oposal。〃
But the warrior flared up。
〃How can a tiger's daughter marry with a dog's whelp？ Were it not for your brother； I would take your head。 Say no more！〃
Guan Yu called his servants to hustle forth the hapless messenger； who ran away with his hands over his head； too astonished to look anyone in the face。 And reaching his own place； he dared not hide the manner of his reception； but told the whole truth。
〃What ruffianism！〃 exclaimed the Marquis。
Thereupon Sun Quan ordered the council again to consider an attack on Jingzhou。
Bu Zhi rose and said； 〃It has been long manifest that Cao Cao wishes to usurp the Throne； but he is afraid of Liu Bei。 Now we are to attack Shu with an army； and so Cao Cao wants to shift the misfortune to us indeed。〃
〃But I also want the place；〃 said Sun Quan。
Said Bu Zhi； 〃Cao Ren is already camped at Fancheng and Xiangyang and in no danger from the river。 If Cao Cao can take Jingzhou by land； why does he not take it？ However； he wants you； my lord； to send your army； and you can judge his real intention from this。 Send to Cao Cao and tell him to make Cao Ren attack by land。 Then Guan Yu must take the army from Jingzhou to Fancheng。 When Guan Yu has left Jingzhou； you can send an army to seize it。〃
Sun Quan thought the scheme good and sent letters with these proposals to Cao Cao。 Cao Cao adopted the plan； and having sent the messenger back to the South Land； he next sent Man Chong to help Cao Ren at Fancheng as Adviser in the matter of attack。 He also sent dispatches to the South Land to ask for the assistance of Sun Quan's marine force。
Having laid on Wei Yan the task of holding the East River Land； the Prince of Hanzhong； with his officers； returned to Chengdu and began to