Chapter 104

A Great Star Falls and the Han Chancellor Ascends to Heaven; the Wei Commander Quails Before a Wooden Statue

Now Jiang Wei, seeing Wei Yan stamp out the lamp, was enraged and drew his sword to kill him. Kongming stopped him, saying, “My allotted span was destined to end. This is no fault of Wenchang.” Jiang Wei then sheathed his sword. Kongming vomited several mouthfuls of blood and collapsed upon his couch. He said to Wei Yan, “Sima Yi has learned that I am ill and has therefore sent men to probe whether the report is true. Make haste to go out and meet the enemy.” Wei Yan accepted the order, left the tent, mounted his horse, and led his troops charging out of the encampment. When Xiahou Ba saw Wei Yan, he hurriedly withdrew his army. Wei Yan pursued him for more than twenty li before returning. Kongming ordered him to go back and guard his own camp.

Jiang Wei entered the tent and went straight to Kongming’s couch to inquire after him. Kongming said, “I had hoped to exhaust my loyalty and all my strength, recover the Central Plain, and restore the House of Han. But Heaven’s will is otherwise, and I shall die before many days have passed. The learning of my lifetime has been set down in twenty-four chapters, comprising one hundred four thousand one hundred and twelve characters. Within are methods concerning Eight Duties, Seven Admonitions, Six Fears, and Five Dreads. I have considered all our generals, and there is none to whom I can entrust them save you alone. Take care never to treat them lightly!” Jiang Wei received the writings with tears and a bow. Kongming continued, “I also have a method for a repeating crossbow, which I have never had occasion to use. Its bolts are eight inches long, and a single crossbow can discharge ten of them. I have drawn complete plans. You may construct and employ it according to these designs.” Jiang Wei bowed and received these as well. Kongming then said, “There is little cause for concern along any of the roads into Shu, save only at Yinping, where the utmost vigilance is required. Though that place is steep and perilous, in time it is certain to be lost.” He next summoned Ma Dai into the tent, whispered in his ear, and entrusted him with a secret plan, instructing him, “After my death, act according to this plan.” Ma Dai received the plan and withdrew. A short while later, Yang Yi entered. Kongming called him to the bedside, gave him a brocade pouch, and secretly instructed him, “When I die, Wei Yan is certain to rebel. Once he does, confront him in battle, and only then open this pouch. At that time, there will be someone to slay Wei Yan.” When Kongming had completed every arrangement, he suddenly lost consciousness and collapsed. He did not revive until evening, whereupon he composed a memorial to the Latter Emperor that very night. On receiving it, the Latter Emperor was greatly alarmed and at once ordered Li Fu, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, to ride through the night to the army, both to inquire after Kongming and to ask what arrangements should be made after his death. Li Fu accepted the command and hastened to Wuzhang Plain. He went in to see Kongming, conveyed the Latter Emperor’s command, and inquired after his health. Kongming said through his tears, “It is my misfortune to perish midway, leaving the great affairs of state unfulfilled and thereby offending all beneath Heaven. After my death, you gentlemen must exhaust your loyalty in supporting our sovereign. The established institutions of the realm must not be altered, nor should the men I appointed be lightly dismissed. I have entrusted all my military methods to Jiang Wei. He can carry on my purpose and exert himself in the service of the state. My life will end at any moment, and I shall presently submit a final memorial to the Son of Heaven.” Li Fu received these words and hurriedly took his leave.

Kongming forced himself to endure his illness and ordered his attendants to help him into a small carriage. He went out of the encampment and inspected every camp in turn. Feeling the autumn wind upon his face and a chill penetrating to his very bones, he heaved a long sigh and said, “Never again shall I take the field to punish the rebels! Vast and distant Heaven—when shall there be an end?” After sighing for a long while, he returned to his tent, where his illness grew still more grave. He summoned Yang Yi and instructed him, “Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, and the others are all loyal and righteous men. They have long been tested in battle, have rendered much arduous service, and may safely be entrusted with responsibility. After my death, conduct all affairs according to the established methods. Withdraw the army slowly; do not act with haste. You are deeply versed in strategy, so I need not say much more. Jiang Boyue possesses both wisdom and courage in full measure and may command the rear guard.” Yang Yi wept, bowed, and received the command. Kongming then ordered that the Four Treasures of the Study be brought and, lying upon his couch, wrote out with his own hand a final memorial for presentation to the Latter Emperor. It read in substance:

I have humbly heard that life and death follow their constant course, and that none can escape the number fixed by fate. As death draws near, I wish to offer the last measure of my humble loyalty. I, Liang, was born dull and clumsy, and encountered an age of hardship. Yet I was granted the tally of command and invested with the imperial staff, entrusted solely with the balance of state, and charged with raising armies for the northern campaigns. Before success could be attained, who could have expected illness to penetrate my vitals and my life to hang upon the morning and evening? I shall not live to serve Your Majesty’s cause to its completion, and my regret is without end! I humbly pray that Your Majesty will purify your heart and restrain your desires, discipline yourself and cherish the people; fulfill the way of filial devotion toward the Former Emperor, and spread benevolence and grace throughout the realm; raise up those worthy men who remain hidden and obscure, thereby advancing the virtuous and able; and reject the treacherous and depraved, thereby strengthening the morals of the age.

My household in Chengdu possesses eight hundred mulberry trees and fifteen qing of poor farmland, from which my children and younger kinsmen have ample food and clothing. As for myself while serving abroad, I have made no other provisions. All the clothing and food I carry with me has been supplied by the government, and I have pursued no private livelihood by which to increase my property by so much as an inch. On the day of my death, let there be no surplus silk within my household and no excess wealth beyond it, lest I betray Your Majesty’s trust.

When Kongming had finished writing, he further instructed Yang Yi, “After my death, do not announce the mourning. Have a large shrine constructed and seat my corpse within it. Place seven grains of rice in my mouth and set a burning lamp beneath my feet. Let the army remain calm, as if nothing had happened, and on no account raise lamentation. Then my general’s star will not fall, and my disembodied spirit shall rise to hold the enemy in check. When Sima Yi sees that my star has not fallen, he is certain to become alarmed and suspicious. Have the rear camps of our army depart first, and then withdraw slowly, camp by camp. If Sima Yi comes in pursuit, draw up the army in battle formation, turn the banners about, and beat the drums. When he approaches, place the wooden image of me that I had carved beforehand upon a carriage and wheel it out before the army, with officers and soldiers of every rank arrayed on either side. At the sight of it, Sima Yi is certain to flee in terror.” Yang Yi acknowledged every instruction. That night, Kongming had himself carried outside. Gazing up at the Northern Dipper, he pointed to a distant star and said, “That is my general’s star.” Everyone looked and saw that its light was dim and that it trembled as though about to fall. Kongming pointed his sword at it and recited an incantation. The moment he finished and hurried back into his tent, he lost consciousness. While the generals were in consternation, Li Fu, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, suddenly returned. Seeing Kongming insensible and unable to speak, he cried aloud, “I have imperiled a great affair of state!” Presently Kongming revived, opened his eyes, and looked all around. Seeing Li Fu standing before his couch, he said, “I already know why you have returned.” Li Fu apologized, saying, “I received the Son of Heaven’s command to ask who may be entrusted with great affairs after the Prime Minister has passed from this world. In my haste, I neglected to ask, and so I have returned.” Kongming said, “After my death, the man fit to bear responsibility for great affairs is Jiang Gongyan.” Li Fu asked, “After Gongyan, who may succeed him?” Kongming replied, “Fei Wenwei may succeed him.” Li Fu asked again, “And after Wenwei, who should succeed?” Kongming made no answer. The generals stepped forward to look and found that he had already passed away. It was the twenty-third day of the eighth month, in the autumn of the twelfth year of Jianxing. He was fifty-four years old. Du Fu, of the Ministry of Works, later wrote a poem of lament:

Last night a long star fell before the camp;Today the tidings strike—the Master is no more.No orders now resound within the tiger tent;On the Unicorn Terrace alone his glorious deeds endure.In vain remain the three thousand retainers at his gate;Unused, the hundred thousand soldiers held within his breast.How fair beneath green shade in the clear light of day—Yet nevermore shall voices rise in stately song!

Bai Letian also wrote a poem:

The Master veiled his traces, dwelling deep among the hills;How could he know a sage-born lord would seek him thrice?The fish reached Nanyang and at last found water;The dragon soared to Heaven’s River and became the rain.Entrusted with the orphan, he fulfilled his charge with reverent care;To repay the state, he poured forth all his loyal, righteous heart.His memorials, before and after taking the field, remain:Whoever reads them once must wet his robe with tears.

Earlier, Liao Li, Commandant of the Changshui Cavalry in Shu, believed that his talents and reputation entitled him to be Kongming’s deputy. Because he had long held an idle post, he grew bitter and discontented and never ceased his resentful slanders. Kongming therefore stripped him of office, reduced him to commoner status, and banished him to Wenshan. When he heard that Kongming had died, he shed tears and said, “In the end, I shall become a barbarian who buttons his robe on the left!” Li Yan, on hearing the news, also wept bitterly, fell ill, and died. For Li Yan had always hoped that Kongming would restore him to office and grant him the chance to atone for his former errors; he judged that after Kongming’s death, no one else would be able to employ him. Later, Yuan Weizhi wrote a poem in praise of Kongming:

He rescued his lord from chaos and peril,And reverently received the orphan’s trust.His towering gifts surpassed Guan Zhong and Yue Yi;His wondrous strategies excelled Sun Wu and Wu Qi.Awe-inspiring, his Memorial on Taking the Field;Majestic, his Diagram of the Eight Formations.A man whose virtue stood complete as his—Search past and present: none can equal him!

That night, Heaven grieved and Earth mourned; the moon gave no light, and Kongming quietly returned to Heaven. In obedience to his final commands, Jiang Wei and Yang Yi dared not announce the mourning. They encoffined him according to his instructions, placed him within the shrine, and assigned three hundred trusted officers and soldiers to guard him. Then they passed down a secret order directing Wei Yan to cover the rear while all the camps withdrew one after another.

Now Sima Yi was observing the heavens that night when he saw a great reddish star, its rays spreading like horns, travel from the northeast toward the southwest and fall within the Shu encampment. Three times it sank and twice rose again, while a faint sound came from it. Sima Yi exclaimed in startled delight, “Kongming is dead!” He immediately gave orders for the main army to set out in pursuit. But just as he passed through the camp gate, doubts suddenly assailed him. “Kongming is skilled in the arts of the Six Ding and Six Jia spirits. Because he has seen that I have long refused battle, he must be using these arts to feign death and lure me forth. If I pursue him now, I shall certainly fall into his trap.” He therefore reined in his horse and returned to camp, refusing to go out. He merely ordered Xiahou Ba to lead several dozen horsemen secretly to the remote parts of Wuzhang Plain and scout for news.

Now Wei Yan, while in his own camp, had a dream one night in which two horns suddenly sprouted from his head. When he awoke, he found it exceedingly strange and disturbing. The next day, Zhao Zhi, the Army’s Major of Administration, arrived. Wei Yan invited him inside and asked, “I have long known that you possess a profound understanding of the principles of the Book of Changes. Last night I dreamed that two horns grew from my head, but I do not know whether this portends good or evil. I beg you to interpret it for me.” Zhao Zhi reflected for some time, then replied, “It is a most auspicious omen. The qilin bears a horn upon its head, and the azure dragon bears horns upon its head. This is an image of transformation, soaring, and ascension.” Wei Yan was overjoyed and said, “If events fulfill your words, I shall reward you generously!” Zhao Zhi took his leave. Before he had gone several li, he chanced to meet Fei Yi, Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Fei Yi asked where he had been. Zhao Zhi replied, “I have just come from Wei Wenchang’s camp. Wenchang dreamed that horns had grown from his head and asked me to determine whether the omen was fortunate or ill. It was in fact no good omen, but fearing he would take offense if I spoke plainly, I explained it by referring to the qilin and the azure dragon.” Fei Yi asked, “How do you know it was no good omen?” Zhao Zhi replied, “The written form of the character for ‘horn’ consists of ‘use’ beneath ‘knife.’ A knife is now to be used upon his head; the omen is exceedingly dire!” Fei Yi said, “For the present, disclose this to no one.” Zhao Zhi then departed. Fei Yi reached Wei Yan’s camp, dismissed the attendants, and told him, “At the third watch last night, the Prime Minister passed from this world. As he lay dying, he repeatedly instructed that you, General, should cover the rear against Sima Yi and withdraw slowly, without announcing the mourning. The military tally is here; you may now set the troops in motion.” Wei Yan asked, “Who is to assume the Prime Minister’s great responsibilities?” Fei Yi replied, “The Prime Minister entrusted all great affairs to Yang Yi, while the secret methods of warfare were all given to Jiang Boyue. This military tally bears Yang Yi’s command.” Wei Yan said, “Though the Prime Minister is dead, I am still here. Yang Yi is no more than a chief clerk—how can he bear so great a responsibility? He should do nothing more than escort the coffin into Sichuan for burial. I shall personally lead the main army against Sima Yi and make certain of victory. How can the great affairs of state be abandoned because of the death of one man, even the Prime Minister?” Fei Yi said, “The Prime Minister’s final command was that we withdraw for the time being. It must not be disobeyed.” Wei Yan angrily replied, “Had the Prime Minister followed my plan at the time, we would have taken Chang’an long ago! I now hold the offices of General of the Vanguard and Senior General Who Conquers the West, and bear the title Marquis of Nanzheng. How can I consent to serve as rear guard for a mere chief clerk?” Fei Yi said, “Though there is reason in what you say, General, you must not act rashly and give the enemy cause to mock us. Allow me to see Yang Yi and explain the advantages and dangers. I shall have him yield military authority to you. What do you say?” Wei Yan agreed.

Fei Yi took leave of Wei Yan and departed from his camp. He hurried to the main encampment to see Yang Yi and related everything Wei Yan had said. Yang Yi replied, “As the Prime Minister lay dying, he secretly warned me, ‘Wei Yan is certain to harbor disloyal intentions.’ When I sent the military tally to him, my true purpose was to sound out his heart. Events have now borne out the Prime Minister’s words. I shall simply have Boyue command the rear guard.” Yang Yi therefore led the troops away first, escorting the coffin, and ordered Jiang Wei to cover the rear. In accordance with Kongming’s final command, they withdrew slowly. Wei Yan remained in his camp, but when Fei Yi did not return with an answer, he grew suspicious and ordered Ma Dai to lead a dozen horsemen to investigate. Ma Dai returned and reported, “Jiang Wei is commanding the rear army, while most of the forward army has already withdrawn into the valley.” Wei Yan flew into a rage. “How dare that pedantic wretch deceive me! I shall surely kill him!” He turned to Ma Dai and asked, “Will you assist me?” Ma Dai replied, “I, too, have long hated Yang Yi. I am now willing to help you attack him, General.” Wei Yan was overjoyed. He immediately struck camp and led the troops under his command southward.

Now when Xiahou Ba led his men to Wuzhang Plain and looked about, he saw not a single person. He hurried back and reported to Sima Yi, “The Shu army has withdrawn completely.” Sima Yi stamped his foot and exclaimed, “Kongming truly is dead! We must pursue at once!” Xiahou Ba said, “Commander, you must not pursue recklessly. Send a subordinate general ahead first.” Sima Yi replied, “This time I must go in person.” He therefore led his army, accompanied by his two sons, in a charge toward Wuzhang Plain. Shouting and waving their banners, they burst into the Shu encampment and found it entirely deserted. Sima Yi turned to his two sons and said, “Press the troops forward with all speed. I shall lead the army ahead.” Sima Shi and Sima Zhao accordingly urged on the troops from the rear, while Sima Yi personally led the van. Reaching the foot of the mountain, he saw that the Shu army was not far away and spurred forward in vigorous pursuit. Suddenly a cannon sounded from behind the mountain, and a tremendous shout arose. The Shu troops all turned their banners and reversed their drums. From amid the shadows of the trees floated the great banner of the central army, bearing in a single line the large characters: “Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Han and Marquis of Wuxiang.” Sima Yi turned pale with terror. Peering intently, he saw several dozen senior generals of the central army escorting a four-wheeled carriage. Seated upright in the carriage was Kongming, wearing his silk cap and holding his feather fan, clad in a crane-feather cloak fastened with a black sash. Sima Yi cried out in alarm, “Kongming still lives! I have ventured rashly into dangerous ground and fallen into his trap!” He swiftly reined his horse around and fled. From behind, Jiang Wei shouted, “Rebel general, do not flee! You have fallen into my Prime Minister’s trap!” The souls of the Wei soldiers scattered in terror. Casting off armor and helmets, abandoning spears and halberds, they fled for their lives, trampling one another underfoot, so that countless men died. Sima Yi fled for more than fifty li before two Wei generals overtook him, seized his horse’s bit rings, and cried, “Commander, do not be alarmed!” Sima Yi felt his head with his hand and asked, “Have I still got my head?” The two generals replied, “Do not fear, Commander. The Shu troops are far away.” Sima Yi gasped for some time before his composure returned. Opening his eyes and looking at them, he saw that they were Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Hui. He then gradually steadied the reins and, together with the two generals, took a side road back to his own camp, where he sent the other generals out in all directions with troops to scout.

Two days later, local villagers came running to report, “When the Shu army withdrew into the valley, the sound of mourning shook the earth, and white banners were raised throughout the ranks. Kongming is indeed dead. Only Jiang Wei, with a thousand soldiers, remained to cover the rear. The Kongming seen upon the carriage the day before yesterday was a wooden image.” Sima Yi sighed and said, “I could fathom him while he lived, but not after he died!” Hence the people of Shu coined the saying, “A dead Zhuge can put a living Zhongda to flight.” A later poet lamented:

At midnight the long star fell from Heaven’s pivot;Yet, fleeing, he still feared that Liang was not dead.Beyond the passes, men even now laugh coldly:“Tell us—was your head still there, or not?”

Once Sima Yi knew for certain that Kongming was dead, he again led his army in pursuit. When he reached Red Bank Slope, however, he saw that the Shu army had already gone far away, and so he turned back. Looking around at his generals, he said, “Kongming is dead. We may all sleep with our heads high and have no further care!” He then withdrew his army. Along the road, whenever he saw a place where Kongming had pitched camp, he found every arrangement—to front and rear, left and right—orderly and governed by method. Sima Yi sighed and said, “He was truly an extraordinary genius beneath Heaven!” He then led the army back to Chang’an, assigned the generals to their several commands, and ordered each to guard a strategic pass. Sima Yi himself returned to Luoyang to appear before the sovereign.

Now Yang Yi and Jiang Wei drew up their forces in battle formation and withdrew slowly to the entrance of the gallery roads. Only then did they change into mourning garments, announce Kongming’s death, raise the funeral streamers, and begin their lamentation. The entire Shu army beat their breasts, stamped their feet, and wept, and some even died of grief. Just as the vanguard of the Shu army reached the entrance to the gallery roads, they suddenly saw flames soaring into the sky ahead and heard shouts that shook the earth. A body of troops blocked the road. The generals were greatly alarmed and hastened to report to Yang Yi. Indeed:

The generals of the Wei camp have already been seen to depart;But none knows what troops now come from the land of Shu.

Who these approaching soldiers were will be revealed in the next chapter.

A Great Star Falls and the Han Chancellor Ascends to Heaven; the Wei Commander Quails Before a Wooden Statue

Now Jiang Wei, seeing Wei Yan stamp out the lamp, flew into a rage and drew his sword to kill him. Kongming stopped him, saying, “My allotted life was destined to end. This is not Wenchang’s fault.” Jiang Wei then sheathed his sword. Kongming spat several mouthfuls of blood and collapsed onto his bed. He said to Wei Yan, “Sima Yi suspects that I am ill, so he sent men to test whether the reports were true. Hurry out and meet the enemy.” Wei Yan accepted the order, left the tent, mounted his horse, and led his troops charging out of the camp. When Xiahou Ba saw Wei Yan, he hurriedly led his army in retreat. Wei Yan pursued him for more than twenty li before turning back. Kongming ordered Wei Yan to return to his own camp and guard it.

Jiang Wei entered the tent, went straight to Kongming’s bedside, and asked after his health. Kongming said, “I had intended to exhaust all my loyalty and strength in recovering the Central Plains and restoring the House of Han. But Heaven’s will is such that I shall die at any moment. I have set down all I learned in my lifetime in twenty-four treatises, totaling 104,112 characters. They contain methods concerning the Eight Duties, Seven Admonitions, Six Apprehensions, and Five Fears. I have looked over all our commanders, and there is no one else to whom I can entrust them. You alone can inherit my writings. You must not treat them lightly!” Jiang Wei bowed in tears and accepted them. Kongming continued, “I also devised a repeating crossbow, but never had the chance to use it. Its bolts are eight inches long, and one crossbow can fire ten bolts. I have drawn complete plans for it. You may manufacture and use it according to the designs.” Jiang Wei bowed and accepted these as well. Kongming then said, “There is little need to worry about any of the routes into Shu except for the region of Yinping, which must be watched with the greatest care. Though its terrain is steep and perilous, in time it is certain to be lost.” He then summoned Ma Dai into the tent, whispered in his ear, and gave him a secret plan, instructing him, “After I die, act according to this plan.” Ma Dai accepted the plan and left. A short while later, Yang Yi entered. Kongming called him to the bedside, handed him a silk brocade pouch, and secretly instructed him, “When I die, Wei Yan is certain to rebel. When he does, confront him in battle, and only then open this pouch. At that time, someone will be there to behead Wei Yan.” After Kongming had made every arrangement, he fainted and collapsed. He did not regain consciousness until evening, when he immediately wrote a memorial to the Latter Emperor that very night. The Latter Emperor was greatly alarmed upon receiving it and urgently ordered Imperial Secretary Li Fu to travel through the night to the army to inquire after Kongming’s health and ask about arrangements for the future. Li Fu accepted the command and hastened to Wuzhang Plain. He entered Kongming’s presence, conveyed the Latter Emperor’s command, and finished asking after his health. Kongming wept and said, “By misfortune, I shall die midway through my task, leaving the great affairs of the state fruitless and thereby becoming an offender before all the world. After my death, you gentlemen must devote your utmost loyalty to assisting our sovereign. The established institutions of the state must not be changed, and the men I appointed must not be lightly dismissed. I have passed all my military methods on to Jiang Wei. He is capable of carrying on my purpose and exerting himself for the state. My life may end at any moment, and I shall immediately submit a final memorial to His Majesty.” Li Fu received these words and hurriedly took his leave.

Kongming forced his ailing body to endure and ordered his attendants to help him onto a small carriage. He went out of the camp and inspected every encampment. Feeling the autumn wind strike his face and a chill penetrate to his bones, he heaved a long sigh and said, “Never again shall I take the field against the rebels! Vast and boundless Heaven, when will there be an end?” After sighing for a long while, he returned to his tent, where his illness grew still more severe. He summoned Yang Yi and instructed him, “Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, Zhang Ni, and the others are all loyal and righteous men. They are veterans of many battles, have rendered long and diligent service, and may safely be entrusted with responsibility. After my death, conduct all affairs according to the established procedures. Withdraw the army slowly and do not move with undue haste. You have a deep understanding of strategy, so I need not give you many instructions. Jiang Boyue possesses both wisdom and courage and may command the rear guard.” Yang Yi bowed in tears and accepted the order. Kongming had the Four Treasures of the Study brought to him and, lying on his bed, wrote a final memorial in his own hand to be delivered to the Latter Emperor. It read in part:

I have humbly heard that life and death are constant conditions and that no one can escape what fate has decreed. As death now approaches, I wish to offer the last measure of my poor loyalty. I, Liang, am by nature dull and clumsy. Encountering an age of hardship, I received a seal of command and the imperial credentials, took sole charge of the balance of state, and raised armies for the northern campaigns, yet failed to achieve success. How could I have expected this illness to penetrate my vital organs, leaving my life liable to end at any moment? I shall not be able to serve Your Majesty’s cause to its conclusion, and my bitter regret is boundless! I humbly beg Your Majesty to purify your heart and restrain your desires, discipline yourself and cherish the people, fulfill the way of filial devotion toward the Former Emperor, spread benevolence and grace throughout the realm, raise up those worthy men who remain hidden and obscure, and cast out the treacherous and corrupt so as to strengthen public morals.

At my home in Chengdu, I have eight hundred mulberry trees and fifteen qing of poor farmland, which provide my children and younger kinsmen with more than enough food and clothing. As for my service away from home, I have made no private arrangements. All the food and clothing I carry with me is supplied by the government. I have pursued no separate livelihood by which to increase my property by so much as an inch. On the day of my death, I shall leave no surplus silk within my household and no excess wealth outside it, so that I may not betray Your Majesty’s trust.

When Kongming had finished writing, he gave Yang Yi further instructions: “After my death, do not announce the mourning. Have a large shrine made and seat my corpse within it. Place seven grains of rice in my mouth and set a bright-burning lamp at my feet. Keep the army quiet and normal as before, and under no circumstances raise any lamentation. Then my general’s star will not fall, and my departed spirit will rise again to hold it in place. When Sima Yi sees that the general’s star has not fallen, he is certain to become alarmed and suspicious. Have the rearmost camp of our army set out first, and then withdraw slowly, one camp after another. If Sima Yi comes in pursuit, draw up your battle formation, turn the banners back toward him, and reverse the drums. When he approaches, place the wooden image I had carved earlier on a carriage, push it out before the army, and have officers and soldiers of every rank line up on either side. When Sima Yi sees it, he is certain to flee in terror.” Yang Yi agreed to each instruction in turn. That night, Kongming had men help him outside. Gazing up at the Northern Dipper, he pointed toward a distant star and said, “That is my general’s star.” Everyone looked and saw that its light was dim and that it trembled as though about to fall. Kongming pointed his sword at it and chanted an incantation. When he had finished and hurried back to his tent, he lost consciousness. While the officers were in a state of panic, Imperial Secretary Li Fu suddenly arrived again. Seeing Kongming unconscious and unable to speak, he burst into tears and cried, “I have ruined a great affair of the state!” A moment later, Kongming revived. Opening his eyes, he looked all around and saw Li Fu standing before his bed. Kongming said, “I already know why you have returned.” Li Fu apologized and said, “I received the Son of Heaven’s command to ask who might be entrusted with the great affairs of state after the prime minister’s passing. In my haste just now, I neglected to ask, and so I have returned.” Kongming said, “After my death, the man suitable to take charge of great affairs is Jiang Gongyan.” Li Fu asked, “After Gongyan, who may succeed him?” Kongming replied, “Fei Wenwei may succeed him.” Li Fu asked again, “After Wenwei, who should succeed?” Kongming gave no answer. The officers came forward to look and saw that he had already passed away. It was the twenty-third day of the eighth month, in the autumn of the twelfth year of Jianxing. He was fifty-four years old. Later, Du Fu of the Ministry of Works wrote a poem of lament:

Last night a long star fell before the camp;Today comes word that our great master has fallen.No commands are heard now within the tiger tent;Only his glorious merit shines upon the Unicorn Terrace.In vain remain the three thousand guests beneath his gate;Unused are the hundred thousand soldiers held within his breast.How lovely the green shade under the clear noonday sky,Yet never again will the sound of his stately songs be heard!

Bai Letian also wrote a poem:

The master hid his light and dwelt among the wooded hills;How could he have known a sage lord would seek him three times?The fish reached Nanyang and at last found water;The dragon soared into the River of Heaven and became the rain.Once entrusted with the orphan, he fulfilled that charge with devoted care;To repay the state, he poured out his loyal and righteous heart.His memorials before and after taking the field still remain;Whoever reads them through will find his robe wet with tears.

At first, Liao Li, Commandant of the Long River in Shu, believed that his talent and reputation entitled him to serve as Kongming’s deputy. Because his post was an idle one, he was constantly resentful and dissatisfied and never ceased his slanderous complaints. Kongming therefore dismissed him to commoner status and exiled him to Wenshan. When Liao Li heard that Kongming had died, tears streamed down his face and he said, “I shall end my days under barbarian rule!” When Li Yan heard the news, he too wept bitterly and died of illness. This was because Li Yan had always hoped that Kongming would restore him to office and allow him to make amends for his former offenses; he knew that after Kongming’s death, no one else would be able to employ him. Later, Yuan Weizhi wrote a poem praising Kongming:

He brought order from chaos and upheld his endangered lord,Devotedly accepting the orphan entrusted to his care.His outstanding talent surpassed Guan Zhong and Yue Yi;His marvelous strategies excelled Sun Wu and Wu Qi.Awe-inspiring are his memorials before taking the field;Majestic is his Diagram of the Eight Formations.A man like him, complete in flourishing virtue—Surely none his equal has existed, ancient or modern!

That night, Heaven grieved and earth mourned, and the moon gave no light as Kongming quietly departed this world. In obedience to Kongming’s final command, Jiang Wei and Yang Yi did not dare raise the mourning. They prepared his body according to his instructions, placed it in the shrine, and assigned three hundred trusted officers and soldiers to guard it. They then issued secret orders for Wei Yan to cover the rear while the various camps withdrew one after another.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi was observing the heavens that night when he saw a great red star, its rays spreading like horns, streak from the northeast toward the southwest and fall into the Shu camp. Three times it fell and twice rose again, with a faint sound coming from it. Sima Yi exclaimed in astonished delight, “Kongming is dead!” He immediately gave orders to mobilize the main army and pursue. But just as he rode through the camp gate, he suddenly became suspicious and said, “Kongming is highly skilled in the arts of the Six Ding and Six Jia spirits. Seeing that I have refused battle for so long, he must be using this art to feign death and lure me out. If I pursue him now, I shall certainly fall into his trap.” He therefore reined in his horse, returned to camp, and refused to go out. He merely ordered Xiahou Ba to lead several dozen horsemen secretly to the remote hills around Wuzhang Plain and scout for news.

Meanwhile, while Wei Yan was in his own camp that night, he had a dream in which two horns suddenly grew from his head. When he awoke, he found it exceedingly strange and disturbing. The next day, Zhao Zhi, the Army’s Major of Cavalry, arrived. Wei Yan invited him inside and asked, “I have long known that you possess a profound understanding of the principles of the Book of Changes. Last night I dreamed that two horns grew from my head. I do not know whether this portends good or ill. May I trouble you to interpret it for me?” Zhao Zhi thought for a long while, then replied, “This is an exceedingly auspicious omen. The qilin has a horn upon its head, and the azure dragon has horns upon its head. It is an image of transformation and soaring flight.” Wei Yan was overjoyed and said, “If events prove as you say, I shall reward you generously!” Zhao Zhi took his leave. Before he had traveled several li, he encountered Imperial Secretary Fei Yi. Fei Yi asked where he had come from. Zhao Zhi replied, “I have just been to Wei Wenchang’s camp. Wenchang dreamed that horns grew from his head and asked me to determine whether it was auspicious or ominous. In truth, it is not an auspicious omen, but I feared he would resent me if I spoke plainly, so I explained it in terms of the qilin and the azure dragon.” Fei Yi asked, “How do you know it is not auspicious?” Zhao Zhi replied, “The written form of the character ‘horn’ consists of ‘use’ beneath ‘knife.’ Now a knife is to be used upon his head, so the omen is exceedingly dire!” Fei Yi said, “For the moment, do not reveal this to anyone.” Zhao Zhi then departed. Fei Yi went to Wei Yan’s camp, dismissed the attendants, and told him, “At midnight last night, the prime minister passed away. As he lay dying, he repeatedly instructed that you cover the rear against Sima Yi while the army withdraws slowly, and that the mourning not be announced. Here is the military tally. You may now mobilize your troops.” Wei Yan asked, “Who will take charge of the prime minister’s great responsibilities?” Fei Yi replied, “The prime minister entrusted all major affairs to Yang Yi, while the secret methods of warfare were all passed on to Jiang Boyue. This military tally bears Yang Yi’s command.” Wei Yan said, “Though the prime minister is dead, I still remain. Yang Yi is no more than a chief clerk. How can he shoulder such a great responsibility? He should merely escort the coffin into Sichuan for burial. I shall personally lead the main army against Sima Yi and make certain of victory. How can the great affairs of the state be abandoned because of the death of one man, even the prime minister?” Fei Yi said, “The prime minister’s final order was that we withdraw for the present. It must not be disobeyed.” Wei Yan angrily replied, “If the prime minister had followed my plan at the time, we would have taken Chang’an long ago! I am now General of the Vanguard, Senior General Who Conquers the West, and Marquis of Nanzheng. How could I be willing to serve as rear guard under a chief clerk?” Fei Yi said, “What you say is reasonable, General, but you must not act rashly and give the enemy cause to mock us. Let me go see Yang Yi and explain the advantages and dangers to him, so that he may surrender military authority to you. What do you say?” Wei Yan agreed.

Fei Yi took leave of Wei Yan, left the camp, and hurried to the main camp to see Yang Yi, to whom he gave a full account of Wei Yan’s words. Yang Yi said, “As the prime minister lay dying, he secretly warned me, ‘Wei Yan is certain to harbor rebellious intentions.’ When I sent the military tally to him, my true purpose was to test his heart. Now events have confirmed the prime minister’s words. I shall simply order Boyue to cover the rear.” Yang Yi then led the troops escorting the coffin and set out first, ordering Jiang Wei to command the rear guard. In accordance with Kongming’s final command, they withdrew slowly. In his camp, Wei Yan waited, but Fei Yi did not return with an answer. Growing suspicious, he ordered Ma Dai to lead a dozen or so horsemen to scout for news. Ma Dai returned and reported, “Jiang Wei is commanding the rear army, while most of the vanguard has already withdrawn into the valley.” Wei Yan flew into a rage and cried, “How dare that wretched pedant deceive me! I will kill him!” He then turned to Ma Dai and asked, “Will you help me?” Ma Dai replied, “I too have always hated Yang Yi. Now I am willing to help you attack him.” Wei Yan was overjoyed. He immediately struck camp and led the troops under his direct command southward.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Ba led his troops to Wuzhang Plain and saw that not a single person remained. He hurried back and reported to Sima Yi, “The Shu army has completely withdrawn.” Sima Yi stamped his foot and cried, “Kongming truly is dead! We must pursue at once!” Xiahou Ba said, “Commander, you must not pursue lightly. Send a subordinate general ahead first.” Sima Yi replied, “This time I must go in person.” He then led his army, accompanied by his two sons, in a charge toward Wuzhang Plain. With shouts and waving banners, they stormed into the Shu camp and found it completely deserted. Sima Yi turned to his two sons and said, “Hurry the troops forward. I shall lead the advance.” Sima Shi and Sima Zhao therefore remained behind to urge on the army, while Sima Yi personally led the troops at the front. Reaching the foot of the hills and seeing that the Shu army was not far away, he pressed the pursuit with all his strength. Suddenly a cannon boomed from behind the hills, and tremendous battle cries erupted. The Shu soldiers all turned their banners and reversed their drums, while the great banner of their central army floated out from among the trees. Across it was written in a line of large characters: “Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Han and Marquis of Wuxiang.” Sima Yi turned pale with shock. Staring intently, he saw several dozen senior commanders escorting a four-wheeled carriage out from the center of the army. Seated upright upon the carriage was Kongming, wearing a silk headcloth, holding a feather fan, and dressed in a crane-feather cloak with a black sash. Sima Yi cried out in terror, “Kongming is still alive! I have rashly entered dangerous ground and fallen into his trap!” He hurriedly wheeled his horse around and fled. Behind him, Jiang Wei shouted, “Rebel general, do not flee! You have fallen into my prime minister’s trap!” The Wei troops were scared out of their wits. They cast off armor and helmets, threw away spears and halberds, and fled for their lives, trampling one another underfoot. Countless men were killed. Sima Yi fled for more than fifty li before two Wei generals caught up from behind. Seizing his horse’s bit rings, they called, “Commander, do not be alarmed!” Sima Yi felt his head with his hand and asked, “Do I still have my head?” The two generals replied, “Do not be afraid, Commander. The Shu army is far away.” Sima Yi gasped for breath for a long while before regaining his composure. Opening his eyes and looking at them, he saw that they were Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Hui. He then slowly gathered his reins and, accompanied by the two generals, followed a side road back to his own camp, where he ordered the commanders to send troops scouting in every direction.

Two days later, local villagers came rushing to report: “When the Shu army withdrew into the valley, the sound of mourning shook the earth, and white banners were raised throughout the army. Kongming truly is dead. Only Jiang Wei remained behind with one thousand soldiers to cover the retreat. The Kongming seen on the carriage the day before yesterday was a wooden figure.” Sima Yi sighed and said, “I could predict what he would do while alive, but I could not predict what he would do after death!” Because of this, the people of Shu had a saying: “A dead Zhuge can make a living Zhongda flee.” A later poet wrote in lament:

At midnight the long star fell from Heaven’s pivot;Fleeing, he still feared that Liang was not yet dead.Beyond the passes, people laugh at him even now:He had to ask whether his head was still there!

Once Sima Yi knew for certain that Kongming was dead, he again led his army in pursuit. When he reached Red Bank Slope, he saw that the Shu army was already far away, so he turned back. Looking around at his commanders, he said, “Kongming is dead. From now on, we may all sleep soundly without concern!” He then withdrew his army. Along the way, whenever he saw places where Kongming had pitched his camps, he found every arrangement to the front, rear, left, and right orderly and methodical. Sima Yi sighed and said, “He truly was an extraordinary genius under Heaven!” He then led his army back to Chang’an, reassigned his commanders to guard the various strategic passes, and personally returned to Luoyang to appear before the emperor.

Meanwhile, Yang Yi and Jiang Wei maintained their battle formation and slowly withdrew to the entrance of the plank-road galleries. Only then did they change into mourning clothes and announce the death, raising funeral banners and beginning their lamentation. The entire Shu army beat their breasts, stamped their feet, and wept, and some even cried themselves to death. Just as the leading division of the Shu army reached the entrance to the plank-road galleries, they suddenly saw flames soaring into the sky ahead and heard shouts that shook the earth. A powerful force blocked the road. The commanders were greatly alarmed and hurriedly reported it to Yang Yi. Truly:

They had seen the commanders of the Wei camp withdraw,But did not know what army had come from the lands of Shu.

Who these approaching troops were will be revealed in the next chapter.