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ad enemies within our borders。 As a precaution； and to hinder his progress； I have burned the Plank Trail and now report these matters。〃
The Latter Ruler said； 〃Wei Yan is a valiant warrior and could easily have overe Yang Yi。 Why then did he destroy the Plank Trail？〃
Empress Wu said； 〃The First Ruler used to say that Zhuge Liang knew that treachery lurked in the heart of Wei Yan； and he wished to put Wei Yan to death； he only spared Wei Yan because of his valor。 We should not believe too readily this tale of his that Yang Yi has rebelled。 Yang Yi is a scholar and a civil officer； and the late Prime Minister placed him in a position of great responsibility； thereby proving that he trusted and valued Yang Yi。 If we believe this statement； surely Yang Yi will be forced to go over to Wei。 Nothing should be done without due meditation。〃
As they were discussing this matter； an urgent memorial came from Yang Yi； and opening it； they read：
〃I； Yang Yi； leader of the retreating army； humbly and with trepidation； present this memorial。 In his last moments the late Prime Minister made over to me the charge of the great enterprise； and bade me carry out his plan without change。 I have respected his charge。 I ordered Wei Yan to mand the rearguard with Jiang Wei as his second。 But Wei Yan refused obedience and led away his own army into Hanzhong。 Then he burned the Plank Trail； tried to steal away the body of the late mander…in…Chief； and behaved altogether unseemly。 His rebellion came upon me suddenly and unexpectedly。 I send this memorial in haste。〃
The Empress Dowager listened to the end。
Then； turning to the officers； she said； 〃What is your opinion now？〃
Jiang Wan replied； 〃Yang Yi is hasty and intolerant； but he has rendered great services in supplying the army。 He has long been a trusted colleague of the late Prime Minister； who； being near his end； entrusted to him the conduct of affairs。 Certainly he is no rebel。 On the other hand； Wei Yan is bold and ambitious and thinks himself everybody's superior。 Yang Yi is the only one who has openly been of different opinion； and hence Wei Yan hates him。 When he saw Yang Yi placed over his head in mand of the army； Wei Yan refused his support。 Then Wei Yan burned the Plank Trail in order to cut off Yang Yi's retreat； and maligned him； hoping to bring about his fall。 I am ready to guarantee Yang Yi's fealty to the extent of my whole house； but I would not answer for Wei Yan。〃
Dong Yun followed； 〃Wei Yan has always been conceited and discontented。 His mouth was full of hate and resentment； and only fear of the late Prime Minister held him in check。 The Prime Minister's death gave him his opportunity； and he turned traitor。 This is certainly the true state of the case。 Yang Yi is able； and his employment by the late Prime Minister is proof of his loyalty。〃
〃If this is true and Wei Yan is really a rebel； what should be done？〃 asked the Latter Ruler。
Jiang Wan said； 〃I think the late Prime Minister has framed some scheme by which to get rid of Wei Yan。 If Yang Yi had not felt secure； he would scarcely have set out to return through the valleys。 Your Majesty may feel sure that Wei Yan will fall into some trap。 We have received； almost at the same time； two memorials from two men； each bringing against the other a charge of rebellion。 Let us wait。〃
In a short time another memorial arrived from Wei Yan； who accused Yang Yi of rebellion。 The Latter Ruler was reading it； when a messenger from Yang Yi was announced with yet another memorial labeling Wei Yan a rebel。 The court received several more memorials from both sides blaming each other； and the officials did not know what to do。
Just then Fei Yi arrived。 He was summoned into the royal presence and told the story of Wei Yan's revolt。
The Latter Ruler replied； 〃In that case I should do well to send Dong Yun with the ensigns of authority to mediate the situation and attempt to persuade Wei Yan with kind words。〃
So Dong Yun left on this mission。
At this time Wei Yan was camped at Nangu Valley； which was a manding position。 He thought his plan was succeeding well。 It had not occurred to him that Yang Yi and Jiang Wei could get past him by any by…way。
On the other hand； Yang Yi； thinking that Hanzhong was lost； sent He Ping with three thousand troops on in front while he followed with the coffin。
When He Ping had got to the rear of Nangu Valley； they announced their presence with rolling drums。 The scouts quickly told Wei Yan； who at once armed himself； took his sword； and rode out to confront He Ping。 When both sides were arrayed； He Ping rode to the front and began to revile his opponent。
〃Where is that rebel Wei Yan？〃 cried He Ping。
〃You aided that traitor Yang Yi！〃 cried Wei Yan； no way backward with his tongue。 〃How dare you abuse me？〃
He Ping waxed more indignant。
〃You rebelled immediately after the late chief's death； before even his body was cold。 How could you？〃
Then shaking his whip at the followers of Wei Yan； He Ping cried； 〃And you soldiers are Shu people。 Your fathers and mothers； wives and children； and your friends are still in the land。 Were you treated unkindly that you have joined a traitor and aid his wicked schemes？ You ought to have returned home and waited quietly the rewards that would have been yours。〃
The soldiers were touched by his words。 They cheered； and more than a half ran away。
Wei Yan was now raging。 He whirled up his sword and galloped forward straight for He Ping； who went to meet him with his spear ready。 They fought several bouts； and then He Ping rode away as if defeated。 Wei Yan followed； but He Ping's troops began to shoot and Wei Yan was driven backward。 As he got near his own ranks； Wei Yan saw many generals leaving their panies and going away。 He rode after them and cut some of them down。 But this did not stay the movement； they continued to go。 The only steady portion of his own army was that manded by Ma Dai。 They stood their ground。
〃Will you really help me？〃 said Wei Yan。 〃I will surely remember you in the day of success。〃
The two then went in pursuit of He Ping； who fled before them。 However； it was soon evident that He Ping was not to be overtaken； and the pursuers halted。 Wei Yan mustered his now small force。
〃What if we go over to Wei？〃 said Wei Yan。
〃I think your words unwise；〃 said Ma Dai。 〃Why should we join anyone？ A really strong person would try to carve out his own fortune and not be ready to crook the knee to another。 You are far more able and brave than any leader in the River Lands。 No one would dare to stand up to you。 I pledge myself to go with you to the seizure of Hanzhong； and thence we will attack the West River Land。〃
So they marched together toward Nanzheng； where Jiang Wei stationed。 From the city wall Jiang Wei saw their approach and marked their proud； martial look。 He ordered the drawbridge to be raised and sent to tell his colleague； Yang Yi。
As they drew near； both Wei Yan and Ma Dai shouted out； 〃Surrender！〃
In spite of the smallness of their following； Jiang Wei felt that Ma Dai acting with Wei Yan was a dangerous bination； and he wanted the advice of Yang Yi。
〃Wei Yan is valorous； and he is having the help of Ma Dai。 How shall we repel them？〃 asked Jiang Wei。
Yang Yi replied； 〃Just before his death； the Prime Minister gave me a silken bag； which he said I was to open when Wei Yan's mutiny reached a critical point。 It contains a plan to rid ourselves of this traitor； and it seems that now is the moment to see what should be done。〃
So Yang Yi opened the bag and drew forth the letter it held。 On the cover he read； 〃To be opened when Wei Yan is actually arrayed opposite you。〃
Said Jiang Wei； 〃As this has all been arranged for； I had better go out； and when his line is formed then you can e forth。〃
Jiang Wei donned his armor； took his spear； and rode out； with three thousand troops。 They marched out of the city gates with the drums beating。 The array pleted； Jiang Wei took his place under the great standard and opened with a volley of abuse。
〃Rebel Wei Yan； the late Prime Minister never harmed you。 Why have you turned traitor？〃
Wei Yan reined up； lowered his sword and replied； 〃Friend Jiang Wei； this is no concern of yours。 Tell Yang Yi to e。〃
Now Yang Yi was also beneath the standard； but hidden。 He opened the letter； and the words therein seemed to please him； for he rode forward blithely。
Presently he reined in； pointed to Wei Yan and said； 〃The Prime Minister foresaw your mutiny and bade me be on my guard。 Now if you are able thrice to shout； 'Who dares kill me？'； then you will be a real hero； and I will yield to you the whole of Hanzhong。〃
Wei Yan laughed。
〃Listen； you old fool！ While Zhuge Liang lived I feared him somewhat。 But he is dead and no one dares stand before me。 I will not only shout the words thrice； but a myriad times。 Why not？〃
Wei Yan raised his sword； shook his bridle； and shouted； 〃Who dares kill me？〃
He never finished。 Behind him someone shouted savagely； 〃I dare！〃 and at the same moment Wei Yan fell dead； cut down by Ma Dai。
This was the denouement； and was the secret entrusted to Ma Dai just before Zhuge Liang's death。 Wei Yan was to be made to shout these words and slain when he least expected it。 Yang Yi knew what was t