Three Kingdoms

Chapter 43
After Zhuge Liang received Li Yan's secret letter, he hurried back to Chengdu to meet the Empress Liu Chan.The Empress Liu Chan asked Zhuge Liang why his class teacher returned to court.Zhuge Liang said that Li Yan reported the invasion of Soochow troops.The Empress Liu Chan said there was no such thing.Zhuge Liang was shocked and ordered his men to investigate the truth of the matter.It turned out that Li Yan wrote false emergency information to Zhuge Liang for fear of Zhuge Liang's punishment because he didn't prepare the army rations, and asked Zhuge Liang's commander to return to the court.

Seeing through Li Yan's false testimony, Zhuge Liang was furious and wanted to kill Li Yan, Fei Yi hurriedly dissuaded him, and returned the favor to Liu Chan.After the master Liu Chan listened to Fei Yi's report, he also wanted to kill Li Yan, but Jiang Wan tried his best to dissuade him, so the master Liu Chan spared Li Yan, stripped him of his power, and went to live as a commoner.

Zhuge Liang appointed Li Yan's son Li Feng as the chief historian, accumulated grass and grain, trained soldiers and horses, and prepared to rest for three years before attacking Wei in the north.

Three years later, Zhuge Liang was going to attack Wei State in the north again.The latter master Liu Chan advised Zhuge Liang not to send troops again.Zhuge Liang took national affairs as his own responsibility, and he must fulfill the last wish of the late emperor Liu Bei and restore the Han Dynasty.The Chinese and military ministers tried hard to persuade each other, but Zhuge Liang refused to listen, and insisted on sending troops to the Northern Expedition to Wei.Zhuge Liang bid farewell to his empress Liu Chan, and rushed to Hanzhong day and night.Gather generals at all levels to discuss and prepare to send troops.

At this time, news of Guan Xing's death came suddenly. Zhuge Liang cried bitterly, fell to the ground, and didn't wake up for a while.The generals repeatedly advised Zhuge Liang not to be too sad.Zhuge Liang sighed and said: "People who serve the country loyally don't live long! I lost another general!"

Zhuge Liang led an army of 34 to attack Qishan, and ordered Li Hui to escort the grain and grass to Xiegu crossing to wait for the army to arrive.

The news that Zhuge Liang attacked Qishan in five ways immediately let Wei Guo know.Cao Rui summoned Sima Yi again.Sima Yi asked to send troops to resist the Shu army.Cao Rui approved, and Sima Yi immediately led an army of 40 to resist the Shu army.

Sima Yi stationed all his troops in Weibin.He also ordered [-] troops to build nine bridges on the Wei River.He also ordered the pioneers Xiahouba and Xiahouwei to cross the Wei River and set up camp.In order to prevent Zhuge Liang's sneak attack, Sima Yi ordered to build a stone city for defense.

Sima Yi dispatched troops to prepare to resist Zhuge Liang.

After Zhuge Liang left Qishan Mountain again, he stationed five large villages at the foot of Qishan Mountain. He arranged the barracks according to the five positions of left, right, middle, front and back. plan.

At this time, the frontline soldiers reported to Zhuge Liang: Generals Guo Huai and Sun Li of the Wei Army led the Longxi troops to station in Beiyuan.Zhuge Liang immediately dispatched troops and generals: "Sima Yi sent troops to Beiyuan to cut off our army's Longxi Road. Our army immediately bluffed and pretended to send troops to attack Beiyuan. The main purpose of our army is to attack Weibin. Attacking Weibin must be done in advance. Prepare hundreds of warships, and hide the gunpowder on board. I will send troops to attack Beiyuan tomorrow night, and Sima Yi will definitely lead troops to rescue Beiyuan. If the Wei army guarding the Weihe River is defeated by our army, you immediately sail across the river and snatch it. On the bank of the Weishui River, quickly occupy the bank, cut off the enemy's return route, and then set fire to the river bridge. The Wei army will definitely be defeated." The generals took orders and set off.

Sima Yi also held an emergency military meeting in the barracks.Sima Yi said to his generals: "Zhuge Liang is resourceful. He sent troops to attack Beiyuan. This is not his main purpose. He wants to attack Weibin. He wants to burn the nine large pontoon bridges built by our army on the Weihe River. Zhuge Liang is actually He wanted to cut off our army's way back, and tried to destroy our army in Weibin." General Wei Jun was taken aback by Sima Yi's words.

Sima Yi told them not to worry, he has a way to deal with Zhuge Liang.He immediately ordered Xiahouba and Xiahouwei: "If there is a cry of killing in Beiyuan, you immediately lead your troops to ambush in the south mountain of Weishui River. When the Shu army arrives, destroy it immediately." He also ordered Zhang Hu and Le Chen to lead [-] archers. Ambush to the north bank of the Weishui pontoon bridge, and when the warships of the Shu army arrive, they immediately shoot back with arrows.Guo Huai and Sun Li were also sent an order: "Zhuge Liang's attack on the north was to sneak across the Wei River in secret. You lay in ambush on the way. If the Shu army wanted to sneak across the Wei River at night, they would definitely attack Beiyuan at dusk. You pretend to be defeated first, and the Shu army I will definitely chase after you, and then order your archers to shoot. I will lead the army to advance by land and water, and the Shu army will definitely be defeated by our army." The generals of the Wei army led their troops and set off.

Zhuge Liang ordered again: Wei Yan and Ma Dai led troops to attack Beiyuan, and then secretly crossed the Wei River; Wu Ban and Wu Yi led troops to burn the Weishui floating bridge; Wang Ping and Zhang Ni were the vanguards of the front team; Zhang Yi was the vanguard of the rear team; he divided his troops into three groups to attack the Weishui barracks.

Wei Yan and Ma Dai led troops to attack Beiyuan.When Sun Li saw the Shu army approaching, he immediately ordered to retreat.Wei Yan knew that the Wei army had been prepared, so he hurriedly ordered the troops to retreat and not to advance.At this time, Wei Jun came out from all directions, with Sima Yi on the left and Guo Huai on the right.

Wei Yan and Ma Dai fought the enemy desperately, but suffered heavy losses. Most of the Shu army fell into the water and died, and the remaining troops had no way to escape.Fortunately, Wu Yi led troops to rescue the Shu army at this time, and Wei Yan and other soldiers of the Shu army escaped from the shore.

Wu Ban divided half of the soldiers to attack the Wei army on the pontoon bridge, but was shot back by the archers of Zhang Hu and Le Chen.Wu Ban was shot by an arrow, fell into the water and died.The remnants of the Shu army jumped into the water to flee for their lives, and the warships and rafts were all taken away by the Wei army.

Wang Ping and Zhang Yi led their troops to the Wei camp, but they didn't see a single Wei soldier, so they knew they were in an ambush. At this time, a soldier came from the front line of Beiyuan and reported to Wang Ping: "The troops attacking Beiyuan and the pontoon bridge were all defeated by the Wei army. The prime minister ordered You immediately return to the camp." Wang Ping and Zhang Ni hurriedly ordered to withdraw their troops.At this time, the Wei army came out again, and the Shu army was defeated with heavy casualties.Wang Ping and Zhang Ni led the remnant troops back to the camp of the Shu army.

Zhuge Liang returned to Qishan Dazhai, counted the army and horses, and suffered more than 1 casualties. He couldn't help feeling depressed.

Suddenly, soldiers entered the camp and reported that Fei Yi had come from Chengdu to see Prime Minister Zhuge Liang.Zhuge Liang invited Fei Yi to enter the barracks.Then he said to Fei Yi: "I have a letter, please send it to Soochow and hand it to Sun Quan." Fei Yi immediately took the secret letter and rushed to Soochow.

Fei Yi went to Soochow and handed the letter to Sun Quan himself.Sun Quan opened the letter and saw that it was Zhuge Liang who wanted to ask Sun Quan to send troops to attack Wei.Sun Quan was very happy and agreed to send troops to attack Wei.Sun Quan told Fei Yi: "I have always wanted to send troops to attack the State of Wei, but I have never joined forces with Zhuge Liang. Now Zhuge Liang wrote to ask me to attack the State of Wei together. This is a great opportunity. I will lead the troops to attack the State of Wei immediately. First attack the nest gate, and then Capture the new city of Wei State; then order generals such as Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin to send troops to attack Xiangyang; If Wu sends troops, the state of Wei will soon perish."

Sun Quan threw a banquet in honor of Fei Yi.At the banquet, Sun Quan asked Fei Yi: "Who did Prime Minister Zhuge order to be the vanguard?" Fei Yi replied:
"Wei Yan." Sun Quan smiled and said, "Although Wei Yan is brave, his intentions are not righteous. If Prime Minister Zhuge is not alive, Wei Yan will definitely rebel. Hasn't Prime Minister Zhuge thought of this?" Fei Yi said: "Your Majesty is right, I will immediately Go back and tell Prime Minister Zhuge."

Fei Yi returned to Dazhai in Qishan and told Zhuge Liang what Sun Quan had said.Zhuge Liang was also very happy that Soochow sent 30 troops to attack Wei, so he smiled and asked Fei Yi, "What else did Sun Quan say?" Fei Yi also told Zhuge Liang what Sun Quan said about Wei Yan.Zhuge Liang sighed and said: "Sun Quan is really a clever emperor! I know Wei Yan's character, I just value his bravery, can lead troops to fight, I knew he would rebel." Fei Yi said: "Prime Minister should deal with it sooner." Zhuge Liang Said: "I have my own way." Fei Yi said goodbye to Zhuge Liang and went back to Chengdu.

Zhuge Liang is discussing with his generals how to attack the Wei army.At this time, soldiers outside the camp entered the camp and reported that a general of the Wei army had come to surrender.

Zhuge Liang ordered the general to enter the barracks.The Wei general walked into the barracks with his head down, and immediately said to Zhuge Liang: "I am Zheng Wen, the Wei general. I have recently been dispatched by Sima Yi with Qin Lang. I didn't expect Sima Yi to be selfish. He made Qin Lang a former general and sent me As a worthless person, I feel dissatisfied, so I came here to surrender to the Prime Minister." Before Zheng Wen finished speaking, soldiers outside the camp entered the camp again and reported: General Qin Lang of the Wei Army challenged Zheng Wen outside the camp.

Zhuge Liang asked Zheng Wen: "Which one of you is stronger?" Zheng Wen said: "I'll kill Qin Lang." Zhuge Liang said again: "You killed Qin Lang, so I believe you really surrendered." Zheng Wen raised his sword and mounted his horse. Lead troops to fight Qin Lang.Zhuge Liang went out of the camp to watch them fight in front of the formation.Qin Lang cursed: "Zheng Wen, you traitor, I will kill you!" Zheng Wen and Qin Lang fought for a round, and Qin Lang was killed by Zheng Wen.

Zheng Wen took Qin Lang's head back to Zhuge Liang's barracks.When Zhuge Liang saw Zheng Wen, he was furious and ordered his soldiers: "Push Zheng Wen out and behead him!" You lied to me!" Zheng Wen had to be honest, and said: "I didn't kill Qin Lang today, but Qin Ming, Qin Lang's younger brother." Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "Sima Yi asked you to pretend to surrender, how can such a trick be deceived? Me? If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll kill you!” Zheng Wen had no choice but to honestly say that Sima Yi arranged for him to pretend to surrender in order to gain trust and act as an undercover agent.

Zhuge Liang said: "Since you are begging for mercy, I will give you a chance. You immediately write a secret letter to Sima Yi and ask him to come and attack our army camp, and I will spare you. If Sima Yi is caught, it will be your credit and I will give it to you." I will use you again." Zheng Wen had no choice but to write a secret letter to Sima Yi himself, and Zhuge Liang ordered Zheng Wen to be thrown into prison.

General Fan Jian of the Shu Army asked Zhuge Liang, "How did the Prime Minister know that Zheng Wen was pretending to surrender?"

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Sima Yi has never been careless in employing people. If he named Qin Lang a former general, Qin Lang must have excellent martial arts skills; today Zheng Wen only fought with him for one round before he was killed, so it must not be Qin Lang."

All the generals under his command admired Zhuge Liang for his discernment and meticulousness.

Zhuge Liang immediately selected a soldier with good eloquence, and whispered secret instructions in his ear.The soldiers took orders and came to see Sima Yi with a secret letter written by Zheng Wen.

After reading the secret letter written by Zheng Wen, Sima Yi asked the Shu soldier who delivered the letter: "Where are you from?" The Shu soldier replied: "I am from Wei State, and I live in Shu State. General Zheng Wen and I are from the same hometown. Zhuge Liang because of Zheng Wen Killing Qin Lang made a military contribution, and used it as a vanguard. Zheng Wen specially ordered me to send a secret letter to the governor, saying that tomorrow night, I will raise fire as a sign, hoping that the governor will lead the army to attack the Shu army camp at that time. Zheng Wen is waiting for the army at any time Come and attack." Sima Yi repeatedly asked, and carefully checked Zheng Wen's secret letter, and found out that there was no problem, so he was relieved.So he held a banquet for the soldiers of Shu, and said to him: "At the second watch tonight, I will lead troops to attack the camp of the Shu army. If the event is successful, I will definitely use you again."

The Shu soldier who delivered the letter immediately bid farewell to Sima Yi and returned to Zhuge Liang.Zhuge Liang was overjoyed, and secretly dispatched troops to prepare for an ambush.

After reading Zheng Wen's secret letter, Sima Yi prepared to lead Sima Shi and Sima Zhao to attack the Shu army.

The eldest son, Sima Shi, said: "Why does father believe in a paper letter? If there is a mistake, how should we deal with it? It is better to let the other generals go ahead first, and father will cover behind."

Sima Yi adopted this strategy and ordered Qin Lang to lead [-] Wei soldiers to attack the Shu army, and lead his own troops to cover behind.

At the second watch that night, suddenly cloudy clouds filled the sky, and the sky was full of black air, and I couldn't see my fingers.Sima Yi said happily: "God help me too!" So he ordered the soldiers to bite a branch in their mouths, and each horse gagged its mouth and drove straight in.

Qin Lang was the first to bear the brunt, and led an army of [-] into the Shu army camp.But did not see a Shu soldier.Knowing that he had fallen for Zhuge Liang's scheme, Qin Lang hurriedly ordered to retreat.But it was too late. At this time, flames were burning from all sides, and the shouts of killing suddenly rose from all sides. On the left, Wang Ping and Zhang Ni led troops to fight out, and on the right, Ma Dai and Ma Zhong led troops to fight out.Qin Lang resisted desperately, but couldn't get out of the encirclement.Sima Yi saw the flames of the Shu army camp rising into the sky, shouting and killing continuously.He was afraid that Qin Lang would make a mistake, so he had to order the army to attack and rescue Qin Lang.At this time, he was ambushed again. On the left, Wei Yan led troops to fight out, and on the right, Jiang Wei led troops to fight out. The Wei army was defeated, with heavy casualties.Sima Yi couldn't care about Qin Lang and only cared about running for his life.Surrounded by the Shu army, Qin Lang was unable to charge and was finally shot to death by random arrows.The remnants of the Wei army fled back to the camp and dared not fight again.

After the third watch, the weather was fine again.Zhuge Liang ordered the army to retreat on the mountain.It turned out that at the second watch, the clouds were overcast and the sky was covered with black air. It was Zhuge Liang who cast the spell.

Zhuge Liang returned to Qishan Dazhai in a big victory, killed Zheng Wen, and discussed the strategy of attacking Wei Jun.

Zhuge Liang saw that Wei Jun could not hold on.He personally observed the topography of military use.Zhuge Liang saw that the terrain of Shangfang Valley was dangerous and suitable for an ambush, so he decided to use troops in Shangfang Valley.Zhuge Liang ordered the generals Du Rui and Hu Zhong to go to the upper valley to ambush.He also summoned more than 1000 military craftsmen to make wooden cows and horses in the upper valley; he also ordered Ma Dai to lead [-] soldiers to guard the entrance of the upper valley to prevent the Wei army from harassing.Zhuge Liang told Ma Dai again and again: "You must guard the entrance of the valley tightly, and you are not allowed to let anyone out or let outsiders in. I will check every once in a while. The plan to capture Sima Yi lies in these wooden cows and horses. You must Don't reveal the secrets here." Ma Dai, Du Rui, and Hu Zhong did not dare to be sloppy, and were always vigilant and careful.

Zhuge Liang personally went to Fangfang Valley to instruct the military craftsmen to work.One day, Chang Shi Yang Yi reported to Zhuge Liang: "All the food and grass of the army are stored in Jiange. The road is narrow and it is difficult to carry. What should I do?" Zhuge Liang smiled and said: "I have already prepared, you don't have to worry. I am rushing to build wooden oxen and horses , the task of transporting grain is very easy. The wooden ox and flowing horse I made don’t need to drink water and graze, and they don’t stop around the clock, which is very trouble-free and convenient.” The generals under his command were amazed: “From ancient times to the present, I have never heard of wooden ox and flowing horse. I don’t know what is so wonderful about the prime minister. How to make wooden cows and horses?" Zhuge Liang took out the simulated sketches of making wooden cows and horses, and explained while teaching, the generals under his command were stunned and stared blankly for a long time before they came back to their senses, everyone was overwhelmed by Zhuge Liang's invention and said : "The prime minister is really a fairy-like figure!"

After a few days, all the wooden cows and horses were finished, and they were lifelike, and it was very convenient to go up and down the mountain. After seeing it, the soldiers cheered and shouted, very happy.Zhuge Liang immediately ordered the right general Gao Xiang to lead a thousand soldiers and horses to protect Mu Niu Liuma and escort them to Jiange, put the grain and grass on Mu Niu Liuma and escort them carefully to Qishan Dazhai.It is very convenient for the soldiers of the Shu army to use wooden oxen and horses to escort food and grass back and forth like this.

Sitting in the barracks, Sima Yi was very sad. Suddenly, a sentry reported: "The Shu army uses wooden oxen and horses to carry grain and grass. People don't get tired, and oxen and horses don't eat. It's very convenient." Sima Yi was taken aback and thought to himself: "I can't hold on, The purpose is to prevent the Shu army from sending the grain and grass in time, so that the Shu army will surely die. I didn’t expect Zhuge Liang to have such a trick, and the Shu army will no longer have to worry about grain and grass. If this continues, it will be very harmful to our army.”

(End of this chapter)