Before long knowledge of all this came to the men of Wei and a report was sent to its capital. When he heard of the death of his rival, Cao Pi felt happy and relieved, and his thoughts at once turned toward an attack on Shu during this critical moment of the change of ruler.
But Jia Xu was against this. “Liu Bei is gone but he must have confided the care of the state to Zhuge Liang, who will exhaust every effort to support the heir out of gratitude for his father’s kindness to him. Your Majesty should not attack too hastily.”
As he tendered this remonstrance, a man suddenly stepped out from the serried ranks of courtiers and cried, “If you miss this moment, can you expect a more favorable opportunity?”
All eyes turned to the speaker—it was Sima Yi.
His words greatly pleased Cao Pi, who at once asked him for advice.
Sima Yi replied, “It will be difficult to obtain immediate success with just our own resources. Hence we must muster five armies and attack all at once, which will make it impossible for Zhuge Liang to cope.”
“Which five armies?” asked Cao Pi.
Sima Yi went on, “First, write to the king of East Liao and bribe him with expensive presents so that he will agree to send an army of the Qiang tribesmen to attack Xiping Pass by land. Secondly, send an envoy to the deep south to see the king of the Mans and confer certain official titles on him to persuade him to attack the southern four districts of Shu with another army. Thirdly, send an ambassador to Wu with promises of yielding them some territory, and so induce Sun Quan to attack the western gorges and capture Fucheng. The fourth army can be Meng Da’s men, who will attack Hanzhong. Lastly, our own force may be placed under Cao Zhen, who will attack by way of Yangping Pass. Each of the five armies will be composed of 100,000 men, making it altogether half a million. With all five forces attacking simultaneously along five different fronts, it will be virtually impossible for Zhuge Liang to hold his own, even if he has the talent of the ancient Lu Shang.”
The scheme delighted Cao Pi, who at once cast about for four clever-tongued messengers. He also issued a commission to Cao Zhen as commander-in-chief.
At this time Zhang Liao and many other veterans who had served Cao Cao were created marquises, guarding various crucial passes and fords in different parts of the kingdom. So they were not summoned for this expedition to the west.
Now let us turn to the Kingdom of Shu. After the accession of the Second Ruler, Liu Shan, many of those who had served his father died. The work of the administration of the kingdom, including the choice of officials, law-making, taxation, decision of legal cases, was all in the hands of Zhuge Liang.
As the new ruler had no consort, the courtiers, headed by Zhuge Liang, proposed that the seventeen-year-old daughter of his late uncle Zhang Fei was extremely virtuous, and suitable to be the empress. And so she was married to the Second Ruler and became his consort.
It was in the autumn of the year of his accession that he heard of the five armies of Wei advancing to attack his state. He was also told that the prime minister, who was informed earlier of the invasion, had mysteriously taken refuge in his residence and had not come out to attend to state affairs for several days running.
Alarmed, the new ruler sent one of his personal attendants to call the prime minister to court. The man was gone a long time and then returned to say that the servants there had told him the prime minister was ill and could not leave his house.
As his distress increased, the Second Ruler sent two high officials to see Zhuge Liang in his chamber and tell him the dreadful news of Wei’s invasion. They went but they got no farther than the gate, for they were refused admission by the gatekeepers. They had to ask the wardens to convey their message to the prime minister. After keeping them waiting a long time the wardens returned to say that the prime minister felt a bit better and would be at court the next morning.
The two messengers sighed deeply as they returned to the Second Ruler’s palace.
The next morning a big crowd of officials assembled at the gate of the prime minister’s residence to wait for him to appear. But he did not come out. It began to get late and they had to depart. One of them went in to see the Second Ruler and suggested that he should go and see the minister in person to ask him what should be done.
The Second Ruler then led the officials inside to see the Empress Dowager.
“What can this mean?” she said in great alarm. “This is not acting in the spirit of the charge laid upon him by the late emperor. Let me go and see him myself.”
But one of the officials said that she should not condescend to go so soon. “I think the prime minister must have some excellent idea in mind,” he added. “Let His Majesty go first and if he still shows negligence then Your Majesty can summon him to the Ancestral Temple and question him.”
So it was left at that. And the next day the Second Ruler rode in his chariot to the gate of his chief minister. When the gatekeepers saw the imperial chariot arrive they fell upon their knees to pay their obeisance to the Emperor.
“Where is the prime minister?” he asked.
“We do not know. But we have orders not to let in the officials.”
The Second Ruler then descended and went on foot alone inside. When he came to the third gate he saw Zhuge Liang leaning on a bamboo staff beside a fishpond looking at the fish. He stood behind him for a long time. At last the Emperor said slowly, “Are you enjoying yourself, sir?”
Zhuge Liang started and looked round. When he saw who the speaker was he dropped his staff and bowed to the ground.
“I ought to be put to death 10,000 times,” he said.
The Second Ruler helped him to his feet and said, “Cao Pi threatens immediate invasion of our land with five armies. Why won’t you come out and attend to the matter?”
Zhuge Liang laughed. He conducted his lord into an inner room and, when they were seated, he said, “Could it be possible that I was ignorant of these five armies? I was not looking at the fish—I was thinking.”
“But what should we do?”
“I have already turned back four of the five armies—the northern Qiang tribesmen, the southern Mans, the rebel Meng Da, and the army from Wei. There is only Sun Quan’s army left but I have also thought out a plan to thwart them. All I need now is an able speaker to carry it out. I have not yet decided on whom to send, though. That was why I was so deeply in thought just now. But Your Majesty can set his mind at rest.”
The Second Ruler heard this with both joy and surprise. “Sir, your designs are indeed superhuman. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back?”
Zhuge Liang replied, “Since His Majesty your father bade me take the best care of your welfare, I dare not be remiss for a single moment. These officials here are ignorant of the fact that what makes war strategies work is secrecy. How can I let them know my plans?
“When I heard that the Qiang tribesmen would come to invade Xiping Pass, I remembered that Ma Chao’s forefathers were friendly with them and they had a very high opinion of Ma Chao, regarding him as a general of supreme prestige. So I have sent a dispatch to Ma Chao, ordering him to hold the Pass and to prepare four ambushes in key places and change them around daily so as to keep the Qiangs away. That settled the army from the north.
“Next I sent a messenger to the south to order Wei Yan to deal with the force of the Mans. I told him to move a body of his men about—appearing from the left and disappearing from the right or vice versa—to confuse the Mans, who are brave soldiers, but prone to doubts and hesitations, and they will not advance in the face of the unknown. Hence there is nothing to fear in that quarter.
“As for the traitor Meng Da’s army, I know that Meng Da and our Li Yan are sworn friends. When I returned from the city of Baidi I had left Li Yan in charge of the Palace of Eternal Peace. I then forged a letter in the hand of Li Yan to Meng Da. I am sure he will feign illness and not move his army.
“Lastly, to repel the army of Wei I have ordered Zhao
Yun to hold Yang-ping Pass, where the terrain is dangerous enough for good defense. If our men refuse to go forth, the enemy will certainly have to withdraw. So all those four armies are settled. But for greater security I have sent your cousins Zhang Bao and Guan Xing to camp at crucial points where they can quickly help any of the others who may need it. None of these deployments happened here in the capital so no one has any knowledge about them.
“Now there is only the army from Wu left to deal with. If the other four succeed and we are in danger, Sun Quan will attack. If the others fail he will not budge, for he will remember that Cao Pi has only recently sent three armies to attack his country. But even so, I want a man with a ready tongue and ingenious mind to go and explain matters of vital interest to Sun Quan. So far I have not found such a man, and I am pondering over this. I regret that I have given Your Majesty occasion to make this journey.”
“The Empress Dowager also wanted to come,” said the Second Ruler. “But now that you have explained everything so clearly to me, I feel like I have awakened from a dream. I have no more worries.”
The two drank a few cups of wine together. Then the minister escorted his master to his chariot. A ring of courtiers were waiting, and they could not help noticing the happiness that shone in their lord’s face. The Second Ruler took his leave and returned to his palace, but the courtiers were still puzzled. Now Zhuge Liang had noted in the crowd one particular person, who turned up his head toward the sky and smiled. He recognized him to be Deng Zhi, a man of reputable ancestry. Zhuge Liang secretly told an attendant to detain Deng Zhi, and when all the others had gone, Zhuge Liang led him into his study for a talk. Presently he came to the matter in his heart.
“Now the three states of Shu, Wei, and Wu have become a fact,” he said. “If one state wants to absorb the other two and reunite the empire, which state should it attack first?”
“Though Wei is the real rebel, yet it is strong and will be very difficult to overthrow. Any move against it will have to develop slowly. As our Emperor has but lately succeeded his father and the people are none too decided in his favor, I should propose a treaty of mutual defense with Wu. This will erase the enmity of our late Emperor and yield lasting results. I wonder if you, sir, approve of this.”
“That is exactly what I have been pondering over these days, but I have not found the man for the task until now.”
“What do you want him to do?” asked Deng Zhi.
“I want him to go as an envoy to Wu to negotiate such a treaty. As you understand the position so well you will surely do honor to your lord’s commission. None but you can succeed.”
“I fear I am not equal to such a task—I have little learning and inferior intelligence.”
Zhuge Liang ignored his modesty and said, “I will inform the Emperor tomorrow and ask him to appoint you. Please don’t refuse.”
Deng Zhi consented and then took his leave. The next day the Second Ruler was told about this mission and consequently Deng Zhi started out for Wu.
Wu has just seen the din of war cease,
Shu’s envoy comes with presents for a league.
The result of the mission will be told in the next chapter.
Footnote
* Both were generals of Xiang Yu but later surrendered to Liu Bang, founder of Han.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
Qin Mi Engages Zhang Wen in a Philosophical Debate
Xu Sheng Uses Fire to Destroy Cao Pi’s Army
After his recent victory over Wei, Lu Xun became the leading hero of Wu. He was given the titles of General–Pillar of the State, Marquis of Jiangling, and Governor of Jingzhou. He was also given command of all the military forces.
Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong, who thought the moment opportune for enhancing their lord’s dignity, sent in a memorial proposing that he assume a distinctive reign title.* Sun Quan agreed and adopted Huang Wu as his reign title.
Then a messenger arrived from Wei. He was duly received by Sun Quan, who asked him to state his business. The messenger said, “Recently Shu turned to us for help and due to a misunderstanding of the situation, we dispatched three forces to aid Shu against you. Now our lord deeply regrets this action and he desires to set four armies in motion against Shu to wipe that kingdom out. He earnestly hopes that you will assist us. If successful, Wei and Wu will share the conquered territory.”
Unable to decide what to do Sun Quan turned to his chief counselors, who suggested that Lu Xun should be consulted. So he was called to offer his superior view on this.
Lu Xun said, “Cao Pi is too firmly established in the capital to be toppled now, and if we refuse this request of his we will provoke his enmity. However, neither Wei nor Wu, so far as I see, has any man capable of opposing Zhuge Liang. We can pretend consent and prepare our army, but make no move till we see how the war goes with the other four armies. If Shu seems likely to fall and Zhuge Liang is outmaneuvered, then our army can be dispatched to capture their capital Chengdu. If the four armies fail we will reconsider our policy.”
Sun Quan was pleased with this advice, so he said to the envoy of Wei, “We are not ready at the moment but we will choose a day to start later.”
And with this answer the envoy left. After he was gone Sun Quan sent out scouts to find out how things went with the other four armies against Shu. They returned with the news that the Qiang tribesmen had turned back when they saw Ma Chao in command at Xiping Pass. The Mans of the deep south had been perplexed by the tactics of Wei Yan and had marched back to their own land. The Shangyong army led by Meng Da had set out, but he had suddenly fallen ill halfway and also withdrawn. And Cao Zhen’s army had been brought to a halt by the defensive strategy of Zhao Yun, who had garrisoned every vantage point. This force had eventually withdrawn after waiting in vain at Ye Valley.”
Hearing all this, Sun Quan said to his officials, “How accurate Lu Xun’s prediction was! If I’d took any rash action I would have made myself an enemy of Shu again.”
Just then it was announced an envoy had come from Shu.
Zhang Zhao said, “This is also part of Zhuge Liang’s scheme to divert danger from Shu. He must have come with the intention of talking you round.”
“How should I reply, then?” asked Sun Quan.
“Well, you can set up a large caldron filled with several hundred catties of oil. Light a fire beneath. When the oil boils, choose a goodly company of tall and sturdy soldiers armed with swords to line up along the entrance from the palace gate to this hall. Then summon the envoy, but before he can say a word upbraid him for trying to imitate Li Shi-ji of old, and say he will suffer the same punishment—that is, dying in boiling oil. See what he replies.”
Sun Quan followed this advice and prepared the caldron of boiling oil and placed the armed guards all along the entrance. Then he summoned the envoy.
Deng Zhi tidied his robe and advanced to the palace gate. Seeing the grim array of fighting men armed with gleaming swords, great axes, and long spears, he understood at once what was meant, but he never faltered. He proceeded steadily and bravely to the hall, where he also saw the caldron of boiling oil and the hostile eyes of savage executioners. In the face of this gruesome display of terror Deng Zhi only smiled.
He was led before a curtain, behind which sat the prince. Deng Zhi bowed but did not kneel down to pay his obeisance.
The prince, after ordering his attendants to roll up the curtain, said sternly, “Why did you not kneel down?”
Deng Zhi boldly replied, “The envoy of a superior state does not kneel down before the ruler of a smaller country.”
Provoked to anger, Sun Quan cried, “Are you trying to imitate Li Shi-ji and wag your tongue? You will soon find yourself in that caldron of oil.”
Deng Zhi laughed aloud. “People say there are many wise men in Wu. Who would have believed that they would be frightened of a mere scholar?”
This reply only increased Sun Quan’s anger. “Who says I am afraid of a simpleton like you?”
&nbs
p; “If you are not afraid of me, why are you so worried about what I may say to you?”
“I know what you want to say. Zhuge Liang has sent you to try to persuade me to sever relations with Wei and combine with your country. Is that right?”
“I am but a scholar of Shu and I have come to explain matters of vital interest to your country. But to intimidate me you have prepared armed men and a caldron of boiling oil. How narrow-minded you are that you will not even tolerate an envoy?”
Sun Quan was embarrassed at his own behavior. He sent away the soldiers and called the envoy to ascend the hall. There he invited him to sit and said, “Please instruct me about the crucial issues between Wu and Wei.”
Deng Zhi replied, “Sir, do you desire to seek peace with Wei or with Shu?”
“I really desire to seek peace with the lord of Shu. But he is young and inexperienced and I am afraid he will be unable to carry such an alliance through.”
“Sir, you are a valiant ruler, just as Zhuge Liang is a great minister. Now Shu has the advantage of its precipitous mountains and streams, just as Wu has the protection of its three rivers. If our two countries are at peace we are mutually protective. If things go well, we may swallow between us the rest of the empire; if not, we are still able to maintain the present situation of a three-way standoff. If you yield to Wei and acknowledge yourself one of its ministers, you will be expected to attend at his court from time to time, and your heir-apparent will be reduced to an attendant in that court; and if you disobey, an army will be sent to punish you. If that happens, Shu also will seize the opportunity to come down the river and invade your country. Then this land will no longer be yours. If you find my words unworthy to consider, I will die here in your presence and so terminate the post I have as an envoy.”
As he spoke these last words he gathered up his robe and strode down the hall as though he was going to jump into the caldron.
“Stop him!” cried Sun Quan, and the attendants did so. Then he requested Deng Zhi to go into an inner hall, where he treated the envoy as a guest of the highest honor.
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 16