le those in power in a weak state took careful steps for improvement。 Confusion followed upon laxity and efficiency grew out of diligence； as is the universal rule。 King Wen of Zhou* devoted himself to the welfare of his people； and with a small number achieved great results； Gou Jian* sympathized with all； and with a weak force overcame a powerful opponent。 These were their methods。
〃One may recall that in the past Chu was strong and Han weak when the empire was divided by agreement at the Great Canal*。 Then； seeing that his people were satisfied and settled in their minds； Zhang Liang* went in pursuit of Xiang Yu and destroyed him。
〃But is it necessary to act like King Wen and Gou Jian？ Listen to the reply。 In the days of Shang and Zhou； when imperial ranks had long existed and the relations between prince and minister were firmly established； even such as the Founder of the Hans could not have carved his way to a throne。 But when the dynasty of Qin had suppressed the feudal nobles and set up mere representatives of its own power； and the people were weak and enslaved； the empire was rived asunder； and there succeeded a time of contention； when every bold soul strove with his neighbor。
〃But we are now in other times。 Since there is not the state of confusion that waited on the end of Qin； but a state of things more nearly like that of the period of the Warring States； in which six kingdoms contended for the mastery； therefore one may play the part of King Wen。 If one would found a dynasty； then must that one wait upon time and favorable destiny。 With these in his favor； the consummation will follow forthwith； as the armies of Kings Tang* and Wu* fought but one battle。 Therefore have real passion for the people and wait on opportunity。 If wars are constant； and a mishap e； even the wisest will be unable to show the way of safety。〃
〃An effusion from the pen of a rotten pedant？〃 cried Jiang Wei wrathfully as he finished reading； and he dashed the essay on the ground in contempt。
The protest was disregarded； and the army marched。
〃In your opinion where should we begin？〃 asked he of Fu Qian。
Fu Qian replied； 〃The great storehouse of Wei is at Changcheng； and we ought to burn their grain and forage。 Let us go out by the Luo Valley and cross the Shen Ridge。 After the capture of Changcheng； we can go on to Qinchuan； and the conquest of the Middle Land will be near。〃
〃What you say just fits in with my secret plans；〃 replied Jiang Wei。
So the army marched to the Luo Valley and crossed the Shen Ridge。
The mander in Changcheng was Sima Wang； a cousin of Sima Zhao。 Huge stores of grain were in the city； but its defenses were weak。 So when Sima Wang heard of the approach of the Shu army； he and his two leaders； Wang Zhen and Li Peng； made a camp seven miles from the walls to keep any attack at a distance。
When the enemy came up； Sima Wang and his two generals went forth from the ranks to meet them。
Jiang Wei stood in the front of his army and said； 〃Sima Zhao has forced his prince to go with him to war； which plainly indicates that he intends to emulate the deeds of Li Jue and Guo Si。 My government has manded me to punish this fault。 Wherefore I say to you yield at once。 For if you persist in the way of error； you and yours shall all be put to death！〃
Sima Wang shouted back； 〃You and yours are wholly strangers to any feeling of rectitude。 You have repeatedly invaded a superior state's territory。 If you do not at once retire； I will see to it that not even a breastplate returns！〃
With these words General Wang Zhen rode out； his spear set ready to thrust。 From the host of Shu came Fu Qian to take the challenge； and the two champions engaged。 After a few encounters Fu Qian tempted his opponent by feigning weakness。 Wang Zhen thrust at the opening he gave。 Fu Qian evaded the blow； snatched Wang Zhen out of the saddle； and bore him off。
Seeing this； his colleague； Li Peng whirled up his sword and went pounding down toward the captor。 Fu Qian went but slowly； thus luring Li Peng into rash pursuit。 When Li Peng was near enough； Fu Qian dashed his prisoner with all his strength to the earth； took a firm grip on his four…edged brand； and smote Li Peng full in the face。 The blow knocked out an eye； and Li Peng fell dead。 Wang Zhen had been already killed by the Shu troops as he lay on the ground。 Both generals being dead； the troops of Wei fled into the city and barred the gates。
Jiang Wei gave orders for the army to rest that night and take the city on the morrow with all vigor。
Next day； at dawn； the assault began。 The soldiers； fresh from their rest； vied with each other who should be first on the wall。 They shot over the ramparts fire…arrows and firebombs and burned all the buildings on the wall。 They next brought up brushwood and piled it against the rampart and set it alight； so that the flames rose high。
When the city seemed about to fall； the defenders set up a howling and a lamentation that could be heard all around。 But suddenly a great rolling of drums diverted the attention of the assailants from the city； and they turned their faces to see a great host of Wei soldiers marching up in all the glory of waving banners。 Jiang Wei faced about to meet this attack and took his place beneath the great standard。
Presently Jiang Wei made out a youthful…looking leader riding in advance with his spear ready to thrust。 He looked scarcely more than twenty years of age； his face was smooth as if powdered； and his lips were crimson。 But from them came fierce words。
〃Do you recognize General Deng？〃 cried he。
〃So this is Deng Ai；〃 thought Jiang Wei。
Thereupon Jiang Wei set his spear and rode out。 Both were adepts in arms and neither gave the other an opening； so that at the end of near half a hundred bouts neither could claim advantage。 The youth wielded his spear with perfect skill。
〃If I cannot gain the advantage by some ruse； how shall I win？〃 thought Jiang Wei。
So he turned aside his steed and dashed along a certain road that led to the hills。 The youth followed。 Presently Jiang Wei slung his spear； laid hands upon his bow； chose with care a feathered arrow； and laid it on the string。 But the youth was quick of eye； and as the bowstring sang； he bent his head over the saddle and the arrow passed harmlessly by。
The next time Jiang Wei turned； he saw his pursuer close upon him； and already the spear was threatening his life。 But as the youth thrust； Jiang Wei evaded the blow and caught the shaft under his arm。 Thus deprived of his weapon； the young man made for his own array。
〃What a pity！ What a great pity！〃 cried Jiang Wei； turning to pursue。
He followed the young general close up to the standard。
But just as he came near； a warrior came to the front； shouting； 〃Jiang Wei； you fool； do not pursue my son when I； Deng Ai； am here！〃
Jiang Wei was taken aback； so he had only been contending with Deng Zhong； the son of his real opponent。 Although he was astonished at the skill and vigor of the youth； he now knew that a heavier task lay before him and feared lest his steed was then too far spent for the contest。
So he said to Deng Ai； 〃Seeing things are so； let us both hold off our troops till the morrow； when we will fight。〃
Deng Ai； glancing around； saw that the place was ill…suited for him； so he agreed to wait； saying； 〃Let us lead off our armies then； and whoever shall take any secret advantage is a base fellow。〃
Both sides retired into camp； Deng Ai on the bank of River Wei； and Jiang Wei on the hills。
Deng Ai saw that the army of Shu had the advantage of position； so he wrote off at once to Sima Wang：
〃General； we should not give battle； but wait for reinforcements。 Meanwhile the soldiers of Shu will be consuming their supply of grain； and we will attack on three sides when they begin to be hungry。 I send my son Deng Zhong to you for further help in the defense of the city。〃
Jiang Wei sent a messenger to the Wei camp to deliver a letter of battle； the contest to take place the next day。 Deng Ai openly accepted。 But when morning came and Jiang Wei had arrayed his troops； his enemy had not appeared on the field。 Nor was there any sign of giving battle； no display of flags or rolling of drums all day。
At nightfall the army of Shu returned to camp； and Jiang Wei sent a letter reproaching his opponent with his failure to keep his word。
Deng Ai treated the bearer of the letter with great courtesy and explained； saying； 〃I have been indisposed today； but will certainly fight on the morrow。〃
But the next day passed also without any move on the part of Wei； and the same thing went on for five days。
Then said Fu Qian to his chief； 〃There is some knavery afoot； and we must be on our guard。〃
〃They must be waiting for reinforcements from Within the Passes that they may attack on three sides；〃 said Jiang Wei。 〃But now will I send into Wu and get Sun Chen to strike at the same time as I。〃
Just then scouts came to give the news of the rout of the army of Wu： 〃Sima Zhao has defeated Shouchun and killed Zhuge Dan。 Many in the Wu army have gone over to Wei。 Sima Zhao has gone to Luoyang and is planning to march an army to attack Changcheng。〃
〃So our attack on Wei is but a sham！〃 said Jiang Wei； bitterly。 〃It is only a picture of a cake。〃
Four times he missed！ He hailed
The fifth occasion joyfully； and failed。
The next chapter will tell the story of the retreat。
Main Next to Chapter 113 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 113
Chapter 113
Ding Feng Makes A Plan To Slay Sun Chen；
Jiang Wei Arrays A Battle To Defeat Deng Ai。
Fearing lest reinforcements would strengthen his enemy beyond his own power of resistance； Jiang Wei decided to retreat while he could。 He sent all his stores and baggage away first with the footmen； and kept the cavalry to cover the retirement。
The spies reported his movements to Deng Ai； who said； 〃He has gone because he knew that the main army would soon be upon him。 Let him go； and do not follow。 If we pursue； he will play us some evil trick。〃
Scouts were sent to keep in touch with the retreating army； and when they returned they reported that preparations of dry woods and straws had been made in the Luo Valley to check any pursuit with fire。
The officers praised the prescience