〃What have you wished to congratulate him upon?〃
〃Why Sir; the matter upon which he sent you to find out whether I knew about it or not。 Indeed I can congratulate him on that。〃
Lu Su turned pale and gasped; saying; 〃But how did you know; Master?〃
〃The ruse succeeded well thus played off on Jiang Gan。 Cao Cao has been taken in this once; but he will soon rise to it。 Only he will not confess his mistake。 However; the two men are gone; and the South Land is freed from a grave anxiety。 Do you not think that is a matter for congratulation? I hear Mao Jie and Yu Jin are the new admirals; and in their hands lie both good and evil for the fate of the northern fleet。〃
Lu Su was quite dumbfounded。 He stayed a little time longer passing the time in making empty remarks; and then took his leave。
As he was going away; Zhuge Liang cautioned him; saying; 〃Do not let Zhou Yu know that I know his ruse。 If you let him know; he will seek some chance to do me harm。〃
Lu Su promised。 Nevertheless he went straight to his chief and related the whole thing just as it happened。
〃Really he must be got rid of;〃 said Zhou Yu。 〃I have quite decided to put the man out of the way。〃
〃If you slay him; will not Cao Cao laugh at you?〃
〃Oh; no; I will find a legitimate way of getting rid of him so that he shall go to his death without resentment。〃
〃But how can you find a legitimate way of assassinating him?〃
〃Do not ask too much。 You will see presently。〃
Soon after all the officers were summoned to the main tent; and Zhuge Liang's presence was desired。 He went contentedly enough。
When all were seated; Zhou Yu suddenly addressed Zhuge Liang; saying; 〃I am going to fight a battle with the enemy soon on the water。 Wh