Then Zhuge Liang said, “I sent one of my trusty people to pretend he was a certain Pei Xu of Wei and so deceive this Cui Liang. I also sent another to Tianshui to do the same, but nothing has happened yet; I do not know the reason. We will take this opportunity to capture that place.”
It was decided to take Tianshui next, and thither they moved. Wu Yi and Liu Yan were to guard Nanan and Anding. Wei Yan was ordered to move toward Tianshui.
When Ma Zun, Governor of Tianshui, heard of Xiahou Mao's being besieged in Nanan, he called a council at which one party — headed by Yin Shang and Liang Xu — were strongly of opinion that a rescue should be attempted.
“If anything sinister happens to the Imperial Son-in-Law, 'Golden Branch' and 'Jade Leaf' as he is, we shall be held guilty of having made no attempt to save him. Wherefore, O Governor, you must march all the forces you have to his rescue,” said Yin Shang and Liang Xu.
Ma Zun found decision difficult, and while thinking over what was best to do, the arrival of Pei Xu, a messenger from Xiahou Mao, was announced. Pei Xu was taken to the Governor's residence and there produced his dispatch and asked for aid. Soon came another man saying that the Anding troops had set out and calling upon Ma Zun to hasten. This decided him, and he prepared his army.
Then an outsider came in and said, “O Governor, you are the sport of one of Zhuge Liang's wiles.”
All looked at him with surprise. He was one Jiang Wei. His father was Jiang Jiong, a former local official who had died in the Emperor's service while quelling one of the Qiang rebellions. Jiang Wei was well up in books, seeming to have read everything, and was also skilled in all warlike exercises. He had studied books on war. He was a very filial son and much esteemed. He held military rank of General.
Jiang Wei said to the Governor, “I hear Zhuge Liang is attacking Xiahou Mao, who is now in Nanan most closely besieged. How then can this messenger have got out? Pei Xu is an unknown officer whom no one has heard of, and the other messenger from Anding bears no dispatch. The fact is the men are imposters sent to beguile you into leaving your city undefended so that it may be the more easily captured.”
The Governor began to understand. He said, “Were it not for you, I would fall into a ruse.”
Then Jiang Wei said, “But do not be anxious; I have a scheme by which we can capture Zhuge Liang and relieve Nanan.”
The next chapter will unfold the ruse proposed by Jiang Wei.
Jiang Wei propounded his scheme of defense, saying, “Zhuge Liang will lay an ambush behind the city, induce our soldiers to go out and then take advantage of its undefended state to capture it. Now give me three thousand good soldiers, and I will place them in ambush at a certain critical place. Lead your troops out, but go slowly and not further than ten miles, and then turn to retire. However, look out for a signal, and if you see one, attack, for the attack will be double. If Zhuge Liang is there himself, we shall capture him.”
The Governor adopted this plan, gave the needed troops to Jiang Wei, who marched at once, and then Ma Zun went forth himself with Liang Qian. Only two civil officials — Liang Xu and Yin Shang — were left to guard the city.
Zhao Yun had been sent to lie in ambush in a secret place among the hills till the Tianshui army left the city, when he was to rush in and capture it. His spies reported the departure of the Governor, and Zhao Yun sent on the news to those who were acting with him, Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang, that they might attack Ma Zun.
Zhao Yun and his five thousand troops then quickly marched to the city wall and called out, “I am Zhao Yun of Changshan; you have fallen into our trap, but if you will surrender quickly, you will save many lives.”
But instead of being alarmed, Liang Xu looked down and said, “On the contrary, you have fallen into our trap; only you do not know it yet.”
Zhao Yun began his attack on the walls. Soon there was heard a roar, and fire broke out all round, and forth came a youthful leader armed with a spear, riding a curvetting steed.
“Look at me, Jiang Wei of Tianshui!” cried he.
Zhao Yun made at him, but after a few bouts he found Jiang Wei was getting very eager. He was surprised, and wondered, “No one knows there is such an able man in Tianshui.”
As the fight went on, along came the two other forces under Ma Zun and Liang Qian, now returning. As Zhao Yun found he could not prevail, he set to cut an arterial alley through and lead off his defeated troops. He was pursued, but Zhang Yi and Gao Xiang poured forth to save him, and he got away safely.
