I began as a common man, toiling in my fields in Nanyang, doing what I could to keep body and soul together in an age of disorder and taking no interest in making a name for myself among the lords of the realm. Though it was beneath the dignity of the late Emperor to do so, he honored my thatched cottage to solicit my counsel on the events of the day. Grateful for his regard, I responded to his appeal and threw myself heart and soul into his service.
Hard times followed for the cause of the late Emperor. I assumed my duties at a critical moment for our defeated army, accepting assignment in a period of direst danger. Now twenty-one years have passed. The late Emperor always appreciated my meticulous caution and, as the end neared, placed his great cause in my hands. Since that moment, I have tormented myself night and day lest I prove unworthy of his trust and thus discredit his judgment.
That is why I crossed the River Lu in the summer heat and penetrated the barren lands of the Man. Now, the south subdued, our arms sufficing, it behooves me to marshal our soldiers to conquer the northern heartland and do my humble best to remove the hateful traitors, restore the house of Han, and return it to the former capital. This is the way I mean to honor my debt to the late Emperor and fulfill my duty to Your Majesty.
As for weighing the advantages of internal policy and making loyal recommendations to Your Majesty, that is the responsibility of Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun. My only desire is to obtain and execute your commission to chasten the traitors and restore the Han. Should I prove unfit, punish my offense and report it to the spirit of the late Emperor. If those three vassals fail to sustain Your Majesty's virtue, then their negligence should be publicized and censured.11
Your Majesty, take counsel with yourself and consult widely on the right course. Examine and adopt sound opinions, and never forget the last edict of the late Emperor. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the favor I have received from you, I now depart on a distant campaign. Blinded by my tears falling on this petition, I write I know not what.12
After reading the memorial, the Second Emperor said, "Prime minister and second father, your southern campaign was marked by ordeal and hardship, and you have still to settle down after your recent return. A northern campaign will strain you physically and mentally." Kongming replied, "My devotion to the late Emperor's charge to assist his heir remains undiminished. With the south pacified, we are free of internal troubles and must chasten the traitors and win back the north; this opportunity may never come again." Suddenly from the ranks Grand Historian Qiao Zhou stepped forth and addressed the Emperor, "Last night I was watching the heavenly correspondences: signs to the north suggest the height of vigor; the northern stars are doubly bright. This is no time to plan action there." Turning to Kongming, he went on, "Your Excellency has a deep knowledge of the constellations. Why do you persist?" Kongming answered, "The way of Heaven changes constantly. No one can cling to its patterns. I am going to post our forces in Hanzhong and observe the enemy's movements before advancing." Qiao Zhou's earnest objections were ignored.13
Kongming left Guo Youzhi, Dong Yun, and Fei Yi behind as privy counselors with authority over palace affairs. Xiang Chong remained as chief general with command of the Royal Guard. Jiang Wan was made military adviser. Zhang Yi, senior adviser, was put in charge of the affairs of the prime minister's office. Du Qiong became court counselor. Du Wei and Yang Hong were appointed to the Secretariat. Meng Guang and Lai Min were made libationers, Yin Mo and Li Zhuan scholars, Xi Zheng and Fei Shi secretaries, and Qiao Zhou became grand historian and archivist. Counting palace and administrative, civil and military personnel, there were over one hundred officials in charge of the affairs of the kingdom of Shu.14
Kongming received the edict from the Emperor and returned to his quarters; he summoned his commanders and assigned them their commands.
Forward command: General Wei Yan, controller of the North, commander of the Ministerial Forces, imperial inspector of Liangzhou, and lord of a Capital Precinct
Chief inspector of the forward command: Zhang Ni, governor of Fufeng
Garrison command: Subordinate General Wang Ping
Rear command: General Li Hui, protector of the Han and governor of Jianning; and Li Hui's lieutenant, General Lü Yi, stabilizer of Remote Regions and governor of Hanzhong
Grain transport and command of the left army: General Who Calms the North Ma Dai, lord of Chencang; and Ma Dai's lieutenant, Flying Guard General Liao Hua
Command of the right army: General Who Exerts Might Ma Zhong, lord of Bo-yang precinct; and General Who Soothes the Barbarians Zhang Ni, honorary lord of the capital
Acting director of the central army: Chief General of Chariots and Cavalry Liu Yan, lord of Duxiang
Central military inspector: General Who Flourishes Armed Might Deng Zhi
Adviser of the central army: General Ma Su, protector of Distant Regions
Forward general: Yuan Lin, lord of a Capital Precinct
Left general: Wu Yi, lord of Gaoyang
Right general: Gao Xiang, lord of Xuandu
Rear general: Wu Ban, lord of Anle
Office of senior adviser: General Who Guides the Army Yang Yi Forward general: General Liu Ba, conqueror of the South
Forward army personnel officer: Subordinate Commander Xu Yun, lord of Hancheng precinct
Left army personnel officer: Dedicated Imperial Corps Commander Ding Xian Right army personnel officer: Subordinate General Liu Min Rear army personnel officer: Imperial Corps Commander Directing the Army Guan Yong
Acting military counselor: Imperial Corps Commander Who Manifests Armed Might Hu Ji
Acting military counselor: General Who Remonstrates Yan Yan
Acting military counselor: Subordinate General Cuan Xi
Acting military counselors: Lieutenant General Du Yi, Imperial Corps Commander for Strategy Du Qi, and Provincial Commander Who Guides Foreign Peoples Sheng Bo
Army aides: Imperial Corps Commander for Strategy Fan Qi
Secretary for the army director: Fan Jian
Prime minister's chief clerk: Dong Jue
Left guard of the command tent: Prancing Charger General Guan Xing
Right guard of the command tent: Winged Tiger General Zhang Bao
All of the above-mentioned officials were under the authority of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, first field marshal for the pacification of the north, lord of Wuxiang, and protector of the Riverlands with responsibility for domestic and foreign affairs.
When Kongming had completed his dispositions, he sent instructions to Li Yan and other commanders defending the gateways to the Riverlands to bar any Southland forces. Then he selected the third cyclical day of the third month of Jian Xing 5 to commence the expedition against the north.15 Suddenly, a veteran commander came forward in the command tent and said sternly, "Though advanced in years, I still have the valor of a Lian Po and the heroism of Ma Yuan, two men of antiquity who did not accept the limitations of age. Why have you passed me by?" The assembly turned to Zhao Zilong. Kongming said, "Since our return from the southern campaign, Ma Chao has died of illness. I miss him as I would miss a lost brother. Now you, General, are advanced in years. If anything should go amiss and affect your heroic name, morale throughout the Riverlands would suffer." Zhao Zilong responded impatiently, "Since becoming the late Emperor's follower I have never shied from battle. I have always been the first to meet the enemy. For a self-respecting warrior to die on the field is an honor, not a cause for regret. I volunteer for the vanguard of the forward army."
Kongming was unable to dissuade him. "If you refuse me," Zhao Zilong went on, "I will dash out my brains before your eyes." "To serve in the vanguard," Kongming said, "you will need a backup." Before Kongming could finish, a man said, "Though of little ability, I volunteer to help the veteran general defeat the enemy." Delighted by the offer, Kongming turned to the speaker: it was Deng Zhi. Next, Kongming selected five thousand crack troops and ten lieutenant commanders to back up Zhao Zilong and Deng Zhi.
When Kongming went forth with the main army, the Second Emperor and his entire court escorted him ten li beyond the north gate. Kongming took leave of his sovereign and led the army toward Hanzhong. His flags and banners covered the plain; his spears and halberds stood thick as a forest.16
Wei border stations, informed of these developments, sent reports to Luoyang. They arrived as Cao Rui was holding court; his attendants addressed him: "Border officers report that Zhuge Liang has set out with his host—more than three hundred thousand strong now camped in Hanzhong—and that Zhao Zilong and Deng Zhi have already entered our territory." Cao Rui was astonished and asked his officials, "Who will take the lead in driving off the Riverlands forces?" One man rose in response and said, "Since my father's death in the fighting in Hanzhong, my own undying hatred has remained unsatisfied. If Riverlands troops have crossed our borders, I volunteer to lead the valiant commanders of my own unit—to which I pray Your Majesty will add troops from west of the pass—in destroying the enemy. To die serving the dynasty and striving to avenge my father will be to die with no regret."
The assembly turned to Xiahou Mao (Zixiu), son of Xiahou Yuan.17 Xiahou Mao had a fiery temper. He was also extremely stingy. As a young boy he was adopted by Xiahou Dun. Later, when Xiahou Yuan was killed by Huang Zhong, Cao Cao was moved to invite him to become an imperial son-in-law through marriage to his daughter, Princess Qinghe. Thus, he enjoyed the court's respect and had a military command though he had never seen battle.
In response to Xiahou Mao's offer to lead the expedition, Cao Rui appointed him first field marshal. Cao Rui also ordered several armies in the region west of the pass to proceed against the Riverlanders. Minister of the Interior Wang Lang objected, however. "This will not do," he said. "Imperial Son-in-Law Xiahou has no experience in the field and should not be given so important a command. Moreover, Your Majesty should be cautious about engaging Zhuge Liang; he's a shrewd strategist thoroughly versed in the ways of war." Xiahou Mao denounced his critic, saying, "I'd hate to think that the minister of the interior is in league with Zhuge Liang, or perhaps serving as a collaborator. As a child I studied warfare by my father's side. It is an art I know perfectly well. Will you make fun of my age? If I do not take Zhuge Liang alive, I vow never to return to the Son of Heaven!" Wang Lang and the others dared say no more.
Xiahou Mao took leave of the ruler of Wei and went immediately to Chang'an to see to the transfer of two hundred thousand men for the war with Kongming. Indeed:
Given the white banner that directs the army,
Could this callow youth command his forces on the field?
Could he conquer the warriors of the west?
Read on.
92
Zhao Zilong Slaughters Five Generals;
Zhuge Liang Snares Three Cities
Kongming advanced to Mianyang.1 On the way he had come to the tomb of Ma Chao and offered sacrifice to his memory; attired in mourning, Ma Dai, Ma Chao's younger cousin, had assisted. After the ceremony Kongming had returned to camp to plan the next phase of the invasion.
Mounted scouts brought Kongming fresh news: "The ruler of Wei, Cao Rui, has sent Imperial Son-in-Law Xiahou Mao2 against us; several field armies, mobilized in the land within the passes, support him." Wei Yan went directly to the command tent and proposed a plan: "Xiahou Mao, the pampered child of a wealthy family, is an incapable coward. I request five thousand crack troops to follow the route out of Baozhong and eastward along the Qinling Mountains. Once I turn north at Zi-Wu Pass, I'll be ten days from Chang'an. When Xiahou Mao learns of this swift approach, he will vacate the city, head for the military depots at Broad Gate to the northwest, and flee. I will move in from the east, and Your Excellency can advance in force from Ye Gorge. This way we can take everything west of Xianyang3 in a single action."
Kongming smiled and said, "This method leaves too much to chance. You do the northerners an injustice to say they have no capable men. If someone there were to propose intercepting you in a remote part of the mountains, your five thousand troops could be lost and the morale of the whole army gravely impaired. We cannot adopt your plan." Wei Yan responded: "If Your Excellency's troops advance on the main road, the enemy will be able to mobilize all its forces within the passes to slow us down. With time working against us, we will never take the northern heartland." Kongming answered, "I am going to take the flat road from Longyou and move on from there, as accepted military tactics dictate, for that will assure victory." And so—to Wei Yan's dismay—Kongming set aside his plan and issued Zhao Zilong the order to advance.4
In Chang'an, Xiahou Mao had gathered several armies; one of their leaders, a ranking general from Xiliang, was Han De, an expert at wielding a "mountain-splitting battle-axe" and a man of supreme courage. He had arrived with eighty thousand Qiang troops and presented himself to Xiahou Mao, who rewarded him richly and sent him to the vanguard. Han De had four sons, all masters of the martial arts and superior in horsemanship and archery. The eldest was Han Ying, the second Han Yao, the third Han Qiong, and the fourth Han Qi. Han De and his four sons together with their eighty thousand Qiang troops took the road to Phoenix Call Mountain, where they encountered the Riverlands army.
The two armies consolidated their formations. Han De rode forth flanked by his four sons. "Traitor to the dynasty!" Han De shouted, "how dare you violate our border?" A wrathful Zhao Zilong raised his spear and raced forth, challenging Han De to single combat. The eldest son, Han Ying, charged out to meet him. The clash was brief. Zhao Zilong thrust his man through, and he dropped from his horse. Next Han Yao, the second son, took the field, flourishing his sword.
Zhao Zilong displayed the ferocity and power for which he was famed, and Han Yao fell back, shaken by Zilong's spirit and energy. The third son, Han Qiong, charged out with double-bladed halberd to assist his brother. Zhao Zilong was utterly unfazed, and his spear handling never missed a stroke. The fourth son, Han Qi, seeing that his two brothers could not subdue Zhao Zilong, charged onto the field wheeling a pair of sun-and-moon swords. The three surrounded Zhao Zilong, who fought unaided from the center. When Han Qi dropped wounded from his horse and a lieutenant commander rode out from Han De's line to save the fallen general, Zhao Zilong withdrew, his spear raised behind him.
Han Qiong put his halberd by and shot three arrows in swift succession, but Zhao Zilong deflected them neatly with his spear. Furious, Han Qiong picked up his halberd again and gave chase. But a single arrow from Zhao Zilong caught him in the forehead, and he fell dead. Han Yao now came forth, his sword carried high to cut down Zhao Zilong. Zhao Zilong threw down his spear and drew his own sword; he captured Han Yao alive and took him back to his line. Then he galloped out again and took a heavy toll of the enemy with his spear.
Han De, seeing his four sons lost at Zhao Zilong's hands, fled in panic back to his line. The Qiang troops had long known Zhao Zilong's name and had now seen that his splendid valor was undiminished. Who had the courage to face him? Wherever Zhao Zilong struck, the enemy gave way. A single mounted warrior, Zhao Zilong plunged here and thrust there as if moving through undefended land. Later a poet left these lines in his praise:
Who could forget Changshan's Zhao Zilong,
Winning his laurels even at three-score-ten?
He breaks the enemy line—four generals down! —
Unchanged since he saved his lord at Dangyang town.
Seeing Zhao Zilong's triumph, Deng Zhi led the Riverlands troops in a sudden attack on the Qiang, who fled in defeat. Barely escaping Zhao Zilong, Han De threw down his armor and ran off. Zhao Zilong and Deng Zhi rallied their men and returned to camp. Deng congratulated Zhao Zilong: "General, at three-score-ten, you still have the brilliance and the courage of the old days. Your exploits before the lines are something rare in this age." Zhao Zilong replied, "His Excellency wouldn't use me because of my years; I wanted to show him what I could do." He detailed a man to take custody of Han Yao, and he reported the victory to Kongming.5
&n
bsp; Han De led his troops back to Xiahou Mao and reported the painful defeat. Xiahou Mao took command himself and went to oppose Zhao Zilong; Riverlands scouts reported his arrival. Zhao Zilong, spear held high, brought a thousand men to Phoenix Call Mountain and deployed them in front. That day Xiahou Mao wore a gilded helmet and rode a white horse. Carrying a large saber, he stood beneath the banners at the entrance to his line. The sight of Zhao Zilong, spear raised, charging back and forth on his prancing horse, stirred the fight in him. But Han De said, "I shall avenge my four sons!" And he rode straight for Zhao Zilong, flourishing his mountain-splitting battle-axe. With furious energy Zhao Zilong raised his spear and met his foe. The fight was brief. The spear went up and then sank into Han De. He fell dead from his horse. Zhao Zilong next made swiftly for Xiahou Mao, who ducked back into his line.
Under fresh attacks directed by Deng Zhi, the Wei troops suffered further losses. They fell back ten li and camped. Xiahou Mao hastily took counsel with his commanders. "Though Zhao Zilong's name had long been known to me," he said, "I had never seen him face-to-face. Now he is old; but seeing the hero in action, I can well believe the legend of his triumph at Steepslope in Dangyang. It seems that no one is his match. What shall we do?" The military adviser Cheng Wu (the son of Cheng Yu) put forth a proposal: "Zhao Zilong has courage, but no strategy; he poses no real threat. Tomorrow, Chief Commander, lead the troops out again after two flank contingents have been placed in ambush, then retreat to entice Zhao Zilong into the trap. You, Chief Commander, can climb a hill and direct the forces surrounding the enemy. As the multiple rings close around them, Zhao Zilong will be taken." Xiahou Mao adopted this plan and sent Dong Xi with thirty thousand to the left, and Xue Ze with another thirty thousand to the right; the two established their ambush positions.
Three Kingdoms Page 120
