Chapter 92

Zhao Yun Slays Five Generals by Valor; Zhuge Liang Takes Three Cities by Cunning

Now Kongming led his army onward to Mian County. As he passed the tomb of Ma Chao, he ordered Ma Chao’s younger brother, Ma Dai, to don mourning garb, while Kongming himself personally offered sacrifice. When the rites were finished, he returned to camp and discussed the advance. Suddenly a scout rode in and reported, “The Wei emperor Cao Rui has dispatched his son-in-law Xiahou Mao to muster the armies of the various districts in Guanzhong and come against us.” Wei Yan entered the command tent and offered a plan: “Xiahou Mao is a pampered son of wealth and privilege, timid and devoid of strategy. Give me five thousand picked troops, and I shall take the road through Baozhong, follow the Qinling Mountains eastward, then turn north through Ziwu Valley. In no more than ten days, I can reach Chang’an. If Xiahou Mao hears that I have suddenly arrived, he will surely abandon the city and flee toward the Di Granary and Heng Gate. I shall come in from the east, while Your Excellency drives the main body forward through Xie Valley. If we act thus, all the land west of Xianyang may be settled in a single stroke.” Kongming laughed and said, “This is no foolproof plan. You presume that the Central Plain has no capable men. Should someone advise them to place troops in the mountain defiles and cut you off, not only would your five thousand men be destroyed, but the edge of our army would be badly blunted. The plan cannot be used.” Wei Yan said further, “If Your Excellency advances by the main road, the enemy will surely mobilize all the troops of Guanzhong to meet us along the way. Then the campaign will drag on endlessly. When shall we ever gain the Central Plain?” Kongming replied, “I shall advance through Longyou by broad, level roads, proceeding according to established methods. Why should I fear that victory will not be ours?” He therefore rejected Wei Yan’s plan. Wei Yan withdrew, deeply displeased. Kongming then sent orders for Zhao Yun to advance.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Mao was assembling the armies of the various districts at Chang’an. At that time there was a great general from Xiliang named Han De, skilled in wielding a mountain-cleaving battle-ax and possessed of courage to withstand ten thousand men. He arrived at the head of eighty thousand troops from the various Western Qiang tribes. When he presented himself to Xiahou Mao, Mao rewarded him lavishly and appointed him vanguard commander. Han De had four sons, all thoroughly versed in the martial arts and surpassingly skilled with bow and horse. The eldest was Han Ying, the second Han Yao, the third Han Qiong, and the fourth Han Qi. Han De led his four sons and the eighty thousand Western Qiang troops toward Mount Fengming, where they encountered the army of Shu. The two forces drew up their battle lines. Han De rode out, with his four sons arrayed on either side, and shouted a furious challenge: “Rebels and traitors to the realm! How dare you trespass within our borders!” Zhao Yun flew into a rage, leveled his spear, spurred forth, and challenged Han De to single combat. Han Ying, the eldest son, galloped out to meet him, but before three bouts had passed, Zhao Yun thrust him from the saddle with a single stroke of his spear. When the second son, Han Yao, saw this, he spurred forward, brandishing his saber. Zhao Yun displayed the tiger might of former days, rallied his spirit, and met him in combat. Han Yao could not withstand him. The third son, Han Qiong, hastily leveled his square-bladed halberd and charged forward to join the attack. Zhao Yun showed not the least fear, and his spearwork never faltered. When the fourth son, Han Qi, saw that his two brothers could not overcome Zhao Yun, he too galloped in, whirling a pair of sun-and-moon sabers, and the three surrounded Zhao Yun. Alone in their midst, Zhao Yun fought all three generals. Before long, Han Qi was struck by his spear and fell from his horse. A deputy general from Han De’s ranks rushed out and rescued him. Zhao Yun lowered his spear and rode away. Han Qiong braced his halberd, snatched up his bow, and shot after him. He loosed three arrows in succession, but Zhao Yun knocked them all aside with his spear. Enraged, Han Qiong again seized his square-bladed halberd and galloped in pursuit, only to be struck squarely in the face by one of Zhao Yun’s arrows. He fell from his horse and died. Han Yao spurred forward and raised his precious saber to cut Zhao Yun down. Zhao Yun cast his spear to the ground, dodged the descending blade, seized Han Yao alive, and carried him back toward his own lines. Then he wheeled his horse, recovered his spear, and charged once more against the enemy formation. When Han De saw all four of his sons lost at Zhao Yun’s hands, his heart and gall were torn asunder, and he was the first to flee back into the ranks. The Western Qiang soldiers had long known Zhao Yun’s name, and now, seeing that his valor remained as great as ever, none dared cross weapons with him. Wherever Zhao Yun’s horse went, rank after rank fell back. With one horse and one spear, Zhao Yun charged to and fro as though entering a land devoid of men. A later poet praised him:

I recall Zhao Zilong of Changshan in days gone by;At seventy years of age, he wrought a wondrous feat.Alone he slew four generals and charged their battle lines,As brave as when at Dangyang he saved his lord.

Seeing Zhao Yun win a great victory, Deng Zhi led the Shu troops in a sweeping attack. The Xiliang army was utterly defeated and fled. Han De narrowly escaped capture by Zhao Yun; abandoning his armor, he fled on foot. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi then gathered their troops and returned to camp. Deng Zhi congratulated him, saying, “General, though you have reached seventy years of age, your valor is as great as yesterday. Today you slew four generals before the battle lines—a feat rarely seen in this world!” Zhao Yun replied, “Because the Prime Minister considered me old and was unwilling to employ me, I merely sought this occasion to prove myself.” He then sent men to escort Han Yao away, together with a written report of victory, and deliver them to Kongming.

Meanwhile, Han De led his defeated troops back to Xiahou Mao and tearfully recounted what had happened. Xiahou Mao personally took command of his army and advanced to meet Zhao Yun. Scouts brought word to the Shu camp that Xiahou Mao was approaching with his troops. Zhao Yun seized his spear, mounted his horse, and led more than a thousand men to draw up a battle formation before Mount Fengming. That day Xiahou Mao wore a golden helmet, rode a white horse, and held a great cleaving saber in his hand as he took his place beneath the command banner. When he saw Zhao Yun galloping to and fro with leveled spear, he wished to fight him in person. But Han De cried, “How can I fail to avenge the man who slew my four sons?” Whirling his mountain-cleaving ax, he spurred straight at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun furiously leveled his spear and met him. Before three bouts had passed, his spear flashed forth and thrust Han De dead beneath his horse. Zhao Yun swiftly wheeled and charged straight for Xiahou Mao, who fled in panic into his own formation. Deng Zhi drove his troops forward in a sweeping assault, and the Wei army lost another engagement. It withdrew more than ten li and pitched camp. That night Xiahou Mao assembled his generals and said, “I have long heard Zhao Yun’s name, but never before saw him face-to-face. Today, though he is old, his heroic might remains undiminished. Only now do I fully believe the tales of Dangyang and Changban. Since no one can withstand him, what are we to do?” The army adviser Cheng Wu, son of Cheng Yu, stepped forward and said, “In my judgment, Zhao Yun has courage but no strategy, and need not concern us. Tomorrow, Commander, lead the army out once more, first placing two forces in ambush on the left and right. When battle is joined, retreat first and lure Zhao Yun into the ambush. Then mount the hill and direct the troops on all four sides to encircle him rank upon rank. Zhao Yun can then be captured.” Xiahou Mao followed his advice. He sent Dong Xi with thirty thousand men to lie in ambush on the left and Xue Ze with thirty thousand to lie in ambush on the right. The two commanders took up their hidden positions.

The next day Xiahou Mao once more arrayed his drums, gongs, banners, and pennons and advanced with his troops. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi came out to meet him. From horseback Deng Zhi said to Zhao Yun, “Last night the Wei army fled in great defeat, yet today it has come again. There must be treachery afoot. Old General, be on your guard.” Zilong replied, “What account need we take of this stripling who still smells of his mother’s milk? Today I shall surely capture him!” He spurred out at once. The Wei general Pan Sui rode forth to meet him, but before three bouts had passed, he wheeled his horse and fled. Zhao Yun pursued. Eight Wei generals came out together to confront him, allowing Xiahou Mao to escape first, after which all eight successively turned and fled. Zhao Yun pressed the pursuit, and Deng Zhi led the troops close behind. Zhao Yun penetrated deep into the enemy’s ground when suddenly shouts thundered on every side. Deng Zhi hastily ordered his troops to withdraw, but Dong Xi came charging from the left and Xue Ze from the right. Deng Zhi had too few men and could not break through to the rescue. Zhao Yun was trapped at the very heart of the encirclement. He charged east and broke west, but the Wei troops only massed more thickly around him.

Zhao Yun then had no more than a thousand men under his command. He fought his way to the foot of a hillside and saw Xiahou Mao on its summit directing the entire army. Whenever Zhao Yun charged east, Xiahou Mao pointed east; whenever he charged west, Xiahou Mao pointed west. Thus Zhao Yun could not break out. He led his men in an attempt to storm the hill, but rolling timbers and catapulted stones came crashing down from halfway up, and they could not ascend. Zhao Yun fought from the Hour of the Dragon until the Hour of the Rooster, yet could find no way out. He was forced to dismount and rest awhile, intending to fight again when the moon rose. He had only just removed his armor and sat down when the moonlight appeared. Suddenly flames soared into the sky on all sides, drums thundered, arrows and stones fell like rain, and the Wei troops came charging in, all shouting, “Zhao Yun, surrender at once!” Zhao Yun hastily remounted and met the enemy. The troops on every side pressed steadily closer, while crossbow bolts shot in thickly from all eight directions, so that neither men nor horses could advance. Zhao Yun raised his face to Heaven and sighed, “I refused to yield to old age, and now I shall die in this place!”

Suddenly great shouts arose in the northeast, and the Wei soldiers scattered wildly. A body of troops came charging through, led by a great general wielding an eighteen-foot, steel-tipped spear, with a human head hanging beneath his horse’s neck. Zhao Yun looked and saw that it was Zhang Bao. On seeing Zhao Yun, Zhang Bao said, “The Prime Minister feared some mishap might befall the Old General, so he specially sent me with five thousand troops to support you. When I heard that you were surrounded, I cut my way through the encirclement. I encountered the Wei general Xue Ze and slew him.” Zhao Yun rejoiced and joined Zhang Bao in fighting their way out through the northwest. There they saw the Wei soldiers casting down their weapons and fleeing. Another body of troops charged in from outside with thunderous shouts. At their head was a great general carrying the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and holding a human head in one hand. Zhao Yun looked and saw that it was Guan Xing. Guan Xing said, “By the Prime Minister’s command, and because he feared the Old General might suffer some mishap, I have brought five thousand troops to your aid. Just now I encountered the Wei general Dong Xi in the battle and cut him down with a single stroke. Here is his severed head. The Prime Minister himself will soon arrive.” Zhao Yun said, “You two generals have already performed extraordinary deeds. Shall we not seize this day to capture Xiahou Mao and decide the great affair?”

On hearing this, Zhang Bao led his troops away. Guan Xing said, “I too shall go and win merit,” and likewise departed with his men. Zhao Yun turned to those around him and said, “Those two belong to the generation of my sons and nephews, yet they vie to be first in winning merit. I am a great general of the state and a veteran servant of the court. Shall I prove inferior to such young men? I shall risk this old life to repay the late Emperor’s grace!” He then led his troops to capture Xiahou Mao. That night the three forces attacked from three directions and inflicted a crushing defeat on the Wei army. Deng Zhi led troops to reinforce them, and they slew until corpses covered the fields and blood flowed in rivers. Xiahou Mao was devoid of strategy; moreover, he was young and had never experienced battle. Seeing his army in utter confusion, he led more than a hundred valiant officers of his personal guard and fled toward Nan’an Commandery. When the troops saw that they had no commander, they all scattered. On hearing that Xiahou Mao had gone toward Nan’an, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao pursued through the night. Xiahou Mao entered the city, ordered the gates tightly closed, and deployed troops for its defense. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao arrived and surrounded the city. Zhao Yun came soon afterward, and the three attacked from three sides. Before long Deng Zhi also arrived with his troops. They laid siege for ten consecutive days but could not take the city.

Suddenly word arrived that the Prime Minister had stationed the rearguard at Mianyang, the left wing at Yangping, and the right wing at Shicheng, and was himself approaching with the central army. Zhao Yun, Deng Zhi, Guan Xing, and Zhang Bao all came to pay their respects to Kongming and reported that after many days of assault they had still failed to take the city. Kongming mounted his light carriage and personally made a circuit of the walls. Returning to camp, he ascended the command dais and took his seat. The generals stood about him awaiting orders. Kongming said, “This commandery has deep moats and lofty walls. It will not be easily taken. Yet my principal objective does not lie in this city. If you merely persist in a protracted siege, the Wei army may advance by separate routes and seize Hanzhong; then our army will be in peril.” Deng Zhi said, “Xiahou Mao is the Wei emperor’s son-in-law. To capture him would be worth more than beheading a hundred generals. Now that he is trapped here, how can we abandon him and depart?” Kongming replied, “I have a plan of my own. This place adjoins Tianshui Commandery to the west and Anding Commandery to the north. Who are the governors of those two places?” A scout answered, “The governor of Tianshui is Ma Zun, and the governor of Anding is Cui Liang.” Kongming was overjoyed. He summoned Wei Yan and gave him secret instructions, thus and thus; then he summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and instructed them, thus and thus; finally he called two trusted soldiers and directed them to act in such and such a manner. Each received his orders and departed with troops. Outside the walls of Nan’an, Kongming ordered his soldiers to carry firewood and hay and heap them beneath the city, proclaiming that he intended to burn it. When the Wei soldiers heard, they all laughed and showed no fear.

Meanwhile, Cui Liang, governor of Anding, heard within the city that the Shu army had surrounded Nan’an and trapped Xiahou Mao. Greatly alarmed, he mustered some four thousand troops to defend the city. Suddenly a man approached from due south, declaring that he bore secret military intelligence. Cui Liang summoned him inside and questioned him. The man replied, “I am Pei Xu, a trusted officer under Commander Xiahou. By the commander’s orders, I have come expressly to seek aid from the commanderies of Tianshui and Anding. Nan’an is in desperate straits. Each day we kindle signal fires on the walls, looking only for relief troops from the two commanderies, but none have appeared. The commander therefore sent me to fight my way out through the encirclement and bring this urgent appeal. You must raise troops this very night to attack the enemy from without. When the commander sees the armies of the two commanderies arrive, he will open the gates and come out to join you.” Cui Liang asked, “Do you have a written dispatch from the commander?” Pei Xu drew it from next to his skin; it was soaked through with sweat. After allowing Cui Liang a brief glance, he urgently ordered his attendants to provide him with a fresh horse, then rode out of the city toward Tianshui.

Less than two days later, another courier arrived, reporting that the governor of Tianshui had already raised troops and gone to relieve Nan’an, and calling on Anding to support him. Cui Liang consulted the officials of his administration. They said, “If we do not go to the rescue and Nan’an is lost, delivering the imperial son-in-law Xiahou Mao into the enemy’s hands, the blame will rest upon both our commanderies. We have no choice but to aid him.” Cui Liang immediately mustered his troops and left the city, leaving only the civil officials to guard it. He led his army along the main road toward Nan’an. Seeing firelight soaring into the sky in the distance, he urged his troops forward through the night. When they were still more than fifty li from Nan’an, tremendous shouts suddenly arose before and behind them. A scout galloped up and reported, “Guan Xing has blocked the road ahead, and Zhang Bao is attacking from the rear!” The Anding troops scattered in every direction. Greatly alarmed, Cui Liang led more than a hundred of his followers onto a byway and fought desperately until they broke free, then fled back toward Anding. No sooner had he reached the moat than a storm of arrows shot down from the walls. From atop the city, the Shu general Wei Yan shouted, “I have already taken the city! Why do you not surrender at once?” It turned out that Wei Yan had disguised his men as Anding troops and, under cover of night, had tricked the guards into opening the gates. The Shu soldiers had poured inside, and Anding had thus been captured.

Cui Liang fled in panic toward Tianshui Commandery. Before he had traveled one stage, he saw a body of troops drawn up ahead. Beneath a great banner sat a man in a light carriage, wearing a silk cap and holding a feather fan, clad in a Daoist robe and a crane-feather cloak. Cui Liang looked and saw that it was Kongming. He hastily wheeled his horse and fled back the way he had come. But troops under Guan Xing and Zhang Bao pursued him from two directions, shouting, “Surrender at once!” When Cui Liang saw that Shu troops surrounded him on every side, he had no choice but to yield, and he was escorted back to the main camp. Kongming treated him as an honored guest. Kongming asked, “Are you on close terms with the governor of Nan’an?” Cui Liang replied, “He is Yang Ling, a younger kinsman of Yang Fu. Since his commandery adjoins mine, our friendship is very close.” Kongming said, “I now wish to trouble you to enter the city and persuade Yang Ling to seize Xiahou Mao. Will you do so?” Cui Liang replied, “If Your Excellency wishes me to go, you must temporarily withdraw your troops so that I may enter the city and speak with him.” Kongming agreed and immediately issued orders for the troops on all four sides to withdraw twenty li and pitch camp.

Cui Liang rode alone to the city walls and called for the gates to be opened. Once inside, he went to the government offices and, after exchanging courtesies with Yang Ling, related the matter in detail. Yang Ling said, “We have received great favor from the Wei emperor. How could we bear to betray him? Let us turn their own scheme against them.” He then led Cui Liang to Xiahou Mao and told him everything. Xiahou Mao asked, “What plan should we use?” Yang Ling replied, “Let us pretend that I am offering up the city gates. Once the Shu troops have been lured inside, we shall kill them within the city.” Cui Liang acted according to this plan. He left the city, met Kongming, and said, “Yang Ling is willing to offer the city gates and admit the main army so that Xiahou Mao may be captured. Yang Ling originally intended to seize him himself, but because he has too few brave men under his command, he dared not act rashly.” Kongming said, “That is easily managed. You still have more than a hundred surrendered soldiers. We shall secretly place Shu generals among them, disguised as Anding troops, and have you lead them into the city. They will first conceal themselves near Xiahou Mao’s residence. Then arrange secretly with Yang Ling to open the gates at midnight, and our forces within and without will act together.” Cui Liang thought to himself, “If I refuse to take Shu generals with me, Kongming may become suspicious. I shall bring them inside, kill them first, then raise a fire as a signal and lure Kongming into the city, where we may slay him.” He therefore consented. Kongming instructed him, “I shall send my trusted generals Guan Xing and Zhang Bao with you. Pretend that they are relief troops who have fought their way into the city, to put Xiahou Mao’s mind at ease. As soon as the signal fire is raised, I shall personally enter the city and capture him.”

At dusk, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao received Kongming’s secret instructions, armed themselves, mounted their horses, and took up their weapons. Mingling with the Anding troops, they followed Cui Liang to the walls of Nan’an. Yang Ling raised the hanging drawboard from atop the wall, leaned against the protective parapet, and called down, “Whose troops are these?” Cui Liang answered, “Relief troops from Anding have arrived.” Cui Liang first shot a signal arrow onto the wall. Bound to it was a secret letter that read: “Zhuge Liang has sent two generals ahead to hide within the city, intending to coordinate an attack from inside and out. Do not alarm them, lest the scheme be exposed. Wait until we enter the government residence, and there we shall dispose of them.” Yang Ling showed the letter to Xiahou Mao and explained the matter in detail. Xiahou Mao said, “Since Zhuge Liang has fallen into our trap, have more than a hundred axemen lie in ambush within the residence. When the two generals follow Governor Cui there and dismount, close the gates and cut them down. Then raise a signal fire from the walls and lure Zhuge Liang into the city. When all our ambush troops rush out together, Liang may be captured.”

When all had been arranged, Yang Ling returned to the wall and said, “Since these are troops from Anding, they may enter the city.” Guan Xing followed Cui Liang in front, with Zhang Bao behind. Yang Ling descended from the wall to welcome them beside the gate. Guan Xing raised his blade and brought it down, cutting Yang Ling from his horse. Cui Liang was horrified and hastily wheeled his mount to flee. When he reached the drawbridge, Zhang Bao shouted, “Traitor, do not flee! How could your treacherous scheme deceive the Prime Minister?” With one thrust of his spear, he struck Cui Liang from his horse. Guan Xing had already reached the city wall and raised the signal fire. Shu troops rushed in from every side. Taken completely unawares, Xiahou Mao opened the southern gate and led a concerted charge to break out. A body of troops barred his way. At their head was the great general Wang Ping. After a single bout on horseback, Wang Ping captured Xiahou Mao alive; all the rest were slain.

Kongming entered Nan’an and issued proclamations to reassure the soldiers and people. His troops did not take so much as the tip of an autumn feather. The generals each presented their achievements. Kongming had Xiahou Mao confined in a prison cart. Deng Zhi asked, “How did Your Excellency know that Cui Liang was deceiving us?” Kongming replied, “I already knew that the man had no sincere intention of surrendering, and therefore deliberately allowed him to enter the city. I knew he would tell Xiahou Mao everything and try to turn our own scheme against us. When I observed his manner upon his return, I knew well enough that he was practicing deceit. I therefore sent the two generals with him to set his mind at ease. Had the man been sincere, he would certainly have objected; but he gladly agreed to take them, fearing I might suspect him. In his mind, he reckoned that once the two generals had been lured into the city, there would still be time enough to kill them. Their presence would also give our army confidence, causing us to advance without misgivings. But I had already secretly instructed the two generals to strike at the city gate. The defenders within were certain to be unprepared, and our army followed close behind. Thus we took them by surprise.” The generals bowed in admiration. Kongming continued, “The man who deceived Cui Liang was one of my trusted followers, whom I ordered to impersonate the Wei officer Pei Xu. I also sent him to deceive Tianshui Commandery, but he has not yet returned, and I do not know the reason. We should now take advantage of our momentum and capture that place.” He therefore left Wu Yi to guard Nan’an and Liu Yan to guard Anding, thereby freeing Wei Yan’s troops to advance against Tianshui Commandery.

Meanwhile, Ma Zun, governor of Tianshui Commandery, heard that Xiahou Mao was trapped within the city of Nan’an and assembled all his civil and military officials for consultation. Liang Xu, Officer of Merit; Yin Shang, Chief Secretary; Liang Qian, Keeper of Records; and others said, “The imperial son-in-law Xiahou is a scion of the golden branch and jade leaf. If any mishap befalls him, we shall not escape punishment for standing idly by. Why does the governor not raise all the troops under his command and go to his rescue?” While Ma Zun was still hesitating, Pei Xu, who claimed to be a trusted officer dispatched by the imperial son-in-law Xiahou, suddenly arrived. Pei Xu entered the government hall, handed an official dispatch to Ma Zun, and said, “The commander requests that the armies of Anding and Tianshui commanderies hasten through the night to his relief.” Having spoken, he hurried away. The next day another courier arrived, declaring, “The troops of Anding have already set out. The governor is urged to come with all speed and join them.” Ma Zun was about to raise his troops when a man suddenly entered from outside and said, “Governor, you have fallen into Zhuge Liang’s trap!” Everyone looked and saw that he was a native of Ji County in Tianshui. His surname was Jiang, his given name Wei, and his style Boyue. His father, Jiang Jiong, had once served as Officer of Merit in Tianshui Commandery and had died in the service of the state during a Qiang uprising. From childhood Jiang Wei had read widely in every school of learning. He was thoroughly versed in both military strategy and the martial arts, and served his mother with the utmost filial devotion, for which the people of the commandery held him in great esteem. He later became a General of the Household and took part in the military affairs of his commandery.

That day Jiang Wei said to Ma Zun, “I recently heard that Zhuge Liang defeated Xiahou Mao and trapped him within Nan’an, sealing the city so tightly that not even water could leak through. How, then, could anyone emerge from the midst of that encirclement? Moreover, Pei Xu is an unknown subordinate officer whom we have never seen before, while the courier from Anding brought no official dispatch. From these facts, I conclude that the man was a Shu officer pretending to be a general of Wei. His purpose was to trick you into leaving the city. Knowing that the defenses here would then be empty, the enemy has surely concealed a force nearby, intending to seize Tianshui while it lies unguarded.” Ma Zun came to a sudden understanding and said, “But for Boyue’s words, I would have fallen into their treacherous scheme!” Jiang Wei smiled and said, “Set your mind at ease, Governor. I have a plan by which we may capture Zhuge Liang and relieve the peril of Nan’an.” Truly:

In laying plans he met another master hand;In waging war by wit, an unexpected foe.

What his plan was will be revealed in the chapter that follows.

Zhao Yun Slays Five Generals by Valor; Zhuge Liang Takes Three Cities by Cunning

Kongming led his army forward to Mian County. Passing Ma Chao’s tomb, he ordered Ma Chao’s younger brother, Ma Dai, to put on mourning, while Kongming personally offered sacrifice. When the rites were over, he returned to camp and discussed the advance. Suddenly a scout reported, “The Wei emperor Cao Rui has dispatched his imperial son-in-law Xiahou Mao to mobilize the armies throughout the Guanzhong region and come resist us.” Wei Yan came before the command tent and proposed a plan: “Xiahou Mao is a pampered son of privilege, timid and without strategy. Give me five thousand elite troops, and I will take the route through Baozhong, follow the Qinling Mountains eastward, then turn north through the Ziwu Valley. In no more than ten days, I can reach Chang’an. If Xiahou Mao hears that I have suddenly arrived, he will surely abandon the city and flee through the Heng Gate toward the imperial storehouses. I will have come from the east, while Your Excellency can drive the main body of troops forward through the Xie Valley. If we proceed in this way, everything west of Xianyang can be pacified in a single stroke.” Kongming laughed and said, “This is not a completely safe plan. You assume there are no capable men in the Central Plains. If someone advises them to place troops in the remote mountain country and cut you off, not only will your five thousand men be destroyed, but the morale of our finest troops will also suffer a severe blow. The plan absolutely cannot be used.” Wei Yan said again, “If Your Excellency’s army advances along the main road, the enemy will surely mobilize all the troops in Guanzhong to meet us on the way. Then the campaign will drag on endlessly. When will we ever take the Central Plains?” Kongming said, “I will advance through Longyou by broad and level roads, deploying the army according to established principles. Why should I fear that we will not prevail?” He therefore rejected Wei Yan’s plan. Wei Yan withdrew, resentful and displeased. Kongming sent orders for Zhao Yun to advance.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Mao was gathering armies from every quarter at Chang’an. At that time there was a great general from Xiliang named Han De, who was highly skilled with a mountain-cleaving battle-ax and possessed courage enough to withstand ten thousand men. He arrived with eighty thousand troops from the various Western Qiang forces. Xiahou Mao received him and rewarded him generously, then appointed him commander of the vanguard. Han De had four sons, all thoroughly trained in the martial arts and exceptional in archery and horsemanship: the eldest, Han Ying; the second, Han Yao; the third, Han Qiong; and the fourth, Han Qi. Han De led his four sons and eighty thousand Western Qiang troops toward Mount Fengming, where they encountered the Shu army. The two sides drew up their battle lines. Han De rode out, with his four sons arrayed on either side, and shouted a furious curse: “Rebels against the state! How dare you invade our territory!” Zhao Yun flew into a rage, leveled his spear, spurred his horse forward, and challenged Han De to single combat. Han De’s eldest son, Han Ying, galloped out to meet him, but before three bouts had passed, Zhao Yun thrust him from his horse and killed him. Seeing this, the second son, Han Yao, urged his horse forward, brandishing his saber. Zhao Yun displayed the tigerlike might of former days, rallied his spirit, and met him in combat. Han Yao could not hold his own. The third son, Han Qiong, hurriedly leveled his halberd and charged forward to join the attack. Zhao Yun showed no fear at all, and his spear technique never faltered. The fourth son, Han Qi, saw that his two brothers could not defeat Zhao Yun, so he too galloped in, whirling a pair of sun-and-moon sabers, and they surrounded Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun fought all three generals alone in their midst. Before long, Han Qi was struck by his spear and fell from his horse. A deputy general from Han De’s lines hurried out and rescued him. Zhao Yun lowered his spear and fled. Han Qiong rested his halberd, quickly took out his bow, and shot at him. He loosed three arrows in succession, but Zhao Yun knocked them all aside with his spear. Han Qiong was enraged. He snatched up his halberd again and galloped after him, but Zhao Yun shot an arrow into his face, and he fell from his horse dead. Han Yao spurred forward and raised his precious saber to slash Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun dropped his spear to the ground, dodged the blade, captured Han Yao alive, and carried him back toward his own lines. Then he wheeled his horse around, retrieved his spear, and charged back against the enemy formation. When Han De saw that all four of his sons had fallen into Zhao Yun’s hands, his heart nearly burst with grief and terror, and he was the first to flee back into his ranks. The Western Qiang troops had long known Zhao Yun’s name, and now that they saw his valor was as great as ever, who dared engage him? Wherever Zhao Yun’s horse went, rank after rank fell back. Alone on a single horse and armed with one spear, Zhao Yun charged back and forth as though entering an unpeopled land. A later poet praised him:

I recall Zhao Zilong of Changshan in days gone by;At seventy years of age, he wrought a wondrous feat.Alone he slew four generals and charged their battle lines,Still the same hero who saved his lord at Dangyang.

Seeing Zhao Yun win a great victory, Deng Zhi led the Shu troops in a sweeping attack. The Xiliang army suffered a crushing defeat and fled. Han De narrowly escaped being captured by Zhao Yun, threw off his armor, and fled on foot. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi withdrew their troops and returned to camp. Deng Zhi congratulated him, saying, “General, though you are already seventy years old, your valor is as great as ever. Today you slew four generals before the battle lines. Such a feat is rarely seen in this world!” Zhao Yun replied, “Because the Chancellor considers me too old, he has been unwilling to employ me. I merely wished to demonstrate what I can still do.” He then sent men to escort Han Yao away and deliver a victory report to Kongming.

Meanwhile, Han De led his defeated troops back to Xiahou Mao and tearfully recounted what had happened. Xiahou Mao personally commanded his army and advanced to meet Zhao Yun. Scouts entered the Shu camp and reported that Xiahou Mao was approaching with his troops. Zhao Yun snatched up his spear, mounted his horse, and led a little over a thousand soldiers to form a battle line before Mount Fengming. That day, Xiahou Mao wore a golden helmet, rode a white horse, and carried a great cleaver. He took his place beneath the commander’s banner. When he saw Zhao Yun galloping back and forth with his spear leveled, Xiahou Mao wanted to fight him himself. Han De said, “How can I fail to avenge the enemy who killed my four sons?” He spurred forward, swinging his mountain-cleaving battle-ax, and charged straight at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun furiously leveled his spear and met him. Before three bouts had passed, Zhao Yun thrust with his spear and killed Han De beneath his horse. He immediately wheeled around and charged straight at Xiahou Mao. Xiahou Mao hastily dodged back into his own ranks. Deng Zhi drove his troops forward in a sweeping attack, and the Wei army lost another battle. It withdrew more than ten miles and made camp. That night, Xiahou Mao consulted with his generals, saying, “I have long heard Zhao Yun’s name, but I had never seen him before. Today, though he is old, his heroic prowess remains. Only now do I fully believe the stories of Dangyang and Changban. No one can stand against a man like this. What are we to do?” The staff officer Cheng Wu, son of Cheng Yu, stepped forward and said, “In my judgment, Zhao Yun possesses courage but lacks strategy, so he is nothing to fear. Tomorrow, Commander, lead the army out again, but first conceal two forces on the left and right. When you face him in battle, retreat first and lure Zhao Yun into the ambush. Then climb the mountain and direct the troops on every side to surround him in layer after layer. Zhao Yun can then be captured.” Xiahou Mao followed his advice. He sent Dong Xi with thirty thousand troops to lie in ambush on the left and Xue Ze with thirty thousand troops to lie in ambush on the right. Both men took their assigned positions.

The next day, Xiahou Mao once more set his drums, gongs, banners, and standards in order and advanced with his army. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi went out to meet him. From horseback, Deng Zhi said to Zhao Yun, “The Wei army was badly defeated and fled last night, yet today it has returned. There must be some trick. Old General, be on your guard.” Zilong replied, “What is there to say about a wet-behind-the-ears child like him? I will capture him today!” He then galloped out. The Wei general Pan Sui came to meet him, but before three bouts had passed, Pan Sui wheeled his horse and fled. Zhao Yun pursued him, whereupon eight generals from the Wei lines came out together to meet him. They allowed Xiahou Mao to escape first, then the eight generals fled one after another. Zhao Yun pressed the pursuit, while Deng Zhi led the troops forward behind him. Zhao Yun penetrated deep into enemy ground when suddenly battle cries thundered on every side. Deng Zhi hurriedly pulled his troops back, but Dong Xi attacked from the left and Xue Ze from the right. Deng Zhi had too few soldiers and could not rescue Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun was trapped in the center of the encirclement. He charged east and broke west, but the Wei troops only massed more thickly around him.

Zhao Yun now had only a little over a thousand men under his command. Fighting his way to the foot of a hillside, he saw Xiahou Mao on the summit directing the entire army. Whenever Zhao Yun turned east, Xiahou Mao pointed east; whenever he turned west, Xiahou Mao pointed west. Thus Zhao Yun could not break through the encirclement, so he led his troops in an attempt to climb the hill. Rolling logs and catapult stones came crashing down from halfway up the slope, making it impossible to ascend. Zhao Yun fought from the Hour of the Dragon until the Hour of the Rooster, but still could not escape. He had no choice but to dismount and rest briefly, intending to resume the fight when the moon rose. He had only just removed his armor and sat down when moonlight began to appear. Suddenly flames leaped into the sky on every side, drums thundered, arrows and stones fell like rain, and the Wei troops attacked, all shouting, “Zhao Yun, surrender at once!” Zhao Yun hurriedly mounted and met the enemy. Troops closed in on all sides, while crossbow bolts shot thickly from every direction, so that neither men nor horses could advance. Zhao Yun looked up to heaven and sighed, “I refused to admit I was old, and now I will die in this place!”

Suddenly, tremendous battle cries arose from the northeast, and the Wei troops scattered in confusion. A body of soldiers charged in, led by a great general carrying an eighteen-foot, steel-tipped spear, with a man’s head hanging beneath his horse’s neck. Zhao Yun looked and saw that it was Zhang Bao. When Zhang Bao saw Zhao Yun, he said, “The Chancellor feared that some harm might befall the Old General, so he specially sent me with five thousand troops to support you. When I heard that you were surrounded, I fought my way through the encirclement. I encountered the Wei general Xue Ze and killed him.” Zhao Yun was overjoyed and immediately joined Zhang Bao in fighting their way out through the northwest. There they saw the Wei troops throwing down their weapons and fleeing. Another body of troops came shouting and fighting in from outside, led by a great general carrying the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and holding a severed head in his hand. Zhao Yun looked and saw that it was Guan Xing. Guan Xing said, “By the Chancellor’s command, and because he feared that some harm might befall the Old General, I have brought five thousand troops to support you. Just now, I encountered the Wei general Dong Xi in battle and cut him down with a single stroke. Here is his head. The Chancellor will arrive shortly behind us.” Zhao Yun said, “You two generals have already performed extraordinary deeds. Why should we not take advantage of today’s victory to capture Xiahou Mao and settle the whole affair?”

When Zhang Bao heard this, he led his troops away. Guan Xing said, “I will go win merit too,” and likewise led his troops away. Zhao Yun looked around at his followers and said, “Those two are of my sons’ and nephews’ generation, yet they still compete to be first in winning merit. I am a senior general of the state and a veteran minister of the court. Am I to be outdone by such juniors? I will stake my old life to repay the late emperor’s kindness!” He then led his troops to capture Xiahou Mao. That night, the three forces attacked together and dealt the Wei army another crushing defeat. Deng Zhi led troops to support them, and they killed so many that corpses covered the fields and blood flowed in rivers. Xiahou Mao was a man without strategy; moreover, he was young and had never experienced battle. Seeing his army thrown into chaos, he led more than a hundred fierce generals from his personal command and fled toward Nan’an Commandery. When the rest of the soldiers saw that they had no commander, they all scattered in flight. When Guan Xing and Zhang Bao heard that Xiahou Mao had fled toward Nan’an Commandery, they pursued him through the night. Xiahou Mao entered the city, ordered the gates tightly closed, and deployed his troops to defend it. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao arrived and surrounded the city. Zhao Yun came shortly afterward, and the three forces attacked from three sides. Before long, Deng Zhi also arrived with his troops. They besieged the city for ten consecutive days but could not take it.

A report suddenly arrived that the Chancellor had left the rear army stationed at Mianyang, the left army at Yangping, and the right army at Shicheng, and was personally leading the central army to Nan’an. Zhao Yun, Deng Zhi, Guan Xing, and Zhang Bao all came to pay their respects to Kongming and reported that they had been attacking the city for days without success. Kongming rode in his small carriage and personally made a circuit of the city walls to inspect them. He then returned to camp, ascended the command dais, and took his seat. The generals stood around him awaiting orders. Kongming said, “This commandery has a deep moat and high walls. It will not be easy to attack. My main objective does not lie in this city. If you continue this prolonged assault and Wei troops take separate routes to seize Hanzhong, our army will be in danger.” Deng Zhi said, “Xiahou Mao is an imperial son-in-law of Wei. Capturing him would be worth more than beheading a hundred generals. Now that he is trapped here, how can we abandon him and leave?” Kongming said, “I have a plan of my own. This place connects with Tianshui Commandery to the west and borders Anding Commandery to the north. Who are the governors of those two places?” A scout replied, “Ma Zun is governor of Tianshui, and Cui Liang is governor of Anding.” Kongming was delighted. He summoned Wei Yan and gave him secret instructions, telling him exactly what to do. Then he summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and gave them secret instructions, telling them exactly what to do. Finally, he summoned two trusted soldiers and instructed them how to proceed. Each received his orders and departed with troops. Kongming remained outside Nan’an and ordered his soldiers to transport firewood and grass and pile it beneath the walls, loudly declaring that he would burn the city. When the Wei troops heard this, they all laughed and showed no fear.

Meanwhile, Cui Liang, governor of Anding, heard inside his city that the Shu army had surrounded Nan’an and trapped Xiahou Mao. Greatly alarmed, he mustered about four thousand troops to defend the city. Suddenly a man arrived from due south, declaring that he carried urgent confidential information. Cui Liang summoned him and questioned him. The man replied, “I am Pei Xu, a trusted officer under Commander Xiahou. By the commander’s order, I have come to request aid from the commanderies of Tianshui and Anding. Nan’an is in extreme danger. Every day we light signal fires on the walls, looking especially for relief forces from the two commanderies, but none have appeared. The commander therefore sent me to fight my way through the encirclement and come here to report the emergency. You must raise troops and march through the night to support us from outside. When the commander sees troops from the two commanderies arrive, he will open the gates and come out to join you.” Cui Liang asked, “Do you have written orders from the commander?” Pei Xu drew the document from against his skin, where it was already soaked through with sweat. After allowing Cui Liang only a brief look at it, he urgently ordered one of the attendants to give him a fresh horse, then left the city and headed toward Tianshui.

Less than two days later, another mounted messenger arrived, reporting that the governor of Tianshui had already raised troops to relieve Nan’an and asking Anding to support him. Cui Liang consulted with the officials of his administration. They said, “If we do not go to the rescue and Nan’an is lost, resulting in the death of Imperial Son-in-law Xiahou, our two commanderies will both be guilty of standing by and doing nothing. We have no choice but to save him.” Cui Liang immediately mustered his troops and left the city, leaving only civil officials behind to defend it. He led his army along the main road toward Nan’an. Seeing flames leaping into the sky in the distance, he urged his troops to press on through the night. When they were still more than fifty miles from Nan’an, tremendous battle cries suddenly arose both ahead and behind. A scout galloped up and reported, “Guan Xing is blocking the road ahead, and Zhang Bao is attacking from behind!” The troops from Anding scattered in every direction. Cui Liang was greatly alarmed. With more than a hundred followers, he fought desperately along a side road, escaped, and fled back toward Anding. Just as he reached the city moat, a shower of arrows came down from the walls. The Shu general Wei Yan called from the battlements, “I have already taken the city! Why do you not surrender at once?” It turned out that Wei Yan had disguised his men as Anding troops, tricked the defenders into opening the gates during the night, and admitted the entire Shu force. That was how he had captured Anding.

Cui Liang fled in panic toward Tianshui Commandery. Before he had traveled a single stage, he found a body of troops arrayed across the road ahead. Beneath a great banner sat a man in a carriage, wearing a silk headscarf and holding a feather fan, dressed in a Daoist robe and a crane-feather cloak. Cui Liang looked and saw that it was Kongming. He hurriedly wheeled his horse around and fled. Guan Xing’s and Zhang Bao’s forces arrived from two directions in pursuit, shouting, “Surrender at once!” When Cui Liang saw that Shu troops surrounded him on every side, he had no choice but to surrender, and they all returned to the main camp. Kongming treated him as an honored guest. Kongming asked, “Are you on close terms with the governor of Nan’an?” Cui Liang replied, “He is Yang Ling, a younger clansman of Yang Fu. Since his commandery neighbors mine, we are on very close terms.” Kongming said, “I now wish to trouble you to enter the city and persuade Yang Ling to seize Xiahou Mao. Can you do it?” Cui Liang said, “If the Chancellor wishes me to go, you should temporarily withdraw your troops so that I may enter the city and speak with him.” Kongming followed his advice and immediately issued orders for the troops on every side to withdraw twenty miles and make camp.

Cui Liang rode alone to the city, called for the gates to be opened, and entered the government offices. After exchanging courtesies with Yang Ling, he gave a detailed account of everything that had happened. Yang Ling said, “We have received great favor from the emperor of Wei. How could we bear to betray him? We should turn their own scheme against them.” He then took Cui Liang to Xiahou Mao and explained everything in detail. Xiahou Mao asked, “What plan should we use?” Yang Ling said, “Simply pretend that I am offering the city gate to them and lure the Shu troops inside. We can then kill them within the city.” Cui Liang agreed to carry out the plan. He left the city, met Kongming, and said, “Yang Ling will offer up the city gate and admit your main army so that Xiahou Mao can be captured. Yang Ling originally wished to seize him himself, but because he has too few brave men under his command, he has not dared act rashly.” Kongming said, “This will be very easy. You still have more than a hundred of your original troops who surrendered. We will secretly place Shu generals among them, disguised as soldiers from Anding, and you will lead them into the city. They will first conceal themselves near Xiahou Mao’s residence. Then secretly arrange with Yang Ling to open the city gates at midnight, allowing our forces inside and outside to act together.” Cui Liang thought to himself, “If I refuse to take Shu generals with me, Kongming may become suspicious. I will take them inside, have them killed there, and raise a fire as a signal. Then I can lure Kongming into the city and kill him too.” He therefore agreed. Kongming instructed him, “I will send my trusted generals Guan Xing and Zhang Bao with you. Merely claim that relief troops have fought their way into the city, so as to reassure Xiahou Mao. As soon as you raise the fire, I will personally enter the city and capture him.”

At dusk, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao received Kongming’s secret plan, put on their armor, mounted their horses, and took up their weapons. Mingling among the Anding troops, they followed Cui Liang to the walls of Nan’an. Yang Ling raised the suspended drawbridge from the wall, leaned against the protective railing, and called down, “Whose troops are you?” Cui Liang replied, “The relief force from Anding has arrived.” Cui Liang first shot a signal arrow onto the wall. Attached to the arrow was a secret letter that read: “Zhuge Liang has sent two generals ahead to conceal themselves in the city so that his forces inside and outside can act together. Do not alarm them, or the plan may be exposed. Wait until they enter the government offices, and we will deal with them there.” Yang Ling showed the letter to Xiahou Mao and explained the matter in detail. Xiahou Mao said, “Since Zhuge Liang has fallen into our trap, have more than a hundred axmen lie in ambush inside the residence. When the two generals follow Governor Cui there and dismount, close the gates and behead them. Then raise a fire on the walls to lure Zhuge Liang into the city. When all our hidden troops rush out together, Zhuge Liang can be captured.”

When all the arrangements had been made, Yang Ling returned to the wall and said, “Since these are troops from Anding, they may enter the city.” Guan Xing followed Cui Liang at the front, while Zhang Bao came behind. Yang Ling descended from the wall and waited beside the gate to receive them. Guan Xing raised his blade and brought it down, cutting Yang Ling from his horse. Cui Liang was horrified and hurriedly wheeled his horse around to flee. When he reached the drawbridge, Zhang Bao shouted, “Traitor, do not run! How could your treacherous scheme deceive the Chancellor?” He thrust once with his spear and stabbed Cui Liang from his horse. Guan Xing had already reached the wall, where he kindled the signal fire. Shu troops rushed in from every side. Caught completely unprepared, Xiahou Mao opened the southern gate and fought his way out with all his strength. A body of troops blocked his path, led by the great general Wang Ping. After only one exchange on horseback, Wang Ping captured Xiahou Mao alive. All the others were killed.

Kongming entered Nan’an and issued proclamations reassuring the soldiers and civilians. His troops did not harm so much as a single autumn hair. The generals each presented their accomplishments. Kongming had Xiahou Mao imprisoned in a cart. Deng Zhi asked, “How did the Chancellor know that Cui Liang was deceiving you?” Kongming replied, “I already knew that the man had no genuine intention of surrendering, so I deliberately allowed him to enter the city. He was certain to tell Xiahou Mao everything and try to turn our scheme against us. When I observed his manner upon his return, I knew at once that he was being deceitful. I then sent the two generals with him to put his mind at ease. If he had been sincere, he would certainly have tried to stop me. His cheerful willingness to take them along showed that he feared I suspected him. He thought that once the two generals had entered the city, there would still be plenty of time to kill them. Their presence would also give our army something to rely upon and make us advance without suspicion. But I had already secretly instructed the two generals to deal with him beneath the city gate. The defenders inside were bound to be unprepared, and our army followed immediately afterward. Thus we caught them by surprise.” The generals bowed in admiration. Kongming continued, “The man who deceived Cui Liang was one of my trusted soldiers, whom I had pose as the Wei officer Pei Xu. I also sent him to deceive Tianshui Commandery, but he has not yet returned. I do not know why. We can now take advantage of our momentum to capture it.” He left Wu Yi to defend Nan’an and Liu Yan to defend Anding, thereby freeing Wei Yan’s troops to advance against Tianshui Commandery.

Meanwhile, Ma Zun, governor of Tianshui Commandery, heard that Xiahou Mao was trapped within the city of Nan’an, so he assembled his civil and military officials for consultation. Liang Xu, the officer of merit; Yin Shang, the chief secretary; Liang Qian, the recording secretary; and others said, “Imperial Son-in-law Xiahou is a precious member of the imperial house. If any misfortune befalls him, we cannot escape punishment for standing by and watching. Why does the governor not mobilize all the troops under his command to rescue him?” While Ma Zun was still hesitating, the imperial son-in-law’s trusted officer Pei Xu suddenly arrived. Pei Xu entered the government offices, handed an official dispatch to Ma Zun, and said, “The commander requests troops from Anding and Tianshui Commanderies to march through the night to his relief.” As soon as he finished speaking, he hurried away. The next day, another mounted messenger arrived and announced, “The troops from Anding have already set out. The governor is asked to come with all speed and join them.” Ma Zun was just about to raise his troops when a man entered from outside and said, “Governor, you have fallen into Zhuge Liang’s trap!” Everyone looked at him. He was a native of Ji in Tianshui, surnamed Jiang, given name Wei, and style Boyue. His father, Jiang Jiong, had once served as officer of merit in Tianshui Commandery, but had died in the service of the state during a Qiang uprising. From childhood, Jiang Wei had read widely in all the classics and had mastered both military strategy and the martial arts. He served his mother with the utmost filial devotion and was respected by everyone in the commandery. He later became a General of the Household and assisted in the military affairs of the commandery.

That day, Jiang Wei said to Ma Zun, “I recently heard that Zhuge Liang defeated Xiahou Mao and surrounded him in Nan’an so tightly that not even water could leak through. How could anyone have escaped from such an encirclement? Moreover, Pei Xu is an obscure junior officer whom we have never seen before. The messenger from Anding also carried no official dispatch. Judging from these facts, that man must be a Shu officer pretending to be a Wei officer. Once he lured the governor out of the city and found it undefended, a force concealed nearby would surely take advantage of the opportunity to seize Tianshui.” Ma Zun suddenly understood and said, “Had Boyue not spoken, I would have mistakenly fallen into their treacherous scheme!” Jiang Wei smiled and said, “Set your mind at ease, Governor. I have a plan that can capture Zhuge Liang and relieve the danger at Nan’an.” Indeed:

In laying plans, he met another master of the art;In matching wits, he found an unexpected man.

What his plan was will be revealed in the next chapter.