The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (53 page)

Zhuge Liang heard the edict to the end and then said, “My task is not yet accomplished—how can I return to the office of prime minister?” And he resolutely refused to accept the post.

Fei Yi said, “If you decline this you flout the desire of the Emperor and also hurt the feelings of the army. Better to accept it for the moment.”

Only then did Zhuge Liang agree to accept the honor. Fei Yi went away.

Seeing that Sima Yi persevered in maintaining the defensive, Zhuge Liang thought of a plan. He gave orders to break camp and retreat.

When scouts told Sima Yi about this, he said, “We mustn’t stir. There is bound to be some subtle scheme in this move.”

Zhang He argued, “It must mean that their food supply is exhausted. How can we not pursue?”

“I reckon Zhuge Liang laid up ample supplies last year. Now the wheat is ripe, and he has plenty of grain and forage. Transport may be difficult, but he can hold out for six months. Why should he run away? He sees that we resolutely refuse battle, and he is trying some ruse to inveigle us into fighting. We can send spies ahead to find out what he is up to.”

Soon spies returned to say that Zhuge Liang had encamped thirty
li
away.

“I knew he would not withdraw,” said Sima Yi. “We must remain on the defensive still more strictly and not advance.”

Ten days passed without further news, nor did the men of Shu come to challenge. Again spies were sent far afield, and they reported that the men of Shu had broken camp and left. Incredulous, Sima Yi changed his clothes and went to see it for himself, hiding among the soldiers. Truly enough, he found that the Shu army had retreated another thirty
li
.

“That is Zhuge Liang’s scheme,” said Sima Yi to Zhang He when he returned. “Don’t pursue.”

Another ten days passed and again spies were sent out. They came back to say that the enemy had gone yet another thirty
li
ahead and encamped.

Zhang He said, “Commander, why are you so suspicious? I can see that Zhuge Liang is retreating into Hanzhong, only he is doing it step-by-step. Why not pursue him before it is too late? Let me attack him!”

“But Zhuge Liang’s vile tricks are innumerable,” cautioned Sima Yi. “A defeat would destroy the morale of our men, and it’s better not to risk it.”

“If I go and am beaten I will stand the full rigor of military punishment,” declared Zhang He.

“Well, if you’re set on going, let us divide the army. You take a troop and go first, but you must urge your men to fight their very hardest. I will follow to help in case of ambush. Depart tomorrow and pitch camp halfway. Then engage the enemy the day after. Thus the army won’t suffer from exhaustion.”

So the next day Zhang He, in highly militant spirits, started out first, taking with him Dai Ling and 30,000 veteran soldiers led by dozens of lesser officers. Halfway they camped. Sima Yi, leaving a substantial guard in the camp, set out along the same road with 5,000 men.

Now these movements of the army of Wei were not lost on Zhuge Liang, who had sent spies to reconnoiter. Knowing that Zhang He’s army had camped to rest, he summoned his officers that night and said to them: “The enemies are coming in pursuit and will fight desperately. To oppose them each of you will have to fight with the strength of ten, and I will set an ambush to block their rear. Only a wise and bold warrior is fit for this task.”

As he closed this speech he fixed his gaze at Wei Yan, who, however, hung his head without response.

Then Wang Ping stepped forth and volunteered. “I will go.”

“But if you fail, what then?” asked Zhuge Liang.

“I will answer by the military law.”

Zhuge Liang sighed. “Wang Ping is really most loyal! He is willing to risk arrows and stones in his country’s service. However, our enemies are coming in two divisions, one coming in front, the other trying to get round to the rear of our men in ambush. Wang Ping is clever and bold enough, but he can’t be in two places at once, so I must have yet another officer. But alas! Is there no one else in the army who is willing to risk death?”

Before he finished his words, Zhang Yi stepped to the front and offered himself.

“Zhang He is a most famous general in Wei and valorous beyond all compare. You’re not a match for him.”

“If I fail I will have my head laid before you,” said Zhang Yi.

“Since you dare to go, you and Wang Ping can take 10,000 veterans each and hide in a valley. When the enemy comes, let them pass through and then fall upon their rear. If Sima Yi comes you must divide the men, with Zhang Yi to hold those from behind and Wang Ping to check those in front. Both of you must be ready to fight to the death—I have further plans to aid you.”

When they had gone, he called forward Jiang Wei and Liao Hua, to whom he said, “Take this silk bag and 3,000 picked soldiers. Then proceed quietly to the mountains in front. When you see your two colleagues in great straits, don’t go to their rescue but open the bag and you will find a plan to relieve their danger.”

After they had left, he whispered to four other officers (Ma Zhong, Zhang Ni, Wu Yi, and Wu Ban): “When the men of Wei come tomorrow they will be of very high morale, so you’re not to involve them in direct fighting, but only raid them at intervals. Wait till you see Guan Xing come up, then turn round and fight your best. I will arrange for someone to reinforce you.”

Finally he called Guan Xing and said to him, “Lead 5,000 men and hide in a valley. When you see a red flag waving at a hilltop, fall on the enemy.”

Following the instruction Guan Xing also departed to carry out his part of the plan.

Meanwhile, Zhang He and Dai Ling hurried along as swiftly as a squall till they were suddenly confronted by the four officers of Shu. Zhang He angrily dashed forward to engage them, who retreated, stopping at intervals to fight. The Wei army pursued for about twenty
li
.

It was the sixth month of the year and the weather was sultry hot. Men and horses sweated profusely. When they had chased thirty
li
farther, the men of Wei were all panting for breath. At that moment Zhuge Liang, who had watched the fighting from a hill, waved a red flag to give Guan Xing the signal to rush forth from his hiding place and join in the battle. The other four leaders also led on their men. Zhang He and Dai Ling fought ferociously to try to ward off their opponents.

Suddenly, amid thunderous shouting, Wang Ping and Zhang Yi galloped out, forging ahead heroically to cut off the enemy’s way of retreat. The men of Wei struggled with all their might but were unable to extricate themselves.

Zhang He shouted to his fellow officers, “The moment has come for us to fight it out with our enemy!”

Encouraged by his call, the men of Wei mustered all their strength to try to break through, but their attempts were in vain. Suddenly there was heard a deafening roll of drums, and Sima Yi arrived from the rear. He at once directed his officers to surround Wang Ping and Zhang Yi.

“How far-sighted the prime minister is!” marveled Zhang Yi. “The battle goes just as he foretold. He will surely have a good plan. Let’s fight the enemy to the finish!”

Thereupon the men were divided into two parts. Wang Ping led half the men to hold up Zhang He and Dai Ling, while Zhang Yi took the other half to oppose Sima Yi. On both sides a fierce struggle ensued and the sky shook with loud battle cries.

From their position on a hill, Jiang Wei and Liao Hua watched the battle. They saw that the Wei force was very strong and their own side was in danger and gradually giving way.

“Now surely is the moment to open the bag,” said Jiang Wei.

So the bag was opened, and this is what they read: “If Sima Yi comes and Wang Ping and Zhang Yi seem hard pressed, break your force in two and go directly to attack Sima Yi’s camp, which will cause him to hasten retreat, and then you’re to fall upon him. You will be able to win the day, even though the camp won’t be captured.”

Overjoyed, they divided the force and started for the enemy’s camp along two routes. Now Sima Yi had really feared that he would fall victim to some ruse of Zhuge Liang’s, so he had arranged for news to be sent to him constantly along the road. He was urging his men to fight when a messenger galloped up to say that two forces of Shu were making for his camp.

Turning pale with fright at the news, Sima Yi said to his officers, “I knew Zhuge Liang was up to some trick, but you wouldn’t believe me. I have no alternative but to withdraw now our camp is at stake.”

Thereupon he collected his men and hastened to retreat. The men went hurriedly and fell to disorder. Zhang Yi came up behind, and routed them. Zhang He and Dai Ling, weakened now in strength, sought refuge among some byroads in the hills. So the men of Shu scored a major victory. They were further aided by Guan Xing from the rear.

Sima Yi hurried back to camp, having suffered heavy losses. But the men of Shu had already withdrawn. Gathering together his beaten army he rebuked his officers for causing the failure.

“How little you know of the art of war!” he cried. “You rely only on your blood-thirst valor. Now this is the result of your unbridled desire to go out and give battle. For the future I forbid you to act so impulsively. Whoever dares to disobey will definitely be punished by military law.”

Ashamed of their conduct, they quietly withdrew. In this fight the losses of Wei were very heavy—a great many soldiers were killed, and countless horses and weapons abandoned.

Zhuge Liang led his victorious army to camp and planned to advance still farther. Suddenly a messenger arrived from the capital with the sad news that Zhang Bao had died. Astounded, Zhuge Liang cried bitterly, tears streaming down his cheeks and blood gushing from his mouth, and he fell to the ground unconscious. The others helped him up and brought him back to consciousness. But he fell ill and had to keep to his bed. His officers were much moved by his deep sorrow for his men.

A poet lamented over this episode:

Fierce and valiant was Zhang Bao,
Striving hard to make a name;
Sad the gods should interfere
And withhold a hero’s fame!
Kongming wept his untimely end,
For he knew a warrior gone,
And he needed every helper;
His own strength was nearly done.

Zhuge Liang’s illness worsened. Ten days later he summoned several officers to his tent and said, “I feel too ill to lead the army. I think it’s better for me to return to Hanzhong for treatment. You must strictly keep this secret, or Sima Yi will certainly attack us.”

He issued an order to break camp that night, and the army retreated into Hanzhong forthwith. Sima Yi only heard of this five days later, whereupon he sighed deeply, “Zhuge Liang’s schemes are really as unfathomable as those of gods or spirits—he is too much for me.”

Then leaving the officers to guard the camp and various commanding positions, Sima Yi also marched homeward.

After the Shu army was settled in Hanzhong, Zhuge Liang went to the capital for treatment. Officials of all ranks came to greet him and escort him to his residence. The Second Ruler also came to inquire after his health and sent his own physicians to attend to the prime minister. So gradually he recovered.

It was autumn, the seventh month of the eighth year of Jian Xing in Shu. Cao Zhen, the commander of all forces in Wei, had recovered from his illness and he submitted a memorial to his ruler, which read:

“Shu has repeatedly invaded our borders and poses a grave threat to our country. If it is not destroyed, it will ultimately be our ruin. The autumn coolness is now here. The army is in good form, and it is the most favorable time for an attack on Shu. I propose to lead an army with Sima Yi and march into Hanzhong to exterminate this vile horde and free our borders from trouble.”

Pleased, the Emperor consulted Liu Ye on the feasibility of Cao Zhen’s proposal.

Liu Ye replied, “Commander Cao is right. If Shu is not destroyed now it will remain a great menace. Your Majesty should adopt his proposal.”

When he returned home, a crowd of officials flocked to inquire. “We’re told the Emperor has consulted you about an expedition against Shu. Do you think it’s feasible?”

“No,” said Liu Ye. “Shu is too difficult a country to invade—it would be a mere waste of men and arms, and of no benefit to the state.”

They could say nothing and left silently. Then one of them went to see the Emperor and said, “It is said that yesterday Liu Ye advised Your Majesty to wage war against Shu; but today he told us that Shu could not be attacked. He is deceiving Your Majesty. Why not summon him and question him?”

So the Emperor called in Liu Ye and asked him to explain.

He replied, “I have given the matter careful considerations and I think Shu cannot be attacked.”

The Emperor laughed. After a while Yang Ji left, and then Liu Ye said, “Yesterday I advised Your Majesty to attack Shu, which is an important policy of the state and should be divulged to nobody. The essence of a military move is deception. And there should be no leakage before the enactment of an operation.”

Then the Emperor understood, and thereafter Liu Ye was held in greater esteem. Ten days later Sima Yi came to court, and was shown Cao Zhen’s memorial.

Sima Yi replied, “The moment is opportune—I do not think there is any danger from Wu.”