The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation by Luo Guanzhong Page B
Authors: Luo Guanzhong
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virility and the times are out of joint. When my turn came to rule, appalling chaos arose everywhere and the empire was in danger of being subverted by vicious warlords. I trusted to the military genius of the late Prince of Wei to restore order and purge the land of evil, whereby to preserve my House and ensure peace for my nine domains.
The present prince has succeeded his father’s great cause. He is resplendent in virtue, capable of accomplishing great tasks, and as magnanimous as his late father. Heaven shows auspicious signs; gods and men declare his worth. To him give the bright reward, and let him accept this mandate. All say his capabilities fit him to be the supreme ruler as the ancient sage Shun. Thus, as did my great predecessor Yao, I respectfully retire that you may be established. The revolution of Heaven brings the glory upon your person, and you will accept the highest office and comfort all men by reverently obeying the decree of Heaven.
The reading finished, Cao Pi proceeded to the altar and ascended to the place of the Emperor. Then Jia Xu, at the head of the great concourse of officials, came to the foot of the altar to bow to their new ruler. The title of the reign was changed to Huang-Chu and the government became that of Great Wei. An edict was then published proclaiming a general amnesty, and the title of “Founder and Emperor Wu of Wei Dynasty” was conferred upon the late prince Cao Cao.
After that Hua Qin said, “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 from the capital. I pray Your Majesty will name the place of residence for the Liu family.”
Taking the deposed Emperor by the arm, he led him forward and made him kneel below the altar to hear the command. Then the new Emperor conferred upon him the title of “Duke of Shanyang,” ordering him to depart that very day for the place.
The wicked Hua Qin, his hand on his sword, pointed at his former lord and shouted in a harsh voice: “It is an old rule that the setting up of one Emperor means the deposition of another. Now, through the gracious kindness of His Majesty you are spared your life and created a duke. Leave at once and never return to court without being summoned.”
The last Emperor of Han, in tears, bowed to the usurper for his clemency and left. The soldiers and people who witnessed the scene could not help feeling greatly sorry for him.
Cao Pi said to his courtiers, “Now I understand the story of Shun and Yu.”
Then they all shouted, “Long live the Emperor!”
For two dynasties the Han reigned,
But the land was lost to them in a single day.
Little did he know, who then snatched their scepter,
That in time he would be replaced by another. *
The officials then asked Cao Pi to bow to Heaven and Earth to show his gratitude, but just as he was kneeling down a gust of furious wind suddenly swept up, and all at once there came a raging storm of whirling dust and flying stones, blowing out all the lights on the altar and darkening the entire sky. The newly-enthroned Emperor, terrified, collapsed to the ground. He was carried from the altar unconscious. After he came to, he was assisted into the palace, but for many days he was too ill to attend the court.
When he had somewhat recovered, he met his courtiers to receive their felicitations. He promoted all his officials, particularly Hua Qin and Wang Lang. But as his recovery was slow, he began to suspect that there were too many ghosts about the palace in the capital, so he departed for Luoyang, where he began erecting new palaces.
News soon reached Chengdu and Liu Bei, hearing the rumor that Emperor Xian had been put to death, was terribly upset. He wept bitterly all day and ordered all his officials to wear mourning attire. A sacrifice was instituted and the “late” Emperor was conferred the posthumous title of “Filial and Sorrowful Emperor.” This sad event brought on an illness,
The present prince has succeeded his father’s great cause. He is resplendent in virtue, capable of accomplishing great tasks, and as magnanimous as his late father. Heaven shows auspicious signs; gods and men declare his worth. To him give the bright reward, and let him accept this mandate. All say his capabilities fit him to be the supreme ruler as the ancient sage Shun. Thus, as did my great predecessor Yao, I respectfully retire that you may be established. The revolution of Heaven brings the glory upon your person, and you will accept the highest office and comfort all men by reverently obeying the decree of Heaven.
The reading finished, Cao Pi proceeded to the altar and ascended to the place of the Emperor. Then Jia Xu, at the head of the great concourse of officials, came to the foot of the altar to bow to their new ruler. The title of the reign was changed to Huang-Chu and the government became that of Great Wei. An edict was then published proclaiming a general amnesty, and the title of “Founder and Emperor Wu of Wei Dynasty” was conferred upon the late prince Cao Cao.
After that Hua Qin said, “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 from the capital. I pray Your Majesty will name the place of residence for the Liu family.”
Taking the deposed Emperor by the arm, he led him forward and made him kneel below the altar to hear the command. Then the new Emperor conferred upon him the title of “Duke of Shanyang,” ordering him to depart that very day for the place.
The wicked Hua Qin, his hand on his sword, pointed at his former lord and shouted in a harsh voice: “It is an old rule that the setting up of one Emperor means the deposition of another. Now, through the gracious kindness of His Majesty you are spared your life and created a duke. Leave at once and never return to court without being summoned.”
The last Emperor of Han, in tears, bowed to the usurper for his clemency and left. The soldiers and people who witnessed the scene could not help feeling greatly sorry for him.
Cao Pi said to his courtiers, “Now I understand the story of Shun and Yu.”
Then they all shouted, “Long live the Emperor!”
For two dynasties the Han reigned,
But the land was lost to them in a single day.
Little did he know, who then snatched their scepter,
That in time he would be replaced by another. *
The officials then asked Cao Pi to bow to Heaven and Earth to show his gratitude, but just as he was kneeling down a gust of furious wind suddenly swept up, and all at once there came a raging storm of whirling dust and flying stones, blowing out all the lights on the altar and darkening the entire sky. The newly-enthroned Emperor, terrified, collapsed to the ground. He was carried from the altar unconscious. After he came to, he was assisted into the palace, but for many days he was too ill to attend the court.
When he had somewhat recovered, he met his courtiers to receive their felicitations. He promoted all his officials, particularly Hua Qin and Wang Lang. But as his recovery was slow, he began to suspect that there were too many ghosts about the palace in the capital, so he departed for Luoyang, where he began erecting new palaces.
News soon reached Chengdu and Liu Bei, hearing the rumor that Emperor Xian had been put to death, was terribly upset. He wept bitterly all day and ordered all his officials to wear mourning attire. A sacrifice was instituted and the “late” Emperor was conferred the posthumous title of “Filial and Sorrowful Emperor.” This sad event brought on an illness,
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