Chapter 96

Chapter 96

The one who offered the strategy was Sun Zhi, a Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Cao Rui asked, "What excellent plan do you have?"

Sun Zhi memorialized: "In the past, when our Ancestral Emperor Wu [Cao Cao] subjugated Zhang Lu, he faced peril before achieving success. He once said to his ministers: 'The region of Nanzheng is truly a natural prison.' The Xie Valley road through its heart consists of five hundred li of stone caves—no place fit for military operations. If we were to mobilize the entire empire's forces to attack Shu, then Eastern Wu would take advantage to invade. Better to use our present troops, assigning great generals to hold the strategic points while we build up our strength. In a few years, the Central Lands will daily grow stronger, while Wu and Shu will surely fall to harming each other. To strike then—would that not be the surest strategy? I beg Your Majesty to decide."

Cao Rui then asked Sima Yi, "What do you think of this argument?"

Sima Yi memorialized: "What Minister Sun has said is most fitting."

Cao Rui followed his counsel and ordered Sima Yi to assign the various generals to hold the strategic points. He left Guo Huai and Zhang He to defend Chang'an, lavished rewards upon the three armies, and returned by carriage to Luoyang.

Now, when Kongming returned to Hanzhong, he counted the officers and soldiers and found only Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi missing. His heart was greatly troubled. He ordered Guan Xing and Zhang Bao each to lead a force to go to their relief. The two were just about to set out when a report came that Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi had arrived, having lost not a single man or horse, and that none of the baggage or equipment had been left behind.

Kongming was overjoyed and personally led the other generals out to welcome them. Zhao Yun hastily dismounted and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "I am but a defeated general—why should the Prime Minister trouble himself to come so far to greet me?"

Kongming quickly raised him up and took his hand, saying, "It was my failure to discern worth and folly that brought this about! The officers and troops of every detachment suffered losses, yet you alone did not lose a single man or horse. How was this?"

Deng Zhi reported: "I led the vanguard. General Zhao alone covered the rear, cutting down enemy officers and winning such merit that the enemy were struck with fear. For this reason, none of the military supplies or equipment were abandoned."

Kongming said, "A true general indeed!" He then took fifty catties of gold and presented it to Zhao Yun, and took ten thousand bolts of silk to reward Zhao Yun's soldiers.

Zhao Yun declined, saying: "The army as a whole has won no merit whatsoever; each of us bears our own share of blame. If instead we receive rewards, it would show that the Prime Minister's system of rewards and punishments is unclear. I beg you to store these in the treasury and distribute them to the other armies this winter—it is not too late."

Kongming sighed and said: "When the Former Emperor was alive, he constantly praised Zilong's virtue. Now indeed it is as he said!" He then regarded Zhao Yun with redoubled admiration and respect.

Suddenly it was reported that Ma Su, Wang Ping, Wei Yan, and Gao Xiang had arrived. Kongming first summoned Wang Ping into his tent and rebuked him, saying: "I ordered you and Ma Su to jointly defend Jieting. Why did you not remonstrate with him, thus causing this disaster?"

Wang Ping said: "I urged him again and again to build an earthen fortification on the road and hold it. The Army Advisor angrily refused to listen. I therefore led my five thousand troops to encamp ten li from the mountain. When the Wei army suddenly arrived, they surrounded the mountain on all four sides. I led my troops in charges more than ten times but could not break through. The next day, our forces collapsed like earth and sand, and countless numbers surrendered. I could not maintain my isolated force, so I went to seek aid from Wei Wenzhang [Wei Yan]. Halfway there I was trapped by Wei soldiers in a valley. I fought desperately and broke through. By the time I returned to our camp, it had already been seized by the Wei army. When I went to Liuliucheng, I met Gao Xiang on the road, and together we divided our forces into three columns to raid the Wei camp, hoping to recapture Jieting. Noticing that there were no patrols along the road to Jieting, I became suspicious. I climbed high to look, and saw only Wei Yan and Gao Xiang surrounded by Wei soldiers. I immediately charged into the encirclement and rescued the two generals, then joined the Army Advisor in one place. Fearing the loss of Yangping Pass, I therefore hurried back to defend it. It is not that I failed to remonstrate. If the Prime Minister does not believe me, he may question the officers and men of each detachment."

Kongming ordered him dismissed, then summoned Ma Su into his tent. Ma Su had bound himself and knelt before the tent. Kongming's countenance changed as he said: "From your youth you have read military books exhaustively and are thoroughly versed in warfare. I warned you again and again—Jieting is our very foundation. You accepted this heavy charge with the lives of your entire family at stake. If you had heeded Wang Ping's words earlier, how could this calamity have occurred? Now troops have been defeated and lost, territory has fallen and a city has been lost—all these are your fault! If I do not strictly enforce military law, how can I make the masses submit? You have broken the law; you have no cause to resent me. After your death, your wife and children shall receive monthly stipends from me—do not worry about them."

He ordered his attendants to lead Ma Su out for execution. Ma Su wept and said: "The Prime Minister has treated me as a son; I have regarded the Prime Minister as a father. My death sentence is truly inescapable. I only beg the Prime Minister to consider the principle of Emperor Shun, who executed Gun yet employed Gun's son Yu. Though I die, I shall bear no resentment even beneath the earth!" So saying, he wept bitterly.

Kongming wiped away his tears and said: "You and I are bound as brothers. Your son is my son. There is no need for further words."

The attendants led Ma Su out beyond the camp gate, where he was to be beheaded. The Army Advisor Jiang Wan, who had come from Chengdu, saw the guards about to execute Ma Su. Greatly alarmed, he cried out loudly to spare the man and entered to see Kongming, saying: "In ancient times, when Chu executed De Chen, Duke Wen rejoiced. Now the realm is not yet settled, and you would put a man of wisdom and strategy to death—is this not a pity?"

Kongming answered with flowing tears: "The reason Sun Wu was able to achieve victory over all under heaven was that his laws were strictly enforced. Now the four quarters are in contention and warfare has only just begun. If we must set aside the law, how can we punish the rebels? He must be put to death."

Presently, the guards presented Ma Su's head at the foot of the steps. Kongming wept without ceasing.

Jiang Wan asked: "Now that Ma Changsu [Ma Su] has been found guilty and military law has been duly carried out, why does the Prime Minister weep?"

Kongming said: "I do not weep for Ma Su. I recall that when the Former Emperor faced mortal peril at Baidicheng, he once told me: 'Ma Su's words exceed his substance; he cannot be entrusted with great responsibilities.' Now indeed his words have proven true. I deeply regret my own lack of discernment and recall the Former Emperor's wisdom—it is for this reason that my tears flow!"

Officers and men, high and low alike, all shed tears. Ma Su was thirty-nine years old at the time of his death. It was the fifth month of the summer of the sixth year of Jianxing. A later poet wrote:

The loss of Jieting—how grave the blame!

Sigh for Ma Su, who vainly talked of war.

Beheaded at the camp gate, military law held firm,

Yet tears were wiped away while thinking of the Former Emperor's wisdom.

After Kongming executed Ma Su and had his head shown throughout all the camps, he had the head sewn back onto the body and buried him in a coffin. He himself composed a sacrificial text to honor Ma Su, took care to comfort and provide for Ma Su's family, and gave them a monthly stipend of grain. Kongming then wrote a memorial himself and sent Jiang Wan to present it to the Second Ruler, requesting that he demote himself from his position as Chancellor. Jiang Wan returned to Chengdu, entered the court, and presented Kongming's memorial to the Second Ruler. The Second Ruler opened and read it:

"Your subject is but a man of mediocre talent, unworthily occupying a position beyond his merits. He has personally taken up the banner and axe to rouse the three armies. Yet he could not instruct the troops in clear laws, nor deliberate carefully when matters arose. Thus there was the breach of orders at Jieting and the lapse in vigilance at Jigu. The fault lies entirely in your subject's lack of discernment—his failure to know men and his frequent poor judgment. As the Spring and Autumn Annals holds leaders to account, how can your subject escape blame? He requests that he be demoted three grades, to atone for his failures. Your subject is overcome with shame and remorse, prostrated and awaiting your command!"

When the Second Ruler had finished reading, he said, "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Why does the Chancellor speak thus?" The Palace Attendant Fei Yi stepped forward and said, "Your subject has heard that those who govern a state must regard upholding the law as paramount. If the law is not enforced, how can the people be made to submit? The Chancellor suffered defeat and has himself requested demotion—this is entirely fitting." The Second Ruler agreed and issued an edict demoting Kongming to General of the Right, who would continue to act as Chancellor, still commanding the armies as before. He sent Fei Yi to deliver the edict to Hanzhong.

When Kongming received the edict and accepted his demotion, Fei Yi, fearing that Kongming might feel ashamed, offered congratulations, saying, "The people of Shu know that the Chancellor initially captured four counties and are deeply pleased by it." Kongming's expression changed and he said, "What kind of talk is this? To gain and then lose is the same as never having gained at all. For you to congratulate me on this only makes me more ashamed." Fei Yi then said, "I have also heard that the Commander has obtained Jiang Wei, and the Son of Heaven is greatly pleased." Kongming angrily replied, "My army was defeated and forced to retreat, and we did not seize even an inch of land—this is my great crime. Even if I have gained one Jiang Wei, what loss is that to Wei?" Fei Yi then asked, "The Commander now commands a mighty army of several hundred thousand. Can you march against Wei again?" Kongming said, "When our army was previously camped at Mount Qi and Jigu, our forces outnumbered the enemy's, yet we could not break them—instead, we were broken by them. The problem does not lie in the size of the army, but in the commanding general. Now I wish to reduce the troops and streamline the officers, to enforce punishments clearly and reflect on past failures, and to find better methods for the future. If this is not done, what use is it to have a large army? From now on, anyone who has the nation's long-term interests at heart should diligently point out my faults and criticize my shortcomings. Then affairs can be settled, the enemy can be destroyed, and success will be within easy reach." Fei Yi and all the other generals were convinced by his reasoning. Fei Yi then returned to Chengdu.

Kongming remained in Hanzhong, cherishing his soldiers and loving the people, drilling the troops and discussing military strategy. He had siege engines and river-crossing equipment constructed, accumulated grain and fodder, and prepared rafts, making plans for the future. Spies learned of these activities and reported to Luoyang.

When the Wei ruler, Cao Rui, received this intelligence, he immediately summoned Sima Yi to discuss plans for seizing the land of Shu. Yi said, "Shu cannot yet be attacked. At present the season is intensely hot, and the Shu army will certainly not march out. If our army were to advance deep into their territory, they would hold the strategic passes, and it would be difficult to overcome them quickly." Rui said, "But if the Shu army comes to invade us again, what then?" Yi replied, "Your subject has already calculated that this time Zhuge Liang will certainly attempt Han Xin's stratagem of secretly passing through Chencang. I recommend sending a man to the Chencang road to build a fortress and defend it—there would be no danger whatsoever. This man is nine feet tall, with arms like an ape and a skilled archer, and he possesses deep strategic ability. If Zhuge Liang invades, this man will be more than sufficient to oppose him." Rui was greatly pleased and asked, "Who is this man?" Yi replied, "He is a man from Taiyuan, named Hao Zhao, styled Bohao. He currently serves as General of Miscellaneous Tasks and garrisons the region west of the Yellow River." Rui approved the recommendation and appointed Hao Bohao as General Who Guards the West. He ordered him to take up a defensive position at the Chencang road. An envoy was sent with the imperial edict.

Suddenly a report arrived that Cao Xiu, Grand Commander of Yangzhou, had submitted a memorial stating that Zhou Fang, the Grand Administrator of Shenyang in Eastern Wu, was willing to surrender his commandery and had secretly sent a messenger presenting seven proposals, arguing that Eastern Wu could be destroyed and urging that troops be sent quickly to seize it. Rui opened the memorial on the imperial couch and read it together with Sima Yi. Yi said, "These proposals are most reasonable. Wu should indeed be destroyed. Your subject requests to lead an army to assist Cao Xiu." Suddenly one man from the court ranks stepped forward and said, "The words of the people of Wu are fickle and unreliable—they cannot be fully trusted. Zhou Fang is a man of cunning and intelligence and would never willingly surrender. This is certainly a stratagem to lure our troops into an ambush." The court looked and saw that it was Jia Kui, General Who Establishes Might. Yi said, "This counsel should not be ignored, but neither should the opportunity be missed." The Wei ruler said, "Zhongda may join Jia Kui in assisting Cao Xiu." The two men received their orders and departed. Thereupon Cao Xiu led his army directly toward Wan City. Jia Kui led the former general Man Chong and the Eastern Wan Grand Administrator Hu Zhi directly toward Yangcheng, advancing toward the Eastern Pass. Sima Yi led his own forces directly toward Jiangling.

Now Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, was holding a council with his many officials at the Eastern Pass of Wuchang. He said: "The Prefect of Poyang, Zhou Fang, has sent me a secret memorial stating that Cao Xiu, the Grand Commander of Yangzhou under Wei, has designs upon our territory. Zhou Fang has laid a stratagem and secretly set forth seven points to entice the Wei army deep into our territory, where we may ambush and capture them. The Wei forces are now advancing in three columns. What are your esteemed opinions?"

Gu Yong stepped forward and said: "This great task can be entrusted to no other than Lu Xun, styled Boyan." Sun Quan was greatly pleased. He summoned Lu Xun and appointed him Grand General Who Guards the State, Grand Marshal of the Pacification of the North, Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Regent of Affairs of State. He bestowed upon him the white banner and golden axe, and all civil and military officials were placed under his command. Sun Quan himself held the reins for Lu Xun as he mounted.

After receiving his commission and expressing his gratitude, Lu Xun recommended two men to serve as commanders of the left and right flanks, to lead forces against the three advancing columns. Sun Quan asked who they were, and Lu Xun said: "The General Who Rouses Might, Zhu Huan, and the General Who Pacifies the South, Quan Cong—these two may serve as my assistants." Sun Quan approved and appointed Zhu Huan as Commander of the Left and Quan Cong as Commander of the Right. Thereupon Lu Xun took overall command of the forces of the eighty-one prefectures of Jiangnan and more than seven hundred thousand troops from Jing and Hu. He ordered Zhu Huan to the left, Quan Cong to the right, and he himself took the center, advancing with three columns.

Zhu Huan offered a plan: "Cao Xiu holds his position solely by virtue of his kinship with the ruling house; he is not a general of wisdom or valor. Having heeded Zhou Fang's enticing words and advanced deep into our territory, if Your Excellency strikes him with our forces, Cao Xiu will surely be defeated. After his defeat, he must flee by one of two roads: to the left is Jiashi, to the right is Guiche. Both are narrow mountain paths of the greatest peril. I and Quan Zihuang each wish to lead an army to lie in ambush among the mountains and block the roads first with timber and boulders. Then Cao Xiu can be captured. If we capture Cao Xiu, we can drive straight forward and seize Shouchun with ease, giving us a vantage against Xuchang and Luoyang. This is an opportunity that comes once in ten thousand ages."

Lu Xun said: "This is not a sound plan. I have my own stratagem." Zhu Huan withdrew, nursing his resentment. Lu Xun ordered Zhuge Jin and others to defend Jiangling against Sima Yi. All the various dispositions were duly made.

Now Cao Xiu's army arrived at Wancheng, and Zhou Fang came to welcome him, proceeding directly to Cao Xiu's tent. Cao Xiu asked: "Recently I received your letter setting forth the seven points, which were most reasonable. I reported them to the Emperor, and therefore the great army has set out in three columns. If we gain the territory of the Eastern Wu, your merit will be no small thing. Some say that you are full of schemes, and I truly fear your words may not be reliable. However, I believe you would not deceive me."

Zhou Fang burst into tears, hastily seized the sword worn by one of his attendants, and tried to cut his own throat. Cao Xiu quickly stopped him. Zhou Fang, grasping the sword, declared: "The seven points I set forth—I wish I could tear out my heart and liver to show them! Now you suspect me—it must be that someone from Wu has sowed dissension between us! If you heed their words, I shall surely die. My loyalty is known only to Heaven!" So saying, he again tried to cut his throat.

Cao Xiu was greatly alarmed and hastily embraced him. "I was only joking!" he cried. "Why do you act thus?" Then Zhou Fang took the sword and cut off his hair, casting it upon the ground. "I have treated you with loyalty, but you treat me as a jest. I cut the hair bequeathed to me by my parents to prove my heart."

Cao Xiu was now thoroughly convinced and prepared a feast for him. After the banquet, Zhou Fang took his leave.

Suddenly it was reported that Jia Kui, General Who Establishes Might, had come to see him. Cao Xiu ordered him in and asked: "Why have you come?"

Jia Kui said: "I calculate that the troops of Eastern Wu are all concentrated at Wancheng. Your Excellancy should not advance rashly. Wait while I attack from both flanks, and the enemy forces can be defeated."

Cao Xiu was furious. "Would you steal my glory?"

Jia Kui said: "Moreover, I have heard that Zhou Fang cut his hair as an oath—this is a deception. In former times, Yao Li cut off his arm to assassinate Qing Ji. Such things cannot be too readily believed."

Cao Xiu flew into a rage. "I was about to advance, and you utter such words to dampen the spirit of my army!" He ordered his attendants to seize Jia Kui and behead him.

The generals pleaded: "Before we have even engaged the enemy, to execute a great general is ill for the army. We beg you to spare him for now."

Cao Xiu relented and kept Jia Kui's force in the camp under his own command. He himself led one army to seize the Eastern Pass. When Zhou Fang learned that Jia Kui had been stripped of his troops, he rejoiced in secret: "If Cao Xiu had heeded Jia Kui's counsel, Eastern Wu would have been defeated! Heaven has granted me success!" He immediately sent a secret messenger to Wancheng to inform Lu Xun.

Lu Xun summoned his generals and gave his orders: "Ahead lies Shiting. Though it is a mountain road, it is suitable for an ambush. Go early and occupy the broad ground at Shiting, form your battle array, and wait for the Wei army." He ordered Xu Sheng to lead the vanguard and advance.

Now Cao Xiu ordered Zhou Fang to lead the army forward. As they marched, Cao Xiu asked: "Where does the road lead ahead?"

Zhou Fang said: "Ahead is Shiting, suitable for encamping the army."

Cao Xiu agreed and led the great army, with all its carts and equipment, to encamp at Shiting. The next day, the scouts reported: "Ahead, Wu forces—number unknown—have occupied the mountain pass."

Cao Xiu was greatly alarmed. "Zhou Fang said there were no troops here. Why are they prepared?" He hastily sought Zhou Fang to question him, but it was reported that Zhou Fang, with a few dozen men, had gone—no one knew where.

Cao Xiu bitterly repented: "I have fallen into the enemy's trap! Nevertheless, there is no cause for fear." He ordered the general Zhang Pu to lead the vanguard with several thousand men to engage the Wu forces.

The two armies drew up in battle array. Zhang Pu rode forward and cursed: "Rebel general, surrender early!" Xu Sheng rode out to meet him. After only a few exchanges, Zhang Pu could not withstand him, pulled his horse around, and withdrew. He returned to Cao Xiu and reported that Xu Sheng's valor was unstoppable.

Cao Xiu said: "I shall overcome him with a stratagem." He ordered Zhang Pu to lead twenty thousand troops to lie in ambush south of Shiting. He also ordered Xue Qiao to lead twenty thousand troops to lie in ambush north of Shiting. "Tomorrow I will personally lead a thousand men to provoke battle, then feign defeat and lure them before the northern mountain. When the signal cannon fires, we shall attack from three sides and win a great victory."

The two generals received their orders and each led their twenty thousand troops to set their ambush that very night.

Lu Xun summoned Zhu Huan and Quan Cong and instructed them: "Each of you shall lead thirty thousand troops, march from Shiting Mountain and attack Cao Xiu's camp from the rear, using fire as our signal. I shall lead the main force up the center road, and we can capture Cao Xiu."

That very evening, the two generals received their orders and set out with their troops. During the second watch, Zhu Huan led one force to the rear of the Wei camp and encountered Zhang Pu's ambush troops. Zhang Pu did not know they were Wu soldiers and came forward to question them, but Zhu Huan cut him down from his horse with a single stroke. The Wei soldiers fled, and Zhu Huan ordered his rear troops to set fires. Quan Cong led another force to the rear of the Wei camp and ran directly into Xue Qiao's formation, where he launched a fierce attack. Xue Qiao was routed, the Wei forces suffered heavy losses, and they fled back to their own camp. Behind them, Zhu Huan and Quan Cong pursued from two directions. Cao Xiu's camp fell into chaos, soldiers trampling one another. Xiu hastily mounted his horse and fled toward the Jiaoshi Pass.

Xu Sheng led a large force of troops down the main road. The Wei dead were beyond counting; those who escaped abandoned their armor and fled. Cao Xiu was greatly alarmed and struggled desperately along the Jiaoshi Pass. Suddenly a body of troops burst forth from a side path, led by the general Jia Kui. Xiu's panic somewhat abated, and he said with shame, "I did not heed your words, and now I have suffered this defeat!" Jia Kui said, "You must leave this pass quickly, my commander. If the Wu troops block it with timber and stones, we are all in danger!" Cao Xiu then spurred his horse forward while Jia Kui covered the rear. Jia Kui placed many banners among the dense forest and along the narrow, steep paths to create the illusion of ambush forces. When Xu Sheng arrived in pursuit, he saw the corner of a banner appear on the hillside below and suspected an ambush. He dared not pursue further and withdrew his troops. Thus Cao Xiu was saved. When Sima Yi learned of Xiu's defeat, he too withdrew his forces.

Meanwhile, Lu Xun was awaiting news of victory. Before long, Xu Sheng, Zhu Huan, and Quan Cong all arrived. The carts, oxen, horses, donkeys, mules, military supplies, and equipment they had captured were beyond number, along with tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers. Lu Xun was overjoyed and returned to Wu together with Grand Administrator Zhou Fang and the other generals. The Lord of Wu, Sun Quan, led his civil and military officials out of Wuchang City to welcome them, covering Lu Xun with an imperial canopy as he entered. All the generals received promotions and rewards. Sun Quan noticed that Zhou Fang had no hair and said in consolation: "You sacrificed your hair to accomplish this great deed; your merit shall be recorded upon bamboo and silk." He forthwith enfeoffed Zhou Fang as a Marquis Within the Passes, held a grand feast, and celebrated the army's achievement.

Lu Xun memorialized: "Now that Cao Xiu has suffered a crushing defeat, the Wei army has lost its courage. We should draft a state letter and send an envoy into Sichuan, instructing Zhuge Liang to advance and attack them." Sun Quan followed his advice and dispatched a messenger bearing a letter into Sichuan.

Indeed:

Because the Eastern Land could devise a stratagem,

It caused the Western Sente once more to mobilize troops.

As for whether Kongming's next campaign against Wei would succeed or fail, that will be told in the following chapter.