o your best in the enterprise。 Yet you would not listen to Wang Ping； and thus you caused this misfortune。 The army is defeated； generals have been slain and cities and territory lost； all through you。 If I do not make you an example and vindicate the law； how shall I maintain a proper state of discipline？ You have offended； and you must pay the penalty。 After your death the little ones of your family shall be my care； and I will see that they get a monthly allowance。 Do not let their fate cause you anxiety。〃
Zhuge Liang told the executioners to take Ma Su away。
＇e＇ Beginning in the sixty…first year of King Yao's reign； the prosperity of the nation was temporarily disturbed by a thirteen…year flood。 It was a terrible disaster； and King Yao was greatly grieved by the sufferings of his people。 With some hesitation； the great task of reducing the waters was assigned to Gun； who failed； and for this failure and other crimes； was put to death by Shun； King Yao's son…in…law and co…ruler。 Strange as it may seem； Yu； son of Gun； was remended to the throne by Shun。 Later on； Yao would yield the throne to Shun； and Shun to Yu。
Ma Su wept bitterly； saying； 〃Pity me； O Prime Minister！ You have looked upon me as a son； I have looked up to you as a father。 I know my fault is worthy of death； but I pray you remember how King Shun employed Yu； after executing Yu's father*。 Though I die； I will harbor no resentment down in the depths of the Nine Golden Springs。〃
Zhuge Liang brushed aside his tears and said； 〃We have been as brothers； and your children shall be as my own。 I know what to do。〃
They led the doomed man away。 Without the main gate； just as they were going to deal the fatal blow； High Counselor Jiang Wan； who had just arrived from Capital Che