第一百三回

第一百三回 上方谷司马受困 五丈原诸葛禳星

却说司马懿被张翼、廖化一阵杀败，匹马单枪，望密林间而走。张翼收住后军，廖化当先追赶。看看赶上，懿着慌，绕树而转。化一刀砍去，正砍在树上，及拔出刀时，懿已走出林外。廖化随后赶出，却不知去向，但见树林之东，落下金盔一个。廖化取盔捎在马上，一直望东追赶。原来司马懿把金盔弃于林东，却反向西走去了。廖化追了一程，不见踪迹，奔出谷口，遇见姜维，同回寨见孔明。张嶷早驱木牛流马到寨，交割已毕，获粮万馀石。廖化献上金盔，录为头功。魏延心中不悦，口出怨言，孔明只做不知。

且说司马懿逃回寨中，心甚恼闷。忽使命赍诏至，言东吴三路入寇，朝廷正议命将抵敌，令懿等坚守勿战。懿受命已毕，深沟高垒，坚守不出。

却说曹睿闻孙权分兵三路而来，亦起兵三路迎之：令刘劭引兵救江夏，田豫引兵救襄阳，睿自与满宠率大军救合淝。满宠先引一军至巢湖口，望见东岸战船无数，旌旗整肃。宠入军中奏魏主曰：“吴人必轻我远来，未曾提备，今夜可乘虚劫其水寨，必得全胜。”魏主曰：“汝言正合朕意。”即令骁将张球领五千兵，各带火具，从湖口攻之，满宠引兵五千，从东岸攻之。是夜二更时分，张球、满宠各引军悄悄望湖口进发，将近水寨，一齐呐喊杀入。吴兵慌乱，不战而走，被魏军四下举火，烧毁战船、粮草、器具不计其数。诸葛瑾率败兵逃走沔口。魏兵大胜而回。次日，哨军报知陆逊。逊集诸将议曰：“吾当作表申奏主上，请撤新城之围，以兵断魏军归路，吾率众攻其前。彼首尾不敌，一鼓可破也。”众服其言。陆逊即具表，遣一小校密地赍往新城。小校领命，赍着表文，行至渡口，不期被魏军伏路的捉住，解赴军中见魏主曹睿。睿搜出陆逊表文，览毕，叹曰：“东吴陆逊真妙算也！”遂命将吴卒监下，令刘劭谨防孙权后兵。

却说诸葛瑾大败一阵，又值暑天，人马多生疾病，乃修书一封，令人转达陆逊，议欲撤兵还国。逊看书毕，谓来人曰：“拜上将军，吾自有主意。”使者回报诸葛瑾。瑾问：“陆将军作何举动？”使者曰：“但见陆将军催督众人于营外种豆菽，自与诸将在辕门射戏。”瑾大惊，亲自往陆逊营中，与逊相见，问曰：“今曹睿亲来，兵势甚盛，都督何以御之？”逊曰：“吾前遣人奉表于主上，不料为敌人所获。机谋既泄，彼必知备，与战无益，不如且退。已差人奉表约主上缓缓退兵矣。”瑾曰：“都督既有此意，即宜速退，何又迟延？”逊曰：“吾军欲退，当徐徐而动。今若便退，魏人必乘势追赶，此取败之道也。足下宜先督船只诈为拒敌之意，吾悉以人马向襄阳而进，为疑敌之计，然后徐徐退归江东，魏兵自不敢近耳。”瑾依其计，辞逊归本营，整顿船只，预备起行。陆逊整肃部伍，张扬声势，望襄阳进发。早有细作报知魏主，说吴兵已动，须用提防。魏将闻之，皆要出战。魏主素知陆逊之才，谕众将曰：“陆逊有谋，莫非用诱敌之计？不可轻进。”众将乃止。数日后，哨卒报来：“东吴三路兵马皆退矣。”魏主未信，再令人探之，回报果然尽退。魏主曰：“陆逊用兵，不亚孙、吴。东南未可平也。”因敕诸将，各守险要，自引大军屯合淝，以伺其变。

却说孔明在祁山，欲为久驻之计，乃令蜀兵与魏民相杂种田：军一分，民二分，并不侵犯，魏民皆安心乐业。司马师入告其父曰：“蜀兵劫去我许多粮米，今又令蜀兵与我民相杂屯田于渭滨，以为久计，似此真为国家大患。父亲何不与孔明约期大战一场，以决雌雄？”懿曰：“吾奉旨坚守，不可轻动。”正议间，忽报魏延将着元帅前日所失金盔，前来骂战。众将忿怒，俱欲出战。懿笑曰：“圣人云：‘小不忍则乱大谋。’但坚守为上。”诸将依令不出。魏延辱骂良久方回。孔明见司马懿不肯出战，乃密令马岱造成木栅，营中掘下深堑，多积干柴引火之物，周围山上，多用柴草虚搭窝铺，内外皆伏地雷。置备停当，孔明附耳嘱之曰：“可将葫芦谷后路塞断，暗伏兵于谷中。若司马懿追到，任他入谷，便将地雷干柴一齐放起火来。”又令军士昼举七星号带于谷口，夜设七盏明灯于山上，以为暗号。马岱受计引兵而去。孔明又唤魏延分付曰：“汝可引五百兵去魏寨讨战，务要诱司马懿出战。不可取胜，只可诈败。懿必追赶，汝却望七星旗处而入。若是夜间，则望七盏灯处而走。只要引得司马懿入葫芦谷内，吾自有擒之之计。”魏延受计，引兵而去。孔明又唤高翔分付曰：“汝将木牛流马或二三十为一群，或四五十为一群，各装米粮，于山路往来行走。如魏兵抢去，便是汝之功。”高翔领计，驱驾木牛流马去了。孔明将祁山兵一一调去，只推屯田，分付：“如别兵来战，只许诈败，若司马懿自来，方并力只攻渭南，断其归路。”孔明分拨已毕，自引一军近上方谷下营。

且说夏侯惠、夏侯和二人入寨告司马懿曰：“今蜀兵四散结营，各处屯田，以为久计，若不趁此时除之，纵令安居日久，深根固蒂，难以摇动。”懿曰：“此必又是孔明之计。”二人曰：“都督若如此疑虑，寇敌何时得灭？我兄弟二人，当奋力决一死战，以报国恩。”懿曰：“既如此，汝二人可分头出战。”遂令夏侯惠、夏侯和，各引五千兵去讫。懿坐待回音。

却说夏侯惠、夏侯和二人分兵两路，正行之间，忽见蜀兵驱木牛流马而来。二人一齐杀将过去，蜀兵大败奔走，木牛流马尽被魏兵抢获，解送司马懿营中。次日又劫掳得人马百馀，亦解赴大寨。懿将解到蜀兵，诘审虚实。蜀兵告曰：“孔明只料都督坚守不出，尽命我等四散屯田，以为久计，不想却被擒获。”懿即将蜀兵尽皆放回。夏侯和曰：“何不杀之？”懿曰：“量此小卒，杀之无益。放归本寨，令说魏将宽厚仁慈，释彼战心，此吕蒙取荆州之计也。”遂传令今后凡有擒到蜀兵，俱当善遣之，仍重赏有功将吏。诸将皆听令而去。

却说孔明令高翔佯作运粮，驱驾木牛流马，往来于上方谷内，夏侯惠等不时截杀，半月之间，连胜数阵。司马懿见蜀兵屡败，心中欢喜。一日，又擒到蜀兵数十人。懿唤至帐下问曰：“孔明今在何处？”众告曰：“诸葛丞相不在祁山，在上方谷西十里下营安住。今每日运粮屯于上方谷。”懿备细问了，即将众人放去，乃唤诸将分付曰：“孔明今不在祁山，在上方谷安营。汝等于明日，可一齐并力攻取祁山大寨。吾自引兵来接应。”众将领命，各各准备出战。司马师曰：“父亲何故反欲攻其后？”懿曰：“祁山乃蜀人之根本，若见我兵攻之，各营必尽来救，我却取上方谷烧其粮草，使彼首尾不接，必大败也。”司马师拜服。懿即发兵起行，令张虎、乐各引五千兵，在后救应。

且说孔明正在山上，望见魏兵或三五千一行，或一二千一行，队伍纷纷，前后顾盼，料必来取祁山大寨，乃密传令众将：“若司马懿自来，汝等便往劫魏寨，夺了渭南。”众将各各听令。

却说魏兵皆奔祁山寨来，蜀兵四下一齐呐喊奔走，虚作救应之势。司马懿见蜀兵都去救祁山寨，便引二子并中军护卫人马，杀奔上方谷来。魏延在谷口，只盼司马懿到来，忽见一枝魏兵杀到，延纵马向前视之，正是司马懿。延大喝曰：“司马懿休走！”舞刀相迎，懿挺枪接战。不上三合，延拨回马便走，懿随后赶来。延只望七星旗处而走。懿见魏延只一人，军马又少，放心追之，令司马师在左，司马昭在右，懿自居中，一齐攻杀将来。魏延引五百兵皆退入谷中去。懿追到谷口，先令人入谷中哨探。回报谷内并无伏兵，山上皆是草房。懿曰：“此必是积粮之所也。”遂大驱士马，尽入谷中。懿忽见草房上尽是干柴，前面魏延已不见了。懿心疑，谓二子曰：“倘有兵截断谷口，如之奈何？”言未已，只听得喊声大震，山上一齐丢下火把来，烧断谷口。魏兵奔逃无路。山上火箭射下，地雷一齐突出，草房内干柴都着，刮刮杂杂[1]，火势冲天。司马懿惊得手足无措，乃下马抱二子大哭曰：“我父子三人皆死于此处矣！”正哭之间，忽然狂风大作，黑气漫空，一声霹雳响处，骤雨倾盆。满谷之火，尽皆浇灭，地雷不震，火器无功。司马懿大喜曰：“不就此时杀出，更待何时！”即引兵奋力冲杀。张虎、乐亦各引兵杀来接应。马岱军少，不敢追赶。司马懿父子与张虎、乐合兵一处，同归渭南大寨，不想寨栅已被蜀兵夺了。郭淮、孙礼正在浮桥上与蜀兵接战，司马懿等引兵杀到，蜀兵退去。懿烧断浮桥，据住北岸。

且说魏兵在祁山攻打蜀寨，听知司马懿大败，失了渭南营寨，军心慌乱，急退时，四面蜀兵冲杀将来，魏兵大败，十伤八九，死者无数，馀众奔过渭北逃生。孔明在山上见魏延诱司马懿入谷，一霎时火光大起，心中甚喜，以为司马懿此番必死。不期天降大雨，火不能着，哨马报说司马懿父子俱逃去了。孔明叹曰：“‘谋事在人，成事在天。’不可强也！”后人有诗叹曰：

谷口风狂烈焰飘，何期骤雨降青霄。武侯妙计如能就，安得山河属晋朝！

却说司马懿在渭北寨内传令曰：“渭南寨栅，今已失了。诸将如再言出战者斩。”众将听令，据守不出。郭淮入告曰：“近日孔明引兵巡哨，必将择地安营。”懿曰：“孔明若出武功，依山而东，我等皆危矣。若出渭南，西止五丈原，方无事也。”令人探之，回报果屯五丈原。司马懿以手加额曰：“大魏皇帝之洪福也！”遂令诸将：“坚守勿出，彼久必自变。”

且说孔明自引一军屯于五丈原，累令人搦战，魏兵只不出。孔明乃取巾帼[2]并妇人缟素之服，盛于大盒之内，修书一封，遣人送至魏寨。诸将不敢隐蔽，引来使入见司马懿。懿对众启盒视之，内有巾帼妇人之衣，并书一封。懿拆视其书，略曰：

仲达既为大将，统领中原之众，不思披坚执锐，以决雌雄，乃甘窟守土巢，谨避刀箭，与妇人又何异哉！今遣人送巾帼素衣至，如不出战，可再拜而受之。倘耻心未泯，犹有男子胸襟，早与批回，依期赴敌。

司马懿看毕，心中大怒，乃佯笑曰：“孔明视我为妇人耶！”即受之，令重待来使。懿问曰：“孔明寝食及事之烦简若何？”使者曰：“丞相夙兴夜寐[3]，罚二十以上皆亲览焉。所啖之食，日不过数升。”懿顾谓诸将曰：“孔明食少事烦，其能久乎？”使者辞去，回到五丈原，见了孔明，具说：“司马懿受了巾帼女衣，看了书札，并不嗔怒，只问丞相寝食及事之烦简，绝不提起军旅之事。某如此应对，彼言：‘食少事烦，岂能长久？’”孔明叹曰：“彼深知我也！”主簿杨颙谏曰：“某见丞相常自校簿书，窃以为不必。夫为治有体，上下不可相侵。譬之治家之道，必使仆执耕，婢典爨[4]，私业无旷，所求皆足，其家主从容自在，高枕饮食而已。若皆身亲其事，将形疲神困，终无一成。岂其智之不如婢仆哉？失为家主之道也。是故古人称：坐而论道，谓之三公；作而行之，谓之士大夫。昔丙吉忧牛喘，而不问横道死人[5]；陈平不知钱谷之数[6]，曰：‘自有主者。’今丞相亲理细事，汗流终日，岂不劳乎？司马懿之言，真至言也。”孔明泣曰：“吾非不知。但受先帝托孤之重，惟恐他人不似我尽心也！”众皆垂泪。自此孔明自觉神思不宁。诸将因此未敢进兵。

却说魏将皆知孔明以巾帼女衣辱司马懿，懿受之不战。众将不忿[7]，入帐告曰：“我等皆大国名将，安忍受蜀人如此之辱！即请出战，以决雌雄。”懿曰：“吾非不敢出战，而甘心受辱也。奈天子明诏，令坚守勿动。今若轻出，有违君命矣。”众将俱忿怒不平。懿曰：“汝等既要出战，待我奏准天子，同力赴敌，何如？”众皆允诺。懿乃写表遣使，直至合淝军前，奏闻魏主曹睿。睿拆表览之，表略曰：

臣才薄任重，伏蒙明旨，令臣坚守不战，以待蜀人之自敝。奈今诸葛亮遗臣以巾帼，待臣如妇人，耻辱至甚！臣谨先达圣聪：旦夕将效死一战，以报朝廷之恩，以雪三军之耻。臣不胜激切之至！

睿览讫，乃谓多官曰：“司马懿坚守不出，今何故又上表求战？”卫尉辛毗曰：“司马懿本无战心，必因诸葛亮耻辱，众将忿怒之故，特上此表，欲更乞明旨，以遏诸将之心耳。”睿然其言，即令辛毗持节至渭北寨传谕，令勿出战。司马懿接诏入帐，辛毗宣谕曰：“如再有敢言出战者，即以违旨论。”众将只得奉诏。懿暗谓辛毗曰：“公真知我心也！”于是令军中传说：魏主命辛毗持节，传谕司马懿勿得出战。蜀将闻知此事，报与孔明。孔明笑曰：“此乃司马懿安三军之法也。”姜维曰：“丞相何以知之？”孔明曰：“彼本无战心，所以请战者，以示武于众耳。岂不闻：‘将在外，君命有所不受。’安有千里而请战者乎？此乃司马懿因将士忿怒，故借曹睿之意，以制众人。今又播传此言，欲懈我军心也。”

正论间，忽报费祎到。孔明请入问之，祎曰：“魏主曹睿闻东吴三路进兵，乃自引大军至合淝，令满宠、田豫、刘劭分兵三路迎敌。满宠设计尽烧东吴粮草战具，吴兵多病。陆逊上表于吴王，约会前后夹攻，不意赍表人中途被魏兵所获，因此机关泄漏，吴兵无功而退。”孔明听知此信，长叹一声，不觉昏倒于地，众将急救，半晌方苏。孔明叹曰：“吾心昏乱，旧病复发，恐不能生矣！”是夜，孔明扶病出帐，仰观天文，十分惊慌，入帐谓姜维曰：“吾命在旦夕矣！”维曰：“丞相何出此言？”孔明曰：“吾见三台星中，客星倍明，主星幽隐，相辅列曜，其光昏暗。天象如此，吾命可知！”维曰：“天象虽则如此，丞相何不用祈禳之法挽回之？”孔明曰：“吾素谙祈禳之法，但未知天意若何。汝可引甲士四十九人，各执皂旗，穿皂衣，环绕帐外，我自于帐中祈禳北斗。若七日内主灯不灭，吾寿可增一纪[8]，如灯灭，吾必死矣。闲杂人等，休教放入。凡一应需用之物，只令二小童搬运。”姜维领命，自去准备。时值八月中秋，是夜银河耿耿，玉露零零，旌旗不动，刁斗[9]无声。姜维在帐外引四十九人守护。孔明自于帐中设香花祭物，地上分布七盏大灯，外布四十九盏小灯，内安本命灯一盏。孔明拜祝曰：“亮生于乱世，甘老林泉，承昭烈皇帝三顾之恩，托孤之重，不敢不竭犬马之劳，誓讨国贼。不意将星欲坠，阳寿将终。谨书尺素[10]，上告穹苍：伏望天慈，俯垂鉴听，曲延臣算[11]，使得上报君恩，下救民命，克复旧物[12]，永延汉祀。非敢妄祈，实由情切。”拜祝毕，就帐中俯伏待旦。次日，扶病理事，吐血不止。日则计议军机，夜则步罡踏斗。

却说司马懿在营中坚守，忽一夜仰观天文，大喜，谓夏侯霸曰：“吾见将星失位，孔明必然有病，不久便死。你可引一千军去五丈原哨探。若蜀人攘乱，不出接战，孔明必然患病矣。吾当乘势击之。”霸引兵而去。孔明在帐中祈禳已及六夜，见主灯明亮，心中甚喜。姜维入帐，正见孔明披发仗剑，踏罡步斗，压镇将星。忽听得寨外呐喊，方欲令人出问，魏延飞步入告曰：“魏兵至矣！”延脚步急，竟将主灯扑灭。孔明弃剑而叹曰：“死生有命，不可得而禳也！”魏延惶恐，伏地请罪。姜维忿怒，拔剑欲杀魏延。正是：万事不由人做主，一心难与命争衡。未知魏延性命如何，且看下文分解。

[1] 刮刮杂杂——形容枯柴着火的声音。

[2] 巾帼——妇女头巾类。

[3] 夙兴夜寐——起早睡晚，指勤劳。

[4] 典爨（cuàn）——专管烧火做饭。

[5] 丙吉忧牛喘，而不问横道死人——丙吉，西汉丞相。春天出行，看见路上躺着死伤的人，他不问，看见牛喘，却很关心。人家问他，他说：“这时候，天气还不太热，牛不应喘。惟恐天时不正，会影响年成。这是丞相职务所在，我应当注意。”

[6] 陈平不知钱谷之数——陈平，西汉丞相。皇帝问他：“全国一年判决多少案件，收多少钱粮？”他说：“可问主管部门。丞相只主管群臣，不管这些事。”

[7] 不忿——也作不分、不愤。古代俗语，不满、不平、不服气的意思。犹今口语“气不忿”。

[8] 一纪——十二年。

[9] 刁斗——古代军中用的铜锅，白天用以炊饭，夜里用以敲打巡更。

[10] 尺素——通指书札、简牍。一尺宽的素绢，古代用以写字。此指祝告的表文。

[11] 曲延臣算——意思是说，请求通融一下，改变原来“注定”的寿命，延长我的年龄。

[12] 克复旧物——得以恢复旧时的典章文物。这里是指恢复汉朝统治政权。

CHAPTER 103. In Gourd Valley, Sima Yi Is Trapped; In Wuzhang Hills, Zhuge Liang Invokes The Stars.

Heavily smitten in the battle, Sima Yi fled from the field a lonely horseman, a single spear. Seeing a thick wood in the distance, he made for its shelter.

Zhang Yi halted the rear division while Liao Hua pressed forward after the fugitive, whom he could see threading his way among the trees. And Sima Yi indeed was soon in fear of his life, dodging from tree to tree as his pursuer neared. Once Liao Hua was actually close enough to slash at his enemy, but Liao Hua missed the blow and his sword struck a tree; and before he could pull his sword out of the wood, Sima Yi had got clear away. When Liao Hua got through into the open country, he did not know which way to go. Presently he noticed a golden helmet lying on the ground to the east, just lately thrown aside. He picked it up, hung it on his saddle, and went away eastward.

But the crafty fugitive, having flung away his helmet thus on the east side of the wood, had gone away west, so that Liao Hua was going away from his quarry. After some time Liao Hua fell in with Jiang Wei, when he abandoned the pursuit and rode with Jiang Wei back to camp.

The wooden oxen and running horses having been driven into camp, their loads were put into the storehouse. The grain that fell to the victors amounted to ten thousand carts or more.

Liao Hua presented the enemy's helmet as proof of his prowess in the field, and received a reward of the first grade of merit. But Wei Yan had nothing to offer, and so was overlooked. Wei Yan went away angry and discontented, but Zhuge Liang pretended to be ignorant of his services.

Very sadly Sima Yi returned to his own camp. Bad news followed, for a messenger brought letters telling of an invasion by three armies of Wu. The letters said that forces had been sent against them, and the Ruler of Wei again enjoined upon his Commander-in-Chief a waiting and defensive policy. So Sima Yi deepened his moats and raised his ramparts.

Cao Rui had sent three armies against the invaders: Liu Shao led that to save Jiangxia; Tian Du led the Xiangyang force; Cao Rui himself, with Man Chong, went into Hefei. This last was the main army.

Man Chong led the leading division toward Lake Chaohu. Thence, looking across to the eastern shore, he saw a forest of battleships, and flags and banners crowded the sky. So he returned to the main army and proposed an attack without loss of time.

“The enemy think we shall be fatigued after a long march and have not troubled to prepare any defense; we should attack this night, and we shall overcome them.”

“What you say accords with my own ideas,” said the Ruler of Wei, and he told off the cavalry leader, Zhang Qiu, to take five thousand troops and try to burn out the enemy. Man Chong was also to attack from the eastern bank.

In the second watch of that night, the two forces set out and gradually approached the entrance to the lake. They reached the marine camp unobserved, burst upon it with a yell, and the soldiers of Wu fled without striking a blow. The troops of Wei set fires going in every direction and thus destroyed all the ships together with much grain and many weapons.

Zhuge Jin, who was in command, led his beaten troops to Miankou, and the attackers returned to their camp much elated.

When the report come to Lu Xun, he called together his officers and said, “I must write to the Emperor to abandon the siege of Xincheng, that the army may be employed to cut off the retreat of the Wei army while I will attack them in front. They will be harassed by the double danger, and we shall break them.”

All agreed that this was a good plan, and the memorial was drafted. It was sent by the hand of a junior officer, who was told to convey it secretly. But this messenger was captured at the ferry and taken before the Ruler of Wei, who read the dispatch, saying, with a sigh, “This Lu Xun of East Wu is really very resourceful.”

The captive was put into prison, and Liu Shao was told off to defend the rear and keep off Sun Quan's army.

Now Zhuge Jin's defeated soldiers were suffering from hot weather illnesses, and at length he was compelled to write and tell Lu Xun, and ask that his army be relieved and sent home.

Having read this dispatch, Lu Xun said to the messenger, “Make my obeisance to the General and say that I will decide.”

When the messenger returned with this reply, Zhuge Jin asked what was doing in the Commander-in-Chief's camp.

The messenger replied, “The soldiers were all outside planting beans, and the officers were amusing themselves at the gates. They were playing a game of skill, throwing arrows into narrow-necked vases.”

Then Zhuge Jin himself went to his chief's camp and asked how the pressing danger was to be met.

Lu Xun replied, “My messenger to the Emperor was captured, and thus my plans were discovered. Now it is useless to prepare to fight, and so we would better retreat. I have sent in a memorial to engage the Emperor to retire gradually.”

Zhuge Jin replied, “Why delay? If you think it best to retire, it had better be done quickly.”

“My army must retreat slowly, or the enemy will come in pursuit, which will mean defeat and loss. Now you must first prepare your ships as if you meant to resist, while I make a semblance of an attack toward Xiangyang. Under cover of these operations we shall withdraw into the South Land, and the enemy will not dare to follow.”

So Zhuge Jin returned to his own camp and began to fit out his ships as if for an immediate expedition, while Lu Xun made all preparations to march, giving out that he intended to advance upon Xiangyang.

The news of these movements were duly reported in the Wei camps, and when the leaders heard it, they wished to go out and fight. But the Ruler of Wei knew his opponent better than they and would not bring about a battle.

So he called his officers together and said to them, “This Lu Xun is very crafty; keep careful guard, but do not risk a battle.”

The officers obeyed, but a few days later the scouts brought in news that the armies of Wu had retired. The Ruler of Wei doubted and sent out some of his own spies, who confirmed the report.

When he thus knew it was true, he consoled himself with the words, “Lu Xun knows the art of war even as did Sun Zi and Wu Qi. The subjugation of the southeast is not for me this time.”

Thereupon Cao Rui distributed his generals among the various vantage points and led the main army back into Hefei, where he camped ready to take advantage of any change of conditions that might promise success.

Meanwhile Zhuge Liang was at Qishan, where, to all appearances, he intended to make a long sojourn. He made his soldiers mix with the people in Wei and share in the labor of the fields, and the crops—the soldiers one-third, the people two-third. He gave strict orders against any encroachment on the property of the farmers, and so they and the soldiers lived together very amicably.

Then Sima Yi's son, Sima Shi, went to his father and said, “These soldiers of Shu have despoiled us of much grain, and now they are mingling with the people of Qishan and tilling the fields along the banks of River Wei as if they intended to remain there. This would be a calamity for us. Why do you not appoint a time to fight a decisive battle with Zhuge Liang?”

His father replied, “I have the Emperor's orders to act on the defensive and may not do as you suggest.”

While they were thus talking, one reported that Wei Yan had come near and was insulting the army and reminding them that he had the helmet of their leader. And he was challenging them. The generals were greatly incensed and desired to accept the challenge, but the Commander-in-Chief was immovable in his decision to obey his orders.

“The Holy One says: 'If one cannot suffer small things, great matters are imperiled.' Our plan is to defend.”

So the challenge was not accepted, and there was no battle. After reviling them for some time, Wei Yan went away.

Seeing that his enemy was not to be provoked into fighting, Zhuge Liang gave orders to Ma Dai to build a strong stockade in the Gourd Valley and therein to excavate pits and to collect large quantities of inflammables. So on the hill they piled wood and straw in the shape of sheds, and all about they dug pits and buried mines. When these preparations were complete, Ma Dai received instructions to block the road in rear of Gourd Valley and to lay an ambush at the entrance.

“If Sima Yi comes, let him enter the valley, and then explode the mines and set fire to the straw and the wood,” said Zhuge Liang. “Also, set up a seven-star signal at the mouth of the valley and arrange a night signal of seven lamps on the hill.”

After Ma Dai had gone, Wei Yan was called in, and Zhuge Liang said to him, “Go to the camp of Wei with five hundred troops and provoke them to battle. The important matter is to entice Sima Yi out of his stronghold. You will be unable to obtain a victory, so retreat that he may pursue; and you are to make for the signal, the seven stars by day or the seven lamps at night. Thus you will lead him into the Gourd Valley, where I have a plan prepared for him.”

When Wei Yan had gone, Gao Xiang was summoned.

“Take small herds, forty or fifty at a time, of the wooden oxen and running horses, load them up with grain and lead them to and fro on the mountains. If you can succeed in getting the enemy to capture them, you will render a service.”

So the transport wooden cattle were sent forth to play their part in the scheme, and the remainder of the Qishan soldiers were sent to work in the fields, with orders to join in the battle only if Sima Yi came in person. In that case they were to attack the south bank of the river and cut off the retreat. Then Zhuge Liang led his army away to camp next to the Gourd Valley.

Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He went to their chief, Sima Yi, and said, “The enemy have set out camps and are engaged in field work as though they intended to remain. If they are not destroyed now, but are allowed to consolidate their position, they will be hard to dislodge.”

“This certainly is one of Zhuge Liang's ruses,” said the chief.

“You seem very afraid of him, General,” retorted they. “When do you think you can destroy him? At least let us two brothers fight one battle that we may prove our gratitude for the Emperor's kindness.”

“If it must be so, then you may go in two divisions,” said Sima Yi.

As the two divisions, five thousand troops each, were marching along, they saw coming toward them a number of the transport wooden animals of the enemy. They attacked at once, drove off the escort, captured them, and sent them back to camp. Next day they captured more, with soldiers and horses as well, and sent them also to camp.

Sima Yi called up the prisoners and questioned them.

They told him, saying, “The Prime Minister understood that you would not fight, and so had told off the soldiers to various places to work in the fields and thus provide for future needs. We had been unwittingly captured.”

Sima Yi set them free and bade them begone.

“Why spare them?” asked Xiahou He.

“There is nothing to be gained by the slaughter of a few common soldiers. Let them go back to their own and praise the kindliness of the Wei leaders. That will slacken the desire of their comrades to fight against us. That was the plan by which Lu Meng captured Jingzhou.”

Then he issued general orders that all Shu prisoners should be well treated and sent away free, and he rewarded those of his army who had done well.

As has been said, Gao Xiang was ordered to keep pretended convoys on the move, and the soldiers of Wei attacked and captured them whenever they saw them. In half a month they had scored many successes of this sort, and Sima Yi's heart was cheered. One day, when he had made new captures of soldiers, he sent for them and questioned them again.

“Where is Zhuge Liang now?”

“He is no longer at Qishan, but in camp about three miles from the Gourd Valley. He is gathering a great store of grain there.”

After he had questioned them fully, he set the prisoners free.

Calling together his officers, he said, “Zhuge Liang is not camped on Qishan, but near the Gourd Valley. Tomorrow you shall attack the Qishan camp, and I will command the reserve.”

The promise cheered them, and they went away to prepare.

“Father, why do you intend to attack the enemy's rear?” asked Sima Shi.

“Qishan is their main position, and they will certainly hasten to its rescue. Then I shall make for the valley and burn the stores. That will render them helpless and will be a victory.”

The son dutifully agreed with his father.

Sima Yi began to march out, with Zhang Hu and Yue Chen following as the reserves.

From the top of a hill Zhuge Liang watched the Wei soldiers march and noticed that they moved in companies from three to five thousand, observing the front and the rear carefully as they marched. He guessed that their object was the Qishan camp, and sent strict orders to his generals that if Sima Yi led in person, they were to go off and capture the camp on the south bank.

When the troops of Wei had got near and made their rush toward the camp of Shu, the troops of Shu ran up also, yelling and pretending to reinforce the defenders. Sima Yi, seeing this, suddenly marched his center army with his two sons, changed his direction, and turned off for the Gourd Valley. Here Wei Yan was expecting him; and as soon as he appeared, Wei Yan galloped up and soon recognized Sima Yi as the leader.

“Sima Yi, stay!” shouted Wei Yan as he came near.

He flourished his sword, and Sima Yi set his spear. The two warriors exchanged a few passes, and then Wei Yan suddenly turned his steed and bolted. As he had been ordered, he made direct for the seven-starred flag, and Sima Yi followed, the more readily as he saw the fugitive had but a small force. The two sons of Sima Yi rode with him, Sima Shi on the left, Sima Zhao on the right.

Presently Wei Yan and his troops entered the mouth of the valley. Sima Yi halted a time while he sent forward a few scouts, but when they returned and reported: “Not a single Shu soldier is seen but a many straw houses on the hills.”

Sima Yi rode in, saying, “This must be the store valley!”

But when he had got well within, Sima Yi noticed that kindling wood was piled over the straw huts, and as he saw no sign of Wei Yan he began to feel uneasy.

“Supposing soldiers seize the entrance; what then?” said he to his sons.

As he spoke there arose a great shout, and from the hillside came many torches, which fell all around them and set fire to the straw, so that soon the entrance to the valley was lost in smoke and flame. They tried to get away from the fire, but no road led up the hillside. Then fire-arrows came shooting down, and the earth-mines exploded, and the straw and firewood blazed high as the heavens.

Sima Yi, scared and helpless, dismounted, clasped his arms about his two sons and wept, saying, “My sons, we three are doomed!”

But suddenly a fierce gale sprang up, black clouds gathered, a peal of thunder followed, and rain poured down in torrents, speedily extinguishing the fire all through the valley. The mines no longer exploded and all the fiery contrivances ceased to work mischief.

“If we do not break out now, what better chance shall we have?” cried the father, and he and his two sons made a dash for the outlet.

As they broke out of the valley, they came upon reinforcements under Zhang Hu and Yue Chen, and so were once more safe. Ma Dai was not strong enough to pursue, and the soldiers of Wei got safely to the river.

But there they found their camp in the possession of the enemy, while Guo Huai and Sun Li were on the floating bridge struggling with the troops of Shu. However, as Sima Yi neared, the troops of Shu retreated, whereupon Sima Yi ordered the bridges burned and the north bank occupied.

The Wei army attacking the Qishan camp were greatly disturbed when they heard of the defeat of their general and the loss of the camp on River Wei. The troops of Shu took the occasion to strike with greater vigor, and so gained a great victory. The beaten army suffered great loss. Those who escaped fled across the river.

When Zhuge Liang from the hill-top saw that Sima Yi had been inveigled into the trap by Wei Yan, he rejoiced exceedingly; and when he saw the flames burst forth, he thought surely his rival was done for. Then, unhappily for him, Heaven thought it well to send down torrents of rain, which quenched the fire and upset all his calculations.

Soon after, the scouts reported the escape of his victims, and he sighed, saying, “Human proposes; God disposes. We cannot wrest events to our will.”

Fierce fires roared in the valley,

But the rain quenched them.

Had Zhuge Liang's plan but succeeded,

Where had been the Jins?

From the new camp on the north bank of the river, Sima Yi issued an order that he would put to death any officer who proposed going out to battle. The final result of the late ill-advised expedition had been the loss of the south bank of the river. Accordingly no one spoke of attacking, but all turned their energies toward defense.

Guo Huai went to the general to talk over plans. He said, “The enemy have been carefully spying out the country and are certainly selecting a new position for a camp.”

Sima Yi said, “If Zhuge Liang goes out to Wugong Hills, and thence eastward, we shall be in grave danger; if he goes southwest by River Wei, and halts on the Wuzhang Hills, we need feel no anxiety.”

They decided to send scouts to find out the movements of their enemy. Presently the scouts returned to say that Zhuge Liang had chosen the Wuzhang Hills.

“Our great Emperor of Wei has remarkable fortune,” said Sima Yi, clapping his hand to his forehead.

Then he confirmed the order to remain strictly on the defensive till some change of circumstances on the part of the enemy should promise advantage.

After his army had settled into camp on the Wuzhang Hills, Zhuge Liang continued his attempts to provoke a battle. Day after day, parties went to challenge the army of Wei, but they resisted all provocation.

One day Zhuge Liang put a dress made of deer hide in a box, which he sent, with a letter, to his rival. The insult could not be concealed, so the generals led the bearer of the box to their chief. Sima Yi opened the box and saw the deer hide dress. Then he opened the letter, which read something like this:

“Friend Sima Yi, although you are a Commander-in-Chief and lead the armies of the Middle Land, you seem but little disposed to display the firmness and valor that would render a contest decisive. Instead, you have prepared a comfortable lair where you are safe from the keen edge of the sword. Are you not very like a deer? Wherefore I send the bearer with a suitable gift, and you will humbly accept it and the humiliation, unless, indeed, you finally decide to come out and fight like a man. If you are not entirely indifferent to shame, if you retain any of the feelings of a tiger, you will send this back to me and come out and give battle.”

Sima Yi, although inwardly raging, pretended to take it all as a joke and smiled.

“So he regards me as a deer,” said he.

He accepted the gift and treated the messenger well. Before the messenger left, Sima Yi asked him a few questions about his master's eating and sleeping and hours of labor.

“The Prime Minister works very hard,” said the messenger. “He rises early and retires to bed late. He attends personally to all cases requiring punishment of over twenty of strokes. As for food, he does not eat more than a few pints of grain daily.”

“Indeed, he eats little and works much,” remarked Sima Yi. “Can he last long?”

The messenger returned to his own side and reported that Sima Yi had taken the whole episode in good part and shown no sign of anger. He had only asked about the Prime Minister's hours of rest, and food, and such things. He had said no word about military matters.

“I told him that you ate little and worked long hours, and then he said, 'Can he last long?' That was all.”

“He knows,” said Zhuge Liang, pensively.

First Secretary Yang Yong presently ventured to remonstrate with his chief.

“I notice,” said Yang Yong, “that you check the books personally. I think that is needless labor for a Prime Minister to undertake. In every administration the higher and subordinate ranks have their especial fields of activity, and each should confine his labors to his own field. In a household, for example, the male servants plow and the female servants cook, and thus operations are carried on without waste of energy, and all needs are supplied. The master of the house has ample leisure and tranquillity. If one individual strives to attend personally to every matter, he only wearies himself and fails to accomplish his end. How can he possibly hope to perform all the various tasks so well as the maids or the servants? He fails in his own part, that of playing the master. And, indeed, the ancients held this same opinion, for they said that the high officers should attend to the discussion of ways and means, and the lower should carry out details. Of old, Bing Ji was moved to deep thought by the panting of an ox, but inquired not about the corpses of certain brawlers which lay about the road, for this matter concerned the magistrate. Chen Ping was ignorant of the figures relating to taxes, for he said these were the concern of the controllers of taxes. O Minister, you weary yourself with minor details and sweat yourself every day. You are wearing yourself out, and Sima Yi has good reason for what he said.”

“I know; I cannot but know,” replied Zhuge Liang. “But this heavy responsibility was laid upon me, and I fear no other will be so devoted as I am.”

Those who heard him wept. Thereafter Zhuge Liang appeared more and more harassed, and military operations did not speed.

On the other side the officers of Wei resented bitterly the insult that had been put upon them when their leader had been presented with the deer hide dress.

They wished to avenge the taunt, and went to their general, saying, “We are reputable generals of the army of a great state; how can we put up with such insults from these soldiers of Shu? We pray you let us fight them.”

“It is not that I fear to go out,” said Sima Yi, “nor that I relish the insults, but I have the Emperor's command to hold on and may not disobey.”

The officers were not in the least appeased. Wherefore Sima Yi said, “I will send your request to the Throne in a memorial; what think you of that?”

They consented to await the Emperor's reply, and a messenger bore to the Ruler of Wei, in Hefei, this memorial:

“I have small ability and high office. Your Majesty laid on me the command to defend and not fight till the army of

Shu had suffered by the flux of time. But Zhuge Liang has now sent me a gift of a deer hide dress, and my shame is very deep. Wherefore I advise Your Majesty that one day I shall have to fight in order to justify your kindness to me and to remove the shameful stigma that now rests upon my army. I cannot express the degree to which I am urged to this course.”

Cao Rui read it and turned questioningly to his courtiers seeking an explanation. Xin Pi supplied it.

“Sima Yi has no desire to give battle; this memorial is because of the shame put upon the officers by Zhuge Liang's gift. They are all in a rage. He wishes for an edict to pacify them.”

Cao Rui understood and gave to Xin Pi an authority flag and sent him to the River Wei camp to make known that it was the Emperor's command not to fight.

Sima Yi received the messenger with all respect, and it was given out that any future reference to offering battle would be taken as disobedience to the Emperor's especial command in the edict.

The officers could but obey.

Sima Yi said to Xin Pi, “Noble Sir, you interpreted my own desire correctly.”

It was thenceforward understood that Sima Yi was forbidden to give battle.

When it was told to Zhuge Liang, he said, “This is only Sima Yi's method of pacifying his army. He has never had any intention of fighting and requested the edict to justify his strategy. It is well known that a general in the field takes no command from any person, not even his own king. Is it likely that he would send a thousand miles to ask permission to fight if that was all he needed? The officers were bitter, and so Sima Yi got the Emperor to assist him in maintaining discipline. All this is meant to slacken our soldiers.”

Just at this time Fei Yi came. He was called in to see the Prime Minister, and Zhuge Liang asked the reason for his coming.

He replied, “The Ruler of Wei, Cao Rui, hearing that Wu has invaded his country at three points, has led a great army to Hefei and sent three other armies under Man Chong, Tian Du, and Liu Shao, to oppose the invaders. The stores and fight-material of Wu have been burned, and the army of Wu have fallen victims to sickness. A letter from Lu Xun containing a scheme of attack fell into the hands of the enemy, and the Ruler of Wu has marched back into his own country.”

Zhuge Liang listened to the end; then, without a word, he fell in a swoon. He recovered after a time, but he was broken.

He said, “My mind is all in confusion. This is a return of my old illness, and I am doomed.”

Ill as he was, Zhuge Liang that night went forth from his tent to scan the heavens and study the stars. They filled him with fear.

He returned and said to Jiang Wei, “My life may end at any moment.”

“Why do you say such a thing?”

“Just now in the Triumvirate constellation the Guest Star was twice as bright as usual, while the Host Star was darkened; the supporting stars were also obscure. With such an aspect I know my fate.”

“If the aspect be as malignant as you say, why not pray in order to avert it?” replied Jiang Wei.

“I am in the habit of praying,” replied Zhuge Liang, “but I know not the will of God. However, prepare me forty-nine guards and let each have a black flag. Dress them in black and place them outside my tent. Then will I from within my tent invoke the Seven Stars of the North. If my master-lamp remain alight for seven days, then is my life to be prolonged for twelve years. If the lamp goes out, then I am to die. Keep all idlers away from the tent and let a couple of guards bring me what is necessary.”

Jiang Wei prepared as directed. It was then the eighth month, mid-autumn, and the Milky Way was brilliant with scattered jade. The air was perfectly calm, and no sound was heard.

The forty-nine men were brought up and spaced out to guard the tent, while within Zhuge Liang prepared incense and offerings. On the floor of the tent he arranged seven lamps, and, outside these, forty-nine smaller lamps. In the midst he placed the lamp of his own fate.

This done, he prayed:

“Zhuge Liang, born into an age of trouble, would willingly have grown old in retirement. But His Majesty, Liu Bei the Glorious Emperor, sought him thrice and confided to him the heavy responsibility of guarding his son. He dared not do less than spend himself to the utmost in such a task, and he pledged himself to destroy the rebels. Suddenly the star of his leadership has declined, and his life now nears its close. He has humbly indited a declaration on this silk piece to the Great Unknowable and now hopes that He will graciously listen and extend the number of his days that he may prove his gratitude to his prince and be the savior of the people, restore the old state of the empire and establish eternally the Han sacrifices. He dares not make a vain prayer; this is from his heart.”

This prayer ended, in the solitude of his tent he awaited the dawn.

Next day, ill as he was, he did not neglect his duties, although he spat blood continually. All day he labored at his plans, and at night he paced the magic steps, the steps of seven stars of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.

Sima Yi remained still on the defensive.

One night as he sat gazing up at the sky and studying its aspect, he suddenly turned to Xiahou Ba, saying, “A leadership star has just lost position; surely Zhuge Liang is ill and will soon die. Take a reconnoitering party to the Wuzhang Hills and find out. If you see signs of confusion do not attack; it means that Zhuge Liang is ill. I shall take the occasion to smite hard.”

Xiahou Ba left with an army.

It was the sixth night of Zhuge Liang's prayers, and the lamp of his fate still burned brightly. He began to feel a secret joy. Presently Jiang Wei entered and watched the ceremonies. He saw Zhuge Liang was loosening his hair, his hand holding a sword, his heels stepping on Ursa Major and Ursa Minor to hold the leadership star.

Suddenly a great shouting was heard outside, and immediately Wei Yan dashed in, crying, “The Wei soldiers are upon us!”

In his haste Wei Yan had knocked over and extinguished the Lamp of Fate.

Zhuge Liang threw down the sword and sighed, saying, “Life and death are foreordained; no prayers can alter them.”

Wei Yan fell to the earth and craved forgiveness. Jiang Wei got angry and drew his sword to slay the unhappy soldier.

Nought is under man's control,

Nor can he with fate contend.

The next chapter will unfold what happened.