Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Now Qiao Zhou, who held the office of Grand Astrologer, was well versed in astronomy. Seeing that Kongming was preparing yet again to launch a campaign, he entered the court and memorialized the Latter Sovereign: "Your servant presently oversees the Observatory. When there are signs of fortune or calamity, I cannot fail to report them. Recently, tens of thousands of birds flew from the south and threw themselves into the Han River to die—this is an ill omen. I have also observed the heavens and noted that the star奎 (Kui) has encroached upon the region of 太白 (Taibai); the dominant qi lies in the north, making it unfavorable for an expedition against Wei. Moreover, the people of Chengdu have all heard the cypress trees weeping at night. With these several portents of disaster, the Prime Minister ought to maintain a vigilant defense and not act rashly."

Kongming replied: "I bear the heavy trust of the late Emperor, who committed the orphaned heir to my care. I must exert every effort to chastise the traitors. How can I allow baseless omens of calamity to cause me to neglect the great affairs of the state?" He therefore ordered the proper officials to prepare a grand sacrifice at the temple of Emperor Zhaolie, where he wept and bowed, declaring: "Your minister Liang has launched five expeditions out of Qishan and gained not an inch of land—my guilt is grave! Now I once again command the full army and march out from Qishan a second time. I vow to expend all my strength and devotion, to exterminate the traitors of Han, to restore the Central Plains, and to devote myself utterly until my dying breath!" When the sacrifice was complete, he took leave of the Latter Sovereign and hastened by night to Hanzhong, where he assembled his generals to deliberate on the campaign.

Suddenly it was reported that Guan Xing had died of illness. Kongming burst into loud weeping and fell unconscious to the ground; it was half a day before he revived. The generals repeatedly tried to comfort him. Kongming sighed with sorrow: "Alas, that a man so loyal and righteous should be denied long life by Heaven! Now as I set out on this campaign, I have lost yet another great general!" A later poet lamented:

Life and death are the constant lot of men—

Even the mayfly is equally empty.

So long as loyalty and filial duty endure,

Why must one live as long as the tall pine?

Kongming led three hundred and forty thousand Shu soldiers, dividing them into five columns, with Jiang Wei and Wei Yan as vanguard commanders, all to march out of Qishan and advance upon Qi. He ordered Li Hui first to transport grain to the mouth of the Xie Valley and await further orders.

Now in Wei, because in the previous year a blue dragon had emerged from a well at Mopo, the reign era had been changed to the first year of Qinglong. At this time it was the second month of spring in the second year of Qinglong. A palace attendant reported: "Frontier officials have flown in with urgent intelligence: the Shu army, over three hundred thousand strong, has marched out from Qishan in five columns once again." The Wei sovereign Cao Rui was greatly alarmed. He hastily summoned Sima Yi and said to him: "The men of Shu have not invaded for three years. Now Zhuge Liang has again marched from Qishan. What shall we do?"

Yi replied: "Your servant observed the heavens by night and noted that the dominant qi of the Central Plains is flourishing, while the star Kui encroaches upon Taibai—this is unfavorable to Xichuan. Now Kongming, relying on his own talent and wisdom, acts against Heaven's will; he brings defeat and ruin upon himself. Trusting in Your Majesty's great fortune, I shall go and destroy him. I wish to recommend four men to accompany me."

Rui asked: "Whom do you recommend?"

Yi said: "Xiahou Yuan had four sons: the eldest is named Ba, courtesy name Zhongquan; the second is Wei, courtesy name Jiquan; the third is Hui, courtesy name Yaquan; and the fourth is He, courtesy name Yiquan. Ba and Wei are skilled in archery and horsemanship; Hui and He are versed in military strategy. These four have long wished to avenge their father. I now recommend Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei as left and right vanguard commanders, and Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He as army administrators, to assist in directing military affairs and repel the Shu forces."

Rui said: "Previously the Imperial Son-in-law Xiahou Mao violated military discipline and lost many troops and horses; to this day he is too ashamed to return. Are these four men comparable to Mao?"

Yi replied: "These four are not to be compared with Mao."

Rui thereupon granted his request and appointed Sima Yi as Grand Commander, giving him authority to employ all officers and soldiers according to their abilities and to requisition troops from every region. Yi received his commission and took leave of the court, departing the capital. Rui also gave him a handwritten edict, which read:

Upon arriving at the banks of the Wei River, you should fortify your defenses and hold fast—do not engage the enemy. When the Shu forces fail to achieve their aims, they will certainly feign retreat to lure you forward. You must on no account pursue them. Wait until their grain is exhausted, when they will inevitably withdraw of their own accord. Then attack their weaknesses, and victory will be easy. This will also spare your troops the hardship of fatigue. No plan is better than this.

Sima Yi bowed and received the edict. He proceeded at once to Chang'an, where he gathered the armies from every region, numbering four hundred thousand in all, and established camps along the banks of the Wei River. He also detached fifty thousand troops to build nine pontoon bridges across the Wei River, and ordered the vanguard commanders Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei to cross the river and encamp on the far side. Behind the main camp, on the eastern plain, he constructed a walled city as a precaution against unforeseen events.

As Sima Yi was deliberating with his generals, it was suddenly reported that Guo Huai and Sun Li had arrived for an audience. Yi received them and, after the formalities were concluded, Guo Huai said: "The Shu army is now all at Qishan. If they cross the Wei River and ascend the plain, connecting with the northern mountains and blocking the Long Road, we should be deeply concerned."

Yi said: "Well spoken. You shall take command of the Longxi forces and encamp on the northern plain. Dig deep moats and raise high ramparts, hold your troops in check and do not move. Only when their grain is exhausted may you attack."

Guo Huai and Sun Li received their orders and led their troops away to establish their camp.

Now Kongming, having again marched out from Qishan, set up five great camps arranged as left, right, center, front, and rear. From Xie Valley straight to Jiange, he established fourteen additional great camps in a continuous line, stationing troops in each, as a long-term strategy. Each day he sent out patrols.

Suddenly it was reported that Guo Huai and Sun Li, commanding the Longxi forces, had encamped on the northern plain. Kongming said to his generals: "The Wei generals have established camp on the northern plain because they fear we will take this route and block the Long Road. I shall now make a feint against the northern plain while secretly seizing the banks of the Wei River. Order the construction of over a hundred wooden rafts carrying bundles of straw, manned by five thousand skilled boatmen. I shall attack the northern plain by night, and Sima Yi will surely lead his forces to its relief. If they suffer even a minor defeat, I will send the rear troops across the shore first, then have the board the rafts. They must not come ashore but instead float downstream to the pontoon bridges, set them ablaze, and burn them, thereby attacking the enemy's rear. Meanwhile I will lead a separate force to seize the gate of their forward camp. If we gain the south bank of the Wei River, then advancing further will present no difficulty." The generals received their orders and acted accordingly.

A scout had already galloped to report to Sima Yi. Yi summoned his generals and said, "Kongming has laid this trap with cunning intent. He pretends to attack Bei Yuan, but his real plan is to sail down the waters and burn the floating bridge, throwing our rear into chaos while striking at our front." He immediately issued orders to Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei: "If you hear shouting from Bei Yuan, lead your troops into the hills south of the Wei River and strike the Shu soldiers when they arrive." He also ordered Zhang Hu and Yue Cong to take two thousand archers and crossbowmen and conceal themselves on the north bank of the floating bridge over the Wei River: "If the Shu soldiers come down the river on rafts, shoot them all at once—do not let them near the bridge." He further commanded Guo Huai and Sun Li: "Kongming will attempt to cross the Wei River secretly from Bei Yuan. Your newly established camp has few men. Conceal yourselves along the road. If the Shu soldiers cross the water in the afternoon, they will certainly attack you at dusk. Feign defeat and retreat—the Shu soldiers will pursue. Then all of you rain arrows upon them. I will advance by both land and water. If the Shu forces come in great numbers, wait for my signal before attacking." After issuing orders to all sectors, he also directed his two sons, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, to lead troops to reinforce the front camp. Sima Yi himself led a force to relieve Bei Yuan.

Meanwhile, Kongming had ordered Wei Yan and Ma Dai to lead troops across the Wei River to attack Bei Yuan; Wu Ban and Wu Yi to take the raft troops and burn the floating bridge; Wang Ping and Zhang Ni as the vanguard, Jiang Wei and Ma Zhong as the main force, and Liao Hua and Zhang Yi as the rear guard—three columns in all, to assault the Wei camp on the north bank of the Wei River. At the hour of noon, the troops left the main camp, crossed the Wei River in full force, formed their battle array, and advanced slowly. Wei Yan and Ma Dai were approaching Bei Yuan when darkness fell. Sun Li's scouts spotted them and abandoned the camp and fled. Wei Yan knew the enemy had prepared an ambush and hastily withdrew his troops, but shouts erupted on all sides: Sima Yi on the left, Guo Huai on the right, with forces attacking from both directions. Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought their way out with desperate courage, but more than half the Shu soldiers fell into the water, and the survivors had no road of escape. Fortunately, Wu Yi's troops arrived, rescued the defeated soldiers, and held the opposite bank. Wu Ban had sent half his men on rafts downriver to burn the floating bridge, but Zhang Hu and Yue Cong on the shore rained arrows upon them. Wu Ban was struck by an arrow and fell into the water and died. The remaining soldiers jumped into the water to save themselves, and the rafts were all seized by the Wei forces.

At this time, Wang Ping and Zhang Ni, unaware that the Bei Yuan force had been defeated, advanced straight to the Wei camp. It was already the second watch of the night when they heard shouting rise on all sides. Wang Ping said to Zhang Ni, "The army attacking Bei Yuan—we do not know whether they have won or lost. The Wei camp on the south bank is right before us, yet not a single Wei soldier is to be seen. Could it be that Sima Yi has learned of our plans and made preparations in advance? Let us wait until we see the floating bridge set ablaze before advancing." The two of them reined in their troops. Suddenly a horseman came galloping up from behind and reported, "The Prime Minister orders the army to withdraw at once. Both the Bei Yuan force and the floating bridge force have been lost." Wang Ping and Zhang Ni were greatly alarmed and hastily retreated, but the Wei troops had gotten behind them. With a cannon blast, they charged forward all at once, flames shooting into the sky. Wang Ping and Zhang Ni led their troops to meet them, and the two armies clashed in a confused battle. Wang and Zhang fought their way out with desperate courage, but the Shu forces suffered losses of more than half their number. Kongming returned to the main camp at Mount Qi, gathered the surviving troops, and found they had lost some ten thousand men. His heart was heavy with grief.

Then a report came that Fei Yi had arrived from Chengdu to see the Prime Minister. Kongming invited him in. After Fei Yi had completed his greetings, Kongming said, "I have a letter that I wished to trouble you to deliver to Eastern Wu. Would you be willing to go?" Fei Yi replied, "How could I presume to decline Your Excellency's command?" Kongming then wrote the letter and gave it to Fei Yi, who departed. Fei Yi took the letter directly to Jianye, was granted an audience with the Wu ruler Sun Quan, and presented Kongming's letter. Sun Quan opened and read it, which said in essence:

The House of Han has suffered misfortune, and the bonds of royal authority have been severed. The rebel Cao usurped the throne, and his evil has spread to this day. I, Liang, have been entrusted with the heavy responsibility bequeathed by Emperor Zhaolie, and how dare I not exert every ounce of my strength and devotion? Now our great army has assembled at Mount Qi, and the mad invaders will perish by the Wei River. I humbly beseech Your Majesty, in the spirit of our alliance, to command your generals to march north, so that together we may seize the Central Plains and divide the realm between us. No letter can say all that must be said—I earnestly hope for Your Sacred Majesty's gracious attention!

When Sun Quan had finished reading, he was overjoyed and said to Fei Yi, "I have long wished to raise an army, but had not been able to coordinate with Kongming. Now that his letter has arrived, I shall personally lead the troops on this very day. I will enter through the Juchu Gate and seize the Wei's new city. I will also order Lu Xun, Zhuge Jin, and others to station troops at Jiangxia and Miankou to take Xiangyang. Sun Shao, Zhang Cheng, and others will advance from Guangling to seize Huaiyang and other regions. Three columns will advance simultaneously, three hundred thousand men in all, and we will set forth on an appointed day." Fei Yi bowed and said in gratitude, "If this is so, then the Central Plains will fall before long!" Sun Quan held a banquet in Fei Yi's honor. During the feast, Sun Quan asked, "At the front, whom does the Prime Minister use to lead the assault against the enemy?" Fei Yi replied, "Wei Yan is foremost." Sun Quan smiled and said, "This man has courage to spare, but his heart is not upright. If one day Kongming is no longer there, he will surely bring disaster. Does Kongming not know this?" Fei Yi said, "Your Majesty's words are most fitting! When I return, I shall report these words to Kongming." He then took his leave of Sun Quan and returned to Mount Qi, where he saw Kongming and reported in full that the Wu ruler had raised a great army of three hundred thousand, was personally leading the expedition, and was advancing in three columns. Kongming then asked, "Did the Wu ruler say anything else?" Fei Yi told him what had been said about Wei Yan. Kongming sighed and said, "A truly wise ruler! It is not that I do not know this man. It is only because I value his courage that I employ him." Fei Yi said, "Your Excellency should make arrangements for this matter in good time." Kongming said, "I have my own methods." Fei Yi took his leave of Kongming and returned to Chengdu.

Kongming was in consultation with his generals about advancing his campaign when a report came that a Wei general had come to surrender. Kongming summoned the man and questioned him. He replied, "I am Zheng Wen, a junior general of Wei. Recently I was assigned to lead troops alongside Qin Lang, under the command of Sima Yi. But Yi showed partiality and favoritism—he promoted Qin Lang to General of the Vanguard while treating me like dirt. I could not bear this injustice, so I have come to surrender to Your Excellency. I beg to be received into your service."

Before he had finished speaking, a report came that Qin Lang had led his forces outside the camp and was challenging Zheng Wen to single combat. Kongming said, "How does this man's martial skill compare to yours?" Zheng Wen replied, "I shall slay him on the spot." Kongming said, "If you kill Qin Lang first, then I will have no doubts about you."

Zheng Wen mounted his horse with alacrity and rode out of the camp to meet Qin Lang. Kongming himself went out to observe. They saw Qin Lang level his spear and shout in fury: "You rebel and traitor, you have stolen my war horse and come here—return it to me at once!" With that, he charged straight at Zheng Wen. Zheng Wen spurred his horse and met him with his saber. In a single pass, he struck Qin Lang from his horse. The Wei soldiers scattered and fled. Zheng Wen rode back into camp carrying the severed head.

Kongming returned to his tent and sat down. He summoned Zheng Wen, and his expression changed to one of furious rage. He ordered his attendants to seize Zheng Wen and behead him. Zheng Wen cried, "This officer has committed no crime!" Kongming said, "I have long known Qin Lang. The man you just killed was not Qin Lang. How dare you try to deceive me!" Zheng Wen prostrated himself and pleaded, "That was in fact Qin Lang's younger brother, Qin Ming." Kongming laughed and said, "Sima Yi sent you here to feign surrender and work mischief from within—but how could you ever hope to fool me? If you do not speak the truth, I will surely have you executed!" Zheng Wen had no choice but to confess that his surrender was indeed a ruse, and he wept, begging to be spared his life.

Kongming said, "Since you wish to live, write a letter instructing Sima Yi to come in person to raid our camp, and I will spare your life. If we capture Sima Yi, it will be counted as your merit, and you will be employed again." Zheng Wen had no choice but to write the letter and present it to Kongming. Kongming ordered Zheng Wen to be placed under guard.

Fan Jian asked, "How did Your Excellency know this man's surrender was a fraud?" Kongming replied, "Sima Yi does not employ men lightly. If he promoted Qin Lang to General of the Vanguard, Qin Lang must possess exceptional martial skill. Yet in his encounter with Zheng Wen, he was killed in a single pass—this could not have been the real Qin Lang. That is how I knew it was a ruse." All present bowed in admiration.

Kongming selected an eloquent soldier and whispered his instructions into the man's ear, telling him exactly what to do. The soldier received his orders and went directly to the Wei camp, requesting an audience with Sima Yi. Sima Yi had him brought in, opened the letter, and read it through. He asked, "Who are you?" The soldier replied, "I am a man from the Central Plains who drifted into Shu. Zheng Wen is my fellow townsman. Now Kongming, because of Zheng Wen's merit, has appointed him as vanguard commander. Zheng Wen specially entrusted me to deliver this letter. He proposes that on the evening of tomorrow, he will raise fire as a signal, and he hopes Your Excellency will personally lead a great army to raid the camp, with Zheng Wen responding from within."

Sima Yi questioned him repeatedly and examined the letter carefully—it appeared to be genuine. He rewarded the soldier with food and wine and instructed him, "We will set the time at the second watch tonight. I shall come in person to raid the camp. If this great undertaking succeeds, I will certainly employ you with honor." The soldier took his leave, returned to his own camp, and reported everything to Kongming.

Kongming took up his sword and performed the ritual steps of the constellations, offering his prayers. When he was finished, he summoned Wang Ping and Zhang Yi and gave them their instructions in secret; then he summoned Ma Zhong and Ma Dai and gave them their instructions in secret; then he summoned Wei Yan and gave him his instructions in secret. Kongming himself led several dozen men and took his seat atop a high mountain, directing the movements of all the troops.

Now when Sima Yi read Zheng Wen's letter, he wished to lead his two sons and a great army to raid the Shu camp. His elder son, Sima Shi, remonstrated: "Father, why would you personally enter dangerous territory on the strength of a single letter? If anything should go wrong, what then? It would be better to send another general ahead while you follow as reserve." Sima Yi accepted this counsel. He ordered Qin Lang to lead ten thousand troops to raid the Shu camp, while he himself led a force in support.

That night, at the beginning of the first watch, the air was clear and the moon shone brightly. But as the second watch approached, suddenly dark clouds gathered from all four directions and a black fog filled the sky—men could not see each other even face to face. Sima Yi was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Heaven itself aids my success!" Thereupon every soldier placed a tally-bit in their mouths, every horse had its bridle checked, and the army advanced in a long, swift drive. Qin Lang led the way, conducting his ten thousand troops straight into the Shu camp—but not a single man was to be found. Qin Lang realized he had fallen into a trap and hastily ordered a retreat. At once torches blazed on all sides and the earth shook with war cries: on the left were Wang Ping and Zhang Yi, on the right were Ma Dai and Ma Zhong, and soldiers came charging from both directions. Qin Lang fought desperately but could not break through.

Behind him, Sima Yi saw the flames shooting skyward from the Shu camp and heard the unceasing roar of battle. Not knowing whether his own forces were winning or losing, he pressed his supporting troops forward and charged toward the light of the fires. Suddenly a great shout arose, drums and horns thundered, and cannons shook the ground: on the left was Wei Yan, on the right was Jiang Wei, and they burst forth to attack. The Wei army was utterly routed—eight or nine out of every ten were casualties, and the rest scattered in all directions. Meanwhile, the ten thousand troops under Qin Lang had been surrounded by the Shu forces, and arrows fell like swarming locusts. Qin Lang perished amid the chaos of battle. Sima Yi led the remnants of his defeated army and fled back to his own camp.

After the third watch, the sky cleared again. Kongming sounded the gong from the hilltop to recall his troops. What had happened was that at the second watch, dark clouds had gathered on all sides—this was due to Kongming's use of the arts of concealment; and now that the troops had been withdrawn and the sky had cleared once more, it was because Kongming had summoned the Six Ding and the Six Jia deities to sweep away the drifting clouds.

That day, Kongming returned triumphant to his camp. He ordered the execution of Zheng Wen and then discussed plans for capturing the land south of the Wei River. Each day he sent soldiers to challenge the enemy, but the Wei forces would not come out to meet them. Kongming himself rode in a small carriage to survey the terrain along both banks of the Wei River before Mount Qi. Suddenly he came upon a valley mouth that was shaped like a gourd, large enough to hold over a thousand men within; two mountains converged into another valley that could hold four or five hundred; and behind, two mountains embraced the area so that only a single man and horse could pass through.

Kongming surveyed it and was overjoyed. He asked the local guide, "What is this valley called?" The answer came: "It is called Shangfang Valley, also known as Gourd Valley." Kongming returned to his tent and summoned the lieutenant generals Du Rui and Hu Zhong, whispering secret orders to their ears. He then ordered that over a thousand military artisans be assembled and sent into Gourd Valley to construct "wooden oxen and flowing horses" for use. He also ordered Ma Dai to lead five hundred soldiers to guard the valley mouth. Kongming instructed Ma Dai: "The artisans are not to be let out, and outsiders are not to be let in. I will come from time to time to inspect personally. The scheme to capture Sima Yi depends on this very undertaking. On no account must word of this leak out." Ma Dai received his orders and departed. Du Rui and the others supervised the artisans in the valley, manufacturing according to specifications. Kongming came daily to give instructions.

One day, the Chief Clerk Yang Yi entered and reported: "At present all the grain is stored at Jiange. The men and oxen and horses find it most inconvenient to transport. What is to be done?" Kongming smiled and said: "I have been planning this for a long time. The timber I accumulated earlier, together with large logs purchased from Xichuan, I have had people use to construct 'wooden oxen and flowing horses' for transporting grain—it is exceedingly convenient. The oxen and horses need neither water nor food, and transport can go on ceaselessly day and night." All were astounded and said: "From ancient times to the present, nothing has ever been heard of 'wooden oxen and flowing horses.' We do not know by what ingenious method the Prime Minister has created such marvelous objects." Kongming said: "I have already had them constructed according to specifications, though they are not yet complete. I shall now write out the method for constructing the wooden oxen and flowing horses—their dimensions, whether square or round, their length, breadth, and width—and set it all down clearly for you to see." Everyone was greatly pleased. Kongming then wrote out a sheet by hand and gave it for all to read. The generals gathered around to look. The method for constructing the wooden ox read:

A square belly and curved shanks; one belly with four legs. The head fits into the neck; the tongue is attached to the belly. It carries much but travels little. A single one can travel several tens of miles; in a group they travel thirty miles. The curved part is the ox head; the paired parts are the ox legs. The crosspiece is the ox neck; the turning parts are the ox feet. The covering is the ox back; the square part is the ox belly. The hanging part is the ox tongue; the curved part is the ox ribs. The carved parts are the ox teeth; the upright parts are the ox horns. The slender part is the ox halter; the fastened parts are the ox harness straps. The ox is guided by a double shaft. A man walks six feet; the ox takes four steps. The man is not greatly wearied, and the ox neither eats nor drinks.

The method for constructing the flowing horse read:

The ribs are three chi and five cun long, three cun wide, and two cun and five fen thick; left and right are the same as above. The front axle hole is marked four cun from the head, with a diameter of two cun. The front leg hole is marked four cun and five fen from the head, one cun and five fen long, and one cun wide. The shaft hole is three cun and seven fen of marking from the front leg hole, the hole being two cun long and one cun wide. The rear axle hole is one chi and five cun of marking from the front shaft, the size the same as above. The rear leg hole is one cun and two fen of marking from the rear axle hole, three cun and five fen away, the size the same as above. The rear shaft hole is two cun and seven fen of marking from the rear leg hole; the rear crossbar is four cun and five fen of marking from the rear shaft hole. The front shaft is one chi and eight cun long, two cun wide, and one cun and five fen thick. The rear shaft is equal to it. There are two square grain boxes, eight fen thick, two chi and seven cun long, one chi and six cun and five fen high, and one chi and six cun wide: each holds two hu and three dou of rice. From the upper shaft hole to below the ribs is seven cun: front and rear are the same. From the upper shaft hole to the lower shaft hole is one chi and three cun of marking, the hole being one cun and five fen long and seven fen wide: all eight holes are the same. The front and rear four legs are two cun wide and one cun and five fen thick. The form is like that of an elephant; the shafts are four cun long, the surface diameter four cun and three fen. The hole diameter accommodates a three-legged shaft, two chi and one cun long, one cun and five fen wide, and one cun and four fen thick.

The generals looked it over and all prostrated themselves, saying: "The Prime Minister is truly a man of godlike genius!" After several days, the wooden oxen and flowing horses were all completed, looking as lifelike as the real thing; they climbed mountains and crossed ridges with perfect ease. The soldiers who saw them were filled with joy. Kongming ordered the Right General Gao Xiang to lead a thousand soldiers driving the wooden oxen and flowing horses, going straight from Jiange to the great camp at Mount Qi, transporting grain back and forth to supply the needs of the Shu troops. A later poet praised them with these lines:

Through Jiange's perils the flowing horses were driven;

Over Xie Valley's rugged paths the wooden oxen were guided.

If later ages could employ this method,

How could transport ever cause men grief?

Now it happened that Sima Yi was sunk in gloomy anxiety when suddenly a scout rode in and reported: "The Shu army is using wooden oxen and flowing horses to transport their grain. The men are not greatly fatigued, and the oxen and horses require no feed." Sima Yi was greatly alarmed. "The reason I have remained on the defensive behind my walls is precisely because their grain supplies could not reach them—I was waiting for them to collapse on their own. Now that they have adopted this method, they must have a long-term plan and have no intention of retreating. What shall I do?"

He hastily summoned Zhang Hu and Yue Chen and gave them orders: "Each of you shall lead five hundred troops and take the side road out through Xie Valley. When the Shu soldiers have driven their wooden oxen and flowing horses past, let them all go by, then charge out together. Do not try to seize too many—take only three or five and withdraw." The two men obeyed their orders, each leading five hundred troops disguised as Shu soldiers. They slipped through the side road by night and lay in ambush in the valley. Presently they saw Gao Xiang leading his troops driving the wooden oxen and flowing horses along the road. When the last of them had passed, both sides raised a great shout and charged out. The Shu soldiers were caught off guard and abandoned several of the animals. Zhang Hu and Yue Chen drove them back to their own camp in high spirits. Sima Yi examined them and found that they indeed moved back and forth as if alive. He was overjoyed. "If you can use this method, do you think I cannot?" He summoned over a hundred skilled craftsmen and had the devices broken open before their eyes, instructing them to replicate the exact measurements—length, width, thickness—and construct wooden oxen and flowing horses after the same design. In less than half a month, they had produced over two thousand, identical in function to those built by Zhuge Liang, and they too could move about. Sima Yi then ordered General Zhenyuan Cen Wei to lead a thousand troops with wooden oxen and flowing horses to Longxi to transport grain, and they came and went without interruption. Every officer and soldier in the Wei camp rejoiced.

Now Gao Xiang returned to Zhuge Liang and reported that Wei soldiers had seized five or six wooden oxen and flowing horses. Zhuge Liang smiled. "It is precisely what I wanted them to take. I spent only a few wooden oxen and flowing horses, but before long we shall receive abundant supplies for our army." The generals asked, "How does Your Excellency know this?" Zhuge Liang replied, "When Sima Yi sees the wooden oxen and flowing horses, he will certainly imitate my methods and construct the same. Then I shall have another stratagem ready."

Several days later, a report came that the Wei army had also learned to build wooden oxen and flowing horses and was using them to transport grain to Longxi. Zhuge Liang was overjoyed. "This is exactly what I calculated!" He summoned Wang Ping and gave him orders: "Take a thousand soldiers, disguise yourselves as Wei troops, and hurry by night across the Beiyuan plain. Tell them you are a patrol guarding the grain, and slip in among their transport column. Kill all those escorting the grain, then drive the wooden oxen and flowing horses back, making straight for Beiyuan. Wei soldiers will certainly pursue you. When they do, twist the tongues inside the mouths of the oxen and horses—they will no longer be able to move. Then abandon them and flee. When the Wei soldiers catch up, they will be unable to pull or lift them. When my additional troops arrive, turn back and twist the tongues again, then drive the animals forward at full speed. The Wei soldiers will surely think this sorcery."

Wang Ping received his orders and led his troops away.

Zhuge Liang then summoned Zhang Yi and gave him instructions: "Take five hundred soldiers, all dressed as the six Ding and six Jia divine warriors, with heads like demons and bodies like beasts, faces painted in five colors, made up in every manner of grotesque appearance. In one hand carry an embroidered banner, in the other wield a precious sword. Hang gourds at your belts containing combustible materials, and lie in ambush beside the mountain. When the wooden oxen and flowing horses arrive, set off the fire and smoke and rush out together, driving the animals forward. When the Wei soldiers see you, they will surely believe you are gods and spirits and will not dare to pursue."

Zhang Yi received his orders and led his troops away.

Zhuge Liang then summoned Jiang Wei and Wei Yan and instructed them: "You two are to lead ten thousand troops together and go to the entrance of the Beiyuan camp to rendezvous with the wooden oxen and flowing horses, in case of battle." He then summoned Liao Hua and Zhang Yi and instructed them: "You two are to lead five thousand troops to cut off Sima Yi's route of advance." He then summoned Ma Zhong and Ma Dai and instructed them: "You two are to lead two thousand troops to challenge the enemy at Weinan." The six men each obeyed their orders and departed.

Now the Wei general Cen Wei was leading his troops driving the wooden oxen and flowing horses, loaded with grain, when suddenly a report came that troops ahead were patrolling the grain. Cen Wei sent scouts to investigate and found that they were indeed Wei soldiers, so he proceeded with peace of mind. The two forces merged. Suddenly a great shout arose, and Shu soldiers broke ranks from within their own column, crying out: "The great Shu general Wang Ping is here!" The Wei soldiers were caught off guard, and more than half were killed. Cen Wei led the remnants to resist, but Wang Ping cut him down with a single stroke of his sword, and the rest scattered in flight. Wang Ping led his troops and drove all the wooden oxen and flowing horses back. The defeated soldiers flew to report this to the Beiyuan camp. Guo Huai, hearing that the army's grain had been seized, hastily led his troops to the rescue. Wang Ping ordered his men to twist the tongues of the wooden oxen and flowing horses and abandoned them along the road, fighting as he withdrew. Guo Huai told his men not to pursue but only to recover the wooden oxen and flowing horses. All the soldiers tried to drive them, but how could they make them move? Guo Huai was perplexed. Just as he was at his wits' end, suddenly drums and horns thundered and shouts erupted on all sides. Two columns of troops charged out—Wei Yan and Jiang Wei. Wang Ping also turned his forces and attacked again. With three forces converging upon him, Guo Huai was utterly routed and fled. Wang Ping ordered his soldiers to twist the tongues of the oxen and horses once more and drive them forward. Guo Huai, watching from a distance, was about to turn his troops and pursue again when he saw smoke and clouds rising from behind the mountain. A company of divine warriors rushed out, each carrying banners and swords, their appearance grotesque beyond description, driving the wooden oxen and flowing horses onward like a whirlwind. Guo Huai cried out in alarm: "This must be divine aid!" The soldiers who witnessed this were all filled with dread and did not dare to pursue.

Now Sima Yi heard of the defeat at Beiyuan and hastily led his own troops to the rescue. He had scarcely reached halfway when suddenly a cannon sounded and two columns of troops charged out from among the steep defiles, their shouts shaking the earth. Upon their banners were written in large characters: "Han Generals Zhang Yi and Liao Hua." Sima Yi was greatly alarmed. The Wei soldiers panicked and fled in every direction. Truly it was said:

On the road they met divine warriors and the grain was seized;

Encountering strange troops, their very lives were imperiled.

What became of Sima Yi's struggle—read on in the next chapter.