Three Kingdoms Romance

by Guanzhong Luo

  The soldiers of Wei were trapped and helpless; they scattered and fled for life. Cao Zhen, protected by his generals, fled away to the eastward. The enemy chased them closely. As Cao Zhen fled there arose a great shouting, and up came an army at full speed. Cao Zhen thought all was lost, and his heart sank, but it was Sima Yi, who drove off the pursuers.

  Though Cao Zhen was saved, he was almost too ashamed to show his face.

  Then said Sima Yi, “Zhuge Liang has seized Qishan, and we cannot remain here; let us go to River Wei, whence we may try to recover our lost ground.”

  “How did you know I was in danger of defeat?” asked Cao Zhen.

  “My messenger told me that you said there was not a single soldier of Shu near, and I knew Zhuge Liang would try to seize your camp. So I came to your help. The enemy's plan succeeded, but we will say no more about that wager. We must both do our best for the country.”

  But the fright and excitement made Cao Zhen ill, and he took to his bed. And while the army were in such a state of disorder, Sima Yi was afraid to advise a return. They camped at River Wei.

  After this adventure Zhuge Liang hastened back to Qishan. After the soldiers had been feasted and services recognized, the four discontented leaders — Wei Yan, Chen Shi, Du Qiong, and Zhang Ni — came to the tent to apologize.

  “Who caused the loss?” said Zhuge Liang.

  Wei Yan said, “Chen Shi disobeyed orders and rushed into the valley.”

  “Wei Yan told me to,” said Chen Shi.

  “Would you still try to drag him down after he rescued you?” said Zhuge Liang. “However, when orders have been disobeyed, it is useless to try and gloze it over.”

  Zhuge Liang sentenced Chen Shi to death, and he was led away. Soon they brought his head into the presence of the assembled generals. Wei Yan was spared as there was yet work for him to accomplish.

  After this, Zhuge Liang prepared to advance. The scouts reported that Cao Zhen was ill, but was being treated by doctors in his tent.

  The news pleased Zhuge Liang, and he said to his officers, “If Cao Zhen's illness is slight, they will surely return to Changan. They must be delayed by his serious sickness. He stays on so that his soldiers may not lose heart. Now I will write him such a letter that he will die.”

  Then he called up the soldiers of Wei who had yielded, and said to them, “You are Wei troops, and your families are all over there: it is wrong for you to serve me. Suppose I let you go home?”

  They thanked him, falling prostrate and weeping.

  Then Zhuge Liang continued, “Friend Cao Zhen and I have a compact, and I have a letter for him which you shall take. The bearer will be well rewarded.”

  They received the letter and ran home to their own tents, where they gave their Commander-in-Chief the letter. Cao Zhen was too ill to rise, but he opened the cover and read:

  “The Prime Minister of Han, Zhuge Liang, to the Minister of War, Cao Zhen:

  “You will permit me to say that a leader of an army should be able to go and come, to be facile and obdurate, to advance and retire, to show himself weak or strong, to be immovable as mountains, to be inscrutable as the operations of nature, to be infinite as the universe, to be everlasting as the blue void, to be vast as the ocean, to be dazzling as the lights of heaven, to foresee droughts and floods, to know the nature of the ground, to understand the possibilities of battle arrays, to conjecture the excellencies and defects of the enemy.

  “Alas! One of your sort, ignorant and inferior, rising impudently in heaven's vault, has had the presumption to assist a rebel to assume the imperial style and state at Luoyang, to send some miserable soldiers into Beach Valley. There they happened upon drenching rain. The difficult roads wearied both soldiers and horses, driving them frantic. Weapons and armors littered the countryside, swords and spears covered the ground. You, the Commander-in-Chief, were heart-broken and cowed, your generals fled like rats. You dare not show your faces at home, nor can you enter the halls of state. The historians' pens will record your defeats; the people will recount your infamies. 'Sima Yi is frightened when he hears of battle fronts, Cao Zhen is alarmed at mere rumors.' My soldiers are fierce and their steeds strong; my great generals are eager as tigers and majestic as dragons. I shall sweep the Middle Land bare and make Wei desolate.”

  Cao Zhen's wrath rose as he read; at the end it filled his breast. He died that evening. Sima Yi sent his coffin to Luoyang on a wagon.

  When the Ruler of Wei heard of the death of Cao Zhen, he issued an edict urging Sima Yi to prosecute the war, to raise a great army and fight with Zhuge Liang.

  A declaration of war was sent one day in advance, and Zhuge Liang replied that he would fight on the morrow. After the envoy had left, Zhuge Liang called Jiang Wei by night to receive secret orders. He also summoned Guan Xing and told him what to do.

  Next morning the whole force marched to the bank of River Wei and took up a position in a wide plain with the river on one flank and hills on the other. The two armies saluted each other's appearance with heavy flights of arrows. After the drums had rolled thrice the Wei center opened at the great standard and Sima Yi appeared, followed by his officers. Opposite was Zhuge Liang, in a four-horse chariot, waving his feather fan.

  Sima Yi addressed Zhuge Liang, “Our master's ascension of the throne was after the manner of King Yao, who abdicated in favor of King Shun. Two emperors have succeeded and have their seat in the Middle Land. Because of his liberality and graciousness, my lord has suffered the rule of Shu and Wu lest the people should suffer in a struggle. You, who are but a plowman from Nanyang, ignorant of the ways of Heaven, wish to invade us, and you should be destroyed; but if you will examine your heart and repent of your fault and retire, then each may maintain his own borders, and a settled state of three kingdoms will be attained. Thus the people may be spared distress, and you will save your life.”

  Zhuge Liang smiled and replied, “Our First Ruler entrusted to me the custody of his orphan son: think you that I shall fail to exert myself to the uttermost to destroy rebels against his authority? Your soldiers of the Cao family will soon be exterminated by Han. Your ancestors were servants of Han and for generations ate of their bounty. Yet, instead of giving grateful service, you assist usurpers. Are you not ashamed?”

  The flush of shame spread over Sima Yi's face, but he replied, “We will try the test of battle. If you can conquer, I pledge myself to be no longer a leader of armies; but if you are defeated, then you will retire at once to your own village and I will not harm you.”

  “Do you desire a contest of generals, or of weapons, or of battle array?” asked Zhuge Liang.

  “Let us try a contest of battle array,” replied Sima Yi.

  “Then draw up your array that I may see,” said Zhuge Liang.

  Sima Yi withdrew within the line and signaled to his officers with a yellow flag to draw up their troops. When he had finished, he rode again to the front, saying, “Do you recognize my formation?”

  “The least of my generals can do as well,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “This is called the 'Disorder-in-Order' formation.”

  “Now you try while I look on,” said Sima Yi.

  Zhuge Liang entered the lines and waved his fan. Then he came out and said, “Do you recognize that?”

  “Of course; this is the 'Eight Arrays.'“

  “Yes; you seem to know it. But dare you attack?”

  “Why not, since I know it?” replied Sima Yi.

  “Then you need only try.”

  Sima Yi entered the ranks and called to him three generals — Dai Ling, Zhang Hu, and Yue Chen — to whom he said, “That formation consists of eight gates — Birth, Exit, Expanse, Wound, Fear, Annihilation, Obstacle, and Death. You will go in from the east at the Gate of Birth, turn to the southwest and make your way out by the Gate of Annihilation. Then enter at the north, at the Exit Gate, and the formation will be broken up. But be cautious.” They started with Zhang Hu leading, Dai Ling next, and Yue Chen in rear, ea
ch with thirty horsemen. They made their way in at the Gate of Birth amid the applause of both sides. But when they had got within they found themselves facing a wall of troops and could not find a way out. They hastily led their men round by the base of the line toward the southwest to rush out there. But they were stopped by a flight of arrows. They became confused and saw many gates, but they had lost their bearings. Nor could they aid each other. They dashed hither and thither in disorder, lose as in gathering clouds and rolling mists. Then a shout arose, and each one was seized and bound.

  They were taken to the center, where Zhuge Liang sat in his tent, and the three leaders with their ninety men were ranged in front.

  “Indeed you are prisoners; are you surprised” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “But I will set you free to return to your leader, and tell him to read his books again, and study his tactics, before he comes to try conclusions with me. You are pardoned, but leave your weapons and horses here.”

  So they were stripped of their arms and armors and their faces inked. Thus were they led on foot out of the array. Sima Yi lost his temper at sight of his people thus put to shame.

  Said he, “After this disgrace, how can I face the other officers in the Middle Land?”

  He gave the signal for the army to fall on and attack the enemy, and, grasping his sword, led his brave generals into the fray and commanded the attack. But just as the two armies came to blows, Guan Xing came up, his drums rolling and troops shouting, and attacked. Sima Yi told off a division from the rear to oppose Guan Xing, and again turned to urge on his main body.

  Then the army of Wei was thrown into confusion by another attack from Jiang Wei, who came up silently and joined in the battle. Thus three sides of the Wei army were attacked by three different divisions of the enemy, and Sima Yi decided to retire. However, this was difficult. The soldiers of Shu hemmed him in and came closer every moment. At last, by a desperate push, he cut an arterial alley toward the south and freed his army. But he had lost six or seven out of every ten of his soldiers.

  The Wei army withdrew to the south bank of River Wei and camped. They strengthened their position and remained entirely on the defensive.

  Zhuge Liang mustered his victorious army and returned to Qishan.

  Now Li Yan sent an officer, General Gou An, from Baidicheng with a convoy of grain. Gou An was a drunkard and loitered on the road so that he arrived ten days late. Zhuge Liang, angry at the delay, upbraided him, saying, “This grain is of the utmost importance to the army and you delay it. Three days' delay ought to mean the death penalty; what can you say to this delay of ten?”

  Gou An was sentenced to death and hustled out.

  But Yang Yi ventured to intervene, saying, “Gou An is a servant of Li Yan, and Li Yan has sent large supplies of all sorts from the Western Land of Rivers. If you put this man to death, perhaps others will not undertake escort duty.”

  Zhuge Liang then bade the executioners loose the offender, give him eighty blows, and let him go.

  This punishment filled Gou An's heart with bitter resentment, and, in the night, he deserted to the enemy, he and his half dozen personal staff. He was taken before Sima Yi and told the tale of his wrongs. “Your tale may be true, but it is hard to trust it,” said Sima Yi. “Zhuge Liang is full of guile. However, you may render me a service, and if you do, I will ask the Ruler of Wei that you may be allowed to serve him and obtain a post for you.”

  “Whatever you ask, I will do the best I can,” replied the deserter.

  “Then go to Chengdu and spread a lying report that Zhuge Liang is angry with the powers there and means to make himself emperor. This will get him recalled, and that will be a merit to you.”

  Gou An accepted the treacherous mission. In Chengdu he got hold of the eunuchs and told them his lying tale. The eunuchs became alarmed for their own safety and told the Emperor all these things.

  “In such a case what am I to do?” asked the Latter Ruler.

  “Recall him to the capital,” said the eunuchs, “and take away his military powers so that he cannot rebel.”

  The Latter Ruler issued an edict recalling the army.

  Jiang Wan said, “The Prime Minister has rendered many and great services since he led out the army; wherefore is he recalled?”

  “I have a private matter to consult him about,” said the Latter Ruler. “I must see him personally.”

  So the edict was issued and sent to Zhuge Liang. The messenger was at once received as soon as he reached Qishan.

  “The Emperor is young, and there is some jealous persons by his side,” said Zhuge Liang sadly. “I was just going to achieve some solid success; why am I recalled? If I go not, I shall insult my Prince; if I retire, I shall never get such a chance again.”

  “If the army retire, Sima Yi will attack,” said Jiang Wei.

  “I will retire in five divisions. Thus today this camp goes. Supposing that there are a thousand soldiers in the camp, then I shall have two thousand cooking places prepared, or if there are three thousand soldiers, then four thousand cooking plates shall be got ready; and so on, increasing the cooking arrangements as the troops are sent away.”

  Yang Yi said, “In the days of old, when Sun Bin was attacking Pang Juan, Sun Bin decreased the cooking arrangements as the soldiers were increased. Why do you reverse this, O Minister?”

  “Because Sima Yi is an able leader and would pursue if he knew we were retreating. But he would recognize the probability of an ambush; and if he sees an increase in the cooking arrangements in a camp, he will be unable to conclude whether the troops have gone or not, and he will not pursue. Thus I shall gradually withdraw without loss.”

  The order for retreat was given.

  Confident of the effect that Gou An's lying report would produce, Sima Yi waited for the retreat of the Shu army to begin. He was still waiting when the scouts told him the enemy's camps were empty. Wishing to make sure, he rode out himself with a small reconnoitering party and inspected the empty camps. Then he bade them count the stoves. Next day he paid a second visit to another empty camp, and again the cooking stoves were counted. The count showed an increase of a half.

  “I felt sure that Zhuge Liang would have more troops ready. He has increased the cooking arrangements, and so, if we pursue, he will be ready for us. No; we also will retire and await another opportunity.”

  So there was no pursuit, and Zhuge Liang did not lose a soldier on his retreat to Hanzhong.

  By and by, people came in from the Lands of Rivers to say that the retreat was a fact, and that only the cooking arrangements had been increased, not the soldiers.

  Sima Yi knew that he had been tricked, and looking up the sky, he sighed, “Zhuge Liang imitated the ruse of Sun Bin to rouse my suspicion. His thinking is superior to mine.”

  And Sima Yi set out for Luoyang.

  When players of equal skill are matched,

  Then victory hovers between;

  Perhaps your opponent's a genius,

  So put on your lowliest mien.

  What happened when Zhuge Liang returned to Chengdu will be told next.

  CHAPTER 101. Going Out From Longshang, Zhuge Liang Dresses As A God; Dashing Toward Saber Pass, Zhang He Falls Into A Snare.

  By means of the artifice just described, Zhuge Liang withdrew his army safely into Hanzhong, while Sima Yi retreated upon Changan. Zhuge Liang distributed the rewards for success and then went to Capital Chengdu for audience.

  “Your Majesty recalled me just as I was about to advance upon Changan; what is the important matter?” said the Prime Minister.

  For a long time the Latter Ruler made no reply. Presently he said, “I longed to see your face once more, that is the only reason.”

  Zhuge Liang replied, “I think my recall was not on your own initiative; some slanderous persons has hinted that I cherished ulterior objects.”

  The Latter Ruler, who indeed felt guilty and ill at ease, made no reply, and Zhuge Liang continued, “Your late father laid me u
nder an obligation which I am pledged to fulfill to the death. But if vile influences are permitted to work at home, how can I destroy the rebels without?”

  “The fact is I recalled you because of the talk of the eunuchs. But I understand now and am unutterably sorry.”

  Zhuge Liang interrogated the eunuchs and thus found out the base rumors that had been spread abroad by Gou An. He sent to arrest this man, but Gou An had already fled and gone over to Wei. The eunuchs who had influenced the Emperor were put to death, and all the other eunuchs were expelled from the Palace. The Prime Minister also upbraided Jiang Wan and Fei Yi for not having looked into the matter and set the Son of God right.

  Zhuge Liang then took leave of the Latter Ruler and returned to the army. He wrote to Li Yan to see to the necessary supplies and began preparations for a new expedition.

  Yang Yi said, “The soldiers are wearied by the many expeditions, and the supplies are not regular. I think a better plan would be to send half the army to Qishan for three months, and at the end of that time exchange them for the other half; and so on alternately. For example, if you have two hundred thousand troops, let one hundred thousand go into the field and one hundred thousand remain. In this way, using ten legions and ten legions, their energies will be conserved and you can gradually work toward the Middle Land.”

  “I agree with you,” said Zhuge Liang. “Our attack is not a matter to be achieved in haste. The suggestion for an extended campaign is excellent.”

  Wherefore the army was divided, and each half went out for one hundred days' service at a time, when it was relieved by the other half. Full penalties were provided for any laxity and failure to maintain the periods of active service. In the spring of the ninth year of Beginning Prosperity, the Shu army once more took the held against Wei. In Wei it was the fifth year of Calm Peace (AD 231).

  When the Ruler of Wei heard of this new expedition, he called Sima Yi and asked his advice.