Next, Kongming gave orders to Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi: "I want both of you to command a single army in the center. Organize the force today and start out tomorrow after you have worked out the timing with Wang Ping and Ma Zhong. I have decided not to use Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan because the terrain is unfamiliar to them." Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi went to carry out their orders.
Kongming, noting Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan's annoyance at being passed over, said to them, "I did mean to use you; but I thought you might, facing new hazards and past your prime, fall afoul of the Man and lose your mettle." "And if we knew the geography?" Zhao Zilong asked. "I'd rather you didn't take the risk," Kongming replied. The two men retired sullenly; Zhao Zilong invited Wei Yan to his camp. "We are the vanguard," he said to Wei Yan, "but His Excellency says we don't know the terrain and humiliates us by using our juniors." Wei Yan answered, "We can ride out ourselves and investigate. If we find some locals to show us how to proceed against the Man, we can accomplish our goal." Zhao Zilong agreed, and the two vanguard leaders took the central route.
After several li, Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan spied dust rising in the distance. Climbing to a height to survey the field, they saw dozens of Man horsemen racing toward them. From two angles the vanguard leaders fell upon the Man, put them to fearful flight, and returned to camp with several enemy warriors each. The commanders gave their captives food and drink and questioned them closely. The Man soldiers announced, "Ahead you'll find Chieftain Jinhuansanjie's main camp—just by the entrance to the hills. Two roads east and west of the camp run behind the Wuqi Hollows and the camps of Dongtuna and Ahuinan."
Provided with this information, Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan detailed five thousand crack troops for their captives to lead. By the second watch the force had set out under a clear, bright moon. By the fourth watch they had reached the main camp of Jinhuansanjie. The Man troops had begun to make the morning meal, intent on striking at dawn. Suddenly, Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan burst upon their ranks, scattering the Man. Zhao Zilong fought his way to the central command and came face-to-face with Chieftain Jinhuansanjie. The riders had scarcely engaged when Zhao Zilong speared the Man chieftain and beheaded him. The remaining Man troops bolted. Wei Yan detached half the force and headed for the camps of Dongtuna by the east road. Zhao Zilong led the other half to raid the camp of Ahuinan. By the time the Riverlands warriors reached the main Man camp, day had dawned.
Wei Yan attacked the rear of Dongtuna's camp. The chief met him and defended stoutly. Suddenly, to the front of the camp a shout went up, throwing the Man troops into confusion. It so happened that Wang Ping had arrived to reinforce Wei Yan, and their two-sided attack routed the Man. Dongtuna fled for his life; Wei Yan could not overtake him.
Meanwhile, as Zhao Zilong was attacking the rear of Ahuinan's base, Ma Zhong had already struck from the front. Caught in a squeeze, the Man troops suffered a heavy defeat. Ahuinan fled in the struggle. Wei Yan and Zhao Zilong recalled their forces and returned to Kongming, who said, "Of the three Man armies, the chiefs of two have escaped. But where is the head of Jinhuansanjie?" At that, Zhao Zilong held forth the head he had taken as a token of his merit, while his soldiers cried, "Dongtuna and Ahuinan abandoned their mounts and fled across the mountain range. That is why we could not catch them."
Kongming laughed and said, "I had those two long ago!" None of the commanders, including Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan, would believe this until Zhang Ni marched Dongtuna in and Zhang Yi entered with Ahuinan in custody. To the astonished assembly Kongming explained, "After locating the Man campsites on Lü Kai's charts, I provoked Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan, whetted their courage for a deep strike into enemy territory— first to defeat Jinhuansanjie, then to follow up with raids to his left and right. Wang Ping and Ma Zhong backed them up. No one but Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan could have succeeded. I anticipated that Dongtuna and Ahuinan would flee toward the mountains, and so I sent Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi to lie in ambush, with Guan Suo for support—and they took them." Hearing the explanation of his strategy, the commanders bowed to the ground and said, "Not even the gods could fathom Your Excellency's calculations!"
Kongming ordered Dongtuna and Ahuinan brought to his tent. He removed their bonds, provided them with food, drink, and clothes, and ordered them to return to their hollows, with his admonition never to abet a conspiracy again. The two men prostrated themselves and wept in gratitude; then they left, taking back trails. Kongming said to his commanders, "Tomorrow Meng Huo will personally lead an attack—giving us an opportunity to capture him." He called for Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan and instructed them to take five thousand troops each. He also called for Wang Ping and Guan Suo to carry out a second plan. After his assignments had been made, Kongming sat in his tent awaiting the outcome.
The Man King, Meng Huo, sat in his tent as his scouts reported the capture of the three chieftains and the disintegration of their forces. Enraged, Meng Huo mustered his men, and they set out, company after company, for the site of the debacle. He soon encountered Wang Ping, and the two armies moved into fighting position. Wang Ping rode out from his line, sword leveled, only to find several hundred Man cavalry spread out before him. From the center came Meng Huo, crowned with a dark gold cap inlaid with gems. He wore a tasseled red damask surcoat, a lion-figured carved jade belt, and falcon-beak green-daubed boots. He rode a curly-maned red-hare horse and carried two swords inlaid with pine-grained jade. Looking proudly ahead, he turned to the commanders beside him and said, "How many times have I heard about the skillful tactician Zhuge Liang! Look at his formation—the disorder of his flags, the confusion among his ranks and files, his weapons no better than our own! Now I see the falsity of all I have been told. Had I only known this before, I would have rebelled ages ago! Who will take the Riverlands commander and show the foe our martial might?"
As he spoke, a commander stepped forth to answer the call: Mangyachang. Wielding a broadsword with a squared tip and riding a yellow charger, he took on Wang Ping. The two commanders crossed blade points. After the first clashes Wang Ping fled. Meng Huo motioned his soldiers to advance en masse, following the escaping Riverlands commander. Guan Suo, too, fought briefly and then retreated some twenty li. Meng Huo pursued hotly. Suddenly, amid the uproar of shouts, Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi surprised Meng Huo from two sides and cut off the road behind; Wang Ping and Guan Suo reversed course and joined the fighting. The Man troops, caught front and rear, were badly beaten; and Meng Huo, fighting for his life, fled toward the Brocade Belt Hills, barely ahead of the three Riverlands armies, only to be blocked in front by a shouting band of troops under Zhao Zilong. Astonished at finding the great warrior before him, Meng Huo hurriedly shifted to a side path and continued on toward the hills. Zhao Zilong set upon the Man soldiers, inflicting a serious defeat and taking many prisoners. Meng Huo entered the hills, a few score of riders still with him; his pursuers drew closer. The way narrowed, forcing him to abandon his horse, and he clambered over the hilltop. At that moment a volley of drums filled the ravine, announcing Wei Yan, who, following Kongming's plan, had placed five hundred foot soldiers there in ambush. Unable to resist further, Meng Huo was taken alive, and his companions surrendered.
Wei Yan delivered the prisoner to Kongming's camp, where the prime minister had already prepared a feast of slaughtered oxen and horses. The tent was lined by seven rings of yeomen; their swords and spears, sabers and halberds shone white. Beside Kongming, attendants held the imperially conferred golden broadaxe and the curve-handled canopy; extending left and right of him in strict order were feather screens, drums and flutes, and the Royal Guard.
Kongming sat poised, watching the Man soldiers being herded in. He called for the captives' bonds to be removed and then said gently, "I know you are not hardened soldiers but well-intentioned folk who, unfortunately coerced by Meng Huo, now find yourselves in this present distress. I can imagine your parents, your brothers, your wives and children anxiously awaiting your return, suffering wrenching anguish and weeping in heartbreak as
they learn of your defeat. But it is my purpose to set you free, so that you may return to your loved ones and rejoice with them." So saying, Kongming provided them with food and drink and sent them home with provisions. The Man troops, overwhelmed with gratitude, prostrated themselves and wept.
Next, Kongming called for Meng Huo; within moments guards had marched him in. Bound, Meng Huo kneeled before Kongming. "The late Emperor was more than generous to you," Kongming said. "Why have you broken faith and rebelled?" Meng Huo answered, "The whole of the Riverlands once belonged to another. Your lord seized it by force and proclaimed himself emperor. My ancestors held these lands, which you have encroached upon so barbarically. What 'rebellion' are you talking about?"
Kongming said, "You are now my prisoner. Will you submit sincerely and willingly?" "No," Meng Huo replied. "I fell afoul of your tricks on a narrow mountain trail. Why should I submit?" "All the same," Kongming said, "I shall release you. What do you think of that?" "If you set me free," Meng Huo responded, "I shall reorder my forces for another trial at arms; but if you capture me again, I shall submit." At this point Kongming had Meng Huo's bonds removed and provided him with clothes, food, and drink. Meng Huo was given a saddle horse and escorted from the camp. Indeed:
Kongming released the predator in hand;
The man beyond the pale was not ready to surrender.
How would their next encounter turn out?
Read on.
88
Riverlands Forces Cross the Lu and Capture Once Again the Foreign King;
Zhuge Liang Sees Through a False Submission and Makes the Third Capture
After Kongming had released Meng Huo, his commanders came to his tent and inquired of him, "We had the good fortune to catch the leading chieftain of the Southern Man; this could have brought the south under control. Why did Your Excellency set him free?" Kongming smiled as he replied, "I can catch him again with ease whenever I choose to. But pacification of the south requires that we subdue the hearts of the Man people." This explanation did not satisfy Kongming's commanders.
Reaching the River Lu that same day, Meng Huo met up with survivors of his shattered force still searching for him. Catching sight of their leader, the soldiers, astonished yet rejoicing, prostrated themselves. "How did Your Highness manage to get back?" they asked. "The Riverlanders," he replied, "confined me in a tent. But I killed some ten or more and got away in the dead of night. When their sentinel accosted me, I killed him too and seized his horse. That's how I escaped." The delighted soldiers followed Meng Huo across the river. They pitched camp and began gathering the chiefs of the various tribal areas, who, one after another, summoned back the men Kongming had released—over one hundred thousand riders in all.
At this time Dongtuna and Ahuinan had already joined their own tribes. Meng Huo sent for the two chiefs, who, fearful of Huo's might, came with their men. Meng Huo issued an order: "I have seen through Zhuge Liang's tricks! We must not do battle with him and fall for another. The Riverlands troops, exhausted by long marches and plagued by fierce heat, will not abide here long. Protected by the River Lu, we can keep all boats and rafts on the south shore, raise a wall of earth there and other strong outworks. Let Zhuge Liang do what he likes!" The chiefs agreed, tied up all craft on the southern shore, and put up a wall. Preparing for a long stand, they built watchtowers on hills and high points, and placed crossbowmen and bombards inside; grain and fodder were brought in from the various tribes. Convinced that his plan was invincible, Meng Huo felt fully confident.
Meanwhile, Kongming had advanced in force to the Lu. His scouts reported back: "There's not a boat to be seen. The river is swift and rough, and they have built a wall on the far shore; troops are guarding it." It was the fifth month, the weather fiery hot. The punishing southern heat made it impossible to wear armor. After observing the enemy position from the riverbank, Kongming returned to camp, gathered his commanders, and told them: "Meng Huo occupies the south shore and is well dug in against us. But since we've come this far, how can we go home empty-handed? I want each of you to move to the hillsides and woods. Pick lush spots to rest your troops."
Next, Kongming sent Lü Kai to pitch four camps in a shady stretch one hundred li from the river; he then dispatched Wang Ping, Zhang Ni, Zhang Yi, and Guan Suo to defend them. In and around the camps thatched sheds were made for the horses and also for the commanders and their men. Inside the sheds the men found relief from the heat.
The military adviser Jiang Wan, after observing the sites, said to Kongming, "I don't think much of Lü Kai's position. He has his camps laid out exactly like the late Emperor did—exactly what enabled the Southland to defeat him. If the Man steal across the river and burn them, no one can save him." Kongming smiled and said, "You need not worry. I have an excellent plan." But neither Jiang Wan nor the others knew what Kongming was up to.1
At this moment Ma Dai arrived from the Riverlands with food grain and medication for heatstroke. Ma Dai was received and then presented himself to Kongming; the supply of food and medicine was shared among the four camps. Kongming asked him, "How many troops have you brought?" "Three thousand," Ma Dai replied. "Our men are worn out from battle," Kongming said. "I would like you to send your troops to the front if you are willing." "The Emperor's troops," Ma Dai said, "are neither yours nor mine. If Your Excellency needs them, I shall shirk no hardship, nor even death." Kongming said, "Meng Huo holds the river; there is no way we can cross. I want to cut off the grain supply and rout him." "How?" Ma Dai asked. "One hundred and fifty li away, in the lower reaches of the river, by Sandymouth where the current ebbs, it is possible to tie rafts together and get across. Take your own three thousand, get directly into the Man redoubts, and interdict their supply line. Then meet with Dongtuna and Ahuinan and make them our collaborators. Don't let anything to wrong."
Ma Dai set off eagerly. Reaching Sandymouth, he directed his men to cross the Lu. The water was shallow, and few took rafts; most went over naked. But in midstream they suddenly began falling over. Those who managed to get back to shore died all the same, blood flowing from their mouths and noses. Ma Dai was terrified and sent a report back to Kongming.
Kongming questioned native guides, who explained, "Now on the hottest days poisons concentrate in the river water: during the day malignant vapors attack anyone trying to cross; to drink the water is fatal. But you can cross unharmed in the dead of night when the water is cooler and the vapors clear. The men must eat well first." Kongming had the guides lead the way for Ma Dai and five or six hundred picked troops. At Sandymouth they put together a number of rafts, and at midnight the whole force crossed safely over as predicted. Next, Ma Dai had the natives lead two thousand of his men to Jiashan Defile on the main grain route for the Man tribal areas, where man and horse had to pass through singly on a path squeezed between two hills. Ma Dai occupied the defile, deploying his men and setting up barricades. Unaware of Ma Dai's movements, the Man tried to deliver the grain; but Ma Dai cut them off front and rear and seized more than a hundred cartloads. A report of the loss was dispatched to Meng Huo.
Meng Huo spent his day in camp drinking and enjoying himself, paying little attention to military matters. To his chiefs he said, "If I go against Zhuge Liang, I will fall into a trap. Secure now behind the river, I will wait for the heat to force them to withdraw. An attack from the rear then will be sure to capture Zhuge Liang!" With that he laughed huskily. Suddenly one of the chiefs said, "If the Riverlanders slip across at the Sandymouth shallows, we will be in serious trouble. We should send a guard over there." But Meng Huo smiled as he answered, "A native like you should know that I want them to cross so they will die in the water." "And if someone tells them to cross at night?" the chief asked. "It is unlikely that any local person would help the enemy. Do not worry," Meng Huo answered. But at that moment Meng Huo was told that an unknown number of Riverlanders had secretly crossed the Lu and closed Jiashan Defile under a banner reading "Ma Dai, General Who Pacifies the North." Men
g Huo smiled again. "I hardly think this young fellow a problem," he said, and he sent a lieutenant, Mangyachang, to the defile with three thousand men.
Sighting the Man troops, Ma Dai deployed his two thousand in front of the mountain. The two forces moved into opposing positions. Mangyachang rode forth and closed with Ma Dai. In a single exchange Ma Dai cut him down. The Man troops ran from the field in defeat. They reported to Meng Huo, who summoned his commanders and asked, "Who will fight Ma Dai?" Dongtuna stepped forward to volunteer. Meng Huo, delighted, gave him command of three thousand. He also sent Ahuinan to Sandymouth to prevent further enemy crossings.
After Dongtuna had camped near Jiashan Defile, Ma Dai came to engage him. Someone in his command had recognized Dongtuna and told Ma Dai something about the foe. Ma Dai subsequently raced forward and denounced Dongtuna: "Faithless ingrate! Villain! His Excellency spared your life, yet now you turn on us again! Where is your honor?" Dongtuna's face flushed with shame and he made no answer, but withdrew without fighting. Ma Dai delivered a single swift attack and then returned.
Dongtuna went back to Meng Huo and said, "I can't resist a hero like Ma Dai!" In a fury Meng Huo said, "I know Zhuge Liang once spared you. Now you refuse to fight. It is a sellout!" He ordered Dongtuna removed and executed. But when the chiefs all pleaded for his life, Meng Huo relented. He reduced the punishment to one hundred strokes and sent Dongtuna back to his camp.
Three Kingdoms Page 114
