第243部分(第2/7 页)

t　the　same　time　Ma　Dai　and　Wang　Ping　came　up　behind；　and　Ma　Zheng　and　Zhang　Yi　came　out。

The　soldiers　of　Wei　were　trapped　and　helpless。　They　scattered　and　fled　for　life。　Cao　Zhen；　protected　by　his　generals；　fled　away　eastward。　The　enemy　chased　them　closely。　As　Cao　Zhen　fled　there　arose　a　great　shouting；　and　up　came　an　army　at　full　speed。　Cao　Zhen　thought　all　was　lost；　and　his　heart　sank；　but　it　was　Sima　Yi；　who　drove　off　the　pursuers。

Though　Cao　Zhen　was　saved；　he　was　almost　too　ashamed　to　show　his　face。

Then　said　Sima　Yi；　〃Zhuge　Liang　has　seized　Qishan；　and　we　cannot　remain　here。　Let　us　go　to　River　Wei；　whence　we　may　try　to　recover　our　lost　ground。〃

〃How　did　you　know　I　was　in　danger　of　defeat？〃　asked　Cao　Zhen。

〃My　messenger　told　me　that　you　said　there　was　not　a　single　soldier　of　Shu　near；　and　I　knew　Zhuge　Liang　would　try　to　seize　your　camp。　So　I　came　to　your　help。　The　enemy's　plan　succeeded；　but　we　will　say　no　more　about　that　wager。　We　must　both　do　our　best　for　the　country。〃

But　the　fright　and　excitement　made　Cao　Zhen　ill；　and　he　took　to　his　bed。　And　while　the　army　were　in　such　a　state　of　disorder；　Sima　Yi　was　afraid　to　advise　a　return。　They　camped　at　River　Wei。

After　this　adventure　Zhuge　Liang　hastened　back　to　Qishan。　After　the　soldiers　had　been　feasted　and　services　recognized；　the　four　discontented　leaders………Wei　Yan；　Chen　Shi；　Du　Qiong；　and　Zhang　Ni………came　to　the　tent　to　apologize。

〃Who　caused　the　loss？〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。

Wei　Yan　said；　〃Chen　Shi　disobeyed　orders　and　rushed　into　the　valley。〃

〃Wei　Yan　told　me　to；〃　said　Chen　Shi。

〃Would　you　still　try　to　drag　him　down　after　he　rescued　you？〃　said　Zhuge　Liang。　〃However；　when　orders　have　been　disobeyed；　it　is　useless　to　try　and　gloze　it　over。〃