Wenyang rides alone against the host, and Jiang Wei lines his force with its back to the river and shatters the great enemy.

Yet in the second year of Zhengyuan, in the first month, Guanquiu Jian, courtesy name Zhonggong, a native of Wenxi in Henan, was Governor of Yang Province and Commander Who Guards the East, with command over the Huainan army and cavalry. When he heard that Sima Shi had usurped the authority to depose and enthrone, his heart burned with anger. His eldest son, Guanquiu Dian, said: “You hold the command in this region, Sima Shi has monopolized power and deposed the ruler; the state is in a dangerously brittle state. How can we sit idle in comfort?” Jian said, “My son speaks truly.” So he invited Governor Wen Qin to consult. Wen Qin had once been under Cao Shuang. On hearing that Jian invited him, he came at once to pay his visit. Jian brought him into the rear hall, and after the formalities were finished, as they spoke, Jian could not stop crying. Wen Qin asked the reason. Jian said, “Sima Shi acts on his own authority to depose and enthrone; can heaven and earth truly turn so, and not break my heart?” Wen Qin said, “If the Commander Who Guards the East is willing to act righteously and suppress the rebels, I am ready to give my life in support. My younger son, Wen Shu, called Ayang, has courage beyond ten thousand men and often wishes to kill Sima Shi and his brothers to avenge Cao Shuang. He may be used as the vanguard now.” Jian rejoiced and they swore an oath immediately by libation. The two then claimed that the Empress Dowager had issued a secret edict and ordered all Huainan officers and soldiers, both major and minor, to enter Shouchun and set up an altar in the west quarter. They slaughtered a white horse and drank blood in oath, and announced: Sima Shi had committed cruel and outrageous disorder. “Now, in obedience to the Empress Dowager’s secret decree, let all Huainan forces rise and punish the traitors in loyalty.” The troops all assented. Jian raised sixty thousand troops and stationed them at Xiangcheng. Wen Qin led twenty thousand troops as a roaming support force outside to coordinate. Jian sent summonses to the commanderies, ordering each to raise troops in support.

Yet now Sima Shi’s left eye was diseased, with painful swelling and itching. He ordered the physicians to cut it out and seal it with medicine, and he stayed in his office pavilion, nursing the wound for several days. Suddenly, news arrived that Huainan had raised the alarm. He called Grand Commandant Wang Su to consult. Wang Su said, “In earlier times, when Guan Yu’s might shook all beneath heaven, Sun Quan sent Lü Meng to take Jing Province and then tended the soldiers’ families. In that way, Guan’s troops collapsed. Now, the families of the Huainan soldiers all reside in the Central Plains. If we comfort them quickly and cut off their lines of return, their army will inevitably collapse.” Shi said, “Your words are exactly right. But I have only just had this eye tumor removed, and I cannot go on my own. If another goes, my heart will still be unsettled.” At his side, Secretary of the Secretariat Zhong Hui spoke up: “The Huai-Chu armies are strong and their edge is sharp. If another is sent to lead and retreat them, the result is mostly disadvantage. If one moment of slackness is allowed, the whole matter fails.” Shi stood suddenly and said, “If I do not go, I cannot break this treason.” He left his brother Sima Zhao behind in Luoyang to oversee the affairs of court. Sima Shi then took up a padded litter and, though unwell, rode east. He ordered the Commander Who Guards the East, Zhuge Dan, to supervise all Yu Province armies and advance from Anfeng Ford toward Shouchun. He ordered the General Who Conquers the East, Hu Zun, to command Qingzhou troops, advance through Qiaosong lands, and cut off their road of retreat. He also dispatched Yu Province Inspector Wang Ji, commanding the advanced battalion, to seize Zhennan first. Shi stationed his large army at Xiangyang and gathered civil and military officials in the camp for consultation.

Guanglu Xun Zheng Bao said, “Guanqiu Jian is good at plotting but lacks decisiveness; Wen Qin has valor but no wisdom. Now the large force is moving against him unexpectedly. Jiang and Huai foot soldiers are at their fiercest, and they should not be fought lightly. We should dig a deep ditch and raise high stockades to blunt that vigor. This is exactly General Yue’s strength of counsel.” Monitor Wang Ji said, “No. Huainan’s revolt is not the spontaneous unrest of soldier and commoner. It is all because they were forced by Guanquiu Jian’s power, and obeyed unwillingly. If the main force appears, they will surely crumble.” Shi said, “That is subtle counsel.” He then moved his force to the Yin River, setting the central camp at Yin Bridge. Wang Ji said, “Nanton is excellent ground to camp. You can seize it by night if you act quickly; if you delay, Guanquiu Jian will arrive first.” So Shi ordered Wang Ji to lead the vanguard down and encamp beneath Nanton city.

Now in Xiangcheng, Guanquiu Jian heard Sima Shi had already come and assembled his followers. Vanguard Ge Yong said, “Nanton is excellent: close to mountain and river, superb for camp. If Wei troops occupy it first, it will be hard to drive them out. Better seize it quickly.” Jian followed his suggestion and raised the troops to march on Nanton. As they were on the move, an outpost horseman from ahead reported that camp had already been established below Nanton. Jian did not trust the report at first; he went forward to inspect. As expected, banners filled the fields and the camp had been laid in ordered lines. When he returned to camp, he had no plan to respond. Just then a scout rider reported in breathless speed: “Commander Sun Jun of Eastern Wu has raised troops and crossed the river; he is attacking Shouchun.” Jian was greatly alarmed: “If Shouchun is lost, where can I return?” That night he withdrew his forces to Xiangcheng. When Sima Shi saw Guanquiu Jian’s troops withdraw, he gathered many officials for a meeting. The Imperial Clerk Fu Gu said, “Jian has withdrawn because he fears an attack by Wu. He will surely turn back to Xiangcheng and split his men to defend. The general should send one army to capture Lejia City, one to take Xiangcheng, and one to seize Shouchun. Then Huainan’s soldiers will all retreat. Deng Ai, Governor of Yanzhou, is quick-minded and talented. If he takes Lejia with force while we send heavy troops with him, defeating these rebels will not be difficult.” Shi approved and sent out envoys with orders: Deng Ai was to raise Yanzhou soldiers and take Lejia City; Shi would follow with his force to join him.

Still in Xiangcheng, Guanquiu Jian again sent riders to scout Lejia, fearing reinforcements. He asked Wen Qin to come to camp for counsel. Wen Qin said, “Commander, worry not. I and my rough son Wen Yang need only five thousand men to hold Lejia.” Jian rejoiced. Wen Qin and his son brought five thousand men to Lejia. The front troops reported: “To the west of Lejia City are all Wei troops, about ten thousand and more. From afar, I can see the central camp: white-horse banners and yellow battle-axes, black canopies and vermilion pennants, crowded around tiger tents. In the middle is a blackened lacquered officer banner with the commander’s title; this must be Sima Shi. The camp has not yet been completely set up.” Wen Yang, whip in hand, stood beside his father. Hearing this he said, “Since their camp is not complete, we can split into two, strike from both sides, and surely win completely.” Wen Qin asked, “When should we go?” Wen Yang said, “This evening at dusk, father should lead two thousand five hundred by the south gate and strike in. I will lead two thousand five hundred from the north gate. At the third watch we should meet in the Wei camp.” Wen Qin obeyed, and that night divided the army in two. Wen Yang, only eighteen, stood eight chi tall. He wore full scale armor, had a steel whip at his waist, and a long spear in hand as he rode out, gazing toward the Wei camp.

That night, Sima Shi’s army arrived at Lejia, set camp, and waited for Deng Ai’s arrival. The wound in his left eye still burned from the operation. He lay in his tent while a few hundred armored men stood in a ring around him. At the third watch, a roar of shouting shook the camp; horse and men were thrown into uproar. Sima Shi asked what it was. One soldier reported, “A force has cut straight through the northern enclosure and entered; at its head is one commander, impossible for any to match.” Sima Shi was startled. His heart flared like flame. His eyeball burst from the wound and blood poured onto the ground; the pain was unbearable. Fearing that he would shake the army’s morale, he bit down on the head of his blanket and endured, tearing it to shreds. It was then that Wen Yang’s horsemen reached first. They surged forward in one rush. Through the Wei camp they charged and countercharged; wherever they arrived, no one dared to meet them. Wherever resistance appeared, spear-stabs and whip blows fell, and none survived. Wen Yang could see only for his father and thought he had come from outside to answer him, but he saw none. After several assaults on the center, each time the men were driven back by bow and crossbow fire. Wen Yang kept fighting all the way until dawn, when he heard drums and horns raging from the north. Wen Yang looked back at the men with him and said, “Father is not here to aid from the south. He has instead come from the north; why is this?” He checked the horse’s pace and saw a force running forward like a wild wind; at its head was Deng Ai. Deng Ai leapt from his horse and, sword in hand, cried out, “Turning rebels, do not run!” Wen Yang was furious and drove forward with raised spear. They fought for fifty rounds with no clear outcome. Mid-fight, Wei troops advanced in great numbers, pressing from front and rear. Wen Yang’s followers fled in all directions; he alone remained mounted, cutting through the Wei troops and riding south. A few hundred Wei commanders gathered spirit and chased him hard. Just as they reached the Lejia bridge and nearly overtook him, Wen Yang suddenly reined back sharply, shouted once, and drove straight into the Wei commanders’ ranks. Where his steel whip rose, men dropped from their mounts, then withdrew in panic. Wen Yang resumed riding slowly onward. Wei commanders grouped in one place and said, astonished, “How can this man still dare to split us in this way?” “Let us combine and pursue him all together!” So a hundred Wei commanders came in to chase him again. Wen Yang was ablaze with anger: “How can these rat-like men not spend a life to the end?” He flicked his whip, wheeled the horse, and plunged again into the command group, striking down several with the whip; then he returned to a slower pace and continued riding. Wei commanders chased four or five times, and each time were beaten back by the lone man. A later poet wrote:

Wen Yang had once alone met Cao at Changban; From then onward Zilong displayed his bold magnificence. Where the battle roared in Lejia City’s heart, There one again saw Wen Yang’s bold courage.

Wen Qin, by this time, had been thrown by the rough mountain road and had strayed into a valley. He wandered for half the night, and when he found a way out it was already dawn. Still, Wen Yang’s mounted troop and its direction could no longer be seen. Wei troops were winning in force, and Wen Qin withdrew without fighting. Wei forces pressed hard and Wen Qin drew his men toward Shouchun.

Now Wei Palace Captain Yin Damu, who had been a close man of Cao Shuang, was present in the palace court. Sima Shi had inherited a heart to kill for Shuang’s death and had long wished vengeance, and he had been intimate with Wen Qin. Seeing Sima Shi now helpless with his eye tumor exposed and no ability to move, he entered the camp and said, “Wen Qin had no intention to rebel. He was forced by Guanquiu Jian into this condition. If I go and speak, he will surely come in to surrender.” Sima Shi agreed. Yin Damu donned helmet and full armor, mounted, and rode after Wen Qin. As he closed in, he cried, “Does Governor Wen Qin know Yin Damu?” Wen Qin turned and looked. Damu removed his helmet and set it in front of the saddle, then pointed with his whip and said, “Governor Wen Qin, why could you not endure only a few more days?” This was because Damu already knew Sima Shi would soon die and so had come to keep Wen Qin. Wen Qin did not understand the intention, and in rage shouted abuse and moved to draw his bow. Yin Damu wept and turned back. While Wen Qin was gathering men to charge toward Shouchun, it had already been taken by troops brought by Zhuge Dan. When he returned to Xiangcheng, troops under Hu Zun, Wang Ji, and Deng Ai had all arrived from three directions. Seeing his situation turn desperate, he defected and left for Sun Jun of Eastern Wu.

Now in Xiangcheng, Guanquiu Jian heard Shouchun had already been lost, Wen Qin’s cause broken, and three-way Wei troops had come to the walls. He ordered all troops in the city to come out and fight. He met Deng Ai on the field. Guanquiu Jian sent Ge Yong first. The two engaged, and did not stand long. Deng Ai cut him down with one stroke and drove his men through the lines. Guanqiu Jian still resisted to the end. The Jiang-Huai troops were thrown into great disorder. Hu Zun and Wang Ji brought their forces to a four-sided squeeze. Unable to withstand, Guanquiu Jian fought his way out with no less than ten riders. When they reached below Shencounty, the county magistrate Song Bai opened the gate and received him. He had seats prepared. Jian was deeply drunk, and Song Bai had him killed. The Wei army received his severed head. Thus Huainan was pacified.

Sima Shi still lay too ill to rise. He summoned Zhuge Dan into the tent, bestowed seal and emblems, and made him Great General Who Conquers the East and Chief Commander of all armies and forces of Yang Province. At the same time he ordered a return to Xuchang. His eye pain did not cease; each night he saw only Li Feng, Zhang Ji, and Xiahou Xuan standing by his bed. His spirit wavered and he believed he could not survive. He ordered men to bring Sima Zhao from Luoyang. Sima Zhao arrived and knelt, crying, at the foot of the bed. Sima Shi’s parting words were, “I now hold heavy authority. Though I would like to set my shoulders free, I cannot. You inherit this charge for me and do not entrust this great affair to another, lest he bring ruin to the clan.” He finished speaking and handed over the seal and insignia, eyes brimming with tears. As Sima Zhao was about to ask a question, Sima Shi cried out once; his eye burst from the growth and he died. It was the second month of the second year of Zhengyuan. So Sima Zhao carried the body home and reported to Emperor Cao Mao. Cao Mao sent an envoy with an imperial decree to Xuchang and ordered Sima Zhao temporarily to remain there with his army to guard against Eastern Wu. Sima Zhao still hesitated. Zhong Hui said, “The Great General has only just died, and the people’s hearts are not yet steady. If the commander stays here and the court is thrown into tumult, there will be no way to remedy it.” Sima Zhao followed this advice and raised troops, returning to camp south of the Luo River. When Cao Mao heard of this he was greatly startled. Grand Commandant Wang Su submitted, “Since Sima Zhao has inherited his brother’s command of great authority, Your Majesty should confer rank upon him for stability.” So Cao Mao sent Wang Su with an edict, granting Sima Zhao the title of Great General and recording the affairs of the Privy Council. Sima Zhao entered court and offered thanks upon completion of the ceremony. From then on, all important matters inside and outside the realm were entrusted to him.

Meanwhile secret informants from Western Shu reported the matter in Chengdu. Jiang Wei then addressed the Later Lord: “Sima Shi has just died. Sima Zhao has only just taken heavy authority and cannot in reality leave Luoyang on his own. I request permission to strike Wei now and recover the Central Plains.” The Later Lord agreed, and sent Jiang Wei to raise the army and campaign against Wei. When Jiang Wei reached Hanzhong, he put the troops in order. Great General Who Conquers the West Zhang Yi said, “Shu’s territory is narrow and poor in grain, unsuited for distant campaigns. Better to hold defensible positions and preserve both soldiers and people. That is the way to protect the state.” Jiang Wei said, “No. Before the Chancellor left his thatched cottage, he had already fixed the realm into three parts and planned six advances against Qishan. Yet he died midway and his achievements were left unfinished. Now I have received his posthumous charge. I must be loyal and faithful and continue his will, even if I die without regret. Wei now has a weakness we can use. If we do not strike now, what other time should we wait for?” Xiahou Ba said, “The general speaks truly. Send light cavalry ahead through Fuhan. If we secure the lands west of Tao and Nanan, all commanderies can be settled.” Zhang Yi said, “The earlier failure to return was because the march was so slow. The art of war says, ‘Attack where there is no readiness; strike where there is no anticipation.’ If we move at once and make Wei unable to prepare defenses, we must win completely.”

So Jiang Wei led fifty thousand men out toward Fuhan. When his army reached the Tao River, the frontier troops reported that Wang Jing, Inspector of Yongzhou, and General Who Conquers the West Chen Tai had arrived. Wang Jing had already called out seventy thousand horse and foot and come to meet him. Jiang Wei gave instructions to Zhang Yi and Xiahou Ba; they understood and took their commands. He then personally arranged his main army in rank with its back to the Tao River. Wang Jing sent out the four commanders Zhang Ming, Hua Yong, Liu Da, and Zhu Fang. He said, “Wei, Wu, and Shu have become a three-pronged order now. Why do you repeatedly raid us?” Jiang Wei replied, “Sima Shi overthrew his ruler without cause. A neighboring state may ask for justice, and what need of enmity then? Even more, this is an enemy to be answered.” Wang Jing looked back at the four and said, “Shu troops are formed with their backs to water; if they fail, they perish in the water. Jiang Wei is courageous and bold. You four can engage him. If he moves to withdraw, pursue.” The four men split left and right and came out to battle. Jiang Wei fought a few exchanges and then wheeled his horse back toward his own camp and withdrew. Wang Jing pressed horse and men hard and came on in one rush. Jiang Wei drew his troops toward Tao West and ran. When he neared the water, he shouted to his soldiers, “The situation is urgent. How much more effort can be mustered?” All commanders rushed back with all their strength, and Wei troops were greatly defeated. Zhang Yi and Xiahou Ba chased behind the Wei army on both flanks, splitting into two, and trapped the enemy in an enclosed killing ground. Jiang Wei roared with force, drove his men into the Wei center, and charged left and right; Wei troops became disordered and trampled one another. Most of them died. Vast numbers were driven into the Tao River. More than ten thousand heads were cut down, and the piled corpses stretched for miles. Wang Jing took one hundred horse of the broken force and broke out with desperate vigor, fleeing straight to Didao City and entering behind closed gates. Jiang Wei achieved full success. After he finished rewarding his troops, he prepared to march on Didao City. Zhang Yi remonstrated, “Your achievements are complete. Your reputation has become formidable enough; you may stop now. If we go farther and the result is not good, it would be adding snake feet.” Jiang Wei said, “No. After a defeat in Wei ranks one may still seek advance and crossing. In today’s battle on the Tao River Wei itself was shocked through and through. I think Didao is now within easy grasp. Do not let your spirit sink.” Zhang Yi urged him again and again; Jiang Wei would not yield and ordered the troops to move on for Didao City.

Now Chen Tai, General Who Conquers the West of Yongzhou, had intended to raise troops and avenge Wang Jing’s defeat when Deng Ai arrived leading Yanzhou troops. He received him and the forms were completed. Deng Ai said, “Now under the Grand General’s command I have come only to aid you and destroy the enemy.” Chen Tai asked him for strategy. Deng Ai replied, “Your victory at Tao River could become dangerous if we recruit Qiang masses and then rush east to seize Guanzhong and send edicts across four commanderies. Wei’s troops are not thinking in that way now; they are focusing on Didao City. Its walls are thick and strong and hard to take; it will only waste men and energy. Now I will deploy at Xiangling. Then I will advance against Didao and the Shu force must lose.” Chen Tai said, “This is an excellent analysis.” He first sent out twenty companies, each fifty men, all with banners, horns, and beacon fires. By day they lay hidden, by night they moved. They ambushed in the deep ravines and high ground southeast of Didao City. As soon as the enemy came they were to sound drums and horns together and by night raise fires and shoot cannon to strike panic. When all arrangements were set, he waited for the Shu army to arrive. Chen Tai and Deng Ai then each led twenty thousand troops and advanced in sequence.

Jiang Wei had besieged Didao and ordered eight-direction attacks, but after several days without success he was troubled with no plan. That dusk, there were three reports from the horsemen of flowing stars: “Two bodies of troops are coming, each with bold banners. One is General Who Conquers the West Chen Tai, and one is Governor of Yanzhou Deng Ai.” Jiang Wei was startled and consulted with Xiahou Ba. Xiahou Ba said, “I told the general before: Deng Ai has from childhood understood the art of war and knows geography well. Now that he has arrived with his army, he is a strong enemy.” Jiang Wei said, “Their force has come so far. If we do not let him take a stand, we can strike now.” He left Zhang Yi to continue the siege and ordered Xiahou Ba to bring men to meet Chen Tai. Jiang Wei drew his own force to face Deng Ai. When he had not gone five li, a cannon sounded from the southeast, drums split the earth, and fire blazed into the sky. Jiang Wei wheeled and looked: all around, Wei banners filled the field. He was startled and said, “We are caught in Deng Ai’s scheme!” He sent orders for Xiahou Ba and Zhang Yi each to leave Didao and retreat. Thus all Shu troops withdrew to Hanzhong. Jiang Wei covered the rear, and only then heard drums still booming behind him. By the time he withdrew through Jian Ge Pass, he knew that all those twenty-odd fires and drums were mere ruses. Jiang Wei drew up and withdrew to camp at Zhongdi.

After this, the Later Lord, because Jiang Wei had achieved success at the west of Tao, issued an edict and conferred the title of Great General upon him. Jiang Wei accepted the appointment, sent an memorial of thanks, and then discussed again the campaign plan against Wei.

Success needs no added serpent-foot embellishment. In chastising rebels, one still seeks to unleash tiger-strength. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.