Utilizing solely the sound of the zither, Zhuge Liang repelled 150,000 Wei troops. Did Sima Yi fall for the trick?
Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi have been two sworn enemies. These two exceptionally gifted males had many occasions been at stalemate. One of many occasions Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi examined one another’s expertise was when Liu Bei’s strategist used the “Empty Fort Technique” to assist drive away 150,000 Wei troops.
This basic occasion has been portrayed many occasions on display. Within the 1994 model of the film “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, the “Empty Fort Technique” was utilized by Zhuge Liang throughout his first Northern Expedition. After Ma Su misplaced Jieding, Zhuge Liang had solely 2,500 troopers stationed in Xicheng County. Abruptly, Ma Fei returned to report: “Sima Yi is main a big military of 150,000 to Xicheng.”
At the moment, there was no normal with Zhuge Liang, solely a gaggle of civil officers. Listening to this information, the officers all turned pale with worry. The strategist stepped onto the wall to look at, and positive sufficient, within the distance, the mud was swirling, and the Wei military was charging in the direction of Xicheng.
Then, he calmly ordered: “Conceal all of the flags and followers, every soldier should guard his patrol publish on the wall. If anybody enters or leaves town gate with out permission or speaks loudly, he might be killed. Open all 4 metropolis gates, at every gate, take twenty folks disguised as civilians, and sweep the streets. If the Wei military comes, don’t make a scene, I’ll have a plan to cope with it.”
Zhuge Liang nonetheless confirmed a relaxed face, sitting and enjoying the zither when 150,000 enemy troops arrived at Xicheng.
The scenario gave the impression to be determined, and the Western Metropolis was tough to defend, however Zhuge Liang used the “Empty Metropolis Technique”, opening town gates huge after which personally stepping onto the highest of the wall to supply incense and play the zither. Dealing with Sima Yi’s million robust military, this gifted strategist was not afraid, calm and composed.
Listening to the scouts report the scenario, Sima Yi ordered the troopers to cease instantly, and rode ahead himself. He noticed Zhuge Liang sitting on the wall with a smiling face, leaning in opposition to the railing, burning incense and enjoying the zither. On the left was a younger boy holding a valuable sword, on the appropriate was additionally a younger boy holding a whisk. Inside and outdoors town gate, there have been solely about twenty commoners, busy sweeping the streets as if nobody was round. After seeing this scene, Sima Yi suspected that there was an ambush within the metropolis, so he shortly ordered his troops to retreat.
Sima Yi’s expression when he heard Zhuge Liang’s zither enjoying.
Within the scene the place they confront the “empty home and empty backyard” technique, Sima Yi (Wei Zongwan) and Zhuge Liang (Duong Quoc Cuong) carried out with extraordinarily sensible eyes. Specifically, Sima Yi’s expression when analyzing Zhuge Liang’s zither enjoying. Wei Zongwan efficiently portrayed the boldness when he thought he knew the center of his “worthy opponent”.
In accordance with La Quan Trung’s “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, on the way in which to flee, Sima Yi was additionally chased away by Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, who beat drums and raised flags to ward off the Wei military. Nevertheless, within the 2010 movie adaptation, Zhuge Liang’s (Lu Yi) zither enjoying had many profound meanings. When the Wei military retreated, Zhuge Liang exclaimed: “The heavens saved me, Sima Yi actually understands the principles of music”. As for Sima Yi (Ni Dahong), when he returned to the camp, he pulled out a chair for Sima Shi to take a seat, listened to his son speak concerning the scenario in Xicheng, after which mentioned: “I misplaced to Zhuge Liang by way of destiny, destiny didn’t assist me”.
Sima Yi noticed by Zhuge Liang’s sensible plan early on however nonetheless determined to withdraw his troops.
Many individuals assume that Sima Yi was suspicious and afraid, which is why he misplaced this battle. Nevertheless, in actuality, he was a crafty army man, so he may see by Zhuge Liang’s technique. As well as, Sima Yi had a robust military, so he may ship folks to research the reality within the Western Metropolis.
Even his son Sima Zhao had instructed this to his father. Nevertheless, on the final minute, he nonetheless rejected it and determined to withdraw his troops, permitting the Shu military to flee the catastrophe. Sima Yi’s determination left his son unsure. Solely when he was on his final breath did he reveal the reality about what occurred that 12 months.
Sima Yi knew that he couldn’t assault Zhuge Liang but as a result of he needed to cope with many jealous threats within the court docket. If Zhuge Liang died, the trail to Shu Han can be huge open, and Sima Yi knew that ultimately he would turn into a thorn within the aspect of the Wei Dynasty.
Sima Yi confirmed his nice intelligence in retreating in opposition to Zhuge Liang’s sensible plan.
So long as Zhuge Liang was alive, the ability of Cao Wei may very well be managed, making a balanced scenario. Even when the Sima household was suspected and feared by the Cao household, it could nonetheless be invaluable to use. In any other case, the Sima household can be shortly exterminated. Moreover, Sima Yi had at all times been the one who took the initiative to defend. Zhuge Liang had repeatedly carried out the Northern Expeditions, and he had at all times held agency. Later, when this strategist died of sickness on the battlefield, he didn’t pursue and kill him to the tip.
It may be mentioned that Sima Yi as soon as once more had foresight. He maintained the Three Kingdoms scenario till the tip of his life, to build up energy for his descendants to later overthrow the Wei Dynasty, after which unify China.
