ns can go to represent me and to receive the guests。〃
〃They are full young；〃 replied Cai Mao。 〃They may make some mistakes。〃
〃Then go to Xinye and request Liu Bei to receive the guests；〃 said Liu Biao。
Nothing could have pleased Cai Mao more； for this would bring Liu Bei within reach of his plot。 Without loss of time he sent to Liu Bei requesting him to go to preside at the Festival。
It has been said that Liu Bei made the best of his way home to Xinye。 He felt that he had offended by that slip in speech； but determined to keep silence about it and attempt no explanation。 So he discussed it with nobody。 Then came the message asking him to preside at the Festival； and he needed counsel。
Sun Qian said； 〃You have seemed worried and preoccupied lately； and I think something untoward happened at Jingzhou。 You should consider well before you accept this invitation。〃
Thereupon Liu Bei told his confidants the whole story。
Guan Yu said； 〃You yourself think your speech offended the Imperial Protector； but he said nothing to show displeasure。 You need pay no attention to the babble of outsiders like Yi Ji。 Xiangyang is quite near and； if you do not go； Liu Biao will begin to suspect something really is wrong。〃
〃You speak well；〃 said Liu Bei。
Said Zhang Fei； 〃Banquets are no good； gatherings are no better。 It is best not to go。〃
〃Let me take three hundred horse and foot as escort： There will be no trouble then；〃 said Zhao Yun。
〃That is the best course；〃 said Liu Bei。
They soon set out for the gathering place； and Cai Mao met them at the boundary and was most affable and courteous。 Soon arrived the Imperial Protector's sons at the head of a great pany of officers； civil and military。 Their appearance