Lu Su： He is“styled Zijing from Dongchuan in Linhuai. He is a mine of strategies， a storehouse ofmachinations. Early in life he lost his father and has served his mother since with utter devotion. Lu Su’sfamily is extremely wealthy， and he is known for his generosity to the poor. When Yu was a precinct leaderin Juchao， he was taking several hundred men through Linhuai when they short of grain. People told themthat the Lu family had two granaries， each holding three thousand bushels. At their urgent request Lu Su putone of the granaries at their disposal. That’s an example of his largenss. In addition， he has a strong interestin swordsmanship and horseback archery. His home is in Qu’e， but he has returned to Dongcheng for hisgrandmother’s funeral...After the formalities Zhou Yu respectfully relayed Sun Quan’s intention...Lu Suaccepted Zhou Yu’s invitation. Sun Quan received Lu Su with the greatest respect， and they held daylongdiscussions. One day， after court had adjourned， Sun Quan kept Lu Su behind to share a simple repast； thenthey went to bed at opposite ends of the same couch. In the middle of the night Sun Quan asked，‘Howshould I proceed？’Lu Su replied：‘In my judgment， the Han is past recovery； and Cao Cao cannot befinally removed. Therefore the best plan for you， General， is to make the Southland the firm foot of the tripod，consolidate your region， and look for opportunities to take action. You can exploit the many preoccupationsof the north： knock out Huang Zu’s position， attack Liu Biao in Jingzhou， and take control of the GreatRiver in its entirety. This done， establish your imperial title and turn your ambitions toward the rest of therealm’(Chpater 29)”. What a penetrating analysis！ It is true that all heroes think alike. His strategic ideais essentially of the same view that Zhuge Liang expressed in the Longzhong Dialogue between him andLiu Bei. His may be called the Southland Dialogue， or the dialogue between Sun Quan and Lu Su in theSouthland， but his is about ten years earlier expressed than Zhuge Liang’s. Just as Sun Quan says in Chapter77，“Lu Su， at his very first interview with me， broached a grand imperial strategy for the Southland—the firstboon.”This is Lu Su’s first great contribution—“broached a grand imperial strategy for the Southland”.
“江东孙权，屯兵柴桑郡，闻曹操大军至襄阳，刘琮已降，今又星夜兼道取江陵，乃集众谋士商议御守之策。鲁肃曰：‘荆州与国邻接，江山险固，士民殷富。吾若据而有之，此帝王之资也。今刘表新亡，刘备新败，肃请奉命往江夏吊丧，因说刘备使抚刘表众将，同心一意，共破曹操；备若喜而从命，则大事可定矣。’权喜从其言，即遣鲁肃赍礼往江夏吊丧。”（第四十二回）“孙权沉吟不语。张昭又曰：‘主公不必多疑。如降操，则东吴民安，江南六郡可保矣。’孙权低头不语。须臾，权起更衣，鲁肃随于权后。权知肃意，乃执肃手而言曰：‘卿欲如何？’肃曰：‘恰才众人所言，深误将军。众人皆可降曹操，惟将军不可降曹操。’权曰：‘何以言之？’肃曰：‘如肃等降操，当以肃还乡党，累官故不失州郡也；将军降操，欲安所归乎？位不过封侯，车不过一乘，骑不过一匹，从不过数人，岂得南面称孤哉！众人之意，各自为己，不可听也。将军宜早定大计。’权叹曰：‘诸人议论，大失孤望。子敬开说大计，正与吾见相同。此天以子敬赐我也！但操新得袁绍之众，近又得荆州之兵，恐势大难以抵敌。’肃曰：‘肃至江夏，引诸葛瑾之弟诸葛亮在此，主公可问之，便知虚实。’”（第43回）“曹操东下，诸人皆劝孤降，子敬独劝孤召公瑾逆而击之，此二快也。”（第七十七回）这是鲁肃的第二大贡献——他首倡与刘备结成孙刘联盟以抗曹，结果在赤壁之战大败曹操，打下了三国鼎立的基础。
“In the Southland Sun Quan， stationed at Chaisang， heard that Cao Cao had accepted Liu Zong’ssubmission and was marching on Jiangling double time. He therefore assembled his counselors to discussthe defense of the Southland. Lu Su said，‘Jingzhou adjoins our territory. Rivers and mountains protect it.
Its people are prosperous. If we can seize and hold the province， we will acquire the resources to establishour rule over the empire. I propose that you send me to Jiangxia to offer your official condolences on theoccasion of Liu Biao’s death. I believe I can persuade the newly defeated Liu Bei to encourage Liu Biao’scommanders to make common cause with us against Cao Cao. Liu Bei’s cooperation would provide afirm basis for our grand strategy.’Sun Quan adopted the proposal and dispatched Lu Su to Jiangxia withmourning gifts.”(Chapter 42)“But Sun Quan pondered in silence.‘Have no doubts， my lord，’ZhangZhao continued.‘If we submit to Cao， the people of the region will be protected and the six districts ofthe Southland preserved.’Sun Quan lowered his head and said nothing. A moment later Sun Quan roseto go to the privy. Lu Su followed. Aware that Su did not share the views of Zhang Zhao， Quan turned tohim and asked，‘But what is your mind on this？’‘The majority’s view， General， will be your ruin，’Sureplied.‘They can submit to Cao， but you cannot.’‘What are you saying？’Quan asked.‘For someonelike me，’Su went on，‘submission means being sent home to my clan， my village. Eventually I’ll regain highoffice. But what have you to go home to？ A minor estate？ A single carriage？ A single mount？ A handful offollowers？ And what of your claim to royalty？ Your advisers all consider only themselves. You must not heedthem. It is time to make a master plan for yourself.’At these words Sun Quan sighed.‘Their counsel failsmy hopes.’He said.‘But the point you make—the master plan—accords well with my thinking. You cometo me by Heaven’s favor. Cao Cao， however， has Yuan Shao’s legions as well as the troops of Jingzhou. Heseems impossible to resist.’‘I have brought back with me，’Su went on.‘Zhuge Jin’s younger brother，Liang. Put your questions to him， my lord， and he will explain how things stand.’(Chapter 43)”“WhenCao Cao descended upon us， I was universally counseled to surrender. Lu Su alone urged me to call inZhou Yu， to oppose and attack Cao Cao—the second boon. (Chapter 77)”This is Lu Su’s second greatcontribution—He first advocated the forming of an alliance with Liu Bei against Cao Cao， and consequently，they defeated Cao Cao severely at the Battle of the Red Cliffs and laid the foundation of the destiny of theThree Kingdoms.
周瑜欲起兵与刘备、诸葛亮共决雌雄。鲁肃告曰：“不可。方今与曹操相持，尚未分成败；主公现攻合淝不下。不争自家互相吞并，倘曹兵乘虚而来，其势危矣。况刘玄德旧曾与曹操相厚，若逼得紧急，献了城池，一同攻打东吴，如之奈何？”（第五十二回）由此可见，鲁肃是多么的深谋远虑啊！他不愧为三国时期四大战略家之一！尽管有时看似愚蠢，如他劝孙权借荆州与刘备，但那确实是他为维护孙刘联盟抗曹的大智若愚之壮举，也是他对东吴的第三大贡献。因为“荆襄九郡，非东吴之地，乃刘景升之基业。”“物必归主。”“以叔辅侄，而取荆州，有何不可？”此外，“诸葛亮自得了南郡，遂用兵符，星夜诈调荆州守城军马来救，却教张飞袭了荆州。”“夏侯罥在襄阳，被诸葛亮差人赍兵符，诈称曹仁求救，诱罥引兵出，却教云长袭取了襄阳。”（第五十一回）所有的城池都是从曹军手中夺得的。在这种情况下，鲁肃说：“孔明之言，怕不有理；争奈鲁肃身上甚是不便。”孔明曰：
“若恐先生面上不好看，我劝主人立纸文书，暂借荆州为本；待我主别图得城池之时，便交付还东吴……若不准我文书，我翻了面皮，连八十一州都夺了。今只要两家和气，休教曹贼笑话。”（第五十四回）因此，鲁肃不得不劝孙权借荆州与刘备。更重要的是，借荆州给刘备是孙刘联盟抗曹最有效的手段，看似鲁肃被诸葛亮愚弄了，而实际上是鲁肃获得了正式的证据，荆州是借东吴的，迟早是要还的。
Zhou Yu wanted to assemble an army to recover their cities and have it out with Liu Bei and Kongming.
Lu Su advised：“Nothing doing. With our struggle against Cao Cao undecided and with Lord Sun’s advanceon Hefei stalled， we become easy prey for Cao Cao if we turn on one other. Our whole position will crumble.
What’s more， Liu Xuande was once Cao Cao’s good friend. If we push him into tendering his cities to Cao Caoand the two of them unite against us—then what？”(Chapter 52) From here we can see how circumspect andfarsighted Lu Su is. He is really worthy of the title of great strategist—one of the Four Great Strategists duringthe Three Kingdoms period. Although Lu Su sometimes looks like a fool， for instance， he has talked Sun Quaninto allowing Liu Bei to borrow Jingzhou， it’s indeed a magnificent feat of being the wisest man taking thelooks of folly so as to uphold the alliance with Liu Bei against Cao Cao. It’s also his third great contributionto the Southland. Because“Jingzhou’s nine districts are not the Southland’s territory， but rather the estate ofLiu Biao.”“Things belong to their owners.”“For an uncle to support a nephew in taking Jingzhou—whatcan there be to object to？”(Chapter 52) Furthermore，“After Zhuge Liang seized Nanjun， he used capturedmilitary credentials to deceive the guard at Jingzhou into coming to help. Then he had Zhang Fei seize thecity.”“Xiahou Dun was holding Xiangyang when Zhuge Liang sent someone with credentials claimingthat Cao Ren needed his help. Dun was lured out of the city， and Lord Guan captured it.”(Chapter 51) Allof these cities are captured from Cao’s army. Under such circumstances， Lu Su commented：“There is sometruth， I’m afraid， in what you say. The thing is， it puts me in a most difficult position.”Kongming replied：“Ifit’s a bit of face you’re afraid of losing， I can have Lord Liu give it to you in writing that we are borrowing theprovince as our temporary base， and that once Lord Liu has completed his arrangements for taking another，he will return Jingzhou to the Southland....If our document is not accepted， we’ll show a different face andyoru eighty-one townships will be lost. Both sides need good relations or the traitor Cao will make fools of usall.”(Chapter 54) This is why Lu Su has to talk Sun Quan into allowing Liu Bei to borrow Jingzhou. Whatis more important， it is the most effective means of allying Sun Quan himself with Liu Bei against Cao Cao.
It seems that Lu Su has been fooled by Zhuge Liang. But， in fact， Lu Su has got the official document thatJingzhou is borrowed from the Southland. It means that Jingzhou must be returned to the Southland sooner orlater.
“鲁肃忠烈，临事不苟，可以代瑜之任。”“孙权览毕，哭曰：‘公瑾有王佐之才，今忽短命而死，孤何赖哉？既遗书特荐子敬，孤敢不从之。’即日便命鲁肃为都督，总统兵马。”（第五十七回）鲁肃为保卫东吴，鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已。建安二十二年（217年），鲁肃病逝在任上，享年仅四十六岁。
“Lu Su， distinguished for his loyalty and dedication， serious and scrupulous in all affairs， may replaceme as chief commander.”“Sun Quan finished reading and said tearfully，‘Zhou Yu， with the talent of aking’s right hand man， is dead， suddenly and prematurely. Whom else have I to depend on？ How can I ignorehis recommendation？’That day he appointed Lu Su chief commander”(Chapter 57). Lu Su gives his all tillhis heart ceases to beat so as to protect the Southland. In the twenty-second year of Jian An (A.D.217)， Lu Sudied of illness at his post of chief commander， at the age of only forty-six.
司马懿：字仲达，河内温人也：颍川太守司马隽之孙，京兆尹司马防之子，主簿司马朗之弟也。曹操任丞相时，用司马懿为文学椽。后来作为曹操的主簿，他向曹进言：“刘备以诈力取刘璋，蜀人尚未归心。今主公已得汉中，益州震动。可速进兵攻之，势必瓦解。智者贵于乘时，时不可失也。’”（第六十七回）曹操没采纳他的建议，后来对此很后悔。
Sima Yi： He， styled Zhongda， came from Wen county Henei district. He was the grandson of SimaJuan， governor of Yingchuan； the son of Sima Fang， governor of the western capital district Jingzhao； andyounger brother of Sima Lang， chief of the advisory staff. Sima Yi was made Cao Cao’s chief of the Bureau ofDocuments when Cao became the prime minister. And then as Cao Cao’s first secretary， Sima Yi， advanced aproposal：“Liu Bei has overthrown Liu Zhang by deception and force； the people of Shu have yet to give himtheir true allegiance. Attack at once and they will fall apart. Wise men know the value of timely action. This isa unique opportunity.”(Chapter 67) Cao Cao did not adopt his suggestion， very regretted this later on.
“曹操在邺郡闻知玄德自立汉中王，大怒曰：‘织席小儿，安敢如此！吾誓灭之！’懿曰：‘江东孙权，以妹嫁刘备，而又乘间窃取回去；刘备又据占荆州不还：彼此俱有切齿之恨。今可差一舌辩之士，赍书往说孙权，使兴兵取荆州；刘备必发两川之兵以救荆州。那时大王兴兵去取汉川，令刘备首尾不能相救，势必危矣。’”（第七十三回）曹操采纳了司马懿的建议，结果把孙刘联合抗曹的格局变成了孙曹联合抗刘的格局。
“Cao Cao was in Ye when he learned that Xuande had installed himself as king of Hanzhong. In agreat rage he cried，‘the low-down mat-weaver presumes too much. I vow now to annihilate him！’...‘SunQuan， lord of the Southland，’Sima Yi suggested，‘married his sister to Liu Bei， only to seize the occasionto steal her back again. Liu Bei holds Jingzhou and refuses to return it. Thus， bitter enmity exists between thetwo. Now is the time to send a man of persuasive powers with a letter to convince Sun Quan to send an armyto capture Jingzhou. That should force Liu Bei to send his entire army to rescue it， and Your Highness will beable to capture Hanzhong while Liu Bei， unable to coordinate his fronts， will be in peril.’(Chapter 73)”CaoCao adopted Sima Yi’s suggestion. Consequently， they changed the union between Sun Quan and Liu Beiagainst Cao Cao into the union between Sun Quan and Cao Cao against Liu Bei.
“曹操大惊，聚文武商议曰：‘某素知云长智勇盖世，今据荆襄，如虎生翼。于禁被擒，庞德被斩，魏兵挫锐；倘彼率兵直至许都，如之奈何？孤欲迁都以避之。’司马懿谏曰：‘今孙、刘失好，云长得志，孙权必不喜；大王可遣使去东吴陈说利害，令孙权暗暗起兵蹑云长之后，许事平之日，割江南之地以封孙权：则樊城之危自解矣。’操依允，遂不迁都。”（第七十五回）曹操一面遣使致书东吴，一面令徐晃为将以挡云长之锐。结果，樊城围解，关公父子皆遇害。
“Cao Cao summoned his advisers and said in alarm，‘I have always known that Lord Guan surpassedall others in wisdom and valor. Now he holds Xiangyang： the tiger has grown wings！ Yu Jin has been captured，Pang De killed， and our own keen mettle blunted. What if they come straight to the capital？ I think we shouldtake the precaution of transferring the government.’Sima Yi objected to this proposal，‘Current discordbetween the Liu and Sun houses means that if Lord Guan gets what he wants， Sun Quan will be very unhappy.
This is the time， Your Highness， to send someone down there who， by judicious argument—and by offeringthe entire Southland to Sun Quan as his fief once peace is restored—will be able to convince Sun Quan tomuster a force and quietly pounce on Lord Guan from behind. That is how to relieve the siege at Fan.’CaoCao assented， and the idea of moving the capital was dropped.’(Chapter 75)”Cao Cao sent a man withhis letter to the Southland on the one hand. On the other hand he appointed Xu Huang as the commanderto check Lord Guan’s advance. Consequently， the siege of Fan was lifted. Both Lord Guan and his son werebeheaded.
“操召曹洪、陈群、贾诩、司马懿等，同至卧榻前，嘱以后事。操曰：‘惟长子曹丕，笃厚恭谨，可继我业。卿等宜辅佐之。’”（第七十八回）“曹丕听毕（禅国之诏），便欲受诏。司马懿谏曰：‘不可。虽然诏玺已至，殿下宜且上表谦辞，以绝天下之谤。’丕从之……三辞而诏不许，然后受之。”（第八十回）“曹丕大喜曰：‘刘备已亡，朕无忧矣。何不乘国中无主，起兵伐之？’贾诩谏曰：‘刘备虽亡，必托孤于诸葛亮。亮感备知遇之恩，必倾心竭力，扶持嗣主。陛下不可仓卒伐之。’司马懿奋然而出曰：‘不乘此时进兵，更待何时？若只起北方之兵，急难取胜。须用五路大兵，四面夹攻，令诸葛亮首尾不能救应，然后可图。’……魏调五路大兵，来取西川。”（第八十五回）魏王曹丕大怒曰：
“吴、蜀连和，必有图中原之意也。不若朕先伐之。”“司马懿奏曰：‘吴有长江之险，非船莫渡。陛下必御驾亲征，可选大小战船，从蔡、颍而入淮，取寿春，至广陵，渡江口，径取南徐：此为上策。’丕从之……前后水陆军马三十余万，克日起兵。封司马懿为尚书仆射，留在许昌，凡国政大事，并皆听懿决断。”（第八十六回）由此可见，魏帝曹丕对司马懿的信任。
“Cao Cao called for Cao Hong， Chen Qun， Jia Xu， and Sima Yi； when they were at his bedside， heinstructed them on the matter of the succession. ...‘Only the eldest， Pi， is reliable， generous， respectfulto others， and scrupulous in word and deed—fit， therefore， to succeed to my estate. I hope you will givehim all support and assistance.’(Chapter 78)”“When the edict had been read， Cao Pi was anxious toaccept the decree， but Sima Yi warned him，‘That would be wrong. Even though the edict and seal werebrought here， let Your Highness decline in due modesty so as to forestall criticism in the outside world’.
On this advice Cao Pi declined three times but finally accepted as the edict required.”(Chapter 80)“CaoPi said delightedly，‘With Liu Bei gone， my worries are over. Let us attack while they have no king.’ButJia Xu remonstrated with him，‘Liu Bei must have charged Zhuge Liang with the care of his son. Mindfulof Liu Bei’s kindness， Zhuge Liang will render to the heir the fullest measure of devotion. Your Majestycannot invade precipitately.’Sima Yi stepped out from the rows of officials and cried with fervor，‘suchan opportunity to attack will never come again！ Troops from north China alone cannot succeed. To attain ourobjectives will require a vast force composed of five field armies concerted in an all-round attack to preventZhuge Liang from coordinating his van and his rear.’...the kingdom of Wei has fielded five armies in orderto conquer the Riverlands.”(Chapter 85) The Wei Emperor， Cao Pi， declared angrily，“An alliance betweenWu and Shu will have the north as its next objective. We should attack them first.”“Sima Yi addressedCao Pi，‘We’ll need boats to cross the Great River， the Southland’s strategic defense. The best plan is forYour Majesty to lead the expedition. Select a fleet of large and small craft， then enter the Huai region fromCai and Ying and capture Shouchun. When you reach Guangling， cross the river and capture Nanxu.’CaoPi adopted the plan... The land and naval forces， all told， came to more than three hundred thousand. A daywas set to launch the invasion. Sima Yi， appointed supervisor of the Secretariat， remained in Xuchang andassumed overall administrative responsibility.”(Chapter 86) From here we can see the Wei Emperor， CaoPi， trusts Sima Yi very much.
“丕感寒疾，医治不痊，乃召中军大将军曹真、镇军大将军陈群、抚军大将军司马懿三人入寝宫。丕唤曹睿至，指谓曹真等曰：‘今朕病已沉重，不能复生。此子年幼，卿等三人可善辅之，勿负朕心。’言讫，堕泪而薨。时年四十岁，在位七年。于是……曹睿被立为大魏皇帝，曹真为大将军……司马懿为骠骑大将军。时雍、凉二州缺人守把，司马懿上表乞守西凉等处。曹睿从之，遂封懿提督雍、凉等处兵马。领诏去讫。早有细作飞报入川。孔明大惊曰：‘曹丕已死，孺子曹睿即位，余皆不足虑：司马懿深有谋略，今督雍、凉兵马，倘训练成时，必为蜀中之大患。不如先起兵伐之。’参军马谡曰：‘司马懿虽是魏国大臣，曹睿素怀疑忌。何不密遣人往洛阳、邺郡等处，布散流言，道此人欲反；更作司马懿告示天下榜文，遍贴诸处。使曹睿心疑，必然杀此人也。’孔明从之，即遣人密行此计去了。”（第九十一回）结果，魏主曹丕把司马懿削职回乡了。
“Cao Pi was afflicted with severe chills that the doctors could not control. He summoned three men tohis resting chamber： Cao Zhen， Supreme Commander of the central army， Supreme Commander Chen Qun，controller of the army， and Supreme Commander Sima Yi， rallier of the army. Cao Pi then called for CaoRui and， pointing at him， said to Cao Zhen and the two others，‘My illness is grave； recovery impossible.
You three will have to guide this child and keep faith with my wishes.’A last tear fell， and he passed fromthis world at the age of forty； he had reigned for seven years... Then Cao Rui was established as augustemperor of the great Wei dynasty. Cao Zhen was made regent-marshal... Sima Yi chief general of the FlyingCavalry. At this time the two provinces Yong and Liang needed someone to govern and defend them. SimaYi petitioned to become defender of Xiliang and other points west. Cao Rui approved， and Sima Yi wasappointed superintendent of Yong’s and Liang’s armed forces. Sima Yi accepted his edict of appointment anddeparted. Rvierlands spies swiftly reported these changes at the Wei court. Startled， Kongming said，‘Cao Piis dead， the boy Rui enthroned. There is little to concern us there. But Sima Yi， a man of deep strategy， hastaken charge of the Liang and Yong armies； and once he has trained them， the Riverlands will have a seriousproblem. It would be best to act first and attack them！’The military adviser Ma Su said，‘Although Sima Yiis a leading minister of the Wei court， Cao Rui has always regarded him with suspicion and fear. I recommendspreading rumors in Luoyang， Ye， and other key cities of Wei that Sima Yi is plotting to rebel. In addition，throughout the enemy’s districts we can post forged proclaimations by Sima Yi to the empire at large. Thatshould unnerve Cao Rui enough to have him killed.’Kongming approved the plan and sent secret agentsto carry it out.”(Chapter 91) Consequently， the Wei Emperor， Cao Rui， stripped Sima Yi of his office andordered him back to his village.
为什么曹睿要把司马懿削职回乡？除他中了马谡的奸计之外，他也心疑，因为太尉华歆奏曰：“司马懿上表乞守雍、凉，正为此也。先时太祖武皇帝尝谓臣曰：‘司马懿鹰视狼顾，不可付以兵权，久必为国家大祸。’今日反情已萌，可速诛之。”司徒王朗奏曰：“司马懿深明韬略，善晓兵机，素有大志；若不早除，久必为祸。”大将军曹真奏曰：“文皇帝托孤于臣等数人，是知司马仲达无异志也。今事未知真假，遽尔加兵，乃逼之反耳。或者蜀、吴奸细行反间之计，使我君臣自乱，彼却乘虚而击，未可知也。陛下幸察之。”睿曰：
“司马懿若果谋反，将奈何？”……“曹休出曰：‘仲达受先帝托孤之重，何故反耶？’懿大惊失色，汗流遍体，乃问其故。休备言前事。懿曰：‘此吴、蜀奸细反间之计，欲使我君臣自相残害，彼却乘虚而袭。某当自见天子辨之。’遂急退了军马，至睿车前俯伏泣奏曰：
‘臣受先帝托孤之重，安敢有异心？必是吴、蜀之奸计。臣请提一旅之师，先破蜀，后伐吴，报先帝与陛下，以明臣心。’睿疑虑未决。华歆奏曰：‘不可付之兵权。可即罢归田里。’睿依言，将司马懿削职回乡。”（第九十一回）如果司马懿不“大惊失色，汗流遍体”，不“俯伏泣奏”，不顺从地“削职回乡”，后果不堪设想！正是这种“怯”，给了他东山再起的机会。
Why did Cao Rui strip Sima Yi of his office and order him back to his village？ Besides having fallen inMa Su’s trap， he was also in doubt. Because Grand Commandant Hua Xin addressed his sovereign，“Nowwe see Sima Yi’s true purpose in seeking military authority in the western provinces of Yong and Liang. Iremember the great ancestor Cao Cao， August Emperor Wu， once telling me，‘Sima Yi has hungry eyes，like an eagle’s or wolf’s. Given military power， he will ruin the dynasty.’His revolt must be put downbefore it starts.”Minister of the Interior Wang Lang addressed the Wei sovereign，“Sima Yi， with hisdeep comprehension of strategy and thorough understanding of military action， has long harbored grandioseambitions. Remove him or suffer the consequences.”Regent-Marshal Cao Zhen said，“The late sovereign，Cao Pi， entrusted the successor to my colleagues and me， and I am certain that Sima Yi has no subversiveintent. The facts of the situation remain unclear， and precipitate military action will only force him intorebellion. It is possible that agents of the Riverlands or the Southland are attempting to sow discord betweenour sovereign and his subjects in order to create disorder before an attack. Your Majesty should inquire mostcarefully into this matter.”Cao Rui said，“But what if Sima Yi is plotting to revolt？”... Moreover，“CaoXiu came forward and said，‘Sima Yi， you are one of those whom the late Emperor charged with the careof his heir apparent， now our sovereign. Why are you in rebellion？’Sima Yi turned pale and sweat pouredfrom him as he asked for an explanation. Cao Xiu recounted the preceding events， and Sima Yi said，‘Thisis the work of Riverlands and Southland agents trying to turn an emperor and a loyal subject into mortalenemies so that they can exploit the chaos and attack us. I shall have to see the Son of Heaven and clarifythis.’Sima Yi ordered his army to withdraw. Then he went to Cao Rui’s carriage and， bowing abjectly，tearfully addressed his sovereign：‘Your late father entrusted you to me， and my thoughts could never bebut wholly loyal. These slanders against me are the treachery of the Southland and the Riverlands. Grant mecommand of an expeditionary force， and I will defeat first Shu and then Wu to requite the late Emperor’s andYour Majesty’s grace and to manifest my loyalty.’Cao Rui， unsure what to do， made no decision. Hua Xinaddressed the Emperor，‘He should not have military authority. Relieve him of office and send him home atonce.’Accordingly， Cao Rui stripped Sima Yi of his office and ordered him back to his village.”(Chapter91) If Sima Yi did not“turn pale”and“sweat pouring from him”， not“bowing abjectly， tearfullyaddressing his sovereign”， not obediently“being stripped of his office and sent back to his village”， theconsequences were too ghastly to contemplate. It is the“timidity”that gives him a chance to resume hisformer position.
“魏主曹睿设朝，近臣奏曰：‘大都督曹真，数败于蜀，折了两个先锋，羌兵又折了无数，其势甚急。今上表求救，请陛下裁处。’睿大惊，急问退军之策。太傅钟繇奏曰：‘臣以全家良贱，保举一人，可退蜀兵。未知圣意准否？’睿曰：‘有何贤士，可退蜀兵，早召来与朕分忧。’钟繇奏曰：‘向者，诸葛亮欲兴师犯境，但惧此人，故散流言，使陛下疑而去之，方敢长驱大进。今若复用之，则亮自退矣。’睿问何人。繇曰：‘骠骑大将军司马懿也。’睿叹曰：‘此事朕亦悔之。今仲达现在何地？’繇曰：‘近闻仲达在宛城闲住。’睿即降诏，遣使持节，复司马懿官职，加为平西都督，就起南阳诸路军马，前赴长安……忽报天使持节至。懿听诏毕，遂调宛城诸路军马。忽又报金城太守申仪家人，有机密事求见。懿唤入密室问之，其人细说孟达欲反之事……即传令教人马起程，一日要行二日之路，如迟立斩；一面令参军梁畿赍檄星夜去新城，教孟达等准备征进，使其不疑。梁畿先行，懿随后发兵……懿入城来见魏主。睿大喜曰：‘朕一时不明，误中反间之计，悔之无及。今达造反，非卿等制之，两京休矣！’懿奏曰：‘臣闻申仪密告反情，意欲表奏陛下，恐往复迟滞，故不待圣旨，星夜而去。若待奏闻，则中诸葛亮之计也。’言罢，将孔明回孟达密书奉上。睿看毕，大喜曰：‘卿之学识，过于孙、吴矣！’赐金钺斧一对，后遇机密重事，不必奏闻，便宜行事。就令司马懿出关破蜀。”（第九十四回）蜀相诸葛亮是司马懿的对手，诸葛亮与司马懿一直是互相斗将、斗兵、斗降法、斗智斗力，真是棋逢敌手。