uge Liang said； 〃I have lost my friend Ma Chao by illness since I returned from the Southern Expedition； and I feel as I had lost an arm。 Now； General； you must own that the years are mounting up。 Any slight lapse would not only shake the life…long reputation of yourself； but might have a bad effect on the whole army。〃
Zhao Yun replied bitterly； 〃I have never quailed in the presence of the enemy from the day I first joined the First Ruler。 I have ever pressed to the front。 It is a happy ending for a person of valor to die on the frontier。 Think you that I should resent it？ Let me lead the van； I pray。〃
Zhuge Liang used all his skill to dissuade the veteran； but in vain。
Zhao Yun was set on it； saying； 〃If you； O Prime Minister； do not let me lead the van； I will smash my head on the floor and die at your feet。〃
At last Zhuge Liang yielded； saying； 〃General； you can have the post of Van Leader； but you must choose a colleague to support you。〃
〃I will go to help the Veteran Leader！〃 cried Deng Zhi； without a moment's hesitation。 〃I am not worth much； but I will help lead the attack on the enemy。〃
Accordingly five thousand of veterans were chosen for the advanced guard； and with them； to assist Zhao Yun； went Deng Zhi and ten other generals。
After the vanguard had set out； the main body marched by the north gate； the Latter Ruler himself going to see his minister start。 The farewell was taken three miles from the gate； in the face of the grand army with its banners and pennons flaunting in the wind； and spears and swords gleaming in the sun。
Then they took the road leading to Hanzhong。
Naturally； this movement was duly reported in Luoyang at a court held by Cao Rui； when a minister said； 〃A report from the bord