After releasing Meng Huo and his followers, Kongming bestowed official titles and generous rewards upon Yang Feng and his sons, who expressed their gratitude and departed. Meng Huo and his men fled through the night back to the Silver Pit Cave. Outside this cave, three rivers converged: the Lu River, the Gannan River, and the Xicheng River, their waters joining to form what was called the Three Rivers. To the north of the cave lay over three hundred li of relatively flat land, rich in all kinds of produce. Two hundred li to the west were salt wells. Two hundred li to the southwest, the land stretched to the Lu and Gan Rivers. Three hundred li due south was the Liangdu Cave, a region encircled by mountains. On these mountains, silver mines were found, giving the range its name, Silver Pit Mountain. Within these mountains, the the southern king had built his lair—palaces, towers, and pavilions. He also constructed an ancestral temple there, which he called the "House of Ghosts." Four times a year, cattle and horses were slaughtered as offerings, a ritual known as "Divining by Ghosts." Every year, men from Shu and other foreign lands were sacrificed. When his people fell ill, they refused medicine, instead praying to shamans and witches, a practice they called "Medicine Ghosts." There were no formal legal codes; any crime was punished by immediate execution. When a girl came of age, she would bathe in the streams, mingling freely with men, and they would pair off as they pleased, with no interference from their parents. This custom was called "Learning the Arts." In years of balanced rainfall, they planted rice; if the harvest failed, they made soup from snakes and cooked elephants for their meals. In each district, the highest-ranking household was called the "Cave Lord," and the next in rank, the "Tribal Chief." On the first and fifteenth of each month, they gathered in the city of Three Rivers to trade and exchange goods. Such were their customs.
Within his cave, Meng Huo gathered over a thousand of his clansmen and said to them, "I have been humiliated time and again by the Shu army. I swear I will have my revenge. What strategies do you propose?" Before he had finished speaking, one man stepped forward and replied, "I can recommend a man who can defeat Zhuge Liang." The crowd looked—it was the younger brother of Meng Huo’s wife, the chieftain of the Eight Tribes, known as the Lord of the Bringing Cave. Meng Huo was overjoyed and urgently asked who this man was. The Lord of the Bringing Cave said, "To the southwest, in the Eightfold Cave, lives the Lord of the Wooden Deer, a man deeply versed in sorcery. When he goes abroad, he rides an elephant, can summon wind and rain, and is always followed by tigers, leopards, wolves, venomous snakes, and scorpions. He commands thirty thousand spirit soldiers of great ferocity. Great King, you should write a letter and prepare gifts. I will go and plead with him personally. If he agrees, what have we to fear from the Shu army?" Elated, Meng Huo ordered his brother-in-law to take the letter and depart. He then ordered King Duosi to hold the city of Three Rivers as a forward defense.
Kongming led his army directly to the city of Three Rivers. From a distance, he saw that the city was flanked on three sides by rivers, with only one side connected to dry land. He ordered Wei Yan and Zhao Yun to lead a force to attack the city from the landward side. As the army reached the city walls, a volley of crossbow bolts rained down from the ramparts. The men of these caves were skilled archers, and their crossbows could fire ten bolts at once, each tipped with poison. Any man struck would have his flesh rot away, exposing his internal organs, and would die. Unable to prevail, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan returned to Kongming and reported the matter of the poisoned arrows. Kongming rode out in his small carriage to survey the situation. Returning to his camp, he ordered the army to withdraw several li and make camp. Seeing the Shu army retreat so far, the tribal soldiers laughed heartily and celebrated, believing the Shu forces had fled in fear. That night, they slept soundly, posting no sentries.
After ordering the retreat, Kongming closed his camp gates and remained inactive. For five consecutive days, no orders were given. As dusk fell, a gentle breeze arose. Kongming then issued an order: "Every soldier must prepare a strip of cloth from his tunic. It must be ready by the first watch. Any man without one will be executed on the spot." None of the officers understood his intent, but the soldiers obeyed the command. At the first watch, another order came: "Each man is to use his strip of cloth to wrap a bundle of earth. Any man without one will be executed." Still baffled, the soldiers complied. Kongming then issued a third order: "All soldiers are to carry their bundles of earth to the base of the city walls of Three Rivers. The first to arrive will be rewarded." Hearing this, the soldiers wrapped up clean earth and raced to the city. Kongming ordered them to pile the earth into a ramp, promising the highest reward to the first man atop the wall. Thus, over one hundred thousand Shu soldiers, along with more than ten thousand surrendered troops, dumped their bundles of earth at the city’s base. In an instant, the earth piled up into a mountain, reaching the top of the wall. At a prearranged signal, the Shu soldiers swarmed up the wall. the tribesmen rushed to fire their crossbows, but most were captured before they could. The rest abandoned the city and fled. King Duosi died in the chaos. The Shu generals led their troops in a divided pursuit, slaughtering the fleeing enemy. Kongming took the city of Three Rivers and distributed all the captured treasures among his three armies. The remnants of the defeated tribal army fled back to Meng Huo and reported, "King Duosi is dead. The city of Three Rivers has fallen." Meng Huo was greatly alarmed.
As he was worrying over this, a messenger reported that the Shu army had already crossed the river and was now encamped before his own cave. Meng Huo was frantic with panic. Suddenly, a woman burst out laughing from behind a screen and said, "For a man, how can you be so lacking in strategy? Though I am but a woman, I am willing to go into battle for you." Meng Huo looked up and saw it was his wife, Lady Zhurong. A descendant of the ancient fire god Zhurong, she had lived her whole life among the the Southern Tribes and was a master of the flying dagger, which she could throw with unerring accuracy. Meng Huo rose and thanked her. The Lady cheerfully mounted her horse and led several hundred fierce clansmen and fifty thousand elite tribal troops out of the Silver Pit Palace to confront the Shu army. As they rounded the mouth of the cave, a column of soldiers blocked their path. Leading them was the Shu general Zhang Ni. Seeing the tribal troops, the Shu forces quickly deployed into two wings. Lady Zhurong had five flying daggers strapped to her back, wielded an eighteen-foot-long spear, and rode a curly-maned Red Hare horse. Zhang Ni was secretly astonished at the sight. The two spurred their horses forward and engaged. After only a few exchanges, the Lady wheeled her horse and fled. Zhang Ni gave chase, and a flying dagger descended from the air. Zhang Ni raised his arm to block it, but the blade struck his left arm, and he tumbled from his horse. With a shout, the tribal soldiers seized and bound Zhang Ni. Ma Zhong, hearing that Zhang Ni had been captured, rushed out to rescue him, but was himself quickly bound by the tribesmen. Seeing Lady Zhurong standing there with her spear at the ready, her horse reined in, Ma Zhong charged at her in fury, but his horse stumbled, and he too was captured. Both were taken into the cave and presented before Meng Huo. Meng Huo held a feast to celebrate. The Lady ordered the executioners to bring forth Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong for beheading. Meng Huo stopped her, saying, "Zhuge Liang has released me five times. To kill his generals now would be an act of dishonor. Let us imprison them in the cave. When we have captured Zhuge Liang himself, it will not be too late to kill them." The Lady agreed, and they laughed and drank in celebration.
The defeated soldiers who escaped reported these events to Kongming. Kongming immediately summoned Ma Dai, Zhao Yun, and Wei Yan, and gave each of them their orders. They then led their troops away. The next day, a tribal scouts reported to the cave that Zhao Yun was challenging them to battle. Lady Zhurong mounted her horse and went out to meet him. After a few exchanges, Zhao Yun wheeled his horse and fled. Fearing an ambush, the Lady recalled her troops and returned. Wei Yan then came forward with his own challenge. The Lady charged out to meet him. As the fight grew fierce, Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled, but the Lady did not pursue. The following day, Zhao Yun again came to challenge. The Lady led her cave soldiers out to meet him. After a few exchanges, Zhao Yun feigned defeat and fled, but the Lady held her spear and did not pursue. As she was about to withdraw her troops back to the cave, Wei Yan’s soldiers began shouting insults at her. Enraged, the Lady leveled her spear and charged at Wei Yan. He wheeled his horse and fled. The Lady gave furious chase as Wei Yan spurred his horse into a narrow mountain path. Suddenly, a loud noise came from behind her. Wei Yan turned to look and saw the Lady topple from her horse—Ma Dai had been lying in ambush there and had tripped her with a rope. He seized and bound her, then took her to the main camp. The tribal generals and soldiers rushed to rescue her, but Zhao Yun scattered them with a single charge. Kongming sat solemnly in his tent as Ma Dai brought Lady Zhurong before him. Kongming immediately ordered his guards to remove her bonds, had her escorted to a separate tent, and offered her wine to calm her nerves. He then sent an envoy to inform Meng Huo that he wished to exchange the Lady for the captured generals Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong.
Meng Huo agreed and released Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong, returning them to Kongming. Kongming then sent the Lady back to the cave. Meng Huo welcomed her, feeling both joy and anger. Suddenly, it was announced that the Lord of the Eightfold Cave had arrived. Meng Huo went out to greet him and saw a man riding a white elephant, adorned with gold and pearls, with two large swords hanging at his waist, leading a retinue of men who tended to tigers, leopards, wolves, and other beasts. They pressed forward into the cave. Meng Huo bowed and tearfully recounted his recent troubles. The Lord of the Wooden Deer promised to avenge him. Meng Huo was overjoyed and held a banquet in his honor. The next day, the Lord of the Wooden Deer led his cave soldiers out with their wild beasts. Hearing that the tribesmen had emerged, Zhao Yun and Wei Yan deployed their troops in battle formation. The two generals rode side-by-side to the front of their lines to observe. They saw that the tribesmen’ flags and weapons were unlike any they had seen before. The men wore no armor, but fought naked from the waist up, their faces hideous, each carrying four sharp knives. Their army used no drums or horns, but signaled with gongs. The Lord of the Wooden Deer, wearing two treasured swords at his waist and carrying a ritual bell in his hand, rode his white elephant out from among the banners. Seeing this, Zhao Yun said to Wei Yan, "In all our years of battle, we have never seen such creatures." As they stood there, perplexed, the Lord of the Wooden Deer began to chant an incantation under his breath, shaking his ritual bell. Suddenly, a great wind arose, whipping up sand and stones like a sudden storm. A blast from a horn rang out, and tigers, leopards, wolves, venomous snakes, and other fierce beasts rode the wind, baring their fangs and claws, and charged forward. The Shu troops could not withstand this onslaught and fell back. The tribal soldiers pursued, chasing them all the way to the boundary of the Three Rivers before turning back. Zhao Yun and Wei Yan gathered their defeated troops and went to Kongming’s tent to confess their failure, recounting the events in detail.
Kongming laughed and said, "This is not your fault. Before I even left my thatched cottage, I knew the the Southern Tribes had methods for driving tigers and leopards. I had already prepared the means to counter this tactic while still in Shu. In our baggage train, there are twenty carts, all sealed. We will use half of them today and keep the other half for another purpose." He then ordered his men to bring ten red-lacquered chests from the carts to his tent, leaving the ten black-lacquered chests behind. No one understood his intention. Kongming opened the chests, revealing large, painted wooden beasts, their bodies covered with five-colored wool and their teeth and claws made of steel. Each beast could carry ten men. Kongming selected over a thousand elite soldiers, each leading one of these beasts, and had the beasts’ mouths filled with smoke and fire devices, concealed within the ranks. The next day, Kongming advanced his army in full force and deployed them at the mouth of the cave. tribal scouts discovered this and reported it to their king. The Lord of the Wooden Deer, confident in his own invincibility, led his cave soldiers out with Meng Huo. Kongming, wearing a silk headband and carrying a feather fan, dressed in a Daoist robe, sat calmly in his carriage. Meng Huo pointed and said, "The man in the carriage is Zhuge Liang! If we capture him, our great cause is won!" The Lord of the Wooden Deer began to chant and shake his ritual bell. In an instant, a great wind arose, and the fierce beasts charged forth. Kongming waved his feather fan, and the wind reversed direction, blowing back into the tribal ranks. The Shu army’s false beasts surged forward. When the real southern beasts saw these giant creatures from the Shu formation spitting flames from their mouths, belching black smoke from their noses, shaking bronze bells on their bodies, and charging with bared fangs and claws, they dared not advance. They turned and fled back into the tribal ranks, trampling countless soldiers underfoot. Kongming drove his army forward, drums and horns blaring, and gave chase. The Lord of the Wooden Deer was killed in the chaos. Meng Huo and his clansmen abandoned their palaces and fled over the mountains and ridges. Kongming’s army occupied the Silver Pit Cave.
The next day, as Kongming was preparing to dispatch troops to capture Meng Huo, a report came: "The Lord of the Bringing Cave, younger brother of the the southern king’s wife, tried to persuade Meng Huo to surrender. Meng Huo refused, so the Lord of the Bringing Cave has now captured Meng Huo, Lady Zhurong, and several hundred of their clansmen and presents them to the Imperial Chancellor." Hearing this, Kongming summoned Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong and gave them secret instructions. The two generals took two thousand elite troops and hid them in the side corridors. Kongming then ordered the gate guards to let everyone in. The Lord of the Bringing Cave, leading executioners, brought Meng Huo and several hundred others before the tent, where they knelt. Kongming shouted, "Seize them!" The elite soldiers from the corridors rushed out, and with two men grabbing one, all the prisoners were bound. Kongming laughed heartily and said, "How could such a petty trick deceive me? Twice before, men from your own caves captured you and brought you to me in surrender, and I spared you. You thought I was too trusting, so you came to feign surrender, hoping to kill me inside my own camp!" He ordered his guards to search the prisoners, and true to his word, each was found to be carrying a hidden blade. Kongming said to Meng Huo, "You once said that you would only submit if you were captured in your own home. What do you say now?" Meng Huo replied, "This time, we walked into our own deaths. It was not your doing. I am not yet convinced." Kongming asked, "I have captured you six times now, and still you are not convinced? When will you be?" Meng Huo said, "If you capture me a seventh time, then I will give you my whole-hearted allegiance and swear never to rebel again." Kongming replied, "Your lair is already destroyed. What have I to fear?" He ordered his guards to remove the prisoners’ bonds and said to them, "If I capture you again and you still make excuses, I will show no mercy!" Meng Huo and his men fled with their heads down, scurrying away like rats.
Over a thousand defeated and wounded tribal soldiers were fleeing when they met up with their king. Meng Huo gathered them, feeling somewhat relieved, and discussed with the Lord of the Bringing Cave, "Our caves are now occupied by the Shu army. Where can we go to find refuge?" The Lord of the Bringing Cave said, "There is one kingdom that can break Shu." Meng Huo asked eagerly, "Where is it?" The Lord of the Bringing Cave replied, "Seven hundred li to the southeast lies the kingdom of Wuge. Its king, Wutugu, stands twelve feet tall, does not eat the five grains, but feeds on raw snakes and fierce beasts. His body is covered in scales, and no blade or arrow can pierce him. His soldiers all wear armor made of rattan. This rattan grows in mountain streams, coiling around stone cliffs. The people gather it, soak it in oil for half a year, then dry it in the sun. They repeat this process more than ten times before making it into armor. When worn, it does not sink in rivers, nor does water penetrate it. No blade or arrow can pierce it. Thus, they are called the Rattan Armor Army. Great King, you should go and seek their aid. If they help us, capturing Zhuge Liang will be as easy as splitting a bamboo with a sharp knife." Meng Huo was overjoyed and went straight to the kingdom of Wuge to see Wutugu. The cave had no houses, only earthen pits where the people lived. Meng Huo entered the cave, bowed, and tearfully recounted his story. Wutugu said, "I will raise my cave’s army and avenge you." Meng Huo gratefully bowed in thanks. Wutugu then summoned two of his generals, one named Tu An and the other Xi Ni, and raised thirty thousand troops, all clad in rattan armor. They marched northeast from Wuge. They came to a river called the Peach Blossom River, its banks lined with peach trees. For years, the fallen leaves had drifted into the water, and if anyone from another land drank it, they would die. But the people of Wuge drank it and found their spirits greatly enhanced. Wutugu’s army made camp at the Peach Blossom Ferry crossing, awaiting the Shu army.
Kongming sent scouts to find news of Meng Huo. They returned and reported, "Meng Huo has asked the king of Wuge to lead thirty thousand Rattan Armor troops, and they are now encamped at the Peach Blossom Ferry. Meng Huo is also gathering more tribal troops from all the tribes to fight with all their strength." Hearing this, Kongming advanced his army in full force until he reached the Peach Blossom Ferry. Across the river, he saw the tribal troops. They did not look human, but were hideous and monstrous. He questioned the locals, who told him that the peach leaves were falling at that time and the water was undrinkable. Kongming withdrew five li and made camp, leaving Wei Yan to guard it.
The next day, the king of Wuge led a column of his Rattan Armor troops across the river with a great clamor of gongs and drums. Wei Yan led his troops out to meet them. the tribesmen swept across the land. The Shu soldiers fired crossbow bolts at the rattan armor, but they could not penetrate it, all falling to the ground. Swords and spears were also useless. the tribesmen, wielding sharp knives and steel tridents, were more than the Shu troops could handle, and they were routed. the tribesmen did not pursue but returned. Wei Yan regrouped and chased them back to the Peach Blossom Ferry, where he saw the tribal soldiers crossing the river in their armor. Some, who were tired, took off their armor, placed it on the water, and sat on it to cross. Wei Yan hurried back to the main camp and reported everything to Kongming in detail. Kongming summoned Lü Kai and some of the locals to question them. Lü Kai said, "I have long heard of a kingdom among the the Southern Tribes called Wuge, a place without any human decency. Their rattan armor makes them difficult to harm quickly. And the poisoned waters of the Peach Blossom River, which invigorates their own people but kills any outsider—what benefit is there in conquering such a barbaric place, even in total victory? It would be better to withdraw the army and return home." Kongming smiled and said, "I did not come here easily. How can I simply leave? I will have a plan to pacify these tribesmans by tomorrow." He then ordered Zhao Yun to assist Wei Yan in guarding the camp and to avoid any rash engagements.
The next day, Kongming had a local guide him. He rode his small carriage to a remote, mountainous area on the northern bank of the Peach Blossom Ferry to survey the terrain. The mountain paths were too steep for his carriage, so Kongming dismounted and proceeded on foot. He came to a mountain and saw a valley shaped like a long snake, its walls sheer and smooth, devoid of any trees, with a single large road running through its center. Kongming asked the local, "What is the name of this valley?" The local replied, "This is the Coiled Serpent Valley. The road beyond the valley leads to the city of Three Rivers. The area before the valley is called Talangdian." Kongming was overjoyed and said, "Heaven has granted me success in this place!" He then retraced his steps, mounted his carriage, and returned to camp. He summoned Ma Dai and instructed him, "Take the ten carts with the black-lacquered chests. You will need a thousand bamboo poles. The contents of the chests are to be used in a specific manner. You are to take your troops and block both ends of the Coiled Serpent Valley, following my instructions exactly. I give you a deadline of half a month to prepare everything. On the appointed day, you will carry out the plan. If any word of this leaks out, you will be dealt with according to military law." Ma Dai received his orders and left. Kongming then summoned Zhao Yun and instructed him, "You are to go to the rear of the Coiled Serpent Valley, to the main road leading to the Three Rivers, and guard it in this manner. Have all necessary materials ready by the deadline." Zhao Yun received his orders and left. Kongming then summoned Wei Yan and said, "You are to take your troops and make camp at the Peach Blossom Ferry. If the tribesmen cross the river to attack you, you are to abandon your camp and retreat towards a white banner. Within half a month, you must lose fifteen consecutive battles and abandon seven camps. If you lose only fourteen battles, do not come back to see me." Wei Yan accepted the order, though he was displeased, and left gloomily. Kongming then ordered Zhang Yi to take another force and build camps at the designated locations. He then ordered Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong to take the thousand surrendered cave soldiers and carry out certain orders. Everyone followed their instructions.
Meng Huo said to Wutugu, the king of Wuge, "Zhuge Liang is full of clever tricks, especially ambushes. In future engagements, you must instruct your three armies: whenever you see valleys or forests, do not advance rashly." Wutugu replied, "What the Great King says is reasonable. I know that the men of the Central Plains are full of deceit. We will follow your advice. I will fight in the front; you can guide me from the rear." Having agreed on this, they received a report that the Shu army had set up a camp on the northern bank of the Peach Blossom Ferry. Wutugu immediately sent two of his generals to lead the Rattan Armor troops across the river to engage the Shu army. After only a few exchanges, Wei Yan was defeated and fled. Fearing an ambush, the tribesmen did not pursue but returned. The next day, Wei Yan set up another camp. The tribal scouts reported this, and they again crossed the river to attack. Wei Yan came out to meet them. After only a few exchanges, he was defeated and fled. the tribesmen chased him for over ten li, but seeing no activity, they occupied the abandoned Shu camp. The next day, the two tribal generals invited Wutugu to their camp and reported what had happened. Wutugu then advanced with his main army, pursuing Wei Yan. The Shu soldiers abandoned their armor and weapons and fled, heading towards a white banner in the distance. Wei Yan led his defeated troops to the white banner, where they found a camp and took refuge. Wutugu’s forces pursued and arrived, but Wei Yan abandoned the camp and fled. the tribesmen took this Shu camp as well. The next day, they advanced again in pursuit. Wei Yan turned to fight, but after only three exchanges he was defeated again. He retreated towards the white banner, where another camp was found, and took shelter there. The next day, the tribesmen arrived again. Wei Yan fought briefly, then fled. the tribesmen occupied this camp as well.
To make a long story short, Wei Yan fought and retreated, losing fifteen battles and abandoning seven camps in a row. the tribesmen advanced with great force. Wutugu led the attack from the front, but whenever he saw lush forests, he dared not advance. He sent scouts ahead, who indeed saw banners fluttering in the shade of the trees. Wutugu said to Meng Huo, "It is just as the Great King predicted." Meng Huo laughed heartily and said, "This time, Zhuge Liang’s tricks have been seen through by me! The Great King has defeated him fifteen times in a row and taken seven of his camps. The Shu army flees at the mere sight of us. Zhuge Liang’s schemes are exhausted. With one more push, our great cause is won!" Wutugu was overjoyed and no longer worried about the Shu army. On the sixteenth day, Wei Yan led his remaining troops to confront the Rattan Armor army. Wutugu rode his elephant at the head of his forces, wearing a cap of sun-and-moon wolf’s beard, adorned with gold and pearls. Scales were visible beneath his ribs, and a faint light gleamed in his eyes. He pointed at Wei Yan and cursed loudly. Wei Yan wheeled his horse and fled. The tribal army advanced in full force. Wei Yan led his troops around the Coiled Serpent Valley, heading for the white banner. Wutugu led his army in hot pursuit. Seeing that the mountains on either side were bare of trees and grass, Wutugu assumed there were no ambushes and pursued with confidence. As they entered the valley, they saw several dozen black-lacquered chests blocking the road. A tribal soldier reported, "These are the supply carts of the Shu army.
Seeing the Great King’s approach, they abandoned them and fled." Wutugu was delighted and urged his troops forward. As they were about to exit the valley, they found the exit blocked by a pile of felled trees and boulders. Wutugu ordered his men to clear the path. Suddenly, they saw that the carts ahead, large and small, were loaded with dry firewood and had all burst into flames. Wutugu hastily ordered a retreat, but shouts came from the rear, reporting that the valley’s entrance was also blocked by burning firewood. The carts were filled with gunpowder, and all were now ablaze. Seeing no trees or grass, Wutugu was not yet panicked and ordered his men to find a way out. But then, firebrands were thrown down from the mountains on both sides. Wherever they landed, they ignited the fuses laid on the ground, and iron cannonballs flew up from the earth. The whole valley was filled with dancing flames. The rattan armor caught fire wherever it touched. Wutugu and his thirty thousand Rattan Armor soldiers, locked in a fiery embrace, were all burned to death in the Coiled Serpent Valley. From his position on the mountain, Kongming looked down and saw the tribal soldiers, their limbs contorted by the flames, their heads and faces shattered by the cannonballs, dying in the valley. The stench was unbearable. Kongming wept and sighed, "Though I have rendered a great service to the state, I must have shortened my own lifespan!" All his officers and men were deeply moved.
Back in his camp, Meng Huo was awaiting news from the front. Suddenly, over a thousand men came to his camp gate, laughing and bowing, and said, "The army of Wuge is locked in a great battle with the Shu army. They have surrounded Zhuge Liang in the Coiled Serpent Valley. We have come especially to ask the Great King to go and reinforce them. We are all men of these caves who were forced to surrender to Shu. Knowing that the Great King was coming, we have come to help you fight." Meng Huo was overjoyed. He immediately gathered his clansmen and the assembled tribesmen, mounted his horse, and set off through the night, guided by the tribal soldiers. As soon as they reached the Coiled Serpent Valley, they saw a great blaze and smelled a foul stench. Realizing he had been tricked, Meng Huo hastily ordered a retreat. But then, Zhang Ni’s forces attacked from the left and Ma Zhong’s from the right. As Meng Huo prepared to resist, a great shout went up, and most of the tribal soldiers turned out to be Shu troops in disguise. They captured the the southern king’s clansmen and all the assembled tribesmen. Meng Huo, on a single horse, cut his way out of the encirclement and fled towards a mountain path.
As he fled, he saw a cluster of horsemen emerge from a hollow in the hills, escorting a small carriage. Seated upright in the carriage was a man in a silk headband and a feather fan, dressed in a Daoist robe—it was Kongming. Kongming shouted, "Rebel Meng Huo! What do you have to say for yourself now?" Meng Huo wheeled his horse to flee. But a general stepped out from the side and blocked his path—it was Ma Dai. Before Meng Huo could react, Ma Dai captured him alive. At that moment, Wang Ping and Zhang Yi had already arrived at the tribal camp with their troops and captured Lady Zhurong and all of Meng Huo’s family alive.
Kongming returned to his camp, ascended his command seat, and said to his assembled generals, "This plan of mine was a last resort, and it has greatly harmed my virtue. I knew the enemy would expect me to set ambushes in dense forests, so I placed empty banners there with no troops, to sow doubt in their minds. I ordered Wei Yan to lose fifteen battles in a row to make them overconfident. I saw that the Coiled Serpent Valley had only one road, with bare rock walls on both sides and no trees, and the ground was sandy. So I ordered Ma Dai to place the black-lacquered chests in the valley. Inside those chests were pre-made cannons I call ‘earth-thunder.’ Each cannon contains nine smaller shots, buried at intervals of thirty paces, connected by hollow bamboo tubes filled with fuses. When detonated, they shatter mountains and split rocks. I also ordered Zhao Yun to prepare carts of brushwood and place them in the valley, and to prepare large logs and boulders on the mountain tops. Then I ordered Wei Yan to lure Wutugu and his Rattan Armor troops into the valley. Once Wei Yan was out, I sealed the road and burned them. I have heard that ‘what is good for water is not good for fire.’ Although no blade or arrow can pierce rattan armor, it is soaked in oil and will burn at the touch of fire. These tribesmans were so stubborn—how could I have won without fire? To have wiped out the entire race of Wuge is my great sin!" The generals bowed and said, "The Imperial Chancellor’s divine strategy is unfathomable to gods or demons!" Kongming ordered Meng Huo to be brought forward. Meng Huo knelt before the tent. Kongming ordered his bonds removed and had him taken to a separate tent with wine and food to calm his nerves. Kongming then summoned the officer in charge of food and drink to his seat and gave him secret instructions.
In the separate tent, Meng Huo was drinking with Lady Zhurong, Meng You, the Lord of the Bringing Cave, and all his clansmen. Suddenly, a man entered and said to Meng Huo, "The Imperial Chancellor is too ashamed to see you. He has sent me to release you so you can go and gather more men to fight him. You must leave quickly." Meng Huo wept and said, "To be captured seven times and released seven times—such a thing has never happened since ancient times. Though I am a man from beyond the pale of civilization, I know a thing or two about honor and righteousness. How can I be so shameless?" He then, together with his brothers, wife, children, and all his clansmen, crawled on their knees to the main tent, bared their shoulders, and confessed their guilt, saying, "The Imperial Chancellor’s might is like Heaven’s. We men of the South will never rebel again!" Kongming asked, "Are you convinced now?" Meng Huo wept and replied, "My sons and grandsons will forever be grateful for your life-giving grace. How could I not be convinced?" Kongming then invited Meng Huo into his tent, held a feast to celebrate, and appointed him as the perpetual Lord of the Caves. All the lands that had been taken were returned. Meng Huo, his clansmen, and all the tribal soldiers were filled with gratitude and joy, and they departed leaping and cheering. Of him,
history records that with his feather fan and silk headband beneath the azure canopy, his seven captures with their subtle strategy subdued the the southern king. To this day, his might and virtue are celebrated in the mountain streams and caves, and on a chosen high plain, a temple was built in his honor.
The Chief Clerk Fei Yi came to remonstrate with Kongming, saying, "The Imperial Chancellor has personally led the troops deep into this uncivilized land and brought the tribesmen to submission. Now that the the southern king has surrendered, why not appoint officials to govern here alongside Meng Huo?" Kongming replied, "There are three difficulties with that. If we leave outsiders here, we must leave troops to protect them. But the troops will have nothing to eat—that is the first difficulty. the tribesmen have suffered great losses, with their fathers and brothers killed. If we leave outsiders here without troops, it will surely lead to disaster—that is the second difficulty. the tribesmen have repeatedly committed crimes of murder and rebellion, and they will always be suspicious of outsiders and never truly trust them—that is the third difficulty. Now, I will leave no men here, nor transport any grain. We will simply let them live in peace and do nothing to disturb them." Everyone was convinced. the tribesmen, deeply grateful for Kongming’s kindness and virtue, built a living temple for him and offered sacrifices there four times a year, calling him their "Compassionate Father." They each sent pearls, gold, treasures, cinnabar, lacquer, medicinal herbs, plow oxen, and war horses to aid his army, and swore never to rebel again. The South was pacified.
After rewarding his troops, Kongming began the march back to Shu, ordering Wei Yan to lead the vanguard. As