# San Kuo/Volume 2/Chapter 95

CHAPTER VC.
Ma Su‘s Wrangling Loses Chieht‘ing; K‘ung-ming‘s Lute Repulses Ssuma.
Beside sending Chang Ho as van-leader, Ts‘ao Jui appointed two other captains, Hsin P‘i and Sun Li, to assist Ts‘ao Chên. Each led five legions. Ssuma’s army was twenty legions strong. They marched out through the pass and made a camp.
When encamped, the Commander-in-chief summoned the leader of the van to his tent and admonished him, saying, “A characteristic of Chuko Liang is his most diligent carefulness; he is never hasty. If I were in his place I should advance through the Tzuwu Valley to capture Ch‘angan and so save much time. It is not that he is unskilful, but he fears lest that plan might miscarry, and he will not sport with risk. Therefore he will certainly come through the Hsieh Valley, taking Meich'êng on the way. That place captured, he will divide his force into two, one part to take Chi Valley. I have sent orders to guard Meich'êng strictly and on no account to let its garrison go out to battle. The captains Sun Li and Hsin P‘i are to command the Chi Valley entrance, and should the enemy come they are to make a sudden attack.”
“By what road will you advance?” asked Chang.
“I know a road west of Ts‘inling valley called Chieht‘ing, on which stands the city Liehliuch'êng. These two places are the throat of Hanchung. Chuko Liang will take advantage of the unpreparedness of Ts‘ao Chên and will certainly come in by this way. I and you will go to Chieht‘ing, whence it is a short distance to Yenp‘ing Pass, and when K‘ung-ming hears that the road through Chieht‘ing is blocked and his supplies cut off, he will know that Shênsi is in danger, and will retire without losing a moment into Hanchung. I shall smite him on the march, and I ought to gain a complete victory. If he should not retire, then I shall block all the smaller roads and so stop his supplies. A month’s starvation will kill off the men of Shu, and Chuko will be my prisoner.”
Chang Ho took in the scheme and expressed his admiration of the prescience of his chief.
Ssǔma continued, “However, it is not to be forgotten that Chuko is quite different from Mêng, and you, as leader of the van, will have to advance with the utmost care. You must impress upon your captains the importance of reconnoitring a long way ahead and only advancing when they are sure there ​is no ambush. The least remissness will make you the victim of some ruse of the enemy.”
Chang Ho, having received his instructions, marched away. Meanwhile a spy had come to K‘ung-ming in Ch‘ishan with news of the destruction of Mêng Ta and the failure of his conspiracy. Ssuma, having succeeded there, had gone to Ch‘angan when he had marched through the pass.
K‘ung-ming was distressed. “Mêng’s destruction was certain,” said he. “Such a scheme could not remain secret. Now Ssuma will try for Chieht‘ing and block the one road essential to us.”
So Chieht‘ing had to be defended, and K‘ung-ming asked who would go. Ma Su offered himself instantly. K‘ungming urged upon him the importance of his task. “The place is small, but of very great importance, for its loss would involve the loss of the whole army. You are deeply read in all the rules of strategy, but the defence of this place is difficult, since it has no wall and no natural defences.”
“I have studied the books of war since I was a boy, and I may say I know a little of the art of war,” Ma replied. “Why alone is Chieht‘ing so difficult to hold?”
“Because Ssǔma I is an exceptional man, and also he has a famous second in Chang Ho as leader of the van. I fear you may not be a match for him.”
Ma replied, “To say nothing of these two, I would not mind if Ts‘ao Jui himself came against me. If I fail, then I beg you to behead my whole family.”
“There is no jesting in war,” said K‘ung-ming.
“I will give a written pledge.”
The general agreed, and a written pledge was given and placed on record.
K‘ung-ming continued, “I shall give you two legions and a half of veterans and also send an officer of rank to assist you.”
Next he summoned Wang P‘ing and said to him, “As you are a careful and cautious man I am giving you a very responsible position. You are to hold Chieht‘ing with the utmost tenacity. Camp there in the most commanding position so that the enemy cannot steal by. When your arrangements are complete, draw a plan of them and a map of the local topography and let me see it. All my dispositions have been carefully thought out and are not to be changed. If you can hold this successfully it will be of the first service in the capture of Ch‘angan. So be very, very careful.”
After these two had gone and K‘ung-ming had reflected for a long time, it occurred to him that there might be some slip between his two leaders, so he called Kao Hsiang to him and said, “North-east of Chieht‘ing is a city named Liehliuch‘êng and near it an unfrequented hill path. There you are to camp and make a stockade. I will give you a legion for this task, ​and if Chieht‘ing should be threatened you may go to the rescue.”
After Kao Hsiang had left, and as K‘ung-ming knew his man was not a match for his opponent Chang Ho, he decided there ought to be additional strength on the west in order to make Chieht‘ing safe. So he summoned Wei Yen and bade him lead his troop to the rear of Chieht‘ing and camp there.
But Wei Yen thought this rather a slight, and said, “As leader of the van I should go first against the enemy; why am I sent to a place where there is nothing to do?”
“The leadership of the van is really a second-rate task. Now I am sending you to support Chieht‘ing and take post on the most dangerous road to Yenp‘ing Pass. You are the chief keeper of the throat of Hanchung. It is a very responsible post and not at all an idle one. Do not so regard it and spoil my whole plan. Be particularly careful.”
Wei Yen, satisfied now that he was not being slighted, went his way.
K‘ung-ming’s mind was at rest, and he called up Chao Yün and Têng Chih, to whom he said, “Now that Ssŭma I is in command of the army the whole outlook is different. Each of you will lead a force out by Chi Valley and move about so as to mislead the enemy. Whether you meet and engage them or not you will certainly cause them uneasiness. I am going to lead the main army through Hsieh Valley to Meich'êng. If I can capture that, Ch‘'angan will fall.”
For this march Chiang Wei was appointed leader of the van.
When Ma Su and Wang P‘ing had reached Chieht‘ing and saw what manner of place it was, Ma Su smiled, saying, “Why was the minister so extremely anxious? How would the Wei armies dare to come to such a hilly place as this?”
Wang P‘ing replied, “Though they might not dare to come, we should set our camp at this meeting of many roads.”
So Wang ordered his men to fell trees and build a strong stockade as for a permanent stay.
But Ma Su had a different idea. “What sort of a place is a road to make a camp in? Here is a hill standing solitary and well wooded. It is a heaven-created point of vantage, and we will camp on it.”
“You are wrong, Sir,” replied Wang. “If we camp on the road and build a strong wall the enemy cannot possibly get past. If we abandon this for the hill, and the men of Wei come in force, we shall be surrounded, and how then be safe?”
“You look at the thing like a woman,” said Ma Su, laughing. “The rules of war say that when one looks down from a superior position one easily overcomes the enemy. If they come I will see to it that not a breastplate ever goes back again.”
​“I have followed our general in many a campaign, and always he has carefully thought out his orders. Now I have studied this hill carefully, and it is a critical point. If we camp thereon and the enemy cut off our water supply we shall have a mutiny.”
“No such thing,” said Ma Su. “Sun Wu says that victory lies in desperate positions. If they cut off our water will not our men be desperate and fight to the death? Then everyone of them will be worth a hundred. I have studied the books, and the minister has always asked my advice. Why do you presume to oppose me?”
“If you are determined to camp on the hill, then give me part of the force to camp there on the west so that I can support you in case the enemy come.”
But Ma Su refused. Just then a lot of the inhabitants of the hills came running along saying that the Wei soldiers had come.
Wang was still bent on going his own way, and so Ma said to him, “Since you will not obey me, I will give you half a legion and you can go and make your own camp, but when I report my success to the minister you shall have no share of the merit.”
Wang P‘ing marched about ten li from the hill and made his camp. He drew a plan of the place and sent it quickly to K‘ung-ming with a report that Ma Su had camped on the hill.
Before Ssǔma marched, he sent his younger son to reconnoitre the road and to find out whether Chieht‘ing had a garrison. He had returned with the information that there was a garrison.
“Chuko Liang is rather more than human,” said his father regretfully when the son gave in his report. “He is too much for me.”
“Why are you despondent, father? I think Chieht‘ing is not so difficult to take.”
“How dare you utter such bold words?”
“Because I have seen. There is no camp on the road, but the enemy are camped on the hill.”
This was glad news. “If they are on the hill then Heaven means a victory for me,” said his father.
Ssŭma changed into another dress, took a small escort and rode out to see for himself. The moon shone brilliantly, and he rode to the hill whereon was the camp and looked all round it, thoroughly reconnoitring the neighbourhood. Ma Su saw him, but only laughed.
“If he has any luck he will not try to surround this hill,” said Ma.
He issued an order to his captains that in case the enemy came they were to look to the summit for a signal with a red flag, when they should rush down on all sides.
​Ssŭma I returned to his camp and sent out to enquire who commanded in Chieht‘ing. They told him Ma Su, brother of Ma Liang.
“A man of false reputation and very ordinary ability,” said Ssǔma. “If K‘ung-ming uses such as he, he will fail.”
Then he asked if there were any other camps near the place, and they told him Wang P‘ing was about ten li off. Wherefore Chang Ho was ordered to go and check Wang P‘ing.
This done, the hill was surrounded and the road to the water supply was blocked. Lack of water would cause a mutiny, and when that occurred it would be time to attack. Chang Ho marched out and placed himself between Wang P‘ing and the hill. Then Ssǔma led the main body to attack the hill on all sides.
From the summit of his hill Ma Su could see the banners of his enemy all round, and the country about was full of men. Presently the hemming in was complete, and the men of Shu became dejected. They dared not descend to attack although the red flag signalled for them to move. The captains stood huddled together, no one daring to go first. Ma Su was furious. He cut down two officers, which frightened the others to the point of descending and making one desperate rush. But the men of Wei would not fight with them, and they're-ascended the hill.
Ma Su saw that matters were going ill, so he issued orders to bar the gates and defend till help should come.
When Wang P‘ing saw the hill surrounded he started to go to the rescue, but Chang Ho checked him, and after exchanging a half score encounters Wang was compelled to retire whence he had come.
The Wei men kept a close siege. The men in the hill camp, having no water, were unable to prepare food, and disorder broke out. The shouting was audible at the foot of the hill and went on far into the night. The men on the south face got out of hand, opened the gates and surrendered. The men of Wei went round the hill setting fire to the wood, which led to still greater confusion in the beleaguered garrison. At last Ma Su decided to make a dash for safety toward the west.
Ssuma allowed him to pass, but Chang Ho was sent to pursue and chased him for thirty li. But then there came an unexpected roll of drums. Chang Ho was stopped by Wei Yen while Ma Su got past. Whirling up his sword, Wei Yen dashed toward Chang, who retired within his ranks and fled. Wei followed and drove Chang backward toward Chieht‘ing.
The pursuit continued for fifty li, and then Wang found himself in an ambush, Ssŭma I on one side and his son on the other. They closed in behind Wei Yen, and he was surrounded. Chang Ho then turned back, and the attack was now on three sides. Wei Yen lost many men, and all his efforts failed to ​get him clear of the press. Then help appeared in the person of Wang P‘ing.
“This is life for me,” said Wei Yen as he saw Wang coming up, and the two forces joined in a new attack on the men of Wei. So the men of Wei drew off, while Wei Yen and Wang P‘ing made all haste back to their own camps—only to find them in the hands of the enemy.
Shên I and Shên Tan then rushed out and drove Wei and Wang toward Liehliuch'êng. There they were received by Kao Hsiang, who had come out to meet his unfortunate colleagues.
When Kao Hsiang heard their story, he at once proposed a night attack on the Wei camp and the recovery of Chieht‘ing. They talked this over on the hillside and arranged their plans, after which they set themselves to wait till it was dark enough to start.
They set out along three roads; and Wei Yen was the first to reach Chieht‘ing. Not a soldier was visible, which looked suspicious. He decided to await the arrival of Kao Hsiang and they both speculated as to the whereabouts of their enemy. They could find no trace, and the third army had not yet come up.
Suddenly a bomb exploded, and a brilliant flash lit up the sky; drums rolled as though the earth was rending, and the enemy appeared. In a trice the armies of Shu found themselves hemmed in. Both leaders pushed here and shoved there, but could find no way out. Then most opportunely from behind a hill rolled out a thunder of drums, and there was Wang P‘ing coming to their rescue. Then the three forced their way to Liehliuch'êng. But just as they drew near to the rampart another body of men came up, which, from the writing on their flags, they recognised as Kuo Huai’s army.
Now Kuo was here from unworthy motives. He had talked over Ssuma’s recall with his colleague Ts‘ao Chên, and, fearing lest the recalled general should acquire too great glory, Kuo had set out to anticipate him in the capture of Chieht‘ing. Disappointed when he heard of his rival’s success there, he had decided to try a similar exploit at Liehliuch'êng. So he had diverted his march thither.
He engaged the three Shu armies at once and slew so many of them that at Wei Yen’s suggestion they all left for Yangp‘ing Pass, which might be in danger.
Kuo Huai, pleased with his success, gathered in his army after the victory and said to his officers, “I was disappointed at Chieht‘ing, but we have taken this place, and that is merit of high order.”
Thereupon he proceeded to the city gates. Just as he arrived, a bomb exploded on the wall, and, looking up, he saw ​the rampart bedecked with flags. On the largest banner he read the name of the general, Ssŭma I. At that moment Ssǔma himself lifted a board that hung in front of him and looked over the breast-high rail. He looked down and smiled, saying, “How late you are, friend Kuo!”
Kuo was amazed. “He is too much for me,” said he. So he resignedly entered the city and went to pay his respects to his successful rival.
Ssǔma was gracious, and said, “K‘ung-ming must retire now that Chieht‘ing is lost. You join forces with Ts‘ao Chen and follow up quickly.”
Ssǔma called to him his van-leader, and said, “Those two thought we should win too great merit, so they tried to get ahead of us here. We are not the only ones who desire to achieve good service and acquire merit, but we had the good fortune to succeed. I thought the enemy would first try to occupy Yangp‘ing Pass, and if I went to take it then Chuko would fall on our rear. It says in the books on war that one should crush a retreating enemy not pursue broken rebels, so you may go along the by-roads and smite those withdrawing down the Chi Valley, while I oppose the Hsieh Valley army. If they flee, do not fight, but just hold them up on the road and capture the baggage train.”
Chang marched away with half the force to carry out his part of this plan, while Ssŭma gave orders to go to Hsieh Valley by way of Hsich'êng, which though a small place, was important as a dépôt of stores for the Shu army, beside commanding the road to the three districts of Nanan, T‘ienshui and Anting. If this place could be captured the other three could be recaptured.
Ssǔma left Shên Tan and Shên I to guard Liehliuch'êng and marched his army toward the Hsieh Valley.
After K‘ung-ming had sent Ma Su to guard Chieht‘ing he was undecided what to do next. Then arrived the messenger with the plan prepared by Wang P‘ing. K‘ung-ming went over to his table and opened the letter. As he read it he smote the table in wrath.
“Ma Su’s foolishness has destroyed the army,” he cried.
“Why are you so disturbed, O Minister?” asked those near.
“By this plan I see that we have lost command of an important road. The camp has been made on the hill, and if the Wei men come in force our army will be surrounded and their water supply interrupted. In two days the men will be in a state of mutiny, and if Chieht‘ing shall be lost how shall we be able to retire?”
Here the Chang-shih Yang I said, “I am none too clever I know, but let me go to replace Ma Su.”
K‘ung-ming explained to him how and where to camp, but before he could start a horseman brought the news of the loss ​of Chieht‘ing and Liehliuch'êng. This made K‘ung-ming very sad, and he sighed, saying, “The whole scheme has come to nought, and it is my fault.”
He sent for Kuan and Chang, and said, “You two take three companies of good men and go along the road to Wukungshan. If you fall in with the enemy do not fight, but beat drums and raise a hubbub and make them hesitate and be doubtful, so that they may retire. Do not pursue, but when they retire make for Yangp‘ing Pass.”
He also sent Chang I to put Chienko in order for retreat and issued instructions for making ready to march. Ma Tai and Chiang Wei were told to guard the rear, but they were to go into ambush in the valleys till the army was on the march. Trusty men were sent with the news to T‘ienshui, Nanan and Anting that the officers, army and people might go away into Hanchung. He also sent to remove to a place of safety the aged mother of Chiang Wei.
All these arrangements made, K‘ung-ming took five companies and set out for Hsich'êng to remove the stores. But messenger after messenger came to say that Ssǔma I was advancing rapidly on Hsich'êng with a large army. No leader of rank was left to K‘ung-ming; he had only the civil officials and the five companies, and as half this force had started to remove the stores, he had only two and a half companies left.
His officers were all frightened at the news of near approach of the enemy. K‘ung-ming himself went up on the rampart to look around. He saw clouds of dust rising into the sky. The Wei armies were nearing Hsich'êng along two roads. Then he ordered all the banners to be removed and concealed, and said if any officer in command of soldiers in the city moved or made any noise he would be instantly put to death. Next he threw open all the gates and set a score of soldiers dressed as ordinary people cleaning the streets at each gate. When all these preparations were complete, he donned the simple Taoist dress he affected on occasions and, attended by a couple of lads, sat down on the wall by one of the towers with his lute before him and a stick of incense burning.
Ssǔma’s scouts came near the city gate and saw all this. They did not enter the city, but went back and reported what they had seen. Ssǔma I smiled incredulously. But he halted his army and rode ahead himself. Lo! it was exactly as the scouts had reported; K‘ung-ming sat there, his face all smiles. A lad stood on one side of him bearing a sword and on the other a boy with the ordinary symbol of authority, a yak’s tail. Just inside the gates a score of persons with their heads down were sweeping as if no one was about.
Ssǔma hardly believed his eyes and thought this meant some peculiarly subtle ruse. So he went back to his armies, faced them about and moved toward the hills on the north.
​“I am certain there are no soldiers behind this foolery,” said his second son. “What do you retire for, father?”
“Chuko is always most careful and runs no risks. Those open gates undoubtedly mean an ambush, and if our men enter the city they will fall victims to his guile. How can you know? No; our course is to retire.”
Thus were the two armies turned back from the city, much to the joy of K‘ung-ming, who laughed and clapped his hands as he saw them hastening away. The officials gasped with astonishment, and they asked K‘ung-ming to explain the phenomenon of a great army marching off at the sight of a single man. So he told them.
“He knows my reputation for carefulness and that I play not with danger. Seeing things as they were made him suspect an ambush, and so he turned away. I do not run risks, but this time there was no help for it. Now he will meet with Kuan and Chang, whom I sent away into the hills to wait for him.”
They were still in the grip of fear, but they praised the depth of insight of their chief and his mysterious schemes and unfathomable plans.
“We should simply have run away,” said they.
“What could we have done with two companies and a half even if we had run? We should not have gone far before being caught,” said K‘ung-ming.
Quite open lay the city to the foe, But Chuko’s lute of jasper wonders wrought; It turned aside the legions' onward march For both the leaders guessed the other’s thought.
“But if I had been in his place I should not have turned away,” said K‘ung-ming, smiling and clapping his hands.
He gave orders that the people of the place should follow the army into Hanchung, for Ssǔma would assuredly return.
They abandoned Hsich'êng and returned into Hanchung. In due course the officials and soldiers and people out of the three districts also came in.
It has been said that Ssŭma I turned aside from the city. He went to Wukungshan. Presently there came the sounds of an army from behind the hills. The leader turned to his sons, saying, “If we do not retire we shall yet somehow fall victims to this Chuko Liang.”
Then appeared a force advancing rapidly, the banners bearing the name of Chang Pao. The men of Wei were seized with sudden panic and ran, flinging off their armour and throwing away their weapons. But before they had fled very far they heard other terrible sounds in the valley and soon saw another force, with banners inscribed “Kuan Hsing.” The roar of armed men echoing up and down the valley was ​terrifying, and as no one could tell how many men there were bearing down on them the panic increased. The Wei army abandoned all the baggage and took to flight. But having orders not to pursue, the two Shu generals let their enemies run in peace, while they gathered up the spoils. Then they returned.
Seeing the valley apparently full of men of Shu, Ssǔma dared not leave the main road. He hurried back to Chieht‘ing.
At this time Ts‘ao Chên, hearing that the army of Shu was retreating, went in pursuit. But at a certain point he encountered a strong force under Ma Tai and Chiang Wei. Valley and hill seemed to swarm with enemies, and Ts‘ao became alarmed. Then his van-leader was slain by Ma Tai, and the soldiers were panic-sticken and fled in disorder.
Meanwhile the men of Shu were hastening night and day along the road into Hanchung. Chao Yün and Têng Chi, who had been lying in ambush in Chi Valley, heard that their comrades were retreating. Then said Chao Yün, “The men of Wei will surely come to smite us while we are retreating. Wherefore let me first take up a position in their rear, and then you lead off your men and part of mine, showing my ensigns. I will follow, keeping at the same distance behind you, and thus I shall be able to protect the retreat.”
Now Kuo Huai was leading his army through the Chi Valley. He called up his van-leader Su Yung and said to him, “Chao Yün is a warrior whom no one can withstand. You must keep a most careful guard lest you fall into some trap while they are retreating.”
Su Yung replied, smiling, “If you will help me, O Commander, we shall be able to capture this Chao Yün.
So Su Yung, with three companies, hastened on ahead and entered the valley in the wake of the Shu army. He saw upon a slope in the distance a large red banner bearing the name of Chao Yün. This frightened him, and he retired. But before he had gone far a great uproar arose about him, and a mighty warrior came bounding forth on a swift steed, crying, “Do you recognise Chao Yün?”
Su Yung was terrified. “Whence came you?” he cried. “Is there another Chao Yün here.”
He could make no stand, and soon fell victim to the spear of the veteran. His men scattered, and Chao Yün hurried on after the main body.
But soon another company came in pursuit, this time led by one Wan Chêng. As they came along Chao Yün halted in the middle of the road. By the time Wan had come close the other Shu soldiers had gone about thirty li along the road. However, when Wan drew nearer still and saw who it was standing in his path, he hesitated and finally halted. Presently ​he turned back and retired altogether, confessing on his return that he had not dared to face the old warrior, who seemed as terrible as ever.
However, Kuo Huai was not content and ordered him to return to the pursuit of the retreating army. This time he had many horsemen with him. Presently they came to a wood, and, as they entered, a loud shout arose in the rear, “Chao Yün is here!”
Terror seized upon the pursuers, and many fell from their horses. The others scattered among the hills. Wan Chêng braced himself for the encounter and went on. Chao shot an arrow which struck the plume on his helmet. Startled, he tumbled into a water-course. Then Chao pointed his spear at him and said, “Be off! I will not kill you. Go and tell your chief to come quickly, if he is coming.”
Wan fled for his life, while Chao continued his march as rear-guard, and the retreat into Hanchung steadily continued. There were no other episodes by the way. Ts‘ao Chen and Kuo Huai took to themselves all the credit of having recovered the three districts.
Before the cautious Ssǔma was ready to pursue the army of Shu it had already reached Hanchung. He took a troop of horse and rode to Hsich‘êng and there heard from the few people who had formerly sought refuge in the hills, and now returned, that K‘ung-ming really had had no men in the city, with the exception of the two and a half companies, that he had not a single military commander, but only a few civil officers. He also heard that Kuan and Chang had had only a few men whom they led about among the hills making as much noise as they could. Ssŭma felt sad at having been tricked. “K‘ung-ming is a cleverer man than I am,” said he with a sigh of resignation.
He set about restoring order, and presently marched back to Ch‘angan. He saw his master Ts‘ao Jui, who was pleased with his success and said, “It is by your good service that Shênsi is again mine.”
Ssǔma replied, “But the army of Shu is in Hanchung undestroyed; wherefore I pray for authority to go against them that you may recover Shu also.
Ts‘ao Jui rejoiced and approved, and authorised the raising of an army.
But then one of the courtiers suddenly said, “Your servant can propose a plan by which Shu will be overcome and Wu submit.”
The captains lead their beaten soldiers home, The victors plan new deeds for days to come.
Who offered this plan? Succeeding chapters will tell.