Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Calling Wu Ban and Wu Yi, he said, “You are to lie in wait outside the camp to cut off the retreat of the force of Wei.” All these arrangements made, Zhuge Liang betook himself to the summit of the Qishan Mountains to watch the results.

  The soldiers of Wei heard that their enemies were coming to seize the grain convoy and ran to tell Sun Li, who sent on a message to Cao Zhen. Cao Zhen sent to the chief camp to Zhang Hu and Yue Chen and told them to look out for a signal blaze; that would mean the coming of the army of Shu, and then they were to raid the Shu camp immediately. Watchers were sent on the tower to look out for the promised blaze.

  Meanwhile Sun Li marched over and hid in the west hills to await the coming of the men of Shu. That night, at the second watch, Ma Dai came with his three thousand troops all silent, the soldiers with gags, the horses with a lashing round their muzzles. They saw tier after tier of carts on the hills, making an enclosure like a walled camp, and on the carts were planted many flags.

  They waited. Presently the southwest wind came up, and then they launched the fire. Soon all the carts were in a blaze that lit up the sky. Sun Li saw the blaze and could only conclude that the troops of Shu had arrived and his own side were giving the signal, so he dashed out to attack. But soon two parties of soldiers were heard behind him closing in. These were Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni, who soon had Sun Li as in a net. Then he heard a third ominous roll of drums, which heralded the approach of Ma Dai from the direction of the blaze.

  Under these several attacks, the troops of Wei quailed and gave way. The fire grew more and more fierce. Soldiers ran and horses stampeded, and the dead were too many to count. Sun Li made a dash through the smoke and fire of the battle and got away.

  When Zhang Hu and Yue Chen saw the fire, they threw open the gates of their camp and sallied forth to help defeat the army of Shu by seizing their camp. But when they reached the Shu camp, they found it empty. So they hurried to set out to return. That was the moment for Wu Ban and Wu Yi to appear and cut off their retreat. However, they fought bravely and got through. But when at length they reached their own camp, they were met by arrows flying thick as locusts. For Guan Xing and Zhang Bao had taken possession in their absence.

  They could only set out for headquarters to report their mishap. As they neared Cao Zhen's camp, they met another remnant marching up. They were Sun Li's soldiers, and the two parties went into camp together and told the tale of their victimization. Cao Zhen thereafter looked to his defenses and attacked no more.

  Thus victorious, the soldiers of Shu went to Zhuge Liang, who at once dispatched secret directions to Wei Yan. Then Zhuge Liang gave orders to break camp and retreat.

  This move was not understood, and Yang Yi asked the leader, “O Minister, you have just scored a victory, and the enemy have lost their bravery; why retreat?”

  “Because we are short of food,” said Zhuge Liang. “Our success lay in swift victory, but the enemy will not fight, and thus they weaken us day by day. Though we have worsted them now, they will soon be reinforced, and their light horse can cut off our provisions. Then we could not retreat at all. For a time they will not dare look at us, and we must take the occasion to do what they do not expect, and retreat. But I am solicitous about Wei Yan, who is on the Chencang road to keep off Wang Shuang. I fear he cannot get away. I have sent him certain orders to slay Wang Shuang, and then the force of Wei will not dare to pursue.”

  So the retreat began, but to deceive the enemy the watchmen were left in the empty camp to beat the watches through the night. Cao Zhen was depressed at his recent misfortune. Then they told him Zhang He had come. Zhang He came up to the gate, dismounted, and entered.

  When he saw Cao Zhen, he said, “I have received a royal command to come and to be into your arrangements.”

  “Did you take leave of friend Sima Yi?” asked Cao Zhen.

  Zhang He said, “His instructions to me were to stay away if you were victor, to come if you were not. It seems that our side has missed success. Have you since found out what the troops of Shu are doing?”

  “Not yet.”

  So Cao Zhen sent out some scouts, and they found empty camps. There were flags flying, but the army had been gone two days. Cao Zhen was disgusted.

  When Wei Yan received his secret orders, he broke up camp that night and hastened toward Hanzhong. Wang Shuang's scouts heard this and told their chief, who hurried in pursuit. After about seven miles, he came in sight of Wei Yan's ensigns. As soon as he got within hailing distance, he shouted, “Do not flee, Wei Yan!”

  But no one looked back, so he again pressed forward.

  Then he heard one of his guards behind him shouting, “There is a blaze in the camp outside the wall; I think it is some wile of the enemy.”

  Wang Shuang pulled up and, turning, saw the fire. He therefore tried to draw off his troops. Just as he passed a hill, a horseman suddenly came out of a wood.

  “Here is Wei Yan!” shouted the horseman.

  Wang Shuang was too startled to defend himself and fell at the first stroke of Wei Yan's blade. Wang Shuang's troops thought this was only the beginning of an ambush and serious attack, so they scattered; but really Wei Yan only had thirty men with him, and they moved off leisurely toward Hanzhong.

  No man could better Zhuge Liang's foresight keen;

  Brilliant as a comet where it flashed:

  Back and forth at will his soldiers dashed,

  And Wang Shuang's dead body marked where they had been.

  The secret orders sent to Wei Yan was that he was to keep back thirty men and hide beside Wang Shuang's camp till that warrior left. Then the camp was to be set on fire. After that the thirty were to wait till Wang Shuang's return to fall upon him. The plan being successfully carried out, Wei Yan followed the retreating army into Hanzhong and handed over his command.

  The Shu army having retreated safely to Hanzhong, feastings were held in celebration of the event.

  Zhang He, who, failing to come up with the retiring enemy, presently returned to camp. Hao Zhao sent a letter to say that Wang Shuang had met his end. This loss caused Cao Zhen deep grief, so that he became ill and had to return to Luoyang. He left Zhang He, Sun Li, and Guo Huai to guard the approaches to Changan.

  At a court held by Sun Quan, the Prince of Wu, a certain spy reported the doings in the west and the damages Wei had suffered in Zhuge Liang's expeditions. Thereupon certain ministers urged on Sun Quan that he should attack Wei and try to gain the Middle Land.

  However, Sun Quan could not make up his mind, and Zhang Zhao endeavored to prove to him that his hour was come by this memorial:

  “I have heard that a phoenix has lately appeared in the hills east of Wuchang and bowed; that a yellow dragon has

  been seen in the Great River. My lord, your virtue matches that of Kings Tang and Yu, and your understanding is on a level with that of Kings Wu and Wen. Wherefore you should now proceed to the imperial style and then raise an army to maintain your authority.”

  And many other officers supported Zhang Zhao's proposal. They finally persuaded Sun Quan to decide upon the 'tiger' day in the forth month, in summer. They prepared an altar on the south of Wuchang, and on that day his courtiers formally requested him to ascend to the high place and assume the style of “Emperor.”

  “Yellow Dragon” was chosen as the style of the reign. Sun Jian, the deceased father of the new Emperor, was given the title of the Martially Glorious Emperor, his mother Empress Wu, and his elder brother, Sun Ce, was made posthumously Prince of Changsha, and his son, Sun Deng, was styled Heir Apparent. The rank of Left Companion of the Heir Apparent was conferred upon the eldest son of Zhuge Jin, Zhuge Ke. The rank of Right Companion of the Heir Apparent was bestowed upon the second son of Zhang Zhao, Zhang Xiu.

  This son of Zhuge Jin was a person below middle height, but very clever, and especially apt at capping verses. Sun Quan liked him much. When Zhuge Ke was six, he went with his father to a banquet. Sun Quan noticed that Zhuge Jin had a long face,
so he bade a man lead in a donkey, and he wrote on it with chalk, “My friend Zhuge Jin.” Every one roared with laughter. But the youngster ran up and added a few strokes making it read, “My friend Zhuge Jin's donkey.” The guests were astonished at his ready wit, and praised him. Sun Quan was also pleased and made him a present of the donkey.

  Another day, at a large official banquet, Sun Quan sent the boy with a goblet of wine to each courtier. When he came to Zhang Zhao, the old man declined it, saying, “This is not the proper treatment for old age.”

  “Can you not make him drink?” said Sun Quan.

  Then said Zhuge Ke to the old gentleman, “You remember Father Lu Wang; he was ninety and yet gripped the signaling flags and wielded the axes of an army commander in the field. He never spoke of age. Nowadays in battle we put seniors behind, but at the banquet board we give them a front place. How can you say we do not treat old age properly?”

  Zhang Zhao had no reply ready, and so had to drink. This sort of precocity endeared the boy to Sun Quan, and now Sun Quan made him the Left Companion to the Heir Apparent.

  Zhang Zhao's son, Zhang Xiu, was chosen for honor on account of the eminent services of his father. Then Gu Yong became Prime Minister and Lu Xun, Regent Marshal. And Lu Xun assisted the Heir Apparent in the custody of Wuchang.

  As Sun Quan seemed powerful and well established, the whole of his court turned their thoughts toward the suppression of Wei. Only Zhang Zhao opposed it and tendered counsels of internal reform.

  “It is not well to begin Your Majesty's new reign with fighting; rather improve learning and hide the sword; establish schools and so give the people the blessings of peace. Make a treaty with Shu to share the empire, and lay your plans slowly and carefully.” Sun Quan saw the wisdom of the advice. He sent an envoy into the Lands of Rivers to lay the scheme of an alliance before the Latter Ruler. The Latter Ruler called his courtiers to discuss it. Many were opposed to Sun Quan as an upstart usurper and advised rejection of any friendly proposals from him. Then Jiang Wan said they might get the opinion of Zhuge Liang.

  So they sent and put the matter before the Prime Minister.

  Zhuge Liang said, “Send an envoy with presents and felicitations and ask Sun Quan to send Lu Xun against Wei. Then Sima Yi will be engaged with Wu, and I may once more march to Qishan and attempt Capital Changan.”

  Wherefore the Chair of the Secretariat, Chen Zhen, was sent with presents of horses, and a jeweled belt, and gold and pearls and precious things into the South Land to congratulate the Ruler of Wu on his newly assumed dignity. And the presents were accepted, and the bearer thereof honored and allowed to return.

  When this was all over, Sun Quan called in Lu Xun and asked his opinion about the concerted attack on Wei. Lu Xun saw through the scheme at once.

  “We owe this to Zhuge Liang's fear of Sima Yi,” said he. “However, we must consent since Shu asks it. We will make a show of raising an army and in a measure support them. When Zhuge Liang has actually attacked Wei, we will make for the Middle Land ourselves.”

  Orders went forth for enlisting and training Jingzhou soldiers ready for an expedition to start presently.

  When Chen Zhen returned to Hanzhong and reported to the Prime Minister, Zhuge Liang was still worried that he could not advanced by the road through Chencang. Soon after this, however, scouts brought the news that the able defender of the city, Hao Zhao, was very ill.

  “That means success for me,” cried he, cheering.

  He called in Wei Yan and Jiang Wei, and said, “Take five thousand troops and hasten to Chencang. If you see a blaze, then attack.”

  They could hardly believe the order was meant, and came again to see their chief and asked the exact date of departure.

  “In three days you should be ready to march. Do not come to take leave of me, but set out as soon as possible.”

  After they had left his tent, he summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and gave them secret instructions.

  Now when Guo Huai heard that the commander of Chencang was ill, he and Zhang He talked over the matter.

  Guo Huai said, “Hao Zhao is very ill; you would better go and relieve him. I will report to the capital what we have done that they may arrange.”

  So Zhang He started with his three thousand troops to relieve the sick man. Hao Zhao was indeed at the point of death, and suddenly they told him that the army of Shu had reached the walls. Hao Zhao roused himself and bade them go on the ramparts. But then fire broke out at each gate, a panic spread in the city and the noise of the confusion startled the dying man so that he passed away just as the troops of Shu were bursting in.

  When Wei Yan and Jiang Wei reached the walls, they were perplexed to find no sign of life. No flags were flying and no watchmen struck the hours. They delayed their attack for a time. Then they heard a bomb, and suddenly the wall was thick with flags, and there appeared the well-known figure of the minister.

  “You have come too late,” cried Zhuge Liang.

  Both dropped out of the saddle and prostrated themselves.

  “Really, you are supernatural, O Minister!” they cried.

  They entered the city, and then he explained to them, saying, “I heard the news that Hao Zhao was seriously sick, so I sent you with the deadline of three days as a blind to calm the people of this city. Then I hid myself in the ranks of another force under Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, which came to Chencang by double marches. Also, I had sent spies into the city to start the fires and throw the defenders into confusion. An army without a leader could never fight, and I could take the city easily. This is an instance of the rule of war: 'Do the unexpected; attack the unprepared.'“

  They bowed. In commiseration Zhuge Liang sent all the family of Hao Zhao, and his coffin, over to Wei, thus showing his sense of the dead man's loyalty.

  Turning once more to Wei Yan and Jiang Wei, he said, “But do not divest yourself of your armor. Go and attack San Pass and drive away the guards while they are in a state of surprise. If you delay, Wei will have sent reinforcements.”

  They went. Surely enough the capture of San Pass was easy as the Wei soldiers scattered. But when they went up to look around, they saw a great cloud of dust moving toward them; the reinforcements were already near.

  They remarked to each other, “The Prime Minister's foresight was superhuman.”

  When they had looked a little longer, they saw the leader of the Wei army then approaching was Zhang He.

  They then divided their soldiers to hold the approaches. When Zhang He saw that all was prepared, he retired. Wei Yan followed and fought a battle, defeating Zhang He heavily.

  Wei Yan sent to report his success, but Zhuge Liang had already left Chencang and had gone into the Xie Valley to capture the county of Jianwei. Other armies from Shu followed. Moreover, the Latter Ruler sent Chen Shi to assist in the campaign. Zhuge Liang then marched his main force to Qishan and there made a camp. Then he called an assembly of officers.

  “Twice have I gone out by Qishan without success, but at last I am here. I think Wei will resume the former battle ground and oppose us. If so, they will assume that I shall attack Yongcheng and Meicheng and send armies to defend them. But I see Yinping and Wudu are connected with Hanzhong; and if I can win these, I can drive a wedge into the Wei force. Who will go to take these places?”

  Jiang Wei and Wang Ping offered themselves. The former was sent with ten thousand troops to capture Wudu; the latter, with an equal force, went to Yinping.

  Zhang He went back to Changan and saw Guo Huai and Sun Li, to whom he said, “Chencang is lost, Hao Zhao is dead, San Pass is taken, and Zhuge Liang is again at Qishan; and thence has sent out two armies.”

  Guo Huai was frightened, saying, “In that case, Yongcheng and Meicheng are in danger.”

  Leaving Zhang He to guard Changan, he sent Sun Li to Yongcheng, and he himself set out at once for Meicheng. He sent an urgent report to Luoyang.

  At Wei's next court the Emperor was informed of all the misfort
unes in the west and the threats in the east.

  Man Chong said, “Sun Quan has declared himself 'Emperor,' and Lu Xun is drilling his army in Wuchang. An invasion from the east can be expected soon.”

  Cao Rui was embarrassed and frightened. Cao Zhen, being ill, could not be consulted, and Sima Yi was called. He was ready with a proposal.

  “In my humble opinion, Wu will not attack us,” said Sima Yi.

  “What makes you think so?” asked the Ruler of Wei.

  “Because Zhuge Liang still resents, and wishes to avenge, the event at Xiaoting. He never ceases to desire to absorb Wu. His only fear is that we may swoop down upon Shu. That is why there is an alliance with Wu. Lu Xun knows it also quite well, and he is only making a show of raising an army as they arranged. The truth is he is sitting on the fence. Hence Your Majesty may disregard the menace on the east, and only protect yourself against Shu.”

  “Your insight is very profound,” said the Ruler of Wei.

  Sima Yi was created Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in the west, and the Ruler of Wei directed a courtier to go to Cao Zhen for the seal.

  “I would rather go myself,” said Sima Yi. So he left the audience and went to the palace of Cao Zhen, where presently he saw the invalid. First he asked after his health and then gradually opened his errand.

  “Shu and Wu have made an alliance to invade us, and Zhuge Liang is at Qishan. Have you heard, Illustrious Sir?”

  “My people have kept back all news as I am ill,” said he, startled. “But if this is true, the country is in danger. Why have they not made you Commander-in-Chief to stop this invasion?”

  “I am unequal to the post,” said Sima Yi.

  “Bring the seal and give it to him,” said Cao Zhen to his attendants.

  “You are anxious on my account; really I am only come to lend you an arm. I dare not accept the seal.”