Novel scene
Zhuge Liang Takes Chencang by Surprise 襲陳倉武侯取勝
About this event
"Zhuge Liang Takes Chencang by Surprise" is the latter scene of the chapter title of Chapter 98 of the Romance, "Wang Shuang Slain Pursuing the Han Army; Zhuge Liang Takes Chencang by Surprise." It covers the story from the point where, after Sun Quan becomes emperor and makes a covenant with Shu, Zhuge Liang hears that Hao Zhao is ill, secretly rushes to Chencang in person and takes the city, up to his seizing San Pass with Wei Yan and Jiang Wei and advancing to Mount Qi once more. It is one episode of the Siege of Chencang as the Romance depicts it. Romance, Ch. 98 §27 · 33–43
Chen Shou's text has no record of Zhuge Liang taking Chencang. The Biography of Zhuge Liang says he besieged Chencang but went back when his grain ran out, and records that in the following year, the 7th year of Jianxing (229), he sent Chen Shi to attack Wudu and Yinping and pacified the two commanderies. Records, Shu 5 §35
In the Romance
In Chapter 98 of the Romance, at the urging of Zhang Zhao (張昭), Sun Quan ascends an altar in the southern suburbs of Wuchang on the bingyin day of the 4th month, in summer, becomes emperor and changes the era name to Huanglong. When Wu sends an envoy to ask for a covenant, Zhuge Liang offers congratulations and has Wu asked to send Lu Xun against Wei, and Chen Zhen makes the journey to Wu. Lu Xun decides to merely make a show of raising troops and watch how things develop. Romance, Ch. 98 §26–34
On news that Hao Zhao is gravely ill, Zhuge Liang tells Wei Yan and Jiang Wei to attack Chencang within three days, while he himself, hidden among the troops of Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, rushes there day and night and has his agents inside the city set fires. Hao Zhao dies of shock and the city falls. Greeting Wei Yan and Jiang Wei, who arrive late, from the city wall, Zhuge Liang cites the military maxim of going out when least expected and striking where the enemy is unprepared. Zhuge Liang lets Hao Zhao's wife and children escort his coffin back to Wei. Romance, Ch. 98 §35–40
Wei Yan and Jiang Wei at once take San Pass by surprise and drive back Zhang He, who was coming to replace Hao Zhao. Zhuge Liang takes Jianwei and marches out to Mount Qi again, sending Jiang Wei to attack Wudu and Wang Ping to attack Yinping. When Cao Rui is thrown into confusion by reports that Wu and Shu are invading together, Sima Yi says Wu will not raise troops, and, made Grand Commander, receives the seal from the ailing Cao Zhen. Romance, Ch. 98 §40–51
Where the Romance differs
Chencang: In Chapter 98 of the Romance, Zhuge Liang takes Chencang while Hao Zhao is ill, and Hao Zhao dies of shock. In Chen Shou's text, Zhuge Liang besieged Chencang but could not prevail, since Cao Zhen blocked him and Hao Zhao and others had repaired the walls in advance, and he went back when his grain ran out. Romance, Ch. 98 §35–40Records, Shu 5 §35Records, Wei 9 §65–66
Wudu and Yinping: In Chapter 98 of the Romance, Jiang Wei and Wang Ping go to attack Wudu and Yinping. The Biography of Zhuge Liang in the Records records that in the 7th year of Jianxing (229) Chen Shi attacked Wudu and Yinping, and that when the Inspector of Yong Province Guo Huai moved to attack Chen Shi, Zhuge Liang went out to Jianwei in person, Guo Huai withdrew, and the two commanderies were pacified. Romance, Ch. 98 §43–44Records, Shu 5 §35
Sun Quan's accession: In Chapter 98 of the Romance, Sun Quan ascends the throne on the bingyin day of the 4th month, in summer. The Biography of the Lord of Wu in the Records records that he ascended the throne in the southern suburbs on the bingshen day of the 4th month, in summer, of the 1st year of Huanglong (229), and Chen Zhen went to congratulate him on his accession as Minister of the Guards. Romance, Ch. 98 §27Records, Wu 2 §61Records, Shu 9 §20
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.