But when the messenger had gone out of the city; Liu Ye went to remonstrate; saying; 〃Sun Quan has done this for fear of the armies of Shu。 In my opinion; if Shu and Wu fight; heaven will make an end of one country。 If you will send an army across the Great River to attack; and Shu attack at the same time from the west; Wu as a state will disappear。 If Wu goes; then Shu will be left alone and can be dealt with when you will。〃
〃But I cannot attack Sun Quan now that he has e over to my side。 It would prevent anyone else from doing so。 No; I will really accept his submission。 It is the best course。〃
Liu Ye said; 〃After all; though talented; he is but a General of the Flying Cavalry and Lord of Nanzhang of the decadent days of Han。 His rank is low and his influence small; yet he still wants to contest the Middle Land。 If you promote him to kingly rank; he is only one step below yourself。 While doubting the reality of his submission; you give him an exalted rank and increase his influence。 Surely this is only giving wings to a tiger。〃
〃Not at all; I am helping neither Wu nor Shu。 I am waiting till they are at grips; and if one goes under; there will be only one left to destroy。 That will be easy。 However; say no more; for I have decided。〃
Whereupon Xing Zhen was bidden to take the mandate and the Nine Dignities and acpany Zhao Zi to Wu。
Sun Quan assembled his officers to discuss how the armies of Shu could be driven off。 Then came the news of princely rank conferred by Wei。 By the rules of courtesy; the messenger bearing the edict should be met at a great distance from the capital; but Gu Yong was opposed to accepting the rank。
〃My lord; you should style yourself Supreme Ruler and Lord of the nine territories。 You should not receive any rank from Wei。〃
〃But on one occasion Liu Bang received the princedom of Han (Hanzhong) from Xiang Yu。 I have to depend upon circumstances。 Why refuse?〃
Sun Quan discussed the matter no more; but went out at the head of a great gathering of officers to wele the messenger。
Xing Zhen; the bearer of the mandate from Wei; on first arrival ported himself haughtily as the representative of a superior country and an imperial ambassador。 And when he entered the city; he did not descend from his carriage。 Wherefore Zhang Zhao ventured to rebuke him。
〃Everyone must obey the rules of courtesy as everyone must respect the laws。 You; Sir; are behaving proudly as if there was no such thing as a sword in this country。〃
Immediately the messenger descended from his chariot and was presented to Sun Quan。 Afterwards they went in side by side。
As the cavalcade proceeded; a loud voice was heard in the rear of the two carriages; crying; 〃Here we are prevented from risking our lives in smashing Wei and swallowing Shu; and our lord receives a title from another man。 Are not such things shameful?〃
The man was Xu Sheng。
And Xing Zhen sighed; saying; 〃If all the leaders and ministers of the South Land are like this; the Prince of Wu will not long be content to obey another。〃
However; the title was accepted。 And when he had received the felicitations of his officers; Sun Quan gave orders to collect beautiful works in jade and brilliant pearls; which were sent to Wei as return gifts。
Not long after came tidings of the forces of Shu: 〃The First Ruler; together with King Shamo Ke of the Mang nations; leads his own army and a large number of tribesmen from the east and south。 Furthermore; he is aided by the two Shu generals of Dongxi; Liu Ning and Du Lu; with their cohorts。 They advance both by land and by water; a mighty host; of which the shouting shakes the heavens。 The naval force has already e out at Wukou; and the land force has reached Zigui。〃
Although Sun Quan had been created a prince; yet Emperor Pi would not send a relieve army。
When the terrible news came; the Prince of Wu asked present advice from his officers; saying; 〃How are we going to meet those forces?〃
But there was none to help him。 They only muttered and were silent。
〃Ah!〃 sighed he。 〃After Zhou Yu I had Lu Su; and Lu Meng succeeded Lu Su。 But now they have all three gone; and there is no one to share my troubles!〃
But just then a very youthful general stepped out from the ranks of the officials and said; with a lowly obeisance; 〃Though I am young; I am not a little versed in the books of war; and with a few legions I could destroy the power of Shu。〃
Sun Quan recognized Sun Huan; the son of Sun Hu。 Sun Hu was originally from the Yu family; and he had served under Sun Jian; Sun Quans father。 Sun Jian loved the youth and gave him his own family name of Sun and so made him a member of his own clan。 Sun Hu had four sons; of whom Sun Huan was the eldest。 Sun Huan was an expert archer and horseman and had acpanied Sun Quan in several campaigns; where he had distinguished himself right well and had been given a rank of mander。 At this time he was twenty…five。
〃How do you think you can overe them?〃
〃There are two able manders under my mand named Xie Jing and Li Yi; both very brave。 With a few legions I will capture Liu Bei。〃
〃Though you are brave; nephew; yet you are young and ought to have an assistant。〃
Thereupon Tiger General Zhu Ran stepped forward; saying; 〃Let me go。〃
Sun Quan consented。 He promoted Sun Huan to General of the Left Army; and he told off fifty thousand of soldiers and marines; over whom he placed Sun Huan and Zhu Ran as joint manders。 They were to start as soon as possible。
The scouts reported that the army of Shu was camped at Yidu; and Sun Huan led half his army to the borders of that county and camped in three stockades。