第一百十一回

第一百十一回 邓士载智败姜伯约 诸葛诞义讨司马昭

却说姜维退兵屯于钟提，魏兵屯于狄道城外。王经迎接陈泰、邓艾入城，拜谢解围之事，设宴相待，大赏三军。泰将邓艾之功，申奏魏主曹髦，髦封艾为安西将军，假节领护东羌校尉，同陈泰屯兵于雍、凉等处。邓艾上表谢恩毕，陈泰设席与邓艾作贺曰：“姜维夜遁，其力已竭，不敢再出矣。”艾笑曰：“吾料蜀兵必出有五。”泰问其故，艾曰：“蜀兵虽退，终有乘胜之势，吾兵终有弱败之实：其必出一也。蜀兵皆是孔明教演，精锐之兵，容易调遣，吾将不时更换，军又训练不熟：其必出二也。蜀人多以船行，吾军皆在旱地，劳逸不同：其必出三也。狄道、陇西、南安、祁山四处皆是守战之地，蜀人或声东击西，指南攻北，吾兵必须分头守把，蜀兵合为一处而来，以一分当我四分：其必出四也。若蜀兵自南安、陇西，则可取羌人之谷为食，若出祁山，则有麦可就食：其必出五也。”陈泰叹服曰：“公料敌如神，蜀兵何足虑哉！”于是陈泰与邓艾结为忘年之交[1]。艾遂将雍、凉等处之兵，每日操练，各处隘口，皆立营寨，以防不测。

却说姜维在钟提大设筵宴，会集诸将，商议伐魏之事。令史樊建谏曰：“将军屡出，未获全功，今日洮西之捷，魏人已服威名，何故又欲出也？万一不利，前功尽弃。”维曰：“汝等只知魏国地宽人广，急不可得，却不知攻魏者有五可胜。”众问之，维答曰：“彼洮西一败，挫尽锐气，吾兵虽退，不曾损折：今若进兵，一可胜也。吾兵船载而进，不致劳困，彼兵皆从旱地来迎：二可胜也。吾兵久经训练之众，彼皆乌合之徒，不曾有法度：三可胜也。吾兵自出祁山，掠抄秋谷为食：四可胜也。彼兵须各守备，军力分开，吾兵一处而去，彼安能救：五可胜也。不在此时伐魏，更待何日耶？”夏侯霸曰：“艾年虽幼，而机谋深远，近封为安西将军之职，必于各处准备，非同往日矣。”维厉声曰：“吾何畏彼哉！公等休长他人锐气，灭自己威风！吾意已决，必先取陇西。”众不敢谏。维自领前部，令众将随后而进。于是蜀兵尽离钟提，杀奔祁山来。哨马报说魏兵已先在祁山立下九个寨栅，维不信，引数骑凭高望之，果见祁山九寨势如长蛇，首尾相顾。维回顾左右曰：“夏侯霸之言，信不诬矣。此寨形势绝妙，止吾师诸葛丞相能之，今观邓艾所为，不在吾师之下。”遂回本寨，唤诸将曰：“魏人既有准备，必知吾来矣，吾料邓艾必在此间。汝等可虚张吾旗号，据此谷口下寨，每日令百馀骑出哨，每出哨一回，换一番衣甲、旗号，按青、黄、赤、白、黑五方旗帜相换。吾却提大兵偷出董亭，径袭南安去也。”遂令鲍素屯兵于祁山谷口，维尽率大兵，望南安进发。

却说邓艾知蜀兵出祁山，早与陈泰下寨准备，见蜀兵连日不来搦战，一日五番哨马出寨，或十里或十五里而回。艾凭高望毕，慌入帐与陈泰曰：“姜维不在此间，必取董亭袭南安去了。出寨哨马只是这几匹，更换衣甲，往来哨探，其马皆困乏，主将必无能者。陈将军可引一军攻之，其寨可破也。破了寨栅，便引兵袭董亭之路，先断姜维之后。吾当先引一军救南安，径取武城山。若先占此山头，姜维必取上邽。上邽有一谷，名曰段谷，地狭山险，正好埋伏。彼来争武城山时，吾先伏两军于段谷，破维必矣。”泰曰：“吾守陇西二三十年，未尝如此明察地理。公之所言，真神算也！公可速去，吾自攻此处寨栅。”于是邓艾引军星夜倍道而行，径到武城山，下寨已毕，蜀兵未到，即令子邓忠，与帐前校尉师纂，各引五千兵，先去段谷埋伏，如此如此而行。二人受计而去。艾令偃旗息鼓，以待蜀兵。

却说姜维从董亭望南安而来，至武城山前，谓夏侯霸曰：“近南安有一山，名武城山，若先得了，可夺南安之势。只恐邓艾多谋，必先提防。”正疑虑间，忽然山上一声炮响，喊声大震，鼓角齐鸣，旌旗遍竖，皆是魏兵，中央风飘起一黄旗，大书“邓艾”字样。蜀兵大惊。山上数处精兵杀下，势不可当，前军大败。维急率中军人马去救时，魏兵已退。维直来武城山下搦邓艾战，山上魏兵并不下来。维令军士辱骂，至晚，方欲退军，山上鼓角齐鸣，却又不见魏兵下来。维欲上山冲杀，山上炮石甚严，不能得进。守至三更，欲回，山上鼓角又鸣，维移兵下山屯扎。比及令军搬运木石，方欲竖立为寨，山上鼓角又鸣，魏兵骤至。蜀兵大乱，自相践踏，退回旧寨。次日，姜维令军士运粮草车仗，至武城山，穿连排定，欲立起寨栅，以为屯兵之计。是夜二更，邓艾令五百人，各执火把，分两路下山，放火烧车仗。两兵混杀了一夜，营寨又立不成。维复引兵退，再与夏侯霸商议曰：“南安未得，不如先取上邽。上邽乃南安屯粮之所，若得上邽，南安自危矣。”遂留霸屯于武城山，维尽引精兵猛将，径取上邽。行了一宿，将及天明，见山势狭峻，道路崎岖，乃问向导官曰：“此处何名？”答曰：“段谷。”维大惊曰：“其名不美：‘段谷’者，‘断谷’也。倘有人断其谷口，如之奈何？”正踌躇未决，忽前军来报：“山后尘头大起，必有伏兵。”维急令退兵。师纂、邓忠两军杀出，维且战且走，前面喊声大震，邓艾引兵杀到，三路夹攻，蜀兵大败。幸得夏侯霸引兵杀到，魏兵方退，救了姜维，欲再往祁山。霸曰：“祁山寨已被陈泰打破，鲍素阵亡，全寨人马皆退回汉中去了。”维不敢取董亭，急投山僻小路而回。后面邓艾急追，维令诸军前进，自为断后。正行之际，忽然山中一军突出，乃魏将陈泰也。魏兵一声喊起，将姜维困在垓心。维人马困乏，左冲右突，不能得出。荡寇将军张嶷，闻姜维受困，引数百骑杀入重围。维因乘势杀出，嶷被魏兵乱箭射死。维得脱重围，复回汉中，因感张嶷忠勇，殁于王事，乃表赠其子孙。于是，蜀中将士多有阵亡者，皆归罪于姜维。维照武侯街亭旧例，乃上表自贬为后将军，行大将军事。

却说邓艾见蜀兵退尽，乃与陈泰设宴相贺，大赏三军。泰表邓艾之功，司马昭遣使持节，加艾官爵，赐印绶，并封其子邓忠为亭侯。

时魏主曹髦，改正元三年为甘露元年。司马昭自为天下兵马大都督，出入常令三千铁甲骁将前后簇拥，以为护卫，一应事务，不奏朝廷，就于相府裁处，自此常怀篡逆之心。有一心腹人，姓贾，名充，字公闾，乃故建威将军贾逵之子，为昭府下长史。充语昭曰：“今主公掌握大柄，四方人心必然未安，且当暗访，然后徐图大事。”昭曰：“吾正欲如此。汝可为我东行，只推慰劳出征军士为名，以探消息。”贾充领命，径到淮南，入见镇东大将军诸葛诞。诞字公休，乃琅琊南阳人，即武侯之族弟也，向事于魏，因武侯在蜀为相，因此不得重用，后武侯身亡，诞在魏历任重职，封高平侯，总摄两淮军马。当日，贾充托名劳军，至淮南见诸葛诞，诞设宴待之。酒至半酣，充以言挑诞曰：“近来洛阳诸贤，皆以主上懦弱，不堪为君。司马大将军三辈辅国，功德弥天，可以禅代魏统。未审钧意若何？”诞大怒曰：“汝乃贾豫州之子，世食魏禄，安敢出此乱言！”充谢曰：“某以他人之言告公耳。”诞曰：“朝廷有难，吾当以死报之。”充默然。

次日辞归，见司马昭细言其事。昭大怒曰：“鼠辈安敢如此！”充曰：“诞在淮南，深得人心，久必为患，可速除之。”昭遂暗发密书与扬州刺史乐，一面遣使赍诏征诞为司空。诞得了诏书，已知是贾充告变，遂捉来使拷问。使者曰：“此事乐知之。”诞曰：“他如何得知？”使者曰：“司马将军已令人到扬州送密书与乐矣。”诞大怒，叱左右斩了来使，遂起部下兵千人，杀奔扬州来。将至南门，城门已闭，吊桥拽起。诞在城下叫门，城上并无一人回答。诞大怒曰：“乐匹夫，安敢如此！”遂令将士打城。手下十馀骁骑，下马渡壕，飞身上城，杀散军士，大开城门。于是诸葛诞引兵入城，乘风放火，杀至家。慌上楼避之，诞提剑上楼，大喝曰：“汝父乐进，昔日受魏国大恩！不思报本，反欲顺司马昭耶！”未及回言，为诞所杀。一面具表数司马昭之罪，使人申奏洛阳，一面大聚两淮屯田户口十馀万，并扬州新降兵四万馀人，积草屯粮，准备进兵。又令长史吴纲，送子诸葛靓入吴为质求援，务要合兵诛讨司马昭。

此时东吴丞相孙峻病亡，从弟孙辅政。字子通，为人强暴，杀大司马滕胤、将军吕据、王惇等，因此权柄皆归于。吴主孙亮，虽然聪明，无可奈何。于是吴纲将诸葛靓至石头城，入拜孙。问其故，纲曰：“诸葛诞乃蜀汉诸葛武侯之族弟也，向事魏国，今见司马昭欺君罔上，废主弄权，欲兴师讨之，而力不及，故特来归降。诚恐无凭，专送亲子诸葛靓为质，伏望发兵相助。”从其请，便遣大将全怿、全端为主将，于诠为合后，朱异、唐咨为先锋，文钦为向导，起兵七万，分三队而进。吴纲回寿春报知诸葛诞。诞大喜，遂陈兵准备。

却说诸葛诞表文到洛阳，司马昭见了大怒，欲自往讨之。贾充谏曰：“主公乘父兄之基业，恩德未及四海，今弃天子而去，若一朝有变，悔之何及？不如奏请太后及天子一同出征，可保无虞。”昭喜曰：“此言正合吾意。”遂入奏太后曰：“诸葛诞谋反，臣与文武官僚计议停当，请太后同天子御驾亲征，以继先帝之遗意。”太后畏惧，只得从之。次日，昭请魏主曹髦起程。髦曰：“大将军都督天下军马，任从调遣，何必朕自行也？”昭曰：“不然。昔日武祖纵横四海，文帝、明帝有包括宇宙之志，并吞八荒之心，凡遇大敌，必须自行。陛下正宜追配先君，扫清故孽，何自畏也？”髦畏威权，只得从之。昭遂下诏，尽起两都之兵二十六万，命镇南将军王基为正先锋，安东将军陈骞为副先锋，监军石苞为左军，兖州刺史州泰为右军，保护车驾，浩浩荡荡，杀奔淮南而来。

东吴先锋朱异，引兵迎敌。两军对圆，魏军中王基出马，朱异来迎。战不三合，朱异败走，唐咨出马，战不三合，亦大败而走。王基驱兵掩杀，吴兵大败，退五十里下寨，报入寿春城中。诸葛诞自引本部锐兵，会合文钦并二子文鸯、文虎，雄兵数万，来敌司马昭。正是：方见吴兵锐气堕，又看魏将劲兵来。未知胜负如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 忘年之交——年龄相差很多的人（即行辈不同）结交为友，等辈相待。

CHAPTER 111. Deng Ai Outwits Jiang Wei; [Zhuge Dan Righteously Attacks Sima Zhao]

Zhuge Dan Rises Up Against Sima Zhao.

Jiang Wei camped at Zhongti. The army of Wei camped outside Didao. Wang Jing welcomed Chen Tai and Deng Ai and prepared a banquet to celebrate the raising of the siege and also rewarded the army with gifts. Then Chen Tai sent up a memorial to the Ruler of Wei, Cao Mao, eulogizing the magnificent services of Deng Ai, who was rewarded with the title General Who Pacifies the West. For the time, Deng Ai was left in the west. He and Chen Tai placed their men in cantonments in Yongzhou, Xizhou, and the counties round about.

After Deng Ai had rendered his thanks to the Emperor, Chen Tai spread a great feast in his honor, and in congratulating his guest, said, “Jiang Wei slipped off in the night because he was broken, and he will never dare to return.”

“I think he will,” replied Deng Ai, smiling. “I can give five reasons why he should.”

“What are they?”

“First, although the soldiers of Shu have retired, they have the self-possessed and confident look of holding the victory; our soldiers are really weak and broken. Second, the soldiers of Shu were trained and inspirited by Zhuge Liang and are easy to mobilize; our generals are all of different periods of service, and our army indifferently trained. Third, the Shu soldiers often use boats for traveling; ours do all their journeys on land, so that while one army moves at leisure and the troops arrive fresh, those of the other arrive fatigued with marching. Fourth, again, Didao, Longxi, Nanan, and Qishan are all places suitable for defense or use as battle fields, and thus the army of Shu can conceal their intentions and strike where they will; we have to remain on guard at many points, thus dividing our forces. When they concentrate, they have only to reckon with a part of our force. And fifth, if they come out by way of Longxi and Nanan, they have the grain of the Qiangs to depend upon; and if they choose Qishan, they have the wheat there. These are the five reasons why they should make another expedition.”

Chen Tai was overcome with the clear vision of his new colleague.

“Sir, your foresight is godlike. I think we need feel no anxiety about what the enemy can achieve.”

The two leaders became the best of friends in spite of the difference of age. Deng Ai spent his time in training the army, and garrisons were placed at all points where surprise attacks seemed possible.

There was feasting also at Zhongti, and the occasion was taken to discuss a new attack on Wei.

But Fan Jian opposed. “General, your expeditions have partly failed many times; you have never scored a complete victory. But now on River Yao the army of Wei recognize your superiority, and why should you try again? There is small chance of success, and you risk all you have gained.”

Jiang Wei replied, “You all regard only the largeness and population of Wei and the time necessary for conquest, but you do not see five reasons for victory.”

The assembly asked what these were.

“First, the fighting spirit of the soldiers of Wei has been badly broken on River Yao, while that of our soldiers, although we retired, is unimpaired. If we attack, we shall certainly succeed. Second, our soldiers can travel in boats and so will not be wearied with marching; their soldiers have to march to meet us. Third, our soldiers are thoroughly trained; theirs are recruits, a mere flock of crows, quite undisciplined. Fourth, when we go out by Qishan, we can seize upon the autumn wheat for food. Finally, they are scattered, having to defend various points, while we can concentrate on any point we wish, and they will find it difficult to bring up reinforcements. If we miss this chance, can we hope for a better?”

Xiahou Ba said, “Deng Ai is young, but he is deep and crafty. He has certainly taken great pains to secure the regions under his charge as General Who Pacifies the West. Victory will not be so easy as it was before.”

“Why should I fear him?” cried Jiang Wei, angrily. “You should not laud the spirit of the enemy and belittle that of our own soldiers. But in any case I have made up my mind and shall take Longxi.”

No one dared to offer any further opposition. Jiang Wei himself led the first army; the others followed in due order, and thus the soldiers of Shu marched out of Zhongti to Qishan.

Before they could reach Qishan, the scouts reported the hills already occupied by the armies of Wei. Jiang Wei rode forward to verify this, and, surely enough, he saw the Wei camps, nine in number, stretching over the hills like a huge serpent, and all arranged to give each other support.

“Xiahou Ba spoke only too well,” said he. “The plan of those camps is excellent and only our Zhuge Liang could have laid them out with equal skill.”

Returning to his own army, he said to his officers, “They must have known of my coming, and I think Deng Ai is here too. Now from this as base you are to send out daily small reconnoitering parties showing my banner, but different flags and uniforms, blue, yellow, red, white, and black, in turns. While you are thus distracting attention, I will lead the main army by Dongting to attack Nanan.”

Bao Su was sent to camp at the mouth of the Qishan Mountain Valley while the main army marched.

As soon as Deng Ai had heard that the enemy would come out at Qishan, he had camped there with his colleague Chen Tai. But when days had passed without anyone coming to fling a challenge, he sent out spies to find out where the Shu army was lurking. They could find nothing, and so Deng Ai went to the summit of a hill to look around.

He came to the conclusion, saying, “Jiang Wei must not be in this camp. He must be on his way to capture Nanan. Those soldiers in the Shu camp were nothing but a feint, accentuated by the daily change of uniform. Going to and fro for days, the horses look tired, and their leaders are certainly none of the ablest. Therefore, General, I advise an attack here. If that succeeds, the Dongting road can be occupied, and Jiang Wei will be unable to retreat. I think I ought to try to relieve Nanan. I will go by the Wucheng Mountain, and if I occupy that, the enemy will try to take Shanggui. Near that place is a narrow and precipitous valley called Block Valley, just the place for an ambush, where I shall lie in wait till Jiang Wei comes to take the Wucheng Mountain.”

Chen Tai replied, “I have been here over twenty years and have never known so much of the military possibilities of the place. You are very wonderful and must carry out your plan.”

So Deng Ai marched toward Nanan by double marches. Soon they came to the Wucheng Mountain, where they camped without opposition. He sent his son Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan, each leading five thousand troops, to lie in wait in the Block Valley and not to betray their presence.

In the meantime Jiang Wei was marching between Dongting and Nanan.

Near the Wucheng Mountain, he turned to Xiahou Ba and said, “That hill is our point, and Nanan is close. I fear lest the artful Deng Ai may seize and fortify it.”

They hastened, anxious to reach the hill before the enemy. But it was not to be. Presently they heard the roar of bombs and the beating of drums, and then flags and banners appeared, all of Wei. And among them fluttered the leader's standard, bearing the name “Deng Ai.”

This was a sad disappointment. The army of Shu halted, and veteran soldiers of Wei came rushing down from various points on the hill, too many for the troops of Shu to drive back. So the advance guard was defeated. Jiang Wei went to their help with his central body, but when he got near, the soldiers of Wei had retreated up to the hill.

Jiang Wei went on to the foot of the hill and challenged, but no one came out to accept. The soldiers of Shu began to shout abuse, and kept it up till late in the day, but they failed to provoke a fight. As the army of Shu began to retire, the Wei drums beat furiously, yet no one appeared. Jiang Wei turned about to ascend the hill, but its defenders prevented that by stones thrown from above. He hung on till the third watch, when he tried again. But he failed. Thereupon he went down the hill and halted, bidding his soldiers build a barricade of wood and boulders. The troops of Wei came on again, and the Shu troops scrambled to run to the old camp.

Next day Jiang Wei brought up many transport wagons and placed them on the slope as the nucleus of a camp. But in the night a number of Wei troops came down with torches and set fire to them. A fight ensued, which lasted till dawn.

Seeing that a camp could not be made there, Jiang Wei retired to consider new plans with Xiahou Ba.

“Since we cannot take Nanan, our next best plan is to try for Shanggui, which is the storehouse of Nanan.”

Leaving Xiahou Ba on the hill, Jiang Wei led a force of veteran soldiers and bold officers along the road toward Shanggui. They marched all night, and dawn found them in a deep valley, which the guides said was Block Valley.

“That sounds too much like 'Cut-off Valley,'“ said Jiang Wei. “And if a force held the mouth, we should be in sorry straits.”

While hesitating whether to advance farther or not, the leading troops came back to say they had seen a cloud of dust beyond the hills, which seemed to indicate a body of soldiers in hiding. So the order was given to retire.

At that moment the armies under Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong came out and attacked. Jiang Wei, alternately fighting and retreating, tried to get away. Then Deng Ai himself appeared, and the Shu army had enemies on three sides. They were in grave danger, but Xiahou Ba came to their rescue, and so Jiang Wei escaped.

Jiang Wei proposed to return to Qishan, but Xiahou Ba said, “We cannot go thither, for Chen Tai has destroyed the force under Bao Su, and he himself was killed. All that was left of that army has gone back into Hanzhong.”

It was no longer a question of taking the Dongting road. Jiang Wei sought out by-roads to march along. Deng Ai came in pursuit, and as he pressed hard on the rear, Jiang Wei sent the others on ahead while he covered the retreat.

Soon Chen Tai came out from the hills, and Jiang Wei was surrounded by a shouting body of the enemy. He fought all directions, but could not clear the way. He and his horse were very weary when Zhang Ni, who had heard of his straits, came to his rescue with a body of cavalry. Zhang Ni cut his way in, and Jiang Wei immediately broke the siege and got out. Zhang Ni saved his general, but lost his own life in the melee. Finally Jiang Wei got back into Hanzhong.

From Hanzhong the death of Zhang Ni in battle was reported to the Latter Ruler, who bestowed suitable honors upon his family. The Shu people blamed Jiang Wei for the serious loss of life of their relatives in the military operations that had just failed, and Jiang Wei, following the precedent in Jieting of the late Lord of Wuxiang, asked that he himself should be degraded in rank, retaining, however, the command. He was put back to General of the Rear Army.

The country being now cleared of the enemy, Chen Tai and Deng Ai prepared a banquet in honor of victory and gave rewards to the soldiers who had fought. Chen Tai sent a memorial to the capital upon the services of Deng Ai, and a special commission of Sima Zhao brought Deng Ai higher rank; the title of lordship was given to his son, Deng Zhong.

At this time the style of the reign in Wei was changed from Right Origin, the third year, to Gentle Dew, the first year (AD 256). Sima Zhao commanded all the military forces and made himself Empire Commander-in-Chief. He assumed great pomp, and whenever he moved outside his palace, he was escorted by three thousand mail-clad guards, beside squadrons of cavalry. All power lay in his hands, and he decided all questions so that the court was rather in his palace than in that of the Emperor.

Plans for taking the final step constantly occupied his thoughts. The question of mounting the throne was openly mooted by Jia Chong, a confidant, who was a son of Commander Jia Kui.

Jia Chong said, “Sir, all real authority is in your hands, and the country is not tranquil. The only remedy is for you to become actual ruler, and you should find out who are your supporters.”

Sima Zhao replied, “This has been in my thoughts a long time. You might be my emissary to the east to find out the feeling there. You can pretend you go to thank the soldiers who took part in the late campaign. That would be a good pretext.”

Accordingly Jia Chong traveled into the South of River Huai, where he saw Zhuge Dan, General Who Guards the East. This officer was from Nanyang and a cousin of the late Lord of Wuxiang, Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Dan had gone to Wei for employment, but had received no significant office while Zhuge Liang was the Prime minister of Shu. After Zhuge Liang's death, Zhuge Dan's promotion was rapid. He was now Lord of Gaoping and Commander of the south and east of River Huai.

Jia Chong went to Zhuge Dan to ask him to convey to the army the appreciation of the soldiers' services. Jia Chong was received courteously, and at a banquet, when host and guest were both mellow with wine, Jia Chong set himself to discover Zhuge Dan's feelings.

Jia Chong said, “Lately in Luoyang there has been much talk of the weakness and lack of ability of the Emperor and his unfitness to rule. Now General Sima Zhao comes of a family noted for state service for three generations. His own services and virtues are high as the heavens, and he is the man best fitted to take the rulership of Wei. Is this not your opinion?”

But Zhuge Dan did not favor the suggestion. On the contrary, he broke out angrily, “You are a son of Jia Kui of Yuzhou, and your family have received the bounty of Wei. Yet you dare speak of rebellion!”

Jia Chong said, “I only repeat what people have said.”

Zhuge Dan said, “If the state is in difficulty, then one ought to stand up for it even to the death.”

Jia Chong said no more. He soon returned and told Sima Zhao what had been said.

“The rat!” cried Sima Zhao, angrily.

“Zhuge Dan is exceedingly popular there in the South of River Huai; and if he is left too long, he will do harm.”

Sima Zhao began to take measures. He wrote privately to Yue Chen, Imperial Protector of Yangzhou, and sent a messenger to Zhuge Dan with an edict making him Minister of Works. This meant that Zhuge Dan had to come to the capital.

But Zhuge Dan knew that Jia Chong had done him mischief, and he interrogated the messenger, who told him that Yue Chen knew all about the matter.

“How does he know?”

“General Sima Zhao sent him a private letter.”

The messenger was condemned to death. Then Zhuge Dan placed himself at the head of his personal guard and marched to Yangzhou. The city gates were closed and the drawbridge raised. He summoned the gate, but no one answered.

“How dare this fellow Yue Chen treat me thus?” cried Zhuge Dan.

He ordered his troops to force the gate. Ten of his bold generals dismounted, crossed the moat, and climbed the ramparts, where they slew all who opposed them and opened the gate. The others entered, set fire to the houses, and began to fight their way toward the state residence.

The Imperial Protector sought refuge in a tower, but Zhuge Dan made his way up and reproached his enemy, crying, “Your father, Yue Jin, enjoyed the bounty of Wei; yet you have not sought to repay the kindness of the Ruling House, but you want to help the rebel Sima Zhao.”

Before Yue Chen was able to answer, Zhuge Dan slew him. Then he sent to Luoyang a memorial detailing Sima Yi's many faults, and made preparations for war. He called up all the militia of the south and east of River Huai, to the total of one hundred thousand, and took over the forty thousand troops who had surrendered on the fall of Yue Chen and gathered supplies. He also sent Adviser Wu Gang to Wu for aid, offering his son Zhuge Jing as a hostage for his good faith.

At this time Sun Jun had died and his brother, Sun Chen, was Prime Minister. Sun Chen was a man of cruel and violent temper and had put many officers to death on his way to power; among them were Grand Commander Teng Yin, General Lu Ju, and Minister Wang Chun. The Ruler of Wu, Sun Liang, although intelligent, was helpless in his hands.

The messenger, Wu Gang, conducted Zhuge Jing to the residence of Sun Chen in Shidou, who asked what he had come for.

Wu Gang explained, “Zhuge Dan is a cousin of the Lord of Wuxiang in Shu. Zhuge Dan had been in service of Wei; and seeing Sima Zhao depose the his prince and oppress good people, he wants to punish the tyrant. But his force is not enough, and he asks for your help. To show his sincerity, he sends his son Zhuge Jing as a token of good faith.”

Wu Gang's request was received favorably, and Sun Chen sent seventy thousand troops with a full complement of officers—Quan Yi and Quan Duan as Commander, Yu Quan as Rear Guard, Tang Zi and Zhu Yi as Leaders of the Van, Wen Qin as Military Guide. They marched in three directions to attack Wei.

Wu Gang returned to Shouchun report success. Zhuge Dan thought all was going well and prepared the army for a general attack.

In Luoyang, Zhuge Dan's memorial angered Sima Zhao, who wished to set out to revenge the attack at once, but Jia Chong preached caution.

“My lord, you derived your power from your father and brother, and people have not had time to discover your own virtue. If you leave the court and there be a revulsion of feeling against you, you will lose all. Rather request the Empress Dowager and the Son of Heaven to go with you in the expedition, and nothing is to be feared,” said Jia Chong.

“That is an excellent plan.”

Sima Zhao went into the Palace and proposed it to Her Majesty, saying, “Zhuge Dan is in revolt, and I and my colleagues intend to punish him. I beg that you will accompany the expedition as the late Emperor would have done.”

The Empress was afraid, but dared not refuse, and the next day was requested to set out with the Ruler of Wei, Cao Mao.

Cao Mao said, “General, you command all the armies and dispose them as you will; why do you ask me to go?”

Sima Zhao replied, “Your Majesty is wrong to hesitate. Your ancestors traveled over the empire and wished to unite the whole under one ruler. Wherever there was a worthy opponent, they went to face him. Your Majesty should follow their example and sweep the land clean. Why fear?”

Cao Mao, fearing his minister's terrible power, consented, and an edict was issued for the commands to mobilize two hundred sixty thousand troops of two capitals. Wang Ji, General Who Corrects the South, was in command of the van, and Chen Qian, General Who Pacifies the East, was second in command of the van. Shi Bao, Army Inspector, and Zhou Tai, Imperial Protector of Yangzhou, led the imperial escort. The army moved into the South of River Huai like a great flood.

Zhu Yi, the Leader of the Van of Wu, encountered them, and both sides drew up for battle. Zhu Yi rode out and took the challenge, but was overcome by Wang Ji in the third bout and he fled. Tang Zi also rode out, but was also beaten in the third encounter by Wang Ji. Then Wang Ji ordered a full attack. The troops of Wu were broken and retired fifteen miles and camped. Thence they sent tidings of their ill-success to Shouchun.

Zhuge Dan in Shouchun led out his bold and strong soldiers to join forces with Wen Qin and his two sons, Wen Yang and Wen Hu. Then they set out against Sima Zhao.

Now here is a check to the armies of Wu,

And Wei's gallant men advance.

The next chapter will tell how went victory.