The Three Kingdoms Volume 2 (7 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Zhuge Liang Outlines Plans for Three Kingdoms

Sun Quan Attacks Huang Zu to Avenge His Father

U
ndaunted
by two unsuccessful visits to the sage, Liu Bei prepared for a third visit. His two brothers disapproved of this and went to dissuade him. Guan Yu said, “Brother, you’ve already sought him twice, surely this is showing too much deference. I don’t believe in this fame of his for learning. I think he’s avoiding you because he’s afraid of being found out. Why hold so obstinately to this idea?”

“You’re wrong, brother. In the old days, Duke Huan of Qi wanted to see the Hermit of the Eastern Hills, but he had to pay five visits before he got to see his face. And now I desire to see the great sage. How can I be less deferential?”

“I think you’re being deceived,” said Zhang Fei. “How can this rustic be such a marvel of wisdom? You needn’t go this time. If he won’t come, I’ll bring him here with a hemp rope.”

Liu Bei said angrily, “Have you forgotten the visit by King Wen
*
to Lu Shang, the old man of the Eastern Sea? If a king could show such deference to a wise man, how can you talk so rudely about the sage? I don’t want you to go this time, so we two shall go without you.”

“If you’re both going, how can I hold back?” said Zhang Fei.

“But if you go, you must behave.”

Zhang Fei promised he would not forget himself and the three set out. When they were half a
li
from the little cottage, Liu Bei dismounted, deciding to show his respect by approaching the house on foot. Very soon he met Zhuge Jun, whom he saluted at once, inquiring whether his brother was at home.

“He returned yesterday evening. You can see him today, General.”

As he said this he departed in a carefree way.

“Fortune favors me this time,” said Liu Bei, “I’m going to see the master.”

“That was a rude fellow,” said Zhang Fei. “It wouldn’t have hurt him to conduct us to the house. Why did he go off like that?”

“Each one has his own business,” said his brother. “What power do we have over him?”

Soon the three got to the gate of the cottage and knocked. The serving lad came out to inquire and Liu Bei said most politely, “May I trouble you, gentle lad, to inform the Master that Liu Bei wishes to pay his respects to him.”

“The Master is at home, but he is asleep.”

“In that case, do not announce me yet. I will wait.”

He told his two brothers to wait at the door and he himself entered very quietly. There on the couch was the master he sought, lying asleep on his back. Liu Bei stood beneath the steps with joined hands at a respectful distance.

Quite some time passed and still the sleeper did not wake up. The two brothers, who had grown impatient, also came in. Zhang Fei was greatly annoyed at seeing his revered eldest brother respectfully standing by while the sage slept.

“What an arrogant fellow this master is!” he cried. “There is our brother standing below the steps, yet he pretends to be asleep. I’ll go to the back of the cottage and set it on fire. See if that will rouse him.”

“No, no, you mustn’t do anything of the kind,” whispered Guan Yu, and then Liu Bei told them to go out again.

Just then he noticed that the master moved. He turned over as though about to rise, but instead, he faced the wall and again fell asleep. The lad wanted to rouse his master but Liu Bei would not let him be disturbed and he waited yet another weary hour. Only then did Zhuge Liang wake up, reciting to himself the lines:

Can any know what fate is his?

Yet have I felt throughout my life,
The day will come at last to quit
The calm retreat for toil and strife.

As he finished he turned to the lad and asked, “Has any visitor come?”

“General Liu, uncle of the Emperor, is here,” said the boy. “He has been waiting some time.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he said, rising from the couch. “I’ll go in and dress.”

He rose and went inside. Again, there was a long wait before he reappeared, his clothing properly arranged, to receive his visitor.

Liu Bei saw coming toward him a very superior-looking man. He was taller than himself and his face was so refined that it resembled jade. He wore a silk head-wrap and a long crane-white gown. He moved with an air of perfect ease so that he seemed to be more like a god than a mortal.

Liu Bei bowed and said, “I am one of the last descendants of the Han family, an ignorant person from Zhuojun. I have long known your fame, which has indeed thundered in my ear. Twice I have come to visit you, but without success. The last I came here I left a note with my signature on your writing table. I wonder if you have read it.”

Zhuge Liang replied, “I am but a native of Nanyang, a dilatory person by temperament yet you have come time and again to visit me. I am very sorry I have been away on both occasions.”

After the exchange of these courteous remarks and the proper greetings, the two men sat down in their seats as host and guest and the serving lad brought tea.

Then Zhuge Liang said, “From your letter I know that you grieve for both the people and the state. Unfortunately I am young and untalented, not the right person to provide answers to your questions.”

Liu Bei replied, “Sima Hui and Xu Shu have both spoken very highly of you. How could it be that their words were vain? I earnestly hope, sir, that you will not despise me for my worthlessness but will condescend to instruct me.”

“The two men you just mentioned are very profound scholars while I am but a mere farmer. How dare I talk about state affairs? Those two misled you when they recommended me. Why do you reject the valuable jade for a worthless pebble?”

“But your superior abilities are unrivaled throughout the country. How can you be content to allow time to pass while you idle away your life in these secluded haunts? I entreat you, sir, to think of the interests of the entire people and remove my crass ignorance by bestowing instruction upon me.”

“But what is your ambition, General?” asked Zhuge Liang with a smile.

Liu Bei moved his seat nearer to his host and said, “The Hans are sinking and evil ministers have usurped their authority. Weak as I am, I desire to restore justice to the country. But hampered by my ignorance and shallowness, I have been unable to achieve anything. Only you, sir, can enlighten me and lead me out of the difficult situation. What a great fortune it will be to me!”

Zhuge Liang replied, “Bold and ambitious men have arisen one after another in various parts of the country since the days of the arch rebel Dong Zhuo. In the north, there is Cao Cao, who was not so powerful as Yuan Shao, but he overcame him by seizing the favorable moment and using his men properly. Now he is all powerful, ruling not only an immense army but, through his control of the court, various feudal lords as well. It is impossible for you to oppose him. In the east, Sun Quan has inherited the rulership of his territory from his father and brother. His position may not appear too secure, but he can rely on popular support. You can use him as an ally but not an enemy.

“Jingzhou (ruled by Liu Biao) is the place where you should implement your great plan. In the north the city rests on the two rivers, Han and Mian, through which its influence reaches the south; in the east it borders the land of Wu and in the west it is linked to the territories of the ancient states of Ba and Shu. This city is the very place where decisive battles have to be won. It is not that its present ruler cannot hold the city, but that Heaven has virtually made it yours, in spite of your reluctance to seize it.

“Yizhou (held by Liu Zhang), is also an important place, fertile and extensive, a land favored by Heaven and through which the founder of Han obtained his empire. Its ruler Liu Zhang is ignorant and weak. The people there are affluent and the district prosperous, but he does not know how to hold, and the able men of the district are yearning for an enlightened ruler. Now you are a scion of the Han House, well-known throughout the land as trusty and righteous. You have attracted real heroes to your side and you greatly desire to win the support of the wise. If you get possession of these two cities, if in the west you strike harmony with the Rong tribes while in the south win over Yi and Yue, and if externally you seek an alliance with Sun Quan, and internally maintain good administration, you can await confidently the day when Heaven will offer you the desired opportunity. Then you can delegate a worthy general to lead the army of Jingzhou to conquer the northeast, while you take command of the forces of Yizhou for an expedition to the northwest—surely you will find the warmest welcome prepared for you by the people. This being done, your great task will be accomplished and the House of the Hans will be restored. This is the plan I devise for you but its implementation depends on you, General.”

He paused and told the lad to bring out a map. As this was unrolled Zhuge Liang went on: “There you see the fifty four divisions of West Chuan. Should you wish to establish your own rule you must allow Cao Cao to enjoy the bounty of Heaven in the north and permit Sun Quan to benefit from territorial advantage in the south; whereas you, General, can profit from your popularity with the people. Take Jingzhou first as your home base, then expand westward to West Chuan to set up your own rule. Thus a situation of tripartite confrontation will emerge. When you are firmly established you can lay your plans for the attainment of the whole empire.”

As Zhuge Liang ended his speech, Liu Bei left his place to thank him, saying, “Your words, sir, render everything so clear that it seems to me the clouds are swept aside and I can see the blue sky. But Jingzhou belongs to Liu Biao, my kinsman, and Yizhou to another kinsman; I could hardly take their land from them.”

“I have studied the stars and I know Liu Biao is not long for this world, while the other is not the sort of man to endure. Both places will certainly fall to you.”

Liu Bei bowed his head in gratitude. This speech alone proved that Zhuge Liang, who had so far lived in seclusion in his cottage, already foresaw the break of the empire into three divisions. Indeed, throughout all the ages none has ever equaled his intelligence and understanding of the situation!

Behold, when Liu Bei frets that he is weak,

Then “Sleeping Dragon” is not far to seek;

When he desires to know how things will hap’,

The master, smiling, shows him on the map.

“Though I am of small repute and scanty virtue,” said Liu Bei, “I hope, sir, you will not despise me for my worthlessness, but will leave this retreat to help me. I will assuredly listen most reverently to your words.”

Zhuge Liang replied, “I have long been contented with my life on the farm and cherished my leisure. I fear I cannot obey your command.”

Liu Bei wept. “If you will not, sir, what will become of the people?”

Tears rolled down unchecked upon the lapel and sleeves of his robe. This proved to Zhuge Liang the sincerity of his desire and at last he said, “General, if you insist I will render what trifling service I can.”

Liu Bei was overjoyed. He called in Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to pay their respects to Zhuge Liang and presented the gifts he had prepared. Zhuge Liang firmly refused to accept them.

“These are not gifts to engage your services, but mere proof of my regard,” said Liu Bei.

Then the presents were accepted. They all remained that night at the farm. The next day, Zhuge Jun returned and his brother said to him: “General Liu has come thrice to see me and I feel I must go and help him. Keep up the farm in my absence and do not let the fields lie wasted. As soon as my work is accomplished, I will certainly return.”