w in the upper course of the stream a hill which might well screen a thousand soldiers。
So Zhuge Liang returned to camp； called in Zhao Yun and said； 〃General； you lead five hundred troops； with drums and horns； and place them in ambush behind the hill； to await certain orders which will e some time during the night or at dawn。 When you hear a detonation； you are not to appear； only give a long roll of the drums at every report。〃
Zhao Yun departed to play his part in the drama； while Zhuge Liang went to a hill whence he could overlook the scene。
When next the army of Cao Cao approached the camp of Shu and offered battle； not a man came out； nor was an arrow or a bolt shot。 They retired without any result。 But in the depths of the night； when all the lights in the camp were extinguished and all appeared tranquil and restful； Zhuge Liang exploded a bomb； and at once Zhao Yun beat his drums and blared his trumpets。 Cao Cao's soldiers awoke in alarm； thinking it was a night raid。 They rushed out； but there was no enemy； and as the hubbub ceased they went back to sleep。 Soon after there was another bomb； and again the drums and the trumpets seeming to shake the earth itself； and the fearsome roar echoing along the valleys and from the hills again scared Cao Cao's soldiers。 Thus the night passed in constant alarms。 The next night was the same； and the next。 On the fourth day Cao Cao broke up his camp； marched his troops ten miles to the rear and pitched his camp in a clear； wide space among the hills。
Zhuge Liang was pleased at the result of his ruse。 Said he； smiling； 〃Cao Cao is skilled in war； but still he is not proof against all deceitful tricks。〃
The troops of Shu then crossed the river and camped with the stream behind them。 When