saying； 〃My lord's words are quite in accord with abstract rectitude； but such ideas scarcely suit the days of rebellion。 There are other ways of fighting than with warlike weapons； but to adhere too obstinately to the idea of abstract rectitude is to do nothing。 One must be an opportunist； annex the weak and attack the willfully deluded； seize the recalcitrant and protect the docile。 These were the teachings of the great Kings Tang* and Wu*。 If after the settlement you reward with righteousness and make of the land a great country； will you be guilty of a breach of trust？ Remember if you do not take it now； another will。〃
Liu Bei； realizing the truth in what Pang Tong said； replied； 〃These words are as jewels。 They should be engraved on my very heart。〃
Thereupon he summoned Zhuge Liang to settle the details of an army to march west。
Zhuge Liang said； 〃This is an important place and must be very well defended。〃
Liu Bei replied； 〃I； Pang Tong； and my two generals Huang Zhong and Wei Yan will go into the west。 You and our three best generals………Guan Yu； Zhang Fei； and Zhao Yun………can defend Jingzhou。〃
Guan Yu was told off to hold Xiangyang and the narrow pass at Qingni； Zhang Fei manded four territories along the river； and Zhao Yun camped at Jiangling。
For the march westward； Huang Zhong led the van； Wei Yan had the rearguard； while Liu Bei moved in the center with Liu Feng and Guan Ping as his aids。 Pang Tong was mander of the whole army。
Just as the fifty thousand troops were starting； there came Liao Hua to offer his service。 He and his troops were attached to Guan Yu。
It was in the winter that the expedition started。 Soon they met the force under Meng Da； five thousand soldiers； to act as escort into Yizhou。 Liu B