Now the Grand General Who Aids the State, Dong Jue, heard that Wei troops in ten or more columns had entered the border lands. He therefore led twenty thousand men to hold Jian'ge. That day a great rise of dust appeared on the horizon, and he feared it was Wei soldiers, so he hurriedly brought troops to block the pass. Dong Jue personally inspected the front in advance and saw that it was Jiang Wei, Liao Hua, and Zhang Yi.

Dong Jue was greatly pleased, brought them in through the gate, completed courtesy welcome, and in tears gave his account of the later sovereign and Huang Hao.

Jiang Wei said, “Do not worry, my lord. So long as I remain, I will not let Wei swallow Shu. Hold Jian'ge, and slowly we shall seek to drive the enemy back.”

Dong Jue said, “Though this pass is defensible, Chengdu has no one to spare. If the enemy reaches it, the whole situation will collapse.”

Jiang Wei said, “Chengdu is steep and rugged, not easy to take. There is no need to worry.”

While they were still speaking, a report arrived that Zhuge Xun was leading his troops down to the pass. Jiang Wei grew furious, and at once hurried five thousand troops to strike. He charged straight into the Wei formation, thrusting left and right, and forced Zhuge Xun to a great defeat. Xun withdrew twenty or so li and camped down. Wei losses were countless. The Shu soldiers seized many horses and military gear. Jiang Wei then withdrew and returned to the pass.

Now Zhong Hui was already camped twenty-five li below Jian'ge when Zhuge Xun came and yielded himself. Zhong Hui shouted, “I ordered you to hold the bridgehead at Yinping and cut off Jiang Wei’s line of retreat. How did you let it be lost? Again, without my order you advanced, and this defeat is the result!”

Zhuge Xun said, “Jiang Wei has many stratagems. He feigned a move in Yong Province, and I feared the province had been compromised, so I drew troops to rescue it. He used the opening to slip away. I then chased him to the foot of the pass, and did not expect to be defeated again.”

Zhong Hui grew enraged and shouted for his execution.

The staff officer Wei Guan spoke: “Though he has sinned, he is the man once supervised by Dong the Western General. This is not fitting for you to kill him, and it may injure good morale.”

Zhong Hui replied, “I carry out the Son of Heaven’s clear edict and Jin Gong Jun’s command in this campaign against Shu. Even if Deng Ai were guilty, he too should be beheaded.”

The whole company urged him repeatedly.

So Zhong Hui had Zhuge Xun put in a caged cart and sent him to Luoyang, to be disposed of by Lord Jin. He also reassigned the troops under Xun under his subordinates.

News was brought to Deng Ai.

Deng Ai was greatly angered: “You and I are equal in rank. I have long guarded the frontier and labored much for the state. How dare you presume so much?”

His son Deng Zhong interceded, saying, “‘He who is not patient in small matters will ruin the great design.’ If father does not tolerate him, he will confuse the state’s grand affair. For now please bear with him.”

Deng Ai listened and kept his temper, but still with resentment in his heart. He then brought ten-some horsemen and went to see Zhong Hui.

When Zhong Hui heard he had arrived, he asked the attendants, “How many troops did Deng Ai bring?”

They answered, “Only ten-some horsemen.”

Zhong Hui ordered several hundred armed men to line his pavilion and inner camp. Deng Ai dismounted and entered to meet him. Zhong Hui welcomed him with formalities and all courtesies.

When Deng Ai saw the strictness of the military setup, he felt uneasy, then tested him in words:

“General, to secure Hanzhong for the throne is indeed a great fortune. Now settle your strategy and take Jian'ge at once.”

Zhong Hui asked, “How does the general judge this?”

Deng Ai repeatedly pretended he was not capable. Zhong Hui pressed him.

Deng Ai answered, “By my poor sense, you may take one army by the lesser path at Yinping, pass from Hanzhong through Deyang Pavilion, and use a surprise force to reach Chengdu directly. Jiang Wei will surely withdraw troops to meet it. Then you will seize Jian'ge while the opportunity is open, and win complete success.”

Zhong Hui was very pleased: “This plan is marvelous. Go at once. I will remain here and await the good report.”

The two parted after drinking.

Back at his own pavilion, Zhong Hui told the generals, “People have all said Deng Ai is able. But today, seeing him, he is merely a mediocre man.”

When they asked why, Zhong Hui said, “The smaller road at Yinping is all high mountain and rugged ridge. If Shu holds the key points with a hundred men and blocks his line of retreat, then Deng Ai’s whole army would starve. Since I am proceeding on the straightforward road, why should I fear that Shu land cannot be broken?”

He therefore set up climbing ladders and cannon platforms and continued the attack on Jian'ge.

Deng Ai then rode out from the gate and looked back at his men, asking, “How does Zhong Hui treat me?”

One replied, “From his words and expression he does not truly accept your words; he merely nods as if with force of mouth.”

Deng Ai laughed: “He believes I cannot take Chengdu. I, however, want to take it.”

Returning to his own camp, Shizuan, Deng Zhong, and several captains asked, “What remarkable matter did you discuss today with Zhong Zhenxi?”

Deng Ai said, “I spoke honestly and openly. He takes me for a mediocre man. Since taking Hanzhong, he deems it the greatest merit. Yet had I not pinned Jiang Wei at Dunda, could he have succeeded? If I now take Chengdu, I surpass Hanzhong.”

That night he gave orders. All were to abandon the camp and move via the Yinping side-path. They set out seven hundred li below Jian'ge.

Someone reported to Zhong Hui, “Deng Ai is now heading to take Chengdu.” Zhong Hui laughed at Deng Ai’s recklessness.

Deng Ai in the meantime drafted a secret letter and sent it by courier to Sima Zhao. He then assembled his officers in the tent and asked,

“With the moment before us, I will take advantage of the opening and seize Chengdu, creating undying renown together with all of you. Do you follow?”

The officers answered, “We are willing to obey orders and do not fear ten thousand deaths.”

Deng Ai first ordered his son Deng Zhong to lead five thousand picked troops, unarmored, each carrying hatchets and chisels and tools. Wherever the way was steep and perilous they were to carve through the mountain and build bridges and platforms to keep the army moving.

He selected three thousand men with dry rations and ropes and advanced them.

After about a hundred li he left three thousand to camp there. After another hundred li, he again selected three thousand and established a camp there.

In the tenth month, he marched from Yinping to the middle of cliff and steep valley, for over twenty days, over seven hundred li, all through empty land with no people.

The Wei troops had set down a number of camps along the way and were left with only two thousand men and horses.

Ahead rose a ridge named Mo Tian Ridge. The horses could not proceed, so Deng Ai went up the ridge on foot. He saw Deng Zhong and the men cutting through the road all crying.

Deng Ai asked why.

Deng Zhong explained, “The western back of this ridge is a sheer cliff face. It cannot be cut open, and all our previous labor was wasted, so they cry.”

Deng Ai said, “Our army has now passed more than seven hundred li to this place. Beyond it lies Jiangyou. How can we turn back now?”

He called the officers and men: “‘Who does not enter the tiger’s den cannot catch the tiger’s cub.’ We have all come this far. If we succeed, we share the riches and honor.”

All replied, “We will follow your command.”

Deng Ai ordered the equipment engineers to go first.

He wrapped himself in felt and was the first to roll down.

Among the deputies, those with felt robes also wrapped themselves and rolled down. Those without felt used rope to gird their waists, clinging to trees and vines, advancing in fish-file.

Deng Ai and Deng Zhong, along with two thousand soldiers and the men who hacked the mountain path, crossed Mo Tian Ridge.

When they had just regained their gear and clothing and moved forward, they saw by the roadside a stone stele engraved:

“By Chancellor Zhuge Wuhou.”

Its words read:

“Before the two fires first rose, one crossed this place. When two gentlemen vied for balance, they soon died of it.”

After reading it, Deng Ai was greatly startled. He immediately knelt before the stele and said, “Wuhou was truly a man of spirit. I cannot be his disciple. Alas!”

A later poem said:

Yinping’s towering ridge rises level with heaven; a ghostly crane circles and still dares not to fly. Deng Ai, wrapped in felt, came down here—who could know that Zhuge had set a prior stratagem?

Deng Ai moved by a hidden route across Yinping. As he marched again, they encountered a large empty camp.

His attendants reported, “During Wuhou’s days, he assigned a thousand men to guard this treacherous pass. Now the Shu lord Liu Shan has dismissed it.”

Deng Ai, unable to keep himself from exclaiming, said to all,

“We have a road to come, but no road to return. Ahead lie Jiangyou and its stores. If you advance you may live, if you fall back you die. We must join our strength and take it.”

All answered, “We are willing to fight here to the death.”

Deng Ai marched on foot, led just over two thousand, and at daybreak and after, doubled the pace to strike Jiangyou.

The commander of Jiangyou, Ma Miao, had heard that Dong Province was lost. Though he had prepared defenses, he only guarded the main roads and banks. And relying on Jiang Wei and the whole army holding Jian'ge, he still did not treat the danger as severe.

That day, after training horses and men, he returned home and drank by the hearth with his wife Lady Li.

His wife asked, “I hear repeatedly that the frontier is in grave danger. Why does the general show no worry?”

Ma Miao replied, “The great matter belongs to the Lord and to Jiang Bo Yao; what is it to me?”

Lady Li said, “Even so, this fortress city you guard is not an unimportant place.”

Ma Miao said, “The Son of Heaven listens to Huang Hao and revels in wine and lust. I think disaster is not far. When Wei troops arrive, surrendering is the best. Why should we need to be anxious?”

Lady Li became furious, spit on Ma Miao’s face, and said, “You are a man in this world, yet your heart is already not loyal and not righteous. You enjoy the state’s rank and emoluments falsely. How can I face you?”

Shamed and unable to answer, Ma Miao was left speechless.

A household messenger rushed in, crying, “Wei General Deng Ai came by way no one knows, and with more than two thousand men has entered the city in one push!”

Ma Miao was greatly alarmed. He hurried out and surrendered. He knelt under the public hall and wept:

“I have long wished to submit. I now invite all the civilians and my troops to submit to the general as well.”

Deng Ai approved the surrender. He gathered Jiangyou’s soldiers and horses under his own command and assigned Ma Miao to serve as local guide.

Then news came that Ma Miao’s wife had hanged herself.

Deng Ai inquired, and Ma Miao spoke the truth. Deng Ai respected her ability and ordered rich burial honors. He personally went to offer sacrifice. The Wei men who heard of this all could not help but sigh in pity.

A later poem praised her:

The later sovereign, confusion plunged the Han dynasty into ruin; Heaven sent Deng Ai to seize Xichuan. Yet none was as worthy as Lady Li of Jiangyou.

After taking Jiangyou, Deng Ai then brought in all the troops of the Yinping side-path, and all arrived at Jiangyou. He moved straight against Fucheng.

Officer Tian Xu said, “Our army has come through this danger and is greatly weary. We should rest some days before advancing.”

Deng Ai shouted in anger, “The army values speed above all. How dare you disorder the army’s heart?”

He ordered him pulled out and killed.

The other generals all begged, and only then was he spared.

Deng Ai drove the troops to Fucheng himself.

Inside the city, officials, soldiers, and civilians, thinking it came from heaven, all surrendered.

Shu messengers flew in to report to Chengdu.

When the later emperor learned it, he quickly summoned Huang Hao and asked.

Huang Hao replied, “This is a false message. Men of divinity would not so deceive Your Majesty.”

The emperor summoned Shipo, but he did not know at what place Shipo had gone.

Now urgent reports from near and far came in at once, like snowflakes, and messengers and documents went and came without rest.

The emperor held court and deliberation; many officials looked at one another in silence and spoke no word.

Xi Zheng stepped forward and said, “The matter is urgent. Your Majesty should announce Wuhou’s son and consult him on how to retreat from this danger.”

In fact, that was Zhuge Zhan, courtesy name Siyuan, son of Wuhou. His mother was Madam Huang, daughter of Huang Chengyan. She was of unattractive appearance, yet of brilliant ability: she understood celestial patterns above and landforms below; and in all books of stratagem, hidden-army formations, and military devices, she knew everything.

When Wuhou was in Nanyang, hearing her talent he sought her as spouse. During Wuhou’s studies, Madam Huang had helped him much. After he died, she soon followed him in death. On her deathbed she left this single instruction: to urge her son, with loyalty and filial piety.

Zhuge Zhan had been astute since childhood. He then married to the later emperor’s daughter and served as Imperial Son-in-law Colonel. Later he inherited his father’s title of Marquis of Wuxiang. In the fourth year of Jingyao he was moved to the office of General Who Leads Army Escorts.

At this time Huang Hao had the ear of the court, and so Zhan had feigned illness and stayed away.

Now, as if hearing Xi Zheng’s words, the later emperor at once issued three decrees one after another and summoned Zhan to the hall.

The emperor, in tears, said, “Deng Ai’s troops are now encamped at Fucheng. Chengdu is in danger. Looking at the late lord’s face, save my life!”

Zhan too wept as he reported, “Your servant and his line owe the late ruler deep grace, and Your Majesty has treated him exceptionally. Even if I paint liver and brain on the ground, I cannot repay it. Please marshal all Chengdu soldiers and let me lead them for one battle, even to death.”

The emperor immediately allocated seventy thousand of Chengdu’s troops for Zhan.

After receiving leave, Zhan arranged horse and troops, gathered all generals, and asked, “Who dares serve as vanguard?”

Before the words were complete, one young general stepped forward: “My father now holds all authority, so your servant will be the vanguard.”

All turned their eyes toward him. He was Zhan’s eldest son, Zhuge Shang.

Zhuge Shang was nineteen years old, well read in military books, and trained broadly in martial arts. Zhan rejoiced and appointed Shang as vanguard.

That day the main army left Chengdu and marched to meet Wei.

Deng Ai had received from Ma Miao a map of the terrain, one hundred and sixty li from Fucheng to Chengdu, plainly set out with mountains, waters, roads, passes, and dangerous ridges.

After reading it, Deng Ai cried out in alarm:

“I have only held Fucheng. If Shu forces hold the forward mountain and the passes, how can I succeed? If I delay, when Jiang Wei arrives our army is in danger.”

He immediately summoned Shizuan and Deng Zhong and gave orders:

“You two may each take an army and by night go straight to Mianzhu to block the Shu forces. I will arrive right after. Do not delay at all. If you allow them to seize the strategic point first, I will cut off your heads!”

Shizuan and Deng Zhong brought an army and came to Mianzhu. They soon met Shu troops.

The two armies deployed and formed ranks.

At the gate banner, Shizuan and Deng Zhong reined in their horses. They saw the Shu troops arranged in eight lines of formation. After three drumbeats, the gate flags split apart in two. Around forty officers crowded around a four-wheeled wagon. On it sat one man with a silk kerchief, feather fan, and broad hem of court robe.

A yellow banner above him read, “Han Chancellor Zhuge Wuhou.”

Shizuan and Deng Zhong broke out in sweat all over. Looking back at their soldiers they said, “Kongming still lives. We are rescued!”

They hurried their troops back. The Shu soldiers then came out in ambush and attacked. Wei soldiers were defeated and fled for over twenty li.

The Shu troops pursued for more than twenty li, then encountered Deng Ai’s reinforcements coming to meet them; only then did both sides withdraw and regroup.

Deng Ai ascended his command and sat. He called in Shizuan and Deng Zhong and asked, “Why did you two retreat without a fight?”

Zhong answered, “I saw that Zhuge Kongming was leading the Shu troops and therefore ran back.”

Deng Ai was furious: “Even if Kongming were alive again, what should I fear? Your easy retreat has caused this defeat. You must be executed quickly to enforce discipline.”

All pleaded hard, and only then did he calm.

Scouts reported that it was not Kongming. Zhuge Zhan was the main general, and Zhuge Shang the vanguard. The man on the cart had been only a carved wooden image of Zhuge Wuhou.

When Deng Ai heard, he addressed Shizuan and Deng Zhong: “The moment of victory and defeat rests on this one move. If you two do not win this time, your heads are certain.”

So Shizuan and Deng Zhong brought another ten thousand soldiers to battle.

Zhuge Shang, on horseback with one spear, recovered his spirit and drove both of them back in combat. Zhuge Zhan then commanded both right and left wings to break out and crash into the Wei formation. He charged left and right, and through repeated close fighting slew a great number.

Wei troops were badly defeated; the dead were beyond count. Shizuan and Deng Zhong were wounded and fled.

Zhan pursued with horse and men; after another twenty li he encamped and held in opposition.

Shizuan and Deng Zhong returned to Deng Ai and reported. Deng Ai saw both wounded and did not punish them immediately. He convened the generals and said,

“Shu has Zhuge Zhan, who continues his father’s will. He has twice this day killed more than ten thousand of our men and horses. If we do not break this force at once, calamity will follow.”

Qiu Ben, the inspector, said, “Why not write a letter to lure him out?”

Deng Ai followed this advice. He drafted a letter and sent a messenger into the Shu camp.

The gate captain brought it into his pavilion and presented it.

Zhan opened the seal and read:

To Deng Ai, General Who Conquers the West, from Zhuge Siyuan, who commands as General Who Leads Army Escorts:

Of recent worthies, few are there whose parent matches you in honor. From the moment you left your thatched hut, a single utterance already divided the three kingdoms, cleared Jing and Yi, and made your hegemony. Such an achievement is rare in ancient and modern times.

As for your six expeditions to Qishan, it was not lack of ability. It was only Heaven’s timing.

Now the later sovereign is dim and weak, and the royal mandate has ended. Under the Son of Heaven’s order, I have come with a great army to attack Shu and have already won all its lands. Chengdu is in danger by dawn. Why do you not obey Heaven and men alike and return with righteous mind?

I am prepared to confer on you the title King of Langye so your ancestors may shine. This is spoken in truth. Keep this as matter of record.

When Zhan finished, he grew intensely angry. He tore the letter to shreds, and shouted for soldiers to execute the messenger at once. He told an attendant to carry the severed head back to Deng Ai.

Deng Ai, in anger, almost charged out to battle.

Qiu Ben remonstrated: “General should not go out lightly. We should win through surprise tactics.”

Deng Ai followed his advice and ordered Wang Qi, Governor of Tianshui, and Qian Hong, Governor of Longxi, to hold two hidden armies behind.

Deng Ai then led his own troops forward.

Zhuge Zhan at that moment was readying to force battle when word arrived that Deng Ai had come leading troops.

Zhan became furious, led out his men, and went straight to break into the Wei formation. Deng Ai was forced to retreat.

Then Zhan followed with a crushing counterattack. Suddenly two ambush units broke out at both flanks; the Shu army was defeated and retreated into Mianzhu.

Deng Ai ordered it surrounded. Wei troops all shouted together; Mianzhu was ringed as if with an iron tub.

Within the city, Zhan saw the enemy force closing in. He ordered Peng He to carry a letter out and seek aid from Eastern Wu.

Peng He reached Wu and presented his urgent dispatch to Sun Xiu.

After reading it, the Wu lord conferred with his ministers and said, “Since Shu is in danger, how can I sit and watch and not save it?”

He therefore designated the old general Ding Feng as commander and Ding Feng and Sun Yi as his deputies, ordered fifty thousand to go. Ding Feng’s deputies each led twenty thousand and advanced toward Mianzhong, while Ding Feng led thirty thousand toward Shouzhou. The force split into three columns to assist.

Zhan saw no relief arriving and told his generals, “Long defense is not a good plan.” He left Shang and Administrator Zhang Zun to defend the city, and personally donned armor, mounted, and with three commands drove out through three gates.

When Deng Ai saw the troops come out, he withdrew his own.

Zhan struck furiously in pursuit. Suddenly a cannon sounded. Troops from all directions converged and surrounded him in the center.

Zhan drove his troops with left and right assaults, killing hundreds.

Deng Ai had the general troops shoot arrows at him, and the Shu soldiers scattered.

Zhan was hit by arrows, lost his horse, and cried, “My strength is spent; I shall answer the country with one death!” He drew his sword and killed himself.

His son, Zhuge Shang, saw his father die in battle from the city wall and rose in fierce wrath. He dressed and mounted.

Zhang Zun remonstrated, “Young general, you must not charge out lightly.”

Shang sighed, “My father, my son and my descendants have all received this country’s deep grace. My father is dead at the enemy’s hand—how may I remain alive?”

He then drove his horse forward and died in the field.

A later poem praised father and son Zhuge Zhan and Shang:

It is not only that loyal ministers are few in strategy; heaven seems intent on ending the Liu line. In the days of old, Zhen (Zhuge) left downline blood in the world— true virtue and righteousness worthy to follow Wuhou.

Deng Ai, moved by their loyalty, had father and son buried together. He then used the opening to strike Mianzhu.

Zhang Zun, Huang Chong, and Li Qiu each led one army and charged out.

Shu men were few, Wei men were many. The three all died in battle, and therefore Deng Ai gained Mianzhu.

After finishing labor and rest, he came to seize Chengdu.

It was then said:

If one studies the day when the later sovereign faces peril, it is no different from when Liu Zhang was once coerced. How Chengdu will survive this onslaught is unknown for now—watch in the next section.

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