ts； Xun Yu and Cheng Yu to receive the newer at the city gate； and so Xu Shu was led first to the Prime Minister's palace。
〃Why did such an illustrious scholar as you bow the knee to Liu Bei？〃 said Cao Cao。
〃I am young； and I fled to avoid the results of certain escapades。 I spent some time as a wanderer and so came to Xinye where I became good friends with him。 But my mother is here； and when I thought of all her affection； I could no longer remain absent。〃
〃Now you will be able to take care of your mother at all times。 And I may have the privilege of receiving your instructions。〃
Xu Shu then took his leave and hastened to his mother's dwelling。 Weeping with emotion； he made his obeisance to her at the door of her room。
But she was greatly surprised to see him and said； 〃What have you e here for？〃
〃I was at Xinye； in the service of Liu Bei of Yuzhou； when I received your letter。 I came immediately。〃
His mother suddenly grew very angry。
Striking the table she cried； 〃You shameful and degenerate son！ For years you have been a vagabond in spite of all my teaching。 You are a student and know the books。 You must then know that loyalty and filial piety are often opposed。 Did you not recognize in Cao Cao a traitor； a man who flouts his king and insults the mighty ones？ Did you not see that Liu Bei was virtuous and upright as all the world knows？ Moreover； he is of the House of Han； and when you were with him you were serving a fitting master。 Now on the strength of a scrap of forged writing； with no attempt at any inquiry； you have left the light and plunged into darkness and earned a disgraceful reputation。 Truly you are stupid。 How can I bear to look upon you？ You have besmirched the fair fame of your forefathers and a