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ade many incursions into our territory。 That was the price of peace。 You surely would not grudge two more women from among the mon people。〃
〃You do not know; Sir;〃 replied Zhou Yu。 〃Of those two women of the Qiao family you mentioned; Elder Qiao is the widow of Sun Ce; our late ruler; and Younger Qiao is my wife!〃
Zhuge Liang feigned the greatest astonishment and said; 〃No indeed: I did not know。 I blundered………a deadly fault………a deadly fault!〃
〃One of us two has to go: Either the old rebel or I。 We shall not both live。 I swear that!〃 cried Zhou Yu。
〃However; such a matter needs a good deal of thought;〃 replied Zhuge Liang。 〃We must not make any mistake。〃
Zhou Yu replied; 〃I hold a sacred trust from my late lord; Sun Ce。 I would not bow the knee to any such as Cao Cao。 What I said just now was to see how you stood。 I left Poyang Lake with the intention of attacking the north; and nothing can change that intention; not even the sword at my breast or the ax on my neck。 But I trust you will lend an arm; and we will smite Cao Cao together。〃
〃Should I be happy enough not to be rejected; I would render such humble service as I could。 Perhaps presently I might be able to offer a plan to oppose him。〃
〃I am going to see my lord tomorrow to discuss this matter;〃 said Zhou Yu。
Zhuge Liang and Lu Su then left。
Next day at dawn Sun Quan went to the council chamber; where his officials; civil and military; were already assembled。 They numbered about sixty in all。 The civil; with Zhang Zhao at their head; were on the right; the military; with Cheng Pu as their leader; were ranged on the left。 All were in full ceremonial dress; and the swords of the soldiers clanked on the pavement。
Soon Zhou Yu entered。
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