In the autumn of the ninth month in the sixth year of Jianxing under Shu-Han, Cao Xiu, chief military commander of Wei, was heavily defeated by Lu Xun of Eastern Wu at Shiting. The carriages, horses, provisions, and armaments were exhausted. Cao Xiu was so alarmed that fear became an illness; he reached Luoyang, fell ill with fever in his back, and died. Cao Rui of Wei ordered him to be buried with honor. Sima Yi withdrew with his forces.

As the officers came in, they asked him, “A defeated commander in Wei under the generalissimo’s responsibility usually means serious fault. Why did you retire so suddenly?”

Sima Yi said, “I judged that Zhuge Liang would know we had been defeated and would ride the opening to seize Chang’an. If Longxi faced urgency, who would come to its aid? I returned for that reason.”

The whole army took it for cowardice and laughed at him as he left.

Soon Eastern Wu sent an envoy to Shu with a letter requesting troops against Wei, praising the great victory over Cao Xiu as proof both of martial strength and of goodwill between the allies. The Later Ruler rejoiced and sent the letter on to Hanzhong to report it to Kongming. At that moment Zhuge Liang’s army was strong, horses were sound, grain was ample, and every kind of materiel was complete. He was preparing to set out already. On hearing this message he hosted a feast and assembled the generals to discuss an expedition. Suddenly a gust rose from the northeast, breaking pines in front of the courtyard. All were startled. Kongming consulted it by divination and said, “This wind foretells the loss of a great general.”

The generals did not believe him. While they were still drinking, a messenger came: Zhao Yun’s sons, Zhao Tong, the elder, and Zhao Guang, the younger, had arrived to see the chancellor. Kongming was deeply shocked and dropped his cup to the ground. “Zilong is gone,” he said.

When the two young men entered and knelt to cry out their news, they said, “Our father died in the middle of last night, in the third watch.”

Kongming stamped his foot and wept. “With Zilong dead, the state has lost a main pillar. It is as if one of my two arms were gone!” All the generals wept.

He ordered the two brothers to go to Chengdu and formally report the bereavement to the court. Upon hearing of Zhao Yun’s death, the Later Ruler cried out and wept aloud. “When I was young and helpless, if it had not been for Zilong, I would have died amid riotous ranks.” Then he issued an edict: Zhao Yun was to be posthumously made Great General, granted the marquisate title of Shunping, buried to the east of Jinping Mountain at Chengdu, and enshrined in a hall where he would be sacrificially remembered in all seasons.

There was a verse that later people made of him:

A tiger-general from Mount Chang, In cleverness and courage he matched Guan Zhang, His merits on the Han River stood in the record, At Dangyang his name and deeds blazed.

Twice he raised the young lord, In one thought he answered the late emperor. The clear histories praised his loyalty and courage; The chronicles shall record his loyalty and valor, whose fragrance will endure a hundred generations.

The Later Ruler, remembering Zhao Yun’s past service, arranged elaborate burial honors for him. He enfeoffed Zhao Tong as Colonel of the Tiger Guards, and Zhao Guang as a gate-guard general, then ordered them to guard the tomb. Both bowed and withdrew.

Soon an attendant reported: the divisions for an expedition had already been allocated by Chancellor Zhuge Liang, and he would set out that very day against Wei.

The Later Ruler asked the ministers in court, but many counseled against moving so lightly. The ruler’s doubts were not settled. Then an attendant announced that the chancellor had dispatched Yang Yi with a memorial for mobilization. The ruler ordered him in and Yang Yi presented the memorial. The ruler took it and opened it at the table before him.

The memorial read:

The late emperor feared that rebels and the imperial house could not both remain and that the royal charge could never be secured by mere partial peace; thus he entrusted me with punishing the rebels. With the late emperor’s clear understanding and by weighing my ability, he knew I was weaker than the foe. Yet if I did not punish them, the state’s enterprise would perish. To sit idle and await ruin—would that fare better than marching out? Therefore he entrusted me and never wavered in his trust.

From the day I received command, I have known no ease of rest and no appetite at table. I reflected that to go north we should first pass through the south; therefore in the fifth month I crossed the Lu River, pressing deep into the rough lands where we ate at all hours. I did not spare my own life for such hardship.

Yet I cannot hold to mere safety in Shu capital city, so at risk to myself I have carried out the late emperor’s intention, though some called this not a sound plan. Now the enemy is exhausted in the west and engaged in the east as well. In war, one should strike an enemy who labors; this is the time to advance in force. I therefore submit the matter as follows:

Gaozu and Ming were both clear as day and moon, yet their strategists were deep as abyssal waters. Only by risking danger and injury did they reach safety. Now Your Majesty has not yet Liu Bang’s brilliance, and the strategists are no stronger than Liang and Ping, yet you hope to prevail through long strategy and settle all under heaven. This is one thing I do not yet understand.

Liu Yao and Wang Lang each hold provinces and commanderies. I have put forth counsels of peace and prudence, but doubts and objections fill the hall. If we neither fight this year nor campaign next year, Wu’s Sun Quan will grow, and in time he will absorb Jiangdong. This is another matter I do not yet understand.

Cao Cao possessed intelligence and schemes beyond the common man, and his use of military force resembled Sun Wu in appearance. Yet he was forced into difficult straits at Nanyang, in peril at Wuchao, pressured at Qilian, hemmed in at Liyang, nearly defeated at Beishan, and nearly dead at Tongguan; he settled things but briefly at a time, then moved on. How then can I, with my lesser talent, hope to settle him at little risk? This is still beyond my understanding.

Cao Cao attacked Changba five times and did not break it, and crossed Chaohu four times without success. He employed Li Fu, and Li Fu turned his favor toward treason; he entrusted Xiahou, and Xiahou was defeated and ruined. The late emperor often called Cao an able man, and yet this was one failure in him; how much less can I, dull as I am, be certain of victory? This is another matter beyond my grasp.

Since arriving at Hanzhong, only just over a year has passed, yet in that time we have lost Zhao Yun, Yang Qun, Ma Yu, Yan Zhi, Ding Li, Bai Shou, Liu He, Deng Tong, and more than seventy officers of the Quchang Tun division. Also came Tu commanders, Wuqian, Congsou, Qingjiang, and over one thousand scattered and armored riders. These are the finest troops gathered from all quarters over decades, not drawn from one province alone. Had we waited a few more years, we would lose two-thirds of them. By what method then can we hope to oppose the enemy? This is another matter I do not understand.

The people are poor and the army fatigued, yet affairs admit no pause. If they cannot pause, we cannot stay in place or move at ease—both spend equal cost. If we fail to plan early and instead seek to endure with only one province against the enemy, this is another thing I do not understand.

A foe hard to subdue, yes, is always like this. In former days, when the late emperor lost a battle at Chu, Cao Cao struck his palm and said the realm was already pacified. Yet afterward the late emperor allied with Wu in the east and took Ba and Shu in the west, raised banners northward, and won the capture of Xiahou by the time he marched. That was Cao’s miscalculation, and Han’s cause was then close to fulfillment. Yet Wu then broke the alliance, Guan Yu was ruined in defeat, Zigui suffered collapse, and Cao Pi took the throne. Events proceed like this and are difficult to reverse.

I have bent my back until all strength is spent and will not stop until I die. As for victory or loss, success or failure, whether my calculations are sound, I cannot claim foreknowledge beyond my own clarity.

The Later Ruler was delighted by the memorial and immediately issued orders for Zhuge Liang to take the field. Receiving the command, Kongming raised three hundred thousand troops. He ordered Wei Yan to command the vanguard and run straight along the Chen Village Pass route.

The first detailed report had already reached Luoyang. Sima Yi informed the Wei ruler, and ministers and officers gathered to deliberate. Generalissimo Cao Zhen stood to report: “I guarded Longxi till now, with small achievements but great blame; I am deeply fearful. Now I beg leave to lead a great army and seize Zhuge Liang. I have recently met a great general from Qingshui, sixty-jin broad sword, riding a thousand-li horse, carrying an iron-bow that could hold two stones, and secretly hiding three meteor hammers. His courage cannot be measured by ten thousand men. He is a northern Longxi Didao man, surname Wang, given name Shuang, style Ziquan. I keep this man as my vanguard.”

Cao Rui was delighted and summoned Wang Shuang to the hall. When he appeared, he was nine chi tall, dark-faced and light-brown, with a broad waist and tiger-like shoulders. Cao Rui laughed and said, “I have obtained this great general; what need have I to worry?” He then bestowed brocade robes and gold cuirass, and made Wang Shuang the Tiger-Guards General and commander of the Great Vanguard in front. Cao Zhen was made Chief Commander.

After expressing thanks, Cao Zhen led out and drew one hundred and fifty thousand elite soldiers to join with Guo Huai and Zhang He in controlling the mountain passes.

Meanwhile the Shu vanguard scouts reached Chen Cang and reported back to Zhuge Liang. “The gate at Chen Cang Pass has already been turned into a fortress,” they said. “General Hao Zhao is inside. The moat is deep, the walls are tall, and it is studded all around with antler-like battlements. Guard is strict in every direction. Better to abandon this city and march by the route over Taibai Ridge’s mountain path and through Qishan.”

Kongming said, “Directly north of Chen Cang is Jie Ting, and we must take this city before we can advance.” He ordered Wei Yan to bring the army to the foot of the walls and assault from four sides. For several days they could not break through. Wei Yan returned with the same report of failure.

Kongming grew angry and said, “I would have him beheaded.” At that moment a man from among the attendants informed him, “Though I have no talent, I have served the chancellor for many years and have never repaid him with any achievement. Permit me to go into Chen Cang and urge Hao Zhao to surrender. I need no bow or arrow.” They recognized him as the retainer Yin Xiang.

Kongming asked, “What argument will you use to persuade him?”

Yin answered in detail: “Hao Zhao and I are both from Longxi and have been companions since childhood. If I go now and appeal to him about benefit and peril, he will surely surrender.”

Kongming instructed him to go.

Yin Shuang hastened his horse and rode straight to the walls, crying out, “It is Yin Xiang, Hao Bo, old friend from home, come to see you.” People on the walls informed Hao Zhao.

Hao Zhao ordered the gate opened for him to enter and came up to meet him atop the wall.

Hao asked, “Old companion, why have you come here?”

Xiang said, “I serve under Kongming in Hanzhong-Southwest and attend to military matters. The chancellor has commanded me to pay you guest honors. I am only now dispatched to bear words I must tell you.”

Hao Zhao’s face changed at once. “Kongming is the enemy of my state and my feud enemy! I serve Wei; you serve Shu—each serves one’s own lord. Once we were two clans together, now we are sworn enemies. Speak no more. Please leave the city!”

Xiang tried again, but Hao already moved to the enemy tower. The Wei troops pressed the horses and rushed him out beyond the gate. As he looked back, he saw Hao standing by the protective breast-rail of the heart post. He checked his horse, struck with his whip, and pointed: “Honorable elder Hao, why is your loyalty so shallow?”

Hao replied, “You know the law of Wei. I owe a debt to this state; I have only death to give. You need not try persuasion words. Return quickly to Zhuge Liang and tell him to come on and attack; I do not fear him!”

Yin Xiang returned to Kongming and said, “Hao Zhao blocked me before I could even begin to speak.”

Kongming said, “Go again. Convince him again with benefit and peril.”

Yin returned to the walls and requested the other audience. Hao came out onto the enemy tower. Yin reined in his horse and shouted loudly, “O righteous brother, listen to one honest word. You hold one isolated city. How can you refuse the multitude of hundreds of thousands? If you do not surrender now, remorse will come too late. Why do you not serve the Great Han, instead serving treacherous Wei? If you fail to know Heaven’s mandate, to distinguish clear from impure, what more can I say? Reflect on this, Hao.”

Hao Zhao flew into rage, took up bow and arrow, pointed at Yin, and shouted, “My earlier words stand. You have no need to say more. Withdraw now. I will not even shoot you.”

Yin reported to Kongming exactly this state of Hao Zhao. Kongming was furious and said, “How can this fellow lack all decorum? Does he think I cannot break this city?” He immediately asked the locals, “How many men and horses are in Chen Cang?”

They answered, “I do not know exactly, but around three thousand.”

Kongming smiled, “Measure this little city—how could it withstand us? Let the relief troops come, and then strike at once.”

So the troops built one hundred cloud-ladders. One could hold a dozen men, and the sides were covered by wooden planking. Each soldier took a short ladder and a soft rope. At the drumbeat through the camp, all charged up at once.

From the enemy tower Hao Zhao saw the ladders being raised from all sides and ordered three thousand men with fire-arrows to line all four sides. When the ladders came near the wall he ordered all fire them together. Kongming had assumed the city stood undefended, so he had built many ladders and urged all three armies forward with a roar. Unexpectedly, the archer fire from above rained down all at once. The ladders burned and many soldiers on them were burned alive. Arrows and stones from above fell like rain; the Shu troops withdrew.

Kongming said angrily, “You burn my ladders; I will answer with the rams!”

That night he arranged battering rams. The next day the armies again advanced to drum and shout from four sides. Hao Zhao ordered, in urgency, stones to be split for drilling, then tied grappling cords and crossbows to strike; the rams were all broken.

Kongming then ordered that dirt be hauled in to fill the defensive moat. He told Liao Hua to lead three thousand men carrying picks and spades to tunnel from the night and enter the city secretly. Hao Zhao himself then dug a deep cross moat inside the walls to cut off that assault path.

Thus through day and night there was assault for more than twenty days with no way to break through. Kongming’s mind grew troubled. Suddenly news arrived: “A relief force has come from the east. Their banner announces, ‘General Wang Shuang, Great Vanguard of Wei.’”

Kongming asked, “Who will go out to receive him?”

Wei Yan said, “I volunteer.”

Kongming replied, “You are the great vanguard commander. You must not go lightly.”

He asked, “Who else dares to meet him?”

Assistant general Xie Xiong stepped forth and cried out at once.

Kongming then sent three thousand men with him.

Kongming asked, “Who goes again?”

Another assistant general, Gong Qi, stepped out at once to go. Kongming sent him with three thousand as well.

Kongming feared Hao Zhao might charge out from the city, and so moved the forces back twenty li and encamped.

Xie Xiong, leading his division, encountered Wang Shuang. They fought for less than three exchanges before Wang Shuang cut him in one stroke.

Shu troops broke and scattered. Wang Shuang pursued. Gong Qi followed after, and after just three exchanges had his horse exchange and was also cut down. The broken troops reported back to Kongming.

Kongming was startled and urgently ordered Liao Hua, Wang Ping, and Zhang Ni to go out to meet them. The two armies came face to face. Zhang Ni rode foremost. Wang Ping and Liao Hua held the battle corners.

Wang Shuang surged his horse and exchanged with Zhang Ni several times, neither yielding. Then Shuang feigned defeat and withdrew. Zhang Ni chased after him. Wang Ping saw that Zhang Ni had walked into a trap and shouted, “Do not pursue!”

When Zhang Ni quickly turned his horse, Wang Shuang’s meteor hammer came early and struck him in the back. Zhang Ni slid from his saddle and fled. Wang Shuang wheeled his horse to pursue. Wang Ping and Liao Hua cut him off and rescued Zhang Ni back into formation.

Wang Shuang drove his troops to kill in one sweep; Shu suffered many losses, and Zhang Ni coughed blood several times before reporting to Kongming: “Wang Shuang is a peerless hero. Now twenty thousand troops have camped outside Chen Cang. They have raised stockades and heavy walls on all four sides and dug a deep defensive moat.”

Kongming, seeing two commanders wounded and Zhang Ni hurt, called for Jiang Wei: “The Chen Cang route cannot be carried. Is there another plan?”

Wei said, “Chen Cang is strongly fortified and Hao Zhao defends it with care; with Wang Shuang at his side, it cannot be taken. Better to send one great general to the mountains and waters and hold camp firmly, then pin down Cao Zhen.”

Kongming agreed. He ordered Wang Ping and Li Hui to guard the small road at Jie Ting with two thousand men, and Wei Yan to take one army to guard the Chen Cang pass. Ma Dai would lead the vanguard, with Guan Xing and Zhang Bao in forward-and-rear response positions.

From a small path they went through a slanting valley and advanced toward Qishan.

Cao Zhen, still recalling how his credit had been taken by Sima Yi before, had already assigned Guo Huai and Sun Li to hold the eastern and western gates out by Luokou. Learning that Chen Cang had signaled in alarm, he sent Wang Shuang to help; when he heard of Wang Shuang’s beheading of commanders and new merit, he rejoiced. He made Fei Yao, the middle bodyguard general, act in the interim as commander of the front division, and each general took station at his assigned pass.

A local informer captured in the mountains was suddenly brought before him, so Cao Zhen had him tied and brought to the command tent and knelt down before the command. The man said, “I am no spy or traitor, only one bringing secret orders. I was mistakenly seized by a hidden-ridge unit; please release me from chains.”

Cao Zhen ordered the bonds removed and had his attendants withdraw. The man said, “I am a trusted intimate of Jiang Wei and was sent by your lord with a secret letter.”

“Where is it?” Cao Zhen asked.

The man drew out a folded paper from within his quilted jacket and gave it.

Cao Zhen broke it open and read:

“The guilty officer Jiang Wei bows a hundred times and presents this to the Great Commander of Wei. Though I grew up on Wei stipends and now guard the front of the cities, I have swallowed heavy favor and have no way to repay it. Yesterday by mischance I was ensnared by Zhuge Liang’s deceit and nearly fell into a precipice. Can one ever forget one’s old state? No. Today Shu forces move westward, and Zhuge Liang is not suspicious of me. I rely on your lord bringing great forces; if you meet the enemy, you may act as if in defeat. If I remain at the rear, my signal will be fire. Burn first the Shu grain first and then turn the main army to cover the retreat; Zhuge Liang can then be captured. I desire not fame or reward, only to atone for my prior crimes.

If Your Excellency notices this, please issue orders quickly as stated.”

After reading it, Cao Zhen was delighted: “Heaven itself is granting me success!” He rewarded the messenger heavily and ordered him sent back to the meeting point.

Cao Zhen told Fei Yao to deliberate. “Now Jiang Wei has secretly presented a secret letter, directing me to act thus.”

Fei Yao said, “Zhuge Liang is many-stratagemed and Jiang Wei is broad of wit. Perhaps this is indeed what Zhuge has set in motion; there may be deceit in it.”

Cao Zhen replied, “He was originally a man of Wei, forced by circumstance to go over to Shu. Why should I suspect him?”

Fei Yao said, “Do not advance rashly, governor. Hold this true camp. I will lead one army to meet Jiang Wei; if success is ours, it is yours; if deceit lies in it, I will bear the blame.”

Cao Zhen was pleased and ordered Fei Yao to lead fifty thousand troops and advance toward the slanting valley. After two or three journeys he camped with mounted and foot soldiers and sent lookouts. At the seventh watch (afternoon, third period), he reported: “Shu troops are approaching from the slanting valley.” Fei Yao hurried on.

Shu troops withdrew before contact; Fei Yao ordered pursuit. The Shu forces returned, only then to form for battle; they withdrew again. This happened three times. Late toward the next afternoon, after a day and night the Wei army did not dare rest, fearing sudden attack from Shu. When the troops prepared a cooking pot one day, a sudden uproar of shouts rose from all sides and war horns sounded together. Shu troops came pouring over the entire hills and hillsides.

At the gate standard’s opening, a four-wheeled carriage rolled out. Zhuge Liang sat within, and asked that the Wei field commander answer him.

Fei Yao spurred his horse forward and saw Zhuge Liang. Secretly glad in his heart, he looked over his shoulder and said, “If Shu attacks in force, we withdraw and move back. If fire rises behind the mountain, then we reverse and break through—our troops will come in to join.” He finished his orders.

The horse moved out, and he rode up calling out, “A failed general from before—what business brings you hurrying again?”

Kongming replied coldly, “Call the Chief Commander Cao Zhen out to answer me.”

Fei Yao cursed, “The commander of Wei is a gold branch and jade trunk—how could he deign to meet a rebel?”

Kongming grew enraged, lifted his feathered fan with one motion. On his left was Ma Dai, on his right Zhang Ni. Troops surged out on two routes. The Wei troops broke and ran.

After less than thirty li the Shu forces met fire erupting behind them and unending shouts. The two armies closed in; on the left was Guan Xing, and on the right was Zhang Bao. Arrows and stones came down like rain from the mountain side. The Wei army was defeated in rout.

Fei Yao knew he had been tricked. Gathering the retiring formation, he aimed toward the valley to run, but men and horses were exhausted and disordered. Behind him, Guan Xing led an energized detachment to press forward. The Wei ranks stepped upon one another and were forced over cliffs into ravines, and the dead count could not be known.

Fei Yao fled for life and at that moment met a large host at the hillside mouth. It was Jiang Wei.

Fei Yao shouted in anger, “Rebels have no trustworthiness. Unhappily I have fallen for your treachery!”

Jiang Wei said with a smile, “I sought to capture Cao Zhen; by that plan I have mistaken only your losses. Dismount at once and surrender!”

Fei Yao leapt from his horse to cut for escape and ran into the valley. At once mountain fire roared upward, and chasing soldiers came from behind. He slew himself on the spot.

All remaining forces surrendered. Under cover of night, Kongming pressed on to the slope before Qishan, camped and held the mounted troops in place.

He rewarded Jiang Wei highly.

Jiang Wei said, “I wished I could have killed Cao Zhen.”

Kongming said too, “A grand design was spoiled by over-familiar timing.”

Cao Zhen, hearing Fei Yao had been lost, repented too late. He and Guo Huai discussed a plan of retreat. That night Sun Li and Xin Pi prepared a memorial and presented it to the Wei ruler, reporting that Shu forces had once again moved out to Qishan and Cao Zhen had suffered losses and lost commanders; his situation was precarious.

Cao Rui was startled and called Sima Yi inside, saying, “Cao Zhen has suffered heavy losses and lost commanders, and now Shu has come again to Qishan. What plan do you have to pull back?”

Sima Yi replied, “I already have a plan to withdraw from Zhuge Liang. Do not rely on Wei’s display of power and martial splendor; Shu forces will walk away on their own.”

Then came the closing lines:

Already, we have seen Zi Dan has no unbeatable stratagem; the whole matter rests on Zhongda’s good counsel.

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