Those　who　heard　him　wept。　Thereafter　Zhuge　Liang　appeared　more　and　more　harassed；　and　military　operations　did　not　speed。

On　the　other　side　the　officers　of　Wei　resented　bitterly　the　insult　that　had　been　put　upon　them　when　their　leader　had　been　presented　with　the　deer　hide　dress。

They　wished　to　avenge　the　taunt；　and　went　to　their　general；　saying；　〃We　are　reputable　generals　of　the　army　of　a　great　state。　How　can　we　put　up　with　such　insults　from　these　soldiers　of　Shu？　We　pray　you　let　us　fight　them。〃

〃It　is　not　that　I　fear　to　go　out；〃　said　Sima　Yi；　〃nor　that　I　relish　the　insults；　but　I　have　the　Emperor's　mand　to　hold　on　and　may　not　disobey。〃

The　officers　were　not　in　the　least　appeased。

Wherefore　Sima　Yi　said；　〃I　will　send　your　request　to　the　Throne　in　a　memorial。　What　think　you　of　that？〃

They　consented　to　await　the　Emperor's　reply；　and　a　messenger　bore　to　the　Ruler　of　Wei；　in　Hefei；　this　memorial：

〃I　have　small　ability　and　high　office。　Your　Majesty　laid　on　me　the　mand　to　defend　and　not　fight　till　the　army　of　Shu　had　suffered　by　the　flux　of　time。　But　Zhuge　Liang　has　now　sent　me　a　gift　of　a　deer　hide　dress；　and　my　shame　is　very　deep。　Wherefore　I　advise　Your　Majesty　that　one　day　I　shall　have　to　fight　in　order　to　justify　your　kindness　to　me　and　to　remove　the　shameful　stigma　that　now　rests　upon　my　army。　I　cannot　express　the　degree　to　which　I　am　urged　to　this　course。〃

Cao　Rui　read　it　and　turned　questioningly　to　his　courtiers　seeking　an　explanation。

Said　he；　〃Sima　Yi　has　been　in　obstinate　defense：　Why　does　he　want　to　attack　now？〃

mander　Xin　Pi　replied；　〃Sima　Yi　has　no　desire　to　give　battle。　This　memorial　is　because　of　the　shame　put　upon　the　officers　by　Zhuge　Liang's　gift。　They　are　all　in　a　rage。　He　wishes　for