Hu Zun made a camp at Xutang. It was then the depth of winter and intensely cold. Heavy snow fell. Thinking that no warlike operations were possible in such weather, Hu Zun and his officers made a great feast.
In the midst of the feasting came one to report: “Thirty ships are coming in the river.”
Hu Zun went out to look and saw them come into the bank. He made out a hundred troops on each.
As they were so few, he returned to the feast and told his officers, “Only three thousand sailors; there is nothing to be alarmed at.”
Giving orders to keep a careful watch, they all returned to enjoy themselves.
Ding Feng's ships were all drawn up in line. Then he said to his officers, “Today there is indeed a grand opportunity for a brave soldier to distinguish himself. We shall need the utmost freedom of movement, so throw off your armor, leave your helmets, cast aside your long spears, and reject your heavy halberds. Short swords are the weapons for today.”
From the shore the soldiers of Wei watched the Wu marines with amusement, taking no trouble to prepare against an attack. But suddenly a cluster of bombs exploded, and simultaneously with the roar Ding Feng sprang ashore at the head of his troops. They dashed up the bank and made straight for the Wei camp.
The soldiers of Wei were taken completely by surprise and were helpless. Han Zong grasped one of the halberds that stood by the door of the commander's tent, but Ding Feng stabbed him in the breast, and he rolled over. Huan Jia went round and came up on the left. Just as he poised his spear to thrust, Ding Feng gripped it under his arm. Huan Jia let go and turned to flee, but Ding Feng sent his sword flying after him and caught him in the shoulder. He turned and was thrust through by Ding Feng's spear.
The three companies of Wu marines went to and fro in the camp of Wei slaying as they would. Hu Zun mounted a horse and fled. His troops ran away across the floating bridge, but that gave way and many were thrown into the water and drowned. Dead bodies lay about on the snow in large numbers. The spoil of military gear that fell to Wu was immense.
Sima Zhao, Wang Chang, and Guanqiu Jian, seeing the Dongxing front had been broken, decided to retreat.
Zhuge Ke marched his army to Dongxing, and he made great feastings and distribution of rewards in celebration of victory.
Then he said to his leaders, “Sima Zhao has suffered a defeat and retreated to the north. It is time to take the Middle Land.”
So he told his officers that this was his intention, and also sent away letters to Shu to engage the aid of Jiang Wei, promising that the empire should be divided between them when they had taken it.
An army of two hundred thousand troops was told off to invade the Middle Land. Just as it was starting, a stream of white vapor was seen emerging from the earth, and as it spread it gradually enveloped the whole army so that people could not see each other.
“It is a white rainbow,” said Jiang Yan, “and it bodes ill to the army. I advise you, O Commander, to return and not march against Wei.”
“How dare you utter such ill-omened words and blunt the keenness of my army?” cried Zhuge Ke, angrily.
He bade the lictors take Jiang Yan out and put him to death. But Jiang Yan's colleagues interceded for him, and he was spared, but he was stripped of all rank. Orders were issued to march quickly.
Then Ding Feng offered a suggestion, saying, “Wei's chief defense is Xincheng; it would be a severe blow to Sima Shi to capture it.”
Zhuge Ke welcomed this suggestion and gave orders to march on Xincheng. They came up and found the city gates closed, wherefore they began to besiege the city. The commander in the city, Zhang Te, saw the legions of Wu at the walls, held a strict defense.
A hasty messenger was sent to Luoyang, and First Secretary Yu Song told the Prime Minister, Sima Shi.
Yu Song said, “Zhuge Ke is laying siege to Xincheng; the city should not try to repulse the attack, but simply hold out as long as possible. When the besiegers have exhausted their provisions, they will be compelled to retire. As they retreat, we can smite them. However, it is necessary to provide against any invasion from Shu.”
Accordingly Sima Zhao was sent to reinforce Guo Huai so as to keep off Jiang Wei, while Guanqiu Jian and Hu Zun kept the army of Wu at bay.
For months the army of Zhuge Ke battered at Xincheng without success. He urged his generals to strenuous efforts, threatening to put to death anyone who was dilatory. At last his attacks looked like succeeding, for the northeast corner of the wall seemed shaken.
Then Zhang Te, the commander of Xincheng, thought of a device. He sent a persuasive messenger with all the register documents to Zhuge Ke.
