Hearing this Sun Ch‘üan was very greatly pleased. He threw on some clothing, got up and thanked his new-found adviser. Next day Sun Ch‘üan gave him costly gifts and sent robes and hangings to his mother.
Lu Su then recommended a friend of his to the young man’s notice, a man of wide reading and great ability. He was also a filial son. His double name was Chuko Chin and he came from Nanyang. Sun Ch‘üan treated him as a superior guest. This man dissuaded Sun Ch‘üan from making common cause with Yüan Shao, but advised him rather to favour Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, against whom he could plan when occasion served. Sun Ch‘üan therefore sent back the messenger Ch‘ên Chên with despatches that broke off all negotiations.
Hearing of Sun Ts‘ê’s death, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was for sending an expedition against Chiangnan. But a certain historian, Chang Hung, dissuaded him, saying that it would be mean to take advantage of the period of mourning.
“And if you should not overcome him you will make him an enemy instead of being a friend. It would be preferable to treat him generously.”
So Ts‘ao memorialised the throne and obtained for Sun Ch‘üan the title of Generalissimo and Prefect of Kueichi, while Chang Hung was appointed under him as Tu-yu.
And a seal of office was sent him. The new appointment pleased Sun Ch‘üan and he was also glad to get Chang Hung back again. He was sent to act jointly with Chang Chao.
Chang Hung was the means of getting another into Sun Ch‘üan’s service. His friend was Ku Yung, known also as Yüan-t‘an, a disciple of the historian Ts‘ai Yung. He was a man of few words and an abstainer from wine. He was very correct in all things. Sun Ch‘üan employed him in the administration.
Henceforward Sun Ch‘üan’s rule was very prosperous and he waxed mightily in influence and won the love of all the people.
When Ch‘ên Chên had returned and related the events in Wu, and told of the honours that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had obtained for the young man in return for his support, Yüan Shao was very wroth and he set about preparing for an attack on the capital with a force of seventy legions of northern men.
Although in the south they rest from war,
They rattle the spears ’neath the northern star.
Later it will be seen which side conquered.
