# San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 87

CHAPTER LXXXVII.
K‘ung-ming‘s Southern Expedition; the King of The Mans.
With K‘ung-ming’s administration of affairs in the Two Ch'üan began a period of happiness and prosperity for the people. Tranquillity prevailed, and the state of society was well nigh perfect, doors unbolted at night, property left by the roadside remaining untouched till the owner returned for it. Moreover, the harvests were rich year after year, and old and young, with fair, round bellies, well lined, simply sang with joy. The people hastened to fulfil their state duties and vied with each other in the performance of any corvée. As a natural consequence all military preparations were perfect, the granaries bursting with grain and the treasury full to overflowing.
Such was the state of things when, in the third year, the news came to the capital that a host of Mans had invaded the south and were laying waste the country, and that the Prefect of Chienning, a man of an honourable and even noble family, had joined them. Already two districts had yielded to the invaders, but a third was staunchly holding out. The three rebels, who had joined the invaders, were now acting as guides and assisting in the attack on Jungch‘ang, which had remained faithful. Wang K‘ang, the Prefect of Jungch‘ang, ably seconded by Lü K‘ai, one of his subordinates, was making a desperate effort to defend the city with only its ordinary inhabitants as fighting men. The position was very desperate.
When this news came, K‘ung-ming went into the palace and thus memorialised to his lord, “The contumacy of the Mans is a real danger to our state. I feel it incumbent upon me to lead an expedition to reduce the barbarians to obedience.”
But the king was afraid, and said, “There are enemies on two sides; if you abandon me and either of them comes, what shall I do?"”
“Your Majesty need have no fear. We have just concluded a league of peace with Wu, and I think they will be true to their pledge. Li Yen is quite a match for Lu Hsün. Ts‘ao P‘ei’s recent defeat has taken the keenness out of his men, so that he will not feel inclined to make any expeditions further. Ma Ch‘ao is in command at the Pass between Wei and Hanchung. I shall also leave Kuan and Chang with forces to reinforce any point where danger may appear. I can assure ​Your Majesty that no untoward event will happen. I am going to sweep clean the Man country, so that we may have a free hand to attack Wei when the day comes. Thus I shall be enabled to requite the honour paid me by your father the First Ruler, who came thrice to seek me and who doubled my obligation when he confided to me the care of his son.”
“Indeed I am young and ignorant,” replied the king, “and can only exist with you to decide for me. ”
At that moment an officer, Wang Lien by name, a man of Nanyang, stepped forward, crying, “No, no, Sir; you may not go. The south is a desert country reeking with malaria. It is wrong that an officer of state in such an exalted and responsible position should go away on a distant expedition. These rebels and barbarians are but an irritation, not a disease, and an ordinary leader would be enough to send against them. He would not fail.”
Kʻung-ming replied, “This country of the Mans is distant and mostly uncivilised. To reduce them to reasonableness will be difficult, and I feel I ought to go. When to be harsh and when to show leniency are matters to be decided on at the moment, and instructions cannot be easily given to another.”
K‘ung-ming steadily opposed all Wang’s efforts to bring about a change of intention, and he soon took leave of his master and made ready to start.
Chiang Yüan was Councillor of the expedition. Fei Wei was Recorder; Tung Chüeh and Fan Chien were Historians; Chao Yün and Wei Yen were Generals; Wang P‘ing and Chang I were Deputy Generals and leaders of the fighting men. Beside these were officers originally belonging to Shu, and the whole force was fifty legions.
Soon after the force marched south, the third son of Kuan the Noble appeared and wished to see K‘ung-ming. After the fall of Chiangchou this youth had fled to Paochia, where he had fallen ill. His illness had been long and severe, and he had only just recovered. He was then travelling toward Ch'êngtu. He knew that vengeance had been taken on the murderers of his father. And he asked to take part in this expedition.
K‘ung-ming was greatly surprised to see him. However, he sent news of the young man’s arrival to the court and gave Kuan So a military appointment.
The army, foot and horse, marched in the best of order, eating when hungry, drinking when thirsty, camping at night and moving by day. No plundering was permitted, and the people suffered not at all.
When Yung K‘ai and his fellow rebels heard that the Prime Minister of Shu was marching against them, they called their men together and formed three divisions, Kao Ting in the centre, Yung and Chu on the wings. They mustered about ​five legions in all, and they went to oppose the march of the Shu army. Kao Ting sent O Huan to lead the van.
This O Huan was tall of stature, but ugly and evil of countenance. His weapon was a sort of halberd. He was very valiant, and no one could face him. He led his own cohort out in advance of the main body and fell in with the leading bodies of the Shu army immediately after they had got into Ichou. The two sides drew up for battle, and, the arrays being complete, Wei Yen rode out and vilified the rebels, calling upon them to surrender. Instead, O Huan galloped out and fought with Wei. After a few bouts Wei seemed to be bested and fled. But this was only a ruse. However, O Huan followed, fell into the ambush as had been arranged, and was captured.
He was taken to the tent of K‘ung-ming, who bade his attendants loose his bonds, gave him wine and comforted him. Then he asked who he was.
O Huan replied, “I am one of the captains under Kao Ting.'
“I know Kao Ting as a loyal and good sort, but he has been led away by this Yung K‘ai. Now I shall release you, but you are to bring Kao to his senses and see to it that he comes to surrender. It will be best for him.”
O Huan thanked him and withdrew. He went to his own side and soon saw Kao Ting. He told him what K‘ung-ming had said, and Kʻung-ming’s kindly feeling deeply affected Kao.
Soon after, Yung K‘ai came over to Kao Ting’s camp to visit him. After the exchange of salutations, Yung asked how it came about that O Huan had been released.
“Chuko Liang released him out of pure kindness,” replied Kao Ting.
“This is a ruse of his to separate you from me: he wishes to make us enemies.”
Kao Ting almost believed this too, and he was much perplexed.
Just then the watchers reported that the leaders of Shu had come up and were offering battle. So Yung K‘ai led out three legions to take up the challenge. But after the third encounter he fled. Wei Yen pursued him and smote for a distance of two score li.
Next day Yung K‘ai challenged, but the men of Shu refused to fight, and remained within their lines for three days. On the fourth day Yung and Kao divided their men into two parts and came to attack the camp. Now K‘ung-ming had told Wei Yen to wait for this double attack, and so when it came to pass both divisions fell into an ambush and suffered great loss, many being killed and more captured.
The prisoners were taken to the camp, and the men belonging to the two divisions were confined separately. Then K‘ung-ming told the soldiers to let it be known that only those ​belonging to Kao Ting would be spared, the others would be put to death. When time had been given for this story to spread among the prisoners, Yung’s men were brought up to the commander’s tent.
“Whose men were you?” asked he.
“Kao Ting’s” cried they all, falsely.
Then they were all pardoned, and, after being given wine and food, they were taken to the frontier and set free.
Next the real Kao Ting’s men were brought forward, and the same question was put to them.
“We all really belong to Kao Ting’s command,” said they.
In like manner they were pardoned and refreshed with wine and food. Then K‘ung-ming addressed them, saying, “Yung K‘ai has just sent a messenger to ask that he may surrender, and he offers to bring with him the heads of your commander and of Chu Pao as a proof of merit. But I will not receive him, and you, since you are Kao Ting’s men, shall be released and allowed to return to him. But let there be no ingratitude and fighting again, for if there is, I certainly will not pardon you next time.”
So they thanked their liberator and went away. As soon as they reached their own camp they told the whole story. Then Kao Ting sent a spy to the camp of his colleague to find out what was doing. There he met the men who had been released, and they were all talking about K‘ung-ming’s kindness, and many of them were inclined to desert their own camp for the other. Although this seemed very satisfactory, yet Kao Ting did not feel convinced, and he sent another man to K‘ung-ming’s camp to try to verify what had happened. But this man was captured and taken before the Commanderin-chief, who pretended that he thought the spy belonged to Yung K‘ai, and said to him, “Why has your leader failed to send me the heads of Kao and Chu as he promised? You lot are not very clever, and what are you come to spy out?”
The soldier muttered and mumbled in confusion. But K‘ung-ming gave the man wine and food, and then wrote a letter which he handed to the spy, saying, “You give this letter to your commander, Yung K‘ai, and tell him to get the job done quickly.”
The spy took the letter and got away. As soon as he reached camp he gave the letter to Kao Ting and also the message.
Kao Ting read the missive and became very angry.
“I have ever been true to him, and yet he wants to kill me. It is hard to be either friendly or reasonable.”
Then he decided to take O Huan into his confidence, and called him. O Huan was much prejudiced in favour of K‘ungming, and said, “K‘ung-ming is a most benevolent man, and it would be ill to turn our backs upon him. It is Yung K‘ai’s ​fault that we are now rebels, and our best course would be to slay him and betake ourselves to K‘ung-ming.”
“How could it be done?” asked Kao Ting.
“Invite him to a banquet. If he refuse, it means he is a traitor, and then you can attack him in front while I will lie in wait behind his camp to capture him as he runs away.”
They agreed to try this plan; the banquet was prepared and Yung invited. But as his mind was full of suspicion from what his returned men had said, he would not come. That night, as soon as darkness fell, Kao Ting attacked his camp.
Now the men who had been released were imbued with the goodness of Kao Ting and quite ready to help him fight. On the other hand, Yung K‘ai’s men mutinied against him, and so Yung K‘ai mounted his steed and fled. Before he had gone far he found his road blocked by the cohort under O Huan, who galloped out with his halberd and confronted the fugitive. Yung could not defend himself, and was struck down. O Huan decapitated him. As soon as they knew he was dead, his men joined themselves to Kao Ting, who then went and surrendered to K‘ung-ming.
K‘ung-ming received him sitting in state in his tent, but at once ordered the lictors to decapitate him.
But Kao Ting said, “Influenced by your kindness, Sir, I have brought the head of my colleague as a proof of the sincerity of my surrender: why should I die?”
“You come with false intent; do you think you can hoodwink me?” said K‘ung-ming, laughing.
“What proof have you that I am false?”
K‘ung-ming drew a letter from his box, and said, “Chu Pao sent this secretly to say he wished to surrender, and he said you and Yung K‘ai were sworn friends to death. How could you suddenly change your feelings and slay him? That is how I know your treachery.”
“Chu Pao only tried to make trouble,” cried Kao, kneeling.
K‘ung-ming still refused to believe him, and said, “I cannot believe you without more solid proof. If you would slay Chu I could take that as proving you were sincere in your surrender.”
“Do not doubt me. What if I go and capture this man?”
“If you did that my doubts would be set at rest.”
As Thereupon Kao Ting and his subordinate, O Huan, led away their men to the camp of Chu Pao. When they were about ten li from his camp Chu Pao appeared with a cohort soon as they recognised each other, Chu Pao hastily came forward to parley. But Kao Ting cried out to him, “Why did you write a letter to the Prime Minister and so intrigue with him to get me killed?”
Chu Pao stared open mouthed and could not reply. Then O Huan rode out from behind his chief and struck Chu with ​his halberd so that he fell to the ground. Thereupon Kao Ting shouted to the men that they should either yield or be slain, and they yielded in a body.
Kao Ting then went back to K‘ung-ming and offered the head of the man just slain. K‘ung-ming laughed again.
“I have made you kill both these as a proof of loyalty.”
Then he created Kao Prefect of Ichou and chief of three districts, while O Huan was given a junior rank. Thus the three divisions were disposed of and troubled the peace no more.
The Prefect of Jungch‘ang then came out of the city and welcomed K‘ung-ming, and, when he had made his entry into that city, he called Wang K‘ang and asked who had aided him in the defence.
The Prefect said, “The safety of this city is due entirely to Lü K‘ai.”
So Lü was called. He came and bowed.
Kʻung-ming said, “Long since I heard of you as a remarkable man of this district. We are greatly indebted to you for its safety. Now we wish to conquer the Mans; have you any advice to offer?”
Lü K‘ai then produced a map of the country and presented it, saying, “From the time of my appointment I have felt certain that the southern men would rise against you, and so I sent secret agents to map out the country and find the strategical points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call 'An Easy Scheme to Conquer the Mans.' I beg you, Sir, to accept it, as it may be of use.”
Then K‘ung-ming took Lü K‘ai into his service as adviser and guide. With his help he advanced and penetrated deeply into the country.
While the army was advancing, there came a messenger from the Court. When he appeared, K‘ung-ming saw it was Ma Su, and he was clothed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Ma Liang, who had just died. He had come by special command of the Emperor with gifts of wine and silk.
When the ceremonies proper on receipt of a mandate from the Emperor had been performed, and the gifts distributed as instructed, Ma Su was asked to remain to talk over matters.
Kung-ming said, “I have His Majesty’s command to conquer these Mans. I hear you have some advice to offer, and I should be pleased if you would instruct me.”
“Yes; I have one thing to say that may be worth thinking over. These people refuse to recognise our supremacy because they think their country is distant and difficult. If you should overcome them to-day, to-morrow they would revolt. Wherever your army marches they are overcome and submit, but the day you withdraw the army and attack Ts‘ao P‘ei they ​will renew their attack. In arms even it is best to attack hearts rather than cities%; to fight with sentiment is better than to fight with weapons. It will be well if you can win them over.”
“You read inmost thoughts,” said K‘ung-ming.
Then Ma Su was retained with the army as adviser, and the army marched on. When the King of the Mans, Mênghuo by name, heard how cleverly K‘ung-ming had got rid of Yung K‘ai, he called together the leaders of the “Three Ravines” to discuss matters. The chief of the first Ravine was Chinhuansanchieh, of the second Tung-T‘una and of the third Ahuinan. These having come to the king’s place, he said to them, “Our country has been invaded, and we must exert our united strength to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your forces, and whoever conquers the enemy shall be chief of chiefs.”
It was arranged that Chinhuansanchieh should march in the centre division, with the others on his flanks. Each division was five legions.
When the scouts made out that the Man armies were coming, they at once told K‘ung-ming, who called Chao Yün and Wei Yen to his side, but gave them no orders. Next he sent for Wang P‘ing and Ma Chung, and said to them, “I cannot send Chao Yün and Wei Yen against the Mans because they do not know the country. You two are to go, one against each wing, and the two veteran warriors shall support you. Get your men ready and start to-morrow at dawn.”
Then the two Changs were sent against the centre army; they were to act with Wang and Ma. And once more K‘ungming seemed to taunt the two veterans with ignorance.
The two heroes now began to feel hurt. Noticing this, K‘ung-ming said, “I have no wish to pass you over, you two, but I fear that if you get too deeply into the country and should fall victims to the Mans that it will have an ill effect on the others.”
“But what if we did know the geography of the country?” said Chao Yün.
“All I say to you is to be careful how you do anything,” replied K‘ung-ming.
The two old soldiers left and went together to the camp of Chao Yün.
Chao Yün said, “We are greatly ashamed at being put in the background because we do not know the country. We cannot bear this.”
“Then let us ride out and survey,” said his colleague. “Let us capture a few natives and make them show us the road, and let us defeat these savages. ”
They rode off. Before they had gone far they saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Climbing a hill to get a better view, ​they saw a small party of mounted Mans coming toward them. The two waited till they were near and then suddenly burst out. The Mans, taken entirely by surprise, ran away all but a few, who yielded themselves prisoners. The two warriors returned to camp.
The prisoners were given wine and food, and when they had satisfied their hunger they were questioned.
Said they, “The camp of the Chief Chinhuansanchieh is just in front, just by the entrance to the mountains. Near the camp, running east and west, is the Ravine of the Five Streams. The camps of the other two chiefs are behind.”
The two leaders got together five companies, took the captured men as guides and marched out about the second watch. It was a clear night, and the moon gave light to march by.
The first camp was reached about the fourth watch. The Man soldiers were already awake and preparing their morning meal, as they intended to attack at daylight. The vigorous and unexpected attack of the two captains threw the camp into confusion; the chief was slain and his head cut off.
Then Wei Yen took half the force and went west to the second camp. By the time he reached it day had dawned. They also had news of his coming, and drew up the camp to oppose. But when they had got clear, there was a great uproar behind them at the stockade gates, and confusion followed. The reason was the arrival of Wang P‘ing. Between the two bodies the Mans were beaten. Their chief, Tungt‘una, got away. Wei Yen’s men followed, but they could not catch him.
When Chao Yün led his men to attack the third camp in the rear, Ma Chung made an attack on the front. They scored a success, but the chief, Ahuinan, escaped.
They returned to headquarters, and K‘ung-ming said, “The three parties of Mans have fled; where is the head of the first of the three chiefs?”
Chao Yün produced it. At the same time he reported that the other two chiefs had escaped by abandoning their horses and going over the hill. They could not be followed.
“They are already prisoners,” said K‘ung-ming with a laugh.
The fighting men could not credit it. But soon after the two chiefs were brought in. When some expressed surprise and admiration, K‘ung-ming said, “I had studied the map and knew the positions of the camps. I taunted Chao Yün and Wei Yen into making a supreme effort at the same time that I sent other forces, because I knew the first two were the only men for the task. I felt certain the two chiefs would run away along those small roads, and I set men on those roads to wait for them. They also were supported.”
They all bowed, saying, “The Prime Minister’s calculations are divine and incomprehensible.”
​The two captive chiefs were then called. As soon as they appeared, K‘ung-ming loosed their bonds, gave them refreshments and released them, bidding them offend no more. They thanked him for their liberty, and disappeared along a by-road.
Then K‘ung-ming said to his captains, “To-morrow Mênghuo will come in person to make an attack. We shall probably capture him again.”
Then he summoned Chao Yün and Wei Yen and gave them orders. They left, each with a half legion. Next he sent Wang P‘ing. And then he sat in his tent to wait for the result.
The King of the Mans was sitting in his tent when the scouts told him that his three chiefs had been captured and their armies scattered. It made him very angry, and he quickly got his army ready to march. Soon he met Wang P‘ing, and, when the armies were arrayed, Wang P‘ing rode out to the front. The flaunting banners of his foes then opened out, and he saw their ranks. Many captains were on horseback. In the middle was the king, who advanced to the front. He wore a golden, inlaid head-dress; his belt bore a lion’s face as clasp; his boots had pointed toes and were green; he rode a frizzy-haired horse the colour of a hare; he carried at his waist a pair of swords chased with the pine-tree device.
He looked haughtily at his foes, and then, turning to his captains, said, “It has always been said that Chuko Liang is a wonderful soldier, but I see that is false. Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder. There is not a weapon among all the swords and spears better than ours. If I had only realised this before I would have fought them long ago. Who dares go out and capture a Shu captain to show them what sort of warriors we are?”
At once a captain rode toward the leader, Wang P‘ing. His name was Huanmangyachang; his weapon was a huge headsman’s sword, and he rode a dun pony. Riding up to Wang P‘ing, the two engaged.
Wang P‘ing only fought a short time, and then fled. The king at once ordered his men on in quick pursuit, and the men of Shu retreated a score or so of li before the Mans were near enough to fight. Just as the Mans thought their enemies were in their power, a great shouting arose and two cohorts appeared, one on either flank, and attacked. The Mans could not retreat, and as another force under Kuan So also turned upon them, the Mans were surrounded and lost the day. Mênghuo and some of his captains fought their way out and made for the Chintai Mountains. The men of Shu followed and forced them forward, and presently there appeared, in front, Chao Yün.
​The king hastily changed his route to go deeper into the mountains, but Chao Yün’s men spread around, and the Mans could not make a stand. Here some were captured. Mênghuo and a few horsemen got away into a valley, which, however, soon became too narrow for the horses to advance. The king then left his horse and crawled up the mountains, but very soon he fell upon Wei Yen, who had been sent to lie in wait in that very valley. So he was again prisoner.
The king and his followers were taken to the main camp, where K‘ung-ming was waiting with wine and meat ready for the captives. But his tent was now guarded by a seven-deep force of men all well armed with glittering weapons, beside the lictors bearing the golden axes, a present from the Emperor, and other insignia of rank. The feather-hatted drummers and clarion players were in front and behind, and the Imperial Guards were extended on both sides. The whole was very imposing and awe-inspiring.
K‘ung-ming was seated at the top of it all and watched the captives as they came forward in crowds. When they were all assembled, he ordered their bonds to be loosed, and then he addressed them.
“You are all simple and well-disposed people who have been led into trouble by Mênghuo. I know your fathers and mothers, your brothers and wives; and your children are anxiously watching from the doorways for your return, and they are cut to the quick now that the news of defeat and capture has reached their ears. They are weeping bitter tears for you. And so I will set you all free to go home and comfort them.”
After they had been given food and wine and a present of grain, he sent them all away. They went off grateful for the kindness shown them, but they wept as they thanked K‘ungming.
Then the guards were told to bring the King before the tent. He came, bound, being hustled forward. He knelt in front of the great leader, who said, “Why did you rebel after the generous treatment you have received from our Emperor?”
“The two Ch‘uan belonged to others, and your lord took it from them by force, and gave himself the title of 'Emperor.' My people have lived here for ages, and you and yours invaded my country without the least excuse. How can you talk of rebellion to me?”
“You are my prisoner; will you submit or are you still contumacious?”
“Why should I submit? You happened to find me in a narrow place; that is all.”
“If I release you, what then?”
“If you release me I shall return, and when I have set my army in order I shall come to fight you again. However, if you catch me once more I will submit.”
​The king’s bonds were loosed; he was clothed and refreshed, given a horse and caparisons and sent with a guide to his own camp.
Once more the captured chieftain is let go, To yield barbarians are ever slow.
Further results of this war will be related in the next chapter.