Chapter 111

Deng Ai Cleverly Outmaneuvers Jiang Wei; Zhuge Dan Righteously Raises Arms Against Sima Zhao

Now Jiang Wei withdrew his army and encamped at Zhongdi, while the Wei forces camped outside the city of Didao. Wang Jing welcomed Chen Tai and Deng Ai into the city, bowed his thanks for their relief of the siege, held a banquet in their honor, and richly rewarded the three armies. Chen Tai reported Deng Ai’s merits in a memorial to Cao Mao, ruler of Wei. Cao Mao appointed Deng Ai General Who Pacifies the West, granted him acting authority under the imperial staff, and made him concurrently Colonel Who Protects the Eastern Qiang, ordering him to station troops with Chen Tai throughout Yong and Liang. After Deng Ai had submitted a memorial thanking the throne for its favor, Chen Tai gave a banquet to congratulate him and said, “Jiang Wei fled by night. His strength is spent, and he will not dare come out again.” Deng Ai laughed. “By my reckoning, there are five reasons why the Shu army is certain to come again.” Chen Tai asked him why. Deng Ai replied, “Though the Shu army has withdrawn, it still possesses the momentum of victory, while our own troops remain weakened by the reality of defeat. That is the first reason it is certain to come. The soldiers of Shu were all instructed and drilled by Kongming; they are elite troops and readily commanded. Our generals are frequently replaced, and our army is not yet well trained. That is the second reason it is certain to come. The men of Shu generally travel by boat, whereas our army must march over dry land; their ease and our weariness are not the same. That is the third reason it is certain to come. Didao, Longxi, Nan’an, and Mount Qi are all places that must be defended and fought over. The men of Shu may feint east and strike west, point south and attack north, so our troops must divide to guard them separately. The Shu army, however, will come concentrated in a single body, pitting its whole strength against each of our four divisions. That is the fourth reason it is certain to come. If the Shu army advances through Nan’an or Longxi, it can take the grain of the Qiang for provisions; if it comes by Mount Qi, there is wheat at hand for it to eat. That is the fifth reason it is certain to come.” Chen Tai sighed in admiration. “You divine the enemy’s plans like a god. What cause have we to fear the army of Shu?” Thereafter Chen Tai and Deng Ai became intimate friends despite the disparity in their ages. Deng Ai took the troops throughout Yong and Liang and drilled them every day; at every strategic pass he established fortified camps against unforeseen attack.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wei held a great banquet at Zhongdi, assembled all his generals, and discussed another campaign against Wei. Fan Jian, a clerk in his office, remonstrated: “General, you have gone forth repeatedly without gaining a complete victory. After the battle west of the Tao River, the men of Wei now stand in awe of your renown. Why do you wish to march again? If by any chance the campaign goes against us, all our former achievements will be cast away.” Jiang Wei said, “You know only that Wei has broad lands and a numerous people and cannot be taken in haste. But you do not know that there are five grounds on which we can defeat it.” The others asked what they were. Jiang Wei replied, “Their one defeat west of the Tao has utterly broken the edge of their valor, whereas, though our army withdrew, it suffered no losses. If we advance now, that is our first ground for victory. Our troops advance aboard ships and so are spared exhaustion, while theirs must come to meet us over dry land. That is our second ground for victory. Our soldiers are veterans of long training, while theirs are all a disorderly rabble unacquainted with discipline. That is our third ground for victory. If our army marches out by Mount Qi, it can seize the autumn grain for provisions. That is our fourth ground for victory. Though their forces guard every place, their military strength is thereby divided. Our army will strike in one concentrated body; how can they bring relief in time? That is our fifth ground for victory. If we do not attack Wei now, what other time shall we await?” Xiahou Ba said, “Deng Ai may be young, but his stratagems are profound and far-reaching. He was recently appointed General Who Pacifies the West and will certainly have made preparations everywhere. Matters are no longer as they were before.” Jiang Wei cried sternly, “Why should I fear him? You must not magnify another man’s valor and diminish your own! My mind is made up: I shall take Longxi first.” None dared remonstrate further.

Jiang Wei personally led the vanguard and ordered the other generals to follow behind. The entire Shu army left Zhongdi and pressed on toward Mount Qi. Scouts reported that the Wei army had already erected nine stockaded camps there. Jiang Wei did not believe them, but rode with several horsemen to high ground and looked out. Sure enough, he saw nine camps on Mount Qi deployed like a long serpent, head and tail supporting each other. Jiang Wei turned to those around him and said, “Xiahou Ba’s words were true indeed. The disposition of these camps is consummate. Only my master, Chancellor Zhuge, was capable of such a design. From what I now see of Deng Ai’s work, he stands not beneath my master.” He returned to his own camp and summoned his generals. “Since the men of Wei have made these preparations, they must know that I am coming. I judge that Deng Ai is certainly here. Display my banners ostentatiously, occupy this valley mouth, and pitch camp. Each day send out more than a hundred horsemen to scout. Every time they go out, have them change their armor and dress, and alternate the banners among the five directional colors—blue-green, yellow, red, white, and black. Meanwhile, I shall take the main army secretly through Dongting and make straight for Nan’an in a surprise attack.” He accordingly ordered Bao Su to encamp at the mouth of the Mount Qi valley, while he led the full strength of the main army toward Nan’an.

When Deng Ai learned that the Shu army had come forth by Mount Qi, he and Chen Tai had long since established camps and made ready. Yet for several days the Shu troops did not come to challenge them, while scouts rode from their camp five times each day, sometimes going ten li, sometimes fifteen, before returning. After observing them from high ground, Deng Ai hurried into the command tent and said to Chen Tai, “Jiang Wei is not here. He must have gone through Dongting to make a surprise attack on Nan’an. The scouts leaving this camp are merely the same few horsemen, changing their armor and dress before riding back and forth on patrol. Their horses are all weary, and their commander can be no man of ability. General Chen, take a force and attack them; their camp can be broken. Once you have smashed the stockade, lead your troops against the Dongting road and cut off Jiang Wei’s rear. I shall first take an army to the relief of Nan’an and make straight for Wucheng Mountain. If I seize its summit first, Jiang Wei will be compelled to turn against Shanggui. Near Shanggui is a valley called Duan Valley, where the ground is confined and the mountains precipitous—an ideal place for an ambush. When he comes to contest Wucheng Mountain, I shall first conceal two armies in Duan Valley. Jiang Wei will certainly be defeated.” Chen Tai said, “I have guarded Longxi for twenty or thirty years, yet never have I understood its terrain with such clarity. What you have said is truly a calculation worthy of the gods. Go with all speed. I shall attack the stockade here.” Deng Ai therefore led his army on a forced march through the night and went straight to Wucheng Mountain. He had finished making camp before the Shu troops arrived. At once he ordered his son Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan, a colonel of his personal staff, each to lead five thousand men ahead to lie in ambush in Duan Valley, giving them detailed instructions on how to proceed. The two accepted the plan and departed. Deng Ai then ordered all banners furled and drums silenced while he awaited the Shu army.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wei advanced from Dongting toward Nan’an. On reaching Wucheng Mountain, he said to Xiahou Ba, “Near Nan’an there is a mountain called Wucheng. If we gain it first, we can command the approaches to Nan’an. I fear only that Deng Ai, being rich in stratagems, will certainly have taken precautions there.” While he was still hesitating, a signal cannon suddenly boomed from the mountain. Great shouts shook the air, drums and horns sounded together, and standards rose everywhere—all were Wei troops. In the center, the wind unfurled a yellow banner bearing the name “Deng Ai” in large characters. The Shu troops were greatly alarmed. Elite forces charged down from several points on the mountain with irresistible force, and the vanguard was utterly defeated. Jiang Wei hastened forward with the troops of his center to rescue them, but the Wei forces had already withdrawn. Jiang Wei went straight to the foot of Wucheng Mountain and challenged Deng Ai to battle, but the Wei troops on the heights would not descend. He ordered his soldiers to revile them. At evening, just as he was about to withdraw, drums and horns again sounded together on the mountain, yet still no Wei troops came down. Jiang Wei attempted to storm the heights, but stones from the artillery above fell so thickly that he could not advance. He remained there until the third watch, and when he was about to turn back, the drums and horns on the mountain sounded once more. Jiang Wei moved his troops down the mountain to make camp. By the time he had ordered them to carry timber and stones and they were about to raise a stockade, drums and horns again resounded above, and the Wei troops came sweeping down. The Shu army fell into confusion, trampling one another as it fled back to its former camp.

The next day, Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to bring wagons laden with grain, fodder, and equipment to Wucheng Mountain and arrange them in interlocking ranks, intending to raise a stockade and establish a permanent camp. During the second watch that night, Deng Ai ordered five hundred men, each carrying a torch, to descend the mountain by two routes and set fire to the wagons and equipment. The two armies fought in confusion throughout the night, and once again the camp could not be completed. Jiang Wei withdrew his troops and again conferred with Xiahou Ba. “Since we have failed to take Nan’an, we would do better to seize Shanggui first. Shanggui is the depot where Nan’an stores its grain. If we take Shanggui, Nan’an will be endangered of itself.” He therefore left Xiahou Ba encamped at Wucheng Mountain, while he led all his elite troops and valiant generals straight toward Shanggui. After marching through the night, as dawn was about to break, he saw that the mountains were narrow and steep and the road rough and winding. He asked the guide, “What is this place called?” The guide replied, “Duan Valley.” Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed. “The name is inauspicious: ‘Duan Valley’ sounds like ‘Severed Valley.’ If someone should cut off the mouth of the valley, what are we to do?”

While Jiang Wei hesitated, unable to decide, a messenger suddenly arrived from the vanguard. “Great clouds of dust are rising beyond the mountain. There must be troops in ambush.” Jiang Wei hastily ordered a retreat, but the two forces under Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong burst from concealment. Jiang Wei fought as he withdrew. Then mighty shouts arose ahead, and Deng Ai led his troops against him. Attacked from three directions, the Shu army suffered a crushing defeat. Fortunately, Xiahou Ba came charging up with his troops, and only then did the Wei forces withdraw. Having rescued Jiang Wei, he proposed that they return by way of Mount Qi. Xiahou Ba said, “The camp at Mount Qi has already been broken by Chen Tai. Bao Su was killed in battle, and all the men and horses of the camp have withdrawn to Hanzhong.” Jiang Wei dared not take the Dongting road and hastily turned back by a remote mountain path. Deng Ai pressed hard in pursuit. Jiang Wei ordered the other divisions to continue ahead while he personally guarded the rear. As they marched, an army suddenly burst from the mountains. Its commander was the Wei general Chen Tai. With a single shout, the Wei troops surrounded Jiang Wei in their very midst. His men and horses were exhausted; though he charged left and right, he could not break free. Zhang Ni, General Who Sweeps Away Rebels, heard that Jiang Wei was trapped and led several hundred horsemen into the encirclement. Taking advantage of his assault, Jiang Wei fought his way out, but Zhang Ni was shot dead by a storm of Wei arrows. Having escaped the heavy encirclement, Jiang Wei returned to Hanzhong. Moved by Zhang Ni’s loyalty and valor in dying for the affairs of the state, he submitted a memorial requesting honors for his descendants. Many officers and soldiers of Shu had fallen in battle, and all laid the blame upon Jiang Wei. Following the precedent set by the Martial Marquis after the defeat at Jieting, Jiang Wei submitted a memorial demoting himself to General of the Rear, while continuing to exercise the functions of Great General.

When Deng Ai saw that the Shu army had completely withdrawn, he and Chen Tai held a banquet to celebrate and richly rewarded the three armies. Chen Tai memorialized the throne concerning Deng Ai’s achievements. Sima Zhao sent an envoy bearing the imperial staff to increase Deng Ai’s rank and title and bestow upon him the seals and ribbons of office; Deng Ai’s son Deng Zhong was also enfeoffed as a Marquis of a Village.

At this time Cao Mao, ruler of Wei, changed the third year of the Zhengyuan era to the first year of Ganlu. Sima Zhao assumed the title Commander-in-Chief of All the Realm’s Armies. Whenever he went in or out, he was surrounded front and rear by three thousand valiant warriors in iron armor as his personal guard. Every matter of government was decided at his own residence without being reported to the court. From this time onward, he constantly harbored thoughts of usurpation and rebellion, fearing only that the people of north and south had not yet submitted to him. Among his trusted confidants was a man named Jia Chong, style Gonglü, the son of the late General Who Establishes Might, Jia Kui. He served as chief clerk in Sima Zhao’s office. Jia Chong said to him, “My lord now holds the supreme power, but the hearts of men in every quarter cannot yet be settled. We should first make secret inquiries and only then proceed gradually with the great enterprise.” Sima Zhao said, “That is precisely what I intend. Travel east on my behalf. Give out that you are going to comfort the soldiers on campaign, and in this way sound out opinion.” Jia Chong accepted the command and went directly to Huainan, where he sought audience with Zhuge Dan, Senior General Who Guards the East. Zhuge Dan’s style was Gongxiu. He was a native of Nanyang in Langya and a younger clansman of the Martial Marquis. He had long served Wei, but because the Martial Marquis was chancellor in Shu, he had not been entrusted with important office. After the Martial Marquis died, Zhuge Dan successively held high positions in Wei, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoping, and received overall command of the forces in the regions north and south of the Huai River. That day, under the pretext of comforting the troops, Jia Chong reached Huainan and met Zhuge Dan, who gave a banquet for him. When the wine had been circulating and they were half drunk, Jia Chong sounded him out, saying, “Of late, the worthies of Luoyang all consider our sovereign weak and unfit to rule. The Great General Sima and three generations of his house have sustained the state, and their merit and virtue fill the heavens. He may fittingly receive the abdication and succeed to the rule of Wei. I do not know what Your Excellency thinks of this.” Zhuge Dan flew into a rage. “You are the son of Jia of Yuzhou, and your family has lived for generations upon the emoluments of Wei! How dare you utter such seditious words?” Jia Chong apologized. “I was only reporting to you what others have said.” Zhuge Dan declared, “If the court should meet with danger, I shall repay it with my death.” Jia Chong fell silent.

The next day Jia Chong took his leave and returned, reporting the matter in detail to Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao was furious. “How dare such vermin behave this way!” Jia Chong said, “Zhuge Dan has won the hearts of the people in Huainan. If he remains there long, he will certainly become a menace. You must remove him swiftly.” Sima Zhao secretly sent a confidential letter to Yue Chen, Inspector of Yangzhou, while dispatching an envoy with an imperial edict summoning Zhuge Dan to become Minister of Works. On receiving the edict, Zhuge Dan knew at once that Jia Chong had denounced him. He seized the envoy and put him to the question. The envoy said, “Yue Chen knows of this affair.” Zhuge Dan asked, “How did he learn of it?” The envoy replied, “General Sima has already sent a man to Yangzhou with a secret letter for Yue Chen.” Zhuge Dan was enraged and ordered those around him to behead the envoy. He then raised a thousand men from his command and rushed toward Yangzhou. As he approached the southern gate, he found the city gate closed and the drawbridge raised. Zhuge Dan called from beneath the walls for the gate to be opened, but no one on the ramparts answered. In fury, he cried, “Yue Chen, you wretch! How dare you do this?” He ordered his soldiers to assault the city. More than ten valiant horsemen under his command dismounted, crossed the moat, and swiftly scaled the wall. They scattered the defenders and flung the city gate wide. Zhuge Dan led his troops into the city, set fires with the wind, and fought his way to Yue Chen’s residence. Yue Chen fled upstairs to escape him. Zhuge Dan climbed after him with sword in hand and shouted, “Your father, Yue Jin, once received great favors from the state of Wei! Instead of remembering your duty and repaying them, do you mean to submit to Sima Zhao?” Before Yue Chen could answer, Zhuge Dan killed him. On the one hand, Zhuge Dan prepared a memorial enumerating Sima Zhao’s crimes and sent a man to present it at Luoyang. On the other, he assembled more than a hundred thousand farming households attached to the garrisons north and south of the Huai, together with over forty thousand recently surrendered troops in Yangzhou. He amassed fodder and stockpiled grain in preparation for a campaign. He also ordered his chief clerk, Wu Gang, to take his son Zhuge Jing into Wu as a hostage and request aid, insisting that their armies unite to punish and destroy Sima Zhao.

At this time Sun Jun, chancellor of Eastern Wu, had died of illness, and his younger cousin Sun Chen had assumed control of the government. Sun Chen’s style was Zitong. A violent and overbearing man, he had killed Grand Marshal Teng Yin, the generals Lü Ju and Wang Dun, and others; consequently, all power had fallen into his hands. Though Sun Liang, ruler of Wu, was intelligent, there was nothing he could do. Wu Gang therefore took Zhuge Jing to Shitou City and entered to pay his respects to Sun Chen. Sun Chen asked the reason for his coming. Wu Gang replied, “Zhuge Dan is a younger clansman of Zhuge, the Martial Marquis of Shu-Han, and has long served the state of Wei. He now sees Sima Zhao deceiving his sovereign and defying his superiors, setting aside the ruler and manipulating power. He wishes to raise an army and punish him, but his strength is insufficient; therefore he has expressly come over in submission. Fearing that mere words might offer no assurance, he has sent his own son Zhuge Jing as a hostage. We humbly beg you to dispatch troops to his aid.” Sun Chen granted the request. He appointed the senior generals Quan Yi and Quan Duan as commanders, with Yu Quan supporting the rear, Zhu Yi and Tang Zi as vanguard officers, and Wen Qin as guide. He raised seventy thousand troops and sent them forward in three divisions. Wu Gang returned to Shouchun and reported this to Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan was overjoyed and deployed his forces in readiness.

When Zhuge Dan’s memorial reached Luoyang, Sima Zhao read it and flew into a rage, resolving to go in person to punish him. Jia Chong remonstrated: “My lord has inherited the foundations laid by your father and elder brother, but your grace and virtue have not yet extended throughout the realm. If you leave the Son of Heaven behind and depart, and some sudden change should occur, repentance would come too late. It would be better to petition the empress dowager and the emperor to accompany the campaign. Then you may be secure against all danger.” Sima Zhao was delighted. “These words accord exactly with my own intention.” He entered and memorialized the empress dowager: “Zhuge Dan has rebelled. I have assembled the civil and military officials, and our deliberations are complete. I beg the empress dowager to accompany the Son of Heaven and lead the imperial expedition in person, thereby carrying on the late emperor’s purpose.” The empress dowager was afraid and had no choice but to consent. The next day, Sima Zhao asked Cao Mao, ruler of Wei, to set out. Cao Mao said, “The Great General commands all the armies of the realm and may deploy them as he pleases. Why must I go in person?” Sima Zhao replied, “That is not so. In former days, the Martial Founder swept unhindered across the land; Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming had the ambition to encompass the universe and the resolve to annex all the eight wilds. Whenever they encountered a great enemy, they invariably went in person. Your Majesty should follow the example of your forebears and sweep away this lingering evil. Why should you shrink from it?” Overawed by Sima Zhao’s power, Cao Mao had no choice but to comply. Sima Zhao issued an edict raising all the troops of the two capitals, two hundred and sixty thousand men in all. He appointed Wang Ji, General Who Guards the South, as chief vanguard; Chen Qian, General Who Pacifies the East, as deputy vanguard; Shi Bao, Army Supervisor, to command the left wing; and Zhou Tai, Inspector of Yanzhou, to command the right. Guarding the imperial carriage, the great host rolled onward in imposing array and pressed toward Huainan. Zhu Yi, vanguard commander of Eastern Wu, led his troops out to meet them. The two armies drew up opposite each other. Wang Ji rode out from the Wei ranks, and Zhu Yi advanced to meet him. Before three bouts had been fought, Zhu Yi turned and fled. Tang Zi rode forth, but in fewer than three bouts he too was badly defeated and fled. Wang Ji drove his troops forward in a covering assault. The Wu army suffered a crushing defeat, withdrew fifty li, and established a camp, while a report was carried into the city of Shouchun. Zhuge Dan personally led the elite troops of his own command and joined forces with Wen Qin and Wen Qin’s two sons, Wen Yang and Wen Hu. With tens of thousands of valiant soldiers, they advanced to oppose Sima Zhao. Thus it was:

Scarcely had Wu’s keen battle spirit fallen,When Wei’s fierce generals brought stout armies on.

Who would prevail remained unknown; the next chapter will tell.

Deng Ai Cleverly Outmaneuvers Jiang Wei; Zhuge Dan Righteously Raises Arms Against Sima Zhao

Now Jiang Wei withdrew his army and encamped at Zhongdi, while the Wei army camped outside Didao. Wang Jing welcomed Chen Tai and Deng Ai into the city, bowed in thanks for their relief of the siege, held a banquet in their honor, and richly rewarded the entire army. Chen Tai reported Deng Ai’s achievements to the Wei emperor Cao Mao. Cao Mao appointed Deng Ai General Who Pacifies the West, granted him imperial authority, and made him Colonel-Protector of the Eastern Qiang, stationing him with Chen Tai in Yong and Liang provinces. After Deng Ai submitted a memorial thanking the emperor for his favor, Chen Tai gave a banquet to congratulate him and said, “Jiang Wei fled by night. His strength is exhausted, and he will not dare come out again.” Deng Ai laughed and said, “By my reckoning, there are five reasons the Shu army is certain to come out again.” Chen Tai asked why. Deng Ai replied, “Although the Shu army has withdrawn, it still has the momentum gained from victory, while our army remains weakened by the reality of defeat. That is the first reason it is certain to come. The Shu troops were all trained under Zhuge Liang and are elite soldiers who can be deployed with ease, while our commanders are frequently replaced and our army is not yet thoroughly trained. That is the second reason it is certain to come. The men of Shu mostly travel by boat, while our army must move entirely overland, so the difference in exertion and rest favors them. That is the third reason it is certain to come. Didao, Longxi, Nan’an, and Mount Qi are all places that must be defended. The Shu forces may feint east and strike west, point south and attack north, forcing us to divide our troops among the different positions. Their army will advance as one body, using one concentrated force against our four divided forces. That is the fourth reason it is certain to come. If the Shu army advances through Nan’an or Longxi, it can take the Qiang people’s grain for food; if it comes through Mount Qi, there is wheat available there. That is the fifth reason it is certain to come.” Chen Tai sighed in admiration and said, “Your ability to judge the enemy is truly godlike. Why should we fear the Shu army?” From then on, Chen Tai and Deng Ai became close friends despite the difference in their ages. Deng Ai proceeded to drill the troops of Yong, Liang, and the surrounding regions every day, and he established camps at every strategic pass to guard against the unexpected.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wei held a great banquet at Zhongdi, gathered his officers, and discussed another campaign against Wei. Fan Jian, an official of the Secretariat, remonstrated with him: “General, you have marched out repeatedly without winning a complete victory. After the recent battle west of the Tao River, the men of Wei have already submitted to the awe of your reputation. Why do you wish to march out again? If anything should go wrong, all your previous achievements will be lost.” Jiang Wei said, “You know only that Wei has vast territory and a large population and cannot be taken quickly. You do not know that there are five reasons we can defeat Wei.” The officers asked what they were. Jiang Wei replied, “After their defeat west of the Tao River, all their fighting spirit has been crushed. Although our troops withdrew, they suffered no serious losses. If we advance now, that is the first reason we can win. Our troops advance by boat and will not become exhausted, while their troops must come to meet us overland. That is the second reason we can win. Our troops are veterans of long training, while theirs are nothing but a disorderly rabble without discipline. That is the third reason we can win. Our army can march out from Mount Qi and seize the autumn grain for food. That is the fourth reason we can win. Although their troops are stationed at various defensive positions, their military strength is divided. Our army will advance as a single force, so how can they reinforce one another? That is the fifth reason we can win. If we do not attack Wei now, what time are we waiting for?” Xiahou Ba said, “Though Deng Ai is still young, his plans are subtle and far-reaching. He was recently appointed General Who Pacifies the West, and he is certain to have made preparations everywhere. Matters are no longer as they were before.” Jiang Wei shouted sternly, “Why should I fear him? Do not build up another man’s fighting spirit while diminishing our own! My mind is made up. I will take Longxi first.” No one dared remonstrate further.

Jiang Wei personally commanded the vanguard and ordered the other generals to follow. The entire Shu army left Zhongdi and drove toward Mount Qi. Scouts reported that the Wei army had already established nine fortified camps there. Jiang Wei did not believe them, so he rode with several horsemen to high ground to look. Sure enough, he saw nine camps at Mount Qi laid out like a long serpent, with head and tail supporting each other. Jiang Wei turned to those around him and said, “Xiahou Ba’s words were indeed true. The arrangement of these camps is superb. Only my teacher, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, could have devised such a formation. Judging from what Deng Ai has done here, he is no less capable than my teacher.” He returned to his own camp, summoned the generals, and said, “Since the men of Wei have already made preparations, they must know we are coming. I believe Deng Ai himself must be here. Make a great display of my banners and insignia and establish a camp at the mouth of this valley. Each day, send out more than a hundred horsemen to scout. Every time they go out, have them change their clothing and armor. Change the banners as well, cycling through the five directional colors: blue, yellow, red, white, and black. Meanwhile, I will take the main army secretly through Dongting and strike directly at Nan’an.” He ordered Bao Su to hold the mouth of the valley at Mount Qi, while he led the entire main army toward Nan’an.

When Deng Ai learned that the Shu army had come out through Mount Qi, he and Chen Tai had already established camps and made ready. For several days, however, the Shu troops did not come to challenge them. Five groups of scouts rode out of the Shu camp each day, sometimes going ten li and sometimes fifteen before returning. After observing them from high ground, Deng Ai hurried into the command tent and said to Chen Tai, “Jiang Wei is not here. He must have gone through Dongting to make a surprise attack on Nan’an. The scouts riding out of that camp are only the same few horsemen changing their clothing and armor before going back and forth. Their horses are all exhausted, and whoever commands the camp cannot be a capable general. General Chen, take a force and attack it. The camp can be broken. Once you have destroyed its stockade, lead your army onto the road to Dongting and cut off Jiang Wei’s rear. I will lead a force to relieve Nan’an and go straight to Mount Wucheng. If I occupy that summit first, Jiang Wei will certainly turn toward Shanggui. Near Shanggui is a valley called Duan Valley. The ground is narrow and the mountains steep, making it ideal for an ambush. When he comes to contest Mount Wucheng, I will already have concealed two armies in Duan Valley. Jiang Wei will certainly be defeated.” Chen Tai said, “I have defended Longxi for twenty or thirty years, yet I have never understood its terrain with such clarity. What you say is truly a calculation worthy of the gods. Go quickly. I will attack the stockade here myself.” Deng Ai then led his troops on a forced march through the night and went directly to Mount Wucheng. He finished establishing his camp before the Shu troops arrived, then ordered his son Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan, a colonel of his personal staff, each to take five thousand soldiers and go ahead to lie in ambush in Duan Valley, instructing them exactly how to proceed. The two men received the plan and departed. Deng Ai ordered the banners furled and the drums silenced as he waited for the Shu army.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wei advanced from Dongting toward Nan’an. When he reached Mount Wucheng, he said to Xiahou Ba, “Near Nan’an is a mountain called Mount Wucheng. If we can take it first, we will gain the strategic advantage needed to seize Nan’an. I only fear that Deng Ai is full of schemes and will surely have guarded against this beforehand.” While he was still hesitating, a cannon suddenly boomed from the mountain. Great shouts shook the air, drums and horns sounded together, and banners rose everywhere. They were all Wei troops. In the center, a yellow standard fluttered in the wind, bearing the large characters “Deng Ai.” The Shu troops were greatly alarmed. Elite Wei forces charged down from several points on the mountain with irresistible force, routing the Shu vanguard. Jiang Wei hurried forward with the central division to rescue it, but the Wei troops had already withdrawn. Jiang Wei went directly to the foot of Mount Wucheng and challenged Deng Ai to battle, but the Wei troops on the mountain would not come down. Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to shout insults at them. At evening, just as he was about to withdraw, drums and horns sounded together on the mountain, yet still no Wei troops descended. Jiang Wei tried to storm the mountain, but stones and cannon fire rained down so fiercely that he could not advance. He held his position until the third watch and was about to turn back when the drums and horns sounded again on the mountain. Jiang Wei moved his troops to the foot of the mountain and began setting up camp. By the time he had ordered the soldiers to carry in timber and stones and was about to erect the stockade, the drums and horns sounded once more. The Wei troops suddenly charged down. The Shu army fell into chaos, trampling one another as it retreated to its former camp.

The next day, Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to bring wagons loaded with provisions and equipment to Mount Wucheng and arrange them in connected rows, intending to erect a stockade and establish a fortified camp. During the second watch that night, Deng Ai ordered five hundred men, each carrying a torch, to descend the mountain by two separate routes and set fire to the wagons. The two armies fought in confusion throughout the night, and once again the Shu army was unable to complete its camp. Jiang Wei led his troops back and consulted Xiahou Ba again, saying, “Since we have not taken Nan’an, it would be better to seize Shanggui first. Shanggui is where Nan’an stores its grain. If we take Shanggui, Nan’an will be endangered without further action.” He left Xiahou Ba to hold his position at Mount Wucheng, then led all his elite troops and fiercest generals directly toward Shanggui. After marching through the night, just before daybreak, he saw that the mountains were narrow and steep and the road rugged and twisting. He asked the local guide, “What is this place called?” The guide replied, “Duan Valley.” Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed and said, “That is an ill-omened name. ‘Duan Valley’ sounds like ‘Severed Valley.’ What are we to do if someone cuts off the mouth of the valley?”

While Jiang Wei was still hesitating and had not yet decided what to do, a report suddenly arrived from the vanguard: “Great clouds of dust are rising behind the mountain. There must be troops in ambush.” Jiang Wei hurriedly ordered a retreat, but the two forces under Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong charged out. Jiang Wei fought as he withdrew. Then tremendous shouts arose ahead, and Deng Ai came attacking with his troops. Assailed from three directions, the Shu army suffered a great defeat. Fortunately, Xiahou Ba arrived with his troops and attacked, forcing the Wei army to withdraw and rescuing Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei wanted to return to Mount Qi, but Xiahou Ba said, “The camp at Mount Qi has already been broken by Chen Tai. Bao Su was killed in battle, and all the soldiers from the camp have retreated to Hanzhong.” Jiang Wei did not dare take the route through Dongting, so he hurried back by a remote mountain path. Deng Ai pursued closely from behind. Jiang Wei ordered the other units to go on ahead while he personally covered the rear. As they were marching, an army suddenly burst out from the mountains. It was led by the Wei general Chen Tai. With a single great shout, the Wei troops surrounded Jiang Wei in their midst. His men and horses were exhausted, and although he charged left and right, he could not break free. Zhang Ni, General Who Sweeps Away the Rebels, heard that Jiang Wei was trapped and led several hundred horsemen into the encirclement. Taking advantage of the opening, Jiang Wei fought his way out. Zhang Ni was shot dead in a storm of arrows from the Wei troops. After escaping the encirclement, Jiang Wei returned to Hanzhong. Moved by Zhang Ni’s loyalty and courage in dying in service to the state, he submitted a memorial requesting honors and rewards for Zhang Ni’s descendants. Many Shu officers and soldiers had been killed in the fighting, and everyone blamed Jiang Wei. Following the precedent set by the Marquis of Wu after the defeat at Jieting, Jiang Wei submitted a memorial demoting himself to General of the Rear, while continuing to perform the duties of General-in-Chief.

When Deng Ai saw that the Shu troops had completely withdrawn, he and Chen Tai held a banquet to congratulate each other and richly rewarded the entire army. Chen Tai submitted a memorial reporting Deng Ai’s achievements. Sima Zhao sent an envoy bearing the imperial insignia of authority to promote Deng Ai in rank and title and bestow a seal and ribbon upon him. Deng Ai’s son Deng Zhong was also enfeoffed as a Village Marquis.

At this time, the Wei emperor Cao Mao changed the third year of the Zhengyuan era to the first year of the Ganlu era. Sima Zhao made himself Commander-in-Chief of All the Armed Forces of the Realm. Whenever he went out or returned, three thousand valiant officers in iron armor always surrounded him front and rear as his guard. No official matter was reported to the imperial court; everything was decided directly in his own chancellery. From this time on, he constantly harbored thoughts of usurpation and rebellion, fearing only that the people of both north and south had not yet fully submitted to him. One of his trusted confidants was Jia Chong, styled Gonglü, the son of the late Jia Kui, General Who Establishes Might. He served as chief clerk in Sima Zhao’s headquarters. Jia Chong said to Sima Zhao, “My lord now holds supreme power, but the hearts of the people in every quarter are surely still unsettled. We should secretly sound them out first, then gradually proceed with the great undertaking.” Sima Zhao said, “That is exactly what I intend. Travel east on my behalf. Claim that you are going to comfort and reward the troops in the field, and use the opportunity to discover what people are thinking.” Jia Chong accepted the order and went directly to Huainan, where he called upon Zhuge Dan, Senior General Who Guards the East. Zhuge Dan, styled Gongxiu, was from Nanyang in Langya and was a younger kinsman of the Marquis of Wu, Zhuge Liang. He had long served Wei, but because the Marquis of Wu was prime minister in Shu, he had not been entrusted with important positions. After the Marquis of Wu died, however, Zhuge Dan successively held important offices in Wei, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoping, and received overall command of the forces north and south of the Huai River. On that day, Jia Chong came to Huainan under the pretext of rewarding the troops and met with Zhuge Dan, who gave a banquet in his honor. When they were half drunk, Jia Chong tested Zhuge Dan by saying, “Recently, the worthy men of Luoyang have all been saying that His Majesty is weak and unfit to rule. The Sima family’s Great Generals have supported the state for three generations, and their merit and virtue fill the heavens. The imperial succession of Wei could therefore be abdicated to them. May I ask what Your Excellency thinks?” Zhuge Dan became furious and said, “You are the son of Governor Jia of Yu Province. Your family has lived for generations on the salaries of Wei. How dare you utter such treasonous words?” Jia Chong apologized and said, “I was merely reporting what others have said.” Zhuge Dan replied, “If the imperial court faces danger, I will repay it with my death.” Jia Chong fell silent.

The next day, Jia Chong took his leave and returned, then gave Sima Zhao a detailed account of what had happened. Sima Zhao was furious and said, “How dare that rat behave this way?” Jia Chong said, “Zhuge Dan has won the deep loyalty of the people in Huainan. If he remains there much longer, he will inevitably become a threat. You must remove him quickly.” Sima Zhao secretly sent a confidential letter to Yue Chen, Inspector of Yang Province, while also dispatching an envoy with an imperial edict summoning Zhuge Dan to become Minister of Works. When Zhuge Dan received the edict, he already knew that Jia Chong had denounced him. He seized the envoy and had him interrogated under torture. The envoy said, “Yue Chen knows about this matter.” Zhuge Dan asked, “How does he know?” The envoy replied, “General Sima has already sent a man to Yang Province with a secret letter for Yue Chen.” Zhuge Dan was enraged and ordered his attendants to behead the envoy. He then raised one thousand troops from his command and drove toward Yang Province. As he approached the southern gate, he found the city gate closed and the drawbridge raised. Zhuge Dan called for the gate to be opened, but no one on the wall answered him. He became furious and cried, “Yue Chen, you scoundrel! How dare you do this?” He ordered his men to attack the city. More than ten valiant horsemen under his command dismounted, crossed the moat, swiftly scaled the wall, scattered the defenders, and threw open the city gate. Zhuge Dan led his troops into the city, set fires with the aid of the wind, and fought his way to Yue Chen’s residence. Yue Chen fled upstairs in panic to hide. Zhuge Dan followed him with sword in hand and shouted, “Your father, Yue Jin, received immense favor from the state of Wei! Instead of thinking how to repay your sovereign, do you mean to side with Sima Zhao?” Before Yue Chen could answer, Zhuge Dan killed him. Zhuge Dan then prepared a memorial enumerating Sima Zhao’s crimes and sent a man to present it in Luoyang. At the same time, he assembled more than one hundred thousand people from the military farming colonies north and south of the Huai River, together with more than forty thousand newly surrendered troops from Yang Province. He stockpiled fodder and grain and prepared to advance. He also ordered his chief clerk, Wu Gang, to take his son Zhuge Jing to Wu as a hostage and request aid, insisting that their forces be joined in a campaign to punish and destroy Sima Zhao.

At this time, Sun Jun, the prime minister of Eastern Wu, had died of illness, and his younger cousin Sun Chen was governing in his place. Sun Chen, styled Zitong, was violent and tyrannical. He killed Grand Marshal Teng Yin, General Lü Ju, Wang Dun, and others, and as a result all power fell into his hands. Although the ruler of Wu, Sun Liang, was intelligent, there was nothing he could do. Wu Gang brought Zhuge Jing to Shitou City and went in to pay his respects to Sun Chen. Sun Chen asked why he had come. Wu Gang replied, “Zhuge Dan is a younger kinsman of Zhuge Liang, the Marquis of Wu of Shu-Han, and has long served the state of Wei. He now sees Sima Zhao deceiving the sovereign and defying his superiors, treating the emperor as a figurehead while abusing his power. Zhuge Dan wishes to raise an army against him, but his strength is insufficient, so he has come expressly to submit to Wu. Fearing that his word alone might not be trusted, he has sent his own son Zhuge Jing as a hostage. We humbly ask you to send troops to assist him.” Sun Chen granted the request. He appointed the senior generals Quan Yi and Quan Duan as chief commanders, Yu Quan to bring up the rear, Zhu Yi and Tang Zi as vanguard commanders, and Wen Qin as their guide. He raised seventy thousand troops and sent them forward in three divisions. Wu Gang returned to Shouchun and informed Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan was overjoyed and deployed his troops in readiness.

When Zhuge Dan’s memorial reached Luoyang, Sima Zhao read it and became furious. He wanted to go personally to suppress Zhuge Dan, but Jia Chong remonstrated with him: “My lord has inherited the foundation established by your father and elder brother, but your favor and virtue have not yet reached all within the four seas. If you leave the emperor behind and depart, and some sudden change occurs, it will be too late for regret. It would be better to petition the empress dowager and the emperor to accompany the campaign. Then there will be no danger.” Sima Zhao was delighted and said, “These words accord exactly with my intentions.” He went in and addressed the empress dowager: “Zhuge Dan has rebelled. I have consulted with the civil and military officials and completed our plans. I ask the empress dowager and the emperor to lead the campaign in person, thereby carrying on the late emperor’s intentions.” The empress dowager was afraid and had no choice but to agree. The next day, Sima Zhao asked the Wei emperor Cao Mao to set out. Cao Mao said, “The Great General commands all the armed forces of the realm and may deploy them as he sees fit. Why must I go in person?” Sima Zhao replied, “That is not so. In former times, the Martial Ancestor campaigned throughout the four seas. Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming possessed ambitions that encompassed the universe and hearts set on swallowing all the eight directions. Whenever they faced a great enemy, they always went in person. Your Majesty should follow the example of your imperial forebears and sweep away the surviving rebels. Why should you be afraid?” Intimidated by Sima Zhao’s power and authority, Cao Mao had no choice but to agree. Sima Zhao issued an edict mobilizing all twenty-six divisions of troops from the two capitals. He appointed Wang Ji, General Who Guards the South, as chief vanguard; Chen Qian, General Who Pacifies the East, as deputy vanguard; Shi Bao, the army supervisor, to command the left wing; and Zhou Tai, Inspector of Yan Province, to command the right wing. Protecting the imperial carriage, the vast host surged toward Huainan. Zhu Yi, the Eastern Wu vanguard commander, led his troops out to meet them. The two armies formed their battle lines. Wang Ji rode out from the Wei ranks, and Zhu Yi came forward to meet him. Before three bouts had been fought, Zhu Yi turned and fled. Tang Zi rode out, but he too was soundly defeated in fewer than three bouts and fled. Wang Ji drove his troops forward in pursuit and slaughtered the Wu soldiers. The Wu army suffered a great defeat, withdrew fifty li, and established a camp, while a report was sent into Shouchun. Zhuge Dan personally led the elite troops under his immediate command and joined forces with Wen Qin and Wen Qin’s two sons, Wen Yang and Wen Hu. With tens of thousands of formidable troops, they advanced to confront Sima Zhao. Truly:

Just as the fighting spirit of Wu’s troops was seen to fall,The mighty army of Wei’s generals came once more.

How the victory would be decided will be revealed in the next chapter.