Zhang Song glanced at them contemptuously。
After a long time Cao Cao called up Zhang Song and； pointing to his army； said； 〃Have you ever seen such fine bold fellows in Yizhou？〃
〃We never see this military parade in Yizhou。 We govern the people by righteousness。〃
Cao Cao changed color and looked hard at the bold speaker； who gazed back at him without the least sign of fear。
Yang Xiu shot a quick glance at Zhang Song； but Cao Cao went on； saying； 〃I regard the rat…class of the world as of no more importance than so many weeds； and for my army to reach a place is to overe it； to give battle is to conquer； to besiege is to take。 Those who are with me； live； but those who oppose me； die。 Do you understand？〃
〃O Prime Minister； I know well that when you march out your army； you always conquer。 I knew it when you attacked Lu Bu at Puyang； and when you fought Zhang Xiu at Wancheng； and when you met Zhou Yu at the Red Cliffs； and when in Huarong Valley you encountered Guan Yu； and on that day when you cut off your beard and threw away your robe at Tong Pass； and when you hid in a boat to escape the arrows on the Yellow River。 On all these occasions； no one could stand against you。〃
It made Cao Cao very angry to be thus twitted with his misfortunes and he said； 〃You stuck…up pedant！ How dare you thus bring up all my failures？〃
Cao Cao called to his attendants to eject the bold disputant and put him to death。
Yang Xiu ventured to argue with him； saying； 〃You may behead him； but he came from the west bearing tribute； and his death would have a very evil effect on all distant peoples。〃
But Cao Cao was too angry to be reasonable and persisted。 However； Xun Yu also remonstrated； and Zhang Song was not put to death。 B