Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 1 (Tuttle Classics)

by Lo Kuan-Chung

  Sun Ch’uan did not reply. But his guest went on,“You have the reputation of being reasonable but I know also you are inclined to hesitate. Still this matter is most important and evil will be quickly upon you if you do not decide.”

  Then replied Sun,“If what you say represents the actual conditions, why does not Liu Pei yield?”

  “Well, you know Ts’ien Heng, that hero of the state of Ch’i; his character was too noble for him to submit to any shame. It is necessary to remember that Liu Pei also is an offshoot from the dynastic family, beside being a man of great renown. Every one looks up to him. His lack of success is simply the will of Heaven but manifestly he could not bow the knee to any one.”

  These last words touched Sun Ch’uan to the quick and he could not control his anger. He shook out his sleeves, rose and left the audience chamber. Those present smiled at each other as they dispersed.

  But Lu Su was annoyed and reproached K’ungming for his maladroit way of talking to Sun.“Luckily for you my lord is too large-minded to rebuke you to your face for you spoke to him most contemptuously.”

  K’ungming threw back his head and laughed.“What a sensitive fellow it is!” cried he.“I know how Ts’ao Ts’ao could be destroyed, but he never asked me; so I said nothing.

  “If you really do know how that could be done I will certainly beg my lord to ask you.”

  “Ts’ao Ts’ao’s hosts in my eyes are but as swarms of ants. I have but to lift my hand and they will be crushed.”

  Lu Su at once went into his master’s private room, where he found him still very irritable and angry.“Kung-ming insulted me too deeply,” said Sun.

  “I have already reproached him,” said Lu Su,“and he laughed and said you were too sensitive. He would not give you any advice without being asked for it. Why did you not seek advice from him, my lord?”

  At once Sun’s anger changed to joy. He said,“So he had a plan ready and his words were meant to provoke me. I did despise him for a moment and it has very nearly lost me.”

  So he returned to the audience chamber where the guest was still seated and begged K’ungming to continue his speech. He spoke courteously saying,“I offended you just now, I hope you are not implacable.”

  “And I also was rude,” replied K’ungming.“I entreat pardon.”

  Host and guest retired to the inner room where wine was served. After it had gone round several times, Sun Ch’uan said,“The enemies of Ts’ao Ts’ao were Lu Pu, Liu Piao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, his brother, Liu Pei and my poor self. Now most of these are gone and only Liu Pei and I remain. I will never allow the land of Wu to be dictated to by another. The only one who could have withstood Ts’ao Ts’ao was Liu Pei, but he has been defeated lately and what can he do now against such force?”

  K’ungming replied,“Although defeated, Liu Pei still has Kuan Yu with a legion of veterans. And Liu Ch’i still leads the men of Chianghsia, another legion. Ts’ao Ts’ao’s army is far from home and the men are worn out. They made a frantic effort to come up with my master, and the light horse marched three hundred li in a day and a night. This was the final kick of the crossbow spring and the bolt was not swift enough to penetrate even the thin silken vesture of Lu. The army can do no more. They are northern men, unskilled in water warfare, and the men of Chingchou are unwilling supporters. They have no desire to help Ts’ao. Now if you, General, will assist Liu Pei, Ts’ao will certainly be broken and he must retire northwards. Then your country and Chingchou will be strong and firmly established. But the scheme must be carried out without delay and only you can decide.”

  Sun Ch’uan joyfully replied,“Your words, master, open up the road clearly. I have decided and shall have no further doubts.”

  So the orders were issued forthwith to prepare for a joint attack on Ts’ao Ts’ao. And he bade Lu Su bear the news of his decision to all his officers. He himself escorted K’ungming to the guest quarters and saw to his comfort.

  When Chang Chao heard of the decision he met his colleagues and said to them,“He has fallen into the trap set by this K’ungming.”

  They went in a body to their lord and said,“We hear you are going to Ts’ao Ts’ao; but how do you stand when compared with Yuan Shao ? In those days Ts’ao was comparatively weak and yet he overcame. What is he like today with his countless legions? He is not to be lightly attacked and to listen to Chuko Liang’s advice to engage in a conflict is like carrying fuel to a fire.”

  Sun Ch’uan made no reply and Ku Yung took up the argument.“Liu Pei has been defeated and he wants to borrow our help to beat his enemy. Why must our lord lend himself to his schemes? Pray listen to our leader’s words.”

  Doubts again surged up in the mind of Sun Ch’uan. When the troop of advisers had retired, Lu Su came in saying,“They came to exhort you not to fight, but to compel you to surrender simply because they wish to secure the safety of their families. They distort their sense of duty to serve their own ends and I hope you will not take their advice.”

  Sun Ch’uan being sunk in thought and saying nothing, Lu Su went on,“if you hesitate you will certainly be led astray by the majority and—”

  “Retire for a time,” said his master.“I must think it over carefully.”

  So Lu Su left the chamber. Among the soldiers some wished for war, but of the civil officers, all were in favour of surrender and so there were many discussions and much conflict of opinion. Sun Ch’uan went to his private apartments greatly perplexed. There his worry was easily discernible and he neither ate nor slept. He was quite unable to decide finally upon a course of action.

  Then the Lady Wu asked him what so troubled him, and he told her of the threatened danger and the different opinions his advisers held one and another and all his doubts and fears. If he fought, he might fail; and if he offered to surrender, perhaps Ts’ao Ts’ao would reject his proposal.

  Then she replied,“Have you forgotten the last words of my sister?”

  As to one recovering from a fit of drunkenness, or waking out of a dream, so came to him the dying words of the mother who bore him.

  His mother’s advice he called to mind,

  “In Chou Yu’s counsels you safety find.”

  What happened will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER XLIV

  K’UNGMING STIRS CHOU YU TO ACTION: SUN CH’UAN DECIDES TO ATTACK TS’AO TS’AO

  T he dying message which the Lady Wu recalled to Sun Ch’uan’s memory was,“For internal matters consult Chang Chao; for external policy Chou Yu.”

  Wherefore Chou Yu was summoned.

  But he was already on the way. He had been training his naval forces on Lake P’oyang when he heard of the approach of Ts’ao Ts’ao’s hosts and had started for Ch’aisengchun without loss of time. So, before the messenger ordered to call him could start, he had already arrived. As he and Lu Su were close friends the latter went to welcome him and told him of all that had happened.

  “Have no anxiety,” said Chou Yu,“I shall be able to decide this. But go quickly and beg K’ungming to come to see me.”

  So Lu Su went to seek out K’ungming. Chou Yu had many other visitors. First came Chang Chao and his faction to find out what might be afoot. They were received , and after the exchange of the usual commonplaces, Chang Chao said,“Have you heard of our terrible danger?”

  “I have heard nothing,” said Chou Yu.

  “Ts’ao Ts’ao and his hordes are encamped up the river. He has just sent letters asking our lord to hunt with him in Chianghsia. He may have a desire to absorb this country but, if so, the details of his designs are still secret. We prayed our master to give in his submission and so avoid the horrors of war, but now Lu Su has returned bringing with him the Commander-in-Chief of Liu Pei’s army, Chuko Liang. He, desiring to avenge himself for the recent defeat, has talked our lord into a mind for war and Lu Su persists in supporting him. They only await your final decision.”

  “Are you and yours unanimous in your opinions?”

&n
bsp; “We are perfectly unanimous,” said Chang.

  Chou said,“The fact is I have also desired to submit for a long time. I beg you to leave me now and tomorrow we will see our master and I shall make up his mind for him.”

  So they took their leave. Very soon came the military party led by Ch’eng P’u. They were admitted and duly enquired after their host’s health. Then the leader said,“Have you heard that our country is about to pass under another’s government?”

  “No; I have heard nothing,” replied the host.

  “We helped General Sun to establish his authority here and carve out this kingdom, and to gain that end we fought many a battle before we conquered the country. Now our lord lends his ear to his civil officers and desires to submit himself to Ts’ao Ts’ao. This is a most shameful and pitiful course and we would rather die. than follow it, so we hope you will decide to fight and you may depend upon our struggling to the last man.”

  “And are you unanimous, Generals?” asked Chou Yu.

  Huang Kai suddenly started up and smote his forehead saying,“They may take my head but I swear never to surrender.”

  “Not one of us is willing to surrender,” cried all the others.

  “My desire also is to decide matters with Ts’ao Ts’ao on the battlefield. How could we think of submission? Now I pray you retire, Generals, and when I see our lord I will settle his doubts.”

  So the war party left. They were quickly succeeded by Chuko Ching and his faction. They were brought in and, after the usual courtesies, Ching said,“My brother has come down the river saying that Liu Pei desires to ally himself with our lord against Ts’ao Ts’ao. The civil and military hold different opinions as to the course to be pursued, but as my brother is so deeply concerned I am unwilling to say much on either side. We are awaiting your decision.”

  “And what do you think about it?” asked Chou Yu.

  “Submission is an easy road to tranquillity, while the result of war is hard to foretell.”

  Chou Yu smiled,“I shall have my mind made up. Come tomorrow to the palace and the decision shall be announced.”

  The trimmers took their leave. But soon after came Lu Meng with his supporters, also desirous of discussing the same thing, and they told him that opinions differed greatly, some being for peace and others for war. One party constantly disputed with the other.

  “I must not say much now, replied Chou Yu,“but you will see tomorrow in the palace, when the matter will be fully debated.”

  They went away leaving Chou Yu smiling cynically.

  About eventide Lu Su and K’ungming came and Chou Yu went out to the main gate to receive them. When they had taken their proper seats, Lu Su spoke first, saying,“Ts’ao Ts’ao has come against the south with a huge army. Our master cannot decide whether to submit or give battle and waits for your decision. What is your opinion?”

  Chou Yu replied,“We may not oppose Ts’ao Ts’ao when he acts at the command of the Emperor. Moreover, he is very strong and to attack him is to take serious risks. In my opinion, opposition would mean defeat and, since submission means peace, I have decided to advise our lord to write and offer surrender.”

  “But you are wrong,” stammered Lu Su.“This country has been under the same rule for three generations and cannot be suddenly abandoned to some other. San Ts’e said that you were to be consulted on matters beyond the border and we depended upon you to keep the country as secure and solid as Mount T’ai. Now you adopt the view of the weaklings and propose to yield! I cannot believe you mean it.”

  Replied Chou Yu,“The six districts contain countless people. If I am the means of bringing upon them the misery of war they will hate me. So I have decided to advise submission.”

  “But do you not realise our lord’s might and the strength of our country? If Ts’ao does attack it is very uncertain that he will realise his desire.”

  The two wrangled for a long time, while K’ungming sat smiling with folded arms. Presently Chou Yu asked why he smiled thus and he replied,“I am smiling at no other than your opponent Lu Su, who knows nothing of the affairs of the day.”

  “Master,” said Lu Su,“What do you mean?”

  “Why, this intention to submit is perfectly reasonable; it is the one proper thing.”

  “There!” exclaimed Chou Yu,“K’ungming knows the times perfectly well and he agrees with me.”

  “But, both of you, why do you say this?” said Lu.

  Said K’ungming,“Ts’ao is an excellent commander, so good that no one dares oppose him. Only very few have ever attempted it and they have been exterminated; the world knows them no more. The only exception is Liu Pei, who did not understand the conditions and vigorously contended against him, with the result that he is now at Chianghsia in a very parlous state. To submit is to secure the safety of wives and children, to be rich and honoured. But the dignity of the country would be left to chance and fate— However, that is not worth consideration.”

  Lu Su interrupted angrily,“Would you make our lord crook the knee to such a rebel as he?”

  “Well,” replied K’ungming,“there is another way, and a cheaper; there would be no need to ‘lead the sheep and shoulder wine pots’ for presents, nor any need to yield territory and surrender seals of office. It would not even be necessary to cross the river yourselves. All you would require is a simple messenger and a little boat to ferry a couple of people across the river. If Ts’ao only got these two persons under his hand, his hordes and legions would just drop their weapons, furl their banners and silently vanish away.”

  “What two persons could cause Ts’ao Ts’ao to go away as you say?” asked Chou Yu.

  “Two persons who could be easily spared from this populous country. They would not be missed any more than a leaf from a tree or a grain of millet from a granary. But if Ts’ao could only get them, would he not go away rejoicing!”

  “But who are the two?” asked Chou Yu again.

  “When I was living in the country they told me that Ts’ao was building a pavilion on the Chang River; it was to be named the Bronze Bird Pavilion. It is an exceedingly handsome building and he has sought throughout all the world for the most beautiful women to live in it. For Ts’ao really is a sensualist.”

  “Now there are two very famous beauties in Chiantung, born of the Ch’iao family. So beautiful are they that birds alight and fishes drown, the moon hides her face and the flowers blush for shame at sight of them. Ts’ao has declared with an oath that he only wants two things in this world, the imperial throne in peace and the sight of those two women on the Bronze Bird Terraces. Given these two he would go down to his grave without regret. This expedition of his, his huge army that threatens this country, has for its real aim these two women. Why do you not buy these two from their father for any sum however large and send them over the river? The object of the army being attained, it will simply be marched away. This is the use that Fan Li made of the famous beauty Hsi Shih.”

  “How do you know he so greatly desires these two?” said Chou Yu.

  “Because his son, who is an able writer, at the command of his father wrote a poem ‘An Ode to the Bronze Bird Terrace,’ the theme only allowing allusions to the family fitness for the throne. He has sworn to possess these two women. I think I can remember the poem, if you wish to hear it. I admire it greatly.”

  “Try,” said Chou Yu.

  So he recited the poem:—

  Let me follow in the footsteps of the enlightened ruler that I may rejoice,

  And ascend the storied terrace that I may gladden my heart,

  That I may see the wide extent of the palace,

  That I may gaze upon the plans of the virtuous one.

  He has established the exalted gates high as the hills,

  He has builded the lofty towers piercing the blue vault,

  He has set up the beautiful building in the midst of the heavens,

  Whence the eye can range over the cities of the west.

  On the
banks of the rolling River Chang he planned it,

  Whence abundance of fruits could be looked for in his gardens.

  The two towers rise, one on either flank,

  This named Golden Phoenix, that Jade Dragon.

  He would seize the two Ch’iao; these beautiful ladies of the southeast,

  That he might rejoice with them morning and evening.

  Look down; there is the grand beauty of an imperial city,

  And the rolling vapours lie floating beneath.

  He will rejoice in the multitude of scholars that assemble,

  Answering to the felicitous dream of King Wen.

  Look up; and there is the gorgeous harmony of spring-time,

  And the singing of many birds delighting the ear;

  The lofty sky stands over all.

  The house desires success in its double undertaking,

  That the humane influence may be poured out over all the world,

  That the perfection of reverence may be offered to the Ruler.

  Only the richly prosperous rule of Huan and Wen

  Could compare with that of the sacred understanding

  What fortune! what beauty!

  The gracious kindness spreads afar,

  The imperial family is supported,

  Peace reigns over all the world,

  Bounded only by the universe.

  Bright as the glory of the sun and moon,

  Ever honourable and ever enduring,

  The Ruler shall live to the age of the eastern emperor,

  The dragon banner shall wave to the farthest limit.

  His glorious chariot shall be guided with perfect wisdom,