Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Now it must be told that the Wei ruler Cao Rui appointed Zhang He as the vanguard and ordered him to advance together with Sima Yi. At the same time, he commanded Xin Pi and Sun Li to lead fifty thousand troops to reinforce Cao Zhen. The two officers received the edict and departed.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi led two hundred thousand troops out of the pass and encamped. He summoned the vanguard Zhang He to his tent and said, "Zhuge Liang has always been cautious in his life and has never acted recklessly. If I were to employ troops, I would take the direct route through the Ziwu Valley and seize Chang'an long ago. It is not that he lacks strategy, but he fears making a mistake and refuses to gamble on danger. Now he will certainly march out through the Xie Valley to seize Mei City. If he takes Mei City, he will surely divide his forces into two columns, with one army taking the Jugu Valley. I have already issued dispatches ordering Zidan to defend Mei City and not to engage the enemy if troops arrive. I have also ordered Sun Li and Xin Pi to block the road at Jugu Valley and to strike with surprise forces if troops come." Zhang He asked, "Where should Your Excellency advance your forces now?" Sima Yi replied, "I have long known that west of the Qinling Mountains there is a road, and at its place stands a town called Street Pavilion. Beside it is a city called Arrayed Willow City. Both of these locations are the throat of Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang, taking advantage of Zidan's lack of preparation, will certainly advance this way. You and I shall go straight to Street Pavilion; from there Yangping Pass is not far. If Zhuge Liang learns that I have cut off his vital road at Street Pavilion and severed his supply lines, then the whole territory of Longxi cannot be held in peace, and he will certainly hurry back to Hanzhong through the night. If he withdraws, I shall lead our troops to strike him from the side roads and achieve a complete victory. If he does not withdraw, then I shall block all the side roads and guard them all with troops. In one month without supplies, the Shu soldiers will all starve to death, and Zhuge Liang will surely be captured by me." Zhang He was greatly enlightened and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "The Marshal's calculations are divine!" Sima Yi said, "Nevertheless, Zhuge Liang is not like Meng Da. As the vanguard, you must not advance carelessly. You must inform all the generals: follow the mountain roads to the west and send out distant scouts. Only if there are no ambushes may you advance. If you are negligent, you will certainly fall into Zhuge Liang's trap." Zhang He accepted the plan and led his troops forward.

Now it must be told that Kong Ming was in the Qi Mountain encampment when suddenly a scout from Xincheng arrived. Kong Ming hastily summoned him in and questioned him. The spy reported, "Sima Yi marched at double speed and reached Xincheng in eight days. Meng Da was taken completely by surprise. Moreover, Shen Dan, Shen Yi, Li Fu, and Xian Xian acted as his inner allies. Meng Da was killed by the disorderly troops. Now Sima Yi has withdrawn his troops to Chang'an, where he has seen the Wei ruler. Together with Zhang He, he is leading troops out of the pass to oppose our army." Kong Ming was greatly alarmed and said, "Meng Da acted without secrecy, and his death is certainly deserved. Now that Sima Yi has come out of the pass, he will certainly seize Street Pavilion and cut off our throat." He then asked, "Who dares to lead troops to defend Street Pavilion?" Before he had finished speaking, the staff officer Ma Su said, "I volunteer to go." Kong Ming said, "Though Street Pavilion is small, the stakes are exceedingly great: if Street Pavilion is lost, our entire army will be finished. Although you are deeply versed in strategy, this place has neither walls nor natural defenses, making it extremely difficult to hold." Ma Su replied, "I have studied military books since childhood and know the art of war well. How could I fail to defend a single Street Pavilion?" Kong Ming said, "Sima Yi is no ordinary man. Moreover, his vanguard Zhang He is a famous general of Wei. I fear you may not be able to oppose them." Ma Su said, "Let alone Sima Yi and Zhang He—even if Cao Rui himself came, what would I have to fear? If I fail, I beg you to execute my entire family." Kong Ming said, "There are no joking words in the army." Ma Su said, "I am willing to sign a military pledge." Kong Ming agreed to it. Ma Su then wrote the military pledge and presented it.

Kong Ming said, "I will give you twenty-five thousand elite troops, and in addition dispatch a senior general to assist you." He summoned Wang Ping and instructed him, "I have always known that you are cautious by nature, so I entrust you with this critical mission in particular. You must be careful and prudent. When you establish camp here, it must be at the vital point of the road, so that enemy troops cannot easily pass. Once the camp is set, draw a map of the terrain in all eight directions and bring it to me. Consult and deliberate on all matters before acting, and do not act rashly. If you hold this position without danger, then it will be the first merit in the taking of Chang'an. Take heed! Take heed!" The two men took their leave and led their troops away. Kong Ming reflected that he feared the two might fail, so he summoned Gao Xiang and said, "Northeast of Street Pavilion there is a city called Arrayed Willow City, on a remote mountain road: this is a place where troops can be stationed. I give you ten thousand troops to garrison this city. But if Street Pavilion is in danger, you may lead your troops to its aid." Gao Xiang led his troops away. Kong Ming then considered that Gao Xiang was no match for Zhang He, and that a great general must be stationed to the right of Street Pavilion to guard against him. So he summoned Wei Yan and ordered him to lead his own troops to encamp behind Street Pavilion. Wei Yan said, "As the vanguard, it is proper that I should be the first to attack the enemy. Why am I placed in a position of leisure?" Kong Ming said, "Attacking the enemy as vanguard is the business of subordinate officers. Now I order you to support Street Pavilion, guarding the vital road to Yangping Pass and holding the throat of Hanzhong. This is a great responsibility. How can it be called leisure? Do not regard it as a matter of no consequence, lest you cause me great harm. You must be extremely careful and attentive!" Wei Yan was overjoyed and led his troops away. Only then did Kong Ming's mind become at ease. He then summoned Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi and instructed them, "Now Sima Yi is leading his troops out, and it is different from before. You two shall each lead an army out through the Jugu Valley to serve as a decoy force. If you encounter Wei troops, you may fight or not fight, so as to unsettle their minds. I myself shall lead the main army through the Xie Valley to seize Mei City directly: if Mei City is taken, Chang'an can be captured." The two men received their orders and departed. Kong Ming appointed Jiang Wei as the vanguard, and the troops marched out through the Xie Valley.

Now Ma Su and Wang Ping arrived at Jieting with their troops and surveyed the terrain. Ma Su laughed and said, "Why is the Prime Minister so overly cautious? Consider how remote this mountain is—how dare the Wei troops come here!" Wang Ping said, "Even if the Wei troops dare not come, we should camp at the junction of the five roads here. We can have the soldiers cut timber to build stockades, so as to prepare for a prolonged defense." Ma Su said, "Is the middle of the road the place to camp? There is a mountain to the side here, disconnected on all four sides, with dense forests all around. This is a heaven-sent strategic position. We should station our troops on the mountain." Wang Ping said, "You are mistaken, Counselor. If we camp on the road and build a wall, even if the enemy has a hundred thousand men, they cannot sneak past. But if we abandon this vital road and camp on the mountain, and the Wei troops suddenly arrive and surround us on all sides, what strategy will we use to defend ourselves?" Ma Su laughed loudly and said, "You truly have a woman's outlook! The Art of War says: 'From a high position looking down, the momentum is like splitting bamboo.' When the Wei troops arrive, I will send them back without a single man surviving!" Wang Ping said, "I have followed the Prime Minister through many campaigns, and at every location he would instruct me with the greatest care. Now looking at this mountain, I see it is a position of certain death. If the Wei troops cut off our water supply, our soldiers will fall into chaos without a fight." Ma Su said, "Stop talking nonsense! Sun Tzu says: 'Place them on death ground and they will survive.' If the Wei troops cut off our water, will the Shu soldiers not fight to the death? One man can then stand against a hundred. I have always studied military texts, and the Prime Minister still consults me on various matters. Why do you try to obstruct me?" Wang Ping said, "If you insist on camping on the mountain, give me a detachment and let me camp on a small hill to the west, forming a position of mutual support. If the Wei troops arrive, we can respond to each other." Ma Su refused. Suddenly, the local residents came in groups, running swiftly to report that the Wei troops had arrived. Wang Ping was about to take his leave. Ma Su said, "Since you refuse to obey my orders, I will give you five thousand men and you may go camp on your own. But when I defeat the Wei troops, you cannot share the credit before the Prime Minister!" Wang Ping led his troops and camped ten li from the mountain, drew up a map, and sent a messenger by night to report to Kongming, detailing that Ma Su had camped on the mountain on his own authority.

Now in the city, Sima Yi ordered his second son, Sima Zhao, to scout the road ahead. If troops were guarding Jieting, they should hold their position and not advance. Sima Zhao received the order and scouted the area, then returned to his father and said, "There are troops guarding Jieting." Sima Yi sighed and said, "Zhuge Liang is truly a man of godlike ability. I am not his equal!" Sima Zhao smiled and said, "Why does Father diminish his own resolve so? I expect Jieting will be easy to take." Sima Yi asked, "How dare you make such a bold claim?" Sima Zhao said, "I personally observed the area. There are no stockades on the road; the troops are all camped on the mountain. Therefore I know it can be taken." Sima Yi was overjoyed and said, "If the troops are indeed on the mountain, then Heaven has granted me success!" He then changed his clothes and led over a hundred cavalrymen to see for himself. That night the sky was clear with a bright moon. He went all the way to the foot of the mountain, rode around and inspected it thoroughly, then returned. Ma Su saw him from the mountain top and laughed and said, "If he had any sense, he would not surround the mountain." He issued orders to his generals: "When the troops come, you will see the red flag waving on the mountain top, and then charge down from all sides."

Sima Yi returned to his camp and sent men to find out which general was commanding the troops at Jieting. They reported back: "It is Ma Liang's brother, Ma Su." Sima Yi laughed and said: "He has an empty reputation—he is merely a mediocrity! That Kongming would employ such a man—how could he not bring disaster!" He also asked: "Are there any other troops near Jieting?" The scouts reported: "Ten li from the mountain, Wang Ping has made camp." Sima Yi then ordered Zhang He to lead a block to block Wang Ping's approach. He also ordered Shen Dan and Shen Yi to lead two columns to surround the mountain, first cutting off the water supply; when the Shu troops fell into disorder of their own accord, they would then strike with the advantage of momentum. The dispositions were all made that night. The next day at dawn, Zhang He led his troops and went first to block the rear. Sima Yi drove the main army forward in a great surge, surrounding the mountain on all four sides. Ma Su looked down from the mountain and saw that the Wei troops covered the hills and fields, their banners and formations extremely orderly and disciplined. When the Shu soldiers saw this, they lost all courage and dared not come down the mountain. Ma Su waved the red flag, but the officers pushed and shrank among themselves—not one dared to move. Ma Su flew into a rage and personally killed two of his generals. The soldiers, terrified, had no choice but to make a desperate effort to charge down the mountain against the Wei troops. The Wei troops stood firm and unmoved. The Shu soldiers retreated back up the mountain. Ma Su, seeing that things were not going well, ordered his troops to guard the camp gates tightly and wait for outside reinforcements.

Now when Wang Ping saw the Wei troops arrive, he led his men to attack and met Zhang He head-on. After several tens of exchanges, Wang Ping's strength was exhausted and his position isolated, so he had no choice but to retreat. The Wei troops besieged the mountain from the hour of chen to the hour of xu. On the mountain there was no water; the soldiers could not eat, and the camp fell into great disorder. By midnight, the Shu soldiers on the south side of the mountain threw open the camp gates and descended to surrender to Wei. Ma Su could not stop them. Sima Yi also ordered men to set fires along the mountainside, and the Shu troops on the mountain grew even more chaotic. Ma Su, realizing he could not hold out, drove his remaining troops in a desperate charge down the mountain to flee westward. Sima Yi opened a broad road and let Ma Su pass through. Behind him, Zhang He led his troops in pursuit. After some thirty li, drums and horns sounded ahead, and a column of troops appeared, letting Ma Su pass while blocking Zhang He. Looking closely, it was Wei Yan: he brandished his saber, rode forward, and charged straight at Zhang He. Zhang He turned and fled. Wei Yan drove his troops forward in pursuit and retook Jieting. After some fifty li, a great shout arose, and ambush troops emerged from both sides: Sima Yi on the left and Sima Zhao on the right, striking at Wei Yan's rear and surrounding him at the center. Zhang He returned as well, and the three forces converged. Wei Yan charged left and right but could not break free, losing more than half his troops. At the moment of greatest peril, suddenly a column of troops burst in—it was Wang Ping. Wei Yan cried joyfully: "I shall live!" The two generals joined forces and fought a great battle, and only then did the Wei troops withdraw. The two generals hastened back to their camp, but the camp was filled with Wei banners. Shen Dan and Shen Yi charged out from within. Wang Ping and Wei Yan made straight for Lieliu City to join Gao Xiang.

At this time, Gao Xiang learned that Jieting had fallen and marched out with the entire force of Lieliu City to come to the rescue. He met Yan and Ping, who recounted what had happened. Gao Xiang said, "Let us raid the Wei camp tonight and retake Jieting." The three men then made their plans together at the foot of a hill. When evening drew near, they divided their forces into three columns. Wei Yan led his troops first, advancing straight to Jieting, but not a single man was to be seen. Filled with suspicion, he dared not advance rashly and instead lay in wait at a crossroads. Soon Gao Xiang arrived with his men, and the two discussed where the Wei soldiers might have gone. Just as they were at a loss, Wang Ping's force still had not appeared. Suddenly a cannon shot rang out, flames shot into the sky, and the earth shook with the sound of drums. Wei soldiers poured out on all sides, surrounding Wei Yan and Gao Xiang at the center. The two fought with all their strength but could not break free. Then a thunderous shout was heard from behind the hill, and a band of troops charged in—it was Wang Ping, who rescued Gao and Wei, and they fled straight toward Lieliu City. By the time they reached the outskirts of the city, a Wei force had already arrived, and the banners bore the characters "Wei Commander Guo Huai." It turned out that Guo Huai and Cao Zhen had conferred, fearing that Sima Yi would claim all the credit, so they had sent Guo Huai to take Jieting. When he learned that Sima Yi and Zhang He had already won this victory, he led his troops to attack Lieliu City directly. He met the three officers and fought a great battle. Shu suffered heavy casualties. Wei Yan, fearing for Yangping Pass, hastily set out for it with Wang Ping and Gao Xiang.

Meanwhile, Guo Huai gathered his troops and said to his attendants, "Though I could not take Jieting, I have captured Lieliu City—that is still a great achievement." He led his men straight to the city gates and called for them to be opened. Suddenly a cannon shot rang out from atop the wall, banners were raised, and at the head flew a large banner bearing the characters "Pacification General of the West, Sima Yi." Yi raised the suspension plank, leaned on the wooden railing, and laughed loudly. "Guo Boji, why have you come so late?" Huai was greatly astonished. "Zhongda's divine foresight is beyond my reach!" He then entered the city. When they had met, Yi said, "Now that Jieting is lost, Zhuge Liang must retreat. You and Zidan should pursue him without delay." Guo Huai followed his advice and left the city. Yi summoned Zhang He. "Zidan and Boji feared I would claim all the credit, so they came to take this city. I do not seek to claim success alone—it has come by chance. I predict that Wei Yan, Wang Ping, Ma Su, Gao Xiang, and the others will first occupy Yangping Pass. If I were to attack that pass, Zhuge Liang would surely attack from behind, and I would fall into his trap. The Art of War says: 'Do not press a retreating enemy; do not pursue a desperate foe.' You are to take a side road and cut off the retreat through Jigu Valley. I myself will lead the force against Xiegu. If they flee, do not block them—simply intercept them midway, and all their supplies and baggage will be ours." Zhang He received his orders and took half the army and departed. Yi then gave orders: "Advance directly on Xiegu, proceeding through Xicheng. Though Xicheng is a small, remote county, it is where the Shu army stores its grain, and it is the main road connecting Nan'an, Tianshui, and Anding. If we take this city, the three commanderies can be recovered." So Sima Yi left Shen Dan and Shen Yi to guard Lieliu City, and led the main army toward Xiegu.

Meanwhile, after Zhuge Liang had ordered Ma Su and the others to defend Jieting, he was beset with uncertainty. Then a messenger from Wang Ping arrived with a map. Zhuge Liang had him brought in and the map presented. He unrolled it on his desk and stared at it, then slammed the table in alarm. "Ma Su's ignorance has ruined our army!" his attendants asked. "Why is Your Excellency so alarmed?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I see from this map that he has abandoned the crucial road and occupied a mountain stronghold. If the Wei army comes in force and surrounds him on all sides, cutting off the water supply, within two days the army will be in chaos of its own accord. If Jieting is lost, how shall we return?" Chief Clerk Yang Yi stepped forward. "Though I am unworthy, I am willing to go in Ma Youchang's place." Zhuge Liang gave Yang Yi detailed instructions on how to set up camp. Just as he was about to depart, a horseman arrived with the news that both Jieting and Lieliu City had fallen. Zhuge Liang stamped his foot and sighed deeply. "All is lost! This is my fault!" He hastily summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and ordered them: "Take three thousand elite soldiers each and advance along the Xiaogong Mountain road. If you encounter the Wei army, do not attack in force—merely beat drums and shout to create confusion and frighten them. They will retreat on their own; do not pursue. Once our army has fully withdrawn, proceed to Yangping Pass." He also ordered Zhang Yi to lead troops ahead to repair the Jiange road, to prepare the route of retreat. He then secretly issued orders for the army to quietly pack up their baggage in preparation for departure. He ordered Ma Dai and Jiang Wei to serve as the rear guard, hiding in the valley until all other forces had withdrawn before pulling back. He also sent trusted men to relocate the officials, soldiers, and civilians of the Tianshui, Nan'an, and Anding commanderies into Hanzhong. He further sent trusted men to Qixian to bring Jiang Wei's aged mother into Hanzhong.

Having made all these arrangements, Zhuge Liang first led five thousand troops to Xicheng County to transport grain supplies. Suddenly a succession of urgent riders arrived, reporting that Sima Yi was advancing with a great army of a hundred and fifty thousand, swarming toward Xicheng. At this time, Zhuge Liang had no great generals at his side—only a group of civil officials. Of the five thousand troops he had brought, half had already been sent ahead to transport grain, leaving only two thousand five hundred in the city. When the officials heard this news, their faces all turned pale. Zhuge Liang ascended the wall and looked out—indeed, dust filled the sky as the Wei army advanced in two columns toward Xicheng County. Zhuge Liang issued orders: all banners and flags were to be hidden; officers were to guard their sections of the wall, and anyone who moved without permission or spoke in a loud voice would be executed on the spot. The four gates were to be thrown open, with twenty soldiers at each gate disguised as commoners sweeping the streets. When the Wei army arrived, they were not to act rashly—he had his own plan. Zhuge Liang then donned his crane-feather cape and silk headband, led two young boys carrying a single zither, and seated himself on the watchtower before the wall, leaning on the railing, burning incense and playing the zither.

Meanwhile, the scouts of Sima Yi's advance force arrived beneath the city walls and saw the sight before them. None dared advance, and they hurried back to report to Sima Yi. Sima Yi smiled in disbelief, halted the three armies, and rode out himself to see from a distance. Indeed, he saw Zhuge Liang seated upon the city tower, smiling serenely, burning incense and playing the zither. To his left stood a young attendant holding a precious sword; to his right stood another attendant holding a fly whisk. Inside and outside the city gates were some twenty-odd common folk, sweeping the ground with their heads lowered, as though no one else were present. Having observed all this, Sima Yi was deeply suspicious. He returned to the central army and ordered the rear army to become the vanguard and the vanguard to become the rear, then withdrew along the northern mountain road. His second son, Sima Zhao, said, "Could it be that Zhuge Liang has no troops and is merely putting on this show? Why does Father withdraw so readily?" Sima Yi replied, "Zhuge Liang has always been cautious and never courted danger. Now that the city gates stand wide open, there must be an ambush. If our troops advance, we shall fall into his trap. How could you understand? We must withdraw at once." Thereupon both columns of troops retreated and departed. When Zhuge Liang saw the Wei army far away, he clapped his hands and laughed. All the officials were astounded. They asked Zhuge Liang, "Sima Yi is a famous general of Wei. He arrived here with a hundred and fifty thousand crack troops, yet upon seeing the Prime Minister, he withdrew at once. Why?" Zhuge Liang said, "This man reckons that I have always been cautious and would never court danger. Seeing such a sight, he suspects an ambush, and so he withdraws. I did not court danger—I had no choice but to employ this stratagem. This man will surely lead his troops to the mountain path north of here. I have already ordered Xing and Bao to wait for him there." All were struck with admiration and awe, saying, "The Prime Minister's designs are beyond the divination of gods and spirits. Had we been in his place, we would surely have abandoned the city and fled." Zhuge Liang said, "Our troops number only two thousand five hundred. If we abandoned the city and fled, we could not get far. Would we not be captured by Sima Yi?" A later poet praised the event with these words:

Three feet of jade zither vanquished a mighty host—

When Zhuge of the west city drove the foe away.

Where a hundred and fifty thousand turned their steeds,

Men point and wonder to this day.

Having spoken, he clapped his hands and laughed aloud, saying, "Were I Sima Yi, I would not so readily withdraw." He then gave orders to have the people of the west city follow the army into Hanzhong, for Sima Yi would surely return. Thereupon Zhuge Liang left the west city and made for Hanzhong. The officials and troops of the three prefectures of Tianshui, Anding, and Nan'an arrived one after another.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi made for the mountain path toward Wugong Mountain. Suddenly from behind the hillside came the roar of war cries and the thunder of drums. Sima Yi turned to his two sons and said, "Had we not withdrawn, we should surely have fallen into Zhuge Liang's trap." Then a force appeared on the main road, their banners inscribed in large characters: "Right Guardian Tiger-Wing General Zhang Bao." The Wei soldiers abandoned their armor and weapons and fled. Before they had gone far, the valleys resounded with shouting and the clamor of drums and horns. Ahead stood a great banner inscribed: "Left Guardian Dragon-Soaring General Guan Xing." The valleys echoed and re-echoed, and no one could tell how many Shu soldiers there were. Moreover, the Wei troops were filled with suspicion and dared not linger; they abandoned all their baggage and supplies and fled. Xing and Bao both obeyed their orders and dared not pursue, but returned with a great haul of weapons and provisions. When Sima Yi saw that the valleys were full of Shu troops, he dared not take the main road and fell back to Jieting. At this time, Cao Zhen learned that Zhuge Liang had withdrawn his troops and hastily led his forces in pursuit. From behind the mountain came the roar of a cannon, and Shu soldiers appeared covering the hills and valleys. The leading generals were Jiang Wei and Ma Dai. Cao Zhen was greatly alarmed and hastily withdrew his vanguard, Chen Zao, who had already been cut down by Ma Dai. Cao Zhen led his troops in a frantic retreat, and the Shu soldiers made for Hanzhong through the night.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi had laid an ambush along the Jigu Valley road. When they received Zhuge Liang's order to withdraw, Zhao Yun said to Deng Zhi, "When the Wei army learns that our troops have withdrawn, they will surely pursue. I shall lead one force to lie in ambush behind them, while you lead troops under my banner and withdraw slowly. I shall cover your retreat step by step."

Meanwhile, Guo Huai led his troops back to the Jigu Valley road and summoned his vanguard Su Yong, instructing him, "The Shu general Zhao Yun is peerless in valor. You must be on your guard. If his troops withdraw, there is surely a stratagem behind it." Su Yong said cheerfully, "If the Commander will support me, I shall take Zhao Yun alive." He led his three thousand advance troops into the Jigu Valley. When they caught up with the Shu army, they saw a red banner with white characters appear from behind a hillside, inscribed: "Zhao Yun." Su Yong hastily pulled his troops back. Before they had gone several li, a great shout arose and a force burst forth, its leading general leveling his spear and spurring his horse forward, crying out, "Do you know Zhao Zilong?" Su Yong was greatly startled and said, "How is there another Zhao Yun here?" Caught off guard, he was pierced through by Zhao Yun's spear and fell dead from his horse. The rest of his troops scattered. Zhao Yun advanced in a leisurely fashion. Another force arrived behind him—it was Guo Huai's officer Wan Zheng. Seeing the Wei troops pressing hard in pursuit, Zhao Yun reined in his horse and leveled his spear, standing at the crossroads and awaiting the approaching general to engage him. By now the Shu troops had gone some thirty li. Wan Zheng recognized Zhao Yun and dared not advance. Zhao Yun waited until dusk, then turned his horse and withdrew slowly. When Guo Huai's troops arrived, Wan Zheng told him that Zhao Yun was as valiant as ever and that for this reason he had not dared to press forward. Guo Huai ordered his troops to hasten in pursuit, and Wan Zheng led several hundred stalwart cavalry in chase. When they reached a great forest, they suddenly heard a great shout from behind: "Zhao Zilong is here!" More than a hundred Wei soldiers were so terrified that they fell from their horses; the rest fled over the hills. Wan Zheng came forward with difficulty to engage him, but Zhao Yun shot an arrow through his helmet tassel, and he fell in a fright into the ravine. Zhao Yun pointed his spear at him and said, "I spare your life—go back! Tell Guo Huai to come quickly!" Wan Zheng fled for his life. Zhao Yun escorted the baggage train and troops to Hanzhong, and nothing was lost along the way. Cao Zhen and Guo Huai retook the three prefectures and claimed the credit as their own.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi had divided his forces and advanced. By this time, the Shu army had all returned to Hanzhong. Yi led one force back to Xicheng, where he questioned the remaining residents and mountain hermits. They all reported that Zhuge Liang had only two thousand five hundred soldiers in the city, with no military commanders—only a few civil officials—and no ambush whatsoever. A commoner from Wugong Mountain told him: "Guan Xing and Zhang Bao each had only three thousand men, who moved through the mountains shouting and making a clamorous din to frighten the pursuers, but they had no other forces and dared not engage in battle." Yi regretted his error beyond remedy and looked up to the heavens, sighing: "I am not the equal of Zhuge Liang!" He then reassured the officials and commoners, led his army straight back to Chang'an, and appeared before the Wei sovereign. Emperor Rui said, "Today the recovery of the various prefectures in Longxi is entirely due to your merit." Yi memorialized: "The Shu forces are now all in Hanzhong and have not yet been entirely destroyed. I beg for a great army to join forces with me to conquer Shu and repay Your Majesty." Rui was greatly pleased and ordered Yi to raise troops at once. Suddenly, one man stepped forward from the ranks of officials and memorialized: "Your subject has a stratagem that will suffice to subdue Shu and bring Wu to submission." And so:

The generals and ministers of Shu had just returned to their own state,

When the sovereign and subjects of Wei once again hatched their schemes.

Who was it who offered this stratagem? Read on in the following chapter.