Chapter 85: Liu Bei Leaves a Dying Decree to Entrust His Orphan Son; Zhuge Liang Lives in Peace and Quells Five Invasions

Eighty-Fifth Chapter: Liu Bei’s Dying Edict Entrusts the Orphan; Zhuge Liang Stays Serene and Quells Five Routes

It was the summer of the second year of Zhangwu, in the sixth month, when Lu Xun of Eastern Wu utterly defeated the Shu army at the place of Xiaoting and Yiling. The Former Lord fled back to Baidi City, and Zhao Yun led troops to hold the defense. Suddenly Ma Liang arrived, and seeing that the great army had already been defeated, he regretted that it was too late, and reported Zhuge Liang’s words to the Former Lord. The Former Lord sighed and said, “If I had heeded the Chancellor’s advice earlier, I would not have suffered today’s defeat! Now what face have I to return to Chengdu and see my ministers?” Thereupon he issued an edict to remain encamped at Baidi City, renaming the postal station the Yong’an Palace. Someone reported that Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Fu Tong, Cheng Ji, and Shamoke had all died for their country in battle, and the Former Lord was overcome with grief. Another close minister memorialized, “Huang Quan has led the troops north of the river and surrendered to Wei. Your Majesty may send his family to the authorities for punishment.” The Former Lord said, “Huang Quan was cut off by Wu troops on the north bank of the river; he had no road to return, and in desperation surrendered to Wei. It is I who failed Huang Quan, not Huang Quan who failed me. Why punish his family?” He still issued rations and grain to support them.

Now Huang Quan surrendered to Wei, and the generals brought him before Cao Pi. Cao Pi said, “Sir, now that you surrender to me, do you seek to emulate Chen Ping and Han Xin?” Huang Quan wept and memorialized, “I received exceedingly generous favors from the Shu Emperor. Now, when I commanded the armies north of the river, Lu Xun cut off my road home. I had no way back to Shu, and surrendering to Wu was also impossible, so I have come to seek refuge with Your Majesty. For a defeated general, to escape death is fortune enough; how dare I emulate the ancients?” Cao Pi was greatly pleased, and so appointed Huang Quan as General Who Pacifies the South. Huang Quan firmly declined and would not accept. Suddenly a close minister memorialized, “A secret agent has come from Shu, reporting that the Shu ruler has executed Huang Quan’s entire family.” Huang Quan said, “I and the Shu ruler trusted each other with all our hearts; he knows my true intent and surely would not kill my family.” Cao Pi considered him correct. Later, a poem reproached Huang Quan, saying:

“To surrender to Wu was impossible, so he surrendered to Cao; / How can loyalty and righteousness serve two courts? / Alas that Huang Quan grudged his own death; / Ziyang’s brush of history would not lightly forgive.”

“To surrender to Wu was impossible, so he surrendered to Cao; / How can loyalty and righteousness serve two courts? / Alas that Huang Quan grudged his own death; / Ziyang’s brush of history would not lightly forgive.”

Cao Pi asked Jia Xu, saying, “I wish to unify the realm: shall I first attack Shu, or first attack Wu?” Jia Xu said, “Liu Bei is of great talent and bold strategy, and moreover Zhuge Liang is skilled at governing the state. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu can discern reality from illusion, and Lu Xun now camps in a strategic stronghold, separated by the great river and lakes; neither can be taken in a short time. In my view, among the generals, none can match Sun Quan or Liu Bei. Even if Your Majesty were to campaign with heavenly authority, the outcome would not be assured. Only by holding firm and waiting for changes in these two states can we proceed.” Cao Pi said, “I have already dispatched three armies to attack Wu; how can there be no victory?” Minister Liu Ye said, “Recently Lu Xun of Eastern Wu has just defeated the Shu army of seven hundred thousand; their upper and lower ranks are united in spirit, and with the barrier of rivers and lakes, they cannot be subdued in haste. Lu Xun is full of stratagems and surely has preparations.” Cao Pi said, “Sir, you previously urged me to attack Wu, and now you advise against it. Why?” Liu Ye said, “The times differ: formerly Wu was repeatedly defeated by Shu, and their momentum was broken, so attack was feasible. Now they have won a complete victory, their keenness is a hundredfold, and they cannot be assailed.” Cao Pi said, “My decision is fixed; you need say no more.” So he led the Imperial Guard personally to support the three armies. Soon scouts reported that Eastern Wu was already prepared: they had ordered Lü Fan to block Cao Xiu, Zhuge Jin to hold Nan Commandery against Cao Zhen, and Zhu Huan to hold Ruxu against Cao Ren. Liu Ye said, “Since they are prepared, to go will likely be of no benefit.” Cao Pi did not listen and led his army forward.

Now the Wu general Zhu Huan, only twenty-seven years old, was extremely bold and resourceful, and Sun Quan greatly favored him. At that time he was commanding troops at Ruxu. Hearing that Cao Ren was leading a great army to attack Xianxi, Zhu Huan dispatched all his forces to defend Xianxi, leaving only five thousand cavalry to guard the city. Suddenly a report came that Cao Ren had ordered the senior general Chang Diao, together with Zhu Geqian and Wang Shuang, to lead fifty thousand elite troops straight for Ruxu City. All the troops showed signs of fear. Zhu Huan pressed his sword and said, “Victory or defeat lies with the general, not with the number of troops. The Art of War says: ‘Though the guest army has twice the strength and the host army half, the host can still overcome the guest.’ Now Cao Ren has marched a thousand li; his men and horses are weary. With you, I hold a high city, facing the great river to the south and relying on mountain strongholds to the north. We meet the weary with ease and use the host to control the guest: this is a situation for certain victory in a hundred battles. Even if Cao Pi came himself, we need not worry, let alone Cao Ren and the like!” Thereupon he gave orders for the troops to lower their banners and silence their drums, making it appear as if the city was unguarded.

Now the Wei vanguard general Chang Diao led elite troops to take Ruxu City. From afar he saw no troops on the walls. Chang Diao urged his army forward rapidly. When they were not far from the city, a cannon boomed, and banners rose up together. Zhu Huan, wielding his blade on horseback, charged out and rode straight at Chang Diao. They fought for less than three rounds when Zhu Huan cut Chang Diao down from his horse with one stroke. The Wu troops took advantage of the moment to charge and attack; the Wei army was utterly routed, and countless men died. Zhu Huan won a great victory, capturing countless banners, weapons, and warhorses. Cao Ren led his army up afterward, but Wu troops came out from Xianxi and attacked. Cao Ren was badly defeated and retreated, returning to see the Wei ruler, reporting in detail the great defeat. Cao Pi was greatly alarmed. While they were deliberating, suddenly a scout reported, “Cao Zhen and Xiahou Shang laid siege to Nan Commandery, but Lu Xun had an ambush within, and Zhuge Jin an ambush without. Attacked from within and without, they suffered a great defeat.” Before he had finished speaking, another scout reported, “Cao Xiu has also been defeated by Lü Fan.” Hearing that the three armies had been defeated, Cao Pi sighed deeply and said, “I did not heed the words of Jia Xu and Liu Ye, and indeed have met with this defeat!” It was then summer, and a great plague spread, killing six or seven out of ten of the infantry and cavalry. So he led his army back to Luoyang. From then on, Wu and Wei were at odds.

Now the Former Lord, fallen ill in the Yong’an Palace, could not rise, and his condition grew increasingly severe. By the summer of the third year of Zhangwu, in the fourth month, the Former Lord knew the illness had reached his limbs. He wept again for his two younger sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and his sickness deepened further. His eyes grew dim, and he grew disgusted with the sight of his attendants. So he dismissed them all and lay alone upon his dragon couch. Suddenly an eerie wind arose, making the lamp flicker as it went out and then came back to life. In the shadow of the lamp, he saw two figures standing in attendance. The Former Lord said angrily, “My mind is troubled; I ordered you to withdraw for a time. Why have you come again?” He shouted at them, but they did not retreat. The Former Lord rose to look: the one at the head was Yunchang, and the one below was Yide. The Former Lord said in great surprise, “So my two younger brothers are still here!” Yunchang said, “We are not men, but ghosts. Because we never lost our faith and righteousness in life, the Supreme Emperor has commanded that we both become spirits. Your elder brother’s time to reunite with his brothers is not far off.” The Former Lord seized them and wept bitterly. Suddenly he awoke: the two younger brothers had vanished. He immediately called for his attendants to ask the time; it was the third watch. The Former Lord sighed and said, “I shall soon leave this world!” Thereupon he sent an envoy to Chengdu, summoning the Chancellor Zhuge Liang, the Master of Writing Li Yan, and others to come to the Yong’an Palace with all speed, day and night, to receive his dying edict. Kong Ming and the others, together with the Former Lord’s second sons, the Prince of Lu Liu Yong and the Prince of Liang Liu Li, came to the Yong’an Palace to see the Emperor, leaving the Heir Apparent Liu Shan to guard Chengdu.

Let us speak of Kongming arriving at the Yongan Palace. Seeing the First Sovereign critically ill, he hastily bowed and prostrated himself beneath the dragon couch. The First Sovereign issued a decree, inviting Kongming to sit beside the dragon couch, and, patting him on the back, said: “Since obtaining you, Chancellor, I have by good fortune achieved the imperial enterprise; how could I have imagined that my wisdom and insight were shallow and limited, and that by not heeding your words, I would bring disaster upon myself? Regret has turned into illness, and I am dying within a day or two. The son who will succeed me is weak, and I must entrust the great affairs to you.” Having spoken, tears streamed down his face. Kongming also wept as he said: “May Your Majesty carefully nourish your dragon body, so as to fulfill the hopes of all under heaven!” The First Sovereign glanced around and saw Ma Su, the younger brother of Ma Liang, standing nearby. He ordered him to withdraw for the moment. After Ma Su had left, the First Sovereign said to Kongming: “Chancellor, what do you think of Ma Su’s abilities?” Kongming replied: “This man is also a talent of the age.” The First Sovereign said: “Not so. In my observation, this man’s words exceed his actual abilities; he cannot be given great responsibility. You, Chancellor, should examine him thoroughly.” Having given this instruction, he issued a decree summoning all the officials into the hall, took paper and brush, wrote an imperial testament, and handed it to Kongming with a sigh: “I have not studied books, but I know a little of the general outline. The sage said: ‘When a bird is about to die, its cry is mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are kind.’ I had hoped to join with you all in destroying the Cao bandits and together restore the Han dynasty; but unfortunately, we must part midway. I trouble you, Chancellor, to deliver this testament to the heir, Liu Shan, and not let him regard it as ordinary words. In all matters, I look to you, Chancellor, to take pains!”

Kongming and the others wept and prostrated themselves, saying: “May Your Majesty rest and nurture your dragon body! Your subjects will exhaust the strength of dogs and horses to repay Your Majesty’s kindness in recognizing our talents.” The First Sovereign ordered the inner attendants to help Kongming rise. Wiping his tears with one hand, he grasped Kongming’s hand with the other and said: “I am about to die! I have words from my heart to tell you!” Kongming said: “What are Your Majesty’s sacred instructions?” The First Sovereign wept and said: “Your abilities are ten times those of Cao Pi; you are certainly capable of stabilizing the state and bringing peace to the realm, and ultimately achieving great deeds. If my successor can be assisted, assist him; if he proves incompetent, you may take the seat of the Lord of Chengdu yourself.” When Kongming heard this, sweat poured over his entire body, and his hands and feet were at a loss. Weeping, he prostrated himself and said: “How dare your subject not exhaust the strength of my limbs and bones, and devote myself to loyalty and integrity, to repay you even unto death!” Having spoken, he knocked his head until it bled. The First Sovereign then invited Kongming to sit on the couch, and called Liu Yong, the Prince of Lu, and Liu Li, the Prince of Liang, to come forward. He instructed them: “Remember my words. After I die, you three brothers must serve the Chancellor as you would your father, and not be remiss.” Having said this, he ordered the two princes to bow to Kongming together. After they had bowed, Kongming said: “Even if your subject’s liver and brains were smeared on the ground, how could I repay the kindness of your recognition!”

The First Sovereign said to all the officials: “I have entrusted the orphan to the Chancellor, and ordered the heir to serve him as a father. None of you may be remiss, lest you disappoint my hopes.” He also instructed Zhao Yun: “I have been with you through hardship and peril to this day, never expecting to part here. Remember our old friendship; look after my son day and night, and do not disregard my words.” Zhao Yun wept and bowed, thanking him: “How dare your subject not exhaust the strength of a dog or a horse!” The First Sovereign then said to all the officials: “You, my many officials, I cannot instruct each one individually. I hope you will all take care of yourselves.” Having spoken, he passed away, at the age of sixty-three. This was on the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month in the third year of Zhangwu. Later, Du Gongbu (Du Fu) wrote a poem lamenting:

The Lord of Shu, coveting Wu, went toward the Three Gorges;

The year of his death was also in Yongan Palace.

The imperial banners are imagined beyond the empty mountains;

The jade halls are vanished in a wild temple.

In the ancient shrine, among the fir and cypress, water cranes nest;

At the seasonal sacrifices, village elders come and go.

The Martial Marquis’ temple hall is ever nearby;

Together as lord and minister, they share the same offerings.

The First Sovereign having passed away, all the civil and military officials grieved without exception. Kongming led the officials in escorting the funeral carriage back to Chengdu. The heir, Liu Shan, came out of the city to welcome the funeral carriage, which was placed in the main hall. After the mourning rites were performed, the testament was opened and read aloud. It said:

When I first fell ill, it was merely dysentery; later, it turned into various complications, and I fear I cannot hold on. I have heard that ‘if a man lives to fifty, he is not considered to have died young.’ Now I am over sixty; what regret is there in death? I am only concerned for you, my brothers. Strive! Strive! Do not commit evil because it is small; do not omit good because it is small. Only worthiness and virtue can win men’s hearts; your father’s virtue was shallow and not worth emulating. After I die, you and the Chancellor shall manage the affairs of state together; serve him as you would your father, and do not be remiss! Do not forget! You brothers must further seek distinction and prominence. I charge you again and again! I charge you again and again!

The assembled officials finished reading the testament. Kongming said: “The state cannot be without a sovereign for a single day; let us establish the new ruler to continue the legitimate line of Han.” Thus, the heir, Liu Shan, was established as emperor, and the reign title was changed to Jianxing. Zhuge Liang was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuxiang and concurrently appointed Governor of Yi Province. The First Sovereign was buried at Huiling, and his posthumous title was declared as Zhaolie Emperor. Lady Wu was honored as Empress Dowager. Lady Gan was made Empress Zhaolie. Lady Mi was also posthumously honored as Empress. Officials were promoted and rewarded, and a general amnesty was granted to all under heaven.

Soon, Wei army scouts learned of these events and reported them to the Central Plains. A close minister memorialized the Wei ruler. Cao Pi was greatly pleased and said: “Liu Bei is dead; I have no more worries. Why not take advantage of the fact that his state has no ruler and raise an army to attack him?” Jia Xu admonished: “Liu Bei is dead, but he must have entrusted the orphan to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang, grateful for Liu Bei’s kindness in recognizing his talent, will certainly devote all his strength to supporting the new ruler. Your Majesty cannot hastily attack him.” As they were speaking, a man suddenly stepped forward from the court ranks and said: “If we do not advance the army now, when else shall we wait?” Everyone looked; it was Sima Yi. Cao Pi was overjoyed and asked Sima Yi for his plan. Sima Yi said: “If we only raise the armies of the Central Plains, it will be difficult to achieve victory quickly. We must use five armies to attack from all four sides, so that Zhuge Liang cannot save his head from his tail, and then we can plot against him.”

Cao Pi asked what the five armies were. Sima Yi said: “First, write a letter and send an envoy to the king of the Xianbei tribe in Liaodong, Kebineng, bribing him with gold and silk, and have him raise one hundred thousand Qiang troops from west of the Liao River, who will first attack Xiping Pass by land—that is the first route. Second, write another letter and send an envoy with official titles and rewards directly into the Southern Man region to see the Man king, Meng Huo, and have him raise one hundred thousand troops to attack the four commanderies of Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangke, and Yuesui, thereby striking the south of Western Chuan—that is the second route. Third, send an envoy to Eastern Wu to restore friendly relations, promising to cede territory, and have Sun Quan raise one hundred thousand troops to attack the mouth of the Two Chuan, directly taking Fucheng—that is the third route. Fourth, send an envoy to the surrendered general Meng Da, raising one hundred thousand troops from Shangyong to attack Hanzhong from the west—that is the fourth route. Then, order the great general Cao Zhen to be Grand Chief Commander, leading one hundred thousand troops, and directly from Jingzhao to attack Yangping Pass and take Western Chuan—that is the fifth route. In total, five hundred thousand troops, advancing on five routes simultaneously. Even if Zhuge Liang had the abilities of Lü Wang (Jiang Ziya), how could he withstand this?” Cao Pi was overjoyed, and immediately secretly dispatched four eloquent officials as envoys; he also ordered Cao Zhen to be Grand Chief Commander, leading one hundred thousand troops, and to march directly on Yangping Pass. At this time, Zhang Liao and a group of veteran generals had all been enfeoffed as marquises and were stationed separately in Ji Province, Xu Province, Qing Province, and Hefei, guarding strategic passes and fords, so they were not called upon.

Now let us speak of Liu Shan, the Later Sovereign of Shu Han. Since his accession, many of the veteran officials had died of illness, too many to recount in detail. All matters of the court, selection of officials, revenue and grain, litigation, etc., were decided and handled by Chancellor Zhuge Liang. At that time, the Later Sovereign had not yet established an empress. Kongming and the assembled officials memorialized, saying: “The daughter of the late General of Chariots and Cavalry, Zhang Fei, is very virtuous and chaste, seventeen years old; she can be taken as the principal wife and empress.” The Later Sovereign then married her.

In the autumn of the first year of the Jianxing reign period, in the eighth month, a border report suddenly arrived, stating: "Wei has mobilized five armies to attack Western Sichuan: the first army, with Cao Zhen as Grand Commander, raises a hundred thousand troops to attack Yangping Pass; the second army, led by the turncoat general Meng Da, raises a hundred thousand troops from Shangyong to invade Hanzhong; the third army, under Sun Quan of Eastern Wu, raises a hundred thousand elite troops to attack the Gorge entrance and enter Sichuan; the fourth army, under the barbarian king Meng Huo, raises a hundred thousand barbarian troops to invade the four commanderies of Yizhou; the fifth army, under the Fan king Kebineng, raises a hundred thousand Qiang troops to invade Xiping Pass—these five armies are extremely formidable. This has already been reported to the Chancellor, but for some reason, the Chancellor has not come out to handle government affairs for several days." The Later Ruler was greatly alarmed upon hearing this, and immediately sent a close attendant bearing an imperial edict to summon Kongming to court. The envoy went for half a day and returned, reporting: "The people at the Chancellor's residence say that the Chancellor is ill and will not come out." The Later Ruler grew even more anxious; the next day, he ordered Huangmen Shilang Dong Yun and Jianyi Dafu Du Qiong to go to the Chancellor's bedside and inform him of this grave matter. Dong and Du arrived at the Chancellor's residence but were not allowed entry. Du Qiong said: "The late Emperor entrusted the orphan to the Chancellor; now the sovereign has just ascended the throne, and with Cao Pi's five armies invading the borders, the military situation is extremely urgent. Why does the Chancellor feign illness and refuse to come out?" After a long time, the gate attendant conveyed the Chancellor's order, saying: "His illness has slightly improved; tomorrow morning he will come to the capital hall to discuss affairs." Dong and Du sighed and withdrew. The next day, many officials again gathered before the Chancellor's residence, waiting. They waited from morning until evening, but still he did not appear. The officials, filled with fear and uncertainty, could only disperse. Du Qiong entered the palace and reported to the Later Ruler, saying: "I beg Your Majesty to go personally to the Chancellor's residence to seek his counsel." The Later Ruler then led the officials into the palace and informed the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was startled and said: "Why is the Chancellor acting this way? He has betrayed the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the late Emperor! I should go myself." Dong Yun memorialized, saying: "Your Highness must not go lightly. Your servant estimates that the Chancellor surely has profound insights. Let us wait until the sovereign goes first. If the Chancellor truly shows negligence, then Your Highness may go to the Imperial Temple, summon the Chancellor, and question him without delay." The Empress Dowager followed this advice.

The next day, the Later Ruler's carriage personally arrived at the Chancellor's residence. The gate attendants, seeing the imperial carriage, hastily knelt prostrate to welcome it. The Later Ruler asked: "Where is the Chancellor?" The gate attendant said: "We do not know where he is. There is only the Chancellor's order, instructing us to block all officials and not allow unauthorized entry." The Later Ruler then dismounted from his carriage and walked alone, entering through the third gate, where he saw Kongming leaning alone on a bamboo staff, watching fish by a small pond. The Later Ruler stood behind him for a long time, then slowly said: "Is the Chancellor at ease?" Kongming turned his head, saw it was the Later Ruler, and hastily threw away his staff, kneeling prostrate and saying: "Your servant deserves death ten thousand times!" The Later Ruler helped him up and asked: "Now Cao Pi has divided his troops into five armies, invading the borders with extreme urgency. Why does the Father Chancellor refuse to leave the residence and handle government affairs?" Kongming laughed heartily, supported the Later Ruler into an inner chamber, and after they were seated, memorialized: "That the five armies have come, how could your servant not know? I am not watching fish; I am pondering matters." The Later Ruler said: "Then what is to be done?" Kongming said: "The Qiang king Kebineng, the barbarian king Meng Huo, the turncoat general Meng Da, and the Wei general Cao Zhen: these four armies, your servant has already repelled them. Only Sun Quan's army remains, and I have a plan to repel them, but it requires an eloquent envoy. Because I have not yet found the right person, I am still deliberating carefully. Why should Your Majesty worry?"

Upon hearing this, the Later Ruler was both surprised and delighted, saying: "The Father Chancellor truly has strategies unfathomable to gods and ghosts! I hope to hear you explain the plan to repel the armies." Kongming said: "The late Emperor entrusted Your Majesty to me; how dare I be negligent for even a moment? The officials in Chengdu do not understand the subtleties of military strategy; the key lies in making it impossible for others to fathom, so how could I reveal it to others? I, your old servant, long knew that the Western Fan king Kebineng was leading troops to attack Xiping Pass; I anticipated that Ma Chao, whose ancestral home is Western Sichuan, has always deeply won the hearts of the Qiang people, who regard him as the Mighty and Awesome General; I have already sent a man ahead, riding through the night with a dispatch, ordering Ma Chao to strictly defend Xiping Pass, ambush four detachments of troops, rotate them daily, and use his forces to hold them off: this route need not be worried about. Then there is the Southern Barbarian Meng Huo, leading troops to invade the four commanderies; I also swiftly sent a dispatch, ordering Wei Yan to lead an army, exiting from the left and returning from the right, exiting from the right and returning from the left, as a feigned force to confuse the enemy; the barbarian troops rely only on brute strength, their minds are full of suspicion; if they see feigned forces, they will surely not dare to advance: this route is also not worth worrying about. I also know that Meng Da is leading troops from Hanzhong; Meng Da and Li Yan once formed a bond of life and death; when I returned to Chengdu, I left Li Yan to guard Yong'an Palace; I have already written a letter, pretending it is in Li Yan's own hand, and sent it to Meng Da; Meng Da will certainly plead illness and not deploy his troops, thereby slackening his army's morale: this route is also not worth worrying about. I also know that Cao Zhen is leading troops to attack Yangping Pass; this place is dangerous and steep, and can be defended; I have already deployed Zhao Yun to lead an army to hold the pass, and not engage in battle; if Cao Zhen sees that our army does not come out to fight, he will soon retreat on his own. These four armies are not worth worrying about. I was still concerned that I might not fully secure the situation, so I secretly deployed the two generals Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, each leading thirty thousand troops, to camp at key locations, as relief and reinforcement for the various routes. These deployments and troop movements have not passed through Chengdu, so no one knows of them. Only this one army from Eastern Wu may not necessarily act: if they see the other four armies victorious and Shu in crisis, they will certainly attack; but if the other four armies fail, how would they be willing to act? I estimate that Sun Quan will bear a grudge against Cao Pi for his three-pronged invasion of Eastern Wu, and will certainly not heed Cao Pi's words. Even so, we still need to send an eloquent person to go directly to Eastern Wu, to persuade them with arguments of advantage and disadvantage; then we can first repel Eastern Wu's army; the other four armies, what is there to worry about? I have only not yet found the right person to go to Eastern Wu as an envoy, which is why I have been hesitating. How could I have troubled Your Majesty to come personally?" The Later Ruler said: "The Empress Dowager also wanted to come see the Father Chancellor. Now that I have heard your words, it is as if I have just awakened from a dream. What more is there to worry about!"

Kongming and the Later Ruler drank a few cups of wine together, then escorted the Later Ruler out of the Chancellor's residence. The officials were all standing in a circle outside the gate, and saw that the Later Ruler's face showed joy. The Later Ruler bid farewell to Kongming, mounted his imperial carriage, and returned to the palace. The officials were all puzzled and uncertain. Kongming, among the officials, saw one man looking up to the heavens with a broad smile, his face also showing delight. Kongming looked at him: he was from Yiyang Xinye; his surname was Deng, his given name Zhi, his style name Baimiao; currently serving as Minister of Revenue; he was a descendant of Deng Yu, the Han dynasty Minister over the Masses. Kongming secretly sent someone to detain Deng Zhi. The officials all dispersed. Kongming invited Deng Zhi into his study and asked him: "Now Shu, Wei, and Wu are three kingdoms standing like a tripod. If we wish to attack the other two, unite the empire, and restore the Han dynasty, which kingdom should we attack first?" Deng Zhi said: "In my humble opinion, although Wei is a traitor to Han, their power is great and difficult to shake in one blow; we should plan gradually. Now the sovereign has just ascended the throne, and the people's hearts are not yet settled; we should ally with Eastern Wu, forming a relationship like lips and teeth, to wash away the late Emperor's old grievances—this is a long-term strategy. I do not know what the Chancellor thinks." Kongming laughed heartily and said: "I have been pondering this matter for a long time, but I had not found the right person. Today I have found him!" Deng Zhi said: "What does the Chancellor wish to use this person for?" Kongming said: "I wish to send someone to ally with Eastern Wu. Since you understand this intent, you will certainly not fail the sovereign's mission. The heavy responsibility of going as envoy to Eastern Wu must fall on none other than you." Deng Zhi said: "My talents are shallow; I fear I am not equal to this heavy task." Kongming said: "Tomorrow I will memorialize the Son of Heaven, and I ask Baimiao to make this journey. Do not refuse." Deng Zhi assented and withdrew. The next day, Kongming memorialized to the Later Ruler for approval, and sent Deng Zhi to go as envoy to Eastern Wu to negotiate. Deng Zhi took his leave and set out for Eastern Wu. Just at that moment:

The men of Wu had barely seen the war's turmoil cease,

When the envoy of Shu again came bearing jade and silk to foster peace.

The people of Wu had barely seen the conflict subside when an envoy from Shu was about to come bearing jade and silk to renew friendly relations.

It is unknown what the outcome of Deng Zhi’s mission will be; let us await the explanation in the following text.