Zhang Song, whose courtesy name was Yongnian, came from Yi Province as its Assistant Biejia. He had a broad, bulging forehead, a pointed head, a flat-nosed face with teeth that showed, and a short body not reaching five chi. His voice was deep like that of a bronze bell. Liu Zhang asked, “You, who serve in this office, what sound strategy do you have that might save this place from Zhang Lu?”

Song replied, “I have heard that in Xudu, Chancellor Cao Cao has swept through the Central Plain. He has subdued Lü Bu and the two Yuans, and lately he has beaten back Ma Chao. Under heaven he has no equal. If my lord prepares tribute goods—gold, pearls, and brocade—and sends an envoy, I should go personally to Xudu and say this to Cao Cao: ‘Raise your troops and seize Hanzhong in pursuit of Zhang Lu, and we shall keep you busy there. With his army occupied, how would he dare to press into Shu again?’

Liu Zhang was pleased. He packed gold, pearls, and silk gifts and sent Zhang Song as envoy. Song secretly copied a map of Sichuan and hid it, then with only a few mounted attendants took the road for Xudu.

Word had already reached Jing Province. Zhuge Liang, who is called Kongming, then sent men to Xudu to gather news.

When Zhang Song reached the guest lodging at Xudu, he settled there and each day went to the Chancellery to report and seek an audience with Cao Cao. Cao had returned from breaking Ma Chao in triumph and, riding high on victory, held drinking parties daily and seldom went out. State business was all handled in the Chancellery.

Song waited three days before he could pass his name forward. Court attendants and close attendants first demanded bribes and only then was he brought in. Cao sat in the hall. After Song bowed, Cao asked, “Your lord Liu Zhang has not sent tribute for years. Why?”

Song replied, “The roads were difficult, Your Excellency, and bandits interrupted the traffic. We could not pass tribute through.”

Cao snapped, “I have swept the Central Plain. What bandits now?”

Song answered, “To the south there is Sun Quan, to the north Zhang Lu, and to the west Liu Bei. All three can each bring forth with tens of thousands of armored troops. How can one say all is peaceful now?”

Song’s appearance did not please Cao, and he disliked him from the start. He also found his speech biting and unruly, so he rose, waved off his sleeve, and moved to the rear hall.

An attendant rebuked Song: “You are here on an imperial mission. Why do you not know ceremony and always speak with insolence? He only spared you out of respect for your coming so far. Go home at once!”

Song laughed. “No one in my Sichuan does flattery.”

At that moment a loud voice from below called up, “If your land has no flatterers, do we in Zhongyuan have none either?”

Song looked up at the speaker. He had thin eyebrows, narrow eyes, a pale face, and clear spirit. He asked his name and learned this was Yang Xiu, courtesy name Dezu, son of Grand Commandant Yang Biao, now chief clerk under the Chancellor’s office, keeper of the treasury. He was widely learned, eloquent, and exceptional in understanding. Song realized that Yang Xiu was a man of verbal talent and difficult to defeat. Yang Xiu too trusted his own brilliance and looked down on other scholars.

When Yang saw Song’s mocking tone, he invited him outside into a study pavilion and set them as host and guest. “The road to Shu is rugged and far. You must have come with hardship,” Yang said.

Song replied, “By my lord’s order, even if I must walk through fire or wade in boiling water, I dare not refuse.”

Yang asked, “What is the terrain and weather of Shu like?”

Song replied, “Shu is known as the old West Commandery and is called Yi Province. The roads are perilous by the Jin River, and the land links to the mighty Jiange Pass. The route winds for 208 li and stretches over 30,000 li in width. Roosters crow and dogs bark in answer across the way. City lanes and neighborhoods never cease. The fields are rich, the land fertile, and there is no fear of flood or drought in the years. The state is wealthy and the people prosperous, and pipes and strings often sound at times of joy. Its products are piled like mountains. None in the world can match it.”

Yang asked, “And what men are there in Shu?”

Song replied, “In letters there is one like Xiangru; in arms one with the talent of Fubo. In medicine one like Zhongjing; in divination one like Lord Qing. Men of all Nine Schools and Three Teachings rise up, with only the best and the rarest beyond counting. Who could list them all?”

Yang asked, “Under today’s Lord Ji-yu, how many men like you remain?”

Song replied, “In both civility and war, in wisdom and courage, in loyalty and righteousness, there are hundreds. As for men as base as I am, I can scarcely count them by the cartload.”

Yang asked, “What post do you hold these days?”

Song replied, “I fill the post of Biejia in name, and it is most ill-suited to me. What high office do you hold in the Chancellery?”

Yang said, “I am now chief clerk in the Chancellery.”

Song replied, “I have long heard your family bears court caps from generation to generation. Why do you not stand in the hall of state to aid the Son of Heaven, instead of being but a low clerk under the Chancellery?”

Hearing this, Yang’s face flushed with shame, but he kept a straight front and answered, “Although I am low in office, the Chancellor has entrusted to me the weight of military finance. I receive his instruction day and night and have improved myself; so I keep this post.”

Song laughed, “I have heard that Chancellor Cao Mingde’s writings are ignorant of Confucian and Mencian thought and blind to the methods of Sun and Wu. His concern is only for dominance and coercion from a high post. How can he teach one here?”

Yang said, “How can you, coming from a border post, know the Chancellor’s greatness? Try reading this for yourself.” He ordered attendants to bring forth a volume from the casket and showed it to Song. Its title read Mengde’s New Writings.

Song read all thirteen chapters from beginning to end. They were all essentials of military strategy.

When he had finished, he asked, “What is this treatise, in your view?”

Yang answered, “This is a work Cao Cao made after weighing antiquity and the present, modeled on Sunzi’s thirteen chapters. You mocked the Chancellor’s lack of talent. Is this fit to pass to later ages?”

Song laughed loudly. “A mere child in Shu can recite this by heart; why call it ‘new writing’? This is a work from the Warring States by an unknown author. Cao Cao has stolen it and passed it as his own, only to deceive men like you.”

Yang protested, “Though this is a book kept secretly and now bound in volumes, it has not yet reached the world. You claim a little boy in Shu can memorize it. Why should I think you are deceitful?”

Song said, “If you doubt me, I can recite it.” He proceeded to recite all of Mengde’s New Writings from start to end with no single error.

Yang was greatly startled. “You read and remember at once. You are truly a rare genius under heaven.”

Later men put it this way:

Strange is your form and strange your face; spare, lofty air and countenance. Your voice flows like the waters of the Three Gorges; your eyes can take in ten lines at once. Your courage towers above West Shu; your prose pierces the boundless sky. Among the hundred lineages and all their schools, none remain when one glimpse of yours appears.

Song now wished to depart.

Yang said, “Stay in the pavilion for a while. Let me report to the Chancellor again and have him receive you.”

Song thanked him and withdrew. Yang then entered to see Cao and said, “Just now, why was Your Excellency so severe with Zhang Song?”

Cao replied, “His words were unsuited to ceremony. I was displeased.”

Yang said, “Yet Your Excellency welcomed Ni Heng. Why not receive this man?”

Cao replied, “I did not kill Ni Heng because his writing was famous in our day.”

Yang said, “As for Song’s abilities, leave that aside. He speaks like the hanging river and his eloquence meets no obstruction. I just showed him this new book you compiled. He read it once and recited it whole. Such learning and memorization are rare in all ages. He even says this book comes from an unknown Warring States hand and that children in Shu can recite it.”

Cao asked, “Could it be that an ancient man and I are in secret accord?” He ordered the book torn into pieces and burned.

Yang said, “This man can stand before you and witness the splendor of court and army.”

Cao said, “Tomorrow I will marshal forces at the western drill ground. You shall bring him in first, so he can see my host’s full strength and return to spread the truth that I have subdued Jiangnan and will soon come for Sichuan.”

Yang took his leave.

The next day he and Song went together to the western drill ground. Cao brought out fifty thousand of the Tiger Guards and set them there in formation. Their helmeted armor shone bright; robes flashed with color. Brass drums thundered to the sky, halberds and spears flashed in the sun. From four directions and eight points the units were distributed in ranks; banners and pennants streamed with color; horsemen and men were in the air with such vigor. Song looked sidelong.

After a while Cao called for Song and pointed out the display. “In your Shu have you ever seen heroes like these?”

Song answered, “I have never seen soldiers in armor in my Shu. In my land we govern by benevolence and justice.”

Cao’s complexion changed. Song did not flinch. Yang Xiu kept glancing at him.

Cao said, “In my eyes, upstarts in the realm are but weeds and chaff. Where my great army goes, battle is always won and fortresses always taken. Those who follow me live, and those who oppose me die. Do you understand?”

Song replied, “Your Excellency drives troops everywhere and always wins battles and captures cities. I have long known this. Yet in the battle at Puyang against Lü Bu, in the fight at Wan against Zhang Xiu, at Red Cliffs meeting Zhou Lang, at Huarong encountering Guan Yu, when your beard was shaved and your robe cast off at Tong Pass, and when you took a boat and dodged arrows on the Wei River, these were not all acts of an invincible man?”

Cao grew furious. “How dare this low scholar lay bare my faults!” He shouted and ordered Song’s immediate execution.

Yang Xiu intervened, saying, “Song can be executed if you wish, but he came through the road from Shu to offer tribute. If he is slain, we lose the goodwill of distant men.” Cao’s anger was still hot. Xun Yu also interceded, and only then Cao spared him and ordered him beaten out with a rough staff.

Song returned to his lodging and left the city overnight with his preparations, heading back toward Shu. He thought, “I came intending to present Sichuan and its commanderies to Cao Cao. How did I meet such contempt! Before I leave Liu Zhang, I spoke in boldness and was proud. Today I return bitterly, empty-handed, to be laughed at by the men of Shu. I have heard that in Jing Province Liu Xuande’s benevolence and righteousness have long been celebrated. Better to go by that route directly. Let me see what sort of man he is; then I will know what is right.”

So he mounted his horse and with his attendants watched his way back to the borders of Jing Province. Near the border of Yingzhou he saw a detachment of about five hundred cavalry, with a tall general in light gear riding first. The officer reined in and asked from the front, “Are you not Zhang Biejia?”

Song replied, “I am.”

The officer hurried down and bowed deeply. “Zhao Yun has waited long for you.”

Song dismounted and said, “Are you truly Zhao Zilong, the mountain?”

Zhao Yun said, “Yes. By order of my lord Liu Xuande, I have come as a master attendant on this distant mission. I have driven horse and saddle hard; I was ordered to bring you food and wine.”

When the words were done, soldiers knelt and offered food and wine; Zhao Yun respectfully presented it. Song thought, “They say Liu Xuande is broad in kindness toward guests; this is truly the case.” They drank several cups together and rode onward. When they reached the gate of the frontier for Jing Province late that day, they arrived at a relay inn. More than a hundred men stood outside the gate beating drums in a formal welcome.

One officer before the horse gave formal greeting, saying, “By my lord’s command, an attendant is ordered to sweep the inn grounds and prepare lodging.” Song dismounted and entered with Guan Yu and Zhao Yun. They greeted, sat in order, and spoke.

Soon they served wine and food. The two men urged each other repeatedly. They did not part from drinking until deep into the night, then ended the session and spent one night in lodging.

Next morning after early meal they mounted and rode three to five li when a group of horsemen arrived. It was Xuande himself, bringing Fuling and Fengchou, and had come in person to meet them. Seeing Zhang Song waiting below, already dismounted, Song quickly dismounted and came to greet him.

Xuande said, “I have long heard the master’s high reputation by repute alone. It is a shame we were so far apart that I could not hear your teaching. Now that we know you have returned from the road, I am honored to meet you. If you will not reject me, I will count it bliss to rest one while in this wilderness county and clear the longing in my heart.”

Song rejoiced and mounted with him into the city. In the hall each performed formal respect; hosts and guest sat in order, and a feast was arranged.

During the banquet Xuande spoke only of easy matters and never raised Western Sichuan. Song turned conversation and asked, “My lord, as imperial uncle holding Jing Province, how many commanderies do you have now?”

Kongming said, “Jing Province is only a temporary loan from Eastern Wu; he and they often send soldiers and tax men to trouble us. Since my lord is the son-in-law of Eastern Wu, he for now can only stay here at ease.”

Song replied, “Eastern Wu holds six commanderies and eighty-one counties. Its people are strong and its nation rich, and yet it is still not satisfied?”

Pang Shuoyuan said, “My lord is the Han imperial uncle and thus the Han family has no rightful grasp on these prefectures and commanderies. All others are bandits against the Han, relying on force to seize land. Only a wise man feels no peace.”

Xuande said, “Gentlemen, cease. What merit has this man? How dare I ask such of you?”

Song said, “No, your majesty, Han emperor’s kinsman, your benevolence fills the four seas. Do not speak only of taking commanderies and counties. Were one to replace the legitimate succession and sit the imperial seat, that would still be beyond my rightful measure.”

Xuande clasped his hands in thanks: “Your words overdo me. How could I dare to claim as much?”

From then on, Song remained for three days drinking and talking, still without touching the matter of Sichuan. He then took leave. Xuande hosted him with a feast at a pavilion ten li out and saw him off.

Xuande raised the cup and said to Song, “I thank the master greatly for three days of companionship. I do not know when we shall again have cause to hear your teaching.” When he finished he was nearly in tears. Song thought, “Such a broad-minded and generous host, how can one leave him? Better I speak plainly and press him to take Western Sichuan.”

He said, “I think continually of attending morning and evening, yet no chance has come. In what I have seen of Jing Province, Sun Quan on the east always harbors tiger-like ambition; to the north Cao Cao always seeks to swallow all. This is no place to stay long.”

Xuande said, “I know it is so, yet I have no secure foothold.”

Song said, “Yi Province is a fortress country, with fertile plains and a thousand li of wealth. Its people are abundant and its state rich. Men of intelligence there long to follow your humane governance. If you raise the people of Jing and Xiang, then ride straight west. Your hegemony can be made and the Han house restored.”

Xuande said, “How could I dare do this? Liu Yixu is also kin to the imperial line, and he has long dispensed beneficence through Shu. Who can unsettle him?”

Song said, “I do not come for rank or reward. Now that I meet your excellency, I cannot conceal my loyalty. Liu Ji-yu has land in Yi Province but weak nature and little strength to employ worthy men. With Zhang Lu pressing from the north and thinking often to invade, the people are scattered and wish for a true lord. I came only to bring gifts to Cao, but I met only arrogance and contempt from this villain, so I came to you deliberately. If your excellency first secures Western Shu as your base, then turn north for Hanzhong, and from there recover the Central Plain, rectifying Heaven’s court. Great name and achievement would be yours and unmatched. If you truly intend to take Western Shu, I am willing to spend even a dog’s and horse’s sweat to serve as an inside helper. I do not know your intent.”

Xuande said, “I deeply feel your deep-heartedness. Yet Liu Ji-yu and I share the same Liu line. If I attack him, the world will spit on me.”

Song replied, “A true man should strive first for merit and accomplishment and carry the whip forward. If it is not taken now, others will take it. Regret will come too late.”

Xuande said, “I have heard Shu’s roads are rugged and steep, with a thousand mountains and ten thousand waters. The carts cannot keep straight line and horses cannot keep rein in step. Even if I wished to take it, what good plan is there?”

Song took a map from his sleeve and gave it to Xuande. “Because you are so gracious, I dare submit this map. By studying it, you can know the ways of Shu at once.” Xuande unrolled it briefly and looked. It contained clear notes on routes, distances, topography, mountain passes, strong points, treasuries, and military stores.

Song said, “My lord should copy it quickly. I have two close and loyal friends: Fa Zheng and Meng Da. Both can aid you. When they arrive in Jing Province, let them discuss your intentions together.”

Xuande clasped his hands in thanks and said, “The mountains stay old, and green waters run long. If this is accomplished, I will reward you beyond measure.”

Song said, “Meeting a worthy ruler, I have revealed my mind fully. How could I expect reward?”

Then they parted. Kongming ordered Guan Yu and others to escort him for several dozen li.

When Zhang Song returned to Yi Province, he first met his friend Fa Zheng. Fa Zheng, courtesy name Xiaozhi, was a native of Fufeng Commandery and the right Fufeng county. He was the son of the worthy Fa Zhen. Song said everything to him. “Cao Cao is arrogant and scorns the worthy, fit only for shared worry and not shared joy. I have now handed Yi Province to Liu Xuande. I have come to confer with my brother.”

Fa Zheng said, “I have long judged Liu Zhang to be incapable and have long wished Liu Xuande for the realm. Since we have the same heart, what doubt can there be?”

Shortly after, Meng Da arrived. His courtesy name was Ziqing and he was from the same homeland as Fa Zheng. As soon as he entered and saw Zheng and Song in close conversation, he said, “I already know your meaning. Do you mean to deliver Yi Province?”

Song said, “That is what I hope for. Brother, try to guess to whom it should go.”

Meng Da said, “It cannot be anyone but Liu Xuande.”

The three laughed and slapped their hands together.

Song then said to Fa Zheng, “Tomorrow you must meet Liu Zhang and speak how.”

Song said, “I propose sending the two of you as envoys to the west of the river.” The two assented.

The next day Zhang Song saw Liu Zhang.

Liu Zhang asked, “How have your affairs progressed?”

Song said, “Cao is a traitor to the Han, intent on seizing the realm under heaven. He already has designs on taking the rivers and roads of Sichuan.”

Liu Zhang said, “If so, what can we do?”

Song said, “I have one stratagem so that neither Zhang Lu nor Cao Cao will dare to trespass in Western Shu easily.”

Liu Zhang said, “What plan?”

Song said, “Liu Xuande, the imperial uncle in Jing Province, is your kinsman. He is benevolent and expansive, with the manner of an elder. After the battle at Chibi, Cao heard of him and his courage failed. How much more so for Zhang Lu? Why do you not send an envoy to join hands with him so he will be your outside support? Then you can resist Cao and Lu.”

Liu Zhang said, “I have had this same thought for long. Who can go?”

Song said, “Fa Zheng and Meng Da cannot go.”

Liu Zhang immediately called both in. He wrote a missive and made Fa Zheng the envoy first to open good feelings. Then he ordered Meng Da to lead five thousand picked troops and welcome Xuande to Shu as aid.

As they discussed the matter, a man burst in from outside, all sweat-soaked. He shouted, “If my lord follows Song’s counsel, all forty-one commanderies and provinces will already belong to another.” Song was startled. Looking at him, he recognized a man of Ba in West Lang County, surname Huang, given name Quan, courtesy name Gongheng, and currently a clerk in Liu Zhang’s household.

Liu Zhang asked, “Xuande is my kinsman. I sought alliance with him for aid. Why do you speak this way?”

Song answered, “I have long known Liu Xuande to be broad in hospitality, soft in dealing yet strong in subduing force, and unmatched among heroes. He wins the people’s hearts and the favor of common folk. He is also advised by Zhuge Liang and Pang Shuoyuan, with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Zilong, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan as his wings. If you bring him into Shu and treat him as a mere subordinate, will he accept being made a lowling? If you treat him as an honored guest, one state cannot host two lords. If you listen to me, Sichuan can be as safe as Mount Tai; if not, your danger is like an egg nest ready to crack. Song came from Jing Province only yesterday. He must have conspired already. Slay him first, then cut Liu Xuande off, and all of Western Shu will be saved.”

Liu Zhang said, “If Cao and Zhang Lu come, how could we refuse them?”

Huang Quan said, “Do not do so. Instead close the passes and seal every border, dig deep ditches and raise high stockades, and wait until the times are clear.”

Liu Zhang said, “Bandits cross our borders in burning haste. If we wait for clean times, the calculation is too late.” He did not take Huang Quan’s words and ordered Fa Zheng to proceed.

Another man interposed, “No! no!” Liu Zhang looked and saw him as Wang Lei, a clerk from the pavilion.

Wang Lei knelt and said, “My lord, heeding Song’s advice brings ruin on your own head.”

Liu Zhang said, “No. I join with Liu Xuande to resist Zhang Lu.”

Wang Lei replied, “Zhang Lu is like a skin disease on this state’s body; Liu Xuande entering Sichuan is like a hidden, mortal illness. Liu Xuande is known as a predatory eagle. Before he was at Cao Cao and he plotted to kill; after he served Sun Quan he took Jing Province. Can such a heart stay in one place with yours? If he comes, Sichuan is lost.”

Liu Zhang shouted, “Stop this disorderly talk. Xuande is my kinsman; how could he steal my base?” He ordered both men from the pavilion. Then he ordered Fa Zheng onward.

Fa Zheng soon left Yi Province and traveled straight to Jing Province to meet Xuande. After paying homage, he presented Liu Zhang’s letter.

Our kinsman Liu Zhang, bowing again and again, writes this to the banner beneath General Xuande. I have long been at your command and, due to rough roads, failed to carry offerings on time; my remorse is profound. I once heard that in blessing and curse one must rescue one another and in disaster one must support one another. If brothers in friendship remain so, how much more between kinsmen? Now Zhang Lu stands in the north and at dawn and dusk gathers troops to invade my command, leaving me utterly unquiet. I have sent an urgent missive by messenger, begging Your Excellence to attend. If you remember blood-kin feeling and brotherly duty, then ride out today to exterminate the mad bandit and let us be as lips and teeth to each other. This little measure of a letter says not all; more must wait for your cavalry.

Xuande read it and rejoiced, then hosted Fa Zheng with a feast.

After several rounds of wine, Xuande dismissed others and quietly said, “I have long heard Xiaozhi’s brilliance. Zhang Biejia spoke much of your noble virtue. To receive your teaching now brings me great comfort.”

Fa Zheng replied, “A petty clerk from Shu has little to say. But when a noble horse meets a horse’s master, when a man meets a true understanding, he may even die. Song Biejia has spoken what he could. Does the general still have intent?”

Xuande said, “I, only a guest living by borrowed favor, have never lacked moments of sorrow and sighing. Even a finch keeps one branch and a rabbit three burrows. If I wished, I could take Shu’s abundant land, but I cannot harm Xuande, my own kinsman.”

Fa Zheng said, “Yi Province is a granary of heaven and earth and cannot be kept by one who governs with confusion. It cannot be held by an unfit lord. Today I entrust this to you; do not miss it. Have you not heard, ‘To hunt the rabbit, seize first?’ If you want it, I will serve unto death.”

Xuande clasped his hands and said, “We can still discuss it.”

When the session ended, Kongming himself escorted Fa Zheng back to his lodging. Xuande sat alone in thought. Pang Shuoyuan said, “A matter needing a decision but left undecided marks a fool. My lord is discerning. Why so much doubting?”

Xuande asked, “In your opinion, what should we do?”

Pang answered, “In the east of Jing Province is Sun Quan, in the north Cao Cao; to succeed in gaining one must resist both. Western Shu has a million households, soldiers and wealth enough for a great undertaking. Now that Song and Fa Zheng are within your inner circle, this is heaven’s gift. Why doubt?”

Xuande said, “My present foe with me in both water and fire is Cao Cao. He uses speed, I use forbearance. He uses force, I use benevolence. He uses deceit, I use loyalty. Against him I always do the opposite and so things may succeed. If for small gain I lose great righteousness in the world, I will not do it.”

Pang smiled, “My lord’s words agree with heavenly principle, but in this age of disorder, taking power by force is no single road. If one clings to ordinary doctrine, one cannot move an inch. We must bend by changing circumstance. Strike the weak while advancing from darkness, take and then defend; this is the way of Tang and Wu. If peace comes afterward, then answer with righteousness and reward him as a king. But to delay now is to let another take it. My lord should consider well.”

Xuande suddenly saw clearly and said, “Your words of gold and stone will be engraved in my lung and marrow.” He then called Kongming to join and decided on marching westward.

Kongming said, “Jing Province is a crucial place and must keep troops divided for defense.”

Xuande said, “I will go west with Pang Shuoyuan, Huang Zhong, and Wei Yan. Let the commander stay here: the Adviser with Guan Yu and Zhang Yide and Zhao Zilong for Jing Province.”

Kongming agreed.

So Kongming held Jing Province. Guan Yu blocked the key routes at Xiangyang, holding the pass at Qingni Slope. Zhang Fei patrolled the Yangtze for four commanderies. Zhao Zilong garrisoned Jiangling and held Anping. Xuande made Huang Zhong the vanguard and Wei Yan the rear. Xuande himself with Liu Feng and Guan Ping rode in the center, Pang Shuoyuan as strategist, and fifty thousand cavalry and infantry marched west.

When departure was near, Liao Hua led a force to submit. Xuande therefore ordered Liao Hua to assist Guan Yu in resisting Cao.

That winter, he set out. After only a few leagues, Meng Da arrived to salute and said that Liu Yixu had ordered some troops come to come from afar and welcome him. Xuande sent word into Yi Province first to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang sent dispatches along the way to each prefecture and commandery to provide money and grain.

Liu Zhang wished to go out of Fucheng in person to meet Xuande, and issued orders that carriages, tents, banners, and armor be made bright and visible. Clerk Huang Quan entered to remonstrate, “My lord, if you go, you will surely be harmed by Liu Xuande. I have eaten your salary these many years; I can no longer bear to let your lord be trapped by another’s scheme. Think again three times.”

Song replied, “Quan’s words, though spoken in the name of blood-brotherhood, only nourish rebel power. This helps the lord nothing.”

Liu Zhang shouted, “My intent is set. Why do you oppose it?”

Huang Quan knocked his head and bled, then came forward biting Liu Zhang’s robe and remonstrating. Liu Zhang was enraged, pulled up his robe and rose. Quan did not let go and snapped both front teeth.

Liu Zhang roared and ordered attendants to escort Huang Quan out. Quan returned in tears.

As Liu Zhang prepared to depart, someone cried out at the gate, “My lord rejected Huang Gongheng’s loyal advice; he is going of his own death.” The man lay down before the stairs, and Liu Zhang saw him as Li Hui. He was from Yuyuan in Jianning, surname Li, given name Hui.

Li Hu bowed and remonstrated, “It is said, ‘When a ruler has a remonstrating minister, it is like a father with a remonstrating son.’ Hui’s loyal words must be heeded. If you admit Liu Xuande into Sichuan, it is like inviting a tiger through the gate.”

Liu Zhang said, “Xuande is my kinsman; why would he hurt me? Say this again and you die!” He shouted to attendants to throw Li Hui out.

Song said, “In Shu now the civil officials each guards wife and child, no longer serving my lord. The generals are proud of prior merit and each has separate intent. Without Liu Yixu, enemies will strike from outside and people from inside. This is the road to ruin.”

Liu Zhang said, “What you seek is beneficial to me.”

The next day he mounted at Yuchiao Gate. A report came: “The officer Wang Lei, having taken rope, hanged himself upside down at the gate, holding a memorial in one hand and a sword in the other. He cried that his remonstrance was ignored and then cut the rope himself, smashing his body here.”

Liu Zhang had his carried memorial read. Its brief text said:

Your servant Wang Lei, an Officer of Yi Province, bows with bloodied tears. I have heard it said: ‘Bitter medicines are good for illness, and harsh truths help good action.’ The Lord of Chu once rejected Qu Yuan’s words and, in joining covenant at Wuguan, was trapped by Qin. Now my lord lightly leaves the great province and wishes to welcome Liu Xuande to Fucheng, fearing there is nowhere to go yet no return path. If you can execute Zhang Song in the market and cut off your pact with Liu Xuande, both old and young in Sichuan will be saved, and my lord’s foundations saved also!

Liu Zhang read it and shouted, “I have met a true man like this as if he were kin’s elegant orchid. Why did he endure so many insults from me?”

Wang Lei cried out once more, cut his own rope, and crashed to death at the foot of the gate.

Later men set this in verse:

He hangs at the city gate, holding a memorial, hurling himself for Liu Zhang’s life; Huang Quan lost his teeth and finally submitted to Xuande—what of Wang Lei’s steadfast blade-like spirit?

Liu Zhang brought three thousand troops and horse to Fucheng.

The rear train carried money and bolts of silk in more than one thousand carts.

When Xuande’s vanguard had arrived at Shuju, provisions in Western Sichuan awaited it at every stop. His commands were severe: any taking even a small thing from the people would be death. So wherever they passed there was no plunder of even the finest hairs. Elderly people and small children came along the roads to watch, incense burning and bows offered. Xuande all along used kind words to reassure them.

Fa Zheng told Pang Shuoyuan quietly, “A secret letter from Song has arrived just now. It says if you can meet Liu Zhang at Fucheng, he can be taken then. Do not lose this chance.”

Pang answered, “Set this thought aside for now. Wait until the two Liu meet and then seize at convenience. If it leaks early, there could be trouble.”

Fa kept silent.

Fucheng lay three hundred sixty li from Chengdu. Liu Zhang had arrived and sent men to receive Xuande. Both armies camped over the Fu River. Xuande entered the city and met Liu Zhang, exchanging brotherly feeling. After formalities they spoke with tears.

After the banquet they each returned to their camps to rest.

Liu Zhang said to the assembled officials, “How laughable Huang Quan and Wang Lei were, not understanding the heart of my brother, and needlessly suspecting him. Today I have truly met a man of benevolence and righteousness. Now that I have him as outside aid, why should I still fear Cao Cao or Zhang Lu?”

He removed his green robe and five hundred taels of gold and sent them to Zhang Song through Chengdu.

At that time subordinates Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, and others said together, “My lord, do not rejoice yet. Liu Xuande may be soft in surface and hard in spirit. His heart cannot be measured. Continue to be on guard.” Liu Zhang laughed, “You all are overcareful. Does my brother have double intentions?” All withdrew with sighs.

When Xuande returned to his camp, Pang Shuoyuan entered and asked, “What did my lord see in Liu Ji-yu today?”

Xuande said, “Ji-yu is a sincere man.”

Pang said, “Though he is good, his officials Liu Gui and Zhang Ren all show displeasure; the omens in between are not secure. In my calculation, the plan should be this: tomorrow hold a banquet, invite Ji-yu to sit. Hide a hundred sword- and axe-men in the side tents and let my lord throw the cup as the signal, then strike him at the banquet. Then one charge into Chengdu: no sword need leave its scabbard nor bow be strung, and you can sit and settle all.”

Xuande said, “Ji-yu is kinsman to me. He receives me with sincerity, and when I first came to Shu the bonds of trust are not yet firm. If we do this, heaven will not permit it, and the people below will also resent. Even a hegemon would not do this.”

Pang said, “This is not my scheme. Xiaozhi has learned from Song’s secret letter that delay is dangerous; one must act soon.”

Before the matter ended, Fa Zheng entered and said, “We are not doing this for ourselves, but following Heaven’s mandate.”

Xuande said, “Liu Ji-yu is my kin. I cannot take him.”

Zheng said, “My lord is mistaken. If not, Zhang Lu and Shu will bring old-mother revenge and surely attack. You crossed mountains and rivers, pressed horse and men, and you are already here. If you advance you gain merit, if you turn back, nothing is gained. If you hold back with suspicion, delay day by day and lose the chance. The scheme may be discovered and counted by other men. Better to take advantage of this time when heaven and men are returning to you. Strike unexpectedly and establish a base early—that is the best policy.”

Pang also urged him repeatedly.

The chapter closes:

A man may keep to benevolence for many years, but a talented minister keeps his mind on advancing stratagems.

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.