'e' Xiao He (BC ?…193) a close adviser of Liu Bang。 He and Liu Bang had been friends in their native Pei; where Liu Bang later held a minor office。 Remended Han Xin to Liu Bang。 Became Hans prime minister。 Enobled as the Lord of Cuo。 。。。。。
'e' Cao Shen a general of Liu Bang。 He and Liu Bang had been close friends in their native Pei; where Liu Bang later held a minor office。 Served as Hans prime minister。 。。。。。
'e' Han Xin was a general of Liu Bang。 Before serving Han; Han Xin had been an officer under Xiang Yu。 Disappointed because his plans were rejected; Han Xin left Xiang Yu and joined Liu Bangs camp; where he was made mander…in…Chief by remendations of Xiao He and Zhang Liang。 Enobled as King of Qi; then King of Chu。 。。。。。
〃You do wrong to refuse;〃 said Fei Shi。 〃Of old; Xiao He* and Cao Shen* helped Liu Bang; the Founder of the Han Dynasty; in his great enterprise and were very dear friends; while Han Xin* was but a runaway leader from Chu。 Yet Liu Bang made Han Xin a prince; and so placed over the heads of the other two。 I have never heard that these two resented it。 The Prince of Hanzhong has his Five Tiger Generals; but he is still your brother and all that that means。 As his brother; you are he and he is you。 Is there any parison with any other? The Prince has always treated you with the greatest kindness。 You two are one in sorrow and joy; sharers of disaster and good fortune。 No such question as that of a mere title ought to reckon at all。 I pray you; Sir; reflect。〃
Guan Yu understood; and thanked Fei Shi; saying; 〃You have prevented me from making a great mistake due to my ignorance。〃
Guan Yu then received the seal with all humility。
Next Fei Shi produced the edict ordering the capture of Fancheng。 Guan Yu lost no time in obeying its mand。 He appointed Fu Shiren and Mi Fang Leaders of the Van to take the first army out of the city into camp。
This done; a banquet was prepared for Fei Shi; and they sat late at their wine。 While still at table there was an alarm of fire in the new camp; and Guan Yu hastened out of the city to see。 He found that the two generals had also been feasting; and the fire had started behind their tent; a spark having fallen into some explosives; whence it spread and destroyed the whole camp and all that was in it。 Guan Yu and his soldiers did what they could to put out the fire and then reentered the city。 There Guan Yu summoned the two generals before him; abused them for their lack of care; and sentenced them to death。
However; Fei Shi interceded for them; saying; 〃It is not well to put two leaders to death at the beginning of a campaign; before even the army has marched。 You might reprieve them at least。〃
Guan Yus anger had by no means subsided; but he recalled the two generals and said; 〃Were it not that I have the greatest regard for Chairman Fei Shi here; I had let the sentence take its course。 Now I will only flog you。〃
So the two officers received forty blows each and were degraded from leading the van。 Their seals were taken away; and Mi Fang was sent to Nanjun; Fu Shiren to Gongan。
〃Now be warned;〃 said Guan Yu。 〃If; when I return from my victories; there is the least sign of disorder on your part; you will suffer for both faults。〃
The two men flushed crimson and went out。
Then two new officers were appointed; Liao Hua and Guan Ping。 Next Guan Yu took mand of the main army; and he had two advisers………Ma Liang and Yi Ji。 Then it was that Hu Huas son; Hu Ban; came to Jingzhou and joined Guan Yu; who loved him for the sake of his father and the good service Hu Ban had rendered when he saved Guan Yu。 Guan Yu sent Hu Ban to the Prince of Hanzhong in the train of Fei Shi。
The day that Guan Yu sacrificed to his standard before starting; he was lying in his tent resting when suddenly there dashed into his tent a huge boar; very large; as big as a bullock and quite black。 It bit his foot。 He jumped up to kill the creature; when it squealed with the sound of tearing cloth………and he awoke。 It was a dream; but he had a pain in his foot。 The dream perplexed him; and he could not explain it。
He related it to his son; who interpreted it happily; saying; 〃The boar is a royal beast; like the dragon; and ing to your feet means a rise of your dignity。〃
When the dream got noised abroad; for he told his officers; some interpreted it as auspicious and some the reverse。
〃When a person nears sixty; he ought not to be greatly disturbed by the thought of death;〃 said Guan Yu。 〃After all; I am a warrior。〃
Just about that time came an edict from the Prince of Hanzhong making him manding General; with honorable insignia of rank and control over the nine territories of forty…one counties in Jingzhou。 When the officers congratulated him on his new honors; they did not forget the dream。
〃This shows what a dream of boars means。〃
This new distinction pleased Guan Yu greatly; and he had no more perplexing doubts。 Soon he marched away along the great road to the point of danger。
Cao Ren was in Xiangyang when he heard that Guan Yu was ing against him。 He was much put about; and inclined to trust solely to defense。 But his next mand; Zhai Yuan; did not support this course and argued against it。
〃The Prince of Wei has ordered you to act in concert with Wu and take Jingzhou。 For the other side to e against such a bination is to walk in the way of death。 Certainly we have no occasion to avoid a conflict。〃
On the other hand the newly sent Adviser Man Chong inculcated caution。
Said he; 〃Guan Yu is brave and cunning and one not to be met lightly。 I think defense is best。〃
Then General Xiahou Cun said contemptuously; 〃This is all the talk of a lot of book…folks。 When the flood approaches; bank up to keep it out。 Let the enemy e with their tired soldiers; and we shall go out; defeat them; and receive our reward; for we are sure of victory。〃
Cao Ren was won over to the side of those of action。 He placed Man Chong in mand of the defenses of Fancheng; while he went outside to beat off Guan Yu。 When the two for