But almost immediately he heard a shout; and ambushing troops appeared in front of him。 He jumped on his horse to look about him; and saw a great cloud of dust rising among the hills。 He disposed his troops for defense; but the shouting quickly came nearer; and then Hu Ban and Wu Yi appeared advancing towards him。 Retreat was impossible for Guan Xing and Liao Hua had blocked the road。
The hills were on both sides; and from the hill…tops came shouts of 〃Dismount and yield!〃
More than half did surrender。 Qin Liang rode out to fight; but he was slain by Liao Hua。
Zhuge Liang put the Wei soldiers who had e over to his side in one of the rear divisions。 With their dress and arms; he disguised five thousand of his own troops so that they looked like his enemies; and then he sent this division………under Guan Xing; Liao Hua; Wu Yi; and Hu Ban………to raid Cao Zhen's camp。 Before they reached the camp; they sent one of their number ahead as a galloper to tell Cao Zhen that there had been only a few men of Shu and they had all been chased out of sight; and so lull him into security。
This news satisfied Cao Zhen。
But just then a trusty messenger from Sima Yi came with a message: 〃Our troops have fallen into an ambush; and many have been killed。 Do not think any more about the wager: That is canceled。 But take most careful precautions。〃
〃But there is not a single soldier of Shu near;〃 said Cao Zhen。
He told the messenger to go back。 Just then they told him Qin Liang's army had returned; and he went out to meet them。 Just as he got near; someone remarked that some torches had flared up in the rear of his camp。 He hastened thither to see。 As soon as he was out of sight; the four leaders waved on their troops and dashed up to the camp。 A