Zhou Fang burst into loud wailing. He hastily seized a sword from one of his attendants and made as if he were to kill himself. Cao Xiu quickly stopped him.
Still holding the sword, Zhou Fang said, “Those seven points that I mentioned in my letter came from the very bottom of my heart. How little did I expect they would arouse suspicion! Some Wu people must have been poisoning your mind against me. If you heed these liars the only course for me is to die. Heaven alone knows my loyalty.”
Again he made as if to slay himself. But Cao Xiu in trepidation seized his hand and said, “I was only joking. Why do you take it so seriously?”
Upon this, Zhou Fang, taking his sword, cut off his hair and threw it to the ground. “I have treated you with sincerity, sir, yet you return it with jest. Now I have cut off the hair I inherited from my parents to prove my fidelity.”
Then Cao Xiu doubted no more. He gave a banquet to Zhou Fang, who took his leave when the feast was over. After he left, Jia Kui came to see Cao Xiu, who asked him the reason for his visit.
Jia Kui said, “I believe Wu must have camped its whole army here in Wancheng. So I have come to warn you, Commander, not to risk advancing at once but wait till I can join you in the attack. Then the enemy can be destroyed.”
“You mean you want to share in my victory,” sneered Cao Xiu angrily.
Jia Kui continued, “I also heard that Zhou Fang cut off his hair as a pledge of sincerity but that is only another piece of deceit. He was only imitating Yao Li,* who cut off his own arm to deceive Qing Ji for the purpose of assassinating him. Do not trust him.”
“I am on the verge of beginning my campaign,” cried Cao Xiu, “and you come to utter such ill-omened nonsense to destroy the spirit of my army!”
In his wrath he told the executioners to put Jia Kui to death. However, at the pleading of his officers he agreed to reprieve the death penalty, but retained Jia Kui’s men in the camp as a reserve force. He himself went away to take East Pass. When Zhou Fang heard that Jia Kui had been deprived of his military command, he said to himself joyfully, “If Cao Xiu attended to his words, we would fail. Heaven is helping me to succeed!”
Then he sent a secret messenger to Wancheng to inform Lu Xun of all this.
Lu Xun assembled his officers and said, “Ahead of us is Shiting where the roads are hilly, but still good enough for laying an ambush. We must get there early to occupy some wide open space to array our army and await the coming of the army of Wei.”
So saying he appointed Xu Sheng as leader of the van, to advance first.
Now Cao Xiu had told Zhou Fang to lead the way for his attack. As they marched he asked Zhou Fang the name of the place lying ahead.
“Shiting,” replied Zhou Fang. “It is a suitable place to camp in.”
Cao Xiu approved. So the army with its wagons of supplies entered Shiting and encamped. The next day scouts reported that a large number of their enemy had occupied the road approaching the hills.
Cao Xiu was alarmed. “Zhou Fang said there were no soldiers—how could they be prepared?”
He hastily sought Zhou Fang to ask him, and was told he had left with several dozen people. No one knew where he had gone.
“I have been deceived,” said Cao Xiu in deep remorse. “However, there is nothing to fear.”
Then he appointed Zhang Pu as van leader and ordered him out with 5,000 men to fight the men of Wu.
Zhang Pu rode forth and shouted, “Surrender quickly, you rebels!”
Xu Sheng rode out and fought with him. Zhang Pu was no match for his opponent, as was soon evident. He fled with his men back to his commander.
“Xu Sheng is too strong,” he said.
“We will defeat him by surprise,” said Cao Xiu.
He told Zhang Pu and Xue Qiao to lead 20,000 men each and lie in ambush to the south and north of Shiting. Then he said to the two officers, “Tomorrow I will lead a thousand men out to challenge. Then I will pretend defeat to cajole the men of Wei to follow me to the foot of the northern hills. At the signal of an explosion, we will attack them on three sides and the victory will be ours.” The two took the order and went to prepare the ambush that night.
On the other side Lu Xun summoned his two assistants, to whom he said: “Each of you is to lead 30,000 men and cut across from Shiting to the rear of the enemy’s camp. Give a signal of fire on arrival. I will command the main force to advance in the center.”
As evening fell these two moved out their men. By the second watch Zhu Huan had got to the rear of the Wei camp, where he encountered Zhang Pu, who was there waiting in ambush. Not knowing the approaching men were enemies, he rode forth to inquire and was at once slain by Zhu Huan. The men of Wei then fled, and Zhu Huan lit his signal fire.
Quan Zong, on the other side, ran into the ambush set by Xue Qiao. A battle followed at once, but the men of Wei suffered great losses and were soon put to flight. Both officers of Wu pursued them to their camp, where confusion reigned and men fought among themselves.
Cao Xiu hastily mounted his horse and fled toward Jiashi. Xu Sheng, with a strong force, came to attack along the high road, killing countless men of the Wei army. Those who escaped all abandoned their armor.
In panic Cao Xiu struggled along the Jiashi Road. Suddenly there came a force from a side path. It was led by Jia Kui. Cao Xiu, slightly relieved, said shamefacedly, “I took no notice of what you advised and I did suffer defeat.”
Jia Kui replied, “General, you should quickly get off this road, otherwise if the men of Wu block it with logs and boulders we will be in grave danger.”
So Cao Xiu hastened forward while Jia Kui protected the rear. To prevent the men of Wu from pursuing, Jia Kui set up flags and banners in thick woods and along dangerous bypaths, so as to give an impression of having many men posted all around. When Xu Sheng came he caught glimpses of flags from beneath the slopes and suspected an ambush. So he gave up the pursuit and withdrew. Cao Xiu was thus rescued. When Sima Yi learned about Cao Xiu’s defeat, he also withdrew.
In the meantime, Lu Xun was awaiting news of victory. Soon the three officers came and reported their successes. They brought with them great spoil of carts and bullocks, horses and mules and military equipment, as well as a very large number of prisoners. Greatly pleased, Lu Xun with Zhou Fang led the army home into Wu. On their return Sun Quan came out of the city of Wuchang with a numerous cortege of officials to welcome the victors, and an imperial umbrella was borne over the head of Lu Xun as they wended their way into the city. The other officers also received promotions and rewards.
Sun Quan, noticing that Zhou Fang had no hair, consoled him with gracious words. “This deed of yours, and the sacrifice you made to attain it, will surely be recorded in history books.”
He conferred on Zhou Fang the title of marquis. Then he gave great feasts to entertain his army in celebration of the victory.
Lu Xun said, “Cao Xiu has been thoroughly beaten, and the men of Wei are cowed. I think now is the time to send an envoy with a letter to Shu and exhort Zhuge Liang to attack Wei.”
Sun Quan agreed, and an envoy carrying Sun Quan’s letter was sent.
The east, successful in one fight,
Would unto war the west incite.
The fate of Zhuge Liang’s next campaign against Wei will be told in the next chapter.
Footnotes
* According to an ancient legend, Emperor Shun executed Gun for failing to control the floods, but later asked Gun’s son, Yu, to do the same job. Yu finally succeeded in subduing the flooding river.
† In the period of the Warring States, the King of Chu forced his general to commit suicide after he lost a battle with the Kingdom of Jin. When Duke Wen of Jin heard of this he was overjoyed. Here Jiang Wan uses this story to show Zhuge Liang that the execution of Ma Su would only please their enemy.
* A man in the service of Prince Guang of Wu in ancient China. He was ordered by his master to assassinate his rival Qing Ji, son of the king. Yao Li cut
off his own arm and went to see Qing Ji, saying that Prince Guang had severed his limb. Thus he was able to win Qing Ji’s trust and finally slew him.
CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN
Zhuge Liang Proposes to Renew the Attack on Wei
Jiang Wei Defeats Wei by Means of a Forged Letter
It was in the autumn of the sixth year of Jian Xing in Shu that the Wei army was thoroughly beaten by Lu Xun of Wu. Cao Xiu’s mortification brought on an illness from which he died in Luoyang. By command of the Emperor, he received a most honorable burial.
When Sima Yi returned with his army he was welcomed into the city by the other officers.
“Commander, you were also responsible for General Cao’s defeat,” they said. “Why did you hurry home?”
Sima Yi replied, “I suspect Zhuge Liang will take advantage of our defeat to seize Chang’an. If the west is in danger, who can go to its rescue?”
But the officers sniggered as they withdrew, thinking he was cowardly.
Meanwhile, Wu’s envoy had presented his lord’s letter to Shu, proposing a joint attack on Wei and detailing their recent victory. The intention behind this letter was two-fold: to exhibit their own power and to strengthen friendly relations. The Second Ruler of Shu was pleased and sent the letter to Zhuge Liang in Hanzhong.
At that time the army was in every readiness for a new expedition. The men were strong and the horses sturdy; supplies of grain and fodder were plentiful; and all kinds of necessary equipment had been prepared. Zhuge Liang was just going to propose a new operation when he received the letter from Wu.
Zhuge Liang assembled all his subordinates to discuss a new expedition. Suddenly a gust of wind blew up from the northeast corner and snapped a pine tree in the courtyard. It was an inauspicious omen and all those present were alarmed. Zhuge Liang made a divination and presently announced that the wind portended the loss of a great general. The others were doubtful, though. But before the banquet ended it was announced that two sons of Zhao Yun had come and wished to see Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang, in great alarm, threw down his wine cup and cried, “Alas! Zi-long is no more.”
The two sons came in, prostrated themselves before him and wept. “Father’s illness worsened last night and he died at the third watch.”
Zhuge Liang staggered and burst into lamentation. “Alas, Zi-long is gone! The country has lost a pillar and I, my right arm.”
The others also shed tears. Zhuge Liang bade the two sons go to Cheng-du to bear the sad tiding to the Second Ruler.
And the Second Ruler also wept bitterly. “Zi-long was my savior—had it not been for him I would have died an infant in the chaos of war.”
An edict was issued creating the late general Marquis of Shunping, to be buried on the east of Brocade Screen Hills in the capital. A temple was erected to his memory and sacrifices offered at four seasons.
From Changshan came a warrior, tiger-bold,
In wit and valor he was fitting mate
For Guan and Zhang, his exploits rivaling
Even theirs. Han Waters and Dangyang recall
His name. Twice in his stalwart arms he bore
The prince, his well-loved leader’s son and heir.
Histories record his brave and loyal deeds.
His glorious name stands aloft at all times.
Out of gratitude to the late general, the Second Ruler not only accorded him a most honorable burial, but showed much kindness to his sons. Both were given military ranks and ordered to guard over their father’s tomb. They thanked their lord and left.
Then an official reported to the Second Ruler that the prime minister had completed the preparation of the army and proposed to march against Wei without delay. The Second Ruler consulted the courtiers, who were mostly inclined to a cautious policy. So he could not decide. Just then it was announced that the prime minister had sent forth a memorial. The messenger was called into the audience hall and the memorial delivered to the Second Ruler, who spread it on the imperial table and read:
“The late Emperor was anxious to restore the rule of Han and would not allow the rebel state of Wei to exist alongside the legitimate domain of ours, which would never be secure in its present limited locality. Therefore he charged me, your minister, to destroy them. Measuring my abilities by his perspicacity, he knew that I would not be strong enough to deal with the mighty enemy. However, inaction would also mean the destruction of our royal domain. It was a question of whether to sit back and await destruction or to attack? So he doubted no more and assigned me the task.
“Ever since the day I received the decree this task has occupied all my thoughts. Considering that the south should be made secure before the north could be attacked, I braved the heat of summer and crossed the Lu River, plunging deep into the wilds and eating only every two days. It was not that I cared nothing for myself, but that the royal domain should not be confined to the territory of Shu. So I will risk every danger to fulfill the late Emperor’s behest. However, there are people in court who are opposed to my proposed expedition against Wei. Now the rebels have been weakened in the west and entangled in the east. The art of war advocates taking advantage of the enemy’s weakness, and so now is the time to attack. I will state my argument in detail as follows.
“The wisdom of the Founder of Han rivaled the glory of the sun and moon and his counselors were profound as the ocean in knowledge and strategy. Nevertheless, he had trodden a hazardous path and suffered many losses, only attaining repose after passing through grave dangers. Now Your Majesty is not an equal to our Founder, nor can your counselors compare with Zhang Liang and Chen Ping, yet Your Majesty is advised to seek to win the empire through a policy of prolonged confrontation with the enemy. This is the first point that puzzles me.
“In the past, Liu Yao and Wang Lang each occupied a district in the east. They passed their time in talking of peace and discussing plans, quoting the sayings of sages till all were filled with doubts and intimidated by difficulties. So year after year, no expedition was made and no battle fought, making it possible for Sun Ce to grow powerful and finally conquer all the regions east of the Yangtze. This is the second point that I cannot understand.
“In craft Cao Cao surpassed all men. He could wield armies like the great strategists of old, Sun Tzu and Wu Qi. Nevertheless, he was besieged at Nanyang, in danger at Wuchao, in peril at Qilian, hard pressed in Liyang, nearly defeated at Beishan, and almost killed at Tong Pass. Despite all these setbacks, he enjoyed a temporary period of peace. How much less can I, a man of feeble ability, bring about tranquillity without running risks? I fail to understand this third point.
“Cao Cao failed five times in his attack on Changba, and crossed the Chao Lake four times without success. He employed Li Fu, who betrayed him. He put his trust in Xiahou Yuan, who was defeated and killed. The late Emperor always regarded Cao Cao as an able man, and yet he made such mistakes. How then can I, who is much less capable, necessarily succeed? This is the fourth point I fail to comprehend.
“Only one year has elapsed since I went into Hanzhong, yet we have lost Zhao Yun, Yang Qun, Ma Yu, Yan Zhi, Ding Li, Bai Shou, Liu He, Deng Tong, and other notable officers, more than seventy squadron leaders, and more than a thousand members of our shock brigades, trained cavalry, and Sou, Cong, and Qiang minority units. It took several decades to muster all those bold souls together from various parts of the country and not just from one district. If we delay our campaign for several more years, two-thirds of the picked troops will have died, and how then are we to destroy the enemy? This is the fifth point that troubles me.
“The people are now poor and the army exhausted indeed, but events do not cease to move. If they do not cease, then, whether we take action or remain idle, the cost is the same. But critics of my proposal say that the attack should not be made yet! With only the land of one province, we are supposed to hold out against Wei for a long period of time—this is the sixth point that I find hard to understand.
“A stable condition of things is indeed difficult to obtain. Earlier, when the late Emperor was defeated in Chu, Cao Cao clapped his hands and rejoiced that his rule was settled. Afterwards, however, the late Emperor obtained the support of Wu and Yue in the east, took Ba and Shu to the west, and undertook an expedition to the north, in which Xiahou Yuan lost his life. So Cao Cao’s calculations proved erroneous, and the great design of Han seemed about to be accomplished. But later, Wu betrayed its pledge, Guan Yu was defeated, the late Emperor suffered a serious setback at Zigui, and Cao Pi assumed the throne. Such events prove difficult to predict. I will strain my back and exert myself to the very last, but the final result, whether success or failure, whether gain or loss, is beyond my power to foresee.”
The Emperor was convinced after reading the memorial, and directed Zhuge Liang to start on the expedition. Taking the order, Zhuge Liang marched out with 300,000 well-trained men, with Wei Yan leading the first division, and made all haste for the road to Chencang.
The news soon reached Luoyang, and Sima Yi informed the Emperor of Wei, who called a council to discuss the emergency. Cao Zhen stepped forth and said, “Last time I was commanded to hold Longxi, but my service was nothing compared to the loss I suffered. And the humiliation is terrible to bear. Now I beg to be given another command that I may capture Zhuge Liang. Lately I have found a stalwart warrior, a man who wields a sixty-catty sword, rides a swift battle steed, and can bend an iron bar weighing two hundred catties. When he goes into battle he also carries hidden about him three meteor maces and he never misses a target. So valorous is he that a myriad dare not stand against him. His name is Wang Shuang, a native of Longxi. I would like to recommend him to be my van leader.”
Cao Rui approved at once and summoned this marvel to the hall. There came a tall man with a dusky complexion, hazel eyes, strong as a bear in the waist, and supple as a tiger in the back.