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“Do not grieve, my nephew,” said the First Ruler, “I am going to lay waste the South Land and slay the whole of the curs that live there. I will assuredly capture the two murderers of your father, and you shall hack them to pieces as a sacrifice.”

Zhang Bao went away, still weeping. About this time the fear of the First Ruler was very great among the people of the South Land, who stood in dread of him so that they grieved night and day. Han Dang and Zhou Tai were rather frightened too, and they sent a report to their master of the assassination of Ma Zhong and what had befallen the assassins.

Then Sun Quan was distressed and called together his counselors. At this meeting Bu Zhi proposed submission and self-humiliation for the sake of peace.

Said he, “There were five persons — Lu Meng, Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, Mi Fang, and Fu Shiren — whom Liu Bei had a grudge against, and they are all dead. Now the objects of his hate are the murderers of Zhang Fei — Fan Jiang and Zhang Da. Why not send back Zhang Fei's head, and these two assassins, and give up Jingzhou and restore Lady Sun and ask for peace and alliance against Wei? This will make the army of Shu retire, and we shall have peace.”

This proposal seemed good. So the head of Zhang Fei was enclosed in a sandalwood box; Fan Jiang and Zhang Da were bound and put in a cage-cart. All these were sent, with letters, by the band of Cheng Bing to the camp at Xiaoting.

The First Ruler was about to march farther east when they told him that a messenger had come from the South Land and what he had brought.

The Ruler struck his forehead with both hands, saying, “This is the direct gift of Heaven through my youngest brother's spirit.”

He bade Zhang Bao prepare an altar whereon to sacrifice the heads of his father's assassins. When he opened the box and saw the fresh features of Zhang Fei, he broke into wailing for the dead. Then the son hewed Fan Jiang and Zhang Da in pieces and offered them upon the altar.

But this sacrifice did not appease the First Ruler's anger, and he still desired to destroy Wu. Whereupon Ma Liang remonstrated.

“Your enemies are now all dead: you are avenged. Wu has sent a high officer with large concessions and awaits your reply.”

But the First Ruler angrily replied, “The one I would grind to pieces is Sun Quan. To act as he proposes and enter into alliance would be treachery to my two brothers and a breach of our oath. Now I will exterminate Wu, and Wei shall follow.”

He wished also to put the messenger to death to annihilate all emotions with Wu, but relented when his officers insistently interceded.

Poor Cheng Bing ran off terrified, glad to escape with life. He went back and told the Prince of Wu how implacable his enemy seemed.

Said he, “The Ruler of Shu, not listening to words of peace, was determined to level Wu before attacking Wei. Those under him protested in vain. What is to be done?”

Sun Quan was frightened and bewildered.

Seeing this, Kan Ze stepped forward and said, “Since there is a sky-supporting pillar, why not use it?”

“Whom do you refer to?” asked Sun Quan. “You once had perfect confidence in Zhou Yu, and he was followed by Lu Su, equally able. Lu Meng succeeded and you pinned your faith upon him. Though now Lu Meng is dead, yet there is Lu Xun. And he is quite near, in Jingzhou. He is reputed to be a scholar, but really he is a bold and capable man, no whit inferior to Zhou Yu, in my opinion. The plan that broke Guan Yu was his. If anyone can destroy Shu, it is he. If he fails, then I will stand the same punishment as may be his.”

“If you had not spoken thus, my whole scheme might have gone amiss,” said Sun Quan.

“Lu Xun is a student,” said Zhang Zhao. “He is no match for Liu Bei. You may not use him.”

Gu Yong also said, “He is too young and too inexperienced. I fear he will not be obeyed, and that will be mischievous.”

Bu Zhi also said, “He is well enough to control a region, but he is not fit for a big matter.”

Kan Ze got desperate, shouting, “It is the only hope. I will guarantee him with the lives of all my house!”

“I know he is able,” said Sun Quan, “and I have now made up my mind he is the man. Gentlemen, that is enough.”

Lu Xun was called home. Lu Xun was originally named Lu Yi. He was a native of Wu County in Wu, grandson of Lu Jun, who was Commandant of the City Gates, and son of Lu Yu, Commander of Jiujiang. He was eight spans in height, with a beautiful face, like the finest jade.

When Lu Xun arrived at court and made his bow, Sun Quan said to him, “I wish to send you in supreme command of all the forces against Shu.”

“Sir, you have numerous old and tried officers under your command; I am very young and not at all clever,” replied Lu Xun.

“Kan Ze goes bail for you and pledges his whole house. Moreover, I know your abilities. You must be Commander-in-Chief and may not refuse the appointment.”

“But what will happen if the officers do not support me?”