This threat threw Fu Qian into fury. Telling his colleague to guard the pass, he rushed down to give battle, taking 3,000 men with him. Zhong Hui at once turned back and the Wei army retreated. At this success Fu Qian pursued, but soon the army of Wei closed around. Fu Qian turned to retreat back into the pass, but to his great shock he saw flags of Wei flying up on the wall.
“I have yielded to Wei,” cried Jiang Shu from the wall.
In wrath Fu Qian cried, “Ungrateful, shameless traitor! How can you ever look people in the face?” He turned once more to the battle. The men of Wei converged on all sides and had him entirely surrounded. He fought desperately, thrusting left and right, but could not break through. His men were mostly wounded or dead.
Fu Qian raised his eyes to Heaven and sighed deeply. “Alive I am an officer of Shu—dead I will be a ghost of my country.”
Once more he plunged into the thickest part of the fight. He was severely wounded by several spear thrusts and blood soaked through his robe and armor. Then his steed fell, so he took his life with his own sword.
The loyalty Fu showed in stressful days
Won him a thousand years’ noble praise;
The base Jiang Shu lived on, a life disgraced,
I would prefer the death that Fu Qian faced.
With the fall of the pass, great booty of grain and weapons fell into the hands of Zhong Hui. Delighted, he feasted the army. That night the men of Wei rested in the city of Yangan. Suddenly, sounds of men shouting were heard from the southwest. Zhong Hui got up in haste and went out to investigate, but the sounds had ceased. He returned to his tent but all through the night none of them dared to sleep. On the following night, at midnight, shouting rose again in the southwest. Zhong Hui was alarmed and puzzled. As day dawned he sent scouts out to search the area, but they came back to say they had gone over ten li without seeing a single enemy. Still filled with apprehension, Zhong Hui took several hundred fully-armed cavalrymen to explore the same area. On the way they came upon a hill of sinister aspect overhung by a dismal cloud, and wreathed in mist at the summit.
“What hill is that?” asked Zhong Hui, pulling up to question the guide.
“That is the Dingjun Hill,” replied the guide. “Years before, Xiahou Yuan met his end here.”
This only displeased Zhong Hui even more, who turned to ride back. Rounding the curve of a hill, he came full into a violent gust of wind and there suddenly appeared several thousand cavalrymen descending with the wind to attack.
The whole party, panic-stricken, galloped off, with Zhong Hui leading the way. Many officers fell from their steeds. Yet when they returned to the pass not a man or a horse was missing, although there were many with bruises and cuts from the falls, and many who had lost their helmets. Everyone claimed seeing phantom horsemen coming down from the dark clouds, who, nevertheless, did no harm when they approached, but melted away as a blast of air.
Zhong Hui summoned the surrendered officer Jiang Shu. “Is there a holy shrine on the hill?”
“No,” he replied. “There is only the tomb of Prime Minister Zhuge.”
“Then this must have been his spirit demonstrating its power,” said Zhong Hui in alarm. “I myself will go and offer sacrifices to him.”
So the next day he prepared sacrificial offerings, slew an ox, a sheep, and a pig, and presented them at the tomb while he bowed and prayed. As soon as the ceremony was over the wind ceased to roar, and the dismal clouds began to disperse. There followed a cool breeze and a gentle drizzle. Presently the sky cleared. Pleased with the result of their prayer, the men of Wei bowed gratefully at the tomb and returned to camp.
That night Zhong Hui dozed off while resting by a small table in his tent. Suddenly a cool breeze began to blow, and he saw a figure walking into his tent, wearing a silk headdress and a cape of crane feathers, white shoes, and a black girdle, and carrying a feather fan in his hand. The countenance of the figure was fair as jade, the lips a deep red, and the eyes clear and bright. Tall in stature, he moved with the calm serenity of a god.
“Who are you, sir?” asked Zhong Hui, rising to welcome him.
“Thank you for your kindly visit this morning,” said the superior figure. “I have a few words to say to you. Though the fortune of the Hans has declined and the mandate of Heaven cannot be disobeyed, yet the people of the west, exposed to the inevitable miseries of war, are to be pitied. After you enter the country, do not slay unnecessarily by any means.”
As he finished these words, he disappeared with a flick of his sleeves.
Zhong Hui tried to get him to stay, but at that moment he awoke with a start. It was only a dream and he realized with amazement that the spirit of the great leader Zhuge Liang had paid him a visit.
He issued an order that the leading division of his army should bear a white flag on which was written the four words, SAFEGUARD STATE, COMFORT PEOPLE. He also threatened to execute any soldier who killed an innocent person. This humane decree was greatly appreciated by the residents in Hanzhong, who went out of the city to bow and welcome the northerners. Zhong Hui soothed the people, and his army committed no injury.
Those phantom soldiers around the Dingjun Hill
Moved Zhong Hui at Zhuge Liang’s tomb to pray.
In life he furthered the cause of Liu Bei,
Though dead, he would Liu’s people still protect.
On hearing that the invaders had come in full force, Jiang Wei at once dispatched urgent messages to his three officers Zhang Yi, Liao Hua, and Dong Jue, ordering them to assemble their troops for the war against the enemy, while he himself prepared his own army at Tazhong.
Soon they came, and he went out to encounter them. The leading officer of the Wei army was the Prefect of Tianshui, Wang Qi. Wang Qi rode out and shouted, “Our soldiers number a million and our officers, over a thousand. We are advancing in twenty divisions, and have already reached Chengdu. Yet you do not yield quickly and still try to put up a struggle. Are you ignorant of our divine mandate?”
Filled with fury Jiang Wei galloped straight at Wang Qi, his spear raised to strike. The prefect stood less than three bouts and fled defeated. Jiang Wei pursued him for twenty li, when he heard the familiar sounds of drums and gongs and a cohort spread out in front of him. On the banner he read the words QIAN HONG, PREFECT OF LONGXI.
Jiang Wei laughed. “Such lowly rats! They are no match for me!”
He led his men straight on and the enemy fell back. He chased them for another ten li, and there came Deng Ai. Rallying up his energy, Jiang Wei fought with Deng Ai for more than a dozen bouts but neither could overcome the other. Then sounds of drums and gongs arose in the rear of his force and Jiang Wei hastened to pull out of the battle. But at this moment the rear division reported that his camps at Gansong had been burned down by the prefect of Jincheng.
This news startled Jiang Wei, who at once ordered his lieutenants to keep his own standard flying and hold Deng Ai, while he himself hastened to the rescue of the camps with the rear division. There he ran into the prefect, who, however, dared not fight with Jiang Wei and escaped toward the hills. Jiang Wei followed but as he came near the hill, boulders and logs rained down, blocking his advance.
He turned to go back, but halfway he found that his men had been dispersed by Deng Ai. Then a large force of Wei came up and he was surrounded. However, Jiang Wei and his men broke through and hastened to the main camp to wait for rescue forces.
Suddenly scouts galloped up and reported: “Zhong Hui has seized Yangan Pass and the defending officer Fu Qian has died, but his colleague Jiang Shu has surrendered. Hanzhong is now in the possession of Wei. And on hearing of the loss of Hanzhong the commanding officers at Yuecheng and Hancheng also opened their gates and yielded to the invaders. Hu Ji alone was unable to withstand the enemy, so he has escaped to the capital to seek aid.”
Greatly upset by this report, Jiang Wei immediately ordered his men to break camp and set out for the frontier. That night he reached the mou
th of the Jiang River. A troop barred his way, and at its head was the prefect of Jincheng. In a great rage Jiang Wei rode at him and sent him flying in the first exchange. As the prefect fled, Jiang Wei shot at him thrice, but missed all three times.
Exasperated, Jiang Wei snapped his bow and raised his spear to chase, but his horse tripped and fell, throwing Jiang Wei down to the ground. The prefect turned back to slay him but Jiang Wei, suddenly leaping up, thrust hard with his spear and wounded his opponent’s horse in the head. Wei troops rushed up and rescued the prefect.
Mounting another steed, Jiang Wei intended to continue his pursuit but was told that Deng Ai was approaching from behind. Realizing that he would be caught in between two forces, Jiang Wei collected his men in order to recover Hanzhong. However, he soon learned that his way back to Hanzhong had been blocked by another troop led by Zhang Xu, Governor of Yongzhou, so he halted and encamped in a strategic position in the hills. The Wei troops pitched their camps at the head of Yingping Bridge.
Advance or retreat being equally impossible, Jiang Wei sighed in anguish: “Heaven is destroying me!”
Ning Sui, one of his lieutenants, said, “Since our enemies are holding Yinping Bridge, they must have left a weak force in the city of Yongzhou. If you, General, cut through Konghan Valley to seize Yongzhou, they will be forced to abandon the bridge in order to rescue the city. When the bridge is clear, you can make a dash for the Sword Pass and fortify yourself there. Then Hanzhong can be recovered.”
Jiang Wei accepted this plan, and the army immediately marched toward the valley, feigning an advance on Yongzhou.
When Zhuge Xu, who was guarding the bridge, heard this from his scouts, he was much alarmed. “The defense of Yongzhou is my responsibility. If it is lost, I will be the one to blame.” So he left with most of his troops toward the south to rescue the city, leaving only a small force to hold his position at the bridge.
Jiang Wei marched along the northern trail for about thirty li when he retraced his steps, anticipating that Zhuge Xu must have abandoned the bridge by then. Turning his rearguard into a vanguard, he went swiftly back to the bridge, where he found that the main body of the enemy force had withdrawn, just as he had expected. Those left at the bridge were soon either slain or dispersed, and the camps razed to the ground. When Zhuge Xu learned about this he turned back, but by the time he got to the bridge the army of Shu had long passed and he dared not pursue.
Meanwhile Jiang Wei, after crossing the bridge, marched ahead. On the way he fell in with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua. Jiang Wei asked them the reason for their arrival.
Zhang Yi replied, “The eunuch Huang Hao believes in the words of a witch and refuses to send help to defend the frontiers. When I heard of the danger in Hanzhong I went there to rescue the city, but Yangan Pass had already been captured by Zhong Hui. Then I was told of your predicament, General, so I have come here especially to aid you.”
The two armies combined and marched together to White Water Pass.
Liao Hua said, “As we’re attacked all around, the grain route will be blocked. It seems to me it’s better to retreat to Sword Pass.”
But Jiang Wei was doubtful. Then they were informed that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai were approaching in ten divisions. Jiang Wei was inclined to resist, but Liao Hua said that the roads at White Water Pass were too narrow and too numerous to be suitable for fighting a battle, and again urged Jiang Wei to retreat to Sword Pass.
At last Jiang Wei consented, and the army headed for Sword Pass. But as they neared the pass they were greeted by the usual sounds of war and saw flags fluttering all around. A troop held the entrance to the pass.
Hanzhong’s strong defense was lost;
Storms gathered to threaten Sword Pass.
What force was holding the pass will be told in the next chapter.
Footnote
* Meaning “lame” or “unsuccessful.”
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN
Deng Ai Slips Through Yinping Pass
Zhuge Zhan Fights to the Death at Mianzhu
The troops that had at first alarmed Jiang Wei turned out to be a force under General Dong Jue, who had come to defend the Sword Pass with his army of 20,000 men after he learned that more than a dozen Wei forces had entered his country. That day he saw swirls of dust rising in the distance and he hastened out to the entrance of the pass in fear that the enemy had already arrived. Then he rode forth to the front to find out who the newcomers were. He was overjoyed to see Jiang Wei and the others, and conducted them to the pass, where they exchanged formal greetings. Then he tearfully told them everything about the Second Ruler and the eunuch Huang Hao.
“Don’t worry,” said Jiang Wei to comfort him. “As long as I’m alive I will never allow Wei to devour our country. Let’s guard the pass first and gradually work out ways to drive out the enemy.”
“Though this pass is defensible, the capital is quite empty,” cautioned Dong Jue. “If the enemy should attack it, all would collapse!”
“Chengdu is protected by natural defenses,” replied Jiang Wei. “It is hard to climb over the steep mountains and cross the dangerous roads. There is nothing to fear.”
At that moment it was reported that Zhuge Xu had come to challenge below the pass. Wrathfully, Jiang Wei rushed down with 5,000 soldiers and plunged straight into the Wei ranks, charging left and right and slaying a very large number of the enemy. Utterly smitten, Zhuge Xu retreated scores of li. The men of Shu captured many horses and weapons. Jiang Wei recalled his men and went back to the pass.
By then Zhong Hui had set his camp twenty li from the pass and Zhuge Xu came to admit his failure. Zhong Hui flared up in anger. “I commanded you to hold Yinping Bridge, to cut Jiang Wei’s way of retreat. Why have you lost the position? And now without my order you attacked and are therefore defeated.”
Zhuge Xu tried to defend himself. “Jiang Wei was very deceitful. He pretended that he was going to take Yongzhou. I was so worried about the safety of the city that I went to rescue it. And he took the opportunity to get away. I followed him to the pass, but unfortunately I was defeated.”
However, Zhong Hui showed no understanding but angrily ordered him to be put to death.
At this the army inspector Wei Guan tried to intercede. “Although Zhuge Xu is guilty, he is a subordinate of General Deng’s. If you kill him, it might hurt the general’s feelings.”
Zhong Hui replied, “I have a command from the Emperor and orders from the Duke of Jin to attack Shu—even if it were Deng Ai himself who committed the fault, I would behead him.”
All the others did their best to dissuade him. Finally he conceded and Zhuge Xu was put in a prisoner’s cage cart and sent to Luoyang, where his fate would be decided by Sima Zhao; his remaining men were added to Zhong Hui’s army.
All this was duly reported to Deng Ai, who became furious in his turn and said, “His rank and mine are the same. I have held a frontier post for years and done a great deal in the country’s service. Who is he that he gives himself such airs?”
His son Deng Zhong tried to appease his wrath. “Father, you know the saying, ‘A little impatience may upset a great design.’ Your quarrels with him will inevitably undermine important businesses of the country. I hope you will bear with him for the time being.”
Seeing the wisdom of his son’s words Deng Ai dropped the subject, but in his heart anger still burned. Then he rode to call upon his colleague, escorted by a dozen or so followers. When his arrival was announced, Zhong Hui asked his attendants how many men Deng Ai had brought with him.
“Only a dozen riders,” they replied.
Zhong Hui had several hundred men drawn up about his tent. Deng Ai dismounted and entered the camp, where he was welcomed into the main tent by his host and the two men saluted each other. Deng Ai quickly noticed that his rival’s army was highly disciplined and he began to feel rather ill at ease. He decided to probe what plan Zhong Hui had in mind.
“General, your capture o
f Hanzhong is a great fortune for the state, and you can now settle on a plan to seize Sword Pass,” he said provocatively.
“What is your own superior idea, General?” asked Zhong Hui.
Deng Ai repeatedly declined to answer, saying that he was incapable of suggesting any good plans, but Zhong Hui pressed him for a response.
“In my opinion,” answered Deng Ai at last, “we might cut through some byroads around Yingping to get to Deyang in the Hanzhong region, from where we can direct a surprise attack on the capital, Chengdu. Jiang Wei will have to abandon this place to go to the city’s rescue, and you, General, can easily take the Sword Pass. The victory will all be yours.”
“An excellent plan!” exclaimed Zhong Hui in joy. “General, you lead your men there at once, and I will be waiting here for the good news of your success.”
They had some wine together and then Deng Ai took his leave. After seeing him off, Zhong Hui went back to his own tent and said to his officers, “They say Deng Ai is able, but judging from what he said today I think he is but of mediocre talent.”
When they asked him why he thought so, he continued: “The Yinping byroads are fringed by high mountains and steep hills, virtually impassable. Suppose the enemy posts some hundred men to hold the most critical points and seal off Deng Ai’s way of retreat, his men will all starve to death. I will go by the main roads, and there is no reason why I shouldn’t overcome Shu.”
So he prepared scaling ladders and ballistae to besiege Sword Pass.
Deng Ai went out of the main gate of Zhong Hui’s camp and mounted. Turning to his followers, he asked, “What does Zhong Hui think of me?”
They replied, “From his words and the way he said them, we think he held a poor opinion of your plan, General, and was only pretending to agree with you.”