on man。 He is one to be incited perhaps； but not to be persuaded。 It will be better to see what he has to say first； then I will try to stir him to action。〃
The serving of tea being now finished； Sun Quan began with the usual gracious ceremonial expressions。
〃Lu Su has often spoken of your genius；〃 said the host。 〃It is a great pleasure to meet you。 I trust you will confer upon me the advantage of your instruction。〃
〃I am neither clever nor learned；〃 was the reply。 〃It humiliates me to hear such words。〃
〃You have been at Xinye lately； and you helped your master to fight that decisive battle with Cao Cao； so you must know exactly the measure of his military strength。〃
〃My master's army was small and his generals were few； the city was paltry and lacked supplies。 Hence no stand could be made against such a force as Cao Cao had。〃
〃How many has he in all？〃
〃Horse and foot； land and marine； he has a million。〃
〃Is there not some doubt about that？〃 said Sun Quan； surprised。
〃None whatever。 When Cao Cao went to Yanzhou； he had the two hundred thousand soldiers of Qingzhou。 He gained five or six hundred thousand more when Yuan Shao fell。 He has three or four hundred thousand troops newly recruited in the capital。 Lately he has acquired two or three hundred thousand troops in Jingzhou。 And if these be reckoned up； the total is not less than a million and a half。 Hence I said a million for I was afraid of frightening your officers。〃
Lu Su was much disturbed and turned pale。 He looked meaningfully at the bold speaker； but Zhuge Liang would not see。 Sun Quan went on to ask if his archenemy had a corresponding number of leaders。
〃Cao Cao has enough administrators and strategists to control such a host； and his capable and veteran leaders are more than a thousand； perhaps more than two thousand。〃
〃What will be Cao Cao's next move now that he has overe Jingzhou？〃
〃He is camped along the river； and he has collected a fleet。 If he does not intend to invade the South Land； what can his intentions be？〃
〃Since that is his intention； it is a case of fight or not fight。 I wish you would decide that for me。〃
〃I have something I could say； but I fear； Sir； you would not care to hear it。〃
〃I am desirous of hearing your most valuable opinion。〃
〃Strife has prevailed for a long time； and so you have raised your army in the South Land and Liu Bei collected his forces south of the Han River to act in contest for the empire against Cao Cao。 Now Cao Cao has overe most of his difficulties； and his recent conquest of Jingzhou has won him great and wide renown。 Though there might be one bold enough to tackle him； yet there is no foothold for such。 That is how Liu Bei has been forced to e here。 But； General； I wish you to measure your forces and decide whether you can venture to meet Cao Cao and that without loss of time。 If you cannot； then follow the advice of your councilors： Cease your military preparations and yield； turn your face to the north and serve。〃
Sun Quan did not reply。 But his guest went on； 〃You have the reputation of being reasonable； but I know also you are inclined to hesitate。 Still this matter is most important； and evil will be quickly upon you if you do not decide。〃
Then replied Sun Quan； 〃If what you say represents the actual conditions； why does not Liu Bei yield？〃
＇e＇ Tian Heng was a warrior of Qi at the end of the Warring States period and Qin Dynasty。 In his bid to regain the lost kingdom of Qi； Tian Heng rebelled against Qin and fought both Liu Bang and Xiang Yu。 Read Tian Heng Island 。
〃Well； you know Tian Heng*； that hero of the state of Qi： His character was too noble for him to submit to any shame。 It is necessary to remember that Liu Bei also is an off…shoot from the Dynastic Family； beside being a man of great renown。 Everyone looks up to him。 His lack of success is simply the will of Heaven； but manifestly he could not bow the knee to anyone。〃
These last words touched Sun Quan to the quick； and he could not control his anger。 He shook out his sleeves； rose； and left the audience chamber。 Those present smiled at each other as they dispersed。
But Lu Su was annoyed and reproached Zhuge Liang for his maladroit way of talking to Sun Quan； saying； 〃Luckily for you； my lord is too large…minded to rebuke you to your face； for you spoke to him most contemptuously。〃
Zhuge Liang threw back his head and laughed。
〃What a sensitive fellow it is！〃 cried he。 〃I know how Cao Cao could be destroyed； but he never asked me。 So I said nothing。〃
〃If you really do know how that could be done； I will certainly beg my lord to ask you。〃
〃Cao Cao's hosts in my eyes are but as swarms of ants。 I have but to lift my hand； and they will be crushed；〃 said Zhuge Liang。
Lu Su at once went into his master's private room； where he found Sun Quan still very irritable and angry。
〃Zhuge Liang insulted me too deeply；〃 said Sun Quan。
〃I have already reproached him；〃 said Lu Su； 〃and he laughed and said you were too sensitive。 He would not give you any advice without being asked for it。 Why did you not seek advice from him； my lord？〃
At once Sun Quan's anger changed to joy。
He said； 〃So he had a plan ready； and his words were meant to provoke me。 I did despise him for a moment； and it has very nearly lost me。〃
So Sun Quan returned to the audience chamber where the guest was still seated and begged Zhuge Liang to continue his speech。
Sun Quan spoke courteously； saying； 〃I offended you just now。 I hope you are not implacable。〃
〃And I also was rude；〃 replied Zhuge Liang。 〃I entreat pardon。〃
Host and guest retired to the inner room where wine was served。
After it had gone round several times； Sun Quan said； 〃The enemies of Cao Cao were Lu Bu； Liu Biao； Yuan Shao； Yuan Shu； Liu Bei； and my poor self。 Now most of these are gone； and only Liu Bei and I remain。 I will never allow the land of Wu to be dictated to by another。 The only one who could have withstood Cao Cao was Liu Bei； but he has been defeated lately and what can he do now against such force？〃
Zhuge Liang replied； 〃Although defeated； Liu Bei still has Guan Yu with ten thousand veterans。 And Liu Qi still leads the troops of Jiangxia； another ten thousand。 Cao Cao's army is far from home； and the soldiers are worn out。 They made a frantic effort to e up with my master； and the light horse marched one hundred miles in a day and a night。 This was the final kick of the crossbow spring； and the bolt was not swift enough to penetrate even the thin silken vesture of Lu。 The army can do no more。 They are northern people； unskilled in water warfare； and the people of Jingzhou are unwilling supporters。 They have no desire to help Cao Cao。 Now if you； General； will assist Liu Bei； Cao Cao will certainly be broken； and he must retire northwards。 Then your country and Jingzhou will be strong； and the tripod will be firmly established。 But the scheme must be carried out without delay； and only you can decide。〃
Sun Quan joyfully replied； 〃Your words； Master； open up the road clearly。 I have decided and shall have no further doubts。〃
So the orders were issued forthwith to prepare for a joint attack on Cao Cao。 And Sun Quan bade Lu Su bear the news of his decision to all his officers。 He himse