Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Jiang Wei proposed a plan to Ma Zun, saying, "Zhuge Liang will surely have soldiers lying in ambush behind the prefecture. He will try to trick our troops into leaving the city, then attack us while we are unprepared. I request three thousand elite troops to lie in wait along the main roads. Afterward, you, Prefect, should lead your troops out of the city, but do not go far—march only thirty li and then turn back. Look for a fire signal, then attack from both front and rear, and a great victory can be won. If Zhuge Liang comes himself, he will certainly be captured by me." Ma Zun adopted his plan and gave Jiang Wei command of the elite troops, who then departed. Ma Zun then personally led troops out of the city with Liang Qian to wait, leaving only Liang Xu and Yin Shou to guard the city. As it happened, Kongming had indeed sent Zhao Yun with a detachment to hide in the mountain passes, waiting for the troops to leave Tianshui so he could attack the city while it was undefended. That day, the spies reported to Zhao Yun that Ma Zun, the Prefect of Tianshui, had led troops out of the city, leaving only civilian officials to guard it. Zhao Yun was overjoyed and sent word to Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang, instructing them to intercept and kill Ma Zun along the main roads. These two forces had also been pre-positioned by Kongming.

Zhao Yun led five thousand soldiers straight to the walls of Tianshui Prefecture and shouted out, "I am Zhaoyun of Changshan! You know you have been tricked—surrender the city now, and avoid annihilation!" On the city walls, Liang Xu laughed loudly and said, "You have fallen for my Jiang Boyue's scheme, and you still don't know it?" Zhao Yun was about to attack the city when suddenly the shouting shook the heavens and flames shot up all around. At the vanguard was a young general, spear in hand, leaping onto his horse and declaring, "Do you see Jiang Boyue of Tianshui?" Zhao Yun leveled his spear and charged directly at Jiang Wei. After only a few exchanges, Jiang Wei's spirit only grew stronger. Zhao Yun was greatly shocked and thought to himself, "Who would have expected to find such a man here!" In the midst of the battle, troops attacked from both sides—it was Ma Zun and Liang Qian leading their army back. Zhao Yun could not look after both front and rear. He forced open a path and led his defeated troops to flee, with Jiang Wei in pursuit. Fortunately, Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang's two forces emerged to meet them and escort them back. Zhao Yun returned to Kongming and reported that they had fallen into the enemy's trap. Kongming asked with surprise, "Who is this person who saw through my strategy?" A man from Nan'an reported, "This man is named Jiang Wei, courtesy name Boyue, a man of Ji County in Tianshui. He serves his mother with utmost filial devotion. He is accomplished in both civil and martial arts, possessing both wisdom and courage. He is truly a hero of this age." Zhao Yun also praised Jiang Wei's spear technique, saying it was entirely different from anyone else's. Kongming said, "I now wish to take Tianshui, but I did not expect to find such a man." He then led the main army forward.

Jiang Wei returned to Ma Zun and said, "Zhao Yun has been defeated and fled, so Zhuge Liang will surely come in person. He will expect our troops to be inside the city. Now we can divide our army into four parts: I will lead one force to lie in ambush east of the city, and if their troops arrive, I will intercept them. Prefect, you, Liang Qian, and Yin Shou will each lead a force to lie in ambush outside the city. Liang Xu will lead the people to defend the walls." The deployment was arranged accordingly.

Because he was wary of Jiang Wei, Kongming personally took the vanguard and advanced toward Tianshui Prefecture. As they neared the city, Kongming issued orders: "When attacking a city, on the very first day you arrive, rouse the troops with great enthusiasm and storm the walls with a clamor. If you delay too long, your fighting spirit will be completely lost, and it will be difficult to break through." The army therefore advanced straight to the city walls. Seeing the banners on the walls neatly arranged, they did not dare attack rashly. They waited until midnight, when suddenly flames shot up on all sides and the shouting shook the earth. They had no idea where the soldiers had come from. On the city walls, they also beat drums and shouted in response, and the Shu soldiers scattered in confusion. Zhuge Liang quickly mounted his horse, and with the protection of Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, two generals, fought his way out of the encirclement. Looking back, he saw troops to the east, with a long trail of firelight, stretching like a serpent. Kongming sent Guan Xing to investigate, and he reported, "These are Jiang Wei's troops." Kongming sighed and said, "The strength of an army lies not in numbers, but in how it is deployed. This man is truly a general of talent!" He withdrew his troops to camp. After pondering for a long time, he called for a man from Anding and asked, "Where is Jiang Wei's mother now?" The man replied, "Jiang Wei's mother currently lives in Ji County." Kongming summoned Wei Yan and instructed him, "You may lead a detachment, make a great show of force, and feign an attack on Ji County. When Jiang Wei arrives, you may let him enter the city." He then asked, "What is the most strategic location here?" The man from Anding replied, "The grain and supplies of Tianshui are all in Shanggui. If Shanggui is taken, their supply lines will be cut off." Kongming was overjoyed and ordered Zhao Yun to lead a detachment to attack Shanggui. Kongming made camp thirty li from the city. Word was soon reported into Tianshui Prefecture that the Shu army had split into three parts: one force was besieging this prefecture, one was attacking Shanggui, and one was attacking Ji City. When Jiang Wei heard this, he pleaded with Ma Zun, saying, "My mother is now in Ji City. I fear for her safety. I beg for a detachment to go relieve this city and protect my aged mother." Ma Zun agreed and ordered Jiang Wei to lead three thousand troops to defend Ji City, while Liang Qian led three thousand troops to defend Shanggui.

Jiang Wei led his troops to Ji City. Ahead of him, a force had taken position, led by the Shu general Wei Yan. The two generals fought a few exchanges, and then Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled. Jiang Wei entered the city, closed the gates, and led his troops in its defense. He paid his respects to his mother and did not come out to fight. Zhao Yun also allowed Liang Qian to enter Shanggui City. Kongming then sent men to Nan'an Prefecture and brought Sima Mao to his tent. Kongming said, "Do you fear death?" Sima Mao hastily prostrated himself and begged for his life. Kongming said, "Now Jiang Wei is guarding Ji City. He has sent a man with a letter saying, 'As long as the Imperial Son-in-Law is here, I am willing to surrender.' Now I will spare your life. Will you persuade Jiang Wei to submit?" Sima Mao said, "I am willing to persuade him." Kongming then gave him clothes and a horse, ordered no one to follow him, and released him to go on his own.

Having escaped from the encampment, Mao sought a path by which to flee, but he did not know the way. As he rode along, he encountered several people running. Mao asked them, and they replied, "We are common folk of Jixian. Jiang Wei has just surrendered the city and gone over to Zhuge Liang. The Shu general Wei Yan set fires and plundered our possessions. That is why we have abandoned our homes and are fleeing to Shanggui."

Mao then asked, "Who now holds the city of Tianshui?" The locals said, "In Tianshui city it is Grand Administrator Ma." Hearing this, Mao spurred his horse and rode toward Tianshui. Again he saw people coming, carrying their sons and daughters, all saying the same thing. Mao arrived at the walls of Tianshui and called out to the gate. Those on the walls recognized him as Xiahou Mao and hastily opened the gate to welcome him in. Ma Zun came forward in alarm and bowed. Mao related in detail the matter of Jiang Wei and also told them what the people had said. Ma Zun sighed, "I never imagined Jiang Wei would turn traitor and surrender to Shu!" Liang Xu said, "He wished to save the Chief Controller, so he used these words as a false surrender." Mao said, "But Jiang Wei has already surrendered—how can it be false?"

While they were still deliberating, the first watch of the night had already arrived, and the Shu soldiers came again to attack the city. In the light of the fires they saw Jiang Wei below the walls, spear in hand, reining in his horse, shouting loudly, "Bid the Chief Controller Xiahou come speak with me!" Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun all mounted the walls. They saw Jiang Wei parading his might and shouting, "I surrendered for the Chief Controller's sake—why does the Chief Controller go back on his word?" Mao said, "You received the favor of Wei—why did you surrender to Shu? What word did I ever give you?" Jiang Wei replied, "You wrote a letter instructing me to surrender to Shu. Why do you say this? You wanted to escape, and instead you trapped me! I have now surrendered to Shu and been promoted to Grand General. What reason would I have to return to Wei?" With that, he drove his troops to assault the city and did not withdraw until dawn.

Now, the man who had impersonated Jiang Wei at night was in fact part of Kongming's scheme. He had ordered a soldier whose appearance resembled Jiang Wei's to dress up as Jiang Wei and attack the city, since amid the firelight the true from the false could not be distinguished.

Meanwhile, Kongming led his troops to attack Jicheng. The city had little grain, and the army's provisions were insufficient. Jiang Wei, on the walls, saw the Shu army with large and small carts transporting grain and fodder into Wei Yan's encampment. Jiang Wei led three thousand soldiers out of the city to raid the provisions. The Shu soldiers abandoned all their grain carts and fled by various routes. Jiang Wei seized the grain and was about to enter the city when suddenly a force blocked his way, led by the Shu general Zhang Yi. The two generals clashed, and after only a few exchanges Wang Ping led another force and attacked from both sides. Jiang Wei, exhausted and unable to resist, fought his way back toward the city. But the walls already flew the banners of Shu—the city had been taken by Wei Yan in a surprise attack. Jiang Wei cut a path toward Tianshui, with only a dozen or so riders left. He then encountered Zhang Bao and was routed again. Jiang Wei was left with only a single horse and a single lance. He came to the walls of Tianshui and called out to the gate. The soldiers on the walls recognized Jiang Wei and hastily reported to Ma Zun. Ma Zun said, "This is Jiang Wei trying to trick us into opening the gate!" He ordered the soldiers on the walls to rain arrows down. Jiang Wei, seeing the Shu soldiers drawing close, gallled toward Shanggui. Liang Qian on the walls saw Jiang Wei and cursed him, "Traitor to your country—how dare you try to trick me into surrendering my city! I already know you have surrendered to Shu!" He too ordered a hail of arrows. Jiang Wei had no chance to explain. He looked up to heaven and sighed deeply, tears streaming from both eyes, then turned his horse and fled toward Chang'an. Before he had ridden several li, he came to a dense stretch of great trees and a thick forest. A shout rose up, and several thousand soldiers surged out. The leader was the Shu general Guan Xing, who blocked the way. Jiang Wei was exhausted, his horse spent, and he could not resist. He reined in his horse to flee. Then a small carriage emerged from the side of the hill. The man within wore a silk hewn and a crane-feather cloak, waving a feather fan—it was Kongming.

Kongming called to Jiang Wei, "BoYue, why do you not surrender even now?" Jiang Wei pondered for a long time. Before him was Kongming, behind him Guan Xing, and there was no other path. He had no choice but to dismount and surrender. Kongming hastily descended from his carriage to welcome him, took Jiang Wei's hand, and said, "Since thatched cottage, I have sought everywhere for a worthy man, wishing to pass on all I have learned in my life, but I grieved that I had not found the right person. Now that I have met BoYue, my wish is fulfilled." Jiang Wei was overjoyed and bowed in thanks.

Kongming then returned to camp with Jiang Wei. He ascended the council tent and discussed with him the plan to capture Tianshui and Shanggui. Jiang Wei said, "In Tianshui city, Yin Shang and Liang Xu are close to me. I should write two secret letters and shoot them into the city, so as to cause turmoil within—then the city can be taken." Kongming agreed. Jiang Wei wrote two secret letters, tied them to arrows, rode straight to the city walls, and shot them inside. A junior officer picked them up and presented them to Ma Zun. Ma Zun was greatly suspicious and discussed the matter with Xiahou Mao, saying, "Liang Xu and Yin Shang have colluded with Jiang Wei and intend to act as inside agents. The Chief Controller should act decisively against them." Mao said, "Kill the two of them." Yin Shang learned of this and said to Liang Xu, "We would do better to surrender the city to Shu, so as to advance our careers." That night, Xiahou Mao sent for Liang and Yin several times to come speak with him. The two judged that events had grown urgent. They donned their armor, mounted their horses, took up their weapons, and led their troops to throw open the city gates and let the Shu soldiers in. Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun, in a panic, led several hundred men out of the west gate, abandoned the city, and fled to the Qiang region. Liang Xu and Yin Shang welcomed Kongming into the city. After the people had been pacified, Kongming asked about the plan to take Shanggui. Liang Xu said, "My own younger brother Liang Qian holds this city. I will summon him to surrender." Kongming was greatly pleased. Liang Xu went that day to Shanggui and called Liang Qian out of the city to surrender. Kongming rewarded them handsomely and appointed Liang Xu as Grand Administrator of Tianshui, Yin Shang as Magistrate of Jixian, and Liang Qian as Magistrate of Shanggui. When Kongming had completed all the arrangements, he readied his forces and advanced. The generals asked, "Why does the Chancellor not go after Xiahou Mao?" Kongming said, "Releasing Xiahou Mao is like releasing a duck. But gaining BoYue is like gaining a phoenix."

After Kongming had taken the three cities, his prestige shook the land far and near. Prefectures and districts surrendered to him at the mere news of his approach. Kongming marshaled his troops and drew out all the forces of Hanzhong, advancing to the front of Mount Qi and reaching the west bank of the Wei River. Spies carried the report into Luoyang.

In the first year of the Taihe era, Emperor Cao Rui of Wei ascended his throne and held court. A close memorial official reported: "The Imperial Son-in-law Xiahou Mao has lost three commanderies and fled among the Qiang tribes. Now the Shu armies have reached Mount Qi, their vanguard reaching west of the Wei River. We beg that troops be sent early to crush the enemy." The Emperor was greatly alarmed and asked his assembled ministers: "Who can repel the Shu forces for me?"

Minister over the Masses Wang Lang stepped forward from the ranks and said: "Your minister has observed that the late Emperor always employed Grand General Cao Zhen wherever he went, and he was certain to prevail. Why does Your Majesty not appoint him as Grand Commander to repel the Shu troops?" The Emperor approved the memorial and summoned Cao Zhen, saying: "The late Emperor entrusted the orphaned sovereign to you. Now the Shu armies have invaded the Central Plains. How can you sit by and watch?" Cao Zhen replied: "Your minister's talents are shallow and his wisdom meager; he is unequal to such a post." Wang Lang said: "You are a pillar of the state. You must not refuse. Though this old minister is dull and slow, he is willing to accompany the general." Cao Zhen then said: "Having received such great favor, how dare I decline? But I request one man as my lieutenant general." The Emperor said: "Choose him yourself." Cao Zhen then recommended a man from Taiyuan's Yangqu district: Guo Huai, by name, with the courtesy name Bogi, holding the title of Marquis of Sheting and serving as Inspector of Yong Province. The Emperor consented. Thereupon he appointed Cao Zhen as Grand Commander and bestowed upon him the axe of authority. He appointed Guo Huai as Vice Commander and Wang Lang as Army Counselor—Wang Lang being by then seventy-six years of age. Troops were selected from both the eastern and western capitals, two hundred thousand men, and placed under Cao Zhen. Cao Zhen appointed his clansman Cao Zun as Vanguard General and the Wave-Quelling General Zhu Zan as his lieutenant. In the eleventh month of that year the army marched, and Emperor Cao Rui in person escorted them beyond the West Gate before returning.

Cao Zhen led his great army to Chang'an and made camp west of the Wei River. Together with Wang Lang and Guo Guo, he discussed plans to repel the enemy. Wang Lang said: "Tomorrow we can marshal our ranks in strict order and unfurl our banners to their fullest. This old man will go forth himself and need only one speech to make Zhuge Liang surrender with folded hands, so that the Shu troops retreat without a battle." Cao Zhen was overjoyed. That night he issued orders: the next day, at the fourth watch, prepare food; at dawn, the ranks must be in perfect order, men and horses imposing in their bearing, banners, drums, and horns each in their proper sequence. A messenger was at once sent to deliver a challenge. The next day the two armies met and drew up their formations before Mount Qi. The Shu troops observed that the Wei soldiers were truly formidable, very different from Xiahou Mao's rabble.

When the drums and horns of both armies had ceased, Minister over the Masses Wang Lang rode forth from his horse. At the upper position stood Grand Commander Cao Zhen; at the lower, Vice Commander Guo Guo. The two vanguard generals held the flanks. A scout rode to the front of the line and shouted: "Let the opposing commander come forth for parley!" Then the banner-gate of the Shu army opened, and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao emerged on either side, taking their positions on horseback. Behind them came rank upon rank of valiant generals. In the shadow of the gate-banners, at the center, a four-wheeled carriage appeared, and in it sat Kongming—crowned with a silk headdress, wielding a feather fan, dressed in white robes with a black sash, floating as if borne on air. Kongming raised his eyes and saw three canopies before the Wei host, names written large on the banners. In the center was an old man with a white beard—the Army Counselor, Minister over the Masses Wang Lang. Kongming thought to himself: "Wang Lang is sure to try persuasion. I must respond as occasion demands." He ordered his carriage pushed out beyond the ranks and instructed his guard officers to announce: "The Han Prime Minister requests speech with the Minister over the Masses." Wang Lang rode forward. Kongming saluted from his carriage; Wang Lang bowed from his horse.

Wang Lang said: "Long have I heard your great name; today I am fortunate to meet you. Since you understand Heaven's will and recognize the times, why raise an army without just cause?"

Kongming replied: "I act on imperial decree to punish traitors. How can you call it unjust?"

Wang Lang said: "The course of Heaven changes; the sacred mandate passes to another, and sovereignty returns to the virtuous—this is the natural order. Since the time of Emperors Huan and Ling, the Yellow Turbans raised rebellion and the empire fell into chaos. Coming down to the years of Chuping and Jian'an, Dong Zhuo wrought treachery, and Li Jue and Guo Si carried on his cruelties. Yuan Shu usurped the title at Shouchun; Yuan Shao held sway at Ye. Liu Biao seized Jing Province; Lü Bu devoured Xu like a tiger. Rebels swarmed like bees; tyrants soared like hawks. The state teetered atop a piled egg; the people hung upside down in direst peril. Our Grand Ancestor, Emperor Wu, swept clean the six directions and rolled up the eight wilds. The myriad families gave their hearts; the four corners looked up to his virtue. He did not seize power by force—it was truly the mandate that returned to him. Our Ancestor, Emperor Wen, sagacious and martial in the highest degree, received the great succession, responding to Heaven and uniting with men. He followed the example of Yao and Shun in yielding the throne, ruling the central land to bring order to all the nations—was this not the heart of Heaven and the will of men? Now you, sir, possess great talent and bear great capacity, and you compare yourself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi. Yet how can you stubbornly seek to defy Heaven's principle and go against human feeling in your actions? Have you not heard the ancients say: 'He who obeys Heaven flourishes; he who defies Heaven perishes.' Now our great Wei commands a million armored troops and a thousand able leaders. How can the glow-worm's light from rotting grass compare to the bright moon of Heaven's will? You can turn your weapons and remove your armor, and surrender with proper ceremony—you will not lose a marquis's fief. The state at peace and the people content—would that not be a fine thing?"

Kongming, seated in his carriage, burst out laughing. "I had thought that a venerable elder of the House of Han would offer some lofty discourse. Who could have expected such base words? Let me say one thing, and let all the armies listen carefully: In the days of Emperors Huan and Ling, the Han line of succession fell into decline, and eunuchs brewed calamity. The state was in turmoil and the years were lean; the four quarters were thrown into chaos. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si rose one after another, abducting the Han emperor and bringing cruelty upon the living. At court, rotten wood served as officials; in the palace halls, beasts drew salaries. Men with the hearts of wolves and the conduct of dogs filled the court in swarms; creatures with the faces of slaves and the knees of servants held power in droves. As a result, the altars of the state were reduced to ruins, and the common people were plunged into the mire. I have long known your conduct! You have dwelt for generations by the shores of the Eastern Sea, and first entered office by being recommended as Filial and Incorrupt. You ought to have aided the sovereign and supported the state, bringing peace to the Han and restoring the Liu house. How could you turn about and assist a usurper, plotting together to seize the throne? Your sins are too deep and heavy—Heaven and Earth cannot bear them! All the people of the realm would gladly eat your flesh! Now, by the grace of Heaven, the Flame of Han has not been extinguished, and Emperor Zhaolie has continued the line in Xichuan. I now bear the command of the rightful sovereign to raise an army and punish the traitors. Since you are a fawning, flattering minister, you ought only to keep your head low and skulk in the shadows, scrambling to keep yourself fed and clothed. How dare you stand before the ranks and presumptuously speak of the Mandate of Heaven? White-haired old fool! Grey-bearded old villain! Before the day is out you will descend to the Yellow Springs—what face will you have to look upon the twenty-four emperors? Old villain, withdraw at once! Bid the rebel ministers come forth and decide the outcome with me!" Wang Lang, having heard these words, was filled with fury in his breast. He let out a great cry and threw himself from his dead, dying beneath his horse. A later poet composed this verse in praise of Kongming:

The armies marched forth from Western Qin,

A hero's talent matched ten thousand men.

With but three inches of tongue, lightly swayed,

He cursed the old traitor to his grave.

Kongming pointed with his fan at Cao Zhen. "I will not press you. You may put your forces in order, and we shall decide the battle tomorrow." With that, he turned his carriage around. Both armies then withdrew. Cao Zhen had Wang Lang's body placed in a coffin and sent back to Chang'an. The Vice-Commander Guo Huai said, "Zhuge Liang will calculate that we are mourning in our camp tonight and will surely come to raid our camp. We can divide our forces into four columns: two columns can take the mountain paths and, finding the enemy unguarded, raid the Shu camp; the other two columns can lie in wait outside our own camp on the left and right to strike them." Cao Zhen was overjoyed. "This plan coincides with my own thinking." He then summoned the two vanguard commanders, Cao Zun and Zhu Zan, and instructed them: "Each of you will lead ten thousand men and move around behind Mount Qishan. When you see the Shu soldiers heading toward our camp, you may advance and raid their camp. If the Shu soldiers do not move, withdraw your forces—do not advance rashly." The two received their orders and led their troops away. Cao Zhen said to Guo Huai: "Let each of us lead a force and lie in wait outside the camp. Inside the camp, pile up firewood and straw in great heaps, leaving only a few men. When the Shu soldiers arrive, set the fires as a signal." The various generals divided into left and right and went to make their preparations.

Now, when Kongming returned to his tent, he first summoned Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and gave them orders. Kongming said: "Each of you will lead your own troops to raid the Wei camp." Wei Yan stepped forward and said: "Cao Zhen has a deep understanding of military strategy. He will certainly anticipate that we will take advantage of the mourning to raid his camp. How could he not be on his guard?" Kongming smiled. "It is precisely my wish that Cao Zhen knows we are going to raid his camp. He will certainly have laid an ambush behind Mount Qishan, waiting for our troops to pass before coming to attack our own camp. That is why I am ordering the two of you to lead your forces forward, and after passing the foot of the mountain, to encamp at a distance. When the Wei soldiers come to raid our camp, you will take the signal of the fires as your cue and divide your forces into two columns: Wenchang, you will block the mountain pass; Zilong, you will lead your forces back. You will certainly encounter the Wei soldiers—let them pass, then press your attack. They will surely fall upon each other, and we can win a complete victory." The two generals received their orders and led their troops away. He then summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and instructed them: "Each of you will lead a force and lie in wait along the main roads of Mount Qishan. Let the Wei soldiers pass, then follow the route by which they came and charge toward the Wei camp." The two received their orders and led their troops away. He also ordered the four generals Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi to lie in wait outside the camp on all four sides to meet the Wei soldiers. Kongming then erected a dummy palisade and piled firewood and straw in the center, ready to serve as the fire signal. He himself withdrew with the various generals behind the camp to observe developments.

Now, the Wei vanguard commanders Cao Zun and Zhu Zan left their camp at dusk and advanced by slow degrees. By the second watch, they dimly saw troops moving ahead in the mountain passes. Cao Zun thought to himself: "Commander Guo truly has divine foresight!" He urged his troops forward in haste. By the time they reached the Shu camp, it was nearly the third watch. Cao Zun charged into the camp first, but it was an empty camp—not a single man was there. Realizing they had fallen into a trap, he hastily ordered a withdrawal, but fires broke out in the camp. Zhu Zan's troops arrived, and the Wei soldiers fell upon each other in confusion, men and horses thrown into chaos. Cao Zun and Zhu Zan met on horseback and only then understood that they were trampling each other. As they tried to rally their forces, a great clamor arose on all four sides, and Wang Ping, Ma Dai, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi charged in. Cao Zun and Zhu Zan led their personal cavalry of some hundred riders and fled along the main road. Suddenly drums and horns sounded together, and a force blocked their path. At its head was the great general Zhao Zilong of Changshan, who shouted: "Where do you think you are going, rebel generals? Submit to death at once!" Cao Zun and Zhu Zan tried to force their way through. Then shouts arose again, and Wei Yan led another force in for the attack. Cao Zun and Zhu Zan were utterly defeated and fled back toward their own camp. The soldiers guarding the camp, thinking the Shu soldiers had come to raid them, hastily lit the signal fires. From the left Cao Zhen charged in; from the right Guo Huai charged in—the Wei forces fell upon each other. From behind, three columns of Shu soldiers arrived: Wei Yan in the center, Guan Xing on the left, Zhang Bao on the right, and they slaughtered the Wei forces in a great battle. The Wei soldiers fled more than ten li, and a great many Wei generals were killed. Kongming won a complete victory and only then called back his troops. Cao Zhen and Guo Huai gathered their defeated forces and returned to camp, where they discussed the situation. "Now the Wei forces are isolated and weak, while the Shu forces are strong. What strategy can we use to drive them back?" Guo Huai said: "Victory and defeat are the common lot of soldiers—there is no cause for alarm. I have a plan that will prevent the Shu forces from supporting each other front and rear, and they will certainly withdraw of their own accord." Indeed:

The pitiful Wei generals could not bring their plans to fruition,

And now they would seek aid from the west.

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