# San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 106

CHAPTER CVI.
Defeat and Death of Kungsun Yüan; Pretended Illness of Ssǔma I.
This Kungsun Yüan was of a family long settled in Liaotung. When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was pursuing Yüan Shang, who had fled eastward, Kungsun K‘ang, the father of the present rebel, had captured him, beheaded him and sent his head to Ts‘ao. For this service Kungsun received the title of “Marquis of Hsiangpʻing.” After Kungsun K‘ang’s death, as his two sons were young, his brother took the chiefship, and Ts‘ao P‘ei, beside confirming the marquisate, gave him the rank of General. A few years later, the second son, Yüan, being now grown up, well-educated and trained in military exercises, obstinate and fond of fighting, took away his uncle’s power and ruled the heritage of his father. Ts‘ao Jui conferred upon him the title of Yang-lieh, “Wielder of Ferocity,” and made him Prefect.
Then Sun Ch'üan, anxious to secure his support, sent two envoys with gifts and offered Kungsun Yüan the title of “Prince Yen.” Fearing that the capital would resent any dallying with Wu, the Prefect slew the envoys. For this proof of lealty Ts‘ao Jui gave him the title of Minister of War and the Dukedom of Yüehlang. However, he was dissatisfied, and his thoughts turned toward independence. He took council with his officers and proposed to style himself “King Yen” and to adopt a reign-title of his own.
One officer, Chia Fan, opposed this and said, “My lord, the central authorities have treated you well and honoured you. I fear that Ssŭma I is too skilful a leader for rebellion to succeed. You see even Chuko Liang cannot defeat him; how much less can you?”
Kungsun’s reply was to condemn Chia Fan to death. However, General Lun Chih ventured upon further remonstrance.
“Chia Fan spoke well. The Sacred One says that extraordinary phenomena presage the destruction of a state. Now this time portents are not wanting, and wonders have been seen. A dog, dressed in red and wearing a turban, went up the length of a room walking like a man. Moreover, while a certain person living in a village south of the city was cooking his food, he saw a child in the pan, boiled to death. A great cave opened near the market-place and threw out a large, fleshy body completely human save that it lacked limbs. ​Swords could not cut it; arrows could not penetrate it. No one knew what to call it, and when they consulted the sortes they obtained the reply, 'Incomplete shape, silent mouth: a state is near destruction.' These prodigies are all inauspicious. Flee from evil and strive to walk in fair fortune’s way. Make no move without most careful thought.”
This second remonstrance enraged the rebel still more, and he sent Lun to death with Chia. Both were executed in the public place.
Kungsun then prepared to make a bid for empire. He raised an army of fifteen legions, appointed a general, Pei Yen, and a leader of the van, Yang Tsu. This army set out for the capital.
King Jui was alarmed at the report of this rising, and sent for Ssǔma I. Ssŭma was not greatly perturbed, and said, “My four legions will be equal to the task.”
The king replied, “The task is heavy, for your men are few and the road is long.”
“The strength of an army is not in numbers, but in strategy. Aided by Your Majesty’s good fortune I shall certainly be able to bring this fellow a captive to your feet.”
“What do you think will be the rebel’s plan?"asked the king.
“His best plan would be flight before our army can arrive; his second best is defending his position; his third, and worst, would be to try to hold Hsiangp‘ing. In the last case I shall certainly capture him.'
“How long will the expedition take?”
“We have to cover four thousand li, which will take a hundred days. Attack will consume another hundred. The return will need a hundred, and with sixty days to rest we shall take a year.”
“Suppose during that year we are attacked by Wu or Shu.”
“My plans provide for that; Your Majesty need have no anxiety.”
The king being thus reassured, formally ordered Ssŭma to undertake the expedition.
Hu Tsun was appointed to lead the van. He went and camped in Liaotung. The scouts hasted to tell Kungsun, who sent his general and van-leader to camp at Liaochui. They surrounded their camp with a wall twenty li in circumference and placed “deer-horns” outside the rampart. It seemed very secure. Hu Tsun saw these preparations and sent to tell his chief. Ssŭma smiled.
“So the rebel does not want to fight, but thinks to weary my men,” said Ssǔma. “Now I am disposed to think that most of his army is within that wall, so that his stronghold is empty and undefended. I will make a dash at Hsiangpʻing. He will have to go to its rescue and I will smite him on the way. I should score a great success.”
​So he hastened to Hsiangpʻing along unfrequented ways.
Meanwhile the two captains within the walled camp discussed their plans.
Yang Tsu said, “When the Wei army comes near we will not fight. They will have come a long march and their supplies will be short, so that they cannot hold out long. When they retreat we shall find our opportunity. These were the tactics Ssŭma I used against Chuko on the Wei River, and Chuko died before the end of the expedition. We will try similar means.”
Presently the scouts reported that the Wei army had marched south. Pei Yen at once saw the danger and said, “They are going to attack Hsiangpʻing, which they know is defenceless. If that be lost this position is useless.”
So they broke up their camp and followed the enemy. When Ssǔma heard it he rejoiced, saying, “Now they will fall into the snare I have laid for them.”
He sent the two Hsiahous to take up position on the Chi River. They were to attack if the men of Liao came near them. They had not long to wait. As soon as Pei Yen and his army approached they exploded a bomb, beat the drums, waved their flags and came out, one force on each side. The Liao leaders made but a feeble fight and soon fled to Shoushan, where they joined the main army under Kungsun Yüan. Then they turned to give battle to the Wei army.
Pei Yen rode to the front and reviled the enemy, taunted them with trickery and challenged to a fight in the open. Hsiahou Pa rode out to accept the challenge, and after a few bouts Pei fell. In the confusion caused by the death of their leader, Hsiahou urged on his men and drove Kungsun back to Hsiangp‘ing. He took refuge in the city.
The city was surrounded. It was autumn, and the rain fell day after day without ceasing. At the end of the month the plain was under three feet of water, so that the grain boats sailed straight from Liaohok‘ou to the city walls. The besiegers suffered much from the floods.
The Commander of the Left went to Ssŭma and asked that the army might be moved to camp on the higher ground, out of the mud and water. But Ssǔma flouted the suggestion.
“How can the army move away just when success is in sight? The rebels will be conquered now any day, and if any other speaks about drawing off he will be put to death.”
Pei went away muttering angrily to himself. Soon after, his colleague in command of the right wing repeated the suggestion and was put to death. His head was suspended at the camp gate as a warning to others. The soldiers were much depressed.
Then the south camp was abandoned, and the men marched twenty li south. This side of the city being thus left clear, ​the soldiers and people came out to gather fuel and pasture their cattle. The attacking army could not understand this move, and Ch'ên Chün spoke about it.
“When you besieged Shangyung, O T‘aiyü, you attacked all round at eight points, and the city fell in as many days. Mêng Ta was taken, and you won a great success. Now your four legions have borne their armour many days over long marches and you do not press the attack, but keep the men in the mud and mire and let the enemy gather supplies and feed their cattle. I do not know what your intention may be.”
“Sir,” replied the Commander-in-chief, “I see you are ignorant of war after all. You do not understand the different conditions. Mêng Ta then had ample supplies and few men; we were under exactly opposite conditions, and so we had to attack vigorously and at once. The suddenness of the attack defeated the enemy. But look at present conditions. The Liao men are many and we few; they are on the verge of starvation, and we are full fed. Why should we force the attack? Our line is to let them flee and smite them as they run. Therefore I leave a gate open and the road free that they may run away.”
Ch'ên then understood and acknowledged the correctness of the strategy. Ssŭma sent to Loyang to hasten supplies, that there should be no shortage.
However, the war was not supported in the capital, for when the messenger arrived and the king summoned his courtiers, they said, “In Liaotung the rain has been continuous for a month, and the men are in misery. Ssǔma ought to be recalled and the war renewed at a more convenient season.”
The king replied, “The leader of our army is most capable and best able to decide upon what should be done. He understands the conditions and is teeming with magnificent plans. He will certainly succeed. Wherefore, O Nobles, wait a few days and let us not be anxious about the result.”
So the king heeded not the voice of the dissentients, but took care that provisions were sent. After a few days the rain ceased, and fine, clear weather followed. Ssǔma went out of his tent that he might study the sky. Suddenly he saw a very large and bright star start from a point over Shoushan and travel over toward Hsiangp‘ing, where it fell. The soldiers were rather frightened at this apparition, but the leader rejoiced.
“Five days from now Kungsun Yüan will be slain where that star fell,” said he. “Therefore attack with vigour.”
They opened the attack the next morning at dawn, throwing up banks and sapping the walls, setting up ballistæ and ​rearing ladders. When night came the attack did not cease. Arrows fell in the city like pelting rain.
Within the city, grain began to run short, and soon there was none. They slaughtered bullocks and horses for food. The soldiers began to be mutinous and no longer fought with any spirit. There was talk of slaying Kungsun and yielding the city.
Kungsun was disheartened and frightened, and decided to sue for peace. He sent a minister and a censor out of the city to beg Ssǔma to allow him to submit. These two had to be let down from the walls by ropes, as no other means of exit were possible. They found their way to Ssǔma and said, “We pray you, O T‘ai-yü, to retire twenty li and allow the officers to come forth and surrender.”
“Why did not Kungsun himself come?” said Ssǔma. “He is rude.”
He put the two envoys to death and sent their heads back into the city.
Kungsun was still more alarmed, but he resolved to make one more attempt. This time he sent Wei Yen, a Shih-chung, as his envoy. Ssŭma received this messenger sitting in state in his tent with his officers standing right and left. The envoy approached on his knees, and when he reached the door of the tent recited his petition.”
“I pray you, O T‘ai-yü, to turn your thundrous wrath from us; we will send the son of our leader as hostage and all the officers shall appear before you bound with cords.”
Ssŭma replied. “There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die. These five courses are open to you, and a hostage would be useless. Now return and tell your master.”
Wei Yen put his hands over his head and fled like a rat. He went into the city and related what had happened to him.
The Kungsuns, father and son, resolved to flee. They chose a company of mounted men, and in the dead of night opened the south gate and got out. They took the road to the east and were rejoiced to find it clear.
All went well for a distance of ten li, when a bomb exploded. This was followed by a roll of drums and the blare of trumpets; and a cohort stood in the way. The leader was Ssŭma I, supported by his two sons.
“Stop, O rebel!” cried they.
But Kungsun lashed his steed to a gallop. Then Hu Tsun and the two Hsiahous, with their men, came up and quickly surrounded them so that they were helpless. Kungsun saw that escape was impossible, so he came with his sons, dis​mounted and offered surrender. Ssŭma hardly looked at the two men, but he turned to his officers and pointed out that the two Kungsuns stood where the star had fallen just five nights previously. They all felicitated him and praised his superhuman skill. The two helpless men were slain where they stood.
Ssŭma turned to resume the siege of the city, but before he had reached the walls Hu Tsun’s men had entered. Ssŭma went in and was received with great respect, the people burning incense as he passed. He went to the residence, and then the whole of the Kungsun clan, and all who had assisted in his rising, were beheaded. They counted heads to the number of three score and ten.
The city taken and the rebels destroyed, the victor issued a proclamation in order to restore confidence among the people. Certain persons told him that Chia Fan and Lun Chih had been against the revolt and had therefore suffered death, so he honoured their tombs and conferred ranks upon their children. The contents of the treasury were distributed among the soldiers as rewards, and then the army marched back to Loyang.
One night the King of Wei was suddenly awakened by a chill blast that extinguished all the lights, but he saw the form of his late Consort, with a score or two of others, coming toward the seat whereon he sat, and as they approached they demanded his life. He was very frightened and fell ill so that he was like to die.
So the two officers Liu Fang and Sun Tzu were set over the privy council, and he summoned his brother Yü to the capital to make him Ta-Chiang-Chün, and assistant to the regent, Ts‘ao Fang, the Heir Apparent. However, his brother being modest and retiring by nature, declined these high offices and their responsibilities.
The king then turned to his two confidants and enquired of them who of the family was a suitable person to support the Heir Apparent. As they had both received many favours from Ts‘ao Chên, they replied that none was so fit as Ts‘ao Shuang, the son of their patron. The king approved their choice, and thus Shuang became a great person. Then they memorialised, saying that as Ts‘ao Shuang had been chosen, the king’s broher Ts‘ao Yü, Prince Yen, should be ordered to leave the capital and return to his own place.
The king consented and issued an edict, which these two bore to the prince, saying, “The edict in the King’s own hand bids you return to your own domain at once, and you are not to return to court without a special command.”
The prince wept, but he left forthwith. Thereupon Ts‘ao Shuang was created Ta-Chiang-chün, and administered the government.
​But the king’s illness advanced rapidly, and he called Ssǔma into the palace. As soon as he arrived he was led to the king’s chamber.
“I feared lest I should not see you again,” said the king; “but now I can die content.”
The general bowed and said, “On the road they told me the sacred person was not perfectly well; I grieved that I had not wings to hasten hither. But I am happy in that I now behold the 'dragon' countenance.”
The heir was summoned to the king’s bedside and also Ts‘ao Shuang, Liu Fang, Sun Tzu, and certain others. Taking Ssǔma by the hand, the dying king said, “When Liu Yüan-tê lay dying at Paitich'êng he confided his son, so soon to be an orphan, to the care of Chuko K‘ung-ming, who laboured in this task to the very end and whose devotion only ceased with death. If such conduct is possible in the mere remnant of a dying dynasty continued in a small state, how much more may I hope for it in a great country! My son is only eight years of age, and incapable of sustaining the burden of rulership. Happily for him he has ample merit and experience around him in the persons of yourself and his relatives. He will never lack friends for my sake.” Turning to the young prince, he continued, “My friend Chung-ta is as myself, and you are to treat him with the same respect and deference.”
The king bade Ssŭma lead the young prince forward. The boy threw his arms around his new guardian’s neck and clung to him.
“Never forget the affection he has just shown,” said the king, weeping. And Ssǔma wept also.”
The dying man swooned; although he could not speak, his hand still pointed to his son, and soon after he died. He had reigned thirteen years and was thirty-six years of age. His death took place in the last decade of the first month of the third year of Ch‘u-Ching.
No time was lost in enthroning the new king, the supporters being Ssǔma and Ts‘ao Shuang. The new ruler’s name was Ts‘ao Fang, his other name being Lan-ching. However, he was the King’s son only by adoption. He had been brought up in the palace as a son, and no one knew his real origin.
The posthumous title of “Emperor Ming” was conferred upon the late ruler, and he was buried in the Kaop‘ing Tombs. The late Empress Kuo was given the title of “T‘ai-hou.”
The new reign was styled Chêng-Shih. Ssŭma I and Ts‘ao Shuang conducted the government, and in all matters the latter treated his colleague with deference and took no steps without his knowledge.
Ts‘ao Shuang was no stranger at court. The late king had respected him for his diligence and care and had been very fond of him, He had had the freedom of the palace all his ​life. He had a host of clients and retainers. Among them were five wholly light and foppish. Their family names were Ho, Têng, Li, Ting and Pi. Beside these five there was another named Huan Fan, a man of good parts, who had the sobriquet of “Bag o' Wisdom". These six were Ts‘ao Shuang’s most trusted companions and confidants.
Now that they saw their patron in such an exalted position they began to think how to exploit it. One day Ho Yen said, “Ts‘ao Shuang, you should not let your great powers slip into the hands of any other, or you will repent it.”
Ts‘ao replied, “Ssǔma I as well as I received the king’s sacred trust, and I mean to be true.”
Ho said, “When your father and this Ssŭma were winning their victories in the east, your father suffered much from this man’s temper, which ultimately brought about his death. Why do you not look into that?”
Ts‘ao seemed suddenly to wake up. Having entered into an intrigue with the majority of the officers about the court, then one day he presented to the king a memorial proposing that Ssŭma should be promoted to the rank of T‘aifu for his great merits and services.
The promotion was made, and, consequently, Ssǔma disappeared from the administration, and the whole military authority fell into the hands of Ts‘ao Shuang.
Having thus far succeeded, Ts‘ao next appointed his brothers to high military posts, so that each commanded three companies of the guards, with right to go in and out of the palace at will. Moreover, three of his friends were created Presidents, and the two others received powerful offices, one of which was the governorship of Honan. These five and their patron were close associates in all concerns of state.
Ts‘ao Shuang gathered about him larger and still larger numbers of supporters, till Ssǔma gave out that he was ill and remained in seclusion. His two sons also resigned their offices.
Ts‘ao Shuang and his friends now gave themselves up to dissipation, spending days and nights in drinking and music. In their dress and the furniture of their table they copied the palace patterns. Tribute in the shape of jewels and curios went to the residence of Ts‘ao before it entered the palace, and his courts swarmed with beautiful damsels.
The eunuch Chang Fang toadied to Ts‘ao Shuang so far as to select a few of the late emperor’s handmaids and send them to the now powerful minister; he also chose for him a chorus of two score well-born ladies who were skilled in music and dancing. Ts‘ao Shuang also built for himself beautiful towers and pavilions and made to himself vessels of gold and silver, the work of the most expert craftsmen, whom he kept constantly employed.
​Now Ho Yen heard of Kuan Lu’s great skill in divination and sent to him in P‘ingyuan to invite him to take the sortes on his account. When the soothsayer arrived, Têng Yang was of the company to meet him, and he said to Kuan, “You call yourself a skilful diviner, but your speech does not resemble the language of the Book of Changes. How is that?”
Kuan replied, “An interpreter does not use the language of the original.”
Ho laughed, saying, “Certainly good words are not wearisome. But cast a lot for me, and tell me whether I shall ever arrive at the highest dignity or not, for I have dreamed repeatedly that many black flies settled on my nose.”
Kuan replied, “Yüan K‘ai aided Shun; Duke Chou assisted Chou; both these were kindly and modest and enjoyed great happiness. You, Sir, have come to high honours and wield great powers, but those who esteem you are few and those who fear you, many. You are not careful to walk in the way of good fortune. Now the nose is an eminence. If an eminence retains its characteristic, thereby it remains in honour. But is it not that black flies gather to foul objects and the lofty fears a fall? I would wish you to give of your abundance for the good of the poor and avoid walking in the wrong road. Then indeed may you reach the highest dignity, and the black flies will disperse.”
“This is mere senile gossip,” said Têng.
“The gift of age is to see that which is yet to come; the gift of gossip is to perceive what is not said,” replied Kuan.
Thereupon he shook out his sleeves and went away.
“He is very mad, really,” said his two hosts.
Kuan Lu went home. When he saw his uncle he gave him an account of the interview. His uncle was alarmed at the probable consequences, and said, “Why did you anger them? They are too powerful for you to offend.”
“What is there to fear? I have been talking to two dead men.”
“What do you mean?”
“Têng Yang’s gait is that of one whose sinews are loosed from his bones, and his pulse is unsteady. When he would stand he totters as a man without limbs. This is the aspect of a disembodied soul. Ho Yen looks as if his soul was about to quit its habitation. He is bloodless, and what should be solid in him is mere vapour. He looks like rotten wood. This is the aspect of a soul even now in the dark valley. Both these men will certainly soon die a violent death, and none need fear them.”
His uncle left, cursing him for a madman.
Ts‘ao Shuang and his five friends were devoted to the chase and were often out of the city. Ts‘ao Hsi, a brother of Shuang’s, remonstrated with him about this and pointed out ​the dangers of such frequent absence on these excursions. “You are in an exalted position and yet you are constantly going out hunting. If anyone took advantage of this to work you evil you might have cause to be exceedingly regretful.”
Ts‘ao Shuang only showed anger, and replied, “The whole military authority is in my hands and what is there to fear?”
Huan Fan, then Minister of Agriculture, also reasoned with him, but he would not listen.
About this time the style of the reign was changed to Chia-P‘ing.
Now ever since Ts‘ao had enjoyed the monopoly of military authority he had never heard the truth about the state of health of the man he had manœuvred out of power. But when a certain Li Shêng was appointed to the governorship of Ch‘ingchou he bade him go to take leave of Ssŭma I, at the same time to find out the true state of his rival’s health.
So Li proceeded to the residence of the T‘ai-fu and was announced. Ssŭma saw through the device at once and told his sons the real reason of this visit, and bade them play their parts in the scene he arranged before the visitor was admitted.
He threw aside his head-dress, so letting his hair fall in disorder, stretched himself upon his couch, tumbled the bedding into confusion, got a couple of slave girls to support him, and then told his servants to lead in the visitor.
Li came in and went up to the sick man, saying, “It is a long time since I have seen you, and I did not know you were so seriously ill. His Majesty is sending me to Ch‘ingchou, and I have come to pay my respects to you and bid you farewell.”
“Ah; Pingchou is in the north; you will have to be very careful there,” said Ssŭma feigning that he had not heard.
“I am going as Governor of Ch‘ingchou, not Pingchou,” said Li.
“Oh, you have just come from Pingchou.”
“Ch‘ingchou, in Shantung.”
“Just back from Ch‘ingchou, eh?” said Ssŭma, smiling.
“How very ill the T‘ai-fu is!” said Li Shêng to the servants.
“The T‘ai-fu is deaf,” said they.
“Give me paper and a pen,” said Li. Writing materials were brought, when Li wrote what he wished to say and put it before his host.
“My illness has made me very deaf; take care of yourself on the way,” said Ssŭma.
Looking up, he pointed to his mouth. One of the girls brought some broth and held the cup for him to drink. He put his lips to the cup, but spilled the broth all over his dress.
“I am very weak and ill,” said he, “and may die at any moment. My sons are but poor things, but you will instruct them, and when you see the general you will remember them, will you not?”
​At this point he fell back on the couch, panting, and Li took his leave. He told his patron what he had seen, and Ts‘ao Shuang rejoiced, thinking his rival could not last long.
“If the old man died, I should not be the one to grieve,” said he.
But no sooner had Li gone than Ssŭma rose from his couch and said to his sons, “Li Shêng will take a full account of this to his patron, who will not fear me any more. But wait till he goes on his next hunting trip, and we will see what can be done.”
Soon after this, Ts‘ao Shuang proposed to the king to visit the tomb of his father and perform the filial sacrifices in person. So they went, a goodly company in the train of the imperial chariot, and Ts‘ao Shuang with all his brothers and his friends went with the guards. Ts‘ao’s friend Huan entreated him to remain in the city for fear of plots and risings, but Ts‘ao asked angrily and rudely who would dare make trouble, and bade him hold his tongue. And he went with the king.
His departure rejoiced the heart of Ssŭma, who at once began quietly to muster his trusty friends and henchmen and put the finishing touches to the plot for the overthrow of his rival.
Now terminates his forced inaction, He must destroy the hostile faction.
Ts‘ao Shung’s fate will appear in the next chapter.