CHʻICHOU TAKEN: YÜAN SHANG STRIVES:
THE CHANG RIVER CUT: HSÜ YU’S SCHEME.
Yüan Shang was puffed up with pride after his victory over Shih Huan
and, without deigning to wait the arrival of his brothers, he marched
out to Liyang to meet the army of Tsʻao Tsʻao. Chang Liao came out to
challenge him, and Yüan Shang, accepting the challenge rode out with
spear set. But he only lasted to the third bout when he had to give
way. Chang Liao smote with full force and Shang, quite broken, fled
pell mell to Chʻichou. His defeat was a heavy shock to his father, who
had a severe fit of hemorrhage at the news and swooned.
The Lady Liu, his wife, got him to bed as quickly as possible, but he
did not rally and she soon saw it was necessary to prepare for the end.
So she sent for Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi that the succession might be
settled. They came and stood by the sick man’s bed, but by this time he
could no longer speak; he only made motions with his hands. When his
wife put the formal question, whether Shang was to succeed, he nodded
his head. Shên Pʻei at the bedside wrote out the dying man’s testament.
Presently he uttered a loud moan, a fresh fit of bleeding followed and
he passed away.
Born of a line of nobles famous for generations,
He himself in his youth was wayward always and headstrong,
Vainly he called to his side captains skilled and courageous,
Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers,
For he was timid at heart, a lambkin dressed as a tiger,
Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless.
Pitiful was the fate of his house; for when he departed
Brother with brother strove and quarrels arose in the household.
Shên Pʻei and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the
dead man. His wife, the Lady Liu, put to death five of his favourite
concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not
content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of
their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late
husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Springs. Her son
followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the
unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their death.
Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi declared Yüan Shang successor with the titles of
Minister of War and General Governor of the four prefectures of Chʻi,
Chʻing, Yu and Ping and sent in a report of the death of the late
governor.
At this time Yüan Tʻan, the eldest son, had already marched out his
army to oppose Tsʻao Tsʻao, but hearing of his father’s death he called
in Kuo Tʻu and Hsin Pʻing to consult as to his course of action.
“In your absence, my lord,” said Kuo Tʻu, “the two advisers of your
younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must
act quickly.”
“Those two, Shên and Fêng, have already laid their plans,” said Hsin
Pʻing. “If you go you will meet with some misfortune.”
“Then what should I do?” asked Tʻan.
Kuo Tʻu replied, “Go and camp near the city and watch what is taking
place while I enter and enquire.”
Accordingly Kuo Tʻu entered the city and sought an interview with the
young governor.
“Why did not my brother come?” asked Shang after the usual salutes.
Kuo Tʻu said, “He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.”
“By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer
upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I wish him to go at
once to attack Tsʻao Tsʻao, who is pressing on the borders. I will
follow as soon as my army is in order.”
“There is no one in our camp to give advice,” said Kuo Tʻu. “I wish to
have the services of Shên Pʻei and Fêng Chi.”
“I also need the help of these two,” said Shang, “And as I am always
working at schemes I do not see how I can do without them.”
“Then let one of these two go,” replied Tʻu.
Shang could do no other than accede to this request so he bade the two
men cast lots who should go. Fêng Chi drew the lot and was appointed,
receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Kuo Tʻu to the camp.
But when he arrived and found Tʻan in perfect health he grew suspicious
and resigned. Tʻan angrily refused to accept his resignation and was
disposed to put him to death, but Kuo Tʻu privately dissuaded him
saying, “Tsʻao Tsʻao is on the borders and he must be kept here to
allay your brother’s suspicions. After we have beaten Tsʻao we can at
once make an attempt on Chʻichou.”
Yüan Tʻan agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the
enemy. He reached Liyang and lost no time in offering battle. He chose
for his champion Wang Chao and, when he rode out, Tsʻao Tsʻao sent Hsü
Huang to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Wang Chao
was slain. At once Tsʻao’s army pressed forward and Tʻan suffered a
severe defeat. He drew off his army and retired into Liyang, whence he
sent to his brother for reinforcements.
Shang and his adviser Shên Pʻei discussed the matter and half a legion
only was sent. Tsʻao hearing of the despatch of this meagre force sent
two generals to waylay them and the half legion was destroyed. When Tan
heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction he was very
wrath and roundly abused Fêng Chi. Fêng replied, “Let me write to my
lord and pray him to come himself.”
So Fêng Chi wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived Shang again
consulted Shên Pʻei who said, “Kuo Tʻu, your elder brother’s adviser,
is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Tsʻao was
on the border. If Tsʻao be defeated there will certainly be an attempt
on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Tsʻao’s hand
to destroy your rival.”
Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned
without success Tʻan was very angry and showed it by putting Fêng Chi
to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Tsʻao. Soon spies
brought news of this to Shang and again Shên Pʻei was called in. Said
he, “If he goes over to Tsʻao they will both attack Chʻichou and we
shall be in great danger.” Finally Shên Pʻei and Su Yu were left to
take care of the defence of the city and Yüan Shang marched his army to
the rescue of his brother.
“Who dares lead the van?” said Yüan Shang.
Two brothers named Lü volunteered and three legions were given them.
They were the first to reach Liyang.
Tʻan was pleased that his brother had made up his mind to play a
brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought
of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yüan Shang camped
outside, making that an angle of their strategic position. Before long
Yüan Hsi, the second brother, and their cousin, Kao Kan, arrived with
their legions and also camped outside the city.
Engagements took place daily and Shang suffered many defeats. On the
other hand Tsʻao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the
eighth year, Tsʻao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the
day against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Tsʻao pursued them to
Chʻichou, where Tʻan and Shang went into the city to defend it, while
their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away making a show of
great force. When Tsʻao had made many attacks without success Kuo Chia
proffered the following plan.
He said, “There is dissension among the Yüans because the elder has
been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally
strong and each has his party. If we oppose them they unite to assist
each other, but if we have patience they will be weakened by family
strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Piao in Chingchou
and let the fraternal quarrels develop. When they have fully developed
we can smite them and settle the matter.”
Tsʻao approved of the plan. So leaving Chia Hsü as Prefect of Liyang
and Tsʻao Hung as guard at Kuantu the army went away toward Chingchou.
The two brothers Tʻan and Shang congratulated each other on the
withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Hsi and cousin marched
their armies back to their own districts.
Then the quarrels began. Tʻan said to his confidants, “I, the eldest,
have been prevented from succeeding my father, while the youngest son,
born of a second wife, received the main heritage. My heart is bitter.”
Said Kuo Tʻu, “Camp your men outside, invite your brother and Shên Pʻei
to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter is easily settled.”
And Tʻan agreed. It happened that a certain Wang Hsiu came just then
from Chʻingchou whom Tʻan took into his confidence. Wang opposed the
murder plan saying, “Brothers are as one’s limbs. How can you possibly
succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of
your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom
will you take in all the world as a relation? That fellow Kuo is a
dangerous mischief-maker, who would sow dissension between brothers for
a momentary advantage, and I beg you to shut your ears and not listen
to his persuasions.”
This was displeasing to Tʻan and he angrily dismissed Wang, while he
sent the treacherous invitation to his brother.
His brother and Shên Pʻei talked over the matter. Shên Pʻei said, “I
recognise one of Kuo Tʻu’s stratagems and if you go, my lord, you will
be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them at once.”
Whereupon Shang rode out to battle. His brother Tʻan, seeing him come
with five legions, knew that his treachery had been discovered, so he
also took the field, and when the forces were near enough Tʻan opened
on Shang with a volley of abuse.
“You poisoned my father and usurped the succession; now you come out to
slay your elder brother?”
The battle went against Tʻan. Shang himself took part in the fight,
risking the arrows and the stones. He urged on his men and drove his
brother off the field. He took refuge in Pʻingyüan. Yüan Shang drew off
his men to his own city.
Yüan Tʻan and Kuo Tʻu decided upon a new attack and this time they
chose Tsʻên Pi as leader. Yüan Shang went to meet him. When both sides
had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating,
Tsʻên Pi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. At first
Shang was going to answer the challenge himself but Lü Kʻuang actually
went out. Lü and Tsʻên met but had fought only a few bouts when the
latter fell. Tʻan’s men were once more defeated and ran away to
Pʻingyüan. Shên Pʻei urged his master to press home the advantage and
Tʻan was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not
go out. So the city was besieged on three sides.
Tʻan asked his strategist what should be done next and he said, “The
city is short of food, the enemy is flushed with victory and we cannot
stand against them. My idea is to send some one to offer surrender to
Tsʻao Tsʻao and thus get him to attack Chʻichou. Your brother will be
forced to return thither, which will leave you free to join in the
attack. We may capture Shang. Should Tsʻao begin to get the better of
your brother’s army we will lend our force to help him against Tsʻao
Tsʻao, and as Tsʻao’s base of supply is distant we shall drive him off.
And we can seize on Chʻichou and begin our real career.”
“Supposing this scheme be attempted, who is the man for a messenger?”
“I have one, Hsin Pʻi, Hsin Pʻing’s younger brother; he is magistrate
here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and
suited to your purpose.”
So Hsin Pʻi was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given
him and an escort of three companies took him beyond the border. He
travelled as quickly as possible.
At that time Tsʻao’s camp was at Hsipʻing and he was attacking Liu
Piao, who had sent Yüan-tê out to offer the first resistance. No battle
had yet taken place.
Soon after his arrival Hsin Pʻi was admitted to the Minister’s
presence, and after the ceremonies of greeting Tsʻao asked the object
of the visit. Hsin Pʻi explained that Yüan Tʻan wanted assistance and
presented his despatches. Tsʻao read them and told the messenger to
wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council.
The council met. Chʻêng Yu said, “Yüan Tʻan has been forced into making
this offer because of the pressure of his brother’s attack. Put no
trust in him.”
Lü Chʻien and Man Chʻung said, “You have led your armies here for a
special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yüan Tʻan?”
“Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice,” interposed Hsün Yu.
“This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the
midst of which Liu Piao remains quietly content with his position
between Chiang and Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to
enlarge his borders. The Yüans hold four Chou and have many legions of
soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family
and none can foresee what will happen in the Empire. Now take advantage
of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened
and have to yield to our Minister. Then Yüan Shang can be removed, and
when the times are suitable, Yüan Tʻan can be destroyed in his turn.
Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to
be taken advantage of to full measure.”
Tsʻao realised the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a
banquet he said, “But is this surrender of Yüan Tʻan real or false? Do
you really think that Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”
Hsin Pʻi replied, “Illustrious one, do not enquire into the degree of
sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yüans have been suffering
military losses for years and are powerless without, while their
strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to
speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this
famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and
everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is
near, the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yüans is
at hand. Now you have a force attacking Yeh, and if Yüan Shang will not
return to give aid the place of refuge is lost. If he help, then Tʻan
will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the
remnant of his brother’s army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the
fallen leaves. If he do not, then he will attack Chingchou. Now
Chingchou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive and
it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than
Hopei. If that be reduced then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir,
think of it.”
“I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier,” said Tsʻao, much
gratified with this speech.
Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Chʻichou. Yüan-tê,
fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without
interference and himself returned to Chingchou.
When Yüan Shang heard that Tsʻao had crossed the river he hastily led
his army back to Yeh, ordering the two Lüs to guard the rear. His
brother Tʻan started from Pʻingyüan with a force in pursuit. He had not
proceeded far when he heard a bomb and two bodies of men came out in
front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lü Kʻuang and
Lü Hsiang. Tʻan reined in and addressed them, saying, “While my father
lived I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try
to injure me?”
The two men had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before
him yielding submission.
Tʻan said, “Do not surrender to me but to the Minister,” and he led
them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Tsʻao and then
presented the pair. Tsʻao received them well. He promised his daughter
to Tʻan to wife and he appointed the two brothers as advisers.
When Tʻan asked Tsʻao to attack Chʻichou the reply was “Supplies are
short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of the Chishui
into the Paiho from Chiho whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I
can advance.”
Ordering Tʻan to remain in Pʻingyüan, Tsʻao retired into camp at
Liyang. The two brothers Lü, who were renegades from Yüan Shang, were
now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.
Kuo Tʻu noted this advancement and said to Tʻan, “He has promised you a
daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of
nobility to the two Lüs and taken them with him. This is a trap for the
northern people but he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should
have two generals’ seals engraved and send them secretly to the
brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when
Tsʻao shall have broken your brother’s power and we can begin to work
against him.”
The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the brothers received them
they informed Tsʻao Tsʻao, who smiled saying, “He wants your support so
he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yüan
Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals
till I shall decide what to do.”
Thenceforward Tʻan was doomed. Shên Pʻei and his master also discussed
the situation.
“Tsʻao is getting grain into Paikou, which means an attack on Chʻichou;
what is to be done?” asked Shang.
Shên Pʻei replied, “Send letters to Yin Kai, Chief of Wuan, bidding him
camp at Maochʻêng to secure the road to Shangtang and direct Chu Ku to
maintain Hantan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on
Pʻingyüan and attack Tsʻao Tsʻao.”
The plan seemed good. Yüan Shang left Shên Pʻei and Chʻên Lin in charge
of Chʻichou, appointed two captains Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai as van
leaders, and set out hastily for Pʻingyüan.
When Tʻan heard of the approach of his brother’s army he sent urgent
messages to Tsʻao, who said to himself, “I am going to get Chʻichou
this time.”
Just at this time it happened that Hsü Yu came down from the capital.
When he heard that Yüan Shang was attacking his brother Tʻan he sought
Tsʻao and said, “You, Sir Minister, sit here on guard; are you waiting
till Heaven’s thunder shall strike the two Yüans?”
“I have thought it all out,” said Tsʻao.
Then he ordered Tsʻao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led
another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and
was killed by Hsü Chʻu. His men ran away and presently joined Tsʻao’s
army. Next he led the army to Hantan and Chu Ku came out to fight him.
Chang Liao advanced to fight with Chu and after the third encounter the
latter was defeated and fled. Liao went after him and when their two
horses were not far apart, Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing
soldier fell as the bowstring twanged. Tsʻao sent Ma Yen to complete
the rout and Chu Ku’s force was broken up.
Now Tsʻao led his armies to an attack on Chʻichou. Tsʻao Hung went
close to the city and a regular siege began. The army encompassed the
city and began by throwing up great mounds. They also tunnelled
subterranean ways.
Within the city Shên Pʻei turned his whole care to the defence and
issued the severest commands. The captain of the east gate, one Fêng
Li, got intoxicated and failed to keep his watch for which he was
severely punished. He resented this, sneaked out of the city, went over
to the besiegers and told them how the place could be attacked.
“The earth within the Tʻumên is solid enough to be tunnelled and
entrance can be effected there,” said the traitor.
So Fêng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under
cover of darkness.
After Fêng Li had deserted to the enemy Shên Pʻei went every night to
the wall to inspect the men on duty. The night of the sapping he went
there as usual and saw that there were no lights outside the city and
all was perfectly quiet. So he said to himself, “Fêng is certain to try
to come into the city by an underground road.” Whereupon he ordered his
men to bring up stones and pile them on the cover of the tunnel
opening. The opening was stopped up and the attacking party perished in
the tunnel they had excavated. Tsʻao having failed in this attempt
abandoned the scheme of underground attack. He drew off the army to a
place above the Hêngshui to await till Yüan Shang should return to
relieve the city.
Yüan Shang heard of the defeat of Yin Kai and Chu Ku, and the siege of
his own city, and bethought himself of relieving it. One of his
captains, Ma Yen, said, “The high road will surely be ambushed; we must
find some other way. We can take a bye-road from the Western Hills and
get through at Fushuikʻou, whence we can fall upon Tsʻao’s camp.”
The plan was acceptable and Shang started off with the main body, Ma
Yen and Chang Kʻai being rear guard.
Tsʻao’s spies soon found out this move and when they reported it he
said, “If he comes by the high road I shall have to keep out of the
way; if by the Western Hills bye-road I can settle him in one battle.
And I think he will show a blaze as a signal to the besieged that they
may make a sortie. I shall prepare to attack both.” So he made his
preparations.
Now Yüan Shang went out by the Fushui Pass east toward Yangpʻing and
near this he camped. Thence to his own city was seventeen li. The
Fushui stream ran beside the camp. He ordered his men to collect
firewood and grass ready for the blaze he intended to make at night as
his signal. He also sent Li Fu, a civil officer, disguised as an
officer of Tsʻao Tsʻao’s army, to inform Shên Pʻei of his intentions.
Fu reached the city wall safely and called out to the guards to open.
Shên Pʻei recognised his voice and let him in. Thus Shên Pʻei knew of
the arrangements for his relief and it was agreed that a blaze should
be raised within the city so that the sortie could be simultaneous with
Shang’s attack. Orders were given to collect inflammables.
Then said Fu, “As your food supply is short it would be well for the
old men, the feeble soldiers and the women to surrender. This will come
upon them as a surprise and we will send the soldiers out behind them.”
Shên Pʻei promised to do all this and next day they hoisted on the wall
a white flag with the words “The populace of Chʻichou surrender” on it.
“Ho ho! This means no food,” said Tsʻao. “They are sending away the
non-combatants to escape feeding them. And the soldiers will follow
behind them.”
So on two sides he laid an ambush of three companies while he went near
the wall in full state. Presently the gates were opened and out came
the people supporting their aged folk and leading their little ones by
the hand. Each carried a white flag. As soon as the people had passed
the gate the soldiers followed with a rush.
Then Tsʻao Tsʻao showed a red flag and the ambushed soldiers fell upon
the sortie. The men tried to return and Tsʻao’s men made a direct
attack. The chase continued to the drawbridge, but there they met with
a tremendous shower of arrows and crossbow bolts which checked the
advance. Tsʻao’s helmet was struck and the crest carried away.
So the men retired. As soon as Tsʻao had changed his dress and mounted
a fresh horse he set out at the head of the army to attack Yüan Shang’s
camp.
Yüan Shang led the defence. The attack came simultaneously from many
directions, the defenders were quite disorganised and presently
defeated. Shang led his men back by the hills and made a camp under
their shelter. Thence he sent messengers to urge Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai
to bring up the supports. He did not know that Tsʻao had sent the two
Lüs to persuade these two into surrender and that they had already
passed under Tsʻao’s banner, and he had made them marquises.
Just before going to attack the Western Hills he sent the two Lüs with
Ma Yen and Chang Kʻai to seize the source of Yüan Shang’s supplies.
Shang had realised he could not hold the hills so he went by night to
Ikʻou. Before he could get camped he saw flaring lights springing up
all around him and soon an attack began. He was taken aback and had to
oppose the enemy with his men half armed, his steeds unsaddled. His
army suffered and he had to retreat another fifty li. By that time his
force was too enfeebled to show any resistance and as no other course
was possible he sent to ask that he might surrender. Tsʻao feigned to
consent, but that night he sent a force to raid Shang’s camp. Then it
became flight, abandoning everything, seals, emblems of office and even
personal clothing. He made for the hills.
Then came an attack on Chʻichou and to help out this Hsü Yu suggested
drowning the city by turning the course of the River Chang. Tsʻao
adopted the suggestion and at once sent a small number of men to dig a
channel to lead the water to the city. All told, it was forty li.
Shên Pʻei saw the diggers from the city wall and noticed that they made
only a shallow channel. He chuckled, saying to himself, “What is the
use of such a channel to drown out the city from a deep river?”
So he made no preparations to keep out the water.
But as soon as night came on Tsʻao increased his army of diggers
tenfold and by daylight the channel was deepened to twenty feet and the
water was flowing in a great stream into the city where it already
stood some feet deep. So this misfortune was added to the lack of food.
Hsin Pʻi now displayed the captured seal and garments of Yüan Shang
hung out on spears, to the great shame of their late owner, and called
upon the people of the city to surrender. This angered Shên Pʻei, who
avenged the insult by putting to death on the city wall the whole of
the Hsin family who were within the city. There were nearly a hundred
of them and their severed heads were cast down from the walls. Hsin Pʻi
wept exceedingly.
Shên Pʻei’s nephew Shên Yung, one of the gate wardens, was a dear
friend of Hsin Pʻi and the murder of Pʻi’s family greatly distressed
him. He wrote a secret letter offering to betray the city and tied it
to an arrow, which he shot out among the besiegers. The soldiers found
it, gave it to Hsin Pʻi and he took it to his chief.
Tsʻao issued an order that the family of the Yüans should be spared
when the city should be taken and that no one who surrendered should be
put to death. The next day the soldiers entered by the west gate,
opened for them by Shên’s nephew. Hsin Pʻi was the first to prance in
on horseback and the men followed.
When Shên, who was on the southeast of the city, saw the enemy within
the gates he placed himself at the head of some horsemen and dashed
toward them. He was met and captured by Hsü Huang who bound him and led
him outside the city. On the road they met Hsin Pʻi, who ground his
teeth with rage at the murderer of his relatives and then struck the
prisoner over the head with his whip and abused him as a murderer. Shên
retorted by calling him traitor and saying how sorry he was not to have
slain him before.
When the captive was taken into Tsʻao’s presence Tsʻao said, “Do you
know who opened the gate to let me in?”
“No; I know not.”
“It was your nephew Shên Yung who gave up the gate,” said Tsʻao.
“He was always unprincipled; and it has come to this!” said Shên.
“The other day when I approached the city why did you shoot so hard at
me?”
“I am sorry we shot too little.”
“As a faithful adherent of the Yüans you could do no otherwise. Now
will you come over to me?”
“Never; I will never surrender.”
Hsin Pʻi threw himself on the ground with lamentations, saying, “Eighty
of my people murdered by this ruffian; I pray you slay him, O
Minister!”
“Alive, I have served the Yüans,” said Shên, “dead, I will be their
ghost. I am no flattering time-server as you are. Kill me!”
Tsʻao gave the order; they led him away to put him to death. On the
execution ground he said to the executioners, “My lord is in the north,
I pray you not to make me face the south.” So he knelt facing the north
and extended his neck for the fatal stroke.
Who of all th’ official throng
In Hopei was true like Shên?
Sad his fate! he served a fool,
But faithful, as the ancient men.
Straight and true was every word,
Never from the road he swerved.
Faithful unto death, he died
Gazing toward the lord he’d served.
Thus died Shên Pʻei and from respect for his character Tsʻao ordered
that he be buried honourably on the north of the city.
Tsʻao Tsʻao then entered the city. As he was starting he saw the
executioners hurrying forward a prisoner who proved to be Chʻên Lin.
“You wrote that manifesto for Yüan Shao. If you had only directed your
diatribe against me, it would not have mattered. But why did you shame
my forefathers?” said Tsʻao.
“When the arrow is on the string, it must fly,” replied Lin.
Those about Tsʻao urged him to put Chʻên Lin to death, but he was
spared on account of his genius and given a small civil post.
Now Tsʻao’s eldest son was named Pʻei, otherwise Tzŭ-hêng. At the
taking of the city he was eighteen years of age. When he was born a
dark purplish halo hung over the house for a whole day. One who
understood the meaning of such manifestations had secretly told Tsʻao
that the halo belonged to the Imperial class and portended honours
which could not be put into words.
At eight the lad could compose very skilfully and he was well read in
ancient history. Now he was an adept at all military arts and very fond
of fencing. He had gone with his father on the expedition to Chʻichou.
He led his escort in the direction of the Yüan family dwelling, and
when he reached it he strode in sword in hand. When some one would have
stayed him, saying that by order of the Minister no one was to enter
the house, he bade them begone. The guards fell back and he made his
way into the private rooms, where he saw two women weeping in each
other’s arms. He went forward to slay them.
Four generations of honours, gone like a dream,
Fate follows on ever surely, though slow she seem.
The fate of the two women will be told in the next chapter.