In the tenth month of winter, during the fifth year of the Jingyao reign of the Shu Han Kingdom, Grand General Jiang Wei had his men labor through the night to repair the plank roads along the cliffs, stockpile grain and weapons, and also dispatch boats along the waterways of Hanzhong. Once all preparations were complete, he submitted a memorial to the Latter Ruler, Liu Shan, stating: "Your subject has fought many campaigns. Though I have not achieved any grand victory, I have already broken the spirit of Wei's men and officers. Now that our troops have been resting for so long, if we do not fight, they will grow lazy, and laziness breeds weakness. Moreover, the soldiers now burn with a desire to die for the cause, and the generals long to prove their worth. If I fail in this campaign, I am willing to accept the penalty of death." The Latter Ruler examined the memorial but remained hesitant, unable to decide. Qiao Zhou stepped forward from the court and said, "I observed the heavens last night, and in the region corresponding to our western Shu, the general's star is dim and obscured. Now the Grand General wishes to march again, but this campaign will be most inauspicious. Your Majesty should issue an edict to stop him." The Latter Ruler replied, "Let us see how this campaign unfolds. If there is truly a loss, then we can stop him." Despite Qiao Zhou's repeated and earnest remonstrations, the emperor would not listen. Qiao Zhou returned home, sighing endlessly, and feigned illness to avoid attending court.
As Jiang Wei prepared to launch his campaign, he asked Liao Hua, "Now that I am determined to restore the Central Plains, where should we strike first?" Liao Hua replied, "After years of continuous warfare, the army and the people have known no peace. Moreover, Wei has Deng Ai, a man of deep stratagems and cunning—no ordinary adversary. For you, General, to forcibly attempt something so difficult is why I dare not presume to give my opinion." Jiang Wei flew into a rage and said, "In the past, the Chancellor, Zhuge Liang, launched six campaigns from Qishan, all for the sake of the state. My eight campaigns against Wei are not for personal gain! Now, we will first take Taoyang. Anyone who defies me will be executed!" He left Liao Hua to guard Hanzhong and, taking command of 300,000 troops himself, marched directly toward Taoyang.
Word of this movement soon reached the Wei camp at Qishan through scouts from the border passes. Deng Ai was discussing military affairs with Sima Wang when the news arrived. Deng Ai immediately sent men to investigate. The scouts reported that all of Shu's forces were emerging from Taoyang. Sima Wang said, "Jiang Wei is full of tricks. Could it be that he is feigning an attack on Taoyang while actually aiming for Qishan?" Deng Ai replied, "This time, Jiang Wei is truly heading for Taoyang." Sima Wang asked, "How can you be certain?" Deng Ai explained, "Previously, Jiang Wei always struck at our supply-rich areas. Now, Taoyang has no grain, so he must think we will only defend Qishan and neglect Taoyang. Therefore, he is making a direct move for Taoyang. If he takes that city, he can stockpile grain, build up supplies, and form an alliance with the Qiang tribes to plan a long-term campaign." Sima Wang asked, "If that is the case, what should we do?" Deng Ai said, "We can withdraw all our forces here and split them into two columns to rescue Taoyang. Twenty-five li from Taoyang is the small city of Houhe, the throat of Taoyang's defenses. You, Sima Wang, will lead one force to lie in ambush at Taoyang, lower your banners, silence your drums, and open all four gates wide, and act according to my plan. I will lead another force to lie in ambush at Houhe. With this, we are sure to win a great victory." Having devised the plan, each commander set out to execute it, leaving only the minor general Shi Zuan to guard the Qishan camp.
Jiang Wei ordered Xiahou Ba to lead the vanguard and march directly on Taoyang. As Xiahou Ba advanced with his troops and drew near the city, he saw not a single banner flying on the walls, and all four gates were wide open. Suspicious, he hesitated to enter and turned to his officers, saying, "Could this be a trick?" The officers replied, "It is clearly an empty city. Only a few common folk remain, and upon hearing that the Grand General's army was coming, they have all abandoned the city and fled." Xiahou Ba was not convinced. He rode his horse alone to the southern side of the city to observe. There, he saw countless old men, women, and children fleeing toward the northwest. Overjoyed, Xiahou Ba exclaimed, "It truly is an empty city!" He then charged in at the head of his men, with the rest of the army following close behind. Just as they reached the barbican—the fortified gate enclosure—a cannon blast suddenly erupted. Drums and horns blared from the walls, banners were raised everywhere, and the drawbridge was hauled up. Xiahou Ba cried out in alarm, "We have fallen into a trap!" As he frantically tried to retreat, arrows and stones rained down from the walls like a storm. Alas, Xiahou Ba and his five hundred men were all slain beneath the city walls. A poet of later times lamented this scene, and
history records a verse: "Bold was Jiang Wei's cunning plan, long in its design, yet who knew Deng Ai had laid his secret ambush? Pitiful Xiahou Ba, who had sworn allegiance to Shu, in an instant fell beneath the city walls, pierced by arrows, his life lost." Sima Wang then led his forces out from within the city, and the Shu army was utterly routed and fled. Shortly after, Jiang Wei arrived with his reinforcements and drove Sima Wang back, setting up camp just outside the city. When Jiang Wei learned that Xiahou Ba had been shot dead, he grieved deeply.
That night, during the second watch, Deng Ai secretly led a force from Houhe City and silently infiltrated the Shu camp. The Shu army fell into chaos, and Jiang Wei could not restore order. Drums and horns shook the heavens from the city walls as Sima Wang led his men out in a charge. Attacked from both sides, the Shu army suffered a massive defeat. Jiang Wei, fighting left and right, barely managed to break free and escape, retreating more than twenty li before setting up camp. After two consecutive defeats, the morale of the Shu troops was shaken. Jiang Wei addressed his officers, saying, "Victory and defeat are common affairs in war. Though we have lost men and generals, this is no cause for despair. Success or failure rests on this one effort. You must remain steadfast and not waver. Anyone who speaks of retreat will be executed on the spot." Zhang Yi stepped forward and said, "The Wei army is concentrated here, so Qishan must be empty. You, General, can engage Deng Ai in battle, attacking Taoyang and Houhe, while I lead a separate force to take Qishan. Once we capture the nine camps at Qishan, we can drive our army straight toward Chang'an. This is the best strategy." Jiang Wei agreed and immediately ordered Zhang Yi to lead the rear army directly toward Qishan.
Jiang Wei himself led his troops to Houhe and challenged Deng Ai to battle. Deng Ai brought out his forces to meet him. The two armies formed their battle lines, and the two generals clashed for over a dozen rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. They each withdrew to their camps. The next day, Jiang Wei again led his troops to the field to provoke a fight, but Deng Ai kept his men inside and refused to come out. Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to hurl insults at the Wei camp. Deng Ai thought to himself, "The men of Shu were badly mauled by me, yet they have not retreated. Instead, they come out to challenge us day after day. They must have sent a detachment to attack the Qishan camp. The commander there, Shi Zuan, has too few men and little wit. He will surely be defeated. I must go to his aid myself." He summoned his son, Deng Zhong, and instructed him, "Guard this place with all your heart. Let them challenge you as they will, but do not go out lightly. Tonight, I will lead a force to rescue Qishan."
That night, during the second watch, Jiang Wei was in his camp devising a plan when he suddenly heard a thunderous roar of shouting and the clamor of drums and horns outside. A scout reported that Deng Ai had arrived with three thousand elite troops for a night assault. Several of Jiang Wei's officers wanted to go out and meet the attack, but Jiang Wei stopped them, saying, "Do not act rashly." It turned out that Deng Ai had only probed the front of the Shu camp with his troops before taking the opportunity to ride to the rescue of Qishan. Deng Zhong, meanwhile, had entered the city. Jiang Wei called his officers together and said, "Deng Ai feigned a night attack to cover his movements. He must have gone to rescue the Qishan camp." He then summoned Fu Qian and instructed him, "You guard this camp. Do not engage the enemy lightly." Having given these orders, Jiang Wei himself led three thousand troops to reinforce Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi had arrived at Qishan and was attacking the camp. The defending general, Shi Zuan, was too weak to hold out, and the camp was on the verge of being taken. Suddenly, Deng Ai's forces arrived and charged into the Shu army, routing them. Zhang Yi was cut off and trapped behind a mountain, with his line of retreat severed. In the midst of his panic, a great cry arose, and drums and horns shook the sky. The Wei troops began to fall back in disorder. Zhang Yi's men reported, "The Grand General, Jiang Wei, has arrived!" Zhang Yi took advantage of the moment to press forward and link up with the reinforcements. Attacked from two sides, Deng Ai lost his advantage and hastily withdrew to the Qishan camp, refusing to come out again. Jiang Wei ordered his troops to surround the camp on all sides and besiege it.
Meanwhile, in Chengdu, the Latter Ruler, Liu Shan, had fallen under the influence of the eunuch Huang Hao. He indulged in wine and women, neglecting the affairs of state. At this time, the wife of the minister Liu Yan, a woman named Hu, was exceedingly beautiful. She had entered the palace to pay her respects to the Empress, who kept her in the palace for a full month before allowing her to leave. Liu Yan suspected that his wife had committed adultery with the Latter Ruler. He summoned five hundred of his personal soldiers, lined them up, bound his wife, and ordered the men to strike her face dozens of times with their shoes. She was beaten nearly to death before she revived. When the Latter Ruler heard of this, he was furious and ordered the relevant authorities to decide Liu Yan's punishment. The authorities ruled: "A soldier is not the proper person to beat a man's wife, and the face is not a place for such punishment. The penalty should be execution in the marketplace." Liu Yan was thus beheaded. From then on, no titled ladies were permitted to enter the court. However, the officials, seeing the Latter Ruler's debauchery, were filled with suspicion and resentment. As a result, worthy men gradually withdrew, and petty men grew in influence day by day.
At this time, the Right General, Yan Yu, who had not a single achievement to his name but had gained high office by flattering Huang Hao, urged the eunuch to petition the Latter Ruler: "Jiang Wei has fought many battles without success. You should replace him with Yan Yu." The Latter Ruler agreed and sent an envoy bearing an imperial edict to recall Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei was in the midst of besieging the Qishan camp when, in a single day, three edicts arrived, ordering him to withdraw his army. He had no choice but to obey. He first ordered the troops at Taoyang to fall back, then slowly withdrew with Zhang Yi. In his camp, Deng Ai heard the sound of drums and horns all through the night and could not understand its meaning. By dawn, he was informed that the entire Shu army had retreated, leaving only empty camps behind. Suspecting a trap, he dared not pursue. Jiang Wei returned directly to Hanzhong, rested his men and horses, and then went with the imperial envoy to Chengdu to see the Latter Ruler. The Latter Ruler did not hold court for ten consecutive days. Jiang Wei, puzzled, went to the Donghua Gate, where he encountered the Imperial Secretary, Xi Zheng. Jiang Wei asked him, "The Son of Heaven recalled me from the campaign. Do you know the reason?" Xi Zheng smiled and said, "How is it that you, Grand General, still do not know? Huang Hao wanted Yan Yu to earn some merit, so he petitioned the court to issue the edict recalling you. Now that he has heard that Deng Ai is a skilled commander, he has dropped the matter." Furious, Jiang Wei said, "I will kill that eunuch!" Xi Zheng stopped him, saying, "You, Grand General, are carrying on the work of the Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang. Your responsibilities are heavy and your position great. How can you act rashly? If the Son of Heaven does not tolerate it, it will only make things worse." Jiang Wei thanked him and said, "Your words are wise, sir."
The next day, the Latter Ruler was feasting with Huang Hao in the rear garden. Jiang Wei led several men and entered directly. Someone had already reported his arrival to Huang Hao, who quickly hid himself by the artificial hill and lake. Jiang Wei went to the pavilion, bowed to the Latter Ruler, and, weeping, said, "I had Deng Ai trapped at Qishan, and Your Majesty issued three edicts in one day, recalling me to court. I do not understand Your Majesty's intention." The Latter Ruler remained silent. Jiang Wei continued, "Huang Hao is cunning and monopolizes power. He is like the Ten Regular Attendants of Emperor Ling's time. Your Majesty should look at the recent example of Zhang Rang, and the more distant example of Zhao Gao. If you kill this man early, the court will naturally be purified, and the Central Plains can be restored." The Latter Ruler laughed and said, "Huang Hao is merely a petty attendant who runs errands. Even if he monopolizes power, he can do little harm. In the past, Dong Yun gnashed his teeth at Hao, and I found that very strange. Why must you be so concerned?" Jiang Wei kowtowed and said, "If Your Majesty does not kill Huang Hao today, disaster is not far off." The Latter Ruler replied, "If you love someone, you want them to live; if you hate them, you want them to die. Why can you not tolerate a single eunuch?" He ordered a court attendant to call Huang Hao out from beside the lake and hill. When Huang Hao came to the pavilion, the Latter Ruler ordered him to kneel before Jiang Wei and beg for forgiveness. Huang Hao wept and kowtowed to Jiang Wei, saying, "I merely attend to His Majesty day and night. I do not meddle in state affairs. General, do not listen to the words of outsiders who wish to kill me. My life is in your hands. I beg you to take pity on me!" Having spoken, he kowtowed again, tears streaming down his face.
Jiang Wei left in a fury and went directly to see Xi Zheng, telling him everything that had happened. Xi Zheng said, "General, disaster is not far off. If you are in danger, the state will fall with you!" Jiang Wei said, "Sir, please teach me a strategy to preserve the state and ensure my own safety." Xi Zheng replied, "There is a place to the west of Longxi called Tazhong. The land there is extremely fertile. Why not follow the example of the Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang, and petition the Son of Heaven to go to Tazhong to farm? First, you can harvest wheat to support the army. Second, you can fully secure the commanderies of Longyou. Third, the men of Wei will not dare to look directly at Hanzhong. Fourth, you, General, will be outside the court, holding military power, where no one can plot against you, and you can avoid disaster. This is a strategy to preserve the state and ensure your own safety. You should implement it soon." Jiang Wei was overjoyed and thanked him, saying, "Your words are like gold and jade, sir."
The next day, Jiang Wei submitted a memorial to the Latter Ruler, requesting permission to farm at Tazhong, following the precedent of the Marquis of Wu. The Latter Ruler agreed. Jiang Wei then returned to Hanzhong and gathered his officers, saying, "I have launched many campaigns, but due to insufficient grain, I have not succeeded. Now I will lead 80,000 troops to Tazhong to plant wheat and farm, gradually planning our advance. You have all endured long and bitter service. For now, gather your troops and stores and fall back to defend Hanzhong. The Wei army will have to transport grain over a thousand li, crossing mountains and ridges. They will naturally become exhausted. When they are weary, they will retreat. Then we can seize the opportunity to pursue and strike, and we will surely be victorious." He ordered Hu Ji to guard Hanshou City, Wang Han to guard Lecheng, Jiang Bin to guard Hancheng, and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian to jointly guard the passes. Having made these arrangements, Jiang Wei led 80,000 troops to Tazhong to plant wheat, planning for a long-term stay.
When Deng Ai heard that Jiang Wei was farming at Tazhong, and that he had set up over forty camps along the road, linked together like a long snake, he sent spies to survey the terrain. They drew maps and submitted a report to the Jin Duke, Sima Zhao. When Sima Zhao saw it, he was furious and said, "Jiang Wei has repeatedly invaded the Central Plains, and we cannot root him out. He is a thorn in my side." Jia Chong said, "Jiang Wei has deeply absorbed the teachings of Zhuge Liang. It will be difficult to drive him back quickly. We need a commander of both wisdom and courage to go and assassinate him. That would save us the trouble of mobilizing the army." Xun Yi, a Gentleman in the Imperial Secretariat, said, "That is not the way. The Shu ruler, Liu Shan, is wallowing in wine and women. He trusts Huang Hao, and all his ministers are seeking to avoid disaster. Jiang Wei's farming at Tazhong is precisely a strategy to escape harm. If we send a great general to attack him, we cannot fail. Why resort to an assassin?" Sima Zhao laughed heartily and said, "These words are the best. I wish to attack Shu. Who can be the commander?" Xun Yi replied, "Deng Ai is a talent of the age. If you can get Zhong Hui as his second-in-command, the matter will be accomplished." Sima Zhao was overjoyed and said, "These words match my own thoughts." He summoned Zhong Hui and asked him, "I want to make you the great general to attack the Eastern Wu. What do you think?" Zhong Hui replied, "My lord's intention is not really to attack Wu, but to attack Shu." Sima Zhao laughed and said, "You truly know my mind. But if you go to attack Shu, what strategy will you use?" Zhong Hui said, "I anticipated that my lord wished to attack Shu, so I have already drawn a map." Sima Zhao opened it and examined it. The map detailed every place for setting up camp, building stockades, storing grain, and piling up fodder, showing where to advance and where to retreat—all laid out with precise method. Sima Zhao was delighted and said, "A true fine general! What if you and Deng Ai combine forces to take Shu?" Zhong Hui replied, "The roads in Shu are vast. They cannot be taken by a single route. It would be best to have Deng Ai divide his forces and advance on separate paths."
Sima Zhao then appointed Zhong Hui as General Who Pacifies the West, granting him the authority of the ceremonial axe and halberd, and placing him in command of all the forces in Guanzhong, with the power to deploy troops from Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang provinces. At the same time, he sent an envoy bearing his credentials to appoint Deng Ai as General Who Conquers the West, placing him in command of all forces outside the pass in the Longyou region, and ordering them to set a date for the joint invasion of Shu. The next day, Sima Zhao discussed the matter in court. The Front General, Deng Dun, said, "Jiang Wei has repeatedly invaded the Central Plains, and our troops have suffered heavy losses. Even defending ourselves is no easy task. Why would we venture deep into such dangerous and treacherous terrain, inviting disaster upon ourselves?" Sima Zhao was enraged and said, "I wish to raise a righteous army to punish an unrighteous ruler. How dare you defy my will?" He ordered the guards to drag Deng Dun out and behead him. In an instant, Deng Dun's head was presented before the court steps. All the officials turned pale. Sima Zhao said, "Since my eastern campaign, I have rested for six years, drilling my troops and repairing my armor. Everything is ready. I have long wished to attack Wu and Shu. Now, I will first pacify western Shu. Then, taking advantage of the downstream current, we will advance by both land and water and swallow up the Eastern Wu. This is the strategy of destroying one enemy to take another. I estimate that the Shu forces defending Chengdu number eighty to ninety thousand, those guarding the borders no more than forty to fifty thousand, and Jiang Wei's farming troops no more than sixty to seventy thousand. I have already ordered Deng Ai to lead over 100,000 troops from outside the pass in Longyou to pin Jiang Wei down at Tazhong, preventing him from moving east. I will dispatch Zhong Hui with two to three hundred thousand elite troops from Guanzhong to march directly through the Luoye Valley in three columns to attack Hanzhong. The Shu ruler, Liu Shan, is benighted. When the border cities fall from without, the people within will be terrified. His downfall is certain." All the officials bowed in submission.
Zhong Hui accepted the seal of the General Who Pacifies the West and began raising his army to attack Shu. Fearing that his plans might leak out, he used the pretext of attacking Wu, ordering the five provinces of Qing, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang to each build large warships. He also sent Tang Zi to the coastal areas of Deng and Lai provinces to gather seagoing vessels. Sima Zhao, not understanding his intention, summoned Zhong Hui and asked him, "You are taking the overland route to conquer Shu. Why do you need to build ships?" Zhong Hui replied, "If Shu hears of our massive advance, they will surely seek help from the Eastern Wu. Therefore, I am first creating a show of force, making it appear as if we are attacking Wu. This will prevent Wu from daring to act rashly. Within a year, Shu will be conquered, the ships will be built, and then we can attack Wu. Will that not be convenient?" Sima Zhao was greatly pleased and chose an auspicious day for the campaign. It was the third day of the seventh month of autumn, in the fourth year of the Jingyuan reign of Wei. Zhong Hui set out. Sima Zhao accompanied him for ten li outside the city before returning. The Secretary of the Western Bureau, Shao Ti, said privately to Sima Zhao, "My lord is sending Zhong Hui with 100,000 troops to attack Shu. In my humble opinion, Zhong Hui is ambitious and proud. He should not be given sole command of such great authority." Sima Zhao laughed and said, "Do you think I do not know this?" Shao Ti asked, "Since my lord knows this, why not send someone to share the command?" Sima Zhao spoke a few words that immediately dispelled Shao Ti's doubts. The moment was indeed one where, as the troops and horses were about to gallop forth, the seeds of a general's overweening ambition were already recognized. To know what Sima Zhao said, you must read the next chapter.