Three Kingdoms

Chapter 38 Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition to Wei (3)
Zhuge Liang had just defeated Cao Zhen and was about to attack again.At this time, Li Feng, the son of Li Yan who guarded Yong'an Palace, came to Zhuge Liang's barracks.Zhuge Liang thought that Soochow attacked Yong'an Palace, and Li Feng came to ask for help.But Li Feng said to Zhuge Liang: "I'm here to announce the good news. Meng Da has agreed to return to my country of Shu. Meng Da has always been afraid that the country of Wei will murder him, so he decided to return to the country of Shu." Zhuge Liang was really happy.

At this time, another soldier came to report to Zhuge Liang: "Emperor Cao Rui of Wei State appointed Sima Yi as the governor of Pingxi, commanding the army of the West Route. Cao Rui also led the troops to Chang'an." Zhuge Liang was surprised.Joining the army Ma Su said: "What's so scary about Cao Rui? The prime minister doesn't have to worry. If Cao Rui comes to fight our army, he will definitely be defeated." Zhuge Liang said: "I am not afraid of Cao Rui, but I am worried about Sima Yi. Enemy. Now Meng Da is going to join forces with our army to attack Wei. If Sima Yi finds out, the matter will be revealed. Meng Da is not Sima Yi's opponent. Once Meng Da is dead, the Central Plains will be very difficult to conquer." Ma Di said: " Why don't you write an urgent letter to tell him to be on guard?" Zhuge Liang immediately wrote an urgent letter, ordering his trusted soldiers to deliver it to Meng Da immediately.

Meng Da didn't take it seriously, and didn't take Sima Yi seriously at all.He wrote back a letter to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang read Meng Da's letter, immediately threw the letter on the ground, looked up to the sky and sighed and said, "Meng Da will definitely die in the hands of Sima Yi!" Ma Di said, "Why did the prime minister say that?" Unprepared, unexpected. Sima Yi is proficient in the art of war. Cao Rui appointed him as the governor of Pingxi. He will destroy the enemy when he encounters them. How can Meng Da have a chance to breathe? If Meng Da rebelled against Wei, within ten days, Meng Da would be killed by Sima Yi Get rid of it." The generals thought Zhuge Liang was right when they heard what Zhuge Liang said.Zhuge Liang sent someone to tell Meng Da: "If there is no uprising, you must keep it a secret. If the matter is revealed, everything will be in vain." The man took the order and left.

When Sima Yi heard the news that the Wei army had been defeated by the Shu army in Wancheng, he sighed all day long.Sima Yi has two sons, the eldest son Sima Shi, and the second son Sima Zhao. The two brothers have been familiar with military books since childhood and are very resourceful.Sima Shi asked Sima Yi: "Why is father sighing?" Sima Yi said: "How do you know the important affairs of the state?" Sima Master said: "Did you sigh that the emperor does not use you?" Sima Zhao smiled: "The court will come again sooner or later to call for father." Before the words were finished, the imperial envoy's imperial decree arrived.Sima Yi accepted the order and immediately ordered the soldiers and horses near Wancheng to gather.

At this time, the family of Shen Yi, the prefect of Jincheng, came to deliver a secret letter.Sima Yi learned that Meng Da was going to rebel.Sima Yi could not wait any longer, and immediately dispatched troops to march to the new city guarded by Meng Da regardless of day or night.On the way, I met Xu Huang.Sima Yi immediately appointed Xu Huang as the vanguard general, and rushed to Xincheng without stopping.

Xu Huang's soldiers and horses arrived first and surrounded the new city. Meng Da shot Xu Huang to death with an arrow on the tower.Meng Da was also killed by his generals because of the incident.

Sima Yi put down Meng Da's rebellion with lightning speed and was rewarded by Cao Rui.

Sima Yi immediately appointed Zhang He as the vanguard general, and ordered Xin Pi and Sun Li to take their own troops to assist Cao Zhen.Sima Yi was proficient in the art of war, and he was very clever in dispatching troops and generals. He expected that Zhuge Liang would send troops to Jieting on the west side of the Qinling Mountains, so he also sent a large army to seize Jieting.

Zhuge Liang was shocked when he learned that Meng Da's uprising had failed.Then it was learned that Sima Yi led an army of 20, and appointed Zhang He as the vanguard general to set off from Chang'an mightily.Zhuge Liang immediately summoned generals at all levels to discuss how to deal with the Wei army in the barracks.

Zhuge Liang said: "Sima Yi will definitely seize the Jieting first. Although the Jieting is a small place, it is of great importance. It is our throat. Who dares to lead troops to guard the Jieting?"

Joining the army Ma Di said: "I am willing to guard the street pavilion!"

Zhuge Liang said solemnly: "Although you are proficient in the art of war, the street pavilion has no place to serve as a barrier. It may be difficult to defend the street pavilion."

Ma Di said again: "I have memorized the art of war since I was a child, and I know how to use soldiers. Could it be that a small street pavilion can't be defended?"

Zhuge Liang said again: "This time Sima Yi sent troops in person, and with the help of famous generals like Zhang He, I'm afraid you are no match for them."

Ma Di said: "Don't talk about Sima Yi and Zhang He. Even if Cao Rui personally leads troops to attack, I will defeat them."

Zhuge Liang said: "There is no joke in the army, you first issue a military order."

Ma Di said: "If there is anything wrong with Jieting, kill my whole family." After speaking, he wrote a military order.

Zhuge Liang was still worried, and said, "I'll send Wang Ping to guard Jieting with you again. When you arrive at Jieting and set up camp, draw a military topographic map and send it to me. Don't be careless. Be careful against the enemy!"

Ma Di and Wang Ping led [-] elite soldiers to Jieting.

Zhuge Liang was still worried, so he ordered Gao Xiang to lead troops to guard Lieliu City northeast of Jieting; sent Wei Yan to guard the main road behind Jieting; and sent Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi to lead troops to Jigu to play the role of doubting the enemy.Zhuge Liang himself led the army to start from Xiegu.

Ma Di and Wang Ping came to Jieting, looked at the terrain, Ma Di couldn't help laughing and said: "The prime minister is too concerned, how could Wei Jun come to such a remote place?" Wang Ping said: "Although Wei Jun will not come, but The camp still needs to be set up. The main entrance of the Fifth Road is the best place to set up a camp.” Ma Di said: “How can we set up a camp at the intersection of the main road? place." Wang Ping advised: "If you send troops to guard the entrance of Dangguan Road, even [-] Wei troops will not be able to pass; if you garrison troops on the mountain, as soon as the Wei troops arrive, they will surround you from all directions and cut off the waterway. How can the army's morale not be shaken? "Ma Di said: "The garrison is on the mountain, and we are condescending. If we want to march, it will be overwhelming. If the Wei army cuts off our army's waterway, which one of our army does not fight the enemy bravely? This is to die and survive. I am proficient in the art of war, and Zhuge Prime Minister has many Ask me everything, why do you keep blocking me?" Wang Ping said: "If you must garrison on the mountain, then divide your troops to me, and I will garrison at the intersection of the road. If the Wei army comes, we can take care of each other. " Ma Di refused.

At this time, fleeing people passed by Jieting, and they all said that Wei Jun had come to attack Jieting.Ma Di only scored [-] troops to Wang Ping.Wang Ping immediately stationed himself in an important place, drew a map and sent someone to send it to Zhuge Liang.

Sima Yi ordered Sima Zhao to go to Jieting to find the way.Sima Zhao inspected it once, and came back to report to Sima Yi: "Sure enough, the Jieting is guarded by troops!" Sima Yi sighed: "Zhuge Liang is really clever, I am not as good as him!" Asked: "Why do you speak big words?" Sima Zhao replied: "I noticed that there is no army guarding the street pavilion, and all the Shu troops are stationed on the mountain!" Sima Yi was very happy, and came to inspect the situation of the Shu army's garrison in person.

At first glance, it was exactly as Sima Zhao said.

Sima Yi returned to the barracks.He asked: "Who is the general guarding the street pavilion?" Someone replied: "Ma Liang's younger brother Ma Di." Sima Yi laughed after hearing this: "Ma Di is a mediocre man with a false name! How dare Zhuge Liang use such a man as a general?
How not to miss a major event? " Sima Yi asked again if there were any soldiers guarding the street pavilion. Someone reported that Wang Ping was stationed ten miles away from the mountain. Sima Yi ordered Zhang He to lead an army to resist Wang Ping, and he himself led the army to attack Ma Su.

Sima Yi surrounded Ma Su on the mountain.Ma Di was surrounded by Sima Yi and cut off the waterway.The Shu army was in chaos.Ma Di was defeated and escaped from the siege.Wang Ping was blocked by Zhang He and could not save Ma Di, so he had to flee.At this time Wei Yan came to rescue.Zhang He pretended to be defeated and Wei Yan pursued him.After chasing to Jieting, he was ambushed by Sima Yi again.Fortunately, Wang Ping led the troops to rescue, and Wei Yan escaped. When he returned to his camp, he found that it had already been occupied by the Wei army.Wei Yan and Wang Ping had no choice but to go to Gao Xiang in Lieliu City.

Gao Xiang heard that Jieting was occupied by Sima Yi, so he hurriedly led troops to rescue Ma Su.On the way, we met Wei Yan and Wang Ping.The three decided to sneak attack Wei Jun at night and take back the street pavilion.

As soon as it got dark, the three of them each led an army to attack Jieting.When I arrived at Jieting, I found that there was no one who knew that he had been tricked.Wei Yan and Gao Xiang were surrounded by the Wei army. Fortunately, Wang Ping led troops out from behind the mountain at this time, rescued Wei Yan and Gao Xiang, and the three came to Lieliu City.

As soon as he arrived at Lieliu City, he met Guo Huai, the general of Wei, and there was another massacre. The Wei army won a big victory.

Guo Huai collected the army and horses, and said to his generals: "Although I did not capture Jieting, it is a great achievement to capture Lieliu City."

Guo Huai led his troops to the city of Lieliu and shouted to open the gate.Suddenly there was a cannon sound in the city, and a large banner "Sima Yi, Governor of Pingxi" was erected on the tower.Sima Yi laughed loudly: "General Guo is late!" Guo Huai was shocked and said: "Sima Yi is so clever, I can't compare to him!" So he sent troops into the city.

Sima Yi said to Guo Huai: "Now that Jieting has been captured by our army, Zhuge Liang will definitely return to Hanzhong. You can lead troops to chase after him with Governor Cao." Guo Huai obeyed, and immediately led his troops to leave Lieliu City.

Sima Yi said to Zhang He: "Cao Zhen and Guo Huai were afraid that I would gain great merit, so they came to capture Lieliu City. I expected that Wei Yan, Wang Ping, and Gao Xiang would definitely go to defend Yangping Pass. If I go to capture Yangping Pass, Zhuge Liang will definitely go from here. Attack from behind. The Art of War says:

Don't pursue the retreating army, don't chase the defeated enemy.You lead troops to attack Jigu from the small road, and I lead a large army to block the Shu army in Xiegu.If the Shu army is defeated, don't stop it. Wait for the Shu army to pass halfway, and then send troops to block it. The Shu army has a lot of luggage and can take it all. Zhang He took the order to set off. Sima Yi ordered to attack Xicheng, Liu Shendan and Shen Yi guarded Lieliucheng, and personally led an army of 15 to attack Xicheng.

Zhuge Liang was taken aback when he saw the map sent by Wang Ping.Can't help beating the table and shouting: "Ma Di is ignorant, and he is entrapping our army!" The general asked: "Why is the prime minister so surprised?" Zhuge Liang said: "Ma Di is stationed on the mountain. In two days, the morale of the army is in turmoil, and Ma Su will definitely be wiped out. If the Jieting is lost, we will not be able to return safely to Shuchuan Hanzhong."

Zhuge Liang was about to send people to guard Jieting again, when the frontline soldiers came to report: "Jieting and Lieliu City are all occupied by the Wei army!" Zhuge Liang fell down and sighed: "Our army will be defeated, this is my fault! Hurriedly ordered Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to take [-] elite soldiers each to Wugong Mountain to act as suspects.He also ordered Zhang Yi to repair the Jiange immediately and arrange the road back to Hanzhong.He also ordered Ma Dai and Jiang Wei to lie in ambush in the valley, and wait for the army and other troops to retreat before withdrawing their troops.He also sent people to Tianshui, Nan'an, and Anding to report to the military officials and civilians in the three places, and they all withdrew to the Hanzhong area.They also sent people to Ji County to pick up Jiang Wei's mother and sent her to Hanzhong.Zhuge Liang sent another [-] soldiers and horses to the west city to carry grain and grass.

Zhuge Liang had just sent away all the soldiers with missions. At this time, the frontline soldiers rushed to report more than ten times: Sima Yi personally led an army of 15 to attack the west city.Zhuge Liang was startled first, and the rest of his subordinates were all shocked.At this moment, there are only [-] soldiers and some civil servants who don't know martial arts guarding Zhuge Liang in Xicheng.

Zhuge Liang calmly ordered his soldiers to collect all the army flags.It is not allowed to walk back and forth in the city, and it is not allowed to shout loudly. If anyone disobeys the order, he will be killed immediately.He also ordered that all the city gates be opened, and twenty soldiers were sent to each city gate to pretend to be ordinary people and clean the streets. If the Wei army came to the front of the city, they should not act rashly.After Zhuge Liang finished his orders, he brought two bookboys up to the tower in a calm manner.With a smile on his face, he burned incense and played the piano.On the streets inside and outside the west city, there were dozens of civilians dressed as soldiers, sweeping the streets with their heads down, looking confident and confident.

Sima Yi led an army of 15 people to the foot of the west city. Seeing Zhuge Liang calmly burning incense and playing the piano on the tower, the city gate was wide open, and dozens of ordinary people were sweeping the streets with their heads down as if no one else was there. He became suspicious and ordered the army to retreat.

Sima Zhao said: "Could it be that Zhuge Liang didn't have an army in his hands and pretended to confuse us like this?" Sima Yi said: "Zhuge Liang has been very cautious all his life. He would not take such a big risk. He opened the city gate wide. There must be an ambush inside the city. I If the army rushes in, he will definitely fall into his ambush! What do you know, retreat quickly."

In this way, Zhuge Liang frightened Sima Yi's 15 troops away with an empty city strategy.

(End of this chapter)