Three Kingdoms

by Luo Guanzhong (Moss Roberts trans. )

  Meanwhile, Zhong Hui had accepted the seal of general, Queller of the West, and mobilized his troops for the expedition against the Riverlands. To keep his objective secret, however, he gave out that he would attack the Southland, ordering the five provinces of Qing, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang to build boats for the navy. At the same time he sent Tang Zi to various points on the coast such as Dengzhou and Laizhou to requisition and assemble warships.6

  Sima Zhao, unaware of Zhong Hui's intentions, summoned him. "You will have to take Shu by land," he said. "What is the point of building boats?" Zhong Hui answered, "If the Riverlands learns our forces are planning a major advance, they will be sure to seek the Southland's help. So by both word and deed I am trying to create the impression that our expedition is against the Southland. I am sure the Southland will make no rash moves, and within a year Shu will fall. At that time the ships will be ready, and we will be able to invade the south. This way everything will follow in good order." Sima Zhao was delighted and selected a day for the army to march.

  It was the third day of the seventh month of the fourth year of Jing Yuan, "Spectacular Origin" (a. d. 263), reckoning by the calendar of the kingdom of Wei, when Zhong Hui took the field. Sima Zhao escorted him ten li beyond the capital's wall before returning. Shao Ti of the Western Bureau said privately to Sima Zhao, "My lord, you have placed Zhong Hui in command of one hundred thousand men. In my humble opinion he aims too high, his ambition is too great, to be allowed to wield such power by himself." With a smile Sima Zhao responded, "Do you think I don't know it?" "Then why not send someone to share the command?" Shao Ti asked. Sima Zhao gave a few words of explanation which instantly dispelled Shao Ti's doubts. Indeed:

  On the very day the armies galloped off to war,

  One man remembered the general's overweening pride.7

  What did Sima Zhao say?

  Read on.

  116

  Zhong Hui Details a Force to Enter Hanzhong;

  The Ghost of the Martial Lord Haunts Dingjun Mountain

  Sima Zhao said to Shao Ti of the Western Bureau, "Our fainthearted court officials claim that no invasion of the Riverlands can succeed and that if we force them to fight, we will only lose. But Zhong Hui has worked out a plan of attack. This shows his courage— the kind of courage that will subdue the Riverlands. And once subdued, the Riverlands people will lose the will to fight. As they say, 'Defeated commanders make poor heroes; and officials of a fallen kingdom rarely plot to preserve it. ' Even if Zhong Hui betrays us, the defeated Riverlanders will give him no help. And which of our victorious troops will follow him in rebellion when all they want is to return home? Even more reason not to worry. But let us keep this between ourselves." Persuaded, Shao Ti bowed low with respect.

  Zhong Hui pitched camp and gathered his commanders in his tent to receive their orders. Hui had more than eighty commanders, including Supervisory Commander Wei Guan, Commissioner Hu Lie, and ranking commanders Tian Xu, Pang Hui, Tian Zhang, Yuan Xing, Qiu Jian, Xiahou Xian, Wang Mai, Huangfu Kai, Gou An, and others. Zhong Hui said, "We need one ranking commander for the vanguard, a warrior who will have to cut through mountains and build bridges over rivers. Is there a volunteer?" One man responded. Zhong Hui turned to Xu Yi, son of Tiger General Xu Chu. Those assembled declared, "None more fit than he."

  Zhong Hui summoned Xu Yi and said to him, "You rank as a highly qualified commander, the renowned son of a renowned father, and the commanders all vouch for you. You may take the vanguard seal and lead five thousand horse and one thousand foot to seize Hanzhong directly. Our army will be divided into three: you will take the center and proceed through Ye Gorge; the left army will go through Luogu Gorge, the right through Zi-Wu Gorge—arduous terrain with formidable hills. Have your troops smooth out the roadways, repair the bridges and crossings, and cut passages through the hills in order to eliminate all obstacles. If you fail to fulfill the mission, military law will be applied." Xu Yi accepted his orders, took his command, and set forth. Zhong Hui followed with one hundred thousand troops, setting out without delay.

  In Longxi, Deng Ai, after receiving the edict for an expedition against the Riverlands, sent Sima Wang to take measures against any Qiang forces. He also sent the imperial inspector of Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu, and the district governors of Tianshui, Longxi, and Jincheng—namely, Wang Qi, Qian Hong, and Yang Xin—to prepare their home units for action.

  After all the forces had gathered, Deng Ai had a dream: he was climbing a high hill and surveying Hanzhong, when a spring erupted at his feet and overflowed. The next moment he awoke, his body bathed in sweat. He sat in his room and waited for the dawn.

  Deng Ai told his guard, Yuan Shao, a man well versed in the Book of Changes, about his dream, describing it in detail. Yuan Shao commented, "The Changes says, 'The symbols" water "above" mountain "form the hexagram jian, " Impeded, "' which reads: 'Gain to the southwest, loss to the northeast. ' Confucius said, 'Jian means gain to the southwest—go there and win merit; loss to the northeast—there your road will end. ' General, this expedition will undoubtedly lead to the conquest of the Riverlands. Unfortunately, however, you will be 'impeded' there and not return." This interpretation left Deng Ai depressed and anxious. At that moment Zhong Hui's call to arms arrived, enjoining Deng Ai to mobilize and coordinate with the main force in Hanzhong.

  First, Deng Ai sent the imperial inspector of Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu, with fifteen thousand troops to cut off Jiang Wei's retreat. Next, he sent the governor of Tianshui district, Wang Qi, and the governor of Longxi district, Qian Hong, with fifteen thousand each to attack Tazhong from the east and west. Last, he sent the governor of Jincheng district, Yang Xin, with fifteen thousand to intercept Jiang Wei to the rear at Sweet Pine. Deng Ai himself led a force of thirty thousand to reinforce these units.

  Zhong Hui marched forth past the city wall escorted by the entire body of officials. The multitude of military banners darkened the sky; the armor gleamed like frost; the men were stout, the mounts sturdy—it was a picture to chill an enemy's ardor. Everyone expressed approbation with the exception of the prime minister's military adviser Liu Shi, who smiled faintly and said nothing. Grand Commandant Wang Xiang noticed Liu Shi's icy smile and, riding alongside, took his hand and asked, "Do you think Zhong Hui and Deng Ai will conquer the Riverlands this time?" Liu Shi answered, "The defeat of Shu is not to be doubted. But neither Hui nor Ai, I fear, will make it back to the capital." Wang Xiang asked why, but Liu Shi simply smiled without responding. Wang Xiang did not press for an answer.

  In Tazhong swift spies reported to Jiang Wei that the invasion had commenced. Jiang Wei informed the Second Emperor and petitioned him: "I request an edict authorizing Left General of Cavalry and Chariots Zhang Yi to take command of the guard at Yang'an Pass, and Right General of Cavalry and Chariots Liao Hua to take command of the guard at Yinping Bridge. The loss of either the pass or the bridge would imperil Hanzhong. Also, an envoy should be sent to seek the Southland's assistance while I rally troops to defend Tazhong."

  At this time the Second Emperor renamed the reign period, changing the calendar from Jing Yao, year 6, to Yan Xing, year l.1 Day in and day out the Emperor indulged himself in the palace in the company of the eunuch Huang Hao. When Jiang Wei's petition arrived, he summoned Huang Hao and asked, "The kingdom of Wei has sent Zhong Hui and Deng Ai at the head of two grand armies that are advancing by separate routes. What shall we do?" Huang Hao replied, "The motive behind this petition is Jiang Wei's thirst for fame. Your Majesty, banish all worry and misgivings. I have heard that in the city there is a sorceress whose god can foretell the future. Why not put your question to her?"

  On this advice the Second Emperor ordered Huang Hao to bring the woman into the palace in a private chariot and seat her on the imperial bed. For her use, a rear chamber had been furnished with joss sticks, candles, and sacrificial offerings. The Second Emperor lit the joss sticks and prayed. Suddenly, the sorceress unbound her hair, removed her shoes, and performed a frenz
ied dance, circling about the chamber several dozen times; then she twirled around on the table. Huang Hao said, "The spirit is descending on her. Dismiss the attendants, Your Majesty, and pray for its aid."

  The Emperor sent his attendants away and, prostrating himself twice, uttered the ritual words. The sorceress shouted out, "I am a local god of the western Land of the Rivers. Your Majesty, you enjoy peace and tranquility and need demand nothing else. In a few years the territory of Wei will become part of Your Majesty's domain. This is past all doubt." So saying, she fell to the ground and remained unconscious for a long while. When she revived, the Emperor, well pleased, rewarded the sorceress handsomely and thereafter, completely taken in by her act, ignored Jiang Wei. Day after day, sunk in dissipation, he kept to the palace. Huang Hao saw to it that the stream of emergency appeals from Jiang Wei never reached him. In this way the security of the kingdom was compromised.2

  Meanwhile, Zhong Hui's grand army was wending its way toward Hanzhong. Xu Yi, van of the forward contingent, determined to make his mark first, led his force to Nanzheng Pass. Xu Yi said to his commanders, "Beyond this pass—lightly defended by Riverlands forces—lies Hanzhong. If we exert ourselves, we can seize it." The commanders, as assigned, advanced in a coordinated line.

  It so happened that the Riverlands commander guarding the pass, Lu Xun, had been forewarned of the enemy's approach and had hidden warriors by the bridge leading to the pass. The ambush detail was armed with the repeating crossbow the Martial Lord had invented. Thus, when Xu Yi's men reached the pass, signal-sticks began beating, and stones and arrows rained down. Xu Yi retreated at once, but dozens of his cavalry had already fallen. Xu Yi reported the defeat back to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui and more than a hundred armored cavalry of his personal guard went to inspect the field, only to ride into fresh volleys of arrows. When Zhong Hui turned to retreat, Lu Xun stormed down from the pass with five hundred men.

  Zhong Hui laid on the whip. But as he crossed the bridge, the earthen surface gave way, snagging his horse's hooves; Zhong Hui was nearly thrown. The horse could not free itself, and Zhong Hui had to proceed on foot. He ran off the bridge, and Lu Xun pursued, stabbing with his spear. A Wei soldier, Xun Kai, turned and with a single arrow shot Lu Xun from his horse. Zhong Hui then waved his men on to take the pass. The western defenders, seeing their own men below, refrained from shooting as Zhong Hui dispersed the Riverlands soldiers and took possession of the pass. On the spot Zhong Hui made Xun Kai his commissioner and presented him with a complete cavalry outfit of saddle horse and armor.

  Next, Zhong Hui summoned Xu Yi to his tent and reprimanded him: "You were the vanguard. No obstacle should have daunted you. You were to concentrate on repairing the bridge and the roadway so that the troops could move on easily. But the moment I reached the bridge, my horse's hooves sank through the surface. I nearly fell from the bridge, and survived only because of Xun Kai! For disobeying orders you shall face the law." So saying, he ordered Xu Yi removed and executed. The commanders appealed for mercy, saying, "His father, Xu Chu, gave great service to the court. Let the commanding general spare him." Angrily Zhong Hui replied, "If military law is compromised, how shall we command the many?" Overruling his shocked commanders, Zhong Hui ordered the execution to proceed to set an example.

  At this time Riverlands commanders Wang Han and Jiang Bin were defending Yuecheng and Hancheng, respectively. Seeing the size of the Wei army, however, both chose to remain behind their gates rather than venture into the field. Zhong Hui issued an order: "In war unexpected speed is what counts. Let there be not the slightest delay." He sent the forward army under Li Fu to surround Yuecheng, and Commissioner Xun Kai to surround Hancheng. Then Zhong Hui himself led the main army to capture Yang'an Pass.

  The Riverlands defenders of the pass, Commander Fu Qian and Lieutenant Commander Jiang Shu, took counsel together. Jiang Shu said, "We cannot hold off so many northerners. A stout defense is our best course." "I don't agree," Fu Qian answered. "Coming so far, the Wei troops—however numerous—will surely be too tired to pose a threat. We must go down from the pass and fight, or both Yuecheng and Hancheng will be lost." Jiang Shu sat silent and made no reply. Suddenly they were told that a large contingent of Wei troops had come before the pass.

  The two commanders went to survey the situation. Zhong Hui, raising his whip, shouted up, "I have in my command a force of ten thousand. Submit promptly, and you will all be promoted and employed according to rank and station. Remain obstinate, and the good will die with the bad when we destroy your position." Fu Qian angrily ordered Jiang Shu to hold the pass; then he led three thousand men down to meet Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui fled, and the Wei troops withdrew. Fu Qian followed up his success and gave chase, but the Wei force regrouped. Fu Qian tried to get back up, but the flags of Wei were already standing on the pass. Jiang Shu shouted down to Fu Qian, "I have surrendered to Wei!"

  In great fury Fu Qian denounced Jiang Shu: "Faithless, treasonous ingrate! How can you face the world again?" Then he wheeled his horse around and battled the northerners. The enemy closed around him. Caught in the center, Fu Qian charged left and thrust right, moving back and forth in a last-ditch battle. But escape was impossible. Eight or nine of every ten Riverlanders fell. Fu Qian raised his eyes to the heavens and said with a sigh, "I have lived as a servant of the Riverlands, and so shall I die." Laying on his whip, he plunged back into the fray. But he was badly wounded, and his surcoat and armor became drenched with blood. When the horse he was riding toppled over, Fu Qian slit his throat. A poet of later times has left these lines:

  That final day he vented righteous rage,

  And we forevermore hold high his name.

  Who, to save himself, would play Jiang Shu

  When he could die in glory like Fu Qian?

  Zhong Hui seized Yang'an Pass and the quantities of grain, fodder, and equipment stored there. Delighted with this victory, he rewarded his entire army.

  That night the Wei troops were sheltering in Yang'an town, when suddenly they heard a great clamor from the southwest. Startled, Zhong Hui left his tent to investigate. All was still. But the troops could not sleep the rest of the night. The following night during the third watch another uproar was heard from the southwest. Zhong Hui was alarmed. Toward dawn he sent men to probe the area. They returned and reported: "We covered more than ten li and found nothing." His anxiety unallayed, Zhong Hui took a few hundred riders, fully armed, to explore the area southwest of the town.

  Coming to a hill, he saw lethal signs on every side: ominous clouds gathered above and mists hemmed in the hilltops. Zhong Hui halted and said to the guide, "What mountain is this?" "It is Dingjun Mountain," he replied. "Long ago Xiahou Yuan perished here." This made Zhong Hui even more uneasy, and he turned back. As he rounded the slope, a storm blew up. Thousands of riders charged forth from behind the hill and attacked in the wake of the wind. Zhong Hui panicked and led his troops in headlong flight. Countless commanders tumbled from their mounts. On reaching Yang'an Pass, however, they found that not a single man or rider had been lost—though many bore marks of injury on their faces or had lost their helmets. Zhong Hui's men said, "Those soldiers charged out of the gloom, but when they came near they hurt no one. It was only a passing whirlwind."

  Zhong Hui asked the surrendered commander Jiang Shu, "Does Dingjun Mountain have a holy temple?" "No," Jiang Shu replied, "only the tomb of the Martial Lord Zhuge." Startled, Zhong Hui said, "This must be a manifestation of his departed spirit. I must go myself to present sacrificial offerings to it." The next day Zhong Hui prepared the ceremonial articles and had a sheep, a bull, and a pig butchered. Then he went to the front of the Martial Lord's tomb, prostrated himself repeatedly, and offered the great sacrifice. When he was finished, the wild winds abruptly ceased and the ominous clouds dispersed. A fresh, gentle breeze brushed against him, and a fine rain fell all around. Moments later, the sky cleared. Overjoyed, the Wei soldiers gave thanks and returned to their base.

  That
night in his tent Zhong Hui fell asleep leaning against his low table. Suddenly a gust of pure air passed, and he saw a man with a Taoist headband and a feathered fan, a cloak of crane feathers, white shoes, and a black sash. His face was like the finest jade, and his lips like daubs of vermillion; his brows were finely drawn, and his eyes bright and clear. He stood some eight spans tall and moved with the light grace of a divine immortal as he stepped into Zhong Hui's tent. "Who are you, good sir?" Hui asked, rising to greet the visitor. The man responded, "This morning I was honored by your kind attention; now let me impart this brief word to you: The rites of Han are ending, and Heaven's Mandate must be followed. Still, the living souls of the Riverlands are much to be pitied for their grievous suffering during this long period of military action. After you enter the western territory, therefore, let there be no unwarranted killing." The visitor stopped, flicked his sleeves, and departed. Zhong Hui tried to drag him back, only to awaken with a start from his dream.