In due time Chiang Hsien reached Chienko, and gave the general the king's command to surrender to the invaders. Chiang Wei was dumb with amazement at the order; his officers ground their teeth with rage and mortification. Their hair stood on end with anger: they drew their swords and slashed at stones in their wrath, shouting they would rather die than yield thus. The roar of their angry lamentation was heard for miles. But Chiang Wei soothed them with kindly words, saying, "Captains, grieve not; even yet I can restore the House of Han." "How?" cried they. And he whispered low in their ears. The flag of surrender fluttered over the ramparts of Chienko, and a messenger went to Chung Hui's camp. When Chiang Wei and his captains drew near, Chung Hui went out to meet them. "Why have you been so long in coming?" was his greeting. Chiang Wei looked him straight in the face and said, without a tremor, but through falling tears, "The whole armies of the state are under me, and I am here far too soon." Chung wondered what this cryptic remark might mean, but said nothing more. The two saluted each other and took their seats, Chiang being placed in the seat of honour. Chiang Wei said, "I hear that every detail of your plans, from the time you left Huainan till now, has been accomplished. The good fortune of the Ssuma family is owing to you, and so I am the more content to bow my head and yield to you. Had it been Têng Ai I should have fought to the death, for I would not have surrendered to him." Then Chung Hui broke an arrow in twain, and they two swore close brotherhood. Their friendship became closeknit. Chiang Wei was continued in command of his own army, at which he secretly rejoiced. Chiang Hsien went back to Chiêngtu. As conqueror, Têng Ai arranged for the administration of the newly-gained territory. He made Shih Tsuan Governor of Ichou and appointed many others to various posts. He also built a tower in Mienchu in commemoration of his conquest. At a great banquet, where most of the guests were men of the newly-conquered province, Têng Ai drank too freely and in his cups became garrulous. With a patronising wave of his hand, he said to his guests, "You are lucky in that you have had to do with me. Things might well have been otherwise, and you might all have been put to death." The guests rose in a body and expressed their gratitude. Just at that moment Chiang Hsien arrived from his visit to Chiang Wei to say that he and his army had surrendered to Chung Hui. Têng Ai thereupon conceived a great hatred for Chung, and soon after he wrote to Loyang a letter something like this: "I would venture to remark that misleading rumours of war should precede actual attack. Now that Shu has been overcome, the manifest next move is against Wu, and in present circumstances victory would easily follow an attack. But after a great effort, both leaders and led are weary and unfit for immediate service. Therefore of this army two legions should be left west of Shênsi and with them two legions of the men of Shu, to be employed in boiling salt so as to improve the finances. Moreover, ships should be built ready for an expedition down the river. When these preparations shall be complete, then send an envoy into Wu to lay before its rulers. the truth about its position. It is possible that matters may be settled without any fighting. Further, generous treatment of Liu Ch'an will tend to weaken Sun Hsiu, but if Liu Ch'an be removed to the capital, the men of Wu will be perplexed and doubtful about what may happen to them, and they will not be amenable. Therefore it seems the most fitting to leave the late King of Shu here. Next year, in the winter season, he might be removed to the capital. For the present I would recommend that he be created Prince of Fufêng, and granted a sufficient revenue and suitable attendants. His sons also should receive ducal rank. In this way would be demonstrated that favourable treatment follows upon submission. Such a course would inspire fear of the might of Wei and respect for its virtue, and the result will be all that could be desired." Reading this memorial, the thought entered the mind of Ssuma Chao that Têng Ai was exaggerating his own importance, wherefore he first wrote a private letter to Wei Kuan and then caused the king to issue an edict concerning the successful general. The edict ran thus: "General Têng has performed a glorious exploit, penetrating deeply into a hostile country and reducing to submission a usurping potentate. This task has been quickly performed; the clouds of war have already rolled away and peace reigns throughout Pa and Shu. "The merits of Têng Ai surpass those of Po Ch'i, who subdued the mighty state of Ch'u and Han Hsin, who conquered Chao. Têng Ai is created T'ai-yü, and We confer upon him a fief of 20,000 homesteads, and his two sons are ennobled, each with a fief of 1,000 homesteads." After the edict had been received with full ceremonies, the Inspector of the Forces, Wei Kuan, produced the private letter, which said that Têng's proposals would have suitable consideration in due time. Then said Têng, "A general in the field may decline to obey even the orders of his prince. My commission was to conquer the west; why are my plans hindered?" So he wrote a reply and sent it to the capital by the hand of the envoy. At that time it was common talk at court that Têng Ai intended to rebel, and when Ssuma Chao read the letter his suspicions turned to certainty, and he feared. This was the letter: "General Têng, 'Conqueror of the West,' has reduced the chief of the revolt to submission and must have authority to act according as he sees best in order to settle the early stages of administration of the new territory. To await government orders for every step means long delays. According to the 'Spring and Autumn' Annals a high officer, when abroad, has authority to follow his own judgment for the safety of the Throne and the advantage of the state. "Now seeing that Wu is still unsubdued, all interest centres upon this country, and schemes of settlement should not be nullified by strict adherence to rules and formalities. In war advances are made without thought of reputation, retreats without consideration of avoiding punishment. Though I do not possess the fortitude of the ancients, I shall not be deterred from acting for the benefit of the state by craven and selfish fears for my own reputation." In his perplexity Ssuma Chao turned to Chia Ch'ung for advice. Said he, "Têng Ai presumes upon his services to be haughty and imperious: his recalcitrancy is very evident. What shall I do?" "Why not order Chung Hui to reduce him to obedience?" replied Chia. Ssuma Chao accepted the suggestion and issued an edict raising Chung Hui to presidential rank. After this the Inspector of the Forces, Wei Kuan, was set over both, with special orders to keep a watch upon Têng and guard against any attempt at insubordination. The edict sent to Chung Hui ran as follows:-"General Chung, Conqueror of the West,' against whose might none can stand, before whom no one is strong, whose virtue conquers every city, whose wide net no one escapes, to whom the valiant army of Shu humbly submitted, whose plans never fail, whose every undertaking succeeds, is hereby made President of the Board of Revenue and raised to the rank of Marquis of a fief of 10,000 families. His two sons also have similar rank with a fief of 1,000 families." When this edict reached Chung Hui, he called in Chiang Wei and said to him, "Têng Ai has been rewarded more richly than I and is a T'ai-yü. But Ssuma suspects him of rebellion and has ordered Wei Kuan and myself to keep him in order. What does my friend Po-Yüeh think ought to be done?" Chiang Wei replied, "They say Têng's origin was ignoble and in his youth he was a farmer and breeder of cattle. However, he had good luck and has won a great reputation in this expedition. But this is due not to his able plans, but to the good fortune of the state. If you had not been compelled to hold me in check at Chienko he could not have succeeded. Now he wishes the late king to be created Prince Fufêng, whereby he hopes to win the goodwill of the men of Shu. But to me it seems that perfidy lies therein. The duke suspects him, it is evident." Chung complimented him. Chiang Wei continued, "If you will send away your people I have something to say to you in private." When this had been done and they two were alone, Chiang drew a map from his sleeve and spread it before Chung, saying, "Long ago, before he had left his humble cot, K'ung-ming gave this to the Former Ruler and told him of the riches of Ichou and how well it was fitted for an independent state. Whereupon Chiêngtu was seized as a first step towards attaining it. Now that Têng Ai has got to the same point it is small wonder that he has lost his balance." Chung asked many questions about the details of the features of the map, and Chiang explained in full. Toward the end, he asked how Têng could be got rid of. "By making use of Duke Chin's suspicions," replied Chiang. "Send up a memorial to say that it looks as if Têng Ai really contemplated rebellion. You will receive direct orders to check the revolt. So a memorial was sent to Loyang. It said that Têng Ai aimed at independence, nourished base designs, was making friends with the vanquished and was about to revolt. At this news the court was much disturbed. Then to support his charges, Chung's men intercepted Têng's letters and re-wrote them in arrogant and rebellious terms. Ssuma Chao was greatly angered and ordered an expedition into the Hsieh Valley to arrest Têng, he himself directing it under the leadership of the King of Wei, whom he compelled to go with him. Then said Shao T'i, "Chung Hui's army outnumbers that of Têng Ai by six to one. You need not go; you need only order Chung to arrest Têng.” "Have you forgotten?" said Ssuma, smiling. "You said Chung Hui was a danger; I am not really going against Têng Ai, but against the other." "I feared lest you had forgotten," said Shao. "I ventured to remind you, but the matter must be kept secret." The expedition set out. By this time Chung's attitude had aroused Chia Chung's suspicions, and he spoke of it to Ssŭma Chao, who replied, "If I sent you should I feel doubts? However, come to Ch'angan and you will understand." The despatch of the army was reported to Chung Hui, who wondered what it might mean. He at once called in Chiang Wei to consult about the seizure of Têng Ai. |