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　advise　an　attack　here。　If　that　succeeds；　the　Dongting　road　can　be　occupied；　and　Jiang　Wei　will　be　unable　to　retreat。　I　think　I　ought　to　try　to　relieve　Nanan。　I　will　go　by　the　Wucheng　Mountain；　and　if　I　occupy　that；　the　enemy　will　try　to　take　Shanggui。　Near　that　place　is　a　narrow　and　precipitous　valley　called　Block　Valley；　just　the　place　for　an　ambush；　where　I　shall　lie　in　wait　till　Jiang　Wei　es　to　take　the　Wucheng　Mountain。〃
Chen　Tai　replied；　〃I　have　been　here　over　twenty　years　and　have　never　known　so　much　of　the　military　possibilities　of　the　place。　You　are　very　wonderful　and　must　carry　out　your　plan。〃
So　Deng　Ai　marched　toward　Nanan　by　double　marches。　Soon　they　came　to　the　Wucheng　Mountain；　where　they　camped　without　opposition。　He　sent　his　son　Deng　Zhong　and　Shi　Zuan；　each　leading　five　thousand　troops；　to　lie　in　wait　in　the　Block　Valley　and　not　to　betray　their　presence。
In　the　meantime　Jiang　Wei　was　marching　between　Dongting　and　Nanan。
Near　the　Wucheng　Mountain；　he　turned　to　Xiahou　Ba　and　said；　〃That　hill　is　our　point；　and　Nanan　is　close。　I　fear　lest　the　artful　Deng　Ai　may　seize　and　fortify　it。〃
They　hastened；　anxious　to　reach　the　hill　before　the　enemy。　But　it　was　not　to　be。　Presently　they　heard　the　roar　of　bombs　and　the　beating　of　drums；　and　then　flags　and　banners　appeared；　all　of　Wei。　And　among　them　fluttered　the　leader's　standard；　bearing　two　words　Deng　Ai　。
This　was　a　sad　disappointment。　The　army　of　Shu　halted；　and　veteran　soldiers　of　Wei　came　rushing　down　from　various　points　on　the　hill；　too　many　for　the　troops　of　Shu　to　drive　back。　So　the　advance　guard　was　defeated。　Jiang　Wei　went　to　their　help　with　his　central　body；　but　when　he　got　near；　the　soldiers　of　Wei　had　retreated　up　to　the　hill。
Jiang　Wei　went　on　to　the　foot　of　the　hill　and　challenged；　but　no　one　came　out　to　accept。　The　soldiers　of　Shu　began　to　shout　abuse；　and　kept　it　up　till　late　in　the　day；　but　they　failed　to　provoke　a　fight。　As　the　army　of　Shu　began　to　retire；　the　Wei　drums　beat　furiously；　yet　no　one　appeared。　Jiang　Wei　turned　about　to　ascend　the　hill；　but　its　defenders　prevented　that　by　stones　thrown　from　above。　He　hung　on　till　the　third　watch；　when　he　tried　again。　But　he　failed。　Thereupon　he　went　down　the　hill　and　halted；　bidding　his　soldiers　build　a　barricade　of　wood　and　boulders。　The　troops　of　Wei　came　on　again；　and　the　Shu　troops　scrambled　to　run　to　the　old　camp。
Next　day　Jiang　Wei　brought　up　many　transport　wagons　and　placed　them　on　the　slope　as　the　nucleus　of　a　camp。　But　in　the　night　a　number　of　Wei　troops　came　down　with　torches　and　set　fire　to　them。　A　fight　ensued；　which　lasted　till　dawn。
Seeing　that　a　camp　could　not　be　made　there；　Jiang　Wei　retired　to　consider　new　plans　with　Xiahou　Ba。
〃Since　we　cannot　take　Nanan；　our　next　best　plan　is　to　try　for　Shanggui；　which　is　the　storehouse　of　Nanan。〃
Leaving　Xiahou　Ba　on　the　hill；　Jiang　Wei　led　a　force　of　veteran　soldiers　and　bold　officers　along　the　road　toward　Shanggui。　They　marched　all　night；　and　dawn　found　them　in　a　deep　valley；　which　the　guides　said　was　Block　Valley。
〃That　sounds　too　much　like　'Cut…off　Valley'；〃　said　Jiang　Wei。　〃And　if　a　force　held　the　mouth；　we　should　be　in　sorry　straits。〃
While　hesitating　whether　to　advance　farther　or　not；　the　leading　troops　came　back　to　say：　〃We　have　seen　a　cloud　of　dust　beyond　the　hills；　which　seems　to　indicate　a　body　of　soldiers　in　hiding。〃
So　the　order　was　given　to　retire。　At　that　moment　the　armies　under　Shi　Zuan　and　Deng　Zhong　came　out　and　attacked。　Jiang　Wei；　alternately　fighting　and　retreating；　tried　to　get　away。　Then　Deng　Ai　himself　appeared；　and　the　Shu　army　had　enemies　on　three　sides。　They　were　in　grave　danger；　but　Xiahou　Ba　came　to　their　rescue；　and　so　Jiang　Wei　escaped。
Jiang　Wei　proposed　to　return　to　Qishan；　but　Xiahou　Ba　said；　〃We　cannot　go　thither；　for　Chen　Tai　has　destroyed　the　force　under　Bao　Su；　and　he　himself　was　killed。　All　that　was　left　of　that　army　has　gone　back　into　Hanzhong。〃
It　was　no　longer　a　question　of　taking　the　Dongting　road。　Jiang　Wei　sought　out　by…roads　to　march　along。　Deng　Ai　came　in　pursuit；　and　as　he　pressed　hard　on　the　rear；　Jiang　Wei　sent　the　others　on　ahead　while　he　covered　the　retreat。
Soon　Chen　Tai　came　out　from　the　hills；　and　Jiang　Wei　was　surrounded　by　a　shouting　body　of　the　enemy。　He　fought　all　directions；　but　could　not　clear　the　way。　He　and　his　horse　were　very　weary　when　Zhang　Ni；　who　had　heard　of　his　straits；　came　to　his　rescue　with　a　body　of　cavalry。　Zhang　Ni　cut　his　way　in；　and　Jiang　Wei　immediately　broke　the　siege　and　got　out。　Zhang　Ni　saved　his　general；　but　lost　his　own　life　in　the　melee。　Finally　Jiang　Wei　got　back　into　Hanzhong。
From　Hanzhong　the　death　of　Zhang　Ni　in　battle　was　reported　to　the　Latter　Ruler；　who　bestowed　suitable　honors　upon　his　family。
The　Shu　people　blamed　Jiang　Wei　for　the　serious　loss　of　life　of　their　relatives　in　the　military　operations　that　had　just　failed；　and　Jiang　Wei；　following　the　precedent　in　Jieting　of　the　late　Lord　of　Wuxiang；　asked　that　he　himself　should　be　degraded　in　rank；　retaining；　however；　the　mand。　He　was　put　back　to　General　of　the　Rear　Army。
The　country　being　now　cleared　of　the　enemy；　Chen　Tai　and　Deng　Ai　prepared　a　banquet　in　honor　of　victory　and　gave　rewards　to　the　soldiers　who　had　fought。　Chen　Tai　sent　a　memorial　to　the　capital　upon　the　services　of　Deng　Ai；　and　a　special　mission　of　Sima　Zhao　brought　Deng　Ai　higher　rank；　the　title　of　lordship　was　given　to　his　son；　Deng　Zhong。
At　this　time　the　style　of　the　reign　in　Wei　was　changed　from　Right　Origin；　the　third　year；　to　Gentle　Dew　Era；　the　first　year　（AD　256）。　Sima　Zhao　manded　all　the　military　forces　and　made　himself　Empire　mander…in…Chief。　He　assumed　great　pomp；　and　whenever　he　moved　outside　his　palace；　he　was　escorted　by　three　thousand　mail…clad　guards；　beside　squadrons　of　cavalry。　All　power　lay　in　his　hands；　and　he　decided　all　questions　so　that　the　court　was　rather　in　his　palace　than　in　that　of　the　Emperor。
Plans　for　taking　the　final　step　constantly　occupied　his　thoughts。　The　question　of　mounting　the　throne　was　openly　mooted　by　Jia　Chong；　a　confidant；　who　was　a　son　of　mander　Jia　Kui。　Jia　Chong　was　holding　the　High　Counselor　office　in　the　Prime　Minister's　palace。
Jia　Chong　said；　〃Sir；　all　real　authority　is　in　your　hands；　and　the　country　is　not　tranquil。　The　only　remedy　is　for　you　to　bee　actual　ruler；　and　you　should　find　out　who　are　your　supporters。〃
Sima　Zhao　replied；　〃This　has　been　in　my　thoughts　a　long　time。　You　might　be　my　emissary　to　the　east　to　find　out　the　feeling　there。　You　can　pretend　you　go　to　thank　the　soldiers　who　took　part　in　the　late　campaign。　That　would　be　a　good　pretext。〃
Accordingly　Jia　Chong　traveled　into　the　South　of　River　Huai；　where　he　saw　Zhuge　Dan；　General　Who　Guards　the　East。　This　officer　was　from　Nanyang　and　a　cousin　of　the　late　Lord　of　Wuxiang；　Zhuge　Liang。　Zhuge　Dan　had　gone　to　Wei　for　employment；　but　had　received　no　significant　office　while　Zhuge　Liang　was　the　Prime　minister　of　Shu。　After　Zhuge　Liang's　death；　Zhuge　Dan's　promotion　was　rapid。　He　was　now　Lord　of　Gaoping　and　mander　of　the　south　and　east　of　River　Huai。
Jia　Chong　went　to　Zhuge　Dan　to　ask　him　to　convey　to　the　army　the　appreciation　of　the　soldiers'　services。　Jia　Chong　was　received　courteously；　and　at　a　banquet；　when　host　and　guest　were　both　mellow　with　wine；　Jia　Chong　set　himself　to　discover　Zhuge　Dan's　feelings。
Jia　Chong　said；　〃Lately　in　Luoyang　there　has　been　much　talk　of　the　weakness　and　lack　of　ability　of　the　Emperor　and　his　unfitness　to　rule。　Now　General　Sima　Zhao　es　of　a　family　noted　for　state　service　for　three　generations。　His　own　services　and　virtues　are　high　as　the　heavens；　and　he　is　the　man　best　fitted　to　take　the　rulership　of　Wei。　Is　this　not　your　opinion？〃
But　Zhuge　Dan　did　not　favor　the　suggestion。　On　the　contrary；　he　broke　out　angrily；　〃You　are　a　son　of　Jia　Kui　of　Yuzhou；　and　your　family　have　received　the　bounty　of　Wei。　Yet　you　dare　speak　of　rebellion！〃
Jia　Chong　said；　〃I　only　repeat　what　people　have　said。〃
Zhuge　Dan　said；　〃If　the　state　is　in　difficulty；　then　one　ought　to　stand　up　for　it　even　to　the　death！〃
Jia　Chong　said　no　more。　He　soon　returned　and　told　Sima　Zhao　what　had　been　said。
〃The　rat！〃　cried　Sima　Zhao；　angrily。
〃Zhuge　Dan　is　exceedingly　popular　there　in　the　South　of　River　Huai；　and　if　he　is　left　too　long；　he　will　do　harm。〃
Sima　Zhao　began　to　take　measures。　He　wrote　privately　to　Yue　Chen；　Imperial　Protector　of　Yangzhou；　and　sent　a　messenger　to　Zhuge　Dan　with　an　edict　making　him　Minister　of　Works。　This　meant　that　Zhuge　Dan　had　to　e　to　the　capital。
But　Zhuge　Dan　knew　that　Jia　Chong　had　done　him　mischief；　and　he　interrogated　the　messenger；　who　told　him　that　Yue　Chen　knew　all　about　the　matter。
〃How　does　he　know？〃
〃General　Sima　Zhao　sent　him　a　private　letter。〃
The　messenger　was　condemned　to　death。　Then　Zhuge　Dan　placed　himself　at　the　head　of　his　personal　guard　and　marched　to　Yangzhou。　The　city　gates　were　closed　and　the　drawbridge　raised。　He　summoned　the　gate；　but　no　one　answered。
〃How　dare　this　fellow　Yue　Chen　treat　me　thus？〃　cried　Zhuge　Dan。
He　ordered　his　troops　to　force　the　gate。　Ten　of　his　bold　generals　dismounted；　crossed　the　moat；　and　climbed　the　ramparts；　where　they　slew　all　who　opposed　them　and　opened　the　gate。　The　others　entered；　set　fire　to　the　houses；　and　began　to　fight　their　way　toward　the　state　residence。
The　Imperial　Protector　sought　refuge　in　a　tower；　but　Zhuge　Dan　made　his　way　up　and　reproached　his　enemy；　crying；　〃Your　father；　Yue　Jing；　enjoyed　the　bounty　of　Wei。　Yet　you　have　not　sought　to　repay　the　kindness　of　the　Ruling　House；　but　you　want　to　help　the　rebel　Sima　Zhao！〃
Before　Yue　Chen　was　able　to　answer；　Zhuge　Dan　slew　him。　Then　he　sent　to　Luoyang　a　memorial　detailing　Sima　Yi's　many　faults；　and　made　preparations　for　war。　He　called　up　all　the　militia　of　the　south　and　east　of　River　Huai；　to　the　total　of　one　hundred　thousand；　and　took　over　the　forty　thousand　troops　who　had　surrendered　on　the　fall　of　Yue　Chen　and　gathered　supplies。　He　also　sent　Adviser　Wu　Gang　to　Wu　for　aid；　offering　his　son　Zhuge　Jing　as　a　hostage　for　his　good　faith。
At　this　time　Sun　Jun　had　died　and　his　brother；　Sun　Chen；　was　Prime　Minister。　Sun　Chen　was　a　man　of　cruel　and　violent　temper　and　had　put　many　officers　to　death　on　his　way　to　power………among　them　were　Grand　mander　Teng　Yin；　General　Lu　Ju；　and　Minister　Wang　Chun。　The　Ruler　of　Wu；　Sun　Liang；　although　intelligent；　was　helpless　in　his　hands。
The　messenger；　Wu　Gang；　conducted　Zhuge　Jing　to　the　residence　of　Sun　Chen　in　Shidou；　who　asked　what　he　had　e　for。
Wu　Gang　explained；　〃Zhuge　Dan　is　a　cousin　of　the　Lord　of　Wuxiang　in　Shu。　Zhuge　Dan　had　been　in　service　of　Wei；　and　seeing　Sima　Zhao　depose　the　his　prince　and　oppress　good　people；　he　wants　to　punish　the　tyrant。　But　his　force　is　not　enough；　and　he　asks　for　your　help。　To　show　his　sincerity；　he　sends　his　son　Zhuge　Jing　as　a　token　of　good　faith。〃
Wu　Gang's　request　was　received　favorably；　and　Sun　Chen　sent　seventy　thousand　troops　with　a　full　plement　of　officers………Quan　Yi　and　Quan　Duan　as　manders；　Yu　Quan　as　Rear　Guard；　Tang　Zi　and　Zhu　Yi　as　Leaders　of　the　Van；　Wen　Qin　as　Military　Guide。　They　marched　in　three　directions　to　attack　Wei。
Wu　Gang　returned　to　Shouchun　report　success。　Zhuge　Dan　thought　all　was　going　well　and　prepared　the　army　for　a　general　attack。
In　Luoyang；　Zhuge　Dan's　memorial　angered　Sima　Zhao；　who　wished　to　set　out　to　revenge　the　attack　at　once；　but　Jia　Chong　preached　caution。
〃My　lord；　you　derived　your　power　from　your　father　and　brother；　and　people　have　not　had　time　to　discover　your　own　virtue。　If　you　leave　the　court　and　there　be　a　revulsion　of　feeling　against　you；　you　will　lose　all。　Rather　request　the　Empress　Dowager　and　the　Son　of　Heaven　to　go　with　you　in　the　expedition；　and　nothing　is　to　be　feared；〃　said　Jia　Chong。
〃That　is　an　excellent　plan。〃
Sima　Zhao　went　into　the　Palace　and　proposed　it　to　Her　Majesty；　saying；　〃Zhuge　Dan　is　in　revolt；　and　my　colleagues　and　I　intend　to　punish　him。　I　beg　that　you　will　acpany　the　expedition　as　the　late　Emperor　would　have　done。〃
The　Empress　was　afraid；　but　dared　not　refuse；　and　the　next　day　was　requested　to　set　out　with　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　Cao　Mao。
Cao　Mao　said；　〃General；　you　mand　all　the　armies　and　dispose　them　as　you　will。　Why　do　you　ask　me　to　go？〃
Sima　Zhao　replied；　〃Your　Majesty　is　wrong　to　hesitate。　Your　ancestors　traveled　over　the　empire　and　wished　to　unite　the