Chapter 88: Crossing the Lu River, the Barbarian King Is Bound Again; Recognizing a Feigned Surrender, Meng Huo Is Captured for the Third Time

Eighty-eighth Chapter: Crossing the Lu River, Binding the Barbarian King Again; Recognizing Feigned Surrender, Capturing Meng Huo a Third Time

Now Kongming released Meng Huo. The generals came to his tent and asked, “Meng Huo is the chieftain of the Southern Barbarians. Now that he has been captured by good fortune, the south could be pacified. Why does the Chancellor release him?” Kongming smiled and said, “Capturing this man is like taking something out of a pocket. I must make him submit in his heart, and then the region will naturally be settled.” Hearing these words, none of the generals believed him.

That day, Meng Huo reached the Lu River and happened upon the remnants of his defeated barbarian troops, who were all searching for news. When the soldiers saw Meng Huo, they were both startled and delighted. They bowed and asked, “How did the Great King manage to return?” Meng Huo said, “The Shu people confined me in their tent. I killed over ten of them and escaped under cover of darkness. As I fled, I encountered a patrol of cavalry, killed them too, and seized this horse. Thus I was able to get away.” The men were overjoyed. They crowded around Meng Huo, crossed the Lu River, set up camp, gathered the chieftains of all the caves, and gradually assembled the barbarian troops that had been released earlier, totaling over one hundred thousand cavalry. By this time, Dong Tuna and Ahuinan were already in their caves. Meng Huo sent men to summon them. Fearing him, the two had no choice but to bring their cave troops and come. Meng Huo issued orders: “I now know Zhuge Liang’s schemes. We must not engage him in battle, for battle will lead us into his traps. Their Sichuan troops have come from afar and are weary and exhausted. Moreover, the weather will soon turn scorching hot—how can their army remain here long? We have the natural barrier of the Lu River. Confiscate all boats and rafts on the southern bank, build earthen walls, dig deep moats, and raise high ramparts. Then let us see what scheme Zhuge Liang can devise!” The chieftains followed his plan. They confiscated all boats and rafts on the southern bank, built earthen walls, and where the terrain leaned against mountains or cliffs, they erected tall watchtowers, equipping them with crossbows, catapults, and rocks, preparing for a prolonged standoff. Grain and fodder were supplied and transported by each cave. Meng Huo considered this a foolproof strategy and was completely at ease.

Now Kongming led his main army forward. The vanguard had already reached the Lu River when scout horsemen reported back swiftly: “Within the Lu River, there are no boats or rafts. Moreover, the current is extremely swift. On the opposite bank, earthen walls have been built, all guarded by barbarian troops.” At this time, it was the fifth month. The weather was scorching hot, and in the southern lands, the heat was especially intense. The soldiers could hardly bear to wear their armor. Kongming personally went to the Lu River’s edge, observed the situation, and then returned to his camp. He summoned the generals to his tent and issued orders: “Now Meng Huo has camped south of the Lu River, with deep moats and high ramparts, to resist our army. Since I have brought the troops here, how can we return empty-handed? Each of you will lead your men, take positions by the mountains and trees, and choose spots with dense foliage to let our officers and soldiers rest.” He then sent Lü Kai a hundred li from the Lu River to select a cool, shaded place and set up four camps. Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, and Guan Suo were each assigned to guard one camp. Inside and out, they built thatched shelters to cover the horses, allowing the officers and soldiers to enjoy the cool and avoid the heat. Staff Officer Jiang Wan saw this and entered the tent to ask Kongming, “I see that the camps Lü Kai has built are not good. They exactly resemble the terrain where the late Emperor was defeated by Eastern Wu. If the barbarian troops stealthily cross the Lu River and come to raid the camps, and if they use fire, how will we defend?” Kongming smiled and said, “Do not be overly suspicious. I have my own excellent plans.” Jiang Wan and the others did not understand his meaning.

Suddenly, a report came that Ma Dai had arrived from Shu, escorting medicines for heatstroke and grain supplies. Kongming ordered him to enter. Ma Dai paid his respects, then distributed the grain and medicines to the four camps. Kongming asked, “How many troops have you brought?” Ma Dai replied, “Three thousand cavalry.” Kongming said, “Our army has fought many battles and is exhausted. I wish to use your troops, but I do not know if you are willing to press forward.” Ma Dai said, “They are all the court’s troops—why distinguish between yours and mine? If the Chancellor wants to use them, I will not refuse even unto death.” Kongming said, “Now Meng Huo holds the Lu River, and there is no way to cross. I want to first cut off his grain supply route, so that his army will fall into chaos on its own.” Ma Dai asked, “How can that be done?” Kongming said, “One hundred fifty li from here, downstream on the Lu River, there is a place called Shakou. The current there is gentle, and rafts can be used to cross. You will lead your three thousand troops across the river, go straight into the barbarian caves, first cut off their grain and fodder, then contact the two cave chieftains Dong Tuna and Ahuinan, and have them serve as our inside agents. Do not fail in this.”

Ma Dai gladly departed. He led his troops to Shakou and drove them across the river. Seeing that the water was shallow, most of them did not use rafts but simply stripped off their clothes and waded across. When half had crossed, they all collapsed. They were hastily rescued to the bank, but they bled from mouth and nose and died. Ma Dai was greatly alarmed. That night, he went back to report to Kongming. Kongming immediately summoned local guides and questioned them. The guides said, “In this scorching weather, poisonous vapors gather in the Lu River. During the day it is very hot, and the poison is at its peak. Anyone who crosses the river will certainly be poisoned. If they drink the water, they will surely die. To cross safely, one must wait until night, when the water is cool and the poison does not rise. After eating a full meal, one can cross without harm.” Kongming then had the guides lead the way. He selected five or six hundred elite troops and sent them with Ma Dai to the Shakou of the Lu River. They built wooden rafts and crossed at midnight, and indeed nothing happened. Ma Dai led two thousand strong troops, with the guides showing the way, and headed straight for the Jia Shan Valley, the main intersection for transporting grain to the barbarian caves. Jia Shan Valley had mountains on both sides and a single road in the middle, wide enough for only one man or one horse to pass. Ma Dai occupied Jia Shan Valley, deployed his troops, and set up a stockade. The cave barbarians, unaware, were just escorting grain when Ma Dai cut them off from front and rear, seizing over a hundred grain carts. The barbarians reported this to Meng Huo’s main camp.

At this time, Meng Huo was in his camp, drinking and amusing himself all day, neglecting military affairs. He said to the chieftains, “If I confront Zhuge Liang head-on, I will certainly fall into his treacherous schemes. Now, relying on the natural barrier of the Lu River, with deep moats and high ramparts, I will wait for him. The Shu people cannot endure the intense heat and will surely retreat. Then you and I can pursue them and capture Zhuge Liang.” After saying this, he laughed loudly. Suddenly, a chieftain stepped forward and said, “The water at Shakou is shallow. If the Shu troops stealthily cross there, the harm will be great. We should send troops to guard it.” Meng Huo laughed and said, “You are a local—how can you not know? I am deliberately letting the Shu troops try to cross this river. If they cross, they will certainly die in the water.” The chieftain added, “But if some locals tell them the method of crossing at night, what then?” Meng Huo said, “Do not be overly suspicious. How could people from our own region be willing to help the enemy?” While they were speaking, a report suddenly arrived: “Shu troops, in unknown numbers, have secretly crossed the Lu River, cut off the grain route at Jia Shan, and are flying the banner of ‘Pingbei General Ma Dai.’” Meng Huo laughed and said, “What is there to say about such an insignificant nobody!” He immediately ordered his deputy general Mangya Zhang to lead three thousand troops to Jia Shan Valley.

Now Ma Dai saw the barbarian troops approaching. He arrayed his two thousand cavalry in front of the mountain. The two formations faced each other. Mangya Zhang rode out, and Ma Dai engaged him. In a single clash, Ma Dai cut him down from his horse with one stroke. The barbarian troops were routed and fled back. They came to Meng Huo and reported the matter in detail. Meng Huo summoned his generals and asked, “Who dares to go and resist Ma Dai?” Before he finished speaking, Dong Tuna stepped forward and said, “I am willing to go.” Meng Huo was overjoyed and gave him three thousand troops. Fearing that others might cross the Lu River again, Meng Huo immediately sent Ahuinan with three thousand troops to guard Shakou.

Now Dong Tuna led his barbarian troops to Jia Shan Valley and set up camp. Ma Dai came out to meet him. Some of the soldiers in the ranks recognized Dong Tuna and told Ma Dai about him. Ma Dai spurred his horse forward and shouted loudly, “You ungrateful, faithless wretch! My Chancellor spared your life, and now you rebel again—are you not ashamed?” Dong Tuna’s face flushed with shame. He had nothing to say and withdrew without fighting. Ma Dai pursued and killed a number of them, then returned. Dong Tuna went back to see Meng Huo and said, “Ma Dai is a hero; I could not withstand him.” Meng Huo was furious and said, “I know that you were once favored by Zhuge Liang, and now you deliberately withdraw without fighting—this is a scheme to sell out the battle line!” He roared for Dong Tuna to be taken out and beheaded. The chieftains pleaded repeatedly for mercy, and only then was his life spared. Meng Huo ordered the guards to give Dong Tuna one hundred strokes with a heavy staff, then sent him back to his own cave.

Many tribal chieftains came to Dong Tuna and said: "Although we dwell in the southern wilds, we have never dared to invade the Central Plains; nor have the Central Plains ever invaded us. Now, compelled by Meng Huo's power, we have no choice but to rebel. But consider that Kongming's divine strategies are unfathomable—even Cao Cao and Sun Quan fear him, how much more so we of the southern wilds? Moreover, we have all received the grace of being spared our lives, with no way to repay it. Now we are willing to risk death to kill Meng Huo and defect to Kongming, to spare the people of our caves from suffering and ruin." Dong Tuna said: "I do not know what is in your hearts." Among them were those who had originally been released by Kongming, and they answered in unison: "We are willing to go!" Thereupon Dong Tuna, grasping a steel blade, led over a hundred men and went straight to the main camp. At that time, Meng Huo was in his tent, heavily drunk. Dong Tuna, leading the men with drawn blades, entered; two generals stood in attendance within the tent. Dong Tuna pointed his blade at them and said: "You too have received the life-sparing grace of Chancellor Zhuge; you should repay it." The two generals said: "There is no need for the general to act; we will capture Meng Huo alive and present him to the Chancellor." Thereupon they all entered the tent, bound Meng Huo securely, escorted him to the banks of the Lu River, sailed a boat straight to the northern shore, and first sent a man to report to Kongming.

Now Kongming had already sent spies to investigate this matter, and so he secretly issued orders, instructing the officers and soldiers of each camp to prepare their weapons, and only then allowed the leading chieftain to bring Meng Huo in; the rest of the men were to return to their own camps and await orders. Dong Tuna first entered the central army to see Kongming and reported the matter in detail. Kongming rewarded him generously, consoled him with kind words, and sent Dong Tuna away with the chieftains; then he ordered the executioners to bring Meng Huo in. Kongming said with a smile: "You said before: If you were captured again, you would submit. What have you to say now?" Meng Huo said: "This is not due to your skill; it was my own men turning against each other that brought me to this. How could I submit?" Kongming said: "If I release you again today, what then?" Meng Huo said: "Though I am a barbarian, I am well-versed in the art of war. If the Chancellor truly agrees to release me back to my cave, I will raise troops and decide the outcome in another battle. If the Chancellor captures me again this time, I will then pour out my heart and submit, daring not to change." Kongming said: "If you are captured alive this time and still refuse to submit, I will certainly not treat you lightly." He ordered his attendants to remove his bonds, again bestowed wine and food upon him, and had him sit in the tent among the ranks. Kongming said: "Ever since I left my thatched cottage, I have been victorious in every battle and successful in every attack. Why do you, a man of the barbarian lands, refuse to submit?" Meng Huo remained silent and did not answer.

After the wine, Kongming called Meng Huo to mount his horse and ride out of the camp to view the stockades, the stored grain, and the accumulated weapons of each camp. Kongming pointed to them and said to Meng Huo: "Your refusal to submit to me marks you as a fool. With such troops and fierce generals, such grain and weapons, how can you hope to defeat me? If you submit early, I will memorialize the Son of Heaven, allowing you to retain your kingship, and your sons and grandsons will forever guard the southern wilds. What say you?" Meng Huo said: "Though I may be willing to submit, the men in the caves may not be of one mind. If the Chancellor agrees to release me, I will go and pacify my own troops, unite their hearts, and then come to submit." Kongming gladly agreed and returned with Meng Huo to the main camp. They drank until evening, and then Meng Huo took his leave; Kongming personally escorted him to the Lu River and sent him back to his camp by boat.

When Meng Huo reached his own camp, he first hid executioners with blades in his tent, then sent trusted men to the camps of Dong Tuna and A Huinan, pretending that Kongming had sent an envoy, and lured the two men to his main tent, where he killed them both and cast their bodies into a mountain stream. Meng Huo then sent trusted men to guard the passes, while he himself led troops out of the Jiashan Valley to do battle with Ma Dai, but he saw no one; when he questioned the locals, they said that all had moved their grain during the night, crossed the Lu River, and returned to their main camp. Meng Huo went back to his cave and consulted with his younger brother Meng You, saying: "Now I know all of Kongming's dispositions. You must go and act as follows."

Meng You, having received his elder brother's plan, led over a hundred barbarian troops, loaded with gold, pearls, treasures, ivory, rhinoceros horn, and the like, crossed the Lu River, and went straight to Kongming's main camp; just as they crossed the river, drums and horns sounded ahead, and a troop of soldiers deployed: the leading general was none other than Ma Dai. Meng You was greatly alarmed. Ma Dai questioned him about his purpose, ordered him to wait outside, and sent a man to report to Kongming. Kongming was in his tent discussing the pacification of the barbarians with Ma Su, Lü Kai, Jiang Wan, and Fei Yi, when suddenly a man reported from below the tent that Meng Huo had sent his brother Meng You to present treasures. Kongming turned to Ma Su and said: "Do you know his intention?" Ma Su said: "I dare not speak openly. Allow me to write it in secret on paper and present it to the Chancellor, to see if it matches your thoughts." Kongming agreed. Ma Su wrote it and presented it to Kongming. After reading it, Kongming clapped his hands and laughed heartily, saying: "The plan to capture Meng Huo is already set. Your insight matches mine exactly." He then called Zhao Yun in and whispered instructions to him; he also called Wei Yan in and whispered to him; and he called Wang Ping, Ma Zhong, and Guan Suo in and gave them secret orders as well.

Each man received his plan and departed to follow his orders, and only then did Kongming summon Meng You into the tent. Meng You bowed twice below the tent and said: "My elder brother, Meng Huo, grateful for the Chancellor's grace in sparing his life, has nothing to offer, so he has prepared a quantity of gold, pearls, and treasures as a token for the army's expenses. Later, there will be further tribute for the Son of Heaven." Kongming said: "Where is your elder brother now?" Meng You said: "Grateful for the Chancellor's heavenly grace, he has gone straight to the Silver Pit Mountain to gather treasures and will return shortly." Kongming said: "How many men have you brought?" Meng You said: "I dare not bring many. Only about a hundred followers, all engaged in transporting goods." Kongming ordered them all brought into the tent to be seen; they were all dark-eyed, black-faced, with yellow hair and purple beards, wearing gold earrings, with disheveled hair and bare feet, tall and powerful men. Kongming then ordered them to sit among the ranks, instructed the generals to urge them to drink, and treated them with great hospitality.

Now Meng Huo was waiting in his tent for news, when suddenly someone reported that two men had returned; he called them in and questioned them, and they said in detail: "Kongming received the gifts with great joy, and called all the followers into the tent, where he killed cows and sheep, prepared a feast, and entertained them. The second prince ordered me to secretly report to the great king: Tonight, at the second watch, we will cooperate from within and without to accomplish the great deed." Meng Huo was overjoyed and immediately mustered thirty thousand barbarian troops, dividing them into three units. Meng Huo instructed the chieftains of each cave, saying: "All troops are to carry fire-making tools. When we reach the Shu camp tonight, set fires as the signal. I myself will take the central army to capture Kongming." Many barbarian generals received their orders, and around dusk, they crossed the Lu River one after another. Meng Huo led over a hundred trusted barbarian generals and went straight to Kongming's main camp; no troops blocked their path. When they reached the camp gate, Meng Huo led the generals in on horseback, but the camp was empty—no one was to be seen. Meng Huo burst into the central tent, and there, torches and candles blazed brightly, and Meng You and the barbarian troops were all collapsed in drunkenness. It turned out that Kongming had ordered Ma Su and Lü Kai to entertain Meng You, had musicians perform variety shows, and plied them with wine laced with drugs, so that they all fell into a stupor, like men dead drunk. When Meng Huo entered the tent and questioned them, those who were still awake could only point to their mouths.

Meng Huo realized he had fallen into a trap and hastily tried to revive Meng You and the others; just as he was about to flee back to his central unit, shouts erupted ahead, flames suddenly rose, and the barbarian troops scattered in all directions. A troop of soldiers charged in, led by the Shu general Wang Ping. Meng Huo was greatly startled and hurriedly fled toward the left unit, but there the sky was lit with flames, and another troop charged in, led by Wei Yan. Meng Huo frantically headed for the right unit, only to see flames rising again, with yet another troop charging in, led by Zhao Yun. The three units attacked from all sides, with no way out. Meng Huo abandoned his soldiers and fled on a single horse toward the Lu River. There he saw dozens of barbarian soldiers on the river, manning a small boat. Meng Huo urgently ordered them to come ashore. No sooner had he and his men boarded the boat than a signal sounded, and Meng Huo was bound. It turned out that Ma Dai, following his plan, had led his own troops disguised as barbarians, rowing the boat there to lure and capture Meng Huo.

Then Kongming pacified the Man soldiers, and countless numbers surrendered. Kongming comforted each one without harming them. He ordered the remaining fires to be extinguished. Shortly afterward, Ma Dai arrived with Meng Huo captured, Zhao Yun arrived with Meng You captured, and Wei Yan, Ma Zhong, Wang Ping, and Guan Suo arrived with the various cave chieftains captured. Kongming pointed at Meng Huo and said with a smile, "You first had your brother feign surrender with gifts—how could that deceive me! Now you are captured by me again. Do you submit?" Meng Huo replied, "This was my brother’s greed for food and drink, causing him to fall into your poison scheme, thus ruining the grand plan. Had I come myself, with my brother’s troops supporting me, success would have been certain. This was Heaven’s will that I failed, not my lack of ability. How can I submit?" Kongming said, "Now this is the third time. How can you still not submit?" Meng Huo hung his head in silence. Kongming said with a smile, "I will release you again." Meng Huo said, "If the Chancellor is willing to release me and my brother to go back, we will gather our household kinsmen and fight a great battle with the Chancellor. If captured then, I will surrender with a willing heart." Kongming said, "If you are captured again, I will certainly not treat you lightly. You must be careful and attentive, diligently study the books of strategy, reassemble your trusted men, and use good plans early, so as not to regret later." Then he ordered the warriors to remove his bonds, release Meng Huo, and together with Meng You and all the cave chieftains, set them all free. Meng Huo and the others bowed in thanks and departed.

By this time, the Shu army had already crossed the Lu River. When Meng Huo and the others crossed the Lu River, they saw troops arrayed and generals stationed at the riverbank, with banners fluttering everywhere. When Meng Huo reached the camp, Ma Dai sat high up and, pointing with his sword, said, "If you are caught this time, you will certainly not be lightly released!" When Meng Huo reached his own camp, Zhao Yun had already taken it by surprise and arrayed his troops there. Zhao Yun sat beneath a large banner, holding his sword, and said, "The Chancellor treats you so generously; do not forget his great kindness!" Meng Huo repeatedly agreed and left. As he was about to exit the boundary pass on the slope, Wei Yan led a thousand elite soldiers, drawn up on the slope, reined in his horse, and shouted sternly, "I have now penetrated deep into your lair and seized your strategic points! Yet you remain foolishly deluded, resisting the great army! If captured this time, you will be cut into ten thousand pieces and never lightly forgiven!" Meng Huo and his men fled with their heads down, scurrying away like rats, heading back to their own cave. Later, a poet wrote a verse in praise:

In the fifth month, he drove troops into barren wilds,

By moonlight, the Lu River’s miasmic mists rose high.

He swore to repay the three visits with grand strategy,

How could he fear the seven captures to subdue the Man?

Now, after Kongming crossed the Lu River and set up camp, he greatly rewarded the three armies. He summoned all the generals to his tent and said, "When Meng Huo was captured the second time, I had him inspect all the camps' strengths and weaknesses precisely to make him want to raid the camp. I knew Meng Huo understood military tactics well. When I flaunted my troops and provisions, it was actually to show him my weakness, and he would surely use fire attacks. He had his younger brother feign surrender to act as an inside agent. I captured him three times without killing him, truly to win his heart, not to exterminate his kind. Today I tell you plainly: do not shirk hardship, but serve the state with all your hearts." The generals bowed low and said, "The Chancellor’s wisdom, benevolence, and martial prowess are all complete; even Jiang Ziya and Zhang Liang cannot match him." Kongming said, "How dare I compare myself to the ancients today? I rely entirely on your strength to accomplish our achievements together." The generals in the tent, hearing Kongming’s words, were all greatly delighted.

Now, Meng Huo, bearing the anger of being captured three times, returned to the Silver Pit Cave in great indignation. He immediately sent trusted men with gold, silver, and precious jewels to the eight marches and ninety-three districts, as well as to the Man tribe domains, to borrow armored troops, sword-and-shield soldiers, and fierce warriors, numbering hundreds of thousands. They set a date for full assembly, and each contingent gathered like clouds rolling in and mist surging forth, all obeying Meng Huo’s commands. Reconnaissance troops learned of this and reported to Kongming. Kongming smiled and said, "I exactly want all the Man troops to come, so they can witness my capabilities." Then he mounted a small cart and set out. Truly:

If the cave lord’s awe and ferocity were not so fierce,

How could the military counselor’s skill be so manifest!

If the cave lord’s awe and ferocity were not so fierce,

How could the military counselor’s skill be so manifest!

Whether victory or defeat, we know not, but await the next chapter’s explanation.