At this point K'ung-ming prostrated himself weeping at his lord's feet and said, "The Marquis of Wu has seized my brother's family, and he will put them all to death if the land be not given up. Can I remain alive if such a fate befall them? I pray my lord for my sake to give back the district and prevent any breach between my brother and me."

But Yuan-tê refused. He seemed obdurate, but K'ung-ming persisted in his entreaty. Finally Yüan-tê reluctantly consented.

"Since things ar. o, and tle Commander-in-chief pleads for it, I will return half," said he. "I will give up Changsha, Lingling and Kueiyang."

"Then, as you have consented, prepare letters ordering Kuan Yü to yield these three districts," said Chin.

Yuan-tê said, "When you see my brother you must use most gracious words to him, for his nature is as a fierce fire, and I fear what he may do. So be very careful."

Chuko Chin, having got the letter, took his leave and went straightway to Chingchou. He asked for an interview, and was received in the grand reception hall. When both were seated in their respective places, the emissary produced his letter, saying, "The Imperial Uncle has promised to return three districts to my master, and I hope, General, you will hand them over at once and let me return.'

Kuan Yü's countenance changed, and he said, "The oath sworn in the Peach Garden bound me and my brother to support the Dynasty of Han. Chingchou is a portion of their domain, and how can any part be given to another? When a leader is in the field he receives no orders, not even those of his prince. Although you have brought letters from my brother, yet will I not yield the territory."

"But the Marquis of Wu has laid hands upon my family, and they will be slain if the land be not given up. I crave your pity, O General."

"This is but a ruse on his part, but it does not deceive me." "Why are you so pitiless?"

Kuan Yü drew his sword, saying, "Let us have no more. This sword is pitiless."

"It will put the Commander-in-chief to shame," said Kuan P'ing. "I pray you not to be angry, my father."

"Were it not for my respect for the Commander-in-chief, you would never go back to Wu," said Kuan Yü.

Chuko Chin, overwhelmed with shame, took his leave, sought his ship and hastily returned to see his brother. But K'ungming had gone away upon a journey. However, he saw Yüantê and related what had happened, and said that Kuan Yü was going to slay him.

"My brother is hasty," said Yüan-tê. "It is difficult to argue with him. But return home for the present, and when I have

finished my conquest I will transfer Kuan Yü to another post, and then I may be able to return Chingchou."

Chuko Chin had no choice but to accept this reply and carry the unsatisfactory news to his master, who was greatly annoyed and said, "This running to and fro was nothing more than one of your brother's tricks."

The unhappy messenger denied this and told how his brother had interceded with tears and obtained the promise to return three districts. It was the obstinacy of Kuan Yü that spoiled all."

"Since Yüan-tê said he would return three districts, we may send officials to take over their administration. Think you that might be done?" said Sun.

"What you say, my lord, seems most proper."

The family of Chuko Chin were restored to liberty and officers were sent to take charge of the three districts that had been named. But they quickly returned, saying that Kuan Yü would have none of them, but had chased them away at once with threats to kill them if they did not hasten.

Sun Ch'üan then summoned Lu Su and laid the blame on him.

"You are Yüan-tê's guarantor in this matter; how can you sit quietly looking on while he fails to perform his contract?" said Sun.

"I have thought out a plan and was just going to impart it to you," said Lu Su.

"And what is your plan?"

Lu Su said, "There is a camp at Luk'ou; invite Kuan Yü to a banquet there and try to persuade him. If he still remain obstinate, have some assassins ready to slay him. Should he refuse the banquet, then we must try conclusions with an army.'

"This suits me," said Sun, "and it shall be done."

"It should not be done," interrupted K'an Tsê. "The man is too bold and not at all like common men. The plan will fail and result in more harm."

"Then when may I expect to get my Chingchou?" asked Sun, angrily.

He ordered Lu Su to carry out his plan, and Su went to Luk'ou forthwith and settled the preliminaries of the banquet. The place selected was by the river. Then he wrote a letter and found a persuasive person to deliver it. The messenger set out and sailed across the river to the post, where he was received by Kuan P'ing, who conducted him to his father.

"As Lu Su invites me, I will come to-morrow; you may return," was Kuan Yü's reply.

After the messenger had gone, Kuan P'ing said to his father, "Why did you promise to go? I think Lu Su means you no good."

"Do you think I do not know? This has all come out of my refusal to yield those three districts. They are going to try coercion at this banquet. If I refuse they will think I fear them. I will go to-morrow in a small ship with just my personal guard of half a score, and we shall see whether Lu Su will dare to come near me."

"But, father, why risk your priceless self in the very den of a tiger? I think you are not giving due importance to my uncle's charge."

"I have been in the midst of many and imminent dangers all alone and have been careless of them; think you that I shall begin to show fear of a few such rats as those?"

Nor was the son alone in remonstrance. warned his chief.

Ma Liang also

"Although Lu Su has a great repute, yet now he is pushed hard. He certainly is badly disposed toward you, and you must be careful, General."

Kuan Yü replied, "I have given my word, and shall I withdraw from it? In the days of the warring states Lin Hsiangju of the State of Chao had not the force even to bind a chicken, yet in the assembly at Shêngch'ih he regarded not the Prince of Ts'in, but did his duty without fear of consequences. Have

I not learned to face any number of foes? I cannot break my promise."

"If you must go," said Ma Liang, "at least go prepared." "Tell my son to choose out half a score of fast ships and a half company of good marines and be in readiness to help me at need. And when he sees a red flag waved he can come over to my aid."

The order was given and the little squadron was got ready.

The messenger returned to his master and told him that Kuan Yi had boldly accepted the invitation, and Lu Su and Lü Mêng took counsel together.

"What do you think of this?" asked Lu Su.

"If he comes with a force, Kan Ning and I will be in readiness for him by the river-side. And you will hear our bomb as a signal that we are attacking. If he has no force with him

the assassins can set on during the banquet."

Next day a look-out was kept on the bank, and early in the day a single ship came along. It was manned by very few men, and a simple red flag flew out on the breeze showing but one character, the name of the great warrior. Presently they could see him, a handsome figure in a green robe and black turban. Beside him stood Chou Ts'ang, his sword-bearer, and near him were eight or nine fine-looking men each with a sword at his side.

He landed and was received by the trembling Lu Su, who conducted him to the hall, bowed his greetings and led him to

the banquet chamber.

When he drank to his host Lu Su dared

not raise his eyes, but Kuan Yü was perfectly composed. When they had become mellow with wine, Lu Su said, "I have a word to say to you, Sir, if haply I may have your attention. You know that your illustrious brother, the Imperial Uncle, made me surety with my master that Chingchou would be returned after Ssuch'uan had been taken. Well, now that country is in his possession, but Chingchou is still unreturned. Is not this a breach of good faith?"

"This is a government affair," said Kuan Yü. "Such matters should not be introduced at a banquet."

"My master only has petty possessions in the east, and he allowed the temporary loan of Chingchou out of consideration for the need in which you then were. But now you have Ichou, and Chingchou should be given up. The Imperial Uncle has even yielded three districts, but you, Sir, seem unwilling to let them go. This seems hard to explain on reasonable grounds."

Kuan Yü replied, "I braved the arrows and the stones in the battle at Wuling and with all my strength drove back the enemy: did I get a single foot of land for all my efforts? Now you come to force this place out of me."

"No; I do not," said Lu Su. "But at the time that you and your brother suffered defeat at Ch'angpan, when you were helpless and in the greatest straits, fugitives you knew not whither, then my master was moved with pity and did not grudge the land. So he gave your brother a foothold whence he might be able to accomplish other ends. But your brother has presumed upon long-suffering. He has attained his end, the country of his desire, and still he occupies Chingchou. Such greed and such treachery will make the whole world laugh him to shame, as you know quite well."

"All that is no affair of mine; it is my brother's. I cannot yield the land."

"I know that by the oath in the Peach Garden you three were to live or die together. But your brother is now a ruler; how are you going to get out of that?"

Kuan Yü was at a loss to reply. However, Chou Ts'ang burst into the conversation, roaring out, "Only the virtuous get hold of territory, does that mean only you people of East Wu?" Kuan Yü's anger now showed itself. His face changed; he rose in his place, took his sword from his sword-bearer and said fiercely, "How dare you talk like this at a discussion of state matters? Go! And go quickly."

Chou understood. He left the hall, made his way to the river and waved the red call-flag. The ships darted across like

arrows and were ready for action.

The mighty sword in his right and, Kuan Yü laid hold of his false host with his left and, simulating intoxication, said, "You have kindly invited me to-day, Sir, but do not say any

thing about Chingchou, for I am so drunk that I may forget our old friendship. Some other day I hope to invite you to Chingchou, and then we will talk about that matter."

Poor Lu Su's soul almost left his body with fright as he was led down to the river bank in the grip of his guest. The two friends he had placed in ambush dared not face the terrible Kuan Yü and so made no move lest they should bring about the evil they feared. When they got to the bank, Kuan Yü released his host, got on board and then said farewell. Lu Su stood stupidly staring at the ship while a fair breeze bore it quickly out of sight.

This episode has been commemorated in verse:

He showed his contempt for the men of the east
By going alone to their traitor feast;

He met contempt with disdain.

To gain his end his pride he controlled,
As Hsiang-ju of old he was also bold;

'Twas the Mien Lake game played again.

Kuan Yü took his homeward way, while Lu Su and his two confederates talked over what had occurred.

"What can be done now?" said Lu Su.

"The only thing is to tell our master and let him send an army,” replied Lü Mêng.

Lu Su sent a messenger to Sun Ch'üan, who, in his wrath, was for sending every available soldier at once against Chingchou. But at this crisis there came news that Ts'ao Ts'ao was raising a huge army with the intention of attacking the south. So hasty orders were sent to Lu to make no move, but to send all the men he could toward the north to repel Ts'ao Ts'ao.

However, Ts'ao Ts'ao did not march south. One of his officers, Chuan Kan, sent in a memorial against the scheme. "I, Chuan Kan, understand that inspiring fear is the chief consideration in war, as inculcating virtue is in government. These two combined in one man fit him to be a prince. Formerly, in the days of disturbance, you, illustrious Sir, attacked the rebels and restored tranquillity almost everywhere, the only districts unsubdued and not under your control being Wu and Shu. The former of these is protected by the great river, the latter secured by its mountains, and both difficult to conquer by force of arms. My humble opinion is that it is more fitting to increase the authority of civil government, to lay aside arms and rest weapons, to cease from war and train your soldiers until the times shall be favourable. If your mighty legions. be now sent to camp on the river bank and the rebels should take refuge behind their natural defences, your men will be unable to prove their prowess, and should unforeseen combinations appear their force will not be available. In such a case your high prestige would be impaired. I trust, illustrious Sir, you will deign to examine this.'