The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (27 page)

Therefore Gao Ding and his subordinate, Er Huan, led away their men to the camp of Zhu Bao. When they were about ten
li
from the camp, Zhu Bao appeared with his men. As soon as they recognized each other, Zhu Bao hastily came forward to speak to his comrade. But Gao Ding cried out to him, “Why did you write a letter to the prime minister and so conspire to get me killed?”

Entirely unprepared for such an accusation, Zhu Bao stared open-mouthed and could not reply. Suddenly Er Huan rode out from behind his chief and struck Zhu Bao with his halberd. He fell dead to the ground. At this Gao Ding shouted to his men that they should either yield or be slain, and they yielded in a body.

Gao Ding then went back to Zhuge Liang and offered the head of the slain man. Zhuge Liang laughed again. “I have made you kill both these men so that you can prove your loyalty.”

Then he created Gao Ding Prefect of Yizhou, in charge of the three districts, and Er Huan his chief officer. Thus the three rebellious forces were subdued and the danger to Yongchang lifted.

The prefect then came out of the city to welcome Zhuge Liang inside. When he had entered that city Zhuge Liang asked the prefect who had aided him in the defense.

The prefect said, “The safety of this city is due entirely to Lu Kai.”

So Lu Kai was called. He came and paid his respects to the prime minister.

Zhuge Liang said, “Long have I heard of you as a remarkable man of this district. I am greatly indebted to you for its security. Now I wish to conquer the Mans—have you any advice to offer?”

Lu Kai then produced a map of the country and said, “From the time of my appointment here I have felt certain that the Mans would rise in rebellion, and so I secretly sent people to map their country and locate the strategic points. From that information I prepared this map, which I call ‘An In-depth Map to Conquer the Mans.’ I would like to present it to you, sir.”

Greatly pleased, Zhuge Liang took Lu Kai into his service as advisor and guide. With his help the army advanced and penetrated deeply into the southern country.

While the army was progressing, there came a messenger from the capital. When he appeared, Zhuge Liang saw it was Ma Su, dressed in white. He was in mourning for his brother, Ma Liang, who had just died. He had come by special order of the Second Ruler to deliver gifts of wine and silk to the army. When the gifts were distributed as instructed, Ma Su was asked to remain to talk over matters.

Zhuge Liang said, “I have His Majesty’s orders to conquer these Mans. I hear you are a man of superior views and I should be pleased if you would instruct me.”

Ma Shu replied, “I have one thing to say that may be worth your consideration. The Mans refuse to recognize our supremacy because they think their country is distant and difficult. If you overcome them today, they will revolt again tomorrow. When your army moves in they will undoubtedly be subdued, but the day you withdraw the army to attack Cao Pi they will resume their rebellion. The best policy in warfare is to win hearts rather than cities—to fight with sentiments rather than to fight with weapons. It will be well if you can win their hearts over.”

“Indeed, you have read my inmost thoughts!” said Zhuge Liang with a sigh of admiration.

Ma Su was kept with the army as advisor, and the army marched on.

When the king of the Mans, Meng Huo, heard how cleverly Zhuge Liang had got rid of Yong Kai, he called together the chiefs of three valleys for counsel.

The chief of the first one was Jinhuansanjie, of the second, Dongtuna, and of the third, Ahuinan. When these three came to the king’s place, he said to them, “Our country has been invaded, and we must combine our forces to drive out the invaders. You three must lead your men to meet the enemy from three sides, and whoever conquers the enemy will be head of all the valleys.”

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?”