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“But on one occasion Liu Bang received the princedom of Han (Hanzhong) from Xiang Yu; it depends upon the times. Why refuse?”

Sun Quan discussed the matter no more, but went out at the head of a great gathering of officers to welcome the messenger.

Xing Zhen, the bearer of the mandate from Wei, on first arrival comported himself haughtily as the representative of a superior country and an imperial ambassador. And when he entered the city, he did not descend from his carriage. Wherefore Zhang Zhao ventured to rebuke him.

“Everyone must obey the rules of courtesy as everyone must respect the laws. You, Sir, are behaving proudly as if there was no such thing as a sword in this country.”

Immediately the messenger descended from his chariot and was presented to Sun Quan. Afterwards they went in side by side.

As the cavalcade proceeded, a loud voice was heard in the rear of the two carriages, crying, “Here we are prevented from risking our lives in smashing Wei and swallowing Shu; and our lord receives a title from another man. Are not such things shameful?”

The man was Xu Sheng.

And the messenger sighed, saying, “If all the leaders and ministers of the South Land are like this, the lord of the country will not long be content to obey another.”

However, the title was accepted. And when he had received the felicitations of his officers, Sun Quan gave orders to collect beautiful works in jade and brilliant pearls, which were sent to Wei as return gifts.

Not long after came tidings of the forces under the ruler of Shu: “The First Ruler, together with King Shamo Ke of the Mang nations, leads his own army and a large number of tribesmen from the east and south; furthermore, he is aided by the two Han generals of Dongxi, Liu Ning and Du Lu, with their cohorts. They advance both by land and by water, a mighty host, of which the shouting shakes the heavens. The naval force has already come out at Wukou, and the land force has reached Zigui.” Although Sun Quan had been created a prince, yet Emperor Pi would not send a relieve army. And when the news came, the Prince of Wu asked present advice from his officers, but there was none to help him; they only muttered and were silent.

“Ah!” sighed he. “After Zhou Yu I had Lu Su, and Lu Meng succeeded Lu Su. But now they have all three gone, and there is no one to share my troubles!”

But just then a very youthful general stepped out from the ranks of the officials and said, with a lowly obeisance, “Though I am young, I am not a little versed in the books of war, and with a few legions I could destroy the power of Shu.”

Sun Quan recognized Sun Huan, the son of Yu He. Sun Ce loved the youth and gave him his own family name of Sun and so made him a member of his own clan. Yu He had four sons, of whom Sun Huan was the eldest. He was an expert archer and horseman and had accompanied his protector in several campaigns, where he had distinguished himself right well and had been given a rank. At this time he was twenty-five.

“How do you think you can overcome them?”

“There are two able commanders under my command named Xie Jing and Li Yi, both very brave. With a few legions I will capture Liu Bei.”

“Though you are brave, nephew, yet you are young and ought to have an assistant.”

Thereupon Tiger General Zhu Ran stepped forward, saying, “Let me go.”

Sun Quan consented, and he told off fifty thousand of soldiers and marines, over whom he placed Sun Huan and Zhu Ran as joint commanders. They were to start as soon as possible.

The scouts reported that the army of Shu was camped at Yidu, and Sun Huan, Commander of the Left, led half his army to the borders of that county and camped in three stockades.

Now the Shu General Wu Ban had received his seal as leader of the van. From the day he left the borders of the Lands of Rivers, he had had uninterrupted success. Everyone had submitted at the mere rumor of his coming. He had conducted his campaign with unstained swords as far as Yidu. When he heard that Sun Huan was camped there to oppose his progress, he sent back rapid messengers to the First Ruler, who was then at Zigui.

The First Ruler got angry, saying, “So they think this youth is able to withstand me?”

“Since this nephew of Sun Quan has been made a leader,” said Guan Xing, “it is unnecessary to send a leader of high rank; let me go.”

“I was just wishing to see what you could do,” said the First Ruler, and he gave him orders to go.

Just as Guan Xing was leaving, Zhang Bao stepped forth and asked permission to go too.

“Then both go, my nephews,” said the Emperor. “But you must be prudent and not hasty.”