Jiang Wei, whose courtesy name was Boyue, presented his plan to Ma Zun:

“Zhuge Liang will set an ambush behind the commandery and draw my army out of the city, then strike while we are out. I ask leave for three thousand elite troops to lie in wait along the key roads. The Administrator can send the main force out afterward, but he must not push far. Return after thirty li. Wait for the signal of raised fire, and then attack from front and rear for a great victory. If Zhuge Liang comes himself, he is certainly one I can take alive.”

Ma Zun used the plan and sent three thousand carefully selected men with Jiang Wei. Then he and Liang Qian brought out troops and waited by themselves outside the city, leaving Liang Xu and Yin Shang to hold the city.

As expected, Zhuge Liang had already ordered Zhao Yun to hide one army in a secluded mountain pass, waiting until the Tianshui troops marched out before striking. That day a scout reported to him that Ma Zun had sent troops out and left only civil officials inside the walls. Zhao Yun rejoiced and sent word to Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang to set an ambush on the main roads to cut down Ma Zun. Those two detachments had been prepared beforehand by Zhuge Liang.

Later, Zhao Yun led five thousand troops and came straight beneath Tianshui Commandery. He shouted, “I am Zilong of Changshan. You have been tricked. Surrender the city now and live.”

From the wall, Liang Xu laughed: “You are still pretending not to know you have fallen into my plan with Jiang Boyue, are you?”

When Zhao Yun was ready to storm the city, a tremendous cry rose and flames roared from all sides. A young commander rode forward with a spear and said, “Have you seen Jiang Boyue of Tianshui?”

Zhao Yun thrust his spear and rode straight at Jiang Wei. Their fight lasted only a few rounds, and Jiang Wei’s strength seemed to surge beyond ordinary limits.

Zhao Yun was startled: “Who would think such a figure was waiting here?”

At that instant, both flanks struck hard. It was Ma Zun and Liang Qian returning with their troops. Zhao Yun could not hold both front and rear. He cut a path through and withdrew with battered men, while Jiang Wei closed in. He was saved by Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang’s forces bursting out from two other approaches.

When Zhao Yun returned to Zhuge Liang, he admitted the enemy plot had succeeded. Zhuge Liang asked in surprise, “Who is this man who reads my scheme so clearly?” A man from Nan’an reported:

“His family name is Jiang, given name Wei, courtesy name Boyue, and he is from Jizhou. He is extraordinarily filial to his mother, complete in both letters and arms, with both wisdom and courage; he is truly one of the worthies of this age.”

Zhao Yun added that Jiang Wei’s spearwork was unlike any he had seen. Zhuge Liang said, “I did not expect to meet such a man when I marched into Tianshui.” He then led the main army forward.

Once more Jiang Wei returned to Ma Zun and reported: “Zhao Yun has been driven back, so Zhuge Liang will come in person. He will expect my army to be in the city. Divide our men into four formations. I will send one branch to lie east of the city and intercept the enemy if they arrive. The Administrator and Liang Qian and Yin Shang each bring one branch to lie in ambush outside the walls. Liang Xu should keep the wall defenses with the civilians.”

The distribution was fixed.

Because Zhuge Liang feared Jiang Wei, he commanded the vanguard and headed toward Tianshui. As he neared, he said, “In every siege, on the first day the armies must be roused and driven forward with shouting and drums. If the assault is delayed too long, morale collapses and the chance to break through is lost.”

So the main force went directly beneath the walls. He saw the gate banners on the city in good order and did not dare a light assault. At midnight, fire suddenly flared in four directions and a roar of voices shook the earth. No one could tell where the troops came from. From the city too came drum and shout in answer, and the Shu men scattered in confusion.

Zhuge Liang mounted in haste, guarded by Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, cut through the thickest press, and looked back. Eastward rose a line of cavalry and horsemen, a long stretch of firelight like a serpent.

He ordered Guan Xing to scout. The return was swift: “It is Jiang Wei’s force.”

Zhuge Liang sighed. “A force is not won by numbers but by deployment. This man truly is a general of talent.”

He withdrew to camp, thought long, then called for a man from Anding:

“Where is Jiang Wei’s mother now?”

The answer came: “Wei is now in Jixian.”

Kongming told Wei Yan:

“Take a detachment and make noise as if for an assault. Fake a strike on Jixian. If Jiang Wei comes, let him enter the city. Tell me: where is the key point here?”

The man of Anding said, “Tianshui’s grain and supplies are all at Shanggu. If Shanggu falls, his supply road is cut.”

Kongming was delighted. He sent Zhao Yun with a detachment to seize Shanggu.

He camped three thousand li from the city.

Soon word reached Tianshui that the Shu army had split into three groups: one remained to hold this commandery, one moved on Shanggu, and one on Jicheng. Hearing this, Jiang Wei asked Ma Zun desperately:

“Mother is now in Jicheng. I fear her safety. I beg one branch to run to that city and guard my mother.”

Ma Zun consented, and so ordered Jiang Wei with three thousand troops to guard Jicheng while Liang Qian took three thousand to Shanggu.

Jiang Wei reached Jicheng. A mass of troops lined the front, with Wei Yan commanding at its head. After several rounds of clash, Wei Yan feigned defeat and withdrew.

Wei Wei entered the gates, shut them, and held his men to defend inside. He paid respects to his mother and did not go out to battle.

Zhao Yun also let Liang Qian pass and move on to Shanggu city.

Zhuge Liang then ordered that a man from Nanan bring Xiahou Mao to camp.

He asked him, “Do you fear death?”

Xiahou Mao threw himself down and begged for life.

Zhuge Liang said, “Jiang Wei now holds Jizhou. He has sent a message saying, ‘If the son-in-law is here, I am willing to submit.’ I will spare your life if you persuade him to surrender. Will you do so?”

Xiahou Mao said, “I am willing to submit.”

Then Zhuge Liang gave him clothing and horsegear and sent him out without attendants.

Xiahou Mao slipped from camp and tried to make his way, but he did not know the roads. As he rode, he ran into several hurried townsfolk.

He asked where they were going.

“They are Jixian villagers,” they replied. “Jiang Wei has yielded the city and surrendered to Zhuge Liang. Wei Yan, a Shu officer, set fires and plundered goods, so we fled from our homes and now run toward Shanggu.”

Xiahou Mao asked, “Who holds Tianshui city now?”

“They say it is held by your Administrator, Ma.”

When he heard this he spurred toward Tianshui. He also passed groups of men and women with children and heard the same report.

At the base of Tianshui city he called to the gate. The townspeople recognized him as Xiahou Mao and hurriedly opened the gate to receive him. Ma Zun hurried forward in salutation.

Xiahou Mao gave a careful account of Jiang Wei’s actions and the villagers’ report.

Ma Zun sighed, “I did not expect Jiang Wei truly to join Shu.”

Liang Xu said, “He meant to rescue the Commander in chief, so he used this as a pretext for a false submission.”

Xiahou Mao said, “Now he has already surrendered. How can it be a pretense?”

While they hesitated, it had already become the first watch. Shu troops came again to attack the city.

In the firelight appeared Jiang Wei beneath the walls, spear in hand and horse forward, shouting, “Call on Xiahou Commander to answer me!”

Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun went up to the wall. Seeing Jiang Wei in martial display and loudness, he shouted:

“I surrendered as a Commander. What did you do to break your promise?”

Xiahou Mao answered, “You accepted Wei’s grace and then surrendered to Shu. What promise had you made?”

Jiang Wei replied, “Did you send me a letter to surrender to Shu? Why do you speak this now? You sought a way to slip away, but you entangled me! I have now submitted to Shu and been raised among the foremost ranks. How could I return to Wei now?”

After speaking, he drove his men against the walls and withdrew only at dawn.

It became clear in hindsight that the man seen as Jiang Wei that night had been a decoy arranged by Zhuge Liang— soldiers made to resemble him, made up in his likeness. In the fire and confusion, none could tell true from false.

Kongming then led his army on Jicheng. Food inside was already short. Jiang Wei watched from the walls as Shu carts carrying grain moved into Wei Yan’s camp. He led three thousand men out of the city and came straight to seize the supplies.

The Shu troops abandoned their wagons and fled when they saw it. Jiang Wei gained the grain and tried to return to the city, only to be stopped by a mass of soldiers with Zhang Yi in front. They fought a few rounds. Then Wang Ping arrived with another force. The two sides pressed from both sides.

Wei Yan’s strength failed; he could not withstand and took back-road course to the city. The Shu flag was already raised on the walls: they had already been overtaken by Wei Yan.

Wei Wei fled, with only ten riders left. He met Zhang Bao and cut down one engagement. Then only one horse and one spear remained, and he came to the base of Tianshui city, crying for the gate.

The soldiers on the walls recognized him as Jiang Wei and shouted alarm to Ma Zun.

“This is Jiang Wei come to trick my gate,” said Ma Zun, and ordered volleys of arrows down into the city.

Jiang Wei looked back and saw Shu troops already close. He spurred for Shanggu.

On the wall at Shanggu, Liang Qian saw him and shouted abuse: “You traitor who betrayed the state, how dare you try to trick my city? I already know you have surrendered to Shu!”

Then another hail of arrows came down.

Wei Wei could not speak for himself and cried out to heaven as he rode, tears running down his face, and turned his horse toward Chang’an.

After only a few li, he reached a dense grove by a great tree. A shout rose, and thousands of troops rushed out. In front rode Guan Xing and blocked the way.

Wei Wei, with horse and body exhausted, could not stand against it. He wheeled his horse and turned to run. Suddenly a small cart came from a slope in the mountain.

Its occupant wore a kerchief and a crane-cloak and held a feather fan. It was Zhuge Liang.

Kongming called, “Boyue, why do you still delay your submission?”

After long thought, with Zhuge Liang before him, Guan Xing behind and no road left, he dismounted and surrendered.

Kongming at once leapt from the cart and approached him. “Since leaving my thatched hut, I have searched everywhere for worthy men to whom I might pass on a lifetime of learning, but regretted that I had found no one fit. Now to meet you, Boyue, is enough for me.”

Jiang Wei joyfully bowed and gave thanks.

Kongming returned with Jiang Wei to the camp and discussed how to take Tianshui and Shanggu.

Wei Wei said, “In Tianshui city, Liang Xu and Yin Shang are very loyal to me. Let me write two secret letters and shoot them into the city. If the city is thrown into disorder, we can take it.”

Kongming agreed.

Jiang Wei wrote two secret letters, tied them to arrows, rode down to the base of the walls, and shot them in.

A junior officer retrieved the arrows and presented them to Ma Zun.

Ma Zun became highly doubtful and discussed with Xiahou Mao, “Liang Xu and Yin Shang may have joined with Jiang Wei and be ready to respond from within. The governor should decide quickly.”

Xiahou Mao said, “They can both be put to death.”

Yin Shang, hearing this, told Liang Xu, “Better to accept surrender to Shu and seek further gain.”

That night Xiahou Mao sent men many times requesting Liang Xu and Yin Shang to come speak. The two saw that matters had become urgent. They donned armor and mounted, each leading his own troops. They opened the gates widely and brought Shu soldiers in.

Xiahou Mao and Ma Zun were shaken. They took only a few hundred and left by the west gate, abandoning the city and escaping toward Qiang Zhong.

Liang Xu and Yin Shang welcomed Zhuge Liang inside the walls.

After pacifying the populace, Kongming asked who would handle Shanggu. Liang Xu said, “That city is held by my own younger brother Liang Qian. I hope to bring him over.”

Kongming was pleased. Liang Xu later went to Shanggu, called Liang Qian out to surrender.

Kongming granted heavy rewards and made Liang Xu Administrator of Tianshui, Yin Shang Magistrate of Jicheng, and Liang Qian Magistrate of Shanggu.

When his dispositions were set, he drew up the army and advanced.

The generals asked, “Why does the Chancellor not pursue and capture Xiahou Mao?”

Kongming said, “I let Xiahou Mao go as easily as releasing a duck. Now I have Boyue. I have gained a phoenix.”

After securing three cities, his renown roared outward; provinces and commanderies near and far yielded in fear and followed him. Zhuge Liang adjusted his armies, rallied the troops from Hanzhong, and moved out toward Qishan. The army came to the west of the Wei River.

A scout entered Luoyang with the report.

It was now the first year of the Taihe era. Cao Rui, the Wei ruler, ascended the throne and convened court. A close courtier reported: “Xiahou Mao has lost three commanderies and has fled into Qiang Zhong. Shu troops have reached Qishan; the forward force stands on the west bank of the Wei River. We should send troops at once to break them.”

Cao Rui was greatly startled and asked the ministers, “Who can drive the Shu force away?”

Wang Lang, the Minister over the Masses, spoke: “My lord, I observed your father’s rule: wherever Great General-in-Chief Cao Zhen went, he prevailed. Why does Your Majesty not appoint him as Great Commander to send back the Shu?”

Cao Rui approved and called Cao Zhen.

“This was the arrangement made by the late ruler,” he said, “who charged all these to you. Now Shu troops have invaded the heartland. Could you bear to sit idle?”

Cao Zhen replied humbly: “My abilities are shallow and my insight limited; I am not equal to the post.”

Wang Lang said, “General, you are a minister of the state’s foundations. You may not refuse. Though I am old and dull, I will follow you.”

Cao Zhen bowed again: “I have received great favor; how can I refuse? I only ask for one deputy.”

Cao Rui said, “You may choose.”

Cao Zhen named Guo Huai, a native of Yangqu in Taiyuan, surname Guo, name Huai, courtesy name Boji, marquis of Sheting and Inspector of Yong Province.

Cao Rui assented and appointed Cao Zhen Great Commander, giving him the insignia of authority. Guo Huai was made deputy commander and Wang Lang served as military adviser. Wang Lang was already seventy-six years old.

He drew and deployed two hundred thousand troops and horses from both eastern and western metropolitan armies for Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen appointed his brother Cao Zun as vanguard and Zhu Zan, General Who Suppresses Bandits, as deputy vanguard.

In the eleventh month he marched out. Cao Rui himself accompanied them past the west gate before returning.

Cao Zhen led the main force to Chang’an and camped on the west side of the Wei River. Cao Zhen, Wang Lang, and Guo Huai discussed how to drive back the army.

Wang Lang said, “Tomorrow, make the ranks clean and raise full banners. I will only need one speech, for I alone can make him lay down his arms and return. If I speak, Zhuge Liang will bow and retreat.”

Cao Zhen was pleased. That night he ordered that tomorrow at the fourth watch the troops wake and by dawn the ranks be exact, with proper horse and men, banners, drums, and horns in proper sequence.

He sent out a formal challenge first.

The next day the two armies faced one another, arrayed before Qishan.

Shu soldiers saw the Wei force and its splendor and found it utterly different from Xiahou Mao’s.

When the drums and horns of both armies had ceased, Wang Lang rode out. At the head stood Commander-in-Chief Cao Zhen, behind him the deputy commander Guo Huai; the two vanguard elements held the wings.

A scout on horse came before the lines and called, “Let the leading commanders on both sides answer.”

In the opening of the Shu gate banners, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao came out on right and left, each taking horse. Then squads of fierce commanders came out in line. Under the shadow of the gate flags, in the center there was a four-wheeled cart. Zhuge Liang sat upright within it, wearing a cloth kerchief and feather fan, plain garments and blue sash, and moved out like a drifting cloud.

Kongming looked toward the first three military banners and saw one central white-bearded old man. It was Wang Lang, the Minister of Masses.

He thought to himself: “Wang Lang will deliver a set speech; I shall answer as occasion demands.” He told his guards to bring the cart forward outside the formation and sent the bodyguard to announce, “Han Chancellor and Minister of Masses will speak.”

Wang Lang rode out.

Kongming bowed from the cart; Wang Lang in his saddle lowered himself in return.

Wang Lang said, “For many days I have heard your great reputation. We are fortunate to meet at last. Since you understand Heaven’s order and know the times, why raise an unknown host?”

Kongming answered, “I obey the imperial commands to punish rebels. How can you call that an unknown host?”

Wang Lang continued: “Changes in Heaven’s decrees move dynasties; Heaven’s mandate passes to men of virtue. Since Huan and Ling, the Yellow Turban banners rose and the realm was torn. From early Ping and Jian’an to the present, Dong Zhuo rebelled, then Kuai and Zhi continued oppression; Yuan Shu usurped at Shouchun, Yuan Shao rose in power at Ye; Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou, while Lü Bu swallowed Xuzhou like a tiger’s maw. Bandits rose, ambitious warlords soared, and the state stood in danger of collapsing like eggs on a fragile nest, the people hanging by a thread.

“My Great Father and Ancestor, Martial Emperor, swept through all under heaven and rolled over all the wilds. The myriad households were moved and all quarters admired his virtue. This was not seized by force alone but came as Heaven’s will. My Great Grandfather, Emperor Wen, by sacred learning and warcraft received the Great Unification, in harmony with heaven and with men. He followed Yao and Shun and brought order to China, ruling all with justice. Is that not the heart of heaven and people combined?

“Now you, possessing grand talent and a great vessel, have the audacity to compare yourself to Guan Le and Qi. Why do you force this against Heaven’s law and against human feeling?

“Have you not heard the old saying: “He who follows Heaven prospers; he who defies Heaven dies.”

“Our Wei now fields a million armored troops and has a thousand worthy generals. How can the light of fireflies in rotten grass match the bright moon of Heaven’s mind? Cast down your arms and submit in ceremony. You will not lose your grant of marquis rank. With peace in the realm and joy for the people, what could be better?”

Kongming laughed broadly from the cart: “I thought the Senior Han minister would speak in lofty words; I did not expect this coarse speech.

“I have one word. Let all troops stand still and hear: In the days of Huan and Ling the Han mandate was overturned, eunuchs provoked disaster, famines and calamities shook the years, and the four quarters were in confusion. After the Yellow Turban tumult, Dong Zhuo, Kuai, and Zhi rose one after another, displacing the Han emperor and brutalizing the people.

“Because the court had fallen to rotten wood and the court steps fed beasts, jackals and hounds ran everywhere. Dog-faced flatterers and kneeling maids wielded office. Thus state altars became mounds, and the people burned. I have long known your conduct. Born on the shores of the Eastern Sea, you began as a local xiào lián and entered office rightly to rectify and aid your sovereign, to support Han and restore the House of Liu. How then did you become helper to rebel traitors and co-conspirator in usurpation?

“Your guilt is deep and Heaven cannot tolerate it. The people of the world wish to eat your flesh. Since Heaven has not ended the Han flame, and Emperor Zhaolie has inherited the line in western Sichuan, I now follow the command of the heir and raise soldiers to campaign against rebels. As a sycophantic courtier, you should hide yourself and live for your belly and clothing. How dare you stand in this army’s front rank and claim to know Heaven’s mandate?

“You old gray-haired man! You old bearded traitor! You will go today beneath the Nine Springs and have no face to stand before the twenty-four emperors. Retire at once, and call on the rebel ministers to settle victory and defeat with me!”

Wang Lang, on hearing this, clenched in rage, bellowed once, and was thrown from his horse and killed.

Later some people later wrote a verse praising Zhuge Liang:

The troops and horses rode out from Western Qin, strong enough to face ten thousand men; With but a three-inch tongue lightly stirred, they cursed the old traitor and sent him dead.

Kongming pointed with his fan to Cao Zhen and said, “I will not press you. Mend your ranks and horses and meet me in battle tomorrow.”

When he had finished, he returned to his cart.

So both armies withdrew.

Cao Zhen had Wang Lang’s corpse put in a coffin and sent back to Chang’an.

Deputy Commander Guo Huai said, “If we have lost a commander in mourning, Zhuge Liang will surely come to plunder our camp tonight. Divide the troops in four roads: two through secluded mountain tracks to strike our camp suddenly; two to lie outside our camp and strike from both sides.”

Cao Zhen agreed warmly. “This is very much the same as my thought.” He ordered Cao Zun and Zhu Zan, the two vanguards, to each take ten thousand troops and move behind Qishan. “As soon as you see the Shu force moving toward our camp, strike and plunder. If the Shu force stays still, withdraw at once. Do not push too hard.”

The two obeyed and rode out.

Cao Zhen told Guo Huai, “The two of us each bring one branch of troops and lie outside the camp. Keep only a few men inside and heaped brushwood there. If the Shu troops arrive, raise fire as the signal.”

Each general then prepared himself on left and right.

Back in camp, Zhuge Liang called Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and gave instructions.

Kongming said, “Each of you take your own main formation and go to loot the Wei camp.”

Wei Yan objected, “Cao Zhen deeply understands military method. He surely expects us to go for the camp. Did he not prepare for this?”

Kongming smiled. “It is exactly what I want him to think. He will lie with an ambush behind Qishan, waiting for us to pass. Then he will strike our camp. That is why I send you both along a path around the foot of the mountains, far enough down the encampment, to stand ready for when the Wei force moves to plunder us.

“When fire rises, divide into two routes. Wenchang hold the mountain pass. Zilong, lead your men back. When you meet Wei forces, let them think they are driving you off and then press on to attack them. They will come and cut each other down. We will gain a complete victory.”

The two generals accepted the plan and set out.

Kongming also called Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and told them: “Both of you take a force and lie on the main road at Qishan. Let the Wei army pass, then return by their trail and run hard toward Wei camp.”

They obeyed and went.

He ordered Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Ni to lie outside the camp and stand ready to strike from four sides.

Kongming then built a hollow stockade before the camp, piling brushwood in the center to be used for the signal of flames. He withdrew all commanders to the back of camp and watched for movement.

Cao Zhen’s vanguard Cao Zun and Zhu Zan left camp at dusk. Near the second watch, they saw troops moving in the distance before the mountain.

Cao Zun thought, “Deputy Guo has truly divine understanding,” and pushed his men forward in haste.

They were within reach of the Shu camp at the third watch. Cao Zun entered first and found an empty camp. There was no one there, and he knew he had been deceived. He withdrew quickly.

At once the camp fire was raised.

Then Zhu Zan arrived and his men cut one another down in confusion, trampling men and horses into disorder.

When Cao Zun and Zhu Zan realized this they reined to one another and saw the mess. They tried to gather their strength. Suddenly a great roar rose from all four sides. Wang Ping, Ma Dai, Zhang Ni, and Zhang Yi had arrived.

Cao Zun and Zhu Zan each drew away with no more than a hundred close riders and ran for the main road.

Suddenly horns and drums rang all at once. A body of troops blocked their route. At its head was Commander Zilong of Changshan, calling, “Wicked general, where are you running? Be ready to die now!”

Cao Zun and Zhu Zan tried to force their way through, only to be driven back.

Then another cry rose, and Wei Yan led another troop into the field.

The two generals suffered a major defeat and ran ten li back to their camp.

The sentries inside thought the Shu army had come to plunder and, in panic, raised the fire-signs.

On the left, Cao Zhen rode in; on the right, Guo Huai rode in, and each side struck into the other.

From the rear, three routes of Shu force arrived: in the center Wei Yan, on the left Guan Xing, on the right Zhang Bao. A great slaughter followed.

Wei troops fled for more than ten li. Their losses were heavy.

Kongming won complete victory, then gathered his forces.

Cao Zhen and Guo Huai collected their scattered army and returned to camp. They spoke: “Now Wei’s force is isolated and Shu’s is swollen. How should we retreat?”

Guo Huai said, “Victory and loss are common in war and not enough to trouble us. I have one plan: separate their front and rear so they can no longer support each other. They will surely scatter.”

It goes on:

Pity that the Wei commanders cannot bring this off; They reach out westward for aid.

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