Peng　Ji　declared　Yuan　Shang　successor　with　the　titles　of　Regent　Marshal　and　Supreme　Imperial　Protector　of　the　four　regions　of　Jizhou；　Qingzhou；　Youzhou；　and　Bingzhou　and　sent　in　a　report　of　the　death　of　the　late　Imperial　Protector。

At　this　time　Yuan　Tan；　the　eldest　son；　had　already　marched　out　his　army　to　oppose　Cao　Cao。　But　hearing　of　his　father's　death；　he　called　in　Guo　Tu　and　Xin　Ping　to　consult　as　to　his　course　of　action。

〃In　your　absence；　my　lord；〃　said　Guo　Tu；　〃the　two　advisers　of　your　younger　brother　will　certainly　set　him　up　as　lord；　wherefore　you　must　act　quickly。〃

〃Those　two；　Shen　Pei　and　Peng　Ji；　have　already　laid　their　plans；〃　said　Xin　Ping。　〃If　you　go；　you　will　meet　with　some　misfortune。〃

〃Then　what　should　I　do？〃　asked　Yuan　Tan。

Guo　Tu　replied；　〃Go　and　camp　near　the　city；　and　watch　what　is　taking　place　while　I　enter　and　inquire。〃

Accordingly　Guo　Tu　entered　the　city　and　sought　an　interview　with　the　young　Imperial　Protector。

〃Why　did　not　my　brother　e？〃　asked　Yuan　Shang　after　the　usual　salutes。

Guo　Tu　said；　〃He　cannot　e　as　he　is　in　the　camp　unwell。〃

〃By　the　mand　of　my　late　father；　I　take　the　lordship。　Now　I　confer　upon　my　brother　the　rank　of　General　of　the　Flying　Cavalry；　and　I　wish　him　to　go　at　once　to　attack　Cao　Cao；　who　is　pressing　on　the　borders。　I　will　follow　as　soon　as　my　army　is　in　order。〃

〃There　is　no　one　in　our　camp　to　give　advice；〃　said　Guo　Tu。　〃I　wish　to　have　the　services　of　Shen　Pei　and　Peng　Ji。〃

〃I　also　need　the　help　of　these　two；〃　said　Yuan　Shang。　〃And　as　I　am　always　working　at　schemes；　I　do　not　see　how　I　can　do　without　them。〃

〃Then　let　one　of　these　two　go；〃　replied　Guo　Tu。

Yuan　Shang　could　do　no　other　than　accede　to　this　request；　so　he　bade　the　two　men　ca