Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Meanwhile, the State-Assisting Grand Marshal Dong Jue learned that Wei armies had crossed the border on more than ten routes, and so he led twenty thousand troops to hold Sword Gate Pass. On that very day, he saw great clouds of dust rising in the distance and suspected it was a Wei force. He quickly led his men to hold the pass. Dong Jue himself rode to the front to look, and it turned out to be Jiang Wei, Liao Hua, and Zhang Yi. Overjoyed, he welcomed them into the pass, and after the courtesies were concluded, he wept as he recounted the matter of the Emperor's favorite Huang Hao. Jiang Wei said, "Do not grieve, sir. So long as I am here, I will never allow Wei to swallow up Shu. Let us hold Sword Gate Pass and devise a plan to repel the enemy at our leisure." Dong Jue said, "Although this pass can be held, the problem is that Chengdu is unguarded; if the enemy attacks there, our whole position will collapse." Jiang Wei said, "Chengdu is protected by steep mountains and rugged terrain—it is not easily taken. There is no need to worry." Even as they spoke, a sudden report came that Zhuge Xu had led his troops to attack the pass. Jiang Wei flew into a rage and hastily led five thousand troops down from the pass, plunging straight into the Wei lines. He charged left and right, routing Zhuge Xu so badly that he fled several tens of li before making camp. Countless Wei soldiers perished. The Shu troops captured many horses and weapons. Jiang Wei then withdrew his forces back to the pass.

Meanwhile, Zhong Hualing camped twenty-five li from Sword Gate Pass. Zhuge Xu came personally to confess his failure. Zhong Huai was furious. "I ordered you to hold the bridgehead at Yinping to cut off Jiang Wei's line of retreat. How could you lose it? And now, without receiving my orders, you advanced on your own and brought about this defeat!" Zhuge Xu said, "Jiang Wei is full of cunning schemes. He tricked his way into capturing Yong Province. I feared Yong Province would be lost, so I led my troops to relieve it. Jiang Wei seized the opportunity to escape, and I pursued him to the pass—I did not expect to be defeated again." Zhong Huai was enraged and ordered his execution. The Army Supervisor Wei Guan said, "Although Zhuge Xu is guilty, he is a man under Deng Ai's command. It is not fitting for you to put him to death—it might damage good relations among us." Zhong Huai said, "I carry the bright decree of the Son of Heaven and the orders of the Duke of Jin, sent specially to attack Shu. Even if Deng Ai himself were guilty, he should be executed!" The others all urged strongly against it. Zhong Huai then had Zhuge Xu placed in a cage-cart and sent to Luoyang to be dealt with by the Duke of Jin, and took Zhuge Xu's troops under his own command. Someone reported this to Deng Ai. Ai was furious. "My rank is equal to his. I have long commanded the frontier and rendered great service to the state. How does he dare act so arrogantly!" His son Deng Zhong urged, "He who cannot suffer small things will ruin great plans. If you quarrel with him, it will surely interfere with the great affairs of the state. I hope you will bear with him for now." Deng Ai heeded his words, but in his heart the anger remained, and he set out with a dozen or so riders to visit Zhong Huai.

When Zhong Huai learned that Deng Ai had arrived, he asked his attendants, "How many troops has Ai brought?" The attendants replied, "Only a dozen or so riders." Zhong Huai then ordered several hundred warriors to line the inner and outer parts of his tent. Deng Ai dismounted and entered. Zhong Huai received him into the tent and the courtesies were concluded. Deng Ai saw that the military discipline was very strict and felt uneasy. He tested Zhong Huai with a remark: "Now that the general has taken Hanzhong, this is a great blessing for the court. You should formulate a plan to take Sword Gate Pass at once." Zhong Huai said, "What is your wise view, General?" Deng Ai repeatedly disclaimed any ability. Zhong Huai pressed him. Deng Ai replied, "In my humble opinion, you could lead a separate force by the Yinping mountain path out to Deiyang Pavilion in Hanzhong, and with a surprise attack take Chengdu directly. Jiang Wei would surely withdraw his troops to relieve it, and the general could then seize Sword Gate Pass while it is undefended—a complete success." Zhong Huai was overjoyed. "General, this plan is excellent! You may lead your troops at once. I shall await news of your victory here." The two drank wine and parted. Zhong Hualing returned to his own tent and said to his officers, "Everyone says Deng Ai is capable, but judging from what I have seen today, he is merely a mediocrity!" They asked why. Zhong Huai said, "The Yinping mountain path is all lofty peaks and sheer cliffs. If Shu posts even a hundred men to hold the strategic points and cuts off his retreat, Deng Ai's entire force will starve to death. If I simply advance by the main road, why should I worry about not breaking through Shu?" He then had scaling ladders and catapults set up and concentrated his attacks on Sword Gate Pass.

Meanwhile, Deng Ai rode out of the camp gate and turned to his followers, "How did Zhong Huai treat me?" They replied, "Judging from his words and expression, he did not take what you said seriously—he merely gave a forced reply." Deng Ai smiled. "He thinks I cannot take Chengdu—but I am determined to take it!" He returned to his own camp, where Shi Zuan, Deng Zhong, and the other officers came to meet him and asked, "What grand strategy did you discuss today with Commander Zhong?" Deng Ai said, "I spoke to him in all sincerity, but he regarded me as a mediocrity. Now that he has taken Hanzhong, he considers it an unparalleled achievement. But had I not been stationed in Tadan and kept Jiang Wei tied down, how could he have succeeded! If I now take Chengdu, it will be a greater feat than taking Hanzhong!" That night he gave orders to break camp and advance by the Yinping mountain path, making camp seven hundred li from Sword Gate Pass. Someone reported to Zhong Huai, "Deng Ai is going to take Chengdu." Zhong Huai laughed at Ai's folly.

Meanwhile, Deng Ai, on the one hand, drafted a secret dispatch and sent a courier with all speed to report to Sima Zhao. On the other hand, he assembled his officers in his tent and asked, "I now intend to seize the opportunity of their weakness and take Chengdu. We shall establish fame that shall endure through the ages. Will you follow me?" The officers answered, "We are ready to obey your commands and will not shrink from death a myriad times!"

Thereupon Deng Ai ordered his son, Deng Zhong, to lead five thousand elite troops without wearing armor, each carrying axes and boring tools. Whenever they came to steep and perilous terrain, they were to cut through mountains and open roads, and construct bridges and walkways to facilitate the march. Deng Ai selected thirty thousand soldiers, each carrying dry rations and ropes, and they set out. After marching about a hundred li, he chose three thousand troops and had them encamp there. After another hundred li, he again chose three thousand troops to encamp. In the tenth month of that year, they advanced from Yinping, entering into the midst of towering cliffs and precipitous valleys. For over twenty days they traveled more than seven hundred li, all through uninhabited land. The Wei troops established several camps along the way, until only two thousand men remained. They came to a mountain peak called Motian Ridge. Horses could not traverse it, so Deng Ai ascended on foot. He found only that Deng Zhong and the road-opening soldiers were all weeping. Deng Ai asked why. Deng Zhong replied, "The western face of this ridge is a sheer cliff and craggy precipice that cannot be bored through. All our former labor has been wasted, and that is why we weep." Deng Ai said, "Our army has already traveled over seven hundred li to reach this point. Beyond this lies Jiangyou. How can we retreat?" He then called out to all the troops: "'Nothing venture, nothing have.' You and I have come to this place. If we succeed, we shall share the riches and honor together." All answered, "We will follow the General's orders." Deng Ai ordered the military equipment to be lowered first. Then he took a felt blanket, wrapped himself in it, and rolled down first. Subordinate officers who had felt garments wrapped themselves and rolled down; those without felt garments used ropes tied around their waists, grasping trees and clinging to branches, advancing in single file. Deng Ai, Deng Zhong, together with the two thousand troops and the mountain-cutting laborers, all crossed Motian Ridge. They had just rearranged their armor and weapons to continue the march when they noticed a stone tablet by the road, on which was inscribed: "Inscription by the Prime Minister, Marquis Wu, Zhuge Liang." It read: "When two fires first rise, someone shall cross here. Two scholars shall contend, and ere long die of themselves." When Deng Ai had finished reading, he was greatly alarmed. Hastily he bowed twice before the tablet and said, "The Marquis Wu was indeed a spirit! That I could not treat him as a master—what a pity!" A later poet composed these lines:

The steep ridges of Yinping touch the sky,

Where even the dark crane hesitates to fly.

Deng Ai wrapped in felt came rolling down,

Who knew Zhuge Liang had foreseen his renown?

Meanwhile, Deng Ai, having secretly crossed Yinping, led his army forward when they came upon a large abandoned camp. Those around him reported, "We have heard that during the lifetime of the Marquis Wu, he stationed a thousand soldiers here to guard this strategic pass. Now the Ruler of Shu, Liu Shan, has abolished it." Deng Ai sighed deeply and said to his men, "We have a way forward but no way back. Ahead, the city of Jiangyou has ample provisions. If you advance, you may live; if you retreat, you must die. You must unite your strength and attack it." All answered, "We are willing to fight to the death here!" Deng Ai marched on foot, leading over two thousand men, traveling by double marches day and night to seize the city of Jiangyou.

Now the defending general of Jiangyou, Ma Miao, had heard that the eastern provinces of Shu had already fallen. Though he had made preparations, he had only guarded the main road. Moreover, relying on Jiang Wei's entire force guarding Jiange Pass, he did not take the military situation seriously. That day, after drilling the troops, he went home and sat by the brazier drinking wine with his wife, Lady Li. His wife asked, "I have repeatedly heard that the frontier situation is most urgent, yet you show no sign of concern. Why?" Ma Miao said, "The great matters are in the hands of Jiang Boyue. What concern is it of mine?" His wife said, "Even so, the city you defend is no light responsibility." Ma Miao said, "The Son of Heaven trusts Huang Hao and indulges in wine and women. I reckon disaster is not far off. When the Wei troops arrive, the best course is to surrender. Why worry about it?" His wife was furious and spat in his face, saying, "You are a man, yet you harbor a heart that is neither loyal nor righteous. You have squandered the state's emoluments in vain. How could I ever show my face before you again!" Ma Miao was ashamed and had no reply. Suddenly a servant rushed in and reported, "The Wei general Deng Ai—we know not from where he came—has led over two thousand men and poured into the city!" Ma Miao was greatly alarmed. He hurried out to offer submission, prostrating himself in the public hall, weeping as he declared, "I have long had it in my heart to surrender. Now I am willing to summon the inhabitants of the city and my own troops, all to submit to you, General." Deng Ai accepted his surrender. He thereupon incorporated the troops and horses of Jiangyou under his command and employed Ma Miao as a guide officer. Word then arrived that Ma Miao's wife had hanged herself and died. Deng Ai asked the reason, and Ma Miao told him the truth. Deng Ai, moved by her virtue, ordered that she be given a generous burial and went in person to offer sacrifices. All the Wei soldiers who heard of it sighed with admiration. A later poet praised her thus:

The Later Ruler was benighted, Han's fortune fell,

Heaven sent Deng Ai to take Xichuan.

Alas, for all the famed generals of Bashu—

None matched the virtue of the Lady of Jiangyou!

Having captured Jiangyou, Deng Ai linked up with the various forces that had come via the Yinping route, and they all assembled at Jiangyou before advancing directly toward Fu City. His subordinate officer Tian Xu said, "Our army has traversed dangerous terrain and is utterly exhausted. We should rest and recover for several days before advancing." Deng Ai flew into a rage. "In war, speed is paramount! How dare you undermine the morale of my troops?" He ordered his attendants to drag Tian Xu out and behead him. Only after the other generals pleaded bitterly was the sentence commuted. Deng Ai personally led his troops to Fu City. The officials, soldiers, and people within the city thought they had descended from the heavens, and they all surrendered. Word was swiftly carried to Chengdu. When the Latter Sovereign learned of this, he hastily summoned Huang Hao to inquire. Huang Hao replied, "This is a false report. Surely the divine spirits would not deceive Your Majesty." The Latter Sovereign then summoned the sorceress to ask her opinion, but no one could say where she had gone. By this time, urgent dispatches from near and far arrived like snowflakes, and couriers came and went in an unbroken stream. The Latter Sovereign convened his court to deliberate, but the officials merely stared at one another without a word. Que Zheng stepped forward from the ranks and said, "The situation is now critical. Your Majesty should summon the son of the Martial Marquis to discuss a strategy for repelling the enemy." Now the son of the Martial Marquis was Zhuge Zhan, styled Siyuan. His mother was the daughter of Huang Chengyan. Though she was exceedingly plain in appearance, she possessed extraordinary talent: she understood astronomy above and geography below; of all books on strategy and the esoteric arts, there was nothing she did not comprehend. When the Martial Marquis was at Nanyang, hearing of her wisdom, he sought her as his wife. The Martial Marquis's learning owed much to his lady's assistance. After the Martial Marquis passed away, she too departed this life, and on her deathbed she exhorted her son Zhan solely in the principles of loyalty and filial piety. Zhan had been gifted with intelligence from childhood, had married the princess, and held the office of Commandant of the Imperial Escort. He later inherited his father's title as Marquis of Wuxiang. In the fourth year of Jingyao, he was promoted to General of the Escort Army. At this time Huang Hao wielded power, and so Zhan had feigned illness and remained in seclusion.

Thereupon the Latter Sovereign followed Que Zheng's counsel and immediately issued three successive edicts summoning Zhan to the palace. The Sovereign, weeping, said to him, "Deng Ai's troops are already encamped at Fu City, and Chengdu is in grave danger. For the sake of your late father, I implore you to save my life!" Zhan too wept as he replied, "This father and son have received the deep kindness of the late Emperor and the extraordinary favor of Your Majesty; though we cover the ground with our livers and brains, we cannot repay it. I beg Your Majesty to dispatch all the troops of Chengdu and entrust them to me, that I may go forth and fight to the death." The Latter Sovereign at once assigned him seven hundred thousand soldiers and officers from Chengdu. Zhan took leave of the Sovereign, organized his forces, and gathered his generals, asking, "Who will be our vanguard?" Before he had finished speaking, a young general stepped forward and said, "Since my father now commands the army, I wish to serve as vanguard." All eyes turned to him: it was Zhan's eldest son, Zhuge Shang. Shang was nineteen at the time, had studied widely in military texts, and was well practiced in martial arts. Zhan was greatly pleased and appointed Shang as vanguard. That day the great army departed Chengdu to meet the Wei forces.

Meanwhile, Deng Ai had obtained from Ma Miao a geographical map detailing the hundred and sixty li from Fu City to Chengdu, with its mountains, rivers, roads, passes, and strategic points all clearly marked. When Deng Ai finished examining it, he was greatly alarmed. "If I merely hold Fu City and the Shu forces seize the mountain passes ahead, how can I succeed? Should we delay and Jiang Wei's army arrive, our forces will be in grave danger." He quickly summoned Shi Zuan and his son Deng Zhong and ordered them: "Take a force and proceed by night directly to Mianzhu to block the Shu troops. I will follow shortly after. On no account must you delay. If you allow them to seize the strategic ground first, I will have your heads without fail!"

Shi and Deng led their troops toward Mianzhu, where they soon encountered the Shu army. Both sides formed their battle lines. Shi and Deng reined in their horses beneath the gate banner, and they saw the Shu forces arrayed in eight formations. After three drumbeats, the gate banner parted on either side, and several dozen generals surrounded a four-wheeled carriage. Seated upon it was a man in a silk-turban and feather fan, wearing a crane-feathered cloak and square-cut robes. Unfurled on the carriage was a yellow banner bearing the inscription: "Han Chancellor, the Martial Marquis Zhuge." Shi and Deng were so terrified that sweat poured over their bodies. They turned to their soldiers and cried, "So Kongming is still alive! We are done for!" They hastily wheeled their troops about, but the Shu forces fell upon them in pursuit, and the Wei army was routed. The Shu forces pursued them for more than twenty li until they met Deng Ai's reinforcements. Both armies then withdrew. Deng Ai ascended his command tent, summoned Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong, and rebuked them: "Why did you two flee without fighting?" Deng Zhong replied, "We saw Zhuge Kongming himself leading the troops in the Shu formation, and so we turned back." Deng Ai roared, "Even if Kongming were reborn, what have I to fear? Your cowardly retreat brought about this defeat. You ought to be executed at once to uphold military law!" After earnest pleas from all present, Deng Ai's anger subsided. He sent out scouts, who reported that the Shu commander was Zhuge Kongming's son Zhuge Zhan, with Zhan's son Zhuge Shang as vanguard, and that the figure seated in the carriage was merely a wooden effigy left behind by Kongming.

When Deng Ai heard this, he summoned Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong and said, "The moment of success or failure rests on this single engagement. If you two do not achieve victory this time, your heads will be forfeit!" Shi and Deng again led ten thousand troops to battle. Zhuge Shang, charging alone on horseback with his spear, roused his spirits and drove back both men. Zhuge Zhan directed the troops on both flanks to burst forth, crashing into the Wei formation, charging left and right, cutting back and forth dozens of times. The Wei army was utterly defeated, and the dead were beyond counting. Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong fled wounded. Zhan pressed the pursuit for more than twenty li and then encamped opposite the enemy. Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong returned to Deng Ai. Seeing that both men were wounded, he refrained from punishing them and instead deliberated with his generals. "Shu has Zhuge Zhan, who worthily carries on his father's legacy. He has twice destroyed more than ten thousand of our troops. If we do not crush him swiftly, he will surely become a menace later." The Supervisory Army Officer Qiu Ben said, "Why not write a letter to lure him?" Deng Ai followed this advice and composed a letter, sending a messenger into the Shu camp. The gate guards escorted him to the command tent and presented the letter. Zhan broke the seal and read:

Deng Ai, the General Who Conquers the West, sent a letter to Zhuge Sima, the General of the Marching Guards, as follows: "I have observed the talented men of recent times, and none can compare with your honored father. In the past, when he thatched his cottage, a single statement divided the land into three kingdoms. He swept through Jing and Yi, and thereupon established a hegemony—few in ancient or modern times have matched him. Later, his six expeditions from Mount Qi were not due to any lack of wisdom or ability, but simply the will of Heaven. Now the Later Sovereign is feeble and dim, and the royal qi has run its course. I, Ai, bear the Son of Heaven's command, and with mighty forces have attacked Shu—already I have seized its territories. Chengdu hangs by a thread. Why do you not respond to Heaven and follow the people's will, and come over to us in the cause of righteousness? I shall petition the court to make you Prince of Langya, to bring glory to your ancestors. I shall not speak in vain. I pray you will give this your careful consideration!"

When Zhuge Zhan had read the letter, his wrath blazed up. He tore it to shreds, ordered his officers to behead the envoy at once, and commanded the man's attendants to bear his head back to the Wei camp to show Deng Ai. Ai flew into a rage and at once wished to lead his army out. Qiu Ben admonished him, saying, "General, you must not go out rashly. You should use surprise forces to win." Ai followed his counsel and ordered Wang Qi, the Grand Administrator of Tianshui, and Qian Hong, the Governor of Longxi, to set two ambushes in the rear. Ai himself led the forces forward. At this moment, Zhuge Zhan was just about to issue a challenge when suddenly word came that Deng Ai himself had arrived with his army. Zhan, greatly enraged, at once led his troops out and charged straight into the Wei battle array. Deng Ai fled in defeat. Zhan pressed the pursuit, driving his men after him. Suddenly the two ambush forces burst forth from either side. The Shu army was utterly routed and retreated into Mianzhu. Ai ordered the city surrounded. The Wei soldiers raised a great shout, and Mianzhu was besieged as tightly as an iron bucket.

In the city, Zhuge Zhan saw that the enemy's pressure had grown dire. He ordered Peng He to break through the encirclement with a letter, seeking aid from Eastern Wu. Peng He reached Eastern Wu and presented the letter of urgent appeal to the Wu sovereign, Sun Xiu. The sovereign read it and took counsel with his ministers, saying, "Since Shu is in such peril, how can I sit by and do nothing?" He at once appointed the veteran general Ding Feng as commander, with Ding Feng (the younger) and Sun Yi as his lieutenants, to lead fifty thousand troops to relieve Shu. Ding Feng received the imperial command and set out. He detached Ding Feng (the younger) and Sun Yi with twenty thousand troops to advance toward Mianzhong, while he himself led thirty thousand toward Shouchun, dividing his forces into three columns for the relief effort.

Now Zhuge Zhan, seeing that no reinforcements arrived, said to his generals, "A prolonged defense is no sound strategy." He left his son Zhuge Shang and the Imperial Secretary Zhang Zun to defend the city, while he himself donned armor, mounted his horse, and led his army out through the three gates. When Deng Ai saw the troops sally forth, he withdrew his forces. Zhan pressed the pursuit with all his might. Suddenly a cannon roared, and soldiers closed in from every side, trapping Zhan at the center. Zhan charged left and right, killing several hundred men. Ai ordered his archers to loose their arrows. The Shu soldiers scattered in all directions. Zhan was struck by an arrow and fell from his horse. He cried out in a loud voice, "My strength is spent! I shall repay my country with my own death!" Thereupon he drew his sword and cut his own throat. His son Zhuge Shang, upon the city wall, saw his father fall upon the field. His wrath blazed up, and he too donned armor and mounted his horse. Zhang Zun admonished him, "Young General, you must not go out rashly." Shang sighed and said, "My father, my grandfather, and I have all received the deep bounty of the state. Now that my father has fallen to the enemy, what purpose would life serve me?" He spurred his horse forth and died upon the field. A later poet composed this verse in praise of Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang, father and son:

It was not that loyal ministers lacked strategy alone;

Heaven willed it so—the flame of Liu's line was overthrown.

In years gone by, the great Zhuge left a worthy heir;

In loyalty and honor, truly worthy to succeed the Martial Marquis.

Deng Ai, moved by their loyalty, had father and son buried together. He then pressed his advantage and attacked Mianzhu. Zhang Zun, Huang Chong, and Li Qiu each led a force out to resist. The Shu soldiers were few, the Wei soldiers many—all three perished in battle. Ai thereby captured Mianzhu. After rewarding his troops, he advanced to take Chengdu. And indeed:

Behold the Later Sovereign in his hour of peril—

No different from Liu Zhang when he too pressed his back to the wall.

How Chengdu was defended, read on in the following chapter.