In the battle at Xiaoting, the Lord wins vengeance; in Jiangkou, a scholar is made a great general.

Now in the second year of Zhangwu, in the spring of the first month, Huang Zhong, the Wuwei Rear General, followed the Lord, Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, as he marched against Wu. Upon hearing that the Lord had said old generals were useless, he drew his sword, mounted, and with five or six attendants rode straight to camp at Yiling. Wu Ban, Zhang Nan, and Feng Xi met him and asked, “Old general, what has happened that you have come?” Huang Zhong replied, “From the time I followed the Son of Heaven from Changsha to now, I have borne too much labor. Though I am already over seventy, I can still eat ten jin of meat, pull a bow of two shi, and ride a thousand-li horse. I am not yet an old man. Yesterday Your Majesty spoke of me and other elders as useless. So I came here, to meet Wu and prove in open battle that even as an old man I still can behead generals.”

He spoke but, just then, word came that the Wu vanguard had already arrived and scouting riders were near the camp. Huang Zhong sprang up at once, left the pavilion, and mounted. Feng Xi and the others urged him, “Old general, hold back and do not press forward.” Huang Zhong would not listen and spurred forward. Wu Ban ordered Feng Xi to bring soldiers to assist. In front of the Wu formation Huang Zhong reined in, crossed his blade, and alone fought with Pan Zhang, who led the van. Pan Zhang sent out his subordinate Shi Ji. Ji despised the old general’s age and raised his spear to battle. After not even three exchanges, Huang Zhong cut him down in one stroke at the horse’s side. Pan Zhang grew furious and brandished Lord Guan’s Green Dragon Blade to fight Huang Zhong. They rode together for several bouts, neither gaining clear advantage. Huang Zhong fought fiercely, and Pan Zhang, seeing he could not master him, turned and rode away. Huang Zhong pursued and pressed the attack, killing freely before he returned in complete victory. On the way he met Guan Xing and Zhang Bao. Guan Xing said, “We came by imperial command to assist you; now that you have gained merit, please return quickly to camp.” Huang Zhong did not listen.

The next day Pan Zhang came again to wrestle. Huang Zhong mounted immediately. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao wanted to join the fight; Huang Zhong refused. Wu Ban offered help; Huang Zhong refused. He alone led out five thousand troops. They did not stay in full battle long; Pan Zhang pulled up his blade and fled. Huang Zhong rode hard after him and shouted in a harsh voice, “Rebel commander, do not run! Today I repay Lord Guan!” He chased him past thirty li. Shouts came from all around, and hidden troops came all out together. On the right was Zhou Tai; on the left, Han Dang. Pan Zhang was in front, Ling Tong behind. They trapped Huang Zhong in an encirclement. Suddenly a fierce wind rose. As he turned to withdraw, a bolt from the hillside struck him in the hollow of the shoulder, and he almost fell from his horse. The Wu soldiers, seeing Huang Zhong wounded, all charged at him. Suddenly cries rose from the rear. Two columns of troops came in, and the Wu lines broke apart. They moved to rescue Huang Zhong. They were Guan Xing and Zhang Bao. The two young commanders brought Huang Zhong straight back to the Lord’s pavilion. The old general’s blood had thinned and his wound was pain-ridden; he was in grave condition. The Lord came in person from the chariot to see him, and patted his back saying, “Your wound, old general, is the fault of Your Majesty.” Huang Zhong answered, “I am only a mere fighting man, made fortunate to have met Your Majesty. I am seventy-five years old; my life has run enough. Please, Your Majesty, guard Your dragon body and plan for recovery of the Central Plains.” When he had finished speaking, he lost consciousness and did not recover. That night he passed away in the imperial camp.

After him, men later recited this poem:

The old general Huang Zhong, who spoke little yet made great merit in Shu, clad in heavy gilded mail and drawing twin iron-bossed bows, his courage and temper shook Hebei, and his fearsome fame held down Shu. Even with hair white as snow on the day he was near death, he still displayed a hero’s form.

When the Lord saw Huang Zhong dead, he grieved without end. He ordered coffin and bier prepared and burial in Chengdu. The Lord sighed, “Of the Five Tiger Generals, three are now dead. I still have not avenged this. It is grievous beyond measure.” He then rode directly with the imperial guard to Xiaoting, summoned all the commanders, split the army into eight lines, and advanced by land and water together. At the riverine front was Huang Quan, and the Lord led the main army on the dry roads. This was the middle of the second month of the second year of Zhangwu.

Han Dang and Zhou Tai heard that the Lord was marching to punish Wu and brought soldiers out to greet him. The two formations faced each other. When Han Dang and Zhou Tai came out on horseback, at the gate of the Shu camp itself the Lord appeared. His yellow silk parasol was drawn, with white plumes and yellow blades at his side, gold-and-silver streamers circling before and behind. He shouted at once, “Your Majesty is now Lord of Shu. How do you ride out so lightly? If negligence has entered, what then of regret?” From afar the Lord pointed and yelled, “You Wu curs, you have wounded my hands and feet. I swear I will not stand with you under Heaven and Earth!” Turning back to his assembled men, he said, “Who dares to clash with the army of Shu?” The subordinate commander Xia Xun stepped out with spear raised. Behind the Lord, Zhang Bao raised a seven-and-a-half-foot spear and sprang on horseback, roaring once and riding straight at Xia Xun. When Xia Xun heard Bao’s voice like thunder, he was frightened in heart. As he was about to turn, Zhou Tai’s brother Zhou Ping saw Xia Xun unable to withstand the clash, took up sword, and rode forward. Guan Xing saw this and leapt up, drawing sword to meet him. Bao roared once and thrust once: Xia Xun was pierced by the spear and fell from his horse. Zhou Ping was astonished and taken unawares. Guan Xing cut him down at one stroke. Then the two young commanders shifted to capture Han Dang and Zhou Tai. Han and Zhou, in a panic, entered the lines. The Lord watched and sighed, “A tiger father has no cur sons.” He pointed with the imperial whip; all the Shu troops surged and closed at once, and the Wu force was badly defeated. The eight lines of battle rushed like springs welling up; they killed so many of Wu that their bodies lay across the field and blood ran in rivers.

Now Gan Ning, recovering from wounds in a boat, heard that Shu troops had come in great force. He leapt into the saddle in haste. At once he encountered a band of wild barbarians, all disheveled and bare-footed, all using bows, crossbows, long spears, and broad chopping blades and shields. At their head was the chieftain Shamo Ke, whose face was as if blood had surged through it, with bright blue eyes, and a drooping silkworm-like brow. He carried a bundle of iron caltrop blades at his waist, with two bows on his belt. His air was awe-inspiring. Gan Ning saw the force and did not dare to close in combat. He turned his horse away. Shamo Ke shot him with an arrow, and it struck Gan Ning’s head. Gan Ning rode on with the arrow in him until he reached Fuchi Pass. He sat beneath a great tree and died there. A few hundred crows were circling in the trees, gathering around his body. When the King of Wu heard it he was in immeasurable sorrow. He arranged proper rites, buried him with rich honors, and raised a temple for worship. Later men sighed in verse:

Gan Xingba of Wu Commandery, aboard a bright-brocaded barge on the Yangtze, for a true friend’s knowing recognition you have repaid dear kindness, turning former enmity back into former friendship; he rode swift cavalry to raided stockades, driving troops to drink from massive jars. The sacred crow made the divine manifest; his fragrance and incense may burn forever.

The Lord, seizing his momentum, pushed the pursuit and took Xiaoting. Wu soldiers scattered in all directions. When the Lord gathered his forces again, Guan Xing was nowhere to be seen. The Lord hurriedly ordered Zhang Bao and others to search in all four directions. Guan Xing had burst into the Wu formation and, in that very moment, encountered the enemy Pan Zhang and gave chase. Pan Zhang, startled, fled into a mountain ravine and vanished. Guan Xing thought he must be in the hills. He looked and searched, but could not find him. When night fell he lost the trail. Fortunately, by starlight and moonlight, he had some direction. He pursued until the third watch and reached the edge of a remote manor. At about two gēng in the night he dismounted and knocked on the gate. An elderly man came out to ask who he was. “I am a warrior who has lost the way; grant me a meal to quiet my hunger.” The old man brought him in. In the hall, lanterns were lit, and in the middle room was a painted image of Lord Guan. Guan Xing wept openly and kowtowed. The old man asked, “General, why do you weep and bow?” Guan Xing said, “This is my father.” On hearing that, the old man immediately knelt in respect. Guan Xing asked, “Why do you honor my father?” The old man replied, “This place is where one honors the deified ones. While he was alive, all households here served him; all the more so now that he is a spirit. Old man only hopes that the Shu army can soon repay what is owed. Now that you have come, this village is blessed.” He poured out wine to welcome him and had the horse fed and unstrapped.

After the third watch another knock came at the gate. The old man opened it. It was Pan Zhang of Wu, also seeking lodging. As soon as Pan Zhang entered the thatched hall, Guan Xing drew sword and shouted, “Rebel, do not run!” Pan Zhang turned and was ready to go out. Then one more person entered from outside. His face was like red jujube, with cinnabar eyes, drooping silkworm brows, and three strands of handsome beard. He wore a green robe and gold armor and entered with a drawn sword. Pan Zhang saw him as the manifest spirit of Lord Guan and screamed. He tried to turn away, but was already cut down by Guan Xing’s rising blade. His chest was cut and blood flowed on the earth. Guan Xing offered his heart’s blood before the image of Lord Guan. He took up his father’s Green Dragon Crescent Blade. He fastened Pan Zhang’s severed head beneath his horse’s collar, thanked the old man, and mounted the enemy horse to go toward camp. The old man himself hauled away Pan Zhang’s corpse and burned it.

Guan Xing rode for countless miles. Suddenly he heard men calling and horses neighing as another troop arrived. At its front was Ma Zhong, a commander under Pan Zhang. When Ma Zhong saw that Pan Zhang had been slain, his head slung beneath Guan Xing’s horse and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade in hand, he flared in fury and spurred forward to seize Guan Xing. Guan Xing saw in him the slayer of his father and his spirit rose high with righteous rage. He raised the Green Dragon Crescent Blade to strike Ma Zhong. Three hundred of Ma Zhong’s men rushed in all together and with one cry surrounded Guan Xing in a ring. Guan Xing stood with little support, his position perilous. Then from the northwest came a mass of troops. It was Zhang Bao. When Ma Zhong saw the rescue force arrive, he quickly drew out and retreated with his men. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao chased in together. In fewer than a few li they saw Mi Fang and Fu Shiren leading soldiers in pursuit of Ma Zhong. The two forces joined and a fierce fight broke out. With so few men, Zhang and Guan withdrew quickly and returned to Xiaoting. They presented the severed head and reported everything. The Lord was shocked and delighted by such news. He rewarded and supplied three whole armies.

Ma Zhong returned to Han Dang and Zhou Tai. He gathered the broken troops and set posts in divided groups. There were as many wounded among the soldiers as could not be counted. Ma Zhong with Fu Shiren and Mi Fang took position and camped on the riverbank. That night at the third watch the soldiers were weeping and could not still the cries. Mi Fang listened and heard one group say, “We are all Jingzhou men. Through Lü Meng’s trick, they sent our lord’s life into danger. Now Liu Bei, our lord’s uncle, has come in person to lead the campaign; soon Eastern Wu will end. What is our grief? it is Mi Fang and Fu Shiren. Why should we not kill those two traitors, go as it were to the Shu camp, and defect? It would be no small merit.” Another group of soldiers said, “Do not act rashly. Wait for a lull and then strike.” Hearing this, Mi Fang was greatly startled. He and Fu Shiren then discussed. Mi Fang said, “The mood of the soldiers shifts; our lives are unsafe. Now the Shu Lord’s hatred is centered on Ma Zhong. Why not kill him, take the head, and present it to the Lord, saying: ‘We had no choice but to surrender to Wu; they deceived us, saying Lord Guan had died, and opened the gate. Now that Your Majesty has come, we came to your camp to confess and seek pardon.’” Fu Shiren said, “No. We will surely bring calamity.” Mi Fang said, “The Shu Lord is generous and merciful. Now Crown Prince A Dou is my nephew by marriage; he only remembers our family ties. He would not dare harm us.”

Their scheme settled, they prepared the horses. At the third watch they entered the pavilion and killed Ma Zhong, cutting off his head. Mi Fang and Fu Shiren rode out with several dozen mounted men directly toward Xiaoting. Ambush troops on the road first brought them to Zhang Nan and Feng Xi, and they conveyed the full matter. Next day they came to the Lord’s pavilion, offering Ma Zhong’s head. Kneeling before him, they cried out, “We truly had no intent of treason. Lü Meng tricked us with the claim that Lord Guan was dead and thereby opened the gates. We had no choice but to submit to Wu. Now that the Holy Carriage has come, we have this way killed this traitor in order to settle Your Majesty’s grievance. Please forgive our crimes.”

The Lord was angry and said, “I left Chengdu long ago, and how could both of you not have come before to confess your crimes? Now, seeing the danger, you come with smooth words and seek only your own lives. If I spare you, how shall I face Lord Guan beyond the nine springs?” Then he ordered, in the imperial pavilion, that Guan Xing should set up a spirit tablet for Lord Guan. The Lord personally took up Ma Zhong’s severed head and went before it to offer sacrifice. He also ordered Guan Xing to strip Mi Fang and Fu Shiren, make them kneel before the spirit, and with his own knife flay them as sacrifice for Lord Guan. At that moment Zhang Bao entered, weeping and kneeling in front. “Both of my two paternal uncles’ enemies have been executed,” he said. “My father’s wrongful enemy—when will I be able to repay him?” The Lord answered, “Your virtuous nephew, do not worry. I will flatten Jiangnan and kill all the dogs of Wu. I will capture both of these villains and have you personally dismember them, so that you may offer them to your father.” Zhang Bao thanked him with tears and withdrew.

At this moment the Lord’s prestige thundered through all the southlands, and the people of Jiangnan trembled in fear, crying day and night. Han Dang and Zhou Tai were deeply alarmed. They rushed to Wu’s king and reported plainly that Mi Fang and Fu Shiren had killed Ma Zhong, defected to the Shu emperor, and in turn were slain by him. King Sun, shaken with fear, gathered civilians and generals and discussed. Bu Zhi said, “The enemies hated by the Shu Lord are Lü Meng, Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, Mi Fang, and Fu Shiren. Now those are all dead. Only Fan Jiang and Zhang Da remain in Wu. Why not seize these two, together with Zhang Fei’s head, and send them back to Jingzhou to the lady, then submit a memorial seeking peace and the renewal of our prior accord, and then together target Wei so the Shu force will withdraw?” The king accepted this. He prepared a sandalwood casket scented with aloeswood, placed Zhang Fei’s head in it, bound Fan Jiang and Zhang Da as prisoners, and put them in a barred cart. He ordered Cheng Bing as envoy, carrying a state letter, to go toward Xiaoting.

Back at the camp, the Lord prepared to send troops farther. Then an inner officer announced, “Wu has sent an envoy with the head of the cavalry general Zhang and has delivered Fan Jiang and Zhang Da to us in chains.” The Lord placed both hands to his brow and said, “This is Heaven’s gift, won through the spirit of my third brother as well.” He ordered Zhang Bao to set Zhang Fei’s spirit tablet. When the Lord saw Zhang Fei’s head in the box, his face did not change. He cried out in full voice. Zhang Bao, wielding his sharp knife, cut and flayed Fan Jiang and Zhang Da in cruel succession, then performed the sacrifice before his father’s spirit. After that, the Lord’s anger did not lessen. He was fixed on destroying Wu. Ma Liang submitted, “All enemies have now been executed; resentment may be repaid. Wu official Cheng Bing has arrived. He brings back peace, asks that Jingzhou be returned and our lady restored, and seeks a renewed union to fight Wei. I kneel and beg your sacred command.” The Lord said angrily, “I am grinding my teeth in hatred. It is Sun Quan. If I accept peace now, it is to betray the pact made with my two younger brothers that day. First we destroy Wu, and then we move on Wei.” He reached for the executioner’s order. Many officials pleaded; only then he held back. Cheng Bing ducked and scraped for his life, then reported to the Wu king, “Shu will not accept peace and swears first to destroy Eastern Wu, and only afterward to break Wei. His ministers pleaded, but he did not listen. What is to be done?”

Sun was startled and lost his composure. Kan Ze came forward and said, “There is this column that could prop the sky—how can it be left unused?” Sun asked who he referred to. Kan Ze replied, “In former great affairs of Eastern Wu, all was in Zhou Lang’s hands. After him, Lu Zijing took his place. After Zijing’s death, all responsibility passed to Lü Ziming. Though Ziming is now gone, there is still a man in Jiangzhou called Lü Boyan. In my judgment he is not below Zhou Lang. Before, the breaking of Lord Guan was accomplished through his plotting. If Your Majesty can use him, Wu will surely break Shu. If there is failure, I will share the punishment with him.” Sun replied, “This is not De-run’s fault; I have made a great mistake.” Zhang Zhao said, “Lü Xun is only a scholar. He cannot contend with Liu Bei. I fear he is not usable.” Gu Yong also said, “Lü Xun is young; if all officers take him lightly, they may not obey him and it will bring disorder, ruining our great efforts.” Bu Zhi added, “Lü Xun is suitable to govern a commandery, not a great campaign.” Kan Ze shouted, “If you do not use Lü Boyan, Eastern Wu is finished! I will stake my whole family on this.” Sun said, “I have long known Lü Boyan to be a rare man. My decision is made. None of you should press this further.”

So he ordered him summoned. Lü Xun’s earlier name was Lü Yi and was later changed to Lü Xun; his courtesy name was Boyan. He was a native of Wu County, Wu, grandson of Lü Yu, gate captain of Hancheng, son of Lü Jun, defender of Jiujiang. He stood eight chi tall and had a face like polished jade. He held the office of General Who Guards the West. Lü Xun came at once and made obeisance. The king said, “Now, as Wu army and cavalry gather, I appoint you to marshal all troops and break Liu Bei.” Lü Xun replied, “The civil and martial men of Jiangdong are all ministers from our lord’s old retinue. I am without ability—how can I control them?” The king said, “Kan De-run has offered his family to guarantee you. I, too, have known your talent long. I now appoint you Grand Commander. Do not refuse.” Lü Xun asked, “If the civil and martial men do not obey, what is to be done?” The king gave him the sword at his side and said, “If anyone refuses the command, behead him first, then report.” Lü Xun replied, “I dare not refuse this heavy trust. But please, Your Majesty, gather all officers, and then confer. Kan Ze said, “In appointing a commander, one must build an altar and gather the hosts, then grant white plume and yellow battle ax, signets, seals, and military tally. Only then will orders carry force. Your Majesty should follow this rite, choose an auspicious day, build an altar, and appoint Boyan as Grand Commander. Give him the sign of command and tally; then all men will obey.” The king did so. He ordered an altar raised at once and all officials assembled. He invited Lü Xun to ascend and made him Grand Commander, Right Protector-General, General Who Guards the West. He advanced him to Marquis of Lou and gave him a precious sword and a silk sash. He made him hold six commanderies and eighty-one states, with the routes of Jing and Chu under his charge of armies and horses. The king said, “Within the inner gates, this is my domain; outside, they are yours to command.”

After receiving command from the altar, Lü Xun appointed Xu Sheng and Ding Feng to guard him and deployed the army the same day. He shifted troops along all routes and advanced by land and water together. Letters reached Xiaoting that Han Dang and Zhou Tai were alarmed: “How could our lord set a mere scholar in command?” When Lü Xun arrived, none obeyed. He held council in his pavilion. Men offered only reluctant greetings. Lü Xun said, “I was made Grand Commander by the king to drill the army and break Shu. The army has fixed law, and each should follow it. Whoever disobeys, royal law has no parent: let none pay for regret later.” All were silent. Zhou Tai said, “At present An-dong General Sun Huan, your nephew, is trapped in Yiling. There is no grain within, and no relief from outside. Please, Grand Commander, send a good measure at once and rescue Sun Huan, to still the Lord’s heart.” Lü Xun replied, “I have long known Sun An-dong can win men’s hearts and will hold firm. No rescue is needed. After I break Shu, he will come out on his own.” All left with hidden laughter. Han Dang said to Zhou Tai, “This scion made commander, and Eastern Wu is ruined. Did you see how he acts?” Zhou Tai said, “I only tested him with words and found no one strategy in him. How then can he break Shu?”

The next day Lü Xun issued orders: place guards at each pass and keep choke points secure; do not be light in enemy matters. All laughed at his caution and did not keep strict posts. The next day he called the officers to his pavilion again. He said, “I have this day and every day three times and five times repeated the king’s command. I ordered each of you to hold each pass and keep strict. Why was there no obedience?” Han Dang said, “I have fought with this command from Sun General through hundreds of battles, pacifying Jiangnan. The other generals, either under the General who Subdued the Rebel or serving the present king, are men sharpened in iron and brave to die. Now Your Majesty has made you Grand Commander to drive back Shu. You should have made plans early and shifted the troops, sending them forth by divide-and-advance for some great action. But you order us only to hold and not to fight. Do you intend us to wait for heaven to strike the bandits for us? I am not a man who clings to life and shuns death. How can you make me lose my fighting edge?” Then all the officers at his feet answered together, “General Han speaks correctly. We are willing to decide a final battle of life and death!” Lü Xun, drawing his sword and holding it in hand, shouted fiercely, “I may be only a junior scholar. But the king has entrusted me with weighty duty because I can endure shame and carry burden. All of you must hold your posts and keep the key points and do not act rashly. If anyone disobeys, he will be beheaded.” The assembled withdrew in muttered rage.

The Lord had already deployed army lines from Xiaoting to Chuan-kou in a chain of seven hundred li, with forty camps front and back. By day, banners shaded the sky; by night, firelight brightened heaven. A scout then reported, “Eastern Wu has made Lü Xun Grand Commander and placed all military command in his hand. Lü Xun has ordered each general to guard the key passes and not to sally forth.” The Lord asked, “What manner of man is Lü Xun?” Ma Liang replied, “Though Lü Xun is only a scholar from Wu, he is young and talented, deeply strategic. In the former campaign in Jing Province, all these devices were his devising.” The Lord grew angry, “A little brat with plotting schemes has harmed my two younger brothers. I will seize him now!” He ordered the advance. Ma Liang advised, “Lü Xun’s talent is not less than Zhou Lang. It should not be taken lightly.” The Lord said, “I am old in warfare. Is he better than a child of ten years?” He therefore personally led the vanguard and attacked each ford and choke point.

When Han Dang heard Shu armies coming, he sent word to Lü Xun. Fearing Han Dang would rush blindly, Lü Xun rode out swiftly to watch. He saw Han Dang on horseback atop a hill, gazing at the Shu army spread across mountain after mountain. Within their host there were indistinct yellow-robed canopy tops. Han Dang drew near with Lü Xun, and they looked together. Han Dang pointed and said, “There must be Liu Bei in their lines. I want to strike him.” Lü Xun said, “Liu Bei has moved his army east and won more than ten battles in a row. His momentum is at full force. Now he should hold high and guard the key heights. To come out now is not advantageous. But reward the soldiers and spread broad defensive measures. We must watch his changes. He now rides on the open plains and broad fields, proud in this gain. If we hold firm and do not move out, he cannot win battle. He will have to shift to mountain and woodland camps. Then I will defeat him with singular stratagem.” Han Dang nodded outwardly, but in his heart he still did not accept.

The Lord sent forward troops to skirmish and lashed him with a hundred taunts. Lü Xun ordered them to shut their ears and refuse pursuit. He personally traversed every checkpoint and spoke kindly to soldiers, ordering all to hold. As the Lord saw Wu’s troops not coming out, his mind became restless. Ma Liang said, “Lü Xun has deep strategy. Now Your Majesty has come from spring into summer to wage this war. His not coming out, I think, is to wait for change in our ranks. Please examine this.” The Lord replied, “What strategy does he have? Only fear of us. After suffering several defeats, how dare he come out again?” Vanguard commander Feng Xi reported, “The air is fiercely hot today. Our camps stand under burning heat. It is hard to fetch deep water.” The Lord then ordered each camp moved into shaded woods and dense trees near streams and ravines. He intended to pass summer into autumn and then press all forces together. Feng Xi carried out the order with exactness and moved all stockades into thick woodland shade. Ma Liang said, “If we move and then the Wu troops strike quickly, what then?” The Lord replied, “I have ordered Wu Ban with over ten thousand rough soldiers to camp on the flat ground near Wu’s posts. I selected eight thousand elite soldiers and set them hidden in mountain gorges. If Lü Xun learns that we moved, he must seize that chance and strike. Then he should find Wu Ban defeated in seeming flight. If he gives pursuit, I will break out and cut off his return. That boy can then be captured.” All ministers praised, saying, “Your Majesty’s divine calculations and stratagem are beyond even those of your ministers.”

Ma Liang said, “I have recently heard that Chancellor Zhuge in Dongchuan has set watch on each pass and fears Wei invasion. Why does Your Majesty not draw a map of each camp in these new positions and ask the Chancellor?” The Lord said, “I know military law already. Why ask the Chancellor again?” Ma Liang said, “As the old saying goes, ‘Many ears make seeing clear; one ear makes obstruction.’ Please, inspect this.” The Lord said, “You go and draw four-to-eight path maps of each camp. Ride to Dongchuan and ask the Chancellor yourself. If there is anything wrong, report quickly.” Ma Liang accepted. The Lord shifted his army into the shade of trees and water to avoid the heat. By then reports had already reached Han Dang and Zhou Tai that the camps had been moved. Hearing this, they were very glad and came before Lü Xun, “Now there are forty-some Shu camps, all moved into hills and dense woods, in shade near streams and ravines, resting cool by water. Would not the Grand Commander now strike at this opening?”

The Shu lord sets traps and ambushes; Wu soldiers eager for bravado will surely be captured.

Whether Lü Xun can obey these words remains to be seen. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.