ver Land； which was the region of Yizhou； and East River Land； which corresponded to Hanzhong。 Both River Lands were the mountainous lands west of Jingzhou。
Zhuge Liang paused while he bade the lad bring out a map。 As this was unrolled Zhuge Liang went on； 〃There you see the fifty…four counties of the west。 Should you wish to take the overlordship； you will yield the Heaven's favor to Cao Cao in the north； and you will relinquish the Earth's advantage to Sun Quan in the south。 You； General； will hold the Human's heart and plete the trinity。 Jingzhou is to be taken first as a home； the River Lands* next for the foundation of domination。 When you are firmly established； you can lay your plans for the attainment of the whole empire。〃
As Zhuge Liang ceased his harangue； Liu Bei left his place and saluted him； saying； 〃Your words； O Master； render everything so clear that the clouds are swept aside and I see the clear sky。 But Jingzhou belongs to Liu Biao； my kinsman； and Yizhou to another kinsman Liu Zhang。 I could hardly take the lands from them。〃
〃I have studied the stars and I know Liu Biao is not long for this world。 Further； Liu Zhang is not the sort of man to endure。 Both places will certainly fall to you。〃
Liu Bei bowed his acknowledgments。 And so； in one conversation； Zhuge Liang proved that he； who had lived in plete retirement all his life； knew and foresaw the tripod division into which the empire was to break。 True； indeed； is it that throughout all the ages no one has ever equaled his intelligence and mastery of the situation。
Behold； when Liu Bei frets that he is weak；
Then Sleeping Dragon is not far to seek；
When he desires to know how things will hap；
The Master； smiling； shows him on the map。
〃T