“You have heard of the old tale of the brothers Shen Sheng and Chong Er, have you not? Shen Sheng stayed at home and died; his brother Chong Er went away and lived in peace. Now that Huang Zu is gone and Jiangxia is weakly defended, why do you not ask to be sent there to guard it? Then you would be out of the way of harm.”
Liu Qi thanked him. Then he called to his people to restore the ladder, and he escorted Zhuge Liang down to the level ground.
Zhuge Liang returned to Liu Bei and related the whole interview. The young man soon acted on the advice given him, but his father would not at first consent to let him go. To settle his doubts Liu Biao sent for Liu Bei, who said, “Jiangxia is important, and your son is the most suitable man to defend it. You must let him go. The southeast will be defended by your son; the northwest I will look after.”
“I hear that Cao Cao has been training a naval force, and I am afraid he has intentions against us. We must be on our guard.”
“I know all about it; you need feel no anxiety,” said Liu Bei.
He took leave of his relative and went home while Liu Qi received command of three thousand soldiers and went to guard Jiangxia.
At this time Cao Cao suppressed the three highest officers of state and exercised their functions himself as the Prime Minister. He appointed as his general secretaries Mao Jie and Cui Yan, and as literary secretary Sima Yi. Sima Yi of Henei was grandson of Sima Juan, Governor of Yingchuan; son of Sima Fang, Governor of Jingzhao; and younger brother of Sima Lang, Secretary General.
Cao Cao then called his officers to a council to discuss an expedition against the south.
Xiahou Dun opened the debate, saying, “Liu Bei is drilling his army at Xinye, and is a source of danger. He should be destroyed.”
Accordingly Xiahou Dun was appointed Commanding General, and four assistants — Yu Jin, Li Dian, Xiahou Lan, and Han Hao — were given him. With these he led one hundred thousand troops to Bowang, whence he could observe Xinye.
Xun Yu was opposed to this and said, “Liu Bei is a famous warrior, and he has lately taken to himself as his Directing Instructor Zhuge Liang. Caution is needed.”
Xiahou Dun replied, “Liu Bei is a mean rat. I will certainly take him prisoner.”
“Do not despise him,” said Xu Shu. “Remember he has Zhuge Liang to help him, and so he is like a tiger who has grown wings.”
Cao Cao said, “Who is this Zhuge Liang?”
“He has taken a Taoist cognomen of Sleeping-Dragon. He is a perfect genius, god and devil combined, the greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him.”
“How does he stand as compared with you?” asked Cao Cao.
“There is no comparison. I am a mere glow-worm spark; he is the glory of the full moon,” replied Xu Shu.
“You are mistaken,” replied Xiahou Dun. “This Zhuge Liang of yours is of no account. Who would fear him? If I do not take him and his master prisoners in the first battle, then here is my head, a free gift to our lord, the Prime Minister.”
“Hasten to comfort me with news of victory,” said Cao Cao.
Xiahou Dun hastened to depart. The advent of Zhuge Liang and the extravagant deference shown him did not please Liu Bei's sworn brothers who grumbled, saying, “He is very young, although he is clever and learned. Our brother really treats him too well. We have not seen any evidence of his wonderful skill.”
Liu Bei replied, “You do not know his worth. I have him as if the fish has got into the water again. Pray do not discuss this matter further, my brothers.”
They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied. One day a man presented Liu Bei with a yak's tail, and he at once put it in his cap as an ornament. Zhuge Liang came in and noticed it at once.
“Then you have renounced all ambitions, my lord; you are just going to attend to this sort of thing,” Zhuge Liang quietly remarked.
Liu Bei snatched off his cap and flung it away, saying, “I was only amusing myself with the thing.”
“How do you think you stand compared with Cao Cao?” asked Zhuge Liang.
“Inferior.”
“Yes; your army is less than ten thousand, and the chances are ten thousand to one that he will attack. How can we meet him?”
“I am greatly distressed about it; but I see no way.”
“You might recruit and I will train them. Then we might be able to oppose him.”
So recruiting began and three thousand were enlisted. Zhuge Liang set about drilling them diligently.
Soon they heard that Xiahou Dun was leading an army of one hundred thousand troops against them. When he heard it, Zhang Fei said to his brother, Guan Yu, “We will get this Zhuge Liang to go and fight them.”
Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked their advice.
“Why not send the 'Water,' Brother?” said Zhang Fei.
“For method I rely on Zhuge Liang; but for action I put my faith in you, my brothers. Are you going to fail me?”
They went out, and Zhuge Liang was called.
“I fear your brothers will not obey me,” said Zhuge Liang. “Wherefore, if I am to direct the campaign, you must give me a seal of office and a sword of authority.”
