In 227 AD, following the successful pacification of the Nanzhong rebellion, Zhuge Liang returned to Chengdu to prepare for his long-planned Northern Expeditions against Cao Wei. With the death of Emperor Cao Pi and the ascension of the young Cao Rui (Emperor Ming of Wei), Zhuge Liang saw a strategic opening.
He submitted the famous Chu Shi Biao (Memorial on Northern Expedition) to Liu Shan, urging moral governance, loyalty to virtuous ministers, and reaffirming his personal vow to restore the Han dynasty – a mission entrusted to him by Liu Bei at Baidi City.
Initial Success and the Defection of Jiang Wei
In early 228 AD, Zhuge Liang launched his First Northern Expedition. Feigning an attack through Xie Valley toward Mei County, he dispatched Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi to Ji Valley as a decoy. The ruse worked: Cao Rui sent Cao Zhen to defend the east, leaving the western front exposed.
Zhuge Liang then struck westward at Mount Qi in modern Gansu. The unprepared Wei garrisons collapsed, and three commanderies – Tianshui, Nan’an, and Anding – defected to Shu.
It was during this campaign that Jiang Wei, a talented young officer from Ji County, found himself abandoned by his superior, Governor Ma Zun, who suspected him of disloyalty. Locked out of both Shanggui and his hometown, Jiang Wei had no choice but to surrender to Shu.
Zhuge Liang, who had heard of Jiang Wei’s reputation as a scholar-warrior skilled in strategy, literature, and music, welcomed him warmly. Noting that Jiang Wei was 27 – the same age he was when Liu Bei first sought him out – Zhuge Liang declared:
“Jiang Wei is a rare talent. He will surely shoulder great responsibilities.”
From that moment, Jiang Wei became Zhuge Liang’s chosen successor.
The fatal mistake: Entrusting Jieting to Ma Su
With momentum on his side, Zhuge Liang faced a critical challenge: defending Jieting, the vital pass controlling access to Hanzhong. Zhang He, one of Wei’s finest generals, was marching west with 50,000 troops.
Despite recommendations to appoint seasoned commanders like Wei Yan or Wu Yi, Zhuge Liang chose Ma Su – a brilliant theorist who had earlier advised the “conquer hearts, not cities” strategy in Nanzhong. Confident in Ma Su’s intellect, Zhuge Liang appointed him commander of Jieting, with Wang Ping as deputy.
Before departure, Zhuge Liang explicitly ordered:
“Camp on the main road. Fortify your position. Block Zhang He at all costs.”
But Ma Su, intoxicated by textbook tactics, ignored the order. Upon arriving, he declared:
“The terrain is perfect! We’ll camp atop the mountain – ‘place troops in death ground, and they will fight to live’!”
Wang Ping warned:
“This mountain has no water source. If the enemy cuts us off, we’ll perish without fighting.”
Ma Su dismissed him, citing Sun Tzu. He allowed Wang Ping to camp ten li away with only 1,000 men.
Disaster at Jieting
Zhang He arrived swiftly. Seeing the Shu forces isolated on the hill, he surrounded the mountain and cut off the water supply. Thirsty and desperate, Ma Su ordered repeated downhill charges – each repelled by Wei archers. By nightfall, the Shu army collapsed in chaos. Most surrendered; Ma Su fled with a remnant.
Meanwhile, Wang Ping saved the situation: beating war drums loudly, he created the illusion of reinforcements, deterring Zhang He from attacking his small camp. He then rallied Ma Su’s scattered survivors and retreated in order.
Back at Xi County, Zhuge Liang received news of the defeat. Realizing Jieting’s loss meant the entire campaign was untenable, he ordered an immediate withdrawal to Hanzhong. Soon after, Wei forces retook all three commanderies.
The Execution of Ma Su
When Ma Su returned, Zhuge Liang confronted him. Though deeply grieved – Ma Su had been like a son – he declared:
“Though we are close, I cannot spare you. The army demands justice.”
Ma Su was imprisoned. In his final letter, he invoked the legend of Gun and Yu:
“Though Gun failed and was executed, his son Yu succeeded in taming the floods. “
Ma Su died in prison – some say from illness, others from shame.
Zhuge Liang wept bitterly, personally conducted rites for him, and cared for his family. But more painfully, he recalled Liu Bei’s dying warning:
“Ma Su talks big but lacks substance. Do not entrust him with great responsibility.”
He realized the disaster was his own fault – misjudging talent.
Self-Demotion: A lesson in leadership
To uphold military discipline and set an example, Zhuge Liang submitted a memorial requesting self-punishment:
“The failure at Jieting stems from my error in personnel. I ask to be demoted three ranks.”
Emperor Liu Shan, advised by Jiang Wan, approved the request. Zhuge Liang was stripped of his title as Imperial Chancellor and reassigned as General of the Right, though he retained de facto control of state affairs.
When Jiang Wan visited Hanzhong to deliver the decree, he tried to console Zhuge Liang over Ma Su’s death. But Zhuge Liang replied sternly:
“Sun Wu won because his laws were strict. If we ignore discipline at the start of our northern campaign, how can we succeed?”
He rejected calls for more troops:
“Our failure was not due to lack of soldiers, but poor leadership. I will reduce the army, reflect on my faults, and ensure fair rewards and punishments.”
He urged his officers:
“Point out my mistakes openly. Only through collective vigilance can we achieve victory.”
Legacy of Integrity
Zhuge Liang’s self-demotion became a defining moment of his leadership – not as infallible strategist, but as a man of principle who bore responsibility. His actions reinforced the Confucian ideal that even the highest official must answer to law and morality.
From that point, he focused on military reform, agricultural development, and rigorous training in Hanzhong, laying the groundwork for future campaigns – ever mindful that true strength begins with accountability.
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