oner； Xiahou Mao； and； when he was brought to his tent； Zhuge Liang said suddenly； 〃Are you afraid of death？〃
Xiahou Mao prostrated himself and begged for his life。
〃Well； Jiang Wei of Tianshui； who； is now gone to guard Jicheng； has sent a letter to say that he would surrender if only that would secure your safety。 Now I am going to let you go if you will promise to induce Jiang Wei to e over to me。 Do you accept the condition？〃
〃I am willing to induce him to yield to you；〃 said Xiahou Mao。
Zhuge Liang then gave his prisoner clothing and a horse and let him ride away。 Nor did he send anyone to follow him； but let him choose his own road。
Having got outside； Xiahou Mao wanted to get away； but he was perfectly ignorant of the roads and knew not which to take。 Presently he came across some people； apparently in flight； and he questioned them。
〃We are Jicheng people；〃 said they。 〃Jiang Wei has surrendered the city and deserted to Zhuge Liang。 The troops of Shu are looting and burning； and we have escaped。 We are going to Shanggui。〃
〃Do you know who is holding Tianshui？〃
〃Governor Ma Zun is in there；〃 said they。
Hearing this； Xiahou Mao rode quickly toward Tianshui。 Presently he met more people； evidently fugitives； leading sons and carrying daughters； who told the same story。 By and by he came to the gate of the city； and； as he was recognized； the wardens of the gate admitted him； and the Governor came to greet him and asked of his adventures。 He told all that had happened； that Jiang Wei had surrendered and related what the fugitives had said。
〃I did not think Jiang Wei would have gone over to Shu；〃 said the Governor sadly。
〃It seems he thought by this to save you； Sir mander…in…Chief；〃 said Lia