Romance, Chapter 107

Chapter 107. The Government of the Ruler of Wei Passes to the Sima Clan; Jiang Wei’s Army Is Defeated at Mount Niutou

Now Sima Yi heard that Cao Shuang, together with his brothers Cao Xi, Cao Xun and Cao Yan, his trusted followers He Yan, Deng Yang, Ding Mi, Bi Gui, Li Sheng and others, and the Imperial Guard, had gone out of the city in attendance on Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, to visit the tomb of Emperor Ming and then go hunting. Sima Yi was delighted. He went at once to the palace offices and ordered the Minister over the Masses Gao Rou to take the staff and axes of authority, act as Grand General, and first occupy Cao Shuang’s camp. He also ordered the Minister Coachman Wang Guan to act as Commander of the Central Guard and occupy Cao Xi’s camp.

卻說司馬懿聞曹爽同弟曹羲、曹訓、曹彥並心腹何晏、鄧颺、丁謐、畢軌、李勝等及御林軍，隨魏主曹芳，出城謁明帝墓，就去畋獵。懿大喜，即到省中，令司徒高柔，假以節鉞行大將軍事，先據曹爽營；又令太僕王觀行中領軍事，據曹羲營。

Sima Yi led the old officials into the inner palace and addressed the Empress Dowager Guo. He said that Cao Shuang had betrayed the late Emperor’s kindness in entrusting the young heir to him, that he was treacherous and had thrown the state into disorder, and that his crime deserved dismissal. The Empress Dowager Guo was greatly alarmed. “The Son of Heaven is outside the city. What is to be done?” Sima Yi said, “I have a memorial to present to the Son of Heaven and a plan to put the treacherous ministers to death. Your Majesty need not be anxious.” The Empress Dowager was frightened and could only agree. Sima Yi quickly had the Grand Commandant Jiang Ji and the Director of the Secretariat Sima Fu write a memorial together, and sent a eunuch of the Yellow Gate to carry it out of the city and present it directly to the Emperor.

懿引舊官入後宮奏郭太后，言爽背先帝託孤之恩，奸邪亂國，其罪當廢。郭太后大驚曰：“天子在外，如之奈何？”懿曰：“臣有奏天子之表，誅奸臣之計。太后勿憂。”太后懼怕，只得從之。懿急令太尉蔣濟、尚書令司馬孚，一同寫表，遣黃門齎出城外，徑至帝前申奏。

Sima Yi himself led the main army to occupy the arsenal. Someone had already brought word to Cao Shuang’s household. His wife, Lady Liu, hurried out to the front of the hall, summoned the officer guarding the residence and asked, “My lord is away from the city. What does Zhongda mean by raising troops?” Pan Ju, the general guarding the gate, said, “Do not be alarmed, madam. I will go and find out.” He then led several dozen archers and crossbowmen up onto the gate tower to look. Just then he saw Sima Yi leading his troops past the residence. Pan Ju had his men shoot a hail of arrows down at them, and Sima Yi could not get past.

懿自引大軍據武庫。早有人報知曹爽家。其妻劉氏急出廳前，喚守府官問曰：“今主公在外，仲達起兵何意？”守門將潘舉曰：“夫人勿驚，我去問來。”乃引弓弩手數十人，登門樓望之。正見司馬懿引兵過府前，舉令人亂箭射下，懿不得過。

The junior general Sun Qian stopped him from behind: “The Grand Tutor is acting in a great matter of state. Do not shoot.” Only after he had stopped him three times did Pan Ju cease shooting. Sima Zhao guarded his father Sima Yi as he went past, then led his troops out of the city to camp on the Luo River and hold the pontoon bridge.

偏將孫謙在後止之曰：“太傅爲國家大事，休得放箭。”連止三次，舉方不射。司馬昭護父司馬懿而過，引兵出城屯於洛河，守住浮橋。

Meanwhile Lu Zhi, a Marshal under Cao Shuang, seeing the upheaval in the city, came to consult the Army Adviser Xin Chang: “Now that Zhongda has started such a revolt, what are we to do?” Xin Chang said, “We should take our own troops out of the city and go to the Son of Heaven.” Lu Zhi agreed. Xin Chang hurried into the inner hall. His elder sister Xin Xianying saw him and asked, “What is the matter, that you are in such a hurry?” Xin Chang told her, “The Son of Heaven is outside the city, and the Grand Tutor has shut the city gates. He must be plotting treason.”

且說曹爽手下司馬魯芝，見城中事變，來與參軍辛敞商議曰：“今仲達如此變亂，將如之何？”敞曰：“可引本部兵出城去見天子。”芝然其言。敞急入後堂。其姊辛憲英見之，問曰：“汝有何事，慌速如此？”敞告曰：“天子在外，太傅閉了城門，必將謀逆。”

Xianying said, “Lord Sima is not necessarily plotting treason. He only means to kill General Cao.” Xin Chang said in alarm, “How will this turn out?” Xianying said, “General Cao is no match for Lord Sima. He is bound to be defeated.” Xin Chang said, “Now Marshal Lu wants me to go with him. Should I go or not?” Xianying said, “To keep to one’s post is a man’s great duty. When anyone is in trouble, people may still feel for him; but to hold the whip in a man’s service and then abandon one’s task — nothing could be more ill-omened than that.”

憲英曰：“司馬公未必謀逆，特欲殺曹將軍耳。”敞驚曰：“此事未知如何？”憲英曰：“曹將軍非司馬公之對手，必然敗矣。”敞曰：“今魯司馬教我同去，未知可去否？”憲英曰：“職守，人之大義也。凡人在難，猶或恤之；執鞭而棄其事，不祥莫大焉。”

Xin Chang followed her advice and, with Lu Zhi and several dozen horsemen, cut his way through the barrier, forced the gate and got out. Someone reported this to Sima Yi. Fearing that Huan Fan would escape too, Sima Yi hastily sent men to summon him. Huan Fan consulted his son, who said, “The imperial carriage is outside the city. Better to go out to the south.” Huan Fan took his advice, mounted and rode to the Pingchang Gate. The city gate was already shut, and the officer in charge of it was Si Fan, one of Huan Fan’s former subordinates. Huan Fan drew a bamboo tablet from his sleeve and said, “There is an edict from the Empress Dowager. Open the gate at once.”

敞從其言，乃與魯芝引數十騎，斬關奪門而出。人報知司馬懿。懿恐桓範亦走，急令人召之。範與其子商議。其子曰：“車駕在外，不如南出。”範從其言，乃上馬至平昌門，城門已閉，把門將乃桓範舊吏司蕃也。範袖中取出一竹版曰：“太后有詔，可即開門。”

Si Fan said, “Please let me see the edict.” Huan Fan shouted at him, “You are my former subordinate. How dare you!” Si Fan had no choice but to open the gate and let him out. Once outside the city, Huan Fan called back to Si Fan, “The Grand Tutor has rebelled. Come with me, quickly.” Si Fan was aghast and went after him, but could not catch up. Someone reported this to Sima Yi, who was greatly alarmed. “The bag of wisdom has leaked out! What is to be done?” Jiang Ji said, “A worn-out nag pines for the beans in its stall. His advice will surely not be used.”

司蕃曰：“請詔驗之。”範叱曰：“汝是吾故吏，何敢如此！”蕃只得開門放出。範出的城外，喚司蕃曰：“太傅造反，汝可速隨我去。”蕃大驚，追之不及。人報知司馬懿。懿大驚曰：“智囊泄矣！如之奈何？”蔣濟曰：“駑馬戀棧豆，必不能用也。”

Sima Yi then summoned Xu Yun and Chen Tai and said, “Go to Cao Shuang and tell him that the Grand Tutor has no other purpose: he only wants to take away the military command of you brothers.” Xu Yun and Chen Tai left. He also summoned Yin Damu, Colonel of the Palace, and had Jiang Ji write a letter for Yin Damu to take to Cao Shuang. Sima Yi instructed him, “You are close to Cao Shuang, so you are the one for this task. When you see him, tell him that Jiang Ji and I have sworn an oath by the Luo River: this concerns only his military command, and we have no other intention.”

懿乃召許允、陳泰曰：“汝去見曹爽，說太傅別無他事，只是削汝兄弟兵權而已。”許、陳二人去了。又召殿中校尉尹大目至；令蔣濟作書，與目持去見爽。懿分付曰：“汝與爽厚，可領此任。汝見爽，說吾與蔣濟指洛水爲誓，只因兵權之事，別無他意。”

Yin Damu left according to his orders. Meanwhile Cao Shuang was in the midst of flying his hawks and coursing his hounds when it was suddenly reported that there had been an upheaval in the city and that the Grand Tutor had sent up a memorial. Cao Shuang was so startled that he nearly fell from his horse. The eunuch officer knelt before the Son of Heaven holding up the memorial. Cao Shuang took it, broke the seal and had one of the attendant ministers read it. The memorial said in brief: “Your servant Sima Yi, Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition and Grand Tutor, in all sincerity and trepidation, bowing his head to the ground, respectfully submits this memorial. When I returned long ago from Liaodong, the late Emperor summoned Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin, myself and others up to the imperial couch, took my arm, and showed deep concern for what would come after him.

尹大目依令而去。卻說曹爽正飛鷹走犬之際，忽報城內有變，太傅有表。爽大驚，幾乎落馬。黃門官捧表跪於天子之前。爽接表拆封，令近臣讀之。表略曰：“徵西大都督、太傅臣司馬懿，誠惶誠恐，頓首謹表：臣昔從遼東還，先帝詔陛下與秦王及臣等，升御牀，把臣臂，深以後事爲念。

Now the Grand General Cao Shuang has cast aside the dying Emperor’s charge and thrown the laws of the state into disorder. Within the palace he usurps the forms of sovereignty; outside it he monopolizes power and authority. He has made the eunuch Zhang Dang his Supervisor and conspires with him alone; they spy on the Most Exalted and covet the sacred vessel of the throne. He has sown discord between the two palaces and done harm to flesh and blood. The empire is in turmoil, and every man is full of fear. This was not the original intention of the late Emperor when he gave his command to Your Majesty and his charge to me. Old and feeble though I am, how could I dare forget those words of the past?

今大將軍曹爽，背棄顧命，敗亂國典；內則僭擬，外專威權；以黃門張當爲都監，專共交關；看察至尊，候伺神器；離間二宮，傷害骨肉；天下洶洶，人懷危懼：此非先帝詔陛下及囑臣之本意也。臣雖朽邁，敢忘往言？

The Grand Commandant Jiang Ji, the Director of the Secretariat Sima Fu and others all consider that Cao Shuang has no regard for his sovereign, and that he and his brothers ought not to command troops or guard the palace. We reported this to the Yongning Palace, and the Empress Dowager has commanded me to act as memorialized. I have accordingly ordered the officials in charge and the Prefect of the Yellow Gate to dismiss the officers and troops of Cao Shuang, Cao Xi and Cao Xun and send them to their residences with only their rank as marquises; they may not linger and delay the imperial carriage. Should any dare to delay, they will be dealt with by martial law. I have accordingly, in spite of illness, taken command of troops and camped at the pontoon bridge on the Luo River to watch for any emergency.

太尉臣濟、尚書令臣孚等，皆以爽爲有無君之心，兄弟不宜典兵宿衛。奏永寧宮，皇太后令敕臣如奏施行。臣輒敕主者及黃門令，罷爽、羲、訓吏兵，以侯就第，不得逗留，以稽車駕；敢有稽留，便以軍法從事。臣輒力疾將兵，屯於洛水浮橋，伺察非常。

I respectfully submit this for Your Majesty’s hearing.” When Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, had heard it through, he called Cao Shuang and said, “Since the Grand Tutor says this, how do you propose to deal with it?” Cao Shuang was at his wits’ end. He turned to his two brothers and said, “What are we to do?” Cao Xi said, “Your unworthy brother did remonstrate with you, but you clung to your errors and would not listen, and so it has come to this. Sima Yi is crafty beyond compare; even Kongming could not beat him, let alone we brothers. Better to bind ourselves and go to him, so as to escape death.”

謹此上聞，伏於聖聽。”魏主曹芳聽畢，乃喚曹爽曰：“太傅之言若此，卿如何裁處？”爽手足失措，回顧二弟曰：“爲之奈何？”羲曰：“劣弟亦曾諫兄，兄執迷不聽，致有今日。司馬懿譎詐無比，孔明尚不能勝，況我兄弟乎？不如自縛見之，以免一死。”

Before he had finished speaking, the Army Adviser Xin Chang and the Marshal Lu Zhi arrived. Cao Shuang questioned them, and the two told him, “The city is held as tight as an iron barrel, and the Grand Tutor has led troops to camp at the pontoon bridge on the Luo River. As things stand, you cannot go back. You should decide on a great plan quickly.” As they were speaking, the Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan came galloping up and said to Cao Shuang, “The Grand Tutor has already rebelled. General, why not ask the Son of Heaven to go to Xudu, call up the troops outside the capital and attack Sima Yi?”

言未畢，參軍辛敞、司馬魯芝到。爽問之。二人告曰：“城中把得鐵桶相似，太傅引兵屯於洛水浮橋，勢將不可復歸。宜早定大計。”正言間，司農桓範驟馬而至，謂爽曰：“太傅已變，將軍何不請天子幸許都，調外兵以討司馬懿耶？”

Cao Shuang said, “Our whole families are in the city. How can we go elsewhere to seek help?” Huan Fan said, “Even a common fellow facing disaster still hopes to live! Now you, my lord, are here in person with the Son of Heaven and can issue commands to the whole empire. Who would dare not respond? How can you throw yourself into the place of death?” Cao Shuang heard him but could not decide; he could only shed tears. Huan Fan went on, “From here to Xudu is no more than a single night’s halt. The grain and fodder in that city are enough to last several years. And your other camp, my lord, with its men and horses, is close by, south of the palace gates: call and they will come at once.

爽曰：“吾等全家皆在城中，豈可投他處求援？”範曰：“匹夫臨難，尚慾望活！今主公身隨天子，號令天下，誰敢不應？豈可自投死地乎？”爽聞言不決，惟流涕而已。範又曰：“此去許都，不過中宿。城中糧草，足支數載。今主公別營兵馬，近在闕南，呼之即至。

I have brought the seal of the Grand Marshal here with me. You must go at once, my lord; if you delay, all is lost!” Cao Shuang said, “Do not press me so hard, gentlemen. Let me think it over carefully.” A little later the Palace Attendant Xu Yun and the Secretary Chen Tai arrived. The two told him, “The Grand Tutor is only concerned that your power is too great, General. He merely wants to take away your military command and has no other intention. You should return to the city soon.” Cao Shuang was silent and said nothing. Then Yin Damu, Colonel of the Palace, was seen arriving.

大司馬之印，某將在此。主公可急行，遲則休矣！”爽曰：“多官勿太催逼，待吾細細思之。”少頃，侍中許允、尚書陳泰至。二人告曰：“太傅只爲將軍權重，不過要削去兵權，別無他意。將軍可早歸城中。”爽默然不語。又只見殿中校尉尹大目到。

Yin Damu said, “The Grand Tutor has sworn by the Luo River that he has no other intention. Here is a letter from the Grand Commandant Jiang. General, give up your military command and return soon to your ministerial residence.” Cao Shuang believed this was good advice. Huan Fan spoke again: “The matter is urgent! Do not listen to outsiders and go to your death!” That night Cao Shuang could not make up his mind. He drew his sword and held it in his hand, sighing and pondering. From dusk until dawn he wept without stopping, yet in the end he was still full of doubt and could not decide.

目曰：“太傅指洛水爲誓，並無他意。有蔣太尉書在此。將軍可削去兵權，早歸相府。”爽信爲良言。桓範又告曰：“事急矣，休聽外言而就死地！”是夜，曹爽意不能決，乃拔劍在手，嗟嘆尋思；自黃昏直流淚到曉，終是狐疑不定。

Huan Fan came into the tent and urged him, “My lord, you have been thinking for a whole day and night. Why can you still not decide?” Cao Shuang flung down his sword and sighed. “I will not raise troops. I am quite willing to give up office; it is enough for me to be a rich old man!” Huan Fan burst into loud weeping and went out of the tent, saying, “Cao Zidan prided himself on his wisdom and strategy. Now these three brothers are nothing but piglets and calves!” And he wept bitterly without end.

桓範入帳催之曰：“主公思慮一晝夜，何尚不能決？”爽擲劍而嘆曰：“我不起兵，情願棄官，但爲富家翁足矣！”範大哭，出帳曰：“曹子丹以智謀自矜！今兄弟三人，真豚犢耳！”痛哭不已。

Xu Yun and Chen Tai had Cao Shuang first surrender his seal and ribbon to Sima Yi. When Cao Shuang ordered the seal sent off, the Registrar Yang Zong seized hold of the seal and ribbon and wept, saying, “My lord, if today you give up your military command and go to surrender with your hands bound, you will not escape execution in the Eastern Market!” Cao Shuang said, “The Grand Tutor will surely not break faith with me.” So Cao Shuang gave the seal and ribbon to Xu Yun and Chen Tai to take on ahead to Sima Yi. When the troops saw that their general’s seal was gone, they all scattered in every direction.

許允、陳泰令爽先納印綬與司馬懿。爽令將印送去，主簿楊綜扯住印綬而哭曰：“主公今日舍兵權自縛去降，不免東市受戮也！”爽曰：“太傅必不失信於我。”於是曹爽將印綬與許、陳二人，先齎與司馬懿。衆軍見無將印，盡皆四散。

Cao Shuang was left with only a few mounted officials. When they reached the pontoon bridge, Sima Yi sent down orders that the three Cao brothers were to go back to their private residences for the time being, while all the rest were to be put in prison to await the imperial decree. When Cao Shuang and the others entered the city, not a single attendant followed them. When Huan Fan came to the bridge, Sima Yi pointed at him with his whip from horseback and said, “Grandee Huan, why did you do this?” Huan Fan hung his head without a word and went into the city. Then Sima Yi requested the imperial carriage to break camp and enter Luoyang.

爽手下只有數騎官僚。到浮橋時，懿傳令，教曹爽兄弟三人，且回私宅；餘皆發監，聽候敕旨。爽等入城時，並無一人侍從。桓範至浮橋邊，懿在馬上以鞭指之曰：“桓大夫何故如此？”範低頭不語，入城而去。於是司馬懿請駕拔營入洛陽。

After the three Cao brothers had returned home, Sima Yi had the gates locked with great padlocks and ordered eight hundred local residents to surround and guard the house. Cao Shuang was anxious and depressed. Cao Xi said to him, “Now we are short of grain in the house. You should write to the Grand Tutor and ask to borrow some. If he is willing to lend us grain, he certainly has no intention of harming us.” So Cao Shuang wrote a letter and had it taken to him. When Sima Yi had read it, he sent men with a hundred hu of grain and had it carried into Cao Shuang’s residence.

曹爽兄弟三人回家之後，懿用大鎖鎖門，令居民八百人圍守其宅。曹爽心中憂悶。羲謂爽曰：“今家中乏糧，兄可作書與太傅借糧。如肯以糧借我，必無相害之心。”爽乃作書令人持去。司馬懿覽畢，遂遣人送糧一百斛，運至曹爽府內。

Cao Shuang was delighted. “Lord Sima never meant to harm me after all!” And he stopped worrying. But in fact Sima Yi had already had the eunuch Zhang Dang seized and thrown into prison for interrogation. Zhang Dang said, “It was not I alone. There are five more — He Yan, Deng Yang, Li Sheng, Bi Gui and Ding Mi — who plotted usurpation together.” Having taken Zhang Dang’s confession, Sima Yi then arrested He Yan and the others and examined them until everything was clear: all admitted that they had intended to rebel in the third month.

爽大喜曰：“司馬公本無害我之心也！”遂不以爲憂。原來司馬懿先將黃門張當捉下獄中問罪。當曰：“非我一人，更有何晏、鄧颺、李勝、畢軌、丁謐等五人，同謀篡逆。”懿取了張當供詞，卻捉何晏等勘問明白：皆稱三月間欲反。

Sima Yi had them locked into long cangues. Si Fan, the officer who had guarded the city gate, laid a charge: “Huan Fan left the city with a forged edict, declaring that the Grand Tutor was in rebellion.” Sima Yi said, “One who falsely accuses another of rebellion shall suffer the penalty for the crime he alleged.” So Huan Fan and the others were also thrown into prison. Then the three Cao brothers and all who were implicated were taken out and beheaded in the marketplace, and their families were exterminated to the third degree of kinship. Their property and wealth were all confiscated to the treasury.

懿用長枷釘了。城門守將司蕃告稱：“桓範矯詔出城，口稱太傅謀反。”懿曰：“誣人反情，抵罪反坐。”亦將桓範等皆下獄，然後押曹爽兄弟三人並一干人犯，皆斬於市曹，滅其三族；其家產財物，盡抄入庫。

Now the wife of Wenshu, a younger cousin of Cao Shuang, was Xiahou Lingnü. She had been widowed young and had no children. When her father wanted to marry her off again, she cut off her ears as a vow. When Cao Shuang was executed, her father again meant to marry her off, and this time she cut off her nose. Her family, shocked and alarmed, said to her, “Man’s life in this world is like light dust resting on a frail blade of grass. Why go so far as to torment yourself like this? Besides, your husband’s family has been wiped out entirely by the Sima clan. For whom would you keep this faith?”

時有曹爽從弟文叔之妻，乃夏侯令女也：早寡而無子，其父欲改嫁之，女截耳自誓。及爽被誅，其父復將嫁之，女又斷去其鼻。其家驚惶，謂之曰：“人生世間，如輕塵棲弱草，何至自苦如此？且夫家又被司馬氏誅戮已盡，守此欲誰爲哉？”

She wept and said, “I have heard that the humane do not change their principles with rise or fall, and the righteous do not alter their hearts with survival or ruin. When the Cao family flourished, I still meant to keep faith to the end. How much less can I bear to abandon them now that they are destroyed? That would be the conduct of a beast. How could I do it?” When Sima Yi heard of this, he thought her worthy and allowed her to adopt a son and bring him up as heir to the Cao family.

女泣曰：“吾聞仁者不以盛衰改節，義者不以存亡易心。曹氏盛時，尚欲保終；況今滅亡，何忍棄之？此禽獸之行，吾豈爲乎！”懿聞而賢之，聽使乞子以養，爲曹氏後。

A later poet wrote:
All take the wise view that life is frail grass and fine dust,
But the Xiahou daughter’s loyalty stood like a mountain.
Men fall short of the virtue of this woman of skirt and hairpin;
Looking at their own beards and brows, they should blush with shame.

後人有詩曰：“弱草微塵盡達觀，夏侯有女義如山。
丈夫不及裙釵節，自顧鬚眉亦汗顏。
”

Now when Sima Yi had beheaded Cao Shuang, the Grand Commandant Jiang Ji said, “There remain Lu Zhi and Xin Chang, who cut their way through the barrier and forced the gate, and Yang Zong, who held on to the seal and would not give it up. None of them should be let off.” Sima Yi said, “Each of them was serving his own master. They are men of honour.” And he restored each of them to his former post. Xin Chang sighed, “If I had not asked my sister, I would have failed in my great duty!”

卻說司馬懿斬了曹爽，太尉蔣濟曰：“尚有魯芝、辛敞斬關奪門而出，楊綜奪印不與，皆不可縱。”懿曰：“彼各爲其主，乃義人也。”遂復各人舊職。辛敞嘆曰：“吾若不問於姊，失大義矣！”

A later poet wrote in praise of Xin Xianying:
He who eats a minister’s pay should think to repay it;
He who serves a master in danger should give all his loyalty.
Xin Xianying once counselled her brother so,
And for a thousand years, then and now, her lofty spirit is praised.

後人有詩讚辛憲英曰：“爲臣食祿當思報，事主臨危合盡忠。
辛氏憲英曾勸弟，古今千載頌高風。
”

Having pardoned Xin Chang and the others, Sima Yi also put up a proclamation declaring that all who had been followers of Cao Shuang were to be spared death, and that those who held office were to be restored to their posts as before. Soldiers and people each kept to their homes and livelihoods, and there was peace within and without. That He Yan and Deng Yang met a violent end was just as Guan Lu had foretold.

司馬懿饒了辛敞等，仍出榜曉諭：但有曹爽門下一應人等，盡皆免死；有官者照舊復職。軍民各守家業，內外安堵。何、鄧二人死於非命，果應管輅之言。

A later poet wrote in praise of Guan Lu:
He received the true and wondrous secrets of the sages;
Guan Lu of Pingyuan read faces with godlike insight.
Ghostly gloom and ghostly restlessness he told apart in He and Deng;
Before they perished, he knew them already for dead men.

後人有詩讚管輅曰：“傳得聖賢真妙訣，平原管輅相通神。
鬼幽鬼躁分何鄧，未喪先知是死人。
”

Now Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, appointed Sima Yi Chancellor and conferred on him the Nine Distinctions. Sima Yi firmly declined and would not accept. Cao Fang would not allow the refusal and ordered the father and his two sons, all three, to direct the affairs of state together. Suddenly a thought came to Sima Yi: “Though Cao Shuang’s whole family has been put to death, there is still Xiahou Xuan guarding Yong Province and the regions around it, and he is a kinsman of Cao Shuang. If he suddenly rose in revolt, how would I guard against it? He must be dealt with.” He at once issued an edict sending an envoy to Yong Province to summon Xiahou Xuan, General Who Conquers the West, to Luoyang to discuss affairs.

卻說魏主曹芳封司馬懿爲丞相，加九錫。懿固辭不肯受。芳不準，令父子三人同領國事。懿忽然想起：“曹爽全家雖誅，尚有夏侯玄守備雍州等處，系爽親族，倘驟然作亂，如何提備？必當處置。”即下詔遣使往雍州，取徵西將軍夏侯玄赴洛陽議事。

When Xiahou Xuan’s uncle Xiahou Ba heard of this, he was greatly alarmed and at once rose in revolt with the three thousand troops under his command. Guo Huai, the Imperial Inspector guarding Yong Province, hearing that Xiahou Ba had rebelled, at once led his own troops to give battle. Guo Huai rode out and cursed him loudly: “You are a member of the imperial house of great Wei, and the Son of Heaven has never treated you unfairly. Why do you turn traitor?” Xiahou Ba cursed back, “My grandfather and father performed many great services for the state. Now this nobody Sima Yi has wiped out the clan of my brother Cao Shuang and comes to seize me too. Sooner or later he is bound to usurp the throne.

玄叔夏侯霸聽知大驚，便引本部三千兵造反。有鎮守雍州刺史郭淮，聽知夏侯霸反，即率本部兵來，與夏侯霸交戰。淮出馬大罵曰：“汝既是大魏皇族，天子又不曾虧汝，何故背反？”霸亦罵曰：“吾祖父於國家多建勳勞，今司馬懿何等匹夫，滅吾兄曹爽宗族，又來取我，早晚必思篡位。

I uphold righteousness and attack a traitor. What rebellion is there in that?” Guo Huai, in a great rage, levelled his spear, spurred his horse and rode straight at Xiahou Ba. Xiahou Ba whirled his blade and galloped out to meet him. Before they had fought ten bouts, Guo Huai was beaten and fled, and Xiahou Ba came after him. Suddenly he heard shouting from his rear army, and as he hastily turned his horse, Chen Tai came charging in with his troops. Guo Huai turned back again, and they attacked him from two sides. Xiahou Ba was utterly defeated and fled, having lost more than half his troops. Seeing no way out, he went to Hanzhong to surrender to the Latter Ruler.

吾仗義討賊，何反之有？”淮大怒，挺槍驟馬，直取夏侯霸。霸揮刀縱馬來迎。戰不十合，淮敗走，霸隨後趕來。忽聽的後軍吶喊，霸急回馬時，陳泰引兵殺來。郭淮復回，兩路夾攻。霸大敗而走，折兵大半；尋思無計，遂投漢中來降後主。

Someone reported this to Jiang Wei, who did not believe it at heart. He had men make careful enquiries, and only when the report was confirmed did he let Xiahou Ba into the city. When Xiahou Ba had made his bows, he told weeping all that had happened. Jiang Wei said, “Long ago Weizi left Zhou and made a name that has lasted ten thousand ages. If you can help to uphold and restore the house of Han, you will be no less than the men of old.” He then gave a banquet in his honour. Taking his seat, Jiang Wei asked, “Now that Sima Yi and his sons hold great power, do they have designs on our state?” Xiahou Ba said, “The old traitor is just now plotting treason and has no leisure for anything outside.

有人報與姜維，維心不信，令人體訪得實，方教入城。霸拜見畢，哭告前事。維曰：“昔微子去周，成萬古之名：公能匡扶漢室，無愧古人也。”遂設宴相待。維就席問曰：“今司馬懿父子掌握重權，有窺我國之志否？”霸曰：“老賊方圖謀逆，未暇及外。

But there are two new men in Wei, both in the flower of their youth. If they were given command of troops, they would be a real menace to Wu and Shu.” Jiang Wei asked, “Who are these two?” Xiahou Ba told him, “One is now a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. He is from Changshe in Yingchuan; his surname is Zhong, his name Hui, and his courtesy name Shiji. He is the son of the Grand Tutor Zhong Yao, and he has had courage and wisdom since childhood. Zhong Yao once took his two sons to see Emperor Wen. Zhong Hui was then seven years old, and his elder brother Zhong Yu eight.

但魏國新有二人，正在妙齡之際，若使領兵馬，實吳、蜀之大患也。”維問：“二人是誰？”霸告曰：“一人現爲祕書郎，乃潁川長社人，姓鍾，名會，字士季，太傅鍾繇之子，幼有膽智。繇嘗率二子見文帝，會時年七歲，其兄毓年八歲。

Zhong Yu, on seeing the Emperor, was so frightened that sweat poured down his face. The Emperor asked him, ‘Why are you sweating?’ Zhong Yu replied, ‘Trembling and quaking with fear, I sweat like syrup.’ The Emperor asked Zhong Hui, ‘Why are you not sweating?’ Zhong Hui replied, ‘Trembling and shivering with fear, my sweat dares not come out.’ The Emperor thought him alone remarkable. As he grew older he loved to read books on war and gained a deep grasp of strategy; Sima Yi and Jiang Ji both marvelled at his talent. The other is now a clerk. He is from Yiyang; his surname is Deng, his name Ai, and his courtesy name Shizai. He lost his father as a child but always had great ambitions. Whenever he saw a high mountain or a great marsh, he would at once survey it, pointing and sketching, working out where troops could be stationed, where grain could be stored, and where an ambush could be laid.

毓見帝惶懼，汗流滿面。帝問毓曰：卿何以汗？毓對曰：戰戰惶惶，汗出如漿。帝問會曰：“卿何以不汗？會對曰：戰戰慄慄，汗不敢出。帝獨奇之。及稍長，喜讀兵書，深明韜略；司馬懿與蔣濟皆奇其才。一人現爲掾吏，乃義陽人也，姓鄧，名艾，字士載，幼年失父，素有大志，但見高山大澤，輒窺度指畫，何處可以屯兵，何處可以積糧，何處可以埋伏。

Everyone laughed at him; Sima Yi alone marvelled at his talent and had him take part in military planning. Deng Ai stammered, and whenever he reported on anything he would call himself ‘Ai—Ai’. Sima Yi teased him, ‘You say Ai—Ai. How many Ais are there?’ Deng Ai replied on the instant, ‘“O phoenix, O phoenix” — there is still only one phoenix.’ His quickness of wit was generally like this. These two men are much to be feared.” Jiang Wei laughed and said, “Such mere boys are not worth mentioning!”

人皆笑之，獨司馬懿奇其才，遂令參贊軍機。艾爲人口吃，每奏事必稱艾艾。懿戲謂曰：卿稱艾艾，當有幾艾？艾應聲曰：鳳兮鳳兮，故是一鳳。其資性敏捷，大抵如此。此二人深可畏也。”維笑曰：“量此孺子，何足道哉！”

Jiang Wei then took Xiahou Ba to Chengdu to see the Latter Ruler. Jiang Wei memorialized, “Sima Yi plotted the murder of Cao Shuang and then tried to trick Xiahou Ba into his hands, which is why Xiahou Ba has come over to us. Now Sima Yi and his sons hold all power, Cao Fang is weak, and the state of Wei is in peril. I have been in Hanzhong for some years; my troops are well trained and my grain is ample. I wish to lead the royal army, with Xiahou Ba as guide, to recover the Central Plain and restore the house of Han, so as to repay Your Majesty’s kindness and fulfil the Chancellor’s purpose.”

於是姜維引夏侯霸至成都，入見後主。維奏曰：“司馬懿謀殺曹爽，又來賺夏侯霸，霸因此投降。目今司馬懿父子專權，曹芳懦弱，魏國將危。臣在漢中有年，兵精糧足；臣願領王師，即以霸爲嚮導官，克復中原，重興漢室：以報陛下之恩，以終丞相之志。”

The Director of the Secretariat Fei Yi remonstrated, “Recently Jiang Wan and Dong Yun have died one after the other, and there is no one to manage affairs at home. Boyue, you should simply wait for the right time and not act rashly.” Jiang Wei said, “Not so. Man’s life is like a white colt glimpsed flashing past a crack in the wall. If we let the years slip by like this, when will we ever recover the Central Plain?” Fei Yi said again, “Sunzi says: ‘Know the enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will win a hundred victories.’ We are all far inferior to the Chancellor, and if even the Chancellor could not recover the Central Plain, how much less can we?”

尚書令費禕諫曰：“近者，蔣琬、董允皆相繼而亡，內治無人。伯約只宜待時，不宜輕動。”維曰：“不然。人生如白駒過隙，似此遷延歲月，何日恢復中原乎？”禕又曰：“孫子云：知彼知己，百戰百勝。我等皆不如丞相遠甚，丞相尚不能恢復中原，何況我等？”

Jiang Wei said, “I lived long in the Long region and know the hearts of the Qiang well. If we now ally with the Qiang to support us, then even if we cannot recover the Central Plain, everything west of Long can be cut off and held.” The Latter Ruler said, “Since you wish to attack Wei, you must be utterly loyal and exert all your strength. Do not let your keen spirit flag and so fail my command.” So Jiang Wei received the imperial order, took leave of the court, and went straight to Hanzhong with Xiahou Ba to plan the campaign. Jiang Wei said, “We should first send envoys to the Qiang to make an alliance, then go out by Xiping and approach Yong Province.

維曰：“吾久居隴上，深知羌人之心；今若結羌人爲援，雖未能克復中原，自隴而西，可斷而有也。”後主曰：“卿既欲伐魏，可盡忠竭力，勿墮銳氣，以負朕命。”於是姜維領敕辭朝，同夏侯霸徑到漢中，計議起兵。維曰：“可先遣使去羌人處通盟，然後出西平，近雍州。

First we will build two forts at the foot of Mount Qu and have troops hold them, so that they can support each other like the horns and legs of a stag. We will send all our grain and fodder to Chuankou and advance step by step according to the Chancellor’s old system.”

先築二城於麴山之下，令兵守之，以爲掎角之勢。我等盡發糧草於川口，依丞相舊制，次第進兵。”

In the eighth month, in the autumn of that year, the Shu generals Gou An and Li Xin were first sent with fifteen thousand troops to build two forts side by side in front of Mount Qu. Gou An held the eastern fort and Li Xin the western. Spies soon reported this to Guo Huai, Imperial Inspector of Yong Province. Guo Huai sent a report to Luoyang, and at the same time sent his lieutenant Chen Tai with fifty thousand troops to fight the Shu army. Gou An and Li Xin each led out a force to meet them, but having too few troops to resist, they fell back into the forts.

是年秋八月，先差蜀將句安、李歆同引一萬五千兵，往麴山前連築二城：句安守東城，李歆守西城。早有細作報與雍州刺史郭淮。淮一面申報洛陽，一面遣副將陳泰引兵五萬，來與蜀兵交戰。句安、李歆各引一軍出迎；因兵少不能抵敵，退入城中。

Chen Tai had his troops surround the forts on all four sides and attack them, and sent troops to cut the supply road from Hanzhong. Gou An and Li Xin ran short of grain in the forts. Guo Huai also came up with troops of his own. When he had looked over the lie of the land, he was delighted. Returning to camp, he conferred with Chen Tai: “These forts stand high on the hills, so they must be short of water and will have to come out to fetch it. If we cut off the upper stream, the Shu troops will all die of thirst.” So he had his soldiers dig earth and build a dam to cut off the upper stream.

泰令兵四面圍住攻打，又以兵斷其漢中糧道。句安、李歆城中糧缺。郭淮自引兵亦到，看了地勢，忻然而喜；回到寨中，乃與陳泰計議曰：“此城山勢高阜，必然水少，須出城取水；若斷其上流，蜀兵皆渴死矣。”遂令軍士掘土堰斷上流。

Sure enough, there was no water in the forts. Li Xin led his troops out to fetch water, but the Yong Province troops pressed their siege hard. Li Xin fought desperately but could not break out and had to fall back into his fort. In Gou An’s fort there was no water either, so he joined up with Li Xin and led his troops out, and the two forces combined. After a long, fierce battle they were beaten again and went back into the fort. The soldiers were parched with thirst. Gou An said to Li Xin, “Commander Jiang’s army has still not come. I do not know why.”

城中果然無水。李歆引兵出城取水，雍州兵圍困甚急。歆死戰不能出，只得退入城去。句安城中亦無水，乃會了李歆，引兵出城，並在一處；大戰良久，又敗入城去。軍士枯渴。安與歆曰：“姜都督之兵，至今未到，不知何故。”

Li Xin said, “I will risk my life to fight my way out and seek help.” He took several dozen horsemen, opened the gate and charged out. The Yong Province troops closed in on all four sides, and Li Xin charged back and forth, fighting to the death, before he finally broke free. He alone was left, badly wounded; all the rest had perished in the confused fighting. That night a strong north wind rose, dark clouds gathered, and heavy snow fell from the sky, so the Shu troops in the forts shared out their grain and ate it with melted snow.

歆曰：“我當捨命殺出求救。”遂引數十騎，開了城門，殺將出來。雍州兵四面圍合，歆奮死衝突，方纔得脫；只落得獨自一人，身帶重傷，餘皆沒於亂軍之中。是夜北風大起，陰雲布合，天降大雪，因此城內蜀兵分糧化雪而食。

Now Li Xin broke through the encircling ranks and travelled for two days by a small path through the Western Hills, until he met Jiang Wei’s army coming. He dismounted, prostrated himself on the ground and said, “The two forts at Mount Qu are both surrounded by the Wei army, and their water has been cut off. Luckily heavy snow has fallen, and they are getting by from day to day on melted snow. They are in great danger.” Jiang Wei said, “It was not that I came late. The Qiang troops I was assembling had not arrived, and that is what held me up.” He had men take Li Xin back into Shu to recover.

卻說李歆撞出重圍，從西山小路行了兩日，正迎着姜維人馬。歆下馬伏地告曰：“麴山二城，皆被魏兵圍困，絕了水道。幸得天降大雪，因此化雪度日。甚是危急。”維曰：“吾非來遲；爲聚羌兵未到，因此誤了。”遂令人送李歆入川養病。

Jiang Wei asked Xiahou Ba, “The Qiang troops have not come, and the Wei army is pressing its siege of Mount Qu hard. General, what is your advice?” Xiahou Ba said, “If we wait for the Qiang troops, both forts at Mount Qu will fall. I reckon the Yong Province troops will all have come to attack Mount Qu, so the city of Yong Province must be empty. General, lead your troops straight to Mount Niutou and get round to the rear of Yong Province. Guo Huai and Chen Tai will certainly go back to rescue Yong Province, and then the siege of Mount Qu will lift of itself.”

維問夏侯霸曰：“羌兵未到，魏兵圍困麴山甚急，將軍有何高見？”霸曰：“若等羌兵到，麴山二城皆陷矣。吾料雍州兵，必盡來麴山攻打，雍州城定然空虛。將軍可引兵徑往牛頭山，抄在雍州之後：郭淮、陳泰必回救雍州，則麴山之圍自解矣。”

Jiang Wei was delighted. “This is the best plan!” So Jiang Wei led his troops off toward Mount Niutou.

維大喜曰：“此計最善！”於是姜維引兵望牛頭山而去。

Meanwhile Chen Tai, seeing that Li Xin had fought his way out of the fort, said to Guo Huai, “If Li Xin reports his danger to Jiang Wei, Jiang Wei will reckon that our main army is all at Mount Qu and will surely go round by Mount Niutou to attack our rear. General, take a force and seize the Tao River to cut the Shu army’s supply line, while I divide our troops and take half of them straight to Mount Niutou to strike at them. Once they know their supply line has been cut, they will certainly retreat of their own accord.”

卻說陳泰見李歆殺出城去了，乃謂郭淮曰：“李歆若告急於姜維，姜維料吾大兵皆在麴山，必抄牛頭山襲吾之後。將軍可引一軍去取洮水，斷絕蜀兵糧道；吾分兵一半，徑往牛頭山擊之。彼若知糧道已絕，必然自走矣。”

Guo Huai agreed and led a force to seize the Tao River in secret. Chen Tai led a force straight toward Mount Niutou.

郭淮從之，遂引一軍暗取洮水。陳泰引一軍徑往牛頭山來。

Now when Jiang Wei’s army reached Mount Niutou, he suddenly heard shouting from the front ranks, and it was reported that Wei troops were blocking the way. Jiang Wei hurried to the front in person to look. Chen Tai shouted, “So you meant to raid our Yong Province! I have been waiting for you a long while!” Jiang Wei, in a great rage, levelled his spear, gave his horse the rein and rode straight at Chen Tai. Chen Tai whirled his blade and met him. Before they had fought three bouts, Chen Tai was beaten and fled, and Jiang Wei waved his troops on to cut them down. The Yong Province troops fell back and took up a position on the hilltop.

卻說姜維兵至牛頭山，忽聽的前軍發喊，報說魏兵截住去路。維慌忙自到軍前視之。陳泰大喝曰：“汝欲襲吾雍州！吾已等候多時了！”維大怒，挺槍縱馬，直取陳泰。泰揮刀而迎。戰不三合，泰敗走，維揮兵掩殺。雍州兵退回，佔住山頭。

Jiang Wei gathered his troops and camped at the foot of Mount Niutou. Every day he sent troops to challenge the enemy, but neither side could win. Xiahou Ba said to Jiang Wei, “This is not a place to stay long. Day after day we fight and neither side wins: this is only a ruse to lure us on, and they must have some other scheme. Better to withdraw for the present and make better plans.” As he was speaking, it was suddenly reported that Guo Huai had led a force to seize the Tao River and had cut the supply line. Jiang Wei was greatly alarmed. He hastily ordered Xiahou Ba to retreat first, while he himself covered the rear.

維收兵就牛頭山下寨。維每日令兵搦戰，不分勝負。夏侯霸謂姜維曰：“此處不是久停之所。連日交戰，不分勝負，乃誘兵之計耳，必有異謀。不如暫退，再作良圖。”正言間，忽報郭淮引一軍取洮水，斷了糧道。維大驚，急令夏侯霸先退，維自斷後。

Chen Tai split his troops into five columns and came after him. Jiang Wei alone held the junction where the five roads met and fought off the Wei troops. Chen Tai led his troops up the hill, and arrows and stones came down like rain. Jiang Wei fell back in haste, and when he reached the Tao River, Guo Huai came charging at him with his troops. Jiang Wei led his men back and forth, charging this way and that, but the Wei troops blocked his way as tightly as an iron barrel. Jiang Wei fought his way out at the risk of his life, losing more than half his troops, and raced for Yangping Pass. Ahead of him yet another army came charging up, and at its head a great general rode out, his blade held level.

陳泰分兵五路趕來。維獨拒五路總口，戰住魏兵。泰勒兵上山，矢石如雨。維急退到洮水之時，郭淮引兵殺來。維引兵往來衝突。魏兵阻其去路，密如鐵桶。維奮死殺出，折兵大半，飛奔上陽平關來。前面又一軍殺到；爲首一員大將，縱馬橫刀而出。

He had a round face and large ears, a square mouth and thick lips, and under his left eye grew a black wen with several dozen black hairs sprouting from it. It was Sima Shi, eldest son of Sima Yi and General of Swift Cavalry. Jiang Wei was enraged. “How dare a mere boy block my way home!” He whipped up his horse, levelled his spear and came straight at Sima Shi to run him through. Sima Shi whirled his blade to meet him. After only three bouts Jiang Wei had beaten Sima Shi off, broken free and was racing for Yangping Pass.

那人生得圓面大耳，方口厚脣，左目下生個黑瘤，瘤上生數十根黑毛，乃司馬懿長子驃騎將軍司馬師也。維大怒曰：“孺子焉敢阻吾歸路！”拍馬挺槍，直來刺師。師揮刀相迎。只三合，殺敗了司馬師，維脫身徑奔陽平關來。

The men on the walls opened the gate and let Jiang Wei in. Sima Shi too came on to seize the pass, but crossbows hidden on both sides shot all at once, each crossbow firing ten bolts. This was the repeating crossbow that the Martial Marquis had left behind at his death.

城上人開門放入姜維。司馬師也來搶關，兩邊伏弩齊發，一弩發十矢，乃武侯臨終時所遺連弩之法也。

Indeed:
This day the rout of the three armies was hard to stem;
They could rely only on the ten-bolt bows handed down from years before.
What became of Sima Shi will be told in the next chapter.

正是：難支此日三軍敗，獨賴當年十矢傳。
未知司馬師性命如何，且看下文分解。