第一百十五回
第一百十五回 诏班师后主信谗 托屯田姜维避祸
却说蜀汉景耀五年，冬十月，大将军姜维，差人连夜修了栈道，整顿军粮兵器，又于汉中水路调拨船只。俱已完备，上表奏后主曰：“臣累出战，虽未成大功，已挫动魏人心胆。今养兵日久，不战则懒，懒则致病。况今军思效死，将思用命。臣如不胜，当受死罪。”后主览表，犹豫未决。谯周出班奏曰：“臣夜观天文，见西蜀分野，将星暗而不明。今大将军又欲出师，此行甚是不利。陛下可降诏止之。”后主曰：“且看此行若何。果然有失，却当阻之。”谯周再三苦谏不从，乃归家叹息不已，遂推病不出。
却说姜维临兴兵，乃问廖化曰：“吾今出师，誓欲恢复中原，当先取何处？”化曰：“连年征伐，军民不宁，兼魏有邓艾，足智多谋，非等闲之辈，将军强欲行难为之事，此化所以未敢专也。”维勃然大怒曰：“昔丞相六出祁山，亦为国也。吾今八次伐魏，岂为一己之私哉？今当先取洮阳。如有逆吾者必斩！”遂留廖化守汉中，自同诸将提兵三十万，径取洮阳而来。早有川口人报入祁山寨中。时邓艾正与司马望谈兵，闻知此信，遂令人哨探。回报蜀兵尽从洮阳而出。司马望曰：“姜维多计，莫非虚取洮阳而实来取祁山乎？”邓艾曰：“今姜维实出洮阳也。”望曰：“公何以知之？”艾曰：“向者姜维累出吾有粮之地，今洮阳无粮，维必料吾只守祁山，不守洮阳，故径取洮阳。如得此城，屯粮积草，结连羌人，以图久计耳。”望曰：“若此，如之奈何？”艾曰：“可尽撤此处之兵，分为两路去救洮阳。离洮阳二十五里，有侯河小城，乃洮阳咽喉之地。公引一军伏于洮阳，偃旗息鼓，大开四门，如此如此而行。我却引一军伏侯河，必获大胜也。”筹画已定，各各依计而行。只留偏将师纂守祁山寨。
却说姜维令夏侯霸为前部，先引一军径取洮阳。霸提兵前进，将近洮阳，望见城上并无一杆旌旗，四门大开。霸心下疑惑，未敢入城，回顾诸将曰：“莫非诈乎？”诸将曰：“眼见得是空城，只有些小百姓，听知大将军兵到，尽弃城而走了。”霸未信，自纵马于城南视之，只见城后老小无数，皆望西北而逃。霸大喜曰：“果空城也。”遂当先杀入，馀众随后而进。方到城边，忽然一声炮响，城上鼓角齐鸣，旌旗遍竖，拽起吊桥。霸大惊曰：“误中计矣！”慌欲退时，城上矢石如雨。可怜夏侯霸同五百军，皆死于城下。后人有诗叹曰：
大胆姜维妙算长，谁知邓艾暗提防。可怜投汉夏侯霸，顷刻城边箭下亡。
司马望从城内杀出，蜀兵大败而逃。随后姜维引接应兵到，杀退司马望，就傍城下寨。维闻夏侯霸射死，嗟伤不已。是夜二更，邓艾自侯河城内，暗引一军潜地杀入蜀寨，蜀兵大乱，姜维禁止不住。城上鼓角喧天，司马望引兵杀出，两下夹攻，蜀兵大败。维左冲右突，死战得脱，退二十馀里下寨。蜀兵两番败走之后，心中摇动。维与众将曰：“胜败乃兵家之常，今虽损兵折将，不足为忧。成败之事，在此一举，汝等始终勿改。如有言退者立斩。”张翼进言曰：“魏兵皆在此处，祁山必然空虚。将军整兵与邓艾交锋，攻打洮阳、侯河，某引一军取祁山。取了祁山九寨，便驱兵向长安。此为上计。”
维从之，即令张翼引后军径取祁山。维自引兵到侯河搦邓艾交战，艾引军出迎。两军对圆，二人交锋数十馀合，不分胜负，各收兵回寨。次日，姜维又引兵挑战，邓艾按兵不出。姜维令军辱骂。邓艾寻思曰：“蜀人被吾大杀一阵，全然不退，连日反来搦战，必分兵去袭祁山寨也。守寨将师纂，兵少智寡，必然败矣。吾当亲往救之。”乃唤子邓忠分付曰：“汝用心守把此处，任他搦战，却勿轻出。吾今夜引兵去祁山救应。”是夜二更，姜维正在寨中设计，忽听得寨外喊声震地，鼓角喧天，人报邓艾引三千精兵夜战。诸将欲出，维止之曰：“勿得妄动。”原来邓艾引兵至蜀寨前哨探了一遍，乘势去救祁山，邓忠自入城去了。姜维唤诸将曰：“邓艾虚作夜战之势，必然去救祁山寨矣。”乃唤傅佥分付曰：“汝守此寨，勿轻与敌。”嘱毕，维自引三千兵来助张翼。
却说张翼正到祁山攻打，守寨将师纂兵少，支持不住。看看待破，忽然邓艾兵至，冲杀了一阵，蜀兵大败，把张翼隔在山后，绝了归路。正慌急之间，忽听的喊声大震，鼓角喧天，只见魏兵纷纷倒退。左右报曰：“大将军姜伯约杀到！”翼乘势驱兵相应。两下夹攻，邓艾折了一阵，急退上祁山寨不出。姜维令兵四面攻围。
话分两头。却说后主在成都，听信宦官黄皓之言，又溺于酒色，不理朝政。时有大臣刘琰妻胡氏，极有颜色，因入宫朝见皇后，后留在宫中，一月方出。琰疑其妻与后主私通，乃唤帐下军士五百人，列于前，将妻绑缚，令军以履挞其面数十，几死复苏。后主闻之大怒，令有司议刘琰罪。有司议得：“卒非挞妻之人，面非受刑之地，合当弃市。”遂斩刘琰。自此命妇[1]不许入朝。然一时官僚以后主荒淫，多有疑怨者。于是贤人渐退，小人日进。时右将军阎宇，身无寸功，只因阿附黄皓，遂得重爵，闻姜维统兵在祁山，乃说皓奏后主曰：“姜维屡战无功，可命阎宇代之。”后主从其言，遣使赍诏，召回姜维。维正在祁山攻打寨栅，忽一日三道诏至，宣维班师。维只得遵命，先令洮阳兵退，次后与张翼徐徐而退。邓艾在寨中，只听得一夜鼓角喧天，不知何意。至平明，人报蜀兵尽退，止留空寨。艾疑有计，不敢追袭。
姜维径到汉中，歇住人马，自与使命入成都见后主。后主一连十日不朝，维心中疑惑，是日至东华门，遇见秘书郎郤正，维问曰：“天子召维班师，公知其故否？”正笑曰：“大将军何尚不知？黄皓欲使阎宇立功，奏闻朝廷，发诏取回将军。今闻邓艾善能用兵，因此寝[2]其事矣。”维大怒曰：“我必杀此宦竖！”郤正止之曰：“大将军继武侯之事，任大职重，岂可造次？倘若天子不容，反为不美矣。”维谢曰：“先生之言是也。”次日，后主与黄皓在后园宴饮，维引数人径入。早有人报知黄皓，皓急避于湖山之侧。维至亭下，拜了后主，泣奏曰：“臣困邓艾于祁山，陛下连降三诏，召臣回朝，未审圣意为何？”后主默然不语。维又奏曰：“黄皓奸巧专权，乃灵帝时十常侍也。陛下近则鉴于张让，远则鉴于赵高[3]。早杀此人，朝廷自然清平，中原方可恢复。”后主笑曰：“黄皓乃趋走小臣，纵使专权，亦无能为。昔者董允每切齿恨皓，朕甚怪之。卿何必介意？”维叩头奏曰：“陛下今日不杀黄皓，祸不远也。”后主曰：“‘爱之欲其生，恶之欲其死。’卿何不容一宦官耶？”令近侍于湖山之侧，唤出黄皓至亭下，命拜姜维伏罪。皓哭拜维曰：“某早晚趋侍圣上而已，并不干与国政。将军休听外人之言，欲杀某也。某命系于将军，惟将军怜之！”言罢，叩头流涕。
维忿忿而出，即往见郤正，备将此事告之。正曰：“将军祸不远矣。将军若危，国家随灭！”维曰：“先生幸教我以保国安身之策。”正曰：“陇西有一去处，名曰沓中，此地极其肥壮。将军何不效武侯屯田之事，奏知天子，前去沓中屯田？一者，得麦熟以助军实；二者，可以尽图陇右诸郡；三者，魏人不敢正视汉中；四者，将军在外掌握兵权，人不能图，可以避祸。此乃保国安身之策也，宜早行之。”维大喜，谢曰：“先生金玉之言也。”次日，姜维表奏后主，求沓中屯田，效武侯之事，后主从之。维遂还汉中，聚诸将曰：“某累出师，因粮不足，未能成功。今吾提兵八万，往沓中种麦屯田，徐图进取。汝等久战劳苦，今且敛兵聚谷，退守汉中。魏兵千里运粮，经涉山岭，自然疲乏，疲乏必退，那时乘虚追袭，无不胜矣。”遂令胡济守汉寿城，王含守乐城，蒋斌守汉城，蒋舒、傅佥同守关隘。分拨已毕，维自引兵八万，来沓中种麦，以为久计。
却说邓艾闻姜维在沓中屯田，于路下四十馀营，连络不绝，如长蛇之势。艾遂令细作相了地形，画成图本，具表申奏。晋公司马昭见之，大怒曰：“姜维屡犯中原，不能剿除，是吾心腹之患也。”贾充曰：“姜维深得孔明传授，急难退之。须得一智勇之将，往刺杀之，可免动兵之劳。”从事中郎荀勗曰：“不然。今蜀主刘禅溺于酒色，信用黄皓，大臣皆有避祸之心。姜维在沓中屯田，正避祸之计也。若令大将伐之，无有不胜，何必用刺客乎？”昭大笑曰：“此言最善。吾欲伐蜀，谁可为将？”荀勗曰：“邓艾乃世之良材，更得钟会为副将，大事成矣。”昭大喜曰：“此言正合吾意。”乃召钟会入而问曰：“吾欲令汝为大将，去伐东吴，可乎？”会曰：“主公之意，本不欲伐吴，实欲伐蜀也。”昭大笑曰：“子诚识吾心也。但卿往伐蜀，当用何策？”会曰：“某料主公欲伐蜀，已画图本在此。”昭展开视之，图中细载一路安营下寨屯粮积草之处，从何而进，从何而退，一一皆有法度。昭看了大喜曰：“真良将也！卿与邓艾合兵取蜀，何如？”会曰：“蜀川道广，非一路可进，当使邓艾分兵各进，可也。”昭遂拜钟会为镇西将军，假节钺，都督关中人马，调遣青、徐、兖、豫、荆、扬等处，一面差人持节令邓艾为征西将军，都督关外陇上，使约期伐蜀。次日，司马昭于朝中计议此事，前将军邓敦曰：“姜维屡犯中原，我兵折伤甚多，只今守御，尚自未保，奈何深入山川危险之地，自取祸乱耶？”昭怒曰：“吾欲兴仁义之师，伐无道之主，汝安敢逆吾意！”叱武士推出斩之。须臾，呈邓敦首级于阶下，众皆失色。昭曰：“吾自征东以来，息歇六年，治兵缮甲，皆已完备，欲伐吴、蜀久矣。今先定西蜀，乘顺流之势，水陆并进，并吞东吴，此灭虢取虞之道也。吾料西蜀将士，守成都者八九万，守边境者不过四五万，姜维屯田者不过六七万。今吾已令邓艾引关外陇右之兵十馀万，绊住姜维于沓中，使不得东顾，遣钟会引关中精兵二三十万，直抵骆谷，三路以袭汉中。蜀主刘禅昏暗，边城外破，士女内震，其亡可必矣。”众皆拜服。
却说钟会受了镇西将军之印，起兵伐蜀。会恐机谋或泄，却以伐吴为名，令青、兖、豫、荆、扬等五处各造大船，又遣唐咨于登、莱等州傍海之处，拘集海船。司马昭不知其意，遂召钟会问之曰：“子从旱路收川，何用造船耶？”会曰：“蜀若闻我兵大进，必求救于东吴也。故先布声势，作伐吴之状，吴必不敢妄动。一年之内，蜀已破，船已成，而伐吴，岂不顺乎？”昭大喜，选日出师。时魏景元四年秋七月初三日，钟会出师，司马昭送之于城外十里方回。西曹掾邵悌密谓司马昭曰：“今主公遣钟会领十万兵伐蜀，愚料会志大心高，不可使独掌大权。”昭笑曰：“吾岂不知之？”悌曰：“主公既知，何不使人同领其职？”昭言无数语，使邵悌疑心顿释。正是：方当士马驱驰日，早识将军跋扈心。未知其言若何，且看下文分解。
[1] 命妇——受过皇帝的封号的妇人。
[2] 寝——这里是停止的意思。
[3] 赵高——秦朝的宦官，秦二世时的权臣，先是蒙蔽二世，后又杀死二世。
CHAPTER 115. Listening To Slander, The Latter Ruler Recalls His Army; Living In Farms, Jiang Wei Avoids Disaster.
In the autumn of the fifth year of Wonderful Sight, in Shu-Han calendar (AD 263), Jiang Wei was occupied with preparations for the renewal of an attack; mending the hill roads, gathering stores, and mobilizing his boats on the waterways of Hanzhong. These things done, he memorized the Throne, asking permission to go again to the attack:
“Although I have not been wholly victorious nor accomplished great things, yet I have put fear into the hearts of the
Wei armies. Our soldiers have been long under training, and they must now be used, or the army will go to pieces for lack of exercise. The soldiers are ready to die, the officers prepared for all risks, and I am determined to conquer or perish.”
The Latter Ruler did not consent at once.
As he was hesitating, Qiao Zhou stood forth and said, “I have observed the heavens. I have seen the leader stars in Shu dull and obscured. This expedition will be disastrous, and I hope Your Majesty will not approve.”
The Latter Ruler replied, “Let us see the results of this campaign; if it fails, then the war shall cease.”
Qiao Zhou resented the rejection of his advice, withdrew to his home, and retired on the pretext of illness.
As the final preparations were being made, Jiang Wei said to Liao Hua, “We are pledged to get through to the Middle Land this time; what do you advise to start with?”
“I dare not presume to advise you, General. For years we have been fighting and giving the people no rest. In Deng Ai we find a most formidable and resourceful opponent and an extraordinarily capable man, so that you must exert yourself to the very utmost.”
Jiang Wei was annoyed. Said he, “The late Prime Minister made six attempts, all for the state. I have attacked eight times. Was any one of those attacks to serve my private ends? This time I go to attack Taoyang, and no one shall say me nay. I will punish opposition with death.”
Jiang Wei left Liao Hua in charge of the base in Hanzhong and marched with three hundred thousand troops to Taoyang. His movements were reported in the Qishan camps, and Deng Ai's spies confirmed the news.
It happened that Sima Wang was with Deng Ai discussing military matters, and the former, when he heard it, said, “That move is a blind; he does not mean it. What he really intends is an attack on Qishan.”
“However, he has really gone to Taoyang,” said Deng Ai.
“How can you know?”
“Formerly Jiang Wei has always opened with a march to those parts of the country where we have stored supplies. Taoyang has no stores, so he thinks we shall not have taken care for its defense as we shall concentrate our efforts on Qishan. But, if he can take that place, he can collect stores there, and get into touch with the Qiang tribespeople and finally work out some grand plan.”
“Supposing this true, what should we do?”
“I advise the abandonment of this place and a march in two bodies toward Taoyang. I know a small town called Houxia, eight miles from Taoyang, which is the throat of the place. You go to Taoyang, hide your force and open the gates. Then act as I shall tell you presently. I will lie in wait at Houxia. We shall score a victory.”
Deng Ai gave Shi Zuan the command of the camps in Qishan when the main body left.
Meanwhile Xiahou Ba led the van of the Shu army toward Taoyang. As he drew near, he noticed the place seemed to have no defenses; not a flag staff reared its head. The gates stood wide open. He was too wary to go straight in however, and said, “Is there any ruse in there?”
His generals said, “We think the city was deserted when they heard your army coming. A few people were running away along the southern road.”
Xiahou Ba rode south and saw there that the northwest road, at a little distance from the city, was crowded with fugitives.
“The city is really empty,” said Xiahou Ba.
He led the way in all ready to fight, and the troops followed. As they came near to the curtain wall, however, a bomb exploded. At this sound the drums beat, trumpets blared, and flags suddenly appeared. At the same moment the drawbridge rose.
“Caught!” said Xiahou Ba.
As he turned to retire, the arrows and stones flew down in clouds, and under these Xiahou Ba and many of his soldiers lost their lives.
Most able strategist and brave,
Xiahou Ba, outwitted here
By Deng Ai, more prudent still, and slain,
Deserves a pitying tear.
The flights of arrows from the ramparts was followed by a sortie, which broke up the force of Shu entirely, and the troops fled. However, Jiang Wei came up and drove Sima Wang back into the city. The army of Shu camped beside the walls. Jiang Wei was very grieved at the loss of Xiahou Ba.
That night Deng Ai came up secretly and attacked the Shu camp. At the same time the defenders within the city made a sortie. Jiang Wei could not resist the double attack, and left the field. He marched some seven miles and camped.
Twice beaten, the soldiers of Shu were very downcast. Jiang Wei tried to console them, saying, “Loss or gain is the platitude of war; but I am not worried yet about our recent defeats, for a total victory will surely come in this expedition if all of you strive your best. But remember, no mutiny! He who talks of retreat will suffer death.”
Then Zhang Yi said, “With so many troops of Wei here, their camp at Qishan must be undefended. I propose, General, that while you continue the contest here with Deng Ai, I go to try to capture the nine camps. If I succeed, Changan will be at our mercy.”
The second division of the army was detached to march on Qishan, and Jiang Wei went down to Houxia to provoke Deng Ai into fighting. The challenge this time was accepted forthwith. Deng Ai led his troops out and engaged with Jiang Wei in a fight, but after thirty bouts without a decision, both retired to their camps.
For days after this, Jiang Wei challenged again and again, but Deng Ai declined and would not fight. The Shu soldiers howled abuse and hurled insults at their opponents, but all without effect.
Then Deng Ai thought within him, “There must be some reason for this persistence. I think they have sent an army to try to seize Qishan while they hold me here. Shi Zuan and the force there are insufficient, and I shall have to go to the rescue.”
Deng Ai called his son Deng Zhong, and said, “Hold this place most carefully. Let them challenge as they may, do not go out. Tonight I go to the help of Qishan.”
It was night, and Jiang Wei was in his tent, intent upon his plans, when he was disturbed by a great shouting and drumming. They told him Deng Ai had suddenly appeared. The generals asked leave to go out to fight.
“Let no one move!” said Jiang Wei.
The fact was Deng Ai had only made a demonstration at the camp of Shu on his way to reinforce Qishan.
Then Jiang Wei said to his officers, “The attack of Deng Ai was a feint; he has certainly gone to relieve Qishan.”
So Jiang Wei decided to go to the aid of Zhang Yi. He left Fu Qian to guard the camp, and he marched away with three thousand troops.
Zhang Yi was then actually attacking the Wei position on Qishan. Shi Zuan had few troops, and it looked as though the defenders must soon give in, when the sudden appearance of Deng Ai made all the difference. The onslaught of Deng Ai's force drove off Zhang Yi, and he was forced to take refuge behind the hills. No road was open to him. When things looked worst, he saw the Wei soldiers suddenly falling back in confusion.
“General Jiang Wei has come!” they told him.
Zhang Yi took the opportunity to return to the attack, and the tables were turned. Deng Ai lost the fight and retired into his camp, which Jiang Wei surrounded and attacked vigorously.
In Chengdu the Latter Ruler fell daily more and more under the malign influence of Huang Hao, who encouraged him in every form of self-indulgence and ministered to every desire for luxury and dissipation. Government was left to look after itself.
At that time High Minister Liu Yan had a very beautiful wife, Lady Hu. One day she went into the Palace to visit the Empress, who kept her there a whole month. Liu Yan was not without suspecting an intrigue with the Latter Ruler and took a brutal revenge. He bound Lady Hu, and made five hundred of his soldiers shame her to the last degree by beating her on the face with their boots. She swooned many times.
The story got to the ears of the Latter Ruler, and he ordered the officials concerned to investigate and decide the crime and its punishment.
The judges found that: “Soldiers are not proper persons to administer a punishment to a woman, and the face is not a portion of the body to be mortified; the author of this crime ought to be put to death.”
Wherefore Liu Yan was beheaded.
As time went on the Latter Ruler indulged in unbridled sensuality, and gradually all good people left the government, giving place to the meanest, who soon swarmed there.
Among the sycophants of Huang Hao was Yan Yu, General of the Right Army, whose lack of merit had not stood in the way of preferment. Hearing of Jiang Wei's defeats at Qishan, Yan Yu got his friend Huang Hao to propose to the Latter Ruler, saying, “Jiang Wei should be recalled as he has not been able to score a decisive victory. Yan Yu can be sent to replace him.”
The Latter Ruler agreed, and the edict was issued.
One day, as Jiang Wei was working out his plan of attack on the camps of Wei, three edicts came, all to the same effect, recalling him to the capital. Disobedience being out of the question, Jiang Wei ceased all operations and sent the Taoyang force back first. Then gradually he withdrew the others.
Deng Ai in his camp wondered at the rolling of drums one night, but next day he heard that the Shu camps were empty. However, he suspected some ruse and did not pursue.
Arrived in Hanzhong, the army halted, and Jiang Wei went on to the capital in company with the messenger who had brought his orders. Here he waited ten days, and still the Latter Ruler held no court. He began to suspect mischief.
One day near the palace gate he met Secretary General Xi Zheng, and asked, “Do you know the reason for my recall?”
“What General! Do you not know? Huang Hao wanted to push Yan Yu into favor, so he intrigued for your recall. Now they have found out Deng Ai is too clever to be tackled, and so they are not fighting any more.”
“I shall certainly have to put this eunuch fellow out of the way,” said Jiang Wei.
“Hush! You are the successor of the Martial Lord, Zhuge Liang, the man to whom he bequeathed his unfinished task. You are too important to act hastily or indiscreetly. If the Emperor withdrew his support, it would go ill with you.”
“Sir, what you say is true,” replied Jiang Wei.
However, soon after this Jiang Wei, with a small party, got into the Palace. The Latter Ruler was enjoying himself with Huang Hao in the gardens. They told Huang Hao, who at once hid himself.
Jiang Wei approached his master and prostrated himself, saying, “Why did Your Majesty recall me? I had the enemy in my power at Qishan when the triple edict came.”
The Latter Ruler hummed and hawed, but made no reply. Then Jiang Wei began his real grievance.
“This Huang Hao is wicked and artful and seems to have the last say in everything. The times of the Emperor Ling and the Ten Regular Attendants have returned. Your Majesty may recall Zhang Rang recently or Zhao Gao in the old time; but if you will only slay this man, the court will be purified and you may return gloriously to the home of your fathers.”
The Latter Ruler smiled, saying, “Huang Hao is but a minor servant, one who runs errands for me. If he tried to do as you say, he could not. I always wondered why Dong Yun seemed to hate poor Huang Hao so much. Now you are the same. I pray you, noble Sir, take no notice of him.”
“Unless Your Majesty gets rid of him, evil is very close,” said Jiang Wei, beating his head upon the ground.
The Latter Ruler replied, “If you love anyone, you want him to live; if you dislike him, you desire his death; can you not bear with my one poor eunuch?”
The Latter Ruler bade one of the attendants go and call Huang Hao. When Huang Hao approached the pavilion, the Latter Ruler told him to ask pardon of Jiang Wei.
Huang Hao prostrated himself and wept, saying, “I am always in attendance upon the Sacred One; that is all I do. I never meddle in state affairs. I pray you, General, pay no heed to what people say. If you desire my death, I am in your hands, but pity me.”
And tears ran down his cheeks. Jiang Wei went away in ill humor. Outside he sought his friend Xi Zheng and told him what had happened.
“General, you are in grave danger,” said Xi Zheng. “And if you fall, the country falls with you.”
“Can you advise me?” said Jiang Wei. “How can I secure the state and myself?”
Xi Zheng replied, “There is a place of refuge for you in Longxi, and that is Tazhong. It is a rich country, and you can make a cantonment there like the Martial Lord did. Request the Emperor to let you go thither. You can gather in corn and wheat for your armies, you can secure all the west of Longyou, you can keep Wei from troubling Hanzhong, you will retain your military authority, so that no one will dare intrigue against you, and you will be safe. Thus you can ensure the safety of the state and yourself. You should lose no time.”
“Your speech is gold and jewels,” said Jiang Wei, gratefully.
Without loss of time, Jiang Wei memorialized the Throne and obtained the Latter Ruler's consent. Then he returned to Hanzhong, assembled his officers, and told them his plans.
“Our many expeditions have failed to achieve success owing to lack of supplies. Now I am about to take eighty thousand troops to Tazhong to form a cantonment and grow wheat and corn ready for the next expedition. You are spent with much fighting and may now repose while collecting grain and guarding Hanzhong. The armies of Wei are from home and have to drag their grain over the mountains. They will be worn out with the labor and must soon retire. That will he the time to smite them, and success must be ours.”
Hu Ji was set over Hanshou, Wang Han over Yuecheng, Jiang Bin over Hancheng, and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian went to guard the passes. After these arrangements had been made, Jiang Wei went off to Tazhong to grow grain and mature his plans.
Deng Ai heard of these dispositions and discovered that the armies of Shu were distributed in forty-eight camps, each connected with the next like the joints of a huge serpent. He sent out his spies to survey the country, and they made a map which was sent to the capital.
But when the Duke of Jin, Sima Zhao, saw the memorial and the map, he was very angry.
“This Jiang Wei has invaded our country many times, and we have been unable to destroy him. He is the one sorrow of my heart.”
Said Jia Chong, “He has carried on the work of Zhuge Liang only too thoroughly, and it is hard to force him back. What you need is some crafty brave to assassinate him, so remove this constant menace of war.”
But Adviser Xun Xu said, “That is not the way. Liu Shan, the Ruler of Shu, is steeped in dissipation and has given all his confidence to one favorite, the eunuch Huang Hao. The higher officers of state are concerned solely with their own safety, and Jiang Wei has gone to Tazhong only that he may save his life. If you send an able leader and a strong army, victory is certain. Where is the need for an assassin's dagger?”
“These are excellent words,” said Sima Zhao, with a laugh, “but if I would attack Shu, where is the leader?”
“Deng Ai is the ablest leader of the day,” said Xun Xu. “Give him Zhong Hui as his second, and the thing is done.”
“Exactly what I think,” said Sima Zhao.
So he summoned Zhong Hui and said to him, “I desire to send you as leader against Wu; can you go?”
“My lord's design is not against Wu, but Shu,” was his reply.
“How well you know my inmost thought!” said Sima Zhao. “But how would you conduct an expedition against Shu?”
“Thinking that my lord would desire to attack Shu, I have already prepared plans. Here they are.”
He laid out his maps, and thereon were shown the camps, and storehouses, and roads all complete.
Sima Zhao was highly pleased.
“You are an excellent leader,” said he. “What say you to going with Deng Ai?”
“The Lands of Rivers is large, and there is space for more than one set of operations. Deng Ai can be sent along another line.”
Zhong Hui was given the title of General Who Conquers the West and the insignia of a Commander-in-Chief over the forces within the pass and control of the armies of Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou. At the same time a commission with authority flag was sent to Deng Ai giving him command of the forces without the pass, with the title of General Who Conquers the West. And the time for an attack on Shu was settled.
When Sima Zhao was settling the plans in the court, General Deng Dun said, “Why are you sending our armies into a distant and dangerous country and thus inviting trouble? Jiang Wei has invaded this country many times, and the wars have cost us many lives. We should rather seek safety in defense.”
“I am sending a righteous army against an unrighteous ruler; how dare you oppose my designs?”
Sima Zhao ordered the executioners to put Deng Dun to death forthwith, and they soon returned to lay his head at the foot of the steps. This frightened all those present, and they turned pale.
Sima Zhao said, “It is six years since I conquered the east, and the six years have been spent in preparation. I have long intended to reduce both Wu and Shu. Now I will destroy Shu, and then like a flood I will descend upon Wu and conquer that. That is the method 'destroy Guo to capture Yu.' ((Guo and Yu are two ancient states)). I can tell very nearly what forces they have in Shu. There are eighty or ninety thousand troops in the garrison of Capital Chengdu, forty or fifty thousand on the frontier, while Jiang Wei has about sixty thousand in his cantonments. Against them we can pit one hundred thousand troops under Deng Ai, enough to hold Jiang Wei and keep him from moving east, and Zhong Hui has two or three hundred thousand veterans. And they will go in three divisions straight into Hanzhong. Liu Shan, the Ruler of Shu, is a blind fool with his frontier cities in ruins, his courtiers and women quaking with fear. He will not last long.”
The assembly praised this perspicacity.
Zhong Hui marched as soon as he received his seal of office. Lest his real object should be known, he gave out that his force was directed against Wu; and to give color to the pretense, he had many large ships built in Qingzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yangzhou. He also sent Tang Zi along the coastal regions of Dengzhou and Laizhou to collect vessels.
Even his chief, Sima Zhao, was deceived and called him to ask why he was collecting ships.
Zhong Hui replied, “If Shu hears that we intend to attack the west, they will ask assistance from Wu. So I pretend to attack Wu, and Wu will not dare to move under a year. When Shu is beaten, the ships will be ready and useful for an expedition into the East.”
Sima Zhao was pleased. The day chosen for the march was the third day of the seventh mouth in the fourth year of Wonderful Beginning, in Wei calendar (AD 264). Sima Zhao escorted his leader out of the city for three miles and then took his leave.
Shao Ti, Minister of the Western Affairs, whispered a word of warning.
“My lord has sent Zhong Hui with a large army against Shu. I think he is too ambitious to be trusted with such powers?”
“Think you I do not know?” said Sima Zhao.
“Then why have you sent him alone and without a colleague?”
Sima Zhao said a few words to Shao Ti which put his doubts at rest.
Zhong Hui went alone, although his master knew,
Occasion serving, he would be untrue.
The next chapter will tell the reader what Shao Ti heard.