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〃I am no traitor；〃 said Zhang Song； 〃but in your presence I feel constrained to be perfectly open and plain。 Liu Zhang； the Imperial Protector of Yizhou； is naturally weak and can neither use the wise nor employ the capable。 Then again Zhang Lu threatens on the north。 People are distracted and would gladly wele an appreciative ruler。 The journey I have just made was to propose to support Cao Cao and place the region under him； but I found him rebellious and set on evil； proud and arrogant。 So I have turned aside to you。 If you will take Yizhou； you will have a base from which to deal with Hanzhong when you will； and the whole empire beside。 You will continue the rightful line； and your name will live in history。 Would not that be real fame？ If then you think of taking our region； I am willing to do what little I can as an ally within。 But do you contemplate such a step？〃
〃I am deeply grateful that you think so well of me。 But the Imperial Protector being a member of the family； I should lay myself open to general execration； were I to attack him。〃
〃When a hero finds himself in the world； his duty is to work out his destiny； to exert himself and perform his task as best as he can； to press forward among the foremost。 At the moment the position is that； if you fail to seize this opportunity； some other will take possession of Yizhou； and you will regret when too late。〃
〃And I have heard much of the difficult nature of the country； its many high mountains and numerous streams； and its narrow roads。 How could such a country be invaded？〃
Then Zhang Song drew the map from his sleeve； saying； 〃I am so deeply affected by your virtue that I offer you this map of the country； whereby its roads and rivers may be known。〃
Liu Bei unrolled the map。 It was covered with notes； on the lie of the land； lengths and widths； and such matters。 Strategic points on rivers and hills were shown； and store…houses and granaries and treasuries。 Everything was plainly stated。
Zhang Song went on； 〃Sir； you can prepare your plans promptly。 I have two friends who will certainly help you。 And when they e to see you； you may be perfectly frank with them。 Their names are Fa Zheng and Meng Da。〃
Liu Bei thanked him with joined hands。
Said Liu Bei； 〃As the blue mountains grow not old and the green waters always remain； so shall I never forget。 And when I shall have acplished my task； you shall have no mean reward。〃
Replied Zhang Song； 〃I look for no reward。 Having met with an enlightened lord； I felt pelled to unbosom myself to him。〃
Zhang Song left soon after； and Guan Yu escorted him for several miles。
After arrival in Yizhou； Zhang Song lost no time in visiting his close friend Fa Zheng； who was from Fufeng。 Fa Zheng was told of Cao Cao's arrogance and haughtiness toward scholars and good people。
〃As for the man himself；〃 said Zhang Song； 〃he is a man to grieve with but not a person to rejoice with。 I have promised Yizhou to Liu Bei； the Imperial Uncle； and I want your especial advice and assistance。〃
〃I think Liu Zhang is incapable；〃 said Fa Zheng； 〃and I have felt drawn to Liu Bei for some time past。 So we are in sympathy here。〃
Shortly after Meng Da arrived。 Meng Da and Fa Zheng were fellow townsmen。 When Meng Da entered the room； he saw the other two in earnest and secret conversation。
And he said； 〃I know what you two are about。 You are scheming to hand over Yizhou to somebody。〃
〃It is really so。 You have guessed right；〃 said Zhang Song。
〃But to whom ought it to go？〃 said Fa Zheng。
〃There is but one： Liu Bei；〃 said Meng Da。
All three clapped their hands and laughed。
Then said Fa Zheng to Zhang Song； 〃You will see our lord tomorrow。 What about that？〃
〃I shall remend that you two be sent to Jingzhou on a mission。〃
They thought that a suitable scheme。
And when the lately arrived messenger saw his master and was asked how he had fared； Zhang Song said； 〃Cao Cao is a rebel who desires to get the whole empire into his hands。 I need hardly tell you that。 But he also hankers after this region。〃
〃Then what will bee of us？〃 said Liu Zhang。
〃I have a plan to check both our enemies。 Liu Bei； the Imperial Uncle； now in Jingzhou； is a relative of yours； and he is generous and well disposed。 This is a matter of mon knowledge。 Cao Cao was simply overwhelmed at the result of the battle at the Red Cliffs； and Zhang Lu more so。 Now my plan is that you ally yourself with your distinguished relative against Cao Cao and Zhang Lu。〃
〃I have been thinking thus for a long time。 Can you remend a suitable emissary？〃
〃The only ones are Fa Zheng and Meng Da。〃
These two were summoned and； meanwhile； a letter was prepared。 Fa Zheng was to proceed as emissary to open up friendly relations； and Meng Da would follow in due course with an army to wele Liu Bei into the West River Land。
While still discussing the details of the policy； a person forced his way in； his face all running with sweat； and cried out； 〃My lord； your land of forty…one counties will be lost to you and pass to another if you listen to Zhang Song！〃
Zhang Song turned a startled look on the intruder； who was Huang Quan of Xiliang； First Secretary in the Imperial Protector's palace。
The Imperial Protector said； 〃Why do you use such language？ Liu Bei is of my family； and so I am seeking his support。〃
Said Huang Quan； 〃I know all about him。 He is liberal minded to gain people to his side； and his softness can overe the hardest。 He is bolder than any other。 He gains humans' hearts from afar off； and those near him look up to him。 He also has the wisest advisers in Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong； and the boldest warriors such as Guan Yu； Zhang Fei； Zhao Yun； Huang Zhong； and Wei Yan。 But if you call him here as a soldier； think you that he will be content to remain in a lowly condition？ And if you treat him as an honored guest； can a state stand two rulers？ Hear me； my lord； and you stand secure as Taishan Mountains； be deaf to my words； and your position is as precarious as a pile of eggs。 This Zhang Song has lately e home through Jingzhou； where he has certainly been plotting with Liu Bei。 Slay this man； and make an end of Liu Bei。 That will be for the happiness of this land。〃
〃But how else am I to fend off my two enemies？〃
〃Fortify your country； dig out your moats； and raise your ramparts。 Then you can wait on events。〃
〃If these rebels invade this land； the position will be critical； as when fire singes one's eyebrows。 It is idle talk to tell me to wait on events。〃
No notice was taken of Huang Quan； and Fa Zheng was about to set out when another interfered； crying； 〃No； no！〃
This was a secretary； Wang Lei。
With bowed head Wang Lei stood and said； 〃My lord will bring misfortune upon himself if he listens to this Zhang Song。〃
〃Not so； I make an alliance with Liu Bei in order to withstand Zhang Lu。〃
〃Zhang Lu's invasion would be but a skin disease。 Liu Bei's entry into this country would be a mortal malady。 Liu Bei is an unscrupulous brave。 He was once in Cao Cao's service and plotted against him。 Then he hung on to Sun Quan and seized Jingzhou。 This shows his character and his designs。 Think you that you two can dwell together？ If you invite him； then Shu is lost！〃
〃No more wild talk！〃 cried Liu Zhang angrily。 〃Liu Bei is of my clan and family and will not ravish me of my possessions。〃
He bade the guards escort both men outside and ordered Fa Zheng to set out。 So he did； and before long came to Jingzhou。 When the salutations were over； Fa Zheng presented his letter； which Liu Bei opened and read：
〃I； Liu Zhang； a younger brother of our family； now write to General Liu Bei。 From my humble place long have I gazed in your direction； but the roads of the West River Land are precipitous； and I have failed to send my tribute。 This is to my shame。 The victims of misfortune aid each other； and those in trouble support each other。 If friends act thus； how much more should members of the same family？ Now Zhang Lu is mustering an army of invasion on my northern frontier； much to the injury of my tranquillity。 Wherefore I send this letter that you may know of my distress。 And if you remember the kindly bonds of family and will play a brotherly part and lead your armies to destroy these ruffians； you will be my eternal protector and I shall be ever grateful。 This letter leaves much unsaid； but I await your ing。〃
This letter greatly pleased Liu Bei。 He made a banquet for the bearer thereof； and when they had mellowed themselves with wine； he dismissed the attendants and spoke to Fa Zheng in confidence。
〃Friend； I have long admired you； and Zhang Song extolled your virtues。 I shall always feel grateful for this opportunity of hearing you。〃
Fa Zheng bowed； saying； 〃That is too great praise for a humble emissary from Shu。 But they say that horses always neighed in recognition of Bo Le； the supreme judge of horses； and when a person has found his lord； he dies for him。 Have you thought further of Zhang Song's proposals； General？〃
〃I have always been a wanderer； often in suffering and sorrow。 I have often thought of the wren for even that tiny bird has a twig to rest on； and of the cunning hare； that secures safety with three openings to its burrow。 Does not a person need at least a shelter？ Your land of the west is fertile and a temptation； but its ruler is of my family； and I cannot plot against him。〃
〃Yes； Yizhou is a very paradise。 But without a ruler it cannot exist。 Liu Zhang knows not how to use the wise people； and his heritage must speedily pass to another。 Today it is offered to your hands； and you must not miss the opportunity。 You know the saying； that the leader in the hunt gets the quarry。 If you will only consent； I will serve you to the death。〃
Liu Bei signified his gratitude。 Said he； 〃Let me reflect for a time and take advice。〃
The banquet terminated and the guest left。 Zhuge Liang conducted Fa Zheng to his lodging while his master sat thinking。
Then Pang Tong said； 〃You must decide………not to decide is foolish。 You are of high intelligence； my lord； and why do you hesitate？〃
〃What should my reply be？〃 asked Liu Bei。
〃You know these surroundings………Sun Quan in the east and Cao Cao in the north………； and with them you cannot attain your ends。 Now before you lies a populous； fertile； and rich land； a base with the greatest possibilities。 You have the promise of assistance from two men within； and it seems like a gift of providence。 Why hesitate？〃
〃Now there are two men in the world as mutually antagonistic as fire and water。 My opposite is Cao Cao。 He is impetuous and I am long suffering； he is cruel and I am humane； he feigns while I am true。 In all particulars I act the direct contrary to him。 I refuse to risk the loss of the confidence and trust of the world for a trifling advantage。〃
＇e＇ King Tang founder of the Shang Dynasty。 。。。。。
＇e＇ King Wu； aka the Martial King； founded the Zhou Dynasty； with the help of the Duke of Zhou； who was his brother。 。。。。。
Pang Tong smiled at these sentiments； saying； 〃My lord's words are quite in accord with abstract rectitude； but such ideas scarcely suit the days of rebellion。 There are other ways of fighting than with warlike weapons； but to adhere too obstinately to the idea of abstract rectitude is to do nothing。 One must be an opportunist； annex the weak and attack the willfully deluded； seize the recalcitrant and protect the docile。 These were the teachings of the great Kings Tang* and Wu*。 If after the settlement you reward with righteousness and make of the land a great country； will you be guilty of a breach of trust？ Remember if you do not take it now； another will。〃
Liu Bei； realizing the truth in what Pang Tong said； replied； 〃These words are as jewels。 They should be engraved on my very heart。〃
Thereupon he summoned Zhuge Liang to settle the details of an army to march west。
Zhuge Liang said； 〃This is an important place and must be very well defended。〃
Liu Bei replied； 〃I； Pang Tong； and my two generals Huang Zhong and Wei Yan will go into the west。 You and our three best generals………Guan Yu； Zhang Fei； and Zhao Yun………can defend Jingzhou。〃
Guan Yu was told off to hold Xiangyang and the narrow pass at Qingni； Zhang Fei manded four territories along the river； and Zhao Yun camped at Jiangling。
For the march westward； Huang Zhong led the van； Wei Yan had the rearguard； while Liu Bei moved in the center with Liu Feng and Guan Ping as his aids。 Pang Tong was mander of the whole army。
Just as the fifty thousand troops were starting； there came Liao Hua to offer his service。 He and his troops were attached to Guan Yu。
It was in the winter that the expedition started。 Soon they met the force under Meng Da； five thousand soldiers； to act as escort into Yizhou。 Liu Bei informed Liu Zhang that he had started； and the latter sent orders to the counties along the road to entertain them well on the march。
The Imperial Protector proposed to go out in person to wele Liu Bei and ordered carriages to be prepared and tents and banners。 All the escort were dressed in glittering armor。 At this Secretary Huang Quan； the sturdy opponent of the invitation to Liu Bei； again remonstrated。
〃My lord； if you go out； you will be exposed to danger。 I have been in your service for many years； and I would prevent you from being the victim of another's wiles。 I pray you reflect。〃
Zhang