It was arranged that Jinhuansanjie should march in the center division, with the others on his flanks. Each division had 50,000 men.
When scouts discovered that the Mans armies were coming, they at once reported it to Zhuge Liang, who called Zhao Yun and Wei Yan to his side, but gave them no orders. Next he sent for Wang Ping and Ma Zhong and said to them, “I dare not send Zi-long (Zhao Yun) and Wen-zhang (Wei Yan) to fight the Mans because they do not know the country. You two are to go and meet the enemy on the right and the left. I will let them support you. Get your men ready and start tomorrow at dawn.”
Then another two young officers, Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi, were ordered to oppose the center army. They were to prepare their men and start the next day with Wang Ping and Ma Zhong. Once more Zhuge Liang mentioned that he dared not send the two veterans because of their ignorance of the terrain.
Now Zhao Yun and Wei Yan began to look hurt. Noticing this, Zhuge Liang said, “I have no wish to pass you over but I fear that at your age, if you risk too much in the unfamiliar country and fall victims to the Mans, it will wear off your keen edges.”
“But what if we know the geography of the country?” asked Zhao Yun.
“You two just take care and don’t venture out,” replied Zhuge Liang.
The two old soldiers left grumpily. Then Zhao Yun asked Wei Yan to his camp for counsel.
Zhao Yun said, “We’re van leaders but he puts us aside on the pretext that we don’t know the lie of the land and he appoints those young men instead. How can we bear this shame?”
“Let’s ride out and survey the ground this very minute,” said his colleague. “We can capture a few natives and make them show us the road. We’ll surely defeat these savages.”
Zhao Yun agreed and the two rode off. Before they had gone far they saw a cloud of dust in the distance. Climbing up a slope to get a better view, they saw a small party of mounted Mans coming toward them. The two waited till they were near and then suddenly burst out. The Mans, taken entirely by surprise, fled in panic but several of them were captured by the two warriors, who returned to camp with their prisoners. The captives were given wine and food, and when they had satisfied their hunger they were questioned.
They said, “The camp of Chief Jinhuansanjie is just ahead, by the entrance to the mountains. Beside it run two roads east and west, leading to the rear of the camps of the other two chiefs and to the Valley of Five Streams.”
The two leaders got together 5,000 men, took the captured men as guides, and set out about the second watch. It was a clear night with a bright moon and few stars. The army marched in the moonlight and reached the first camp about the fourth watch. The Mans soldiers were just preparing their morning meal, as they intended to attack at daybreak. The surprise raid by the two veterans threw the camp into confusion—the chief was slain by Zhao Yun and his head cut off.
Then Wei Yan took half the force and went east to the second camp. By the time he reached his destination day had dawned. When the chief learned of his coming, he drew up his men to oppose him. But suddenly there was a great uproar in front of the stockade, and turmoil followed. It turned out that Wang Ping had also arrived to attack the Mans. Between the two forces the Mans were quickly beaten. Their chief, Dongtuna, got away. Wei Yan’s men followed, but they failed to catch him.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yun had taken the other half of the force to attack the third camp in the west. When he arrived at its rear Ma Zhong was already attacking from the front. They also scored a success but the chief, Ahuinan, also escaped.
They all returned to see Zhuge Liang, who asked, “The two chiefs of the Mans have fled but where is the head of the first chief?”
Zhao Yun produced it. Then they reported that the other two chiefs had escaped by abandoning their horses and going over the hills on foot. They could not be followed.
“They are already my prisoners,” said Zhuge Liang, laughing merrily.
None of the officers believed him. But soon after, the two chiefs were brought in by the two Zhangs. All were surprised.
Zhuge Liang said, “After I studied the map I knew where their camps would be positioned. Then I deliberately stirred up the keen fighting spirit of Zi-long and Wen-zhang so that they would make a supreme effort to seize the first camp and then divide their force to attack the other two camps. To support them I sent Wang Ping and Ma Zhong as reinforcements. I knew this task could only be accomplished by Zi-long and Wenzhang. I felt certain the two chiefs would run away along the mountain paths, so I instructed Zhang Ni and Zhang Yi to wait for them there. They were supported by Guan Suo.”
Bowing to their commander in admiration, all those present said, “Sir, your calculations are unfathomable, even to gods or spirits.”
The two captive chiefs were then brought in. As soon as they appeared, Zhuge Liang loosened their bonds and gave them refreshments and clothes. Then he released them, admonishing them not to offend any more. They thanked him for their liberty with grateful tears and disappeared along a byroad.
After they left Zhuge Liang said to his officers, “Tomorrow Meng Huo will come in person to make an attack. We can capture him then.”
So he called Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and gave them orders for the next day. They took the instructions and left, each with 5,000 men. Next he sent for Wang Ping and Guan Suo, to whom he also outlined a plan. They, too, left with a force. And then he sat in his tent to await the outcome.
The king of the Mans was sitting in his tent when his scouts came to tell him that his three chiefs had been captured and their armies scattered. This news threw him into a rage and he quickly got his army ready to fight with the men of Shu. Soon he met Wang Ping and the armies were arrayed for battle. Riding out to the front, Wang Ping looked over to the ranks of his enemy. Hundreds of Mans banners were unfurled and officers on horseback spread out to the two flanks, while in the middle rode forth the king, Meng Huo, who wore a golden headdress inlaid with jewels, a red robe with fine tassels, a jade belt with a clasp of a lion’s head, and a green pair of boots with pointed toes. He rode a frizzy-haired horse and carried two swords with the pine tree device on their handles.
Meng Huo looked haughtily at his foes, and then turning to his officers, said, “I have often heard people say that Zhuge Liang is good at warfare, but now I see that is false. Look at this array with its banners all in confusion and the ranks in disorder. There is not a weapon among all their swords and spears better than ours. If I had only realized this before, I would have fought them long ago. Who dares go out and capture a Shu officer to show them what sort of warriors we are?”
At once an officer rode out to fight with Wang Ping and the two engaged. But Wang Ping only fought a short time and then fled. The king at once urged his men to follow in quick pursuit. Then Guan Suo came up to fight, only to retreat again for some twenty li. Just as the Mans thought their enemies were overcome, a great shouting arose and two troops led by the two Zhangs appeared, one on either flank, and cut the Mans’ path of retreat. At this Wang Ping and Guan Suo also turned back to attack and the Mans, surrounded both in front and behind, lost the day. Meng Huo and some of his officers fought their way out and made for the Jintai Mountains. The three forces of Shu followed and forced them on, and presently Zhao Yun appeared in front to block the road of escape for the fugitives.
Meng Huo hastily picked a path to go deeper into the mountains, but Zhao Yun’s men spread around, and the Mans could not make a stand. Here many were captured. Meng Huo and a few horsemen managed to get away into a valley, which however, soon became too narrow for the horses to advance. Meng Huo and his followers abandoned their horses and crawled up the mountains to flee, but very soon they fell upon Wei Yan, who had been sent by Zhuge Liang to lie in wait. Unable to withstand his opponent, Meng Huo was captured by Wei Yan. His few remaining men surrendered.
The king and his followers were taken to the main camp, where Zhuge Liang was waiting with wine and meat ready for the captives. But his tent was
now guarded by a force of men seven ranks deep, all well armed with glittering weapons, as well as by soldiers bearing the golden ax and the broad-rimmed canopy with a twisted handle, which were presents from the Second Ruler. The feather-hatted drummers and clarion players were in front and behind, and the Imperial Guards spread out on both sides. The whole place inspired awe and fear.
Zhuge Liang was seated at the top of it all and watched the captives as they came forward in crowds. When they were all assembled, he ordered their bonds to be loosened and then he addressed them: “You are all honest people who have been unfortunate enough to be forced into this terrible battle by Meng Huo. I know your parents, your brothers, your wives and your children are anxiously watching by the gates for your return, and they are cut to the quick now that the news of defeat has reached their ears. They must be weeping bitterly for you. So I will set you all free to go home and comfort them.”
After they had been given some food and wine and a present of grain, he released them all. Filled with gratitude, they wept as they bowed to Zhuge Liang before they left.
Then Zhuge Liang told his men to bring the king before him. Soon guards hustled him in. He knelt in front of Zhuge Liang, who asked, “The late emperor treated you quite well—why did you rebel?”
“The land of Shu belonged to others and your lord seized it from them by force and called himself ‘emperor.’ My people have lived here for ages but you and your men come to invade my country without any reason. How can you talk of rebellion to me?”
“You are now my prisoner—will you admit defeat?”
“Why should I? The mountain path was too narrow and I fell into your hands by mistake.”
“If you admit defeat, I will release you,” said Zhuge Liang. “What do you say?”
“If you release me I will return, and when I have set my army in order I will come to fight you again. If you catch me once more I will concede defeat.”
Zhuge Liang ordered his men to loosen his bonds and give him clothes and refreshments, as well as a horse and saddle. He was even escorted by a guide to help him find the road back to his own camp.
The captured chieftain is let go,
To yield the Mans are ever slow.
Who would win the next battle will be related in the next chapter.
Footnote
* Wu lies to the east of Shu and south of Wei.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
Crossing the Lu River Meng Huo Is Recaptured
Failing in His Trick Meng Huo Is Captured a Third Time
When they learned that their commander had released the king of the Mans, the officers came to his tent to enquire. “Meng Huo is the most important leader of all the Mans, and his capture is key to restoring order in the south,” they said. “Why then, sir, did you release him?”
“I can capture him just as easily as I can get something out of my pocket. What I want to do is to win his heart so that peace may follow of itself.”
However, the officers had no great confidence in the success of this policy of conciliation.
In the meantime, Meng Huo had reached the Lu River where he fell in with some of his defeated men, who were seeking news of their king’s fate. Surprised but glad to see him, they bowed and asked him how he had been able to get back.
Meng Huo lied. “They confined me in a tent but I slew about a dozen of the guards and broke loose under the cover of the night. And then I met one of their sentinels, killed him, and snatched his horse.”
They were very happy to hear this and crossed the river with him to their camp. Then Meng Huo assembled together all the other chiefs and gradually gathered the soldiers that had been released by Zhuge Liang. Finally, he was able to muster a fighting force of more than a 100,000 men.
The two leaders in the previous battle, Dongtuna and Ahuinan, had returned to their own places, and were summoned to join their king. Afraid to disobey, they came with their forces. When all had assembled, Meng Huo said: “I know Zhuge Liang is too full of ruses for us to conquer him in a fight—we will only fall victims to his base tricks. However, we must remember that his men are exhausted from their long march and they are unaccustomed to the sultry weather here, which are factors in our favor. They cannot hold out for long. Besides, we have the Lu River as our rampart. We will keep our boats and rafts on the south bank and build a long, mud wall. With such good defenses we can afford to wait and see what Zhuge Liang can do.”
His speech met with general approval and his plan was carried out. The boats and rafts were collected along the southern bank and the wall built all around. Turrets were constructed among the high crags and hills, and plenty of large bows, crossbows, and balistae were set to prepare for a protracted period of defense. Moreover, grain and forage was supplied by his allied chiefs. Having made these preparations, Meng Huo felt perfectly secure.
In the meantime, Zhuge Liang had led his army to advance and his leading division was now close to the river. However, no boats or rafts could be found to cross and the current was too strong to consider fording. They could see the defenses on the opposite bank, the mud wall and the turrets all fully manned. The weather was burning hot, for it was the fifth month* of the year, and the southern heat was intolerable. The soldiers could not put on their armor, nor even their clothing.
Zhuge Liang went to inspect the river. When he returned to his tent he assembled his officers, to whom he issued the following order: “The enemy is securely established on the south bank, ready to repel our attack. Yet, having come so far we cannot return without success. For the present you must all seek what shelter you can find in the forests to rest and refresh your men.”
Then he sent Lu Kai to select a cool spot about a hundred li from the river, where he built four stockades to be defended by the four young officers, Wang Ping, Guan Suo, and the two Zhangs. Within the stockades he built huts for the men and sheds for the horses, so that they were sheltered from the scorching sun.
However, the advisor Jiang Wan was apprehensive of the location of these shelters. He went to see Zhuge Liang to whom he said, “I find Lu Kai’s shelters very unsuitable. He has made the same mistake as our late king when he suffered the defeat at the hands of Wu. He has not taken into account the surroundings of the stockades. If the Mans should cross over and start a fire, there could be no rescue.”
“Don’t worry,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “I have my plans.”
But Jiang Wan, as well as the others, did not know what their commander meant to do.
At this time Ma Dai arrived from Chengdu, bringing with him medicines for summer ailments and more supplies of grain. After paying his respects to Zhuge Liang, he proceeded to distribute the medicine and the supplies he had brought to the four stockades.
Zhuge Liang asked, “How many men have you brought?”
“Three thousand.”
“My men are weary and worn out. I want to use yours. You have no objections?”
“Of course not—mine are also government troops. If you wish to use my men, sir, we are ready to die for you.”
“This Meng Huo is established on the river and we have no means of crossing. I want to intercept his supplies first so that his men may mutiny.”
“How can we do that?”
“Some distance downstream there is a place called Shakou, where the current is slow. You can cross there on rafts. Take your men across and cut his supply route. After that you are to ally with the two chiefs whose lives I spared and make them your spies on the inside. Remember, there should be no mistakes.”
Ma Dai went off gladly with his men to Shakou, where they set about crossing the river at once. As the water was shallow they did not trouble to make rafts, but just tucked up their clothes and waded in. But halfway across, the men suddenly fell down. When they had been rescued and taken to shore they began to bleed from the nose and mouth and presently died. Greatly alarmed, Ma Dai hastened back to tell Zhuge Liang, who called in the native guides and asked them what this meant. They
told him that it happened every summer. In the hot season, poisonous miasma accumulated over the waters of the Lu River, especially during the heat of the day. Anyone who drank the water would surely die. Travelers who wished to cross had to wait till nighttime, when the water was cool and the poisonous vapors did not rise. Before crossing they should also have a full meal.
Zhuge Liang then asked the local guides to lead the way. He also picked out five hundred well-seasoned soldiers to go with Ma Dai to Shakou. This time they lashed together poles to make rafts and at midnight the crossing was safely accomplished. Once on the opposite shore, Ma Dai ordered the guides to lead his troops to where all the grain wagons of the Mans had to pass. This place was a narrow gorge, called Cross Hill Gorge. High hills rose on both sides, leaving a very narrow pathway in the middle. Only single file was possible, as the pathway was wide enough for one man and one horse.
Ma Dai at once occupied this crucial point and stationed his force there. A stockade was put up with tents inside. The Mans, unaware of the danger, soon came up with a convoy of grain, and it was quickly seized. The men ran off to the king’s camp to tell him.
Meng Huo, thinking all was safe during the hot season, was indulging himself in wine and music every day, and military matters were far from his thoughts. In his cups he conceded Zhuge Liang was full of schemes but said his army had nothing to fear.
“If I attempt to oppose Zhuge Liang I will certainly fall victim to some wile of his. However, my waiting policy is a safe one. With our defenses, and the river to thwart them, we can wait for the heat to overcome these men of Shu, who cannot stand the sweltering weather. They will have to retreat and then we can harass them. We will capture this Zhuge Liang.”
He lay back and laughed at the thought. However, one chief, more prudent than the others, stood forth and said, “But what about the shallows at Shakou? It would be a real threat if the men of Shu should get across there secretly. We ought to send men to guard it.”
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 19
