Romance, Chapter 102

Chapter 102. Sima Yi Occupies Beiyuan and the Wei Bridges; Zhuge Liang Builds the Wooden Oxen and Gliding Horses

Now Qiao Zhou held the post of Grand Astrologer and was well versed in astronomy. Seeing that Kongming meant to take the field again, he memorialized the Latter Ruler, saying, “I am now in charge of the Observatory, and whenever there are signs of fortune or misfortune I must report them. Recently a flock of tens of thousands of birds flew in from the south, plunged into the Han River and died. This is an inauspicious sign. I have also observed the heavens and seen the star Kui lodged in the sector of Taibai; the flourishing energy lies in the north, which does not favour an attack on Wei. Moreover, the people of Chengdu have all heard the cypress trees weeping at night. With so many calamities and portents, the Chancellor should simply keep careful guard and must not make any rash move.”

卻說譙周官居太史，頗明天文；見孔明又欲出師，乃奏後主曰：“臣今職掌司天臺，但有禍福，不可不奏：近有羣鳥數萬，自南飛來，投於漢水而死，此不祥之兆；臣又觀天象，見奎星躔於太白之分，盛氣在北，不利伐魏；又成都人民，皆聞柏樹夜哭：有此數般災異，丞相只宜謹守，不可妄動。”

Kongming said, “I received from the late Emperor the heavy charge of his orphaned son. I must do my utmost to destroy the rebels. How can I abandon the great affairs of the state because of empty, absurd talk of evil portents?” He then ordered the officials concerned to prepare a grand sacrifice of ox, sheep and pig at the shrine of Emperor Zhaolie, and there, weeping, he bowed and declared: “I, Liang, have gone out five times to Mount Qi without gaining an inch of ground. My guilt is no light one! Now I once again lead the whole army out to Mount Qi. I swear to give all my strength and all my heart to wipe out the rebels against Han and recover the Central Plains. I will bend my body to the task and spend myself to the utmost, and only death will make me stop!”

孔明曰：“吾受先帝託孤之重，當竭力討賊，豈可以虛妄之災氛，而廢國家大事耶！”遂命有司設太牢祭於昭烈之廟，涕泣拜告曰：“臣亮五出祁山，未得寸土，負罪非輕！今臣復統全師，再出祁山，誓竭力盡心，剿滅漢賊，恢復中原，鞠躬盡瘁，死而後已！”

When the sacrifice was over, he took leave of the Latter Ruler and hastened day and night to Hanzhong, where he assembled his generals to discuss the campaign. Suddenly word came that Guan Xing had died of illness. Kongming let out a great wail and fell senseless to the ground, and only after a long while did he come round. The generals tried again and again to console him. Kongming sighed and said, “Alas, that Heaven should grant no long life to a man of loyalty and righteousness! Now, as I set out on this campaign, I am short one more great general!”

祭畢，拜辭後主，星夜至漢中，聚集諸將，商議出師。忽報關興病亡。孔明放聲大哭，昏倒於地，半晌方蘇。衆將再三勸解，孔明嘆曰：“可憐忠義之人，天不與以壽！我今番出師，又少一員大將也！”

A later poet lamented:
Life and death are the common lot of man,
As empty as the mayfly’s day.
If only loyalty and filial virtue endure,
Why need one live as long as Qiao and Song?

後人有詩嘆曰：“生死人常理，蜉蝣一樣空。
但存忠孝節，何必壽喬松。
”

Kongming led three hundred and forty thousand Shu troops forward along five routes, with Jiang Wei and Wei Yan as the vanguard, all to go out to Mount Qi and assemble there. He ordered Li Hui to transport grain and fodder ahead of time to the mouth of the Xie Valley road and wait there.

孔明引蜀兵三十四萬，分五路而進，令姜維、魏延爲先鋒，皆出祁山取齊；令李恢先運糧草於斜谷道口伺候。

Meanwhile, because a green dragon had emerged from a well at Mopo the year before, the state of Wei had changed the reign title to the first year of Qinglong; it was now the second month, in spring, of the second year of Qinglong. A courtier memorialized, “The frontier officials send urgent word that more than three hundred thousand Shu troops, in five columns, have come out again to Mount Qi.” The Ruler of Wei, Cao Rui, was greatly alarmed. He hastily summoned Sima Yi and said, “For three years the men of Shu have made no incursion. Now Zhuge Liang has come out to Mount Qi again. What is to be done?”

卻說魏國因舊歲有青龍自摩坡井內而出，改爲青龍元年；此時乃青龍二年春二月也。近臣奏曰：“邊官飛報蜀兵三十餘萬，分五路復出祁山。”魏主曹睿大驚，急召司馬懿至，謂曰：“蜀人三年不曾入寇；今諸葛亮又出祁山，如之奈何？”

Sima Yi replied, “Observing the heavens by night, I have seen that the vital energy of the Central Plains is at its height, while the star Kui is encroaching upon Taibai; this bodes ill for Xichuan. Now Kongming, trusting in his own talent and wisdom, is acting against Heaven. He is bringing ruin upon himself. Relying on Your Majesty’s great fortune, I shall go and destroy him. I only ask to recommend four men to go with me.” Cao Rui said, “Whom do you recommend?” Sima Yi said, “Xiahou Yuan had four sons. The eldest is named Ba, styled Zhongquan; the second Wei, styled Jiquan; the third Hui, styled Zhiquan; and the fourth He, styled Yiquan.

懿奏曰：“臣夜觀天象，見中原旺氣正盛，奎星犯太白，不利於西川。今孔明自負才智，逆天而行，乃自取敗亡也。臣託陛下洪福，當往破之。但願保四人同去。”睿曰：“卿保何人？”懿曰：“夏侯淵有四子：長名霸，字仲權；次名威，字季權；三名惠，字稚權；四名和，字義權。

Ba and Wei are skilled archers and horsemen; Hui and He are well versed in strategy and tactics. All four have long wanted to avenge their father. I now recommend Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei as vanguard of the left and right, and Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He as Army Marshals, to assist together in the conduct of the campaign and drive back the Shu army.” Cao Rui said, “Some time ago the Imperial Son-in-Law Xiahou Mao blundered in military matters and lost a great many men and horses, and to this day he is too ashamed to come back.

霸、威二人，弓馬熟嫺；惠、和二人，諳知韜略：此四人常欲爲父報仇。臣今保夏侯霸、夏侯威爲左右先鋒，夏侯惠、夏侯和爲行軍司馬，共贊軍機，以退蜀兵。”睿曰：“曏者夏侯楙駙馬違誤軍機，失陷了許多人馬，至今羞慚不回。

Will these four not turn out the same as Mao?” Sima Yi said, “These four are not to be compared with Xiahou Mao.” Cao Rui granted his request and at once appointed Sima Yi Commander-in-Chief, giving him leave to employ all officers and men as he judged their talents, and placing the troops of every region under his orders.

今此四人，亦與楙同否？”懿曰：“此四人非夏侯楙所可比也。”睿乃從其請，即命司馬懿爲大都督，凡將士悉聽量才委用，各處兵馬皆聽調遣。

Sima Yi received the command, took leave of the court and left the city. Cao Rui also sent him an edict in his own hand, which said: “When you reach the banks of the Wei, strengthen your walls and hold firm, and do not engage them. When the Shu troops cannot get their way, they will surely feign a retreat to lure you on; take care not to pursue. Wait until their grain runs out; they will certainly leave of their own accord. Then take advantage of their weakness and attack, and victory will not be hard to win, while you will spare your men and horses the misery of exhaustion. There is no better plan than this.” Sima Yi knocked his head to the ground and received the edict. That same day he reached Changan and assembled the troops of every region, four hundred thousand in all, who all came to pitch camp on the banks of the Wei. He also detailed fifty thousand men to build nine floating bridges across the Wei River, and ordered the vanguard, Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei, to cross the Wei and make camp. In addition, on the eastern plain behind the main camp, he built a walled town as a precaution against the unexpected.

懿受命，辭朝出城。睿又以手詔賜懿曰：“卿到渭濱，宜堅壁固守，勿與交鋒。蜀兵不得志，必詐退誘敵，卿慎勿追。待彼糧盡，必將自走，然後乘虛攻之，則取勝不難，亦免軍馬疲勞之苦：計莫善於此也。”司馬懿頓首受詔，即日到長安，聚集各處軍馬共四十萬，皆來渭濱下寨；又撥五萬軍，於渭水上搭起九座浮橋，令先鋒夏侯霸、夏侯威過渭水安營；又於大營之後東原，築起一城，以防不虞。

While Sima Yi was conferring with his generals, it was suddenly reported that Guo Huai and Sun Li had come to see him. Sima Yi welcomed them in, and when the courtesies were over Guo Huai said, “The Shu troops are now at Mount Qi. If they should cross the Wei, climb onto the plain, link up with the northern hills and cut the road to Long, that would be a serious danger.” Sima Yi said, “What you say is quite right. You had best take overall command of the troops of Longxi, occupy Beiyuan and pitch camp there. Dig deep moats and build high ramparts, and keep your troops still. Only when their grain has run out should you attack.” Guo Huai and Sun Li received their orders and went off with their troops to make camp.

懿正與衆將商議間，忽報郭淮、孫禮來見。懿迎入，禮畢，淮曰：“今蜀兵現在祁山，倘跨渭登原，接連北山，阻絕隴道，大可虞也。”懿曰：“所言甚善。公可就總督隴西軍馬，據北原下寨，深溝高壘，按兵休動；只待彼兵糧盡，方可攻之。”郭淮、孫禮領命，引兵下寨去了。

Meanwhile Kongming came out again to Mount Qi and pitched five great camps, left, right, centre, front and rear. From the Xie Valley all the way to Jiange he set up a further fourteen great camps in a line, distributing his troops among them as a long-term plan. Every day he sent men out to patrol. Suddenly it was reported that Guo Huai and Sun Li had brought the troops of Longxi to camp at Beiyuan. Kongming said to his generals, “The Wei troops have camped at Beiyuan because they fear we will take this route and cut the road to Long.

卻說孔明覆出祁山，下五個大寨，按左、右、中、前、後；自斜谷直至劍閣，一連又下十四個大寨，分屯軍馬，以爲久計。每日令人巡哨。忽報郭淮、孫禮領隴西之兵，於北原下寨。孔明謂諸將曰：“魏兵於北原安營者，懼吾取此路，阻絕隴道也。

I shall now make a feint attack on Beiyuan while secretly taking the bank of the Wei. Have men lash together a hundred or more rafts, load them with bundles of straw, and pick five thousand experienced boatmen to handle them. In the dead of night I will attack Beiyuan alone, and Sima Yi is sure to lead troops to its rescue. If he suffers even a slight defeat, I will send my rear army across to the far bank first and then put my front army on the rafts. They are not to land, but to go down with the current to the floating bridges, set them on fire and burn them through, and so attack the enemy from behind.

吾今虛攻北原，卻暗取渭濱。令人扎木筏百餘隻，上載草把，選慣熟水手五千人駕之。我夤夜只攻北原，司馬懿必引兵來救。彼若少敗，我把後軍先渡過岸去，然後把前軍下於筏中。休要上岸，順水取浮橋放火燒斷，以攻其後。

I myself will lead a force to take the gate of their forward camp. Once we hold the south of the Wei River, it will not be hard to advance.” The generals set off as ordered. But patrols had already sped the news to Sima Yi, who called his generals together and said, “There is a scheme behind these dispositions of Kongming’s. Under the pretext of taking Beiyuan, he will come down with the current to burn the floating bridges and throw our rear into confusion, while in fact attacking our front.” He at once sent orders to Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei: “If you hear shouting at Beiyuan, take your troops into the hills south of the Wei River, wait for the Shu troops to arrive, and attack them.”

吾自引一軍去取前營之門。若得渭水之南，則進兵不難矣。”諸將遵令而行。早有巡哨軍飛報司馬懿。懿喚諸將議曰：“孔明如此設施，其中有計：彼以取北原爲名，順水來燒浮橋，亂吾後，卻攻吾前也。”即傳令與夏侯霸、夏侯威曰：“若聽得北原發喊，便提兵於渭水南山之中，待蜀兵至擊之。”

He also ordered Zhang Hu and Yue Chen to take two thousand archers and crossbowmen and lie in wait on the north bank by the floating bridges over the Wei: “If the Shu troops come down with the current on rafts, shoot at them all together and do not let them near the bridges.” He also sent orders to Guo Huai and Sun Li: “Kongming will come to Beiyuan and secretly cross the Wei. Your camp is newly built and you have few men and horses, so lie in ambush halfway along the road, all of you. If the Shu troops cross the river after noon, they are bound to come and attack you at dusk.

又令張虎、樂綝，引二千弓弩手伏於渭水浮橋北岸：“若蜀兵乘木筏順水而來，可一齊射之，休令近橋。”又傳令郭淮、孫禮曰：“孔明來北原暗渡渭水，汝新立之營，人馬不多，可盡伏於半路。若蜀兵於午後渡水，黃昏時分，必來攻汝。

Pretend to be defeated and flee, and the Shu troops are sure to pursue. Then shoot them down with your bows and crossbows. I will advance by water and land together. If the Shu troops come in great force, watch only for my signals and strike.” When orders had been issued to every quarter, he further ordered his two sons, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, to lead troops in support of the forward camp. Sima Yi himself led a force to the relief of Beiyuan.

汝詐敗而走，蜀兵必追。汝等皆以弓弩射之。吾水陸並進。若蜀兵大至，只看吾指揮而擊之。”各處下令已畢，又令二子司馬師、司馬昭，引兵救應前營。懿自引一軍救北原。

Meanwhile Kongming ordered Wei Yan and Ma Dai to lead troops across the Wei River to attack Beiyuan, and Wu Ban and Wu Yi to take the raft troops and burn the floating bridges. He made Wang Ping and Zhang Ni the front division, Jiang Wei and Ma Zhong the centre division, and Liao Hua and Zhang Yi the rear division, and sent these three columns to attack the Wei River land camp. At noon that day the men and horses left the main camp, all crossed the Wei River, formed up in battle order and advanced slowly.

卻說孔明令魏延、馬岱引兵渡渭水攻北原；令吳班、吳懿引木筏兵去燒浮橋；令王平、張嶷爲前隊，姜維、馬忠爲中隊，廖化、張翼爲後隊：兵分三路，去攻渭水旱營。是日午時，人馬離大寨，盡渡渭水，列成陣勢，緩緩而行。

Meanwhile, by the time Wei Yan and Ma Dai drew near Beiyuan, it was already dusk. Sun Li’s scouts saw them coming, and he at once abandoned his camp and fled. Wei Yan realized the enemy were prepared, and he was hastily pulling back when shouts rose loud on every side: Sima Yi on the left and Guo Huai on the right came charging in with two columns. Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought their way out with all their might, but more than half the Shu troops fell into the water, and the rest had no way of escape. Fortunately Wu Yi’s troops came charging up, rescued the defeated men, got them across to the bank and held the enemy off.

卻說魏延、馬岱將近北原，天色已昏。孫禮哨見，便棄營而走。魏延知有準備，急退軍時，四下喊聲大震：左有司馬懿，右有郭淮，兩路兵殺來。魏延、馬岱奮力殺出，蜀兵多半落於水中，餘衆奔逃無路。幸得吳懿兵殺來，救了敗兵過岸拒住。

Wu Ban took half his troops and poled the rafts downstream to burn the floating bridges, but Zhang Hu and Yue Chen on the bank held them off with a hail of arrows. Wu Ban was struck by an arrow, fell into the water and drowned. The rest of his men jumped into the river to save their lives, and all the rafts were captured by the Wei troops. At this time Wang Ping and Zhang Ni, not knowing that the troops at Beiyuan had been defeated, pushed straight on to the Wei camp. It was already the second watch, and all they could hear was shouting rising on every side. Wang Ping said to Zhang Ni, “Our army is attacking Beiyuan, but we do not yet know who has won.

吳班分一半兵撐筏順水來燒浮橋，卻被張虎、樂綝在岸上亂箭射住。吳班中箭，落水而死。餘軍跳水逃命，木筏盡被魏兵奪去。此時王平、張嶷，不知北原兵敗，直奔到魏營，已有二更天氣，只聽得喊聲四起。王平謂張嶷曰：“軍馬攻打北原，未知勝負。

The camp south of the Wei is right before us, so why is there not a single Wei soldier to be seen? Can it be that Sima Yi has found out and made preparations in advance? Let us wait until we see the floating bridges on fire before we advance.” The two of them reined in their troops. Suddenly a horseman rode up from behind to report: “The Chancellor orders the army to come back at once. The troops at Beiyuan and the troops at the floating bridges have both been defeated.” Wang Ping and Zhang Ni were greatly alarmed and hastily began to withdraw, but the Wei troops had already cut round behind them. At the boom of a signal gun they charged in all together, and the glare of fire rose to the sky.

渭南之寨，現在面前，如何不見一個魏兵？莫非司馬懿知道了，先作準備也？我等且看浮橋火起，方可進兵。”二人勒住軍馬，忽背後一騎馬來報，說：“丞相教軍馬急回。北原兵、浮橋兵，俱失了。”王平、張嶷大驚，急退軍時，卻被魏兵抄在背後，一聲炮響，一齊殺來，火光沖天。

Wang Ping and Zhang Ni led their troops to meet them, and the two armies fought a confused battle. Wang Ping and Zhang Ni fought their way out with all their might, but more than half the Shu troops were killed or wounded. Kongming returned to the main camp at Mount Qi and gathered his defeated troops; he had lost some ten thousand men or more, and he was downcast and troubled. Suddenly it was reported that Fei Yi had come from Chengdu to see the Chancellor. Kongming invited him in. When Fei Yi had paid his respects, Kongming said, “I have a letter that I was just hoping to trouble you to deliver to Eastern Wu. Would you be willing to go?”

王平、張嶷引兵相迎，兩軍混戰一場。平、嶷二人奮力殺出，蜀兵折傷大半。孔明回到祁山大寨，收聚敗兵，約折了萬餘人，心中憂悶。忽報費禕自成都來見丞相。孔明請入。費禕禮畢，孔明曰：“吾有一書，正欲煩公去東吳投遞，不知肯去否？”

Fei Yi said, “How could I refuse an order from the Chancellor?” Kongming at once wrote the letter and gave it to Fei Yi, who set off. Carrying the letter, Fei Yi went straight to Jianye, where he was received by the Ruler of Wu, Sun Quan, and presented Kongming’s letter. Sun Quan opened it and read. The letter said in brief: “The House of Han has met with misfortune. The bonds of royal rule have fallen into disorder, and the traitor Cao has usurped the throne in rebellion, a plague that has spread down to this day. I, Liang, received the heavy charge entrusted to me by Emperor Zhaolie; how could I dare not give all my strength and loyalty? Now our great army has already assembled at Mount Qi, and the mad rebels are about to perish on the Wei River.

禕曰：“丞相之命，豈敢推辭？”孔明即修書付費禕去了。禕持書徑到建業，入見吳主孫權，呈上孔明之書。權拆視之，書略曰：“漢室不幸，王綱失紀，曹賊篡逆，蔓延及今。亮受昭烈皇帝寄託之重，敢不竭力盡忠：今大兵已會於祁山，狂寇將亡於渭水。

I humbly beg Your Majesty to remember the bond of our alliance and order your generals north on campaign, so that together we may take the Central Plains and share the empire between us. A letter cannot say all; I earnestly hope for Your Majesty’s gracious hearing!” When Sun Quan had read it, he was delighted and said to Fei Yi, “I have long wished to raise an army but have had no chance to join forces with Kongming. Now that his letter has come, I shall set out this very day on campaign in person, enter by the Juchao Gate and take the Wei city of Xincheng. I shall also order Lu Xun, Zhuge Jin and others to station troops at Jiangxia and Miankou and take Xiangyang, and Sun Shao, Zhang Cheng and others to lead troops out of Guangling and take Huaiyang and the places around it. The three armies will advance together, three hundred thousand in all, and set out on a fixed day.”

伏望陛下念同盟之義，命將北征，共取中原，同分天下。書不盡言，萬希聖聽！”權覽畢，大喜，乃謂費禕曰：“朕久欲興兵，未得會合孔明。今既有書到，即日朕自親征，入居巢門，取魏新城；再令陸遜、諸葛瑾等屯兵於江夏、沔口取襄陽；孫韶、張承等出兵廣陵取淮陽等處：三處一齊進軍，共三十萬，剋日興師。”

Fei Yi bowed his thanks and said, “If that is truly so, the Central Plains will fall of themselves before long!” Sun Quan gave a banquet in Fei Yi’s honour. During the feast Sun Quan asked, “In the Chancellor’s army, whom does he use to lead the way in breaking the enemy?” Fei Yi said, “Wei Yan is foremost.” Sun Quan laughed and said, “That man has courage to spare, but his heart is not upright. If one day Kongming were gone, he would surely bring disaster. Can it be that Kongming does not know this?” Fei Yi said, “Your Majesty’s words are entirely right!

費禕拜謝曰：“誠如此，則中原不日自破矣！”權設宴款待費禕。飲宴間，權問曰：“丞相軍前，用誰當先破敵？”禕曰：“魏延爲首。”權笑曰：“此人勇有餘，而心不正。若一朝無孔明，彼必爲禍。孔明豈未知耶？”禕曰：“陛下之言極當！

When I return, I shall tell Kongming what you have said.” He then took leave of Sun Quan and returned to Mount Qi, where he saw Kongming and told him in full how the Ruler of Wu was raising a great army of three hundred thousand, taking the field in person, and advancing along three routes. Kongming asked further, “Did the Ruler of Wu say anything else?” Fei Yi told him what Sun Quan had said about Wei Yan. Kongming sighed and said, “Truly an intelligent ruler! It is not that I do not know this man.

臣今歸去，即當以此言告孔明。”遂拜辭孫權，回到祁山，見了孔明，具言吳主起大兵三十萬，御駕親征，兵分三路而進。孔明又問曰：“吳主別有所言否？”費禕將論魏延之語告之。孔明嘆曰：“真聰明之主也！吾非不知此人。

I use him only because I value his courage.” Fei Yi said, “The Chancellor should deal with him early.” Kongming said, “I have my own way.” Fei Yi took leave of Kongming and returned to Chengdu.

爲惜其勇，故用之耳。”禕曰：“丞相早宜區處。”孔明曰：“吾自有法。”禕辭別孔明，自回成都。

Kongming was conferring with his generals about the advance when it was suddenly reported that a Wei general had come to surrender. Kongming called him in and questioned him. The man answered, “I am Zheng Wen, a Lieutenant General of the state of Wei. Lately I shared command of troops with Qin Lang under the orders of Sima Yi. But unexpectedly Sima Yi showed favouritism and promoted Qin Lang to General of the Front, while treating me like so much straw. I resented it, and so I have come expressly to surrender to the Chancellor.

孔明正與諸將商議徵進，忽報有魏將來投降。孔明喚入問之，答曰：“某乃魏國偏將軍鄭文也。近與秦朗同領人馬，聽司馬懿調用，不料懿徇私偏向，加秦朗爲前將軍，而視文如草芥，因此不平，特來投降丞相。

I beg you to accept me.” Before he had finished speaking, it was reported that Qin Lang had brought troops outside the camp and was challenging Zheng Wen alone to single combat. Kongming said, “How does this man compare with you in martial skill?” Zheng Wen said, “I will cut him down at once.” Kongming said, “If you kill Qin Lang first, then I will have no doubts about you.” Zheng Wen gladly mounted his horse and rode out of the camp to fight Qin Lang. Kongming came out of the camp in person to watch. Qin Lang levelled his spear and cursed loudly, “Traitor! You stole my war-horse and came here with it. Give it back to me now!”

願賜收錄。”言未已，人報秦朗引兵在寨外，單搦鄭文交戰。孔明曰：“此人武藝比汝若何？”鄭文曰：“某當立斬之。”孔明曰：“汝若先殺秦朗，吾方不疑。”鄭文欣然上馬出營，與秦朗交鋒。孔明親自出營視之。只見秦朗挺槍大罵曰：“反賊盜我戰馬來此，可早早還我！”

With that he made straight for Zheng Wen. Zheng Wen spurred his horse and met him, whirling his blade, and in a single bout cut Qin Lang down from his horse. The Wei troops all fled. Zheng Wen came back into the camp carrying the head. Kongming returned to his tent and took his seat, then summoned Zheng Wen. Flying into a great rage, he shouted to his attendants, “Take him out and behead him!” Zheng Wen said, “I have done nothing wrong!” Kongming said, “I have known Qin Lang for a long time. The man you have just killed is not Qin Lang at all.

言訖，直取鄭文。文拍馬舞刀相迎，只一合，斬秦朗於馬下。魏軍各自逃走。鄭文提首級入營。孔明回到帳中坐定，喚鄭文至，勃然大怒，叱左右：“推出斬之！”鄭文曰：“小將無罪！”孔明曰：“吾向識秦朗；汝今斬者，並非秦朗。

How dare you deceive me!” Zheng Wen bowed and confessed, “That was really Qin Lang’s younger brother, Qin Ming.” Kongming laughed and said, “Sima Yi sent you to surrender falsely so that you could work mischief from within. But how could you get that past me? If you do not tell the truth, I will certainly have you beheaded!” Zheng Wen had no choice but to confess that his surrender was indeed a ruse, and he wept and begged to be spared. Kongming said, “Since you want to live, write a letter inviting Sima Yi to come in person and raid our camp. Then I will spare your life.

安敢欺我！”文拜告曰：“此實秦朗之弟秦明也。”孔明笑曰：“司馬懿令汝來詐降，於中取事，卻如何瞞得我過！若不實說，必然斬汝！”鄭文只得訴告其實是詐降，泣求免死。孔明曰：“汝既求生，可修書一封，教司馬懿自來劫營，吾便饒汝性命。

If we capture Sima Yi, the credit will be yours, and I will even give you an important post.” Zheng Wen had no choice but to write a letter, which he presented to Kongming. Kongming had Zheng Wen put under guard. Fan Jian asked, “How did the Chancellor know that this man’s surrender was false?” Kongming said, “Sima Yi does not employ men lightly. If he had promoted Qin Lang to General of the Front, Qin Lang must have been a formidable fighter. Yet this man was killed by Zheng Wen in a single bout. So it could not have been Qin Lang.

若捉住司馬懿，便是汝之功，還當重用。”鄭文只得寫了一書，呈與孔明。孔明令將鄭文監下。樊建問曰：“丞相何以知此人詐降？”孔明曰：“司馬懿不輕用人。若加秦朗爲前將軍，必武藝高強；今與鄭文交馬只一合，便爲文所殺，必不是秦朗也。

That is how I knew it was a trick.” They all bowed in admiration. Kongming picked a soldier with a ready tongue and whispered instructions in his ear. The soldier received his orders, took the letter and went straight to the Wei camp to ask for an audience with Sima Yi. Sima Yi called him in, opened the letter and read it through, then asked, “Who are you?” The man answered, “I am from the Central Plains, but I drifted into Shu. Zheng Wen and I come from the same village. Now Kongming has made Zheng Wen his vanguard because of his merit.

以故知其詐。”衆皆拜服。孔明選一舌辯軍士，附耳分付如此如此。軍士領命，持書徑來魏寨，求見司馬懿。懿喚入，拆書看畢，問曰：“汝何人也？”答曰：“某乃中原人，流落蜀中：鄭文與某同鄉。今孔明因鄭文有功，用爲先鋒。

Zheng Wen has entrusted me especially with bringing you this letter. He proposes that tomorrow evening a fire be raised as the signal, and begs you, Commander, to bring your whole army to raid the camp, while he acts in support from within.” Sima Yi questioned him closely again and again, and examined the letter carefully as well; it proved to be genuine. He at once gave the soldier wine and food and instructed him: “The appointed time is the second watch today. I shall come in person to raid the camp. If the great deed succeeds, I will certainly give you an important post.”

鄭文特託某來獻書，約於明日晚間，舉火爲號，望乞都督盡提大軍前來劫寨，鄭文在內爲應。”司馬懿反覆詰問，又將來書仔細檢看，果然是實；即賜軍士酒食，分付曰：“本日二更爲期，我自來劫寨。大事若成，必重用汝。”

The soldier took his leave and returned to his own camp to report to Kongming. Kongming, sword in hand, paced the steps of the Dipper, and when he had finished his prayers he summoned Wang Ping and Zhang Ni and gave them certain instructions; then he summoned Ma Zhong and Ma Dai and gave them certain instructions; then he summoned Wei Yan and gave him certain instructions. Kongming himself, with a few dozen men, took his seat on top of a high hill to direct the troops. Meanwhile, when Sima Yi had read Zheng Wen’s letter, he wanted to take his two sons and a large army to raid the Shu camp.

軍士拜別，回到本寨告知孔明。孔明仗劍步罡，禱祝已畢，喚王平、張嶷分付如此如此；又喚馬忠、馬岱分付如此如此；又喚魏延分付如此如此。孔明自引數十人，坐於高山之上，指揮衆軍。卻說司馬懿見了鄭文之書，便欲引二子提大兵來劫蜀寨。

His eldest son, Sima Shi, remonstrated: “Father, why go in person into dangerous ground on the strength of a scrap of paper? If anything should go wrong, what then? Better to send another general ahead and follow in support yourself.” Sima Yi took his advice and ordered Qin Lang to lead ten thousand troops to raid the Shu camp, while he himself followed with troops in support. In the first watch that night the wind was clear and the moon bright, but toward the second watch dark clouds suddenly gathered from all sides and a black vapour filled the sky, so that men standing face to face could not see each other.

長子司馬師諫曰：“父親何故據片紙而親入重地？倘有疏虞，如之奈何？不如令別將先去，父親爲後應可也。”懿從之，遂令秦朗引一萬兵，去劫蜀寨，懿自引兵接應。是夜初更，風清月朗；將及二更時分，忽然陰雲四合，黑氣漫空，對面不見。

Sima Yi was delighted. “Heaven is granting me success!” So every man put a gag in his mouth and every horse was bridled tight, and they drove forward in a great advance. Qin Lang led the way, charging straight into the Shu camp with his ten thousand men, but there was not a soul to be seen. Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Qin Lang hastily called for a retreat. On all sides torches blazed up at once and shouts shook the earth: Wang Ping and Zhang Ni on the left and Ma Dai and Ma Zhong on the right came charging in with two columns. Qin Lang fought to the death but could not break out.

懿大喜曰：“天使我成功也！”於是人盡銜枚，馬皆勒口，長驅大進。秦朗當先，引萬兵直殺入蜀寨中，並不見一人。朗知中計，忙叫退兵。四下火把齊明，喊聲震地：左有王平、張嶷，右有馬岱、馬忠，兩路兵殺來。秦朗死戰，不能得出。

Behind them, Sima Yi saw the Shu camp ablaze to the sky and heard the shouting go on and on, but he did not know whether the Wei troops were winning or losing. He simply urged his troops on to support them and charged toward the firelight. Suddenly a great shout went up, drums and horns shook the sky and fire-cannon made the earth tremble: Wei Yan on the left and Jiang Wei on the right burst out with two columns. The Wei troops were utterly defeated; eight or nine in ten were wounded, and they scattered and fled in all directions. By this time the ten thousand men Qin Lang had led were all surrounded by the Shu troops, and arrows flew among them like swarms of locusts. Qin Lang died amid the confusion of battle. Sima Yi fled back into his own camp with his defeated troops.

背後司馬懿見蜀寨火光沖天，喊聲不絕，又不知魏兵勝負，只顧催兵接應，望火光中殺來。忽然一聲喊起，鼓角喧天，火炮震地：左有魏延，右有姜維，兩路殺出。魏兵大敗，十傷八九，四散逃奔。此時秦朗所引一萬兵，都被蜀兵圍住，箭如飛蝗。秦朗死於亂軍之中。司馬懿引敗兵奔入本寨。

After the third watch the sky cleared again. From the hilltop Kongming sounded the gongs to recall his troops. In fact, the darkness of the clouds at the second watch had been Kongming’s work, by the art of Dunjia; and when he had recalled his troops and the sky cleared again, it was because Kongming had sent the Six Ding and Six Jia spirits to sweep away the drifting clouds.

三更以後，天覆清朗。孔明在山頭上鳴金收軍。原來二更時陰雲暗黑，乃孔明用遁甲之法；後收兵已了，天覆清朗，乃孔明驅六丁六甲掃蕩浮雲也。

Kongming, having won the victory, returned to camp, had Zheng Wen beheaded, and once more discussed plans for taking the south of the Wei. Every day he sent troops to challenge the enemy, but the Wei army would not come out to meet them. Kongming rode out in person in a small carriage to survey the terrain in front of Mount Qi and to the east and west of the Wei River. Suddenly he came to the mouth of a valley shaped like a gourd, large enough inside to hold a thousand or more men. Two hills also joined to form a second valley, which could hold four or five hundred men. Behind, two hills enclosed it, leaving a passage only wide enough for one man on one horse.

當下孔明得勝回寨，命將鄭文斬了，再議取渭南之策。每日令兵搦戰，魏軍只不出迎。孔明自乘小車，來祁山前、渭水東西，踏看地理。忽到一谷口，見其形如葫蘆之狀，內中可容千餘人；兩山又合一谷，可容四五百人；背後兩山環抱，只可通一人一騎。

Kongming was delighted at the sight. He asked the guide, “What is the name of this place?” The guide answered, “It is called Shangfang Valley, and also Hulu Valley.” Kongming returned to his tent, summoned two junior generals, Du Rui and Hu Zhong, and whispered a secret plan to them. He had them gather more than a thousand craftsmen who were with the army and take them into Hulu Valley to build wooden oxen and gliding horses for use; he also ordered Ma Dai to guard the mouth of the valley with five hundred men.

孔明看了，心中大喜，問嚮導官曰：“此處是何地名？”答曰：“此名上方谷，又號葫蘆谷。”孔明回到帳中，喚裨將杜睿、胡忠二人，附耳授以密計。令喚集隨軍匠作一千餘人，入葫蘆谷中，製造木牛流馬應用；又令馬岱領五百兵守住谷口。

Kongming instructed Ma Dai: “The craftsmen are not to be let out, and no outsiders are to be let in. I will come myself from time to time to inspect the work. The plan for capturing Sima Yi rests entirely on this. On no account must any word leak out.” Ma Dai received his orders and went. Du Rui and his colleague supervised the craftsmen in the valley and had them build according to the method. Kongming came and went every day to give directions.

孔明囑馬岱曰：“匠作人等，不許放出；外人不許放入。吾還不時自來點視。捉司馬懿之計，只在此舉。切不可走漏消息。”馬岱受命而去。杜睿等二人在谷中監督匠作，依法制造。孔明每日往來指示。

One day the Chief Clerk Yang Yi came in and said, “All our grain is now at Jiange, and carrying it with porters, oxen and horses is difficult. What is to be done?” Kongming laughed and said, “I have been working out a plan for this for some time. With the timber we stored earlier and the great logs bought in Xichuan, I have had men build wooden oxen and gliding horses to carry the grain. They will be very convenient. These oxen and horses neither drink nor eat, so they can keep the transport going day and night without a break.”

忽一日，長史楊儀入告曰：“即今糧米皆在劍閣，人夫牛馬，搬運不便，如之奈何？”孔明笑曰：“吾已運謀多時也。前者所積木料，並西川收買下的大木，教人制造木牛流馬，搬運糧米，甚是便利。牛馬皆不水食，可以晝夜轉運不絕也。”

They were all astonished and said, “From ancient times until now, no one has ever heard of such things as wooden oxen and gliding horses. What marvellous method does the Chancellor have for making such wonders?” Kongming said, “I have already had men building them according to the method, but they are not yet finished. Let me first write out clearly the method for making wooden oxen and gliding horses, with all the measurements, the square and round parts, the lengths and the widths, for you to see.” They were all delighted. Kongming at once wrote it out on a sheet of paper in his own hand and handed it round for them to read.

衆皆驚曰：“自古及今，未聞有木牛流馬之事。不知丞相有何妙法，造此奇物？”孔明曰：“吾已令人依法制造，尚未完備。吾今先將造木牛流馬之法，尺寸方圓，長短闊狹，開寫明白，汝等視之。”衆大喜。孔明即手書一紙，付衆觀看。

The generals gathered round to look. The method for making the wooden ox read: “A square belly and a curved head; one leg and four feet. The head goes into the neck, and the tongue is attached to the belly. It carries much but travels little: alone it goes several tens of li, in a group twenty li. The curved part is the ox’s head; the paired parts are its legs; the crosswise part is its neck; the turning parts are its feet; the covering part is its back; the square part is its belly; the hanging part is its tongue; the curved parts are its ribs; the notched parts are its teeth; the upright parts are its horns; the thin parts are its halter; the gripping parts are its crupper axle.

衆將環繞而視。造木牛之法雲：“方腹曲頭，一腳四足；頭入領中，舌着於腹。載多而行少：獨行者數十里，羣行者二十里。曲者爲牛頭，雙者爲牛腳，橫者爲牛領，轉者爲牛足，覆者爲牛背，方者爲牛腹，垂者爲牛舌，曲者爲牛肋，刻者爲牛齒，立者爲牛角，細者爲牛鞅，攝者爲牛鞦軸。

The ox raises its twin shafts; when a man walks six chi, the ox walks four paces. Each ox carries a month’s grain for ten men. The men do not toil greatly, and the ox neither drinks nor eats.” The method for making the gliding horse read: “The ribs are three chi five cun long, three cun wide and two cun two fen thick, the same on left and right. The front axle hole is four cun from the head by the marking line, and two cun in diameter. The front leg hole is two cun by the marking line, four cun five fen from the front axle hole, and one cun wide.

牛仰雙轅，人行六尺，牛行四步。每牛載十人所食一月之糧，人不大勞，牛不飲食。”造流馬之法雲：“肋長三尺五寸，廣三寸，厚二寸二分：左右同。前軸孔分墨去頭四寸，徑中二寸。前腳孔分墨二寸，去前軸孔四寸五分，廣一寸。

The front crossbar hole is two cun seven fen from the front leg hole by the marking line; the hole is two cun long and one cun wide. The rear axle hole is one chi five fen from the front crossbar by the marking line, and the same size as the front one. The rear leg hole is three cun five fen from the rear axle hole by the marking line, and the same size as the front one. The rear crossbar hole is two cun seven fen from the rear leg hole by the marking line, and the rear load bracket is four cun five fen from the rear crossbar hole by the marking line.

前槓孔去前腳孔分墨二寸七分，孔長二寸，廣一寸。後軸孔去前槓分墨一尺五分，大小與前同。後腳孔分墨去後軸孔三寸五分，大小與前同。後槓孔去後腳孔分墨二寸七分，後載克去後槓孔分墨四寸五分。

The front crossbar is one chi eight cun long, two cun wide and one cun five fen thick. The rear crossbar is the same. There are two square boxes of board, eight fen thick, two chi seven cun long, one chi six cun five fen high and one chi six cun wide; each holds two hu three dou of grain. From the upper crossbar holes to below the ribs is seven cun, the same front and back. The upper crossbar holes are one chi three cun from the lower crossbar holes by the marking line; each hole is one cun five fen long and seven fen wide, and all eight holes are the same.

前槓長一尺八寸，廣二寸，厚一寸五分。後槓與等。板方囊二枚，厚八分，長二尺七寸，高一尺六寸五分，廣一尺六寸：每枚受米二斛三鬥。從上槓孔去肋下七寸：前後同。上槓孔去下槓孔分墨一尺三寸，孔長一寸五分，廣七分：八孔同。

The four legs, front and back, are two cun wide and one cun five fen thick. In shape it is like an elephant; the leather pieces are four cun long and four cun three fen across the face. The three leg bars through the holes are two chi one cun long, one cun five fen wide and one cun four fen thick, the same as the crossbars.” The generals read it through and all bowed to the ground, saying, “The Chancellor is truly a divine being!”

前後四腳廣二寸，厚一寸五分。形制如象，靬長四寸，徑面四寸三分。孔徑中三腳槓，長二尺一寸，廣一寸五分，厚一寸四分，同槓耳。”衆將看了一遍，皆拜伏曰：“丞相真神人也！”

After a few days the wooden oxen and gliding horses were all finished, looking exactly as though they were alive. Up hills and down ridges they went with the greatest ease. There was not a soldier who saw them but was delighted. Kongming ordered Gao Xiang, General of the Right, to take a thousand men and drive the wooden oxen and gliding horses from Jiange straight to the main camp at Mount Qi, going back and forth carrying grain and fodder to supply the Shu troops.

過了數日，木牛流馬皆造完備，宛然如活者一般；上山下嶺，各盡其便。衆軍見之，無不欣喜。孔明令右將軍高翔，引一千兵駕着木牛流馬，自劍閣直抵祁山大寨，往來搬運糧草，供給蜀兵之用。

A later poet wrote in praise:
Over the steep heights of Jian Pass he drove the gliding horses;
Along the rugged Xie Valley he harnessed the wooden oxen.
If later ages could only use this method,
How could the carrying of supplies ever trouble men?

後人有詩讚曰：“劍關險峻驅流馬，斜谷崎嶇駕木牛。
後世若能行此法，輸將安得使人愁？
”

Meanwhile Sima Yi was sitting gloomy and troubled when a mounted scout suddenly reported: “The Shu troops are using wooden oxen and gliding horses to carry their grain and fodder. The men do not toil greatly, and the oxen and horses do not eat.” Sima Yi was greatly alarmed and said, “The reason I have held firm and not come out is that their grain and fodder cannot keep up, and I wanted to wait for them to collapse of their own accord. If they are using this method now, they must be planning for a long stay, and they will have no thought of withdrawing. What is to be done?” He hastily summoned Zhang Hu and Yue Chen and instructed them: “You two, each take five hundred men and go round by the byroads of the Xie Valley. Wait for the Shu troops to drive the wooden oxen and gliding horses past; let them all go by, then charge out together. Do not try to take many: take just three or five and come straight back.”

卻說司馬懿正憂悶間，忽哨馬報說：“蜀兵用木牛流馬轉運糧草。人不大勞，牛馬不食。”懿大驚曰：“吾所以堅守不出者，爲彼糧草不能接濟，欲待其自斃耳。今用此法，必爲久遠之計，不思退矣。如之奈何？”急喚張虎、樂綝二人分付曰：“汝二人各引五百軍，從斜谷小路抄出；待蜀兵驅過木牛流馬，任他過盡，一齊殺出；不可多搶，只搶三五匹便回。”

The two of them followed their orders. Each took five hundred men disguised as Shu troops, slipped along the byroads by night and lay in ambush in the valley. Sure enough, they saw Gao Xiang coming with his troops, driving the wooden oxen and gliding horses. When the train had almost passed, they charged out together from both sides with a great beating of drums and shouting. Taken by surprise, the Shu troops abandoned several of the machines, and Zhang Hu and Yue Chen joyfully drove them back to their own camp. Sima Yi looked them over and found that they did indeed go forward and back as if alive. He was delighted and said, “If you can use this method, do you think I cannot?”

二人依令，各引五百軍，扮作蜀兵，夜間偷過小路，伏在谷中，果見高翔引兵驅木牛流馬而來。將次過盡，兩邊一齊鼓譟殺出。蜀兵措手不及，棄下數匹，張虎、樂綝歡喜，驅回本寨。司馬懿看了，果然進退如活的一般，乃大喜曰：“汝會用此法，難道我不會用！”

He at once had a hundred or more skilled craftsmen take them apart before his eyes, and instructed them to build wooden oxen and gliding horses exactly alike, following their measurements of length and thickness. In less than half a month they had built more than two thousand, made on the same principles as Kongming’s, which could also run. He then ordered Cen Wei, General Who Guards Distant Lands, to take a thousand troops and drive the wooden oxen and gliding horses to Longxi to carry grain and fodder, and they went back and forth without cease. There was no one in the Wei camp, officer or soldier, who was not delighted.

便令巧匠百餘人，當面拆開，分付依其尺寸長短厚薄之法，一樣製造木牛流馬。不消半月，造成二千餘隻，與孔明所造者一般法則，亦能奔走。遂令鎮遠將軍岑威，引一千軍驅駕木牛流馬，去隴西搬運糧草，往來不絕。魏營軍將，無不歡喜。

Meanwhile Gao Xiang came back to Kongming and reported that the Wei troops had seized five or six each of the wooden oxen and gliding horses. Kongming laughed and said, “I wanted them to take them. I have spent only a few wooden oxen and gliding horses, but before long our army will gain a great deal of help from it.” The generals asked, “How does the Chancellor know this?” Kongming said, “When Sima Yi sees the wooden oxen and gliding horses, he is sure to copy my method and build them in the same way.

卻說高翔回見孔明，說魏兵搶奪木牛流馬各五六匹去了。孔明笑曰：“吾正要他搶去。我只費了幾匹木牛流馬，卻不久便得軍中許多資助也。”諸將問曰：“丞相何以知之？”孔明曰：“司馬懿見了木牛流馬，必然仿我法度，一樣製造。

At that point I shall have another plan.” A few days later it was reported that the Wei troops had also learned to build wooden oxen and gliding horses and were using them to carry grain and fodder to Longxi. Kongming was delighted. “Just as I reckoned.” He summoned Wang Ping and instructed him: “Take a thousand men disguised as men of Wei and slip past Beiyuan by night, saying only that you are a patrol for the grain transport. Go straight to where the grain is being moved, kill or scatter all the escorts, then drive the wooden oxen and gliding horses back and hurry straight across Beiyuan. There the Wei troops are sure to pursue you. Then twist round the tongues inside the mouths of the wooden oxen and gliding horses, and they will not be able to move. Abandon them and run. When the Wei troops come up behind, they will be unable to drag them along or carry them off.

那時我又有計策。”數日後，人報魏兵也會造木牛流馬，往隴西搬運糧草。孔明大喜曰：“不出吾之算也。”便喚王平分付曰：“汝引一千兵，扮作魏人，星夜偷過北原，只說是巡糧軍，徑到運糧之所，將護糧之人盡皆殺散；卻驅木牛流馬而回，徑奔過北原來：此處必有魏兵追趕，汝便將木牛流馬口內舌頭扭轉，牛馬就不能行動，汝等竟棄之而走，背後魏兵趕到，牽拽不動，打抬不去。

Then more of my troops will arrive, and you will turn back, twist the tongues of the oxen and horses round again, and drive them off at full speed. The Wei troops are sure to think it the work of some evil spirit!” Wang Ping received the plan and set off with his troops.

吾再有兵到，汝卻回身再將牛馬舌扭過來，長驅大行。魏兵必疑爲怪也！”王平受計引兵而去。

Kongming then summoned Zhang Ni and instructed him: “Take five hundred men and disguise them all as the divine soldiers of the Six Ding and Six Jia, with demons’ heads and beasts’ bodies, their faces painted in five colours, got up in all sorts of weird shapes. Each is to hold an embroidered banner in one hand and a fine sword in the other, and carry a gourd on his body with smoke and fire makings hidden inside. Lie in ambush beside the hills. When the wooden oxen and gliding horses come, set off the smoke and fire, rush out all together and drive the oxen and horses away.

孔明又喚張嶷分付曰：“汝引五百軍，都扮作六丁六甲神兵，鬼頭獸身，用五彩塗面，妝作種種怪異之狀；一手執繡旗，一手仗寶劍；身掛葫蘆，內藏煙火之物，伏于山傍。待木牛流馬到時，放起煙火，一齊擁出，驅牛馬而行。

When the men of Wei see you, they will surely take you for gods or ghosts and will not dare pursue.” Zhang Ni received the plan and set off with his troops. Kongming then summoned Wei Yan and Jiang Wei and instructed them: “You two, take ten thousand men together to the entrance of the Beiyuan camp to receive the wooden oxen and gliding horses and be ready for battle.” He then summoned Liao Hua and Zhang Yi and instructed them: “You two, take five thousand men and cut off Sima Yi’s line of approach.” He then summoned Ma Zhong and Ma Dai and instructed them: “You two, take two thousand men south of the Wei and challenge the enemy to battle.” The six of them each went off as ordered.

魏人見之，必疑是神鬼，不敢來追趕。”張嶷受計引兵而去。孔明又喚魏延、姜維分付曰：“汝二人同引一萬兵，去北原寨口接應木牛流馬，以防交戰。”又喚廖化、張翼分付曰：“汝二人引五千兵，去斷司馬懿來路。”又喚馬忠、馬岱分付曰：“汝二人引二千兵去渭南搦戰。”六人各各遵令而去。

Meanwhile the Wei general Cen Wei was leading his troops, driving the wooden oxen and gliding horses loaded with grain. On the way it was suddenly reported that there were troops ahead patrolling for the grain convoy. Cen Wei sent men to scout, and they were indeed Wei troops, so he advanced without worry. The two forces joined together. Suddenly a great shout went up, and the Shu troops began killing right in the midst of the column, crying, “The great general of Shu, Wang Ping, is here!” Taken by surprise, the Wei troops were cut down by the Shu troops, more than half of them killed.

且說魏將岑威引軍驅木牛流馬，裝載糧米，正行之間，忽報前面有兵巡糧。岑威令人哨探，果是魏兵，遂放心前進。兩軍合在一處。忽然喊聲大震，蜀兵就本隊裏殺起，大呼：“蜀中大將王平在此！”魏兵措手不及，被蜀兵殺死大半。

Cen Wei led his defeated men to resist, but Wang Ping cut him down with one stroke, and the rest all broke and scattered. Wang Ping drove off all the wooden oxen and gliding horses with his troops. The defeated soldiers raced to Beiyuan to report inside the camp. When Guo Huai heard that the army’s grain had been seized, he hurriedly led troops to the rescue. Wang Ping had his troops twist the tongues of the wooden oxen and gliding horses round, abandoned them all on the road, and retreated fighting. Guo Huai ordered his men not to pursue for the time being, but only to drive the wooden oxen and gliding horses back.

岑威引敗兵抵敵，被王平一刀斬了，餘皆潰散。王平引兵盡驅木牛流馬而回。敗兵飛奔報入北原寨內。郭淮聞軍糧被劫，疾忙引軍來救。王平令兵扭轉木牛流馬舌頭，皆棄於道上，且戰且走。郭淮教且莫追，只驅回木牛流馬。

All the soldiers drove them together, but how could they make them move? Guo Huai was puzzled and at a loss what to do, when suddenly drums and horns shook the sky, shouts rose on every side, and two columns of troops came charging in: Wei Yan and Jiang Wei. Wang Ping too turned back with his troops and attacked. Assailed from three sides, Guo Huai was utterly defeated and fled. Wang Ping had his soldiers twist the tongues of the oxen and horses back again and drove them on. Guo Huai saw this from a distance and was about to turn his troops round to pursue again, when he saw smoke and clouds suddenly rise from behind the hills and a band of divine soldiers surge out, each one holding a banner and a sword, weird in shape, driving the wooden oxen and gliding horses away like a rushing wind.

衆軍一齊驅趕，卻那裏驅得動？郭淮心中疑惑，正無奈何，忽鼓角喧天，喊聲四起，兩路兵殺來，乃魏延、姜維也。王平復引兵殺回。三路夾攻，郭淮大敗而走。王平令軍士將牛馬舌頭，重複扭轉，驅趕而行。郭淮望見，方欲回兵再追，只見山後煙雲突起，一隊神兵擁出，一個個手執旗劍，怪異之狀，驅駕木牛流馬如風擁而去。

Guo Huai was terrified. “The gods must be helping them!” The soldiers, seeing it, were all struck with awe and fear and did not dare pursue. Meanwhile, when Sima Yi heard that the troops at Beiyuan had been defeated, he hurried out in person with an army to the rescue. He had got only halfway when a signal gun boomed and two columns of troops burst out from the steep places, their shouts shaking the earth. On their banners was written large: “Han Generals Zhang Yi and Liao Hua.” Sima Yi was greatly alarmed at the sight. The Wei army panicked and every man fled for himself.

郭淮大驚曰：“此必神助也！”衆軍見了，無不驚畏，不敢追趕。卻說司馬懿聞北原兵敗，急自引軍來救。方到半路，忽一聲炮響，兩路兵自險峻處殺出，喊聲震地。旗上大書漢將張翼、廖化。司馬懿見了大驚。魏軍着慌，各自逃竄。

Indeed:
On the road he met divine generals and his grain was seized;
In person he met surprise troops and his life was again in peril.
What happened to Sima Yi will be told in the next chapter.

正是：路逢神將糧遭劫，身遇奇兵命又危。
未知司馬懿怎地抵敵，且看下文分解。