|
Chapter 23 Mi Heng Slips His Garment And Rails At
Traitors; |
At the close of the
last chapter the two unsuccessful leaders, Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, were in
danger of death.
However, Kong Rong
remonstrated with Cao Cao, saying, "You knew these two were no match for
Liu Bei, and if you put them to death because they failed, you will lose the
hearts of your people."
Wherefore the death
sentence was not executed, but they were deprived of rank and status.
Cao Cao next
proposed to lead an army himself to attack Liu Bei, but Kong Rong advised,
"The weather is too inclement. We must wait the return of spring. In the
interval, we better use the time to arrange peace with Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao,
before launching an expedition against Xuzhou."
Wherefore Liu Ye was
sent to Zhang Xiu and in due time reached Xiangyang. He first had an interview
with Jia Xu, Zhang Xiu's adviser, whereat he dwelt upon Cao Cao's virtues so
that Jia Xu was impressed. Jia Xu kept Liu Ye as a guest and undertook to
smooth his way.
Soon after Liu Ye
saw Zhang Xiu and spoke of the advantages of coming to terms with Cao Cao.
While the discussion was in progress, a messenger from Yuan Shao was announced,
and he was called in. He presented letters and, when they also proposed terms
of peace, Jia Xu asked what their success had been lately against Cao Cao.
"The war had
ceased for the moment on account of the winter," replied the messenger.
"As you, General, and Liu Biao are both well reputed officers of the
state, I have been sent to request your help."
Jia Xu laughed,
"You can return to your master and say that as he could not brook rivalry
of his brother, he certainly would be sorely put to it with that of all the
officers of the state."
The letter was torn
into fragments before the messenger's face, and he was angrily bidden be gone.
"But his
master, Yuan Shao, is stronger than Cao Cao," protested Zhang Xiu.
"You have torn up his letter and are dismissing his man. What shall we say
about such an insult should Yuan Shao come?"
"Better join
hands with Cao Cao," said Jia Xu.
"But there is
still between us an unavenged enmity. We could not suffer each other."
Jia Xu said,
"There are three advantages in joining hands with Cao Cao. First, he has a
command from the Emperor to restore peace. Second, as Yuan Shao is so strong,
our little help to him will be despised, while we shall loom large and be well
treated by Cao Cao. Third, Cao Cao is going to be Chief of the Feudal Lords,
and he will ignore all private feuds in order to show his magnanimity to all
the world. I hope, General, you will see these things clearly and hesitate no
longer."
Zhang Xiu, now
convinced, became more reasonable and recalled Liu Ye, who, at the interview,
extolled the many virtues of his master.
"If the Prime
Minister had any thought of the old quarrel, he would hardly have sent me to
make friendly engagements, would he?" said Liu Ye at the last.
|
[e] Cao Cao slept with Zhang Xiu's aunt. |
So Zhang Xiu and his
adviser proceeded to the capital where formal submission was made. At the
interview Zhang Xiu bowed low at the steps, but Cao Cao, hastening forward,
took him by the hand and raised him, saying, "Forget that little fault of
mine*, I pray you, General!"
Zhang Xiu received
the title of General Who Possesses Prowess, and Jia Xu was appointed Counselor.
Cao Cao then
directed his secretaries to draft letters inviting the support of Liu Biao.
Jia Xu said,
"Liu Biao loves to have to do with famous people. If some famous scholar
should be sent to him, he would submit forthwith."
So Cao Cao inquired
of Xun You who was the best person to go as a messenger, and he recommended
Kong Rong. Cao Cao agreed and sent Xun You to speak with this officer.
Xun You went to Kong
Rong, saying, "A scholar of reputation is required to aid as a messenger
of state. Can you undertake this task?"
Kong Rong replied,
"I have a certain friend, Mi Heng, whose talents are ten times mine. He
ought to be constantly at the court of the Emperor and not merely be sent as a
state messenger. I will recommend him to the Emperor."
So Kong Rong wrote
the following memorial:
|
[e] Emperor Wu, aka Liu Che, (reigned BC 141-87) whose reign was longest among the Han emperors. Emperor Wu was perhaps the most influential Han emperor who concerned not only about expanding territory but also about developing trade with other countries (the Silk Road, for example). Emperor paid special attention to longevity, and his court often had elaborate rituals. ..... |
"In ancient
days, when the great waters were abroad, the emperor pondered over their
regulation and he sought out people of talent from all directions. In old time,
when Emperor Wu* of the Hans desired to enlarge his borders, crowds of scholars
responded to his call.
"Intelligent
and holy, Your Majesty ascended the throne. You have fallen upon evil days, but
have been diligent, modest, and untiring in your efforts. Now the great
mountains have sent forth spirits, and people of genius appear.
"I, your humble
servant, know of a certain simple scholar, Mi Heng by name, of Pingyuan, a
young man of twenty-four. His moral character is excellent, his talents
eminent. As a youth he took a high place in study and penetrated the most
secret arcane of learning. What he glanced at he could repeat, what he heard
once he never forgot. He is naturally high principled, and his thoughts are
divine. Sang Hongyang's mental calculations and Zhang Anshi's memorial feats
compared with Mi Heng's powers are no longer wonderful. Loyal, sincere,
correct, and straight-forward, his ambition is unsullied. He regards the good
with trembling respect; he detests the evil with uncompromising hatred. Ren Zuo
in unflinching candor, Shi Yu in severe rectitude, never surpassed him.
"Hundreds of
hawks are not worth one osprey. If Mi Heng be given a court appointment,
notable results must follow. Ready in debate, rapid in utterance, his
overwhelming intelligence wells up in profusion. In the solution of doubts and
the unraveling of difficulties he has no peer.
"In former days
of Han, Jia Yi begged to be sent on trial to a vassal state for the control of
the Xiongnu tribespeople; Zhong Jun offered to bring back the Prince of Nanyue
to do homage to the emperor. The generous conduct of these youths has been much
admired.
"In our day Lu
Cui and Yan Xiang, remarkable for their talents, have been appointed among the
secretaries. And Mi Heng is no less capable. Should he be got, then all
possibilities may be realized: The dragon may curvet through the celestial
streets and soar along the Milky Way; fame will extend to the poles of the
universe and hang in the firmament with rainbow glory. He would be the glory of
all the present Ministers and enhance the majesty of the Palace itself. The
Music will acquire new beauties, and the Palace will contain an excellent
treasure. People like Mi Heng are but few. As in the recitation of 'Ji Chu
Songs' and the singing of 'Yang E Poems', the most skillful performers are
sought; and such fleet horses as 'Fei Tu Broncos' and 'Yao Niao Mustangs' were
looked for by the famous judges of horses, Wang Liang and Bo Le. So I, the
humble one, dare not conceal this man. Your Majesty is careful in the selection
of servants and should try him. Let him be summoned as he is, simply clad in
his serge dress; and should he not appear worthy, then may I be punished for
the fault of deception."
The Emperor read the
memorial and passed it to his Prime Minister, who duly summoned Mi Heng. He
came, but after his formal salutations were over, he was left standing and not
invited to sit down.
Looking up to
heaven, Mi Heng sighed deeply, saying, "Wide as is the universe, it cannot
produce the person."
"Under my
orders are scores of people whom the world call heroes. What do you mean by
saying there is not the person," said Cao Cao.
"I should be
glad to hear who they are," said Mi Heng.
|
[e] Xiao He (BC ?-193) a close adviser of Liu Bang. He and Liu Bang had been friends in their native Pei, where Liu Bang later held a minor office. Recommended Han Xin to Liu Bang. Became Han's prime minister. Enobled as the Lord of Cuo. ..... [e] Chen Ping (BC
?-178) a master strategist of Liu Bang. He first served Xiang Yu but then
became a follower in Liu Bang's camp. Served as Liu Bang's prime minister and
Empress Lu's left minister. After the death of Empress Lu, Chen Ping played
an important role in returning royal authority to the Liu clan. ..... [e] Cen Peng was a
general of Liu Xiu. Cen Peng was loyal and contributed much to Liu Xiu's
success. He, together with Yao Qi, Deng Yu, Chen Jun, and Du Mao, was
executed by Liu Xiu by mistake when Liu Xiu was drunk. Liu Xiu later died of
this grief. ..... [e] Ma Wu was a
general of Liu Xiu. Also contributed much to Liu Xiu's success. Ma Wu
committed suicide after Liu Xiu executed several ministers by mistake when
Liu Xiu was drunk. Liu Xiu later died of this grief. ..... |
"Xun Yu, Xun
You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu are all people of profound skill and long views,
superior to Xiao He* and Chen Ping*. Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Yue Jin
are bravest of the brave, better than Cen Peng* and Ma Wu*. Lu Qian and Man
Chong are my secretaries; Yu Jin and Xu Huang are my van leaders; Xiahou Dun is
one of the world's marvels, Cao Ren is the most successful leader of the age.
Now say you there are not the people?"
"Sir, you are
quite mistaken," said Mi Heng with a smile. "I know all these things
you call people. Xun Yu is qualified to pose at a funeral or ask after a sick
man; Xun You is fit to be a tomb guardian; Cheng Yu might be sent to shut doors
and bolt windows; and Guo Jia is a reciter of poems; Zhang Liao might beat
drums and clang gongs; Xu Chu might lead cattle to pasture; Yue Jin would make
a fair reader of elegy; Li Dian could carry dispatches and notices; Lu Qian
would be a fair armorer; Man Chong could be sent to drink wine and eat brewers'
grains; Yu Jin might be of use to carry planks and build walls; Xu Huang might
be employed to kill pigs and slay dogs; Xiahou Dun should be styled 'Whole Body
General,' and Cao Ren should be called 'Money-grubbing Governor.' As for the
remainder, they are mere clothes shelves, rice sacks, wine vases, flesh
bags."
"And what
special gifts have you?" said Cao Cao angrily.
|
[e] Kings Yao and Shun are two ideal rulers, while Confucius and Mencius are two great philosophers. |
"I know
everything in heaven above and the earth beneath. I am conversant with the
Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. I could make my prince the
rival of Kings Yao and Shun, and I myself could compare in virtue with
Confucius and Mencius.* Can I discuss on even terms with common people?"
Now Zhang Liao was
present, and he raised his sword to strike down the impudent visitor who spoke
thus to his master, but Cao Cao said, "I want another drummer boy to play
on occasions of congratulation in the court. I will confer this office upon
him."
Instead of
indignantly declining this, Mi Heng accepted the position and went out.
"He spoke very
impertinently," said Zhang Liao. "Why did you not put him to
death?"
"He has
something of a reputation; empty, but people have heard of him and so, if I put
him to death, they would say I was intolerant. As he thinks he has ability, I
have made him a drummer to mortify him."
Soon after Cao Cao
instituted a banquet in the capital at which the guests were many. The drums
were to be played, and the old drummers were ordered to wear new clothes. But
the new drummer Mi Heng took his place with the other musicians clad in old and
worn garments. The piece chosen was the "Tolling of Yuyang," and from
the earliest taps on the drum the effect was exquisite, profound as the notes
from metal and stone. The performance stirred deeply the emotions of every
guest; some even shed tears.
Seeing all eyes
turned on the shabby performer, the attendants said, "Why did you not put
on your new uniform?"
Mi Heng turned to
them, slipped off his frayed and torn robe and stood there in full view, naked
as he was born. The assembled guests covered their faces. Then the drummer
composedly drew on his nether garments.
"Why do you
behave so rudely at court?" said Cao Cao.
"To flout one's
prince and insult one's superiors is the real rudeness," cried Mi Heng.
"I bare my natural body as an emblem of my purity."
"So you are
pure! And who is foul?"
"You do not
distinguish between the wise and the foolish, which is to have foul vision. You
have never read the Odes or the Histories, which is to have foul speech. You
are deaf to honest words, which is to have foul ears. You are unable to
reconcile antiquity with today, which is to be foul without. You cannot
tolerate the nobles, which is to be foul within. You harbor thoughts of
rebellion, which is to have a foul heart. I am one of the most famous scholars
in the empire, and you make me a drummer boy, that is as Yang Huo belittling
Confucius or Zang Cang vilifying Mencius. You desire to be chief and arbitrator
of the great nobles, yet you treat me thus!"
Now Kong Rong who
had recommended Mi Heng for employment was among the guests, and he feared for
the life of his friend. Wherefore he tried to calm the storm.
"Mi Heng is
only guilty of a misdemeanor," said Kong Rong. "He is not a man
likely to disturb your dreams like Fu Yue, Illustrious Sir."
Pointing to Mi Heng,
the Prime Minister said, "I will send you to Jingzhou as my messenger; and
if Liu Biao surrenders to me, I will give you a post at court."
But Mi Heng was
unwilling to go. So Cao Cao bade two of his men prepare three horses, and they
set Mi Heng on the middle one and dragged him along the road between them.
It is also related
that a great number of officers of all ranks assembled at the East Gate to see
the messenger start.
Xun Yu said,
"When Mi Heng comes, we will not rise to salute him."
So when Mi Heng
came, dismounted, and entered the waiting room, they all sat stiff and silent.
Mi Heng uttered a loud cry.
"What is that
for?" said Xun Yu.
"Should not one
cry out when one enters a coffin?" said Mi Heng.
"We may be
corpses," shouted they altogether, "but you are a wandering headless
ghost."
"I am a
minister of Han and not a partisan of Cao Cao's," cried Mi Heng. "You
cannot say I have no head."
They were angry
enough to kill him, but Xun Yu checked them, saying, "He is a paltry
fellow. It is not worth soiling your blades with his blood."
"I am paltry,
and yet I have the soul of a man, and you are mere worms," said Mi Heng.
They went their
ways, all very angry. Mi Heng went on his journey and presently reached
Jingzhou, where he saw Liu Biao. After that, under pretense of extolling Liu
Biao's virtue, he lampooned Liu Biao who was annoyed and sent him to Jiangxia
to see Huang Zu.
"Why did you
not put the fellow to death for lampooning you?" said one to Liu Biao.
"You see he
shamed Cao Cao, but Cao Cao did not kill him as Cao Cao feared to lose popular
favor. So Cao Cao sent him to me, thinking to borrow my hand to slay him and so
suffer the loss of my good name. I have sent him on to Huang Zu to let Cao Cao
see that I understood."
Liu Biao's clever
caution met with general praise. At that time a messenger from Yuan Shao was
also there with certain proposals for an alliance, and it was necessary to
decide which aide to espouse. All the advisers came together to consider the
question.
Then Commander Han
Song said, "As you have now two offers, you can please yourself and choose
your own way to destroy your enemies; for if one refuses, you can follow the
other. Now Cao Cao is an able general and has many capable officers in his
train. It looks as though he may destroy Yuan Shao and then move his armies
across the river. I fear, my lord, you would be unable then to withstand him.
That being so, it would be wise to support Cao Cao, who will treat you with
respect."
Liu Biao replied,
"You go to the capital and see how things tend. That will help me to
decide."
Han Song said,
"The positions of master and servant are clearly defined. Now I am your
man prepared to go all lengths for you and obey you to the last, whether in
serving the Emperor or in following Cao Cao. But lest there should be any doubt
you must remember that if the Emperor gives me any office, then I shall become
his servant and shall not be ready to face death for you."
"You go and
find out what you can. I have ideas in my mind."
So Han Song took his
leave and went to the capital, where he saw Cao Cao. Cao Cao gave him rank and
made him Governor of Lingling.
Adviser Xun Yu
remonstrated, saying, "This man came to spy out how things were moving. He
has done nothing to deserve reward, and yet you give him an office like this.
There were no such suspicious rumors connected with poor Mi Heng, and yet you
sent him off and would never test his power."
"Mi Heng shamed
me too deeply before all the world. I am going to borrow Liu Biao's hand to
remove him. And you need say no more," said Cao Cao.
Then Cao Cao sent
Han Song back to his former master to tell him what had happened. Han Song came
and was full of praise for the virtues of the court and was keen on persuading
Liu Biao to espouse that side.
Then Liu Biao
suddenly turned angry, charged him with treachery, put him in prison, and
threatened him with death.
"You turn your
back on me," cried Han Song. "I did not betray you."
Kuai Liang remarked,
"Han Song had foretold this possibility before he left. It is only what he
expected."
Liu Biao, who was
just and reasonable, went no further.
Presently came the
news that Mi Heng had been put to death by Huang Zu on account of a quarrel
begun over the wine cups. Both being worse for liquor they had begun to discuss
the worth of people.
"You were in
Xuchang," said Huang Zu. "Who was there of worth?"
"The big boy
was Kong Rong and the little one Yang Xiu. There was no one else to
count."
"What am I
like?" said Huang Zu.
"You are like a
god in a temple: You sit still and receive sacrifice, but the lack of
intelligence is pitiful."
"Do you regard
me as a mere image?" cried Huang Zu, angrily.
So Huang Zu put the
impudent speaker to death. Even at the very point of death, Mi Heng never
ceased his railing and abuse.
"Alas!"
sighed Liu Biao when he heard Mi Heng's fate. Then Liu Biao had the victim
honorably interred near Yingwu, on Parrot Island.
And a later poet
wrote of Mi Heng:
|
Huang Zu could brook no rival; at his
word |
Cao Cao heard of the
young man's death with pleasure.
"The putrid
bookworm has just cut himself up with his own sharp tongue," said he.
As there was no sign
of Liu Biao coming to join him, Cao Cao began to think of coercion. Xun Yu
dissuaded him from this course.
Said he, "Yuan
Shao is not subjugated; Liu Bei is not destroyed. To attack Liu Biao would be
to neglect the vital to care for the immaterial. Destroy the two chief enemies
first, and the Han River is yours at one blow."
And Cao Cao took the
advice.
After the departure
of Liu Bei, Dong Cheng and his fellow conspirators did nothing else day or
night but try to evolve plans for the destruction of Cao Cao. But they could
see no chance to attack. At the new year audience Cao Cao was odiously arrogant
and overweening, and the chief conspirator's disgust was so intense that he
fell ill.
Hearing of the State
Uncle's indisposition, the Emperor sent the Court Physician to see him. The
Court Physician at this time was a native of Luoyang, named Ji Ping. A very
famous physician, Ji Ping devoted himself wholly to the treatment of his court
patient. Living in Dong Cheng's palace and seeing Dong Cheng at all times, Ji
Ping soon found that some secret grief was sorely troubling him. But Ji Ping
dared not ask questions.
One evening of the
full moon festival, when the physician was just taking his leave, Dong Cheng
kept him, and the two men had supper together. They eat talking for some time,
and Dong Cheng by and by dropped off to sleep dressed as he was.
Presently Wang Zifu
and the others were announced. As they were coming in, Wang Zifu cried,
"Our business is settled!"
"I should be
glad to hear how," said Dong Cheng.
"Liu Biao has
joined Yuan Shao, and five hundred thousand troops in fifty legions are on
their way here by different routes. More than this, Ma Teng and Han Sui are
coming from the northwest with seven hundred thousand Xiliang troops. Cao Cao
has moved every soldier outside Xuchang to meet the combined armies. There is a
great banquet in the Palace tonight. If we get together our young men and servants,
we can muster more than a thousand, and we can surround the Palace, while Cao
Cao is at the banquet, and finish him off. We must not miss this."
Dong Cheng was more
than delighted. He called his servants and armed them, put on his own armor and
mounted his horse. The conspirators met, as they had arranged, just at the
inner gate of the Prime Minister's palace. It was the first watch. The small
army marched straight in, Dong Cheng leading with his treasured sword drawn.
His intended victim was at table in one of the private rooms. Dong Cheng rushed
in, crying, "Cao Cao, you rebel, stay!" and dashed at Cao Cao who
fell at the first blow.
And just then he
woke up and found it was all a dream, but his mouth was still full of curses.
"Do you really
wish to destroy Cao Cao?" said Ji Ping, going forward to his half awakened
patient.
This brought Dong
Cheng to his senses. He stopped, terror stricken, and made no reply.
"Do not be
frightened, O Uncle," said the doctor. "Although I am a physician, I
am also a man, and I never forget my emperor. You have seemed sad for many
days, but I have never ventured to ask the reason. Now you have shown it in
your dream, and I know your real feelings. If I can be of any use, I will help.
Nothing can daunt me."
Dong Cheng covered
his face and wept.
"I fear you may
not be true to me," cried he.
Ji Ping at once bit
off a finger as a pledge of his faith. And then his host and patient brought
forth the decree he had received in the girdle.
"I am afraid
our schemes will come to nought," said Dong Cheng. "Liu Bei and Ma
Teng are gone, and there is nothing we can do. That was the real reason I fell
ill."
"It is not
worth troubling you gentlemen with, for Cao Cao's life lies in these hands of
mine," said Ji Ping.
"How can that
be?"
"Because he is
often ill with deep-seated pain in his head. When this comes on, he sends for
me. When next he calls me, I only have to give him one dose and he will
certainly die. We do not want any weapons."
"If only you
could do it! You would be the savior of the dynasty. It depends upon you."
Then Ji Ping went
away leaving his late patient a happy man. Dong Cheng strolled into the garden
and there he saw one of his servants, Quin Quington, whispering with one of the
concubines, Yun Ying, in a dark corner. This annoyed him, and he called his
attendants to seize them. He would have put them to death but for the
intervention of his wife. At her request he spared their lives, but both were
beaten forty canes, and the lad was thrown into a dungeon. Sulky at this
treatment, Quin Quington broke out of the cell in the night, climbed over the
wall, and went straight to Cao Cao's palace, where he betrayed the conspiracy.
Cao Cao at once had
him taken into a secret chamber and questioned him.
Quin Quington gave
the names of the conspirators, saying, "Wang Zifu, Wu Zilan, Chong Ji, Wu
Shi, Ma Teng, and my master have been meeting secretly. My master has a roll of
white silk, with writing on it, but I do not know what it means. Yesterday, Ji
Ping bit off one of his fingers as a pledge of fidelity. I saw that."
Quin Quington was
kept in a secret part of the palace, while his late master, Dong Cheng, only
knowing that he had run away, took no special means to find him.
Soon after this Cao
Cao feigned a headache and sent for Ji Ping as usual.
"The rebel is
done for," thought Ji Ping, and he made a secret package of poison which
he took with him to the palace of the Prime Minister. He found Cao Cao in bed.
The patient bade the doctor prepare a potion for him.
"One draught
will cure this disease," said Ji Ping.
He bade them bring
him a pot, and he prepared the potion in the room. When it had simmered for
some time and was half finished, the poison was added, and soon after the
physician presented the draught. Cao Cao, knowing it was poisoned, made excuses
and would not swallow it.
"You should
take it hot," said the doctor. "Then there will be a gentle
perspiration, and you will be better."
"You are a
scholar," said Cao Cao, sitting up, "and know what is the correct
thing to do. When the master is ill and takes drugs, the attendant first tastes
them; when a man is ill, his son first tastes the medicine. You are my
confidant and should drink first. Then I will swallow the remainder."
"Medicine is to
treat disease. What is the use of anyone's tasting it?" said Ji Ping.
But he guessed now
the conspiracy had been discovered, so he dashed forward, seized Cao Cao by the
ear, and tried to pour the potion down his throat. Cao Cao pushed it away, and
it spilt. The bricks upon which it fell were split asunder. Before Cao Cao
could speak, his servants had already seized the assailant.
Said Cao Cao,
"I am not ill. I only wanted to test you. So you really thought to poison
me!"
He sent for a score
of sturdy gaolers who carried off the prisoner to the inner apartments to be
interrogated. Cao Cao took his seat in a pavilion, and the hapless physician,
tightly bound, was thrown to the ground before him. The prisoner maintained a
bold front.
Cao Cao said,
"I thought you were a physician. How dared you try to poison me? Someone
incited you to this crime. If you tell me, I will pardon you."
"You are a
rebel. You flout your Prince and injure your betters. The whole empire wishes
to kill you. Do you think I am the only one?"
Cao Cao again and
again pressed the prisoner to tell what he knew, but he only replied that no
one had sent him and it was his own desire.
"I have failed,
and I can but die," added Ji Ping.
Cao Cao angrily bade
the gaolers give him a severe beating, and they dogged him for two watches. His
skin hung in tatters, the flesh was battered, and the blood from his wounds ran
down the steps. Then fearing he might die and his evidence be lost, Cao Cao
bade them cease and remove him. They took him off to a quiet place where he
might recover somewhat.
Having issued orders
to prepare a banquet for next day, Cao Cao invited all the courtiers thereto.
Dong Cheng was the only one who excused himself, saying he was unwell. The
other conspirators dared not stay away as they felt they would be suspected.
Tables were laid in
the private apartments, and after several courses the host said, "There is
not much to amuse us today, but I have a man to show you that will sober
you."
"Bring him
in!" Cao Cao said, turning to the gaolers, and the hapless Ji Ping
appeared, securely fastened in a wooden collar. He was placed where all could
see him.
"You officials
do not know that this man is connected with a gang of evil doers who desire to
overturn the government and even injure me. However, Heaven has defeated their
plans, but I desire that you should hear his evidence."
Then Cao Cao ordered
the gaolers to beat their prisoner. They did so till Ji Ping lay unconscious,
when they revived him by spraying water over his face. As soon as he came to,
he glared at his oppressor and ground his teeth.
"Cao Cao, you
rebel! What are you waiting for? Why not kill me?" cried Ji Ping.
Cao Cao replied,
"The conspirators were only six at first; you made the seventh. Is that
true?"
Here the prisoner
broke in with more abuse, while Wang Zifu and the other three conspirators
exchanged glances, looking as though they were sitting on a rug full of
needles. Cao Cao continued his torture of the prisoner, beating him into
unconsciousness and reviving him with cold water, the victim disdaining to ask
mercy. Finally Cao Cao realized he would incriminate none of his accomplices,
and so he told the gaolers to remove Ji Ping.
At the close of the
banquet, when the guests were dispersing, four of them, the four conspirators,
were invited to remain behind to supper. They were terrified so that their
souls seemed no longer to inhabit their bodies, but there was no saying nay to
the invitation.
Presently Cao Cao
said, "Still there is something I want to speak about, so I have asked you
to stay for a time longer. I do not know what you four have been arranging with
Dong Cheng."
"Nothing at
all," said Wang Zifu.
"And what is
written on the white silk?" asked Cao Cao.
They all said they
knew nothing about it.
Then Cao Cao ordered
the runaway servant to be brought in. As soon as Quin Quington came, Wang Zifu
said, "Well, what have you seen and where?"
Quin Quington
replied, "You five very carefully chose retired places to talk in, and you
secretly signed a white roll. You cannot deny that."
Wang Zifu replied,
"This miserable creature was punished for misbehavior with one of Uncle
Dong Cheng's maids, and now because of that he slanders his master. You must
not listen to him."
"Ji Ping tried
to pour poison down my throat. Who told him to do that if it was not Dong
Cheng?" said Cao Cao.
They all said they
knew nothing about who it was.
"So far,"
said Cao Cao, "matters are only beginning, and there is a chance of
forgiveness. But if the thing grows, it will be difficult not to take notice of
it."
The whole four
vigorously denied that any plot existed. However Cao Cao called up his
henchmen, and the four men were put into confinement.
Next day Cao Cao
with a large following went to the State Uncle's palace to ask after his
health.
Dong Cheng came out
to receive his visitor, who at once said, "Why did you not come last
night?"
"I am not quite
well yet and have to be very careful about going out," replied Dong Cheng.
"One might say
you were suffering from national sorrow, eh?" said Cao Cao.
Dong Cheng started.
Cao Cao continued, "Have you heard of the Ji Ping affair?"
"No; what is
it?"
Cao Cao smiled
coldly, saying, "How can it be you do not know?"
He turned to his
attendants and told them to bring in the prisoner, while he went on talking to
his host about national illness.
Dong Cheng was much
put about and knew not what to do. Soon the gaolers led in the physician to the
steps of the hall. At once the bound man began to rail at Cao Cao as rebel and
traitor.
"This
man," said Cao Cao, pointing to Ji Ping, "has implicated Wang Zifu
and three others, all of whom are now under arrest. There is one more whom I
have not caught yet."
"Who sent you
to poison me?" continued Cao Cao, turning toward the physician.
"Quick, tell me!"
"Heaven sent me
to slay a traitor!"
Cao Cao angrily
ordered them to beat Ji Ping again, but there was no part of his body that
could be beaten. Dong Cheng sat looking at him, his heart feeling as if
transfixed with a dagger.
"You were born
with ten fingers. How is it you have now only nine?"
Ji Ping replied,
"I bit off one as a pledge when I swore to slay a traitor."
Cao Cao told them to
bring a knife, and they lopped off his other nine fingers.
"Now they are
all off. That will teach you to make pledges."
"Still I have a
mouth that can swallow a traitor and a tongue that can curse him," said Ji
Ping.
Cao Cao told them to
cut out his tongue.
Ji Ping said,
"Do not. I cannot endure any more punishment, I shall have to speak out.
Loosen my bonds."
"Loose them.
There is no reason why not," said Cao Cao.
They loosed him. As
soon as he was free, Ji Ping stood up, turned his face toward the Emperor's
palace and bowed, saying, "It is Heaven's will that thy servant has been
unable to remove the evil."
Then he turned and
smashed his head into the steps and died.
His body was
quartered and exposed. This happened in the first month of the fifth year of
Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 200), and a certain historian wrote a poem:
|
There lived in Han a simple physician. |
Seeing his victim
had passed beyond the realm of punishment, Cao Cao had Quin Quington led in.
"Do you know
this man, Uncle?"
"Yes,"
cried Dong Cheng. "So the runaway servant is here. He ought to be put to
death!"
"He just told
me of your treachery. He is my witness," said Cao Cao. "Who would
dare kill him?"
"How can you,
the First Minister of State, heed the unsupported tale of an absconding
servant?"
"But I have
Wang Zifu and the others in prison," said Cao Cao. "And how can you
rebut their evidence?"
He then called in
the remainder of his followers and ordered them to search Dong Cheng's bedroom.
They did so and found the decree that had been given him in the girdle and the
pledge signed by the conspirators.
"You mean
rat!" cried Cao Cao. "You dared do this?"
He gave orders to
arrest the whole household without exception. Then he returned to his palace
with the incriminating documents and called all his advisers together to
discuss the dethronement of the Emperor and the setting up of a successor.
The reader who
wishes to how the fate of the Emperor must read the next chapter.