does not eat more than a few pints of grain daily。〃
〃Indeed； Zhuge Liang eats little and works much；〃 remarked Sima Yi to his generals。 〃Can he last long？〃
The messenger returned to his own side and reported to Zhuge Liang； saying； 〃Sima Yi took the whole episode in good part and shown no sign of anger。 He only asked about the Prime Minister's hours of rest； and food； and such things。 He said no word about military matters。 I told him that you ate little and worked long hours； and then he said； 'Can he last long？' That was all。〃
〃He knows me；〃 said Zhuge Liang； pensively。
First Secretary Yang Yong presently ventured to remonstrate with his chief。
〃I notice；〃 said Yang Yong； 〃that you check the books personally。 I think that is needless labor for a Prime Minister to undertake。 In every administration the higher and subordinate ranks have their especial fields of activity； and each should confine his labors to his own field。 In a household； for example； the male plows and the female cooks； and thus operations are carried on without waste of energy； and all needs are supplied。 If one individual strives to attend personally to every matter； he only wearies himself and fails to acplish his end。 How can he possibly hope to perform all the various tasks well？
＇e＇ Bing Ji was a prime minister of Western Han。 One day； while riding in his cart with attendants； they came across brawling people by the road。 He continued without concern。 They then came across a man with an water buffalo panting。 He immediately stopped to ask how long they had been traveling。 His attendants were puzzled as to why he was more concerned about an ox than injured people。 He replied that fighting was a matter for local officials； but an ox panting in early spring （if not traveling for long） suggested unusual heat； which could have disastrous results for all。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Chen Ping （BC ？…178） a master strategist of Liu Bang。 He first served Xiang Yu but then became a follower in Liu Bang's camp。 Served as Liu Bang's prime minister and Empress Lu's left minister。 After the death of Empress Lu； Chen Ping played an important role in returning royal authority to the Liu clan。 。。。。。
〃And； indeed； the ancients held this same opinion； for they said that the high officers should attend to the discussion of ways and means； and the lower should carry out details。 Of old； Bing Ji* was moved to deep thought by the panting of an ox； but inquired not about the corpses of certain brawlers which lay about the road； for this matter concerned the magistrate。 Chen Ping* was ignorant of the figures relating to taxes； for he said these were the concern of the tax controllers。 O Prime Minister； you weary yourself with minor details and sweat yourself everyday。 You are wearing yourself out； and Sima Yi has good reason for what he said。〃
〃I know………I cannot but know；〃 replied Zhuge Liang with tears in his eyes。 〃But this heavy responsibility was laid upon me； and I fear no other will be so devoted as I am。〃
Those who heard him wept。 Thereafter Zhuge Liang appeared more and more harassed； and military operations did not speed。
On the other side the officers of Wei resented bitterly the insult that had been put upon them when their leader had been presented with the deer hide dress。
They wished to avenge the taunt； and went to their general； saying； 〃We are reputable generals of the army of a great state。 How can we put up with such insults from these soldiers of Shu？ We pray you let us fight them。〃
〃It is not that I fear to go out；〃 said Sima Yi； 〃nor that I relish the insults； but I have the Emperor's mand to hold on and may not disobey。〃
The officers were not in the least appeased。
Wherefore Sima Yi said； 〃I will send your request to the Throne in a memorial。 What think you of that？〃
They consented to await the Emperor's reply； and a messenger bore to the Ruler of Wei； in Hefei； this memorial：
〃I have small ability and high office。 Your Majesty laid on me the mand to defend and not fight till the army of Shu had suffered by the flux of time。 But Zhuge Liang has now sent me a gift of a deer hide dress； and my shame is very deep。 Wherefore I advise Your Majesty that one day I shall have to fight in order to justify your kindness to me and to remove the shameful stigma that now rests upon my army。 I cannot express the degree to which I am urged to this course。〃
Cao Rui read it and turned questioningly to his courtiers seeking an explanation。
Said he； 〃Sima Yi has been in obstinate defense： Why does he want to attack now？〃
mander Xin Pi replied； 〃Sima Yi has no desire to give battle。 This memorial is because of the shame put upon the officers by Zhuge Liang's gift。 They are all in a rage。 He wishes for an edict to pacify them。〃
Cao Rui understood and gave to Xin Pi an authority ensign and sent him to the River Wei camp to make known that it was the Emperor's mand not to fight。
Sima Yi received the messenger with all respect； and it was given out that any future reference to offering battle would be taken as disobedience to the Emperor's especial mand in the edict。
The officers could but obey。
Sima Yi said to Xin Pi； 〃Noble Sir； you interpreted my own desire correctly！〃
It was thenceforward understood that Sima Yi was forbidden to give battle。
When it was told to Zhuge Liang； he said； 〃This is only Sima Yi's method of pacifying his army。〃
Wei Jiang asked； 〃How do you know； O Prime Minister？〃
〃Sima Yi has never had any intention of fighting。 So he requested the edict to justify his strategy。 It is well known that a general in the field takes no mand from any person； not even his own prince。 Is it likely that he would send a thousand miles to ask permission to fight if that was all he needed？ The officers were bitter； and so Sima Yi got the Emperor to assist him in maintaining discipline。 All this is meant to slacken our soldiers。〃
Just at this time Fei Yi came from Capital Chengdu。 He was called in to see the Prime Minister； and Zhuge Liang asked the reason for his ing。
He replied； 〃The Ruler of Wei； Cao Rui； hearing that Wu has invaded his country at three points； has led a great army to Hefei and sent three armies under Man Chong； Tian Du； and Liu Shao； to oppose the invaders。 The stores and fight…material of Wu have been burned； and the army of Wu have fallen victims to sickness。 A letter from Lu Xun containing a scheme of attack fell into the hands of the enemy； and the Ruler of Wu has marched back into his own country。〃
Zhuge Liang listened to the end； then； without a word； he fell in a swoon。 He recovered after a time； but he was broken。
He said； 〃My mind is all in confusion。 This is a return of my old illness； and I am doomed。〃
Ill as he was； Zhuge Liang that night went forth from his tent to scan the heavens and study the stars。 They filled him with fear。
He returned and said to Jiang Wei； 〃My life may end at any moment。〃
〃Why do you say such a thing？〃
〃Just now in the Triumvirate constellation the Guest Star was twice as bright as usual； while the Host Star was darkened； the supporting stars were also obscure。 With such an aspect I know my fate。〃
〃If the aspect be as malignant as you say； why not pray in order to avert it？〃 replied Jiang Wei。
〃I am i