The city was surrounded. It was autumn, and the rain fell day after day without ceasing. At the end of the month, the plain was under three feet of water, so that the grain boats sailed straight from River Ji to the city walls. The besiegers suffered much from the floods.
Pei Jing, Commander of the Left, went to Sima Yi and asked that the army might be moved to camp on the higher ground, out of the mud and water. But Sima Yi flouted the suggestion.
“How can the army move away just when success is in sight? The rebels will be conquered now any day; and if any other speaks about drawing off, he will be put to death.”
Pei Jing agreed and went away.
Soon after, Chou Lian, Commander of the Right, came to see his chief and repeated the suggestion, saying, “The soldiers are suffering from the rains. O Commander, let them camp on the hills.”
Sima Yi got angry and said, “I have sent the command, and you are against it.”
And he ordered Chou Lian to be executed. His head was suspended at the camp gate as a warning to others. The soldiers dared to complain any more.
Then Sima Yi ordered the south camp to be abandoned, and the army marched seven miles south, thus allowing the soldiers and people in the city to come out to gather fuel and pasture their cattle.
The attacking army could not understand this move, and Chen Qun spoke about it.
“When you besieged Shangyong, O Regent Marshal, you attacked all round at eight points, and the city fell in eight days. Meng Da was taken, and you won a great success. Now your forty thousand troops have borne their armors many days over long marches and you do not press the attack, but keep the them in the mud and mire and let the enemy gather supplies and feed their cattle. I do not know what your intention may be.”
“Sir,” replied the Commander-in-Chief, “I see you are ignorant of war after all. You do not understand the different conditions. Meng Da then had ample supplies and few troops; we were under exactly opposite conditions, and so we had to attack vigorously and at once. The suddenness of the attack defeated the enemy. But look at present conditions. The Liaodong troops are many and we few; they are on the verge of starvation, and we are full fed. Why should we force the attack? Our line is to let the soldiers desert and capture the city. Therefore I leave a gate open and the road free that they may run away.”
Chen Qun then understood and acknowledged the correctness of the strategy. Sima Yi sent to Luoyang to hasten supplies, that there should be no shortage.
However, the war was not supported in the capital, for when the messenger arrived and the Ruler of Wei summoned his courtiers, they said, “In Liaodong the rain has been continuous for a month, and the soldiers are in misery. Sima Yi ought to be recalled, and the war renewed at a more convenient season.”
The Ruler of Wei replied, “The leader of our army is most capable and best able to decide upon what should be done. He understands the conditions and is teeming with magnificent plans. He will certainly succeed. Wherefore, Noble Sirs, wait a few days and let us not be anxious about the result.”
So Cao Rui heeded not the voice of the dissentients, but took care that provisions were sent.
After a few days the rain ceased, and fine, clear weather followed. That night Sima Yi went out of his tent that he might study the sky. Suddenly he saw a very large and bright star start from a point over Shoushan Mountain and travel over toward Xiangping, where it fell. The soldiers were rather frightened at this apparition, but the leader rejoiced.
“Five days from now Gongsun Yuan will be slain where that star fell,” said he. “Therefore attack with vigor.”
They opened the attack the next morning at dawn, throwing up banks and sapping the walls, setting up stone-throwing machines and rearing ladders. When night came the attack did not cease. Arrows fell in the city like pelting rain.
Within the city, grain began to run short, and soon there was none. They slaughtered bullocks and horses for food. The soldiers began to be mutinous and no longer fought with any spirit. There was talk of slaying Gongsun Yuan and yielding the city.
Gongsun Yuan was disheartened and frightened, and decided to sue for peace. He sent his Prime Minister Wang Jian and Imperial Censor Liu Fu out of the city to beg Sima Yi to allow him to submit. These two had to be let down from the walls by ropes, as no other means of exit were possible.
Wang Jian and Liu Fu found their way to Sima Yi and said, “We pray you, O Regent Marshal, retire seven miles and allow the officers to come forth and surrender.”
“Why did not Gongsun Yuan himself come?” said Sima Yi. “He is rude.”
He put the two envoys to death and sent their heads back into the city.
