Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Zhang He retreated once he realized that Shu troops now held the pass. Wei Yan pursued and took a heavy toll of the northerners. The Wei general quit the field; and Wei Yan, after returning to the pass, informed Kongming of the latest developments. The prime minister, for his part, had already led his own troops out of Chencang and Ye Gorge and had seized Jianwei; behind him in swift succession followed the forces of Shu as well as General Chen Shi, whom the Second Emperor had sent to aid him. Kongming emerged from the Qishan hills in full force, pitched camp, and then spoke to the assembled army: "My first two sorties from these mountains ended badly. Now we find ourselves on this ground again. I feel certain that the northerners will oppose us here as they have before. They mean to deceive us into trying to take Yong and Mei, which they will have well fortified. But Yinping and Wudu offer access to Hanzhong; by taking those towns, we can split the Wei force. Who dares to try?" Jiang Wei volunteered, followed by Wang Ping. Well pleased, Kongming assigned ten thousand troops to Jiang Wei to capture Wudu, and ten thousand to Wang Ping to capture Yinping. The two departed with their forces.

  Zhang He returned to Chang'an and presented himself to Guo Huai and Sun Li. "Chencang is lost," he informed them, "and Hao Zhao is dead. The westerners have seized San Pass. Kongming has sallied forth again from Qishan along several routes." Guo Huai was astonished. "In that case, he will try to take Yong and Mei," he said. Guo Huai left Zhang He in charge of Chang'an's defenses, ordered Sun Li to the town of Yong, and hurried to the town of Mei with his own forces. At the same time he sent a petition to the capital announcing the emergency to Cao Rui.

  Cao Rui was holding court when a personal vassal told him, "Chencang is lost, Hao Zhao dead. Zhuge Liang has again taken the field, and his army has seized San Pass." The Wei ruler expressed alarm. A fresh petition then arrived from Man Chong: "Sun Quan has usurped the title of emperor and formed an alliance with Shu. He has sent Lu Xun to Wuchang to train the army and await orders. We expect them to invade at any moment." Thus beset on either side, Cao Rui felt himself sliding into despair, unable to decide what course to take. Since at the time Cao Zhen had not yet recovered his health, Cao Rui consulted Sima Yi.

  Sima Yi addressed the sovereign: "In my own humble estimation, the Southland will make no move." "How do you know?" Cao Rui responded.5 "Kongming," he replied, "has never abandoned his desire to avenge the defeat at Jieting and has every intention of devouring the Southland. But he also has us to worry about. That's why he has made an alliance of opportunity with the Riverlands. But of course Lu Xun knows the score and is simply making 'invasion' gestures to satisfy Kongming. In fact, the south means to wait and watch the outcome. So, Your Majesty, no defense is needed against Wu—only against Shu!" "A suggestion of great insight!" Cao Rui exclaimed and made Sima Yi first field marshal of the forces, including the Longxi armies. He ordered a personal vassal to obtain the seal of command from Cao Zhen for Sima Yi. But Sima Yi said, "I'll go for it myself."6

  Sima Yi took leave of the Emperor and went directly from the court to Cao Zhen's headquarters. After having himself announced, Sima Yi entered, inquired about Cao Zhen's illness, and then said, "The Southland and the Riverlands are joining forces for an invasion of our territory. Kongming has already camped on the eastern side of the Qishan hills. Is Your Lordship aware of this?" Cao Zhen gulped in amazement. "Those around me," he answered, "have kept this from me, knowing I was ill. It seems that the dynasty is in dire peril. Zhongda, you should be made field marshal for the purpose of driving back the western army." Sima Yi replied, "My meagre talent and shallow knowledge are hardly adequate to such an office." Cao Zhen went on, "Have the seal handed to Zhongda." "Spare yourself the anxiety, Field Marshal," Sima Yi answered. "I shall lend what strength I have—only I can't bring myself to accept the seal." Cao Zhen leaped from his bed and cried, "Unless you undertake the task, Zhongda, the northland is doomed. Sick as I am, I shall betake myself to the Emperor to recommend you for this post." Sima Yi then told him: "The Son of Heaven's gracious command has already been given, but I could not bear to accept it." Well pleased, Cao Zhen said, "Under your command, we can push back the western army." Cao Zhen offered the seal twice, then a third time; finally Sima Yi accepted it. After taking leave of the ruler of Wei, Sima Yi marched to Chang'an for the showdown with Kongming. Indeed:

  As a new commander received the old seal,

  Two great armies became unified.7

  Would the north prevail, or the west?

  Read on.

  99

  Zhuge Liang Defeats the Wei Army;

  Sima Yi Pillages the Riverlands

  In summer, in the fourth month of the seventh year of Jian Xing by the Shu-Han calendar (a. d. 229), Kongming moved his troops into the hills of Qishan and deployed them in three fortified sites to await the army of Wei.

  Sima Yi marched to Chang'an, where Zhang He welcomed him and recounted the recent developments. Sima Yi commanded Zhang He to lead the vanguard, keeping Dai Ling to serve as his own lieutenant commander. Then his force advanced to Qishan, one hundred thousand strong, and camped on the south side of the River Wei.1

  Guo Huai and Sun Li presented themselves. Sima Yi asked, "Have you met the enemy in full battle?" "Not yet," they replied. "They have come a long way," Sima Yi continued, "and will need to fight soon. But if, having come, they refrain from battle, then they're up to something! Have we news from our Longxi armies?" Guo Huai answered, "Reports say that the various districts have conscientiously aided our forces—that is all. We have heard nothing from Wudu and Yinping." Sima Yi said, "I will dispatch someone to engage Kongming. You two, go by the Longxi side roads, relieve Wudu and Yinping, and surprise the Shu soldiers from the rear. That should rout them." The two commanders led five thousand men to carry out their orders.

  En route Guo Huai said to Sun Li, "How would you rate Sima Yi against Kongming?" Sun Li replied, "Kongming is far above him." "Agreed," Guo Huai said. "Yet in this plan Sima Yi excels. If the Riverlands troops attack those two district towns and we strike them from behind, will they be able to escape destruction?" At that moment a mounted scout reported: "Wang Ping has taken Yinping, and Jiang Wei has taken Wudu. The Riverlands army is not far ahead." Sun Li responded, "If they have already subdued those towns, why would they deploy outside them? It must be a trick. We had better retreat at once." Guo Huai agreed. But no sooner had they issued orders for the retreat than a bombard roared and a contingent flashed into view under a banner reading "Prime Minister of the Han, Zhuge Liang." In the center of the troops, on a single four-wheeled chariot, Kongming sat, poised and erect, flanked by Guan Xing and Zhang Bao.

  Sun Li and Guo Huai were astounded. With a loud laugh Kongming said, "Stand in place, Guo Huai, Sun Li! Do you think a scheme of Sima Yi's could take me in? Every day he had his men trying to engage my forward positions, all the while trying to surprise the rear. Well, Wudu and Yinping are mine now, and you two should surrender swiftly unless you're ready for a showdown!" Guo Huai and Sun Li stood confounded. Suddenly war cries filled the sky behind them as Wang Ping and Jiang Wei charged their rear and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao struck from the front. Trapped between the two Riverlands corps, the Wei force suffered a great defeat. Guo Huai and Sun Li abandoned their horses and scampered over the hill to safety. Zhang Bao kept them in view and charged after them, but he pitched headfirst into a rushing stream; his men rode up and rescued him. Bao's head was injured, so Kongming had him taken back to Chengdu to recover.

  Meanwhile, Guo Huai and Sun Li reported the defeat to Sima Yi: "Both districts, Wudu and Yinping, are lost. Kongming hid his men along the main route, then hit us hard front and rear. We left our horses and struggled back on foot." Sima Yi said, "It's not your fault. Kongming outwitted me. Take more troops now and defend the two towns, Yong and Mei, but give no battle. I have another way to defeat the enemy." The two men took leave and departed.

  Sima Yi summoned Zhang He and Dai Ling and instructed them: "Kongming is bound to try to win the g
oodwill and support of the people in Wudu and Yinping, so he won't be in his camp. Tonight, take ten thousand picked men each; make a detour behind the Riverlanders and then storm their positions. I will deploy to the front of their camp and direct my troops to attack as soon as the enemy's ranks start to break. Our combined forces should suffice to take the camp. And once we make this hilly stronghold ours, the enemy will give in." The two commanders left to carry out their orders.

  Dai Ling on the left, Zhang He on the right, the northern force advanced along the lesser routes and penetrated the enemy lines. During the third watch the two Wei armies came together on the main route, integrated their troops, and began advancing on the rear of the Riverlands camp. But before they had gone thirty li, the forward contingent was stopped by several hundred loaded hay carts blocking the road. Zhang He cried, "They've been warned! Return at once!" Hardly had the order to retreat come down than the hillsides began to burn and the din of drum and horn shook the earth. Troops emerged from ambush and boxed in the two northern commanders.

  From his place in the Qishan hills Kongming shouted out, "Hear me, Dai Ling and Zhang He! Sima Yi thought I would leave camp for Wudu and Yinping to reassure the inhabitants. He sent you to raid my camp, but you have played into my hands. Since I will not kill two subordinate generals, I call on you to dismount and submit!" In great anger Zhang He pointed at Kongming and denounced him: "You hill-town hick! You have crossed into the territory of a great dynasty. How dare you make such claims! When I get hold of you, your corpse will end up in ten thousand pieces!" So saying, he hoisted his spear and charged up the slope.

  A storm of arrows and stones met Zhang He. Unable to proceed, he whipped his horse and worked his spear as he broke through the enemy encirclement. No one could oppose him. Shu soldiers surrounded Dai Ling. Zhang He escaped the way he had come, but then he turned and with furious courage recrossed the enemy lines to rescue his cocommander. From the hilltop Kongming watched Zhang He charge and thrust to and fro, even more splendid and valiant than before. Turning to his aides, Kongming said, "They say men gaped in awe when Zhang Fei fought Zhang He; now seeing Zhang He for myself, I can appreciate his prowess. But he will prove dangerous to Shu, and so we must do away with him." So saying, he collected his forces and returned to camp.

  During this time Sima Yi had deployed his troops into attack formation, awaiting the collapse of the westerners' position. Suddenly he saw Zhang He and Dai Ling coming at him helter-skelter to announce, "He was ready for us! And routed us!" Sima Yi was astounded. "Kongming is more than human. We have no choice. Retreat," he said, and he sent the entire army back to camp with orders to maintain strict defense.

  Kongming led the Riverlands army back to camp with a bounty of captured arms and horses. He sent Wei Yan out each day to call the army to arms; but the Wei forces would not come forth. A fortnight passed thus without an engagement. Kongming kept to his tent to weigh the situation. Suddenly the arrival of an imperial edict was announced, and Kongming welcomed the bearer Fei Yi into the camp. After the ceremonial burning of incense, Kongming opened the document, which read:

  Though our defeat at Jieting was Ma Su's fault, you accepted the blame and abdicated your office. Unwilling to violate your wishes, I acceded to your demotion to general of the Right and acting prime minister. In last year's glorious campaign Wang Shuang's head was taken. And this year's campaign drove Guo Huai to flight. Moreover, we have subdued and recruited from the two nations, the Di and the Qiang, and we have recovered two districts. Your fierce authority has impressed itself upon cruel and ruthless enemies. This is merit of the highest distinction.

  Now the empire knows no peace, and the leader of our foe remains unpunished. You undertook a grave responsibility for the cause of this house. But too long have you suffered the injustice of your self-abasement. This is no way to sustain the glory of my father's cause. Today I restore your position as prime minister and urge you not to decline.2

  After reading the edict, Kongming said to Fei Yi, "The cause of this house remains unfulfilled. How can I resume my office?" Kongming steadfastly refused to accept the decree. "If you do not accept, Your Excellency," Fei Yi said, "if you ignore the Emperor's wishes in this matter, it will lessen the ardor of our men. Accept, if only for now." Reluctantly Kongming did so, and Fei Yi departed.

  Kongming thought of a fresh plan to deal with Sima Yi's tactic of refusing to engage, and ordered his troops to break camp. Spies soon informed Sima Yi that Kongming was retreating. "He surely has some master plan," Sima Yi said. "We cannot risk another action." But Zhang He said, "They're out of grain, that's all. We ought to pursue them." "It seems to me," Sima Yi replied, "that Kongming had a big harvest last year and that this year's grain is ripening nicely for him. They may have transport problems, but they have more than enough to sustain themselves for half a year. Why would they pick up and go? They know we are holding back and they want to tempt us to battle. Have scouts follow them as far as they go, and report back."

  Sima Yi's scouts gained intelligence of the movements of the Shu forces and reported back: "Kongming has pitched camp thirty li from here." "Then he's not leaving," Sima Yi exclaimed. "Keep to quarters and do not advance." For the next ten days nothing further was heard, nor did any Shu commander come to present a challenge.

  Again, Sima Yi sent scouts; they reported back: "The Riverlanders have quit their position." Unpersuaded, Sima Yi, disguised as a soldier, went and satisfied himself that the western forces had indeed retreated another thirty li; then he returned to camp. He told Zhang He, "More of Kongming's tricks. To advance is too risky." Ten days later Sima Yi sent scouts again; they reported: "The Riverlanders have withdrawn another thirty li." Zhang He said to him, "Field Marshal, you can be sure Kongming is using the tactic of protracted withdrawal to evacuate Hanzhong. Why not pursue at once? I volunteer to fight to the finish!" "There is no end to Kongming's cunning," Sima Yi answered. "A single failure could blunt our fighting spirits. No advance." "Let me stand trial by martial law if I fail," Zhang He proclaimed. "In that case," Sima Yi said, "we'll take two contingents. You lead the first on ahead and fight without stint. I'll be behind to reinforce and prevent ambush. Tomorrow bivouac halfway; wait until the day after to engage. That will conserve the soldiers' strength." And so the two divided their command.

  The next day Zhang He and Dai Ling led a score of lieutenant commanders and thirty thousand picked troops in a spirited advance. They broke their march midway to the Shu position. Sima Yi followed with five thousand, leaving a large force to guard his base camp.

  Now it so happened that Kongming's secret scouts discovered that the Wei troops had stopped to rest after the first day's march. That night Kongming said to his commanders, "The northerners have pursued us. They will give no quarter. You will have to fight against the odds, as one against ten. I will place troops in ambush behind them. Only a commander as shrewd as he is bold can handle this." So saying, he eyed Wei Yan. Wei Yan lowered his head and said nothing.3 Wang Ping stepped forward and volunteered. "And if things go wrong?" Kongming asked him. "I will accept what military law requires," was the reply. Kongming sighed as he said, "Wang Ping would risk his life to brave the arrows and stones of the foe—truly a loyal vassal! Nevertheless, what if the Wei attack in two contingents, front and rear, and our ambush is interdicted? Shrewd and bold as Wang Ping is, he can only deal with one front. He can't be in two places at the same time. To have another commander in addition to him would be ideal. I can't believe that all of you hold life too dear to go out and meet the enemy!"

  As Kongming spoke, one commander stepped forth and volunteered. Kongming studied the man. It was Zhang Yi. "Zhang He is a famous Wei general of boundless courage," Kongming warned him. "You're not his match." "If I fail," Zhang Yi responded, "I will offer Your Excellency my head." "Since you are bold enough to try," Kongming said, "let you and Wang Ping take ten thousand crack troops each and place them in the valleys in ambush. As soon as the Wei troops arrive, al
low them to pass, then charge their rear and slaughter them. Now, if Sima Yi comes from behind you, divide into two companies: let Zhang Yi take on their second squad; and let Wang Ping cut off their forward squad. But show the foe no mercy! I have my own plan for lending you assistance." The two commanders departed with their instructions.

  Kongming next instructed Jiang Wei and Liao Hua: "Take this brocade sack and three thousand of our best men. Down your colors, still your drums, and hide on top of the hill ahead. If the northerners close in on Wang Ping and Zhang Yi, don't try to save them, no matter how bad it looks for them. Just open the sack for a plan to meet the danger." The two commanders departed with their troops to carry out the plan.

  In addition, Kongming gave oral commands to four commanders, Wu Ban, Wu Yi, Ma Zhong, and Zhang Ni: "If the northerners come tomorrow, they will be on their mettle. Do not engage directly. Flee, fight, and flee again, alternating until you see Guan Xing take the field. Then turn and face the enemy. I will reinforce you with my own men." The four commanders departed with their troops to execute their orders.

  Finally, Kongming instructed Guan Xing: "Hide five thousand crack troops in the valleys. As soon as you see a red flag flying on the hilltop, come out for the kill." Guan Xing, too, departed with his troops to execute Kongming's plan.

  The northern armies under commanders Zhang He and Dai Ling came swift and powerful as a storm. The four Riverlands commanders rode forth to engage, and Zhang He set upon them in force. The western troops fought, then withdrew. The northerners drove them back twenty li. It was the sixth month, and the midsummer heat was fierce. Sweat poured off the men and the horses. After chasing the Riverlanders fifty li, the Wei troops were spent. On his hilltop Kongming waved a red flag, and Guan Xing plunged into the battle. Ma Zhong and his three co-commanders again emerged from hiding to join the fighting. Zhang He and Dai Ling fought hard and held their ground. Suddenly the air rang with war cries as Wang Ping and Zhang Yi came into the field and in a bold advance cut off the northerners' retreat.