“Do not go to see our master. Return to Jingzhou and say to Liu Bei that since his family and the Suns are related by marriage, they really form but one house, and since he has qualms about attacking the west, we will do it for him. Thus, the South Land will march an army under this pretext, but really go to Jingzhou, and we shall take him unprepared. The road to the west runs through his city, and we will call upon him for supplies. He will come out to thank the army, and we will assassinate him whereby we shall revenge ourselves and at the same time remove a source of future evil.”
This seemed an excellent plan to Lu Su, and he returned at once to Jingzhou. Before receiving him, Liu Bei talked over the matter with his adviser.
Said Zhuge Liang, “Lu Su has not seen the Marquis of Wu, he has called in at Chaisang, and he and Zhou Yu have decided upon some scheme, which he is to talk you into accepting. However, let him talk; you, my lord, only watch me; and when I nod my head, then you agree to whatever he may propose.”
Lu Su was then admitted and said, “The Marquis of Wu praises the noble virtue of the Imperial Uncle; and after consultation with his officers, he has determined to take the western country on the Imperial Uncle's behalf and, that done, Jingzhou can be exchanged for it without further delay. However, when the army marches through, it will be expected of you to contribute some necessary supplies.”
Zhuge Liang here nodded his head rapidly, at the same time saying, “We could hardly have hoped for such kindness.”
And Liu Bei saluted with joined hands and said, “This is due to your friendly efforts on our behalf.”
“When the brave army arrives, we shall certainly come out to meet it and entertain the soldiers,” said Zhuge Liang.
Lu Su felt great satisfaction and was quite happy at his success; he took his leave and went homeward. But Liu Bei as yet did not understand.
“What is their intention?” said he.
His adviser smiled, saying, “Zhou Yu's end is very near. The ruse he is now trying would not take in a child.” “Why?”
“This is the ruse known as 'Borrow a Road to Exterminate the Host.' Under the pretense of taking the west, they intend to capture this place; and when you go out to compliment the army, you will be seized and they will dash into the city which they hope to find unprepared.”
“And what are we to do?”
“Have no anxiety; all we have to do is to prepare a hidden bow to get the fierce tiger; to spread the enticing bait to hook the great leviathan. Wait till Zhou Yu comes; if he is not killed, he will be nine-tenths a corpse. We will call in Zhao Yun for orders and give him secret instructions, and I will dispose the others.”
And Liu Bei was glad.
Lu Su hastened back to Zhou Yu to tell him that all was going as he desired and Liu Bei would come out to welcome the army.
Zhou Yu laughed with glee, saying, “At last! Now they will fall into my trap.”
Zhou Yu bade Lu Su prepare a petition for the information of the Marquis, and he ordered Cheng Pu to bring up reinforcements. He himself had nearly recovered from the arrow wound and felt well. He made his dispositions for the advance, appointing Gan Ning Van Leader, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng the Commanders of the body, and Ling Tong and Lu Meng Rear Guards. The army numbered fifty thousand troops, and Zhou Yu marched with the second division. While voyaging in his ship, he was always smiling to think how he was to have Zhuge Liang at last.
At Xiakou he inquired, “Is there any one to welcome the brave army?”
They told him, “The Imperial Uncle has sent Mi Zhu to greet us.”
And Mi Zhu was called.
“What of the preparations for the army?” asked Zhou Yu as soon as Mi Zhu came.
“My master has seen to that; all is prepared,” said Mi Zhu.
“Where is the Imperial Uncle?” asked Zhou Yu.
“He is at the city of Jingzhou, waiting outside the walls to offer you the cup of greeting.”
“This expedition is on your account,” said Zhou Yu. “When one undertakes so long a march and such a task, the rewards for the army must be very substantial.”
Having got this idea of what Zhou Yu expected, Mi Zhu returned to his own city, while the southern battle ships in close order sailed up the river and took their places along the bank. As they went on, the most perfect tranquillity seemed to reign on all sides. Not a ship was visible anywhere, and no one hindered. Zhou Yu pressed forward till he came quite near Jingzhou, and still the wide river lay calm. But the spies who came back reported two white flags flying on the city walls.
