Zhuge Liang Begins the Northern Expeditions

Nanzhong was pacified.

Now Zhuge Liang looked north.

Shu Han was smaller than Wei. It had fewer people, less land, and harder supply lines. Yet Zhuge Liang still had to attack.

If Shu claimed to restore the Han but only sat in Chengdu, the claim would slowly become empty.

The Chu Shi Biao

In 227, Zhuge Liang prepared to move the army into Hanzhong.

Before leaving, he submitted the famous Chu Shi Biao, the memorial before setting out.

He did not pretend Shu was strong. He began by saying the realm was divided in three and Yi Province was exhausted.

Then he reminded Liu Shan that loyal officials inside and soldiers outside were working because they remembered the late emperor.

The memorial was not only a request to campaign. It was a political handover.

Zhuge Liang urged Liu Shan to open channels of advice, reward and punish fairly, and stay close to worthy ministers while avoiding petty men. He recalled Liu Bei's three visits to the thatched cottage and the trust placed in him at Baidicheng.

He also named officials Liu Shan should consult while he was away.

The message was clear. Zhuge Liang would go north, but Chengdu had to remain orderly.

Sima Yi Approaches the Front

As Zhuge Liang prepared, Wei also changed.

Cao Pi died after only a few years as emperor. His son Cao Rui became Emperor Ming of Wei.

Cao Rui initially considered attacking Shu first. Sun Zi advised caution. The roads were hard, transport would be expensive, and Wei still had to guard against Wu in the southeast.

Cao Rui accepted a defensive posture.

He also gave Sima Yi major authority in the south.

Sima Yi had once avoided Cao Cao's summons by pretending to be ill. Cao Cao later forced him into service and warned Cao Pi that Sima Yi had ambitious bones.

Cao Pi trusted him anyway.

By Cao Rui's reign, Sima Yi was becoming one of Wei's most important commanders. He was not yet Zhuge Liang's main opponent in every battle, but he was moving closer to that role.

Meng Da Failed

Zhuge Liang also tried to use Meng Da.

Meng Da had defected from Shu to Wei and had been treated well by Cao Pi. After Cao Pi died, his support weakened. His relationship with Sima Yi was poor.

Zhuge Liang secretly wrote to him, urging him to return to Shu.

Meng Da hesitated. Zhuge Liang, worried that delay would ruin the chance, allowed the matter to leak and forced his hand.

Sima Yi responded with speed.

He first wrote to reassure Meng Da that Wei did not suspect him. While Meng Da wavered, Sima Yi marched day and night.

Meng Da had assumed that Sima Yi would need to report to court and wait for orders. Instead, Sima Yi reached Xincheng in eight days.

The city fell. Meng Da was killed.

Zhuge Liang lost a possible eastern support point. Sima Yi showed that he could move fast when speed mattered.

Wei Yan's Ziwu Valley Plan

Zhuge Liang then focused on the western route.

Wei Yan proposed a bold plan.

He wanted five thousand elite troops and five thousand men's supplies. He would move through Ziwu Valley and strike Chang'an directly. If Xiahou Mao panicked and fled, Wei Yan could take the city before Wei reacted. Zhuge Liang could then come out through Xie Valley to support him.

It was risky but tempting.

Ziwu Valley was steep and difficult. If the plan failed, Wei Yan's force might be destroyed. If it succeeded, Shu might shock Guanzhong.

Zhuge Liang refused.

He preferred a steadier route through Qishan, hoping to win over the Longyou region before pressing east.

Later generations argued over this choice. Wei Yan wanted breakthrough. Zhuge Liang had to carry the whole state's risk.

Jieting

Zhuge Liang used Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi as a diversion in Ji Valley, drawing Cao Zhen's attention.

He led the main force toward Qishan.

Wei was shaken. Tianshui, Nan'an, and Anding responded to Shu. Guanzhong became anxious.

Cao Rui went to Chang'an and sent the veteran Zhang He to fight.

Jieting became the key.

Zhuge Liang did not send Wei Yan or Wu Yi as the vanguard. He chose Ma Su, whose talent he valued even though Liu Bei had warned that Ma Su spoke beyond his real ability.

Ma Su disobeyed instructions and camped on high ground, away from water.

Wang Ping urged him not to do it. Ma Su refused.

Zhang He cut off the water supply and attacked. Ma Su's army collapsed. Jieting was lost.

Zhuge Liang had no forward base and withdrew to Hanzhong.

Wang Ping kept part of the army together by beating drums and holding position, making Zhang He suspect an ambush. The famous "empty fort" story later attached to Zhuge Liang is closer in historical spirit to Wang Ping's calm after Jieting.

Zhuge Liang executed Ma Su and submitted a memorial asking to be demoted.

The first Northern Expedition had shaken Wei, but it failed.

Zhuge Liang would not stop.

Next, the campaigns continue, and Sima Yi becomes harder to avoid.