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〃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 Song said； 〃His words are those of one who would sow discord in a family and encourage the power of the robbers who threaten you。 Assuredly such action is to your detriment。〃
Liu Zhang then spoke angrily to Huang Quan； saying； 〃I have decided； and why do you oppose me？〃
The objector bowed his head and wept。 Then approaching nearer； he seized hold of the Imperial Protector's robe with his teeth to hinder him。 Liu Zhang angrily shook his robe and rose from his seat； but Huang Quan still held on till two of his teeth fell out。 Then the guards forced him away； and he retired； still crying。
As Liu Zhang was starting； another man cried； 〃My lord； do you neglect the loyal words of your faithful Huang Quan to go to your death？〃
And he threw himself prostrate at the steps in remonstrance。 He was Li Hui of Jianning。
〃The prince may have ministers who remonstrate with him； and the father may have children who oppose；〃 said Li Hui。 〃Huang Quan has spoken faithfully； and you ought to listen。 To let Liu Bei into this land is to wele the tiger into your gates。〃
〃Liu Bei is my brother and will not harm me；〃 said the Imperial Protector。 〃And any other who shall oppose me shall suffer death。〃
So Li Hui was thrust out。
〃The officers of Shu regard the safety of their families and no longer render you service。 The generals are arrogant； and each has some scheme of his own to further。 If you do not get Liu Bei to oppose the enemy without and your own people oppose you within； surely you are on the road to ruin。〃
So spoke Zhang Song； and the Imperial Protector replied； 〃I know the plan is for my advantage。〃
Whereupon he mounted his horse to ride out to Elm Tree Bridge。
Then a messenger reported to him： 〃Wang Lei has suspended himself； head downwards； at the city gate。 In one hand he holds a written remonstrance and in the other a knife。 And he says that if you heed him not； he will cut the rope and die at your feet。〃
Liu Zhang went to the gate； took the writing and read：
〃Good medicine is bitter in the mouth but good for the disease； faithful words offend the ear but are good for the conduct。 Of old King Huai of Chu listened not to Qu Yuan； but attended the meeting at Wu Pass and was captured by the state of Qin。 Sir； you are thoughtlessly leaving your place to go to wele Liu Bei； but I fear there is a way out and none in。 Could you but behead Zhang Song in the market place and have nothing to do with this league with Liu Bei； it would be for the happiness of old and young； and assure the safety of yourself。〃
Anger rose in Liu Zhang's breast as he read。
〃Why do you insult me when I go to meet a kindly man I feel as if I were about to enjoy the delight of seeing brother？〃
At this Wang Lei gave a great cry； severed the rope； and fell to the ground battered and dead。
Head downwards at the city gate one hung
A last remonstrance in his outstretched hand。
Resolved that； were his words rejected； he
Would not survive defeat。 Sincere was he
Who； desperate； held to Liu Zhang's silken robe
Until his broken teeth released their grip。
Sincere indeed； but how can he pare
With stern Wang Lei wh