good；〃 said Sima Yi。
Here General Wei Ping stepped forward； saying； 〃But they are retreating from Qishan。 We should seize the occasion of their retreat to smite them。 Are they tigers that you fear to move？ How the world will laugh at us？〃
But Sima Yi was obstinate and ignored the protest。
When Zhuge Liang knew that the Qishan troops had got away safely； he called Yang Yi and Ma Zheng and gave them secret orders to lead ten thousand of bowmen and crossbowmen out by the Wooden Path of Saber Pass and place them in ambush on both sides of the road。
Said he； 〃If the soldiers of Wei pursue； wait till you hear a bomb。 When you hear the bomb； at once barricade the road with timber and stones so as to impede them。 When they halt； shoot at them with the bows and the crossbows。〃
Wei Yan and Guan Xing were told to attack the rear of the enemy。
These orders given； the walls of Lucheng were decorated lavishly with flags； and at various points within the city were piled straw and kindling wood ready to make some smoke as though there were cooking activities in the city。 The soldiers were sent out along the road toward Saber Pass。
The spies of Wei returned to headquarters to report： 〃A large number of Shu soldiers have left； but we do not know how many remain within the city。〃
In doubt； Sima Yi went himself to look； and when he saw the smoke rising from within the walls and the fluttering flags； he said； 〃The city is deserted！〃
He sent men in to confirm this； and they said the place was empty。
〃Then Zhuge Liang is really gone。 Who will pursue？〃
〃Let me；〃 replied Zhang He。
〃You are too impulsive；〃 said Sima Yi。
〃I have been Leader of the Van from the first day of this expedition。 Why not use me t