Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast.

This is episode 131.

Last time, Zhuge Liang was hoping that the sixth time would be the charm

as he launched yet another northern expedition.

Standing in his way was his old foe, Sima Yi.

And this time, Sima Yi actually caught wise to Zhuge Liang's tricks.

Zhuge Liang was planning to fake an attack on the Wei camp on the northern plain,

while launching a real attack on their pontoon bridges on the Wei River.

But Sima Yi saw through that scheme, and he prepared accordingly.

First, Sima Yi told his vanguard general Xiaobah and Xia Houwei,

If you hear commotion from the northern plain, lead your troops to the

hills to the south of the river, when the enemy troops approach, attack. Next, he sent the generals

Zhang Hu and Yue Chen to lead 2,000 archers and lie in wait on the north bank near the pontoon bridges, with orders to bombard

the Shu forces with arrows if they try to approach on the river.

Then, he told the generals Guo Huai and Sun Li, Zhuge Liang will encroach on the northern

plain to cover up his real attack on the river.

You have just set up your camp and don't have many troops. Hide all of them in an ambush along the road. If the Shu forces

cross the river in the afternoon, they will attack you around dusk. Pretend to fall back and lure them

into pursuit. Then hit them with arrows.

I will be advancing on land and water.

If the enemy arrives in mass, just watch for my command and attack.

Finally, Sima Yi ordered his two sons, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao,

...