been to spend myself to the utmost to restore Han to its glory and to regain the Middle Land。 But Heaven decrees it otherwise。 My end is not far away。 I have written a book in twenty…four chapters； 104；112 words； treating the Eight Needfuls； the Seven Cautions； the Six Fears； and the Five Dreads of war。 But among all those about me there is no one fit to receive it and carry on my work save you。 I pray you not to despise it。〃
He gave the treatise to Jiang Wei； who received it sobbing。
〃I have also a plan for a multiple crossbow； which I have been unable to execute。 The weapon shoots ten bolts of eight inches length at every discharge。 The sketches are quite ready； and the weapons can be made according to them。〃
Jiang Wei took the papers with a deep bow。
The dying man continued； 〃There is no part of Shu that causes anxiety； save the Yinping Mountains。 That must be carefully guarded。 It is protected naturally by its lofty precipices； but it will surely be the cause of great losses。〃
Next Zhuge Liang sent for Ma Dai； to whom he gave certain whispered instructions； and then said； 〃You are to follow out my instructions after my death。〃
Soon after； Yang Yi entered the tent and went to the couch。 He received a silken bag containing certain secret orders。
As Zhuge Liang gave it to him； he said； 〃After my death； Wei Yan will turn traitor。 When that happens and the army is in danger； you will find herein what to do。〃
Just as these arrangements were finished； Zhuge Liang fell into a swoon； from which he did not revive till late in the evening。 Then he set himself to pose a memorial to the Latter Ruler。
When this reached the Latter Ruler； he was greatly alarmed and at once sent Chief Secretary Li Fu to visit and confer