They were still in the grip of fear, but they praised the depth of insight of their chief and his mysterious schemes and unfathomable plans.
“We should simply have run away,” said they.
“What could we have done with two thousand five hundred soldiers even if we had run? We should not have gone far before being caught,” said Zhuge Liang.
“But if I had been in Sima Yi's place, I should not have turned away,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling and clapping his hands.
He gave orders that the people of the place should follow the army into Hanzhong, for Sima Yi would assuredly return.
They abandoned Xicheng and returned into Hanzhong. In due course the officials and soldiers and people out of the three counties also came in.
It has been said that Sima Yi turned aside from the city. He went to Wugong Hills. Presently there came the sounds of a Shu army from behind the hills.
Sima Yi turned to his sons, saying, “If we do not retire, we shall yet somehow fall victims to this Zhuge Liang.”
Then appeared a force advancing rapidly, the banners bearing the name of Zhang Bao. The soldiers of Wei were seized with sudden panic and ran, flinging off their armors and throwing away their weapons. But before they had fled very far, they heard other terrible sounds in the valley and soon saw another force, with banners of Guan Xing. The roar of armed troops echoing up and down the valley was terrifying; and as no one could tell how many men there were bearing down on them, the panic increased. The Wei army abandoned all the baggage and took to flight. But having orders not to pursue, Zhang Bao and Guan Xing let their enemies run in peace, while they gathered up the spoils. Then they returned.
Seeing the valley apparently full of Shu soldiers, Sima Yi dared not marched by the main road. He hurried back to Jieting.
At this time Cao Zhen, hearing that the army of Shu was retreating, went in pursuit. But at a certain point he encountered a strong force under Ma Dai and Jiang Wei. Valleys and hills seemed to swarm with enemies, and Cao Zhen became alarmed. Then Chen Zao, his van-leader, was slain by Ma Dai, and the soldiers were panic-stricken and fled in disorder. And the soldiers of Shu were hastening night and day along the road into Hanzhong.
Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi, who had been lying in ambush in Chi Valley, heard that their comrades were retreating.
Then said Zhao Yun, “The army of Wei will surely come to smite us while we are retreating. Wherefore let me first take up a position in their rear, and then you lead off your troops and part of mine, showing my ensigns. I will follow, keeping at the same distance behind you, and thus I shall be able to protect the retreat.”
Now Guo Huai was leading his army through the Chi Valley. He called up his van-leader, Su Yong, and said to him, “Zhao Yun is a warrior whom no one can withstand. You must keep a most careful guard lest you fall into some trap while they are retreating.”
Su Yong replied, smiling, “If you will help me, O Commander, we shall be able to capture this Zhao Yun.”
So Su Yong, with three thousand troops, hastened on ahead and entered the valley in the wake of the Shu army. He saw upon a slope in the distance a large red banner bearing the name of Zhao Yun. This frightened him, and he retired.
But before he had gone far a great uproar arose about him, and a mighty warrior came bounding forth on a swift steed, crying, “Do you recognize Zhao Yun?”
Su Yong was terrified.
“Whence came you?” he cried. “Is there another Zhao Yun here?”
But Su Yong could make no stand, and soon fell victim to the spear of the veteran. His troops scattered, and Zhao Yun marched on after the main body.
But soon another company came in pursuit, this time led by a general of Guo Huai, named Wan Zheng. As they came along Zhao Yun halted in the middle of the road to wait for the enemy. By the time Wan Zheng had come close, the other Shu soldiers had gone about ten miles along the road. However, when Wan Zheng drew nearer still and saw who it was standing in his path, he hesitated and finally halted. Presently he turned back and retired altogether, confessing on his return that he had not dared to face the old warrior, who seemed as terrible as ever.
However, Guo Huai was not content and ordered him to return to the pursuit of the retreating army. This time Wan Zheng led a company of several hundred horsemen. Presently they came to a wood, and, as they entered, a loud shout arose in the rear, “Zhao Yun is here!”
