we can do as we please。〃
Liu Bei agreed to this and sent a messenger to Chengdu。 When his messenger reached the River Fu Pass； Yang Huai and Gao Pei； who manded the garrison； already knew of the design； and the former of the two generals went with him to the city。
After reading the letter； the Imperial Protector asked Yang Huai； 〃Why did you e with the messenger？〃
〃Only because of that letter；〃 Yang Huai replied。 〃This Liu Bei； from the day he first entered Yizhou； has been trying to win over the hearts of your people by a display of kindness and virtue。 He certainly intends no good； and I think you should refuse both the troops and the supplies he asks。 To help him is like adding fuel to a fire。〃
〃We are affectionate brothers； and I must help him；〃 said the Imperial Protector。
〃Liu Bei is nothing but a vagabond swashbuckler；〃 someone cried； 〃and if you keep him here in the west； you are loosing a tiger in your household。 If you give him the troops and supplies he asks； you are adding wings to your tiger。〃
Turning whence the voice proceeded； they recognized the speaker as one Liu Ba； a native of Lingling。 His words threw the Imperial Protector into a state of doubt and hesitation。 Huang Quan also dissuaded him most earnestly； and finally Liu Zhang actually decided to send only four thousand of worn…out soldiers and a paltry supply of grain。 At the same time fresh orders enjoining a diligent watchfulness were sent to the guardians of the passes。
When Liu Bei read the letter that acpanied the Imperial Protector's miserable contribution to his strength； he was furious and cried； 〃I have been spending myself in your defense； and this is my reward！ You are mean and greedy enough to stint my supplies。 How can you expect generou