Hua Xin and a group of civil and military officials came in to make an audience with Emperor Xian. Hua Xin reported: “Your Majesty, since you ascended the position, your virtue has spread across the four directions and your mercy has reached all beneath heaven. You have surpassed past ages and now exceed the present age. Though even Yao and Shun could not surpass this, still the ministers met together and determined that the Han mandate is exhausted. We urge Your Majesty to follow the ways of Yao and Shun, and for the sake of mountains, rivers, and altars of state, to transfer the mandate to the King of Wei. Let Heaven and the people be aligned. Then Your Majesty may enjoy a life of quiet retirement, and Your ancestors and the living will rejoice.”

When the report reached him, the emperor was greatly startled and stood silent for half a while. He looked across the gathered officials, wept, and said: “I remember my high ancestor, who took up a three-foot sword, beheaded the serpent revolt, subdued Qin, and crushed Chu; he founded this realm, and its inheritance has passed for four hundred years. Though I am not gifted, I have committed no grave evil. How could I lightly cast aside the great foundation of our forebears? Yet you officials all follow the same counsel.”

Hua Xin brought Li Fu and Xu Zhi forward and said: “If Your Majesty doubts this, ask these two.”

Li Fu said: “Ever since the King of Wei ascended, a qilin was born, phoenixes came in proper formation, a yellow dragon appeared, auspicious grain grew thickly, and sweet dew descended. These are signs from Heaven, showing that Wei is to replace Han.”

Xu Zhi added: “I am in charge of observing Heaven’s pattern, and by night I have studied the heavenly trigrams. The fate of Han’s flame has already ended, and Your Majesty’s star is dim and obscure. In Wei, the heavenly pattern and earthly signs are all clear, though difficult to state in full. There is, moreover, an omen chart that matches what was expected. It reads: ‘A ghost on the frontier, the linked ministers; Han should pass on, no one can deny it. The word lies eastward, the horse lies westward; two suns shine together and move above and below.’ If we read this, Your Majesty should abdicate at once. ‘Ghost on the frontier’ and ‘linked ministers’ together form the character Wei. ‘The word is east, the horse is west’ forms the character Xu. ‘Two suns shine together and move above and below’ forms the character Chang. This means Wei, at Xuchang, is to receive Han’s abdication. I beg Your Majesty to consider this.”

The emperor replied: “These auspicious signs and omens are all delusions. How can one accept such fictions and at once abandon my ancestors’ great foundation?”

Wang Lang then said: “Throughout history, rise is always followed by fall, and fullness by decline. Is there any country that does not fall, any house that does not fail? Han rule has passed down four hundred and some years and has reached Your Majesty; the appointed number is exhausted. Better to retreat early and avoid delay. Delay brings calamity.”

The emperor wept and withdrew into the inner hall. The officials smirked as they withdrew.

The next day, the official corps again gathered in the great hall, and eunuchs were sent to summon the Son of Heaven. The emperor, fearing what would happen, did not dare to come out. Cao Hong’s sister, Empress Cao, said: “The officials request that Your Majesty convene court. Why do you refuse to appear?”

He replied with tears, “Your brother seeks to usurp the throne, pressing the officials together to force me. That is why I do not come out.”

Empress Cao grew angry and said: “Why should my brother do this treacherous, rebellious deed?” Before she could finish, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu entered with drawn swords, asking the emperor to come out to the hall.

Empress Cao shouted: “All of you are rebels who sought wealth and rank and conspired together in treason! My father’s merit covered the realm, and he shook the world, yet he did not dare steal Heaven’s regalia. Now my brother has just succeeded and already seeks to seize Han. Heaven will not bless him!”

She stopped, then entered the palace in a great cry. The attendants around her sobbed and wept.

Cao Hong and Cao Xiu pleaded fiercely for the emperor’s appearance. Being unable to resist, the emperor changed clothing and came out to the fore hall. Hua Xin reported: “Your Majesty should follow what we deliberated yesterday, and thereby avoid disaster.”

The emperor wept again: “You have all eaten Han stipends for long. In between there are many sons and grandsons of Han powerholders. How could you do this, when your duty is to serve?”

Hua Xin answered: “If Your Majesty does not follow the court’s counsel, murder within the inner quarters may rise by dawn. This is no lack of loyalty.”

The emperor said: “Who dares to kill me?”

Hua Xin replied sharply: “All under heaven know that Your Majesty has no favor as Son of Heaven, and therefore disorder swells at all four corners. If the King of Wei were not present, how would only one person kill your person? You do not even understand the return of favor and gratitude. You would invite all under heaven to strike you down?”

The emperor, trembling, rose and stirred. Wang Lang watched him. Hua Xin strode forward, grasped the dragon robe, and, voice changed, said: “Permit or refuse—speak now!”

The emperor shook and could not answer. Cao Hong and Cao Xiu shouted for swords: “Where is Fubao Lang?”

Zu Bi answered from the back: “Fubao Lang is here!” Cao Hong asked for the jade seal.

Zu Bi shouted back: “The jade seal is the treasure of the Son of Heaven. How can one seize it by force?” Cao Hong shouted, and ordered the soldiers to drag him out and execute him.

Zu Bi went on cursing until he died.

Later generations composed a verse on him:

Treacherous usurpers seized power, and the house of Han perished; Falsely naming it abdication, they imitated Yu and Tang. Every lord at court bowed down before Wei; Only the Keeper of the Seals proved a loyal minister.

The emperor trembled without ceasing. He then saw, at the stair, hundreds of armored men with halberds, all Wei soldiers.

Through tears he told the officials: “I am willing to abdicate the realm to the King of Wei and keep only a few breaths to end my life.”

Jia Xu said: “The King of Wei will not betray Your Majesty. Your Majesty should issue the decree at once to calm all hearts.”

Reluctantly, Emperor Xian ordered Chen Qun to draft the edict of abdication and ordered Hua Xin to carry it with the imperial seal to the King of Wei’s palace.

Cao Pi was overjoyed. He read it:

I have ruled thirty-two years. Great disorder has overturned everything beneath heaven, and only by the spirit of my forebears I have been saved and restored. Now, looking up to the signs in Heaven and looking down at the minds of the people, I see that the qi of Han has reached its end, and Fortune has moved into the Cao house. Therefore, where the former king showed mighty heroism, the present king now shines in lofty virtue in answer to this appointed time. The pattern is clear. The Great Way, when it is fulfilled, belongs to all under heaven. Yao did not keep the mandate for his own sons, and his name spread without limit. I admire that. Now I follow Yao’s precedent and yield the realm to the Chancellor of Wei. King, do not decline to receive it.

When Cao Pi finished reading, he moved as if to receive the imperial mandate. Sima Yi remonstrated: “Do not do so yet. Though the seal and edict have arrived, Your Highness should first submit a memorial in humility, so as to end criticism from the world.”

Cao Pi followed him and ordered Wang Lang to draft an offering of modesty in which he described himself as unworthy and asked to look for greater worthies to inherit Heaven’s mandate.

The emperor read the memorial and was deeply anxious and doubtful. He asked his officials: “The King of Wei is so modest. What can we do?”

Hua Xin said: “When King Wu of Wei first accepted kingship, he refused three times and only then accepted after repeated summons. Your Majesty should send down another edict. The King of Wei will then have to accept.”

The emperor had no choice. He ordered Huan Ji to draft yet another edict and sent Zhang Yin, an envoy with a tally from the ancestral temple, carrying the jade seal to the King of Wei’s palace.

Cao Pi opened it and read:

Hear this, King of Wei: the Son of Heaven humbly withdraws, yet he fears that my reluctance has become a matter of shame. By the merit of the Martial King, who bore your family’s title, virtue has answered Heaven’s mandate; he raised divine vigor, cut down violent brigands, and quieted the realms of the Four Quarters. Now you, Pi, have continued that thread. Your virtue is resplendent, your moral teaching reaches the four seas, and benevolence touches the eight districts. Heaven’s pattern is truly borne by you in person. The Great Yu of old had accomplished flood work and so the Great Emperor Shun yielded the throne; Yu then received the Mandate. In the line of Han from Yao, there is propriety in such succession. With harmony to numinous spirits and in compliance with Heaven’s bright command, I send General Supervisory Envoy Zhang Yin with the imperial seal and ribbon. King, you should receive it.

Cao Pi took the response with joy and said to Jia Xu: “Though this comes twice, later ages may still brand me a usurper.”

Jia Xu said: “The matter is easy. Send Zhang Yin back with the seal and ribbon, then have Hua Xin bring the Son of Heaven to build a platform named the Platform of Abdication. Choose an auspicious day and fortunate hour, summon all high and low state ministers, gather them below the platform, and have the Son of Heaven personally hand over the seal and ribbon to You and yield the realm there. Then all doubts will be cleared and all argument will cease.”

Cao Pi was pleased. He ordered Zhang Yin to carry back the seal and ribbon, and at once again made a memorial of humility.

When Zhang Yin returned and reported, the emperor asked his ministers: “The King of Wei refuses again. What does this mean?”

Hua Xin said: “Your Majesty should build a platform called the Platform of Abdication, gather all great and small ministers and commoners, and publicly clarify the transfer. Then Your Majesty’s children and children’s children will surely receive Wei’s grace.”

The emperor agreed and sent officials of the Court of Rites to select a site at Fanyang. They built a three-tier high platform and chose, on a gengwu day in the tenth month, a yinsi hour, for the transfer.

At the appointed time, the Emperor Xian invited King of Wei Cao Pi to ascend the platform and receive the abdication. Four hundred and more officials assembled below, and more than three hundred thousand imperial guards of the Forbidden Guards in tiger-patterned armor stood by.

The emperor personally held the jade seal and presented it to Cao Pi. Cao Pi accepted it. The officials below knelt and recited the edict:

Hear this, King of Wei: of old, Yao of Tang yielded his seat to Shun, and Shun in turn passed the task to Yu. The Mandate of Heaven does not belong to constancy alone; it returns only to virtue. Han’s course has been long and has lost its sequence; since it reached my person, chaos has only deepened. The violent ones have run wild, and the world is upended. By the martial strength of the Martial King, this danger was answered from all quarters, and with clearness you have guarded the ancestral temples. Could one person alone set all in order for the nine regions and receive this favor? Now, King, you uphold the previous legacy and shine with your own virtue. You restored and expanded the great undertakings of writing and arms, and your deeds now reveal your father’s glorious accomplishments. Auspicious signs descended, and people and spirits bore witness; Heaven’s brilliance chose your mandate. Therefore all should agree you match Shun, and you should follow the example of Yao and respectfully descend from your station. Ah! Heaven’s historical sequence rests in your person. Do not fail in the great ritual. Offer it to all realms, and with reverence receive Heaven’s charge!

When the edict was fully read, King Cao Pi received the eight formal ceremonies and entered the throne.

Jia Xu led the major and minor officials in court. The first year of Yan Kang was changed to the first year of Huangchu. The state was named Great Wei. Cao Pi then issued an order and granted amnesty across the realm. He gave Cao Cao, his father, the posthumous title Grand Progenitor Wǔ Emperor.

Hua Xin said: “‘There is no man but one sun in heaven, and no two kings among the people.’ The Han Emperor has now yielded the world; he ought to retire to fiefdom. We ask Your Highness for a clear order: where should the Liu house be placed?”

After he spoke, he led the emperor to kneel at the base of the platform to hear the command. Cao Pi issued the order that the former emperor would be Marquis of Shanyang and was to move that very day.

Hua Xin drew himself up, pointed at the emperor with his sword, and spoke sharply: “To establish one emperor and remove one emperor is the old practice! Your Majesty is merciful and unwilling to do harm. You have made him Marquis of Shanyang; since this is the decision today, it is not fitting to summon him and then forbid his entrance to court.”

The former emperor thanked him through tears, mounted his horse, and left. The army and commoners in the assembly were moved and could not hide their grief.

Cao Pi said to the court: “I know what Yao and Yu did.” The ministers all cried out their acclamations.

Afterward, some observing this Platform of Abdication composed a verse:

The Two Han labored hard to build their realm, Yet in one morning lost their ancient rivers and hills. Huangchu sought to imitate Tang and Yu; The Sima clan would one day follow this example.

The officials requested that Cao Pi answer heaven and earth. As he knelt, a sudden strange wind whipped up before the platform. Sand and stones flew, rapid as driving rain, obscuring what lay before him. The platform lamps were all blown out. Cao Pi fell in a daze from the platform.

Officials rushed to rescue him down the steps, and after some time he woke.

Servants carried him into his offices; for several days he could not hold court. When his illness improved, he came out to receive the congratulations of the ministers.

Hua Xin was made Minister over the Masses, Wang Lang Minister of Works, and officials great and small received promotions and rewards.

Cao Pi was not fully recovered, and suspecting that the palace at Xuchang was inauspicious, he left Xuchang for Luoyang and began building grand halls.

News soon reached Chengdu: Cao Pi had made himself emperor of Great Wei, and while building his palaces at Luoyang people said the Han emperor had been killed. Hearing this, the King of Han deeply grieved and ordered all officials to wear mourning and raise memorial rites from afar. He bestowed the posthumous title Emperor Xiaomin upon the former emperor.

Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, therefore grew anxious and came down with fever, unable to manage affairs; all state business was left to Kongming.

Kongming, together with Grand Tutor Xu Jing and Master of the Household Qiao Zhou, discussed the matter and said that the realm could not remain without a lord for even one day. They urged the King of Han to assume the imperial seat. Qiao Zhou said, “There are recent signs—auspicious winds, celebratory clouds; in the northwest of Chengdu, for dozens of zhang, yellow vapors rose to the clouds. The emperor star appeared among Bei, Wei, and Mao, blazing like the moon. This is exactly when the King of Han should take the imperial seat and continue Han’s succession. What more doubt is there?”

Accordingly, Kongming and Xu Jing submitted an appeal from major and minor officials asking the King of Han to assume the emperor’s seat.

The king read the memorial and was shocked: “Do you want to make me a disloyal and unjust man?”

Kongming replied: “No, my lord. Cao Pi seized Han and made himself ruler. You, as scion of the Han house, ought by right to succeed and continue Han’s sacrifice.”

The King of Han flushed with anger and said: “Am I to do what a rebel usurper does?” He flung his sleeve aside and withdrew into the inner palace. All the officials dispersed.

Three days later, Kongming again brought a multitude of officials into court and requested that the King come out. All of them knelt in front of him.

Xu Jing spoke: “Now the Son of Heaven of Han has been done to death by Cao Pi. If Your Majesty does not immediately take the throne, and does not fight to punish the rebels with your ministers, you cannot be called loyal and righteous. The whole world wants Your Majesty to be emperor and to clear the grievance of Emperor Xiaomin. If you do not follow our submission, you will fail the will of the people.”

The King of Han said: “Though I am the grandson of Jingdi, I have not yet spread benevolence and virtue to the people. If I now enthrone myself, how is that different from usurpation?”

Kongming begged repeatedly, but the king persisted.

Then Kongming devised a stratagem: he told the officials, “In this way, and in this way.”

So Kongming feigned illness and did not leave his quarters.

When the king heard that Kongming’s illness had deepened, he came himself to the residence and at once went to his sickbed to ask: “What ailment has our strategist taken?” Kongming answered: “My mind burns with worry. My days are not long.”

The king asked: “What is he worrying about?” asking several times. Kongming only insisted his illness was severe and would not open his eyes to reply.

The king asked repeatedly. Kongming sighed and then spoke: “Since leaving my thatched hut, I have met Your Majesty and followed you. You have always listened and followed my plans. Now, thank Heaven, Your Majesty holds the lands of the two rivers and has not lost what I spoke before. At present, Cao Pi has usurped. Han’s sacrificial line is about to be severed. All civil and military officers and officials want to raise Your Majesty as emperor to destroy Wei and restore Liu’s house, and together seek in achievement and renown. Yet Your Majesty has firmly refused. Their loyalty now sours; they will not remain long. If civil and military officers scatter, Wei and Wu will attack; two rivers will be hard to hold. How can I not worry?”

The King of Han said: “I do not block the matter; I only fear the judgments of the world.”

Kongming replied: “The Master said, ‘When names are not correct, speech cannot be in order.’ Your name is correct and your speech now follows it. What is there to discuss?”

He added: “Have you not heard, ‘Heaven gives and one must take; if one refuses, one bears the blame’?”

The King said: “When your illness improves, it will not be too late.”

When Kongming heard this, he leapt from the couch, struck the screen, and the court officers, soldiers, and officials gathered outside came in and knelt, saying: “Since Your Majesty has permitted it, please set an auspicious day and perform the great rites.”

When the king looked out, the assembled officials were among the Grand Tutor Xu Jing, General Who Pacifies Han Mi Zhu, Marquis of Qingyi Shangju, Marquis of Yangquan Liu Bao, Assistant Zhao Zuo, Intendant-in-Charge Yang Hong, Counselors’ Director Du Qiong, Court Attendant Zhang Shuang, Minister of Rites Lai Gong, Master of Ceremonies Huang Quan, Vice Minister of Discipline He Zong, Academician Yin Mo, Clerk Qiao Zhou, Grand Marshal Yin Chun, Left General Zhang Yi, Treasurer Wang Mou, Scholar Yi Ji, and Officer Qin Mi.

The King of Han said: “You have dragged me into injustice; all of you are to blame.”

Kongming said: “Now that Your Majesty has consented, build the platform and choose an auspicious day, then proceed with due ceremony.”

At once they sent Liu Bei back to his palace while ordering the scholar Xu Ci and censor-in-waiting Meng Guang to oversee the rites. A platform was built south of Wudan in Chengdu. All preparations were completed, and officials in full order prepared the imperial carriage and invited the King of Han to ascend the altar and make offerings.

Qiao Zhou stood upon the altar and read aloud the sacrificial text in a loud, high voice:

On the 1st day of the bingwu month in the 26th year of Jian’an, and on ding-si, the twelfth day that follows, I, the emperor Bei, dare to announce to Heaven and Earth: the Han realm has an unbounded cycle. Formerly Wang Mang usurped and stole; Emperor Guangwu in wrath executed him and restored the altars of state. Now Cao Cao blocked troops with cruelty and killed a ruler and empress; his crimes are immeasurable. His son Pi, in full rebellion, has taken the regalia by theft. Ministers and soldiers below all think Han’s sacrifice has collapsed and fallen; to prolong it is fitting, that one should succeed two ancestral founders and personally bear Heaven’s punishment. I fear I am unworthy to occupy the throne; I asked the common people and, beyond them, lords in remote lands. All answered alike: Heaven’s mandate cannot go unanswered, ancestral inheritance cannot be abandoned for long, and the Four Seas cannot be without a ruler. All lands under heaven look toward one man. I fear Heaven’s clear decree and I fear that the undertakings of Emperors Gaozu and Guangwu will crash to the ground. Thus I have chosen an auspicious day, mounted the altar, and informed Heaven and Earth, receiving the imperial seal and ribbon so as to govern the four quarters. Let the spirits receive and preserve the Han house, and let its line rule forever and securely.

When the reading ended, Kongming led the officials to kneel and respectfully present the jade seal. The King of Han received it, held it on the altar, and again declined the seat: “I lack talent and virtue. Let one with talent and virtue receive it.”

Kongming replied: “Your Majesty has pacified the four seas and your merit is clear to all. As one of the Han imperial clan, you should now correct your position. You have already offered to Heaven and Earth. Why this further refusal?”

All civil and military officials called out long live.

After worship and dance rites were completed, the era name was changed to the first year of Zhangwu. Empress Wu was made empress, and your eldest son Liu Shan was made crown prince. Liu Yong, your second son, was made King of Lu, and Liu Li was made King of Liang. Zhuge Liang was made Chancellor and Xu Jing the Minister over the Masses. Great and small officials were rewarded one by one. Great amnesty was issued.

People of the two river commanderies rejoiced beyond measure.

The next day they held court. After all civil and military officials had taken their bows and lined up in their two ranks, the ruler issued an order: “From the Peach Garden I swore brotherhood with Guan and Zhang to live and die together. It is not my fortune that Zhang Yunchang, my second brother, was killed by Sun Quan of Eastern Wu. If I do not avenge this, I violate our oath. I wish to gather the weapons of the state and strike East Wu, seizing the rebel alive and repaying this resentment.”

Before he finished, one man among the ranks threw himself on the steps in a full bow and remonstrated: “Do not do it.”

The king looked and saw it was Zhao Yun, Tiger-Might General. It is right:

Before the sovereign could carry out Heaven’s punishment, A minister came forward with forthright counsel.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.