t another messenger to reinforce the ruse。 I also sent them to Tianshui to repeat the plan； but nothing has happened yet。 I do not know the reason。 We will take this opportunity to capture that place。〃
It was decided to take Tianshui next； and thither they moved。 Wu Yi and Liu Yang were to guard Nanan and Anding。 Wei Yan was ordered to move toward Tianshui。
When Ma Zun； Governor of Tianshui； heard of Xiahou Mao's being besieged in Nanan； he called a council at which one party………headed by Yin Shang and Liang Xu………were strongly of opinion that a rescue should be attempted。
〃If anything sinister happens to the Imperial Son…in…Law； 'golden branch and jade leaf' as he is； we shall be held guilty of having made no attempt to save him。 Wherefore； O Governor； you must march all the forces you have to his rescue；〃 said Yin Shang and Liang Xu。
Ma Zun found decision difficult； and while thinking over what was best to do； the arrival of Pei Xu； a messenger from Xiahou Mao； was announced。 Pei Xu was taken to the Governor's residence and there produced his dispatch and asked for aid。 Soon came another man saying that the Anding troops had set out and calling upon Ma Zun to hasten。 This decided him； and he prepared his army。
Then an outsider came in and said； 〃O Governor； you are the sport of one of Zhuge Liang's wiles。〃
All looked at him with surprise。 He was one Jiang Wei。 His father was Jiang Jiong； a former local official who had died in the court's service while quelling one of the Qiang rebellions。 Jiang Wei was well up in books； seeming to have read everything； and was also skilled in all warlike exercises。 He had studied books on war。 He was a very filial son and much esteemed。 He held military rank of General。
Jiang Wei sai