Author: CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (130.95.128.---)
Date: 07-08-02 06:19
Chinese history - the State of Wu (吳國) (2)
Fu Cha wanted to wage war on the State of Chu (楚國 present day Jiang Ling county 江陵縣 in Hubei province 湖北省) and was busy making preparations. However, all his Court officials unanimously disagreed with him because Wu was not strong enough to go to war with Chu and Wu would most certainly lose the war against Chu. The officials tried to block his plans, but Fu Cha was stubborn and insisted on going to war.
Fu Cha was really serious and decreed that anyone who tried to stop him would face public execution in the market place.
You (友), the crown prince of Wu, was the son of Fu Cha. You was also against
his father's plan of waging war with the State of Chu. However, he was afraid to
express his feeling verbally to his father. He devised a plan on how to discourage
his father.
One day, early in the morning he brought his slingshot and small marbles and lingered in the garden at the back of the palace. Although his gowns were wet
by the morning dew he did not mind because he wanted to attract his father's attention. But his father did not come out into the garden.
The next morning he did the same thing by going to the garden. Again his father
did not venture out into the garden. He tried again the third day. This time his father saw him in the garden and, curious about You's behaviour, enquired:
"What are you doing, my son?
Look, your gowns are wet by the morning dew."
Pointing his finger at the treetop, You replied:
"You see father. There is a cicada up there on the treetop.
It is sucking the morning dew and is singing happily. It thinks it is safe.
But it does not know there is a praying mantis behind it.
The praying mantis is raising its two arms ready to strike.
The praying mantis thinks it is sure to have the cicada for breakfast.
However, the praying mantis does not know that a sparrow is behind it.
The sparrow is only thinking of the juicy meal the praying mantis represents.
The sparrow does not know that I am aiming at it with my slingshot,
and I am ready to shoot at it.
You see, my father. These insects and the bird are only thinking of the
benefits before their eyes. But they don't know the serious
consequences awaiting behind them. I feel sorry for them."
Actually there were no insects or bird on the treetop. You purposely
created a fictitious incident of them to warn his father indirectly that
there was always someone who could be better than him (強中還有強中手).
Fu Cha realized that his son was trying to tell him something. Suddenly
the upcoming action against Chu came to his mind and he said to his son,
"Yes, yes, I know you are right, my son."
Immediately he called off the impending military actions against the State of Chu.
Ten years later, in 482BC Wu Fu Cha, again, led his army northward, with the intention of capturing more territory. His army arrived at Huang Chi (黃池 in present day Feng Qiu county 封邱縣 in Henan province 河南省) and were preparing for battle with the northern States.
Knowing that Ji Fu Cha and his armed forces were away from their home base and there were no troops left behind to defend the State, Si Gou Jian congregated his rejuvenated armed forces and attacked Wu. His army overran the State of Wu in no time and captured the Crown Prince of Wu, Ji You (姬友).
On hearing that Wu was being invaded by Yue, Ji Fu Cha, leading his army, rushed home. After 20 days of forced march they arrived near their own capital, Gu Su. The soldiers of Wu were tired and exhausted after the long march. Seeing that the Wu forces were weary and exhausted Si Gou Jian attacked the fatigued army of Wu who were defeated by the Yue.
Ji Fu Cha fled to Yang Shan (楊山 in present day Wan An Shan 萬安山 in the northwest of Wu county in Jiangsu province). He regretted for being too lenient to this guileful Si Gou Jian when he was in captivity. Ji Fu Cha committed suicide. Yue annexed the State of Wu.
Shi Ji (史記 - 吳太伯世家第一) chapter 31
By Si-Ma Qian (司馬遷 145BC to 86BC)
CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元)
All rights reserved 2002
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