Now, Sima Yi, having been routed by Zhang Yi and Liao Hua, fled alone on horseback into a dense forest. Zhang Yi held back the rear guard, while Liao Hua gave chase, drawing ever closer. Panic seized Sima Yi as he dodged around a tree. Liao Hua swung his blade, but it struck the trunk instead. By the time he wrenched it free, Sima Yi had already burst from the woods. Liao Hua pursued him beyond the treeline, but the man had vanished. All he found was a golden helmet lying to the east of the grove. Liao Hua scooped it up, slung it over his saddle, and galloped eastward. In truth, Sima Yi had abandoned his helmet in the east to mislead his pursuers, then fled westward. After riding a great distance without finding any trace, Liao Hua emerged from a valley and encountered Jiang Wei. Together, they returned to camp to report to Zhuge Liang. Zhang Ni had already driven the Wooden Oxen and Flowing Horses into camp, completing the delivery of over ten thousand bushels of grain. Liao Hua presented the golden helmet and was recorded as having achieved the foremost merit. Wei Yan, however, was displeased and muttered complaints. Zhuge Liang pretended not to hear him.
As for Sima Yi, he returned to his camp deeply vexed and humiliated. Suddenly, an imperial messenger arrived bearing a decree. The message announced that Wu had launched a three-pronged invasion, and the court was deliberating on whom to dispatch against them. Sima Yi was ordered to hold his ground and not engage the enemy. Having received his orders, Sima Yi deepened his moats, reinforced his walls, and resolved to remain on the defensive.
When Cao Rui learned that Sun Quan had divided his forces for a three-pronged attack, he raised three armies to counter them. He ordered Liu Shao to lead a force to relieve Jiangxia, Tian Yu to relieve Xiangyang, and led the main army himself with Man Chong to relieve Hefei. Man Chong advanced with a vanguard to the mouth of Lake Chao. From there, he spied countless Wu warships on the eastern shore, their flags and banners arrayed in perfect order. Man Chong entered the main camp and addressed the Wei Emperor: "The men of Wu must believe we have marched too far to be prepared. Tonight, we can exploit their complacency and raid their naval camp. We will surely achieve a complete victory." The Wei Emperor replied, "Your words match my own thoughts." He immediately ordered the valiant general Zhang Qiu to take five thousand troops, each carrying incendiary devices, to attack from the lake's mouth, while Man Chong led another five thousand to strike from the eastern shore. That night, at the second watch, Zhang Qiu and Man Chong silently led their men toward the lake's mouth. As they neared the Wu camp, they raised a great shout and charged in. The Wu troops, thrown into chaos, fled without a fight. The Wei forces set fires on all sides, burning countless warships, grain stores, and equipment. Zhuge Jin led his defeated troops in a desperate escape to Miankou. The Wei army returned in triumph.
The next day, scouts reported the defeat to Lu Xun. Lu Xun assembled his officers and said, "I will draft a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that the siege of Xincheng be lifted. Our forces can then cut off the Wei army's line of retreat, while I attack from the front. Caught between two fires, they can be crushed in a single blow." All present praised his plan. Lu Xun wrote the memorial and dispatched a junior officer to secretly carry it to Xincheng. The officer took the document and set out, but at the ferry crossing, he was captured by a Wei ambush party. He was brought before the Wei Emperor, Cao Rui. Cao Rui opened the letter, read it, and sighed, "Lu Xun of Wu truly has a brilliant mind!" He ordered the Wu messenger imprisoned and instructed Liu Shao to guard against any rear-guard action by Sun Quan.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Jin, after his crushing defeat and with the summer heat upon them, found his men and horses falling ill. He wrote a letter to Lu Xun, proposing a general withdrawal. After reading the letter, Lu Xun told the messenger, "Tell the general that I have my own plan." The messenger reported this to Zhuge Jin. Zhuge Jin asked, "What is General Lu doing?" The messenger replied, "I saw General Lu urging his men to plant beans and legumes outside the camp, while he himself was playing archery games at the camp gate with his officers." Zhuge Jin was astonished. He went personally to Lu Xun's camp and asked, "Now that Cao Rui has come in person with overwhelming force, how will you, Commander, defend against him?" Lu Xun replied, "I sent a memorial to His Majesty earlier, but it was intercepted by the enemy. Since our plan has been exposed, they will be prepared. Fighting them now would be futile. It is better to retreat. I have already sent a messenger to inform His Majesty to begin a slow withdrawal." Zhuge Jin said, "If you intend to retreat, you should do so quickly. Why delay?" Lu Xun answered, "When an army retreats, it must do so gradually. If we withdraw abruptly, the Wei forces will pursue us and exploit our weakness—that is the path to defeat. You should first take charge of the boats and feign a posture of resistance. I will march my entire army toward Xiangyang to create a diversion. Then, we will slowly fall back to Jiangdong. The Wei army will not dare to approach." Zhuge Jin agreed, took his leave, returned to his camp, and prepared his boats for departure. Lu Xun, meanwhile, drew up his troops in perfect order, made a great show of force, and marched toward Xiangyang.
Spies soon reported to the Wei Emperor that the Wu army was on the move and that precautions were necessary. Wei generals, hearing this, clamored to give battle. But Cao Rui, knowing Lu Xun's reputation for cunning, cautioned them: "Lu Xun is a strategist. This is likely a ruse to lure us out. Do not advance rashly." The generals held back. A few days later, scouts reported, "All three Wu armies have withdrawn." The Emperor was skeptical and sent more scouts to confirm. They returned and reported that the retreat was indeed complete. Cao Rui remarked, "Lu Xun's skill in war is comparable to Sun Tzu and Wu Qi. The southeast will not be easily pacified." He then ordered his generals to guard all strategic points, while he led the main army to garrison Hefei, awaiting any change in the situation.
Back at Mount Qi, Zhuge Liang, planning for a prolonged campaign, ordered Shu soldiers to farm the land alongside the Wei commoners. The land was divided so that one part was cultivated by soldiers and two parts by the people. No encroachment was permitted, and the Wei populace grew content and industrious. Sima Shi went to his father and said, "The Shu army has stolen a great deal of our grain. Now they are having their soldiers farm alongside our people on the banks of the Wei River, planning for a long stay. This is a grave threat to the state. Father, why not challenge Zhuge Liang to a decisive battle to settle the matter once and for all?" Sima Yi replied, "I have received the Emperor's command to hold my ground. I must not act rashly." As they were speaking, a report came that Wei Yan, carrying the golden helmet the Commander had lost the previous day, was at their camp gate hurling insults. The officers were enraged and begged to fight. Sima Yi smiled and said, "The sage said, 'If one cannot endure small provocations, he will ruin great plans.' Holding firm is the best course." The officers obeyed and stayed within camp. Wei Yan continued his abuse for a long time before finally withdrawing. Seeing that Sima Yi refused to be drawn out, Zhuge Liang secretly ordered Ma Dai to build wooden palisades, dig deep trenches within the camp, and stockpile a great quantity of dry brush and kindling. On the surrounding hills, he had thatched huts erected, and buried land mines both inside and outside the camp. When all was ready, Zhuge Liang leaned close and whispered to Ma Dai, "Block the rear exit of Gourd Valley and hide troops within it.
If Sima Yi pursues you into the valley, let him enter, then set off the mines and ignite the brush." He also ordered his men to raise a seven-star banner at the valley mouth by day, and to light seven lanterns on the hills at night as signals. Ma Dai accepted his orders and departed. Zhuge Liang then summoned Wei Yan and instructed him: "Take five hundred men to the Wei camp and challenge them. Your goal is to lure Sima Yi out. Do not try to win; feign defeat. He will pursue you. Lead him toward the seven-star banner. At night, follow the seven lanterns. If you can draw Sima Yi into Gourd Valley, I have a plan to capture him." Wei Yan accepted his orders and left. Zhuge Liang then called for Gao Xiang and said, "Take the Wooden Oxen and Flowing Horses, in groups of twenty or thirty, or forty or fifty, each loaded with grain, and parade them along the mountain paths. If the Wei troops seize them, that will be your contribution." Gao Xiang acknowledged the command and drove the mechanical beasts away. Zhuge Liang then redeployed the troops from Mount Qi, giving the impression that they were merely engaged in farming. He instructed them, "If enemy troops other than Sima Yi himself attack, only feign defeat. But if Sima Yi comes in person, then combine your forces to attack the south bank of the Wei River and cut off his retreat." Having made all his dispositions, Zhuge Liang led a single force to camp near the Valley of Shangfang.
Meanwhile, Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He entered Sima Yi's camp and reported, "The Shu troops are scattered in various camps, farming the land, planning for a long occupation. If we do not eliminate them now, they will become entrenched and impossible to uproot." Sima Yi said, "This is surely another of Zhuge Liang's schemes." The two brothers replied, "Commander, if you are so suspicious, when will the enemy ever be destroyed? Let us two brothers fight to the death to repay the nation's grace." Sima Yi said, "Very well. You may each take five thousand men and attack separately." The two Xiahou brothers set out, and Sima Yi waited for news.
As Xiahou Hui and Xiahou He advanced with their divided forces, they suddenly saw Shu troops driving the Wooden Oxen and Flowing Horses. They charged together, and the Shu troops fled in defeat, leaving all the mechanical beasts to be captured by the Wei forces, who brought them back to Sima Yi's camp. The next day, they captured over a hundred more Shu soldiers and horses, also sent to the main camp. Sima Yi interrogated the prisoners to learn the truth. The Shu soldiers said, "Zhuge Liang believed you would remain on the defensive and never come out. He ordered us to scatter and farm the land for a long stay. We never expected to be captured." Sima Yi then released all the Shu soldiers. Xiahou He asked, "Why not kill them?" Sima Yi replied, "These are just common soldiers. Killing them does no good. Let them return to their camp and tell everyone how generous and merciful the Wei generals are. This will sap their will to fight. It is the same strategy Lü Meng used to take Jing Province." He then issued an order that any captured Shu soldiers were to be treated kindly and released. He also richly rewarded his officers and men for their achievements. All the generals obeyed and departed.
Now, Zhuge Liang ordered Gao Xiang to feign the transport of grain by driving the Wooden Oxen and Flowing Horses back and forth within the Valley of Shangfang. Xiahou Hui and his brother ambushed and raided these convoys repeatedly, winning several victories over the course of half a month. Seeing the Shu forces suffer repeated defeats, Sima Yi was overjoyed. One day, several dozen more Shu soldiers were captured. Sima Yi summoned them to his tent and asked, "Where is Zhuge Liang now?" They replied, "The Chancellor is not at Mount Qi. He has set up camp ten li west of the Valley of Shangfang. Grain is being transported and stored there daily." Sima Yi questioned them in detail, then released them. He called his officers and said, "Zhuge Liang is not at Mount Qi, but camped at the Valley of Shangfang. Tomorrow, you will all combine your strength to attack the main camp at Mount Qi. I will personally lead a force to support you." The officers received their orders and prepared for battle. Sima Shi asked, "Father, why do you want to attack their rear?" Sima Yi explained, "Mount Qi is the foundation of the Shu army. If they see us attacking it, all their camps will rush to its defense. I will then take the Valley of Shangfang and burn their grain. With their supply lines severed, they will be utterly defeated." Sima Shi bowed in admiration. Sima Yi then set his army in motion, ordering Zhang Hu and Yue Chen each to take five thousand men to serve as the rearguard.
From his vantage point on the mountain, Zhuge Liang saw the Wei troops advancing in scattered columns of three to five thousand, or one to two thousand, with scouts looking ahead and behind. He deduced that their target was the main camp at Mount Qi. He secretly sent orders to his officers: "If Sima Yi comes in person, you are to attack the Wei camp and seize the south bank of the Wei River." All the officers acknowledged the command.
As the Wei forces converged on the Mount Qi camp, Shu troops on all sides raised a clamor and pretended to rush to its defense. Seeing that the Shu army was drawn away to save Mount Qi, Sima Yi, with his two sons and the central guard, charged toward the Valley of Shangfang. Wei Yan was waiting at the valley mouth, hoping for Sima Yi's arrival. Suddenly, he saw a Wei force approaching. He spurred his horse forward and recognized Sima Yi. Wei Yan bellowed, "Sima Yi, do not flee!" and whirled his blade to meet him. Sima Yi leveled his spear and engaged. After barely three exchanges, Wei Yan wheeled his horse and fled, with Sima Yi in hot pursuit. Wei Yan headed straight for the seven-star banner. Seeing that Wei Yan was alone and had few troops, Sima Yi pursued without caution. He ordered Sima Shi to the left, Sima Zhao to the right, and took the center himself, all charging together. Wei Yan led his five hundred men back into the valley. Sima Yi reached the mouth of the valley and first sent scouts inside. They reported that there were no ambushes within, only thatched huts on the hillsides. Sima Yi said, "This must be their grain depot." He then drove his entire army into the valley. Suddenly, he noticed that the roofs of the thatched huts were covered with dry brush, and Wei Yan had vanished.
A flicker of doubt crossed Sima Yi's mind. He said to his sons, "If the enemy blocks the mouth of the valley, what shall we do?" Before he could finish, a great shout erupted from the hillsides. Torches rained down from above, sealing the valley's entrance with a wall of fire. The Wei troops panicked, finding no escape. Arrows tipped with fire shot down from the hills. The land mines erupted. The dry brush in the huts caught fire, and the flames roared skyward with a terrifying crackle. Sima Yi was paralyzed with terror. He dismounted, embraced his two sons, and wept, "We three, father and sons, are going to die in this place!" As they wept, a sudden gale howled down from the heavens. Black clouds blotted out the sky. A thunderclap split the air, and a torrential downpour descended. The raging fire in the valley was extinguished. The land mines failed to detonate. The incendiary devices were rendered useless. Sima Yi cried out in joy, "If we do not break out now, when will we?" He rallied his men and charged with all their might. Zhang Hu and Yue Chen also arrived with their troops to support them. Ma Dai's force was too small to pursue. Sima Yi, his sons, and the relief forces of Zhang Hu and Yue Chen joined together and headed for the main camp on the south bank of the Wei River. To their dismay, they found that the camp had already been seized by Shu troops. Guo Huai and Sun Li were already engaged with the Shu forces at the floating bridge. Sima Yi and his men attacked, and the Shu troops withdrew. Sima Yi then burned the floating bridge to sever the connection and held the northern bank.
Meanwhile, the Wei forces attacking the Shu camp at Mount Qi learned of Sima Yi's great defeat and the loss of the south bank camp. Their morale collapsed. As they hurried to retreat, Shu forces attacked from all sides. The Wei army was routed, with seven or eight of every ten men killed or wounded, and countless dead. The survivors fled across the Wei River to the north for their lives. From his mountain vantage, Zhuge Liang saw Wei Yan lure Sima Yi into the valley and watched the flames erupt. His heart swelled with joy, believing Sima Yi's death was certain. But then the heavens opened, and the rain extinguished the fire. Scouts reported that Sima Yi and his sons had escaped. Zhuge Liang sighed deeply and said, "Man proposes, Heaven disposes. One cannot force fate." A poet of the age lamented: At the valley mouth, a furious blaze had roared into the sky, but who could have foreseen the sudden storm from the heavens above? If the Sleeping Dragon's brilliant plan had succeeded, how could the mountains and rivers of the realm have ever fallen to the House of Jin?
In his camp on the north bank of the Wei River, Sima Yi issued an order: "The camp on the south bank has been lost. If any officer speaks of giving battle again, he will be executed." All the officers obeyed and remained on the defensive. Guo Huai came to him and said, "Recently, Zhuge Liang has been leading patrols, no doubt scouting for a place to set up a new camp." Sima Yi replied, "If Zhuge Liang goes to Wugong and marches east along the mountains, we will all be in danger. But if he goes to the south bank of the Wei River and stops at the Wuzhang Plains, we will have nothing to fear." He sent scouts to investigate, and they reported that Zhuge Liang had indeed made camp at the Wuzhang Plains. Sima Yi placed his hand on his forehead and said, "This is the great fortune of the Emperor of Wei!" He then ordered his generals, "Hold firm. Do not engage. If we wait long enough, he will destroy himself from within."
Zhuge Liang, having encamped at the Wuzhang Plains, repeatedly sent men to challenge the Wei army, but they refused to come out. Zhuge Liang then procured a set of women's headdresses and white mourning garments, placed them in a large box, and wrote a letter. He sent a messenger to deliver this to the Wei camp. The Wei officers, not daring to conceal it, brought the messenger before Sima Yi. In front of his officers, Sima Yi opened the box. Inside were the women's garments and a letter. He opened the letter and read: "You, Zhongda, are a great general, commanding the armies of the Central Plains. Yet you do not think of donning armor and taking up arms to decide the issue. Instead, you cower in your earthen nest, hiding from arrows and blades. How is that different from a woman? I have sent you these headdresses and white garments. If you still refuse to fight, you may bow and accept them. But if you have any shame left, any man's spirit in your breast, then send me your reply and come to battle as agreed."
Sima Yi was filled with rage, but he forced a smile and said, "Does Zhuge Liang take me for a woman?" He accepted the gifts and ordered that the messenger be treated well. He then asked the messenger, "How are Zhuge Liang's meals and sleep? How many matters does he attend to daily?" The messenger replied, "Our Chancellor rises before dawn and rests long after dark. He personally reviews all documents, even those concerning punishments of twenty strokes. He eats no more than a few pints of grain each day." Sima Yi turned to his officers and said, "Zhuge Liang eats little and works much. How long can he last?"
The messenger took his leave and returned to the Wuzhang Plains. He reported to Zhuge Liang, "Sima Yi accepted the women's garments and read your letter without showing anger. He only asked about your meals and sleep and the number of affairs you handle. He said nothing of military matters. I answered him as you instructed, and he said, 'He eats little and works much—how can he last long?'" Zhuge Liang sighed, "He truly knows me!" The chief secretary, Yang Yi, then admonished him: "I have seen you, Chancellor, personally checking the account books. I believe this is unnecessary. Governing has its proper structure, and the superior and inferior should not interfere with each other's duties. It is like managing a household: the servants must plow the fields, the maids must cook the meals. If each does his own work without neglect, all needs are met, and the master can relax and enjoy his meals in peace. If the master does everything himself, he will exhaust his body and spirit and accomplish nothing. Is he less intelligent than his servants? No—he has simply lost the way of being a master. Thus the ancients said: 'Those who sit and discuss the Way are the Three Excellencies; those who rise and act are the scholar-officials.' In the past, Bing Ji was concerned about an ox panting in the heat, but did not ask about a corpse lying in the road. Chen Ping did not know the exact amounts of money and grain, saying, 'There are those in charge of that.' Now you, Chancellor, personally handle trivial matters, sweating all day long. Is that not exhausting? Sima Yi's words are truly wise." Zhuge Liang wept and said, "I know this well. But I bear the heavy burden of the late Emperor's dying wish. I fear that no one else will be as devoted as I am." All present wept. From that day forward, Zhuge Liang felt his mind and spirit growing unsettled. His officers dared not press for battle.
Now, the Wei generals all knew that Zhuge Liang had insulted Sima Yi with women's garments, and that Sima Yi had accepted them without fighting. This enraged them. They entered his tent and said, "We are all famous generals of a great state. How can we endure such humiliation from the men of Shu? We beg to be allowed to fight, to decide the issue once and for all." Sima Yi replied, "It is not that I dare not fight and willingly suffer this disgrace. But the Emperor has issued a clear decree commanding me to hold my ground and not to move. If I act rashly now, I would be defying the sovereign's command." The officers were still furious and dissatisfied. Sima Yi said, "Since you insist on fighting, let me first memorialize the Emperor for his permission. Then we can all fight together. What do you think?" They all agreed. Sima Yi wrote a memorial and dispatched a messenger to deliver it to the Emperor at Hefei. Cao Rui opened and read it. The memorial said: "Your servant, of humble talent but heavy responsibility, has received Your Majesty's clear command to hold firm and not fight, waiting for the Shu army to exhaust itself. But now Zhuge Liang has sent me women's garments, treating me like a woman. The disgrace is unbearable! I humbly inform Your Majesty: I am prepared to fight to the death at any moment, to repay the court's grace and wash away the shame of the army. I am overwhelmed with urgency."
After reading it, Cao Rui said to his officials, "Sima Yi was determined to hold his ground. Why is he now requesting permission to fight?" The Commandant of the Guards, Xin Pi, replied, "Sima Yi never intended to fight in the first place. He is only sending this memorial because Zhuge Liang's insult has enraged his officers. He is seeking a renewed imperial command to restrain them." Cao Rui agreed with this assessment. He immediately ordered Xin Pi to take the imperial seal and go to the camp on the north bank of the Wei River to deliver a decree forbidding any engagement. Sima Yi received the decree in his tent. Xin Pi proclaimed, "Anyone who speaks of fighting again will be considered in violation of the imperial command." The officers had no choice but to obey. Sima Yi said quietly to Xin Pi, "You truly understand my heart!" He then had it spread throughout the army that the Emperor had sent Xin Pi with the imperial seal to forbid Sima Yi from giving battle.
When the Shu generals learned of this, they reported it to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "This is Sima Yi's way of calming his own army." Jiang Wei asked, "How do you know, Chancellor?" Zhuge Liang replied, "He never intended to fight. His request for battle was only a show of strength to his men. Have you not heard the saying? 'A general in the field may refuse the sovereign's command.' Would a man truly request permission from a thousand li away? No. Sima Yi's officers were angry, so he used Cao Rui's authority to control them. Now he spreads this story to weaken our resolve."
As they were speaking, a report arrived that Fei Yi had come. Zhuge Liang invited him in and asked for news. Fei Yi said, "When Cao Rui learned that Wu was attacking on three fronts, he led his main army to Hefei and ordered Man Chong, Tian Yu, and Liu Shao to meet them. Man Chong devised a plan and burned all of Wu's grain and equipment. Many Wu soldiers fell ill. Lu Xun sent a memorial to the King of Wu, proposing a coordinated attack from front and rear, but the messenger was captured by the Wei army. The plan was exposed, and the Wu forces withdrew without accomplishing anything." Upon hearing this news, Zhuge Liang let out a long sigh and collapsed to the ground. His officers rushed to revive him. It was a long time before he regained consciousness. Zhuge Liang sighed, "My mind is clouded. My old illness has returned. I fear I will not live much longer."
That night, Zhuge Liang, leaning on his sickbed, went outside his tent and gazed up at the heavens. He was deeply alarmed. He returned to his tent and said to Jiang Wei, "My life is hanging by a thread!" Jiang Wei asked, "Chancellor, why do you say this?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I saw that among the stars of the Three Terraces, the guest star is doubly bright, while the host star is faint and hidden. The surrounding stars are all dim. With such heavenly signs, I know my fate." Jiang Wei said, "The heavens may show this, but Chancellor, why not use the ritual of supplication to avert it?" Zhuge Liang said, "I am well versed in the art of supplication, but I do not know Heaven's will. You are to select forty-nine men, each dressed in black and carrying a black banner, to stand guard around my tent. I will perform the ritual to pray to the Northern Dipper. If the main lamp remains lit for seven days, my life will be extended by twelve years. If it goes out, I will surely die. No one else is to be allowed inside. All necessary items are to be brought in by two young attendants." Jiang Wei accepted the order and prepared everything.
It was the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Milky Way shimmered brightly in the sky. The dew glistened. The banners hung still, and the watchmen's clappers were silent. Jiang Wei led the forty-nine men in their vigil outside the tent. Inside, Zhuge Liang set up an altar with incense and flowers. On the ground, he arranged seven large lamps, surrounded by forty-nine smaller ones, and placed a single lamp in the center to represent his own fate. Zhuge Liang bowed and prayed: "I, Liang, was born into a chaotic age and was content to live out my life in the forests and streams. But I received the grace of the late Emperor, who visited my thatched hut three times, and entrusted me with the care of his son. I dared not shirk my duty, and swore to destroy the traitors to the state. But now, my star of destiny is about to fall, and my allotted span is nearly at an end. I write this humble letter to the heavens above, beseeching Heaven's mercy to look down and hear my plea, to extend my life a little longer, that I may repay my sovereign's kindness above and save the people below, restore the old order, and preserve the Han sacrifices forever. I do not dare to make an arrogant request, but I am moved by the deepest sincerity." Having finished his prayer, he prostrated himself in the tent and waited until dawn. The next day, he forced himself to attend to affairs, coughing up blood without cease. By day, he discussed military strategy; by night, he paced the constellations in the ritual dance.
Meanwhile, Sima Yi, holding firm in his camp, suddenly looked up at the heavens one night and was overjoyed. He said to Xiahou Ba, "I saw that the general's star has lost its place. Zhuge Liang must be ill and will soon die. Take a thousand men and scout the Wuzhang Plains. If the Shu troops are in disarray and do not come out to fight, then Zhuge Liang is indeed sick. I will then attack." Xiahou Ba led his men and departed. Zhuge Liang had been performing the ritual for six nights. Seeing that the main lamp was burning brightly, he was filled with joy. Jiang Wei entered the tent and saw Zhuge Liang, his hair loose, wielding a sword, pacing the constellations to steady the star of his fate. Suddenly, a great shout erupted from outside the camp. Before he could send someone to investigate, Wei Yan burst in and reported, "The Wei army has come!" In his haste, Wei Yan's steps were too fast, and his foot knocked over the main lamp, extinguishing it. Zhuge Liang threw down his sword and sighed, "Life and death are fated. They cannot be averted by prayer!" Wei Yan, terrified, fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness. Jiang Wei, furious, drew his sword to kill Wei Yan.
Truly, not all things are in a man's hands; a single heart cannot contend with fate. What would become of Wei Yan? The next chapter will reveal.