第一百十九回
第一百十九回 假投降巧计成虚话 再受禅依样画葫芦
却说钟会请姜维计议收邓艾之策，维曰：“可先令监军卫瓘收艾，艾若杀瓘，反情实矣。将军却起兵讨之可也。”会大喜，遂令卫瓘引数十人入成都，收邓艾父子。瓘手下人止之曰：“此是钟司徒令邓征西杀将军，以正反情也。切不可行。”瓘曰：“吾自有计。”遂先发檄文二三十道，其檄曰：“奉诏收艾，其馀各无所问。若早来归，爵赏如先，敢有不出者，灭三族。”随备槛车两乘，星夜望成都而来。
比及鸡鸣，艾部将见檄文者，皆来投拜于卫瓘马前。时邓艾在府中未起，瓘引数十人突入大呼曰：“奉诏收邓艾父子！”艾大惊，滚下床来，瓘叱武士缚于车上。其子邓忠出问，亦被捉下，缚于车上。府中将吏大惊，欲待动手抢夺，早望见尘头大起，哨马报说钟司徒大兵到了，众各四散奔走。钟会与姜维下马入府，见邓艾父子已被缚，会以鞭挞邓艾之首而骂曰：“养犊小儿，何敢如此！”姜维亦骂曰：“匹夫行险徼幸，亦有今日耶！”艾亦大骂。会将艾父子送赴洛阳。会入成都，尽得邓艾军马，威声大震，乃谓姜维曰：“吾今日方趁平生之愿矣！”维曰：“昔韩信不听蒯通之说，而有未央宫之祸[1]；大夫种不从范蠡于五湖，卒伏剑而死[2]。斯二子者，其功名岂不赫然哉，徒以利害未明，而见几[3]之不早也。今公大勋已就，威震其主，何不泛舟绝迹，登峨嵋之岭，而从赤松子游[4]乎？”会笑曰：“君言差矣。吾年未四旬，方思进取，岂能便效此退闲之事？”维曰：“若不退闲，当早图良策。此则明公智力所能，无烦老夫之言矣。”会抚掌大笑曰：“伯约知吾心也。”二人自此每日商议大事。维密与后主书曰：“望陛下忍数日之辱，维将使社稷危而复安，日月幽而复明，必不使汉室终灭也。”
却说钟会正与姜维谋反，忽报司马昭有书到。会接书，书中言：“吾恐司徒收艾不下，自屯兵于长安，相见在近，以此先报。”会大惊曰：“吾兵多艾数倍，若但要我擒艾，晋公知吾独能办之。今日自引兵来，是疑我也！”遂与姜维计议。维曰：“君疑臣则臣必死，岂不见邓艾乎？”会曰：“吾意决矣！事成则得天下，不成则退西蜀，亦不失作刘备也。”维曰：“近闻郭太后新亡，可诈称太后有遗诏，教讨司马昭，以正弑君之罪。据明公之才，中原可席卷而定。”会曰：“伯约当作先锋。成事之后，同享富贵。”维曰：“愿效犬马微劳。但恐诸将不服耳。”会曰：“来日元宵佳节，于故宫大张灯火，请诸将饮宴。如不从者尽杀之。”维暗喜。次日，会、维二人请诸将饮宴。数巡后，会执杯大哭。诸将惊问其故，会曰：“郭太后临崩有遗诏在此，为司马昭南阙弑君，大逆无道，早晚将篡魏，命吾讨之。汝等各自佥名，共成此事。”众皆大惊，面面相觑。会拔剑出鞘曰：“违令者斩！”众皆恐惧，只得相从。画字已毕，会乃困诸将于宫中，严兵禁守。维曰：“我见诸将不服，请坑之。”会曰：“吾已令宫中掘一坑，置大棒数千，如不从者，打死坑之。”
时有心腹将丘建在侧——建乃护军胡烈部下旧人也，时胡烈亦被监在宫。建乃密将钟会所言，报知胡烈。烈大惊，泣告曰：“吾儿胡渊领兵在外，安知会怀此心耶？汝可念向日之情，透一消息，虽死无恨。”建曰：“恩主勿忧，容某图之。”遂出告会曰：“主公软监诸将在内，水食不便，可令一人往来传递。”会素听丘建之言，遂令丘建监临。会分付曰：“吾以重事托汝，休得泄漏。”建曰：“主公放心，某自有紧严之法。”建暗令胡烈亲信人入内，烈以密书付其人。其人持书火速至胡渊营内，细言其事，呈上密书。渊大惊，遂遍示诸营知之。众将大怒，急来渊营商议曰：“我等虽死，岂肯从反臣耶？”渊曰：“正月十八日中，可骤入内，如此行之。”监军卫瓘深喜胡渊之谋，即整顿了人马，令丘建传与胡烈，烈报知诸将。
却说钟会请姜维问曰：“吾夜梦大蛇数千条咬吾，主何吉凶？”维曰：“梦龙蛇者，皆吉庆之兆也。”会喜，信其言，乃谓维曰：“器仗已备，放诸将出问之，若何？”维曰：“此辈皆有不服之心，久必为害，不如乘早戮之。”会从之，即命姜维领武士往杀众魏将。维领命，方欲行动，忽然一阵心疼，昏倒在地，左右扶起，半晌方苏。忽报宫外人声沸腾。会方令人探时，喊声大震，四面八方，无限兵到。维曰：“此必是诸将作恶，可先斩之。”忽报兵已入内。会令闭上殿门，使军士上殿屋以瓦击之，互相杀死数十人。宫外四面火起，外兵砍开殿门杀入。会自掣剑立杀数人，却被乱箭射倒，众将枭其首。维拔剑上殿，往来冲突，不幸心疼转加。维仰天大叫曰：“吾计不成，乃天命也！”遂自刎而死，时年五十九岁。宫中死者数百人。卫瓘曰：“众军各归营所，以待王命。”魏兵争欲报仇，共剖维腹，其胆大如鸡卵。众将又尽取姜维家属杀之。邓艾部下之人，见钟会、姜维已死，遂连夜去追劫邓艾。早有人报知卫瓘，瓘曰：“是我捉艾，今若留他，我无葬身之地矣。”护军田续曰：“昔邓艾取江油之时，欲杀续，得众官告免。今日当报此恨！”瓘大喜，遂遣田续引五百兵赶至绵竹，正遇邓艾父子放出槛车，欲还成都。艾只道是本部兵到，不作准备，欲待问时，被田续一刀斩之。邓忠亦死于乱军之中。后人有诗叹邓艾曰：
自幼能筹画，多谋善用兵。凝眸知地理，仰面识天文。马到山根断，兵来石径分。功成身被害，魂绕汉江云。
又有诗叹钟会曰：
髫年称早慧，曾作秘书郎。妙计倾司马，当时号子房。寿春多赞画，剑阁显鹰扬。不学陶朱隐，游魂悲故乡。
又有诗叹姜维曰：
天水夸英俊，凉州产异才。系从尚父出，术奉武侯来。大胆应无惧，雄心誓不回。成都身死日，汉将有馀哀。
却说姜维、钟会、邓艾已死，张翼等亦死于乱军之中。太子刘璿、汉寿亭侯关彝，皆被魏兵所杀。军民大乱，互相践踏，死者不计其数。旬日后，贾充先至，出榜安民，方始宁靖。留卫瓘守成都，乃迁后主赴洛阳。止有尚书令樊建、侍中张绍、光禄大夫谯周、秘书郎郤正等数人跟随。廖化、董厥皆托病不起——后皆忧死。
时魏景元五年——改为咸熙元年，春三月，吴将丁奉见蜀已亡，遂收兵还吴。中书丞华覈奏吴主孙休曰：“吴、蜀乃唇齿也，‘唇亡则齿寒’。臣料司马昭伐吴在即，乞陛下深加防御。”休从其言，遂命陆逊子陆抗为镇东大将军，领荆州牧，守江口；左将军孙异守南徐诸处隘口；又沿江一带，屯兵数百营，老将丁奉总督之，以防魏兵。
建宁太守霍弋闻成都不守，素服望西大哭三日。诸将皆曰：“既汉主失位，何不速降？”弋泣谓曰：“道路隔绝，未知吾主安危若何。若魏主以礼待之，则举城而降，未为晚也。万一危辱吾主，则主辱臣死，何可降乎？”众然其言，乃使人到洛阳，探听后主消息去了。
且说后主至洛阳时，司马昭已自回朝。昭责后主曰：“公荒淫无道，废贤失政，理宜诛戮。”后主面如土色，不知所为。文武皆奏曰：“蜀主既失国纪，幸早归降，宜赦之。”昭乃封禅为安乐公，赐住宅，月给用度，赐绢万匹，僮婢百人。子刘瑶及群臣樊建、谯周、郤正等，皆封侯爵，后主谢恩出内。昭因黄皓蠹国[5]害民，令武士押出市曹，凌迟处死。时霍弋探听得后主受封，遂率部下军士来降。次日，后主亲诣司马昭府下拜谢。昭设宴款待，先以魏乐舞戏于前，蜀官感伤，独后主有喜色。昭令蜀人扮蜀乐于前，蜀官尽皆堕泪，后主嬉笑自若。酒至半酣，昭谓贾充曰：“人之无情，乃至于此！虽使诸葛孔明在，亦不能辅之久全，何况姜维乎？”乃问后主曰：“颇思蜀否？”后主曰：“此间乐，不思蜀也。”须臾，后主起身更衣，郤正跟至厢下曰：“陛下如何答应不思蜀也？倘彼再问，可泣而答曰：‘先人坟墓，远在蜀地，乃心西悲，无日不思。’晋公必放陛下归蜀矣。”后主牢记入席。酒将微醉，昭又问曰：“颇思蜀否？”后主如郤正之言以对，欲哭无泪，遂闭其目。昭曰：“何乃似郤正语耶？”后主开目惊视曰：“诚如尊命。”昭及左右皆笑之。昭因此深喜后主诚实，并不疑虑。后人有诗叹曰：
追欢作乐笑颜开，不念危亡半点哀。快乐异乡忘故国，方知后主是庸才。
却说朝中大臣因昭收川有功，遂尊之为王，表奏魏主曹奂。时奂名为天子，实不能主张，政皆由司马氏，不敢不从，遂封晋公司马昭为晋王，谥父司马懿为宣王，兄司马师为景王。昭妻乃王肃之女，生二子：长曰司马炎，人物魁伟，立发垂地，两手过膝，聪明英武，胆量过人；次曰司马攸，情性温和，恭俭孝悌，昭甚爱之，因司马师无子，嗣攸以继其后。昭常曰：“天下者，乃吾兄之天下也。”于是司马昭受封晋王，欲立攸为世子。山涛谏曰：“废长立幼，违礼不祥。”贾充、何曾、裴秀亦谏曰：“长子聪明神武，有超世之才，人望既茂，天表如此，非人臣之相也。”昭犹豫未决。太尉王祥、司空荀谏曰：“前代立少，多致乱国。愿殿下思之。”昭遂立长子司马炎为世子。
大臣奏称：“当年襄武县，天降一人，身长二丈馀，脚迹长三尺二寸，白发苍髯，着黄单衣，裹黄巾，拄藜头杖，自称曰：‘吾乃民王也。今来报汝：天下换主，立见太平。’如此在市游行三日，忽然不见。此乃殿下之瑞也。殿下可戴十二旒冠冕，建天子旌旗，出警入跸，乘金根车[6]，备六马，进王妃为王后，立世子为太子。”昭心中暗喜，回到宫中，正欲饮食，忽中风不语。次日，病危，太尉王祥、司徒何曾、司马荀及诸大臣入宫问安，昭不能言，以手指太子司马炎而死。时八月辛卯日也。何曾曰：“天下大事，皆在晋王。可立太子为晋王，然后祭葬。”是日，司马炎即晋王位，封何曾为晋丞相，司马望为司徒，石苞为骠骑将军，陈骞为车骑将军，谥父为文王。
安葬已毕，炎召贾充、裴秀入宫问曰：“曹操曾云：‘若天命在吾，吾其为周文王乎！’果有此事否？”充曰：“操世受汉禄，恐人议论篡逆之名，故出此言。乃明教曹丕为天子也。”炎曰：“孤父王比曹操何如？”充曰：“操虽功盖华夏，下民畏其威而不怀其德。子丕继业，差役甚重，东西驱驰，未有宁岁。后我宣王、景王，累建大功，布恩施德，天下归心久矣。文王并吞西蜀，功盖寰宇，又岂操之可比乎？”炎曰：“曹丕尚绍汉统，孤岂不可绍魏统耶？”贾充、裴秀二人再拜而奏曰：“殿下正当法曹丕绍汉故事，复筑受禅坛，布告天下，以即大位。”
炎大喜，次日带剑入内。此时，魏主曹奂连日不曾设朝，心神恍惚，举止失措。炎直入后宫，奂慌下御榻而迎。炎坐毕，问曰：“魏之天下，谁之力也？”奂曰：“皆晋王父祖之赐耳。”炎笑曰：“吾观陛下，文不能论道，武不能经邦。何不让有才德者主之？”奂大惊，口噤不能言。傍有黄门侍郎张节大喝曰：“晋王之言差矣！昔日魏武祖皇帝，东荡西除，南征北讨，非容易得此天下。今天子有德无罪，何故让与人耶？”炎大怒曰：“此社稷乃大汉之社稷也。曹操挟天子以令诸侯，自立魏王，篡夺汉室。吾祖父三世辅魏，得天下者，非曹氏之能，实司马氏之力也，四海咸知。吾今日岂不堪绍魏之天下乎？”节又曰：“欲行此事，是篡国之贼也！”炎大怒曰：“吾与汉家报仇，有何不可！”叱武士将张节乱瓜[7]打死于殿下。奂泣泪跪告，炎起身下殿而去。奂谓贾充、裴秀曰：“事已急矣，如之奈何？”充曰：“天数尽矣，陛下不可逆天，当照汉献帝故事，重修受禅坛，具大礼，禅位与晋王。上合天心，下顺民情，陛下可保无虞矣。”
奂从之，遂令贾充筑受禅坛。以十二月甲子日，奂亲捧传国玺，立于坛上，大会文武。后人有诗叹曰：
魏吞汉室晋吞曹，天运循环不可逃。张节可怜忠国死，一拳怎障泰山高。
请晋王司马炎登坛，授与大礼。奂下坛，具公服立于班首。炎端坐于坛上，贾充、裴秀列于左右，执剑，令曹奂再拜伏地听命。充曰：“自汉建安二十五年，魏受汉禅，已经四十五年矣。今天禄永终，天命在晋。司马氏功德弥隆，极天际地，可即皇帝正位，以绍魏统。封汝为陈留王，出就金墉城居止，当时起程，非宣诏不许入京。”奂泣谢而去。太傅司马孚哭拜于奂前曰：“臣身为魏臣，终不背魏也。”炎见孚如此，封孚为安平王，孚不受而退。是日，文武百官，再拜于坛下，山呼万岁。炎绍魏统，国号大晋，改元为泰始元年，大赦天下。魏遂亡。后人有诗叹曰：
晋国规模如魏王，陈留踪迹似山阳。重行受禅台前事，回首当年止自伤。
晋帝司马炎，追谥司马懿为宣帝，伯父司马师为景帝，父司马昭为文帝，立七庙以光祖宗。那七庙？汉征西将军司马钧，钧生豫章太守司马量，量生颍川太守司马隽，隽生京兆尹司马防，防生宣帝司马懿，懿生景帝司马师、文帝司马昭：是为七庙也。大事已定，每日设朝计议伐吴之策。正是：汉家城郭已非旧，吴国江山将复更。未知怎生伐吴，且看下文分解。
[1] 韩信不听蒯通之说，而有未央宫之祸——韩信是汉朝开国功臣。当他掌握兵权的时候，蒯通曾劝他起兵自立，背叛刘邦；韩信不听。后来刘邦用计把他逮住；刘邦的妻子吕后又把他骗到未央宫杀掉了。
[2] 大夫种不从范蠡于五湖，卒伏剑而死——文种、范蠡，同是春秋时越王勾践的谋臣，帮助勾践灭掉吴国。范蠡在成功之后，认为勾践“不可与共乐”，就悄悄走了。临行曾劝文种也离去，文种不听。后来，勾践果然迫使文种自杀。
[3] 见几——同见机。对于事势的预见。
[4] 从赤松子游——张良是汉朝的开国功臣；成功之后，他为了免遭猜忌，保全自己，表示愿意放弃功名富贵，跟从赤松子“学道”。赤松子，传说中的一个仙人。
[5] 蠹（dù）国——暗里损害国家，像蠹虫蛀蚀东西一样。
[6] 金根车——一种以金为饰、皇帝专用的车子。
[7] 瓜——即“金瓜”，亦名“骨朵”，一种充作仪仗的武器：长柄，上端作瓜形。
CHAPTER 119. The False Surrender: A Wit Scheme Becomes A Vain Plan; The Abdication: Later Seeds Learns From The Ancient.
Asked to say what was the best plan to secure the arrest of Deng Ai, Jiang Wei said, “Send Wei Guan. If Deng Ai tries to kill Wei Guan, he will manifest the desire of his heart. Then you can destroy him as a traitor.”
Hence Wei Guan was sent, with some thirty men, to effect the arrest.
Wei Guan's own people saw the danger of the enterprise and urged him not to go, saying, “Zhong Hui clearly wants Deng Ai to kill you to prove his point.”
But Wei Guan said, “Do not worry. I have a scheme prepared.”
Wei Guan first wrote a score or two of letters, all in the same terms, saying: “Wei Guan has orders to arrest Deng Ai, but no other persons will be dealt with providing they submit quickly. Rewards await those who obey the Imperial Command. However, the punishment for laggards and those who are contumacious will be death to the whole family.”
Wei Guan sent these letters to various officers who were serving under Deng Ai. He also prepared two cage carts.
Wei Guan and his small party reached Chengdu about cockcrow and found waiting for him most of the officers to whom he had written. They at once yielded. Deng Ai was still asleep when the party reached his palace, but Wei Guan entered and forced his way into Deng Ai's chamber.
He roared out: “I serve the Son of Heaven's command to arrest Deng Ai and his son!”
The noise awakened the sleeper, who tumbled off his couch in alarm. But before Deng Ai could do anything to defend himself, he was seized, securely bound, and huddled into one of the carts. Deng Ai's son, Deng Zhong, rushed in at the noise, but was also made prisoner and thrust into the other cart. Many generals and attendants in the Palace want to attempt a rescue, but before they had prepared, they saw dust arose outside, and Zhong Hui with an army was close at hand, thus they scattered.
Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei dismounted at the Palace gates and entered. The former, seeing both the Dengs prisoners, struck the elder about the head and face with his whip and insulted him, saying, “Vile cattle breeder! How dare you have your own scheme?”
Nor was Jiang Wei backward.
“You fool! See what your good luck has brought you today!” cried he.
And Deng Ai replied in kind. Zhong Hui at once sent off both the prisoners to Luoyang, and then entered Chengdu in state. He added all Deng Ai's army to his own forces, so that he became very formidable.
“Today I have attained the one desire of my life,” cried Zhong Hui.
Jiang Wei replied, “At the beginning of Han, Han Xin hearkened not to Kuai Tong to establish his own kingdom, and so blundered into trouble at the Weiyang Palace, where he met his fate. In Yue, High Minister Wen Zhong would not follow Fan Li into retirement on the lakes, and so fell victim to a sword. No one would say these two—Han Xin and Wen Zhong—were not brilliant, but they did not scent danger early enough. Now, Sir, your merit is great and your prestige overwhelming that of your prince, but why do you risk future dangers? Why not sail off in a boat leaving no trace of your going? Why not go to Mount Omi and wander free with Master Red-Pine?”
Zhong Hui smiled.
“I do not think your advice much to the point. I am a young man, not forty yet, and think rather of going on than halting. I could not take up a do-nothing hermit's life.”
“If you do not, then take heed and prepare for dangers. Think out a careful course, as you are well able to do. You need not trouble any old fool for advice.”
Zhong Hui laughed loud and rubbed his hands together with glee.
“How well you know my thoughts, my friend!” said he.
They two became absorbed in the plans for their grand scheme.
But Jiang Wei wrote a secret letter to the Latter Ruler, saying:
“I pray Your Majesty be patient and put up with humiliations for a season, for Jiang Wei, your humble servant, will have the country restored in good time. The sun and moon are all the more glorious when they burst through the dark clouds. The House of Han is not yet done.”
While Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei were planning how best to outwit each other, but both being against Wei, there suddenly arrived a letter from Sima Zhao, saying, “I am at Changan with an army lest there should be any difficulty in disposing of Deng Ai. I need you to come to discuss state affairs.”
Zhong Hui divined the real purport at once.
“He suspects,” said Zhong Hui. “He knows quite well that my army outnumbers that of Deng Ai many times and I could do what he wishes easily. There is more than that in his coming.”
He consulted Jiang Wei, who said, “When the prince suspects a minister, that minister dies. Have we not seen Deng Ai?”
“This decides me,” replied Zhong Hui. “Success, and the empire is mine; failure, and I go west into Shu to be another Liu Bei, but without his mistakes.”
Jiang Wei said, “Empress Guo of Wei has just died. You can pretend she left you a command to destroy Sima Zhao, the real murderer of the Emperor. Your talents are quite sufficient to conquer the empire.”
“Will you lead the van?” said Zhong Hui. “When success is ours, we will share the spoil.”
“The little I can do, I will do most willingly,” said Jiang Wei. “But I am not sure of the support of all our subordinates.”
“Tomorrow is the Feast of Lanterns, and we can gather in the Palace for the congratulations. There will be grand illuminations, and we will prepare a banquet for the officers, whereat we can kill all those who will not follow us.”
At this, the heart of Jiang Wei leapt with joy. Invitations were sent out in the joint names of the two conspirators, and the feast began. After several courses, suddenly Zhong Hui lifted his cup and broke into wailing.
Everyone asked what was the cause of this grief, and Zhong Hui replied. “The Empress has just died, but before her death she gave me an edict, which is here, recounting the crimes of Sima Zhao and charging him with aiming at the Throne. I am commissioned to destroy him, and you all must join me in the task.”
The guests stared at each other in amazement, but no one uttered a word. Then the host suddenly drew his sword, crying, “Here is death for those who oppose!”
Not one was bold enough to refuse, and, one by one, they all signed a promise to help. As further security, they were all kept prisoners in the Palace under careful guard.
“They are not really with us,” said Jiang Wei. “I venture to request you to bury them.”
“A great pit has been already dug,” replied his brother host. “And I have a lot of clubs ready. We can easily club those who disagree and bury them in the pit.”
As Jiang Wei and Zhong Hui discussed the matter, General Qiu Jian, a man in the confidence of the conspirators, was present. He had once served under Commander Hu Lie, who was one of the imprisoned guests, and thus he found means to warn his former chief.
Hu Lie wept and said, “My son, Hu Yuan, is in command of a force outside the city. He will never suspect Zhong Hui capable of such a crime, and I pray you tell him. If I am to die, it will be with less regret if my son can be told.”
“Kind master, have no anxiety; only leave it to me,” replied Qiu Jian.
He went to Zhong Hui, and said, “Sir, you are holding in captivity a large number of officers, and they are suffering from lack of food and water. Will you not appoint an officer to supply their needs?”
Zhong Hui was accustomed to yield to the wishes of Qiu Jian, and he made no difficulty about this. He told Qiu Jian to see to it himself, only saying, “I am placing great trust in you, and you must be loyal. Our secret must be kept.”
“My lord, you may be quite content. I know how to keep a strict watch when necessary.”
And Qiu Jian allowed to enter into the place of confinement a trusty confidant of Hu Lie, who gave him a letter to his son Hu Yuan.
When Hu Yuan knew the whole story, he was astonished and told his subordinates, and they were greatly enraged. They came to their commander's tent to say: “We would rather die than follow a rebel.”
So Hu Yuan fixed upon the eighteenth day of the month to attempt the rescue. He enlisted the sympathy of Wei Guan and got his army ready. He bade Qiu Jian tell his father what was afoot. Hu Lie then told his fellow-captives.
One day Zhong Hui said to Jiang Wei, “Last night I dreamed a dream, that I was bitten by many serpents. Can you expound the vision?”
Jiang Wei replied, “Dreams of dragons and snakes and scaly creatures are exceedingly auspicious.”
Zhong Hui was only too ready to accept this interpretation. Then he told Jiang Wei that all was ready and they would put the crucial question to each captive.
“I know they are opposed to us, and you would do well to slay them all, and that right quickly,” replied Jiang Wei.
“Good,” replied Zhong Hui.
He bade Jiang Wei with several braves kill the Wei leaders among the captives. But just as Jiang Wei was starting to carry out these instructions, he was seized with a sudden spasm of the heart, so severe that he fainted. He was raised from the earth and in time revived. Just as he came to, a tremendous hubbub arose outside the Palace. Zhong Hui at once sent to inquire what was afoot, but the noise waxed louder and louder, sounding like the rush of a multitude.
“The officers must be raging,” said Zhong Hui. “We would best slay them at once.”
But they told him: “The outside soldiers are in the Palace.”
Zhong Hui bade them close the doors of the Hall of Audience, and he sent his own troops upon the roof to pelt the incoming soldiers with tiles. Many were slain on either side in the melee. Then a fire broke out. The assailants broke open the doors. Zhong Hui faced them and slew a few, but others shot at him with flights of arrows, and he fell and died. They hacked off his head.
Jiang Wei ran to and fro slaying all he met till another heart spasm seized him.
“Failed!” he shrieked, “But it is the will of Heaven.”
He put an end to his own life. He was fifty-nine.
Many hundreds were slain within the precincts of the Palace. Wei Guan presently ordered that the soldiers were to be led back to their various camps to await the orders of the Duke of Jin. The soldiers of Wei, burning for revenge of his many invasions, hacked the dead body of Jiang Wei to pieces. They found his gall bladder extraordinarily large, as large as a hen's egg. They also seized and slew all the family of the dead leader.
Seeing that Deng Ai's two enemies on the spot were both dead, his old soldiers bethought themselves of trying to rescue him. When Wei Guan, who had actually arrested Deng Ai, heard this, he feared for his life.
“If Deng Ai lives, I will die in his hand,” said Wei Guan.
Furthermore, General Tian Xu said, “When Deng Ai took Jiangyou, he wished to put me to death. It was only at the prayer of my friends that he let me off. May I not have my revenge now?”
So Wei Guan gave order. At the head of five hundred cavalry, Tian Xu went in pursuit of the cage-carts. He came up with them at Mianzhu and found that the two prisoners had just been released from the carts in which they were being carried to Luoyang. When Deng Ai saw that those coming up were soldiers of his own late command, he took no thought for defense. Nor did Tian Xu waste time in preliminaries. He went up to where Deng Ai was standing and cut him down. His soldiers fell upon the son, Deng Zhong, and slew him also, and thus father and son met death in the same place.
A poem, pitying Deng Ai, was written:
While yet a boy, Deng Ai loved to sketch and plan;
He was an able leader as a man.
The earth could hide no secrets from his eye,
With equal skill he read the starry sky.
Past every obstacle his way he won,
And onward pressed until his task was done.
But foulest murder closed a great career,
His spirit ranges now a larger sphere.
A poem was also composed in pity for Zhong Hui:
Of mother wit Zhong Hui had no scanty share,
And in due time at court did office bear;
His subtle plans shook Sima Zhao's hold on power,
He was well named the Zhang Liang of the hour.
Shouchun-Bedford and Saber Pass ramparts straight fell down,
When he attacked, and he won great renown.
Ambition beckoned, he would forward press
His spirit homeward wandered, bodiless.
Another poem, in pity of Jiang Wei, runs:
Tianshui boasts of a hero,
Talent came forth from Xizhou,
Lu Wang fathered his spirit,
Zhuge Liang tutored his mind,
Valiant he ever pressed forward,
Nor had a thought of returning,
Grieved were the soldiers of Han
When death rapt his soul from his body.
And thus died all three leaders. Many other generals also perished in the fighting, and with them died Zhang Yi and other officers. Liu Rui, the heir-apparent, and Guan Yi, Lord of Hanshou were also killed by the Wei soldiers. Followed a time of great confusion and bloodshed, which endured till Jia Chong arrived and restored confidence and order.
Jia Chong set Wei Guan over the city of Chengdu and sent the captive Latter Ruler to Luoyang. A few officers—Fan Jian, Zhang Shao, Qiao Zhou, and Xi Zheng—accompanied the deposed emperor on this degrading journey. Liao Hua and Dong Jue made illness an excuse not to go. They died of grief soon after.
At this time the year-style of Wei was changed from Wonderful Beginning, the fifth year, to Great Glory, the first year (AD 264). In the third month of this year, since nothing could be done to assist Shu to recover its independence, the troops of Wu under Ding Feng were withdrawn and returned to their own land.
Now Secretary Hua Jiao sent up a memorial to Sun Xiu, the Ruler of Wu, saying, “Wu and Shu were as close as are one's lips to one's teeth, and when the lips are gone the teeth are cold. Without doubt Sima Zhao will now turn his thoughts to attacking us, and Your Majesty must realize the danger and prepare to meet it.”
Sun Xiu knew that he spoke truly, so he set Lu Kang, son of the late leader Lu Xun, over the army of Jingzhou and the river ports with the title General Who Guards the East; Sun Yi was sent to Nanxu; and Ding Feng was ordered to set up several hundred garrisons along the river banks.
When Huo Yi, Governor of Jianning, heard that Chengdu had been taken, he dressed himself in white and wailed during three days, facing east toward the capital.
“Now that the capital has fallen and the Ruler of Shu is a captive, it would be well to surrender,” said his officers.
Huo Yi replied, “There is a hindrance. I know not how fares our lord, whether he is in comfort or in misery. If his captors treat him generously, then will I yield. But perhaps they will put him to shame; and when the prince is shamed, the minister dies.”
So certain persons were sent to Luoyang to find out how fared the Latter Ruler.
Soon after the Latter Ruler reached the capital of Wei, Sima Zhao returned.
Seeing the Latter Ruler at court, Sima Zhao upbraided him, saying, “You deserved death for your vicious courses—corrupt morality, unchecked self-indulgence, contempt of good people, and misgovernment—, which had brought misfortune upon yourself.”
Hearing this, the face of the Latter Ruler turned to the color of clay with fear, and he was speechless.
But the courtiers said, “He has lost his kingdom, he has surrendered without a struggle, and he now deserves pardon.”
Thus the Latter Ruler suffered no injury, but was created Duke of Anle. Moreover, he was assigned a residence and a revenue, and he received presents of silk, and servants were sent to wait upon him, males and females in total one hundred. His son Liu Yao and the officers of Shu—Fan Jian, Qiao Zhou, Xi Zheng, and others—were given ranks of nobility. The Latter Ruler expressed his thanks and left.
Huang Hao, whose evil influence had brought the kingdom to nought, and who had oppressed the people, was put to death with ignominy in the public place.
When Huo Yi heard all these things, he came with his officers and yielded submission.
Next day the Latter Ruler went to the residence of Sima Zhao to thank him for his bounty, and a banquet was prepared. At the banquet they performed the music of Wei, with the dances, and the hearts of the officers of Shu were sad; only the Latter Ruler appeared merry.
Half way through the feast, Sima Zhao said to Jia Chong, “The man lacks feeling; that is what has ruined him. Even if Zhuge Liang had lived, he could not have maintained such a man. It is no wonder that Jiang Wei failed.”
Turning to his guest, Sima Zhao said, “Do you never think of Shu?”
“With such music as this, I forget Shu,” replied the Latter Ruler.
Presently the Latter Ruler rose and left the table.
Xi Zheng went over to him and said, “Why did Your Majesty not say you missed Shu? If Your Majesty are questioned again, weep and say that in Shu are the tombs of your forefathers and no day passes that Your Majesty do not grieve to be so far away. The Duke of Jin may let Your Majesty return.”
The Latter Ruler promised he would.
When the wine had gone round several more times, Sima Zhao put the same question a second time: “Do you never think of Shu?”
The Latter Ruler replied as he had been told. He also tried to weep, but failed to shed a tear. So he shut his eyes.
“Is not that just what Xi Zheng told you to say?” asked Sima Zhao.
“It is just as you say,” was the reply.
They all laughed. But really Sima Zhao was pleased with the frank answer and felt that nothing was to be feared from him.
Laughter loving, pleasure pursuing,
Rippling smiles over a merry face,
Never a thought of his former glory
In his callous heart finds place.
Childish joy in a change of dwelling,
That he feels and that alone;
Manifest now that he was never
Worthy to sit on his father's throne.
The courtiers thought that so grand an exploit as the conquest of the west was worthy of high honor, so they memorialized the Ruler of Wei, Cao Huang, to confer the rank Prince of Jin on Sima Zhao. At that time, Cao Huang ruled in name only, for he had no authority. The whole land was under Sima Zhao, whose will the Emperor himself dared not cross. And so, in due course, the Duke of Jin became Prince of Jin.
After being made Prince of Jin, Sima Zhao posthumously created his father, Sima Yi, the Original Prince and his late elder brother, Sima Shi, the Wonderful Prince.
The wife of Sima Zhao was the daughter of Wang Su. She bore to him two sons, the elder of whom was named Sima Yan. Sima Yan was huge of frame, his flowing hair reached to the ground when he stood up, and both hands hung down below his knees. He was clever, brave, and skilled in the use of arms.
The second son, Sima You, was mild of disposition, a filial son and a dutiful brother. His father loved him dearly. As Sima Shi had died without leaving sons, this youth, Sima You, was regarded as his son, to continue that line of the family. Sima Zhao used to say: “The empire was really my brother's.”
Becoming a prince, it was necessary for Sima Zhao to choose his heir, and he wished to name his younger son Sima You. But Shan Tao remonstrated.
“It is improper and infelicitous to prefer the younger,” said Shan Tao.
And Jia Chong, He Zeng, and Pei Xiu followed in the same strain.
“The elder is clever, able in war, one of the most talented people in the state and popular. With such natural advantages he has a great destiny; and was not born to serve.”
Sima Zhao hesitated, for he was still unwilling to abandon his desire.
But two other officers—Grand Commander Wang Xiang and Minister Xun Kai—also remonstrated, saying, “Certain former dynasties have preferred the younger before the elder and rebellion has generally followed. We pray you reflect upon these cases.”
Finally Sima Zhao yielded and named his elder son Sima Yan as his successor.
Certain officers memorialized: “This year a gigantic figure of a man descended from heaven in Xiangwu. His height was twenty feet and his footprint measured over three feet. He had white hair and a hoary beard. He wore an unlined yellow robe and a yellow cape. He walked leaning on a black-handled staff. This extraordinary man preached, saying, 'I am the king of the people, and now I come to tell you of a change of ruler and the coming of peace.' He wandered about for three days and then disappeared. Evidently this portent refers to yourself, Noble Sir, and now you should assume the imperial headdress with twelve strings of pearls, set up the imperial standard, and have the roads cleared when you make a progress. You should ride in the golden-shafted chariot with six horses. Your consort should be styled 'Empress' and your heir 'Apparent.'“
Sima Zhao was greatly pleased. He returned to his palace, but just as he was sitting down, he was suddenly seized with paralysis and lost the use of his tongue. He quickly grew worse. His three chief confidants, Wang Xiang, He Zeng, and Xun Kai, together with many court officials, came to inquire after his health, but he could not speak to them. He pointed toward the heir apparent, Sima Yan, and died. It was the eighth month of that year.
Then said He Zeng, “The care of the empire devolves upon the Prince of Jin; let us induct the heir. Then we can perform the sacrifices to the late prince.”
Thereupon Sima Yan was set up in his father's place. He gave He Zeng the title of Prime Minister; Sima Wang, Minister of the Interior; Shi Bao, Commander of the Flying Cavalry; and conferred many other titles and ranks. The posthumous title of the “Scholar Prince” was conferred upon his late father.
When the obsequies were finished, Sima Yan summoned Jia Chong and Pei Xiu into the palace, and said, “Cao Cao said that if the celestial mandate rested upon him, he could be no more than King Wen of Zhou, who served as a regent only; is this really so?”
Jia Chong replied, “Cao Cao was in the service of Han and feared lest posterity should reproach him with usurpation. Wherefore he spoke thus. Nevertheless he cause Cao Pi to become Emperor.”
“How did my father compare with Cao Cao?” asked Sima Yan.
“Although Cao Cao was universally successful, yet the people feared him and credited him with no virtue. Cao Pi's rule was marked by strife and lack of tranquillity. No single year was peaceful. Later the Original Prince and Wonderful Prince of your line rendered great services and disseminated compassion and virtue, so that they were beloved. Your late father overcame Shu in the west and was universally renowned. Comparison with Cao Cao is impossible.”
“Still Cao Pi continued the rule of Han; can I not in like manner continue that of Wei?”
Jia Chong and Pei Xiu bowed low and said, “Cao Pi's action may be taken as a precedent to continue an older dynasty. Wherefore prepare an abdication terrace to make the great declaration.”
Sima Yan resolved to act promptly. Next day he entered the Palace armed with a sword. No court had been held for many days, for Cao Huang was ill at ease and full of dread. When Sima Yan appeared, the Ruler of Wei left his place and advanced to met him. Sima Yan sat down.
“By whose merits did Wei succeed to empire?” he asked suddenly.
“Certainly success was due to your forefathers,” replied Cao Huang.
Sima Yan smiled, saying, “Your Majesty is unskilled in debate, inept in war, and unfit to rule. Why not give place to another more able and virtuous?”
Cao Huang's lips refused a reply.
But Zhang Jie, one of the ministers, cried, “You are wrong to speak thus, O Prince. His Majesty's ancestor conquered east and west, north and south, and won the empire by strenuous effort. The present Emperor is virtuous and without fault. Why should he yield place to another?”
Sima Yan replied angrily, “The imperial right lay with the Hans, and Cao Cao coerced them as he did the nobles. In making himself the Prince of Wei, he usurped the throne of Han. Three generations of my forefathers upheld the House of Wei, so that their power is not the result of their own abilities, but of the labor of my house. This is known to all the world, and am I not equal to carrying on the rule of Wei?”
“If you do this thing, you will be a rebel and an usurper,” said Zhang Jie.
“And what shall I be if I avenge the wrongs of Han?”
He bade the lictors take Zhang Jie outside and beat him to death, while the Ruler of Wei wept and besought pardon for his faithful counselor.
Sima Yan rose and left.
Cao Huang turned to Jia Chong and Pei Xiu, saying, “What should I do? Some decision must be taken.”
They replied, “Truth to tell, the measure of your fate is accomplished and you cannot oppose the will of Heaven. You must prepare to abdicate as did Emperor Xian of the Hans. Resign the throne to the Prince of Jin and thereby accord with the design of Heaven and the will of the people. Your personal safety need not cause you anxiety.”
Cao Huang could only accept this advice, and the terrace was built. The “mouse” day of the twelfth month was chosen for the ceremony. On that day the Ruler of Wei, dressed in full robes of ceremony, and bearing the seal in his hand, ascended the terrace in the presence of a great assembly.
The House of Wei displaced the House of Han
And Jin succeeded Wei; so turns fate's wheel
And none escape its grinding. Zhang Jie the true
Stood in the way and died. We pity him.
Vain hope with one small hand to hide Taishan Mountains.
The Emperor-elect was requested to ascend the high place, and there received the great salute. Cao Huang then descended, robed himself as a minister and took his place as the first of subjects.
Sima Yan now stood upon the terrace, supported by Jia Chong and Pei Xiu. Cao Huang was ordered to prostrate himself, while the command was recited, and Jia Chong read:
“Forty-five years have elapsed since, in the twenty-fifth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity, the House of Han gave place to the House of Wei. But after forty-five years, the favor of Heaven has now left the latter House and reverts to Jin. The merits and services of the family of Sima reach to the high heavens and pervade the earth. The Prince of Jin is fitted for the high office and to continue the rule. Now His Majesty the Emperor confers upon you the title of Prince of Chenliu; you are to proceed to the city of Jinyong, where you will reside; you are forbidden to come to court unless summoned.”
Sadly Cao Huang withdrew. Sima Fu, Guardian of the Throne, wept before the deposed Emperor and promised eternal devotion.
“I have been a servant of Wei and will never turn my back upon the House,” said he.
Sima Yan did not take this amiss, and out of admiration he offered Sima Fu the princedom of Anping. But Sima Fu declined the offer.
The new Emperor was now seated in his place, and all the officers made their salutations and felicitated him. The very hills rang with “Wan shui! O King, live forever!”
Thus succeeded Sima Yan, and the state was called Great Jin and a new year-style was changed from Great Glory, the second year, to Great Beginning, the first year (AD 265). An amnesty was declared. Since then Wei Dynasty ended.
The kingdom of Wei had ended.
The Founder of the Dynasty of Jin
Took Wei as model; thus the displaced emperor
Was named a prince, when on the terrace high
His throne he had renounced.
We grieve when we recall these deeds.
The new Emperor conferred posthumous rank upon his grandfather, his uncle, and his father: Sima Yi the Original Emperor, Sima Shi the Wonderful Emperor, and Sima Zhao the Scholar Emperor. Sima Yan built seven temples in honor of his ancestors: Sima Jun, the Han General Who Conquers the West; Sima Jun's son, Sima Liang, Governor of Yuzhang; Sima Liang's son, Sima Juan, Governor of Yingchuan; Sima Juan's son, Sima Fang, Governor of Jingzhao; Sima Fang's son, Sima Yi the Original Emperor; and Sima Yi's sons, Sima Shi the Wonderful Emperor and Sima Zhao the Scholar Emperor.
All these things being accomplished, courts were held daily, and the one subject of discussion was the subjugation of Wu.
The House of Han has gone for aye,
And Wu will quickly follow.
The story of the attack upon Wu will be told next.