ry knowing。〃
The soldiers turned pale with fright。 Then Cao Cao called up a man and told him to go and see Han Sui and say； 〃Sir； the Prime Minister humbly asks you to e and confer with him。〃
Thereupon Han Sui went out； and seeing Cao Cao wore no armor； Han Sui also threw off his and rode out clad in a light robe。 Each rode up to the other till their horse's heads nearly touched； and there they stood talking。
Said Cao Cao； 〃Your father and I were granted filial degrees at the same time； and I used to treat him as an uncle。 Moreover； you and I set out to serve the court at the same time； too； and yet we have not met for years。 How old may you be now； General？〃
〃I am forty；〃 replied Han Sui。
〃In those old days in the capital； we were both very young and never thought about middle age。 If we could only restore tranquillity to the state； that would be a matter of rejoicing。〃
After that they chatted long about old times； but neither said a word on military matters。 They gossiped for a couple of hours before they took leave of each other。
It was not long before someone told Ma Chao of this meeting； and he went over to his ally to ask about it。
〃What was it Cao Cao came out to discuss today ？〃 said Ma Chao。
〃He just recalled the old days when we were together in the capital。〃
〃Did he say nothing about military matters？〃
〃Not a word； and I could not talk about them alone。〃
Ma Chao went out without a word； but he felt suspicious。
When Cao Cao returned to his camp； he said to Jia Xu； 〃Do you know why I talked with him thus publicly？〃
〃It may be an excellent idea；〃 said Jia Xu； 〃but it is not sufficient simply to estrange two people。 I can improve on it； and we will make them quarrel