After a time Zhuge Liang said, “Is the Govenor of Nanan a friend of yours?”
“He is one Yang Ling, a cousin of Yang Fu. Being neighboring counties, we are very good friends.” “I wish to trouble you to persuade him to capture Xiahou Mao; can you?”
“If you, O Minister, order me to do this, I would ask you to withdraw your troops and let me go into the city to speak with him.”
Zhuge Liang consented and ordered the besiegers to draw off seven miles and camp. Cui Liang himself went to the city and hailed the gate. He entered and went forthwith to his friend's residence. As soon as he had finished the salutations, he related what had happened.
“After the kindness we have received from Wei, we cannot be traitors,” said Yang Ling. “But we will meet ruse with ruse.”
He led Cui Liang to the Commander-in-Chief and told the whole story.
“What ruse do you propose?” asked Xiahou Mao.
“Let us pretend to offer the city, and let the army of Shu in. Once they are in, we can massacre them.”
Xiahou Mao agreed to plot the scheme. Cui Liang went back to Zhuge Liang's camp, where he said, “Yang Ling wants to offer the Prime Minister the city. He also wants to capture Xiahou Mao, but he is so afraid of having few soldiers that he has made no hasty move.”
“That is simple enough,” replied Zhuge Liang. “Your hundred troops are here. We can mix with them some of my generals dressed as your officers and so let them get into the city. They can hide in Xiahou Mao's dwelling and arrange with Yang Ling to open the gates in the night. And my grand army will come in to make the capture for you.”
Cui Liang thought within himself, “If I do not take the Shu generals, they will arouse suspicion. I would rather take them and will kill them as soon as they get within the walls. Then, I will give the signal and beguile Zhuge Liang to enter, and so dispose of him.”
So Cui Liang consented to Zhuge Liang's proposal, and Zhuge Liang gave him instructions, saying, “I will send my trusty Guan Xing and Zhang Bao with you. You will pass them off as the rescuers just to set Xiahou Mao's mind at rest. But when you raise a fire, I shall take that as my signal and come in.”
At dusk the two trusty generals, having received their secret orders, put on their armor, mounted, took their weapons, and got in among the Anding troops. Cui Liang led the small force to the gate. Yang Ling was on the wall. The drawbridge was hoisted. He leaned over the guard rail and scanned those below.
“Who are you?” asked he.
“We are rescuers from Anding.”
Now Cui Liang shot an arrow over the wall, to which a secret letter was bound, saying, “Zhuge Liang is sending two generals into the city that they may help him to get in, but do nothing till we get inside lest the ruse gets known and the game be spoiled.”
Yang Ling went to show this letter to Xiahou Mao, who said, “Then Zhuge Liang is going to be our victim. Put a company of ax and bill men in the palace, and as soon as these two generals get inside, shut the gates and fall on. Then give the signal. As soon as Zhuge Liang gets inside the gate, seize him.” All arrangements being made, Yang Ling went back to the wall and said, “Since you are Anding troops, you may be allowed in.”
The gate was thrown open and, while Guan Xing followed close after Cui Liang, Zhang Bao was a little way behind. Yang Ling came down to the gate to welcome them. As soon as Guan Xing got near, he lifted his sword and smote Yang Ling, who fell headless; Cui Liang was startled and lashed his steed to flee.
Zhang Bao cried, “Scoundrel! Did you think your vile plot would be hidden from the eyes of our Prime Minister?”
With that Cui Liang fell from a spear thrust of Zhang Bao. Then Guan Xing went up on the wall and lit the fire. Soon the army of Shu filled the city. Xiahou Mao could make no defense, so he tried to fight his way through the south gate. There he met Wang Ping and was captured. Those with him were slain.
Zhuge Liang entered the city and at once forbade all plunder. The various generals reported the deeds of valor. The captive Commander-in-Chief was placed in a prisoner's cart.
Then Deng Zhi asked, “O Minister, how did you know the treachery of Cui Liang?”
“I knew the man was unwilling in his heart to yield, so I sent him into the city that he might have a chance to weave a counter plot with Xiahou Mao. I saw by his manner he was treacherous, and so I sent my two trusty generals with him to give him a feeling of security. Had he been true to me, he would have opposed this; but he accepted it gaily and went with them lest I should suspect him. He thought they could slay my two leaders and entice me in. But my two leaders already had orders what to do. Everything turned out as I thought, and as they did not expect.”
The officers bowed their appreciation of his wonderful insight.
Then Zhuge Liang said, “I sent one of my trusty people to pretend he was a certain Pei Xu of Wei and so deceive this Cui Liang. I also sent another to Tianshui to do the same, but nothing has happened yet; I do not know the reason. We will take this opportunity to capture that place.”
It was decided to take Tianshui next, and thither they moved. Wu Yi and Liu Yan were to guard Nanan and Anding. Wei Yan was ordered to move toward Tianshui.
When Ma Zun, Governor of Tianshui, heard of Xiahou Mao's being besieged in Nanan, he called a council at which one party — headed by Yin Shang and Liang Xu — were strongly of opinion that a rescue should be attempted.
“If anything sinister happens to the Imperial Son-in-Law, 'Golden Branch' and 'Jade Leaf' as he is, we shall be held guilty of having made no attempt to save him. Wherefore, O Governor, you must march all the forces you have to his rescue,” said Yin Shang and Liang Xu.
Ma Zun found decision difficult, and while thinking over what was best to do, the arrival of Pei Xu, a messenger from Xiahou Mao, was announced. Pei Xu was taken to the Governor's residence and there produced his dispatch and asked for aid. Soon came another man saying that the Anding troops had set out and calling upon Ma Zun to hasten. This decided him, and he prepared his army.
Then an outsider came in and said, “O Governor, you are the sport of one of Zhuge Liang's wiles.”
All looked at him with surprise. He was one Jiang Wei. His father was Jiang Jiong, a former local official who had died in the Emperor's service while quelling one of the Qiang rebellions. Jiang Wei was well up in books, seeming to have read everything, and was also skilled in all warlike exercises. He had studied books on war. He was a very filial son and much esteemed. He held military rank of General.
Jiang Wei said to the Governor, “I hear Zhuge Liang is attacking Xiahou Mao, who is now in Nanan most closely besieged. How then can this messenger have got out? Pei Xu is an unknown officer whom no one has heard of, and the other messenger from Anding bears no dispatch. The fact is the men are imposters sent to beguile you into leaving your city undefended so that it may be the more easily captured.”
The Governor began to understand. He said, “Were it not for you, I would fall into a ruse.”
Then Jiang Wei said, “But do not be anxious; I have a scheme by which we can capture Zhuge Liang and relieve Nanan.”
The fates all changing bring the man that's needed,
And warlike skill comes from a source unheeded.
The next chapter will unfold the ruse proposed by Jiang Wei.
CHAPTER 93. Jiang Wei Goes Over To Zhuge Liang; Zhuge Liang's Reviles Kill Wang Lang.
Jiang Wei propounded his scheme of defense, saying, “Zhuge Liang will lay an ambush behind the city, induce our soldiers to go out and then take advantage of its undefended state to capture it. Now give me three thousand good soldiers, and I will place them in ambush at a certain critical place. Lead your troops out, but go slowly and not further than ten miles, and then turn to retire. However, look out for a signal, and if you see one, attack, for the attack will be double. If Zhuge Liang is there himself, we shall capture him.”
The Governor adopted this plan, gave the needed troops to Jiang Wei, who marched a
t once, and then Ma Zun went forth himself with Liang Qian. Only two civil officials — Liang Xu and Yin Shang — were left to guard the city.
Zhao Yun had been sent to lie in ambush in a secret place among the hills till the Tianshui army left the city, when he was to rush in and capture it. His spies reported the departure of the Governor, and Zhao Yun sent on the news to those who were acting with him, Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang, that they might attack Ma Zun.
Zhao Yun and his five thousand troops then quickly marched to the city wall and called out, “I am Zhao Yun of Changshan; you have fallen into our trap, but if you will surrender quickly, you will save many lives.”
But instead of being alarmed, Liang Xu looked down and said, “On the contrary, you have fallen into our trap; only you do not know it yet.”
Zhao Yun began his attack on the walls. Soon there was heard a roar, and fire broke out all round, and forth came a youthful leader armed with a spear, riding a curvetting steed.
“Look at me, Jiang Wei of Tianshui!” cried he.
Zhao Yun made at him, but after a few bouts he found Jiang Wei was getting very eager. He was surprised, and wondered, “No one knows there is such an able man in Tianshui.”
As the fight went on, along came the two other forces under Ma Zun and Liang Qian, now returning. As Zhao Yun found he could not prevail, he set to cut an arterial alley through and lead off his defeated troops. He was pursued, but Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang poured forth to save him, and he got away safely.
Zhuge Liang was surprised when he heard what had happened.
“Who is this,” said he, “who has thus seen into the dark depths of my secret plan?”
A man of Nanan, who happened to be there, told him, “He is Jiang Wei from Jicheng. He is very filial to his mother. Civil skill and military prowess, wisdom and courage, he has all. Truly, he is a hero of the age.”
Zhao Yun also praised his skill with the spear, which was superior to any other's.
Zhuge Liang said, “I want to take Tianshui now; I did not expect to find such a man as this.”
The Shu army then advanced in force.
Jiang Wei went back to Ma Zun and said, “Zhao Yun's defeat will bring up Zhuge Liang with the main body. He will conclude that we shall be in the city, wherefore you would better divide your force into four. I, with one party, will go into hiding on the east so that I may cut off our enemies if they come that way. You, O Governor, and Liang Qian and Yin Shang will lie in ambush on the other sides of the city. Let Liang Xu and the common people go up on the wall to make the defense.”
Ma Zun agreed to the plan and prepared everything.
Due to Jiang Wei, Zhuge Liang himself led the main army to Tianshui. When they reached the city, Zhuge Liang gave a general orders: “Attacking a city must be proceeded as soon as the army reaches it; and at the rolling of drums, incite and urge the soldiers to advance with a rush. The keenness of the soldiers will be spoiled by any delay.”
So this time also the army came straight up to the rampart. But they hesitated and dared not attack when they saw the flags flying in such good order and apparently such thorough preparation.
About the middle of the night, fires started up all around and a great shouting was beard. No one could see whence the Wei soldiers were coming, but there were answering shouts from the wall. The soldiers of Shu grew frightened and ran. Zhuge Liang mounted a horse and, with Guan Xing and Zhang Bao as escort, got out of danger. Looking back, they saw many mounted troops with torches winding along like a huge serpent.
Zhuge Liang bade Guan Xing find out what this meant, and Guan Xing report: “These are Jiang Wei's troops.”
Zhuge Liang remarked, “An army owes more to its leading than to its numbers. This Jiang Wei is a true genius.”
Zhuge Liang led the army back to camp, and then he thought for a long time. Suddenly he called up one of the Anding men and said, “Where is the mother of this Jiang Wei?”
“She lives in Jicheng,” replied he.
Zhuge Liang called Wei Yan and said to him, “March off with a body of troops, giving out that you are going to take Jicheng. If Jiang Wei comes up, let him enter the city.”
Then Zhuge Liang asked, “What is the most important place in connection with this place?”
The man from Anding replied, “The storehouse of Tianshui is at Shanggui; if that is taken, the supplies are cut off.”
This was good news, so Zhao Yun was sent to attack Shanggui, while Zhuge Liang made a camp ten miles south of the city.
The spies took the news of the movements of these three forces into Tianshui.
When Jiang Wei heard that one army was to attack his own place, he pleaded with Ma Zun, saying, “My mother is in Jicheng, and I am worried about the attacking force. Let me go to its defense, that I may keep the city and do my duty by my mother at the same time.”
So Jiang Wei received command of three thousand troops and marched toward his home.
When Jiang Wei came near the walls, he saw a cohort under Wei Yan. He attacked. After a show of defense Wei Yan retreated, and Jiang Wei entered the city. He closed the gates and prepared to defend the wall. Then he went home to see his mother.
In the same way Liang Qian was allowed to enter Shanggui.
Then Zhuge Liang sent for his prisoner, Xiahou Mao, and, when he was brought to his tent, Zhuge Liang said suddenly, “Are you afraid of death?”
Xiahou Mao prostrated himself and begged for his life.
“Well, Jiang Wei of Tianshui, who, is now gone to guard Jicheng, has sent a letter to say that he would surrender if only that would secure your safety. Now I am going to let you go if you will promise to induce Jiang Wei to come over to me. Do you accept the condition?”
“I am willing to induce him to yield to you,” said Xiahou Mao.
Zhuge Liang then gave his prisoner clothing and a horse and let him ride away. Nor did he send anyone to follow him, but let him choose his own road.
Having got outside, Xiahou Mao wanted to get away, but he was perfectly ignorant of the roads and knew not which to take. Presently he came across some people, apparently in flight, and he questioned them.
“We are Jicheng people,” said they. “Jiang Wei has surrendered the city and deserted to Zhuge Liang. The troops of Shu are looting and burning, and we have escaped. We are going to Shanggui.”
“Do you know who is holding Tianshui?”
“Governor Ma Zun is in there,” said they.
Hearing this, Xiahou Mao rode quickly toward Tianshui. Presently he met more people, evidently fugitives, leading sons and carrying daughters, who told the same story. By and by he came to the gate of the city, and, as he was recognized, the wardens of the gate admitted him, and the Governor came to greet him and asked of his adventures. He told all that had happened, that Jiang Wei had surrendered and related what the fugitives had said.
“I did not think Jiang Wei would have gone over to Shu,” said the Governor sadly.
“It seems he thought by this to save you, Sir Commander-in-Chief,” said Liang Xu. “I am sure he has made only a pretense of surrendering.”
“Where is the pretense when it is a fact that he has surrendered?” said Xiahou Mao.
They were all perplexed. Then at the third watch the troops of Shu came to begin an attack. The fires round the wail were very bright, and there in the glare was seen Jiang Wei, armed and riding up and down under the ramparts calling out for Xiahou Mao. Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun ascended the wall, whence they saw Jiang Wei swaggering to and fro. Seeing the chiefs on the wall, Jiang Wei called out, “I surrendered for the sake of you, O General; why have you gone back on your word?”
“Why did you surrender to Shu after enjoying so much of Wei's bounty?” said Xiahou Mao. “And why do you talk thus?”
“What do you mean talking thus after writing me a letter telling me to surrender? You want to secure your own safety by involving me. But I have surrendered, and as I am a superior general in their service now, I see no sens
e in returning to Wei.”
So saying, he urged the soldiers on to the attack. The assault continued till dawn, when the besiegers drew off.
Now the appearance of Jiang Wei in this fashion was but a ruse. Zhuge Liang had found among his men one who resembled Jiang Wei and had disguised him so that Jiang Wei appeared to be leading the attack on the ramparts. In the smoke and fire during the night no one could penetrate the disguise.
Zhuge Liang then led the army to attack Jicheng. The grain in the city was insufficient to feed the people. From the wall Jiang Wei saw wagons of grain and forage being driven into the Shu camp, and he determined to try to secure some. So he led three thousand troops out of the city to attack the train of wagons. As soon as he appeared, the convoy abandoned the carts and fled. Jiang Wei seized them, and was taking them into the city, when he was met by a cohort under the command of Zhang Yi. They plunged into battle. After a short time Wang Ping came to reinforce Zhang Yi, so that Jiang Wei was attacked on two sides. All Jiang Wei's efforts were vain, and he had to abandon the spoil and try to reenter the city.
But as he drew near, he saw the walls were decorated with Shu ensigns, for Wei Yan had captured the place and was in possession. By desperate fighting Jiang Wei got clear and set off for Tianshui. But he only had a few score horsemen left. Presently the small force fell in with Zhang Bao, and at the end of this engagement Jiang Wei found himself alone, a single horseman. He reached Tianshui and hailed the gate. The watchers above the gate knew him and went to tell the Governor.
“This fellow has came to beguile me into opening the gate,” said Ma Zun.
So Ma Zun ordered the defenders to shoot at the fugitive. Jiang Wei turned back, but there were the army of Shu close at hand. He set off as fast as he could for Shanggui. But when he got there Liang Qian hurled a volley of abuse at him.
“You traitor,” cried Liang Qian. “Dare you come to try to cajole me out of my city? I know you have surrendered to Shu.”
Liang Qian's soldiers also began to shoot at the hapless fugitive.
Three Kingdoms Romance Page 135
