and government。 If I were not so young and if I possessed any talent； I would venture to question you。〃
Liu Bei replied； 〃Sima Hui and Xu Shu have both spoken of you。 Can it be that their words were vain？ I trust； O Master； that you will not despise my worthlessness but will condescend to instruct me。〃
〃The two men you speak of are very profound scholars。 I am but a peasant； a mere farmer； and who am I that I should talk of empire politics？ Those two misled you when they spoke of me。 Why do you reject the beautiful jewel for a worthless pebble？〃
〃But your abilities are world embracing and marvelous。 How can you be content to allow time to pass while you idle away life in these secluded haunts？ I conjure you； O Master； to remember the inhabitants of the empire and remove my crass ignorance by bestowing instruction upon me。〃
〃But what is your ambition； General？〃
Liu Bei moved his seat nearer to his host and said； 〃The Hans are sinking： Designing ministers steal away their authority。 I am weak； yet I desire to restore the state to its right mind。 But my ignorance is too vast； my means are too slender； and I know not where to turn。 Only you； Master； can lighten my darkness and preserve me from falling。 How happy should I be if you would do so！〃
Zhuge Liang replied； 〃One bold person after another has arisen in various parts of the empire ever since the days of the rebel Dong Zhuo。 Cao Cao was not so powerful as Yuan Shao； but he overcame Yuan Shao by seizing the favorable moment and using his soldiers properly。 Now he is all…powerful： He rules an immense army and； through his control of the court； the various feudal lords as well。 You cannot think of opposing him。 Then the Suns have held their territory in the South Land for three ge