u Bei soon won the hearts of the people by the strict discipline he maintained over his army and by his gracious manner。
News of these doings in the west duly reached the south; and Sun Quan summoned his counselors as to his countermove。
Then Gu Yong spoke; saying; 〃I have an infallible plan to propose。 Liu Bei and his army are now far away and separated from us by difficult country。 Therefore he cannot return quickly; and my advice is to occupy the passes so that he cannot get through。 Then send all your force against Jingzhou and Xiangyang; and they will surely fall to you。〃
〃The plan seems excellent;〃 said Sun Quan。
But just then a voice was heard from behind the screen; crying; 〃You may just put to death the man who proposed that scheme for trying to pass the death of my daughter。〃
Everyone started with surprise。 It was the Dowager Marchioness' voice。
Further; Lady Wu looked very angry as she entered; saying; 〃What is to bee of my only daughter; who is the wife of Liu Bei?〃
She turned her wrathful eyes to Sun Quan and said; 〃You were heir to your father and brother and obtained possession of all these lands without the least effort。 Yet you are dissatisfied and would forget the claims of your own flesh and blood and sacrifice your sister for the sake of adding a little to your lands。〃
〃No; no!〃 murmured Sun Quan; ashamed。 〃I would never think of going contrary to my mother's wishes and orders。〃
He abruptly dismissed the assembly; and when they had gone the old lady; still nursing her wrath; retired to her own apartments。
Left alone beneath the portico; Sun Quan sighed sadly。
〃This chance missed! When will Jingzhou be mine?〃 thought he。
While still deep in reverie; Zhang Zhao came up;