Sad for the army; who were lonely in this world。
In the green wood stones and creeks are crying;
No more of his lute; birds have hushed singing。
And Bai Juyi also wrote a poem:
Within the forest dim the Master lived obscure;
Till; thrice returning; there the prince his mentor met。
As when a fish the ocean gains; desire was filled
Wholly the dragon freed could soar aloft at will。
As kings sons guardian none more zealous was;
As minister; most loyally he wrought at court。
His war memorials still to us are left;
And; reading them; the tears unconscious fall。
Now in past days; mander Liao Li in Changshui had a high opinion of his own abilities and thought himself perfectly fitted to be Zhuge Liangs second。 So he neglected the duties of his proper post; showed discontent and indiscipline; and was constantly slandering the minister。 Thereupon Zhuge Liang degraded him and transferred him to Minshan。
When Liao Li heard of Zhuge Liangs death; he shed tears and said; 〃Then; after all; I shall remain a barbarian!〃
Li Yan also grieved deeply at the sad tidings; for he had always hoped that Zhuge Liang would restore him to office and so give him the opportunity of repairing his former faults。 After Zhuge Liang had died; he thought there was no hope of reemployment; and so he died。
Another poet; Yuan Weizhi; also wrote in praise of the great adviser。
He fought disorder; helped a weak king;
Most zealously he kept his masters son。
In state…craft he excelled Guan Zhong; Yue Yi;
In war…craft he overpassed Wu Qi; Sun Zi。
With awe the court his war memorials heard;
With majesty his Eight Arrays were planned。
Virtue and wisdom both filled in his heart;
For thousand autumns; his fame would still stay。
Heaven grieved and earth mourned on the night of Zhuge Liangs death。 Even the moon was dimmed; as Zhuge Liangs soul returned to Heaven。
As the late mander had directed; Jiang Wei and Yang Yi forbade the mourning of his death。 His body was placed in the coffer as he had wished; and three hundred of his trusted leaders and soldiers were appointed to watch it。
Secret orders were given to Wei Yan to mand the rearguard; and then; one by one; the camps were broken up and the army began its homeward march。
Sima Yi watched the skies。 One night a large red star with bright rays passed from the northeast to the southwest and dropped over the camps of Shu。 It dipped thrice and rose again。 Sima Yi heard also a low rumbling in the distance。
He was pleased and excited; and said to those about him; 〃Zhuge Liang is dead!〃
At once he ordered pursuit with a strong force。 But just as he passed his camp gates; doubts filled his mind and he gave up the plan。