Cao Mao modestly declined the proposed honor again and again, but Sima Shi ordered the officials to lead him out of the hall and placed him in the seat of the throne that very day. The reign title was proclaimed as Zheng Yuan. An amnesty was granted. Honors were heaped upon Sima Shi, who was bestowed the golden ax of authority, with the privileges to proceed leisurely to court, to address the throne without announcing his name, and to wear arms at court.
But in the spring of the second year of the period Zheng Yuan it was reported that General Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin, Governor of Yangzhou, were raising an army against the capital, accusing Sima Shi of deposing the former emperor.
Sima Shi was greatly alarmed.
As Han had faithful vassals to restore its rule;
Wei officers, too, are keen to denounce the rebel.
How this new menace was met will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TEN
Wen Yang Drives Off a Mighty Host Single-handedly
Jiang Wei Wins a Major Victory Near the Tao River
It was mentioned at the end of the last chapter that Wen Qin, Governor of Yangzhou, and Guanqiu Jian, a distinguished general who commanded the forces in Huainan, were raising an army to avenge the removal of Cao Fang.
Guanqiu Jian, a native of Wenxi in Henan, was moved to great anger when he learned that Sima Shi had deposed the Emperor. His eldest son Dian stoked his father’s wrath, saying, “Father, you’re chief of a whole district. Now Sima Shi monopolizes power and has even deposed the Emperor. The country is in great danger, can you sit still and do nothing?”
“You’re right, my son,” he replied.
Therefore he invited Governor Wen Qin to his home to discuss the matter. This Wen Qin had been a follower of Cao Shang’s. On receiving the general’s invitation he hastened to see him. He was led into the inner hall, where the usual greetings were exchanged first. As they sat talking the host began to weep, and his visitor asked him about the cause of his tears.
“My heart aches to hear Sima Shi has deposed the Emperor and dominates the state,” said Guanqiu Jian. “He has turned everything upside down.”
“General, you are commander of an entire district,” replied Wen Qin. “If you are willing to uphold justice and take arms to denounce the rebel, I will help you, whatever the consequences. My second son is a bold soldier, able to withstand a whole host of enemies. He has often wanted to slay the Sima brothers to avenge the death of Cao Shuang. He would make an excellent leader of the van.”
Guanqiu Jian was delighted to get such ready and willing support, and the two poured a libation to pledge their mutual good faith. Then, pretending that they held an edict from the Empress Dowager, they summoned all the officers in the region to Shouchun, where they built an altar in the western part of the city and sacrificed a white horse, smearing their lips with its blood in token of their oath. To the assembled officers they declared that Sima Shi had committed the crime of treason and they had a secret edict from Her Majesty commanding them to muster the forces of Huainan and put down this rebellion for the sake of justice and loyalty. All were happy to answer to the call.
Thus supported, Guanqiu Jian led 60,000 men to Xiangcheng, where he camped, while Wen Qin took 20,000 men to patrol outside the city, lending help where it was needed. Letters were sent all through the district calling for more assistance.
In Luoyang, Sima Shi had been afflicted by a mole below his left eye, causing him pain or itching at times, so he decided to have it removed. The surgeon excised it, closed and dressed the wound, and Sima Shi convalesced in his house. But before his wound could heal he received the disquieting news of the uprising in Huainan. He called in Wang Su to discuss the matter.
Wang Su said, “In former days, Guan Yu was the one man to fear in the whole empire. Later, Sun Quan sent Lu Meng to capture Jingzhou. What did he do? He first won over the officers by taking care of their families, and thus the morale of his enemy crumbled like falling tiles. Now the families of all the officers of Huainan are here in the north. Do something at once to show them that you care for them. At the same time send an army to block the rebels’ way of escape, and they will collapse too.”
“You are perfectly right,” agreed Sima Shi. “However, I cannot go myself as I have just had an operation—yet I will feel insecure if I send another in my place.”
At this time Zhong Hui was also present and he said, “The forces of Huainan are formidable and their men have high morale. It will be harmful if you send another to repel them. Should anything go wrong your whole design will fail.”
“No one but myself can succeed,” cried Sima Shi, starting from his couch. “I must go.”
So, in spite of his illness, he resolved to lead in person. He left his brother in charge of affairs at Luoyang and set out eastward, traveling in a padded carriage. Zhuge Dan was given command of all the forces of Yuzhou and ordered to take possession of Shouchun; Hu Zun, with the Qingzhou forces, was sent to advance from the Qiao and Song regions to bar any retreat of their enemy; and Wang Ji was to lead the vanguard division to conquer the southern district first. He himself led the main force to camp at Xiangyang.
In his tent Sima Shi summoned all his officers to a council.
Zheng Mao spoke first. “Guanqiu Jian is fond of laying plans, but slow to come to any decision, while Wen Qin is bold, but imprudent.” However, after depreciating their opponents thus he went on to suggest a defensive policy. “Although they are unprepared for our great army, I suggest we do not engage them lightly as their men are in highly combative spirits. We should remain on the defensive till their ardor has burned out. This was the strategy employed by General Zhou Ya-fu in the old days.”
Wang Ji objected: “This rebellion is the work of Guanqiu Jian. Neither the people nor the soldiers want to rebel but are forced into it because they are afraid of his power. The rebellion will go to pieces as soon as our army approaches.”
Sima Shi took Wang Ji’s advice and advanced to the Yin River, placing the center division on the bridge.
Then Wang Ji offered another piece of advice. “Nandun is an excellent camping ground,” he said. “You must occupy it at once, otherwise the enemy will do so.”
Sima Shi approved and sent Wang Ji to carry out his own plan.
Reports of Sima Shi’s movements came to Guanqiu Jian in his headquarters and an assembly of officers was called. The leader of the van, Ge Yong, said: “Nandun is an excellent site for a camp, with a river beside it and hills around. If Sima Shi’s men seize it first we will be unable to dislodge them. Let’s make haste and occupy it.”
So Guanqiu Jian and his army set out. But on the way, scouts reported an army already encamped there. Finding it hard to believe, Guanqiu Jian rode to the front to see for himself. And there he saw flags fluttering over the whole field and tents pitched in orderly array. The sight distressed him, and he rode back to his army, not knowing what to do. Just then, scouts galloped up to say that Sun Jun of Wu had crossed the river to attack Shouchun.
“If that city is lost I will have no place to return to,” cried Guanqiu Jian.
That night he retreated back to Xiangcheng. Seeing the enemy retreat, Sima Shi again called together his officers for consultation. One of them, Fu Gu by name, explained that the retreat was obviously due to their fear of Wu’s attack on Shouchun and that they must have returned to Xiangcheng to send part of their force to defend it.
“General, you can order one force to take Yuejia, another to seize Xiangcheng, and a third to capture Shouchun,” added Fu Gu. “The Governor of Yanzhou, Deng Ai, is a very good strategist. If he is entrusted with the attack upon Yuejia, and further supported by a strong force, it will not be hard to destroy the enemy.”
His plan was accepted by Sima Shi, who dispatched an urgent message to Yanzhou, instructing Deng Ai to lead his own force to seize Yuejia, where he would soon be joined by Sima Shi himself.
Camped at Xiangcheng, Guanqiu Jian continuously sent
spies to Yuejia to reconnoiter for fear it might be attacked. When he spoke of his worries to Wen Qin, the latter replied, “General, don’t be anxious. With 5,000 soldiers, my son and I will guarantee its safety.”
This offer pleased Guanqiu Jian very much and so Wen Qin and his son, with the 5,000, marched out toward Yuejia. But as they drew near the city, soldiers from the front division reported that Wei troops, about 10,000 strong, were seen to the west of the city. Looking from afar toward the center of the Wei army, they spotted the various symbols of authority surrounding a large tent, from which rose an embroidered banner with the character Commander in the middle. The leader was obviously none other than Sima Shi himself. His men were busy pitching their camp.
When this was reported to Wen Qin, his son Wen Yang, bearing his famous whip of steel, was by his father’s side.
“We can score a complete victory if we attack them from two sides before they have established their camp, father.”
“When are we to start?” asked the father.
“At dusk. Father, you lead half the force to attack from the south, and with the other half I will smite from the north. We will meet at the Wei camp by the third watch.”
The youth who propounded this plan was then just eighteen, tall and strong. He wore complete armor and carried at his waist a steel whip. When the hour came to start he took his spear, swung himself into the saddle, and set out.
After arriving at Yuejia Sima Shi encamped and waited for Deng Ai, but the latter had not yet come. That night he lay in his tent, for he was still suffering pain from the wound beneath his left eye. All around the tent hundreds of armored guards stood vigilant.
At about the third watch he suddenly heard a thunderous shouting, followed by a great turmoil among his men and horses. He hastily asked what it was and was told that an army had broken in from the north, led by an officer who was too bold for anyone to withstand.
Sorely alarmed, Sima Shi felt his heart burning within him, which caused his wound to open. Blood flowed freely as his eyeball protruded from the wound and the pain became unbearable. But in his fear lest his army should be thrown into confusion, he dared not utter a sound but lay biting the quilt to fight down the pain. The quilt was gnawed to rags.
Wen Yang’s force had arrived first and attacked immediately. He dashed into the camp, slashing and thrusting right and left, and the Wei men fled before him. Those who tried to oppose him fell under his sharp spear or his terrible whip. All the time he was anxiously expecting his father to reinforce him from outside, but he was nowhere in sight. Several times he charged toward the center camp. However, he was driven back by the fierce flights of arrows and crossbow bolts. He fought on till daylight, when he heard a mixed noise of drums and horns in the north. Surprised, he said to those around him, “Why is father coming from the north instead of supporting me from the south?”
He galloped forth to see what was happening, and saw a force sweeping down like a storm.
It was not his father, but an enemy troop led by Deng Ai, who rushed forward, holding his sword crosswise, shouting, “You rebel! Do not try to flee!”
Setting his spear Wen Yang rode furiously toward his opponent. They engaged and fought fifty bouts without either gaining the advantage. The duel raged on, but at that moment the Wei army attacked from the rear in full force, and Wen Yang’s men began to scatter and run. Soon Wen Yang found himself alone.
However, he got clear of the fight and went away toward the south. But behind him came several hundred Wei officers, who plucked up their courage to pursue. They pressed on his heels as far as the Yuejia Bridge and it seemed they would catch up with him. Suddenly Wen Yang turned his steed and plunged into them. As he raised his steel whip, so the men of Wei fell from their horses and the rest retreated in fear. Wen Yang then slowly forced his way southward.
Incredulous, the Wei officers gathered together and said to each other, “This man even dares to force us all back! Let’s work together to press him.”
Therefore they resumed their pursuit.
“You fools?” cried Wen Qin, as he saw them coming on. “Do you not care for your lives?”
Again he fell upon them and slew several with his great whip. Then he again turned to continue his way forward at a leisurely pace. The chase was repeated a few more times, but each attempt was repelled by Wen Yang single-handedly. A poem compared his prowess to that of Zhao Yun at the Long Slope:
Holding off Cao Cao’s mighty host alone
Zi-long’s valor had stood peerless since.
Then at Yuejia where the battle was fierce,
The bold Wen Yang bore down another host.
Wen Qin never reached the appointed rendezvous. In the darkness he lost his way among the rugged mountain roads and strayed into a valley, from where he only escaped as day dawned. He saw every sign of a fight and a victory for Wei, but he could not discover where his son had gone. So he returned without fighting. The Wei army pursued, and Wen Qin escaped toward Shouchun.
Now Yin Da-mu used to be a confidant of Cao Shuang’s. After his patron was murdered he came to serve under Sima Shi, but had been watching for a chance to slay him to avenge Cao Shuang. He was also a good friend of Wen Qin’s. Seeing that Sima Shi was seriously ill, he went in to see the sick general and said, “Wen Qin had no intention to rebel, but was led astray by Guanqiu Jian. If you let me go and speak with him he will come over to you at once.”
Sima Shi agreed, and Yin Da-mu put on his helmet and armor and rode after Wen Qin. By and by he got near enough to shout.
“Don’t you recognize me? I’m Yin Da-mu.”
Wen Qin stopped and looked back. Yin Da-mu took off his helmet and said, “Governor Wen, why don’t you wait for a few more days?”
He tried to detain Wen Qin because he knew Sima Shi was very close to death, but Wen Qin did not understand. He abused Yin Da-mu and even intended to shoot his former friend. Weeping bitterly, Yin Da-mu turned back.
When Wen Qin reached Shouchun he found it already occupied by the Wei army. Then he tried to return to Xiangcheng, but three enemy forces arrived and the city was besieged. As the situation became more desperate, he decided to desert to Wu.
Guanqiu Jian, then behind the walls of Xiangcheng, heard about the fall of Shouchun, the defeat of Wen Qin, and the siege of his city from three enemy troops. He mustered all the forces in the city and marched out to face his foes.
As he went forth he encountered Deng Ai. He bade an officer to fight, but the man fell dead after the first encounter. Then Deng Ai and his men came on in force. Guanqiu Jian fought with all his strength, but his army was thrown into confusion. Then the other two troops also came up, and he was unable to withstand their combined attack. With a dozen followers he fled from the field and made for the town of Shen. Here the magistrate received him kindly and comforted him with a feast. At the banquet Guanqiu Jian was given too much wine and became completely drunk. Then he was slain by his host and his head offered to the Wei army. Thus ended the uprising in Huainan.
Sima Shi was confined to his bed, ill. He called Zhuge Dan to his tent and gave him the seal of command and conferred upon him the title of General–Conqueror of the East, with authority over all the forces in Yangzhou. Soon after, the army marched back to Xuchang.
The sick man suffered from severe pain in his eyes and at the same time he began to have visions. Night after night he was troubled by the apparitions of the three courtiers he had cruelly put to death, and he knew that his end was near. He sent for his brother, who came and wept by his bed while he listened to the ruler’s last commands.
“The responsibility of power is heavy,” said Sima Shi. “Though I would like to step down, it is not possible. You are to succeed me—and remember, never trust anyone else with important affairs, or you may bring the disaster of the destruction of our whole clan.”
Then he handed the seal of office to Sima Zhao as tears rolled down his face. Sima Zhao hastened to ask some final questions, but his
brother let out a heart-rending cry as his damaged eye fell out and he died. It was the second month of the second year of the period Zheng Yuan.
Sima Zhao put on mourning for his brother and informed the Emperor of his death. By special edict the Emperor ordered Sima Zhao to remain at Xuchang so as to guard against any attack from Wu. This order was unwelcome to its recipient, but he hesitated as to what to do.
Zhong Hui said, “The general has died only recently and the popular sentiment is hard to predict. What if some shifting of power takes place at the capital while you are here? It will be too late to regret.”
Taking his advice, Sima Zhao left Xuchang and camped on the Luo River. This move alarmed the Emperor. Then Wang Su advised him to placate Sima Zhao with new titles and honors. The Emperor consented and he sent Wang Su to take an edict to Sima Zhao, creating him Commander of Armed Forces and giving him full authority to control various ministries. He came to Luoyang to thank the Emperor for these honors and hencefor-ward all matters of the government were in his hand.
When news of these developments reached the Shu capital, Jiang Wei again petitioned for an expedition. “Sima Shi is dead and his brother has just gained power. He will not dare to leave Luoyang until he has consolidated his position. I pray your Majesty will permit me to take this opportunity to attack Wei so as to recover the northern territory.”
The Emperor agreed and Jiang Wei went to Hanzhong to prepare.
However, Zhang Yi tried to dissuade him, saying, “Our land is small and narrow and lacks the kind of resources for long expeditions. It’s better to firmly guard the strategic points on our borders, rest the army, and care for the people. That is the way to protect our state.”
“You’re mistaken,” said Jiang Wei. “Before our late prime minister left his cottage, he had already envisaged the division of the empire into three kingdoms, but he led six expeditions to try to recover the northern land. Unfortunately he died leaving his design unaccomplished. But he bequeathed to me the legacy of this mission and I must carry on his unfinished task and devote myself to the country to be worthy of his trust. Even if I die in the attempt, I will perish without regret. Now Wei is in an unstable condition and if we miss the opportunity, when are we going to find another?”