〃I want to send my armies to punish Wu and appease my wrath;〃 said Liu Bei。
〃No; you may not do that。 Wu wishes to move you to smite Wei; and Wei wishes you to attack Wu; each harboring the malevolent design of taking advantage of the quarrel。 You would do well; my lord; to keep your armies at home。 Put on mourning for Guan Yu; and wait till Wei and Wu are at war。 That will be your time。〃
The other officers supported Zhuge Liang; and Liu Bei listened。 Presently his grief spent itself; and he began to take food again。 An edict was promulgated enjoining mourning dress upon all officials。 The Prince went outside the south gate to summon the spirit home; and sacrificed and wailed a whole day for the dead warrior; his brother。
In Luoyang; although Cao Cao had given honorable burial to the remains of Guan Yu; yet he was continually haunted by the dead man's spirit。 Every night when he closed his eyes; he saw Guan Yu as he knew the warrior so well in the flesh。 These visions made him nervous; and he sought the advice of his officers。 Some suggested the building of new rooms for his own use。
〃There is much witchcraft and malign influence in this old Palace at Luoyang。 Build a new Palace for your own occupation;〃 said they。
〃I would; and it should be called 'The New Foundation';〃 said he。 〃But where is the good architect?〃
Jia Xu said; 〃There is one Su Yue; a very cunning artificer in Luoyang。〃
Su Yue was called and set to work on the plans for a nine…hall pavilion for Cao Cao's own use。 It had verandahs and upper rooms as well。 His plans pleased Cao Cao greatly。
〃You have planned just such a place as I wished; only where will you find the main beam for such a building?〃
〃I know a certain tree that will serve;〃 s