THE SILK TREE

CHAPTER TWENTY

By the time a tinkling bell had marked the Hour of the Snake in Yeh Ch’eng, rumours were abroad and tension and fear in the air. From behind the filmy screen of the Throne Room, a strict decree was issued. Any who showed by word or deed that they doubted imperial powers to safeguard the land, or made reference to the motions of the warlord Kao Yang, was to be severely punished.

The palace conducted its business as usual but just before midday the sharp triple-strike of the gong brought a summons to the Throne Room for urgent news.

‘Report!’ Chancellor Kuo demanded to a prostrate imperial messenger.

‘Honoured sir, I have an advice from General Wu.’

‘Well? Speak!’

The man crouched closer to the floor and looked up fearfully. ‘General Wu – he tells that the usurper Kao Yang has split his forces and it is now clear that this must be a move to surround Yeh Ch’eng.’

‘And?’

‘Sir,’ came the trembling voice clear into the silence. ‘He begs that the Son of Heaven is beseeched to leave the city this day as he cannot be certain of victory when he confronts Kao Yang tomorrow on the plains before Yeh Ch’eng.’

There was a chill of horror in the room. No one dared move. The Grand Chamberlain turned to the gauze and bowed silently, waiting.

Finally, the Emperor spoke. ‘The herald has done his duty and we are appreciative of his efforts. We award him one sycee of silver, of value not greater than ten wu chu.’

Kuo nodded to the Chamberlain for palace revenue.

First Eunuch Yuan stepped forward and kowtowed. ‘Great Majesty, this man stands in breach of the imperial decree forbidding talk of that traitor.’ He paused significantly. ‘There can be no exceptions. He must be punished.’

Smothered gasps and sighs left no doubt about the sympathy of the court.

‘Beat him,’ the Emperor said in a subdued tone.

Yuan’s face distorted with a snarl as he took a rod and crossed to the cowering figure. He thrashed the messenger in strong, aimed blows. The man whimpered and writhed, still crouched in obeisance. Blood seeped through the back of his robe.

‘Enough!’ the Grand Chamberlain snapped.

The herald scrambled to crawl away and the hall quickly began to empty as the courtiers backed out with profuse bowing and ceremony.

The Grand Chamberlain was left alone with his Emperor. ‘Great Lord, the news is painful.’ Kuo had uneasily noted that the promotion of Kao Yang from warlord to usurper had not in any way been challenged.

‘That Kao Yang has seen fit to ignore my mercy is his own failing that he will live to regret.’

‘Nonetheless, sire, General Wu counsels a prudent withdrawal of the Emperor to a place of greater safety.’

‘Do you?’

‘You will know, Heavenly Lord, that I ever hold the Celestial Dragon’s self as the most precious in this mortal world.’ He paused. ‘Yet an even higher purpose drives my words: the duty of a ruler to his subjects – the paramount requirement to preserve his sacred body to continue to stand between the divine and the worldly on behalf of his people.’

There was no response from behind the hanging.

‘Therefore I have no alternative than to join General Wu in exhorting the Emperor of Eastern Wei to temporarily quit the city for a more tranquil place, there to-’

‘Lord Kuo! You are forgetting one thing.’

‘Sire?’

‘We reign here over the people of Wei by right, and for one high reason – and one only.’

‘Your Majesty.’ Kuo bowed low.

‘The Mandate of Heaven was conferred upon us. We hold the sacred trust to rule and none may deny it. While we thus retain the mandate the gods will extend their grace and protection to us and our kingdom. We therefore have nothing to fear from the Lord Kao Yang.’

‘Then might I put forward another course. It has been overlong since the Emperor last made a progress among his peoples? Might not an appearing of the Son of Heaven among them-’

‘Grand Chamberlain – Yeh Ch’eng has been the ancestral capital of the Wei from ancient times. Do you expect us to abandon it at the slightest alarm? No, it shall not be seen that the Emperor of Wei of this day scuttles away from his inheritance like a frightened rabbit! General Wu stands before the usurper invested with full imperial power and authority. He will not let them pass. And recollect that our soldiers are soon returning victorious from the southern rising and together they will sweep the rabble aside!’

‘We pray that this be so, sire. Yet common prudence allows that-’

‘Be still! The Emperor in full puissance continues to rule, and from the palace of his ancestors in Yeh Ch’eng. Your counsel is noted, and rejected. You may leave us.’

In his apartment Kuo sat at his elegantly carved desk with a heavy heart. It first bore a scholar’s work some two centuries before, its red-stained wood now dark with the patina of ages. He gazed at the hanging frame of writing brushes, inkstone and jade seal and tried to let the tranquillity of far antiquity work on his soul.

His attendant and chief scribe Wang entered and waited patiently.

‘The Son of Heaven stays,’ Kuo said evenly.

‘As we might have expected, Master,’ said Wang carefully. ‘He’s an old man, and they have their memories.’

‘Quite. Yet I will not deny it, the omens are adverse at this time. There is no sign that we are to be noticed by the gods and the Tao abbot refuses to cast any kind of prognostication, the villain.’

‘Then…’

‘Then we must look to our own situation, First-Born Wang.’

The younger man picked up on his tone, went to the door and closed it quietly. Then he sat respectfully opposite Kuo. ‘Sir, Kao Yang is ambitious and impatient. He has shown his hand and must move soon. General Wu has little cavalry and cannot stand against Kao Yang’s Mongols. I have in my bowels-’

‘Yes. I’m rather referring to the inevitability of what must come, and hence what alternatives are left to us. Kao Yang is capricious and brutal. What he will do when he has supreme power does not bear thinking of.’

‘I… understand, Master. You are saying that we must consider the case in which the Emperor does not prevail and is…’

‘As the will of Heaven dictates, of course.’

‘Just so.’ Wang hesitated then continued softly, ‘There are those who have already made disposition. Lord Chu was summoned by the throne and has not answered. The Lady Ch’i could not be found when her women begged audience and when Master Sung was sent for-’

‘Rats will always flee before a whirlwind, as dragons will stand.’

‘Some claim that it is better to serve the Wei by preserving their wisdom and knowledge for a victorious return.’

‘This is a correct and worthy conclusion.’

‘Then you will…?’

The Grand Chamberlain faced Wang directly, and in a calm, considered tone replied, ‘I desire you should now assemble the secretariat to gather together the records of the Eastern Wei and this day transport them to Luoyang for safety.’

‘And you, Master?’

With a bleak smile Kuo said, ‘For my own unworthy self there is no other course of moral value before heaven than to stay by the Dragon Throne.’

‘Sir, this is madness!’ gasped Wang.

‘For many years I have served His Majesty and in return he has seen fit to render to me confidences and trust beyond any man’s deserving. It is not within my power to flee while he stands alone to face his destiny.’

‘Then… this is your decision?’

‘It is.’

‘Master – you must not!’

‘My unalterable will.’

For long moments Wang gazed at his lord and preceptor. Then he replied quietly, ‘Very well, Master, I accept it and shall honour you always for the lesson you have taught me. That loyalty has two tails. I have served you likewise, and in the same manner you have illuminated me with your inner thoughts. And that is why, while you remain by the Celestial Throne, I shall stand by you.’

In the silence that followed, the mournful cry of a shrike sounded outside.

‘I go now to prepare the secretariat, Master,’ Wang said after a space.

‘Do send my daughter to me, and… thank you, First-Born Wang.’

‘My Lord?’ Ying Mei rose from her bow and looked anxiously up at the Grand Chamberlain. ‘You called for me?’

‘My devoted yuan kua. Dearest child and warmth of my heart.’

‘Father?’ A chill began to settle. This endearment from her childhood – chubby melon – was always light-hearted and warm. Now there was nothing but seriousness and gravity about her father.

‘I wish to speak to you, my daughter.’

Obediently she sat with lowered eyes.

‘The times are grave and perilous… but then you know to what I refer.’

‘Yes, Father. The usurper Kao Yang at our gates.’

‘Just so.’ A wintry smile appeared and went as quickly. ‘Yuan kua, you always were quick in your intellects.’

‘If you say it, honourable Father.’

‘Now listen to me. I conceive that the days to come in Yeh Ch’eng will not have a happy outcome. I wish you to go with your mother to Luoyang without delay. You will be safe with our household guardsmen. Do you understand me?’

Her face rose to his, pale and worried. ‘Father, I want to know what it is you intend.’

‘That does not concern you, my flower.’

She bit her lip. ‘You’ll remain with the Emperor, won’t you!’

‘My child, I have served the Son of Heaven faithfully until now and see no reason to abandon his presence for the sake of my own convenience.’

Tears sprang and she lowered her head to hide them.

‘Do not weep for me, yuan kua,’ he said tenderly, his hand going out to stroke her. ‘To every man there comes a season – to endure or take pleasure in, it does not signify. The sages tell us that it is a measure of the man, how he means to respond.’

‘Father, I disobey you!’ she blurted.

She raised glittering eyes to his. ‘Can’t you see? With your noble example before us how is it possible for me to go – to leave you here, so steadfast and true! No, Father, we’ll face what comes together, as our ancestors always did. I stay.’

Kuo turned away quickly. When he spoke at last his voice was husky. ‘I have a daughter more precious than a thousand taels of gold – no, ten thousand. It will increase my worries a hundredfold but if you are set in your course I will not try to dissuade you.’