TUNG CHO SILENCES TING YÜAN:
LI SU BRIBES LÜ PU.
What Tsʻao Tsʻao said was this: “The eunuch evil is of very old
standing, but the real cause of the present trouble is in the improper
influence allowed them by the ruler, and the misplaced favouritism they
have enjoyed. But a gaoler would be ample force to employ against the
evil. Why increase confusion by summoning troops from the provinces?
Any desire to slay them will speedily become known and the plan will
fail.”
“Then Mêng-tê, you have some scheme of your own to further,” said Ho
with a sneer.
“Ho Chin is the man to throw the empire into confusion,” retorted
Tsʻao.
Then Ho Chin sent swift, secret letters far and wide.
It must be recalled here that the now powerful Tung Cho had failed in
his attempt to destroy the Yellow Turban rebellion and would have been
punished but for the protection of the Ten Eunuchs, whom he had bribed
heavily. Later he obtained an important military command in the west.
But he was treacherous and disloyal at heart. So when he received the
summons to the capital he rejoiced greatly and lost no time in obeying
it. He left a son-in-law Niu Fu to hold Shênsi and set out for Loyang.
Li Ju, his adviser and son-in-law said, “Though a formal summons has
come there are many obscurities in it. It would be well to send up a
memorial stating plainly our aims and intentions. Then we can proceed.”
So he composed one something like this: “Thy servant knows that the
continual rebellions owe their origin to the eunuchs who act counter to
all recognised precept. Now to stop the ebullition of a pot the best
way is to withdraw the fire; to cut out an abscess, though painful, is
better than to nourish the evil. I have dared to undertake a military
advance on the capital, and now pray that Chang Jang and the other
eunuchs be removed for the happiness of the Dynasty and of the whole
land.”
Ho Chin read this memorial and showed it to his partisans. Then said
Cheng Tʻai, “A fierce wild beast; if he come his prey will be men.”
Ho Chin replied, “You are too timorous; you are unequal to great
schemes.”
But Lu Chih also said, “Long have I known this man; in appearance
innocent, he is a very wolf at heart. Let him in and calamity enters
with him. Stop him; do not let him come and thus will you avoid
confusion.”
Ho Chin was obstinate and both these men gave up their posts and
retired, as did more than half the ministers of State, while Ho Chin
sent a warm welcome to Tung Cho, who soon camped at Ying Pool.
The eunuchs knew this move was directed against them and recognised
that their only chance for safety was to strike the first blow. So they
first hid a band of armed ruffians in the palace at the Gate of
Abundant Virtue and then went in to see the Empress.
They said, “The General, feigning to act under command, has called up
armies to the capital to destroy us. We pray you, Grandmother, to pity
and save us.”
“Go to the General and confess your faults,” said she.
“If we did then should we be cut to mincemeat. Rather summon the
General into your presence and command him to cease. If he will not,
then we pray but to die in your presence.”
She issued the requisite command and Ho was just going to her when
Chʻên Lin advised him not to enter, saying the eunuchs were certainly
behind the order and meant him harm. But Ho could only see the command
of the Empress and was blind to all else.
“The plot is no longer a secret”; said Yüan Shan, “still you may go if
you are ready to fight your way in.”
“Get the eunuchs out first,” said Tsʻao Tsʻao.
“Silly children!” said Ho. “What can they do against the man who holds
the forces of the Empire in the palm of his hand?”
Shao said, “If you will go, then we will come as a guard, just as a
precaution.”
Whereupon both he and Tsʻao chose a half company of the best men under
their command, at whose head they placed a brother of Yüan Shao, named
Shu.
Yüan Shu, clad in mail, drew up his men outside the Chingso Gate while
the other two went as escort. When Ho Chin neared the palace the
eunuchs said, “The orders are to admit the General and none other.” So
the escort was detained outside.
Ho Chin went in proudly. At the Gate of Abundant Virtue he was met by
the two chief eunuchs and their followers quickly closed in around him.
Ho began to feel alarmed. Then Chang Jang in a harsh voice began to
revile him.
“What crime had Tung Tʻai-hou committed that she should have been put
to death? And when the Mother of the Country was buried, who feigned
sickness and did not attend? We raised you and your paltry, huckstering
family to all the dignity and wealth you have, and this is your
gratitude! You would slay us. You call us sordid and dirty; who is the
cleaner?”
Ho Chin was panic stricken and looked about for a way to escape, but
the eunuchs closed him in and then the assassins appeared and did their
bloody work.
Closing the days of the Hans, and the years of their rule were
near spent,
Stupid and tactless was Ho Chin, yet stood he highest in office;
Many were they who advised him, but he was deaf as he heard not;
Wherefore fell he a victim under the swords of the eunuchs.
So Ho Chin died. Yüan Shao waited long. By and by, impatient at the
delay, he called through the Gate, “Thy carriage waits, O General.” For
reply the head of the murdered officer was flung over the wall.
A decree was proclaimed that Ho Chin had contemplated treachery and
therefore had been slain. It pardoned his adherents. Yüan Shao shouted,
“The eunuchs have slain the minister. Let those who will slay this
wicked party come and help me.”
Then one of Ho Chin’s officers set fire to the gate. Yüan Shu at the
head of his men burst in and fell to slaying the eunuchs without regard
to age or rank. Yüan Shao and Tsʻao Tsʻao broke into the inner part of
the palace. Four of the eunuchs fled to the Blue Flower Lodge where
they were hacked to pieces. Fire raged, destroying the buildings. Four
of the eunuchs led by Chang Jang carried off the Empress, the heir
apparent and the Prince of Chʻên-liu toward the north palace.
Lu Chih, since he had resigned office, was at home, but hearing of the
revolution in the palace he donned his armour, took his spear and
prepared to fight. He saw the eunuch Tuan Kuei hurrying the Empress
along and called out “You rebels, how dare you abduct the Empress?” The
eunuch fled. The Empress leaped out of a window and was taken to a
place of safety.
Wu Kʻuang burst into one of the inner halls where he found Ho Miao,
sword in hand.
“You also were in the plot to slay your brother,” cried he. “You shall
die with the others.”
“Let us kill the plotter against his elder brother,” cried many.
Miao looked around; his enemies hemmed him in on every side. He was
hacked to pieces.
Shao bade his soldiers scatter and seek out all the families of the
eunuchs, sparing none. In that slaughter many beardless men were killed
in error.
Tsʻao Tsʻao set himself to extinguish the fires. He then begged Ho
Tʻai-hou to undertake the direction of affairs and soldiers were sent
to pursue Chang Jang and rescue the young Emperor.
The two chief eunuchs, Chang Jang and Tuan Kuei, had hustled away the
Emperor and the Prince of Chʻên-liu. They burst through the smoke and
fire and travelled without stopping till they reached the Peimang
Hills. It was then the third watch. They heard a great shouting behind
them and saw soldiers in pursuit. Their leader was shouting “Stop,
stop!” Chang Jang, seeing that he was lost, jumped into the river,
where he was drowned.
The two boys ignorant of the meaning of all this confusion and
terrified out of their senses, dared not utter a cry; they crept in
among the rank grass on the river bank and hid. The soldiers scattered
in all directions but failed to find them. So they remained till the
fourth watch, shivering with cold from the drenching dew and very
hungry. They lay down in the thick grass and wept in each other’s arms,
silently, lest any one should discover them.
“This is no a place to stay in,” said the Prince, “we must find some
way out.”
So the two children knotted their clothes together and managed to crawl
up the bank. They were in a thicket of thorn bushes and it was quite
dark. They could not see any path. They were in despair when, all at
once, millions of fireflies sprang up all about them and circled in the
air in front of the Emperor.
“God is helping us,” said the Prince.
They followed whither the fireflies led and gradually got into a road.
They walked till their feet were too sore to go further, when, seeing a
heap of straw near the road, they crept to it and lay down.
This heap of straw was close to a farm house. In the night, as the
farmer was sleeping, he saw in a vision two bright red suns drop behind
his dwelling. Alarmed by the portent he hastily dressed and went forth
to look about him. Then he saw a bright light shooting up from a heap
of straw. He hastened thither and then saw two youths lying behind it.
“To what household do you belong, young gentlemen?” asked he.
The Emperor was too frightened to reply, but his companion said, “He is
the Emperor. There has been a revolution in the palace and we ran away.
I am his brother Prince of Chʻên-liu.”
The farmer bowed again and again and said, “I am the brother of a
former official and my name is Tsʻui I. My brother was disgusted with
the behaviour of the eunuchs and so resigned and hid away here.”
The two lads were taken into the farm and their host on his knees
served them with refreshment.
It has been said that Min Kung had gone in pursuit of the eunuch Tuan
Kuei. By and by Kung overtook him and cried, “Where is the Emperor?”
“He disappeared. I do not know where he is.”
Kung slew him and hung the bleeding head on his horse’s neck. Then he
sent his men searching in all directions and he rode off by himself on
the same quest. Presently he came to the farm. Tsʻui I, seeing what
hung on his horse’s neck, questioned him and, satisfied with his story,
led him to the Emperor. The meeting was affecting; all were moved to
tears.
“The State cannot be without its ruler,” said Min Kung. “I pray Your
Majesty to return to the city.”
At the farm they had but one sorry nag and this they saddled for the
Emperor. The young prince was taken on Min Kung’s charger. And thus
they left the farm. Soon they fell in with other officials and the
several guards and soldiers made up an imposing cavalcade. Tears were
shed freely as the ministers met their Emperor.
A man was sent on in front to the capital there to expose the head of
the eunuch Tuan Kuei.
As soon as they could they placed the Emperor on a better steed and the
young prince had a horse to himself.
Thus the Emperor returned to Loyang and so it happened after all as the
street boys’ ditty ran:—
Though the Emperor doesn’t rule, though the prince no office fills,
Yet a brilliant cavalcade comes along from Peimang Hills.
The cavalcade had not proceeded far when they saw coming towards them a
large body of soldiers with fluttering banners hiding the sun and
raising a huge cloud of dust. The officials turned pale and the Emperor
was greatly alarmed. Yüan Shao rode out in advance and demanded who
they were. From under the shade of an embroidered banner rode out an
officer demanding if they had seen the Emperor. His Majesty was too
panic-stricken to respond but the Prince of Chʻên-liu rode to the front
and cried, “Who are you?”
Tung Cho replied giving his name and rank.
“Have you come to protect the chariot or to steal it?” said the prince.
“I have come to protect,” said Tung Cho.
“If that is so the Emperor is here; why do you not dismount?”
Cho hastily dismounted and made obeisance on the left of the road. Then
the prince spoke graciously to him.
From first to last the prince had carried himself most perfectly so
that Cho in his heart admired his behaviour, and then arose the first
desire to set aside the Emperor in favour of the prince.
They reached the palace the same day and there was an affecting
interview with Ho Tʻai-hou.
But when they had restored order in the palace the Hereditary Seal, the
special seal of the Emperor, was missing.
Tung Cho camped without the walls but every day he was to be seen in
the streets with an escort of mailed soldiers so that the common people
were in a state of constant trepidation. He also went in and out of the
palace careless of all the rules of propriety.
Pao Hsin spoke of his behaviour to Yüan Shao, saying, “This man
harbours some evil design and should be removed.”
“Nothing can be done till the government is more settled,” said Shao.
Then he saw Wang Yün and asked what he thought.
“Let us talk it over,” was the reply.
Pao Hsin said no more but he left the capital and retired to Tʻaishan.
Tung Cho induced the soldiers of the two brothers Ho to join his
command and privately spoke to his adviser about deposing the Emperor
in favour of the Prince of Chʻên-liu.
“The government is really without a head; there can be no better time
than this to carry out your plan. Delay will spoil all. To-morrow
assemble the officials in the Wênming Garden and address them on the
subject. Put all opponents to death and your prestige is settled.”
So spoke his adviser and the words pleased Tung Cho mightily.
So the next day he spread a feast and invited many guests. As all the
officers went in terror of him no one dared be absent. He himself rode
up to the garden last of all and took his place with his sword girded
on. When the wine had gone round several times Tung Cho stopped the
service and the music and began to speak.
“I have something to say; listen quietly all of you.”
All turned towards him.
“The Emperor is lord of all and if he lacks dignity and behaves in an
unseemly manner he is no fitting inheritor of the ancestral
prerogatives. He who is now on the throne is a weakling, inferior to
the Prince of Chʻên-liu in intelligence and love of learning. The
Prince is in every way fitted for the throne. I desire to depose the
Emperor and set up the Prince in his place. What think you?”
The assembly listened in perfect silence, none daring at first to utter
a word of dissent. But one dared; for suddenly a guest stood up in his
place, smote the table and cried.
“No! No! who are you, that you dare utter such bold words? The Emperor
is the son of the lawful consort and has done no wrong. Why then should
he be deposed? Are you a rebel?”
The speaker was Ting Yüan, governor of Chinchow.
Cho glared at him. “There is life for those who are with me, death for
those against,” roared he.
He drew his sword and made for the objector. But the watchful Li Ju had
noticed standing behind Ting Yüan a particularly dangerous looking
henchman of his, who was now handling his spear threateningly, and
whose eyes were blazing with anger. So he hastily interposed, saying,
“But this is the banquet chamber and state affairs should be left
outside. The matters can be fully discussed to-morrow.”
His fellow guests persuaded Ting Yüan to leave, and after his departure
Tung Cho said, “Is what I said just and reasonable?”
“You are mistaken, Illustrious Sir,” said Lu Chih. “Of old [1] Tai Chia
was unenlightened. Wherefore I Yin immured him in the Tʻung Palace till
he reformed. Later [2] Prince Chʻang I ascended the throne, and in less
than a month he committed more than three thousand categorical faults.
Wherefore Ho Kuang, the regent, declared in the ancestral temple that
he was deposed. Our present Emperor is young, but he is intelligent,
benevolent and wise. He has not committed a single fault. You, Sir, are
not a metropolitan official and have had no experience in state
administration. Neither have you the pure intentions of I Yin which
qualified his actions. Without that justification such an act is
presumption.”
Tung Cho angrily drew his sword to slay the bold speaker, but another
official remonstrated.
“President Lu is the cynosure of the whole country and his violent
death would stir the hearts of all men,” said Pʻêng Po.
Then Tung Cho stayed his hand.
Then said Wang Yün, “A great question like the deposition and
substitution of Emperors is not one to be decided after a wine party.
Let it be put off till another time.”
So the guests dispersed. Cho stood at the gate with drawn sword
watching them depart.
Standing thus he noticed a spearman galloping to and fro on a fiery
steed and asked Li Ju if he knew him.
“That is Lü Pu, the adopted son of Ting Yüan. His ordinary name is
Fênhsien. You must keep out of his way, my lord.”
Tung Cho went inside the gate so that he could not be seen. But next
day a man reported to him that Ting Yüan had come out of the city with
a small army and was challenging to a battle. Tung Cho went forth to
accept the challenge. And the armies were drawn up in proper array.
Lü Pu was a conspicuous figure in the forefront. His hair was arranged
under a handsome headdress of gold and he had donned a beautiful
embroidered fighting robe, a tʻang-ni helmet and breast plate, and
round his waist was a mang belt with a lion’s head clasp. With spear
set he rode close behind his master.
Ting Yüan, pointing his finger at Tung Cho, began to revile him.
“Unhappy indeed was this State when the eunuchs became so powerful that
the people were as if trodden into the mire under their feet. Now you,
devoid of the least merit, dare to talk of deposing the rightful
Emperor and setting up another. This is to desire rebellion and no
less.”
Tung Cho could not reply for Lü Pu, eager for the fight, rode straight
at him. Tung Cho fled and Ting’s army came on. The battle went in their
favour and the beaten men retired and made another camp. Here Tung Cho
called his officers to a council.
“This Lü Pu is a marvel,” said Tung Cho. “If he was only on my side I
would defy the whole world.”
At this a man advanced saying, “Be content, O my lord! I am a fellow
villager of his and know him well, his bravery, his stupidity, his
cupidity and unscrupulousness. With this little, blarneying tongue of
mine I can persuade him to put up his hands and come over to your
side.”
Tung Cho was delighted and gazed admiringly at the speaker, on Li Su a
minor officer of his army.
“What arguments will you use with him?”
“You have a fine horse, the Hare, one of the best ever bred. I must
have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then will I go
and persuade him. He will certainly abandon Ting Yüan’s service for
yours.”
“What think you?” said Tung Cho to his adviser Li.
“One cannot grudge a horse to win an empire,” was the reply.
So they gave the corrupter of morals what he demanded—a thousand taels
of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls and a jewelled belt, and these
accompanied Li Su on his visit to his fellow villager. He reached the
camp and said to the guard, “Please tell General Lü that a very old
friend has come to visit him.”
He was admitted forthwith.
“Worthy brother, have you been well since we last met?”
“How long it is since we last saw each other!” replied Pu, bowing in
return. “And where are you now?”
“I am an officer in the Tiger Company. When I learned you were a strong
supporter of the throne I could not say how I rejoiced. I have come now
to present to you a really fine horse, a thousand li a day horse, one
that crosses rivers and goes up mountains as if they were the level
plain. He is called The Hare. He will be a fitting aid to your valour.”
Lü Pu bade them lead out the horse. He was of a uniform colour like
glowing charcoal; not a hair of another colour. He measured ten feet
from head to tail and from hoof to neck eight feet. When he neighed the
sound filled the empyrean and shook the ocean.
Mark ye the steed swift and tireless, see the dust, spurned by
his hoofs, rising in clouds;
Now he swims the river, anon climbs the hill, rending the purple
mist asunder;
Scornful he breaks the rein, shakes from his head the jewelled
bridle;
He is as a fiery dragon descending from the highest heaven.
Pu was delighted with the horse and said, “What return can I hope to
make for such a creature?”
“What return can I hope for? I came to you out of a sense of what is
right.”
Wine was brought in and they drank.
“We have seen very little of each other, but I am constantly meeting
your honourable father,” said Li Su.
“You are drunk,” said Pu. “My father has been dead for years.”
“Not so; I spoke of Ting Yüan, the man of the day.”
Lü Pu started. “Yes, I am with him but only because I can do no
better.”
“Sir, your talent is higher than the heavens, deeper than the seas. Who
in all the world does not bow before your name? Fame and riches and
honours are yours for the taking. And you say you can do no better than
remain a subordinate!”
“If I could only find a master to serve!” said Lü Pu.
“The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant
selects the master to serve. Seize the chance when it comes, for
repentance ever comes too late.”
“Now you are in the government. Who think you is really the bravest of
all?”, asked Lü Pu.
“I despise the whole lot except Tung Cho. He is one who respects wisdom
and reveres scholarship; he is discriminating in his rewards and
punishments. Surely he is destined to be a really great man.”
“I would that I could serve him, but there is no way, I fear.”
Then Su produced his pearls and gold and the jewelled belt and laid
them out before his host.
“What is this? What does it mean?” said Lü Pu.
“Send away the attendants,” said Li Su. And he went on, “Tung Cho has
long respected your valour and sent these by my hand. The Hare was also
from him.”
“But, if he loves me like this, what can I do in return?”
“If a stupid fellow like me can be an officer in The Tigers, it is
impossible to say what honours await you.”
“I am sorry I can offer him no service worth mentioning.”
“There is one service you can do, and an extremely easy one to perform;
but you would not render that.”
Lü Pu pondered long in silence. Then he said, “I might slay Ting Yüan
and bring over his soldiers to Tung Cho’s side; what think you of
that?”
“If you would do that, there could be no greater service. But such a
thing must be done quickly.”
And Lü Pu promised his friend that he would do the deed and come over
on the morrow.
So Li Su took his leave. That very night, at the second watch, Lü Pu
entered, sword in hand, into his master’s tent. He found Ting Yüan
reading by the light of a solitary candle. Seeing who came in he said,
“My son, what is afoot?”
“I am a bold hero,” said Pu, “do you think I am willing to be a son of
yours?”
“Why this change, Fêng-hsien?”
As a reply Lü Pu made one cut at his protector and his head fell to the
earth. Then he called the attendants and said, “He was an unjust man
and I have slain him. Let those who back me stay; the others may
depart.”
Most ran away. Next day, with the head of the murdered man as his gift,
Lü Pu betook himself to Li Su, who led him to Tung Cho. Cho received
him with a warm welcome and had wine set before him.
“Your coming is welcome as the gentle dew to the parched grass,” said
Tung Cho.
Lü Pu made Cho seat himself and then made his obeisance, saying, “Pray
let me bow to you as my adopted father.”
Tung Cho gave his newly won ally gold and armour and silken robes and
spread the feast of welcome. They then separated.
Thence Tung Cho’s power and influence increased rapidly. He gave ranks
of nobility to his brother and Lü Pu, who were leaders of the two
wings, he himself being leader of the centre. The adviser Li Ju never
ceased from urging him to carry out the design of deposing the young
Emperor.
The now all-powerful general prepared a banquet in the capital at which
all the officers of State were guests. He also bade Lü Pu post a
company of armed men right and left ready for action. The feast began
and several courses were served with nothing to distinguish that
banquet from any other. Then suddenly the host arose and drew his
sword, saying, “He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit
for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did I Yin and
Ho Kuang, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince
Hung-nung and I will place on the throne the present Prince of
Chʻên-liu. And those who do not support me will suffer death.”
Fear seized them in its grip and they were silent, all but Yüan Shao
who said that the Emperor was innocent of any fault and to set him
aside in favour of a commoner was rebellion and nothing else.
“The Empire is in my hands;” cried Cho, “an I choose to do this thing
who will dare say nay? Think you my sword lacks an edge?”
“If your sword is sharp, mine is never blunt,” said Shao as his sword
flashed out of the sheath.
The two men stood face to face amid the feasters:
When Ting by treacherous murder died,
The loss was great to Yüan’s side.
The fate of Yüan Shao will be disclosed in later chapters.