Chapter 110

Chapter 110

It was the first month of the second year of the Zhengyuan era of Wei. Qiuqian Wuji, who held the offices of Inspector of Yangzhou, General Who Guards the East, and Commander of the Huainan armies—courtesy name Zhonggong, a man from Wenxi in Henan—learned that Sima Shi had presumptuously carried out the deposition and installation of the sovereign. His heart burned with indignation. His eldest son, Qiuqian Wudian, said, "Father, you hold a high command over a region. Sima Shi monopolizes power and deposes the ruler—the state stands in peril like a pile of eggs. How can you sit by in complacent inaction?" Wuji said, "My son speaks rightly." He then invited the Inspector, Wen Qin, to discuss the matter. Wen Qin had formerly been a retainer in Cao Shuang's household. Upon receiving Wuji's summons, he came at once to pay his respects. Wuji invited him into the inner chamber. After the formal courtesies were completed, Wuji spoke, but tears streamed incessantly down his face. Wen Qin asked the reason. Wuji said, "Sima Shi monopolizes power and deposes the ruler—heaven and earth are turned upside down. How could I not be grieved?" Wen Qin said, "As the commander of a region, if you are willing to take up arms in righteousness to punish this rebel, I will gladly give my life to aid you. My second son, Wen Shu, childhood name Ayang, possesses the courage to face ten thousand men single-handedly. He has long wished to kill Sima Shi and his brothers to avenge Cao Shuang. He may be appointed as the vanguard." Wuji was greatly pleased. At once he poured a libation of wine and the two men swore an oath. They falsely claimed that the Empress Dowager had issued a secret edict, and summoned all officers and soldiers of every rank in Huainan into Shouchun city. They erected an altar in the west of the city, sacrificed a white horse and smeared their lips with its blood to seal the covenant. They proclaimed that Sima Shi had committed the gravest of crimes against morality and law, and that they had received the Empress Dowager's secret edict to raise the entire Huainan army and march in righteous punishment of the rebel. All present were won over and submitted willingly. Wuji led sixty thousand troops and encamped at Xiangcheng. Wen Qin commanded twenty thousand soldiers outside as a mobile force, moving back and forth to provide support. Wuji then sent dispatches to all the commanderies, ordering each to raise troops and come to his aid.

Now, Sima Shi had a fleshy tumor on his left eye that caused him constant pain and itching. He ordered the physician to cut it away, treated it with medicine and bandaged it, and remained in his residence for several days recuperating. Suddenly he received urgent news from Huainan. He summoned Wang Su, the Minister of Works, to confer. Wang Su said, "In former times, Guan Yu's might shook the length and breadth of the land, but Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to seize Jingzhou. Lü Meng comforted and cared for the families of Guan Yu's soldiers, and for this reason Guan Yu's army fell apart. Now the families of the Huainan officers and soldiers are all in the Central Plains. You should swiftly extend comfort and provisions to them, and further use troops to cut off their line of retreat. A collapse like the crumbling of earth is certain." Sima Shi said, "Your words are most apt. But I have just had the tumor removed from my eye and cannot go myself. If I send another, my heart would be ill at ease." At that time, the Palace Library Gentleman of the Secretariat, Zhong Hui, was standing at his side. He stepped forward and said, "The soldiers of the Huai and Chu regions are strong and their edge is most keen. If you send someone else to lead troops against them, defeat is more than likely. Should there be the slightest mishap, the great undertaking would be ruined." Sima Shi sprang to his feet and said: "Unless I go in person, the rebels cannot be defeated!" He therefore left his brother Sima Zhao to guard Luoyang and oversee the administration of the government. Sima Shi, riding in a soft sedan chair despite his illness, traveled eastward. He ordered the General Who Guards the East, Zhuge Dan, to take overall command of the Yu Province armies and advance on Shouchun via Anfeng Ford. He further ordered the General Who Conquers the East, Hu Zun, to lead the Qing Province armies through the territories of Qiao and Song, cutting off the enemy's line of retreat. He also dispatched the Inspector of Yu Province and Army Supervisor Wang Ji to lead the vanguard and first seize the southern positions. Sima Shi himself led the main army and encamped at Xiangyang, where he gathered his civil and military officials in his tent to deliberate.

Zheng Bao, the Chamberlain for Attendants, said: "Qiuqian Wuji is fond of scheming but lacks resolve; Wen Qin has courage but no wisdom. Now our great army takes them by surprise. The soldiers of the Yangtze and Huai regions are at the height of their vigor—we must not underestimate them. We should simply dig deep moats and build high ramparts to blunt their sharp edge. This was Zhou Yafu's proven strategy." The Army Supervisor Wang Ji said: "That will not do. The rebellion in Huainan does not arise from the soldiers and people's desire for disorder. They all followed because they were compelled by Qiuqian Wuji's power and had no choice. If our great army arrives, they will certainly fall apart." Sima Shi said: "This is an excellent observation." He thereupon advanced his army to the banks of the Yin River, with the main force encamped at Yin Bridge. Wang Ji said: "Nundun is an excellent place to encamp troops. We should move our forces there by night and seize it. If we delay, Qiuqian Wuji will surely arrive first." Sima Shi accordingly ordered Wang Ji to lead the vanguard to Nundun and establish a camp beneath the city walls.

Meanwhile, Qiuqian Wuji was at Xiangcheng when he learned that Sima Shi had come in person. He gathered his officers to deliberate. The vanguard commander Ge Yong said: "The terrain of Nundun, with mountains at its back and water before it, is ideal for encamping troops. If the Wei forces occupy it first, it will be difficult to dislodge them. We should seize it at once." Wuji followed his counsel and set out with his army toward Nundun. As they were on the march, a mounted scout came galloping ahead to report that troops had already encamped at Nundun. Wuji did not believe it and rode forward himself to the front of the army to see. Indeed, banners covered the plain and the encampment was laid out in perfect order. Wuji returned to his army, at a loss for a plan. Suddenly a scout came rushing in with urgent news: "Sun Jun of Wu has led troops across the Yangtze to attack Shouchun." Wuji was greatly alarmed. "If Shouchun is lost, where shall I return?" That night he withdrew his army back to Xiangcheng. Sima Shi saw that Qiuqian Wuji's army had retreated and gathered his senior officials to deliberate. The Minister of the Department of State Affairs, Fu Gu, said: "Wuji's army has withdrawn because he fears that the Wu forces will attack Shouchun. He will surely return to Shouchun and divide his troops to defend it. You, General, can order one army to take Lecheng, one army to take Xiangcheng, and one army to take Shouchun. Then the Huainan troops will certainly retreat. Deng Ai, the Inspector of Yanzhou, is resourceful and full of stratagems. If he is ordered to lead troops directly to seize Lecheng, and we follow up with a strong supporting force, defeating the rebels will not be difficult." Sima Shi followed this advice. He hastily dispatched a messenger bearing a written order, instructing Deng Ai to raise the Yanzhou forces and destroy Lecheng. Sima Shi then led his own army to follow and join forces there.

Now Wianqiu Wuzhong was at Xiangcheng, and from time to time he sent men to scout Lecheng, fearing that troops might approach. He summoned Wen Qin to his camp to discuss the matter. Wen Qin said, "My lord, have no concern. My son Wen Yang and I, with only five thousand soldiers, dare guarantee the safety of Lecheng." Wuzhong was overjoyed. Wen Qin and his son led five thousand troops toward Lecheng. The advance force reported: "To the west of Lecheng, there are all Wei troops, numbering some ten thousand or more. Gazing toward the center of their formation, one sees white pennants and a yellow battle-axe, a black canopy and red banners, surrounding a tiger-emblazoned tent. Within stands an embroidered command banner bearing the character 'Commander-in-Chief'—this must be Sima Shi. They have established their encampment, but it is not yet complete."

At that time, Wen Yang stood beside his father with his whip at his side. Hearing these words, he said to his father, "Since their camp is not yet finished, we can divide our forces into two columns and strike from left and right—we can win a complete victory." Wen Qin asked, "When shall we go?" Yang replied, "Tonight at dusk, Father shall lead two thousand five hundred troops and attack from the south of the city; I shall lead two thousand five hundred troops and attack from the north. At the third watch, we shall join forces within the Wei camp." Wen Qin agreed, and that night he divided his forces into two columns.

Now Wen Yang was only eighteen years of age, eight feet tall, fully armed and armored, a steel whip at his waist, grasping his spear as he mounted his horse, advancing toward the Wei encampment in the distance.

That night, Sima Shi's troops arrived at Lecheng and set up camp, awaiting the arrival of Deng Ai. Sima Shi, having recently had a flesh tumor cut from his eye, was suffering from the pain of the wound and lay in his tent, ordering several hundred armored soldiers to stand guard around him. At the third watch, suddenly the camp erupted with a great shouting, and men and horses fell into chaos. Sima Shi hastily asked what was happening. A man reported: "A force has broken through the northern perimeter and charged straight in. Their commander is a warrior of unstoppable valor." Sima Shi was greatly alarmed. His heart burned like fire, and his eyeball burst forth from the tumor's wound, blood flowing across the ground; the pain was unbearable. Yet fearing that the army's morale might collapse, he bit down on the bedclothes to endure it, and the coverings were chewed to shreds.

It turned out that Wen Yang's troops had arrived first and surged forward in a mass, charging left and right within the camp. Wherever they went, no one dared stand against them. Those who resisted were struck down by spear or whip—none escaped death. Yang had only hoped for his father to arrive as an outer reinforcement, but he did not come. Several times Yang fought his way to the center of the camp, only each time to be driven back by arrows and crossbows. Yang fought straight through until dawn, when he heard the sound of drums and horns thundering from the north.

Yang turned and said to his followers: "My father did not come from the south as reinforcement—why is he coming from the north instead?" Yang galloped to look and saw a force advancing like a fierce wind. At their head was a commander—none other than Deng Ai—leaping on his horse and brandishing his blade, shouting loudly: "Rebel scoundrel, do not flee!" Yang flew into a rage and leveled his spear to meet him. They fought for fifty bouts with neither gaining the advantage. In the midst of their duel, the Wei forces advanced in great numbers, attacking from front and rear. Yang's soldiers scattered and fled, leaving only Wen Yang alone on his horse, cutting through the Wei troops and fleeing southward. Behind him, several hundred Wei generals, summoning their spirits, spurred their horses in pursuit. They reached the edge of Lecheng Bridge and were about to overtake him.

Suddenly Yang reined in his horse, let out a great roar, and charged straight into the formation of Wei generals. Wherever his whip rose, men fell from their horses and fell back in retreat. Yang then rode forward slowly. The Wei generals gathered together in astonishment and said, "This man dares to drive back all of us! Let us pursue him with united strength!" So a hundred Wei generals came chasing after him again. Yang burst into furious rage and said, "How can you mice value your lives so little!" He raised his whip, turned his horse, and plunged into the midst of the Wei generals, killing several with his whip. Then he turned his horse and rode slowly once more. The Wei generals pursued four or five times, and each time were driven back by Wen Yang alone. A later poet wrote:

At Changban, one man alone stood against Cao,

And from that day Zilong's heroism shone bright.

At Lecheng, where blades clashed in fierce contest,

Wen Yang's gallant spirit rose to equal height.

Now Wen Qin had lost his way on the mountain paths, wandering into a valley. He traveled through half the night, and when he finally found his way out, dawn had already broken—and he had no idea where Wen Yang and his men had gone. He saw only that the Wei forces had won a great victory, and without fighting, he withdrew. The Wei troops pursued and attacked with their momentum, and Wen Qin led his forces toward Shouchun.

Now the Palace Commandant of the Wei court, Yin Daimu, had been a trusted follower of Cao Shuang. Because Cao Shuang had been murdered by Sima Yi, he served Sima Shi but always harbored the desire to kill Shi and avenge Shuang. He had long been close friends with Wen Qin. Now seeing that Sima Shi's eye tumor had burst forth and that he could not move, he entered the tent and said: "Wen Qin originally had no rebellious intent. He was forced into this by Wianqiu Wuzheng. Let me go and speak to him—he will surely come and surrender." Sima Shi agreed. Yin Daimu put on his helmet and armor, mounted his horse, and rode in pursuit of Wen Qin. He was about to overtake him when he called out loudly: "Does Governor Wen see Yin Daimu?" Wen Qin turned to look. Yin Daimu removed his helmet and laid it across the front of his saddle, pointing with his whip: "Why can Governor Wen not endure a few more days?" This was because Yin Daimu knew that Sima Shi was about to die, and so he came to detain Wen Qin. Wen Qin did not understand his meaning. He cursed loudly and was about to draw his bow and shoot him. Yin Daimu wept and returned. When Wen Qin gathered his men and fled toward Shouchun, he found that it had already been taken by Zhuge Dan's forces. When he turned back toward Xiangcheng, the three armies of Hu Zun, Wang Ji, and Deng Ai had all arrived. Seeing that the situation was desperate, Wen Qin fled to Sun Jun in Eastern Wu.

Now Wianqiu Wuzheng, within Xiangcheng, learned that Shouchun had been lost and that Wen Qin's forces had been defeated, and that three armies had arrived outside the city. Wuzheng therefore withdrew all the troops from the city to do battle. He encountered Deng Ai head-on. Wuzheng ordered Ge Yong to ride out and engage Deng Ai. In a single bout, Deng Ai cut him down with one stroke of his blade and led his troops through the lines. Wuzhong fought desperately to resist. The troops of the Huai and Yangtze region fell into chaos. Hu Zun and Wang Ji attacked from all four sides. Wuzhong could not hold out and fled with more than ten horsemen by a side road. He arrived at the wall of Shen County, where the county magistrate Bai Song opened the gate to welcome him in and set out a feast. Wuzhong drank himself into a stupor, and Bai Song had him killed. His head was presented to the Wei troops. Thus the region of Huai-nan was pacified.

Sima Shi lay gravely ill and would not rise. He summoned Zhuge Dan into his tent, bestowed upon him the seal and ribbons of office, and appointed him Grand General of the East, commander of all the armies of Yangzhou. At the same time, the army began its withdrawal to Xuchang. Shi's eye pain would not cease, and every night he saw Li Feng, Zhang Ji, and Xiahou Xuan standing before his bed. His spirit grew confused, and he judged that he could not survive. He therefore sent for Sima Zhao to come from Luoyang. Zhao wept and prostrate himself at the foot of the bed. Shi spoke his final words: "My power and authority are now so great that though I wish to lay them down, I cannot. You must take up the work after me. On no account entrust great matters to others, lest you bring ruin and extermination upon your clan." With that, he handed over the seal and ribbons, tears streaming down his face. Zhao was about to ask a question when Shi let out a great cry, his eyes burst from their sockets, and he died. This was in the second month of the second year of Zhengyuan. Sima Zhao then held the funeral and sent a report to the Wei ruler, Cao Mao. Cao Mao dispatched an envoy with an edict to Xuchang, ordering Sima Zhao to remain there temporarily with his troops to guard against Eastern Wu. Zhao hesitated, uncertain what to do. Zhong Hui said, "The Grand General has just died and the people's hearts are unsettled. If you remain here and something should happen at court, it will be too late for regret." Zhao followed his counsel and led his army to encamp south of the Luo River. When Cao Mao heard of this, he was greatly alarmed. Grand Commandant Wang Su memorialized the throne: "Since Zhao has succeeded his elder brother in holding great power, Your Majesty should enfeoff him to keep him content." Cao Mao then ordered Wang Su to bear an edict and enfeoff Sima Zhao as Grand General and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Zhao came to court to express his gratitude. From that day forward, all matters great and small, both within and without the court, were decided by Zhao.

Now it came to pass that a spy from Western Shu, having learned of this affair, reported it to Chengdu. Jiang Wei memorialized the Latter Lord: "Sima Shi has just died, and Sima Zhao has only newly grasped great power. He will certainly not dare leave Luoyang. I request permission to take advantage of this gap to attack Wei and restore the Central Plain." The Latter Lord approved and ordered Jiang Wei to raise an army and campaign against Wei. When Jiang Wei arrived at Hanzhong, he put his forces in order. General of the West Zhang Yi said: "The territory of Shu is narrow and its resources and grain are scarce. It is unwise to campaign far from home. Better to hold the strategic passes and maintain our boundaries, caring for the army and loving the people. This is the way to preserve the state." Jiang Wei replied: "Not so. When the Prime Minister had not yet left his thatched cottage, he had already determined the threefold division of the realm, and yet he launched six campaigns from Qishan to seize the Central Plain. Unfortunately, he died midway and his great work was left unfinished. Now that I have received the Prime Minister's dying charge, I must serve the state with all my loyalty and carry on his ambitions—even unto death, I shall have no regrets. Today Wei has a breach I can exploit. If I do not attack now, when shall I attack?" Xiahou Ba said: "What the General says is right. We can send light cavalry out first toward Fuhan. If we take Tao Xi and Nan'an, then all the surrounding commanderies can be secured." Zhang Yi said: "In the past we failed and withdrew because our army moved too slowly. The Art of War says: 'Strike where the enemy is unprepared; appear where he does not expect you.' If we advance swiftly now, so that the Wei forces cannot prepare their defenses, certain victory will follow."

Thereupon Jiang Wei led fifty thousand soldiers and advanced toward Fuhan. When his army reached the Tao River, the frontier guards reported this to Yongzhou Governor Wang Jing and General of the West Chen Tai. Wang Jing immediately set out with seventy thousand horse and foot to meet them. Jiang Wei instructed Zhang Yi in a certain plan, and then instructed Xiahou Ba in another plan; the two men took their orders and departed. Jiang Wei then personally led his main army and drew up his battle lines with the Tao River at his back. Wang Jing led several of his guard commanders forward and called out: "Wei, Wu, and Shu have already formed a tripod balance of power. Why do you repeatedly invade our territory?" Jiang Wei replied: "Sima Shi deposed his sovereign without cause. A neighboring state has every right to demand an accounting—how much more so a state with whom you bear enmity!" Wang Jing turned to his four commanders—Zhang Ming, Hua Yong, Liu Da, and Zhu Fang—and said: "The Shu army has formed its lines with the river at its back; if defeated, they will be drowned in the waters. Jiang Wei is fierce and brave. You four may engage him. If he gives way, press the pursuit." The four commanders came out on the left and right and advanced to do battle with Jiang Wei. After a few exchanges, Jiang Wei wheeled his horse around and fled toward his own camp. Wang Jing drove his forces forward in hot pursuit. Jiang Wei led his troops toward Tao Xi, and as they neared the water, he cried out to his officers: "The crisis is upon us! Why do not all of you fight with every ounce of your strength?" The officers rallied and turned back to fight with all their might. The Wei army was utterly routed. Zhang Yi and Xiahou Ba, having gotten behind the Wei forces, struck from two directions and trapped them in the center. Jiang Wei, displaying his martial prowess, plunged into the Wei ranks, charging left and right. The Wei army fell into chaos, trampling one another; more than half were killed, countless numbers were driven into the Tao River, over ten thousand heads were taken, and corpses were piled for several li. Wang Jing escaped with a hundred defeated cavalrymen, fighting his way out, and made straight for Didao city. He fled into the city and barred its gates to defend it. Jiang Wei, having won a great victory, rewarded his troops and then wished to advance and attack Didao city. Zhang Yi remonstrated: "Your achievement is already complete and your fame resounds on all sides—you may stop here. If you advance now and things do not go as you wish, it will be like drawing a snake and adding feet to it." Jiang Wei replied: "Not so. In the past, even after a defeat, I still sought to advance and sweep across the Central Plain. Today, after this great victory at the Tao River, the spirit of the Wei men is broken. I judge that Didao will be mine for the taking. Do not let yourself sink into discouragement." Zhang Yi remonstrated again and again, but Jiang Wei would not listen. He led his troops forward to take Didao city.

Now Chen Tai, the General Who Conquers the West in Yongzhou, was about to raise troops to avenge Wang Jin's defeat, when Deng Ai, Inspector of Yanzhou, arrived with his army. Tai received him, and after the customary courtesies, Deng Ai said, "I come by order of the Grand Marshal to assist you in defeating the enemy." Tai sought his counsel. Deng Ai said, "After their victory at the Tao River, had they summoned the Qiang tribes and marched east to contest Guanlong, issuing proclamations to the four commanderies, they would have been a grave threat to us. But instead they seek to take Didao. Its walls are strong and cannot be taken quickly — they will only exhaust their troops and waste their strength. Let us now deploy our forces at Mount Xiangling, then advance and strike them. The Shu army will surely be defeated." Chen Tai said, "Truly an excellent plan!" He immediately dispatched twenty companies of fifty men each, all carrying banners, drums, horns, and signal fires, to march by night and hide by day in the high mountains and deep valleys southeast of Didao. When the enemy arrived, they would sound their drums and horns together, and at night light fires and set off cannon to alarm them. Once these arrangements were complete, they waited for the Shu army. Then Chen Tai and Deng Ai each led twenty thousand troops and advanced in succession.

Now Jiang Wei had besieged Didao and ordered his soldiers to attack from all eight directions. After several days of continuous assault, the city still held, and Jiang Wei grew vexed, unable to devise a plan. That day, at dusk, a mounted scout arrived three or four times in quick succession to report: "Two columns of troops are approaching, their banners clearly inscribed with large characters. One is led by the General Who Conquers the West Chen Tai, the other by the Inspector of Yanzhou Deng Ai." Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed and sought counsel with Xiahou Ba. Ba said, "I have often told you that Deng Ai has understood military strategy from a young age and knows geography well. Now that he has brought his army here, he is a formidable opponent." Jiang Wei said, "Their forces have marched far. If I do not allow them to gain a foothold, I can strike them." He left Zhang Yi to continue the siege and ordered Xiahou Ba to meet Chen Tai. Jiang Wei himself led troops to confront Deng Ai. Before he had gone five li, a cannon suddenly boomed from the southeast, drums and horns shook the earth, and firelight filled the sky. Jiang Wei spurred his horse to look and saw the banners of Wei troops all around him. He cried out in alarm, "I have fallen into Deng Ai's trap!" He at once ordered Xiahou Ba and Zhang Yi to abandon Didao and retreat. The Shu army withdrew entirely to Hanzhong. Jiang Wei brought up the rear, hearing the incessant beating of drums behind him. Only when he had retreated through the Jiange Pass did he learn that the more than twenty fires and drum signals were all a bluff. He gathered his troops and withdrew to encamp at Zhongdi.

Meanwhile, the Second Ruler, in recognition of Jiang Wei's victory at the Tao River's west, issued an edict appointing Jiang Wei as Grand Marshal. Jiang Wei accepted the commission, submitted a memorial of thanks, and then resumed deliberations on a new campaign to attack Wei. Truly it was said:

Success need not add a snake's feet,

Yet the quest to smite the foe stirs the tiger's might.

What came of this northern campaign will be told in the next chapter.