d been delayed by the dangers on the north and； so far； no attack had been made。
Late in the eighth year （AD 203）； Sun Quan led his armies against Huang Zu and fought on the Great River； where he was successful in several battles。 One of Sun Quan's leaders； Ling Cao； led a fleet of light vessels up the river and broke into Xiakou but was killed by an arrow of Gan Ning； a general of Huang Zu。 Ling Cao left a son； Ling Tong； fifteen years of age； who led another expedition to recover his father's corpse and was so far successful。 After that； as the war was inclined to go against him； Sun Quan returned again to his own country。
Now Sun Quan's younger brother； Sun Yi； was Governor of Dangyang。 He was a hard man and given to drink and； in his cups； very harsh to his people； ordering the infliction of severe floggings。 Two of his officers； Military Inspector Gui Lan and Secretary Dai Yuan； bore their chief a grudge and sought to assassinate him。 They took into their confidence one Bian Hong； of the escort； and the three plotted to kill their master at a great assembly of officials at Dangyang amid the banquets。
Sun Yi's wife； Lady Xu； was skilled in divination； and on the day of the great banquet she cast a most inauspicious lot。 Wherefore she besought her husband to stay away from the assembly。 But he was obstinate and went。 The faithless guardsman followed his master in the dusk when the gathering dispersed； and stabbed him with a dagger。
The two prime movers at once seized Bian Hong and beheaded him in the market place。 Then they went to Sun Yi's residence； which they plundered。
Gui Lan was taken with the beauty of the dead Governor's wife and told her； 〃I had avenged the death of your husband； and you must go with me。〃
Lady Xu ple