The Han army is pursued, and Wang Shuang is executed. Chen Cang is struck, and Wuhou prevails.

Sima Yi submitted his report. “I have already informed Your Majesty that Kongming must leave Chen Cang, so I ordered Hao Zhao to hold it. It has proved true. If they come from Chen Cang to raid, supplying grain would be very convenient. Now, fortunately, Hao Zhao and Wang Shuang are stationed here, so they do not dare to transport grain by this route; the other side roads are hard and difficult to use for movement. I calculate that Shu provisions will last only one month, so speed in battle is to our advantage. Our army should only hold and endure. Your Majesty should issue an edict ordering Cao Zhen to hold every pass and not seek battle. In less than a month the Shu army will have to withdraw. Then, when they are weak from marching, we can strike at them. Kongming would then be within reach.”

Cao Rui answered with satisfaction, “If you had such foreknowledge, why did you not lead a detachment yourself and strike first?”

Sima Yi replied, “I do not treasure life above my duty, and I truly wish to keep this force for guarding against Eastern Wu’s Lu Xun. Sun Quan will not be long before he assumes a pretended imperial title. If that happens and he proclaims himself the august ruler, I fear Your Majesty will move against him, giving him the excuse to invade us first. That is why I want to hold the army in readiness.”

At that moment an attendant arrived in haste: “Cao Commander reports the military situation.”

Sima Yi ordered, “Your Majesty should immediately send word to Cao Zhen: whenever you pursue the Shu forces, observe their true strength before acting; do not advance deep into hostile ground, lest you fall into Kongming’s trap.”

Cao Rui issued the order at once and sent Han Ji, the Minister of Ceremonies, with the imperial token. “Do not fight,” it read. “Defend carefully and hold the lines. Wait until the Shu army pulls back, then strike only then.”

When Han Ji was at the city gate, Sima Yi summoned him and said, “I entrust this merit to Zidan. When you meet him, say nothing that this was my advice. Let him think only that the Son of Heaven has commanded that defense takes precedence. In pursuit, commanders must watch closely; do not send rash men, hot-blooded and impatient, to chase.”

Han Ji withdrew.

Cao Zhen had just resumed council in his command tent when news came that the Son of Heaven had sent Han Ji with the imperial token. Cao Zhen went out to receive him. After he had done obeisance and retired from the command tent with Guo Huai and Sun Li to deliberate.

Guo Huai laughed. “This is exactly Zhongda’s reading.”

Cao Zhen asked, “In what way?”

Guo Huai replied, “He clearly understands how Kongming handles armies. If anyone can endure a prolonged defense against Shu troops, it is Zhongda.”

Cao Zhen said, “If the Shu force does not retreat, what then?”

Guo Huai answered, “Send Wang Shuang quietly to patrol on a side route with a light force. Then they will not dare to run grain there. Wait until their supply runs out and they must retreat. Then seize the moment and pursue; we can turn it into a complete victory.”

Sun Li said, “I can dress up troops as a grain convoy from Qishan. We load all the wagons with dry reed and brushwood and fill them with brimstone and saltpeter. Then I will have a fake dispatch saying grain transport from Longxi has arrived. If the Shu army is short of supplies, it will certainly rush in to seize it. Once they enter, we set fire to the wagons. Reserve troops outside will fall upon them and win.”

Cao Zhen praised it as excellent and ordered Sun Li to execute the plan exactly. He also sent men to tell Wang Shuang to patrol and report along side tracks, while Guo Huai ordered troops to move through Jigu Valley and Jieting, with troops and horses from each route posted at the critical ridges. Cao Zhen then assigned Zhang Hu, son of Zhang Liao, as advance guard and Lechen, son of Yue Jin, as deputy. They shared the forward encampment and were forbidden to take battle.

Meanwhile Kongming in the Qishan camp challenged the Wei troops every day, but the Wei army held firm and never came out. He called for Jiang Wei to plan. “Wei holds the position and refuses to advance,” Kongming said. “They are counting on the fact that our grain is nearly gone. With Chen Cang blocked, other side routes are difficult. I estimate our supplies cannot last more than a month. What are we to do?”

As he hesitated, news arrived that several thousand supply wagons from Longxi had come toward the west of Qishan. The officer in charge was none other than Sun Li.

Kongming asked, “Who is that man?”

A Wei informant said, “He once accompanied the Wei ruler on a hunt at Dashi Mountain. A fierce tiger leaped forward straight at the carriage. Sun Li dismounted, drew his sword, and severed it. From then on he was made General-in-Chief. He is close to Cao Zhen.”

Kongming smiled. “That is it. Wei expects us to be short of grain, and has devised this scheme. These wagons surely carry only straw and fire powder. I have always favored fire attack; and now they try to draw me into that very snare. If he suspects I will raid their grain train, he will come to raid my camp first. Let us meet plan with counterplan.”

He summoned Ma Dai and ordered him: “Take three thousand men directly to the Wei depot. Do not enter the camp. From above the windward ridge, set it alight. If the wagons burn, Wei soldiers will come to surround our camp.” He then dispatched Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni, five thousand each, to hold outside and close both hands of the field. They departed.

He then summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao. “The Wei forward camp controls four connecting roads. If fire rises on the west ridge tonight, Wei troops will rush to relieve me. You two hide beside the Wei camp, one on each side. Wait until their force moves out, then strike.”

He also summoned Wu Ban and Wu Yi. “Each of you lead a corps and lie in wait outside the camp. If Wei troops arrive, cut off their path home.” They too set out. Kongming had finished his dispositions and sat above Qishan, watching from the heights.

Wei scouts learned that the Shu force intended to raid the grain wagons and hurriedly informed Sun Li, who immediately signaled Cao Zhen by courier. Cao Zhen ordered men at the head camp to instruct Zhang Hu and Lechen: “When fire rises on the western mountain tonight, the Shu will come to relieve the camp. Then we can deploy; do so as I have indicated.”

Both took the instruction and climbed the towers to watch for the signal fires.

Sun Li posted his army on the west of the mountain and waited for the Shu to come. At the second watch, Ma Dai arrived with three thousand men. The men held arrows in their mouths and their horses had muzzles bound tight. He marched straight to the western heights, where wagon trains were massed in layers upon layers, crowded into a ringed camp with banners half-planted among them. At that moment a southwest wind rose. Ma Dai ordered his men to go to the southern edge and set fires. Every wagon burned, and the flames rose skyward.

Sun Li thought the Shu had reached Wei camp and set war cries from within. He rushed all troops to cover the position. Horns and drums exploded from behind him, two streams of troops came in. One was Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni, who had already encircled the Wei army at the heart of its camp. The other was Ma Dai bursting from the edge of the fire and noise. Under attack from both outside and inside, the Wei force collapsed. Wind and flame whipped the smoke; men and horses bolted in confusion; the dead were countless. Sun Li, hit in the body, cut his way through fire and smoke and fled.

Zhang Hu, in the main camp, saw the blazing fire and threw open the gate. He and Lechen rode out with all their troops, charging for the Shu camp. The camp was empty. As he pulled troops back, two roads of troops led by Wu Ban and Wu Yi burst out and cut their return lines. Zhang and Le sprang through the encirclement to run back to their own camp, only to see arrows raining on the earthen wall like locusts descending. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao had struck their camp. The Wei force was routed and all withdrew to Cao Zhen’s main camp.

As they were about to enter, a squad of shattered men rushed in. It was Sun Li.

Cao Zhen and the others entered to hear their report of being deceived. He kept only the great camp and did not fight further. The Shu victory having been won, they returned to Kongming.

Kongming quietly conveyed instructions to Wei Yan. “Raise the camp and prepare to withdraw as one.”

Yang Yi objected, “Now that we have a great victory and have broken the Wei spirit, why do you want to draw troops back?”

Kongming said, “Our army is short of grain. Haste favors us only in battle. Now Wei holds back and will not come out; the Shu force suffers by remaining. Even if they are defeated for the moment, they will have reinforcements from the Central Plains. If light cavalry strikes our supply road, we cannot return. Since Wei has just lost face, it will not dare to look straight at Shu. We can leave without being seen and withdraw on that very opening. My only concern is this: Wei Yan’s corps, at the Chen Cang gate, is blocked by Wang Shuang and cannot disengage. I have already issued secret orders: kill Wang Shuang, and no Wei men should dare pursue. The rearguard only should move first.”

That night Kongming left only gongs and drums in camp for the night watch. By dawn the whole army had withdrawn, leaving only an empty encampment.

Cao Zhen was still in his camp, troubled and gloomy, when suddenly Zhang He, General of the Left, arrived. He dismounted and entered the command tent: “I was ordered by imperial command to hear your adjustment.”

Cao Zhen asked, “Did Zhongda send a separate message?”

Zhang He answered, “He instructed: ‘If we win, the Shu army cannot leave easily; if we lose, it will leave at once.’ Since we have just suffered, have any scouts been sent from our side to sound out the Shu force?”

Cao Zhen admitted they had not.

He sent men at once to reconnoiter and found the camp to be empty by design: only several dozen banners remained planted, and the soldiers had departed two days earlier.

Cao Zhen bitterly regretted it too late.

Wei Yan carried out the secret plan and at the second watch raised camp and hurried back to Hanzhong. Earlier, a covert agent had already informed Wang Shuang. Wang Shuang drove his troops and horse at full speed in pursuit, reaching a little beyond twenty li before nearly catching him. Wei Yan’s banner was in front, and he shouted, “Wei Yan does not flee!”

The Shu troops did not turn back. Wang Shuang spurred forward, but behind him Wei soldiers called out, “Fire is burning in the outer camp; it must be a trap they set for us!”

He pulled his horse hard and rode back. Suddenly flames rose to the sky. He hurriedly turned his forces to retreat. As he moved along the left of a slope, a rider suddenly burst from the woods and cried, “Wei Yan is here!” Wang Shuang was startled and could not react; Wei Yan cut him down from under the horse in one stroke.

Wei soldiers, fearing an ambush, scattered in all directions. Wei Yan had only thirty riders at hand; they advanced slowly toward Hanzhong.

A later poem praised him:

Kongming’s wondrous reckoning outwits Sun and Pang, a guiding star shining over one realm. He moves with perfect judgment in advance and retreat, and at the gate of Chen Cang he slays Wang Shuang.

In truth, Wei Yan had carried out Kongming’s cunning design. He first left only thirty horse behind to lie in wait near Wang Shuang’s camp, only to burn his camp when he rode out in force. When Wang Shuang returned, the ambush struck without warning. Wei Yan beheaded him and returned to Hanzhong, handing back men and horses to Kongming.

Kongming hosted a grand banquet; the account goes no further here.

Zhang He gave up pursuit of the Shu and returned to his camp. Hao Zhao then sent word from Chen Cang: Wang Shuang had been beheaded.

Cao Zhen heard this and was overwhelmed with grief. Illness seized him from his sorrow, so he returned to Luoyang and ordered Guo Huai, Sun Li, and Zhang He to hold all routes toward Chang’an.

Now Sun Quan held court. An agent reported, “Shu’s Prime Minister Kongming has marched out twice; Cao Zhen’s forces are near collapse.”

Many ministers urged King of Wu to raise troops against Wei and make for the Central Plains, but Sun Quan hesitated. Zhang Zhao submitted: “Recently at Wuchang’s Eastern Mountain there were signs of the phoenix; in the Great River, yellow dragons appear repeatedly. Your lordship’s virtue matches that of Yao and Shun, and your brightness matches Wen and Wu. You can assume the emperor’s seat immediately, and only then launch a campaign.”

Many officials agreed: “What Zhang Zhao said is right.” They fixed the bing-chen day in the fourth month of summer and built a platform on Wuchang’s southern outskirts.

That day, ministers begged Sun Quan to mount the altar and take the throne. The eighth year of Huangwu was renamed the first year of Huanglong. Sun Jian was posthumously titled Emperor Wu. Lady Sun was named Empress Wu Lie. Sun Ce was titled King Huan of Changsha. Sun Deng was installed as Crown Prince. Zhuge Ke, Zhuge Jin’s eldest son, became Left Guardian to the Crown Prince, and Zhang Xiu, Zhang Zhao’s second son, became Right Attendant.

Zhuge Ke, whose courtesy name was Yuansun, was tall and highly intelligent and quick of response. He was six years old when this happened. At a banquet in Eastern Wu, he sat at his father’s side. Sun Quan noticed the length of Zhuge Jin’s face and ordered a donkey to be brought forward, then with chalk wrote two characters across its face: “Zhuge Ziyu.”

Everyone laughed loudly. Zhuge Ke came up, took the chalk, and wrote below: “The donkey of Zhuge Ziyu.” The whole hall was astonished.

Sun Quan was delighted and gave him the donkey. On another occasion at a great banquet, Sun Quan ordered Ke to pass the cup. As he came to Zhang Zhao, the latter refused to drink and said, “This is not proper for honoring old age.”

Sun Quan said, “Can you force Zi Bu to drink?” Ke accepted the command and answered Zhang Zhao, “Formerly Jiang Shangfu at ninety held banner and axe and still never called himself old. Today, when battle comes, you stand behind the line; on this day of drinking, you stand before me. How do you call this the ritual of old age?”

Zhang Zhao had no reply and had to drink in the end. Sun Quan, therefore, loved him deeply and made him tutor to the crown prince. He was already above the Three Dukes as a pillar at court, so his son Zhang Xiu was made Right Attendant to the prince. Sun Quan also appointed Gu Yong as Chancellor, Lu Xun as Grand General, and made them all guard Wuchang for the prince. Sun then returned to Jianye.

The ministers discussed strategy against Wei again. Zhang Zhao advised, “Your Majesty has only just ascended the throne; it is not yet time to raise armies. You should cultivate learning and restrain arms, set up more schools, and steady the hearts of the people. Send an envoy to Shu to renew alliance and divide the realm gradually.”

Sun followed the advice and sent an envoy in the night to Hanzhong to report to the Backing Lord. Formal greetings completed, he quietly presented the matter. Liu Shan consulted his court. Most argued that Sun Quan was a usurper and the alliance should be broken.

Jiang Wan said, “Inquire of the Prime Minister.” The Backing Lord sent a messenger to Hanzhong to ask Zhuge Liang. Zhuge responded, “Have someone bring gifts and present congratulations in Wu, requesting that Lu Xun raise troops and attack Wei. Wei will surely order Sima Yi to oppose. If Sima blocks Wu in the south, I will again march to Qishan and set my sights on Chang’an.”

Liu Shan followed this counsel and sent the Grand Commandant Yang Zhen with a famous horse and gifts of jade and gold ornaments into Wu as a congratulatory visit. When Yang Zhen arrived and presented the letters, Sun Quan rejoiced, held a feast, and sent him back in honor.

Sun then summoned Lu Xun and told him of the pact with Shu to attack Wei.

Lu Xun said, “This is Zhuge’s maneuver, fearing Sima Yi’s designs. Although he shares war plans with them, he does not truly wish to swallow Wu. They are feigning an alliance while waiting for a chance, and their purpose is to watch and choose. If Kongming presses Wei hard, I can then exploit the opening and strike for the Central Plains.” He immediately ordered training of men and horses in Jingxiang and all districts to prepare and choose an auspicious date for mobilization.

When Chen Zhen returned to Hanzhong and reported to Kongming, Kongming still worried about advancing into Chen Cang hastily. He sent scouts ahead. They returned: “Hao Zhao is gravely ill in the city of Chen Cang.”

Kongming said, “The matter is won.” He summoned Wei Yan and Jiang Wei and ordered, “Each of you take five thousand men and ride through the night toward the foot of Chen Cang. If you see fires rising, join and attack the city at once.” They did not fully trust this and asked, “When may we depart?”

Kongming answered, “Everything must be ready in three days. Do not ask my leave again; move at once.”

Both left. He then called Guan Xing and Zhang Bao privately and instructed them in whispers. Each took the secret plan and departed.

Guo Huai heard of Hao Zhao’s illness and spoke with Zhang He: “Since Hao Zhao is sick, you should hurry to replace him. I will write a memorial to the court and separately decide what must be done.”

Zhang He led three thousand men and came in haste to relieve him. That night, while Hao Zhao was indeed near death and moaning in the city, word came that the Shu army had reached the city walls. Hao Zhao ordered his men to man the battlements.

Fire rose on each gate and chaos swept the city. Hao Zhao heard it all and shook in panic. The Shu masses stormed in at once.

Wei Yan and Jiang Wei rode up to the foot of Chen Cang and saw no banners and no sentries. They were alarmed and did not dare assault.

Suddenly they heard cannon thunder, and banners rose on every side. A man in a silk kerchief, feather fan, and high-robed crane-cloak cried out, “You two have come too late!”

They recognized him as Kongming.

They leapt from horseback and knelt. “Your calculations are indeed marvelous,” they said.

Kongming told them to enter the city and explained: “I had learned that Hao Zhao was close to death. I ordered you to seize the city within three days so as to steady everyone’s hearts. I also told Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to send only a small detachment out of Hanzhong, while I remained hidden among the army and rode by back roads to the city without delay, so he could not shift troops. I had agents in the city set fires and raise calls to help. Their troops became confused and fearful. A force without a commander will disorder itself. Thus it came into my hands as if it were mere palm work. The Art of War says: ‘Attack where they are unprepared; strike when they are not ready. This is what this means.’”

Wei Yan and Jiang Wei knelt.

Kongming, in pity for Hao Zhao’s death, ordered that his wife and children return his spirit with proper rites and send the spirit tablet back to Wei to show his loyalty.

Kongming then told Wei Yan and Jiang Wei, “Neither of you should yet remove your armor. Bring troops and strike at San Pass. Whoever holds the pass will surely flee if they know your force has come. If you delay, Wei troops from the other road will arrive and the assault becomes harder.”

They obeyed and reached the pass. The gate guards indeed all fled when they saw the army coming. After Wei Yan and Jiang Wei began to unbuckle, they saw dust rise at the mountain’s edge and Wei soldiers approaching.

The two men said together, “The Chancellor’s calculations are not fathomable.” They climbed and watched. The Wei general was Zhang He.

They divided their troops and held the difficult paths. Seeing the Shu block the key road, Zhang He ordered retreat. Wei Yan pursued and engaged once. The Wei dead were innumerable; Zhang He withdrew in defeat.

Wei Yan returned to the pass and reported to Kongming. Kongming himself first took troops out from Chen Cang by way of Xie Valley and captured Jianwei. The rest of the Shu army followed in sequence.

The Backing Lord again ordered General Chen Shi to provide assistance. Kongming drove out a great army from Qishan once more and established camp. Gathering his men, he spoke:

“I have come to Qishan twice before and gained no clear advantage. Now I return again and believe the Wei army will defend in the same places and oppose us there as before. They will suspect I intend to take Yong and Mei and therefore post troops to deny me. I observe that Wudu and Yinping connect to Han. If we can take both commanderies, we can split their forces. Who among you dares to take them?”

Jiang Wei said, “I volunteer to go.”

Wang Ping also said, “I volunteer.”

Kongming rejoiced and ordered Jiang Wei with ten thousand men to take Wudu and Wang Ping with ten thousand to take Yinping.

Zhang He returned to Chang’an and told Guo Huai and Sun Li, “Chen Cang is lost, Hao Zhao is dead, and the pass of San has also been taken. If this continues, they will certainly seize Yong and Mei.”

Heeding the danger, Guo Huai assigned Zhang He to stay and defend Chang’an and ordered Sun Li to hold Yong. Guo Huai then brought his own troops through the night to defend Mi city, and meanwhile sent an urgent memorial to Luoyang.

Cao Rui held court and heard repeated reports: “Chen Cang has fallen, Hao Zhao is dead, and Kongming has again gone to Qishan; San Pass has also been taken.” He was alarmed. A memorial from Man Zhong and others arrived saying: “Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has usurped imperial title and allied with Shu. He has dispatched Lu Xun to Wuchang, training men and horses in preparation. The attack will begin at once.”

Hearing of danger from both fronts, the emperor grew uncertain and panicked. At that time Cao Zhen’s illness had not fully recovered, so he summoned Sima Yi for consultation.

Yi said, “In my poor judgment, Eastern Wu will not actually take up arms.”

Cao Rui asked, “How can you know that?”

Sima Yi replied, “I think Kongming still seeks revenge for Xiaoting and does not truly wish to swallow Wu. He fears that if he attacks now, Wei might strike Wu by exploiting the opening. Therefore he temporarily joins with Wu. Lu Xun also sees this and feigns mobilization to answer it, really only to wait and watch success or failure. Your Majesty need not defend against Wu; you must only guard against Shu.”

Cao Rui praised him. “You truly have keen vision.” He then made Sima Yi Grand Commander and placed him in charge of all Longxi front armies, ordering an official to fetch the commanding seal from Cao Zhen.

Yi said, “I will go and take it myself.”

He then bowed and left the court immediately, going directly to Cao Zhen’s residence. He had a report sent ahead before he entered.

After inquiring about the illness, Sima Yi said, “Eastern Wu and Shu in the west have formed a joint invasion. Kongming has once again moved from Qishan and made camp below. Did Your Excellency know of this?”

Cao Zhen was astonished. “The household has known I was unwell and did not let me know. In such a state of crisis, why did you not beg Zhongda to be your commander, to drive off Shu?”

Sima Yi said, “I am unworthy in talent and intelligence to hold so high an office.”

Cao Zhen said, “Take the seal and give it to Zhongda.”

Sima Yi replied, “A commander must be careful. I only wish to lend one arm of strength; I dare not accept that seal.”

Cao Zhen sprang up: “If Zhongda does not accept this office, all of China is lost. I will live in my illness before heaven to hold it safe!”

Sima Yi said, “Your Majesty has already granted this favor, but I dare not accept.”

Cao Zhen was overjoyed and said, “Now that Zhongda takes this command, he can drive back the Shu army.”

Sima Yi saw Cao Zhen yield again and then accepted the seal. He took leave of the Son of Heaven and marched with troops toward Chang’an to settle with Kongming.

Then it was set down:

A former commander’s seal passes to a new commander; Of two lines of troops, only one now comes. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.