Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  He pulled up his horse, pointed with his whip at Hao Zhao, and said, “My friend and worthy brother, why has your friendship become so thin?”

  “Brother, you know the laws of Wei,” replied Hao Zhao. “I have accepted their bounty, and if that leads to death, so be it. Say no more, but return quickly to your master and tell him to come and attack. I am not afraid.” So Jin Xiang had to return and report failure.

  “He would not let me begin to explain,” said he.

  “Try again,” said Zhuge Liang. “Go and really talk to him.”

  So the go-between soon found himself once more at the foot of the wall. Hao Zhao presently appeared on the tower, and Jin Xiang shouted to him, “My worthy brother, please listen to my words while I explain clearly. Here you are holding one single city; how can you think of opposing one hundred thousand troops? If you do not yield, you will be sorry when it is too late. Instead of serving the great Hans, you are serving a depraved country called Wei. Why do you not recognize the decree of Heaven? Why do you not distinguish between the pure and the foul? Think over it.”

  Then Hao Zhao began to get really angry. He fitted an arrow to his bow and he called out, “Go! Or I will shoot. I meant what I said at first, and I will say no more.”

  Again Jin Xiang returned and reported failure to Zhuge Liang.

  “The fool is very ill-mannered,” said Zhuge Liang. “Does he think he can beguile me into sparing the city?”

  He called up some of the local people and asked about the forces in the city. They told him about three thousand.

  “I do not think such a small place can beat me,” said Zhuge Liang. “Attack quickly before any reinforcements can arrive.”

  Thereupon the assailants brought up scaling ladders, upon the platforms of which ten or more men could stand. These were surrounded by planks as protection. The other soldiers had short ladders and ropes, and, at the beat of the drum, they attempted to scale the walls.

  But when Hao Zhao saw the ladders being brought up, he made his soldiers shoot fire-arrows at them. Zhuge Liang did not expect this. He knew the city was not well prepared for defense, and he had had the great ladders brought up and bade the soldiers take the wall with a rush. He was greatly chagrined when the fire arrows set his ladders on fire and so many of his soldiers were burned. And as the arrows and stones rained down from the wall, the soldiers of Shu were forced to retire.

  Zhuge Liang angrily said, “So you burn my ladders; then I will use battering rams.”

  So the rams were brought and placed against the walls and again the signal given for assault. But the defenders brought up great stones suspended by ropes, which they swung down at the battering rams and so broke them to pieces.

  Next the besiegers set to work to bring up earth and fill the moat, and Liao Hua led three thousand soldiers to excavate a tunnel under the ramparts. But Hao Zhao cut a counter-trench within the city and turned that device.

  So the struggle went on for near a month, and still the city was not taken. Zhuge Liang was very depressed.

  That was not all. The scouts reported the coming of a relief force of Wei, the flags of which bore the name of Wang Shuang. Some one had to try to turn him back, and Wei Yan offered himself. “No,” said Zhuge Liang, “you are too valuable as Leader of the Van.”

  General Xie Xiong offered his services; they were accepted, and Xie Xiong was given three thousand troops. After he had gone, Zhuge Liang decided to send a second force, and for command of this General Gong Qi volunteered and was accepted. Gong Qi also had three thousand troops.

  Then Zhuge Liang feared lest there would be a sortie from the city to aid the relief force just arriving, so he led off the army seven miles and made a camp.

  The first body sent against Wang Shuang had no success; Xie Xiong fell almost immediately under Wang Shuang's great sword. The men fled and Wang Shuang pursued, and so came upon Gong Qi, who had come to support his colleague. Gong Qi met a similar fate, being slain in the third bout.

  When the defeated parties returned, Zhuge Liang was anxious and called up Liao Hua, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni to go out to check this Wang Shuang, They went and drew up in formal array, and then Zhang Ni rode to the front. Wang Shuang rode to meet him, and they two fought several bouts. Then Wang Shuang ran away and Zhang Ni followed.

  His colleague, Wang Ping, suspected this flight was but a ruse, so he called to Zhang Ni, “Do not follow the fleeing general!”

  Wang Shuang then turned and hurled one of his meteor hammers, which hit Zhang Ni in the back, so that he fell forward and lay over the saddle. Wang Shuang rode on to follow up this advantage, but Liao Hua and Wang Ping poured out and checked him. Wang Shuang's whole force then came on and slew many of the troops of Shu.

  Zhang Ni was hurt internally and vomited blood at times. He came back and told Zhuge Liang, saying, “Wang Shuang is very terrible and no one can stand up to him. Beside there is a strong camp at the city with double walls and a deep moat.”

  Having lost two generals, and a third being wounded, Zhuge Liang called up Jiang Wei and said, “We are stopped this way; can you suggest another road?”

  “Yes,” said Jiang Wei, “Chencang is too well protected and, with Hao Zhao as defender and Wang Shuang as supporter, cannot be taken. I would propose to move away to some suitable place and make a strong camp. Then try to hold the roads so that the attack on Jieting may be prevented. Then if you will send a strong force against Qishan, I can do something which will capture Cao Zhen.”

  Zhuge Liang agreed. He sent Wang Ping and Li Hui to hold the narrow road to Jieting, and Wei Yan was sent to guard the way from Chencang. And then the army marched out of the Xie Valley by a small road and made for Qishan.

  Now Cao Zhen still remembered bitterly that in the last campaign Sima Yi had filched from him the credit he hoped to obtain. So when he received the commission of defending the capitals against the invading forces, he detached Guo Huai and Sun Li and sent them to hold positions east and west. Then he had heard that Chencang was threatened, so had sent Wang Shuang to its relief, and now to his joy he heard of his henchman's success. He placed Grand Commander Fei Yao in command of the van and stationed other generals at strategic and commanding points.

  Then they caught a spy. He was taken into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief to be questioned. The man knelt down and said, “I am not really a spy in the bad sense. I was bringing a secret communication for you, Sir, but I was captured by one of the parties in ambush. Pray send away your attendants.”

  The man's bonds were loosed and the tent cleared. The captive said, “I am a confidant of Jiang Wei, who has entrusted me with a secret letter.”

  “Where is the letter?”

  The man took it from among his garments and presented it to Cao Zhen, who read:

  “I, Jiang Wei, your guilty general, make a hundred prostrations to the great leader Cao Zhen, now in the field. I have

  never forgotten that I was in the employment of Wei and disgraced myself; having enjoyed favors, I never repaid them. Lately I have been an unhappy victim of Zhuge Liang's wiles and so fell into the depths. But I never forgot my old allegiance; how could I forget?

  “Now happily the army of Shu has gone west, and Zhuge Liang trusts me. I rely upon your leading an army this way. If resistance be met, then you may simulate defeat and retire, but I shall be behind and will make a blaze as signal. Then I shall set fire to their stores, whereupon you will face about and attack. Zhuge Liang ought to fall into your hands. If it be that I cannot render service and repay my debt to the state, then punish me for my former crime.

  “If this should be deemed worthy of your attention, then without delay communicate your commands.”

  The letter pleased Cao Zhen, and he said, “This is heaven-sent help to aid me in an achievement.”

  Cao Zhen rewarded the messenger and bade him return to say that it was accepted. Then he called Fei Yao to his councils and said, “I have just had a secret letter from Jiang Wei te
lling me to act in a certain fashion.”

  But Fei Yao replied, “Zhuge Liang is very crafty, and Jiang Wei is very knowing. If by chance Zhuge Liang has planned all this and sent this man, we may fall into a snare.”

  “But Jiang Wei is really a man of Wei; he was forced into surrender. Why are you suspicious?”

  “My advice is not to go, but to remain here on guard. Let me go to meet this man, and any service I can accomplish will redound to your credit. And if there be any craft, I can meet it for you.”

  Cao Zhen approved this and bade Fei Yao take fifty thousand troops by way of the Xie Valley.

  Fei Yao marched away and halted after the second or third stage and send out scouts. This was done, and the scouts reported that the Shu army was coming through the valley. Fei Yao at once advanced, but before the troops of Shu got into contact with him, they retired. Fei Yao pursued. Then the troops of Shu came on again. Just as Fei Yao was forming up for battle, the Shu army retreated again. And these maneuvers were repeated thrice, and a day and a night passed without any repose for the Wei army.

  At length rest was imperative, and they were on the point of entrenching themselves to prepare food when a great hubbub arose all around, and with beating of drums and blaring of trumpets, the whole country was filled with the soldiers of Shu. Suddenly there was a stir near by the great standard, and out came a small four-wheeled chariot in which sat Zhuge Liang. He bade a herald call the leader of the Wei army to a parley.

  Fei Yao rode out and, seeing Zhuge Liang, he secretly rejoiced. Turning to those about him, he said, “If the soldiers of Shu come on, you are to retire and look out for a signal. If you see a blaze, you are to turn and attack, for you will be reinforced by Jiang Wei.”

  Then Fei Yao rode to the front and shouted, “You rebel leader in front there; how dare you come here again after the last defeat?”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “Go and call Cao Zhen to a parley.”

  “My chief, Cao Zhen, is of the royal stock; think you that he will come to parley with rebels?”

  Zhuge Liang angrily waved his fan, and there came forth Ma Dai and Zhang Ni and their troops with a rush. The Wei army retired. But ere they had gone far, they saw a blaze in the rear of the advancing host of Shu and heard a great shouting. Fei Yao could only conclude that this was the signal of Jiang Wei he was looking for, and so he faced about to attack.

  But the enemy also turned about and retired. Fei Yao led the pursuit, sword in hand, hastening to the point whence the shouting came. Nearing the signal fire, the drums beat louder than ever, and then out came two armies, one under Guan Xing and the other under Zhang Bao, while arrows and stones rained from the hill-tops. The Wei troops could not stand it and knew not only they were beaten, but beaten by a ruse. Fei Yao tried to withdraw his force into the shelter of the valley to rest, but the enemy pressed on him, and the army of Wei fell into confusion. Pressing upon each other, many fell into the streams and were drowned.

  Fei Yao could do nothing but flee for his life. Just as he was passing by a steep hill there appeared a cohort, and the leader was Jiang Wei.

  Fei Yao began to upbraid him, crying, “Faithless ingrate! I have haplessly fallen in your treachery and craftiness!”

  Jiang Wei replied, “You are the wrong victim; we meant to capture Cao Zhen not you. You would do well to yield!”

  But Fei Yao only galloped away toward a ravine. Suddenly the ravine filled with flame. Then he lost all hope. The pursuers were close behind, so Fei Yao with a sword put an end to his own life.

  Of the army of Wei many surrendered. The Shu army pressed home their advantage and, hastening forward, reached Qishan and made a camp. There the army was mustered and put in order.

  Jiang Wei received a reward, but he was chagrined that Cao Zhen had not been taken.

  “My regret is that I did not slay Cao Zhen,” said he.

  “Indeed, yes,” replied Zhuge Liang. “It is a pity that a great scheme should have had so poor a result.”

  Cao Zhen was very sad when he heard of the loss of Fei Yao. He consulted Guo Huai as to a new plan to drive back the enemy.

  Meanwhile, flying messengers had gone to the capital with news of Zhuge Liang's arrival at Qishan and the defeat. Cao Rui called Sima Yi to ask for a plan to meet these new conditions.

  “I have a scheme all ready, not only to turn back Zhuge Liang, but to do so without any exertion on our part. They will retire of their own will.”

  Cao Zhen's wits are dull; so he

  Fights on Sima Yi's strategy.

  The strategy will appear in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 98. Pursuing The Shu Army, Wang Shuang Meets His Death; Raiding Chencang, Zhuge Liang Scores A Victory.

  Now Sima Yi spoke to the Ruler of Wei, saying, “I have said repeatedly that Zhuge Liang would come against us by way of Chencang; wherefore I set Hao Zhao to guard it. If an enemy did invade, he could easily obtain his supplies by that road; but with Hao Zhao and Wang Shuang on guard there, he will not dare to come that way. It is very difficult to get supplies any other way. Therefore I can give the invaders a month to exhaust their food. Hence their advantage lies in forcing a battle; ours is postponing it as long as possible. Wherefore I pray Your Majesty order Cao Zhen to hold passes and positions tenaciously and on no account to seek battle. In a month the enemy will have to retreat, and that will be our opportunity.”

  Cao Rui was pleased to hear so succinct a statement, but he said, “Since, Noble Sir, you foresaw all this so plainly, why did you not lead an army to prevent it?”

  “It is not because I grudged the effort, but I had to keep the army here to guard against Lu Xun of Wu. Sun Quan will declare himself 'Emperor' before long. If he does, he will be afraid of Your Majesty's attack, and so he will try to invade us first. I shall be ready to defend our frontier. The army is prepared.”

  Just then one of the courtiers announced dispatches from Cao Zhen on military affairs, and Sima Yi closed his speech, saying, “Your Majesty should send someone especially to caution the general to be careful not to be tricked by Zhuge Liang, not to pursue rashly, and never to penetrate deeply into the enemy country.”

  The Ruler of Wei gave the order, and he sent the command by the hand of Minister Han Ji and gave him authority to warn Cao Zhen against giving battle.

  Sima Yi escorted the royal messenger out of the city and, at parting, said, “I am giving this magnificent opportunity to obtain glory to Cao Zhen, but do not tell him the suggestion was mine; only quote the royal command. Tell him that defense is the best, pursuit is to be most cautious, and he is not to send any impetuous leader to follow up the enemy.”

  Han Ji agreed and took leave.

  Cao Zhen was deep in affairs connected with his army when they brought news of a royal messenger, but he went forth to bid Han Ji welcome; and when the ceremonial receipt of the edict had come to an end, he retired to discuss matters with Guo Huai and Sun Li.

  “That is Sima Yi's idea,” said Guo Huai with a laugh.

  “But what of the idea?” asked Cao Zhen.

  “It means that the man who perfectly understands Zhuge Liang's plans and who will eventually have to be called in to defeat them is our friend Sima Yi.”

  “But if the Shu army holds its ground?” “We will send Wang Shuang to reconnoiter and keep on the move along the by-roads so that they dare not attempt to bring up supplies. They must retreat when they have no more to eat, and we shall be able to beat them.”

  Then said Sun Li, “Let me go out to Qishan as if to escort a convoy from Xizhou, only the carts shall be laden with combustibles instead of grain. We will sprinkle sulfur and saltpeter over wood and reeds. The troops of Shu, who lack supplies, will surely seize the convoy and take it to their own camp, when we will set fire to the carts. When they are blazing, our hidden men can attack.”

  “It seems an excellent plan,” said Cao Zhen.

  And he issued the requisite orders: Sun Li to pretend to escort a convoy; Wang Shuang to p
rowl about the by-roads; Guo Huai and various generals to command in the Chi Valley, Jieting, and other strategic points. Also Zhang Hu, son of Zhang Liao, was made leader of the van, and Yue Chen, son of Yue Jin, was his second. These two were to remain on guard in the outermost camp.

  Now at Qishan, Zhuge Liang sought to bring on a battle, and daily sent champions to provoke a combat. But the men of Wei would not come out.

  Then Zhuge Liang called Jiang Wei and certain others to him and said, “I do not know what to do. The enemy refuse battle, because they know we are short of food. We can get none by way of Chencang, and all other roads are very difficult. I reckon the grain we brought with us will not last a month.”

  While thus perplexed, they heard that many carts of provisions for Wei were passing by from Xizhou, and the convoy was commanded by Sun Li.

  “What is known of this Sun Li?” asked Zhuge Liang.

  A certain man of Wei replied, “He is a bold man. Once he was out hunting with the Ruler of Wei on Great Rock Hill, and a tiger suddenly appeared in front of his master's chariot. He jumped off his horse and dispatched the beast with his sword. He was rewarded with a leadership. He is an intimate friend of Cao Zhen.”

  “This is a ruse,” said Zhuge Liang. “They know we are short of food, and those carts are only a temptation. They are laden with combustibles. How can they imagine that I shall be deceived by this sort of thing, when I have fought them with fire so many times? If we go to seize the convoy, they will come and raid our camp. But I will meet ruse with ruse.”

  Then Zhuge Liang sent Ma Dai with order: “You and three thousand troops are to make your way to the enemy's store camp and, when the wind serves, to start a fire. When the stores are burning, the soldiers of Wei will come to surround our camp. That is how we will provoke a battle.”

  He also sent Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni with five thousand troops each to halt near the camp so that they might attack from without.

  These having gone, he called Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, and said, “The outermost camp of Wei is on the main road. This night, when the enemy see a blaze, our camp will be attacked, so you two are to lie in wait on the two sides of the Wei camp and seize it when they have left.”