Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  The Second Emperor was delighted with Kongming's petition and issued orders for the expedition to begin. Kongming accepted the imperial command. He put three hundred thousand of his finest troops into the field and made Wei Yan commander of the vanguard of the first unit. Then he headed straight for the road to Chencang.

  Spies soon reported these movements to Sima Yi in Luoyang, and he informed the ruler of Wei, who called a court conference to discuss the matter. Regent-Marshal Cao Zhen stepped forward and addressed the Emperor: "This vassal's recent defense of Longxi was a humiliating failure. To redeem myself, I request a large force to go and capture Zhuge Liang. I have lately acquired the services of an important commander who wields a sword of sixty jin and rides a champion war-horse. He can pull an iron bow more than two hundred pounds strong, and with three concealed 'meteor hammers' he can hit his target every time. Ten thousand fighters could not equal him in courage. This man comes from Didao in Longxi. His name is Wang Shuang (styled Ziquan). I recommend him for the vanguard." Cao Rui was delighted and summoned Wang Shuang to the elevated hall. Cao Rui studied his nine-span frame, his swarthy face and yellowish eyes, his bearlike waist and tigerlike back. With a smile Cao Rui said, "So great a commander eases my cares." He bestowed on him a silk surcoat, golden armor, and the titles Tiger-Fearsome General and vanguard of the first unit. Cao Zhen was the chief commander of the expedition. After thanking the ruler, Cao Zhen left the court and, at the head of one hundred and fifty thousand picked troops, met with Guo Huai and Zhang He; then they went to defend different strongpoints.

  The advance reconnaissance unit of the Riverlands army reached Chencang and then reported back to Kongming: "They have walled Chencang. Inside, General Hao Zhao commands a well-fortified complex surrounded by an impenetrable network of branches and staves. It would be easier for us to reach Qishan through the narrow mountain path in the Taibo Range and leave Chencang alone." "Due north of Chencang stands Jieting, the town we must take before we advance," was Kongming's reply, and he ordered Wei Yan to march to the wall and lay siege to Chencang.

  After pressing the attack for several days, Wei Yan returned and told Kongming that he could not take Chencang. Kongming would have executed Wei Yan, but someone stepped forward and declared, "I have followed Your Excellency for many years without performing worthy service. Inept as I am, I beg to enter Chencang for the purpose of persuading Hao Zhao to submit. Not an arrow need be wasted." The assembly turned to unit commander Jin Xiang. "And how will you convince him?" Kongming asked. "Both of us come from Longxi," Jin Xiang replied, "and have been close since childhood. If I show him where his advantage lies, he will submit." Kongming ordered Jin Xiang to proceed.

  Jin Xiang galloped to Chencang and shouted up to the wall: "An old friend of Hao Zhao's!" Guards reported to Hao Zhao, who ordered the visitor admitted. Jin Xiang mounted the wall and the two met. "What brings my old friend?" Hao Zhao asked. "At present I am under Kongming of the Riverlands," Jin Xiang replied, "engaged in military planning, for which I am treated most cordially. It is he who sends me with a message for you." Hao Zhao's expression turned severe as he said, "Zhuge Liang is my kingdom's foe. I serve Wei; you serve Shu. Each serves his lord. Brothers once, we are mortal enemies now. Say no more, but leave Chencang at once!"5 Jin Xiang tried to speak further, but Hao Zhao had already left the watchtower. The Wei army urged the envoy to his mount and chased him off.

  Looking back, Jin Xiang watched Hao Zhao leaning against the high protective railing of the wall. Jin Xiang reined in and pointed at Hao Zhao with his whip as he cried out, "Worthy brother, why do you treat me so shabbily?" "You know the law of Wei," Hao Zhao answered. "I will honor my duty as long as I live. Waste no more breath on your persuasions. Hurry back and tell Zhuge Liang I await his attack!"

  Jin Xiang returned to Kongming and said, "Hao Zhao turned me away before I could open my mouth." "Try again," Kongming said. Jin Xiang went back to Chencang and requested to see Hao Zhao. When Hao Zhao appeared at the tower, Jin Xiang reined in and shouted, "Worthy brother, heed these loyal words. How will you hold off an army of hundreds of thousands from an isolated town? Surrender now, for future regrets will be futile. Disobedient to Han, you serve the seditious Wei. Do you not know the Mandate of Heaven, nor the difference between black and white? Consider well, good brother." In great anger Hao Zhao fit an arrow to his bow and shouted back, "What I have said still stands. Say no more but withdraw at once, and I shall not shoot."

  Jin Xiang returned to Kongming and described Hao Zhao's behavior. In great anger Kongming responded, "That fool's insult goes too far, imagining we don't have the means to take his town!" He asked a resident of the area the size of the force in Chencang, and was told, "It's hard to say precisely: about three thousand." Kongming said with a smile, "I doubt this little town can hold us off! But let's attack before help is able to reach them." Kongming ordered up one hundred assault towers—each holding a dozen men— and had them screened with boards. His soldiers took short ladders and ropes and prepared to storm the wall at the sound of the drum.

  From his observation tower Hao Zhao watched the Riverlands soldiers erect their assault towers and approach from four sides, and he ordered his three thousand archers to the four walls to direct burning arrows at the approaching engines.6 Assuming the town to be unprepared, Kongming forced the pace of the assault towers and ordered the army to beat the drums and shout as they bore down. To Kongming's surprise, masses of burning arrows set his towers aflame, killing most of the troops inside them. Arrows and stones poured down from the wall, forcing the Riverlands troops to retreat.7 Kongming angrily cried, "Burn my assault towers? Then I'll use battering rams!"

  Kongming prepared the batteries and sent his troops drumming and screaming against the town the next day. Hao Zhao swiftly ordered his men to smash the rams by using long hemp ropes to sling giant stones. In response Kongming ordered his men to fill the moat with earth and then had Liao Hua direct three thousand sappers in the digging of a hidden tunnel into the city. But Hao Zhao cut them off by making a transverse trench inside the wall. Thus, the battle continued for twenty days, with Kongming unable to find a way to reduce Chencang.

  Kongming was brooding in his camp when he was informed, "The enemy's rescue force has arrived on the east with banners reading 'General Wang Shuang, Vanguard of the Wei. '" Kongming asked, "Who will take them on?" and Wei Yan volunteered. "You are the vanguard commander," Kongming said. "We cannot risk sending you out now." He called for another volunteer. Lieutenant Commander Xie Xiong responded promptly, and Kongming gave him three thousand men. Kongming asked again for a volunteer to follow Xie Xiong, and Lieutenant Commander Gong Qi also came forward and received a command of three thousand men. Kongming subsequently pulled back twenty li and camped in case of a surprise attack by Hao Zhao.

  Xie Xiong advanced, but General Wang Shuang sliced him through in a brief clash. The Riverlands forces fled in defeat, pursued by the Wei general. Gong Qi joined the battle but fell to Wang Shuang's sword after two or three passes. When returning troops informed Kongming, he was astonished and ordered Liao Hua, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni forward to the front. The opposing lines—the Riverlands' and Wei's—formed, and Zhang Ni rode forth while Wang Ping and Liao Hua guarded the two wings. Wang Shuang raced out and engaged Zhang Ni, but they fought to a draw. Wang Shuang feigned defeat and fled; Zhang Ni gave chase. Wang Ping saw Zhang Ni being led into a trap, and he cried out, "Stop the chase!" As Zhang Ni turned sharply, Wang Shuang threw a hammer with lightning speed, hitting him square in the back. Zhang Ni slumped forward but galloped on. Wang Ping and Liao Hua interposed and escorted him safely back to camp. Wang Shuang's men swept down on the Riverlands troops, taking a heavy toll.

  Zhang Ni spit mouthfuls of blood. He told Kongming: "Wang Shuang is a mighty warrior; none can match him. Wei's defense is formidable: they have twenty thousand camped outside Chencang, palisades on four sides, strong walls, and a deep moat." Kongming had lost two commanders, and Zhang
Ni was badly wounded, so he summoned Jiang Wei and told him, "We cannot move down the road to Chencang. Is there any other way to get at them?" "With its fortifications, Hao Zhao's tight defense, and Wang Shuang's help," Jiang Wei said, "Chencang indeed cannot be taken. Another way might be to send a commander to set up a solid base in the hills hard by a stream and to have a second commander hold the main road to guard against another attack from Jieting. You, then, would take the main army quietly to Qishan while I took certain steps—Cao Zhen could be captured."

  Kongming approved Jiang Wei's plan, sending Wang Ping and Li Hui to defend the road near Jieting with two contingents, and Wei Yan to post forces on the road to Chencang. Ma Dai had the vanguard; Guan Xing and Zhang Bao coordinated front and rear reinforcement. Kongming's army set out on bypaths through Ye Gorge and headed for the hills of Qishan.

  Cao Zhen had never forgotten how Sima Yi had robbed him of his laurels in the previous campaign. Accordingly, after reaching Luoyang he assigned Guo Huai and Sun Li to establish defensive positions east and west of the capital. Afterward, he sent Wang Shuang to relieve the emergency at Chencang. Delighted now with the reports of Wang Shuang's exploits, he sent General Fei Yao, the central defender of the Army, to serve provisionally as commander of the Forward Army. Cao Zhen had other commanders secure the various strongpoints.

  Suddenly the capture of a spy was announced, and Cao Zhen had the man brought in. Kneeling, the man said, "This humble one is no spy. I come on a secret mission to the field marshal. Troops posted on the road took me by mistake. Please dismiss your attendants." Cao Zhen had the man's arms freed and sent his attendants away. The man went on, "I am in the service of Jiang Wei and carry a secret message from him." At Cao Zhen's request the courier drew the message from an inside garment and presented it. Cao Zhen opened it. The text read:

  From Jiang Wei, the deserting commander, one hundred prostrations and this letter, submitted to the field marshal of the Cao banners. Because I have long been supported as a servant of the Wei, I was dispatched to defend a border town. Favored by your generosity, I found no way to repay it. Recently I fell into Zhuge Liang's trap and had to find a way to survive a desperate situation. How could I ever forget my former kingdom? Now by good fortune the Riverlands troops have moved west, and Zhuge Liang trusts me implicitly. I am counting on you, Field Marshal, to come with a large force. If you meet up with the enemy, feign defeat. I will be to their rear and will signal with fire: first we'll burn out their supplies, then you will fall upon them, Field Marshal, in a surprise attack. Zhuge Liang can be captured. I seek no distinction in serving my kingdom, only the redemption of my former crime. If I receive favorable consideration, send your command with all speed.8

  Delighted by this opportunity, Cao Zhen cried, "Heaven sends me success!" After rewarding the courier, he sent him back to report that he would cooperate at the time indicated. Cao Zhen summoned General Fei Yao to discuss the matter. "Jiang Wei has sent a secret communication," he said, "and would have us take certain steps..." "Zhuge Liang is all tricks!" Fei Yao warned, "and Jiang Wei is shrewder than most. Zhuge Liang could be behind this. It may be a trap!" Cao Zhen replied, "Jiang Wei was a man of Wei to start with and defected only because he had no other choice. Your suspicions are groundless." "Do not risk it, Field Marshal," Fei Yao persisted. "Sit tight here in camp. I will take a detachment and receive Jiang Wei. If I succeed, the credit will go to you. If there is treachery here, I will deal with it myself." Pleased with this plan, Cao Zhen ordered Fei Yao to move toward Ye Gorge with fifty thousand soldiers.

  After marching several stages, Fei Yao camped and sent out scouts. That afternoon a report came back: "Riverlands troops are moving through Ye Gorge." Fei Yao advanced at full speed. The Riverlands troops retreated without engaging; Fei Yao pursued. More Riverlands troops came but withdrew again without assuming battle formation. The Riverlanders approached and withdrew—three times all told—until late afternoon of the following day. During this time the northern troops could not rest for fear of being attacked. As the Wei troops finally settled in to prepare their meal, thunderous shouts surrounded them and drums and horns sounded out as the Riverlands troops swarmed over hill and plain.

  The bannered front of the Riverlands line parted, revealing a four-wheeled carriage bearing Kongming, sitting erect. He sent a man to call on the Wei commander to meet with him. Fei Yao galloped forth and, spotting Kongming, rejoiced in his heart. Turning to his followers, he said, "If they move against us, withdraw and flee. When you see fire behind the hill, turn back again and slaughter them. Troops are coming to back you up." Having issued these instructions, Fei Yao charged boldly out on his high-stepping mount and shouted: "A defeated general dares to show himself again?" "Have Cao Zhen come and talk to me!" Kongming responded. Fei Yao taunted him: "Field Marshal Cao belongs to the royal family. He would never lower himself to meet a traitor!" In great anger Kongming motioned with his feathered fan, and two forces, led by Ma Dai on the right and Zhang Yi on the left, charged onto the field.

  The Wei troops withdrew; but before they had gone thirty li, they saw flames behind the Riverlands army. Shouting voices were everywhere. Thinking it was the fire signal, Fei Yao reversed course and began to slaughter the Riverlanders. When the Riverlands troops retreated, Fei Yao raised his sword and led the chase on toward the source of the shouting. But as they approached the site of the flames, the hillside paths echoed with the beat of drums and the blast of horns. The earth shook as two Riverlands companies sprang forth: on the left Guan Xing, on the right Zhang Bao. From above, shafts and stones pelted the northerners, and their ranks disintegrated. Fei Yao, realizing he was caught, ordered a swift retreat into the valleys; but his forces were spent. From behind, Guan Xing swept down with fresh troops. The Wei soldiers trampled one another, and many others drowned.

  Fei Yao fled for his life. But on a hillslope he encountered a band of troops led by Jiang Wei. "Faithless, treacherous villain!" Fei Yao shouted. "By bad luck I fell into your fiendish trap!" Jiang Wei smiled and said, "I was trying to capture Cao Zhen and did not mean to entrap you. Dismount and submit." Without responding, Fei Yao bolted toward a valley but found himself facing a towering wall of flame; behind, the enemy was closing in. Fei Yao cut his own throat, and his followers surrendered.

  Kongming urged the Riverlands troops on until they had pushed through the hills of Qishan. After pitching camp on the farther eastern side, he gathered in his forces and rewarded Jiang Wei. "If only we had killed Cao Zhen," Jiang Wei remarked ruefully. "It is too bad that our grand plan came to so little," Kongming replied.

  The news of Fei Yao's death caused Cao Zhen deep regret. With Guo Huai he began planning anew how to force the Riverlanders back. Sun Yi and Xin Pi dispatched a memorial to Luoyang to inform the ruler of Wei that the Shu army had come through the Qishan hills and that Cao Zhen had suffered heavy losses of men and commanders, with the result that the northerners' overall position was in danger. In alarm Cao Rui called for Sima Yi and said to him, "Cao Zhen defeated, and the Riverlanders on this side of the mountains! How can we push them back?" "Your servant," Sima Yi responded, "has a plan to force Zhuge Liang back. Without any show of force by the Wei army, the enemy will flee of its own accord." Indeed:

  Since Cao Zhen had no means to win,

  He had to count on Sima Yi's plan.

  What was the plan?

  Read on.

  98

  Wang Shuang Is Executed While Pursuing the Han Army;

  Kongming Is Victorious After Raiding Chencang

  Sima Yi addressed his ruler: "In a previous petition I predicted that Kongming would come through Chencang; I therefore sent Hao Zhao to defend it. Now my prediction has been confirmed. The enemy needs Chencang to supply its invasion. Fortunately, Hao Zhao and Wang Shuang hold it, blocking the enemy's grain line, and all other routes are too narrow for easy transport. The Riverlands army should have no more than a month's grain and will be eager for an early encounter. Delay will
thus work to our advantage. Your Majesty, issue an edict ordering Cao Zhen to defend the key routes and strongpoints but to avoid battle; within a month the Riverlanders will be gone, and we can strike and capture Zhuge Liang!"

  Cao Rui said enthusiastically, "Since you can see so far ahead, why not take your own army to surprise the enemy?" Sima Yi responded, "My own life means little to me, but I want to keep my force intact to check any move from the south by Lu Xun. Before long Sun Quan is bound to declare himself emperor; and when he does, he will strike north to preempt an attack by Your Majesty. I would prefer to be ready for him." Even as Sima Yi was speaking, a privileged attendant announced to the throne, "Field Marshal Cao's report on the military situation." "Your Majesty," Sima Yi said, "warn Cao Zhen at once that all who pursue the Riverlands troops must beware of the enemy's strengths and not enter fortified areas, or they will fall into one of Zhuge Liang's traps."

  Cao Rui readily authorized his master of ceremony, Han Ji, to bear this warning to Cao Zhen: "Avoid Riverlands troops under all circumstances; concentrate on vigilant defense; attack only after the enemy retreats." Sima Yi escorted Han Ji outside the capital and left him with this instruction: "I want credit for the victory to go to Cao Zhen. So when you see him, there's no need to mention that I suggested these tactics. Simply say that the Son of Heaven has authorized by edict a policy of strict defense. And remember: whoever he sends to pursue the Riverlanders must exercise great care. Tell him not to use anyone rash or excitable." Han Ji took leave and departed.