Chapter 104: A Great Star Falls and the Han Chancellor Returns to Heaven; The Wei Commander Loses His Nerve at the Sight of a Wooden Statue
Chapter 104: A Great Star Falls, the Han Chancellor Returns to Heaven; Seeing a Wooden Image, the Wei Commander-in-Chief Loses Heart
Now Jiang Wei saw Wei Yan extinguish the lamp, and anger rose in his heart. He drew his sword to kill him. Kongming stopped him, saying, “This is my fate, which must end; it is not Wenchang’s fault.” Jiang Wei then sheathed his sword. Kongming spat out several mouthfuls of blood, fell onto his bed, and said to Wei Yan, “Sima Yi has surely guessed that I am ill, and so sent men to test the truth. You must go out quickly to meet the enemy.” Wei Yan accepted the order, left the tent, mounted his horse, led his troops, and charged out of the camp. When Xiahou Ba saw Wei Yan, he hastily withdrew his forces and fled. Wei Yan pursued him for over twenty li before returning. Kongming then ordered Wei Yan to return to his own camp and hold his position.
Jiang Wei entered the tent, went straight to Kongming’s bedside, and asked after his health. Kongming said, “I wished to exhaust my loyalty and all my strength to restore the Central Plains and revive the House of Han; but Heaven’s will is otherwise, and I shall soon die. All the knowledge I have acquired in my life has been compiled into twenty-four chapters, totaling one hundred and four thousand one hundred and twelve characters, containing the methods of the eight affairs, seven prohibitions, six fears, and five cautions. I have looked over all the generals, and none are worthy to receive this teaching; only you can inherit my books. Do not treat them lightly!” Jiang Wei wept, knelt, and accepted them. Kongming continued, “I have a method for the ‘repeating crossbow’ which I have never used. This method uses arrows eight inches long; one crossbow can fire ten arrows. I have already drawn the plans. You may manufacture and use them according to the method.” Jiang Wei again knelt and accepted. Kongming added, “There is no need to worry much about the various roads in Shu; only the Yinping road must be handled with the utmost care. Although it is precipitous, in time it will surely be lost.” He then summoned Ma Dai into the tent, whispered into his ear, and imparted a secret plan to him, instructing, “After I am dead, you may carry out this plan as commanded.” Ma Dai received the plan and left. After a short while, Yang Yi entered. Kongming called him to his bedside and handed him a silk pouch, secretly instructing him, “When I am dead, Wei Yan will surely rebel; when he rebels, and you face him in battle, then open this pouch. At that time, the one who will kill Wei Yan will appear.” Having completed all these arrangements one by one, Kongming fell unconscious, not reviving until evening. That very night, he sent a memorial by express to the Later Ruler. The Later Ruler was greatly alarmed upon receiving it, and hastily ordered Minister Li Fu to travel by starlight to the army to inquire after his health and also to ask about matters after his death. Li Fu accepted the order, hurried to Wuzhang Yuan, entered the tent, saw Kongming, delivered the Later Ruler’s command, and finished the inquiries. Kongming, with tears streaming, said, “It is my misfortune to die midway, vainly delaying the great affairs of state and offending the world. After my death, you must all exhaust your loyalty to assist the sovereign. The old institutions of the state must not be changed; the men I have employed must not be lightly discarded. My military manuals have all been transmitted to Jiang Wei; he will naturally be able to carry on my intentions and exert himself for the state. My life hangs in the balance from morning to night, and I shall soon present a final memorial to the Son of Heaven.” Li Fu received these words and hastily took his leave.
Kongming, struggling against his illness, ordered his attendants to help him into a small carriage and went out of the camp to inspect the various stockades. He felt the autumn wind cutting into his face, piercing his bones with cold, and sighed deeply, saying, “Never again can I go to the front to punish the rebels! Vast Heaven—where is the end?” He sighed for a long time, returned to his tent, and his condition grew even more critical. He then summoned Yang Yi and instructed him: “Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, Zhang Ni, and others are all loyal and righteous men, long experienced in battle and meritorious; they can be entrusted with duties. After my death, all matters are to be handled according to the old regulations. Withdraw the troops slowly; do not be hasty. You are deeply versed in strategy and need no further instructions. Jiang Boyue is both wise and brave; he can be charged with covering the rear.” Yang Yi wept, knelt, and accepted the command. Kongming ordered writing materials brought to him, and from his bed he personally wrote a final memorial to present to the Later Ruler. The memorial read roughly as follows:
I have heard that life and death are constant matters, hard to escape from fate; death is approaching, and I wish to exhaust my foolish loyalty: I, your subject Zhuge Liang, am by nature dull and clumsy, encountering times of difficulty. I received the command to hold the tally and axe, to take sole charge of state affairs, and to raise armies for northern expeditions, but I have not achieved success. How could I have expected that illness would enter the vitals, and my life hang by a thread, leaving me unable to serve Your Majesty to the end, my regret boundless! I implore Your Majesty: purify your mind and reduce desires, restrain yourself and love the people; show filial piety to the former emperor, and spread benevolent grace throughout the realm; promote reclusive talents to advance worthy men; and expel petty and evil persons to strengthen the customs.
In my home at Chengdu, there are eight hundred mulberry trees and fifteen qing of poor fields. The clothing and food of my sons and younger brothers are more than sufficient from these. As for my service abroad, I have no other enterprises; my clothing and food on the march all depend on the government. I do not seek other means of livelihood to add even a hair’s breadth. On the day of my death, let there be no surplus silk in my home, nor surplus wealth outside, to fail Your Majesty.
Having finished writing, Kongming again instructed Yang Yi: “After my death, do not announce the mourning. Make a large shrine, and place my corpse seated within it; put seven grains of rice in my mouth; place a bright lamp under my feet; keep the army quiet as usual, and do not raise a lament. In this way, the general’s star will not fall. My spirit will naturally rise to guard it. When Sima Yi sees that the general’s star has not fallen, he will surely be alarmed and suspicious. Our army may let the rear camp depart first, then withdraw camp by camp slowly. If Sima Yi pursues, you may form a battle array, turn your banners, and beat the drums. When he arrives, have the wooden image I previously carved placed on a carriage and pushed to the front of the army, and order all officers and men, great and small, to stand in ranks on left and right. When Sima Yi sees it, he will surely flee in terror.” Yang Yi accepted all these orders. That night, Kongming ordered his attendants to help him out; he looked up at the Northern Dipper and pointed to a star in the distance, saying, “That is my general’s star.” The others looked, and saw that the star’s color was dim, flickering as if about to fall. Kongming pointed his sword at it and recited an incantation. When he finished the incantation and hurried back to his tent, he had lost consciousness. While the generals were in a panic, suddenly Minister Li Fu arrived again. Seeing Kongming unconscious and unable to speak, he wept loudly, saying, “I have delayed the great affairs of state!” After a short while, Kongming revived, opened his eyes, looked around, and saw Li Fu standing before the bed. Kongming said, “I already know the reason for your return.” Li Fu apologized, saying, “I received the Son of Heaven’s command to ask who could take charge of great affairs after the Chancellor’s death. Just now, because of the haste, I forgot to ask, and so I have returned.” Kongming said, “After my death, the one who can take charge of great affairs is Jiang Gongyan.” Li Fu asked, “After Gongyan, who can succeed him?” Kongming replied, “Fei Wenwei can succeed him.” Li Fu asked again, “After Wenwei, who should succeed him?” Kongming did not answer. The generals came forward to look at him; he had already passed away. This was on the twenty-third day of the eighth month in the autumn of the twelfth year of Jianxing. He was fifty-four years old. Later, Du Gongbu wrote a poem lamenting:
A long star last night before the camp did fall,
The news announced that on this day the master would be gone.
From the tiger tent no more commands are heard,
On the Unicorn Tower only his glorious name remains.
In vain are left the three thousand guests at his gate,
He has failed the hundred thousand troops within his breast.
Fair to see in the green shade of a clear day,
But now no more the elegant songs are heard!
A long star last night before the camp did fall,
The news announced that on this day the master would be gone.
From the tiger tent no more commands are heard,
On the Unicorn Tower only his glorious name remains.
In vain are left the three thousand guests at his gate,
He has failed the hundred thousand troops within his breast.
Fair to see in the green shade of a clear day,
But now no more the elegant songs are heard!
Bai Juyi also wrote a poem:
The master hid his traces, sleeping in the hills,
Three visits met the sage lord’s search.
The fish, reaching Nanyang, at last found water;
The dragon soared to Heaven’s stream, and became the rain.
Having entrusted the orphan with all the rites of diligence,
He repaid the state with all his loyal and righteous heart.
The memorials of the former and later expeditions remain,
And make those who read them wet their sleeves with tears.
The master hid his traces, sleeping in the hills,
Three visits met the sage lord’s search.
The fish, reaching Nanyang, at last found water;
The dragon soared to Heaven’s stream, and became the rain.
Having entrusted the orphan with all the rites of diligence,
He repaid the state with all his loyal and righteous heart.
The memorials of the former and later expeditions remain,
And make those who read them wet their sleeves with tears.
In the past, Liao Li, the Chief Commandant of Changshui in Shu, considered his own talent and reputation worthy of being Zhuge Liang's second-in-command. Once, because his post was idle, he was resentful and discontent, endlessly complaining and slandering. Therefore, Zhuge Liang reduced him to commoner status and exiled him to Wenshan. When Liao Li heard that Zhuge Liang had died, he wept and said, "I will end up as a barbarian after all!" Li Yan also heard the news and died of a great illness, weeping. This was because Li Yan had once hoped that Zhuge Liang would employ him again, allowing him to make up for his past mistakes; he estimated that after Zhuge Liang's death, no one else would be able to use him. Later, Yuan Zhen wrote a poem praising Zhuge Liang, which read:
"Restoring order and supporting the endangered lord, earnestly entrusted with the orphan's care.
His brilliant talent surpassed Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, his subtle strategies excelled those of Sunzi and Wu Qi.
Solemn and awe-inspiring the Memorial on the Northern Expedition, stately and grand the Eightfold Array.
Such complete virtue as yours, one must sigh, is unmatched in ancient or modern times!"
That night, Heaven was sorrowful and the Earth desolate; the moonlight was dim. Zhuge Liang passed away quietly. Jiang Wei and Yang Yi, following Zhuge Liang's final orders, dared not hold a funeral. They encoffined him according to regulations, placed him in a shrine, and ordered three hundred trusted soldiers to guard it. Then they issued secret orders, commanding Wei Yan to cover the rear, and each camp retreated one by one.
Now, Sima Yi observed the celestial signs that night. He saw a great star, colored deep red, its light with angular edges, moving from the northeast to the southwest, falling into the Shu camp. It fell three times and rose three times, making a faint audible sound. Sima Yi, both startled and delighted, said, "Zhuge Liang is dead!" He immediately ordered the main army to mobilize and pursue. Just as he left the camp gate, he suddenly hesitated and said, "Zhuge Liang was skilled in using the Six Jia and Six Ding magic arts. Now, seeing that I have not engaged in battle for a long time, he uses this technique to feign death, luring me to go out and fight. If I pursue now, I will surely fall into his trap." So he reined in his horse and returned to camp, not going out to battle, only ordering Xiahou Ba to secretly lead a few dozen cavalry to scout the remote mountain paths of Wuzhangyuan.
Now, Wei Yan was in his own camp. That night, he dreamed that two horns suddenly grew out of his head. When he woke, he was greatly puzzled and alarmed. The next day, when Marching Adjutant Zhao Zhi arrived, Wei Yan invited him in and said, "I have long known that you are deeply versed in the principles of the Book of Changes. Last night I dreamed that two horns grew out of my head. I do not know whether this portends good or ill fortune. I trouble you to decide for me." Zhao Zhi thought for a long time, then replied, "This is a sign of great good fortune: the qilin has horns, the azure dragon has horns—this is an omen of transformation and soaring." Wei Yan was overjoyed and said, "If your words come true, I will surely reward you heavily!" Zhao Zhi took his leave and departed. After walking less than a few li, he happened to meet Minister Fei Yi. Fei Yi asked him where he had come from. Zhao Zhi said, "I just went to Wei Wenchang's camp. Wenchang dreamed that horns grew out of his head and asked me to determine the auspiciousness. This was originally not an auspicious omen, but I feared that speaking the truth would anger him, so I used the words about the qilin and azure dragon to explain it to him." Fei Yi said, "How do you know it was not auspicious?" Zhao Zhi said, "The character for 'horn' () is composed of 'knife' () below and 'use' (). Now, using a knife on the head—the danger is too great!" Fei Yi said, "You must not leak this for now." Zhao Zhi bade him farewell and left.
Fei Yi went to Wei Yan's camp, dismissed those around him, and told him, "Last night, during the third watch, the Chancellor passed away. At his death, he repeatedly instructed you to cover the rear and hold off Sima Yi, retreating slowly, and not to announce the mourning. The military tally is here now, and you may raise the troops." Wei Yan said, "Who is acting in the Chancellor's place for the great affairs?" Fei Yi said, "The Chancellor entrusted all great affairs to Yang Yi; the secret methods of military strategy were transmitted to Jiang Boyue. This military tally is by Yang Yi's order." Wei Yan said, "Though the Chancellor is dead, I am still here. Yang Yi is merely a Chief Clerk—how can he bear such a great responsibility? He should only escort the coffin back to Shu for burial. I myself will lead the main army to attack Sima Yi and ensure success. How can we abandon the affairs of the state because of one man?" Fei Yi said, "The Chancellor's final order instructed us to retreat temporarily; we cannot disobey." Wei Yan angrily said, "If the Chancellor had followed my plan at first, we would have already taken Chang'an! I now hold the rank of General of the Vanguard, General of the Western Expedition, and Marquis of Nanheng. How can I be willing to cover the rear with a Chief Clerk?" Fei Yi said, "Though your words are correct, we must not act rashly and invite the enemy's mockery. Let me go see Yang Yi and persuade him with the logic of gain and loss, to cede military authority to you. What do you think?" Wei Yan agreed to this.
Fei Yi bade farewell to Wei Yan, left the camp, and hurried to the main camp to see Yang Yi, recounting Wei Yan's words in detail. Yang Yi said, "At his death, the Chancellor secretly instructed me, saying, 'Wei Yan will surely have rebellious intentions.' Now I sent the military tally to him, actually only to test his mind. Now it has indeed fulfilled the Chancellor's words. I myself will order Boyue to cover the rear, and that will suffice." So Yang Yi led the troops, escorting the coffin, and departed first, ordering Jiang Wei to cover the rear. Following Zhuge Liang's final orders, they retreated slowly.
Wei Yan, in his own camp, did not see Fei Yi return with a reply. Suspicious, he ordered Ma Dai to lead a dozen cavalry to scout. They reported back: "The rear army is under Jiang Wei's command, and most of the vanguard has already withdrawn into the valley." Wei Yan, furious, said, "This boy dares to deceive me! I must kill him!" Then he turned to Ma Dai and said, "Will you help me?" Ma Dai said, "I have long hated Yang Yi as well. Now I am willing to help you attack him." Wei Yan, overjoyed, immediately struck camp and led his own troops southward.
Now, Xiahou Ba led his troops to Wuzhangyuan to look, but saw not a single person. He hurried back to report to Sima Yi, saying, "The Shu troops have all withdrawn." Sima Yi stamped his foot and said, "Zhuge Liang is truly dead! We can pursue quickly!" Xiahou Ba said, "Your Excellency must not pursue rashly. You should order a deputy general to go first." Sima Yi said, "This time, I must go myself." So he led his troops and, together with his two sons, charged toward Wuzhangyuan. Shouting and waving banners, they charged into the Shu camp, but indeed there was no one. Sima Yi turned to his two sons and said, "You quickly urge the troops to follow. I will lead the advance." So Sima Shi and Sima Zhao urged the troops from behind; Sima Yi himself led the vanguard. Chasing to the foot of a mountain, he saw the Shu troops not far ahead, so he gave chase with all his might. Suddenly, from behind the mountain, a cannon roared, shouting shook the heavens, and the Shu troops turned their banners and beat their war drums. From among the trees, the main army banner emerged, bearing a line of large characters: "Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Han, Marquis of Wuxiang." Sima Yi's face paled in terror. Staring intently, he saw dozens of high-ranking generals in the main army surrounding a four-wheeled carriage. On the carriage sat Zhuge Liang: wearing a silk cap, waving a feather fan, draped in a crane-feather cloak, and girded with a black sash. Sima Yi, greatly alarmed, said, "Zhuge Liang is still alive! I have rashly entered a dangerous place and fallen into his trap!" He hurriedly reined his horse around and fled. Behind him, Jiang Wei shouted loudly, "Rebel general, do not flee! You have fallen into my Chancellor's trap!" The Wei troops, terrified out of their wits, abandoned their helmets and armor, threw down their spears and halberds, and fled for their lives, trampling each other. The dead were countless. Sima Yi fled for over fifty li, when two Wei generals caught up from behind, grabbed his horse's bit, and called out, "Your Excellency, do not panic." Sima Yi felt his head and said, "Do I still have a head?" The two generals said, "Your Excellency, do not be afraid. The Shu troops have already gone far away." Sima Yi panted for a long time before his expression calmed. Opening his eyes, he saw it was Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Hui. He then slowly reined in his horse and, with the two generals, took a small path back to his own camp. He sent various generals to scout in all directions.
After two days, villagers came to report: "When the Shu troops withdrew into the valley, the sound of mourning shook the earth, and white banners were raised in the army. Zhuge Liang is truly dead, and only Jiang Wei remains with a thousand troops to cover the rear. The Zhuge Liang in the carriage the other day was a wooden figure." Sima Yi sighed and said, "I could foresee his strategies when he was alive, but I could not foresee his strategies after his death!" Hence, a saying circulated in Shu: "The dead Zhuge Liang could drive away the living Sima Yi." Later generations wrote a poem in lament:
"A long star at midnight fell from the celestial pivot;
Fleeing, they still doubted that Liang had not perished.
Beyond the pass, to this day, people coldly laugh;
He still asked whether he had a head or not!"
People beyond the pass still sneer coldly, asking whether the head exists or not!
Sima Yi, now certain that Zhuge Liang’s death was true, once again led his troops in pursuit. When they reached Red Bank Slope, he saw that the Shu army had already retreated far away, so he ordered his men to turn back. Turning to his officers, he said, “Zhuge Liang is dead; we can rest easy without worry!” Thereupon he led his army back to court. Along the way, he observed the sites where Zhuge Liang had pitched camp and built fortifications—front and rear, left and right, all laid out with orderly precision and proper method. Sima Yi sighed and said, “This was truly a genius of the age!” Then he led his troops back to Chang’an, assigning various generals to guard each strategic pass. Sima Yi himself returned to Luoyang to report to his sovereign.
Meanwhile, Yang Yi and Jiang Wei formed their ranks and slowly withdrew into the entrance of the Plank Road. There they changed their clothes and announced the mourning, raising banners and wailing in grief. The Shu soldiers beat their breasts and stamped their feet in bitter weeping; some even wept themselves to death. As the vanguard of the Shu army was just entering the Plank Road entrance, they suddenly saw flames rising to the sky ahead, shouts shaking the earth, and a troop of horsemen blocking their path. The officers were greatly alarmed and hastily reported to Yang Yi. Verily:
Already they had seen the Wei camp’s generals depart,
Little did they know what troops from Shu would now appear.
Already they had seen the Wei camp’s generals depart,
Little did they know what troops from Shu would now appear.
What troops these were that barred their way, you must read the next chapter to learn.