When Dong Jue, General Who Upholds the State, heard of the invasion of Wei in ten divisions, he brought to the frontier twenty thousand troops to Saber Pass. And when the dust showed an approaching army, Dong Jue thought it wise to go to the Pass lest the coming armies should be enemies to be stopped.
But Dong Jue found that the newcomers were Jiang Wei, Liao Hua, and Zhang Yi; he let them pass through and gave them the news from the capital, bad news of the deeds of both the Latter Ruler and Huang Hao.
“But do not grieve;” said Jiang Wei, “so long as I live, I will not allow Wei to come and conquer Shu.”
They kept good guard at Saber Pass, while they discussed future plans.
“Though we are holding this pass, yet Chengdu is well-nigh empty of soldiers,” said Dong Jue. “If it was attacked it would go crack!”
Jiang Wei replied, “The natural defenses of Chengdu are excellent; it is hard to cross over the mountains and climb the steep roads. No one need fear.”
Soon after this, Zhuge Xu appeared at the pass challenging the defenders. Jiang Wei forthwith placed himself at the head of five thousand troops and went down to meet the Wei army. He gained an easy victory, slaying many of the enemy and taking much spoil in horses and weapons.
While Jiang Wei went back to the pass, the defeated Zhuge Xu made his way to Zhong Hui's camp, seven miles away, to confess his failure. His general was very angry.
“My orders to you were to hold Yinping Bridge so as to stop Jiang Wei, and you lost it. Now without any orders you attack and are defeated.”
“Jiang Wei played so many deceitful tricks. He pretended to be going to take Yongzhou, and I thought that was very important, so I sent troops to rescue it. Then he meanly got away. I followed to the pass, but never thought he would come out and defeat my troops.”
Zhuge Xu pleaded thus, but he was sentenced to die.
Now Wei Guan, Army Inspector, said, “Zhuge Xu is really a subordinate of Deng Ai and, admitting that he is in fault, his punishment should not have been pronounced by you, O Commander.”
But Zhong Hui swaggeringly replied, “I have a command from the Emperor and orders from the Prime Minister to attack Shu; if Deng Ai himself offended, I would behead him.”
However, other leaders interceded for Zhuge Xu, and Zhong Hui did not put him to death, but sent him a
caged prisoner to the capital to be judged. The surviving soldiers were added to Zhong Hui's army.
This insolent speech of Zhong Hui was duly repeated to Deng Ai, who was angry in his turn and said, “His rank and mine are the same. I have held a frontier post for years and sustained many fatigues in the country's service. Who is he that he gives himself such airs?”
His son Deng Zhong endeavored to appease his wrath.
“Father, if you cannot suffer small things, you may upset the grand policy of the state. Unfriendliness with him may do great harm, so I hope you will bear with him.”
Deng Ai saw his son was right, and said no more; but he nourished anger in his heart. With a small escort he went to call upon his colleague.
When his coming was announced, Zhong Hui asked his staff, “How many soldiers are following Deng Ai?”
“He has only some twenty horsemen,” they replied.
Zhong Hui had a large body of guards drawn up about his tent, and then gave orders that his visitor should be led in. Deng Ai dismounted, and the two men saluted each other. But the visitor did not like the look on the faces of his host's guards. He decided to find out what Zhong Hui was thinking.
“The capture of Hanzhong is a piece of excellent fortune for the state,” said Deng Ai. “The capture of Saber Pass can now be accomplished easily.”
“What is your own idea, General?” asked Zhong Hui.
Deng Ai tried to evade answering the question, but could not. Zhong Hui pressed him to reply.
Finally he said, “In my simple opinion one might proceed by by-roads from the pass through the Yinping Mountains to Deyang in Hanzhong, and thence make a surprise march to Chengdu. Jiang Wei must go to its defense, and you, General, can take the Saber Pass.”
“A very good plan,” said Zhong Hui. “You may start forthwith, and I will wait here till I hear news of your success.”
They drank, and Deng Ai took his leave. Zhong Hui went back to his own tent filled with contempt for Deng Ai's plan. which he thought impracticable.
“They say Deng Ai is able; I think he is of most ordinary capacity,” said he to his officers.
“But why?” said they.
“Because the by-roads by Yinping Mountains are impassable, nothing but lofty cliffs and steep hills. A hundred defenders at a critical point could cut all communications, and Deng Ai's army would starve to death. I shall go by the direct road, and there is no fear about the result. I shall overcome Shu.”
So he prepared scaling ladders and stone-throwing machines and set himself to besiege Saber Pass.
Deng Ai went out to the main gate of the court. While mounting, he said to his followers, “What did Zhong Hui think of me?”
