Zhong Hui divides the forces along the roads to Hanzhong. Zhuge the Master makes His holy virtue manifest at Dingjun Mountain.

Yet Sima Zhao said to the western bureau clerk Shao Ti, “All court officials say that Shu is not yet ready to be attacked; that is because their hearts are timid. If they were to force a hard battle, it would be the way of defeat. Now Zhong Hui alone has proposed an expedition against Shu. His heart does not tremble. A heart that does not tremble means Shu will surely fall. Once Shu is broken, its people’s hearts and courage will be ripped open. ‘A defeated commander should not speak of courage; a minister of a doomed state cannot seek to save himself.’ Zhong Hui has a different purpose in mind; how could the people of Shu help him then? As for Wei soldiers who have won and long to return home, they will not follow Zhong Hui in betrayal. You and I have no need to worry about that. Keep this between us and do not let it leak out.” Shao Ti bowed in assent.

After Zhong Hui had finished setting up his camp, he ascended the command pavilion and gathered all the generals for orders. Among the officers present were military supervisor Wei Guan, escort general Hu Lie, and, among more than eighty in all, the senior generals Tian Xu, Pang Hui, Tian Zhang, Yuanxun, Qiu Jian, Xiahou Xian, Wang Jia, Huangfu Kai, Ju An, and others. Zhong Hui said, “There must be one senior general to act as vanguard. Who dares to do it?” One man answered at once: “I offer to go.” Zhong Hui looked at him and saw that it was Xu Yi, son of the famous warrior Xu Chu. All said at once, “No one but this man can be vanguard.” Zhong Hui called him and said, “You are Xu Yi, whose strength is like a tiger’s and whose arms are like those of an ape; your father and mother are both known for their merit to the court. All the other generals are protecting you as well. Hang the vanguard seal and take five thousand cavalry and one thousand foot soldiers, driving straight for Hanzhong. I divide the force into three routes: you lead the center through Xie Valley, the left army through Luo Valley, and the right army through Ziwu Valley. These are all rugged, rough, and steep places. Have the troops fill and level the roads, repair the bridges, hew through the mountains, and break rock for passage, so there is no obstruction. If this is disobeyed, enforce the laws of war.” Xu Yi accepted the charge and led the troops forward. Zhong Hui followed with more than one hundred thousand men, and by night he set out.

Deng Ai was in Longxi. As soon as he had received the order to campaign against Shu, he first sent Sima Wang to block the Qiang. He also dispatched Yongzhou Inspector Zhuge Xu, Tianshui Administrator Wang Qi, Longxi Administrator Qian Hong, and Jincheng Administrator Yang Xin, each bringing their own local troops to receive instructions. As the troops and horses gathered in number, Deng Ai had a dream in the middle of the night. He saw himself climbing a high mountain and looking toward Hanzhong when suddenly a spring burst from under his feet and surged upward. He woke in shock, drenched in sweat, and sat awake until dawn. He then called his bodyguard Shao Huan and asked him what it meant. Shao Huan, who understood the Yijing well, listened as Ai explained the dream. Huan replied, “The text says, ‘Where water appears on a mountain, it is the hexagram Jian. Jian means one prospers in advancing to the southwest and does not profit in advancing to the northeast; its way there is exhausted.’ Master Kongming also says, ‘Jian gains by advancing to the southwest; it wins by advancing and does not prosper in advancing to the northeast, where its road comes to an end.’ Your expedition will surely conquer Shu. Only this: your progress is blocked and you may not return.” Deng Ai heard this and became uneasy. Then Zhong Hui’s summons arrived, commanding him to raise troops and move on Hanzhong. Ai therefore ordered Guo Shu’s subordinate Yongzhou Cishi Zhuge Xu to lead fifteen thousand troops to cut off Jiang Wei’s line of return first. Next, he sent Wang Qi, Tianshui Administrator, with fifteen thousand to attack from the left toward Dazhong. Qian Hong, Longxi Administrator, with fifteen thousand came from the right toward Dazhong. He also sent Yang Xin, Jincheng Administrator, with fifteen thousand to intercept Jiang Wei from behind at Gansong. Ai himself brought thirty thousand to move back and forth in support.

When Zhong Hui took the field, all the officials saw him out of the city gates: banners blotted out the sun, and armor flashed like frost. Men were strong, horses massive. His air and demeanor made everyone tremble with envy, except Liu Shi, Assistant to the Chancellor, who gave no reply and only smiled faintly. Grand Commandant Wang Xiang saw this and, while mounted, took him by the hand and asked, “With Zhong and Deng setting out together, will Shu surely be pacified?” Xiang Shi said, “Shu will certainly fall. I only fear they may not all return to the capital.” Wang Xiang asked why, and Liu Shi smiled without answering. Xiang did not ask again.

Wei soldiers had already marched out when spies got to Dazhong and reported it to Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei immediately submitted a memorial to the Later Lord, pleading for an edict and dispatching Left General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Yi to hold Yangping Pass and Right General of Chariots and Cavalry Liao Hua to defend the bridge at Yinping, saying, “These two are the most crucial points. If we lose them, Hanzhong cannot be secured.” He added that at the same time envoys should be sent to Wu to request aid, while he raised troops from Dazhong to meet the enemy.

In that year Liu Shan changed the era name from Jǐngyào Five to Yánxīng First. Day after day he was in the palace with the eunuch Huang Hao, sports and delighting in pleasure. When Jiang Wei’s memorial arrived, he summoned Huang Hao and asked, “Now that Wei has raised both Zhong Hui and Deng Ai and has split its armies to come by several routes, what should we do?” Huang Hao answered, “This is only Jiang Wei seeking merit and fame, and he put up this memorial for that reason. Your Majesty, calm your heart and do not become suspicious. I have heard there is a shrine maid in the city who serves a spirit and can tell fortune. Bring her in.” The Later Lord followed his advice. In the rear hall he arranged incense, flowers, paper and candles, and made offerings. He ordered Huang Hao to bring her in a small carriage to the palace and seat her on the Dragon Bed. After the emperor burned incense and finished the rites, the shrine maid burst into the hall with hair down and bare feet, dancing dozens of times across the platform. Huang Hao declared, “The spirit man has descended. Your Majesty may dismiss everyone but your closest attendants and pray directly.”

The emperor withdrew all court officials and bowed in prayer again. The shrine maid cried out, “I am the earth spirit of the western lands. Your Majesty delights in peace; why do you seek out other omens? After several years, Wei’s lands will also return to your rule. Do not worry.” As she finished speaking, she collapsed to the ground unconscious. After some time she revived. The Later Lord rejoiced and rewarded her lavishly. From then on he believed her words completely, and he no longer listened to Jiang Wei’s repeated warnings. He spent each day only in drinking and celebration within the palace. Jiang Wei submitted many urgent memorials, all hidden by Huang Hao, and the great matter was thereby lost.

Zhong Hui’s army moved onward toward Hanzhong in a spreading line. The vanguard under Xu Yi, determined to win first blood, marched to Nanzheng Pass first. Xu Yi told his subordinates, “Once we pass this gate, we are in Hanzhong. There are not many troops here on the gate, so we can charge it with all our strength.” The officers took their orders, and all pressed forward together.

In fact, the Shu commander guarding the gate, Lu Xun, had known that Wei soldiers would be coming. Before the wooden bridge at the gate he had hidden troops on both sides and mounted ten-arrow crossbow mechanisms left by Master Kongmingming. When Xu Yi’s men came charging for the gate, he signaled once, and darts and stones rained down. Xu Yi withdrew in haste, and already dozens of riders had been shot. The Wei troops were badly beaten. He reported back to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui himself came with over a hundred heavy-armored riders to inspect and saw at once that crossbow bolts had fallen all at once. He wheeled his horse and rode back at once. At the gate, Lu Xun came out with five hundred men and attacked.

Zhong Hui rode over the bridge, where the soil had sunk and caught his horse’s hooves; he nearly went over the edge. The horse could not be freed, and Zhong Hui dismounted to ride on foot. As he ran down the bridge, Lu Xun caught him and thrust with a spear, but a Wei soldier, Xun Kai from the ranks, turned and loosed one arrow, sending Lu Xun from his horse. Zhong Hui and his men surged forward and took the mountain gate. There were soldiers of Shu already in front of it, so they did not dare to shoot arrows. Zhong Hui had the force dispersed and the mountain pass seized. He made Xun Kai an escort general and gave him a complete set of saddle, horse, and full armor. Zhong Hui summoned Xu Yi and said, “You were the vanguard. Your duty was to encounter mountain and water first, clear difficult roads, repair bridges, dig out the mountain roads, and break stone, so the army could move. I just came to the bridge and my horse’s hooves sank so my mount almost toppled. If not for Xun Kai, I would already be dead. You disobeyed your military orders; punish you according to law.” He ordered Xu Yi thrown out by attendants for execution.

Some of the generals argued, “Xu Yi’s father, Xu Chu, has done great service for the court. We beg, Commander, to spare him.” Zhong Hui snapped, “If law in the army is unclear, how can I command others?” and ordered him beheaded in public. All the generals stood in alarm.

Meanwhile Shu general Wang Han held Le City and Jiang Bin held Han City. Seeing the sheer weight of the Wei forces, they dared not fight in the field and kept their gates shut. Zhong Hui gave the order, “In war speed is precious; we must not pause.” He sent Li Fu with the forward army to besiege Le City, and Xun Kai with the escort troops to besiege Han City, while he personally led the main host against Yangping Pass.

At the gate, Shu commander Fu Qian and his deputy Jiang Shu were deciding how to defend it. Jiang Shu said, “The Wei troops are so many; we cannot stand against this. It is best to hold firmly.” Fu Qian replied, “No. They have come a long way and must be tired; although they are many, we need not fear. If we do not descend the pass to fight now, both Han and Le are still safe.” Jiang Shu fell silent.

Just then a report said the Wei army had arrived in large formation before the gate. Both Fu Qian and Jiang Shu went up to it. Zhong Hui snapped his whip and shouted, “I lead over one hundred thousand men to stand here. If you surrender quickly, each of you will be promoted according to rank. If you stubbornly refuse, I will break the gateworks and burn you and your fortress in one flame.” Fu Qian, furious, ordered Jiang Shu to hold the gate and led three thousand soldiers down to fight. Zhong Hui immediately broke off, and the Wei soldiers withdrew all at once. Fu Qian pressed forward, but the Wei troops then reformed. When Fu Qian tried to retreat, a Wei flag was already raised on the gate. Jiang Shu shouted, “I have surrendered to Wei already!” Fu Qian was enraged and shouted back, “Traitor who forgets mercy and turns against righteousness—how dare you dare see the Son of Heaven?” He wheeled his horse back and resumed battle with the Wei army.

The Wei soldiers closed in all sides and hemmed Fu Qian in. He charged and rushed in every direction, fighting hand to hand and back again, and he could not break out. Ten of every nine men under him were wounded. Then Fu Qian looked to heaven and sighed, “I was born a minister of Shu; if I die, I should die as a Shu ghost.” He mounted again and drove straight into the enemy, receiving many spears. Blood filled his robes and armor; he sat down in the saddle and fell from his horse, then took his own life. Later people wrote a verse:

One day he poured out loyal fury, and for a thousand years his righteous name is praised. Let it be Fu Qian who dies rather than Jiang Shu who lives.

Zhong Hui captured Yangping Pass. Inside, supplies and arms were abundant. He rejoiced and rewarded the three armies. That night the Wei troops camped in Yang’an City. Suddenly from the southwest came a thunderous shouting that shook the air. Zhong Hui hurried out of his tent to investigate and found nothing. The Wei army did not sleep a wink the whole night. At the second watch, the southwest cry rose again. He woke with suspicion and sent men to reconnoiter at dawn. They reported, “At a distant watch point more than ten li away, there is not one person there.” Zhong Hui still felt unsteady and, fully armed with his troops and about a hundred riders, rode out to patrol toward the southwest.

When he reached a mountain, a killing aura rose on all sides. Mournful clouds closed in and mist ringed the peak. Zhong Hui drew rein and asked a local guide, “What mountain is this?” He replied, “This is Dingjun Mountain, where in former times Xiahou Yuan died.” Hearing this, Zhong Hui grew sorrowful and turned back. As he passed the slope of the mountain, a sudden fierce wind rose. From behind, thousands of riders burst out and came at speed with it. Zhong Hui was terrified and turned his men and rode hard away. The number of generals who fell from their horses was beyond count. By the time they reached Yangping Pass not a single man or horse had lost its life, yet many had faces gouged and helmets torn off.

Everyone said, “We only saw men and horses charging through gloomy cloud. Only when they drew near did no one get wounded; it was only a whirl of wind.” Zhong Hui asked the surrendered Jiang Shu, “Is there a temple here on Dingjun Mountain?” Jiang Shu said, “There is no temple. There is only General Zhuge’s tomb.” Zhong Hui exclaimed, “This must be the manifested sanctity of Master Kongming. I should go in person and make an offering.”

The next day, Zhong Hui made proper sacrifices and offered the great sacrificial set, then rode to Zhuge’s tomb and knelt before it in a second offering. When the rite ended, the gale instantly stopped. The dark clouds dispersed. Then a gentle wind came and a light rain fell. After the air cleared, the troops rejoiced and all returned to camp.

That night Zhong Hui reclined and slept in his pavilion. Suddenly, as a clear wind passed, he saw a man in a black sash and feather fan, wearing a white-feathered gown, plain shoes with black straps, skin like polished jade, lips like vermilion, and bright clear eyes. The man was tall and stood tall, with the air of an immortal. He entered the pavilion and walked in. Zhong Hui rose and greeted him: “Who are you, sir?” The man said, “I was favored with this audience this morning. I have a word to tell you. Although the Han fortune has declined and Heaven’s decree is hard to resist, the living in the Two Rivers have been torn by war. They are truly pitiful. Now that you have entered this land, do not, at any cost, slaughter the people.” He said no more, then brushed his sleeve aside and left. Zhong Hui tried to detain him, but then suddenly woke up. It had all been a dream.

He knew then that it had been Master Kongmingming’s spirit, and was astonished. So he ordered the vanguard to raise a white flag with four characters: “Protect the State, Safeguard the People.” Wherever they went, any person who killed one person without cause was to pay with his own life. Therefore the people of Hanzhong all came out of their cities to bow and welcome him. Zhong Hui calmed everyone and did not harm so much as a single hair of the people.

Thousands of hidden soldiers ring Dingjun, and made Zhong Hui kneel to honor the spirit. Having once been able to choose victory and sustain the Liu house, even in death he still bequeathed the command to protect the Shu people.

In Dazhong, Jiang Wei heard the Wei army had arrived in force. He sent edicts to Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, and Dong Jue to raise troops for aid, and arranged his own officers to meet them. Suddenly there was word: Wei troops had come. He rode out to engage them. The foremost commander in the Wei lines was Wang Qi, Tianshui Administrator. Wang Qi cried from his saddle, “I now have one million troops under command and a thousand high commanders, advancing by twenty routes and already reaching Chengdu. If you do not think to surrender early, you still wish to resist—do you not know Heaven’s decree?”

Jiang Wei flew into a rage, raised his spear and spurred forward straight at Wang Qi. They fought for less than three exchanges. Wang Qi was routed and fled. Jiang Wei drove his men to pursue for twenty li, and then heard drums and gongs in unison. A column opened with a banner reading clearly, “Qian Hong, Cishi of Longxi.” Jiang Wei laughed, “Such pests are no opponent of mine!” and pressed his men onward in pursuit.

Ten li further on, he ran into Deng Ai with his army. The two armies mixed in close melee. Jiang Wei rallied himself and fought Deng Ai for ten or more exchanges with no winner. Behind them, the drums sounded again. As he withdrew he was told, “All the outposts at Gansong have been burned by Jincheng Administrator Yang Xin.” Jiang Wei started in alarm and ordered his deputy to raise decoy banners and hold Deng Ai, while he pulled back his rear army and rode overnight to rescue Gansong. He came upon Yang Xin. Yang Xin did not dare to give battle, and turned and fled along the mountain road.

Jiang Wei chased after him. By a cliff-side they were met by hail of wood and stone, and he could not advance. By the time he had ridden back halfway, his Shu troops had already been defeated by Deng Ai; Wei main force came and surrounded him. Jiang Wei cut through the encirclement with mounted men and retreated into a grand encampment to hold, waiting for reinforcements.

Suddenly an outrider arrived and said, “Zhong Hui has broken through Yangping Pass. Commander Jiang Shu has surrendered; Fu Qian is dead in battle, and Hanzhong is now held by Wei. Governor Wang Han of Le City and Jiang Bin of Han City, knowing Hanzhong is lost, have also opened their gates and surrendered. Hu Ji could not stand against the enemy and fled back to Chengdu to ask for aid.”

Jiang Wei was greatly shocked and ordered a withdrawal. That night at the mouth of Jiangchuan, a Wei force appeared in front: at its head was Yang Xin. Jiang Wei was furious, charged and fought in close combat. In a single round Yang Xin broke and fled. Jiang Wei took up his bow and shot three arrows, none striking. He then grew angry, snapped his bow, thrust forward with his spear, but his horse stumbled and threw him. Yang Xin rode back to kill him.

Jiang Wei leapt up and drove his spear into Yang Xin’s horse’s brain. Wei soldiers suddenly arrived from the rear and rescued Yang Xin. Jiang Wei mounted and was about to pursue when a report came that Deng Ai’s soldiers had arrived behind. Unable to watch front and rear at once, he ordered troops back to reclaim Hanzhong.

A scout shouted, “Yongzhou Cishi Zhuge Xu has already cut off the road of retreat.” Jiang Wei made camp at the mountain pass. Wei troops were already at the head of Yinping Bridge. With no path to come or go, he gave a long sigh: “Heaven has taken me!”

Ning Sui, his deputy, said, “Though the Wei troops have cut Yinping Bridge, Yongzhou’s army is surely small there. If the general takes Kong Hangu Pass and marches straight for Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu must withdraw his bridge force to defend Yongzhou. If then the general rides in to defend Sword Pass, Hanzhong can be restored.”

Jiang Wei agreed and sent out troops through Kong Hangu Pass in order to feign taking Yongzhou. A spy told Zhuge Xu of it. Zhuge Xu started in alarm: “Yongzhou is the place where we intended to concentrate our forces. If we lose grip, the court will surely punish me.” He quickly withdrew the main body and moved south to save Yongzhou, leaving only a branch force guarding the bridgehead. Jiang Wei entered by the northern road and rode about thirty li, then, sensing Wei troops on the move, turned his men back to the rear and fronted them to meet. They reached the bridgehead and, as he suspected, only a few minor troops remained there, having moved with the rest. He cut them down in a single onslaught and burned their camp and stockades.

When Zhuge Xu heard the bridgehead burning and saw the fire, he brought soldiers back. But by then Jiang Wei had already been gone for more than half a day and they dared not chase.

Jiang Wei then marched his army past the bridgehead. As he advanced, a force appeared in front: Left General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Yi and Right General of Chariots and Cavalry Liao Hua. Jiang Wei asked after what had happened. Zhang Yi said, “Huang Hao has believed a witch and refuses to send troops. I have raised troops from Hanzhong myself, and by the time this reached me, Yangping Pass was already taken by Zhong Hui. Hearing the commander is in extremity, I came for help.” Liao Hua added, “We are encircled on all sides; grain and roads are blocked; better to withdraw to Sword Pass and plan there.” Jiang Wei still wavered.

Suddenly word arrived that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai were coming on separate routes in ten or more lines. Jiang Wei wanted to split and meet them all. Liao Hua said, “Whitewater is narrow and full of bad roads, not a place for open battle. Better to withdraw and at once go to save Sword Pass. If Sword Pass is lost, all routes are cut off.” Jiang Wei followed this advice and moved his troops to Sword Pass.

As they neared the gate, drums and horns all sounded at once, cries rose loudly, and banners flew everywhere. A unit had already taken a position blocking the gate. It was just then that he said:

Hanzhong is so steep and perilous there is no measure of it; and now sudden storm and waves rise again at Sword Pass.

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