The expedition set out。
By this time Zhong Huis attitude had aroused Jia Chongs suspicions; and he spoke of it to Sima Zhao; who replied; 〃I have sent you: Should I have doubts about you; too? However; e to Changan and things will clear up。〃
The dispatch of the army under Sima Zhao was reported to Zhong Hui; who wondered what it might mean。 He at once called in Jiang Wei to consult about the seizure of Deng Ai。
Lo! He is victor here; a king must yield;
And there a threatening army takes the field。
The next chapter will relate the plan to arrest Deng Ai。
Main Next to Chapter 119 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 119
Chapter 119
The False Surrender: A Wit Scheme Bees A Vain Plan;
The Abdication: Later Seeds Learns From The Ancient。
Asked to say what was the best plan to secure the arrest of Deng Ai; Jiang Wei said; 〃Send Wei Guan。 If Deng Ai tries to kill Wei Guan; he will manifest the desire of his heart。 Then you can destroy him as a traitor。〃
Hence Wei Guan was sent; with some thirty men; to effect the arrest。
Wei Guans own people saw the danger of the enterprise and urged him not to go; saying; 〃Zhong Hui clearly wants Deng Ai to kill you to prove his point!〃
But Wei Guan said; 〃Do not worry。 I have a scheme prepared。〃
Wei Guan first wrote a score or two of letters; all in the same terms; saying:
〃Wei Guan has orders to arrest Deng Ai; but no other persons will be dealt with providing they submit quickly。 Rewards await those who obey the Imperial mand。 However; the punishment for laggards and those who are contumacious will be death to the whole family。〃
Wei Guan sent these letters to various officers who were serving under Deng Ai。 He also prepared two cage carts。
Wei Guan and his small party reached Chengdu about cockcrow and found waiting for him most of the officers to whom he had written。 They at once yielded。 Deng Ai was still asleep when the party reached his palace; but Wei Guan entered and forced his way into Deng Ais chamber。
He roared out: 〃I serve the Son of Heavens mand to arrest Deng Ai and his son!〃
The noise awakened the sleeper; who tumbled off his couch in alarm。 But before Deng Ai could do anything to defend himself; he was seized; securely bound; and huddled into one of the carts。 Deng Ais son; Deng Zhong; rushed in at the noise; but was also made prisoner and thrust into the other cart。 Many generals and attendants in the Palace want to attempt a rescue; but before they had prepared; they saw dust arose outside; and Zhong Hui with an army was close at hand; thus they scattered。
Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei dismounted at the Palace gates and entered。
Zhong Hui; seeing both the Dengs prisoners; struck the elder about the head and face with his whip and insulted him; saying; 〃Vile cattle breeder! How dare you have your own scheme?〃
Nor was Jiang Wei backward。 〃You fool! See what your good luck has brought you today!〃 cried he。
And Deng Ai replied in kind。 Zhong Hui at once sent off both the prisoners to Luoyang; and then entered Chengdu in state。 He added all Deng Ais army to his own forces; so that he became very formidable。
〃Today I have attained the one desire of my life!〃 cried Zhong Hui。
'e' Han Xin was suspected of rebellion and was arrested by Liu Bang。 However; Han Xin said; 〃When the birds have vanished; the good bows are stored。〃 Liu Bang absolved him due to his merits。 But Xiao He and Empress Lu executed him when Liu Bang was absent。 。。。。。
'e' After Yue conquered Wu; Fan Li gave up politics and traveled。 But his c