r roll of the drums； and as the sound died away there appeared another body of men； with a chariot in the midst； exactly like the last and also carrying a sitting figure of Zhuge Liang。
〃They must be heaven…sent soldiers；〃 said Sima Yi。
The soldiers were now feeling the strain of these weird appearances and began to get out of hand。 They dared not stay to fight such beings； and some ran away。 But before they had gone far； lo！ another roll of drums； another cohort and another chariot with a similar figure seated therein。
The soldiers of Wei were now thoroughly frightened； and even Sima Yi himself began to feel doubtful whether these appearances should be ascribed to humans or devils。 He realized； however； that he was in the midst of dangers as he did not know the number of the Shu soldiers； and he and his troops ran away helter…skelter； never stopping till they reached Shanggui。 They entered the city and closed the gates。
Having thus driven off the Wei soldiers； Zhuge Liang proceeded to reap and gather the wheat in Longshang； which was carried into Lucheng and laid out to dry。
Sima Yi remained shut up within the walls for three days。 Then； as he saw his enemies retiring； he sent out some scouts； who presently returned with a Shu soldier they had captured。 The prisoner was questioned。
〃I was of the reaping party；〃 said the man。 〃They caught me when I was looking for some horses that had strayed。〃
〃What wonderful soldiers were they of yours that one saw here lately？〃 asked Sima Yi。
The man replied； 〃Zhuge Liang was with one party of them； the others were led by Jiang Wei； Ma Dai； and Wei Yan。 There was a thousand of fighting soldiers with each chariot and five hundred drummers。 Zhuge Liang was with the first party。〃