第九十五回

第九十五回 马谡拒谏失街亭 武侯弹琴退仲达

却说魏主曹睿令张郃为先锋，与司马懿一同征进，一面令辛毗、孙礼二人领兵五万，往助曹真，二人奉诏而去。且说司马懿引二十万军，出关下寨，请先锋张郃至帐下曰：“诸葛亮平生谨慎，未敢造次行事。若是吾用兵，先从子午谷径取长安，早得多时矣。他非无谋，但怕有失，不肯弄险。今必出军斜谷，来取郿城。若取郿城，必分兵两路，一军取箕谷矣。吾已发檄文，令子丹拒守郿城，若兵来不可出战；令孙礼、辛毗截住箕谷道口，若兵来则出奇兵击之。”郃曰：“今将军当于何处进兵？”懿曰：“吾素知秦岭之西有一条路，地名街亭，傍有一城，名列柳城，此二处皆是汉中咽喉。诸葛亮欺子丹无备，定从此进。吾与汝径取街亭，望阳平关不远矣。亮若知吾断其街亭要路，绝其粮道，则陇西一境，不能安守，必然连夜奔回汉中去也。彼若回动，吾提兵于小路击之，可得全胜；若不归时，吾却将诸处小路，尽皆垒断，俱以兵守之。一月无粮，蜀兵皆饿死，亮必被吾擒矣。”张郃大悟，拜伏于地曰：“都督神算也！”懿曰：“虽然如此，诸葛亮不比孟达。将军为先锋，不可轻进。当传与诸将：循山西路，远远哨探。如无伏兵，方可前进。若是怠忽，必中诸葛亮之计。”张郃受计引军而行。

却说孔明在祁山寨中，忽报新城探细人来到。孔明急唤入问之，细作告曰：“司马懿倍道而行，八日已到新城，孟达措手不及，又被申耽、申仪、李辅、邓贤为内应，孟达被乱军所杀。今司马懿撤兵到长安，见了魏主，同张郃引兵出关，来拒我师也。”孔明大惊曰：“孟达作事不密，死固当然。今司马懿出关，必取街亭，断吾咽喉之路。”便问：“谁敢引兵去守街亭？”言未毕，参军马谡曰：“某愿往。”孔明曰：“街亭虽小，干系甚重，倘街亭有失，吾大军皆休矣。汝虽深通谋略，此地奈无城郭，又无险阻，守之极难。”谡曰：“某自幼熟读兵书，颇知兵法。岂一街亭不能守耶？”孔明曰：“司马懿非等闲之辈，更有先锋张郃，乃魏之名将，恐汝不能敌之。”谡曰：“休道司马懿、张郃，便是曹睿亲来，有何惧哉！若有差失，乞斩全家。”孔明曰：“军中无戏言。”谡曰：“愿立军令状。”孔明从之。谡遂写了军令状呈上。孔明曰：“吾与汝二万五千精兵，再拨一员上将，相助你去。”即唤王平分付曰：“吾素知汝平生谨慎，故特以此重任相托。汝可小心谨守此地，下寨必当要道之处，使贼兵急切不能偷过。安营既毕，便画四至八道地理形状图本来我看。凡事商议停当而行，不可轻易。如所守无危，则是取长安第一功也。戒之！戒之！”二人拜辞引兵而去。

孔明寻思，恐二人有失，又唤高翔曰：“街亭东北上有一城，名列柳城，乃山僻小路，此可以屯兵扎寨。与汝一万兵，去此城屯扎。但街亭危，可引兵救之。”高翔引兵而去。孔明又思高翔非张郃对手，必得一员大将，屯兵于街亭之右，方可防之，遂唤魏延引本部兵去街亭之后屯扎。延曰：“某为前部，理合当先破敌，何故置某于安闲之地？”孔明曰：“前锋破敌，乃偏裨之事耳。今令汝接应街亭，当阳平关冲要道路，总守汉中咽喉。此乃大任也，何为安闲乎？汝勿以等闲视之，失吾大事。切宜小心在意！”魏延大喜，引兵而去。孔明恰才心安，乃唤赵云、邓芝分付曰：“今司马懿出兵，与旧日不同。汝二人各引一军出箕谷，以为疑兵。如逢魏兵，或战、或不战，以惊其心。吾自统大军，由斜谷径取郿城，若得郿城，长安可破矣。”二人受命而去。孔明令姜维作先锋，兵出斜谷。

却说马谡、王平二人兵到街亭，看了地势，马谡笑曰：“丞相何故多心也？量此山僻之处，魏兵如何敢来！”王平曰：“虽然魏兵不敢来，可就此五路总口下寨，却令军士伐木为栅，以图久计。”谡曰：“当道岂是下寨之地？此处侧边一山，四面皆不相连，且树木极广，此乃天赐之险也，可就山上屯军。”平曰：“参军差矣。若屯兵当道，筑起城垣，贼兵总有十万，不能偷过。今若弃此要路，屯兵于山上，倘魏兵骤至，四面围定，将何策保之？”谡大笑曰：“汝真女子之见！兵法云：‘凭高视下，势如劈竹。’若魏兵到来，吾教他片甲不回！”平曰：“吾累随丞相经阵，每到之处，丞相尽意指教。今观此山，乃绝地也：若魏兵断我汲水之道，军士不战自乱矣。”谡曰：“汝莫乱道！孙子云：‘置之死地而后生。’若魏兵绝我汲水之道，蜀兵岂不死战？以一可当百也。吾素读兵书，丞相诸事尚问于我，汝奈何相阻耶！”平曰：“若参军欲在山上下寨，可分兵与我，自于山西下一小寨，为掎角之势。倘魏兵至，可以相应。”马谡不从。忽然山中居民，成群结队，飞奔而来，报说魏兵已到。王平欲辞去，马谡曰：“汝既不听吾令，与汝五千兵自去下寨。待吾破了魏兵，到丞相面前须分不得功！”王平引兵离山十里下寨，画成图本，星夜差人去禀孔明，具说马谡自于山上下寨。

却说司马懿在城中，令次子司马昭去探前路：若街亭有兵守御，即当按兵不行。司马昭奉令探了一遍，回见父曰：“街亭有兵守把。”懿叹曰：“诸葛亮真乃神人，吾不如也！”昭笑曰：“父亲何故自堕志气耶？男料街亭易取。”懿问曰：“汝安敢出此大言？”昭曰：“男亲自哨见，当道并无寨栅，军皆屯于山上，故知可破也。”懿大喜曰：“若兵果在山上，乃天使吾成功矣！”遂更换衣服，引百馀骑亲自来看。是夜天晴月朗，直至山下，周围巡哨了一遍，方回。马谡在山上见之，大笑曰：“彼若有命，不来围山！”传令与诸将：“倘兵来，只见山顶上红旗招动，即四面皆下。”

却说司马懿回到寨中，使人打听是何将引兵守街亭。回报曰：“乃马良之弟马谡也。”懿笑曰：“徒有虚名，乃庸才耳！孔明用如此人物，如何不误事！”又问：“街亭左右别有军否？”探马报曰：“离山十里有王平安营。”懿乃命张郃引一军，当住王平来路，又令申耽、申仪引两路兵围山，先断了汲水道路，待蜀兵自乱，然后乘势击之。当夜调度已定。次日天明，张郃引兵先往背后去了。司马懿大驱军马，一拥而进，把山四面围定。马谡在山上看时，只见魏兵漫山遍野，旌旗队伍，甚是严整。蜀兵见之，尽皆丧胆，不敢下山。马谡将红旗招动，军将你我相推，无一人敢动。谡大怒，自杀二将。众军惊惧，只得努力下山来冲魏兵，魏兵端然不动，蜀兵又退上山去。马谡见事不谐，教军紧守寨门，只等外应。

却说王平见魏兵到，引军杀来，正遇张郃，战有数十馀合，平力穷势孤，只得退去。魏兵自辰时困至戌时，山上无水，军不得食，寨中大乱。嚷到半夜时分，山南蜀兵大开寨门，下山降魏，马谡禁止不住。司马懿又令人于沿山放火，山上蜀兵愈乱。马谡料守不住，只得驱残兵杀下山西逃奔。司马懿放条大路，让过马谡，背后张郃引兵追来。赶到三十馀里，前面鼓角齐鸣，一彪军出，放过马谡，拦住张郃，视之乃魏延也。延挥刀纵马，直取张郃。郃回军便走，延驱兵赶来，复夺街亭。赶到五十馀里，一声喊起，两边伏兵齐出，左边司马懿，右边司马昭，却抄在魏延背后，把延困在垓心。张郃复来，三路兵合在一处。魏延左冲右突，不得脱身，折兵大半。正危急间，忽一彪军杀入，乃王平也。延大喜曰：“吾得生矣！”二将合兵一处，大杀一阵，魏兵方退。二将慌忙奔回寨时，营中皆是魏兵旌旗。申耽、申仪从营中杀出。王平、魏延径奔列柳城，来投高翔。此时高翔闻知街亭有失，尽起列柳城之兵，前来救应，正遇延、平二人，诉说前事。高翔曰：“不如今晚去劫魏寨，再复街亭。”当时三人在山坡下商议已定。待天色将晚，兵分三路。魏延引兵先进，径到街亭，不见一人，心中大疑，未敢轻进，且伏在路口等候。忽见高翔兵到，二人共说魏兵不知在何处。正没理会，又不见王平兵到。忽然一声炮响，火光冲天，鼓声震地：魏兵齐出，把魏延、高翔围在垓心。二人往来冲突，不得脱身。忽听得山坡后喊声若雷，一彪军杀入，乃是王平，救了高、魏二人，径奔列柳城来。比及奔到城下时，城边早有一军杀到，旗上大书“魏都督郭淮”字样。原来郭淮与曹真商议，恐司马懿得了全功，乃分淮来取街亭，闻知司马懿、张郃成了此功，遂引兵径袭列柳城。正遇三将，大杀一阵，蜀兵伤者极多。魏延恐阳平关有失，慌与王平、高翔望阳平关来。

却说郭淮收了军马，乃谓左右曰：“吾虽不得街亭，却取了列柳城，亦是大功。”引兵径到城下叫门，只见城上一声炮响，旗帜皆竖，当头一面大旗，上书“平西都督司马懿”。懿撑起悬空板，倚定护心木栏干，大笑曰：“郭伯济来何迟也？”淮大惊曰：“仲达神机，吾不及也！”遂入城。相见已毕，懿曰：“今街亭已失，诸葛亮必走。公可速与子丹星夜追之。”郭淮从其言，出城而去。懿唤张郃曰：“子丹、伯济，恐吾全获大功，故来取此城池。吾非独欲成功，乃侥幸而已。吾料魏延、王平、马谡、高翔等辈，必先去据阳平关。吾若去取此关，诸葛亮必随后掩杀，中其计矣。兵法云：‘归师勿掩，穷寇莫追。’汝可从小路抄箕谷退兵。吾自引兵当斜谷之兵。若彼败走，不可相拒，只宜中途截住：蜀兵辎重，可尽得也。”张郃受计，引兵一半去了。懿下令：“竟取斜谷，由西城而进。西城虽山僻小县，乃蜀兵屯粮之所，又南安、天水、安定三郡总路。若得此城，三郡可复矣。”于是司马懿留申耽、申仪守列柳城，自领大军望斜谷进发。

却说孔明自令马谡等守街亭去后，犹豫不定。忽报王平使人送图本至。孔明唤入，左右呈上图本。孔明就文几上拆开视之，拍案大惊曰：“马谡无知，坑陷吾军矣！”左右问曰：“丞相何故失惊？”孔明曰：“吾观此图本，失却要路，占山为寨。倘魏兵大至，四面围合，断汲水道路，不须二日，军自乱矣。若街亭有失，吾等安归？”长史杨仪进曰：“某虽不才，愿替马幼常回。”孔明将安营之法，一一分付与杨仪，正待要行，忽报马到来，说街亭、列柳城尽皆失了，孔明跌足长叹曰：“大事去矣！此吾之过也！”急唤关兴、张苞分付曰：“汝二人各引三千精兵，投武功山小路而行。如遇魏兵，不可大击，只鼓噪呐喊，为疑兵惊之。彼当自走，亦不可追。待军退尽，便投阳平关去。”又令张翼先引军去修理剑阁，以备归路。又密传号令，教大军暗暗收拾行装，以备起程。又令马岱、姜维断后，先伏于山谷中，待诸军退尽，方始收兵。又差心腹人，分路报与天水、南安、安定三郡官吏军民，皆入汉中。又遣心腹人到冀县搬取姜维老母，送入汉中。

孔明分拨已定，先引五千兵退去西城县搬运粮草。忽然十馀次飞马报到，说司马懿引大军十五万，望西城蜂拥而来。时孔明身边别无大将，只有一班文官，所引五千军，已分一半先运粮草去了，只剩二千五百军在城中。众官听得这个消息，尽皆失色。孔明登城望之，果然尘土冲天，魏兵分两路望西城县杀来。孔明传令，教将旌旗尽皆隐匿，诸军各守城铺[1]，“如有妄行出入及高言大语者，斩之！”大开四门，每一门用二十军士，扮作百姓，洒扫街道，“如魏兵到时，不可擅动，吾自有计。”孔明乃披鹤氅，戴纶巾，引二小童携琴一张，于城上敌楼前，凭栏而坐，焚香操琴。

却说司马懿前军哨到城下，见了如此模样，皆不敢进，急报与司马懿。懿笑而不信，遂止住三军，自飞马远远望之。果见孔明坐于城楼之上，笑容可掬，焚香操琴。左有一童子，手捧宝剑；右有一童子，手执麈尾。城门内外，有二十馀百姓，低头洒扫，傍若无人。懿看毕大疑，便到中军，教后军作前军，前军作后军，望北山路而退。次子司马昭曰：“莫非诸葛亮无军，故作此态？父亲何故便退兵？”懿曰：“亮平生谨慎，不曾弄险。今大开城门，必有埋伏。我兵若进，中其计也。汝辈岂知？宜速退。”于是两路兵尽皆退去。孔明见魏军远去，抚掌而笑。众官无不骇然，乃问孔明曰：“司马懿乃魏之名将，今统十五万精兵到此，见了丞相，便速退去，何也？”孔明曰：“此人料吾生平谨慎，必不弄险。见如此模样，疑有伏兵，所以退去。吾非行险，盖因不得已而用之。此人必引军投山北小路去也。吾已令兴、苞二人在彼等候。”众皆惊服曰：“丞相之机，神鬼莫测。若某等之见，必弃城而走矣。”孔明曰：“吾兵止有二千五百，若弃城而走，必不能远遁。得不为司马懿所擒乎？”后人有诗赞曰：

瑶琴三尺胜雄师，诸葛西城退敌时。十五万人回马处，土人指点到今疑。

言讫，拍手大笑，曰：“吾若为司马懿，必不便退也。”遂下令，教西城百姓随军入汉中——司马懿必将复来。于是孔明离西城望汉中而走。天水、安定、南安三郡官吏军民，陆续而来。

却说司马懿望武功山小路而走。忽然山坡后喊杀连天，鼓声震地。懿回顾二子曰：“吾若不走，必中诸葛亮之计矣。”只见大路上一军杀来，旗上大书：“右护卫使虎翼将军张苞”。魏兵皆弃甲抛戈而走。行不到一程，山谷中喊声震地，鼓角喧天，前面一杆大旗，上书：“左护卫使龙骧将军关兴”。山谷应声，不知蜀兵多少，更兼魏军心疑，不敢久停，只得尽弃辎重而去。兴、苞二人皆遵将令，不敢追袭，多得军器粮草而归。司马懿见山谷中皆有蜀兵，不敢出大路，遂回街亭。此时曹真听知孔明退兵，急引兵追赶。山背后一声炮响，蜀兵漫山遍野而来，为首大将乃是姜维、马岱。真大惊，急退军时，先锋陈造已被马岱所斩。真引兵鼠窜而还。蜀兵连夜皆奔回汉中。

却说赵云、邓芝伏兵于箕谷道中。闻孔明传令回军，云谓芝曰：“魏军知吾兵退，必然来追。吾先引一军伏于其后，公却引兵打吾旗号，徐徐而退。吾一步步自有护送也。”

却说郭淮提兵再回箕谷道中，唤先锋苏颙分付曰：“蜀将赵云，英勇无敌，汝可小心提防。彼军若退，必有计也。”苏颙欣然曰：“都督若肯接应，某当生擒赵云。”遂引前部三千兵，奔入箕谷。看看赶上蜀兵，只见山坡后闪出红旗白字，上书：“赵云”。苏颙急收兵退走。行不到数里，喊声大震，一彪军撞出，为首大将，挺枪跃马，大喝曰：“汝识赵子龙否！”苏颙大惊曰：“如何这里又有赵云？”措手不及，被云一枪刺死于马下。馀军溃散。云迤逦前进，背后又一军到，乃郭淮部将万政也。云见魏兵追急，乃勒马挺枪，立于路口，待来将交锋——蜀兵已去三十馀里。万政认得是赵云，不敢前进。云等得天色黄昏，方才拨回马缓缓而进。郭淮兵到，万政言赵云英勇如旧，因此不敢近前。淮传令教军急赶，政令数百骑壮士赶来。行至一大林，忽听得背后大喝一声曰：“赵子龙在此！”惊得魏兵落马者百馀人，馀者皆越岭而去。万政勉强来敌，被云一箭射中盔缨，惊跌于涧中。云以枪指之曰：“吾饶汝性命回去！快教郭淮赶来！”万政脱命而回。云护送车仗人马，望汉中而去，沿途并无遗失。曹真、郭淮复夺三郡，以为己功。

却说司马懿分兵而进。此时蜀兵尽回汉中去了，懿引一军复到西城，因问遗下居民及山僻隐者，皆言孔明止有二千五百军在城中，又无武将，只有几个文官，别无埋伏。武功山小民告曰：“关兴、张苞，只各有三千军，转山呐喊，鼓噪惊追，又无别军，并不敢厮杀。”懿悔之不及，仰天叹曰：“吾不如孔明也！”遂安抚了诸处官民，引兵径还长安，朝见魏主。睿曰：“今日复得陇西诸郡，皆卿之功也。”懿奏曰：“今蜀兵皆在汉中，未尽剿灭。臣乞大兵并力收川，以报陛下。”睿大喜，令懿即便兴兵。忽班内一人出奏曰：“臣有一计，足可定蜀降吴。”正是：蜀中将相方归国，魏地君臣又逞谋。未知献计者是谁，且看下文分解。

[1] 城铺——城上巡哨的岗棚。

CHAPTER 95. Ma Su's Disobedience Causes The Loss Of Jieting; Zhuge Liang's Lute Repulses Sima Yi.

Beside sending Zhang He as van-leader of Sima Yi, Cao Rui appointed two other generals, Xin Pi and Sun Li, to assist Cao Zhen. Xin Pi and Sun Li each led fifty thousand troops.

Sima Yi's army was two hundred thousand strong. They marched out through the pass and made a camp.

When encamped, Sima Yi summoned Zhang He to his tent and admonished him, saying, “A characteristic of Zhuge Liang is his most diligent carefulness; he is never hasty. If I were in his place, I should advance through the Ziwu Valley to capture Changan and so save much time. It is not that he is unskillful, but he fears lest that plan might miscarry, and he will not sport with risk. Therefore he will certainly come through the Xie Valley, taking Meicheng on the way. That place captured, he will divide his force into two, one part to take Chi Valley. I have sent Cao Zhen orders to guard Meicheng strictly and on no account to let its garrison go out to battle. The generals Sun Li and Xin Pi are to command the Chi Valley entrance, and should the enemy come, they are to make a sudden attack.”

“By what road will you advance?” asked Zhang He.

“I know a road west of Qinling Mountains called Jieting, on which stands the city Liliu. These two places are the throat of Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang will take advantage of the unpreparedness of Cao Zhen and will certainly come in by this way. You and I will go to Jieting, whence it is a short distance to Yangping Pass. When Zhuge Liang hears that the road through Jieting is blocked and his supplies cut off, he will know that Xizhou is impossible to keep, and will retire without losing a moment into Hanzhong. I shall smite him on the march, and I ought to gain a complete victory. If he should not retire, then I shall block all the smaller roads and so stop his supplies. A month's starvation will kill off the soldiers of Shu, and Zhuge Liang will be my prisoner.”

Zhang He took in the scheme and expressed his admiration, saying, “O Commander, your calculation exceeds human!”

Sima Yi continued, “However, it is not to be forgotten that Zhuge Liang is quite different from Meng Da; and you, as leader of the van, will have to advance with the utmost care. You must impress upon your generals the importance of reconnoitering a long way ahead and only advancing when they are sure there is no ambush. The least remissness will make you the victim of some ruse of the enemy.”

Zhang He, having received his instructions, marched away.

Meanwhile a spy had come to Zhuge Liang in Qishan with news of the destruction of Meng Da and the failure of his conspiracy.

“Sima Yi marched rapidly in eight days to Xincheng. He had Shen Yi, Shen Dan, Li Fu, and Deng Xian plot against Meng Da from within. Meng Da had not been able to do anything and was killed. Now Sima Yi has gone to Changan, when he has marched through the pass with Zhang He.” Zhuge Liang was distressed.

“Meng Da's destruction was certain,” said he. “Such a scheme could not remain secret. Now Sima Yi will try for Jieting and block the one road essential to us.”

So Jieting had to be defended, and Zhuge Liang asked who would go. Ma Su offered himself instantly.

Zhuge Liang urged upon him the importance of his task.

“The place is small, but of very great importance, for its loss would involve the loss of the whole army. You are deeply read in all the rules of strategy, but the defense of this place is difficult, since it has no wall and no natural defenses.”

“I have studied the books of war since I was a boy, and I may say I know a little of the art of war,” Ma Su replied. “Why alone is Jieting so difficult to hold?”

“Because Sima Yi is an exceptional man, and also he has a famous second in Zhang He as leader of the van. I fear you may not be a match for him.”

Ma Su replied, “To say nothing of these two, I would not mind if Cao Rui himself came against me. If I fail, then I beg you to behead my whole family.”

“There is no jesting in war,” said Zhuge Liang.

“I will give a written pledge.”

Zhuge Liang agreed, and a written pledge was given and placed on record.

Zhuge Liang continued, “I shall give you twenty-five thousand veterans and also send an officer of rank to assist you.”

Next he summoned Wang Ping and said to him, “As you are a careful and cautious man, I am giving you a very responsible position. You are to hold Jieting with the utmost tenacity. Camp there in the most commanding position so that the enemy cannot steal by. When your arrangements are complete, draw a plan of them and a map of the local topography and let me see it. All my dispositions have been carefully thought out and are not to be changed. If you can hold this successfully, it will be of the first service in the capture of Changan. So be very, very careful.”

After Ma Su and Wang Ping had gone and Zhuge Liang had reflected for a long time, it occurred to him that there might be some slip between his two leaders, so he called Gao Xiang to him and said, “Northeast of Jieting is a city named Liliu, and near it an unfrequented hill path. There you are to camp and make a stockade. I will give you ten thousand troops for this task; and if Jieting should be threatened, you may go to the rescue.”

After Gao Xiang had left, and as Zhuge Liang thought Gao Xiang was not a match for his opponent Zhang He, he decided there ought to be additional strength on the west in order to make Jieting safe. So he summoned Wei Yan and bade him lead his army to the rear of Jieting and camp there.

But Wei Yan thought this rather a slight, and said, “As leader of the van, I should go first against the enemy; why am I sent to a place where there is nothing to do?” “The leadership of the van is really a second-rate task. Now I am sending you to support Jieting and take post on the most dangerous road to Yangping Pass. You are the chief keeper of the throat of Hanzhong. It is a very responsible post and not at all an idle one. Do not so regard it and spoil my whole plan. Be particularly careful.”

Wei Yan, satisfied now that he was not being slighted, went his way.

Zhuge Liang's mind was at rest, and he called up Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi, to whom he said, “Now that Sima Yi is in command of the army, the whole outlook is different. Each of you will lead a force out to Chi Valley and move about so as to mislead the enemy. Whether you meet and engage them or not, you will certainly cause them uneasiness. I am going to lead the main army through the Xie Valley to Meicheng. If I can capture that, Changan will fall.”

Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi took the orders and went off.

Zhuge Liang appointed Jiang Wei as leader of the van, and they marched to the Xie Valley.

When Ma Su and Wang Ping had reached Jieting and saw what manner of place it was, Ma Su smiled, saying, “Why was the Prime Minister so extremely anxious? How would the Wei armies dare to come to such a hilly place as this?”

Wang Ping replied, “Though they might not dare to come, we should set our camp at this meeting of many roads.”

So Wang Ping ordered his soldiers to fell trees and build a strong stockade as for a permanent stay.

But Ma Su had a different idea.

“What sort of a place is a road to make a camp in? Here is a hill standing solitary and well wooded. It is a heaven-created point of vantage, and we will camp on it.”

“You are wrong, Sir,” replied Wang Ping. “If we camp on the road and build a strong wall, the enemy cannot possibly get past. If we abandon this for the hill, and the troops of Wei come in force, we shall be surrounded, and how then be safe?”

“You look at the thing like a child,” said Ma Su, laughing. “The rules of war say that when one looks down from a superior position, one easily overcomes the enemy. If they come, I will see to it that not a breastplate ever goes back again.”

“I have followed our Commander-in-Chief in many a campaign, and always he has carefully thought out his orders. Now I have studied this hill carefully, and it is a critical point. If we camp thereon and the enemy cut off our water supply, we shall have a mutiny.”

“No such thing,” said Ma Su. “Sun Zi says that victory lies in desperate positions. If they cut off our water, will not our soldiers be desperate and fight to the death? Then everyone of them will be worth a hundred. I have studied the books, and the Prime Minister has always asked my advice. Why do you presume to oppose me?”

“If you are determined to camp on the hill, then give me part of the force to camp there on the west so that I can support you in case the enemy come.” But Ma Su refused. Just then a lot of the inhabitants of the hills came running along saying that the Wei soldiers had come.

Wang Ping was still bent on going his own way, and so Ma Su said to him, “Since you will not obey me, I will give you five thousand troops and you can go and make your own camp; but when I report my success to the Prime Minister, you shall have no share of the merit.”

Wang Ping marched about three miles from the hill and made his camp. He drew a plan of the place and sent it quickly to Zhuge Liang with a report that Ma Su had camped on the hill.

Before Sima Yi marched, he sent his younger son to reconnoiter the road and to find out whether Jieting had a garrison. Sima Zhao had returned with the information that there was a garrison.

“Zhuge Liang is rather more than human,” said his father regretfully when Sima Zhao gave in his report. “He is too much for me.”

“Why are you despondent, Father? I think Jieting is not so difficult to take.”

“How dare you utter such bold words?”

“Because I have seen. There is no camp on the road, but the enemy are camped on the hill.”

This was glad news.

“If they are on the hill, then Heaven means a victory for me,” said his father.

At night Sima Yi changed into another dress, took a small escort, and rode out to see for himself. The moon shone brilliantly, and he rode to the hill whereon was the camp and looked all round it, thoroughly reconnoitering the neighborhood. Ma Su saw him, but only laughed.

“If Sima Yi has any luck, he will not try to surround this hill,” said he.

Ma Su issued an order to his generals: “In case the enemy come, you are to look to the summit for a signal with a red flag, when you shall rush down on all sides.”

Sima Yi returned to his camp and sent out to inquire who commanded in Jieting. They told him Ma Su, brother of Ma Liang.

“A man of false reputation and very ordinary ability,” said Sima Yi. “If Zhuge Liang uses such as Ma Su, he will fail.”

Then he asked if there were any other camps near the place, and they told him Wang Ping was about three miles off. Wherefore Zhang He was ordered to go and check Wang Ping from coming to rescue.

This done, Sima Yi ordered Shen Yi and Shen Dan to surround the hill and to block the road to the water supply. Lack of water would cause a mutiny; and when that occurred, it would be time to attack. Zhang He marched out and placed himself between Wang Ping and the hill. Then Sima Yi led the main body to attack the hill on all sides.

From the summit of his hill, Ma Su could see the banners of his enemy all round, and the country about was full of soldiers. Presently the hemming in was complete, and the soldiers of Shu became dejected. They dared not descend to attack although Ma Su hoisted the red flag signaling for them to move. The generals stood huddled together, no one daring to go first. Ma Su was furious. He cut down two generals, which frightened the others to the point of descending and making one desperate rush. But the troops of Wei would stand firm against their attack, and they reascended the hill.

Ma Su saw that matters were going ill, so he issued orders to bar the gates and defend till help should come from outside.

When Wang Ping saw the hill surrounded, he started to go to the rescue, but Zhang He checked him, and after exchanging some ten encounters Wang Ping was compelled to retire whence he had come.

The Wei troops kept a close siege. The Shu soldiers in the hill camp, having no water, were unable to prepare food, and disorder broke out. The shouting was audible at the foot of the hill and went on far into the night. The soldiers on the south side got out of hand, opened the gates and surrendered. The men of Wei went round the hill setting fire to the wood, which led to still greater confusion in the beleaguered garrison. At last Ma Su decided to make a dash for safety toward the west.

Sima Yi allowed him to pass, but Zhang He was sent to pursue and chased him for ten miles. But then there came an unexpected roll of drums. Zhang He was stopped by Wei Yan while Ma Su got past. Whirling up his sword, Wei Yan dashed toward Zhang He, who retired within his ranks and fled. Wei Yan followed and drove Zhang He backward toward Jieting.

The pursuit continued for fifteen miles, and then Wei Yan found himself in an ambush, Sima Yi on one side and Sima Zhao on the other. They went around the hill and closed in behind Wei Yan, and he was surrounded. Zhang He then turned back, and the attack was now on three sides. Wei Yan lost many troops, and all his efforts failed to get him clear of the press. Then help appeared in the person of Wang Ping.

“This is life for me,” said Wei Yan as he saw Wang Ping coming up, and the two forces joined in a new attack on the force of Wei. So the troops of Wei drew off, while Wei Yan and Wang Ping made all haste back to their own camps—only to find them in the hands of the enemy.

Shen Yi and Shen Dan then rushed out and drove Wei Yan and Wang Ping to Liliu. There they were received by Gao Xiang who had come out to meet his unfortunate colleagues.

When Gao Xiang heard their story, he at once proposed a night attack on the Wei camp and the recovery of Jieting. They talked this over on the hillside and arranged their plans, after which they set themselves to wait till it was dark enough to start.

They set out along three roads; and Wei Yan was the first to reach Jieting. Not a soldier was visible, which looked suspicious. He decided to await the arrival of Gao Xiang, and they both speculated as to the whereabouts of their enemy. They could find no trace, and the third army under Wang Ping had not yet come up.

Suddenly a bomb exploded, and a brilliant flash lit up the sky; drums rolled as though the earth was rending, and the enemy appeared. In a trice the armies of Shu found themselves hemmed in. Both Wei Yan and Gao Xiang pushed here and shoved there, but could find no way out. Then most opportunely from behind a hill rolled out a thunder of drums, and there was Wang Ping coming to their rescue. Then the three forced their way to Liliu. But just as they drew near to the rampart, another body of soldiers came up, which, from the writing on their flags, they read “Wei Commander Guo Huai”.

Now Guo Huai had talked over Sima Yi's recall with his colleague Cao Zhen, and, fearing lest the recalled general should acquire too great glory, Guo Huai had set out to anticipate him in the capture of Jieting. Disappointed when he heard of Sima Yi's success there, he had decided to try a similar exploit at Liliu. So he had diverted his march thither.

He engaged the three Shu armies at once and slew so many of them that at Wei Yan's suggestion they all left for Yangping Pass, which might be in danger.

Guo Huai, pleased with his success, gathered in his army after the victory and said to his officers, “I was disappointed at Jieting, but we have taken this place, and that is merit of high order.”

Thereupon he proceeded to the city gates. Just as he arrived, a bomb exploded on the wall, and, looking up, he saw the rampart bedecked with flags. On the largest banner he read the characters “Sima Yi, General Who Pacifies the West”. At that moment Sima Yi himself lifted a board that hung in front of him and looked over the breast-high rail.

He looked down and smiled, saying, “How late you are, friend Guo Huai!”

Guo Huai was amazed. “He is too much for me,” said he.

So Guo Huai resignedly entered the city and went to pay his respects to his successful rival.

Sima Yi was gracious, and said, “Zhuge Liang must retire now that Jieting is lost. You join forces with Cao Zhen and follow up quickly.”

Guo Huai agreed and took his leave.

Sima Yi called to him Zhang He, and said, “Cao Zhen and Guo Huai thought we should win too great merit, so they tried to get ahead of us here. We are not the only ones who desire to achieve good service and acquire merit, but we had the good fortune to succeed. I thought Wei Yan, Ma Su, Wang Ping, and Gao Xiang would first try to occupy Yangping Pass; and if I went to take it, then Zhuge Liang would fall on our rear. It says in the books on war that one should crush a retreating enemy, not pursue broken rebels; so you may go along the by-roads and smite those withdrawing down the Chi Valley, while I oppose the Xie Valley army. If they flee, do not press them too much, but just hold them up on the road and capture the baggage train.”

Zhang He marched away with half the force to carry out his part of this plan, while Sima Yi gave orders to go to the Xie Valley by way of Xicheng, which though a small place, was important as a depot of stores for the Shu army, beside commanding the road to the three counties of Nanan, Tianshui, and Anding. If this place could be captured, the other three could be recaptured.

Sima Yi left Shen Yi and Shen Dan to guard Liliu and marched his army toward the Xie Valley.

After Zhuge Liang had sent Ma Su to guard Jieting, his mind was constantly disturbed. Then arrived the messenger with the topography and plan prepared by Wang Ping. Zhuge Liang went over to his table and opened the letter. As he read it he smote the table in wrath.

“Ma Su's foolishness has destroyed the army!” he cried.

“Why are you so disturbed, O Minister?” asked those near.

“By this plan I see that we have lost command of an important road. The camp has been made on the hill; and if the Wei army come in force, our army will be surrounded and their water supply interrupted. In two days the soldiers will be in a state of mutiny; and if Jieting shall be lost, how shall we be able to retire?”

Here High Counselor Yang Yi said, “I am none too clever I know, but let me go to replace Ma Su.”

Zhuge Liang explained to Yang Yi how and where to camp; but before he could start, a horseman brought the news of the loss of Jieting and Liliu.

This made Zhuge Liang very sad, and he sighed, saying, “The whole scheme has come to nought, and it is my fault.”

Zhuge Liang sent for Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, and said, “Each of you takes three thousand of good soldiers and go along the road to Wugong Hills. If you fall in with the enemy, do not fight, but beat drums and raise a hubbub and make them hesitate and be doubtful, so that they may retire. Do not pursue, but when they retire, make for Yangping Pass.”

He also sent Zhang Yi to put Saber Pass in order for retreat and issued instructions for making ready to march. Ma Dai and Jiang Wei were told to guard the rear, but they were to go into ambush in the valleys till the whole army would have retreated. Trusty messengers were sent with the news to Tianshui, Nanan, and Anding that the officers, army and people might go away into Hanzhong. He also sent to remove to a place of safety in Hanzhong the aged mother of Jiang Wei.

All these arrangements made, Zhuge Liang took five thousand troops and set out for Xicheng to remove the stores.

But messenger after messenger, more than ten of them, came to report: “Sima Yi is advancing rapidly on Xicheng with an army of one hundred fifty thousand troops.”

No leader of rank was left to Zhuge Liang; he had only the civil officials and the five thousand soldiers, and as half this force had started to remove the stores, he had only two thousand five hundred left.

His officers were all frightened at the news of near approach of the enemy. Zhuge Liang himself went up on the rampart to look around. He saw clouds of dust rising into the sky. The Wei armies were nearing Xicheng along two roads.

Then he gave orders: “All the banners are to be removed and concealed. If any officer in command of soldiers in the city moves or makes any noise, he will be instantly put to death.”

Next he threw open all the gates and set twenty soldiers dressed as ordinary people cleaning the streets at each gate. When all these preparations were complete, he donned the simple Taoist dress and, attended by a couple of lads, sat down on the wall by one of the towers with his lute before him and a stick of incense burning.

Sima Yi's scouts came near the city gate and saw all this. They did not enter the city, but went back and reported what they had seen. Sima Yi smiled incredulously. But he halted his army and rode ahead himself. Lo! It was exactly as the scouts had reported; Zhuge Liang sat there, his face with all smiles as he played the lute. A lad stood on one side of him bearing a treasured sword and on the other a boy with the ordinary symbol of authority, a yak's tail. Just inside the gates a score of persons with their heads down were sweeping as if no one was about. Sima Yi hardly believed his eyes and thought this meant some peculiarly subtle ruse. So he went back to his armies, faced them about and moved toward the hills on the north.

“I am certain there are no soldiers behind this foolery,” said Sima Zhao. “What do you retire for, Father?”

Sima Yi replied, “Zhuge Liang is always most careful and runs no risks. Those open gates undoubtedly mean an ambush; and if our force enter the city, they will fall victims to his guile. How can you know? No; our course is to retire.”

Thus were the two armies turned back from the city, much to the joy of Zhuge Liang, who laughed and clapped his hands as he saw them hastening away.

The officials gasped with astonishment, and they asked, “Sima Yi is a famous general of Wei, and he was leading one hundred fifty troops. By what reason did he march off at the sight of you, O Minister?”

Zhuge Liang said, “He knows my reputation for carefulness and that I play not with danger. Seeing things as they were made him suspect an ambush, and so he turned away. I do not run risks, but this time there was no help for it. Now he will meet with Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, whom I sent away into the hills to wait for him.”

They were still in the grip of fear, but they praised the depth of insight of their chief and his mysterious schemes and unfathomable plans.

“We should simply have run away,” said they.

“What could we have done with two thousand five hundred soldiers even if we had run? We should not have gone far before being caught,” said Zhuge Liang.

Quite open lay the city to the foe,

But Zhuge Liang's lute of jasper wonders wrought;

It turned aside the legions' onward march

For both the leaders guessed the other's thought.

“But if I had been in Sima Yi's place, I should not have turned away,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling and clapping his hands.

He gave orders that the people of the place should follow the army into Hanzhong, for Sima Yi would assuredly return.

They abandoned Xicheng and returned into Hanzhong. In due course the officials and soldiers and people out of the three counties also came in.

It has been said that Sima Yi turned aside from the city. He went to Wugong Hills. Presently there came the sounds of a Shu army from behind the hills.

Sima Yi turned to his sons, saying, “If we do not retire, we shall yet somehow fall victims to this Zhuge Liang.”

Then appeared a force advancing rapidly, the banners bearing the name of Zhang Bao. The soldiers of Wei were seized with sudden panic and ran, flinging off their armors and throwing away their weapons. But before they had fled very far, they heard other terrible sounds in the valley and soon saw another force, with banners of Guan Xing. The roar of armed troops echoing up and down the valley was terrifying; and as no one could tell how many men there were bearing down on them, the panic increased. The Wei army abandoned all the baggage and took to flight. But having orders not to pursue, Zhang Bao and Guan Xing let their enemies run in peace, while they gathered up the spoils. Then they returned.

Seeing the valley apparently full of Shu soldiers, Sima Yi dared not marched by the main road. He hurried back to Jieting.

At this time Cao Zhen, hearing that the army of Shu was retreating, went in pursuit. But at a certain point he encountered a strong force under Ma Dai and Jiang Wei. Valleys and hills seemed to swarm with enemies, and Cao Zhen became alarmed. Then Chen Zao, his van-leader, was slain by Ma Dai, and the soldiers were panic-stricken and fled in disorder. And the soldiers of Shu were hastening night and day along the road into Hanzhong.

Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi, who had been lying in ambush in Chi Valley, heard that their comrades were retreating.

Then said Zhao Yun, “The army of Wei will surely come to smite us while we are retreating. Wherefore let me first take up a position in their rear, and then you lead off your troops and part of mine, showing my ensigns. I will follow, keeping at the same distance behind you, and thus I shall be able to protect the retreat.”

Now Guo Huai was leading his army through the Chi Valley. He called up his van-leader, Su Yong, and said to him, “Zhao Yun is a warrior whom no one can withstand. You must keep a most careful guard lest you fall into some trap while they are retreating.”

Su Yong replied, smiling, “If you will help me, O Commander, we shall be able to capture this Zhao Yun.”

So Su Yong, with three thousand troops, hastened on ahead and entered the valley in the wake of the Shu army. He saw upon a slope in the distance a large red banner bearing the name of Zhao Yun. This frightened him, and he retired.

But before he had gone far a great uproar arose about him, and a mighty warrior came bounding forth on a swift steed, crying, “Do you recognize Zhao Yun?”

Su Yong was terrified.

“Whence came you?” he cried. “Is there another Zhao Yun here?”

But Su Yong could make no stand, and soon fell victim to the spear of the veteran. His troops scattered, and Zhao Yun marched on after the main body.

But soon another company came in pursuit, this time led by a general of Guo Huai, named Wan Zheng. As they came along Zhao Yun halted in the middle of the road to wait for the enemy. By the time Wan Zheng had come close, the other Shu soldiers had gone about ten miles along the road. However, when Wan Zheng drew nearer still and saw who it was standing in his path, he hesitated and finally halted. Presently he turned back and retired altogether, confessing on his return that he had not dared to face the old warrior, who seemed as terrible as ever.

However, Guo Huai was not content and ordered him to return to the pursuit of the retreating army. This time Wan Zheng led a company of several hundred horsemen. Presently they came to a wood, and, as they entered, a loud shout arose in the rear, “Zhao Yun is here!”

Terror seized upon the pursuers, and many fell from their horses. The others scattered among the hills. Wan Zheng braced himself for the encounter and went on. Zhao Yun shot an arrow which struck the plume on his helmet. Startled, Wan Zheng tumbled into a water stream.

Then Zhao Yun pointed his spear at him and said, “Be off! I will not kill you. Go and tell Guo Huai to come quickly, if he is coming.”

Wan Zheng fled for his life, while Zhao Yun continued his march as rear-guard, and the retreat into Hanzhong steadily continued. There were no other episodes by the way.

Cao Zhen and Guo Huai took to themselves all the credit of having recovered the three counties—Nanan, Tianshui, and Anding.

Before the cautious Sima Yi was ready to pursue the army of Shu, it had already reached Hanzhong. He took a troop of horse and rode to Xicheng and there heard from the few people who had formerly sought refuge in the hills, and now returned, that Zhuge Liang really had had no men in the city, with the exception of the two thousand five hundred soldiers, that he had not a single military commander, but only a few civil officers. Sima Yi also heard that Guan Xing and Zhang Bao had had only a few troops whom they led about among the hills making as much noise as they could.

Sima Yi felt sad at having been tricked.

“Zhuge Liang is a cleverer man than I am,” said he with a sigh of resignation.

He set about restoring order, and presently marched back to Changan.

He saw the Ruler of Wei, who was pleased with his success and said, “It is by your good service that Xizhou is again mine.”

Sima Yi replied, “But the army of Shu is in Hanzhong undestroyed; therefore, I pray for authority to go against them that you may recover the Western Land of Rivers also.”

Cao Rui rejoiced and approved, and authorized the raising of an army.

But then one of the courtiers suddenly said, “Your servant can propose a plan by which Shu will be overcome and Wu submits.”

The generals lead their beaten soldiers home,

The victors plan new deeds for days to come.

Who offered this plan? Succeeding chapters will tell.