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Lu Su was very grateful. Then Zhou Yu wrote letters to his master, and a swift boat was chosen to take Lu Su to see the Marquis of Wu.

After the lending of Jingzhou had been discussed, Lu Su presented the document given him by Liu Bei.

“What is the use of such nonsense as this?” said Sun Quan, when he had read it.

“There is another letter from General Zhou Yu; and he says that if you will employ his scheme, you can recover Jingzhou,” replied Lu Su.

Having read that letter, Sun Quan was more pleased and began to consider who was the best person to send. Suddenly he cried, “I have it; Lu Fan is the man to send.”

Sun Quan called Lu Fan and said to him, “I have just heard that Liu Bei has lost his wife. I have a sister whom I should like to marry to him and so make a bond of union between our two houses. Thus we should be united against Cao Cao and in support of the House of Han. You are the one man to be intermediary, and I hope you will go to Jingzhou and see to this.”

Under these orders, Lu Fan at once began to prepare his ships for the voyage and soon started.

Liu Bei was greatly distressed at the death of Lady Gan, fretting for her day and night. One day when he was talking with his adviser, they announced the arrival of Lu Fan who had come on a mission from the South Land.

“One of Zhou Yu's devices,” said Zhuge Liang smiling, “and it is all on account of this region. I will just retire behind the screen and listen. But you, my lord, agree to whatever the messenger proposes. Then let the messenger be taken to the guest-house while we arrange what is to be done.”

So the envoy was introduced. Bows having been exchanged, host and guest being seated in due order and the tea drunk; Liu Bei opened the interview.

“You must have some commands for me, Sir, since you come thus.”

“News has just been received that you, O Imperial Uncle, have just been bereaved of your consort. I venture to hope you would not object to an advantageous match, and I have come to propose one. Are you disposed to listen?”

“To lose one's wife in middle age is truly a great misfortune,” said Liu Bei. “While her body is still warm, I cannot listen to proposals for another marriage.”

Lu Fan said, “A man without a wife is like a house without a ridge pole. At your age, one should not live an incomplete life. I am come on the part of Marquis Sun Quan, who has a sister, beautiful as she is, accomplished and well fitted to be a mate for you. Should the two families become allied as formerly were Qin and Jin, then that ruffian Cao Cao would never dare so much as look this way. Such an alliance would be to the benefit of both our houses and of the state. I hope, O Imperial Uncle, that you will fairly consider the proposal. However, since the young girl's mother is dotingly fond of her, the mother does not wish her to go far away, and so I must ask you to come into our country for the wedding.”

“Does the Marquis know of your coming?”

“How dare I come without his knowledge?”

“I am no longer young,” said Liu Bei. “I am fifty and grizzled. This fair damsel, the sister of the Marquis, is now in the flower of her youth and no mate for me.”

“Although the damsel is a woman, yet in mind she surpasses many a man, and she has said she will never wed any one who is unknown to fame. Now, Sir, you are renowned throughout the four seas. Marriage with you would be the chaste maiden mating with the born gentleman. Of what consequence is the difference in age?”

“Sir, stay here awhile and I will give you a reply tomorrow,” said Liu Bei.

So that day the envoy was entertained at a banquet and then conducted to the guest-house to repose, while, late as it was, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang discussed their plans.

“I knew what he had come about,” said the adviser. “While he was talking, I consulted the oracle and obtained an excellent sign. Wherefore you may accept the proposal and send Sun Qian back with this envoy to arrange the details. When the promise has been ratified, we will choose a day and you shall go to complete the ceremony.”

“How can I thus go into enemy territory? Zhou Yu has wanted to slay me for a long time.”

“Let Zhou Yu employ all his ruses; think you he can get beyond me? Let me act for you, and his calculations will always fail halfway. Once Sun Quan's sister is in your power, there will be no fear for Jingzhou.”

Still Liu Bei doubted in his mind. However, Sun Qian was sent to the South Land, with definite instructions, and traveled thither with Lu Fan. At the interview Sun Quan said, “I wish my sister could induce Liu Bei to live here with us. He would come to no harm.”

Sun Qian took his leave; and returning to Jingzhou, he told the bridegroom elect, saying, “Sun Quan's sole desire is for our lord to go over and complete the marriage.”

However, Liu Bei feared and would not go.

Zhuge Liang said, “I have prepared three plans, but I need Zhao Yun to carry them out. He will be sent as your guard.”