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Chiang Wei and Wang P'ing offered themselves. The former was sent with one legion to capture Wutu; the latter, with an equal force, went to Yinp'ing.

Chang Ho went back to Ch'angan and saw his colleagues, to whom he said, "Ch'ênts'ang is lost, Hao Chao is dead, San Pass is taken and K'ung-ming is again at Ch'ishan; and thence has sent out two armies."

Kuo Huai was frightened. "In that case, Yung and Mei are in danger," said he.

Leaving Chang Ho to guard Ch'angan, he sent Sun Li to Yungch'êng, and he himself set out at once for Meich'êng. He sent an urgent report to Loyang.

At Wei's next court the king was informed of all the misfortunes in the west and the threats in the east. Ts'ao Jui was embarrassed and frightened. Ts'ao Chên, being ill, could not be consulted, and Ssŭma I was called. He was ready with a proposal.

"In my humble opinion, Wu will not attack us," said he. "What makes you think so?" asked the king.

"Because K'ung-ming still resents, and wishes to avenge, the event at Hsiaot'ing. He never ceases to desire to absorb Wu. His only fear is that we may swoop down upon Shu. That is why there is an alliance with Wu. Lu Hsün knows it also quite well, and he is only making a show of raising an army as they arranged. The truth is he is sitting on the fence. Hence Your Majesty may disregard the menace on the east and only protect yourself against Shu."

"Your insight is very profound," said the king.

Ssuma I was created Commander-in-chief of all the forces in the east, and the king directed a courtier to go to Ts'ao Chên for the seal.

"I would rather go myself," said Ssuma I. So he left the audience and went to the palace of Ts'ao Chên, where presently he saw the invalid. First he asked after his health and then gradually opened his errand.

"Shu and Wu have made an alliance to invade us, and K'ung-ming is at Ch'ishan. Have you heard, Illustrious Sir?" "My people have kept back all news as I am ill," said he, startled. "But if this is true the country is in danger. Why have they not made you Commander-in-chief to stop this invasion?"

"I am unequal to the post," said Ssuma.

"Bring the seal and give it to him," said Ts'ao.

"You are anxious on my account; really I am only come to lend you an arm. I dare not accept the seal."

Ts'ao started up, saying, "If you do not take it I shall have to go to see the king, ill as I am. The country is in danger." "Really the king has already shown his kindness, but I dare not accept his offer."

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"If you have been appointed then Shu will be driven off." Thrice Ssuma declined the seal, but eventually he received it into his hands. Then he took leave of the king and marched to Ch'angan.

The seal of office changes hands,
Two armies now one force become.

Ssuma's success or failure will be told in the next chapter.

CHAPTER IC.

CHUKO LIANG WINS A GREAT VICTORY;

SSUMA I INVADES SHU.

The fourth month of Chien-An, seventh year, found Chuko Liang camped at Ch'ishan in three camps, waiting for the army of Wei.

When Ssuma I reached Ch'angan, the officer in command, Chang Ho, told him all that had happened. He gave Chang Ho the post of leader of the van, with Tai Ling as his second, and then marched out toward the enemy, camping on the Wei River's south bank. When the local commanders Kuo Huai and Sun Li went to see the new Commander-in-Chief, he asked if they had fought any battle.

"Not yet," said they.

Ssuma said, "The enemy had a long march; their chance lay in attacking quickly. As they have not attacked they have some deep laid scheme to work out. What news have you from the west?"

Kuo replied, "The scouts say that the greatest care is being taken in every district. But there is no news from Wutu and Yinp'ing."

"I must send someone to fight a battle with them. You get away as quickly and privily as you can to the rescue of those two towns, and then attack the rear of the Shu army so as to throw them into disorder."

They set out to obey these orders, and on the way they fell to discussing Ssuma.

"How does Ssuma compare with Chuko?" said Kuo. "Chuko is by far the better," replied Sun.

"Though Chuko may be the cleverer, yet this scheme of our leader's shows him to be superior to most men.

The enemy may have got those two cities yet; when we unexpectedly fall upon their rear, they will certainly be disordered."

Soon after this a scout came in to say that the two cities were in possession of the enemy, and, further, that the Shu army was not far in front.

Said Sun, "There is some crafty scheme afoot. Why are they prepared for battle in the open when they hold two cities? We had better retire."

His companion agreed, and they issued orders to face about and retreat. Just then a bomb exploded, and, at the same time, there suddenly appeared from the cover of some hills a

small body of men.

On the flag that came forward they read the name Chuko Liang, and in the midst of the company they saw him, seated in a small chariot. On his left was Kuan Hsing, and on his right Chang Pao.

They were quite taken aback. K'ung-ming laughed and said, "Do not run away. Did you think that your leader's ruse would take me in? Sending a challenge to fight every day, indeed, while you were to slip round behind my army and attack! I have the two cities, and if you have not come to surrender, then hurry up and fight a battle with me."

By now they were really frightened. Then behind them there rose a shout as of battle, and Wang P'ing and Chiang Wei began to smite them in the rear, while Kuan and Chang bore down upon them in front. They were soon utterly broken, and the two leaders escaped by scrambling up the hillside.

Chang Pao saw them, and was urging his steed forward to catch them, when unhappily he and his horse went over together into a gully. When they picked him up they found that he had been kicked in the head and was badly hurt. K'ung-ming sent him back to Ch'êngtu.

It has been said that the two leaders escaped. They got back to Ssuma's camp and said, "Wutu and Yinp'ing were both in the enemy's possession, and K'ung-ming had prepared an ambush, so that we were attacked front and rear. We lost the day and only escaped on foot."

"It is no fault of yours," said the general. "The fact is he is sharper than I. Now go to defend Yung and Mei and remain on the defensive; do not go out to give battle. I have a plan to defeat them."

These two having left, Ssuma called in Chang Ho and Tai Ling and said, "K'ung-ming has captured Wutu and Yinp'ing. He must restore order and confidence among the people of these places, and so will be absent from his camp. You two will take a legion each, start to-night and make your way quietly to the rear of the Shu army. Then you will attack vigorously. When you have done that I shall lead out the army in front of them and array ready for battle. While they are in disorder I shall make my attack. Their camp ought to be captured. If I can win the advantage of these hills their defeat will be easy."

These two left, marching one right the other left. They took by-roads and got well to the rear of the Shu army. the third watch they struck the high road and joined forces. Then they marched toward the enemy. After about thirty li there was a halt in front. The two leaders galloped up to see what had caused it and found many straw-carts drawn across the road.

"This has been prepared," said Chang. "We should return."

Just as they ordered the men to turn about, torches broke into flame all over the hills, the drums rolled, trumpets blared and soldiers sprang out on every side. At the same time K'ung-ming shouted from the hill-top, "Tai Ling and Chang Ho, listen to my words. Your master reckoned that I should be busy restoring order in the two towns and so should not be in my camp. Wherefore he sent you to take the camp, and you have just fallen into my snare. As you are leaders of no great importance I shall not harm you. Dismount and yield." Chang's wrath blazed forth at this, and he pointed at K'ungming, crying, "You peasant out of the woods, invader of our great country! How dare you use such words to me? Wait till I catch you; I will tear you to shreds."

He galloped forward to ascend the hill, his spear ready for the thrust. But the arrows and stones pelted too quickly. Then he turned and dashed in among the soldiers, scattering them right and left. He got clear, but he saw his colleague was not with him. At once he turned back, fought his way to his comrade and brought him out safely. K'ung-ming on the hill-top watched this warrior and saw he was a right doughty fighting man.

"I have heard that men stood aghast when Chang Fei fought his great fight with Chang Ho. Now I can judge his valour for myself. He will do harm to Shu one day if I spare him. He will have to be removed."

Then he returned to his camp. By this time Ssuma had completed his battle line and was waiting the moment of disorder to attack. Then he saw his two captains come limping back dejected and crestfallen. They said, "K'ung-ming forestalled us; he was well prepared, and so we were quite defeated."

"He is more than human!" exclaimed Ssuma. "We must retreat."

So the whole army retired into the fortified camps and would not come out.

Thus a great victory fell to Shu, and their booty was immense; weapons and horses innumerable. K'ung-ming led

his army back to camp.

Thereafter he sent parties to offer a challenge at the gate of the Wei camp every day, but the soldiers remained obstinately behind their shelters and would not appear. When this had continued half a month K'ung-ming grew sad.

Then came a messenger from the capital. He was received with all respect, and incense was burnt as propriety demanded. This done, the command was unsealed, and K'ung-ming read:"The failure at Chieht'ing was really due to the fault of Ma Su. However, you held yourself responsible and blamed yourself very severely. It would have been a serious matter for me to have withstood your intentions, and so I did what you insisted

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