he field; but he is no match for Zhuge Liang。 Still there is such a match; and I will pledge my whole family that he will succeed。 But Your Majesty may be unwilling to listen to me。〃
The Ruler of Wei replied; 〃You are a minister of high rank and old。 If you know any wise person able to repel these soldiers of Shu; call him without delay and ease my mind。〃
Then said Zhong Yao; 〃When Zhuge Liang decided to invade us; he was afraid of the one man I will name。 Wherefore he spread calumnies concerning him; raising suspicion in Your Majesty's mind that you might dismiss him。 That done; Zhuge Liang invaded。 Now employ this man again; and the enemy will retire。〃
〃Who is it?〃 asked the Ruler of Wei。
〃I mean the Imperial mander of the Flying Cavalry; Sima Yi。〃
〃I have long regretted my action;〃 said Cao Rui。 〃Where now is friend Sima Yi?〃
〃He is at the city of Wancheng; idle。〃
An edict was prepared recalling Sima Yi and restoring him to his rank and titles; and conferring upon him the new title mander…in…Chief of the Western Forces and General Who Pacifies the West。 All troops of Nanyang were set in motion; and Cao Rui led them to Changan。 At the same time Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to be there to meet him on a certain day。 And the orders were sent by a swift messenger to the city of Wancheng。
At this time Zhuge Liang greatly rejoiced at the success he had had。 He was at Qishan; busy with plans for other victories; when Li Yan; who was in mand at the Palace of Eternal Peace; sent his son Li Teng to the camp。 Zhuge Liang concluded that such a visit could only mean that Wu had invaded them; and he was in consequence cast down。 However; he summoned Li Teng to his tent; and when asked the object of his mission; Li Teng replied