“We can leave an ambush.”
While they were discussing this matter, the Emperor's command arrived. Whereupon they faced about and marched homeward.
Now Zhuge Liang had reckoned upon this month of rain and so had had his troops camped in a safe place. Then he ordered the main army to assemble at Red Slope and camp there.
He summoned his officers to his tent and said, “In my opinion the enemy must retire, for the Ruler of Wei will issue such an order. To retreat needs preparation, and if we pursue, we will fall in their trap. So we will let them retire without molestation. Some other plan must be evolved.”
So when Wang Ping sent news of the retreat of the enemy, the messenger carried back the order not to pursue.
By what means Zhuge Liang intended to defeat Wei will be told in the next chapter.
When the Shu officers got to know that the Wei army had gone but they were not to pursue, they were inclined to discontent and went in a body to the Prime Minister's tent and said, “The rain has driven the enemy away; surely it is the moment to pursue.”
Zhuge Liang replied, “Sima Yi is an able leader who would not retreat without leaving an ambush to cover it. If we pursue we shall fall victims. Let him go in peace, and I shall then get through the Xie Valley and take Qishan, making use of the enemy's lack of defense.”
“But there are other ways of taking Changan;” said they, “why only take Qishan?”
“Because Qishan is the first step to Changan, and I want to gain the advantage of position. And every transportation from Xizhou must come this way. It rests on River Wei in front and is backed by the Xie Valley. It gives the greatest freedom of movement and is a natural maneuvering ground. That is why I want it.”
They bowed to his wisdom. Then he dispatched Wei Yan, Zhang Ni, Du Qiong, and Chen Shi for Chi Valley; and he sent Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, and Ma Zhong for the Xie Valley; all were to meet at the Qishan Mountains. He led the main army himself, with Guan Xing and Liao Hua in the van.
When the Wei army retreated, Cao Zhen and Sima Yi remained in the rear superintending the movement. They sent a reconnoitering party along the old road to Chencang, and they returned saying no enemy was to be seen. Ten days later the leaders, who had commanded in the ambush, joined the main body saying that they had seen no sign of the enemy.
Cao Zhen said, “This continuous autumn rain has rendered all the ways impassable; how could the soldiers of Shu know of our retreat?”
“They will appear later,” said Sima Yi.
“How can you know?”
“These late five dry days they have not pursued, because they think we shall have left a rearguard in ambush. Therefore they have let us get well away. But after we have gone, they will try to occupy Qishan.”
Cao Zhen was not convinced.
“Why do you doubt?” asked Sima Yi. “I think Zhuge Liang will certainly advance by way of the two valleys, and you and I should guard the entrances. I give them ten days, and if they do not appear, I will come to your camp painted in the face to own my mistake.”
“If the army of Shu do appear, I will give you the girdle and the steed that the Emperor gave me,” replied Cao Zhen.
And they split their force, Cao Zhen taking up his station on the west of Qishan in the Xie Valley, and Sima Yi going to the east in the Chi Valley.
As soon as the camp was settled, Sima Yi led a cohort into hiding in the valley. The remainder of the force was placed in detachments on the chief roads.
Sima Yi disguised himself as a soldier and went among the soldiers to get a private survey of all the camps. In one of them he happened upon a junior officer who was complaining, saying, “The rain has drenched us for days, and they would not retire. Now they have camped here for a wager. They have no pity for us soldiers.”
Sima Yi returned to his tent and assembled his officers. Hauling out the grumbler, Sima Yi said to him, angrily, “The state feeds and trains soldiers a thousand days for one hour's service. How dare you give vent to your spleen to the detriment of discipline?”
The man would not confess, so his comrades were called to bear witness. Still he would not own up.
“I am not here for a wager, but to overcome Shu,” said Sima Yi. “Now you all have done well and are going home, but only this fellow complains and is guilty of mutinous conduct.”
Sima Yi ordered the lictors to put him to death, and in a short time they produced his head.
The others were terrified, but Sima Yi said, “All you must do your utmost to guard against the enemy. When you hear a bomb explode, rush out on all sides and attack.”
With this order they retired.
