He takes on a spirit-like form above Longshang;\ He rides for Jianmen while Zhang He falls for the ruse.

Zhuge Liang, whose courtesy name was Kongming, used the stratagem of reducing the army while increasing the cooking fire-points and withdrew to Hanzhong. Sima Yi, fearing an ambush, did not dare to pursue and also withdrew his army to Chang'an. As a result, not a single man of Shu was lost. After rewarding the entire army, Kongming returned to Chengdu and came before the Son of Heaven, saying, “I had marched beyond Qishan to take Chang'an when, in the end, I received Your Majesty’s decree to return. I do not know what grave matter called me back.” The Son of Heaven had no reply. After a long pause he said, “I have not seen the Chancellor for a long time and have missed him greatly; for that reason, I issued a special order for him to return. There was no other cause.” Kongming said, “This is not Your Majesty’s true intent. There must be treacherous ministers who slander me and claim I have rebel intentions.” The Son of Heaven was silent.

Kongming said, “Your servant received great grace from the late emperor and swore to serve with my life. If evil ministers are active inside the court, how can I, in the outer lands, punish them?” The Son of Heaven said, “I was misled by eunuchs’ words and once summoned you back in haste. Today the blockage in my ears is lifted, and my regret is beyond repair.”

Kongming then summoned all the eunuchs for examination and discovered only a base rumor. He had men seize the guilty parties, but most had already fled into Wei. He ordered execution for the eunuchs who had presented false reports and banished the rest from the palace. He sternly rebuked Jiang Wan and Fei Yi for failing to perceive the evil and for not remonstrating with the Son of Heaven. The two acknowledged their fault and submitted to blame.

After taking leave of the Son of Heaven, Kongming returned to Hanzhong. He issued an edict to Li Yan to handle grain supply and continue to send it to the forward army, and at the same time he resumed discussing another expedition. Yang Yi advised, “The army has been raised several times already, and our troops are exhausted and our grain stores cannot be replenished. It would be better to divide the army into two wings and use a three-month term. If we deploy only one of two hundred thousand as far as Qishan, let them stay there for three months and then have that one hundred thousand rotate back, to be replaced in turn. Then our strength will not run dry. We can then advance slowly. The Central Plains can be taken.” Kongming approved. “What you said accords exactly with my mind. My war against the Central Plains is not a matter of one day or one night. This is the long design that should be adopted.” He then ordered the split and the rotation with a one-hundred-day period; any unit that missed its term was to be punished under military law.

In the spring, second month of the ninth year of Jianxing, Kongming again marched out to invade Wei. It was also the fifth year of Taihe in Wei. When news of Kongming’s renewed advance reached Wei, Cao Rui, now ruler of Wei, summoned Sima Yi to consult. Sima Yi said, “Zi Dan has perished. I will pour out all my strength and wipe out the invading rabble to repay Your Majesty.” Cao Rui rejoiced and held a banquet for him. The next day, news came that the Shu army had raided in force. Cao Rui immediately ordered Sima Yi to ride out against the enemy and drove his carriage from the palace himself.

After reporting at court, Sima Yi went straight to Chang'an, assembled commanders from all the routes, and discussed plans to break the Shu forces. Zhang He said, “I am willing to lead a contingent to guard Ying and Mei and block the Shu.” Sima Yi replied, “Our forward army cannot stand against Zhuge Liang’s host alone, and if we split into advance and rear, victory is unlikely. It is better to leave troops to guard Shanggui and send the rest to Qishan. Are you willing to take command of the vanguard?” Zhang He said with joy, “I have long carried loyalty and righteousness and wished to repay the state with all my heart, but I have not yet met one who truly recognized me. Now that the commander-in-chief entrusts such a heavy charge to me, I will not shrink back even at the cost of my life.”

So Sima Yi made Zhang He the vanguard commander and overall commander of the main army, and gave Guo Huai the task of guarding the commanderies of Longxi. He sent other major generals along separate routes. Scout riders from the advance force then reported: “Kongming has brought his great army beyond Qishan. The advance vanguard of Wang Ping and Zhang Ni went straight out from Chencang, through Jiange, past Sanguan, and came by Xie Valley.” Sima Yi told Zhang He, “Now Kongming’s army is pushing rapidly forward. He will certainly cut the spring wheat in Longxi to provision himself. You should set your camp on Qishan. I will go with Guo Huai to inspect the Tianshui commanderies and guard against this cutting party.” Zhang He agreed, then took forty thousand troops to hold Qishan. Sima Yi moved the main army toward Longxi.

Kongming’s army reached Qishan. Their camp had already been established, and seeing Wei troops prepared on the Wei bank, he told the commanders, “This must be Sima Yi. The camp is already short of grain. I have repeatedly ordered men to hurry to Li Yan for grain deliveries, but he has not arrived. The wheat on Longshang should be ripe; we can discreetly draw soldiers there to cut it.” So he left Wang Ping, Zhang Ni, Wu Ban, and Wu Yi to guard the Qishan camp and led Jiang Wei and Wei Yan, together with other generals, toward Lu City.

Lu City’s commander, who already knew Kongming well, hurried to open the gates and surrender. After soothing him and his men, Kongming asked, “Where is the wheat ripe now?” The commander said, “The wheat atop Longshang is mature.” Kongming then left Zhang Yi and Ma Zhong to guard Lu City and led the generals and the entire army toward Longshang.

The vanguard reported back that Sima Yi had brought his troops here. Kongming cried out, “This man knows I will come to cut wheat!” He bathed, changed his robes, and brought forward several carts. All three had matching decorations. These were carts prepared in Shu in advance.

He ordered Jiang Wei to take one thousand men to guard one cart and five hundred drummers to wait behind Shanggui; Ma Dai on the left, Wei Yan on the right, each with one thousand men and five hundred drummers for another cart. For each of the carts, twenty-four men were assigned, dressed in black with bare feet and loosened hair, swords in hand, carrying seven-star black banners as they pushed each vehicle. The three commanders received their separate orders, and all moved the carts forward. Kongming also ordered thirty thousand soldiers to carry sickles and carry-rope cords, waiting to harvest wheat. He then selected twenty-four sturdy men and clad each in black with unbound hair and swords, a body of escorts around a four-wheeled cart. He had Guan Xing arranged as if in the form of a sky-borne attendant, holding a seven-star black banner and walking before the cart.

Kongming sat upright in the cart and moved toward the Wei camp.

When the scouts saw this, they were astonished and could not tell whether these were men or spirits. They reported quickly to Sima Yi. Sima Yi rode out to observe and saw Kongming wearing a tall cap and crane-feathered robe, one hand moving a feather fan, seated upright in the cart; on either side stood twenty-four men with loosened hair and drawn swords; in front, one man held a black banner. In the distance he resembled a heavenly spirit. Sima Yi said, “This is another trick by Kongming.” He then ordered two thousand riders: “Go now and catch that cart and men, every one of them, if you can.” The Wei soldiers obeyed and charged at once.

Seeing the Wei cavalry come hard after him, Kongming ordered the cart to turn back and slowly move away. The Wei troops spurred their horses in pursuit, yet though wind stirred in cold gusts and a damp mist spread thickly, after a long run they still could not catch the first cart, though it had moved three dozen li ahead. Confused, they checked their horses and said, “How strange! We rode hard for thirty li, yet he still stays ahead. What are we to do now?”

Kongming saw they did not close. He again had a cart reverse and return, then move slowly toward the Wei soldiers. Again he let the Wei forces chase him. Again they covered twenty more li but could not make up the distance; they stared in bewilderment. Kongming ordered the cart to turn again and reverse direction. The Wei cavalry pursued once more. From behind, Sima Yi arrived with a fresh host and sent the order: “Kongming is skilled in the arts of the Eight Openings and Nine Closings, and he can command the six ding and six jia spirits. This is the ‘shortening distance’ method from the Six Jia heavenly text. No army is to continue pursuit.”

At the same time the cavalry were coming to a halt. A war-drum boomed from the left; a full strike of troops came crashing in. Sima Yi ordered the lines to hold and resist.

From inside the storm of soldiers came one of the false processions: two dozen black-clad, bare-footed, disheveled, sword-bearing men shoved out a four-wheeled cart. Kongming sat upright at its center, in cap and crane-feathered robe, feather fan raised. Sima Yi exclaimed, “The one we chased for fifty li was Kongming and could not be caught. How can he be here again? This is strange indeed, strange indeed!”

Before he could finish speaking, a drum cracked again on the right front and another group came at speed. There too sat Kongming in a four-wheeled cart, again with twenty-four black-clad attendants and bare feet and swords pushing it forward.

Sima Yi was in deep doubt; he turned to his commanders and said, “This must be spirit troops!” The rank and file hearts collapsed, and none dared to close with them; all began to run.

Before any could settle, a fresh drum burst out and still another unit came rushing. At their front was a four-wheeled cart with Kongming seated upright, with the same kind of two-sided cart carriers. The Wei troops were transfixed. Sima Yi still did not know whether he looked upon men or spirits, nor how many Shu soldiers were behind him. He grew utterly frightened and hurried the army back into Shanggui, shutting the gates.

By then Kongming had earlier ordered three thousand elite troops to cut the wheat on Longshang and cart it back to Lu City to dry. Sima Yi stayed inside the city for three days and did not venture out. When the Shu troops withdrew, he finally sent out scouts. On the road they seized a Shu soldier and brought him in. Sima Yi asked him. The man said, “I was one of the wheat-cutting parties. I lost my horse and was caught.” “Who were those spirit-troops earlier?” asked Sima Yi. The man replied, “They were three hidden forces, and none of them were Kongming; they were Jiang Wei, Ma Dai, and Wei Yan. Each route had only one thousand soldiers guarding a cart and five hundred drummers. Only the cart that first baited your camp had Kongming on it.”

Sima Yi sighed up toward heaven. “Kongming has an art of appearing and vanishing like a ghost.”

At that moment, Guo Huai, the deputy commander-in-chief, arrived for audience. After formal greetings, he said, “I have heard that the Shu force is small. If it is now cutting wheat at Lu City, we may strike.” Sima Yi told him what had just happened. Guo Huai laughed: “It only deceived you for a while. Now you have seen through it. So what?” He said, “I will lead one army against its rear, and you one against its front. Lu City can fall; Kongming can be captured.” Sima Yi agreed and split his force into two columns.

Kongming brought his troops to Lu City and set to drying the cut wheat. He then called the generals and said, “Tonight the enemy must come to attack the city. I judge the east and west wheat fields outside can serve as an ambush. Which among you dares to go first for me?” Jiang Wei, Wei Yan, Ma Dai, and Ma Zhong volunteered all at once.

Kongming said with satisfaction, “Good.” He ordered Jiang Wei and Wei Yan to lead two thousand men each and lie in wait in the southeast and northwest. Ma Dai and Ma Zhong led two thousand each and lay in the southwest and northeast. “Wait for the boom of cannon and let all four wings strike together.” The four generals left with their troops.

Kongming himself led just over a hundred men, each with firearms, out of the city and hid in the wheat fields to wait.

Sima Yi brought his troops directly before Lu City. Night had already deepened when he said to the commanders, “If we attack by daylight, the city will be prepared. Let us strike now in darkness. The city walls are low and the moat shallow; we can break through easily.” They arrayed outside the walls. At the first watch, Guo Huai also brought his force in. Their two lines combined, and to one drumbeat they wrapped Lu City on all four sides in a ring like a great iron barrel. From the walls, ten thousand crossbows opened together and arrows fell like rain, and the Wei soldiers could not step forward.

Suddenly cannonfire rang repeatedly through the Wei ranks, startling all three divisions and no one could tell where the enemy came from. While Guo Huai had men search the wheat fields, flames burst from the four corners and loud cries rolled; Shu forces from four directions charged all at once. Lu City’s four gates opened wide and soldiers from inside surged out. A blow was dealt from within and without; a single mass of killing went through the night. Wei soldiers died in countless numbers. Sima Yi drew off the shaken survivors and broke through by force to hold a hilltop; Guo Huai too brought his survivors to form a post behind the hill.

Kongming entered the city and ordered the four generals to set camp at each of the four corners.

Guo Huai told Sima Yi, “We have held against Shu for a long while and found no way to push them out. Now we have already lost more than three thousand in one repulse. If we do not devise an exit now, we will fail to withdraw later.” Sima Yi asked, “How then?” Guo Huai said, “Issue an edict summoning troops from Yong and Liang to join in the hunt. I would lead a force to Jianmen to cut off their return, and then their grain line will collapse and their ranks will panic. In that moment strike again, and they can be annihilated.” Sima Yi accepted.

The edict was sent in one night. In no time, Senior General Sun Li arrived with men from several commanderies. Sima Yi then ordered Sun Li to rendezvous with Guo Huai and strike Jianmen.

Kongming had held against Lu City for a long time and saw no new Wei troops in open battle. He called Ma Dai and Jiang Wei back into the city and said, “Now the Wei troops hold the mountain passes and refuse to meet us. First, they mean to exhaust our grain, and second, they have sent men to Jianmen to cut our supply road. You two lead ten thousand each and take these key positions. When the Wei troops perceive this, they will naturally withdraw.”

As they marched, Chief Clerk Yang Yi entered the tent and said, “The Chancellor ordered every one-hundred-day exchange of main troops. The period is now complete. Hanzhong troops have come out at Chukou. The orders for reassembly have arrived; only the troop exchange remains. There are now eighty thousand men, with forty thousand remaining. The next forty thousand are due to rotate in.” Kongming said, “If that order has already been issued, act at once.”

The entire army heard this and began to pack for departure. Word then came that Sun Li was bringing twenty thousand cavalry and troops from Yong and Liang to aid the attack on Jianmen and that Sima Yi was coming himself from the rear to assault Lu City. The Shu army was struck with astonishment and fear. Yang Yi entered and reported to Kongming, “The Wei troops are coming quickly. It would be better if the retiring units stay behind to block them and then the new troops can take their place.” Kongming said, “No.”

“My campaigns rely first on trust, and that is my doctrine. If there is an order first and I then break it, what is my word worth? Every man slated to leave would like to return home to his parents, wife, and children who wait by the gate. But now there is a grave danger, and I will not keep him back.” He then gave the order to the departing contingents to depart that same day.

When the soldiers heard him, they cried out in unison, “The Chancellor shows such grace; we cannot retreat now. We are ready to give our lives and cut down Wei to repay him!” Kongming said, “Your duty is to return home. How can you stay here again?” Yet all said they wanted battle and refused to retreat.

Kongming said, “If you want to fight with me, go out and pitch camp and wait. When the Wei troops arrive, do not wait for them to recover breath. Attack at once. This is the method of waiting with advantage.” The soldiers took command and set out in gladness, forming ranks and waiting.

Meanwhile, the troops from Xiliang arrived at speed, tired from the forced pace. As they had just wished to camp and rest, the Shu army surged forward in one crash. Every soldier rallied, and the front ranks fought with vigor. The forces from Yong and Liang could not stand against it and fell back. The Shu soldiers pursued fiercely and cut them down until their dead lay thick across the field and blood ran in channels.

Kongming came out of the city and gathered his victorious men, then returned inside to reward them. A letter from Li Yan arrived from Yong’an in urgency.

“I have recently heard that agents from Eastern Wu have entered Luoyang and made peace with Wei. Wei has asked Wu to serve in Shu’s place; fortunately Wu has not yet taken up arms. I have heard this through scouts and trust this reaches the Chancellor.”

Kongming read it with great alarm. He gathered the commanders and said, “If Eastern Wu rises and invades Shu, I must return at once.” He ordered the Qishan main camp to retreat toward Xichuan: “Now that Sima Yi knows our camp here, he will not dare to pursue.” So Wang Ping, Zhang Ni, Wu Ban, and Wu Yi divided into two routes and slowly retired westward into Xichuan.

When Zhang He saw the Shu army retreating, he feared there was another scheme and did not dare pursue. He approached Sima Yi and asked, “The Shu army is withdrawing. Who can tell its meaning?” Sima Yi said, “Kongming has many guileful stratagems and must not be moved against lightly. Better to hold fast and wait. He will run out of grain in time and go away.” Wei commander Wei Ping said, “The Shu army is leaving Qishan’s camp. This is exactly the moment to pursue with advantage. If the Commander-in-Chief refuses to move, he flees in fear like a tiger, and all under heaven will laugh.” Sima Yi still held firm.

Kongming, knowing his Qishan troops had withdrawn, called Ma Zhong and Yang Yi into audience and gave a secret plan. He ordered them to lead ten thousand crossbowmen to the Wooden Gate route and prepare ambushes on both sides. If Wei forces pursued to that place, they were to wait for a cannon signal, then quickly roll down wood and stones to block the path and shoot from both ends. The two men departed.

He also ordered Wei Yan and Guan Xing to screen the rear. The city raised banners at all four corners, stacked brushwood messily within, and let smoke rise as if preparations were lax. He sent most of the army toward the Wooden Gate path.

A patrol from the Wei camp reported to Sima Yi, “The Shu force withdrew as a large body, but we do not know how many remain within the city.” Sima Yi rode there and saw banners flying on the ramparts and smoke rising from within, so he laughed, “This is an empty city.” He sent scouts; it was indeed empty. He rejoiced and said, “Kongming has gone. Who dare to pursue?”

Vanguard commander Zhang He said, “I would go.” Sima Yi tried to restrain him: “Your nature is rash; you should not.” Zhang He said, “When the Commander-in-Chief went out through the passes, he appointed me vanguard. This is today’s chance for merit, and yet you leave me idle?” Sima Yi said, “Where the Shu withdrew, there will be ambush in the rough ground. One must be cautious before pursuit.” Zhang He said, “I already understand; do not worry.” Sima Yi answered, “If you insist on going, take five thousand first.”

“Yet send Wei Ping with twenty thousand horse and infantry behind, and I myself will bring three thousand to support.”

Zhang He accepted the command and pursued quickly. After thirty li, a cry from the rear sounded like thunder and a force burst from the trees. At its head rode a commander with a broad sword, who cried, “Where are you leading the troops, traitor?” Zhang He turned, and it was Wei Yan. Zhang He was enraged and reined in to meet him. In less than ten exchanges, Wei Yan feigned a rout and fled.

Zhang He chased him thirty more li, then reined back to look around—no ambush. He then turned forward again. As they came over a slope, a shout rose again and another force appeared from the edge of trees, again with a senior commander at its head. It was Guan Xing, who drew his great horse and cried, “Zhang He, do not run! I stand here!” Zhang He reined in and fought him. In less than ten exchanges, Guan Xing wheeled around and withdrew. Zhang He pursued.

They raced into thick woodland. Zhang He, uneasy, sent scouts in all directions; no ambush was found. Assured again, he pursued on. Again Wei Yan appeared ahead. Again they fought more than ten rounds. Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled. Zhang He came in furious anger again, and once more Guan Xing intercepted him.

Zhang He’s anger rose still higher. He spurred into direct collision. They fought ten times; the Shu dropped armor, helmets, and other gear along the road, filling it thickly. Wei troops dismounted and fought for the pieces.

Wei Yan and Guan Xing alternated the combat while Zhang He chased them with mounting fury. As darkness deepened, they reached the gate of the Wooden Door Pass. Wei Yan snapped his horse around and shouted:

“Zhang He, traitor! I need not stand with you! You have chased me only this far. Now I will finish this and meet you in single combat!”

Zhang He was deeply angry, threw his spear and drove his horse straight at Wei Yan. Wei Yan answered with his blade. They met again for fewer than ten exchanges. Wei Yan was badly beaten, and he abandoned his armor, helmet, and even his horse, withdrawing in retreat toward the Wooden Gate. Zhang He, bloodly determined, spurred after him again.

By then it was dark. A cannonblast sounded. Fire leapt from the hilltop. Great stones and burning timber rolled down and blocked the way. “I have been tricked!” Zhang He cried. He wheeled his horse back, only to find his rear already packed with wood and rock and only one strip of open ground between cliffs. He had no room to advance or retreat.

At that moment a clapper sounded, and on both sides ten thousand crossbows fired together, striking down Zhang He and over a hundred officers in the pass.

伏弩齊飛萬點星，木門道上射雄兵。\ 至今劍閣行人過，猶說軍師舊日名。

When this poem is translated:

Bolts from crossbows flew in myriads, like ten thousand stars. On the Wooden Gate road, a host of heroes was shot down. Even to this day, travelers through Jianmen still speak of the Master’s former name.

Zhang He had fallen. The Wei troops came up behind and seeing the road blocked, understood he had been tricked. They drew rein and withdrew hurriedly. From the heights came a great cry: “Chancellor Zhuge is here!” The whole army looked upward. Kongming stood amid torchlight and pointed to the soldiers and said, “Today I set out to hunt one horse, but I accidentally shot a roe deer instead. Go safely, each of you, and report to Zhongda that sooner or later he will surely be captured by me.”

The Wei soldiers went back to report to Sima Yi. He was deeply grief-stricken. He lifted his face to the sky and sighed, “Zhang He, loyal and upright, has died by my fault.” He gathered the army and withdrew to Luoyang.

When Cao Rui heard of Zhang He’s death, he sent tears and sighed deeply, ordering that Zhang He’s body be retrieved and buried with honors.

Kongming returned to Hanzhong and prepared to go to Chengdu to see the Son of Heaven. The imperial guard Li Yan submitted an advance report saying, “My lord, I have prepared grain and it is now about to be carried to the Chancellor’s front. I do not know why the Chancellor suddenly returned.” The Son of Heaven, on hearing this, ordered the Chancellor of the Masters of Writing, Fei Yi, to go to Hanzhong and ask the reason for the retirement. Fei Yi went and conveyed the Son of Heaven’s intent. Kongming was alarmed and said, “Li Yan sent this urgent message saying Eastern Wu would raise troops against Shu, and thus I returned.” Fei Yi replied, “Li Yan’s report said the grain was ready; the Chancellor has withdrawn without cause, so Your Majesty sent me only to ask why.”

Kongming was furious. He investigated. He found Li Yan had feared punishment for failure in grain supply and therefore fabricated the message to recall the Chancellor, then made a false report to the emperor to hide his fault. Kongming said, “A common man, for his own sake, has neglected the state’s great affairs!” He summoned him for execution.

Fei Yi pleaded, “The Chancellor should remember the late emperor’s entrustment and forgive him for now.” Kongming agreed. Fei Yi drafted a memorial for the emperor. The Son of Heaven read it and was furious, shouted to the guards to bring out Li Yan and execute him. Participating colonel Jiang Wan then presented his official objection: “Li Yan was entrusted as a minister to raise and protect the state by the late emperor. I beg Your Majesty for clemency.” The Son of Heaven granted the plea, reducing him to a commoner and exiling him to the remote parts of Zitong Commandery.

Kongming returned to Chengdu and made Li Feng, Li Yan’s son, his chief clerk. He stacked grass and stored grain, drilled formations, taught military arts, repaired arms, and cared for the soldiers. For three years he remained before another campaign. The people and soldiers of both Sichuan and Hanzhong all relied on his benevolence.

Seasons passed unheeded; three years vanished. In the spring, second month of the twelfth year of Jianxing, Kongming came to court and said, “For three years I have nursed and preserved the army. Grain is ample, weapons are complete, men and horses are strong. We can attack Wei. If this time I do not clear away treacherous ministers and recover the Central Plains, I will not dare to see Your Majesty again.”

The Son of Heaven said, “The realm now stands as three equal powers, and neither Wu nor Wei has raided us. Why should Your Lordship not enjoy peace?”

Kongming replied, “I received the late emperor’s favor; in sleep and in waking I have never ceased devising ways to campaign against Wei. To exert my strength and complete loyal duty by winning back the Central Plains and restoring Han is my sole wish.” He had not finished speaking when a man from the ranks stepped out: “The Chancellor should not raise troops.” The company saw him: he was Qiao Zhou.

The chapter ended with this couplet:

The Martial Duke has worn himself out through all he has done, only to worry for the realm. The court astronomer sees the moment and reads Heaven again. What counsel Qiao Zhou now offers, we do not yet know.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.