the arrows flew down in great numbers。 When the soldiers of Wei retired; Meng Da opened the gates and went in pursuit。 But the whole of Sima Yis army soon came up; and the banners stood so thick that they hid the sun。
〃This is what Zhuge Liang foresaw!〃 said Meng Da despairingly。 The gates were closed and barred。
Meanwhile the wounded general; Xu Huang; had been borne to his tent; where the arrow head was extracted and the physician attended to him。 But that night he died。 He was fifty…nine。 His body was sent to Luoyang for burial。
Next day; when Meng Da went up on the wall; he saw the city was entirely surrounded as with a girdle of iron。 He was greatly perturbed and could not decide what to do。 Presently he saw two bodies of troops ing up; their banners bearing the names of his fellow conspirators………Shen Yi and Shen Dan。 He could only conclude that they had e to his help; so he opened the gates to them and went out to join them in the fight。
〃Rebel; stay!〃 cried they both as they came up。
Realizing that they had been false; he turned and galloped toward the city; but a flight of arrows met him; and the two who had betrayed him; Li Gu and Deng Xian; began to revile him。
〃We have already yielded the city!〃 they cried。
Then Meng Da fled。 But he was pursued; and as he and his horse were both exhausted; he was speedily overtaken and slain。 They exposed his head; and his soldiers submitted。 Sima Yi was weled at the open gates。 The people were pacified; the soldiers were rewarded and; this done; a report of their success was sent to Cao Rui。
Cao Rui ordered the body of Meng Da to be exposed in the market place of Luoyang; and he promoted Shen Yi and Shen Dan and gave them posts in the army of Sima Yi。 He gave Li Gu and Deng Xian mand of the cities of Xincheng and Shangyong。
Then Sima Yi marched to Changan and camped。 The leader entered the city to have audience with his master; by whom he was most graciously received。
〃Once I doubted you;〃 said Cao Rui; 〃but then I did not understand; and I listened to mischief…makers。 I regret it。 Had you not suppressed Meng Da; both capitals would have gone wrong。〃
Sima Yi replied; 〃Shen Yi gave the information of the intended revolt and thought to memorialize Your Majesty。 But there would have been a long delay; and so I did not await orders; but set forth at once。 Delay would have played into Zhuge Liangs hands。〃
Then Sima Yi handed in Zhuge Liangs letter to Meng Da。
'e' Wu Qi; aka Wu Zi; a famous general in the Warring States period。 He first served Lu; then went to Wei; his native; and led Wei army against Qin。 He made enemies in Wei; so he fled to Chu; where King Dao made him prime minister。 Wu Qi made Chu a powerful state; expanded her territory; defended her against Wei; Zhao; and Han; and attacked Qin。 But right after King Dao died; Wu Qi was put to death by his enemies at court。 Wu Qi is the author of a military treatise named 〃Wu Qis Art of War〃。 。。。。。
'e' Sun Zi (aka Sun Wu; Sunzi; Suntzu; Sun…tzu; Sun tzu) the author of the famed treatise The Art of War。 A general of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period; Sun Zi made her the mightiest state during his lifetime by defeating Chu and conquering Yue。 His treatise the Art of War is still avidly read today by many。 。。。。。
When the Emperor had read that; he said; 〃You are wiser than both the great strategists of old………Wu Qi* and Sun Zi*。〃
The Ruler of Wei conferred upon the successful leader a pair of golden axes and the privilege of taking action in important matters without first obtaining his masters sanction。 Then Sima Yi was ordered to lead the army to the pass against the enemy。
Sima Yi said; 〃May I name the Leader of the Van?〃
〃Whom do you nominate?〃
〃Zhang He; General of the Right Army; can shoulder this task。〃
〃Just the man I wished to send;〃 said Cao Rui; smiling。 And Zhang He was appointed。
Sima Yi took his army off Changan and marched it to the camp of the Shu army。
By strategy the leader shows his skill;
He needs bold fighting men to work his will。
The result of the campaign will appear in the next chapter。
Main Next to Chapter 95 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Ma Sus Disobedience Causes The Loss Of Jieting;
Zhuge Liangs Lute Repulses Sima Yi。
Beside sending Zhang He as Van Leader of Sima Yi; Cao Rui appointed two other generals; Xin Pi and Sun Li; to assist Cao Zhen。 Xin Pi and Sun Li led fifty thousand troops。
Sima Yis army was two hundred thousand strong。 They marched out through the pass and made a camp。
When encamped; Sima Yi summoned Zhang He to his tent and admonished him; saying; 〃A characteristic of Zhuge Liang is his most diligent carefulness; he is never hasty。 If I were in his place; I should advance through the Ziwu Valley to capture Changan and so save much time。 It is not that he is unskillful; but he fears lest that plan might miscarry; and he will not sport with risk。 Therefore he will certainly e through the Xie Valley; taking Meicheng on the way。 That place captured; he will divide his force into two; one part to take Gu Valley。 I have sent Cao Zhen orders to guard Meicheng strictly and on no account to let its garrison go out to battle。 The generals Sun Li and Xin Pi are to mand the Gu Valley entrance; and should the enemy e; they are to make a sudden attack。〃