ine； and he met his end in the fifth month of the sixth year of Beginning Prosperity （AS 228）。
A poet wrote about him thus：
That was pitiful that he who talked so glib
Of war； should lose a city； fault most grave；
With death as expiation。 At the gate
He paid stern law's extremest penalty。
Deep grieved； his chief recalled the late Prince's words。
The head of Ma Su was paraded round the camps。 Then it was sewn again to the body and buried with it。 Zhuge Liang conducted the sacrifices for the dead and read the oration。 A monthly allowance was made for the family； and they were consoled as much as possible。
Next Zhuge Liang made his memorial to the Throne and bade Jiang Wan bear it to the Latter Ruler。 Therein Zhuge Liang proposed his own degradation from his high office。
〃Naturally a man of mediocre abilities； I have enjoyed your confidence undeservedly。 Having led out an expedition； I have proved my inability to perform the high office of leader。 Over solicitude was my undoing。 Hence happened disobedience at Jieting and the failure to guard the Gu Valley。 The fault is mine in that I erred in the use of officers。 In my anxiety I was too secretive。 The 'Spring and Autumn' philosophy has pronounced the mander such as I am is blameworthy； and whither may I flee from my fault？ I pray that I may be degraded three degrees as punishment。 I cannot express my mortification。 I humbly await your mand。〃
〃Why does the Prime Minister speak thus？〃 said the Latter Ruler after reading the memorial。 〃It is but the ordinary fortune of war。〃
Court Counselor Fei Yi said； 〃The ruler must enhance the majesty of the law； for without law how can people support him？ It is right that the Prime Minister should be degraded in