Three Kingdoms

Chapter 36 Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition to Wei (1)
After the death of Emperor Cao Pi of Wei State, Prince Cao Rui ascended the throne.Cao Rui ordered Hussar general Sima Yi to lead troops to guard Xiliang to prevent Zhuge Liang from attacking Wei.

Zhuge Liang was taken aback when he heard the news, and immediately ordered generals at all levels to hold an emergency military meeting.Zhuge Liang said:
"After Cao Pi's death, Cao Rui became the emperor of Wei, and now Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to guard Xiliang. Sima Yi was resourceful, and now he is guarding Xiliang Dazhou. He will definitely train soldiers and horses, and sooner or later he will become my Great Shu. Great enemy. We should strike first.” Joining the army Ma Su said: “The prime minister has just put down the Nanman rebellion, and now the soldiers and horses are exhausted and it is not suitable to send troops to fight again. I have a plan to prevent Sima Yi from guarding Xiliang Dazhou.” Zhuge Liang asked him what he had What a clever plan, Ma Di said: "Although Sima Yi is a minister of the Wei State, the Emperor of the Wei State has always been afraid of him. We can use countermeasures to make their monarchs and ministers turn against each other and kill Sima Yi by the hand of the Emperor Wei State. We sent people to Xuchang posted a notice saying that Sima Yi was going to rebel, the Emperor of Wei would definitely suspect Sima Yi, and Sima Yi's military power would also be cut off."

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang felt that Ma Su's strategy was really brilliant, so he immediately sent someone to Xuchang to post a notice.

Within a few days, many notices were posted in Xuchang City saying that Sima Yi was going to rebel.Cao Rui, the emperor of Wei, soon learned of the news. Cao Rui was very surprised, and hurriedly asked the Minister of Civil and Military Affairs what to do.

Taiwei Huaxin said: "Back then Emperor Taizu Wudi Cao Cao once said that Sima Yi was ambitious, so don't give him the military power in the future. Once he seizes the military power, he will definitely rebel."

Wang Lang also said: "If Sima Yi is not eliminated early, he will definitely rebel." Cao Rui did not dare to delay any longer, and was about to send troops to conquer Sima Yi. You can't do this. The truth of the matter is not yet known. If you send troops to attack now, Sima Yi will definitely rebel. This is to force him to rebel. This may be a trick by Western Shu or Eastern Wu. They just want us to turn against each other. There is civil strife in our country. Please be aware of it, Your Majesty."

Cao Rui said: "If Sima Yi really wants to rebel, what should we do?" Cao Zhen said: "You can imitate Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, to test Sima Yi by pretending to be sleepwalking. Your Majesty can stay in Anyi for a few days, and Sima Yi will definitely come to greet him. , and then observe whether he has the intention of rebellion, and if he has the intention of rebellion, you can arrest him immediately." Cao Rui followed his advice and led a hundred thousand imperial forest troops to Anyi.

Sima Yi didn't know what Wei Emperor Cao Rui was going to do when he came to Anyi.He wanted Cao Rui to know how brave and majestic the soldiers he trained were, so he led tens of thousands of warriors to meet Cao Rui.Immediately, a soldier told Cao Rui that Sima Yi led troops to welcome him.Cao Rui was taken aback. He thought Sima Yi was really going to rebel, so he immediately ordered Cao Xiu to lead troops to attack Sima Yi.

When Sima Yi saw an army approaching, he hurriedly knelt down on the side of the road to greet him.Cao Xiu came to Sima Yi on horseback and said, "You are a minister, why did you rebel?"Cao Xiu told him everything.

Sima Yi said: "This must be a countermeasure by Western Shu and Eastern Wu. They want us to kill each other, so they can take the opportunity to attack us. I want to tell the emperor the truth of this matter." Sima Yi ordered the warriors to retreat In the military camp, he came to Cao Rui by himself and cried and said: "I am a minister of the country, how dare I rebel against the country? This must be a treacherous trick by Western Shu and Eastern Wu. I am willing to lead an army to send troops to conquer, and attack the country first. Xishu, then destroy Dongwu. Prove my loyalty."

Cao Rui has been hesitant.Hua Xin said: "Don't hand over the military power to him. Your Majesty should dismiss him as an official and let him go home to retire." Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to be dismissed from office and asked him to go home immediately to retire.He also ordered Cao Xiu to command the Xiliang army.Cao Rui returned to Luoyang.

Zhuge Liang knew the news right away, and he said happily: "I have always wanted to conquer Wei. Because Sima Yi is guarding Xiliangzhou County, I dare not act rashly. Now Sima Yi has been dismissed and returned to his hometown for retirement. What else am I afraid of?"

The next day, Zhuge Liang presented the "Teacher List" to Liu Chan, the later master, requesting the Northern Expedition to the Wei State to restore the great mountains and rivers of the Han Dynasty.

The Empress Liu Chan said to Zhuge Liang: "The prime minister has just returned from an expedition. He has worked so hard all the way. He should rest and recuperate."

Zhuge Liang said: "The first emperor entrusted me to revive the Han Dynasty, and I have never dared to relax. Now that the Nanban is pacified and the country has no internal worries, this is a great time. The Northern Expedition to the Wei Kingdom should be carried out at this time."

Tai Shi Qiao Zhou stood up and advised Zhuge Liang: "I watched the celestial phenomena last night. The Wei State in the north is very prosperous. There are famous ministers and good generals assisting the Emperor of Wei State. It is not suitable to send troops at this time! The prime minister knows astronomy and geography. You know it’s God’s will, so why bother to force it?”

Zhuge Liang said loudly: "The way of heaven is uncertain, and there are unpredictable things in the sky. Don't be so conservative. I will garrison in Hanzhong first, wait for the internal changes in Wei, and wait for a good time before sending troops to the north." No matter how much Qiao Zhou persuaded him, he couldn't persuade him.

So Zhuge Liang dispatched troops and generals, and the army had already set off from Chengdu.

Seeing that Zhuge Liang did not send him, the veteran Zhao Yun was not convinced, and said loudly to Zhuge Liang: "Although I am old now, I still have the ability to lead troops to fight. The ancient famous generals like Lian Po and Ma Yuan may not be able to compare with me. Both of their generals are not convinced, let alone me, Zhao Yun!"

Zhuge Liang said: "I pacified Nanman and returned to Chengdu. At this time, Ma Chao died of illness. He was also one of the five tiger generals. I regret his death very much. It seems that I have lost an arm. The old general is now so old. , if there is a mistake, how can I be worthy of the whole army! When the time comes, General, you will lose your reputation and the morale of the Shu army."

Zhao Yun said loudly again: "I have been invincible since I followed the first emperor in the southern and northern wars. I have never been defeated by anyone. A man died in battle and died for his country. There is nothing so terrible about death." Zhuge Liang repeatedly advised him not to lead troops When it came to war, Zhao Yun insisted on not listening. He insisted on fighting in the vanguard and conquering Wei State in the north.Zhao Yun also said to Zhuge Liang: "If you don't allow me to play the vanguard, I will crash and die in front of the steps today." Zhuge Liang had to agree to him and let Deng Zhi accompany him to play the vanguard.

The queen master Liu Chan personally sent Zhuge Liang to the north gate ten miles away, and Zhuge Liang led a mighty army to Hanzhong.

The emperor of Wei immediately knew that Zhuge Liang personally led an army of more than 30 troops into Hanzhong, and that Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi were the pioneers.Cao Rui hastily summoned civil and military officials to discuss how to deal with the Shu army.

Xia Houyuan's son, Xia Houmao, was the governor of the capital, and he was in charge of the Xiliang army and horses to fight against the Shu army.

At this time, Situ Wanglang stood up and said: "General Xiahou can't be the governor-general of the Xiliang army. General Xiahou has never led soldiers to fight, and Zhuge Liang is resourceful. General Xiahou is no match for the Shu army." .”

Xia Houmao said: "Does Wang Situ want to join forces with Zhuge Liang both internally and externally to murder our Great Wei State? I have been familiar with military books since I was a child, and I am proficient in the art of war. Why do you bully me because I am young and incompetent? If I don't capture Zhuge Liang alive, I will never come back to see the emperor!" Wang Lang and other civil and military ministers did not dare to persuade Xia Houmao again.

Xia Houmao immediately led more than 20 soldiers and horses to Chang'an regardless of day or night.

At this time, the Shu army had arrived in Mianyang.Zhuge Liang heard the news that Xia Houmao had led more than 20 troops to Chang'an, and immediately ordered generals at all levels to discuss major matters of the march.

Wei Yan said: "Xiahou boy is cowardly and foolish. I am willing to lead [-] elite soldiers through the Qinling Mountains and over the Ziwu Valley. Within ten days, our army can capture Chang'an. Xiahou boy will definitely abandon the city if he hears the news. Mendi Pavilion is defeated. I will lead the troops back to attack Xiliangzhou County, and the Prime Minister will lead the army to march from Xiegu, and the whole journey will be overwhelming, so the west of Xianyang can be captured."

Zhuge Liang said: "This is not a perfect solution. There are many problems. If there is a general in the state of Wei who leads troops to block the dangerous pass, then it will not be a problem with five thousand troops. If it is not done well, it will greatly affect our country. Army morale. Not acceptable."

Wei Yan also said: "The Prime Minister is going to attack the main road, and the enemy will definitely concentrate their forces to stop it. I don't know when they will be able to occupy the Central Plains. The Northern Expedition will be successful."

Zhuge Liang said: "I took the flat road from the right side of Shaanxi and fought with caution. How could I not win?" Zhuge Liang did not adopt Wei Yan's strategy.Wei Yan felt very unhappy.Zhuge Liang ordered Zhao Yun to attack.

Xia Houmao recruited troops everywhere in Chang'an, Xiliang General Han De and his four sons all defected to Xiahoumao, Han De and his son led [-] Qiang soldiers and were ordered to face Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun killed Han De's four sons. Han De was not Zhao Yun's opponent, so he hurriedly packed up the remnants and fled to Chang'an.Han De told Xia Houmao about the battle with Zhao Yun.Xia Houmao immediately led the army to meet Zhao Yun.

Hande and Zhao Yun fought in front of the formation again, and after only a few blows, Zhao Yun killed Hande.The Shu army took the opportunity to attack the Wei army violently.Xia Houmao hurriedly led his troops back out of the battle, and was defeated.After chasing for more than ten miles, the Shu army withdrew their troops and returned to the camp.

Xia Houmao held an emergency military meeting overnight.Xia Houmao said to his generals: "Zhao Yun's bravery has not diminished in the past. He killed the five Han De fathers and sons, and defeated our Wei army. You really shouldn't underestimate the enemy."

General Cheng Wu said: "Zhao Yun is brave and foolish. He is not to be feared. Tomorrow I will fight with him. The commander-in-chief ambushed heavy troops on both sides of the valley in advance. I led him into the valley, and the commander-in-chief ordered the heavy troops to fight out. There are Wei troops in all directions. Zhao Yun You can't escape with your wings!"

Xia Houmao adopted Cheng Wu's strategy.He ordered his subordinate generals Dong Xi and Xue Ze to lead [-] troops each in ambush.

The next day, General Pan Sui of Wei State challenged Zhao Yun.Pan Sui was not Zhao Yun's opponent, so he was defeated and returned to the Wei camp. Zhao Yun pursued and killed him, and the Wei army had eight generals to resist Zhao Yun.Zhao Yun defeated eight generals of the Wei army, Xia Houmao pretended to escape, Zhao Yun led his troops to chase them down, and Deng Zhi covered them.

Zhao Yun entered the valley, at this time Wei Jun rushed out from both sides, Dong Xi's [-] troops were on the left, and Xue Ze's [-] troops were on the right.Deng Zhi has few soldiers and cannot save Zhao Yun.Zhao Yun was surrounded by a circle and could not escape.Zhao Yun's soldiers were getting fewer and fewer, and Xia Houmao dispatched troops on the mountain to attack Zhao Yun continuously.Zhao Yun kept counterattacking but couldn't get out of the Wei army's encirclement.It was already dark at this time, and Zhao Yun rushed to kill all day.Seeing that he couldn't get out, Zhao Yun couldn't help looking up to the sky and sighing: "I don't accept my old age, but I'm going to die here today!"

Suddenly there was a loud noise of killing in the northeast corner of the valley, and the Wei army fled one after another. A Shu army came to rescue Zhao Yun, led by Zhang Bao.Dong Xi's head was still hanging from the back of Zhang Bao's horse, and he killed all the way, and the Wei army was defeated and fled in all directions.At this time, another Shu army rushed in from outside the valley, led by Guan Xing, who held Xue Ze's head in his hand.

As soon as Zhao Yun saw the arrival of the rescuers, he became energetic again and joined the battle together. Xia Houmao couldn't resist the fierce attack of Zhao Yun, Zhang Bao, Guan Xing, and Deng Zhi. The army killed so much that blood flowed into rivers, and corpses were scattered all over the field.

Xia Houmao had no way to escape, so he had to flee to the city of Nan'an County for refuge.Zhao Yun, Zhang Bao, and Guan Xing led troops to surround Nan'an City, but they couldn't attack for a long time.

Zhuge Liang ordered the rear army to stay at Mianyang, the left army to guard Yangping Pass, and the right army to guard Shicheng. He personally led the central army to help Zhao Yun and others.

Zhuge Liang observed the terrain of Nan'an City and told Zhao Yun and others not to attack for a long time. If the Wei army divides its troops to attack the Hanzhong area, the Shu army will be very dangerous.

Deng Zhi said: "Capturing Xia Houmao is like capturing a hundred generals of the Wei army. Now that he is surrounded in Nan'an City, how can we give up easily?"

Zhuge Liang said: "I have a clever plan. I don't know who the prefects of Tianshui and Anding are?" The soldiers reported: "The prefect of Tianshui is Ma Zun, and the prefect of Anding is Cui Liang."

Zhuge Liang whispered in Wei Yan's ear, "Pretend to be Xiahoumao's general Pei Xu and go to Anding prefect Cui Liang for help. He will definitely send troops to rescue Xiahoumao. Then we can attack Anding County." Wei Yan obeyed and set off.

Zhuge Liang told Zhang Bao and Guan Xing about his plan again, and they also took orders to set off.Zhuge Liang pretended to order his subordinates to pile firewood under the city, saying that he wanted to burn the city.When Wei Jun heard the news, everyone laughed at Zhuge Liang's stupidity.

Wei Yan disguised himself as Pei Xu and sneaked into the city of Anding, and said to Cui Liang, the prefect of Anding: "The governor of Xiahou was besieged by Zhuge Liang in Nan'an, please send troops to rescue the governor as soon as possible."

Cui Liang said: "Is there any letter from the governor?" Wei Yan took out a sweat-soaked letter from his bosom, the handwriting was very blurry, Cui Liang read it briefly, Wei Yan put it back into his bosom, and asked Cui Liang again. Said to lead troops to rescue the governor of Xiahou as soon as possible.Then he changed to a fast horse and went to Tianshui County.

Cui Liang personally led the troops to rescue Xia Houmao. The army was ambushed by the Shu army on the way. Guan Xing blocked the road in front, and Zhang Bao cut off Cui Liang's return.There was a battle between the two armies, and Cui Liang was no match for Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, so he had to surrender.

Zhuge Liang said to Cui Liang: "Are you familiar with Nan'an prefect?" Cui Liang said: "Nan'an prefect Yang Ling was Yang Fu's clan brother back then, and I know him very well." Zhuge Liang said: "It's better this way. I would like to invite you into Nan'an City to persuade Yang Ling to surrender, and the two of you seize the opportunity to capture Xia Houmao, and you will be the one who will make the most important contribution at that time." Cui Liang said: "Okay, I will go to the city to persuade Yang Ling to surrender. Let's unite and capture Xia Houmao."

Zhuge Liang released Cui Liang into Nan'an City.Cui Liang met Yang Ling and explained why Zhuge Liang wanted him to enter the city.Yang Ling said loudly: "We are the people of Wei State, how can we surrender to the enemy? We might as well use our tactics." Yang Ling took Cui Liang to Xia Houmao's headquarters.

Xia Houmao listened to Cui Liang explain again why Zhuge Liang let him enter Nan'an City.Xia Houmao asked Yang Ling, "What's your plan?"

Yang Ling said: "I pretended to surrender, and I wanted to give Nan'an City to Zhuge Liang, and told him to come into the city himself, and when the time came, we would wipe out everything."

Cui Liang walked back to Zhuge Liang's barracks according to Yang Ling's plan.Cui Liang said to Zhuge Liang: "Yangling promised to surrender the city. He wanted to catch Xiahoumao, but because Xiahoumao was surrounded by many warriors to protect him, he didn't dare to do it." Zhuge Liang said: "This matter is very easy. How many do you have now? Hundreds of soldiers are still in our camp. I can send the generals of the Shu army to enter the city together with your troops. Let them lie in ambush under Xiahoumao's mansion first. Make an appointment with Yangling to enter Xiahoumao's mansion at midnight and destroy Xiahoumao.

Cui Liang thought to himself: "If you don't bring the generals of the Shu army into the city, I'm afraid that Zhuge Liang will become suspicious."First bring people into the city to kill, and then set fire as a pretext to tell Zhuge Liang to enter the city, trick him into coming in, close the city gate and kill him. Cui Liang thought about it like this, so he pretended to agree to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang said to Cui Liang again: "I will send my love generals Zhang Bao and Guan Xing to go to the city with you to catch Xia Houmao together. Once you catch Xiahoumao, you Just set fire to the city tower, and then I will lead my troops into the city. "Cui Liang agreed.

When it was getting dark, Zhuge Liang told Guan Xing and Zhang Bao another secret plan.Guan Xing and Zhang Bao went into the city with Cui Liang.

When they came to the city gate, Yang Ling personally came to welcome Cui Liang, Zhang Bao, Guan Xing and other soldiers entering the city.Guan Xing approached Yang Ling, raised his knife and dropped it, Yang Ling was killed, Cui Liang ran away, and was finally stabbed to death by Zhang Bao with a steel spear.Xia Houmao was about to go out of the city to fight Guan Xing and Zhang Bao.At this time, Wang Ping rushed out from the city gate and caught Xia Houmao with one hand.The Shu army quickly captured Nan'an City.

Zhuge Liang ordered the soldiers not to invade the people in the city.Generals at all levels came to contribute.Zhuge Liang was very happy.At this time Deng Zhi asked Zhuge Liang: "How did the Prime Minister know that Cui Liang pretended to surrender?" Zhuge Liang said: "I have long seen that Cui Liang did not really surrender.

I deliberately discussed with him about going to the city to arrest Xia Houmao.When he returns to Nan'an City, he will definitely tell Xia Houmao what I want him to do, and they will discuss and plan. When I see him come back and say that he can capture Xiahoumao, I know he is pretending to surrender, so I will follow the plan and send Guan Xing , Zhang Bao went into the city with him, and I secretly told Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to kill Cui Liang as soon as they arrived at the gate of the city.The defenders in the city must not be ready, my army rushed to kill them, and Nan'an City is within easy reach. "The generals at all levels admired Zhuge Liang very much.

Zhuge Liang said again: "Wei Yan's general Pei Xu was pretended by Wei Yan. I sent him to deceive Tianshui prefect Ma Zun, but he still hasn't come back. I don't know why. Now we can take the opportunity to attack Tianshui City." So the guards were left behind to guard the two cities of Nan'an and Anding, and led the army to rush to Tianshui City.

Ma Zun is discussing with his generals about sending troops to rescue Xia Houmao.At this time, Wei Yan sent another letter. Wei Yan handed the letter to Ma Zun and said: "The governor is heavily besieged in Nan'an by the Shu army. General Ma, please send troops to rescue as soon as possible!" Wei Yan dared not stay in Tianshui City for a long time. rode away.

Ma Zunzheng was about to send troops to rescue Xia Houmao, when a man stood up and said, "Don't fall into Zhuge Liang's scheme, the prefect!" Everyone took a closer look and saw that it was Jiang Wei from Tianshui, also known as Boyue.Jiang Wei has been well-read since he was a child, intelligent and talented, proficient in martial arts, and good at using troops to make strategies.Jiang Wei was very filial to his mother, and his father died very early.He is the Zhonglang general of Wei State and the military counselor of Tianshui County.

Jiang Wei said to Ma Zun: "Zhuge Liang surrounded Nan'an with heavy troops, and no one in Nan'an can leave the city. Besides, Pei Xu is an unknown young general who doesn't know anyone. How can people believe it? An Ding sent someone to make an emergency, and there is no official document. From these flaws, it can be seen that the messenger is not a Wei general but a general of the Shu army. Zhuge Liang wants to trick the prefect out of the city, and if we are negligent, he will definitely ambush an army nearby to attack Tianshui City."

Ma Zun suddenly realized, and said, "If Jiang Wei hadn't exposed this scam, I would have fallen for it long ago!"

Jiang Wei said with a smile: "Don't worry, the prefect. I also have a clever plan to catch Zhuge Liang and relieve Nan'an from being trapped."

Ma Zun asked, "What good plan do you have?"

(End of this chapter)