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He smote the stone and it split in twain. And to this day there are cross cuts in the stone, which is still preserved.

One who saw this relic wrote a poem:

The shining blades fell and the rock was shorn through,

The metal rang clear and the sparks widely flew.

Thus fate then declared for the dynasties two

And the tripartite rule there began.

Both put up their swords and returned hand in hand to the banquet hall. After some more courses, Sun Qian gave his master a warning look, and Liu Bei said, “I pray you excuse me as my drinking powers are very small.”

Wherefore Sun Quan escorted him to the gate. As they walked down looking at high land and rolling river spreading in glorious panorama before their eyes, Liu Bei exclaimed, “Really this is the finest scene in the whole world! 1”

These words are recorded on a tablet in the Temple of the Sweet Dew, and one who read them wrote a poem:

From the river-side hills the rain clears off,

And the black clouds roll away,

And this is the place of joy and mirth

And never can sorrow stay.

And here two heroes of ages past

Decided their parts to play,

And the lofty heights flung back wind and wave

Then, as they do today.

Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm.

“The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true,” sighed Liu Bei.

Sun Quan hearing this remark took it as a reproach to his horsemanship. Bidding his servants lead up his steed, Sun Quan leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the hill. Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed.

“So the southerners cannot ride, eh?” said Sun Quan laughing.

Not to be outdone, Liu Bei lifted the skirts of his robe, jumped upon his horse and repeated the feat.

The two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their whips and laughing.

Thence forward that hillside was known as the “Slope Where the Horses Stood,” and a poem was written about it:

Their galloping steeds were of noble breed,

And both of spirit high,

And the riders twain from the hill-crest gazed

At the river rolling by.

One of them mastered the western mountains.

One ruled by the eastern sea;

And the hill to this very day

Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood.

When they rode side by side into Nanxu, the people met them with acclamations. Liu Bei made his way to the guest-house and there sought advice from Sun Qian as to the date of the wedding.

Sun Qian advised, “It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further complications could arise.”

So next day Liu Bei went to the State Patriarch Qiao and told him in plain words, “Many the people of the place mean harm to me, and I cannot stay here long. I must return soon.”

“Do not be anxious,” said the State Patriarch Qiao. “I will tell the Dowager Marchioness, and she will protect you.” Liu Bei bowed to express his thanks.

The State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave.

“Who would dare harm my son-in-law?” cried she.

But she made Liu Bei move into the library of the Palace as a precaution, and she chose a day for the celebration of the wedding. But his soldiers could not keep guard at the library and were removed from his commands. Liu Bei explained to his hostess, and when she understood this, she gave her son-in-law and his people rooms in her own Palace so that he might be quite safe.

Liu Bei was very happy, and there were fine banquets, and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their troth. And when it grew late and the guests had gone, the newly wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial apartment.

To his extreme surprise, Liu Bei found the chambers furnished with spears and swords and banners and flags, while every waiting-maid had girded on a sword.

Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw,

And armed waiting-maids;

His heart fell back on all its fears

Of well-laid ambuscades.