t we can deal with Wei。 If Wei is reduced； Wu will not last long； and the whole empire will again be under one ruler。〃
Presently the report reached the capital that Deng Zhi and Zhang Wen； as envoy of Wu； would soon arrive。 The Latter Ruler assembled the courtiers to receive them honorably。 The envoy of Wu carried himself as one who had attained his desires； and advanced boldly。 Having made his salute； the Latter Ruler gave him to sit on a brocaded stool on his left hand。 A banquet followed at which Zhang Wen was treated with much honor。 At the end of the banquet； the whole court escorted the envoy to the guest…house where he was to lodge。
On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister's palace； and Zhuge Liang broached the real business。
He said； 〃Our First Ruler was not on friendly terms with Wu。 But that is all changed； as is demonstrated by these banquets； and our present Emperor is disposed to be very friendly。 It is hoped that the former enmity may be entirely forgotten and the two countries swear eternal friendship and alliance in their mon end………the destruction of Wei。 I look to you； Sir； to speak in favor of this league。〃
Zhang Wen said that he would support the plan。 The wine went merrily round； and as the envoy became mellow； he laughed freely and swaggered and put on a proud demeanor。
Next day the Latter Ruler gave Zhang Wen rich presents of gold and studs and prepared a parting banquet for him in the south guest…chamber； and all the court assembled to take leave of him。 The Prime Minister paid him assiduous attention and pressed him to drink。 While this banquet was in progress； a man suddenly came in as if he were already drunk； made a proud sort of salutation to the pany and at once took a seat。
His conduct seemed strange to Zhang Wen； who asked； 〃Who is the new er； Sir Prime Minister？〃
〃He is a man named Qin Mi； a Doctorate Academician of Yizhou；〃 replied Zhuge Liang。
〃He may be that；〃 said Zhang Wen with a laugh； 〃but I wonder if he has any learning at all inside him。〃
Qin Mi listened without changing countenance； and said； 〃Since our children are all learned； of course I am more so。〃
〃What may have been your special studies； Sir？〃 said Zhang Wen。
〃Many things： Astronomy on one hand； geography on the other； the three teachings and the nine systems； many philosophers； history all through； and many sacred books and traditions。〃
〃Since you talk so big；〃 said Zhang Wen； 〃I should like to ask you a few questions on celestial matters。 Now has the sky a head？〃
〃Yes； it has a head。〃
〃Where is it？〃
〃In the western quarter。 The Odes say； 'God turns his head kindly toward the west；' and further it follows from this that the head is in the west。〃
〃Well； has the sky ears？〃
〃Oh； yes。 The sky is above and listens to all things below。 The Odes say； 'The crane calls from the midst of the marsh； its cry is heard by the sky。' How could the sky hear without ears？〃
〃Has the sky feet？〃
〃It has。 The Odes say； 'Heaven treads down difficulties。' If there were no feet； how could it tread？〃
〃Has heaven a name？〃
〃Why not？〃
〃Then what is it？〃
〃Liu。〃
〃How do you know that？〃
〃Because the Emperor's family name is Liu； and he is the Son of Heaven。 That is how I know。〃
〃Does the sun spring from the east？〃
〃Though it does； yet it sets in the west。〃
All this time Qin Mi's repartees had flashed back clear and perfect。 They came so naturally as to astonish all the guests。 Zhang Wen had no word to reply to them。
Then it became Qin Mi's turn； 〃You are a famous scholar in your own land； Sir； and since you have asked so many questions about Heaven； I take it you are I well up in all celestial matters。 When original chaos resolved into its two elements yin and yang； the lighter portion rose and became sky； and the grosser sank and solidified into earth。 When Gong Gong's rebellion was crushed； his head struck the Imperfect Mountain； the pillar； which upholds heaven； was broken and the bonds of earth were destroyed。 Heaven fell over to the northwest； and earth sank into the southeast。 Since heaven was ethereal and had floated to the top； how could it fall over？ Another thing I do not know is what is beyond the ether。 I should be glad if you would explain； Master。〃
Zhang Wen had no reply ready； but he rose from his place and bowed his acknowledgment； saying； 〃I knew not that there was so much ability in this land。 I am happy to have heard such a discourse。 Now all obstructions have disappeared； and I see quite clearly。〃
But Zhuge Liang； fearing lest the guest should feel mortified； soothed him with fair words； saying； 〃This is all play upon words； the sort of puzzles one propounds at a merry feast。 You； honored Sir； know that the tranquillity and safety of states are no matters to joke with。〃
The envoy bowed。 Then Deng Zhi was ordered to return to Wu and thank its ruler for his courtesy； and he was to acpany Zhang Wen。 So both； having taken leave of the Prime Minister； set out on their journey to the east。
In the meantime Sun Quan was beginning to feel perplexed at the long delay of his envoy。 He had summoned a council to discuss this question； when the report came that his own envoy had returned； and Deng Zhi was with him。 They were brought in forthwith。 Zhang Wen； having made his obeisance； began to discourse upon the virtue of the Ruler of Shu and Zhuge Liang and to lay before his lord the proposal for a league of peace。 Deng Zhi； the Chair of the Secretariat； was empowered to discuss this matter。
Turning to Deng Zhi； Sun Quan said； 〃Would it not be a happy result if tranquillity should be restored to the empire by the destruction of Wei； and Wu and Shu should share its administration？〃
〃The sky knows not two suns；〃 replied Deng Zhi； 〃nor can the people recognize two kings。 If Wei be destroyed； no one can say upon whom the divine mand will devolve。 But one who bees an overlord must perfect his virtue； and those who bee ministers must be wholly loyal。 In this way strife will cease。〃
Sun Quan smiled； saying； 〃And your sincerity is beyond question。〃
Deng Zhi was dismissed with rich gifts； and after this Wu and Shu were good friends。
The negotiations between his two rivals were reported in Capital Luoyang without loss of time； and Cao Pi was very angry。
〃If they have made an alliance； it can only mean that they cherish the intention of swallowing the Middle Land。 My best move is to strike first。〃
He called a great council。 This council lacked the presence of Regent Marshal Cao Ren and Grand mander Jia Xu； who had both died。
In the council Counselor Xin Pi stepped forward and said； 〃The Middle Land is extensive； but the population so sparse that no successful army could be raised just now。 My advice is to wait ten years； spending that period in forming an army and in cultivating the land till stores and weapons shall have been accumulated。 Then both our rivals may be destroyed。〃
〃This is only the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant。 Having made this league； Shu and Wu may fall upon us at any moment。 This matter cannot be postponed for ten years；〃 said the Ruler of Wei。
An edict appeared manding the enlistment of soldiers and the formation of an army to subdue Wu。
Sima Yi then said； 〃Battleships are necessary； as Wu is protected by the Great River。 Your Majesty must lead small and big vessels。 The navy can advance by way of River Huai； taking Shouchun。 When you reach Guangling； the river is to be crossed and Nanxu is to be captured。 Then Wu will be subdued。〃
This plan was accepted； and the construction of dragon ships was put in hand and went on day and night。 Ten were built two hundred spans long to carry two thousand marines each。 They also collected three thousand fighting ships。
In the autumn of the fifth year of Yellow Dawn （AD 224） the various generals assembled； and Cao Zhen was appointed leader of the first corps。 Zhang Liao； Zhang He； Wen Ping； and Xu Huang were Chief manders； Xu Chu and Lu Qian were guards of the Center Army； and Cao Xiu manded the rear guard； the strategists were Liu Ye and Jiang Ji。 In all； land and marine forces numbered over three hundred thousand troops。 When the starting day was decided upon； Sima Yi was made Chair of the Secretariat and left in the capital with the powers of Regent Marshal。
The spies told the Prince of Wu's attendants of the dangers； and the latter hastened to inform the Prince。
They said； 〃Cao Pi is leading the dragon fleet and manding three hundred thousand marines and ground forces against the South Land； and the danger is very great。〃
When Sun Quan met his council； Gu Yong said； 〃My lord； you can call upon Shu for help according to the treaty。 Write to Zhuge Liang and get him to send out an army through Hanzhong so as to divert part of Wei's army。 Also you send an army to Nanxu to oppose them there。〃
〃I shall have to recall Lu Xun；〃 said the Prince。 〃He is the only man to undertake this great task。〃
〃Do not move him if you can help it。 He is necessary for the protection of Jingzhou。〃
〃Yes； I know。 But there is no other strong enough to help me。〃
At these words Xu Sheng advanced； saying； 〃I know I am not very able； but I desire to be given an army to meet this danger。 If Cao Pi crosses the river in person； I will make him prisoner and present him at the gate of the Palace。 If he does not e over here； I will slay so many of his soldiers that his army shall not dare even to look southward。〃
Sun Quan was pleased to find a willing volunteer； and replied； 〃Noble Sir； what anxiety need I feel if I have your protection？〃
Xu Sheng was given the title of General Who Protects the East and made Chief mander of all the forces in Nanxu and Jianye。 As soon as he had received his orders； he retired。 He gave mand to gather enormous quantities of weapons； and had many flags and banners made for the protection of the river banks。
But another impetuous young leader was anxious to take more vigorous measures； and he stood forth； saying； 〃My lord has laid upon you； O General； a heavy responsibility。 But if you really desire to destroy the invading force and capture Cao Pi； you should send an army to meet him on the north side in the South of River Huai。 I fear failure if you wait till the northern troops have e this far。〃
The young man was Sun Shao； nephew of the Prince of Wu。 Sun Shao was born to a Yu family； and he was adopted by Sun Ce and given the Sun family name。 He had already the title of General Who Possesses Wide Prestige； and was in mand at Guangling。 Though young and impetuous； he was very valiant。
Said Xu Sheng； 〃Cao Pi's army is strong and its leaders famous。 I hold that we may not cross the river to meet him； but wait the arrival of his ships on the other side。 Then I shall carry out my plan。〃
〃I have three thousand troops of my own； and I know the country about Guangling thoroughly。 Let me go across the river and fight a battle。 I will willingly undergo the penalty if I fail；〃 said Sun Shao。
However； Xu Sheng refused； and all the pleadings of his impetuous general were vain。
And when Sun Shao still persisted； the mander grew angry and said； 〃What control shall I have if you are allowed to disobey orders？〃
Xu Sheng ordered the lictors to take Sun Shao out and put him to death。
They led him away； and forthwith the black flag was hoisted。 But one of Sun S