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Chapter 80 Cao Pi Deposes The Emperor, Taking Away The
Fortunes of Hans; |
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[e] King Tang was the founder of Shang Dynasty (BC 1700-1050). ..... [e] King Yao, King Shun, and King Yu
(BC 2400-2200) were the three ideal rulers in ancient China. They ascended
the throne by their virtues and merits, and not by heritage. King Yu was also
the founder of the Xia Dynasty. ..... |
Hua Xin was the
spokesman of the deputation of officers that went into the Forbidden City, and
he spoke thus: "Since the inauguration of the Prince of Wei, virtue has
spread to the four corners of the empire and humanity has permeated all the
earth to a degree unexcelled in all the ages, even in the days of the ancient
rulers, King Tang* and King Yu*. We, your servants, have taken account of these
things and have reached the conclusion that the fortunes of Han is worn out,
wherefore we trust Your Majesty, in imitation of the great prototypes King Yao*
and King Shun*, will yield the mountains, the rivers, and the peoples to a more
able guardian and high priest of the sacrifices in the person of the Prince of
Wei, thereby pleasing Heaven and satisfying the hearts of humans, and enabling
Your Majesty to enjoy the happiness of freedom and repose from the exacting
duties of the chief ruler. The happiness of your ancestors and of humanity at
large would thereby be enhanced. Having thoroughly debated this matter, we have
come to lay it before you."
The Emperor listened
in amazement, and for a time could not reply.
Then, looking at the
assembly, he said sadly, "How can I abandon my empire for the sake of
repose---the empire won by my Great Ancestor, its Founder, when, with a
three-span sword, he slew the Snake and restored Right, and consolidated when
he reduced Qin and overwhelmed Chu---the empire which has been handed down for
four centuries? Though I possess not brilliant talents, yet I have done no
wrong. Go back and debate this again in a just and moderate spirit."
Then Hua Xin led
forward Xu Zhi and Li Qu nearer the throne, saying, "If Your Majesty
thinks we may be mistaken, pray ask these two, who will explain."
Said Li Qu,
"Since the Prince of Wei has taken his seat, the Jilin has descended, the
Phoenix has appeared, the Yellow Dragon has come forth, the Grain of Felicity
has flourished, and Sweet Dew has watered the earth. All these things augur
that Heaven decrees a change, and Wei must replace Han."
Xu Zhi continued,
"The astrologers, watching the aspect of the skies at night, have seen the
blazing light of the star of Han gradually fade away and Your Majesty's own
star become dim. On the other hand, the aspect of the sky and the attitude of
the earth have been wholly bright in favor of Wei to a degree hard to state in
words. Moreover, the lots have been cast, and they gave the words 'Devil, at
the side, has been sent, there must be an inroad upon Han without word';
another lot, 'Word, in east, light moves west, two suns radiating as the air
blows south'. These oracles gave two words which, joined, compose Xu; 'two
suns, one on the other', which is Chang. These signs are unmistakeable, for
when put together the whole reads, 'Wei at Xuchang is to receive the abdication
of Han.' If you consider, Your Majesty must admit this."
"All empty
words and madness, this talk of auguries and lots! Is it reasonable that I
should suddenly abandon the great heritage for such nonsense?"
Then Wang Lang said,
"Wax and wane has been the law of all things from the beginning; every
period of glory is followed by one of obscurity. Has any rule endured forever
or any House never failed? The rule of Han, handed down through four centuries
to Yourself, has lost its vigor, and the time has come to yield. Retirement may
not be delayed, or confusion will ensue."
The Emperor wept
aloud and retired to his private chamber, while the officers left the hall
laughing.
Next morning they
assembled in the court, but the Emperor did not appear. So they sent the palace
officers to request his presence. Still he feared to show himself.
Empress Cao asked
him, "Why do Your Majesty not hold the court as usual, especially when you
are requested to go out?"
"Because your
brother wishes to depose me and become Emperor himself. He has set the whole
host of officers against me to force me to abdicate, and I will not expose
myself to this compulsion."
"But what can
have induced my brother to do such a dreadfully rebellious thing?" said
she angrily.
Just as she spoke,
Cao Hong and Cao Xiu, both armed, forced their way into the inner apartments
and requested His Majesty to come to the Hall of Audience.
The Empress broke
out into abuse: "So you are two of the disorderly rebels who, for the sake
of your own ends, have conspired to upset all the good service of my father.
Though he overshadowed the whole land, yet he never dared to aspire to the
sacred Throne. But my brother, who has only just succeeded him, sets no bounds
to his ambition and temerity and would usurp the Throne. Heaven will surely cut
off his offspring!"
She wept bitterly as
she went away, and the attendants sobbed and wept too. But Cao Xiu and Cao Hong
still urged the Emperor to go to the Hall of Audience, and at last he had to
yield. There Hua Xin took up the question again.
"Your Majesty
should act as was advised yesterday and so avoid any misfortune."
The Emperor sobbed,
"All of you have eaten of the bounty of Han for years, and among you are
many whose fathers and grandfathers were conspicuous for merit. How can you
bring yourselves to act thus improperly toward me?"
"If Your
Majesty refuses to follow advice, I fear that there will soon be trouble in the
family. Really we are not disloyal."
"Who would dare
to murder me?" cried the Emperor.
"Everyone knows
that Your Majesty lacks the happy attributes of a successful ruler and that is
why there is so much confusion in the country. If it were not for the presence
of the Prince of Wei in your court, many people would murder you. Your Majesty
has never yet learned how to treat people; is your sole desire to set people
against you?"
The Emperor, alarmed
at the violence of his language, shook out his sleeves and rose to go away.
Then Wang Lang glanced at Hua Xin, who rushed forward and seized the Emperor by
the sleeve.
"Is it consent
or not?" cried he angrily. "One word!"
The Emperor was dumb
with terror.
"Where is the
Keeper of the Seal?" shouted Cao Hong and Cao Xiu, drawing their swords.
"The Keeper of
the Seal is here," said Zu Bi, stepping calmly to the front.
They tried to force
the seal from him, but he cried, "The Seal belongs to the Emperor, and I
will not yield it!"
Cao Hong called up
the executioners and told them to behead him, which they did. Zu Bi abused the
ruffians to the last breath.
The Emperor was in a
state of abject terror, and when he saw the whole court filling up with armed
guards, all the soldiers of Wei and so enemies, he burst into tears.
"Yes; I will
give up the throne to the Prince, if haply I may be spared to live out the few
years Heaven has assigned me," wailed he.
"The Prince
will always take care of Your Majesty," said Jia Xu. "It would be as
well to prepare the abdication manifesto quickly so as to preserve
tranquillity."
Such a hint could
not be missed, and Chen Qun was directed to draft the document. As soon as it
was finished, Hua Xin and a host of officers, took it off to the Prince of
Wei's palace and presented it, with the Imperial Hereditary Seal, in the name
of the Emperor. Very joyfully, Cao Pi read this writing:
"During the
whole of my thirty-two years of reign the land has been in a state of turmoil,
but the spirits of my ancestors have preserved me in the midst of danger. Now
from the signs of the heavens and the hearts of the people, I see that the
virtue of the Hans is exhausted, and happy fortune has devolved upon the House
of Wei, as may be seen from the success in war enjoyed by the late King Cao and
the resplendent virtue of the present Prince, which answers to the times.
"By all noble
principles the empire is no private possession, but a public trust. Wherefore
the great King Yao, to his eternal glory, passed over his own son. How I admire
this deed! Now in imitation thereof I have resolved to abdicate in favor of my
Chief Minister, the Prince of Wei, who will not, I hope, disappoint my
wishes."
Cao Pi heard this
and was going to accept it as final.
But Sima Yi said no:
"Although the declaration and the seal have been sent, yet decorum demands
refusal at first so as to silence people's criticism."
Then Wang Lang
drafted a memorial modestly declining the proposal of succession on the ground
of unfitness and asking that some other be sought. When this reached the
Emperor, he was much perturbed and asked what was to be done next.
Replied Hua Xin,
"When his father was offered a princedom, he declined thrice, but he
finally accepted. Wherefore Your Majesty should renew the offer. The Prince
will end by acceptance."
There was no help
for it, and so Huan Jie was bidden to draft another declaration of offer, which
was sent by the hand of the Officer of the Dynastic Temple, Zhang Yin, together
with the emblems and the seal.
This new declaration
read thus:
"To the Prince
of Wei. You have sent your modest refusal of my offer to abdicate. But I have
long since seen that the virtue of Han is passing, and I could only rely upon
the late Prince, your father, who virtuously undertook the great task of
removing the evil oppressors and purging the land. Now his son Cao Pi has
succeeded. His perfect virtue is resplendent, his fame universal and his
benevolence is wafted to all parts. The divine choice rests upon him.
"In the days of
old, Yao the Great would abdicate, and did so in favor of Shun, who possessed
merit after his twenty accomplishments; and the God-king Shun in the same
manner handed the Throne to Yu after Yu had labored to control the floodwaters.
The House of Han succeeded in the course of ages to the work of Yao and now
passes on the sacred trust, to promote the repose of the Earth and manifest the
command of Heaven.
"By the hand of
the Minister Zhang Yin, this is sent with the emblems and the seal."
Greatly rejoicing,
Cao Pi received this.
But he said to Jia
Xu, "Although I have received two such declarations, yet I fear that I may
not escape being branded as a usurper by posterity."
"That is easily
arranged," replied Jia Xu. "Direct Zhang Yin to take the seal back
again, and tell Hua Xin to cause the Emperor to set up a Terrace of Abdication
and select an auspicious day for the ceremony. Then assemble all the officers
at the terrace, and cause the Emperor to offer the seal with his own hands and
surrender the empire to you. Thus can you dissipate all doubts and prevent any
caviling."
So the seal was once
more rejected with a memorial to say so. Zhang Yin returned, and the Emperor
inquired of the courtiers how he was to understand this act.
Then Hua Xin said,
"Your Majesty can set up a Terrace of Abdication and assemble nobles,
officers, and common people to witness the act of abdication. Thereafter the
descendants of your House shall receive favor at the hands of Wei."
The Emperor
consented and sent officials in the Office of Imperial Ceremonies to select a
site at Fanyang. And there they built a terrace of three stories, and they
chose an auspicious day of the tenth month for the act of abdication. On the
appointed day, Emperor Xian requested Cao Pi to ascend the terrace and receive
his abdication. At the foot of the terrace stood the officials, more than four
hundred, and the Imperial Guards and the Tiger Guards, and soldiers to the
number of three hundred thousand. Thereupon the Emperor presented the seal,
which Cao Pi received into his hands. Then all those about the terrace knelt to
listen to the reading of the manifesto:
"To the Prince
of Wei. In days of old, Yao yielded the empire to Shun, and Shun in turn gave
it to Yu. The will of Heaven does not follow the way of mortals, but seeks the
virtuous. The rule of Han has lost its virility and the times are out of joint.
When my turn came to rule, great disorder arose, and evils stalked abroad till
the empire was in danger of subversion. I trusted to the military genius of the
late Prince of Wei to restore order and purge away the evil, whereby to ensure
tranquillity to my House. What could my single hand do to correct this and
ensure peace for my Nine Domains?
"The present
Prince has succeeded to his father. He is also resplendent in virtue, capable
as Wu the Military King and Wen the Scholar King of the great task, brilliant
in the glory of his father. The spirit of the empire is upon him; gods and
humans declare his worth. To him be the bright reward, and let him accept this
mandate. For all say his capabilities fit him to stand beside Yu.
"As did my
great predecessor, I respectfully retire that he may be set up. The revolution
of Heaven brings the glory upon his person, and he will accept the high office
and comfort all people by reverently obeying the decree of Heaven."
The reading
finished, the Prince of Wei, Cao Pi, proceeded to the terrace and ascended to
the place of the Emperor. Then Jia Xu, at the head of the great concourse of
officers, came to the foot of the terrace, and a court was held. The year of
reign was changed from Prolonged Wealth, the first year, to Yellow Dawn, the
first year (AD 220), and the government became that of Great Wei. An edict was
then published proclaiming a general amnesty, and the title of "Founder of
the Dynasty" was conferred upon the late Prince, Cao Cao.
Then said Hua Xin,
"As heaven has but one sun, so the people can have but one ruler. The Hans
have abdicated, and it is fitting that they withdraw to a distance. I pray for
an edict naming the place of residence of the Liu family."
Taking the late
Emperor by the arm, Hua Xin led him forward and made him kneel below the
terrace to hear the command. Then the new Emperor Pi conferred upon him the
title of Duke of Shanyang, bidding him depart forthwith.
Thereupon Hua Xin
drew his sword and in a harsh voice said, "It is an old rule that the
setting up of one emperor means the degradation of another. Now, through the
gracious kindness of His Majesty, you are spared personal injury and created a
duke. Proceed at once and return not to court without express command."
The late Emperor
Xian controlled his emotion, thanked the Emperor Pi for his clemency and left
on horseback. But those who saw the departure could not help a feeling of pity
for him.
Said Cao Pi to his
courtiers, "Now I understand the story of Shun and Yu."
Then they all
shouted: "O Ruler, may thy life be eternal!"
|
The ruling policy of Han had failed them, |
The officials then
requested Cao Pi to make a solemn declaration to Heaven and Earth, which he did
with humble obeisance.
But at this moment a
sudden storm burst whirling up the dust and rolling along stones till no one
could see the face of his neighbor. All the lights on the terrace were
extinguished. The newly enthroned Emperor was terrified and fell prostrate. He
was borne away unconscious. When he revived, he was assisted into the palace,
but for many days he was too ill to hold a court.
When he had somewhat
recovered, he met his courtiers and received their felicitations. He rewarded
Hua Xin with the post of Minister of the Interior, and Wang Lang with that of
Minister of Works. All the officers were advanced in rank. But as his recovery
was slow, he began to think there was too much witchcraft about the palaces at
Xuchang and left it for Luoyang, where he erected a large palace complex.
|
[e] These rumors were inaccurate, or they may have had some political purpose. Emperor Xian died fourteen years later, in AD 234. |
The tale of these
doings reached Chengdu and caused great grief to the Prince of Hanzhong, for he
heard the rumors that the late Emperor had been put to death*. He issued an
order for mourning to be worn and instituted sacrifices, and he conferred the
posthumous title of Emperor Xian the Filial on the late Emperor. This worry
brought on an illness, so that he could not transact the business of the court,
which was left in the hands of Zhuge Liang.
Then Zhuge Liang and
some of his colleagues took counsel one with another, saying, "The empire
cannot be one single day without its ruler, wherefore we desire that our Prince
should be honored with the title of 'Emperor'."
Qiao Zhou said,
"There have been auspicious indications. A yellow vapor has been seen in
the northwest of Chengdu rising to the clouds, and the star of emperor has
greatly increased in splendor and shined like the moon. These signs mean that
our Prince is to become Emperor in succession to the House of Han. There can be
no doubt."
Whereupon Zhuge
Liang and Xu Jing, at the head of a large number of officers, presented a
memorial requesting the Prince to assume the title of Emperor. But Liu Bei
objected.
"O Nobles, do
you desire to set my feet in the way of disloyalty and wrong-doing?"
"Not so,"
said Zhuge Liang. "But Cao Pi has usurped the Throne, while you are a
scion of the House. It is right and proper that you succeed and prolong the
line."
But the Prince
suddenly showed anger, saying, "Can I imitate the deeds of such a
rebel?"
He rose and left the
chamber, going to his own apartments. So the officials dispersed.
But three days later
Zhuge Liang again led a deputation to the court, and they requested that the
Prince should come forth and hear them. He came, and they all prostrated
themselves.
Xu Jing spoke,
"The late Emperor of the Hans has been slain by Cao Pi. You, O Prince,
will fail both in loyalty and rectitude if you do not assume the succession and
destroy the wrong-doers. The whole empire requests you to rule that you may
avenge the death of the late Emperor, and the people will be disappointed if
you do not accede to their wishes."
The Prince replied,
"Although I am descended from the grandson of Emperor Jing, I have not
been of the least advantage. If I assumed the title of 'Emperor', how would
that act differ from usurpation?"
Zhuge Liang pleaded
with him again and again, but the Prince remained obdurate. Then Zhuge Liang
bethought that where argument failed a ruse might succeed. So having arranged
the parts his several colleagues were to play, he pleaded illness and remained
at home. Presently it was told the Prince that his adviser's condition was
becoming serious, wherefore Liu Bei went to see him as he lay on his couch.
"What illness
affects you, my Commander-in-Chief?" asked Liu Bei.
"My heart is
sad like unto burning, and I shall soon die."
"What is it
that causes you such grief?"
But Zhuge Liang did
not reply. And when the question was repeated again and again he said nothing,
but just lay with his eyes closed as if he was too ill to speak.
The Prince, however,
pressed him to reply, and then with a deep sigh Zhuge Liang said, "Great
Prince, from the day I left my humble cottage to follow you, you have always
listened to my words and accepted my advice, and now this western domain, the
whole of the two River Lands is yours just as I said it would be. But this
usurpation of Cao Pi means the annihilation of the Hans and the cessation of
their sacrifices, wherefore my colleagues and I desired you to become Emperor
in order to crush this upstart Wei and restore the Hans. We all worked for this
end, never thinking that you would refuse so obstinately to accede to our
wishes. Now the officers are all annoyed, and they will drift away before very
long. If you are left alone and Wu and Wei come to attack, it will be difficult
for you to hold on to what you have. Do you not think this sufficient reason
for me to feel grieved?"
"Unless I
refused, the whole world would blame me. I am afraid," replied the Prince.
Quoting Confucius
the Teacher, Zhuge Liang replied, "'If names be not correct, language is
not in accordance with the truth of things.' In other words, if one be not
really straight, people will not speak of one favorably. O Prince, you are
straight, and people speak of you favorably. What more is there to say? You
know when Heaven offers and you refuse, you are certainly to blame."
"When you have
recovered, it shall be done," said the Prince.
Up leapt Zhuge Liang
from his bed, tapped at the screen in front of a doorway and in rushed a number
of high officers, who prostrated themselves, crying, "So you have
consented, O Prince! Then choose the day for the ceremony."
They were all the
most trusted of his court: Imperial Guardian Xu Jing, General Who Brings Peace
to Han Mi Zhu; Lord of Qingyi Xiang Ju, Lord of Yangquan Liu Bao, Deputy
Governor Zhao Zuo; First Secretary Yang Hong, Counselor Du Qiong, Secretary
Zhang Shuang, Minister Lai Gong, Minister Huang Quan, Minister He Zong,
Doctorate Scholar Yin Mo, Minister Qiao Zhou, Grand Commander Yin Chun,
Imperial Commander Zhang Si, Treasurer Wang Mou, Doctorate Scholar Yi Ji,
Counselor Qin Mi, and many others.
The Prince was
greatly startled, and said, "You are committing me to doing what is
dishonorable!"
But Zhuge Liang
said, "Since consent has been given, let a terrace be built and a day
chosen for the great ceremony."
The Prince was
escorted back to his palace, and Academician Xu Ci and High Counselor Meng
Guang were told off to see to the building of the terrace at Mount Wudan south
of Chengdu. And when all was ready, a great concourse of officers solemnly
escorted the Prince, seated in a carriage of the imperial pattern, to the
ground prepared, and he went up to the altar and performed the appointed
sacrifice.
This done, the
solemn announcement was read in a loud voice by Qiao Zhou:
"On this
twelfth day of the fourth month of the twenty-fifth year of the Rebuilt
Tranquillity Era, Liu Bei, the Emperor, makes this solemn announcement to
Heaven and Earth.
"The dynasty of
Han has possessed the empire for years without end. Formerly Wang Mang rebelled
against his sovereign, and Liu Xiu the Founder of Latter Han rose in his wrath
and put Wang Mang to death, thus restoring the prerogatives of the great
sacrifices to him who rightly exercised them. Lately Cao Cao, powerful and
cruel, slew the Empress, and his crimes cry aloud to Heaven for vengeance. His
son, Cao Pi, carrying evils into every quarter, then seized the scepter.
"My officials
and leaders, regarding the dynasty as having been overthrown, think it fitting
that I, Liu Bei, would continue the line. As successor to my two warrior
ancestors, Liu Bang and Liu Xiu, I will punish as Heaven decrees.
"Fearing lest
my virtue be inadequate to the Imperial Throne, I consulted the voices of the
people, and all, even the most distant, have said that the mandate of Heaven
may not be disobeyed, the great task of my ancestors may not discontinue, the
land must have a lord, and they aver the cynosure of all eyes is myself.
"Now I,
respecting the mandate of Heaven and fearing lest the great achievements of Liu
Bang and Liu Xiu may be overthrown, have reverently selected this auspicious
day to ascend the altar, sacrifice, and announce my assumption of the Imperial
Seal in order to comfort all the people, rejoice the ancestors of the Dynastic
House, and bring eternal tranquillity to all domains."
When the reading was
ended, and the sacrifice and the prayer, Zhuge Liang, in the name of all those
assembled, presented the Imperial Seal.
The Prince received
it in both hands, laid it upon the altar, and again declined acceptance,
saying, "I, Liu Bei, am unfitted. I pray that another, more able, may be
chosen."
But Zhuge Liang
said, "Our lord has settled the empire, and his merits are manifest to the
whole world. Moreover, he is of the Dynastic Family, and it is fitting that he
succeed. Now that the great announcement has been made, such self-abnegation is
impossible."
So all the officers
shouted, "Eternal life to the Emperor!" And they did obeisance.
Then the style of
the reign was announced to be Manifest Might, the first year (AD 220). The Lady
Wu was declared Empress, and the eldest son, Liu Shan, was declared
Heir-Apparent. The second son Liu Yung was made Prince of Lu, and the third son
Liu Li, Prince of Liang (the ancient states of Lu and Liang). Zhuge Liang
became Prime Minister, and Xu Jing, Minister of the Interior. Many others were
promoted, and a general amnesty was proclaimed, so that there was great
rejoicing throughout all the length and breadth of the two River Lands.
Next day the first
court was held, and after the ceremonial prostration, and when they were all
arranged in due order, the First Ruler made a pronouncement.
"In the Peach
Garden I and my brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei pledged ourselves to live and
die together. Unhappily my brother Guan Yu came to his end at the hands of Sun
Quan of Wu, and I must avenge him lest I fail to fulfill the oath. Therefore
will I devote the whole force of my kingdom to the destruction of Wu and the
capture of its rebellious chief, whereby to wipe away my reproach."
But just as he
closed this oration, an officer threw himself down at the foot of the throne,
crying, "It may not be so!"
All eyes turned to
this man. He was Tiger General Zhao Yun.
What arguments were
used will appear in the next chapter.
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