But　this　time　Jiang　Wan　intervened；　saying；　〃Your　late　father　named　Li　Yan　as　one　of　the　guardians　of　your　youth。〃

And　the　Latter　Ruler　relented。　However；　Li　Yan　was　stripped　of　all　ranks　and　relegated　to　Zitong。

Zhuge　Liang　went　to　Chengdu　and　appointed　Li　Teng；　Li　Yan's　son；　as　High　Counselor。

Preparations　then　began　for　another　expedition。　Plans　were　discussed；　provisions　were　accumulated；　weapons　put　in　order；　and　officers　and　soldiers　kept　fit　and　trained。　By　his　kindness　to　the　people；　Zhuge　Liang　waited　for　three　years　before　beginning　marching；　and　in　the　two　River　Lands　people's　hearts　filled　with　joys。

And　the　time　passed　quickly。

In　the　second　month　of　the　twelfth　year　（AD　234）；　Zhuge　Liang　presented　a　memorial；　saying；　〃I　have　been　training　the　army　for　three　years。　Supplies　are　ample；　and　all　is　in　order　for　an　expedition。　We　may　now　attack　Wei。　If　I　cannot　destroy　these　rebels；　sweep　away　the　evil　hordes；　and　bring　about　a　glorious　entry　into　the　capital；　then　may　I　never　again　enter　Your　Majesty's　presence。〃

The　Latter　Ruler　replied；　〃The　empire　has　settled　on　a　tripod；　and　Wu　and　Wei　trouble　us　not　at　all。　Why　not　enjoy　the　present　tranquillity；　O　Father　Minister？〃

〃Because　of　the　mission　left　me　by　your　father。　I　am　ever　scheming　to　destroy　Wei；　even　in　my　dreams。　I　must　strive　my　best　and　do　my　utmost　to　regain　you　the　Middle　Land　and　restore　the　glory　of　the　Hans。〃

As　Zhuge　Liang　said　this；　a　voice　cried；　〃An　army　may　not　go　forth；　O　Prime　Minister！〃

Qiao　Zhou　had　raised　a　last　protest。

Zhuge　Liang's　sole　thought　was　service；

Himself　he　would　not　spare；

But　Qiao　Zhou　had　watched　the　starry　sky；

And　read　misfortune　there。

The　next　chapter　will　give　the