Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Zhao Zilong led five thousand men straight for Tianshui and, reaching the wall, shouted out, "Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here! You have fallen into a trap! Surrender the city at once and spare a bloodletting." But from the wall Liang Xu laughed aloud and said, "You have fallen into Jiang Wei's trap in case you don't know it!" As Zhao Zilong began the attack, shouts rang out and all around fire shot skyward. A young commander took the lead. His spear poised, his horse straining, he declared, "Jiang Wei of Tianshui! Here before you!"

  Zhao Zilong raised his spear and took on his man. They battled several bouts. Jiang Wei's martial spirits rose; Zhao Zilong reflected in surprise, "Imagine finding such a fighter here!" As they fought on, the two Tianshui contingents led by Ma Zun and Liang Qian turned back and closed in. Zhao Zilong and his men, caught in between, forced an opening and fled. Jiang Wei pursued, but Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang came on the scene with two contingents and saw Zilong safely back.

  Zhao Zilong came before Kongming and explained how the enemy had trapped him. Anxiously Kongming asked, "Who was it that saw through my scheme?" Someone from Nan'an answered, "Jiang Wei (styled Boyue) from Jicheng in Tianshui. He is a man filial to his mother, full of wisdom and courage, and as expert in civil as in military science. Truly a bold hero of the age." Zhao Zilong also gave high praise to Jiang Wei's excellent technique in spear fighting. Kongming said, "When I decided to take Tianshui, I never expected to find such a man!" He summoned the army and went forward against the city.

  Meanwhile, Jiang Wei had returned and told Ma Zun: "Zhao Zilong's defeat will surely bring Kongming, and he will expect our army to be inside the city. So let us divide it into four units. I will take one and place it in ambush to the east. If the enemy comes that way, I will cut them off from behind. You, Governor, as well as Liang Qian and Yin Shang, should hide your forces outside the city; and from the wall Liang Xu can direct the defenders within." Thus, Jiang Wei completed the disposition of forces.

  Wary of Jiang Wei, Kongming led the forward army himself. Nearing Tianshui, he issued an order: "We must beat the war drums the day we arrive to spur the army to advance and attack the wall. The slightest delay will hurt morale, and the attack will fail." Accordingly, the army moved directly to the base of the wall. But the Riverlanders, impressed by the strict array of flags above them, hesitated until the middle of the night. Suddenly flames shot up all around, and the cries of a vast host shook the ground. The Riverlands soldiers could not tell from which direction the enemy would strike. The clamor of the drums on the walls and the cheers of the population below heartened the northern soldiers; the westerners slunk away in disorder.

  Kongming took to his horse and, protected by Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, fought his way out of the encircling force. Turning back, he saw due east a serpentine band of fiery light hovering over the enemy troops. Kongming had Guan Xing investigate. "Jiang Wei's troops," he reported. Kongming sighed deeply. "Warfare depends not on the number of one's men alone, but on how one directs them. This man's talent as a general is great."

  Kongming rallied his men and returned to camp, where he pondered the situation. Then he questioned a man from Anding: "Where is Jiang Wei's mother?" The reply was, "She lives in Jicheng." Kongming summoned Wei Yan and instructed him: "Take one company and bruit it about that you are going to capture Jicheng. If Jiang Wei arrives, let him enter the city." Then Kongming asked the Anding man, "What's the key point to Tianshui?" The man replied, "Their coin and grain are in Shanggui. Conquer Shanggui and their supply line will be cut." Kongming was delighted and had Zhao Zilong attack the town. Kongming himself camped about thirty li away.

  Word soon reached Tianshui that the Riverlands army had split into three units: one to guard the district capital, Tianshui; one to take Shanggui; and one to attack Jicheng. When Jiang Wei learned of these moves, he appealed in anguish to Ma Zun: "My mother is in Jicheng. Before anything happens to her, give me a company to rescue the town." Ma Zun granted Jiang Wei three thousand soldiers and ordered him to rescue Jicheng. Tianshui Commander Liang Qian went to Shanggui with another three thousand.

  Advancing toward Jicheng, Jiang Wei encountered a band of soldiers arrayed before him; their commander was Wei Yan. The two leaders exchanged spear thrusts until Wei Yan, feigning defeat, fled the field. Jiang Wei entered the town, sealed the gates, and deployed his men defensively while he went to pay his respects to his mother. Zhao Zilong permitted Liang Qian to pass and enter Shanggui.1

  At this point Kongming had Xiahou Mao brought from Nan'an and put before him. "Do you fear death?" Kongming asked him. Xiahou Mao fell to the ground and prostrated himself, pleading for his life. "Jiang Wei of Tianshui," Kongming said, "presently guarding Jicheng, has sent a letter saying that if we spare you, the imperial-son-in-law, he will agree to surrender and submit. I am prepared to pardon you. Are you willing to go and ask Jiang Wei to accept our terms?" "More than willing," was the reply.

  Kongming accordingly provided Xiahou Mao with clothes and a saddled horse and set him free. But Xiahou Mao was unattended and uncertain of the way. Riding alone, he met up with some men running pell-mell. Questioned by Xiahou Mao, they said, "We are commoners from Jicheng. Jiang Wei has surrendered the city and gone over to Zhuge Liang. After Riverlands Commander Wei Yan torched the city and stole our goods, we fled our homes, hoping to reach Shanggui." Xiahou Mao asked further, "Who defends Tianshui?" "Governor Ma Zun," a local man responded.

  Xiahou Mao turned and rode for Tianshui. He came upon another group of commoners with their children who had evidently been traveling a fair distance. They confirmed what the other refugees had told him. On reaching the wall of Tianshui, Xiahou Mao shouted up, and the men on the wall, recognizing Xiahou Mao, hastened to admit him. Surprised, Ma Zun bowed to Xiahou Mao and asked him what was going on. Mao related the story of Jiang Wei's surrender, as well as all that the refugees had told him. With a sigh Ma Zun responded, "Who would have expected Jiang Wei to betray us and join the Riverlands?" Liang Xu said to Xiahou Mao, "He must have pretended to submit in an attempt to save you, Chief Commander." But Xiahou Mao said, "Jiang Wei has submitted. What is there to 'pretend'?"

  As the leaders in Tianshui pondered Jiang Wei's motives, the Riverlands troops for the second time attacked Tianshui during the first watch. Amid flames the defenders saw Jiang Wei near the wall, his spear raised, his horse reined to a halt. He shouted out, "Let Chief Commander Xiahou appear!" Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun climbed to the top of the wall to find Jiang Wei below flaunting his prowess and shouting, "I submitted for the sake of the chief commander. Why has he broken his promise?" "You have received the love of the house of Wei," Xiahou Mao retorted, "how could you surrender to the Riverlands? What promise do you speak of?" Jiang Wei answered, "What are you talking about? You're the one who wrote a letter telling me to surrender. You only want to escape and trap me! After I surrendered, they made me a high commander. It is pointless to return to Wei!" So saying, he sent his men against the town; the battle lasted until dawn.

  The truth of the situation was that during the night someone had impersonated Jiang Wei. Following a plan of Kongming's, a soldier resembling Jiang Wei was ordered by Kongming to attack the city posing as the Imperial Corps commander. In the shadow-light of the fires no one detected the deception.

  Next Kongming led his troops in an attack on Jicheng. Inside, grain was too scarce to keep the defending soldiers fed. From the wall surrounding Jicheng the real Jiang Wei watched the Riverlands army moving wagons and carts of grain into Wei Yan's camp and subsequently led three thousand men out of the city to try and seize the supplies. The Riverlands soldiers abandoned their burdens and fled for their lives, letting Jiang Wei take the wagons. He was about to reenter the city when a band of soldiers led by Zhang Yi cut him off. The two commanders crossed spears. After a brief clash Wang Ping, leading a company, came to Zhang Yi's aid, and Jiang Wei, too spent to resist, made his way back to Jicheng—only to find the flags of Shu flying on the walls: Wei Yan had surprised the ci
ty.

  Jiang Wei forced a way through and fled to Tianshui. With hardly a dozen riders left in his command, he met and fought with Zhang Bao. After the battle, Jiang Weihad not a single follower left; he arrived alone at the gates of Tianshui and demanded entry. The defenders recognized him and quickly informed Ma Zun, who said, "He has come to trick me into opening the city," and ordered the defenders to shower Jiang Wei with arrows. With the Riverlanders closing in from behind, Jiang Wei dashed to Shanggui.

  At the wall of Shanggui, Liang Qian denounced Jiang Wei: "Traitor to your house! Do you think you can take the city by trickery? I know you have surrendered to Shu!" Fresh volleys of arrows descended. What more could Jiang Wei say? Looking at the heavens, he sighed deeply, tears standing in his eyes. Then he wheeled about and rode for Chang'an. After several li he came to a large, flourishing grove, out of which poured thousands of wildly yelling soldiers. At their lead, barring his way, stood Guan Xing. Jiang Wei was too fatigued, his horse too spent, to offer resistance. Again he wheeled and fled. But suddenly a small carriage came into sight from around a hillside. Binding the passenger's head was a plaited band; cloaked in crane plumes, he held a feather fan. Kongming hailed Jiang Wei: "Must you keep us waiting so long for your surrender, Jiang Wei?" Jiang Wei took stock: ahead, Kongming; behind, Guan Xing. He dismounted and surrendered. Kongming hurried down to welcome him and, taking his hand, said, "Since leaving my poor home, I have looked far and wide for an able and worthy man to whom I could hand down my teachings. Alas, I never found him; but now my wish is granted." Overjoyed, Jiang Wei prostrated himself in gratitude.

  Kongming and Jiang Wei returned to camp together and went into the main tent to plan the capture of Tianshui and Shanggui. "Let me write to Yin Shang and Liang Xu," Jiang Wei said, "my good friends in Tianshui. Shot over the wall, the letters should create enough confusion in the city for us to take it." Kongming approved, and Jiang Wei wrote two letters. He attached them to arrows, rode to the base of the wall, and shot them over. A petty officer picked them up and showed them to Ma Zun.

  Perplexed, Ma Zun conferred with Xiahou Mao. "Liang Xu and Yin Shang," he said, "are agents collaborating with Jiang Wei. Chief Commander, we must do something at once." "Have them killed," Xiahou Mao answered. Yin Shang learned of Xiahou Mao's decision and said to Liang Xu, "Better for us to deliver the city to the Riverlands and surrender—that at least will earn us promotion." During the night Xiahou Mao called the two to a meeting several times; they knew things had come to a head. Fully armored, weapons in hand, they rode with their men to the city gate and threw it open. The Riverlands soldiers entered.

  Panicked, Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun led several hundred men out the west gate and headed toward Qianghu as Liang Xu and Yin Shang welcomed Kongming into the city. Kongming first reassured the population, then asked the commanders how to capture Shanggui. Liang Xu replied, "The defender of Shanggui is my brother Liang Qian. I will invite him to surrender." Kongming was delighted.

  That day Liang Xu went to Shanggui and induced Liang Qian to surrender. Kongming rewarded Qian well; he then made Liang Xu governor of Tianshui, Yin Shang prefect of Jicheng, and Liang Qian prefect of Shanggui. After completing the reorganization of the district administrations, Kongming put the troops in order for his next advance. The commanders asked, "Why not capture Xiahou Mao, Your Excellency?" "Letting him go we lose a duck. In Jiang Wei we have gained a phoenix," Kongming replied.

  The taking of these three cities heightened Kongming's reputation in the region, and many joined his side. His forces in order, Kongming levied all soldiers in Hanzhong and advanced to the hills of Qishan, putting his troops within striking distance of the west bank of the River Wei. Spies carried word of these movements to Luoyang.

  In the first year of the Tai He reign period (a. d. 227), Cao Rui, ruler of Wei, held court in his audience hall. A high vassal submitted a proposal: "Imperial Son-in-Law Xiahou Mao has slipped away to Qiangzhong after losing three districts, and the Riverlands army vanguard now overlooks the west bank of the Wei from Qishan. I beg you, send the army out at once and defeat the foe." Cao Rui turned in alarm to the assembly of vassals and asked, "Who can drive back the enemy for us?"2 Minister of the Interior Wang Lang stepped forward and addressed the Emperor: "I remember how successful Cao Zhen was whenever the late Emperor sent him into battle. Why not make him first field marshal now, Your Majesty, to repel the Riverlands army?"

  Cao Rui approved this proposal; he called in Cao Zhen and said, "My father, the late Emperor, placed me in your care. Have you the heart to sit back and watch while a Riverlands army pillages our home territory?" Cao Zhen said in response, "Deficient in talent and meagre in knowledge, I am unequal to the task." Wang Lang said, "General, as a vassal of the sacred shrines you may not refuse. Though worn out and unfit for use, I volunteer to join you." Cao Zhen continued: "In view of the great favor I have received, I shall accept. All I request is a deputy commander." "Name him yourself," Cao Rui answered. The man Cao Zhen recommended was Guo Huai (Boji) from Yangqu county in Taiyuan; he had been enfeoffed lord of Sheting and served as imperial inspector of Yongzhou. Cao Rui approved the choice.

  Cao Rui appointed Cao Zhen first field marshal and presented him with the battle-axe representing imperial authority. He also appointed Guo Huai deputy commander and Wang Lang—at the age of seventy-five—director general. From the two capitals a force of two hundred thousand assembled under Cao Zhen's command. Cao Zhen named his cousin Cao Zun leader of the vanguard, and Bandit-Clearing General Zhu Zan, deputy vanguard leader. In the eleventh month of that year (early a. d. 228) Cao Rui, ruler of Wei, escorted this army beyond the west gate and out of the capital.

  Cao Zhen advanced to Chang'an, crossed the River Wei, and pitched camp on the western side. The three leaders then conferred on dislodging the Riverlands forces from the hills of Qishan. Wang Lang said, "Tomorrow set the ranks in grand array exhibiting all flags. Let this old man go forth first, for a single dialogue with Zhuge Liang should suffice to convince him to submit quietly and the Riverlands army to retreat without a battle." Cao Zhen was delighted and issued orders that night: "Tomorrow, mess at the fourth watch; at daybreak, all ranks to be in place with their units and all insignia, including flags, banners, drums, and horns, in perfect order."

  At this time Cao Zhen sent a man with the call to battle. The next day the two armies met and deployed in formation before the Qishan hills. The Riverlands soldiers saw that these troops were quite formidable, utterly unlike those of Xiahou Mao.

  Drums and horns resounded as Minister of the Interior Wang Lang rode forth. Behind him, in the place of honor, rode Cao Zhen, the field commander, and beside him Guo Huai, his deputy. The opposing vanguards secured their positions. Advance riders raced ahead of their lines and shouted, "Let the opposing leader come forth and parley!" The bright-bannered entrance to the Riverlands army widened, and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao rode forth, one to each side, and halted; following them, teams of commanders formed a handsome line. In the center, in the shadows of the entrance banners, a four-wheeled carriage held Kongming; he sat poised, a plaited band wound around his head and a feather fan in his hand. He wore plain beige garb belted with black silk cording. Gracefully, he advanced.

  Kongming raised his gaze to the three command umbrellas in front of the northern army. Each banner bore a name writ large. In the center, old and white-bearded, was the director general, Minister of the Interior Wang Lang. Kongming sized up the situation. "Wang Lang will try and talk his way around me. I must answer in kind," he mused, and he had his carriage pushed forward. The officer guarding him relayed his message: "The prime minister of the Han will speak with the minister of the interior." Wang Lang galloped out. Without leaving his carriage, Kongming folded his hands in salute, while from horseback Wang Lang bowed, reciprocating the courtesy.

  Wang Lang said, "After lifelong admiration of Your Lordship's magnificent reputation, fortune rewards me with this meeting. Your Lordship knows the meaning
of Heaven's Mandate and the nature of the times. Why have you put an army in the field with no justification?"

  Kongming replied, "I hold an edict to chastise rebels. Is that not justification?" "By the turn of Heaven's ordained periods," Wang Lang said, " the sacred instruments of power have changed hands, reverting to a man of virtue, as must happen in the normal course of things. Since the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling the sedition incited by the Yellow Scarves has kept the empire in turmoil. During the reign periods Chu Ping and Jian An, Dong Zhuo rebelled, and Li Jue and Guo Si continued his savage practices. Yuan Shu usurped the imperial title in Shouchun, and Yuan Shao declared himself an independent power in Ye. Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou; Lü Bu swallowed Xuzhou. As bandits and rebels arose like hornets and villainous predators hovered above, the sacred shrines stood in imminent peril, and the common people faced grave perils.

  "Our great ancestor, Cao Cao, August Emperor Wu, cleared all corners of the realm and took control of its farthest reaches. Millions eagerly gave him their allegiance, and in all quarters men admired his virtue. Nor was this by dint of his power and position; it was rather because the Mandate of Heaven had found in him its proper place. The next sovereign, Cao Pi, the Emperor Wen, divine in the civil and sage in the military arts, undertook the great succession in response to Heaven, in accord with men, and in faithfulness to the model of Yao's yielding to Shun. He positioned himself in the northern heartland and presided over the whole of the realm. Did this not show Heaven's intent and man's wish? Your Lordship has nourished a great talent and possesses great abilities. You have compared yourself to Guan Zhong and to Yue Yi. It is difficult to believe that you would defy divine principle and turn against true human sentiment. You cannot have forgotten the words 'Conform to Heaven and prosper; oppose it and fall. ' Today our great Wei dynasty numbers a million shields; our excellent commanders are as many as a thousand. I hardly think the flicker of a firefly in moldering hay can rival the clear moon at the zenith. Your Lordship, lay down your arms and submit as ceremonial courtesy dictates, and your enfeoffment as a lord will follow. What could be more excellent than a dynasty at peace, its people rejoicing?"