irement and others anxious to hold on till the warm weather。 Their chief could not make up his mind。
Then there came a messenger from the South Land bearing a letter of Sun Quan； which read：
〃You and I； O Prime Minister； are both servants of Han； but you are careless for the tranquillity of the people and think only of battle； thereby causing great suffering。 Is this conduct worthy of a kindly person？
〃But spring with its heavy rains is at hand； and you would be wise to retire while you can。 If not； you may expect a repetition of the misfortune at the Red Cliffs。 It would be well to consider this。〃
And on the back of the letter was a note in a line running thus： 〃No tranquillity for me while you live！〃
Cao Cao read the letter and laughed。
〃Sun Quan speaks the truth！〃 said he。
He rewarded the messenger and issued orders to retreat。 The Governor of Lujiang； Zhu Guang； was left to guard Huancheng。 The army marched for the capital。
Sun Quan returned to Jianye。
At a meeting of his advisers Sun Quan said； 〃Cao Cao has marched north； Liu Bei is at Jiameng Pass。 Why should I not lead the army that has just repulsed the northern forces to take Jingzhou？〃
Thereupon Zhang Zhao offered another plan； saying； 〃Do not move a soldier。 I know how to keep Liu Bei from returning to Jingzhou。〃
Cao Cao's army march away；
Sun Quan's thoughts then southward stray。
The scheme proposed by Zhang Zhao will be unfolded in the next chapter。
Main Next to Chapter 62 》》
Romance of Three Kingdoms … by Luo Guanzhong … Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Taking Of River Fu Pass； Yang Huai and Gao Pei Are Slain；
Siege Of Luocheng； Huang Zhong and Wei Yan Rival。
Zhang Zhao proceeded to unf