“If the men of Shu do appear I will give you the jade girdle and the steed that the Emperor gave me,” replied Cao Zhen.
So saying they split their force, Cao Zhen taking up his position to the west of Qishan in the mouth of Ye Valley, while Sima Yi encamped to the east in the entrance to Qi Valley.
As soon as the camp was settled, Sima Yi led a small force into hiding in the valley. The remainder of the force was placed in detachments on the key roads. Then Sima Yi disguised himself and mixed among the soldiers to survey all the camps. At one of them he stopped as he heard a junior officer complaining, his eyes turned skyward, “The rain has drenched us for days and they would not retreat. Now they have halted here again just for a wager. They have no pity for us officers and men.”
Sima Yi returned to his tent and assembled his officers. Hauling out the grumbler, he said to him angrily, “The state keeps the army a thousand days inactive so that it can be used for a single service. How dare you give vent to your spleen to the detriment of the army’s morale?”
The man would not admit, so his comrades were called to bear witness. And he could not deny.
“I am not here for a wager, but to overcome Shu so that all of you can return with merit,” said Sima Yi. “You bring punishment to yourself by complaining improperly.”
He ordered the man to be put to death, and very soon the victim’s head was brought before him. The others were terrified.
Sima Yi said, “All of you must do your utmost to guard against the enemy. When you hear a bomb explode in the center, rush out on all sides and attack.”
At this order they withdrew.
Now Wei Yan and three others, leading 20,000 men, were advancing by way of Qi Valley. As they were marching, the advisor Deng Zhi arrived. They asked him the reason for his appearance.
“I bear an order from the prime minister: Beware of the enemy’s ambush as you go out of the valley. Don’t advance in haste.”
Chen Shi objected, “Why is the prime minister so full of doubts? I reckon the incessant rain has damaged the clothing and armor of the men of Wei and they must be anxious to return home. How can there be any ambush? If we move in double time we can gain a great victory. Why are we to delay?”
Deng Zhi replied, “You know the prime minister’s plans always succeed. How dare you disobey his orders?”
Chen Shi smiled. “If he was really so resourceful we would not have lost Jieting.”
Wei Yan, recalling that Zhuge Liang had formerly rejected his plan, also laughed. “If he had listened to me and gone out through the Meridian Valley, not only Chang’an but Luoyang, too, would have been ours. Now he is bent on taking Qishan—but what is the good of it? He gave us the order to advance and now he wants us to stop. How confusing his orders are!”
Chen Shi continued, “You know what I will do. I will take my 5,000 men and go straight out of Qi Valley to be the first to camp at Qishan. See how ashamed the prime minister will look!”
Deng Zhi tried in vain to prevent him, but the willful officer hurried out of the valley with his troop. Deng Zhi could only return as quickly as possible to report to Zhuge Liang.
Meanwhile, Chen Shi proceeded. He had gone only a few li when he heard a bomb, and instantly he was hard-pressed from all sides. Hastily he tried to withdraw, but all the exits from the valley were covered by the enemy, and he was trapped as though in an iron cask. All his efforts to get out failed. Suddenly there sounded deafening shouts as Wei Yan came to his rescue. Chen Shi was saved but his 5,000 men were reduced to a mere one-tenth of wounded soldiers. The Wei army pursued. Fortunately, the other two Shu officers came up and finally the men of Wei retreated. The loss at last convinced Chen Shi and Wei Yan of Zhuge Liang’s marvelous prevision. They regretted very much their shortsightedness.
When Deng Zhi told the prime minister of their insolence, he only laughed. “Wei Yan has always shown a rebellious spirit—I know he often resents me. However, I pity him for his valor and so I have kept him in my service, but he will do real harm some day.”
Then came a messenger with news of Chen Shi’s defeat and the loss of many men. Zhuge Liang sent Deng Zhi back again to console the officer and so keep him from actual mutiny.
Then he called to his tent Ma Dai and Wang Ping and said to them: “If Ye Valley is guarded by our enemy, I want you two to go across the hills, marching by night and concealing yourselves by day, and swiftly make for the east of Qishan. When you arrive, light a fire as a signal.”
Ma Zhong and Zhang Yi were told to go in similar fashion to the west of Qishan and combine with the other two forces. Then the four of them were to make a joint attack on Cao Zhen’s camp. Zhuge Liang would also attack in the center to complete a three-sided assault. The four officers took the orders and left. Lastly, Guan Xing and Liao Hua received secret orders and departed as well.
Zhuge Liang led his force of veterans and marched rapidly. On the way two other detachments, led by Wu Ban and Wu Yi, received secret orders and left ahead of the main body.
Now Cao Zhen, who disbelieved that the Shu army would come, was negligent in his defense, allowing his men to rest. He was only waiting for the ten days to pass calmly.
Seven of the days had passed, when a scout reported seeing a few odd men of Shu coming out of the valley. Cao Zhen sent Qin Liang with 5,000 men to reconnoiter and keep them at bay. So the officer led the men to the entrance of the valley but as soon as he arrived the Shu troops withdrew. Qin Liang followed them for about sixty li, but they had simply disappeared. Perplexed, he ordered his men to dismount and rest.
But almost immediately scouts reported an enemy ambush ahead. He mounted his horse to look and saw a whirling cloud of dust rise in the hills. He hastily ordered his men to prepare for battle. In no time thunderous shouting resounded from the four sides. In front of him were Wu Ban and Wu Yi and behind him Guan Xing and Liao Hua. Retreat was impossible, as the right and left were blocked by hills, and from the hilltops came shouts of “Dismount and yield!”
Most of the Wei men surrendered. Qin Liang fought desperately but was killed by Liao Hua. Zhuge Liang put the defected Wei soldiers in the rear. With their clothes and arms he disguised his own men so that they looked like his enemies, and then he sent this division, under Guan Xing, Liao Hua, and the two Wus, to raid Cao Zhen’s camp. A messenger was sent ahead to tell Cao Zhen that there had been only a few scouts of Shu and they had all been chased out of sight, and so lull him into a false sense of security.
This news satisfied Cao Zhen. But just then a trusty messenger from Sima Yi was announced. Cao Zhen summoned him inside and questioned him.
The man said, “The vice commander employed ambuscades and killed more than 4,000 men of Shu. He told me to tell you, Commander, not to think any more about the wager but to take most careful precautions against the enemy.”
“But there is not a single Shu soldier here,” said Cao Zhen.
He sent the messenger back. After a while he was told that Qin Liang’s men had returned, and he went out to meet them. Just as he got near, there came reports of two fires in the front and rear of his camp. He hastened to turn back to investigate, but it was too late. The four Shu officers waved on their men and dashed up to attack the camp from the front. At the same time Ma Dai and Wang Ping came up behind and Ma Zhong and Zhang Yi also joined in.
Caught unprepared, the men of Wei scattered and ran for their lives. Cao Zhen, protected by his officers, fled toward the east, chased by the Shu army. As he was fleeing there arose a great shouting, and up came a troop at full speed. Cao Zhen’s heart sank at this but it was Sima Yi, whose men fought fiercely and finally drove off the pursuers.
Though Cao Zhen was saved, he was almost too ashamed to show his face.
Sima Yi said, “Zhuge Liang has seized Qishan, and we mustn’t remain here for long. Let’s move on to the banks of the Wei River, where we may plan how to recover our lost ground.”
“How did you know I was being defeated?” asked Cao
Zhen.
“My messenger told me that there was not a single man of Shu in your place, and I reckoned Zhuge Liang would try to seize your camp. So I came to your aid. And you have already fallen into his trap. But let’s forget about the wager. We must both do our best for the country.”
But the mortification was too bitter to bear and Cao Zhen fell ill, confined to his bed. The army camped by the riverside. Sima Yi, afraid to cause further disorder in the army, dared not advise Cao Zhen to return.
At the same time, Zhuge Liang once again advanced through Qishan in full force. After the army had feasted, Wei Yan and his three comrades came into the tent and knelt down to admit their guilt.
“Who caused the loss?” asked Zhuge Liang.
Wei Yan said, “Chen Shi disobeyed the order and rushed into the valley, so we were routed.”
“Wei Yan told me to do so,” said Chen Shi.
“He rescued you yet you want to shift the blame on to him,” said Zhuge Liang. “However, you have disobeyed the order and it is useless to argue.”
Chen Shi was sentenced to death and was led away. Soon his head was brought into the tent and shown to the assembled officers. Wei Yan was spared as there was yet work for him to accomplish.
After this, Zhuge Liang prepared to advance further. Just then, scouts reported that Cao Zhen was ill and was being treated by doctors in his camp. Pleased with this news, Zhuge Liang said, “If he isn’t seriously ill they will surely return to Chang’an. But now they don’t withdraw, which means he’s quite sick. And they keep him with the army so that his men won’t lose heart. Now I will write him a letter and let his surrendered soldiers take it back to him. That will finish him.”
Then he summoned the men of Wei who had yielded and said to them, “You are Wei men and your families are all over there—it is not right for you to stay here for long. Suppose I let you go home?”
Weeping with joy they prostrated themselves before him in gratitude. Then Zhuge Liang continued, “Cao Zhen and I have an agreement, and I would like you to take a letter to him. The bearer will be well rewarded.”
They took the letter and ran back to their own camp, where they presented the letter. Ill as he was, Cao Zhen sat up and opened it to read:
The Prime Minister of Han, Zhuge Liang, to Commander Cao:
I believe that the commander of an army should be able to make an attack or cease one, to be pliable or obdurate, to advance or retreat, to show tenderness or exhibit strength. He should be immovable as mountains, inscrutable as the workings of nature, infinite as the universe, overflowing as the largest granary in the capital city, vast as the four seas, dazzling as the lights of the sky. He can foresee droughts and floods, know the nature of the terrain, understand the possibilities of battle formations, and recognize the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses.
Alas! you ignorant fellow! You had the presumption to assist a rebel to assume the throne in Luoyang against the will of Heaven. You fled with your beaten army at Ye Valley and were drenched in the rain at Chencang. Smitten both on land and in water, your men and horses were thrown into frenzy. Abandoned weapons and armor littered the fields, swords and spears covered the ground. You, the commander-in-chief, were scared out of your wits and your officers fled like rats. You are too ashamed to face the folks in the north, nor have you the courage to enter the hall of the prime minister. The historians’ pens will record and the people will spread the tale by word of mouth: Sima Yi is frightened when he hears of a battle, and Cao Zhen is startled at the mere rumor of combat. My men are fierce and their steeds strong; my great officers are brave as tigers and majestic as dragons. I will raze the northern land to the ground and reduce Wei to a wasteland.
Cao Zhen’s heart burst with wrath as he finished reading the letter. He died that evening. His remains were carried in a wagon and sent to Luoyang for burial.
When the Wei Emperor heard of his death, he issued an edict urging Sima Yi to continue the war with Shu, who then led his army to fight with Zhuge Liang. A challenge of war was sent to the Shu camp in advance.
Zhuge Liang said to his officers, “Cao Zhen must have died.” Then he wrote on the letter of challenge, “Meet in battle tomorrow.” The messenger left. That night Zhuge Liang called Jiang Wei and gave him a secret order. He also summoned Guan Xing and told him what to do.
The next morning Zhuge Liang marched the whole force to the banks of the Wei River. It was an ideal battleground! A wide expanse of level land was flanked on the one side by the mighty river and on the other by the undulating hills. The two armies faced each other, both with archers in front to protect their battle lines. After the drums had rolled thrice the Wei center opened and Sima Yi appeared, followed by his officers. Opposite was Zhuge Liang seated in state in a four-wheeled chariot, waving his feather fan.
Sima Yi addressed him: “My lord’s ascension of the throne was after the manner of Yao’s abdication in favor of Shun. Firmly established in the northern territory, our dynasty has seen two emperors reign. Because of his liberality and graciousness, my lord has allowed Shu and Wu to exist so that the people would not be hurt. You are but a peasant from Nanyang, ignorant of the ways of Heaven, yet you insist on invading us. Indeed, you ought to be destroyed. But if you will repent your fault, you can retreat as soon as possible. Let each of the three kingdoms hold to its own borders to maintain a settled state of tripartite rule. Thus the people may be spared distress, and you will all save your lives.”
Zhuge Liang smiled. “Our late emperor entrusted to me the custody of his orphan son. Do you think I will fail to exert myself to the uttermost to destroy rebels? The House of Cao will soon be exterminated by Han. Your ancestors were servants of the Hans and for generations enjoyed their bounty. Yet, instead of repaying them with your service, you assist usurpers. Are you not ashamed?”
The flush of shame spread over Sima Yi’s face, but he replied: “I will fight a decisive battle with you and we will see who will emerge the winner. If you win, I will step down from my post as commander; but if you lose, then you must go back quickly to your village—I will not harm you.”
“Do you desire a contest of officers, or of weapons, or of battle formations?” asked Zhuge Liang.
“Let us try a contest of battle formations first,” replied Sima Yi.
“Then draw up your array for me to see,” said Zhuge Liang.
Sima Yi withdrew within the line and signaled with a yellow flag to order his officers to draw up their men. When he had finished, he rode again to the front and asked, “Do you recognize my formation?”
“My officers of the lowest rank can do that,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “This is called the Hun-yuan-yi-qi formation.”
“Now you try while I look on,” said Sima Yi.
Zhuge Liang entered his lines and waved his fan. Appearing again moments later he asked, “Do you recognize that?”
“Of course—this is the Eight-Gates Formation.”
“Well, if you know it, do you dare to attack it?”
“Why not, since I know it?” replied Sima Yi.
“Go ahead then.”
Sima Yi entered the ranks and called to him three officers, Dai Ling, Zhang Hu, and Yue Lin, to whom he said: “That formation consists of eight gates, each with a special name. Enter from the Gate of Life in the east, then make your way out through the Gate of Repose in the southwest, and finally enter the Gate of Clearing in the north. Then the formation will be broken up. But be cautious.”
They set out with Zhang Hu leading, Dai Ling next, and Yue Lin in the rear, each with thirty horsemen. They made their way through the Gate of Life amid cheers from both sides. But when they had got within they found themselves facing walls of troops and could not find a way out. They hastily turned toward the southwest to rush out that way, but their attempt was aborted by a flight of arrows. The formation seemed to compose layer after layer and gate after gate, and they completely lost their bearings. Unable to help one another, they dashed aimlessly hither
and thither in disorder, terrified to see themselves enshrouded by a rolling mass of melancholy clouds and doleful mists. Then a shouting arose, and each one of them was seized and bound and then taken to the central tent.
Zhuge Liang sat in his tent, and the three officers with their ninety men were brought before him.
“It is nothing remarkable to capture you lot,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “I will set you free and let you return to Sima Yi. Tell him to read his books and study his strategies again before he attempts to enter a contest with me. I have spared your lives, but you must leave behind your weapons and horses.”
So, stripped of their clothes and with their faces blackened, they were made to walk back to their line. At the sight of them Sima Yi lost his temper. Turning to his officers, he cried, “After such a disgrace, how can we go back and face the court officials in the capital?”
He ordered the front, center, and rear forces of the whole army to break the enemy formation at all costs, and, grasping his sword, led his hundred bravest officers into the fray and urged his men to attack. But just as the two sides came to blows, from behind the northern army rose the rolling of drums and blaring of horns, and a force led by Guan Xing came up from the southwest and attacked. Sima Yi assigned a division from the rear to oppose him, and again turned to urge on his main body.
Suddenly the army of Wei was thrown into confusion by another attack by Jiang Wei, who came up silently and joined in the battle. Thus the Wei army was engaged on three sides by three different divisions of the enemy, and Sima Yi, now greatly startled, decided to retreat. But the men of Shu trapped him and gradually closed in. At last, with a desperate push, he forced an opening toward the south and broke through. But he had lost six or seven out of every ten of his soldiers.
The Wei army withdrew to the south bank of the Wei River and camped. Then they strengthened their defensive position.
Zhuge Liang mustered his victorious army and returned to Qishan.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: An Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 38