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　Lu's　left　minister。　After　the　death　of　Empress　Lu；　Chen　Ping　played　an　important　role　in　returning　royal　authority　to　the　Liu　clan。　。。。。。
〃And；　indeed；　the　ancients　held　this　same　opinion；　for　they　said　that　the　high　officers　should　attend　to　the　discussion　of　ways　and　means；　and　the　lower　should　carry　out　details。　Of　old；　Bing　Ji*　was　moved　to　deep　thought　by　the　panting　of　an　ox；　but　inquired　not　about　the　corpses　of　certain　brawlers　which　lay　about　the　road；　for　this　matter　concerned　the　magistrate。　Chen　Ping*　was　ignorant　of　the　figures　relating　to　taxes；　for　he　said　these　were　the　concern　of　the　tax　controllers。　O　Prime　Minister；　you　weary　yourself　with　minor　details　and　sweat　yourself　everyday。　You　are　wearing　yourself　out；　and　Sima　Yi　has　good　reason　for　what　he　said。〃
〃I　know………I　cannot　but　know；〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang　with　tears　in　his　eyes。　〃But　this　heavy　responsibility　was　laid　upon　me；　and　I　fear　no　other　will　be　so　devoted　as　I　am。〃
Those　who　heard　him　wept。　Thereafter　Zhuge　Liang　appeared　more　and　more　harassed；　and　military　operations　did　not　speed。
On　the　other　side　the　officers　of　Wei　resented　bitterly　the　insult　that　had　been　put　upon　them　when　their　leader　had　been　presented　with　the　deer　hide　dress。
They　wished　to　avenge　the　taunt；　and　went　to　their　general；　saying；　〃We　are　reputable　generals　of　the　army　of　a　great　state。　How　can　we　put　up　with　such　insults　from　these　soldiers　of　Shu？　We　pray　you　let　us　fight　them。〃
〃It　is　not　that　I　fear　to　go　out；〃　said　Sima　Yi；　〃nor　that　I　relish　the　insults；　but　I　have　the　Emperor's　mand　to　hold　on　and　may　not　disobey。〃
The　officers　were　not　in　the　least　appeased。
Wherefore　Sima　Yi　said；　〃I　will　send　your　request　to　the　Throne　in　a　memorial。　What　think　you　of　that？〃
They　consented　to　await　the　Emperor's　reply；　and　a　messenger　bore　to　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　in　Hefei；　this　memorial：
〃I　have　small　ability　and　high　office。　Your　Majesty　laid　on　me　the　mand　to　defend　and　not　fight　till　the　army　of　Shu　had　suffered　by　the　flux　of　time。　But　Zhuge　Liang　has　now　sent　me　a　gift　of　a　deer　hide　dress；　and　my　shame　is　very　deep。　Wherefore　I　advise　Your　Majesty　that　one　day　I　shall　have　to　fight　in　order　to　justify　your　kindness　to　me　and　to　remove　the　shameful　stigma　that　now　rests　upon　my　army。　I　cannot　express　the　degree　to　which　I　am　urged　to　this　course。〃
Cao　Rui　read　it　and　turned　questioningly　to　his　courtiers　seeking　an　explanation。
Said　he；　〃Sima　Yi　has　been　in　obstinate　defense：　Why　does　he　want　to　attack　now？〃
mander　Xin　Pi　replied；　〃Sima　Yi　has　no　desire　to　give　battle。　This　memorial　is　because　of　the　shame　put　upon　the　officers　by　Zhuge　Liang's　gift。　They　are　all　in　a　rage。　He　wishes　for　an　edict　to　pacify　them。〃
Cao　Rui　understood　and　gave　to　Xin　Pi　an　authority　ensign　and　sent　him　to　the　River　Wei　camp　to　make　known　that　it　was　the　Emperor's　mand　not　to　fight。
Sima　Yi　received　the　messenger　with　all　respect；　and　it　was　given　out　that　any　future　reference　to　offering　battle　would　be　taken　as　disobedience　to　the　Emperor's　especial　mand　in　the　edict。
The　officers　could　but　obey。
Sima　Yi　said　to　Xin　Pi；　〃Noble　Sir；　you　interpreted　my　own　desire　correctly！〃
It　was　thenceforward　understood　that　Sima　Yi　was　forbidden　to　give　battle。
When　it　was　told　to　Zhuge　Liang；　he　said；　〃This　is　only　Sima　Yi's　method　of　pacifying　his　army。〃
Wei　Jiang　asked；　〃How　do　you　know；　O　Prime　Minister？〃
〃Sima　Yi　has　never　had　any　intention　of　fighting。　So　he　requested　the　edict　to　justify　his　strategy。　It　is　well　known　that　a　general　in　the　field　takes　no　mand　from　any　person；　not　even　his　own　prince。　Is　it　likely　that　he　would　send　a　thousand　miles　to　ask　permission　to　fight　if　that　was　all　he　needed？　The　officers　were　bitter；　and　so　Sima　Yi　got　the　Emperor　to　assist　him　in　maintaining　discipline。　All　this　is　meant　to　slacken　our　soldiers。〃
Just　at　this　time　Fei　Yi　came　from　Capital　Chengdu。　He　was　called　in　to　see　the　Prime　Minister；　and　Zhuge　Liang　asked　the　reason　for　his　ing。
He　replied；　〃The　Ruler　of　Wei；　Cao　Rui；　hearing　that　Wu　has　invaded　his　country　at　three　points；　has　led　a　great　army　to　Hefei　and　sent　three　armies　under　Man　Chong；　Tian　Du；　and　Liu　Shao；　to　oppose　the　invaders。　The　stores　and　fight…material　of　Wu　have　been　burned；　and　the　army　of　Wu　have　fallen　victims　to　sickness。　A　letter　from　Lu　Xun　containing　a　scheme　of　attack　fell　into　the　hands　of　the　enemy；　and　the　Ruler　of　Wu　has　marched　back　into　his　own　country。〃
Zhuge　Liang　listened　to　the　end；　then；　without　a　word；　he　fell　in　a　swoon。　He　recovered　after　a　time；　but　he　was　broken。
He　said；　〃My　mind　is　all　in　confusion。　This　is　a　return　of　my　old　illness；　and　I　am　doomed。〃
Ill　as　he　was；　Zhuge　Liang　that　night　went　forth　from　his　tent　to　scan　the　heavens　and　study　the　stars。　They　filled　him　with　fear。
He　returned　and　said　to　Jiang　Wei；　〃My　life　may　end　at　any　moment。〃
〃Why　do　you　say　such　a　thing？〃
〃Just　now　in　the　Triumvirate　constellation　the　Guest　Star　was　twice　as　bright　as　usual；　while　the　Host　Star　was　darkened；　the　supporting　stars　were　also　obscure。　With　such　an　aspect　I　know　my　fate。〃
〃If　the　aspect　be　as　malignant　as　you　say；　why　not　pray　in　order　to　avert　it？〃　replied　Jiang　Wei。
〃I　am　in　the　habit　of　praying；〃　replied　Zhuge　Liang；　〃but　I　know　not　the　will　of　God。　However；　prepare　me　forty…nine　guards　and　let　each　have　a　black　flag。　Dress　them　in　black　and　place　them　outside　my　tent。　Then　will　I　from　within　my　tent　invoke　the　Seven　Stars　of　the　North。　If　my　master…lamp　remain　alight　for　seven　days；　then　is　my　life　to　be　prolonged　for　twelve　years。　If　the　lamp　goes　out；　then　I　am　to　die。　Keep　all　idlers　away　from　the　tent；　and　let　a　couple　of　guards　bring　me　what　is　necessary。〃
Jiang　Wei　prepared　as　directed。
It　was　then　the　eighth　month；　mid…autumn；　and　the　Milky　Way　was　brilliant　with　scattered　jade。　The　air　was　perfectly　calm；　and　no　sound　was　heard。　The　forty…nine　men　were　brought　up　and　spaced　out　to　guard　the　tent；　while　within　Zhuge　Liang　prepared　incense　and　offerings。　On　the　floor　of　the　tent　he　arranged　seven　lamps；　and；　outside　these；　forty…nine　smaller　lamps。　In　the　midst　he　placed　the　lamp　of　his　own　fate。
This　done；　he　prayed：
〃Zhuge　Liang；　born　into　an　age　of　trouble；　would　willingly　have　grown　old　in　retirement。　But　His　Majesty；　Liu　Bei　the　Glorious　Emperor；　sought　him　thrice　and　confided　to　him　the　heavy　responsibility　of　guarding　his　son。　He　dared　not　do　less　than　spend　himself　to　the　utmost　in　such　a　task；　and　he　pledged　himself　to　destroy　the　rebels。　Suddenly　the　star　of　his　leadership　has　declined；　and　his　life　now　nears　its　close。　He　has　humbly　indited　a　declaration　on　this　silk　piece　to　the　Great　Unknowable　and　now　hopes　that　He　will　graciously　listen　and　extend　the　number　of　his　days　that　he　may　prove　his　gratitude　to　his　prince　and　be　the　savior　of　the　people；　restore　the　old　state　of　the　empire　and　establish　eternally　the　Han　sacrifices。　He　dares　not　make　a　vain　prayer：　This　is　from　his　heart。〃
This　prayer　ended；　in　the　solitude　of　his　tent　Zhuge　Liang　awaited　the　dawn。
Next　day；　ill　as　he　was；　he　did　not　neglect　his　duties；　although　he　spat　blood　continually。　All　day　he　labored　at　his　plans；　and　at　night　he　paced　the　magic　steps；　the　steps　of　seven　stars　of　Ursa　Major　and　Ursa　Minor。
Sima　Yi　remained　still　on　the　defensive。
One　night　as　he　sat　gazing　up　at　the　sky　and　studying　its　aspect；　he　suddenly　turned　to　Xiahou　Ba；　saying；　〃A　leadership　star　has　just　lost　position：　Surely　Zhuge　Liang　is　ill　and　will　soon　die。　Take　a　reconnoitering　party　of　one　thousand　to　the　Wuzhang　Hills　and　find　out。　If　you　see　signs　of　confusion；　it　means　that　Zhuge　Liang　is　ill。　I　shall　take　the　occasion　to　smite　hard。〃
Xiahou　Ba　left　with　an　army。
It　was　the　sixth　night　of　Zhuge　Liang's　prayers；　and　the　lamp　of　his　fate　still　burned　brightly。　He　began　to　feel　a　secret　joy。　Presently　Jiang　Wei　entered　and　watched　the　ceremonies。　He　saw　Zhuge　Liang　was　loosening　his　hair；　his　hand　holding　a　sword；　his　heels　stepping　on　Ursa　Major　and　Ursa　Minor　to　hold　the　leadership　star。
Suddenly　a　great　shouting　was　heard　outside；　and　Wei　Jiang　was　about　to　send　someone　to　inquire　when　Wei　Yan　dashed　in；　crying；　〃The　Wei　soldiers　are　upon　us！〃
In　his　haste　Wei　Yan　had　knocked　over　and　extinguished　the　Lamp　of　Fate。
Zhuge　Liang　threw　down　the　sword　and　sighed；　saying；　〃Life　and　death　are　foreordained。　No　prayers　can　alter　them。〃
Stunned；　Wei　Yan　fell　to　the　earth　and　craved　forgiveness。　Jiang　Wei　got　angry　and　drew　his　sword　to　slay　the　unhappy　general。

Nought　is　under　man's　control；
Nor　can　he　with　fate　contend。

The　next　chapter　will　unfold　what　happened。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　104　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　104
　Chapter　104
A　Falling　Star：　The　Prime　Minister　Ascends　To　Heaven；
A　Wooden　Statue：　The　mander…In…Chief　Is　Terrified。
The　unhappy　Wei　Yan　did　not　suffer　the　edge　of　the　sword；　for　Zhuge　Liang　stayed　the　stroke；　saying；　〃It　is　my　fate………not　his　fault。〃
So　Jiang　Wei　put　up　his　sword。
Zhuge　Liang　spat　a　few　mouthfuls　of　blood；　then　sank　wearily　upon　his　couch。
Said　he；　〃Sima　Yi　thinks　I　am　dead；　and　he　sent　these　few　troops　to　make　sure。　Go　and　drive　them　off。〃
Wei　Yan　left　the　tent　and　led　out　a　small　party　to　drive　away　the　troops　of　Wei；　who　fled　as　they　appeared。　He　chased　them　to　more　than　seven　miles　and　returned。　Then　Zhuge　Liang　sent　Wei　Yan　to　his　own　camp　and　bade　him　keep　a　vigilant　lookout。
Presently　Jiang　Wei　came　in；　went　up　to　the　sick　man's　couch；　and　asked　how　he　felt。
Zhuge　Liang　replied；　〃My　death　is　very　near。　My　chief　desire　has　been　to　spend　myself　to　the　utmost　to　restore　Han　to　its　glory　and　to　regain　the　Middle　Land。　But　Heaven　decrees　it　otherwise。　My　end　is　not　far　away。　I　have　written　a　book　in　twenty…four　chapters；　104；112　words；　treating　the　Eight　Needfuls；　the　Seven　Cautions；　the　Six　Fears；　and　the　Five　Dreads　of　war。　But　among　all　those　about　me　there　is　no　one　fit　to　receive　it　and　carry　on　my　work　save　you。　I　pray　you　not　to　despise　it。〃
He　gave　the　treatise　to　Jiang　Wei；　who　received　it　sobbing。
〃I　have　also　a　plan　for　a　multiple　crossbow；　which　I　have　been　unable　to　execute。　The　weapon　shoots　ten　bolts　of　eight　inches　length　at　every　discharge。　The　sketches　are　quite　ready；　and　the　weapons　can　be　made　according　to　them。〃
Jiang　Wei　took　the　papers　with　a　deep　bow。
The　dying　man　continued；　〃There　is　no　part　of　Shu　that　causes　anxiety；　save　the　Yinping　Mountains。　That　must　be　carefully　guarded。　It　is　protected　naturally　by　its　lofty　precipices；　but　it　will　surely　be　the　cause　of　great　losses。〃
Next　Zhuge　Liang　sent　for　Ma　Dai；　to　whom　he　gave　certain　whispered　instructions；　and　then　said；　〃You　are　to　follow　out　my　instructions　after　my　death。〃
Soon　after；　Yang　Yi　entered　the　tent　and　went　to　the　couch。　He　received　a　silken　bag　containing　certain　secret　orders。
As　Zhuge　Liang　gave　it　to　him；　he　said；　〃After　my　death；　Wei　Yan　will　turn　traitor。　When　that　happens　and　the　army　is　in　danger；　you　will　find　herein　what　to　do。〃
Just　as　these　arrangements　were　finished；　Zhuge　Liang　fell　into　a　swoon；　from　which　he　did　not　revive　till　late　in　the　evening。　Then　he　set　himself　to　pose　a　memorial　to　the　Latter　Ruler。
When　this　reached　the　Latter　Ruler；　he　was　greatly　alarmed　and　at　once　sent　Chief　Secretary　Li　Fu　to　visit　and　confer　with　the　dying　minister。
Li　Fu　traveled　quickly　to　the　Wuzhang　Hills　and　was　led　to　the　tent　of　the　mander…in…Chief。　He　delivered　the　Latter　Ruler's　mand　and　inquired　after　the　sick　man's　welfare。
Zhuge　Liang　wept；　and　he　replied；　〃Unhappily　I　am　dying　and　leaving　my　task　inplete。　I　am　injuring　my　country's　policy　and　am　in　fault　to　the　world。　After　my　death　you　must　aid　the　Emperor　in　perfect　loyalty；　and　see　that　the　old　policy　is　continued；　and　the　rules　of　government　maintained。　Do　not　lightly　cast　out　the　people　I　have　employed。　My　plans　of　campaign　have　been　confided　to　Jiang　Wei；　who　can　continue　my　policy　for　the　service　of　the　state。　But　my　hour　draws　near；　and　I　must　write　my　testament。〃
Li　Fu　listened；　and　then　took　his　leave。
Zhuge　Liang　made　one　final　effort　to　carry　out　his　duties。　He　rose　from　his　couch；　was　helped　into　a　small　carriage；　and　thus　made　a　round　of　inspection　of　all　the　camps　and　posts。　But　the　cold　autumn　wind　chilled　him　to　the　bone。
〃I　shall　never　again　lead　the