Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Meanwhile, Sima Zhao said to Shao Di, the Western Cao Yuan: "The ministers of the court all say Shu cannot be conquered—this is because their hearts are timid. If they were forced to fight a strong battle, they would surely be defeated. Now Zhong Hui alone advocates the policy of attacking Shu—this is because his heart is not timid. Since his heart is not timid, he will certainly destroy Shu. Once Shu is destroyed, the hearts of the Shu people will be shattered. 'A defeated general cannot speak of valor; a minister of a fallen state cannot plot for survival.' Even if Zhong Hui should harbor rebellious ambitions, how could the Shu people assist him? As for the Wei soldiers, once victorious they will long to return home—they will certainly not follow Zhong Hui in rebellion, so there is even less cause for concern. These words are for you and me alone—they must not be leaked." Shao Di bowed in admiration.

Meanwhile, Zhong Hui had finished setting up camp and assembled the generals in his command tent. Among those present were the Army Supervisor Wei Guan, the Army Protector Hu Lie, and the generals Tian Xu, Pang Hui, Tian Zhang, Yuan Jing, Qiu Jian, Xiahou Xian, Wang Jia, Huangfu Kai, and Gous An—over eighty officers in all. Zhong Hui said: "We must have a great general to serve as vanguard, cutting through mountains and building bridges across rivers. Who dares to take on this task?" One man answered loudly: "I volunteer." Zhong Hui looked and saw it was Xu Yi, the son of the fierce general Xu Chu. All the others said: "No one but this man can serve as vanguard." Zhong Hui called Xu Yi forward and said: "You are a general of tiger's body and ape's arms, and both father and son are renowned. Now all the generals also vouch for you. You shall take the seal of the vanguard, leading five thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry, and advance directly to seize Hanzhong. Divide your forces into three routes: you will lead the central route through the Xie Valley; the left army will go through the Luo Valley; the right army will go through the Ziwu Valley. These are all rugged, mountainous regions. You must order your troops to level the roads and repair bridges, breaking through mountains and smashing boulders so that nothing obstructs the way. Anyone who disobeys will be punished according to military law." Xu Yi accepted the command and led his troops forward. Zhong Hui followed with over a hundred thousand men, marching day and night.

Meanwhile, Deng Ai, stationed in Longxi, having received the edict to attack Shu, first ordered Sima Wang to go and block the Qiang people. He also dispatched Zhuge Xu, the Inspector of Yongzhou; Wang Qi, the Grand Administrator of Tianshui; Qian Hong, the Grand Administrator of Longxi; and Yang Xin, the Grand Administrator of Jincheng, each to bring their own troops to receive orders. When the armies had gathered, Deng Ai had a dream one night. He dreamed he climbed a high mountain and gazed toward Hanzhong, when suddenly a spring burst forth at his feet, the water surging upward. He awoke in alarm, drenched in sweat, and sat waiting until dawn. He then summoned his guard Shao Huan and asked him about it. Huan was well versed in the Book of Changes. Ai told him the dream in full. Huan replied: "The Changes say: 'Water above a mountain is Jian. The Jian hexagram means advantage lies to the southwest and disadvantage to the northeast.' Confucius said: 'Jian is advantageous to the southwest—advancing brings merit; disadvantageous to the northeast—the way is exhausted.' Your expedition will certainly conquer Shu. But unfortunately, there will be delays and you may not return." When Ai heard this, he was visibly distressed. Then a dispatch arrived from Zhong Hui, inviting Ai to raise troops and meet at Hanzhong. Ai accordingly dispatched Zhuge Xu, Inspector of Yongzhou, to lead fifteen thousand men and first cut off Jiang Wei's route of retreat. Next he dispatched Wang Qi, Grand Administrator of Tianshui, to lead fifteen thousand men and attack Congzhong from the left. Qian Hong, Grand Administrator of Longxi, was to lead fifteen thousand men and attack Congzhong from the right. He also dispatched Yang Xin, Grand Administrator of Jincheng, to lead fifteen thousand men and intercept Jiang Wei's rear at Gansong. Ai himself led thirty thousand men to coordinate and respond as needed.

Meanwhile, when Zhong Hui set out on his expedition, the officials of the court came to see him outside the city. Banners blocked the sun and armor gleamed like frost. The men were strong and the horses sturdy—the display was magnificent, and all praised it. Only Liu Shi, Aide to the Chancellor, smiled and said nothing. Grand Commandant Wang Xiang, seeing Liu Shi's cold smile, took his hand from horseback and asked: "Will Zhong and Deng, on this expedition, be able to pacify Shu?" Liu Shi said: "Shu will certainly be destroyed. But I fear neither of them will return to the capital." Wang Xiang asked why, but Liu Shi only smiled and did not answer. Xiang pressed him no further.

Meanwhile, once the Wei troops had set out, spies quickly entered Congzhong and reported to Jiang Wei. Wei immediately prepared a memorial to the Latter Lord, requesting that an edict be issued to dispatch Zhang Yi, General of the Left Chariot and Cavalry, to guard Yangping Pass with troops, and Liao Hua, General of the Right Chariot and Cavalry, to guard Yinping Bridge: "These two places are of the utmost importance. If either is lost, Hanzhong cannot be held." At the same time, an envoy was to be sent to Wu to request aid. "Your minister will himself raise the troops at Congzhong to resist the enemy." At this time, the Latter Lord had changed the fifth year of Jingyao to the first year of Yanxing, and spent his days in the palace amusing himself with the eunuch Huang Hao. He suddenly received Jiang Wei's memorial and summoned Huang Hao, saying: "Now the state of Wei has sent Zhong Hui and Deng Ai with great forces, advancing by separate routes. What shall we do?" Hao replied: "This is because Jiang Wei seeks to win merit and fame, so he submitted this memorial. Your Majesty may set your mind at ease and harbor no doubts. I have heard that in the city there is a shamaness who serves a spirit that can foretell good and fortune or ill. You may summon her and ask." The Latter Lord followed his advice. In the rear hall, he arranged incense, flowers, paper, candles, and sacrificial offerings, and had Huang Hao bring the shamaness into the palace in a small cart, seating her on the dragon couch. The Latter Lord burned incense and prayed. The shamaness suddenly let down her hair, bared her feet, and leaped about the hall several dozen times, whirling around the table. Huang Hao said: "This is the spirit descending. Your Majesty should withdraw your attendants and pray to her in person." The Latter Lord sent all his courtiers away and bowed twice to pray. The shamaness cried out in a loud voice: "I am the earth god of Xichuan! Your Majesty delights in peace and prosperity—why do you ask about other matters? In a few years, the territory of Wei too will belong to Your Majesty. You must not worry." With that, she collapsed to the ground and lay unconscious for some time before reviving. The Latter Lord was overjoyed and richly rewarded her. From then on, he firmly believed the shamaness's words and ignored Jiang Wei's advice, spending his days only in feasting and revelry within the palace. Jiang Wei repeatedly submitted urgent memorials, but Huang Hao concealed them all, and thus a great matter was ruined.

Meanwhile, Zhong Hui's great army advanced in a long winding column toward Hanzhong. The vanguard commander, Xu Yi, eager to win the first merit, led his troops ahead to Nanzheng Pass. Xu Yi said to his officers: "Once we pass this pass, we are in Hanzhong. There are few men defending the pass—we can take it by storm with all our strength." The officers received the order and pressed forward together with united force. Now the Shu general defending the pass, Lu Xun, had learned in advance that the Wei troops were approaching. He had already stationed soldiers in ambush on both sides of the wooden bridge before the pass and mounted the ten-bolt repeating crossbows left behind by the Martial Marquis. By the time Xu Yi's soldiers came to storm the pass, at the sound of a watchman's clapper, arrows and stones rained down like rain. Xu Yi hastily retreated, but dozens of riders had already been shot down. The Wei army was utterly defeated. Xu Yi returned and reported to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui personally led over a hundred armored cavalry from his headquarters to inspect the pass. Sure enough, arrows and bolts rained down together. Zhong Hui wheeled his horse and turned back. Lu Xun on the pass led five hundred soldiers down in pursuit. Zhong Hui galloped across the bridge, but the earth on the bridge had collapsed, trapping his horse's hooves—he was nearly thrown from his mount. The horse could not pull itself free. Zhong Hui abandoned the horse and fled on foot. As he ran off the bridge, Lu Xun caught up and thrust a spear at him, but Xun Kai, a Wei officer, turned and loosed an arrow, striking Lu Xun from his horse. Zhong Hui ordered his troops to seize the pass while the defenders, with Shu soldiers before them, dared not shoot their arrows. Zhong Hui's men scattered the defenders and captured the mountain pass. He at once appointed Xun Kai as his Guard Commander and bestowed upon him a full set of saddle, horse armor, and weapons. Zhong Hui summoned Xu Yi to his tent and reproached him: "You are the vanguard. It is your duty to open paths through mountains and build bridges across rivers—to repair bridges and roads so that the army may advance. When I reached the bridge just now, my horse's hoof was trapped and I nearly fell from the bridge. Had it not been for Xun Kai, I would have already been killed! You have violated military orders and must be dealt with by military law!" He ordered his attendants to take Xu Yi out and behead him. The generals pleaded: "His father Xu Chu rendered great service to the court. We hope the Commander will spare him." Zhong Hui angrily replied: "If military law is not upheld, how can I command the army?" He ordered Xu Yi's head displayed as a warning to all. The generals were all struck with dread.

At this time, the Shu general Wang Han was defending Lecheng, and Jiang Bin was defending Hancheng. Seeing the great strength of the Wei army, they did not dare to engage in battle but merely shut their gates and defended their positions. Zhong Hui issued orders: "In war, speed is of the utmost importance—we must not delay even briefly." He ordered the forward army commander Li Fu to besiege Lecheng, the Guard Commander Xun Kai to besiege Hancheng, and himself led the main army to take Yangping Pass. The Shu general defending the pass, Fu Qian, and his deputy Jiang Shu discussed strategy for battle or defense. Jiang Shu said: "The Wei army is extremely numerous—their strength is unstoppable. It would be best to hold firm and defend." Fu Qian said: "Not so. The Wei army has marched a great distance and must be exhausted. Though they are many, they are nothing to fear. If we do not descend from the pass to fight, Hancheng and Lecheng will be lost." Jiang Shu remained silent and made no reply. Suddenly a report came that a great Wei force had arrived before the pass. Fu Qian and Jiang Shu went up to the wall to observe. Zhong Hui brandished his whip and shouted loudly: "I now command a hundred thousand troops here. If you surrender early, each of you will be promoted according to your rank. If you stubbornly refuse to surrender and we break through the pass, both good and bad will be destroyed together!" Fu Qian flew into a rage. He ordered Jiang Shu to hold the pass and himself led three thousand soldiers down to attack. Zhong Hui withdrew, and the Wei troops all retreated. Fu Qian pressed the advantage in pursuit, but the Wei forces regrouped. When Fu Qian tried to retreat back into the pass, the Wei banners had already been raised on the wall. He heard Jiang Shu call out: "I have surrendered to Wei!" Fu Qian was furious. He shouted in a fierce voice: "You treacherous ingrate! What face do you have to appear before the Son of Heaven!" He wheeled his horse back and engaged the Wei forces again. The Wei army closed in from all sides, surrounding Fu Qian in the center. He charged left and right, fighting desperately back and forth, but could not break free. Of the Shu soldiers under his command, eight or nine out of ten had been killed or wounded. Fu Qian looked up to heaven and sighed: "In life I was a minister of Shu; in death I shall be a ghost of Shu!" He spurred his horse once more into the fray. Pierced by several spears, his blood soaked his robes and armor. His horse fell, and Fu Qian cut his own throat and died. A later poet wrote in lament:

A single day of loyal fury,

An eternal name of righteousness through the ages.

Better to die as Fu Qian

Than to live as Jiang Shu.

Zhong Hui captured Yangping Pass. The provisions, fodder, and military equipment stored within were extremely abundant. Overjoyed, he rewarded the three armies. That night the Wei soldiers camped in Yang'an city. Suddenly they heard a tremendous shouting from the southwest. Zhong Hui hurriedly came out of his tent to look—but there was absolutely no sign of movement. The Wei army dared not sleep the entire night. The second night, at the second watch, the shouting arose again from the southwest. Zhong Hui was alarmed and perplexed. At daybreak, he sent men to investigate. They returned and reported: "Our scouts went more than ten li and found not a single person." Zhong Hui remained uneasy and suspicious. He personally led several hundred cavalry, fully armed and armored, to patrol toward the southwest. They came to a mountain where a murderous aura rose on all sides, sorrowful clouds gathered, and mist locked the mountain peaks. Zhong Hui reined in his horse and asked the guide: "What mountain is this?" The reply came: "This is Dingjun Mountain, where Xiahou Yuan met his death in former times." Zhong Hui heard this and was filled with melancholy. He turned his horse and started back. As he rounded a hillside, a sudden violent gale erupted. Several thousand horsemen burst out from behind, riding with the wind to attack. Zhong Hui was greatly alarmed and led his men in a wild gallop to escape. Of the generals who fell from their horses, there was no counting them. When they reached Yangping Pass, not a single man or horse had been lost—only their faces were bruised and battered and their helmets were gone. They all said: "We saw only men and horses in dark clouds charging at us. But when they drew near, they harmed no one—it was nothing but a whirlwind." Zhong Hui asked the surrendered general Jiang Shu: "Is there a temple on Dingjun Mountain?" Jiang Shu replied: "There is no temple—only the tomb of Zhuge Liang, the Martial Marquis." Zhong Hui exclaimed in alarm: "This must be the Martial Marquis manifesting his divine spirit! I shall go in person to offer sacrifices to him."

The following day, Zhong Hui prepared sacrificial offerings, slaughtered the sacrificial animals, and went personally to the tomb of Marquis Wu to bow twice and present the sacrifice. When the rites were finished, the fierce winds suddenly ceased and the gloomy clouds dispersed in all directions. Then a gentle breeze blew softly and a fine rain fell in a drizzle. After the shower passed, the sky was clear and bright. The Wei soldiers were overjoyed, and all bowed in thanks and returned to their camps.

That night, Zhong Hui lay down to rest on his desk in his tent. Suddenly, as a gentle breeze swept past, he saw a man wearing a silk kerchief and a feather fan, dressed in a crane-feather cloak, with plain shoes and a black sash. His face was like polished jade, his lips as if painted with vermilion, his eyebrows clear and his eyes bright. He was eight feet tall and had an ethereal air as of an immortal. The man walked into the tent. Zhong Hui rose and came forward to greet him, saying, "Who are you, sir?"

The man said, "This morning you honored me with your visit, and I have a few words to say to you. Although the Han dynasty's fortune has declined and Heaven's mandate cannot be defied, yet the people of the two River regions are suffering the ravages of war—truly they are to be pitied. After you enter their lands, on no account slaughter the living needlessly."

With that, he brushed his sleeves and departed. Zhong Hui tried to detain him, but suddenly he awoke—it had all been a dream. Zhong Hui knew it was the spirit of Marquis Wu, and he was filled with astonishment. He thereupon issued orders to the vanguard to erect a white banner inscribed with four characters: "Protect the State, Pacify the People." Wherever they went, anyone who killed a single person without cause would pay with his own life. Thereupon the people of Hanzhong all came out of the city to bow and welcome them. Zhong Hui comforted them one and all, and his troops did not commit a single offense.

A later poet composed these verses in praise:

Ten thousand ghostly soldiers surrounded Dingjun Mountain,

Causing Zhong Hui to bow before the spirit of the sage.

In life he devised strategies to uphold the house of Liu,

In death he left words to protect the people of Shu.

Now, Jiang Wei was in Dangzhong when he learned that a great Wei army had arrived. He sent urgent dispatches to Liao Zhang, Zhang Yi, and Dong Jue to lead troops in support, while on his own part he marshaled his officers and deployed his forces to meet the enemy. Suddenly a report came that the Wei army had arrived. Jiang Wei led his troops out to meet them. The leading Wei general was Wang Qi, the Grand Administrator of Tianshui. Wang Qi rode forward and shouted loudly, "Our great army of a million men, with a thousand commanders, has advanced in twenty columns and has already reached Chengdu. If you do not consider surrendering early and still wish to resist, do you not know the mandate of Heaven?"

Jiang Wei was furious. He leveled his spear and galloped straight at Wang Qi. After no more than three exchanges, Wang Qi was utterly routed and fled. Jiang Wei drove his troops in pursuit for twenty miles, when suddenly the beating of drums and gongs was heard on all sides. A body of troops appeared in formation, their banners inscribed with the words "Grand Administrator of Longxi, Qian Hong." Jiang Wei laughed and said, "Such petty creatures are no match for me!" He then urged his troops in pursuit. After advancing another ten miles, he met Deng Ai leading his troops in an attack. The two armies engaged in a pitched battle. Jiang Wei summoned all his spirit and fought Deng Ai for more than ten exchanges, with neither side gaining the advantage. Then the gongs and drums sounded again from behind. As Jiang Wei hastily withdrew, a rear army report came: "The camps at Gansong have all been burned by Yang Xin, the Grand Administrator of Jincheng."

Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed. He ordered his lieutenant to set up false banners to hold off Deng Ai, while Jiang Wei himself withdrew his rear forces and rushed by night to relieve Gansong. He met Yang Xin on the way. Yang Xin dared not engage in battle and fled toward the mountain paths. Jiang Wei pursued him. As they neared the mountain crags, timber and stones rained down from the cliffs, and Jiang Wei could not advance. By the time he returned halfway, the Shu troops had already been defeated by Deng Ai, and the main Wei army had arrived, surrounding Jiang Wei. He led his mounted troops to break through the encirclement and retreated into his main stronghold to hold out and await reinforcements.

Suddenly a swift messenger arrived with a report: "Zhong Huan has taken Yangping Pass. The defending general Jiang Shu surrendered, and Fu Qian died in battle. Hanzhong now belongs to Wei. The defenders of Lecheng and Hanzhong, Wang Han and Jiang Bin, learning that Hanzhong was lost, also opened their gates and surrendered. Hu Ji could not hold out and has fled back to Chengdu to seek aid."

Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed and immediately issued orders to break camp. That night his troops arrived at the Jiangchuan Pass, where a Wei force had already drawn up in formation, led by Yang Xin, the Grand Administrator of Jincheng. Jiang Wei was furious and rode forward to engage him. In a single exchange, Yang Xin was defeated and fled. Jiang Wei seized his bow and shot at him, but three arrows missed in a row. Jiang Wei, now doubly enraged, snapped his bow and leveled his spear in pursuit, when his horse stumbled and threw him to the ground. Yang Xin turned his horse back to kill Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei leaped to his feet and thrust with his spear, striking Yang Xin squarely on the horse's head. Wei soldiers suddenly arrived from behind and rescued Yang Xin. Jiang Wei mounted his war horse and was about to pursue when a report came that Deng Ai's troops had arrived from behind. Jiang Wei could not attend to both front and rear, so he gathered his troops to try to recapture Hanzhong. A scout reported: "Zhuge Xu, the Inspector of Yongzhou, has cut off our route of retreat." Jiang Wei established a camp on the mountain's strategic ground. The Wei troops camped at the head of the Yinping Bridge. Jiang Wei had no way forward or back, and he sighed deeply: "Heaven has doomed me!"

His lieutenant Ning Sui said, "Although the Wei troops have seized the Yinping Bridge, Yongzhou must be lightly garrisoned. If you, General, advance through Konghang Valley and march directly on Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu will certainly withdraw his troops from the bridge to relieve Yongzhou. You can then lead your troops to seize Jiange and hold it—Hanzhong can be recovered!" Jiang Wei followed this advice and sent his troops into Konghang Valley, making a feint toward Yongzhou. A spy reported this to Zhuge Xu. Xu was greatly alarmed and said, "Yongzhou is the place where our forces converge. If I lose it, the court will surely hold me to account." He hastily withdrew his main force by the southern road to relieve Yongzhou, leaving only a small detachment to guard the bridgehead. Jiang Wei entered the northern road and advanced about thirty miles, then judged that the Wei troops had set out. He turned his forces around, making the rear the vanguard, and marched straight to the bridgehead. As he had expected, the main Wei force had already departed, and only a small number of soldiers remained to guard it. Jiang Wei routed them in a single charge and burned all their camp fortifications. When Zhuge Xu learned that fires had broken out at the bridgehead, he led his troops back, but Jiang Wei's army had already passed more than half a day before, so he dared not pursue.

Jiang Wei led his troops across the bridge and was marching forward when an army appeared ahead. It was Zhang Yi, the Left General, and Liao Hua, the Right General. Wei questioned them. Zhang Yi said, "Huang Hao has heeded the words of his shamans and sorcerers and refuses to dispatch troops. I have heard that Hanzhong is already in grave danger. I raised my own forces and came here, but by that time Yangping Pass had already been seized by Zhong Hui. Now, having heard that you, General, are besieged, I have come specifically to relieve you." They then joined their forces together.

Liao Hua said, "We are now surrounded on all sides and our supply routes are cut off. We would do better to fall back and hold Jiange Pass, and then formulate a new plan." Jiang Wei was still hesitating, undecided. Suddenly a report came that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai were advancing with more than ten columns of troops. Jiang Wei wished to divide his forces with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to meet them. Liao Hua said, "Baisui is a narrow place with many paths—it is not a place for battle. We would do better to fall back for now and go relieve Jiange Pass. If Jiange is lost, we will be completely cut off." Jiang Wei followed this counsel and led his troops toward Jiange Pass.

As they approached the front of the pass, suddenly drums and horns sounded in unison, shouts erupted, banners were raised everywhere, and a force of soldiers blocked the pass.

Indeed:

The perilous terrain of Hanzhong was already lost, and now turmoil arose once more at Jiange Pass.

What force was this? Read on to find out.

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Romance of the Three Kingdoms