Chapter 88

Crossing the Lu River, the Man King Is Bound Again; His False Surrender Detected, Meng Huo Is Captured a Third Time

Now Zhuge Liang had released Meng Huo. The generals came to his tent and asked, “Meng Huo is the chief leader of the southern tribes. By good fortune he was captured, and the South might now have been pacified. Why, Prime Minister, did you release him?” Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “To capture this man is as easy for me as taking something from a bag. But I must subdue his heart; then the region will naturally be pacified.” When the generals heard this, none of them was yet willing to believe it.

That same day Meng Huo reached the Lu River, where he encountered the defeated remnants of his tribal troops, all searching for news of him. At the sight of Meng Huo, the soldiers were both astonished and delighted. They bowed and asked, “How was Your Majesty able to return?” Meng Huo replied, “The men of Shu kept me under guard in their camp. I killed more than ten of them and escaped under cover of darkness. On the way I met a patrol of cavalry; I killed them as well and seized this horse. Thus I made my escape.” The soldiers rejoiced and escorted Meng Huo across the Lu River. There they established a stockade, assembled the chiefs of the various ravines, and gradually gathered the tribal soldiers who had earlier been released, until they numbered more than a hundred thousand horsemen. At this time Dong Tuna and Ahui Nan had already returned to their own ravines. Meng Huo sent men to summon them. The two were afraid, but had no choice save to bring their tribal troops. Meng Huo then gave orders: “I now understand Zhuge Liang’s schemes. We must not engage him in battle, for if we do, we shall fall into his cunning traps. His men of Shu have come from afar and are worn with toil; moreover, the days are fiercely hot. How can they remain here long? We have the perilous Lu River to protect us. Seize every boat and raft and bring them all to the southern bank. Build earthen forts everywhere, with deep moats and lofty ramparts, and let us see what stratagem Zhuge Liang can devise!” The chiefs followed his plan. They gathered all the boats and rafts along the southern bank and raised earthen forts. Wherever the ground rested against a mountain or bordered a cliff, they erected tall watchtowers, upon which they placed many bows, crossbows, catapults, and stones, making preparations for a long defense. Grain and fodder were supplied from the various ravines. Meng Huo considered his plan entirely secure and remained at ease, free from concern.

Meanwhile Zhuge Liang led his army swiftly forward, and the vanguard reached the Lu River. Mounted scouts galloped back to report: “There is not a boat or raft anywhere on the river. The current is also extremely swift. Along the opposite bank earthen forts have been built, and tribal soldiers guard them all.” It was now the fifth month, and the weather was hot. In the southern country the heat was fiercer still, so that neither soldiers nor horses could endure their armor. Zhuge Liang went in person to inspect the Lu River, then returned to his main camp and assembled the generals in his tent. He gave orders, saying, “Meng Huo’s army is now encamped south of the Lu River, with deep moats and lofty ramparts to resist us. Since I have led an army this far, how can I return empty-handed? Each of you is to lead his troops beside mountains and beneath trees, choosing places where the woods grow thick, and there rest the men and horses.” He then sent Lü Kai a hundred li from the Lu River to choose a cool, shaded place and divide the army among four camps. Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, and Guan Suo were each assigned to guard one camp. Straw shelters were built both inside and outside to shade the horses, while officers and men rested in the cool to escape the heat. When Army Adviser Jiang Wan saw this, he went to Zhuge Liang and asked, “In my judgment, the camps Lü Kai has built are most ill-situated. The ground is of precisely the same kind that led to the late Emperor’s defeat in Eastern Wu. If the tribal troops secretly cross the Lu River and come to raid our camps, how shall we save ourselves if they attack with fire?” Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “Do not be so suspicious. I have a subtle plan of my own.” Jiang Wan and the others could not fathom his meaning.

Suddenly it was reported that Ma Dai had arrived from Shu with medicines against the heat, as well as grain and rice. Zhuge Liang ordered him admitted. After Ma Dai had paid his respects, the rice and medicines were distributed among the four camps. Zhuge Liang asked, “How many troops have you brought?” Ma Dai replied, “Three thousand.” Zhuge Liang said, “My army is exhausted from repeated battles, and I wish to employ your troops. I do not know whether they are willing to advance.” Ma Dai replied, “All are soldiers of the imperial court; how can there be any distinction between yours and mine? If the Prime Minister wishes to use us, we shall not refuse, though it cost us our lives.” Zhuge Liang said, “Meng Huo now bars the Lu River, and there is no way across. I wish first to sever his grain route and thereby throw his army into disorder.” Ma Dai asked, “How can it be severed?” Zhuge Liang replied, “A hundred and fifty li from here, at Shakou on the lower Lu River, the current is slow enough to cross on rafts. Take your three thousand troops across the river and march directly into the tribal ravines. First cut off their grain; then join forces with the two ravine chiefs Dong Tuna and Ahui Nan, who will serve as our allies within. There must be no mistake.”

Ma Dai departed gladly and led his troops to Shakou, where he ordered them across the river. Seeing that the water was shallow, more than half did not use the rafts but stripped off their clothes and waded in. Before they were halfway over, they all collapsed. They were hurriedly rescued and brought to the bank, but blood poured from their mouths and noses, and they died. Ma Dai was greatly alarmed and returned that very night to report to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang at once summoned local guides and questioned them. One said, “In this present season of fierce heat, poison gathers in the Lu River. By day the water grows exceedingly hot and its poisonous vapors arise. Anyone who crosses will inevitably be poisoned, and anyone who drinks the water will surely die. If you wish to cross, you must wait until the stillness of night, when the water is cool and the poisonous vapors do not rise. The men must eat their fill before crossing; only then will they come to no harm.” Zhuge Liang ordered the locals to guide the way and selected five or six hundred strong and hardy soldiers to accompany Ma Dai. They went to Shakou on the Lu River, lashed together wooden rafts, and crossed at midnight. As foretold, they suffered no harm. Ma Dai then led two thousand picked soldiers, with the locals guiding them, straight toward Jiashan Valley, the main passage by which grain was transported to the tribal ravines. Mountains rose on both sides of Jiashan Valley, and the single road between them was wide enough for only one man and one horse to pass at a time. Ma Dai seized the valley, divided his soldiers into detachments, and erected a fortified stockade. The tribesmen knew nothing of this and were bringing in a convoy of grain when Ma Dai cut them off from front and rear and seized more than a hundred cartloads. The tribesmen fled to report the matter at Meng Huo’s main camp.

At this time Meng Huo remained in his camp, drinking and amusing himself all day and paying no heed to military affairs. He told the assembled chiefs, “If I engage Zhuge Liang in battle, I am certain to fall into one of his treacherous schemes. Instead, I rely upon the perilous Lu River and await him behind deep moats and lofty ramparts. The men of Shu will be unable to endure this cruel heat and must retreat. Then you and I will pursue and strike them, and we shall capture Zhuge Liang.” When he had finished, he threw back his head and laughed. Suddenly one chief in the ranks said, “The water at Shakou is shallow. If the Shu troops should slip across there, the danger would be grave. We ought to divide off some troops to guard it.” Meng Huo laughed and said, “You are a native of this region; how can you not know? I am eager for the Shu troops to cross there, for if they attempt it, they will surely die in the water.” The chief said again, “But what if some local person tells them how to cross by night?” Meng Huo replied, “There is no need for such suspicion. Why would anyone within my territory help the enemy?” While he was still speaking, a messenger suddenly reported that an unknown number of Shu troops had secretly crossed the Lu River and severed the grain route through Jiashan Valley, displaying banners inscribed “General Who Pacifies the North, Ma Dai.” Meng Huo laughed and said, “A petty fellow such as he is scarcely worth mentioning!” He immediately sent his deputy Mang Yachang with three thousand troops toward Jiashan Valley.

When Ma Dai saw the tribal troops approaching, he arrayed his two thousand men before the mountain. The two formations faced each other. Mang Yachang rode out and engaged Ma Dai, but after a single bout Ma Dai cut him down beneath his horse with one stroke of the sword. The tribal troops suffered a crushing defeat and fled back to Meng Huo, to whom they related the whole affair. Meng Huo summoned his generals and asked, “Who dares go and oppose Ma Dai?” Before he had finished speaking, Dong Tuna stepped forward and said, “I am willing to go.” Meng Huo was delighted and sent him off with three thousand troops. Fearing that others might cross the Lu River as well, he also dispatched Ahui Nan with three thousand troops to guard Shakou.

Dong Tuna led his tribal troops to Jiashan Valley and established a camp, while Ma Dai brought out his army to meet him. Some soldiers in Ma Dai’s ranks recognized Dong Tuna and told Ma Dai all that had happened. Ma Dai spurred forward and reviled him: “Faithless wretch, forgetful of favors! Our Prime Minister spared your life, yet now you rebel again. Are you not ashamed of yourself?” Dong Tuna’s face was covered with shame. He had no words to answer and withdrew without fighting. Ma Dai pursued and cut down a number of his men before returning. Dong Tuna went back to Meng Huo and said, “Ma Dai is a mighty warrior. I could not withstand him.” Meng Huo flew into a rage and cried, “I know that you once received Zhuge Liang’s favor. Today you deliberately retreated without fighting. This was nothing but a scheme to betray my battle line!” He shouted for Dong Tuna to be dragged out and beheaded. Only after the chiefs repeatedly pleaded for him was his life spared. Meng Huo ordered the guards to give Dong Tuna a hundred heavy blows with staves, then sent him back to his own camp.

Many chiefs came to Dong Tuna and said, “Though we live in the tribal regions, we have never dared trespass against the Central Kingdom, nor has the Central Kingdom ever invaded us. Now Meng Huo has forced us by the weight of his power to rebel against our will. Zhuge Liang’s divine calculations are unfathomable: even Cao Cao and Sun Quan feared him, to say nothing of us in these tribal lands. Moreover, all of us owe him our lives, yet we have no means to repay him. We now wish to risk death, kill Meng Huo, and go over to Zhuge Liang, thereby sparing the people of our ravines the misery of ruin and slaughter.” Dong Tuna said, “I do not yet know what is in your hearts.” Those among them whom Zhuge Liang had previously released answered with one voice, “We are willing to go!” Dong Tuna therefore took a steel sword in hand and led more than a hundred men straight toward the main camp. At the time Meng Huo lay dead drunk in his tent. Dong Tuna entered with his armed men. Two generals stood in attendance beneath the tent. Pointing his sword at them, Dong Tuna said, “You too owe your lives to Prime Minister Zhuge Liang and ought to repay his favor.” The two generals replied, “There is no need for you to strike, General. We shall capture Meng Huo alive and take him as an offering to the Prime Minister.” They all entered the tent together, bound Meng Huo fast, and escorted him to the Lu River. There they boarded a boat and crossed directly to the northern bank, first sending a man ahead to inform Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang’s spies had already learned of the affair. He secretly issued orders that the officers and men in every camp put their weapons in readiness. Only then did he permit the chief who led the party to escort Meng Huo inside; all the others were ordered to return to their own camps and await instructions. Dong Tuna first entered the central command and related the entire affair to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang rewarded him generously, soothed him with gracious words, and sent him away with the other chiefs. He then ordered the executioners to thrust Meng Huo forward. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “You said before that if I captured you again, you would submit. What do you say today?” Meng Huo replied, “This was not due to any ability of yours. My own followers fell to fighting among themselves, and that is what brought me here. How could I submit?” Zhuge Liang said, “What if I release you once more?” Meng Huo replied, “Though I am a tribesman, I understand something of the art of war. If the Prime Minister truly releases me and lets me return to my ravine, I shall lead my troops forth to decide victory and defeat once more. If the Prime Minister captures me again, then I shall yield with all my heart and disclose my innermost loyalty, nor shall I ever change.” Zhuge Liang said, “If you are captured alive again and still refuse to submit, you will certainly not be lightly pardoned.” He ordered the attendants to remove Meng Huo’s bonds, once more bestowed wine and food upon him, and seated him in the tent. Zhuge Liang said, “Since I first left my thatched cottage, I have never failed to win a battle or take a stronghold. Why should a man from a tribal realm such as yours refuse to submit?” Meng Huo remained silent and made no answer.

After they had drunk, Zhuge Liang called upon Meng Huo to mount a horse and rode with him out of the camp, showing him the grain and fodder stored in the various encampments, as well as the accumulated weapons and equipment. Pointing these out, Zhuge Liang said, “You are truly a fool not to submit to me. With such elite troops, valiant generals, grain, fodder, and weapons at my command, how can you defeat me? If you submit soon, I shall report it to the Son of Heaven and ensure that you do not lose your royal rank. Your sons and grandsons shall forever rule the tribal lands. What do you say?” Meng Huo replied, “Though I myself might be willing to submit, the people in my ravine are not yet convinced in their hearts. If the Prime Minister will release me, I shall pacify my own troops and bring them to unite in heart and purpose; only then can we return to allegiance.” Zhuge Liang gladly returned with Meng Huo to the main camp. They drank until evening, when Meng Huo took his leave. Zhuge Liang personally escorted him to the Lu River and sent him back to his camp by boat.

Upon reaching his own camp, Meng Huo first concealed executioners beneath his tent. He then sent trusted men to the camps of Dong Tuna and Ahui Nan, falsely claiming that Zhuge Liang had sent them on a mission. By this ruse the two were lured to Meng Huo’s main tent, where both were killed and their bodies cast into a ravine. Meng Huo immediately sent trusted men to guard the passes. He himself led an army out through Jiashan Valley, intending to fight Ma Dai, but not a single man was to be seen. When he questioned the local people, they all said that during the previous night the Shu troops had removed all their grain and fodder, crossed the Lu River again, and returned to the main camp. Meng Huo went back to his ravine and conferred with his younger brother Meng You, saying, “By now I know the full strength and weakness of Zhuge Liang’s position. You must go and do thus and thus.”

Meng You accepted his brother’s plan and led more than a hundred tribal soldiers, carrying gold, pearls, precious objects, ivory, rhinoceros horn, and other such goods. They crossed the Lu River and headed directly for Zhuge Liang’s main camp. They had only just crossed when drums and horns sounded together ahead, and a body of troops deployed across their path. The general at their head was Ma Dai. Meng You was greatly alarmed. Ma Dai questioned him about the purpose of his visit, ordered him to remain outside, and sent a man to report to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang was then in his tent with Ma Su, Lü Kai, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and others, discussing the pacification of the southern tribes. Suddenly a man beneath the tent reported that Meng Huo had sent his younger brother Meng You to present treasures. Zhuge Liang turned to Ma Su and asked, “Do you know his purpose in coming?” Ma Su replied, “I dare not speak it aloud. Allow me to write it secretly upon a sheet of paper and present it to the Prime Minister, so that you may see whether it accords with your own judgment.” Zhuge Liang consented. Ma Su wrote his answer and presented it to him. After reading it, Zhuge Liang clapped his hands and laughed. “I have already assigned the parts in my plan to capture Meng Huo. Your judgment is precisely the same as mine.” He summoned Zhao Yun and whispered detailed instructions into his ear. Then he called in Wei Yan and likewise gave him secret orders. Finally, he summoned Wang Ping, Ma Zhong, and Guan Suo and privately instructed them as well.

Each man received his part in the plan and departed in obedience to the order. Only then was Meng You summoned into the tent. He bowed twice and said, “My elder brother Meng Huo is grateful to the Prime Minister for sparing his life. Having nothing else to offer, he has prepared a quantity of gold, pearls, and precious objects, to serve for the present as funds with which to reward your army. Later he will send other gifts as tribute to the Son of Heaven.” Zhuge Liang asked, “Where is your brother now?” Meng You replied, “Out of gratitude for the Prime Minister’s heavenly favor, he has gone directly to Silver Pit Mountain to gather precious objects. He will return shortly.” Zhuge Liang asked, “How many men have you brought?” Meng You replied, “I did not dare bring many—only a little more than a hundred attendants, all bearers of the goods.” Zhuge Liang ordered them all brought into the tent. They had blue eyes and black faces, yellow hair and purple beards, gold rings in their ears, disheveled hair, and bare feet. All were tall, powerful men. Zhuge Liang had them seated at the banquet and ordered his generals to press wine upon them and treat them with great courtesy.

Meanwhile Meng Huo waited anxiously in his tent for news. Suddenly it was reported that two men had returned. He summoned and questioned them, and they gave a full account: “Zhuge Liang was delighted to receive the gifts. He called all the attendants into his tent, slaughtered oxen and sheep, and spread a banquet for them. The Second King secretly ordered us to report to Your Majesty that at the second watch tonight, those within and those without should act together and accomplish the great undertaking.” Meng Huo was overjoyed when he heard this. He immediately mustered thirty thousand tribal troops and divided them into three columns. Summoning the various ravine chiefs, he instructed them: “Every division is to carry implements for setting fires. When we reach the Shu camp tonight, set it ablaze as the signal. I shall personally seize the central command and capture Zhuge Liang.” The tribal generals received their instructions, and around dusk they all crossed the Lu River. Meng Huo, accompanied by more than a hundred trusted tribal generals, went straight toward Zhuge Liang’s main camp. Not a single soldier barred his way. When he reached the camp gate, Meng Huo led his generals in at a gallop. It was an empty camp; not a man could be seen. Meng Huo burst into the central command and saw only the brilliant glow of lamps and candles within the tent. Meng You and all the tribal soldiers had collapsed in drunken stupor. Zhuge Liang had placed Meng You in the care of Ma Su and Lü Kai, who ordered musicians and players to perform entertainments and plied the guests attentively with wine. Drugs had been mixed into the drink, and all had fallen senseless, as though dead from intoxication. Meng Huo entered the tent and questioned them. Those few who were partly awake could only point to their mouths.

Meng Huo realized that he had fallen into a trap. He hurriedly roused Meng You and the others, then turned to race back to the center column. Ahead of him a tremendous battle cry arose, and flames suddenly leapt up as a body of troops charged in under the Shu general Wang Ping. Meng Huo was greatly alarmed and hastened toward the left column, but there flames towered to the sky, and another body of troops came charging in, led by the Shu general Wei Yan. In panic Meng Huo fled toward the right column, only to see flames rise there as well, while yet another body of troops attacked under the Shu general Zhao Yun. The three armies closed in from all sides, leaving no road of escape. Meng Huo abandoned his troops and fled alone on horseback toward the Lu River. There he saw several dozen tribal soldiers in a small boat upon the river and frantically ordered them to approach the bank. No sooner had he and his horse boarded than a signal rang out, and Meng Huo was seized and bound. Ma Dai, acting upon Zhuge Liang’s plan, had led his own soldiers to disguise themselves as tribesmen and pole the boat there as bait to capture Meng Huo.

Zhuge Liang now offered peace and amnesty to the tribal soldiers, who submitted in countless numbers. He consoled them one by one and did none of them any harm. He then ordered the remaining fires extinguished. Before long Ma Dai arrived with Meng Huo captive; Zhao Yun came with Meng You; and Wei Yan, Ma Zhong, Wang Ping, and Guan Suo brought in the chiefs of the various ravines. Pointing at Meng Huo, Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “First you sent your younger brother with gifts in a false surrender. How could that deceive me? Now I have captured you yet again. Will you submit?” Meng Huo replied, “This happened only because my younger brother was greedy for food and drink. He mistakenly swallowed your poison, and thus our great enterprise was ruined. Had I come myself, with my brother leading the troops in support, we would certainly have succeeded. Heaven defeated me; it was not through any lack of ability on my part. How could I submit?” Zhuge Liang said, “You have now been captured three times. How can you still refuse?” Meng Huo lowered his head and said nothing. Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “I shall release you yet again.” Meng Huo replied, “If the Prime Minister will release my brother and me, we shall return, gather our household retainers, and fight one great battle against you. If you capture me then, I shall finally abandon every doubt and submit with all my heart.” Zhuge Liang said, “If you are captured again, you will certainly not be lightly pardoned. Take care and apply yourself. Study the books of military strategy diligently, reorganize your trusted warriors, and employ a sound plan early, lest you regret it afterward.” He ordered the guards to remove Meng Huo’s bonds, then released Meng Huo, Meng You, and all the ravine chiefs together. Meng Huo and the others bowed their thanks and departed.

By this time the Shu army had crossed the Lu River. When Meng Huo and his companions crossed as well, they saw troops and generals arrayed along the landing, with banners streaming everywhere. Meng Huo reached the camp, where Ma Dai sat in state. Pointing his sword at him, Ma Dai said, “If you are captured again, you will certainly not be lightly released!” When Meng Huo reached his own stockade, he found that Zhao Yun had already taken it and drawn up his troops there. Seated beneath the great standard with his hand upon his sword, Zhao Yun said, “The Prime Minister has treated you with such generosity—do not forget his great kindness!” Meng Huo repeatedly murmured assent and went on. As he was about to leave the region by a hillside pass, Wei Yan appeared with a thousand picked soldiers arrayed upon the slope. Reining in his horse, he cried sternly, “I have now penetrated deep into your lair and seized your strongholds, yet you remain foolish and deluded, resisting the imperial army! If you are captured again, your body will be hacked into ten thousand pieces. You will never be lightly spared!” Meng Huo and his companions covered their heads and scurried away like frightened rats toward their own ravine. A later poet praised the deed:

In the fifth month he drove his host through barren wilds afar;Moonlit, the Lu rolled beneath pestilential haze.Sworn to repay Three Visits with the boldest art of war,How could seven captures weary his tribal campaigns?

After Zhuge Liang had crossed the Lu River and established his camp, he richly rewarded the entire army. Then he assembled the generals beneath his tent and said, “When Meng Huo was captured the second time, I had him shown through every camp so that he might observe our true and false dispositions. My very purpose was to induce him to raid our encampment. I knew that Meng Huo understood something of warfare. By displaying my troops, horses, grain, and fodder, I meant him to think he had detected a weakness and would therefore be certain to attack with fire. He sent his younger brother in a false surrender only to gain an ally within. I have captured Meng Huo three times without killing him because I sincerely wish to subdue his heart, not exterminate his people. I now tell you all plainly: do not shrink from toil, but devote yourselves to serving the state.” The generals bowed low and said, “The Prime Minister possesses wisdom, benevolence, and courage in perfect measure. Not even Jiang Ziya or Zhang Liang could surpass you.” Zhuge Liang replied, “How would I dare compare myself with the ancients? I rely entirely upon your strength, so that together we may accomplish our great undertaking.” When the generals beneath the tent heard Zhuge Liang’s words, they were all delighted.

Meng Huo, smarting with rage from his three captures, returned resentfully to Silver Pit Ravine. He immediately sent trusted men bearing gold, pearls, and precious objects to the Eight Fan and the Ninety-three Dian, as well as to the other tribes of the southern lands, to hire several hundred thousand shield-and-sword Liao warriors and stout fighting men. They were ordered to assemble by an appointed day. The various bodies of troops came surging like clouds and rolling like mist, all ready to obey Meng Huo’s commands. Scouts lying in wait learned of this and reported it to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, “It is precisely my wish that all the tribal armies should come, so that they may witness what I can do.” He then mounted his small carriage and set forth. Truly:

Had not the ravine lord’s might and fury brightly shown,How could the Master of War’s surpassing art be known?

What the outcome would be will be told in the next chapter.

Crossing the Lu River, the Man King Is Bound Again; His False Surrender Detected, Meng Huo Is Captured a Third Time

Now Kongming released Meng Huo, and the generals came to his command tent and asked, “Meng Huo is the chief leader of the southern tribes. Now that we were fortunate enough to capture him, the south could have been pacified. Why did the Chancellor release him?” Kongming smiled and said, “Capturing this man is as easy for me as taking something from a bag. But I must completely win his heart; then the region will naturally be pacified.” When the generals heard this, none of them quite believed him.

That day, Meng Huo reached the Lu River and happened upon the surviving tribal soldiers from his defeated army, all of whom had been searching for news of him. When the soldiers saw Meng Huo, they were both astonished and delighted. Bowing, they asked, “How was Your Majesty able to return?” Meng Huo said, “The men of Shu held me under guard in their camp. I killed more than ten of them and escaped under cover of darkness. As I was making my way back, I encountered a patrol of cavalry. I killed them too and seized this horse. That is how I escaped.” Everyone was overjoyed. They escorted Meng Huo across the Lu River, established a fortified camp, and assembled the chiefs of the various ravines. They also gradually gathered the tribal soldiers who had earlier been released, until they had more than a hundred thousand cavalry. By this time, Dong Tuna and Ahuinan had already returned to their ravines. Meng Huo sent men to summon them. The two were afraid, but had no choice except to lead their tribal troops to him as well. Meng Huo issued an order: “I now understand Zhuge Liang’s schemes. We must not engage him in battle, for if we do, we will fall into his crafty plans. His troops from the Riverlands have come a great distance and are exhausted. Moreover, the weather is now scorching. How can his troops remain here for long? We have the natural barrier of the Lu River. Gather every boat and raft along the southern bank, build earthen forts everywhere, dig deep moats, and raise high ramparts. Then let us see what scheme Zhuge Liang can devise!” The chiefs followed his plan. They gathered all the boats and rafts along the southern bank and built earthen forts. Wherever the ground lay against mountains or beneath cliffs, they erected tall defensive towers, on which they placed many bows, crossbows, stone-throwing engines, and piles of rocks, preparing to hold out for a long time. Grain and fodder were transported in from the various ravines. Meng Huo believed his plan completely secure and remained calm and unworried.

Meanwhile, Kongming advanced with his army. When his vanguard reached the Lu River, mounted scouts galloped back to report: “There are no boats or rafts anywhere on the Lu River. The current is also extremely swift. Earthen forts have been built all along the opposite bank, and tribal soldiers are guarding every one of them.” It was now the fifth month. The weather was hot, and in that southern region the heat was exceptionally fierce. The men could not bear to wear their armor, nor could the horses bear their coverings. Kongming personally went to inspect the Lu River. When he had finished, he returned to his main camp, assembled the generals in his command tent, and issued an order: “Meng Huo has now stationed his troops south of the Lu River, with deep moats and high ramparts to resist our army. Since I have brought the army this far, how could we return empty-handed? Each of you is to lead your troops to rest beside mountains and beneath trees. Choose places where the woods are thick and let the men and horses recover.” He then sent Lü Kai a hundred li from the Lu River to choose cool, shaded ground and divide it into four camps. Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, and Guan Suo were each assigned to guard one camp. Thatched shelters were built both inside and outside the camps to shade the horses, while the officers and soldiers rested in the cool air to escape the heat. When Army Adviser Jiang Wan saw this, he went in and asked Kongming, “In my opinion, the camps Lü Kai has built are very poorly situated. The terrain is exactly like the ground on which the Former Emperor was defeated by Eastern Wu. If the tribal troops secretly cross the Lu River and raid the camps, how could we save ourselves if they attacked with fire?” Kongming smiled and said, “Do not be so suspicious. I have an excellent plan of my own.” Jiang Wan and the others did not understand his meaning.

Suddenly, word came that Ma Dai had been sent from Shu with medicines to relieve the effects of the heat, as well as grain and rice. Kongming ordered him admitted. After Ma Dai had paid his respects, he distributed the grain and medicines among the four camps. Kongming asked, “How many soldiers have you brought?” Ma Dai replied, “Three thousand.” Kongming said, “My army is exhausted after repeated battles, and I wish to use your troops. I do not know whether they are willing to advance.” Ma Dai said, “They are all soldiers of the imperial court. Why distinguish between yours and mine? If the Chancellor needs them, they will not refuse even if it means death.” Kongming said, “Meng Huo is now using the Lu River to bar our way, and we have no means of crossing. I intend first to cut off his grain route and cause his army to fall into disorder on its own.” Ma Dai asked, “How can the route be cut?” Kongming said, “A hundred and fifty li from here, downstream on the Lu River, is a place called Sandbank Crossing. The water there flows slowly, and rafts can be lashed together to cross it. Take your three thousand troops across the river and go straight into the tribal ravines. First cut off their grain supplies, then join forces with Dong Tuna and Ahuinan, the two ravine chiefs, and have them act as our agents within. There must be no mistake.”

Ma Dai gladly departed and led his troops to Sandbank Crossing. He ordered his men across the water, but when they saw that it was shallow, more than half did not use the rafts. Instead, they stripped off their clothes and waded across. Halfway over, they all collapsed. They were hurriedly rescued and carried to the bank, but blood poured from their mouths and noses, and they died. Ma Dai was greatly alarmed and returned that very night to report to Kongming. Kongming immediately summoned a local guide and questioned him. The local man said, “It is now the height of summer, and poison accumulates in the Lu River. During the day, the weather is extremely hot and the poisonous vapors rise. Anyone who crosses the river will certainly be poisoned, and anyone who drinks the water will surely die. If you wish to cross, you must wait until the stillness of night, when the water is cool and the poisonous vapors do not rise. The men must eat their fill before crossing; only then will they come to no harm.” Kongming therefore ordered the local man to guide them. He also selected five or six hundred strong, vigorous soldiers to accompany Ma Dai to Sandbank Crossing on the Lu River. They lashed wooden rafts together and crossed at midnight, and indeed no one came to harm. Ma Dai then led two thousand picked soldiers onward, guided by the local man, and headed directly for Jiashan Gorge, the main route by which grain was transported into the tribal ravines. Mountains rose on both sides of Jiashan Gorge, with a single road between them, just wide enough for one man and one horse to pass at a time. Ma Dai occupied the gorge, deployed his soldiers, and set up a fortified camp. The tribesmen in the ravines knew nothing of this. When they arrived escorting grain, Ma Dai cut them off from both front and rear and seized more than a hundred carts of grain. The tribesmen reported the news to Meng Huo’s main camp.

At this time, Meng Huo spent every day drinking and amusing himself in camp, paying no attention to military affairs. He told the assembled chiefs, “If I face Zhuge Liang in battle, I am certain to fall into one of his treacherous schemes. Instead, we will rely on the natural barrier of the Lu River and wait behind deep moats and high ramparts. The men of Shu will be unable to endure the terrible heat and will certainly withdraw. Then I will pursue them with all of you, and we will capture Zhuge Liang.” Having said this, he roared with laughter. Suddenly, one chief among the ranks said, “The water is shallow at Sandbank Crossing. If the Shu troops manage to slip across there, the danger will be grave. We should detach troops to guard it.” Meng Huo laughed and said, “You are a native of this place. How can you not know? I am hoping that the Shu troops will try to cross there, for if they do, they will certainly die in the water.” The chief said again, “But what if some local person tells them how to cross at night? What then?” Meng Huo replied, “There is no need for such suspicion. Why would anyone in my territory be willing to help the enemy?” While they were still speaking, a sudden report came: an unknown number of Shu troops had secretly crossed the Lu River and completely severed the grain route through Jiashan Gorge. They flew the banner of “General Who Pacifies the North, Ma Dai.” Meng Huo laughed and said, “A mere youngster like this is hardly worth mentioning!” He immediately sent his deputy general, Mang Yachang, with three thousand troops toward Jiashan Gorge.

When Ma Dai saw the tribal troops approaching, he drew up his two thousand soldiers before the mountain. The two armies formed their lines facing each other. Mang Yachang rode out and engaged Ma Dai, but after only one exchange, Ma Dai cut him down from his horse with a single stroke. The tribal troops suffered a crushing defeat and fled back to Meng Huo, to whom they gave a detailed account of what had happened. Meng Huo summoned his generals and asked, “Who dares go and face Ma Dai?” Before he had finished speaking, Dong Tuna stepped forward and said, “I am willing to go.” Meng Huo was delighted and sent him off with three thousand troops. Fearing that more men might cross the Lu River, Meng Huo also sent Ahuinan with three thousand troops to guard Sandbank Crossing.

Dong Tuna led the tribal troops to Jiashan Gorge and made camp. Ma Dai led his army out to meet him. Some of his soldiers recognized Dong Tuna and explained the whole situation to Ma Dai. Ma Dai spurred his horse forward and shouted abuse: “You faithless wretch who repays kindness with betrayal! Our Chancellor spared your life, yet now you rebel again. Have you no shame?” Dong Tuna’s face filled with embarrassment, and he had no answer. He retreated without fighting. Ma Dai pursued and attacked for a time, then returned. Dong Tuna went back to Meng Huo and said, “Ma Dai is a mighty warrior. I could not withstand him.” Meng Huo flew into a rage and said, “I know that you once received Zhuge Liang’s mercy. Now you deliberately withdrew without fighting. This is clearly a scheme to betray our army!” He shouted for Dong Tuna to be taken out and beheaded. Only after the chiefs pleaded for him again and again was he spared death. Meng Huo ordered the guards to give Dong Tuna a hundred heavy blows with a staff, then released him to return to his own camp.

Many chiefs came to Dong Tuna and said, “Although we live in the tribal lands, we have never dared violate the Central Realm, nor has the Central Realm ever invaded us. Now Meng Huo’s power has forced us into rebellion against our will. Zhuge Kongming’s divine strategies are unfathomable. Even Cao Cao and Sun Quan fear him, let alone those of us in these tribal lands. Moreover, we have all received from him the kindness of having our lives spared, and we have no way to repay him. We are now willing to risk our lives, kill Meng Huo, and go over to Kongming, so that the people in our ravines may be spared the misery of devastation.” Dong Tuna said, “I do not know what all of you truly think.” Among them were men whom Kongming had previously released, and they all answered with one voice, “We are willing to go!” Dong Tuna therefore took a steel saber in hand and led more than a hundred men straight toward the main camp. At that moment, Meng Huo lay dead drunk in his tent. Dong Tuna led the men inside with their blades drawn. Two generals stood in attendance beneath the tent. Pointing his saber at them, Dong Tuna said, “You too received from Chancellor Zhuge the kindness of having your lives spared. You should repay his mercy.” The two generals said, “There is no need for you to act, General. We will capture Meng Huo alive and present him to the Chancellor.” They all entered the tent together, seized Meng Huo, bound him securely, and escorted him to the Lu River. They boarded a boat and went directly to the northern bank, first sending a man ahead to notify Kongming.

Kongming’s spies had already informed him of the affair. He therefore secretly passed down orders for the officers and soldiers in every camp to put their weapons and equipment in order. Only then did he have the leading chiefs escort Meng Huo inside, while the rest returned to their camps to await further orders. Dong Tuna entered the central command first, paid his respects to Kongming, and gave a detailed account of the affair. Kongming rewarded him generously, comforted him with kind words, and sent Dong Tuna away with the other chiefs. He then ordered the executioners to bring Meng Huo before him. Kongming smiled and said, “Previously, you said that if I captured you again, you would submit. What do you say today?” Meng Huo replied, “This was not due to your ability. My own subordinates turned against one another, and that brought me to this. How could I be willing to submit?” Kongming said, “What if I release you again now?” Meng Huo replied, “Though I am a tribesman, I know a fair amount about warfare. If the Chancellor truly agrees to release me so that I may return to my ravine, I will lead my troops out once more and decide victory or defeat. If the Chancellor captures me again this time, I will surrender with all my heart and hold nothing back, and I will never change my mind.” Kongming said, “If I capture you alive once more and you still refuse to submit, you will certainly not be lightly pardoned.” He ordered the attendants to remove Meng Huo’s bonds, again gave him wine and food, and had him seated as a guest in the command tent. Kongming said, “Since I first emerged from my thatched cottage, I have never failed to win a battle or take a place I attacked. You are a man of the tribal lands. Why do you refuse to submit?” Meng Huo remained silent and gave no answer.

After they had drunk wine, Kongming called Meng Huo to mount a horse and ride out of camp with him. He showed Meng Huo the grain and fodder stored in all the camps and fortifications, as well as the accumulated weapons and military equipment. Pointing these out, Kongming said to Meng Huo, “You are truly a fool not to submit to me. With such elite troops, fierce generals, provisions, and weapons at my disposal, how can you possibly defeat me? If you submit early, I will report to the Son of Heaven and see to it that you do not lose your royal position. Your sons and grandsons will command the tribal lands forever. What do you think?” Meng Huo replied, “Even if I am willing to submit, the people in my ravine are not yet convinced. If the Chancellor will release me, I will pacify the soldiers and people under my command and unite them in heart and purpose. Only then can we submit.” Kongming gladly agreed and returned with Meng Huo to the main camp. They drank until evening, when Meng Huo took his leave. Kongming personally escorted him to the Lu River and sent him back to his camp by boat.

When Meng Huo reached his main camp, he first concealed armed executioners beneath his tent. He then sent trusted men to the camps of Dong Tuna and Ahuinan, falsely claiming that Kongming had sent a command for them. In this way, he lured the two men into his main command tent, killed them both, and threw their bodies into a ravine. Meng Huo then sent trusted followers to guard the strategic passes. He personally led an army out through Jiashan Gorge, intending to fight Ma Dai, but not a single man was in sight. When he questioned the local people, they all said that Ma Dai’s men had moved all their grain and supplies the previous night, crossed back over the Lu River, and returned to the main camp. Meng Huo went back to his ravine and conferred with his younger brother Meng You, saying, “Now I know everything about Zhuge Liang’s actual strength and weaknesses. You must go and do the following.”

Following his brother’s plan, Meng You led more than a hundred tribal soldiers carrying gold, pearls, precious objects, ivory, rhinoceros horn, and similar treasures. They crossed the Lu River and headed directly for Kongming’s main camp. Just after they had crossed the river, drums and horns sounded together ahead of them, and a powerful body of troops deployed across their path. The general at their head was Ma Dai. Meng You was greatly alarmed. Ma Dai questioned him about the purpose of his visit, then ordered him to wait outside while he sent a man to report to Kongming. Kongming was in his command tent discussing the pacification of the southern tribes with Ma Su, Lü Kai, Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and the others. Suddenly, a man beneath the tent reported that Meng Huo had sent his younger brother Meng You to present treasures. Kongming turned to Ma Su and asked, “Do you understand the purpose of his visit?” Ma Su replied, “I would not dare state it aloud. Allow me to write it secretly on paper and present it to the Chancellor, so that you may see whether it agrees with your own judgment.” Kongming consented. When Ma Su had finished writing, he presented the paper to Kongming. After reading it, Kongming clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “I have already assigned the parts in my plan to capture Meng Huo. Your opinion is exactly the same as mine.” He then summoned Zhao Yun, whispered instructions in his ear, and sent him away. Next, he summoned Wei Yan and also gave him instructions in a low voice. Then he summoned Wang Ping, Ma Zhong, and Guan Suo and secretly instructed them as well.

Each man received his part of the plan and departed in accordance with his orders. Only then was Meng You summoned into the command tent. Meng You bowed twice beneath the tent and said, “My elder brother Meng Huo is grateful to the Chancellor for sparing his life. Having nothing else to offer, he has respectfully prepared some gold, pearls, and precious objects as a small contribution toward rewarding your army. Later, he will present other gifts as tribute to the Son of Heaven.” Kongming asked, “Where is your brother now?” Meng You replied, “Out of gratitude for the Chancellor’s heavenly favor, he has gone directly into Silver Pit Mountain to gather treasures. He will return shortly.” Kongming asked, “How many men did you bring?” Meng You replied, “I did not dare bring many. There are only a little more than a hundred followers, all of them here to transport the goods.” Kongming ordered them all brought into the tent for inspection. They had blue eyes and dark faces, yellow hair and purple beards, gold rings in their ears, tangled hair, and bare feet. Every one of them was tall and powerful. Kongming had them seated at the banquet and ordered his generals to urge wine upon them and treat them with the utmost hospitality.

Meanwhile, Meng Huo waited anxiously in his tent for news. Suddenly, he was told that two men had returned. He summoned them and questioned them, and they gave him a full account: “Zhuge Liang was delighted to accept the gifts. He summoned all the men who accompanied the Second King into his tent, slaughtered oxen and sheep, and held a banquet for them. The Second King secretly ordered us to report to Your Majesty that at the second watch tonight, we are to attack from within and without and accomplish the great undertaking.” Meng Huo was overjoyed by this news. He immediately called up thirty thousand tribal troops and divided them into three forces. He summoned the chiefs of the various ravines and instructed them: “Every unit must carry fire-starting equipment. When we reach the Shu camp tonight, set fires as the signal. I will personally seize the central command and capture Zhuge Liang.” The many tribal generals received the plan. Around dusk, each force crossed the Lu River. Meng Huo led more than a hundred trusted tribal generals directly toward Kongming’s main camp. Not a single enemy force blocked them along the way. When they reached the camp gate, Meng Huo led the generals in at a gallop. The camp was empty, and not a single person was in sight. Meng Huo charged into the central command area and saw the lamps and candles burning brightly in the tent. Meng You and all the tribal soldiers had collapsed in a drunken stupor. In fact, Kongming had ordered Ma Su and Lü Kai to entertain Meng You. They had performers put on various entertainments and pressed wine upon the guests with great hospitality, but drugs had been put into the wine, and all the men had fallen unconscious as though dead drunk. Meng Huo entered the tent and questioned them. A few were conscious, but could only point to their mouths.

Meng Huo realized that he had fallen into a trap and hurriedly revived Meng You and the others. But just as he was about to rush back to the central force, tremendous shouts arose ahead and flames suddenly leaped into the air. The tribal troops scattered in every direction. A body of soldiers came charging in, led by the Shu general Wang Ping. Meng Huo was greatly alarmed and hurried toward the left-hand force, but flames there soared into the sky, and another body of troops attacked. The Shu general at their head was Wei Yan. Meng Huo hastily turned toward the right-hand force, only to see flames rise there as well. Yet another body of soldiers charged in, led by the Shu general Zhao Yun. The three armies attacked from every side, leaving no route of escape. Meng Huo abandoned his troops and fled alone on horseback toward the Lu River. There he saw several dozen tribal soldiers in a small boat on the river and hurriedly ordered them to approach the bank. No sooner had both man and horse boarded than a signal sounded and Meng Huo was seized and bound. In fact, Ma Dai had received his instructions and led his own soldiers disguised as tribesmen. They had waited there in the boat to lure Meng Huo into their hands.

Kongming then offered amnesty to the tribal troops, and countless men surrendered. Kongming comforted them one by one and did not harm any of them. He ordered the remaining fires extinguished. Before long, Ma Dai arrived with Meng Huo as his prisoner; Zhao Yun arrived with Meng You; and Wei Yan, Ma Zhong, Wang Ping, and Guan Suo arrived with the chiefs of the various ravines. Pointing at Meng Huo, Kongming laughed and said, “You first sent your younger brother to feign surrender with gifts. How could that deceive me? Now I have captured you yet again. Will you submit?” Meng Huo replied, “This happened because my younger brother was greedy for food and drink. He mistakenly fell victim to your poison, and the great undertaking failed as a result. If I had come myself and my brother had supported me with troops, we would certainly have succeeded. Heaven defeated me; it was not due to any lack of ability on my part. How could I be willing to submit?” Kongming said, “This is now the third time. How can you still refuse to submit?” Meng Huo lowered his head and said nothing. Kongming smiled and said, “I will release you again.” Meng Huo replied, “If the Chancellor is willing to release my brother and me, we will return, gather our family retainers, and fight the Chancellor in one great battle. If you capture me then, I will finally surrender wholeheartedly and without reservation.” Kongming said, “If I capture you again, you will certainly not be lightly pardoned. Take great care. Study books on strategy and tactics diligently, reorganize your most trusted warriors, and devise a good plan soon, or you will regret it.” He then ordered the guards to remove their bonds and released Meng Huo, Meng You, and all the ravine chiefs together. Meng Huo and the others bowed in thanks and departed.

By this time, the Shu army had already crossed the Lu River. After Meng Huo and the others crossed it, they saw soldiers and generals deployed at the landing, with banners fluttering everywhere. When Meng Huo reached the camp, Ma Dai sat high above him, pointed his sword, and said, “If we catch you again, you certainly will not be released so easily!” When Meng Huo reached his own camp, he found that Zhao Yun had already seized it and deployed his troops there. Seated beneath the great standard with a hand on his sword, Zhao Yun said, “The Chancellor has treated you with such generosity. Do not forget his great kindness!” Meng Huo repeatedly murmured assent and went on his way. As he was about to leave through the hills at the border, Wei Yan led a thousand elite soldiers into formation on the slope. Reining in his horse, he shouted sternly, “We have now penetrated deep into your stronghold and seized your strategic positions, yet you remain foolish and deluded, resisting our great army! If we capture you again, your body will be torn into ten thousand pieces. You will certainly not be lightly spared!” Meng Huo and the others clutched their heads and fled like frightened rats toward their home ravine. A later poet wrote in praise:

In the fifth month he drove his troops into the barren wild;Moonlight shone on the Lu River as miasmal vapors rose.He vowed to repay the Three Visits with his mighty strategy—Why would seven captures in a tribal war deter him?

After Kongming crossed the Lu River and finished establishing camp, he richly rewarded the entire army. Then he assembled the generals beneath his command tent and said, “When Meng Huo was captured the second time, I allowed him to inspect the actual conditions of all our camps because I wanted him to come and raid them. I knew that Meng Huo understood warfare fairly well. By displaying our troops, horses, grain, fodder, and supplies, I deliberately allowed him to identify what he thought was a weakness, knowing that he would certainly use a fire attack. He sent his younger brother to feign surrender only because he wanted an agent within our camp. I captured Meng Huo three times without killing him because I truly wish to win his heart, not exterminate his people. I now tell all of you plainly: do not shrink from hardship, but devote yourselves wholeheartedly to serving the state.” The generals bowed low and said, “The Chancellor possesses wisdom, benevolence, and courage in full measure. Not even Ziya or Zhang Liang could equal you.” Kongming replied, “How would I dare compare myself with the men of ancient times? I rely entirely on your strength so that together we may accomplish our great undertaking.” When the generals beneath the tent heard Kongming’s words, they were all delighted.

Meanwhile, Meng Huo, bitterly humiliated by his three captures, returned angrily to Silver Pit Ravine. He immediately sent trusted men with gold, pearls, and precious objects to the Eight Regions, the Ninety-Three Settlements, and other tribal communities to borrow several hundred thousand fierce Liao fighting men armed with shields and sabers. He fixed a date by which they were all to assemble. The troops of every contingent came surging like clouds and rolling mist, all ready to obey Meng Huo’s commands. Scouts lying in ambush along the roads learned of this and reported it to Kongming. Kongming smiled and said, “This is exactly what I want: for all the tribal troops to come and witness my abilities.” He then mounted his small carriage and set out. Just as the verse says:

Without the ravine chief’s fierce and awe-inspiring might,How could the strategist display his supreme skill?

What the outcome was will be told in the next chapter.