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 bac