Romance, Chapter 115

Chapter 115. Believing Slander, the Latter Ruler Recalls the Army by Edict; Under Pretext of Military Farming, Jiang Wei Escapes Disaster

Now in the tenth month, in winter, of the fifth year of Jingyao of Shu Han, the Grand General Jiang Wei sent men to repair the plank roads through the night, put the army’s grain and weapons in order, and also gathered boats on the waterways of Hanzhong. When all was ready, he sent up a memorial to the Latter Ruler, saying, “Though I have taken the field many times without achieving any great success, I have already shaken the courage of the men of Wei. Now the troops have been resting a long time. If they do not fight they will grow slack, and slackness breeds sickness. Moreover, the soldiers are now ready to die, and the generals are eager to give their all.

卻說蜀漢景耀五年，冬十月，大將軍姜維，差人連夜修了棧道，整頓軍糧兵器，又於漢中水路調撥船隻。俱已完備，上表奏後主曰：“臣累出戰，雖未成大功，已挫動魏人心膽。今養兵日久，不戰則懶，懶則致病。況今軍思效死，將思用命。

If I fail to win, let me suffer the penalty of death.” The Latter Ruler read the memorial but hesitated and could not decide. Qiao Zhou stepped out from the ranks and said, “Observing the heavens by night, I saw that in the region of the sky that corresponds to Western Shu the general’s star was dim and without light. Now the Grand General wants to take the field again, and this expedition will be most unfavourable. Your Majesty should issue an edict to stop it.” The Latter Ruler said, “Let us see first how this expedition goes. If it really does fail, then we can stop him.” Qiao Zhou remonstrated earnestly again and again, but in vain. He went home sighing endlessly, and then pleaded illness and stayed away from court.

臣如不勝，當受死罪。”後主覽表，猶豫未決。譙周出班奏曰：“臣夜觀天文，見西蜀分野，將星暗而不明。今大將軍又欲出師，此行甚是不利。陛下可降詔止之。”後主曰：“且看此行若何。果然有失，卻當阻之。”譙周再三苦諫不從，乃歸家嘆息不已，遂推病不出。

Now as he was about to raise his army, Jiang Wei asked Liao Hua, “I am now taking the field, sworn to recover the Central Plains. Where should I strike first?” Liao Hua said, “Year after year we have campaigned, and neither the army nor the people have had any peace. Besides, Wei has Deng Ai, a man of great wisdom and many schemes, no ordinary opponent. You, General, insist on attempting what is hard to do; that is why I dare not presume to give you an answer.” Jiang Wei flushed with anger and said, “Long ago the Chancellor went out to Mount Qi six times, and that too was for the sake of the state.

卻說姜維臨興兵，乃問廖化曰：“吾今出師，誓欲恢復中原，當先取何處？”化曰：“連年征伐，軍民不寧；兼魏有鄧艾，足智多謀，非等閒之輩：將軍強欲行難爲之事，此化所以未敢專也。”維勃然大怒曰：“昔丞相六出祁山，亦爲國也。

This is my eighth campaign against Wei; how could it be for any private gain of my own? We must first take Taoyang. Anyone who opposes me will be beheaded!” So he left Liao Hua to guard Hanzhong and himself, with the other generals, led an army of three hundred thousand straight toward Taoyang. Someone at the mouth of the valleys leading into Shu had already brought word into the camp at Mount Qi. Deng Ai was just then discussing military matters with Sima Wang. When he heard the news he sent men out to scout, and they came back to report that the Shu troops were all heading out toward Taoyang.

吾今八次伐魏，豈爲一己之私哉？今當先取洮陽。如有逆吾者必斬！”遂留廖化守漢中，自同諸將提兵三十萬，徑取洮陽而來。早有川口人報入祁山寨中。時鄧艾正與司馬望談兵，聞知此信，遂令人哨探。回報蜀兵盡從洮陽而出。

Sima Wang said, “Jiang Wei is full of tricks. Isn’t he only pretending to go for Taoyang, while he is really coming to take Mount Qi?” Deng Ai said, “This time Jiang Wei really is heading for Taoyang.” “How do you know that?” asked Sima Wang. Deng Ai said, “In the past Jiang Wei has always come out against the places where we had grain. Now there is no grain at Taoyang, so he is sure to reckon that we will guard only Mount Qi and not Taoyang, and that is why he is heading straight for Taoyang. If he takes that city, he means to store grain and fodder there and join with the Qiang, as a plan for the long term.”

司馬望曰：“姜維多計，莫非虛取洮陽而實來取祁山乎？”鄧艾曰：“今姜維實出洮陽也。”望曰：“公何以知之？”艾曰：“曏者姜維累出吾有糧之地，今洮陽無糧，維必料吾只守祁山，不守洮陽，故徑取洮陽；如得此城，屯糧積草，結連羌人，以圖久計耳。”

“In that case, what should we do?” asked Sima Wang. Deng Ai said, “We should withdraw all our troops from here and divide them into two columns to go to the rescue of Taoyang. Twenty-five li from Taoyang there is a small town called Houhe, which commands the throat of Taoyang. You lead one force and lie in ambush at Taoyang: lower the banners, silence the drums, throw the four gates wide open, and do thus and thus. I will lead another force and lie in ambush at Houhe. We are sure to win a great victory.” When the plan was settled, each went off to carry it out. Only the junior general Shi Zuan was left to guard the camp at Mount Qi.

望曰：“若此，如之奈何？”艾曰：“可盡撤此處之兵，分爲兩路去救洮陽。離洮陽二十五里，有侯河小城，乃洮陽咽喉之地。公引一軍伏於洮陽，偃旗息鼓，大開四門，如此如此而行；我卻引一軍伏侯河，必獲大勝也。”籌畫已定，各各依計而行。只留偏將師纂守祁山寨。

Now Jiang Wei made Xiahou Ba his vanguard and sent him ahead with a force to go straight for Taoyang. Xiahou Ba led his troops forward, and as he drew near Taoyang he saw that there was not a single banner on the walls, and all four gates stood wide open. He was suspicious and did not dare enter the city. Turning to his officers, he said, “Could this be a trick?” The officers said, “Anyone can see it is an empty city. There were only a few common folk here, and when they heard that the Grand General’s army was coming, they all abandoned the city and fled.”

卻說姜維令夏侯霸爲前部，先引一軍徑取洮陽。霸提兵前進，將近洮陽，望見城上並無一杆旌旗，四門大開。霸心下疑惑，未敢入城，回顧諸將曰：“莫非詐乎？”諸將曰：“眼見得是空城，只有些小百姓，聽知大將軍兵到，盡棄城而走了。”

Xiahou Ba was not convinced, and he rode round to the south of the city himself to look. He saw countless old people and children behind the city, all fleeing toward the north-west. Delighted, he said, “It really is an empty city.” He charged in at the head of his men, and the rest followed him in. They had just reached the barbican when suddenly a bombard sounded, drums and horns rang out together on the walls, banners sprang up everywhere, and the drawbridge was hauled up. “I have fallen into a trap!” cried Xiahou Ba in alarm. As he hurried to retreat, arrows and stones came down from the walls like rain.

霸未信，自縱馬於城南視之，只見城後老小無數，皆望西北而逃。霸大喜曰：“果空城也。”遂當先殺入，餘衆隨後而進。方到甕城邊，忽然一聲炮響，城上鼓角齊鳴，旌旗遍豎，拽起吊橋。霸大驚曰：“誤中計矣！”慌欲退時，城上矢石如雨。

Alas, Xiahou Ba and five hundred of his men all died beneath the walls.

可憐夏侯霸同五百軍，皆死於城下。

A later poet lamented:
Bold Jiang Wei was long in clever schemes,
But who knew Deng Ai was secretly on guard?
Alas for Xiahou Ba, who had gone over to Han:
In a moment he died beneath the arrows by the wall. Sima Wang then charged out from inside the city, and the Shu troops were badly beaten and fled. Soon after, Jiang Wei arrived with a relief force, drove Sima Wang back, and pitched camp beside the city. When he heard that Xiahou Ba had been shot dead, he grieved without end.

後人有詩嘆曰：“大膽姜維妙算長，誰知鄧艾暗提防。
可憐投漢夏侯霸，頃刻城邊箭下亡。
”司馬望從城內殺出，蜀兵大敗而逃。
隨後姜維引接應兵到，殺退司馬望，就傍城下寨。
維聞夏侯霸射死，嗟傷不已。

That night, in the second watch, Deng Ai secretly led a force out of the town of Houhe and stole into the Shu camp. The Shu troops were thrown into confusion, and Jiang Wei could not hold them. On the walls drums and horns shook the sky, and Sima Wang came charging out with his troops. Caught between the two attacks, the Shu army was badly defeated. Jiang Wei dashed left and right, fought desperately and broke free, and fell back more than twenty li to make camp. After being routed twice, the Shu troops were shaken.

是夜二更，鄧艾自侯河城內，暗引一軍潛地殺入蜀寨。蜀兵大亂，姜維禁止不住。城上鼓角喧天，司馬望引兵殺出。兩下夾攻，蜀兵大敗。維左衝右突，死戰得脫，退二十餘里下寨。蜀兵兩番敗走之後，心中搖動。

Jiang Wei said to his generals, “Victory and defeat are common in war. Though we have lost men and officers, it is nothing to be troubled about. Success or failure hangs on this one venture; you must hold firm from beginning to end. Anyone who speaks of retreat will be beheaded on the spot.” Zhang Yi came forward and said, “The Wei troops are all here, so Mount Qi must be undefended. You, General, should put the army in order and engage Deng Ai, attacking Taoyang and Houhe, while I lead a force to take Mount Qi.

維與衆將曰：“勝敗乃兵家之常，今雖損兵折將，不足爲憂。成敗之事，在此一舉，汝等始終勿改。如有言退者立斬。”張翼進言曰：“魏兵皆在此處，祁山必然空虛。將軍整兵與鄧艾交鋒，攻打洮陽、侯河；某引一軍取祁山。

Once I have taken the nine camps at Mount Qi, I will drive the army on toward Changan. That is the best plan.” Jiang Wei agreed, and at once ordered Zhang Yi to lead the rear army straight to take Mount Qi.

取了祁山九寨，便驅兵向長安。此爲上計。”維從之，即令張翼引後軍徑取祁山。

Jiang Wei himself led his troops to Houhe and challenged Deng Ai to battle. Deng Ai led his army out to meet him. The two armies drew up facing each other, and the two men fought several dozen bouts without either getting the better, and each withdrew to his camp. The next day Jiang Wei again led his troops out to offer battle, but Deng Ai kept his men in and would not come out. Jiang Wei had his soldiers hurl abuse at him. Deng Ai thought it over and said, “The men of Shu took a heavy beating from me, yet they have not retreated at all; instead they come every day to challenge me. They must have sent part of their army to raid the camp at Mount Qi.

維自引兵到侯河搦鄧艾交戰。艾引軍出迎。兩軍對圓，二人交鋒數十餘合，不分勝負，各收兵回寨。次日，姜維又引兵挑戰，鄧艾按兵不出。姜維令軍辱罵。鄧艾尋思曰：“蜀人被吾大殺一陣，全然不退，連日反來搦戰：必分兵去襲祁山寨也。

Shi Zuan, the general guarding the camp, has few troops and little wit; he is sure to be beaten. I must go to his rescue myself.” He called his son Deng Zhong and instructed him, “Guard this place carefully. However much they challenge you, do not go out rashly. Tonight I will lead troops to Mount Qi to relieve the camp.”

守寨將師纂，兵少智寡，必然敗矣。吾當親往救之。”乃喚子鄧忠分付曰：“汝用心守把此處，任他搦戰，卻勿輕出。吾今夜引兵去祁山救應。”

That night, in the second watch, Jiang Wei was in his camp making plans when suddenly he heard shouting outside that shook the earth, and drums and horns that rent the sky. Someone reported that Deng Ai had come with three thousand picked troops for a night attack. The generals wanted to go out, but Jiang Wei stopped them, saying, “Make no rash move.” In fact Deng Ai had led his troops up to the front of the Shu camp to scout it out once, and then had seized the moment to go to the relief of Mount Qi, while Deng Zhong went into the city on his own. Jiang Wei called his generals and said, “Deng Ai is only feigning a night attack. He must have gone to relieve the camp at Mount Qi.”

是夜二更，姜維正在寨中設計，忽聽得寨外喊聲震地，鼓角喧天，人報鄧艾引三千精兵夜戰。諸將欲出，維止之曰：“勿得妄動。”原來鄧艾引兵至蜀寨前哨探了一遍，乘勢去救祁山，鄧忠自入城去了。姜維喚諸將曰：“鄧艾虛作夜戰之勢，必然去救祁山寨矣。”

He called Fu Qian and instructed him, “Guard this camp, and do not engage the enemy rashly.” When he had given his orders, Jiang Wei himself led three thousand troops to help Zhang Yi.

乃喚傅僉分付曰：“汝守此寨，勿輕與敵。”囑畢，維自引三千兵來助張翼。

Now Zhang Yi had just reached Mount Qi and begun his attack. Shi Zuan, the general guarding the camp, had too few troops and could not hold out. The camp was on the point of falling when suddenly Deng Ai’s army arrived and charged in. The Shu troops were badly beaten, and Zhang Yi was cut off behind the hill with his road back blocked. Just as he was in despair, he suddenly heard a great roar of shouting, with drums and horns that shook the sky, and saw the Wei troops falling back in disorder. Those around him reported, “The Grand General Jiang Boyue has come!”

卻說張翼正到祁山攻打，守寨將師纂兵少，支持不住。看看待破，忽然鄧艾兵至，衝殺了一陣，蜀兵大敗，把張翼隔在山後，絕了歸路。正慌急之間，忽聽的喊聲大震，鼓角喧天，只見魏兵紛紛倒退。左右報曰：“大將軍姜伯約殺到！”

Zhang Yi seized the moment and drove his troops forward to join him. Attacked from both sides, Deng Ai suffered a defeat and hurriedly retreated up into the camp at Mount Qi, and would not come out. Jiang Wei ordered his troops to surround it and attack from all four sides. Our story now divides in two. Meanwhile, in Chengdu, the Latter Ruler listened to and believed the words of the eunuch Huang Hao. He was also sunk in wine and women and paid no attention to the affairs of state. At that time the wife of the high minister Liu Yan, Lady Hu, was a woman of great beauty. She went into the palace to pay her respects to the Empress, and the Empress kept her there; only after a month did she come out.

翼乘勢驅兵相應。兩下夾攻，鄧艾折了一陣，急退上祁山寨不出。姜維令兵四面攻圍。話分兩頭。卻說後主在成都，聽信宦官黃皓之言，又溺於酒色，不理朝政。時有大臣劉琰妻胡氏，極有顏色；因入宮朝見皇后，後留在宮中，一月方出。

Liu Yan suspected his wife of having an affair with the Latter Ruler. He called five hundred soldiers from under his command, lined them up in front of him, had his wife bound, and ordered the soldiers to beat her in the face with their shoes dozens of times; she nearly died and then revived. When the Latter Ruler heard of it he was furious and ordered the authorities to determine Liu Yan’s crime. The authorities ruled: “Soldiers are not the ones to beat a wife, and the face is not the place to inflict punishment. He deserves to be executed in the marketplace.” So Liu Yan was beheaded. From then on, ladies of rank were not allowed to come to court.

琰疑其妻與後主私通，乃喚帳下軍士五百人，列於前，將妻綁縛，令軍以履撻其面數十，幾死復甦。後主聞之大怒，令有司議劉琰罪。有司議得：“卒非撻妻之人，面非受刑之地：合當棄市。”遂斬劉琰。自此命婦不許入朝。

But many of the officials of the day, seeing the Latter Ruler’s debauchery, grew suspicious and resentful. So worthy men gradually withdrew, and petty men advanced day by day. At that time Yan Yu, General of the Right, had not a shred of merit to his name, but simply by fawning on Huang Hao he had won high rank. When he heard that Jiang Wei was at Mount Qi in command of the army, he persuaded Huang Hao to say to the Latter Ruler, “Jiang Wei has fought time and again without success. You should order Yan Yu to replace him.” The Latter Ruler followed this advice and sent a messenger with an edict recalling Jiang Wei.

然一時官僚以後主荒淫，多有疑怨者。於是賢人漸退，小人日進。時右將軍閻宇，身無寸功，只因阿附黃皓，遂得重爵；聞姜維統兵在祁山，乃說皓奏後主曰：“姜維屢戰無功，可命閻宇代之。”後主從其言，遣使齎詔，召回姜維。

Jiang Wei was in the middle of attacking the stockades at Mount Qi when suddenly, in a single day, three edicts arrived ordering him to withdraw the army. He had no choice but to obey. First he ordered the troops at Taoyang to withdraw, and then he and Zhang Yi slowly fell back. In his camp Deng Ai heard drums and horns shaking the sky all night long, and did not know what it meant. At dawn someone reported that the Shu troops had all gone, leaving only empty camps. Suspecting a ruse, Deng Ai did not dare pursue. Jiang Wei went straight to Hanzhong, where he rested his men and horses, and then went with the envoy into Chengdu to see the Latter Ruler.

維正在祁山攻打寨柵，忽一日三道詔至，宣維班師。維只得遵命，先令洮陽兵退，次後與張翼徐徐而退。鄧艾在寨中，只聽得一夜鼓角喧天，不知何意。至平明，人報蜀兵盡退，止留空寨。艾疑有計，不敢追襲。姜維徑到漢中，歇住人馬，自與使命入成都見後主。

For ten days in a row the Latter Ruler did not hold court. Jiang Wei was puzzled. That day, at the Donghua Gate, he met the Secretary Xi Zheng. Jiang Wei asked him, “The Son of Heaven has recalled me with my army. Do you know why?” Xi Zheng laughed and said, “How is it that you still do not know, Grand General? Huang Hao wanted Yan Yu to win some merit, so he spoke to the court and had an edict issued to recall you. But now he has heard that Deng Ai is very skilled in war, and so the matter has been dropped.”

後主一連十日不朝。維心中疑惑。是日至東華門，遇見祕書郎郤正。維問曰：“天子召維班師，公知其故否？”正笑曰：“大將軍何尚不知？黃皓欲使閻宇立功，奏聞朝廷，發詔取回將軍。今聞鄧艾善能用兵，因此寢其事矣。”

Jiang Wei said in a rage, “I will kill that eunuch wretch!” Xi Zheng stopped him, saying, “Grand General, you have taken up the work of the Martial Marquis; your charge is great and your office weighty. How can you act rashly? If the Son of Heaven will not tolerate it, things will only turn out worse.” Jiang Wei thanked him and said, “You are right, sir.” The next day, while the Latter Ruler was feasting and drinking with Huang Hao in the rear garden, Jiang Wei went straight in with a few men. Someone had already warned Huang Hao, and he hurriedly hid beside the rockery by the lake.

維大怒曰：“我必殺此宦豎！”郤正止之曰：“大將軍繼武侯之事，任大職重，豈可造次？倘若天子不容，反爲不美矣。”維謝曰：“先生之言是也。”次日，後主與黃皓在後園宴飲，維引數人徑入。早有人報知黃皓，皓急避於湖山之側。

Jiang Wei came to the pavilion, bowed to the Latter Ruler and said in tears, “I had Deng Ai trapped at Mount Qi, yet Your Majesty sent down three edicts in a row recalling me to court. I do not understand what Your Majesty intends.” The Latter Ruler was silent and said nothing. Jiang Wei went on, “Huang Hao is crafty and wicked and has seized power; he is just like the Ten Eunuchs in the time of Emperor Ling. Your Majesty should take warning from Zhang Rang in recent times, and from Zhao Gao in ancient times. Put this man to death soon, and the court will be clean and peaceful of itself, and only then can the Central Plains be recovered.”

維至亭下，拜了後主，泣奏曰：“臣困鄧艾於祁山，陛下連降三詔，召臣回朝，未審聖意爲何？”後主默然不語。維又奏曰：“黃皓奸巧專權，乃靈帝時十常侍也。陛下近則鑑於張讓，遠則鑑於趙高。早殺此人，朝廷自然清平，中原方可恢復。”

The Latter Ruler laughed and said, “Huang Hao is only a lowly servant who runs errands. Even if he did wield power, he could do nothing with it. Dong Yun used to gnash his teeth in hatred of him, and I always found it very strange. Why should you mind him?” Jiang Wei knocked his head on the ground and said, “If Your Majesty does not kill Huang Hao today, disaster is not far off.” The Latter Ruler said, “‘When you love someone, you wish him to live; when you hate someone, you wish him to die.’ Why can you not tolerate one eunuch?” He ordered an attendant to call Huang Hao out from beside the rockery by the lake and bring him to the pavilion, and commanded him to bow to Jiang Wei and beg pardon.

後主笑曰：“黃皓乃趨走小臣，縱使專權，亦無能爲。昔者董允每切齒恨皓，朕甚怪之。卿何必介意？”維叩頭奏曰：“陛下今日不殺黃皓，禍不遠也。”後主曰：“愛之慾其生，惡之慾其死。卿何不容一宦官耶？”令近侍於湖山之側，喚出黃皓至亭下，命拜姜維伏罪。

Weeping, Huang Hao bowed to Jiang Wei and said, “Morning and evening I simply wait upon His Majesty; I have nothing whatever to do with the government of the state. General, do not listen to what outsiders say and seek to kill me. My life is in your hands, General. I beg you to have pity on me!” With that he knocked his head on the ground, shedding tears. Jiang Wei went out fuming and at once went to see Xi Zheng and told him everything that had happened. Xi Zheng said, “Disaster is not far from you, General. And if you are in danger, the state will perish with you!”

皓哭拜維曰：“某早晚趨侍聖上而已，並不干與國政。將軍休聽外人之言，欲殺某也。某命繫於將軍，惟將軍憐之！”言罷，叩頭流涕。維忿忿而出，即往見郤正，備將此事告之。正曰：“將軍禍不遠矣。將軍若危，國家隨滅！”

Jiang Wei said, “Please, sir, teach me a plan to preserve the state and keep myself safe.” Xi Zheng said, “There is a place in Longxi called Tazhong, where the land is extremely fertile. Why not follow the example of the Martial Marquis’s military farms, memorialise the Son of Heaven, and go to Tazhong to set up farms there? First, when the wheat ripens it will help supply the army. Second, you will be able to work towards taking all the commanderies of Longyou. Third, the men of Wei will not dare look Hanzhong in the face. Fourth, if you are away from the capital holding military power, no one will be able to plot against you, and you can escape disaster. This is the plan to preserve the state and keep yourself safe. You should carry it out soon.”

維曰：“先生幸教我以保國安身之策。”正曰：“隴西有一去處，名曰沓中，此地極其肥壯。將軍何不效武侯屯田之事，奏知天子，前去沓中屯田？一者，得麥熟以助軍實；二者，可以盡圖隴右諸郡；三者，魏人不敢正視漢中；四者，將軍在外掌握兵權，人不能圖，可以避禍：此乃保國安身之策也，宜早行之。”

Jiang Wei was delighted and thanked him, saying, “Your words are gold and jade, sir.” The next day Jiang Wei sent up a memorial to the Latter Ruler asking to set up farms at Tazhong, following the example of the Martial Marquis. The Latter Ruler agreed. So Jiang Wei returned to Hanzhong, gathered his generals and said, “I have taken the field many times, but because we did not have enough grain I could not succeed. Now I will take eighty thousand troops to Tazhong to sow wheat and farm the land, and plan a steady advance. You have fought long and hard. For now, gather in the troops, collect grain and fall back to hold Hanzhong. The Wei troops will have to carry their grain a thousand li across mountains and ridges; they will naturally grow weary, and when they are weary they will surely withdraw. Then, if we take advantage of their weakness and pursue them,

維大喜，謝曰：“先生金玉之言也。”次日，姜維表奏後主，求沓中屯田，效武侯之事。後主從之。維遂還漢中，聚諸將曰：“某累出師，因糧不足，未能成功。今吾提兵八萬，往沓中種麥屯田，徐圖進取。汝等久戰勞苦，今且斂兵聚谷，退守漢中；魏兵千里運糧，經涉山嶺，自然疲乏；疲乏必退：那時乘虛追襲。

we cannot fail to win.” He then ordered Hu Ji to guard the city of Hanshou, Wang Han to guard Lecheng and Jiang Bin to guard Hancheng, while Jiang Shu and Fu Qian together guarded the passes. When these dispositions were complete, Jiang Wei himself led eighty thousand troops to Tazhong to sow wheat, as a plan for the long term.

無不勝矣。”遂令胡濟守漢壽城，王含守樂城，蔣斌守漢城，蔣舒、傅僉同守關隘。分撥已畢，維自引兵八萬，來沓中種麥，以爲久計。

Now Deng Ai heard that Jiang Wei was farming at Tazhong and had set up more than forty camps along the road, linked one to another without a break like a long snake. He had spies survey the lie of the land and draw it up as a map, and sent it with a full memorial to the court. When Sima Zhao, the Duke of Jin, saw it, he said in a rage, “Jiang Wei keeps invading the Central Plains and we cannot wipe him out. He is a sickness in my very vitals.” Jia Chong said, “Jiang Wei was thoroughly schooled by Kongming. It will be hard to drive him off quickly.

卻說鄧艾聞姜維在沓中屯田，於路下四十餘營，連絡不絕，如長蛇之勢。艾遂令細作相了地形，畫成圖本，具表申奏。晉公司馬昭見之，大怒曰：“姜維屢犯中原，不能剿除，是吾心腹之患也。”賈充曰：“姜維深得孔明傳授，急難退之。

What we need is a general of wit and courage to go and assassinate him; that would save us the trouble of moving an army.” Xun Yi, a Gentleman Attendant, said, “Not so. The Ruler of Shu, Liu Shan, is now sunk in wine and women and trusts Huang Hao, and all his high ministers are thinking of how to escape disaster. Jiang Wei’s farming at Tazhong is itself a plan to escape disaster. If you send a great general to attack, he cannot fail to win. Why use an assassin?” Sima Zhao laughed heartily and said, “That is the best advice.

須得一智勇之將，往刺殺之，可免動兵之勞。”從事中郎荀顗曰：“不然。今蜀主劉禪溺於酒色，信用黃皓，大臣皆有避禍之心。姜維在沓中屯田，正避禍之計也。若令大將伐之，無有不勝，何必用刺客乎？”昭大笑曰：“此言最善。

I mean to attack Shu. Who can be my general?” Xun Yi said, “Deng Ai is one of the finest talents of the age. If you also have Zhong Hui as his second, the great enterprise will succeed.” Sima Zhao was delighted and said, “That is just what I had in mind.” He summoned Zhong Hui and asked him, “I want to make you a great general and send you to attack Eastern Wu. Will you go?” Zhong Hui said, “My lord, your real intention is not to attack Wu at all, but to attack Shu.” Sima Zhao laughed heartily and said, “You truly know my mind. —

吾欲伐蜀，誰可爲將？”荀顗曰：“鄧艾乃世之良材，更得鍾會爲副將，大事成矣。”昭大喜曰：“此言正合吾意。”乃召鍾會入而問曰：“吾欲令汝爲大將，去伐東吳，可乎？”會曰：“主公之意，本不欲伐吳，實欲伐蜀也。”昭大笑曰：“子誠識吾心也。——

But if you go to attack Shu, what plan will you use?” Zhong Hui said, “I guessed that you meant to attack Shu, my lord, and I have already drawn a map, which I have here.” Sima Zhao unrolled it and looked. The map set out in detail all the places along the way to pitch camp and to store grain and fodder, and by which route to advance and by which to withdraw — everything according to sound method. When he had looked it over, Sima Zhao was delighted and said, “You are truly a fine general! How would it be if you joined forces with Deng Ai to take Shu?” Zhong Hui said, “The roads into Shu are broad and many; it cannot be entered by one route alone. Deng Ai should be made to divide his forces so that each of us advances separately.”

但卿往伐蜀，當用何策？”會曰：“某料主公欲伐蜀，已畫圖本在此。”昭展開視之，圖中細載一路安營下寨屯糧積草之處，從何而進，從何而退，——皆有法度。昭看了大喜曰：“真良將也！卿與鄧艾合兵取蜀，何如？”會曰：“蜀川道廣，非一路可進；當使鄧艾分兵各進，可也。”

Sima Zhao then appointed Zhong Hui General Who Guards the West, granted him the staff and axe of authority, and gave him command of all the forces in Guanzhong, with power to call up troops from Qing, Xu, Yan, Yu, Jing, Yang and other provinces. At the same time he sent a man bearing a staff of authority to appoint Deng Ai General Who Conquers the West, in command of Longshang beyond the passes, and to have him set a date for the attack on Shu. The next day Sima Zhao put the matter before the court. Deng Dun, General of the Front, said, “Jiang Wei has invaded the Central Plains many times, and our losses have been very heavy. Even now we are not sure we can hold our own ground. Why go deep into a land of dangerous mountains and rivers and bring disaster upon ourselves?”

昭遂拜鍾會爲鎮西將軍，假節鉞，都督關中人馬，調遣青、徐、兗、豫、荊、揚等處；一面差人持節令鄧艾爲徵西將軍，都督關外隴上，使約期伐蜀。次日，司馬昭於朝中計議此事，前將軍鄧敦曰：“姜維屢犯中原，我兵折傷甚多，只今守禦，尚自未保；奈何深入山川危險之地，自取禍亂耶？”

Sima Zhao said angrily, “I mean to raise an army of humanity and righteousness to punish a lord without principle. How dare you oppose me!” He shouted at his guards to take Deng Dun out and behead him, and in a moment Deng Dun’s head was presented at the foot of the steps. Everyone turned pale. Sima Zhao said, “Since my campaign in the east I have rested for six years, training troops and repairing armour, and all is now ready. I have long wanted to attack Wu and Shu. Now I will first subdue Western Shu, and then, with the advantage of the current flowing downstream, advance by land and water together and swallow up Eastern Wu. This is the way of destroying Guo and then taking Yu.

昭怒曰：“吾欲興仁義之師，伐無道之主，汝安敢逆吾意！”叱武士推出斬之。須臾，呈鄧敦首級於階下。衆皆失色。昭曰：“吾自徵東以來，息歇六年，治兵繕甲，皆已完備，欲伐吳、蜀久矣。今先定西蜀，乘順流之勢，水陸並進，併吞東吳；此滅虢取虞之道也。

By my reckoning, of the officers and men of Western Shu, eighty or ninety thousand guard Chengdu, no more than forty or fifty thousand guard the frontiers, and no more than sixty or seventy thousand are farming with Jiang Wei. I have already ordered Deng Ai to lead over a hundred thousand troops of Longyou beyond the passes to pin Jiang Wei down at Tazhong so that he cannot look to the east, and I am sending Zhong Hui with two or three hundred thousand picked troops of Guanzhong straight to the Luo Valley, to strike Hanzhong by three routes.

吾料西蜀將士，守成都者八九萬，守邊境者不過四五萬，姜維屯田者不過六七萬。今吾已令鄧艾引關外隴右之兵十餘萬，絆住姜維於沓中，使不得東顧；遣鍾會引關中精兵二三十萬，直抵駱谷，三路以襲漢中。

Liu Shan, the Ruler of Shu, is a benighted fool. Once his frontier cities are broken from without, his people will tremble within. His downfall is certain.” All bowed in admiration.

蜀主劉禪昏暗，邊城外破，士女內震。其亡可必矣。”衆皆拜服。

Now Zhong Hui received the seal of General Who Guards the West and set out with his army to attack Shu. Fearing that his plans might leak out, he gave out that he was going to attack Wu, and ordered the five provinces of Qing, Yan, Yu, Jing and Yang each to build large ships. He also sent Tang Zi to the coasts of Deng, Lai and other prefectures to gather seagoing ships. Sima Zhao did not understand his purpose, so he summoned Zhong Hui and asked him, “You are going to take Shu by the land route. What do you need ships for?”

卻說鍾會受了鎮西將軍之印，起兵伐蜀。會恐機謀或泄，卻以伐吳爲名，令青、兗、豫、荊、揚等五處各造大船；又遣唐咨於登、萊等州傍海之處，拘集海船。司馬昭不知其意，遂召鍾會問之曰：“子從旱路收川，何用造船耶？”

Zhong Hui said, “If Shu hears that our army is advancing in force, it is sure to seek help from Eastern Wu. So I am first spreading word abroad and making a show of attacking Wu; then Wu will not dare make any rash move. Within a year Shu will have been crushed and the ships will be built, and then if we attack Wu, will it not go smoothly?” Sima Zhao was delighted and chose a day for the army to set out. It was the third day of the seventh month, in the autumn of the fourth year of Jingyuan of Wei, when Zhong Hui marched out. Sima Zhao escorted him ten li beyond the city before turning back.

會曰：“蜀若聞我兵大進，必求救於東吳也。故先布聲勢，作伐吳之狀，吳必不敢妄動。一年之內，蜀已破，船已成，而伐吳，豈不順乎？”昭大喜，選日出師。時魏景元四年秋七月初三日，鍾會出師。司馬昭送之於城外十里方回。

Shao Ti, a Clerk of the Western Bureau, said privately to Sima Zhao, “My lord, you have now sent Zhong Hui with a hundred thousand troops to attack Shu. In my humble opinion, Zhong Hui’s ambition is great and his heart is proud; he should not be allowed to hold great power alone.” Sima Zhao laughed and said, “Do you think I do not know that?” Shao Ti said, “If you know it, my lord, why not have someone share his command?” With a few words Sima Zhao made Shao Ti’s doubts vanish at once.

西曹掾邵悌密謂司馬昭曰：“今主公遣鍾會領十萬兵伐蜀，愚料會志大心高，不可使獨掌大權。”昭笑曰：“吾豈不知之？”悌曰：“主公既知，何不使人同領其職？”昭言無數語，使邵悌疑心頓釋。

Indeed:
Just as soldiers and horses were setting out at the gallop,
He already knew the general’s overweening heart.
What those words were will be told in the next chapter.

正是：方當士馬驅馳日，早識將軍跋扈心。
未知其言若何，且看下文分解。