rd。 He certainly is badly disposed toward you； and you must be careful； General。〃
＇e＇ Liu Xiangru； prime minister of Zhao in the Warring States period； boldly behaved in the court of the powerful Qin。 When King Zhaoxiang of Qin tried to make away the purest jadestone from Zhao； Liu Xiangru threatened to destroy the stone； and so King Zhaoxiang backed up and let Liu Xiangru to return to Zhao。 。。。。。
Guan Yu replied； 〃I have given my word； and shall I withdraw from it？ In the days of the Warring States； Liu Xiangru* of the state of Zhao had not the force even to bind a chicken； yet in the assembly at Shengchi Lake he regarded not the prince and the ministers of the powerful state of Qin； but did his duty without fear of consequences。 Have I not learned to face any number of foes？ I cannot break my promise。〃
〃If you must go；〃 said Ma Liang； 〃at least go prepared。〃
〃Tell my son to choose out ten fast ships and five hundred of good marines and be in readiness to help me at need。 And when he sees a red flag waved； he can e over to my aid。〃
The order was given； and the little squadron was got ready。
The messenger returned to his master and told him that Guan Yu had boldly accepted the invitation； and Lu Su and Lu Meng took counsel together。
〃What do you think of this？〃 asked Lu Su。
〃If Guan Yu es with a force； Gan Ning and I will be in readiness for him by the riverside。 And you will hear our bomb as a signal that we are attacking。 If he has no force with him； the assassins can set on during the banquet。〃
Next day a look…out was kept on the bank； and early in the day a single ship came along。 It was manned by very few men； and a simple red flag flew out on the breeze showing but one word； Guan 。 Presently they could