In the end, and after much persuasion, the old fellow consented and went. The First Ruler received him affably, surprised at the contrast between his hoary head and fresh boyish complexion. The venerable one had blue eyes, with square and sparkling pupils. His carriage was erect, and he stood straight as a pine tree.
“This is no common man,” thought the First Ruler, and he treated him with distinguished courtesy.
The seer said, “I am but an old man of the barren hill country, without learning or wisdom; you shame me, O Emperor, by calling me, and I know not why.”
“I and my two brothers, both now deceased, swore a mutual oath some thirty years ago. Both have gone, both by violent deaths. I would lead a great army to avenge them and wish to know how the expedition will end. Hearing that you, Venerable Sir, are learned in the deeper mysteries, I sent for you and beg you to tell me.”
“But this is fate; it is not for an old man like me to know.”
But the First Ruler pressed him to say. However, the aged one got paper and a brush and wrote: “Soldiers, horses, weapons”—again and again on many sheets of paper. Having done this, he suddenly tore them into fragments. Further, he drew a picture of a tall man lying supine and another above him digging a grave. And over all he wrote: “White.”
After this he bowed and departed, leaving the First Ruler annoyed.
“This is only a demented man; what he says is not worthy of confidence,” said the First Ruler. And he burned the paper.
Then he ordered an advance at full speed. Zhang Fei's son, Zhang Bao, came in, saying, “Wu Ban and his army have come; I pray that I may be appointed to lead the van.”
The First Ruler admired his noble intent and gave him a van-leader's seal. But just as he was attaching the seal to his girdle, another youth boldly stepped forth and said, “Leave that seal to me!”
It was Guan Xing, son of Guan Yu.
“I have already received my commission,” said Zhang Bao.
“What abilities have you for such a task?” cried Guan Xing.
“That I have been training as a soldier since my boyhood. I can shoot and never miss.”
“I should like to see your prowess,” said the First Ruler, “that I may decide who is the better.”
Zhang Bao ordered some of his people to set up a flag at a hundred paces, and on the flag he drew a heart in red. Then he took his bow and shot three arrows, each of which went through the heart. Those present commended the performance.
Then Guan Xing seized his bow, saying, “What is it to hit such a mark?”
Just as he said this a flock of wild geese flew over his head.
“I will hit the third of the flying geese,” said he.
He shot; and the third fell.
“Fine!” cried all the assembly as one voice.
But Zhang Bao was enraged. Leaping on his steed, he seized the long octane-serpent halberd left him by his father, crying, “Dare you try a real combat?”
Guan Xing took up the challenge at once. He sprang into the saddle, took his great saber, and galloped out.
“You can use the spear, think you that I cannot wield a sword?” cried he.
The two impetuous youths were on the point of a battle when the First Ruler bade them hold.
“Do not behave so badly!” cried he.
Both dropped out of the saddle, threw aside their weapons, ran to his feet, and begged pardon. “Young men, from the time I left my native place Zhuo and swore brotherhood with your fathers, they were as my own flesh and blood. You two are also brothers, and you should help each other in vengeance rather than quarrel and dispute. You have lost the sense of rectitude while your fathers' deaths are still recent, and what will happen in future?”
Both fell at his feet and implored forgiveness.
“Which of you two is the elder?” asked the First Ruler.
“I am the elder by a year,” said Zhang Bao.
The First Ruler then bade Guan Xing bow to Zhang Bao as to an elder brother, and there, in front of all, they broke an arrow as a pledge that each would always succor the other.
Then the First Ruler issued a mandate appointing Wu Ban leader of the van, and the two young men were enrolled as his own escort.
The advance began on land and on water, and they made a brave show as they moved against the land of Wu.
In the meantime the two assassins, with the grim evidence of their deed, duly reached Wu and told their story to the Marquis who received them.
Then Sun Quan said to his assembled officers, “Liu Bei has declared himself Emperor and is leading against us in person a great host of more than seven hundred thousand. What shall we do, for the danger is imminent?”
They all turned pale and looked one at another. Then Zhuge Jin spoke out.
“I have been in your service these many years and have never justified the favor you have shown me. I will risk my life and go to this Liu Bei of Shu that I may talk to him plainly and prove to him the advantages of friendship and alliance against Cao Pi.”
This offer pleased Sun Quan, who then appointed Zhuge Jin as his messenger to try to induce the First Ruler to keep the peace.
