Chapter 97

Chapter 97

It was the sixth year of Jianxing, autumn, ninth month of the Shu Han. Wei Grand Commander Cao Xiu had been utterly routed by Lu Xun of Eastern Wu at Shuting. His carriages, horses, military provisions, and equipment were all completely lost. Cao Xiu was consumed with dread, and his anxiety turned to illness. When he reached Luoyang, a carbuncle broke out on his back and he died. The Wei sovereign Cao Rui issued orders for a lavish burial.

Sima Yi led his troops back. The generals received him and asked, "Grand Commander Cao lost his army—this concerns you as supreme commander as well. Why do you rush back?" Sima Yi replied, "I anticipated that Zhuge Liang, learning of our defeat, would exploit the weakness to seize Chang'an. Should Longxi become imperiled, who would relieve it? That is why I returned." All the generals thought him craven and withdrew with sneers.

Meanwhile, Eastern Wu sent an envoy with a letter to Shu, requesting a joint campaign against Wei and relating the story of their great defeat of Cao Xiu—partly to display their own might, and partly to strengthen the alliance between them. The Second Emperor was overjoyed and ordered a man to carry the letter to Hanzhong to inform Kongming. At this time, Kongming's army was strong and his horses robust, his grain and fodder ample, all supplies fully prepared; he was on the verge of setting out. Upon receiving this news, he held a grand feast for all his generals and began planning the expedition.

Suddenly a great wind arose from the northeast and snapped the pine tree in front of the hall. All were greatly alarmed. Kongming cast a divination and said, "This wind portends the loss of a great general!" The generals did not believe it. Even as they were drinking, a report came: Zhao Yun's eldest son, Zhao Tong, and his second son, Zhao Guang, had come to see the Prime Minister. Kongming was greatly startled and flung his cup to the ground, saying: "Zilong is dead!" The two sons entered, bowed, and wept, saying: "Our father died of a grave illness last night at the third watch." Kongming stamped his foot and wept, saying: "With Zilong gone, the state has lost a pillar and I have lost an arm!" Not a single general did not shed tears. Kongming ordered the two sons to enter Chengdu and report the death to the sovereign.

When the Second Emperor heard of Zhao Yun's death, he wailed aloud, saying: "In my youth, had it not been for Zilong, I would have perished amid the chaos of battle!" He immediately issued an edict posthumously granting him the rank of Grand General, with the posthumous title Marquis Shunping, and ordered his burial on the east side of Jinping Mountain in Chengdu. A temple was established there for offerings in all four seasons.

A later poet wrote:

From Changshan came a tiger general,

In wisdom and courage the equal of Guan and Zhang.

His deeds at Han River remain,

His name at Yang shines bright.

Twice he upheld the young lord,

Once he answered the first emperor's call.

His name in history stands loyal and brave,

His fame should flow fragrant for a hundred ages.

The Second Emperor, recalling Zhao Yun's past merits, honored his funeral most generously. He appointed Zhao Tong as Palace Commandant of the Tiger Sprint and Zhao Guang as General of the Ivory Gate, and ordered them to guard the tomb. The two sons thanked him and departed.

Then a courtier reported: "Prime Minister Zhuge has already made his dispositions of troops and will set out any day now to campaign against Wei." The Second Emperor consulted the ministers at court; many said the campaign should not be lightly undertaken. The Second Emperor hesitated and could not decide.

Suddenly it was reported that the Prime Minister had sent Yang Yi with the Memorial on the Expedition. The Second Emperor summoned him. Yang Yi presented the memorial. The Second Emperor opened it upon the imperial desk and read:

The Former Emperor, considering that the House of Han and the traitors could not stand side by side and that the royal enterprise could not dwell in partial peace, therefore entrusted Your servant with the campaign against the traitors. Given the Former Emperor's wisdom and his measure of Your servant's ability, he surely knew that Your servant, in attacking the traitors, would be weaker than the enemy. Yet if the traitors are not attacked, the royal enterprise will perish. Between sitting still to await destruction and attacking them, the choice is clear; therefore the Former Emperor entrusted this task to Your servant without doubt.

From the day I received my charge, I have slept without rest and eaten without relish. Reflecting on the northern campaign, I judged it best to enter the south first; so in the fifth month I crossed the Lu River, penetrating the barren lands, rationing food to every other day. It was not that I did not value my own life. But I considered that the royal enterprise could not rest in partial peace in Shu; therefore I braved peril and hardship to carry out the Former Emperor's dying will, though critics call it an unwise course.

Now the enemy is exhausted in the west and occupied in the east. The art of war teaches that this is the time to strike when the enemy is overstretched. I respectfully set forth the reasons as follows:

Gaozu was as bright as the sun and moon, and his counselors were profound, yet he crossed dangers and suffered wounds before achieving peace through peril. Today Your Majesty does not equal Gaozu, and your counselors are not the equals of Liang and Ping. Yet we seek to win by a long-term strategy and sit in peace to settle the world—this is the first point I cannot understand.

Liu Yao and Wang Lang each held a province and a commandery. They discoursed on peace and cited the sages, filling their bellies with doubts and their breasts with objections. Year after year they neither fought nor campaigned, allowing Sun Quan to grow great and absorb the whole of Jiangdong—this is the second point I cannot understand.

Cao Cao's cunning and schemes surpassed those of ordinary men; in the use of troops, he rivalled Sun Wu and Wu Qi. Yet he was trapped at Nanyang, imperiled at Wuchao, endangered at Qilian, forced into extremity at Liyang, nearly defeated at Beishan, and almost died at Tong Pass—only then did he falsely establish control for a brief time. How much more, then, with Your servant's feeble ability, can I hope to settle the realm without peril? This is the third point I cannot understand.

Cao Cao attacked Changba five times without success; he crossed the Chao Lake four times without result. He employed Li Fu, and Li Fu plotted against him; he entrusted Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Yuan was killed in battle. The Former Emperor always praised Cao Cao for his ability, yet even he made such mistakes. How much more, then, with Your servant's dull mediocrity, can I guarantee victory? This is the fourth point I cannot understand.

Since I arrived in Hanzhong, barely a year has passed. Yet we have lost Zhao Yun, Yang Qun, Ma Yu, Yan Zhi, Ding Li, Shou, Liu He, Deng Tong, and more than seventy battalion commanders and garrison leaders. Shock troops, vanguard warriors, Cong elders, Qingjiang fighters, scattered cavalry, and mounted warriors—more than a thousand men. These were all the elite gathered from every direction over the course of decades, not the resources of a single province. If several more years pass, we shall have lost two-thirds of them. How then shall we confront the enemy? This is the fifth point I cannot understand.

Now the people are impoverished and the soldiers are weary, yet the campaign cannot cease. Since it cannot cease, whether we stay or march, the toil and cost are the same. If we do not act soon, seeking to hold a single province against the enemy for a prolonged struggle—this is the sixth point I cannot understand.

That which is most difficult to settle is the course of events. In former times, the Former Emperor's army was defeated in Chu. At that moment, Cao Cao clapped his hands and declared the world already settled. But then the Former Emperor allied with Wu and Yue in the east, seized Ba and Shu in the west, raised his armies to campaign north, and Xiahou Yuan lost his head. This was Cao Cao's miscalculation, and the cause of Han was on the verge of triumph. But then Wu broke the covenant, Guan Yiu was destroyed, Zigui suffered a setback, and Cao Pi declared himself emperor. All things being thus, they are difficult to foresee.

Your servant will spare no effort and give his all until his death. As to success or failure, advantage or disadvantage, they are beyond the power of my limited sight to foresee.

The young sovereign read the memorial with great delight and immediately issued an edict ordering Kongming to lead the campaign. Kongming received his orders and raised an army of three hundred thousand, appointing Wei Yan as commander of the vanguard. They advanced straight to the road leading to Chencang.

A spy had already carried the news to Luoyang. Sima Yi reported it to the Wei sovereign, who summoned a great assembly of civil and military officials to deliberate. Grand Marshal Cao Zhen stepped forward from the ranks and said, "Your servant recently defended Longxi, where my merits were slight but my crimes great—I tremble with shame. Now I beg to lead a great army to capture Zhuge Liang. I have lately obtained a general who wields a sixty-jin broadsword, rides a thousand-li charger, draws a two-stone iron-bow, and conceals three meteor hammers which he never misses. He possesses the courage of ten thousand men. He is a man of Di Dao in Longxi, named Wang Shuang, styled Zi Quan. I recommend him as vanguard." The sovereign was greatly pleased and summoned Wang Shuang to the court. When they beheld him, he stood nine feet tall, with a dark face and yellow eyes, a bear's waist and a tiger's back. The sovereign laughed and said, "With such a general, what have I to fear?" He bestowed upon him a brocade robe and golden armor and appointed him Grand Vanguard of the Tiger-wei Army. Cao Zhen was made Grand Commander. Cao Zhen thanked the favor and left the court, then led one hundred and fifty thousand elite troops, joining forces with Guo Huai and Zhang He to guard the passes by separate routes.

Meanwhile, the Shu vanguard scouts reached Chencang and reported back to Kongming, saying, "At the road to Chencang they have built a fortress, defended by a general named Hao Zhao. The moats are deep, the ramparts are high, and abatis are set everywhere—the defenses are most thorough. It would be better to abandon this city and take the bird's path over Mount Taibai to Qishan, which is far more convenient." Kongming said, "North of Chencang lies Jieting. We must take this city before we can advance." He ordered Wei Yan to lead troops to the city and attack from all four sides. For several days they could not break through, and Wei Yan returned to report to Kongming that the city was difficult to take. Kongming was furious and wished to execute Wei Yan. Then a man from among the officers spoke out: "Though I am without talent, I have followed the Prime Minister for many years and have never repaid his kindness. I am willing to go to the city of Chencang and persuade Hao Zhao to surrender, without using a single bow or arrow." The others looked and saw that it was Bu Qi Min Xiang. Kongming said, "What words will you use to persuade him?" Xiang replied, "Hao Zhao and I are both men of Longxi and have been close friends since childhood. If I go now and lay out the advantages and disadvantages, he will surely come over." Kongming at once ordered him to go.

Min Xiang galloped straight to the city walls and called out, "Hao Bao Dao—your old friend Min Xiang has come to see you!" The men on the walls reported this to Hao Zhao, who ordered the gate opened and admitted him. They met upon the wall. Zhao asked, "Why has my old friend come here?" Xiang said, "I serve under Zhuge Liang of Western Shu, where I participate in military planning and am treated as an honored guest. He has sent me especially to see you and to convey important words." Zhao's countenance changed sharply. "Zhuge Liang is the enemy of our state! I serve Wei, you serve Shu—each serves his own master! In the old days we were brothers; now we are enemies! Say no more—please leave the city at once!" Min Xiang tried to speak again, but Zhao had already gone out onto the enemy tower. The Wei soldiers hurriedly brought his horse and drove him out of the city. Xiang looked back and saw Zhao standing firm behind the wooden railing. Xiang reined in his horse and pointed at him with his whip, saying, "Brother Bao Dao, why are you so unfeeling?" Zhao replied, "The laws of Wei are known to you, brother. I have received the state's favor—I can only die for it. Say no more with your persuasions. Return quickly to Zhuge Liang and tell him to attack the city with all haste—I do not fear it!"

Xiang returned and reported to Kongming, saying, "Hao Zhao stopped me before I could even open my mouth." Kongming said, "Go to him again and lay out the advantages and disadvantages." Xiang went once more to the city and asked to see Hao Zhao. Zhao came out onto the enemy tower. Xiang reined in his horse and called out loudly, "Brother Bao Dao, listen to my loyal words. You defend a lone city—how can you resist a host of several hundred thousand? If you do not surrender soon, you will regret it when it is too late. Moreover, to defy the Great Han and serve the treacherous Wei—do you not know the will of Heaven, cannot you distinguish the pure from the foul? I beg you to consider this." Hao Zhao was furious. He seized his bow, fitted an arrow, and pointing at Min Xiang, shouted, "My mind is already made up. Say no more—withdraw at once, and I will not shoot you!" Min Xiang returned to Kongming and told him everything about Hao Zhao's demeanor. Kongming was enraged. "This fellow is beyond all insolence! Does he think I lack the means to take a city?" He summoned a local man and asked, "How many troops are in the city of Chencang?" The local man replied, "Though the exact number is not known, there are perhaps three thousand." Kongming smiled and said, "Such a small city—how can it resist me? Before their reinforcements arrive, attack it with all speed!"

Thereupon, the army constructed a hundred cloud-ladders. Each ladder could hold over ten men, with wooden boards surrounding it for protection. The soldiers each carried short ladders and soft ropes. When the drums sounded in the camp, they were to ascend the walls all at once. Hao Zhao, standing on the watchtower, saw the Shu soldiers erecting the cloud-ladders and advancing from all sides. He immediately ordered three thousand soldiers to take fire arrows and deploy them on all four sides. When the cloud-ladders drew near the walls, they were to shoot them all at once. Zhuge Liang had assumed the city was unprepared, and so had the cloud-ladders built on a grand scale, ordering the three armies to advance with drums beating and battle cries raised. He had not expected fire arrows to be launched from the walls in unison—the cloud-ladders were all set ablaze, and most of the soldiers on them were burned to death. Stones and arrows rained down from the walls like rain, and the Shu forces all retreated.

Zhuge Liang was furious. "You have burned my cloud-ladders," he said, "but I shall use the 'assault cart' method!" That night he arranged for assault carts to be prepared. The next day, the army advanced again with drums beating and battle cries raised from all sides. Hao Zhao hastily ordered stones to be bored with holes, strung with hemp ropes, and hurled down to strike. The assault carts were all smashed to pieces. Zhuge Liang then ordered soldiers to carry earth to fill the moat, and sent Liao Hua with three thousand sappers equipped with spades and mattocks to dig a tunnel by night, secretly entering the city from below. Hao Zhao, in turn, ordered a deep trench to be dug across the city to intercept them. Thus they attacked day and night for more than twenty days, but there was no way to break through.

Zhuge Liang was troubled in his heart. Suddenly a report came: "Relief forces have arrived from the east. Their banners read 'Wei Vanguard General Wang Shuang.'" Zhuge Liang asked, "Who will go to meet him?" Wei Yan said, "This officer volunteers." Zhuge Liang said, "You are the vanguard commander—you cannot be lightly risked." He then asked again, "Who dares to go?" A lieutenant general named Xie Xiong stepped forward at once. Zhuge Liang gave him three thousand soldiers and sent him off. Zhuge Liang then asked again, "Who dares to go once more?" A lieutenant general named Gong Qi volunteered to go. Zhuge Liang also gave him three thousand soldiers. Fearing that Hao Zhao might sally forth from the city, Zhuge Liang withdrew his forces twenty li and made camp.

Now Xie Xiong led his troops forward and encountered Wang Shuang. They had fought no more than three bouts when Wang Shuang cleaved him with a single stroke of his saber. The Shu soldiers fled in defeat. Wang Shuang pursued them. Gong Qi came forward to meet him, and after only three exchanges of blows, he too was cut down by Wang Shuang. The defeated soldiers returned and reported to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang was greatly alarmed and hastily ordered Liao Hua, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni to go out and meet the enemy. The two battle lines were drawn. Zhang Ni rode out, with Wang Ping and Liao Hua holding the flanks of the formation. Wang Shuang spurred his horse forward and exchanged several bouts with Zhang Ni, neither gaining the advantage. Wang Shuang then feigned defeat and fled. Zhang Ni pursued him. Wang Ping, seeing that Zhang Ni had fallen into a trap, called out urgently, "Do not chase!" Zhang Ni hastily turned his horse, but Wang Shuang's meteor hammer had already arrived, striking him squarely on the back. Zhang Ni clung to his saddle and fled. Wang Shuang turned his horse and gave chase. Wang Ping and Liao Hua intercepted him and rescued Zhang Ni back to the formation. Wang Shuang drove his troops forward and inflicted a great slaughter—the Shu forces suffered heavy losses. Zhang Ni vomited several mouthfuls of blood and returned to report to Zhuge Liang, saying, "Wang Shuang is a hero beyond match. For the present, his twenty thousand troops have encamped outside Chencang city. They have raised palisades on all four sides, built heavy ramparts, and dug deep moats—their defenses are extremely strict."

When Zhuge Liang saw that two of his generals had been killed and Zhang Ni wounded, he summoned Jiang Wei and said, "The road through Chencang is no longer viable. Do you have another plan?" Jiang Wei said, "The walls of Chencang are strong, and Hao Zhao's defenses are tight. With Wang Shuang aiding him, the city truly cannot be taken. It would be better to send a great general to make a fortified camp beside the mountains and rivers, and thereby capture Cao Zhen." Zhuge Liang followed his counsel. He ordered Wang Ping and Li Hui to lead two thousand soldiers to hold the road to Jieting; Wei Yan to lead a force to hold the mouth of Chencang; Ma Dai to serve as vanguard; and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao as advance and rear support commanders. They set out by the small paths through Xie Valley, heading toward Mount Qi.

Now Cao Zhen, reflecting that Sima Yi had stolen his credit in a previous campaign, had therefore dispatched Guo Huai and Sun Li to guard the east and west of Luokou. When he received an urgent report from Chencang, he had already sent Wang Shuang to relieve the city. Learning that Wang Shuang had killed enemy generals and distinguished himself, he was greatly pleased. He appointed Fei Yao, the General of the Central Guard, to act as commander of the van, while each of the other generals guarded their respective posts. Suddenly it was reported that a spy had been captured in the valley and brought before him. Cao Zhen ordered him brought in and made to kneel before the tent. The man said, "This man is not a spy. I have important intelligence to report to the Commander and was mistakenly seized by the patrol troops. I beg you to dismiss your attendants." Cao Zhen had his bonds loosed and ordered his attendants to withdraw for the moment. The man then said, "I am a trusted confidant of Jiang Boyue. My superior has sent me with a secret letter." Cao Zhen said, "Where is the letter?" The man took it from inside his clothing and presented it. Cao Zhen opened it and read:

"The guilty general Jiang Wei bows a hundred times and presents this letter to the great Commander Cao: I have received the salary of Wei all my life and have guarded the border regions; I have undeservedly enjoyed your abundant grace and have had no means to repay it. Yesterday I was tricked by Zhuge Liang's cunning scheme and fell among the mountain crags. I think of my former homeland—when could I forget it? Now, fortunately, the Shu army has marched west, and Zhuge Liang suspects me not at all. Should you, Commander, personally lead a great army and encounter the enemy, you may feign defeat. I will be in the rear, and when I raise fire as a signal, we will first burn the Shu army's grain and provisions, then turn our forces around to attack them from behind. Zhuge Liang can then be captured. This is not merely to win merit and repay the state—it is truly to redeem my former offense. If you deign to consider this, I await your swift reply."

Cao Zhen finished reading and said with great delight, "This is Heaven's will that I should succeed!" He then richly rewarded the messenger, instructed him to return with a reply, and agreed to join forces at the appointed time. Cao Zhen summoned Fei Yao to discuss the matter, saying, "Jiang Wei has secretly sent a letter instructing me to do thus and thus." Fei Yao replied, "Zhuge Liang is full of schemes, and Jiang Wei is highly intelligent. This may be a stratagem devised by Zhuge Liang—I fear treachery within it." Cao Zhen said, "He was originally a man of Wei who surrendered to Shu out of necessity. Why should we suspect him?" Fei Yao said, "My lord commander, you must not advance lightly. Simply hold our main camp. I will lead a force to rendezvous with Jiang Wei. If it succeeds, the credit is yours; if there is some treacherous plot, I will bear the consequences myself." Cao Zhen was greatly pleased and ordered Fei Yao to lead fifty thousand troops toward Xie Valley. After marching two or three stages, he encamped and sent out scouts. That day, at the hour of shen, the scouts reported, "There are Shu soldiers coming through the Xie Valley pass." Fei Yao hastened to advance. The Shu soldiers retreated before they could engage. Fei Yao ordered his troops to pursue, but the Shu soldiers returned. Just as they were about to form ranks for battle, the Shu soldiers retreated again. This happened three times. Soon it was the hour of shen the following day. The Wei army had not dared to rest for an entire day and night, fearing a Shu attack. They were just about to encamp and prepare food when suddenly shouts rose on all sides and drums and horns sounded together. Shu soldiers came from every hill and valley. The banner gate opened, and out rolled a four-wheeled chariot, in which Kongming sat in serene composure. He sent someone to invite the Wei commander to come forward for a parley. Fei Yao rode out on horseback. Seeing Kongming in the distance, he secretly rejoiced and said to his attendants, "If the Shu soldiers press upon us, fall back and retreat. But if you see fire rise behind the mountains, turn around and charge back—there will be troops to meet us." Having given these orders, Fei Yao rode forward and shouted, "You defeated general of former days—why have you come again?" Kongming said, "Tell Cao Zhen to come and speak with me!" Fei Yao cursed, "Commander Cao is of noble stock—how would he deign to meet a rebel?"

Kongming flew into a rage. He waved his feather fan, and from the left Ma Dai and from the right Zhang Yi burst forth with their troops. The Wei soldiers retreated. Before they had gone thirty li, they saw fire rising behind the Shu army and heard unceasing shouts. Two forces charged forth—Guan Xing on the left and Zhang Bao on the right. Arrows and stones rained down from the hills above. The Wei army was utterly routed. Fei Yao knew he had fallen into a trap. He gathered the retreating troops and fled into the valley, his men and horses exhausted. Behind them, Guan Xing led fresh troops in pursuit. The Wei soldiers trampled one another and fell into mountain streams—the dead were beyond counting. Fei Yao fled for his life and came upon a body of soldiers blocking a hillside pass—it was Jiang Wei. Fei Yao cursed him loudly, "Faithless rebel! Unhappily I was tricked by your treacherous scheme!" Jiang Wei smiled and said, "I meant to capture Cao Zhen—it was you I mistakenly lured here. Quickly dismount and surrender!" Fei Yao spurred his horse and tried to force his way through toward the valley. Suddenly he saw flames shooting skyward in the valley, and the pursuing troops were close behind. Fei Yao cut his own throat and died. The remainder of his forces all surrendered.

Kongming pressed on with his troops through the night until they reached the front of Mount Qi, where he encamped, gathered his forces, and richly rewarded Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei said, "My only regret is that I could not kill Cao Zhen." Kongming also said, "It is a pity that our great plan was put to such small use."

Now, when Cao Zhen learned that Fei Yao had been lost, his regret was beyond measure. He discussed with Guo Huai a plan for withdrawing the troops. Sun Li and Xin Pi then rode by night to present a memorial to the Wei emperor, stating that the Shu army had again marched forth from Mount Qi, that Cao Zhen had lost men and officers, and that the situation was extremely critical. Rui was greatly alarmed and immediately summoned Sima Yi into his presence, saying, "Cao Zhen has lost men and officers, and the Shu army has again marched from Mount Qi. What strategy do you have to drive them back?" Sima Yi said, "I already have a plan to drive back Zhuge Liang. Without the Wei army needing to display its might, the Shu soldiers will withdraw of their own accord." Indeed:

Already Zidan's schemes had failed,

Now Zhongda's wise plans would prevail.

What this plan was, you will see in the next chapter.