song in the market place。〃
Liu Bei thought he had found a treasure and treated the newer with the greatest kindness。 Then San Fu spoke of the horse that he had seen Liu Bei riding and asked to look at it。 So the animal was brought round。
〃Is not this a Dilu horse?〃 said San Fu。 〃But though it is a good steed; it risks his master。 You must not ride it。〃
〃It has already fulfilled the omens;〃 said Liu Bei; and he related the story of the leap over the Tan Torrent。
〃But that was saving his master; not risking him。 It will surely harm someone in the end。 But I can tell you how to avert the omen。〃
〃I should be glad to hear it;〃 said Liu Bei。
〃If you have an enemy against whom you bear a grudge; give him this horse and wait till it has fulfilled the evil omens on this person; then you can ride it in safety。〃
Liu Bei changed color。
〃What; Sir! You are but a new acquaintance; and you would advise me to take an evil course and to harm another for my own advantage? No; Sir! I cannot listen。〃
His guest smiled; saying; 〃People said you were virtuous。 I could not ask you directly; so I put it that way to test you。〃
Liu Bei's expression changed。 He rose and returned the pliment; saying; 〃But how can I be virtuous while I lack your teaching?〃
〃When I arrived here; I heard the people saying:
〃Since Liu Bei came here; O blessed day!
We've had good luck; long may he stay!
〃So you see; the effects of your virtue extend to the ordinary people。〃
Thereupon San Fu was made manding Adviser of the army。
The one idea that held Cao Cao after his return from Jizhou was the capture of Jingzhou。 He sent Cao Ren and Li Dian; with the two brothers Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang who had surrendered; to