t to take place the next day。 Deng Ai openly accepted。 But when morning came and Jiang Wei had arrayed his troops； his enemy had not appeared on the field。 Nor was there any sign of giving battle； no display of flags or rolling of drums all day。
At nightfall the army of Shu returned to camp； and Jiang Wei sent a letter reproaching his opponent with his failure to keep his word。
Deng Ai treated the bearer of the letter with great courtesy and explained； saying； 〃I have been indisposed today； but will certainly fight on the morrow。〃
But the next day passed also without any move on the part of Wei； and the same thing went on for five days。
Then said Fu Qian to his chief； 〃There is some knavery afoot； and we must be on our guard。〃
〃They must be waiting for reinforcements from Within the Passes that they may attack on three sides；〃 said Jiang Wei。 〃But now will I send into Wu and get Sun Chen to strike at the same time as I。〃
Just then scouts came to give the news of the rout of the army of Wu： 〃Sima Zhao has defeated Shouchun and killed Zhuge Dan。 Many in the Wu army have gone over to Wei。 Sima Zhao has gone to Luoyang and is planning to march an army to attack Changcheng。〃
〃So our attack on Wei is but a sham！〃 said Jiang Wei； bitterly。 〃It is only a picture of a cake。〃
Four times he missed！ He hailed
The fifth occasion joyfully； and failed。
The next chapter will tell the story of the retreat。
Main Next to Chapter 113 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 113
Chapter 113
Ding Feng Makes A Plan To Slay Sun Chen；
Jiang Wei Arrays A Battle To Defeat Deng Ai。
Fearing lest reinforcements would strengthen his enemy beyond his own power of resistance；