Romance, Chapter 116

Chapter 116. Zhong Hui Divides His Army on the Roads to Hanzhong; The Martial Marquis Reveals His Spirit on Mount Dingjun

Now Sima Zhao said to Shao Ti, Clerk of the Western Bureau, “The ministers at court all say that Shu cannot be attacked. That is because their hearts are afraid, and if they were forced to fight, it would surely be the road to defeat. Now Zhong Hui alone has put forward a plan for attacking Shu, which shows that his heart is not afraid; and if his heart is not afraid, Shu will certainly be crushed. Once Shu is crushed, the people of Shu will have lost all their nerve. The general of a defeated army cannot speak of courage; the officials of a fallen state cannot hope to survive.

卻說司馬昭謂西曹掾邵悌曰：“朝臣皆言蜀未可伐，是其心怯；若使強戰，必敗之道也。今鍾會獨建伐蜀之策，是其心不怯；心不怯，則破蜀必矣。蜀既破，則蜀人心膽已裂；敗軍之將，不可以言勇；亡國之大夫，不可以圖存。

Even if Zhong Hui were to harbour treasonous designs, how could the people of Shu help him? As for the men of Wei, once they have won they will think only of going home; they will never follow Zhong Hui in rebellion. There is even less to worry about there. These words are for you and me alone. On no account let them leak out.” Shao Ti bowed in admiration.

會即有異志，蜀人安能助之乎？至若魏人得勝思歸，必不從會而反，更不足慮耳。此言乃吾與汝知之，切不可泄漏。”邵悌拜服。

Meanwhile, when Zhong Hui had finished pitching camp, he took his seat in his tent and assembled all his generals to hear his orders. Present were the Army Supervisor Wei Guan, the Protector of the Army Hu Lie, and more than eighty senior generals, among them Tian Xu, Pang Hui, Tian Zhang, Yuan Qing, Qiu Jian, Xiahou Xian, Wang Mai, Huangfu Kai and Gou An. Zhong Hui said, “I must have one senior general as vanguard, to open roads where there are mountains and build bridges where there is water. Who dares take this on?” One man answered at once, “I will go.”

卻說鍾會下寨已畢，升帳大集諸將聽令。時有監軍衛瓘，護軍胡烈，大將田續、龐會、田章、爰青、丘建、夏侯咸、王買、皇甫闓、句安等八十餘員。會曰：“必須一大將爲先鋒，逢山開路，遇水疊橋。誰敢當之？”一人應聲曰：“某願往。”

Zhong Hui looked and saw that it was Xu Yi, son of the tiger general Xu Chu. Everyone said, “No one but he can be the vanguard.” Zhong Hui called Xu Yi forward and said, “You are a general with the body of a tiger and the arms of an ape. Father and son alike have made their names, and now all the generals vouch for you. Take the seal of the vanguard, lead five thousand horse and a thousand foot, and go straight for Hanzhong. The army will divide into three columns: you will lead the central column out through the Xie Valley; the left army will go by the Luo Valley and the right army by the Ziwu Valley.

會視之，乃虎將許褚之子許儀也。衆皆曰：“非此人不可爲先鋒。”會喚許儀曰：“汝乃虎體猿臂之將。父子有名；今衆將亦皆保汝。汝可掛先鋒印，領五千馬軍、一千步軍，徑取漢中。兵分三路：汝領中路，出斜谷；左軍出駱谷；右軍出子午谷。

All these are rugged, steep mountain regions. You must have your men fill in and level the roads, repair the bridges, cut through the hills and break up the rocks, so that nothing will hold up the march. If you fail in this, you will be dealt with by military law.” Xu Yi received his orders and advanced with his troops. Zhong Hui followed with more than a hundred thousand men, setting out by night.

此皆崎嶇山險之地，當令軍填平道路，修理橋樑，鑿山破石，勿使阻礙。如違必按軍法。”許儀受命，領兵而進。鍾會隨後提十萬餘衆，星夜起程。

Meanwhile Deng Ai was in Longxi. When he received the edict to attack Shu, he sent Sima Wang to hold back the Qiang, and also ordered Zhuge Xu, Imperial Protector of Yong Province, Wang Qi, Prefect of Tianshui, Qian Hong, Prefect of Longxi, and Yang Xin, Prefect of Jincheng, each to bring the troops under his command and report for orders. When the armies had gathered like clouds, Deng Ai had a dream one night. He dreamed that he climbed a high mountain and looked out towards Hanzhong, when suddenly a spring burst out beneath his feet and its water gushed upward.

卻說鄧艾在隴西，既受伐蜀之詔，一面令司馬望往遏羌人，又遣雍州刺史諸葛緒，天水太守王頎，隴西太守牽弘，金城太守楊欣，各調本部兵前來聽令。比及軍馬雲集，鄧艾夜作一夢：夢見登高山，望漢中，忽於腳下迸出一泉，水勢上湧。

A moment later he woke with a start, drenched in sweat. He sat up to wait for dawn, then summoned his guard officer Yuan Shao to ask him about it. Yuan Shao had long been versed in the Book of Changes. When Deng Ai had told him the whole dream, Yuan Shao answered, “The Changes says: ‘Water upon the mountain is called Jian, Obstruction.’ Of the Jian hexagram it is said: ‘Advantage lies in the south-west; no advantage in the north-east.’ And Confucius said: ‘In Obstruction there is advantage in the south-west, for going there brings achievement; there is no advantage in the north-east, for there the way comes to an end.’ General, on this campaign you will surely conquer Shu. The pity is that you will be obstructed and unable to return.”

須臾驚覺，渾身汗流；遂坐而待旦，乃召護衛爰邵問之。邵素明《周易》，艾備言其夢，邵答曰：“《易》雲：山上有水曰蹇。蹇卦者：‘利西南，不利東北。’孔子云：‘蹇利西南，往有功也；不利東北，其道窮也。’將軍此行，必然克蜀；但可惜蹇滯不能還。”

When Deng Ai heard this, his face fell and he was troubled. Suddenly a dispatch arrived from Zhong Hui, proposing that Deng Ai raise his troops and join forces with him at Hanzhong. Deng Ai then sent Zhuge Xu, Imperial Protector of Yong Province, with fifteen thousand troops to cut off Jiang Wei’s line of retreat first; next he sent Wang Qi, Prefect of Tianshui, with fifteen thousand troops to attack Tazhong from the left, and Qian Hong, Prefect of Longxi, with fifteen thousand men to attack Tazhong from the right; and he also sent Yang Xin, Prefect of Jincheng, with fifteen thousand men to intercept Jiang Wei’s rear at Gansong.

艾聞言，愀然不樂。忽鍾會檄文至，約艾起兵，於漢中取齊。艾遂遣雍州刺史諸葛緒，引兵一萬五千，先斷姜維歸路；次遣天水太守王頎，引兵一萬五千，從左攻沓中；隴西太守牽弘，引一萬五千人，從右攻沓中；又遣金城太守楊欣，引一萬五千人，於甘松邀姜維之後。

Deng Ai himself led thirty thousand troops, moving back and forth to lend support. Now when Zhong Hui set out with his army, all the officials escorted him beyond the city walls. The banners blotted out the sun, the armour glittered like frost, the men were strong and the horses sturdy, and the whole host was awe-inspiring. Everyone praised and admired it; only Liu Shi, Adviser to the Chancellor of State, smiled faintly and said nothing. The Grand Commandant Wang Xiang saw Liu Shi’s cold smile, took his hand from horseback and asked, “Can these two, Zhong Hui and Deng Ai, pacify Shu on this campaign?”

艾自引兵三萬，往來接應。卻說鍾會出師之時，有百官送出城外，旌旗蔽日，鎧甲凝霜，人強馬壯，威風凜然。人皆稱羨，惟有相國參軍劉寔，微笑不語。太尉王祥見寔冷笑，就馬上握其手而問曰：“鍾、鄧二人，此去可平蜀乎？”

“Shu will certainly be crushed,” said Liu Shi. “I only fear that neither of them will return to the capital.” Wang Xiang asked him why, but Liu Shi only smiled and did not answer, and Wang Xiang asked no more.

寔曰：“破蜀必矣。但恐皆不得還都耳。”王祥問其故，劉寔但笑而不答。祥遂不復問。

Meanwhile, as soon as the Wei army had set out, spies went into Tazhong to inform Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei at once drew up a memorial to the Latter Ruler: “I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict sending Zhang Yi, General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Left, with troops to guard Yangan Pass, and Liao Hua, General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Right, with troops to hold Yinping Bridge. These two places are of the utmost importance; if they are lost, Hanzhong cannot be held. At the same time envoys should be sent to Wu to ask for help.

卻說魏兵既發，早有細作入沓中報知姜維。維即具表申奏後主：“請降詔遣左車騎將軍張翼領兵守護陽安關，右車騎將軍廖化領兵守陰平橋：這二處最爲要緊，若失二處，漢中不保矣。一面當遣使入吳求救。

I myself will raise the troops of Tazhong to resist the enemy.” At that time the Latter Ruler had changed the sixth year of Jingyao to the first year of Yanxing, and spent his days amusing himself in the palace with the eunuch Huang Hao. When Jiang Wei’s memorial suddenly arrived, he at once summoned Huang Hao and asked, “Now Wei has sent Zhong Hui and Deng Ai with a great host, coming by separate roads. What are we to do?” Huang Hao replied, “Jiang Wei only wants to win fame and merit for himself; that is why he has sent up this memorial.

臣一面自起沓中之兵拒敵。”時後主改景耀六年爲炎興元年，日與宦官黃皓在宮中游樂。忽接姜維之表，即召黃皓問曰：“今魏國遣鍾會、鄧艾大起人馬，分道而來，如之奈何？”皓奏曰：“此乃姜維欲立功名，故上此表。

Let Your Majesty set your mind at rest and have no misgivings. I have heard that there is a sorceress in the city who serves a certain god and can foretell good and ill fortune. You might summon her and ask.” The Latter Ruler took his advice. In the rear hall he had incense, flowers, paper and candles set out, with offerings for a sacrifice, and ordered Huang Hao to bring the sorceress into the palace in a small carriage and seat her on the dragon throne. When the Latter Ruler had burned incense and finished his prayer, the sorceress suddenly let down her hair, bared her feet, leaped about the hall dozens of times and whirled round and round on the table.

陛下寬心，勿生疑慮。臣聞城中有一師婆，供奉一神，能知吉凶，可召來問之。”後主從其言，於後殿陳設香花紙燭、享祭禮物，令黃皓用小車請入宮中，坐於龍牀之上。後主焚香祝畢，師婆忽然披髮跣足，就殿上跳躍數十遍，盤旋於案上。

“The god has descended,” said Huang Hao. “Your Majesty should send away your attendants and pray to him yourself.” The Latter Ruler sent all his attendants away and bowed twice in prayer. The sorceress cried out in a loud voice, “I am the local god of Xichuan. Your Majesty should rejoice in peace and prosperity. Why ask about other matters? In a few years the lands of Wei too will come to Your Majesty. Let Your Majesty have no worries at all.” With that she fell senseless to the ground, and only came round after a long while. The Latter Ruler was delighted and rewarded her handsomely.

皓曰：“此神人降矣。陛下可退左右，親禱之。”後主盡退侍臣，再拜祝之。師婆大叫曰：“吾乃西川土神也。陛下欣樂太平，何爲求問他事？數年之後，魏國疆土亦歸陛下矣。陛下切勿憂慮。”言訖，昏倒於地，半晌方蘇。後主大喜，重加賞賜。

From then on he placed deep faith in the sorceress’s words, would not listen to Jiang Wei, and spent every day feasting and making merry in the palace. Jiang Wei sent up memorial after memorial reporting the emergency, but Huang Hao hid them all, and so a great cause was ruined. Meanwhile Zhong Hui’s great army wound its way onward towards Hanzhong. Xu Yi, vanguard of the leading army, eager to win the first honours, went ahead with his troops to Nanzheng Pass. He said to his officers, “Once past this pass, we are in Hanzhong.

自此深信師婆之說，遂不聽姜維之言，每日只在宮中飲宴歡樂。姜維累申告急表文，皆被黃皓隱匿，因此誤了大事。卻說鍾會大軍，迤邐望漢中進發。前軍先鋒許儀，要立頭功，先領兵至南鄭關。儀謂部將曰：“過此關即漢中矣。

There are not many men on the pass. We can make a bold effort and seize it.” The officers obeyed and pressed forward together with all their strength. But the Shu general guarding the pass, Lu Xun, had long known that the Wei troops were coming. He had set men in ambush to the left and right of the wooden bridge in front of the pass and mounted the repeating crossbows, ten bolts to a shot, that the Martial Marquis had left behind. When Xu Yi’s troops came to storm the pass, a wooden clapper sounded once and arrows and stones fell like rain. By the time Xu Yi hurriedly drew back, dozens of his horsemen had been shot down.

關上不多人馬，我等便可奮力搶關。”衆將領命，一齊併力向前。原來守關蜀將盧遜，早知魏兵將到，先於關前木橋左右，伏下軍士，裝起武侯所遺十矢連弩；比及許儀兵來搶關時，一聲梆子響處，矢石如雨。儀急退時，早射倒數十騎。

The Wei troops suffered a heavy defeat, and Xu Yi went back to report to Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui himself came to look with over a hundred armoured horsemen from his own guard, and sure enough, arrows and crossbow bolts came pouring down all at once. He wheeled his horse to go back, and Lu Xun came charging down from the pass with five hundred men. As Zhong Hui spurred his horse across the bridge, the earth on the bridge gave way and his horse’s hooves sank in, so that he was very nearly thrown. The horse struggled but could not get up, so Zhong Hui abandoned it and went on foot. As he ran down off the bridge, Lu Xun caught up and thrust at him with his spear, but Xun Kai, among the Wei troops, turned and shot an arrow that knocked Lu Xun from his horse.

魏兵大敗。儀回報鍾會。會自提帳下甲士百餘騎來看，果然箭弩一齊射下。會撥馬便回，關上盧遜引五百軍殺下來。會拍馬過橋，橋上土塌，陷住馬蹄，爭些兒掀下馬來。馬掙不起，會棄馬步行；跑下橋時，盧遜趕上，一槍刺來，卻被魏兵中荀愷回身一箭，射盧遜落馬。

Zhong Hui waved his men on to seize the pass while they had the advantage. The soldiers on the pass dared not shoot because their own Shu troops were in front of it, and they were cut down and scattered by Zhong Hui, who took the mountain pass. He at once made Xun Kai Protector of the Army and presented him with a horse fully saddled and a complete suit of armour.

鍾會麾衆乘勢搶關，關上軍士因有蜀兵在關前，不敢放箭，被鍾會殺散，奪了山關。即以荀愷爲護軍，以全副鞍馬鎧甲賜之。

Zhong Hui summoned Xu Yi to his tent and upbraided him: “As vanguard, it was your duty to open roads where there are mountains and build bridges where there is water, and to give your whole attention to repairing bridges and roads so that the army could march with ease. Just now, when I came onto the bridge, my horse’s hooves sank in and I almost fell off it. But for Xun Kai I would have been killed! You have disobeyed military orders, and you shall be dealt with by military law!” And he shouted to his attendants to take Xu Yi out and behead him. The generals pleaded, “His father Xu Chu rendered great service to the court. We beg you, Commander, to pardon him.”

會喚許儀至帳下，責之曰：“汝爲先鋒，理合逢山開路，遇水疊橋，專一修理橋樑道路，以便行軍。吾方纔到橋上，陷住馬蹄，幾乎墮橋；若非荀愷，吾已被殺矣！汝既違軍令，當按軍法！”叱左右推出斬之。諸將告曰：“其父許褚有功於朝廷，望都督恕之。”

“If military law is not strictly enforced,” said Zhong Hui angrily, “how can I command the army?” And he had Xu Yi beheaded and his head displayed to the troops. Every one of the generals was appalled. At that time the Shu general Wang Han was holding Lecheng and Jiang Bin was holding Hancheng. Seeing how strong the Wei army was, they dared not come out to fight, but only shut their gates and defended themselves. Zhong Hui issued orders: “In war, speed is everything. We must not halt even for a moment.” He ordered Li Fu of the leading army to besiege Lecheng and the Protector of the Army Xun Kai to besiege Hancheng, while he himself led the main army to take Yangan Pass.

會怒曰：“軍法不明，何以令衆？”遂令斬首示衆。諸將無不駭然。時蜀將王含守樂城，蔣斌守漢城，見魏兵勢大，不敢出戰，只閉門自守。鍾會下令曰：“兵貴神速，不可少停。”乃令前軍李輔圍樂城，護軍荀愷圍漢城，自引大軍取陽安關。

Fu Qian, the Shu general guarding the pass, conferred with his lieutenant Jiang Shu on whether to fight or hold fast. Jiang Shu said, “The Wei troops are very numerous and their strength is irresistible. Our best course is to hold firm.” Fu Qian said, “Not so. The Wei army has come a long way and must be worn out. Numerous as they are, there is nothing to fear. If we do not go down from the pass to fight, the two cities of Hancheng and Lecheng are finished.” Jiang Shu was silent and made no reply. Suddenly it was reported that the main body of the Wei army had reached the pass, and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian went up onto the pass to look.

守關蜀將傅僉與副將蔣舒商議戰守之策，舒曰：“魏兵甚衆，勢不可當，不如堅守爲上。”僉曰：“不然。魏兵遠來，必然疲睏，雖多不足懼。我等若不下關戰時，漢、樂二城休矣。”蔣舒默然不答。忽報魏兵大隊已至關前，蔣、傅二人至關上視之。

Zhong Hui raised his whip and shouted, “I have come here now at the head of a hundred thousand men. If you come out and surrender at once, each of you will be promoted according to your rank. If you stubbornly refuse to surrender, I will break down the pass and burn jade and stone alike!” Fu Qian, in a great rage, ordered Jiang Shu to hold the pass and himself led three thousand troops charging down from it. Zhong Hui at once fled and the Wei troops all fell back. Fu Qian pursued, pressing his advantage, and the Wei troops closed in again. When Fu Qian tried to withdraw into the pass, the Wei flag had already been raised on it, and there was Jiang Shu shouting, “I have already surrendered to Wei!”

鍾會揚鞭大叫曰：“吾今統十萬之衆到此，如早早出降，各依品級升用；如執迷不降，打破關隘，玉石俱焚！”傅僉大怒，令蔣舒把關，自引三千兵殺下關來。鍾會便走，魏兵盡退。僉乘勢追之，魏兵複合。僉欲退入關時，關上已豎起魏家旗號，只見蔣舒叫曰：“吾已降了魏也！”

Fu Qian, in a towering rage, cried out, “You ungrateful, faithless traitor! How will you ever face the world again?” He wheeled his horse and engaged the Wei troops once more. The Wei troops closed in from every side and surrounded him. Fu Qian charged left and dashed right, fighting desperately back and forth, but he could not break free, and eight or nine in every ten of the Shu troops he led were wounded. Then Fu Qian looked up to heaven and sighed, “Living, I was a subject of Shu; dying, I shall be a ghost of Shu!”

僉大怒，厲聲罵曰：“忘恩背義之賊，有何面目見天下人乎！”撥回馬復與魏兵接戰。魏兵四面合來，將傅僉圍在垓心。僉左衝右突，往來死戰，不能得脫；所領蜀兵，十傷八九。僉乃仰天嘆曰：“吾生爲蜀臣，死亦當爲蜀鬼！”

Once more he spurred his horse and charged into the fight. He took several spear wounds and his robe and armour were soaked with blood. When his horse fell under him, Fu Qian cut his own throat and died.

乃復拍馬衝殺，身被數槍，血盈袍鎧；坐下馬倒，僉自刎而死。

A later poet lamented:
In a single day he poured out his loyal fury;
For a thousand autumns men revere his righteous name.
Better to die as Fu Qian died
Than live as Jiang Shu lived.

後人有詩嘆曰：“一日抒忠憤，千秋仰義名。
寧爲傅僉死，不作蔣舒生。
”

When Zhong Hui took Yangan Pass, he found great quantities of grain, fodder and weapons stored inside. Delighted, he feasted and rewarded the whole army. That night, while the Wei troops were quartered in the city of Yangan, suddenly a great clamour of shouting arose to the south-west. Zhong Hui hurried out of his tent to look, but there was no sign of anything. The Wei army dared not sleep all night. At the third watch of the next night, shouting rose again in the south-west. Zhong Hui, alarmed and puzzled, sent men to scout at daybreak.

鍾會得了陽安關，關內所積糧草、軍器極多，大喜，遂犒三軍。是夜，魏兵宿於陽安城中，忽聞西南上喊聲大震。鍾會慌忙出帳視之，絕無動靜。魏軍一夜不敢睡。次夜三更，西南上喊聲又起。鍾會驚疑，向曉，使人探之。

They came back and reported, “We scouted more than ten li out and there was no one at all.” Zhong Hui, still alarmed and uneasy, led several hundred horsemen himself, all in full armour, to patrol towards the south-west. Going on, he came to a mountain, where he saw an air of slaughter rising on all sides, gloomy clouds spread over everything and mist shrouding the peak. Zhong Hui reined in and asked his guide, “What mountain is this?” The guide answered, “This is Mount Dingjun, where Xiahou Yuan died long ago.”

回報曰：“遠哨十餘里，並無一人。”會驚疑不定，乃自引數百騎，俱全裝慣帶，望西南巡哨。前至一山，只見殺氣四面突起，愁雲布合，霧鎖山頭。會勒住馬，問嚮導官曰：“此何山也？”答曰：“此乃定軍山，昔日夏侯淵歿於此處。”

When Zhong Hui heard this, he was dismayed and uneasy, and he turned his horse to go back. As they rounded the slope, a violent wind suddenly sprang up, and several thousand horsemen burst out behind them and came charging on the wind. Zhong Hui, in great alarm, fled at full gallop with his men. Countless officers fell from their horses. When they reached Yangan Pass they found that not a single man or horse had been lost; they had only bruised their faces in falls and lost their helmets. They all said, “We saw only men and horses charging at us out of the dark clouds, but when they came close they did no harm to anyone. It was nothing but a whirlwind.”

會聞之，悵然不樂，遂勒馬而回。轉過山坡，忽然狂風大作，背後數千騎突出，隨風殺來。會大驚，引衆縱馬而走。諸將墜馬者，不計其數。及奔到陽安關時，不曾折一人一騎，只跌損面目，失了頭盔。皆言曰：“但見陰雲中人馬殺來，比及近身，卻不傷人，只是一陣旋風而已。”

Zhong Hui asked the surrendered general Jiang Shu, “Is there a shrine to some god on Mount Dingjun?” Jiang Shu said, “There is no shrine, only the tomb of Zhuge, the Martial Marquis.” Zhong Hui said in awe, “This must be the Martial Marquis showing his divine power. I must go myself and sacrifice to him.” The next day Zhong Hui prepared the offerings, had an ox, a sheep and a pig slaughtered for the full sacrifice, and went in person to the Martial Marquis’s tomb, where he bowed twice and made his offering. When the sacrifice was over, the violent wind stopped at once and the gloomy clouds scattered in all directions. Suddenly a fresh breeze began to blow softly and a fine rain fell gently.

會問降將蔣舒曰：“定軍山有神廟乎？”舒曰：“並無神廟，惟有諸葛武侯之墓。”會驚曰：“此必武侯顯聖也。吾當親往祭之。”次日，鍾會備祭禮，宰太牢，自到武侯墓前再拜致祭。祭畢，狂風頓息，愁雲四散。忽然清風習習，細雨紛紛。

When it had passed, the sky cleared. The Wei troops were overjoyed, and they all bowed in thanks and returned to camp. That night, as Zhong Hui slept leaning on his desk in his tent, a fresh breeze suddenly blew by, and in its wake he saw a man wearing a silk turban and carrying a feather fan, dressed in a crane-feather cloak, with white shoes and a black sash. His face was like jade, his lips as if touched with vermilion, his brows clear and his eyes bright. He stood eight chi tall and had the air of an immortal floating free of the world. The man walked into the tent, and Zhong Hui rose to greet him, saying, “Who are you, sir?”

一陣過後，天色晴朗。魏兵大喜，皆拜謝回營。是夜，鍾會在帳中伏几而寢，忽然一陣清風過處，只見一人，綸巾羽扇，身衣鶴氅，素履皁絛，面如冠玉，脣若抹朱，眉清目朗，身長八尺，飄飄然有神仙之概。其人步入帳中，會起身迎之曰：“公何人也？”

The man said, “This morning you honoured me with a visit. I have a few words to say to you. Although the fortunes of Han have declined and the will of Heaven is hard to oppose, it is truly pitiable that the people of the Two Chuan should suffer the calamities of war through no fault of their own. When you have entered the land, on no account kill the people wantonly.” With that he shook out his sleeves and left. Zhong Hui tried to hold him back, and suddenly woke with a start: it had been a dream. Zhong Hui knew that it was the spirit of the Martial Marquis, and was filled with amazement. He sent orders to the leading army to set up a white banner inscribed with the four words “Protect the State and Keep the People Safe,” and wherever they went, anyone who wantonly killed a single person would pay with his life.

其人曰：“今早重承見顧。吾有片言相告：雖漢祚已衰，天命難違，然兩川生靈，橫罹兵革，誠可憐憫。汝入境之後，萬勿妄殺生靈。”言訖，拂袖而去。會欲挽留之，忽然驚醒，乃是一夢。會知是武侯之靈，不勝驚異。於是傳令前軍，立一白旗，上書“保國安民”四字；所到之處，如妄殺一人者償命。

And so the people of Hanzhong all came out of the cities and bowed to welcome him. Zhong Hui comforted every one of them, and not the slightest harm was done.

於是漢中人民，盡皆出城拜迎。會一一撫慰，秋毫無犯。

A later poet wrote in praise:
Myriads of phantom soldiers circled Dingjun,
And made Zhong Hui bow before the spirit there.
In life his plans upheld the House of Liu;
In death his words still kept the folk of Shu from harm.

後人有詩讚曰：“數萬陰兵繞定軍，致令鍾會拜靈神。
生能決策扶劉氏，死尚遺言保蜀民。
”

Meanwhile Jiang Wei, in Tazhong, heard that the Wei army was coming in great force. He sent dispatches to Liao Hua, Zhang Yi and Dong Jue to bring their troops to his support, while he himself divided his troops and posted his generals to await the enemy. Suddenly it was reported that the Wei troops had arrived, and Jiang Wei led his army out to meet them. The general at the head of the Wei array was Wang Qi, Prefect of Tianshui. Wang Qi rode out and shouted, “We have a great army of a million men and a thousand senior generals, advancing by twenty roads, and we have already reached Chengdu.

卻說姜維在沓中，聽知魏兵大至，傳檄廖化、張翼、董厥提兵接應；一面自分兵列將以待之。忽報魏兵至，維引兵迎之。魏陣中爲首大將乃天水太守王頎也。頎出馬大呼曰：“吾今大兵百萬，上將千員，分二十路而進，已到成都。

Yet instead of thinking of surrendering early, you still try to resist. How can you be so blind to the will of Heaven?” Jiang Wei, in a great rage, levelled his spear, gave his horse its head and went straight for Wang Qi. They had not fought three bouts before Wang Qi was routed and fled. Jiang Wei drove his troops on in pursuit for twenty li, when all at once gongs and drums sounded together and a body of troops spread out before him, with the words “Qian Hong, Prefect of Longxi” written large on their banner. Jiang Wei laughed and said, “Rats like these are no match for me!”

汝不思早降，猶欲抗拒，何不知天命耶！”維大怒，挺槍縱馬，直取王頎。戰不三合，頎大敗而走。姜維驅兵追殺至二十里，只聽得金鼓齊鳴，一枝兵擺開，旗上大書“隴西太守牽弘”字樣。維笑曰：“此等鼠輩，非吾敵手！”

He urged his troops on in pursuit. After chasing them another ten li, he ran into Deng Ai, who came charging in with his whole army. The two armies clashed in a confused melee. Jiang Wei roused all his spirit and fought more than ten bouts with Deng Ai without either gaining the upper hand, when gongs and drums sounded again behind him. As Jiang Wei hastily fell back, his rear army reported, “The camps at Gansong have all been burned by Yang Xin, Prefect of Jincheng.” Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed. He hastily ordered his lieutenant to set up a show of flags and hold off Deng Ai.

遂催兵追之。又趕到十里，卻遇鄧艾傾兵殺到。兩軍混戰。維抖擻精神，與艾戰有十餘合，不分勝負，後面鑼鼓又鳴。維急退時，後軍報說：“甘松諸寨，盡被金城太守楊欣燒燬了。”維大驚，急令副將虛立旗號，與鄧艾相拒。

Jiang Wei himself withdrew his rear army and hurried through the night to relieve Gansong, and ran straight into Yang Xin. Yang Xin dared not fight and fled along a mountain road, with Jiang Wei in pursuit. As they came below a cliff, logs and stones rained down from above and Jiang Wei could go no further. By the time he had got halfway back, the Shu troops had already been routed by Deng Ai. The main body of the Wei army came on and surrounded Jiang Wei.

維自撤後軍，星夜來救甘松，正遇楊欣。欣不敢交戰，望山路而走。維隨後趕來。將至山岩下，巖上木石如雨，維不能前進。比及回到半路，蜀兵已被鄧艾殺敗。魏兵大隊而來，將姜維圍住。

Jiang Wei and his horsemen cut their way out of the encirclement and fled into the main camp, where they held fast to await relief. Suddenly a courier galloped up and reported, “Zhong Hui has broken through Yangan Pass. Its commander Jiang Shu surrendered and Fu Qian died fighting. Hanzhong now belongs to Wei. Wang Han, commander of Lecheng, and Jiang Bin, commander of Hancheng, learned that Hanzhong was lost and also opened their gates and surrendered. Hu Ji could not hold off the enemy and has fled back to Chengdu to seek reinforcements.” Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed and at once gave orders to break camp.

維引衆騎殺出重圍，奔入大寨堅守，以待救兵。忽然流星馬到，報說：“鍾會打破陽安關，守將蔣舒歸降，傅僉戰死，漢中已屬魏矣。樂城守將王含，漢城守將蔣斌，知漢中已失，亦開門而降。胡濟抵敵不住，逃回成都求援去了。”維大驚，即傳令拔寨。

That night the army reached Qiangchuankou, where a body of troops was drawn up ahead of them. The Wei general at their head was Yang Xin, Prefect of Jincheng. Jiang Wei, in a great rage, spurred forward to engage him. After a single bout Yang Xin was beaten and fled. Jiang Wei took up his bow and shot at him, three arrows in succession, but all of them missed. More furious than ever, Jiang Wei snapped his own bow and chased after him with his spear levelled. But his war-horse stumbled and threw him to the ground, and Yang Xin wheeled his horse and came back to kill him.

是夜兵至疆川口，前面一軍擺開，爲首魏將，乃是金城太守楊欣。維大怒，縱馬交鋒，只一合，楊欣敗走，維拈弓射之，連射三箭皆不中。維轉怒，自折其弓，挺槍趕來。戰馬前失，將維跌在地上。楊欣撥回馬來殺姜維。

Jiang Wei sprang to his feet and thrust with his spear, striking Yang Xin’s horse full in the head. Wei troops suddenly came up from behind and rescued Yang Xin. Jiang Wei mounted a spare horse and was about to give chase when news came that Deng Ai’s troops had arrived behind him. Unable to guard both front and rear, Jiang Wei gathered his troops and set out to recover Hanzhong. His scouts reported, “Zhuge Xu, Imperial Protector of Yong Province, has already cut off our line of retreat.” So Jiang Wei made camp in a strong position in the mountains. The Wei troops were encamped at the head of Yinping Bridge.

維躍起身，一槍刺去，正中楊欣馬腦。背後魏兵驟至，救欣去了。維騎上從馬，欲待追時，忽報後面鄧艾兵到。維首尾不能相顧，遂收兵要奪漢中。哨馬報說：“雍州刺史諸葛緒已斷了歸路。”維乃據山險下寨。魏兵屯於陰平橋頭。

With no way either forward or back, Jiang Wei heaved a long sigh: “Heaven is destroying me!” His lieutenant Ning Sui said, “Although the Wei troops have cut us off at the head of Yinping Bridge, Yong Province must be short of troops. If you, General, go by the Konghan Valley as if to take Yong Province directly, Zhuge Xu is sure to withdraw his troops from Yinping to relieve Yong Province. Then you can turn and lead the army to Jiange and hold it, and Hanzhong can be recovered.” Jiang Wei followed this advice. He at once led his troops into the Konghan Valley, feigning an attack on Yong Province.

維進退無路，長嘆曰：“天喪我也！”副將寧隨曰：“魏兵雖斷陰平橋頭，雍州必然兵少，將軍若從孔函谷，徑取雍州，諸葛緒必撤陰平之兵救雍州，將軍卻引兵奔劍閣守之，則漢中可復矣。”維從之，即發兵入孔函谷，詐取雍州。

Spies reported this to Zhuge Xu. Zhuge Xu said in great alarm, “Yong Province is the territory I am charged with defending. If anything goes wrong there, the court will certainly hold me to account.” He hastily withdrew his main army and went by the southern road to relieve Yong Province, leaving only a single detachment to guard the bridgehead. Jiang Wei entered the northern road and went about thirty li. Then, judging that the Wei troops would have set off, he turned his army back, making his rear his van, and went straight to the bridgehead. Sure enough, the main Wei army had gone, and only a few troops were holding the bridge. Jiang Wei scattered them in a single charge and burned all their camps and stockades.

細作報知諸葛緒。緒大驚曰：“雍州是吾合守之地，倘有疏失，朝廷必然問罪。”急撤大兵從南路去救雍州，只留一枝兵守橋頭。姜維入北道，約行三十里，料知魏兵起行，乃勒回兵，後隊作前隊，徑到橋頭，果然魏兵大隊已去，只有些小兵把橋，被維一陣殺散，盡燒其寨柵。

When Zhuge Xu heard that fire had broken out at the bridgehead, he led his troops back again, but Jiang Wei’s army had already passed half a day before, so he dared not pursue. Meanwhile, as Jiang Wei was on the march after crossing the bridge, a body of troops came towards him. It was Zhang Yi, General of the Left, and Liao Hua, General of the Right. When Jiang Wei asked them what had happened, Zhang Yi said, “Huang Hao believed the words of a sorceress and would not send troops. When I heard that Hanzhong was already in danger, I raised troops on my own and came, but by then Yangan Pass had already been taken by Zhong Hui.

諸葛緒聽知橋頭火起，復引兵回，姜維兵已過半日了，因此不敢追趕。卻說姜維引兵過了橋頭，正行之間，前面一軍來到，乃左將軍張翼、右將軍廖化也。維問之，翼曰：“黃皓聽信師巫之言，不肯發兵。翼聞漢中已危，自起兵來，時陽安關已被鍾會所取。

Now, hearing that you were in difficulties, General, we have come expressly to support you.” So they joined forces and advanced to Baishui Pass. Liao Hua said, “Now we face the enemy on all sides and our supply route is cut. It would be better to fall back and hold Jiange, and then make a better plan.” Jiang Wei hesitated and could not decide. Suddenly it was reported that Zhong Hui and Deng Ai had divided their troops and were coming by more than ten roads. Jiang Wei wanted to divide his forces with Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to meet them, but Liao Hua said, “Baishui is cramped and has too many roads; it is no place to give battle. We had better withdraw for now and go to the relief of Jiange. If Jiange is lost, our road is cut off for good.”

今聞將軍受困，特來接應。”遂合兵一處，前赴白水關。化曰：“今四面受敵，糧道不通，不如退守劍閣，再作良圖。”維疑慮未決。忽報鍾會、鄧艾分兵十餘路殺來。維欲與翼、化分兵迎之。化曰：“白水地狹路多，非爭戰之所，不如且退去救劍閣可也；若劍閣一失，是絕路矣。”

Jiang Wei agreed, and led his army towards Jiange. As they drew near the pass, suddenly drums and horns sounded together, a great shout went up, banners rose everywhere, and a body of troops blocked the entrance to the pass.

維從之，遂引兵來投劍閣。將近關前，忽然鼓角齊鳴，喊聲大起，旌旗遍豎，一枝軍把住關口。

Indeed:
The perilous heights of Hanzhong are already lost,
And at Jiange a new storm suddenly arises.
Whose troops these were will be told in the next chapter.

正是：漢中險峻已無有，劍閣風波又忽生。
未知何處之兵，且看下文分解。