CHAPTER IX.
Lü Pu Helps to Suppress Disorder:
Chia Hsü Counsels an Attack on the Capital.
The person who collided with the irate Tung Cho was his most trusty adviser Li Ju. Li had not fallen in spite of the shock and at once helped his master to regain his feet and led him inside to the library, where they sat down.
“What were you coming about?”
“Happening to be passing your gates I heard that you had gone into your private garden to look for your adopted son. Then came Lü Pu running and crying out that you wanted to kill him, and I was coming in as fast as I could to intercede for him when I accidentally collided with you. I am very sorry. I deserve death.”
“The wretch! How could I bear to see him toying with my fair one? I will be the death of him yet.”
“Your Graciousness is making a mistake. It is the ‘plucked tassel’ storyover again. But if you remember Prince Chuang of Ch‘u made no fuss about the liberties taken with his lady love, although the hat-tassel in her hand betrayed the culprit. His restraint stood him in good stead, for the same man saved his life when he was hemmed in by the hosts of Ts‘in. After all Cicada is only a woman, but Lü Pu is your trustiest friend and most dreaded commander. If you took this chance of making the girl over to him, your kindness would win his undying gratitude. I beg you, Sir, to think over it well.”
Tung Cho hesitated a long time; he sat murmuring to himself. Presently he said, “What you say is right. I must think over it.”
Li Ju felt satisfied. He took leave of his master and went away. Cho went to his private rooms and called Cicada.
“What were you doing there with Lü Pu?” said he.
She began to weep. “Thy handmaid was in the garden among the flowers, when he rushed in on me. I was frightened and ran away. He asked why I ran away from a son of the family and pursued me right to the pavilion, where you saw us. He had that halberd in his hand all the time. I felt he was a vicious man and would force me to his will so I tried to throw myself into the lily pond, but he caught me in his arms and held me so that I was helpless. Luckily just at that moment you came and saved my life.”
“Suppose I send you to him.”
She shrieked with terror.
“After having been yours to be given to a mere slave! Never! I would rather die.”
And with this she snatched down a dagger hanging on the wall to kill herself. Tung Cho plucked it from her hand and, throwing his arms about her, cried, “I was only joking.”
She lay back on his breast hiding her face and sobbing bitterly. “This is the doing of that Li Ju,” said she. “He is much too thick with Lü Pu. He suggested that, I know. Little he cares for your reputation or my life. Oh! I would like to eat him alive.”
“Do you think I could bear to lose you?”
“Though you love me yet I must not stay here. That Lü Pu will do me some harm if I do. I fear him.”
“We will go to Meiwu to-morrow, you and I, and we will be happy together and have no cares.”
She dried her tears and thanked him. Next day Li Ju came again to persuade Tung Cho to send the damsel to Lü Pu. “This is a propitious day,” said he.
“He and I standing in the relation of father and son I cannot very well do that,” said Tung Cho. “But I will say no more about his fault. You may tell him so and soothe him as well as you can.”
“You are not being beguiled by the woman, are you?” said Li.
Tung Cho coloured. “Would you like to give your wife to some body else? Do not talk about this any further. It would be better not to.”
Li left the chamber. When he got outside he cast his eyes up to heaven, saying, “We are dead men, slain by the hand of this girl.”
When a certain student of history reached this episode he wrote a verse or two:—
Just introduce a woman,
Conspiracies succeed;
Of soldiers, or their weapons,
There really is no need.
They fought their bloody battles,
And doughty deeds were done;
But in a garden summer house
The victory was won.
The order was given to journey to Meiwu and the whole body of officers assembled to add lustre to the start. Cicada, from her carriage, saw Lü Pu among the crowd. She at once dropped her eyes and assumed an appearance of deepest melancholy. After the cavalcade started and when her carriage had almost disappeared in the distance, the disappointed lover reined in his steed on a mount whence he could watch the dust that rose around it. Unutterable sadness filled his heart.
Suddenly a voice said, “Why do you not accompany the Minister, Marquis, instead of standing here and sighing?”
It was Wan Yün. “I have been confined to the house by illness these few days,” continued he, “so I have not seen you. But I had to struggle out to-day to see the Minister set off. This meeting is most fortunate. But why were you sighing?”
“Just on account of that damsel of yours,” said Lü Pu.
Feigning great astonishment he said, “So long a time and yet not given to you!”
“The old ruffian has fallen in love with her himself.”
“Surely this cannot be true.”
Lü Pu related the whole story while Wang Yün listened, silent, but stamping on the ground as with irritation and perplexity. After a long time he said, “I did not think he was such a beast.”
Taking Lü Pu by the hand he said, “Come to my house and we will talk it over.”
So they went away togther to the house and retired to a secret room. After some refreshments, Lü Pu told the whole story of the episode in the garden just as it happened.
“He seems to have corrupted my little girl and has stolen your wife. He will be an object of shame and ridicule to the whole world. And those who do not laugh at him will laugh at you and me. Alas! I am old and powerless and can do nothing. More’s the pity! But you, Commander, you are a warrior, the greatest hero in the world. Yet you have been put to this shame and exposed to this contempt.”
A wave of fierce wrath rolled up in Lü Pu. Banging the table he shouted and roared. His host ostentatiously tried to calm him saying, “I forgot myself. I should not have spoken like that. Do not be so angry, I pray.”
“I will kill the wretch, I swear it. In no other way can I wash away my shame.”
“No, no! Do not say such a thing,” said Wang, putting his hand over the other’s mouth. “You will bring trouble on poor me.”
“When a man is born great he cannot be patient for long under another man’s domination,” said Lü Pu.
“It needs some one greater than the Minister to limit the scope of such talents as yours.”
Lü Pu said, “I would not mind killing the old wretch were it not for the relation in which we stand. I fear to provoke the hostile criticism of posterity.”
His host smiled. “Your name is Lü; his is Tung. Where was the paternal feeling when he threw the halberd at you?”
“I had been misled if you had not said that,” said Lü hotly.
Wang Yün saw the effect of his words and continued, “It would be a loyal deed to restore the House of Han, and history would hand down your name to posterity perpetually fragrant. If you lend your aid to Tung Cho you will be a traitor and your name will stink through all the ages.”
Lü Pu rose from his place and bowed to Wang Yün. “I have decided,” said he. “You need not fear, Sir.”
“But yet you may fail and bring upon yourself misfortune,” said Wang.
Lü Pu drew his dagger and pricking his arm swore by the blood that flowed.
Wang fell on his knees and thanked him. “Then the Han sacrifices will not be cut off and you will be their saviour. But this must remain a secret and I will tell you how the plot shall be worked out.”
Lü Pu took leave with great emotion.
Wang Yün took into his confidence two colleagues, Sun Jui and Huang Yüan. The former said, “The moment is favourable. The Emperor has just recovered from his illness and we can despatch an able talker to Meiwu to persuade Tung Cho to come here to discuss affairs. Meanwhile we will obtain a secret decree as authority for Lü Pu. Lay an ambush just inside the palace gates to kill Cho as he enters. This is the best plan to adopt.”
“But who would dare to go?”
“Li Su would go. He belongs to the same district as Lü Pu and is very angry with the Minister for not advancing him. His going would excite no suspicions.”
“Good,” said Wang Yün. “Let us see what Lü Pu thinks of it.”
When Pu was consulted he told them that this man’s persuasion had led him to kill Ting, his former benefactor. “If he refuse this mission I will kill him,” said he.
So they sent for Li Su. When he arrived Lü Pu said, “Formerly you talked me into killing Ting and going over to Tung Cho. Now we find Tung Cho means evil for the Emperor and is an oppressor of the people. His iniquities are many and he is hated of gods and men. You go to Meiwu, say you have a command from the Emperor to summon Tung Cho to the palace. He will come and he will be put to death. You will have the credit of being loyal and restoring the Hans. Will you undertake this?”
“I also wish to slay him,” was the reply. “But I could not find any to assist me. How can I hesitate? Your intervention is directly from heaven.”
And he snapped an arrow in twain as register of his oath.
“If this succeed, what glorious rank will be yours!” said Wang Yün.
Next day Li Su, with a small escort, set out for Meiwu and announced himself as bearer of a decree. He was conducted into Tung Cho’s presence. After he had made his obeisance Tung asked what the decree was.
“His Majesty has recovered and wishes his ministers to meet him in the palace to consider the question of his abdication in your favour. That is what this summons means.”
“What does Wang Yün think of the scheme?”
“Wang Yün has already begun the construction of the Terrace of Abdication and only awaits my lord’s arrival.”
“Last night I dreamed a dragon coiled round my body,” said Tung Cho greatly pleased, “and now I get this happy tidings! I must not neglect the opportunity.”
So he gave instructions for the safekeeping of his city and announced his intention of starting on the morrow.
“When I am Emperor you shall be my Precursor,” said he.
“Your minister thanks you,” said Li.
Cho went to bid farewell to his aged mother. “Whither are you going, my son?”
“I go to receive the abdication of Han; and soon you will be Empress Dowager.”
“I have been feeling nervous and creepy these few days. It is a bad sign.”
“Any one about to become the mother of the State must have premonitions,” said her son.
He left her with these words. Just before starting he said to Cicada, “When I am Emperor, you shall be Kuei-fei, the first of my ladies.” She bowed low thanking him, but she knew and inwardly rejoiced.
He went out and mounted his carriage, and began his journey to the Capital with an imposing escort. Less than half way the wheel of his carriage broke. He left it and mounted a horse. Soon after the horse snorted and neighed, threw up his head and snapped the reins.
Tung Cho turned to Li Su and asked what these things portended.
“It means that you are going to receive the abdication of the Hans, which is to renew all things, to mount the jewelled chariot and sit in the golden saddle.”
And Cho believed him. During the second day’s journey a violent gale sprang up and the sky became covered with a thick mist. The wily Li Su had an interpretation for this also. “You are ascending to the place of the dragon; there must be bright light and lurid vapour to dignify your majestic approach.”
Cho had no more doubts. He presently arrived and found many officials waiting without the city gate to receive him, all but Li Ju who was ill and unable to leave his chamber. He entered and proceeded to his own palace, where Lü Pu came to congratulate him.
“When I sit on the throne, you shall command the whole armies of the Empire, horse and foot,” said he.
That night Cho slept in a tent in the midst of his escort. In the suburbs that evening some children at play were singing a little ditty and the words drifted in on the wind.
“The grass in the meadow looks fresh now and green,
Yet wait but ten days, not a blade will be seen.”[1]
The song sounded ominous but Li Su was again prepared with a happy interpretation. “It only means that the Lius are about to disappear and the Tungs to be exalted.”
Next morning at the first streak of dawn Tung Cho prepared for his appearance at court. On the way he saw a Taoist, dressed in a black robe and wearing a white turban, who carried in his hand a tall staff with a long strip of white cloth attached. At each end of the cloth was drawn a mouth.
“What is the meaning of this?” said Tung Cho.
“He is a madman,” said Li Su, and he told the guards to drive the fellow away.
Tung Cho went in and found all the officials in court dress lining the road. Li Su walked beside his carriage, a sword in his hand. When he reached the side room on the north he found soldiers drawn up outside and only the pushers of the palace carriage, a score or so, were allowed to proceed further. When he arrived near the Reception Hall he saw that Wang Yün and all the other officials standing at the door were armed.
“Why are they all armed?” said he to Li Su. Li Su was silent. The pushers urged the carriage forward swiftly to the entrance.
Suddenly Wang Yün shouted, “The rebel is here! where are the executioners?”
At this call sprang from both sides men armed with halberds and spears who attacked Tung Cho. He had not put on the breastplate he usually wore and a spear pierced his breast. He sank down in the carriage calling loudly for his son, “Where is Fêng-hsien?”
“Here, and with a decree to deal with a rebel,” said Lü Pu savagely, as he appeared in front of his “father.”
Thereupon he thrust his halberd through his victim’s throat. Then Li Su hacked off the head and held it up. Lü Pu, his left hand holding his halberd, thrust his right hand into his bosom whence he drew the decree, crying, “The decree was to slay the rebel Tung Cho; no other.”
The whole assembly shouted, “Live for ever! O Emperor.”
A sympathetic poet has written a few lines in pity:—
Await the time, O noble, and be king,
Or failing, reap the solace riches bring;
Heaven n’er is partial, but severely just,
Meiwu stood strong yet now it lies in dust.
Tung Cho’s head was exposed in a crowded thoroughfare. He was very fat and the guards made torches by sticking splints into the body. The passers-by pelted the poor head and spurned the body with their feet.
A large force under Lü Pu was sent to destroy Meiwu. His first captive was Cicada. Then they slew every member of the Tung family, sparing none, not even his aged mother. Some of his particular adherents, with the “Flying Bear” force, fled to Chingchou. In Meiwu were hidden many young ladies of good family. These were set free. The spoil was enormous; stores of wealth in all its forms had been collected there.
When they returned to report success Wang Yün rewarded and feasted the soldiers. Banquets were held in the halls to which all the officials were invited. They drank and congratulated each other. While the feasting was in progress it was announced that some one had come and was wailing over the corpse exposed in the market place.
“Tung Cho has been put to death,” said Wang Yün, angrily.
“Every body is glad to be rid of him and yet one is found to lament over him. Who is this?”
So he gave orders to arrest the mourner and bring him in. Soon he was brought in and when they saw him all were startled. For he was no other than Ts‘ai Yung the Shih-chung.
Wang Yün spoke to him angrily, “Tung Cho has been put to death as a rebel and all the land rejoices. You, a Han Minister, instead of rejoicing, weep for him. Why?”
Yung confessed his fault. “I am without talent, yet know I what is right. Am I the man to turn my back on my country and toward Tung Cho? Yet once I experienced his kindness and I could not help mourning for him. I know my fault is grave but I pray you to regard the reasons. If you will leave my head and only cut off my feet, you may use me to continue the History of Han, whereby I may have the good fortune to be allowed to expiate my fault.”
All were sorry for him, for he was a man of great talents and they begged that he might be spared. The Preceptor Ma secretly interceded for him, pointing out that he was famous as a scholar, that he could write glorious history, and that it was inadvisable to put to death a man renowned for rectitude. But in vain. The Great Councillor was now strong and obdurate.
“Ssŭ-ma Ch‘ien was spared and employed on the annals, with the result that many slanderous stories have been handed down to us. This is a trying period of great perplexity and we dare not let a specious fellow like this wield his pencil in criticism of those about the court of a youthful prince and abuse us as he will.”
Remonstrance and appeal being vain Ma retired. But he said to his colleagues, “Is Wang Yün then careless of the future? Worthy men are the mainstay of the State: laws are the canons of action. To destroy the mainstay and nullify the laws is to hasten destruction.”
As was just said Wang Yün was obdurate. The man whose offence was an expression of gratitude was thrown into prison and there strangled. The people of that day wept for him, for they refused to see any offence in what he had done and death was a harsh punishment.
Tung, the harsh dictator,
Tyrannised the State,
Fell and his sole mourner
Shared his direful fate.
Chuko in seclusion
Was content to dream,
Felt his worth and never
Helped a traitor’s scheme.
Those of his adherents whom Tung Cho had left to guard his city fled when their master was slain and went into Shênsi. Thence they sent in a memorial entreating amnesty. But Wang Yün would not hear of it. Four of them were the chief instruments of Cho’s aggressions. Now though a general amnesty were proclaimed these men should be excluded from its benefit.
The messenger returned and told the four there was no hope of pardon and they could only flee.
Adviser Chia Hsü said, “If we throw away our arms and flee singly then we shall fall easy victims to any village beadle who may seize us. Rather let us cajole the Shênsi people to throw in their lot with us and make a sudden onslaught on the capital and so avenge our master. If we succeed, we control the court and the country. It will be time enough to run away if we fail.”
The plan was adopted and they spread abroad the story that Wang Yün intended to harry the district. Having thus thrown the people into a state of terror they went a step farther and said, “There is no advantage in dying for nothing. Revolt and join us.” So they cajoled the people into joining them and gathered a host equal to ten legions. This horde was divided into four parts and they all set out to raid the capital. On the way they fell in with a son-in-law of their late chief, with a number of soldiers. He had set out to avenge his father-in-law and he became the van-leader of the horde.
As they advanced the news came to Wang Yün and he consulted Lü Pu.
“They are a lot of rats,” said he. “Never mind how many there are of them. Be not in the least anxious.”
So Lü Pu and Li Su went to oppose them. The latter was in advance and met Niu Fu. They fought; Niu Fu was outmatched and retired. But unexpectedly Niu Fu returned in a night attack, found Li Su quite unprepared and drove his force some thirty li, slaying many.
Li went to tell his chief who raged at him saying, “You have sullied my reputation as a warrior and destroyed my prestige.”
And he put Li Su to death, exposing his head at the camp gate.
Next day Lü Pu advanced his own force and engaged Niu Fu. Could the result be the least dubious? Niu Fu was driven off. That night he called in his friend Hu Ch‘ih-êrh to advise him.
“Lü Pu is too doughty a fighter for us to hope to overcome him. Our case is hopeless. Our best course is to desert these four men, secrete our valuables and leave the army with just a few of our followers.”
The plan of Niu Fu was adopted and the two traitors that very night packed up and made their way out of camp. They were only half a dozen. They came to a river and, while cross ing, Hu Ch‘ih-êrh, tempted by the lust of wealth, slew his companion. Then he went to offer the head to Lü Pu. Lü Pu enquired into the matter and when a follower told him the truth, he put the double traitor to death.
Then he advanced against the rebels and fell in with Li Ts‘ui’s force. Without giving them time to form in battle array, he attacked. Horses curvetting and spears set, the men dashed in irresistibly and Li Ts‘ui, making no stand, fell back a long way. He took up a position under a hill and thence sent to call his fellows to council.
Li Ts‘ui said, “Lü Pu though brave in battle is no strategist and so not really formidable. I will lead my men to hold the mouth of the gorge and every day I will incite him to attack and, when he comes toward me, Commander Kuo can smite his rear, after the manner of P‘êng Yüeh when he fought against Ch‘u. While thus I am alternating attack and retreat you other two will march off in different directions toward Ch‘angan. Such an attack at two points must end in his defeat.”
They set themselves to carry out this scheme. As soon as Lü Pu reached the hills a force came out to attack him. Pu made an angry dash toward the enemy, who retired up the hill, whence they shot arrows and hurled stones like rain. Lü Pu’s men halted. At this moment the report came that the rear was being attacked and there appeared Kuo Ssŭ. At once Lü Pu wheeled toward the new enemy, but immediately the rolling drums gave the signal to retire and Lü Pu could not come to blows with them. As he called in his men the gongs clanged on the other side and his former opponent came as if to smite him. But before he could join battle his rear was again threatened by Kuo, who in his turn drew off without striking a blow.
Thus Lü Pu was baited till his bosom was near bursting with rage. The same tactics continued for several days. He could neither strike his enemies nor escape them; his men had no rest.
In the midst of these distracting manœuvres a messenger rode up in hot haste to say that the capital was in imminent danger from a double attack. He at once ordered a march to save the capital, which became a rout when both his opponents came in pursuit. His loss was heavy.
He soon reached Ch‘angan and found the rebels there in enormous numbers and the city quite surrounded. Lü Pu’s attack had but little effect and as his temper became more savage under defeat many of his men went over to the rebels.
He fell into deep melancholy. Then a remnant of Tung Cho’s adherents still in the city, led by Li Mêng and Wang Fang, began to lend aid to the attackers and by and by they secretly opened the city gate and the beseigers poured in. Lü Pu exerted himself to the utmost but could not stem the tide. At the head of a few horse he dashed over to the Chingso Gate, or “Gate of the Black Lock,” and called out to Wang Yün, who was on the other side, that the case was desperate and bade him mount and ride to a place of safety.
Wang Yün replied, “If I am gifted with the holy spirit of the State I shall succeed in restoring the tranquillity which I desire, but if I have it not, then I offer my body a sacrifice. I will not quail before dangers. Thank the noble supporters east of the pass for their efforts and bid them remember their country.”
Lü Pu urged him again and again, but he would not leave. Soon flames started up all over the city and Lü Pu had to leave, abandoning his family to their fate. He fled and joined Yüan Shu.
Li Ts‘ui and his fellow leaders gave full licence to their ruffians, who robbed and murdered their fill. Many high officers perished. In time they penetrated to the inner palace and the eunuchs begged the Emperor to proceed to the Hsüanp‘ing Mên (the Gate of Pervading Peace) to try to quell the rioting. At sight of the yellow umbrella Li Ts‘ui and Kuo Ssŭ checked their men and they all shouted “Long life O Emperor!” (Wan-sui!). The Emperor stood by the tower and addressed them, “Nobles, what means it that you enter the capital in this unruly manner and without my summons?”
The two leaders looked up and said, “Tung Cho, Your Majesty’s Minister, has been slain by Wang Yün and we are here to avenge him. We are no rebels, Sire. Let us only have Wang Yün and we draw off our men.”
Wang Yün was actually among the courtiers and at the Emperor’s side. Hearing this demand he said, “The plan was made for the benefit of the Throne, but as this evil has grown therefrom Your Majesty will not grudge losing me. I have brought about evil and I will go down to these rebels.”
The Emperor was torn with sorrow and wavered. But the faithful Minister leaped from the wall crying, “Wang Yün is here.”
The two leaders drew their swords, crying, “For what crime was our master slain?”
“His crimes filled the heavens and covered the earth; no tongue can tell them. The day he died was a day of rejoicing in the whole city as you well know,” said Wang.
“And if he was guilty of some crime what had we done not to be forgiven?”
“Seditious rebels, why bandy words? I am ready to die.”
And he was slain at the foot of the tower.
Moved by the people’s sufferings,
Vexed at his prince’s grief,
Wang Yün compassed the traitor’s death,
That they might find relief.
Every one knows him a hero,
Leal to the State alway:
Living he guarded the princely towers,
His soul keeps guard to-day.
Having done the loyal Minister to death at his master’s feet they proceeded to exterminate also his whole family. Every one mourned.
Then said the ruffians to each other, “Having gone so far what could be better than to make away with the Emperor and complete our scheme?”
The traitor condoned his crime,
Rebellion ought to cease;
But his licentious followers
Disturb the Empire’s peace.
The fate of the Emperor will be disclosed in the next chapter.
- ↑ The grass in the meadow is an ingenious quip on Tung Cho’s surname; as is the “ten days” on his distinguishing name.