the only two persons of real worth in the whole empire。 If he with all his power and authority did not dare to place himself in front of you； I do not think you need grieve about having acplished nothing。〃
At this flattering speech Liu Bei； as wine was getting the better of him and in a half maudlin manner； replied； 〃If I only had a starting point； then I would not be afraid of anyone in a world full of fools。〃
His host said no more and the guest； feeling that he had slipped up in speech； rose as if drunk； took leave； and staggered out saying he must return to his lodging to recover。
The episode has been celebrated in a poem：
When with crooking fingers counting；
Cao Cao reckoned up the forceful
Humans of real determination；
Only two he found； and one was
Liu Bei。 But by inaction
He had grown both fat and slothful；
Yet the months and years in passing
Fretted him with nought acplished。
Though Liu Biao kept silence when he heard the words of Liu Bei； yet he felt the more uneasy。 After the departure of his guest； he retired into the inner quarters where he met his wife。
Lady Cai said； 〃I happened to be behind the screen just now and so heard the words of Liu Bei。 They betray scant regard for other people and mean that he would take your territory if he could。 If you do not remove him； it will go ill with you。〃
Her husband made no reply； but only shook his head。
Then Lady Cai took counsel with her kinsman Cai Mao； who said； 〃Let me go to the guest…house and slay him forthwith； and we can report what we have done。〃
His sister consented and he went out； and that night told off a party of soldiers to do the foul deed。
Now Liu Bei sat in his lodging by the light