Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

  Hsu jumped up in surprise, gazed into the face of the speaker a long time and presently said,“What! you are Man Po-ning of Shanyang? What are you doing here?”

  “I am an officer in General Ts’ao’s army. Seeing my old friend out in front of the army today I wanted to say a word to him. So I took the risk of stealing in this evening and here I am.”

  Hsu Huang invited him in and they sat down. Then said Man Ch’ung,“There are very few as bold as you on the earth; why then do you serve such as your present chiefs? My master is the most prominent man in the world, a man who delights in wise men and appreciates soldiers as every one knows. Your valour today won his entire admiration and so he took care that the attack was not vigorous enough to sacrifice you. Now he has sent me to invite you to join him. Will you not leave darkness for light and help him in his magnificent task?”

  Hsu Huang sat a long time pondering over the offer. Then he said, with a sigh,“I know my masters are doomed to failure, but I have followed their fortunes a long time and do not like to leave them.”

  “But you know the prudent bird selects its tree and the wise servant chooses his master. When one meets a worthy master and lets him go one is a fool.”

  “I am willing to do what you say,” said Hsu, rising.

  “Why not put these two to death as an introductory gift?” said Man.

  “It is very wrong for a servant to slay his master. I will not do that.”

  “True; you are really a good man.”

  Then Hsu, taking only a few horsemen of his own men with him, left that night and deserted to Ts’ao Ts’ao. Soon some one took the news to Yang Feng, who at the head of a strong company of horsemen, set out to capture the deserter. He called out to him to come back.

  But when Yang was getting near he fell into an ambush. Suddenly the whole mountain side was lit up with torches and out sprang Ts’ao’s men, he himself being in command.“I have been waiting here a long time; do not run away,” cried he.

  Yang Feng was completely surprised and tried to draw off, but was quickly surrounded. His colleague came to his rescue and a confused battle began. Yang Feng succeeded in escaping, while Ts’ao Ts’ao kept up the attack on the disordered army. A great number of the rebels gave in and the leaders found they had too few men left to maintain their independence so they betook themselves to Yuan Shu.

  When Ts’ao Ts’ao returned to camp the newly surrendered man was presented and well received. Then again the cavalcade set out for the new capital. In due time they reached it and they built palaces and halls and an ancestral temple and an altar, terraces and public offices. The walls were repaired, storehouses built and all put in order.

  Then came the rewards for Ts’ao Ts’ao’s adherents. Thirteen were raised to rank of hou, or marquis. All good service was rewarded; certain others again, who deserved it, were punished, all according to Ts’ao Ts’ao’s sole decision. He himself was made a Generalissimo and Marquis of Wup’ing. The advisers became Presidents of Boards and filled such offices. Mao Chieh and Jen Hsun were put over the military stores. Tung Chao was made magistrate of Loyang and Man Ch’ung of Hsutu. All good service received full recognition.

  Ts’ao Ts’ao was then the one man of the Court. All memorials went first to him and were then submitted to the Throne.

  When State matters were in order a great banquet was given in his private quarters to all Ts’ao’s advisers, and affairs outside the capital were the subject of discussion. Then Ts’ao Ts’ao said,“Liu Pei has his army at Hsuchou and he carries on the administration of the prefecture. Lu Pu fled to him when defeated and Pei gave him Hsiaop’ei to live in. If these two agreed to join forces and attack, my position would be most serious. What precautions can be taken?”

  Then rose Hsu Ch’u, saying,“Give me five legions and I will give the Minister both their heads.”

  Hsun Yu said,“O Leader, you are brave, but you are no strategist. You cannot start sudden war just as the capital has been changed. However, there is a certain ruse known as The Rival Tigers. Liu Pei has no decree authorising him to govern the district. You, Illustrious Sir, can procure one for him, and when sending it, and so conferring upon him right in addition to his might, you can enclose a private note telling him to get rid of Lu Pu. If he does, then he will have lost a vigorous warrior from his side and he could be dealt with as occasions serve. Should he fail, then Lu Pu will slay him. This is The Rival Tiger ruse; they wrangle and bite each other.”

  Ts’ao agreed that this was a good plan so he memorialised for the formal appointment, which he sent to Liu Pei. Pei was created Cenerai “Conqueror of the East” and a Marquis as well. At the same time a private note was enclosed.

  When Liu Pei heard of the change of capital he began to prepare a congratulatory address. In the midst of this an imperial messenger was announced and was met which all ceremony outside the gate. When the epistle had been reverently received a banquet was prepared for the messenger.

  The messenger said,“This decree was obtained for you by the Minister Ts’ao.”

  Yuan-te thanked him. Then the messenger drew forth his secret letter. When he had read this Liu Pei said,“This matter can be easily arranged.”

  The banquet over and the messenger conducted to his lodging to seek repose, Yuan-te, before going to rest, called in his councillors to consider the letter.

  “There need be no compunction about putting him to death,” said Chang Fei; “he is a bad man.”

  “But he came to me for protection in his weakness, how can I put him to death? That would be immoral,” said Liu Pei.

  “If he was a good man; it would be difficult,” replied Fei.

  Liu Pei would not consent. Next day, when Lu Pu came to offer congratulations, he was received as usual. He said,“I have come to felicitate you on the receipt of the imperial bounty.”

  Liu Pei thanked him in due form. But then he saw Chang Fei draw his sword and come up the hall as if to slay Lu Pu. He hastily interfered and stopped him. Lu Pu was surprised and said,“Why do you wish to slay me, I-te?”

  “Ts’ao Ts’ao says you are immoral and tells my brother to kill you,” shouted Chang Fei.

  Liu Pei shouted again and again to him to go away, and he led Lu Pu into the private apartments out of the way.

  Then he told him the whole story and showed him the secret letter. He wept as he finished reading.

  “This is that miscreant’s scheme for sowing discord between us.”

  “Be not anxious, elder brother,” said Liu Pei.“I pledge myself not to be guilty of such an infamous crime.”

  Lu Pu again and again expressed his gratitude and Liu Pei kept him for a time. They remained talking and drinking wine till late.

  Said the other two brothers,“Why not kill him?”

  Liu Pei said,“Because Ts’ao Meng-te fears that Lu and I may attack him, he is trying to separate us and get us to ‘swallow’ each other, while he steps in and takes the advantage. Is there any other reason?”

  Kuan nodded assent, but Chang Fei said,“I want to get him out of the way lest he trouble us later.”

  ‘That is not what a noble man should do,” said his elder brother.

  Soon the messenger was dismissed and returned to the capital with the reply from Liu Pei. The letter only said the plan would be made later. But the messenger, when he saw Ts’ao Ts’ao, told him the story of Liu Pei’s pledge to Lu Pu. Then said Ts’ao Ts’ao,“The plan has failed; what next?”

  Hsun Yu replied,“I have another trick called ‘The Tiger and the Wolf’ in which the tiger is made to gobble up the Wolf.”

  “Let us hear it,” said Ts’ao.

  “Send to Yuan Shu to say that Liu Pei has sent up a secret memorial that he wishes to subdue the southern districts. Shu will be angry and attack him. Then you will order Pei to dispose of Shu and so set them destroying each other. Lu Pu will certainly think that is his chance and turn traitor. This is The Tiger-Wolf trick.”

  Ts’ao thought this good and
sent the messenger and also sent a false edict to Liu Pei. When this came the messenger was received with all the ceremonies and the edict ordered the capture of Yuan Shu. After the departure of the bearer Liu called Mi Chu who pronounced it a ruse.

  “It may be,” said his master,“but the royal command is not to be disobeyed.”

  So the army was prepared and the day fixed. Sun Ch’ien said that a trusty man must be left on guard and Pei asked which of his brothers would undertake this task.

  “I will guard the city,” said Kuan Yu.

  “I am constantly in need of your advice so how can we part?

  “I will guard the city,” said Chang Fei.

  “You will fail,” said Pei.“After one of your drinking bouts you will get savage and flog the soldiers. Beside you are rash and will not listen to any one’s advice. I shall be uneasy all the time.”

  “Henceforth I drink no more wine. I will not beat the soldiers and I will always listen to advice,” said Fei.

  “I fear the mouth does not correspond to the heart,” said Mi Chu.

  “I have followed my elder brother these many years and never broken faith; why should you be contemptuous!” said Fei.

  Yuan-te said,“Though you say this I do not feel quite satisfied. I will order friend Yuanlung to help you and keep you sober. Then you will not make any mistake.”

  Ch’en Teng was willing to undertake this duty and the final orders were given. The army of three legions, horse and foot, left Hsuchou and marched toward Nanyang.

  When Yuan Shu heard that a memorial had been presented proposing to take possession of this district he broke out into abuse of Liu Pei.“You weaver of mats! You plaiter of straw shoes! You have been smart enough to get possession of a large district and elbow your way into the ranks of the nobles. I was just going to attack you and now you dare to scheme against me! How I detest you!”

  So he at once gave orders to prepare an army of ten legions, under Chi Ling, to attack Hsuchou. The armies met at Hsui, where Liu Pei was encamped in a plain with hills behind and a stream on his flank, for his army was small.

  Chi Ling, his opponent, was a native of Shantung. He used a very heavy three-edged sword. After he had made his camp he rode out and began abusing his opponents “Liu Pei, you rustic bumpkin, how dare you invade this land?”

  “I have a decree ordering me to destroy the minister who behaves improperly. If you oppose you will be assuredly punished?” replied Pei.

  Chi angrily rode out brandishing his weapon. But Kuan Yu cried,“Fool, do not attempt to fight!” and rode out to meet him. Then they two fought and after thirty bouts neither had an advantage. Then Chi cried out for a rest. So Kuan turned his horse away, rode back to his own array and waited for him.

  When the moment came to renew the combat Chi sent out one of his officers to take his place. But Kuan said,“Tell Chi Ling to come: I must settle with him who shall be cock and who shall be hen.”

  “You a reputationless leader and unworthy to fight with our general,” replied the officer, Hsun Cheng.

  This reply angered Kuan, who made just one attack on Hsun and brought him to the ground. At this success Liu Pei urged on the army and Chi Ling’s men were defeated. They retired to the mouth of the Huaiyin River and declined all challenges.

  However, many of their men came privately into Liu Pei’s camp to try to do what mischief they could and many, so found, were slain.

  But the armies will be left facing each other while we relate what happened in Hsuchou.

  After Liu Pei had started on his expedition Chang Fei placed his colleague and helper in charge of the administration of Hsuchou, keeping military affairs under his own supervision. After thinking over the matter for some time he gave a banquet to all the military officers and when they were all seated he made a speech.“Before my brother left he bade me keep clear of the wine cup for fear of accidents. Now, gentlemen, you may drink deep today but from tomorrow wine is forbidden for we must keep the city safe. So take your fill.” And with this he and all his guests rose to drink together.

  The wine bearer came to one Ts’ao Pao who declined it, saying he never drank as he was forbidden of heaven.

  “What! a fighting man not drink wine!” said the host.“I want you to take just one cup.”

  Ts’ao Pao was afraid to offend so he drank.

  Now the host drank huge goblets with all his guests on every hand and so swallowed a huge quantity of liquor. He became quite intoxicated. Yet he would drink more and insisted on a cup with every guest. It came to the turn of Ts’ao Pao who declined.

  “Really, I cannot drink,” said Pao.

  “You drank just now: why refuse this time?”

  Chang Fei pressed him, but still Ts’ao Pao resisted. Then Fei in his drunken madness lost control of his temper and said,“If you disobey the orders of your general you shall be beaten.” And he called in his guards.

  Here Ch’en Yuanlung interfered reminding him of the strict injunctions of his brother.

  “You civilians attend to your civil business and leave us alone,” said Fei.

  The only way of escape for the guest was to beg remission and he did so, but added,“Sir, if you saw my son-in-law’s face you would pardon me.”

  “Who is your son-in-law?”

  “Lu Pu.”

  “I did not mean to have you really beaten, but if you think to frighten me with Lu Pu I will. I will beat you as if I was beating him,” said Fei.

  The guests interposed to beg him off, but their drunken host was obdurate and the unhappy guest received fifty blows. Then at the earnest prayers of the others the remainder of the punishment was remitted.

  The banquet came to an end and the beaten man went away burning with resentment. That night he sent a letter to Hsiaop’ei relating the insults he had received from Chang Fei. The letter told Lu Pu of the prefect’s absence and proposed that a sudden raid should be made that very night before Chang Fei had recovered from his drunken fit. Lu Pu at once summoned Ch’en Kung and told him.

  “This is only a place to occupy temporarily,” said Kung.“If you can seize Hsuchou, do so. It is a good chance.”

  Lu Pu got ready at once and soon on the way with half a company, ordering Ch’en Kung to follow him with the main body. Kao Shun was to follow him.

  Hsiaop’ei being only about forty li away, one gets there almost as soon as one is mounted and Lu Pu was under the walls at the fourth watch. It was clear moonlight. No one on the ramparts saw him. Pu came up close to the wall and called out,“Liu Pei’s secret messenger has arrived.”

  The guards on the wall were Ts’ao Pao’s men and they called him. He came and when he saw who was there he ordered the gates to be opened. Lu Pu gave the secret signal and the soldiers entered shouting.

  Chang Fei was in his apartment sleeping off the fumes of wine. His servants hastened to arouse him and told him an enemy had got the gates open and was in the city. Chang savagely got into his armour and laid hold of his mighty spear, but as he was mounting his horse at the gate the soldiers came up. He rushed at them but being still half intoxicated made but a poor fight. Lu Pu knowing his prowess did not press him hard and Chang Fei made his way, with a small escort, to the east gate, and there went out, leaving his brother’s family to their fate.

  Ts’ao Pao, seeing Chang had but a very small force and was still half drunk as well, came in pursuit. Fei saw who it was and was mad with rage. He galloped toward him and drove him off after a few passes. He followed Pao to the moat and wounded him in the back. His frightened steed carried him into the moat and he was drowned.

  Once well outside the city Chang Fei collected his men and they rode off toward the south.

  Lu Pu having surprised the city set himself to restore order. He put a guard over the residence of Liu Pei so that no one should disturb the family.

  Chang Fei with his few followers went to his brother’s camp and told his story of treachery and surprise. All were greatly distressed.

&n
bsp; “Success is not worth rejoicing over; failure is not worth grieving over,” said Liu Pei with a sigh.

  “Where are our sisters?” asked Kuan.

  “They shared the fate of the city.”

  Liu Pei nodded his head and was silent.

  Kuan Yu with an effort controlled his reproaches and said,“What did you say when you promised to guard the city and what orders did our brother give you? Now the city is lost and therewith our sisters-in-law. Have you done well?”

  Chang Fei was overwhelmed by remorse. He drew his sword to kill himself.

  He raised the cup in pledge,

  None might say nay;

  Remorseful, drew the sword,

  Himself to slay.

  Chang Feis fate will be told in the next chapter.

  Footnotes

  * The Great Bear and Vega.

  † The Milky Way.

  # A star in Taurus.

  CHAPTER XV

  T’AISHIH TZU FIGHTS FOR FRIENDSHIP’S SAKE: SUN PO-FU DOES BATTLE WITH YEN, THE WHITE TIGER

  I n the last chapter it was recorded that Chang Fei was about to end his life with his own weapon. But his brother rushed forward and caught him in his arms, snatched away the sword and threw it on the earth saying,“Brothers are hands and feet; wives and children are as clothing. You may mend your torn dress, but who can re-attach a lost limb? We three, by the Oath of the Peach Garden, swore to seek the same deathday. The city is lost, it is true, and my wife and little ones, but I could not bear that we should die ere our course be run. Beside, the city was not really mine and Lu Pu will not harm my family but will rather seek to preserve them. You made a mistake, worthy brother, but is it one deserving of death?”

  And he wept. His brothers were much affected and their tears fell in sympathy.

  As soon as the news of Lu Pu’s successful seizure of his protector’s district reached Yuan Shu, he sent promises of valuable presents to Lu to induce him to join in a further attack on Liu Pei. The presents are said to have been fifty thousand measures of grain, five hundred horses, ten thousand taels of gold and silver and a thousand pieces of coloured silk. Lu Pu swallowed the bait and ordered Kao Shun to lead forth five legions. But Liu Pei heard of the threatened attack, so he made inclement weather an excuse to disband his few soldiers and left Hsui, before the attacking force came up.