that the building is about to be burned。〃
〃Ah ！ If only Zhuge Liang the Martial Lord was still alive………how different all would be！〃 said Sun Xiu； with a sigh。
Letters were prepared saying that beyond doubt Sima Zhao intended usurpation； and when that came about in Wei； both Wu and Shu would be invaded。 Wherefore both should be ready。
On the arrival of these letters； Jiang Wei hastened to seek permission to attempt another expedition。 Consent being given； a large army marched into Hanzhong in the winter of the first year of Wonderful Sight （AD 258）。 Liao Hua and Zhang Yi were appointed Leaders of the Van； Wang Han and Jiang Bin as manders of the Left Army； and Jiang Shu and Fu Qian as manders of the Right Army； while Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba led the main column。
Asked what he thought should be the first objective； Xiahou Ba replied； 〃There is no better fighting ground than Qishan； as the tactics of the late Prime Minister made evident； and it is the only good exit。〃
So thither three armies marched； and they made three camps at the entrance to the valley。 At this time Deng Ai had a training camp at Qishan drilling the Longyou troops。
The scouts told him： 〃The Shu army have pitched three camps in the valley。〃
He ascended a hill to see and verify their reports。 He seemed pleased when he saw the enemy camp。
〃They have just done as I foresaw；〃 said Deng Ai。
Now Deng Ai had carefully considered the topography of the countryside； and so had not interfered with the Shu army when it was on the march or settling into camp。 Moreover； he had excavated a subterranean road to the spot where he had thought they would halt； and their left camp had been pitched just on it。 Wang Han and Jiang Bin manded in that camp。