The Three Kingdoms, Volume 3: Welcome the Tiger: The Epic Chinese Tale of Loyalty and War in a Dynamic New Translation (73 page)

“Who are you?” asked Zhuge Ke.

The man was terrified and could not reply. Zhuge Ke had him seized for interrogation.

The man said, “My father has died and I came to the city to seek a monk to perform the memorial service. Just now I saw a temple here so I walked in, but I did not know it is the minister’s residence. I did not know how I came to be here.”

The gate wardens were questioned. “There are dozens of us guarding the gate holding our spears,” they said. “We have never left the gate for a moment and we have not seen any man enter.”

In wrath Zhuge Ke had the man and the guards all put to death. But that night he was unable to sleep. Suddenly, he heard a rending sound from the front hall, so he rose to see what it was. The main beam had split in two. Much disturbed, he returned to his chamber, where he was greeted by a cold blast of wind and there he saw the hemp-clad mourner and the gate wardens he had put to death. All of them advanced toward him holding their heads in their hands and asking him to give them back their lives. The apparition frightened him and he fell in a swoon.

The next morning, when washing his face he found the basin of water tainted with the smell of blood. He told the maid to change the water but it made no difference. The odor was still there, even after changing the water dozens of times. What could this portend? He was feeling alarmed and perplexed when there came a messenger from the Emperor inviting him to a royal banquet. So he ordered his carriage. But as he was leaving the gate a yellow dog caught his robe in its teeth and then whined like a man weeping.

“The dog is mocking me,” he said, annoyed, and he ordered his attendants to drive it away. Then he set out for the palace. Before he had gone far, he saw a white rainbow rise out of the earth and reaching up to the sky. This sight again filled his heart with surprise and fear.

Then his confidant, Zhang Yue, came up to his carriage and whispered to him in secret: “This banquet in the palace is rather suspicious. You should not go so rashly, my lord.”

Zhuge Ke took his advice and ordered the carriage to turn back, but he had gone only a dozen paces when the two conspirators rode up and asked him why he was returning.

“I have a stomach ache and cannot see the Emperor today,” replied Zhuge Ke.

They said, “Since you returned from the expedition, His Majesty has not yet talked with you in person. So he is giving this banquet especially to discuss state affairs with you. You may be feeling ill, sir, but you should still try to attend.”

Zhuge Ke was persuaded and went to the palace with the two conspirators. Zhang Yue also followed into the palace. Zhuge Ke made his obeisance to the Emperor and took his place at the banquet. The Emperor ordered the attendants to serve wine but Zhuge Ke, thinking it might be poisoned, excused himself from drinking on account of his state of health.

“Sir, you often take medicated wine at home,” said Sun Jun. “Would you like to have some brought to you from your own residence?”

“Yes, I could drink that,” replied Zhuge Ke.

So his attendant was sent to get the wine from his home. When the wine was brought, Zhuge Ke began to drink with ease.

After the wine had gone several rounds, the Emperor left the banquet hall with an excuse. Sun Jun went down the hall, took off his long robe, and changed into a short coat under which he wore his armor. Then he returned to the hall sword in hand, shouting, “The Emperor has issued an edict to slay the rebel!”

Extremely startled, Zhuge Ke dropped his cup to draw his sword, but it was too late. Before he could defend himself his head rolled to the floor. Seeing this, Zhang Yue drew his sword and rushed to Sun Jun, who sidestepped and the sword cut a finger on his left hand. Sun Jun slashed back at Zhang Yue and wounded him in the right arm. Then the hidden guards dashed in and finished him off.

The guards were then sent to slay Zhuge Ke’s family, while the bodies of the two victims were hastily rolled in matting, dropped into a cart, and driven outside the south gate to be thrown into a rubbish pit.

While Zhuge Ke was being murdered in the palace, his wife sat in her chamber feeling strangely upset. Presently a maid came in and her mistress asked her, “Why do you smell of blood?”

To her horror the maid suddenly rolled her eyes, gritted her teeth, and jumped up till her head hit the roof beam. “I am Zhuge Ke,” she cried. “I have been slain by that ruffian, Sun Jun!”

The whole family were frightened and began wailing. A few minutes later the residence was surrounded by armed guards and all of Zhuge Ke’s family members were bound, taken to the market place, and put to death.

These events occurred in the second year of the period Jian Xing in the Kingdom of Wu.

In former days, when Zhuge Jin was alive, he had noticed how his son Zhuge Ke showed off his wit and ability, and had remarked, “He is not a son that will safeguard his family.”

An official of Wei had also predicted his early death. When asked why, he replied, “How can a man live long when he outshines his lord?”

Sun Jun, having slain his rival, was heaped with high honors. He was also given command of all the armed forces. From then on, all power rested in his hands.

Away in the Shu capital, Jiang Wei had received Zhuge Ke’s letter asking him to launch a joint attack against Wei. Jiang Wei sought an audience with the Second Ruler and obtained an edict to raise an army to conquer the north.

The army fought, but fought in vain,
Success may crown a new campaign.

The fate of the new campaign will be told in the next chapter.

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINE

Jiang Wei Employs a Surprise to Defeat Sima Zhao

The Emperor of Wei Is Dethroned

I
t
was in the autumn of the sixteenth year of the period Yanxi (
A.D.
253) that Jiang Wei’s army of 200,000 was ready to start a new campaign against Wei. He appointed Liao Hua and Zhang Yi leaders of the van, Xiahou Ba military advisor, and Zhang Ni commander of the supply force. The army marched out through Yingping Pass.

Discussing the plan with Xiahou Ba, Jiang Wei said, “Our former attack on Yongzhou failed, so this time they will doubtlessly be prepared. Have you any better plans?”

Xiahou Ba replied, “Of all places in Longshang, Nanan is the richest city. If we take that it will serve as an excellent base. Our former attempt failed because the Qiang army did not come. Therefore, this time we should first ask them to join us at Longyou, from where we will move out from Shiying, through Dongting, to take Nanan.”

Jiang Wei readily approved the plan and at once sent an envoy to Qiang, bearing gifts of gold and pearls and Shu silk to seek help from its king. The mission was successful—the king accepted the presents and led 50,000 men to Nanan, with General Eheshaoge as the leader of the van.

When Guo Huai heard of the threatened attack, he dispatched an emergency message to Luoyang. Sima Shi at once asked for a volunteer to go and meet the army from the west. A general named Xu Zhi offered himself. Knowing full well of his distinguished valor, Sima Shi was very pleased and appointed him leader of the van of the army to be commanded by his brother, Sima Zhao.

The Wei army set out for Longxi. As it reached Dongting it encountered the Shu army. When both sides were arrayed Xu Zhi, who wielded a mighty ax called “Splitter of Mountains,” rode out and challenged. Liao Hua went forth to fight, but after a few bouts he had to flee in defeat. Zhang Yi set his spear and rode forth to continue the combat yet he, too, was soon worsted and returned to his own ranks. With these victories Xu Zhi led his men to press on. The army of Shu lost the day and retreated thirty
li
. Sima Zhao also drew off his men. Both sides encamped.

At the Shu camp Jiang Wei took counsel with his advisor. “Xu Zhi is truly formidable; how can we overcome him?”

Xiahou Ba replied, “Tomorrow let us fake defeat and so draw him into an ambush.”

“But as son of Sima Yi,” said Jiang Wei, “Sima Zhao can’t be a novice in war, and if he sees a likely spot for an ambush he won’t give chase. Now the men of Wei have often tried to block our supply routes—let’s use the same tactic to beguile them and we will be able to slay this Xu Zhi.”

Jiang Wei called in the two van leaders and gave them secret instructions. The two left with their forces. Then he ordered the soldiers to scatter caltrops along all the roads and place abatis, as if settling in for a long occupation.

Daily the men of Wei came to challenge but their opponents refused to give battle. Scouts of Wei reported that the men of Shu were using the wooden oxen and running horses to transport supplies along the rear of the Iron Cage Hill for a prolonged stay, until the Qiang tribesmen could come to reinforce them.

Sima Zhao summoned his van leader to whom he said: “We formerly defeated the Shu army by cutting off their routes of supplies and we can do that again. Now they are bringing up grain behind the Iron Cage Hill. Tonight you take 5,000 men to block their grain route and they will withdraw of their own accord.”

At about the first watch Xu Zhi marched toward the hill, and when he got there he saw a couple of hundred men driving a hundred or so mechanical animals laden with grain and forage. The men of Wei rushed upon them with shouts, Xu Zhi himself in the lead, and the Shu troops at once abandoned their supplies and ran away. Xu Zhi took possession of the grain, which he sent back to his own camp under the escort of half his men. With the other half he set out in pursuit.

About ten
li
away, the road was found blocked with wagons lying across. Xu Zhi ordered his men to clear the way, but before they could remove the vehicles the brushwood on both sides suddenly burst into flames. Xu Zhi at once turned to retreat but soon found himself in a narrow mountain path, which was again blocked with wagons, and again the brushwood began to burn. Braving the fire and smoke, he made a dash to escape, but at that moment a bomb roared, and he saw Liao Hua and Zhang Yi descending on him from two directions. Both fell on him with great fury, and the men of Wei were wholly defeated. Xu Zhi alone got clear, both himself and his horse exhausted with fatigue.

As he struggled on in haste he saw another troop in his way, and the leader was Jiang Wei. Scared, he could make no resistance. His horse fell from a spear thrust, throwing Xu Zhi down to the ground, and he was killed by Shu soldiers.

Meanwhile, the other half of his force escorting the grain was also captured by Xiahou Ba. The men surrendered. Xiahou Ba then stripped them of their outfits and disguised his men as Wei soldiers. Holding aloft banners of Wei, these disguised men made for the Wei camp. Seeing their own comrades had returned the men at the camp threw open the gates to let them enter.

The moment they rushed in they began to kill. Taken wholly by surprise, Sima Zhao leaped upon his steed to escape but he was barred in front by Liao Hua. He hastened to retreat, but Jiang Wei camp up from another direction. With no other way of escape, Sima Zhao had to lead his army to the Iron Cage Hill.

Now there was but one road up the hill, which rose steeply on all other sides. And there was but one small spring, with water enough for a mere hundred men, but Sima Zhao’s force numbered 6,000. Jiang Wei had blocked the only road. This one fountain was unequal to supplying the needs of the beleaguered force, and soon men and horses were tormented with thirst. In despair, Sima Zhao looked up to Heaven and sighed. “Here I’m going to die!”

In this critical situation a civil officer, Wang Tao by name, advised him to imitate an ancient general, named Geng Gong, who, caught in a similar plight, prayed on his knees before a well and was rewarded with sweet water. Sima Zhao took the advice and went to the summit of the hill, where he knelt beside the spring and prayed: “I, Zhao, received a command to repulse the army of Shu. If I am to die here, then may this spring cease its flow, and I will end my own life and let my soldiers yield to the enemy. But if my allotted span of life is not over, then, may the Blue Vault above increase the flow of water and save the lives of this multitude.”