suddenly　marched　his　center　army's　guards　with　his　two　sons；　changed　his　direction；　and　turned　off　for　the　Gourd　Valley。　Here　Wei　Yan　was　expecting　him；　and　as　soon　as　he　appeared；　Wei　Yan　galloped　up　and　soon　recognized　Sima　Yi　as　the　leader。

〃Sima　Yi；　stay！〃　shouted　Wei　Yan　as　he　came　near。

He　flourished　his　sword；　and　Sima　Yi　set　his　spear。　The　two　warriors　exchanged　a　few　passes；　and　then　Wei　Yan　suddenly　turned　his　steed　and　bolted。　As　he　had　been　ordered；　he　made　direct　for　the　seven　star　flags；　and　Sima　Yi　followed；　the　more　readily　as　he　saw　the　fugitive　had　but　a　small　force。　The　two　sons　of　Sima　Yi　rode　with　him；　Sima　Shi　on　the　left；　Sima　Zhao　on　the　right。

Presently　Wei　Yan　and　his　troops　entered　the　mouth　of　the　valley。　Sima　Yi　halted　a　time　while　he　sent　forward　a　few　scouts。

They　returned　and　reported：　〃Not　a　single　Shu　soldier　is　seen；　but　a　many　straw　houses　are　on　the　hills。〃

Sima　Yi　said；　〃This　must　be　the　store　valley！〃

He　led　his　army　in　eagerly。　But　when　he　had　got　well　within；　Sima　Yi　noticed　that　kindling　wood　was　piled　over　the　straw　huts；　and　as　he　saw　no　sign　of　Wei　Yan；　he　began　to　feel　uneasy。

〃Supposing　soldiers　seize　the　entrance。　What　then？〃　said　he　to　his　sons。

As　he　spoke　there　arose　a　great　shout；　and　from　the　hillside　came　many　torches；　which　fell　all　around　them　and　set　fire　to　the　straw；　so　that　soon　the　entrance　to　the　valley　was　lost　in　smoke　and　flame。　They　tried　to　get　away　from　the　fire；　but　no　road　led　up　the　hillside。　Then　fire…arrows　came　shooting　down；　and　the　earth…mines　exploded；　and　the　straw　and　firewood　blazed　high　as　the　heavens。　The　fire　caused　strong　winds；　and　the　winds　aided　the　fire；　and　the　valley　became　a　fiery　stove。

Sima　Yi；　scared　and　helpless；　d