Guo Huai laid before his colleague the scheme to overcome the
army of Shu, saying, "The Qiang tribes have paid tribute regularly since
the days of the Founder of Wei. Emperor Pi regarded them with favor. Now let us
hold such points of vantage as we may, while we send secret emissaries to
engage their help in exchange for kindly treatment. We may get the Qiangs to
attack Shu and engage their attention, while we gather a large army to smite
them at another place. Thus attacking, how can we help gaining a great
victory?"
A
messenger was sent forthwith bearing letters to the Qiang tribespeople.
The
King of the western Qiangs was named Cheli Ji. He had rendered yearly tribute
since the days of Cao Cao. He had two ministers, one for civil and the other
for military affairs, named, respectively, Prime Minister Ya Dan and Chief
Leader Yue Ji.
The letter was accompanied by presents of gold and pearls,
and when the messenger arrived, he first sought Prime Minister Ya Dan, to whom
he gave gifts and whose help he begged. Thus he gained an interview with the
King, to whom he presented the letter and the gifts. The King accepted both and
called his counselors to consider the letter.
Ya
Dan said, "We have had regular intercourse with the Wei kingdom. Now that
Cao Zhen asks our aid and promises an alliance, we ought to accede to his
request."
Cheli
Ji agreed that it was so, and he ordered his two chief ministers to raise an
army of two hundred fifty thousand of trained soldiers, archers and
crossbowmen, spearmen and swordsmen, warriors who flung maces and hurled
hammers. Beside these various weapons, the tribesmen used chariots covered with
iron plates nailed on. They prepared much grain and fodder and many spare
weapons, all of which they loaded upon these iron-clad chariots. The chariots
were drawn by camels or teams of horses. The carts or chariots were known as
"iron chariots".
The
two leaders took leave of their King and went straightway to Xiping Pass.
The
commander in charge of the Pass, Han Zhen, at once sent intelligence to Zhuge
Liang, who asked, "Who will go to attack the Qiangs?"
Guan Xing and Zhang Bao said they would go.
Then
Zhuge Liang said, "You shall be sent. But as you are ignorant of the road
and the people, Ma Dai shall accompany you."
To
Ma Dai he said, "You know the disposition of the Qiangs from your long
residence there. You shall go as guide."
They
chose out fifty thousand of veterans for the expedition.
When they had marched a few
days and drew near their enemy, Guan Xing went in advance with a hundred
horsemen and got first sight of them from a hill. The Qiangs were marching, the
long line of iron chariots one behind another in close order. Then they halted
and camped, their weapons piled all along the line of chariots like the
ramparts of a moated city. Guan Xing studied them for a long time quite at a
loss to think how to overcome them. He came back to camp and consulted with his
two colleagues.
Ma
Dai said, "We will see tomorrow what they will do when we make our array,
and discuss our plans when we know more."
So
the next day they drew up their army in three divisions, Guan Xing's division
being in the center, Zhang Bao's in the left, and Ma Dai's in the right. Thus
they advanced.
The
enemy also drew up in battle order. Their Chief Leader, Yue Ji, had an iron
mace in his hand and a graven bow hung at his waist. He rode forward on a curvetting
steed boldly enough.
Guan
Xing gave the order for all three divisions to go forward. Then the enemy's
ranks opened in the center and out rolled the iron chariots like a great wave.
At the same time the Qiangs shot arrows and bolts, and the men of Shu could not
stand against them.
The
wing divisions under Ma Dai and Zhang Bao retired, and the Qiangs were thus
enabled to surround the center.
In
spite of every effort, Guan Xing could not get free, for the iron chariots were
like a city wall and no opening could be found. The troops of Shu were
absolutely helpless, and Guan Xing made for the mountains in hope of finding a
road through.
As
it grew dark a Qiang leader with a black flag approached, his warriors like a
swarm of wasps about him.
Presently
the leader cried out to him, "Youthful general, flee not. I am Yue
Ji!".
But
Guan Xing only hastened forward, plying his whip to urge his steed. Then he
suddenly came on a deep gully, and there seemed nothing but to turn and fight.
Yue
Ji come close and struck at him with the mace. Guan Xing evaded the blow, but
it fell upon his steed and knocked it over into water.
Guan
Xing went into the water too.
Presently he heard a great noise again behind him. Yue Ji and
his troops had found a way down into the gully and were coming at him down the
stream. Guan Xing braced himself for a struggle in the water.
Then
he saw Zhang Bao and Ma Dai coming up on the bank fighting with, and driving
off, the Qiangs. Yue Ji was struck by Zhang Bao, and he too fell into the
gully. Guan Xing gripped his sword and was about to launch a stroke at Yue Ji
as he came up, when Yue Ji jumped out of the water and ran away.
At
once Guan Xing caught the steed Yue Ji had left, led it up the bank and soon
had it ready to mount. Then he girded on his sword, got on the horse, and
joined the battle with his colleagues.
After
driving off the Qiangs, Guan Xing, Zhang Bao, and Ma Dai gathered together and
rode back. They quickly gained the camp.
"I
do not know how to overcome these men," said Ma Dai. "Let me protect
the camp while you go back and ask the Prime Minister what we should do."
Guan
Xing and Zhang Bao started at once and made the best of their way back. They
told Zhuge Liang what had happened.
He
at once sent off Zhao Zilong and Wei Yan to go into ambush. After this he went
himself with thirty thousand troops and Jiang Wei, Zhang Yi, Guan Xing, and
Zhang Bao and soon came to Ma Dai's camp.
The
day after, from the summit of a hill, Zhuge Liang surveyed the country and the
enemy, who were coming on in a ceaseless stream.
"It
is not difficult," said Zhuge Liang.
He
called up Ma Dai and Zhang Yi and gave them certain orders.
They
having gone, he turned to Jiang Wei, saying, "My friend, do you know how
to overcome them?"
"The
enemy only depend upon force and courage. They shall not expect this fine
strategy," was the reply.
"You
know," said Zhuge Liang, smiling. "Those dark clouds and the strong
north wind mean snow. Then I can do what I wish."
The
two leaders, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, were sent into ambush, and Jiang Wei went
out to offer battle.
But
he was to retire before the iron chariots. At the entrance to the camp were
displayed many flags, but the soldiers that should serve under them were not
there.
It
was now full winter, the twelfth month, and the snow had come. The army of Shu
went out to offer battle. When the iron chariots came forward, they retired and
thus led the Qiangs to the gate of the camp, Jiang Wei going to its rear.
The
Qiangs came to the gate and stopped to look. They heard the strumming of a
lute, but there were no soldiers there; the flags meant nothing.
They
told Yue Ji, and he suspected some ruse. Instead of entering, he went back to
Prime Minister Ya Dan and told him.
"It is a ruse," said Ya Dan. "Zhuge Liang's
base trick is the pretense of a pretense, and you had better attack."
So
Yue Ji led his troops again to the camp gate, and there he saw Zhuge Liang with
a lute just getting into his chariot. With a small escort, he went toward the
back of the camp.
The
tribesmen rushed into the camp and caught sight of the light chariot again just
as it disappeared into a wood. Then said Ya Dan, "There may be an ambush,
but I think we need not be afraid of these soldiers."
Hence
they decided to pursue. Ahead of them they saw the division under Jiang Wei
hastening off through the snow. Yue Ji's rage boiled up at this sight, and he
urged his men to go faster. The snow had filled in the roads among the hills,
making every part look like a level plain.
As
they marched, one reported that some of the enemy were appearing from the rear of
the hills. Some thought this meant an ambush, but Ya Dan said it did not
matter, and they need not fear. He urged them to hasten.
Shortly after this they
heard a roaring as if the hills were rending asunder and the earth falling in,
and the pursuers on foot fell one atop of the other into great pits that were
invisible in the snow. The iron chariots, being close behind and hurrying
along, could not stop, and they went into the pits also.
Those
still farther in the rear halted, but just as they were facing about, Guan Xing
and Zhang Bao came up, one on either side, and attacked. Myriads of bolts flew
through the air.
Then
three other divisions under Jiang Wei, Ma Dai, and Zhang Yi arrived and
confusion was worse than ever.
The
Qiang leader, Yue Ji, fled to the rear and was making for the mountains when he
met Guan Xing, who slew him in the first encounter. Prime Minister Ya Dan was
captured by Ma Dai and taken to the main camp. The soldiers scattered.
Hearing
of the capture of one leader, Zhuge Liang took his seat in his tent and bade
them bring the prisoner. He told the guards to loose his bonds, and he had wine
brought to refresh him and soothed him with kindly words.
Ya
Dan was grateful for this kindness, and felt more so when Zhuge Liang said,
"My master, the Emperor of the Great Han, sent me to destroy those who are
in revolt. Why are you helping them? But I will release you, and you will
return to your master and say that we are neighbors and we will swear an oath
of everlasting friendship, and tell him to listen no more to the words of those
rebels."
Ya Dan was released and so were all the soldiers that had
been captured, and all their stuff was given back to them. They left for their
own country.
The
Qiangs being thus disposed of, Zhuge Liang quickly marched again to Qishan. He
sent letters to Capital Chengdu announcing his success.
Meanwhile
Cao Zhen anxiously waited for news of his expected allies. Then a scout came in
with the news that the army of Shu had broken camp and were marching away.
"That
is because the Qiangs have attacked," said Guo Huai gleefully, and the two
made ready to pursue.
They saw ahead of them the army of Shu seemed to be in
confusion. The Van Leader Cao Zun led the pursuit.
Suddenly,
as he pressed on, there came a roll of drums, followed by the appearance of a
cohort led by Wei Yan, who cried, "Stop! You rebels!"
But
Cao Zun did not obey the summons. He dashed forward to meet the attack. He was
killed in the third encounter.
His
colleague Zhu Zan in similar fashion fell in with a cohort under Zhao Zilong,
to whose long spear he soon fell victim.
The
loss of these two made Cao Zhen and Guo Huai hesitate, and they made to retire.
But
before they could face about, they heard the drums of an army in their rear,
and Guan Xing and Zhang Bao came out and surrounded them. Cao Zhen and Guo Huai
made a stand for a time, but were soon worsted and fled. The army of Shu
pursued the beaten enemy to the bank of River Wei, where they took possession
of the Wei camp.
Cao
Zhen was greatly chagrined at his defeat and sad at the loss of his generals.
He send a report of his misfortune to his master and asked for reinforcements.
At
the court of Wei one of the ministers told the story, saying, "Cao Zhen
has been defeated repeatedly, and his two Van Leaders were slain. Further, his
Qiang allies have suffered great loss. Cao Zhen is sending for help, and the
case is very urgent."
Cao
Rui was alarmed and asked for someone to say how to drive off the victorious
foe.
Thereupon Hua Xin said, "It will be necessary for Your
Majesty to go in person. You should call together all the nobles, and each will
have to exert himself. Unless this is done, Capital Changan will be lost and
the whole Land Within the Passes be in danger."
But
Imperial Guardian Zhong Yao opposed him.
Said he, "The knowledge of every leader must exceed that
of those led; then only will he be able to control them. Sun Zi the Strategist
sums it up very briefly: 'Know the enemy, know thyself, and every battle is a
victory.' I know Cao Zhen has had great experience in the field, but he is no
match for Zhuge Liang. Still there is such a match, and I will pledge my whole
family that he will succeed. But Your Majesty may be unwilling to listen to
me."
The
Ruler of Wei replied, "You are a minister of high rank and old. If you
know any wise person able to repel these soldiers of Shu, call him without
delay and ease my mind."
Then said Zhong Yao, "When Zhuge Liang decided to invade
us, he was afraid of the one man I will name. Wherefore he spread calumnies
concerning him, raising suspicion in Your Majesty's mind that you might dismiss
him. That done, Zhuge Liang invaded. Now employ this man again, and the enemy
will retire."
"Who
is it?" asked the Ruler of Wei.
"I mean the Imperial Commander of the Flying Cavalry,
Sima Yi."
"I
have long regretted my action," said Cao Rui. "Where now is friend
Sima Yi?"
"He is at the city of Wancheng, idle."
An
edict was prepared recalling Sima Yi and restoring him to his rank and titles,
and conferring upon him the new title Commander-in-Chief of the Western Forces
and General Who Pacifies the West. All troops of Nanyang were set in motion, and
Cao Rui led them to Changan.
At
the same time Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to be there to meet him on a certain day.
And the orders were sent by a swift messenger to the city of Wancheng.
At
this time Zhuge Liang greatly rejoiced at the success he had had. He was at
Qishan, busy with plans for other victories, when Li Yan, who was in command at
the Palace of Eternal Peace, sent his son Li Teng to the camp. Zhuge Liang
concluded that such a visit could only mean that Wu had invaded them, and he
was in consequence cast down.
However,
he summoned Li Teng to his tent, and when asked the object of his mission, Li
Teng replied that he had joyful news to impart.
"What
is your joyful news?" said Zhuge Liang.
"Formerly
Meng Da deserted to Wei, but only because he could do nothing else. Cao Pi
thought much of his capabilities, treated him most generously, kept him at his
side, gave him titles of General Who Establishes Strong Arms and Lord of
Pingyang, and appointed him to the posts of Governor of Xincheng and Commander
of Shangyong and Jincheng, and so on. But when Cao Pi died, all was changed. In
Cao Rui's court were many who were jealous of Meng Da's influence and power, so
that he enjoyed no peace.
"He
used to talk about being originally one of the Shu leaders, and he was forced
to do so-and-so. Lately he has sent several confidants with letters to my
father asking that he would state his case to you as to the happenings. When
the five armies came upon Shu, he wanted to rejoin the River Lands. Now he is
at Xincheng, and, hearing you are attacking Wei, he proposes to lead the army
of the three counties about Xincheng, Jincheng, and Shangyong to attack Luoyang
while you attack Changan, whereby both capitals will be taken. I have brought
with me his messenger and his letters."
This
was good news, and the bearer was fittingly rewarded. But at that moment came
the news that Cao Rui was leading an army to Changan and had recalled the
banished Sima Yi to office. This piece of bad news saddened Zhuge Liang not a
little.
He
told Ma Su, who said, "Cao Rui should not be your worry. If he goes to
Changan, we will march there and capture him on the road, and there will be an
end of him."
"Do
you think I fear him?" said Zhuge Liang bitterly. "But the recall of
Sima Yi is another matter; that troubles me. And Meng Da's proposal will avail
nothing if he comes across this man. Meng Da is no match for him. He will he
captured, and, if he should be, the Middle Land will be hard to conquer."
"Why
not put Meng Da on his guard then?" said Ma Su.
Zhuge Liang decided to write, and the letter was dispatched
immediately.
Meng
Da was then at Xincheng, anxiously expecting the return of his last
confidential messenger, when, one day, the man returned and gave him this letter
from Zhuge Liang himself:
"Your last letter has convinced me of your loyal
rectitude, and I still remember with joy our old friendship. If your plan
succeeds, you will certainly stand in the first rank of most worthy ministers.
But I scarcely need impress upon you the extreme necessity for most perfect
secrecy. Be very careful whom you trust. Fear everyone, guard against everyone.
This news of the recall of Sima Yi and the proposed junction of armies at
Changan is very serious. If a word reaches Sima Yi, he will come to you first.
Therefore take every precaution and do not regard this as a matter of
unimportance."
"They
say Zhuge Liang leaves nothing to chance," said Meng Da, smiling as he
read. "This proves it."
He
lost no time in preparing a reply, which he sent also by a trusty messenger.
This letter was like this:
"I acknowledge your most valuable advice, but is it possible that I
should be remiss? For my part I do not think the Sima Yi's affair need cause
anxiety, for Wancheng is three hundred miles from Luoyang and four hundred
miles from Xincheng. Should he hear anything, it would take a month to send a
memorial to the capital and get a reply. My ramparts here are strong and my
forces posted in the best positions. Let him come! I am not afraid of the
result, so you, O Prime Minister, need feel no anxiety. You have only to wait
for the good news of success."
Zhuge
Liang read the letter and threw it on the ground, stamping his foot with rage.
"Meng
Da is a dead man!" said he, "A victim of Sima Yi."
"Why
do you say that?" said Ma Su.
"What does the Art of War say? 'Attack before the enemy
is prepared; do what he does not expect.' What is the use of reckoning upon a
month's delay for sending up a memorial? Cao Rui's commission has already gone,
and Sima Yi may strike whom he will. He will not have to wait to memorialize
the Throne. Ten days after he hears of Meng Da's defection, he will be upon
Meng Da with an army, and Meng Da will be helpless."
The
others agreed. However, Zhuge Liang sent the messenger back again with a
message:
"If
the matter has not yet actually started, no other person is to be told of it;
for if anyone knows, it shall certainly come to nothing.”
And
the messenger left for Xincheng.
In his idle retreat in
Wancheng, Sima Yi had heard of his master's ill-success against the armies of
Shu, and the news made him very sad. He lifted up his eyes and sighed.
He
had two sons, Sima Shi the elder and Sima Zhao, both clever and ambitious, and
both earnest students of military books. One day they were present when their
father seemed very cast down, and Sima Shi asked his father the reason.
"You
would not understand," said the father.
"I
think you are grieving because the Ruler of Wei does not use you," replied
Sima Shi.
"But
they will send for you presently," said Sima Zhao.
The
prophecy was not long in fulfillment, for even then the bearer of the command
stood at the gate, and the servant announced a messenger from the court bearing
a commission.
As
soon as he heard its terms, Sima Yi set about ordering the armies of Wancheng.
Soon came a messenger from Governor Shen Yi of Jincheng with a secret message
for Sima Yi.
The messenger was taken
into a private chamber, and his message was that Meng Da was on the point of rebellion.
The leakage of this news was due to Li Gu, a confidential subordinate of Meng
Da, and Deng Xian, Meng Da's nephew. Li Gu and Deng Xian went to confess the
plot in exchange for a promise of amnesty.
Sima
Yi smote his forehead.
"This is the Emperor's great good fortune, high as
heaven itself. Zhuge Liang's army is at Qishan already, and all people's
courage is at the brink of breakdown. The Emperor must go to Changan, and if he
does not use me soon, Meng Da will carry out his plan; his plot will succeed,
and both capitals will be lost. Meng Da is surely in league with Zhuge Liang, and
if I can seize this Meng Da before he makes any move, that will damp Zhuge
Liang's spirits and he will retreat."
His
elder son Sima Shi remarked, "It is necessary to memorialize the
Throne."
"No," replied his father, "that would take a
month, and delay would mean failure."
Sima Yi gave orders to
prepare to advance by double-rapid marches and threatened death to all
loiterers. In order to avert suspicion, he sent letters to Meng Da by the hand
of Military Adviser Liang Ji to tell Meng Da to prepare to join the western
expedition.
Sima
Yi quickly followed Liang Ji. After two days' march Sima Yi fell in with an
army of General Xu Huang over the hills.
Xu
Huang got an interview with Sima Yi, and he said, "The Emperor has arrived
at Changan to lead an expedition against Shu. Whither is the Commander-in-Chief
going?"
Sima Yi, in a low voice,
said to him, "Meng Da is on the verge of rebellion, and I am going to
seize him."
"Let
me go as your Van Leader," said Xu Huang.
So
Xu Huang's troops were joined to the expedition and marched in the van. Sima Yi
commanded the center, and his sons brought up the rear.
Two days farther on, some of the scouts captured Meng Da's confidential
messenger, and with him Zhuge Liang's reply.
Sima
Yi said to the man, "I will let you live if you tell all you know."
So the messenger told all about the letters and messages he had taken
from one to the other.
When
Sima Yi read, he remarked, "All able people think the same way. Our plan
would have been foiled by Zhuge Liang's cleverness unless, by the good luck of
the Emperor, this messenger had been captured. Now Meng Da will be helpless."
The
army pressed on still more rapidly.
Meng
Da had arranged for his stroke with Governor Shen Yi of Jincheng and Governor
Shen Dan of Shangyong and was awaiting the day he had fixed.
But
Shen Yi and Shen Dan were only pretending to abet him, although they went on
training and drilling their troops to keep up appearances till the soldiers of
Wei could arrive.
To
Meng Da they pretended delay in their transport as the reason for being unable
to start. And he believed them.
Just
then Liang Ji came, and when he had been ceremoniously received, he produced
the order from Sima Yi and said, "The Commander-in-Chief has received the
edict of the Emperor to call in all the forces in this area, and he has sent me
to direct you to hold your troops in readiness to march."
"On
what day does the Commander-in-Chief start?" asked Meng Da.
"He
is just about starting now, and is on the way to Changan" replied Liang
Ji.
Meng
Da smiled inwardly, for, this being so, he saw success before him. He gave a
banquet to Liang Ji.
After Liang Ji took his
leave, Meng Da sent to his fellow conspirators---Shen Yi and Shen Dan---to say
the first step must be taken next day by exchanging the banners of Wei for those
of Han and marching to attack Luoyang.
Then
the watchmen reported a great cloud of dust in the distance as though an army
was coming. Meng Da was surprised and went up on the ramparts to see for
himself.
Soon
he made out the banner of Xu Huang leading. He ran down from the wall and in a
state of trepidation ordered the raising of the drawbridge. Xu Huang still came
on and in due time stood on the bank of the moat.
Then Xu Huang called out, "Let the traitor Meng Da yield
quickly!"
Meng
Da, in a rage, opened upon him with arrows, and Xu Huang was wounded in the
forehead. He was helped to a place of safety while the arrows flew down in
great numbers.
When
the soldiers of Wei retired, Meng Da opened the gates and went in pursuit. But
the whole of Sima Yi's army soon came up, and the banners stood so thick that
they hid the sun.
"This is what Zhuge
Liang foresaw!" said Meng Da despairingly. The gates were closed and
barred.
Meanwhile
the wounded general, Xu Huang, had been borne to his tent, where the arrow head
was extracted and the physician attended to him. But that night he died. He was
fifty-nine. His body was sent to Luoyang for burial.
Next
day, when Meng Da went up on the wall, he saw the city was entirely surrounded
as with a girdle of iron. He was greatly perturbed and could not decide what to
do. Presently he saw two bodies of troops coming up, their banners bearing the
names of his fellow conspirators---Shen Yi and Shen Dan.
He
could only conclude that they had come to his help, so he opened the gates to
them and went out to join them in the fight.
"Rebel,
stay!" cried they both as they came up.
Realizing
that they had been false, he turned and galloped toward the city, but a flight
of arrows met him, and the two who had betrayed him, Li Gu and Deng Xian, began
to revile him.
"We have already yielded the city!" they cried.
Then
Meng Da fled.
But
he was pursued, and as he and his horse were both exhausted, he was speedily
overtaken and slain.
They
exposed his head, and his soldiers submitted. Sima Yi was welcomed at the open
gates.
The
people were pacified, the soldiers were rewarded and, this done, a report of
their success was sent to Cao Rui.
Cao
Rui ordered the body of Meng Da to be exposed in the market place of Luoyang,
and he promoted Shen Yi and Shen Dan and gave them posts in the army of Sima
Yi. He gave Li Gu and Deng Xian command of the cities of Xincheng and
Shangyong.
Then
Sima Yi marched to Changan and camped. The leader entered the city to have
audience with his master, by whom he was most graciously received.
"Once
I doubted you," said Cao Rui, "but then I did not understand, and I
listened to mischief-makers. I regret it. Had you not suppressed Meng Da, both
capitals would have gone wrong."
Sima
Yi replied, "Shen Yi gave the information of the intended revolt and
thought to memorialize Your Majesty. But there would have been a long delay,
and so I did not await orders, but set forth at once. Delay would have played
into Zhuge Liang's hands."
Then
Sima Yi handed in Zhuge Liang's letter to Meng Da.
When the Emperor had read that, he said, "You are wiser
than both the great strategists of old---Wu Qi and Sun Zi."
The
Ruler of Wei conferred upon the successful leader a pair of golden axes and the
privilege of taking action in important matters without first obtaining his
master's sanction.
Then
Sima Yi was ordered to lead the army to the pass against the enemy.
Sima
Yi said, "May I name the Leader of the Van?"
"Whom
do you nominate?"
"Zhang
He, General of the Right Army, can shoulder this task."
"Just
the man I wished to send," said Cao Rui, smiling. And Zhang He was
appointed.
Sima
Yi took his army off Changan and marched it to the camp of the Shu army.
By strategy the leader shows his skill;
He needs bold fighting men to work his will.
The
result of the campaign will appear in the next chapter.
|
Shen Yi & Shen Dan |
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Xu Huang
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