Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Duel of Words at Bright Moon Pavilion
In the seventh month of the nineteenth year of Xiande, the Prince of De, Zhao Jue, returned to Jianye . The King questioned him regarding the invasion of Shu . At the time, Prime Minister Shang Weijun wholeheartedly supported the invasion, and was joined in agreement by the entire court . With all his power, the Prince of De his opposition to the invasion, causing the King to hesitate . On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, Liang Wan, the adopted daughter of King Ling, held a banquet at the Bright Moon Pavilion, inviting the Prince of De to attend . Also in attendance was Prime Minister Shang Weijun; the Prince of Qi, Li Xin, of Great Yong; and the Prince of Qi’s adviser, Qin Zheng . Jiang Zhe was also invited . Later generations reading this will wonder why Jiang Zhe would attend the banquet given his lowly rank and the important matters of state being discussed . Some would say that he was already disloyal and duplicitous . Considering the available evidence, this is not the case .
After the banquet, the Prince of De angrily departed . Jiang Zhe chased down the Prince of De and spoke several words, leaving the Prince silent . During the later court assembly, the Prince of De held his peace and . Some will say that the Prince cease to oppose the invasion was the fault of Jiang Zhe, who bears the heaviest blame for this terrible blunder . But when the Prince’s colleagues and subordinates learned what Jiang Zhe said, they all understood his predicament .
- Southern Chu Dynastic Records, Biography of King Yang of Chu
The Prince of De, Zhao Jue, returned . The chaos surrounding the debate around the invasion of Shu seemed to calm . When Zhao Jue returned, he immediately went to pay his respects to the former King . When the former King had passed, Zhao Jue was garrisoning the border and could not return to mourn . The court’s political situation had calmed . As Zhao Jue was a major military commander, the debate over the invasion of Shu must listen to his opinion, thus he was recalled back to the capital . After he had tearfully paid his respects, Zhao Jue was granted an audience with the King . Before the King, Zhao Jue did not mince his words,1 forcibly arguing against the invasion . Zhao Jue was extremely influential in the royal court . As a result, many stopped discussing the invasion, although even more individuals one by one came to visit him and exhort him to change his mind, especially Shang Weijun and a number of the court’s luminaries . But, the Prince of De would not agree .
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Princess Mingyue, Liang Wan, invited the Prince of De to a banquet . She simultaneously invited the Prince of Qi, Li Xian, and Prime Minister Shang Weijun . Everyone understood her intent . In reality, I was disinterested in the affairs of these individuals of power and prestige who held a state’s authority, but why must I attend? I did not know whether to cry or laugh as I looked at the Prince of Qi . Just as I said I was a lowly official, arguing that I did not have the qualifications to attend, the Prince of Qi’s face did not change, as he replied, “It’s only a banquet organized by Lady Liang . You were sent by your King to receive me . You naturally must participate . ”
Although I had the heart to decline, but in the face of murderous intent emitted by the Prince of Qi, I could only agree to attend . With said that you cannot bend before martial power? Let them try and stand before these personal guards who had survived numerous battlefields .
The Prince of Qi was second to arrive . This banquet was being held at the Bright Moon Pavilion . It was the depth of summer and the heat was intolerable . All of the building’s windows were open wide . On all sides were buckets filled with ice, helping to cool the building . Liang Wan was wearing a light yellow dress and was seated in the host’s position . Shang Weijun was wearing silk robes and was seated on the left in the second seat . After him sat a black-clothed Confucian scholar . He was likely Shang Weijun’s adviser, Nian Yuan . When Shang Weijun saw the Prince of Qi arrive, the Prime Minister strode forward to welcome the Prince with a smile from ear to ear . Seeing my presence, his brow furrowed . I hurriedly took the opportunity to say, “This lowly official was ordered by royal edict to accompany His Highness, the Prince of Qi . Since daren is here, please allow this lowly official to withdraw . ”
Shang Weijun revealed a satisfied smile, praising my discretion . I believed that I had succeeded in my scheme and was getting ready to depart when the Prince of Qi grabbed my arm and with a terrible smile, said, “Don’t go . Shang daren, Academician Jiang is an official dispatched by your King, a Reader-in-waiting, and also a gifted scholar and distinguished persona of Southern Chu . How about we let him listen in?”
Shang Weijun’s brows furrowed, but ultimately could not afford to offend the Prince of Qi . He gave me a warning look, reminding me to not say anything .
The Prince of Qi was seated at the first position on the right side with young master Qin seated below him, followed by me . I could not sit on the left side as I was only allowed to stay because of the persistence of the Prince of Qi . We did not wait long before we heard clear and bright laughter from outside the door . A large and handsome man dressed in the garb of a prince entered . As King Ling had departed for less than a year, he still wore white garb that denoted he was in mourning . 2 This man was the Prince of De, Zhao Jue . Behind him followed a middle-aged Confucian scholar dressed in green and a black garbed warrior carrying a sword . When I saw Zhao Jue, I almost yelled out in surprise . He was the man in gray that I had made a divination for prior to passing the imperial examinations . If he was the Prince of De, then that year, he was proceeding to garrison the frontier at Hengjiang and was preparing to raid Moling . No wonder I divined misfortune . Thinking back to that day, the words I told him – ‘in-fighting within, strong enemies without’ – coincided with reality . This Prince of De was the younger brother of King Ling and was a prominent military official . To think that I once divined his fate . I wondered if he remembered me?
Zhao Jue carefully swept past everyone in the room one by one . That he paused as he considered me did not mean that he did not have any memories of me, but rather he was suspicious of my identity . He sat down in the first position on the left . The warrior sat down protectively behind him, while his adviser took the last position on the left . As I had left a seat between young master Qin and myself, I was directly across from the adviser . As our eyes met, I smiled ingratiatingly, while his perceptive gaze considered me inquiringly .
After Zhao Jue was seated, female attendants delivered tea and snacks before retreating from the room . Standing, Liang Wan said, “This servant was entrusted by the Prince of Qi and Prime Minister Shang to invite the Prince of De to attend this banquet . Although this servant should, by all rights, not involve myself in matters of state, but all of these daren require someone to wait upon them . As a result, this servant can only stay behind . This is a matter of importance for both my Great Yong and for Southern Chu . As this servant was born in Great Yong and has received great favor from the former King, I vow to keep everything discussed here a secret . ”
Smiling faintly, Zhao Jue replied, “Lady Liang is the adopted daughter of the former King and can be considered as Zhao Jue’s niece . Zhao Jue, naturally, believes the young lady . May Your Highness, the Prince of Qi, and Prime Minister Shang enlighten me as to the nature of this meeting . ”
Li Xian regarded Zhao Jue, smiling as he said, “I have long heard that the Prince of De is the number one famed general of Southern Chu, commander in chief of the Southern Chu armies . Meeting you today, I can say that you are indeed elegant and lofty with an extraordinary charm . Although I, Li Xian, am a royal prince, but I am a mere lowly general in the army . If we were to consider our ranks, Li Xian would be beneath Your Highness . How could I dare presume to enlighten Your Highness? But, the Prince of De has opposed the discussion of the invasion of Shu . This opposition does not match the famed general moniker . Would the Prince of De explain?”
Indifferently, Zhao Jue replied, “Although the Kingdom of Shu is at fault for refusing to submit to Great Yong, but the King of Shu is a former vassal of Eastern Jin and alongside Great Yong equally vassals in the imperial court . There was no such distinction of lord and vassal . Now I do not understand how Great Yong can use Shu’s refusal to submit as the rationale for an invasion . Even if Great Yong considers this reason to be sufficient, however this is not enough for Southern Chu . Although we have submitted to Great Yong, we have never been willing to accept Great Yong’s orders . ”
Smiling, Li Xian replied, “The Prince of De’s words are mistaken . My Great Yong’s sovereign and vassals are sagacious . That King of Shu’s secession and refusal to submit cannot be tolerated . If Shu had submitted to Great Yong, then we Great Yong would not be attacking the Kingdom of Shu . It is said that an emperor’s enmity can be avenged even if nine generations had passed . At the time, Shu took advantage of Great Yong’s founding to attack Qinchuan,3 sacking and pillaging as they went . When the former Emperor of my Great Yong heard the news, he cried tears of blood . If we cannot avenge this enmity, how can we consider ourselves human? Later on, when Great Yong attacked Southern Chu, Shu once again launched an attack . Although they have shown kindness to Southern Chu, they have inflicted terrible losses upon Great Yong . In the territory that formerly belonged to the state of Qin during the Warring States period, ruins spread for thousands of li and the common people could not survive . Afterwards, the Kingdom of Shu even extorted countless treasures, silk, and beauties from Southern Chu . Considering this view, the Kingdom of Shu is a hidden vicious wolf . Under normal circumstances, it lives in seclusion, but once it espies discord, it would inevitably come out to bite . Prince of De speaks up for Shu today, but the time will inevitably come when Southern Chu will be swallowed by this kind of friendly state who forgets friendship and only knows its own interests . ”
Coldly, Zhao Jue replied, “Although I am lack talent, but I understand how without lips, the teeth would feel cold . 4 I’m afraid that once Shu has been destroyed, it will be Southern Chu’s turn . ”
Li Xian was at a loss for words . He of course knew that once Shu was successfully invaded, Southern Chu would be the next target . He just didn’t expect for Zhao Jue to be unafraid to offend Great Yong and get straight to the point . As a prince of Great Yong, he could not casually lie . At this point, young master Qin spoke up, “These words are incorrect . The so-called interdependency requires mutual dependence and sharing common interests . Nowadays, the Kingdom of Shu repeatedly provokes Southern Chu, treating friends as enemies . The teeth are as sharp as knives, and the lips are gnawed until they bleed . I do not understand what mutual interdependency the Prince of De speaks of . ”
Zhao Jue smiled faintly . His adviser set down the folding fan in his hand and replied, “Although Southern Chu and the Kingdom of Shu have a few disputes, none of them have been disgraceful humiliations . 5 In the ninth year of Xiande, after Great Yong pacified the Central Plains, you dispatched an army south to the Yangtze . If it were not for the assistance of the Kingdom of Shu, attacking Qinchuan, Great Yong would not have called for a ceasefire . Even so, my Southern Chu submitted to Great Yong . This kind of humiliation deserves to be remembered . Although our two countries are on amicable terms, and we are marriage relations with the marriage of Princess Changle and our King, but your country continues to train a navy in preparation for southern invasion . I wonder if Your Highness can explain this?”
Smiling, Li Xian replied, “Although our two countries are on amicable terms, but your state still possesses numerous individuals such as the Prince here who cannot forget the enmity between our two countries . These individuals are definitely not in the minority . If my country did not train a navy, I fear that your military would have crossed the Yangtze to attack . The Prince of De has long garrisoned the Yangtze, how can you not know this? Furthermore, my country has long tried to be friendly . My Imperial Sister is the beloved daughter of my Imperial Father . And yet she has come to Southern Chu to be married to your King . The last several years has not only seen frequent contacts from both sides, but also trading and marriage relations unlike the Kingdom of Shu who has chosen to close off its borders and seal the country . My country has long held military discussions and will attack Shu to eliminate this hidden danger . 6 We only ask that Southern Chu assist . ”
Coldly smiling, Zhao Jue replied, “Preposterous!7 Over the last ten years, my Southern Chu has paid a yearly tribute in money and silk, and yet your country refuses to sell us weapons and horses . Why would you do this if you truly wish to be friendly? Furthermore, although the Queen is a princess of Great Yong, but these are matters of state? Why must we consider the qualms of a married woman? Duke Wu of the state of Zheng once married his daughter in order to attack the state of Hu . 8 I do not dare to forget this story . ”
Young master Qin angrily responded, “The Prince of De has insulted my country . Enough is enough . After careful consideration, Your Highness’s worries are not without merit . Please allow my lowly self to explain . My country’s prohibition on the sale of weapons and horses is not directly at your country, but rather because of the hostilities along our northern frontier . With our frontier forces so occupied, how would we dare to sell weapons and horses? Furthermore, your country has long occupied Jiangnan, an area of rivers and lakes . If your country does indeed not wish to attack Great Yong, why would you need horses? Are you going to use them to attack Shu?”
Zhao Jue was at a loss for words . Shang Weijun hurriedly tried to change the subject, “Your Highness and young master Qin have both misspoke . We are not gathered here today for an emotional dispute . Would the two honored personages please not bear any grudges . ”
Zhao Jue and young master Qin raised their teacup respectfully with both sides and sipped, signaling the cessation of the debate .
Taking a breath, young master Qin said, “My country plans against Shu because of its obstinate refusal to submit . Although we were once allied, they have repeatedly broken the alliance . Most hatefully, my country does not produce enough salt and we must purchase salt from Sichuan, but the Kingdom of Shu has repeatedly raised the price . Sichuan possesses abundant salt, and yet chooses to use such unscrupulous means to amass wealth . We cannot tolerate this situation continuing . If our two countries attack Shu together, we are willing to divide Sichuan, using the river as the border . At that point, Southern Chu’s military strength will be greatly increased . While Great Yong still has a menace upon its frontiers, while Southern Chu completely controls the entirety of the Yangtze River . By then, what will there be to continue to make you anxious? If Your Highness, even under these circumstances, cannot be reassured and believe that Southern Chu cannot fight against Great Yong, then Your Highness may be better served surrendering . Does Southern Chu only wish to control a mere Jiangnan with its life and death determined by others?”
Although Zhao Jue remained silent, he shook his head . He understood that the combat ability of Southern Chu’s soldiers was relatively poor . If they were to attack Shu, the majority of the territory would probably fall into the hands of Great Yong . What equal division of the spoils? By that time, the territory will belong to whoever conquered it . Everyone looked at each other, everyone seeing the determined expression on Zhao Jue’s face . No matter how glib a tongue would not be able to change his intentions . A vexed look could be seen to flicker across Li Xian’s eyes before he glanced at Liang Wan . Standing, Liang Wan said, “Everyone is tired today . If no one objects, would my honored guests descend downstairs to eat . This servant has prepared pickled plum soup to help alleviate the heat . ”
Shang Weijun stood and said with a smile, “Lady Liang’s banquet must definitely be attended . Please . ”
Zhao Jue also stood . Looking at young master Qin, he asked, “May I ask this honored personage’s name? What position do you hold in Great Yong?”
Paying his obeisance, young master Qin replied, “This one is Qin Zheng in the service of the Prince of Qi . ”
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