The ruler of Wei, Cao Rui, was at court session when a personal attendant brought the news: "First Field Marshal Cao Zhen has suffered successive defeats in the Riverlands. His vanguards are lost, and the Qiang have taken heavy losses too. In dire straits, he petitions for aid and requests Your Majesty's decision." In alarm, Cao Rui demanded a plan for driving back the Riverlands force. Hua Xin addressed him: "The only way is for Your Majesty himself to lead the campaign; gather the lords in a general assembly to ensure that your command will be universally obeyed. Otherwise, Chang'an may fall, endangering the land within the passes."
Imperial Guardian Zhong Yao also addressed the sovereign: "To command men means to control them through superior knowledge. Sunzi has said, 'Know the enemy, know yourself; never know defeat! ' In my opinion, Cao Zhen, despite his long experience in war, is no match for Zhuge Liang. I will guarantee with the lives of my family members and household servants the one man who can force back the Riverlands army. I wonder if Your Majesty in his sagely wisdom might approve my recommendation." Cao Rui answered, "You are a trusted elder, my lord. If you know a man capable of repelling the foe, summon him at once so that he may share our burden." Zhong Yao said to Cao Rui: "This is the man Zhuge Liang feared most when he planned to march across our borders, the man whose loyalty Zhuge Liang induced Your Majesty to suspect by spreading rumors about his motives. Your Majesty removed him, and Zhuge Liang advanced in force. Summon this man back, and Zhuge Liang will retreat on his own."
Cao Rui asked the man's name. Zhong Yao replied, "Regent-Marshal and General of the Flying Cavalry Sima Yi." Cao Rui sighed. "The incident was regrettable," he said. "Where is Sima Yi now?" "Idle in Wancheng, according to the latest report," was the reply. Cao Rui issued an edict conferring general military authority on Sima Yi, restoring his former office, and adding the title of Field Marshal Who Conquers the West, in which capacity he was immediately to march all troops in Nanyang to Chang'an. Cao Rui took personal command of the expedition; Sima Yi was to meet him in Chang'an at a fixed date. A messenger set out directly for Wancheng.
Since leading his hosts forth, Kongming had gone from victory to victory, and he rejoiced inwardly. During a meeting in the Qishan camp he was informed of a visit by Li Feng, paid at the behest of his father, Li Yan, chief guardian of the Palace of Enduring Peace.2 Kongming was alarmed, thinking that the Southland was invading Shu territory, when he summoned Li Feng into his tent.
Li Feng said, "I bring good news." "What news?" Kongming asked. "Meng Da's defection to Wei was not of his own volition. At that time Cao Pi so admired his abilities that he presented him with many gifts of fine horses, gold, and pearls. He also shared the royal carriage with Meng Da and, after appointing him detached imperial cavalier and regular attendant,3 made him governor of Xincheng with authority over Shangyong and Jincheng and responsibility for dealing with the Riverlands. However, when Cao Pi died and Cao Rui came to power, the widening jealousies at court caused Meng Da endless anxiety, and he was always saying to his generals, 'I am a Riverlands general. Circumstances compelled me to this. '
"Lately he has more than once sent trusted men bearing letters to my father asking him to intercede with the prime minister at the earliest chance. When the five northern armies descended upon us, Meng Da already had this in mind. Now at Xincheng, hearing of Your Excellency's campaign against Wei, he proposes to mobilize Jincheng, Xincheng, and Shangyong and take action then and there against Luoyang. If Your Excellency seizes Chang'an at the same time, the two capitals will be conquered. I've brought Meng Da's envoy; and I have the letters my father has received to submit to Your Excellency." Delighted, Kongming rewarded Li Feng and the others. At that moment a spy delivered an unexpected report: "The ruler of Wei, Cao Rui, is coming to Chang'an himself after having restored Sima Yi to his former position, making him Field Marshal Who Conquers the West. Cao Rui has raised his own army and will rendezvous with Sima Yi in Chang'an."
The news of the northern ruler's advance alarmed Kongming. His military adviser, Ma Su, said, "Cao Rui is not much of a threat. If he comes to Chang'an, we will capture him directly. You have nothing to fear, Your Excellency." "You think I fear Cao Rui?" Kongming replied. "I worry about Sima Yi! Meng Da wants to make a break, but he's no match for Sima Yi; he will only be captured. After that the central heartland will be all the harder to regain." Ma Su said, "What about forewarning Meng Da?" Kongming adopted this suggestion and that night sent Meng Da's envoy off with a letter to Meng Da, who was in Xincheng eagerly awaiting his envoy's return. Before long Meng Da had Kongming's letter. In essence it read:
Your recent letters amply manifest Your Lordship's loyal and honorable heart. That you still remember former friends gives me joy and comfort. If we succeed, you will be the foremost vassal of the Han restoration. But extreme caution is essential: no one is to be lightly trusted. Be on guard. Be forewarned. I have learned that Cao Rui has called on Sima Yi to mobilize Wancheng and Luoyang. If he hears you have taken action, he will move against you first. The most comprehensive defense preparation is required. Do not look on this as a routine situation.
Reading the text, Meng Da smiled and said, "Kongming is known for being excessively cautious. Having read this letter, I now understand why." He prepared a reply, which his messenger took back to Kongming. In essence is read:
Having received this weighty charge, I dare not relax. In my humble view, Sima Yi is not to be feared. Wancheng is about eight hundred li from Luoyang and twelve hundred li from Xincheng. If Sima Yi finds out I mean to act, he will have to submit a memorial to the Wei ruler. That would take a month. My fortifications are sound; my leaders and their forces are established in strategic recesses. Let Sima Yi come. What have I to fear? Rest easy, Your Excellency, and prepare for reports of victory!
Kongming threw the letter to the ground and, stamping his foot, cried, "He will die at Sima Yi's hands!" "What does Your Excellency mean?" Ma Su asked. "The art of war tells us to 'attack the enemy where he's unprepared; appear where he does not expect you. ' How can he count on a month's delay? Cao Rui has already empowered Sima Yi to clear out rebels wherever he finds them: he won't be waiting for any memorials. Ten days after learning of Meng Da's defection, he will attack, long before Meng Da is ready." The commanders saw the truth of Kongming's comment. Kongming swiftly penned an order to Meng Da: "Until you act, let no one know your mind—or defeat is certain." Meng Da's courier took formal leave and returned to Xincheng with this order.
Biding his time in Wancheng, Sima Yi heard of the Wei army's defeats and sent a long, despairing sigh Heavenward. Sima Yi's eldest son, Sima Shi (Ziyuan), as well as his second son, Sima Zhao (Zishang), harbored grand ambitions and had acquainted themselves with the works of military science. That day standing beside Sima Yi, they asked, "What makes you sigh so deeply, Father?" "What do you know of our great cause?" he answered them. Sima Shi said, "Could it be because the ruler of Wei has left you to languish?" Sima Zhao smiled and said, "The Emperor will soon send for you." Even as he spoke, the imperial envoy arrived.
In accordance with the new edict, Sima Yi assigned several field armies to Wancheng in the west. Suddenly he had report that a kinsman of Shen Yi, governor of Jincheng, was seeking audience on a secret matter. Sima Yi received the envoy in his chambers and learned from him the details of Meng Da's intended defection back to Shu. As evidence, the envoy had with him the written confessions of Li Fu, Meng Da's trusted companion, and Deng Xian, Meng Da's nephew. Sima Yi clapped his hand to his brow and said, "What marvelous good fortune for my sovereign! Zhuge Liang's army is now in Qishan. Their recent victories have struck terror in the hearts of all and compelled the Son of Heaven to grace Chang'an himself. He must send me into action before Meng Da defects and the two capitals fall in a single stroke. The traitor connives with Zhuge Liang. But timely capture will dampen Zhuge Liang's enthusiasm and induce him to retreat."
Sima Shi, the eldest son, said "Father, write for the Emperor's approval at once." "And
wait a month for the edict?" Sima Yi exclaimed. He ordered the army to march double-time and to execute laggards. At the same time, to forestall Meng Da's suspicions, Sima Yi dispatched Military Adviser Liang Ji to Xincheng with orders for Meng Da to prepare to join the expedition. Liang Ji set out first; Sima Yi followed with the army.
When they had been on the march for two days, a company of men appeared from behind a hill: it was General of the Right Xu Huang and his men. Xu Huang dismounted and came before Sima Yi. "The Son of Heaven is now in Chang'an confronting the Riverlands army," he said. "Where is the field marshal headed?" Sima Yi replied in a low voice, "Meng Da is in revolt. I am going to get him." "Then put me in the vanguard," Xu Huang said. Pleased by this offer, Sima Yi combined the two forces. Xu Huang led the forward army, Sima Yi the center, and his two sons the rear.
After another two days, scouts from the forward army captured Meng Da's trusted envoy. They discovered Kongming's reply on his person and brought him before Sima Yi, who said, "Tell all and I'll spare you." The envoy disclosed the entire exchange between Kongming and Meng Da. On reading Kongming's reply, Sima Yi said in astonishment, "Able men think alike. Kongming saw through my devices. Luckily for the Son of Heaven, we have come by this information. Meng Da will be helpless now." He resumed the advance at a rapid pace.
From Xincheng, Meng Da had fixed the time to strike with the governor of Jincheng, Shen Yi, and the governor of Shangyong, Shen Dan, both of whom feigned agreement. Each day they trained their forces while waiting for the arrival of the Wei army, with whom they meant to collaborate; but to Meng Da they protested that they lacked the equipment and provisions to enable them to move at the appointed time. Meng Da accepted their story.
Liang Ji arrived, and Meng Da welcomed the unexpected visitor into the city. Liang Ji delivered Sima Yi's order, saying, "Field Commander Sima holds the edict of the Son of Heaven directing him to muster several field armies and repel the Riverlands army. Gather your forces, Governor, and await instructions." "When will he set out?" Meng Da asked. "He should have left Wancheng for Chang'an by now," was the reply. Meng Da thought to himself, "My cause will succeed!" He feted Liang Ji and escorted him out of the city. Next, he notified Shen Dan and Shen Yi to be ready the following day to raise the banner of Han and march east on Luoyang.
It was with surprise, therefore, that Meng Da learned that an unidentified army was approaching. He climbed the wall, but all he could make out was a band of soldiers racing toward him under a banner reading "General of the Right Xu Huang." Alarmed, Meng Da had the drawbridge raised as Xu Huang, making no attempt to rein in, rode directly to the moat and shouted: "Traitor Meng Da! Surrender now!" Meng Da shot Xu Huang through the forehead, and the Wei commanders carried him away; volleys of bolts from the wall drove the Wei troops back. Meng Da ordered the gates opened so he could pursue, but all at once banners darkened the sky on every side: the army of Sima Yi had come. Meng Da lifted his face to the sky, sighed in despair, and said, "Just as Kongming anticipated." He then sealed the gates.
Xu Huang was carried to camp and treated by a surgeon, but he died that night at the age of fifty-nine. Sima Yi had the coffin returned to Luoyang for proper burial. The next day Meng Da ascended the wall and saw the Wei troops ringing the city as tightly as iron hoops around a bucket. Fear and doubt tormented him. Suddenly he saw two companies approaching in the distance; their banners read "Shen Dan" and "Shen Yi." Thinking rescue at hand, Meng Da hastily opened the gates and came out fighting. But the two governors shouted, "Traitor! Halt! Prepare to die!" Meng Da realized that a coup had occurred and rode back toward the city; but arrows now rained upon him, and Li Fu and Deng Xian shouted down, "We have delivered the city." Meng Da fled by the nearest road, Shen Dan in pursuit. Exhausted, his mount spent, Meng Da could not defend himself. Shen Dan speared him and severed his head,4 and his companions surrendered. Li Fu and Deng Xian flung wide the city gates and welcomed Sima Yi, who reassured the people and rewarded the soldiers; then he notified the Wei ruler of the victory. Overjoyed, Cao Rui had Meng Da's head brought to Luoyang and shown to the populace. The two governors, Shen Dan and Shen Yi, were promoted and told to accompany Sima Yi on the campaign against the Riverlands; Li Fu and Deng Xian were ordered to defend Xincheng and Shangyong.5
Sima Yi marched to Chang'an, pitched camp before its walls, and entered the city. On receiving him, the ruler of Wei said, "For a time I was fooled by the enemy's plot to turn me against you. But regrets are pointless now. Meng Da's revolt could have cost us both capitals had you not brought him under control." Sima Yi said to the ruler, "It was Shen Yi who secretly revealed Meng Da's plot. I had intended to petition Your Majesty before acting, but rather than lose time waiting for your sagely instruction, I decided to set out at once to deal with the traitor. Otherwise, I would have fallen into Zhuge Liang's trap." So saying, he handed up to Cao Rui Kongming's secret letter of reply to Meng Da. Cao Rui read it and said, "You surpass the great strategists of ancient times, Sunzi and Wu Qi." He bestowed on Sima Yi a pair of gold-knobbed maces authorizing him to act on his own judgment in future crises without recourse to imperial petition. He then ordered Sima Yi to march west through the passes to defeat the army of Shu.
Sima Yi said to his master, "May I recommend a commander for the vanguard?" "Whom?" Cao Rui asked. "General of the Right Zhang He is fit for the task," Sima Yi replied. "Exactly the man I was going to employ," Cao Rui said smiling, and he made the assignment. Sima Yi left Chang'an with Zhang He to do battle with the Riverlands army. Indeed:
First the cunning counselor worked his plan;
Next he found a fierce commander to expand his power.
Would the north or the west prevail?
Read on.
95
Rejecting Advice, Ma Su Loses Jieting;
Strumming His Lute, Kongming Drives Off Sima
Cao Rui, ruler of Wei, had ordered Zhang He to the vanguard of Sima Yi's expedition. Next, he ordered Xin Pi and Sun Li to take fifty thousand troops and support Cao Zhen; the two commanders received their edicts of authorization and left.
Sima Yi led two hundred thousand through the pass. He pitched camp and summoned Zhang He to his tent. "Zhuge Liang moves with extreme caution," he said, "and never takes chances. In his place, I would head straight for Chang'an from Zi-Wu Gorge—the quickest route. But he won't risk it, despite his remarkable ingenuity; he'll go by Ye Gorge first and seize the city of Mei. Next, if he succeeds, he will detail one contingent to take Winnow Basket Gorge. I have instructed Cao Zhen to guard Mei but to refuse battle; and I have ordered Sun Li and Xin Pi to close Winnow Basket Gorge and launch a surprise attack on the enemy if they come."
Zhang He said, "How far should we advance?" "I recall a road running through a place called Jieting, west of Qinling," Sima Yi answered. "Nearby there's a town called Willow Rows. These are the two choke points of Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang will assume that Cao Zhen is unprepared and will advance that way. You and I should capture Jieting directly to put Yangping Pass in range. Once Kongming finds out we have cut the main road at Jieting stopping their grain supply and threatening the whole of Longxi, he will hurry back to Hanzhong. The moment he turns, we will harass him on the paths and complete the rout. If he does not turn, I will seal those same roads and hold them under guard. Inside of a month the Riverlands army will starve, and Zhuge Liang will fall into my hands."
Zhang He understood Sima Yi's logic and, prostrating himself, said, "A marvelous calculation, Field Marshal." "Nevertheless," Sima Yi went on, "Zhuge Liang is no Meng Da. As vanguard commander, you must exercise caution. Order your commanders to follow the western paths and send advance patrols far ahead. If there is no ambush, move forward. The slightest negligence will deliver you to Zhuge Liang." Zhang He left with his troops to carry out the plan.
A spy freshly back from Xincheng reported to Kongming in his Qishan camp: " Sima Yi reached Xincheng in eight days marching double-time. Meng Da had no time to defend himself. Shen Dan, Shen Yi, L
i Fu, and Deng Xian all collaborated with the enemy, and Meng Da was killed by soldiers in revolt. Sima Yi pulled back to Chang'an, had an audience with the ruler of Wei, and then, joined by Zhang He, came through the passes to oppose our army. "Kongming reacted strongly, saying," Meng Da failed to keep his activities secret and sealed his own fate. Sima Yi will try to take Jieting and cut off our main route. Who will lead a force to Jieting to defend it? "He had hardly finished speaking, when Military Adviser Ma Su stepped forward to volunteer." However insignificant Jieting may seem, "Kongming continued," it is vital to the survival of our main army. I know you are thoroughly versed in strategy; but with no wall of natural defenses, the place will be most difficult to hold. "
Ma Su replied, "Lifelong study of military science has given me a good understanding of warfare. I hardly think it beyond my abilities to hold a Jieting." "Sima Yi is no ordinary general," Kongming warned. "Furthermore, he has one of Wei's top commanders, Zhang He, in the vanguard. I don't think you are a match for them."
Ma Su replied, "Never mind Sima Yi and Zhang He. Let Cao Rui himself come: it won't daunt me. If anything goes wrong, you can put my whole family to the sword." "The army is no place for extravagant boasts!" Kongming warned. "You'll have my oath!" Ma Su said. Kongming agreed, and a written pledge was submitted. "I shall allow you twenty-five thousand of our finest men and select a leading commander to assist you," Kongming said. He summoned Wang Ping. "You have been chosen for this task," Kongming instructed him, "because you are known to be a man of extreme caution. Guard that place with the greatest care. Pitch camp along the main road to prevent the enemy from slipping past. After the position is secured, send me a map of the surrounding terrain. While there, make no move until it has been discussed and agreed upon. Leave nothing to chance. Defending Jieting is a contribution of the first order to the capture of Chang'an. Take care! Take care!" The two men withdrew respectfully and set off with their forces.
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