Sima Zhao summoned his van leader to whom he said: “We formerly defeated the Shu army by cutting off their routes of supplies and we can do that again. Now they are bringing up grain behind the Iron Cage Hill. Tonight you take 5,000 men to block their grain route and they will withdraw of their own accord.”
At about the first watch Xu Zhi marched toward the hill, and when he got there he saw a couple of hundred men driving a hundred or so mechanical animals laden with grain and forage. The men of Wei rushed upon them with shouts, Xu Zhi himself in the lead, and the Shu troops at once abandoned their supplies and ran away. Xu Zhi took possession of the grain, which he sent back to his own camp under the escort of half his men. With the other half he set out in pursuit.
About ten li away, the road was found blocked with wagons lying across. Xu Zhi ordered his men to clear the way, but before they could remove the vehicles the brushwood on both sides suddenly burst into flames. Xu Zhi at once turned to retreat but soon found himself in a narrow mountain path, which was again blocked with wagons, and again the brushwood began to burn. Braving the fire and smoke, he made a dash to escape, but at that moment a bomb roared, and he saw Liao Hua and Zhang Yi descending on him from two directions. Both fell on him with great fury, and the men of Wei were wholly defeated. Xu Zhi alone got clear, both himself and his horse exhausted with fatigue.
As he struggled on in haste he saw another troop in his way, and the leader was Jiang Wei. Scared, he could make no resistance. His horse fell from a spear thrust, throwing Xu Zhi down to the ground, and he was killed by Shu soldiers.
Meanwhile, the other half of his force escorting the grain was also captured by Xiahou Ba. The men surrendered. Xiahou Ba then stripped them of their outfits and disguised his men as Wei soldiers. Holding aloft banners of Wei, these disguised men made for the Wei camp. Seeing their own comrades had returned the men at the camp threw open the gates to let them enter.
The moment they rushed in they began to kill. Taken wholly by surprise, Sima Zhao leaped upon his steed to escape but he was barred in front by Liao Hua. He hastened to retreat, but Jiang Wei camp up from another direction. With no other way of escape, Sima Zhao had to lead his army to the Iron Cage Hill.
Now there was but one road up the hill, which rose steeply on all other sides. And there was but one small spring, with water enough for a mere hundred men, but Sima Zhao’s force numbered 6,000. Jiang Wei had blocked the only road. This one fountain was unequal to supplying the needs of the beleaguered force, and soon men and horses were tormented with thirst. In despair, Sima Zhao looked up to Heaven and sighed. “Here I’m going to die!”
In this critical situation a civil officer, Wang Tao by name, advised him to imitate an ancient general, named Geng Gong, who, caught in a similar plight, prayed on his knees before a well and was rewarded with sweet water. Sima Zhao took the advice and went to the summit of the hill, where he knelt beside the spring and prayed: “I, Zhao, received a command to repulse the army of Shu. If I am to die here, then may this spring cease its flow, and I will end my own life and let my soldiers yield to the enemy. But if my allotted span of life is not over, then, may the Blue Vault above increase the flow of water and save the lives of this multitude.”
When he finished his prayer water gushed forth aplenty, so that both men and horses survived.
Jiang Wei, who had surrounded the hill, said to his officers, “I’ve always regretted that our late prime minister was unable to capture Sima Yi in the Gourd Valley, but now I think his son is doomed to fall into our hands.”
However, news of Sima Zhao’s plight had reached Guo Huai, who intended to rescue him.
But Chen Tai said to him, “Jiang Wei has made a league with the Qiang people to first capture Nanan. Now the Qiang troops have already arrived, and if you lead the army to rescue our commander, leaving this city undefended, they will certainly attack us from the rear. I propose we first send someone to feign surrender to the tribesmen and seek opportunities to destroy them. Only after they are disposed of, can we then lift the siege of the Iron Cage Hill.”
Guo Huai adopted his plan and so Chen Tai himself was ordered to take 5,000 men to go to the camp of the king of Qiang. On arrival he entered, after casting off his armor. Weeping and bowing, he said, “Guo Huai considers himself superior to everyone and has often intended to slay me. Therefore I have come to offer my services to you. I know all the secrets of his army and, if you will, this very night I can lead you to raid their camp. I have friends inside to help me once we get there.”
The king was taken with the scheme, and sent Erheshaoge to go with Chen Tai. The Wei soldiers were placed in the rear, but Chen Tai was asked to lead the Qiang soldiers in front. They set out at the second watch. When they arrived they found the gates open, and Chen Tai boldly rode in first.
The Qiang leader followed. But suddenly a cry of distress escaped from him, and both he and his horse tumbled into a pit. At the same moment Chen Tai’s men in the rear attacked, while Guo Huai appeared on the left. In the confusion the Qiang troops trampled each other down, and many were killed. Those who escaped death surrendered, and the leader, Erheshaoge, committed suicide.
Guo Huai and his colleague then hastened back into the Qiang camp. Caught unprepared, the king of Quiang rushed out of his tent to get to his horse, but was captured. He was taken before Guo Huai, who hastily dismounted, loosened the prisoner’s bonds, and soothed him with kindly words.
“Our government has always regarded you as a loyal and true friend,” said Guo Huai. “Why then are you helping our enemies?”
The king sank to the ground in shame, while Guo Huai continued: “If you will lead your men to raise the siege of the Iron Cage Hill and drive off the men of Shu, I will petition the Emperor and obtain a substantial reward for you.”
The king agreed. He set out at once, his own men leading and the men of Wei in the rear. At the third watch he sent on a messenger to tell Jiang Wei of his coming. Overjoyed, Jiang Wei told his men to invite the king inside, leaving the larger portion of his men outside. As the king came up to the camp, Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba went out to welcome him. Now the men of Wei had mingled with the Qiang and, before the king could say a word, the Wei officers started to slay the Shu men. Completely taken aback, Jiang Wei leaped onto his steed and fled, as the mixed force of Wei and Qiang broke into the camp while the men of Shu scattered about and fled for their lives.
Jiang Wei had no weapon in his hand, only his bow and quiver hung at his shoulder. In his hasty flight the arrows all fell out and the quiver was empty. He made for the hills, pursued by Guo Huai. Seeing that Jiang Wei had no weapon to defend himself, Guo Huai raised his spear and rushed forward to chase him. As he came nearer, Jiang Wei laid his hands upon his bow and pulled the string as if he was going to shoot. A dozen times the string twanged. Guo Huai ducked several times but, as he saw no arrows coming, knew Jiang Wei had none to shoot. So he hung up his spear, took his bow and shot at Jiang Wei, who caught the arrow as it flew by and fitted it to his own bowstring. He waited till Guo Huai came close, then he pulled the string with all his force and sent the arrow flying straight at Guo Huai’s face. Guo Huai fell from his horse as the bowstring twanged.
Jiang Wei turned to finish his fallen enemy, but crowds of Wei soldiers rushed up, and he had only time to snatch the wounded man’s spear and ride off. The men of Wei did not pursue but hastened to pick up their general and carry him to camp. There the arrowhead was pulled out, but the flow of blood could not be stanched, and Guo Huai died.
Sima Zhao descended from the hill as soon as the siege was lifted. He pursued Jiang Wei some distance but turned back halfway. Xiahou Ba rejoined his comrade, and they hurried back together without stopping at Hanzhong, having taken heavy losses. Though the campaign failed, they had killed Guo Huai, slew Xu Zhi, and had thus damaged the prestige of Wei. So their failures were balanced by their successes.
After rewarding the Qiang troops for their help and sending them homeward,
Sima Zhao led his army back to Luoyang, where he joined his brother in administering the government. They were so powerful that none dared to voice any opposition. The Emperor, Cao Fang, was scared of Sima Shi. He trembled whenever he saw him at court, and felt as if needles were pricking his back.
One day, when the Emperor was holding a court, Sima Shi came into the hall wearing his sword. The Emperor hastily left his seat to welcome him.
Sima Shi smiled. “How can an Emperor rise to welcome his minister? Pray remember your own dignity, Your Majesty.”
Then court went into session and officials brought forth various matters to the attention of their ruler. Sima Shi, however, decided everything without even consulting the Emperor, and when the court retired he stalked haughtily down the hall and went into his carriage, surrounded by his escort, which numbered thousands.
When the Emperor went into the inner hall he saw only three people in his company. They were Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, and Zhang Qi, father of the Empress. Sending away the servants, the Emperor led these three into a private chamber.
Seizing his father-in-law’s hand, the Emperor began to weep, saying, “Sima Shi treats me as a child and regards the officials of state as mere weeds. I fear the throne will be his one of these days.”
And he wept bitterly. Li Feng said, “Do not worry, Your Majesty. I maybe incapable but if Your Majesty will issue an edict, I will call together all bold spirits in the country to destroy this tyrant.”
“It was from fear of the Sima brothers that my uncle was forced to go over to Shu,” said Xiahou Xuan. “If they were destroyed, he would certainly return. I belong to a family related to the rulers of the state for many generations, and I will not sit idly while a traitor ruins the government. I will also act on your command to remove him.”
“But I am afraid it cannot be done,” said the Emperor.
They wept and pledged to work together toward the destruction of the tyrant. The Emperor then took off his dragon-and-phoenix undershirt, drew blood from his finger with his teeth, and wrote a command in blood. He gave it to his father-in-law, saying, “In the past my ancestor Emperor Wu (Cao Cao) put Dong Cheng to death because the secret of an identical plan was divulged. You must be exceedingly careful and maintain the greatest secrecy.”
“Your Majesty, why do you utter such ill-omened words?” cried Li Feng. “We are not like Dong Cheng, any more than Sima Shi resembles your great ancestor. Have no doubts.”
The three men took leave and went out, carrying the edict with them. At the Donghua Gate of the palace they saw Sima Shi coming toward them wearing a sword. Following him were hundreds of armed attendants. The three stood by the side of the road.
“Why are you three so late in leaving the palace?” asked Sima Shi.
“His Majesty was reading, and we stayed with him,” said Li Feng.
“What was he reading?”’
“The histories of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties.”
“What questions did the Emperor ask as he read the book?”
“He asked about how Yi Yin upheld the Shangs and how Duke Zhou acted when he was regent. And we told His Majesty that you were both Yi Yin and Duke Zhou to him.”
Sima Shi smiled acidly. “You did not compare me with those two! In your hearts you think of me as Wang Mang or Dong Zhuo!”
“How dare we think like that? We, who are in your service, General.”
“You are a pack of flatterers,” rebuked Sima Shi, angrily. “And what were you crying about in the Emperor’s private chamber?”
“There was no such thing.”
“Your eyes are still red with tears—you cannot deny that.”
By then Xiahou Xuan realized that they had been betrayed already, so he abused Sima Shi fiercely: “We wept because you terrorize over the Emperor and are scheming to usurp the throne.”
“Seize him!” roared Sima Shi.
Xiahou Xuan rolled back his sleeves to strike at Sima Shi with his bare fists, but was captured by armed guards. Then the three were searched, and on Zhang Qi’s person was found the blood-stained garment of the Emperor. They handed it to their chief, who recognized the object of his search, the secret edict.
It said: “Sima Shi and his brother have stolen away all my power and are plotting to take the throne. The edicts I have been forced to issue do not represent my wishes. Therefore I command you, my officers and men, to be loyal to me and unite to destroy these two evil ministers and restore the authority of the throne. On the day of victory I will reward you most handsomely.”
Sima Shi cried out in wrath, “So that is what you are up to! Plotting to destroy me and my brother! How can this be tolerated?”
He ordered his followers to kill them cruelly on the public execution ground and to destroy three generations of their families.
The three abused Sima Shi without ceasing. On their way to the execution ground their teeth were all knocked out. But they went to their death still muttering curses.
Sima Shi then went to the inner chambers of the palace. The Emperor had just told the Empress about this and she said: “The palace is full of spies, and if this comes out it will mean trouble for me.”
At that moment they saw Sima Shi stride in, sword in hand. “My father placed Your Majesty on the throne, a service not inferior to that of Duke Zhou,” he said. “And I have served Your Majesty as Yi Yin served his lord. But now kindness is returned with enmity and service regarded as a fault. Your Majesty has plotted with some mean officials to murder me and my brother. Why is this?”
“I had no such intention,” said the Emperor.
In reply, Sima Shi drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it to the ground.
“Who wrote this?”
The Emperor’s soul flew beyond the skies—his spirit fled to the ninth heaven. Shaking with fear, he said, “I was forced into it. How could I dare to do such a thing?”
“What crime is this, to slander high-ranking ministers with rebellion?” said Sima Shi.
The Emperor fell to his knees and pleaded, “I am guilty—forgive me, General.”
“I beg Your Majesty to rise—the laws of the country must be respected.”
Pointing to the Empress, he said, “She is the daughter of Zhang Qi and must die.”
The Emperor begged him to spare her life, weeping bitterly. But Sima Shi was unrelenting. He ordered his men to lead her away, and she was strangled with a white silk cord at the palace gate.
Now I recall another year and lo!
Empress Fu borne away to cruel death.
Barefooted, weeping bitterly, she bade
Farewell to her lord. But today
History repeats itself, and Sima Shi
Inflicts this on Cao Cao’s heirs.
The next day Sima Shi assembled all the officials and addressed them thus: “Our present Emperor is debased and devoid of principles, familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure. He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps virtuous men at a distance. His faults exceed those of Emperor Chang Yi of Han, and he has proved himself unfit to rule. Therefore, following the precedents of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, I have decided to establish another in his place, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the ruling house and ensuring the tranquillity of the state. What do you say to this?”
The officials all chimed in their agreement. “General, you are playing the same role as Yi Yin and Huo Guang once did, in accordance with the will of Heaven and fulfilling the desire of mankind. Who dares to dispute your command?”
Then Sima Shi, followed by the whole assembly of the officials, went to the Palace of Eternal Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention.
“Who do you propose to place on the throne, General?” she asked.
“I have observed that Cao Ju, Prince of Pengcheng, is intelligent, virtuous, and filial. He is fit to rule the empire.”
She replied, “He is my uncle. If he were to become Emperor, how should I address him? Alternatively, there is Cao Mao, Duke of
Gaogui village, and grandson of Emperor Wen (Cao Pi). He is of mild temperament, respectful, and deferential, and could be set up. I hope you and the other officials of the state will consider this carefully.”
One of the officials said, “Her Majesty is right—we should inaugurate him without delay.”
All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Sima Fu, uncle of Sima Shi.
So an envoy was sent to summon the duke to the capital. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was asked to ascend the Hall of Eternity, where Cao Fang was summoned before her. To him she said, “You indulge yourself in lust and choose to befriend the lowly and the vile. You are unfit to rule the state. Therefore submit the imperial seal and revert to your former status of Prince of Qi. Depart at once—you are forbidden to come to court without special command.”
Cao Fang bowed to her in tears and handed over the imperial seal. Then he got into his carriage and went away, weeping bitterly. Only a few faithful ministers bade him farewell with tears in their eyes.
Cao Cao, the mighty minister of Han
Bullied the widow and the orphan prince.
Little did he know that forty years away
His own posterity would suffer like fate.
Soon the emperor-elect, Cao Mao, grandson of Cao Pi, was summoned to the capital by Sima Shi in the name of the Empress Dowager. All the officials gathered to pay their obeisance to him at the Xiye Gate, where an imperial carriage stood in waiting. He hastily returned their salutations.
“The ruler ought not to return greetings,” said Wang Su, a high-ranking official.
“I am also an official of the Emperor,” he replied. “How could I not return their greetings?”
The attending officials tried to help him into the carriage to ride into the palace, but he refused to mount it, saying, “I do not know for what reason Her Majesty has commanded my presence. How dare I enter the palace in such a carriage?”
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 51