Sima Yi entered the ranks and called to him three generals — Dai Ling, Zhang Hu, and Yue Chen — to whom he said, “That formation consists of eight gates — Birth, Exit, Expanse, Wound, Fear, Annihilation, Obstacle, and Death. You will go in from the east at the Gate of Birth, turn to the southwest and make your way out by the Gate of Annihilation. Then enter at the north, at the Exit Gate, and the formation will be broken up. But be cautious.” They started with Zhang Hu leading, Dai Ling next, and Yue Chen in rear, each with thirty horsemen. They made their way in at the Gate of Birth amid the applause of both sides. But when they had got within they found themselves facing a wall of troops and could not find a way out. They hastily led their men round by the base of the line toward the southwest to rush out there. But they were stopped by a flight of arrows. They became confused and saw many gates, but they had lost their bearings. Nor could they aid each other. They dashed hither and thither in disorder, lose as in gathering clouds and rolling mists. Then a shout arose, and each one was seized and bound.
They were taken to the center, where Zhuge Liang sat in his tent, and the three leaders with their ninety men were ranged in front.
“Indeed you are prisoners; are you surprised” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “But I will set you free to return to your leader, and tell him to read his books again, and study his tactics, before he comes to try conclusions with me. You are pardoned, but leave your weapons and horses here.”
So they were stripped of their arms and armors and their faces inked. Thus were they led on foot out of the array. Sima Yi lost his temper at sight of his people thus put to shame.
Said he, “After this disgrace, how can I face the other officers in the Middle Land?”
He gave the signal for the army to fall on and attack the enemy, and, grasping his sword, led his brave generals into the fray and commanded the attack. But just as the two armies came to blows, Guan Xing came up, his drums rolling and troops shouting, and attacked. Sima Yi told off a division from the rear to oppose Guan Xing, and again turned to urge on his main body.
Then the army of Wei was thrown into confusion by another attack from Jiang Wei, who came up silently and joined in the battle. Thus three sides of the Wei army were attacked by three different divisions of the enemy, and Sima Yi decided to retire. However, this was difficult. The soldiers of Shu hemmed him in and came closer every moment. At last, by a desperate push, he cut an arterial alley toward the south and freed his army. But he had lost six or seven out of every ten of his soldiers.
The Wei army withdrew to the south bank of River Wei and camped. They strengthened their position and remained entirely on the defensive.
Zhuge Liang mustered his victorious army and returned to Qishan.
Now Li Yan sent an officer, General Gou An, from Baidicheng with a convoy of grain. Gou An was a drunkard and loitered on the road so that he arrived ten days late. Zhuge Liang, angry at the delay, upbraided him, saying, “This grain is of the utmost importance to the army and you delay it. Three days' delay ought to mean the death penalty; what can you say to this delay of ten?”
Gou An was sentenced to death and hustled out.
But Yang Yi ventured to intervene, saying, “Gou An is a servant of Li Yan, and Li Yan has sent large supplies of all sorts from the Western Land of Rivers. If you put this man to death, perhaps others will not undertake escort duty.”
Zhuge Liang then bade the executioners loose the offender, give him eighty blows, and let him go.
This punishment filled Gou An's heart with bitter resentment, and, in the night, he deserted to the enemy, he and his half dozen personal staff. He was taken before Sima Yi and told the tale of his wrongs. “Your tale may be true, but it is hard to trust it,” said Sima Yi. “Zhuge Liang is full of guile. However, you may render me a service, and if you do, I will ask the Ruler of Wei that you may be allowed to serve him and obtain a post for you.”
“Whatever you ask, I will do the best I can,” replied the deserter.
“Then go to Chengdu and spread a lying report that Zhuge Liang is angry with the powers there and means to make himself emperor. This will get him recalled, and that will be a merit to you.”
Gou An accepted the treacherous mission. In Chengdu he got hold of the eunuchs and told them his lying tale. The eunuchs became alarmed for their own safety and told the Emperor all these things.
“In such a case what am I to do?” asked the Latter Ruler.
“Recall him to the capital,” said the eunuchs, “and take away his military powers so that he cannot rebel.”
The Latter Ruler issued an edict recalling the army.
Jiang Wan said, “The Prime Minister has rendered many and great services since he led out the army; wherefore is he recalled?”
“I have a private matter to consult him about,” said the Latter Ruler. “I must see him personally.”
