In the autumn of the sixth year of the Jianxing era of Shu-Han, in the ninth month, the Wei Commander-in-Chief Cao Xiu was utterly routed by Lu Xun of Eastern Wu at Shiting. His chariots, horses, military supplies, and equipment were all lost. Cao Xiu, gripped by terror and shame, fell ill from anxiety and worry. By the time he reached Luoyang, a carbuncle had erupted on his back, and he died. The Wei emperor, Cao Rui, ordered a lavish burial. Sima Yi then led his army back to the capital. His generals gathered around him and asked, "Commander Cao's defeat was a failure of the supreme command. Why did you return so hastily, my lord?" Sima Yi replied, "I calculated that if Zhuge Liang learned of our defeat, he would seize the opportunity to attack Chang'an. If the Longxi region falls into crisis, who would rescue it? That is why I returned." The generals thought this was mere cowardice and withdrew, snickering behind his back.
Meanwhile, Eastern Wu sent an envoy to Shu with a letter, requesting a joint campaign against Wei and boasting of their great victory over Cao Xiu. This served two purposes: to display their own might and to strengthen their alliance. The Later Sovereign, Liu Shan, was overjoyed. He ordered a messenger to take the letter to Hanzhong and inform Kongming. At that time, Kongming's army was strong, his horses were vigorous, his grain and fodder were abundant, and all necessary supplies were fully prepared. He was just about to launch his campaign. Upon hearing this news, he immediately held a grand feast for all his generals to discuss the plan. Suddenly, a fierce wind arose from the northeast, snapping a pine tree in the courtyard before them. Everyone was startled. Kongming performed a divination and announced, "This wind signifies the loss of a great general!" The generals were skeptical. As they were drinking, a report arrived that Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang—the eldest and second sons of Zhao Yun, the General Who Pacifies the South—had come to see the Chancellor. Kongming was horrified. He dropped his wine cup to the ground and cried out, "Zilong is lost!" The two sons entered, bowed, and wept, saying, "Our father died of a severe illness last night during the third watch." Kongming stamped his feet and wept, saying, "With Zilong's death, the state has lost a pillar, and I have lost an arm!" Every general present shed tears. Kongming ordered the two sons to go to Chengdu to report the death to the sovereign. When Liu Shan heard of Zhao Yun's death, he wailed loudly, saying, "When I was young, if it were not for Zilong, I would have died amid the chaos of battle!" He immediately issued an edict posthumously honoring Zhao Yun as Grand General, with the posthumous title of Marquis of Shunping, and ordered him to be buried east of Jinping Mountain in Chengdu. A temple was to be built for him, with sacrifices offered in all four seasons. Of this man,
history records: From Changshan came a tiger of a general, whose wisdom and courage rivaled Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. His deeds at the Han River earned him lasting merit, and his name was made famous at Dangyang. Twice he protected the young sovereign, and his every thought was to repay the late emperor. The annals of history will forever record his loyalty and heroism, his fragrance lingering for a hundred generations.
The Later Sovereign, remembering Zhao Yun's past merits, bestowed upon him the most generous of funeral rites and sacrifices. He appointed Zhao Tong as a Colonel of the Tiger Ben Guard and Zhao Guang as a Gate Commander, ordering them to guard their father's tomb. The two sons thanked him and departed. Suddenly, a courtier reported, "The Chancellor Zhuge has finished deploying his army and cavalry. He will march out to attack Wei today." The Later Sovereign consulted his court officials, many of whom advised against such a rash move. The sovereign was filled with doubt and could not decide. Then it was reported that the Chancellor had sent Yang Yi bearing a memorial for the expedition. The sovereign summoned Yang Yi into his presence, and Yang Yi presented the document. The sovereign opened it on his imperial desk and read:
"The late emperor was concerned that the House of Han and the traitorous Wei could not coexist, and that the imperial enterprise could not be sustained from a corner of the realm. Therefore, he entrusted me with the task of punishing the rebels. With the late emperor's wisdom, he measured my abilities and knew that my talent was weak and the enemy strong. Yet, if we do not attack the rebels, the imperial enterprise will still perish. Is it not better to attack than to sit and wait for our doom? That is why he entrusted this task to me without hesitation. From the day I received this command, I have not slept soundly on my mat nor tasted the sweetness of my food. I thought that to march north, I must first pacify the south. Therefore, I crossed the Lu River in the fifth month, advanced deep into the barren lands, and ate but one meal a day. I do not fail to cherish myself, but I see that the imperial enterprise cannot be sustained from the capital of Shu alone. Thus, I braved dangers and hardships to fulfill the late emperor's final wishes. Yet, the critics say this is not the right strategy. Now the enemy is weary from campaigns in the west and engaged in the east. According to the Art of War, one should strike when the enemy is exhausted. This is the moment to advance. I humbly set forth the matter as follows:
"The Gaozu Emperor's wisdom rivaled the sun and moon, and his counselors were as deep as the abyss. Yet, he still faced dangers and suffered wounds, only finding safety after peril. Now Your Majesty does not match Gaozu, and your counselors are not as good as Zhang Liang or Chen Ping. If you wish to win by long-term strategy and sit secure in the realm, this is the first thing I cannot understand. Liu Yao and Wang Lang each held provinces and commanderies. When discussing peace and planning, they constantly cited the sages. Yet, their minds were full of doubts, and their hearts were blocked by difficulties. They did not fight one year, nor campaign the next, allowing Sun Quan to grow strong and swallow up Jiangdong. This is the second thing I cannot understand. Cao Cao's cunning and strategy surpassed all others. In his use of troops, he seemed a match for Sun Tzu and Wu Qi. Yet, he was trapped at Nanyang, imperiled at Wuchao, endangered at Qilian, pressed at Liyang, nearly defeated at Beishan, and almost died at Tong Pass. Only after all this did he temporarily establish his rule. How much more so, then, for me, whose talent is weak, to think I can succeed without facing danger? This is the third thing I cannot understand. Cao Cao attacked Chang Ba five times without success, crossed the Chaohu Lake four times without victory. He employed Li Fu, and Li Fu plotted against him. He entrusted Xia Houyuan with command, and Xia Houyuan was defeated and killed. The late emperor often praised Cao Cao's ability, yet he still suffered such losses. How much more so, then, for me, who is dull and inferior? How can I be certain of victory?
This is the fourth thing I cannot understand. Since I arrived in Hanzhong, only a year has passed. Yet, we have lost Zhao Yun, Yang Qun, Ma Yu, Yan Zhi, Ding Li, Bai Shou, Liu He, Deng Tong, and over seventy other commanders of companies and garrisons. We have also lost over a thousand elite troops—the fearless shock troops, the Cong, Sou, and Qing Qiang tribesmans, and the scattered cavalry and armored horsemen. All these were gathered from across the realm over decades, not from a single province. If we wait a few more years, we will have lost two-thirds of them. How then can we plan against the enemy? This is the fifth thing I cannot understand. Now the people are impoverished, and the army is exhausted, yet the conflict cannot cease. If the conflict cannot cease, then staying put and marching out both involve the same labor and expense. If we do not seize this moment to act but try to hold out against the enemy with a single province, this is the sixth thing I cannot understand. What is hardest to predict is the outcome of events. In the past, the late emperor was defeated in Chu. At that time, Cao Cao clapped his hands, thinking the realm was settled. But then the late emperor formed alliances east with Wu and Yue, took Ba and Shu in the west, raised an army to march north, and Xia Houyuan lost his head. This was Cao Cao's miscalculation, and the cause of Han was about to succeed. But then Wu violated the alliance, Guan Yu was ruined, the army stumbled at Zigui, and Cao Pi declared himself emperor. All things are like this—difficult to foresee.
I will exert myself to the utmost, body and soul, and will stop only when I die. As for success or failure, gain or loss, it is beyond my poor wisdom to predict."
The Later Sovereign was greatly pleased after reading the memorial. He immediately ordered Kongming to march out. Kongming received the command and raised 300,000 elite troops. He appointed Wei Yan as the commander of the vanguard, and the army set out directly for the Chencang Pass.
Spies soon reported this to Luoyang. Sima Yi informed the Wei emperor, who summoned all his civil and military officials for a grand council. The Grand General Cao Zhen stepped forward and said, "I have recently been guarding Longxi, but my merits have been small and my faults great. I am filled with shame. Now I beg to lead a great army to capture Zhuge Liang. I have recently acquired a powerful general. He wields a sixty-jin great blade, rides a swift Ferghana horse that can travel a thousand li, draws a two-stone iron-backed bow, and hides three meteor hammers on his person. He never misses his mark and possesses the courage of ten thousand men. He is from Didao in Longxi, named Wang Shuang, styled Ziquan. I recommend this man as my vanguard commander." Cao Rui was overjoyed and summoned Wang Shuang to the hall. The man stood nine feet tall, with a dark face and yellow eyes, a bear's waist and a tiger's back. The emperor smiled and said, "With a great general like this, what have I to fear?" He then bestowed upon Wang Shuang a brocade robe and a suit of golden armor, appointed him General of Tiger Might and Grand Vanguard Commander. Cao Zhen was made Commander-in-Chief. Cao Zhen thanked the emperor and left the court. He then led 150,000 elite troops, joined forces with Guo Huai and Zhang He, and divided their forces to guard the strategic passes.
The Shu army's forward scouts reached Chencang and reported back to Kongming: "A city has been built at the Chencang Pass, defended by General Hao Zhao. The defenses are formidable—deep moats, high ramparts, and caltrops everywhere. It might be better to abandon this city and take the narrow mountain path through Taibai Ridge to reach Mount Qi." Kongming said, "Directly north of Chencang is Jieting. We must capture this city before we can advance." He ordered Wei Yan to lead his troops to the city walls and attack from all sides. For days, they could not breach it. Wei Yan returned and reported to Kongming that the city was too difficult to take. Kongming was furious and was about to have Wei Yan executed. Suddenly, a man stepped forward from the tent and said, "Though I am without talent, I have followed the Chancellor for many years without ever rendering any service. I wish to go into the city of Chencang and persuade Hao Zhao to surrender, without using a single bow or arrow." Everyone looked at him. It was Jin Xiang, a subordinate officer. Kongming asked, "What words will you use to persuade him?" Jin Xiang replied, "Hao Zhao and I are both from Longxi and have been close friends since childhood. If I go to him and explain the advantages and disadvantages, he will surely surrender." Kongming immediately sent him on his way.
Jin Xiang galloped his horse straight to the city walls and shouted, "An old friend of Hao Boda, Jin Xiang, has come to see him!" The men on the wall reported this to Hao Zhao. Hao Zhao ordered the gates opened and let him in. They met atop the gate tower. Hao Zhao asked, "Old friend, why have you come here?" Jin Xiang replied, "I am in the service of Zhuge Liang of Western Shu, assisting with military plans. He treats me as an honored guest. He specially sent me to see you, sir, with a message." Hao Zhao's face darkened with rage, and he said, "Zhuge Liang is the mortal enemy of our state! I serve Wei; you serve Shu. Each serves his own lord. In the past, we were brothers; now, we are enemies! Say no more. Please leave the city at once!" Jin Xiang tried to speak again, but Hao Zhao had already left the gate tower. The Wei soldiers hurried him onto his horse and drove him out of the city. Jin Xiang looked back and saw Hao Zhao leaning against the railing of the gate tower. He reined in his horse, pointed his whip at Hao Zhao, and said, "Brother Boda, why are you so heartless?" Hao Zhao replied, "You know the laws of Wei, brother. I have received the state's favor. I can only die in its service. Do not waste your words of persuasion. Go back quickly and tell Zhuge Liang to come and attack the city. I am not afraid!"
Jin Xiang returned and reported to Kongming, "Hao Zhao stopped me before I could even speak." Kongming said, "Go and see him again. Persuade him with the advantages and disadvantages." Jin Xiang went back to the city and requested to see Hao Zhao. Hao Zhao came out to the gate tower. Jin Xiang reined in his horse and shouted, "Brother Boda, listen to my loyal advice. You are holding a single isolated city. How can you resist an army of hundreds of thousands? If you do not surrender now, it will be too late for regrets! Why do you serve the traitorous Wei instead of following the great Han? Do you not understand the Mandate of Heaven or know right from wrong? I beg you to think on this, brother!" Hao Zhao was enraged. He nocked an arrow, drew his bow, aimed at Jin Xiang, and shouted, "I have already made my position clear! Say no more! Leave at once, or I will not spare you!"
Jin Xiang returned and told Kongming everything. Kongming was furious and said, "This petty man is far too insolent! Does he think I have no siege weapons?" He then summoned a local and asked, "How many men are in the city of Chencang?" The local replied, "Though I do not know the exact number, there are about three thousand." Kongming laughed and said, "A tiny city like this thinks it can stop me? We must attack with all speed before their reinforcements arrive!" He then had the army construct a hundred mobile ladder towers (yun ti), each capable of holding over a dozen men, with wooden shields on all sides. The soldiers carried short ladders and soft ropes, waiting for the drum signal to scale the walls together. Hao Zhao, from the gate tower, saw the Shu army assembling the ladder towers and advancing from all sides. He immediately ordered his three thousand men to take fire arrows and take up positions on all sides. When the ladder towers drew near, they shot all at once. Kongming had thought the city was unprepared, so he had built the ladder towers on a grand scale and ordered his army to advance with drums and war cries. But to his surprise, fire arrows rained down from the walls, and all the ladder towers caught fire. Most of the soldiers on the towers were burned to death. Arrows and stones fell like rain from the walls, and the Shu army retreated. Kongming was furious and said, "You burned my ladder towers? Then I will use my battering rams!" That very night, he prepared battering rams. The next day, they advanced again with drums and war cries from all sides. Hao Zhao urgently ordered his men to drill holes in millstones, thread them with hemp ropes, and swing them down. The battering rams were all smashed. Kongming then ordered his men to carry earth to fill the moat and commanded Liao Hua to lead three thousand men with spades and picks to dig a tunnel by night and secretly enter the city. But Hao Zhao, inside the city, dug a deep transverse trench to intercept them. Thus, they attacked day and night for over twenty days, but could find no way to breach the city.
Kongming was sitting gloomily in his camp when a report arrived: "Reinforcements have arrived from the east. Their banner reads: 'Wang Shuang, Vanguard Commander of Wei.'" Kongming asked, "Who will go to face him?" Wei Yan stepped forward and said, "I volunteer." Kongming said, "You are the commander of the vanguard. You cannot go out lightly." He then asked again, "Who dares to go?" The lieutenant general Xie Xiong answered and went forth. Kongming gave him three thousand men and sent him off. Kongming asked again, "Who dares to go next?" Another lieutenant general, Gong Qi, volunteered. Kongming also gave him three thousand men and sent him off. Fearing that Hao Zhao might lead his troops out from the city, Kongming withdrew his main force twenty li and set up camp.
Xie Xiong led his troops forward and encountered Wang Shuang. Before three exchanges, Wang Shuang cut him down with a single stroke of his blade. The Shu soldiers fled in defeat, and Wang Shuang pursued them. Gong Qi then engaged him, but in only three exchanges, he too was slain by Wang Shuang. The defeated soldiers returned and reported to Kongming. Kongming was shocked. He hastily ordered Liao Hua, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni to go out and meet the enemy. The two armies drew up in formation. Zhang Ni rode out, with Wang Ping and Liao Hua holding the flanks. Wang Shuang galloped out to meet Zhang Ni. After several exchanges, neither could gain the upper hand. Wang Shuang feigned defeat and fled. Zhang Ni gave chase. Wang Ping saw that Zhang Ni had fallen for the ruse and shouted, "Do not pursue him!" Zhang Ni hastily turned his horse, but Wang Shuang's meteor hammer was already upon him, striking him square in the back. Zhang Ni slumped over his saddle and fled. Wang Shuang wheeled his horse and gave chase. Wang Ping and Liao Hua intercepted him, rescuing Zhang Ni and bringing him back to the formation. Wang Shuang drove his troops forward and inflicted a fierce slaughter, causing heavy losses among the Shu army. Zhang Ni coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. He returned to Kongming and said, "Wang Shuang is a peerless hero. He has now camped outside Chencang with twenty thousand men, surrounded by palisades, with a heavily fortified camp and deep trenches. His defenses are very tight." Kongming, seeing that he had lost two generals and that Zhang Ni was wounded, summoned Jiang Wei and said, "The road through the Chencang Pass is impassable. What other strategy do you have?" Jiang Wei replied, "Chencang's walls are strong, Hao Zhao's defenses are tight, and with Wang Shuang's aid, it is truly unassailable. It would be better to order a great general to set up camp by the mountains and rivers and hold the position firmly. Then send another capable general to guard the key roads to prevent an attack on Jieting. Meanwhile, you, my lord, can lead the main army to attack Mount Qi. I have a plan that can capture Cao Zhen." Kongming agreed. He ordered Wang Ping and Li Hui to lead two detachments to guard the small road to Jieting. Wei Yan was to lead one army to guard the Chencang Pass. Ma Dai was appointed as the vanguard, with Guan Xing and Zhang Bao as the forward and rear relief commanders. They took a small path through Xie Valley and advanced toward Mount Qi.
Cao Zhen, still brooding over how Sima Yi had stolen his glory in the previous campaign, had gone to Luoyang and deployed Guo Huai and Sun Li to guard the eastern and western approaches. He had also heard of the emergency at Chencang and had already sent Wang Shuang to its relief. When he learned that Wang Shuang had killed enemy generals and won merit, he was overjoyed. He then ordered the General of the Central Guard, Fei Yao, to act as temporary commander of the vanguard, while all other generals guarded the passes. Suddenly, a report came that a spy had been captured in the mountains and was being brought before him. Cao Zhen ordered the man brought in. The man knelt before the tent and said, "I am no spy. I have come with a secret message for the Commander-in-Chief. I was mistakenly captured by the patrols. I beg you to dismiss your attendants." Cao Zhen ordered his bonds removed and the attendants to withdraw. The man then said, "I am a trusted confidant of Jiang Boyue. My master ordered me to deliver a secret letter." Cao Zhen asked, "Where is the letter?" The man took it from inside his clothing, next to his skin, and presented it. Cao Zhen opened it and read:
"The guilty general Jiang Wei bows a hundred times and presents this letter to the Commander-in-Chief Cao: I recall that my family has eaten the grain of Wei for generations, and I was unworthily entrusted with the defense of a border city. I have received great favor but have found no way to repay it. Yesterday, I was unfortunately caught in Zhuge Liang's plot and trapped in a desperate situation. I think of my old country—how could I forget it even for a day? Now, by good fortune, the Shu army has marched west, and Zhuge Liang trusts me without suspicion. I rely on you, Commander-in-Chief, to lead a great army here. When you meet the enemy, you can feign defeat. I will be in the rear. When I raise a fire as a signal, I will first burn the Shu army's grain, and then you can turn your main force around and crush them. Zhuge Liang can then be captured. I do not dare to claim that I seek to render merit to repay the state; I truly wish to atone for my past crimes. If you will look into this matter, I beg you to send your orders quickly."
After reading the letter, Cao Zhen was overjoyed and said, "Heaven itself has granted me success!" He rewarded the messenger generously and ordered him to return and coordinate the plan according to the appointed time. Cao Zhen then summoned Fei Yao and said, "Jiang Wei has secretly sent me a letter, instructing me to do thus and so." Fei Yao replied, "Zhuge Liang is full of schemes, and Jiang Wei is widely known for his cleverness. This could be a plot of Zhuge Liang's. I fear there may be treachery." Cao Zhen said, "He was originally a man of Wei. He surrendered to Shu only under duress. Why should we doubt him?" Fei Yao said, "Commander-in-Chief, you must not go yourself. Just hold the main camp. I will lead an army to support Jiang Wei. If we succeed, the credit will be yours. If it is a trap, I will bear the consequences." Cao Zhen was delighted and ordered Fei Yao to lead fifty thousand men toward Xie Valley.
After marching for two or three stages, Fei Yao halted his army and sent out scouts. Around four in the afternoon, the scouts returned and reported, "A Shu army has been sighted in Xie Valley." Fei Yao hurriedly urged his troops forward. Before the Shu army could engage, they retreated. Fei Yao led his men in pursuit. The Shu army then turned and came back. Just as they were about to form up for battle, the Shu army retreated again. This happened three times, dragging on until four in the afternoon of the next day. The Wei army had not dared to rest for a whole day and night, fearing a Shu attack. Just as they were about to halt and prepare a meal, war cries suddenly erupted from all sides, drums and horns blared, and Shu soldiers swarmed over the hills and fields. The command banners parted, and a four-wheeled carriage appeared. Kongming sat calmly within it and sent a messenger to invite the Wei commander to parley. Fei Yao rode out and, seeing Kongming from afar, was secretly pleased. He turned to his men and said, "If the Shu army charges, we will retreat. If you see a fire start behind the hills, turn around and attack. There will be troops to support us." After giving these orders, he galloped forward and shouted, "You were defeated before! How dare you show your face again?" Kongming replied, "Summon your master, Cao Zhen, to speak with me!" Fei Yao cursed, "Commander Cao is of the imperial bloodline! Would he deign to meet a rebel like you?" Kongming was enraged. He waved his feather fan. Ma Dai appeared on the left and Zhang Ni on the right, and both columns charged. The Wei army immediately retreated. They had not gone thirty li when they saw a fire break out behind the Shu army, accompanied by endless war cries. Fei Yao, thinking this was the signal fire, turned his army around and attacked. The Shu army all retreated. Fei Yao, blade in hand, led the pursuit toward the sound of the cries. As he drew near the fire, drums and horns shook the heavens from the mountain paths, and war cries shook the earth. Two columns of troops burst forth: Guan Xing on the left and Zhang Bao on the right. Arrows and stones rained down from the mountains. The Wei army was utterly routed. Fei Yao realized he had fallen into a trap and hastily retreated into a mountain valley. His men and horses were exhausted. Behind him, Guan Xing led fresh troops in pursuit. The Wei soldiers trampled each other and fell into ravines, dying in countless numbers.
Fei Yao fled for his life. At a mountain pass, he encountered another column of troops. It was Jiang Wei. Fei Yao cursed, "Faithless rebel! I was unlucky enough to fall for your treacherous scheme!" Jiang Wei laughed and said, "I wanted to capture Cao Zhen. It was you I tricked by mistake! Dismount and surrender at once!" Fei Yao spurred his horse and tried to force his way through, fleeing into a valley. Suddenly, he saw the valley mouth ablaze with fire, and the pursuers were closing in from behind. Fei Yao drew his sword and cut his own throat. The remaining troops all surrendered. Kongming drove his army forward through the night, setting up camp directly in front of Mount Qi. He gathered his troops and richly rewarded Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei said, "I regret that I could not kill Cao Zhen!" Kongming also said, "It is a pity that such a great plan was used on such a small target."
When Cao Zhen learned that Fei Yao had been lost, he was filled with regret. He then discussed with Guo Huai a strategy for retreat. Sun Li and Xin Pi hastily prepared a memorial and sent it by night to the Wei emperor, reporting that the Shu army had again emerged from Mount Qi, that Cao Zhen had lost troops and generals, and that the situation was extremely critical. Cao Rui was greatly alarmed. He summoned Sima Yi and said, "Cao Zhen has lost troops and generals, and the Shu army has emerged from Mount Qi again. What strategy do you have to drive them back?" Sima Yi replied, "I already have a plan to make Zhuge Liang retreat. Without the Wei army having to display its might, the Shu army will naturally withdraw."
Truly, it was: Cao Zhen had already shown he had no skill in victory; all relied on Sima Yi's excellent strategy. What this plan was, you must read the next chapter to find out.