Taiheiki Modern Translation 20-7 The Mystery Shown to Nitta Yoshisada
To Taiheiki Modern Translation Index 10
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This modern translation is not faithful to the original text. Various embellishments and the like have been applied.
It is not clear whether the events described in the Taiheiki are historical facts. It would be dangerous to consider what is written in the Taiheiki as historical fact without careful verification.
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Seven days later,
Nitta Yoshisada: Hmm? ...Where on earth am I right now? ...Hmm, it seems I am by the river near Asuwa Castle.
Nitta Yoshisada: On this bank are the members of my army, and on the other bank is Shiba Takatsune... Several days have passed since both armies confronted each other, yet no battle has been fought...
Nitta Yoshisada: Oh! What is happening? My body is transforming! It is getting bigger and bigger, oh!
Nitta Yoshisada: I am surprised! Have I not transformed into a giant snake about 30 jo long?
Nitta Yoshisada: Heh heh heh... Takatsune, surprised by my appearance, has run away. He gathered his troops, threw away his shields, and fled dozens of miles away... Wahaha, serves you right!
Nitta Yoshisada: (Startled awake)... Hmm? ...Ah... Was it a dream...
Yoshisada woke up early in the morning and told this dream to those around him.
Nitta Army Leader A: Oh my, the lord transformed into a giant snake. What kind of meaning could be hidden in that dream?
Nitta Army Leader B: Both giant snakes and dragons are reptiles, they are of the same kind. It is said that dragons ride the currents of clouds and rain and are animals that move heaven and earth! Anyway, this is a lucky dream.
Nitta Army Leader C: My lord, in the dream, Shiba Takatsune saw you in the form of a dragon and was so scared he ran away, right?
Nitta Yoshisada: Yes.
Nitta Army Leader C: It is said that Ye Zigao of ancient China loved dragons and often painted them, but one day, when he saw a real dragon descend from the sky, he was so terrified that he ran away and eventually lost his soul. Perhaps Shiba Takatsune will also be so afraid of your thunderous power in the near future that he will run away... well, how should I put it, isn't this a kind of 'prophetic dream'?
Saito Doken, who had been listening to this conversation from over the fence, frowned and spoke secretly to those around him.
Saito Doken: Hmph! What are you talking about, give me a break! That dream the lord had is not a lucky dream at all.
Nitta Army Member D: Eh?
Saito Doken: That is a voice from heaven announcing 'misfortune'.
Nitta Army Member D: Why on earth?
Saito Doken: Listen here, long ago in China, there was an era called the 'Three Kingdoms period'...
Nitta Army Member D: Uh-huh...
The story Saito Doken told was as follows.
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The Three Kingdoms period of China was an era when three men—Sun Quan of Wu, Liu Bei of Shu, and Cao Cao of Wei—divided and ruled the 400 provinces of China. All three had the same goal: to destroy the other two nations and unify China under themselves.
Cao Cao was exceptionally outstanding in talent and intelligence; he could devise strategies within his command tent and defend against enemies outside his borders.
Sun Quan knew how to use kindness and strictness appropriately according to the situation, showing appreciation to his warriors and comforting the masses, so those who plundered the country and usurped politics competed to gather under him, and he wickedly invaded and seized the imperial capital. (Note 1)
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(Translator's Note 1) This description of Sun Quan is incomprehensible. There is no mention of him 'invading and seizing the imperial capital' in either the Records of the Three Kingdoms or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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Liu Bei was a man of the Han imperial lineage, and his heart upheld benevolence and righteousness, never being caught up in greed. Therefore, loyal subjects and filial children gathered under him from all directions. Utilizing their strength, Liu Bei greatly promoted culture and education and enhanced martial virtue.
These three men, with the three virtues of 'wisdom,' 'benevolence,' and 'courage,' divided and ruled all of China, and the three capitals of Wu, Wei, and Shu stood side by side, confronting each other like the three legs of a tripod.
At that time, a wise man named Zhuge Kongming (Note 2) lived in Nanyang Mountain (Note 3) in Shu, avoiding the world and casting aside his status.
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(Translator's Note 2) The surname is 'Zhuge', the given name is 'Liang', and the courtesy name is 'Kongming'. The following is quoted from 'Zhuge Kongming' by Seiji Uemura (Chuokoron-Shinsha, 1985.11.10, ISBN4-12-201275-9 C1123), section '4. Kongming's Background'.
'Unlike Japanese or European languages, Chinese is a monosyllabic language, so single-character surnames like Yang (Sui), Li (Tang), Zhao (Song), and Zhu (Ming) are common. Although there are some compound surnames like Sima, Gongsun, Zhangsun, Ouyang, and Xiahou, their origins based on official positions or places of residence are clear. A surname like Zhuge is extremely rare.'
(Translator's Note 3) The Fulonggang where Zhuge Kongming lived was not in the land of Shu (Sichuan Basin), but in Jingzhou in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. 'Kongming's thatched cottage (residence) was about 20 li (8 km) northwest of Xiangyang, at the eastern foot of Longzhong Mountain.' (Quoted from the same book above).
At the time, Liu Bei was a subordinate of Liu Biao, who ruled Jingzhou, and that is where he met Kongming. Later, having expanded his power, Liu Bei came to rule Shu as well and moved his residence to Chengdu in Shu. Calling Liu Bei 'Liu Bei of Shu' comes from that.
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The following poem remains, written by Kongming while he fished in solitude and sang while farming in leisure:
Walking out of the city gate of the State of Qi,
Gazing far at the village of Dangyin,
In the village are three tombs,
Standing in a row, all looking the same. Seeing those mounds,
I asked, whose graves are these?
They were the graves of Tian Jiang and Gu Yezi,
Their talent could overwhelm the Southern Mountains,
Their wisdom was peerless in the world,
Yet, one morning, they were slandered,
Fighting over two peaches sent to three men, they both fell,
Who could have devised such a scheme?
The Minister of Qi, Yanzi, was the very culprit.
(Original Text)
Walking out of the east gate of Qi,
Arriving at the village of Dangyin,
In the village are three tombs,
Standing in a row, all looking the same,
Asking whose graves these are,
Tian Jiang and Gu Yezi,
Their spirit could push aside the Southern Mountains,
Their wisdom was peerless in the world,
One morning they were slandered,
Two peaches killed three men,
Who could have devised this scheme?
The Minister of Qi, Yanzi.
A wise subject of Shu (Note 4) read this, realized that Kongming was a wise man, and said to Liu Bei,
Subject H: My Lord, Zhuge Liang is truly a wise man of the world. Why don't you invite him, grant him a high rank and office, and have him oversee the politics of the country?
Liu Bei: Very well.
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(Translator's Note 4) According to one theory, it was Xu Shu who recommended Kongming to Liu Bei.
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Liu Bei immediately prepared luxurious gifts and visited Kongming.
Liu Bei: Master Zhuge, I implore you, will you not come to me and oversee the governance of the country? It is my earnest wish... please, I beg of you...
Although he invited him with such great courtesy, Kongming replied,
Zhuge Kongming: I am deeply honored by your earnest invitation, Lord Liu Bei. However, I cannot accept your offer.
Liu Bei: Why is that?!
Zhuge Kongming: Drinking water from the valley, living upon the rocks, and spending a carefree life having cast aside all ambition... could there be any pleasure greater than this?
Liu Bei: ...
However, Liu Bei did not give up; he visited Kongming's thatched hut three times, repeating his entreaties. (Note 5)
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(Translator's Note 5) From this, the phrase 'Sangu no Rei' (Three Visits) was born.
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Liu Bei: Although I am an unworthy man, I cannot stop seeking peace for the world. I do not live with the intention of seeking my own comfort or indulging my desires. Look at the state of the world today! Humanity has fallen, and everywhere, the people are drowning in suffering! I only wish to save them from that suffering, that is all...
Zhuge Kongming: ...
Liu Bei: It is said that Confucius once remarked, 'If a good man governs a country for a hundred years, he will prevent the people from doing evil and make the death penalty unnecessary.' However, if you were to use your overflowing talent to assist me, we could build such a society without needing a hundred years.
Zhuge Kongming: ...
Liu Bei: Using a stone as a pillow and rinsing one's mouth in a spring to enjoy a reclusive life—that is certainly one way to live. But such a life is, in the end, nothing more than a 'life for oneself.' Governing the country to benefit the people and reforming society through great, virtuous rule—this is what one would call a 'life for all people'!
Faced with Liu Bei, who spoke with such sincerity and reasoned so thoroughly, Kongming finally found himself at a loss for words to refuse.
Zhuge Kongming: ...I understand. As you wish, my lord.
Liu Bei: Oh! You will come to me!
Zhuge Kongming: Yes! (Bows low)
In this way, Zhuge Liang finally became the prime minister of Liu Bei.
Liu Bei placed immense trust in Kongming.
Liu Bei: It is only because of you, Kongming, that I can survive. It is like a fish that can only live because there is water. (Note 6)
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(Translator's Note 6) From this, the phrase 'the relationship between fish and water' was born.
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Liu Bei finally granted Kongming the rank of Duke and gave him the title of 'Duke Wu'.
When this happened, Liu Bei's rivals were also deeply unsettled.
Cao Cao: (To himself) The Sleeping Dragon, Kongming, has attached himself to Liu Bei... This is bad... If things continue like this, the world will belong to Liu Bei!
Therefore, Cao Cao ordered a general named Sima Zhongda to lead 700,000 cavalry to attack Liu Bei.
Hearing this, Liu Bei gave Kongming an army of 300,000 and sent him to a place called Wuzhang Plains on the border between Wei and Shu. (Note 7)
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(Note 7) This description differs significantly from historical fact. The confrontation at Wuzhang Plains occurred after the deaths of both Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Moreover, it was Kongming who initiated the battle (planning an invasion into Wei territory), and Sima Zhongda was in the position of defending against it.
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The Wei and Shu armies faced each other across a river for over 50 days, but Sima Zhongda showed no intention of starting the battle. On the Wei side, the horses gradually grew tired, and food supplies became scarce day by day.
Wei Army Leader I: General, our army's food supplies are running out.
Wei Army Leader J: At this rate, we will be worn down to nothing.
Wei Army Leader K: Wouldn't it be better to start fighting Shu immediately?
Sima Zhongda: No, that will not do!
One day, Sima Zhongda asked a Shu-side grass cutter (Note 8) who had been captured by the Wei army.
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(Translator's Note 8) A person whose role is to cut grass or secure firewood.
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Sima Zhongda: How does your general, Zhuge Kongming, manage the Shu camp?
Grass Cutter L: Oh, it's amazing! Our general, Lord Kongming, cares for the soldiers and treats us with true courtesy. Even when eating a bowl of beans, he shares it with everyone and eats together with us. Even when a barrel of wine is opened, he pours it into the river to drink with the earth. Until we have eaten, Lord Kongming will not touch his own food. When we are wet with rain and dew, he does not set up an oiled tent, but gets wet in the rain with us. He gives joy to everyone first and puts himself last. But when it comes to sorrow, he takes it upon himself before anyone else.
Sima Zhongda: Hmm...
Woodcutter M: That's not all. He doesn't sleep a wink until dawn, going around the camp himself to tighten up any areas that look lax. From morning until evening, he keeps a gentle face and interacts closely with everyone. I have never once seen Master Kongming doing anything for his own sake or taking time to rest.
Sima Zhongda: Oh...?
Woodcutter N: Since a man like that is our general, all 300,000 of us in the Shu army are of one heart, and we don't spare our own lives. Whether we beat the drums to advance or strike the bells to retreat, everything is done exactly according to Master Kongming's orders.
Sima Zhongda: Hmm...
Woodcutters: ...
Sima Zhongda: Is there anything else you would like to say about Zhuge Kongming?
Woodcutter L: I've said everything I know. We common folk don't know anything beyond that.
Hearing this, Sima Zhongda thought:
Sima Zhongda: Our army has 700,000 horsemen, but their hearts are all divided. In contrast, Kongming's 300,000 horsemen are of one heart. If we were to fight, it would be impossible for us to defeat Shu. However, if we wait until Kongming falls ill and attack then, we will surely achieve victory.
Wei Army Leader M: Why on earth would Kongming fall ill?
Sima Zhongda: Look at this intense heat. In such weather, Kongming is laboring his mind and body day and night like that. How could the heat not seep into his bones and make him ill?
Thus, Sima Zhongda ignored the mockery of his own soldiers and officers, pulled his camp even further away from Shu, and just sat still for several months.
Wei Army Leader N: "Kongming will fall ill eventually," you say? I wonder, since when did Lord Sima Zhongda change his profession from soldier to physician?
Wei Army Leader O: No, no, even if he were a physician, could he really take the pulse of someone 40 miles away and diagnose their health condition?
Wei Army Leader P: Hmph, it's obvious. He's just making excuses like that because he fears the power of the Sleeping Dragon, Kongming. Hahaha.
Wei Army Members: Hahahaha... (clapping and laughing loudly)
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One night, a strange star began to shine in the sky between the two opposing camps. Seeing that light, which shone as red as fire, Sima Zhongda said:
Sima Zhongda: Within seven days from now, a great hero of the world will die... That star is the omen... Yes, the time has come for Zhuge Kongming to leave this world at last... The day Wei swallows up Shu is not far off. Heh heh heh...
Sure enough, from the next morning, Kongming fell ill, and seven days later, he passed away inside his tent.
The vice-generals of Shu, fearing that the Wei army would take advantage of the situation to launch an attack, kept Kongming's death a secret. They issued orders, saying, 'This is the General's command!', lined up their troops, advanced their banners, and charged at the Wei camp.
Sima Zhongda, who had never believed he could defeat Shu in battle, did not even engage in a single fight. He whipped his horse and fled fifty ri, reaching a rugged location where he finally halted his army.
The saying we use today, 'The dead Kongming makes the living Zhongda flee,' is a phrase mocking this very action of Sima Zhongda.
After the battle ended, upon hearing of Kongming's death, all of the Shu soldiers surrendered to Sima Zhongda's army.
Following this, Shu was destroyed first, followed by Wu, and Cao Cao of Wei finally unified all of China. (Note 9)
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(Translator's Note 9) This also differs from historical fact. Cao Cao died long before this. Although Wei destroyed Shu, the actual power of the country was completely seized by the descendants of Sima Zhongda and destroyed by Sima Zhongda's grandson, Sima Yan. The Jin dynasty established by Sima Yan annexed Wu, China was unified, and the Three Kingdoms period came to an end.
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Let us return to the Nitta army camp.
Saito Doken: Based on stories like the one above, if I were to 'interpret the dream' that you, my lord, had...
Saito Doken: First, the current situation in the country has much in common with the Three Kingdoms period in China, where conflicts continued.
Saito Doken: Next, regarding the point that 'you transformed into a dragon'... it is said that a dragon exerts its power when heading toward 'Yang' energy, but when it reaches the time of 'Yin,' it closes the door to seclusion. It is now July, the beginning of autumn—isn't this the time when 'Yin' begins?
Saito Doken: You said, 'I was lying by the water in the form of a dragon.' This fits perfectly with the fact that Kongming was called the 'Crouching Dragon'!
Saito Doken: In the end, what happened to that Kongming? Everyone is saying, 'It's a joyous dream,' and seems to be celebrating with you, my lord, but I simply cannot bring myself to be happy about it.
At these words from Saito Doken, who spoke with a furrowed brow, the people present there also thought:
Nitta Army Member D: (Inwardly) I see, that makes sense.
Nitta Army Member E: (Inwardly) Hmm, indeed.
Nitta Army Member F: (Inwardly) But still... the lord is so happy about it... I could never say to him, 'My lord, that dream you had is an ominous one!'
Nitta Army Member G: (Inwardly) Oh, I hate this! I'll just pretend I never heard anything about such an ominous thing.