As Yan Pu was persuading Zhang Lu not to aid Liu Zhang, Ma Chao stepped forward abruptly. "I am deeply grateful for your lordship's kindness, which I have yet to repay," Ma Chao declared. "Grant me an army, and I will seize Jiameng Pass, capture Liu Bei alive, and compel Liu Zhang to cede twenty provinces back to you." Zhang Lu was overjoyed. He first sent Huang Quan back by a lesser road, then mustered twenty thousand troops for Ma Chao. At this time, Pang De lay ill and could not march, so he remained in Hanzhong. Zhang Lu ordered Yang Bo to serve as overseer of the army, and Ma Chao, together with his younger cousin Ma Dai, selected an auspicious day to set out.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei's forces were stationed at Luo City. The messenger sent by Fa Zheng returned and reported: "Zheng Du advised Liu Zhang to burn all the fields and granaries, evacuate the people of Baxi to the west of the Fu River, and fortify deep moats and high walls without giving battle." When Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang heard this, both were greatly alarmed. "If he follows this advice, our position is in danger!" they exclaimed. Fa Zheng laughed. "Do not worry, my lord. Though this plan is vicious, Liu Zhang will never use it." Within days, word came that Liu Zhang refused to relocate his people and had rejected Zheng Du's counsel. Only then did Liu Bei relax. Zhuge Liang said, "We must advance swiftly to take Mianzhu. If we secure this place, Chengdu will be easy to capture." He then ordered Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to lead the advance. When Fei Guan heard that Liu Bei's army was approaching, he sent Li Yan to meet them. Li Yan led three thousand troops, and both sides deployed for battle. Huang Zhong rode out and fought Li Yan for forty or fifty bouts, neither gaining the advantage. In the midst of the battle, Zhuge Liang ordered the gongs to sound the retreat. Huang Zhong returned to his lines and asked, "I was just about to capture Li Yan—why did the strategist call me back?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I have seen Li Yan's martial skill. He cannot be overcome by force alone. Tomorrow, you will feign defeat and lure him into a mountain gorge, where our hidden troops will defeat him." Huang Zhong accepted the plan. The next day, Li Yan advanced again. Huang Zhong rode out once more, and after fewer than ten bouts, he pretended to be defeated and fled. Li Yan pursued, following deep into the gorge, when suddenly he realized his mistake. He tried to turn back, but ahead, Wei Yan's troops had deployed, blocking his path. Zhuge Liang appeared on the mountain peak and called out, "If you do not surrender, crossbowmen are hidden on both sides, ready to avenge my colleague Pang Tong!" In panic, Li Yan dismounted, removed his armor, and surrendered. Not a single soldier was harmed. Zhuge Liang led Li Yan before Liu Bei, who treated him with great generosity. Li Yan said, "Though Fei Guan is a relative of Liu Zhang, he is a close friend of mine. Allow me to persuade him to surrender." Liu Bei ordered Li Yan to return to Mianzhu and win Fei Guan over. Entering the city, Li Yan praised Liu Bei's virtue to Fei Guan, warning him that if he did not surrender now, great disaster would follow. Fei Guan heeded his words and opened the gates. Liu Bei then entered Mianzhu and began discussing how to divide his forces to take Chengdu.
Suddenly, a fast rider brought urgent news: "Meng Da and Huo Jun are defending Jiameng Pass, but Ma Chao, Yang Bo, and Ma Dai, sent by Zhang Lu from Eastern Sichuan, are attacking fiercely. If reinforcements do not arrive soon, the pass will be lost!" Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. Zhuge Liang said, "Only Generals Zhang Fei or Zhao Yun can match him." Liu Bei replied, "Zhao Yun is away on campaign and has not yet returned. Zhang Fei is here—we should send him at once." Zhuge Liang said, "My lord, say nothing yet. Allow me to provoke him." Just then, Zhang Fei heard that Ma Chao was attacking the pass. He burst into the tent, shouting, "Let me take leave of my brother and go fight Ma Chao!" Zhuge Liang pretended not to hear and said to Liu Bei, "Now that Ma Chao threatens our pass, no one can stand against him—unless we summon Guan Yu from Jing Province. Only he can match this foe." Zhang Fei cried out, "Strategist, why do you belittle me so? I once held back Cao Cao's million-strong army alone! Am I to fear a mere brute like Ma Chao?" Zhuge Liang replied, "When you held the bridge and cut off the retreat, that was because Cao Cao did not know your true strength. If he had, could you have escaped unscathed? Ma Chao's prowess is known throughout the realm. At the Battle of Weishui, he fought six engagements, forced Cao Cao to cut his beard and discard his robe, and nearly killed him. He is no ordinary opponent. Even Guan Yu might not be certain of victory." Zhang Fei declared, "I will go this very instant! If I cannot defeat Ma Chao, I will accept any punishment!" Zhuge Liang said, "If you are willing to put that in writing, you may lead the vanguard. I ask that you, my lord, go in person, while I remain to hold Mianzhu. When Zhao Yun arrives, we will discuss further." Wei Yan also volunteered, "I wish to go as well."
Zhuge Liang ordered Wei Yan to take five hundred scouts and ride ahead, with Zhang Fei following, and Liu Bei bringing up the rear, all heading for Jiameng Pass. Wei Yan's scouts reached the pass and encountered Yang Bo. Wei Yan fought Yang Bo and defeated him in fewer than ten bouts. Eager to claim the glory of being the first to confront Ma Chao, Wei Yan pressed his advantage and pursued. Ahead, a formation of troops opened, and at their head stood Ma Dai. Wei Yan, mistaking him for Ma Chao, brandished his blade and charged. They exchanged fewer than ten blows before Ma Dai fled. Wei Yan gave chase, but Ma Dai turned and loosed an arrow, striking Wei Yan in the left arm. Wei Yan quickly turned his horse and fled. Ma Dai pursued him to the very foot of the pass, where a general roared like thunder and galloped down from the heights. It was Zhang Fei, who had just arrived at the pass. Hearing the sounds of battle below, he came to see and found Wei Yan wounded. He spurred his horse down the slope and rescued Wei Yan. Zhang Fei shouted at Ma Dai, "Who are you? State your name before we fight!" Ma Dai replied, "I am Ma Dai of Xiliang!" Zhang Fei said, "So you are not Ma Chao! Go back at once! You are no match for me! Tell that scoundrel Ma Chao that Zhang Fei of Yan is here!" Enraged, Ma Dai cried, "How dare you belittle me!" He leveled his spear and charged. After fewer than ten exchanges, Ma Dai was defeated and fled. Zhang Fei was about to pursue when a horseman arrived from the pass, calling out, "Brother, do not go!" Zhang Fei turned and saw Liu Bei. He abandoned the chase and ascended the pass with his brother. Liu Bei said, "I feared you might act rashly, so I followed close behind. Since you have already defeated Ma Dai, rest for the night. Tomorrow, you will face Ma Chao."
At dawn the next day, the drums thundered below the pass, and Ma Chao's army arrived. From his position on the wall, Liu Bei saw Ma Chao emerge from the banners, mounted and spear in hand. He wore a lion-headed helmet and beast-clasped belt, silver armor and a white robe—his equipment was extraordinary, and his bearing was even more striking. Liu Bei sighed, "They call him 'Ma Chao the Splendid,' and the name is well deserved!" Zhang Fei was eager to descend, but Liu Bei stopped him. "Do not attack yet. First, let his sharp edge dull." Below, Ma Chao challenged Zhang Fei to come out and fight. Zhang Fei, burning with the desire to swallow Ma Chao whole, was restrained by Liu Bei three or four times. By afternoon, Liu Bei saw that Ma Chao's troops were growing weary. He selected five hundred cavalry, and with Zhang Fei at their head, they charged down from the pass. When Ma Chao saw Zhang Fei's force approaching, he raised his spear and signaled his men to fall back a bowshot's distance. Zhang Fei's troops halted, while more men descended from the pass. Zhang Fei leveled his spear and thundered, "Do you recognize Zhang Yide of Yan?" Ma Chao replied, "My family has been nobility for generations. How would I know a village bumpkin?" Zhang Fei erupted in fury. Both horses shot forward, and their spears clashed. They fought for over a hundred rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. From his vantage point, Liu Bei marveled, "Truly a tiger of a general!" Fearing for Zhang Fei's safety, he ordered the gongs to sound the retreat. Both generals returned to their lines. Zhang Fei rested his horse briefly, then removed his helmet, wrapped his head in a cloth, and rode out again to challenge Ma Chao. Ma Chao emerged, and they fought once more. Liu Bei, still anxious, donned his armor and descended the pass to watch from the front lines. He saw Zhang Fei and Ma Chao battle for another hundred rounds, both fighting with renewed vigor. Liu Bei ordered the gongs again, and the two parted, returning to their camps.
As night fell, Liu Bei said to Zhang Fei, "Ma Chao is a fierce opponent. Do not underestimate him. Let us withdraw to the pass and resume battle tomorrow." But Zhang Fei, his blood up, would not yield. "I would rather die than retreat!" he roared. Liu Bei said, "It is too dark to fight now." Zhang Fei cried, "Light more torches! We will fight by night!" Ma Chao also changed his horse and rode out again, shouting, "Zhang Fei! Do you dare a night battle?" Zhang Fei, his temper flaring, exchanged his mount and charged out, shouting, "If I do not capture you, I swear I will not return to the pass!" Ma Chao replied, "If I do not defeat you, I swear I will not return to my camp!" The armies raised a great shout, and thousands of torches were lit, illuminating the scene as bright as day. The two generals clashed again in the night. After more than twenty exchanges, Ma Chao suddenly turned his horse and fled. Zhang Fei gave chase, shouting, "Where do you think you're going?" Ma Chao, realizing he could not overcome Zhang Fei, had devised a plan: feigning defeat, he lured Zhang Fei closer, then secretly drew a bronze hammer. Twisting in his saddle, he hurled it at Zhang Fei. But Zhang Fei, wary of a trick, dodged, and the hammer flew past his ear. Zhang Fei reined in his horse and fled in turn, with Ma Chao now pursuing. Zhang Fei halted, drew his bow, and shot an arrow back at Ma Chao, who evaded it. Both generals returned to their lines. Liu Bei called out from his position, "I treat men with benevolence and righteousness, not deceit. Ma Mengqi, withdraw your troops and rest. I will not take advantage of you." Hearing this, Ma Chao himself covered the retreat as his forces slowly fell back. Liu Bei also withdrew to the pass.
The next day, Zhang Fei again wanted to descend and fight Ma Chao. But word came that the strategist had arrived. Liu Bei welcomed Zhuge Liang, who said, "I have heard that Ma Chao is a tiger among generals. If he and Zhang Fei fight to the death, one of them will surely be harmed. I have left Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong to hold Mianzhu and have come here by night. I have a small plan to make Ma Chao submit to you, my lord." Liu Bei said, "I have seen Ma Chao's bravery and admire him greatly. How can we win him over?" Zhuge Liang replied, "I have heard that Zhang Lu of Eastern Sichuan intends to proclaim himself King of Hanning. His adviser, Yang Song, is extremely greedy for bribes. My lord, send a trusted man by a hidden route to Hanzhong. First, use gold and pearls to win over Yang Song, then send a letter to Zhang Lu, saying: 'My struggle with Liu Zhang for Western Sichuan is actually avenging your honor. Do not listen to slanderous words. When the matter is settled, I will guarantee your title as King of Hanning.' This will make him recall Ma Chao's army. When the order to withdraw comes, we can use a scheme to persuade Ma Chao to surrender." Liu Bei was delighted. He immediately wrote a letter and sent Sun Qian with gold and jewels to Hanzhong by a lesser road. Sun Qian first visited Yang Song, explained the plan, and presented the gifts. Yang Song was overjoyed. He led Sun Qian before Zhang Lu and laid out the proposal. Zhang Lu said, "Liu Bei is only a General of the Left. How can he guarantee my title as King of Hanning?" Yang Song replied, "He is an Imperial Uncle of the Han dynasty, perfectly suited to recommend you." Zhang Lu was pleased and sent a messenger ordering Ma Chao to cease his attack. Sun Qian remained at Yang Song's house to await the reply.
Within days, the messenger returned: "Ma Chao says he cannot withdraw before achieving success." Zhang Lu sent another messenger, but again Ma Chao refused. After three such refusals, Yang Song said, "This man has always been untrustworthy. He refuses to stop fighting, which suggests he intends to rebel." He then spread rumors: "Ma Chao wants to seize Western Sichuan for himself, declare himself ruler of Shu, and avenge his father. He will not serve Hanzhong." When Zhang Lu heard this, he asked Yang Song for advice. Yang Song said, "Send someone to tell Ma Chao: 'Since you wish to succeed, I give you one month to accomplish three tasks. If you do, you will be rewarded; if not, you will be executed. First, capture Western Sichuan. Second, bring me Liu Zhang's head. Third, drive back the army from Jing Province. If you fail in any of these, present your own head.' At the same time, order Zhang Wei to garrison the passes and guard against any mutiny by Ma Chao's troops." Zhang Lu agreed and sent a messenger to Ma Chao's camp with these three demands. Ma Chao was stunned. "How did things come to this?" he asked Ma Dai. "Perhaps we should withdraw." Yang Song then spread more rumors: "Ma Chao's retreat signals his treacherous intent." Zhang Wei deployed seven divisions to block the passes, refusing Ma Chao's army entry. Ma Chao found himself trapped, unable to advance or retreat, with no plan in sight.
Zhuge Liang said to Liu Bei, "Now that Ma Chao is caught between a rock and a hard place, I will use my eloquence to go to his camp and persuade him to surrender." Liu Bei replied, "You are my very heart and limbs, Master. If any harm comes to you, what then?" Zhuge Liang insisted, but Liu Bei repeatedly refused to let him go. As they debated, a report arrived that Zhao Yun had sent a letter recommending a man from Western Sichuan who wished to surrender. Liu Bei summoned the man, who was Li Hui, styled De'ang, from Yuyuan in Jianning. Liu Bei asked, "I have heard that you once earnestly advised Liu Zhang. Why do you now come to me?" Li Hui replied, "I have heard that a wise bird chooses its tree, and a wise minister chooses his lord. My earlier remonstrance to Liu Zhang was to fulfill my duty as a subject. Since he would not heed my words, I knew he was doomed. Now, your virtue, General, is known throughout Shu. I see that your cause will surely succeed, so I have come to join you." Liu Bei said, "Your arrival, sir, must surely benefit my cause." Li Hui said, "I have heard that Ma Chao is now in a difficult position, unable to advance or retreat. I once had an acquaintance with him in Longxi. Allow me to go and persuade him to surrender. What do you think?" Zhuge Liang said, "I was just looking for someone to go in my stead. I would like to hear your plan." Li Hui whispered something into Zhuge Liang's ear. The strategist was delighted and immediately sent him on his way.
Li Hui arrived at Ma Chao's camp and first sent a messenger to announce his name. Ma Chao said, "I know Li Hui is a persuasive speaker. He has come to win me over." He ordered twenty swordsmen to hide behind the tent, instructing them, "When I give the signal, cut him to pieces!" Soon, Li Hui entered with his head held high. Ma Chao sat motionless in his tent and barked, "Why have you come?" Li Hui replied, "I have come as a persuader." Ma Chao said, "My sword is freshly sharpened. Speak your piece. If your words are not sound, you will taste its edge!" Li Hui laughed. "General, your doom is near! I fear your new sword will not taste my head, but your own!" Ma Chao demanded, "What doom do you speak of?" Li Hui said, "I have heard that Xi Shi of Yue could not be made ugly by slander, nor Wuyan of Qi made beautiful by praise. The sun reaches its zenith and then declines; the moon waxes full and then wanes. This is the eternal law of the world. Now, General, you have a blood feud with Cao Cao, who murdered your father, and you have bitter enemies in Longxi. You cannot aid Liu Zhang by driving back the army from Jing, nor can you control Yang Song or even see Zhang Lu's face. The realm has no place for you, and you have no master to serve. If you suffer another defeat like at Weishui or lose another city like Ji, what face will you have to show the world?" Ma Chao bowed his head and apologized. "Your words are excellent, but I see no path forward." Li Hui said, "If you truly accept my advice, why do you have swordsmen hidden in your tent?" Deeply ashamed, Ma Chao dismissed them all. Li Hui continued, "Liu the Imperial Uncle treats men of talent with courtesy. I know his cause will succeed, so I left Liu Zhang to join him. Your father once swore an oath with the Imperial Uncle to destroy the traitors. Why not turn from darkness to light, avenge your father above, and win glory below?" Ma Chao was overjoyed. He summoned Yang Bo, cut him down with a single stroke, and took his head. Together with Li Hui, he went to the pass to surrender to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei welcomed him personally and treated him with the highest courtesy. Ma Chao bowed his head and said, "Now that I have met an enlightened lord, it is like the clouds parting to reveal the blue sky!" By this time, Sun Qian had also returned. Liu Bei ordered Huo Jun and Meng Da to hold the pass, then withdrew his forces to take Chengdu. Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong met him at Mianzhu. Word arrived that Liu Zhang's generals, Liu Jun and Ma Han, were leading troops toward them. Zhao Yun said, "Allow me to capture these two!" He mounted his horse and led his men out. Liu Bei was feasting Ma Chao on the city wall when, before the banquet had even begun, Zhao Yun returned with the heads of both men, presented before the table. Even Ma Chao was astonished and treated Zhao Yun with even greater respect. Ma Chao said, "There is no need for your lordship's troops to fight. I will summon Liu Zhang to surrender. If he refuses, I and my cousin Ma Dai will take Chengdu and offer it to you with both hands." Liu Bei was overjoyed, and they feasted heartily that day.
Defeated soldiers returned to Yi Province and reported to Liu Zhang. He was terrified and shut himself up in the city. When word came that Ma Chao's relief force had arrived at the northern gate, Liu Zhang dared to ascend the wall and look. He saw Ma Chao and Ma Dai standing below the city, shouting, "Summon Liu Jiyu to speak with us!" Liu Zhang asked from the wall, and Ma Chao pointed with his whip. "I came with Zhang Lu's army to rescue Yi Province," he said, "but Zhang Lu listened to the slander of Yang Song and turned against me. I have now surrendered to Liu the Imperial Uncle. You should submit and yield your territory to spare the people suffering. If you remain stubborn, I will attack the city!" Liu Zhang's face turned the color of ash, and he collapsed on the wall. His officials revived him. Liu Zhang said, "I was blind. What use is regret now? Better to open the gates and surrender to save the city's people." Dong He protested, "We still have over thirty thousand troops within the walls, and enough money, grain, and supplies to last a year. Why surrender so easily?" Liu Zhang replied, "My father and I have ruled in Shu for over twenty years, but we have done nothing to earn the people's gratitude. For three years, we have fought, and the fields have been soaked with blood—all my fault. My heart cannot bear it. Better to surrender and give the people peace." When the officials heard this, they wept. Suddenly, a man stepped forward and said, "Your words, my lord, are in accord with Heaven's will." It was Qiao Zhou, styled Yunnan, from Xichong in Baxi, a man known for his knowledge of astronomy. Liu Zhang asked him, and Qiao Zhou replied, "I observed the heavens last night. The stars were gathered over Shu Commandery, and one great star shone like the full moon—a sign of an emperor. Moreover, a year ago, children sang a rhyme: 'To eat new rice, wait for the first lord to come.' This is an omen. Do not oppose Heaven's way." Huang Quan and Liu Ba were furious at this and wanted to kill Qiao Zhou, but Liu Zhang stopped them. Just then, news arrived that Xu Jing, the Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, had scaled the wall and surrendered. Liu Zhang wept bitterly and returned to his residence.
The next day, word came that Liu the Imperial Uncle had sent his adviser, Jian Yong, to call at the city gate. Liu Zhang ordered the gates opened and admitted him. Jian Yong sat arrogantly in his carriage, looking down on everyone. Suddenly, a man drew his sword and shouted, "You upstart, so proud of your success! Do you dare to look down on the men of Shu?" Jian Yong hastily dismounted and greeted him. The man was Qin Mi, styled Zichi, from Mianzhu in Guanghan. Jian Yong laughed and said, "I did not recognize you, worthy sir. Please do not take offense." Together, they entered to see Liu Zhang. Jian Yong explained that Liu Bei was magnanimous and had no intention of harming him. Liu Zhang then resolved to surrender. He treated Jian Yong generously, and the next day, he personally carried his seal, ribbons, and official documents, riding in the same carriage as Jian Yong to surrender. Liu Bei came out of his camp to welcome him, took his hand, and wept. "It is not that I lack benevolence," he said, "but circumstances forced my hand." Together, they entered the camp, where the seals and documents were handed over, and they rode into the city side by side.
When Liu Bei entered Chengdu, the common people greeted him with incense, flowers, lanterns, and candles at the city gates. Liu Bei ascended the hall of the governor's mansion and took his seat. All the officials of the commandery bowed before him—except Huang Quan and Liu Ba, who shut themselves in their homes and refused to come out. The generals were furious and wanted to kill them, but Liu Bei quickly issued an order: "Anyone who harms these two men will have their entire clan executed!" He then personally visited their homes and invited them to serve. Moved by his courtesy and kindness, they finally emerged. Zhuge Liang said, "Now that Western Sichuan is pacified, there cannot be two rulers. You should send Liu Zhang to Jing Province." Liu Bei replied, "I have only just taken Shu. It is too soon to send Liu Jiyu far away." Zhuge Liang said, "Liu Zhang lost his kingdom because he was too weak. If you, my lord, show the mercy of a woman and hesitate in making decisions, I fear this land will not long remain yours." Liu Bei accepted this advice. He held a great banquet and allowed Liu Zhang to gather his belongings, then bestowed upon him the seal and ribbon of General Who Suppresses Might. He ordered Liu Zhang, along with his wife, children, and entire household, to proceed to Gong'an in Nan Commandery, and to depart that very day.
Liu Bei then proclaimed himself Governor of Yi Province. He generously rewarded all the civil and military officials who had surrendered, assigning them titles and ranks: Yan Yan became General of the Vanguard; Fa Zheng, Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery; Dong He, General of the Household in Charge of the Army; Xu Jing, Chief Clerk to the General of the Left; Pang Yi, Major of the Camp; Liu Ba, General of the Left; Huang Quan, General of the Right. The remaining civil and military officials who surrendered—over sixty men, including Wu Yi, Fei Guan, Peng Yang, Zhuo Ying, Li Yan, Wu Lan, Lei Tong, Li Hui, Zhang Yi, Qin Mi, Qiao Zhou, Lü Yi, Huo Jun, Deng Zhi, Yang Hong, Zhou Qun, Fei Yi, Fei Shi, and Meng Da—were all appointed to posts. Zhuge Liang became the military strategist; Guan Yu, General Who Quells Rebels and Lord of Hanshou; Zhang Fei, General Who Subdues Rebels and Lord of Xinting; Zhao Yun, General Who Pacifies Distant Lands; Huang Zhong, General Who Conquers the West; Wei Yan, General Who Displays Martial Might; and Ma Chao, General Who Pacifies the West. Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Liu Feng, Wu Ban, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, Ma Liang, Ma Su, Jiang Wan, Yi Ji, and the entire group of civil and military officials from Jing Province were all promoted and rewarded. He sent messengers with five hundred catties of gold, one thousand catties of silver, fifty million coins, and one thousand bolts of Shu brocade as a gift to Guan Yu. The other officers and soldiers were rewarded according to their merits. Oxen and horses were slaughtered, and the troops feasted. The granaries were opened to relieve the people, and both the army and the populace rejoiced.
With Yi Province pacified, Liu Bei wanted to distribute the famous fields and estates of Chengdu among his officers. Zhao Yun advised against it. "The people of Yi Province have suffered repeated warfare," he said. "Their fields and homes are in ruins. These should be returned to the people so they can resettle and resume their livelihoods. Only then will the people's hearts be won. They should not be taken as private rewards." Liu Bei was delighted and followed his advice. He ordered Zhuge Liang to establish laws for governing the province, and the penal code was made quite severe. Fa Zheng said, "In the past, Emperor Gao Zu made a covenant of three articles, and the people were grateful for his virtue. I hope the strategist will lighten the laws to comfort the people." Zhuge Liang replied, "You understand one side of the matter, but not the other. The Qin dynasty ruled with cruelty, and the people resented it, so Gao Zu won them with leniency. But Liu Zhang was weak and ineffective; virtue was not practiced, and authority was not upheld. The proper relationship between lord and subject gradually decayed. When positions are given as favors, the recipient becomes arrogant when the favor is exhausted; when kindness is shown without limits, the recipient becomes insolent when the kindness runs out. The root of all these ills lies here. Now, I will enforce the law with severity. When the law is enforced, the people will appreciate kindness. I will limit ranks, so that when a rank is granted, it will be valued. With kindness and honor working together, superiors and subordinates will know their proper place. This is the true way of governance." Fa Zheng bowed in admiration. From then on, both the army and the people lived in peace. The forty-one commanderies were garrisoned with troops and pacified.
Fa Zheng, as Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, repaid every favor, no matter how small, and avenged every grievance, no matter how slight. Someone reported to Zhuge Liang, "Fa Zheng is too tyrannical. You should restrain him." Zhuge Liang replied, "When our lord was trapped in Jing Province, fearing Cao Cao to the north and wary of Sun Quan to the east, it was Fa Zheng who helped him spread his wings and soar beyond their reach. How can I now restrain him from indulging his own will just a little?" He took no action. When Fa Zheng heard of this, he moderated his behavior on his own.
One day, Liu Bei was chatting with Zhuge Liang when a report arrived that Guan Yu had sent Guan Ping to thank him for the gifts of gold and silk. Liu Bei summoned him. After Guan Ping had paid his respects, he presented a letter and said, "My father has heard that Ma Chao is exceptionally skilled in martial arts. He wants to come to Sichuan to compete with him and has instructed me to inform you, my uncle." Liu Bei was startled. "If Guan Yu comes to Shu and competes with Ma Chao, there will be no end to the trouble." Zhuge Liang said, "It is no matter. I will write a reply." Liu Bei, fearing Guan Yu's impetuous nature, had Zhuge Liang compose the letter and sent Guan Ping back to Jing Province that very night. When Guan Ping returned to Jing Province, Guan Yu asked, "I wanted to compete with Ma Chao. Did you tell them?" Guan Ping replied, "The strategist has sent a letter." Guan Yu opened it and read: "I have heard that you wish to measure yourself against Ma Chao. In my estimation, Ma Chao, though fierce and extraordinary, is no more than a man like Qing Bu or Peng Yue—he might match Zhang Fei in a contest, but he cannot compare to the peerless excellence of the Lord of the Beautiful Beard. You, General, are entrusted with the defense of Jing Province—a charge of no small importance. If you were to enter Shu and Jing Province were lost, the blame would be immense. I hope you will consider this carefully." Guan Yu read the letter, stroked his beard, and laughed. "Zhuge Liang knows my heart." He showed the letter to all his guests and abandoned the idea of entering Shu.
Now, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu learned that Liu Bei had swallowed up Western Sichuan and driven Liu Zhang to Gong'an. He summoned Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong to discuss the matter. "When Liu Bei borrowed Jing Province from me," Sun Quan said, "he promised to return it after taking Western Sichuan. Now that he has seized the forty-one commanderies of Ba and Shu, I must demand the return of the lands north of the Han River. If he refuses, I will take up arms." Zhang Zhao said, "The land of Wu has only just been pacified. We cannot yet move troops. But I have a plan that will make Liu Bei return Jing Province with both hands."
Truly, it was: A new sun and moon had just risen over Western Shu, but Eastern Wu now came to claim its old mountains and rivers. What this plan was, the next chapter will reveal.