strance in his outstretched hand。
Resolved that； were his words rejected； he
Would not survive defeat。 Sincere was he
Who； desperate； held to Liu Zhang's silken robe
Until his broken teeth released their grip。
Sincere indeed； but how can he pare
With stern Wang Lei who went to awful death？
Liu Zhang with thirty thousand troops went out to wele his clansman； and there followed one thousand wagons laden with supplies and rich stuffs。
Liu Bei's advanced guard had arrived at River Dian。 During the march the people had brought presents； and Liu Bei had given an order to pay for everything； under penalty of death for disobedience。 Thus no one suffered； and the people came out in trusting crowds to watch the soldiers marching by and wele them in every way。 Liu Bei soothed them with very gracious words。
Then Fa Zheng secretly showed Pang Tong a letter from Zhang Song advocating the assassination of Liu Zhang near the place of wele。
Pang Tong said； 〃Say nothing about this。 After the two Lius have met； there may be opportunities； but this is too early to talk。 Any plot would leak out。〃
So nothing was said。
Fucheng； where the meeting was to take place； was one hundred twenty miles from Capital Chengdu。 Liu Zhang arrived first and sent messengers to wele Liu Bei。 The two armies camped on the bank of River Fu。 Liu Bei went into the city to see the Imperial Protector； and they met cordially as brothers should。 Both shed a few tears； and by and bye they began a heart…to…heart talk。 Then followed a banquet； and after this each returned to his own camp。
The Imperial Protector said； 〃How ridiculous have been proved the fears of Huang Quan and Wang Lei！ They do not understand the force of family aff