第八十五回

第八十五回 刘先主遗诏托孤儿 诸葛亮安居平五路

却说章武二年夏六月，东吴陆逊大破蜀兵于猇亭彝陵之地，先主奔回白帝城，赵云引兵据守。忽马良至，见大军已败，懊悔不及，将孔明之言，奏知先主。先主叹曰：“朕早听丞相之言，不致今日之败！今有何面目复回成都见群臣乎！”遂传旨就白帝城住扎，将馆驿改为永安宫。人报冯习、张南、傅彤、程畿、沙摩柯等皆殁于王事，先主伤感不已。又近臣奏称：“黄权引江北之兵，降魏去了，陛下可将彼家属送有司问罪。”先主曰：“黄权被吴兵隔断在江北岸，欲归无路，不得已而降魏：是朕负权，非权负朕也。何必罪其家属？”仍给禄米以养之。

却说黄权降魏，诸将引见曹丕。丕曰：“卿今降朕，欲追慕于陈、韩[1]耶？”权泣而奏曰：“臣受蜀帝之恩，殊遇甚厚，令臣督诸军于江北，被陆逊绝断。臣归蜀无路，降吴不可，故来投陛下。败军之将，免死为幸，安敢追慕于古人耶！”丕大喜，遂拜黄权为镇南将军，权坚辞不受。忽近臣奏曰：“有细作人自蜀中来，说蜀主将黄权家属尽皆诛戮。”权曰：“臣与蜀主，推诚相信，知臣本心，必不肯杀臣之家小也。”丕然之。后人有诗责黄权曰：

降吴不可却降曹，忠义安能事两朝？堪叹黄权惜一死，紫阳书法不轻饶。

曹丕问贾诩曰：“朕欲一统天下，先取蜀乎？先取吴乎？”诩曰：“刘备雄才，更兼诸葛亮善能治国；东吴孙权，能识虚实，陆逊现屯兵于险要，隔江泛湖，皆难卒谋。以臣观之，诸将之中，皆无孙权、刘备敌手。虽以陛下天威临之，亦未见万全之势也。只可持守，以待二国之变。”丕曰：“朕已遣三路大兵伐吴，安有不胜之理？”尚书刘晔曰：“近东吴陆逊，新破蜀兵七十万，上下齐心，更有江湖之阻，不可卒制，陆逊多谋，必有准备。”丕曰：“卿前劝朕伐吴，今又谏阻，何也？”晔曰：“时有不同也。昔东吴累败于蜀，其势顿挫，故可击耳；今既获全胜，锐气百倍，未可攻也。”丕曰：“朕意已决，卿勿复言。”遂引御林军亲往接应三路兵马。早有哨马报说东吴已有准备，令吕范引兵拒住曹休，诸葛瑾引兵在南郡拒住曹真，朱桓引兵当住濡须以拒曹仁。刘晔曰：“既有准备，去恐无益。”丕不从，引兵而去。

却说吴将朱桓，年方二十七岁，极有胆略，孙权甚爱之，时督军于濡须。闻曹仁引大军去取羡溪，桓遂尽拨军守把羡溪去了，止留五千骑守城。忽报曹仁令大将常雕同诸葛虔、王双，引五万精兵飞奔濡须城来，众军皆有惧色，桓按剑而言曰：“胜负在将，不在兵之多寡。兵法云：‘客兵倍而主兵半者，主兵尚能胜于客兵。’今曹仁千里跋涉，人马疲困。吾与汝等，共据高城，南临大江，北背山险，以逸待劳，以主制客，此乃百战百胜之势。虽曹丕自来，尚不足忧，况仁等耶！”于是传令，教众军偃旗息鼓，只作无人守把之状。

且说魏将先锋常雕，领精兵来取濡须城，遥望城上并无军马。雕催军急进，离城不远，一声炮响，旌旗齐竖。朱桓横刀飞马而出，直取常雕。战不三合，被桓一刀斩常雕于马下。吴兵乘势冲杀一阵，魏兵大败，死者无数。朱桓大胜，得了无数旌旗军器战马。曹仁领兵随后到来，却被吴兵从羡溪杀出，曹仁大败而退。回见魏主，细奏大败之事，丕大惊。正议之间，忽探马报：“曹真、夏侯尚围了南郡，被陆逊伏兵于内，诸葛瑾伏兵于外，内外夹攻，因此大败。”言未毕，忽探马又报：“曹休亦被吕范杀败。”丕听知三路兵败，乃喟然叹曰：“朕不听贾诩、刘晔之言，果有此败！”时值夏天，大疫流行，马步军十死六七，遂引军回洛阳。吴、魏自此不和。

却说先主在永安宫，染病不起，渐渐沉重。至章武三年夏四月，先主自知病入四肢，又哭关、张二弟，其病愈深，两目昏花，厌见侍从之人，乃叱退左右，独卧于龙榻之上。忽然阴风骤起，将灯吹摇，灭而复明。只见灯影之下，二人侍立。先主怒曰：“朕心绪不宁，教汝等且退，何故又来！”叱之不退。先主起而视之，上首乃云长，下首乃翼德也。先主大惊曰：“二弟原来尚在？”云长曰：“臣等非人，乃鬼也。上帝以臣二人平生不失信义，皆敕命为神。哥哥与兄弟聚会不远矣。”先主扯定大哭。忽然惊觉，二弟不见。即唤从人问之，时正三更。先主叹曰：“朕不久于人世矣！”遂遣使往成都，请丞相诸葛亮、尚书令李严等，星夜来永安宫，听受遗命。孔明等与先主次子鲁王刘永、梁王刘理，来永安宫见帝，留太子刘禅守成都。

且说孔明到永安宫，见先主病危，慌忙拜伏于龙榻之下。先主传旨，请孔明坐于龙榻之侧，抚其背曰：“朕自得丞相，幸成帝业。何期智识浅陋，不纳丞相之言，自取其败，悔恨成疾，死在旦夕。嗣子孱弱，不得不以大事相托。”言讫，泪流满面。孔明亦涕泣曰：“愿陛下善保龙体，以副天下之望！”先主以目遍视，只见马良之弟马谡在傍，先主令且退。谡退出，先主谓孔明曰：“丞相观马谡之才何如？”孔明曰：“此人亦当世之英才也。”先主曰：“不然。朕观此人，言过其实，不可大用。丞相宜深察之。”分付毕，传旨召诸臣入殿，取纸笔写了遗诏，递与孔明而叹曰：“朕不读书，粗知大略。圣人云：‘鸟之将死，其鸣也哀；人之将死，其言也善。’朕本待与卿等同灭曹贼，共扶汉室，不幸中道而别。烦丞相将诏付与太子禅，令勿以为常言。凡事更望丞相教之！”孔明等泣拜于地曰：“愿陛下将息龙体！臣等尽施犬马之劳，以报陛下知遇之恩也。”先主命内侍扶起孔明，一手掩泪，一手执其手，曰：“朕今死矣，有心腹之言相告！”孔明曰：“有何圣谕？”先主泣曰：“君才十倍曹丕，必能安邦定国，终定大事。若嗣子可辅则辅之，如其不才，君可自为成都之主。”孔明听毕，汗流遍体，手足失措，泣拜于地曰：“臣安敢不竭股肱之力，效忠贞之节，继之以死乎！”言讫，叩头流血。先主又请孔明坐于榻上，唤鲁王刘永、梁王刘理近前，分付曰：“尔等皆记朕言：朕亡之后，尔兄弟三人，皆以父事丞相，不可怠慢。”言罢，遂命二王同拜孔明。二王拜毕，孔明曰：“臣虽肝脑涂地，安能报知遇之恩也！”

先主谓众官曰：“朕已托孤于丞相，令嗣子以父事之。卿等俱不可怠慢，以负朕望。”又嘱赵云曰：“朕与卿于患难之中，相从到今，不想于此地分别。卿可想朕故交，早晚看觑[2]吾子，勿负朕言。”云泣拜曰：“臣敢不效犬马之劳！”先主又谓众官曰：“卿等众官，朕不能一一分嘱，愿皆自爱。”言毕驾崩，寿六十三岁。时章武三年夏四月二十四日也。后杜工部有诗叹曰：

蜀主窥吴向三峡，崩年亦在永安宫。翠华想像空山外，玉殿虚无野寺中。古庙杉松巢水鹤，岁时伏腊走村翁。武侯祠屋长邻近，一体君臣祭祀同。

先主驾崩，文武官僚，无不哀痛。孔明率众官奉梓宫[3]还成都，太子刘禅出城迎接灵柩，安于正殿之内。举哀行礼毕，开读遗诏。诏曰：

朕初得疾，但下痢耳，后转生杂病，殆不自济。朕闻“人年五十，不称夭寿”。今朕年六十有馀，死复何恨？但以卿兄弟为念耳。勉之！勉之！勿以恶小而为之，勿以善小而不为。惟贤惟德，可以服人，卿父德薄，不足效也。卿与丞相从事，事之如父，勿怠！勿忘！卿兄弟更求闻达。至嘱！至嘱！

群臣读诏已毕，孔明曰：“国不可一日无君。请立嗣君，以承汉统。”乃立太子禅即皇帝位，改元建兴。加诸葛亮为武乡侯，领益州牧。葬先主于惠陵，谥曰昭烈皇帝。尊皇后吴氏为皇太后，谥甘夫人为昭烈皇后，糜夫人亦追谥为皇后。升赏群臣，大赦天下。

早有魏军探知此事，报入中原，近臣奏知魏主，曹丕大喜曰：“刘备已亡，朕无忧矣。何不乘其国中无主，起兵伐之？”贾诩谏曰：“刘备虽亡，必托孤于诸葛亮。亮感备知遇之恩，必倾心竭力，扶持嗣主。陛下不可仓卒伐之。”正言间，忽一人从班部中奋然而出曰：“不乘此时进兵，更待何时？”众视之，乃司马懿也。丕大喜，遂问计于懿。懿曰：“若只起中国之兵，急难取胜。须用五路大兵，四面夹攻，令诸葛亮首尾不能救应，然后可图。”

丕问何五路，懿曰：“可修书一封，差使往辽东鲜卑国，见国王轲比能，赂以金帛，令起辽西羌兵十万，先从旱路取西平关：此一路也。再修书遣使赍官诰赏赐，直入南蛮，见蛮王孟获，令起兵十万，攻打益州、永昌、牂牁、越巂四郡，以击西川之南：此二路也。再遣使入吴修好，许以割地，令孙权起兵十万，攻两川峡口，径取涪城：此三路也。又可差使至降将孟达处，起上庸兵十万，西攻汉中：此四路也。然后命大将军曹真为大都督，提兵十万，由京兆径出阳平关取西川：此五路也。共大兵五十万，五路并进，诸葛亮便有吕望之才，安能当此乎？”丕大喜，随即密遣能言官四员为使前去，又命曹真为大都督，领兵十万径取阳平关。此时张辽等一班旧将，皆封列侯，俱在冀、徐、青及合淝等处，据守关津隘口，故不复调用。

却说蜀汉后主刘禅，自即位以来，旧臣多有病亡者，不能细说。凡一应朝廷选法、钱粮、词讼等事，皆听诸葛丞相裁处。时后主未立皇后，孔明与群臣上言曰：“故车骑将军张飞之女甚贤，年十七岁，可纳为正宫皇后。”后主即纳之。

建兴元年秋八月，忽有边报说：“魏调五路大兵，来取西川：第一路，曹真为大都督，起兵十万，取阳平关；第二路，乃反将孟达，起上庸兵十万，犯汉中；第三路，乃东吴孙权，起精兵十万，取峡口入川；第四路，乃蛮王孟获，起蛮兵十万，犯益州四郡；第五路，乃番王轲比能，起羌兵十万，犯西平关。此五路军马，甚是利害。已先报知丞相，丞相不知为何，数日不出视事。”后主听罢大惊，即差近侍赍旨，宣召孔明入朝。使命去了半日，回报：“丞相府下人言，丞相染病不出。”后主转慌。次日，又命黄门侍郎董允、谏议大夫杜琼，去丞相卧榻前告此大事。董、杜二人到丞相府前，皆不得入。杜琼曰：“先帝托孤于丞相，今主上初登宝位，被曹丕五路兵犯境，军情至急，丞相何故推病不出？”良久，门吏传丞相令，言：“病体稍可，明早出都堂议事。”董、杜二人叹息而回。次日，多官又来丞相府前伺候。从早至晚，又不见出。多官惶惶，只得散去。杜琼入奏后主曰：“请陛下圣驾，亲往丞相府问计。”后主即引多官入宫，启奏皇太后。太后大惊，曰：“丞相何故如此？有负先帝委托之意也！我当自往。”董允奏曰：“娘娘未可轻往。臣料丞相必有高明之见，且待主上先往。如果怠慢，请娘娘于太庙中，召丞相问之未迟。”太后依奏。

次日，后主车驾亲至相府。门吏见驾到，慌忙拜伏于地而迎。后主问曰：“丞相在何处？”门吏曰：“不知在何处。只有丞相钧旨，教挡住百官，勿得辄入。”后主乃下车步行，独进第三重门，见孔明独倚竹杖，在小池边观鱼。后主在后立久，乃徐徐而言曰：“丞相安乐否？”孔明回顾，见是后主，慌忙弃杖，拜伏于地曰：“臣该万死！”后主扶起，问曰：“今曹丕分兵五路，犯境甚急，相父[4]缘何不肯出府视事？”孔明大笑，扶后主入内室坐定，奏曰：“五路兵至，臣安得不知？臣非观鱼，有所思也。”后主曰：“如之奈何？”孔明曰：“羌王轲比能，蛮王孟获，反将孟达，魏将曹真，此四路兵，臣已皆退去了也。止有孙权这一路兵，臣已有退之之计，但须一能言之人为使。因未得其人，故熟思之。陛下何必忧乎？”

后主听罢，又惊又喜，曰：“相父果有鬼神不测之机也！愿闻退兵之策。”孔明曰：“先帝以陛下付托与臣，臣安敢旦夕怠慢。成都众官皆不晓兵法之妙，贵在使人不测，岂可泄漏于人？老臣先知西番国王轲比能引兵犯西平关，臣料马超积祖西川人氏，素得羌人之心，羌人以超为神威天将军，臣已先遣一人，星夜驰檄，令马超紧守西平关，伏四路奇兵，每日交换，以兵拒之：此一路不必忧矣。又南蛮孟获兵犯四郡，臣亦飞檄遣魏延领一军左出右入，右出左入，为疑兵之计，蛮兵惟凭勇力，其心多疑，若见疑兵，必不敢进：此一路又不足忧矣。又知孟达引兵出汉中，达与李严曾结生死之交，臣回成都时，留李严守永安宫，臣已作一书，只做李严亲笔，令人送与孟达，达必然推病不出，以慢军心：此一路又不足忧矣。又知曹真引兵犯阳平关，此地险峻，可以保守，臣已调赵云引一军守把关隘，并不出战，曹真若见我军不出，不久自退矣。此四路兵俱不足忧。臣尚恐不能全保，又密调关兴、张苞二将，各引兵三万，屯于紧要之处，为各路救应。此数处调遣之事，皆不曾经由成都，故无人知觉。只有东吴这一路兵，未必便动。如见四路兵胜，川中危急，必来相攻，若四路不济，安肯动乎？臣料孙权想曹丕三路侵吴之怨，必不肯从其言。虽然如此，须用一舌辩之士，径往东吴，以利害说之，则先退东吴，其四路之兵，何足忧乎？但未得说吴之人，臣故踌躇。何劳陛下圣驾来临？”后主曰：“太后亦欲来见相父。今朕闻相父之言，如梦初觉，复何忧哉！”

孔明与后主共饮数杯，送后主出府。众官皆环立于门外，见后主面有喜色。后主别了孔明，上御车回朝，众皆疑惑不定。孔明见众官中，一人仰天而笑，面亦有喜色。孔明视之，乃义阳新野人，姓邓，名芝，字伯苗，现为户部尚书，汉司马邓禹之后。孔明暗令人留住邓芝。多官皆散，孔明请芝到书院中，问芝曰：“今蜀、魏、吴鼎分三国，欲讨二国，一统中兴，当先伐何国？”芝曰：“以愚意论之，魏虽汉贼，其势甚大，急难摇动，当徐徐缓图。今主上初登宝位，民心未安，当与东吴连合，结为唇齿，一洗先帝旧怨，此乃长久之计也。未审丞相钧意若何？”孔明大笑曰：“吾思之久矣，奈未得其人，今日方得也！”芝曰：“丞相欲其人何为？”孔明曰：“吾欲使人往结东吴。公既能明此意，必能不辱君命。使乎之任[5]，非公不可。”芝曰：“愚才疏智浅，恐不堪当此任。”孔明曰：“吾来日奏知天子，便请伯苗一行，切勿推辞。”芝应允而退。至次日，孔明奏准后主，差邓芝往说东吴。芝拜辞，望东吴而来。正是：吴人方见干戈息，蜀使还将玉帛[6]通。未知邓芝此去若何，且看下文分解。

[1] 陈、韩——即陈平、韩信。二人原来都是项羽的部下，后来投奔刘邦，帮助刘邦攻灭项羽，成为汉朝的开国功臣。

[2] 看觑（qù）——看顾、照料的意思。

[3] 梓（zǐ）宫——指皇帝的尸柩。

[4] 相父——皇帝对任宰相的元老表示“事之如父”的称呼。

[5] 使乎之任——这是一句调文的话，意思是：能够非常称职地完成使命的人选。春秋时，孔丘很欣赏卫大夫蘧伯玉派来的使者话说得得体，曾赞叹说：“使乎，使乎！”见《论语·宪问》。

[6] 玉帛——统指玉器、织物等财货，是古代两国和好通使时的礼品。因此玉帛一词与干戈一词相对待，表示停止战争，和好相处。

CHAPTER 85. The First Ruler Confides His Son To The Guardian's Care; Zhuge Liang Calmly Settles The Five Attacks.

In summer, the sixth month of the second year of Manifest Might (AD 221) Lu Xun destroyed the army of Shu at Yiling. The First Ruler sought refuge in Baidicheng, of which Zhao Yun then undertook the defense. When Ma Liang returned only to find his lord defeated, he was more distressed than he could say. He announced what Zhuge Liang had said concerning the plans.

The First Ruler sighed, saying, “If I had listened to the Prime Minister's advice, the defeat would not have happened. Now how can I face a return to my capital?”

So he promulgated a command to change the guest-house into the Palace of Eternal Peace. He was deeply grieved when they told him of the deaths Feng Xi, Cheng Ji, Fu Tong, Zhang Nan, King Shamo Ke, and many of his generals.

Next he heard people say: “Huang Quan, who had been given command of the army on the north bank, had given in to Wei. Your Majesty should deliver his whole family to the authority and hold them responsible for the renegade.”

But the First Ruler only said, “The army was quite cut off by Wu from the south bank, and he had no alternative but to surrender. Really, I betrayed him, not he me. Why should I take vengeance on his family?”

So he continued the issue of the renegade's pay to his family.

When Huang Quan surrendered, he was led into the presence of Cao Pi, who said, “You have surrendered to me because you desired to imitate the admirable conduct of Chen Ping and Han Xin of old.”

But Huang Quan replied, weeping, “The Ruler of Shu has been very kind to me, and he gave me the leadership of the army on the North of the Great River. Lu Xun cut me off so that I could not return to Shu, and I would not surrender to Wu, wherefore I have yielded to Your Majesty. Defeated as I am, I should be only too happy if my life were spared, but I have no claim to the credit of the virtuous ones of old.”

The reply satisfied the Ruler of Wei, and he conferred on him the title General Who Guards the South. But Huang Quan, however, declined the offer.

Then one of the courtiers said, “A spy has reported that all of your family have been put to death by the Ruler of Shu.”

But the leader replied that he could not believe it.

“I have the greatest confidence in the clemency of the Ruler of Shu. He knows I would not have surrendered of my own free will, and he would not injure my family.”

And the Ruler of Wei agreed with his opinion. A poem has been written upbraiding Huang Quan:

That was a pity that Huang Quan grudged to die;

Though he yielded to Wei, not Wu,

Yet he crooked the knee in an alien court.

Which the loyal cannot do.

Cao Pi sought advice from Jia Xu concerning his design of bringing the whole country under his own rule.

“I wish to bring the whole empire under my rule; which shall I first reduce, Shu or Wu?”

“Liu Bei is an able warrior, and Zhuge Liang is a most capable administrator; Sun Quan possesses discrimination, and his general, Lu Xun, occupies all the strategic positions of importance. The natural obstacles, the intervening rivers and spreading lakes, would be hard to overcome. I do not think you have any leader to match either of these two men. Even with the prestige of Your Majesty's own presence, no one could guarantee the result. The better course is to hold on and await the outcome of the struggle between those two.”

“I have already dispatched three armies against Wu; can it be that they will fail?”

The Chair of the Secretariat, Liu Ye, held the same opinion as his colleague. Said he, “Lu Xun has just won a great victory over the great host of Shu, and all his army is full of confidence. Further, there are the lakes and the rivers, which are natural difficulties hard to cope with. And again, Lu Xun is resourceful and well prepared.”

The Ruler of Wei said, “Formerly, Sir, you urged me to attack Wu; why do you now give contrary advice?”

“Because times have changed. When Wu was suffering defeat after defeat, the country was depressed and might be smitten. Now this great victory has changed all that, and their morale has increased a hundred times. I say now they may not be attacked.”

“Well; but I have decided to attack. So say no more,” said the Ruler of Wei.

He then led the Imperial Guards out to support his three armies. But the scouts soon brought news justifying the opinion of his advisers: “A force of Wu has been sent to oppose each of our three armies. Lu Fan leads an army against Cao Xiu at Dongkou, Zhuge Jin against Cao Zhen at Nanjun, and Zhu Huan against Cao Ren at Ruxu.”

Liu Ye pointed this out and again said, “Wu has prepared, and no success can be expected.”

Still Cao Pi was obstinate, and marched.

The Wu leader, Zhu Huan, who had been sent against Cao Ren at Ruxu, was a young man of twenty-seven. He was bold and resourceful, and Sun Quan held him in great regard. Hearing that Cao Ren was going to attack Xianxi, Zhu Huan led the bulk of his troops to defend it, leaving only five thousand troops in Ruxu. Then he heard that the van of the enemy, fifty thousand under Commander Chang Diao, with the aid of Zhuge Qian and Wang Shuang, had made a dash for Ruxu, so he hastened back and found the officers were in great fear.

Drawing his sword, he made a speech, “Success depends upon the leader rather than on the number of soldiers. The Art of War says that the value of one soldier who inhabits the place equals that of two soldiers who come from afar; and those who are in possession, however in small number, can overcome those who come from afar. Now the enemy is weary from a long march, and I and you, my men, can hold this place together. We have the Great River to defend us on the south, and we are backed by the mountains on the north. Success should be ours easily, and we are as hosts at home awaiting the arrival of our weary visitors. This will give us victory in every fight. Even if Cao Pi comes, we need feel no anxiety. How much less care we for Cao Ren and his troops?”

Zhu Huan he issued orders to furl all the banners and to silence all the drums as if the city was empty of defenders.

In time, Chang Diao and his veterans of the van came to the city. Not a person was visible, and he hastened forward with all speed. But as he neared the city, suddenly a bomb went off. Immediately up rose a forest of flags, and out dashed Zhu Huan with his sword drawn. And he made for Chang Diao. In the third encounter Zhu Huan cut down Chang Diao, and the troops of Wu, rushing to the attack, thoroughly routed the invaders, slaying innumerable soldiers. Beside scoring a complete victory, Zhu Huan took much spoil of flags and weapons and horses.

Cao Ren himself, coming up later, was attacked by the troops from Xianxi and was also routed. He fled home to his master with the news of defeat and destruction.

And before the Ruler of Wei could decide what course to take in regard to this loss, the news came of the defeat of his another army: “Cao Zhen and Xiahou Shang were besieging Nanjun when Zhuge Jin from within and Lu Xun from without attacked in concert. The two generals suffered a great loss.”

Immediately, another report came: “Cao Xiu has been defeated by Lu Fan at Dongkou.”

So all three had failed and were lost, and Cao Pi sighed and said sadly, “This has come from my willfulness and neglect of advice of Jia Xu and Liu Ye.”

The summer of that year was very unhealthy, and a pestilence swept away the soldiers more than half the number. So they were marched home to Capital Luoyang. The two countries were at enmity though they were not fighting.

Meanwhile the First Ruler was failing. He remained in his Palace of Eternal Peace and presently was confined to his couch. Gradually he became worse, and in the fourth moon of the third year of Manifest Might (AD 222) his condition became serious. He himself felt the end was near, and he was depressed and wept for his two lost brothers till the sight of his eyes suffered. He was morose and ill-tempered: he could not bear any of his court near him, drove away his servants and lay upon his couch sad and solitary.

One evening as thus he lay, a sudden gust of wind came into the chamber, almost extinguishing the candles. As they burned bright again, he saw two men standing in the shade behind them.

“I told you I was worried,” said the First Ruler, “and bade you leave me; why have you come back? Go!”

But they remained and did not go. Wherefore the First Ruler rose and went over to look at them. As he drew near he saw one was Guan Yu and the other Zhang Fei.

“Are you still alive, then, brothers?” said he.

“We are not men; we are shades,” said Guan Yu. “The Supreme One has conferred spirithood upon us in consideration of our faithfulness throughout life, and ere long, Brother, we three shall be together again.” The First Ruler clutched at the figures and burst into tears; then he awoke. The two figures were no longer there. He called in his people and asked the hour; they told him the third watch.

“I am not much longer for this world,” said he with a sigh.

Messengers were sent to Capital Chengdu to summon the Prime Minister and other high officers of state to receive the Emperor's last instructions. They came, Zhuge Liang bringing the two younger sons, Prince of Lu Liu Yung and Prince of Liang Liu Li. The eldest, the heir-apparent, was left in charge of the capital.

Zhuge Liang saw at once that his master was very ill. He bowed to the ground at the foot of the Dragon Couch.

The dying Emperor bade him come near and sit beside him, and he patted his Minister on the back, saying, “The attainment of emperorship was your work. Little thought you that I should prove so stupid as not to follow your advice and so bring about the late disasters. But I am deeply sorry, and now I shall not live long. My heir is a degenerate, but I must leave him to do the best he can with the great inheritance.”

And the tears flowed in streams.

“I trust Your Majesty will fulfill the hopes of the people by a speedy recovery,” said Zhuge Liang, also in tears.

Turning his head, the First Ruler saw Ma Su, Ma Liang's brother, at the bedside. He bade him retire.

When Ma Su had left the chamber, the First Ruler said, “Do you think Ma Su is clever?”

“He is one of the ablest people in the world,” said Zhuge Liang.

“I do not think so. I think his words exceed his deeds. Do not make much use of him. Watch him carefully.”

Having said this, he bade them summon the high officers of state to the chamber. Taking paper and pen, the First Ruler wrote his testament.

He handed it to the Prime Minister with a sigh and said, “I am no great scholar, and I only know the rough outlines of what should be known. But the Teacher has said: 'A bird's song is sad when death is near, and a dying person's words are good.' I was waiting that we might aid each other in the destruction of the Caos and the restoration of the Hans, but ere the work is complete I am called away, and this last command of mine I confide to you as Prime Minister to be handed to my son and heir, Liu Shan. My words are to be taken seriously. I trust that you will instruct and guide my son.”

Zhuge Liang and all those present wept and prostrated themselves, saying, “We pray Your Majesty repose yourself. We will do our utmost whereby to prove our gratitude for the kindness we have received.”

At the First Ruler's command the attendants raised Zhuge Liang from the earth. With one hand the dying man brushed away the falling tears, while with the other he grasped Zhuge Liang's hand and said, “The end is near; I have something more to say as to a close general.”

“What holy command has Your Majesty to give?”

“You are many times more clever than Cao Pi, and you must safeguard the kingdom and complete the great work. If my son can be helped, help him. But if he proves a fool, then take the throne yourself and be a ruler.”

Such a speech almost startled Zhuge Liang out of his senses. A cold sweat broke out all over his body, and his limbs threatened to cease to support him.

He fell on his knees, saying, “I could never do otherwise than wear myself to the bone in the service of your son, whom I will serve till death.”

He knocked his head upon the ground till blood ran down. The dying man called Zhuge Liang closer, and at the same time making his two sons come near, he said to them, “My sons, remember your father's words. After my death you are to treat the Prime Minister as you would your father and be not remiss, for thereby you will fulfill your father's hopes.”

He made the two Princes pay to Zhuge Liang the obeisance due to a father.

Said Zhuge Liang, “Were I destroyed and ground into the earth, I should be unable to repay the kindness I have experienced.”

Turning to the assembled officers, the First Ruler said, “As you have seen, I have confided my orphan son to the care of the Prime Minister and bidden my sons treat him as a father. You too, Sirs, are to treat him with deference. This is my dying request and charge to you.”

Turning to Zhao Yun, he said, “You and I have gone together through many dangers and difficulties. Now comes the parting of our ways. You will not forget our old friendship, and you must see to it that my sons follow my precepts.”

“I shall never dare to give other than my best,” said Zhao Yun. “The fidelity of the dog and horse is mine to give and shall be theirs.”

Then the First Ruler turned to the others, “Noble Sirs, I am unable to speak to you one by one and lay a charge upon each individual; but I say to you: Maintain your self-respect.”

These were his last words. He was sixty-three, and he died on the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month (AD 222). A poem was written by Du Fu on his death:

The Emperor set out to destroy the land that lay through the Three Gorges,

Failed he and breathed his last in the palace of Eternal Peace,

The palace fair of his thoughts lay not this side the highlands.

Beautiful chambers are vainly sought in his rural temple,

Now are the pines near his shrine nesting places for herons,

Through the courts aged peasants saunter, enjoying their leisure,

Nearby often is found a shrine to this strategist famous,

Prince and minister's needs are now but offerings in season.

Thus died the First Ruler. All present lifted up their voices and wept.

The Prime Minister led the procession that escorted the coffin to the capital, and the heir, Liu Shan, came to the outskirts of the city, as a dutiful son should, to receive the remains with due respect. The coffin was laid in the Great Hall of the palace, wherein they lamented and performed the ceremonies appointed. At the end of these the testament was opened and read: “I first fell ill from a simple ailment. Other disorders followed, and it became evident that I should not recover.

“They say that death at fifty cannot be called premature; and as I have passed three score, I may not resent the call. But when I think of you and your brothers I regret. Now I say to you, strive and strive again. Do no evil because it is a small evil; do not leave undone a small good because it is a small good. Only with wisdom and virtue people can be won. But your father's virtue was but slender, and do not imitate.

“After my death you are to conduct the affairs of the state with the Prime Minister. You are to treat him as a father and serve him without remissness. You and your brothers are to seek instructions. This is my final and simple command.”

When this had been read, Zhuge Liang said, “The state cannot go a single day without a ruler, wherefore I beg you to install the heir as successor to the great line of the Hans.”

Thereupon the ceremony was performed, and the new Emperor took his place. The style of the reign was changed to “Beginning Prosperity.” Zhuge Liang was made Lord of Wuxiang and Imperial Protector of Yiazhou.

Then they buried the late Emperor at Huiling with the posthumous style of Liu Bei the Glorious Emperor.

The Empress, of the Wu family, was formally created Empress Dowager. The late Consort Gan became the Glorious Empress, and the Lady Mi was granted similar, also posthumous, rank. There were promotions in rank and rewards for all, and a general amnesty was proclaimed.

Before long, knowledge of these things came to the Middle Land, and a report was sent to Capital Luoyang and made known to the Ruler of Wei.

Cao Pi felt relieved and was glad of the death of his rival, saying, “Liu Bei is dead: I am no longer worried. An attack during the critical moment can bring a victory over Shu.”

But Jia Xu dissuaded him, saying, “Liu Bei is gone, but surely he has confided the care of the state to Zhuge Liang, who is indebted to him so deeply. He will exhaust every effort to support his young lord. You may not hastily attack.”

As Jia Xu tendered this remonstrance, a man suddenly stepped out from the serried ranks of courtiers and said fiercely, “If you neglect this moment, can you expect a more favorable opportunity?”

All eyes turned to the speaker; it was Sima Yi.

The interruption greatly pleased Cao Pi, who at once asked how it was to be done. He propounded his plan in the following speech: “It would be very difficult to obtain success with our own resources. Hence we must use five armies and attack all round at the same time, so as to divide Zhuge Liang.”

“Where are the five armies to come from?” said Cao Pi.

Sima Yi went on, “The first is to be got from Liaodong, from the Xianbi State. You must write to King Kebi Neng and send him presents of gold and silks so that he may send one hundred thousand Qiang troops from Liaoxi to attack Xiping Pass. Secondly, the king of the Mang Tribes, Meng Huo, must be persuaded to lead one hundred thousand troops to attack the south of Shu—Yiazhou, Yongchang, Zangge, and Yuesui. Thirdly, you must send an ambassador to Wu with fair promises of an increase of territory, and so induce Sun Quan to march one hundred thousand troops to the attack of the Three Gorges, making Fucheng his objective. The fourth army can be got from General Meng Da in Shangyong, who can muster one hundred thousand troops to attack Hanzhong. Lastly, our own force of one hundred thousand troops may be placed under Cao Zhen, who will attack by way of Yangping Pass. With five hundred thousand troops making simultaneous attacks along five different directions, it would be hard for Zhuge Liang to hold his own, even if he had the talent of Lu Wang himself.”

The scheme delighted Cao Pi, who at once cast about for four glib-tongued messengers. He also issued a commission to Cao Zhen as Commander-in-Chief with the order to take Yangping Pass.

At this time Zhang Liao and most others of the veterans who had served Cao Cao were keeping watch in various stations and passes and fords in Jizhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Hefei. They were not summoned for this expedition to the west.

After the accession of Liu Shan, the Latter Ruler, many of those who had served his father gradually died after the decease of their master. The work of the administration of the country, the choice of officials, law-making, taxation, decision of legal cases, was all done by the Prime Minister.

As the Latter Ruler had no consort, the courtiers, headed by Zhuge Liang, proposed, saying, “The daughter of the late General of the Chariot and Cavalry Zhang Fei prudent, and she is now seventeen. Your Majesty should make her Empress.”

So Lady Zhang was married to the Emperor and so became Empress Zhang.

It was in the autumn of the first year of Beginning Prosperity (AD 223) that the Latter Ruler heard of the plans and intentions of Wei against his state. The persons who told him gave him full details of the five armies and said they had previously told the Prime Minister.

“But his conduct puzzles us,” said the informers. “We do not know why he does not take some action instead of remaining shut up in his palace all the time.”

The Latter Ruler became really alarmed, and he sent one of his personal attendants to call the Prime Minister to court. The servant was gone a long time, and then returned to say: “The servants in the Prime Minister Palace said the Prime Minister was ill and not to be seen.”

The young Emperor's distress increased, and he sent two high ministers—Dong Yun and Du Qiong—to Zhuge Liang, saying they were to see him even if he was on his couch and tell him the dreadful news of invasion. They went; but they got no farther than the gate. The keepers of the gate refused them admission. Then they confided their message in brief to the wardens of the gate, who went inside with it.

After keeping them waiting a long time, the wardens returned, saying, “The Prime Minister is rather better and will be at court in the morning.”

The two ministers sighed deeply as they wended their way to the Emperor's palace.

Next morning a great crowd of officers assembled at the gate of the Prime Minister's residence to wait for him to appear. But he did not come out. It began to grow late, and many of them were tired of waiting, when at last Du Qiong went again to the Emperor and suggested, saying, “Your Majesty should go in person and try to get Zhuge Liang to say what should be done.”

The Latter Ruler then returned to his palace with the officials and told the Empress Dowager his trouble. She was also alarmed. “What can he mean?” said she. “This does not look like acting in the spirit of the charge laid upon him by the late Emperor. Let me go myself.”

“Oh no,” said Dong Yun. “Your Majesty must not go. We think all is well, and the Prime Minister certainly understands and will do something. Beside, you must let His Majesty go first, and if the Prime Minister still shows remissness, then Your Majesty can summon him to the Temple of the Dynasty and ask him.”

So it was left at that. And the next day the Emperor rode in his chariot to the gate of his minister. When the doorkeepers saw the imperial chariot appear, they fell upon their knees to welcome the Emperor.

“Where is the Prime Minister?” asked he.

“We do not know. But we have orders not to let in the crowd of officers.”

The Emperor then descended and went on foot right in to the third gate. Then he saw Zhuge Liang leaning on a staff beside a fishpond looking at the fishes. The Latter Ruler approached, and stood behind him for a long time.

Presently the Latter Ruler said slowly and with dignity, “Is the Prime Minister really enjoying himself?”

Zhuge Liang started and looked round. When he saw who the speaker was, he suddenly dropped his staff and prostrated himself.

“I ought to be put to death ten thousand times,” said Zhuge Liang.

But the Emperor put forth his hand and helped him to rise, saying, “Cao Pi threatens immediate invasion from five points; why will you not come forth and attend to business?”

Zhuge Liang laughed. He conducted the Emperor into an inner room, and, when he was seated, Zhuge Liang addressed the Emperor, saying, “Could it be possible that I was ignorant of these five armies? I was not looking at the fishes; I was thinking.”

“But, this being so, what shall we do?”

“I have already turned back that Kebi Neng of the Qiangs, and Meng Huo of the Mangs, and the rebel leader Meng Da, and the army from Wei. I have also thought out a plan to circumvent the army from Wu, but I need a special sort of person to carry it out. I want an envoy, an able talker, one capable of persuading other people. It was because I have not found such a person yet that I was so deeply in thought. But Your Majesty may set your mind at rest and not be anxious.”

The Latter Ruler heard this half terrified and half glad.

“Surely your superhuman devices are too deep for mortal human. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back?”

“Since His late Majesty bade me take the best care of your welfare, I dare not be remiss for a single moment. Some officers in Chengdu are ignorant of that refinement of war which consists in not allowing the enemy to guess your plans. How could I let them know anything? When I heard that Kebi Neng, the king of Qiangs, might invade, I remembered that Ma Chao's forefathers were friendly with those tribespeople and they had a high opinion of Ma Chao, thinking him a leader of supreme prestige. So I sent orders by dispatch to Ma Chao to hold the Xiping Pass, and to prepare ambushes in certain places and change them daily so as to keep the Qiangs off. That settled them.

“I sent hastily to the south to order Wei Yan to move certain bodies of troops about through the southwest territories, to be seen and then to disappear, to go in and come out, and to march to and fro, so that the Mangs should be perplexed. The Mangs are brave, but prone to doubts and hesitations, and they would not advance in the face of the unknown. Hence there is nothing to fear in that quarter.

“I also knew that Meng Da and our Li Yan were sworn friends. I had left Li Yan in charge of the Palace of Eternal Peace. I sent Li Yan a letter and urged him to write to Meng Da, so that Meng Da would feign illness and not move his army.

“I sent Zhao Yun to occupy Yangping Pass and all the strategic positions on the way by which Cao Zhen would march, and bade him defend only and not go to the battle. If our troops refuse to come out, Cao Zhen will certainly have to retire. So all those four are settled. But for greater security I have sent Zhang Bao and Guan Xing each with thirty thousand troops to camp at points whence they can quickly help any of the others who may need it. And none of these arrangements are known here.

“Now there is only Wu left to deal with. Had the other four armies succeeded and Shu been in danger, Sun Quan would have come to the attack. If the others fail, I know he will not budge, for he will remember that Cao Pi has just sent three armies to attack his country. And this being so, I want some one with a ready tongue and ingenious mind to go and talk plainly to Sun Quan. So far I have not found such a person, and I am perplexed. I regret that I have given Your Majesty occasion to make this journey.”

“The Empress Dowager also wanted to come,” said the Emperor. “But now you have spoken, O Minister Father, I am as one awakened from a dream; I shall grieve no more.”

They two drank a few cups of wine together, and the Prime Minister escorted his master to his chariot. A ring of courtiers were waiting, and they could not help remarking the happiness that shone in their master's face. The Latter Ruler took his leave and returned to his palace, but the courtiers did not know what to think.

Now Zhuge Liang had noted a certain man among the crowd who smiled and looked quite happy. Zhuge Liang looked at him intently and then recollected his name, which was Deng Zhi of Xinye, a descendant of Regent Marshal Deng Yu of Han. Zhuge Liang sent a man privately to detain Deng Zhi, and when all the others had gone, Zhuge Liang led him into the library for a chat. Presently he came to the matter near his heart.

“The three states have become a fact,” said Zhuge Liang. “Now if our state wanted to absorb the other two and restore the condition of one rule, which country should it attack first?”

“Though Wei is the real rebel, yet Wei is strong and would be very difficult to overthrow. Any move against it would have to develop slowly. As our Emperor has but lately succeeded his father and the people are none too decided in his favor, I should propose a treaty of mutual defense with Wu. This would obliterate the enmity of His late Majesty and would have important results. However, you, Sir, may have another opinion. What is it?”

“That is what I have been thinking of this long time, but I had not the person for the task. Now I have found him.”

“What do you want the person to do?” said Deng Zhi. “I want him to go as envoy to Wu to negotiate such a treaty. As you understand the position so well, you will surely do honor to your prince's commission as envoy. There is no other who would succeed.”

“I fear I am not equal to such a task: I am not clever enough and too ignorant.”

“I will inform the Emperor tomorrow and beg him to appoint you. Of course you will accept.”

Deng Zhi consented and then took his leave. As promised, Zhuge Liang memorialized, and the Latter Ruler consented that the mission should be entrusted to Deng Zhi. And he started.

The din of war will cease in Wu,

When Shu's desires are known.

For the success or failure of this mission read the next chapter.