou will grieve him all the ages through.
Having slain their victim, the two murderers hacked off his head and made off for the country of Wu in haste, and when the bloody deed was known they had escaped too far to be captured.
The assassination was reported in a memorial by Wu Ban, who had once saved Guan Yu and was later sent by Liu Bei to serve under Zhang Fei. The eldest son, Zhang Bao, had his father’s remains put in a coffin and, leaving the younger brother, Zhang Shao, to hold Lanzhong, went to see the First Ruler.
By that time, the army had already departed and the First Ruler had left the capital. Zhuge Liang and the other officials had escorted him out of the city for ten li and then returned to Chengdu. Still feeling ill at ease, Zhuge Liang remarked to his colleagues, “If Fa Zheng had been alive he would have been able to stop this expedition.”
On the night Zhang Fei was murdered the First Ruler had an ominous presentiment. Some unnamable fear sent shivers through his body, as if some danger was imminent. As he could not sleep he went out of his tent and looked up at the stars. Suddenly he saw a bright meteor fall in the northwest, which filled his heart with apprehension. He at once sent someone to ask Zhuge Liang what it portended. The advisor sent back the reply that it meant the loss of a great general and there would be bad news in three days.
So the army halted. Then the arrival of a messenger from Langzhong was announced. The First Ruler stamped his foot and cried out in dismay, “Alas! My other brother is gone.”
His foreboding was confirmed when he opened the letter. As he read the news of Zhang Fei’s assassination he wailed loudly and fell in a swoon. He was rescued by the officials at his sides.
The next day a body of riders was seen galloping toward the army camp from a distance. The First Ruler went out to look and after a long while recognized Zhang Bao, son of Zhang Fei, dressed all in white. As soon as he got near he dismounted and knelt before his uncle, weeping. “My father has been murdered by Fan Jiang and Zhang Da. They have gone over to Wu, taking my father’s head with them.”
The loss of yet another brother grieved the First Ruler beyond measure and he again refused food. His officers begged him to consider his own health, saying, “Now Your Majesty has the loss of two brothers to avenge—you must not destroy yourself.”
At their behest he finally agreed to take food. Then he asked Zhang Bao if he would lead his Langzhong force as vanguard of the army to avenge his father.
“For my country and for my father I would not shrink from a myriad of deaths,” replied the young man.
Just as the vanguard led by Zhang Bao was leaving there approached another force led by another young officer in white robes and armor. It was Guan Xing, son of Guan Yu, who also threw himself to the ground before his uncle and wept.
At sight of him memories of Guan Yu welled up in the First Ruler’s breast, and he burst into tears again. His officials did all they could to comf
ort him, but he was inconsolable.
“When I was but a commoner my two brothers and I pledged ourselves to live and die together,” he said tearfully. “Now I am Emperor and I should rejoice so much to share my good fortune with them, but both of them have met violent deaths. How it wrings my heart to see my two orphaned nephews!”
As he fell into another fit of bitter weeping the officials asked the two young men to withdraw temporarily so that the First Ruler could have some repose. When they were gone his close attendants entreated him not to give way to such extreme sorrow, since he was already over sixty.
“But my brothers are dead,” wailed the First Ruler. “How can I bear to live alone?”
Beating his head on the ground he broke into a fresh paroxysm of weeping. His officials, deeply worried, took counsel with one another to try to find a way to comfort him.
Ma Liang said, “His Majesty is leading his army to attack Wu but he keeps weeping all day long. It is not an auspicious sign.”
Then an official called Chen Zhen proposed a way out. “There lives a certain hermit among the Qingcheng Hills, near Chengdu,” he said. “His name is Li Yi and people say he is a seer of more than three hundred years old. Let’s ask His Majesty to send for this wise man and find out what is in store in the future. His words will have more weight than anything we can say.”
They went to the First Ruler and told him about the seer. He agreed and Chen Zhen was commanded to go and summon the prophet. When he reached the hills Chen Zhen was guided by the local people to a secluded valley where he saw in the distance a fairy cottage among the clouds. Presently a lad came out to receive the visitors.
“Are you not Chen Xiaoqi, sir?”
Startled that the lad knew him by his familiar name, Chen Zhen asked, “How do you know my name?”
“Yesterday my master told me that a messenger with an imperial command would come today and mentioned your name.”
“A real god!” cried Chen Zhen. “How very true people’s words are about him!”
So the two proceeded to the seer’s abode, and after paying his obeisance Chen Zhen declared his errand, but the prophet said he was too aged to travel.
“But the Emperor anxiously desires to see you. I hope you will not mind making the effort.”
In the end, after much persuasion, the prophet consented to go. The First Ruler received him affably, noting the contrast between his hoary head and fresh boyish complexion. The venerable seer had blue eyes with square sparkling pupils and he carried himself erect like a pine tree.
“This is no common man,” he thought to himself.
The seer said, “I am but an old man of the barren hills, without learning or wisdom. I do not deserve to be summoned before you, Your Majesty. Pray tell me what I can do for you.”
The First Ruler told him about the oath some thirty years before and the sad death of his two brothers. Then he added, “I am leading my army to avenge them and wish to know the expedition’s outcome. Hearing that you, venerable sir, are learned in the deeper mysteries, I beg you to enlighten me.”
“But this is fate, not something for an old man like me to know.”
As the First Ruler pressed him for an answer the prophet at last asked for paper and a brush. Then he drew soldiers, horses, and weapons on some forty sheets of paper but, having done this, suddenly tore them all into fragments. Next, he drew a picture of a tall man lying on his back and another man at his side digging a grave to bury him. On top of the picture he wrote a single character: “white.”
After this he bowed and departed without a word.
The First Ruler was annoyed. “Just a demented old fellow!” he said. “What he draws is not worth our notice.” And he had the sheets of paper burned.
Then he gave orders for the army to advance. Zhang Bao, son of Zhang Fei, came in and said, “Wu Ban has come with my father’s men—I pray that I may be appointed leader of the van.”
The First Ruler admired his bravery and gave the van leader’s seal to him. But just as he was going to attach the seal to his girdle, another youth boldly stepped forth and said, “Leave that seal to me!”
It was Guan Xing, son of Guan Yu.
“I have already received my commission,” said Zhang Bao.
“What abilities do you have for such a task?” cried Guan Xing.
“I have been trained as a soldier since my boyhood. I can shoot so well that I never miss.”
“I should like to see your prowess,” said the First Ruler, “that I may decide who is the better.”
Zhang Bao ordered some soldiers to set up a flag at a hundred paces and draw a red heart in its center. Then he took his bow and shot three arrows, each of which went right through the red heart. All those present commended his fine performance of archery.
But Guan Xing, also bow in hand, said with a sneer, “What is it to hit such a mark?”
Just as he said this a flock of wild geese flew overhead. “I will hit the third one of the flying geese,” he said.
He shot and twang! the third goose fell.
“Wonderful!” all cried in one voice.
But Zhang Bao was enraged. Leaping on to his steed, he seized the long spear left him by his father, crying, “Do you dare to fight a real battle with me?”
Guan Xing took up the challenge at once. He sprang into the saddle, took his father’s great sword, and galloped out. “If you can swing a spear, do you think I cannot wield a sword?” he cried.
The two impetuous youths were on the point of a battle when their uncle told them to stop.
“Behave yourselves, you two!” he cried.
Both hastened to dismount, threw aside their weapons, and bowed to the ground to beg pardon.
“From the time I left my native place and swore brotherhood with your fathers, we three were like flesh and blood to one another. You two are also brothers and you should help each other in seeking vengeance for your fathers. How can you forget decency and quarrel between yourselves? If you behave like this when the death of your fathers is only recent, what will happen in future?”
Both fell at his feet and admitted their fault.
“Which of you two is the elder?” asked the First Ruler.
“I am the elder by a year,” said Zhang Bao.
The First Ruler then ordered Guan Xing to bow to Zhang Bao as an elder brother and, there in front of all, the two young men broke an arrow as a pledge that each would always succor the other.
Then the First Ruler appointed Wu Ban leader of the van and the two young men his own aides. And the mighty forces advanced both on land and on water, in ships and on horses, toward the land of Wu, making a great show of their strength on the way.
In the meantime, the two assassins of Zhang Fei went to see Sun Quan and told him about Liu Bei’s expedition against Wu. Sun Quan accepted their surrender.
Then he called in his officials and said anxiously, “Liu Bei has declared himself Emperor and is leading in person a very large force against us. What is to be done?”
Turning quite pale at this alarming news they could only stare at one another, unable to reply. Then Zhuge Jin stepped out and offered himself as a peace envoy.
“I have been in your service these many years and have never repaid the favor you have shown me. I will risk my life to go and see Liu Bei. I will prove to him the advantages of an alliance between our two sides against Cao Pi.”
This offer pleased Sun Quan, who then appointed Zhuge Jin his envoy to try to persuade Liu Bei to call off the military campaign.
Messengers pass when states wrangle
May this one succeed and unravel this tangle!
The result of Zhuge Jin’s peacemaking efforts will be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
Sun Quan Receives Nine Gifts after Submitting to Wei
Liu Bei Rewards His Officers and Men in His War with Wu
In the eighth month of the year Zhang Wu (A.D. 221) the army of Shu had arrived at Gui P
ass and the First Ruler camped at Baidi, or the City of the White Emperor. His advance guard had marched around the borders of Shu. While at Baidi, one day he was informed that Zhuge Jin had come as a messenger from Wu. He told them not to admit him.
But Huang Quan said, “His brother being your prime minister, he has certainly come on some important mission. Your Majesty ought to see him and hear what he has to say. If what he proposes is good, then agree; if not, you can ask him to return the message to Sun Quan and let him know that you are right to punish him.”
The First Ruler took his advice and the messenger was brought in. He bowed down to the earth.
“Sir, you have come a long way,” said the First Ruler. “What is your errand?”
“As my brother has long served Your Majesty, I am therefore feeling bold enough to come and relate to you what really happened in Jingzhou. When Guan Yu was at Jingzhou my master repeatedly sought to ally the two families by marriage, but was refused. Later, when your brother attacked Xiangyang, Cao Cao wrote again urging my master to attack Jingzhou. But he was still unwilling to do so, and in the end it was Lu Meng, who hated your brother, that led the attack without the consent of my master, and seized the city. My master now deeply regrets this, but it was Lu Meng’s fault, not my master’s. Now that Lu Meng is dead, the enmity should die with him. Moreover, Lady Sun longs to come back to you. My master now proposes to send back his sister, hand over your officers who surrendered, and return Jingzhou to you. Our two sides will become permanent allies and we can join forces to destroy Cao Pi and punish him for his usurpation.”
To this speech the First Ruler replied angrily: “You people killed my brother, yet you dare to come with your artful speech!”
Zhuge Jin said, “May I venture to point out to you the varying degrees of importance of the issues? Your Majesty is an uncle of the Emperor of Han. Now Cao Pi has seized the throne of the House of Han, yet instead of punishing the usurper, you condescend to avenge a sworn brother of another surname. Is this not ignoring the vital for the trivial? Furthermore, Wei occupies the central plains where the two Han capitals, Luoyang and Chang’an, are situated and it was in these two cities that the West and East Han Dynasties were founded. Your Majesty, however, gives no thought of capturing these places but insists on a dispute with Wu over Jingzhou. Is this not abandoning the significant for the insignificant? The whole country knows of your assumption of the title of Emperor and all expect you to restore the Hans to their territory; but you put Wei aside and desire only to attack Wu. I fear you have made a bad decision.”
The Three Kingdoms: Welcome the Tiger Page 10