Jiang Wei decided to retreat while he could。 He sent all his stores and baggage away first with the footmen； and kept the cavalry to cover the retirement。
The spies reported his movements to Deng Ai； who said； 〃He has gone because he knew that the main army would soon be upon him。 Let him go； and do not follow。 If we pursue； he will play us some evil trick。〃
Scouts were sent to keep in touch with the retreating army； and when they returned they reported that preparations of dry woods and straws had been made in the Luo Valley to check any pursuit with fire。
The officers praised the prescience of Deng Ai； 〃General； your calculation is superhuman！〃
When Deng Ai reported these matters to the capital； Sima Zhao was very pleased and confer more rewards。
The Prime Minister of Wu； Sun Chen； was greatly angered by the desertion of so many of his soldiers and officers to Wei； and revenged himself by putting their families to death。 The Ruler of Wu； Sun Liang； disapproved of these acts of cruelty； but he was powerless。
The young Emperor was of an ingenious turn of mind。 One day he went to the West Park to eat of the newly ripened plums。 He bade one of the eunuchs bring some honey。 It was brought； but there were mouse droppings in it。 The Ruler of Wu called the storekeeper and blamed him for carelessness。
The storekeeper said； 〃We are very careful to keep the stores in good order； and the honey cannot not possibly have been fouled in the storehouse。〃
〃Has anyone asked you for honey lately？〃 asked the Ruler of Wu。
〃One of the eunuchs asked for some a few days ago。 I refused him。〃
The Ruler of Wu called the named eunuch and said； 〃You defiled the honey out of spite。〃
The man denied it。
〃It is very e