In the first month of the second year of the Zhengyuan reign of Wei, the Provincial Governor of Yang Province, General Who Pacifies the East, and Commander of the Huainan armies, Wuqiu Jian, styled Zhonggong and a native of Wenxi in Hedong, heard that Sima Shi had taken it upon himself to depose the emperor and install a new one. A great fury ignited within him. His eldest son, Wuqiu Dian, said, "Father holds command over a whole region. Sima Shi has usurped power and cast aside the sovereign, placing the state in peril as precarious as a stack of eggs. How can we sit idly by and do nothing?" Wuqiu Jian replied, "My son speaks wisely." He then summoned the Provincial Inspector Wen Qin to discuss the matter. Wen Qin had once been a retainer of Cao Shuang’s household. Upon receiving the summons, he came at once to pay his respects. Wuqiu Jian invited him into the private hall. After the formal greetings, as they spoke, Wuqiu Jian could not hold back his tears. Wen Qin asked the reason, and Wuqiu Jian said, "Sima Shi has seized power and deposed the emperor, turning Heaven and Earth upside down. How can I not be heartbroken?" Wen Qin declared, "You, General, command this region. If you are willing to uphold righteousness and punish the traitor, I am prepared to sacrifice my life to assist you. My middle son, Wen Shu, known by his childhood name A-Yang, has courage unmatched by ten thousand men. He has long desired to kill the Sima brothers to avenge Cao Shuang. Let him serve as the vanguard commander." Wuqiu Jian was overjoyed. He immediately poured a libation of wine and swore an oath. The two of them falsely claimed that the Empress Dowager had issued a secret edict. They summoned all the officers and soldiers of Huainan, high and low, into Shouchun city. There, they erected an altar to the west, slaughtered a white horse, and smeared its blood on their lips in a covenant of brotherhood. They proclaimed that Sima Shi was guilty of great treason and rebellion, and that, by the Empress Dowager’s secret decree, they were to raise the full forces of Huainan, uphold righteousness, and punish the traitor. The troops were all pleased and submitted. Wuqiu Jian led an army of sixty thousand and encamped at Xiangcheng. Wen Qin led twenty thousand men as a mobile force, roaming and reinforcing as needed. Wuqiu Jian sent proclamations to all the commanderies, ordering them to raise troops and come to his aid.
Now, Sima Shi had a fleshy tumor on his left eye that constantly itched and ached. He had ordered a military physician to cut it out, sealed the wound with medicine, and had been recuperating at home for days. Suddenly, urgent news arrived from Huainan. He summoned the Grand Commandant Wang Su to discuss the matter. Wang Su said, "In the past, Guan Yu’s might shook the entire realm. Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to surprise and take Jing Province, but he also pacified and provided for the families of Guan Yu’s soldiers. Because of this, Guan Yu’s army collapsed from within. Now, the families of the Huainan officers and men are all in the Central Plains. You should immediately show them kindness and relief. Furthermore, send troops to cut off the rebels’ line of retreat. Their forces will surely crumble like a mudslide." Sima Shi said, "Your words are excellent. But I have just had the tumor cut from my eye and cannot go myself. If I send another man, my heart will not be at ease." At that moment, the Imperial Secretary Zhong Hui was present and spoke up, saying, "The armies of Huai and Chu are strong, and their edge is very sharp. If we send someone else to lead an army against them, it will likely end in failure. If there is any mishap, our great enterprise will be ruined." Sima Shi rose abruptly and said, "Unless I go myself, the rebels cannot be broken!" He then ordered his younger brother Sima Zhao to guard Luoyang and take charge of all court affairs. Sima Shi mounted a soft sedan chair and, despite his illness, journeyed east.
He ordered the General Who Pacifies the East, Zhuge Dan, to command all the armies of Yu Province, to advance from Anfeng Ford and take Shouchun. He also ordered the General Who Conquers the East, Hu Zun, to lead the armies of Qing Province, to advance through the lands of Qiao and Song and cut off the rebels’ line of retreat. He further dispatched the Provincial Inspector of Jing Province and Army Supervisor Wang Ji to lead the vanguard and first seize the lands south of the town. Sima Shi led the main army to encamp at Xiangyang, where he gathered his civil and military officers in his tent for a council. The Supervisor of the Imperial Household, Zheng Mao, said, "Wuqiu Jian is fond of schemes but lacks decisiveness. Wen Qin has courage but lacks wisdom. Now, if our main army catches them off guard, the soldiers of Jiang and Huai are at the peak of their fighting spirit and should not be underestimated. The best strategy is to dig deep moats and build high ramparts to blunt their edge. This was the long-term plan of Zhou Yafu." The Army Supervisor Wang Ji objected, saying, "No. The rebellion in Huainan is not because the people and soldiers wanted chaos. It is because they were coerced by Wuqiu Jian’s power and had no choice but to follow him. Once our main army arrives, they will surely scatter." Sima Shi said, "This is a very good point." He then advanced his army to the banks of the Yin River, and his central camp was established at Yin Bridge. Wang Ji said, "Nandun is an excellent place to encamp. You should send troops to seize it with all speed, marching day and night.
If we delay, Wuqiu Jian will surely get there first." Sima Shi then ordered Wang Ji to lead the vanguard and set up camp at Nandun.
Wuqiu Jian, at Xiangcheng, heard that Sima Shi was coming in person and gathered his men for a council. The vanguard commander Ge Yong said, "Nandun, nestled against the mountains and beside the river, is an excellent place to encamp. If the Wei army seizes it first, it will be difficult to dislodge them. We must take it quickly." Wuqiu Jian agreed and led his army toward Nandun. As they marched, a scout on a fast horse reported that troops had already set up camp at Nandun. Wuqiu Jian did not believe it and went to the front to see for himself. Indeed, banners covered the fields, and the camp was orderly and well-fortified. Wuqiu Jian returned to his army, at a loss for what to do. Suddenly, another scout galloped in with news: "Sun Jun of Eastern Wu has led an army across the Yangtze River and is attacking Shouchun!" Wuqiu Jian was greatly alarmed and said, "If Shouchun is lost, where will I go?" That night, he withdrew his army back to Xiangcheng.
Seeing Wuqiu Jian’s army retreat, Sima Shi gathered his officers for a council. The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Fu Gu, said, "The reason General Wuqiu Jian has withdrawn is that he fears Wu’s attack on Shouchun. He will surely return to Xiangcheng and divide his forces to defend it. You, General, should order one army to take Lejia City, another to take Xiangcheng, and a third to take Shouchun. Then the Huainan troops will surely retreat. The Provincial Inspector of Yan Province, Deng Ai, is full of wisdom and resourcefulness. If he leads his troops to take Lejia directly, and you support him with a heavy force, breaking the rebels will not be difficult." Sima Shi agreed and immediately sent messengers with orders for Deng Ai to raise the army of Yan Province and take Lejia City. Sima Shi would then lead the main army to meet him there.
Wuqiu Jian, at Xiangcheng, frequently sent scouts to Lejia City, fearing an attack. He invited Wen Qin to his camp for a discussion. Wen Qin said, "Do not worry, General. My son Wen Yang and I need only five thousand men to guarantee the safety of Lejia City." Wuqiu Jian was overjoyed. Wen Qin and his son led five thousand men toward Lejia. The forward scouts reported, "To the west of Lejia City, there are Wei troops, about ten thousand strong. Looking toward their central camp, we see white yak-tail banners and golden axes, black canopies and red pennants, all surrounding a tiger-skin tent. Inside is a large command banner embroidered with the character for ‘Marshal.’ It must be Sima Shi himself. Their camp is not yet fully established." At that time, Wen Yang, with a steel whip hanging at his side, stood beside his father. Hearing this, he said to his father, "While their camp is unfinished, we can divide our forces into two columns and attack from left and right. We can win a complete victory." Wen Qin asked, "When should we go?" Wen Yang replied, "Tonight at dusk. Father, take two thousand five hundred men and attack from the south of the city. I will take two thousand five hundred men and attack from the north. We will rendezvous at the Wei camp at the third watch." Wen Qin agreed and that night divided his forces. Wen Yang was only eighteen years old, eight feet tall, fully armored, with a steel whip at his waist. He grasped his spear, mounted his horse, and advanced toward the Wei camp.
That night, Sima Shi arrived at Lejia and set up camp, waiting for Deng Ai, who had not yet arrived. Sima Shi’s freshly cut eye tumor was causing him pain. He lay in his tent, surrounded by several hundred armored guards. At the third watch, a great clamor suddenly erupted within the camp. Men and horses were in chaos. Sima Shi urgently asked what was happening. Someone reported, "A force has broken through the northern wall of the camp and charged in. Their leading general is incredibly fierce and unstoppable!" Sima Shi was terrified. His heart burned like fire, and his eyeball burst forth from the wound where the tumor had been, blood streaming to the ground. The pain was unbearable. Fearing he would demoralize his troops, he bit down on his bedclothes to endure it, and the cloth was completely shredded. Wen Yang’s men had arrived first. They surged forward, charging left and right through the camp. Wherever they went, no one dared to stand against them. Those who resisted were stabbed with spears or struck with whips and killed. Wen Yang waited for his father to arrive as support, but he never appeared. Several times, he fought his way to the central command, but each time he was driven back by volleys of arrows and crossbow bolts. Wen Yang fought on until dawn, when he heard the thunderous sound of drums and bugles from the north. Turning to his followers, he said, "My father was supposed to attack from the south as support. Why is he coming from the north?" Wen Yang spurred his horse to look, and saw an army advancing like a fierce wind. At its head was a general on horseback with a blade in hand.
It was Deng Ai, who shouted, "Rebel, do not flee!" Wen Yang flew into a rage, raised his spear, and met him. They fought for fifty bouts, with neither gaining the upper hand. As they fought, the Wei army pressed forward, attacking from front and rear. Wen Yang’s troops scattered in all directions, leaving him alone on his horse. He charged through the Wei ranks and fled south. Behind him, several hundred Wei officers, summoning all their courage, spurred their horses in pursuit. They were about to catch up with him at Lejia Bridge. Wen Yang suddenly reined in his horse and let out a great shout. He charged straight back into the midst of the Wei officers. His steel whip rose and fell, and men tumbled from their horses one after another. The Wei officers all fell back in fear. Wen Yang then continued on his way at a leisurely pace. The Wei officers gathered together, astonished. "This man dares to turn back and drive off a crowd of us!" they said. "Let us join forces and pursue him again!" So a hundred Wei officers gave chase once more. Wen Yang was now furious. "You worthless rats have no regard for your lives!" he roared. He raised his whip, turned his horse, and plunged back into the throng of Wei officers. With his whip, he killed several of them, then turned his horse and rode on, slackening his reins. The Wei officers pursued him four or five times, and each time they were driven back by Wen Yang alone.
A poet of the time recorded: At Changban Slope, one man once defied Cao, And thus Zhao Zilong’s heroism shone. Now at Lejia City, in the clash of arms, Wen Yang’s bold spirit blazed anew.
It turned out that Wen Qin had gotten lost in a mountain valley due to the rugged terrain. He wandered for half the night, and by the time he found his way out, dawn had broken. He could not find Wen Yang’s men and saw only that the Wei army had won a great victory. Wen Qin withdrew without engaging the enemy. The Wei forces seized the opportunity to pursue and attack, and Wen Qin led his troops in a flight toward Shouchun.
Now, the Palace Colonel Yin Damu had been a trusted man of Cao Shuang. After Cao Shuang was murdered by Sima Yi, Yin Damu served Sima Shi, but he always harbored the desire to kill Sima Shi to avenge his former master. He was also a close friend of Wen Qin. Seeing that Sima Shi’s eye had burst and he could not move, Yin Damu entered his tent and said, "Wen Qin never intended to rebel. He was forced into it by Wuqiu Jian. Let me go and speak with him. He will surely come over to our side." Sima Shi agreed. Yin Damu donned his armor and helmet, mounted his horse, and rode after Wen Qin. When he caught up, he called out loudly, "Provincial Inspector Wen, do you recognize Yin Damu?" Wen Qin turned to look. Yin Damu removed his helmet and placed it on the pommel of his saddle. Pointing with his whip, he said, "Provincial Inspector Wen, can you not endure for a few more days?" Yin Damu knew that Sima Shi was about to die, so he came to detain Wen Qin. But Wen Qin did not understand his meaning. He cursed loudly and drew his bow to shoot. Yin Damu wept bitterly and turned back. Wen Qin gathered his remaining men and fled toward Shouchun, but Zhuge Dan had already taken the city. He tried to return to Xiangcheng, but the three armies of Hu Zun, Wang Ji, and Deng Ai were all converging on him. Seeing the desperate situation, Wen Qin fled to Sun Jun of Eastern Wu.
Wuqiu Jian, inside Xiangcheng, heard that Shouchun had fallen and Wen Qin’s forces were defeated. With three enemy armies approaching from outside the city, he withdrew all his troops from the city and gave battle. He encountered Deng Ai. Wuqiu Jian ordered Ge Yong to ride out and engage Deng Ai. Before a single exchange was complete, Deng Ai cut Ge Yong down with a single stroke of his blade and led his troops charging into the fray. Wuqiu Jian fought desperately to hold his ground. The Jiang-Huai army was thrown into chaos. Hu Zun and Wang Ji attacked from all sides. Wuqiu Jian could not hold out. With a dozen riders, he cut a path and fled. He arrived at the city of Shenxian. The county magistrate, Song Bai, opened the gates and welcomed him in, laying on a feast. Wuqiu Jian drank heavily and became drunk. Song Bai had him killed, and his head was presented to the Wei army. Thus, Huainan was pacified.
Sima Shi lay in his tent, too ill to rise. He summoned Zhuge Dan, bestowed upon him a seal and ribbon of office, and promoted him to Grand General Who Pacifies the East, in command of all the armies of Yang Province. He then ordered the army to return to Xuchang. Sima Shi’s eye pain did not cease. Every night, he saw the ghosts of Li Feng, Zhang Ji, and Xiahou Xuan standing before his bed. His mind was troubled, and he knew his life was in danger. He sent a man to Luoyang to summon Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao arrived, weeping, and knelt in obeisance at his brother’s bedside. Sima Shi gave his final instructions: "I now wield great power, and even if I wished to lay it down, it is no longer possible. You must succeed me in this. In all great matters, never entrust them lightly to others, or you will bring about the destruction of our entire clan." Having said this, he handed over his seal and ribbon of office, tears streaming down his face. Sima Zhao was about to question him further when Sima Shi let out a great cry, his eye burst forth from its socket, and he died. It was now the second month of the second year of the Zhengyuan reign. Sima Zhao then announced the mourning and reported the matter to the Wei emperor, Cao Mao.
Cao Mao sent an envoy with an imperial edict to Xuchang, ordering Sima Zhao to remain there temporarily with his army to guard against Eastern Wu. Sima Zhao was hesitant and undecided. Zhong Hui said, "The Grand General has just died, and men’s hearts are unsettled. If you, General, remain here, and a change occurs at court, how will you regret it then?" Sima Zhao saw the wisdom of this and immediately led his army back to encamp south of the Luo River. When Cao Mao heard of this, he was greatly alarmed. The Grand Commandant Wang Su memorialized, "Now that Sima Zhao has succeeded his brother in wielding great power, Your Majesty should grant him a noble title to pacify him." Cao Mao then ordered Wang Su to take an imperial edict and enfeoff Sima Zhao as Grand General and Master of Documents. Sima Zhao entered the court, gave thanks, and the ceremony was concluded. From this time onward, all affairs of state, both within and outside the court, were decided by Sima Zhao.
Spies from Western Shu learned of these events and reported them to Chengdu. Jiang Wei memorialized to the Later Ruler, "Sima Shi has just died, and Sima Zhao has only recently taken hold of great power. He will surely not dare to leave Luoyang lightly. I beg to take this opportunity to attack Wei and recover the Central Plains." The Later Ruler agreed and ordered Jiang Wei to raise an army to invade Wei. Jiang Wei went to Hanzhong to organize his forces. The Grand General Who Conquers the West, Zhang Yi, said, "The land of Shu is narrow and poor, with little money and grain. It is not suitable for a long campaign. It would be better to hold our strategic passes, guard our territory, care for our soldiers, and love our people. This is the strategy to preserve the state." Jiang Wei replied, "No. In the past, the Chancellor, before he had even left his thatched cottage, had already determined that the realm would be divided into three. Yet he still made six sorties from the Qishan Mountains in an attempt to take the Central Plains. Unfortunately, he died before his work was half done, and his enterprise was left unfinished. Now that I have received the Chancellor’s dying charge, I must do my utmost to repay the state and carry on his will. Even if I die, I will have no regrets. Now that Wei has an opening we can exploit, if we do not attack now, when will we?" Xiahou Ba said, "The General speaks truly. You should send light cavalry to first take Fuhan. If we can secure the lands west of the Tao River and south of An, then all the commanderies can be settled." Zhang Yi said, "In the past, we failed to conquer and had to return because our attacks were too slow. The Art of War says: ‘Attack where the enemy is unprepared; appear where you are not expected.’ If we advance with lightning speed now, catching the Wei forces off guard, we will surely win a complete victory."
So Jiang Wei led an army of fifty thousand and advanced toward Fuhan. When the army reached the Tao River, the border guards reported the news to the Provincial Inspector of Yong Province, Wang Jing, and the General Who Conquers the West, Chen Tai. Wang Jing first raised an army of seventy thousand infantry and cavalry to meet them. Jiang Wei gave Zhang Yi his orders in secret, and then gave Xiahou Ba his orders in secret. The two men departed to carry out their instructions. Jiang Wei then led the main army to form a battle line with his back to the Tao River. Wang Jing, accompanied by several of his generals, rode out and demanded, "Wei, Wu, and Shu have formed a tripod of power. Why do you repeatedly invade our borders?" Jiang Wei replied, "Sima Shi deposed his sovereign without cause. It is the duty of a neighboring state to call him to account. How much more so for a state that is our enemy?" Wang Jing turned to his four generals, Zhang Ming, Hua Yong, Liu Da, and Zhu Fang, and said, "The Shu army has formed its line with its back to the river. If they are defeated, they will all drown in the water. Jiang Wei is fierce and brave. You four generals shall engage him. If he retreats, you may pursue." The four generals divided into two groups and rode out to fight Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei fought a few exchanges, then turned his horse and fled back toward his own lines. Wang Jing drove his entire army forward in pursuit. Jiang Wei led his men toward the Tao River. When they were close to the water, he shouted to his officers and men, "This is a desperate situation! Will you not fight with all your might!" The army, with one heart, turned and fought back with all their strength. The Wei army was heavily defeated. Zhang Yi and Xiahou Ba had circled around behind the Wei forces and now attacked from two directions, trapping the Wei army in a tight pocket. Jiang Wei, displaying his full martial prowess, charged into the Wei ranks, slashing left and right. The Wei army fell into chaos, trampling each other in the panic. More than half of them were killed. Countless men were driven into the Tao River and drowned. Over ten thousand heads were taken, and the corpses piled up for several miles. Wang Jing, with a hundred cavalrymen, fought his way out with great effort and fled straight to the city of Didao. He entered the city and closed the gates to defend it.
Having won a great victory, Jiang Wei rewarded his troops. He then wanted to advance and attack Didao. Zhang Yi advised him, "General, your achievements are already complete, and your fame resounds across the land. You should stop here. If you press forward now and things do not go as planned, it will be like adding legs to a snake in a painting." Jiang Wei said, "No. In the past, even when we were defeated, we still wanted to advance and roam the Central Plains. Now, after the battle at the Tao River, the Wei soldiers are terrified. I believe Didao can be taken as easily as turning over my hand. Do not lose heart." Zhang Yi repeatedly tried to dissuade him, but Jiang Wei would not listen. He mustered his troops and set out to take Didao.
Now, Chen Tai, the General Who Conquers the West of Yong Province, was about to raise an army to avenge Wang Jing’s defeat when the Provincial Inspector of Yan Province, Deng Ai, arrived with his troops. Chen Tai welcomed him, and after the formal greetings, Deng Ai said, "I have come on the orders of the Grand General to help you, General, defeat the enemy." Chen Tai asked Deng Ai for a plan. Deng Ai said, "If Jiang Wei, after his victory at the Tao River, had summoned the Qiang tribes to his aid and then advanced east to contest Guanzhong and Longyou, sending proclamations to the four commanderies, that would have been a great disaster for us. But he did not think of that. Instead, he is bent on taking Didao. The city walls are strong and solid, and it will be difficult to take quickly. He will only waste his soldiers’ strength and effort. I will now deploy my troops at Xiangling. Then, when we advance to attack, the Shu army will surely be defeated." Chen Tai said, "An excellent plan!" He first sent out twenty detachments of troops, each of fifty men, all carrying banners, drums, bugles, and beacon fire materials. They traveled by day and marched by night, and went to hide in the high mountains and deep valleys southeast of Didao. They were to wait for the Shu army to arrive, then all sound their drums and bugles together as a signal. At night, they were to light fires and set off explosions to frighten the enemy. After these preparations were complete, they waited for the Shu army to arrive. Then Chen Tai and Deng Ai each led twenty thousand men and advanced in sequence.
Jiang Wei besieged Didao and ordered his men to attack from all eight sides. They attacked for several days but could not take the city. Jiang Wei was frustrated and at a loss for a plan. At dusk that day, several scouts on fast horses reported, "Two armies are approaching. On their banners are clearly written: one is the army of General Who Conquers the West Chen Tai, the other is the army of Provincial Inspector of Yan Province Deng Ai." Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed. He summoned Xiahou Ba for a discussion. Xiahou Ba said, "I have often told you, General, that Deng Ai has been well-versed in the art of war since his youth and has a deep understanding of geography. Now that he is leading an army here, he is a formidable opponent." Jiang Wei said, "Their army has come from afar. I will not give them time to catch their breath. I will attack them at once." He left Zhang Yi to continue the siege of Didao and ordered Xiahou Ba to lead his troops to meet Chen Tai. Jiang Wei himself led his men to confront Deng Ai. They had not marched five li when, suddenly, a cannon shot rang out from the southeast. Drums and bugles shook the earth, and flames shot up to the sky. Jiang Wei spurred his horse to look and saw Wei army banners all around him. He was horrified and said, "I have fallen for Deng Ai’s trick!" He immediately sent orders for Xiahou Ba and Zhang Yi to abandon the siege of Didao and retreat. Thus, the entire Shu army withdrew to Hanzhong. Jiang Wei himself covered the rear. Behind him, the sound of drums did not cease. It was not until he had retreated into the Sword Pass that he realized the fires and drums in more than twenty places had all been a ruse. Jiang Wei gathered his troops and withdrew to encamp at Zhongti.
The Later Ruler, because of Jiang Wei’s victory west of the Tao River, issued an edict promoting him to Grand General. Jiang Wei accepted the post and submitted a memorial of thanks. He then began to discuss once more the strategy for a campaign against Wei. Truly: One who has succeeded need not add legs to a snake; To punish the traitor, he still thinks to display the tiger’s might.
How this northern campaign would turn out, let the next chapter unfold.