ousand troops。〃
No leader of rank was left to Zhuge Liang。 He had only the civil officials and the five thousand soldiers； and as half this force had started to remove the stores； he had only two thousand five hundred left。
His officers were all frightened at the news of near approach of the enemy。 Zhuge Liang himself went up on the rampart to look around。 He saw clouds of dust rising into the sky。 The Wei armies were nearing Xicheng along two roads。
Then he gave orders： 〃All the banners are to be removed and concealed。 If any officer in mand of soldiers in the city moves or makes any noise； he will be instantly put to death。〃
Next he threw open all the gates and set twenty soldiers dressed as ordinary people cleaning the streets at each gate。 He told them not to react at the ing of the Wei army； as he had a plan ready for the city defense。
When all these preparations were plete； he donned the simple Taoist dress and； attended by a couple of lads； sat down on the wall by one of the towers with his lute before him and a stick of incense burning。
Sima Yi's scouts came near the city gate and saw all this。 They did not enter the city； but went back and reported what they had seen。 Sima Yi smiled incredulously。 But he halted his army and rode ahead himself。 Lo！ It was exactly as the scouts had reported： Zhuge Liang sat there； his face with all smiles as he played the lute。 A lad stood on one side of him bearing a treasured sword and on the other a boy with the ordinary symbol of authority； a yak's tail。 Just inside the gates a score of persons with their heads down were sweeping as if no one was about。
Sima Yi hardly believed his eyes and thought this meant some peculiarly subtle ruse。 So he went back to his armies； faced them