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 month's use, ready against the autumn rains. A month's 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 that 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 memoriaclass="underline" “The histories say that when supplies have to be conveyed a long distance, the soldiers are starved; if they have to
gather brushwood before they can cook, then the army is not full fed. This applies to ordinary expeditions in an ordinary country. If, in addition, the army has to march through a difficult country and roads have to be cut, the labor is doubled. Now this expedition is hindered by rain and steep and slippery hills; movement is cramped and supplies can only be maintained with difficulty. All is most unpropitious to the army.
“Cao Zhen has been gone over a month and has only got half through the valley. Road making is monopolizing all energies, and the fighting soldiers have to work on them. The state of affairs is the opposite to ideal, and the fighting soldiers dislike it.
“I may quote certain parallels. King Wu of Zhou attacked the last Shang King; he went through the pass, but returned. In recent times Emperors Cao and Pi, attacking Sun Quan, reached the river, and went no farther. Did they not recognize limitations and act accordingly? I pray Your Majesty remember the grave difficulties caused by the rain and put an end to this expedition. By and by another occasion will arise for using force, and in the joy of overcoming difficulties the people will forget death.”
The Ruler of Wei could not make up his mind, but two other memorials by Yang Fu and Hua Xin followed, and then he issued the command to return, which was sent to Cao Zhen and Sima Yi.
Cao Zhen and Sima Yi had already discussed the abandonment of the expedition. Cao Zhen had said, “We have had rain for a whole month, and the soldiers are downhearted and think only of getting home again. How can we stop them?”
Sima Yi replied, “Return is best.”
“If Zhuge Liang pursue, how shall we repulse him?”
“We can leave an ambush.”
While they were discussing this matter, the Emperor's command arrived. Whereupon they faced about and marched homeward.
Now Zhuge Liang had reckoned upon this month of rain and so had had his troops camped in a safe place. Then he ordered the main army to assemble at Red Slope and camp there.
He summoned his officers to his tent and said, “In my opinion the enemy must retire, for the Ruler of Wei will issue such an order. To retreat needs preparation, and if we pursue, we will fall in their trap. So we will let them retire without molestation. Some other plan must be evolved.”
So when Wang Ping sent news of the retreat of the enemy, the messenger carried back the order not to pursue.
It is only lost labor to cover retreat
When your enemy does not pursue.
By what means Zhuge Liang intended to defeat Wei will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 100. Raiding A Camp, The Shu Soldiers Defeat Cao Zhen; Contesting Array Battles, Zhuge Liang Shames Sima Yi.
When the Shu officers got to know that the Wei army had gone but they were not to pursue, they were inclined to discontent and went in a body to the Prime Minister's tent and said, “The rain has driven the enemy away; surely it is the moment to pursue.”
Zhuge Liang replied, “Sima Yi is an able leader who would not retreat without leaving an ambush to cover it. If we pursue we shall fall victims. Let him go in peace, and I shall then get through the Xie Valley and take Qishan, making use of the enemy's lack of defense.”
“But there are other ways of taking Changan;” said they, “why only take Qishan?”
“Because Qishan is the first step to Changan, and I want to gain the advantage of position. And every transportation from Xizhou must come this way. It rests on River Wei in front and is backed by the Xie Valley. It gives the greatest freedom of movement and is a natural maneuvering ground. That is why I want it.”
They bowed to his wisdom. Then he dispatched Wei Yan, Zhang Ni, Du Qiong, and Chen Shi for Chi Valley; and he sent Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, and Ma Zhong for the Xie Valley; all were to meet at the Qishan Mountains. He led the main army himself, with Guan Xing and Liao Hua in the van.
When the Wei army retreated, Cao Zhen and Sima Yi remained in the rear superintending the movement. They sent a reconnoitering party along the old road to Chencang, and they returned saying no enemy was to be seen. Ten days later the leaders, who had commanded in the ambush, joined the main body saying that they had seen no sign of the enemy.
Cao Zhen said, “This continuous autumn rain has rendered all the ways impassable; how could the soldiers of Shu know of our retreat?”
“They will appear later,” said Sima Yi.
“How can you know?”
“These late five dry days they have not pursued, because they think we shall have left a rearguard in ambush. Therefore they have let us get well away. But after we have gone, they will try to occupy Qishan.”
Cao Zhen was not convinced.
“Why do you doubt?” asked Sima Yi. “I think Zhuge Liang will certainly advance by way of the two valleys, and you and I should guard the entrances. I give them ten days, and if they do not appear, I will come to your camp painted in the face to own my mistake.”
“If the army of Shu do appear, I will give you the girdle and the steed that the Emperor gave me,” replied Cao Zhen.
And they split their force, Cao Zhen taking up his station on the west of Qishan in the Xie Valley, and Sima Yi going to the east in the Chi Valley.
As soon as the camp was settled, Sima Yi led a cohort into hiding in the valley. The remainder of the force was placed in detachments on the chief roads.
Sima Yi disguised himself as a soldier and went among the soldiers to get a private survey of all the camps. In one of them he happened upon a junior officer who was complaining, saying, “The rain has drenched us for days, and they would not retire. Now they have camped here for a wager. They have no pity for us soldiers.”