outh is at rest； at home is no anxiety。 What better time could be hoped for to destroy the rebels and recover the Middle Land？〃
Forth from the ranks of courtiers stood Minister Qiao Zhou and said； 〃I have studied the aspect of the stars。 The northern quarter is brilliant and strong。 The scheme will not speed。〃
Then turning toward the Prime Minister； he continued； 〃You； O Prime Minister； understand the mysteries of the skies。 Why do you oppose the stars？〃
〃Because the stars are in infinite changes；〃 replied Zhuge Liang。 〃One may rely on the stars too much。 Moreover； I have already sent the army into Hanzhong； where I shall act as soon as I have studied what is afoot。〃
Qiao Zhou pleaded in vain。 Zhuge Liang was too strongly set upon his purpose to yield。 So Guo Youzhi； Dong Yun； and Fei Yi were ordered to attend to matters in the Palace； Xiang Chong was to control all military affairs and became Grand mander； Jiang Wan was made Military Adviser； Chen Zhen became Chair of the Secretariat； Zhang Si； Controller of the Prime Minister's palace； Du Qiong； Imperial Censor； Du Wei and Yang Hong； Ministers； Meng Guang and Lai Min； Libationers； Yin Mo and Li Zhuan； Academicians； Xi Zheng and Fei Shi； General Secretaries； Qiao Zhou； Chief Secretary； and others to the number of over a hundred； all to manage the administration of Shu in the absence of Zhuge Liang。
Having received his Emperor's mand to lead an expedition against the north； Zhuge Liang returned to his palace and summoned the officers of the army to listen to the orders。 And they came； and to each was appointed a duty in the great army：
Front Army mander………Wei Yan
Front Army Marching Generals………Zhang Yi； Wang Ping
Rear Army mander………Li Hui
Rear Army Marching