it was Fa Zheng who supported him； gave him directions； and added wings to him so that he could soar this high。 In these prosperous days one can hardly begin to discipline Fa Zheng。 Could we reasonably forbid him following somewhat his own way？〃
So no investigation was made； but Fa Zheng heard of the plaints and corrected his faults。
One day； when Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were resting and at leisure； Guan Ping arrived with a letter from his father； thanking his elder brother for the handsome gifts。
Making obeisance and handing in his letter； Guan Ping said； 〃My father was anxious to e into Yizhou to try conclusions with Ma Chao。〃
Said Liu Bei； 〃If he were to e and fight； I fear they would not both survive。〃
〃There is nothing to be anxious about；〃 said Zhuge Liang。 〃I will write to Guan Yu。〃
Liu Bei feared that his brother's impulsive temperament might lead to trouble； so he told Zhuge Liang to pose a letter and send back by Guan Ping。
When Guan Ping came again to his father； the first question was： 〃Did you mention the contest with Ma Chao？〃
Then the letter was produced； and this is what it said：
＇e＇ Ying Bu （BC ？…195） a general of Liu Bang。 He and Liu Bang had been close friends in their native Pei； where Liu Bang later held a minor office。 Enobled as King of Huainan。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Peng Yue （BC ？…196） a general of Liu Bang。 He and Liu Bang had been close friends in their native Pei； where Liu Bang later held a minor office。 Ennobled as King of Liang。 。。。。。
〃I hear you are anxious to decide whether of the twain； Ma Chao or yourself； is the better man。 Now I can measure Ma Chao。 He may be unusually brave and bold； but he is only of the class of Ying Bu* and Peng Yue* of old。 He might be a worthy riv