Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Yan Pu was just counseling Zhang Lu not to assist Liu Zhang when Ma Chao stepped forward and declared, "I am deeply grateful to Your Lordship's kindness and can find no way to repay it. Allow me to lead an army to attack Jiameng Pass, capture Liu Bei alive, and compel Liu Zhang to cede twenty provinces back to Your Lordship." Zhang Lu was overjoyed. He first sent Huang Quan back by a small road, then assigned twenty thousand troops to Ma Chao. At this time Pang De was bedridden with illness and could not travel, so he was left in Hanzhong. Zhang Lu appointed Yang Bai to oversee the army. Ma Chao and his brother Ma Dai chose a day to set out.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei's army was stationed at Luocheng. The messenger whom Fa Zheng had sent returned with a report: "Zheng Du has advised Liu Zhang to burn all the grain in the fields and every granary, relocate the people of Baxi west of the Fu River, dig deep moats and raise high ramparts, and refuse to give battle." When Liu Bei and Kongming heard this, they were greatly alarmed. "If he follows this counsel, our position is in grave danger!" Fa Zheng smiled and said, "My lord need not worry. Though this scheme is vicious, Liu Zhang will certainly not adopt it." Before a day had passed, word came that Liu Zhang had refused to move the people and had rejected Zheng Du's advice. Only then did Liu Bei set his mind at ease. Kongming said, "We can advance swiftly to take Mianzhu. Once we hold this place, Chengdu will be easy to capture." He then dispatched Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to lead the troops forward. When Fei Guan learned that Liu Bei's army was approaching, he sent Li Yan to meet them. Li Yan led three thousand soldiers out and deployed his forces. Huang Zhong rode out and fought Li Yan for forty or fifty bouts, with neither gaining the upper hand. Kongming, from within the ranks, ordered the gongs sounded to recall the troops. Huang Zhong returned to camp and asked, "I was about to capture Li Yan—why did you order the withdrawal, Marshal?" Kongming said, "I have observed Li Yan's martial skill; he cannot be taken by force. Tomorrow when you fight again, feign defeat and lure him into the mountain pass, then use a surprise force to defeat him."

Huang Zhong accepted the plan. The next day, Li Yan led his troops out once more. Huang Zhong rode out to meet him, feigned defeat after fewer than ten bouts, and led his men in retreat. Li Yan gave chase, following him deep into the mountain pass before suddenly realizing the danger. He was about to turn back when Wei Yan appeared ahead with his troops drawn up in formation. Kongming himself stood on the mountain top and called down, "Sir, if you do not surrender, strong crossbowmen are hidden on both sides, ready to avenge my Pang Shuyuan!" Li Yan quickly dismounted and removed his armor in surrender. Not a single soldier was harmed. Kongming brought Li Yan to see Liu Bei, who treated him with great generosity. Li Yan said, "Though Fei Guan is a relative of Yizhou, he is a close friend of mine. Let me go and persuade him." Liu Bei at once ordered Li Yan to return to the city and induce Fei Guan to surrender.

Li Yan entered Mianzhu and spoke to Fei Guan, praising Liu Bei's great virtue and benevolence. "If you do not surrender now, disaster will surely follow." Fei Guan accepted his counsel and opened the gates in surrender. Liu Bei entered Mianzhu and began discussing how to divide his forces to take Chengdu. Suddenly a courier arrived with urgent news: "Meng Da and Huojun are defending Jiameng Pass. Zhang Lu of Dongchuan has sent Ma Chao, Yang Bai, and Ma Dai with troops to attack fiercely. If reinforcements are delayed, the pass will be lost!" Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. Kongming said, "Only Generals Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun can match this enemy." Liu Bei said, "Zhao Yun is away with his troops and has not yet returned. Zhang Fei is here—let us send him at once." Kongming said, "Say nothing yet, my lord. Allow me to goad him."

Now, when Zhang Fei heard that Ma Chao was attacking the pass, he strode in shouting, "I take my leave of you, brother—off to fight Ma Chao!" Kongming pretended not to hear and said to Liu Bei, "Ma Chao is now assaulting the pass, and no one here can withstand him. Unless we summon Guan Yunchang from Jingzhou, no one can match him." Zhang Fei said, "Why does the Marshal belittle me? I once held off Cao Cao's million-strong army alone—why should I fear a single man like Ma Chao?" Kongming said, "When you broke the bridge and stood your ground, it was because Cao Cao did not know your true strength. Had he known, would you have escaped unharmed? Ma Chao's valor is known throughout the land. At the Battle of the Wei River Bridge, he fought Cao Cao so fiercely that Cao cut off his beard and discarded his robes, nearly losing his life. He is no ordinary foe—even Guan Yunchang might not defeat him." Zhang Fei said, "I will go this very moment! If I cannot defeat Ma Chao, I gladly accept military punishment!" Kongming said, "If you are willing to put it in writing, you may serve as the vanguard. I ask that my lord go in person. I will remain behind to hold Mianzhu. When Zhao Yun arrives, we can make further plans." Wei Yan said, "I also wish to go."

Kongming ordered Wei Yan to lead five hundred scouts ahead, with Zhang Fei following second and Liu Bei bringing up the rear, all advancing toward Jiameng Pass. Wei Yan's scouts arrived first beneath the pass and encountered Yang Bai. Wei Yan engaged Yang Bai in battle; in fewer than ten bouts, Yang Bai fled. Wei Yan, eager to seize the first credit ahead of Zhang Fei, pressed the pursuit. Ahead, a force had drawn up in formation, with Ma Dai as its commander. Wei Yan assumed it was Ma Chao and, brandishing his sword and spurring his horse, rode to meet him. After fewer than ten bouts with Ma Dai, Ma Dai fled. Wei Yan pursued him, but Ma Dai turned and loosed an arrow that struck Wei Yan in the left arm. Wei Yan quickly turned his horse and retreated. Ma Dai chased him up to the pass, when a general with a voice like thunder came flying down from the pass on horseback. It was Zhang Fei, who had just arrived at the pass and heard the fighting below. He came to see what was happening and found Wei Yan struck by an arrow. He spurred his horse down the pass and rescued Wei Yan.

Zhang Fei roared at Ma Dai, "Who are you? State your name before we fight!" Ma Dai said, "I am Ma Dai of Xiliang." Zhang Fei said, "So you are not Ma Chao! Go back at once—you are no match for me! Tell that scoundrel Ma Chao to come himself! Tell him Zhang Yide of Yan is here!" Ma Dai flew into a rage. "How dare you look down on me!" He leveled his lance, spurred his horse, and charged straight at Zhang Fei. After fewer than ten bouts, Ma Dai fled. Zhang Fei was about to pursue when a rider arrived from the pass, calling, "Brother, do not chase further!" Zhang Fei turned and saw that it was Liu Bei who had arrived. He gave no further chase and went up to the pass together with him. Liu Bei said, "I feared you might act too rashly, so I followed close behind. Now that you have defeated Ma Dai, rest for the night and fight Ma Chao tomorrow."

The next day, at daybreak, the drums thundered beneath the pass, and Ma Chao's army arrived. From the pass, Xuande watched as Ma Chao rode forth from beneath the standard-bearing escort, spear in hand—wearing a lion-helm and beast-faced sash, silver armor and a white robe. On the one hand his equipment was extraordinary; on the other, his personal bearing was outstanding. Xuande sighed and said, "They speak of 'Brocade Ma Chao'—his fame is no empty reputation!" Zhang Fei was eager to descend from the pass. Xuande urgently restrained him: "Do not go out to battle yet. We must first let his sharp momentum pass."

Below the pass, Ma Chao singlehandedly challenged Zhang Fei to come out and fight. Above the pass, Zhang Fei could have swallowed Ma Chao alive, but three or five times Xuande blocked him. After noon, Xuande observed that the men and horses in Ma Chao's ranks were all weary. He therefore chose five hundred cavalry and, following Zhang Fei, charged down from the pass. When Ma Chao saw Zhang Fei's force approaching, he gestured with his spear toward the rear, and his troops fell back about the distance of an arrow's flight. Zhang Fei's men all halted; the troops from the pass came out in succession. Zhang Fei leveled his spear and rode forward, shouting: "Do you know Zhang Yide of Yan?" Ma Chao replied: "My family has held noble rank for generations—how should I know a rustic bumpkin!" Zhang Fei flew into a rage. Both horses charged forth, two spears rose together. They fought over a hundred bouts with no victor. Xuande, watching, sighed: "A true tiger-general!" Fearing Zhang Fei might come to harm, he urgently ordered the recall signal struck. The two commanders each withdrew.

Zhang Fei returned to his ranks, rested his horse briefly, then mounted again without a helmet, wearing only a wrapped head-cloth, and rode out to challenge Ma Chao to battle once more. Chao came out again, and the two fought anew. Fearing Zhang Fei might come to harm, Xuande himself donned his armor and descended from the pass, going all the way to the front. He watched Zhang Fei and Ma Chao fight another hundred bouts—both generals' spirits only grew greater. Xuande ordered the recall signal struck. The two commanders separated and each returned to his own lines. By then the day was growing late. Xuande said to Zhang Fei: "Ma Chao is valiant—do not underestimate him. Withdraw to the pass for now. We will fight again tomorrow." Zhang Fei, his blood thoroughly roused by battle, was utterly unwilling to stop. He roared: "I swear I will not return!" Xuande said: "The day is too late now—we cannot fight." Fei said: "Light more torches and arrange a night battle!" Ma Chao also changed his horse and rode out to the front, shouting: "Zhang Fei! Do you dare fight by night?" Zhang Fei's blood was roused; he asked Xuande for a fresh horse, charged out to the front, and cried: "If I cannot capture you, I swear I shall not return to the pass!" Chao replied: "If I cannot defeat you, I swear I shall not return to my camp!"

Both armies raised a great shout, lighting a thousand torches that shone as bright as daylight. The two commanders once more clashed at the front. After some twenty bouts, Ma Chao wheeled his horse and fled. Zhang Fei shouted: "Where are you going!" Ma Chao, seeing that he could not defeat Zhang Fei, had conceived a stratagem: feigning defeat to lure Zhang Fei in pursuit, he secretly gripped a bronze mallet in his hand, twisted around, and hurled it at Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei had been on his guard when he saw Ma Chao flee; when the bronze mallet came flying, he dodged, and it passed by his ear. As Zhang Fei reined in his horse, Ma Chao came charging back. Zhang Fei steadied his mount, nocked an arrow to his bow, and shot back at Ma Chao; Chao dodged it, and the two commanders each returned to their lines.

Xuande himself called out from the front: "I treat others with benevolence and righteousness—I do not employ deceit. Ma Mengqi, withdraw your troops and rest. I shall not press my advantage and pursue you." Upon hearing this, Ma Chao personally brought up the rear, and his army gradually withdrew. Xuande likewise recalled his troops to the pass.

The next day, Zhang Fei again wished to descend from the pass and fight Ma Chao. A messenger reported that the Commanding Strategist had arrived. Xuande received Zhuge Liang. Kongming said: "I have heard that Ma Chao is a tiger-general of this age. If he and Yide fight to the death, one of them must be wounded. Therefore I ordered Zilong and Han Sheng to hold Mianzhu, and I have come here by forced night marches. We can employ a stratagem to bring Ma Chao to surrender to you, my lord." Xuande said: "I have seen Ma Chao's valor and admire him greatly. How can we win him over?" Kongming said: "I have heard that Zhang Lu of Dongchuan wishes to style himself Prince of Hanning. His counselor Yang Song is exceedingly greedy for bribes. Send someone by a small road to Hanzhong, first using gold and treasures to win Yang Song's favor, then delivering a letter to Zhang Lu saying: 'I am fighting Liu Zhang for Xichuan on your behalf—to avenge you. Do not heed divisive words. When the matter is settled, I will guarantee you the title of Prince of Hanning.' This will cause him to recall Ma Chao's army. When the recall order arrives, we can then use a stratagem to bring Ma Chao over."

Xuande was overjoyed. He immediately wrote a letter and dispatched Sun Qian, bearing gold and precious pearls, by a small road to Hanzhong. Sun Qian came to see Yang Song, explained the matter, and presented the gold and pearls. Yang Song was delighted and first brought Sun Qian to see Zhang Lu, presenting the case on his behalf. Lu said: "Xuande is merely a General of the Left—how can he guarantee me the title of Prince of Hanning?" Yang Song replied: "He is an Imperial Uncle of the Great House of Han—it is entirely fitting that he should recommend you." Zhang Lu was overjoyed and sent a man to order Ma Chao to withdraw his army. Sun Qian remained at Yang Song's home awaiting a reply.

Before long, the messenger returned and reported: "Ma Chao says that since the objective has not yet been achieved, he cannot withdraw his army." Zhang Lu sent another man to recall him, but again he would not return. Three times in succession he did not comply. Yang Song said: "This man has never been trustworthy—he refuses to withdraw his troops, and his intention must surely be rebellious." He therefore had it circulated as rumor: "Ma Chao intends to seize Xichuan and make himself its ruler, to avenge his father, and he refuses to serve under Hanzhong." When Zhang Lu heard this, he asked Yang Song for counsel. Song said: "On the one hand, send a man to tell Ma Chao: 'Since you wish to achieve your objective, I grant you a month's deadline. You must accomplish three things for me. If you succeed, you will be rewarded; otherwise you will certainly be put to death. First, capture Xichuan. Second, bring me Liu Zhang's head. Third, drive out the Jingzhou army. If you fail in these three matters, you may present your head.' On the other hand, order Zhang Wei to marshal troops and guard the passes against any mutinous move by Ma Chao's forces."

Lu Su followed this advice and sent a man to Ma Chao's camp to convey these three conditions. Ma Chao was greatly alarmed. "How could things have changed so drastically?" he said. He then discussed with Ma Dai, "Perhaps we should abandon our campaign." Yang Sond spread rumors, saying, "Ma Chao's return of troops surely harbors treacherous intent." Thereupon Zhang Wei dispatched seven divisions of soldiers to firmly guard the mountain passes and refused to let Ma Chao's forces enter. Ma Chao could neither advance nor retreat and had no plan to employ. Kongming said to Xuande, "Now Ma Chao finds himself in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat. I, Liang, with my three-inch unrotted tongue, shall go personally to Ma Chao's camp and persuade him to surrender." Xuande replied, "You, sir, are my right-hand man and trusted confidant. What am I to do if something goes amiss?" Kongming insisted on going. Xuade adamantly refused to let him go.

While they were still deliberating, a sudden report arrived that Zhao Yun had sent a letter recommending a man from Xichuan who wished to surrender. Xuande summoned the man and questioned him. The man was from Yuanyuan in Jianning, surnamed Li, given name Hui, courtesy name De'ang. Xuande said, "I have long heard that you earnestly remonstrated with Liu Zhang. Why do you now come to join me?" Hui replied, "I have heard that 'a wise bird chooses the tree in which to roost, and a worthy lord selects the master whom to serve.' My previous remonstrations to Liu Yizhou were to fulfill the duty of a subject. Since he could not heed my counsel, I knew he would surely fail. Now the General's benevolent virtue has spread throughout Shu, and I know his cause will surely succeed, so I have come." Xuande said, "Your coming, sir, must surely benefit Liu Bei." Hui said, "I have heard that Ma Chao finds himself in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat. I formerly had a passing acquaintance with him in Longxi. May I go and persuade Ma Chao to surrender?" Kongming said, "I was just wishing for someone to go in my place. I would be glad to hear your strategy." Li Hui whispered his plan into Kongming's ear, describing it in detail. Kongming was greatly pleased and immediately sent him on his way.

Hui proceeded to Ma Chao's camp and first sent a man to announce his name. Ma Chao said, "I know Li Hui is a rhetorician. He has surely come to persuade me." He first summoned twenty axemen to conceal themselves below his tent and instructed them, "At my signal to strike, chop him into mincemeat!" Presently, Li Hui strode in with head held high. Ma Chao sat motionless in his tent and rebuked Li Hui, "Why have you come?" Hui said, "Specially to act as a persuader." Ma Chao said, "My sword in its scabbard has newly been sharpened. Try to make your case. If your words do not convince me, then you shall try the sword!" Hui smiled and said, "The General's calamity is not far off! But I fear that the newly sharpened sword may not be able to test my head—you may wish to test it yourself!" Ma Chao said, "What calamity do I face?" Hui said, "I have heard that for Xi Shi of Yue, no one skilled in slander could conceal her beauty; for Wu Yan of Qi, no one skilled in praise could hide her ugliness. 'When the sun reaches its zenith, it must decline; when the moon is full, it must wane.' These are constant principles of the world. Now the General bears the enmity of having his father killed by Cao Cao, and in Longxi he has deep-seated hatred as well. Before, he could not save Liu Zhang and repel the Jing Province forces; afterward, he could not restrain Yang Song or gain an audience with Zhang Lu. At present he cannot find a place under heaven, and he stands without a master. If he suffers another defeat like that at the Wei Bridge and the loss of Jicheng, what face will he have before the people of the world?" Ma Chao bowed his head and acknowledged, "Your words are most excellent, but I have no path forward." Hui said, "Since you have heeded my words, why are axemen concealed outside your tent?" Ma Chao was deeply ashamed and drove them all away. Hui said, "Imperial Uncle Liu treats the worthy with courtesy and humbles himself before scholars. I know his cause will surely succeed, which is why I abandoned Liu Zhang and came to him. Your honored father once made an oath with the Imperial Uncle to join in attacking the traitor. Why not you abandon the darkness and turn to the light, so as to avenge your father above and establish your merit below?" Ma Chao was overjoyed. He summoned Yang Bai and slew him with one stroke of his sword. Taking Bai's head, he went together with Hui to the pass to surrender to Xuande. Xuande personally received them and treated them with the rites due honored guests. Ma Chao bowed and said, "Now that I have met a wise master, it is as parting the clouds to see the blue sky!"

At that time Sun Qian had already returned. Xuande then ordered Huo Jun and Meng Da to guard the pass and withdrew his forces to take Chengdu. Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong received them at Mianzhu. A report came: "Shu generals Liu Jun and Ma Han are approaching with troops." Zhao Yun said, "I volunteer to capture these two men!" With that, he mounted his horse and led his forces out. Xuande entertained Ma Chao with wine atop the city wall. Before they had even taken their seats, Zhaoyun had already beheaded the two men and presented their heads before the banquet. Ma Chao was also astonished and held Zhao Yun in even greater esteem. Ma Chao said, "There is no need for my lord to do battle. I will summon Liu Zhang to surrender of his own accord. If he refuses to surrender, I together with my brother Ma Dai shall take Chengdu and present it with both hands." Xuande was overjoyed. That day they rejoiced to the full.

Now the defeated soldiers returned to Yizhou and reported to Liu Zhang. Zhang was greatly alarmed and barred his gates, refusing to come out. When a report came that Ma Chao's relief force had arrived at the north of the city, Liu Zhang dared to climb the wall and look out. He saw Ma Chao and Ma Dai standing below the city wall, shouting loudly, "We ask Liu Jiyu to come speak!" Liu Zhang questioned them from atop the wall. Ma Chao pointed with his whip from horseback and said, "I originally led Zhang Lu's troops to relieve Yizhou, but who would have thought that Zhang Lu, heeding Yang Song's slanderous words, turned against me and sought to do me harm? I have now surrendered to Imperial Uncle Liu. You, sir, should admit your officials and bow in surrender to spare the people from suffering. If you persist in your delusion, I shall attack the city forthwith!" Liu Zhang was so frightened that his face turned the color of earth and he collapsed from shock atop the wall. The officials revived him. Zhang said, "How blind I have been—what good is regret now? Better to open the gates and surrender, so as to save the people of the city." Dong He said, "The city still has over thirty thousand soldiers; money, silk, and grain can sustain us for a year. Why surrender so readily?" Liu Zhang said, "My father and I have been in Shu for over twenty years, yet we have bestowed no kindness or virtue upon the people. Three years of warfare have caused flesh and blood to be strewn across the wilds—all this is my sin. How can my heart be at peace? Better to surrender and bring peace to the people."

When the others heard this, they all wept. Suddenly a man stepped forward and said, "What Your Lordship says accords with the will of Heaven." They looked at him. He was from Xichongguo in Baxi; his surname was Qiao, given name Zhou, courtesy name Yannan. This man had long been versely acquainted with astronomy. Zhang questioned him, and Zhou said, "Last night I observed the celestial signs and saw a multitude of stars gathering over the commandery of Shu. The largest among them shone bright as the full moon—an omen of an imperial sovereign. Moreover, a year ago, a children's rhyme went: 'If you would have new grain to eat, you must wait for the First Ruler to arrive.' These are portents. One cannot defy the way of Heaven." Huang Quan and Liu Ba, upon hearing these words, were both furious and wished to execute him, but Liu Zhang restrained them. Suddenly a messenger reported: "Xu Jing, the Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, has scaled the city walls and gone out to surrender." Liu Zhang wept bitterly and returned to his residence.

The next day, someone reported that Liu Huangshu had sent his staff officer Jian Yong to call at the city gates below. Zhang ordered the gates opened and admitted him. Jian Yong sat in his carriage, gazing about with an air of haughty self-possession. Suddenly a man drew his sword and shouted fiercely, "A young upstart who has found his fortune, you behave as if no one else exists! How dare you show such contempt for the men of our Shu?" Yong hastily descended from his carriage to greet him. This man was from Mianzhu in Guanghan; his surname was Qin, given name Mi, courtesy name Zichi. Yong smiled and said, "I failed to recognize you, worthy brother. I pray you will not hold it against me." They then went together to see Liu Zhang, and Yong spoke fully of Xuande's magnanimity and large-mindedness, saying he harbored no hostile intentions. Thereupon Liu Zhang resolved to surrender and treated Jian Yong with great generosity. The next day, Zhang personally brought the seals, ribbons, and official documents, and rode out of the city in the same carriage as Jian Yong to offer his surrender. Xuande came out of his camp to meet them, and grasping Zhang's hand, he shed tears, saying, "It is not that I do not wish to act with benevolence and righteousness—it is simply that circumstances leave me no choice!" They entered the camp together, handed over the seals, ribbons, and official documents, and then rode side by side into the city.

When Xuande entered Chengdu, the people greeted him at the gates with incense, flowers, lanterns, and candles. Xuande arrived at the public hall, ascended the dais, and took his seat. All the officials of the commandery bowed before the hall; only Huang Quan and Liu Ba kept their doors shut and would not come out. The generals were enraged and wished to go and kill them. Xuande hastily issued an order: "Anyone who harms these two men shall have his three clans exterminated!" Xuande went in person to their doors and invited them to serve. The two men, moved by Xuande's kindness and courtesy, at last agreed to come out. Zhuge Liang petitioned, saying, "Now that Xichuan has been pacified, it cannot accommodate two rulers. Liu Zhang should be sent to Jing Province." Xuande said, "I have only just gained Shu Commandery; I cannot yet send Jiyu so far away." Zhuge Liang said, "Liu Zhang lost his patrimony because he was altogether too weak. If my lord acts with a woman's soft-heartedness and cannot make decisions when the time comes, I fear this land will not long remain in our hands."

Xuande followed his advice and gave a grand feast, inviting Liu Zhang to gather his possessions, confer upon him the seal and ribbon of General Who Awaits with Might, and send his wife, children, and household—both free and bond—to reside in Nan Commandery at Gongan, to depart that very day. Xuande himself assumed the office of Governor of Yi Province. All the civil and military officials who had surrendered were amply rewarded, and their titles and ranks were determined. Yan Yan was made General of the Front, Fa Zheng was made Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, Dong He was made General of the Palace Guard Who Oversees the Army, Xu Jing was made Chief Clerk to the General of the Left, Pang Xi was made Major of the Camp, Liu Ba was made General of the Left, and Huang Quan was made General of the Right. The rest—Wu Yi, Fei Guan, Peng Yang, Zhuo Ying, Li Yan, Wu Lan, Lei Tong, Li Hui, Zhang Yi, Qin Mi, Qiao Zhou, Lü Yi, Huo Jun, Deng Zhi, Yang Hong, Zhou Qun, Fei Yi, Fei Shi, and Meng Da—over sixty civil and military officials who had surrendered, were all promoted and employed. Zhuge Liang was made Military Strategist; Guan Yunchang was made General Who Sweeps Away the Marauders and Lord of Houshou Ting; Zhang Fei was made General Who Campaigns Afar and Lord of Xin Ting; Zhao Yun was made General Who Guards the Distance; Huang Zhong was Made General Who Campaigns West; Wei Yan was made General Who Displays Martial Prowess; Ma Chao was made General Who Pacifies the West. Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Liu Feng, Wu Ban, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, Ma Liang, Ma Su, Jiang Wan, Yi Ji, and all the former civil and military officers of Jing and Xiang were all promoted and rewarded. An envoy was dispatched to present five hundred catties of gold, one thousand catties of silver, fifty thousand strings of cash, and one thousand rolls of Shu brocade to Yunchang. The remaining officers and generals received gifts in varying degrees. Oxen and horses were slaughtered, the troops were richly feasted, the granaries were opened to relieve the people, and both soldiers and civilians were greatly pleased.

With Yi Province now pacified, Xuande wished to distribute the famous farmlands and residences of Chengdu among his officials. Zhao Yun remonstrated, saying, "The people of Yi Province have suffered repeated wars and conflagrations; their lands and homes are all emptied. Now they should be returned to the people, so that they may live in peace and resume their livelihoods—only then will the hearts of the people be settled. It is not fitting to seize them for private rewards." Xuande was greatly pleased and followed his counsel, instructing Military Strategist Zhuge Liang to draw up regulations for governing the state. The penal laws were rather severe. Fa Zheng said, "In former times, Emperor Gaozu reduced the laws to three chapters, and the common people were all moved by his virtue. I pray that the Military Strategist will relax the punishments and reduce the laws, in order to satisfy the people's expectations." Zhuge Liang said, "You know one aspect, but not the other. The Qin employed laws with such cruelty that the myriad people all hated them, and so Emperor Gaozu won them over with leniency and benevolence. Now Liu Zhang was weak and benighted—virtuous governance was not upheld, and awe and punishment were not enforced. The proper way between ruler and minister had gradually been subverted. If you favor men with position, when the position is exhausted, they grow contemptuous. If you indulge them with kindness, when the kindness is exhausted, they grow negligent. The root of these failings lies precisely here. Now I awe them with laws, and when the laws are enforced, they will know gratitude. I limit them with titles of nobility, and when titles are bestowed, they will know honor. Gratitude and honor are both employed, and superiors and inferiors observe their proper bounds. The way of governance is hereby made manifest." Fa Zheng bowed in submission. From this time, both the army and the people dwelt in peace. The territories of the forty-one provinces were garrisoned and pacified in their entirety. Fa Zheng, as Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, repaid every grudge, however slight, and repaid every kindness, however small. Someone reported to Zhuge Liang, saying, "Xiaozhi is too overbearing. He should be somewhat rebuked." Zhuge Liang said, "In former days, when our lord was hemmed in at Jing Province, fearing Cao Cao to the north and dreading Sun Quan to the east, it was Xiaozhi who assisted and supported him, so that our lord could spread his soaring wings and could no longer be restrained. Why now should we restrain Xiaozhi and prevent him from acting as he wishes?" And so he made no inquiry. When Fa Zheng heard of this, he also restrained himself.

One day, Xuande was chatting idly with Kongming when it was reported that Yunchang had sent Guan Ping to express gratitude for the gold and silk bestowed upon him. Xuande summoned him. After Ping had paid his respects, he presented a letter, saying: "My father, knowing that Ma Chao surpasses others in martial arts, wishes to enter Sichuan to compete with him and test who is superior. He instructed me to report this matter to you, my uncle."

Xuande was greatly alarmed. "If Yunchang enters Shu and contends with Mengqi, they will be irreconcilable."

Kongming said: "No need for concern. I shall write a letter in reply myself."

Xuande, fearing only that Yunchang's temper was too impetuous, had Kongming write the letter at once and sent it back with Guan Ping, who rode day and night to return to Jingzhou. When Ping arrived back in Jingzhou, Yunchang asked him: "I wish to compete with Ma Mengqi. Did you speak of this?"

Ping replied: "The Strategist has a letter here."

Yunchang broke the seal and read it. The letter read:

"I have heard, General, that you wish to match yourself with Mengqi and determine who stands higher. To my mind, Mengqi, though fierce and outstanding, is no more than the likes of Qing Bu and Peng Yue—men worthy of racing alongside Yide, yet still falling short of the peerless and incomparable Lord of the Beautiful Beard. You have now been entrusted with Jingzhou—no light responsibility. Should you enter Sichuan and Jingzhou be lost, there would be no greater crime. I trust you will see this clearly."

When Yunchang finished reading, he stroked his beard and laughed to himself: "Kongming knows my heart." He showed the letter to all his guests and thereupon abandoned any thought of entering Sichuan.

Now it must be told that Sun Quan, lord of Eastern Wu, upon learning that Xuande had annexed Western Sichuan and driven Liu Zhang to Gongan, summoned Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong to deliberate with him. "When Liu Bei borrowed Jingzhou from me, he said that once he had taken Western Sichuan, he would return Jingzhou. Now he already possesses the forty-one prefectures of Bashu. We must demand the return of the commanderies along the upper Han. If he does not return them, we shall take up arms."

Zhang Zhao said: "The land of Wu is only recently at peace—we must not move troops. I have a plan that will make Liu Bei return Jingzhou to you, my lord, with both hands."

Indeed:

*The Western Shu had just opened a new sun and moon,*

*When Eastern Wu once more claimed its old mountains and rivers.*

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