Deng Ai made his way back to Qishan. From there he reported his defeat to the Ruler of Wei and asked for degradation as a penalty. However, Sima Zhao saw that Deng Ai had rendered good services, so he did not degrade the general, but, on the other hand, sent him magnificent gifts, which Deng Ai distributed to the families of the soldiers who had been killed. Sima Zhao also sent him fifty thousand troops as reinforcement lest Shu should attack again.

Jiang Wei set about the restoration of the Plank Trail ready for the next expedition.

Repair the roads for marching feet to tread,

The strife will only cease when all are dead.

The next chapter will tell who won.

CHAPTER 115. Listening To Slander, The Latter Ruler Recalls His Army; Living In Farms, Jiang Wei Avoids Disaster.

In the autumn of the fifth year of Wonderful Sight, in Shu-Han calendar (AD 263), Jiang Wei was occupied with preparations for the renewal of an attack; mending the hill roads, gathering stores, and mobilizing his boats on the waterways of Hanzhong. These things done, he memorized the Throne, asking permission to go again to the attack:

“Although I have not been wholly victorious nor accomplished great things, yet I have put fear into the hearts of the

Wei armies. Our soldiers have been long under training, and they must now be used, or the army will go to pieces for lack of exercise. The soldiers are ready to die, the officers prepared for all risks, and I am determined to conquer or perish.”

The Latter Ruler did not consent at once.

As he was hesitating, Qiao Zhou stood forth and said, “I have observed the heavens. I have seen the leader stars in Shu dull and obscured. This expedition will be disastrous, and I hope Your Majesty will not approve.”

The Latter Ruler replied, “Let us see the results of this campaign; if it fails, then the war shall cease.”

Qiao Zhou resented the rejection of his advice, withdrew to his home, and retired on the pretext of illness.

As the final preparations were being made, Jiang Wei said to Liao Hua, “We are pledged to get through to the Middle Land this time; what do you advise to start with?”

“I dare not presume to advise you, General. For years we have been fighting and giving the people no rest. In Deng Ai we find a most formidable and resourceful opponent and an extraordinarily capable man, so that you must exert yourself to the very utmost.”

Jiang Wei was annoyed. Said he, “The late Prime Minister made six attempts, all for the state. I have attacked eight times. Was any one of those attacks to serve my private ends? This time I go to attack Taoyang, and no one shall say me nay. I will punish opposition with death.”

Jiang Wei left Liao Hua in charge of the base in Hanzhong and marched with three hundred thousand troops to Taoyang. His movements were reported in the Qishan camps, and Deng Ai's spies confirmed the news.

It happened that Sima Wang was with Deng Ai discussing military matters, and the former, when he heard it, said, “That move is a blind; he does not mean it. What he really intends is an attack on Qishan.”

“However, he has really gone to Taoyang,” said Deng Ai.

“How can you know?”

“Formerly Jiang Wei has always opened with a march to those parts of the country where we have stored supplies. Taoyang has no stores, so he thinks we shall not have taken care for its defense as we shall concentrate our efforts on Qishan. But, if he can take that place, he can collect stores there, and get into touch with the Qiang tribespeople and finally work out some grand plan.”

“Supposing this true, what should we do?”

“I advise the abandonment of this place and a march in two bodies toward Taoyang. I know a small town called Houxia, eight miles from Taoyang, which is the throat of the place. You go to Taoyang, hide your force and open the gates. Then act as I shall tell you presently. I will lie in wait at Houxia. We shall score a victory.”

Deng Ai gave Shi Zuan the command of the camps in Qishan when the main body left.

Meanwhile Xiahou Ba led the van of the Shu army toward Taoyang. As he drew near, he noticed the place seemed to have no defenses; not a flag staff reared its head. The gates stood wide open. He was too wary to go straight in however, and said, “Is there any ruse in there?”

His generals said, “We think the city was deserted when they heard your army coming. A few people were running away along the southern road.”