Chapter 79

Chapter 79

**Chapter 79**

Cao Pi, upon hearing that Cao Zhang was approaching with troops, was alarmed and questioned his officials. One man stepped forward, volunteering to go and bring him to submission. The assembly recognized him as Jia Kui, the Grand Remonstrant. Cao Pi was greatly pleased and at once ordered Jia Kui to proceed. Kui accepted the command and left the city, where he met Cao Zhang. Zhang asked, "Where are the late King's seal and ribbons?" Kui answered with stern gravity, "A household has its eldest son; a state has its designated heir. The late King's seal and ribbons are not a matter for Your Lordship to inquire about." Zhang had no reply and said nothing. He then entered the city together with Jia Kui. When they reached the palace gate, Kui asked, "Has Your Lordship come to mourn, or has Your Lordship come to contend for the throne?" Zhang replied, "I have come to mourn. I harbor no other intentions." Kui said, "If you harbor no other intentions, why did you bring troops into the city?" Zhang at once ordered his officers and soldiers to withdraw and entered alone to pay his respects to Cao Pi. The two brothers embraced and wept together. Cao Zhang handed over all his troops to Cao Pi. Pi ordered Zhang to return to Yanling and guard his own territory. Zhang took his leave and departed.

Thereupon Cao Pi settled securely upon the throne and changed the era name from the twenty-fifth year of Jian'an to the first year of Yankang. He appointed Jia Yi as Grand Commandant, Hua Xin as Chancellor, and Wang Lang as Imperial Censor. Officials of every rank received promotions and rewards. He bestowed upon Cao Cao the posthumous title of Prince Wu and had him buried at the High Tomb in Ye Commandery. He ordered Yu Jiu to oversee the construction of the tomb. Yu Jiu carried out his orders and arrived at the site. There he saw painted on the whitewashed wall of the tomb chamber an illustration of Guan Yun-tang's flooding of the seven armies and his capture of Yu Jiu: Guan Yun-tang was depicted seated in majestic dignity, Pang De fierce and unyielding, and Yu Jiu prostrate upon the ground, begging for his life with pleading gestures. The truth was that Cao Pi, holding Yu Jiu in contempt for having been defeated and captured in battle, for failing to die loyally, and for having surrendered to the enemy only to return afterward, had therefore ordered the painting made on the whitewashed wall of the tomb chamber beforehand, deliberately arranging for Yu Jiu to see it so as to shame him. When Yu Jiu now beheld the portrait, he was overcome with shame and fury, and the agitation brought on an illness from which he soon died. A later poet composed these lines to lament his fate:

*For thirty years he spoke of old friendship's claim,*

*Yet at the crisis, he was false to Cao's name.*

*Character is not known by the heart alone—*

*Now the painted tiger is traced from the bone.*

Now Hua Xin memorialized Cao Pi, saying, "The Prince of Yanling has already surrendered his troops and returned to his own domain. But the Prince of Linzi and the Prince of Xiaohuai—Cao Zhi and Cao Xiong—have not come to mourn. By law they should be called to account." Cao Pi approved and at once dispatched two envoys to each place to deliver the charge. Within a day, the envoy to Xiaohuai returned and reported, "The Prince of Xiaohuai, Cao Xiong, in fear of punishment, has hanged himself and died." Cao Pi ordered that he be given a generous burial and posthumously elevated him to the rank of prince. Another day passed, and the envoy to Linzi returned, reporting, "The Prince of Linzi passes his days drinking heavily with the brothers Ding Yi and Ding Jing, conducting himself with insolent disregard for propriety. When the imperial messenger arrived, the Prince of Linzi remained seated without rising. Ding Yi cursed, saying, 'In the past, the late King originally intended to establish my lord as heir, but was prevented by slanderous ministers. Now the King's mourning is barely past, and you bring charges against flesh and blood—what does this mean?' Ding Jing added, 'My lord's wisdom surpasses all the world; he should by right have inherited the great position, yet he was not established instead. How can the ministers of your court be so incapable of recognizing talent!' The Prince of Linzi, in a rage, ordered his guards to beat the envoy and drive him out with sticks."

When Cao Pi heard this, he flew into a great rage and at once ordered Xu Chu to lead three thousand soldiers of the Tiger Guard with all haste to Linzi and arrest Cao Zhi and all his associates. Xu Chu received the command and led his army to the city of Linzi. The defending general tried to bar his way, but Xu Chu struck him down at once. He entered the city directly, and no one dared oppose his advance as he made straight for the prince's residence. There he found Cao Zhi, Ding Yi, Ding Jing, and all the others lying in a drunken stupor. Xu Chu bound them all, loaded them onto carts, and arrested every subordinate official in the residence as well, sending them all to Ye Commandery to await Cao Pi's judgment. Cao Pi issued orders to execute Ding Yi and Ding Jing at once. Ding Yi, styled Zhengli, and Ding Jing, styled Jingli, were men of Pei Commandury and were literary figures of considerable note in their time. When they were put to death, many lamented their fate.

Now Cao Pi's mother, Lady Bian, upon hearing that Cao Xiong had hanged himself, was deeply grieved. Then she learned that Cao Zhi had been arrested and that his associates Ding Yi and Ding Jing had already been put to death. She was greatly alarmed. She hurried out of the palace hall and summoned Cao Pi to see her. When Pi saw his mother emerge, he came forward in consternation to pay his respects. Lady Bian, weeping, said to Pi, "Your brother Zhi has always been a drinker and wild in his conduct, but this is because he has relied on the talent within him and therefore let himself go. You must remember that you are brothers of the same mother and spare his life. Then even in the world below, I may close my eyes in peace." Pi said, "I too deeply value his talent. How could I bring myself to harm him? I merely intend to correct his nature. Do not distress yourself, Mother."

Lady Bian withdrew in tears. Cao Pi emerged from the side hall and summoned Cao Zhi to appear before him. Hua Xin asked, "Could it be that just now the Empress Dowager urged Your Highness not to kill Zijian?" Pi said, "Indeed." Xin said, "Zijian is a man of talent and wisdom who will never remain a creature of the pond. If you do not eliminate him soon, he will become a danger later." Pi said, "My mother's command cannot be disobeyed." Xin said, "Everyone says that Zijian can compose verse the moment he opens his lips, but I am not entirely convinced. Your Majesty may summon him in and test his talent. If he fails, then put him to death. If he succeeds, then demote him, so as to silence the mouths of all the literati in the empire." Pi agreed with this. Presently Cao Zhi was brought in, trembling and prostrating himself to beg forgiveness. Pi said, "Though we are brothers by blood, in duty we stand as ruler and subject. How dare you rely on your talent and show contempt for propriety? When our late father was alive, you constantly paraded your literary compositions before others. I strongly suspected that you must have had someone else write them for you. I now command you to compose a poem in seven steps. If you truly can, I will spare your life. If you cannot, you will be punished with the full severity of the law, and I will show no mercy." Zhi said, "I ask only for a subject." At that time a painting hung on the wall of the hall, done in ink wash, depicting two oxen fighting beneath an earthen wall, one of which had fallen into a well and died. Pi pointed to the painting and said, "Take this painting as your subject. The poem must not contain the words 'two oxen fighting beneath the wall, one oxen fallen into the well and died.'" Zhi walked seven steps, and his poem was already complete. The poem read:

*Two flesh-bodies travel the road together,*

*Each bearing concave bones upon its head.*

*They meet at the foot of a mound of earth,*

*Suddenly rising to butt against each other.*

*The two foes cannot both prove themselves strong;*

*One flesh-body lies in the earthen cave.*

*It is not that his strength was inferior—*

*His full vigor was simply spent and exhausted.

Cao Pi and his court officials were all astonished. Cao Pi then said, "Composing a poem in seven steps—I still consider that too slow. Can you compose a poem instantly, in response to my words?" Cao Zhi said, "I am ready for the assigned topic." Cao Pi said, "You and I are brothers. Take this as your topic. But you are not permitted to use the word 'brothers.'" Cao Zhi scarcely paused for thought, and immediately recited from memory:

"Beans are boiled by burning beanstalks,

The beans in the pot weep.

We grew from the same root—

Why must you torment me so urgently?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi's tears flowed freely. His mother, Lady Bian, emerged from behind the palace hall and said, "Elder brother, why do you press your younger brother so severely?" Cao Pi hastily rose from his seat and replied, "The laws of the state cannot be set aside." Thereupon he demoted Cao Zhi to Marquis of Anxiang. Cao Zhi bowed, took his leave, and departed on horseback.

After Cao Pi ascended the throne, he issued new decrees and coerced the Han emperor even more harshly than his father had done. A spy soon carried word to Chengdu. When the Prince of Hanzhong heard this, he was greatly alarmed and immediately consulted with his civil and military officials. "Cao Cao is dead, and Cao Pi has succeeded him. He coerces the Son of Heaven even more than Cao Cao did. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has yielded and offered his submission. I wish to attack Eastern Wu first, to avenge Lord Yunzhang, and then campaign against the Central Plains to root out the rebels and traitors." Before he had finished speaking, Liao Hua stepped forward from the ranks and prostrated himself on the ground, weeping. "Lord Guan and his son met their deaths because of the crimes of Liu Feng and Meng Da. I beg you to execute these two traitors." Xuande at once wished to send men to arrest them. Kongming remonstrated, "That will not do. You should pursue this gradually—haste will breed disaster. You may promote these two men to the posts of grand administrators and separate them by posting them to different regions. Then they can be seized."

Xuande followed his counsel and sent an envoy to promote Liu Feng to the governorship of Mianzhu. Now, Peng Yang and Meng Da had been close friends. When Peng Yang learned of this matter, he hurried home and wrote a letter, dispatching a trusted servant at speed to deliver it to Meng Da. The messenger had just passed through the southern gate when he was seized by Ma Chao's patrolling troops and brought before Ma Chao. Ma Chao examined him and learned the full truth. He then went at once to see Peng Yang. Peng Yang received him and set out wine in his honor. After several rounds, Ma Chao spoke provocatively: "In former days the Prince of Hanzhong treated you most generously. Why has he gradually grown distant?" Peng Yang, flushed with wine, cursed in resentment: "That old fool, maddened and perverse—I shall certainly find a way to repay him!" Ma Chao probed further: "I, too, have harbored resentment for a long time." Peng Yang said, "You raise your own troops and ally with Meng Da as an external force; I will command the Sichuan soldiers as an internal accomplice. The great enterprise can be accomplished." Ma Chao said, "Your words are most fitting. Let us discuss this again tomorrow." Ma Chao took leave of Peng Yang, then brought the messenger and the letter before the Prince of Hanzhong, recounting every detail. Xuande was furious and at once ordered Peng Yang seized and thrown into prison to be interrogated. Peng Yang, in his cell, regretted it beyond remedy. Xuande asked Kongming, "Peng Yang harbored rebellious intentions. How should he be dealt with?" Kongming said, "Although Peng Yang is a reckless fellow, keeping him long will surely breed calamity." Thereupon Xuande ordered Peng Yang to be put to death in prison.

After Peng Yang was put to death, word was brought to Meng Da. Meng Da was greatly alarmed and lost all composure. Soon an envoy arrived, summoning Liu Feng back to take up garrison at Mianzhu. In his agitation, Meng Da hastily invited Shen Dan and Shen Yi, the brothers who commanded Shangyong and Fangling, to consult with him. "I and Fa Xiaozhi both rendered meritorious service to the Prince of Hanzhong. Now Xiaozhi is dead, and the Prince of Hanzhong has forgotten my former achievements—he wishes even to bring harm upon me. What shall I do?" Shen Dan said, "I have a plan by which the Prince of Hanzhong will be unable to bring harm to you." Meng Da was overjoyed and pressed him for the plan. Shen Dan said: "My brother and I have long wished to go over to Wei. You may present a memorial, take leave of the Prince of Hanzhong, and submit to Cao Pi, the King of Wei. Cao Pi will certainly employ you with honor. My brother and I will follow and surrender afterward." Meng Da was suddenly enlightened. He immediately wrote a memorial and entrusted it to the messenger. That night he led more than fifty horsemen and fled to Wei. The envoy carried the memorial back to Chengdu and presented it to the Prince of Hanzhong, reporting that Meng Da had gone over to Wei. The First Ruler was furious and read the memorial, which said:

Your servant Da humbly observes that Your Highness is about to establish the achievements of Yi Yin and Lü Shang, to rival the merit of Duke Huan and Duke Wen. The great enterprise is in its infancy, relying upon the power of Wu and Chu, and therefore men of ability turn toward you with the wind and submit. Since your servant offered his services, his transgressions have piled up like mountains; yet your servant knows them himself—how much more must Your Highness! Now the court is thronged with men of talent; within, your servant possesses no capacity for counsel, and without, no ability as a general. To be ranked among the meritorious ministers indeed fills him with shame!

Your servant has heard that Fan Li, perceiving the subtle signs, floated upon the Five Lakes; Jiu Fan, confessing his fault, lingered by the Yellow River. At the moment of parting, they begged leave to withdraw—why was this? They wished to preserve the distinction between leaving and staying. How much more is your servant base and lowly, without great merit or signal achievement, caught up in the times, privately emulating the ancients of old and early contemplating withdrawal from disgrace. In former times, Shen Sheng was most filial yet was suspected by his father; Wu Zixu was most loyal yet was put to death by his lord; Meng Tian extended the borders and suffered the great penalty; Yue Qi conquered Qi and met with slander. Whenever your servant reads of these men, he cannot help but weep with emotion; and now that he finds himself in such circumstances, his grief is all the more profound!

Recently, when Jingzhou was destroyed and its ministers lost their allegiance, scarcely one in a hundred returned. Only your servant, seeking to serve, brought himself to Fangling and Shangyong, and then begged to be released to dwell afar. He humbly imagines that Your Highness, in his sagely grace and understanding, will compassionate his heart and pity his conduct. Your servant is indeed a petty man who cannot carry through to the end. To know this and yet act—how dare he claim it is not a crime? Your servant has always heard that 'when a friendship is severed, no harsh words are spoken; when a minister departs, no resentful language is uttered.' Your servant has received instruction from a gentleman; may Your Majesty strive to do likewise. Your servant trembles in the extremity of his dread!

When Xuande had finished reading, he was enraged. "This wretch has betrayed me—how dare he try to trifle with me through literary flourish!" He wished at once to raise troops to seize him. Kongming said, "You may send Liu Feng forward with an army to bring the two tigers into conflict with each other. Liu Feng may succeed or fail; either way he will return to Chengdu, and there you can eliminate him. In this way both threats may be removed." Xuande followed this counsel and sent an envoy to Mianzhu to convey his instructions to Liu Feng. Liu Feng received the command and led his forces to seize Meng Da.

Now Cao Pi was holding court with his civil and military officials when an attendant suddenly reported: "The Shu general Meng Da has come to surrender." Pi summoned him in and asked: "Is this not a feigned surrender?" Meng Da replied: "Because I failed to rescue Lord Guan, the Prince of Hanzhong wished to execute me. I come out of fear of punishment, with no other motive." Cao Pi was still skeptical when a report came that Liu Feng was advancing with fifty thousand troops to seize Xiangyang, challenging Meng Da to single combat. Pi said: "If you are truly sincere, go to Xiangyang and bring me Liu Feng's head. Only then will I believe you." Meng Da replied: "I will persuade him with reasoning, without need of arms, and make Liu Feng surrender as well." Cao Pi was overjoyed and appointed Meng Da Palace Attendant at Large, General of Martial Might, Marquis of Pingyang, and Administrator of Xincheng, to defend Xiangyang and Fancheng. As it happened, Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang were already at Xiangyang, preparing to seize the Shangyong territories. Meng Da arrived at Xiangyang, exchanged courtesies with the two generals, and learned that Liu Feng had made camp fifty li from the city. Meng Da immediately drafted a letter and sent it to Liu Feng's camp, urging his surrender. Liu Feng read the letter in a rage. "This villain has betrayed the bond between uncle and nephew and sown discord between father and son, making me a man without loyalty or filial piety!" He tore the letter to pieces and beheaded the messenger. The next day, he led his troops out to challenge Meng Da to battle.

Meng Da, learning that Liu Feng had torn his letter and killed his envoy, flew into a fury and led his forces out to meet him. The two armies drew up in formation. Liu Feng took his position beneath the gate banner, pointing his blade and cursing: "Traitor and rebel—how dare you spew such words!" Meng Da replied: "Your death is upon you, yet you remain stubbornly blind!" Liu Feng, enraged, spurred his horse, sword in hand, and charged straight at Meng Da. After fewer than three exchanges, Meng Da fled. Liu Feng pursued him for more than twenty li, when a shout rang out and soldiers sprang from ambush on all sides. Xiahou Shang came from the left, Xu Huang from the right, and Meng Da turned to join the fight: the three forces converged. Liu Feng was crushingly defeated and fled. He galloped through the night back to Shangyong, with Wei troops in pursuit. When Liu Feng reached the city and called for the gates to open, a shower of arrows rained down from the walls. Shen Dan called from the watchtower: "I have already surrendered to Wei!" Liu Feng was furious and prepared to storm the city, but the pursuing army was close behind him. With no ground to stand on, he had no choice but to flee toward Fangling—only to find that Wei banners already flew from its walls. Shen Yi signaled from the watchtower, and a force emerged from behind the city, their banner reading "General of the Right Xu Huang." Liu Feng could not withstand the attack and fled in haste toward Xichuan. Xu Huang pressed the pursuit. Liu Feng had only a hundred-odd horsemen left when he reached Chengdu and was admitted to the Prince of Hanzhong. He threw himself to the ground, weeping, and gave a full account of what had happened. Liu Bei fumed: "What shame-faced creature dares appear before me again?" Liu Feng said: "My uncle's peril—I would have saved him, but Meng Da's counsel dissuaded me." Liu Bei's anger flared anew: "You eat men's food and wear men's clothes—you are not some clay puppet! How could you let a slanderous villain block you?" He ordered his attendants to drag Liu Feng out and behead him. After the Prince of Hanzhong had Liu Feng executed, he later learned of Meng Da's attempt to win him over and of Liu Feng's tearing the letter and killing the envoy. He felt deep remorse. His grief for Lord Guan, compounded, brought on illness, and so he kept his forces in check.

Now the King of Wei, Cao Pi, having ascended his throne, promoted and rewarded all his civil and military officials. He then assembled three hundred thousand troops and made a southern inspection tour to Qiao County in Pei Commandery, where he offered grand sacrifices to his ancestors at their tombs. The elders of the county raised dust to line the road, offering wine cups in tribute, emulating the occasion when the Han高祖 returned to Pei. A report came that the Grand Marshal Xiahou Dun was gravely ill, and Pi returned to Ye Commandery. By then Xiahou Dun had already died. Pi mourned for him and gave him a funeral with the highest honors.

In the eighth month of that year, reports came: a phoenix had appeared in Shiyi County, a unicorn had been spotted in Linzi City, and a yellow dragon had manifested in Ye Commandery. Thereupon the Palace Attendant Li Fu and the Court Archivist Xu Zhi conferred. These auspicious signs, they said, portended that Wei was destined to replace the Han. They urged that arrangements be made for the abdication rites, so that the Han Emperor would yield the throne to the King of Wei. They then joined Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, Huan Jie, and a company of more than forty civil and military officials, and went directly into the inner palace to petition Emperor Xian of Han, urging him to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi, King of Wei. Truly:

The altars of the House of Wei are now about to be established,

The rivers and mountains of the House of Han are suddenly to be transferred.

What answer the Emperor would give, read on in the next chapter.