««« Chapter 102 »»» Sima Yi Occupies The Banks Of River Wei; Zhuge Liang Constructs Mechanical Bullocks And Horses.

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1 Qiao Zhou, who protested against the war, was Grand Historian. He was also an astrologer.
2 He opposed the war, saying, "My present office involves the direction of the observations on the Astrological Terrace, and I am bound to report whether the aspect forebodes misfortune or promises happiness. Not long since, several flights of thousands of birds came from the south, plunged into River Han and were drowned. This is an evil augury. Moreover, I have studied the aspect of the sky, and the 'Wolf' constellation is influencing the aspect of the planet Venus. An aura of prosperity pervades the north. To attack Wei will not be to our profit. Again, the people in Chengdu say that the cypress trees moan in the night. With so many evil omens, I wish that the Prime Minister should not go forth to war, but remain at home to guard what we have."
3 "How can I?" said Zhuge Liang. "His Late Majesty laid upon me a heavy responsibility, and I must exert myself to the utmost in the endeavor to destroy these rebels. The policy of a state cannot be changed because of inauspicious signs."
4 Zhuge Liang was not to be deterred. He instructed the officials to prepare the Great Bovine Sacrifice in the Dynastic Temple. Then, weeping, he prostrated himself and made this declaration:	» JiaGai -- How sad -- He has become so obsessed with destroying Wei that he will soon tread into territory that Liu Bei himself did. Liu Bei wanted to destroy Wu and kill Sun Quan so much that he became blind to logic and wisdom and Zhuge Liang seems set on the same path. » Flying Flash Swallow -- agreed -- Zhuge Liang once would council war or peace, whichever was best, but now he is working for the memory of Liu Bei, and, unlike in real life, the memory can never be persuaded. Dedication to a dead man seems to be the cause of the downfall of both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. However, I think Zhuge Liang is walking into this with his eyes wide open, pulled into this by careful consideration of duty, rather than pure anger. » EmperorMiki -- Yes, of course he did, he wouldn't be Zhuge if he didn't. -- And that is not a biased opinion. That is the way things are, that is the way that he is remembered, and that is the way that he will always be remembered. » cFodder -- If he weren't... -- He would have refuted Qiao Zhou's statement in typically Zhuge Liang fashion, and Qiao Zhou would suffer a heart attack or something or his brain would explode. Instead he more or less says. "Yeah, you're right: but I'm still going."
5 "Thy servant Zhuge Liang has made five expeditions to Qishan without gaining any extension of territory. His fault weighs heavily upon him. Now once again he is about to march, pledged to use every effort of body and mind to exterminate the rebels against the Han House, and to restore to the dynasty its glory in the Middle Land. To achieve this end, he would use the last remnant of his strength and could die content."
6 The sacrifice ended, he took leave of the Latter Ruler and set out for Hanzhong to make the final arrangements for his march. While so engaged, he received the unexpected news of the death of Guan Xing. He was greatly shocked, and fainted. When he had recovered consciousness, his officers did their utmost to console him.	» Junts -- Guan Xing -- What, no commentary, and did they not tell us how, or did I miss it? » JiaGai -- Not surprising -- Luo Guanzhong seems to gloss over the deaths of most everyone toward the end of the novel. Ma Chao, for example, was merely mentioned as an afterthought. Hell, they don't even mention when Lu Xun and Sun Quan (two VERY important Wu figures) die, so Guan Xing is lucky to even get mentioned. » Junts -- Actually -- I recall reading the death of Sun Quan and his confiding his successors to others, and it then mentions that Lu Xun had died. its between chapters 100 and 110 if you look, I believe » JiaGai -- Hmm... -- I could have sworn I read those chapters. I'll reread them again to see what I missed. » Junts -- Location -- My approximation could be off a bit, reading from 95 through the end in one sitting means I really don't remember which chapter contained what, only that Zhuge Liang died somewhere around 100 and Sun Quan was after that. In the paragraph leading into the Sun Quan death stuff it mentions that 'By now, many leading men of Wu had died, including Lu Xun', or something to that affect. » JiaGai -- Cripes -- Beginning of Chapter 108. How could I have missed that? God I feel like an idiot. That aside, I have to say that for two Wu leaders as important as Sun Quan and Lu Xun, they sure get a footnote-ish write off instead of a more appropriate memorial. » Junts -- Agreed -- I think footnotish writeoffs are the last 20 chapters of the book, after Zhuge Liang died, all that was left to do was to get through to the start of the Jin dynasty - the true epic was over, though the history wasn't. » RoboSSS -- Where are they now...? -- The absence of Xu Chu is disappointing. He saved Cao's life more times than Dian Wei, yet he apparently just falls off the face of the Earth? :-/ » Flying Flash Swallow -- Dian Wei -- Remember the mourning for Dian Wei? It was like half a chapter and was mentioned every now and again. I mean, he was cool and all, but all he did was save Cao Cao once and he was around for only like, 15 chapters. I guess the most epic characters were Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang, and so they got the most recognition. The problem is that history doesn't let these characters really win or lose, they just kinda leave it to posterity, so the end almost changes from an epic to a history. » Flying Flash Swallow -- Guan Xing -- I guess someone better give him a eulogy. He was heir to the Green Dragon Saber and a mighty young General, worthy of comparison to his father, Guan Yu. His fist act was revenge, but soon he and Zhang Bao proved themselves to be pillars of Shu after the Five Tigers fell, and now they too have fallen, and I don't think anyone can take up the Green Dragon Saber again. All that's left for Shu now is Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wei, and Wei Yan. Farewell Guan Xing, and good luck Shu. » Super Dian Wei -- Just for the record, I can think of three times... -- where Dian Wei saved Cao Cao's life, and if not for Dian Wei, Cao Cao would have never gotten Xu Chu. » shenlong -- death of guan xing -- i'm just reading this as i comment, since i'm new to these post, and haven't finished the book yet... i read the posts and saw that no had really eulogized guan xing, so i'll give it a shot (don't expect it to rhyme though)... "in vengeance for a father slain, he fulfilled his duty as a filial son. in taking up his father's blade, he inherited an oath of the most sacred kind. he fought for a dream, not necessarily his, and did so out of duty and filial piety. a dragon among men, a tiger among generals, he bore his father's mantle well. may the pride and gratitude Guan Xing deserves be shown him, when he greets his father beneath the Nine Golden Springs." » DragonAtma -- The peach garden revisited? -- The three sworn broithers died, but they have sons to take after them! Guan Yu is followed by Guan Xing, worthy wielder of the Black Dragon! Zhang Fei is followed by the finest warrior, Zhang Bao! And Liu Bei is followed by the World's Most Powerful Idiot, Liu Shan! But seriously, Zhuge Liang is almost like a son to Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang, Guan Xing, and Zhang Bao did pretty well as a second trio.
7 "How pitiful! Why does Heaven deny long life to the loyal and good? I have lost a most able general just as I am setting out and need him most."	» Drackor -- Guan Xing and his Death -- Just thought all of you that made memorials might like to know that the account of Guan Xing killing Pan Zhang and taking back the Green Dragon Saber, was false. In real history it never happened. In one of the Sources LGZ used there is an account of Pan Zhang receiving a military promotion some 9 years after Yi Ling for services rendered. This was just yet another bit of Creative license on LGZ's part to make sure that his "God of War", Guan Yu, was avenged. » cFodder -- Maybe it was a metephorical killing... -- Like... Guan Xing stole the Green Dragon Saber while Pan Zhong wasn't looking and later made a voodoo doll of him, using the saber to stab it repeatedly... or something... Interesting nonetheless. » Seraph -- I'm going to go with Drackor on this one. -- It was probably LGZ making stuff up to fit his story. After all, this is the God of War; it wouldn't make sense for him to go unavenged, especially by his son. Also, it makes a really good literary device; Guan Xing us effectively taking up his father's role by taking up the Green Dragon and slaying his enemy. Guan Xing is still a very able general, though. There is no doubt that he would be a great asset to Zhuge Liang in his northern campaigns; his death is a tragedy for Shu.
8 As all are born, so all must die; People are as gnats against the sky; But loyalty or piety May give them immortality.
9 The armies of Shu numbered three hundred forty thousand strong, and they marched in five divisions, with Jiang Wei and Wei Yan in the van, and when they had reached Qishan, Li Hui, the Commissary General, was instructed to convey stores into the Xie Valley in readiness.
10 In Wei they had recently changed the style of the year period to "Green Dragon", because a green dragon had been seen to emerge from Mopo Well. The year of the fighting was the second year (AD 234).
11 The courtiers said to the Ruler of Wei, "The commanders of the passes report thirty or so legions advancing in five divisions from Shu upon Qishan."
12 The news distressed the Ruler of Wei, who at once called in Sima Yi and told him of the invasion.
13 Sima Yi replied, "The aspect of the sky is very auspicious for the Middle Land. The Wolf star has encroached upon the planet Venus, which bodes ill for the River Lands. Thus Zhuge Liang is pitting his powers against Heaven, and will meet defeat and suffer death. And I, by virtue of Your Majesty's good fortune, am to be the instrument of destruction. I request to name four leaders to go with me."
14 "Who are they? Name them," said the Ruler of Wei.
15 "They are the four sons of Xiahou Yuan: Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Hui, and Xiahou He. Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei are trained archers and cavaliers; Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He are deep strategists. All four desire to avenge the death of their father. Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei should be Leaders of the Van; Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He should be Marching Generals, to discuss and arrange plans for the repulse of our enemy."
16 "You remember the evil results of employing the Dynastic Son-in-Law Xiahou Mao: He lost his army and is still too ashamed to return to court. Are you sure these are not of the same kidney?"
17 "They are not like Xiahou Mao in the least."
18 The Ruler of Wei granted the request and named Sima Yi as Commander-in-Chief with the fullest authority. When Sima Yi took leave of the Ruler of Wei, he received a command in Cao Rui's own writing:
19 "When you, Noble Sir, reach the banks of River Wei and have well fortified that position, you are not to give battle. The army of Shu, disappointed of their desire, will pretend to retire and so entice you on, but you will not pursue. You will wait till their supplies are consumed and they are compelled to retreat, when you may smite them. Then you will obtain the victory without distressing the army unduly. This is the best plan of campaign."
20 Sima Yi took it with bowed head. He proceeded forthwith to Changan. When he had mustered the forces assembled from all western counties, they numbered four hundred thousand, and they were all camped on River Wei. In addition, fifty thousand troops were farther up the stream preparing nine floating bridges. The two Leaders of the Van, Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei, were ordered to cross the river and camp, and in rear of the main camp on the east a solid earth rampart was raised to guard against any surprises from the rear.
21 While these preparations were in progress, Guo Huai and Sun Li came to the new camp.
22 Guo Huai said, "With the troops of Shu at Qishan, there is a possibility of their dominating River Wei, going up on the plain, and pushing out a line to the northern hills whereby to cut off all highways in the West Valley Land."
23 "You say well," said Sima Yi. "See to it. Take command of all the West Valley Land forces, occupy Beiyuan, and make a fortified camp there. But adopt a defensive policy. Wait till the enemy's food supplies get exhausted before you think of attack."
24 So Guo Huai and Sun Li left to carry out these orders.	» toocold -- Sun Li -- I assume this guy isn't related to the Sun family of Wu, but does anyone have any more info about him? » Shokyo -- Unless the book says so, they aren't related. » DragonAtma -- Sun Li -- I believe ancient China had only 100 family names, so it's a bit ridiculous for everyone to be related to everyone else of the same family name. Technically everyone is related to everyone else if you go back 100,000 years or so, but I don't expect Emperor Xian to say "Oh worthy Cao Pi, as my ten thousand two hundred and thirty-seventh cousin twice removed, it is only fitting for you, a relative of mine, to be the next Emperor!" » GongsunZanlives -- response to DragonAtma -- Also if your Christian, Jewish, or Muslim everyone is related because of Adam and Eve » JiaGai -- Uh... what does that have to do with anything? » guanping -- I think he was just trying to make an interesting point » DongDal -- So we're all related... -- I think I hear the tune from Deliverance... » cFodder -- *gets out his banjo*
25 Meanwhile Zhuge Liang made five main camps at Qishan, and between Xie Valley and Saber Pass he established a line of fourteen large camps. He distributed the troops among these camps as for a long campaign. He appointed inspecting officers to make daily visits to see that all was in readiness.
26 When he heard that the army of Wei had camped in Beiyuan, he said to his officers, "They camp there fearing that our holding this area will sever connection with West Valley Land. I am pretending to look toward Beiyuan, but really my objective is River Wei. I am going to build a hundred or more large rafts and pile them with straw, and I have five thousand of marines to manage them. In the darkness of the night I shall attack Beiyuan. Sima Yi will come to the rescue. If he is only a little worsted, I shall cross the river with the rear divisions, then the leading divisions will embark on the rafts, drop down the river, set fire to the floating bridges, and attack the rear of the enemy. I shall lead an army to take the gates of the first camp. If we can get the south bank of the river, the campaign will become simple."
27 Then the generals took orders and went to prepare.
28 The spies carried information of the doings of the troops of Shu to Sima Yi, who said to his generals, "Zhuge Liang has some crafty scheme, but I think I know it. He proposes to make a show of taking Beiyuan, and then, dropping down the river, he will try to burn our bridges, throw our rear into confusion, and then attack our camps."	» JiaGai -- He's learning -- Sima Yi is finally starting to learn how to counter Zhuge Liang. Now he's becoming the threat that Zhuge Liang feared him to be.
29 So he gave Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei orders: "You are to listen for the sounds of battle about Beiyuan. If you hear the shouting, you are to march down to the river, to the hills on the south, and lay an ambush against the troops of Shu as they arrive."
30 Zhang Hu and Yue Chen were to lead two other forces, of two thousand of bowmen each, and lie in hiding on the north bank near the bridges to keep off the rafts that might come down on the current and keep them from touching the bridges.
31 Then he sent for Guo Huai and Sun Li, and said, "Zhuge Liang is coming to Beiyuan to cross the river secretly. Your new force is small, and you can hide half way along the road. If the enemy cross the river in the afternoon, that will mean an attack on us in the evening. Then you are to simulate defeat and run. They will pursue. You can shoot with all your energy, and our marines and land troops will attack at once. If the attack is in great force, look out for orders."
32 All these orders given, Sima Yi sent his two sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao to reinforce the front camp, while he led his own army to relieve Beiyuan.
33 Zhuge Liang sent Wei Yan and Ma Dai to cross River Wei and attack Beiyuan, while the attempt to set fire to the bridges was confided to Hu Ban and Wu Yi. The general attack on the Wei camp by River Wei was to be made by three divisions: The front division under Wang Ping and Zhang Ni, the middle division under Jiang Wei and Ma Zheng, the rear division under Liao Hua and Zhang Yi. The various divisions started at noon and crossed the river, where they slowly formed up in battle order.	» Junts -- Liao Hua -- He must be friggin ridiculously old by now himself. Yan Yan was mentioned back during Zhuge Liang's first invasion of Wei, he's never been mentioned to die, or did I miss that, or was he not important enough to merit a death mention? » darkknight -- Liao Hua -- He was around about the time of Cao vs. Yuan Shao. But so was the likes of Zhang He, Liu Ye and many others like Xu Huang and Xu Chu who recently died. » Seraph -- Ironically -- he does not die of old age. But would not be a strange thing for him to have joined at a ridiculously young age by todays standards. » ZhangDun -- Remember... -- Liao Hua, at least according to the encyclopedia in DW4, lived to see Shu from it's birth to it's demise and further back, like what darkknight said. » Solidus -- liao hua -- he should have written a book about shu and what went wrong. » GongsunZanlives -- Liao Hua -- i heard he lived to be ninety sometin Also when i played ROTK8 you could play in 271 AD and he was 94
34 Wei Yan and Ma Dai arrived Beiyuan about dusk. The scouts having informed the defenders of their approach, Sun Li abandoned his camp and fled. This told Wei Yan that his attack was expected, and he turned to retire. At this moment a great shouting was heard, and there appeared two bodies of the enemy under Sima Yi and Guo Huai bearing down upon the attackers from left and right. Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought desperately to extricate themselves, but many of the soldiers of Shu fell into the river and drowned. The others scattered. However, Wu Yi came up and rescued the force from entire destruction, and moved across the river to make camp.
35 Hu Ban set half his troops to navigate the rafts down the river to the bridges. But Zhang Hu and Yue Chen stationed near the bridges shot clouds of arrows at them, and the Shu leader, Hu Ban, was wounded. He fell into the river and was drowned. The crews of the rafts jumped into the water and got away. The rafts fell into the hands of the soldiers of Wei.	» shenlong -- doesn't look good -- looks like this expedition really is cursed... usually by now, zhuge liang would have sent a secret force to lay ambush and allow the others to carry out their missins, but no such foresight is forthcoming this time... zhuge liang's never been bested like this... » darkknight -- no!!!! hu ban -- i really like him. he was never a brilliant warrior, but was very brave and loyal.
36 At this time the front division under Wang Ping and Zhang Ni were ignorant of the defeat of their Beiyuan army, and they went straight for the camps of Wei. They arrived in the second watch.
37 They heard loud shouting, and Wang Ping said to Zhang Ni, "We do not know whether the cavalry sent to Beiyuan has been successful or not. It is strange that we do not see a single soldier of the enemy. Surely Sima Yi has found out the plan and prepared to frustrate the attack. Let us wait here till the bridges have been set on fire and we see the flames."
38 So they halted. Soon after, a mounted messenger came up with orders: "The Prime Minister bade you retire immediately, as the attack on the bridges has failed."
39 Wang Ping and Zhang Ni attempted to withdraw, but a bomb exploded and the troops of Wei, who had taken a by-road to their rear, at once attacked. A great fire started also. A disorderly battle ensued, from which Wang Ping and Zhang Ni eventually forced their ways out, but only with great loss.	» RoboSSS -- It's funny... -- During these types of ambushes it's always exactly as they're attempting to withdraw... Yet people never suspected an empty camp would lead to an ambush as soon as they started to leave? Oookay... » cFodder -- Not particularly funny really... just good sense. -- Typically the most vulnerable time for an army is when they are preparing to leave their current theatre of operations - defensive positions are abandoned at this point, the troops themselves have just finished dismantling their camp. The troops themselves are prepared for a long march - not combat, and much of the generals' attention is taken up making preparations for the march instead preparing for an attack or tracking enemy intentions. Not particularly funny, it just happens to be a point of vulnerability for any ancient army - and one that is so regular and unavoidable by its very nature that enemies will not fail to take advantage of it. What's the point of attacking an enemy in their camp while they're intent on holding their position when you can attack when they've left and are intent on marching?
40 And when Zhuge Liang collected his army at Qishan once more he found, to his sorrow, that he had lost more than ten thousand troops.
41 Just at this time Fei Yi arrived front Chengdu.
42 Zhuge Liang received him and, after the ceremonies were over, said, "I would trouble you, Sir, to carry a letter for me into East Wu. Will you undertake the mission?"
43 "Could I possibly decline any task you laid upon me?" said Fei Yi.
44 So Zhuge Liang wrote a letter and sent it to Sun Quan. Fei Yi took it and hastened to Capital Jianye, where he saw Sun Quan, the Ruler of Wu, and presented this letter:
45 "The Hans have been unfortunate, and the line of rulers has been broken. The Cao party have usurped the seat of government and still hold the command. My late master, Emperor Bei, confided a great task to me, and I must exhaust every effort to achieve it. Now my army is at Qishan, and the rebels are on the verge of destruction on River Wei. I hope Your Majesty, in accordance with your oath of alliance, will send a leader against the north to assist by taking the Middle Land, and the empire can be shared. The full circumstances cannot be told, but I hope you will understand and act."
46 Sun Quan was pleased at the news and said to the envoy, "I have long desired to set my arm in motion, but have not been able to arrange with Zhuge Liang. After this letter I will lead an expedition myself, and go to Juchao and capture Xincheng of Wei. Moreover, I will send Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin to camp at Miankou and Jiangxia, and take Xiangyang. I will also send another army under Sun Shao and Zhang Cheng into Guangling to capture Huaiyang. The total number will be three hundred thousand troops, and they shall start at once."
47 Fei Yi thanked him and said, "In such a case the Middle Land will fall forthwith."
48 A banquet was prepared. At this, Sun Quan said, "Whom did the Prime Minister send to lead the battle?"
49 Fei Yi replied, "Wei Yan was the chief leader."
50 "A man brave enough, but ambitious. One day he will work a mischief unless Zhuge Liang is present. But surely Zhuge Liang knows."	» toocold -- I don't get why no one trusts Wei Yan. » HuChe -- nobody trust wei yan because one he killed and deserted han xuan, and two he is very ambitious » GongsunZanlives -- stop bashing Wei Yan -- The reason why he did it was to save Huang Zhong, and he was never promoted even though he was great. Yes he may be ambitious but almost everyone is ambitious. » JiaGai -- About Wei Yan and Han Xuan -- What exactly did Wei Yan do that was any less treasonous than Huang Zhong? Huang Zhong was given an order to kill Guan Yu and with his eagle-eye precision and supreme archery skill, even the great Guan Yu would have no chance of escaping alive. Yet Huang Zhong basically nerfed his own shot and allowed Guan Yu to retreat. He disregarded a direct order and allowed a very dangerous enemy general to live and continue the fight. That deserved execution. Yet Wei Yan, who never had any real loyalty to Han Xuan to begin with (he fled Liu Biao's service after aiding the man he really wanted to serve, Liu Bei), cuts Han Xuan down to save Huang Zhong and to offer the city to Liu Bei, he is instantly labelled a traitor and reviled while Huang Zhong is respected for showing mercy to Guan Yu. Let's not have a double standard, here. » guanping -- it gets even worse for poor Wei Yan -- I think Kongming just dosn't like him » DongDal -- Pity really. He was an alright general and warrior. -- If only he could have kept a hold on himself he would have been rather formidable. » BraveZuMao -- Wei Yan was a very talented officer with many accomplishments under his belt. -- One of my own personal favorite scenes in the book is when he fights with (Wen Pin?) to help out Liu Bei when he really was in need. Zhuge was wrong not to use him to his fullest potential, and he could have had a better ending, resulting in a better end for Shu too.
51 "Your Majesty's words are to the point," said the envoy. "I will return at once and lay them before Zhuge Liang."
52 Fei Yi quickly took leave and hastened to Qishan with his news of the intended expedition of Wu against Wei with three hundred thousand troops in three directions.
53 "Did the Ruler of Wu say nothing else?" asked Zhuge Liang.
54 Then Fei Yi told him what had been said about Wei Yan.
55 "Truly a comprehending ruler," said Zhuge Liang, appreciatively. "But I could not be ignorant of this. However, I value Wei Yan because he is very bold and devoted."
56 "Then Sir, you ought to decide soon what to do with him."
57 "I have a scheme of my own."
58 Fei Yi returned to Chengdu, and Zhuge Liang resumed the ordinary camp duties of a leader.
59 When Zhuge Liang was in a council with his commanders, suddenly a certain Wei leader came and begged to be allowed to surrender. Zhuge Liang had the man brought in and questioned him.
60 "I am a leader, Zheng Wen by name. General Qin Lang and I are old colleagues. Recently Sima Yi transferred us and, showing great partiality for my colleague, appointed him Leader of the Van and threw me out like a weed. I was disgusted and left, and I wish to join your ranks if you will accept my service."	» darkknight -- the actual name here is zhang wen -- there was another zhang wen for wu, the ambassador
61 Just at that moment a soldier came in to say that Qin Lang with a company had appeared in front of the tents and was challenging Zheng Wen.
62 Said Zhuge Liang, "How does this man stand with you in fighting skill?"
63 "I should just kill him," said Zheng Wen.
64 "If you were to slay him, that would remove my doubts."
65 Zheng Wen accepted the proposer with alacrity, mounted his horse, and away he went. Zhuge Liang went out to see the fight. There was the challenger shaking his spear and reviling his late friend as rebel and brigand and horse-thief.
66 "Traitor! Give me back my horse you stole!" cried Qin Lang, galloping toward Zheng Wen as soon as he appeared.
67 Zheng Wen whipped up his horse, waved his sword, and went to meet the attack. In the first bout he cut down Qin Lang. The Wei soldiers then ran away. The victor hacked off the head of his victim and returned to lay it at Zhuge Liang's feet.
68 Seated in his tent, Zhuge Liang summoned Zheng Wen and burst out: "Take him away and behead him!"
69 "I have done nothing wrong!" cried Zheng Wen.
70 "As if I do not know Qin Lang! The man you have just killed was not Qin Lang. How dare? you try to deceive me?"
71 Zheng Wen said, "I will own up. But this was his brother Qin Ming."
72 Zhuge Liang smiled.
73 "Sima Yi sent you to try this on for some reason of his own, but he could not throw dust in my eyes. If you do not tell the truth, I will put you to death."
74 Thus caught, the false deserter confessed and begged his life.
75 Zhuge Liang said, "You can save your life by writing a letter to Sima Yi telling him to come to raid our camp. I will spare you on this condition. And if I capture Sima Yi, I will give you all the credit and reward you handsomely."
76 There was nothing for it but to agree, and the letter was written. Then Zheng Wen was placed in confinement.
77 But Fan Jian asked, "How did you know this was only a pretended desertion?"
78 "Sima Yi looks to his people," replied Zhuge Liang. "If he made Qin Lang a leading general, Qin Lang was certainly a man of great military skill and not the sort of man to be overcome by this fellow Zheng Wen in the first encounter. So Zheng Wen's opponent certainly was not Qin Lang. That is how I knew."	» toocold -- sima yi -- That seems like a cruel way to try to trick the enemy. I mean how do you approach the guy who has to get beheaded? "Look your brother is pretty good, but ur kind of worthless. So uh, if you want to help why don't you let us decapitate you?" I know other things have been much worse in this book, but still I guess I never pegged sima yi to do that sort of thing. » Ragnarok -- I don't think he did tell him. -- The brother yelled how Zhang Wen had stole his horse. Perhaps Sima Yi kept him in ignorance and ordered Zhang Wen to engineer the whole scene to no one else knowledge.
79 They congratulated him on his perspicacity. Then Zhuge Liang selected a certain persuasive speaker from among his officers and whispered certain instructions in his ear. The officer at once left and carried the letter just written to the Wei camp, where he asked to see the Commander-in-Chief. He was admitted, and the letter was read.
80 "Who are you?" said Sima Yi.
81 "I am a man from the Middle Land, a poor fellow stranded in Shu. Zheng Wen and I are fellow villagers. Zhuge Liang has given Zheng Wen a Van Leadership as a reward for what he has done, and Zheng Wen got me to bring this letter to you and to say that he will show a light tomorrow evening as a signal, and he hopes you will lead the attack yourself. Zheng Wen will work from the inside in your favor."
82 Sima Yi took great pains to test the reliability of these statements, and he examined the letter minutely to see if it bore any signs of fabrication, but he found it was Zheng Wen's writing.
83 Presently he ordered in refreshments for the bearer of the letter, and then he said, "We will fix today at the second watch for the raid, and I will lead in person. If it succeeds, I will give you a good appointment as a reward."
84 Taking leave, the soldier retraced his steps to his own camp and reported the whole interview to Zhuge Liang.
85 Zhuge Liang held his sword aloft toward the North Star, took the proper paces for an incantation, and prayed.
86 This done, he summoned Wang Ping, Zhang Ni, Wei Yan, Ma Dai, Ma Zheng, and Jiang Wei, to whom he gave certain instructions. When they had gone to carry them out, he ascended a hill, taking with him a few score guards only.
87 Sima Yi had been taken in by Zheng Wen's letter and intended to lead the night raid. But the elder of his sons, Sima Shi, expostulated with his father.
88 "Father, you are going on a dangerous expedition on the faith of a mere scrap of paper," said his son. "I think it imprudent. What if something goes unexpectedly wrong? Let some general go in your place, and you come up in rear as a reserve."	» EmperorMiki -- Heaven's plans -- So it seems that Sima Shi is heaven's bitch. » cFodder -- It seems to me, heavens bitch aside, Sima Yi is constantly outsmarted by his own kids. -- If he just listened to his kids, he'd have already captured Zhuge Liang.
89 Sima Yi saw there was reason in this proposal, and he finally decided to send Qin Lang, with ten thousand troops, and Sima Yi himself would command the reserve.
90 The night was fine with a bright moon. But about the middle of the second watch the sky clouded over, and it became very black, so that a man could not see his next neighbor.
91 "This is providential," chuckled Sima Yi.
92 The expedition duly started, soldiers with gags, and horses with cords round their muzzles. They moved swiftly and silently, and Qin Lang made straight for the camp of Shu.
93 But when he reached it and entered, and saw not a soldier, he knew he had been tricked. He yelled to his troops to retire, but lights sprang up all round, and attacks began from four sides. Fight as he would, Qin Lang could not free himself.
94 From behind the battle area Sima Yi saw flames rising from the camp of Shu and heard continuous shouting, but he knew not whether it meant victory for his own army or to his enemy. He pressed forward toward the fire. Suddenly, a shout, a roll of drums, and a blare of trumpets close at hand, a bomb that seemed to rend the earth, and Wei Yan and Jiang Wei bore down upon Sima Yi, one on each flank. This was the final blow to him. Of every ten soldiers of Wei, eight or nine were killed or wounded, and the few others scattered to the four winds.
95 Meanwhile Qin Lang's ten thousand troops were falling under arrows that came in locust-flights, and their leader was killed. Sima Yi and the remnant of his army ran away to their own camp.
96 After the third watch the sky cleared. Zhuge Liang from the hill-top sounded the gong of retreat. This obscurity in the third watch was due to an incantation called Concealing Method. The sky became clear, because Zhuge Liang performed another incantation to have the Deities of Six Layers sweep away the few floating clouds that still persisted.
97 The victory was complete. The first order on Zhuge Liang's return to camp was to put Zheng Wen to death.
98 Next he considered new plans for capturing the south bank. Every day be sent a party to offer a challenge before the camps of the enemy, but no one accepted.
99 One day Zhuge Liang rode in his small chariot to the front of the Qishan Mountains, keenly scanned the course of River Wei and carefully surveyed the lie of the land. Presently he came to a valley shaped like a bottle-gourd, large enough to form a hiding place for a whole thousand soldiers in the inner recess, while half as many more could hide in the outer. In rear the mountains were so close that they left passage only for a single horseman. The discovery pleased the general mightily, and he asked the guides what the place was called.
100 They replied, "It is called Shangfang Valley, and nicknamed Gourd Valley."	» Kojin -- Wait! Isn't this the name of the valley Zhuge Liang used to blow up those Nanman soldiers? » mattamatics -- yes, I think so. » JiaGai -- Somehow, I doubt it. This struggle against Sima Yi takes place in the north of China. -- The Nanman campaign took place in the south of China. » Seraph -- Same name, different location. -- Or maybe it was nicknamed that as a literary device (foreshadow, anyone?)! » Ragnarok -- Nope. That was Coiled Snake Valley. How could you mistake that?
101 Returning to his camp, he called up two leaders named Du Rui and Hu Zhong and whispered into their ears certain secret orders. Next he called up a thousand craftspeople and sent them into the Gourd Valley to construct "wooden oxen and running horses" for the use of the troops. Finally he set Ma Dai with five hundred troops to guard the mouth of the Gourd Valley and prevent all entrance and exit.
102 Zhuge Liang said, "People from outside cannot enter, from inside cannot exit. I will visit the valley at irregular intervals to inspect the work. A plan for the defeat of Sima Yi is being prepared here and must be kept a profound secret."
103 Ma Dai left to take up the position. The two generals, Du Rui and Hu Zhong, were superintendents of the work in the Gourd Valley. Zhuge Liang came every day to give instructions.
104 One day Yang Yi went to Zhuge Liang and said, "The stores of grain are all at Saber Pass, and the labor of transport is very heavy. What can be done?"
105 Zhuge Liang replied, smiling, "I have had a scheme ready for a long time. The timber that I collected and bought in the River Lands was for the construction of wooden transport animals to convey grain. It will be very advantageous, as they will require neither food nor water and they can keep on the move day and night without resting."
106 All those within hearing said, "From old days till now no one has ever heard of such a device. What excellent plan have you, O Prime Minister, to make such marvelous creatures?"
107 "They are being made now after my plans, but they are not yet ready. Here I have the sketches for these mechanical oxen and horses, with all their dimensions written out in full. You may see the details."
108 Zhuge Liang then produced a paper, and all the generals crowded round to look at it. They were all greatly astonished and lauded, "The Prime Minister is superhuman!"
109 A few days later the new mechanical animals were complete and began work. They were quite life-like and went over the hills in any desired direction. The whole army saw them with delight. They were but in charge of Right General Gao Xiang and a thousand soldiers to guide them. They kept going constantly between Saber Pass and the front carrying grain for the use of the soldiers.	» Yorak -- Ah, the legendary Wood Ox. -- The real Zhuge Liang made these, too, although there's debate to this day as to what the "wood ox" actually was. Most people think it was a wheelbarrow or wheelbarow-type cart, but some people think that it was like in the novel - an actual mechanical ox. » JiaGai -- Gotta admit -- The whole mechanical ox thing sounds pretty damn cool, especially considering this is well before such machines should even be possible. China was advanced for it's era, but not THAT advanced. » Shokyo -- Where was England at this point? -- Picking fleas off our backs? We were probably fighting the Romans right? But the Romans were quite advanced ("quite advanced" being a slight understatement) » Super Dian Wei -- England was in the northern hemisphere, where it still is today. -- But wait..."we"? You ARE from england! I friggan knew it all along! » Explainer -- Being an inventor in old China was tough... -- China built the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, was the first to use paper, explosives, silk, earthquake detector, printing instrument, revolving lamp, etc. Zhuge Liang made automatic crossbow, mechanical transport, etc. All of which require great knowledge of science. But the society was so skewed toward "certain" arts such as poetry and calligraphy that it made those inventions appear trivial. We glorify Aristole and Archimedes for example, but in the Chinese context people hardly value Zhuge Liang as an inventor. Therefore, being a scientist in old China must have sucked. Of course, nothing is wrong with calligraphy and such, for they are finely beautiful. But we can feel the disappointment of those past geniuses who screamed at the top of their lungs, yet no one pay them much respect. » darkknight -- finally some english guys(and shokyo) -- i english to i thought i was the only one » Shokyo -- How did you know I was English? -- Other than that, I don't remember saying (other than complaining about school systems...) Is it a big deal? » Seraph -- Maybe it was the way you spelled -- for example: colour instead of color (or whatever your spelling is)? » toocold -- or her vocabulary -- she says mum, and "coz" i've never seen that outside of england » Super Dian Wei -- post -- I, not being english myself (USA...woooo....hoo) have found the easiest way to pick out english people in here from everybody else. This mostly applies to Shokyo and LordSunQuan, but the use of the word "git." I don't even know what a git is, but I know it's an english thing, so Shokyo has been tagged in my book for a LONG time as english. But not to worry Shokyo...I still luv ya. » Shokyo -- Awww... that's really sweet -- But I don't like talking out loud to American people, coz I always sound so... POSH. And to be honest, I don't know what a git is, I think it's just a general insult. And it's a bit more polite than some other insults. » LuBoyan -- A git -- A think a git is a pregnant goldfish...or maybe that's a twit... » Super Dian Wei -- Oh...and Shokyo... -- Up top of this post, you are talkin bout england. You continue to say "we" were fighting the Romans, henceforth identifying yourself as English. » Shokyo -- A git probably is a pregnant goldfish; a twit is a stupid person. » DongDal -- I'm not alone! -- Which part of England are you from Shokyo? I come from the Midlands meself. » JoeYun -- i'm English too -- and at about this time england has just about finished being conqured by Rome, and i have no idea what a git is... » Shokyo -- Devon. In the sticky out South Western bit. » BraveZuMao -- Telltale signs -- I've been reading the notes and, agreeing with SDW, I can see all of those English signs,(git,posh,something about scottish ancestry) » GeneralZhangLiao -- You think... -- There are few English here, but I myself am a Dutch (And I don't like it, believe me, stupid farmer culture) and I believe I am the only one here. » MasterMaChao -- i am english and let me clear a few things up for you -- Firstly a git is a general insult to identify a crafty, annoying person, secondly, quite obviously we are not all 'POSH', think of England as a small America if you like (apart from not a stupid :P) we have vast change between the south and the north in terms of how posh one is or the words we use. I myself is from south-east of england in a place called east anglia, Suffolk (and for you americans there is a suffolk in your country to the North i think which is quite ironic), we have northerners, londerers etc. etc. so you can no longer justify us as posh! if you want to call a country posh its Switzerland!!!!
110 Along the Saber Pass mountain roads The running horses bore their loads, And through Xie Valley's narrow way The wooden oxen paced each day. O generals, use these means today, And transport troubles take away.
111 Sima Yi was already sad enough at his defeat, when the spies told him of these wooden bullocks and horses of new design which the soldiers of Shu were using to convey their grain.
112 This troubled him still more, and he said to his generals, "I knew the transportation from the River Lands was difficult; therefore, I shut the gates and remained on the defensive waiting for the enemy to be starved. With this device, they may never be compelled to retreat for want of food."
113 Then he called up Zhang Hu and Yue Chen and gave orders: "Each of you with five hundred troops will goes to the Xie Valley by by-roads. When you see the Shu soldiers transport their grain by, you are to let them through, but only to attack at the end and capture four or five of the wooden horses and bullocks."
114 So a thousand soldiers went on this service disguised as soldiers of Shu. They made their way along the by-ways by night and hid. Presently the wooden convoy came along under the escort of Gao Xiang. Just as the end of it was passing, they made a sudden rush, and captured a few of the "animals" which the soldiers of Shu abandoned. In high glee they took them to their own camp.
115 When Sima Yi saw them, he had to confess they were very life-like. But what pleased him most was that he could imitate them now that he had models.	» Solid -- I've always known Sima Yi is a copycat
116 "If Zhuge Liang can use this sort of thing, it would be strange if I could not," said he.
117 He called to him many clever craftspeople and made them then and there take the machines to pieces and make some exactly like them. In less than half a month, they had completed a couple of thousand after Zhuge Liang's models, and the new mechanical animals could move. Then Sima Yi placed Cen Wei, General Who Guards the Frontiers, in charge of this new means of transport, and the "animals" began to ply between the camp and the West Valley Land. The Wei soldiers were filled with joys.
118 Gao Xiang returned to camp and reported the loss of a few of his wooden oxen and horses.
119 "I wished him to capture some of them," said Zhuge Liang, much pleased. "I am just laying out these few, and before long I shall get some very solid help in exchange."
120 "How do you know, O Prime Minister?" said his officers.
121 "Because Sima Yi will certainly copy them; and when he has done that, I have another plan ready to play on him."
122 Some days later Zhuge Liang received a report that the enemy were using the same sort of wooden bullocks and horses to bring up supplies from Xizhou.
123 "Exactly as I thought," said he.
124 Calling Wang Ping, he said, "Dress up a thousand soldiers as those of Wei, and find your way quickly and secretly to Beiyuan. Tell them that you are escort for the convoy, and mingle with the real escort. Then suddenly turn on them so that they scatter. Next you will turn the herd this way. By and by you will be pursued. When that occurs, you will give a turn to the tongues of the wooden animals, and they will be locked from movement. Leave them where they are and run away. When the soldiers of Wei come up, they will be unable to drag the creatures and equally unable to carry them. I shall have soldiers ready, and you will go back with them, give the tongues a backward turn and bring the convoy here, The enemy will be greatly astonished."	» AdmiralThrawn -- changing of the uniform -- if the soldiers carry 3 sets of uniforms and change them every week, things like this might not happen
125 Next he called Zhang Ni and said, "Dress up five hundred soldiers in the costume of the Deities of the Six Layers so that they appear supernatural. Fit them with demon heads and wild beast shapes, and let them stain their faces various colors so as to look as strange as possible. Give them flags and swords and bottle-gourds with smoke issuing from combustibles inside. Let these soldiers hide among the hills till the convoy approaches, when they will start the smoke, rush out suddenly and drive off the wooden animals. No one will dare pursue such uncanny company."
126 When Zhang Ni had left, Wei Yan and Jiang Wei were called.
127 "You will take ten thousand troops, go to the border of Beiyuan to receive the wooden transport creatures and defend them against attack."
128 Then another five thousand under Zhang Yi and Liao Hua was sent to check Sima Yi if he should come, while a small force under Ma Dai and Ma Zheng was sent to bid defiance to the enemy near their camp on the south bank.
129 So one day when a convoy was on its way from the West Valley Land, the scouts in front suddenly reported some soldiers ahead who said they were escort for the grain. Commander Cen Wei halted and sent to inquire. It appeared the newcomers were really the soldiers of Wei, however, and so he started once more.
130 The newcomers joined up with his own troops. But before they had gone much farther, there was a yell, and the men of Shu began to kill, while a voice shouted, "Wang Ping is here!"
131 The convoy guard were taken aback. Many were killed, but the others rallied round Cen Wei and made some defense. However, Wang Ping slew Cen Wei, and the others ran this way and that, while the convoy was turned toward the Shu camp.
132 The fugitives ran off to Beiyuan and reported the mishap to Guo Huai, who set out hot foot to rescue the convoy. When he appeared, Wang Ping gave the order to turn tongues, left the wooden animals in the road, and ran away. Guo Huai made no attempt to pursue, but tried to put the wooden animals in motion toward their proper destination. But he could not move them.
133 He was greatly perplexed. Then suddenly there arose the roll of drums all round, and out burst two parties of soldiers. These were Wei Yan and Jiang Wei's troops, and when they appeared Wang Ping's soldiers faced about and came to the attack as well. These three being too much for Guo Huai; he retreated before them. Thereupon the tongues were turned back again and the wooden herd set in motion.
134 Seeing this, Guo Huai came on again. But just then he saw smoke curling up among the hills and a lot of extraordinary creatures burst out upon him. Some held swords and some flags, and all were terrible to look at. They rushed at the wooden animals and urged them away.
135 "Truly these are supernatural helpers," cried Guo Huai, quite frightened.
136 The soldiers also were terror-stricken and stood still.
137 Hearing that his Beiyuan troops had been driven off, Sima Yi came out to the rescue. Midway along the road, just where it was most precipitous, a cohort burst out upon him with fierce yells and bursting bombs. Upon the leading banners he read Han General Zhang Yi and Han General Liao Hua.
138 Panic seized upon his army, and they ran like winds.
139 In the field the craftier leader on the convoy makes a raid, And his rival's life endangers by an ambush subtly laid.
140 If you would know the upshot, read the next chapter.

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