of Shu to e； while Chen Tai and Deng Ai marched with forty thousand troops against the Shu army。
The army of Shu had marched to Didao and begun the siege around the whole circuit of the walls。 At the end of many days the fall of the city seemed no nearer； and Jiang Wei began to fret。 He could think of no plan likely to succeed。
One eventide a horseman came in to report： 〃Two armies are approaching rapidly； and the names on the banners were General Who Conquers the West Chen Tai and Imperial Protector of Yanzhou Deng Ai 。〃
Jiang Wei called in his colleague Xiahou Ba； who said； 〃I have spoken to you of Deng Ai many times。 He is perspicacious； valiant； resourceful； and has always delighted in the study of military topography。 As he is ing； we shall have to put forth all our energies。〃
Jiang Wei replied； 〃We will attack before he can get a foothold and while his soldiers are fatigued with the march。〃
So Zhang Yi was left to carry on the siege while the two leaders went out to meet the new armies。 Jiang Wei went against Deng Ai； and Xiahou Ba against Chen Tai。
Before Jiang Wei had marched far； the stillness was broken by the roar of a bomb； and at once all about the Shu army arose the rolling of drums and the blare of trumpets； soon followed by flames that shot up to the very sky。 Jiang Wei rode to the front and saw the ensigns of Wei all about him。
〃I have fallen into a trap set by Deng Ai！〃 cried he。
He sent orders to Xiahou Ba and Zhang Yi to withdraw immediately while he would cover their retreat。 When they had retired； he followed them into Hanzhong； harassed all along the road by the sounds of marching soldiers and glimpses of enemy banners。 But these enemies never attacked。 It was only after the army had retreate