Romance, Chapter 99

Chapter 99. Zhuge Liang Inflicts a Great Defeat on the Wei Army; Sima Yi Invades Western Shu

In the summer, in the fourth month of the seventh year of Jianxing of Shu Han, Kongming’s army was at Mount Qi, divided into three camps and waiting only for the Wei troops. Meanwhile Sima Yi led his army to Changan, where Zhang He received him and told him in full all that had happened before. Sima Yi made Zhang He his vanguard and Dai Ling his second in command, and led a hundred thousand troops to Mount Qi, where they camped south of the Wei River. Guo Huai and Sun Li came into the camp to pay their respects. Sima Yi asked, “Have you ever faced the Shu troops in battle?”

蜀漢建興七年夏四月，孔明兵在祁山，分作三寨，專候魏兵。卻說司馬懿引兵到長安，張郃接見，備言前事。懿令郃爲先鋒，戴陵爲副將，引十萬兵到祁山，於渭水之南下寨。郭淮、孫禮入寨參見。懿問曰：“汝等曾與蜀兵對陣否？”

The two answered, “Not yet.” Sima Yi said, “The Shu troops have come a thousand li, so their advantage lies in a quick battle. Now they have come here and do not fight: they must have some scheme. Has there been any news from the roads of Longxi?” Guo Huai said, “Our spies have found that every commandery is taking great care, on guard day and night, and nothing else is amiss. Only from the two places Wudu and Yinping has no report come back yet.” Sima Yi said, “I will send men of my own to engage Kongming.

二人答曰：“未也。”懿曰：“蜀兵千里而來，利在速戰；今來此不戰，必有謀也。隴西諸路，曾有信息否？”淮曰：“已有細作探得各郡十分用心，日夜提防，並無他事。只有武都、陰平二處，未曾回報。”懿曰：“吾自差人與孔明交戰。

You two hurry by the byroads to rescue the two commanderies, and then fall on the Shu army from behind. They are bound to fall into confusion.”

汝二人急從小路去救二郡，卻掩在蜀兵之後，彼必自亂矣。”

The two received their orders and, with five thousand troops, took the byroads of Longxi to rescue Wudu and Yinping and fall on the rear of the Shu army. On the way Guo Huai said to Sun Li, “How does Zhongda compare with Kongming?” “Kongming is far superior to Zhongda,” said Sun Li. Guo Huai said, “Superior though Kongming may be, this one plan is enough to show that Zhongda has a wisdom beyond other men’s. If the Shu troops are in the midst of attacking the two commanderies and we come round behind them, how can they help falling into confusion?”

二人受計，引兵五千，從隴西小路來救武都、陰平，就襲蜀兵之後。郭淮於路謂孫禮曰：“仲達比孔明如何？”禮曰：“孔明勝仲達多矣。”淮曰：“孔明雖勝，此一計足顯仲達有過人之智。蜀兵如正攻兩郡，我等從後抄到，彼豈不自亂乎？”

As they were speaking, a mounted scout suddenly came to report: “Yinping has already been taken by Wang Ping, and Wudu by Jiang Wei. The Shu troops are not far ahead.” Sun Li said, “If the Shu troops have already taken the cities, why have they drawn up their army outside? There must be a trick. We had better withdraw quickly.” Guo Huai agreed. Just as the order to retreat was being passed on, a bombard suddenly roared, and from behind the hill a body of troops flashed into view. On their flag was written in large characters: “Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Han.” In the middle was a four-wheeled carriage in which Kongming sat upright, with Guan Xing on his left and Zhang Bao on his right.

正言間，忽哨馬來報：“陰平已被王平打破了，武都已被姜維打破了。前離蜀兵不遠。”禮曰：“蜀兵既已打破了城池，如何陳兵於外？必有詐也。不如速退。”郭淮從之。方傳令教軍退時，忽然一聲炮響，山背後閃出一枝軍馬來，旗上大書：“漢丞相諸葛亮”，中央一輛四輪車，孔明端坐於上；左有關興，右有張苞。

Sun Li and Guo Huai were greatly alarmed at the sight. Kongming laughed aloud and said, “Guo Huai, Sun Li, don’t run! How could Sima Yi’s scheme deceive me? Every day he has men fight me in front, while he sends you to fall on my rear. Wudu and Yinping I have already taken. Instead of coming to surrender at once, do you two mean to drive your troops into a decisive battle with me?” When Guo Huai and Sun Li heard this they were thrown into panic. Suddenly shouts of battle rose to the sky behind them, and Wang Ping and Jiang Wei came charging in from the rear.

孫、郭二人見之，大驚。孔明大笑曰：“郭淮、孫禮休走！司馬懿之計，安能瞞得過吾？他每日令人在前交戰，卻教汝等襲吾軍後。武都、陰平吾已取了。汝二人不早來降，欲驅兵與吾決戰耶？”郭淮、孫禮聽畢，大慌。忽然背後喊殺連天，王平、姜維引兵從後殺來。

Guan Xing and Zhang Bao also led their men in an attack from the front. Caught between the two, the Wei army was routed. Guo Huai and Sun Li abandoned their horses and scrambled up the hillside to escape. Zhang Bao saw them and galloped in pursuit, but unexpectedly he and his horse together tumbled into a ravine. The troops behind hurried to pull him out, but his head had already been split open in the fall. Kongming had him sent back to Chengdu to recover.

興、苞二將又引軍從前面殺來。兩下夾攻，魏兵大敗。郭、孫二人棄馬爬山而走。張苞望見，驟馬趕來；不期連人帶馬，跌入澗內，後軍急忙救起，頭已跌破。孔明令人送回成都養病。

Guo Huai and Sun Li, having escaped, went back to see Sima Yi and said, “The two commanderies of Wudu and Yinping are lost. Kongming laid an ambush on the vital road and attacked us front and rear, so that we were badly defeated. We abandoned our horses and only just got back on foot.” Sima Yi said, “It is not your fault; Kongming’s wisdom was a step ahead of mine. Take your troops again and hold the two cities of Yong and Mei, and on no account go out to fight. I have my own plan for defeating the enemy.” The two took their leave and went.

卻說郭、孫二人走脫，回見司馬懿曰：“武都、陰平二郡已失。孔明伏於要路，前後攻殺，因此大敗，棄馬步行，方得逃回。”懿曰：“非汝等之罪，孔明智在吾先。可再引兵守把雍、郿二城，切勿出戰。吾自有破敵之策。”二人拜辭而去。

Sima Yi then summoned Zhang He and Dai Ling and instructed them: “Now that Kongming has taken Wudu and Yinping, he will surely be out soothing the common people to settle their hearts, and will not be in his camp. You two will each take ten thousand picked troops, set out tonight, work round behind the Shu camp, and charge in together with all your might. I will lead the army and draw up in battle order in front; as soon as the Shu troops fall into disorder, I will drive all my men and horses forward to attack. With our two armies joining forces we can seize the Shu camp. Once we hold the advantage of the hills here, what difficulty will there be in defeating the enemy?” The two received their orders and led their troops away.

懿又喚張郃、戴陵分付曰：“今孔明得了武都、陰平，必然撫百姓以安民心，不在營中矣。汝二人各引一萬精兵，今夜起身，抄在蜀兵營後，一齊奮勇殺將過來；吾卻引軍在前佈陣，只待蜀兵勢亂，吾大驅士馬，攻殺進去：兩軍併力，可奪蜀寨也。若得此地山勢，破敵何難？”二人受計引兵而去。

Dai Ling on the left and Zhang He on the right each took a byroad and pressed deep behind the Shu army. Toward the third watch they came out on the main road, where the two forces met and joined into one, then went on to attack the Shu from the rear. Before they had gone thirty li, the front troops came to a halt. Zhang He and Dai Ling rode forward themselves to look, and saw several hundred carts of straw blocking the road. Zhang He said, “They must be prepared for us.

戴陵在左，張郃在右，各取小路進發，深入蜀兵之後。三更時分，來到大路，兩軍相遇，合兵一處，卻從蜀兵背後殺來。行不到三十里，前軍不行。張、戴二人自縱馬視之，只見數百輛草車橫截去路。郃曰：“此必有準備。

We must find a way back at once.” Scarcely had the order to withdraw been given when fires lit up all over the hills at once, drums and horns thundered, and ambushing troops poured out on every side and surrounded the two. From the top of Mount Qi Kongming called out in a loud voice, “Dai Ling, Zhang He, listen to me! Sima Yi reckoned that I had gone to Wudu and Yinping to soothe the people and would not be in my camp, so he sent you two to raid it. Instead you have fallen into my trap.

可急取路而回。”才傳令退軍，只見滿山火光齊明，鼓角大震，伏兵四下皆出，把二人圍住。孔明在祁山上大叫曰：“戴陵、張郃可聽吾言：司馬懿料吾往武都、陰平撫民，不在營中，故令汝二人來劫吾寨，卻中吾之計也。

You two are nameless minor officers, and I will not kill you. Dismount and surrender at once!” Zhang He was furious. Pointing at Kongming, he cursed him: “You are a mere rustic from the hills and fields! You have invaded the borders of our great state, and you dare to talk like this? When I catch you, I will hack your body into ten thousand pieces!” With that he gave his horse its head and, spear levelled, charged up the hill. Arrows and stones rained down from above, and he could not get up. So he spurred his horse and, whirling his spear, burst out through the ring of encirclement, and none dared stand in his way.

汝二人乃無名下將，吾不殺害，下馬早降！”郃大怒，指孔明而罵曰：“汝乃山野村夫，侵吾大國境界，如何敢發此言！吾若捉住汝時，碎屍萬段！”言訖，縱馬挺槍，殺上山來。山上矢石如雨，郃不能上山，乃拍馬舞槍，衝出重圍，無人敢當。

The Shu troops had Dai Ling trapped in the middle of their ring. Zhang He fought his way out by the way he had come, but not seeing Dai Ling, he at once turned back with fresh courage, fought his way into the encirclement again, rescued Dai Ling and brought him out. From the hill Kongming watched Zhang He charging back and forth among ten thousand troops, his valour redoubled, and said to those around him, “I once heard that when Zhang Yide fought his great battle with Zhang He, everyone was struck with awe. Now that I have seen it for myself today, I know how brave he is.

蜀兵困戴陵在垓心。郃殺出舊路，不見戴陵，即奮勇翻身又殺入重圍，救出戴陵而回。孔明在山上，見郃在萬軍之中，往來衝突，英勇倍加，乃謂左右曰：“嘗聞張翼德大戰張郃，人皆驚懼。吾今日見之，方知其勇也。

If this man is left alive, he will surely be a bane to Shu. I must get rid of him.” Then he recalled his troops and returned to camp.

若留下此人，必爲蜀中之害。吾當除之。”遂收軍還營。

Meanwhile Sima Yi had drawn up his army in battle order, waiting only for the Shu troops to be thrown into disorder so that he could attack all at once. Suddenly Zhang He and Dai Ling came in, battered and broken, and reported: “Kongming had taken precautions like this beforehand, so we were badly defeated and have come back.” Sima Yi was astounded. “Kongming is truly a god among men!” he said. “We had better withdraw for now.” At once he ordered the whole army back to its own camp, where it held firm and did not come out. As for Kongming, he had won a great victory; the weapons and horses he captured were beyond counting. He then led the main army back to camp.

卻說司馬懿引兵布成陣勢，只待蜀兵亂動，一齊攻之。忽見張郃、戴陵狼狽而來，告曰：“孔明先如此提防，因此大敗而歸。”懿大驚曰：“孔明真神人也！不如且退。”即傳令教大軍盡回本寨，堅守不出。且說孔明大勝，所得器械、馬匹，不計其數，乃引大軍回寨。

Every day he sent Wei Yan to challenge the enemy, but the Wei troops would not come out. For half a month together there was no fighting. Kongming was in his tent pondering what to do when it was suddenly announced that the Son of Heaven had sent the Palace Attendant Fei Yi with an edict. Kongming received him into the camp, burned incense and performed the rites, then opened the edict and read: “The defeat at Jieting was Ma Su’s fault, yet you took the blame upon yourself and severely humbled yourself. Loath to go against your wishes a second time, We consented to what you insisted on. Last year you displayed the might of the army and took the head of Wang Shuang; this year you took the field again and Guo Huai fled before you; you have won over and gathered in the Di and the Qiang and restored two commanderies. Your might has made the violent tremble, and your merit is plain to see.

每日令魏延挑戰，魏兵不出。一連半月，不曾交兵。孔明正在帳中思慮，忽報天子遣侍中費禕齎詔至。孔明接入營中，焚香禮畢，開詔讀曰：“街亭之役，咎由馬謖；而君引愆，深自貶抑。重違君意，聽順所守。前年耀師，馘斬王雙；今歲爰徵，郭淮遁走；降集氐、羌，復興二郡：威震兇暴，功勳顯然。

At present the realm is in turmoil and the arch-villain has not yet been beheaded. You bear a great charge and carry the weight of the state, yet for long you have kept yourself humbled and diminished; this is no way to make a great enterprise shine. We now restore you as Chancellor. Do not decline!” When Kongming had heard the edict out, he said to Fei Yi, “The affairs of our state are not yet accomplished. How can I resume the office of Chancellor?” He firmly declined. Fei Yi said, “If you, Chancellor, do not accept the office, you will thwart the wishes of the Son of Heaven and chill the hearts of the officers and men as well. You should accept it for the time being.” Only then did Kongming bow and accept. Fei Yi took his leave.

方今天下騷擾，元惡未梟，君受大任，幹國之重，而久自抑損，非所以光揚洪烈矣。今復君丞相，君其勿辭！”孔明聽詔畢，謂費禕曰：“吾國事未成，安可復丞相之職？”堅辭不受。禕曰：“丞相若不受職，拂了天子之意，又冷淡了將士之心。宜且權受。”孔明方纔拜受。禕辭去。

When Kongming saw that Sima Yi would not come out, he thought of a plan and sent orders for all the camps everywhere to be struck. Spies promptly reported to Sima Yi that Kongming was withdrawing. Sima Yi said, “Kongming must have some great scheme. We must not move rashly.” Zhang He said, “He must be going back because his grain has run out. Why not pursue him?” Sima Yi said, “By my reckoning Kongming had a great harvest last year, and now the wheat is ripe again, so he has ample grain and fodder. Though transport is difficult, he could hold out for half a year. Why would he leave so readily?

孔明見司馬懿不出，思得一計，傳令教各處皆拔寨而起。當有細作報知司馬懿，說孔明退兵了。懿曰：“孔明必有大謀，不可輕動。”張郃曰：“此必因糧盡而回，如何不追？”懿曰：“吾料孔明上年大收，今又麥熟，糧草豐足；雖然轉運艱難，亦可支吾半載，安肯便走？

Seeing that I have not fought for days on end, he has devised this plan to lure us out. Send men to watch him from a distance.” Soldiers went to find out and came back to report: “Kongming has camped thirty li from here.” Sima Yi said, “As I reckoned, Kongming has not really gone. For now hold fast to the stockades and do not advance rashly.” They stayed there ten days without any news at all, and no Shu general came to offer battle. Sima Yi sent men again to scout, and they came back to report: “The Shu troops have broken camp and gone.”

彼見吾連日不戰，故作此計引誘。可令人遠遠哨之。”軍士探知，回報說：“孔明離此三十里下寨。”懿曰：“吾料孔明果不走。且堅守寨柵，不可輕進。”住了旬日，絕無音信，並不見蜀將來戰。懿再令人哨探，回報說：“蜀兵已起營去了。”

Sima Yi did not believe it. He changed his clothes, mingled with the soldiers and went to see for himself. Sure enough, the Shu troops had fallen back another thirty li and camped. Returning to camp, Sima Yi said to Zhang He, “This is one of Kongming’s tricks. We must not pursue.” Another ten days passed, and again he sent men to scout. They came back to report: “The Shu troops have fallen back another thirty li and camped.” Zhang He said, “Kongming is using delaying tactics to withdraw little by little to Hanzhong. Why are you so full of doubt, Commander, and do not pursue him while there is time?

懿未信，乃更換衣服，雜在軍中，親自來看，果見蜀兵又退三十里下寨。懿回營謂張郃曰：“此乃孔明之計也，不可追趕。”又住了旬日，再令人哨探。回報說：“蜀兵又退三十里下寨。”郃曰：“孔明用緩兵之計，漸退漢中，都督何故懷疑，不早追之？

Let me go and fight a decisive battle!” Sima Yi said, “Kongming is full of cunning tricks. If anything went wrong, our army would lose its fighting spirit. We must not advance rashly.” Zhang He said, “If I go and am defeated, I will willingly submit to military law.” Sima Yi said, “Since you are determined to go, let us divide the army in two. You lead one part ahead and fight with all your might to the death; I will follow behind to support you and guard against ambush. Set out ahead tomorrow and halt halfway, then give battle the day after, so that your troops will not be worn out.” And so the army was divided.

郃願往決一戰！”懿曰：“孔明詭計極多，倘有差失，喪我軍之銳氣。不可輕進。”郃曰：“某去若敗，甘當軍令。”懿曰：“既汝要去，可分兵兩枝：汝引一枝先行，須要奮力死戰；吾隨後接應，以防伏兵。汝次日先進，到半途駐紮，後日交戰，使兵力不乏。”遂分兵已畢。

The next day Zhang He and Dai Ling, with several dozen subordinate officers and thirty thousand picked troops, pressed boldly ahead and camped halfway. Sima Yi left a large force to guard his camp and followed with only five thousand picked troops. Now Kongming had secretly sent men to scout, and they had seen the Wei troops resting halfway. That night Kongming called his generals together to confer. “The Wei troops are coming after us now,” he said, “and they will surely fight to the death. Each of you must be a match for ten. I will cut off their rear with an ambush; but no one who is not both wise and brave can take on this task.”

次日，張郃、戴陵引副將數十員、精兵三萬，奮勇先進，到半路下寨。司馬懿留下許多軍馬守寨，只引五千精兵，隨後進發。原來孔明密令人哨探，見魏兵半路而歇。是夜，孔明喚衆將商議曰：“今魏兵來追，必然死戰，汝等須以一當十，吾以伏兵截其後：非智勇之將，不可當此任。”

Having said this, he looked at Wei Yan. Wei Yan lowered his head and said nothing. Wang Ping stepped forward and said, “I will take it on.” Kongming said, “And if you fail?” “Then I will submit to military law,” said Wang Ping. Kongming sighed and said, “Wang Ping is willing to risk his life and face arrows and stones in person—a truly loyal subject! Even so, what if the Wei troops come in two bodies, front and rear, and cut off our ambush in between? However wise and brave Wang Ping may be, he can deal with only one end. How can he split himself between two places?

言畢，以目視魏延。延低頭不語。王平出曰：“某願當之。”孔明曰：“若有失，如何？”平曰：“願當軍令。”孔明嘆曰：“王平肯捨身親冒矢石，真忠臣也！雖然如此，奈魏兵分兩枝前後而來，斷吾伏兵在中；平縱然智勇，只可當一頭，豈可分身兩處？

It would be best to find one more general to go with him. But alas, there is no one else in the army willing to face death and lead the way!” Before he had finished, a general stepped out and said, “I will go!” Kongming looked and saw it was Zhang Yi. “Zhang He is a famous general of Wei,” said Kongming, “with a courage ten thousand men could not withstand. You are no match for him.” Zhang Yi said, “If I fail, I will offer up my head at the foot of your tent.” Kongming said, “Since you dare to go, you and Wang Ping will each take ten thousand picked troops and lie in ambush in the valleys. When the Wei troops come up in pursuit, let them all pass; then lead your ambush out and fall on them from behind.

須再得一將同去爲妙。怎奈軍中再無舍死當先之人！”言未畢，一將出曰：“某願往！”孔明視之，乃張翼也。孔明曰：“張郃乃魏之名將，有萬夫不當之勇，汝非敵手。”翼曰：“若有失事，願獻首於帳下。”孔明曰：“汝既敢去，可與王平各引一萬精兵伏于山谷中；只待魏兵趕上，任他過盡，汝等卻引伏兵從後掩殺。

If Sima Yi comes up behind in pursuit, divide your troops in two: Zhang Yi with one force will hold off his rear division, and Wang Ping with the other will cut off their front division. Both forces must fight to the death. I have another plan of my own to help you.” The two received their orders and led their troops away.

若司馬懿隨後趕來，卻分兵兩頭：張翼引一軍當住後隊，王平引一軍截其前隊。兩軍須要死戰。吾自有別計相助。”二人受計引兵而去。

Kongming then summoned Jiang Wei and Liao Hua and instructed them: “I give you two a silk bag. Take three thousand picked troops, furl your banners and silence your drums, and lie in ambush on the hill ahead. If you see the Wei troops surrounding Wang Ping and Zhang Yi and they are in great danger, there is no need to go to their rescue; just open the silk bag and look inside, and you will find a plan to relieve them.” The two received their orders and led their troops away. He also gave instructions to the four generals Wu Ban, Wu Yi, Ma Zhong and Zhang Ni, whispering in their ears: “When the Wei troops arrive tomorrow their spirit will be at its keenest. Do not meet them head-on, but fight and fall back as you go.

孔明又喚姜維、廖化分付曰：“與汝二人一個錦囊，引三千精兵，偃旗息鼓，伏於前山之上。如見魏兵圍住王平、張翼，十分危急，不必去救，只開錦囊看視，自有解危之策。”二人受計引兵而去。又令吳班、吳懿、馬忠、張嶷四將，附耳分付曰：“如來日魏兵到，銳氣正盛，不可便迎，且戰且走。

As soon as you see Guan Xing bringing his troops to sweep the enemy’s lines, turn your men about and pursue them; I will have troops of my own to support you.” The four generals received their orders and led their troops away. He then summoned Guan Xing and instructed him: “Take five thousand picked troops and lie in ambush in the valley. When you see the red flag waving on the hill, lead your men out to attack.” Guan Xing received his orders and led his troops away.

只看關興引兵來掠陣之時，汝等便回軍趕殺，吾自有兵接應。”四將受計引兵而去。又喚關興分付曰：“汝引五千精兵，伏于山谷；只看山上紅旗颭動，卻引兵殺出。”興受計引兵而去。

Now Zhang He and Dai Ling came on with their troops, swift as wind and rain. The four generals Ma Zhong, Zhang Ni, Wu Yi and Wu Ban met them and rode out to engage. Zhang He, enraged, drove his men on in pursuit. The Shu troops fought and fell back, and the Wei troops chased them for some twenty li. It was the sixth month and the weather was scorching hot; the sweat poured off men and horses as if water had been dashed over them. By the time they had gone fifty li, the Wei troops were all gasping for breath.

卻說張郃、戴陵領兵前來，驟如風雨。馬忠、張嶷、吳懿、吳班四將接着，出馬交鋒。張郃大怒，驅兵追殺。蜀兵且戰且走，魏兵追趕約有二十餘里，時值六月天氣，十分炎熱，人馬汗如潑水。走到五十里外，魏兵盡皆氣喘。

On the hill Kongming gave one wave of the red flag, and Guan Xing charged out with his troops. Ma Zhong and the other three generals turned their men about all together and fell on the enemy. Zhang He and Dai Ling fought desperately and would not give ground. Suddenly a great shout went up, and two forces came charging out: Wang Ping and Zhang Yi. Each pressed the attack with all his might and cut off the enemy’s line of retreat. Zhang He shouted to his officers, “We have come to this! If we don’t fight to the death now, what are we waiting for?”

孔明在山上把紅旗一招，關興引兵殺出。馬忠等四將，一齊引兵掩殺回來。張郃、戴陵死戰不退。忽然喊聲大震，兩路軍殺出，乃王平、張翼也。各奮勇追殺，截其後路。郃大叫衆將曰：“汝等到此，不決一死戰，更待何時！”

The Wei troops charged with all their strength but could not break free. Suddenly drums and horns resounded to the heavens behind them, and Sima Yi came up at the head of his picked troops. He directed his generals to surround Wang Ping and Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi shouted, “The Chancellor is truly a god among men! He has worked everything out in advance, so he must have a good plan. We must fight to the death!” At once they divided their troops in two: Wang Ping with one force held off Zhang He and Dai Ling, and Zhang Yi with the other stood hard against Sima Yi.

魏兵奮力衝突，不得脫身。忽然背後鼓角喧天，司馬懿自領精兵殺到。懿指揮衆將，把王平、張翼圍在垓心。翼大呼曰：“丞相真神人也！計已算定，必有良謀。吾等當決一死戰！”即分兵兩路：平引一軍截住張郃、戴陵，翼引一軍力當司馬懿。

On both fronts they fought to the death, and the cries of battle rose to the heavens. Jiang Wei and Liao Hua, watching from the hill, saw that the Wei troops were strong and the Shu troops in danger, little by little unable to hold out. Jiang Wei said to Liao Hua, “The danger is so great that we should open the silk bag and see the plan.” The two tore it open and looked. Inside was written: “If Sima Yi’s troops come and surround Wang Ping and Zhang Yi and the situation grows desperate, you two should divide your troops in two and go straight to attack Sima Yi’s camp. He will certainly fall back in haste, and you can attack him in the confusion.

兩頭死戰，叫殺連天。姜維、廖化在山上探望，見魏兵勢大，蜀兵力危，漸漸抵當不住。維謂化曰：“如此危急，可開錦囊看計。”二人拆開視之，內書雲：“若司馬懿兵來圍王平、張翼至急，汝二人可分兵兩枝，竟襲司馬懿之營；懿必急退，汝可乘亂攻之。

Even if you cannot take the camp, you will win a complete victory.” The two were overjoyed and at once divided their troops in two and went straight to raid Sima Yi’s camp. Now Sima Yi, too, was afraid of falling into one of Kongming’s traps, and had men relaying news to him all along the road without pause. In the midst of urging on the battle, he was suddenly reached by a galloping courier with the news that Shu troops were heading straight for his main camp by two routes. Sima Yi turned pale with alarm and said to his generals, “I reckoned Kongming had a plan, but you would not believe me and insisted on pursuing him. Now you have ruined everything!”

營雖不得，可獲全勝。”二人大喜，即分兵兩路，徑襲司馬懿營中而去。原來司馬懿亦恐中孔明之計，沿途不住的令人傳報。懿正催戰間，忽流星馬飛報，言蜀兵兩路竟取大寨去了，懿大驚失色，乃謂衆將曰：“吾料孔明有計，汝等不信，勉強追來，卻誤了大事！”

At once he led his troops hurrying back. The men were in a panic and fled in disorder. Zhang Yi fell on them from behind, and the Wei troops were utterly routed. Zhang He and Dai Ling, seeing themselves left isolated, also fled by remote paths through the hills, and the Shu troops won a great victory. Behind them Guan Xing brought up his troops in support of all the columns. By the time Sima Yi, badly beaten, dashed into his camp, the Shu troops had already gone back of their own accord. Sima Yi gathered his defeated troops and upbraided his generals: “You know nothing of the art of war. Relying only on hot-blooded courage, you insisted on going out to fight, and this is the defeat it brought us.

即提兵急回。軍心惶惶亂走。張翼隨後掩殺，魏兵大敗。張郃、戴陵見勢孤，亦望山僻小路而走，蜀兵大勝。背後關興引兵接應諸路。司馬懿大敗一陣，奔入寨時，蜀兵已自回去。懿收聚敗軍，責罵諸將曰：“汝等不知兵法，只憑血氣之勇，強欲出戰，致有此敗。

From now on no one is to make any rash move. If anyone disobeys again, I will certainly deal with him by military law!” They all withdrew in shame. In this battle the Wei army lost a great many dead, and the horses and weapons they left behind were beyond counting. Meanwhile Kongming brought his victorious troops back into camp and was about to set out again to advance and take more ground, when it was suddenly announced that someone had come from Chengdu with news that Zhang Bao had died. When Kongming heard it he wept aloud, vomited blood and fell to the ground in a faint.

今後切不許妄動，再有不遵，決正軍法！”衆皆羞慚而退。這一陣，魏軍死者極多，遺棄馬匹器械無數。卻說孔明收得勝軍馬入寨，又欲起兵進取。忽報有人自成都來，說張苞身死。孔明聞知，放聲大哭，口中吐血，昏絕於地。

The others revived him. From then on Kongming fell ill and was confined to his bed. Among his generals there was none who was not deeply moved.

衆人救醒。孔明自此得病臥牀不起。諸將無不感激。

A later poet lamented:
Fierce and brave, Zhang Bao longed to win renown;
Alas that Heaven would not aid the hero!
The Marquis of Wu shed his tears into the west wind,
Grieving that none was left to share his toil.

後人有詩嘆曰：“悍勇張苞欲建功，可憐天不助英雄！
武侯淚向西風灑，爲念無人佐鞠躬。
”

Ten days later Kongming called Dong Jue, Fan Jian and others into his tent and instructed them: “I feel my mind clouded and cannot attend to affairs. It would be best to go back to Hanzhong for now to recover and then make better plans. On no account let this leak out: if Sima Yi learns of it, he will surely attack.” So he issued orders to break camp secretly that very night, and all returned to Hanzhong. Only five days after Kongming had gone did Sima Yi learn of it. He sighed deeply and said, “Kongming truly has plans that come and go like gods and ghosts. I am no match for him!”

旬日之後，孔明喚董厥、樊建等入帳分付曰：“吾自覺昏沉，不能理事；不如且回漢中養病，再作良圖。汝等切勿走泄：司馬懿若知，必來攻擊。”遂傳號令，教當夜暗暗拔寨，皆回漢中。孔明去了五日，懿方得知，乃長嘆曰：“孔明真有神出鬼沒之計，吾不能及也！”

Sima Yi then left his generals in the camp, dividing the troops to guard the passes everywhere, and himself led the army home.

於是司馬懿留諸將在寨中，分兵守把各處隘口；懿自班師回。

Meanwhile Kongming stationed the main army in Hanzhong and went back to Chengdu himself to recover. The civil and military officials came out of the city to welcome him and escorted him into the Chancellor’s residence. The Latter Ruler came in person in the imperial carriage to ask after his illness and ordered the imperial physicians to treat him, and day by day he gradually recovered. In the autumn, in the seventh month of the eighth year of Jianxing, the Wei Commander Cao Zhen, having recovered from his illness, sent up a memorial saying: “The Shu troops have several times invaded our borders and repeatedly violated the Central Plain. If they are not wiped out, they will surely be a source of trouble later.

卻說孔明將大軍屯於漢中，自回成都養病；文武官僚出城迎接，送入丞相府中，後主御駕自來問病，命御醫調治，日漸痊可。建興八年秋七月，魏都督曹真病可，乃上表說：“蜀兵數次侵界，屢犯中原，若不剿除，必爲後患。

Now it is the cool of autumn, and the men and horses are rested; this is just the time for a campaign. I ask to lead the main army together with Sima Yi straight into Hanzhong to wipe out the traitorous clique and clear our frontier.” The Ruler of Wei was delighted and asked the Palace Attendant Liu Ye, “Zidan urges Us to attack Shu. What do you think?” Liu Ye said, “What the Grand General says is right. If we do not wipe them out now, they will surely be a great calamity later. Your Majesty may go ahead with it.” Cao Rui nodded.

今時值秋涼，人馬安閒，正當征伐。臣願與司馬懿同領大軍，徑入漢中，殄滅奸黨，以清邊境。”魏主大喜，問侍中劉曄曰：“子丹勸朕伐蜀，若何？”曄奏曰：“大將軍之言是也。今若不剿除，後必爲大患。陛下便可行之。”睿點頭。

When Liu Ye left the palace and went home, a number of high ministers came to call on him and asked, “We hear that the Son of Heaven has been deliberating with you about raising an army to attack Shu. How does the matter stand?” Liu Ye replied, “There is no such thing. Shu is protected by the dangers of its mountains and rivers and cannot easily be taken. It would only wear out our men and horses to no purpose and bring no benefit to the state.” The officials all went out in silence. Yang Ji went into the palace and said, “Yesterday I heard that Liu Ye urged Your Majesty to attack Shu; today, deliberating with the ministers, he says it must not be attacked. He is deceiving Your Majesty.

曄出內回家，有衆大臣相探，問曰：“聞天子與公計議興兵伐蜀，此事如何？”曄應曰：“無此事也。蜀有山川之險，非可易圖；空費軍馬之勞，於國無益。”衆官皆默然而出。楊暨入內奏曰：“昨聞劉曄勸陛下伐蜀；今日與衆臣議，又言不可伐：是欺陛下也。

Why does Your Majesty not summon him and ask him?” Cao Rui at once summoned Liu Ye into the palace and asked, “You urged Us to attack Shu; now you say it cannot be done. Why is that?” Liu Ye said, “Having examined it carefully, I find that Shu cannot be attacked.” Cao Rui laughed aloud. After a while Yang Ji left the palace. Then Liu Ye said, “When I urged Your Majesty yesterday to attack Shu, it was a great affair of state. How could I carelessly let it leak out to others? War is the way of deception: before a thing is launched, it must be kept strictly secret.” Cao Rui understood at once and said, “You are right.” From then on he respected and valued Liu Ye all the more.

陛下何不召而問之？”睿即召劉曄入內問曰：“卿勸朕伐蜀；今又言不可，何也？”曄曰：“臣細詳之，蜀不可伐。”睿大笑。少時，楊暨出內。曄奏曰：“臣昨日勸陛下伐蜀，乃國之大事，豈可妄泄於人？夫兵者，詭道也：事未發，切宜祕之。”睿大悟曰：“卿言是也。”自此愈加敬重。

Within ten days Sima Yi came to court, and the Ruler of Wei told him point by point about the memorial Cao Zhen had sent up. Sima Yi said, “By my reckoning Eastern Wu will not dare to move its troops. Now is just the time to seize the chance and attack Shu.” Cao Rui at once appointed Cao Zhen Grand Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition, Sima Yi Grand General and Deputy Commander of the Western Expedition, and Liu Ye Director of Strategy. The three took leave of the Ruler of Wei and, with an army of four hundred thousand, marched to Changan and pressed straight on toward Jiange to take Hanzhong.

旬日內，司馬懿入朝，魏主將曹真表奏之事，逐一言之。懿奏曰：“臣料東吳未敢動兵，今日正可乘此去伐蜀。”睿即拜曹真爲大司馬、徵西大都督，司馬懿爲大將軍、徵西副都督，劉曄爲軍師。三人拜辭魏主，引四十萬大兵，前行至長安，徑奔劍閣，來取漢中。

The others, Guo Huai, Sun Li and the rest, each took their own route. The people of Hanzhong sent word to Chengdu. By this time Kongming had long since recovered. Every day he drilled his men and horses in the methods of the Eight Arrays until all had mastered them, intending to take the Central Plain. When he heard the news he summoned Zhang Ni and Wang Ping and instructed them: “You two go ahead with a thousand troops to hold the old Chencang road against the Wei army. I will bring up the main army to support you shortly.”

其餘郭淮、孫禮等，各取路而行。漢中人報入成都。此時孔明病好多時，每日操練人馬，習學八陣之法，盡皆精熟，欲取中原；聽得這個消息，遂喚張嶷、王平分付曰：“汝二人先引一千兵去守陳倉古道，以當魏兵；吾卻提大兵便來接應。”

The two said, “We hear the Wei army is four hundred thousand strong and falsely claims eight hundred thousand, and its might is very great. How can you give us only a thousand troops to hold the pass? If the Wei troops come in force, how are we to hold them off?” Kongming said, “I would like to give you more, but I fear it would only make hardship for the soldiers.” Zhang Ni and Wang Ping looked at each other, and neither dared go. Kongming said, “If anything goes wrong, it will not be your fault. Say no more, and go at once.”

二人告曰：“人報魏軍四十萬，詐稱八十萬，聲勢甚大，如何只與一千兵去守隘口？倘魏兵大至，何以拒之？”孔明曰：“吾欲多與，恐士卒辛苦耳。”嶷與平面面相覷，皆不敢去。孔明曰：“若有疏失，非汝等之罪。不必多言，可疾去。”

The two pleaded again: “If you wish to kill us, Chancellor, then kill us here and now. Only we dare not go.” Kongming laughed and said, “How foolish you are! I am sending you with a purpose in mind. Last night I looked up and observed the heavens, and saw the Net stars lodged in the division of the Great Yin. Within this month there will certainly be heavy, drenching rain. Four hundred thousand though the Wei troops may be, how will they dare to go deep into such rugged mountain country? So there is no need for many troops; you will come to no harm.

二人又哀告曰：“丞相欲殺某二人，就此請殺，只不敢去。”孔明笑曰：“何其愚也！吾令汝等去，自有主見：吾昨夜仰觀天文，見畢星躔於太陰之分，此月內必有大雨淋漓；魏兵雖有四十萬，安敢深入山險之地？因此不用多軍，決不受害。

I will keep the whole main army resting in Hanzhong for a month and wait for the Wei troops to retreat; then I will fall on them with the main army. Fresh troops against worn-out ones: with our hundred thousand we can defeat the Wei army of four hundred thousand.” When the two had heard this, they were at last delighted, and took their leave. Kongming then led the main army out of Hanzhong and sent orders to all the passes to lay in dry firewood, fodder and fine grain, enough for men and horses for a whole month, as a precaution against the autumn rains. He gave the main army a generous month’s grace, issued clothing and food first, and had them stand ready for the campaign.

吾將大軍皆在漢中安居一月，待魏兵退，那時以大兵掩之：以逸待勞，吾十萬之衆可勝魏兵四十萬也。”二人聽畢，方大喜，拜辭而去。孔明隨統大軍出漢中，傳令教各處隘口，預備乾柴草料細糧，俱夠一月人馬支用，以防秋雨；將大軍寬限一月，先給衣食，伺候出征。

Meanwhile Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, leading the main army together, went straight to the city of Chencang but found not a single house standing inside. When they sought out local people and asked, all said that Kongming had set fire to it and burned it down when he went back. Cao Zhen wanted to advance at once by the Chencang road. Sima Yi said, “We must not advance rashly. Observing the heavens at night, I saw the Net stars lodged in the division of the Great Yin. Within this month there will certainly be heavy rain. If we go deep into dangerous ground and happen to win, well and good;

卻說曹真、司馬懿同領大軍，徑到陳倉城內，不見一間房屋；尋土人問之，皆言孔明回時放火燒燬。曹真便要從陳倉道進發。懿曰：“不可輕進。我夜觀天文，見畢星躔於太陰之分，此月內必有大雨；若深入重地，或勝則可。

but if anything goes amiss, men and horses will suffer, and it will be hard to retreat. For now we had better put up shelters inside the city and camp there as a precaution against the rains.” Cao Zhen took his advice. Before half a month had passed, heavy rain came pouring down and would not stop. Outside the city of Chencang the water stood three feet deep even on level ground; the weapons were all soaked, the men could not sleep, and there was no rest day or night. The heavy rain fell for thirty days without a break. The horses had no fodder and died in countless numbers, and the soldiers’ complaints never ceased.

倘有疏虞，人馬受苦，要退則難。且宜在城中搭起窩鋪住紮，以防陰雨。”真從其言。未及半月，天雨大降，淋漓不止。陳倉城外，平地水深三尺，軍器盡溼，人不得睡，晝夜不安。大雨連降三十日，馬無草料，死者無數，軍士怨聲不絕。

When word of this reached Luoyang, the Ruler of Wei set up an altar to pray for clear skies, but to no avail. The Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Wang Su sent up a memorial saying: “The records of old have it that when grain is sent a thousand li, the soldiers look hungry, and when firewood and fodder must be gathered before the cooking fires are lit, the army never goes to bed well fed. This speaks of an army marching on level roads. How much more so when it goes deep into rugged country and must cut its road as it advances! The toil must then be a hundredfold. Now heavy rains have been added to this; the mountain slopes are steep and slippery, the host is crowded together and cannot deploy, and the grain is far away and hard to keep supplied. This is truly what an army on the march must most avoid.

傳入洛陽，魏主設壇，求晴不得。黃門侍郎王肅上疏曰：“前志有之：千里饋糧，士有飢色；樵蘇後爨，師不宿飽。此謂平途之行軍者也。又況於深入險阻，鑿路而前，則其爲勞，必相百也。今又加之以霖雨，山坂峻滑，衆逼而不展，糧遠而難繼：實行軍之大忌也。

I hear that Cao Zhen set out more than a month ago but is only halfway through the valley, and that road-building is such a great labour that all the fighting men are put to it. This means the enemy alone gets to wait at ease for us to tire—exactly what military men dread. To speak of former ages: King Wu, marching against Zhou, went out through the pass and then came back again. To speak of recent events: the Martial and the Cultured Emperors, campaigning against Sun Quan, came to the river but did not cross. Was this not following Heaven, knowing the times and understanding how to adapt to circumstances? I beg Your Majesty to consider the severe hardship of flood and rain and let the soldiers rest. Later, when an opening appears, the moment can be seized and they can be used.

聞曹真發已逾月，而行方半谷，治道功大，戰士悉作：是彼偏得以逸待勞，乃兵家之所憚也。言之前代，則武王伐紂，出關而復還；論之近事，則武、文徵權，臨江而不濟：豈非順天知時，通於權變者哉？願陛下念水雨艱劇之故，休息士卒；後日有釁，乘時用之。

This is what is meant by ‘When the people face hardship gladly, they forget even death.’” The Ruler of Wei read the memorial and was still hesitating when Yang Fu and Hua Xin also sent up memorials to remonstrate. The Ruler of Wei then issued an edict and sent envoys to summon Cao Zhen and Sima Yi back to court.

所謂悅以犯難，民忘其死者也。”魏主覽表，正在猶豫，楊阜、華歆亦上疏諫。魏主即下詔，遣使詔曹真、司馬懿還朝。

Meanwhile Cao Zhen conferred with Sima Yi. “It has been overcast for thirty days on end,” he said. “The army has no heart for fighting, and every man is thinking of home. How can we stop it?” Sima Yi said, “We had better go back for now.” Cao Zhen said, “If Kongming pursues us, how shall we drive him off?” Sima Yi said, “We must first place two forces in ambush to cut off pursuit; then we can withdraw the army.” While they were deliberating, an envoy suddenly arrived with the summons. So the two made the front of the army its rear and the rear its front, and withdrew slowly.

卻說曹真與司馬懿商議曰：“今連陰三十日，軍無戰心，各有思歸之意，如何禁止？”懿曰：“不如且回。”真曰：“倘孔明追來，怎生退之？”懿曰：“先伏兩軍斷後，方可回兵。”正議間，忽使命來召。二人遂將大軍前隊作後隊，後隊作前隊，徐徐而退。

Now Kongming reckoned that the month of autumn rain was nearly over, though the sky had not yet cleared. He led one force himself to encamp at Chenggu, and sent orders for the main army to assemble and halt at Chipo. Taking his seat in his tent, he summoned his generals and said, “I expect the Wei troops will certainly withdraw: the Ruler of Wei is bound to issue an edict recalling the armies of Cao Zhen and Sima Yi. If I pursue them, they will certainly be prepared. It is better to let them go for now and make better plans later.”

卻說孔明計算一月秋雨將盡，天尚未晴，自提一軍屯於城固，又傳令教大軍會於赤坡駐紮。孔明升帳喚衆將言曰：“吾料魏兵必走，魏主必下詔來取曹真、司馬懿兵回。吾若追之，必有準備；不如任他且去，再作良圖。”

Suddenly Wang Ping sent a man to report that the Wei troops had already turned back. Kongming instructed the messenger to tell Wang Ping: “Do not pursue and attack them. I have my own plan for defeating the Wei army.”

忽王平令人報來，說魏兵已回。孔明分付來人，傳與王平：“不可追襲。吾自有破魏兵之策。”

Indeed:
Though the Wei troops knew well how to lay an ambush,
The Chancellor of Han had never meant to pursue.
How Kongming defeated Wei will be told in the next chapter.

正是：魏兵縱使能埋伏，漢相原來不肯追。
未知孔明怎生破魏，且看下文分解。