th　favor。　Now　let　us　hold　such　points　of　vantage　as　we　may；　while　we　send　secret　emissaries　to　engage　their　help　in　exchange　for　kindly　treatment。　We　may　get　the　Qiangs　to　attack　Shu　and　engage　their　attention；　while　we　gather　a　large　army　to　smite　them　at　another　place。　Thus　attacking；　how　can　we　help　gaining　a　great　victory？〃

A　messenger　was　sent　forthwith　bearing　letters　to　the　Qiang　tribespeople。

The　King　of　the　western　Qiangs　was　named　Cheli　Ji。　He　had　rendered　yearly　tribute　since　the　days　of　Cao　Cao。　He　had　two　ministers；　one　for　civil　and　the　other　for　military　affairs；　named；　respectively；　Prime　Minister　Ya　Dan　and　Chief　Leader　Yue　Ji。

The　letter　was　acpanied　by　presents　of　gold　and　pearls；　and　when　the　messenger　arrived；　he　first　sought　Prime　Minister　Ya　Dan；　to　whom　he　gave　gifts　and　whose　help　he　begged。　Thus