the Hans and help me？〃
Jia Xu prostrated himself； saying； 〃That is my dearest wish。 But； Sire； say no more： Let thy servant work out a plan。〃
The Emperor dried his tears； and soon Li Jue came in。 He wore a sword by his side and strode straight up to the Emperor； whose face became the color of clay。
Then Li Jue spoke； 〃Guo Si has failed in his duty and imprisoned the court officers。 He wished to slay Your Majesty； and you would have been captured but for me。〃
The Emperor joined his hands together in salute and thanked Li Jue。 Li Jue went away。
Before long Huangfu Li entered。 The Emperor； knowing him as a man of persuasive tongue and that he came from the same county as Li Jue； bade him go to both factions to try to arrange peace。
Huangfu Li accepted the mission and first went to Guo Si； who said； 〃I would release the officers if Li Jue would restore the Emperor to full liberty。〃
Huangfu Li then went to the other side。 To Li Jue he said； 〃Since I am a Xiliang man； the Emperor and the officers have selected me to make peace between you and your adversary。 Guo Si has consented to cease the quarrel。 Will you agree to peace？〃
〃I overthrew Lu Bu； I have upheld the government for four years and have many great services to my credit as all the world knows。 That other fellow； that horse…thief； has dared to seize the officers of state and to set himself up against me。 I have sworn to slay him。 Look around you。 Do you not think my army large enough to break him？〃
〃It does not follow；〃 said Huangfu Li。 〃In ancient days in Youqiong； Hou Yi； proud of and confident in his archer's skill； gave no thought to others and governed alone； and he so perished。 Lately you yourself have seen the powerful Dong Zhuo betrayed by Lu Bu；