“You’re late,” he cried.
In haste both dismounted and knelt down. “Your strategy is really marvelous, sir!”
They were allowed to enter the city.
Zhuge Liang then explained to them: “When I heard of Hao Zhao’s serious illness, I told you to take the city in three days. That was to conceal my real plan. Then I ordered Guan and Zhang to muster their men—pretending to be just holding a roll call—and secretly move out of Hanzhong. I hid myself in their ranks. Then the army advanced by double march to the city wall so that the enemy would be unable to summon reinforcements. Besides, I had already planted spies inside the city to start a fire and stir up a hubbub to scare the men of Wei, who would be thrown into confusion without their commander. And seizing the city was like turning over my hand. As the Art of War says, ‘Do what your enemy does not expect you to do; attack when your enemy is unprepared.’”
They bowed again in admiration. In commiseration Zhuge Liang allowed Hao Zhao’s family to take his coffin back to Wei, thus to show his loyalty to his country.
Turning once more to the two generals, he said, “Don’t take off your armor yet. Go and launch a surprise attack on San Pass. The troops there will certainly flee in panic at your approach. If you delay, Wei will have sent reinforcements.”
They went. Surely enough the defenders of the pass all fled and the capture was as smooth as Zhuge Liang had predicted. But before they could strip off their armor they saw in the distance a great cloud of dust moving toward them—the Wei reinforcements were already near.
They marveled at the keen foresight of the prime minister. Then they hurried up the watch tower to look and saw the approaching Wei general was Zhang He.
They then divided their men to hold crucial roads. When Zhang He saw this, he ordered retreat. Wei Yan followed, slaying numerous Wei soldiers. Zhang He left in defeat. Wei Yan returned to the pass and sent news of their success to Zhuge Liang, who then led a force out of Chencang and Ye Valley to capture Jianwei. The rest of the Shu army progressed steadily. Moreover, the Emperor sent another general, Chen Shi by name, to assist in the campaign. Soon Zhuge Liang’s main force had again moved out of Qishan and there made a camp.
Then he addressed a general assembly: “Twice have I led the army out by Qishan without success, and now I am here again. I’m sure the men of Wei will resume the battle positions of earlier times. They will assume that I’m going to attack Yong and Mei and will send armies to defend these cities. But I see Yinping and Wudu are connected with the land of our country, and if I can win these cities I can drive a wedge into the Wei force. Who will go and capture these places?”
Jiang Wei and Wang Ping offered themselves. So the former was given 10,000 men to capture Wudu; the latter, with an equal force, went to Yin-ping.
Zhang He went back to Chang’an and said to his colleagues, “Chencang is lost and Hao Zhao is dead. San Pass is also taken. Zhuge Liang is again at Qishan and his army is advancing by different routes.”
Guo Huai was frightened. “In that case, Yong and Mei are in danger.”
Leaving Zhang He to guard Chang’an, he sent Sun Li to Yongcheng, while he himself set out at once for Meicheng. At the same time he dispatched an urgent message to Luoyang.
At the Wei court, the Emperor was informed of his army’s losses and defeats in the west. He had hardly recovered from the shock when suddenly a report arrived stating Sun Quan’s enthronement, his alliance with Shu, and Lu Xun’s preparations for an imminent invasion of Wei. Hearing that both the west and the south were in critical situations, Cao Rui was frightened and did not know what to do. Cao Zhen, being ill, could not be consulted, and so Sima Yi was called.
“In my humble opinion, Wu will not attack us,” said Sima Yi readily.
“What makes you think so?” asked the Emperor.
“Because Zhuge Liang has always cherished a desire to avenge the loss at Xiaoting. Not that he does not wish to absorb Wu, but he fears that we may swoop down upon him. That is why he enters into this temporary alliance with Wu. Lu Xun also knows it full well, and he is only making a show of raising an army to respond to Zhuge Liang’s call to arms. Actually, he is sitting on the fence. Hence Your Majesty may disregard the menace from the south and only protect yourself against Shu.”
“Your insight is really remarkable!” said the Emperor, who created Sima Yi commander-in-chief of all the forces in the west. A courtier was directed to go to Cao Zhen for the seal.
“I would rather go myself,” said Sima Yi. So he took leave of the Emperor and went to Cao Zhen’s residence. When he had inquired after the sick general’s health, he said, “Shu and Wu have formed an alliance against us, and Zhuge Liang is encamped at Qishan again. Have you heard about these developments, General?”
Startled, Cao Zhen replied, “My people have kept back all news, knowing how ill I am. In that case the country is in danger. Why have they not made you commander-in-chief to stop this invasion?”
“I am not equal to the post,” said Sima Yi.
“Bring the seal and give it to him,” said Cao Zhen to his attendants.
“Do not worry, General. I would like to lend you a hand, but I dare not accept the seal.”
Leaping out of bed, Cao Zhen said, “If you do not take it, the country is surely at risk. Ill as I am, I must go and see the Emperor to recommend you.”
“The Emperor has already kindly issued his appointment, but I dare not accept his offer.”
“As commander you will drive off the Shu army,” said Cao Zhen in great joy.
Seeing Cao Zhen repeatedly offering him the seal, Sima Yi eventually accepted it. Then he took leave of the Emperor and led the army to Chang’an to fight a decisive battle with Zhuge Liang.
The seal of office changes hands,
Two armies now one force become.
The result of the battle will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER NINETY-NINE
Zhuge Liang Wins a Great Victory
Sima Yi Drives His Army into Shu
It was summer, the fourth month of the seventh year of Jian Xing in Shu. Zhuge Liang was at Qishan divided into three camps, waiting for the army of Wei.
In the meantime Sima Yi had reached Chang’an, where he was welcomed by Zhang He, who told him all that had happened. Sima Yi appointed Zhang He his leader of the van, with Dai Ling as his second, and then marched out to Qishan, camping on the south bank of the Wei River. Guo Huai and Sun Li went to see their new commander.
“Have you fought a large-scale battle with the enemy?” asked Sima Yi.
“Not yet.”
Sima Yi said, “The enemy has endured a long march and their chance lies in a quick victory. Their inaction can only mean they have some scheme laid out. Have you heard anything from the west?”
Guo Huai replied, “Scouts have sent in reports that commanders have guarded their positions very carefully day and night and all is calm. But there is no news from Wudu and Yinping.”
“I will send someone to challenge Zhuge Liang to a battle. You two go and take some byroads behind the enemy forces to rescue these two towns. Then attack the rear of the Shu army so as to throw them into disorder.”
Guo Huai and Sun Li set out with 5,000 men to carry out this order, and on the way they fell to discussing Sima Yi.
“How does Sima Yi compare with Zhuge Liang?” asked Guo Huai.
“Zhuge Liang is far more clever,” replied Sun Li.
“He may be cleverer, yet this scheme of our commander’s shows him to be superior to most men. If the men of Shu are attacking those two places, and we unexpectedly fall upon their rear, how can they not be in chaos?”
But even as they spoke a scout rode forth to say that the two cities were now in the enemy’s possession and furthermore, that the Shu army was not far ahead.
Sun Li said, “Why do they post their army out in the open when they have already taken those two cities? There must be some ruse afoot. We’d better retreat.”
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His companion agreed, and they issued orders to face about and retreat. Just then a bomb exploded, and, all at once, there suddenly appeared from the cover of some hills a body of men. On the flag that came forward they read the name “Zhuge Liang,” and in the midst of the company they saw him, seated in a small chariot. On his left was Guan Xing, and on his right, Zhang Bao.
They were startled. Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “Don’t try to run away. Did you think Sima Yi’s ruse would deceive me? He sent someone to challenge me to fight every day, indeed, while you were to slip behind my army and attack! Now I have captured the two cities. Why don’t you surrender quickly? Do you attempt to fight a battle with me?”
His words struck real terror into them. Then behind them loud shouts of battle arose, and Wang Ping and Jiang Wei began to smite them in the rear, while Guan Xing and Zhang Bao bore down upon them in front. Soon they were utterly broken. Abandoning their horses, they tried to escape by scrambling up the hillside. Seeing this, Zhang Bao urged his steed forward to catch them, but unfortunately he and his horse fell crashing into a gully. When his men picked him up they found his head badly hurt. Zhuge Liang sent him back to Chengdu to nurse his wound.
Guo Huai and Sun Li escaped and went back to see Sima Yi. “Wudu and Yinping are both in the enemy’s possession. Zhuge Liang had prepared an ambush, and attacked us both from the front and rear. So we lost the day and only escaped on foot.”
“It’s no fault of yours,” said the commander. “Zhuge Liang is cleverer than me. Now take some troops to defend Yong and Mei. But remember, never go out to give battle. I have a plan to defeat them.”
These two having left, Sima Yi called in Zhang He and Dai Ling. “Zhuge Liang has captured Wudu and Yinping. He must be pacifying the people of these places, and so will be absent from his camp. Tonight I want you to each take 10,000 men and make your way quietly to the rear of the Shu army. Then attack vigorously. Meanwhile, I will deploy the army in front of their camp. When they show signs of disorder I will attack them in full force. With the combined strength of our two armies their camp will be seized. If I have the advantage of these hills their defeat will be easy.”
So the two commanders left along separate routes, Zhang He on the right and his colleague on the left. They took byroads and got well to the rear of the Shu army. At midnight they struck the high road and joined forces. Then they charged forth, intending to smite the enemy in the rear. After marching about thirty li their men in front suddenly halted. The two officers galloped up to see what had caused them to stop and found several hundred carts of hay drawn across the road.
“This means our enemy is prepared,” said Zhang He. “We should withdraw.”
But they had hardly ordered the men to retreat than flames danced all over the hill, and amid rolling drums and blaring trumpets, the Shu soldiers sprang out and surrounded them on every side. At the same time Zhuge Liang shouted from the hilltop, “Listen, Dai Ling and Zhang He! Sima Yi reckoned that I would be busy restoring order in the two towns and so would not be in my camp. Therefore he sent you to assault my camp, but you have fallen into my snare. As you are officers of no great importance I will not harm you. Dismount and yield.”
Zhang He’s wrath blazed forth at this, and he pointed at Zhuge Liang, crying, “You rustic of the woods, invader of our great country! How dare you utter such words to me? Wait till I catch you—I will tear you to shreds.”
He galloped forward to ascend the hill, his spear ready to thrust. But from the hill arrows and stones pelted down, forcing him back. Then, urging his steed and raising his spear, he dashed in among the Shu soldiers, who receded as he came on. He got clear of the encirclement, but when he saw his colleague was not with him he at once turned back, fought his way to his comrade, and brought him out safely.
From the hilltop Zhuge Liang watched him thrust about fearlessly, and his valor seemed to redouble as he fought. The huge crowd of soldiers did not seem to exist for him at all.
“I have heard that men stood aghast when Zhang Fei fought his terrible battle with Zhang He. Now I have seen it for myself and know his valor. He will do harm to Shu one day if I spare him. He will have to be removed.”
Then he returned to his camp. By this time Sima Yi had completed his battle line and was anxiously waiting for the moment of confusion in the Shu army to attack. Suddenly he saw his two officers come back in a sorry state. They told him how Zhuge Liang had anticipated them and so they were completely defeated.
“He is really more than human!” exclaimed Sima Yi. “We’d better retreat.”
So the whole army retreated into the fortified camps and would not come out.
Thus Zhuge Liang scored a great victory, obtaining large spoils of equipment, weapons, and horses. The army then went back to camp.
Thereafter he sent Wei Yan out to challenge every day, but the Wei army remained obstinately behind their shelter. This continued for half a month. That day Zhuge Liang was brooding over this in his tent when he was told that the Second Ruler had sent Fei Yi with an edict from the capital. Zhuge Liang received the imperial document with all respect, and incense was burnt as propriety demanded. Then the edict was opened and read out to Zhuge Liang:
The failure at Jieting was really due to the fault of Ma Su. However, you held yourself responsible and blamed yourself very severely. As I was unwilling to defy your wish, I complied. However, that was a glorious exploit of yours last year when Wang Shuang was slain. And this year you have sent Guo Huai fleeing, subdued the Di and Qiang tribesmen, and recovered two cities. You have struck fear into the hearts of all our enemies and thus rendered magnificent services.
The land is still in chaos, and our arch enemy has not been destroyed. You shoulder a great responsibility in the administration of my state. Yet too long have you remained in self-mortification, which is not the way to glorify our cause. Therefore I restore you to the rank of prime minister. Pray do not decline the honor.
Zhuge Liang heard the edict to the end and then said, “My task is not yet accomplished—how can I return to the office of prime minister?” And he resolutely refused to accept the post.
Fei Yi said, “If you decline this you flout the desire of the Emperor and also hurt the feelings of the army. Better to accept it for the moment.”
Only then did Zhuge Liang agree to accept the honor. Fei Yi went away.
Seeing that Sima Yi persevered in maintaining the defensive, Zhuge Liang thought of a plan. He gave orders to break camp and retreat.
When scouts told Sima Yi about this, he said, “We mustn’t stir. There is bound to be some subtle scheme in this move.”
Zhang He argued, “It must mean that their food supply is exhausted. How can we not pursue?”
“I reckon Zhuge Liang laid up ample supplies last year. Now the wheat is ripe, and he has plenty of grain and forage. Transport may be difficult, but he can hold out for six months. Why should he run away? He sees that we resolutely refuse battle, and he is trying some ruse to inveigle us into fighting. We can send spies ahead to find out what he is up to.”
Soon spies returned to say that Zhuge Liang had encamped thirty li away.
“I knew he would not withdraw,” said Sima Yi. “We must remain on the defensive still more strictly and not advance.”
Ten days passed without further news, nor did the men of Shu come to challenge. Again spies were sent far afield, and they reported that the men of Shu had broken camp and left. Incredulous, Sima Yi changed his clothes and went to see it for himself, hiding among the soldiers. Truly enough, he found that the Shu army had retreated another thirty li.
“That is Zhuge Liang’s scheme,” said Sima Yi to Zhang He when he returned. “Don’t pursue.”
Another ten days passed and again spies were sent out. They came back to say that the enemy had gone yet another thirty li ahead and encamped.
Zhang He said, “Commander, why are you so suspicious? I can see that Zhuge Liang is retreating into Hanzhong, onl
y he is doing it step-by-step. Why not pursue him before it is too late? Let me attack him!”
“But Zhuge Liang’s vile tricks are innumerable,” cautioned Sima Yi. “A defeat would destroy the morale of our men, and it’s better not to risk it.”
“If I go and am beaten I will stand the full rigor of military punishment,” declared Zhang He.
“Well, if you’re set on going, let us divide the army. You take a troop and go first, but you must urge your men to fight their very hardest. I will follow to help in case of ambush. Depart tomorrow and pitch camp halfway. Then engage the enemy the day after. Thus the army won’t suffer from exhaustion.”
So the next day Zhang He, in highly militant spirits, started out first, taking with him Dai Ling and 30,000 veteran soldiers led by dozens of lesser officers. Halfway they camped. Sima Yi, leaving a substantial guard in the camp, set out along the same road with 5,000 men.
Now these movements of the army of Wei were not lost on Zhuge Liang, who had sent spies to reconnoiter. Knowing that Zhang He’s army had camped to rest, he summoned his officers that night and said to them: “The enemies are coming in pursuit and will fight desperately. To oppose them each of you will have to fight with the strength of ten, and I will set an ambush to block their rear. Only a wise and bold warrior is fit for this task.”
As he closed this speech he fixed his gaze at Wei Yan, who, however, hung his head without response.
Then Wang Ping stepped forth and volunteered. “I will go.”
“But if you fail, what then?” asked Zhuge Liang.
“I will answer by the military law.”
Zhuge Liang sighed. “Wang Ping is really most loyal! He is willing to risk arrows and stones in his country’s service. However, our enemies are coming in two divisions, one coming in front, the other trying to get round to the rear of our men in ambush. Wang Ping is clever and bold enough, but he can’t be in two places at once, so I must have yet another officer. But alas! Is there no one else in the army who is willing to risk death?”
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: An Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 36