第六十九回

第六十九回 卜周易管辂知机 讨汉贼五臣死节

却说当日曹操见黑风中群尸皆起，惊倒于地。须臾风定，群尸皆不见。左右扶操回宫，惊而成疾。后人有诗赞左慈曰：

飞步凌云遍九州，独凭遁甲自遨游。等闲施设神仙术，点悟曹瞒不转头。

曹操染病，服药无愈。适太史丞许芝，自许昌来见操。操令芝卜《易》，芝曰：“大王曾闻神卜管辂否？”操曰：“颇闻其名，未知其术。汝可详言之。”芝曰：“管辂字公明，平原人也。容貌粗丑，好酒疏狂。其父曾为琅琊即丘长。辂自幼便喜仰视星辰，夜不肯寐，父母不能禁止。常云：‘家鸡野鹄，尚自知时，何况为人在世乎？’与邻儿共戏，辄画地为天文，分布日月星辰。及稍长，即深明《周易》，仰观风角[1]，数学通神，兼善相术。琅琊太守单子春闻其名，召辂相见。时有坐客百余人，皆能言之士。辂谓子春曰：‘辂年少胆气未坚，先请美酒三升，饮而后言。’子春奇之，遂与酒三升。饮毕，辂问子春：‘今欲与辂为对者，若府君四座之士耶？’子春曰：‘吾自与卿旗鼓相当。’于是与辂讲论《易》理。辂亹亹[2]而谈，言言精奥。子春反覆辩难，辂对答如流。从晓至暮，酒食不行。子春及众宾客，无不叹服。于是天下号为‘神童’。后有居民郭恩者，兄弟三人，皆得躄疾[3]，请辂卜之。辂曰：‘卦中有君家本墓中女鬼，非君伯母即叔母也。昔饥荒之年，谋数升米之利，推之落井，以大石压破其头，孤魂痛苦，自诉于天，故君兄弟有此报。不可禳也。’郭恩等涕泣伏罪。安平太守王基，知辂神卜，延辂至家。适信都令妻，常患头风，其子又患心痛，因请辂卜之。辂曰：‘此堂之西角有二死尸：一男持矛，一男持弓箭。头在壁内，脚在壁外。持矛者主刺头，故头痛；持弓箭者主刺胸腹，故心痛。’乃掘之，入地八尺，果有二棺。一棺中有矛，一棺中有角弓及箭，木俱已朽烂。辂令徙骸骨去城外十里埋之，妻与子遂无恙。馆陶令诸葛原，迁新兴太守，辂往送行。客言辂能覆射，诸葛原不信，暗取燕卵、蜂窠、蜘蛛三物，分置三盒之中，令辂卜之。卦成，各写四句于盒上。其一曰：‘含气须变，依乎宇堂；雌雄以形，羽翼舒张：此燕卵也。’其二曰：‘家室倒悬，门户众多；藏精育毒，得秋乃化：此蜂窠也。’其三曰：‘觳觫[4]长足，吐丝成罗；寻网求食，利在昏夜：此蜘蛛也。’满座惊骇。乡中有老妇失牛，求卜之。辂判曰：‘北溪之滨，七人宰烹；急往追寻，皮肉尚存。’老妇果往寻之，七人于茅舍后煮食，皮肉犹存。妇告本郡太守刘邠，捕七人罪之，因问老妇曰：‘汝何以知之？’妇告以管辂之神卜。刘邠不信，请辂至府，取印囊及山鸡毛藏于盒中，令卜之。辂卜其一曰：‘内方外圆，五色成文；含宝守信，出则有章：此印囊也。’其二曰：‘岩岩有鸟，锦体朱衣；羽翼玄黄，鸣不失晨：此山鸡毛也。’刘邠大惊，遂待为上宾。一日，出郊闲行，见一少年耕于田中，辂立道傍，观之良久，问曰：‘少年高姓、贵庚？’答曰：‘姓赵，名颜，年十九岁矣。敢问先生为谁？’辂曰：‘吾管辂也。吾见汝眉间有死气，三日内必死。汝貌美，可惜无寿。’赵颜回家，急告其父。父闻之，赶上管辂，哭拜于地曰：‘请归救吾子！’辂曰：‘此乃天命也，安可禳乎？’父告曰：‘老夫止有此子，望乞垂救！’赵颜亦哭求。辂见其父子情切，乃谓赵颜曰：‘汝可备净酒一瓶，鹿脯一块，来日赍往南山之中，大树之下，看盘石上有二人弈棋：一人向南坐，穿白袍，其貌甚恶；一人向北座，穿红袍，其貌甚美。汝可乘其弈兴浓时，将酒及鹿脯跪进之。待其饮食毕，汝乃哭拜求寿，必得益算矣。但切勿言是吾所教。’老人留辂在家。次日，赵颜携酒脯杯盘入南山之中。约行五六里，果有二人于大松树下盘石上着棋，全然不顾赵颜跪进酒脯。二人贪着棋，不觉饮酒已尽。赵颜哭拜于地而求寿，二人大惊。穿红袍者曰：‘此必管子之言也。吾二人既受其私，必须怜之。’穿白袍者，乃于身边取出簿籍检看，谓赵颜曰：‘汝今年十九岁，当死。吾今于“十”字上添一“九”字，汝寿可至九十九。回见管辂，教再休泄漏天机，不然，必致天谴。’穿红者出笔添讫，一阵香风过处，二人化作二白鹤，冲天而去。赵颜归问管辂。辂曰：‘穿红者，南斗也；穿白者，北斗也。’颜曰：‘吾闻北斗九星，何止一人？’辂曰：‘散而为九，合而为一也。北斗注死，南斗注生。今已添注寿算，子复何忧？’父子拜谢。自此管辂恐泄天机，更不轻为人卜。此人现在平原，大王欲知休咎，何不召之？”

操大喜，即差人往平原召辂。辂至，参拜讫，操令卜之。辂答曰：“此幻术耳，何必为忧？”操心安，病乃渐可。操令卜天下之事。辂卜曰：“三八纵横，黄猪遇虎；定军之南，伤折一股。”又令卜传祚修短之数。辂卜曰：“狮子宫中，以安神位；王道鼎新，子孙极贵。”操问其详。辂曰：“茫茫天数，不可预知，待后自验。”操欲封辂为太史，辂曰：“命薄相穷，不称此职，不敢受也。”操问其故，答曰：“辂额无主骨，眼无守睛，鼻无梁柱，脚无天根，背无三甲，腹无三壬。只可泰山治鬼，不能治生人也。”操曰：“汝相吾若何？”辂曰：“位极人臣，又何必相？”再三问之，辂但笑而不答。操令辂遍相文武官僚，辂曰：“皆治世之臣也。”操问休咎，皆不肯尽言。后人有诗赞曰：

平原神卜管公明，能算南辰北斗星。八卦幽微通鬼窍，六爻玄奥究天庭。预知相法应无寿，自觉心源极有灵。可惜当年奇异术，后人无复授遗经。

操令卜东吴、西蜀二处。辂设卦云：“东吴主亡一大将，西蜀有兵犯界。”操不信。忽合淝报来：“东吴陆口守将鲁肃身故。”操大惊，便差人往汉中探听消息。不数日，飞报刘玄德遣张飞、马超兵屯下辨取关。操大怒，便欲自领大兵再入汉中，令管辂卜之。辂曰：“大王未可妄动，来春许都必有火灾。”操见辂言累验，故不敢轻动，留居邺郡，使曹洪领兵五万，往助夏侯渊、张郃同守东川，又差夏侯惇领兵三万，于许都来往巡警，以备不虞，又教长史王必总督御林军马。主簿司马懿曰：“王必嗜酒性宽，恐不堪任此职。”操曰：“王必是孤披荆棘历艰难时相随之人，忠而且勤，心如铁石，最足相当。”遂委王必领御林军马，屯于许都东华门外。

时有一人，姓耿，名纪，字季行，洛阳人也。旧为丞相府掾，后迁侍中少府，与司直韦晃甚厚，见曹操进封王爵，出入用天子车服，心甚不平。时建安二十三年春正月，耿纪与韦晃密议曰：“操贼奸恶日甚，将来必为篡逆之事。吾等为汉臣，岂可同恶相济？”韦晃曰：“吾有心腹人，姓金，名，乃汉相金日之后，素有讨操之心，更兼与王必甚厚。若得同谋，大事济矣。”耿纪曰：“他既与王必交厚，岂肯与我等同谋乎？”韦晃曰：“且往说之，看是如何。”于是二人同至金宅中。接入后堂坐定，晃曰：“德伟与王长史甚厚，吾二人特来告求。”曰：“所求何事？”晃曰：“吾闻魏王早晚受禅，将登大宝，公与王长史必高迁。望不相弃，曲赐提携，感德非浅！”拂袖而起，适从者奉茶至，便将茶泼于地上。晃佯惊曰：“德伟故人，何薄情也？”袆曰：“吾与汝交厚，为汝等是汉朝臣宰之后。今不思报本，欲辅造反之人，吾有何面目与汝为友！”耿纪曰：“奈天数如此，不得不为耳！”大怒。耿纪、韦晃见果有忠义之心，乃以实情相告曰：“吾等本欲讨贼，来求足下。前言特相试耳。”曰：“吾累世汉臣，安能从贼！公等欲扶汉室，有何高见？”晃曰：“虽有报国之心，未有讨贼之计。”曰：“吾欲里应外合，杀了王必，夺其兵权，扶助銮舆。更结刘皇叔为外援，操贼可灭矣。”二人闻之，抚掌称善。

曰：“我有心腹二人，与操贼有杀父之仇，现居城外，可用为羽翼。”耿纪问是何人。曰：“太医吉平之子，长名吉邈，字文然；次名吉穆，字思然。操昔日为董承衣带诏事，曾杀其父，二子逃窜远乡，得免于难。今已潜归许都，若使相助讨贼，无有不从。”耿纪、韦晃大喜。金即使人密唤二吉。须臾，二人至，具言其事。二人感愤流泪，怨气冲天，誓杀国贼。金曰：“正月十五日夜间，城中大张灯火，庆赏元宵。耿少府、韦司直，你二人各领家僮，杀到王必营前，只看营中火起，分两路杀入，杀了王必，径跟我入内，请天子登五凤楼，召百官面谕讨贼。吉文然兄弟于城外杀入，放火为号，各要扬声，叫百姓诛杀国贼，截住城内救军。待天子降诏，招安已定，便进兵杀投邺郡擒曹操，即发使赍诏召刘皇叔。今日约定，至期二更举事，勿似董承自取其祸。”五人对天说誓，歃血为盟，各自归家，整顿军马器械，临期而行。

且说耿纪、韦晃二人，各有家僮三四百，预备器械。吉邈兄弟，亦聚三百人口，只推围猎，安排已定。金先期来见王必，言：“方今海宇稍安，魏王威震天下，今值元宵令节，不可不放灯火以示太平气象。”王必然其言，告谕城内居民，尽张灯结彩，庆赏佳节。至正月十五夜，天色晴霁，星月交辉，六街三市，竞放花灯。真个金吾不禁，玉漏无催[5]！王必与御林诸将，在营中饮宴。二更以后，忽闻营中呐喊，人报营后火起。王必慌忙出帐看时，只见火光乱滚，又闻喊杀连天，知是营中有变，急上马出南门，正遇耿纪，一箭射中肩膊，几乎坠马，遂望西门而走，背后有军赶来。王必着忙，弃马步行，至金门首，慌叩其门。原来金一面使人于营中放火，一面亲领家僮随后助战，只留妇女在家。时家中闻王必叩门之声，只道金归来。妻从隔门便问曰：“王必那厮杀了么？”王必大惊，方悟金同谋，径投曹休家，报知金、耿纪等同谋反。休急披挂上马，引千馀人在城中拒敌。城内四下火起，烧着五凤楼，帝避于深宫。曹氏心腹爪牙死据宫门，城中但闻人叫：“杀尽曹贼，以扶汉室！”

原来夏侯惇奉曹操命巡警许昌，领三万军离城五里屯扎。是夜，遥望见城中火起，便领大军前来，围住许都，使一枝军入城接应曹休。直混杀至天明，耿纪、韦晃等无人相助。人报金、二吉皆被杀死，耿纪、韦晃夺路杀出城门，正遇夏侯惇大军围住，活捉去了，手下百馀人皆被杀。夏侯惇入城，救灭遗火，尽收五人老小宗族，使人飞报曹操。操传令教将耿、韦二人，及五家宗族老小，皆斩于市，并将在朝大小百官，尽行拿解邺郡，听候发落。夏侯惇押耿、韦二人至市曹。耿纪厉声大叫曰：“曹阿瞒！吾生不能杀汝，死当作厉鬼以击贼！”刽子以刀搠其口，流血满地，大骂不绝而死。韦晃以面颊顿地曰：“可恨！可恨！”咬牙皆碎而死。后人有诗赞曰：

耿纪精忠韦晃贤，各持空手欲扶天。谁知汉祚相将尽，恨满心胸丧九泉。

夏侯惇尽杀五家老小宗族，将百官解赴邺郡。曹操于教场立红旗于左、白旗于右，下令曰：“耿纪、韦晃等造反，放火焚许都，汝等亦有出救火者，亦有闭门不出者。如曾救火者，可立于红旗下，如不曾救火者，可立于白旗下。”众官自思救火者必无罪，于是多奔红旗之下，三停内只有一停立于白旗下。操教尽拿立于红旗下者，众官各言无罪，操曰：“汝当时之心，非是救火，实欲助贼耳。”尽命牵出漳河边斩之，死者三百馀员。其立于白旗下者，尽皆赏赐，仍令还许都。时王必已被箭疮发而死，操命厚葬之。令曹休总督御林军马，钟繇为相国，华歆为御史大夫。遂定侯爵六等十八级，关中侯爵十七级，皆金印紫绶[6]；又置关内外侯十六级，银印龟纽墨绶；五大夫十五级，铜印环纽墨绶。定爵封官，朝廷又换一班人物。曹操方悟管辂火灾之说，遂重赏辂。辂不受。

却说曹洪领兵到汉中，令张郃、夏侯渊各据险要，曹洪亲自进兵拒敌。时张飞自与雷铜守把巴西。马超兵至下辨，令吴兰为先锋，领军哨出，正与曹洪军相遇。吴兰欲退，牙将任夔曰：“贼兵初至，若不先挫其锐气，何颜见孟起乎？”于是骤马挺枪搦曹洪战。洪自提刀跃马而出，交锋三合，斩夔于马下，乘势掩杀。吴兰大败，回见马超，超责之曰：“汝不得吾令，何故轻敌致败？”吴兰曰：“任夔不听吾言，故有此败。”马超曰：“可紧守隘口，勿与交锋。”一面申报成都，听候行止。曹洪见马超连日不出，恐有诈谋，引军退回南郑。张郃来见曹洪，问曰：“将军既已斩将，如何退兵？”洪曰：“吾见马超不出，恐有别谋。且我在邺都，闻神卜管辂有言：当于此地折一员大将。吾疑此言，故不敢轻进。”张郃大笑曰：“将军行兵半生，今奈何信卜者之言而惑其心哉！郃虽不才，愿以本部兵取巴西。若得巴西，蜀郡易耳。”洪曰：“巴西守将张飞，非比等闲，不可轻敌。”张郃曰：“人皆怕张飞，吾视之如小儿耳！此去必擒之！”洪曰：“倘有疏失，若何？”郃曰：“甘当军令。”洪勒了文状，张郃进兵。正是：自古骄兵多致败，从来轻敌少成功。未知胜负如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 风角——观察风的动向来占吉凶；古代一种迷信的方术。

[2] 亹（wěi）亹——同娓娓，不疲倦的样子。

[3] 躄（bì）疾——跛脚病。

[4] 觳觫（hú　sù）——颤抖。

[5] 金吾不禁，玉漏无催——金吾，即执金吾，汉代官名，掌管京城的治安警卫。漏，古时滴水计时的器具。这两句是说，京城的人们在元宵节的夜里游玩，因“夜禁”开放，可以不受警卫军的干涉和时间的限制。

[6] 绶——古代官印佩带于身，佩印所穿的绳绦叫绶。

CHAPTER 69. Guan Lu Sees Things In The Book Of Changes; Five Loyal Subjects Die For Their State.

The sight of the corpses of his victims rising to their feet in the storm and running toward him was too much for Cao Cao, and he swooned. However, the wind quickly fell and the corpses disappeared. His followers assisted Cao Cao to his palace, but he was very ill.

A poet celebrated the episode of the murdered Taoist:

He studied his magical books,

He was learned in mystical lore,

And with magical fleetness of foot

He could travel the wide world over.

The magical arts that he knew,

He employed in an earnest essay

To reform the bad heart of Cao Cao.

But in vain; Cao Cao held on his way.

Cao Cao's illness seemed beyond the art of the physicians, and drugs seemed of no avail. It happened that Minister Xu Zhi came from the capital to visit the prince, who bade the latter take a cast from the “Book of Changes.”

“Have you ever heard of Guan Lu? He is more than human in his skill at divination,” said Xu Zhi.

“I have heard a lot about him, but I do not know how clever he is; you tell me about him,” replied Cao Cao.

“He is from Pingyuan. His face is ugly and coarse; he drinks to excess and is rather dissipated. His father was an elder of Langye. From a lad Guan Lu loved to study the stars, staying up all night to watch them, in spite of the prohibition of his father and mother. He used to say that if domestic fowls and wild geese knew the seasons naturally, how much more should humans. He often used to play with other boys at drawing pictures of the sky on the ground, putting in the sun, moon, and stars. When he grew older he studied the 'Book of Changes' very deeply and observed the winds. He was a marvelous calculator and excellent physiognomist.

“His fame reached the ears of Shan Zichun, the Governor of Langye, who called him to his residence for an interview. There were present some hundred or so other guests, every one of whom could be called able of speech.

“'I am young and not over-bold,' said Guan Lu to the Governor. 'I pray you give me three flasks of wine to loosen my tongue.' The request was astonishing, but the wine was brought in, and when he had drunk it, Guan Lu, looking contemptuously at the other guests, said, 'Now I am ready; are these the sort of opponents you have got together for me to contend with? Are these gentlemen sitting around me disputants?'

“'I myself am anxious for a match with you,' said Shan Zichun. Then they began upon the meaning of the Book of Changes. Guan Lu's words poured forth like a torrent, and his ideas were most recondite. The Governor replied, stating difficulties; Guan Lu swept them away in a stream of eloquence. So it went on the whole day without a pause even for refreshment. Neither Shan Zichun nor his other guests could help praising Guan Lu and agreeing with him.

“His fame spread wide after this encounter, and people spoke of him as the 'Supernatural Boy.' After this he became famous in another way. There was a certain Guo En, a man of the people, who had two brothers. All three became lame, and they called in Guan Lu to cast lots and discover the reason. Guan Lu said, 'By the lots there is a female demon in your family tomb, an aunt, the wife of one of your father's brothers. Some years ago, in a time of famine, for the sake of a few carts of grain, she was pushed into a well and a great stone was thrown in on her, crushing her head so that she suffered intensely. She complained to the Most High, and your lameness is the retribution for that crime. No prayers will avert the evil. The three brothers wept and acknowledged their guilt.

“Governor Wang Ji of Anping, heard of the diviner's fame and invited him to come on a visit, and he went. It happened that another guest of the Governor was the magistrate of Xindu, whose wife suffered from headaches and his son from pains in the heart. Guan Lu was asked to discover the reason. He cast lots and said that at the west corner of the main hall there were buried two corpses, one of a man who held a spear, the other of a man who had a bow and arrows. The wall was built across them. The spearman's master had gashed his head, and so his head pained. The archer's master had stabbed him in the heart, and so his heart suffered anguish. They dug where Guan Lu indicated and, about eight spans down, found two coffins, one with a spear inside and the other with a strung bow and wooden arrows. All were much decayed. Guan Lu bade them remove the bones and bury them three miles outside the walls. Thereafter the woman and her son suffered no more.

“A certain Zhuge Yuan, Magistrate of Guantao, newly promoted to Governor, was leaving for his new post, and Guan Lu went to see him off. One of the guests mentioned that Guan Lu could divine what was hidden from sight. The Governor doubted such powers and said he would put a test. He got a swallow's egg, a wasp's nest, and a spider, and concealed them in three separate boxes. He asked Guan Lu to guess the contents. The divination made, Guan Lu wrote three quatrains:

'The latent life will declare itself;

It will cling to your lordly hall,

Or male or female, flung into space,

Wide wings will prevent its fall.

This seems to indicate a swallow's egg.

'A many-chambered dwelling

Is hanging to your eaves.

Each room has a poisonous tenant;

Who'll be flying when he leaves.

This answers to a wasp's nest.

'Therein is a long-legged, trembling thing,

Who spins a thread from his inside

And spreads a fine spun net for flies;

He profits most at eventide.

And this it a spider.'

“The guests were amazed.

“An old woman in his village having lost a cow, came to consult him. After the divination, he told her that seven men had taken away the cow and were cooking and eating it on the bank of a certain mountain stream. She would better go there quickly and see who they were. If she went with all speed, she would find the skin and the flesh. The woman went and found the seven men hidden behind a small shanty, boiling beef. Most of the cow's flesh was still there. She told Governor Liu Bin, who arrested the seven men and punished them. Then the Governor asked the old lady how she got to know exactly who the offenders were, and she told him.

“Governor Liu Bin was dubious, too. He sent for Guan Lu and put him to the following test. He placed his seal and a pheasant feather in a box and asked what were the contents. The reply was:

'Square within, without so round,

Beauteous colors here abound;

The jewel within is held secure

And what it witnesses is sure.

Is not this a seal in its bag?

'There's a bird on the precipice steep,

Its body with flame seems aglow.

Its wings are barred yellow and black.

At sunrise it never fails to crow.

And I think this hints at a pheasant feather.

“Governor Liu Bin treated the marvelous diviner with great honor.

“One day Guan Lu saw a youth plowing a field. After watching him for a long time, Guan Lu suddenly asked his name and age.

“'My name is Zhao Yan, and I am nineteen,' said the young man. 'Pray, who may you be, Sir?'

“'I am Guan Lu; you may have heard of me. I see an air of early death about you, and you will be done with life in three days. It is a pity that one so handsome should die so young.'

“Zhao Yan forsook his plow, hurried home and told his father. The father at once set out to find Guan Lu, and, having found Guan Lu, threw himself on the ground and besought the diviner to save his son.

“'How can I avert the doom? It is fate,' said Guan Lu.

“'Alas! I have but this one son, I pray you save him.'

“And the son added his tears and prayers to those of his father. Guan Lu was deeply touched. Then he turned to the lad and said, 'You get ready some good wine and some venison. Tomorrow go into the forest on the south there, and underneath a lofty tree you will see two men seated on boulders playing chess. One of them will be dressed in white, and he will be facing the south. He is very evil looking. The other will be seated opposite, dressed in red. He is very handsome. They will be deeply absorbed in their game and will not notice who offers them food and wine, which you will humbly present on your knees. When they have eaten and drunk, you will prostrate yourself and with tears pray them to grant you length of days. You will gain an increased span of life, but, above all things, do not mention that I told you what to do.'

“The father kept Guan Lu as a guest, and the next day the son followed out his instructions. He entered the forest and soon came upon the two men seated beneath a pine, playing chess. They seemed oblivious to all around them. Zhao Yan presented the wine and the food, and the two men ate absent-mindedly, for the game went on.

“But when Zhao Yan threw himself on the ground and implored the gift of long life, they seemed startled. “'This must be some of Guan Lu's doing,' said Red-Robe. 'Still, as we have accepted a gift at his hand, we must have pity on him.'

“He who was dressed in white then lifted up a book that hung at his side and looked therein.

“'You are nineteen this year,' said White-Dress to Zhao Yan. 'You ought to die. But we will insert a number nine over the number one and so make it read ninety-nine, and that is the age you will attain. But when you go back, tell Guan Lu he is not to betray the secrets of fate, or Heaven will surely punish him.'

“Then Red-Robe took out a pen and added the figure. A gust of wind passed, and the two old men were transformed into two cranes that rose into the sky and flew away.

“Zhao Yan came back home and told what he had seen. Guan Lu told him the red-robed man was the Southern Dipper Constellation, and the white-robed, the Northern Dipper.

“'But the Northern Dipper consists of nine stars, and there was only one man,' objected the lad.

“'Separately they are nine, but they combine to form one. The Northern Dipper records deaths; the Southern Dipper, births. Now the extra figure has been added, you need have no anxiety; you will live long.

“Father and son both thanked him most sincerely, but thereafter Guan Lu was very careful how he divined for people lest he should betray celestial secrets.

“Now, this man is at Pingyuan, and you, O Prince, can seek your fate of him. Why not call him?”

Cao Cao was greatly glad. Guan Lu was sent for and came. As soon as the salutations were over, Cao Cao asked him to cast lots for him.

Guan Lu at once found the cause and said, “The illness is only due to magical machinations; it should not create anxiety.”

Cao Cao was much relieved in his mind, and his health began to improve.

Next Cao Cao wished to know about the conditions in the empire's affairs.

After the necessary calculations the prophet said, “Three and eight cross; the yellow boar meets the tiger; the southern expedition causes the loss of one limb.”

Then Cao Cao asked him to inquire whether his life should be long or not.

Guan Lu replied, “Lion in the Palace to preserve the talents of ancestors: the Prince's way is securely renewed, and his son and grandson shall come to high honor.”

Then Cao Cao asked concerning himself.

“Divination concerning the fate of the universe may not be foreknown; wait a time and I will look into it.”

Cao Cao was pleased and would like to keep such a man near him, so he offered him the post of historiographer (who was also soothsayer) at his court, but it was declined.

“My destiny is mean, my luck despicable; I am not equal to such an office and dare not undertake it,” said Guan Lu.

“Why not?” said Cao Cao.

“My forehead has no lofty fullness; my eyes no steady expression; my nose no bridge; my feet no round, solid heels; my back lacks the triple armor (of shoulder blades and intervening muscles); and my breast the three marks (like the character indicating wealth). I can only control evil spirits securely; I cannot rule living humans.”

“What think you of my physiognomy?”

“What can a minister of extremely exalted rank like yourself desire further?” said Guan Lu.

Cao Cao pressed him to say; the soothsayer only laughed. Then Cao Cao asked him to look at the many officers of all kinds standing around.

“Every one of them is a servant equal to the administration of the empire,” said Guan Lu.

But when Cao Cao asked whether good or bad fortune was to be his, the soothsayer would not give a clear and full reply.

A poem says:

Guan Lu was a seer of old.

Stars to him their secrets told.

Mysteries, occult and dim,

Were as daylight unto him.

His so subtle intellect

Could the shade of death detect,

But the secrets of his skill

Died with him,—are secrets still.

Again Cao Cao asked him to divine concerning his rivals Wu and Shu.

Guan Lu said, “The south just lost a famous leader, and the west is encroaching on your territory.”

Cao Cao's doubts as to the accuracy of one of these events were soon set at rest, for a messenger came from Hefei to report: “Lu Su, the Supreme Commander of the South Land, has died in Lukou.”

Then Cao Cao sent hurriedly into Hanzhong, and the scout returned to report: “Zhang Fei and Ma Chao have taken the Xiabian Pass and are threatening Hanzhong.”

Cao Cao was angry and inclined to march at once against the invaders; but he consulted the great soothsayer, who advised him not to move.

“Do not act in haste. In the coming spring there will be a conflagration in Xuchang,” said Guan Lu.

Having been witness of the verification of Guan Lu's words, Cao Cao was in no mood to neglect the warning. He stayed on in his palace, but he sent Cao Hong with fifty thousand troops to assist in the defense of the Eastern Land of Rivers, while Xiahou Dun, with thirty thousand troops, went to Xuchang to keep careful watch and be ready against any surprises. He placed High Minister Wang Bi in command of the Imperial Guard.

Sima Yi warned Cao Cao against this Wang Bi, saying, “The man is given to wine, and slack. He is not a fit person for such a post.”

Cao Cao replied, “He is very fit. He has followed me through all difficulties and dangers. He is loyal and diligent, solid as stone or iron.”

Wang Bi was appointed and led the guard into camp at the capital, outside the East Gate of the Imperial Palace.

Now there was a certain Geng Ji, a Luoyang man, who had long been employed in the Prime Minister's palace in a subordinate capacity and afterward had been promoted to a post of Minister. He and Minister Wei Huang were close friends.

These two were greatly distressed at Cao Cao's advance to princely rank, and more especially at his use of the imperial chariots. In the early months of the twenty-third year (AD 218), Geng Ji and Wei Huang came to a secret exchange of views on Cao Cao's conduct.

Geng Ji said, “The man is rebellious and wicked, every day behaving worse. He intends to go farther, and how can we, as servants of the dynasty, help him in his wickedness?”

Wei Huang said, “I have a friend named Jin Yi, who also is a servant of Han and an enemy of Cao Cao's. He is a descendant of the old Great Minister Jin Midi. Beside, he is friendly with Wang Bi. If we all tried our best, we ought to succeed.”

“But if he is friendly Wang Bi, he will not assist us!” said Geng Ji.

“Let us go and sound him,” said Wei Huang.

So the two went to see Jin Yi, who received them in his private rooms. There they talked.

Said Wei Huang, “O virtuous Jin Yi, we know you are on most friendly terms with Commander Wang Bi, and so have come to beg a favor.”

“What is it you ask?”

“The Prince of Wei will soon receive the abdication of the Emperor and himself ascend to the seat of the mighty. Then you and your friend Wang Bi will advance to places of great honor; and when that day comes, we pray you not to forget us, but to recommend us for employment. We should feel no shallow gratitude for your kindness.”

Jin Yi flicked down his sleeves and arose looking very angry. At that instant arrived the tea for the visitors. He snatched it away from the serving man and emptied it on the floor.

Wei Huang started up in feigned alarm.

“How have I offended you, my good friend?” cried he.

“I have been friends with you because you are descendants of people who have served the Hans faithfully. Now, instead of trying to repay the debt of gratitude you ought to feel, you turn aside to assist one who is their enemy, think you that I can regard you as friends? How could I look the world in the face?”

“But if it be destiny, one cannot help it,” said Geng Ji. “One must accept it.”

Jin Yi grew still more angry, so that the two visitors were convinced that at heart he was still loyal to the dynasty. Then they began to tell him the true state of the case.

“Our real desire is to destroy this rebel, and we have come to ask your help in that. What we said at first was only a test to find out what you thought.”

“Think you, with my ancestry, generation after generation in the confidence and service of the Hans, that I would willingly follow a rebel? If you, Sirs, really think of restoring the dynasty, pray tell me your plans.”

“Though we have the desire to prove our gratitude, yet we lack the means to destroy the enemy,” said Wei Huang.

Said Jin Yi, “We desire helpers within and supporters without. If we could slay Wang Bi, we could use his name and troops to help the Emperor. With the help of Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, we should be able to destroy the rebel Cao Cao.”

Hearing Jin Yi's plan, the others clapped their hands in approval.

“And I have two friends outside of the city who will go with us,” said Jin Yi. “Both of them have the murder of a father to avenge. We can get their helps.”

“Who are they?”

“They are sons of the great physician Ji Ping and are called Ji Mao and Ji Mu. Cao Cao put their father to death for his connection with the plot organized by Dong Cheng, when Dong Cheng received the secret edict conveyed in the robe and girdle, which was conferred upon him by the Emperor. The two sons escaped that time by flight, but they have since secretly returned to the capital. With their help all will go well.”

Geng Ji and Wei Huang rejoiced at the prospect of further help, and a messenger was sent to call in the two Reilly brothers. Soon they arrived, and the plot was laid before them. They were deeply affected and shed copious tears. Their wrath rose to the sky and they swore to aid in the destruction of the rebel.

“On the fifteenth day of the first month there will be grand illuminations in the city,” said Jin Yi, “and felicitations will continue on every side. Geng Ji and Wei Huang will each lead out their retainers and make their way quickly to Wang Bi's camp to wait till they see the fire begin. Then they will dash in, slay Wang Bi, and follow me inside the Palace. We will then request the Emperor to ascend the Tower of the Five Phoenixes, assemble his officers, and issue orders to destroy the rebels. The two Reilly brothers will make their way into the city and set fires going. Then all will raise their voices and summon the populace to their aid. They are to hold up any rescue force in the city till the Emperor has issued the edict and disturbance is allayed, when they will rush toward Yejun and seize Cao Cao. Then a messenger will be dispatched with a summons for Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle. We will begin our work that night at the second watch, and we will escape the ill success that attended Dong Cheng's attempt.”

All five swore before Heaven to be true, and they smeared their lips with blood in earnest of their oath. After this, each returned to his own home to prepare arms and call up their people.

Geng Ji and Wei Huang each had four or five hundred retainers, whom they armed. Ji Mao and Ji Mu also got together three hundred men. They gave out a story of a hunting party to explain the gathering.

When the preparations were complete, and before the time fixed for the rising, Jin Yi went to see Wang Bi and said, “Everything in the world seems now tranquil, and the power of the Prince of Wei extends over all the land. It is a season of joy and felicitation, and everyone is hanging out lanterns and putting up decorations for the occasion.”

The night of full moon was very clear, moon and stars most brilliant. The people of the capital took advantage of the night and thronged the “six streets and the three market places.” The lanterns were hung out in profusion, and all went merrily. No official interfered with the crowd, no one thought of the flight of time; all was simple gaiety.

That night the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Wang Bi, and his officers had a feast in their camp. Just after the second watch had begun, they heard a great shouting in the camp, and someone came in to say that a fire had started in the rear. Wang Bi hurriedly left the table and went outside. He saw flames leaping up and rolling by and heard shouts of “Kill!” rising on every side and echoing to the very sky. He thought the camp had certainly mutinied, and, jumping on his horse, went out at the south gate. Just outside he ran against Geng Ji, who loosed an arrow which struck him in the shoulder. He nearly fell with the shock, but he got away toward the west gate. He found he was pursued by armed men, so he got flurried, dismounted, and went on foot. Presently he came to the house of Jin Yi and hammered at the door.

Now the fire that had created such a scare had been raised by Jin Yi's own people sent for that purpose, and Jin Yi had followed them to fight when the time came. Hence there was no one but the woman folk left in his house. When the women heard the clamor at the door, they thought Jin Yi had come back, and his wife, from the door of the women's quarter, called out, “Have you killed Wang Bi?”

This was a shock, but it told Wang Bi that his quondam friend was now an enemy. Wherefore he fled further to the house of Cao Xiu and told him, “Geng Ji and Jin Yi have raised a disturbance.”

Cao Xiu immediately armed himself, got to horse, and led a thousand troops into the city. He found fires on all sides, and the Tower of the Five Phoenixes was in flames. The Emperor had fled into the recesses of the Palace, but Cao Cao's friends and partisans were defending the Palace gates like grim death.

In the city the crowd was shouting one to another: “Slay Cao Cao and restore the Hans!”

When Xiahou Dun had received thirty thousand troops and the command to keep watch and ward over the capital, he had gone into camp three miles from the city. When he saw the conflagration start, he set the army in motion and surrounded the city. He also sent reinforcements to Cao Xiu within.

Inside the city the fighting went on all night. No one joined the conspirators; the small band were left to their own efforts. Soon it was reported that Jin Yi, Ji Mao, and Ji Mu were slain. Geng Ji and Wei Huang found their way to one of the gates, but there they met Xiahou Dun's main force and were made prisoners. The handful of men with them were cut to pieces.

When the fighting subsided, Xiahou Dun went into the city and set his troops to put out the fires. He also laid hands on the whole households of the five conspirators. Then he sent a report to Cao Cao, who sent back orders to execute the two conspirators and put to death in public all the members of the five families. He was also to arrest every official and send the whole batch to Yejun for interrogations.

Xiahou Dun sent his two chief prisoners to the place of execution. They shouted against Cao Cao. “Living we have failed to slay you, Cao Cao; dead we will be malicious spirits smiting rebels in all places!”

The executioner smote Geng Ji on the mouth with his sword, so that the blood gushed out, but he continued to shout as long as he could. Wei Huang, his fellow-conspirator, dashed his temples on the ground crying, “How I hate him!” and ground his teeth till he broke them to fragments. And they both died of hatred and exhaustion.

Who can with outstretched hands uphold the sky

Or thrones maintain by simple loyalty?

Han's day was done; two would avert the doom,

But failed, and carried anger to the tomb.

Xiahou Dun carried out his chief's orders and sent the officials he had arrested to Yejun. There Cao Cao set up two flags, one red and one white, in the drill ground and sent all the officials thither. Then he addressed them.

“In this late rebellion some of you went out to extinguish the fire, some of you stayed within doors. Let those who went forth to put out the fire take their stand by the red flag, and those who remained in their houses go to the white flag.”

The officials thought within themselves, “Certainly there can be nothing wrong in trying to put out a fire,” so they nearly all placed themselves under the red flag; only about a third went to the white.

Then the order was given to seize all those by the red flag.

They protested.

“We are guiltless!” cried they.

Cao Cao said, “At that time you intended not to put out the flames but to aid the rebels.”

He sent them all down to River Zhang and had them put to death on the bank. There were more than three hundred victims. He rewarded those who were under the white flag and sent them to their homes in the capital.

Wang Bi died from his wound and was buried with great honor.

Cao Xiu was placed over the guards; Zhong Yao was created Prime Minister of the princedom of Wei, Hua Xin became High Minister. The occasion was taken to create six grades of the title of Lordship with three divisions each, eighteen in all. There were seventeen grades of Marquis West of the Pass. And all these had golden seals of office with purple ribbons. There were also sixteen ranks of Interior Marquis and Exterior Marquis. They had silver seals with tortoise ornaments on the back and black ribbons. There were five classes of Minister with three grades in each class. These had brass seals, with chain ornaments and ribbons. And with all these various gradations of ranks and nobility reorganized, the court was entirely reformed. There were new ranks and new people in office.1

Cao Cao then remembered the warning about a conflagration in the capital and wished to reward Guan Lu for his prescience, but he would receive nothing.

Cao Hong with an army went into Hanzhong. He placed Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He in command at points of importance, while he went on to the attack. At that time Zhang Fei and Lei Tong were holding Baxi. Ma Chao marched to Xiabian and sent Wu Lan out as Van Leader to reconnoiter. He fell in with Cao Hong, and Wu Lan was going to retire. But General Ren Kui advised against this.

“The enemy are newly arrived, why not fight and take the keen edge off their pride? If we do not fight, how can we look our chief in the face when we return?”

So it was decided to offer battle, and Ren Kui rode out and challenged Cao Hong. The challenge was accepted, and the warriors advanced. Cao Hong cut Ren Kui down in the third encounter and pressed the advantage, and Wu Lan was beaten off. When Wu Lan returned and told Ma Chao, he was blamed.

“Why did you attack without orders and bring about this defeat?”

“It was the fault of Ren Kui, who disobeyed orders.”

“Defend the Pass most carefully; do not engage,” said Ma Chao.

Ma Chao sent a report to Capital Chengdu and awaited orders for a further action. Cao Hong suspected some ruse when Ma Chao remained so long inactive, and retired to Nanzheng. Here he was visited by Zhang He, who asked, “General, why did you retire after the successful attack and slaughter of one of the enemy leaders?”

“Seeing that Ma Chao declined to come out to fight, I suspected some ruse,” replied Cao Hong. “Beside, when I was at Yejun that wonderful soothsayer, Guan Lu, foretold the loss of a leader here. I heeded what he said and so was careful.”

Zhang He laughed, “You have been a leader of soldiers for half your life, and yet you heed the sayings of a soothsayer! I may be of small wit, but I would take Baxi with my own troops, and the possession of Baxi would be the key to the whole of Shu.”

“The defender of Baxi is Zhang Fei,” said Cao Hong. “He is no ordinary man to meet. One must be careful.”

“All of you fear this Zhang Fei, but I do not. I look upon him as a mere nobody. I shall have to capture him this time.”

“But if you fail, what then?”

“Then I shall be content to pay the penalty according to military rules.”

Cao Hong made him put his undertaking in writing, and then Zhang He marched to the attack.

The proud are often defeat;

Lightsome attacks oft fail.

The following chapter will tell how Zhang He fared.