Chapter 116: Zhong Hui Divides His Forces on the Hanzhong Road; The Martial Marquis's Spirit Appears at Mount Dingjun

Chapter 116: Zhong Hui Divides His Troops on the Hanchong Road; Marquis Wu Appears as a Spirit on Mount Dingjun

It is said that Sima Zhao said to his West Bureau aide Shao Ti, “The officials at court all say that Shu cannot be attacked; this is because they are timid in their hearts. If we force a campaign, it will surely be a path to defeat. Now only Zhong Hui alone proposes a strategy to attack Shu; this is because he is not timid in his heart. If he is not timid, then breaking Shu is inevitable. Once Shu is broken, then the hearts and gall of the Shu people will already be shattered. ‘A defeated general cannot be spoken to about valor; a minister of a ruined state cannot be consulted about survival.’ Even if Zhong Hui has different intentions, how could the Shu people help him? As for the Wei people, after victory they will want to return home; they certainly will not follow Zhong Hui in rebellion, and that is even less worthy of concern. These words are only for you and me to know; on no account must they be leaked.” Shao Ti bowed in submission.

It is said that after Zhong Hui had set up his camp, he ascended his tent and assembled all the generals to receive orders. At that time there were the army supervisor Wei Guan, the army protector Hu Lie; the senior generals Tian Xu, Pang Hui, Tian Zhang, Yuan Jing, Qiu Jian, Xiahou Xian, Wang Jia, Huangfu Kai, Ju An, and over eighty others. Zhong Hui said, “We must have one senior general as vanguard, to open roads through mountains and build bridges across waters. Who dares to take this role?” One man answered, “I am willing to go.” Zhong Hui looked and saw that it was Hu Xu, the son of the tiger-general Xu Chu. Everyone said, “No one but this man is fit to be vanguard.” Zhong Hui summoned Hu Xu and said, “You are a general with a tiger’s body and an ape’s arms; father and son both have renown. Now all the generals also recommend you. You may take the vanguard seal, lead five thousand cavalry and one thousand infantry, and go straight to take Hanzhong. Divide the troops into three routes: you lead the central route, emerging through Xie Valley; the left army emerges through Luo Valley; the right army emerges through Ziwu Valley. These are all rugged and dangerous mountain terrain. You should order the soldiers to level the roads, repair the bridges, chisel through mountains and break rocks, and let there be no obstacles. If you disobey orders, you will surely be dealt with according to military law.” Hu Xu accepted the orders and led the troops forward. Zhong Hui subsequently led over one hundred thousand troops and set out day and night.

It is said that Deng Ai, in Longxi, had already received the imperial edict to attack Shu. On one side he ordered Sima Wang to block the Qiang tribes. He also dispatched Yongzhou Inspector Zhuge Xu, Tianshui Prefect Wang Qi, Longxi Prefect Qian Hong, and Jincheng Prefect Yang Xin, each to muster their own troops and come to receive orders. When the forces were assembled, Deng Ai dreamed a dream that night: he dreamed he climbed a high mountain and gazed down at Hanzhong, when suddenly a spring of water burst forth from beneath his feet, and the water surged upward. After a while he awoke, drenched in sweat. He sat there until dawn, then summoned his guard Shao Shou to ask about it. Shao Shou had always understood the _Book of Changes_. Deng Ai related his dream in detail. Shao Shou replied, “The _Book of Changes_ says: ‘Water on a mountain is called _Jian_. The _Jian_ hexagram is favorable for the southwest and unfavorable for the northeast.’ Confucius said: ‘The _Jian_ hexagram is favorable for the southwest; going forward there will be merit. It is unfavorable for the northeast; its path will be exhausted.’ In this campaign, General will surely be able to conquer Shu. But unfortunately, you will be trapped and obstructed and unable to return.” When Deng Ai heard this, he was sorrowful and unhappy. Suddenly Zhong Hui’s proclamation arrived, agreeing that Deng Ai should raise his troops and meet in Hanzhong. Deng Ai then dispatched Yongzhou Inspector Zhuge Xu, leading fifteen thousand troops, to first cut off Jiang Wei’s retreat. Next he dispatched Tianshui Prefect Wang Qi, leading fifteen thousand troops, to attack Tazhong from the left; Longxi Prefect Qian Hong, leading fifteen thousand troops, to attack Tazhong from the right; and he dispatched Jincheng Prefect Yang Xin, leading fifteen thousand troops, to intercept Jiang Wei’s rear at Gansong. Deng Ai himself led thirty thousand troops, moving back and forth to provide support.

It is said that when Zhong Hui set out on campaign, all the officials saw him off outside the city. Banners and flags covered the sun, armor congealed with frost; men were strong and horses sturdy, majestic and awe-inspiring. Everyone praised and admired him, but only the Prime Minister’s Liu Shi smiled slightly without speaking. Grand Commandant Wang Xiang, seeing Liu Shi’s cold smile, grasped his hand from his horse and asked, “Zhong Hui and Deng Ai, these two men—will they be able to pacify Shu this time?” Liu Shi said, “Breaking Shu is certain. But I fear neither of them will return to the capital.” Wang Xiang asked the reason, but Liu Shi only smiled and did not answer. Wang Xiang did not ask further.

It is said that after the Wei troops had set out, scouts soon entered Tazhong to report to Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei immediately wrote a memorial to the Later Ruler, requesting that an imperial edict be issued, dispatching Left Chariot and Cavalry General Zhang Yi to lead troops to guard Yangping Pass, and Right Chariot and Cavalry General Liao Hua to lead troops to guard Yinping Bridge: “These two places are the most crucial. If these two are lost, Hanzhong cannot be held. On one side, we should send an envoy to Wu to request aid. On the other side, I myself will lead the troops from Tazhong to meet the enemy.” At that time the Later Ruler had changed the reign title from Jingyao fifth year to Yanyuan first year, and spent every day amusing himself in the palace with the eunuch Huang Hao. Suddenly receiving Jiang Wei’s memorial, he summoned Huang Hao and asked, “Now Wei has sent Zhong Hui and Deng Ai with a great army, advancing by separate routes. What is to be done?” Huang Hao memorialized, “This is Jiang Wei wanting to establish merit and fame, and that is why he sends this memorial. Your Majesty, relax your mind and do not be anxious. I have heard that in the city there is a spirit medium who worships a deity and can foretell good and ill fortune. You could summon her to ask.” The Later Ruler followed his advice, set up incense, flowers, paper candles, and other sacrificial items in the rear hall, and had Huang Hao bring the medium into the palace in a small carriage, seating her on the dragon couch. When the Later Ruler had finished burning incense and praying, the medium suddenly let her hair hang loose, bared her feet, and leaped about in the hall several dozen times, then whirled around on the table. Huang Hao said, “This is the deity descending. Your Majesty may withdraw those close to you and pray in person.” The Later Ruler ordered all his attendants to withdraw, knelt again, and prayed. The medium shouted loudly, “I am the Earth God of Western Sichuan. Your Majesty, rejoice in peace and happiness—why must you ask about other matters? In a few years, the territory of Wei will also belong to Your Majesty. Do not worry.” Having said this, she fell unconscious to the ground, and it was half a day before she revived. The Later Ruler was greatly pleased and rewarded her generously. From then on he deeply believed the medium’s words, and so did not heed Jiang Wei’s advice, spending his days only in drinking and pleasure within the palace. Jiang Wei repeatedly sent urgent memorials, but Huang Hao concealed them all, and thus great affairs were delayed.

It is said that Zhong Hui’s great army wound its way toward Hanzhong. The vanguard general Hu Xu, wanting to establish the first merit, first led his troops to Nanzheng Pass. Hu Xu said to his subordinate officers, “Beyond this pass is Hanzhong. There are not many men on the pass. We can exert ourselves to seize it.” The officers received the order and together advanced with all their strength. It turned out that the defending Shu general, Lu Sun, had long known that the Wei troops were coming. He had first set an ambush of soldiers to the left and right of the wooden bridge before the pass, setting up the ten-shot repeating crossbows left behind by Marquis Wu. When Hu Xu’s troops came to seize the pass, at a sound of the clapper, arrows and stones rained down like hail. Hu Xu hastily withdrew, but already several tens of cavalry had been shot down. The Wei troops were greatly defeated. Hu Xu reported back to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui personally led over one hundred armored warriors from his own command to inspect. Sure enough, arrows and crossbow bolts shot down together. Zhong Hui turned his horse and went back, but Lu Sun on the pass led five hundred soldiers in a charge down. Zhong Hui spurred his horse across the bridge, but the earth on the bridge collapsed, trapping his horse’s hoof, and he nearly fell from the horse. The horse struggled but could not rise. Zhong Hui abandoned his horse and went on foot. As he ran down the bridge, Lu Sun caught up and thrust with his spear, but Xun Kai from the Wei army turned and shot an arrow, bringing Lu Sun down from his horse. Zhong Hui commanded the men to take advantage and seize the pass. The soldiers on the pass, because there were Shu troops in front of the pass, dared not shoot arrows. Zhong Hui scattered them, seized the mountain pass, and immediately made Xun Kai the army protector, granting him a full set of saddle, horse, and armor. Zhong Hui summoned Hu Xu to his tent and rebuked him, saying, “As vanguard, you should open roads through mountains and build bridges across waters, specifically repairing bridges and roads to facilitate the army’s march. When I reached the bridge just now, my horse’s hoof was trapped, and I nearly fell into the river. If not for Xun Kai, I would have been killed! Since you have violated military orders, you shall be dealt with according to military law!” He ordered the attendants to take him out and behead him. All the generals pleaded, saying, “His father Xu Chu rendered meritorious service to the court. We hope the commander-in-chief will spare him.” Zhong Hui said angrily, “If military law is not strictly enforced, by what means can I command the troops?” He then ordered the execution and display of the head. None of the generals were not shocked and terrified.

At that time, the Shu general Wang Han was defending Lecheng, and Jiang Bin was defending Hancheng. Seeing the great strength of the Wei army, they dared not engage in battle and only closed the gates to hold their positions. Zhong Hui issued an order, saying, "Speed is paramount in war; there must be no delay." He then ordered the forward army under Li Fu to besiege Lecheng, the protector army under Xun Kai to besiege Hancheng, while he himself led the main force to seize Yangping Pass. The defending Shu general Fu Qian discussed battle and defense strategies with his deputy Jiang Shu. Jiang Shu said, "The Wei army is numerous and their momentum is unstoppable; it would be better to hold the pass as the superior strategy." Fu Qian replied, "That is not correct. The Wei army has come from afar and is surely weary; though numerous, they are not to be feared. If we do not descend from the pass to engage them, Hancheng and Lecheng will be lost." Jiang Shu remained silent and did not answer. Suddenly, a report came that the main Wei force had arrived before the pass. Jiang Shu and Fu Qian went up to the pass to observe. Zhong Hui raised his whip and shouted loudly, "I now command a hundred thousand troops and am here. If you surrender early, each of you will be promoted according to your rank. If you stubbornly refuse to surrender and the pass is breached, the jade and stone will burn together!" Fu Qian was enraged. He ordered Jiang Shu to guard the pass while he himself led three thousand troops down from the pass to attack. Zhong Hui pretended to flee, and the Wei forces all retreated. Fu Qian seized the opportunity to pursue, but the Wei troops regrouped. When Fu Qian tried to withdraw back to the pass, the Wei banners had already been raised on it. He saw Jiang Shu shouting, "I have already surrendered to Wei!" Fu Qian, furious, cursed him in a stern voice, "You ingrate, a traitor without righteousness—how dare you show your face before the Son of Heaven!" He turned his horse and re-engaged the Wei troops. The Wei forces surrounded him on all sides, trapping Fu Qian in the center. Fu Qian charged left and right, fighting desperately, but could not break free. Of the Shu soldiers he led, eight or nine out of ten were wounded or killed. Fu Qian then looked up to heaven and sighed, saying, "Living, I am a minister of Shu; dying, I should be a ghost of Shu!" He then spurred his horse and charged again, receiving several wounds. His robes and armor were drenched in blood. His mount fell, and Fu Qian cut his own throat and died. Later, a poet wrote a verse in lament:

"For one day's display of loyal indignation, a thousand autumns honor his righteous name. Better to die like Fu Qian than live like Jiang Shu."

Zhong Hui captured Yangping Pass. The stores of grain, fodder, and weapons within the pass were immense, and he was greatly pleased. He then rewarded the three armies. That night, as the Wei troops were encamped in Yang'an City, they suddenly heard a great clamor of shouts from the southwest. Zhong Hui hurriedly left his tent to investigate, but there was no movement at all. The Wei army dared not sleep the entire night. On the second night, at the second watch, the shouting arose again from the southwest. Zhong Hui, both startled and puzzled, waited until dawn and sent men to scout. The scouts reported, "We probed more than ten li into the distance and saw not a single person." Zhong Hui, still uneasy, personally led several hundred cavalry, fully armed, to patrol toward the southwest. They came to a mountain, where they saw a murderous aura surging from all sides, gloomy clouds gathering, and a fog shrouding the mountain peak. Zhong Hui reined in his horse and asked the guide, "What mountain is this?" The guide replied, "This is Mount Dingjun, where Xiahou Yuan died in the past." On hearing this, Zhong Hui felt melancholy and displeased, so he turned his horse and began to return. As they rounded a hillside, a fierce wind suddenly arose, and behind them, several thousand cavalry burst forth, riding with the wind to attack. Zhong Hui, greatly alarmed, led his men in a wild flight. The number of officers who fell from their horses was beyond counting. When they reached Yangping Pass, not a single man or horse was lost, but many had bruised faces and lost their helmets. Everyone said, "We only saw men and horses charging in the dark clouds, but when they came near, they did not harm anyone—it was just a whirlwind." Zhong Hui asked the surrendered general Jiang Shu, "Is there a temple on Mount Dingjun?" Jiang Shu said, "There is no temple, only the tomb of Zhuge Wuhou." Zhong Hui exclaimed in surprise, "This must be Wuhou manifesting his spirit. I should go and offer sacrifices to him myself."

The next day, Zhong Hui prepared sacrificial offerings, slaughtering oxen, sheep, and pigs as the three victims. He personally went to Wuhou's tomb to kneel and pay homage. As soon as the sacrifices were completed, the fierce wind immediately ceased, and the gloomy clouds dispersed in all directions. Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew, and a fine rain began to fall. After a short while, the sky cleared. The Wei soldiers were overjoyed and all bowed in thanks before returning to camp. That night, Zhong Hui was dozing at his desk in his tent when a gentle breeze passed by. He saw a man, wearing a silk headband, holding a feather fan, clad in a crane-feather cloak, with white shoes and a black belt. His face was like fine jade, his lips like vermilion, his brows clear and eyes bright, eight feet tall, with an ethereal, immortal air. The man entered the tent. Zhong Hui rose to greet him and asked, "Who are you, sir?" The man replied, "This morning, you were kind enough to visit me, and I have a few words to tell you. Though the fortunes of the Han dynasty have already declined and the Mandate of Heaven is difficult to defy, the people of Liangchuan, suffering the scourge of war, are truly pitiable. After you enter Shu territory, be sure not to kill living beings wantonly." Having spoken, he flicked his sleeves and departed. Zhong Hui wanted to detain him, but suddenly woke up—it was a dream. Zhong Hui knew this was Wuhou's spirit and was greatly astonished. He then issued an order to the forward army to set up a white banner, inscribed with the four characters "Protect the State and Pacify the People." Wherever they went, if anyone killed a person without cause, they would pay with their life. As a result, the people of Hanzhong all came out of the city, knelt, and welcomed him. Zhong Hui comforted and consoled them all, committing no harm to the populace. Later, someone wrote a poem in praise:

"Thousands of ghostly troops encircled Dingjun, causing Zhong Hui to worship the spirit. In life, he could devise plans to support the Liu clan; in death, he left words to protect the Shu people."

Now, Jiang Wei, at Ta Zhong, hearing that the great Wei army had arrived, sent orders to Liao Hua, Zhang Yi, and Dong Jue to lead troops to his support. At the same time, he himself deployed his troops and officers, forming ranks in readiness. Suddenly, a report came that the Wei army had arrived. Jiang Wei led his troops out to meet them. The leading general in the Wei formation was Wang Qi, the Grand Administrator of Tianshui. Wang Qi rode out and shouted loudly, "I now have a million troops and a thousand officers, advancing in twenty columns, and have already reached Chengdu. Why do you not consider an early surrender but still resist? How can you be so ignorant of Heaven's decree?" Jiang Wei, enraged, raised his spear, urged his horse forward, and charged straight at Wang Qi. In less than three exchanges, Wang Qi was defeated and fled. Jiang Wei drove his troops in pursuit. After chasing for twenty li, he heard the sound of gongs and drums, and a column of troops deployed in formation, with a banner bearing the words "Qian Hong, Grand Administrator of Longxi." Jiang Wei laughed and said, "These rat-like creatures are no match for me!" He then urged his troops forward. After another ten li, he encountered Deng Ai leading his troops in an attack. The two armies became locked in a chaotic melee. Jiang Wei, rousing his spirit, fought more than ten rounds with Deng Ai, with neither gaining the upper hand. Then, from behind, the sound of gongs and drums arose again. Jiang Wei hastily withdrew his troops, but the rear army reported, "All the camps at Gansong have been burned by Yang Xin, the Grand Administrator of Jincheng." Jiang Wei, greatly startled, immediately ordered his deputy to set up false banners to face Deng Ai, while he himself withdrew with the rear army and rushed by forced marches to rescue Gansong. There, he encountered Yang Xin. Yang Xin, not daring to engage, fled along the mountain paths. Jiang Wei pursued him. As they neared a cliff, wooden logs and stones rained down from above, blocking Jiang Wei's advance. When he turned back halfway, the Shu troops had already been defeated by Deng Ai, and the main Wei force arrived, surrounding Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei led his cavalry in a desperate breakout and fled into his main camp, holding fast and waiting for reinforcements. Suddenly, a fast-riding messenger arrived, reporting, "Zhong Hui has breached Yangping Pass. The defending general Jiang Shu surrendered, Fu Qian died in battle, and Hanzhong now belongs to Wei. Wang Han, the defender of Lecheng, and Jiang Bin, the defender of Hancheng, knowing that Hanzhong had fallen, also opened their gates and surrendered. Hu Ji could not hold out and has fled back to Chengdu to request reinforcements."

Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed and immediately ordered the camp to be struck. That night, when the army reached Jiangchuan Pass, a force arrayed itself before them, led by the Wei general Yang Xin, the governor of Jincheng. Jiang Wei, enraged, spurred his horse into battle: after a single clash, Yang Xin fled in defeat. Jiang Wei drew his bow and shot at him, but three arrows in a row all missed their mark. Even more furious, Jiang Wei snapped his bow himself, raised his spear, and gave chase, but his horse stumbled, throwing him to the ground. Yang Xin wheeled his horse back to kill Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei leaped up, thrust his spear, and struck the horse’s head. Behind him, Wei soldiers suddenly arrived and rescued Yang Xin. As Jiang Wei mounted his horse to pursue, a report came that Deng Ai’s army was approaching from the rear. Unable to attend to both front and back, Jiang Wei withdrew his troops, intending to seize Hanzhong. A scout reported: “Yongzhou Inspector Zhuge Xu has already cut off the retreat route.” Jiang Wei occupied a strategic mountain stronghold and set up camp. The Wei army encamped at Yinping Bridgehead. With no way forward or back, Jiang Wei sighed long and said, “Heaven wishes to destroy me!” Deputy General Ning Sui said: “Though the Wei army has cut off Yinping Bridge, the Yongzhou forces must be thin. If you, General, take the route through Konghan Valley straight to Yongzhou, Zhuge Xu will surely pull his troops from Yinping to rescue Yongzhou. Then you can lead the army toward Jiange Pass and hold it, and Hanzhong can be recovered.” Jiang Wei heeded this, immediately dispatching troops into Konghan Valley to feign an attack on Yongzhou. A scout reported this to Zhuge Xu. Zhuge Xu, greatly alarmed, said, “Yongzhou is where my forces converge; if anything goes wrong, the court will surely hold me accountable.” He hastily withdrew his main army on the southern route to rescue Yongzhou, leaving only a small force to guard the bridgehead. Jiang Wei entered the northern road, advanced about thirty li, and, estimating the Wei troops had departed, turned his army back. The rear became the vanguard, and they marched straight to the bridgehead. Indeed, the main Wei force had already left, with only a few troops guarding it. Jiang Wei scattered them in a single assault and burned all their stockades. When Zhuge Xu heard that the bridgehead was aflame, he turned his army back, but Jiang Wei’s troops had already crossed half a day earlier, so he dared not pursue.

Now, as Jiang Wei led his army across the bridgehead and proceeded on, a force appeared ahead. It turned out to be General of the Left Zhang Yi and General of the Right Liao Hua. Jiang Wei questioned them. Zhang Yi said: “Huang Hao, heeding the words of a sorcerer, refused to dispatch troops. When I heard that Hanzhong was in peril, I raised my own forces and came. By then, Yangping Pass had already been taken by Zhong Hui. Now, hearing that you, General, were trapped, I came specifically to reinforce you.” They thus united their forces. Liao Hua said: “Now we are beset on all sides, and the supply routes are cut. It is better to retreat and hold Jiange Pass, then plan further.” Jiang Wei was undecided. Suddenly, a report came that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai had split their forces into over ten columns and were advancing. Jiang Wei wanted to divide his troops with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to meet the enemy. Liao Hua said: “The terrain at Baishui is narrow and the roads many; it is no place for battle. It is better to withdraw for now and save Jiange Pass. If Jiange Pass is lost, it will be the end of the road.” Jiang Wei heeded this, and thus led his army toward Jiange Pass. As they neared the pass, they suddenly heard the clamor of drums and horns, the roar of battle cries, and banners raised everywhere. A force held the pass. Truly:

The peril of Hanzhong was no more,

And sudden storms arose at Jiange Pass.

Whose army this was, shall be revealed in the next chapter.