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第241部分(第2页)

Zhuge Liang issued orders to break up the camp that night; and the army retired into Hanzhong forthwith。 Sima Yi only heard of it five days later; and he knew that again he had been outwitted。

〃The man appears like a god and disappears like a demon。 He is too much for me;〃 sighed Sima Yi。

Sima Yi set certain generals over the camp and placed others to guard the manding positions; and he also marched homeward。

As soon as the Shu army was settled in Hanzhong; Zhuge Liang went to Chengdu for treatment。 The officials of all ranks came to greet him and escort him to his palace。 The Latter Ruler also came to inquire after his condition and sent his own physicians to treat him。 So gradually he recovered。

In Beginning Prosperity; eighth year and seventh month (AD 230); Cao Zhen; the Grand mander in Wei; had recovered; and he sent a memorial to his master; saying;

〃Shu has invaded more than once and threatened Changan。 If this state be not destroyed; it will ultimately be our ruin。 The autumn coolness is now here。 The army is in good form; and it is the time most favorable for an attack on Shu。 I desire to take Sima Yi as colleague and march into Hanzhong to exterminate this wretched horde and free the borders from trouble。〃

Personally; the Ruler of Wei approved; but he consulted Liu Ye; saying; 〃Cao Zhen proposes an attack on Shu。 How about that?〃

Liu Ye replied; 〃The Grand mander speaks well。 If that state be not destroyed; it will be to our hurt。 Your Majesty should give effect to his desire。〃

The Ruler of Wei nodded。

When Liu Ye went home; a crowd of officers flocked to inquire; saying; 〃We heard the Emperor has consulted you about an expedition against Shu: What think you?〃

〃No such thing;〃 said Liu Ye。 〃Shu is too difficult a country to invade。 It would be a mere waste of humans and weapons。〃

They left him。 Then Yang Jin went into the Emperor and said; 〃It is said that yesterday Liu Ye advised Your Majesty to fall upon Shu。 Today when we talked with him; he said Shu could not be attacked。 This is treating Your Majesty with indignity; and you should issue a mand to punish him。〃

Wherefore Cao Rui called in Liu Ye and asked him to explain。

Liu Ye replied; 〃I have studied the details。 Shu cannot be attacked。〃

Cao Rui laughed。

In a short time Yang Jin left。

Then Liu Ye said; 〃Yesterday I advised Your Majesty to attack Shu。 That being a matter of state policy should be divulged to no person。 The essential of a military move is secrecy。〃

Then Cao Rui understood; and thereafter Liu Ye was held in greater consideration。

Ten days later Sima Yi came to court; and Cao Zhens memorial was shown him。

Sima Yi replied; 〃The moment is opportune。 I do not think there is any danger from Wu。〃

Cao Zhen was created Minister of War; General Who Conquers the West; and mander…in…Chief of the Western Expedition; Sima Yi was made Grand mander; General Who Conquers the West; and was second in mand; and Liu Ye was made Instructor of the Army。 These three then left the court; and the army of four hundred thousand troops marched to Changan; intending to dash to Saber Pass and attack Hanzhong。 The army was joined by Guo Huai and Sun Li。

The defenders of Hanzhong brought the news to Zhuge Liang; then quite recovered and engaged in training his army and elaborating the 〃Eight Arrays〃。 All was in an efficient state and ready for an attack on Changan。

When Zhuge Liang heard of the intended attack; he called up Zhang Ni and Wang Ping and gave orders: 〃You are to lead one thousand troops to Chencang and garrison that road so as to check the Wei army。〃

The two replied; 〃It is said the Wei army numbers four hundred thousand; though they pretend to have eight hundred thousand。 But they are very numerous; and a thousand troops is a very small force to meet them。〃

Zhuge Liang replied; 〃I would give you more; but I fear to make it hard for the soldiers。 If there be a failure; I shall not hold you responsible。 I send you thus; you may be sure there is a meaning in it。 I observed the stars yesterday; and I see there will be a tremendous rain this month。 The army of Wei may consist of any number of legions; but they will be unable to penetrate into a mountainous country。 So there is no need to send a large force。 You will e to no harm; and I shall lead the main body into Hanzhong and rest for a month while the enemy retreats。 Then I shall smite them。 My strong army needs only one hundred thousand to defeat their worn four hundred thousand。 Do not say any more; but get off quickly。〃

This satisfied Wang Ping and Zhang Ni; and they left; while Zhuge Liang led the main body out toward Hanzhong。 Moreover; every station was ordered to lay in a stock of wood and straw and grain enough for a whole months use; ready against the autumn rains。 A months holiday was given; and food and clothing were issued in advance。 The expedition was postponed for the present。

When Cao Zhen and Sima Yi approached Chencang and entered the city; they could not find a single house。

They questioned some of the people near; who said; 〃Zhuge Liang had burned everything before he left。〃

Then Cao Zhen proposed to advance along the road; but Sima Yi opposed; saying that the stars foretold much rain。

〃I have watched the Heaven; and the stars movement signals long rains。 If we get deep in a difficult country and are always victorious; it is all very well。 But if we lose; we shall not get out again。 Better remain in this city and build what shelter we can against the rains。〃

Cao Zhen followed his advice。 In the middle of the month the rain began; and came down in a deluge so that the surrounding country was three feet under water。 The equipment of the soldiers was soaked; and the soldiers themselves could get no place to sleep。 For a whole month the rain continued。 The horses could not be fed; and the soldiers grumbled incessantly。 They sent to Luoyang; and the Ruler of Wei himself ceremonially prayed for fine weather; but with no effect。

Minister Wang Su sent up a memorial:

〃The histories say that when

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