第七十回

第七十回 猛张飞智取瓦口隘 老黄忠计夺天荡山

却说张郃部兵三万，分为三寨，各傍山险：一名宕渠寨，一名蒙头寨，一名荡石寨。当日张郃于三寨中，各分军一半，去取巴西，留一半守寨。早有探马报到巴西，说张郃引兵来了。张飞急唤雷铜商议，铜曰：“阆中地恶山险，可以埋伏。将军引兵出战，我出奇兵相助，郃可擒矣。”张飞拨精兵五千与雷铜去讫。飞自引兵一万，离阆中三十里，与张郃兵相遇。两军摆开，张飞出马，单搦张郃，郃挺枪纵马而出。战到二十馀合，郃后军忽然喊起。原来望见山背后有蜀兵旗旛，故此扰乱。张郃不敢恋战，拨马回走，张飞从后掩杀，前面雷铜又引兵杀出。两下夹攻，郃兵大败。张飞、雷铜连夜追袭，直赶到宕渠山。张郃仍旧分兵守住三寨，多置擂木炮石，坚守不战。张飞离宕渠十里下寨，次日引兵搦战。郃在山上大吹大擂饮酒，并不下山。张飞令军士大骂，郃只不出，飞只得还营。次日，雷铜又去山下搦战，郃又不出。雷铜驱军士上山，山上擂木炮石打将下来，雷铜急退。荡石、蒙头两寨兵出，杀败雷铜。次日，张飞又去搦战，张郃又不出。飞使军人百般秽骂，郃在山上亦骂。张飞寻思，无计可施。相拒五十馀日，飞就在山前扎住大寨，每日饮酒，饮至大醉，坐于山前辱骂。

玄德差人犒军，见张飞终日饮酒，使者回报玄德。玄德大惊，忙来问孔明。孔明笑曰：“原来如此！军前恐无好酒，成都佳酿极多，可将五十瓮作三车装，送到军前与张将军饮。”玄德曰：“吾弟自来饮酒失事，军师何故反送酒与他？”孔明笑曰：“主公与翼德做了许多年兄弟，还不知其为人耶？翼德自来刚强，然前于收川之时，义释严颜，此非勇夫所为也。今与张郃相拒五十馀日，酒醉之后，便坐山前辱骂，傍若无人，此非贪杯，乃败张郃之计耳。”玄德曰：“虽然如此，未可托大[1]。可使魏延助之。”孔明令魏延解酒赴军前，车上各插黄旗，大书“军前公用美酒”。魏延领命，解酒到寨中，见张飞，传说主公赐酒。飞拜受讫，分付魏延、雷铜各引一枝人马，为左右翼，只看军中红旗起，便各进兵。教将酒摆列帐下，令军士大开旗鼓而饮。有细作报上山来，张郃自来山顶观望，见张飞坐于帐下饮酒，令二小卒于面前相扑[2]为戏。郃曰：“张飞欺我太甚！”传令今夜下山劫飞寨，令蒙头、荡石二寨，皆出为左右援。当夜张郃乘着月色微明，引军从山侧而下，径到寨前。遥望张飞大明灯烛，正在帐中饮酒。张郃当先大喊一声，山头擂鼓为助，直杀入中军，但见张飞端坐不动。张郃骤马到面前，一枪刺倒，却是一个草人。急勒马回时，帐后连珠炮起，一将当先，拦住去路，睁圆环眼，声如巨雷，乃张飞也，挺矛跃马，直取张郃。两将在火光中，战到三五十合。张郃只盼两寨来救，谁知两寨救兵，已被魏延、雷铜两将杀退，就势夺了二寨。张郃不见救兵至，正没奈何，又见山上火起，已被张飞后军夺了寨栅。张郃三寨俱失，只得奔瓦口关去了。张飞大获胜捷，报入成都。玄德大喜，方知翼德饮酒是计，只要诱张郃下山。

却说张郃退守瓦口关，三万军已折了二万，遣人问曹洪求救。洪大怒曰：“汝不听吾言，强要进兵，失了紧要隘口，却又来求救！”遂不肯发兵，使人催督张郃出战。郃心慌，只得定计，分两军去关口前山僻埋伏，分付曰：“我诈败，张飞必然赶来，汝等就截其归路。”当日张郃引军前进，正遇雷铜。战不数合，张郃败走，雷铜赶来。两军齐出，截断回路，张郃复回，刺雷铜于马下。败军回报张飞，飞自来与张郃挑战。郃又诈败，张飞不赶。郃又回战，不数合，又败走。张飞知是计，收军回寨，与魏延商议曰：“张郃用埋伏计，杀了雷铜，又要赚吾，何不将计就计？”延问曰：“如何？”飞曰：“我明日先引一军前往，汝却引精兵于后，待伏兵出，汝可分兵击之。用车十馀乘，各藏柴草，寨住小路，放火烧之。吾乘势擒张郃，与雷铜报仇。”魏延领计。次日，张飞引兵前进，张郃兵又至，与张飞交锋。战到十合，郃又诈败。张飞引马步军赶来，郃且战且走。引张飞过山峪口，郃将后军为前，复扎住营，与飞又战，指望两彪伏兵出，要围困张飞。不想伏兵却被魏延精兵到，赶入峪口，将车辆截住山路，放火烧车，山谷草木皆着，烟迷其径，兵不得出。张飞只顾引军冲突，张郃大败，死命杀开条路，走上瓦口关，收聚败兵，坚守不出。

张飞和魏延连日攻打关隘不下。飞见不济事，把军退二十里，却和魏延引数十骑，自来两边哨探小路。忽见男女数人，各背小包，于山僻路攀藤附葛而走。飞于马上用鞭指与魏延曰：“夺瓦口关，只在这几个百姓身上。”便唤军士分付：“休要惊恐他，好生唤那几个百姓来。”军士连忙唤到马前。飞用好言以安其心，问其何来。百姓告曰：“某等皆汉中居民，今欲还乡。听知大军厮杀，塞闭阆中官道，今过苍溪，从梓潼山桧川入汉中，还家去。”飞曰：“这条路取瓦口关远近若何？”百姓曰：“从梓潼山小路，却是瓦口关背后。”飞大喜，带百姓入寨中，与了酒食，分付魏延：“引兵扣关攻打，我亲自引轻骑出梓潼山攻关后。”便令百姓引路，选轻骑五百，从小路而进。

却说张郃为救军不到，心中正闷，人报魏延在关下攻打。张郃披挂上马，却待下山，忽报关后四五路火起，不知何处兵来，郃自领兵来迎。旗开处，早见张飞。郃大惊，急往小路而走。马不堪行，后面张飞追赶甚急，郃弃马上山，寻径而逃，方得走脱。随行只有十馀人，步行入南郑，见曹洪。洪见张郃只剩下十馀人，大怒曰：“吾教汝休去，汝取下文状要去。今日折尽大兵，尚不自死，还来做甚！”喝令左右推出斩之。行军司马郭淮谏曰：“‘三军易得，一将难求’。张郃虽然有罪，乃魏王所深爱者也，不可便诛。可再与五千兵径取葭萌关，牵动其各处之兵，汉中自安矣。如不成功，二罪俱罚。”曹洪从之，又与兵五千，教张郃取葭萌关，郃领命而去。

却说葭萌关守将孟达、霍峻知张郃兵来，霍峻只要坚守，孟达定要迎敌，引军下关与张郃交锋，大败而回。霍峻急申文书到成都。玄德闻知，请军师商议。孔明聚众将于堂上，问曰：“今葭萌关紧急，必须阆中取翼德，方可退张郃也。”法正曰：“今翼德兵屯瓦口，镇守阆中，亦是紧要之地，不可取回。帐中诸将内选一人去破张郃。”孔明笑曰：“张郃乃魏之名将，非等闲可及。除非翼德，无人可当。”忽一人厉声而出曰：“军师何轻视众人耶！吾虽不才，愿斩张郃首级，献于麾下。”众视之，乃老将黄忠也。孔明曰：“汉升虽勇，争奈年老，恐非张郃对手。”忠听了，白发倒竖而言曰：“某虽老，两臂尚开三石之弓，浑身还有千斤之力，岂不足敌张郃匹夫耶！”孔明曰：“将军年近七十，如何不老？”忠趋步下堂，取架上大刀，轮动如飞，壁上硬弓，连拽折两张。孔明曰：“将军要去，谁为副将？”忠曰：“老将严颜，可同我去。但有疏虞，先纳下这白头。”玄德大喜，即时令严颜、黄忠去与张郃交战。赵云谏曰：“今张郃亲犯葭萌关，军师休为儿戏。若葭萌一失，益州危矣。何故以二老将当此大敌乎？”孔明曰：“汝以二人老迈，不能成事，吾料汉中必于此二人手内可得。”赵云等各各哂笑而退。

却说黄忠、严颜到关上，孟达、霍峻见了，心中亦笑孔明欠调度：“是这般紧要去处，如何只教两个老的来！”黄忠谓严颜曰：“你可见诸人动静么？他笑我二人年老，今可建奇功，以服众心。”严颜曰：“愿听将军之令。”两个商议定了，黄忠引军下关，与张郃对阵。张郃出马，见了黄忠，笑曰：“你许大[3]年纪，犹不识羞，尚欲出战耶！”忠怒曰：“竖子欺吾年老！吾手中宝刀却不老！”遂拍马向前与郃决战。二马相交，约战二十馀合，忽然背后喊声起，原来是严颜从小路抄在张郃军后。两军夹攻，张郃大败。连夜赶去，张郃兵退八九十里。黄忠、严颜收兵入寨，俱各按兵不动。曹洪听知张郃输了一阵，又欲见罪。郭淮曰：“张郃被迫，必投西蜀。今可遣将助之，就如监临，使不生外心。”曹洪从之，即遣夏侯惇之侄夏侯尚并降将韩玄之弟韩浩，二人引五千兵，前来助战。二将即时起行，到张郃寨中，问及军情，郃言：“老将黄忠，甚是英雄，更有严颜相助，不可轻敌。”韩浩曰：“我在长沙知此老贼利害。他和魏延献了城池，害吾亲兄，今既相遇，必当报仇！”遂与夏侯尚引新军离寨前进。原来黄忠连日哨探，已知路径。严颜曰：“此去有山，名天荡山，山中乃是曹操屯粮积草之地。若取得那个去处，断其粮草，汉中可得也。”忠曰：“将军之言，正合吾意。可与吾如此如此。”严颜依计，自领一枝军去了。

却说黄忠听知夏侯尚、韩浩来，遂引军马出营。韩浩在阵前大骂黄忠：“无义老贼！”拍马挺枪，来取黄忠。夏侯尚便出夹攻。黄忠力战二将，各斗十馀合，黄忠败走。二将赶二十馀里，夺了黄忠寨。忠又草创一营。次日，夏侯尚、韩浩赶来，忠又出阵，战数合，又败走。二将又赶二十馀里，夺了黄忠营寨，唤张郃守后寨。郃来前寨谏曰：“黄忠连退二日，于中必有诡计。”夏侯尚叱张郃曰：“你如此胆怯，可知屡次战败！今再休多言，看吾二人建功！”张郃羞赧而退。次日，二将又战，黄忠又败退二十里，二将迤逦赶上。次日，二将兵出，黄忠望风而走，连败数阵，直退在关上。二将扣关下寨，黄忠坚守不出。孟达暗暗发书，申报玄德，说：“黄忠连输数阵，现今退在关上。”玄德慌问孔明。孔明曰：“此乃老将骄兵之计也。”赵云等不信。玄德差刘封来关上接应黄忠。忠与封相见，问刘封曰：“小将军来助战何意？”封曰：“父亲得知将军数败，故差某来。”忠笑曰：“此老夫骄兵之计也。看今夜一阵，可尽复诸营，夺其粮食马匹，此是借寨与彼屯辎重耳。今夜留霍峻守关，孟将军可与我搬粮草夺马匹，小将军看我破敌！”

是夜二更，忠引五千军开关直下。原来夏侯尚、韩浩二将连日见关上不出，尽皆懈怠，被黄忠破寨直入，人不及甲，马不及鞍，二将各自逃命而走，军马自相践踏，死者无数。比及天明，连夺三寨。寨中丢下军器鞍马无数，尽教孟达搬运入关。黄忠催军马随后而进，刘封曰：“军士力困，可以暂歇。”忠曰：“‘不入虎穴，焉得虎子？’”策马先进，士卒皆努力向前。张郃军兵，反被自家败兵冲动，都屯扎不住，望后而走，尽弃了许多寨栅，直奔至汉水傍。

张郃寻见夏侯尚、韩浩，议曰：“此天荡山乃粮草之所，更接米仓山亦屯粮之地，是汉中军士养命之源。倘若疏失，是无汉中也。当思所以保之。”夏侯尚曰：“米仓山有吾叔夏侯渊分兵守护，那里正接定军山，不必忧虑。天荡山有吾兄夏侯德镇守，我等宜往投之，就保此山。”于是张郃与二将连夜投天荡山来，见夏侯德，具言前事。夏侯德曰：“吾此处屯十万兵，你可引去，复取原寨。”郃曰：“只宜坚守，不可妄动。”忽听山前金鼓大震，人报黄忠兵到。夏侯德大笑曰：“老贼不谙兵法，只恃勇耳！”郃曰：“黄忠有谋，非止勇也。”德曰：“川兵远涉而来，连日疲困，更兼深入战境，此无谋也！”郃曰：“亦不可轻敌，且宜坚守。”韩浩曰：“愿借精兵三千击之，当无不克。”德遂分兵与浩下山。黄忠整兵来迎。刘封谏曰：“日已西沉矣，军皆远来劳困，且宜暂息。”忠笑曰：“不然。此天赐奇功，不取是逆天也。”言毕，鼓噪大进。韩浩引兵来战，黄忠挥刀直取浩，只一合，斩浩于马下。蜀兵大喊，杀上山来。张郃、夏侯尚急引军来迎。忽听山后大喊，火光冲天而起，上下通红。夏侯德提兵来救火时，正遇老将严颜，手起刀落，斩夏侯德于马下。原来黄忠预先使严颜引军埋伏于山僻去处，只等黄忠军到，却来放火，柴草堆上，一齐点着，烈焰飞腾，照耀山峪。严颜既斩夏侯德，从山后杀来。张郃、夏侯尚前后不能相顾，只得弃天荡山，望定军山投奔夏侯渊去了。黄忠、严颜守住天荡山，捷音飞报成都。玄德闻之，聚众将庆喜。法正曰：“昔曹操降张鲁，定汉中，不因此势以图巴、蜀，乃留夏侯渊、张郃二将屯守，而自引大军北还，此失计也。今张郃新败，天荡失守，主公若乘此时，举大兵亲往征之，汉中可定也。既定汉中，然后练兵积粟，观衅伺隙，进可讨贼，退可自守。此天与之时，不可失也。”

玄德、孔明皆深然之，遂传令赵云、张飞为先锋，玄德与孔明亲自引兵十万，择日图汉中，传檄各处，严加提备。时建安二十三年秋七月吉日。玄德大军出葭萌关下营，召黄忠、严颜到寨，厚赏之。玄德曰：“人皆言将军老矣，惟军师独知将军之能。今果立奇功。但今汉中定军山，乃南郑保障，粮草积聚之所，若得定军山，阳平一路，无足忧矣。将军还敢取定军山否？”黄忠慨然应诺，便要领兵前去。孔明急止之曰：“老将军虽然英勇，然夏侯渊非张郃之比也。渊深通韬略，善晓兵机，曹操倚之为西凉藩蔽，先曾屯兵长安拒马孟起，今又屯兵汉中。操不托他人，而独托渊者，以渊有将才也。今将军虽胜张郃，未卜能胜夏侯渊。吾欲酌量着一人去荆州，替回关将军来，方可敌之。”忠奋然答曰：“昔廉颇[4]年八十，尚食斗米、肉十斤，诸侯畏其勇，不敢侵犯赵界，何况黄忠未及七十乎？军师言吾老，吾今并不用副将，只将本部兵三千人去，立斩夏侯渊首级，纳于麾下。”孔明再三不容。黄忠只是要去。孔明曰：“既将军要去，吾使一人为监军同去，若何？”正是：请将须行激将法，少年不若老年人。未知其人是谁，且看下文分解。

[1] 托大——因自信过强而骄傲自大、满不在乎的意思。

[2] 相扑——一种角力的游戏、竞技，相当于后来的“摔跤”。

[3] 许大——那么大。

[4] 廉颇——战国时赵国的大将。

CHAPTER 70. Zhang Fei Takes Wakou Pass By Tactics; Huang Zhong Captures Tiandang Mountain By Stratagem.

Zhang He's army, with which he felt so sure of victory, consisted of thirty thousand troops, and they were in three camps—Camp Dangqu, Camp Mengtou, and Camp Dangshi—which were protected by the hills. When Zhang He marched, he left half the soldiers in each camp as defenders.

The news soon reached Baxi, and Zhang Fei called in his colleague Lei Tong to give his opinion.

Lei Tong said, “The country is bad and the hills full of danger in the area of Langzhong; let us lay an ambush. You, O General, go out to give battle, and I will help you by a sudden and unexpected attack. We ought to get Zhang He.”

Whereupon Zhang Fei gave five thousand troops to Lei Tong, and himself led out ten thousand troops to a point ten miles from Langzhong. Having set them in order, he rode out and challenge Zhang He to single combat. Zhang He galloped out to meet him.

After the thirtieth or so bout, Zhang He's ranks suddenly began to shout and soon showed signs of confusion. The reason was the appearance of the banners of Shu from the cover of some hills. Zhang He dared not continue to fight, and he fled. Zhang Fei pursued him. Lei Tong also appeared in his road and attacked, and so, with enemies on both sides, Zhang He forced his way out and lost the day. Both Zhang Fei and Lei Tong continued to smite him, even into the night, till he got back to his camp at Dangqu.

Zhang He reverted to his old plan of defending the three camps, rolling down logs and hurling stones. But he remained behind his defenses. Zhang Fei made a camp three miles off.

Next day Zhang Fei went forth and offered battle, but Zhang He took no notice. Zhang He ascended to the summit of the hill and drank wine to the accompaniment of trumpets and drums, but he would not fight. Zhang Fei bade his soldiers shout insults, but these had no effect. Lei Tong was sent up the hill, but the rolling logs and hurtling stones forced him to retire. Then the defenders of the other two camps came out to the attack, and Lei Tong was discomfited.

Next day Zhang Fei again offered battle, but there was no response. Again the soldiers yelled every form of insult, but Zhang He from the hill top only replied by similar abuse.

Zhang Fei was at his wits' ends; and this game was played for more than fifty days.

Then Zhang Fei made a strong stockade just in front of the hill, and therein he sat day after day drinking till he became half drunk. And when he was so, he reviled his opponent.

About this time Liu Bei sent gifts to the army, and when the messenger went back, he told Liu Bei that his brother was giving himself over to wine. This made Liu Bei anxious, so he lost no time in asking advice from Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang was jocular, saying, “Since that is so, let us send him fifty vessels of the best brew of Chengdu. He probably has but poor stuff in the camp.”

“But he has always had a weakness for wine, and he has failed because of it. Yet you would encourage him to drink by sending him more wine?”

“My lord, is it that you do not understand your brother even after all these years? He is brave and steady, yet when we first invaded the Western Land of Rivers, he released Yan Yan, which was not what a mere brave would have done. He is face to face with Zhang He, and has been for nearly two months, and day after day he drinks and rages and insults his enemy openly. He treats Zhang He with most perfect contempt. But this is not only the wine-cup; it is a deep plan to get the better of Zhang He.”

“This may be so,” replied Liu Bei, “but let us not rely upon it too much. Let Wei Yan go to help him.”

Zhuge Liang sent Wei Yan with the wine, and the carts set out, each flying a yellow flag with a writing in large characters: “Fine Wine for the Frontier Army”.

When Wei Yan reached the army, he handed over the wine, which he said was a gift from the Lord of Shu. And Zhang Fei received it with due respect.

Zhang Fei told Wei Yan and Lei Tong each to take a thousand troops and move out on the two wings, ready to act when they saw a red flag displayed. And then he had the wine laid out and called up some soldiers to drink with a great display of flags and a rolling of drums.

The spies reported all these doings on the hill-top, and Zhang He came out to look for himself. There he saw his opponent drinking, and two of the soldiers were boxing before Zhang Fei for his amusement.

“He despises me too much,” said Zhang He.

And Zhang He gave orders to prepare for a night attack on the enemy camp. His own troops in Camp Dangqu should do the raiding, and those from Camp Mengtou and Camp Dangshi were to support them.

There was little moon that night, and Zhang He took advantage of the obscurity to steal down the side of the hill. He got quite close to the enemy camp and stood for a time looking at Zhang Fei sitting amid a blaze of lamps and drinking. Suddenly Zhang He dashed forward with a yell, and at the same moment his drums on the hill-top rolled out their defiance. Zhang Fei never stirred. Zhang He rushed at him and delivered a mighty thrust with his spear. Zhang Fei toppled over—it was a Zhang Fei of straw. Zhang He checked and turned his steed. At that moment he heard a string of detonations, and a warrior appeared before him barring his way. It was the real Zhang Fei, as the round head and thundering voice speedily made manifest.

With the octane-serpent halberd set, Zhang Fei rode toward Zhang He. The two warriors fought many bouts under the gleaming lights. No help came to Zhang He. In vain he yearned for the assistance, which the two camps were to bring him. He did not know that his reinforcements had been driven back by Wei Yan and Lei Tong, and that the two camps, Mengtou and Dangshi, were now in possession of his enemies. As the help did not come, Zhang He was powerless; and, to add to his discomfiture, the glare of fire out in the moutains of Dangqu told him of the seizure of his third camp by Zhang Fei's rear force. Nothing could be done, and Zhang He cut an arterial alley, forced out of the press, and fled to Wakou Pass. The victory was all to Zhang Fei.

The news of the success delighted Liu Bei, and he knew then that Zhang Fei's drinking had been part of a stratagem to entice his enemy into the open and defeat them. Zhang He reached Wakou Pass, but with the loss of two-thirds of his army of thirty thousand troops. He stood on defense and sent urgent messages to Cao Hong to come to his rescue.

Cao Hong angrily replied, “He disobeyed my orders and marched; he has lost an important point and now he sends to me for help!”

While refusing aid, Cao Hong sent to urge his colleague to go out and fight. But Zhang He too greatly feared. At length Zhang He decided upon a plan of action. He sent out two parties into ambush and said to them, “I will pretend defeat and fly. They will follow and you can cut off their retreat.”

When he did march out, he met Lei Tong. The two engaged in battle and Zhang He presently ran away. Lei Tong pursued and fell into the ambush. Then Zhang He returned and slew Lei Tong. His troops went back and told Zhang Fei, who came up to provoke another fight. Zhang He again tried his stratagem, but Zhang Fei did not pursue. Again and again the ruse was tried, but Zhang Fei knew it was only a ruse and simply retired to his own camp.

He said to Wei Yan, “Zhang He has compassed the death of Lei Tong by leading him into an ambush, and he wants to inveigle me into another. What say you to meeting trick with trick?”

“But how?” said Wei Yan.

“Tomorrow I will lead the army forward, you following me with some reliable soldiers. When his army come out from their ambush, you can smite them, sending half your men against each party. We will secretly fill the by-roads with loads of combustibles, entice the enemy among them and start a fire. In the confusion, I shall try to capture Zhang He. So will we avenge our comrade's death.”

So Zhang Fei went out, and Zhang He's troops came and began to fight. After a half score bouts, Zhang He ran away, and this time Zhang Fei pursued. Zhang He, now fleeing, now stopping to exchange a blow or two, led Zhang Fei through the hills to a valley. Here, suddenly changing front, he halted, made a camp, and offered battle.

It was now the time when Zhang He expected his hidden troops to appear and surround Zhang Fei. But none appeared. He knew not that his ambush had been broken up by Wei Yan's army and driven into the valley where the road was filled with cartloads of combustibles, and that the valley even then was all aflame.

Then Zhang Fei came to the attack, and the rout was complete. Zhang He, fighting desperately, got through to the Wakou Pass and there mustered the remnant of his force. He strengthened the position and remained behind his ramparts.

Zhang Fei and Wei Yan then tried to take the Pass, but day after day they failed. Zhang Fei, seeing no hope of success, retired seven miles and bivouacked. From this point he sent out scouts under Wei Yan to explore the country. While going along, they observed some burden-bearers, men and women, going up a very retired path, pulling down the creepers, and pushing aside the grasses.

“That is the way to take Wakou Pass,” cried Zhang Fei, pointing with his whip to the wayfarers.

He ordered his soldiers not to scare the people, but to call a few gently and bring them to him. They soon had several standing before their leader, who spoke to them kindly and put them at ease.

“Whence come you?” asked Zhang Fei. “We belong to Hanzhong and are going home. We heard that you were out fighting and the high road to Langzhong was blockaded, and so we have come across the Mist Torrent and Zitong Mountains and down River Guijin. We are going to our homes in Hanzhong.”

“Can one reach Wakou Pass by this road? And how far is it?”

The country people replied, “A small road leads past to the rear of the Pass from Zitong Mountains.”

For this piece of information Zhang Fei rewarded them by taking them into his camp and giving them a good meal. Then he sent off Wei Yan to make a frontal attack on the Pass, while he himself with five hundred light horse attacked it from the rear by way of Mount Zitong.

Zhang He was grieved and disappointed that Cao Hong sent no help, and the news of Wei Yan's attack only added to his sorrow. But he girded on his armor and was about to ride out when they told him that fires had started at half a dozen places behind the Pass. They most likely indicated soldiers. However, he went out to meet them, and, to his horror, when the flags opened out, his eyes fell on the figure of Zhang Fei. Away he ran along a by-road.

But his steed was not fast, and as Zhang Fei pressed him close, Zhang He dismounted and ran up the mountain side. So Zhang He escaped. He had, however, some ten followers, and it was a small and dejected party that presently found its way into Nanzheng. He saw Cao Hong, and Cao Hong was very angry at his plight.

“I told you not to go, but you were willful. And you gave in your written pledge. You have lost all your soldiers, yet you do not commit suicide. What will you do next?”

Cao Hong ordered the lictors to put Zhang He to death. But Marching General Guo Huai, interceded.

“An army is easily raised; a leader is hard to find. Though Zhang He is guilty, he is a great favorite with our prince. I think you should spare him. Rather give him command of another army and send him to take Jiameng Pass and so hold up the soldiers at all the stations. Hanzhong will be tranquil of its own accord. If he fails a second time, you can punish him for both faults.”

Cao Hong was satisfied to do this, and instead of dealing with his fault, he gave Zhang He five thousand troops and told him to take the Pass.

The Commanders of the Pass were Meng Da and Huo Jun. They were at variance—Meng Da desiring to go out to meet Zhang He, but Huo Jun being in favor of defense. Meng Da being set on having his way went out, gave battle, and was defeated. Huo Jun reported this to the capital, where Liu Bei at once called in the Directing Instructor to ask advice. Zhuge Liang assembled all the chief generals into the hall.

“Jiameng Pass is in danger; we must get Zhang Fei from Langzhong to drive off Zhang He,” said Zhuge Liang.

Fa Zheng replied, “Zhang Fei is encamped at Wakou Pass, and Langzhong is no less important than Jiameng Pass. I do not think he should be recalled. Choose one among the generals to go and defeat Zhang He.”

Zhuge Liang laughed, “Zhang He is renowned in Wei; no ordinary leader will avail. Zhang Fei is the only man to send, the only one equal to the task.” Then among the generals one started up crying angrily, “Instructor, why do you thus despise us? I will use what little skill I have in slaying our enemy and will lay his head at the foot of our standard.”

The speaker was Veteran General Huang Zhong, and all eyes centered on him.

“Friend Huang Zhong, you are bold enough, but what about your age? I fear you are no match for Zhang He.”

Huang Zhong's white beard bristled, and he said, “I know I am old. But these two arms can still pull the four-hundred-fifty-pound bow, and the vigor of my body is not yet departed. Am I not strong enough to meet such a poor thing as Zhang He?”

“General, you are nearly seventy; can you still hold you are not aged?”

Huang Zhong tore down the hall. Seizing one of the great swords off the rack, he whirled it as if it flew. And the stiffest bow that hung on the wall, he pulled till it snapped.

“Well, if you will go, who will second you?” said Zhuge Liang.

“I would prefer Veteran General Yan Yan. And if there is the least anxiety, well, here is this hoary head.”

Liu Bei was pleased to let these two go to fight Zhang He. However, Zhao Yun put in a protest.

“Zhang He has already got through Jiameng Pass, so that the fighting will be no child's play, and the loss of that Pass endangers the whole of Yiazhou. It is no task to set to a couple of old men.”

Replied Zhuge Liang, “You regard the two as too old and stupid to succeed, but I think the attainment of Hanzhong depends upon these two.”

Zhao Yun and many others sniggered as they went from the hall; they did not agree with Zhuge Liang.

In due course the two Veteran Generals arrived at the Pass. At sight of them, Meng Da and Huo Jun, the defenders of the Pass, laughed in their hearts, thinking: “Zhuge Liang has slipped up in his calculations in sending such a pair of dotards on such an important mission.”

Huang Zhong said to Yan Yan, “You see the behavior of these people? They are laughing at us because we are old. Now we will do something that will win admiration from all the world.”

“I should be glad to hear your orders,” replied Yan Yan.

The two generals came to a decision how to act. Huang Zhong led his army down below to meet Zhang He in the open plain. Both drew up their array. When Zhang He rode out and saw his venerable opponent, he laughed in his face.

“You must be very old, and yet you are unashamed to go into the battle, eh?” said Zhang He.

“You menial!” replied the veteran. “Do you despise me for my age? You will find my good sword, however, young enough.”

So he urged forward his steed and rode at Zhang He. The two chargers met and a score of bouts were fought. Then suddenly a great shouting came from the rear. Yan Yan had come up and fallen upon the rear portion of Zhang He's army. Thus attacked on two sides, Zhang He was defeated. The pursuit did not cease with nightfall, and Zhang He was driven back near thirty miles. Contented with this success, Huang Zhong and Yan Yan went into their camp, where they rested their soldiers for a time.

When Cao Hong heard of Zhang He's new defeat, he was going to exact the penalty. But Guo Huai persuaded him to forbear.

“If he is pressed too hard, he may take refuge in Shu,” said Guo Huai. “Rather send him help. You will thus keep a hold over him and prevent his desertion.”

Wherefore Xiahou Shang and Han Hao were sent with reinforcements. Xiahou Shang was a nephew of Xiahou Dun, and Han Hao was the brother of Han Xuan, the late Governor of Changsha. They had five thousand troops.

The two generals soon reached Zhang He, and asked how now the situation was going.

“That old man Huang Zhong is really a hero;” said Zhang He, “and with Yan Yan's help he is very formidable.”

“When I was at Changsha, I heard the old man was very fierce. He and Wei Yan yielded the city to Liu Bei and killed my own brother. Now that I shall meet him, I can have my revenge,” said Han Hao.

So he and Xiahou Shang led out the new army.

Now, by means of spies Huang Zhong had got a thorough knowledge of the country, and Yan Yan said, “Hereabout there is a mountain named Tiandang Mountain wherein Cao Hong has stored his supplies. If we can gain its possession, we shall reduce the enemy to want and we shall get Hanzhong.”

Huang Zhong replied, “I think so, too, and so let us do so and so.”

Yan Yan agreed with him and marched off with a body of troops to carry out his part in the stratagem.

At news of the coming of new armies, Huang Zhong marched out to meet them. He found Han Hao in front of his array, and Han Hao began to abuse the veteran, shouting out, “Disgraceful old ruffian!”

Then Han Hao whipped up his steed and set his spear at Huang Zhong. Xiahou Shang also rode out and took part in the combat. The veteran held them both at bay for some half score bouts and then fled. They pursued him for seven miles, when they reached and seized his camp. Huang Zhong, however, quickly made another defense of brushwood. Next day Xiahou Shang and Han Hao renewed the pursuit, which ended with the capture of the temporary camp of the day before. And they had advanced seven miles further. Then they called upon Zhang He to protect the rear camp. When Zhang He came up, he dissuaded them from continuing.

“Huang Zhong has retreated before you for two days; there is some deep stratagem behind this,” said Zhang He.

Xiahou Shang scoffed at him, saying, “You are such a coward that you have been defeated many times. Now say no more, but let us accomplish something.”

Zhang He retired much mortified and shamed. Next day the two generals again went out to battle, and again Huang Zhong fled from them for seven miles. The two generals pursued as quickly as they could. The day after, Huang Zhong fled without any pretense of showing fight, except at short intervals. He got to Jiameng Pass and went on the defensive. The pursuers knocked at the very gate of the Pass and made a camp close by.

Then Meng Da secretly wrote to Liu Bei that Huang Zhong had been repeatedly defeated and now was in the Pass and unable to go out. Liu Bei became alarmed and consulted Zhuge Liang, who said, “The old general is making the enemy over-confident—to their ultimate destruction.”

But Zhao Yun did not share this opinion, nor did many others, and Liu Bei decided to send Liu Feng to reinforce his aged general. The young man came to the Pass and saw Huang Zhong, who asked him, “General, what makes you come here?”

“My father heard that you have sustained several defeats, and he has sent me,” said Liu Feng.

“But I am only employing the ruse of leading on the enemy,” said Huang Zhong, smiling. “You will see tonight that in one battle I shall regain all the camps and capture their supplies and many horses. I have only lent the camps to them to store their supplies. Tonight I shall leave Huo Jun to guard the Pass, while General Meng Da will gather up the spoils for us. Now, young Sir, you shall see the destruction of the enemy.”

That same night, at the second watch, Huang Zhong left the Pass with five thousand troops. But now Xiahou Shang and Han Hao, seeing no move from the Pass for many days, had become careless and so their camps were unable to resist. Their troops had no time to don their armors or to saddle their horses. All the leaders did was to flee for their lives, while their troops trampled each other down and were killed in great numbers. All three camps were recovered by dawn, and in them were found all sorts of military equipment. Horses and their caparisons also fell to the victors, and all the booty was carried off by Meng Da and stored in the Pass.

Huang Zhong pressed on his victory. Liu Feng ventured to say, “Our soldiers need repose.”

“Can you seize the tiger's whelps without going into the tiger's den?” cried Huang Zhong. And he urged on his steed. The soldiers also were eager.

Zhang He's own army was thrown into confusion by the flying men from the defeated armies, and he could not maintain his station, but was forced to retreat. They abandoned all their stockades and rushed to the bank of River Han.

Then Zhang He sought the two generals who had brought about the misfortune and said to them, “This is Tiandang Mountain, where our stores are. Close by is Micang Mountain. The two mountains are the very source of life of the Hanzhong army. Lose them and Hanzhong is gone too. We must see to their security.”

Xiahou Shang said, “My uncle, Xiahou Yuan, will look out for the defense of Micang Mountain, which is next to his station at Dingjun Mountain; there need be no anxiety about that. And my brother, Xiahou De, guards Tiandang Mountain. Let us go to him and help to protect that.”

Zhang He and the two generals set out at once. They reached the mountain and told Xiahou De all that had happened.

“I have one hundred thousand troops in camp here,” replied he. “You may take some of them and recover your lost camps.”

“No,” replied Zhang He. “The only proper course is to defend.” Almost as they spoke the rolling of drums and the clang of gongs were heard, and the look-outs came to say that Huang Zhong was near.

“The old ruffian does not know much of the art of war; after all,” said Xiahou De with a laugh, “he is only a brave.”

“Be not mistaken; he is crafty and not only bold,” said Zhang He.

“This move is against the rules and not at all crafty. He is worn from a long march and his soldiers are fatigued, and they are deep in an enemy's country.”

“Nevertheless, be careful how you attack,” said Zhang He. “You would still do well to depend upon defense only.”

“Give me three thousand good soldiers, and I will cut him to pieces,” cried Han Hao.

They told off the three companies for him, and down he went into the plain. As he approached, Huang Zhong arrayed his army.

Liu Feng put in a note of warning, saying, “The sun is setting, and our men are weary. Let us retire for the fight tomorrow.”

But Huang Zhong paid little attention, saying, “I do not hold with your objections. This is the one God-given opportunity to make good, and it would be a sin not to take it.”

So saying, the drums rolled for a great attack. Han Hao came forward with his troops, and the aged general went toward him whirling his sword. In the first encounter Han Hao fell. At this the soldiers of Shu gave a yell and went away up the hill, whereupon Zhang He and Xiahou Shang hastily moved out to withstand them. But a great red glare sprang into the sky from behind the hill, and a shouting arose. Hastily Xiahou De led off his troops to meet the danger there and went straight into the arms of Yan Yan. The Veteran General's arm rose, the sword fell, and Xiahou De dropped from his steed to rise no more.

This ambush, into which the dead general had rushed, had been carefully prepared by Huang Zhong, who had sent Yan Yan away before he marched himself and given Yan Yan orders what to do. It was the brushwood that Yan Yan's men had spent the time in collecting that now sent forth the flames reaching up to the heavens and filling the valleys.

Yan Yan, after slaying Xiahou De, came round the hill to aid in the attack so that the defenders were taken both in front and rear. They could do nothing and presently left the battlefield and rushed toward Dingjun Mountain to seek refuge with Xiahou Yuan.

Meanwhile the victors took steps to hold the position they had won and sent the good news of victory to Capital Chengdu. And when the news arrived, Liu Bei called together all his officers to rejoice.

Then said Fa Zheng, “Not long ago Zhang Lu submitted to Cao Cao, and thereby Cao Cao got possession of Hanzhong quite easily. Instead of following up this by an advance westward, he left two generals to guard it and went south. That was a mistake. Now, my lord, do not make a mistake yourself, but take advantage of the present favorable position, with Zhang He newly defeated and Tiandang Mountain captured, to attack Hanzhong and you will have it at once. Once that is yours, you can train your army and amass supplies ready for a stroke against the arch-rebel himself. This God-given advantage will be confirmed to you and you should not miss it.” Both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang saw the wisdom of this scheme and prepared to act. Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei were to lead the van, while Liu Bei with Zhuge Liang commanded the main army of one hundred thousand troops. A day was chosen to set out, and orders were sent to everyone to keep careful guard for Yiazhou.

It was a certain auspicious day in the seventh month of the twenty-third year that the army marched (AD 218). Reaching Jiameng Pass, Huang Zhong and Yan Yan were summoned and well rewarded for their services.

Liu Bei said to Huang Zhong, “People said you were old, General, but the Directing Instructor of the army know you better than they, and you have rendered amazing service. Still, Dingjun Mountain is yet to be captured, and it is both a great central store and a major defense of Nanzheng. If we could get Dingjun Mountain, we could be quite easy about the whole region of Hanzhong. Think you that you are equal to taking Dingjun Mountain?”

To this harangue of Liu Bei, the veteran nobly answered that he was willing to try and was ready to start when they would.

Said Zhuge Liang hastily, “Do not be hasty. You are brave enough, General, but Xiahou Yuan is a man of different stamp from Zhang He. Xiahou Yuan is a real strategist and tactician; so much so that Cao Cao relies upon him as his defense against Xiliang. It was he who was set to defend Changan when threatened by Ma Chao. Now he is in Hanzhong, and Cao Cao puts his whole confidence in him and his skill as a leader. You have overcome Zhang He, but it is not certain you will conquer this man. I think I must send down to Jingzhou for Guan Yu for this task.”

Huang Zhong hotly replied, “Old Lian Po was eighty years old and yet he ate a bushel of rice and ten pounds of flesh, so that his vigor frightened the nobles and not one dared encroach upon the borders of the state of Zhao. I am not yet seventy. You call me old, O Instructor; then I will not take any helper, but go out simply with my own three thousand troops, and we will lay Xiahou Yuan's head at your feet.”

Zhuge Liang refused to allow him to go; Huang Zhong insisted. At last Zhuge Liang consented, but said he would send an overseer.

They put upon his mettle the man who was to go,

Youth's vigor may be lesser worth than age's powers, we know.

The next chapter will tell who the overseer was.