ngdu； was passing in。 He bade the executioners wait a while； and he went in and interceded for Ma Su。
＇e＇ Cheng Dechen was a general of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period。 Cheng Dechen fought against Duke Wen of Jin and lost （BC 632）。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Duke Wen of Jin （reigned 636…628 BC） was ruler of the western state of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period。 He and his successors made Jin a dominant state for nearly 200 years。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Sun Zi （aka Sun Wu； Sunzi； Suntzu； Sun…tzu； Sun tzu） the author of the famed treatise The Art of War。 A general of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period； Sun Zi made her the mightiest state during his lifetime by defeating Chu and conquering Yue。 His treatise the Art of War is still avidly read today by many。 。。。。。
〃Formerly the King of Chu put Minister Cheng Dechen* to death due to a defeat； and his rival Duke Wen of Jin* rejoiced。 There is great confusion in the land； and yet you would slay a man of admitted ability。 Can you not spare him？〃
Zhuge Liang's tears fell； but he said； 〃Sun Zi* maintains that the one way to obtain success is to make the law supreme。 Now confusion and actual war are in every quarter。 If the law be not observed； how may rebels be made away with？ He must die。〃
Soon after they bore in the head of Ma Su as proof； and Zhuge Liang wailed bitterly。
〃Why do you weep for him now that he has met the just penalty for his fault？〃 said Jiang Wan。
〃I was not weeping then because of Ma Su； but because I remembered the words of the First Ruler。 At his last moment in Baidicheng； he said： 'Ma Su's words exceed his deeds。 Do not make much use of him。' It has e true； and I greatly regret my want of insight。 That is why I weep。〃
Every officer wept。 Ma Su was but thirty…n