Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  Zhuge Liang issued orders to break up the camp that night, and the army retired into Hanzhong forthwith. Sima Yi only heard of it five days later, and he knew that again he had been outwitted.

  “The man appears like a god and disappears like a demon; he is too much for me,” sighed Sima Yi.

  Sima Yi set certain generals over the camp and placed others to guard the commanding positions, and he also marched homeward.

  As soon as the Shu army was settled in Hanzhong, Zhuge Liang went to Chengdu for treatment. The officials of all ranks came to greet him and escort him to his palace. The Latter Ruler also came to inquire after his condition and sent his own physicians to treat him. So gradually he recovered.

  In Beginning Prosperity, eighth year and seventh month (AD 230), Cao Zhen, the Commander-in-Chief in Wei, had recovered, and he sent a memorial to his master, saying,

  “Shu has invaded more than once and threatened Changan. If this state be not destroyed, it will ultimately be our

  ruin. The autumn coolness is now here. The army is in good form, and it is the time most favorable for an attack on Shu. I desire to take Sima Yi as colleague and march into Hanzhong to exterminate this wretched horde and free the borders from trouble.”

  Personally, the Ruler of Wei approved, but he consulted Liu Ye, who replied, “The Commander-in-Chief speaks well. If that state be not destroyed, it will be to our hurt. Your Majesty should give effect to his desire.”

  When Liu Ye came out, a crowd of officers flocked to inquire, saying, “We heard the Emperor has consulted you about an expedition against Shu: what think you?”

  “No such thing,” said Liu Ye. “Shu is too difficult a country to invade; it would be a mere waste of humans and weapons.”

  They left him. Then Yang Ji went into the Emperor and said, “It is said that yesterday Liu Ye advised Your Majesty to fall upon Shu; today when we talked with him, he said Shu could not be attacked. This is treating Your Majesty with indignity, and you should issue a command to punish him.”

  Wherefore Cao Rui called in Liu Ye and asked him to explain.

  Liu Ye replied, “I have studied the details; Shu cannot be attacked.”

  Cao Rui laughed.

  In a short time Yang Ji left, and then Liu Ye said, “Yesterday I advised Your Majesty to attack Shu; that being a matter of state policy should be divulged to no person. The essential of a military move is secrecy.” Then Cao Rui understood, and thereafter Liu Ye was held in greater consideration. Ten days later Sima Yi came to court, and Cao Zhen's memorial was shown him.

  Sima Yi replied, “The moment is opportune; I do not think there is any danger from Wu.”

  Cao Zhen was created Minister of War, General Who Conquers the West, and Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition; Sima Yi was made Grand Commander, General Who Conquers the West, and was second in command; and Liu Ye was made Instructor of the Army. These three then left the court, and the army of four hundred thousand troops marched to Changan, intending to dash to Saber Pass and attack Hanzhong. The army was joined by Guo Huai and Sun Li.

  The defenders of Hanzhong brought the news to Zhuge Liang, then quite recovered and engaged in training his army and elaborating the “Eight Arrays.” All was in an efficient state and ready for an attack on Changan.

  When he heard of the intended attack, he called up Zhang Ni and Wang Ping and gave orders: “You are to lead one thousand troops to Chencang and garrison that road so as to check the Wei army.”

  The two replied, “It is said the Wei army numbers four hundred thousand, though they pretend to have eight hundred thousand. But they are very numerous, and a thousand troops is a very small force to meet them.”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “I would give you more, but I fear to make it hard for the soldiers. If there be a failure, I shall not hold you responsible. I send you thus; you may be sure there is a meaning in it. I observed the stars yesterday, and I see there will be a tremendous rain this month. The army of Wei may consist of any number of legions, but they will be unable to penetrate into a mountainous country. So there is no need to send a large force. You will come to no harm, and I shall lead the main body into Hanzhong and rest for a month while the enemy retreats. Then I shall smite them. My strong army needs only one hundred thousand to defeat their worn four hundred thousand. Do not say any more, but get off quickly.”

  This satisfied Wang Ping and Zhang Ni, and they left, while Zhuge Liang led the main body out toward Hanzhong. Moreover, every station was ordered to lay in a stock of wood and straw and grain enough for a whole month's use, ready against the autumn rains. A month's holiday was given, and food and clothing were issued in advance. The expedition was postponed for the present.

  When Cao Zhen and Sima Yi approached Chencang and entered the city, they could not find a single house. They questioned some of the people near, who said that Zhuge Liang had burned everything before he left. Then Cao Zhen proposed to advance along the road, but Sima Yi opposed, saying that the stars foretold much rain.

  “I have watched the Heaven, and the stars' movement signals long rains. If we get deep in a difficult country and are always victorious, it is all very well. But if we lose, we shall not get out again. Better remain in this city and build what shelter we can against the rains.”

  Cao Zhen followed his advice. In the middle of the month the rain began, and came down in a deluge so that the surrounding country was three feet under water. The equipment of the soldiers was soaked, and the soldiers themselves could get no place to sleep. For a whole month the rain continued. The horses could not be fed, and the soldiers grumbled incessantly. They sent to Luoyang, and the Ruler of Wei himself ceremonially prayed for fine weather, but with no effect.

  Minister Wang Su sent up a memorial: “The histories say that when supplies have to be conveyed a long distance, the soldiers are starved; if they have to

  gather brushwood before they can cook, then the army is not full fed. This applies to ordinary expeditions in an ordinary country. If, in addition, the army has to march through a difficult country and roads have to be cut, the labor is doubled. Now this expedition is hindered by rain and steep and slippery hills; movement is cramped and supplies can only be maintained with difficulty. All is most unpropitious to the army.

  “Cao Zhen has been gone over a month and has only got half through the valley. Road making is monopolizing all energies, and the fighting soldiers have to work on them. The state of affairs is the opposite to ideal, and the fighting soldiers dislike it.

  “I may quote certain parallels. King Wu of Zhou attacked the last Shang King; he went through the pass, but returned. In recent times Emperors Cao and Pi, attacking Sun Quan, reached the river, and went no farther. Did they not recognize limitations and act accordingly? I pray Your Majesty remember the grave difficulties caused by the rain and put an end to this expedition. By and by another occasion will arise for using force, and in the joy of overcoming difficulties the people will forget death.”

  The Ruler of Wei could not make up his mind, but two other memorials by Yang Fu and Hua Xin followed, and then he issued the command to return, which was sent to Cao Zhen and Sima Yi.

  Cao Zhen and Sima Yi had already discussed the abandonment of the expedition. Cao Zhen had said, “We have had rain for a whole month, and the soldiers are downhearted and think only of getting home again. How can we stop them?”

  Sima Yi replied, “Return is best.”

  “If Zhuge Liang pursue, how shall we repulse him?”

  “We can leave an ambush.”

  While they were discussing this matter, the Emperor's command arrived. Whereupon they faced about and marched homeward.

  Now Zhuge Liang had reckoned upon this month of rain and so had had his troops camped in a safe place. Then he ordered the main army to assemble at Red Slope and camp there.

  He summoned his officers to his tent and said, “In my opinion the enemy must retire, for the Ruler of Wei will issue such an order. To retreat needs pr
eparation, and if we pursue, we will fall in their trap. So we will let them retire without molestation. Some other plan must be evolved.”

  So when Wang Ping sent news of the retreat of the enemy, the messenger carried back the order not to pursue.

  It is only lost labor to cover retreat

  When your enemy does not pursue.

  By what means Zhuge Liang intended to defeat Wei will be told in the next chapter.

  CHAPTER 100. Raiding A Camp, The Shu Soldiers Defeat Cao Zhen; Contesting Array Battles, Zhuge Liang Shames Sima Yi.

  When the Shu officers got to know that the Wei army had gone but they were not to pursue, they were inclined to discontent and went in a body to the Prime Minister's tent and said, “The rain has driven the enemy away; surely it is the moment to pursue.”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “Sima Yi is an able leader who would not retreat without leaving an ambush to cover it. If we pursue we shall fall victims. Let him go in peace, and I shall then get through the Xie Valley and take Qishan, making use of the enemy's lack of defense.”

  “But there are other ways of taking Changan;” said they, “why only take Qishan?”

  “Because Qishan is the first step to Changan, and I want to gain the advantage of position. And every transportation from Xizhou must come this way. It rests on River Wei in front and is backed by the Xie Valley. It gives the greatest freedom of movement and is a natural maneuvering ground. That is why I want it.”

  They bowed to his wisdom. Then he dispatched Wei Yan, Zhang Ni, Du Qiong, and Chen Shi for Chi Valley; and he sent Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, and Ma Zhong for the Xie Valley; all were to meet at the Qishan Mountains. He led the main army himself, with Guan Xing and Liao Hua in the van.

  When the Wei army retreated, Cao Zhen and Sima Yi remained in the rear superintending the movement. They sent a reconnoitering party along the old road to Chencang, and they returned saying no enemy was to be seen. Ten days later the leaders, who had commanded in the ambush, joined the main body saying that they had seen no sign of the enemy.

  Cao Zhen said, “This continuous autumn rain has rendered all the ways impassable; how could the soldiers of Shu know of our retreat?”

  “They will appear later,” said Sima Yi.

  “How can you know?”

  “These late five dry days they have not pursued, because they think we shall have left a rearguard in ambush. Therefore they have let us get well away. But after we have gone, they will try to occupy Qishan.”

  Cao Zhen was not convinced.

  “Why do you doubt?” asked Sima Yi. “I think Zhuge Liang will certainly advance by way of the two valleys, and you and I should guard the entrances. I give them ten days, and if they do not appear, I will come to your camp painted in the face to own my mistake.”

  “If the army of Shu do appear, I will give you the girdle and the steed that the Emperor gave me,” replied Cao Zhen.

  And they split their force, Cao Zhen taking up his station on the west of Qishan in the Xie Valley, and Sima Yi going to the east in the Chi Valley.

  As soon as the camp was settled, Sima Yi led a cohort into hiding in the valley. The remainder of the force was placed in detachments on the chief roads.

  Sima Yi disguised himself as a soldier and went among the soldiers to get a private survey of all the camps. In one of them he happened upon a junior officer who was complaining, saying, “The rain has drenched us for days, and they would not retire. Now they have camped here for a wager. They have no pity for us soldiers.”

  Sima Yi returned to his tent and assembled his officers. Hauling out the grumbler, Sima Yi said to him, angrily, “The state feeds and trains soldiers a thousand days for one hour's service. How dare you give vent to your spleen to the detriment of discipline?”

  The man would not confess, so his comrades were called to bear witness. Still he would not own up.

  “I am not here for a wager, but to overcome Shu,” said Sima Yi. “Now you all have done well and are going home, but only this fellow complains and is guilty of mutinous conduct.”

  Sima Yi ordered the lictors to put him to death, and in a short time they produced his head.

  The others were terrified, but Sima Yi said, “All you must do your utmost to guard against the enemy. When you hear a bomb explode, rush out on all sides and attack.”

  With this order they retired.

  Now Wei Yan, Zhang Ni, Chen Shi, and Du Qiong, with twenty thousand troops, entered the Chi Valley. As they were marching, Adviser Deng Zhi came.

  “I bear an order from the Prime Minister. As you go out of the valley, beware of the enemy,” said Deng Zhi.

  Chen Shi said, “Why is the Prime Minister so full of doubts? We know the soldiers of Wei have suffered severely from the rain and must hasten home. They will not lay any ambush. We are doing double marches and shall gain a great victory. Why are we to delay?”

  Deng Zhi replied, “You know the Prime Minister's plans always succeed. How dare you disobey his orders?”

  Chen Shi smiled, saying, “If he was really so resourceful, we should not have lost Jieting.”

  Wei Yan, recalling that Zhuge Liang had rejected his plan, also laughed, and said, “If he had listened to me and gone out through Ziwu Valley, not only Changan but Luoyang too would be ours. Now he is bent on taking Qishan; what is the good of it? He gave us the order to advance and now he stops us. Truly the orders are confusing.”

  Then said Chen Shi, “I will tell you what I will do. I shall take only five thousand troops, get through the Chi Valley, and camp at Qishan. Then you will see how ashamed the Prime Minister will look.” Deng Zhi argued and persuaded, but to no avail; the willful leader hurried on to get out of the valley. Deng Zhi could only return as quickly as possible and report.

  Chen Shi proceeded. He had gone a few miles when he heard a bomb, and he was in an ambush. He tried to withdraw, but the valley was full of the enemy and he was surrounded as in an iron cask. All his efforts to get out failed. Then there was a shout, and Wei Yan came to the rescue. Wei Yan saved his comrade, but Chen Shi's five thousand troops was reduced to about five hundred, and these wounded. The Wei soldiers pursued, but two other divisions of Zhang Ni and Du Qiong prevented the pursuit, and finally the army of Wei retired.

  Chen Shi and Wei Yan who had criticized Zhuge Liang's powers of prevision no longer doubted that he saw very clearly. They regretted their own shortsightedness.

  When Deng Zhi told his chief of the bad behavior of Chen Shi and Wei Yan, Zhuge Liang only laughed.

  Said he, “That fellow Wei Yan has never been quite true; he has always been disposed to disobey and is unsteady. However, he is valiant, and so I have saved him for our use, but he will do real harm some day.”

  Then came a messenger with news of Chen Shi's defeat and loss of troops. Zhuge Liang sent Deng Zhi back again to Chi Valley to console with Chen Shi and so keep him from actual mutiny.

  Then Zhuge Liang called to his tent Ma Dai and Wang Ping, and said, “If there are any troops of Wei in the Xie Valley, you are to go across the mountains, marching by night and concealing yourselves by day, and make for the east of Qishan. When you arrive, make a fire as a signal.”

  Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni were told to go in similar fashion to the west of Qishan and join up with the other two. Then they were to make a joint attack on Cao Zhen's camp. Zhuge Liang would also attack in the center. Guan Xing and Liao Hua also received secret orders.

  The armies marched rapidly. Not long after starting, two other detachments led by Wu Ban and Wu Yi received secret orders and left the main body.

  The doubts about the coming of the Shu army made Cao Zhen careless, and he allowed his soldiers to become slack and rest. He only thought of getting through the allotted ten days, when he would have the laugh against his colleague.

  Seven of the days had passed, when a scout reported a few odd men of Shu in the valley. Cao Zhen sent Qin Liang with five thousand troops to reconnoiter and keep them at a distance. Qin L
iang he led his troops to the entrance of the valley. As soon as he arrived, the enemy retired. Qin Liang went after them, but they had disappeared. He was perplexed and puzzled, and while trying to decide, he told the troops to dismount and rest.

  But almost immediately he heard a shout, and ambushing troops appeared in front of him. He jumped on his horse to look about him, and saw a great cloud of dust rising among the hills. He disposed his troops for defense, but the shouting quickly came nearer, and then Wu Ban and Wu Yi appeared advancing towards him. Retreat was impossible for Guan Xing and Liao Hua had blocked the road. The hills were on both sides, and from the hill-tops came shouts of “Dismount and yield!”

  More than half did surrender. Qin Liang rode out to fight, but he was slain by Liao Hua.

  Zhuge Liang put the Wei soldiers who had come over to his side in one of the rear divisions. With their dress and arms, he disguised five thousand of his own troops so that they looked like his enemies, and then he sent this division — under Guan Xing, Liao Hua, Wu Yi, and Wu Ban — to raid Cao Zhen's camp. Before they reached the camp, they sent one of their number ahead as a galloper to tell Cao Zhen that there had been only a few men of Shu and they had all been chased out of sight, and so lull him into security.

  This news satisfied Cao Zhen. But just then a trusty messenger from Sima Yi came with a message: “Our troops have fallen into an ambush, and many have been killed. Do not think any more about the wager: that is canceled. But take most careful precautions.”

  “But there is not a single soldier of Shu near,” said Cao Zhen.

  He told the messenger to go back. Just then they told him Qin Liang's army had returned, and he went out to meet them. Just as he got near, someone remarked that some torches had flared up in the rear of his camp. He hastened thither to see. As soon as he was out of sight, the four leaders waved on their troops and dashed up to the camp. At the same time Ma Dai and Wang Ping came up behind, and Ma Zhong and Zhang Yi came out.