Born of a line of nobles famous for generations,
He himself in his youth was wayward always and headstrong,
Vainly he called to his side captains skilled and courageous,
Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers,
For he was timid at heart, a lambkin dressed as a tiger,
Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless.
Pitiful was the fate of his house; for when he departed
Brother with brother strove and quarrels arose in the household.
Shen P’ei and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the dead man. His wife, the Lady Liu, put to death five of his favourite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Springs. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their death.
Shen P’ei and Feng Chi declared Yuan Shang successor with the titles of Minister of War and General Governor of the four prefectures of Ch’i, Ch’ing, Yu and Ping and sent in a report of the death of the late governor.
At this time Yuan Tan, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Ts’ao Ts’ao, but hearing of his father’s death he called in Kuo T’u and Hsin P’ing to consult as to his course of action.
“In your absence, my lord,” said Kuo T’u, the two advisers of your younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must act quickly.”
“Those two Shen and Feng, have already laid their plans,” said Hsin P’ing.“If you go you will meet with some misfortune.”
“Then what should I do?” asked T’an.
Kuo T’u replied,“Go and camp near the city and watch what is taking place while I enter and enquire.”
Accordingly Kuo T’u entered the city and sought an interview with the young governor.
“Why did not my brother come?” asked Shang after the usual salutes.
Kuo T’u said,“He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.”
“By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I wish him to go at once to attack Ts’ao Ts’ao, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.”
“There is no one in our camp to give advice,” said Kuo Tu.“I wish to have the services of Shen P’ei and Feng Chi.”
“I also need the help of these two,” said Shang,“And as I am always working at schemes I do not see how I can do without them.”
“Then let one of these two go,” replied T’u.
Shang could do no other than accede to this request so he bade the two men cast lots who should go. Feng Chi drew the lot and was appointed, receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Kuo T’u to the camp. But when he arrived and found Tan in perfect health he grew suspicious and resigned. Tan angrily refused to accept his resignation and was disposed to put him to death, but Kuo T’u privately dissuaded him saying,“Ts’ao Ts’ao is on the borders and he must be kept here to allay your brother’s suspicions. After we have beaten Ts’ao we can at once make an attempt on Ch’ichou.”
Yuan Tan agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the enemy. He reached Liyang and lost no time in offering battle. He chose for his champion Wang Chao and, when he rode out, Ts’ao Ts’ao sent Hsu Huang to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Wang Chao was slain. At once Ts’ao’s army pressed forward and T’an suffered a severe defeat. He drew off his army and retired into Liyang, whence he sent to his brother for reinforcements.
Shang and his adviser Shen P’ei discussed the matter and half a legion only was sent. Ts’ao hearing of the despatch of this meagre force sent two generals to waylay them and the half legion was destroyed. When T’an heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction he was very wrath and roundly abused Feng Chi. Feng replied,“Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself.”
So Feng Chi wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived Shang again consulted Shen P’ei who said,“Kuo Tu, your elder brother’s adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Ts’ao was on the border. If Ts’ao be defeated there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Ts’ao’s hand to destroy your rival.”
Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned without success T’an was very angry and showed it by putting Feng Chi to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Ts’ao. Soon spies brought news of this to Shang and again Shen P’ei was called in. Said he,“If he goes over to Ts’ao they will both attack Ch’ichou and we shall be in great danger.” Finally Shen P’ei and Su Yu were left to take care of the defence of the city and Yuan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother.
“Who dares lead the van?” said Yuan Shang.
Two bothers named Lu volunteered and three legions were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang.
T’an was pleased that his brother had made up his mind to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yuan Shang camped outside, making that an angle of their strategic position. Before long Yuan Hsi, the second brother, and their cousin, Kao Kan, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city.
Engagements took place daily and Shang suffered many defeats. On the other hand Ts’ao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year, Ts’ao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Ts’ao pursued them to Ch’ichou, where T’an and Shang went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away making a show of great force. When Ts’ao had made many attacks without success Kuo Chia proffered the following plan.
He said, ‘There is dissension among the Yuans because the elder has been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally strong and each has his party. If we oppose them they unite to assist each other, but if we have patience they will be weakened by family strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Piao in Chingchou and let the fraternal quarrels develop. When they have fully developed we can smite them and settle the matter.”
Ts’ao approved of the plan. So leaving Chia Hsu as Prefect of Liyang and Ts’ao Hung as guard at Kuantu the army went way toward Chingchou.
The two brothers T’an and Shang congratulated each other on the withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Hsi and cousin marched their armies back to their own districts.
Then the quarrels began. T’an said to his confidants,“I, the eldest, have been prevented from succeeding my father, while the youngest son, born of a second wife, received the main heritage. My heart is bitter.”
Said Kuo Tu,“Camp your men outside, invite your brother and Shen P’ei to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter is easily settled.”
And T’an agreed. It happened that a certain Wang Hsiu came just then from Ch’ingchou whom T’an took into his confidence. Wang opposed the murder plan saying,“Brothers are as one’s limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom will you take in all the world as a relation? That fellow Kuo is a dangerous mischief maker, who would sow dissension between brothers for a momentary advantage, and I beg you to shut your ears and not listen to his persuasions.”
This was displeasing to Tan and he angrily dismissed Wang, while he sent the treacherous invitation to his brother.
His brother and Shen P’ei talked over the matter. Shen P’ei said,“1 recognise one of Kuo T’u’s stratagems and if you go, my lord, you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them
at once.”
Whereupon Shang rode out to battle. His brother T’an seeing him come with five legions, knew that his treachery had been discovered, so he also took the field, and when the forces were near enough T’an opened on Shang with a volley of abuse.
“You poisoned my father and usurped the succession; now you come out to slay your elder brother?”
The battle went against T’an. Shang himself took part in the fight, risking the arrows and the stones. He urged on his men and drove his brother off the field. He took refuge in P’ingyuan. Yuan Shang drew off his men to his own city.
Yuan T’an and Kuo T’u decided upon a new attack and this time they chose Ts’en Pi as leader. Yuan Shang went to meet him. When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Ts’en Pi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. At first Shang was going to answer the challenge himself but Lu K’uang actually went out. Lu and Ts’en met but had fought only a few bouts when the latter fell. T’an’s men were once more defeated and ran away to P’ingyuan. Shen P’ei urged his master to press home the advantage and T’an was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go out. So the city was besieged on three sides.
T’an asked his strategist what should be done next and he said,“The city is short of food, the enemy is flushed with victory and we cannot stand against them. My idea is to send some one to offer surrender to Ts’ao Ts’ao and thus get him to attack Ch’ichou. Your brother will be forced to return thither, which will leave you free to join in the attack. We may capture Shang. Should Ts’ao begin to get the better of your brother’s army we will lend our force to help him against Ts’ao Ts’ao, and as Ts’ao’s base of supply is distant we shall drive him off. And we can seize on Ch’ichou and begin our real career.”
“Supposing this scheme be attempted, who is the man for a messenger?”
“I have one, Hsin P’i, Hsin P’ing’s younger brother; he is magistrate here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and suited to your purpose.”
So Hsin P’i was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given him and an escort of three companies took him beyond the border. He travelled as quickly as possible.
At that time Ts’ao’s camp was at Hsip’ing and he was attacking Liu Piao, who had sent Yuan-te out to offer the first resistance. No battle had yet taken place.
Soon after his arrival Hsin P’i was admitted to the Minister’s presence, and after the ceremonies of greeting Ts’ao asked the object of the visit. Hsin P’i explained that Yuan T’an wanted assistance and presented his despatches. Ts’ao read them and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council.
The council met. Ch’eng Yu said,“Yuan T’an has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure of his brothers attack. Put no trust in him.”
Lu Ch’ien and Man Ch’ung said,“You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yuan T’an?”
“Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice,” interposed Hsun Yu.“This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the midst of which Liu Piao remains quietly content with his position between Chiang and Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yuans hold four Chou and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family and none can foresee what will happen in the Empire. Now take advantage of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened and have to yield to our Minister. Then Yuan Shang can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Yuan T’an can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure.”
Ts’ao realised the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he said,“But is this surrender of Yuan T’an real or false? Do you really think that Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”
Hsin P’i replied,“Illustrious one, do not enquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yuans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near, the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yuans is at hand. Now you have a force attacking Yeh, and if Yuan Shang will not return to give aid the place of refuge is lost. If he help, then T’an will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother’s army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. If he do not, then he will attack Chingchou. Now Chingchou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than Hopei. If that be reduced then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it.”
“I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier,” said Ts’ao, much gratified with this speech.
Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Ch’ichou. Yuan-te, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Chingchou.
When Yuan Shang heard that Ts’ao had crossed the river he hastily led his army back to Yeh, ordering the two Lus to guard the rear. His brother T’an started from P’ingyuan with a force in pursuit. He had not proceeded far when he heard a bomb and two bodies of men came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lu K’uang and Lu Hsiang. T’an reined in and addressed them, saying,“While my father lived I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try to injure me?”
The two men had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission.
T’an said,“Do not surrender to me but to the Minister,” and he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Ts’ao and then presented the pair. Ts’ao received them well. He promised his daughter to T’an to wife and he appointed the two brothers as advisers.
When T’an asked Ts’ao to attack Ch’ichou the reply was “Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of the Chishui into the Paiho from Chiho whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance.”
Ordering T’an to remain in P’ingyuan, Ts’ao retired into camp at Liyang. The two brothers Lu, who were renegades from Yuan Shang, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.
Kuo T’u noted this advancement and said to T’an,“He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lus and taken them with him. This is a trap for the northern people but he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals’ seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Ts’ao shall have broken your brother’s power and we can begin to work against him.”
The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the brothers received them they informed Ts’ao Ts’ao, who smiled saying,“He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yuan Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do.”
Thenceforward T’an was doomed. Shen P’ei and his master also discussed the situation.
“Ts’ao is getting grain into Paikou, which means an attack on Ch’ichou; what is to be done?” asked Shang.
Shen P’ei replied,“Send letters to Yin Kai, Chief of Wuan, bidding him camp at Maoch’eng to secure the road to Shangtang and direct Chu Ku to maintain Hantan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on P’ingyuan and attack Ts’ao Ts’ao.”
The plan seemed good. Yuan Shang left Shen P’ei and Ch’en Lin in charge of Ch’ichou, appointed two captains Ma Yen and Chang K’ai as van leaders, and set out hastily for P’ingyuan.
When T’an heard of the appro
ach of his brother’s army he sent urgent messages to Ts’ao, who said to himself,“I am going to get Ch’ichou this time.”
Just at this time it happened that Hsu Yu came down from the capital. When he heard that Yuan Shang was attacking his brother T’an he sought Ts’ao and said,“You, Sir Minister, sit here on guard; are you waiting till Heaven’s thunder shall strike the two Yuans?”
“I have thought it all out,” said Ts’ao.
Then he ordered Ts’ao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and was killed by Hsu Ch’u. His men ran away and presently joined Ts’ao’s army. Next he led the army to Hantan and Chu Ku came out to fight him. Chang Liao advanced to fight with Chu and after the third encounter the latter was defeated and fled. Liao went after him and when their two horses were not far apart, Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing soldier fell as the bowstring twanged. Ts’ao sent Ma Yen to complete the rout and Chu Ku’s force was broken up.
Now Ts’ao led his armies to an attack on Ch’ichou. Ts’ao Hung went close to the city and a regular siege began. The army encompassed the city and began by throwing up great mounds. They also tunnelled subterranean ways.
Within the city Shen P’ei turned his whole care to the defence and issued the severest commands. The captain of the east gate, one Feng Li, got intoxicated and failed to keep his watch for which he was severely punished. He resented this, sneaked out of the city, went over to the besiegers and told them how the place could be attacked.
“The earth within the Turnen is solid enough to be tunnelled and entrance can be effected there,” said the traitor.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics) Page 47