Now Kongming, having used the strategy of reducing his troops while increasing his campfires, withdrew his army to Hanzhong. Sima Yi, fearing an ambush, dared not pursue and also recalled his forces to Chang’an. Thus, not a single soldier of Shu was lost. After rewarding his army generously, Kongming returned to Chengdu and entered the court to see the Later Ruler. He reported, “Your servant marched out from Mount Qi, intending to take Chang’an, when suddenly I received Your Majesty’s decree recalling me. May I ask what great matter necessitated this?” The Later Ruler was silent for a long time, unable to answer. Finally, he said, “I had not seen the Chancellor’s face for many days and longed for you deeply. Therefore, I recalled you for no other reason.” Kongming replied, “This is not Your Majesty’s true intention. There must be a treacherous minister who has slandered me, claiming I harbor disloyal ambitions.” Hearing this, the Later Ruler remained silent. Kongming continued, “Your servant received profound grace from the late Emperor and swore to repay him with my life. If there are traitors within the court, how can I punish the rebels without?” The Later Ruler said, “I listened too readily to the words of a eunuch and recalled you on a whim. Now my mind is cleared, but it is too late for regret!” Kongming then summoned the eunuchs for interrogation and discovered that the rumors had been spread by Gou An. He immediately ordered Gou An’s arrest, but the man had already fled to Wei. Kongming executed the eunuch who had falsely reported and dismissed the rest from the palace. He then sternly rebuked Jiang Wan and Fei Yi for failing to detect the treachery and admonish the Emperor. The two officials bowed and accepted their fault.
Kongming took leave of the Later Ruler and returned to Hanzhong. He issued a dispatch ordering Li Yan to supply grain and provisions to the front lines, while he began planning another campaign. Yang Yi said, “In our previous campaigns, the troops have grown weary and supplies have been insufficient. Now, let us divide the army into two shifts, each serving a three-month term. For example, if we have 200,000 men, we could send only 100,000 to Mount Qi. After three months, these would be relieved by the other 100,000, rotating in a cycle. In this way, our forces will never be exhausted, and we can advance slowly, gradually conquering the Central Plains.” Kongming replied, “This plan suits me perfectly. My campaign against the Central Plains is not a matter of a day or two; this is precisely the long-term strategy we need.” He then ordered the army divided into two shifts, each limited to a hundred-day term, rotating in cycles, with any violation of the deadline punishable by military law.
In the spring of the ninth year of Jianxing (231 AD), which corresponded to the fifth year of the Taihe era in Wei, Kongming launched another campaign against Wei. When Cao Rui, the Emperor of Wei, learned that Kongming was again attacking the Central Plains, he urgently summoned Sima Yi for counsel. Sima Yi said, “Now that Cao Zhen has died, I am willing to devote my full strength to exterminating the bandits and repaying Your Majesty’s grace.” Cao Rui was overjoyed and held a banquet in his honor. The next day, word came that Shu forces were pressing urgently. Cao Rui immediately ordered Sima Yi to lead the army against the enemy, personally seeing him off outside the city gates with the imperial procession. Sima Yi took leave of the Wei Emperor and went directly to Chang’an, where he assembled all the regional forces to devise a plan to defeat Shu. Zhang He said, “I wish to lead a force to guard Yong and Mei to block the Shu army.” Sima Yi replied, “If our vanguard cannot withstand Kongming’s forces alone and we split our army into front and rear, that is no winning strategy. Better to leave a garrison at Shanggui and send the rest to Mount Qi. Are you willing to be the vanguard commander?” Zhang He was delighted and said, “I have always cherished loyalty and righteousness and wished to serve my country with all my heart, but I never met a true patron. Now that the Commander-in-Chief entrusts me with this heavy responsibility, I would not refuse even if it means ten thousand deaths!” Sima Yi then appointed Zhang He as vanguard commander, in charge of the main army. He also ordered Guo Huai to guard the various commanderies west of Long, while the other generals advanced along different routes.
The vanguard scouts reported that Kongming was leading his main force toward Mount Qi, with the advance units under Wang Ping and Zhang Yi advancing directly from Chencang, passing through Jian’ge Pass, and moving from San Pass toward Xie Valley. Sima Yi said to Zhang He, “Now Kongming is advancing with great force. He will surely harvest the wheat west of Long to supply his army. You must set up camp and guard Mount Qi, while I and Guo Huai patrol the Tianshui region to prevent the Shu army from cutting the wheat.” Zhang He acknowledged the order and led 40,000 men to guard Mount Qi. Sima Yi then led the main army toward the region west of Long.
As Kongming’s army arrived at Mount Qi and set up camp, they saw Wei forces prepared along the Wei River. Kongming said to his generals, “This must be Sima Yi. Our camp is running low on grain, and despite repeated orders for Li Yan to deliver supplies, nothing has arrived. I believe the wheat west of Long is ripe. We can secretly lead troops to harvest it.” He left Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Wu Ban, and Wu Yi to guard the camp at Mount Qi, while he himself led Jiang Wei, Wei Yan, and other generals to Lucheng. The Grand Administrator of Lucheng, knowing Kongming’s reputation, hastily opened the city gates and surrendered. After comforting him, Kongming asked, “Where is the wheat ripe now?” The Administrator replied, “The wheat west of Long is already ripe.” Kongming left Zhang Yi and Ma Zhong to guard Lucheng and led his generals and the main army toward the region west of Long. The forward scouts reported back, “Sima Yi has brought his army here.” Kongming was startled and said, “This man anticipated my plan to harvest the wheat!” He then bathed and changed his clothes, ordering three identical four-wheeled carts to be brought forward, each adorned in the same manner. These carts had been prepared by Kongming in Shu beforehand.
He ordered Jiang Wei to lead 1,000 men to guard one cart, with 500 drummers, and to lie in ambush behind Shanggui. Ma Dai was stationed on the left, Wei Yan on the right, each also leading 1,000 guards and 500 drummers for their carts. Each cart was pushed by twenty-four men dressed in black robes, barefoot, with disheveled hair and swords in hand, carrying a seven-star black banner. The three men received their orders and led their troops forward with the carts. Kongming also ordered 30,000 soldiers to carry sickles and ropes, ready to harvest the wheat. He selected twenty-four sturdy men, also dressed in black robes with disheveled hair and bare feet, holding swords, to surround the four-wheeled cart as its attendants. He ordered Guan Xing to dress as a celestial figure, holding the seven-star black banner, walking before the cart. Kongming sat upright on the cart and headed toward the Wei camp. The Wei scouts were terrified, unable to tell if it was a man or a ghost, and sped back to report to Sima Yi.
Sima Yi came out of his camp to see for himself. There was Kongming, wearing a feathered headdress and a crane-feather cloak, waving a feather fan, sitting serenely on the four-wheeled cart. Around him were twenty-four men with disheveled hair and swords; before him, a man holding a black banner, looking vaguely like a celestial spirit. Sima Yi said, “This is another of Kongming’s tricks!” He dispatched 2,000 men with the order, “Go quickly and capture them, cart and all!” The Wei soldiers obeyed and gave chase. Seeing the Wei force approaching, Kongming ordered the cart turned around and slowly headed back toward the Shu camp. The Wei troops spurred their horses in pursuit, but a strange, chilling wind and a dense, cold mist surrounded them. They chased for a great distance but could not catch up. The soldiers were astonished and reined in their horses, saying, “Strange! We’ve chased for thirty li, and he’s always just ahead but we can’t catch him. What can we do?” Seeing that the Wei troops had stopped, Kongming ordered the cart turned back and halted facing the enemy. After a long hesitation, the Wei soldiers spurred their horses again. Kongming again turned the cart and moved slowly. The Wei troops chased for another twenty li, but still could not catch up. They were all dumbfounded. Kongming then ordered the cart turned around and reversed toward the Wei army. The Wei soldiers prepared to chase again.
Then Sima Yi himself arrived with a force and issued an order: “Kongming is skilled in the Eight Gates and Six Jia arts, able to summon the Six Ding and Six Jia spirits. This is the ‘shrinking the earth’ technique from the Six Jia celestial text. Do not pursue him!” Just as the troops were reining in their horses, war drums thundered from the left, and a force charged out. Sima Yi hastily ordered his men to resist. From the Shu ranks, twenty-four men, with disheveled hair and swords, in black robes and barefoot, emerged, surrounding a four-wheeled cart. On the cart sat Kongming, in feathered headdress and crane-feather cloak, waving his feather fan. Sima Yi was astounded and said, “The Kongming on that cart just now—we chased him for fifty li and couldn’t catch him! How can there be another Kongming here? Strange! Strange!” Before he finished, war drums sounded from the right, and another force charged out, with another Kongming sitting on a four-wheeled cart, surrounded by twenty-four attendants in the same attire. Sima Yi was deeply suspicious and said to his generals, “These must be divine troops!” The soldiers were thrown into confusion and dared not fight, scattering in all directions. As they fled, suddenly drums thundered again, and another force appeared. At its head was a four-wheeled cart with Kongming sitting on it, surrounded by attendants identical to the previous ones. The Wei soldiers were terrified.
Sima Yi, unable to tell whether they were men or ghosts, and not knowing the number of Shu troops, was greatly alarmed. He hastily led his army into Shanggui and closed the gates, refusing to come out. Meanwhile, Kongming had already ordered 30,000 elite troops to harvest all the wheat west of Long and transport it to Lucheng for threshing and drying. For three days, Sima Yi dared not leave Shanggui. Only after the Shu army withdrew did he send out scouts. They captured a Shu soldier and brought him before Sima Yi. When questioned, the soldier said, “I was one of the wheat harvesters. I lost my horse and was captured.” Sima Yi asked, “What were those divine troops earlier?” The soldier replied, “None of the three ambush forces were Kongming. They were Jiang Wei, Ma Dai, and Wei Yan. Each force had only 1,000 guards and 500 drummers. The Kongming on the first cart, the one that lured you in, was the real one.” Sima Yi looked up to heaven and sighed, “Kongming’s strategies are truly ghostly and unfathomable!” Suddenly, it was reported that Vice Commander Guo Huai had arrived. Sima Yi received him, and after formalities, Guo Huai said, “I hear the Shu army is small and is now threshing wheat at Lucheng. We can attack them.” Sima Yi recounted the previous events. Guo Huai laughed and said, “That trick fooled us for a moment, but now it’s seen through. It’s nothing! I will lead a force to attack their rear, and you lead one to attack their front. Lucheng will fall, and Kongming will be captured.” Sima Yi agreed and divided his army into two columns.
Now Kongming was at Lucheng, threshing and drying the wheat. He suddenly summoned his generals and said, “Tonight, the enemy will surely attack the city. I believe the wheat fields around Lucheng can conceal our ambushes. Who will go?” Jiang Wei, Wei Yan, Ma Zhong, and Ma Dai stepped forward and said, “We are willing to go.” Kongming was delighted and ordered Jiang Wei and Wei Yan to each lead 2,000 men and lie in ambush to the southeast and northwest, respectively. Ma Dai and Ma Zhong were each to lead 2,000 men and lie in ambush to the southwest and northeast. “When you hear the signal cannon, attack from all four corners simultaneously,” he commanded. The four generals received their orders and departed. Kongming then led about a hundred men, each carrying signal cannons, and hid in the wheat fields to wait.
As Sima Yi’s army arrived at Lucheng, dusk had fallen. He said to his generals, “If we attack by day, the city will be prepared. Let us take advantage of the night. The city walls are low and the moats shallow; we can break through easily.” He stationed his troops outside the city. At the first watch, Guo Huai also arrived with his forces. The two armies joined, and with a single drumbeat, they surrounded Lucheng like an iron bucket. From the city walls, thousands of crossbows fired, and arrows and stones rained down like a storm, preventing the Wei troops from advancing. Suddenly, signal cannons boomed from within the Wei ranks, throwing the army into panic, as they could not tell where the attack was coming from. Guo Huai sent men to search the wheat fields, but then flames shot up from all four corners, war cries shook the heavens, and four Shu forces attacked simultaneously. The four gates of Lucheng flew open, and the garrison troops charged out. Attacked from within and without, the Wei army suffered a great slaughter, with countless dead. Sima Yi fought desperately, broke through the encirclement, and occupied a hilltop. Guo Huai also led his defeated troops to the rear of the hill to regroup. Kongming entered the city and ordered the four generals to set up camps at the four corners.
Guo Huai said to Sima Yi, “We have been locked in a stalemate with the Shu army for a long time without a plan to drive them off. Now we have suffered another defeat, losing over 3,000 men. If we do not act soon, it will be difficult to retreat later.” Sima Yi asked, “What should we do?” Guo Huai replied, “Issue a dispatch to mobilize the forces from Yong and Liang provinces for a combined attack. I am willing to lead a force to attack Jian’ge Pass, cutting off their retreat. If their supply lines are severed, the army will panic, and we can attack them then. The enemy can be destroyed.” Sima Yi agreed and immediately sent dispatches by night to mobilize troops from Yong and Liang. Within a few days, General Sun Li arrived with the provincial forces. Sima Yi ordered Sun Li to coordinate with Guo Huai in attacking Jian’ge Pass. Meanwhile, at Lucheng, after a prolonged standoff with no Wei army emerging to fight, Kongming summoned Jiang Wei and Ma Dai to the city and ordered, “The Wei forces are holding the mountain passes and refusing to engage. They have two plans: first, they expect our wheat to run out; second, they are sending troops to attack Jian’ge Pass to cut our supply line. You two will each lead 10,000 men to guard the strategic points. When the Wei forces see we are prepared, they will naturally withdraw.” The two generals departed.
Chief Secretary Yang Yi entered the tent and reported, “Previously, the Chancellor ordered a rotation of the main army every hundred days. That term is now complete. The troops from Hanzhong have already reached the entrance of the Sichuan basin, and the official documents have arrived, awaiting the exchange. We currently have 80,000 men on duty, of which 40,000 are due for relief.” Kongming said, “Since the order has been given, let them depart quickly.” Hearing this, the soldiers began packing for their journey. Suddenly, word came that Sun Li was leading 200,000 troops from Yong and Liang to assist the enemy, attacking Jian’ge Pass, while Sima Yi was personally leading an assault on Lucheng. The Shu soldiers were all terrified.
Yang Yi entered and said to Kongming, “The Wei forces are coming urgently. The Chancellor should keep the troops due for rotation to repel the enemy, and only exchange them after the new forces arrive.” Kongming replied, “No. In commanding troops and appointing generals, I base myself on trust. Since the order has been given, how can I break my word? Moreover, the Shu soldiers who are to leave are all preparing to return home. Their parents, wives, and children are waiting at the door. Even in great danger, I will not keep them.” He immediately ordered the troops due to leave to depart that very day. Hearing this, the soldiers shouted, “The Chancellor shows us such kindness! We are willing to stay and fight, even if it costs us our lives, to repay him!” Kongming said, “You are due to return home. How can I keep you here?” But the soldiers all insisted on fighting, unwilling to go home. Kongming then said, “Since you wish to fight, go out of the city and set up camp. When the Wei army arrives, do not give them a moment to rest. Attack them immediately. This is the tactic of waiting at ease for the exhausted enemy.” The soldiers received their orders, took up their weapons, and joyfully marched out of the city, forming ranks to wait.
The Xiliang troops had marched double-time and were exhausted. Just as they were about to set up camp and rest, the Shu army surged forward with full vigor. Every soldier fought bravely, and the elite Shu forces overwhelmed the Wei troops from Yong and Liang, who could not withstand the assault and retreated. The Shu army pursued fiercely, leaving the battlefield strewn with corpses and rivers of blood. Kongming came out of the city, gathered his victorious troops, and rewarded them. Suddenly, a message of urgency arrived from Li Yan at Yong’an. Kongming was greatly alarmed and opened the letter. It read: “I have recently heard that Eastern Wu has sent an envoy to Luoyang to form an alliance with Wei. Wei has ordered Wu to attack Shu. Fortunately, Wu has not yet mobilized. I have gathered this intelligence and humbly beg the Chancellor to make preparations soon.”
After reading the letter, Kongming was deeply troubled. He assembled his generals and said, “If Eastern Wu attacks Shu, I must return immediately.” He then ordered the main camp at Mount Qi to withdraw back to Western Sichuan. “Sima Yi knows our army is stationed here and will not dare to pursue,” he said. Wang Ping, Zhang Yi, Wu Ban, and Wu Yi then divided the army into two columns and slowly withdrew into Western Sichuan.
Zhang He, seeing the Shu army retreat, suspected a trick and dared not pursue. He went to see Sima Yi and asked, “The Shu army has withdrawn. What does this mean?” Sima Yi replied, “Kongming’s tricks are endless. Do not act rashly. Better to hold our position and wait until their grain runs out; then they will naturally retreat.” General Wei Ping stepped forward and said, “The Shu army has pulled back from Mount Qi. This is the perfect opportunity to pursue. If the Commander-in-Chief holds his troops back, he will be seen as fearing Shu like a tiger. How will the world laugh at us?” Sima Yi stubbornly refused.
Now Kongming, knowing that the troops at Mount Qi had withdrawn, summoned Yang Yi and Ma Zhong to his tent and gave them secret orders. He told them to lead 10,000 archers and crossbowmen to the Mumendao Pass at Jian’ge, where they were to lie in ambush on both sides. “If the Wei forces pursue, wait for my signal cannon. Then quickly roll down logs and boulders to block their retreat, and shoot them from both sides.” The two generals departed. He then ordered Wei Yan and Guan Xing to cover the rear. On the city walls, banners were planted everywhere, and within the city, piles of firewood were stacked, with smoke lit to simulate activity. The main army then marched toward Mumendao.
Wei scouts reported to Sima Yi, “The main Shu army has retreated, but we do not know how many troops remain in the city.” Sima Yi went to see for himself. Seeing the banners on the walls and smoke rising from within, he laughed and said, “This is an empty city.” He sent men to investigate, and indeed it was empty. Sima Yi was overjoyed and said, “Kongming has retreated. Who dares to pursue?” Vanguard Commander Zhang He said, “I am willing to go.” Sima Yi stopped him, saying, “You are too impetuous. Do not go.” Zhang He replied, “When the Commander-in-Chief left the pass, you appointed me as vanguard. Now is the time to achieve merit, yet you do not use me. Why?” Sima Yi said, “When the Shu army retreats, there are bound to be ambushes in the dangerous passes. You must be extremely careful to pursue.” Zhang He said, “I understand. Do not worry.” Sima Yi said, “If you insist on going, do not regret it.” Zhang He replied, “A true man sacrifices himself for his country. Even ten thousand deaths would not make me regret.” Sima Yi said, “Since you are determined, lead 5,000 men as the advance. I will order Wei Ping to follow with 20,000 cavalry and infantry to guard against ambushes. I will then lead 3,000 men as support.”
Zhang He accepted the order and sped forward with his troops. After traveling over thirty li, a shout suddenly arose from behind, and a force emerged from the woods. At its head was a great general, holding a sword across his horse, who shouted, “Where are you leading your troops, rebel?” Zhang He turned and saw it was Wei Yan. Furious, Zhang He turned his horse and engaged. In less than ten exchanges, Wei Yan feigned defeat and fled. Zhang He pursued for another thirty li, then reined in his horse and looked back. Seeing no ambush, he spurred forward again. As he rounded a mountain slope, war cries erupted, and another force appeared. At its head was Guan Xing, who shouted, “Zhang He, stop your pursuit! I am here!” Zhang He charged and engaged. In less than ten exchanges, Guan Xing turned his horse and fled. Zhang He followed. Reaching a dense forest, Zhang He grew suspicious and sent men to scout. Finding no ambush, he continued the pursuit. Unbeknownst to him, Wei Yan had circled ahead. Zhang He fought another ten exchanges with Wei Yan, who again fled. Enraged, Zhang He pursued, only to have Guan Xing appear ahead again, blocking his path. Furious, Zhang He charged and fought for ten exchanges. The Shu soldiers then discarded their armor and equipment, littering the road. The Wei troops dismounted to grab the spoils. Wei Yan and Guan Xing took turns fighting, while Zhang He pressed the pursuit. As dusk fell, they reached the mouth of Mumendao. Wei Yan turned his horse and shouted, “Zhang He, you rebel! I have not been fighting you seriously, and you keep chasing. Now I will fight you to the death!” Zhang He, enraged, leveled his spear and charged. Wei Yan met him with his blade. In less than ten exchanges, Wei Yan was thoroughly defeated, discarding his armor and helmet, and fled alone into Mumendao with his beaten troops. Zhang He, now fully carried away by the thrill of battle and seeing Wei Yan fleeing in defeat, spurred his horse in pursuit. By now, it was dark. A signal cannon boomed. Flames shot up from the mountains, and huge boulders and tangled brush rolled down, blocking the path ahead. Zhang He cried out in alarm, “I have fallen into a trap!” He turned his horse, but behind him, the road was also blocked by logs and stones. He was trapped in a narrow space between two sheer cliffs, with no way forward or backward. Suddenly, a wooden clapper sounded, and from both sides, ten thousand crossbows fired simultaneously. Zhang He and over a hundred of his officers were shot dead in Mumendao.
A poet of the time lamented: The hidden crossbows flew like a myriad stars, Slaying the valiant troops at Mumendao. Even today, travelers passing Jian’ge still speak of the military strategist’s name.
Now, after Zhang He’s death, the pursuing Wei troops arrived to find the road blocked. Knowing that Zhang He had fallen into the trap, they reined in their horses and hastily retreated. Suddenly, a voice thundered from the mountain peak, “The Chancellor of Shu, Zhuge Liang, is here!” The soldiers looked up and saw Kongming standing in the firelight. He pointed at them and said, “Today I went hunting, aiming for a horse but accidentally hitting a deer. Go back in peace. Tell Sima Yi that sooner or later, I will capture him.” The Wei soldiers returned and reported the events to Sima Yi. He was deeply grieved and sighed to heaven, “Zhang He’s death is my fault!” He then withdrew his army to Luoyang. When the Wei Emperor heard of Zhang He’s death, he wept with sorrow and ordered his body recovered and buried with full honors.
Kongming entered Hanzhong, intending to return to Chengdu to see the Later Ruler. But the Protector of the Army, Li Yan, falsely reported to the Later Ruler, “I have prepared the army’s grain and was about to deliver it to the Chancellor’s front lines when, for some unknown reason, he suddenly withdrew his forces.” Hearing this, the Later Ruler ordered Imperial Secretary Fei Yi to go to Hanzhong and ask Kongming why he had withdrawn. Fei Yi arrived and conveyed the Emperor’s question. Kongming was startled and said, “Li Yan sent an urgent letter saying that Eastern Wu was about to attack Shu, which is why I returned.” Fei Yi said, “Li Yan reported that the grain was ready. The Emperor therefore sent me to inquire why you withdrew without cause.” Kongming was furious and ordered an investigation. It was discovered that Li Yan, unable to deliver the grain on time and fearing punishment, had sent the false letter to recall Kongming, then lied to the Emperor to cover his own fault. Kongming raged, “This wretch has ruined a matter of state for his own sake!” He ordered Li Yan brought before him and was about to have him executed. Fei Yi advised, “Chancellor, remember the late Emperor’s trust and show mercy.” Kongming relented. Fei Yi then submitted a memorial to the Later Ruler. When the Later Ruler read it, he flew into a rage and ordered Li Yan taken out and beheaded. Staff Officer Jiang Wan stepped forward and said, “Li Yan was entrusted by the late Emperor. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency.” The Later Ruler agreed and demoted Li Yan to commoner status, banishing him to Zitong Commandery.
Kongming returned to Chengdu and appointed Li Yan’s son, Li Feng, as Chief Secretary. He then devoted himself to stockpiling grain, drilling troops, studying formations and military arts, manufacturing weapons, and caring for the soldiers. He planned to launch another campaign after three years. The people and soldiers of the two Sichuan regions all revered his virtue and kindness. Time passed swiftly, and three years slipped by. It was now the spring of the twelfth year of Jianxing (234 AD). Kongming entered the court and said, “Your servant has cared for the troops for three years. The grain is abundant, the weapons are ready, and the army is strong. We can now attack Wei. If I do not sweep away the traitors and restore the Central Plains this time, I swear I will never again see Your Majesty’s face!” The Later Ruler said, “The realm is now divided into three powers. Wu and Wei have not invaded us. Why does my Chancellor not enjoy a time of peace?” Kongming replied, “Your servant received the late Emperor’s grace and favor. Even in my dreams, I never cease devising plans to attack Wei. I will exert all my loyalty to restore the Central Plains for Your Majesty and revive the Han Dynasty. That is my wish.” Before he finished speaking, one official stepped forward from the ranks and said, “The Chancellor must not raise an army.” Everyone looked and saw it was Qiao Zhou.
Truly, the Marquis of Wu exhausted himself solely for his country, while the Grand Astrologer, knowing the times, again spoke of Heaven’s will. What Qiao Zhou had to say will be revealed in the next chapter.