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s　specious　tale　to　try　to　save　your　lives。　If　I　pardon　you；　how　shall　I　look　my　brother　in　the　face　when　we　meet　beneath　the　Nine　Golden　Springs？〃
Then　he　bade　Guan　Xing　set　up　an　altar　to　his　father　in　the　camp；　and　thereon　the　First　Ruler　offered　the　head　of　Ma　Zhong　in　sacrifice　before　the　tablet　of　Guan　Yu。　This　done；　he　had　Guan　Xing　strip　the　two　deserters　and　make　them　kneel　before　the　altar。　And　presently　with　his　own　hand；　Guan　Xing　hewed　them　in　pieces　as　a　sacrifice。
Presently　Zhang　Bao　came　in　and　wailed　before　the　First　Ruler；　saying；　〃The　two　enemies　of　my　uncle　have　been　slain；　but　when　will　vengeance　be　taken　upon　those　of　my　father？〃
〃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　hand　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　e　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　well…known　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；　〃Lu　Xun　is　too　young　and　too　inexperienced。　I　fear　he　will　not　be　obeyed；　and　that　will　be　mischievous。〃
Bu　Zhi　added；　〃Lu　Xun　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　Wujun　in　Wu；　grandson　of　Lu　Jun；　who　was　mander　of　the　City　Gates　of　the　Han；　and　son　of　Lu　Yu；　mander　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　mand　of　all　the　forces　against　Shu。〃
〃Sir；　you　have　numerous　old　and　tried　officers　under　your　mand。　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　mander…in…Chief　and　may　not　refuse　the　appointment。〃
〃But　what　will　happen　if　the　officers　do　not　support　me？〃
〃Here　is　authority！〃　said　Sun　Quan；　taking　his　own　sword　from　his　side　and　giving　it　to　Lu　Xun。　〃Slay　the　disobedient　and　report　afterwards。〃
〃I　am　grateful　for　this　proof　of　confidence；　but　I　dare　not　accept　forthwith。　I　pray　you　assemble　all　the　officers　and　confer　the　office　upon　me　in　their　presence。〃
Said　Kan　Ze；　〃The　ancient　fashion　was　to　set　up　a　platform　and　thereon　present　to　the　leader…elect　a　white　yak's　tail　and　a　golden　ax　with　the　seal　of　office　and　mission。　Thereafter　his　dignity　and　the　reverence　due　from　others　were　beyond　all　question。　It　would　be　well；　O　Prince；　to　follow　the　old　rule。　Choose　a　good　day　and　appoint　Lu　Xun　before　all　the　world；　and　no　one　will　refuse　support。〃
An　altar　was　begun　at　once。　They　worked　at　it　day　and　night；　and　as　soon　as　it　was　finished　a　great　assembly　was　called。　Then　Lu　Xun　was　requested　to　ascend　and　make　his　bow　on　receiving　his　appointment　as　mander…in…Chief；　General　of　the　Right　Army；　General　Who　Guards　the　West；　and　Lord　of　Fenglou。　The　sword　of　authority　and　the　seal　of　office　were　presented。　His　powers　extended　over　the　six　territories　and　the　eighty…one　counties　of　the　South　Land；　over　the　forces　in　Jingzhou　and　Wu。
And　in　charging　him　Sun　Quan　said；　〃Domestic　affairs　belong　to　me；　outer　affairs　are　under　your　direction。〃
Lu　Xun　then　descended。　He　chose　Xu　Sheng　and　Ding　Feng　as　manders　of　his　guards；　and　the　army　lost　no　time　in　taking　the　field。　The　various　dispositions　of　horse　and　foot　and　navy　were　made；　and　dispatches　were　sent　to　the　outlying　manders。
When　the　dispatch　reached　Han　Dang　and　Zhou　Tai；　who　were　camping　near　Xiaoting；　they　were　alarmed；　saying；　〃Why　did　the　Prince　appoint　a　mere　bookish　student　to　the　mandership　of　all　armed　forces？〃
So　when　the　new　mander…in…Chief　came；　they　showed　their　discontent　by　a　lack　of　hearty　support。　Lu　Xun　went　to　his　tent　to　receive　the　reports；　and　there　the　majority　of　the　officers　manifested　only　sullen　respect　and　unwilling　deference。
Then　Lu　Xun　addressed　them；　saying；　〃By　order　of　my　superior　I　am　mander…in…Chief；　and　my　mission　is　to　destroy　Shu。　You；　gentlemen；　all　know　the　ordinary　military　rules；　and　you　would　do　well　to　obey　them。　The　law　is　no　respecter　of　persons；　as　those　who　disobey　will　find　out。　Do　not　have　to　regret　when　it　is　too　late。〃
They　nodded　in　sullen　acquiescence。
Then　Zhou　Tai　said；　〃There　is　Sun　Huan；　nephew　of　our　Prince。　He　is　surrounded　at　Yiling　and　is　short　of　food。　I　venture　to　request　you　to　send　relief　to　him　and　get　him　out；　so　that　the　Prince's　heart　may　be　forted。〃
〃I　know　all　about　him。　His　soldiers　are　faithful；　and　he　can　easily　maintain　his　position。　There　is　no　need　to　go　to　his　aid。　When　Shu　is　broken；　he　will　be　free　to　e　out。〃
They　all　sniggered　as　they　left　the　tent；　and　Han　Dang　did　not　fail　to　express　his　contempt　for　the　newly　appointed　mander…in…Chief。
〃This　will　be　the　end　of　Wu；〃　said　he　to　his　colleague。　〃Did　you　note　what　he　said？〃
〃I　tried　him　just　to　see　what　he　would　do；〃　said　Zhou　Tai。　〃You　see　he　had　no　plan　ready。　He　destroys　Shu　indeed！〃
Next　day　general　orders　were　issued　for　defense　and　prohibitions　against　giving　battle；　which　provoked　more　laughter　at　the　incapable　pedant；　as　they　thought　him　in　mand；　and　secret　resolves　to　disobey。　Moreover；　the　officers　showed　their　contempt　by　a　general　disregard　of　orders。
So　once　more　Lu　Xun　assembled　them　and　said；　〃You　know　I　am　in　mand。　Yet　the　recent　orders　for　defense　have　been　disregarded。　Why？〃
Then　Han　Dang　spoke　up；　〃Some　of　us　followed　General　Sun　Ce　when　he　first　subdued　the　South　Land。　Others　won　fame　in　destroying　rebels；　or　in　following　the　present　Prince　in　his　campaigns。　All　of　us　have　donned　our　armors　and　gripped　our　weapons　in　many　bloody　fights。　Now；　Sir；　you　have　been　placed　in　supreme　mand　to　repulse　Shu；　and　there　should　be　some　plan　of　campaign　made　for　us　at　once；　some　dispositions　of　our　forces；　and　some　definite　advance　toward　that　end。　Instead　of　that　we　are　told　to　strengthen　our　defenses　and　are　forbidden　to　fight。　What　are　we　to　wait　for？　Will　Heaven　destroy　our　opponents　for　us？　We　are　not　afraid　to　die。　Why　is　our　keenness　left　to　be　eaten　away　and　our　energies　wasted　in　idleness？'
All　the　others　applauded　this　speech　and　cried　that　the　speaker　had　expressed　their　own　ideas。
〃General　Han　Dang　just　says　what　we　think：　Let　us　fight　a　decisive　battle；〃　they　cried。
The　new　mander　waited　till　the　uproar　had　subsided；　then　drawing　his　sword；　he　shouted；　〃That　I　am　a　student　is　true。　But　I　have　been　entrusted　with　a　great　task；　a　task　for　which　the　Prince　of　Wu　considers　me　petent　and　for　the　performance　of　which　I　am　prepared　to　bear　all　the　responsibilities。　As　for　you；　you　will　do　well　to　act　on　the　defensive　as　I　ordered　and　not　allow　yourselves　to　be　led　astray　into　any　attacks。　And　I　shall　put　the　disobedient　to　death！〃
This　speech　had　little　effect；　and　they　dispersed　grumbling　and　murmuring。
Meanwhile　the　Ruler　of　Shu　had　made　a　long　chain　of　forty　camps　from　Xiaoting　to　the　borders　of　the　River　Lands；　spreading　out　two　hundred　miles。　These　base　camps　looked　very　imposing　with　their　fluttering　banners　by　day　and　their　fires　at　night。
Then　the　spies　came　in　and　reported：　〃Wu　appointed　Lu　Xun　as　mander…in…Chief。　Lu　Xun　ordered　his　manders　to　defend　strategic　points　and　not　to　engage　in　battle。〃
〃What　sort　of　a　man　is　this　Lu　Xun？〃　said　the　First　Ruler。
〃He　is　a　scholar　among　the　people　of　Wu；　and；　though　young；　he　is　very　talented；〃　replied　Ma　Liang。　〃His　schemes　are　very　deep。　He　was　the　author　of　the　villainous　and　crafty　plan　of　attack　on　Jingzhou。〃
〃His　crafty　scheme　caused　the　deaths　of　my　brothers。　But　now　I　shall　have　him！〃　said　the　First　Ruler　angrily。
He　gave　orders　to　advance。　But　Ma　Liang　ventured　to　remonstrate　and　dissuade　him。
〃Be　very　careful；〃　said　he。　〃This　Lu　Xun　is　no　whit　inferior　to　Zhou　Yu。〃
〃I　have　grown　old　in　the　field；〃　said　the　Emperor。　〃Don't　you　think　me　a　match　for　this　callow　youth？〃
He　confirmed　the　order　to　go　forward；　and　they　attacked　passes　and　fords　and　redoubts　wherever　they　were。
Han　Dang　notified　his　chief　of　the　movement　of　the　Shu　army；　and　Lu　Xun；　still　rather　dubious　of　the　strict　obedience　to　his　orders；　hastened　to　the　point　of　danger。　He　found　Han　Dang　on　a　hill　surveying　the　enemy's　force；　which　advanced　like　a　great　wave。　Amidst　the　army　they　saw　a　wide　yellow　umbrella；　and　Han　Dang　pointed　it　out。
〃That　must　be　Liu　Bei；〃　said　he。　〃I　should　like　to　kill　him。〃
〃Careful；〃　said　Lu　Xun。　〃So　far　he　has　scored　victory　after　victory；　and　his　soldiers　are　very　keen　and　confident。　Maintain　a　careful　defense　on　high　grounds　and　do　not　go　out　to　battle。　If　you　do；　you　will　lose。　Impress　that　upon　your　officers　and　soldiers　and　make