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der Guo Huai。 The two Leaders of the Van remained in charge of the army。
Then a messenger rode to the front and called out in a loud voice； 〃We request the leader of the opposing army to e out to a parley。〃
At this； within the Shu army； an opening was made at the main standard； through which came out Guan Xing and Zhang Bao； who took up their stations right and left。 Then followed two lines of generals； and beneath the standard； in the center of the array； was seen a four…wheeled carriage wherein sat Zhuge Liang； with turban； white robe and black sash。 A leather fan was in his hand。 He advanced with the utmost dignity。 Looking up； he saw three mander umbrellas and flags bearing large white characters。 In the middle was an aged； white…haired figure； Minister Wang Lang。
〃He intends to deliver an oration；〃 thought Zhuge Liang。 〃I must answer as best I may。〃
His carriage was then pushed to the front beyond the line of battle； and he directed one of his officers to reply； saying； 〃The Prime Minister of the Hans is willing to speak with Minister Wang Lang。〃
Wang Lang advanced。 Zhuge Liang saluted him from the carriage with raised hands； and Wang Lang replied from horseback with an inclination。 Then Wang Lang began his oration。
〃I am happy to meet you； Noble Sir。 Your reputation has been long known to me。 Since you recognize the decrees of Heaven and are acquainted with the conditions of the world； why do you； without any excuse； lead out such an army？〃
Zhuge Liang replied； 〃How mean you no excuse？ I hold an edict to destroy rebels。〃
Wang Lang replied； 〃Heaven has its mutations； and change its instruments from time to time。 The supreme dignity es at last to the person of virtue。 This is the inevitable and immutable law。 In the days of Emperors Huan and Ling arose the Yellow Scarves rebellion； and the whole earth was involved in wrangling and warfare。 Later； in the eras of Inauguration of Tranquillity and Rebuilt Tranquillity； Dong Zhuo arose in revolt； a revolt which Li Jue and Guo Si continued after Dong Zhuo had been destroyed。 Next Yuan Shu usurped the imperial style； and his brother Yuan Shao played the man of might and valor in the land of Yejun。 Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou； and Lu Bu seized and held Xuzhou。 Thus rebels have arisen in the land like swarm of wasps and bold spirits have followed their own will； to the danger of the supreme dignity and the peril of the people。
〃Then the Founder of Wei； Emperor Cao； swept away rebellion in eight directions； purged the land； and restored order。 All hearts turned to him in gratitude； and the people of the four quarters admired his virtue。 He gained his position by no manifestation of force： It was simply the will of Heaven。 His son and successor； Emperor Pi； was wise and warlike； adequate to the great heritage and fitted to wield supreme power。 Wherefore； in accordance with the will of Heaven and the desires of humans； and following the example of the earliest emperors； he took his place as arbiter of the Central Government； whereby the myriad countries are ordered and governed。 Can any maintain that it was not the desire of Heaven and the wish of the people？
＇e＇ Guan Zhong was priminister of Duke Huan of Qi。 Guan Zhong made Qi a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn period。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Yue Yi was a great general of Yan。 Yue Yi helped Yan overe Qi； which was a dominant state during the Warring States period。 。。。。。
〃Noble Sir； you are a man of natural talent and acquired attainments； worthy； you say yourself； to be pared with Guan Zhong* and Yue Yi*。 Why then place yourself in opposition to the decree of Heaven and turn away from the desire of humankind to do this thing？ You cannot be ignorant of the wise old saying： 'He who accords with the Heaven shall flourish； while he who opposes shall be destroyed。'
〃Now the armies of Wei are countless legions； and their able leaders are beyond number。 Can the glowworm in the parched stubble rival the glorious moon in the sky？ If you will turn down your weapons and throw aside your armors and dutifully yield； you shall not lose your rank。 The state will have tranquillity and the people rejoice。 Is not that a desirable consummation？〃
Zhuge Liang laughed。
Said he； 〃I regarded you as an old and tried servant of the Han Dynasty and thought you would hold some noble discourse。 Could I imagine you would talk so foully？ I have a word to say that all the armies may hear。 In the days of Emperors Huan and Ling the rule of Han declined； the officers of state were the authors of evil； the government fell into confusion； and misfortune settled on the country。 Trouble was rife in every quarter。 The Yellow Scaves； Dong Zhuo； Li Jue and Guo Si； and other rebels arose one after another； deposing the emperor and afflicting the people。 Because the household officers were corrupt and foolish； and the court officials were as brute beasts； living only that they might feed； because high people； wolfishly cruel in their hearts； savagely mean in their conduct； were in office one after another； and slavish flatterers bending slavish knees confounded the administration； therefore the Throne became as a waste heap； and the people were trodden into the mire。
〃I know all about you。 You came from the eastern seashore。 You got into office with a remendation of filial piety and integrity； you properly aided your sovereign and supported the state； cared for the tranquillity of Han and magnified the Lius。 But could one have imagined that you would turn and assist rebels and enter into a plot to usurp the Throne？ Indeed your crime is great and your guilt heavy。 Heaven and earth will not suffer you。 The inhabitants of this land would devour you。
〃But happily the design of Heaven is to retain the glorious dynasty。 The late Emperor Bei continued the line in the River Lands； and I have been entrusted by the present Emperor with the task of destroying you rebels。
〃Since you are such a false and specious minister； you have but to hide your body and cover your head； concern yourself about your belly and your back。 Do not e out before the armies to rave about the decrees of Heaven。 You fool and rebel！ Mark you； today is your last day。 This day even you descend to the Nine Golden Springs。 How will you stand before the twenty…four emperors of Latter Han that you will meet there？ Retire； you rebel！ Go tell your rebellious panions to e and fight one battle with me that shall decide the victory。〃
Fierce wrath filled the old man's breast。 With one despairing cry Wang Lang fell to the earth dead。
This exploit of Zhuge Liang's has been lauded in verse：
In west Qin； when the armies met in the field；
He； the bold one； singly faced a myriad warriors；
And with a simple weapon； just his tongue；
He did to death a wicked minister。
After Wang Lang had fallen； Zhuge Liang waved the fan toward Cao Zhen and said； 〃As for you； I leave you alone for this occasion。 Go and get your army in order for tomorrow's battle。〃
The chariot turned and left the ground。 Both armies retired for that day。 To Cao Zhen fell the melancholy duty of rendering the last services to the aged Minister and setting his coffin on its journey to Changan。
Then said General Guo Huai； 〃Zhuge Liang will certainly think the army occupied with mourning and make a night attack。 Let us anticipate him and set out an ambush about our camp。 Let two bodies of our troops be hidden outside and two others take the occasion to raid the camp of the enemy。〃
〃I thought of such a scheme myself；〃 said Cao Zhen。 〃It exactly suits my plans。〃
So Cao Zhen gave order to Cao Zun and Zhu Zan： 〃You are to take ten thousand troops each； get away by the rear of the mountain； and look out for the passing of the soldiers of Shu。 When they have gone by； you are to make for their camp。 But you are only to attempt a raid if they have left。〃
Cao Zun and Zhu Zan took the order and left。 Then the mander…in…Chief arranged with Guo Huai each to lead a force and hide outside the camp to wait for the raid of Shu。 Only a few soldiers were to be left within to make a fire if the enemy were seen to be ing。 And all generals set about the necessary preparations。
When Zhuge Liang reached his tent； he called to him Zhao Yun and Wei Yan； and said to them； 〃You two are to make a night attack。〃
〃Cao Zhen is a man of experience and will be on the lookout；〃 ventured Wei Yan。
〃But that is just what I want： I want him to know we shall attack tonight。 He will then put some troops in hiding in rear of the Qishan Mountains； who will make for our camp as soon as they see us pass toward theirs。 I am sending you to let yourselves be seen passing the hill。 but you are to camp behind it and at a distance。 When the soldiers of Wei attack this camp； you will see a signal。 Then Wei Yan will hold the approach to the hill； and Zhao Yun will make his way back in fighting order。 He will meet the army of Wei returning and will let them pass。 The enemy will assuredly fall to fighting among themselves； and we shall finish the battle。〃
These two having gone away to carry out their portions of the plan； Zhuge Liang next called up Guan Xing and Zhang Bao： 〃You are to take each ten thousand troops and hide in the high road to the mountain。 When the troops of Wei e； let them pass and th