Records of Shu 14: Biographies of Jiang Wan, Fei Yi and Jiang Wei

Records of Shu 14: Biographies of Jiang Wan, Fei Yi and Jiang Wei

Jiang Wan

蔣琬

Jiang Wan, courtesy name Gongyan, was a man of Xiangxiang in Lingling. At about twenty he became well known together with his younger maternal cousin Liu Min of Quanling. Jiang Wan followed the First Ruler into Shu as a provincial Clerk and was appointed Chief of Guangdu. Once, while out on an excursion, the First Ruler arrived unexpectedly at Guangdu and found that Jiang Wan had left all manner of business unattended and was, moreover, dead drunk at the time. The First Ruler was furious and was about to punish him with death. The Military Adviser General Zhuge Liang pleaded, “Jiang Wan is a vessel fit to bear the altars of the state, not a talent for governing a district of a hundred li.

蔣琬字公琰，零陵湘鄉人也。弱冠與外弟泉陵劉敏俱知名。琬以州書佐隨先主入蜀，除廣都長。先主嘗因遊觀奄至廣都，見琬眾事不理，時又沉醉，先主大怒，將加罪戮。軍師將軍諸葛亮請曰：「蔣琬，社稷之器，非百里之才也。

In his government he takes giving peace to the people as the root and does not put outward show first. I beg my lord to look into this more closely.” The First Ruler had always respected Zhuge Liang, so he did not punish Jiang Wan; in haste he merely dismissed him from office. After this censure, Jiang Wan dreamed one night that there was an ox's head before his gate, streaming with blood. He found it deeply disturbing and summoned the dream interpreter Zhao Zhi to ask about it. Zhao Zhi said, “Seeing blood means that matters will become clear. The ox's horns and nose form the shape of the character gong, ‘duke’; your rank will surely reach that of a duke. It is a sign of great good fortune.” Before long he became Magistrate of Shifang. When the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, Jiang Wan entered the court as a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.

其為政以安民為本，不以修飾為先，願主公重加察之。」先主雅敬亮，乃不加罪，倉卒但免官而已。琬見推之後，夜夢有一牛頭在門前，流血滂沱，意甚惡之，呼問占夢趙直。直曰：「夫見血者，事分明也。牛角及鼻，『公』字之象，君位必當至公，大吉之征也。」頃之，為什邡令。先主為漢中王，琬入為尚書郎。

In the first year of Jianxing, when Chancellor Zhuge Liang opened his office, he summoned Jiang Wan to be Official of the Eastern Bureau. When he was nominated as Abundant Talent, Jiang Wan firmly declined in favor of Liu Yong, Yin Hua, Pang Yan, and Liao Chun. Zhuge Liang replied in an instruction, “I consider that if it were a matter of turning against one's kin and abandoning virtue to the ruin of the people, no one would keep it hidden in his heart. Your declining truly leaves those near and far unable to understand its meaning. Therefore you should display your merit and the nomination, to make clear the purity and weight of this selection.” He was promoted to Army Adviser. In the fifth year, when Zhuge Liang was stationed in Hanzhong, Jiang Wan and the Chief Clerk Zhang Yi took charge of the affairs of the rear headquarters.

建興元年，丞相亮開府，辟琬為東曹掾。舉茂才，琬固讓劉邕、陰化、龐延、廖淳，亮教答曰：「思惟背親捨德，以殄百姓，眾人既不隱於心，實又使遠近不解其義，是以君宜顯其功舉，以明此選之清重也。」遷為參軍。五年，亮住漢中，琬與長史張裔統留府事。

In the eighth year he replaced Zhang Yi as Chief Clerk and was given the additional title of General Who Pacifies the Army. Zhuge Liang often went out on campaign, and Jiang Wan always kept food and troops in sufficient supply to provide for him. Zhuge Liang used to say, “Gongyan has set his heart on loyalty and rectitude; he is the one who will assist me in the royal enterprise.” He secretly memorialized the Latter Ruler, “Should misfortune befall your servant, the affairs that follow should be entrusted to Jiang Wan.”

八年，代裔為長史，加撫軍將軍。亮數外出，琬常足食足兵以相供給。亮每言：「公琰托志忠雅，當與吾共贊王業者也。」密表後主曰：「臣若不幸，後事宜以付琬。」

When Zhuge Liang died, Jiang Wan was made Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and soon afterward he was also made acting Protector-General with a Credential, took charge of Yi Province as Inspector, was promoted to Grand General and Overseer of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Anyang Village. At that time the state had just lost its commander-in-chief, and people near and far were anxious and afraid. Jiang Wan, standing out above the crowd, occupied the highest place among all the officials, yet he showed neither a look of grief nor an air of joy; his composure and bearing were just as on ordinary days, and because of this the people gradually came to accept him. In the first year of Yanxi, an edict to Jiang Wan said, “The troubles caused by the bandits have not yet been quelled. Cao Rui is arrogant and violent; the three commanderies of Liaodong, suffering under his cruelty, have banded together and broken away from him.

亮卒，以琬為尚書令，俄而加行都護、假節、領益州刺史、遷大將軍、錄尚書事、封安陽亭侯。時新喪元帥，遠近危悚。琬出類拔萃，處群僚之右，既無戚容，又無喜色，神守舉止，有如平日，由是眾望漸服。延熙元年，詔琬曰：「寇難未弭，曹叡驕凶，遼東三郡苦其暴虐，遂相糾結，與之離隔。

Cao Rui has raised great levies of troops and labor and turned to attack them in return. When Qin fell long ago, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang were the first to rise; now there is this upheaval, and this is the moment Heaven has granted. You are to make your preparations, take overall command of the armies, and garrison Hanzhong; wait for Wu to move, then catch the enemy between east and west and take advantage of the breach.” He also ordered Jiang Wan to open his own office, and the following year, where he was stationed, he was made Grand Marshal in addition.

睿大興眾役，還相攻伐。囊秦之亡，勝、廣首難，今有此變，斯乃天時。君其治嚴，總帥諸軍屯住漢中，須吳舉動，東西掎角，以乘其釁。」又命琬開府，明年就加為大司馬。

Yang Xi, Official of the Eastern Bureau, was by nature terse, and when Jiang Wan talked with him he sometimes did not answer. Someone who wished to slander Yang Xi to Jiang Wan said, “When you speak with Yang Xi, my lord, he gives no reply. Is not Yang Xi's contempt for his superior excessive?” Jiang Wan said, “People's hearts differ just as their faces do. To comply to someone's face and speak otherwise behind his back is what the ancients warned against. If Yang Xi wanted to agree that I am right, it would not be his true feeling; if he wanted to oppose my words, it would expose my errors. That is why he keeps silent, and this is Yang Xi's straightforwardness.”

東曹掾楊戲索性簡略，琬與言論，時不應答。或欲構戲於琬，曰：「公與戲語而不見應，戲之慢上，不亦甚乎!」琬曰：「人心不同，各如其面；面從後言，古人之所誡也。戲欲贊吾是耶，則非其本心，欲反吾言，則顯吾之非，是以默然，是戲之快也。」

The Agricultural Commandant Yang Min had once disparaged Jiang Wan, saying, “He handles affairs in a muddle; truly he does not measure up to his predecessor.” Someone reported this to Jiang Wan, and the official in charge asked to investigate and punish Yang Min. Jiang Wan said, “I really am not the equal of my predecessor; there is nothing to investigate.” The official, confirming again that there would be no investigation, asked leave to inquire in what way he was muddled. Jiang Wan said, “If I am not his equal, then affairs are not handled as they should be; if affairs are not handled as they should be, that is a muddle. What more is there to ask?” Later, when Yang Min was implicated in some matter and thrown into prison, everyone feared he would certainly die. But Jiang Wan's heart held no partiality, and Yang Min escaped a heavy sentence. His likes and dislikes were governed by principle, and all were of this kind.

又督農楊敏曾毀琬，曰：「作事憒憒；誠非及前人。」或以白琬，主者請推治敏。琬曰：「吾實不如前人，無可推也。」主者重據聽不推，則乞問其憒憒之狀。琬曰：「苟其不如，則事不當理，事不當理，則憒憒矣。復何問邪?」後敏坐事繫獄，眾人猶懼其必死。琬心無適莫，得免重罪。其好惡存道，皆此類也。

Jiang Wan considered that in the past Zhuge Liang had repeatedly probed toward the Qin River plain, but the roads were perilous and transport difficult, and in the end he could not prevail; it would be better to ride the waters downstream to the east. So he built many boats, intending to go by the Han and Mian rivers to attack Weixing and Shangyong. It happened that his old illness flared up again and again, and he could not set out in time. Moreover, the general opinion was that if the attack did not succeed, the way back would be very hard, and it was not a sound long-term plan. So the Prefect of the Masters of Writing Fei Yi, the Army Supervisor of the Center Jiang Wei, and others were sent to convey the court's intent.

琬以為昔諸葛亮數窺秦川，道險運艱，竟不能克，不若乘水東下。乃多作舟船，欲由漢、沔襲魏興、上庸。會舊疾連動，未時得行。而眾論咸謂如不克捷，還路甚難，非長策也。於是遣尚書令費禕、中監軍姜維等喻指。

Receiving the command, Jiang Wan submitted a memorial: “To cut down the weeds and put an end to calamity is the duty entrusted to your servant. It is already six years since I took my leave and came to Hanzhong. Being dull and weak, and afflicted with illness besides, I have accomplished none of my plans, and I am anxious and distressed day and night. Now Wei straddles nine provinces, its roots and stems spreading wide, and it will not be easy to subdue and remove. If east and west join their strength and strike at head and tail together, then even if we cannot quickly achieve our aims, we should at least split it apart and eat it away like silkworms, first breaking its branches and allies.

琬承命上疏曰：芟穢弭難，臣職是掌。自臣奉辭漢中，已經六年，臣既闇弱，加嬰疾疢，規方無成，夙夜憂慘。今魏跨帶九州，根蒂滋蔓，平除未易。若東西並力，首尾掎角。雖未能速得如志，且當分裂蠶食，先摧其枝黨。

But Wu's commitments have wavered back and forth and repeatedly failed to be carried out; whichever way I turn there is only difficulty, and I truly forget to sleep and eat. I have therefore consulted with Fei Yi and others. Liang Province is a vital point on the frontier with the Hu; it provides a base for advance and retreat, and the enemy values it. Moreover, the Qiang and the Hu long for Han as the thirsty long for water. In the past, too, a detached army entered the Qiang lands and routed Guo Huai. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages, we consider that this should be the first step, and that Jiang Wei should be made Inspector of Liang Province. If Jiang Wei goes on campaign and gains control of the lands west of the Yellow River, your servant should lead the army to support him from behind. Fu County now has routes by water and land in every direction, so it can respond wherever there is urgency. Should there be trouble in the northeast, it would not be hard to hasten there.”

然吳期二三，連不克果，俯仰惟艱，實忘寢食。輒與費禕等議，以涼州胡塞之要，進退有資，賊之所惜；且羌、胡乃心思漢如渴。又昔偏軍入羌，郭淮破走，算其長短，以為事首，宜以姜維為涼州刺史。若維征行，銜持河右，臣當帥軍為維鎮繼。今涪水陸四通，惟急是應。若東北有虞，赴之不難。

Jiang Wan accordingly withdrew and stationed himself at Fu County. His illness grew steadily worse, and he died in the ninth year. He was given the posthumous name Gong.

由是琬遂還住涪。疾轉增劇，至九年卒，謚曰恭。

His son Jiang Bin succeeded him and became General Who Soothes with Arms and Protector of the Army at Hancheng. When the Wei Grand General Zhong Hui reached Hancheng, he sent Jiang Bin a letter: “Ba and Shu have many worthy and wise gentlemen of letters and arms, but you and Zhuge Siyuan, to compare you to plants and trees, are of my own kind. Reverence for the places of one's elders has been cherished in ancient and modern times alike. When I arrive in the west I wish to pay my respects at the tomb of your honored father the marquis, to sweep the grave mound, offer sacrifices, and show my reverence. Please tell me where it is!”

子斌嗣，為綏武將軍、漢城護軍。魏大將軍鍾會至漢城，與斌書曰：「巴蜀賢智文武之士多矣，至於足下、諸葛思遠，譬諸草木，吾氣類也。桑梓之敬，古今所敦。西到，欲奉瞻尊大君公侯墓，當灑掃墳塋，奉祠致敬。願告其所在！」

Jiang Bin replied, “I know the depth of the kinship of spirit and regard you feel for me, and since you graciously offer friendship, I will not refuse what you propose. My late father fell ill in the past and died at Fu County; the divination said the place was auspicious, so he was laid to rest there. I understand that as you journey west you wish to turn your carriage aside to pay your respects at his tomb. To regard another's father as one's own is the benevolence of Master Yan; hearing your words, I am moved and saddened, and my feelings deepen.” When Zhong Hui received Jiang Bin's reply, he praised and admired its sentiment and propriety, and when he reached Fu County he did as the letter said.

斌答書曰：「知惟臭味意眷之隆，雅托通流，未拒來謂也。亡考昔遭疾疢，亡於涪縣，卜云其吉，遂安厝之。知君西邁，乃欲屈駕修敬墳墓。視予猶父，顏子之仁也，聞命感愴，以增情思。」會得斌書報，嘉歎意義，及至涪如其書云。

After the Latter Ruler surrendered to Deng Ai, Jiang Bin went to see Zhong Hui at Fu County, and Zhong Hui treated him with the courtesy due a friend. He followed Zhong Hui to Chengdu and was killed by mutinous soldiers. Jiang Bin's younger brother Jiang Xian was Coachman of the Heir Apparent. Zhong Hui also admired his talent and learning, but he died at the same time as Jiang Bin.

後主既降鄧艾，斌詣會於涪，待以交友之禮。隨會至成都，為亂兵所殺。斌弟顯，為太子僕。會亦愛其才學，與斌同時死。

Liu Min, Protector of the Army of the Left and General Who Spreads Might, guarded Hanzhong together with the Grand General Who Guards the North, Wang Ping. When Wei sent the Grand General Cao Shuang to attack Shu, some in the council said that they should only hold the cities and not go out to resist the enemy, who would surely withdraw of his own accord. Liu Min considered that men and women were spread over the fields and the grain still stood in the furrows; if they let the enemy in, all would be lost. So he led his command with Wang Ping to hold Xingshi, setting up great numbers of banners that stretched for more than a hundred li.

劉敏，左護軍、揚威將軍，與鎮北大將軍王平俱鎮漢中。魏遣大將軍曹爽襲蜀時，時議者或謂但可守城，不出拒敵，必自引退。敏以為男女布野，農穀棲畝，若聽敵人，則大事去矣。遂帥所領與平據興勢，多張旗幟，彌亙百餘里。

Just then the Grand General Fei Yi arrived from Chengdu, and the Wei army at once withdrew. For his merit Liu Min was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yun Village.

會大將軍費禕從成都至，魏軍即退。敏以功封雲亭侯。

Fei Yi

費禕

Fei Yi, courtesy name Wenwei, was a man of Meng County in Jiangxia. Orphaned young, he depended on a kinsman of his father's generation, Boren. Boren's paternal aunt was the mother of Liu Zhang, Imperial Protector of Yi Province. Liu Zhang sent envoys to invite Boren, and Boren took Fei Yi with him to study in Shu. It happened that the First Ruler then conquered Shu, so Fei Yi stayed on in the Yi region, and he became as famous as Xu Shulong of Runan and Dong Yun of Nan Commandery. At that time Xu Jing lost a son, and Dong Yun and Fei Yi wanted to go to the funeral together. Dong Yun asked his father Dong He for a carriage, and Dong He sent them a small deer-cart, open at the back.

費禕字文偉，江夏鄳人也。¹少孤，依族父伯仁。伯仁姑，益州牧劉璋之母也。璋遣使迎仁，仁將禕遊學入蜀。會先主定蜀，禕遂留益土，與汝南許叔龍、南郡董允齊名。時許靖喪子，允與禕欲共會其葬所。允白父和請車，和遣開後鹿車給之。

Dong Yun looked reluctant to ride in it, but Fei Yi promptly climbed in first from the front. When they reached the funeral, Zhuge Liang and all the notables were gathered there, their carriages very splendid. Dong Yun still looked ill at ease, while Fei Yi remained perfectly calm and composed. When the driver returned, Dong He asked him and learned how things had gone. He then said to Dong Yun, “I have always wondered whether you or Wenwei was the better man, and could not decide. From now on my mind is settled.”

允有難載之色。禕便從前先上。及於喪所，諸葛亮及諸貴人悉集，車乘甚鮮，允猶神色未泰，而禕晏然自若。持車人還，和問之，知其如此，乃謂允曰：「吾常疑汝於文偉優劣未別也。而今而後，吾意了矣。」

When the First Ruler established his Heir Apparent, Fei Yi and Dong Yun became Retainers of the Heir and were later promoted to Cadets of the Heir's household. When the Latter Ruler came to the throne, Fei Yi became Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. When Chancellor Zhuge Liang returned from his southern campaign, all the officials went out several dozen li to meet him. Many of them were older than Fei Yi and higher in rank, yet Zhuge Liang specially bade Fei Yi ride in his own carriage, and from then on everyone looked on Fei Yi differently. Having just returned from the south, Zhuge Liang made Fei Yi Colonel Who Manifests Faith and sent him as envoy to Wu. Sun Quan was a jester by nature whose mockery knew no bounds, and Zhuge Ke, Yang Dao, and others, broad in learning and sharp in debate, pressed him with arguments like the points of blades. But Fei Yi, gentle in speech and firm in principle, answered on the basis of reason, and in the end they could not get the better of him.

先主立太子，禕與允為舍人，遷庶子。後主踐位，為黃門侍郎。丞相亮南征還，群僚於數十里逢迎，年位多在禕右，而亮特命禕同載，由是眾人莫不易觀。亮以初從南歸，以禕為昭信校尉使吳。孫權性既滑稽，嘲啁無方，諸葛恪、羊衜等才博果辯，論難鋒至，禕辭順義篤，據理以答，終不能屈。¹

Sun Quan thought very highly of him and said to Fei Yi, “You are a man of the finest virtue in the realm and are sure to become an arm and leg of the court of Shu. I fear you will not be able to come here often.” On his return he was promoted to Palace Attendant. When Zhuge Liang went north to be stationed in Hanzhong, he requested Fei Yi as Army Adviser. Because he performed his missions to the court's satisfaction, he went to Wu again and again.

權甚器之，謂禕曰：「君天下淑德，必當股肱蜀朝，恐不能數來也。」¹還，遷為侍中。亮北住漢中，請禕為參軍。以奉使稱旨，頻煩至吳。

In the eighth year of Jianxing he was transferred to Protector of the Army of the Center, and later became Major. At that time the Army Instructor Wei Yan and the Chief Clerk Yang Yi loathed each other. Whenever they sat together they quarreled; Wei Yan would sometimes raise his sword and point it at Yang Yi, and Yang Yi's tears would stream down. Fei Yi would always step in between their seats, remonstrating with them and separating them. That both Wei Yan and Yang Yi could be put to full use throughout Zhuge Liang's lifetime was owing to Fei Yi's efforts to correct and rescue the situation. When Zhuge Liang died, Fei Yi became Army Instructor of the Rear. Soon afterward he replaced Jiang Wan as Prefect of the Masters of Writing. When Jiang Wan returned from Hanzhong to Fu County, Fei Yi was promoted to Grand General and Overseer of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing.

建興八年，轉為中護軍，後又為司馬。值軍師魏延與長史楊儀相憎惡。每至並坐爭論，延或舉刀擬儀，儀泣涕橫集。禕常入其坐間，諫喻分別，終亮之世。各盡延、儀之用者，禕匡救之力也。亮卒，禕為後軍師。頃之，代蔣琬為尚書令。¹琬自漢中還涪，禕遷大將軍，錄尚書事。

In the seventh year of Yanxi, when the Wei army halted at Xingshi, Fei Yi was given a Credential and led troops to resist it. The Grandee of Splendid Happiness Lai Min came to Fei Yi's quarters to take his leave and asked to play a game of weiqi with him. Urgent dispatches were flying back and forth, the men and horses were in armor, and the carriages were ready to set out. Yet Fei Yi and Lai Min played with their minds on the game, and he showed no sign of impatience. Lai Min said, “I was only testing you just now! You are truly a dependable man and will surely deal with the enemy.” When Fei Yi arrived, the enemy withdrew, and he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Cheng District.

延熙七年，魏軍次於興勢，假禕節，率眾往禦之。光祿大夫來敏至禕許別，求共圍棋。於時羽檄交馳，人馬擐甲，嚴駕已訖。禕與敏留意對戲，色無厭倦。敏曰：「向聊觀試君耳!君信可人，必能辦賊者也。」禕至，敵遂退，封成鄉侯。¹

Since Jiang Wan firmly declined the provincial post, Fei Yi again took charge of Yi Province as Inspector. The merit and renown Fei Yi won in governing the state roughly equaled Jiang Wan's. In the eleventh year he went out to be stationed in Hanzhong. From Jiang Wan to Fei Yi, although they were away from the capital in person, rewards and punishments were all first referred to them from afar for decision and only then carried out; such was the trust placed in them. Later, in the summer of the fourteenth year, he returned to Chengdu, but those who read the vapors at Chengdu said that the capital held no position for a chief minister, so in winter he went north again and garrisoned Hanshou.

琬固讓州職，禕復領益州刺史。禕當國功名，略與琬比。¹十一年，出住漢中，自琬及禕，雖自身在外，慶賞刑威，皆遙先諮斷，然後乃行。其推任如此。後十四年夏，還成都，成都望氣者云都邑無宰相位，故冬復北屯漢壽。

In the fifteenth year of Yanxi, Fei Yi was ordered to open his own office. At the great banquet at the start of the sixteenth year, Guo Xun, a man who had surrendered from Wei, was among the guests. Fei Yi drank merrily until he was thoroughly drunk and was stabbed to death by Guo Xun with his own hand. He was given the posthumous title Marquis Jing. His son Fei Cheng succeeded him and became Gentleman of the Yellow Gate; Fei Cheng's younger brother Fei Gong married a princess. Fei Yi's eldest daughter was married to the Heir Apparent Liu Xuan as his consort.

延熙十五年，命禕開府。十六年歲首大會，魏降人郭循在坐。禕歡飲沉醉，為循手刃所害，謚曰敬侯。子承嗣，為黃門侍郎，承弟恭，尚公主。¹禕長女配太子璿為妃。

Jiang Wei

姜維

Jiang Wei, courtesy name Boyue, was a man of Ji County in Tianshui. He lost his father young and lived with his mother, and he loved the scholarship of Master Zheng. He served in his commandery as Accounts Officer and was summoned by the province to be an Assistant Officer. Because his father Jiang Jiong had once been Officer of Merit of the commandery and, when the Qiang and Rong rebelled, had shielded the commandery's governor with his own body and died on the battlefield, Jiang Wei was granted the office of Gentleman of the Household and made an adviser on the military affairs of his home commandery. In the sixth year of Jianxing, when the army of Chancellor Zhuge Liang advanced toward Mount Qi, the Prefect of Tianshui happened to be out on a tour of inspection.

姜維，字伯約，天水冀人也。少孤，與母居，好鄭氏學。¹仕郡上計掾，州辟為從事。以父冏昔為郡功曹，值羌、戎叛亂，身衛郡將，沒於戰場，賜維官中郎，參本郡軍事。建興六年，丞相諸葛亮軍向祁山，時天水太守適出案行。

Jiang Wei, the Officer of Merit Liang Xu, the Registrar Yin Shang, the Recorder Liang Qian, and others went with him. When the Prefect heard that the Shu army was about to arrive and that the counties were rising in response, he suspected that Jiang Wei and the others all harbored disloyal intentions, and he fled by night to hold Shanggui. When Jiang Wei and the others realized the Prefect had gone, they went after him but were too late; when they reached the city gate it was already shut and they were not admitted. They went back together to Ji, but Ji would not let Jiang Wei in either. Jiang Wei and the others then all went over to Zhuge Liang. Just then Ma Su was defeated at Jieting.

維及功曹梁緒、主簿尹賞、主記梁虔等從行。太守聞蜀軍垂至而諸縣響應，疑維等皆有異心，於是夜亡保上邽。維等覺太守去，追遲，至城門，城門已閉，不納。維等相率還冀，冀亦不入維。維等乃俱詣諸葛亮。會馬謖敗於街亭。

Zhuge Liang withdrew, taking with him over a thousand households of Xi County along with Jiang Wei and the others, and so Jiang Wei became separated from his mother. Zhuge Liang summoned Jiang Wei to be Official of the Granary Bureau, gave him the additional title of General Who Upholds Righteousness, and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Dangyang Village. He was then twenty-seven years old. Zhuge Liang wrote to the Chief Clerk of the rear headquarters Zhang Yi and the Army Adviser Jiang Wan, “Jiang Boyue is loyal and diligent in the affairs of the day, and his thinking is meticulous. Considering what he has in him, even Yongnan, Jichang, and the like are not his equal. He is a gentleman of the first rank from Liang Province.”

亮拔將西縣千餘家及維等還，故維遂與母相失。¹亮辟維為倉曹掾，加奉義將軍，封當陽亭侯，時年二十七。亮與留府長史張裔、參軍蔣琬書曰：「姜伯約忠勤時事，思慮精密，考其所有，永南、季常諸人不如也。其人，涼州上士也。」

He also wrote, “He must first train the five or six thousand infantry of the Central Tiger Guard. Jiang Boyue is very quick in military affairs; he has both courage and righteousness and a deep understanding of the purposes of war. This man's heart is set on the house of Han, and his talent is double that of others. When he has finished training the troops, I will send him to the palace to present himself to the sovereign.” He was later promoted to Army Supervisor of the Center and General Who Conquers the West.

又曰：「須先教中虎步兵五六千人。姜伯約甚敏於軍事，既有膽義，深解兵意。此人心存漢室而才兼於人，畢教軍事，當遣詣宮，覲見主上。」¹後遷中監軍、征西將軍。

In the twelfth year Zhuge Liang died, and Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu, where he became Army Supervisor of the Right and General Who Supports Han, commanding the armies, and was advanced in fief to Marquis of Pingxiang. In the first year of Yanxi he followed the Grand General Jiang Wan to be stationed in Hanzhong. After Jiang Wan was promoted to Grand Marshal, he made Jiang Wei his Major, and Jiang Wei repeatedly led detached forces westward. In the sixth year he was promoted to Grand General Who Guards the West and took charge of Liang Province as Inspector. In the tenth year he was promoted to General of the Guards and, together with the Grand General Fei Yi, became Overseer of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing.

十二年，亮卒，維還成都，為右監軍、輔漢將軍，統諸軍，進封平襄侯。延熙元年，隨大將軍蔣琬住漢中。琬既遷大司馬。以維為司馬，數率偏軍西入。六年，遷鎮西大將軍，領涼州刺史。十年，遷衛將軍，與大將軍費禕共錄尚書事。

That year the Yi of Pingkang in Wenshan rebelled, and Jiang Wei led troops to suppress and pacify them. He also went out to the borders of Longxi, Nanan, and Jincheng and fought the Wei Grand General Guo Huai, Xiahou Ba, and others at Taoxi. The Hu king Zhi Wudai and others surrendered with all their tribes, and Jiang Wei brought them back and settled them. In the twelfth year Jiang Wei was given a Credential and again went out to Xiping, but returned without success. Jiang Wei considered himself well versed in the customs of the western regions and was also confident in his talent and martial prowess; he wished to lure the Qiang and Hu to serve as his wings, and believed that everything west of Long could be cut off and held.

是歲，汶山平康夷反，維率眾討定之。又出隴西、南安、金城界，與魏大將軍郭淮、夏侯霸等戰於洮西。胡王治無戴等舉部落降，維將還安處之。十二年，假維節復出西平，不克而還。維自以練西方風俗，兼負其才武，欲誘諸羌、胡以為羽翼，謂自隴以西可斷而有也。

Whenever he wanted to raise an army for a great campaign, Fei Yi always restrained him and would not go along, giving him no more than ten thousand troops.

每欲興軍大舉，費禕常裁制不從，與其兵不過萬人。¹

In the spring of the sixteenth year Fei Yi died. In summer Jiang Wei led several tens of thousands of men out through Shiying, passed Dongting, and besieged Nanan. The Wei Inspector of Yong Province, Chen Tai, came to break the siege and reached Luomen, and Jiang Wei, his provisions exhausted, withdrew. The next year he was given in addition the command of the armies within and without the capital. He again went out to Longxi, and Li Jian, the Chief who held Didao, surrendered his city. Advancing, he besieged Xiangwu and clashed with the Wei general Xu Zhi, taking heads and defeating the enemy, and the Wei army fell back in defeat. Riding on his victory, Jiang Wei received the submission of many places and took back with him the people of three counties, Heguan, Didao, and Lintao.

十六年春，禕卒。夏，維率數萬人出石營，經董亭，圍南安。魏雍州刺史陳泰解圍至洛門，維糧盡退還。明年，加督中外軍事。復出隴西，守狄道長李簡舉城降。進圍襄武，與魏將徐質交鋒，斬首破敵，魏軍敗退。維乘勝多所降下，拔河關狄道、臨洮三縣民還。

Later, in the eighteenth year, he again went out to Didao together with the General of Chariots and Cavalry Xiahou Ba and others, and inflicted a great defeat on the Wei Inspector of Yong Province, Wang Jing, at Taoxi; several tens of thousands of Wang Jing's men died. Wang Jing fell back to hold the city of Didao, and Jiang Wei besieged him. When the Wei General Who Conquers the West, Chen Tai, advanced his troops and broke the siege, Jiang Wei withdrew and stationed himself at Zhongti.

後十八年，復與車騎將軍夏侯霸等俱出狄道，大破魏雍州刺史王經於洮西，經眾死者數萬人。經退保狄道城，維圍之。魏徵西將軍陳泰進兵解圍，維卻住鍾題。

In the spring of the nineteenth year Jiang Wei was promoted to Grand General where he was stationed. He further put his troops and horses in order and arranged to meet the Grand General Who Guards the West, Hu Ji, at Shanggui. Hu Ji broke his pledge and did not come, and so Jiang Wei was defeated by the Wei general Deng Ai at Duan Valley; his men scattered like stars and wandered astray, and very many died. Because of this the common people resented and reviled him, and the lands west of Long were also in turmoil and unrest. Jiang Wei apologized for his fault, took the blame on himself, and asked to be demoted. He became General of the Rear, acting in the post of Grand General.

十九年春，就遷維為大將軍。更整勒戎馬，與鎮西大將軍胡濟期會上邽。濟失誓不至，故維為魏大將鄧艾所破於段谷，星散流離，死者甚眾。眾庶由是怨讟，而隴以西亦騷動不寧。維謝過引負，求自貶削。為後將軍，行大將軍事。

In the twentieth year, the Wei Grand General Who Conquers the East, Zhuge Dan, rebelled in Huainan, and troops from Guanzhong were split off and sent east. Jiang Wei, wishing to take advantage of the gap and head for the Qin River plain, again led several tens of thousands of men out through the Luo Valley and went straight to Shenling Ridge. At that time Changcheng held great stores of grain but few troops to guard them, and when they heard that Jiang Wei was about to arrive, everyone was terrified. The Wei Grand General Sima Wang resisted him, and Deng Ai also came from Longyou; both encamped at Changcheng.

二十年，魏徵東大將軍諸葛誕反於淮南，分關中兵東下。維欲乘虛向秦川，復率數萬人出駱谷，逕至沈嶺。時長城積穀甚多而守兵乃少，聞維方到眾皆惶懼。魏大將軍司馬望拒之，鄧艾亦自隴右，皆軍於長城。

Jiang Wei advanced and stationed himself at the Mang River, building all his camps against the mountains. Sima Wang and Deng Ai held firm entrenchments beside the Wei River. Jiang Wei came down several times to challenge them to battle, but Sima Wang and Deng Ai did not respond. In the first year of Jingyao, hearing that Zhuge Dan had been defeated, Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu. He was again appointed Grand General.

維前住芒水，皆倚山為營。望、艾傍渭堅圍，維數下挑戰，望、艾不應。景耀元年，維聞誕破敗，乃還成都。復拜大將軍。

Earlier, the First Ruler had left Wei Yan to guard Hanzhong, and all the defensive enclosures had been filled with troops to hold off enemies from outside, so that if an enemy came to attack it could not get in. In the campaign at Xingshi, Wang Ping's resistance to Cao Shuang had likewise followed this system. Jiang Wei proposed that dispersing the defense among the enclosures, although it accorded with the principle of “double gates” in the Book of Changes, could merely hold off the enemy and would win no great advantage. It would be better, on hearing that the enemy was coming, to have all the enclosures gather their troops and grain and fall back to the two cities of Hancheng and Lecheng.

初，先主留魏延鎮漢中，皆實兵諸圍以御外敵。敵若來攻，使不得入。及興勢之役，王平捍拒曹爽，皆承此制。維建議，以為錯守諸圍，雖合《周易》「重門」之義，然適可禦敵，不獲大利。不若使聞敵至，諸圍皆斂兵聚谷，退就漢、樂二城。

They would keep the enemy from entering the plain, while also guarding the passes in depth to hold him off. When fighting broke out, mobile forces would advance together to probe for the enemy's weak points. If the enemy attacked the passes without success, with no scattered grain in the fields and supplies hauled from a thousand li away, he would naturally grow exhausted. On the day he withdrew, the cities would all sally out and join forces with the mobile troops to strike him; this was the way to annihilate an enemy. So the Area Commander of Hanzhong, Hu Ji, was ordered to fall back and station himself at Hanshou, the Army Supervisor Wang Han to hold Lecheng, and the Protector of the Army Jiang Bin to hold Hancheng; defensive enclosures were also set up and manned at Xi'an, Jianwei, Wuwei, Shimen, Wucheng, Jianchang, and Linyuan.

使敵不得入平，且重關鎮守以捍之。有事之日，令遊軍並進以伺其虛。敵攻關不克，野無散谷，千里縣糧，自然疲乏。引退之日，然後諸城並出，與遊軍並力搏之，此殄敵之術也。於是令督漢中胡濟卻住漢壽，監軍王含守樂城，護軍蔣斌守漢城，又於西安、建威、武衛、石門、武城、建昌、臨遠皆立圍守。

In the fifth year Jiang Wei led his troops out from Hanzhong to Houhe, was defeated by Deng Ai, and withdrew to be stationed at Tazhong. Jiang Wei was originally a sojourner who had entrusted himself to the state, and for years he had attacked and fought without achieving any merit. Moreover, the eunuch Huang Hao and others were wielding power within the palace, the Grand General of the Right Yan Yu was in league with Huang Hao, and Huang Hao secretly wished to depose Jiang Wei and set up Yan Yu in his place. Jiang Wei suspected this too, and so, feeling himself in danger and afraid, he did not return to Chengdu again. In the sixth year Jiang Wei memorialized the Latter Ruler, “I hear that Zhong Hui is putting his troops in order in Guanzhong, intending to advance and seize our territory. It would be well to send both Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to command the armies and guard separately the entrance of Yangan Pass and the bridgehead at Yinping, to prevent trouble before it arises.”

五年，維率眾出漢、侯和，為鄧艾所破，還住沓中。維本羈旅托國，累年攻戰，功績不立。而宦官黃皓等弄權於內，右大將軍閻宇與皓協比，而皓陰欲廢維樹宇。維亦疑之，故自危懼，不復還成都。¹六年，維表後主：「聞鍾會治兵關中，欲規進取，宜並遣張翼、廖化督諸軍分護陽安關口、陰平橋頭，以防未然。」

Huang Hao put his faith in spirits and shamans and said that the enemy would never come of their own accord. He advised the Latter Ruler to shelve the matter, and the ministers knew nothing of it. Only when Zhong Hui was about to head for the Luo Valley and Deng Ai was about to enter Tazhong were the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Right Liao Hua sent to Tazhong to reinforce Jiang Wei, and the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Left Zhang Yi, the Grand General Who Supports the State Dong Jue, and others sent to the entrance of Yangan Pass to support the enclosures from outside. When they reached Yinping, they heard that the Wei general Zhuge Xu was heading for Jianwei, so they halted there to wait for him.

皓徵信鬼巫，謂敵終不自致。啟後主寢其事，而羣臣不知。及鍾會將向駱谷，鄧艾將入沓中。然後乃遣右車騎廖化詣沓中為維援，左車騎張翼、輔國大將軍董厥等詣陽安關口以為諸圍外助。比至陰平，聞魏將諸葛緒向建威，故住待之。

After a month or so, Jiang Wei was crushed by Deng Ai and fell back to be stationed at Yinping. Zhong Hui attacked and besieged the two cities of Hancheng and Lecheng and sent a separate commander to attack the pass entrance; Jiang Shu opened his gates and went out to surrender, and Fu Qian died fighting. Zhong Hui attacked Lecheng but could not take it. Hearing that the pass entrance had already fallen, he drove forward a long way. Just as Zhang Yi and Dong Jue reached Hanshou, Jiang Wei and Liao Hua also abandoned Yinping and withdrew; they met up with Zhang Yi and Dong Jue, and all fell back to hold Jiange and resist Zhong Hui.

月餘，維為鄧艾所摧，還住陰平。鍾會攻圍漢、樂二城，遣別將進攻關口，蔣舒開城出降，傅僉格鬥而死。¹會攻樂城，不能克。聞關口已下，長驅而前，翼、厥甫至漢壽，維、化亦捨陰平而退。適與翼、厥合，皆退保劍閣以拒會。

Zhong Hui wrote to Jiang Wei, “You, my lord marquis, with the virtues of both letters and arms, harbor strategies surpassing your age; your merit has saved Ba and Han and your fame resounds through all of China, so that near and far there are none who do not acclaim your name. Whenever I think of former days, we once lived under the same great civilizing order. The friendship of Ji Zha of Wu and Zichan of Zheng can illustrate such a bond.” Jiang Wei did not answer the letter; he ranged his camps and held the strongpoints. Zhong Hui could not overcome him, and with his supply lines stretched far, he was about to discuss returning home. But Deng Ai came in from the side, from Yinping along the Jinggu road, and defeated Zhuge Zhan at Mianzhu.

會與維書曰：「公侯以文武之德，懷邁世之略，功濟巴、漢、聲暢華夏，遠近莫不歸名。每惟疇昔，嘗同大化，吳札、鄭喬，能喻斯好。」維不答書，列營守險。會不能克，糧運縣遠，將議還歸。而鄧艾自陰平由景谷道傍入，遂破諸葛瞻於綿竹。

The Latter Ruler asked to surrender to Deng Ai, and Deng Ai advanced and occupied Chengdu. When Jiang Wei and the others first heard that Zhuge Zhan had been defeated, some heard that the Latter Ruler meant to hold Chengdu firmly, some that he meant to go east into Wu, and some that he meant to go south into Jianning. So they led their army along the roads through Guanghan and Qi to find out the truth. Soon they received the Latter Ruler's edict, and only then did they throw down their spears, take off their armor, and present themselves before Zhong Hui's army at Fu County. The officers and men were all furious, and drew their swords and hacked at the rocks.

後主請降於艾，艾前據成都。維等初聞瞻破，或聞後主欲固守成都，或聞欲東入吳，或聞欲南入建寧。於是引軍由廣漢、郪道以審虛實。尋被後主敕令乃投戈放甲，詣會於涪軍前，將士咸怒，拔刀斫石。¹

Zhong Hui treated Jiang Wei and the others generously, provisionally returning to all of them their seals, titles, credentials, and carriage canopies. When Zhong Hui went out he shared a carriage with Jiang Wei, and when he sat he shared a mat with him. He said to his Chief Clerk Du Yu, “Compared with the famous gentlemen of the central lands, not even Gongxiu or Taichu could surpass Boyue.” Having framed Deng Ai, who was summoned back in a cage cart, Zhong Hui took Jiang Wei and the others to Chengdu, proclaimed himself Imperial Protector of Yi Province, and rebelled. He intended to give Jiang Wei fifty thousand troops to serve as the vanguard. The Wei officers and men rose up in anger and killed Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei, and Jiang Wei's wife and children were all executed.

會厚待維等，皆權還其印號節蓋。會與維出則同輿，坐則同席，謂長史杜預曰：「以伯約比中土名士，公休、太初不能勝也。」¹會既構鄧艾，艾檻車征，因將維等詣成都，自稱益州牧以叛。²欲授維兵五萬人，使為前驅。魏將士憤發，殺會及維，維妻子皆伏誅。³

Xi Zheng wrote an essay discussing Jiang Wei: “Jiang Boyue held the heavy charge of supreme general and stood above all the ministers. Yet his house was shabby and poor, his wealth had nothing to spare, his side chambers held no indulgence in concubines, and his inner quarters had no entertainments of music. He took clothing only as needed and carriages and horses only as required; he was moderate in food and drink, neither extravagant nor stingy; and the allowances the government gave him he spent as soon as they came to hand. When we examine why he did so, it was not to shame the greedy or rebuke the corrupt, suppressing his feelings and denying himself.

郤正著論論維曰：「姜伯約據上將之重，處群臣之右。宅舍弊薄，資財無餘，側室無妾媵之褻，後庭無聲樂之娛。衣服取供，輿馬取備，飲食節制，不奢不約，官給費用，隨手消盡；察其所以然者，非以激貪厲濁，抑情自割也。

He simply thought this was enough and did not seek for more. The talk of ordinary people always praises success and disparages failure, exalts the high and suppresses the low. They all say that Jiang Wei found no proper place to settle, that he died and his clan was wiped out, and on this account they belittle him without examining him further; this differs from the principle of praise and blame in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Such qualities as Jiang Wei's tireless love of learning and his purity, simplicity, and frugality are in themselves a model for the age.” Of those who had come to Shu with Jiang Wei long before, Liang Xu rose to be Grand Herald, Yin Shang became Bearer of the Gilded Mace, and Liang Qian became Grand Prolonger of Autumn; all died before the fall of Shu.

直謂如是為足，不在多求。凡人之談，常譽成毀敗，扶高抑下，咸以姜維投厝無所，身死宗滅，以是貶削，不復料擿，異乎《春秋》褒貶之義矣。如姜維之樂學不倦，清素節約，自一時之儀表也。」¹維昔所俱至蜀，梁緒官至大鴻臚，尹賞執金吾，梁虔大長秋，皆先蜀亡沒。

Appraisal

評價

Appraisal: Jiang Wan was upright and orderly, with authority and gravity; Fei Yi was magnanimous and helpful to others, and loved all broadly. Both carried on the established rules of Zhuge Liang, following them without change, and so the borders were free of trouble and the state was harmonious and united. Yet they did not fully grasp what befits the governing of a small state or the principle of keeping it at rest. Jiang Wei had a rough grasp of both letters and arms and set his heart on winning merit and fame, but he trifled with his troops and wore out his armies, and his judgment was not thorough, so that in the end he came to ruin. Laozi said, “Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish.” How much more so a petty little state—how could it be stirred up again and again?

評曰：蔣琬方整有威重，費禕寬濟而博愛，咸承諸葛之成規，因循而不革，是以邊境無虞，邦家和一，然猶未盡治小之宜，居靜之理也。¹姜維粗有文武，志立功名，而玩眾黷旅，明斷不周，終致隕斃。老子有云：「治大國者猶烹小鮮。」況於區區蕞爾，而可屢擾乎哉？²