Yang Song set stories afloat rumoring: “Ma Chao desires to make himself the ruler of the west and has said that he will no longer be content with subordinate rank. And he means to avenge the death of his father.”
The rumors came to the ear of Zhang Lu, and he asked Yang Song what should be done. Yang Song proposed, saying, “Give Ma Chao a limit of a month in order to accomplish his task, provided he consents to three conditions. And if he does not agree, he will have to be put to death. The three conditions are the capture of the Western Land of Rivers, the head of Liu Zhang, and the repulse of the Jingzhou troops. If he fails in any one of these, just bring his head. Meanwhile, Zhang Wei should be sent as guard at one of the strategic points which will control Ma Chao's army in case of rebellion.”
When Ma Chao heard the three demands made on him, he was greatly troubled, saying, “What can such a charge mean?”
After taking counsel with Ma Dai, it seemed best to suspend fighting, and the army returned.
But Yang Song had not yet attained his end, so he said to Zhang Lu, “Ma Chao's return with an army will be a danger, and hence all the points of vantage on the homeward road must be guarded so that to stop him.”
Thus Ma Chao was helpless and could see no way out of the difficulty.
Then Zhuge Liang said to his lord, “Now is my chance to use my little three inches of unworn tongue; Ma Chao is in a fix. I am going to his camp to persuade him to come over to your side.”
“But I do not like you to run such a risk, Instructor. You are my most necessary support, and if anything happened to you, what should I do?”
Zhuge Liang was set upon going and persisted in his request. Liu Bei again and again refused. At this juncture a messenger came with letters from Zhao Yun. Liu Bei called him in and questioned him. He was Li Hui of Jianning, the man who had formerly remonstrated so earnestly with Liu Zhang.
“You once pleaded with your master to keep me out; why are you here now?”
“Because the prudent bird chooses its perch and the wise person his master. I did attempt to dissuade Liu Zhang of Yiazhou from a course which I felt to be disastrous, and thereby fulfilled my duty as his servant. He rejected my counsel, and I knew he would fail. Your liberality, O General, has won over all the region, and success must be yours. I wish to serve under your banner.”
“Your services will surely be of great advantage to me, Sir,” said Liu Bei.
Then Li Hui began to talk of Ma Chao, “I knew him when we were in Longxi together. He is now in great straits, and I may be able to talk him over. What say you?”
“Just the man to go instead of me,” interjected Zhuge Liang. “But what arguments will you use?”
Li Hui leaned over and whispered in his ear thus and thus. What he said seemed to please Zhuge Liang mightily, and he was bidden to go forthwith.
Arrived at the camp, Li Hui sent in his name, at which Ma Chao remarked, “Yes; I know him — a glib and specious persuader. I know what he has come for too.”
So Ma Chao placed a score of armed ruffians in hiding about his tent and told them to cut the visitor to pieces if the signal was given.
Then the guest was led in and came walking proudly. His host remained seated stiff and upright. Ma Chao spoke roughly, saying, “What are you come for?”
“I am here as persuader.”
“This sword here in the scabbard is newly ground. You may try me by words, but if the words do not penetrate, I shall ask you to try the sword.”
Li Hui smiled, saying, “O, General, evil is not far off. However, I am thinking the newly ground sword will not be tried on my head. You will want to try it on your own!”
“What evil were you talking about?”
“The worst vilification could not hide the beauty of Lady Xi Shi of Yue, nor could the most fulsome praise gloze over the ugliness of Lady Wuyan of Qi ((two states of old)). The sun rises to the meridian and then declines; the moon waxes to the full and then wanes. All things obey the one law. Now, General, you are at enmity with Cao Cao for your father's death, and in Longxi you carry a stubborn, grinding hate for your family's death. You can neither rescue Liu Zhang by repulsing the army from Jingzhou, nor can you settle Yang Song by getting an interview with Zhang Lu. The whole world now holds no place for a person without a lord; and if you experience further defeats, like that one on River Wei, or the loss of Jicheng, will you not be too shamed to look any human in the face?”
Ma Chao bowed his head, saying, “You speak well, Sir. But I am helpless.”
“Now that you listen to me, I would ask why those fearsome ruffians are in hiding by your tent?” continued Li Hui.
Ma Chao, suddenly stricken with shame, ordered them to retire. Li Hui continued his speech.
