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　base　with　the　greatest　possibilities。　You　have　the　promise　of　assistance　from　two　men　within；　and　it　seems　like　a　gift　of　providence。　Why　hesitate？〃
〃Now　there　are　two　men　in　the　world　as　mutually　antagonistic　as　fire　and　water。　My　opposite　is　Cao　Cao。　He　is　impetuous　and　I　am　long　suffering；　he　is　cruel　and　I　am　humane；　he　feigns　while　I　am　true。　In　all　particulars　I　act　the　direct　contrary　to　him。　I　refuse　to　risk　the　loss　of　the　confidence　and　trust　of　the　world　for　a　trifling　advantage。〃

＇e＇　King　Tang　founder　of　the　Shang　Dynasty。　。。。。。
＇e＇　King　Wu；　aka　the　Martial　King；　founded　the　Zhou　Dynasty；　with　the　help　of　the　Duke　of　Zhou；　who　was　his　brother。　。。。。。
Pang　Tong　smiled　at　these　sentiments；　saying；　〃My　lord's　words　are　quite　in　accord　with　abstract　rectitude；　but　such　ideas　scarcely　suit　the　days　of　rebellion。　There　are　other　ways　of　fighting　than　with　warlike　weapons；　but　to　adhere　too　obstinately　to　the　idea　of　abstract　rectitude　is　to　do　nothing。　One　must　be　an　opportunist；　annex　the　weak　and　attack　the　willfully　deluded；　seize　the　recalcitrant　and　protect　the　docile。　These　were　the　teachings　of　the　great　Kings　Tang*　and　Wu*。　If　after　the　settlement　you　reward　with　righteousness　and　make　of　the　land　a　great　country；　will　you　be　guilty　of　a　breach　of　trust？　Remember　if　you　do　not　take　it　now；　another　will。〃
Liu　Bei；　realizing　the　truth　in　what　Pang　Tong　said；　replied；　〃These　words　are　as　jewels。　They　should　be　engraved　on　my　very　heart。〃
Thereupon　he　summoned　Zhuge　Liang　to　settle　the　details　of　an　army　to　march　west。
Zhuge　Liang　said；　〃This　is　an　important　place　and　must　be　very　well　defended。〃
Liu　Bei　replied；　〃I；　Pang　Tong；　and　my　two　generals　Huang　Zhong　and　Wei　Yan　will　go　into　the　west。　You　and　our　three　best　generals………Guan　Yu；　Zhang　Fei；　and　Zhao　Yun………can　defend　Jingzhou。〃
Guan　Yu　was　told　off　to　hold　Xiangyang　and　the　narrow　pass　at　Qingni；　Zhang　Fei　manded　four　territories　along　the　river；　and　Zhao　Yun　camped　at　Jiangling。
For　the　march　westward；　Huang　Zhong　led　the　van；　Wei　Yan　had　the　rearguard；　while　Liu　Bei　moved　in　the　center　with　Liu　Feng　and　Guan　Ping　as　his　aids。　Pang　Tong　was　mander　of　the　whole　army。
Just　as　the　fifty　thousand　troops　were　starting；　there　came　Liao　Hua　to　offer　his　service。　He　and　his　troops　were　attached　to　Guan　Yu。
It　was　in　the　winter　that　the　expedition　started。　Soon　they　met　the　force　under　Meng　Da；　five　thousand　soldiers；　to　act　as　escort　into　Yizhou。　Liu　Bei　informed　Liu　Zhang　that　he　had　started；　and　the　latter　sent　orders　to　the　counties　along　the　road　to　entertain　them　well　on　the　march。
The　Imperial　Protector　proposed　to　go　out　in　person　to　wele　Liu　Bei　and　ordered　carriages　to　be　prepared　and　tents　and　banners。　All　the　escort　were　dressed　in　glittering　armor。　At　this　Secretary　Huang　Quan；　the　sturdy　opponent　of　the　invitation　to　Liu　Bei；　again　remonstrated。
〃My　lord；　if　you　go　out；　you　will　be　exposed　to　danger。　I　have　been　in　your　service　for　many　years；　and　I　would　prevent　you　from　being　the　victim　of　another's　wiles。　I　pray　you　reflect。〃
Zhang　Song　said；　〃His　words　are　those　of　one　who　would　sow　discord　in　a　family　and　encourage　the　power　of　the　robbers　who　threaten　you。　Assuredly　such　action　is　to　your　detriment。〃
Liu　Zhang　then　spoke　angrily　to　Huang　Quan；　saying；　〃I　have　decided；　and　why　do　you　oppose　me？〃
The　objector　bowed　his　head　and　wept。　Then　approaching　nearer；　he　seized　hold　of　the　Imperial　Protector's　robe　with　his　teeth　to　hinder　him。　Liu　Zhang　angrily　shook　his　robe　and　rose　from　his　seat；　but　Huang　Quan　still　held　on　till　two　of　his　teeth　fell　out。　Then　the　guards　forced　him　away；　and　he　retired；　still　crying。
As　Liu　Zhang　was　starting；　another　man　cried；　〃My　lord；　do　you　neglect　the　loyal　words　of　your　faithful　Huang　Quan　to　go　to　your　death？〃
And　he　threw　himself　prostrate　at　the　steps　in　remonstrance。　He　was　Li　Hui　of　Jianning。
〃The　prince　may　have　ministers　who　remonstrate　with　him；　and　the　father　may　have　children　who　oppose；〃　said　Li　Hui。　〃Huang　Quan　has　spoken　faithfully；　and　you　ought　to　listen。　To　let　Liu　Bei　into　this　land　is　to　wele　the　tiger　into　your　gates。〃
〃Liu　Bei　is　my　brother　and　will　not　harm　me；〃　said　the　Imperial　Protector。　〃And　any　other　who　shall　oppose　me　shall　suffer　death。〃
So　Li　Hui　was　thrust　out。
〃The　officers　of　Shu　regard　the　safety　of　their　families　and　no　longer　render　you　service。　The　generals　are　arrogant；　and　each　has　some　scheme　of　his　own　to　further。　If　you　do　not　get　Liu　Bei　to　oppose　the　enemy　without　and　your　own　people　oppose　you　within；　surely　you　are　on　the　road　to　ruin。〃
So　spoke　Zhang　Song；　and　the　Imperial　Protector　replied；　〃I　know　the　plan　is　for　my　advantage。〃
Whereupon　he　mounted　his　horse　to　ride　out　to　Elm　Tree　Bridge。
Then　a　messenger　reported　to　him：　〃Wang　Lei　has　suspended　himself；　head　downwards；　at　the　city　gate。　In　one　hand　he　holds　a　written　remonstrance　and　in　the　other　a　knife。　And　he　says　that　if　you　heed　him　not；　he　will　cut　the　rope　and　die　at　your　feet。〃
Liu　Zhang　went　to　the　gate；　took　the　writing　and　read：
〃Good　medicine　is　bitter　in　the　mouth　but　good　for　the　disease；　faithful　words　offend　the　ear　but　are　good　for　the　conduct。　Of　old　King　Huai　of　Chu　listened　not　to　Qu　Yuan；　but　attended　the　meeting　at　Wu　Pass　and　was　captured　by　the　state　of　Qin。　Sir；　you　are　thoughtlessly　leaving　your　place　to　go　to　wele　Liu　Bei；　but　I　fear　there　is　a　way　out　and　none　in。　Could　you　but　behead　Zhang　Song　in　the　market　place　and　have　nothing　to　do　with　this　league　with　Liu　Bei；　it　would　be　for　the　happiness　of　old　and　young；　and　assure　the　safety　of　yourself。〃
Anger　rose　in　Liu　Zhang's　breast　as　he　read。
〃Why　do　you　insult　me　when　I　go　to　meet　a　kindly　man　I　feel　as　if　I　were　about　to　enjoy　the　delight　of　seeing　brother？〃
At　this　Wang　Lei　gave　a　great　cry；　severed　the　rope；　and　fell　to　the　ground　battered　and　dead。

Head　downwards　at　the　city　gate　one　hung
A　last　remonstrance　in　his　outstretched　hand。
Resolved　that；　were　his　words　rejected；　he
Would　not　survive　defeat。　Sincere　was　he
Who；　desperate；　held　to　Liu　Zhang's　silken　robe
Until　his　broken　teeth　released　their　grip。
Sincere　indeed；　but　how　can　he　pare
With　stern　Wang　Lei　who　went　to　awful　death？

Liu　Zhang　with　thirty　thousand　troops　went　out　to　wele　his　clansman；　and　there　followed　one　thousand　wagons　laden　with　supplies　and　rich　stuffs。
Liu　Bei's　advanced　guard　had　arrived　at　River　Dian。　During　the　march　the　people　had　brought　presents；　and　Liu　Bei　had　given　an　order　to　pay　for　everything；　under　penalty　of　death　for　disobedience。　Thus　no　one　suffered；　and　the　people　came　out　in　trusting　crowds　to　watch　the　soldiers　marching　by　and　wele　them　in　every　way。　Liu　Bei　soothed　them　with　very　gracious　words。
Then　Fa　Zheng　secretly　showed　Pang　Tong　a　letter　from　Zhang　Song　advocating　the　assassination　of　Liu　Zhang　near　the　place　of　wele。
Pang　Tong　said；　〃Say　nothing　about　this。　After　the　two　Lius　have　met；　there　may　be　opportunities；　but　this　is　too　early　to　talk。　Any　plot　would　leak　out。〃
So　nothing　was　said。
Fucheng；　where　the　meeting　was　to　take　place；　was　one　hundred　twenty　miles　from　Capital　Chengdu。　Liu　Zhang　arrived　first　and　sent　messengers　to　wele　Liu　Bei。　The　two　armies　camped　on　the　bank　of　River　Fu。　Liu　Bei　went　into　the　city　to　see　the　Imperial　Protector；　and　they　met　cordially　as　brothers　should。　Both　shed　a　few　tears；　and　by　and　bye　they　began　a　heart…to…heart　talk。　Then　followed　a　banquet；　and　after　this　each　returned　to　his　own　camp。
The　Imperial　Protector　said；　〃How　ridiculous　have　been　proved　the　fears　of　Huang　Quan　and　Wang　Lei！　They　do　not　understand　the　force　of　family　affection。　I　see　he　is　really　a　kindly　and　noble　man；　and　with　him　as　a　support　I　shall　fear　neither　Cao　Cao　nor　Zhang　Lu。　And　I　owe　all　this　to　Zhang　Song。〃
To　show　his　gratitude；　Liu　Zhang　took　off　the　green　silken　robe　he　wore　and　sent　it　as　a　gift　to　Zhang　Song；　together　with　five　hundred　ounces　of　gold。
However；　some　of　his　officers　were　not　so　content；　and　a　group　of　them　bade　him　beware。
〃Do　not　rejoice　too　soon；　O　Master；〃　said　they；　〃for　Liu　Bei　is　hard　enough　within　in　spite　of　his　mild　exterior。　You　have　not　sounded　him　yet　and　should　be　on　your　guard。〃
〃You　are　all　too　anxious；〃　said　Liu　Zhang；　laughing。　〃My　brother　is　no　double…dealer；　I　am　sure。〃
When　Liu　Bei　had　returned　to　his　own　tent；　Pang　Tong　came　in　to　ask　what　impression　he　had　of　his　host　of　that　day。
〃He　seems　a　very　honest　man；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃He　is　good　enough；　but　some　of　his　servants　are　discontented　at　this　turn　of　affairs；　and　I　would　not　guarantee　there　will　be　no　murders。　If　you　took　my　advice；　you　would　have　Liu　Zhang　assassinated　at　the　return　banquet。　A　hundred　ruffians　behind　the　arras；　a　signal　from　you；　and　the　deed　would　be　acplished。　All　that　would　be　needed；　then　would　be　a　rush　on　Capital　Chengdu。　No　sword　need　be　drawn；　no　arrow　fitted　to　the　string。〃
〃He　is　a　brother　of　my　house　and　has　treated　me　with　sincerity。　I　am　a　new…er　and　so　far　unknown　in　this　land。　Such　a　deed　would　be　abhorrent　to　all　the　world；　and　these　people　would　resent　it。　I　will　not　establish　myself　by　such　means。〃
〃The　scheme　is　not　mine。　It　originated　in　a　private　letter　from　Zhang　Song；　who　says　it　will　have　to　be　done　some　time。〃
At　this　moment　Fa　Zheng　came　in　and　said；　〃This　is　not　for　ourselves。　It　is　the　will　of　heaven。〃
〃Liu　Zhang　and　I　are　of　the　same　house；　and　I　would　shudder　at　harming　him；〃　said　Liu　Bei。
〃Sir；　you　are　wrong。　If　you　act　not　as　we　propose；　then　Zhang　Lu　will　take　Shu　in　revenge　for　the　death　of　his　mother。　What　is　there　for　you　at　the　end　of　your　long　march？　Advance；　and　success　is　yours；　retreat；　and　you　have　nothing。　And　delays　are　most　dangerous。　At　any　moment　this　scheme　may　leak　out；　and　another　will　reap　the　profit。　This　is　the　day　when　Heaven　smiles　on　you。　Act　before　Liu　Zhang　suspects　you。　Establish　yourself。〃
So　urged　Fa　Zheng；　and　Pang　Tong　backed　it。

Their　lord；　by　argument；　they　tried
From　rectitude　to　turn　aside。

What　Liu　Bei　hid　in　his　heart　will　be　explained　in　the　next　chapter。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　61　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　61
　Chapter　61
In　The　River；　Zhao　Yun　Recovers　Liu　Shan；
With　One　Letter；　Sun　Quan　Repulses　Cao　Cao。
In　spite　of　the　persuasion　of　Pang　Tong　and　Fa　Zheng；　Liu　Bei　steadily　refused　to　sanction　the　assassination　of　his　host　at　the　banquet；　Imperial　Protector　Liu　Zhang；　even　if　thereby　he　was　to　gain　possession　of　West　River　Land。
The　next　day　there　was　another　banquet；　this　time　in　the　city　of　Fucheng；　whereat　host　and　guest　unbosomed　themselves　freely　to　each　other　and　became　exceedingly　friendly　and　affectionate。
All　were　mellow　with　wine；　and　Pang　Tong；　talking　with　Fa　Zheng；　said；　〃Since　our　master　will　have　nothing　to　do　with　our　scheme；　we　had　better　set　Wei　Yan's　sword…play　to　work　and　take　advantage　of　the　confusion　to　kill　Liu　Zhang。〃
Wei　Yan　came　in　shortly　afterward；　with　his　sword　drawn；　and　said；　〃There　being　no　other　entertainment　at　this　banquet；　may　I　show　you　a　little　fencing　to　amuse　you？〃
Thereupon　Pang　Tong　called　up　some　of　the　armed　guards　and　ranged　them　along　the　lower　part　of　the　hall　till　Wei　Yan　should　fall　on。
At　these　preparations　the　officers　of　Liu　Zhang　stared　with　questioning　eyes　toward　the　chief　seats　at　the　upper　end。
Then　one　of　them；　Zhang　Ren；　drew　his　sword；　saying；　〃An　opponent　is　needed　to　make　fencing　a　success；　so　he　and　I　will　display　our　skill　at　the　same　time。〃
So　they　began。　Presently；　at　a　glance　from　Wei　Yan；　Liu　Feng　came　up　and　took　position　at　his　side。
At　once　three　of　the　manders　of　the　west　followed　suit；　saying；　〃And　we　three　will　e　in　too。　It　may　add　to　your　amusement　and　help　to　raise　a　laugh。〃

＇e＇　Hongmen　Banquet　At　that　time　Liu　Bang；　Governor　of　Pei；　and　Xiang　Yu；　King　of　West　Chu；　were　fighting　Qin　under　the　Chu　banner。　Liu　Bang　was　the　first　mander　who　entered　Qin's　capital；　Xianyang。　The　loss　of　this　honor　enraged　Xiang　Yu；　and　he　was　set　to　attack　Liu　Bang's　force。　But　his　uncle　Xiang　Ba　wanted　to　mediate　the　situation；　and　Xiang　Ba　invited　Liu　Bang　to　visit　Xiang　Yu's　camp　in　Hongmen。　During　a　banquet　at　Hongmen；　Xiang　Yu's　adviser　Fan　Zeng　ordered　Xiang　Chang　to　perform　a　sword…dance　and　take　the　chance　to　kill　Liu　Bang。　However；　as　Xiang　Chang　closed　in　Liu　Bang；　Xian