〃By this plan I see that we have lost mand of an important road。 The camp has been made on the hill。 If the Wei army e in force； our army will be surrounded and their water supply interrupted。 In two days the soldiers will be in a state of mutiny。 If Jieting shall be lost； how shall we be able to retire？〃
Here High Counselor Yang Yi said； 〃I am none too clever I know； but let me go to replace Ma Su。〃
Zhuge Liang explained to Yang Yi how and where to camp； but before he could start； a horseman brought the news of the loss of Jieting and Liliu。
This made Zhuge Liang very sad； and he sighed； saying； 〃The whole scheme has e to nought； and it is my fault。〃
Zhuge Liang sent for Guan Xing and Zhang Bao； and said； 〃Each of you takes three thousand of good soldiers and go along the road to Wugong Hills。 If you fall in with the enemy； do not fight； but beat drums and raise a hubbub and make them hesitate and be doubtful； so that they may retire。 Do not pursue； but when they retire； make for Yangping Pass。〃
He also sent Zhang Yi to put Saber Pass in order for retreat and issued instructions for making ready to march。 Ma Dai and Jiang Wei were told to guard the rear； but they were to go into ambush in the valleys till the whole army would have retreated。 Trusty messengers were sent with the news to Tianshui； Nanan； and Anding that the officers； army； and people might go away into Hanzhong。 He also sent to remove to a place of safety in Hanzhong the aged mother of Jiang Wei。
All these arrangements made； Zhuge Liang took five thousand troops and set out for Xicheng to remove the stores。
But messenger after messenger； more than ten of them； came to report： 〃Sima Yi is advancing rapidly on Xicheng with an army of one hundred fifty th