Romance of the Three Kingdoms II (34 page)

"I first fell ill from a simple ailment. Other disorders followed, and it became evident that I should not recover. They say that death at fifty cannot be called premature, and as I have passed three score I may not resent the call. But when I think of you and your brothers I regret. Now I say to you, strive and strive again. Do no evil because it is a small evil; do not leave undone a small good because it is a small good. Only with wisdom and virtue men can be won. But your father's virtue was but slender and unequal to the strain.

"After my death you are to conduct the affairs of the state with the Prime Minister. You are to treat him as a father and serve him without remissness. You and your brothers are to seek instruction. This is my final and simple command."

When this had been read, K'ung-ming said, "The state cannot go a single day without a prince, wherefore I beg you to install the heir as successor to the great line of the Hans."

Thereupon the ceremony was performed, and the new Emperor took his place. The style of the reign was changed to
Chien-Hsing.
Chuko Liang became "Marquis of Wuhsiang and Governor of Ichou."

Then they buried the late king at Huiling with the posthumous style of
Chao-Lieh Huang-ti.

The Empress, of the Wu family, was formally created Empress Dowager. The late consort Kan became
Chao-Lieh
Empress, and the Lady Mi was granted similar, also posthumous, rank. There were promotions in rank and rewards for all, and a general amnesty was proclaimed.

Before long, knowledge of these things came to the army of Wei, and a report was sent to the capital and made known to the Prince of Wei. Ts'ao P'ei felt relieved and was glad of the death of his rival, and his thoughts at once turned toward an attack during the critical moment of a change of ruler.

But Chia Hsu dissuaded him. "Liu Pei is gone, but surely he has confided the care of the state to Chuko Liang, who is indebted to him so deeply. He will exhaust every effort to support his young lord. You may not hastily attack."

As he tendered this remonstrance, a man suddenly stepped out from the serried ranks of courtiers and said fiercely, "If you neglect this moment can you expect a more favourable opportunity?"

All eyes turned to the speaker; it was Ssuma I.

The interruption greatly pleased P'ei, who at once asked how it was to be done. He propounded his plan in the following speech:—

"It would be very difficult to obtain success with our own resources. Hence we must use five armies and attack all round at the same time, so as to embarrass Chuko Liang."

"Where are the five armies to come from?" said Ts'ao P'ei.

Ssuma went on, "The first is to be got from Liaotung, from the Hsian-pi country (Inner Mongolia). You must write to Prince K'opineng and send him presents of gold and silks so that he may send ten legions of the
Ch'iang
(Tanguts) from Liaohsi to attack Hsip'ing Pass. Secondly, the present prince of the
Man
Tribes, Menghuo, must be persuaded to attack the south of Hsich'uan, the districts of Ichou., Jungch'ang, Tsang-ko and Yuehchien. Thirdly, you must send an ambassador to Wu with fair promises of an increase of territory, and so induce Sun Ch'uan to lead ten legions to the attack, making Fouch'eng his objective. The fourth army can be got from Meng Ta in Shangyung, who can attack HanChung. Lastly, our own force may be placed under Ts'ao Chen, who will attack by way of Yangping Pass. With fifty legions making a simultaneous attack along five different directions, it would be hard for Chuko Liang to hold his own even if he had the talent of Lu Wang (T'ai Kung) himself."

The scheme delighted Ts'ao P'ei, who at once cast about for four glib-tongued messengers. He also issued a commission to Ts'ao Chen as Commander-in-chief.

At this time Chang Liao and most others of the veterans who had served Ts'ao Ts'ao were enjoying their leisure in various parts of the country, and as nobles were keeping watch and ward at certain passes and fords and such places. Their appointments were more or less sinecures. They were not summoned for this expedition to the west.

Although all the details of what came to pass in Shu after the accession of the Second King Liu Ch'an need not be told, yet it may be noted that many of those who had served his father died after the decease of their master. The work of the administration of the kingdom, the choice of officials, law-making, taxation, decision of legal cases, was all done by the Prime Minister.

As the new king had no consort, the courtiers, headed by K'ung-ming, proposed a daughter of the late Chang Fei as young and prudent, and she was married to the Emperor and so became Empress.

It was in the autumn of the year of his accession that the Later Ruler heard of the plans and intentions of Wei against his state. The persons who told him gave him full details of the five armies and said they had previously told the Prime Minister.

"But his conduct puzzles us," said the informers. "We do not know why he does not take some action instead of remaining shut up in his palace all the time."

The Later Ruler became really alarmed, and he sent one of his personal attendants to call the Prime Minister to court. The servant was gone a long time, and then returned to say that the servants had told him the Prime Minister was ill and not to be seen.

The young Emperor's distress increased, and he sent two high officers to K'ung-ming, saying they were to see him even if he was on his couch and tell him the dreadful news of invasion. They went; but they got no farther than the gate. The keepers of the gate refused them admission. Then they confided their message in brief to the wardens of the gate, who went inside with it. After keeping them waiting a long time the wardens returned to say that the Prime Minister was rather better and would be at court in the morning.

The two messengers sighed deeply as they wended their way to the Emperor's palace.

Next morning a great crowd of officers assembled at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence to wait for him to appear. But he did not come out. It began to grow late, and many of them were tired of waiting, when at last Tu Ch'iung, one of the two who had been sent to tell K'ung-ming why his presence was desired at council, went again to the Emperor and suggested that His Majesty should go in person and try to get K'ung-ming to say what should be done.

The Emperor then returned to his palace and told his Consort his trouble. She was also alarmed.

"What can he mean?" said she. "This does not look like acting in the spirit of the charge laid upon him by the late Emperor. Let me go myself."

"Oh no," said Tung Yun. "Your Majesty most not go. We think all is well, and the Prime Minister certainly understands and will do something. Beside, you must let His Majesty go first, and if the Prime Minister still shows remissness then Your Majesty can summon him to the Temple of the Dynasty and ask him."

So it was left at that. And the next day the Emperor rode in his chariot to the gate of his minister. When the doorkeepers saw the imperial chariot appear they fell upon their faces to welcome the Emperor.

"Where is the Prime Minister?" asked he.

"We do not know. But we have orders not to let in the crowd of officers."

The Emperor then descended and went on foot right in to the third gate. Then he saw K'ung-ming leaning on a staff beside a fishpond looking at the fish. He approached, and stood behind him for a long time. Presently the king said slowly and with dignity, "Is the Prime Minister really enjoying himself?"

K'ung-ming started and looked round. When he saw who the speaker was he suddenly dropped his staff and prostrated himself.

"I ought to be put to death ten thousand times," said he.

But the Emperor put forth his hand and helped him to rise, saying, "Ts'ao P'ei threatens immediate invasion from five points; why will you not come forth and attend to business?"

K'ung-ming laughed. He conducted the Emperor into an inner room, and, when he was seated, K'ung-ming addressed his king, saying, "Could it be possible that I was ignorant of these five armies? I was not looking at the fish; I was thinking."

"But, this being so, what shall we do?"

"I have already turned back that K'opineng, of the Tanguts, and Menghuo of the
Man
and the rebel leader Meng Ta and the army from Wei. I have also thought out a plan to circumvent the army from Wu, but I need a special sort of man to carry it out. I want an envoy, an able talker, one capable of persuading other people. It was because I have not found such a man yet that I was so deeply in thought. But Your Majesty may set your mind at rest and not be anxious."

The Later Ruler heard this half terrified and half glad.

"Surely your superhuman devices are too deep for mortal man. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back."

Since His late Majesty bade me take the best care of your welfare, I dare not be remiss for a single moment. These officers in Ch'engtu are ignorant of that refinement of war which consists in not allowing the enemy to guess your plans. How could I let them know anything? When I heard that the Tanguts might invade, I remembered that Ma Ch'ao's forefathers were friendly with them and they had a high opinion of Ma Ch'ao, thinking him a leader of supreme prestige. So I sent orders by despatch to
Ma
Ch'ao to hold the Hsip'ing Pass, and to prepare ambushes in certain places and change them daily so as to keep the
Cb'iang
off. That settled them. I sent hastily to the south to order Wei Yen to move certain bodies of men about through the south-west districts, to be seen and then to disappear, to go in and come out and march to and fro, so that the
Mans
should be perplexed. The
Mans
are brave, but prone to doubts and hesitations, and they would not advance in the face of the unknown. Hence there is nothing to fear in that quarter. I also knew that Meng Ta and our Li Yen were sworn friends. I had left him in charge of the Palace of Eternal Tranquillity. I then wrote a letter as if from Li to Meng, so that I know Meng will feign illness and not move his army. I sent Chao Yun to occupy all the strategical positions on the way by which Ts'ao Chen would march, and bade him defend only and not go out to battle. If our men refuse to come out, Ts'ao Chen will certainly have to retire. So all those four are settled. But for greater security I have sent your two cousins each with three legions to camp at points whence they can quickly help any of the others who may need it. And none of these arrangements are known here.

"Now there is only Wu left to deal with. Had the other four succeeded and Shu been in danger, Sun Ch'uan would have come to the attack. If the others fail I know he will not budge, for he will remember that Ts'ao P'ei has just sent three armies to attack his country. And this being so, I want some man with a ready tongue and ingenious mind to go and talk plainly to Sun Ch'uan. So far I have not found such a man, and I am perplexed. I regret that I have given Your Majesty occasion to make this journey."

"My Consort also wanted to come," said the Emperor. "But now you have spoken, O Minister-Father, I am as one awakened from a dream; I shall grieve no more."

They two drank a few cups of wine together, and the minister escorted his master to his chariot. A ring of courtiers were waiting, and they could not help remarking the happiness that shone in their master's face. The Emperor took his leave and returned to his palace, but the courtiers did not know what to think.

Now K'ung-ming had noted a certain man among the crowd who smiled and looked quite happy. He looked at him intently and then recollected his name, which was Teng Chih, a man of reputable ancestry, who came from Hsinyeh. He sent a man privately to detain Teng, and when all the others had gone, K'ung-ming led him into the library for a chat. Presently he came to the matter near his heart.

"The three states have become a fact," said he. "Now if our state wanted to absorb the other two and restore the condition of one rule, which country should it attack first?"

"Though Wei is the real rebel, yet Wei is strong and would be very difficult to overthrow. Any move against it would have to develop slowly. As our Emperor has but lately succeeded his father and the people are none too decided in his favour, I should propose a treaty of mutual defence with Wu. This would obliterate the enmity of His late Majesty and would have important results. However, you, Sir, may have another opinion. What is it?"

"That is what I have been thinking of this long time, but I had not the man for the task. Now I have found him."

"What do you want a man to do?"

"I want him to go as envoy to Wu to negotiate such a treaty. As you understand the position so well you will surely do honour to your prince's commission as envoy. There is no other who would succeed."

"I fear I am not equal to such a task: I am not clever enough and too ignorant."

I will inform the Emperor tomorrow and beg him to appoint you. Of course you will accept."

Teng Chih consented and then took his leave. As promised, K'ung-ming memorialised, and the Emperor consented that the mission should be entrusted to Teng Chih. And he started.

The din of war will cease in Wu,
When Shu's desires are known.

For the success or failure of this mission read the next chapter.