all desire to return home。 They weep whenever they look to the north。 The others belong to Yanzhou or Yuzhou； being remnants of the armies of Lu Bu and Zhang Yang。 Beaten； stern necessity forced them to accept service； but they take it only as a temporary expedient。 They who have been wounded hate each other。 If I give the signal to return and send my drums to the mountain tops； and wave the white flag to show them they may surrender； they will melt away like dew before the sun； and no blood will be shed。 The victory will be mine。
〃Now the Hans are failing and the bonds of empire are relaxed。 The sacred dynasty has no supporter； the ministers are not strong enough to cope with the difficulties。 Within the capital the responsible ministers are crestfallen and helpless。 There is no one to rely upon。 Such loyal and high principled people as are left are browbeaten by a tyrannical minister。 How can they manifest their virtue？
〃Cao Cao has surrounded the Palace with seven hundred veterans； the ostensible object being to guard the Emperor； but the covert design being to hold him prisoner。 I fear this is but the first step in usurpation； and so I take my part。 Now is the time for loyal ministers to sacrifice their lives； the opportunity for officers to perform meritorious deeds。 Can I fail to urge you？
〃Cao Cao has forged mands to himself to undertake the control of government affairs and； in the name of the state； sends out calls for military assistance。 I fear lest distant regions may obey his behest and send troops to help him； to the detriment of the multitude and their everlasting shame。 No wise person will do so。
〃The forces of four regions………Bingzhou； Jizhou； Qingzhou； and Youzhou………are moving out simultaneously。 When this call reaches Jingz