Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/471

CHAPTER XLIII. CHUKO LIANG DISPUTES WITH THE SCHOLARS : LU SU DENOUNCES THE MAJORITY OPINION. In the boat on the way to Ch'aisang the two travellers beguiled the time by discussing affairs. Lu Su impressed upon his companion the necessity of concealing from Sun Ch'uan the truth about the magnitude of Tsʻao Ts'ao's army. " I do not promise to do what you ask , ” replied Chuko Liang, " but I shall know how to reply.” When the boat arrived K'ung-ming was lodged in the guests' quarters and Lu Su went alone to see his master. He found him actually at a council, assembled to consider the situation. Lu Su was summoned thereto and questioned at once upon what he had discovered. " I know the general outline, but I want a little time to prepare my report," replied he. Then Sun Ch‘üan produced Tsʻao Ts'ao's letter and gave it to Su. “ That came yesterday. I have sent the bearer of it back and this gathering is to consider the reply ,” said he. Lu Su read the letter, which said, “When I, the solitary one, received the imperial command to punish a fault my banners went south and Liu Tsóung became my prisoner, while his people flocked to my side at the first rumour of my coming. Under my hand are a hundred legions and I have many able captains. My desire is, General, that we go on a great hunting expedition into Chianghsia and together attack Liu Pei. We will share his land between us and we will swear perpetual amity. If happily you would not be a mere looker-on I pray you reply quickly." " What have you decided upon, my lord ?” asked Lu as he finished the letter. "I have not yet decided." Then ChangChao said, "It would be imprudent to withstand Ts'ao's many legions backed by the imperial authority. More over your most important defence against him is the Long River (Yangtse) and since Tsʻao has gained possession of Chingchou the river is his ally against us. We cannot with stand him, and the only way to tranquillity, in my opinion, is submission .” “ The words of the speaker accord with the manifest decree of providence," echoed all the assembly.