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“Alas! One of your sort, ignorant and inferior, rising impudently in heaven's vault, has had the presumption to assist a rebel to assume the imperial style and state at Luoyang, to send some miserable soldiers into Beach Valley. There they happened upon drenching rain. The difficult roads wearied both soldiers and horses, driving them frantic. Weapons and armors littered the countryside, swords and spears covered the ground. You, the Commander-in-Chief, were heart-broken and cowed, your generals fled like rats. You dare not show your faces at home, nor can you enter the halls of state. The historians' pens will record your defeats; the people will recount your infamies. 'Sima Yi is frightened when he hears of battle fronts, Cao Zhen is alarmed at mere rumors.' My soldiers are fierce and their steeds strong; my great generals are eager as tigers and majestic as dragons. I shall sweep the Middle Land bare and make Wei desolate.”

Cao Zhen's wrath rose as he read; at the end it filled his breast. He died that evening. Sima Yi sent his coffin to Luoyang on a wagon.

When the Ruler of Wei heard of the death of Cao Zhen, he issued an edict urging Sima Yi to prosecute the war, to raise a great army and fight with Zhuge Liang.

A declaration of war was sent one day in advance, and Zhuge Liang replied that he would fight on the morrow. After the envoy had left, Zhuge Liang called Jiang Wei by night to receive secret orders. He also summoned Guan Xing and told him what to do.

Next morning the whole force marched to the bank of River Wei and took up a position in a wide plain with the river on one flank and hills on the other. The two armies saluted each other's appearance with heavy flights of arrows. After the drums had rolled thrice the Wei center opened at the great standard and Sima Yi appeared, followed by his officers. Opposite was Zhuge Liang, in a four-horse chariot, waving his feather fan.

Sima Yi addressed Zhuge Liang, “Our master's ascension of the throne was after the manner of King Yao, who abdicated in favor of King Shun. Two emperors have succeeded and have their seat in the Middle Land. Because of his liberality and graciousness, my lord has suffered the rule of Shu and Wu lest the people should suffer in a struggle. You, who are but a plowman from Nanyang, ignorant of the ways of Heaven, wish to invade us, and you should be destroyed; but if you will examine your heart and repent of your fault and retire, then each may maintain his own borders, and a settled state of three kingdoms will be attained. Thus the people may be spared distress, and you will save your life.”

Zhuge Liang smiled and replied, “Our First Ruler entrusted to me the custody of his orphan son: think you that I shall fail to exert myself to the uttermost to destroy rebels against his authority? Your soldiers of the Cao family will soon be exterminated by Han. Your ancestors were servants of Han and for generations ate of their bounty. Yet, instead of giving grateful service, you assist usurpers. Are you not ashamed?”

The flush of shame spread over Sima Yi's face, but he replied, “We will try the test of battle. If you can conquer, I pledge myself to be no longer a leader of armies; but if you are defeated, then you will retire at once to your own village and I will not harm you.”

“Do you desire a contest of generals, or of weapons, or of battle array?” asked Zhuge Liang.

“Let us try a contest of battle array,” replied Sima Yi.

“Then draw up your array that I may see,” said Zhuge Liang.

Sima Yi withdrew within the line and signaled to his officers with a yellow flag to draw up their troops. When he had finished, he rode again to the front, saying, “Do you recognize my formation?”

“The least of my generals can do as well,” said Zhuge Liang, smiling. “This is called the 'Disorder-in-Order' formation.”

“Now you try while I look on,” said Sima Yi.

Zhuge Liang entered the lines and waved his fan. Then he came out and said, “Do you recognize that?”

“Of course; this is the 'Eight Arrays.'“

“Yes; you seem to know it. But dare you attack?”

“Why not, since I know it?” replied Sima Yi.

“Then you need only try.”