There was nothing to be said； and Huang Zu turned his horse to escape。 But Gan Ning thrust aside his troops and himself rode in pursuit。 Then he heard a shouting in his rear and saw General Cheng Pu ing up。 Fearing lest this other pursuer should overpass him and score the success he desired for himself； Gan Ning fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the fugitive。 Huang Zu was hit and fell from his steed。 Then Gan Ning cut off his head。 After this； joining himself to Cheng Pu； the two returned bearing the ghastly trophy to their lord。 Sun Quan ordered them to place it in a box to be taken back home and offered as a sacrifice to the manes of his father。
Having rewarded the soldiers for the victory and promoted Gan Ning； Sun Quan next discussed the advisability of sending a force to hold Jiangxia。
But his adviser； Zhang Zhao； said； 〃It is impossible to try to hold one distant city alone。 It is better to return home and prepare for the expedition that Liu Biao will surely send in revenge。 We will meet and defeat his worn army； push home the attack； and capture his whole region。〃
Sun Quan saw the advice was wise； so he left Jiangxia and led his army home to the South Land。
Now Su Fei was still confined； but he got someone to go to Gan Ning to beg him to plead for mercy。 Gan Ning had expected this although the prisoner had said no word； and he was averse from leaving his friend and one…time protector to perish。
〃I should not have forgotten him even if he had said nothing；〃 said Gan Ning。
When the army had returned； Sun Quan gave orders for Su Fei's execution that his head might be offered with that of Huang Zu。
Then Gan Ning went in to his lord and said； weeping； 〃Long ago； if it had not been for Su Fei； my bones would have been rotting in some ditch and how then could I have rendered service under your banner？ Now he deserves death； but I cannot forget his kindness to me； and I pray you take away the honors you have bestowed on me as a set…off to his crime。〃
Sun Quan replied； 〃Since he once showed kindness to you； I will pardon him for your sake。 But what can be done if he run away？〃
〃If he be pardoned and escape death； he will be immeasurably grateful and will not go away。 If he should； then will I offer my life in exchange。〃
So the condemned man escaped death； and only one head was offered in sacrifice。 After the sacrificial ceremonies； a great banquet was spread in honor of the victories。 As it was proceeding； suddenly one of the guests burst into loud lamentations； drew his sword； and rushed upon Gan Ning。 Gan Ning hastily rose and defended himself with the chair on which he had been sitting。 The host looked at the assailant and saw it was Ling Tong； whose father Ling Cao had fallen under an arrow shot by Gan Ning。 The son was now burning to avenge his father's death。
Hastily leaving his place； Sun Quan checked the angry officer； saying； 〃If he slew your noble father； then remember each was fighting for his lord for whom he was bound to exert himself to the utmost。 But now that you both are under one flag and are of one house； you may not recall an ancient injury。 You must regard my interests continually。〃
Ling Tong beat his head upon the floor and cried； saying； 〃But how can I not avenge this？ It is a blood feud； and we may not both live under the same sky。〃
The guests interfered； beseeching the man to forgo his revenge； and at last he ceased from his murderous intention。 But he sat glaring wrathfully at his enemy。
So soon after Gan Ning was dispatched with five thousand troops and one hundred warships to guard Xiakou； where he was beyond the reach of Ling Tong's wrath。 Then Sun Quan promoted Ling Tong； and so he was somewhat appeased。
From about this time the South Land enlarged her fleets； and soldiers were sent to various points to guard the river banks。 The brother of the chieftain； Sun Kuang； was placed in mand at Wujun； and Sun Quan himself； with a large army； camped at Chaisang。
Zhou Yu； mander…in…Chief of the army and Supreme Admiral of the navy； was on the Poyang Lake training the naval forces； and general preparations were made for defense and attack。
By his spies； Liu Bei had tidings of the doings in the lower portion of the Great River； and knew of the death of Huang Zu。 So he consulted Zhuge Liang as to his action。 While they were discussing matters； there arrived a messenger from Liu Biao； begging Liu Bei to go to see him。
Zhuge Liang advised him to go and said； 〃This call is to consult you about avenging Huang Zu。 You must take me with you and let me act as the circumstances direct。 There are advantages to be got。〃
Leaving Guan Yu in mand at Xinye； Liu Bei set forth； taking Zhang Fei with five hundred soldiers as his escort。
On the way he discussed the course of action with his adviser； who said； 〃First you must thank Liu Biao for having saved you from the evil that Cai Mao planned against you at Xiangyang。 However； you must not undertake any expedition against the South Land but say you must return to Xinye to put your army in good order。〃
With this admonition Liu Bei came to Jingzhou and was lodged in the guest…house。 Zhang Fei and the escort camped without the walls。 In due course Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were received； and after the customary salutations； Liu Bei apologized for his conduct at the banquet。
The host said； 〃Worthy brother； I know you were the victim of a vile plot； and I should have put the prime mover to death for it； had there not been so universal a prayer for mercy。 However； I remitted that penalty。 I hope you do not consider that I was wrong。〃
〃Cai Mao hall little to do with it。 I think it was due to his subordinates；〃 replied Liu Bei。
Liu Biao said； 〃Jiangxia is lost； as you know； and Huang Zu is dead。 So I have asked you to e that we might take measures of vengeance。〃
〃Huang Zu was harsh and cruel and never used his people in the proper way： That was the real cause of his fall。 But have you reflected what Cao Cao may do on the north if we attack the south？〃
〃I am getting old and weak； and I am unable to manage affairs properly。 Will you aid me； brother？ After I am gone you will have this region。〃
〃Why do you say this； my brother？ Think you that I am equal to such a task？〃
Here Zhuge Liang glanced at Liu Bei who continued； 〃But give me a little time to think it over。〃
And at this point he took his leave。
When they had reached their lodging； Zhuge Liang said； 〃Why did you decline his offer of the region。〃
〃He has always been most kind and courteous。 I could not take advantage of his weakness。〃
〃A perfectly kind and gracious lord；〃 sighed Zhuge Liang。
Soon after the son of the Imperial Protector； Liu Qi； was announced； and Liu Bei received him and led him in。
The young man began to weep； saying； 〃My mother cannot bear the sight of me。 My very life is in danger。 Can you not save me； Uncle？〃
〃My worthy nephew； this is a family affair。 You should not e to me。〃
Zhuge Liang who was present； smiled。 Liu Bei turned to him to know what he should do。
〃This is a family affair。 I cannot touch it！〃 replied Zhuge Liang。
The young man soon left； and when Liu Bei was saying good…bye； he whispered； 〃I will get Zhuge Liang to return your call； and you can do so and so。 He will advise you。〃
Liu Qi thanked him and left。 Next day when the call was to be returned； Liu Bei pretended to be suffering from colic and made that an excuse to send Zhuge Liang to return the call。
The adviser went； and when he had reached the palace； dismounted； and was led in； Liu Qi conducted him into one of the inner rooms。
When the tea had been brought； Liu Qi said； 〃I am an object of my stepmother's dislike。 Can you advise me what to do？〃
〃As a mere stranger guest； I can hardly have anything to do with your own 'bone and flesh' matters。 If I did； and the story got abroad； much harm might ensue。〃
With this he rose to take leave。
But Liu Qi was unwilling to say farewell； and he said； 〃Your glory has turned in my direction。 You cannot mean to go away so pointlessly。〃
Liu Qi led his visitor into a private chamber and had refreshments brought。 While they ate and drank； Liu Qi repeated his first request： What was he to do since his stepmother disliked him。
〃It is not the sort of thing I can advise in；