Romance, Chapter 95

Chapter 95. Rejecting Advice, Ma Su Loses Jieting; Playing the Zither, Marquis Wu Drives Back Zhongda

Now Cao Rui, the Ruler of Wei, made Zhang He his vanguard and sent him on campaign together with Sima Yi, while at the same time ordering Xin Pi and Sun Li to lead fifty thousand troops to reinforce Cao Zhen. The two received the edict and departed. Sima Yi, meanwhile, led two hundred thousand troops out through the pass and made camp. He summoned his vanguard Zhang He to his tent and said, “Zhuge Liang has been cautious all his life and never dares act rashly. Had I been the one commanding, I would first have gone straight through the Ziwu Valley to take Changan, and it would have been ours long ago.

卻說魏主曹睿令張郃爲先鋒，與司馬懿一同徵進；一面令辛毗、孫禮二人領兵五萬，往助曹真。二人奉詔而去。且說司馬懿引二十萬軍，出關下寨，請先鋒張郃至帳下曰：“諸葛亮平生謹慎，未敢造次行事。若是吾用兵，先從子午谷徑取長安，早得多時矣。

It is not that he lacks plans; he is simply afraid of failure and unwilling to take risks. He will surely bring his army out through the Xie Valley now to take Mei City. If he goes for Mei City, he will certainly divide his forces into two columns and send one to take the Ji Valley. I have already sent out dispatches ordering Zidan to hold Mei City and not to go out and fight if the enemy comes, and ordering Sun Li and Xin Pi to block the mouth of the Ji Valley road and to strike with surprise forces if the enemy comes.” Zhang He said, “And where will you advance, General?”

他非無謀，但怕有失，不肯弄險。今必出軍斜谷，來取郿城。若取郿城，必分兵兩路，一軍取箕谷矣。吾已發檄文，令子丹拒守郿城，若兵來不可出戰；令孫禮、辛毗截住箕谷道口，若兵來則出奇兵擊之。”郃曰：“今將軍當於何處進兵？”

Sima Yi said, “I have long known that west of the Qinling Mountains there is a road at a place called Jieting, and beside it a city called Lieliucheng. Both are throats of Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang, thinking Zidan unprepared, is certain to advance this way. If you and I go straight to take Jieting, we will not be far from Yangping Pass. If Liang learns that we have cut the vital road at Jieting and severed his supply line, he will be unable to hold the Longxi region in safety and will certainly hurry back to Hanzhong through the night.

懿曰：“吾素知秦嶺之西，有一條路，地名街亭；傍有一城，名列柳城：此二處皆是漢中咽喉。諸葛亮欺子丹無備，定從此進。吾與汝徑取街亭，望陽平關不遠矣。亮若知吾斷其街亭要路，絕其糧道，則隴西一境，不能安守，必然連夜奔回漢中去也。

If he turns back, I will lead troops along the byroads and strike him, and we can win a complete victory. If he does not go back, I will wall off all the byroads everywhere and guard every one of them with troops. After a month without grain the Shu troops will all starve to death, and Liang will surely fall into my hands.” Zhang He saw it all at once. He prostrated himself on the ground and said, “Commander, your calculations are divine!” Sima Yi said, “Even so, Zhuge Liang is not to be compared with Meng Da. As vanguard you must not advance carelessly.

彼若回動，吾提兵於小路擊之，可得全勝；若不歸時，吾卻將諸處小路，盡皆壘斷，俱以兵守之。一月無糧，蜀兵皆餓死，亮必被吾擒矣。”張郃大悟，拜伏於地曰：“都督神算也！”懿曰：“雖然如此，諸葛亮不比孟達。將軍爲先鋒，不可輕進。

Pass the word to all the officers: follow the roads west along the mountains and scout far ahead. Only if there are no ambushes may you advance. If you grow careless, you will surely fall into Zhuge Liang’s trap.” Zhang He received his instructions and set off with his army.

當傳與諸將：循山西路，遠遠哨探。如無伏兵，方可前進。若是怠忽，必中諸葛亮之計。”張郃受計引軍而行。

Meanwhile Kongming was in his camp at Mount Qi when it was suddenly reported that the spy sent to Xincheng had arrived. Kongming hastily called him in and questioned him. The spy reported, “Sima Yi marched at double speed and reached Xincheng in eight days, and Meng Da was caught unprepared. On top of that, Shen Dan, Shen Yi, Li Fu and Deng Xian turned traitor within the city, and Meng Da was killed amid the confusion. Now Sima Yi has withdrawn his troops to Changan and seen the Ruler of Wei, and together with Zhang He he is leading troops out through the pass to oppose our army.”

卻說孔明在祁山寨中，忽報新城探細人來到。孔明急喚入問之，細作告曰：“司馬懿倍道而行，八日已到新城，孟達措手不及；又被申耽、申儀、李輔、鄧賢爲內應：孟達被亂軍所殺。今司馬懿撤兵到長安，見了魏主，同張郃引兵出關，來拒我師也。”

Kongming was greatly alarmed. “Meng Da was not discreet in what he did,” he said. “His death was only to be expected. Now that Sima Yi has come out through the pass, he will surely take Jieting and cut the road that is our very throat.” Then he asked, “Who will lead troops to hold Jieting?” Before he had finished, the Army Adviser Ma Su said, “I wish to go.” Kongming said, “Jieting may be small, but a great deal depends on it. If Jieting is lost, our whole army is finished. Though you are deeply versed in strategy, the place has no city walls and no natural defences, so it will be extremely hard to hold.”

孔明大驚曰：“孟達做事不密，死固當然。今司馬懿出關，必取街亭，斷吾咽喉之路。”便問：“誰敢引兵去守街亭？”言未畢，參軍馬謖曰：“某願往。”孔明曰：“街亭雖小，干係甚重：倘街亭有失，吾大軍皆休矣。汝雖深通謀略，此地奈無城郭，又無險阻，守之極難。”

Ma Su said, “Since childhood I have read the books of war thoroughly, and I know a good deal about the art of war. How could I fail to hold a single place like Jieting?” Kongming said, “Sima Yi is no ordinary man, and his vanguard Zhang He is a famous general of Wei. I fear you will be no match for them.” Ma Su said, “Never mind Sima Yi and Zhang He—even if Cao Rui came in person, what would I have to fear? If anything goes wrong, I ask that my whole family be put to death.” Kongming said, “There is no joking in the army.”

謖曰：“某自幼熟讀兵書，頗知兵法。豈一街亭不能守耶？”孔明曰：“司馬懿非等閒之輩；更有先鋒張郃，乃魏之名將：恐汝不能敵之。”謖曰：“休道司馬懿、張郃，便是曹睿親來，有何懼哉！若有差失，乞斬全家。”孔明曰：“軍中無戲言。”

Ma Su said, “I am willing to give a written pledge under military law.” Kongming agreed, and Ma Su wrote out the pledge and presented it. Kongming said, “I will give you twenty-five thousand picked troops and assign a senior general to go with you and help you.” He at once summoned Wang Ping and instructed him: “I have always known you to be cautious in all things, and that is why I am entrusting you with this heavy responsibility. Guard the place with great care. Your camp must be pitched where it commands the main road, so that the enemy cannot easily slip past.

謖曰：“願立軍令狀。”孔明從之，謖遂寫了軍令狀呈上。孔明曰：“吾與汝二萬五千精兵，再撥一員上將，相助你去。”即喚王平分付曰：“吾素知汝平生謹慎，故特以此重任相托。汝可小心謹守此地：下寨必當要道之處，使賊兵急切不能偷過。

When the camp is set up, draw a map of the terrain showing the boundaries on all four sides and all eight roads, and send it for me to see. Discuss everything thoroughly before you act, and do nothing lightly. If the place you hold comes to no harm, that will be the first merit in the taking of Changan. Take care! Take care!” The two bowed, took their leave and set off with their troops. Kongming thought it over and, fearing that the two might fail, summoned Gao Xiang as well and said, “Northeast of Jieting there is a city called Lieliucheng, on a remote mountain byroad, where troops can be stationed and a camp pitched.

安營既畢，便畫四至八道地理形狀圖本來我看。凡事商議停當而行，不可輕易。如所守無危，則是取長安第一功也。戒之！戒之！”二人拜辭引兵而去。孔明尋思，恐二人有失，又喚高翔曰：“街亭東北上有一城，名列柳城，乃山僻小路，此可以屯兵紮寨。

I will give you ten thousand troops to go and garrison this city. If Jieting is in danger, lead your troops to its rescue.” Gao Xiang set off with his troops. Then Kongming thought again: Gao Xiang was no match for Zhang He; only if a senior general were stationed on the right of Jieting could it be secured. So he summoned Wei Yan and had him lead his own troops to garrison the rear of Jieting. Wei Yan said, “I command the front division. By rights I should be first to break the enemy. Why do you put me somewhere idle?”

與汝一萬兵，去此城屯紮。但街亭危，可引兵救之。”高翔引兵而去。孔明又思：高翔非張郃對手，必得一員大將，屯兵於街亭之右，方可防之，遂喚魏延引本部兵去街亭之後屯紮。延曰：“某爲前部，理合當先破敵，何故置某於安閒之地？”

Kongming said, “Breaking the enemy in the vanguard is a task for lesser officers. Now I am ordering you to back up Jieting, to hold the vital road to Yangping Pass and guard the whole throat of Hanzhong. That is a great responsibility. How is it idle? Do not treat it lightly and ruin my great undertaking. Be very careful and keep it in mind!” Wei Yan was delighted and went off with his troops. Only then did Kongming feel at ease. He summoned Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi and instructed them: “This time Sima Yi’s campaign is different from before.

孔明曰：“前鋒破敵，乃偏裨之事耳。今令汝接應街亭，當陽平關衝要道路，總守漢中咽喉：此乃大任也，何爲安閒乎？汝勿以等閒視之，失吾大事。切宜小心在意！”魏延大喜，引兵而去。孔明恰纔心安，乃喚趙雲、鄧芝分付曰：“今司馬懿出兵，與舊日不同。

You two will each lead a force out through the Ji Valley as decoys. If you meet the Wei troops, sometimes fight and sometimes do not, so as to unnerve them. I myself will lead the main army through the Xie Valley straight to Mei City. Once Mei City is taken, Changan can be broken.” The two received their orders and departed. Kongming made Jiang Wei his vanguard and sent the army out through the Xie Valley.

汝二人各引一軍出箕谷，以爲疑兵。如逢魏兵，或戰、或不戰，以驚其心。吾自統大軍，由斜谷徑取郿城；若得郿城，長安可破矣。”二人受命而去。孔明令姜維作先鋒，兵出斜谷。

Meanwhile Ma Su and Wang Ping arrived at Jieting with their troops and surveyed the lie of the land. Ma Su laughed and said, “Why is the Chancellor so anxious? In a remote mountain spot like this, how would the Wei troops dare to come?” Wang Ping said, “Even if the Wei troops do not dare to come, we should pitch camp right here at the junction where the five roads meet, and have the soldiers cut timber to build a stockade, planning for a long stay.” Ma Su said, “Is the middle of the road any place for a camp?

卻說馬謖、王平二人兵到街亭，看了地勢。馬謖笑曰：“丞相何故多心也？量此山僻之處，魏兵如何敢來！”王平曰：“雖然魏兵不敢來，可就此五路總口下寨；卻令軍士伐木爲柵，以圖久計。”謖曰：“當道豈是下寨之地？

Here beside us is a hill that stands on its own, joined to nothing on any side, and thickly covered with trees—a natural stronghold given by Heaven. We can station the army on the hill.” Wang Ping said, “You are mistaken, Army Adviser. If we station our troops across the road and build walls, the enemy could not slip past even with a hundred thousand men. But if we abandon this vital road and camp on the hill, and the Wei troops suddenly arrive and surround us on all sides, what plan will we have to save ourselves?”

此處側邊一山，四面皆不相連，且樹木極廣，此乃天賜之險也：可就山上屯軍。”平曰：“參軍差矣。若屯兵當道，築起城垣，賊兵縱有十萬，不能偷過；今若棄此要路，屯兵于山上，倘魏兵驟至，四面圍定，將何策保之？”

Ma Su roared with laughter. “You really do see things like a woman! The art of war says: ‘Look down on the enemy from a height, and your momentum is like splitting bamboo.’ If the Wei troops come, I will see to it that not a single scrap of their armour goes home!” Wang Ping said, “I have followed the Chancellor through many campaigns, and wherever we went he took pains to instruct me. Looking at this hill now, it is a death trap. If the Wei troops cut off our route to water, the soldiers will fall into disorder without a fight.” Ma Su said, “Stop talking nonsense!

謖大笑曰：“汝真女子之見！兵法雲：憑高視下，勢如劈竹。若魏兵到來，吾教他片甲不回！”平曰：“吾累隨丞相經陣，每到之處，丞相盡意指教。今觀此山，乃絕地也：若魏兵斷我汲水之道，軍士不戰自亂矣。”謖曰：“汝莫亂道！

Sunzi says: ‘Put them on death ground, and then they will live.’ If the Wei troops cut our route to water, won’t the Shu soldiers fight to the death? Each one of them will be a match for a hundred. I have always read the books of war—even the Chancellor asks my opinion on all manner of things. How dare you obstruct me!” Wang Ping said, “If you are set on camping on the hill, Army Adviser, give me a share of the troops, and I will pitch a small camp of my own west of the hill, so that we form a pincer and can support each other. If the Wei troops come, we can come to each other’s aid.”

孫子云：置之死地而後生。若魏兵絕我汲水之道，蜀兵豈不死戰？以一可當百也。吾素讀兵書，丞相諸事尚問於我，汝奈何相阻耶！”平曰：“若參軍欲在山上下寨，可分兵與我，自於山西下一小寨，爲掎角之勢。倘魏兵至，可以相應。”

Ma Su would not agree. Suddenly the people who lived in the hills came running in crowds to report that the Wei troops had already arrived. Wang Ping wanted to take his leave. Ma Su said, “Since you will not obey my orders, I will give you five thousand men; go and pitch your own camp. When I have defeated the Wei troops, you will have no share in the credit when we stand before the Chancellor!” Wang Ping led his troops ten li from the hill and pitched camp there. He drew a map and sent a man through the night to report to Kongming, explaining in full that Ma Su had camped on the hill on his own authority.

馬謖不從。忽然山中居民，成羣結隊，飛奔而來，報說魏兵已到。王平欲辭去。馬謖曰：“汝既不聽吾令，與汝五千兵自去下寨。待吾破了魏兵，到丞相面前須分不得功！”王平引兵離山十里下寨，畫成圖本，星夜差人去稟孔明，具說馬謖自於山上下寨。

Meanwhile Sima Yi, in the city, sent his second son Sima Zhao to scout the road ahead: if there were troops defending Jieting, he would halt his army and go no further. Sima Zhao carried out his orders, scouted the ground and came back to his father, saying, “There are troops holding Jieting.” Sima Yi sighed and said, “Zhuge Liang truly is a divine being. I am no match for him!” Sima Zhao laughed and said, “Father, why lose heart like this? I reckon Jieting will be easy to take.”

卻說司馬懿在城中，令次子司馬昭去探前路：若街亭有兵守禦，即當按兵不行。司馬昭奉令探了一遍，回見父曰：“街亭有兵守把。”懿嘆曰：“諸葛亮真乃神人，吾不如也！”昭笑曰：“父親何故自墮志氣耶？男料街亭易取。”

Sima Yi asked, “How dare you make such a boast?” Sima Zhao said, “I scouted it myself. There is no camp or stockade on the road at all; the troops are all stationed on the hill. That is how I know it can be broken.” Sima Yi was overjoyed and said, “If the troops really are on the hill, Heaven means me to succeed!” He changed his clothes and, taking a hundred or more horsemen, came in person to look. That night the sky was clear and the moon bright. He rode right up to the foot of the hill, made a full circuit around it, and only then went back.

懿問曰：“汝安敢出此大言？”昭曰：“男親自哨見，當道並無寨柵，軍皆屯于山上，故知可破也。”懿大喜曰：“若兵果在山上，乃天使吾成功矣！”遂更換衣服，引百餘騎親自來看。是夜天晴月朗，直至山下，周圍巡哨了一遍，方回。

Ma Su saw this from the hill and laughed aloud. “If he values his life, he won’t come and surround the hill!” He sent orders to all his officers: “If the enemy comes, as soon as you see the red flag waving on the summit, charge down on every side.”

馬謖在山上見之，大笑曰：“彼若有命，不來圍山！”傳令與諸將：“倘兵來，只見山頂上紅旗招動，即四面皆下。”

Meanwhile Sima Yi returned to his camp and sent men to find out which general was leading the troops holding Jieting. They came back and reported, “It is Ma Su, the younger brother of Ma Liang.” Sima Yi laughed and said, “A man with an empty reputation—a mediocrity! If Kongming uses people like that, how can he not make a mess of things?” He asked again, “Are there any other troops to either side of Jieting?” The scouts reported, “Wang Ping has a camp ten li from the hill.” Sima Yi then ordered Zhang He to take a force and block Wang Ping’s approach.

卻說司馬懿回到寨中，使人打聽是何將引兵守街亭。回報曰：“乃馬良之弟馬謖也。”懿笑曰：“徒有虛名，乃庸才耳！孔明用如此人物，如何不誤事！”又問：“街亭左右別有軍否？”探馬報曰：“離山十里有王平安營。”懿乃命張郃引一軍，當住王平來路。

He also ordered Shen Dan and Shen Yi to lead two columns to surround the hill and first cut off the route to water; once the Shu troops had fallen into disorder of their own accord, they would take advantage of it and attack. The dispositions were settled that night. At dawn the next day Zhang He led his troops round to the rear first. Sima Yi drove his whole army forward in one great surge and surrounded the hill on all four sides. When Ma Su looked down from the hill, he saw Wei troops covering the hills and plains, their banners and ranks in perfect order.

又令申耽、申儀引兩路兵圍山，先斷了汲水道路；待蜀兵自亂，然後乘勢擊之。當夜調度已定。次日天明，張郃引兵先往背後去了。司馬懿大驅軍馬，一擁而進，把山四面圍定。馬謖在山上看時，只見魏兵漫山遍野，旌旗隊伍，甚是嚴整。

At the sight the Shu troops lost their nerve and dared not go down the hill. Ma Su waved the red flag, but officers and men only pushed one another forward, and not one dared to move. In a fury Ma Su killed two of the officers with his own hand. The troops, shocked and frightened, had no choice but to force themselves down the hill and charge the Wei troops. The Wei troops stood firm and did not budge. The Shu troops retreated back up the hill. Seeing that things were going wrong, Ma Su ordered his men to hold the camp gates tight and simply wait for help from outside.

蜀兵見之，盡皆喪膽，不敢下山。馬謖將紅旗招動，軍將你我相推，無一人敢動。謖大怒，自殺二將。衆軍驚懼，只得努力下山來衝魏兵。魏兵端然不動。蜀兵又退上山去。馬謖見事不諧，教軍緊守寨門，只等外應。

Meanwhile Wang Ping, seeing the Wei troops arrive, led his force to attack and ran straight into Zhang He. They fought several dozen bouts, until Wang Ping, his strength spent and his position isolated, had no choice but to fall back. The Wei troops kept up the siege from the chen hour in the morning to the xu hour in the evening. There was no water on the hill, the soldiers could not eat, and the camp fell into great disorder. The clamour went on until the middle of the night, when the Shu troops on the south side of the hill threw open their camp gates and went down to surrender to Wei. Ma Su could not stop them. Sima Yi also had fires set all along the hill, and the Shu troops on the hill grew still more disordered.

卻說王平見魏兵到，引軍殺來，正遇張郃；戰有數十餘合，平力窮勢孤，只得退去。魏兵自辰時困至戌時，山上無水，軍不得食，寨中大亂。嚷到半夜時分，山南蜀兵大開寨門，下山降魏。馬謖禁止不住。司馬懿又令人於沿山放火，山上蜀兵愈亂。

Ma Su, judging that he could not hold out, had no choice but to drive his remaining troops down the hill, fighting his way out, and flee west. Sima Yi left a main road open and let Ma Su through. Behind him came Zhang He in pursuit. After more than thirty li, drums and horns sounded together ahead, and a band of troops appeared, let Ma Su pass and barred Zhang He’s way. It was Wei Yan. Wei Yan whirled his blade, spurred his horse and made straight for Zhang He. Zhang He turned his troops about and fled.

馬謖料守不住，只得驅殘兵殺下山西逃奔。司馬懿放條大路，讓過馬謖。背後張郃引兵追來。趕到三十餘里，前面鼓角齊鳴，一彪軍出，放過馬謖，攔住張郃；視之，乃魏延也。延揮刀縱馬，直取張郃。郃回軍便走。

Wei Yan drove his troops on in pursuit and retook Jieting. After more than fifty li a shout went up, and ambushers burst out on both sides: Sima Yi on the left and Sima Zhao on the right. They swung round behind Wei Yan and trapped him in the middle. Zhang He came back, and the three forces joined together. Wei Yan charged left and dashed right but could not break free, and lost more than half his men. Just when he was in the direst straits, a band of troops suddenly cut its way in: it was Wang Ping.

延驅兵趕來，復奪街亭。趕到五十餘里，一聲喊起，兩邊伏兵齊出：左邊司馬懿，右邊司馬昭，卻抄在魏延背後，把延困在垓心。張郃復來，三路兵合在一處。魏延左衝右突，不得脫身，折兵大半。正危急間，忽一彪軍殺入，乃王平也。

Wei Yan was overjoyed. “I am saved!” he said. The two generals joined their forces and fought a great battle, and only then did the Wei troops withdraw. When the two generals hurried back to their camp, they found the Wei army’s banners flying all over it. Shen Dan and Shen Yi came charging out of the camp. Wang Ping and Wei Yan made straight for Lieliucheng to join Gao Xiang. At that moment Gao Xiang, hearing that Jieting had fallen, had called out all the troops of Lieliucheng and was coming to the rescue. He met Wei Yan and Wang Ping on the way, and they told him what had happened.

延大喜曰：“吾得生矣！”二將合兵一處，大殺一陣，魏兵方退。二將慌忙奔回寨時，營中皆是魏兵旌旗。申耽、申儀從營中殺出。王平、魏延徑奔列柳城，來投高翔。此時高翔聞知街亭有失，盡起列柳城之兵，前來救應，正遇延、平二人，訴說前事。

Gao Xiang said, “Our best course is to raid the Wei camp tonight and retake Jieting.” The three of them settled their plan there and then at the foot of a slope. When dusk was coming on, they divided their troops into three columns. Wei Yan led his troops forward first and went straight to Jieting, but saw no one there. Deeply suspicious, he did not dare advance carelessly and lay in hiding at the mouth of the road to wait. Soon he saw Gao Xiang’s troops arrive, and the two of them agreed that they had no idea where the Wei troops were.

高翔曰：“不如今晚去劫魏寨，再復街亭。”當時三人在山坡下商議已定。待天色將晚，兵分三路。魏延引兵先進，徑到街亭，不見一人，心中大疑，未敢輕進，且伏在路口等候，忽見高翔兵到，二人共說魏兵不知在何處。

While they were still at a loss, there was no sign of Wang Ping’s troops either. Suddenly a bombard roared, flames shot up to the sky and drums shook the earth: the Wei troops poured out together and surrounded Wei Yan and Gao Xiang. The two charged this way and that but could not break free. Then they heard a thunderous shout behind the slope, and a band of troops cut its way in. It was Wang Ping. He rescued Gao Xiang and Wei Yan, and they made straight for Lieliucheng. By the time they reached the walls, another force had already arrived beside the city, its banner inscribed in large characters: “Guo Huai, Commander of Wei.”

正沒理會，又不見王平兵到。忽然一聲炮響，火光沖天，鼓起震地：魏兵齊出，把魏延、高翔圍在垓心。二人往來衝突，不得脫身。忽聽得山坡後喊聲若雷，一彪軍殺入，乃是王平，救了高、魏二人，徑奔列柳城來。比及奔到城下時，城邊早有一軍殺到，旗上大書“魏都督郭淮”字樣。

As it turned out, Guo Huai and Cao Zhen had talked it over and, afraid that Sima Yi would win all the glory, had sent Guo Huai off to take Jieting. Hearing that Sima Yi and Zhang He had already accomplished that, Guo Huai had led his troops straight on to attack Lieliucheng. He met the three generals head-on and a fierce battle followed. A great many of the Shu troops were wounded. Wei Yan, fearing that Yangping Pass would be lost, hurried off toward it with Wang Ping and Gao Xiang.

原來郭淮與曹真商議，恐司馬懿得了全功，乃分淮來取街亭；聞知司馬懿、張郃成了此功，遂引兵徑襲列柳城。正遇三將，大殺一陣。蜀兵傷者極多。魏延恐陽平關有失，慌與王平、高翔望陽平關來。

Meanwhile Guo Huai gathered his troops and said to those around him, “Though I did not get Jieting, I have taken Lieliucheng, and that is a great achievement too.” He led his troops straight up to the city and called for the gates to be opened. At once a bombard roared on the wall and banners sprang up everywhere. At their head was a great flag inscribed: “Sima Yi, Commander Who Pacifies the West.” Sima Yi propped up the hanging shutter and, leaning on the chest-high wooden railing, laughed aloud and said, “Guo Boji, why are you so late?”

卻說郭淮收了軍馬，乃謂左右曰：“吾雖不得街亭，卻取了列柳城，亦是大功。”引兵徑到城下叫門，只見城上一聲炮響，旗幟皆豎，當頭一面大旗，上書“平西都督司馬懿”。懿撐起懸空板，倚定護心木欄干，大笑曰：“郭伯濟來何遲也？”

Guo Huai said in great astonishment, “Zhongda’s genius is beyond me!” Then he entered the city. When they had exchanged greetings, Sima Yi said, “Now that Jieting has fallen, Zhuge Liang will surely flee. You should hurry and join Zidan in pursuing him through the night.” Guo Huai did as he said and left the city. Sima Yi summoned Zhang He and said, “Zidan and Boji were afraid that I would take all the glory, so they came to seize this city. It is not that I want the success all to myself; it was merely a stroke of luck.

淮大驚曰：“仲達神機，吾不及也！”遂入城。相見已畢，懿曰：“今街亭已失，諸葛亮必走。公可速與子丹星夜追之。”郭淮從其言，出城而去。懿喚張郃曰：“子丹、伯濟，恐吾全獲大功，故來取此城池。吾非獨欲成功，乃僥倖而已。

I reckon that Wei Yan, Wang Ping, Ma Su, Gao Xiang and the rest will first go and occupy Yangping Pass. If I go to take the pass, Zhuge Liang will surely fall on me from behind, and I will have walked into his trap. The art of war says: ‘Do not fall upon an army heading home; do not chase a cornered foe.’ You take the byroads and cut off the troops withdrawing through the Ji Valley. I will lead my troops against the forces in the Xie Valley. If they are routed and flee, do not stand in their way; simply cut them off midway, and you can capture all the Shu army’s baggage.”

吾料魏延、王平、馬謖、高翔等輩，必先去據陽平關。吾若去取此關，諸葛亮必隨後掩殺，中其計矣。兵法雲：歸師勿掩，窮寇莫追。汝可從小路抄箕谷退兵。吾自引兵當斜谷之兵。若彼敗走，不可相拒，只宜中途截住：蜀兵輜重，可盡得也。”

Zhang He received his instructions and went off with half the troops. Sima Yi gave his orders: “We will go straight for the Xie Valley, advancing by way of Xicheng. Though Xicheng is only a small county in the remote hills, it is where the Shu troops have stored their grain, and it is also the junction of the roads to the three commanderies of Nanan, Tianshui and Anding. If we take this city, the three commanderies can be recovered.” Sima Yi then left Shen Dan and Shen Yi to hold Lieliucheng and set out toward the Xie Valley at the head of the main army.

張郃受計，引兵一半去了。懿下令：“竟取斜谷，由西城而進。西城雖山僻小縣，乃蜀兵屯糧之所，又南安、天水、安定三郡總路。若得此城，三郡可復矣。”於是司馬懿留申耽、申儀守列柳城，自領大軍望斜谷進發。

Meanwhile, ever since sending Ma Su and the others to hold Jieting, Kongming had been unable to settle his mind. Suddenly it was reported that Wang Ping had sent a man with a map. Kongming called him in, and an attendant presented the map. Kongming opened it on his writing table and looked at it, then struck the table in alarm and cried, “Ma Su’s ignorance has led our army into a pit!” Those around him asked, “Why are you so alarmed, Chancellor?” Kongming said, “I see from this map that he has abandoned the vital road and made his camp on a hill.

卻說孔明自令馬謖等守街亭去後，猶豫不定。忽報王平使人送圖本至。孔明喚入，左右呈上圖本。孔明就文几上拆開視之，拍案大驚曰：“馬謖無知，坑陷吾軍矣！”左右問曰：“丞相何故失驚？”孔明曰：“吾觀此圖本，失卻要路，佔山爲寨。

If the Wei troops arrive in force, surround him on all sides and cut off his route to water, in less than two days his army will fall into disorder of its own accord. If Jieting is lost, how are we to get home?” The Chief Clerk Yang Yi came forward and said, “Unworthy as I am, I ask to go and take Ma Youchang’s place so that he can come back.” Kongming explained to Yang Yi, point by point, how the camp should be laid out. Just as Yang Yi was about to set off, a courier suddenly galloped in and reported, “Jieting and Lieliucheng have both been lost!”

倘魏兵大至，四面圍合，斷汲水道路，不須二日，軍自亂矣。若街亭有失，吾等安歸？”長史楊儀進曰：“某雖不才，願替馬幼常回。”孔明將安營之法，一一分付與楊儀。正待要行，忽報馬到來，說：“街亭、列柳城，盡皆失了！”

Kongming stamped his foot and heaved a long sigh. “All is lost! This is my fault!” He hastily summoned Guan Xing and Zhang Bao and instructed them: “You two will each take three thousand picked troops along the byroads of Mount Wugong. If you meet the Wei troops, do not attack in force; simply beat your drums and shout, acting as decoys to frighten them. They will run off by themselves, but do not pursue them. When our army has all withdrawn, head for Yangping Pass.” He also ordered Zhang Yi to go ahead with troops to repair Jiange in readiness for the road home.

孔明跌足長嘆曰：“大事去矣！此吾之過也！”急喚關興、張苞分付曰：“汝二人各引三千精兵，投武功山小路而行。如遇魏兵，不可大擊，只鼓譟吶喊，爲疑兵驚之。彼當自走，亦不可追。待軍退盡，便投陽平關去。”又令張翼先引軍去修理劍閣，以備歸路。

He also secretly passed the word for the main army to pack up quietly and make ready to march. He ordered Ma Dai and Jiang Wei to guard the rear, lying in wait first in the mountain valleys and withdrawing only after all the other forces had gone. He sent trusted men by different roads to tell the officials, soldiers and people of the three commanderies of Tianshui, Nanan and Anding to move into Hanzhong. And he sent trusted men to Ji County to fetch Jiang Wei’s aged mother and bring her into Hanzhong.

又密傳號令，教大軍暗暗收拾行裝，以備起程。又令馬岱、姜維斷後，先伏于山谷中，待諸軍退盡，方始收兵。又差心腹人，分路報與天水、南安、安定三郡官吏軍民，皆入漢中。又遣心腹人到冀縣搬取姜維老母，送入漢中。

When all his dispositions were made, Kongming first led five thousand troops back to Xicheng County to move out the grain and fodder. Suddenly mounted messengers came galloping in more than ten times in succession to report: “Sima Yi is swarming toward Xicheng with a great army of a hundred and fifty thousand!” At that moment Kongming had no senior general with him, only a group of civil officials. Half of the five thousand troops he had brought had already been sent ahead to carry the grain and fodder, leaving only two thousand five hundred men in the city.

孔明分撥已定，先引五千兵退去西城縣搬運糧草。忽然十餘次飛馬報到，說：“司馬懿引大軍十五萬，望西城蜂擁而來！”時孔明身邊別無大將，只有一班文官，所引五千兵，已分一半先運糧草去了，只剩二千五百軍在城中。

When the officials heard this news, they all turned pale. Kongming climbed the wall to look, and sure enough, dust was rising to the sky as the Wei troops came on toward Xicheng County in two columns. Kongming sent out his orders: “Hide all the banners. Every soldier is to keep to his post on the walls; anyone who moves about without leave or talks loudly will be beheaded! Open all four gates wide, and at each gate have twenty soldiers dressed as common folk sprinkle and sweep the streets.

衆官聽得這個消息，盡皆失色。孔明登城望之，果然塵土沖天，魏兵分兩路望西城縣殺來。孔明傳令，教“將旌旗盡皆隱匿；諸軍各守城鋪，如有妄行出入，及高言大語者，斬之！大開四門，每一門用二十軍士，扮作百姓，灑掃街道。

When the Wei troops arrive, no one is to move without orders. I have a plan of my own.” Then Kongming put on his crane-feather cloak and silk turban and, taking two young boys who carried a zither, sat down by the railing in front of the watchtower on the wall, lit incense and played the zither.

如魏兵到時，不可擅動，吾自有計。”孔明乃披鶴氅，戴綸巾，引二小童攜琴一張，於城上敵樓前，憑欄而坐，焚香操琴。

Meanwhile Sima Yi’s advance scouts reached the walls and, seeing this sight, none of them dared go further. They hurried back to report to Sima Yi. Sima Yi laughed and did not believe it. He halted his whole army and rode forward himself to look from a distance. Sure enough, there was Kongming sitting on the gate tower, all smiles, burning incense and playing the zither. On his left a boy held a precious sword in both hands; on his right another boy held a fly whisk.

卻說司馬懿前軍哨到城下，見了如此模樣，皆不敢進，急報與司馬懿。懿笑而不信，遂止住三軍，自飛馬遠遠望之。果見孔明坐於城樓之上，笑容可掬，焚香操琴。左有一童子，手捧寶劍；右有一童子，手執麈尾。

Inside and outside the gates were twenty-odd common folk with heads bowed, sprinkling and sweeping as if no one else were there. When Sima Yi had seen it all, he was deeply suspicious. He went at once to the central army and ordered the rear to become the front and the front the rear, and they withdrew along the road to the northern hills. His second son Sima Zhao said, “Could it be that Zhuge Liang has no troops and is putting on this show on purpose? Father, why withdraw so quickly?” Sima Yi said, “Liang has been cautious all his life and has never taken a risk. Now he has flung the gates wide open; there must be an ambush.

城門內外，有二十餘百姓，低頭灑掃，傍若無人，懿看畢大疑，便到中軍，教後軍作前軍，前軍作後軍，望北山路而退。次子司馬昭曰：“莫非諸葛亮無軍，故作此態？父親何故便退兵？”懿曰：“亮平生謹慎，不曾弄險。今大開城門，必有埋伏。

If our troops advance, we will fall into his trap. What do you know about it? We must retreat at once.” And so both columns withdrew. When Kongming saw the Wei army retreating into the distance, he clapped his hands and laughed. The officials were all astounded and asked Kongming, “Sima Yi is a famous general of Wei. He came here at the head of a hundred and fifty thousand picked troops, yet as soon as he saw you, Chancellor, he hurried away. Why?” Kongming said, “That man reckoned that I have always been cautious and would never take a risk. When he saw things like this, he suspected an ambush, and so he withdrew.

我兵若進，中其計也。汝輩豈知？宜速退。”於是兩路兵盡皆退去。孔明見魏軍遠去，撫掌而笑。衆官無不駭然，乃問孔明曰：“司馬懿乃魏之名將，今統十五萬精兵到此，見了丞相，便速退去，何也？”孔明曰：“此人料吾生平謹慎，必不弄險；見如此模樣，疑有伏兵，所以退去。

I was not taking a risk; I used this plan only because I had no choice. That man will certainly lead his army along the byroad north of the hills. I have already ordered Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to wait for him there.” They were all amazed and filled with admiration. “Your stratagems, Chancellor, are beyond the reckoning of gods and ghosts,” they said. “Had it been up to us, we would surely have abandoned the city and fled.” Kongming said, “I have only two thousand five hundred men. Had we abandoned the city and fled, we could never have got far.

吾非行險，蓋因不得已而用之。此人必引軍投山北小路去也。吾已令興、苞二人在彼等候。”衆皆驚服曰：“丞相之機，神鬼莫測。若某等之見，必棄城而走矣。”孔明曰：“吾兵止有二千五百，若棄城而走，必不能遠遁。

How could we have escaped being captured by Sima Yi?”

得不爲司馬懿所擒乎？”

A later poet wrote in praise:
Three feet of jade-inlaid zither outdid a mighty host,
When Zhuge drove the enemy back at Xicheng.
Where a hundred and fifty thousand men turned their horses round,
The local folk still point and wonder to this day.

後人有詩讚曰：“瑤琴三尺勝雄師，諸葛西城退敵時。
十五萬人回馬處，土人指點到今疑。
”

When he had finished speaking, he clapped his hands and laughed aloud. “If I had been Sima Yi,” he said, “I would certainly not have withdrawn so readily.” He then gave orders for the people of Xicheng to follow the army into Hanzhong, for Sima Yi was sure to come back. And so Kongming left Xicheng and set off for Hanzhong. The officials, soldiers and people of the three commanderies of Tianshui, Anding and Nanan came along one after another.

言訖，拍手大笑，曰：“吾若爲司馬懿，必不便退也。”遂下令，教西城百姓，隨軍入漢中；司馬懿必將復來。於是孔明離西城望漢中而走。天水、安定、南安三郡官吏軍民，陸續而來。

Meanwhile Sima Yi fled toward the byroads of Mount Wugong. Suddenly battle cries rose to the heavens from behind a slope, and drums shook the earth. Sima Yi turned to his two sons and said, “If I had not fled, I would surely have fallen into Zhuge Liang’s trap.” Then a force came charging along the main road, its banner inscribed in large characters: “Zhang Bao, Guardian of the Right, General of the Tiger’s Wings.” The Wei troops all threw away their armour and spears and fled. They had not gone one stage further when shouts shook the earth in the valleys and drums and horns clamoured to the sky. Ahead of them stood a great flag inscribed: “Guan Xing, Guardian of the Left, General of the Soaring Dragon.”

卻說司馬懿望武功山小路而走。忽然山坡後喊殺連天，鼓聲震地。懿回顧二子曰：“吾若不走，必中諸葛亮之計矣。”只見大路上一軍殺來，旗上大書“右護衛使虎翼將軍張苞”。魏兵皆棄甲拋戈而走。行不到一程，山谷中喊聲震地，鼓角喧天，前面一杆大旗，上書“左護衛使龍驤將軍關興”。

The valleys echoed the sound, so there was no telling how many Shu troops there were. What was more, the Wei troops were already full of doubt and dared not linger; they had no choice but to abandon all their baggage and go. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao both kept to their orders and did not venture to pursue, and came back with a large haul of weapons, grain and fodder. Seeing Shu troops in every valley, Sima Yi dared not come out onto the main road and went back to Jieting.

山谷應聲，不知蜀兵多少；更兼魏軍心疑，不敢久停，只得盡棄輜重而去。興、苞二人皆遵將令，不敢追襲，多得軍器糧草而歸。司馬懿見山谷中皆有蜀兵，不敢出大路，遂回街亭。

At this time Cao Zhen, hearing that Kongming was withdrawing, hastily led his troops in pursuit. A bombard roared behind a hill, and Shu troops came on, covering the hills and plains. At their head were the generals Jiang Wei and Ma Dai. Cao Zhen was greatly alarmed and quickly pulled back, but by then his vanguard Chen Zao had already been slain by Ma Dai. Cao Zhen scurried back with his troops like a rat. The Shu troops all hurried back to Hanzhong through the night. Meanwhile Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi had troops lying in ambush along the Ji Valley road.

此時曹真聽知孔明退兵，急引兵追趕。山背後一聲炮響，蜀兵漫山遍野而來：爲首大將，乃是姜維、馬岱。真大驚，急退軍時，先鋒陳造已被馬岱所斬。真引兵鼠竄而還。蜀兵連夜皆奔回漢中。卻說趙雲、鄧芝伏兵於箕谷道中。

Hearing that Kongming had ordered the army back, Zhao Yun said to Deng Zhi, “When the Wei army learns that our troops are withdrawing, they are sure to pursue. I will first take a force and lie in wait behind them, while you lead the troops under my banner and fall back slowly. I will see to the escort myself, step by step.”

聞孔明傳令回軍，雲謂芝曰：“魏軍知吾兵退，必然來追。吾先引一軍伏於其後，公卻引兵打吾旗號，徐徐而退。吾一步步自有護送也。”

Meanwhile Guo Huai brought his troops back to the Ji Valley road and summoned his vanguard Su Yong to instruct him: “The Shu general Zhao Yun is brave beyond compare. Be very careful and on your guard. If their army is withdrawing, there must be a plan behind it.” Su Yong said eagerly, “If you will back me up, Commander, I will take Zhao Yun alive.” He then led the three thousand troops of the front division racing into the Ji Valley. Just as they were about to catch up with the Shu troops, a red flag with white characters flashed out from behind a slope, bearing the words “Zhao Yun.”

卻說郭淮提兵再回箕谷道中，喚先鋒蘇顒分付曰：“蜀將趙雲，英勇無敵。汝可小心提防，彼軍若退，必有計也。”蘇顒欣然曰：“都督若肯接應，某當生擒趙雲。”遂引前部三千兵，奔入箕谷。看看趕上蜀兵，只見山坡後閃出紅旗白字，上書“趙雲”。

Su Yong hurriedly pulled his troops back and fled. Before he had gone a few li, a great shout went up and a band of troops burst out. The general at its head, spear levelled and horse leaping, roared, “Do you know Zhao Zilong?” Su Yong cried in alarm, “How can there be another Zhao Yun here?” Before he could defend himself, Zhao Yun ran him through with a single thrust and he fell dead from his horse. The rest of his troops broke and scattered. As Zhao Yun wound his way onward, another force came up behind him. It was Guo Huai’s subordinate general Wan Zheng.

蘇顒急收兵退走。行不到數里，喊聲大震，一彪軍撞出：爲首大將，挺槍躍馬，大喝曰：“汝識趙子龍否！”蘇顒大驚曰：“如何這裏又有趙雲？”措手不及，被雲一槍刺死於馬下。餘軍潰散。雲迤邐前進，背後又一軍到，乃郭淮部將萬政也。

Seeing the Wei troops pressing hard, Zhao Yun reined in his horse, levelled his spear and planted himself at the mouth of the road, waiting for the enemy general to cross weapons with him. By now the Shu troops were more than thirty li away. Wan Zheng recognized Zhao Yun and dared not advance. Zhao Yun waited until dusk, and only then turned his horse and moved slowly on. When Guo Huai’s troops arrived, Wan Zheng told him that Zhao Yun was as brave as ever and that was why he had not dared go near him. Guo Huai ordered the troops to give chase at once, so Wan Zheng sent several hundred stout horsemen after him.

雲見魏兵追急，乃勒馬挺槍，立於路口，待來將交鋒。蜀兵已去三十餘里。萬政認得是趙雲，不敢前進，雲等得天色黃昏，方纔撥回馬緩緩而進。郭淮兵到，萬政言趙雲英勇如舊，因此不敢近前。淮傳令教軍急趕，政令數百騎壯士趕來。

When they reached a large forest, they suddenly heard a great shout behind them: “Zhao Zilong is here!” More than a hundred Wei troops fell from their horses in fright, and all the rest fled over the ridge. Wan Zheng forced himself to stand and fight, but an arrow from Zhao Yun struck the tassel of his helmet, and in his fright he tumbled into a stream. Zhao Yun pointed his spear at him and said, “I will spare your life and let you go back. Tell Guo Huai to hurry up and come after me!” Wan Zheng escaped with his life and went back.

行至一大林，忽聽得背後大喝一聲曰：“趙子龍在此！”驚得魏兵落馬者百餘人，餘者皆越嶺而去。萬政勉強來敵，被雲一箭射中盔纓，驚跌於澗中。雲以槍指之曰：“吾饒汝性命回去！快教郭淮趕來！”萬政脫命而回。

Zhao Yun escorted the carts, baggage, men and horses toward Hanzhong and lost nothing at all along the way. Cao Zhen and Guo Huai recaptured the three commanderies and claimed the credit for themselves. Meanwhile Sima Yi advanced with his forces divided. By this time the Shu troops had all gone back to Hanzhong. Sima Yi led a force back to Xicheng and questioned the residents who had stayed behind and the hermits in the remote hills. They all said that Kongming had had only two thousand five hundred troops in the city, no military commanders, only a few civil officials, and no ambush at all.

雲護送車仗人馬，望漢中而去，沿途並無遺失。曹真、郭淮復奪三郡，以爲己功。卻說司馬懿分兵而進。此時蜀兵盡回漢中去了，懿引一軍復到西城，因問遺下居民及山僻隱者，皆言孔明止有二千五百軍在城中，又無武將，只有幾個文官，別無埋伏。

The common folk of Mount Wugong reported, “Guan Xing and Zhang Bao had only three thousand troops each. They went round the hills shouting and beating drums to frighten and chase you, but there were no other troops, and they never dared to fight.” Sima Yi’s regret came too late. He looked up to Heaven and sighed, “I am no match for Kongming!” He then pacified the officials and people of the various places and led his troops straight back to Changan, where he went to court to see the Ruler of Wei. Cao Rui said, “That we have regained the commanderies of Longxi today is all your doing.”

武功山小民告曰：“關興、張苞，只各有三千軍，轉山吶喊，鼓譟驚追，又無別軍，並不敢廝殺。”懿悔之不及，仰天嘆曰：“吾不如孔明也！”遂安撫了諸處官民，引兵徑還長安，朝見魏主。睿曰：“今日復得隴西諸郡，皆卿之功也。”

Sima Yi memorialized, “The Shu troops are all in Hanzhong now and have not yet been wiped out. I beg for a great army so that we may join our strength to take Xichuan and so repay Your Majesty.” Cao Rui was delighted and ordered Sima Yi to raise troops at once. Suddenly a man stepped out from the ranks of courtiers and memorialized, “I have a plan that will be enough to settle Shu and bring Wu to submission.”

懿奏曰：“今蜀兵皆在漢中，未盡剿滅。臣乞大兵併力收川，以報陛下。”睿大喜，令懿即便興兵。忽班內一人出奏曰：“臣有一計，足可定蜀降吳。”

Indeed:
The generals and ministers of Shu had just returned home,
When the ruler and ministers of Wei again spun their schemes.
Who it was that offered the plan will be told in the next chapter.

正是：蜀中將相方歸國，魏地君臣又逞謀。
未知獻計者是誰，且看下文分解。