Romance of the Three Kingdoms

by Guanzhong Luo

  Chang Liao, having distinguished Sun Ch’uan in the distance, galloped in pursuit and had nearly come up with him, when Cheng P’u happily rushed in from one side of the line of fight, stayed the pursuit and saved his master, Chang Liao withdrew to Hofei. Sun Ch’uan was escorted back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him and their ranks were reformed.

  When Sun knew of the death of Sung Ch’ien he was greatly pained and wept aloud.

  But Chang Hung, the recorder, reproached him saying,“My lord, you relied too much upon your martial prowess and lightly engaged in battle with a formidable enemy. Every man in the army was chilled with fear and you lost a general and some of your banners. It is not for you to exhibit prowess on the actual battlefield and encroach upon the duties of a captain. Rather curb and repress such physical feats as those of Meng Pen and Hsia Yu and contemplate schemes of exercising princely virtues with the hegemony of all the feudal states. It is because of your ill-regulated action in engaging in battle that Sung Ch’ien perished at the hands of your enemies. Hereafter you should regard as most important your personal safety.”

  “Yes; it is indeed a fault,” said Sun Ch’uan.“I will reform.”

  Soon after T’aishih Tzu entered the tent and said,“In my command there is a certain Ko Ting, brother of a groom named Hou Ts’ao in the army of Chang Liao. This Hou Ts’ao is deeply resentful on account of a punishment inflicted upon him and is anxious to be revenged. He has sent over to say that he will show a signal tonight when he has assassinated Chang Liao in revenge for the death of your late leader Sung Ch’ien. I wish to take some men over to await this signal to attack.”

  “Where is this Ko Ting?” asked Sun Ch’uan.

  “He has mingled with the enemy and gone into the city. Let me have five companies.”

  Chuko Ching said,“Chang Liao is full of guile, I think you will find him prepared for your coming. Be careful.”

  As Taishih Tzu urged his chief to let him go, and Sun Ch’uan was deeply hurt by the death of his captain, the permission was given and the force started.

  Now here it must be said that T’aishih Tzu and this Ko Ting were natives of the same place. Ko had made his way into the city without detection, found his brother and the two had arranged their plot. Ko also told him that T’aishih Tzu would come over that night to help them and asked what they should do.

  His brother, the groom, said,“As the men of Wu are far away I fear they cannot be here tonight, so we will make a huge bonfire of straw and then you can rush out and cry treachery. That will throw all into confusion and will give a chance to kill Chang Liao.”

  “This is an excellent plan,” said Ko Ting.

  Now after the victory Chang Liao returned to the city and rewarded his men but he issued orders that no one was to doff his armour or sleep. His attendants said,“You have gained a great victory today and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armour and get some repose.”

  But Chang Liao replied,“That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If the men of Wu suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready tonight and be doubly careful.”

  Scarcely had he said this than a fire started and cries of “Treachery!” arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way.

  Those about him said,“The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means.”

  “A whole city cannot be traitors,” said he.“Some discontented person has frightened the soldiers. If I see any one doing so I will slay him.”

  Soon after this Li Tien dragged up Ko Ting and his fellow-traitor. After a few brief questions they were beheaded. Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate.

  “That means the men of Wu are there to help,” said Chang Liao.“But we will destroy them by a simple ruse.”

  He bade them light torches and yell “Treachery! Rebellion!” and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge.

  When T’aishih Tzu saw the gates swing open he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places. And in the pursuit that followed more than half the men of Wu were cut off. As he drew near his own lines a rescue force came to his aid and the Ts’ao soldiers ceased from pursuit.

  Sun Ch’uan was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful captain had been grievously wounded and when Chang Chao prayed him to cease from war he was content. They gathered in their men to their ships and sailed to Nanhsu and Junchou where they camped.

  Meanwhile T’aishih Tzu was dying. When his lord sent to ask how he fared, he cried,“When a worthy man is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and gird on a three feet sword. I have not rendered great service. Why must I die before I have attained my desire?”

  These were his last words, he was forty-one years of age.

  single minded and perfectly loyal,

  such was Taishih, in Tungai born,

  Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,

  Riding or archery, all men he excelled,

  One in Pohai who admired his valour

  Cared for his mother while he was fighting,

  How he joyed in the battle at Shent’ing!

  Dying, he spake as a hero;

  All through the ages men sigh for his fate.

  Sun Ch’uan was exceedingly grieved when this second of his leaders died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honourably outside the north wall on Ku Hill and took his son, T’aishih Hsiang, into his own palace to be brought up.

  When Yuan-te heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Wu and of their retirement to Nanhsu, he and K’ungming discussed their plans. Said K’ungming,“I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the northwest. The Imperial family is to suffer a loss.”

  He had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Liu Ch’i, son of Liu Piao.

  Yuan-te at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him,“Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one to assume control and make arrangements for the interment.”

  “Who can go?” asked Yuan-te.

  “No other than Kuan Yu.”

  So they sent him to guard the city of Hsiangyang.

  Liu Pei at once began to feel troubled about his promise to surrender Chingchou on the death of Liu Ch’i, but K’ungming did not consider this a matter of moment. He said he would have somewhat to say to any one who came to ask fulfilment of the promise. In half a month it was announced that Lu Su would come to mourn at the funeral.

  To claim the promise one will come,

  But they will send him empty home.

  What reply K’ungming made may be read in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER LIV

  THE DOWAGER MARCHIONESS SEES HER SON-IN-LAW AT A TEMPLE: LIU, THE IMPERIAL UNCLE, TAKES A WORTHY CONSORT

  Y uan-te and K’ungming went out of the city to welcome the envoy of Wu and led him to the guesthouse. After the usual greetings, Lu Su said,“Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices. General Chou Yu also sends greetings to the Imperial Uncle and to you, Master Chuko.”

  Both rose at once and thanked him for the courtesy. Then the gifts were handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest brought up the real object of his visit.

  “You said, Sir, that Chingchou should be returned to us after the death of Liu Ch’i. Now that that event has happened rendition becomes due and I should be glad to know when the transfer can
take place.”

  “We will discuss that later; in the meantime let us go on with our wine,” said Yuan-te.

  So the feasting continued. Some time later Lu Su returned to the subject, but this time his host remained silent. However, K’ungming, changing colour, said,“Tzuching, you are unreasonable. You should have waited till some other spoke of this matter. From the very foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor the great heritage has descended in due course till today when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with God’s favour and help unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the Imperial house, a great great grandson of the Emperor Hsiao-Ching. Now, as the Emperor’s Uncle, should he not have a share of the Empire? Moreover, Liu Chinghsing (Liu Piao) was my lord’s elder brother and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one brother’s succession to another’s estate. What is your master? The son of a petty official on the banks of the Ch’ient’ang River, absolutely without merit so far as the State is concerned. Just because he is powerful he holds actual possession of a certain amount of territory, which has whetted his insatiable appetite till he now desires to swallow the whole country. The land is the estate of the Liu family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your master, whose name is Sun, would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at the battle at Ch’ihpi (Red Wall) my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his captains risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your men of Wu that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind that meant so much for Chou Yu, could he have done anything? Had Chiangnan been conquered, it is needless to say that two beauties you wot of would now be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace, and as for yourself, insignificant though your family be, could you have been sure to survive? Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and I trust now that you will.”

  This speech absolutely shut the guest’s mouth for a time and he said no word in reply. But after an interval he said,“What you say, K’ungming, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me.”

  “What unpleasantness?” asked K’ungming.

  The guest replied,“When Liu Pei was in serious straits at Tangyang I conducted you across the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Chou Yu when he was going to capture Chingchou, and then it came about that the place was to be ours when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Chou Yu will hold me guilty. I would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason.”

  Replied K’ungming,“I care not for Ts’ao Ts’ao with his hundred legions and the Emperor in name at his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as your Chou Yu? However, as it may cause you some loss of consideration I will try to persuade my master to put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is temporarily occupying Chingchou as a base and when he can obtain possession of some other city this shall be returned to you. What think you Wu would say to this?”

  “Wait till what other place was obtained?” said Lu Su.

  “My master can scarcely think of attacking the capital yet, but Liu Chang in Ssuch’uan is ignorant and weak and my master will attack him. If he get the western province then this place will be given up to you.”

  Lu Su had no alternative and accepted the offer. Yuan-te with his own hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Chuko K’ungming being named as guarantor also signed the document.

  “Since I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the same party I would trouble you, Tzuching, also to sign. It will look better when you reach Wu again,” said K’ungming.

  Lu Su said,“I know that your master is perfectly honourable and will adhere to the bargain.”

  And so he signed. Then he received the document in formal style and took his departure. He was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Yuan-te and K’ungming attending him to his boat. There the adviser delivered him a last exhortation,“When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to create a bad impression. If he reject our document we may get angry and we will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy an opportunity against us.”

  Lu Su went down into his ship. He reached Ch’aisang and there saw Chou Yu, who said,“Well, how did you speed with your demand for Chingchou?”

  “Here is the document,” said Lu Su, giving it to Chou Yu to read.

  “You have been victimised by Chuko,” said Chou, stamping his foot with irritation.“In name it may be temporary occupation but in fact it is humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows when that will be? Suppose ten years; then it will be ten years before they give us Chingchou. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a guarantor of its due performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?”

  Lu Su was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he said,“I think Yuan-te will be true to me.”

  “You, my friend, are simple and sincere; Liu Pei is a scoundrelly adventurer; and Chuko Liang is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different.”

  “What then is to be done?” cried Lu Su distressfully.

  “You are my dear friend and your kindness in freely offering your store of grain to relieve my necessity is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is doing on the north of the river and then we can decide upon a plan.”

  Lu Su passed some very uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Chingchou everything seemed in excellent order and the flags were flying everywhere, while outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for the Lady Kan, wife of Liu Pei. All the soldiers were in mourning.

  When Chou Yu knew who was dead, he said to his friend,“My scheme is made. You will see Liu Pei just stand still to be bound and we shall get Chingchou like turning a hand.”

  “What is the main-spring of your plan?” said Lu Su.

  “Liu Pei will want to re-marry and our lord has a sister. She is a veritable amazon, whose women guards number many hundreds, all armed with weapons of war. Her apartments also are full of such things. I will write to our lord to send an intermediary to arrange that the lady shall wed Liu Pei at her family home and thus we shall entice him to Nanhsu. But instead of marrying a wife, he will find himself a prisoner, and then we will demand Chingchou as ransom. When they have handed over the city I shall find something else to say and nothing will fall on your head.”

  Lu Su was very grateful. Then Chou Yu wrote letters to his master and a swift boat was chosen to take Lu Su to see the Marquis of Wu.

  After the lending of Chingchou had been discussed, Lu Su presented the document given him by Liu Pei.“What is the use of such nonsense as this?” said Sun Ch’uan, when he had read it.

  ‘There is another letter from General Chou and he says that if you will employ his scheme you can recover Chingchou,” replied Lu.

  Having read that letter the Marquis was more pleased and began to consider who was the best man to send. Suddenly he cried,“I have it; Lu Fan is the man to send.”

  He called Lu Fan and said to him,“I have just heard that Liu Yuan-te has lost his wife. I have a sister whom I should like to marry to him and so make a bond of union between our two houses. Thus we should be united against Ts’ao and in support of the House of Han. You are the one man to be intermediary and I hope you will go to Chingchou and see to this.”

  Under these orders Lu Fan at once began to prepare his ships for the voya
ge and soon started.

  Yuan-te was greatly distressed at the death of the Lady Kan, fretting for her day and night. One day when he was talking with his adviser they announced the arrival of Lu Fan. He had come on a mission from Wu.

  “One of Chou Yu’s devices,” said the adviser smiling,“and it is all on account of this city. I will just retire behind the screen and listen. But you, my lord, agree to whatever the messenger proposes. Then let the messenger be taken to the guesthouse while we arrange what is to be done.”

  So the envoy was introduced. Bows having been exchanged, host and guest being seated in due order and the tea drunk, Yuan-te opened the interview.

  “You must have some commands for me, Sir, since you come thus.”

  “News has just been received that you, O Imperial Uncle, have just been bereaved of your consort. I venture to hope you would not object to an advantageous match and I have come to propose one. Are you disposed to listen?”

  “To lose one’s wife in middle age is truly a great misfortune,” said Liu Pei.“While her body is still warm I cannot listen to proposals for another marriage.”

  Lu Fan said,“A man without a wife is like a house without a ridge pole. At your age one should not live an incomplete life. I am come on the part of the Marquis of Wu, who has a sister, beautiful as she is accomplished and well fitted to be a mate for you. Should the two families become allied as formerly were Ts’in and Chin, then that ruffian Ts’ao would never dare so much as look this way. Such an alliance would be to the benefit of both our houses and of the State. I hope, O Imperial Uncle, that you will fairly consider the proposal. However, since the young girl’s mother is dotingly fond of her she does not wish her to go far away, and so I must ask you to come into our country for the wedding.”

  “Does the Marquis know of your coming?”

  “How dare I come without his knowledge?”

  “I am no longer young,” said Liu Pei.“I am fifty and grizzled. This fair damsel, the sister of the Marquis, is now in the flower of her youth and no mate for me.”