"To-night at dusk. You lead half the force round by the south, and I will march the other half round by the north, and we will meet in the third watch at the Wei camp."

The youth who propounded this plan was then eighteen, tall and strong. He wore complete armour and carried at his waist a steel whip. When the hour came to start he took his spear, swung himself into the saddle and set out.

That night Ssuma Shih, who had arrived and had at once set about settling into camp, lay on a couch in his tent, for he was still suffering pain from the wound beneath his eye. The tent was surrounded by a numerous guard. Têng Ai had not arrived.

About the third watch he heard a great shouting and asked what it was. One replied that an army had come round from the north and burst into the lines. The leader was too bold for anyone to face.

Ssuma became much troubled. His heart burned within him, and the excitement caused the wound to open, so that the eyeball protruded and blood flowed freely. The pain became intense, nearly unbearable. In his agony and alarm lest his army should be thrown into confusion, he lay gnawing the bedclothes till they were in rags.

Wên Yang's force lost no time, but attacked as soon as it arrived. He dashed into the camp, slashing and thrusting right and left, and everyone gave way before him. If anyone stayed to oppose, the sharp spear or the terrible whip did its work, and he fell. But after a time, seeing no sign of his father, he grew anxious. And he had to retire several times before the fierce flights of arrows and crossbow bolts.

About daylight he heard shouts and thought they must mean the arrival of his father with help. But the shouting came from the north, and his father was to arrive by the south road. He galloped out to get a clearer view, and saw a force sweeping down like a gale of wind.

It was not his father, but a body of the enemy, and the leader was Têng Ai. Têng rode forward shouting, "Rebel,

flee not!"

Wên Yang had no intention to flee. Setting his spear, he rode savagely toward his opponent. They engaged and fought half a hundred bouts without either gaining the advantage. Then, the duel still raging, the Wei army attacked, and Wên's men began to give way and run, so that soon he found himself alone.

However, he got clear of the fight and went away south. But he was pursued, for many captains plucked up courage to follow when he ran away. They pressed on his heels till near the Lochia Bridge it seemed that they must catch him. Then he suddenly pulled up his steed, turned and rode in among them, flogging with the terrible steel whip, and wherever it

struck there lay men and horses in confused heaps. So they left him, and he retook his way in peace.

Then the Wei captains met and said, "Lo! here is a man. who has driven us all backward. But we are many and may not suffer that."

"Have

Wherefore they re-formed and once again took up pursuit. "You fools?" cried Wên, as he saw them coming on. you then no regard for your lives?"

Again he fell upon them with the steel whip and slew many, so that the survivors retreated. But yet again they found courage to come on, and yet again, but they had to fall back before the lash of that terrible whip.

Defiance hurled at Ts'ao Ts'ao's mighty host

Arrayed near Ch'angan Slope proclaimed Chao Yün
A valiant man; and peerless stood he till,

At Lochiach'êng another hero faced,

Alone, another host, and Wên Yang's name
Was added to the roll of famous men.

In the

Wên Ch'in never reached the appointed rendezvous. darkness he lost his way among the precipices and gullies, whence he only got out as day dawned. He saw all the signs of a fight and a victory for Wei, but could not discover whither his son had gone. So he returned without fighting, and in spite of pursuit, made his way safely to Shouch'un.

Now Yin Ta-mu was an officer of the court and had accompanied Ssuma on his expedition, but was no friend of his. He had been of the Ts'ao Shuang party and bitterly resented the death of his patron. He was watching for a chance to avenge him. Seeing that Ssuma was ill, he thought to secure his end by making friends with Wên Ch'in. So he went in to see the sick general, and said, "Wên Ch'in had no sincere intention to rebel, but was led astray by Wuch'iu. If you will let me go and speak with him he will come ever to you at once."

Ssuma said he might go to try, and Yin put on his armour and rode after Wên Ch'in. By and by he got near enough to shout.

"Do you not recognise me? I am Yin Ta-mu."

Wên Ch'in stopped and looked back. Yin removed his helmet that his face might be clearly seen, and said, “O Governor Wên, why can you not bear up for a few days? I know that Ssŭma Shih is very near death, and I wish you to remain at hand."

But Wên did not understand. He abused Yin and even threatened that the bowmen should shoot, and Yin could only sorrowfully turn away.

When Wen reached Shouch'un and found it occupied he tried for Hsiangch'êng, but three armies of the enemy lay near

by and it seemed impossible that it could hold out long. So he decided to desert to Wu and serve Sun Hsün.

Wuch'iu Chien, then behind the walls of Hsiangch'êng, heard that Shouch'un had fallen, that his fellow-conspirator Wên had failed and, with three armies against his city, knew that his case was desperate. He mustered all the forces in the city and marched out to try his fortune.

As he went forth he fell in with Têng Ai. He bade Ko Yung go out to fight, but he fell in the first encounter, cut down by Têng himself. The enemy came on in force. Wuch'iu fought gallantly, but his army fell into confusion. Then two other armies came up, and he was completely surrounded. Nothing could be done, and he fled from the field and made for Shênhsien City. Here the governor received him kindly and comforted him with a feast. At the banquet the fugitive drowned his sorrows in the wine cup till he was helpless, when he was slain by his host. His head was sent to the Wei army as proof of his death, and the rising came to an end. Peace was restored in Huainan.

Ssuma Shih grew worse. Recovery being hopeless, he called Chuko Tan to his tent and gave him a seal and conferred upon him the title of "Conqueror of the East," with command of all the forces in Yangchou, and soon after the army marched back to Hsüch'ang.

The sick man began to have visions. Night after night he was troubled by the apparitions of the three courtiers he had put to death, and he knew that his end was near. He sent for his brother, who came and wept by his couch while he listened to his elder brother's last commands.

"The responsibility of power is heavy, but we must bear it; there is no relief. You must continue my plans and maintain my policy yourself, and you must be exceedingly careful how you entrust any other with power, lest you bring about the destruction of our whole clan."

Then he handed the seal of office to Ssuma Chao, weeping the while. Chao would ask some questions still, but with a deep groan his brother died. It was the second month of the

second year of Cheng-Yuan.

Ssuma Chao put on mourning for his brother and informed King Ts'ao Mao of the death. By special edict Ssuma Chao was ordered to remain at Hsüch'ang so as to guard against any attack from Wu. This order was unpleasing to its recipient, but he felt doubtful what to do. He took counsel with Chung Hui, who said, "The death of your brother has disturbed the country, and if you remain here some shifting of power at the capital will surely work to your disadvantage. It will be too late for regrets then."

Wherefore Ssuma left Hsüch'ang and camped on the Lo River. This move alarmed the king. Then Wang Su advised

him to placate the powerful minister with a new title. So Wang Su went, bearing an edict creating Ssuma Chao Ta Chiang-chun, or Generalissimo, with control of the Presidents of Boards. He came to Loyang to thank the king for these honours and stayed. Henceforward all matters and the whole government were under his hand.

When news of these things came to Ch'êngt", Chiang Wei thought the time had come to make another bid for the empire, so he wrote a memorial to the king.

Ssúa Shih having just died, his brother, ho serceds. will be unable to leave Loyang until he has consolidated his position. Wherefore I crave permission to attack Wei." The king agreed and bade him raise an army. into Hanchung to prepare for the expedition.

So he went

However, General Chang I was opposed to the expedition and said the state policy should rather be the improvement of conditions at home. He endeavoured to win over Chiang Wei to his views.

"You are mistaken," said Chiang. "Before our great Minister Chuko emerged from his reed hut in the wilds and undertook the affairs of a state, the three kingdoms were already a fact. Six times he led armies to try to gain the northern portion of the empire, but failed to attain his desire. Unhappily he died leaving his design unaccomplished. But he bequeathed to me the legacy of his intention, and I must be a loyal and worthy executor. If I die in the attempt I will perish without regret. Now is our opportunity, and if we miss it, shall we find a better?"

"What you say is the real truth," said Hsiahou Pa. "Let us send first some light horse out by Paokan to capture Nanan and thereby settle that district."

Then said Chang I, "Procrastination and delay have been hitherto the causes of our failure. We ought to obey the precepts of the books of war, strike where the enemy is unprepared and appear where he does not expect us. A rapid march and a sudden blow will find Wei unready, and we shall succeed."

So Chiang Wei led a huge army out by Paokan. When he reached the T'ao Waters the spies reported his arrival to the Governor of Yungchou, who led out seven legions against him. Chiang gave certain orders to his subordinates, and after they had marched, he drew up the main body by the T'ao River. Wang Ching, the Governor of Yungchou, rode out to parley.

"The three states are now actually established; why then have you invaded our borders these many times?"

Chiang replied, "Because Ssuma deposed your late king without cause, and it behoves the neighbouring countries to punish such a crime. Moreover, yours is a rival state."

Then Wang turned and said to four of his captains, "You see that the enemy is drawn up with a river at his back so that his men must conquer or drown. Chiang Wei is bold, but you will fight him and pursue if he retire."

The four rode out two and two. Chiang stood through a few encounters, but then moved backward toward his camp. At this, Wang led on his main body to smite. Chiang fled toward the river. As he drew near he shouted, "Danger, O captains! Now do your utmost."

His captains turned on the foe and fought with such vigour that the Wei army was defeated, and, as they turned away, Chang I and Hsiahou Pa fell upon their rear. Soon the Wei army was hemmed in and the bold Chiang Wei rushed in among the host of Wei and threw them into utter confusion. They trod each other down in the press, and many fell into the river. Dead bodies lay about over many li.

Wang Ching and a few horsemen got clear and fled to Titaoch'êng, where they entered within the walls and barred the gates.

After Chiang Wei had rewarded and feasted his army he was for attacking the city, but Chang I was against this.

"General, you have won a great victory, which will bring you fame. If you attempt more things may go agley, and you will only add legs to your sketch of a serpent."

"I disagree," said Chiang. "Our opponents have been overcome, and if we press forward we may overrun the whole north. This defeat has broken the spirit of the army, and this city can be easily captured. Do not damp the spirit of my men."

So it was decided to attack Titaoch'êng.

Ch'ên T'ai, who was also of Yungchou, was just about to set out to avenge the defeat of Wang Ching when Têng Ai, the Governor of Yenchou, arrived with his army. Ch'ên welcomed him, and when Têng had said he had come to assist to defeat the men of Shu, Ch'ên asked his plans.

Têng Ai replied, "They are victors on the T'ao Waters. If they enlist the aid of the Ch'iang to cause a diversion in Shênsi and also obtain the support of the four districts, it will be a misfortune for us. If they do not think of that, but try to take Titaoch'êng, they will only fritter away their energies against a place too strongly fortified for them to capture. Let us now array our force along Hsiangling, and then we can advance and smite them. We shall get a victory."

"That is well said!" cried Ch'ên.

Then twenty cohorts were told off to find their way secretly to the south east of Titaoch'êng and there hide in the valleys. They were then to display many ensigns and sound trumpets as if they were a very large force, and make huge fires at night, so as to cause anxiety among the enemy. And thus they