Jiangxia in a very parlous state。 To submit is to secure the safety of wives and children； to be rich and honored。 But the dignity of the country would be left to chance and fate………however； that is not worth consideration。〃
Lu Su interrupted angrily； 〃Would you make our lord crook the knee to such a rebel as Cao Cao？〃
〃Well；〃 replied Zhuge Liang； 〃there is another way； and a cheaper。 There would be no need to 'lead the sheep and shoulder wine pots' for presents； nor any need to yield territory and surrender seals of office。 It would not even be necessary to cross the river yourselves。 All you would require is a simple messenger and a little boat to ferry a couple of persons across the river。 If Cao Cao only got these two under his hand； his hordes and legions would just drop their weapons； furl their banners； and silently vanish away。〃
〃What two persons could cause Cao Cao to go away as you say？〃 asked Zhou Yu。
〃Two persons who could be easily spared from this populous country。 They would not be missed any more than a leaf from a tree or a grain of millet from a granary。 But if Cao Cao could only get them； would he not go away rejoicing？〃
〃But who are the two？〃 asked Zhou Yu again。
〃When I was living in the country； they told me that Cao Cao was building a pavilion on the River Zhang。 It was to be named the Bronze Bird Tower。 It is an exceedingly handsome building； and he has sought throughout all the world for the most beautiful women to live in it。 For Cao Cao really is a sensualist。
＇e＇ Fan Li was adviser of Gou Jian； the king of Yue。 Fan Li helped Gou Jian plot the 〃Beauty Ruse〃 in order to destroy Fu Zha； the king of Wu。 After Yue triumphed over Wu； Fan Li resigned from politics。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Xi Shi was a beautif