San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 110

It has been said that in the second year of Chêng-Yuan, Wên Ch‘in, Governor of Yangchou, and General Wuch‘iu Chien, a distinguished officer who commanded the forces in Huainan, were reported to be raising armies to avenge the deposition of Ts‘ao Fang.

Wuch‘iu Chien was a native of Wênhsi in Honan. He was moved to great anger against the minister who had deposed the king, and his son Tien fomented his father’s wrath, saying, “Father, you are chief of all this district. With this Ssŭma Shih in such a position the country is in danger, and you cannot sit still and look on.”

“My son, you speak well,” replied he.

Whereupon he requested Governor Wên to come and consult with him. This Wên Ch‘in had been a client of Ts‘ao Shuang’s, and he hastened at the call of the general. When he arrived he was led into the private apartments, and, the salutations at an end, the two began to talk over the situation. Presently the host began to weep, and his visitor asked the cause of his tears.

“Think you that this conduct of Ssŭma Shih does not tear my heart? He has deposed the king and now holds in his grip all the authority of the state. Things are all upside down.”

Wên replied, “You are a Warden of the Marches. If you are willing to play the part, you ought to take arms and slay this rebel. I will help you, regardless of consequences. My second son, Shu, is a good soldier and a man of great valour, Moreover, he hates Ssŭma Shih and wishes to avenge on him and his brother the death of Ts‘ao Shuang. He would make an excellent leader of the van.”

Wuch‘iu was delighted to get such ready and willing support, and the two poured a libation in pledge of mutual good faith. Then, pretending that they held an edict from the EmpressDowager, they summoned all the officers to Shouch‘un, where they built an altar on the west side and sacrificed a white horse, smearing their lips with its blood in token of their oath.

They made this declaration:—“Ssŭma Shih is a rebel and devoid of rectitude. We have a secret edict commanding us to muster the forces of Huainan and put down this rebellion.”

​Thus supported, Wuch‘iu led six legions to Hsiangch'êng, where he camped, while his fellow-conspirator Wên Ch‘in took two legions to the front to go to and fro lending help where it was needed. Letters were sent all through the district calling for assistance.

Now that mole below the left eye of Ssŭma Shih used to pain at times, and he decided to have it removed. The surgeon excised it, closed and dressed the wound, and the patient rested quietly in his palace till it should heal.

It was at this time that he received the disquieting news of opposition to his authority. Whereupon he called in the T‘ai-yü Wang Su to discuss the matter.

Said Wang, quoting Kuan Yü as an example, “When Kuan Yü was most famous, Sun Ch'üan sent Lü Mêng to capture Chingchou. What did he do? He first won over the officers by taking care of their families and thus broke the power of his enemy like a tile. Now the families of all the officers of Huainan are here in your hands. Treat them well, at the same time taking care that they do not get away, and you will be irresistible.”

“Your words are good,” said Ssǔma. “However, I cannot go out to war till I have recovered. Yet, to send another is to take great risks, and I shall feel insecure.”

There was also present Chung Hui, who here interposed, saying, “The forces of Huai and Ch‘u are very formidable. If you send another there is danger whatever happens, and if your lieutenant make a serious mistake your whole policy will fail.”

“No one but myself can succeed,” cried Ssŭma, starting from his couch. “I must go. ”

So, in spite of illness, he resolved to lead in person. He left his brother in charge of affairs at Loyang and set out, travelling in a padded carriage.

Chuko Tan was given command over all the forces of Yüchou and ordered to take possession of Shouch‘un, while Hu Tsun, with the Chingchou forces, was sent to bar any retreat. The Governor of Yüchou, Wang Chi, was sent to capture Chênnan and the district south.

To his camp at Hsiangyang, Ssŭma summoned all his officers to a council. Chêng Pao spoke first, saying, “Wuch‘iu Chien is fond of laying plans, but slow to come to any decision. His fellow-conspirator Wên Ch‘in is bold, but imprudent. Now this scheme of theirs is too large for their minds, but as their men are full of spirit they should not be engaged lightly. We should remain on the defensive till their ardour has burned out. This is what Ya Fu did.”

But Wang Chi objected, saying, “This is not a rising of the people, nor of the soldiers, but is the work of Wuch‘iu Chien. The people are merely his tools and cannot help themselves. ​The rebellion will go to pieces as soon as an army approaches the district.”

“I agree with you,” replied Ssǔma.

Then he advanced upon the Yinshui River and camped by the bridge. Wang Chi said, “Nant‘un is an excellent camping ground; occupy it at once, for if not the enemy will do so.”

He was sent to carry out his own plan.

Reports of these movements of the enemy came to Wuch‘iu in Hsiangch'êng, and an assembly of officers was called. The leader of the van, Ho Yung, said, “Nant‘un is an excellent site for a camp, with a river beside it and hills at the rear. If the Wei armies camp there we shall be unable to dislodge them. Let us occupy it.”

So the army set out. But before they drew near, the scouts reported a camp already there. It was incredible, and the leader rode to the front to reconnoitre. He was convinced by the sight of flags and banners over all the plain, fluttering above an orderly array of tents and huts. The sight disconcerted him, and he rode back to the main body not knowing what to do. Just then a scout came in to say that Sun Hsün of Wu had crossed the river to attack Shouch‘un.

“If we lose that city we shall have no base,” cried Wuch‘iu.

That same night he retreated upon Hsiangch'êng. Seeing the enemy retreat, Ssǔma called together his officers to talk it over. Fu Ku, a President, who was of the expedition, said the retirement was obviously due to Wu’s threatened attack upon Shouch‘un, and he advised their own attack upon Hsiangch'êng, another on Lochia and sending an army to capture Shouch‘un. He also proposed that Têng Ai, the Governor of Yenchou, should attack Lochia jointly with their own army.

His plan was acceptable to Ssŭma, who sent letters to Yenchou telling Têng Ai to march against Lochia, where Ssǔma himself would soon meet him.

Camped at Hsiangch'êng, Wuch‘iu sent spies to Lochia to see what might be happening there, for he feared it would be attacked. When he spoke of his fears to Wên Ch‘in, the latter said, “General, you need not be anxious. I and my son will answer for its safety. Give us but half a legion.”

Father and son, with the half legion, went to Lochia. Before the main body arrived it was seen that Wei banners were flying on the west of the city. By and by they made out that the leader was no other than Ssǔma himself. His camp was forming rapidly, but was not yet complete.

When this was reported to Wên Ch‘in, his son Yang, bearing his famous whip of steel, was by his father’s side.

“We should attack before they have settled down in camp, father,” said he. “Let us go quickly and attack on two sides.”

“When can we start?” said the father.

​“To-night at dusk. You lead half the force round by the south, and I will march the other half round by the north, and we will meet in the third watch at the Wei camp.”

The youth who propounded this plan was then eighteen, tall and strong. He wore complete armour and carried at his waist a steel whip. When the hour came to start he took his spear, swung himself into the saddle and set out.

That night Ssǔma Shih, who had arrived and had at once set about settling into camp, lay on a couch in his tent, for he was still suffering pain from the wound beneath his eye. The tent was surrounded by a numerous guard. Têng Ai had not arrived.

About the third watch he heard a great shouting and asked what it was. One replied that an army had come round from the north and burst into the lines. The leader was too bold for anyone to face.

Ssŭma became much troubled. His heart burned within him, and the excitement caused the wound to open, so that the eyeball protruded and blood flowed freely. The pain became intense, nearly unbearable. In his agony and alarm lest his army should be thrown into confusion, he lay gnawing the bedclothes till they were in rags.

Wên Yang’s force lost no time, but attacked as soon as it arrived. He dashed into the camp, slashing and thrusting right and left, and everyone gave way before him. If anyone stayed to oppose, the sharp spear or the terrible whip did its work, and he fell. But after a time, seeing no sign of his father, he grew anxious. And he had to retire several times before the fierce flights of arrows and crossbow bolts.

About daylight he heard shouts and thought they must mean the arrival of his father with help. But the shouting came from the north, and his father was to arrive by the south road. He galloped out to get a clearer view, and saw a force sweeping down like a gale of wind.

It was not his father, but a body of the enemy, and the leader was Têng Ai. Têng rode forward shouting, “Rebel, flee not!”

Wên Yang had no intention to flee. Setting his spear, he rode savagely toward his opponent. They engaged and fought half a hundred bouts without either gaining the advantage. Then, the duel still raging, the Wei army attacked, and Wên’s men began to give way and run, so that soon he found himself alone.

However, he got clear of the fight and went away south. But he was pursued, for many captains plucked up courage to follow when he ran away. They pressed on his heels till near the Lochia Bridge it seemed that they must catch him. Then he suddenly pulled up his steed, turned and rode in among them, flogging with the terrible steel whip, and wherever it ​struck there lay men and horses in confused heaps. So they left him, and he retook his way in peace.

Then the Wei captains met and said, “Lo! here is a man who has driven us all backward. But we are many and may not suffer that.”

Wherefore they‘re-formed and once again took up pursuit.

“You fools?” cried Wên, as he saw them coming on. “Have you then no regard for your lives?”

Again he fell upon them with the steel whip and slew many, so that the survivors retreated. But yet again they found courage to come on, and yet again, but they had to fall back before the lash of that terrible whip.

Wên Ch‘in never reached the appointed rendezvous. In the darkness he lost his way among the precipices and gullies, whence he only got out as day dawned. He saw all the signs of a fight and a victory for Wei, but could not discover whither his son had gone. So he returned without fighting, and in spite of pursuit, made his way safely to Shouch‘un.

Now Yin Ta-mu was an officer of the court and had accompanied Ssŭma on his expedition, but was no friend of his. He had been of the Ts‘ao Shuang party and bitterly resented the death of his patron. He was watching for a chance to avenge him. Seeing that Ssŭma was ill, he thought to secure his end by making friends with Wên Ch‘in. So he went in to see the sick general, and said, “Wên Ch‘in had no sincere intention to rebel, but was led astray by Wuch‘iu. If you will let me go and speak with him he will come over to you at once.”

Ssŭma said he might go to try, and Yin put on his armour and rode after Wên Ch‘in. By and by he got near enough to shout.

“Do you not recognise me? I am Yin Ta-mu.”

Wên Ch‘in stopped and looked back. Yin removed his helmet that his face might be clearly seen, and said, “O Governor Wên, why can you not bear up for a few days? I know that Ssŭma Shih is very near death, and I wish you to remain at hand.”

But Wên did not understand. He abused Yin and even threatened that the bowmen should shoot, and Yin could only sorrowfully turn away.

When Wên reached Shouch‘un and found it occupied he tried for Hsiangch‘êng, but three armies of the enemy lay near ​by and it seemed impossible that it could hold out long. So he decided to desert to Wu and serve Sun Hsün.

Wuch‘iu Chien, then behind the walls of Hsiangch'êng, heard that Shouch‘un had fallen, that his fellow-conspirator Wên had failed and, with three armies against his city, knew that his case was desperate. He mustered all the forces in the city and marched out to try his fortune.

As he went forth he fell in with Têng Ai. He bade Ko Yung go out to fight, but he fell in the first encounter, cut down by Têng himself. The enemy came on in force. Wuch‘iu fought gallantly, but his army fell into confusion. Then two other armies came up, and he was completely surrounded. Nothing could be done, and he fled from the field and made for Shênhsien City. Here the governor received him kindly and comforted him with a feast. At the banquet the fugitive drowned his sorrows in the wine cup till he was helpless, when he was slain by his host. His head was sent to the Wei army as proof of his death, and the rising came to an end. Peace was restored in Huainan.

Ssǔma Shih grew worse. Recovery being hopeless, he called Chuko Tan to his tent and gave him a seal and conferred upon him the title of “Conqueror of the East,” with command of all the forces in Yangchou, and soon after the army marched back to Hsüch‘ang.

The sick man began to have visions. Night after night he was troubled by the apparitions of the three courtiers he had put to death, and he knew that his end was near. He sent for his brother, who came and wept by his couch while he listened to his elder brother’s last commands.

“The responsibility of power is heavy, but we must bear it; there is no relief. You must continue my plans and maintain my policy yourself, and you must be exceedingly careful how you entrust any other with power, lest you bring about the destruction of our whole clan.”

Then he handed the seal of office to Ssǔma Chao, weeping the while. Chao would ask some questions still, but with a deep groan his brother died. It was the second month of the second year of Chêng-Yuan.

Ssǔma Chao put on mourning for his brother and informed King Ts‘ao Mao of the death. By special edict Ssŭma Chao was ordered to remain at Hsüch‘ang so as to guard against any attack from Wu. This order was unpleasing to its recipient, but he felt doubtful what to do. He took counsel with Chung Hui, who said, “The death of your brother has disturbed the country, and if you remain here some shifting of power at the capital will surely work to your disadvantage. It will be too late for regrets then.”

Wherefore Ssŭma left Hsüch‘ang and camped on the Lo River. This move alarmed the king. Then Wang Su advised ​him to placate the powerful minister with a new title. So Wang Su went, bearing an edict creating Ssǔma Chao Ta Chiang-chun, or Generalissimo, with control of the Presidents of Boards. He came to Loyang to thank the king for these honours and stayed. Henceforward all matters and the whole government were under his hand.

When news of these things came to Ch'êngtu, Chiang Wei thought the time had come to make another bid for the empire, so he wrote a memorial to the king.

“Ssǔma Shih having just died, his brother, who succeeds, will be unable to leave Loyang until he has consolidated his position. Wherefore I crave permission to attack Wei.”

The king agreed and bade him raise an army. So he went into Hanchung to prepare for the expedition.

However, General Chang I was opposed to the expedition and said the state policy should rather be the improvement of conditions at home. He endeavoured to win over Chiang Wei to his views.

“You are mistaken,” said Chiang. “Before our great Minister Chuko emerged from his reed hut in the wilds and undertook the affairs of a state, the three kingdoms were already a fact. Six times he led armies to try to gain the northern portion of the empire, but failed to attain his desire. Unhappily he died leaving his design unaccomplished. But he bequeathed to me the legacy of his intention, and I must be a loyal and worthy executor. If I die in the attempt I will perish without regret. Now is our opportunity, and if we miss it, shall we find a better?”

“What you say is the real truth,” said Hsiahou Pa. “Let us send first some light horse out by Paokan to capture Nanan and thereby settle that district.”

Then said Chang I, “Procrastination and delay have been hitherto the causes of our failure. We ought to obey the precepts of the books of war, strike where the enemy is unprepared and appear where he does not expect us. A rapid march and a sudden blow will find Wei unready, and we shall succeed.”

So Chiang Wei led a huge army out by Paokan. When he reached the T‘ao Waters the spies reported his arrival to the Governor of Yungchou, who led out seven legions against him. Chiang gave certain orders to his subordinates, and after they had marched, he drew up the main body by the T‘ao River.

Wang Ching, the Governor of Yungchou, rode out to parley.

“The three states are now actually established; why then have you invaded our borders these many times?”

Chiang replied, “Because Ssǔma deposed your late king without cause, and it behoves the neighbouring countries to punish such a crime. Moreover, yours is a rival state.”

​Then Wang turned and said to four of his captains, “You see that the enemy is drawn up with a river at his back so that his men must conquer or drown. Chiang Wei is bold, but you will fight him and pursue if he retire.”

The four rode out two and two. Chiang stood through a few encounters, but then moved backward toward his camp. At this, Wang led on his main body to smite. Chiang fled toward the river. As he drew near he shouted, “Danger, O captains! Now do your utmost.”

His captains turned on the foe and fought with such vigour that the Wei army was defeated, and, as they turned away, Chang I and Hsiahou Pa fell upon their rear. Soon the Wei army was hemmed in and the bold Chiang Wei rushed in among the host of Wei and threw them into utter confusion. They trod each other down in the press, and many fell into the river. Dead bodies lay about over many li.

Wang Ching and a few horsemen got clear and fled to Titaoch'êng, where they entered within the walls and barred the gates.

After Chiang Wei had rewarded and feasted his army he was for attacking the city, but Chang I was against this.

“General, you have won a great victory, which will bring you fame. If you attempt more things may go agley, and you will only add legs to your sketch of a serpent.”

“I disagree,” said Chiang. “Our opponents have been overcome, and if we press forward we may overrun the whole north. This defeat has broken the spirit of the army, and this city can be easily captured. Do not damp the spirit of my men.”

So it was decided to attack Titaoch'êng.

Ch'ên T‘ai, who was also of Yungchou, was just about to set out to avenge the defeat of Wang Ching when Têng Ai, the Governor of Yenchou, arrived with his army. Ch'ên welcomed him, and when Têng had said he had come to assist to defeat the men of Shu, Chên asked his plans.

Têng Ai replied, “They are victors on the Tao Waters. If they enlist the aid of the Ch‘iang to cause a diversion in Shênsi and also obtain the support of the four districts, it will be a misfortune for us. If they do not think of that, but try to take Titaoch'êng, they will only fritter away their energies against a place too strongly fortified for them to capture. Let us now array our force along Hsiangling, and then we can advance and smite them. We shall get a victory.”

“That is well said!” cried Ch'ên.

Then twenty cohorts were told off to find their way secretly to the south east of Titaoch'êng and there hide in the valleys. They were then to display many ensigns and sound trumpets as if they were a very large force, and make huge fires at night, so as to cause anxiety among the enemy. And thus they ​waited for the men of Shu to come, while Ch'ên T‘ai and Têng Ai marched against them.

The army of Shu had marched to Titaoch'êng and begun the siege around the whole circuit of the walls. At the end of many days the fall of the city seemed no nearer, and Chiang Wei began to fret. He could think of no plan likely to succeed. One eventide a horseman came in to report the approach of two armies, and the names on the banners were Ch'ên and Têng.

Chiang called in his colleague Hsiahou and said, “I have spoken to you of Têng Ai many times. He is perspicacious, valiant, resourceful and has always delighted in the study of military topography. As he is coming we shall have to put forth all our energies.”

Hsiahou replied, “We will attack before he can get a foothold and while his men are fatigued with the march.”

So Chang I was left to carry on the siege while the two leaders went out to meet the new armies. Chiang went against Têng, and his colleague against Ch'ên.

Before Chiang had marched far the stillness was broken by the roar of a bomb, and at once all about the Shu army arose the rolling of drums and the blare of trumpets, soon followed by flames that shot up to the very sky. Chiang rode to the front and saw the ensigns of Wei all about him.

“I have fallen into a trap set by Têng Ai,” cried he.

He sent orders to Hsiahou and Chang to withdraw immediately while he would cover their retreat. When they had retired, he followed them into Hanchung, harassed all along the road by the sounds of marching men and glimpses of enemy banners. But these enemies never attacked, and it was only when too late that Chiang knew that all this was make-believe.

He camped in Chungti. 'For his services and success on the T‘ao River Chiang was rewarded with the rank of Ta Chiang-chün.

As soon as the ceremonies connected with his promotion were ended, he began again to talk of an expedition against Wei.

The result of the new expedition will be told in the next chapter.