all the people is concentrated on Loyang, hoping for a period of rest and tranquillity. Another move will displease many. However, the performance of extraordinary service may mean the acquisition of extraordinary merit. It is for you to decide.”
“Exactly my own inclination!” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, seizing his guest’s hand. “But are there not dangers? Yang Fêng at Taliang and the Court officials?”
“That is easily managed. Write to Yang and set his mind at rest. Say plainly that there is no food in the capital here and so you are going to another place where there is, and where there is no danger of scarcity. When the higher officials hear it they will approve.”
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had now decided and as his guest took leave he seized his hands once more saying, “All my success I shall only owe to you.”
Tung Chao thanked and left. Thereafter Ts‘ao and his advisers secretly discussed the change of capital.
Now as to that a certain official named Wang Li, who was a student of astrology, said to one Liu Ai, “I have been studying the stars. Since last spring Venus has been nearing the ‘Guard’ star in the neighbourhood of the ‘Measure,’ and the ‘Cowherd’[1] crossing the River of Heaven.[2] Mars has been retrograding and came into conjunction with Venus in the Gate of Heaven,[3] so that ‘Metal’and ‘Fire’ are mingled. Thence must emerge a new ruler. The aura of the Hans is exhausted and Chin and Wei must increase.”
A secret memorial was presented to the Emperor Hsien saying, “The Mandate of Heaven has its course and the five elements are out of proportion. ‘Earth’ is attacking ‘Fire’ and the successor to the Empire of Han is in Wei.”
Ts‘ao heard of these sayings and memorials and sent a man to the astrologer to say, “Your loyalty is well known, but the ways of Heaven are past finding out. The less said the better.”
Hsün, the adviser, expounded the meaning thus: “The virtue of Han was fire; your element is earth. Hsütu is under the influence of earth and so your fortune depends on getting there. Fire can overcome earth, as earth can multiply wood. Tung Chao and the astrologer agree and you have only to bide your time.”
So Ts‘ao made up his mind. Next day at Court he said, “The capital is deserted and cannot be restored nor can it be supplied easily with food. Hsütu is a noble city, standing close to a fruitful district. It is everything that a capital should be. I venture to request that the Court move thither.”
