this is where you excel in war。 With your ten superiorities； you will have no difficulty in overing Yuan Shao。〃
〃How can I be worth as much as you say？〃 said Cao Cao； smiling。
〃What Guo Jia has said about the ten points in your favor agrees exactly with what I think；〃 said Xun Yu。 〃Yuan Shao's army is not formidable in spite of its size。〃
〃The real and dangerous enemy is Lu Bu；〃 said Guo Jia。 〃When Yuan Shao has gone north to destroy Gongsun Zan； we ought to sweep away Lu Bu and so clear away our danger from that side； for if this is not done； our attack on Yuan Shao will be the signal for an attempt on the capital。 That would be most serious。〃
Cao Cao saw things in the same light as his advisers and began to discuss plans for an attack on Lu Bu。 Xun Yu was of opinion that they should first secure the fidelity and aid of Liu Bei。 So letters were written； and they waited his assurance before moving a soldier。 Then； in order to reassure Yuan Shao； his emissary was treated with great kindness； and a memorial presented to the Emperor asking extra honors for him。 Yuan Shao was made Imperial Protector of the four northern regions………Jizhou； Qingzhou； Youzhou； and Bingzhou。 With all this a private letter was written by Cao Cao urging upon him to attack Gongsun Zan and promising assistance。 So Yuan Shao's army started。
In the meantime the two Chen Deng and Chen Gui were playing their game。 At every feast and gathering in Xuzhou； they uttered the most fulsome praises of Lu Bu。 Chen Gong was greatly displeased and took an opportunity to talk about them to his master。
〃They flatter you to your face； but what is in their hearts？ You ought to be most carefully on your guard。〃
〃Hold your tongue！〃 was the angry reply。 〃You are simply sl