hing themselves to prepare food when a great hubbub arose all around； and with beating of drums and blaring of trumpets； the whole country was filled with the soldiers of Shu。 Suddenly there was a stir near by the great standard； and out came a small four…wheeled chariot in which sat Zhuge Liang。 He bade a herald call the leader of the Wei army to a parley。
Fei Yao rode out and； seeing Zhuge Liang； he secretly rejoiced。
Turning to those about him； Fei Yao said； 〃If the soldiers of Shu e on； you are to retire and look out for a signal。 If you see a blaze； you are to turn and attack； for you will be reinforced by Jiang Wei。〃
Then Fei Yao rode to the front and shouted； 〃You rebel leader in front there。 How dare you e here again after the last defeat？〃
Zhuge Liang replied； 〃Go and call Cao Zhen to a parley。〃
〃My chief； Cao Zhen； is of the royal stock。 Think you that he will e to parley with rebels？〃
Zhuge Liang angrily waved his fan； and there came forth Ma Dai and Zhang Ni and their troops with a rush。 The Wei army retired。 But ere they had gone far； they saw a blaze in the rear of the advancing host of Shu and heard a great shouting。 Fei Yao could only conclude that this was the signal of Jiang Wei he was looking for； and so he faced about to attack。
But the enemy also turned about and retired。 Fei Yao led the pursuit； sword in hand； hastening to the point whence the shouting came。 Nearing the signal fire； the drums beat louder than ever； and then out came two armies； one under Guan Xing and the other under Zhang Bao； while arrows and stones rained from the hill…tops。 The Wei troops could not stand it and knew not only they were beaten； but beaten by a ruse。 Fei Yao tried to withdraw his force into the shelter of the valley