Yet the Wei sovereign Cao Rui ordered Zhang He to serve as vanguard with Sima Yi advancing together, and at the same time ordered Xin Pi and Sun Li to lead fifty thousand men to reinforce Cao Zhen. The two took up the order and set out.

A vanguard had been sent, and Sima Yi led two hundred thousand soldiers, left the mountain pass, and pitched camp. He sent for Zhang He to come to his tent and said, “Zhuge Liang is generally cautious and never rash in action. Had I moved earlier against him, I could have taken Chang’an quickly by the Ziwu Valley long ago. He is not lacking in strategy, but he fears making mistakes and thus avoids dangerous moves. I must now go through the slanting pass and take Mei City. If we take Mei City, we will split forces in two, and one column will capture Jigu. I have already sent a written command to Zidan to hold Mei and not to engage if the enemy approaches. I ordered Sun Li and Xin Pi to block the Jigu road gate; if Wei soldiers come, they are to strike with a surprise detachment.”

Zhang He asked, “Where should the main force advance now, Master?”

Sima Yi replied, “I have known for some time that to the west of the Qinling there is one road, the pass of Jieting, with a small city near it called Lie Liu City. These two points are both throatways of Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang underestimates Zidan and will commit through this route. I and you will go directly for Jieting; Yangping Pass is not far away. If he realizes I have cut the artery at Jieting and severed his supply, then throughout Longxi this region cannot hold; he must flee back to Hanzhong in one night. If he turns and advances, I will engage him on a narrow track and win outright. If he does not return, then I will block every mountain track and hold them all with troops. In a month without grain, Shu troops will starve, and Zhuge Liang will be captured by me.”

Zhang He rose in understanding and knelt to the ground, saying, “Brilliant foresight, Commander!”

Sima Yi said, “All that said, Zhuge Liang is not Meng Da. As vanguard commander, you must not advance lightly. Send word to all generals: scout far along the western mountain road and keep distant patrols ahead. Only if no ambush is found may you move forward. If you grow careless, his plan will catch you.”

Zhang He accepted the counsel and marched his force.

Now back in the Qishan camp, Kongming suddenly received a report from a deep scout arriving from Xincheng. He immediately called him in. The scout said, “Sima Yi has pressed hard and in eight days reached Xincheng. Meng Da was unprepared. Also through the collusion of Shen Dan, Shen Yi, Li Fu, and Deng Xian, Meng Da was killed by his own confederate soldiers. Sima Yi has now withdrawn to Chang’an, reported to the Wei sovereign, then with Zhang He brought his troops out through the pass to oppose our army.”

Kongming startled, “Meng Da did not keep his work secure; his death was inevitable. Now that Sima Yi has left the pass he will surely take Jieting and cut our own throat-way. Who will go to defend Jieting?”

Before his sentence was complete, the staff officer Ma Su stepped forward. “I volunteer to go.”

Kongming said, “Though Jieting is small, it is critical. If Jieting falls, my whole army is undone. You have deep knowledge of strategy; yet this place has no city walls, no fortifications. To defend it will be difficult.”

Ma Su replied, “I have read the classics since childhood and know military law well. How could Jieting not be held?”

Kongming said, “Sima Yi is not an ordinary foe, and besides you will face Zhang He, Wei’s famous general. I fear you cannot oppose him.”

Ma Su said, “Do not speak of Sima Yi and Zhang He. Even if Cao Rui himself comes, what is there to fear? If there is any failure, may my whole family be executed.”

Kongming said, “There is no room for idle words in camp.”

Ma Su said, “Then record my military order.”

Kongming agreed.

Ma Su wrote the order and submitted it.

Kongming said, “I will send twenty-five thousand of my best men with you, and another senior commander to assist.” He called Wang Ping and gave him instructions: “I have long known your carefulness, so I entrust this heavy charge to you. Be very vigilant. This place is a camp-ground and must be a key route; thus the enemy troops cannot slip through quickly. After the camp is established, draw out four to eight maps of the terrain and show them to me. Consult everything carefully before acting; do not move rashly. If this defense stands firm, it is the first victory on the road to Chang’an. Take this warning to heart! Take it to heart!”

The two offered deep bows, took their troops, and departed.

Kongming then reflected with concern that the two might falter and called Gao Xiang: “To the northeast of Jieting there is a city called Lie Liu City, a small and remote track through the hills. This can be used as a troop encampment. Go there with ten thousand men to establish a camp, and if Jieting is in danger you can move to support it.” Gao Xiang led his men away.

Kongming thought further. Gao Xiang was no match for Zhang He; there must be a major general stationed at Jieting’s right flank for defense. So he summoned Wei Yan: “Bring your battalion to camp behind Jieting.”

Wei Yan said, “If I have the front, it is fitting that I break the enemy first. Why do you place me in a quiet posting?”

Kongming replied, “Breaking the enemy in the front is the task of an auxiliary wing. Now you are ordered to support Jieting. You must hold Yangping Pass and secure the throat of Hanzhong. This is a great charge, not an easy one. How could it be called quiet work? Do not treat this as trivial and lose my major plan. Be mindful.”

Wei Yan, pleased, led his troops away.

When his heart was at last eased, Kongming called Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi and said, “Now that Sima Yi has moved, this is unlike previous campaigns. You two each lead one army out through Jigu and serve as feigned forces. If you meet Wei troops, either fight or withdraw as needed to unsettle their thoughts. I will command the main army by the slanting pass and go straight for Mei City. If we seize Mei City, Chang’an may fall.”

They obeyed and left. Kongming assigned Jiang Wei as vanguard and sent the troops through Xie Valley.

Now Ma Su and Wang Ping reached Jieting and inspected the ground. Ma Su laughed, “Why is the Chancellor so anxious? Looking at this remote hill, how could the Wei soldiers dare approach?”

Wang Ping said, “Though they may not dare come, we should still camp at the convergence of the five approaches and order the soldiers to fell trees and build palisades for a long defense.”

Ma Su said, “Is a crossing a place for a campsite? This is a lone hill at the edge, with all around inaccessible, and the trees are dense. This is heaven’s own advantage. We can station troops on the hill-top.”

Wang Ping answered, “The officer is wrong to think so. If we camp directly on the road and build an earthen wall, even ten thousand raiders could not get through. If you abandon this key path and place troops on the hill, and if Wei soldiers arrive suddenly, they could encircle us on four sides. How then can we save ourselves?”

Ma Su laughed aloud. “You truly see only as a woman. The Art of War says, ‘From the heights one can look below as if wood were cleft in two.’ If Wei comes, not one piece of his armor will return!”

Wang Ping said, “I have followed the Chancellor through every battle line. Wherever we went, he advised me throughout. This hill is an exposed place. If Wei blocks our water draws, the soldiers will scatter in disorder without fighting.”

Ma Su snapped, “Do not confuse the road. Master Sun said: ‘Set men in a position of death, then they will be reborn with life.’ If Wei cuts our water supply, should the Shu soldiers not fight to the death, one against a hundred? I have always studied military texts, and the Chancellor asks me about all things; why do you hinder me?”

Wang Ping said, “If the staff-officer wishes to camp below on the path, we can split forces: let half come down west of the hill and form a cornered position. If Wei comes, we can aid each other.”

Ma Su refused.

Suddenly, clusters of hill villagers came running in from the woods, reporting that Wei troops had already arrived. Wang Ping moved to leave. Ma Su said, “Since you will not follow my order, go with five thousand and camp below.” Then he added, “When I have beaten Wei’s army, the credit may not be measured when we stand before the Chancellor.”

Wang Ping led his men ten li down from the hill and drew a map, then in the night sent men to report to Kongming, explaining fully that Ma Su had camped on the heights.

Now Sima Yi, in the city, ordered his second son Sima Zhao to reconnoiter the front road; if troops were defending Jieting, he was to hold position. Sima Zhao obeyed and returned to his father: “Jieting is defended.”

Sima Yi sighed. “Zhuge Liang is truly a divine strategist. I am no match.”

Sima Zhao laughed. “Father, why lower your spirits so much? I expect Jieting can be taken with little strain.”

Sima Yi asked, “How dare you speak so boldly?”

Sima Zhao said, “I observed it with my own eyes: troops are encamped on the hill, and there are no camps or walls on the road. They can be broken.”

Sima Yi rejoiced, “If they truly camp on the hill, Heaven has prepared this victory for me.” He changed his clothing, rode with over a hundred cavalry himself to inspect. That night the sky was clear and bright, and he went down to the base of the hill, patrolled the perimeter once, then returned.

Ma Su, seeing him above, laughed. “If he is permitted to act, he will not encircle the hill.” He ordered the commanders: “If the army arrives, then when a red banner flaps at the summit, everyone must descend on all sides at once.”

Meanwhile Sima Yi returned to camp and asked who commanded at Jieting. The report said, “It is Ma Su, brother of Ma Liang.”

Sima Yi laughed. “A man with empty reputation, a mere incompetent! If Zhuge Liang uses such a person, how could he not bring failure?”

He asked, “Any other troops to left or right of Jieting?”

The scout replied, “Wang Ping camped ten li away on the far side.”

Sima Yi then ordered Zhang He to lead one force and hold Wang Ping’s route. He also sent Shen Dan and Shen Yi on two lines to surround the hill and first cut the water-drawing path. When the Shu troops became disordered, only then strike. The dispositions were settled that same night.

At dawn, Zhang He first moved with one column behind and went around. Sima Yi drove the cavalry hard in one mass and pushed forward, surrounding the mountain on all sides. When Ma Su watched, he saw Wei soldiers spread over every slope, banners and ranks tightly ordered. Shu troops, seeing them, all lost nerve and dared not descend. Ma Su signaled the red flag; his own officers pushed one another back and forth, and not one dared move. In anger Ma Su executed two commanders. The rest, shaken by fear, could only force themselves down the mountain to strike at the Wei troops.

The Wei soldiers stood unmoving. The Shu troops withdrew again to the hill. Ma Su saw things not aligning and ordered the camp gate held tight, waiting only for outside support.

Now Wang Ping saw Wei arrive and drove in, colliding with Zhang He. They fought for many rounds. When Wang Ping was exhausted and isolated, he withdrew. Wei soldiers pressed from the hour of Chen until the hour of Xu; with no water on the mountain and no grain in camp, disorder spread through the camp. In the middle of the night, the Shu forces on the southern slope flung open the camp gate and descended to surrender. Ma Su could not prevent it.

Sima Yi then ordered fires along the mountain line. The Shu men above became more and more disordered. Judging that Jieting could not be held, Ma Su had no choice but to drive what remained of his troops down and flee west.

Sima Yi opened a broad road to let Ma Su pass. Behind them, Zhang He rode hard in pursuit. After thirty li, a battle cry rose ahead and a detachment burst out, blocking Zhang He while letting Ma Su through. It was Wei Yan, who drew his sword and leapt forward on horseback straight for Zhang He. Zhang He wheeled and fled.

Wei Yan came after and regained Jieting. At fifty li out, a shout rang out and ambushes opened on both sides—Sima Yi on the left and Sima Zhao on the right—cutting behind Wei Yan and trapping him in a circle. Zhang He returned, and three columns converged. Wei Yan rushed left and right, unable to break free, losing nearly half his force. In that desperate moment another unit burst in: Wang Ping. Wei Yan was overjoyed. “I am alive!” he cried. The two commanders joined forces and made one killing blow before the Wei withdrew. They hurried back toward camp, only to see Wei banners now filled the camp. Shen Dan and Shen Yi burst out from within.

Wang Ping and Wei Yan rode straight for Lie Liu City and went to Gao Xiang.

As soon as Gao Xiang heard that Jieting had been lost, he roused all forces in Lie Liu City and marched to render aid. He met Wei Yan and Wang Ping there and heard the events. Gao Xiang said, “Tonight we should storm Wei camp and recover Jieting.” The three generals discussed this on the hillside and fixed the plan. When dusk came, he divided the army into three routes.

Wei Yan advanced first and came directly to Jieting. He saw no one and, suspicious, did not go in recklessly but lay in wait at the track mouth. Gao Xiang’s men arrived; the two of them exchanged quick words about where Wei troops were. Still there was no one to hear, and still they did not see Wang Ping’s force. Suddenly there was cannon thunder, fire rose skyward, and drumbeats shook the ground. The Wei army came out all at once and surrounded Wei Yan and Gao Xiang in the middle of the field.

The two struggled fiercely and could not break through. From the slope behind came a cry like thunder and a mounted band entered—Wang Ping again—who rescued both. They ran straight to Lie Liu City.

Just as they reached the city gate, a force had already arrived and the banner showed in large letters: “Inspector Guo Huai of Wei.” Guo Huai had consulted with Cao Zhen. Fearing that Sima Yi would receive all the credit, he had split off to take Jieting. Hearing that Sima Yi and Zhang He had won this success, he now rode directly against Lie Liu City. He met the three commanders at once and they fought fiercely together. Shu losses were severe.

Wei Yan, fearing loss at Yangping Pass, hurried with Wang Ping and Gao Xiang toward Yangping Pass.

Now Guo Huai gathered horse and men and told his officers, “Though I have not taken Jieting, I did take Lie Liu City. That is still a great merit.” He led his force straight to the foot of the city and called for the gate to open. One cannon blast sounded atop the wall; the flags were all raised. Above them, an upper banner read: “Sima Yi, Commander Who Pacifies the West.”

Guo Huai looked up and saw the man there: Sima Yi, holding up a hanging plank and leaning upon a breast-support rail, laughing broadly: “Why did Guo Boji arrive so late?”

Guo Huai stammered, “The clever stratagem of Zhongda surpasses me.” He entered.

After the audience, Sima Yi said, “Now that Jieting is lost, Zhuge Liang must retreat. Move at once with Zidan, and pursue him through the night.” Guo Huai did as told and left.

Sima Yi then called Zhang He. “Zidan and Boji came for this city because they feared I had taken complete success. I did not come to win alone; I only happened to have fortune. I think Wei Yan, Wang Ping, Ma Su, and Gao Xiang will first go to occupy Yangping Pass. If I go for that pass, Zhuge Liang will return to strike and follow my ambush. Sun Tzu says: ‘When returning from victory, do not cover your retreat; when hunting a cornered enemy, do not pursue.’ So you may withdraw from Jieting through the smaller route in Jigu Valley. I will lead the main army along Xie Valley. If they turn and run, do not block them; just intercept midway, and all their baggage and supplies will fall to us.”

Zhang He received the plan and led half the force away.

Sima Yi ordered, “Take the Xie Valley directly and enter by West City. Though West City is a small and remote county, it is where Shu stores grain. It is also the junction for Nanan, Tianshui, and Anding commanderies. If we take this city, those three commanderies are restored.”

Thus Sima Yi left Shen Dan and Shen Yi to hold Lie Liu City and marched with the main army through Xie Valley.

Kongming, after assigning Ma Su and the others to defend Jieting, had been wavering still. Now he received Wang Ping’s map in person. He called him in and had the map presented. On the desk, he opened and viewed it, then struck the table in astonishment: “Ma Su is ignorant. He has trapped our army!”

The attendants asked, “Why this alarm, Chancellor?”

He said, “From this map he has lost the key route and camped on a mountain. If Wei arrives in force and surrounds from four sides and cuts the water path, the army will break in no more than two days. If Jieting falls, how are we to return?”

Yang Yi, the chief clerk, said, “Though I am not talented, let me replace Ma Youchang.”

Kongming then explained in detail the method of camp arrangement to Yang Yi. He was just preparing to leave when a horseman arrived: “Jieting and Lie Liu City are both lost.”

Kongming stamped and sighed deeply, “The great matter is gone. This is my fault!” He called Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and said, “Each of you lead three thousand picked soldiers and go by the Wugong Mountain path. If you meet Wei soldiers, do not give a decisive battle; beat drums and shout to sound like a feigned force. Let them fear and turn away. Do not pursue them. When all troops have fallen back, head for Yangping Pass.”

He also ordered Zhang Yi ahead with troops to repair Jian Ge in readiness for the way home. He issued secret instructions that the main army silently pack as if ready to depart.

He ordered Ma Dai and Jiang Wei to hold the rear, to lie first in the mountain valley, and only after all troops had gone clear themselves from the field.

He had trusted agents split roads to invite officials and soldiery from Tianshui, Nanan, and Anding to enter Hanzhong.

He also instructed trusted men to take Jiang Wei’s mother from Ji County to Hanzhong.

Kongming’s deployment complete, he first led five thousand men to Xicheng County to move supplies. Suddenly messengers arrived repeatedly, as many as ten at once, reporting that Sima Yi had brought one hundred and fifty thousand men and marched in two columns, swarming toward Xicheng County.

Kongming now had no major generals at his side, only a group of civil officials; the five thousand soldiers he had taken were already split, half of them sent ahead with supplies. Only two thousand five hundred remained in the city. The officers around him grew pale on hearing the report.

Kongming climbed the city rampart and saw dust rising like skyfall: the Wei force was advancing toward Xicheng County by two routes. He ordered all banners to be hidden. Each general was to hold posts within the city. If anyone moved in and out or spoke too loudly, they would be put to death. The four gates were opened wide; at each gate, twenty soldiers dressed as civilians swept the streets. “When the Wei come, no one may act without order. I have a plan,” he said.

Then Kongming donned a crane mantle and linen headcloth, took two young attendants, one carrying a zither and one a feather whisk, and sat beside the balustrade on the enemy-facing tower while incense burned and he played.

Now Sima Yi’s forward scouts reached the foot of the city and saw this scene; none dared to step forward. They reported to him. He laughed in disbelief but held the command to stop the three armies and rode out, watching from far away.

He saw clearly. Kongming sat on the city tower, smiling serenely, incense smoke rising, playing the qin. On his left stood a boy carrying a treasure sword; on his right a boy held a fly-whisk. More than twenty ordinary-looking civilians moved about the gates, sweeping in silence. Sima Yi, after seeing this, grew deeply suspicious and, in the main camp, ordered the rear to move forward and the vanguard to fall back, then withdrew along the northern mountain route.

His second son Sima Zhao said, “Could it be that Zhuge Liang has no army and thus is making such a show? Why must you pull back?”

Sima Yi said, “Zhuge Liang has always been cautious and never took reckless hazards. He has opened the gates wide today; there must be an ambush. If my troops enter, we fall into his trap. Do you know this? We should withdraw quickly.”

Thus both columns withdrew.

When the Wei army withdrew out of sight, Kongming tapped his hands and laughed. The officers were astounded.

Someone asked, “Sima Yi is Wei’s renowned general. He led one hundred and fifty thousand and seeing the Chancellor withdrew immediately. Why?”

Kongming said, “He has judged my long habit of caution and believes I do not take risks. Seeing this posture, he suspects ambush and therefore withdrew. I did not seek risk; I used it out of necessity. This man will take his army toward the small northern mountain route. Xing and Bao are already waiting there.”

All were struck with admiration: “Your mysterious insight is beyond ghosts and spirits. If it were by us, we would have abandoned the city in flight.”

Kongming said, “I have only two thousand five hundred men left in the city. If I abandon the city and run, we cannot get very far. Could we avoid being captured by Sima Yi?”

Later critics praised this in a verse:

The three-foot qin surpasses a mighty host; when Zhuge in West City sent enemies retreating. One hundred and fifty thousand men turned their horses there; to this day, later readers still wonder.

Then he said with a clap and laughter, “If I were Sima Yi, I would not find retreat so convenient.” He ordered the civilians of West City to move with the army toward Hanzhong; Sima Yi would surely come again.

So Kongming left West City and moved toward Hanzhong. The officers and soldiers of Tianshui, Anding, and Nanan arrived in succession.

Now Sima Yi withdrew along the Wugong Mountain path. Suddenly cries from behind the slope rose to the sky and drums shook the earth. He turned and said to his sons, “If I do not leave now, I will surely be caught in Zhuge Liang’s design.” A single army advanced on the main road, the banner on high pole reading, “Right Guarding Commander, General of Tiger Wing, Zhang Bao.” The Wei troops cast aside their armor and spears and ran.

No sooner had he gone a short distance when in the valley the calls roared and drums blared. Ahead was a tall banner reading, “Left Guarding Commander, General of Dragon Soaring, Guan Xing.” The valley echoed in answer. Not knowing how many Shu men there were, and already uneasy, the Wei soldiers dared not linger. They cast off baggage and forage and fled.

Both Xing and Bao obeyed their orders and did not press pursuit, bringing back much military gear and grain.

Seeing that the valley was full of Shu soldiers, Sima Yi dared not take the broad road and thus returned to Jieting. At that moment Cao Zhen learned Kongming was withdrawing and hastened out in pursuit.

A cannon blast sounded from behind the hill; Shu troops surged across the slopes, and at their head was Jiang Wei with Ma Dai. Cao Zhen startled and quickly withdrew. His vanguard, Chen Zuo, had already been cut down by Ma Dai. Cao Zhen drew his troops back in panic, while all night the Shu forces all rushed toward Hanzhong.

Now Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi lay in ambush in Jigu Valley. After Kongming’s order to retreat, Zhao told Deng, “If Wei learns we are pulling back, they will chase. I will lead one army to wait behind them; you, keep signaling with our banners and fall back slowly. At each step they will think you cover me.”

Now Guo Huai rode out and re-entered Jigu Valley again, calling the vanguard Suyong to him. “Zhao Yun of Shu is peerless in valor,” he said. “Guard carefully. If this army retreats, there will be stratagems.”

Suyong answered readily, “If the commander supports this, I will capture Zhao Yun alive.”

He led three thousand men in the front and rushed into Jigu Valley. He ran into the Shu force so quickly that a red flag with white letters flashed from the back slope, bearing the words “Zhao Yun.”

Suyong pulled back and retreated.

After only a few li, a great shout sounded and a unit crashed out. At the front rode the tall commander, spear raised, horse clear, shouting, “Do you know who this is? Zhao Zilong?”

Suyong was startled: “How can there be another Zhao Yun here?” Unprepared, he was skewered by Zhao Yun’s lance from his horse. The remaining forces scattered.

Zhao Yun advanced by circuit. Behind him another army came—the corps under Wan Zheng, a subordinate of Guo Huai. Seeing Wei pursue him, Zhao checked his mount, planted his spear, and waited at the roadhead for close contact. The Shu army was already thirty li ahead.

Wan Zheng recognized Zhao Yun and did not advance. As dusk came, Zhao slowly withdrew. When Guo Huai’s troops came up, Wan told him Zhao Yun was as brave as ever and therefore he kept distance.

Huai ordered his general to press hard; hundreds of mounted heroes raced forward. Reaching a great forest, they heard a shout from behind: “Zhao Zilong is here!” It terrified more than a hundred who lost their seats from horse. The rest fled over ridges.

Wan mustered and came out to meet him, but Zhao Yun shot him with an arrow through helmet ties and he fell into a ravine. Zhao pointed his spear and said, “I spare your life. Go! Tell Guo Huai to hasten!”

Wan escaped with life and returned. Zhao escorted the baggage and horses and headed for Hanzhong, and no losses occurred on the way.

Cao Zhen and Guo Huai later took back the three commanderies and counted it as their own merit.

Now Sima Yi again advanced in columns, but all Shu forces had already returned to Hanzhong. He led one army back to West City and inquired among the inhabitants and remote hill folk. All said Zhuge Liang had only two thousand five hundred men in the city, and no general of rank, only a handful of civil officials, with no ambush at all.

A villager of Wugong Mountain said, “Guan Xing and Zhang Bao each have three thousand soldiers. They only cried from the hills and beat drums. They made no separate forces and did not remain to close with the enemy.”

Sima Yi lamented too late and, raising his face to the sky, sighed, “I am not as good as Zhuge Liang.” He soothed the officers and civilians, then withdrew by direct way to Chang’an and came before the Wei sovereign.

Cao Rui said, “Today we have again taken back the commanderies of Longxi. All this is your merit.”

Sima Yi reported, “Shu forces are all in Hanzhong and not yet fully annihilated. I beg that the main armies combine to gather and subdue Sichuan to repay Your Majesty.” Cao Rui rejoiced and ordered Sima Yi to raise troops at once.

At that moment a man in the court stood to report: “Your servant has a plan that could settle Shu and aid us against Wu.”

Then it was written:

The ministers and generals of Shu have now returned to their country, and in Wei’s lands the lord and ministers again unleash their schemes. Who offered this strategy, we do not yet know. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.