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Then Deng Zhi laughed aloud, saying, “People say there are many sages in Wu; no one would believe that they would be frightened of a simple scholar.”

This reply only increased Sun Quan's anger, and he said, “Who fears an unmerited fool like you?”

“If you fear not the envoy, why so anxious about what he may have to say?”

“Because you come here as spokesman of Zhuge Liang, and you want me to sever with Wei and turn to your country; is not that your message?”

“I am a simple scholar of Shu, and I am come to explain matters to the state of Wu. But here I find armed guards and a boiling cauldron all prepared against a simple envoy. How can I form any other opinion than that you will not allow me to speak?”

As soon as Sun Quan heard these words, he bade the soldiers go, and called the envoy into the hall. There he invited him to a seat and said, “What is the real matter between Wei and Wu? I desire that you would inform me.” Then Deng Zhi replied, “Do you, great Prince, desire to discuss peace with Wei or with Shu?”

“I really desire to discuss peace with the Ruler of Shu. But he is young and inexperienced and ignorant, and unable to carry a matter through.”

“Prince, you are a valiant warrior, just as Zhuge Liang is a great minister. Now Shu has the strength of its mountainous geography just as Wu has the protection of its three rivers. If these two countries are at peace, they are mutually protective. They may swallow up the rest of the empire, or they may stand secure alone. If you send tribute to Wei and acknowledge yourself one of its ministers, you will be expected to attend at court, and your heir-apparent will become a servant in that court; and if you disobey, an army of Wei will be sent to attack you. Shu also will come down the river and invade your country. Then this country will be yours no longer. And if you listen not to these words of mine, and refuse my offer, I shall commit suicide before your face and so justify the post I have as an envoy.”

As Deng Zhi spoke these last words, he gathered up his robes and marched down the hall as though he was just going to jump into the cauldron.

“Stop him!” cried Sun Quan, and they did so.

Then he requested Deng Zhi to go into an inner apartment, where he treated the envoy as a guest of the highest honor.

“O Master,” said Sun Quan, “your words exactly express my thoughts, and I desire to make a league of peace with your country. Are you willing to be the intermediary?”

“Just now it was you, O Prince, who wished to boil this poor servant; now it is also you who wish to use him. How can such a doubtful person be trusted?”

“My mind is made up,” replied Sun Quan. “Do not doubt me, Master.”

Deng Zhi was detained, and a conclave of officers gathered.

Said Sun Quan to the assembly, “Under my hand are all eighty-one counties of the southeast, and I have the lands of Jingzhou to boot, yet I am not so well off as that little country of Shu, for Shu has Deng Zhi for an envoy, and he glorifies his lord. I have no one to send to declare my wishes to Shu.”

Then one stepped forth and said he would go. The speaker was Zhang Wen of Wucheng, who held the office of Imperial Commander.

“Sir, I fear that when you reach Shu and are in the presence of Zhuge Liang, you will not explain my real sentiments,” said Sun Quan.

Zhang Wen replied, “Think you that I shall fear him? He also is but a man.”

Sun Quan conferred great gifts on Zhang Wen, and sent him on the return mission to Shu to negotiate the league of peace.

While Deng Zhi was absent, Zhuge Liang said to his lord, “This mission to Wu will succeed, and of the many wise people in the east one will come as return envoy. Your Majesty should treat him with courtesy, and let him return to Wu to complete the league. For if we have an alliance with Wu, Wei will not dare to send an army against us. And if we are safe from those quarters, I will lead an expedition to subdue the Mangs in the south country. After that we can deal with Wei. If Wei is reduced, Wu will not last long, and the whole empire will again be under one ruler.”

Presently the report reached the capital that Deng Zhi and Zhang Wen, as envoy of Wu, would soon arrive. The Latter Ruler assembled the courtiers to receive them honorably. The envoy of Wu carried himself as one who had attained his desires, and advanced boldly. Having made his salute, the Latter Ruler gave him to sit on a brocaded stool on his left hand. A banquet followed at which Zhang Wen was treated with much honor. At the end of the banquet, the whole court escorted the envoy to the guest-house where he was to lodge.

On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister's palace, and Zhuge Liang broached the real business.