isdom and courage； he has all。 Truly； he is a hero of the age。〃
Zhao Yun also praised his skill with the spear； which was superior to any other's。
Zhuge Liang said； 〃I want to take Tianshui now。 I did not expect to find such a man as this。〃
The Shu army then advanced in force。
Jiang Wei went back to Ma Zun and said； 〃Zhao Yun's defeat will bring up Zhuge Liang with the main body。 He will conclude that we shall be in the city； wherefore you had better divide your force into four。 I； with one party； will go into hiding on the east so that I may cut off our enemies if they e that way。 You； O Governor； and Liang Qian and Yin Shang will lie in ambush on the other sides of the city。 Let Liang Xu and the mon people go up on the wall to make the defense。〃
Ma Zun agreed to the plan and prepared everything。
Due to Jiang Wei； Zhuge Liang himself led the main army to Tianshui。
When they reached the city； Zhuge Liang gave a general orders： 〃Attacking a city must be proceeded as soon as the army reaches it。 At the rolling of drums； incite and urge the soldiers to advance with a rush。 The keenness of the soldiers will be spoiled by any delay。〃
So this time also the army came straight up to the rampart。 But they hesitated and dared not attack when they saw the flags flying in such good order and apparently such thorough preparation。
About the middle of the night； fires started up all around and a great shouting was beard。 No one could see whence the Wei soldiers were ing； but there were answering shouts from the wall。 The soldiers of Shu grew frightened and ran。 Zhuge Liang mounted a horse and； with Guan Xing and Zhang Bao as escort； got out of danger。 Looking back； they saw many mounted troops with torches winding along li