d guest； he said； 〃I did not think that such things would e to pass。〃
The officers of Yizhou met to consider how to oppose the further advance of Liu Bei。
Huang Quan said； 〃Let us send without delay a force to hold Luocheng； which is the very throat of the road he must take。 He may have veteran soldiers and fiery generals； but he will not be able to pass。〃
So the four ablest generals………Deng Xiang； Ling Bao； Liu Gui； and Zhang Ren………were told off for this duty； and they led fifty thousand troops。
As they marched； Liu Gui said； 〃In the Silky Hills there is a wonderful Taoist who calls himself 'The Super Human of the Dark Void。' He has the gift of second sight； so let us visit him as we pass and inquire what our fortunes are to be。〃
〃What should one seek of a hermit when one is out to repulse an enemy？〃 said his colleague； Zhang Ren； contemptuously。
〃Your view is wrong；〃 said Liu Gui。 〃The Holy One （Confucius） has said that it is characteristic of the most entire sincerity to be able to foreknow。 So let us inquire of this man of high intelligence that we may know what to do and what to avoid。〃
Whereupon they went up into the hills and sought the hermit's retreat。 They were a small party； on horseback。 Meeting a wood…cutter； they inquired the whereabouts of the dwelling of the wise man； and he pointed to one of the highest hills； saying that the Sage lived on the very summit。 They climbed up to the spot he had told them of and found a small hut。 At their summons； a lad in Taoist garb came out to speak with them。 He asked their names and led them into the presence of the Super Human； who received them seated on a rush cushion。 They made a low obeisance； told him the reason of their ing； and asked of the future。
〃How can