The Last Strategy of A Grand Dragon

I n 227, following the dying wish of his monarch who is now dead, that he would unify the nation, K'ung-ming started to march to Wei. It is hard beyond description with lack of food or so like. And a general of Wei Ssu-ma I Chung-ta is a terrble strategist, standing in his way. When he made the fifth expedition in 234, desease begins to undermine his body. It is said it could be tuberculosis because he spat blood many times. The former emperor's wish and unstable conditions among kingdoms have driven him hard. Ssu-ma I understands that very well. He doesn't respond to K'ung-ming's any provocation, and waits. One day K'ung-ming sends a soldier to Ssu-ma I's camp with female clothes and comb. He tells Ssu-ma I by that if he doesn't lose his nerve he should fight him. But Ssu-ma I isn't tricked. He asks the messenger, "I got old. I have a poor appetite. How about Mr.K'ung-ming?" The messenger replys, "So does he." He is trapped. By his answer Ssu-ma I recognizes that K'ung-ming is dying. One day the Shu army is ready to withdraw suddenly. Ssu-ma I guesses that K'ung-ming died, and makes a sortie. When he sees the fleeing troops, the Ssu-ma army accelrates. A palanquin shows through the troops. Ssu-ma I is startled as a soldier rolls up the blind. K'ung-ming is there, staring at him. Immedately he orders his troops to withdraw. When the enemy army disappears from their sight,a soldier closes K'ung-ming's eyelids quietly. He is dead. Aged 53. Even posthumously, he makes the alive general dance. It can be called a big strategy. And it is his last one. When he starts for the first expedition, he tells, "The former emperor died before he could realize his ambition to revive the Han dynasty. He visited me, a mere fermer, in a poor hermitage, three times to see me. But I have not yet requited his favor."