Treatise on Strategy: The Three Kingdoms, Part 4

Man Chong Man Chong (d. 242), a high-ranking general of Cao Wei known for his strategic foresight and long tenure defending the eastern borders., the Wei General Who Conquers the East, received reports that the state of Wu Eastern Wu, the southern kingdom ruled by Sun Quan. intended to attack Hefei A crucial fortress city and perennial flashpoint between the states of Wei and Wu.. He submitted a memorial to the throne requesting the mobilization of troops. Shortly thereafter, the Wu forces withdrew.

Chong believed that for the enemy to retreat after such a massive mobilization was contrary to their true intentions. He argued: "This must be a feigned retreat to make our soldiers lower their guard. They likely intend to turn back and catch us unprepared." Consequently, he submitted a second memorial advising that the troops should not be disbanded. More than ten days later, the Wu forces indeed returned to launch an attack. Because the defenses were ready, the enemy failed to overcome them and was forced to retreat.

The state of Wei dispatched Sima Yi Sima Yi (179–251), the preeminent strategist of Wei and chief rival to Zhuge Liang. to station at Chang'an to oversee Generals Zhang He, 郭淮 Guo Huai (d. 255), a veteran commander specialized in defending the western borders against the Qiang and Shu forces., and others in order to resist the Han original: "漢" (Han). Here referring to Shu Han, the state led by Zhuge Liang, which claimed to be the legitimate successor to the Han Dynasty. forces.

Yi left four thousand elite troops to guard Shanggui A strategic grain-producing area in the Tianshui region. and led the rest of his host to relieve the siege at Mount Qi Qishan; a recurring target of Zhuge Liang’s northern expeditions.. Zhang He wished to split the army to station troops at Yong and Mei.

Yi replied: "If we estimate that the vanguard can withstand the enemy alone, then what you suggest is correct. However, if they cannot, and we split our forces into front and rear, we will suffer the same fate as the three armies of Chu original: "楚" (Chu). who were captured by Qing Bu." original: "黥布" (Qing Bu). A reference to the early Han dynasty general Ying Bu, who famously defeated the forces of the state of Chu during the Chu-Han Contention by exploiting their divided ranks. Sima Yi uses this historical precedent to argue for the concentration of his military strength.

They then advanced. Liang Zhuge Liang (181–234), the Chancellor of Shu Han. split his own troops to continue the attack on Mount Qi while he personally led a force to intercept Yi at Shanggui. The Wei general Guo...