第一百十三回

第一百十三回 丁奉定计斩孙■ 姜维斗阵破邓艾

却说姜维恐救兵到，先将军器车仗，一应军需，步兵先退，然后将马军断后。细作报知邓艾。艾笑曰：“姜维知大将军兵到，故先退去。不必追之，追则中彼之计也。”乃令人哨探，回报果然骆谷道狭之处，堆积柴草，准备要烧追兵。众皆称艾曰：“将军真神算也！”遂遣使赍表奏闻。于是司马昭大喜，又加赏邓艾。

却说东吴大将军孙，听知全端、唐咨等降魏，勃然大怒，将各人家眷，尽皆斩之。吴主孙亮，时年方十六，见杀戮太过，心甚不然。一日出西苑，因食生梅，令黄门取蜜。须臾取至，见蜜内有鼠粪数块，召藏吏责之。藏吏叩首曰：“臣封闭甚严，安有鼠粪？”亮曰：“黄门曾向尔求蜜食否？”藏吏曰：“黄门于数日前曾求蜜食，臣实不敢与。”亮指黄门曰：“此必汝怒藏吏不与尔蜜，故置粪于蜜中，以陷之也。”黄门不服。亮曰：“此事易知耳。若粪久在蜜中，则内外皆湿，若新在蜜中，则外湿内燥。”命剖视之，果然内燥，黄门服罪。亮之聪明，大抵如此。虽然聪明，却被孙把持，不能主张。之弟威远将军孙据入苍龙宿卫，武卫将军孙恩、偏将军孙干、长水校尉孙闿分屯诸营。

一日，吴主孙亮闷坐，黄门侍郎全纪在侧，纪乃国舅也。亮因泣告曰：“孙专权妄杀，欺朕太甚，今不图之，必为后患。”纪曰：“陛下但有用臣处，臣万死不辞。”亮曰：“卿可只今点起禁兵，与将军刘丞各把城门，朕自出杀孙。但此事切不可令卿母知之，卿母乃之姊也。倘若泄漏，误朕匪轻。”纪曰：“乞陛下草诏与臣。临行事之时，臣将诏示众，使手下人皆不敢妄动。”亮从之，即写密诏付纪。纪受诏归家，密告其父全尚。尚知此事，乃告妻曰：“三日内杀孙矣。”妻曰：“杀之是也。”口虽应之，却私令人持书报知孙。大怒，当夜便唤弟兄四人，点起精兵，先围大内[1]，一面将全尚、刘丞并其家小俱拿下。比及平明，吴主孙亮听得宫门外金鼓大震，内侍慌入奏曰：“孙引兵围了内苑。”亮大怒，指全后骂曰：“汝父兄误我大事矣！”乃拔剑欲出。全后与侍中近臣，皆牵其衣而哭，不放亮出。孙先将全尚、刘丞等杀讫，然后召文武于朝内，下令曰：“主上荒淫久病，昏乱无道，不可以奉宗庙，今当废之。汝诸文武，敢有不从者，以谋叛论！”众皆畏惧，应曰：“愿从将军之令。”尚书桓彝大怒，从班部中挺然而出，指孙大骂曰：“今上乃聪明之主，汝何敢出此乱言！吾宁死不从贼臣之命！”大怒，自拔剑斩之，即入内指吴主孙亮骂曰：“无道昏君！本当诛戮以谢天下！看先帝之面，废汝为会稽王，吾自选有德者立之！”叱中书郎李崇夺其玺绶，令邓程收之。亮大哭而去。后人有诗叹曰：

乱贼诬伊尹，奸臣冒霍光。可怜聪明主，不得莅朝堂。

孙遣宗正孙楷、中书郎董朝，往虎林迎请琅琊王孙休为君。休字子烈，乃孙权第六子也，在虎林夜梦乘龙上天，回顾不见龙尾，失惊而觉。次日，孙楷、董朝至，拜请回都。行至曲阿，有一老人，自称姓干，名休，叩头言曰：“事久必变，愿殿下速行。”休谢之。行至布塞亭，孙恩将车驾来迎。休不敢乘辇，乃坐小车而入。百官拜迎道傍，休慌忙下车答礼。孙出令扶起，请入大殿，升御座即天子位。休再三谦让，方受玉玺。文官武将朝贺已毕，大赦天下，改元永安元年。封孙为丞相、荆州牧，多官各有封赏，又封兄之子孙皓为乌程侯。孙一门五侯，皆典禁兵，权倾人主。吴主孙休，恐其内变，阳示恩宠，内实防之。骄横愈甚。

冬十二月，奉牛酒入宫上寿[2]，吴主孙休不受。怒，乃以牛酒诣左将军张布府中共饮。酒酣，乃谓布曰：“吾初废会稽王时，人皆劝吾为君。吾为今上贤，故立之。今我上寿而见拒，是将我等闲相待。吾早晚教你看！”布闻言，唯唯而已。次日，布入宫密奏孙休。休大惧，日夜不安。数日后，孙遣中书郎孟宗，拨与中营所管精兵一万五千，出屯武昌，又尽将武库内军器与之。于是，将军魏邈、武卫士施朔二人密奏孙休曰：“调兵在外，又搬尽武库内军器，早晚必为变矣。”休大惊，急召张布计议。布奏曰：“老将丁奉，计略过人，能断大事，可与议之。”休乃召奉入内，密告其事。奉奏曰：“陛下无忧。臣有一计，为国除害。”休问何计，奉曰：“来朝腊日，只推大会群臣，召赴席，臣自有调遣。”休大喜。奉同魏邈、施朔掌外事，张布为内应。

是夜，狂风大作，飞沙走石，将老树连根拔起。天明风定，使者奉旨来请孙入宫赴会。孙方起床，平地如人推倒，心中不悦。使者十馀人，簇拥入内。家人止之曰：“一夜狂风不息，今早又无故惊倒，恐非吉兆，不可赴会。”曰：“吾弟兄共典禁兵，谁敢近身！倘有变动，于府中放火为号。”嘱讫，升车入内。吴主孙休忙下御座迎之，请高坐。酒行数巡，众惊曰：“宫外望有火起！”便欲起身。休止之曰：“丞相稳便。外兵自多，何足惧哉？”言未毕，左将军张布拔剑在手，引武士三十馀人，抢上殿来，口中厉声而言曰：“有诏擒反贼孙！”急欲走时，早被武士擒下。叩头奏曰：“愿徙交州归田里。”休叱曰：“尔何不徙滕胤、吕据、王惇耶？”命推下斩之。于是张布牵孙下殿东斩讫，从者皆不敢动。布宣诏曰：“罪在孙一人，馀皆不问。”众心乃安。布请孙休升五凤楼。丁奉、魏邈、施朔等，擒孙兄弟至，休命尽斩于市。宗党死者数百人，灭其三族，命军士掘开孙峻坟墓，戮其尸首。将被害诸葛恪、滕胤、吕据、王惇等家，重建坟墓，以表其忠。其牵累流远者[3]，皆赦还乡里。丁奉等重加封赏。

驰书报入成都。后主刘禅遣使回贺，吴使薛珝答礼。珝自蜀中归，吴主孙休问蜀中近日作何举动。珝奏曰：“近日中常侍黄皓用事，公卿多阿附之。入其朝，不闻直言，经其野，民有菜色。所谓‘燕雀处堂，不知大厦之将焚’者也。”休叹曰：“若诸葛武侯在时，何至如此乎！”于是又写国书，教人赍入成都，说司马昭不日篡魏，必将侵吴、蜀以示威，彼此各宜准备。

姜维听得此信，忻然上表，再议出师伐魏。时蜀汉景耀元年冬，大将军姜维以廖化、张翼为先锋，王含、蒋斌为左军，蒋舒、傅佥为右军，胡济为合后，维与夏侯霸总中军，共起蜀兵二十万，拜辞后主，径到汉中。与夏侯霸商议，当先攻取何地。霸曰：“祁山乃用武之地，可以进兵，故丞相昔日六出祁山，因他处不可出也。”维从其言，遂令三军并望祁山进发，至谷口下寨。时邓艾正在祁山寨中，整点陇右之兵。忽流星马报到，说蜀兵现下三寨于谷口。艾听知，遂登高看了，回寨升帐，大喜曰：“不出吾之所料也！”原来邓艾先度了地脉，故留蜀兵下寨之地，地中自祁山寨直至蜀寨，早挖了地道，待蜀兵至时，于中取事。此时姜维至谷口分作三寨，地道正在左寨之中，乃王含、蒋斌下寨之处。邓艾唤子邓忠，与师纂各引一万兵，为左右冲击，却唤副将郑伦，引五百掘子军[4]，于当夜二更，径从地道直至左营，于帐后地下拥出。

却说王含、蒋斌因立寨未定，恐魏兵来劫寨，不敢解甲而寝。忽闻中军大乱，急绰兵器上的马时，寨外邓忠引兵杀到。内外夹攻，王、蒋二将奋死抵敌不住，弃寨而走。姜维在帐中听得左寨中大喊，料道有内应外合之兵，遂急上马，立于中军帐前，传令曰：“如有妄动者斩！便有敌兵到营边，休要问他，只管以弓弩射之！”一面传示右营，亦不许妄动。果然魏兵十馀次冲击，皆被射回。只冲杀到天明，魏兵不敢杀入。邓艾收兵回寨，乃叹曰：“姜维深得孔明之法！兵在夜而不惊，将闻变而不乱，真将才也！”次日，王含、蒋斌收聚败兵，伏于大寨前请罪。维曰：“非汝等之罪，乃吾不明地脉之故也。”又拨军马，令二将安营讫。却将伤死身尸，填于地道之中，以土掩之。令人下战书单搦邓艾来日交锋，艾忻然应之。

次日，两军列于祁山之前。维按武侯八阵之法，依天、地、风、云、鸟、蛇、龙、虎之形，分布已定。邓艾出马，见维布成八卦，乃亦布之，左右前后，门户一般。维持枪纵马大叫曰：“汝效吾排八阵，亦能变阵否？”艾笑曰：“汝道此阵只汝能布耶？吾既会布阵，岂不知变阵！”艾便勒马入阵，令执法官把旗左右招，变成八八六十四个门户，复出阵前曰：“吾变法若何？”维曰：“虽然不差，汝敢与吾八阵相围么？”艾曰：“有何不敢！”两军各依队伍而进。艾在中军调遣。两军冲突，阵法不曾错动。姜维到中间，把旗一招，忽然变成“长蛇卷地阵”，将邓艾困在垓心，四面喊声大震。艾不知其阵，心中大惊。蜀兵渐渐逼近，艾引众将冲突不出。只听得蜀兵齐叫曰：“邓艾早降！”艾仰天长叹曰：“我一时自逞其能，中姜维之计矣！”

忽然西北角上一彪军杀入，艾见是魏兵，遂乘势杀出。救邓艾者，乃司马望也。比及救出邓艾时，祁山九寨，皆被蜀兵所夺，艾引败兵，退于渭水南下寨。艾谓望曰：“公何以知此阵法而救出我也？”望曰：“吾幼年游学于荆南，曾与崔州平、石广元为友，讲论此阵。今日姜维所变者，乃‘长蛇卷地阵’也。若他处击之，必不可破。吾见其头在西北，故从西北击之，自破矣。”艾谢曰：“我虽学得阵法，实不知变法。公既知此法，来日以此法复夺祁山寨栅，如何？”望曰：“我之所学，恐瞒不过姜维。”艾曰：“来日公在阵上与他斗阵法，我却引一军暗袭祁山之后。两下混战，可夺旧寨也。”于是令郑伦为先锋，艾自引军袭山后，一面令人下战书，搦姜维来日斗阵法。维批回去讫，乃谓众将曰：“吾受武侯所传密书，此阵变法共三百六十五样，按周天之数。今搦吾斗阵法，乃‘班门弄斧’耳！但中间必有诈谋，公等知之乎？”廖化曰：“此必赚我斗阵法，却引一军袭我后也。”维笑曰：“正合我意。”即令张翼、廖化，引一万兵去山后埋伏。

次日，姜维尽拔九寨之兵，分布于祁山之前。司马望引兵离了渭南，径到祁山之前，出马与姜维答话。维曰：“汝请吾斗阵法，汝先布与吾看。”望布成了八卦。维笑曰：“此即吾所布八阵之法也，汝今盗袭，何足为奇！”望曰：“汝亦窃他人之法耳！”维曰：“此阵凡有几变？”望笑曰：“吾既能布，岂不会变？此阵有九九八十一变。”维笑曰：“汝试变来。”望入阵变了数番，复出阵曰：“汝识吾变否？”维笑曰：“吾阵法按周天三百六十五变。汝乃井底之蛙，安知玄奥乎！”望自知有此变法，实不曾学全，乃勉强折辩曰：“吾不信，汝试变来。”维曰：“汝教邓艾出来，吾当布与他看。”望曰：“邓将军自有良谋，不好阵法。”维大笑曰：“有何良谋！不过教汝赚吾在此布阵，他却引兵袭吾山后耳！”望大惊，恰欲进兵混战，被维以鞭梢一指，两翼兵先出，杀的那魏兵弃甲抛戈，各逃性命。

却说邓艾催督先锋郑伦来袭山后。伦刚转过山角，忽然一声炮响，鼓角喧天，伏兵杀出，为首大将，乃廖化也。二人未及答话，两马交处，被廖化一刀，斩郑伦于马下。邓艾大惊，急勒兵退时，张翼引一军杀到，两下夹攻，魏兵大败。艾舍命突出，身被四箭，奔到渭南寨时，司马望亦到。二人商议退兵之策，望曰：“近日蜀主刘禅，宠幸中贵黄皓，日夜以酒色为乐。可用反间计召回姜维，此危可解。”艾问众谋士曰：“谁可入蜀交通黄皓？”言未毕，一人应声曰：“某愿往。”艾视之，乃襄阳党均也。艾大喜，即令党均赍金珠宝物，径到成都结连黄皓，布散流言，说姜维怨望天子，不久投魏，于是成都人人所说皆同。黄皓奏知后主，即遣人星夜宣姜维入朝。

却说姜维连日搦战，邓艾坚守不出，维心中甚疑。忽使命至，诏维入朝。维不知何事，只得班师回朝。邓艾、司马望知姜维中计，遂拔渭南之兵，随后掩杀。正是：乐毅伐齐遭间阻，岳飞破敌被谗回[5]。未知胜负如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 大内——皇宫内苑。

[2] 上寿——古代臣下向君主或小辈向尊长敬酒、献礼，都叫“寿”，也叫“上寿”。

[3] 流远者——流放到远地的人。

[4] 掘子军——掘地道的工兵。

[5] 岳飞破敌被谗回——岳飞，南宋的大将。他全力抵抗金兵的进犯，屡破敌军，收复失地，却被秦桧陷害而死。这里是说书人的口气，所以引用了三国以后的事例。被谗回，指由于秦桧说了造谣中伤的坏话，宋高宗赵构便把岳飞从战地召回。

CHAPTER 113. Ding Feng Makes A Plan To Slay Sun Chen; Jiang Wei Arrays A Battle To Defeat Deng Ai.

Fearing lest reinforcements would strengthen his enemy beyond his own power of resistance, Jiang Wei decided to retreat while he could. He sent all his stores and baggage away first with the footmen, and kept the cavalry to cover the retirement.

The spies reported his movements to Deng Ai, who said, “He has gone because he knew that the main army would soon be upon him. Let him go, and do not follow. If we pursue, he will play us some evil trick.”

Scouts were sent to keep in touch with the retreating army, and when they returned they reported that preparations of dry woods and straws had been made in the Luo Valley to check any pursuit with fire.

The officers praised the prescience of Deng Ai, “General, your calculation is superhuman!”

When Deng Ai reported these matters to the capital, Sima Zhao was very pleased and confer more rewards.

The Prime Minister of Wu, Sun Chen, was greatly angered by the desertion of so many of his soldiers and officers to Wei, and revenged himself by putting their families to death. The Ruler of Wu, Sun Liang, disapproved of these acts of cruelty, but he was powerless.

The young Emperor was of an ingenious turn of mind. One day he went to the West Park to eat of the newly ripened plums. He bade one of the eunuchs bring some honey. It was brought, but there were mouse droppings in it. The Ruler of Wu called the storekeeper and blamed him for carelessness.

The storekeeper said, “We are very careful to keep the stores in good order, and the honey cannot not possibly have been fouled in the storehouse.”

“Has any one asked you for honey lately?” asked the Ruler of Wu.

“One of the eunuchs asked for some a few days ago. I refused him.”

The Ruler of Wu called the named eunuch and said, “You defiled the honey out of spite.”

The man denied it.

“It is very easy to tell,” said the Ruler of Wu. “If the dirt has been lying in the honey for some time it will be wet all through.”

Then the Ruler of Wu ordered them to cut one of the lumps, and it was quite dry inside. The eunuch then confessed.

This shows the Ruler of Wu was quick-witted. But clever as he was, he could not control his Prime Minister, whose relatives were in command of all the garrisons and armies, so that he was unassailable. His four brothers all had high offices: Sun Jun was General Who Terrifies Distant Regions and Commander of Imperial Guards; Sun En, General Who Shows Prowess; Sun Gan, Imperial Commander; and Sun Kai, Commander of Changshui.

One day the Ruler of Wu, musing over his sorrows and feeling very miserable, began to weep. The officer in charge of the eunuchs, who was an Imperial Brother-in-Law, stood by.

“Sun Chen holds all real power and does as he wishes, while I am despised,” said the Ruler of Wu. “Something must be done.”

Quan Ji said, “I would think no sacrifice too great if Your Majesty would make use of me.”

“If you could muster the Palace Guards and help General Liu Cheng to keep the gates, I would go and murder that ruffian. But you must not let anyone know; for if you tell your noble mother, who is a sister of Sun Chen, she will tell her brother, and that would be very serious for me.”

“Will Your Majesty give me a command that I may have authority to act when the time comes?” said Quan Ji. “At the critical moment I could show the edict and hold back Sun Chen's supporters.”

The command was given, and Quan Ji went home. But he could not keep his secret, and confided the plan to his father, Quan Shang. His father told his wife, “Sun Chen will be got rid of in three days.”

“Oh, he deserves that,” said she.

Although she seemed to approve with her tongue, she sent a secret messenger with a letter to the proposed victim.

That same night Sun Chen called in his four leader brothers, and the Palace was surrounded. The conspirators were seized, with Liu Cheng and Quan Shang and all their families.

About dawn the Ruler of Wu was disturbed by a commotion at the gates, and a servant told him, “Sun Chen with his army has surrounded the Inner Palace.”

Sun Liang knew that he had been betrayed. He turned on Empress Quan, who was of the Quan house, and reproached her.

“Your father and brother have upset all my plans.”

Drawing his sword, he was dashing out when his Consort and her people clung to his clothing and held him back.

After putting to death Liu Cheng's and Quan Shang's parties, Sun Chen assembled the officers in the court and addressed them thus: “The Emperor is vicious and weak, depraved and foolish and unfit for his high office. Wherefore he must be deposed. Any of you who oppose will be punished as for conspiracy.”

Only one of those present dared to say a word of protest.

It was High Minister Huan Yi, who said, “How dare you utter such words? Our Emperor is very intelligent, and I will not support you. I would rather die.”

Sun Chen wrathfully drew his sword and slew Huan Yi.

Then Sun Chen went into the Palace and said to Sun Liang, “O unrighteous and unenlightened Highness, your death would be the only fitting reparation to make to the empire, but out of consideration for your ancestors you are only deposed and degraded to princely rank as Prince of Kuaiji. I will select a worthy successor.”

Minister Li Zong was ordered to bring in the royal seal, which was delivered to Deng Cheng. The deposed ruler retired weeping.

The sage example of the wise Yi Yin

Perverted now to traitor's use we see;

And Huo Guang's faithful services are made

A cloak to cover vilest treachery.

Even able princes are but toys of fate,

And need our pity, fallen from high estate.

Sun Chen then sent two ministers of the court, Sun Kai and Dong Chao, went as envoys to Hulin to request Sun Xiu, Prince of Langye, the sixth son of Sun Quan, to ascend the throne.

The Emperor-elect had had some premonition of the high honor to which he was now called, for in a dream he saw he ascended into the skies seated on a dragon. Only the dragon seemed to have no tail. He woke up in a fright, and the next day brought the Imperial Envoys, Sun Kai and Dong Chao.

Sun Xiu set out. At Que his carriage was stopped by a venerable old man who claimed to be Gan Xiu and offered felicitations.

“Your Majesty should move faster, for things may change swiftly,” said the aged one.

Sun Xiu thanked the old man.

At Busai Pavilion awaited Sun En with a chariot, but Sun Xiu's modesty would not allow him to mount it. He remained in his own simple carriage and therein traveled to the Palace. Officials lined the road to salute him, and he dismounted to return their salutations. Then Sun Chen stood forth and bade them take the newly-elected Emperor by the arm and lead him into the Great Hall, where, after thrice refusing the honor, he at last took his seat in the Dragon Throne and received the jade seal passed from one ruler to another.

When all the officers had made obeisance, there were the usual amnesties, promotions, and honors, and Eternal Tranquillity, the first year (AD 258), was the name of the new reign. Sun Chen was confirmed as Prime Minister, with the Protectorship of Jingzhou. Moreover, Sun Hao, the son of his elder brother, was created Lord of Wucheng.

Sun Chen, with five persons in his family holding lordships and the whole army under their command, was immensely powerful, able to set up and pull down at will. The new Ruler of Wu, Sun Xiu, secretly feared him; and although outwardly he showed Sun Chen great favor, yet he kept careful watch over Sun Chen, whose arrogance knew no bounds.

In the winter Sun Chen sent into the Palace presents of oxen and wine as birthday gifts. The Ruler of Wu declined them. Sun Chen was very annoyed and took the presents to Zhang Bu's residence, where they two dined together. Zhang Bu was the General of the Left Army.

When warmed with wine, Sun Chen said, “When I deposed the present Prince of Kuaiji, many people urged me to take the throne myself. But I acted magnanimously and set up this present Emperor. Now I suffer the mortification of seeing my presents rejected. You will see what will come of this slight.”

Zhang Bu showed sympathy, but the next day he secretly told the Ruler of Wu, and Sun Xiu's fears increased so that he could not rest. Shortly after this, Sun Chen sent a large body of troops under the command of Minister Meng Zong into camp at Wuchang, and Sun Chen armed them from the state arsenals.

Whereupon General Wei Miao and Imperial Guard Shi Shuo secretly memorialized the Ruler of Wu: “Sun Chen has moved the troops outside and provided them with state arms. This action points to rebellion.”

Sun Xiu was shocked, and called in Zhang Bu to consult, and he said, “The Veteran General Ding Feng is an able and trustworthy officer. He should be consulted.”

So Ding Feng was called and taken into the Emperor's confidence.

“Have no anxiety,” said Ding Feng. “I will find some way of ridding the state of this evil.”

“What do you propose?”

“When the winter court is held, and all the officers are assembled, spread a great banquet and invite Sun Chen. I shall be ready to act.”

Wei Miao and Shi Shuo were taken into the plot and were to do what was possible outside the palace, and Zhang Bu saw to arrangements within.

One night a heavy storm came on to blow, which tore up great trees by the roots. However, by daylight it had abated, and that morning an Emperor's messenger arrived bearing an invitation to a banquet in the royal palace. Sun Chen rose from his couch, and, as he did so, fell flat on the ground as though he had been pushed from behind. This accident troubled him, and he felt apprehensive, so he called half a score of his trusty guards to act as his escort to the palace.

As he was leaving home, his family besought him not to go out, saying, “The storm last night and the fall this morning are fearful omens. You should not go to that banquet.”

However, he made light of their fears and said, “My brothers are holding the army; who will dare come near me? But if there is anything amiss, you just give a fire signal from the Prime Minister's residence.”

So Sun Chen took his seat, and the carriage set out. When he reached the Palace, the Ruler of Wu rose from his place to welcome him, and at table Sun Chen sat in the seat of honor. The banquet proceeded.

“There is a fire outside; what does that mean?” said a guest presently.

Sun Chen rose to go out, but the Ruler of Wu said, “There is no danger, and there are plenty of soldiers outside to take care of that.”

Just at that moment Zhang Bu entered at the head of three hundred armed guards. He rushed up the banquet chamber shouting, “I hold a command to slay the rebel Sun Chen!”

Instantly the Prime Minister was seized. He fell prostrate before the Ruler of Wu, knocking his head on the ground and crying, “Spare my life! Exile me to Jiaozhou, where I will do plow work.”

“Did you exile any of your victims—Teng Yin, Lu Ju, Wang Chun, and others?” said the Ruler of Wu, angrily.

The order went forth to carry out the execution, and Sun Chen was hustled out and put to death. No single person of his servants raised a hand to help him.

Then Zhang Bu read an edict: “Sun Chen is the only culprit, and no other will be questioned.”

Then at Zhang Bu's request, the Ruler of Wu went up on the Tower of the Five Phoenixes. Zhang Bu, Wei Miao, and Shi Shuo brought the brothers of the Prime Minister before Sun Xiu, and he condemned them to death. After this their families were slain, so that many hundreds suffered death. Not content with all these things, the tomb of Sun Jun was broken open and his corpse beheaded.

Magnificent tombs were raised to his victims—Zhuge Ke, Teng Yin, Lu Ju, Wang Chun, and others. Thus at last loyalty was rewarded, and the banished were permitted to return home with full pardon. The conspirators were rewarded.

News of this revolution was sent into Chengdu, and the Latter Ruler sent an envoy into Wu with felicitations. In return, the Ruler of Wu sent Xue Xu as his envoy to Shu.

When Xue Xu returned, the Ruler of Wu questioned about affairs in the west, and Xue Xu said, “All affairs of state are in the hands of a certain eunuch named Huang Hao, and all the courtiers look up to him as to a father. At court plain truth is never heard, and the country people look sallow and starved. The whole country appears on the verge of destruction. The birds on the roof do not know that the building is about to be burned.”

“Ah ! If only Zhuge Liang the Martial Lord was still alive; how different all would be!” said Sun Xiu, with a sigh.

Letters were prepared saying that beyond doubt Sima Zhao intended usurpation, and when that came about in Wei, both Wu and Shu would be invaded. Wherefore both should be ready.

On the arrival of these letters, Jiang Wei hastened to seek permission to attempt another expedition. Consent being given, a large army marched into Hanzhong in the winter of the first year of Wonderful Sight (AD 258). Liao Hua and Zhang Yi were appointed Leaders of the Van, Wang Han and Jiang Bin as Commanders of the Left, and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian as Commanders of the Right, while Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba led the main column.

Asked what he thought should be the first objective, Xiahou Ba replied, “There is no better fighting ground than Qishan, as the tactics of the late Prime Minister made evident, and it is the only good exit.”

So thither three armies marched, and they made three camps at the entrance to the valley. At this time Deng Ai had a training camp at Qishan drilling the Longyou troops. The scouts told him of the coming of the western army, and he ascended a hill to see and verify their reports. He seemed pleased when he saw the enemy camp.

“They have just done as I foresaw,” said Deng Ai.

Now Deng Ai had carefully considered the “pulse” of the countryside, and so had not interfered with the Shu army when it was on the march or settling into camp. Moreover, he had excavated a subterranean road to the spot where he had thought they would halt, and their left camp had been pitched just on it. Wang Han and Jiang Bin commanded in that camp.

Deng Ai called his son Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan and sent them with ten thousand troops each to attack the left camp, one on each flank. Then he sent Zheng Lun and five hundred troops into the underground road, which opened in rear of the camp of Wang Han and Jiang Bin.

As the newly made camp was not yet well fortified, Wang Han and Jiang Bin exercised great care and kept their troops under arms all night, watching with vigilance. So when the alarm was given, they had but to seize their weapons and go out. But as the two leaders were mounting their steeds, Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan had attacked from without, and Zheng Lun from within. Thus attacked from three sides, soon Wang Han and Jiang Bin found the position untenable and fled.

When Jiang Wei saw that his left camp had been attacked on three sides, he mounted and took his position in front of the center camp.

“Let no one move on pain of death!” he shouted. “Stand still, and when the enemy approaches shoot.”

The right camp was ordered to stand fast. His defense was effective. A dozen of times the troops of Wei came forward, only to be driven back before the arrows and bolts of the defenders. Daylight found the Shu camps still firm, and the Wei troops drew off.

“Jiang Wei has indeed learned of Zhuge Liang,” said Deng Ai. “His soldiers stood the night attack without flinching, and the leaders took the chances of battle quite calmly. He is able.”

Next day, when Wang Han and Jiang Bin went to confess their fault, Jiang Wei said, “It was less your fault than mine, for I did not clearly recognize the nature of the terrain.”

So no penalty was inflicted. The camp was made stronger, and the subterranean passage was filled with the bodies of the slain.

A challenge to battle for the following day was sent to Deng Ai, who accepted it joyfully.

Next day the two armies were arrayed in front of the Qishan Mountains. The troops of Shu arrayed according to the “Eight Formations” designed by Zhuge Liang, which are called Heaven, Earth, Wind, Cloud, Bird, Serpent, Dragon, and Tiger. While the maneuver was in progress, Deng Ai recognized it as the Eight Gates Formation and placed his troops accordingly.

Jiang Wei then gripped his spear and rode out, saying, “You have made a good imitation of my eight, but can you work variations?”

“You call these yours! Did you think that you alone held the secret? Since I have made it, of course I know the variations.”

Deng Ai reentered his ranks, gave the signal officers certain orders, and the eight gates were evolved in rapid succession into sixty-four gates. Then he rode to the front again.

“What of my evolution?” asked Deng Ai.

“Not so bad; would you like to try a surrounding move with me?” replied Jiang Wei.

“Why not?”

The two armies moved in orderly ranks. Deng Ai stood in the midst of his army giving the necessary orders. Then the clash came, but his tactics did not grip. Then Jiang Wei waved a certain signal flag, and his force suddenly assumed the form of a serpent coiled on the ground with Deng Ai in the center. Shouts arose all about him, and Deng Ai could not understand what had happened and began to feel afraid. Gradually the troops of Shu closed in upon him, and he saw no way of escape.

“Deng Ai, you must surrender!” cried the soldiers.

“Indeed a moment of pride had led me into the trap of Jiang Wei,” he sighed.

Suddenly from the northwest a cohort dashed in. To Deng Ai's great joy they were soldiers of Wei, and they forced over the battle array and released him. The leader was Sima Wang.

But although Deng Ai had been rescued, his nine camps were seized by his enemy and he had to retire. He led his army to the south of River Wei and made a camp.

“How did you know exactly where to strike in that maze?” asked Deng Ai of his rescuer.

Sima Wang replied, “In my youth I studied tactics and was friendly with Shi Guangyuan and Cui Zhouping. They explained that formation to me. Jiang Wei used what is known as 'The Serpent Coil,' and the only way to break it is to attack the head, which I saw was in the northwest.”

Deng Ai replied, “Although I have studied formations, I do not know all the modifications. But since you know about this, we may be able to recover our camps.”

“I fear the little I have learned will not be enough to overcome Jiang Wei.”

“Tomorrow you shall contend with him, and while his attention is engaged, I will attack the rear of Qishan, and we will recover our camps.”

So a force was prepared to attack on the morrow, and Deng Ai sent a letter of challenge to a contest in tactics for the same day. Jiang Wei marked in to accept.

Jiang Wei said to his officers, “In the secret book that I received from the Prime Minister, the variations of the formation are three hundred and sixty-five, corresponding to the circuit of the heavens. This challenge from them is as one going to teach hewing to the God of Carpenters. I think some ruse lies behind this. Can you guess what it is?”

Liao Hua replied, “While they engage your attention in this competition, they intend to attack our rear.”

“Just so; that is my opinion,” replied Jiang Wei.

So he prepared a counter-stroke by sending Liao Hua and Zhang Yi to lie in wait at the back of the hills with ten thousand troops.

Next day Jiang Wei led all the troops from the nine camps out and drawn up in front of the hills. Sima Wang came out on the other side and presently rode to the front to parley.

“You have challenged me to a contest; now draw up your army for me to see,” said Jiang Wei.

Sima Wang did so and arrayed the eight diagrams, Octagon.

“That is what we know as the Octagon,” said Jiang Wei. “But it is nothing wonderful, only a sort of array fit for a brigand's raid.”

“You also have only stolen another man's tactics,” replied his adversary.

“How many modifications of this are there?” asked Jiang Wei.

“Since I have arranged this, naturally I know the variations, of which there are nine nines, making eighty-one.”

“Try them.”

Sima Wang returned to his array and evolved many, finally riding out and asking his opponent if he recognized them.

“My formation admits of three hundred and sixty-five variations. You are but a frog in a well and know nothing of the deeper mysteries.”

Now Sima Wang knew that so many variations were possible, but had not studied them. However, he put on a bold air and said contemptuously, “I do not believe you. Prove it!”

“Go and call Deng Ai,” replied Jiang Wei. “I will display them to him.”

“General Deng Ai has excellent plans and does not think much of such tactics.”

“What plans? I suppose you mean a plan to keep me here while he tries a surprise attack in the rear.”

Sima Wang was aghast. He made a sudden dash forward, and a melee began. Jiang Wei made a signal with his whip, and his force poured in from both wings. The troops of Wei were seized with sudden panic, threw down their weapons and fled.

Now Deng Ai had hurried on Zheng Lun to make the first attack. As Zheng Lun turned the corner of the hill, a bomb exploded. At once the drums rolled and an ambush discovered itself. Liao Hua was in command. Neither side stayed to parley, and the leaders engaged in single combat. In the first encounter Liao Hua cut Zheng Lun down.

Deng Ai had not expected such preparation, and he hastened to withdraw. Then Zhang Yi came forth and attacked on the other side. The army of Wei was worsted. Deng Ai fought his way out, but he bore four arrow wounds upon his body. He got to the river, where he found Sima Wang, and they discussed how to get away.

But Sima Wang proposed another form of attack.

“Recently the Ruler of Shu has had a favorite, Eunuch Huang Hao, in whom he places all his trust and with whom he spends his time in one round of pleasure. Let us use the eunuch to sow distrust between the Emperor and his general and so get Jiang Wei recalled. In that way we shall retrieve our defeat.”

So Deng Ai assembled his advisers and asked who could go into Shu and get into communication with Huang Hao.

Dang Jun volunteered at once. Deng Ai entrusted gold and pearls and precious things to him, and sent him into Shu to win the treacherous alliance of the eunuch. As Dang Jun went, he also disseminated reports that

Jiang Wei was angry and intended to go over to Wei.

These rumors became the common talk in Chengdu, and everyone believed them. Huang Hao carried them to the Emperor, and a messenger was sent to call the general to the capital.

Meanwhile Jiang Wei tried every day to bring the enemy to give battle, but they remained obstinately behind their defenses. Jiang Wei began to think some evil scheme was afoot, when suddenly he was recalled by Imperial Edict. Although ignorant of the reason, he could not disobey; and when he began the retreat, Deng Ai and Sima Wang knew that their plot had succeeded. They broke camp and set out to attack the retreating army.

Because of court intrigues

Yue Yi and Yue Fei failed.

How matters went will be told in the next chapter.