Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Here is the translation:

Now it must be told that when Kongming heard of Lu Su's arrival, he and Xuande went out of the city to welcome him. They received him at the official residence, and after the greetings were exchanged, Lu Su said, "My lord has heard of the passing of your nephew and has prepared a modest gift, sending me to offer the sacrifice. Commander Zhou Yu sends his repeated respects to Imperial Uncle Liu and Master Zhuge."

Xuande and Kongming rose and expressed their thanks. They accepted the gifts and set out wine to entertain him. Lu Su said, "Previously the Imperial Uncle had a saying: 'When the young lord is no longer here, Jing Province will be returned.' Now that the young lord has passed away, the province must certainly be handed over. I wonder when the transfer might take place?"

Xuande said, "Let us drink for now; there is a matter to discuss."

Lu Su forced himself to drink several cups, then opened his mouth to press the question again. Before Xuande could reply, Kongming's countenance changed and he said, "Zijing, you are most unreasonable! Must you wait for someone to ask before you speak? Ever since my ancestor the Great Founder raised his rebellion by slaying the white serpent and established his dynasty, the throne has been handed down to the present day. Alas, villainous heroes have risen together, each seizing a portion of land. But Heaven's way is to restore the rightful line. My lord is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a great-great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing, and an uncle to the present Emperor—how can he not be granted a share of the domain? Moreover, Liu Biao was my lord's elder brother. For a younger brother to inherit his elder brother's estate—what is there that is improper? Your lord is the son of a minor clerk from Qiantang, who has never rendered any merit to the court. Now relying on his forces, he occupies six commanderies and eighty-one prefectures, yet his greed is still unsatisfied—he seeks to swallow up the lands of the House of Liu. The empire of the Hans belongs to the Liu family; my lord bears the surname Liu and yet has no share, while your lord bears the surname Sun and would forcibly contend for it. Moreover, in the Battle of Red Cliff, my lord bore the greater burden of the toil, and all the generals exerted their utmost strength—was it solely the power of Eastern Wu? Had I not borrowed the southeast wind, how could Zhou Yu have achieved even half a measure of success? Had the south of the Yangtze fallen, to say nothing of the two Qiaos being placed in the Bronze Sparrow Palace, even the families of you gentlemen could not have been preserved. The reason my lord did not agree just now is that Zijing is a man of discernment and needs no detailed explanation. How is it that you fail to see this so profoundly?"

One speech left Lu Zijing with no reply. After a long while he said, "What Kongming says may not be without reason, but I, Lu Su, am in a most difficult position."

Kongming said, "What difficulty is there?"

Lu Su said, "In the past, when the Imperial Uncle suffered defeat at Dangyang, it was I who led Kongming across the river to see my lord. Later, when Zhou Yu wished to raise troops to seize Jing Province, it was I who held him back. And when it was agreed that the province would be returned upon the young lord's death, it was I who made the promise. Now if the promise is not honored, how am I to reply? My lord and Commander Zhou Yu will certainly hold me to blame. I would not grudge my death, but I fear it would anger Eastern Wu and set armies in motion. Then the Imperial Uncle could not sit securely in Jing Province, and it would become a laughingstock."

Kongming said, "When Cao Cao commanded a million troops and acted in the name's of the Emperor, I was not concerned—how should I fear a little brat like Zhou Yu! But lest your position be awkward, I shall advise my lord to draw up a written document, borrowing Jing Province as a base. When my lord acquires other cities, he will then hand it over to Eastern Wu. What do you think of this?"

Lu Su said, "When Kongming has taken what territory will you return it to Eastern Wu?"

Kongming said, "The Central Plains cannot be taken at present. Liu Zhang of Xichuan is weak and muddle-headed, and my lord will move against him. If Xichuan is taken, then the province will be returned."

Lu Su had no choice but to agree. Xuande personally wrote out a document and affixed his signature. The guarantor, Zhuge Kongming, also affixed his signature. Kongming said, "I am a man from the Imperial Uncle's side—how could I act as my own guarantor? I would trouble Master Zijing to affix his signature as well, so that when you return to see the Marquis of Wu, it will look proper."

Lu Su said, "I know the Imperial Uncle is a man of benevolence and righteousness and will certainly not prove false." Thereupon he signed the document, received the papers, and the banquet ended. He took his leave. Xuande and Kongming escorted him to the boat. Kongming said earnestly, "When Zijing returns to see the Marquis of Wu, speak well and convey our sentiments, and do not entertain foolish notions. If he does not honor our document, I will turn my face and seize all eighty-one prefectures. For now, I only want the two families to maintain harmony, lest the traitor Cao laugh at us."

Lu Su took his leave, boarded his boat, and returned. He went first to Chaisang Commandery to see Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu asked, "How did the matter of Jing Province go?"

Lu Su said, "I have the document here." He presented it to Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu stamped his foot and said, "Zijing, you have fallen into Zhuge's scheme! It is called borrowing land, but in reality it is a brazen evasion. He says he will return it when he has taken Xichuan—who knows when he will take Xichuan? Suppose ten years pass and he has not taken Xichuan—will he not return it for ten years? What use is such a document, and yet you acted as his guarantor! If he does not return it, you will certainly be implicated. If my lord holds you to blame, what then?"

When Lu Su heard these words, he was stunned for a long while. Then he said, "I fear Xuande will not prove false to me."

Zhou Yu said, "Zijing, you are an honest man. Liu Bei is a villain of the hawkish type, and Zhuge Liang is a crafty fellow—I fear they are not like you in heart."

Lu Su said, "If that is so, what is to be done?"

Zhou Yu said, "Zijing is a benefactor to me. How could I forget the kindness of your gift of grain in the past and not come to your aid? Set your mind at ease and stay a few days. When the spies from north of the river return, I shall make other arrangements." Lu Su remained deeply uneasy.

After several days, the spies returned with a report: "In the city of Jing Province, cloth banners have been raised and funeral rites are being performed. A new grave has been built outside the city walls, and the soldiers are all wearing mourning."

Zhou Yu asked in alarm, "Who has died?"

The spy said, "Liu Xuande has lost his Lady Gan, and the funeral is being arranged for that very day."

Zhou Yu said to Lu Su, "My plan is complete. Liu Bei will be caught in a snare, and Jing Province will be ours for the taking!"

Lu Su said, "What is your plan?"

Zhou Yu said, "Liu Bei has lost his wife and will certainly take another. My lord has a younger sister, exceedingly fierce and brave, with several hundred handmaidens. She habitually carries a sword, and her chambers are filled with weapons from floor to ceiling—even men cannot match her. I shall now write to my lord and have someone go to Jing Province to propose a match, persuading Liu Bei to come as a son-in-law. Lure him to Xuzhou, and once he arrives, he will not be able to take his wife—he will be imprisoned in jail. Then we will send someone to demand Jing Province in exchange for Liu Bei. Once he hands over the cities of Jing Province, I shall have other plans. As for you, Zijing, you will be free of trouble."

Lu Su bowed and thanked him. Zhou Yu wrote a letter and selected a fast boat to send Lu Su to Nanxu to see Sun Quan, first explaining the matter of borrowing Jingzhou and presenting the document. Quan said: "You are truly so muddled! What use is such a document?" Su said: "Commander Zhou has a letter here, saying that by using this scheme, Jingzhou can be obtained."

When Quan finished reading, he nodded with secret delight and pondered: "Who can be sent?" Suddenly he realized: "None other than Lü Fan will do." He then summoned Lü Fan and said to him: "I have recently heard that Liu Xuande has lost his wife. I have a younger sister whom I wish to marry to Xuande as a son-in-law, to forge a lasting marriage alliance, to unite our hearts in defeating Cao Cao and to support the House of Han. None other than Ziheng can serve as the go-between. I hope you will go to Jingzhou at once and speak of this." Lü Fan received the orders, gathered boats that very day, took several attendants, and headed for Jingzhou.

Now, Xuande had been troubled day and night since the loss of Lady Gan. One day, he was conversing casually with Kongming when a man reported that Lü Fan had arrived as an envoy from Eastern Wu. Kongming smiled and said: "This is Zhou Yu's scheme—it must be on account of Jingming. I shall listen hidden behind the screen. Whatever he says, my lord should agree to it all. Keep the envoy lodged in the guest quarters, and we shall discuss it further."

Xuande had Lü Fan invited in. After the formalities were completed and they were seated, and tea had been served, Xuande asked: "Ziheng, you must have some message?" Fan said: "I have recently heard that Your Grace has lost your spouse. There is a most advantageous marriage, and so I did not avoid impropriety but came especially to propose it. I do not know what Your Grace's intentions might be." Xuande said: "To lose one's wife in middle age is a great misfortune. Her flesh and bone are not yet cold—how can one bear to discuss remarriage so soon?" Fan said: "A man without a wife is like a house without a ridge beam. How can one abandon the proper human relations halfway? My lord, the Marquis of Wu, has a younger sister who is both beautiful and virtuous, worthy of managing a household. If our two families should form a Qin-Jin alliance, then the traitor Cao would not dare to look southeast with impunity. This matter would benefit both family and state—I ask Your Grace to harbor no doubts. But the Dowager Madame Wu, my lord's mother, is deeply fond of her youngest daughter and will not consent to her marrying far away. She insists that Your Grace must come to Eastern Wu to be married." Xuande said: "Does the Marquis of Wu know of this matter?" Fan said: "How would I dare to speak of this rashly without first informing the Marquis?" Xuande said: "I am already fifty years old, with hair streaked with gray. The Marquis's sister is in the prime of youth—I fear we would not be a suitable match." Fan said: "Though the Marquis's sister is a woman by birth, her ambitions surpass those of a man. She often says: 'Unless he is a hero of this age, I will not serve him.' Now Your Grace's name is known throughout the four seas—this is truly a case of a virtuous lady matched with a gentleman. How could one let differences in age stand in the way?" Xuande said: "Please remain here a while; I shall give you my reply tomorrow."

That day a banquet was held in his honor, and he was lodged in the guest quarters. That evening, Xuande conferred with Kongming. Kongming said: "I already know his purpose. I have just performed a divination by the Changes and obtained an extremely auspicious omen. My lord should agree to it. First send Sun Qian and Lü Fan back to see the Marquis of Wu. Once the promise has been made face to face, choose a day and go to be married." Xuande said: "Zhou Yu devised this scheme to do harm to Liu Bei. How can I lightly place myself in danger?" Kongming laughed loudly and said: "Though Zhou Yu is skilled in schemes, how could he exceed Zhuge Liang's foresight! With a slight stratagem, I shall leave Zhou Yu with no recourse. The Marquis's sister will also belong to my lord, and Jingzhou will be perfectly safe."

Xuande remained doubtful and could not decide. Kongming then sent Sun Qian to Jiangnan to arrange the marriage. Sun Qian received his instructions, went with Lü Fan to Jiangnan, and had an audience with Sun Quan. Quan said: "I sincerely wish to give my younger sister in marriage to Xuande. I harbor no ulterior motives." Sun Qian bowed in thanks, returned to Jingzhou, and told Xuande that the Marquis of Wu was waiting exclusively for his lord to come and complete the marriage. Xuande was suspicious and did not dare to go. Kongming said: "I have already prepared three stratagems. None other than Zilong can carry them out." He then called Zhao Yun close to him and whispered in his ear: "When you escort my lord into Wu, you must carry these three brocade bags. Inside each bag is a clever stratagem, to be executed in order." He handed the three brocade bags to Zhao Yun, who tucked them against his body for safekeeping. Kongming first sent someone to Eastern Wu to present the betrothal gifts, and everything was made ready.

It was the tenth month of the fourteenth year of Jian'an. Xuande, together with Zhao Yun and Sun Qian, took ten fast boats and over five hundred followers, departed from Jingzhou, and set out for Nanxu. All affairs of Jingzhou were left entirely to Kongming's discretion. Xuande's heart was heavy with unease. When they arrived at Nanxu, the boats had already moored at the shore. Yun said: "The Commandant of Armed Forces instructed us to execute the three stratagems in order. Now that we have arrived, we should open the first brocade bag."

So they opened the bag and read the stratagem. He then summoned the five hundred followers and gave each of them their instructions in detail. The soldiers received their orders and departed. He also instructed Xuande to go first and see Elder Qiao. This Elder Qiao was the father of the two Qiaos and lived in Nanxu. Xuade brought gifts of wine and a sheep, went to pay his respects first, and told of Lü Fan serving as go-between and the matter of taking a wife. The five hundred followers, all decked in red and colored silks, went into Nanjun to purchase goods, and spread the word that Xuande was being taken as a son-in-law in Eastern Wu. Everyone in the city came to know of the matter. Sun Quan, learning that Xuande had arrived, instructed Lü Fan to receive him and lodge him in the guest quarters.

Now, Elder Qiao, having seen Xuande, went in to congratulate Dowager Wu. The Dowager said: "What happy occasion is this?" Elder Qiao said: "Your daughter has been promised to Liu Xuande as his wife, and Xuande has already arrived. Why was I kept in the dark?" The Dowager was astonished. "I knew nothing of this matter!" She then sent someone to summon the Marquis of Wu to ascertain the truth, while simultaneously dispatching others to make inquiries in the city. They all returned and reported: "It is indeed so. The son-in-law is already lodged in the guest quarters. The five hundred followers are all in the city buying pigs, sheep, fruits, and provisions, preparing for the wedding. The go-between for the bride's family is Lü Fan, and for the groom's family is Sun Qian—both are waiting in the guest quarters." The Dowager was greatly startled.

Shortly after, Sun Quan went to the rear hall to see his mother. The Dowager beat her breast and wept bitterly. Quan said, "Why is Mother distressed?"

The Dowager said, "Do you truly regard me as worthless? When my sister was on her deathbed, what did she instruct you?"

Sun Quan was startled and said, "Mother, if you have something to say, please speak plainly. Why torment yourself so?"

The Dowager said, "A man must marry when he grows up, and a woman must be wed when she comes of age—this is the universal truth since ancient times. I am your mother, and such matters should be reported to me. You arranged a marriage between Liu Xuande and my granddaughter, yet how could you keep it from me? The girl is mine!"

Quan was greatly alarmed and asked, "Where did you hear this?"

The Dowager said, "If you wish to be unknown, do nothing at all. Not a single person in this city is unaware of it. Yet you tried to hide it from me!"

Qiao, the Elder Statesman, said, "This old man has known for many days. I have come now to offer my congratulations."

Quan said, "It is not as you think. This is Zhou Yu's scheme. His plan is to seize Jing Province, so he uses this as a pretext to lure Liu Bei here and hold him prisoner, demanding Jing Province in exchange. If Liu Bei refuses, they will put him to death. This is a stratagem, not a genuine intention."

The Dowager flew into a rage and cursed Zhou Yu, saying, "You, the Grand Commander of six commanderies and eighty-one prefectures, are so devoid of proper strategy for taking Jing Province that you use my granddaughter's name to employ the 'beauty trap'! If Liu Bei is killed, my granddaughter would become a widow before she is even married. How could she ever be betrothed again? You would ruin my granddaughter's entire life! What a fine piece of work you have done!"

Qiao, the Elder Statesman, said, "Even if this scheme succeeded in capturing Jing Province, it would bring the ridicule of the entire realm. How can such a thing be carried through?"

His words left Sun Quan speechless. The Dowager cursed Zhou Yu without pause. Qiao, the Elder Statesman, urged, "Since matters have reached this point, and the Imperial Uncle Liu is of the imperial clan, it would be better to truly take him as a son-in-law, lest we bring shame upon ourselves."

Quan said, "Their ages may not be well matched."

The Elder Statesman said, "Liu Xuande is a hero of the age. If you gain such a son-in-law, it would be no disgrace to your sister."

The Dowager said, "I have never met Liu Xuande. Tomorrow, arrange for me to meet him at the Sweet Dew Temple. If he does not please me, do as you wish. But if I am satisfied, I myself shall give him my granddaughter in marriage."

Sun Quan was a man of great filial piety. Seeing his mother speak thus, he immediately agreed. He went out and summoned Lü Fan, instructing him to prepare a feast in the abbot's quarters of the Sweet Dew Temple the following day, as the Dowager wished to meet Liu Bei.

Lü Fan said, "Why not order Jia Hua to lead three hundred swordsmen with axes and conceal them along both corridors? If the Dowager is displeased, at a single signal both sides will rush out and seize him."

Quan then summoned Jia Hua and instructed him to make preparations in advance, to act only as the Dowager's reaction dictated.

Now, after Qiao, the Elder Statesman, took his leave of the Dowager of Wu and returned home, he sent a messenger to inform Xuande that the Marquis of Wu and the Dowager herself wished to meet him the next day, and that he should be well prepared. Xuande discussed the matter with Zhao Yun and Sun Qian.

Zhao Yun said, "Tomorrow's meeting holds more peril than fortune. I will lead five hundred troops to protect you."

The following day, the Dowager of Wu and Qiao, the Elder Statesman, arrived first and took their seats in the abbot's quarters of the Sweet Dew Temple. Sun Quan led a retinue of advisors and arrived shortly after, then sent Lü Fan to the guest quarters to invite Xuande. Xuande wore fine armor beneath his brocade robes, with attendants following closely behind bearing swords. He mounted his horse and rode to the Sweet Dew Temple. Zhao Yun, fully armed and armored, led five hundred soldiers in escort. They dismounted before the temple, and Xuande first went to see Sun Quan. Quan observed Xuande's extraordinary bearing and felt a stirring of apprehension in his heart.

After the two had exchanged courtesies, they entered the abbot's quarters to see the Dowager. When the Dowager beheld Xuande, she was overjoyed and said to Qiao, the Elder Statesman, "He is truly my son-in-law!"

The Elder Statesman said, "Xuande has the bearing of a dragon and phoenix, the countenance of the sun and sky. Moreover, his benevolence is known throughout the realm. That the Dowager has gained such a fine son-in-law is truly cause for celebration."

Xuande bowed in thanks, and they feasted together in the abbot's quarters.

Shortly after, Zilong entered with his sword and stood at Xuande's side. The Dowager asked, "Who is this man?"

Xuande replied, "Zhao Zilong of Changshan."

The Dowager said, "Could he be the one who held Ah Dou in his arms at Changban Slope at the Battle of Changban?"

Xuande said, "Yes."

The Dowager said, "A true general!" She then offered him wine.

Zhao Yun said to Xuande, "Just now, as I was making my rounds beneath the corridor, I saw swordsmen and axemen concealed in the rooms—surely this bodes no good. You should inform the Dowade."

Xuande then knelt before the Dowager's seat and, weeping, said, "If you intend to kill Liu Bei, I beg you to do it here and now."

The Dowager said, "What do you mean?"

Xuande said, "Swordsmen and axemen are hidden in the corridors. For what purpose, if not to kill me?"

The Dowager was furious and berated Sun Quan: "Today, Xuande is already my son-in-law—he is as my own child. Why have you hidden swordsmen and axemen in the corridors?"

Quan feigned ignorance and summoned Lü Fan to question him. Lü Fan shifted the blame to Jia Hua. The Dowager summoned Jia Hua and berated him, but Hua remained silent. The Dowager ordered his execution.

Xuande pleaded, "If you put a great general to death, it will be detrimental to this union. I could not remain long at your side."

Qiao, the Elder Statesman, also interceded. Only then did the Dowager dismiss Jia Hua. The swordsmen and axemen fled in all directions, covering their heads.

Xuande changed his robes and came out before the palace hall. He saw a large stone in the courtyard. He drew the sword worn by one of his attendants and, looking up to heaven, made this prayer: "If Liu Bei shall return to Jing Province and accomplish the enterprise of a king or hegemon, let one stroke of this sword cleave the stone in two. If I am to die here, let the sword fail to break the stone." With these words, he raised the sword and brought it down. Sparks flew, and the stone was split in two.

In the rear, Sun Quan, having observed this, asked, "Lord Xuande, why do you resent this stone so?" Xuande replied, "I am nearing fifty years of age, yet I have been unable to purge the realm of rebels and traitors—this I have always regretted in my heart. Now I have been honored by the Dowager's invitation to become her son-in-law, an opportunity such as I have never known in all my life. Just now I asked Heaven for an oracle: if I could destroy Cao Cao and restore the Han, I would cleave this stone in two. And indeed it has come to pass." Sun Quan thought to himself in secret, "Could Liu Bei be using these words to deceive me?" He too drew his sword and said to Xuande, "I shall also ask Heaven for an oracle. If I can destroy the traitor Cao, I too shall sever this stone." But he silently prayed, "If I may once again seize Jingzhou and bring prosperity to Eastern Wu, let this stone be split in two!" His hand fell and the blade descended, and the great stone split open as well. To this day the stone with its cross-shaped vein markings still remains. Later generations, beholding this celebrated site, composed a verse in praise:

When the precious sword fell, the mountain stone was severed;

Where the golden ring rang, sparks of fire were born.

The prosperity of both dynasties was Heaven's own decree—

From this moment the world stood firm on tripod legs.

The two men cast aside their swords and entered the feast together, hand in hand. After several more rounds more were drunk, Sun Gan caught Liu Bei's eye. Xuande took his leave, saying, "I can hold no more wine—I beg to withdraw." Sun Quan escorted him before the temple. The two stood side by side, gazing upon the landscape of river and mountain. Xuande said, "This is the finest realm under Heaven!" To this day the stele at Sweet Dew Temple bears the words: "The Finest Realm Under Heaven." A later poet composed these lines in praise:

Rain clears over the river and hills, blue-green shells embraced;

In this realm without sorrow, joy finds its greatest rest.

Where heroes of old once fixed their gaze,

The cliffs endure, as ever, against wind and waves.

As the two men surveyed the scene together, the river wind blew vast and surging, great waves rolled like white snow, and crests billowed up to the sky. Suddenly they saw a small leaf of a boat upon the waves, sailing upon the river's surface as though it were level ground. Xuande sighed and said, "They say southerners drive boats and northerners ride horses—how true that is." Sun Quan, hearing these words, thought to himself, "Liu Bei means by this that I am unaccustomed to riding horses." He ordered his attendants to bring his horse. He leaped into the saddle in a single motion, galloped headlong down the mountain, then whipped his horse and rode back up the ridge, laughing as he said to Xuande, "Can southerners not ride horses?" Xuande, upon hearing this, hitched up his robes, sprang in a single bound onto the horse's back, and flew down the mountain, then galloped back up again. The two men reined in their horses on the hillside and laughed together, whips raised. To this day this place is known as "Horse-Resting Slope." A later poet wrote:

A dragon colt gallops with boundless spirit;

The two ride side by side, gazing upon river and mountain.

Eastern Wu and Western Shu achieved their kingly ambitions—

Through the ages, Horse-Resting Slope endures.

That day the two men rode back together, side by side. The people of Xuzhou all rejoiced and offered their congratulations. Xuande returned to the guest lodge and conferred with Sun Gan. Gan said, "My lord, you must only plead with Elder Qiao Guolao and conclude the marriage at once, lest other troubles arise." The following day, Xuande again went to Elder Qiao Guolao's residence and dismounted. The Elder received him; after the formalities and tea had been offered, Xuande said, "There are many among the people of Jiangzuo who wish to do harm to Liu Bei. I fear I cannot remain here long." The Elder said, "Xuande, set your mind at rest. I shall speak to the Dowager and have her extend her protection."

Xuande bowed in thanks and departed. Qiao Guolao went in to see the Dowager and told her that Liu Bei feared someone was plotting against him and was anxious to return home. The Dowager was greatly angered. "He is my son-in-lay—who dares harm him?" She ordered at once that he be moved into the academy to reside temporarily, and that a day be chosen for the wedding. Xuande himself went in and told the Dowager, "I only fear that Zhao Yun will find it inconvenient to remain outside, and that the soldiers will have no one to restrain them." The Dowager ordered that they all be moved into the mansion to rest, and that they not be left at the guest lodge, lest trouble arise. Xuande rejoiced in secret.

Within a few days, a grand banquet was held, and Lady Sun was wed to Xuande. In the evening, when the guests had departed, two rows of red torches led Xuande into the bridal chamber. By the lamplight, he saw spears and swords clustered on every side; all the serving maids wore swords and sabers at their waists, standing in attendance on both sides. Xuande was so frightened that his very soul seemed to leave his body. Indeed:

Startled to see the handmaidens standing with blades drawn,

He suspected an ambush set by Eastern Wu.

What was the reason for all this? Read on in the following chapter.