[228] Tàihé 2/Jiànxīng 6/Huángwǔ 7, Part 2
228 AD, Part 2, Cáo Xiū's Eastern Campaign, Zhūgě Liàng's Second Northern Expedition
Summer, Fifth Moon in Wèi [228 June 20 - July 19], Great Drought.1
Fifth Moon in Wú [228 June 20 - July 18], Póyáng Administrator Zhōu Fáng feigned rebellion against Wú to entice Wèi officer Cáo Xiū.2
Previously, Wèi’s Marshal-in-Chief Cáo Xiū was Capital Commander of Yáng province as before. Previously, Wú officer Shěn Dé had garrisoned Wǎn (皖, in Lùjiāng), Cáo Xiū struck and defeated him, cutting off Shěn Dé’s head. Wú officers Hán Zōng and Zhái Dān and others beginning to end led their multitudes to go to Cáo Xiū to surrender. Increased Cáo Xiū’s fief by four hundred, adding to the previous to 2500 households.3
When Zhāi Dān rebelled to join Wèi, Sūn Quán was afraid that the various officers would fear punishment and also desert, and so sent down Order that said: “From now on the various officers are to have serious crimes of three and only afterward is it to be discussed.”4
Zhōu Fáng appellation Zǐyú was a Wú prefecture Yángxiàn man.5 When Péng Qǐ had rebelled in Póyáng (in support of Wèi), Zhōu Fáng was appointed Póyáng Administrator and with Hú Zōng joined strength to attack and suppress, and therefore captured Péng Qǐ alive and sent him to Wǔchāng. Added on Zhōu Fáng title as Shining Righteousness Colonel.6
Sūn Quán gave Zhōu Fáng orders to secretly seek among the mountains the long established clans and famed leaders that were heard of and known to the northern enemies, to have them deceive and entrap Wèi’s Marshal-in-Chief and Yáng Province Governor Cáo Xiū. Zhōu Fáng answered: “One fears the commoner leaders and petty sorts are not sufficient to employ. If the matter leaks, it will be unable to deliver [Cáo] Xiū. I request to send a personal intimate to present a letter with seven articles to entice [Cáo] Xiū.”7
The first said: “[I, Zhōu] Fáng by good luck out a thousand years, am able to serve province and people, distantly separating the Jiāng river, respectful and not yet prominent, gazing out to clouds and scenery; Heaven truly made it so. My vitality is meager, fame and rank not shining, though harboring a scorching thirst, how can I meet with recognition? Foxes die on their first hill, human nature longs for roots, but pressured by restrictions, serve and see ritual violated. Every time alone raising ahead to look back west, never once am I not anxious and sighing whether awake or asleep, tossing and turning. Now taking advantage of a juncture of gap and cave, I am able to explain my former intentions. If it were not started by the divine, how would I be able to deliver this? Unable to overcome my eagerness, over ten thousand lǐ I entrust my fate. I solemn send my intimates Dǒng Cén and Shào Nán and others to feign rebellion to present letter. The affairs of the times and changing situation, are arranged on separate papers. May your Enlightened Excellency’s Lordship send down the light of sun and moon, reflecting the attention of distant peoples, forever to let those returning to the Mandate have a support.”8
The second said: “[I, Zhōu] Fáng am far away on the borders, the Jiāng’s tributaries divide and separate, the instruction and transformation of grace and luster have not yet immersed and reached to here, and yet among the mountains and valleys, from a far explain my thoughts, fearful due to great righteousness, not yet meeting with trust and acceptance. That people have gratitude and plan in response to changes are produced, the ancient to now have alike surmised. [I, Zhōu] Fáng served the east in managing a prefecture, my only hopes already obtained, it engraved my heart and I served to repay, forever without treachery. How could I have expected to recently be unreasonably censured, disaster in a water clock tick, vulnerable as a thrown egg. Advancing there is the appropriateness of separation or union, leaving or arriving. Withdrawing there is the calamity of false slander and pointless death. Though enacting ambition is light and trivial, survival or destruction is of one integrity, looking back to see being in the wrong place, can one not be disappointed? I dare imitate the ancient people, knowing where to submit, sincere in offering feelings, explaining and revealing liver and diaphragm. I beg you send down the rains of spring, quickly send aid in pity, have no further suspicions and cut away this entrusted life. If the matter is leaked, I will receive punishments that cannot be imagined. One, it would injure compassion and harm your plans. Two, it would cut off and end the hearts of others turning to transformation. May your enlightened governorship from afar consider previous eras, sympathize and pity this, leave attention on my character, and quickly bestow secret reply. [I, Zhōu] Fáng will wait and watch for movement, waiting to set out in answer.9
The third said: “[I, Zhōu] Fáng have succeeded the former Administrator, Guǎnglíng’s Wáng Jìng. Formerly he also with the prefecture’s people rebelled [against Wú] because he met with censure and denouncement. [Wáng] Jìng diligently explained himself, but to the end was not understood, and therefore established secret plans, wishing to go north to return to the mandate, by misfortune the matter was exposed, the executions reached to the infants. [I, Zhōu] Fáng have seen [Wáng] Jìng’s situation, and moreover observed that the Eastern Ruler [Sūn Quán] is entirely frivolous, tranquil with no further depth, though sometimes quickly escaping, in the end he will meet with elimination. Now that he also has ordered [me, Zhōu] Fáng to manage a prefecture, it is that he wishes to blame me for the after-effects [of Wáng Jìng]. It is certainly an intention to kill [me, Zhōu] Fáng. Though still watching for news, I am anxious and worried, not knowing when my own fate will end in what time. A man residing in the world, yet is like a white stallion charging past. To always be surrounded in danger and terror, how can it be spoken of? Pondering how to explain myself, weighed down and exhaustively worn, afraid that due to my lowliness, it will not be accepted. May your enlightened governorship give down a little inquiry to surmise this speech. Now this prefecture’s people, though outside have reputation of lowering head, yet due to being in the mountains and grasses, watch for an opening, wishing to again make chaos. On the day of making chaos, [Zhōu] Fáng’s life is finished. The Eastern Ruler recently secretly organized the various officers, plotting to advance north. Lǚ Fàn and Sūn Sháo and others to enter the Huái, Quán Cóng and Zhū Huán to rush to Héféi, Zhūgě Jǐn and Bù Zhì and Zhū Rán to arrive at Xiāngyáng, Lù Yì [Lù Xùn] and Pān Zhāng and others to suppress Méifū. The Eastern Ruler’s center batallions personally surprised Shíyáng, separately sending his younger cousin Sūn Huàn to headquarter Ānlù city, repairing and establishing tower pavilions, conveying supplies and transporting provisions, as military reserves, and also commanded Zhūgě Liàng to advance toward Guānxī, the Jiāng’s shores’ various officers would have none left, only leaving three thousand troops to defend Wǔchāng. If your enlightened governorship with ten thousand troops from Wǎn’s south headed to the Jiāng’s islet, [I, Zhōu] Fáng then from here would lead disciplined officials and people to be an interior answer. This region’s various prefectures beginning to end raised affairs, almost succeeding but failing, only because there was no outer assistance sent. If the northern army overlooked the borders, circulating about the subordinate cities, of the people pondering and singing, who would not watch in anticipation? May your enlightened governorship above observe the heaven’s natural timing, below examine human affairs, in the middle consult yarrow and tortoise shell, and then sufficiently understand these former words are not false.”10
The fourth said: “Those I have sent Dǒng Cén and Shào Nán, from youth grew up in my house, I am close with them and trust in them, like to sons, and therefore specially order them to present letter, feigning rebellion as an excuse, speaking with eyes the heart’s planning, not declaring with lips and teeth. Of my bone and flesh closest kin, none are aware. Also I have already ordered them, to on arriving at the province immediately say they are surrendering, wishing those in the north rebelling and coming [south] to spread report of them. [I, Zhōu] Fáng in this plan, am entrusting in Heaven. If this reaches, then it is the good fortune of saving life. If it happens to leak, then it is the disaster of receiving extermination. Always in the middle of the night I look up to the heavens, declaring oath to the stars. My trifling sincerity, how can it move the above? However the matter is urgent and I am alone and destitute, there is only heaven to accuse. On the day of sending envoy, bringing life or bringing death, form survival or aura destruction, soul clear or dimmed. I privately fear your governorship will not yet consider it a deep guarantee. [Dǒng] Cén and [Shào] Nán two people can have one detained, to be later pledge. One can return to present your instructions. The one returning with instructions will then say he regretted rebelling and returned. The Eastern Ruler [Sūn Quán] has a constant law that those who regret rebelling and return are all to be pardoned of their crime. Like this both here and there are blocked, forever without end or beginning. Hanging life to look west, tears and brush both falling.”11
The fifth said: “Póyáng’s people, truly are mostly foolish but stalwart. Leading them to send conscripts, never once do they immediately answer with people. Instigating them to rebel, on hearing the sound they sound and applaud. Now though they lower heads, the coiled tangles are not yet unbound, they perch in the mountains and hide in the grasses, rebellious hearts still preserved, but now the Eastern Ruler plans to raise great multitudes, mobilizing the state to entirely set out, the Jiāng’s shores emptied and bare, the garrison and forts hollowed out, leaving only various inspectors for treason. If taking advantage of this opening to disturb these people, in one morning they can be easily gathered, however they must rely on outside assistance, exterior and interior moving together, otherwise like in the past there will be no success. Now if your governorship follows Wǎn’s road to station above the Jiāng, [I, Zhōu] Fáng will from the south’s opposite shore select people in answer. If not able to directly arrive at the Jiāng’s shore, you can station a hundred lǐ above, to have this region’s people know the northern army is over there, for your own benefit. This region’s people do not mind hunger or cold to be willing to plunder, resent going on campaign, delight in joining the north, but in destitution raising affairs, to not timely meet with an answer, is to only seek disaster. If you send Shíyáng’s and Qīng’s and Xú’s various armies to head to tail follow one another, joining together to advance troops, and have them unable to quickly leave, then it is the best of the best. [I, Zhōu] Fáng was born at the Jiāng and Huái, excel in the time’s affairs, see the convenient benefits, a hundred actions a hundred successes, the timing gone will never again come, and dare announce my belly and heart.”12
The sixth said: “The Eastern Ruler still resents that formerly he did not capture Shíyáng. Now his later action is greatly gathering new troops, and further sending Pān Jùn to send out Yí peoples, the number of people extremely many. Hearing in advance and setting regulations, they will have the new weak troops set in the front, good troops in the rear, on the day of attacking the city, saying they wish to have the weak troops fill the moats, having them immediately beaten. Even if unable to succeed, it is a great service for the situation. I privately fear Shíyáng is a small city, not able to for a long time resist sent troops. If your enlightened governorship quickly sends down rescue, truly it is appropriate to avoid secrecy. In Wáng Jìng’s rebellion, his considerations were not far-reaching. Now [I, Zhōu] Fáng in returning to the mandate, not returning to Heaven, it is exactly on your enlightened governorship. If meeting with rescue like in the past, then the achievement can be certain to succeed. If the meeting with rescue is not timely, then it will be same disaster as with [Wáng] Jìng and the rest. Formerly in the time of Péng Qǐ, one hears the banners and flags were at Fénglóng, this prefecture’s people large and small were joyous, all thinking to establish results. If they had stayed one moon and some days, the affair would have greatly succeeded, a regret they left as quick as lightning, the east obtained increased multitudes to focus strength on suppressing [Péng] Qǐ, and [Péng] Qǐ immediately failed. May your governorship deeply examine this report.”13
The seventh said: “Now in raising a great affair, surely if there is no noble rank or title there will be nothing to encourage it. I beg to request General and Marquess seals each of fifty, Cadet General seals of a hundred, Colonel and Commandant seals each of two hundred, to be able to lend conferment on various outstanding commanders, encourage and sharpen their intentions, and further beg to request curtains and signal flags of several tens, to be exterior signs to let the mountain troops and officials and people to gaze and see it, and know the time to leave or arrive is already decided, to pull out rescue plans is settled. Also there and here in the surrenders and rebellions, days and moons there were people, among the broad and narrow, at once they were able to hear and know. Now in this great affair, the situation should be mysterious and secretive. If you examine [my, Zhōu] Fáng’s letter, I beg you apply hidden secrecy. Concealing knowledge and intelligence has constancy, guarding thoughts must be thorough. [I, Zhōu] Fáng harbor worries shaking and searing, the explained affairs numerous, and beg to not be blamed.”14
Zhōu Fáng therefore separately made a secret memorial that said: “Presently the north has fleeing bandits, firmly obstructing the Hé and Luò, for a long time avoiding the Ruler’s punishment. From since they usurped the northern lands, your servant has not once been able to say anything unique or suggest any good, above to glorify and support the vast cultivation, below to contribute one out of a myriad, a worried heart as if pounding, dozing into sleep while forgetting to rest. The sagely court of Heaven was overthrown, this servant was of no use, then came excellent command, ordering your servant to previously entice and deliver the rebel [Cáo] Xiū, a regret it was not as planned. I was ordered to from the prefecture’s borders search the mountains and valleys for powerful leaders that the northern rebels had heard of and known, to have them communicate with the north. Your servant in prostration thought and pondered, joy and terror gathering together, I humbly feared these people could not be quickly obtained, and even if obtaining them, feared they could not be trusted, and it was not as good as ordering your servant to deceive [Cáo] Xiū, and would be convenient for the plans. This is your servant obtaining something desired for successive years, encountering one meeting out of a thousand years, exhaustively employing stubborn concealment, I compiled a draft letter to deceive and entice [Cáo] Xiū, like in the separate paper. Your servant knows it is without the ancient people’s single-double methods, and further to suddenly serve a great strategy, restless and dim as a mongrel, afraid due to reckless stupidity, I am shamed to carry special endowment, in advance harboring searing anxiety. Your servant has heard Táng Yáo acted in advance of Heaven but Heaven did not oppose him, and widely inquired of the grass cutters, to achieve magnificent accomplishment. The Court’s divine plan wishes to be certain to deliver [Cáo] Xiū in a footstep, spirits supporting the sagely scheme, [Cáo] Xiū certainly will deliver himself. Sending the Six Armies to surround and enclose, the caitiffs will have none left. Power as wind and lightning striding, Heaven’s Under’s fortunes are extreme. I solemnly bow and memorialize report, and further present the letter draft, afraid in shallow position, chasing employment with terror.”
Zhōu Fáng received reply to put it into effect. Cáo Xiū indeed believed Zhōu Fáng, leading infantry and cavalry of a hundred thousand, heavy carriages filling the roads.15
At the time when Zhōu Fáng first established the secret plan, there frequently were cadet officials visiting him to present Orders to investigate his various affairs. Zhōu Fáng then went to visit below the department prefecture gates, and took advantage to drop his hair to apologize. Cáo Xiū heard about this, and no longer had misgivings.16
Sixth Moon in Wèi [July 20 - August 17], Imperial Order said: “Honoring classicists and valuing scholars is the root of the Ruler’s teachings. But among the Classicist officials there are some who are not qualified, so how can the sagely way be spread and enlightened? Thus only with high standards of selection of Academic Scholars can they be appointed Attendants Internal and Regular Attendants. Extend these orders to the prefectures and states, that presented candidates must have studied the Classics as prerequisites.”17
Previously, Sūn Quán had been at Dōngguān, south of Yù province, from the Jiāng by over four hundred lǐ. Every time he sent out troops to plunder, at once in the west it came from Jiāngxià or in the east it came from Lújiāng. Wèi in its campaigns also went through the Huái and Miǎn rivers. At the time Yù province’s army was at Xiàng, Rǔnán, and Yìyáng various prefectures, defending the borders and nothing more. Sūn Quán was without apprehensions of his north, if east or west there was an emergency, he joined the armies together to rescue, and therefore generally had few defeats. Yù Province Inspector Jiǎ Kuí believed: “It is appropriate to open direct roads to overlook the Jiāng. If [Sūn] Quán defends himself, then his two sides are without rescue. If the two sides are without rescue, then Dōngguān can be captured.” thus he moved his garrison to Lǎokǒu, explaining a plan to attack and capture, and Cáo Ruì praised it. Wú officers Zhāng Yīng and Wáng Chóng also led their multitudes to surrender to Wèi.18
Around that time in Wèi, the border prefectures were newly attached, many without household registers. The Wèi Court wished to send secret investigators. Sīmǎ Yì attended Court in the capital, and Cáo Ruì asked Sīmǎ Yì about this. Sīmǎ Yì replied saying: “The rebels used secret networks to bind subordinates, therefore the subordinates abandoned them. It is appropriate to be liberal with a vast net, then they will naturally be secure and happy.”
Cáo Ruì also asked: “The two caitiffs should be suppressed, which should be first?”
Sīmǎ Yì replied saying: “Wú because the central states are not trained in river warfare therefore dares scatter to occupy Dōngguān. Overall in attacking an enemy one must grab their throat to strike their heart. Xiàkǒu and Dōngguān are the rebel’s heart and throat. If a land army heads toward Wǎn city [皖 in Lújiāng], it will drawn [Sūn] Quán east downstream. With a river army heading toward Xiàkǒu, taking advantage of their opening and striking them, this is as divine troops falling from Heaven, defeating them is certain.”
Cáo Ruì agreed with both of these, and again ordered Sīmǎ Yì to garrison Wǎn (宛 in Nányáng).19
The Wèi Emperor Cáo Ruì on two paths campaigned against Wú, sending Sīmǎ Yì to go down the Hàn river, and sending Cáo Xiū to lead the various armies toward Xúnyáng.20 Cáo Ruì also sent Jiǎ Kuí to command Front General Mǎn Chǒng, Dōngguǎn Administrator Hú Zhì and others of four armies to from Xīyáng directly head toward Dōngguān while Cáo Xiū went toward Wǎn (皖 in Lújiāng) and Sīmǎ Yì went toward Jiānglíng.21
When Marshal-in-Chief Cáo Xiū led the army toward Wǎn (皖 in Lújiāng), Jiǎng Jì memorialized believing: “Deeply penetrating caitiff territory, with [Sūn] Quán’s elite troops facing, and Zhū Rán and others to the upstream, riding on [Cáo] Xiū’s rear, Your Servant does not see the benefit.”22
Autumn, Eighth Moon in Wú [September 16 - October 15], Sūn Quán reached Wǎnkǒu, and summoned Lù Xùn to take command of the various armies, lending to Lù Xùn Yellow Battle-ax as Commander-in-Chief.23 Wú’s Marshal-in-Chief Lǚ Fàn died.24
When Lǚ Fàn was promoted to Marshal-in-Chief, the seal and ribbon had not yet been sent down when he died of illness. Sūn Quán in mourning clothes held mourning, sending envoy to posthumously bestow the seal and ribbon.25
Autumn Ninth Moon in Wèi [October 16 - November 14], Cáo Xiū led his various armies to reach Wǎn (in Lújiāng).26 A Wú officer feigned surrender, and Cáo Xiū penetrated deeply.27 Cáo Xiū became aware of the deception, was ashamed to have been deceived and enticed, and relying on his own troops and horses being very many, therefore engaged in battle.28
At the time Lù Xùn was foremost commander, Qúan Cóng and Zhū Huán were Left and Right Commanders, each commanding thirty thousand men to strike Cáo Xiū. Cáo Xiū knew he had been deceived and should lead the army back, but himself relied on his multitudes being many, and sought a decisive battle. Zhū Huán advanced a plan saying: “Cáo Xiū originally for being a relative [of Cáo Pī] met with appointment, he is not a wise or valorous famed officer. Now in battle he is certain to be defeated, in defeat he is certain to flee, in fleeing you will go through Jiāshí and Guàchē. These two roads are rugged and narrow, if one uses ten thousand troops to burn the roads, then their multitudes can be captured completely, and [Cáo] Xiū can be captured alive. Your Servant requests to command my division to cute them off. If immersed in your heavenly prestige, I will capture [Cáo] Xiū as my service, and then can follow up on victory to hurry ahead, advance and capture Shòuchūn, cutting away and possessing Huáinán, to plan for Xǔ and Luò. This is a one time opportunity in myriad ages, and cannot be lost.” Sūn Quán first with Lù Xùn consulted, Lù Xùn believed it impossible, and therefore the plan was not put into effect.29
In battle Cáo Xiū was unsuccessful, and retreated back to lodge at Shítíng.30
Lù Xùn personally commanded the center division, ordering Zhū Huán and Quán Cóng as the left and right flanks, on three roads all advancing, and indeed broke through Cáo Xiū’s ambush troops.31 The Wèi army was in the night alarmed, the soldiers were disordered, the abandoned armor and weapons and supply carriages were extremely many.32
The Wú army therefore drove the Wèi army away, pursuing a routed enemy, directly reaching Jiāshí, the killed and captured over ten thousand, oxen and horses and mules and donkeys and chariots and carriages in the ten thousands, military supplies and equipment completely captured.33
Previously, when Jiǎ Kuí reached Wǔjiāngshān, Cáo Xiū had memorialized that among the Wú rebels there was one requesting to surrender, and requested to deeply penetrate to answer that. Imperial Order had Sīmǎ Yì station army and Jiǎ Kuí go east to with Cáo Xiū together advance. Jiǎ Kuí judged: “The rebels, if without Dōngguān’s defenses, will certainly combine their armies at Wǎn. If [Cáo] Xiū penetrates deeply and with the rebels battle, it is a certain defeat.” Thus he deployed his various officers, on water and land together advancing, traveled two hundred lǐ, captured a rebel alive, who said Cáo Xiū had been defeated in battle, and Sūn Quán was sending troops to cut-off Jiāshí. The various officers did not know what to do. Some wished to wait for the rear army. Jiǎ Kuí said: “[Cáo] Xiū’s troops were defeated outside, the roads are cut off inside, advancing they cannot battle, retreating they cannot return. The pivot between safety and danger does not last to the end of day. The rebels because the army has no rear follower will therefore reach to here. Now to swiftly advance is to set out where they do not expect, this is what is called ‘anticipating someone to seize their heart.’ The rebels in seeing our army will certainly flee. If we wait for the rear army, the rebels will have already cut off the rugged terrain, and even if the troops are many it will be of what benefit?” Thus he on multiple paths advanced the army, setting many banners and drums as decoy troops. The Wú army saw Jiǎ Kuí’s army, and therefore retreated. Jiǎ Kuí occupied Jiāshí, and gave his troops’ provisions to Cáo Xiū, and Cáo Xiū’s army was thus roused.
Previously, Jiǎ Kuí and Cáo Xiū were not friendly. During Huángchū [220 - 226], Cáo Pī had wished to Lend Jiǎ Kuí Staff, Cáo Xiū said: “[Jiǎ] Kuí by nature is stubborn, frequently insulting and changing the various officers, he cannot be a Commander.” Cáo Pī thus stopped. Reaching to the Jiāshí defeat, if not for Jiǎ Kuí, Cáo Xiū’s army was almost without rescue.34
Cáo Xiū resented Jiǎ Kuí for advancing too late, and so berated Jiǎ Kuí, and therefore sent managers to order the Yù Province Inspector to go retrieve the lost weapons. Jiǎ Kuí believed himself correct, said to Cáo Xiū: “I serve the country as Yù Province Inspector, I did not come to retrieve your lost weapons for you.” Then he led his army to return. Therefore he and Cáo Xiū further memorialized against each other. Though the Court knew Jiǎ Kuí was correct, yet as Cáo Xiū was of the Imperial Clan and had heavy appointment, both were not reprimanded.35 Cáo Xiū yet held onto his former resentments, wishing to at a later time punish Jiǎ Kuí. Jiǎ Kuí to the end was without words. At the time people all the more sided with Jiǎ Kuí because of this.36
When the Wèi army had reached Wǎn (in Lújiāng), Wú sent out troops to Ānlù. Jiǎng Jì again sent up memorial that said: “Now the rebels reveal form in the west, certainly wishing to combine troops to plan east, it is appropriate to quickly send Imperial Order on the various armies to go rescue it.” It happened Cáo Xiū’s army was already defeated, completely abandoning equipment and weapons and supply carriages to retreat and return. Wú wished to block Jiāshí, encountered rescue troops arriving, and therefore the government army was not lost. Promoted Jiǎng Jì to Central Protector of the Army.37
Yǐyǒu [November 13], enthroned Imperial son Cáo Mù as King of Fányáng.
Gēngzǐ [November 28], Wèi’s Marshal-in-Chief Cáo Xiū died.38
Previously, Cáo Xiū had sent up letter to apologize for his crimes. The Wèi Emperor Cáo Ruì sent Garrison Cavalry Colonel Yáng Jì to console him, the gifts and bestowals all the more grand. Cáo Xīu because of this had ulcers break out on his back and he died, posthumous name Zhuàng “Strong.” His son Cáo Zhào succeeded.39
It also happened that Yù Province Inspector Jiǎ Kuí became critically ill. He said to his Left and Right: “Receiving the state’s generous favor, I regret not having beheaded Sūn Quán to go down to meet the Former Emperor [Cáo Pī]. In the funeral affairs there is to be no work.”40 When he died, at the time his years were fifty-five.41 Posthumous name Sù “Solemn.” His son Jiǎ Chōng succeeded. Yù Province’s officials and people in recollection of him carved a stone shrine to sacrifice to him.42
Devoted heart and decisive judgment is called Sù.43
During Tàihé Second Year [228], Mǎn Chǒng was designated Yù Province Inspector.44
Previously, when Cáo Xiū set out into Lújiāng, Mǎn Chǒng sent up memorial that said: “Though Cáo Xiū is intelligent and decisive, yet he rarely uses troops. Now the road he follows has its back to the lakes and its side to the Jiāng, easy to advance difficult to retreat. In military principles, this is ‘stagnant ground.’ If entering Wúqiángkǒu, it is appropriate to deeply make preparations.” Mǎn Chǒng’s memorial had not yet received reply when Cáo Xiū deeply penetrated. The rebels indeed from Wúqiángkǒu cut off Jiāshí, intercepting Cáo Xiū’s return road. Cáo Xiū in battle was unsuccessful and withdrew. It happened Zhū Líng and others from the rear arrived, with the rebels encountering one another. The rebels were alarmed and fled, and Cáo Xiū’s army thus was able to return. That year Cáo Xiū died, and Mǎn Chǒng as Front General succeeded Cáo Xiū as Commander of Yáng Province’s various military affairs.45
Wú’s victorious armies returned and passed by Wǔchāng, Sūn Quán ordered his left and right to have his own royal canopy cover Lù Xùn in entering and exiting the Palace Hall gates. All that was bestowed on Lù Xùn were all royal objects and the highest treasures, at the time none could compare. Lù Xùn was sent back to Xīlíng.46
After the matter was successful and the army returned, Sūn Quán held a great gathering with the various armies to celebrate and feast, drinking to intoxication, he said to Zhōu Fáng: “You dropped hair to serve righteousness, achieving my great affair, your achievement and fame should be written on bamboo and silk.” Added office as Supplementary General, bestowed noble rank as Within the Passes Marquess.47
Xú Zhòng’s Appraisal states: A servant of men in establishing achievement and enacting integrity, though it is not a single road, however each has its share. As a General grasping drum stick and drum, then there is the righteousness of certain death. When ambition is maintained then there is the righteousness of non-temporary duty. Where death is certain, righteousness is in not being frivolous. [Zhōu] Fáng was a prefecture administrator, his duty in governing people. Opposing what his lord had commanded, personally taking up the role of enticing the enemy, shaving and scraping hair and skin, to chase achievement and fame, though the matter was successful and he received noble rank, it was not what a gentleman would consider beautiful.48
That year in Wèi, Tián Yù had sent Yìxià Shè to visit Kē Bǐnéng’s son-in-law Yùzhù Jiān’s division, and Shè was by Jiān killed. That autumn, Tián Yù led the west division Xiānbēi Pùtóu and Xièguīní to set out the passes to suppress Yùzhù Jiān, greatly defeating him. While returning and reaching Mǎchéng, Kē Bǐnéng personally led thirty thousand cavalry to besiege Tián Yù for seven days.49
Wèi’s Protector of the Wūhuán Colonel Tián Yù had set out the passes, and was by Kē Bǐnéng besieged at former Mǎyì city, and he sent message to Yànmén Administrator Qiān Zhāo to request rescue. Qiān Zhāo at once organized and led troops and horses, wishing to go rescue Tián Yù. Bìng Province use standing regulations to forbid Qiān Zhāo, Qiān Zhāo believed a Staff-wielding officer was besieged, and he could not be restrained by clerk commentary, personally memorialized and then went. Also he further sent out feather dispatches, explaining the situation, saying they would go northwest to surprise and capture the caitiff’s families and afterward go east, to join together and execute the caitiffs themselves. The dispatch arrived, and Tián Yù’s army jumped in joy. Also he left one message for the caitiffs to intercept, the caitiffs at once were afraid, and the tribes scattered apart. The army arrived at former Píngchéng, and the encirclement was broken and fled.50
Shànggǔ Administrator Yán Zhì was Yán Róu’s younger brother and formerly was by the Xiānbēi trusted. Yán Zhì went to persuade to resolve the siege, and at once the Xiānbēi lifted the siege and left.51
Later, Kē Bĭnéng again greatly gathered cavalry to come, arriving to former Píngzhōu pass’s north. Qiān Zhāo secretly went and pounced to suppress, greatly cutting off heads. Qiān Zhāo, because Zhūgě Liàng had repeatedly set out and Kē Bǐnéng was cunning, believed they were able to communicate with each other and memorialized to guard against it. Commentators because they were far away from each other did not yet believe it.52
During Tàihé Second Year, Sùlì died.
Sùlì, Míjiā, Juéjī all were chieftains, at Liáoxī, Yòuběipíng, Yúyáng beyond the passes, the roads far away and at first they were not a border concern, however their tribe multitudes were more than Kē Bǐnéng. During Jiàn’ān [196 - 220], because Yán Róu sent up tribute, they connected markets, and Cáo Cāo memorialized to favor them all as Kings. When Juéjī died, his son Shāmòhàn was enthroned as Qīnhàn “Friend of Hàn” King. At the beginning of Yánkāng [220], each had also sent envoy to proffer horses. Cáo Pī enthroned Sùlì and Míjiā as Guīyì “Submitting to Righteousness” Kings. When Sùlì died, his sons were small, and his younger brother Chénglǜguī became King, succeeding control over his multitudes.53
Winter, Tenth Moon in Wèi [November 15 - December 13], Imperial Order on the Excellencies and Ministers and close ministers to nominate a good officer, each one man.
Eleventh Moon in Wèi [228 December 14 - 229 January 12], Excellency over the Masses Wáng Lǎng died.54 Posthumous name Chéng “Accomplished,” his son Wáng Sù succeeded.55 Wáng Lǎng’s written explanations on the Yì, Chūnqiū, Xiàojīng, Zhōuguān, and his memorials and commentaries and discourses and records, all were passed around at the time.56
Securing people and establishing government is called Chéng.57
Zhūgě Liàng heard that Sūn Quán had defeated Cáo Xiū, Wèi troops had gone down east, Guānzhōng was empty and weak. Eleventh Moon in Shǔ [228 December 14 - 229 January 12], he sent up memorial report.58
The memorial said:
“The Former Emperor [Liú Bèi] considered that Hàn and rebels cannot both stand, that the Ruler’s Enterprise cannot be content to stay on the side, and therefore entrusted Your Servant with the suppression of the rebels. With the Former Emperor’s enlightenment, measuring Your Servant’s ability, he therefore knew that your servant in attacking the rebels had weak talent and a strong enemy. However, if one does not attack the rebels, the Ruler’s Enterprise also would be destroyed. To only sit and wait for destruction, why not then attack them? Therefore, he entrusted Your Servant and did not doubt. On the day Your Servant received the command, in lying down I could not rest, in eating I could not taste, thinking only of the northern campaign. It was appropriate to first enter the south, and therefore in the Fifth Moon I crossed the Lú [river], deeply entering the barren, eating once every few days. I Your Servant do not begrudge myself, I am only concerned that the Ruler's Enterprise cannot be secure on the side in the Shǔ capital, and therefore I faced dangers and disasters to serve the Former Emperor’s remaining intentions. But the commentators say that it is a mistaken plan. Now the rebels happen to be weak in the west, and also are busy in the east. Military methods are to take advantage of toil; this is the time to advance quickly. Sincerely explaining the situation to the left:
Emperor Gāo’s [Liú Bāng] enlightenment was as the sun and moon, his strategic ministers profound and deep; however, he waded dangers and was wounded, was endangered and only afterward secure. Now Your Majesty does not yet match Emperor Gāo, the strategic ministers do not compare to [Zhāng] Liáng and [Chén] Píng, and yet to wish to with a long-term plan seize victory, to stay seated and settle Heaven's Under, this is Your Servant’s unsolved problem one.
Liú Yáo and Wáng Lǎng each occupied province and prefecture, discussed security and talked of plans, acting like sagely men, various doubts filling their bellies, multitudes of troubles stuffing their chests, this year not battling and the next year not campaigning, allowing Sūn Cè to grow large, and therefore conquer the Jiāng’s east. This is Your Servant’s unsolved problem two.
Cáo Cāo’s intelligence and strategies absolutely surpassed other men, his use of troops resembled Sūn [Wǔ] and Wú [Qǐ]. However, he was trapped at Nányáng, imperiled at Wūcháo, endangered at Qílián, threatened at Líyáng, almost defeated at Běishān, nearly died at Tóngguān, and only afterward illegitimately settled for a time. So all the more for Your Servant of inferior talent, to yet wish to not be endangered and yet settle things, this is Your Servant's unsolved problem three.
Cáo Cāo five times attacked Chāng Bà and did not subdue him, four times crossed Cháo Lake and did not succeed, appointed Lǐ Fú and Lǐ Fú plotted against him, entrusted Xiàhóu [Yuān] and Xiàhóu [Yuān] was defeated and died. The Former Emperor [Liú Bèi] always praised [Cáo] Cāo as able, and yet he had these failures, so all the more for your worn and inferior servant; how can I be able to be certain of victory? This is Your Servant’s unsolved problem four.
From since Your Servant arrived at Hànzhōng, the interim has only been a year. However, we have lost Zhào Yún, Yáng Qún, Mǎ Yù, Yán Zhī, Dīng Lì, Bái Shòu, Liú Hé, Dèng Tóng and others, division commanders and garrison officers of over seventy men, dashing officers without match. The Cóng, Sǒu, Qīng Qiāng scattered cavalry and martial cavalry of over a thousand men, these all were the absolute elite gathered from the Four Corners over the course of several tens of years, not what a single province possesses. In another few years, then two thirds will be lost, and what can be used to plan against the enemy? This is Your Servant’s unsolved problem five.
Now the civilians are exhausted and the troops weary, but tasks cannot be paused. If tasks cannot be paused, then whether in stationing or in going, the labors and costs are on the same level. And yet to not now plan against them, and wish to use one province’s land to with the rebels hold out for a long time, this is Your Servant’s unsolved problem six.
That which is difficult to pacify, is a ‘situation.’ In the past the Former Emperor's army was defeated at Chǔ. At that time Cáo Cāo patted hands, saying Heaven’s Under was thus settled. However, afterward the Former Emperor to the east joined with Wú and Yuè, to the west took Bā and Shǔ, raised troops on northern campaign, Xiàhóu [Yuān] gave his head. This was [Cáo] Cāo’s plans failing and Hàn’s situation about to be achieved. However, afterward Wú again violated alliance, Guān Yǔ was defeated and destroyed, Zǐguī fallen, Cáo Pī declared himself Emperor. All ‘situations’ are like this: difficult to see in advance. I Your Servant devote myself with all my strength, up to my death, but as for success or failure, it is not what Your Servant’s wisdom can see in advance.”59
Zhèngyuán states: According to Péi Sōngzhī, the memorial does not appear in Zhūgě Liàng’s Collected Works, but is produced from Wú official Zhāng Yǎn’s Mò jì.60 It cannot be a purely authentic Zhūgě Liàng memorial due to the anachronism of mentioning Zhào Yún’s death before it occurred. Furthermore, its rhetoric does not resemble Zhūgě Liàng’s extant writings, but instead has an incredibly strong resemblance in both structure and argument to a famous memorial attributed to Zhūgě Liàng’s nephew Zhūgě Kè, who served in Wú. However, it cannot be a purely authentic Zhūgě Kè memorial either because it does not observe the Wú naming taboo on Sūn Cè. Though it cannot be a purely authentic Zhūgě Liàng or Zhūgě Kè memorial, it has long been celebrated and transmitted for its rhetoric, and it would be inappropriate to exclude it out of a misguided pursuit of pure historical accuracy. Zhūgě Liàng would have written some sort of memorial for this situation, which perhaps was lost and had a later author attempt to construct a replacement modeled after the writings of Zhūgě Kè; but that is only my own baseless speculation.61
Twelfth Moon in Wèi [229 January 13 - February 10], Zhūgě Liàng set out Sǎnguān62 and besieged Chéncāng. Cáo Zhēn sent General Fèi Yào and others to resist him.63 Before this, Cáo Zhēn had also sent General Hǎo Zhāo to build Chéncāng city walls. It happened Zhūgě Liàng arrived, besieged Hǎo Zhāo, but could not overcome him.
Hǎo Zhāo appellation Bódào was a Tàiyuán man. As a man he was masculine and strong, when young entered the army as a division retainer commander, repeatedly having battle achievements, becoming a miscellaneous title General, and therefore defended the Hé’s west for over then years, the civilians and Yí awed and submitted.
Zhūgě Liàng besieged Chéncāng, sending someone from Hǎo Zhāo’s hometown Jīn Xiáng outside the city walls to from afar persuade him. Hǎo Zhāo from atop a tower answered Jīn Xiáng saying: “The Wèi House’s laws, you are aware of. My conduct as a man, you know of. I received the state’s favor many times and my household is valued. You have nothing you can say, there is only certain death. You return and apologize to Zhūgě, and then can attack.” Jīn Xiáng reported Hǎo Zhāo’s words to Zhūgě Liàng, Zhūgě Liàng again sent Jīn Xiáng to again persuade Hǎo Zhāo, saying their men and weapons were without match, and there was no reason to in vain destroy himself. Hǎo Zhāo said to Jīn Xiáng: “My previous words are already settled. I know you, but arrows do not.” Jīn Xiáng thus left.
Zhūgě Liàng because he had multitudes of several tens of thousands and Hǎo Zhāo’s troops were only over a thousand, and also because he judged eastern rescue would not soon arrive, thus advanced troops to attack Hǎo Zhāo, raising scaling ladders and ramming carriages to overlook the city. Hǎo Zhāo therefore with fire arrows opposed and shot the scaling ladders, the ladders burned, and the men atop the ladders burned to death. Hǎo Zhāo also with ropes connected grindstones and crushed the ramming carriages, and the ramming carriages were broken.
Zhūgě Liàng then further made crossbar railings of a hundred chǐ to shoot into the city walls, and with mud balls filled the moat, wishing to directly climb the city walls. Hǎo Zhāo also inside built additional walls. Zhūgě Liàng also made earthen tunnels, wishing to dig into the city lanes. Hǎo Zhāo also within the city dug the ground horizontally to intercept them.
Day and night they attacked and resisted one another for over twenty days. Zhūgě Liàng was out of plans, rescue arrived, and so he retreated.64
Zhūgě Liàng’s provisions were exhausted and he retreated. Wèi officer Wáng Shuāng led his army to pursue Zhūgě Liàng, Zhūgě Liàng with him battled, defeating him, beheaded Wáng Shuāng, and returned to Hànzhōng.65
Later, Wèi Imperial Order commended Hǎo Zhāo’s excellent defense, bestowing noble rank as a Ranked Marquess. When Hǎo Zhāo came to the capital, the Emperor Cáo Ruì invited him to an audience to show appreciation for his labors, and looking back to say to Central Writers Director Sūn Zī: “Your hometown thus had such a forthright man. Having an officer as searing as this, We have what further worries?” Cáo Ruì wished to greatly employ him. It happened Hǎo Zhāo fell ill and died. His Legacy Order warned his son Hǎo Kǎi saying: “I was an officer and know that an officer is not something to be. I repeatedly dug open graves, taking their wood to make war machines, and also know lavish burial is of no good to the dead. You must restrain [my burial] to seasonal clothes. Moreover, life has its place, where are the dead? Now leave my grave and go far away, east west north south, it is up to you and nothing more.”66
Previously, when Zhūgě Liàng again set out and heavily attacked Chéncāng, Cáo Ruì with relay horses summoned Zhāng Hé to the capital. Cáo Ruì personally went to Hénán city and set liquor to see off Zhāng Hé, sending Northern and Southern Army soldiers of thirty thousand and dividing to send Martial Guard and Tiger Elite as Zhāng Hé’s guard, and therefore asked Zhāng Hé: “General, as you will arrive late, will [Zhūgě] Liàng not have already captured Chéncāng?” Zhāng Hé knew Zhūgě Liàng’s army was without grain and could not attack for long, and replied saying: “Before your servant arrives, [Zhūgě] Liàng will have already fled. Counting on fingers to calculate, Zhūgě Liàng’s provisions will not last for ten days.” Zhāng Hé morning and night advanced toward Nánzhèng, and Zhūgě Liàng retreated. Imperial Order on Zhāng Hé to return to the capital, and appointed him Campaigning West Chariots and Cavalry General.67
Previously, Liáodōng Administrator Gōngsūn Gōng due to genital impotence became a castrate, weak and unable to govern a state.68 That year, Tàihé Second Year, Gōngsūn Gōng’s elder brother’s son Gōngsūn Yuān seized away Gōngsūn Gōng’s position.69
When Gōngsūn Yuān seized his father’s younger brother’s position and without authority established himself, he sent envoy to memorialize the situation. Liú Yè believed: “The Gōngsūn clan was employed since Hàn’s time, thus for generations succeeding one another in office. Water then is blocked by seas, land then is obstructed by mountains, therefore the Hú and Yí are cut off far away and difficult to control, and their position and authority has been for a long time. Now if he is not punished, later it will certainly produce trouble. If we wait for him to harbor treachery and block with troops and afterward send punishment, the matter will be difficult. It is not as good as taking advantage of him being newly established, having factions and having enemies, to preempt him while he does not expect it, with troops facing him, opening and offering rewards for answering summons, he can without laboring the brigades be settled.”70
Cáo Ruì appointed Gōngsūn Yuān as Raising Fierceness General and Liáodōng Administrator, but Gōngsūn Yuān sent envoys south to communicate with Sūn Quán, exchanging gifts and bribes.71
Later, Gōngsūn Yuān sent a memorial to Sūn Quán, calling himself a servant of Wú, that said in part: “At the end of the last season there was famine, heaven and earth clogged and blocked, weapons and armor not yet put away, the people are dissolute and dispersed. Looking up to this Heaven’s Mandate and having concerns, privately from one corner forever gazing at cloud and sun. Now the Wèi house cannot collect and record the loyal and good, after commending meritorious ministers, then having the slanderous and false enact their wills, listening to the Yōu Province Inspector and Dōnglái Administrator’s lying and mistaken speech, to raise the province’s troops, plotting to harm your servant’s prefecture. Your servant did not betray Wèi, yet Wèi cuts us off. Overall famed servants of men have had those who left: Tián Ráo departed Qí, Yuè Yì fled Zhào, so that they did not become victims, and therefore protected rulers with principle; Chén Píng and Gěng Kuàng also observed the times had changed, in the end joined Hàn, carving their names in the Emperor’s registers.”72
That year in Wú, changed Hépǔ to Zhūguān prefecture.73
The previous year in Wèi, Tàihé Inaugural Year, Cáo Zhí had been transferred in fief to King of Jùnyí. That year in Wèi, Tàihé Second Year, Cáo Zhí was restored back to King of Yōngqiū.
Cáo Zhí always was angry and resentful of himself, believing he was an advantageous vessel yet not being employed, and sent up a memorial requesting that he be tested for employment that said:
“Your Servant has heard that a serviceman living in the world when entering serves father and when exiting serves lord. In serving father esteem is in honoring kin, in serving lord nobility is in flourishing state. Therefore a compassionate father cannot love a son without benefit, a benevolent lord cannot nurture a servant without use. One who discusses virtue and confers office, is a lord of accomplishing achievement. One with capacity for ability and accepts rank is a servant of completing commands. Therefore a lord is without pointless conferring, a servant is without pointless accepting. Pointless conferring is called erroneous raising. Pointless accepting is called dead salary. The Shī’s “idleness meal” was because of this composed. In the past the two Guó did not decline appointment of two states, their virtue was thick; Dàn and Shì did not resign the fiefs of Yān and Lǔ, their achievements were great. Now Your Servant is immersed in the state’s heavy favor, for three reigns to now. Just in time for Your Majesty’s ascension, bathed in your sagely luster, submerged in your virtuous instruction, it can be called incredibly good fortune. But I humbly am enthroned as eastern vassal screen, noble rank at the highest level, personally covered in gentle warmth, mouth stuffed with a hundred flavors, eyes blinded by opulence, ears worn out by silk and bamboo [music]; it is caused by heavy noble rank and generous salary. Withdrawing to ponder the ancients in conferring noble rank and salary, there are differences from this. All were for achievement and diligence in relieving the state, supporting the ruler and benefiting the people. Now Your Servant is without virtues worth narrating, without achievements worth recording. If I like this end my years without any benefit to the State and Court, it will attract the ridicule of the Fēng man’s “those things.” Therefore above I am ashamed of the black crown, below am shamed by the red ribbon.
“Right Now Heaven’s Under is unified together, Nine Provinces quiet, but looking back west there is Shǔ violating mandate, east there is Wú not serving, causing the borders to not yet be able to take off armor, strategy servicemen not yet able to rest high. Truly one wishes to mingle together the interior to reach to Grand Harmony (Tàihé). Therefore, Qǐ exterminated Yǒuhù and so Xià’s achievements shined, Chéng conquered Shāng and Yǎn and so Zhōu’s virtues were proven. Now Your Majesty by sagely enlightenment unites the world, about to finish the achievements of Wén and Wǔ, continue the expansion of Chéng and Kāng, selecting the worthy and conferring on the able, to have servants as Fāngshū and Shàohǔ depending the Four Borders, to be the state’s claws and teeth, it can be called suitable. However, that high birds are not yet hanging from light threads, deep fish are not yet hanging on hook lures, one fears the methods of hooking and shooting might not yet be exhaustive. In the past Gěng Yǎn did not wait for Guāng-Wǔ and urgently struck Zhāng Bù, saying he would not leave behind an enemy for his lord or father. Therefore Chē Yòu submitted to sword at Mínggū, Yōngmén cut his own throat at Qí’s border. For those two servicemen, how was it that they hated life and esteemed death? Truly it was anger that they had delayed ruler and hindered lord. A lord in favoring servant is to wish to eliminate harms and raise benefits. A servant in serving lord, certainly will kill self to pacify chaos, to use achievement to repay ruler. In the past when Jiǎ Yì was capped, he sought to be tested in a Dependent State, requesting to tie the Chányú’s neck and control his fate; Zhōng Jūn in youthful years was sent to Yuè, wishing to capture Chángyīngzhànqí King and deliver him to the north watchtower. These two servants, how was it fondness for praising ruler and glorifying era? Their ambitions were perhaps bound in knots, wishing to enact their talent and strength, contributing their ability to an enlightened lord. In the past when Hàn Wǔ [Liú Chè] for Huò Qùbìng built a mansion, he declined it saying: “The Xiōngnú are not yet exterminated, Your Servant has no use for a house!” Worrying for state and forgetting family, sacrificing self to relieve troubles, is the ambition of a loyal servant. Now Your Servant resides outside, it is not that it is not generous, but that when lying down I can not be at ease in bed, in eating I cannot taste, is because in prostration I remember that the two regions [Shǔ and Wú] are not yet subdued.
“In prostration observing the Former Wǔ Huángdì’s [Cáo Cāo’s] martial servants and veteran officers, their years were past their sixties but they had fame. Though there are no lack of worthies in the world, veteran officers and old soldiers, yet are practiced in battle lines, I humbly do not overvalue myself, my ambition is in enacting command, to establish a hair’s worth of achievement, to repay the favor I have received. If perhaps Your Majesty could send out exceptional Imperial Order to use Your Servant in employment of spear and saber, to be able to go west to subordinate to the General-in-Chief [Cáo Zhēn], leading a colonel’s squadron; if going east to subordinate to the Marshal-in-Chief [Cáo Xiū], presiding appointment of auxiliary boats, certainly I would ride into peril and tread into danger, hastening boat or charging steed, dashing into blade edges and clashing into spear points, to take the lead for the soldiers. Even if I am not yet be able to capture [Sūn] Quán or cut down [Zhūgě] Liàng, yet I might capture their stalwart leaders, annihilate their evil sorts, and certainly will enact a short triumph, to exterminate my life-long shame, and allow my name to be hang on the historian’s pen, serving the Court’s strategies. Even if my body is cut apart on Shǔ’s border or my head hang from Wú’s towers, yet it would be a year of life. If my miniscule talent is not tested, and I leave the world without fame, in vain valuing this body and fattening this form, life is without benefit to affairs, death is without losses in calculations, pointlessly burdened with high position and shamed by heavy salary, resting like a beast and watching like a bird, ending with a white [haired] head, this is pointlessly raising an animal in a pen, not Your Servant’s ambition. Hearing rumor that the eastern army failed in preparations, the brigades slightly bloodied, I stopped eating and discarded meal, pushed up sleeve and pulled aside lapel, grasping sword and looking east, and my heart was already charging toward Wú and Kuài.
“Your Servant in the past followed the Former Wǔ Huángdì [Cáo Cāo] south reaching to the Red Shores, east to oversee the Azure Sea, west to look out the Jade Gate, north setting out the Black Pass, in prostration observing his powers in enacting army and using troops, it could be called divinely wonderous. Therefore warfare cannot be in advance spoken of, it is in facing troubles and then regulating changes. My ambition wishes to devote myself in an enlightened time, establish achievement in a sagely era. Every time reading the histories and registers, observing the ancient loyal servants and righteous servicemen, sending out one instant’s life to turn back the country’s troubles, though their bodies were slaughtered and split apart, yet their achievements were enscribed on cauldrons and bells, their names praised and passed down on bamboo and silk, never once did I not pat my heart and sigh. Your Servant has heard that an enlightened ruler in sending servants do not discard those with faults. Therefore the commanders of a rout and of a defeated army were employed, and Qín and Lǔ by that accomplished their achievements, the servants of cutting a tassel and of stealing a horse were pardoned, and Chǔ and Zhào by that relieved their troubles. Your Servant humbly am grieved that the Former Emperor [Cáo Pī] early passed away and King Wēi [Cáo Zhāng] left the world; Your Servant alone am what man to be able to endure a long life? I always fear to predecease the morning dew, to fill a ravine, for my grave’s soil to not yet be dry and yet my body and name to both be lost. Your Servant has heard that when the Qí steed long called, then Bólè understood its ability; the Lú dog in grief cried, then Hánguó knew of its talent. Therefore it was tried on the roads of Qí and Chǔ, receiving the appoinmtent of a thousand lǐ; it was tested on the catching sly rabbits, verifying employment for fighting and biting. Now Your Servant’s ambition is for the minuscule achievement of dog and horse, I humbly ponder and judge myself, that in the end I am without the nominating ability of Bólè and Hánguó, and therefore wail and am pained by myself.
“One who in facing battle yet stands in anticipation, who in hearing music yet secretly applauds, perhaps has appreciation for tone and recognition of principle. In the past Máo Suì was Zhào’s accompanying scribe and yet had analogy of borrowed drill purse to awaken his ruler in establishing achievement, all the more for towering and imposing Great Wèi’s Court of many servicemen, are there no fervent servicemen ready to die for the cause? Boasting for oneself and matchmaking for oneself is scandalous conduct for servicemen and women. Concering with timing to seek advancement is the Dào school’s clear dread. But that Your Servant dares explain report to Your Majesty, truly is because I with the state share form and am alike in spirit, together in sorrows and suffering. I hope to with the minuteness of dust and mist be of benefit to mountain and sea, a glimmering candle’s last light add to the splendor of the sun and moon, and therefore dare reveal this ugliness to proffer this loyalty.”74
Though Cáo Zhí had sent up this memorial, he yet suspected he would not meet with employment, and therefore said: “That men value life, is not valuing its nurturing of body and enjoying clothes and ending at natural lifespan, the value is in serving heaven and regulating people. Noble rank and salary is not pointlessly spread; there are achievements and virtues, and only afterward they answer in suitability. Without achievement yet having generous noble rank, without virtue yet having heavy salary, some people believe it glory, but a man believes it a humiliation. Therefore, the highest establish virtue, the next establish achievement; overall achievements and virtue is the way to bequeath name. A name that does not extinguish, is the profit of a serviceman, and therefore Kǒngzǐ had the discourse on dusk and death, Mèng Kē had the righteousness of discarding life. They were one sage and one worthy, how where they unwilling to live long? It was that their ambitions might not be put into effect. Therefore using sighs and seeking testing, is certainly to establish achievement. Oh alas! Speaking of my unemployment, is to wish to allow the gentlemen of posterity to understand my intentions.”75
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》五月，大旱。
《陳壽·吳志二·吳主傳》夏五月，鄱陽太守周魴偽叛，誘魏將曹休。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》吳將審德屯皖，休擊破之，斬德首，吳將韓綜、翟丹等前後率眾詣休降。增邑四百，并前二千五百戶，遷大司馬，都督揚州如故。
裴松之注《陳壽·吳志二·吳主傳》江表傳曰：是歲將軍翟丹叛如魏。權恐諸將畏罪而亡，乃下令曰：「自今諸將有重罪三，然後議。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》周魴字子魚，吳郡陽羨人也。
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》黃武中，鄱陽大帥彭綺作亂，攻沒屬城，乃以魴為鄱陽太守，與胡綜戮力攻討，遂生禽綺，送詣武昌，加昭義校尉。
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》被命密求山中舊族名帥為北敵所聞知者，令譎挑魏大司馬揚州牧曹休。魴答，恐民帥小醜不足仗任，事或漏泄，不能致休，乞遣親人齎牋七條以誘休。
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其一曰：「魴以千載徼幸，得備州民，遠隔江川，敬恪未顯，瞻望雲景，天實為之。精誠微薄，名位不昭，雖懷焦渴，曷緣見明？狐死首丘，人情戀本，而逼所制，奉覿禮違。每獨矯首西顧，未嘗不寤寐勞歎，展轉反側也。今因隙穴之際，得陳宿昔之志，非神啟之，豈能致此！不勝翹企，萬里託命。謹遣親人董岑、邵南等託叛奉牋。時事變故，列於別紙，惟明公君侯垂日月之光，照遠民之趣，永令歸命者有所戴賴。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其二曰：「魴遠在邊隅，江汜分絕，恩澤教化，未蒙撫及，而於山谷之間，遙陳所懷，懼以大義，未見信納。夫物有感激，計因變生，古今同揆。魴仕東典郡，始願已獲，銘心立報，永矣無貳。豈圖頃者中被橫譴，禍在漏刻，危於投卵，進有離合去就之宜，退有誣罔枉死之咎，雖志行輕微，存沒一節，顧非其所，能不悵然！敢緣古人，因知所歸，拳拳輸情，陳露肝膈。乞降春天之潤，哀拯其急，不復猜疑，絕其委命。事之宣泄，受罪不測，一則傷慈損計，二則杜絕向化者心，惟明使君遠覽前世，矜而愍之，留神所質，速賜祕報。魴當候望舉動，俟須嚮應。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其三曰：「魴所代故太守廣陵王靖，往者亦以郡民為變，以見譴責，靖勤自陳釋，而終不解，因立密計，欲北歸命，不幸事露，誅及嬰孩。魴既目見靖事，且觀東主一所非薄，嫿不復厚，雖或蹔舍，終見翦除。今又令魴領郡者，是欲責後效。必殺魴之趣也。雖尚視息，憂惕焦灼，未知軀命，竟在何時。人居世閒，猶白駒過隙，而常抱危怖，其可言乎！惟當陳愚，重自披盡，懼以卑賤，未能采納。願明使君少垂詳察，忖度其言。今此郡民，雖外名降首，而故在山草，看伺空隙，欲復為亂，為亂之日，魴命訖矣。東主頃者潛部分諸將，圖欲北進。呂範、孫韶等入淮，全琮、朱桓趨合肥，諸葛瑾、步騭、朱然到襄陽，陸議、潘璋等討梅敷。東主中營自掩石陽，別遣從弟孫奐治安陸城，脩立邸閣，輦貲運糧，以為軍儲，又命諸葛亮進指關西，江邊諸將無復在者，才留三千所兵守武昌耳。若明使君以萬兵從皖南首江渚，魴便從此率厲吏民，以為內應。此方諸郡，前後舉事，垂成而敗者，由無外援使其然耳；若北軍臨境，傳檄屬城，思詠之民，誰不企踵？願明使君上觀天時，下察人事，中參蓍龜，則足昭往言之不虛也。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其四曰：「所遣董岑、邵南少長家門，親之信之，有如兒子，是以特令齎牋，託叛為辭，目語心計，不宣脣齒，骨肉至親，無有知者。又已敕之，到州當言往降，欲北叛來者得傳之也。魴建此計，任之於天，若其濟也，則有生全之福；邂逅泄漏，則受夷滅之禍。常中夜仰天，告誓星辰。精誠之微，豈能上感，然事急孤窮，惟天是訴耳。遣使之日，載生載死，形存氣亡，魄爽怳惚。私恐使君未深保明，岑、南二人可留其一，以為後信。一齎教還，教還故當言悔叛還首。東主有常科，悔叛還者，皆自原罪。如是彼此俱塞，永無端原。縣命西望，涕筆俱下。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其五曰：「鄱陽之民，實多愚勁，帥之赴役，未即應人，倡之為變，聞聲響抃。今雖降首，盤節未解，山棲草藏，亂心猶存，而今東主圖興大眾，舉國悉出，江邊空曠，屯塢虛損，惟有諸刺姦耳。若因是際而騷動此民，一旦可得便會，然要恃外援，表裏機互，不爾以往，無所成也。今使君若從皖道進住江上，魴當從南對岸歷口為應。若未徑到江岸，可住百里上，令此閒民知北軍在彼，即自善也。此閒民非苦飢寒而甘兵寇，苦於征討，樂得北屬，但窮困舉事，不時見應，尋受其禍耳。如使石陽及青、徐諸軍首尾相銜，牽綴往兵，使不得速退者，則善之善也。魴生在江、淮，長於時事，見其便利，百舉百捷，時不再來，敢布腹心。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其六曰：「東主致恨前者不拔石陽，今此後舉，大合新兵，并使潘濬發夷民，人數甚多，聞豫設科條，當以新羸兵置前，好兵在後，攻城之日，云欲以羸兵填塹，使即時破，雖未能然，是事大趣也。私恐石陽城小，不能久留往兵，明使君速垂救濟，誠宜疾密。王靖之變，其鑒不遠。今魴歸命，非復在天，正在明使君耳。若見救以往，則功可必成，如見救不時，則與靖等同禍。前彭綺時，聞旌麾在逢龍，此郡民大小歡喜，並思立效。若留一月日閒，事當大成，恨去電速，東得增眾專力討綺，綺始敗耳。願使君深察此言。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》其七曰：「今舉大事，自非爵號無以勸之，乞請將軍、侯印各五十紐，郎將印百紐，校尉、都尉印各二百紐，得以假授諸魁帥，獎厲其志，并乞請幢麾數十，以為表幟，使山兵吏民，目瞻見之，知去就之分已決，承引所救畫定。又彼此降叛，日月有人，闊狹之閒，輒得聞知。今之大事，事宜神密，若省魴牋，乞加隱祕。伏知智度有常，防慮必深，魴懷憂震灼，啟事蒸仍，乞未罪怪。」
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》魴因別為密表曰：「方北有逋寇，固阻河洛，久稽王誅，自擅朔土，臣曾不能吐奇舉善，上以光贊洪化，下以輸展萬一，憂心如擣，假寐忘寢。聖朝天覆，含臣無效，猥發優命，敕臣以前誘致賊休，恨不如計。令於郡界求山谷魁帥為北賊所聞知者，令與北通。臣伏思惟，喜怖交集，竊恐此人不可卒得，假使得之，懼不可信，不如令臣譎休，於計為便。此臣得以經年之冀願，逢值千載之一會，輒自督竭，竭盡頑蔽，撰立牋草以誑誘休者，如別紙。臣知無古人單複之術，加卒奉大略，伀矇狼狽，懼以輕愚，忝負特施，豫懷憂灼。臣聞唐堯先天而天弗違，博詢芻蕘，以成盛勳。朝廷神謨，欲必致休於步度之中，靈贊聖規，休必自送，使六軍囊括，虜無孑遺，威風電邁，天下幸甚。謹拜表以聞，并呈牋草，懼於淺局，追用悚息。」被報施行。休果信魴，帥步騎十萬，輜重滿道，徑來入皖。魴亦合眾，隨陸遜橫截休，休幅裂瓦解，斬獲萬計。
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》魴初建密計時，頻有郎官奉詔詰問諸事，魴乃詣部郡門下，因下髮謝，故休聞之，不復疑慮。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》六月，詔曰：「尊儒貴學，王教之本也。自頃儒官或非其人，將何以宣明聖道？其高選博士，才任侍中常侍者。申敕郡國，貢士以經學為先。」
《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》時孫權在東關，當豫州南，去江四百餘里。每出兵為寇，輒西從江夏，東從廬江。國家征伐，亦由淮、沔。是時州軍在項，汝南、弋陽諸郡，守境而已。權無北方之虞，東西有急，并軍相救，故常少敗。逵以為宜開直道臨江，若權自守，則二方無救；若二方無救，則東關可取。乃移屯潦口，陳攻取之計，帝善之。吳將張嬰、王崇率眾降。
《房玄龄·晉書一·宣帝紀》時邊郡新附，多無戶名，魏朝欲加隱實。屬帝朝於京師，天子訪之於帝。帝對曰：「賊以密網束下，故下棄之。宜弘以大綱，則自然安樂。」又問二虜宜討，何者為先？對曰：「吳以中國不習水戰，故敢散居東關。凡攻敵，必扼其喉而樁其心。夏口、東關，賊之心喉。若為陸軍以向皖城，引權東下，為水戰軍向夏口，乘其虛而擊之，此神兵從天而墮，破之必矣。」天子並然之，復命帝屯於宛。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》太和二年，帝為二道征吳，遣司馬宣王從漢水下，（督休）〔休督〕諸軍向尋陽。賊將偽降，休深入，戰不利，退還宿石亭。
《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》帝使逵督前將軍滿寵、東莞太守胡質等四軍，從西陽直向東關，曹休從皖，司馬宣王從江陵。逵至五將山，休更表賊有請降者，求深入應之。詔宣王駐軍，逵東與休合進。逵度賊無東關之備，必并軍於皖；休深入與賊戰，必敗。
《陳壽·魏志十四·蔣濟傳》大司馬曹休帥軍向皖，濟表以為「深入虜地，與權精兵對，而朱然等在上流，乘休後，臣未見其利也。」
《陳壽·吳志十三·陸遜傳》七年，權使鄱陽太守周魴譎魏大司馬曹休，休果舉眾入皖，乃召遜假黃鉞，為大都督，逆休。
《陳壽·吳志二·吳主傳》秋八月，權至皖口，使將軍陸遜督諸將大破休於石亭。大司馬呂範卒。是歲，改合浦為珠官郡。
《陳壽·吳志十一·呂範傳》黃武七年，範遷大司馬，印綬未下，疾卒。權素服舉哀，遣使者追贈印綬。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》秋九月，曹休率諸軍至皖，與吳將陸議戰於石亭，敗績。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》賊將偽降，休深入，戰不利，退還宿石亭。
《陳壽·吳志十三·陸遜傳》休既覺知，恥見欺誘，自恃兵馬精多，遂交戰。
《陳壽·吳志十一·朱桓傳》黃武七年，鄱陽太守周魴譎誘魏大司馬曹休，休將步騎十萬至皖城以迎魴。時陸遜為元帥，全琮與桓為左右督，各督三萬人擊休。休知見欺，當引軍還，自負眾盛，邀於一戰。桓進計曰：「休本以親戚見任，非智勇名將也。今戰必敗，敗必走，走當由夾石、挂車，此兩道皆險阨，若以萬兵柴路，則彼眾可盡，而休可生虜，臣請將所部以斷之。若蒙天威，得以休自效，便可乘勝長驅，進取壽春，割有淮南，以規許、洛，此萬世一時，不可失也。」權先與陸遜議，遜以為不可，故計不施行。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》賊將偽降，休深入，戰不利，退還宿石亭。
《陳壽·吳志十三·陸遜傳》遜自為中部，令朱桓、全琮為左右翼，三道俱進，果衝休伏兵，因驅走之，追亡逐北，徑至夾石，斬獲萬餘，牛馬騾驢車乘萬兩，軍資器械略盡。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》軍夜驚，士卒亂，棄甲兵輜重甚多。
《陳壽·吳志十三·陸遜傳》遜自為中部，令朱桓、全琮為左右翼，三道俱進，果衝休伏兵，因驅走之，追亡逐北，徑至夾石，斬獲萬餘，牛馬騾驢車乘萬兩，軍資器械略盡。
《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》逵至五將山，休更表賊有請降者，求深入應之。詔宣王駐軍，逵東與休合進。逵度賊無東關之備，必并軍於皖；休深入與賊戰，必敗。乃部署諸將，水陸並進，行二百里，得生賊，言休戰敗，權遣兵斷夾石。諸將不知所出，或欲待後軍。逵曰：「休兵敗於外，路絕於內，進不能戰，退不得還，安危之機，不及終日。賊以軍無後繼，故至此；今疾進，出其不意，此所謂先人以奪其心也，賊見吾兵必走。若待後軍，賊已斷險，兵雖多何益！」乃兼道進軍，多設旗鼓為疑兵，賊見逵軍，遂退。逵據夾石，以兵糧給休，休軍乃振。初，逵與休不善。黃初中，文帝欲假逵節，休曰：「逵性剛，素侮易諸將，不可為督。」帝乃止。及夾石之敗，微逵，休軍幾無救也。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》魏略曰：休怨逵進遲，乃呵責逵，遂使主者敕豫州刺史往拾棄仗。逵恃心直，謂休曰：「本為國家作豫州刺史，不來相為拾棄仗也。」乃引軍還。遂與休更相表奏，朝廷雖知逵直，猶以休為宗室任重，兩無所非也。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》魏書云：休猶挾前意，欲以後期罪逵，逵終無言，時人益以此多逵。
《陳壽·魏志十四·蔣濟傳》軍至皖，吳出兵安陸，濟又上疏曰：「今賊示形於西，必欲并兵圖東，宜急詔諸軍往救之。」會休軍已敗，盡棄器仗輜重退還。吳欲塞夾石，遇救兵至，是以官軍得不沒。遷為中護軍。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》乙酉，立皇子穆為繁陽王。庚子，大司馬曹休薨。
《陳壽·魏志九·曹休傳》休上書謝罪，帝遣屯騎校尉楊暨慰諭，禮賜益隆。休因此癰發背薨，諡曰壯侯。子肇嗣。
《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》會病篤，謂左右曰：「受國厚恩，恨不斬孫權以下見先帝。喪事一不得有所脩作。」
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》魏書曰：逵時年五十五。
《陳壽·魏志十五·賈逵傳》薨，諡曰肅侯。子充嗣。豫州吏民追思之，為刻石立祠。
《逸周書·謚法》執心決斷曰肅。
《陳壽·魏志二十六·滿寵傳》太和二年，領豫州刺史。
《陳壽·魏志二十六·滿寵傳》秋，使曹休從廬江南入合肥，令寵向夏口。寵上疏曰：「曹休雖明果而希用兵，今所從道，背湖旁江，易進難退，此兵之窪地也。若入無彊口，宜深為之備。」寵表未報，休遂深入。賊果從無彊口斷夾石，要休還路。休戰不利，退走。會朱靈等從後來斷道，與賊相遇。賊驚走，休軍乃得還。是歲休薨，寵以前將軍代都督揚州諸軍事。
《陳壽·吳志十三·陸遜傳》休還，疽發背死。諸軍振旅過武昌，權令左右以御蓋覆遜，入出殿門，凡所賜遜，皆御物上珍，於時莫與為比。遣還西陵。
《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》事捷軍旋，權大會諸將歡宴，酒酣，謂魴曰：「君下髮載義，成孤大事，君之功名，當書之竹帛。」加裨將軍，賜爵關內侯。
裴松之注《陳壽·吳志十五·周魴傳》徐眾評曰：夫人臣立功效節，雖非一塗，然各有分也。為將執桴鼓，則有必死之義，志守則有不假器之義，死必得所，義在不苟。魴為郡守，職在治民，非君所命，自占誘敵，髡剔髮膚，以徇功名，雖事濟受爵，非君子所美。
《陳壽·魏志三十·鮮卑傳》太和二年，豫遣譯夏舍詣比能女婿鬱築鞬部，舍為鞬所殺。其秋，豫將西部鮮卑蒲頭、泄歸泥出塞討鬱築鞬，大破之。還至馬城，比能自將三萬騎圍豫七日。
《陳壽·魏志二十六·牽招傳》太和二年，護烏丸校尉田豫出塞，為軻比能所圍於故馬邑城，移招求救。招即整勒兵馬，欲赴救豫。并州以常憲禁招，招以為節將見圍，不可拘於吏議，自表輒行。又並馳布羽檄，稱陳形勢，云當西北掩取虜家，然後東行，會誅虜身。檄到，豫軍踴躍。又遺一通於虜蹊要，虜即恐怖，種類離散。軍到故平城，便皆潰走。
《陳壽·魏志三十·鮮卑傳》上谷太守閻志，柔之弟也，素為鮮卑所信。志往解喻，即解圍去。
《陳壽·魏志二十六·牽招傳》比能復大合騎來，到故平州塞北。招潛行撲討，大斬首級。招以蜀虜諸葛亮數出，而比能狡猾，能相交通，表為防備，議者以為縣遠，未之信也。
《陳壽·魏志三十·鮮卑傳》素利、彌加、厥機皆為大人，在遼西、右北平、漁陽塞外，道遠初不為邊患，然其種眾多於比能。建安中，因閻柔上貢獻，通市，太祖皆表寵以為王。厥機死，又立其子沙末汗為親漢王。延康初，又各遣使獻馬。文帝立素利、彌加為歸義王。素利與比能更相攻擊。太和二年，素利死。子小，以弟成律歸為王，代攝其眾。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》冬十月，詔公卿近臣舉良將各一人。十一月，司徒王朗薨。
《陳壽·魏志十三·王郎傳》太和二年薨，諡曰成侯。子肅嗣。
《陳壽·魏志十三·王郎傳》朗著易、春秋、孝經、周官傳，奏議論記，咸傳於世。
《逸周書·謚法》安民立政曰成。
裴松之注《陳壽·蜀志五·諸葛亮傳》引《漢晉春秋》亮聞孫權破曹休，魏兵東下，關中虛弱。十一月，上言。
裴松之注《陳壽·蜀志五·諸葛亮傳》「先帝慮漢、賊不兩立，王業不偏安，故託臣以討賊也。以先帝之明，量臣之才，故知臣伐賊才弱敵強也；然不伐賊，王業亦亡，惟坐待亡，孰與伐之？是故託臣而弗疑也。臣受命之日，寢不安席，食不甘味，思惟北征，宜先入南，故五月渡瀘，深入不毛，并日而食。臣非不自惜也，顧王業不得偏全於蜀都，故冒危難以奉先帝之遺意也，而議者謂為非計。今賊適疲於西，又務於東，兵法乘勞，此進趨之時也。謹陳其事如左：高帝明並日月，謀臣淵深，然涉險被創，危然後安。今陛下未及高帝，謀臣不如良、平，而欲以長計取勝，坐定天下，此臣之未解一也。劉繇、王朗各據州郡，論安言計，動引聖人，群疑滿腹，眾難塞胸，今歲不戰，明年不征，使孫策坐大，遂并江東，此臣之未解二也。曹操智計殊絕於人，其用兵也，髣彿孫、吳，然困於南陽，險於烏巢，危於祁連，偪於黎陽，幾敗北山，殆死潼關，然後偽定一時耳，況臣才弱，而欲以不危而定之，此臣之未解三也。曹操五攻昌霸不下，四越巢湖不成，任用李服而李服圖之，委夏侯而夏侯敗亡，先帝每稱操為能，猶有此失，況臣駑下，何能必勝？此臣之未解四也。自臣到漢中，中間期年耳，然喪趙雲、陽群、馬玉、閻芝、丁立、白壽、劉郃、鄧銅等及曲長屯將七十餘人，突將無前。賨、叟、青羌散騎、武騎一千餘人，此皆數十年之內所糾合四方之精銳，非一州之所有，若復數年，則損三分之二也，當何以圖敵？此臣之未解五也。今民窮兵疲，而事不可息，事不可息，則住與行勞費正等，而不及今圖之，欲以一州之地與賊持久，此臣之未解六也。夫難平者，事也。昔先帝敗軍於楚，當此時，曹操拊手，謂天下以定。然後先帝東連吳、越，西取巴、蜀，舉兵北征，夏侯授首，此操之失計而漢事將成也。然後吳更違盟，關羽毀敗，秭歸蹉跌，曹丕稱帝。凡事如是，難可逆見。臣鞠躬盡力，死而後已，至於成敗利鈍，非臣之明所能逆睹也。」於是有散關之役。
裴松之注《陳壽·蜀志五·諸葛亮傳》此表，亮集所無，出張儼默記。
Own comment.
《陳壽·蜀志三·後主傳》冬，復出散關，圍陳倉，糧盡退。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》十二月，諸葛亮圍陳倉，曹真遣將軍費曜等拒之。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》魏略曰：先是，使將軍郝昭築陳倉城；會亮至，圍昭，不能拔。昭字伯道，太原人，為人雄壯，少入軍為部曲督，數有戰功，為雜號將軍，遂鎮守河西十餘年，民夷畏服。亮圍陳倉，使昭鄉人靳詳於城外遙說之，昭於樓上應詳曰：「魏家科法，卿所練也；我之為人，卿所知也。我受國恩多而門戶重，卿無可言者，但有必死耳。卿還謝諸葛，便可攻也。」詳以昭語告亮，亮又使詳重說昭，言人兵不敵，無為空自破滅。昭謂詳曰：「前言已定矣。我識卿耳，箭不識也。」詳乃去。亮自以有眾數萬，而昭兵纔千餘人，又度東救未能便到，乃進兵攻昭，起雲梯衝車以臨城。昭於是以火箭逆射其雲梯，梯然，梯上人皆燒死。昭又以繩連石磨壓其衝車，衝車折。亮乃更為井闌百尺以射城中，以土丸填塹，欲直攀城，昭又於內築重牆。亮又為地突，欲踊出於城裏，昭又於城內穿地橫截之。晝夜相攻拒二十餘日，亮無計，救至，引退。
《陳壽·蜀志三·後主傳》冬，復出散關，圍陳倉，糧盡退。魏將王雙率軍追亮，亮與戰，破之，斬雙，還漢中。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》魏略曰：詔嘉昭善守，賜爵列侯。及還，帝引見慰勞之，顧謂中書令孫資曰：「卿鄉里乃有爾曹快人，為將灼如此，朕復何憂乎？」仍欲大用之。會病亡，遺令戒其子凱曰：「吾為將，知將不可為也。吾數發塚，取其木以為攻戰具，又知厚葬無益於死者也。汝必斂以時服。且人生有處所耳，死復何在耶？今去本墓遠，東西南北，在汝而已。」
《陳壽·魏志十七·張郃傳》諸葛亮復出，急攻陳倉，帝驛馬召郃到京都。帝自幸河南城，置酒送郃，遣南北軍士三萬及分遣武衛、虎賁使衛郃，因問郃曰：「遲將軍到，亮得無已得陳倉乎！」郃知亮縣軍無穀，不能久攻，對曰：「比臣未到，亮已走矣；屈指計亮糧不至十日。」郃晨夜進至南鄭，亮退。詔郃還京都，拜征西車騎將軍。
《陳壽·魏志八·公孫度傳》初，恭病陰消為閹人，劣弱不能治國。
《陳壽·魏志三·明帝紀》遼東太守公孫恭兄子淵，劫奪恭位，遂以淵領遼東太守。
《陳壽·魏志十四·劉曄傳》遼東太守公孫淵奪叔父位，擅自立，遣使表狀。曄以為公孫氏漢時所用，遂世官相承，水則由海，陸則阻山，故胡夷絕遠難制，而世權日久。今若不誅，後必生患。若懷貳阻兵，然後致誅，於事為難。不如因其新立，有黨有仇，先其不意，以兵臨之，開設賞募，可不勞師而定也。
《陳壽·魏志八·公孫度傳》明帝即（位）拜淵揚烈將軍、遼東太守。淵遣使南通孫權，往來賂遺。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志八·公孫度傳》吳書載淵表權曰：「臣伏惟遭天地反易，遇無妄之運；王路未夷，傾側擾攘。自先人以來，歷事漢、魏，階緣際會，為國效節，繼世享任，得守藩表，猶知符命未有攸歸。每感厚恩，頻辱顯使，退念人臣交不越境，是以固守所執，拒違前使。雖義無二信，敢忘大恩！陛下鎮撫，長存小國，前後裴校尉、葛都尉等到，奉被敕誡，聖旨彌密，重紈累素，幽明備著，所以申示之事，言提其耳。臣晝則謳吟，宵則發夢，終身誦之，志不知足。季末凶荒，乾坤否塞，兵革未戢，人民蕩析。仰此天命將有眷顧，私從一隅永瞻雲日。今魏家不能採錄忠善，褒功臣之後，乃令讒訛得行其志，聽幽州刺史、東萊太守誑誤之言，猥興州兵，圖害臣郡。臣不負魏，而魏絕之。蓋聞人臣有去就之分；田饒適齊，樂毅走趙，以不得事主，故保有道之君；陳平、耿況，亦睹時變，卒歸於漢，勒名帝籍。伏惟陛下德不再出，時不世遇，是以慺慺懷慕自納，望遠視險，有如近易。誠願神謨蚤定洪業，奮六師之勢，收河、洛之地，為聖代宗。天下幸甚！」
《陳壽·吳志二·吳主傳》是歲，改合浦為珠官郡。
《陳壽·魏志十九·陳思王植傳》太和元年，徙封浚儀。二年，復還雍丘。植常自憤怨，抱利器而無所施，上疏求自試曰：臣聞士之生世，入則事父，出則事君；事父尚於榮親，事君貴於興國。故慈父不能愛無益之子，仁君不能畜無用之臣。夫論德而授官者，成功之君也；量能而受爵者，畢命之臣也。故君無虛授，臣無虛受；虛授謂之謬舉，虛受謂之尸祿，詩之「素餐」所由作也。昔二虢不辭兩國之任，其德厚也；旦、奭不讓燕、魯之封，其功大也。今臣蒙國重恩，三世于今矣。正值陛下升平之際，沐浴聖澤，潛潤德教，可謂厚幸矣。而竊位東藩，爵在上列，身被輕煖，口厭百味，目極華靡，耳倦絲竹者，爵重祿厚之所致也。退念古之授爵祿者，有異於此，皆以功勤濟國，輔主惠民。今臣無德可述，無功可紀，若此終年無益國朝，將挂風人「彼其」之譏。是以上慚玄冕，俯愧朱紱。方今天下一統，九州晏如，而顧西有違命之蜀，東有不臣之吳，使邊境未得脫甲，謀士未得高枕者，誠欲混同宇內以致太和也。故啟滅有扈而夏功昭，成克商、奄而周德著。今陛下以聖明統世，將欲卒文、武之功，繼成、康之隆，簡賢授能，以方叔、召虎之臣鎮御四境，為國爪牙者，可謂當矣。然而高鳥未挂於輕繳，淵魚未縣於鉤餌者，恐釣射之術或未盡也。昔耿弇不俟光武，亟擊張步，言不以賊遺於君父。故車右伏劍於鳴轂，雍門刎首於齊境，若此二士，豈惡生而尚死哉？誠忿其慢主而陵君也。夫君之寵臣，欲以除患興利；臣之事君，必以殺身靖亂，以功報主也。昔賈誼弱冠，求試屬國，請係單于之頸而制其命；終軍以妙年使越，欲得長纓占其王，羈致北闕。此二臣，豈好為夸主而燿世哉？志或鬱結，欲逞其才力，輸能於明君也。昔漢武為霍去病治第，辭曰：「匈奴未滅，臣無以家為！」（固）夫憂國忘家，捐軀濟難，忠臣之志也。今臣居外，非不厚也，而寢不安席，食不遑味者，伏以二方未克為念。伏見先武皇帝武臣宿將，年耆即世者有聞矣。雖賢不乏世，宿將舊卒，猶習戰陳，竊不自量，志在效命，庶立毛髮之功，以報所受之恩。若使陛下出不世之詔，效臣錐刀之用，使得西屬大將軍，當一校之隊，若東屬大司馬，統偏舟之任，必乘危蹈險，騁舟奮驪，突刃觸鋒，為士卒先。雖未能禽權馘亮，庶將虜其雄率，殲其醜類，必效須臾之捷，以滅終身之愧，使名挂史筆，事列朝策。雖身分蜀境，首縣吳闕，猶生之年也。如微才弗試，沒世無聞，徒榮其軀而豐其體，生無益於事，死無損於數，虛荷上位而忝重祿，禽息鳥視，終於白首，此徒圈牢之養物，非臣之所志也。流聞東軍失備，師徒小衄，輟食棄餐，奮袂攘衽，撫劍東顧，而心已馳於吳會矣。臣昔從先武皇帝南極赤岸，東臨滄海，西望玉門，北出玄塞，伏見所以行軍用兵之勢，可謂神妙矣。故兵者不可豫言，臨難而制變者也。志欲自效於明時，立功於聖世。每覽史籍，觀古忠臣義士，出一朝之命，以徇國家之難，身雖屠裂，而功銘著於鼎鍾，名稱垂於竹帛，未嘗不拊心而歎息也。臣聞明主使臣，不廢有罪。故奔北敗軍之將用，秦、魯以成其功；絕纓盜馬之臣赦，楚、趙以濟其難。臣竊感先帝早崩，威王棄世，臣獨何人，以堪長久！常恐先朝露，填溝壑，墳土未乾，而身名並滅。臣聞騏驥長鳴，則伯樂照其能；盧狗悲號，則韓國知其才。是以效之齊、楚之路，以逞千里之任；試之狡兔之捷，以驗搏噬之用。今臣志狗馬之微功，竊自惟度，終無伯樂、韓國之舉，是以於邑而竊自痛者也。夫臨搏而企竦，聞樂而竊抃者，或有賞音而識道也。昔毛遂，趙之陪隸，猶假錐囊之喻，以寤主立功，何況巍巍大魏多士之朝，而無慷慨死難之臣乎！夫自衒自媒者，士女之醜行也。干時求進者，道家之明忌也。而臣敢陳聞於陛下者，誠與國分形同氣，憂患共之者也。冀以塵霧之微補益山海，熒燭末光增輝日月，是以敢冒其醜而獻其忠。
裴松之注《陳壽·魏志十九·陳思王植傳》魏略曰：植雖上此表，猶疑不見用，故曰「夫人貴生者，非貴其養體好服，終竟年壽也，貴在其代天而理物也。夫爵祿者，非虛張者也，有功德然後應之，當矣。無功而爵厚，無德而祿重，或人以為榮，而壯夫以為恥。故太上立德，其次立功，蓋功德者所以垂名也。名者不滅，士之所利，故孔子有夕死之論，孟軻有棄生之義。彼一聖一賢，豈不願久生哉？志或有不展也。是用喟然求試，必立功也。嗚呼！言之未用，欲使後之君子知吾意者也。