CHAPTER XXXIII.
Ts‘ao P‘ei Finds a Wife:
A Plan for Settling Liaotung.
As was said, Ts‘ao P‘ei, having made his way into the Yüan Palace, saw two women there whom he was about to kill. Suddenly a red light shone in his eyes, and he paused. Lowering his sword he said, “Who are you?”
“Thy handmaid is the widow of the late Yüan Shao, née Liu,” said the elder of the two, “and this is the wife of Hsi, his second son. She was of the Chên family. When Hsi was sent to command in Yu her family objected to her going so far from home and she stayed behind.”
Ts‘ao P‘ei drew her toward him and looked at her closely. Her hair hung disordered, her face was dusty and tear-stained, but when, with the sleeve of his inner garment, he had wiped away these disfigurements he saw a woman of exquisite loveliness, with a complexion clear as jade touched with the tender bloom of a flower petal, a woman indeed beautiful enough to ruin a kingdom.
“I am the son of the Minister Ts‘ao,” said he turning to the elder woman. “I will guarantee your safety so you need fear nothing.”
He then put by his sword and sat down at the upper end of the room.
As the great Minister Ts‘ao was entering the gate of the conquered city Hsü Yu rode up very quickly, passed him and pointed with his whip at the gate saying, “A-man, you would not have been here but for my plans.”
Ts‘ao laughed, but his captains were very annoyed. When he reached the Yüan residence he stopped at the gate, and asked if any one had gone in. The guard at the gate said, “Your son is within.” Tsʻao called him out and chid him, but the wife of the late Prefect interposed, saying, “But for your son we had not been saved. I desire to present to you a lady, of the Chên family, as a handmaid to your son.”
Ts‘ao bade them bring out the girl and she bowed before him. After looking at her intently he said, “Just the wife for him!” and he told Ts‘ao P‘ei to take her to wife.
After the conquest of Ch‘ichou had been made quite sure, Ts‘ao made a ceremonial visit to the Yüan family cemetery, where he sacrificed at the tomb of his late rival, bowed his head and lamented bitterly.
Turning to his captains he said, “Not long ago when Pên-ch‘u and I worked together in military matters he asked me, saying, ‘If this disturbance continue what districts should be held?’ and I replied asking him what he thought. He said, ‘To the south I would hold the river, on the north, guard against Yen and Tai and the hordes from the Shamo. Thence southward I would try for the Empire and do you not think I might succeed?’ I replied saying, I depended upon the wisdom and force of the world directed by Tao; then every thing would be possible. These words seem as if spoken only yesterday, and now he is gone. Thinking over it I cannot refrain from tears.”
His officers were deeply affected. Ts‘ao treated the widow generously, giving her gold and silks and food to her content.
He also issued a further order that the taxes in Hopei would be remitted in consideration of the sufferings of the people during the warlike operations. He sent up a memorial and formally became Governor of Ch‘ichou.
One day Hsü Ch‘u, riding in at the east gate, met Hsü Yu, who called out to him “Would you fellows be riding through here if it had not been for me?”
Hsü Ch‘u replied, “We fellows, those who survive and those who perished, risked our lives in bloody battle to get this city, so do not brag of your deeds.”
“You are a lot of blockheads, not worth talking about,” said Yu.
Ch‘u in his anger drew his sword and ran him through. Then he took his head and went to tell Ts‘ao the reason.
Said Ts‘ao, “He and I were old friends and we could joke together. Why did you kill him?”
He blamed Hsü Ch‘u very severely and gave orders that the corpse should be buried honourably.
He enquired for any wise and reputable men who were known to be living in the district and was told of a certain cavalry officer named Tsʻui Yen, of Tungwu City, who had on many occasions given valuable advice to Yüan Shao. As the advice was not followed Yen had pleaded indisposition and remained at home.
Ts‘ao sent for this man, gave him an office and said to him, “According to the former registers there are three hundred thousand households in the district so that one may well call it a major district.”
Yen replied, “The Empire is rent and the country is torn; the brothers Yüan are at war and the people have been stripped naked. Yet, Sir, you do not hasten to enquire after local conditions and how to rescue the people from misery, but first compute the possibilities of taxation. Can you expect to gain the support of our people by such means?”
Ts‘ao accepted the rebuke, changed his policy, thanked him and treated him all the better for it.
As soon as Ch‘ichou was settled, Ts‘ao sent to find out the movements of Yüan T‘an. He heard he was ravaging Kanling and the places near it in the south and west. Moreover, the scouts brought the news that Yüan Shang had fled to the hills. An expedition had been sent against him but Shang would not face a battle. He had gone away to Yuchou to his brother Hsi.
T‘an, having surrendered with all his army, yet prepared for another attempt on Ch‘ichou. Whereupon Ts‘ao summoned him. T‘an refused to come and Ts‘ao sent letters breaking off the marriage with his daughter. Soon after Ts‘ao led an expedition against T‘an and marched to P‘ingyüan, whereupon T‘an sent to Liu Piao to beg assistance. Piao sent for Liu Pei to consult about this and he said, “Ts‘ao is very strong now that he has overcome Ch‘ichou and the Yüans will be unable to hold out for long. Nothing is to be gained by helping this man and it may give Ts‘ao the loophole he is always looking for to attack this place. My advice is to keep the army in condition and devote all our energies to defence.”
“Agreed; but what shall we say?” said Piao.
“Write to both the brothers as peacemaker in gracious terms.”
Accordingly Liu Piao wrote thus to Yüan T‘an:—“When the superior man would escape danger he does not go to an enemy State. I heard recently that you had crooked the knee to Ts‘ao, which was ignoring the enmity between him and your father, rejecting the duties of brotherhood and leaving behind you the shame of an alliance with the enemy. If your brother, the successor to Ch‘ichou, has acted unfraternally, your duty was to bend your inclination to follow him and wait till the state of affairs had settled. Would it not have been very noble to bring about the redress of wrongs?”
And to Yüan Shang he wrote:—“Your brother, the ruler of Ch‘ingchou, is of an impulsive temperament and confuses right with wrong. You ought first to have destroyed Ts‘ao in order to put an end to the hatred which your father bore him and, when the situation had become settled, to have endeavoured to redress the wrongs. Would not that have been well? If you persist in following this mistaken course, remember the hound and the hare, both so wearied that the peasant got the hare.”
From this letter Yüan T‘an saw that Liu Piao had no intention of helping him, and feeling he alone could not withstand Ts‘ao, he abandoned P‘ingyüan and fled to Nanp‘i, whither Ts‘ao pursued him. The weather was very cold and the river was frozen, so that his grain boats could not move. Wherefore Ts‘ao ordered the inhabitants to break the ice and tow the boats. When the peasants heard the order they ran away. Tsʻao angrily wished to arrest and behead them. When they heard this they went to his camp in a body and offered their heads to the sword.
“If I do not kill you, my order will not be obeyed,” said Ts‘ao. “Yet supposing I cut off your heads—but I cannot bear to do that. Quickly flee to the hills and hide so that my soldiers do not capture you.”
The peasants left weeping.
Then Yüan T‘an led out his army against Ts‘ao. When both sides were arrayed Ts‘ao rode to the front, pointed with his whip at his opponent and railed at him saying, “I treated you well; why then have you turned against me?”
T‘an replied, “You have invaded my land, captured my cities and broken off my marriage; yet you accuse me of turning against you.”
Ts‘ao ordered Hsü Huang to go out and give battle. T‘an bade P‘êng An accept the challenge. After a few bouts P‘êng An was slain and T‘an, having lost, fled and went into Nanp‘i, where he was besieged. T‘an, panic-stricken, sent Hsin P‘ing to see Ts‘ao and arrange surrender.
“He is nothing but a fickle-minded child,” said Ts‘ao. “He is never of the same mind two days running and I cannot depend upon what he says. Now your brother is in my employ and has a post of importance, you had better remain here also.”
“Sir Minister, you are in error,” said Hsin P‘ing. “It is said that the lord’s honour is the servant’s glory, the lord’s sadness is the servant’s shame. How can I turn my back on the family I have so long served?”
Ts‘ao felt he could not be persuaded and sent him back. P‘ing returned and told T‘an the surrender could not be arranged and T‘an turned on him angrily calling him a traitor. At this unmerited reproach such a huge wave of anger welled up in the man’s breast that he was overcome and fell in a swoon. They carried him out, but the shock had been too severe and soon after he died. T‘an regretted his conduct when it was too late.
Then Kuo T‘u said, “To-morrow when we go out to battle we will drive the people out in front as a screen for the soldiers and we must fight a winning battle.”
That night they assembled all the common people of the place and forced into their hands swords and spears. At daylight they opened the four gates and a huge party with much shouting came out at each, peasantry carrying arms in front, and soldiers behind them. They pushed on toward Ts‘ao’s camps and a mêlée began which lasted till near midday. But this was quite indecisive, although heaps of dead lay everywhere.
Seeing that success was at best only partial Tsʻao rode out to the hills near and thence had the drums beaten for a new attack under his own eye. Officers and men, seeing that he could observe them in person, exerted themselves to the utmost and Tʻan’s army was severely defeated. Of the peasantry driven into the battle-field multitudes were slain.
Tsʻao Hung, who displayed very great valour, burst into the press of battle and met Yüan Tʻan face to face. The two slashed and hammered at each other and Tʻan was killed.
Kuo Tʻu saw that his side was wholly disorganised and tried to withdraw into the shelter of the city. Yo Chin saw this and opened a tremendous discharge of arrows so that the moat was soon filled with dead.
The city fell to Tsʻao; he entered and set about restoring peace and order. Then suddenly appeared a new army under one of Yüan Hsi’s captains. Tsʻao led out his men to meet them, but the two commanders laid down their arms and yielded. They were rewarded with the rank of marquis.
Then Chang Yen, the leader of the Black Hills Brigands, came with ten legions and gave in his submission. He was made a General, Chiang-chün.
By an order of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s the head of Yüan Tʻan was exposed and death was threatened to any one who should lament for him. Nevertheless a man dressed in mourning attire was arrested for weeping below the exposed head at the north gate. Taken into Tsʻao’s presence he said he was Wang Hsiu and had been an officer in Chʻingchou. He had been expelled because he had remonstrated with Tʻan, but when the news of Tʻan’s death came he had come to weep for him.
“Did you know of my command?”
“I knew it.”
“Yet you were not afraid?”
“When one has received favours from a man in life it would be wrong not to mourn at his death. How can one stand in the world if one forgets duty through fear? If I could bury his body I would not mind death.”
Tsʻao said, “And there were many such as this in this district. What a pity that the Yüan family could not make the best of them! But if they had done so I should never have dared to turn my eyes toward this place.”
The intrepid mourner was not put to death. The remains of Yüan Tʻan were properly interred and Wang Hsiu was well treated and even given an appointment.
In his new position he was asked for advice about the best way to proceed against Yüan Shang, who had fled to his brother, but he held his peace, thereby winning from Tsʻao renewed admiration for his constancy. “He is indeed loyal!” said Tsʻao.
Then he questioned Kuo Chia, who named certain officers who should be sent to bring about the surrender of the Yüans. Then five captains, to attack Yuchou along three routes, and other armies, were sent against Pingchou.
The two brothers Shang and Hsi heard of Tsʻao’s advance with dismay for they had no hope of successful resistance. Therefore they abandoned the city and hastily marched into Liaohsi to the Governor Wuhuan Chʻu. But the governor was not disposed to incur the enmity of the powerful Tsʻao Tsʻao so he called his subordinates together to swear them to support him and said, “I understand that Tsʻao Tsʻao is the most powerful man of the day and I am going to support him and those who do not go with me I shall put to death.”
Each in turn smeared his lips with the blood of sacrifice and took the oath till it came to the turn of Han Hêng. Instead he dashed his sword to the ground crying, “I have received great benefits from the Yüans. Now my lord has been vanquished; my knowledge was powerless to save him, my bravery insufficient to cause me to die for him; I have failed in my duty. But I refuse to commit the crowning act of treachery and ally myself with Tsʻao.”
This speech made the others turn pale. The chief said, “For a great undertaking there must be lofty principles. However, success does not necessarily depend upon universal support and since Han Hêng is actuated by such sentiments then let him follow his conscience.” So he turned Han Hêng out of the assembly.
Wuhuan Ch‘u then went out of the city to meet and welcome Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army and rendered his submission. He was well received and the title given him of Guardian of the North.
Then the scouts came to say that the three captains had marched to Pingchou but that Kao Kau had occupied Hukuan Pass and could not be dislodged. So Tsʻao marched thither himself. The defender still maintaining his position Tsʻao asked for plans. Hsün Yu proposed that a band should go over pretending to be deserters. Tsʻao assented and then called the two brothers Lü, to whom he gave whispered orders. They left with their companies.
Soon they came near the pass and called out, saying, “We are old officers in Yüan’s armies forced into surrender to Tsʻao. We find him so false and he treats us so meanly that we want to return to help our old master. Wherefore quickly open your gates to us.”
Kao Kan was suspicious, but he let the two officers come up to the pass, and when they had stripped off their armour and left their horses they were permitted to enter. And they said to Kao Kan, “Tsʻao’s men are new to the country and not settled; you ought to fall upon their camp this very evening. If you approve we will lead the attack.”
Kao Kan decided to trust them and prepared to attack, giving the two brothers the leadership. But as they drew near Tsʻao’s camp a great noise arose behind them and they found themselves in an ambush attacked on all sides. Realising too late that he had been the victim of a ruse, Kao retreated to the pass, but found it occupied by the enemy. Kao Kan then made the best of his way to the barbarian chieftain Shanyu. Tsʻao gave orders to hold the passes and sent companies in pursuit.
When Kao Kan reached the boundary of Shanyu’s territory he met Tso-hsien, Prince of the northern tribesmen. Kao Kan dismounted and made a low obeisance saying, “Tsʻao is conquering and absorbing all the borders and your turn, O Prince, will come quickly. I pray you help me and let us smite together for the safety of the northern regions.”
The Prince replied, “I have no quarrel with Tsʻao, why then should he invade my land? Do you desire to embroil me with him?”
He would have nothing to do with Kao Kan and sent him away. At his wits’ end Kan decided to try to join Liu Piao and got so far on his journey as Shanglu when he was taken prisoner and put to death by Wang Yen. His head was sent to Tsʻao Tsʻao and Wang was created a marquis for this service.
Thus Pingchou was conquered. Then Tsʻao Ts‘ao began to discuss the overthrow of Wuhuan on the west. Tsʻao Hung, speaking in the name of his brother officials, said, “The two brothers Yüan are nearly done for and too weak to be feared. They have fled far into the Sea of Sand and if we pursue them thither it may bring down Liu Piao and Liu Pei upon the capital. Should we be unable to rescue it the misfortune would be immense. Wherefore we beg you to return to Hsütu.”
But Kuo Chia was of different advice. “You are wrong,” said he. “Though the prestige of our lord fills the Empire, yet the men of the desert, relying upon their inaccessibility, will not be prepared against us. Wherefore I say attack, and we shall conquer them. Beside Yüan Shao was kind to the nomads and the two brothers have been more so. They must be destroyed. As for Liu Piao he is a mere gossip, who need not cause the least anxiety. And Liu Pei is unfit for any heavy responsibility and will take no trouble over a light one. You may leave the State with perfect safety and make as long an expedition as you choose. Nothing will happen.”
“You speak well, O Fêng-hsiao,” said Tsʻao. He led his legions, heavy and light, to the edge of the desert, with many waggons.
The expedition marched into the desert. The rolling ocean of yellow sand spread its waves before them and they saw far and near the eddying sand pillars, and felt the fierce winds that drove them forward. The road became precipitous and progress difficult. Tsʻao began to think of returning and spoke thereof to Kuo Chia, who had advised the journey. Kuo had speedily fallen victim to the effects of the climate, and at this time he lay in his cart very ill.
Tsʻao’s tears fell as he said, “My friend, you are suffering for my ambition to subdue the Shamo. I cannot bear to think you should be ill.”
“You have always been very good to me,” said the sick man, “and I can never repay what I owe you.”
“The country is exceedingly precipitous and I am thinking of going back; what think you?”
Chia replied, “The success of an expedition of this kind depends upon celerity. To strike a sudden blow on a distant spot with a heavy baggage train is difficult. To ensure success the need is light troops and a good road to strike quickly before an enemy has time to prepare. Now you must find guides who know the road well.”
Then the sick adviser was left at Ichou for treatment and they sought among the natives for some persons to serve as guides. One of Yüan Shao’s old captains knew those parts well and Tsʻao called him and questioned him. He said, “Between autumn and summer this route is under water, the shallow places too heavy for wheeled traffic, the deep parts insufficient for boats. It is always difficult. Therefore you would do better to return and at Lulungkʻou cross the Paitʻan Pass into the desert. Then advance to Liuchʻêng (Willow City) and smite before there is time to prepare. One sudden rush will settle Mao Tun.”
For this valuable information and plan Tʻien Chʻou was made a “Pacificator of the North” General, and went in advance as leader and guide. Next after him came Chang Liao and Tsʻao brought up the rear. They advanced by double marches.
Tʻien Chʻou led Chang Liao to White Wolf Hill, where they came upon the two Yüans with Mao Tun and a large force of cavalry. Chang Liao galloped to inform his chief and Tsʻao rode up to the top of an eminence to survey the foe. He saw a large mass of cavalry without any military formation advancing in a disorderly crowd.
Said he, “They have no formation, we can easily rout them.”
Then he handed over his ensign of command to Chang Liao who, with Hsü Ch‘u, Yu Chin and Hsü Huang, made a vigorous attack from four different points, with the result that the enemy was thrown into confusion. Chang Liao rode forward and slew Mao Tun and the other captains gave in. The brothers Yüan with a few companies of horse got away into Liaotung.
Tsʻao Tsʻao then led his army into Liuchʻêng. For his services he conferred upon T‘ien Ch‘ou the rank of marquis of Liutʻing and put him over the city. But T‘ien Chʻou declined the rank, saying with tears, “I am a renegade and a fugitive. It is my good fortune that you spared my life and how can I accept a price for Lulung camp? I would rather die than accept the marquisate.”
Tsʻao recognised that reason was on his side and conferred upon him another office. Tsʻao then pacified the Shanyu chieftains; collected a large number of horses and at once set out on the homeward march.
The season was winter, cold and dry. For two hundred li there was no water, and grain also was scanty. The troops fed on horse flesh. They had to dig very deep, thirty to forty chang,[1] to find water.
When Tsʻao reached Ichou he rewarded those who had remonstrated with him against the expedition.
He said, “I took some risk in going so far but by good fortune I have succeeded; with the aid of Heaven I have secured victory. I could not be guided by your advice but still they were counsels of safety and therefore I reward you to prove my appreciation of advice and that hereafter you may not fear to speak your minds.”
The adviser, Kuo Chia, did not live to see the return of his lord. His coffin was placed on the bier in a hall of the government offices and Tsʻao went thither to sacrifice to his manes. Tsʻao mourned for him, saying, “Alas! Heaven has smitten me; Fêng-hsiao is dead.”
Then turning to his officers he said, “You, gentlemen, are of the same age as myself, but he was very young to die. I needed him for the future and unhappily he has been torn from me in the flower of his age. My heart and my bowels are torn with grief.”
The servants of the late adviser presented his last testament, which they said his dying hand had written, and he had told them to say, “If the Minister shall follow the advice given herein then Liaotung will be secure.”
Tsʻao opened the cover and read, nodding his head in agreement and uttering deep sighs. But no other man knew what was written therein.
Shortly after, Hsiahou Tun at the head of a delegation presented a petition saying, “For a long time Kungsun Kʻang, the Prefect of Liaotung, has been contumacious and it bodes ill for peace that the brothers Yüan have fled to him. Would it not be well to attack before they move against you?”
“I need not trouble your tiger courage, gentlemen,” said Tsʻao smiling. “Wait a few days and you will see the heads of our two enemies sent to me.”
They could not believe it.
As has been related the two brothers Yüan escaped to the east with a few squadrons of horse. The Prefect of Liaotung was a son of General Kungsun Tu, “the Warlike,” as his title ran. He was a native of Hsiangpʻing. When he heard that the Yüans were on their way to his territory he called a council to decide upon his plan. At the council Kungsun Kung rose saying, “When Yüan Shao was alive he nourished the plan of adding this district to his own. Now his sons, homeless, with a broken army and no officers, are coming here; it seems to me like the dove stealing the magpie’s nest. If we offer them shelter they will assuredly intrigue against us. I advise that they be inveigled into the city, put to death and their heads sent to Tsʻao, who will be most grateful to us.”
Said the Prefect, “I have one fear; Tsʻao will come against us. If so, it would be better to have the help of the Yüans against him.”
“Then you can send spies to ascertain whether the army is preparing to attack us. If it is then save them alive; if not, then follow my advice.”
It was decided to wait till the spies came back. In the meantime the two Yüans had taken counsel together as they approached Liaotung, saying, “Liaotung has a large army strong enough to oppose Ts‘ao Tsʻao. We will go thither and submit till we can slay the Prefect and take possession. Then when we are strong enough we will attack and recover our own land.”
With these intentions they went into the city. They were received and lodged in the guests’ quarters, but when they wished to see Kungsun Kʻang he put them off with the excuse of indisposition. However, before many days the spies returned with the news that Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army was quiescent and there was no hint of any attack.
Then Kungsun Kʻang called the Yüans into his presence. But before they came he hid swordmen and axemen behind the arras in the hall. When the visitors came and had made their salutations, Kʻang bade then be seated.
Now it was bitterly cold and on the couch where Shang was sitting were no coverings. So he asked for a cushion. The host surlily said, “When your heads take that long, long journey, will there be any cushions?”
Before Shang could recover from his fright Kʻang shouted, “Why do you not begin?”
At this out rushed the assassins and the heads of the two brothers were cut off as they sat. Packed in a small wooden box they were sent to Tsʻao Tsʻao at Ichou.
All this time Tsʻao had been calmly waiting, and when his impatient officers had petitioned in a body that he would march to the capital if he intended no attack on the east, he told them what he was waiting for. He would go as soon as the heads arrived.
In their secret hearts they laughed. But then, surely enough, a messenger soon came from Liaotung bringing the heads. Then they were greatly surprised and when the messenger presented his letters Tsʻao cried, “Just as Fêng-hsiao said!”
He amply rewarded the messenger and the Governor of Liaotung was made a marquis and General of the Left Wing; and when the officers asked what had happened, Tsʻao told them what the late adviser had predicted. He read to them the dead officer’s testament, which ran something like this:—“Yüan Shang and his brother are going to Liaotung. Illustrious Sir, you are on no account to attack for Kungsun K‘ang has long lived in fear lest the Yüans should absorb his country. When they arrive Kʻang will hesitate. If you attack, he will save the Yüans to help him; if you wait, they will work against each other. This is evident.”
The officers simply jumped with surprise to see how perfectly events had been foreseen.
Then Tsʻao at the head of all his officers performed a grand sacrifice before the coffin of the wise Kuo Chia. He had died at the age of thirty-eight, after eleven years of meritorious and wonderful service in the wars.
When Heaven permitted Kuo Chia’s birth,
It made him ablest man on earth.
He knew by rote all histories,
From him war kept no mysteries.
Like Fan’s, his plans were quite decisive,
As Chʻên’s, his strokes were most incisive.
Too soon he ran his earthly race,
Too soon the great beam fell from place.
When Tsʻao returned to Ch‘ichou he sent off the coffin of his late adviser to the capital where it was interred.
Then certain of his officers said that as the north had been overcome it was time to settle Chiangnan. Tsʻao was pleased and said that had long occupied his thoughts.
The last night he spent in Chʻichou he went to one of the corner towers and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Hsün Yu. Presently Tsʻao said, “That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there.”
“What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?” said Yu.
Suddenly a beam of golden light shot up out of the earth. “Surely a treasure is buried there,” remarked Yu.
They went down from the city wall, called some men and led them to the point whence the light proceeded. There the men were ordered to dig.
The southern skies with portents glow,
The northern lands their treasures show.
What the diggers found will appear in the next chapter.
- ↑ A chang is ten feet.