So orders were given for the time…expired soldiers to march that day。 But when the legionaries heard it； a sudden movement of generosity spread among them。
And they said； 〃Since the Prime Minister cares for us so much； we do not wish to go； but will prefer to remain to fight the Wei army to death。〃
〃But you are due for home。 You cannot stay here；〃 said Zhuge Liang。
They reiterated that they all wished to stay instead of going home。
Zhuge Liang was glad and said； 〃Since you wish to stay and fight with me； you can go out of the city and camp ready to encounter the army of Wei as soon as they arrive。 Do not give them time to rest or recover breath； but attack vigorously at once。 You will be fresh and fit； waiting for those fagged with a long march。〃
So they gripped their weapons and joyfully went out of the city to array themselves in readiness。
Now the Yongzhou and Liangzhou troops had traveled by double marches； and so were worn out and needed rest。 But while they were pitching their tents； the troops of Shu fell upon them lustily； leaders full of spirit； soldiers full of energy。 The weary soldiers could make no proper stand； and retired。 The troops of Shu followed； pressing on them till corpses littered the whole plain and blood flowed in runnels。
It was a victory for Zhuge Liang； and he came out to wele the victors and led them into the city and distributed rewards。
Just then arrived an urgent letter from Li Yan； then at Baidicheng； and when Zhuge Liang had torn it open he read：
〃News has just e that Wu has sent an envoy to Luoyang and entered into an alliance with Wei whereby Wu is to attack us。 The army of Wu has not yet set out； but I am anxiously awaiting your plans。〃
Doubts and fears crowded in upon Zhuge Liang's mind as he read。 He summoned his officers。
〃As Wu is ing to invade our land； we shall have to retire quickly；〃 said he。 〃If I issue orders for the Qishan force to withdraw； Sima Yi will not dare to pursue while we are camped here。〃
The Qishan force broke camp and marched in two divisions under Wang Ping； Zhang Ni； Hu Ban； and Wu Yi。 Zhang He watched them go； but was too fearful of the movement being some ruse to attempt to follow。 He went to see Sima Yi。
〃The enemy have retired； but I know not for what reason。〃
〃Zhuge Liang is very crafty； and you will do well to remain where you are and keep a careful lookout。 Do nothing till their grain has given out； when they must retire for good；〃 said Sima Yi。
Here General Wei Ping stepped forward； saying； 〃But they are retreating from Qishan。 We should seize the occasion of their retreat to smite them。 Are they tigers that you fear to move？ How the world will laugh at us？〃
But Sima Yi was obstinate and ignored the protest。
When Zhuge Liang knew that the Qishan troops had got away safely； he called Yang Yi and Ma Zheng and gave them secret orders to lead ten thousand of bowmen and crossbowmen out by the Wooden Path of Saber Pass and place them in ambush on both sides of the road。
Said he； 〃If the soldiers of Wei pursue； wait till you hear a bomb。 When you hear the bomb； at once barricade the road with timber and stones so as to impede them。 When they halt； shoot at them with the bows and the crossbows。〃
Wei Yan and Guan Xing were told to attack the rear of the enemy。
These orders given； the walls of Lucheng were decorated lavishly with flags； and at various points within the city were piled straw and kindling wood ready to make some smoke as though there were cooking activities in the city。 The soldiers were sent out along the road toward Saber Pass。
The spies of Wei returned to headquarters to report： 〃A large number of Shu soldiers have left； but we do not know how many remain within the city。〃
In doubt； Sima Yi went himself to look； and when he saw the smoke rising from within the walls and the fluttering flags； he said； 〃The city is deserted！〃
He sent men in to confirm this； and they said the place was empty。
〃Then Zhuge Liang is really gone。 Who will pursue？〃
〃Let me；〃 replied Zhang He。
〃You are too impulsive；〃 said Sima Yi。
〃I have been Leader of the Van from the first day of this expedition。 Why not use me today； when there is work to be done and glory to be gained？〃
〃Because the utmost caution is necessary。 They are retreating； and they will leave an ambush at every possible point。〃
〃I know that； and you need not be afraid。〃
〃Well； you wish to go and may； but whatever happens you must be prepared for。〃
〃A really noble man is prepared to sacrifice self for country。 Never mind what happens。〃
〃Then take five thousand troops and start。 Wei Ping shall follow with twenty thousand of horse and foot to deal with any ambush that may discover itself。 I will follow later with three thousand to help where need be。〃
So Zhang He set out and advanced quickly。
Ten miles out he heard a roll of drums； and suddenly appeared from a wood a cohort led by Wei Yan； who galloped to the front； crying； 〃Whither would you go； O rebel leader？〃
Zhang He swiftly turned and engaged Wei Yan； but after some ten passes Wei Yan fled。 Zhang He rode after Wei Yan along the road for ten miles and then stopped to observe。 As he saw no ambush； he turned again and resumed the pursuit。 All went well till he came to a slope； when there arose shouts and yells and another body of soldiers came out。
〃Zhang He； do not run away！〃 cried this leader； who was Guan Xing。
Guan Xing galloped close； and Zhang He did not flee。 They fought； and after half a score of passes Guan Xing seemed to have the worst of the encounter and fled。 Zhang He followed。 Presently they neared a dense wood。 Zhang He was fearful of entering in； so he sent forward scouts to search the thickets。 They could find no danger； and Zhang He again pursued。
But quite unexpectedly Wei Yan； who had formerly fled； got round ahead of Zhang He and now appeared again。 The two fought a half score bouts and again Wei Yan ran。 Zhang He followed； but Guan Xing also got round to the front by a side road and so stopped the pursuit of Zhang He。 Zhang He attacked furiously as soon as he was checked； this time so successfully that the troops of Shu threw away their war…gear and ran。 The road was thus littered with spoil； and the Wei soldiers could not resist the temptation to gather it。 They slipped from their horses and began to collect the arms。
The maneuvers just described continued； Wei Yan and Guan Xing one after the other engaging Zhang He； and Zhang He pressing on after each one； but achieving nothing。 And as evening fell the running fight had led both sides close to the Wooden Path。
Then suddenly Wei Yan made a real stand； and he rode to the front； yelling； 〃Rebel！ I have despised fighting you； but you have kept pursuing me。 Now we will fight to the death！〃
Zhang He was furious and nothing loath； so he came on with his spear to meet Wei Yan； who was flourishing his sword。 They met； yet again； after some ten bouts； Wei Yan threw aside weapons； armor； helmet and all his gear； and led his defeated pany sway along the Wooden Path。
Zhang He was filled with the lust to kill； and he could not let Wei Yan escape。 So he set out after Wei Yan； although it was already dark。 But suddenly lights appeared； and the sky became aglow； and at the same time huge boulders and great bulks of timber came rolling down the slopes and blocked the way。
Fear gripped Zhang He； and he cried； 〃I have blundered into an ambush！〃
The road was blocked in front and behind and bordered by craggy precipices。 Then； rat…tat…tat！ came the sound of a rattle； and therewith flew clouds of arrows and showers of bolts。 Zhang He； his more than one hundred generals； and his whole pursuing army perished in the Wooden Path。
With myriad shining bolts the air was filled；
The road was littered with brave soldiers killed；
The force to Saber Pass faring perished here；
The tale of valor grows from year to year。
Soon the second army of Wei under Wei Ping came up； but too late to help。 From the signs they knew that their rades had been victims of a cruel trick； and they turned back。
But as they faced about； a shout was heard； and from the hilltops came； 〃I； Zhuge Liang； am here！〃
Looking up they saw his figure silhouetted against a fire。
Pointing to the slain； Zhuge L