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The　newer　was　Guan　Yu；　and　his　appearance　relieved　the　unhappy　men　of　all　fear。
〃Why　do　you　stop　them　since　our　brother　set　them　free？〃　cried　Guan　Yu。
〃If　they　are　let　go　today；　they　will　surely　e　back；〃　cried　Zhang　Fei。
〃Wait　till　they　do；　then　you　may　kill　them；〃　replied　Guan　Yu。
The　two　leaders　with　one　voice　cried；　〃Even　if　the　Prime　Minister　slay　our　whole　clans；　we　will　never　e　again。　We　pray　you　pardon　us。〃
Said　Zhang　Fei；　〃If　Cao　Cao　himself　had　e；　I　would　have　slain　him。　Not　a　breastplate　should　have　gone　back。　But　for　this　time　I　leave　you　your　heads。〃
Clapping　their　hands　to　their　heads　the　two　men　scuttled　off　while　the　two　brothers　returned　to　the　city。
〃Cao　Cao　will　certainly　e；〃　said　Guan　Yu　and　Zhang　Fei。
Sun　Qian　said；　〃This　is　not　a　city　that　can　hold　out　for　long。　We　should　send　part　of　our　forces　to　Xiaopei　and　guard　Xiapi　as　a　corner　stone　of　our　position。〃
Liu　Bei　agreed　and　told　off　Guan　Yu　to　guard　Xiapi　whither　he　also　sent　his　two　wives；　Lady　Gan　and　Lady　Mi。　The　former　was　a　native　of　Xiapi；　the　latter　was　Mi　Zhu's　younger　sister。
Sun　Qian；　Jian　Yong；　Mi　Zhu；　and　Mi　Fang　were　left　to　defend　Xuzhou；　and　Liu　Bei　with　Zhang　Fei　went　to　Xiaopei。
The　two　released　leaders；　Liu　Dai　and　Wang　Zhong；　hastened　home　to　Cao　Cao　and　explained　to　him　that　Liu　Bei　was　not　disaffected。
But　their　master　was　exceeding　angry　with　them；　crying；　〃You　shameful　traitors；　what　use　are　you？〃
He　roared　to　the　guards　to　take　them　away　to　instant　execution。

How　can　a　hare　or　a　deer　expect
To　conquer　in　tiger　strife？
Minnows　and　shrimps　that　with　dragons　contend
Already　have　done　with　life。

The　fate　of　the　two　leaders　will　be　told　in　the　next　chapter。
　Main　Next　to　Chapter　23　》》

　　　Romance　of　Three　Kingdoms　…　by　Luo　Guanzhong　…　Chapter　23
　Chapter　23
Mi　Heng　Slips　His　Garment　And　Rails　At　Traitors；
Ji　Ping　Pledges　To　Kill　The　Prime　Minister。
At　the　close　of　the　last　chapter　the　two　unsuccessful　leaders；　Liu　Dai　and　Wang　Zhong；　were　in　danger　of　death。
However；　Kong　Rong　remonstrated　with　Cao　Cao；　saying；　〃You　knew　these　two　were　no　match　for　Liu　Bei；　and　if　you　put　them　to　death　because　they　failed；　you　will　lose　the　hearts　of　your　people。〃
Wherefore　the　death　sentence　was　not　executed；　but　they　were　deprived　of　rank　and　status。
Cao　Cao　next　proposed　to　lead　an　army　himself　to　attack　Liu　Bei；　but　Kong　Rong　advised；　〃The　weather　is　too　inclement。　We　must　wait　the　return　of　spring。　In　the　interval；　we　better　use　the　time　to　arrange　peace　with　Zhang　Xiu　and　Liu　Biao；　before　launching　an　expedition　against　Xuzhou。〃
Wherefore　Liu　Ye　was　sent　to　Zhang　Xiu　and　in　due　time　reached　Xiangyang。　He　first　had　an　interview　with　Jia　Xu；　Zhang　Xiu's　adviser；　whereat　he　dwelt　upon　Cao　Cao's　virtues　so　that　Jia　Xu　was　impressed。　Jia　Xu　kept　Liu　Ye　as　a　guest　and　undertook　to　smooth　his　way。
Soon　after　Liu　Ye　saw　Zhang　Xiu　and　spoke　of　the　advantages　of　ing　to　terms　with　Cao　Cao。　While　the　discussion　was　in　progress；　a　messenger　from　Yuan　Shao　was　announced；　and　he　was　called　in。　He　presented　letters　and；　when　they　also　proposed　terms　of　peace；　Jia　Xu　asked　what　their　success　had　been　lately　against　Cao　Cao。
〃The　war　had　ceased　for　the　moment　on　account　of　the　winter；〃　replied　the　messenger。　〃As　you；　General；　and　Liu　Biao　are　both　well　reputed　officers　of　the　state；　I　have　been　sent　to　request　your　help。〃
Jia　Xu　laughed；　〃You　can　return　to　your　master　and　say　that　as　he　could　not　brook　rivalry　of　his　brother；　he　certainly　would　be　sorely　put　to　it　with　that　of　all　the　officers　of　the　state。〃
The　letter　was　torn　into　fragments　before　the　messenger's　face；　and　he　was　angrily　bidden　be　gone。
〃But　his　master；　Yuan　Shao；　is　stronger　than　Cao　Cao；〃　protested　Zhang　Xiu。　〃You　have　torn　up　his　letter　and　are　dismissing　his　man。　What　shall　we　say　about　such　an　insult　should　Yuan　Shao　e？〃
〃Better　join　hands　with　Cao　Cao；〃　said　Jia　Xu。
〃But　there　is　still　between　us　an　unavenged　enmity。　We　could　not　suffer　each　other。〃
Jia　Xu　said；　〃There　are　three　advantages　in　joining　hands　with　Cao　Cao。　First；　he　has　a　mand　from　the　Emperor　to　restore　peace。　Second；　as　Yuan　Shao　is　so　strong；　our　little　help　to　him　will　be　despised；　while　we　shall　loom　large　and　be　well　treated　by　Cao　Cao。　Third；　Cao　Cao　is　going　to　be　Chief　of　the　Feudal　Lords；　and　he　will　ignore　all　private　feuds　in　order　to　show　his　magnanimity　to　all　the　world。　I　hope；　General；　you　will　see　these　things　clearly　and　hesitate　no　longer。〃
Zhang　Xiu；　now　convinced；　became　more　reasonable　and　recalled　Liu　Ye；　who；　at　the　interview；　extolled　the　many　virtues　of　his　master。
〃If　the　Prime　Minister　had　any　thought　of　the　old　quarrel；　he　would　hardly　have　sent　me　to　make　friendly　engagements；　would　he？〃　said　Liu　Ye　at　the　last。

＇e＇　Cao　Cao　slept　with　Zhang　Xiu's　aunt。
So　Zhang　Xiu　and　his　adviser　proceeded　to　the　capital　where　formal　submission　was　made。　At　the　interview　Zhang　Xiu　bowed　low　at　the　steps；　but　Cao　Cao；　hastening　forward；　took　him　by　the　hand　and　raised　him；　saying；　〃Forget　that　little　fault　of　mine*；　I　pray　you；　General！〃
Zhang　Xiu　received　the　title　of　General　Who　Possesses　Prowess；　and　Jia　Xu　was　appointed　Counselor。
Cao　Cao　then　directed　his　secretaries　to　draft　letters　inviting　the　support　of　Liu　Biao。
Jia　Xu　said；　〃Liu　Biao　loves　to　have　to　do　with　famous　people。　If　some　famous　scholar　should　be　sent　to　him；　he　would　submit　forthwith。〃
So　Cao　Cao　inquired　of　Xun　You　who　was　the　best　person　to　go　as　a　messenger；　and　he　remended　Kong　Rong。　Cao　Cao　agreed　and　sent　Xun　You　to　speak　with　this　officer。
Xun　You　went　to　Kong　Rong；　saying；　〃A　scholar　of　reputation　is　required　to　aid　as　a　messenger　of　state。　Can　you　undertake　this　task？〃
Kong　Rong　replied；　〃I　have　a　certain　friend；　Mi　Heng；　whose　talents　are　ten　times　mine。　He　ought　to　be　constantly　at　the　court　of　the　Emperor　and　not　merely　be　sent　as　a　state　messenger。　I　will　remend　him　to　the　Emperor。〃
So　Kong　Rong　wrote　the　following　memorial：

＇e＇　Emperor　Wu；　aka　Liu　Che；　（reigned　BC　141…87）　whose　reign　was　longest　among　the　Han　emperors。　Emperor　Wu　was　perhaps　the　most　influential　Han　emperor　who　concerned　not　only　about　expanding　territory　but　also　about　developing　trade　with　other　countries　（the　Silk　Road；　for　example）。　Emperor　paid　special　attention　to　longevity；　and　his　court　often　had　elaborate　rituals。　。。。。。
〃In　ancient　days；　when　the　great　waters　were　abroad；　the　emperor　pondered　over　their　regulation　and　he　sought　out　people　of　talent　from　all　directions。　In　old　time；　when　Emperor　Wu*　of　the　Hans　desired　to　enlarge　his　borders；　crowds　of　scholars　responded　to　his　call。
〃Intelligent　and　holy；　Your　Majesty　ascended　the　throne。　You　have　fallen　upon　evil　days；　but　have　been　diligent；　modest；　and　untiring　in　your　efforts。　Now　the　great　mountains　have　sent　forth　spirits；　and　people　of　genius　appear。
〃I；　your　humble　servant；　know　of　a　certain　simple　scholar；　Mi　Heng　by　name；　of　Pingyuan；　a　young　man　of　twenty…four。　His　moral　character　is　excellent；　his　talents　eminent。　As　a　youth　he　took　a　high　place　in　study　and　penetrated　the　most　secret　arcane　of　learning。　What　he　glanced　at　he　could　repeat；　what　he　heard　once　he　never　forgot。　He　is　naturally　high　principled；　and　his　thoughts　are　divine。　Sang　Hongyang's　mental　calculations　and　Zhang　Anshi's　memorial　feats　pared　with　Mi　Heng's　powers　are　no　longer　wonderful。　Loyal；　sincere；　correct；　and　straight…forward；　his　ambition　is　unsullied。　He　regards　the　good　with　trembling　respect；　he　detests　the　evil　with　unpromising　hatred。　Ren　Zuo　in　unflinching　candor；　Shi　Yu　in　severe　rectitude；　never　surpassed　him。
〃Hundreds　of　hawks　are　not　worth　one　osprey。　If　Mi　Heng　be　given　a　court　appointment；　notable　results　must　follow。　Ready　in　debate；　rapid　in　utterance；　his　overwhelming　intelligence　wells　up　in　profusion。　In　the　solution　of　doubts　and　the　unraveling　of　difficulties　he　has　no　peer。
〃In　former　days　of　Han；　Jia　Yi　begged　to　be　sent　on　trial　to　a　vassal　state　for　the　control　of　the　Xiongnu　tribespeople；　Zhong　Jun　offered　to　bring　back　the　Prince　of　Nanyue　to　do　homage　to　the　emperor。　The　generous　conduct　of　these　youths　has　been　much　admired。
〃In　our　day　Lu　Cui　and　Yan　Xiang；　remarkable　for　their　talents；　have　been　appointed　among　the　secretaries。　And　Mi　Heng　is　no　less　capable。　Should　he　be　got；　then　all　possibilities　may　be　realized：　The　dragon　may　curvet　through　the　celestial　streets　and　soar　along　the　Milky　Way；　fame　will　extend　to　the　poles　of　the　universe　and　hang　in　the　firmament　with　rainbow　glory。　He　would　be　the　glory　of　all　the　present　Ministers　and　enhance　the　majesty　of　the　Palace　itself。　The　Music　will　acquire　new　beauties；　and　the　Palace　will　contain　an　excellent　treasure。　People　like　Mi　Heng　are　but　few。　As　in　the　recitation　of　'Ji　Chu　Songs'　and　the　singing　of　'Yang　E　Poems'；　the　most　skillful　performers　are　sought；　and　such　fleet　horses　as　'Fei　Tu　Broncos'　and　'Yao　Niao　Mustangs'　were　looked　for　by　the　famous　judges　of　horses；　Wang　Liang　and　Bo　Le。　So　I；　the　humble　one；　dare　not　conceal　this　man。　Your　Majesty　is　careful　in　the　selection　of　servants　and　should　try　him。　Let　him　be　summoned　as　he　is；　simply　clad　in　his　serge　dress；　and　should　he　not　appear　worthy；　then　may　I　be　punished　for　the　fault　of　deception。〃
The　Emperor　read　the　memorial　and　passed　it　to　his　Prime　Minister；　who　duly　summoned　Mi　Heng。　He　came；　but　after　his　formal　salutations　were　over；　he　was　left　standing　and　not　invited　to　sit　down。
Looking　up　to　heaven；　Mi　Heng　sighed　deeply；　saying；　〃Wide　as　is　the　universe；　it　cannot　produce　the　person。〃
〃Under　my　orders　are　scores　of　people　whom　the　world　call　heroes。　What　do　you　mean　by　saying　there　is　not　the　person；〃　said　Cao　Cao。
〃I　should　be　glad　to　hear　who　they　are；〃　said　Mi　Heng。

＇e＇　Xiao　He　（BC　？…193）　a　close　adviser　of　Liu　Bang。　He　and　Liu　Bang　had　been　friends　in　their　native　Pei；　where　Liu　Bang　later　held　a　minor　office。　Remended　Han　Xin　to　Liu　Bang。　Became　Han's　prime　minister。　Enobled　as　the　Lord　of　Cuo。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Chen　Ping　（BC　？…178）　a　master　strategist　of　Liu　Bang。　He　first　served　Xiang　Yu　but　then　became　a　follower　in　Liu　Bang's　camp。　Served　as　Liu　Bang's　prime　minister　and　Empress　Lu's　left　minister。　After　the　death　of　Empress　Lu；　Chen　Ping　played　an　important　role　in　returning　royal　authority　to　the　Liu　clan。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Cen　Peng　was　a　general　of　Liu　Xiu。　Cen　Peng　was　loyal　and　contributed　much　to　Liu　Xiu's　success。　He；　together　with　Yao　Qi；　Deng　Yu；　Chen　Jun；　and　Du　Mao；　was　executed　by　Liu　Xiu　by　mistake　when　Liu　Xiu　was　drunk。　Liu　Xiu　later　died　of　this　grief。　。。。。。
＇e＇　Ma　Wu　was　a　general　of　Liu　Xiu。　Also　contributed　much　to　Liu　Xiu's　success。　Ma　Wu　mitted　suicide　after　Liu　Xiu　executed　several　ministers　by　mistake　when　Liu　Xiu　was　drunk。　Liu　Xiu　later　died　of　this　grief。　。。。。。
〃Xun　Yu；　Xun　You；　Guo　Jia；　and　Cheng　Yu　are　all　people　of　profound　skill　and　long　views；　superior　to　Xiao　He*　and　Chen　Ping*。　Zhang　Liao；　Xu　Chu；　Li　Dian；　and　Yue　Jing　are　bravest　of　the　brave；　better　than　Cen　Peng*　and　Ma　Wu*。　Lu　Qian　and　Man　Chong　are　my　secretaries；　Yu　Jin　and　Xu　Huang　are　my　van　leaders；　Xiahou　Dun　is　one　of　the　world's　marvels；　Cao　Ren　is　the　most　successful　leader　of　the　age。　Now　say　you　there　are　not　the　people？〃
〃Sir；　you　are　quite　mistaken；〃　said　Mi　Heng　with　a　smile。　〃I　know　all　these　things　you　call　people。　Xun　Yu　is　qualified　to　pose　at　a　funeral　or　ask　after　a　sick　man；　Xun　You　is　fit　to　be　a　tomb　guardian；　Cheng　Yu　might　be　sent　to　shut　doors　and　bolt　windows；　and　Guo　Jia　is　a　reciter　of　poems；　Zhang　Liao　might　beat　drums　and　clang　gongs；　Xu　Chu　might　lead　cattle　to　pasture；　Yue　Jing　would　make　a　fair　reader　of　elegy；　Li　Dian　could　carry　dispatches　and　notices；　Lu　Qian　would　be　a　fair　armorer；　Man　Chong　could　be　sent　to　drink　wine　and　eat　brewers'　grains；　Yu　Jin　might　be　of　use　to　carry　planks　and　build　walls；　Xu　Huang　might　be　employed　to　kill　pigs　and　slay　dogs；　Xiahou　Dun　should　be　styled　'Whole　Body　General；'　and　Cao　Ren　should　be　called　'Money…grubbing　Governor。'　As　for　the　remainder；　they　are　mere　clothes　shelves；　rice　sacks；　wine　vases；　flesh　bags。〃
〃And　what　special　gifts　have　you？〃　said　Cao　Cao　angrily。

＇e＇　Kings　Yao　and　Shun　are　two　ideal　rulers；　while　Confucius　and　Mencius　are　two　great　philosophers。
〃I　know　everything　in　heaven　above　and　the　earth　beneath。　I　am　conversant　with　the　Three