Encyclopedia: Yueji

Sanguo Yanyi

Yueji served as a marshal under King Cheliji of the Western Qiang. He rode into battle wielding an iron mace, and kept a graven bow hung at his waist.

While Wei was preparing their defense against Zhuge Liang during his first northern campaign, Guo Huai proposed that a messenger be sent to the Western Qiang, with a letter accompanied by gold and pearls, requesting aid. The King of the Western Qiang, Cheliji, received them positively and dispatched an army of two-hundred fifth thousand trained soldiers, archers, and warriors who flung maces and hammers, all under the command of Prime Minister Yadan and marshal Yueji. They brought plenty of supplies and spare weapons stored on iron chariots.

At Xiping Pass they met up with Han Zhen who sent a messenger to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang dispatched Guan Xing and Zhang Bao in command of fifty-thousand veterans to oppose them with Ma Dai serving as a guide. During their first encounter, Guan Xing advanced in three divisions but was defeated by Yueji and his iron chariots. Guan Xing retired, but was surrounded.

Guan Xing attempted to retreat but was given chase by a general who rode under a black flag. It was Yueji, his men swarming around him. Guan Xing fled but Yueji caught up with him and struck his horse with his iron mace. Guan Xing fell into a stream. Zhang Bao and Ma Dai arrived to rescue Guan Xing and Zhang Bao struck Yueji, knocking him into the stream with Guan. Before Guan Xing could attack him, though, Yueji fled.

Guan Xing and Zhang Bao’s forces withdrew and prepared a new stratagem with Zhuge Liang. Late in the year, in full winter, Shu’s forces went out to give battle again. When Yueji’s iron chariots advanced they retired, leading Yueji to the camp gate. Upon inspection the camp was empty with only the strumming of a lute carrying through the air. Yueji consulted Yadan who suspected Shu was trying to ward them off. They advanced.

At several points the enemy, be it Zhuge Liang alone or Jiang Wei in command of a division, appeared and then withdrew. Yadan suspected an ambush but they were not concerned given their strength and numbers. They pursued into the hills where the snow beneath their feet gave way to great pits, consuming man and chariot alike. Yueji fled into the mountains where he encountered Guan Xing, and was slain in the first encounter.