gainst this。
〃General； you have won a great victory； which will bring you fame。 If you attempt more； things may go astray； and you will only add legs to your sketch of a serpent。〃
Said Jiang Wei； 〃When our army were defeated not long ago； they still desired to overrun the whole north。 Now our opponents have been overe； and that has broken the spirit of their army； and this city can be easily captured。 Do not damp the spirit of the soldiers。〃
So it was decided to attack Didao despite further remonstrances of Zhang Yi。
Chen Tai； General Who Conquers the West and mander of Yongzhou； was just about to set out to avenge the defeat of Wang Jing when Deng Ai； Imperial Protector of Yanzhou； arrived with his army。 Chen Tai weled him； and when Deng Ai had said he had e by imperial edict to assist to defeat the army of Shu； Chen Tai asked his plans。
Deng Ai replied； 〃They are victors on River Yao。 If they enlist the aid of the Qiangs to cause a diversion in the West Valley Land and the Land Within the Passes and also obtain the support of the four counties； it will be a misfortune for us。 If they do not think of that； but try to take Didao； they will only fritter away their energies against a place too strongly fortified for them to capture。 Let us now array our force along the Xiangling Mountain； and then we can advance and smite them。 We shall get a victory。〃
〃That is well said！〃 cried Chen Tai。
Then twenty cohorts of fifty soldiers each were told off to find their way secretly to the southeast of Didao and there hide in the valleys。 They were then to display many ensigns and sound trumpets as if they were a very large force； and make huge fires at night； so as to cause anxiety among the enemy。 And thus they waited for the troops