第一百十七回

第一百十七回 邓士载偷度阴平 诸葛瞻战死绵竹

却说辅国大将军董厥，闻魏兵十馀路入境，乃引二万兵守住剑阁，当日望尘头大起，疑是魏兵，急引军把住关口。董厥自临军前视之，乃姜维、廖化、张翼也。厥大喜，接入关上，礼毕，哭诉后主黄皓之事。维曰：“公勿忧虑。若有维在，必不容魏来吞蜀也。且守剑阁，徐图退敌之计。”厥曰：“此关虽然可守，争奈成都无人，倘为敌人所袭，大势瓦解矣。”维曰：“成都山险地峻，非可易取，不必忧也。”正言间，忽报诸葛绪领兵杀至关下，维大怒，急引五千兵杀下关来，直撞入魏阵中，左冲右突，杀得诸葛绪大败而走，退数十里下寨，魏军死者无数。蜀兵抢了许多马匹器械，维收兵回关。

却说钟会离剑阁二十里下寨，诸葛绪自来伏罪。会怒曰：“吾令汝守把阴平桥头，以断姜维归路，如何失了！今又不得吾令，擅自进兵，以致此败！”绪曰：“维诡计多端，诈取雍州，绪恐雍州有失，引兵去救，维乘机走脱，绪因赶至关下，不想又为所败。”会大怒，叱令斩之。监军卫瓘曰：“绪虽有罪，乃邓征西所督之人，不争将军杀之，恐伤和气。”会曰：“吾奉天子明诏、晋公钧命，特来伐蜀。便是邓艾有罪，亦当斩之！”众皆力劝。会乃将诸葛绪用槛车载赴洛阳，任晋公发落，随将绪所领之兵，收在部下调遣。有人报与邓艾，艾大怒曰：“吾与汝官品一般，吾久镇边疆，于国多劳，汝安敢妄自尊大耶！”子邓忠劝曰：“‘小不忍则乱大谋’，父亲若与他不睦，必误国家大事。望且容忍之。”艾从其言，然毕竟心中怀怒，乃引十数骑来见钟会。会闻艾至，便问左右：“艾引多少军来？”左右答曰：“只有十数骑。”会乃令帐上帐下列武士数百人。艾下马入见，会接入帐。礼毕，艾见军容甚肃，心中不安，乃以言挑之曰：“将军得了汉中，乃朝廷之大幸也，可定策早取剑阁。”会曰：“将军明见若何？”艾再三推称无能。会固问之，艾答曰：“以愚意度之，可引一军从阴平小路出汉中德阳亭，用奇兵径取成都，姜维必撤兵来救，将军乘虚就取剑阁，可获成功。”会大喜曰：“将军此计甚妙！可即引兵去。吾在此专候捷音！”二人饮酒相别。会回本帐与诸将曰：“人皆谓邓艾有能。今日观之，乃庸才耳！”众问其故。会曰：“阴平小路，皆高山峻岭，若蜀以百馀人守其险要，断其归路，则邓艾之兵皆饿死矣。吾只以正道而行，何愁蜀地不破乎！”遂置云梯炮架，只打剑阁关。

却说邓艾出辕门上马，回顾从者曰：“钟会待吾若何？”从者曰：“观其辞色，甚不以将军之言为然，但以口强应而已。”艾笑曰：“彼料我不能取成都，我偏欲取之！”回到本寨，师纂、邓忠一班将士接问曰：“今日与钟镇西有何高论？”艾曰：“吾以实心告彼，彼以庸才视我。彼今得汉中，以为莫大之功，若非吾屯沓中绊住姜维，彼安能成功耶！吾今若取了成都，胜取汉中矣！”当夜下令，尽拔寨望阴平小路进兵，离剑阁七百里下寨。有人报钟会，说：“邓艾要去取成都了。”会笑艾不智。

却说邓艾一面修密书遣使驰报司马昭，一面聚诸将于帐下问曰：“吾今乘虚去取成都，与汝等立功名于不朽，汝等肯从乎？”诸将应曰：“愿遵军令，万死不辞！”艾乃先令子邓忠引五千精兵，不穿衣甲，各执斧凿器具，凡遇峻危之处，凿山开路，搭造桥阁，以便军行。艾选兵三万，各带干粮绳索进发。约行百馀里，选下三千兵，就彼扎寨；又行百馀里，又选三千兵下寨。是年十月自阴平进兵，至于巅崖峻谷之中，凡二十馀日，行七百馀里，皆是无人之地。魏兵沿途下了数寨，只剩下二千人马。前至一岭，名摩天岭，马不堪行，艾步行上岭，正见邓忠与开路壮士尽皆哭泣。艾问其故，忠告曰：“此岭西皆是峻壁巅崖，不能开凿，虚废前劳，因此哭泣。”艾曰：“吾军到此，已行了七百馀里，过此便是江油，岂可复退？”乃唤诸军曰：“‘不入虎穴，焉得虎子？’吾与汝等来到此地，若得成功，富贵共之。”众皆应曰：“愿从将军之命。”艾令先将军器撺将下去。艾取毡自裹其身，先滚下去。副将有毡衫者裹身滚下，无毡衫者各用绳索束腰，攀木挂树，鱼贯[1]而进。邓艾、邓忠，并二千军，及开山壮士，皆度了摩天岭。方才整顿衣甲器械而行，忽见道傍有一石碣，上刻：“丞相诸葛武侯题”。其文云：“二火初兴，有人越此。二士争衡，不久自死。”艾观讫大惊，慌忙对碣再拜曰：“武侯真神人也！艾不能以师事之，惜哉！”后人有诗曰：

阴平峻岭与天齐，玄鹤徘徊尚怯飞。邓艾裹毡从此下，谁知诸葛有先几。

却说邓艾暗度阴平，引兵行时，又见一个大空寨。左右告曰：“闻武侯在日，曾拨一千兵守此险隘。今蜀主刘禅废之。”艾嗟呀不已，乃谓众人曰：“吾等有来路而无归路矣！前江油城中，粮食足备。汝等前进可活，后退即死，须并力攻之。”众皆应曰：“愿死战！”于是邓艾步行，引二千馀人，星夜倍道来抢江油城。

却说江油城守将马邈，闻东川已失，虽为准备，只是提防大路，又仗着姜维全师守住剑阁关，遂将军情不以为重。当日操练人马回家，与妻李氏拥炉饮酒。其妻问曰：“屡闻边情甚急，将军全无忧色，何也？”邈曰：“大事自有姜伯约掌握，干我甚事？”其妻曰：“虽然如此，将军所守城池，不为不重。”邈曰：“天子听信黄皓，溺于酒色，吾料祸不远矣。魏兵若到，降之为上，何必虑哉？”其妻大怒，唾邈面曰：“汝为男子，先怀不忠不义之心，枉受国家爵禄，吾有何面目与汝相见耶！”马邈羞惭无语。忽家人慌入报曰：“魏将邓艾不知从何而来，引二千馀人，一拥而入城矣！”邈大惊，慌出纳降，拜伏于公堂之下，泣告曰：“某有心归降久矣。今愿招城中居民，及本部人马，尽降将军。”艾准其降。遂收江油军马于部下调遣，即用马邈为向导官。忽报马邈夫人自缢身死。艾问其故，邈以实告。艾感其贤，令厚礼葬之，亲往致祭。魏人闻者，无不嗟叹。后人有诗赞曰：

后主昏迷汉祚颠，天差邓艾取西川。可怜巴蜀多名将，不及江油李氏贤。

邓艾取了江油，遂接阴平小路诸军，皆到江油取齐，径来攻涪城。部将田续曰：“我军涉险而来，甚是劳顿，且当休养数日，然后进兵。”艾大怒曰：“兵贵神速，汝敢乱我军心耶！”喝令左右推出斩之，众将苦告方免。艾自驱兵至涪城，城内官吏军民疑从天降，尽皆投降。

蜀人飞报入成都。后主闻知，慌召黄皓问之。皓奏曰：“此诈传耳。神人必不肯误陛下也。”后主又宣师婆问时，却不知何处去了。此时远近告急表文，一似雪片，往来使者，联络不绝。后主设朝计议，多官面面相觑，并无一言。郤正出班奏曰：“事已急矣！陛下可宣武侯之子商议退兵之策。”原来武侯之子诸葛瞻，字思远，其母黄氏，即黄承彦之女也。母貌甚陋，而有奇才，上通天文，下察地理，凡韬略遁甲诸书，无所不晓。武侯在南阳时，闻其贤，求以为室。武侯之学，夫人多所赞助焉。及武侯死后，夫人寻逝，临终遗教，惟以忠孝勉其子瞻。瞻自幼聪敏，尚[2]后主女，为驸马都尉，后袭父武乡侯之爵。景耀四年，迁行军护卫将军。时为黄皓用事，故托病不出。当下后主从郤正之言，即时连发三诏，召瞻至殿下。后主泣诉曰：“邓艾兵已屯涪城，成都危矣。卿看先君之面，救朕之命！”瞻亦泣奏曰：“臣父子蒙先帝厚恩、陛下殊遇，虽肝脑涂地，不能补报。愿陛下尽发成都之兵，与臣领去决一死战。”后主即拨成都兵将七万与瞻。瞻辞了后主，整顿军马，聚集诸将问曰：“谁敢为先锋？”言未讫，一少年将出曰：“父亲既掌大权，儿愿为先锋。”众视之，乃瞻长子诸葛尚也。尚时年一十九岁，博览兵书，多习武艺。瞻大喜，遂命尚为先锋。是日，大军离了成都，来迎魏兵。

却说邓艾得马邈献地理图一本，备写涪城至成都三百六十里山川道路，阔狭险峻，一一分明。艾看毕，大惊曰：“若只守涪城，倘被蜀人据住前山，何能成功耶？如迁延日久，姜维兵到，我军危矣。”速唤师纂并子邓忠，分付曰：“汝等可引一军，星夜径去绵竹，以拒蜀兵，吾随后便至。切不可怠缓。若纵他先据了险要，决斩汝首！”

师、邓二人引兵将至绵竹，早遇蜀兵，两军各布成阵。师、邓二人勒马于门旗下，只见蜀兵列成八阵。三鼓罢，门旗两分，数十员将簇拥一辆四轮车，车上端坐一人：纶巾羽扇，鹤氅方裾。车傍展开一面黄旗，上书：“汉丞相诸葛武侯”。唬得师、邓二人汗流遍身，回顾军士曰：“原来孔明尚在，我等休矣！”

急勒兵回时，蜀兵掩杀将来，魏兵大败而走。蜀兵掩杀二十馀里，遇见邓艾援兵接应，两家各自收兵。艾升帐而坐，唤师纂、邓忠责之曰：“汝二人不战而退，何也？”忠曰：“但见蜀阵中诸葛孔明领兵，因此奔还。”艾怒曰：“纵使孔明更生，我何惧哉！汝等轻退，以致于败，宜速斩以正军法！”众皆苦劝，艾方息怒。令人哨探，回说孔明之子诸葛瞻为大将，瞻之子诸葛尚为先锋，车上坐者乃木刻孔明遗像也。

艾闻之，谓师纂、邓忠曰：“成败之机，在此一举。汝二人再不取胜，必当斩首！”师、邓二人又引一万兵来战。诸葛尚匹马单枪，抖擞精神，战退二人。诸葛瞻指挥两掖兵冲出，直撞入魏阵中，左冲右突，往来杀有数十番，魏兵大败，死者不计其数。师纂、邓忠中伤而逃，瞻驱士马随后掩杀二十馀里，扎营相拒。师纂、邓忠回见邓艾，艾见二人俱伤，未便加责，乃与众将商议曰：“蜀有诸葛瞻善继父志，两番杀吾万馀人马，今若不速破，后必为祸。”监军丘本曰：“何不作一书以诱之？”艾从其言，遂作书一封，遣使送入蜀寨。守门将引至帐下，呈上其书。瞻拆封视之，书曰：

征西将军邓艾，致书于行军护卫将军诸葛思远麾下：切观近代贤才，未有如公之尊父也。昔自出茅庐，一言已分三国，扫平荆、益，遂成霸业，古今鲜有及者，后六出祁山，非其智力不足，乃天数耳。今后主昏弱，王气已终，艾奉天子之命，以重兵伐蜀，已皆得其地矣。成都危在旦夕，公何不应天顺人，仗义来归？艾当表公为琅琊王，以光耀祖宗，决不虚言。幸存照鉴。

瞻看毕，勃然大怒，扯碎其书，叱武士立斩来使，令从者持首级回魏营见邓艾。艾大怒，即欲出战。丘本谏曰：“将军不可轻出，当用奇兵胜之。”艾从其言，遂令天水太守王颀、陇西太守牵弘，伏两军于后，艾自引兵而来。此时诸葛瞻正欲搦战，忽报邓艾自引兵到。瞻大怒，即引兵出，径杀入魏阵中。邓艾败走，瞻随后掩杀将来。忽然两下伏兵杀出，蜀兵大败，退入绵竹。艾令围之，于是魏兵一齐呐喊，将绵竹围的铁桶相似。

诸葛瞻在城中，见事势已迫，乃令彭和赍书杀出，往东吴求救。和至东吴，见了吴主孙休，呈上告急之书。吴主看罢，与群臣计议曰：“既蜀中危急，孤岂可坐视不救。”即令老将丁奉为主帅，丁封、孙异为副将，率兵五万，前往救蜀。丁奉领旨出师，分拨丁封、孙异引兵二万向沔中而进，自率兵三万向寿春而进，分兵三路来援。

却说诸葛瞻见救兵不至，谓众将曰：“久守非良图。”遂留子尚与尚书张遵守城，瞻自披挂上马，引三军大开三门杀出。邓艾见兵出，便撤兵退。瞻奋力追杀，忽然一声炮响，四面兵合，把瞻困在垓心。瞻引兵左冲右突，杀死数百人，艾令众军放箭射之，蜀兵四散。瞻中箭落马，乃大呼曰：“吾力竭矣，当以一死报国！”遂拔剑自刎而死。其子诸葛尚在城上，见父死于军中，勃然大怒，遂披挂上马。张遵谏曰：“小将军勿得轻出。”尚叹曰：“吾父子祖孙，荷国厚恩，今父既死于敌，我何用生为！”遂策马杀出，死于阵中。后人有诗赞瞻、尚父子曰：

不是忠臣独少谋，苍天有意绝炎刘。当年诸葛留嘉胤，节义真堪继武侯。

邓艾怜其忠，将父子合葬，乘虚攻打绵竹。张遵、黄崇、李球三人，各引一军杀出。蜀兵寡，魏兵众，三人亦皆战死，艾因此得了绵竹。劳军已毕，遂来取成都。正是：试观后主临危日，无异刘璋受逼时。未知成都如何守御，且看下文分解。

[1] 鱼贯——如水中游鱼结队而行，一个跟着一个。

[2] 尚——封建官僚或其子弟得与帝王之女婚配，不敢叫“娶”，叫做“尚”。尚是“高配”的意思。

CHAPTER 117. Deng Ai Gets Through The Yinping Mountains; Zhuge Zhan Falls In The Battlefield Of Mianzhu.

When Dong Jue, General Who Upholds the State, heard of the invasion of Wei in ten divisions, he brought to the frontier twenty thousand troops to Saber Pass. And when the dust showed an approaching army, Dong Jue thought it wise to go to the Pass lest the coming armies should be enemies to be stopped.

But Dong Jue found that the newcomers were Jiang Wei, Liao Hua, and Zhang Yi; he let them pass through and gave them the news from the capital, bad news of the deeds of both the Latter Ruler and Huang Hao.

“But do not grieve;” said Jiang Wei, “so long as I live, I will not allow Wei to come and conquer Shu.”

They kept good guard at Saber Pass, while they discussed future plans.

“Though we are holding this pass, yet Chengdu is well-nigh empty of soldiers,” said Dong Jue. “If it was attacked it would go crack!”

Jiang Wei replied, “The natural defenses of Chengdu are excellent; it is hard to cross over the mountains and climb the steep roads. No one need fear.”

Soon after this, Zhuge Xu appeared at the pass challenging the defenders. Jiang Wei forthwith placed himself at the head of five thousand troops and went down to meet the Wei army. He gained an easy victory, slaying many of the enemy and taking much spoil in horses and weapons.

While Jiang Wei went back to the pass, the defeated Zhuge Xu made his way to Zhong Hui's camp, seven miles away, to confess his failure. His general was very angry.

“My orders to you were to hold Yinping Bridge so as to stop Jiang Wei, and you lost it. Now without any orders you attack and are defeated.”

“Jiang Wei played so many deceitful tricks. He pretended to be going to take Yongzhou, and I thought that was very important, so I sent troops to rescue it. Then he meanly got away. I followed to the pass, but never thought he would come out and defeat my troops.”

Zhuge Xu pleaded thus, but he was sentenced to die.

Now Wei Guan, Army Inspector, said, “Zhuge Xu is really a subordinate of Deng Ai and, admitting that he is in fault, his punishment should not have been pronounced by you, O Commander.”

But Zhong Hui swaggeringly replied, “I have a command from the Emperor and orders from the Prime Minister to attack Shu; if Deng Ai himself offended, I would behead him.”

However, other leaders interceded for Zhuge Xu, and Zhong Hui did not put him to death, but sent him a caged prisoner to the capital to be judged. The surviving soldiers were added to Zhong Hui's army.

This insolent speech of Zhong Hui was duly repeated to Deng Ai, who was angry in his turn and said, “His rank and mine are the same. I have held a frontier post for years and sustained many fatigues in the country's service. Who is he that he gives himself such airs?”

His son Deng Zhong endeavored to appease his wrath.

“Father, if you cannot suffer small things, you may upset the grand policy of the state. Unfriendliness with him may do great harm, so I hope you will bear with him.”

Deng Ai saw his son was right, and said no more; but he nourished anger in his heart. With a small escort he went to call upon his colleague.

When his coming was announced, Zhong Hui asked his staff, “How many soldiers are following Deng Ai?”

“He has only some twenty horsemen,” they replied.

Zhong Hui had a large body of guards drawn up about his tent, and then gave orders that his visitor should be led in. Deng Ai dismounted, and the two men saluted each other. But the visitor did not like the look on the faces of his host's guards. He decided to find out what Zhong Hui was thinking.

“The capture of Hanzhong is a piece of excellent fortune for the state,” said Deng Ai. “The capture of Saber Pass can now be accomplished easily.”

“What is your own idea, General?” asked Zhong Hui.

Deng Ai tried to evade answering the question, but could not. Zhong Hui pressed him to reply.

Finally he said, “In my simple opinion one might proceed by by-roads from the pass through the Yinping Mountains to Deyang in Hanzhong, and thence make a surprise march to Chengdu. Jiang Wei must go to its defense, and you, General, can take the Saber Pass.”

“A very good plan,” said Zhong Hui. “You may start forthwith, and I will wait here till I hear news of your success.”

They drank, and Deng Ai took his leave. Zhong Hui went back to his own tent filled with contempt for Deng Ai's plan. which he thought impracticable.

“They say Deng Ai is able; I think he is of most ordinary capacity,” said he to his officers.

“But why?” said they.

“Because the by-roads by Yinping Mountains are impassable, nothing but lofty cliffs and steep hills. A hundred defenders at a critical point could cut all communications, and Deng Ai's army would starve to death. I shall go by the direct road, and there is no fear about the result. I shall overcome Shu.”

So he prepared scaling ladders and stone-throwing machines and set himself to besiege Saber Pass.

Deng Ai went out to the main gate of the court. While mounting, he said to his followers, “What did Zhong Hui think of me?”

“He looked as though he held a poor opinion of what you had said, General, and disagreed with you, although his words were fair enough.”

“He thinks I cannot take Chengdu; and so I will take it.”

He was received at his own camp by Shi Zuan and his son Deng Zhong, and a party of others of his generals, and they asked what the conversation had been about.

“I told Zhong Hui simple truth, but he thinks I am just a common person of no ability to speak of. He regards the capture of Hanzhong as an incomparable feat of arms. Where would he have been if I had not held up Jiang Wei? But I think the capture of Chengdu will beat that of Hanzhong.”

That night the camp was broken up, and they set out upon a long march along the mountainous paths. At a distance from Saber Pass they were to make a camp. Zhong Hui laughed at the attempt.

From his camp Deng Ai sent a letter to Sima Zhao. Then he called his officers to his tent and asked them, saying, “I am going to make a dash for Chengdu while it is still undefended, and success will mean unfading glory for us all. Will you follow me?”

“We will follow you and obey your orders,” cried they all.

So the final dispositions were made. Deng Zhong and three thousand troops went first to improve the road. His troops wore no armor, but they had axes and boring tools. They were to level roads and build bridges.

Next went thirty thousand troops furnished with dry grain and ropes. At every one hundred miles they were to make a post of three thousand.

In autumn of that year, they left Yinping, and in the tenth month they were in most precipitous country of the Yinping Mountains. They had taken twenty-seven days to travel two hundred and fifty miles. They were in an uninhabited country. After garrisoning the various posts on the way, they had only two thousand soldiers left. Before them stood a range named Heaven Cliffs, which no horse could ascend. Deng Ai climbed up on foot to see his son and the troops with him opening up a road. They were exhausted with fatigue and weeping.

Deng Ai asked why they were so sad, and his son replied, “We have found an impassable precipice away to the northwest which we cannot get through. All our labor has been in vain.”

Deng Ai said, “We have got over two hundred and fifty miles, and just beyond is Jiangyou. We cannot go back. How can one get tiger cubs except by going into tiger caves? Here we are, and it will be a very great feat to capture Chengdu.”

They all said they would go on. So they came to the precipice. First they threw over their weapons; then the leader wrapped himself in blankets and rolled over the edge, next the generals followed him, also wrapped in blankets. Those who had not blankets were let down by cords round the waist, and others clinging to trees followed one after another till all had descended and the Heaven Cliffs was passed. Then they retook their armor and weapons and went on their way.

They came across a stone by the roadside. It bore a mysterious inscription, translated literally it read:

“This stone is a message of Zhuge Liang the Prime Minister:

“Two fires were just founded; armies pass by here. Two soldiers compete; both soon die.”

(Two Lius were just founded, armies pass by here. Deng Ai and Zhong Hui compete; both soon die).

Deng Ai was astonished. Presently he bowed before the stone and prayed to the spirit of Zhuge Liang.

“O Martial Lord, immortal. I grieve that I am not thy worthy disciple.”

The rugged lofty mountain peaks

Of Yinping, pierce the sky,

The somber crane with wearied wing

Can scarcely over them fly.

Intrepid Deng Ai in blankets wrapped

Rolled down the craggy steep,

His feat Zhuge Liang prophesied

By insight wondrous deep.

Having crossed this great range of mountains without discovery, Deng Ai marched forward. Presently he came to a roomy camp, empty and deserted. He was told that while Zhuge Liang lived, a thousand troops had been kept in garrison at this point of danger, but the Latter Ruler had withdrawn them. Deng Ai sighed at the thought.

He said to his troops, “Now retreat is impossible, there is no road back. Before you lies Jiangyou with stores in abundance. Advance and you live, retreat and you die. You must fight with all your strength.”

“We will fight to the death!” they cried.

The leader was now afoot, doing double marches with his two thousand troops toward Jiangyou.

The commander at Jiangyou was Ma Miao. He heard the Eastern Land of Rivers had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Though some thing prepared for defense, yet his post had a wide area to cover and guard, and he trusted Jiang Wei would defend the Saber Pass. So he did not take his military duties very seriously, just maintaining the daily drills and then going home to his wife to cuddle up to the stove and drink.

His wife was of the Li family. When she heard of the state of things on the frontier, she said to her husband, “If there is so great danger on the borders, how is it you are so unaffected?”

“The affair is in Jiang Wei's hands and is not my concern,” replied he.

“Nevertheless, you finally have to guard the capital, and that is a heavy responsibility.”

“O, well! The Emperor trusts his favorite Huang Hao entirely and is sunk in vice and pleasure. Disaster is very near; and if the Wei armies get here, I shall yield. It is no good taking it seriously.”

“You call yourself a man! Have you such a disloyal and treacherous heart? Is it nothing to have held office and taken pay for years? How can I bear to look upon your face?”

Ma Miao was too ashamed to attempt to reply. Just then his house servants came to tell him that Deng Ai, with his two thousand troops, had found their way along some road and had already broken into the city.

Ma Miao was now frightened and hastily went out to find the leader and offer his formal submission. He went to the Town Hall and bowed on the steps, crying, “I have long desired to come over to Wei. Now I yield myself and my army and all the town.”

Deng Ai accepted his surrender and incorporated his army with his own force. He took Ma Miao into his service as guide.

Then came a servant with the news: “Lady Li has hanged herself!”

Deng Ai why she had done it, and Ma Miao told him. Deng Ai, admiring her rectitude, gave orders for an honorable burial. He also went in person to sacrifice. Everyone extolled her conduct.

When the Ruler of Shu had wandered from the way,

And the House of Han fell lower,

Heaven sent Deng Ai to smite the land.

Then did a woman show herself most noble,

So noble in conduct,

That no leader equaled her.

As soon as Jiangyou was taken, the posts along the road by which the army had come were withdrawn, and there was a general rendezvous at this point. This done, they marched toward Fucheng.

General Tian Xu remonstrated, saying, “We have just finished a long and perilous march and are weary and worn out. We ought to repose for a few days to recover.”

Deng Ai angrily replied, “Speed is the one important matter in war: do not encourage any discontent. I will not have it.”

Tian Xu was sentenced to death; but as many officers interceded for him, he was pardoned.

The army pressed on toward Fucheng. As soon as they arrived, the officers yielded as if they thought Deng Ai had fallen from the heavens. Some took the news to the capital, and the Latter Ruler began to feel alarmed. He hastily called for Huang Hao, who at once denied the report.

“That is just false rumor. The spirits would not deceive Your Majesty,” said Huang Hao.

The Latter Ruler summoned the wise woman to the Palace, but the messengers said she had gone no one knew whither. And now urgent memorials and letters fell in from every side like a snow storm, and messengers went to and fro in constant streams. The Latter Ruler called a court to discuss the danger, but no one had any plan or suggestion to offer. The courtiers just looked blankly into each other's faces.

Finally Xi Zheng spoke out, “In this extremity Your Majesty should call in the help of the son of the Martial Lord.”

This son of Zhuge Liang was named Zhuge Zhan. His mother was born of the Huang family and a daughter of Huang Chenyan. She was singularly plain and extraordinarily talented. She had studied everything, even books of strategy and magic. Zhuge Liang in Nanyang had married her because of her goodness, and she had shared his studies. She had survived her husband but a short time, and her last words to her son had been: be loyal and filial.

Zhuge Zhan had been known as a clever lad and had married a daughter of the Latter Ruler, so that he was an Imperial Son-in-Law. His father's rank, Lord of Wuxiang, had descended to him. In the fourth year of

Wonderful Sight (AD 262) Zhuge Zhan received the General rank in the guards as well. But he had retired when Huang Hao, the eunuch, as first favorite, began to direct state affairs.

As suggested, the Latter Ruler summoned Zhuge Zhan to court, and he said, weeping, “Deng Ai has defeated Fucheng, and the capital is seriously threatened. You must think of your father and rescue me.”

“My father and I owe too much to the First Ruler's and Your Majesty's kindness for me to think any sacrifice too great to make for Your Majesty. I pray that you give me command of the troops in the capital, and I will fight a decisive battle.”

So the soldiers, seventy thousand, were placed under Zhuge Zhan's command. When he had gathered all together, he said, “Who dares be Leader of the Van?”

His son, Zhuge Shang, then nineteen, offered himself, saying, “Since my father commands the army, I volunteer to lead the van.”

Zhuge Shang had studied military books and made himself an adept in the various exercises. So he was appointed, and the army marched to find the enemy.

In the meantime the surrender general, Ma Miao, had given Deng Ai a very complete map of the country showing the whole sixty miles of road to Chengdu. However, Deng Ai was dismayed when he saw the difficulties ahead of him.

“If they defend the hills in front, I shall fail; for if I am delayed, Jiang Wei will come up, and my army will be in great danger. The army must press on.”

He called Shi Zuan and his son Deng Zhong and said, “Lead one army straight to Mianzhu to keep back any Shu soldiers sent to stop our march. I will follow as soon as I can. But hasten; for if you let the enemy forestall you, I will put you to death.”

They went. Nearing Mianzhu they met the army under Zhuge Zhan. Both sides prepared for battle. The Shu armies adopted the Eight Diagrams formation and presently, after the usual triple roll of drums, Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong saw their opponents' ranks open in the center, and therefrom emerge a light carriage in which sat a figure looking exactly as Zhuge Liang used to look when he appeared on the battlefield. Everybody knew the Taoist robes and the feather fan. The standard bore his name and titles: “The Han Prime Minister Zhuge Liang”.

The sight was too much for Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan. The cold sweat of terror poured down them, and they stammered out.

“If Zhuge Liang is still alive, that is the end of us.”

They led their army to flee. The troops of Shu came on, and the army of Wei was driven away in defeat and chased a distance of seven miles. Then the pursuers sighted Deng Ai and they turned and retired.

When Deng Ai had camped, he called the two leaders before him and reproached them for retreating without fighting.

“We saw Zhuge Liang leading the enemy,” said Deng Zhong, “So we ran away.”

“Why should we fear, even if they bring Zhuge Liang to life again? You ran away without cause, and we have lost. You ought both to be put to death.”

However, they did not die, for their fellows pleaded for them, and Deng Ai's wrath was mollified. Then the scouts came in to say that the leader of the army was a son of Zhuge Liang, and they had set up on the carriage a wooden image of the late strategist.

Deng Ai, however, said to Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan, “This is the critical stage; and if you lose the next battle, you will certainly lose your lives with it.”

At the head of ten thousand troops, they went out to battle once more. This time they met the vanguard led by Zhuge Shang, who rode out alone, boldly offering to repulse the leaders of Wei. At Zhuge Zhan's signal the two wings advanced and threw themselves against the Wei line. The center portion of the Wei line met them, and the battle went to and fro many times, till at length the force of Wei, after great losses, had to give way. Both Deng Zhong and Shi Zuan being badly wounded, they fled and the army of Shu pursued and drove the invaders into their camp.

Shi Zuan and Deng Zhong had to acknowledge a new defeat, but, when Deng Ai saw both were severely wounded, he forbore to blame them or decree any penalty.

To his officers Deng Ai said, “This Zhuge Zhan well continues the paternal tradition. Twice they have beaten us and slain great numbers. We must defeat them, and that quickly, or we are lost.”

Then Military Inspector Qiu Ben said, “Why not persuade their leader with a letter?”

Deng Ai agreed and wrote a letter, which he sent by the hand of a messenger. The warden of the Shu camp gate led the messenger in to see Zhuge Zhan, who opened the letter and read:

“Deng Ai, General Who Conquers the West, writes to Zhuge Zhan, General of the Guard and Leader of the army in the field.

“Now having carefully observed your talent in attack, I see you are not equal to your most honored father. From the moment of his emergence from his retreat, he said that the country was to be in tripod division. He conquered Jingzhou and Yiazhou and thus established a position. Few have been his equal in all history. He made six expeditions from Qishan, and, if he failed, it was not that be lacked skill; it was the will of Heaven.

“But now this Latter Ruler is dull and weak, and his kingly aura is already exhausted. I have a command from the Son of Heaven to smite Shu with severity, and I already possess the land. Your capital must quickly fall. Why then do you not bow to the will of Heaven and fall in with the desires of people by acting rightly and coming over to our side? I will obtain the rank of Prince of Langye for you, whereby your ancestors will be rendered illustrious. These are no vain words if happily you will consider them.”

The letter made Zhuge Zhan furiously angry. He tore it to fragments and ordered the bearer thereof to be put to death immediately. He also ordered the escort to bear the head of the messenger to the camp of Wei and lay it before Deng Ai.

Deng Ai was very angry at this insult and wished to go forth at once to battle. But Qiu Ben dissuaded him.

“Do not go out to battle;” said he, “rather overcome him by some unexpected stroke.”

So Deng Ai laid his plans. He sent Wang Qi, Governor of Tianshui, and Qian Hong, Governor of Longxi, to lie in wait in the rear while he led the main body.

Zhuge Zhan happened to be close at hand seeking battle; and when he heard the enemy was near, he led out his army eagerly and rushed into the midst of the invaders. Then Deng Ai fled as though worsted, so luring on Zhuge Zhan. But when the pursuit had lasted some time, the pursuers were attacked by those who lay in wait, and the Shu troops were defeated. They ran away into Mianzhu.

Therefore Deng Ai besieged Mianzhu, and the troops of Wei shouted about the city and watched the ramparts, thus keeping the defenders close shut in as if held in an iron barrel.

Zhuge Zhan was desperate, seeing no way of escape without help from outside. Wherefore he wrote a letter to East Wu begging for assistance, and he gave this letter to Peng He to bear through the besiegers.

Peng He fought his way through and reached Wu, where he saw the Ruler of Wu, Sun Xiu. And he presented the letter showing the wretched plight of Zhuge Zhan and his urgent need.

Then the Ruler of Wu assembled his officers and said to them, “The land of Shu being in danger, I cannot sit and look on unconcerned.”

He therefore decided to send fifty thousand troops, over whom he set the Veteran General Ding Feng, with two able assistants—Sun Yi and Ding Fung. Having received his edict, Ding Feng sent away his commanders with twenty thousand troops to Mianzhu, and he himself went with thirty thousand troops toward Shouchun. The army marched in three divisions.

In the city of Mianzhu, Zhuge Zhan waited for the rescue which never came.

Weary of the hopeless delay, he said to his generals, “This long defense is useless; I will fight.”

Leaving his son Zhuge Shang and Adviser Zhang Zun (Zhang Fei's grandson) in the city, Zhuge Zhan put on his armor and led out three thousand troops through three gates to fight in the open. Seeing the defenders making a sortie, Deng Ai drew off and Zhuge Zhan pursued him vigorously, thinking Deng Ai really fled before his force. But there was an ambush, and falling therein he was quickly surrounded as is the kernel of a nut by the shell. In vain he thrust right and shoved left, he only lost his troops in the raining arrows and bolts. The troops of Wei poured in more flights of arrows, so that his army were all shattered. Before long, Zhuge Zhan was wounded and fell.

“I am done,” cried he. “But in my death I will do my duty!” He drew his sword and slew himself.

From the city walls his son Zhuge Shang saw the death of his father. Girding on his armor he made to go out to fight. But Zhang Zun told him, “Young general, do not go out immediately!”

Cried Zhuge Shang, “My father and I and all our family have received favors from the state. My father has died in battle against our enemies, and can I live?”

He whipped his horse and dashed out into the thick of the fight, where he died. A poem has been written extolling the conduct of both father and son.

In skill he was found wanting, not in loyalty;

But the Lord's word had gone forth,

That the Ruler of Shu was to be cut off,

Noble were Zhuge Liang's descendants.

In commiseration of their loyalty, Deng Ai had both father and son buried fittingly. Then he began attacking the city vigorously. Zhang Zun, Huang Chong, and Li Qiu, the defenders, however, held the city desperately, but to no avail for their numbers being small, and the three leaders were slain. This was the end of the defense, and Deng Ai then entered as conqueror. Having rewarded his army, he set out for Chengdu.

The closing days of the Latter Ruler were full of pain and sorrow,

As had been those of Liu Zhang.

The next chapter will tell of the defense of Chengdu.