ang； had surprised Nanjun； and at hearing the same news of Jingzhou and Xiangyang； was but natural。 And this sudden fit of rage caused his wound to reopen。 However； he soon recovered。 All his officers besought him to accept the situation。
But he said； 〃What but the death of that bumpkin Zhuge Liang will assuage my anger？ If Cheng Pu can but aid me in an attack on Nanjun； I can certainly restore it to the South Land。〃
Soon Lu Su came in； to whom Zhou Yu said； 〃I simply must fight Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang till it is decided which shall have the upper hand。 I must also recapture the cities。 Perhaps you can assist me。〃
〃It cannot be done；〃 replied Lu Su。 〃We are now at grips with Cao Cao； and victory or defeat is undecided。 Our lord has not been successful in overing Hefei。 Do not fight near home； or it will be like people of the same household destroying each other。 Should Cao Cao take advantage of this position to make a sudden descent； we should be in a parlous condition。 Further； you must remember that Liu Bei and Cao Cao are united by the bonds of old friendship。 If the pressure bees too great； Liu Bei may relinquish these cities； offer them to Cao Cao； and join forces with him to attack the south。 That would be a real misfortune。〃
〃I cannot help being angry；〃 said Zhou Yu； 〃to think that we should have used our resources for their benefit。 They get all the advantage。〃
〃Well； let me go and see Liu Bei and talk reason to him。 If I can arrive at no understanding； then attack at once。〃
〃Excellent proposal！〃 cried all present。
So Lu Su； with his escort； went away to Nanjun to carry out his proposal and try to arrange matters。 He reached the city wall and summoned the gate； whereat Zhao Yun came out to speak with him。
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