In the seventh year of the Jianxing era of Shu-Han, in the fourth month, Zhuge Liang, whose courtesy name was Kongming, had his army at Qishan, split into three camps, waiting only for the Wei army.

Then Sima Yi marched his troops to Chang’an. He met with Zhang He, and Zhang He reported what had happened before. Sima Yi ordered Zhang He to serve as the vanguard and Dai Ling as his deputy commander, and took one hundred thousand men to Qishan, setting camp on the south of the Weishui River. Guo Huai and Sun Li entered the camp to report in person.

Sima Yi asked, “Have either of you met the Shu army in battle?”

The two answered, “Not yet.”

“Shu soldiers have come a thousand li. They profit from a quick engagement. Since they do not fight when they arrived here, they must have a design,” Sima Yi said. “Have any reports come from the roads out of Longxi?”

Guo Huai said, “Our agents have already learned in all the commanderies that everyone is on watch day and night and there is nothing unusual. Only at Wudu and Yinping there has been no report.”

“Once I have fought with Zhuge Liang, you two are to rush by the lesser roads to those two commanderies,” Sima Yi ordered. “Then hide behind the Shu army. It will certainly be disrupted.”

The two took his instructions, and led five thousand men through the smaller roads of Longxi to come to Wudu and Yinping and strike at the Shu army from behind. On the road, Guo Huai said to Sun Li,

“Zhongda or Kongming—which is more capable?”

Li said, “Kongming surpasses Zhongda by far.”

“Even so,” Guo Huai said. “This plan alone already shows Zhongda his exceptional wit. If the Shu army were to strike both commanderies directly, and we come around their rear, would they not become confused?”

Just then, a scouting horseman came with news: “Yinping has already been broken by Wang Ping. Wudu has already fallen to Jiang Wei. The Shu army is not far ahead.”

Li said, “If the Shu army has already broken through the cities, how could they array in front of them? It must be deception. Better to withdraw quickly.” Guo Huai agreed.

While he was giving orders for retreat, a cannon boomed out of nowhere. A detachment of cavalry flashed out from behind a hill, bearing a banner with great black letters: “Han Chancellor Zhuge Liang.” In the center stood a four-wheeled carriage, and Zhuge Liang sat upright upon it. On his left was Guan Xing, on his right Zhang Bao.

The two men, Guo and Sun, were terrified.

Kongming laughed aloud. “Guo Huai, Sun Li, do not run. How could Sima Yi’s scheme escape my notice? He has one unit fight in front each day, yet sends you to strike our rear. I have already taken Wudu and Yinping. Since you two did not come in time to surrender, you meant to drive your troops to a final fight with me, then?”

When Guo Huai and Sun Li heard this, they were in utter dismay. At that moment, shouts of attack and cries of pursuit rose from behind; Wang Ping and Jiang Wei came with troops from the rear. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao also led men and attacked from in front.

Attacked from both sides, the Wei forces were heavily routed. Guo and Sun cast down their horses and fled uphill on foot. Zhang Bao saw this and spurred off on horseback in pursuit; unexpectedly, with horse and rider together he slipped into a ravine. The rear troops rushed to rescue him, but his head had already struck against stone. He was sent back to Chengdu by Zhuge Liang’s men to recover.

Then Guo and Sun escaped and reported to Sima Yi:

“Wudu and Yinping are lost. Zhongyi [Kongming] waited on the main road, attacking from both front and rear, and so we were routed. He dismounted to go on foot and survived only by running away.”

Sima Yi said, “That is not your fault. Kongming was clever before I arrived. Let each of you bring new troops and hold the cities of Yong and Mei. Do not engage in battle. I have a way to break the enemy.”

The two took leave and withdrew. Sima Yi then summoned Zhang He and Dai Ling and assigned them:

“Kongming has taken Wudu and Yinping. He is surely pacifying the people to steady their hearts, and so he is not in camp. You two take ten thousand picked men each and set off tonight. Slip behind the Shu army and strike hard at the enemy all at once. I will array my forces in front. When the Shu formation breaks, I will drive the cavalry in and press through. The two armies together may seize their camp. If we hold this ground, what could toppling this army be?”

The two obeyed and marched away. Dai Ling rode on the left, Zhang He on the right. They took the side roads into the night, going deep into the Shu rear.

At the third watch, they came to the main road, where the two forces met and joined. They still moved on from the Shu rear. They had not traveled thirty li when the front line stopped.

Both Zhang and Dai reined up and looked. They saw hundreds of carts loaded with fodder crossing the road, blocking it.

Zhang said, “This must be prepared in advance. We should ride back at once.”

The order to withdraw had barely gone out when all the mountain slopes flared at once with firelight. Drums boomed loudly. Ambushes burst from all around, enclosing both men.

From the heights above Qishan, Kongming called out,

“Dai Ling, Zhang He, hear me. Sima Yi assumed I was pacifying the people at Wudu and Yinping and so not in camp, so he ordered both of you to raid my camp. He has fallen into my design. You two are commanders without fame and standing. I will not kill you. Dismount, and surrender now.”

Zhang He grew furious and pointed at Kongming. He cursed,

“You are a mountain villager and mere peasant, invading the borders of our great realm. How dare you speak so? If I catch you, I will tear your body into ten thousand pieces!”

When he finished, he drove hard, lowered his lance, and rode up the mountain. Arrows and stones fell like rain. He could not gain the heights.

He struck the horse, brandished his spear, and burst from the thickest press. None dared stand against him. At the same time, Shu soldiers trapped Dai Ling at the center of the field. Zhang He broke out. He did not see Dai Ling at first; then, braving everything, he turned back, charged in again through the thick ring, pulled Dai Ling out, and withdrew.

Kongming on the ridge saw Zhang He amid ten thousand men, clashing in and out. His courage had doubled. He told his attendants,

“Once I have heard that Zhang Yide once fought Zhang He and people were all struck with fear. Only today I have seen him truly. He is truly brave. If we leave this man alive, he will remain a danger to Shu. He must be removed.”

He gathered his army and withdrew to camp.

Then Sima Yi arrayed his army in formation and waited for the Shu forces to stir before striking at once. He saw Zhang He and Dai Ling arriving in disorder and reporting,

“Kongming had already built such preparations, so we were routed and came back.”

Sima Yi was startled.

“Zhuge Liang is truly otherworldly,” he said. “Let us withdraw for now.” He immediately ordered the main army to return to its own camp and hold fast, giving no battle.

Kongming won a great victory and took arms, mounts, and gear in countless amount. He led his army back to camp. For every day he ordered Wei Yan to issue challenges, but the Wei army did not come out. For one and a half months, no battle occurred.

Kongming was in council in his tent when word came: the Son of Heaven’s envoy Fei Xi arrived bearing an edict.

Kongming welcomed him into camp, burned incense, offered the required respects, and read the edict aloud:

The failure at Jieting was due to Ma Su; your own transgression had led to it, and you have humbled yourself deeply in shame. You disobeyed the Son of Heaven’s will too often and followed what was convenient. In the previous year’s campaign, you carried it to victory and severed Wang Shuang’s head; this year, on campaign again, Guo Huai fled. You induced the Di and Qiang to descend and restored the two commanderies. You made the wicked tremble, and your merit is plainly visible. The world is now all in turmoil; the old evil still prowls, and your charge is high and the weight of the state rests on you. To keep yourself subdued for so long is not how the former brilliance should be displayed. I therefore restore you as Chancellor. Do not refuse.

When Kongming had finished hearing the edict, he told Fei Xi,

“My state is not yet put in order; how can I resume the office of Chancellor?”

He refused earnestly.

Fei Xi said, “If the Chancellor refuses this appointment, he rejects the will of the Son of Heaven and coldly weakens the soldiers’ spirits. Receive the post, at least for now.”

Kongming only then accepted and bowed.

Fei Xi left.

Seeing that Sima Yi did not move, Kongming devised another plan and ordered all outposts to lift camp and rise up.

When scouts later reported to him, Sima Yi was told Kongming was withdrawing. Sima Yi said,

“Kongming has surely a major plan. Do not move lightly.”

Zhang He said,

“This must be because he ran out of food. Why not pursue?”

Sima Yi replied,

“I judge that last year he collected heavily, and now the grain is ripe and supplies are plentiful. Though transport is difficult, it can be stretched for six months. Would he leave so easily? He has seen us not battling day after day, and now he uses this stratagem to lure us. Send scouts far ahead.”

A scout returned to report,

“Kongming is thirty li away at a lower camp.”

Sima Yi said, “I still think Kongming did not leave. Keep the palisades strong and guard the camps. Do not advance carelessly.”

They waited ten days with no sign, and no Shu commanders appeared to fight. Sima Yi sent scouts again.

The report came back, “The Shu army has stood up and moved again to a lower camp, thirty li away.”

He still did not trust it. He changed his clothes, mixed with the troops, and came in person to inspect. He truly saw that the army had again withdrawn another thirty li.

Returning to camp, he said to Zhang He,

“This is Kongming’s design as well. We must not give chase.”

After another ten days, scouts were sent again.

They reported again, “The Shu army has withdrawn another thirty li to a lower camp.”

Zhang He said,

“Kongming is employing a slowing stratagem, gradually retreating toward Hanzhong. Why does the Governor suspect and not pursue? I am willing to go and force a battle.”

Sima Yi said,

“Kongming has innumerable schemes. A single misstep will ruin our advantage. We must not go forward lightly.”

Zhang He said,

“If I fail, I will accept your command and die for it.”

Sima Yi replied,

“If you are determined to go, split your force in two columns. You lead one ahead. Fight with full zeal and fight to the death. I will follow to reinforce and guard against ambush. Halt for the night by mid-route on the next day, and engage in battle on the following day so the troops are not exhausted.”

He divided the forces.

The next day, Zhang He and Dai Ling took several deputy commanders and thirty thousand picked men, and with great heart advanced first, camping halfway. Sima Yi left many horses to hold the camps and brought out five thousand picked soldiers to follow.

Meanwhile, Kongming had quietly sent scouts ahead and seen the Wei army halt halfway.

That night he called the assembled generals and said,

“Now that Wei comes in pursuit, they will fight to the death. Each of you must face ten against one. I will use an ambush to cut off their rear. This is no post for officers who lack either wisdom or courage.”

When he finished, he fixed his eyes on Wei Yan. Wei Yan lowered his head and said nothing.

Wang Ping spoke,

“I volunteer to do it.”

Kongming said,

“If failure comes, what then?”

Wang Ping said,

“I volunteer for the order.”

Kongming sighed,

“Wang Ping is willing to offer his life and expose himself to arrows and stones. He is truly a loyal minister. Yet even so, because Wei will come in two columns from front and rear, one ambush to split them may be cut off in the middle. If Ping fights bravely and wisely, he can only hold one head at once. He cannot split himself in two. It would be best to send another general with him.

Yet there is no one left in the army willing to stake life first and foremost.”

Before he had finished, one general stepped forward,

“I will go.”

Kongming looked at him and recognized him as Zhang Yi.

Kongming said,

“Zhang He is a famous Wei general whose strength could defy ten thousand men. You are not an equal foe for him.”

Yi answered,

“If anything goes wrong, I shall present my head in your camp.”

Kongming said,

“If you dare go, then Wang Ping and you each lead ten thousand picked men and lie concealed in a mountain pass. When the Wei army closes, let them pass first, then strike their rear from hiding. If Sima Yi follows hard after them, divide into two: Zhang Yi takes one force and holds the rear while Wang Ping takes one and cuts off the vanguard. Both columns must be prepared for a death battle. I have other plans to aid both of you.”

Both took the orders and set out.

Kongming then called Jiang Wei and Liao Hua and ordered them,

“Each of you has one brocadeed case. Take three thousand picked men, lower your flags and still your drums, and hide above the forward mountain. If you see Wei soldiers surround Wang Ping and Zhang Yi in extreme danger, do not come rushing to save them. Open the brocadeed case and look within. You will find a way out.”

Both obeyed and took their men.

He then ordered Wu Ban, Wu Yi, Ma Zhong, and Zhang Ni, in confidence,

“When tomorrow the Wei force comes and their momentum is strong, do not meet them at once. Fight while giving way. When you see Guan Xing ride out to raid the formation, then turn and strike in hard pursuit. I will have troops to reinforce.”

Those four also took their orders.

He summoned Guan Xing and said,

“You will take five thousand picked men and hide in a mountain ravine. Only when the red banner on the ridge snaps in the wind should you ride out to strike.”

Guan Xing obeyed and set off.

Then Zhang He and Dai Ling came leading soldiers like storm and rain.

Ma Zhong, Zhang Ni, Wu Yi, and Wu Ban came behind to meet them and rode out in combat. Zhang He became furious and drove his men to pursue.

The Shu soldiers fought and withdrew in turn.

Wei soldiers chased for more than twenty li. It was June, and the heat was crushing. Sweat poured off men and horses as if flung water.

They had gone fifty li when everyone in Wei was breathless. From the ridge, Kongming lifted a red flag once, and Guan Xing burst from cover with his men.

Ma Zhong and the other four generals all returned to strike in sudden support. Zhang He and Dai Ling fought to the death and did not retreat.

Suddenly a roar rose like thunder. Two lines of troops came out in pursuit, and they were Wang Ping and Zhang Yi. Each charged fiercely and pressed on, closing the enemy’s rear.

Zhang He shouted to his commanders,

“When you have arrived, if you will not decide in a death battle, when then will we do so?”

Wei soldiers struck forward with all their power and could not break away.

Suddenly drum and horn sounded from the rear; Sima Yi himself rode in at the head of selected troops.

Sima Yi directed the generals and pinned Wang Ping and Zhang Yi in the center of the field.

Zhang Yi cried,

“The Chancellor is truly a divine strategist. The plan is already made; good counsels lie behind it. We must decide and die in battle!”

He split his force in two routes. Wang Ping took one detachment and blocked Zhang He and Dai Ling; Zhang Yi took one and faced Sima Yi directly.

Both fronts fought to the death with cries filling the air.

Jiang Wei and Liao Hua watched from the ridge. Seeing that Wei’s momentum was enormous and Shu’s strength in danger, and that it grew hard to stand, Wei Yan said,

“Then this danger is severe; we should open the brocadeed case and see the plan.”

Liao Hua agreed.

They tore it open and read:

If Sima Yi’s soldiers come and encircle Wang Ping and Zhang Yi in an emergency, you two should divide your force in two, strike straight at Sima Yi’s camp, and then force him to retreat. While he turns back, you may attack in confusion. Even if we do not take the camp, there will still be an entire victory.

The two rejoiced and divided their force in two routes, heading straight for Sima Yi’s encampment.

Sima Yi, too, feared he had fallen into Kongming’s design and sent messages constantly from the front. While he was pressing the battle, a fast horseman arrived with news that Shu troops had taken the main camp from two sides.

Sima Yi turned white with shock.

“Had I not said Kongming had plans?” he cried. “You all did not believe and pressed the chase, and the great matter is now in danger.”

He ordered the troops to pull back in haste.

The army was in turmoil and broke apart in panic. Zhang Yi then struck from behind, and the Wei army was badly defeated.

Zhang He and Dai Ling, seeing the situation cut off, sought escape by a lonely mountain track. The Shu victory was complete. Behind them, Guan Xing rode in with troops to join all routes.

Sima Yi was routed in one engagement and ran into camp. By then the Shu army had already withdrawn.

Sima Yi gathered the scattered troops and berated the generals,

“You do not know the laws of war. You rely only on hot blood and raw courage, demanding battle. That has brought this defeat. Hereafter do not move rashly, and again if you disregard command, I will punish by military law.”

All withdrew, ashamed.

In this engagement, the Wei dead were very many, and men abandoned countless horses and arms.

Kongming brought his victorious army home and prepared to rise and advance.

A man arrived from Chengdu reporting that Zhang Bao was dead.

When Kongming heard, he cried out, and blood came from his mouth. He collapsed in faint.

The others revived him.

After this, Kongming was sick, lay on his bed, and could not rise. All the generals were deeply moved.

People later composed a verse of lament:

Fierce, brave Zhang Bao meant to achieve great fame; alas, Heaven offered him no aid. Lord Zhuge scatters tears into the west wind, grieving that none remains to bow and aid him.

After ten days, Kongming summoned Dong Jue, Fan Jian, and others into his tent and said,

“I feel heavy and clouded in spirit and can no longer govern affairs. Better to return to Hanzhong and nurse my illness, and later make my plans anew. See that no one leaks this. If Sima Yi knows, he will come to strike.”

He then sent orders that at night the camp should be silently lifted and all return to Hanzhong. Five days after Kongming had left, Sima Yi only then learned it and sighed deeply,

“Kongming truly has stratagems that appear and vanish like spirits. I cannot match them.”

Thus Sima Yi left his generals at the camp and sent detachments to hold each pass, and Sima Yi himself retired.

Kongming then encamped the main army at Hanzhong and returned to Chengdu to recover, too. Civil and military officials came out to welcome him; they drove him into the Chancellor’s residence. The Later Emperor rode in himself to ask after his health and ordered court doctors to treat him. Day by day he improved.

In the autumn of the eighth year of Jianxing, in the seventh month, Cao Zhen, Great General of Wei, fell sick but submitted a memorial:

The Shu troops have invaded our borders several times and repeatedly crossed the Central Plains. If we do not sweep them out, they will become a grave danger. Now is autumn’s cool season and men and horses are at ease; it is the right time to mount an expedition. I wish to lead a great army with Sima Yi into Hanzhong and extinguish that traitorous clique, thereby clearing the frontier.

Wei’s lord was greatly pleased. He asked the Court Attendant Liu Ye,

“Zi Dan advised me to punish Shu. What say you?”

Ye submitted,

“The Great General speaks truly. If we do not extinguish them now, they will indeed become a great danger later. Your Majesty should proceed.”

the Wei emperor nodded.

When Ye returned inside to go home, many high ministers were already asking,

“We heard the Son of Heaven and the Lord of Marriages discussed a campaign against Shu. What becomes of it?”

Ye answered,

“There is nothing to it. Shu has mountain and river defenses. It is not easy to predict, and any campaign would only waste horses and men, helping no one.”

The ministers withdrew in silence.

Yang Ji entered and reported inside,

“Yesterday I heard that you urged His Majesty to punish Shu. Today at court you again spoke against it and said to seize nothing. This is deceiving the Son of Heaven. Why not summon him and question him?”

the Wei emperor ordered Liu Ye in.

He asked,

“You urged me to punish Shu. Yet today you say it cannot be done. Why?”

Ye said,

“Your servant examined carefully: Shu cannot be attacked.”

the Wei emperor laughed.

A short while later, Yang Ji left the inner hall.

Ye then said,

“Yesterday I urged Your Majesty to punish Shu because it was a matter of state. How could such an undertaking be leaked so casually to others? War is a way of guile: before anything is declared, it should remain hidden.”

the Wei emperor said suddenly,

“You have said truly.”

From that point, his respect for him increased.

Within ten days Sima Yi entered court. The Wei lord asked Cao Zhen to report the matter. He spoke through every point.

Sima Yi submitted,

“I judge that Eastern Wu will not dare to raise troops. This is now the moment to ride west against Shu.”

the Wei emperor immediately appointed Cao Zhen as Grand Marshal and Commander Leading the Western Expedition, Sima Yi as General-in-Chief and Deputy Commander of the Western Campaign, and Liu Ye as military advisor. The three paid their respects and, taking leave of the Wei ruler, brought out four hundred thousand troops.

They marched to Chang’an and then straight for Jiange Pass to take Hanzhong. Guo Huai, Sun Li, and others each took a route.

People in Hanzhong reported to Chengdu.

Kongming, already much recovered, practiced drills each day, and trained horse and men in the art of the Eight Formations. His men were all accomplished. He wished to take the Central Plains. Upon hearing this, he called Zhang Ni and Wang Ping and said,

“The two of you first lead a thousand men to guard the old post at Chencang and meet whatever Wei force comes. I will bring the main army and come to reinforce.”

They replied,

“They report a Wei army of four hundred thousand, feigning eighty thousand and a vast appearance. How can only one thousand go to hold such a pass? If Wei comes in force, how will we resist?”

Kongming said,

“If I send too many, the soldiers will only suffer hardship.”

Zhang Ni and Wang Ping looked at each other and dared not leave.

Kongming said,

“If there is any fault, it is not yours. Say no more. You may leave at once.”

The two again pleaded,

“If the Chancellor wants to kill us both, please do so now. We dare not go.”

Kongming laughed.

“How foolish! If I send you, you have your own understanding to use. I am no fool. Last night I observed the heavens and saw Venus encroaching upon the Net mansion; within this month there must be a great pouring rain. Even if Wei has four hundred thousand troops, how can it venture deep into these mountain defenses? That is why few troops are enough, and no one will be harmed.

Let the main army all stay at Hanzhong and settle for one month. When the Wei troops retreat, I will break out then with all forces to strike and shelter the main army while we rest. By waiting while fresh against their fatigue, my one hundred thousand can defeat their four hundred thousand.”

The two were delighted and took leave.

Kongming led the main army out of Hanzhong and ordered all mountain passes to prepare dried firewood, brush, and light grain, enough for one month for men and horses, against the autumn rains. He gave the entire army one extra month of provisioning before departure.

As for Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, now leading the great army, they arrived straight at Chencang city and found not a single house standing. They questioned local farmers, who all said Kongming had burned everything on his departure.

Cao Zhen moved to advance by the Chencang road at once.

Sima Yi said,

“We must not enter lightly. I observed the heavens and saw the Comet Bit moving in the seat of Great Darkness; within this month there must be heavy rain. If we go deep into rough ground, and even if we win, if there is any oversight men and horses will suffer and withdrawal will be hard.

Let us first build shelters in the city and fortify there for the coming rains.”

Cao Zhen followed him.

Before half a month passed, rain fell in torrents and did not cease. Outside Chencang the ground water reached three chi deep. All weapons grew wet, and men could not sleep. Day and night were equally unsettled. Rain fell for thirty days. There was no grass for horses. Dead men were countless. Complaints from the soldiers never ceased.

Word reached Luoyang. The Wei ruler ordered ritual petitions for clear weather. He was unable to gain a reprieve.

Wang Su, the Gentleman of the Palace, submitted a memorial:

The records say: On campaigns across a thousand li with freighted grain, soldiers wear the face of hunger. After fires are made and cooking vessels carried, the army cannot stay full overnight.

That is what is said for those on the road in campaign. For one entering broken terrain, cutting roads as they go, their labor is multiplied by a hundred. Add now relentless rains, steep slippery slopes, cramped ranks unable to spread, and food and grain too far to sustain; this is truly the great forbidden state for marching armies. We hear that Cao Zhen has been on the move for over a month yet has gone only halfway through the valley, though road works have consumed much of his strength and every soldier is spent. He is therefore gaining the advantage of awaiting and resting while you force him into fatigue. That is what captains fear. Looking back to earlier ages, King Wu campaigned against Zhou; he returned after passing the pass. Looking at nearby days, Wu and Wen besieged Jian and failed at the Yangtze. Were these not men who knew the season and adapted by flexibility? I beg Your Majesty to consider how severe the water and rain have become for the troops, and allow them rest. If tomorrow an opportunity for offense comes, then use time to strike.

The ruler read the memorial and was still wavering.

Yang Fu and Hua Xin also submitted memorials of remonstrance.

Wei’s ruler then issued an edict ordering that envoys summon Cao Zhen and Sima Yi back to the court.

Cao Zhen and Sima Yi discussed,

“Now we have had three consecutive intervals of rain for thirty days. The army has no spirit for war and everyone longs to go home. How can we prevent that?”

Sima Yi said,

“It is better to return.”

Cao Zhen said,

“If Kongming chases us, how should we withdraw?”

Sima Yi said,

“We can only retreat if our second and first lines can cover our backs.”

While they were still arguing, a summons arrived.

The two reversed the army so that the front became rear and the rear became front, and withdrew slowly.

Kongming calculated that the autumn rains for one month would end and that the skies would still not be clear. He brought one army to Chenggu and ordered the entire force to assemble and camp at Chipo Hill.

He called the assembled commanders in his tent and said,

“I judge Wei will withdraw, and Wei’s Son of Heaven will soon issue an edict to have Cao Zhen and Sima Yi return. If they come, we can answer with our own preparation. Better to let them go now. I will make new plans later.”

Wang Ping then reported that Wei had already turned back.

Kongming instructed him and others,

“Do not pursue them.”

“I have a way to destroy the Wei force.”

Then comes the closing couplet:

Even if the Wei troops can hide in ambush, the Chancellor of Han is not one to chase. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.