“Because Zhuge Liang still resents, and wishes to avenge, the event at Xiaoting. He never ceases to desire to absorb Wu. His only fear is that we may swoop down upon Shu. That is why there is an alliance with Wu. Lu Xun knows it also quite well, and he is only making a show of raising an army as they arranged. The truth is he is sitting on the fence. Hence Your Majesty may disregard the menace on the east, and only protect yourself against Shu.”
“Your insight is very profound,” said the Ruler of Wei.
Sima Yi was created Commander-in-Chief of all the forces in the west, and the Ruler of Wei directed a courtier to go to Cao Zhen for the seal.
“I would rather go myself,” said Sima Yi. So he left the audience and went to the palace of Cao Zhen, where presently he saw the invalid. First he asked after his health and then gradually opened his errand.
“Shu and Wu have made an alliance to invade us, and Zhuge Liang is at Qishan. Have you heard, Illustrious Sir?”
“My people have kept back all news as I am ill,” said he, startled. “But if this is true, the country is in danger. Why have they not made you Commander-in-Chief to stop this invasion?”
“I am unequal to the post,” said Sima Yi.
“Bring the seal and give it to him,” said Cao Zhen to his attendants.
“You are anxious on my account; really I am only come to lend you an arm. I dare not accept the seal.”
Cao Zhen started up, saying, “If you do not take it, I shall have to go to see the Emperor, ill as I am. The Middle Land is in danger.”
“Really the Emperor has already shown his kindness, but I dare not accept his offer.” “If you have been appointed, then Shu will be driven off.”
Thrice Sima Yi declined the seal, but eventually he received it into his hands as he knew Cao Zhen was sincere. Then he took leave of the Ruler of Wei and marched to Changan.
Sima Yi's success or failure will be told in the next chapter.
The fourth month of Beginning Prosperity, seventh year (AD 229), found Zhuge Liang camped at Qishan in three camps, waiting for the army of Wei.
When Sima Yi reached Changan, the officer in command, Zhang He, told him all that had happened. He gave Zhang He the post of Leader of the Van, with Dai Ling as his Assistant General and a hundred thousand troops, and then marched out toward the enemy, camping on River Wei's south bank.
When the local commanders Guo Huai and Sun Li went to see the new Commander-in-Chief, he asked if they had fought any battle.
“Not yet,” said they.
Sima Yi said, “The enemy had a long march; their chance lay in attacking quickly. As they have not attacked, they have some deep laid scheme to work out. What news have you from Xizhou?”
Guo Huai replied, “The scouts say that the greatest care is being taken in every county. But there is no news from Wudu and Yinping.”
“I must send someone to fight a decisive battle with them there. You get away as quickly and privily as you can to the rescue of those two cities, and then attack the rear of the Shu army so as to throw them into disorder.”
They set out to obey these orders, and on the way they fell to discussing Sima Yi.
“How does Sima Yi compare with Zhuge Liang?” said Guo Huai.
“Zhuge Liang is by far the better,” replied Sun Li.
“Though Zhuge Liang may be the cleverer, yet this scheme of our leader's shows him to be superior to most people. The enemy may have got those two cities; yet when we unexpectedly fall upon their rear, they will certainly be disordered.”
Soon after this a scout came in to report: “Wang Ping has captured Yinping, and Wudu is in possession of Jiang Wei. Furthermore, the Shu army is not far in front.”
Said Sun Li, “There is some crafty scheme afoot. Why are they prepared for battle in the open when they hold two cities? We would better retire.”
Guo Huai agreed, and they issued orders to face about and retreat. Just then a bomb exploded, and, at the same time, there suddenly appeared from the cover of some hills a small body of troops. On the flag that came forward they read the name Zhuge Liang, and in the midst of the company they saw him, seated in a small chariot. On his left was Guan Xing, and on his right Zhang Bao.
They were quite taken aback.
Zhuge Liang laughed and said, “Do not run away; did you think that your leader's ruse would take me in? Sima Yi sent a challenge to fight every day, indeed, while you were to slip round behind my army and attack! I have the two cities — Wudu and Yinping; and if you have not come to surrender, then hurry up and fight a battle with me.”
