诸葛亮字孔明 Zhuge Liang XIV by plaedes

Chapter 67: Bringing Ma Chao Over to Liu Bei

Asking Liu Bei if he likes Ma Chao, Zhuge Liang tells Liu Bei that all he has to do is to devise a simple scheme and Ma Chao will come over to Liu Bei, who is naturally elated. From the series's portrayal, Zhuge Liang's strategies had never failed so far.

Jian Yong pays a visit to Zhang Lu's advisor,  Yang Song, well known to be a very greedy person, with lavish gifts and a proposal to make Zhang Lu the 汉宁王。  Yang Song tells Jian Yong, should he fail in his task, he will be laughed at by Liu Bei. Jian Yong tells him, everyone in Han Zhong knows that he is just below Zhang Lu and above everyone else, the ruler listens to his advise as long as it comes from him. Even if it cannot be done, my Lord Liu Bei says that he is willing to make a friend with you, these gifts are a ''meeting gift.''

Yang says, my heart is not at ease, Ma Chao is at the battlefield, and here I am back stabbing him, how unrighteous. Jian Yong replies, I have heard of your righteousness, but Ma Chao is not righteous. Do think about it: Should Ma Chao be successful in his expedition, his position and status will be above yours. Besides, Ma Chao has lost Xi Liang, wldn't he want to have Han Zhong for himself?

Driven by the bribery of gifts, Yang Song next tells Liu Zhang, even if Liu Bei were to lose Yi Zhou, it might not necessary belong to him. Why did Ma Chao seek us? It is because he is defeated by Cao Cao, lost Xi Liang and has nowhere to go. I am worried that once Ma Chao takes Yi Zhou, he might be independent then.

Zhang Lu questions if there is any proof, Yang tells him, the scouts reply, Ma Chao is at Jia Meng Guan, not winning nor losing, not advancing nor retreating, is because he is having secret discussions with Liu Bei. Liu Bei wants Ma Chao to have Han Zhong, whilst Liu Bei takes Chuan Di. But Ma Chao wants Liu Bei to have Han Zhong, and have Chuan Di for himself. Hence the neutral stand for a show. Both of them are quarreling over who should have Han Zhong, and who should have Chuan Di. But once they have decided, both the Han, Chuan lands will be divided up, be it Liu Bei, be it Ma Chao, one of them will attack you.

Zhang Lu goes, yes yes yes, yes yes yes, let us not alarm Ma Chao now, send a messenger immediately for him to recall the troops, just tell him that Cao Cao is invading. Yang replies, yes sir. Ma Chao and Ma Dai knows that it is not possible for Cao Cao to attack, he is engaging Sun Quan's army in the 荆江 area, how can he be advancing into Han Zhong at the same time? Even if that were the case, Zhang Lu should have received news a long time ago. At this time, Zhang Fei arrives to challenge Ma Chao outside his camp. Ma Chao goes out to engage him, and orders his men to tell Zhang Lu that he will retreat once he has taken Jia Meng Guan.

Zhang Lu is infuriated that Ma Chao had disobeyed his orders, Yang, taking the opportunity, went on to add, Ma Chao does not want to retreat, this proves that his heart is not with you. My Lord, you must safeguard yourself. Zhang Lu orders Yang to visit Ma Chao in person, and tell him, it is ok not to withdraw his troops, but, I give him a month to do 3 things. 1. Take Xi Chuan 2. Behead Liu Zhang 3. Defeat Liu Bei. If these 3 conditions are not met, I will cut off his provisions.

Ma Chao tells Yang that each of the conditions is hard to achieve, what-more 3 of them in a month? This is cleary forcing me to an deadend. Yang replies, it is not that our Lord is forcing you, you yourself have laid down the military command in writing, in front of him to capture Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang and it has been months since, yet your progress is only at the entrance, not advancing nor retreating. Our Lord loves you hence he wants you back to Han Zhong, the provisions are all in Han Zhong, without them, how can you continue to wage war? Ma Chao tells Yang Song to inform Zhang Lu that he will recall his troops.

Next, Zhang Lu comments to Yang Song that Ma Chao has recalled the army and crossed the borders to Han Zhong in just 3 days, an extraordinary speed. Yang Song took another stab at Ma Chao's back, asking Zhang Lu if he is recalling the army or or advancing the army. Just then, he had refused to come back, right now, he comes back in such a rush, could there be plot? My Lord, you must be guard yourself! Zhang Lu says, quick, close all the gates, do not allow Ma Chao to enter Han Zhong.

At the gates, the guards do not allow Ma Dai to pass through the gates and shoots at him and his men. Ma Dai is injured on his arm, and retreats to Ma Chao's tent. Zhuge Liang then pays them a visit. I am specially here to be persuade you, replying why he is there to Ma Chao. Ma Chao tells him, my sword is freshly sharpened, and lacks a head to chop. Please make yourself clear, otherwise, please try my sword. Zhuge Liang smiles and replies, disaster is not far from you, I am afraid that your new sword will not be able to behead me, you will be the first to try.

What trouble am I in? says Ma Chao.

(The new Zhuge Liang in this series speaks quickly, in idioms, and is hard to understand)

The Closing Pitch

Zhuge Liang goes on: 我听说越国西族，善毁者不能闭其美， 齐国无盐，善美者也不能掩其丑。日中则昃，月满而亏。皆世间常理。 You have a feud with Cao Cao as he had killed your father, and extreme hatred with 陇西. You can only sit around and watch, as you look at your sword and sigh. For one, you cannot rescue Liu Zhang and make the 荆州 Jing Zhou army retreat。On the other hand, you have no control over Yang Song and cannot even meet Zhang Lu. The 4 seas have no place for you, all your life you have no Lord. In the past, you lost the battle at i渭桥 Wei Qiao, and lost 冀城 Ji Cheng, today it is repeating. How can you face the people of the world?

Ma Chao sighs and says, you are absolutely right, I, Ma Chao am a hero of the world, but today I really  have nowhere left to go. Zhuge Liang asks, since you are willing to listen to me, why do you have soldiers placed in your tent with swords? Ma Chao orders the men to step down and Zhuge Liang continued. General Ma, my Lord Liu Bei appreciates talent like his own life, this is renowned across the 4 seas. Sworn against the tyranny of Cao Cao, it is his desire to kill Cao Cao and to restore the Han.

Your father in the past had once laid down a blood oath with my lord on the secret imperial edict on the emperor's jade belt to kill Cao Cao, I am sure you are aware of this. General, you were originally a hero, a righteous person of the present times, for survival, you had no choice but to go under Zhang Lu. It is truly your misfortune. Why don't you give up the dark for the light, and come over to Liu Bei? One, you can fulfill your father's ambition and seek revenge for him, on top of that, you can get rid of a tyrant like Cao Cao, and contribute to rendering a meritorious service. You father in heaven, will smile for you.

Ma Chao looks at Ma Dai, who nods at him. Both of them kneels in front of Zhuge Liang. Our Lord has gained another tiger general, Yi Zhou shall be ours soon. Ma Chao tells Zhuge Liang, allow me to take Yi Zhou as a contribution for our Lord.

Notes:

• 越国 Yue Guo (generic term for states in south China at different historical periods)


• 齐国 Qi Guo (Qi State of Western Zhou and Warring States 1122-856BC, centered in Shandong)


• 陇西 Long Xi [Longxi County in Ding (4th) Xi (1st), Gansu]


• 渭 Wei (4th) (Wei River in Shanxi through the Guanzhong plains)


• 冀城 Ji (4th) (abbrievation for Hebei province)

Factors of Success:

1. Knowing the enemy: Zhang Lu's character, Yang Song's greed and influence;


2. Knowing the target: Ma Chao's pride, ambition and failures.


3. Using the human emotion: of Liu Bei's former alliance with Ma Teng.

Story goes back to Liu Bei under Chapter 67.

With the conquered Xi Chuan, Liu Bei remains at Cheng Du and established himself as one of the 3 powers of the world taking up the western lands commonly known today. Cao Cao is in the north, while Sun Quan takes up eastern Jiang Dong.

诸葛亮字孔明 Zhuge Liang XIII by plaedes

Chapter 58:

Zhuge Liang attends Zhou Yu's wake, mourning, crying, and composing a poem in remembrance for Zhou Yu. Lu Su sees him as a hyprocrite, telling Lu Su that this is a strategist, to save the country, one must have this type of thick skin, it is obvious he caused Zhou Yu's death yet here he is, crying like he lost his parents and in more pain than any of us.

The generals at the front of the wake pulled out their swords on seeing Zhuge Liang, but on his words, sadness and tears, they dropped their swords, (yes, at the same time) giving Zhou Yu credit for the work that he had done for Jiang Dong, the hero he is, how the world had lost a great pillar of support, etc etc.

[Translation... is tiring work, Chinese is a beautiful language that, encompasses the essence of the meaning, and beyond, in the use of 4 words idioms, Zhuge Liang, is a scholar after all, I am not, am tired, so had briefly summarised]

Pang Tong's First Appearance


drunk, and scolding the person who just gave credit to Zhou Yu in the battle for Chi Bi. He said Zhou Yu, although also a hero, is hard to achieve things with his pettiness. Pang Tong claimed credit for trapping Cao Cao to chain his ships together, so that Zhou Yu succeeded in using the fire attack. I don't know why soldiers need to be told when to take drunk men spouting insults at a wake away, but they needed to be told so.

Known to be Feng Chu, Zhuge Liang Wolong, termed Wolong Fengchu, it is said that with one of these men, a ruler can dominate the world with their unearthly insights.

Zhuge Liang sends a man to check the whereabouts of Pang Tong, so does Lu Su, whom have been searching for him for many months, recognizing his extraordinary brilliance. Zhuge Liang goes to an inn to chat up with him as they are old friends, but an ambitious (and drunk) Pang Tong finds Liu Bei's army too small for his capabilities. Lu Su succeeds in bringing him to meet Sun Quan, but Sun Quan's mother finds him a drunk wreck. Apparently, he was testing Sun Quan's magnanimosity by insulting Zhou Yu. He tells Lu Su, when he spreads his wings, it is akin to the winds of the 9 skies 1000 miles away. When Lu Su asks a leaving Pang Tong to stay, his reply was, have you ever seen a bird on a tree for 2 days? not to mention a phoenix, and storms off.

Later Lu Su finds out that that an hour ago, Sun Quan's sister visited her mother with Sun Qian, and concluded it was Zhuge Liang's doing to piss off the 'Empress Dowager'. Pang Tong decides to leave for Jing Zhou with only 1 wen. He tells the boatman should he agree to take this amount of money, someone will give him 100 wen when they arrive. They leave for Jing Zhou.

The story is continued from Liu Bei's perspective under Liu Bei, Chapter 58.

Chapter 66: Pang Tong's Death at Phoenix's Fall Slope

Continuing the story from Liu Bei, Chapter 66,

Prior to his arrival to meet Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang observed the stars of the big dipper inclined to the west and had sent repeated messengers to Liu Bei to recall the army, but Pang Tong, wanting to claim some credit for himself advises Liu Bei otherwise. Zhuge Liang is summoned to reinforce Liu Bei who had decided to go to war with Liu Zhang. Liu Bei plans to attack Xichuan. He advises Liu Bei that Sichuan can be easily guarded against danger, with 绵竹 (Mianzhu county city in Deyang, Sichuan) as a protective screen. He knows that the provincial officer, Li Yan does not have 10,000 men and is no match against Liu Bei's army. I feel that it will be best for Liu Zhang to surrender of his own accord, in this case we will not become enemies with the Xichuan people.

Shortly, Ma Chao attacks 葭萌关. Zhuge Liang knows if they were to lose 葭萌关, they will be attacked from the front and rear and impossible to advance their army into Chengdu. Liu Bei says, only Yi De can stand up to Ma Chao, Zhuge Liang nods his head.

Zhang Fei arrives with Liu Bei outside the city gates and meets up with Ma Dai, easily beating him off his horse in a moment. He spites Ma Dai to bring forth Ma Chao, telling him he wants to enter the city with Liu Bei to drink, which he did. The next day Ma Chao arrives, but falling on deaf ears not to engage the enemy when they had just arrived and morale was high, Zhang Fei ventures forth to duel with Ma Chao. It turned out to be an exciting battle between 2 renowned warriors to the cheers of both armies, Zhuge Liang commented that their fight will leave a story in history in times to come.

Liu Bei expressed his worry to Zhuge Liang that if this were to continue, he was afraid that there would be a party to perish. (What the fuck was he talking about? One is his sworn brother which he talks about righteousness and integrity all the time). Should his worry not be on Zhang Fei's life instead?

诸葛亮字孔明 Zhuge Liang XII by plaedes

Chapter 57: Zhou Yu passes away

Lu Su visits Liu Bei and asks for him to give up Nanjun and Jiang Xia for their new governors who are eager to take up the new post. Zhuge Liang says, this appointment would place your generals directly under authority by my lord, are they willing to submit? Yes, yes, they are, not only that they will not be afraid of death and serve with loyalty.

Zhuge Liang holding a pair of chopsticks, goes: Please listen to me. Look, this is a pair of chopsticks, should you remove one piece, how do we eat with the single piece? Nanjun is the capital of Jingzhou, they are interdependent on each other, should you take one away, the other is redundant. As for Jiang Xia, it is in our backyard, think about it, a proper home, and you must raise an army behind someone's house, where is the reason in that?

Clap Clap, goes Lu Su, Kongming. well said. You don't intend to give them up for us? Zhuge Liang flatly rejects him. Not expecting to be able to obtain the two provinces anyway, Lu Su broached on the main purpose of his visit: The attack on Xu Chang, which Zhuge Liang agreed to. Thus Zhou Yu sent his army towards Xu Chang, once he was near Jing Zhou, he gave the orders to attack the city instead, as analysed by Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang from Zhou Yu's letter in 'borrowing the roads to pass by'. Zhuge Liang was ready for the attack and Zhou Yu's army suffered great losses.

Zhuge Liang's here was portrayed as a gentleman in his letter to Zhou Yu (in the old series, he was the direct cause of his death instigating the men to hurl insults and abuse at him everyday). 1. His stand on not using the army as a means of winning the battle. 2. Diplomatic ties with Dong Wu must not be absolved in the face of Cao Cao in the backyard ready to pounce. 3. If Jing Zhou had the men and resources, hmm, maybe a different story, however, although Zhuge Liang had cut off Zhou Yu's provisions and surrounded Zhou Yu, he did not pursue the latter.

His letter went:

''I take you as a brother, when I received your letter to send your army on an expedition to Xi Chuan, [假道伐蜀] (蜀 abbreviation for Si Chuan, one of the well known lands from the 3 Kingdom) so that we can simplify the matters of this city and Jingzhou. I am very grateful for your help and have prepared provisions for your army and am ready for your instructions. 

However you have attacked our Jing Zhou, your sudden betrayal had bewildered me. Since the yellow turban rebellion, the Han dynasty is weak, Cao Cao is making use of the emperor for his own glory, and other warlords came into power. Jiang Dong faced great danger as well, if not for our alliance, we would not have a resounding victory at Chi Bi, saving the lives of millions of the people and avoiding a great catastrophe. 

Cao Cao has dominated the middle plains and is a very threatening danger. Only with our alliance can we withstand this strong enemy from the north, with our coming together, comes two benefits, should we split, there would be 2 defeats. Today's battle was conducted in self defense, it was not what we wanted. 

As a gesture of our friendship, I have recalled our army from the East and North, you may return home, I promise you our army will not pursue. In this battle you have lost many men and horses, we will return you for your losses. Hope that bro, you can let go of your hatred and our past misgivings and forge an everlasting alliance, do not make the same mistake of killing each other, and give Cao Cao any opportunity. The people have hopes for the Han dynasty, your bro, Liang, signing off with a 100 kowtows.''

Zhou Yu recalled the entire army. Returning back to Jiang Dong, When Sun Quan asked who should take over him should anything untoward happen, Zhou Yu said, there is someone, who can see the big picture better than me, more talented than me, virtues higher than me, he can uphold Jiang Dong.

He recommends Lu Su as the next commander-in-chief. Zhou Yu laments, If heaven gave birth to me, why allow Liang to exist? He passes on shortly. Sun Quan understood that he caused his own death from his bitterness and petty heart, not being able to accept people that are higher talent than him.

诸葛亮字孔明 Zhuge Liang XI by plaedes

Chapter 56

For the time in the series, Kongming loses his cool and temper to Ma Liang, depicting the amount of stress he had undergone handling the reins of Jing Zhou and Liu Bei's absence and his brothers missing him.

A drunk Zhang Fei storms in one day and accuses him of Zhou Yu's rumours, of being in cahoots with his brother Zhuge Jin (in Dongwu's service) and taking over Jing Zhou. Zhang Fei overthrows his desk, for the first time in the show, we could see Kongming's helplessness. Seeing Kongming angry and upset, Ma Liang asks why are you flaring up? It is unlike you. Kongming tells him, once I tended to the lands in Nan Yang, I came into service as I did not want to plan strategies for the paddies, am also at least considered a noble person. And now, I have to put up with Zhang Fei's temper everyday.

Ma Liang told him, I know what you are like, but Guan, Zhang do not fully understand, for they only have their brother in their heart. They are coarse people (translated), how can you compare yourself with them? Kongming said, I am not angry with them but at myself. Ma Liang told him, you often spoke of Han Xin, 韩信也曾受过胯下之辱吗？In your heart are dreams to restore the Han Dynasty, what Han Xing can endure, so must you, said Ma Liang as he teared. Kongming, with a sudden realization, said that compared to these, what is this small amount of hardship?

The next scene turns to Liu Bei's escape from Jiang Dong, being pursued by Lu Meng's men Xu Sheng and Ding Feng, the land generals formally under Sun Jian's and Sun Ce's command. Zhao Yun remembers the last bag of strategy from Zhuge Liang and opens it, hands it to Liu Bei and tells him that it is for him. Sun Quan's sister reprimands the two generals, telling them they have never regarded Sun Quan as the ruler with only Zhou Yu in their hearts. She tells them she is under his command to accompany her husband to pay respects at his parents' graves, having informed her mother as well. Whoever stops them will lose their head, next their small group of army moves aside into two groups as the Liu Bei's carriage, Zhao Yuan, Sun Qian, and the horse tender makes their way.

Back in Jing Zhou, having a game of chess, Ma Liang has never beat Zhuge Liang at chess before, but on that day Zhuge Liang lost, Ma Liang knew that something was on his mind. Zhuge Liang realises that it is too quiet and Zhang Fei has not made a scene at his residence today. A startled Ma Liang says, are they planning on using the army?

Kongming's understanding of the men is seen when he says: The elite of the 10,000 forces here brought from the north by our Lord, Guan and Zhang. They have followed our Lord for years, should Guan and Zhang call for them, they will respond. If they use these men to take me and the token of military authority, they can move the entire Jing Zhou forces to the east.

What should we do? Ma Liang said.

Zhuge Liang handed the token of military authority to Ma Liang, telling him to deploy Huang Zhong's men. Ma Liang told him he will move to deploy them immediately to protect Zhuge Liang. However, Kongming instructions for Huang Zhong is to leave the city, their origins lie in Jing Zhou, naturally, he would feel closer to Zhuge Liang. If he knows that Zhang and Guan are making use of the army, there will be a conflict. It will not be easy to split these tens of thousands of men and I do not wish to see them kill each other, destroying all our efforts overnight.

Who will protect you if I bring all these soldiers away? Ma Liang asked. A soldier knows that he will die, Zhuge Liang replied. It is my fate to have met Liu Bei.

At the shore, Zhou Yu catches up with them, luckily, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan have already arrived on higher ground. Zhou Yu orders his men to charge, and Huang Zhong's and Wei Yan's men shoots them them. Liu Bei gets on the boat, with the soldiers shouting a rehearsed insult coined by Zhuge Liang at Zhou Yu, who, yes, pukes blood and falls from his horse.

Zhuge Liang is accused of deploying Huang Zhong's troops for his own use by Guan and Zhang, at this point, Liu Bei returns to Jingzhou. A teary eyed Zhuge Liang decides to leave Liu Bei, his student Ma Liang has followed him for years and this is the first time he has seen him cry. Realising their mistake, Guan and Zhang chase Zhuge Liang immediately to the harbour, being prideful people they have never went down on their knees or asked for forgiveness, but in case, they did for Liu Bei. The mood was lightened when Zhuge Liang unrelented, saying that he had made up his mind, and a playful Zhang Fei lifted him off with Guan Yu back to camp.

Finally inviting them into the house to have tea after Guan and Zhang had stood there for hours, Zhang Fei, the known alcoholic requests for wine instead of tea and is flatly rejected by Zhuge Liang. The well known prideful Guan Yu also pours tea for him, obeying Liu Bei's command. This shows his 2 things: 1. His regard for his brother 2. His regard for Zhuge Liang. I like the firmness of the young Zhuge Liang portrayed and the respect he finally commanded, most people would have relented 50%.

From my perception, Zhuge Liang did really want to leave Liu Bei, but when Guan and Zhang carried him back, it was from there that he decided they needed a little discipline, knowing that they are good generals and would lead tens of thousands of men later, and cannot afford to do things according to their mood.

Aftermath of the Sun Liu Marriage Alliance

Reflecting on his failures, Zhou Yu had realised he cannot act on impulse nor to be calculative. Proposing to Xu Chang to make Liu Bei the Jing Zhou Mu, 牧，in line with Sun Quan's thinking, Cao Cao agrees, and makes Zhou Yu the Nan Jun governor 太守 and Cheng Pu the Jiang Xia governor.

Analysed by Zhuge Liang: The proposal by Sun Quan to Cao Cao means, look at us, we are now related and our alliance is stronger than before, think twice before you come attack us again. Cao Cao's scheme in making the Dong Wu men governors of Liu Bei's territories says, sure, go ahead, I shall wait for you to kill each other. Lu Su understood this point too.

He had a heart to heart talk with Zhou Yu, who agreed that in reality, the powers of Jiang Dong lies in both their hands, and to bring them forward, they had to be of one heart. Zhou Yu went straight to his objective: Jing Zhou, asking Lu Su to visit Liu Bei and ask for them to attack Xi Chuan. Should Zhuge Liang reply that their army is not ready, then as allies, Dong Wu would lead the attack for them, and when they win Xi Chuan, they will exchange it for Jing Zhou. However the scheme was to attack Jing Xiang enroute Xi Chuan, turning back towards Jing Zhou. This time, Lu Su whole heartedly follows Zhou Yu's decision, on the condition that it is allowed by Sun Quan.

诸葛亮字孔明 Zhuge Liang X by plaedes

Chapter 49: Northern Expedition, Battle for 零陵, 武陵, 长沙, 桂阳

The Battle for 零陵

Zhuge Liang's first appearance in his famed iconic seat with wheels, complete with a shade and servants, as well as the use of his well-known battle formation.

Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun captured the enemy general Xing Dao Rong with ease, an unreliable character full of bull shit, ready to betray his master. He offered to open the gates to the city in the middle of the night, and when he returned to his master Liu Du, he told him he got captured on purpose as they cannot defeat the enemy with sheer brute force. He then told Liu Du to set an ambush after he opens the gate for Liu Bei. Naturally, his betrayal is obvious, and Zhang Fei played along, moving into the city, quickly retreating and luring the enemy to the nearby forest where an ambush is laid.  Liu Du's son Liu Xian is captured in the process.

Zhuge Liang knows that Liu Du is a weak ruler who loves his son more than his own life, many things are decided by Liu Xian in Ling Ling. Zhuge Liang foresees Liu Du opening the city gates in surrender  to Liu Bei in exchange for Liu Xian's life. Liu Bei is offered the seal of power, and returns it to Liu Du, allowing him to keep his former position as governor. Liu Bei knows that he is a good ruler (though a weak one would be easy prey for an enemy like Cao Cao, thus endangering the rest of the cities.)

With this win as an example, there was a good possibility of winning over the rest of the cities without a battle.

The Battle for 桂阳: Zhao Yun vs Chen Ying

Advised by Zhuge Liang that in Liu Bei's expedition, the main objectives were the four cities. In order to achieve these objectives, depending on war and killing is not enough. If they meet strong resistance, not only Jing Zhou's territorial area cannot be expanded, but also with heavy casualties and consequences. Knowing Zhang Fei's temper, he sends Zhao Yun for Gui Yang.

This is Zhuge Liang's style of winning a battle without using an army, by convincing and persuading.

The rest of the battles are posted under Liu Bei.

Chapter 52: Liu Bei's Betrothal to Sun Quan's Sister

Zhuge Liang deploys Guan, Zhang, Zhao, Huang with 20,000 men along 4 roads, overseeing Liu Bei's safety to Jiang Dong。Zhao Yun escorts Liu Bei as advised by Kongming, before leaving he gives Zhao Yun 3 sachets and tells him: Inside you will find my secret orders, open them in the order of red, yellow and white. The first when the boat is on the way to Dong Wu, and act according to my plan. Should you be in Jiang Dong till the end of the year, open the next bag for the orders, as for the last, open it when you are in danger. You must remember this.

Zhuge Liang has Liu Bei headed directly to 健康 for the marriage instead of to Jiang Du, thwarting Zhou Yu's plan. Zhou Yu flips his glass over in the presence of Lu Meng, to which he replied I understand and took his leave. On the boat, Zhao Yun opens the first satchet, looks at it and informs Liu Bei: Just ahead of us is 庐江镇, a prosperous city of Jiang Dong. We had left hurriedly without any betrothal gifts, we should get ashore and buy some. Liu Bei asks, why don't we buy them in Jian Kang? It is the capital of Jiang Dong, and the quality of the things will be better. Zhao Yun replies, in this case, Sun Quan will know it is a last minute gift and take it as a disrespect.

In the town, Zhao Yun divides his 500 men into groups of 50 comprising 10 men per group, instructing them to go all over the town and purchase gifts, making it lively and known to every citizen of the incoming marriage. By then, news had also travelled to Sun Quan's mother who was kept in the dark and in anger she reprimanded Sun Quan and Lu Su, summoning Zhou Yu to see her. Liu Bei arrives in town 2 days earlier instead journey of 5 days due to strong winds, and Lu Meng's attempt to kill him is foiled. Lu Su received Liu Bei at the harbour, apologizing for not having enough time to prepare the band and music, and Liu Bei jokes, you don't have time to prepare your band but you sure have prepared many troops. The natural reply would be it is for your protection.

Zhou Yu meets Sun Quan and tells him that he has deployed 60,000 men to Jing Zhou now that Liu Bei is in their hands. If you are afraid of the people gossiping, you may execute me after Jing Zhou is captured, and I shall have peace even when I'm gone. Sun Quan does not want things to be done in this manner, for the sake of his mother who have brought them up with values of filial piety and righteousness. If she knew that the marriage was for exchange of Jing Zhou she would be infuriated.

Chapter 52 closes with Sun Quan asking Zhou Yu, how can you move the army at your will? Are you the ruler? Or I am?