FIVE KINGS (The Five Kings)

Chapter 99

King Couw Seng-ong orders Seng Tek Sin and Touw Put to choose a thousand valiant soldiers, to be willing to seize the power of the union leader.

After King Song came home he felt very excited, his face was carefree. He said to Prince Bak I: ”King Couw has approved my request to hand over all young kings under my rule.”

”People Couw look like Ban-ie nation, his heart is hard to guess,” said Prince Bak I., ”If my Lord just believe his words, and not suspect, I fear my Master will be insulted by them.”

”Ah, you are too suspicious,” said King Song Siang-kong. ”I hold on to honesty and trust in others, it is impossible that people are so willing to insult me?”

Again he did not pay attention to the advice of Prince Bak I, he took out a letter of leaflet to invite all the young Kings, he ordered his men to set up a stage where guests, the stage making was arranged neatly and beautifully, and further he told his people to provide grass in the warehouse, as well as food for the guests.

When the Ciu season had arrived, when King Song Siang-kong was about to depart, Prince Bak I gave a suggestion.

”Couw is very strong, don't believe they hold promise!” prince Bak I. ”Bring the war chariot to keep my lord safe.”

”Don't, don't boleg so!” prevent King Song Siang-kong. ”I've promised all the young kings to assemble in plain clothes, if I break and bring a chariot, it means I break my own promise!”

”Then, my Lord boarded the train wearing ordinary clothes, to show that my Master holds a promise. While I will hide my army, I will be on standby in case it is needed!” prince Bak I. ”O! No, don't do it! You dressed in war and brought soldiers, then it was no different from me bringing them!” said King Song.

Bak I became helpless, as King Song disagreed with his ideas. He was also very sorry for the stupidity of his master.

When the time had come to leave, for fear that Prince Bak I would bring his troops, King Song deliberately invited Bak I along with him.

Prince Bak I did want to come, because he felt bad, if he did not accompany his lord.

At the meeting place all the kings were present, among them King Couw, Tan, Coa, Khouw, Co., six kings of the country were present. Only Cee Hauw-kong was hurt, and King Louw Hi-kong did not submit to King Couw, neither king was present.

King Song Siang-kong ordered his men to greet the young kings sweetly. King Song also received reports that all the kings were dressed in plain clothes.

”I'm sure too, King Couw will not insult me..” said King Song girang.

In the trial of King Tan Bok-kong, Coa Cong-kong, The Bun-kong, Khouw Hi-kong and Co Kiong-kong, the five young kings, had already come. Long they waited, until it was a new day King Couw came. They saluted each other, but in general they valued King Couw Seng-ong very much.

Before long the ceremony was held, such as drinking wine mixed with blood, and various other events. They then record their names in a book, as a pledge that they will be subject to all applicable rules.

After the ceremony was over King Song Siang-kong watched over King Couw Seng-ong to request that King Couw appoint him Guild Leader. But Couw was silent, he pretended to forget. The other young king looked at each other.

King Song Siang-kong was impatient again, he said.

”Today I want to continue the tradition of King Cee, which is to support the Kingdom of Ciu, and to prosper the country, so that the people live happily. Especially secure the situation.How do you think gentlemen?” said King Song.

Suddenly King Couw got up from his chair in a fit of rage.

”The capsule is so good, only I don't know who deserves to be the leader of all of us?” said King Couw.

”Gentlemen already know, who is a big meritor, no need to ask again!” said King Song.

”I have long used the title Ong!” couw Seng-ong said. ”Even if King Song has the title Kong noble, but where can be compared with the title Ong! This was already recognized by Emperor Ciu!”

King Couw's attitude was very arrogant. Seeing the situation is not good, Prince Bak I withdrew the hand of his lord. He asked King Song to be patient.

But King Song Siang-kong, who was convinced he could be the leader, ignored Bak I's advice. Like she was challenging. He didn't realize the danger was threatening him.

”The title of Kong I've been holding has been confirmed by Emperor Ciu! Then how can your Ong title alhaklan my title?” said King Song.

”You came here, according to our negotiations in Lok-day,” King Song said.

”Already, don't fuss, it's better this way!” seng Tek Sin said. ”Now try to ask all the young kings, are they coming because of King Couw or King Song?”

King Tan, Coa and the others were indeed afraid of King Couw's influence, after hearing the question, all told them to come because they were obedient to King Couw.

King Couw Seng-ong laughed out loud.

”Now what do you want to say?” said King Couw.

At that time King Song Siang-kong was angry not playing. He wanted to complain, but no one served him. He wanted to wear harmony, but no soldiers went with him. He went awry.

When King Song was confused, instead he saw Seng Tek Sin and Touw Put undressing his outer clothes, so it looks like his war clothes. This made King Song very frightened.

The two Couw commanders immediately gave their mark, and all his followers immediately surrounded the stage.

All the young kings became very shocked and frightened.

Seng Tek Sin captures King Song Siang-kong whom he fastened. Then with Touw Put he invited his soldiers to seize all furniture made of jade, silk cloth and others belonging to King Song.

The people of Song country who take care of the place, they get scared and run away.

That time King Song Siang-kong saw Prince Bak I had shifted to his side, and whispered.

”I'm sorry I didn't want to listen to your advice, so today I'm in trouble. Go home soon to take care of the country, and don't think about me.”

Prince Bak I thought it would be useless if he remained beside King Song. So by using it while it was being messed up, he fled back to Song country.

King Couw invites Seng Tek Sin, Touw Put and Kui Lu Sin and Touw Poan (son of Chu Bun) to bring a large army.

After King Song was captured, King Tan, Coa, The, Khouw and Co., were terrified no one would dare to do anything about it.

King Couw Seng-ong invites all the young Kings to the guest house, here he taunts and insinuates King Song Siang-kong.

”I will attack the city of Ci-yang, to destroy the Capital of Song.” King Couw said.

After the feast until ten days and ten nights, all the kings were allowed to return to their land.

All the young Kings no one dared to refute. King Song Siang-kong remained silent while standing like a statue. From his eyes melted tears, a sign he was very sorry and heartbroken.

Not long ago the army of Couw country which numbered 500 war chariots was ready.

King Couw distributed gifts to his soldiers, and they marched to the city of Ci-yang.

It is said that Prince Bak I who has escaped has arrived in the land of Song.

He immediately confronts Kong-sun Kouw, then tells him that King Song Siang-kong has been taken captive by King Couw.

”Now the army of Couw will surely come to attack Song country. We must immediately prepare the army and arrange a guard,” said Bak I.

”Because domestically there must be a lead,” said Kong-sun Kouw. ”preferably for a while you replace Song Siang-kong, so that the country has a leader.”