but now Lu Su has returned bringing with him the Directing Instructor of Liu Beis army; Zhuge Liang。 Zhuge Liang; desiring to avenge himself for the recent defeat; has talked our lord into a mind for war; and Lu Su persists in supporting that policy。 They only await your final decision。〃
〃Are you all unanimous in your opinions?〃
〃We are perfectly unanimous;〃 said Zhang Zhao。
Zhou Yu said; 〃The fact is I have also desired to submit for a long time。 I beg you to leave me now; and tomorrow we will see our master; and I shall make up his mind for him。〃
So they took their leave。 Very soon came the military party led by Cheng Pu; Huang Gai; and Han Dang。 They were admitted and duly inquired after their hosts health。
Then the leader Cheng Pu said; 〃Have you heard that our country is about to pass under anothers government?〃
〃No; I have heard nothing;〃 replied the host。
〃We helped General Sun Quan to establish his authority here and carve out this kingdom; and to gain that end we fought many a battle before we conquered the country。 Now our lord lends his ear to his civil officers and desires to submit himself to Cao Cao。 This is a most shameful and pitiful course; and we would rather die than follow it。 So we hope you will decide to fight; and you may depend upon our struggling to the last person。〃
〃And are you unanimous; Generals?〃 asked Zhou Yu。
Huang Gai suddenly started up and smote his forehead; saying; 〃They may take my head; but I swear never to surrender。〃
〃Not one of us is willing to surrender;〃 cried all the others。
〃My desire also is to decide matters with Cao Cao on the battlefield。 How could we think of submission? Now I pray you retire; Generals; and when I see our lord; I will settle his doubts。〃
So the war party left。 They were quickly succeeded by Zhuge Jin; Lu Fan; and their faction。
They were brought in and; after the usual courtesies; Zhuge Jin said; 〃My brother has e down the river saying that Liu Bei desires to ally himself with our lord against Cao Cao。 The civil and military hold different opinions as to the course to be pursued。 But as my brother is so deeply concerned; I am unwilling to say much on either side。 We are awaiting your decision。〃
〃And what do you think about it?〃 asked Zhou Yu。
〃Submission is an easy road to tranquillity; while the result of war is hard to foretell。〃
Zhou Yu smiled; 〃I shall have my mind made up。 e tomorrow to the palace; and the decision shall be announced。〃
The trimmers took their leave。 But soon after came Lu Meng; Gan Ning; and their supporters; also desirous of discussing the same thing; and they told him that opinions differed greatly; some being for peace and others for war。 One party constantly disputed with the other。
〃I must not say much now;〃 replied Zhou Yu; 〃but you will see tomorrow in the palace; when the matter will be fully debated。〃
They went away leaving Zhou Yu smiling cynically。
About eventide Lu Su and Zhuge Liang came; and Zhou Yu went out to the main gate to receive them。
When they had taken their proper seats; Lu Su spoke first; saying; 〃Cao Cao has e against the South Land with a huge army。 Our master cannot decide whether to submit or give battle and waits for your decision。 What is your opinion?〃
Zhou Yu replied; 〃We may not oppose Cao Cao when he acts at the mand of the Emperor。 Moreover; he is very strong; and to attack him is to take serious risks。 In my opinion; opposition would mean defeat and; since submission means peace; I have decided to advise our lord to write and offer surrender。〃
〃But you are wrong!〃 stammered Lu Su。 〃This country has been under the same rule for three generations and cannot be suddenly abandoned to some other。 Our late lord Sun Ce said that you were to be consulted on matters beyond the border; and we depended upon you to keep the country as secure and solid as the Taishan Mountains。 Now you adopt the view of the weaklings and propose to yield! I cannot believe you mean it。〃
Replied Zhou Yu; 〃The six territories contain countless people。 If I am the means of bringing upon them the misery of war; they will hate me。 So I have decided to advise submission。〃
〃But do you not realize our lords might and the strength of our country? If Cao Cao does attack; it is very uncertain that he will realize his desire。〃
The two wrangled for a long time; while Zhuge Liang sat smiling with folded arms。
Presently Zhou Yu asked; 〃Why do you smile thus; Master?〃
And Zhuge Liang replied; 〃I am smiling at no other than your opponent Lu Su; who knows nothing of the affairs of the day。〃
〃Master;〃 said Lu Su; 〃what do you mean?〃
〃Why; this intention to submit is perfectly reasonable。 It is the one proper thing。〃
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