for 800 years （BC 1050…221）。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Lu Wang was a master strategist； founding minister of Zhou Dynasty； counselor to King Wen。 Before joining King Wen； Lu Wang had been a fisher； who mediated on the river bank on political events。 。。。。。
＇e＇ Wei was a state in the Warring States period。 Wei came into existence after the partition of Jin。 Succeeded Jin in dominating the empire for some time。 。。。。。
Sun Quan said； 〃Provision against eventualities； such as he proposes； is good。 Against a distant risk provide； and sorrow walks not by your side。〃
So they sent soldiers to build ramparts at River Ruxu； and as the work ceased not day or night the wall was soon pleted。
In the capital Cao Cao's influence and glory waxed daily greater。 High Counselor Dong Zhao proposed that the title of duke should be conferred upon him。
Dong Zhao said； 〃In all history； no one has rendered such services as you have； O Prime Minister； not even Duke of Zhou* or Lu Wang*。 These thirty years you have exposed yourself to all risks； been bed by the wind and bathed by the rain； and you have swept evil from the empire； succored the distressed； and restored the Hans。 Who of all statesmen can rank with you？ It would be fitting for you to bee the Duke of Wei* and receive the Nine Dignities； that your merit and virtue be known to all。〃
Now the Nine Dignities； or signs of honor； were：
1。 Chariots： Gilded chariots drawn by eight horses
2。 Court dresses： Dragon…embroidered robes； headdresses； and shoes
3。 Music at banquets： By royal bands
4。 Red doors： Symbols of wealth
5。 Inner staircase： Protection for every step
6。 Imperial Tiger Guard： Three hundred at the gates
7。 Imperial axes： manding and ceremonial symbols
8。 Bow and arrows： Red…lacquered bow with a hundred arrows
9。 Libation vessels： Jade tablets and libation cups
However； all the courtiers were not of one mind。
Said High Adviser Xun Yu； 〃This should not be done； O Prime Minister。 You raised a force by an appeal to the innate sense of righteousness of the people； and with that force you restored the Han authority。 Now you should remain loyal and humble。 The virtuous person loves people with a virtuous love and would not act in this way。〃
Cao Cao did not take this opposition kindly。
Dong Zhao said； 〃How can we disappoint the hopes of many because of the words of one？〃
So a memorial went to the Throne； and Cao Cao's ambitions and desires were gratified with the title of Duke of Wei。 The Nine Dignities were added。
〃I did not think to see this day！〃 said Xun Yu； sighing。
This remark was repeated to the newly created Duke and angered him。 He took it to mean that Xun Yu would no longer aid him or favor his designs。
＇e＇ In previous campaigns； Cao Cao always left Xun Yu at the capital and appointed Xun Yu Court Administrator； who managed Cao Cao's affair in his absence。
In the winter of the seventeenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity （AD 212）； Cao Cao decided to send an army to conquer the South Land； and he ordered Xun Yu to go with it*。 Xun Yu understood from this that Cao Cao wished his death； so he declined the appointment on the plea of illness。 While Xun Yu was at home； he received one day a box such as one sent with presents of dainties。 It was addressed in Cao Cao's own handwriting。 Opening it； Xun Yu found therein nothing。 He understood； so he took poison and died。 He was fifty…two years of age。
Xun Yu's talents were to all people known；
That was sad that at the door of power he tripped。
Posterity is wrong to class him with the noble Zhang Liang；
For； nearing death； he dared not face his lord of Han。
News of Xun Yu's death came to Cao Cao in the form of the ordinary letter of mourning by his son； Xun Yun。 Then Cao Cao was sorry and gave orders for an imposing funeral。 He also obtained for the dead man the posthumous title of lordship。
The northern army reached River Ruxu； whence Cao Cao sent a reconnaissance of thirty thousand troops led by Cao Hong down to the river。
Soon Cao Hong reported： 〃The enemy's fleet blankets the river； but no sign of movements。〃
Feeling suspicious； Cao Cao led his army to the river to watch the enemy and deploy his troops。 On the river he saw displayed a fleet of ships all arranged in admirable order； the divisions being marked by distinctive flags。 The equipment glittered in the sunlight。 In the center was a large ship whereon was a huge umbrella； and beneath the shade sat Sun Quan in the midst of his staff。
〃That is the sort of son to have；〃 said Cao Cao in admiration； 〃not such piglets and puppies as Liu Biao's。〃
Suddenly； at the explosion of a bomb； the ships got under way and came flying toward him； while a force moved out of River Ruxu。 Cao Cao's soldiers at once retired in great haste。 A pany led by the green…eyed； purple…bearded Sun Quan made straight for Cao Cao； who hastily retreated。 But Cao Cao was sore pressed by other Sun Quan's manders； Han Dang and Zhou Tai； and it had gone hard with him but that Xu Chu came to his rescue and fought with the troops of the South Land till his master could escape。 Xu Chu fought some score bouts before he could draw off and return to his own aide。
When Cao Cao returned to camp； he conferred rich rewards upon his henchman who had saved him； and he reprimanded his other leaders for their too hasty retirement。
〃You blunt the keen spirits of the army。 And if you do such a thing again； I will put you to death；〃 said Cao Cao。
About midnight that night there arose great motion at the gates of the camp。 When Cao Cao went outside； he found that the enemy had crept up secretly and started a conflagration。 The soldiers of the South Land forced their way into the stockade and went hither and thither； slaying till morning broke。 Then Cao Cao and his army retired。
Cao Cao was greatly distressed by this misfortune。 He was sitting in his tent poring over the Book of War when Cheng Yu came in to see him。
〃O Prime Minister；〃 said Cheng Yu； 〃you who know so thoroughly the art of war； have you forgotten the maxim to strike quickly？ You had your army ready； but you postponed action and allowed your enemies to build the ramparts at River Ruxu。 Now you will find it hard to capture the place。 It would be better now to retreat on the capital and await a more propitious moment。〃
Cao Cao listened； but said nothing。 After a time Cheng Yu went away。 Cao Cao remained seated in his tent； leaning on a small table by his side。 And he fell asleep。 Suddenly he heard a sound as of a rushing stream or galloping squadrons of horse； and out of the river in front of him arose a huge red sun； so bright that his eyes were dazzled by it。 Looking up at the sky； he saw two other suns as if reflections of this one。 And as he wondered； the first sun suddenly flew up and then dropped among the hills in front of his camp with a roar like thunder。
This woke him。 He was in his tent and had been dreaming； and the sentry at his tent door was just reporting noon。
Soon he had his horse saddled and rode out； with a small escort of fifty riders； toward the spot he had seen in his dream。 As he stood gazing around him； an army of horse came along with Sun Quan at their head。 Sun Quan wore a glittering helmet and was clad in silver armor。
Seeing his chief enemy； Sun Quan showed no sign of haste or dismay； but reined in his steed on a rise。
Pointing with his whip at Cao Cao； Sun Quan said； 〃Behold the all…powerful minister who holds the Middle Land in the hollow of his hand！ He has reached the acme of wealth and good fortune and yet he is not content； but must e to encroach upon our South Land。〃
Cao Cao replied； 〃You are disobedient； and the mand of the Emperor is to exterminate you！〃
〃What words！〃 cried Sun Quan with a laugh。 〃Are you not ashamed？ Everyone knows that you control every act of the Emperor and you tyrannize over the nobles。 I am no rebel against the dynasty； but I do desire to capture you and reform the government。〃
Cao Cao grew angry at this speech and bade his generals go over and take Sun Quan prisoner。 But before they could obey； Han Dang and Zhou Tai； Chen Wu and Pan Zhang led out two armies of soldiers from left and right at the sound of beating drums； and arrows and crossbow bolts began to fall like raindrops around Cao Cao。