LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 23

Briac curtailed the curses that were on his (breath) lips, lest he be exposed to the fool which he had been, and ran after her in hot pursuit. She was quite agile and in the darkness with sure footing she, all the same, managed to spread some distance between her and her ardent pursuer Briac.  Running down the hall in another direction, she pushed open the back door, quickly descended the set of stairs and after going through the dark tunnel, swiftly disappeared into the dark stables.

Hot on her trail, incensed Briac raced after this would be assailant and entered the stables that held many stalls with horses in it. Incensed, he was determined to extricate from her some answers, such as the identity of the real culprit behind it all.  

"Come back here, you are thieving harlot!"  Briac barked, scanning the dark perimeter.

Suddenly, however, five sinister-looking thugs armed with cudgels and axes emerged from their hiding places instead of her.  Too late, Briac realized his grave mistake.

01- RUFFIAN (GANGSTER)

"Ah, our distinguished guest has finally arrived." One of the ruffians (possibly the chief gangster) grinned venomously as he pulled the woman aside then signaled the rest to attack.

 Briac ducked, swerved, and jumped over the furious blows as he bellowed curses, threats and insults.

Frastos had just relieved himself around the corner of the stables, outside, when the entire hubbub (ruckus) reached his ears.

"Uh-oh!  The captain will have my hide," Frastos cursed as he quickly pulled up his pants.

With the chill threat of fear coursing (surging, running) down his spine, he then rushed towards the noise brandishing his sword.  Fortunately, the situation was not as grave as he had feared.

Though at first unarmed, Briac’d quickly gained a sword from one of the vanquished (beaten, bested) bandits and so armed, he had managed to keep them at bay.  Frastos’s appearance on the stage had further changed the odds and considerably alleviated (lessened, assuaged) Briac’s still dangerous predicament; hence, emboldened Briac now shifted from the defensive to the offensive, edging closer to the competent adversaries, to deliver some very effective strikes.

"Go on, there are only two of them.  Squash these darn cockroaches!" the burly leader urged the thugs on.

Frastos, however, was an accomplished fighter in his own right, and was armed as well.  The gang of five competent fighters as they were, soon found themselves in dire straits, completely out-matched, even though Frastos had only used the flat of his sword, and soon were scrambling to get away.

"Why aren't you pursuing them?" Briac turned on Frastos to bellow fiercely.

"Let’s go after them!  They're getting away!"

"What's the point?" Frastos stood on his ground and, laughing crudely, shrugged his shoulders.  "They're only some local hoodlums."

"Local hoodlums," Briac was nonplused.

"You've registered as Borkos Yenzic." Frastos glanced at him from the corner of his eye.  "I doubt if they have even heard of Fradel Rurik Korvald."

"How can you be so sure?" Briac insisted.

"Look!"  Frastos lost his patience.  "You were flaunting your wealth.  They thought you were a man of substance, and they marked you for an easy prey.  They had no intention of killing you.  They only wanted to rob you or kidnap you for the ransom."

"Only they underestimated my might." Briac finished the thought.

 "But that bitch tried to kill me!" he suddenly recalled the woman and looked about for her.  It was all too evident that, despite all, he still lusted after her.

02- FRASTOS  DEFEATS THE BANDTS- JP 18

"What a fool you are, Briac."  Frastos shook his head disdainfully, his face crinkling in momentary disgust before he turned and walked away.

Briac was rooted to the spot, his face darkening with anger as he stared at Frastos' diminishing form as it was swallowed up by the night. “Where does he get off, talking to me that way?” he fumed.

“Pity she turned out to be but a petty thief, I could have really enjoyed myself tonight.  She certainly was well-endowed.” But then some common-sense set in and he shook his head, inwardly chastising himself and letting out a loud sigh, “You are a total, complete dunderhead (dunce, numskull)!  And he's right, no denying it, you know he is”

 

Begrudgingly he trailed Frastos to the side door of the inn.

"Please let this be our secret." he implored Frastos back in the room.

"I'll compensate you well.  You know my family has the means and, next time, I'll let you have your way with the best beauty.  I'll make it worthwhile; you'll see.  Not a word of this to the captain or that scum, Tizan; All right?"

Frastos turned his back in disgust and grunted, "Go to sleep.  We've wasted a good part of this night's rest already."

Taking this as an affirmation, Briac thanked Frastos.  "You won't be sorry, you'll see."

Then he, too, climbed under the warm covers on the other side of the huge bed.

His adrenaline was still high after the exhilaration of the fight and try, as he might, sleep sadly averted him as many concerns persisted in haunting his thoughts.

Inhaling deeply, the lingering, sweet perfume she had left on the pillow which now taunted him with wild imaginings, he grunted and forcefully shut his eyelids.  Instead of sleep, however, he grew more dismayed at having missed the ecstasy that she had promised him.  He snuggled up to the pillows and quilt desperately seeking some solace; the remainder of the night however, he still turned and tossed, being kept awake, listening to Frastos' variable, sporadic snores.

“Nope… No use, I can’t sleep.”  Frustrated, Briac finally kicked off his covers in disdain and got up to lie, spread eagle on his back, on the cold floor, staring blankly up to the ceiling beams.

“Sure, the benefits are most enjoyable but I never, for the life of me, expected that the message I sent, would cause me to be targeted in place of Fradel Rurik Korvald.  I really set myself up this time.”  Screwing up his face, he picked himself up; going over to his side, he flopped face-down, back on the bed.

 “Oh, how can he sleep so soundly when I am in such a state? Lucky brute: doesn’t anything phase you?  Devils take you; I don't really know how much longer I can endure this suspense.  At every turn in the road my heart rushed into my mouth.”

Frastos not wishing to engage Briac, meanwhile, had pretended to be in deep slumber (forty winks) and so, disappointingly, still did not stir.

“What’s the good of all that gold if I don't live long enough to flaunt it?” Briac inhaled (heaved), with a deep sigh.

Suddenly however, fiery rage gripped his chest.   “This is all uncles’ fault, for cutting me off financially and, forcing me to these desperate means; all, over that silly little incident? Improper, my tunic!  I'm sure he's committed far worse crimes, only no one has ever been able to pin any of it on him.  But I proved them wrong, didn't I?  Ha!  For this last year, thanks to my affiliations, I’ve sustained a more luxurious lifestyle and more power than they could ever imagine.  But what about now; how can I escape this …. Present dire misfortune?”

Briac's face became taut, and he once more nervously rolled over on his side, fingers tapping on his hip.  Imagining all sorts of horrible fates, he sat up and, cupping his chin, deliberated.

“I must exercise utmost care and persist in keeping vigilant.  Tonight, I was lucky.  Had they been His Excellency's men,” he gave an involuntary shudder.

 “I wouldn't have had a prayer of a chance.  Running away is pure suicide.  Zunrogo or his lapdog Tizan would hunt me down within minutes and hack off my head for desertion.

“If only I can get to Jukurok in safety and make my contacts.  I may not know their faces, but the ruins of Guzor temple shouldn't be too hard to find.  Once I give the secret password, I can establish my identity and inform them of the change.”

“Now, how on earth can I lose Frastos for, long enough to establish contact?  The captain's ordered him to keep an eye on me every darned (blasted) moment, day, or night.  Now, if I can win him over.  Yes, that might work.  He could cover up for me then or come with me when the opportunity avails itself.  He does have a stubborn streak, though, and he's such a straight arrow.  Converting him to my way of thinking won't be easy.  I'll have to bribe him with something irresistible; but what?”  Finally, overcome by pure exhaustion, Briac drifted into fitful slumber.

                                                                                        ~

When the first rays of daylight struck his eyes, he, with a start, woke up.  Last night's concerns were still fresh in his mind, Briac’s eyes at once searched for Frastos but he was nowhere to be seen.  The smile on his face turned into a scowl of hatred.  He jumped up and began dressing. “Rats!  He's gone to squeal on me.  I'll fix him.  I’ll...”

Just then Frastos, fuming with rage, stormed into the room with curses on his lips.

"I suppose you rushed right over to deliver your exaggerated report of my slight indiscretions last night.” Briac, hands on his waist, angrily confronted Frastos.

“Tell me, what benefit, what rewards did you reap, to justify this despicable act of treachery?"

Frastos was in no mood to deal with Briac’s barmy gibberish (nonsense). He simply shook his head and tried to get past him.

“You couldn't wait, could you?" Briac barked, still blocking Frastos' path.

"What the hell are you raving about?"  Frastos shoved him aside, frowning fiercely as he went over to sink into the chair by the fire.  Still fuming inwardly, he cursed, "That villain!  …That vile, despicable cur!"

"Don't deny it; you've been to see the captain, haven't you?" Briac demanded.

"Yeah," Frastos glared back.  "This is entirely your fault!"  Leaning forward, he shook an accusing finger at Briac.  "If it weren't for that ..." seeing the look of incomprehension in Briac's face, he threw his head back and laughed scornfully.  "Why do I waste my breath?"  He shook his head and slumped back into the chair.  Through gritted teeth he ejected, "No, he was looking for just such an opening.  He's had it in for me ever since that Cheron incident when I could no longer stomach his brutality and spoke up against him to the captain.  That savage, arrogant beast!  Where does he get off talking to me that way?  I don't care who he is, that still doesn't give him the right to show such effrontery.  I don't have to put up with those kinds of insults from the likes of him… That ogre! “Suddenly Frastos sprang to his feet and, clenching his fists, began to angrily pace the floor.

03- FRASTOS  IS ANGRY- JP 02

 "Oh, I'd like to wring his neck!"

"My fault,” Briac, a little slow on the uptake, was thrown aback until he figured out the last sentences.  “Cheron incident…  Who’s the Ogre?  Tizan?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes Tizan; who else?" Frastos stopped his pacing to glare sharply at Briac.

 "That despicable, arrogant cad,” Stamping his foot on the floor he swore, "I'll get him!  I'll make him pay dearly for this if it’s the last thing I do.  He doesn't scare me none."

Briac was delighted to see the fury, the contempt Frastos now held for their common foe, Tizan.  “This makes the job of convincing him that much easier.  Yes, things are finally looking up, but what's this about the Cheron incident?  How was it, I was kept in the dark about their, particularly Tizan’s, involvement in that whole, messy affair?  And the missing funds?  It was, reportedly, a considerable sum.  Still, why burden Frastos with all questions about that now?  I'll worm-it- out-of-him eventually once I have his confidence; far better to concentrate on the matters at hand.”  Briac quietly counseled himself. 

Going over, he placed a sympathetic hand on Frastos' shoulder.  "I feel the same way you do, brother, but hey, calm down.  Remember, haste makes waste."

Frastos shrugged off the sympathy with disdain, "Don't humor me.  I'm in no mood for your nonsensical advice."  Glowering threateningly, he went back to sink once more into the chair.

"Who's humoring you?"  Undeterred, Briac sat in the chair opposite Frastos.  Though he was six years older than Frastos, their relationship had been on an equal footing from the start.  "No, I'm dead serious," he reasserted.

"As a friend, I must deter you from doing anything rash; that is, not just yet.  I know how much that cur Tizan can get under your skin until your blood begins to boil with rage and contempt but don't lose your head.  You know how shrewd, cunning, and ruthless he can be.  Besides, he's an able fighter.  Individually, he'd waste either of us in a flash.  However, if we bid our time and pool our resources to make a concerted effort and reasonable plan, we may just win the day.  What do you say to that?"

Frastos’s head down, he looked lost in thought.

Briac grinned in satisfaction. “Good, at least you're considering it.  Now, will you tell me what happened?"

“You would like that, wouldn't you?” Frastos raised his head to study Briac for a moment.  “You'd like to know all the sordid details of this humiliation so you can later on, for your own sadistic gain, turn it on me.”  Grinding his teeth, he instead continued to mumble insults against Tizan.  But then his face contorted into a snarling grin as he admitted to himself that cooperation might be exactly what was needed to bring about Tizan's downfall or better still, his demise. As things had progressed thus far, nothing less (then his ignominious assassination) would assuage his anger.

 "You were right about him, brother," he finally spoke.

"Yes, you've been right all along only I've been too blind to see it."  His amiable tone contrasted sharply with his hostile expression.

"I'm sorry I've not been more supportive of you in the past.  This is a terrible thing he did to you.  The scholar Fradel is already in perfect disguise, there was no reasons for this subterfuge, no need for you to impersonate Fradel and by doing so, plunk your life in peril." He added in all sincerity to purposefully deflect Briac's persistent questions.  In his mind he pondered his next course of action.

"Yes.  After all these years of loyal service, it seems that my life amounted to so very little for the captain that he, without a qualm, sanctioned Tizan's vile plan.  There's no doubt the wicked scheme was Tizan's idea. “Briac swallowed hard and looked away.

“The vermin Tzan concocted this preposterous measure to humiliate us, to pay me back for..."  Briac suddenly stopped and askance (sideways) looked at Frastos, before he prodded him again, attempting to get to the root of the problem. "But, brother, why do you evade my questions?  Don't you trust me enough to tell me what they did to spin you into such a fitful state?  Why am I to be blamed?  I will take real offense (slight) if you don't stop being so cryptic."

"I mean no affront (insult, slur), it’s just", Frastos drew a breath, his anger in part subsided.

 "Well, all right, I'll tell you this much.  You'll find out soon enough yourself when you go to see the captain.  It’s best that you go in, somewhat prepared, armed with plausible explanation for your defense.

"I was summoned first thing this morning.  You had such a rough time of it, last night; I took care not to wake you when I rushed to comply."

"That's very considerate of you, brother." Briac interrupted gratefully.

"Well, anyway, there was Tizan at the Captain's side.  I'd swear the devil never sleeps.”

04--TZAN JP

“I could see that the captain considered the whole matter too trivial to bother about, but it was Tizan, all right, who had instigated this trouble.  He magnified it to serve his own ill purposes.  Then I was subjected to the inquisition at length, about the events of last night."  Frastos paused to watch Briac's pantomime of outrage then, narrowing his eyes, continued, "When I attempted to cover up for you, since I didn't want to give the Lieutenant any satisfaction, Tizan accused me of conspiracy, asking all sorts of questions: “Why had we rendezvoused with the locals?”, ”What was the disagreement that resulted in the fight?”, “What part did the woman play in all of this?” 

“Anyhow, he went on and on.  He even had the audacity to accuse us of having secret, intimate relations together.  I cannot say more, other than it was a vile and bestial thought."

                                                                        ~

 

 

(END OF SECTION 23)

Fishing

Fishing

A popular idiom, the trick of “passing off fish eyes as pearls,” in a military context refers to, respectively, false and actual manoeuvres. First, the commander offers the enemy some bait, which can be a body of weak troops, poorly guarded provision carts, or a herd of oxen or horses that seem to be unprotected. At the prospect of sure gain the enemy will advance to swallow the bait. In this way the able commander has gained initiative by manoeuvring the enemy of his own accord and so the victory is assured even before the battle is fought.

Give profit to the enemy to lure it. In warfare, the so-called baiting does not refer to poisoning the enemy’s food. Instead, any force used to tempt the enemy with the prospect of gain is called a bait army.

If, during an engagement, the enemy troops scatter oxen and horses, abandon property or jettison supplies, we must not seize them, for that would lead inevitably to our defeat. The principal goes, “do not swallow the bait army.”

When the enemy comes from far to mount a challenge it aims to entice you to advance. Abandon goods to throw the enemy into disorder, abandon troops to entice it, and abandon fortresses and land to encourage its arrogance. When it is expedient to apply abandonment, success can hardly be won with too much attachment.

One who is good at manoeuvring the enemy makes the move so that the enemy must make a corresponding move, offers bait so that the enemy must swallow it, or lures the enemy with the prospect of gain and waits for it with one’s main force.

Cao Cao’ s note: entice the enemy with profit , lead it away from its fortress, assume a vantage point, and attack when the enemy is weak and lacking in support.

(Strategy Seventeen in Art of War)

This excerpt from the Three Kingdoms will demonstrate this principle:

Zhuge Liang vs Sima Yi

Zhuge Liang: The camps remain the same, and the soldiers are unchanged. But with one glance, I can tell there is a new Grand Commander. 

Wei Yan: We already have Chenchang in our hands. With the supply lines open, what can Sima Yi do?

Zhuge Liang: You mustn’t think like that. Sima Yi knows the art of war well and is a master of strategy. He is my arch-nemesis.

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, pardon me for my poor understanding, but I really can’t tell how Sima Yi is a master of strategy. In the last northern campaign, your “empty city ruse” scared the wits out of him!

Zhuge Liang: Let me tell you about Sima Yi’s mastery of strategy. Sima Yi does not excel in attacking, but in defending. He is the best defense strategist in the realm. As for us, we detest their deep ditches, tall ramparts and their other defensive tactics, because time is not on our side, but on their side. Sima Yi hopes that we will attack each and every city by force. At this rate, we won’t arrive at Louyang for another 50 years. Now you should understand that defense is Sima Yi’s strategy. Though it may seem like a foolish move, it’s actually quite wise.

Wei Yan: I understand now. Your Excellency, what is your plan?

Zhuge Liang: If we can’t get rid of Sima Yi, we will never take the Central Plains. We need to lure Sima Yi out and engage him in a decisive battle. Jiang Wei, how is the enemy’s defense in the cities of of Longxi?

Jiang Wei: I have investigated that among the 15 cities of Longxi, Wudu and Yingping’s defenses are the weakest.

Zhuge Liang: Wei Yan, can you take down Wudu and Yingping?

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, there is no difficulty in capturing two small cities.

Zhuge Liang: Good. However it’s not as simple as just attacking the cities. You know what to do right?

Wei Yan: I do. First besiege without attacking, and then attack without occupying the city. Wait until Wei’s reinforcement’s come.

.................................

Sima Yi: Have you investigated the camp thoroughly? Does Shu really only have 3,000 men?

Reporting Scout: I’ve seen them very clearly. Shu troops are very few indeed. They might not even amount to 3, 000.

Sima Yi: Have you investigated the area surrounding the city?

Reporting scout: The Mountains surrounding the city have been investigated, and there are no hidden enemy troops.

Sima Yi: You may leave.

Sima Yi (addressing Generals next): Since I’ve just assumed command, I am eager to report victory to the Court. Generals, who among you is willing to bring me honor by destroying the Shu army at Wudu?

General Sun Li: I will go.

Sima Yi: Good Sun Li, you are truly courageous general. I will give you 3,000 men. Here are the conditions- If you seize Wudu, you will be granted riches and noble rank. If you do not, don’t return.

General Sun Li: Yes sir!

Sima Yi: All of you may leave, except Guo Huai.

Guo Huai; do this task for me, but do not let the other generals know. Prepare 3, 000 coffins. Sun Li will not be returning. I don’t want their corpses exposed in the wild. Wudu is at the flank of our camp. How would Shu dare to attack the city with only 3, 000 troops? Zhuge Liang is trying to lure me out for an ambush. 

Zhang He: If you already knew that Sun Li wouldn’t succeed, why did you let him go?

Sima Yi: I have no choice. If I don’t send reinforcements and Wudu falls, the troops in the other cities will think I won’t save them when they are besieged. They will falter before the battle even begins, and thus all the neighboring cities will fall. If that comes to be, how will the main camp survive? Sun Li is loyal and brave. Just as mentioned sending reinforcements to Wudu, he eagerly volunteered. 

Sima Yi: Though I could not have explained things openly, the thought that such a courageous general should not return, I...my heart is racked with pain! 

Guo Huai: Grand Commander, please give me another 3,000 men. I’ll go and support Sun Li’s troops. I’m sure I can save him.

Sima Yi: Guo Huai , do you really dare to brave this danger?

Guo Huai: At worst, it’ll just be another 3, 000 coffins. As a general, I don’t fear death.

Sima Yi: Allow me to thank you. Go with peace of mind. I won’t let you die.

Guo Huai: Thank you, Grand Commander. 

........................................

Scout meeting the first contingent: General, Wudu is just 10 miles ahead. Shu troops are attacking the city.

Sun Li: Scout again. Then addressing the army, Brothers! The time has come for us to demonstrate our loyalty and our might! Follow me!

The way is blocked. 

Wei Yan: Listen up, I’m Wei Yan. The Prime Minister has instructed me to wait here for you. You petty scoundrels are not my match. Dismount and surrender now. 

Sun Li: Wei Yan, I Sun Li specialize in beheading generals! Your life is mine!

Wei Yan: Shoot them.

(The second reinforcements arrive just in time. )

Guo Huai: General Sun Li! Grand Commander has sent me to save you! Hurry, follow me!

Wei Yan: The enemy has sent reinforcements! Do not let the enemy generals flee! Charge!

Guo Huai: General Sun, I’ll bring up the rear!

Sun Li: General Guo, you came just in time! Fight your way out with me! Charge !

............................

(Sometime later, Wei Yan reporting back to Zhuge Liang)

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, the Wei troops have been routed.

Zhuge Liang: How many enemy troops did you kill?

Wei Yan: The Wei general, Sun Li , led 3,000 to rescue Wudu. I killed more than 2,000 of them. I was about to kill Sun Li, but unexpectedly, Vice Commander Guo Huai broke through and rescued him. I didn’t expect there to be another regiment behind the reinforcements.

Zhuge Liang: Sima Yi guessed my intentions.

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, why do you say that?

Zhuge Liang: I had you besiege Wudu and Yinping in order to attack the reinforcements. A rookie general would have seen right through such a simple ruse. How would Sima Yi be unable to guess my intentions? If he had chosen to abandon the cities, the Wei troops in the neighboring cities would lose all hope when we attack them. They might even surrender the cities to us.

Jiang Wei: However, Sima Yi didn’t abandon them. He sent men to their rescue.

Zhuge Liang: He sent that boor, Sun Li , to rescue Wudu, and then sent the Vice Commander to rescue Sun Li. The first rescue was clearly a ruse, a show for the Wei troops defending the cities. The second one was the real rescue. But Sima Yi would never lead the reinforcements personally. We need to lure Sima Yi out and engage him in a decisive battle.

Jiang Wei: That cunning fox, Sima Yi ...

Zhuge Liang: We can’t lure him out without attractive bait.

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, who should we send as bait?

Zhuge Liang: Me. Sima Yi dreams of taking my head.

Wei Yan, return to camp and prepare the troops for battle. Jiang Wei, tomorrow morning send 5,000 men with me to go reassure people of Wudu.

Jiang Wei: Your Excellency, it’s too dangerous.

Wei Yan: Your Excellency, if Sima Yi sends all his troops against us, I will not be able to rescue you in time.

Zhuge Liang: I Understand. Life and death are matters of fate. Return to camp and get ready.

....................................

(Back at Sima Yi’s command centre)

Spy: Grand Commander, Zhuge Liang is leading his troops towards Wudu.

Sima Yi: Drag this man away and execute him.

Spy: Grand commander, why do you want to kill me?

Sima Yi: Because you have reported false information. I truly despise liars.

Spy: Grand Commander, I am not lying! I saw Zhuge Liang with my own eyes!

Sima Yi: How tall is Zhuge Liang? What was he wearing? Was he riding a horse or in a cart? Who were his guards? How many troops were with him? No hesitating. Reply at once.

Spy: Zhuge Liang had a feathered fan and silk cap. He sat in a four-wheeled cart, so I could not tell his height. He was guarded by Jiang Wei, who is just over six spans tall. They had around 5, 000 men with them. I followed them for more than 20 miles and saw Zhuge Liang enter the city.

Sima Yi: Indeed, you’re not a liar. On the contrary, you are bold and meticulous. I promote you to colonel and reward you with 3, 000 cash.

Spy: Thank you, Grand Commander! Thank you, sir!

Guo Huai: Grand Commander, can this be true? Zhuge Liang left his main camp for Wudu?

Sima Yi: I’ve studied Zhuge Liang for several years. This man has a habit. He has personally inspected every city, parapet and post that has capitulated to Shu, in order to comfort the officials and the people. I also have heard that Zhuge Liang prefers to handle these matters personally.

Zhang He: Grand Commander, this is an excellent opportunity to kill Zhuge Liang. Wudu is a small city that’s easy to attack but difficult to defend. I’ll lead 20,000 elite troops there at once. By dawn, I should arrive at Wudu. Before the end of the day, I will have either killed or captured Zhuge Liang.

Sima Yi: Though Wudu is a small city, it is surrounded by mountains, even if tens of thousands of soldiers were to hide there, they would be undetectable. Don’t forget, Wei Yan set an ambush there in the past.

Zhang He: Grand Commander, you are absolutely correct. Last time, Zhuge Liang used Wudu as bait. This time, he himself is the bait.

Sima Yi: Zhuge Liang is so bold. How impressive. How impressive... If I don’t take his bait, then Zhuge Liang will be like the man who picks up a rock to crush his own foot- Overly brilliant men are often victims of their own cleverness.

Zhang He: Instead of going after Zhuge Liang, we will attack them from behind- Attack the Shu camps directly!

Sima Yi: General, your experience in the battlefield shows. You see what truly matters right away. Their supplies and provisions are in the main camp. That is their lifeline. If we use this opportunity to attack and burn the main camp, Zhuge Liang’s army will crumble before us.

Zhang He: Grand Commander, it’s my turn to lead this attack. I volunteer to lead 20,000 elite troops to attack the Shu camp.

Sima Yi: General, you have served Wei for three generations. Your fame is well-known already. Let someone younger lead this battle.

Zhang He: I haven’t gone to battle for a long time. My sword is rattling with battlelust in its case, and my entire body is itching for a fight. I must be part of this battle!

Sima Yi: Please supervise this battle then. You don’t need to kill the enemies personally.

Zhang He: Attack the camp!

We’ve been tricked! Retreat quickly!

Zhang Bao: Charge ! Exterminate the enemy! Do not let their commanding general escape!

Zhang He: Brothers, we’ll fight our way out!

Zhang Bao: I’m General Zhang Bao! You are surrounded! Dismount and surrender!

Zhang He: Coward! Don’t you known that I am Zhang He?

Not even your father, Zhang Fei, was a match for me!

Guo Huai: General, there are too many enemies! We can’t break through!

Zhang He: Charge that way! Hurry!

..................

(Zhuge Liang observing the situation from far, asks)

Zhuge Liang: Who is fighting against Zhang Bao?

Jiang Wei: Zhang He.

Zhuge Liang: That explains it. Even 20 years ago, he was already one of Cao Cao’s top commanders. His bravery today is no less that it was then.

Jiang Wei: If that man is not killed, he’ll be a thorn in our flesh. Let me capture him.

Zhuge Liang: The road towards Jiange is just ahead, and is flanked by steep cliffs.

Zhuge Liang: Take 2,000 archers and set up an ambush. I’ll have Wei Yan leave an opening and lure Zhang He towards Jiange. Remember, do not let him get out alive

........................

Zhang He: What place is this? It’s so gloomy.

Jiang Wei: Zhang He! Considering your old age, I will ask you this: Will you surrender or not? 

Zhang He growls in defiance.

Jiang Wei: Shoot them.

..........................

Sima Yi: I’ve spent so many years of my life fishing that I consider myself an angling master. Yet, I’ve taken Zhuge Liang’s bait.

Sima Yi: But who in the world would set a hook like this?

The bait is at Wudu, but the hook is in their camp!

Guo Huai: There were 37 arrows found in the body of General Zhang He!

Sima Yi: Why are you crying? Though General Zhang He fell in battle, the morale of our troops has been resurrected. Did you know? Of the 20,000 elite troops by General Zhang He, not one fled from the enemy. This is our victory! With such strong resolve in our rank the Shu army will certainly be defeated! Sima Zhao; Slaughter my horse and use its hide to wrap General Zhang He’s body! I will personally lead the whole army to send him off one last time!

Fin