Six – An Ode to Wuzhangyuan
Lynn – don't gotta know certain names, which have no effect on this story. It's all about Zhuge Liang's sixth and final campaign – and his death.
The unlucky number was that number six
As the tactics, the prayers and the tricks
Would not buy more life for Sleeping Dragon
He who had put down the southern rebellion
To uphold the double reigns of his lords,
Against the various barbarian hordes.
Three visits were made on recommendation*
To a relative of the Emperor, to save the nation
This Liu Bei begged him to aid the people, take heed
With such arguments, the questioned man agreed.
Unleashing the fiery forests of Bowang Slope
He repelled attackers, he brought to his lord hope
Borrowing at the Red Wall the southeastern wind
The northern enemy's hopes he would soon rescind
Thrice he angered jealous Zhou Yu to swoon and die
Once he cried, and his character did Wu deify.
In 220 an usurper became Emperor of Wei, deposed Emperor Xian
The reign continued by Liu Bei's son, the Latter Ruler – the new Han
Five times the Marquis campaigned in his name, five times he failed
So strong were the armies that his enemies led to Five Cubit Plain
There was no time in 234, for he was ill at 53, it was his sixth campaign
It was said, "Indeed, he eats little and works much; can he last long?"
Unfortunately, the military master was not the man so strong
He prayed for twelve years more, a lamp extinguished meaning failure to end the strife
Yet when a general entered in haste, he toppled and blew out his only chance of life
His fate sealed, he could not be cured; thus he called the officers to his hall
To announce that wuzhangyuan was where he would fall.
He had written 24 chapters of 104,112 words on Eight Needs, Seven Cautions, Six Fears and Five Dreads
And designed a crossbow to fire 10 bolts each shot; these plans and volumes he presented to Jiang Wei
Who deeply bowed and sobbed, knowing how his commander would soon be on high.
Ma Dai and Yang Yi were called in, with secret orders concerning a potential traitor
This finished, High Counselor Li Fu went to confer with him, for soon was his hour
The condemned prepared plans to withdraw the army after he had met his end
If intercepted, the rearguard and a wooden decoy would he send.
Pointing to a star titter-tottering, it lost its brilliance as the instructions came
The Directing Instructor said that with him gone, the order was the same
After this, Li Fu had a royal command – who would command the state?
The reply was that Jiang Wan was the primary, not a man to hate
After him should there be a problem, Fei Yi would be next then.
Who after? No reply; the Prime Minister had ascended to Heaven.
At age 54, on August 23rd in the twelfth year of Beginning Prosperity
The falling star had shown it, so his final words were taken with sincerity
The Master was no more, the army prepared to leave, and the bells rang
For Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of Shu, Directing Instructor and Lord of Wuxiang …
P.S. Actually, the recommendation was made by Xu Shu, advisor to Liu Bei.
