ve old liking for each other； and he has bribed you to do his dirty work for him and help his base schemes。 Now you want to betray my army。 I ought to take off your head； but temporarily I will let your neck carry it away。 Get out and never let me see you again。〃
The discredited adviser sighed and went out； saying； 〃Faithful words offend his ear。 He is a pest and unworthy of advice from me。 And now that Shen Pei has injured my son and nephew； how can I look my fellow folks in the face again？〃
And Xu You drew his sword to end his life。 But his people prevented that。
They said； 〃If Yuan Shao rejects your honest words； then assuredly he will be taken by Cao Cao。 You are an old friend of Cao Cao's： Why not abandon the shade for the sunlight？〃
Just these few words awakened Xu You to consciousness of his position； and he decided to leave Yuan Shao and go over to Cao Cao for he was an old friend。
Vainly now for chances lost
Yuan Shao sighs； once he was great。
Had he taken Xu You's advice；
Cao Cao had not set up a state。
Xu You stealthily left the camp and set out for Cao Cao's lines。 He was captured on the way。 He told his captors： 〃I am an old friend of the Prime Minister。 Go and tell the Prime Minister that Xu You of Nanyang wishes to see him。〃
They did so。 Cao Cao was resting in his tent； his clothing loose and fortable after the toils of the day。 When he heard who wished to see him； he arose quite joyfully and hastily ran out； on bare feet； to receive Xu You。 Cao Cao went forth to greet him。 They saw each other in the distance； and Cao Cao clapped his hands with gladness； bowing to the ground when near enough to his visitor。
Xu You hastened to help him rise； saying； 〃Sir； you； a great minister； sh