CHAPTER IC.
Chuko Liang Wins a Great Victory; Ssǔma I Invades Shu.
The fourth month of Chien-An, seventh year, found Chuko Liang camped at Ch‘ishan in three camps, waiting for the army of Wei.
When Ssǔma I reached Ch‘angan, the officer in command, Chang Ho, told him all that had happened. He gave Chang Ho the post of leader of the van, with Tai Ling as his second, and then marched out toward the enemy, camping on the Wei River’s south bank. When the local commanders Kuo Huai and Sun Li went to see the new Commander-in-Chief, he asked if they had fought any battle.
“Not yet,” said they.
Ssǔma said, “The enemy had a long march; their chance lay in attacking quickly. As they have not attacked they have some deep laid scheme to work out. What news have you from the west?”
Kuo replied, “The scouts say that the greatest care is being taken in every district. But there is no news from Wutu and Yinp‘ing. ”
“I must send someone to fight a battle with them. You get away as quickly and privily as you can to the rescue of those two towns, and then attack the rear of the Shu army so as to throw them into disorder.”
They set out to obey these orders, and on the way they fell to discussing Ssǔma.
“How does Ssŭma compare with Chuko?” said Kuo.
“Chuko is by far the better,” replied Sun.
“Though Chuko may be the cleverer, yet this scheme of our leader’s shows him to be superior to most men. The enemy may have got those two cities yet; when we unexpectedly fall upon their rear, they will certainly be disordered.”
Soon after this a scout came in to say that the two cities were in possession of the enemy, and, further, that the Shu army was not far in front.
Said Sun, “There is some crafty scheme afoot. Why are they prepared for battle in the open when they hold two cities? We had better retire.”
His companion agreed, and they issued orders to face about and retreat. Just then a bomb exploded, and, at the same time, there suddenly appeared from the cover of some hills a small body of men. On the flag that came forward they read the name Chuko Liang, and in the midst of the company they saw him, seated in a small chariot. On his left was Kuan Hsing, and on his right Chang Pao.
They were quite taken aback. K‘ung-ming laughed and said, “Do not run away. Did you think that your leader’s ruse would take me in? Sending a challenge to fight every day, indeed, while you were to slip round behind my army and attack! I have the two cities, and if you have not come to surrender, then hurry up and fight a battle with me.”
By now they were really frightened. Then behind them there rose a shout as of battle, and Wang P‘ing and Chiang Wei began to smite them in the rear, while Kuan and Chang bore down upon them in front. They were soon utterly broken, and the two leaders escaped by scrambling up the hillside.
Chang Pao saw them, and was urging his steed forward to catch them, when unhappily he and his horse went over together into a gully. When they picked him up they found that he had been kicked in the head and was badly hurt. K‘ung-ming sent him back to Ch'êngtu.
It has been said that the two leaders escaped. They got back to Ssŭma’s camp and said, “Wutu and Yinp‘ing were both in the enemy’s possession, and K‘ung-ming had prepared an ambush, so that we were attacked front and rear. We lost the day and only escaped on foot.”
“It is no fault of yours,” said the general. “The fact is he is sharper than I. Now go to defend Yung and Mei and remain on the defensive; do not go out to give battle. I have a plan to defeat them.”
These two having left, Ssŭma called in Chang Ho and Tai Ling and said, “K‘ung-ming has captured Wutu and Yinp‘ing. He must restore order and confidence among the people of these places, and so will be absent from his camp. You two will take a legion each, start to-night and make your way quietly to the rear of the Shu army. Then you will attack vigorously. When you have done that I shall lead out the army in front of them and array ready for battle. While they are in disorder I shall make my attack. Their camp ought to be captured. If I can win the advantage of these hills their defeat will be easy.”
These two left, marching one right the other left. They took by-roads and got well to the rear of the Shu army. In the third watch they struck the high road and joined forces. Then they marched toward the enemy. After about thirty li there was a halt in front. The two leaders galloped up to see what had caused it and found many straw-carts drawn across the road.
“This has been prepared,” said Chang. “We should return.”
Just as they ordered the men to turn about, torches broke into flame all over the hills, the drums rolled, trumpets blared and soldiers sprang out on every side. At the same time K‘ung-ming shouted from the hill-top, “Tai Ling and Chang Ho, listen to my words. Your master reckoned that I should be busy restoring order in the two towns and so should not be in my camp. Wherefore he sent you to take the camp, and you have just fallen into my snare. As you are leaders of no great importance I shall not harm you. Dismount and yield.”
Chang’s wrath blazed forth at this, and he pointed at K‘ungming, crying, “You peasant out of the woods, invader of our great country! How dare you use such words to me? Wait till I catch you; I will tear you to shreds.”
He galloped forward to ascend the hill, his spear ready for the thrust. But the arrows and stones pelted too quickly. Then he turned and dashed in among the soldiers, scattering them right and left. He got clear, but he saw his colleague was not with him. At once he turned back, fought his way to his comrade and brought him out safely.
K‘ung-ming on the hill-top watched this warrior and saw he was a right doughty fighting man.
“I have heard that men stood aghast when Chang Fei fought his great fight with Chang Ho. Now I can judge his valour for myself. He will do harm to Shu one day if I spare him. He will have to be removed.”
Then he returned to his camp. By this time Ssŭma had completed his battle line and was waiting the moment of disorder to attack. Then he saw his two captains come limping back dejected and crestfallen. They said, “K‘ung-ming forestalled us; he was well prepared, and so we were quite defeated.”
“He is more than human!” exclaimed Ssǔma. “We must retreat.”
So the whole army retired into the fortified camps and would not come out.
Thus a great victory fell to Shu, and their booty was immense; weapons and horses innumerable. K‘ung-ming led his army back to camp.
Thereafter he sent parties to offer a challenge at the gate of the Wei camp every day, but the soldiers remained obstinately behind their shelters and would not appear. When this had continued half a month K‘ung-ming grew sad.
Then came a messenger from the capital. He was received with all respect, and incense was burnt as propriety demanded. This done, the command was unsealed, and K‘ung-ming read:—“The failure at Chieht‘ing was really due to the fault of Ma Su. However, you held yourself responsible and blamed yourself very severely. It would have been a serious matter for me to have withstood your intentions, and so I did what you insisted on. However, that was a glorious exploit last year when Wang Shuang was slain. This year, Kuo Huai has been driven back and the Ch‘iang have been reduced; the two districts have been recovered; you have driven fear into the hearts of all evil doers and thus rendered magnificent services.
“But the land is in confusion, and the original evil has not been destroyed. You fill a great office, for you direct the affairs of the state. It is not well for you to remain under a cloud for any length of time and cloak your grand virtue, wherefore I restore you to the rank of Prime Minister and pray you not to decline the honour.”
K‘ung-ming heard the edict to the end and then said, “My task is not yet accomplished; how can I return to my duties as Prime Minister? I must really decline to accept this.”
Fei I said, “If you decline this you flout the desires of the king and also show contempt for the feelings of the army. At any rate accept for the moment.”
Then K‘ung-ming humbly bowed acquiescence.
Fei I went away. Seeing that Ssŭma remained obstinately on the defensive, K‘ung-ming thought of a plan by which to draw him. He gave orders to break camp and retire.
When the scouts told Ssǔma, he said, “We may not move; certainly there is some deep craftiness in this move.”
Chang said, “It must mean that their food is exhausted. Why not pursue?”
“I reckon that K‘ung-ming laid up ample supplies last year. Now the wheat is ripe, and he has plenty of every sort. Transport might be difficult, but yet he could hold out half a year. Why should he run away? He sees that we resolutely refuse battle, and he is trying some ruse to inveigle us into fighting. Send out spies to a distance to see what is going on.”
They reconnoitred a long way round, and the scouts returned to say that a camp had been formed thirty li away.
“Ah; then he is not running away,” said Ssǔma. “Remain on the defensive still more strictly and do not advance.”
Ten days passed without further news; nor did the men of Shu offer the usual challenge. Again spies were sent far afield, and they reported a further retreat of thirty li and a new encampment.
“K‘ung-ming is certainly working some scheme,” said Ssǔma. “Do not pursue.”
Another ten days passed and spies went out. The enemy had gone thirty li farther and encamped.
Chang Ho said, “What makes you so over-suspicious? I can see that K‘ung-ming is retreating into Hanchung, only he is doing it gradually. Why not pursue before it is too late. Let me go and fight one battle.”
“No,” said the general. “A defeat would destroy the morale of our men, and I will not risk it. K‘ung-ming’s vile tricks are innumerable.”
“If I go and get beaten I will stand the full rigour of military punishment,” said Chang.
“Well, if you are set on going, we will divide the army. You take your wing and go, but you will have to fight your best. I will follow to help in case of need.”
So Chang got independent command of three legions and took Tai Ling as his second in command, and he had a few score of captains of lower rank. Halfway they camped. Then Ssǔma, leaving a substantial guard for his camp, set out along the same road with five legions.
K‘ung-ming knew the movements of the army of Wei and when Chang’s army camped to rest. In the night he summoned his captains and told them.
“The enemy are coming in pursuit and will fight desperately. You will have to fight every one of you like ten, but I will set an ambush to attack their rear. Only a wise and bold leader is fit for this task.”
As he closed this speech he glanced at Wei Yen, but this captain hung his head without response. Then Wang P‘ing stepped forth and said he was willing to go on this expedition.
“But if you fail, what then?” said K‘ung-ming.
“Then there is the military rule.”
K‘ung-ming sighed. “Wang P‘ing is most loyal. He is willing to risk wounds and death in his country’s service. However, the enemy are in two divisions, one coming in front, the other trying to get round to the rear. Wang P‘ing is crafty and bold, but he cannot be in two places at once, so I must have yet another captain. Is it that among you there is no other willing to devote himself to death?”
He did not wait long for a reply; Chang I stepped to the front.
“Chang Ho is a most famous leader in Wei and valorous beyond all compare. You are not a match for him,” said K‘ung-ming.
“If I fail may my head fall at the tent door,” said he.
“Since you wish to go, I accept you. Each of you shall have a legion of veterans. You will hide in the valleys till the enemy come up, and you will let them pass. Then you will fall upon their rear. If Ssǔma comes you must divide the men, Chang to hold the rear and Wang to check the advance. But they will fight desperately, and I must find a way to aid you.”
When they had gone, Chiang Wei and Liao Hua were called, and K‘ung-ming said, “I am going to give you a silken bag. You are to proceed secretly into those mountains in front. When you see that your two colleagues are in great straits with the enemy, then open the bag and you will find a plan of escape.”
After this he gave secret instructions to four other captains to observe the enemy and, if they seemed confident of victory, to retire, fighting at intervals, till they saw Kuan Hsing and Chang Pao come up, when they could turn and fight their best.
Then calling Kuan and Chang, he said to them, “Hide in the valleys with half a legion till you see a red flag flutter out, and then fall on the enemy.”
Chang Ho and Tai Ling hurried along like a rain squall till they were suddenly confronted by the men of Shu. Chang dashed toward his enemy, and then they retired, stopping at intervals to fight. The Wei army pursued for about twenty li.
It was the sixth moon and very hot, so that men and horses sweated profusely. When they had gone thirty li farther the men and horses were panting and nearly spent. Then K‘ungming, who had watched the fighting from a hill, gave the signal for Kuan Hsing to emerge and join battle. The four other leaders all led on their men. Chang and Tai fought well, but they could not extricate themselves and retire.
Presently, with a roll of drums, Wang P‘ing and Chang I came out and made for the rear to cut the retreat. “Why do you not fight?” shouted Chang Ho when he saw their move.
The men of Wei dashed this way and that, but were stayed at every attempt. Then there was heard another roll of drums, and Ssǔma came up in the rear. He at once signalled to his captains to surround Wang P‘ing and Chang I.
“Our minister is truly wonderful. The battle goes just as he foretold,” cried Chang I. “He will surely send help now, and we will fight to the death.”
Thereupon the men were divided into parties. Wang P‘ing led one army to hold up Chang Ho and Tai Ling; Chang I led the other division to oppose Ssŭma. On both sides the fighting was keen and continued all the day.
From their station on a hill, Chiang Wei and Miao Hua watched the battle. They saw that the Wei force was very strong and their side was in danger and slowly giving way.
“Now surely is the moment to open the bag,” said Chiang Wei.
So the bag was opened, and they read the letter. It said that if Ssǔma came and Wang P‘ing and Chang I seemed hard pressed, they were to divide forces and go off to attack Ssǔma’s camp, which would cause him to retire, and then they could attack him. The actual capture of the camp was not of great moment.
So they divided the force and started for the enemy’s camp. Now Ssǔma had really feared that he would fall victim to some ruse of K‘ung-ming, so he had arranged for news to meet him at intervals along the road. He was pressing his men to fight when a messenger galloped up to say that the men of Shu were making for his camp.
Ssǔma was frightened and changed colour. He turned on his captains, saying, “I knew K‘ung-ming would plan some trick, but you did not believe me. You forced me to pursue, and now the whole scheme has gone agley.”
Thereupon he gathered in his men and turned to retire. The men went hurriedly and got into disorder. Chang I came up behind, and they were routed. Chang Ho and Tai Ling, having but few men left, sought refuge among the hills. The victory was to Shu, and Kuan Hsing came up helping in the rout wherever there appeared a chance to strike.
Ssǔma, defeated, hurried to the camp. But when he reached it the men of Shu had already left. He gathered in his broken army and abused his captains as the cause of his failure.
“You are all ignorant of the proper way to wage war, and think it simply a matter of valour and rude strength. This is the result of your unbridled desire to go out and give battle. For the future no one of you will move without definite orders, and I will apply strict military law to any who disobey.”
They were all greatly ashamed and retired to their quarters. In this fight the losses of Wei were very heavy, not only in men, but in horses and weapons.
K‘ung-ming led his victorious army to their camp. He intended to advance still farther, when a messenger arrived from the capital with the sad news that Chang Pao had died. When they told K‘ung-ming he uttered a great cry, blood gushed from his mouth and he fell in a swoon. He was raised and taken to his tent, but he was too ill to march and had to keep his bed. His captains were much grieved.
A later poet sang:—
Fierce and valiant was Chang Pao,
Striving hard to make a name;
Sad the gods should interfere
And withhold a hero’s fame!
K‘ung-ming wept his end untimely,
For he knew a warrior gone,
And he needed every helper;
His own strength was nearly done.
K‘ung-ming’s illness continued. Ten days later he summoned to his tent Tung Chüeh and Fan Chien, and said, “I feel dizzy and am too ill to carry on, and the best thing for me is to return into Hanchung and get well. You are to keep my absence perfectly secret, for Ssǔma will certainly attack if he hears.”
He issued orders to break up the camp that night, and the army retired into Hanchung forthwith. Ssǔma only heard of it five days later, and he knew that again he had been outwitted.
“The man appears like a god and disappears like a demon; he is too much for me,” sighed he.
Ssǔma set certain captains over the camp and placed others to guard the commanding positions, and he also marched homeward.
As soon as the Shu army was settled in Hanchung, K‘ungming went to Ch'êngtu for treatment. The officials of all ranks came to greet him and escort him to his palace. The king also came to enquire after his condition and sent his own physicians to treat him. So gradually he recovered.
In Chien-Hsing, eighth year and seventh month, Ts‘ao Chên, the Commander-in-chief in Wei, had recovered, and he sent a memorial to his master, saying, “Shu has invaded more than once and threatened the capital. If this state be not destroyed it will ultimately be our ruin. The autumn coolth is now here. The army is in good form, and it is the time most favourable for an attack on Shu. I desire to take Ssŭma as colleague and march into Hanchung to exterminate this wretched horde and free the borders from trouble.”
Personally, King Jui approved, but he consulted Liu Hua, who replied, “The Commander-in-chief speaks well. If that state be not destroyed it will be to our hurt. Your Majesty should give effect to his desire.”
When he came out, a crowd of officers flocked to enquire, saying, “We heard the king has consulted you about an expedition against Shu: what think you?”
“No such thing,” said Liu. “Shu is too difficult a country to invade; it would be a mere waste of men and weapons.”
They left him. Then Yang Chi went into the king and said, “It is said that yesterday Liu Hua advised Your Majesty to fall upon Shu; to-day when we talked with him he said Shu could not be attacked. This is treating Your Majesty with indignity, and you should issue a command to punish him.”
Wherefore the king called in Liu Hua and asked him to explain.
Liu Hua replied, “I have studied the details; Shu cannot be attacked.”
The king laughed. In a short time Yang Chi left, and then Liu Hua said, “Yesterday I advised Your Majesty to attack Shu; that being a matter of state policy should be divulged to no person. The essential of a military move is secrecy.”
Then the king understood, and thereafter Liu Hua was held in greater consideration. Ten days later Ssǔma came to court, and Ts‘ao Chên’s memorial was shown him.
Ssŭma replied, “The moment is opportune; I do not think there is any danger from Wu.”
Ts‘ao Chên was created Minister of War and Commander-in-chief of the Western Expedition, and Ssŭma I was made General and was second in command. Liu Hua was made Master of the Army. These three then left the court, and the army marched to Ch‘angan, intending to dash to Chienko and attack Hanchung.
The men of Hanchung told K‘ung-ming, then quite recovered and engaged in training his army and elaborating the “Eight Arrays.” All was in an efficient state and ready for an attack on the capital.
When he heard of the intended attack, he called up Chang I and Wang P‘ing and sent them to garrison the old road to Ch'ênts‘ang so as to check the Wei army. The two replied, “It is said the Wei army numbers forty legions, though they pretend to have eighty legions. But they are very numerous, and a thousand men is a very small force to meet them.”
K‘ung-ming replied, “I would give you more, but I fear to make it hard for the soldiers.”
The two captains stood looking at each other, not daring to undertake such a task with such a force.
“If there be a failure I shall not hold you responsible,” said Kʻung-ming. “Do not say any more, but get off quickly.”
The two officers pleaded with him, saying that if he desired to kill them he had better do it, but they dared not go.
Kʻung-ming laughed. “How silly you are!” said he. “If I send you, you may be sure there is a meaning in it. I observed the stars yesterday, and I see there will be a tremendous rain this month. The army of Wei may consist of any number of legions, but they will be unable to penetrate into a mountainous country. So there is no need to send a large force. You will come to no harm, and I shall lead the main body into Hanchung and rest for a month while the enemy retreats. Then I shall smite them. My army will be able to account for their four times as many.”
This satisfied them, and they left, while the main body went out toward Hanchung. Moreover, every station was ordered to lay in a stock of wood and straw and grain enough for a whole month’s use, ready against the autumn rains. A month’s holiday was given, and food and clothing were issued in advance. The expedition was postponed for the present.
When Ts‘ao Chên and Ssǔma I approached Ch'ênts‘ang and entered the city, they could not find a single house. They questioned some of the people near, who said that K‘ung-ming had burned everything before he left. Then Ts‘ao proposed to advance along the road, but Ssŭma opposed, saying that the stars foretold much rain.
“If we get deep in a difficult country and are always victorious it is all very well. But if we lose, we shall not get out again. Better remain in this city and build what shelter we can against the rain.”
Ts‘ao Chên followed his advice. In the middle of the month the rain began, and came down in a deluge so that the surrounding country was three feet under water. The equipment of the men was soaked, and the men themselves could get no place to sleep. For a whole month the rain continued. The horses could not be fed, and the men grumbled incessantly. They sent to Loyang, and the king himself prayed for fine weather, but with no effect.
An officer, Wang Su, sent up a memorial:-“The histories say that when supplies have to be conveyed a long distance the soldiers are starved; if they have to gather brushwood before they can cook then the army is not full fed. This applies to ordinary expeditions in an ordinary country. If, in addition, the army has to march through a difficult country and roads have to be cut, the labour is doubled. Now this expedition is hindered by rain and steep and slippery hills; movement is cramped and supplies can only be maintained with difficulty. All is most unpropitious to the army.
“Ts‘ao Chên has been gone over a month and has only got half through the valley. Road making is monopolising all energies, and the fighting men have to work on them. The state of affairs is the opposite to ideal, and the fighting men dislike it. I may quote certain parallels. King Wu attacked Chou; he went through the pass, but returned. In recent times your father and grandfather, attacking Sun Ch'üan, reached the river, and went no farther. Did they not recognise limitations and act accordingly? I pray Your Majesty to remember the grave difficulties caused by the rain and put an end to this expedition. By and by another occasion will arise for using men, and in the joy of overcoming difficulties the people will forget death.”
The king could not make up his mind, but two other memorials followed, and then he issued the command to return, which was sent to the two generals. They had already discussed the abandonment of the expedition. Ts‘ao Chên had said, “We have had rain for a whole month, and the men are downhearted and think only of getting home again. How can we stop them?”
Ssǔma replied, “Return is best.”
“If K‘ung-ming pursue, how shall we repulse him?”
“We can leave an ambush.”
While they were discussing this matter the king’s command arrived. Whereupon they faced about and marched homeward.
Now K‘ung-ming had reckoned upon this month of rain and so had had his men camped in a safe place. Then he ordered the main army to assemble at Ch‘ihp‘i and camp there. He summoned his officers to his tent and said, “In my opinion the enemy must retire, for the king will issue such an order. To pursue needs preparation, and so we will let them retire without molestation. Some other plan must be evolved.”
So when Wang P‘ing sent news of the retreat of the enemy the messenger carried back the order not to pursue.
It is only lost labour to cover retreat
When your enemy does not pursue.
By what means K‘ung-ming intended to defeat Wei will be told in the next chapter.