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“Then Red-Robe took out a pen and added the figure. A gust of wind passed, and the two old men were transformed into two cranes that rose into the sky and flew away.

“Zhao Yan came back home and told what he had seen. Guan Lu told him the red-robed man was the Southern Dipper Constellation, and the white-robed, the Northern Dipper.

“'But the Northern Dipper consists of nine stars, and there was only one man,' objected the lad.

“'Separately they are nine, but they combine to form one. The Northern Dipper records deaths; the Southern Dipper, births. Now the extra figure has been added, you need have no anxiety; you will live long.

“Father and son both thanked him most sincerely, but thereafter Guan Lu was very careful how he divined for people lest he should betray celestial secrets.

“Now, this man is at Pingyuan, and you, O Prince, can seek your fate of him. Why not call him?”

Cao Cao was greatly glad. Guan Lu was sent for and came. As soon as the salutations were over, Cao Cao asked him to cast lots for him.

Guan Lu at once found the cause and said, “The illness is only due to magical machinations; it should not create anxiety.”

Cao Cao was much relieved in his mind, and his health began to improve.

Next Cao Cao wished to know about the conditions in the empire's affairs.

After the necessary calculations the prophet said, “Three and eight cross; the yellow boar meets the tiger; the southern expedition causes the loss of one limb.”

Then Cao Cao asked him to inquire whether his life should be long or not.

Guan Lu replied, “Lion in the Palace to preserve the talents of ancestors: the Prince's way is securely renewed, and his son and grandson shall come to high honor.”

Then Cao Cao asked concerning himself.

“Divination concerning the fate of the universe may not be foreknown; wait a time and I will look into it.”

Cao Cao was pleased and would like to keep such a man near him, so he offered him the post of historiographer (who was also soothsayer) at his court, but it was declined.

“My destiny is mean, my luck despicable; I am not equal to such an office and dare not undertake it,” said Guan Lu.

“Why not?” said Cao Cao.

“My forehead has no lofty fullness; my eyes no steady expression; my nose no bridge; my feet no round, solid heels; my back lacks the triple armor (of shoulder blades and intervening muscles); and my breast the three marks (like the character indicating wealth). I can only control evil spirits securely; I cannot rule living humans.”

“What think you of my physiognomy?”

“What can a minister of extremely exalted rank like yourself desire further?” said Guan Lu.

Cao Cao pressed him to say; the soothsayer only laughed. Then Cao Cao asked him to look at the many officers of all kinds standing around.

“Every one of them is a servant equal to the administration of the empire,” said Guan Lu.

But when Cao Cao asked whether good or bad fortune was to be his, the soothsayer would not give a clear and full reply.

A poem says:

Guan Lu was a seer of old.

Stars to him their secrets told.

Mysteries, occult and dim,

Were as daylight unto him.

His so subtle intellect

Could the shade of death detect,

But the secrets of his skill

Died with him, — are secrets still.

Again Cao Cao asked him to divine concerning his rivals Wu and Shu.

Guan Lu said, “The south just lost a famous leader, and the west is encroaching on your territory.”

Cao Cao's doubts as to the accuracy of one of these events were soon set at rest, for a messenger came from Hefei to report: “Lu Su, the Supreme Commander of the South Land, has died in Lukou.”

Then Cao Cao sent hurriedly into Hanzhong, and the scout returned to report: “Zhang Fei and Ma Chao have taken the Xiabian Pass and are threatening Hanzhong.”

Cao Cao was angry and inclined to march at once against the invaders; but he consulted the great soothsayer, who advised him not to move.

“Do not act in haste. In the coming spring there will be a conflagration in Xuchang,” said Guan Lu.

Having been witness of the verification of Guan Lu's words, Cao Cao was in no mood to neglect the warning. He stayed on in his palace, but he sent Cao Hong with fifty thousand troops to assist in the defense of the Eastern Land of Rivers, while Xiahou Dun, with thirty thousand troops, went to Xuchang to keep careful watch and be ready against any surprises. He placed High Minister Wang Bi in command of the Imperial Guard.

Sima Yi warned Cao Cao against this Wang Bi, saying, “The man is given to wine, and slack. He is not a fit person for such a post.”

Cao Cao replied, “He is very fit. He has followed me through all difficulties and dangers. He is loyal and diligent, solid as stone or iron.”

Wang Bi was appointed and led the guard into camp at the capital, outside the East Gate of the Imperial Palace.