join in our plot and play the traitor; and Kan Ze also wrote; and they sent the letters secretly to Cao Cao。
Kan Ze's letter said:
〃Huang Gai has found no opportunity so far。 However; when he es; his boat can be recognized by a black; indented flag。 That shall mean he is on board。〃
However; when Cao Cao got these two letters; he was still doubtful and called together his advisers to talk over the matter。
Said he; 〃On the other side Gan Ning has been put to shame by the mander…in…Chief whom he is prepared to betray for the sake of revenge。 Huang Gai has been punished and sent Kan Ze to propose that he should e over to our side。 Only I still distrust the whole thing。 Who will go over to the camp to find out the real truth?〃
Then Jiang Gan spoke up; saying; 〃I failed in my mission the other day and am greatly mortified。 I will risk my life again and; this time; I shall surely bring good news。〃
Cao Cao approved of him as messenger and bade him start。 Jiang Gan set out in a small craft and speedily arrived in the Three Gorges; landing near the naval camp。 Then he sent to inform Zhou Yu。
Hearing who it was; Zhou Yu chuckled; saying; 〃Success depends upon this man。〃
Then Zhou Yu called Lu Su and told him to call Pang Tong to e and do certain things for him。
This Pang Tong was from Xiangyang。 And he had gone to the east of the river to get away from the strife。 Lu Su had remended him to Zhou Yu; but he had not yet presented himself。
When Zhou Yu sent Lu Su to ask what scheme of attack he would remend against Cao Cao; Pang Tong had said to Lu Su; 〃You must use fire against him。 But the river is wide and if one ship is set on fire; the others will scatter unless they are fastened together so that they must rema