快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

e；　that　I　may　keep　the　city　and　do　my　duty　by　my　mother　at　the　same　time。〃
So　Jiang　Wei　received　mand　of　three　thousand　troops　and　marched　toward　his　home。
When　Jiang　Wei　came　near　the　walls；　he　saw　a　cohort　under　Wei　Yan。　He　attacked。　After　a　show　of　defense　Wei　Yan　retreated；　and　Jiang　Wei　entered　the　city。　He　closed　the　gates　and　prepared　to　defend　the　wall。　Then　he　went　home　to　see　his　mother。
In　the　same　way　Liang　Qian　was　allowed　to　enter　Shanggui。
Then　Zhuge　Liang　sent　for　his　prisoner；　Xiahou　Mao；　and；　when　he　was　brought　to　his　tent；　Zhuge　Liang　said　suddenly；　〃Are　you　afraid　of　death？〃
Xiahou　Mao　prostrated　himself　and　begged　for　his　life。
〃Well；　Jiang　Wei　of　Tianshui；　who；　is　now　gone　to　guard　Jicheng；　has　sent　a　letter　to　say　that　he　would　surrender　if　only　that　would　secure　your　safety。　Now　I　am　going　to　let　you　go　if　you　will　promise　to　induce　Jiang　Wei　to　e　over　to　me。　Do　you　accept　the　condition？〃
〃I　am　willing　to　induce　him　to　yield　to　you；〃　said　Xiahou　Mao。
Zhuge　Liang　then　gave　his　prisoner　clothing　and　a　horse　and　let　him　ride　away。　Nor　did　he　send　anyone　to　follow　him；　but　let　him　choose　his　own　road。
Having　got　outside；　Xiahou　Mao　wanted　to　get　away；　but　he　was　perfectly　ignorant　of　the　roads　and　knew　not　which　to　take。　Presently　he　came　across　some　people；　apparently　in　flight；　and　he　questioned　them。
〃We　are　Jicheng　people；〃　said　they。　〃Jiang　Wei　has　surrendered　the　city　and　deserted　to　Zhuge　Liang。　The　troops　of　Shu　are　looting　and　burning；　and　we　have　escaped。　We　are　going　to　Shanggui。〃
〃Do　you　know　who　is　holding　Tianshui？〃
〃Governor　Ma　Zun　is　in　there；〃　said　they。
Hearing　this；　Xiahou　Mao　rode　quickly　toward　Tianshui。　Presently　he　met　more　people；　evidently　fugitives；　leading　sons　and　carrying　daughters；　who　told　the　same　story。　By　and　by　he　came　to　the　gate　of　the　city；　and；　as　he　was　recognized；　the　wardens　of　the　gate　admitted　him；　and　the　Governor　came　to　greet　him　and　asked　of　his　adventures。　He　told　all　that　had　happened；　that　Jiang　Wei　had　surrendered　and　related　what　the　fugitives　had　said。
〃I　did　not　think　Jiang　Wei　would　have　gone　over　to　Shu；〃　said　the　Governor　sadly。
〃It　seems　he　thought　by　this　to　save　you；　Sir　mander…in…Chief；〃　said　Liang　Xu。　〃I　am　sure　he　has　made　only　a　pretense　of　surrendering。〃
〃Where　is　the　pretense　when　it　is　a　fact　that　he　has　surrendered？〃　said　Xiahou　Mao。
They　were　all　perplexed。　Then　at　the　third　watch　the　troops　of　Shu　came　to　begin　an　attack。　The　fires　round　the　wall　were　very　bright；　and　there　in　the　glare　was　seen　Jiang　Wei；　armed　and　riding　up　and　down　under　the　ramparts　calling　out　for　Xiahou　Mao。　Xiahou　Mao　and　Ma　Zun　ascended　the　wall；　whence　they　saw　Jiang　Wei　swaggering　to　and　fro。
Seeing　the　chiefs　on　the　wall；　Jiang　Wei　called　out；　〃I　surrendered　for　the　sake　of　you；　O　General。　Why　have　you　gone　back　on　your　word？〃
〃Why　did　you　surrender　to　Shu　after　enjoying　so　much　of　Wei's　bounty？〃　said　Xiahou　Mao。　〃And　why　do　you　talk　thus？〃
〃What　do　you　mean　talking　thus　after　writing　me　a　letter　telling　me　to　surrender？　You　want　to　secure　your　own　safety　by　involving　me。　But　I　have　surrendered；　and　as　I　am　a　superior　general　in　their　service　now；　I　see　no　sense　in　returning　to　Wei。〃
So　saying；　he　urged　the　soldiers　on　to　the　attack。　The　assault　continued　till　dawn；　when　the　besiegers　drew　off。
Now　the　appearance　of　Jiang　Wei　in　this　fashion　was　but　a　ruse。　Zhuge　Liang　had　found　among　his　men　one　who　resembled　Jiang　Wei　and　had　disguised　him　so　that　Jiang　Wei　appeared　to　be　leading　the　attack　on　the　ramparts。　In　the　smoke　and　fire　during　the　night　no　one　could　penetrate　the　disguise。
Zhuge　Liang　then　led　the　army　to　attack　Jicheng。　The　grain　in　the　city　was　insufficient　to　feed　the　people。　From　the　wall　Jiang　Wei　saw　wagons　of　grain　and　forage　being　driven　into　the　Shu　camp；　and　he　determined　to　try　to　secure　some。　So　he　led　three　thousand　troops　out　of　the　city　to　attack　the　train　of　wagons。　As　soon　as　he　appeared；　the　convoy　abandoned　the　carts　and　fled。　Jiang　Wei　seized　them；　and　was　taking　them　into　the　city；　when　he　was　met　by　a　cohort　under　the　mand　of　Zhang　Yi。　They　plunged　into　battle。　After　a　short　time　Wang　Ping　came　to　reinforce　Zhang　Yi；　so　that　Jiang　Wei　was　attacked　on　two　sides。　All　Jiang　Wei's　efforts　were　vain；　and　he　had　to　abandon　the　spoil　and　try　to　reenter　the　city。
But　as　he　drew　near；　he　saw　the　walls　were　decorated　with　Shu　ensigns；　for　Wei　Yan　had　captured　the　place　and　was　in　possession。　By　desperate　fighting　Jiang　Wei　got　clear　and　set　off　for　Tianshui。　But　he　only　had　a　few　score　horsemen　left。　Presently　the　small　force　fell　in　with　Zhang　Bao；　and　at　the　end　of　this　engagement　Jiang　Wei　found　himself　alone；　a　single　horseman。　He　reached　Tianshui　and　hailed　the　gate。　The　watchers　above　the　gate　knew　him　and　went　to　tell　the　Governor。
〃This　fellow　has　came　to　beguile　me　into　opening　the　gate；〃　said　Ma　Zun。
So　Ma　Zun　ordered　the　defenders　to　shoot　at　the　fugitive。　Jiang　Wei　turned　back；　but　there　were　the　army　of　Shu　close　at　hand。　He　set　off　as　fast　as　he　could　for　Shanggui。　But　when　he　got　there　Liang　Qian　hurled　a　volley　of　abuse　at　him。
〃You　traitor！〃　cried　Liang　Qian。　〃Dare　you　e　to　try　to　cajole　me　out　of　my　city？　I　know　you　have　surrendered　to　Shu。〃
Liang　Qian's　soldiers　also　began　to　shoot　at　the　hapless　fugitive。
Jiang　Wei　was　helpless。　He　could　not　explain　the　real　truth　to　those　who　doubted　him。　Lifting　his　eyes　to　heaven；　while　tears　rolled　down　his　cheeks；　he　whipped　up　his　steed　and　rode　off　toward　Changan。
Before　he　had　got　very　far；　he　came　to　a　spot　where　were　many　heavy　foliaged　trees。　From　among　these　appeared　a　pany　of　soldiers；　led　by　Guan　Xing。　Weary　as　were　both　horse　and　rider；　there　was　no　chance　of　successful　resistance；　and　Jiang　Wei　turned　back。　But　soon　appeared　a　small　chariot　in　which　sat　Zhuge　Liang；　dressed　simply　as　usual　in　a　white　robe　and　carrying　his　feather　fan。
〃Friend　Jiang　Wei；〃　said　Zhuge　Liang；　〃is　it　not　time　to　yield？〃
Jiang　Wei　stopped　and　pondered。　There　was　Zhuge　Liang；　and　Guan　Xing's　troops　were　behind　him。　There　was　no　way　out。　So　he　dismounted　and　bowed　his　head　in　submission。
Zhuge　Liang　at　once　got　out　of　the　chariot　and　bade　him　wele；　taking　him　by　the　hand　and　saying；　〃Ever　since　I　left　my　humble　cottage；　I　have　been　seeking　some　worthy　person　to　whom　I　might　impart　the　knowledge　that　my　life　has　been　spent　in　acquiring。　I　have　found　no　one　till　this　moment；　and　now　my　desire　is　attained。　You　are　the　one。〃
Jiang　Wei　bowed　and　thanked　him；　and　they　two　returned　to　camp。
Soon　after　their　arrival；　the　new　recruit　and　Zhuge　Liang　consulted　how　to　capture　Tianshui　and　Shanggui。　Jiang　Wei　had　a　scheme。
〃The　two　civil　officers　in　charge　of　the　city；　Yin　Shang　and　Liang　Xu；　are　excellent　friends　of　mine；〃　said　he；　〃and　I　will　write　a　letter　to　each；　shoot　it　over　the　wall　tied　to　an　arrow；　and　ask　them　to　help　by　raising　a　revolt　within　the　city。〃
They　decided　upon　this；　and　two　secret　letters　were　duly　written　and　sent　flying　over　the　ramparts；　where　they　were　found　and　taken　to　the　Governor。　Ma　Zun　was　doubtful　what　action　to　take　and　consulted　with　Xiahou　Mao；　asking　him　to　decide。
Said　Ma　Zun；　〃Yin　Shang　and　Liang　Xu　are　in　league　with　Jiang　Wei；　and　they　plot　to　aid　the　enemy　from　within。　What　should　be　done？〃
〃Put　both　the　men　to　death；〃　Xiahou　Mao　replied。
But　Yin　Shang　heard　what　was　toward　and　said　to　Liang　Xu；　〃The　best　course　for　us　is　to　yield　the　city　to　Shu　and　trust　to　them　to　treat　us　well　as　our　repense。〃
That　evening　Xiahou　Mao　sent　many　times　to　summon　the　two　officers　to　him；　but　they　thought　it　too　great　a　risk　to　answer　the　call。　Instead；　they　armed　themselves　and　rode　at　the　head　of　their　own　soldiers　to　the　gates；　opened　them　and　let　in　the　troops　of　Shu。　Ma　Zun　and　Xiahou　Mao　fled　by　the　west　gate　with　a　hundred　faithful　followers　and　sought　refuge　with　the　Qiang　tribespeople。
Liang　Xu　and　Yin　Shang　weled　Zhuge　Liang；　who　entered　the　city；　restored　order；　and　calmed　the　people。
This　done；　Zhuge　Liang　asked　how　he　might　capture　Shanggui。
Liang　Xu　said；　〃My　brother；　Liang　Qian；　holds　that　city；　and　I　will　call　upon　him　to　yield　it。〃
Thereupon　Liang　Xu　rode　over　to　Shanggui　and　called　out　his　brother　to　submit。　Zhuge　Liang　rewarded　the　two　brothers　and　then　made　Liang　Xu　Governor　of　Tianshui；　Yin　Shang；　Magistrate　of　Jicheng；　and　Liang　Qian；　Magistrate　of　Shanggui。　Next　the　army　prepared　to　advance。
His　officers　asked；　〃O　Prime　Minister；　why　do　you　not　pursue　and　capture　Xiahou　Mao？〃
Zhuge　Liang　replied；　〃I　let　him　go　as　I　would　release　a　duck。　In　my　friend　Jiang　Wei　I　recognized　a　phoenix。〃
Such　awe　and　fear　seized　upon　the　country　around　when　these　exploits　of　Zhuge　Liang　were　heard　of　that　many　other　cities　simply　opened　their　gates　without　making　any　resistance。　Zhuge　Liang　brought　all　soldiers　from　Hanzhong；　horse　and　foot；　and　marched　on　to　Qishan。
When　the　Shu　army　reached　the　west　bank　of　River　Wei；　the　scouts　reported　their　movements　in　Luoyang；　and；　at　a　court　held　in　the　first　year　of　the　era　of　Calm　Peace　（AD　227）；　the　ministers　told　the　Ruler　of　Wei　of　the　threatened　invasion。
They　said；　〃Xiahou　Mao；　the　Imperial　Son…in…Law；　has　lost　the　three　counties　and　fled　to　the　Qiangs。　The　enemy　has　reached　Qishan；　and　their　advanced　columns　are　on　the　west　bank　of　River　Wei。　I　pray　that　an　army　be　sent　to　repulse　them。〃
The　Emperor；　Cao　Rui；　was　alarmed　and　asked；　〃Who　shall　go　out　and　drive　off　the　enemy　for　me？〃
Minister　Wang　Lang　stepped　forward　and　said；　〃I　observed　that　whenever　General　Cao　Zhen　was　sent　by　the　late　Emperor　on　any　expedition　he　succeeded。　Why　not　send　him　to　drive　off　these　soldiers　of　Shu？〃
Cao　Rui　approved　of　the　suggestion。
Whereupon　he　called　up　Cao　Zhen　and　said　to　him；　〃The　late　Emperor　confided　me　to　your　guardianship。　You　cannot　sit　by　while　the　enemy　ravages　the　country。〃
Cao　Zhen　replied；　〃Your　Majesty；　my　talents　are　but　poor　and　unequal　to　the　task　you　propose。〃
〃You　are　a　trusted　minister　of　state；　and　you　may　not　really　refuse　this　task。　Old　and　worn　as　I　am；　I　will　use　the　little　strength　left　me　to　acpany　you；〃　said　Wang　Lang。
〃After　the　bounties　I　have　received；　I　cannot　refuse；〃　replied　Cao　Zhen。　〃But　I　must　ask　for　an　assistant。〃
〃You　have　only　to　name　him；　O　Noble　One；〃　said　the　Emperor。
So　Cao　Zhen　named　Guo　Huai；　a　man　of　Yangqu；　whose　official　rank　was　Lord　of　Sheting；　he　was　also　Imperial　Protector　of　Yongzhou。
Thereupon　Cao　Zhen　was　appointed　mander…in…Chief；　and　the　ensigns　of　rank　were　conferred　upon　him。　Guo　Huai　was　appointed　his　second；　and　Wang　Lang　was　created　Instructor　of　the　Army。　Wang　Lang　was　then　already　old；　seventy…six。
The　army　of　Cao　Zhen　consisted　of　two　hundred　thousand　troops；　the　best　from　both　capitals。　His　brother；　Cao　Zun；　was　made　Leader　of　the　Van　with　an　assistant；　Zhu　Zan；　General　Who　Opposes　Brigands。　The　army　moved　out　in　the　eleventh　month　of　that　year；　and　the　Ruler　of　Wei　went　with　it　to　the　outside　of　the　west　gate。
Cao　Zhen　marched　by　way　of　Changan　and　camped　on　the　west　bank　of　the　River　Wei。　At　a　council；　which　the　mander…in…Chief　called　to　consider　the　best　mode　of　attack；　Wang　Lang　asked　that　he　might　be　allowed　to　parley　with　the　enemy。
Said　Wang　Lang；　〃Let　the　army　be　drawn　up　in　plete　battle　order　and　unfurl　all　the　banners。　I　will　go　out　and　call　a　parley　with　Zhuge　Liang；　at　which　I　will　make　him　yield　to　us　without　a　blow；　and　the　army　of　Shu　shall　march　home　again。〃
Cao　Zhen　agreed　to　the　plan。　So　orders　were　given　to　take　the　early　meal　at　the　fourth　watch　and　have　the　men　fall　in　with　their　panies　and　files　at　daylight；　all　in　review　order。　Everything　was　to　be　grand　and　imposing；　the　flags　fluttering　and　the　drums　rolling；　every　soldier　in　his　place。　Just　before　this　display；　a　messenger　was　to　deliver　a　declaration　of　war。
Next　day；　when　the　armies　were　drawn　up　facing　each　other　in　front　of　the　Qishan　Mountains；　the　soldiers　of　Shu　saw　that　their　enemies　were　fine；　bold　warriors；　very　different　from　those　that　Xiahou　Mao　had　brought　against　them。　Then　after　three　rolls　of　the　drums；　Minister　of　the　Interior　Wang　Lang　mounted　his　horse　and　rode　out；　next　to　him　rode　mander…in…Chief　Cao　Zhen；　and　followed　behind　was　Deputy　mander　Guo　Huai。　The　two　Leaders　of　the　Van　remained　in　charge　of　the　army。
Then　a　messenger　rode　to　t