unded as in an iron cask。 All his efforts to get out failed。 Then there was a shout； and Wei Yan came to the rescue。 Wei Yan saved his rade； but Chen Shi's five thousand troops was reduced to about five hundred； and these wounded。 The Wei soldiers pursued； but two other divisions of Zhang Ni and Du Qiong prevented the pursuit； and finally the army of Wei retired。
Chen Shi and Wei Yan who had criticized Zhuge Liang's powers of prevision no longer doubted that he saw very clearly。 They regretted their own shortsightedness。
When Deng Zhi told his chief of the bad behavior of Chen Shi and Wei Yan； Zhuge Liang only laughed。
Said he； 〃Wei Yan has been disposed to disobey and resent。 However； I value his valor； and so I have employed him。 But he will do real harm some day。〃
Then came a messenger； who reported； 〃Chen Shi had fallen into an ambush and lost more than four thousand troops。 He has led his remained five hundred horse back to the gorge。〃
Zhuge Liang sent Deng Zhi back again to Gu Valley to console with Chen Shi and so keep him from actual mutiny。
Then Zhuge Liang called to his tent Ma Dai and Wang Ping； and said； 〃If there are any troops of Wei in the Xie Valley； you are to go across the mountains； marching by night and concealing yourselves by day； and make for the east of Qishan。 When you arrive； make a fire as a signal。〃
Next he gave orders to Ma Zheng and Zhang Ni； saying； 〃You are to follow the by…roads to the west of Qishan。 You are also to march by night and conceal by day。 Then you are to join up with Ma Dai and Wang Ping。 The four of you shall make a joint attack on Cao Zhen's camp。 I shall lead the army through the valley and attack the camp in the center。〃
After the four Generals left； Guan Xing and L