t accept forthwith。 I pray you assemble all the officers and confer the office upon me in their presence。〃
Said Kan Ze； 〃The ancient fashion was to set up a platform and thereon present to the leader…elect a white yak's tail and a golden ax with the seal of office and mission。 Thereafter his dignity and the reverence due from others were beyond all question。 It would be well； O Prince； to follow the old rule。 Choose a good day and appoint Lu Xun before all the world； and no one will refuse support。〃
An altar was begun at once。 They worked at it day and night； and as soon as it was finished a great assembly was called。 Then Lu Xun was requested to ascend and make his bow on receiving his appointment as mander…in…Chief； General of the Right Army； General Who Guards the West； and Lord of Fenglou。 The sword of authority and the seal of office were presented。 His powers extended over the six territories and the eighty…one counties of the South Land； over the forces in Jingzhou and Wu。
And in charging him Sun Quan said； 〃Domestic affairs belong to me； outer affairs are under your direction。〃
Lu Xun then descended。 He chose Xu Sheng and Ding Feng as manders of his guards； and the army lost no time in taking the field。 The various dispositions of horse and foot and navy were made； and dispatches were sent to the outlying manders。
When the dispatch reached Han Dang and Zhou Tai； who were camping near Xiaoting； they were alarmed； saying； 〃Why did the Prince appoint a mere bookish student to the mandership of all armed forces？〃
So when the new mander…in…Chief came； they showed their discontent by a lack of hearty support。 Lu Xun went to his tent to receive the reports； and there the majority of the officers manifested only sullen respect a