第一百八回

第一百八回 丁奉雪中奋短兵 孙峻席间施密计

却说姜维正走，遇着司马师引兵拦截。原来姜维取雍州之时，郭淮飞报入朝，魏主与司马懿商议停当，懿遣长子司马师引兵五万，前来雍州助战。师听知郭淮敌退蜀兵，师料蜀兵势弱，就来半路击之。直赶到阳平关，却被姜维用武侯所传连弩法，于两边暗伏连弩百馀张，一弩发十矢，皆是药箭，两边弩箭齐发，前军连人带马射死不知其数。司马师于乱军之中，逃命而回。

却说麴山城中蜀将句安，见援兵不至，乃开门降魏。姜维折兵数万，领败兵回汉中屯扎。司马师自还洛阳。至嘉平三年秋八月，司马懿染病，渐渐沉重，乃唤二子至榻前嘱曰：“吾事魏历年，官授太傅，人臣之位极矣，人皆疑吾有异志，吾尝怀恐惧。吾死之后，汝二人善理国政，慎之！慎之！”言讫而亡。长子司马师，次子司马昭，二人申奏魏主曹芳。芳厚加祭葬，优锡赠谥，封师为大将军，总领尚书机密大事，昭为骠骑上将军。

却说吴主孙权，先有太子孙登，乃徐夫人所生，于吴赤乌四年身亡，遂立次子孙和为太子，乃琅琊王夫人所生。和因与全公主不睦，被公主所谮，权废之，和忧恨而死，又立三子孙亮为太子，乃潘夫人所生。此时陆逊、诸葛瑾皆亡，一应大小事务，皆归于诸葛恪。太元元年秋八月初一日，忽起大风，江海涌涛，平地水深八尺。吴主先陵所种松柏，尽皆拔起，直飞到建业城南门外，倒卓于道上，权因此受惊成病。至次年四月内，病势沉重，乃召太傅诸葛恪、大司马吕岱至榻前，嘱以后事，嘱讫而薨。在位二十四年，寿七十一岁，乃蜀汉延熙十五年也。后人有诗曰：

紫髯碧眼号英雄，能使臣僚肯尽忠。二十四年兴大业，龙盘虎踞在江东。

孙权既亡，诸葛恪立孙亮为帝，大赦天下，改元建兴元年。谥权曰大皇帝，葬于蒋陵。早有细作探知其事，报入洛阳。司马师闻孙权已死，遂议起兵伐吴。尚书傅嘏曰：“吴有长江之险，先帝屡次征伐，皆不遂意，不如各守边疆，乃为上策。”师曰：“天道三十年一变，岂得常为鼎峙乎？吾欲伐吴。”昭曰：“今孙权新亡，孙亮幼懦，其隙正可乘也。”遂令征南大将军王昶引兵十万攻南郡，征东将军胡遵引兵十万攻东兴，镇南都督丘俭引兵十万攻武昌，三路进发。又遣弟司马昭为大都督，总领三路军马。是年冬十二月，司马昭兵至东吴边界，屯住人马，唤王昶、胡遵、丘俭到帐中计议曰：“东吴最紧要处，惟东兴郡也。今他筑起大堤，左右又筑两城，以防巢湖后面攻击，诸公须要仔细。”遂令王昶、丘俭各引一万兵，列在左右，“且勿进发，待取了东兴郡，那时一齐进兵。”昶、俭二人受令而去。昭又令胡遵为先锋，总领三路兵前去，“先搭浮桥，取东兴大堤，若夺得左右二城，便是大功。”遵领兵来搭浮桥。

却说吴太傅诸葛恪，听知魏兵三路而来，聚众商议。平北将军丁奉曰：“东兴乃东吴紧要处所，若有失，则南郡、武昌危矣。”恪曰：“此论正合吾意。公可就引三千水兵从江中去，吾随后令吕据、唐咨、留赞各引一万马步兵，分三路来接应。但听连珠炮响，一齐进兵。吾自引大兵后至。”丁奉得令，即引三千水兵，分作三十只船，望东兴而来。

却说胡遵渡过浮桥，屯军于堤上，差桓嘉、韩综攻打二城。左城中乃吴将全端守把，右城中乃吴将留略守把。此二城高峻坚固，急切攻打不下。全、留二人见魏兵势大，不敢出战，死守城池。胡遵在徐塘下寨。时值严寒，天降大雪，胡遵与众将设席高会。忽报水上有三十只战船来到。遵出寨视之，见船将次傍岸，每船上约有百人。遂还帐中，谓诸将曰：“不过三千人耳，何足惧哉！”只令部将哨探，仍前饮酒。丁奉将船一字儿抛在水上，乃谓部将曰：“大丈夫立功名，取富贵，正在今日！”遂令众军脱去衣甲，卸了头盔，不用长枪大戟，止带短刀。魏兵见之大笑，更不准备。忽然连珠炮响了三声，丁奉扯刀当先，一跃上岸。众军皆拔短刀，随奉上岸，砍入魏寨，魏兵措手不及。韩综急拔帐前大戟迎之，早被丁奉抢入怀内，手起刀落，砍翻在地。桓嘉从左边转出，忙绰枪刺丁奉，被奉挟住枪杆。嘉弃枪而走，奉一刀飞去，正中左肩，嘉望后便倒。奉赶上，就以枪刺之。三千吴兵，在魏寨中左冲右突，胡遵急上马夺路而走。魏兵齐奔上浮桥，浮桥已断，大半落水而死，杀倒在雪地者，不知其数。车仗马匹军器，皆被吴兵所获。司马昭、王昶、丘俭听知东兴兵败，亦勒兵而退。

却说诸葛恪引兵至东兴，收兵赏劳了毕，乃聚诸将曰：“司马昭兵败北归，正好乘势进取中原。”遂一面遣人赍书入蜀，求姜维进兵攻其北，许以平分天下；一面起大兵二十万，来伐中原。临行时，忽见一道白气，从地而起，遮断三军，对面不见。蒋延曰：“此气乃白虹也，主丧兵之兆。太傅只可回朝，不可伐魏。”恪大怒曰：“汝安敢出不利之言，以慢吾军心！”叱武士斩之。众皆告免，恪乃贬蒋延为庶人，仍催兵前进。丁奉曰：“魏以新城为总隘口，若先取得此城，司马师破胆矣。”恪大喜，即趱兵直至新城。守城牙门将军张特见吴兵大至，闭门坚守，恪令兵四面围定。早有流星马报入洛阳，主簿虞松告司马师曰：“今诸葛恪困新城，且未可与战。吴兵远来，人多粮少，粮尽自走矣。待其将走，然后击之，必得全胜。但恐蜀兵犯境，不可不防。”师然其言，遂令司马昭引一军助郭淮防姜维，丘俭、胡遵拒住吴兵。

却说诸葛恪连月攻打新城不下，下令众将：“并力攻城，怠慢者立斩。”于是诸将奋力攻打，城东北角将陷。张特在城中定下一计，乃令一舌辩之士，赍捧册籍，赴吴寨见诸葛恪，告曰：“魏国之法：若敌人困城，守城将坚守一百日，而无救兵至，然后出城降敌者，家族不坐罪。今将军围城已九十馀日，望乞再容数日，某主将尽率军民出城投降。今先具册籍呈上。”恪深信之，收了军马，遂不攻城。原来张特用缓兵之计，哄退吴兵，遂拆城中房屋，于破城处修补完备，乃登城大骂曰：“吾城中尚有半年之粮，岂肯降吴狗耶！尽战无妨！”恪大怒，催兵打城。城上乱箭射下，恪额上正中一箭，翻身落马，诸将救起还寨，金疮举发。众军皆无战心，又因天气亢炎，军士多病。恪金疮稍可，欲催兵攻城，营吏告曰：“人人皆病，安能战乎？”恪大怒曰：“再说病者斩之！”众军闻知，逃者无数。忽报都督蔡林引本部军投魏去了。恪大惊，自乘马遍视各营，果见军士面色黄肿，各带病容，遂勒兵还吴。早有细作报知丘俭，俭尽起大兵，随后掩杀，吴兵大败而归。恪甚羞惭，托病不朝。吴主孙亮自幸其宅问安，文武官僚皆来拜见。恪恐人议论，先搜求众官将过失，轻则发遣边方，重则斩首示众。于是内外官僚，无不悚惧。又令心腹将张约、朱恩管御林军，以为牙爪。

却说孙峻字子远，乃孙坚弟孙静曾孙，孙恭之子也，孙权存日，甚爱之，命掌御林军马。今闻诸葛恪令张约、朱恩二人掌御林军，夺其权，心中大怒。太常卿滕胤，素与诸葛恪有隙，乃乘间说峻曰：“诸葛恪专权恣虐，杀害公卿，将有不臣之心。公系宗室，何不早图之？”峻曰：“我有是心久矣，今当即奏天子，请旨诛之。”

于是孙峻、滕胤入见吴主孙亮，密奏其事。亮曰：“朕见此人，亦甚恐怖，常欲除之，未得其便。今卿等果有忠义，可密图之。”胤曰：“陛下可设席召恪，暗伏武士于壁衣中，掷杯为号，就席间杀之，以绝后患。”亮从之。

却说诸葛恪自兵败回朝，托病居家，心神恍惚。一日，偶出中堂，忽见一人穿麻挂孝而入。恪叱问之，其人大惊无措。恪令拿下拷问，其人告曰：“某因新丧父亲，入城请僧追荐，初见是寺院而入，却不想是太傅之府。却怎生来到此处也？”恪大怒，召守门军士问之。军士告曰：“某等数十人，皆荷戈把门，未尝暂离，并不见一人入来。”恪大怒，尽数斩之。是夜，恪睡卧不安，忽听得正堂中声响如霹雳。恪自出视之，见中梁折为两段。恪惊归寝室，忽然一阵阴风起处，见所杀披麻人与守门军士数十人，各提头索命。恪惊倒在地，良久方苏。次早洗面，闻水甚血臭。恪叱侍婢，连换数十盆，皆臭无异。恪正惊疑间，忽报天子有使至，宣太傅赴宴。恪令安排车仗，方欲出府，有黄犬衔住衣服，嘤嘤作声，如哭之状。恪怒曰：“犬戏我也！”叱左右逐去之，遂乘车出府。行不数步，见车前一道白虹，自地而起，如白练冲天而去。恪甚惊怪。心腹将张约进车前密告曰：“今日宫中设宴，未知好歹，主公不可轻入。”恪听罢，便令回车。行不到十馀步，孙峻、滕胤乘马至车前曰：“太傅何故便回？”恪曰：“吾忽然腹痛，不可见天子。”胤曰：“朝廷为太傅军回，不曾面叙，故特设宴相召，兼议大事。太傅虽感贵恙，还当勉强一行。”恪从其言，遂同孙峻、滕胤入宫，张约亦随入。恪见吴主孙亮，施礼毕，就席而坐。亮命进酒，恪心疑，辞曰：“病躯不胜杯酌。”孙峻曰：“太傅府中常服药酒，可取饮乎？”恪曰：“可也。”遂令从人回府取自制药酒到，恪方才放心饮之。酒至数巡，吴主孙亮托事先起。孙峻下殿，脱了长服，着短衣，内披环甲，手提利刃，上殿大呼曰：“天子有诏诛逆贼！”诸葛恪大惊，掷杯于地，欲拔剑迎之，头已落地。张约见峻斩恪，挥刀来迎。峻急闪过，刀尖伤其左指。峻转身一刀，砍中张约右臂。武士一齐拥出，砍倒张约，剁为肉泥。孙峻一面令武士收恪家眷，一面令人将张约并诸葛恪尸首，用芦席包裹，以小车载出，弃于城南门外石子岗乱冢坑内。

却说诸葛恪之妻正在房中心神恍惚，动止不宁，忽一婢女入房。恪妻问曰：“汝遍身如何血臭？”其婢忽然反目切齿，飞身跳跃，头撞屋梁，口中大叫：“吾乃诸葛恪也！被奸贼孙峻谋杀！”恪合家老幼，惊惶号哭。不一时，军马至，围住府第，将恪全家老幼，俱缚至市曹斩首。时吴建兴二年冬十月也。昔诸葛瑾存日，见恪聪明尽显于外，叹曰：“此子非保家之主也！”又魏光禄大夫张缉，曾对司马师曰：“诸葛恪不久死矣。”师问其故，缉曰：“威震其主，何能久乎？”至此果中其言。却说孙峻杀了诸葛恪，吴主孙亮封峻为丞相、大将军、富春侯，总督中外诸军事。自此权柄尽归孙峻矣。

且说姜维在成都，接得诸葛恪书，欲求相助伐魏，遂入朝，奏准后主，复起大兵，北伐中原。正是：一度兴师未奏绩，两番讨贼欲成功。未知胜负如何，且看下文分解。

CHAPTER 108. In The Snow, Ding Feng Wins A Victory; At A Banquet, Sun Jun Executes A Secret Plan.

As has been said, Jiang Wei, in his retreat, fell in with a force under Sima Shi, barring his road. It came about thus. After Jiang Wei invaded Yongzhou, Guo Huai had sent a flying messenger to the capital, and the Ruler of Wei summoned Sima Yi for advice. It had then been decided to send reinforcements to Yongzhou, and fifty thousand troops had marched, led by the son of the Prime Minister. On the march Sima Shi had heard that the Shu army had been beaten back, and he had concluded they were weak. So he decided to meet them on the road and give battle. Near the Yangping Pass, however, the roads had been lined with troops armed with the multiple crossbows designed by Zhuge Liang. Since Zhuge Liang's death, large numbers of these weapons had been made, and the bolts from them, which went in flights of ten, were poisoned. Consequently the Wei losses were very heavy, and Sima Shi himself barely escaped with life. However, eventually he returned to Luoyang.

From the walls of Qushan, the Shu general, Gou An, watched anxiously for the expected help. As it came not, he ultimately surrendered. And Jiang Wei, with a loss of twenty to thirty thousand soldiers, marched back into Hanzhong.

In the third year of Domestic Calm (AD 251), in the eighth month, Sima Yi fell ill. His sickness increased rapidly, and, feeling that his end was near, he called his two sons to his bedside to hear his last words.

“I have served Wei many years and reached the highest rank possible among ministers. People have suspected me of ulterior aims, and I have always felt afraid of that. After my death the government will be in your hands, and you must be doubly careful.”

Sima Yi passed away even as he said these last words. The sons informed the Ruler of Wei, who conferred high honors upon the dead and advanced his sons, Sima Shi to the rank of Regent Marshal with the leadership of the Chairs of the Boards, and Sima Zhao to the rank of Commander of the Flying Cavalry.

The Ruler of Wu, Sun Quan, had named his son Sun Deng as his heir. His mother was Lady Xu. But Sun Deng died, and the second son Sun He was chosen his successor. His mother was Lady Wang. A quarrel arose between Sun He and Princess Quan, who maligned him and intrigued against him, so that he was set aside. Sun He died of mortification. Then the third son Sun Liang was named the Heir Apparent; his mother was Lady Pan.

At this time Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin were both dead, and the business of the government, great and small, was in the hands of Zhuge Ke, son of Zhuge Jin.

In the first year of Grand Beginning (AD 251), on the first of the eighth month, a great storm passed over Wu. The waves rose to a great height, and the water stood eight feet deep over the low-lying lands. The pines and cypresses, which grew at the cemetery of the Imperial Ancestors of Wu, were uprooted and carried to the South Gate of Jianye, where they stuck, roots upward, in the road.

Sun Quan was frightened and fell ill. In the early days of the next year his illness became serious, whereupon he called in Imperial Guardian Zhuge Ke and Regent Marshal Lu Dai to hear the declaration of his last wishes. Soon after he died, at the age of seventy-one. He had reigned for twenty-four years. In Shu-Han calendar it was the fifteenth year of Long Enjoyment (AD 252).

A hero, green-eyed and red-bearded,

He called forth devotion from all.

He lorded the East without challenge

Till death's one imperative call.

Zhuge Ke immediately placed his late lord's son Sun Liang on the throne, and the opening of the new reign was marked by the adoption of the style Great Prosperity, the first year. A general amnesty was proclaimed. The late ruler received the posthumous style of Sun Quan the Great Emperor and was buried in Jiangling.

When these things were reported in the Wei capital, Sima Shi's first thought was to attack the South Land.

But his plans were opposed by First Secretary Fu Gu, saying, “Remember what a strong defense to Wu is the Great River. The country has been many times attacked by our ancestors, but never conquered. Rather let us all hold what we have till the time be expedient to possess the whole empire.”

Sima Shi replied, “The way of Heaven changes thrice in a century, and no three-part division is permanent. I wish to attack Wu.”

Sima Zhao, his brother, was in favor of attack, saying “The occasion is most opportune. Sun Quan is newly dead, and the present ruler is a child.”

An expedition was decided upon. Wang Chang, General Who Conquers the South, was sent with one hundred thousand troops against Nanjun. Guanqiu Jian, General Who Guards the South, was given one hundred thousand troops to go against Wuchang. Hu Zun, General Who Conquers the East, led one hundred thousand troops against Dongxing. They marched in three divisions. Sima Zhao was made Commander-in-Chief of the campaign.

In the winter of that year, the tenth month, Sima Zhao marched the armies near to the Wu frontiers and camped. Sima Zhao called together Wang Chang, Guanqiu Jian, Hu Zun, and various other commanders to decide upon plans.

He said, “The county of Dongxing is most important to Wu. They have built a great rampart, with walls right and left to defend Lake Chaohu from an attack in the rear. You gentlemen will have to exercise extreme care.”

Then he bade Wang Chang and Guanqiu Jian each to take ten thousand troops and place themselves right and left, but not to advance till Dongxing had been captured. When that city had fallen, these two were to go forward at the same time. Hu Zun was to lead the van. The first step was to construct a floating bridge to storm the rampart. The two walls should then be captured.

News of the danger soon came to Wu, and Zhuge Ke called a council to take measures.

Then said Ding Feng, General Who Pacifies the North, “Dongxing is of the utmost importance as its loss would endanger Wuchang.”

“I agree with you,” said Zhuge Ke. “You say just what I think. You should lead three thousand marines up the river in thirty ships, while on land Lu Ju, Tang Zi, and Liu Zan will follow in three directions with ten thousand troops each. The signal for the general attack will be a cluster of bombs.”

Ding Feng received the command, and, with three thousand marines and thirty battleships, he sailed in the Great River to Dongxing.

Hu Zun, the Van Leader of Wei, crossed on the floating bridge, took and camped on the rampart. He then sent Huan Jia and Han Zong to assault the left and right flanking forts, which were held by the Wu Generals Quan Yi and Liu Lue. These forts had high walls and strong, and made a good resistance, so that the Wei force could not overcome. But Quan Yi and Liu Lue dared not venture out to attack so strong a force as was attacking them.

Hu Zun made a camp at Xutang. It was then the depth of winter and intensely cold. Heavy snow fell. Thinking that no warlike operations were possible in such weather, Hu Zun and his officers made a great feast.

In the midst of the feasting came one to report: “Thirty ships are coming in the river.”

Hu Zun went out to look and saw them come into the bank. He made out a hundred troops on each.

As they were so few, he returned to the feast and told his officers, “Only three thousand sailors; there is nothing to be alarmed at.”

Giving orders to keep a careful watch, they all returned to enjoy themselves.

Ding Feng's ships were all drawn up in line. Then he said to his officers, “Today there is indeed a grand opportunity for a brave soldier to distinguish himself. We shall need the utmost freedom of movement, so throw off your armor, leave your helmets, cast aside your long spears, and reject your heavy halberds. Short swords are the weapons for today.”

From the shore the soldiers of Wei watched the Wu marines with amusement, taking no trouble to prepare against an attack. But suddenly a cluster of bombs exploded, and simultaneously with the roar Ding Feng sprang ashore at the head of his troops. They dashed up the bank and made straight for the Wei camp.

The soldiers of Wei were taken completely by surprise and were helpless. Han Zong grasped one of the halberds that stood by the door of the commander's tent, but Ding Feng stabbed him in the breast, and he rolled over. Huan Jia went round and came up on the left. Just as he poised his spear to thrust, Ding Feng gripped it under his arm. Huan Jia let go and turned to flee, but Ding Feng sent his sword flying after him and caught him in the shoulder. He turned and was thrust through by Ding Feng's spear.

The three companies of Wu marines went to and fro in the camp of Wei slaying as they would. Hu Zun mounted a horse and fled. His troops ran away across the floating bridge, but that gave way and many were thrown into the water and drowned. Dead bodies lay about on the snow in large numbers. The spoil of military gear that fell to Wu was immense.

Sima Zhao, Wang Chang, and Guanqiu Jian, seeing the Dongxing front had been broken, decided to retreat.

Zhuge Ke marched his army to Dongxing, and he made great feastings and distribution of rewards in celebration of victory.

Then he said to his leaders, “Sima Zhao has suffered a defeat and retreated to the north. It is time to take the Middle Land.”

So he told his officers that this was his intention, and also sent away letters to Shu to engage the aid of Jiang Wei, promising that the empire should be divided between them when they had taken it.

An army of two hundred thousand troops was told off to invade the Middle Land. Just as it was starting, a stream of white vapor was seen emerging from the earth, and as it spread it gradually enveloped the whole army so that people could not see each other.

“It is a white rainbow,” said Jiang Yan, “and it bodes ill to the army. I advise you, O Commander, to return and not march against Wei.”

“How dare you utter such ill-omened words and blunt the keenness of my army?” cried Zhuge Ke, angrily.

He bade the lictors take Jiang Yan out and put him to death. But Jiang Yan's colleagues interceded for him, and he was spared, but he was stripped of all rank. Orders were issued to march quickly.

Then Ding Feng offered a suggestion, saying, “Wei's chief defense is Xincheng; it would be a severe blow to Sima Shi to capture it.”

Zhuge Ke welcomed this suggestion and gave orders to march on Xincheng. They came up and found the city gates closed, wherefore they began to besiege the city. The commander in the city, Zhang Te, saw the legions of Wu at the walls, held a strict defense.

A hasty messenger was sent to Luoyang, and First Secretary Yu Song told the Prime Minister, Sima Shi.

Yu Song said, “Zhuge Ke is laying siege to Xincheng; the city should not try to repulse the attack, but simply hold out as long as possible. When the besiegers have exhausted their provisions, they will be compelled to retire. As they retreat, we can smite them. However, it is necessary to provide against any invasion from Shu.”

Accordingly Sima Zhao was sent to reinforce Guo Huai so as to keep off Jiang Wei, while Guanqiu Jian and Hu Zun kept the army of Wu at bay.

For months the army of Zhuge Ke battered at Xincheng without success. He urged his generals to strenuous efforts, threatening to put to death anyone who was dilatory. At last his attacks looked like succeeding, for the northeast corner of the wall seemed shaken.

Then Zhang Te, the commander of Xincheng, thought of a device. He sent a persuasive messenger with all the register documents to Zhuge Ke.

And the messenger said, “It is a rule in Wei that if a city holds out against attack for a hundred days and reinforcement has not arrived, then its commander may surrender without penalty to his family. Now Xincheng has held out for over ninety days, and my master hopes you will allow him to withstand the few days necessary to complete the hundred, when he will yield. Here are all register documents that he desires to tender first.”

Zhuge Ke had no doubts that the story was genuine. He ordered the army to retreat temporarily, and the defenders enjoyed a rest. But all Zhang Te really desired was time wherein to strengthen the weak angle of the wall. As soon as the attacks ceased, the defenders pulled down the houses near the corner and repaired the wall with the material.

As soon as the repairs were complete, Zhang Te threw off all pretense and cried from the wall, “I have half a year's provisions yet and will not surrender to any curs of Wu.”

The defense became as vigorous as before the truce. Zhuge Ke was enraged at being so tricked, and urged on the attack. But one day one of the thousands of arrows that flew from the rampart struck him in the forehead, and he fell. He was borne to his tent, but the wound inflamed, and he became very ill.

Their leader's illness disheartened the troops, and, moreover, the weather became very hot. Sickness invaded the camp, so that soldiers and leaders alike wished to go home. When Zhuge Ke had recovered sufficiently to resume command, he urged on the attack, but the generals said, “The soldiers are sick and unfit for battle.”

Zhuge Ke burst into fierce anger, and said, “The next person who mentions illness will be beheaded.”

When the report of this threat got abroad, the soldiers began to desert freely. Presently Commander Cai Lin, with his whole company, went over to the enemy. Zhuge Ke began to be alarmed and rode through the camps to see for himself. Surely enough, the soldiers all looked sickly, with pale and puffy faces.

The siege had to be raised, and Zhuge Ke retired into his own country. But scout brought the news of retreat to Guanqiu Jian who led the Wei grand army to follow and harass Zhuge Ke's march and inflicted a severe defeat.

Mortified by the course of events, Zhuge Ke did not report his return to the Ruler of Wu, but pretended illness.

Sun Liang, the Ruler of Wu, went to the residence to see his general, and the officers came to call. In order to silence comment, Zhuge Ke assumed an attitude of extreme severity, investigating every one's conduct very minutely, punishing rigorously any fault or shortcoming and meting out sentences of banishment, or death with exposure, till every one walked in terror. He also placed two of his own cliques—Zhang Yue and Zhu En—over the royal guards, making them the teeth and claws of his vengeance.

Now Sun Jun was a son of Sun Gong and a great grandson of Sun Jing, brother of Sun Jian. Sun Quan loved him and had put him in command of the guards. Sun Jun was enraged at being superseded by Zhang Yue and Zhu En, the two creatures of Zhuge Ke.

Minister Teng Yin, who had an old quarrel with Zhuge Ke, said to Sun Jun, “This Zhuge Ke is as cruel as he is powerful. He abuses his authority and no one is safe against him. I also think he is aiming at something yet higher and you, Sir, as one of the ruling family ought to put a stop to it.”

“I agree with you, and I want to get rid of him,” replied Sun Jun. “Now I will obtain an edict condemning him to death.”

Both went in to see the Ruler of Wu, Sun Liang, and they laid the matter before him.

“I am afraid of him, too,” replied Sun Liang. “I have wanted to remove him for some time, but have found no opportunity. If you would prove your loyalty, you would do it for me.”

Then said Teng Yin, “Your Majesty can give a banquet and invite him, and let a few braves be ready hidden behind the curtains. At a signal, as the dropping of a wine cup, they might jump out and slay him, and all further trouble would be avoided.”

Sun Liang agreed.

Zhuge Ke had never been to court since his return from the unfortunate expedition. Under a plea of indisposition he had remained moping at home. One day he was going out of his reception room when he suddenly saw coming in a person dressed in the mourning white.

“Who are you?” said he, rather roughly.

The person seemed too terror-stricken to reply or resist when he was seized. They questioned him, and he said, “I was in mourning for my father newly dead, and had come into the city to seek a priest to read the liturgy. I had entered by mistake, thinking it was a temple.”

The gate wardens were questioned. They said, “There are scores of us at the gate, which is never unwatched. We have not seen a man enter.”

Zhuge Ke raged and had the mourner and the gate wardens put to death. But that night he was restless and sleepless. By and by he heard a rending sound that seemed to come from the reception hall, so he arose and went to see what it was. The great main beam had broken in two.

Zhuge Ke, much disturbed, returned to his chamber to try once more to sleep. But a cold wind blew, and, shivering in the chilly air, he saw the figures of the mourner and the gate wardens he had put to death. They advanced toward him holding their heads in their hands and seemed to threaten him. He was frightened, and fell in a swoon.

Next morning, when washing his face, the water seemed tainted with the smell of blood. He bade the maid throw it away and bring more; it made no difference, the odor was still there. He was perplexed and distressed. Then came a messenger with an invitation to a royal banquet. He had his carriage prepared. As he was passing through the gate, a yellow dog jumped up and caught hold of his garment and then howled lugubriously.

“The dog even mocks me,” said he, annoyed, and he bade his attendants take it away.

Then he set out for the palace. Before he had gone far, he saw a white rainbow rise out of the earth and reach up to the sky. While he was wondering what this might portend, his friend Zhang Yue came up and spoke a word of warning.

“I feel doubtful about the real purpose of this banquet,” said Zhang Yue, “and advise you not to go.”

Zhuge Ke gave orders to drive home again; but before he had reached his own gate, the two conspirators—Sun Jun and Teng Yin—rode up and asked, “O Commander, why are you turning back?”

“I feel unwell and cannot see the Emperor today,” replied Zhuge Ke.

They replied, “This court is appointed to be held especially to do honor to you and the army. You have not yet reported, and there is a banquet for you. You may be ill, but you really must go to court.”

Zhuge Ke yielded, and once more set his face toward the palace. Sun Jun and Teng Yin went with him, and his friend Zhang Yue followed. The banquet was spread when he arrived, and after he had made his obeisance he went to his place.

When the wine was brought in, Zhuge Ke, thinking it might be poisoned, excused himself from drinking on account of his state of health.

“Will you have some of the medicated wine brought from your own residence?” said Sun Jun.

“Yes; I could drink that,” replied he.

So a servant was sent for a supply that he might drink with the other guests.

After several courses, the Ruler of Wu made an excuse and left the banquet hall. Sun Jun went to the foot of the hall and changed his garments of ceremony for more homely garb, but underneath these he put on armor. Then suddenly he raised his keen sword and ran up the hall, shouting, “The Emperor has issued an edict to slay a rebel!”

Zhuge Ke, startled so that he dropped his cup, laid his hand upon his sword. But he was too late; his head rolled to the floor. His friend Zhang Yue drew his sword and rushed at the assassin, but Sun Jun evaded the full force of the blow and was only wounded in the left finger. Sun Jun slashed back at Zhang Yue and wounded him in the right arm. Then the braves dashed in and finished Zhang Yue.

The braves were then sent to arrest Zhuge Ke's family, while the bodies of Zhuge Ke and Zhang Yue were hastily rolled in matting, thrown into a cart, taken to the outside of the south gate, and tossed into a rubbish pit.

While Zhuge Ke was absent in the palace, his wife sat in the women's quarters at home feeling strangely unquiet. Presently a maid came in and, when she drew near, his wife said, “Why does your clothing smell of blood?”

To her horror the maid suddenly transformed into a weird creature with rolling eyes and gritting teeth, that went dancing about the room and leaping till it touched the roof-beams, shrieking all the time, “I am Zhuge Ke, and I have been slain by that bastard Sun Jun.”

By this time the whole family were frightened and began wailing. And a few minutes later the residence was surrounded by a crowd of armed guards sent to murder the inmates, whom they bound, carried off to the market place, and put to the sword. These things occurred in the tenth month of the second year of Great Prosperity (AD 254).

Before Zhuge Jin died, he had a premonition that his son's ability would lead him into trouble and that he would not safeguard his family. Others had also predicted an early death. Zhang Qi, High Minister in Wei, used to say to Sima Shi, “Zhuge Ke will die soon.” And when asked why, Zhang Qi replied, “Can a person live long when his dignity endangers that of his lord?”

After the conspiracy, Sun Jun became Prime Minister in place of his victim. He was also placed in command of all the military forces, and became very powerful. The control of all matters was in his hands.

In Chengdu, when the letter of Zhuge Ke asking help from Jiang Wei arrived, Jiang Wei had audience with the Latter Ruler and requested authority to raise an army against the north.

The army fought, but fought in vain,

Success may crown a new campaign.

Who were victorious will appear in the next chapter.