； to foresee droughts and floods； to know the nature of the ground； to understand the possibilities of battle arrays； to conjecture the excellencies and defects of the enemy。
〃Alas！ One of your sort； ignorant and inferior； rising impudently in heaven's vault； has had the presumption to assist a rebel to assume the imperial style and state at Luoyang； to send some miserable soldiers into Xie Valley。 There they happened upon drenching rain。 The difficult roads wearied both soldiers and horses； driving them frantic。 Weapons and armors littered the countryside； swords and spears covered the ground。 You； the mander…in…Chief； were heart…broken and cowed； your generals fled like rats。 You dare not show your faces at home； nor can you enter the halls of state。 The historians' pens will record your defeats； the people will recount your infamies： 'Sima Yi is frightened when he hears of battle fronts； Cao Zhen is alarmed at mere rumors。' My soldiers are fierce and their steeds strong； my great generals are eager as tigers and majestic as dragons。 I shall sweep the Middle Land bare and make Wei desolate。〃
Cao Zhen's wrath rose as he read。 At the end it filled his breast。 And he died that evening。 Sima Yi sent his coffin to Luoyang on a wagon。
When the Ruler of Wei heard of the death of Cao Zhen； he issued an edict urging Sima Yi to prosecute the war； to raise a great army； and to fight with Zhuge Liang。
Sima Yi sent a declaration of war one day in advance； and Zhuge Liang replied that he would fight on the morrow。
After the envoy had left； Zhuge Liang said； 〃Cao Zhen must have died！〃
He called Jiang Wei by night to receive secret orders。 He also summoned Guan Xing and told him what to do。
Next morning the whole force marched to the bank of River Wei and took up a position in a wide plain with the river on one flank and hills on the other。 The two armies saluted each other's appearance with heavy flights of arrows。 After the drums had rolled thrice the Wei center opened at the great standard and Sima Yi appeared； followed by his officers。 Opposite was Zhuge Liang； in a four…horse chariot； waving his feather fan。
Sima Yi addressed Zhuge Liang； 〃Our master's ascension of the Throne was after the manner of King Yao； who abdicated in favor of King Shun。 Two emperors have succeeded and have their seat in the Middle Land。 Because of his liberality and graciousness； my lord has suffered the rule of Shu and Wu lest the people should suffer in a struggle。 You； who are but a plowman from Nanyang； ignorant of the ways of Heaven； wish to invade us； and you should be destroyed。 But if you will examine your heart and repent of your fault and retire； then each may maintain his own borders； and a settled state of three kingdoms will be attained。 Thus the people may be spared distress； and you will save your life。〃
Zhuge Liang smiled and replied； 〃Our First Ruler entrusted to me the custody of his orphan son： Think you that I shall fail to exert myself to the uttermost to destroy rebels against his authority？ Your soldiers of the Cao family will soon be exterminated by Han。 Your ancestors were servants of Han and for generations ate of their bounty。 Yet； instead of giving grateful service； you assist usurpers。 Are you not ashamed？〃
The flush of shame spread over Sima Yi's face； but he replied； 〃We will try the test of battle。 If you can conquer； I pledge myself to be no longer a leader of armies。 But if you are defeated； then you will retire at once to your own village and I will not harm you。〃
〃Do you desire a contest of generals； or of weapons； or of battle array？〃 asked Zhuge Liang。
〃Let us try a contest of battle array；〃 replied Sima Yi。
〃Then draw up your array that I may see；〃 said Zhuge Liang。
Sima Yi withdrew within the line and signaled to his officers with a yellow flag to draw up their troops。
When he had finished； he rode again to the front； saying； 〃Do you recognize my formation？〃
〃The least of my generals can do as well；〃 said Zhuge Liang； smiling。 〃This is called the 'Disorder…in…Order' formation。〃
〃Now you try while I look on；〃 said Sima Yi。
Zhuge Liang entered the lines and waved his fan。 Then he came out and said； 〃Do you recognize that？〃
〃Of course。 This is the 'Eight Arrays'。〃
〃Yes； you seem to know it。 But dare you attack？〃
〃Why not； since I know it？〃 replied Sima Yi。
〃Then you need only try。〃
Sima Yi entered the ranks and called to him three generals………Dai Ling； Zhang Hu； and Yue Chen………to whom he said； 〃That formation consists of eight gates………Birth； Exit； Expanse； Wound； Fear； Annihilation； Obstacle； and Death。 You will go in from the east at the Gate of Birth； turn to the southwest and make your way out by the Gate of Annihilation。 Then enter at the north； at the Exit Gate； and the formation will be broken up。 But be cautious。〃
They started with Zhang Hu leading； Dai Ling next； and Yue Chen in rear； each with thirty horsemen。 They made their way in at the Gate of Birth amid the applause of both sides。 But when they had got within they found themselves facing a wall of troops and could not find a way out。 They hastily led their men round by the base of the line toward the southwest to rush out there。 But they were stopped by a flight of arrows。 They became confused and saw many gates； but they had lost their bearings。 Nor could they aid each other。 They dashed hither and thither in disorder； but the formation was as if gathering clouds and rolling mists。 Then a shout arose； and each one was seized and bound。
They were taken to the center； where Zhuge Liang sat in his tent； and the three leaders with their ninety men were ranged in front。
〃Indeed you are prisoners。 Are you surprised？〃 said Zhuge Liang； smiling。 〃But I will set you free to return to your leader； and tell him to read his books again； and study his tactics； before he es to try conclusions with me。 You are pardoned； but leave your weapons and horses here。〃
So they were stripped of their arms and armors and their faces inked。 Thus were they led on foot out of the array。 Sima Yi lost his temper at sight of his people thus put to shame。
Said he； 〃After this disgrace； how can I face the other officers in the Middle Land？〃
He gave the signal for the army to fall on and attack the enemy； and； grasping his sword； led his brave generals into the fray and manded the attack。 But just as the two armies came to blows； Guan Xing came up fromt the southwest； his drums rolling and troops shouting； and attacked。 Sima Yi told off a division from the rear to oppose Guan Xing； and again turned to urge on his main body。
Then the army of Wei was thrown into confusion by another attack from Jiang Wei； who came up silently and joined in the battle。 Thus three sides of the Wei army were attacked by three different divisions of the enemy； and Sima Yi decided to retire。 However； this was difficult。 The soldiers of Shu hemmed him in and came closer every moment。 At last； by a desperate push； he cut an alley toward the south and freed his army。 But he had lost six or seven out of every ten of his soldiers。
The Wei army withdrew to the south bank of River Wei and camped。 They strengthened their position and remained entirely on the defensive。
Zhuge Liang mustered his vict