Chapter 99 of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" in vernacular Chinese

In April of summer in the seventh year of Jianxing of the Shu Han Dynasty (AD 229), Zhuge Liang's troops left Qishan Mountain and were distributed into three strongholds, waiting for the Wei army to attack. But it was said that after Sima Yi led his troops to Chang'an, Zhang He came to greet him and reported the battle ahead. Sima Yi ordered Zhang He to be the vanguard and Dai Ling to be the deputy general. He led 100,000 troops to Qishan Mountain and set up a stronghold south of the Weishui River. Guo Huai and Sun Li entered the stronghold to meet them.

Sima Yi asked: "Are you facing off against the Shu army?" The two men replied: "Not yet." Sima Yi said: "The Shu army is eager to fight quickly. If they don't come to fight now, they must have other strategies. Longxi Are there any reports from all the roads?" Guo Huai said: "We have carefully investigated and found that all the counties were very careful and on guard day and night. There was no war. Only Wudu and Yinping did not report." Sima Yi said: "I am here. Then go to fight Zhuge Liang. You two will go to the small road to rescue the two counties. When you send out troops, you must follow the Shu army. When the time comes, they will be in chaos."

The two of them led five troops. Qian, from the Longxi small road to rescue Wudu and Yinping, waiting to attack the Shu army behind. Guo Huai asked Sun Li on the road: "How is our Commander Zhongda better than Zhuge Liang?" Sun Li said: "Zhuge Liang is better than Zhongda." Guo Huai said: "Although Zhuge Liang often has small victories, this plan is enough to show his victory." Chu Zhongda has extraordinary wisdom. If the Shu army attacks the two counties from behind, they will be in chaos without fighting." While he was talking, a spy horse suddenly came to report: "Yinping has been captured by Wang Ping. Wudu has been captured by Jiang Wei, and the front is not far away from the Shu army. "Sun Li said: "Since the Shu army has captured these two cities, how can we arrange our formation? They must be cheating. I think it is better to retreat early." Guo Huai agreed.

The two men had just ordered to retreat when suddenly there was a sound of cannon, and an army of horses appeared from behind the mountain. The banner read "Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty" in big letters. There was a four-wheeled cart in the center, and Zhuge Liang was sitting on it. ; Guan Xing on the left, Zhang Bao on the right. Sun Li and Guo Huai were shocked when they saw it. Zhuge Liang laughed and said: "Guo Huai, Sun Li, don't leave! How can Sima Yi's plan be hidden from me? He sends people to challenge in front of the camp every day, but he sends you two to attack behind our army. I have already sent you to Wudu and Yinping." We have captured it. If you two don't surrender early, do you still want to send troops to fight me?"

Guo Huai and Sun Li were very alarmed after hearing this. Suddenly, there were shouts of killing from behind, and Wang Ping and Jiang Wei led their troops to kill from behind. Generals Guan Xing and Zhang Bao led their troops to attack from the front. After two attacks, the Wei army was defeated. Guo Huai and Sun Li abandoned their horses and climbed the mountain to escape. When Zhang Bao saw it, he immediately chased him. He didn't want to fall into the mountain stream with his horse. When the soldiers hurriedly rescued him, Zhang Bao's head was broken and he fell unconscious. Zhuge Liang sent someone to escort him back to Chengdu to recuperate.

But it is said that Guo Huai and Sun Li returned to report to Sima Yi after escaping: "Wudu and Yinping counties have been lost. Zhuge Liang ambushed and attacked on the key road, so we were defeated, so we abandoned our horses and walked. We were able to escape." Sima Yi said, "This is not your fault. Zhuge Liang is smarter than us. You must continue to lead the troops to guard the two cities of Yongzhou and Yixian. You must not go to war. I have my own strategy to defeat the enemy. "The two said goodbye and left.

Sima Yi summoned Zhang He and Dai Ling again and said: "Now that Zhuge Liang has captured Wudu and Yinping, he will definitely appease the people and stabilize their hearts. He will definitely not be in the military camp. You two will each lead 10,000 elite troops. Tonight After getting up and raiding the Shu army camp, we fought bravely to kill the generals. I led the army to form a formation in front and waited until the Shu army was in chaos. We are in a stronghold, what's the difficulty in defeating the enemy?" The two of them also followed the plan and led the troops.

That night, Dai Ling was on the left and Zhang He was on the right. They each took small paths and advanced deep behind the Shu army. When they came to the main road at the third watch, the two armies joined forces and attacked from behind the Shu army. When they had traveled less than thirty miles, the front army could no longer move. Zhang He and Dai Ling looked forward on horseback and saw hundreds of hay carts blocking their way. Zhang He said: "I think we have been prepared here for a long time. We must seize the time to seize the road and retreat."

When the order was just given to retreat, all the mountains were bright with fire, the drums and horns were shaking, and the ambush troops rushed out from all directions. The two men were surrounded. Zhuge Liang shouted on Qishan Mountain: "Dai Ling and Zhang He, listen to me: Sima Yi expected that I would go to Wudu and Yinping to appease the people, and I would definitely not be in the camp, so he sent you two to rob my stronghold, but I was killed." You two are unknown generals. If I don’t kill you, please dismount and surrender early!” Zhang He was furious, pointed at Zhuge Liang and cursed: “You are just a mountain villager, how dare you invade the realm of our Kingdom of Wei? You are saying this randomly here! If I catch you, I will cut you into pieces!" After Zhang He finished speaking, he mounted his horse and charged towards the mountain with his gun. There were arrows and rocks raining down on the mountain, so Zhang He could not go up the mountain, so he had to rush out of the siege by clapping his horse and dancing his spear. No one could stop him, and the Shu army trapped Dai Ling in the center. After Zhang He fought his way out of the siege, he lost sight of Dai Ling. He immediately bravely fought his way into the siege, rescued Dai Ling and returned. Zhuge Liang saw Zhang He on the mountain fighting with thousands of troops. He was extremely brave, so he said to his left and right: "I know that Zhang Fei fought against Zhang He in the past, and people were very frightened. After seeing it today, I know that he is indeed brave. If If this person is left behind, he will definitely become a danger to Shu. I should find a way to get rid of him." He ordered the troops to return to camp.

But it is said that after Sima Yi led his troops into formation, he only waited for the Shu army to disorder themselves so that they could attack together. But when they saw Zhang He and Dai Ling fleeing back in embarrassment, they reported: "Zhuge Liang had been on guard for a long time, so we were defeated again.

Sima Yi was shocked and said: "Zhuge Liang is really a god!" Our army might as well retreat temporarily. "Immediately ordered all the troops to return to the stronghold and hold firm.

After Zhuge Liang's victory, he captured countless weapons and horses, and led the army back to the stronghold. Wei Yan was ordered to challenge in front of the battle every day, but Wei Jun did not He could not get out, and there was no fighting for half a month. Zhuge Liang was thinking in the tent, and suddenly someone reported that the emperor sent his servant Fei Yi to deliver the edict. After Zhuge Liang entered the camp, he burned incense and read the edict:

After listening to the edict, Zhuge Liang said to Fei Yi: "How can I be reinstated as prime minister before the state affairs are completed? Fei Yi said: "If the prime minister refuses to accept the reinstatement, it will be against the emperor's will and cold-blooded the hearts of all the soldiers. It is better to accept it for the time being." " Zhuge Liang then accepted the post of prime minister, and Fei Yi said goodbye and left.

Seeing that Sima Yi was not going to fight, Zhuge Liang finally came up with a plan and ordered everyone to set up camp. A detailed report was made at that time. Tell Sima Yi that Zhuge Liang has retreated. Sima Yi said: "Zhuge Liang must have a big plan and cannot act lightly. Zhang He said: "This must be because they ran out of food and retreated. Why don't we go to catch up?" Sima Yi said: "Sichuan had a great harvest last year, and now the wheat has just ripened, and there is an abundance of food and grass." Although it was difficult for them to survive, it was enough to last the first half of the year. How could they retreat because they ran out of food? He saw that we had not gone out to fight for several days, so he tried to lure us. We had to send people to investigate from a distance first. The sergeant came back after inquiring and reported: "Zhuge Liang is thirty miles away from here and has set up camp." Sima Yi said: "I'm sure Zhuge Liang will not retreat." It is better to stick to the stronghold and not to attack easily. "

After more than ten days, there was still no news, and no Shu generals came to challenge. Sima Yi sent people to inquire again and reported back: "The Shu army has set up camp and retreated. Sima Yi didn't believe it, so he changed his clothes and mingled with the army. He went to check it out in person. Sure enough, he saw the Shu army retreating another thirty miles and setting up a stronghold. Sima Yi returned to the camp and said to Zhang He: "This is Zhuge Liang's plan. It can't be done." catch up. After more than ten days, he sent someone to investigate again and reported back: "The Shu army retreated another thirty miles to set up camp." Zhang He said: "This is Zhuge Liang's delaying strategy and slowly retreating to Hanzhong. Why didn't the governor pursue him earlier?" I'm willing to go and fight to the death! Sima Yi said: "Zhuge Liang has many tricks. If there are any mistakes, our army will lose its spirit and we will not be able to advance easily." Zhang He said: "If I go and are defeated, I will be willing to serve as a military commander." Sima Yi said: "Since you insist on going forward, you have to divide your troops into two groups. You will lead one group forward. You must fight to the death." I then responded to prepare for their ambush. You have to advance step by step and stop halfway, and then look for opportunities to engage in battle, so that your troops will not be exhausted. "So the division of troops was completed.

The next day, Zhang He and Dai Ling led dozens of lieutenants and 30,000 elite soldiers. They marched forward bravely and set up camp halfway. Sima Yi left most of the troops and horses to guard Zhuge Liang then marched to Dazhai with only 5,000 elite soldiers. When he saw the Wei army stopped midway, Zhuge Liang summoned the generals to discuss: "Now that the Wei army is chasing them, they will fight to the death, and you must all fight to the death." I sent an ambush to cut off their retreat. Only a wise and brave general cannot shoulder this important task. "After he finished speaking, he looked at Wei Yan, but Wei Yan lowered his head and remained silent. The atmosphere was very awkward.

Wang Ping stepped out and said, "I am willing to go. Zhuge Liang asked: "What if something goes wrong?" Wang Ping said: "I am willing to serve as a military commander." "Zhuge Liang praised: "Wang Ping is willing to risk his own life, what a loyal minister! Even so, the Wei soldiers came in two groups, trying to cut off our ambush in the middle. Even though Wang Ping is wise and brave, he can only resist one side, how can he be in two places? It would be best to have another general go with you. Unfortunately, there is no longer a general like Wang Ping in the army who is willing to sacrifice his life to take the lead! "

Before he finished speaking, a general came out and said: "I am willing to go! Zhuge Liang saw that the person speaking was Zhang Yi. Zhuge Liang said: "Zhang He is a famous general in the Wei State. He has the courage to be unstoppable by ten thousand people. You are no match for him." Zhang Yi said: "If anything goes wrong, I am willing to offer my head to the tent." Zhuge Liang said: "Since you dare to go, you and Wang Ping can each lead 10,000 elite troops to ambush in the valley." When the Wei army passes by, let him pass, and you two should lead the ambush to cover him up from behind. If Sima Yi comes later, you two must divide your forces to attack: Zhang Yi leads an army to block the rear column, and Wang Ping leads an army to intercept the front column. The two armies must fight to the death. I have another plan to help. "The two of them followed the plan and led the troops.

Zhuge Liang summoned Jiang Wei and Liao Hua and said, "I will give you two a bag, lead three thousand elite soldiers to lay down their troops, and lie in ambush on the front mountain. If you see the Wei army surrounding Wang Ping and Zhang Yi, do not go to the rescue even if it is very critical. Just open the bag and watch, and you will naturally have a solution to the crisis. "Both of them accepted the plan and led their troops away. They also ordered the four generals Wu Ban, Wu Yi, Ma Zhong, and Zhang Yi to follow the instructions: "If the Wei army arrives tomorrow and they are in full strength, do not attack them proactively, but wait and see. Fight and leave. Only when you see Guan Xing leading his troops to plunder the formation, can you return to kill me. I will have my own troops to support you. "The fourth general accepted the plan and led his troops forward. He also summoned Guan Xing and said: "You lead five thousand elite soldiers to ambush in the valley. When you only see the red flag flying on the mountain, you immediately lead the troops to fight out. "Guan Xing was tricked and led his troops away.

But it was said that Zhang He and Dai Ling led their troops to kill them suddenly like a storm, and the four generals Ma Zhong, Zhang Yi, Wu Yi and Wu Ban came out to fight. Zhang He was furious. The Shu army fought and fled, and the Wei army pursued them for more than 20 miles.

It was June and the weather was very hot. People and horses were sweating like water. After walking fifty miles away, Wei Jun was panting from exhaustion.

Zhuge Liang waved the red flag on the mountain, and Guan Xing led his troops to fight out. Ma Zhong and other four generals led their troops back to cover up the attack. Zhang He and Dai Ling fought to the death and refused to retreat. Suddenly there was a loud shout, and two armies rushed out. It was Wang Ping and Zhang Yi who pursued and killed Zhang He bravely, cutting off Zhang He's retreat. Zhang He shouted to the generals: "Now that we are here, if we don't fight to the death, how long will it take?" The Wei army fought hard but could not escape.

Suddenly there was a loud noise from behind, and Sima Yi personally led his elite troops to kill him. Sima Yi commanded the generals and surrounded Wang Ping and Zhang Yi at the core. Zhang Yi shouted: "The Prime Minister is really a god! The Prime Minister has already calculated that he must have a good plan. We will fight them to the death!" He immediately divided his troops into two groups: Wang Ping led an army to intercept Zhang He and Dai Ling. Zhang Yi led an army to resist Sima Yi. The two sides fought to the death, shouting and killing each other. Jiang Wei and Liao Hua watched on the mountain and saw that the Wei army was in large numbers and the Shu army was gradually unable to support it.

Jiang Wei said to Liao Hua: "The situation is so critical, we can open the bag to see the plan." The two opened it and looked at it, and it said: "If Sima Yi comes to besiege Wang Ping and Zhang Yi is in danger, you have to Divide your troops into two groups and attack Sima Yi's camp. Sima Yi must retreat in a hurry, and then you can take advantage of the chaos to attack his camp, but you can still achieve a great victory." The two men were overjoyed, and immediately divided their troops into two groups and attacked Sima Yi. 's camp.

It turned out that Sima Yi was also afraid of falling into Zhuge Liang's plan, so he kept sending people to spread the news along the way. While Sima Yi was urging the battle, suddenly Meteor Detective Ma Fei reported that two armies of Shu troops were heading towards Dazhai. Sima Yi was shocked and said to the generals: "I thought Zhuge Liang had a plan, but you all didn't believe it, so you reluctantly followed me." , but missed my important event!"

Sima Yi hurriedly led his troops back, but the army had no intention of fighting and retreated in a hurry. Zhang Yi then covered up the enemy and the Wei army was defeated. Zhang He and Dai Ling were alone, so they had to retreat through remote mountain roads. The Shu army was victorious. Behind him, Guan Xing led troops to join forces from all sides. Sima Yi was defeated and retreated into the stronghold, but the Shu army had already retreated. Sima Yi gathered the remaining defeated generals and scolded the generals: "You don't know the art of war, and you only rely on your physical bravery to fight, which is why we have this great defeat. From now on, you are not allowed to act rashly. If anyone fails to obey orders again, military law will be upheld!" They will all withdraw in shame. During this period, the Wei army suffered many casualties and abandoned numerous horses and equipment.

But it was said that Zhuge Liang gathered the victorious troops and horses into the stronghold, and thought of advancing with troops. Suddenly someone came from Chengdu and reported that Zhang Bao was dead. When Zhuge Liang heard about it, he burst into tears, vomited blood from his mouth, and fell unconscious on the ground. Everyone hurriedly rescued him, but Zhuge Liang became ill and bedridden from then on. All the generals were moved. Later generations wrote a poem praising:

Ten days later, Zhuge Liang summoned Dong Jue, Fan Jian and others to his tent and said: "I feel groggy and cannot handle military affairs. We might as well return to Hanzhong to recuperate before doing anything else." Good plan. You must not leak the news. If Sima Yi learns of it, he will definitely come to attack." Zhuge Liang issued an order to quietly break up the camp and retreat to Hanzhong. Five days after Zhuge Liang left, Sima Yi learned the news and sighed: "Zhuge Liang really has a magic trick, I can't do it!" Sima Yi left his generals in the stronghold, divided his troops to guard the passes, and then returned to Luoyang.

But it was said that Zhuge Liang stationed his army in Hanzhong and returned to Chengdu to recuperate. Civil and military officials went out of the city to greet him and sent him to the prime minister's house. Liu Chan personally came to visit him and ordered the imperial doctor to treat him. Zhuge Liang was actually overworked and had no serious illness, so he gradually recovered.

In the autumn and July of the eighth year of Jianxing, Cao Zhen, the governor of Wei, also recovered from his condition, so he wrote in the above table: "The Shu army has repeatedly violated our borders and will be a troublesome thing if it is not completely eliminated. Now is the cool autumn, and the troops and horses I am free and can send troops to conquer. I am willing to lead the army with Sima Zhongda to attack Hanzhong, wipe out the traitors, and clear the border." After hearing this, Cao Rui was overjoyed and asked Liu Ye, "Captain Cao Zhen advised me to attack Shu. How?" Liu Ye reported: "What the general said is absolutely right. If we don't eliminate them now, they will become a big problem in the future. Your Majesty can allow them to go out." Cao Rui nodded.

When Liu Ye returned home, the ministers came to inquire about the news and asked Liu Ye: "I heard that the emperor and your husband discussed raising troops to conquer Shu. Is this true?" Liu Ye replied: "No. It's a matter. The mountains and rivers in Shu are dangerous and difficult to conquer. It will be a waste of effort and will be of no benefit to the country." All the officials withdrew silently.

Yang Ji entered the palace and reported: "Yesterday I heard Liu Ye advise your majesty to attack Shu. Today he discussed with the ministers and said that the conquest is not allowed. This is obviously deceiving your majesty. Why didn't your majesty call him? Come to inquire?" Cao Rui immediately summoned Liu Ye into the palace and asked, "Yesterday you advised me to attack Shu, and today you said you can't attack Shu. What does this mean?" Liu Ye said, "I have thought about it carefully. It is true that Shu cannot be conquered." Cao Rui laughed.

After a while, Yang Ji withdrew. Liu Ye reported: "I advised your majesty to attack Shu yesterday. It is a national matter. How can it be leaked to others? Soldiers are deceitful. The matter has not yet been decided, so it is better to keep it secret." Cao Rui suddenly realized and said: "You are absolutely right." From then on, he respected Liu Ye even more.

On this day, Sima Yi entered the court, and Cao Rui told Cao Zhen's memorial one by one. Sima Yi reported: "I expected that Soochow would not dare to send troops, and now it is time to take this opportunity to attack Shu." Cao Rui immediately worshiped Cao Zhen as the Great Sima and the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expeditions, while Sima Yi was appointed the General and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expeditions. , Liu Ye was the military advisor.

The three of them paid their respects to Cao Rui and commanded an army of 400,000. They arrived in Chang'an first, and then went straight to Jiange to capture Hanzhong. Guo Huai, Sun Li and others went their separate ways.

Someone from Hanzhong reported to Chengdu. At this time, Zhuge Liang's condition improved. He trained his men and horses every day and studied the Eight Formations. They were all proficient. He was about to attack the Central Plains again. When he heard the news, he summoned Zhang Yi and Wang Ping. They ordered: "You two will first lead a thousand soldiers to guard the Chencang Ancient Road to resist the Wei army. I will lead the army to respond later." The two men prayed: "The front reported that the Wei army was 400,000, and it was falsely claimed to be 800,000. It is huge. Why only give us a thousand soldiers to guard the pass? If the Wei army comes, how can we resist the enemy? "Zhuge Liang said: "I also want to send more soldiers, but I am worried about the hard work of the soldiers." Zhang Yi and Wang Ping looked at each other. Don't dare to go. Zhuge Liang said: "If something goes wrong, it is not your fault. No need to say more, just go quickly." The two of them begged again: "The Prime Minister wants to kill us two, just kill him here, but we two really dare not Go ahead with such a small number of troops." Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Why are you two so stupid? Since I sent you two, I had a reason. I looked at the astronomy last night and predicted that there would be heavy rain in the middle of the month. Although the Wei army has 400,000 troops, how can they dare to go deep into the dangerous mountains? Therefore, there will be no trouble if they don't send more troops. I let the army rest in Hanzhong for a month and then send troops to cover it up when the Wei army retreats. This is called waiting for work. I can defeat 400,000 Wei troops with a force of 100,000." After hearing this, the two men were overjoyed and left.

Zhuge Liang then led the army to send troops to Hanzhong, and ordered all the passes to prepare dry firewood, fodder and fine grains, enough to support the men and horses for a month to prepare for the autumn rain; he also allowed the army to rest for a month to provide food and clothing and be ready for expedition at any time.

But Cao Zhen and Sima Yi led the army to Chencang City, but there was not a single house in sight. After asking the locals, they all said that Zhuge Liang had set fire to everything when he retreated, so Cao Zhen was about to set off from Chencang Road. Sima Yi said: "We can't march easily. I watched the astronomy at night and predicted that there will be heavy rain in the middle of this month. If we go deep into a strong area, we can win; if we are negligent, the men and horses will suffer, and it will be difficult to retreat. Now we should set up shelters in the city to garrison them." , to be prepared for the rain." Cao Zhen obeyed Sima Yi's words.

Half a month later, it rained heavily and kept dripping. The water on the flat ground outside Chencang City was three feet deep. All the weapons were soaked. People could not sleep and were restless day and night. Heavy rain fell continuously for thirty days, the horses had no fodder, there were countless casualties, and the soldiers complained endlessly. After the news reached Luoyang, Cao Rui set up an altar to pray for peace. Wang Su, the minister of Huangmen, wrote a letter saying:

Cao Rui was hesitating after reading the seal on his watch. Yang Fu and Hua Xin also wrote to advise. Cao Rui then issued an edict and sent envoys with edicts to order Cao Zhen and Sima Yi to return to the court.

But Cao Zhen and Sima Yi discussed it: "It has been cloudy for thirty consecutive days, the army has no fighting spirit, and everyone wants to return home. How to stop it?" Sima Yi said: "It is better to retreat temporarily." Cao Zhen said "If Zhuge Liang comes after us, how can we retreat?" Sima Yi said, "We must ambush the two armies first and then defeat them before we can return to the army." During the discussion, an envoy suddenly arrived with an order. The two men turned the front team into the rear team, and the rear team into the front team, and slowly retreated.

However, Zhuge Liang predicted that the autumn rain would end in January, but the weather was still not clear, so he personally led the army to garrison in Chenggu, and then ordered the army to garrison at Chipo. Zhuge Liang raised his tent to summon his generals and said: "I predict that Cao Rui will definitely issue an edict to order Cao Zhen and Sima Yi to return. If I pursue him, he will definitely be prepared. It is better to let him retreat and make a better plan." Suddenly Wang Ping sent someone. Came to report that the Wei army had retreated. Zhuge Liang ordered someone to send an order to Wang Ping: "Don't pursue us, I have my own strategy to defeat the Wei army.

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Huang Qijun

? Written on October 29, 2018 (September 21 in the ancient calendar)

Chapter 98 of the vernacular "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

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Chapter 94 of the vernacular "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"