Chapter 115: The Latter Ruler Heeds Slander and Recalls the Army; Jiang Wei Avoids Calamity by Pretending to Farm
Chapter 115: An Imperial Edict Recalls the Army While the Later Lord Believes Slander; Trusting in Agricultural Colonies, Jiang Wei Avoids Disaster
It is said that in the fifth year of Jingyao of Shu Han, in the tenth month of winter, the Grand General Jiang Wei had the plank roads hastily repaired day and night, and military provisions and weapons put in order; he also mobilized boats on the Han River waterways. When everything was ready, he submitted a memorial to the Later Lord, saying: “Your minister has repeatedly gone to battle, and though he has not yet accomplished great feats, he has already shaken the courage of the men of Wei. Now the troops have been resting for a long time; if they do not fight, they will grow lax, and laxness breeds trouble. Moreover, at present the soldiers are eager to die for their cause, and the officers are willing to devote their lives. If your minister cannot achieve victory, he willingly accepts the punishment of death.” The Later Lord read the memorial and was undecided. Qiao Zhou stepped forward from the court ranks and memorialized: “Your minister observed the stars last night and saw that in the sector corresponding to Western Shu, the general’s star was dim and unclear. Now the Grand General is about to march again; this campaign will be very inauspicious. Your Majesty should issue an edict to stop him.” The Later Lord said, “Let us see what the outcome of this campaign will be. If there is truly a defeat, we can stop him then, and it will not be too late.” Qiao Zhou repeatedly remonstrated, but the Later Lord did not listen. Qiao Zhou then went home sighing without cease, and pleading illness, he no longer attended court.
It is said that when Jiang Wei was about to set out, he asked Liao Hua: “Now I am marching, swearing to restore the Central Plains; where should I strike first?” Liao Hua said: “For years on end there have been campaigns, and the soldiers and people have had no peace. Moreover, Wei has Deng Ai, who is full of stratagems and not an ordinary man. For you, General, to force an undertaking that is difficult to achieve—this is something I, Liao Hua, dare not presume to decide.” Jiang Wei flew into a rage and said: “In former times, the Chancellor made six expeditions to Mount Qi, all for the sake of the state. Now my eight campaigns against Wei—are they for my private gain? We should now first attack Taoyang. Whoever dares to disobey me shall be beheaded!” So he left Liao Hua to defend Hanzhong, while he himself, with the other generals, led three hundred thousand troops straight toward Taoyang. Word soon reached the camp at Mount Qi from the border passes. At that time, Deng Ai was discussing military affairs with Sima Wang. When he heard this news, he sent scouts to reconnoiter, who reported back: “The Shu troops are all advancing from Taoyang.” Sima Wang said: “Jiang Wei is full of schemes. Could it be that he is pretending to attack Taoyang but actually intends to strike at Mount Qi?” Deng Ai said: “Now Jiang Wei is indeed marching from Taoyang.” Sima Wang asked: “How do you know?” Deng Ai replied: “Previously, Jiang Wei repeatedly attacked places where I had stores of grain. Now Taoyang has no grain, so Jiang Wei must assume that I will only defend Mount Qi and not Taoyang. Thus he is heading straight for Taoyang. If he takes that city, he can stockpile provisions, make contact with the Qiang tribes, and plan for a long-term strategy—nothing more.” Sima Wang said: “If that is so, what should we do?” Deng Ai said: “We can withdraw all our forces here and split them into two columns to rescue Taoyang. Twenty-five li from Taoyang there is a small city called Houhe, which is the strategic throat of Taoyang. You lead one force to ambush at Taoyang, lowering flags and silencing drums, opening wide the four gates, and act according to such-and-such a plan. I will lead another force to ambush at Houhe, and we are sure to win a great victory.” After the plans were settled, each acted accordingly. Only the lieutenant general Shi Zuan was left to guard the camp at Mount Qi.
It is said that Jiang Wei ordered Xiahou Ba to be the vanguard, leading one force straight toward Taoyang. Xiahou Ba advanced with his troops and, nearing Taoyang, looked up and saw that there was not a single flag on the walls, and the four gates were wide open. Xiahou Ba was suspicious and dared not enter the city. He turned to his officers and said: “Could this be a ruse?” The officers said: “Clearly it is an empty city. There are only a few common folk. Hearing that the Grand General’s army is coming, they have all abandoned the city and fled.” Xiahou Ba did not believe it. He personally spurred his horse to the south side of the city to look, and saw behind the city countless old and young people all fleeing to the northwest. Xiahou Ba was overjoyed and said: “It is truly an empty city.” So he led the way in, and the rest followed. As soon as they reached the barbican, suddenly a cannon boomed, drums and horns blared from the walls, flags were planted everywhere, and the drawbridge was raised. Xiahou Ba was greatly alarmed and said: “I have fallen into a trap!” In his haste to retreat, arrows and stones rained down from the walls. Alas! Xiahou Ba, together with five hundred soldiers, all perished beneath the city walls. Later generations composed a poem lamenting this:
Bold Jiang Wei’s subtle plans reached far,
Who knew Deng Ai would secretly guard?
Alas! Xiahou Ba, who had joined Shu,
In an instant died beneath the city walls by arrow.
Sima Wang came charging out from the city, and the Shu troops were utterly defeated and fled. Then Jiang Wei arrived with reinforcements, drove back Sima Wang, and camped near the city. When Jiang Wei heard that Xiahou Ba had been shot dead, he sighed in grief without end. That night, during the second watch, Deng Ai, from within Houhe city, secretly led a force and quietly attacked Jiang Wei’s camp. The Shu troops fell into great confusion, and Jiang Wei could not stop them. On the city walls, drums and horns shook the heavens, and Sima Wang led his troops out to attack. Attacked from both sides, the Shu army was thoroughly routed. Jiang Wei, charging left and right, fought desperately to break out and escape, retreating more than twenty li before setting up camp. After the Shu army had been defeated twice in a row, the morale of the troops was shaken. Jiang Wei said to his officers: “Victory and defeat are common occurrences in military affairs. Although we have now lost troops and generals, it is nothing to worry about. Success or failure depends on this one effort. From beginning to end, do not change your resolve. Whoever dares to speak of retreat shall be immediately beheaded.” Zhang Yi spoke up: “All the Wei troops are gathered here, so Mount Qi must be empty. General, you should marshal your forces and engage Deng Ai, attacking Taoyang and Houhe. I will lead a separate force to seize Mount Qi. If we take the nine camps of Mount Qi, we can then drive our troops toward Chang’an. This is the best strategy.” Jiang Wei agreed and ordered Zhang Yi to lead the rear army straight toward Mount Qi.
Jiang Wei himself led his troops to Houhe and challenged Deng Ai to battle. Deng Ai came out to meet him. The two armies faced each other, and the two generals fought for several tens of exchanges without a decisive outcome, then each withdrew to their camps. The next day, Jiang Wei again led his troops to challenge, but Deng Ai kept his forces motionless. Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to hurl insults. Deng Ai thought to himself: “These Shu men, after suffering a heavy defeat at my hands, have not withdrawn at all. Instead, they come day after day to challenge me. They must have sent troops to attack the camp at Mount Qi. The defending general, Shi Zuan, has few troops and little cunning; he is sure to fail. I should go and rescue him myself.” So he summoned his son Deng Zhong and instructed him: “Guard this place with all your heart. Let them challenge as they will, but do not lightly engage in battle. Tonight I will lead troops to Mount Qi to relieve them.” That night, during the second watch, Jiang Wei was in his camp devising plans when suddenly he heard shouts that shook the earth outside the camp, and drums and horns blazed in the sky. A man reported that Deng Ai was leading three thousand elite troops in a night attack. The officers wanted to go out and fight, but Jiang Wei stopped them, saying: “Do not act rashly.” It turned out that Deng Ai had led his troops to scout around the Shu camp and then, taking advantage of the situation, went to relieve Mount Qi. Deng Zhong himself had entered the city. Jiang Wei called his officers together and said: “Deng Ai’s feigned night attack was only for show; he must be going to relieve the camp at Mount Qi.” Then he summoned Fu Qian and instructed him: “Guard this camp; do not lightly engage the enemy.” After giving these orders, Jiang Wei himself led three thousand troops to assist Zhang Yi.
It is said that Zhang Yi was attacking Mount Qi. The defending general, Shi Zuan, had too few troops to hold out, and it seemed the camp was about to be taken. Suddenly Deng Ai’s troops arrived, launched an assault, and the Shu army was badly defeated, cutting Zhang Yi off behind the mountain and cutting off his retreat. While he was in dire panic and peril, suddenly a great shout arose, drums and horns shook the sky, and they saw the Wei troops scattering in defeat. A nearby officer reported: “The Grand General Jiang Boyue has arrived.” Zhang Yi took the opportunity to drive his troops forward to assist. Attacked from both sides, Deng Ai suffered a reverse and hastily withdrew to the Mount Qi camp, not coming out again. Jiang Wei ordered his soldiers to besiege it from all sides.
Let us speak of two separate matters. It is said that the Later Lord, in Chengdu, heeded the eunuch Huang Hao's words, indulged in wine and women, and neglected court affairs. At that time, there was a minister Liu Yan whose wife, Lady Hu, was extremely beautiful. Because she entered the palace to pay respects to the empress, the empress kept her in the palace, and she did not leave until a month later. Liu Yan suspected his wife of having an illicit affair with the Later Lord, so he summoned five hundred soldiers under his command, lined them up, bound his wife, and ordered each soldier to strike her face with the soles of their shoes several dozen times, nearly beating her to death before she revived. When the Later Lord heard of this, he was furious and ordered the relevant officials to determine Liu Yan's punishment. The officials ruled: Soldiers are not the ones to beat a wife, and the face is not a place for punishment; the penalty should be death by public execution. Thus Liu Yan was beheaded. From then on, titled ladies were not permitted to enter the court. But for a time, because the Later Lord was dissolute, many officials were suspicious and resentful. Thus worthy men gradually withdrew, and petty men advanced day by day.
At that time, the Right General Yan Yu had no merit to his name; only by flattering and attaching himself to Huang Hao did he obtain high office. Hearing that Jiang Wei was leading troops at Mount Qi, he persuaded Huang Hao to memorialize the Later Lord, saying: "Jiang Wei has fought many battles without success; you can order Yan Yu to replace him." The Later Lord heeded his words and sent an envoy bearing an imperial edict to recall Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei was attacking the stockades at Mount Qi when, in a single day, three edicts arrived, commanding him to withdraw the army. Jiang Wei had no choice but to obey; he first ordered the troops at Taoyang to retreat, then slowly withdrew with Zhang Yi. Deng Ai, in his camp, heard drums and bugles clamoring all night but did not know what it meant. At dawn, men reported that the Shu troops had all withdrawn, leaving only empty camps. Deng Ai suspected a trick and did not dare to pursue.
Jiang Wei went directly to Hanzhong, settled his troops, and then, bearing the imperial commission, entered Chengdu to see the Later Lord. The Later Lord did not hold court for ten consecutive days. Jiang Wei was puzzled. One day, at the Donghua Gate, he met the Secretary Lang Xi Zheng. Jiang Wei asked: "The Son of Heaven summoned me to return the army; do you know the reason?" Xi Zheng smiled and said: "How does the Grand General not know? Huang Hao wanted Yan Yu to gain merit, so he memorialized the court and issued an edict to recall you. Now, hearing that Deng Ai is skilled in warfare, he has shelved the matter." Jiang Wei said angrily: "I must kill this eunuch!" Xi Zheng stopped him and said: "The Grand General inherits the legacy of Marquis Wu; his responsibility is heavy. How can he act recklessly? If the Son of Heaven does not permit it, it will instead be unfortunate." Jiang Wei thanked him and said: "Your words, sir, are correct."
The next day, the Later Lord was feasting with Huang Hao in the rear garden. Jiang Wei led several men directly inside. Someone had already reported to Huang Hao, who hastily hid beside a rockery. Jiang Wei arrived at the pavilion, paid homage to the Later Lord, and with tears streaming, memorialized: "I was just besieging Deng Ai at Mount Qi when Your Majesty sent down three edicts in succession, summoning me back to court. I do not know Your Majesty's intention in this." The Later Lord remained silent. Jiang Wei further memorialized: "Huang Hao is cunning and artful, monopolizing power and acting arbitrarily; he is just like the Ten Attendants under Emperor Ling. Your Majesty can take a recent example from Zhang Rang, and a distant one from Zhao Gao. If you kill this man early, the court will naturally become pure and peaceful, and the Central Plains can be recovered." The Later Lord laughed and said: "Huang Hao is merely a minor servant who runs errands and attends to me. Even if he monopolizes power, he cannot accomplish great matters. In the past, Dong Yun often gnashed his teeth at Huang Hao, and I found it strange. Why must you be so concerned?" Jiang Wei knocked his head on the ground and memorialized: "If Your Majesty does not kill Huang Hao today, disaster is not far off." The Later Lord said: "'If you love someone, you wish them to live; if you hate someone, you wish them to die.' How can you not tolerate a single eunuch?" He ordered a close attendant to go beside the rockery, call Huang Hao to the pavilion, and command him to bow to Jiang Wei and confess his faults. Huang Hao wept and bowed to Jiang Wei, saying: "I merely serve His Majesty day and night; I do not interfere in state affairs. General, do not listen to outsiders' words and want to kill me. My life is in the General's hands; I only beg the General to have pity on me." After speaking, he knocked his head and wept.
Jiang Wei left in indignation and immediately went to see Xi Zheng, telling him the matter in detail. Xi Zheng said: "The General's disaster is not far off. If the General is in danger, the state will also perish." Jiang Wei said: "Sir, please instruct me on a plan to protect the state and ensure my safety." Xi Zheng said: "There is a place west of Long, named Ta Zhong; the land there is extremely fertile. Why does the General not imitate Marquis Wu's practice of military farming, memorialize the Son of Heaven, and go to Ta Zhong to farm? First, you can harvest wheat to supplement military supplies; second, you can gradually plot to take the various commanderies west of Long; third, the Wei people will not dare to look squarely at Hanzhong; fourth, the General, holding military power outside, cannot be harmed by others, and can avoid disaster. This is a plan to protect the state and ensure personal safety; you should implement it soon." Jiang Wei was overjoyed and thanked him, saying: "Your words, sir, are truly golden and jade-like."
The next day, Jiang Wei submitted a memorial to the Later Lord, requesting to go to Ta Zhong to farm, imitating Marquis Wu's practice. The Later Lord agreed. Jiang Wei then returned to Hanzhong, gathered the generals, and said: "I have launched many campaigns, but due to insufficient provisions, I have not succeeded. Now I will lead eighty thousand troops to Ta Zhong to plant wheat and farm, slowly plotting our advance. You have long been weary from battle; now we withdraw troops, gather provisions, and fall back to defend Hanzhong. The Wei troops must transport grain a thousand li, crossing mountains and ridges, and will naturally become exhausted; when exhausted, they will certainly retreat. At that time, we can pursue them by taking advantage of their weakness, and we cannot fail to win." He then ordered Hu Ji to guard Hanzhou City, Wang Han to guard Lecheng, Jiang Bin to guard Hancheng, and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian to jointly guard the passes. After assigning everything, Jiang Wei himself led eighty thousand troops to Ta Zhong to plant wheat, as a long-term plan.
Meanwhile, Deng Ai heard that Jiang Wei was farming at Ta Zhong, setting up more than forty camps along the route, stretching continuously like a long snake. Deng Ai then ordered scouts to survey the terrain, draw a map, and memorialize it. When the Duke of Jin, Sima Zhao, saw it, he said angrily: "Jiang Wei has repeatedly invaded the Central Plains and cannot be eliminated; he is a thorn in my side." Jia Chong said: "Jiang Wei has deeply inherited Kongming's teachings; it is difficult to repulse him for the time being. We must send a general who is both wise and brave to assassinate him, to spare the trouble of mobilizing troops." The Attendant Zhonglang Xun Xu said: "That is not right. Now the Shu ruler, Liu Shan, is indulging in wine and women, trusting Huang Hao, and the ministers all have thoughts of avoiding disaster. Jiang Wei's farming at Ta Zhong is precisely a plan to avoid disaster. If you send a great general to attack, you cannot fail to win. Why use an assassin?" Sima Zhao laughed loudly and said: "These words are most correct. I want to attack Shu; who can serve as the general?" Xun Xu said: "Deng Ai is a talent of the age; if you also make Zhong Hui his deputy, the great task will be accomplished." Sima Zhao was greatly pleased and said: "These words match my intent." He then summoned Zhong Hui and asked him: "I want to make you a great general to attack Eastern Wu; can you do it?" Zhong Hui said: "My lord's intention is not originally to attack Wu, but actually to attack Shu." Sima Zhao laughed loudly and said: "You truly understand my mind. But if you go to attack Shu, what plan will you use?" Zhong Hui said: "I anticipated that my lord wanted to attack Shu, and I have already drawn a map here." Sima Zhao unrolled it and saw that the map detailed in full the places for setting up camps, storing grain, and stockpiling fodder, as well as where to advance and where to retreat, all with proper methods. Sima Zhao looked at it, was greatly pleased, and said: "A truly fine general! If you and Deng Ai join forces to attack Shu, what do you think?" Zhong Hui said: "The roads in Shu are vast; it is not a route where one can advance on a single path. Deng Ai should be ordered to divide his troops and advance on various routes; then it can be done." Sima Zhao then appointed Zhong Hui as General Who Pacifies the West, with the authority of the imperial staff and axe, to command the troops within the Pass, and to deploy the forces from Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou. At the same time, he sent an envoy bearing the imperial staff to order Deng Ai as General Who Conquers the West, to command the forces outside the Pass and west of Long, and to set a date with them for the attack on Shu.
The next day, Sima Zhao discussed this matter with his officials outside the court. Former General Deng Dun said, “Jiang Wei has repeatedly invaded the Central Plains, causing heavy casualties among our troops; even if we merely defend, we can barely protect ourselves. Why then should we venture deep into treacherous mountain passes and bring disaster upon ourselves?” Sima Zhao angrily replied, “I intend to raise a righteous army to punish a ruler who has lost the Way—how dare you defy my will?” He ordered the guards to drag Deng Dun out and execute him. In a short while, Deng Dun’s head was presented before the steps. Everyone present turned pale with fear. Sima Zhao said, “Since my eastern campaign, I have rested for six years, training troops and repairing armor until all is ready. I have long desired to attack Wu and Shu. Now we shall first pacify Western Shu, then, taking advantage of the downstream current, advance by both water and land to annex Eastern Wu—this is the strategy of destroying Guo to take Yu. I calculate that the generals and troops of Western Shu number eighty to ninety thousand in Chengdu, no more than forty to fifty thousand along the borders, and Jiang Wei’s farming colonies amount to only sixty to seventy thousand. I have already ordered Deng Ai to lead over one hundred thousand troops from the regions outside the pass and Longyou to pin down Jiang Wei at Ta Zhong, preventing him from moving east; I have sent Zhong Hui to lead two to three hundred thousand elite troops from Guanzhong straight to Luo Valley. In three routes, we will seize Hanzhong. The Shu ruler Liu Shan is muddled and foolish; when border cities fall under external attack, and even the women and scholars within are terrified, his downfall is inevitable.” All the officials bowed in submission.
Meanwhile, Zhong Hui, having received the seal of General Who Pacifies the West, raised his army to attack Shu. Fearing his plans might leak out, he used the pretext of attacking Wu, ordering the five provinces of Qing, Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang to build large ships each; he also sent Tang Zi to coastal areas like Dengzhou and Laizhou to gather sea vessels. Sima Zhao, puzzled by his intentions, summoned Zhong Hui and asked, “You are taking the land route to attack Western Chuan—why build ships?” Zhong Hui replied, “If Shu hears of our massive advance, they will surely seek aid from Eastern Wu. Thus, I first create a show of force, pretending to attack Wu, so that Wu will not dare act rashly. Within a year, Shu will be broken, and the ships will already be built. Then, when we attack Wu, will it not proceed smoothly?” Sima Zhao was greatly pleased and set a date for the departure.
It was the fourth year of the Wei Jingyuan era, on the third day of the seventh month in autumn. Zhong Hui set out. Sima Zhao escorted him ten li beyond the city walls before returning. The West Bureau Clerk Shao Ti privately said to Sima Zhao, “Now, my lord, you have sent Zhong Hui to lead one hundred thousand troops to attack Shu. I suspect Zhong Hui is ambitious and proud, and should not be given sole command.” Sima Zhao smiled and said, “Do you think I am unaware of this?” Shao Ti said, “Since you know, my lord, why not appoint someone to share military authority with him?” Sima Zhao spoke a few words, immediately dispelling Shao Ti’s doubts. Truly this was:
Just as the horses and troops galloped forth,
The general’s overbearing intent was already seen.
Just as the horses and troops galloped forth,
The general’s overbearing intent was already seen.
What he said remains unknown—read on to find out.