“Truly a most wonderful genius!” sighed Sima Yi.
Then he led his army to Chang’an, where he sent his officers to guard various strategic points while he himself went on to Luoyang to visit the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Yang Yi and Jiang Wei arranged their men in good order and retreated slowly into the entrance to the wooden plank road built along high rock faces, when they changed into mourning garb, hoisted white banners, and gave vent to their anguish for their deceased prime minister. The soldiers struck their heads and stamped their feet while they wailed uncontrollably. Some even cried themselves to death.
But as the leading division entered upon the road they saw a great blaze in front, and, with a loud shout, a cohort came out barring the way. The officers, taken aback, at once sent the news to Yang Yi.
The regiments of Wei were nowhere near,
Then who could be these soldiers that appeared?
Whose army this was will be disclosed in the next chapter.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE
Zhuge Liang Leaves a Plan in the Silk Bag
Cao Rui Obtains the Dew-Collecting Bronze Bowl
When he was informed of the trouble ahead, Yang Yi immediately sent someone to find out what force this was that stood in his way. The scout returned to say it was Wei Yan, who had burned the wooden plank road and barred the way.
Startled, Yang Yi said, “When he was alive, the prime minister foretold that this man would one day revolt, and today he’s indeed turned traitor! Now our road of retreat is cut. What’s to be done?”
Fei Yi said, “He must have first sent a false memorial to the Emperor, accusing us of rebelling, before destroying the wooden plank road in order to hold up our progress. Therefore, we must also send a memorial to the Emperor to relate the truth and then plan his destruction.”
Jiang Wei said, “I know a pathway here, called Chasan. It is precipitous and dangerous, but it can lead us round to the rear of the wooden plank road.”
So they prepared a memorial and then turned off to follow the narrow mountain path.
Away in the capital, the Second Ruler of Shu was deeply troubled. He lost his appetite and felt restless in everything he did. One night he dreamed that the Brocade Screen Hills that protected the capital were riven and dangerous. He woke up in alarm and sat up till morning, when he called in his officials to interpret his vision.
Qiao Zhou stood forth and said, “I saw a large red star with horny rays fall from the northeast to the southwest last night, which foretells a disastrous misfortune befalling the prime minister. Your Majesty’s dream corresponds to that.”
The Second Ruler’s anxiety increased. Presently Li Fu returned and was summoned into his lord’s presence at once.
Li Fu bowed his head and wept as he said, “The prime minister is no more.”
Then he repeated word for word Zhuge Liang’s dying message.
The Second Ruler, overcome with grief, wailed loudly. “Heaven smites me!” he cried and fell, collapsing on to his couch. The attendants helped him into an inner chamber, and when Empress Dowager Wu heard the sad tidings she also wept without ceasing. All the officials wept in distress, and all the common people wailed in agony.
The Second Ruler was deeply affected, and for several days could hold no court. At this time Wei Yan’s memorial arrived, accusing Yang Yi of rebellion. The astounded courtiers went to their lord’s chamber to report this—at the time Empress Dowager Wu was also present. Astounded, the Second Ruler told a courtier to read it aloud. In brief, it ran like this:
I, Wei Yan, General–Conquering the West and Marquis of Nanzheng, submit this report with bowed head: Yang Yi has assumed command of the army and is in rebellion. He has made off with the coffin of the late prime minister and intends to bring the enemies into our land. As a precaution, I have burned the wooden plank road and posted my troop to hinder his progress.
The Second Ruler said, “Wei Yan is a valiant general and could easily have overcome Yang Yi—why then did he destroy the plank road?”
Empress Dowager Wu replied, “The late Emperor used to say that Zhuge Liang knew that treachery lurked in the heart of Wei Yan, and had often wished to put him to death. He only spared him because of his valor. We should not believe too readily his tale of Yang Yi’s rebellion. Yang Yi is a scholar, and the late prime minister employed him as an advisor, which showed he must be a reliable person. If we act rashly on Wei Yan’s words alone, Yang Yi would certainly go over to Wei. Nothing should be done without due consideration.”
As they were discussing this matter, an urgent memorial came from Yang Yi. Opening it, they read:
I, Yang Yi, leader of the retreating army, with all humility and trepidation, present this memorial. In his last moments the late prime minister delegated to me the charge of all matters of importance. I have respected this charge and acted in accordance with his policies without daring to make any changes. I ordered Wei Yan to command the rearguard with Jiang Wei as his second. But Wei Yen ignored the command of the late prime minister. He led his own army into Hanzhong, burned the wooden plank road, and tried to steal away the coffin of the late minister. He has staged a sudden rebellion. I send this memorial in haste.
The Empress Dowager listened to the end. Then, turning to the courtiers, she said, “What is your opinion now?”
Jiang Wan replied, “In my humble opinion, Yang Yi may be hasty and intolerant, but he has rendered good services in seeing to the army supplies and advising on military affairs. He has long been a trusted subordinate of the late prime minister, who entrusted to him the command of the army. Certainly he is no rebel. On the other hand, Wei Yan regards himself superior to everybody else because of his past merits. Yang Yi is the only one who has openly defied him, and hence Wei Yan hates him. When he saw Yang Yi placed in charge of the army he refused to accept his command. Therefore he burned the plank road to cut off Yang Yi’s retreat, and at the same time sent a false report to slander him. I am ready to guarantee Yang Yi’s fealty with the lives of my whole house, but I would not answer for Wei Yan.”
Dong Yun followed, “Wei Yan has always been conceited about his merits. He is discontented and complains a lot. Only fear of the late prime minister prevented him from revolting. Now the minister has passed away and it is inevitable that he would seize the occasion to stir up trouble. As for Yang Yi, he is a man of superior ability, and his employment by the late minister is proof of his loyalty.”
“If this is true and Wei Yan is really a rebel, what should be done?” asked the Second Ruler.
Jiang Wan replied, “The late prime minister always distrusted him and hence must have left some scheme with Yang Yi to get rid of him. Had it been otherwise Yang Yi would not have retreated into the valley. Your Majesty may rest assured that Wei Yan will fall into some trap.”
Soon afterwards, two more memorials, one from Wei Yan and the other from Yang Yi arrived, each accusing the other of rebelling. Still more memorials of the same nature followed. Then Fei Yi returned from the front. He was summoned into the presence of the Emperor, to whom he reported in detail Wei Yan’s revolt.
The situation being clear, the Emperor decided to send Dong Yun with authority to negotiate peace between the two with kind words. So Dong Yun left on this mission.
At this time, Wei Yan had camped at the South Valley and guarded its entrance with his troops. He thought his plan was succeeding well. It had not occurred to him that Yang Yi and Jiang Wei could get past him by some byroads. Meanwhile, Yang Yi, for fear that Hanzhong might be lost, sent his van leader, He Ping, to advance first with 3,000 men while he and Jiang Wei, guarding the coffin, followed with the main force.
When He Ping and his men got to the rear of Wei Yan’s position they announced their approach with rolling drums. Scouts quickly reported this to Wei Yan, who at once armed himself, took his sword, and rode out to confront He Ping. When both sides were arrayed He Ping rode to the front and began to revile his opponent.
“Where is that rebel Wei Yan?” cried He Ping.
“You are an accomplice of that traitor Yang Yi,” cried Wei Yan. “How dare you abuse me?”
He Ping continued, “Our prime minister has just passed away, his body not even cold. How dare you rebel?”
Then pointing with his whip at the followers of Wei Yan, he cried, “And you soldiers are men of Shu. You all have fathers and mothers, wives and children, relatives and friends in the west. Were you ever treated unkindly by the prime minister that you should join a traitor and aid his wicked schemes? You ought to return home and wait for your rewards.”
Hearing this, the majority of Wei Yan’s men responded with a loud shout and scattered.
Wei Yan was now in a rage. He whirled up his sword and galloped straight at He Ping, who went to meet him with his spear ready. They fought several bouts, and then He Ping rode away, feigning defeat. Wei Yan followed, but He Ping’s men began to shoot, and Wei Yan had to halt his pursuit. As he turned back he saw many of his men fleeing. His anger rising again, he rode after them and cut some of them down, but this did not stop the others from deserting. The only group that held their ground was the three hundred commanded by Ma Dai.
“You support me whole-heartedly,” said Wei Yan. “I will surely remember you in the days of success.”
The two then went in pursuit of He Ping, who swiftly fled away.
Mustering his remaining men, Wei Yan said to Ma Dai, “What if we go over to Wei?”
“That’s very unwise, General,” replied Ma Dai. “Why should a real hero bend his knee to another, but not instead carve out his own fortune? General, you have both wisdom and valor. No man in the whole of Shu could hope to stand up to you. I pledge myself to go with you to seize Hanzhong first, and then to attack the west.”
Greatly pleased, Wei Yan marched with Ma Dai toward Nanzheng.* From the city wall Jiang Wei saw them approach swiftly, displaying their prowess. He at once ordered the drawbridge to be raised.
As they drew near, both Wei Yan and Ma Dai shouted, “Surrender!”
Jiang Wei took counsel with Yang Yi. “Wei Yan is brave and fierce and now he has Ma Dai to support him. In spite of the smallness of his following, it won’t be easy to beat him. What should we do?”
Yang Yi replied, “Just before his death the prime minister gave me a silk bag, which he said I was to open when meeting Wei Yan’s rebellious troops. It contains a plan to get rid of this rebel. It seems that now is the moment to open it.”
So he opened the bag and drew forth the note inside. On the cover he read, “To be opened when meeting Wei Yan on the battleground.”
Jiang Wei said, “Since the prime minister ordered you to open the bag at a specific moment, don’t read it now. Let me take the army out and form a battle array. Then you can come forth.”
Jiang Wei donned his armor, took his spear, and rode out with 3,000 men. They marched out of the city gates amid the beating of drums. The array completed, Jiang Wei took his place under the great standard and began to denounce Wei Yan.
“Rebel Wei Yan, the prime minister never ill-treated you—why have you turned traitor?”
Wei Yan reined up his horse, lowered his sword, and replied, “This is no concern of yours, Jiang Wei. Tell Yang Yi to come.”
Now Yang Yi, hiding in the shade of the standard, opened the bag and read Zhuge Liang’s instruction. Overjoyed with its content, he rode blithely to the front. Pointing at Wei Yan he said, smiling, “When the prime minister was alive he foresaw that you would rebel and told me to be on my guard. How right he was! Now if you are bold enough to shout on horseback three times, ‘Who dares to kill me?’ then you will be a real hero and I will yield to you the whole of Hanzhong.”
Wei Yan laughed. “Listen, you old fool! While Zhuge Liang lived I feared him somewhat. But now that he is dead, who dares to defy me? I have no fear to shout thirty thousand times, let alone three times.”
He raised his sword, held his bridle, and shouted, “Who dares to kill me?”
Before he’d finished speaking, from behind him someone shouted savagely, “I dare to kill you!” At the same moment the man brought down his sword and Wei Yan fell dead beneath his horse. All were stunned at this sudden turn of events. It was Ma Dai who had cut down Wei Yan!
Now before Zhuge Liang died, he had entrusted Ma Dai with a secret plan: he was to slay Wei Yan abruptly when he heard the latter shout these very words. Yang Yi knew what was going to happen after reading the note in the silk bag. So he followed the instructions and Wei Yan was killed.
A poem says:
Zhuge Liang foresaw the treason in Wei,
He’d turn traitor to Shu in latter days.
The plan in the bag no one could foresee.
But its success was shown before the steed.
So before Dong Yun had reached Nanzheng, Ma Dai had already slain Wei Yan and joined forces with Jiang Wei. Then Yang Yi dispatched a message to the Second Ruler to report what had happened. Consequently the Second Ruler issued an edict that as Wei Yan had paid the penalty for his crime he was to be properly buried in consideration of his former services.
Yang Yi and the others continued their journey and in due time arrived at the capital with the coffin of the late prime minister. The Second Ruler led out the whole court, all in mourning white, to meet them twenty li ahead of the capital. He lifted up his voice and cried for his deceased minister, and with him cried all the officials. Wailing, too, were the common folks from the hills and woods, of all ages and both sexes. The sound of their lament shook the earth.
By royal command the coffin was borne into the city to the prime minister’s residence. His son, Zhuge Zhan, was in charge of the funeral.
When the Second Ruler returned to court, Yang Yi appeared before him in bonds and blamed himself for his faults. The Second Ruler ordered the courtiers to loosen his bonds and said, “Were it not for you carrying out the orders of the late prime minister, when would his coffin have reached home? And how could Wei Yan be destroyed? Thanks to you, everything important was secure.”
Yang Yi was promoted to be Chief Advisor of the Center Army, and Ma Dai was rewarded with the rank that Wei Yan had forfeited.
Yang Yi presented Zhuge Liang’s testament, which the Second Ruler read with bitter tears. Then he ordered that a suitable site be selected by diviners as the burying ground for the great minister of the state.
At this Fei Yi said to the Second Ruler, “When nearing his end the prime minister commanded that he should be buried on Dingjun Hills, and there should be no brick walls around his tomb, nor any sacrifices offered to him.”
This wish was respected, and they chose a propitious day in the tenth month for the interment. The Second Ruler himself led the funeral procession to the grave on Dingjun Hills. The posthumous title conferred upon Zhuge Liang was Lord of Zhong-wu (Loyal and Martial), and a temple was built in Mianyang, where sacrifices were offered at the four seasons.
The great poet Du Fu, who visited the shrine many centuries later, wrote the following poem:
Oh, where can I find the prime minister’s shrine?
Outside the town, where cypress trees grow tall.
Beneath sunlit steps the green grass wears the verdure of spring;
Hid amongst leaves orioles sing in vain their beautiful songs.
Thrice his lord sought him for a plan to rule the land;
Two reigns he set his heart to build and defend.
But ‘ere was completed all his plans conceived
He died; and heroes since for him have e’er grieved.
On his return to the capital, the Second Ruler was told that the kingdom of Wu had deployed a large army at the boundary of Baqiu and its intention was unknown.
Startled, the Second Ruler said, “The prime minister has just died yet Wu is already breaking its oath and pressing our borders. What can we do?”
Jiang Wan replied, “I suggest we send Wang Ping and Zhang Ni to camp at Yongan as a precautionary measu
re, and at the same time dispatch an envoy to Wu to announce the death of the prime minister and find out their true intentions.”
“The envoy must be good at persuasion,” said the Second Ruler.
At this an official stepped from the ranks of courtiers and offered himself. He was Zong Yu, a native of Nanyang, holding two posts in the army. Much delighted, the Second Ruler appointed him envoy to Wu and told him to probe the real situation.
Zong Yu set out for the Wu capital, where he was taken before its ruler, Sun Quan. When he had made his obeisance the envoy noticed that all the attendants were dressed in mourning.
Assuming an angry countenance Sun Quan spoke sternly: “Our two states are now one house; why has your master increased the guard at Yongan?”
Zong Yu replied, “It seems to me circumstances have made it necessary for the west to increase the garrison at Yongan as much as for the east to have a force at Baqiu. Neither is worth questioning.”
“As an envoy you seem no inferior to Deng Zhi,” said the ruler of Wu, smiling. “When I heard that your Prime Minister Zhuge had gone to Heaven I wept daily and ordered all my officials to wear mourning. I feared that Wei might take advantage of the occasion to attack your country, so I increased the garrison at Baqiu, intending to help you in case of need.”
The envoy bowed and thanked him.
“I would not go back upon the pledge between us,” promised Sun Quan.
The envoy said, “My master has sent me to inform Your Majesty of the recent death of our prime minister.”
To reassure the envoy, Sun Quan picked up a silver barbed arrow. Snapping it in two, he vowed, “If I betray my oath may my posterity perish!”
Then he also appointed an envoy to Shu, taking with him incense, silk, and other things to be offered as sacrifices at the tomb of the deceased minister. The two envoys took leave of the ruler of Wu and journeyed to the Shu capital, where they went to see the Second Ruler.
Zong Yu said, “The Emperor of Wu is grieved over the death of our prime minister and put his court into mourning. The increased garrison at Baqiu is intended to safeguard us from Wei, lest they exploit the occasion of a public sorrow to attack. And he has broke an arrow in two to pledge never to betray the alliance.”
The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation Page 45
