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Wang　Ping　marched　about　three　miles　from　the　hill　and　made　his　camp。　He　drew　a　plan　of　the　place　and　sent　it　quickly　to　Zhuge　Liang　with　a　report　that　Ma　Su　had　camped　on　the　hill。
While　Sima　Yi　was　marching　toward　Jieting；　he　sent　his　younger　son　to　reconnoiter　the　road　and　to　find　out　whether　it　had　a　garrison。
Said　Sima　Yi；　〃If　there　is　a　garrison；　do　not　advance　further。〃
Sima　Zhao　returned　to　report：　〃Jieting　has　already　been　occupied　by　Shu。〃
〃Zhuge　Liang　is　rather　more　than　human；〃　said　his　father　regretfully　when　Sima　Zhao　gave　in　his　report。　〃He　is　too　much　for　me。〃
〃Why　are　you　despondent；　Father？　I　think　Jieting　is　not　so　difficult　to　take。〃
〃How　dare　you　utter　such　bold　words？〃
〃Because　I　have　seen。　There　is　no　camp　on　the　road；　but　the　enemy　are　camped　on　the　hill。〃
This　was　glad　news。
〃If　they　are　on　the　hill；　then　Heaven　means　a　victory　for　me；〃　said　his　father。
At　night　Sima　Yi　changed　into　another　dress；　took　a　small　escort；　and　rode　out　to　see　for　himself。　The　moon　shone　brilliantly；　and　he　rode　to　the　hill　whereon　was　the　camp　and　looked　all　round　it；　thoroughly　reconnoitering　the　neighborhood。　Ma　Su　saw　him；　but　only　laughed。
〃If　Sima　Yi　has　any　luck；　he　will　not　try　to　surround　this　hill；〃　said　he。
Ma　Su　issued　an　order　to　his　generals：　〃In　case　the　enemy　e；　you　are　to　look　to　the　summit　for　a　signal　with　a　red　flag；　when　you　shall　rush　down　on　all　sides。〃
Sima　Yi　returned　to　his　camp　and　sent　out　to　inquire　who　manded　in　Jieting。
They　told　him；　〃He　is　Ma　Su；　brother　of　Ma　Liang。〃
〃A　man　of　false　reputation　and　very　ordinary　ability；〃　said　Sima　Yi。　〃If　Zhuge　Liang　uses　such　as　Ma　Su；　he　will　fail。〃
Then　he　asked；　〃Are　there　any　other　camps　near　the　place？〃
And　they　reported；　〃Wang　Ping's　camp　is　about　three　miles　off。〃
Wherefore　Zhang　He　was　ordered　to　go　and　check　Wang　Ping　from　ing　to　rescue。　Zhang　He　marched　out　and　placed　himself　between　Wang　Ping　and　the　hill。
This　done；　Sima　Yi　ordered　Shen　Yi　and　Shen　Dan　to　surround　the　hill　and　to　block　the　road　to　the　water　supply。　Lack　of　water　would　cause　a　mutiny；　and　when　that　occurred；　it　would　be　time　to　attack。
Then　Sima　Yi　led　the　main　body　to　attack　the　hill　on　all　sides。
From　the　summit　of　his　hill；　Ma　Su　could　see　the　banners　of　his　enemy　all　round；　and　the　country　about　was　full　of　soldiers。　Presently　the　hemming　in　was　plete；　and　the　soldiers　of　Shu　became　dejected。　They　dared　not　descend　to　attack　although　Ma　Su　hoisted　the　red　flag　signaling　for　them　to　move。　The　generals　stood　huddled　together；　no　one　daring　to　go　first。　Ma　Su　was　furious。　He　cut　down　two　generals；　which　frightened　the　others　to　the　point　of　descending　and　making　one　desperate　rush。　But　the　troops　of　Wei　would　stand　firm　against　their　attack；　and　they　reascended　the　hill。
Ma　Su　saw　that　matters　were　going　ill；　so　he　issued　orders　to　bar　the　gates　and　defend　till　help　should　e　from　outside。
When　Wang　Ping　saw　the　hill　surrounded；　he　started　to　go　to　the　rescue；　but　Zhang　He　checked　him；　and　after　exchanging　some　ten　encounters　Wang　Ping　was　pelled　to　retire　whence　he　had　e。
The　Wei　troops　kept　a　close　siege。　The　Shu　soldiers　in　the　hill　camp；　having　no　water；　were　unable　to　prepare　food；　and　disorder　broke　out。　The　shouting　was　audible　at　the　foot　of　the　hill　and　went　on　far　into　the　night。　The　soldiers　on　the　south　side　got　out　of　hand；　opened　the　gates　and　surrendered。　The　men　of　Wei　went　round　the　hill　setting　fire　to　the　wood；　which　led　to　still　greater　confusion　in　the　beleaguered　garrison。　At　last　Ma　Su　decided　to　make　a　dash　for　safety　toward　the　west。
Sima　Yi　allowed　him　to　pass；　but　Zhang　He　was　sent　to　pursue　and　chased　him　for　ten　miles。　But　then　there　came　an　unexpected　roll　of　drums。　Zhang　He　was　stopped　by　Wei　Yan　while　Ma　Su　got　past。　Whirling　up　his　sword；　Wei　Yan　dashed　toward　Zhang　He；　who　retired　within　his　ranks　and　fled。　Wei　Yan　followed　and　drove　Zhang　He　backward　toward　Jieting。
The　pursuit　continued　for　fifteen　miles；　and　then　Wei　Yan　found　himself　in　an　ambush；　Sima　Yi　on　one　side　and　Sima　Zhao　on　the　other。　They　went　around　the　hill　and　closed　in　behind　Wei　Yan；　and　he　was　surrounded。　Zhang　He　then　turned　back；　and　the　attack　was　now　on　three　sides。　Wei　Yan　lost　many　troops；　and　all　his　efforts　failed　to　get　him　clear　of　the　press。　Then　help　appeared　in　the　person　of　Wang　Ping。
〃This　is　life　for　me；〃　said　Wei　Yan　as　he　saw　Wang　Ping　ing　up；　and　the　two　forces　joined　in　a　new　attack　on　the　force　of　Wei。　So　the　troops　of　Wei　drew　off；　while　Wei　Yan　and　Wang　Ping　made　all　haste　back　to　their　own　camp　in　Jieting………only　to　find　them　in　the　hands　of　the　enemy。
Shen　Yi　and　Shen　Dan　then　rushed　out　and　drove　Wei　Yan　and　Wang　Ping　to　Liliu。
About　that　time　Gao　Xiang　got　news　of　the　attack　on　Jieting；　and　he　marched　out　his　army　from　Liliu　to　the　rescue。　But　halfway　he　fell　in　with　Wei　Yan　and　Wang　Ping。
When　Gao　Xiang　heard　their　story；　he　at　once　proposed　a　night　attack　on　the　Wei　camp　and　the　recovery　of　Jieting。　They　talked　this　over　on　the　hillside　and　arranged　their　plans；　after　which　they　set　themselves　to　wait　till　it　was　dark　enough　to　start。
They　set　out　along　three　roads。　Wei　Yan　was　the　first　to　reach　Jieting。　Not　a　soldier　was　visible；　which　looked　suspicious。　He　decided　to　await　the　arrival　of　Gao　Xiang；　and　they　both　speculated　as　to　the　whereabouts　of　their　enemy。　They　could　find　no　trace；　and　the　third　army　under　Wang　Ping　had　not　yet　e　up。
Suddenly　a　bomb　exploded；　and　a　brilliant　flash　lit　up　the　sky；　drums　rolled　as　though　the　earth　was　rending；　and　the　enemy　appeared。　In　a　trice　the　armies　of　Shu　found　themselves　hemmed　in。　Both　Wei　Yan　and　Gao　Xiang　pushed　here　and　shoved　there；　but　could　find　no　way　out。　Then　most　opportunely　from　behind　a　hill　rolled　out　a　thunder　of　drums；　and　there　was　Wang　Ping　ing　to　their　rescue。　Then　the　three　forced　their　way　to　Liliu。　But　just　as　they　drew　near　to　the　city；　another　body　of　soldiers　came　up；　which；　from　the　writing　on　their　flags；　they　read　Wei　mander　Guo　Huai　。
Now　Guo　Huai　had　talked　over　Sima　Yi's　recall　with　his　colleague　Cao　Zhen；　and；　fearing　lest　the　recalled　general　should　acquire　too　great　glory；　Guo　Huai　had　set　out　to　anticipate　him　in　the　capture　of　Jieting。　Disappointed　when　he　heard　of　Sima　Yi's　success　there；　he　had　decided　to　try　a　similar　exploit　at　Liliu。　So　he　had　diverted　his　march　thither。
He　engaged　the　three　Shu　armies　at　once　and　slew　many　of　them。　Wei　Yan　feared　the　Wei　army　might　pour　into　Hanzhong；　so　Wang　Ping；　Gao　Xiang；　and　Wei　Yan　rushed　to　Yangping　Pass　and　mustered　its　defense。
Guo　Huai；　pleased　with　his　success；　gathered　in　his　army　after　the　victory　and　said　to　his　officers；　〃I　was　disappointed　at　Jieting；　but　we　have　taken　this　place；　and　that　is　merit　of　high　order。〃
Thereupon　he　proceeded　to　the　city　gates。　Just　as　he　arrived；　a　bomb　exploded　on　the　wall；　and；　looking　up；　he　saw　the　rampart　bedecked　with　flags。　On　the　largest　banner　he　read　the　characters　Sima　Yi；　General　Who　Pacifies　the　West　。　At　that　moment　Sima　Yi　himself　lifted　a　board　that　hung　in　front　of　him　and　looked　over　the　breast…high　rail。
He　looked　down　and　smiled；　saying；　〃How　late　you　are；　friend　Guo　Huai！〃
Guo　Huai　was　amazed。　〃He　is　too　much　for　me；〃　said　he。
So　Guo　Huai　resignedly　entered　the　city　and　went　to　pay　his　respects　to　his　successful　rival。
Sima　Yi　was　gracious；　and　said；　〃Zhuge　Liang　must　retire　now　that　Jieting　is　lost。　You　join　forces　with　Cao　Zhen　and　follow　up　quickly。〃
Guo　Huai　agreed　and　took　his　leave。
Sima　Yi　called　to　him　Zhang　He；　and　said；　〃Cao　Zhen　and　Guo　Huai　thought　we　should　win　too　great　merit；　so　they　tried　to　get　ahead　of　us　here。　We　are　not　the　only　ones　who　desire　to　achieve　good　service　and　acquire　merit；　but　we　had　the　good　fortune　to　succeed。　I　thought　Wei　Yan；　Ma　Su；　Wang　Ping；　and　Gao　Xiang　would　first　try　to　occupy　Yangping　Pass。　If　I　went　to　take　it；　then　Zhuge　Liang　would　fall　on　our　rear。　It　says　in　the　books　on　war　that　one　should　crush　a　retreating　enemy；　not　pursue　broken　rebels。　So　you　may　go　along　the　by…roads　and　smite　those　withdrawing　down　the　Gu　Valley；　while　I　oppose　the　Xie　Valley　army。　If　they　flee；　do　not　press　them　too　much；　but　just　hold　them　up　on　the　road　and　capture　the　baggage　train。〃
Zhang　He　marched　away　with　half　the　force　to　carry　out　his　part　of　this　plan。
Then　Sima　Yi　gave　orders：　〃We　are　going　to　the　Xie　Valley　by　way　of　Xicheng。　Though　Xicheng　is　a　small　place；　it　is　important　as　a　depot　of　stores　for　the　Shu　army；　beside　manding　the　road　to　the　three　counties　of　Nanan；　Tianshui；　and　Anding。　If　this　place　can　be　captured；　the　other　three　can　be　recaptured。〃
Sima　Yi　left　Shen　Yi　and　Shen　Dan　to　guard　Liliu　and　marched　his　army　toward　the　Xie　Valley。
After　Zhuge　Liang　had　sent　Ma　Su　to　guard　Jieting；　his　mind　was　constantly　disturbed。　Then　arrived　the　messenger　with　the　topography　and　plan　prepared　by　Wang　Ping。　Zhuge　Liang　went　over　to　his　table　and　opened　the　letter。　As　he　read　it　he　smote　the　table　in　wrath。
〃Ma　Su's　foolishness　has　destroyed　the　army！〃　he　cried。
〃Why　are　you　so　disturbed；　O　Prime　Minister？〃　asked　those　near。
〃By　this　plan　I　see　that　we　have　lost　mand　of　an　important　road。　The　camp　has　been　made　on　the　hill。　If　the　Wei　army　e　in　force；　our　army　will　be　surrounded　and　their　water　supply　interrupted。　In　two　days　the　soldiers　will　be　in　a　state　of　mutiny。　If　Jieting　shall　be　lost；　how　shall　we　be　able　to　retire？〃
Here　High　Counselor　Yang　Yi　said；　〃I　am　none　too　clever　I　know；　but　let　me　go　to　replace　Ma　Su。〃
Zhuge　Liang　explained　to　Yang　Yi　how　and　where　to　camp；　but　before　he　could　start；　a　horseman　brought　the　news　of　the　loss　of　Jieting　and　Liliu。
This　made　Zhuge　Liang　very　sad；　and　he　sighed；　saying；　〃The　whole　scheme　has　e　to　nought；　and　it　is　my　fault。〃
Zhuge　Liang　sent　for　Guan　Xing　and　Zhang　Bao；　and　said；　〃Each　of　you　takes　three　thousand　of　good　soldiers　and　go　along　the　road　to　Wugong　Hills。　If　you　fall　in　with　the　enemy；　do　not　fight；　but　beat　drums　and　raise　a　hubbub　and　make　them　hesitate　and　be　doubtful；　so　that　they　may　retire。　Do　not　pursue；　but　when　they　retire；　make　for　Yangping　Pass。〃
He　also　sent　Zhang　Yi　to　put　Saber　Pass　in　order　for　retreat　and　issued　instructions　for　making　ready　to　march。　Ma　Dai　and　Jiang　Wei　were　told　to　guard　the　rear；　but　they　were　to　go　into　ambush　in　the　valleys　till　the　whole　army　would　have　retreated。　Trusty　messengers　were　sent　with　the　news　to　Tianshui；　Nanan；　and　Anding　that　the　officers；　army；　and　people　might　go　away　into　Hanzhong。　He　also　sent　to　remove　to　a　place　of　safety　in　Hanzhong　the　aged　mother　of　Jiang　Wei。
All　these　arrangements　made；　Zhuge　Liang　took　five　thousand　troops　and　set　out　for　Xicheng　to　remove　the　stores。
But　messenger　after　messenger；　more　than　ten　of　them；　came　to　report：　〃Sima　Yi　is　advancing　rapidly　on　Xicheng　with　an　army　of　one　hundred　fifty　thousand　troops。〃
No　leader　of　rank　was　left　to　Zhuge　Liang。　He　had　only　the　civil　officials　and　the　five　thousand　soldiers；　and　as　half　this　force　had　started　to　remove　the　stores；　he　had　only　two　thousand　five　hundred　left。
His　officers　were　all　frightened　at　the　news　of　near　approach　of　the　enemy。　Zhuge　Liang　himself　went　up　on　the　rampart　to　look　around。　He　saw　clouds　of　dust　rising　into　the　sky。　The　Wei　armies　were　nearing　Xicheng　along　two　roads。
Then　he　gave　orders：　〃All　the　banners　are　to　be　removed　and　concealed。　If　any　officer　in　mand　of　soldiers　in　the　city　moves　or　makes　any　noise；　he　will　be　instantly　put　to　death。〃
Next　he　threw　open　all　the　gates　and　set　twenty　soldiers　dressed　as　ordinary　people　cleaning　the　streets　at　each　gate。　He　told　them　not　to　react　at　the　ing　of　the　Wei　army；　as　he　had　a　plan　ready　for　the　city　defense。
When　all　these　preparations　were　plete；　he　donned　the　simple　Taoist　dress　and；　attended　by　a　couple　of　lads；　sat　down　on　the　wall　by　one　of　the　towers　with　his　lute　before　him　and　a　stick　of　incense　burning。
Sima　Yi's　scouts　came　near　the　city　gate　and　saw　all　this。　They　did　not　enter　the　city；　but　went　back　and　reported　what　they　had　seen。　Sima　Yi　smiled　incredulously。　But　he　halted　his　army　and　rode　ahead　himself。　Lo！　It　was　exactly　as　the　scouts　had　reported：　Zhuge　Liang　sat　there；　his　face　with　all　smiles　as　he　played　the　lute。　A　lad　stood　on　one　side　of　him　bearing　a　treasured　sword　and　on　the　other　a　boy　with　the