uge Liang persuade Liu Bei to return Jingzhou。 If Liu Bei refuses； the family of Zhuge Jin will suffer； and Zhuge Liang will not be able to resist the claims of brotherhood。〃
〃But Zhuge Jin is a loyal and true gentleman。 I could not lay hands upon his family！〃 said Sun Quan。
〃Explain the ruse to him。 That will set his mind at rest；〃 said Zhang Zhao。
Sun Quan consented and issued the mand to confine the family of his retainer in the palace but not really imprison them。 Then he wrote a letter for Zhuge Jin to take with him on his mission。 Before many days Zhuge Jin reached Chengdu and sent to inform Liu Bei of his arrival。
Liu Bei at once sought the advice of Zhuge Liang。
〃Why think you your brother has e？〃
〃He has e to force the return of Jingzhou。〃
〃How shall I answer him？〃
〃You must do so and so；〃 said Zhuge Liang。
The plan of action being prepared； Zhuge Liang went out of the city to wele his brother。 But instead of taking him to his own residence； Zhuge Liang took him to the guest…house。 When the greetings were over； the visitor suddenly lifted up his voice and wept。
〃If you have any trouble； my brother； pray tell。 Why do you weep thus？〃 asked Zhuge Liang。
〃Alas！ My family are lost！〃 cried he。
〃I suppose it is in the matter of the return of Jingzhou？ If your family have been seized on my account； how can I bear it calmly？ But do not be anxious； my brother。 I shall certainly find some way out of the difficulty。〃
This reply pleased Zhuge Jin； and the two brothers went to visit Liu Bei。
The letter of Sun Quan was presented； but when Liu Bei had read it he said； angrily； 〃He is related to me by marriage； and he has profited by my absence from Jingzhou to steal away his siste