Chapter 54: Lady Wu Sees the Groom at the Buddhist Temple; Imperial Uncle Liu Consummates the Marriage in the Bridal Chamber

CHAPTER 54: Lady Wu Sees the Groom at the Ganlu Temple; Imperial Uncle Liu Continues the Marriage Bond in the Bridal Chamber

Now Kongming, hearing that Lu Su had arrived, went out of the city with Liu Bei to welcome him. They received him at the official residence, and after the greetings were finished, Lu Su said, "My lord, having heard that your nephew had passed away, specially prepared some modest gifts and sent me here to offer condolences. General Zhou Yu sends his repeated respects to Imperial Uncle Liu and Master Zhuge." Liu Bei and Kongming rose to thank him, accepted the gifts, and set out wine to entertain him. Lu Su said, "Earlier, Imperial Uncle made a promise: 'When my son is no more, I will return Jingzhou.' Now that the young gentleman has passed away, it is time to return it. I wonder when the transfer can be made?" Liu Bei said, "Please drink a few cups first, and we will discuss it."

Lu Su forced himself to drink a few cups and then inquired again. Before Liu Bei could answer, Kongming’s expression changed as he said, "Zijing, you are being most unreasonable! You insist on forcing the issue! Ever since our Gaozu Emperor slew the serpent and raised the standard, founding the dynasty, it has been passed down to this day. Unfortunately, treacherous heroes have risen one after another, each occupying a region, and it is inevitable that the cycle of Heaven will restore the rightful line. My master is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing, and an uncle of the present emperor. Is he not entitled to a fief? Moreover, Liu Biaosheng was my master’s elder brother; it is only natural for a younger brother to inherit his elder brother's domain. What is improper about that? Your lord is the son of a minor official from Qiantang, who has never rendered any merit to the court. Now, relying on his power, he occupies six commanderies and eighty-one counties, yet he is still insatiably greedy, wanting to swallow up the lands of the Han. The empire belongs to the Liu family. Why should my master, who bears the Liu surname, have no share, while your master, of the Sun surname, insists on a forced claim? Moreover, in the Battle of Red Cliffs, my master bore much toil and hardship, and all the generals fought with all their might. Was it solely due to the strength of Eastern Wu? If I had not borrowed the southeast wind, how could Zhou Yu have achieved any merit? If Jiangnan had been breached, not only would the Two Qiaos have been placed in the Bronze Sparrow Tower, but even the families of men like yourselves could not have been spared. Just now, my master did not give an immediate answer because he considered you, Zijing, a man of understanding, and no detailed explanation was needed. How can you be so obtuse!"

This speech rendered Lu Su speechless. After a long while, he said, "Kongming’s words are perhaps not without reason; but for me, Lu Su, they place me in a very awkward position." Kongming said, "What is awkward?" Lu Su said, "Formerly, when Imperial Uncle was in distress at Dangyang, it was I who led Kongming across the river to see my lord. Later, when Zhou Gongjin was about to raise troops to take Jingzhou, it was I who stopped him. And when it was said that Jingzhou would be returned upon the young gentleman’s death, it was I who took responsibility. Now, if the former promise is not kept, how am I to report back? My lord and Zhou Gongjin will surely blame me. I do not mind dying, but I fear that if it provokes Eastern Wu to raise arms, Imperial Uncle will not be able to sit securely in Jingzhou and will only be laughed at by others."

Kongming said, "Cao Cao commands a million troops and often acts in the name of the Son of Heaven—I do not even care about him! Do you think I fear that little child Zhou Yu? If you are worried about losing face, sir, I advise my master to draw up a deed, temporarily borrowing Jingzhou as a base. When my master has captured another city, he will hand Jingzhou over to Eastern Wu. What do you think of this proposal?" Lu Su said, "When Kongming captures what place will he return Jingzhou to my Eastern Wu?" Kongming said, "The Central Plains are hard to scheme for at present. Liu Zhang of Western Shu is weak and incompetent; my master plans to take his territory. Once Western Shu is captured, then Jingzhou will be returned."

Lu Su had no choice but to agree. Liu Bei wrote out a deed in his own hand and affixed his seal. The guarantor, Kongming, also affixed his seal. Kongming said, "I am on Imperial Uncle’s side; can I be my own guarantor? I trouble you, Zijing, to also affix your seal, so that when you return and see Lord Wu, it will look better." Lu Su said, "I know Imperial Uncle is a benevolent man and will certainly not break his word." So he affixed his seal and received the deed. When the feast ended, he took his leave. Liu Bei and Kongming saw him to the boat. Kongming instructed him, "When Zijing returns and sees Lord Wu, explain the matter well and do not let him harbor false hopes. If he does not accept my deed, I will turn hostile and even seize all of the eighty-one counties. For now, let the two sides remain harmonious, and do not let that villain Cao Cao laugh at us."

Lu Su bade farewell and boarded the boat to return. First, he went to Chaisang to see Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu asked, "Zijing, how did the negotiation for Jingzhou go?" Lu Su said, "I have the deed here." He presented it to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu stamped his foot and said, "Zijing, you have fallen for Zhuge Liang’s trick! In name, it is a loan; in reality, it is a swindle. He says he will return it after taking Western Shu, but who knows when he will take Western Shu? If he does not take it in ten years, will he not return it for ten years? What use is such a deed? And you became his guarantor! If he does not return it, you will certainly be implicated. What if our lord blames you?"

When Lu Su heard this, he was stunned for a long time and then said, "I fear Liu Bei will not betray me." Zhou Yu said, "Zijing is an honest man. Liu Bei is a cunning hero, and Zhuge Liang is a crafty rogue; I am afraid they do not have a heart like yours." Lu Su said, "If that is so, what can be done?" Zhou Yu said, "Zijing is my benefactor. Thinking of your former kindness in sharing your grain, how can I fail to save you? Set your mind at ease and stay here for a few days. When the scouts from north of the river return, I will make other arrangements." Lu Su felt uneasy.

A few days later, a scout returned and reported, "In the city of Jingzhou, Buddhist banners are raised and rites are being performed. Outside the city, a new grave has been built, and the soldiers are all in mourning." Zhou Yu asked in surprise, "Who has died?" The scout said, "Liu Xuande’s Lady Gan has passed away, and the funeral is being arranged today." Zhou Yu said to Lu Su, "My plan has succeeded. Liu Bei will be captured without a fight, and Jingzhou can be taken as easily as turning over one’s hand!" Lu Su said, "What plan is this?" Zhou Yu said, "Liu Bei has lost his wife and will need to remarry. Our lord has a younger sister who is extremely valiant and fierce. She has several hundred maidservants, all of whom regularly carry swords, and her chambers are filled with weapons—even a man cannot match her. I will now write to our lord, send someone to Jingzhou as a matchmaker, and propose that Liu Bei come here to be married. Once he is lured to Nanxu, he will not get a wife; instead, we will imprison him in a cell and then send someone to demand Jingzhou in exchange for Liu Bei. After he hands over the city of Jingzhou, I will have other ideas. As for you, Zijing, you will be free of trouble."

Lu Su bowed in thanks. Zhou Yu wrote a letter, selected a fast boat, and sent Lu Su to Nanxu to see Sun Quan. First, Lu Su reported on the matter of lending Jingzhou and presented the deed. Sun Quan said, "How foolish you were! What use is such a deed?" Lu Su said, "General Zhou has a letter here, saying that with this plan, Jingzhou can be obtained."

Sun Quan read it through, nodded to himself in secret delight, and thought, "Who can be sent?" Suddenly it came to him: "None other than Lü Fan." So he summoned Lü Fan and said to him, "I have recently heard that Liu Xuande has lost his wife. I have a younger sister, and I wish to have Xuande marry her, forming a lasting bond of kinship, so that we may work together to defeat Cao and support the Han house. No one but Ziheng can act as matchmaker. I hope you will go at once to Jingzhou to propose the match." Lü Fan accepted the order, prepared his boat that very day, and with a few attendants, set out for Jingzhou.

Now, Liu Bei had been in constant distress since the death of Lady Gan. One day, while chatting with Kongming, someone reported that Lü Fan of Eastern Wu had arrived. Kongming smiled and said, "This is Zhou Yu’s scheme, certainly over the matter of Jingzhou. I will just listen from behind the screen. Whatever he says, my lord, agree to it all. Keep the messenger lodged in the guesthouse for the night, and we will discuss it further later."

Liu Bei invited Lü Fan in. After they exchanged greetings and took their seats, tea was served. Liu Bei then asked, "Zìhéng, you must have come with some instruction?" Lü Fan replied, "I recently heard that you, Imperial Uncle, have lost your spouse. There is an excellent match available, so I set aside all scruples to come specially as a matchmaker. May I ask your esteemed opinion?" Liu Bei said, "To lose one's wife in middle age is a great misfortune. Her bones are not yet cold; how could I bear to discuss a new marriage so soon?" Lü Fan answered, "A man without a wife is like a house without a beam. How can one abandon human relations midway? My lord, Marquis Wu, has a sister who is both beautiful and virtuous, capable of managing a household. If the two families form a marriage alliance, then that villain Cao Cao would not dare to cast a sidelong glance at the southeast. This matter benefits both family and state. I beg you, Imperial Uncle, to have no doubts. However, our Lady Dowager Wu is very fond of her youngest daughter and is unwilling to see her married far away. She insists that you, Imperial Uncle, must come to Eastern Wu to be wed." Liu Bei asked, "Does Marquis Wu know of this?" Lü Fan replied, "If I had not first informed Marquis Wu, how would I dare to speak so presumptuously?" Liu Bei said, "I am already half a century old, with graying hair. The sister of Marquis Wu is in the bloom of youth; I fear we are ill-matched." Lü Fan said, "Though the sister of Marquis Wu is a woman in body, her ambition surpasses that of a man. She often says, 'If he is not a hero under heaven, I will not serve him.' Now you, Imperial Uncle, are renowned throughout the four seas. This is precisely what is meant by a virtuous lady matching a gentleman. Why should a difference in age cause you to reject her?" Liu Bei replied, "You may stay a while; I will give you an answer tomorrow."

That day, he held a banquet to entertain Lü Fan and lodged him in a guesthouse. That evening, he consulted with Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang said, "I already know his purpose. Just now I cast the trigrams and obtained an extremely auspicious omen. My lord, you may accept. First, send Sun Qian back with Lü Fan to see Marquis Wu. Once the agreement is made in person, choose an auspicious day and go to the wedding." Liu Bei said, "Zhou Yu is plotting to harm Liu Bei. How can I personally venture into such a dangerous place?" Zhuge Liang laughed heartily and said, "Though Zhou Yu can use schemes, how can he escape the foresight of Zhuge Liang? With a small stratagem, I will ensure that Zhou Yu cannot carry out a single one of his plans. The sister of Marquis Wu will belong to you, my lord, and Jingzhou will be secure beyond all doubt."

Liu Bei remained hesitant and could not decide. Zhuge Liang then ordered Sun Qian to go to Jiangnan to arrange the marriage. Sun Qian, having received his instructions, went to Jiangnan together with Lü Fan and appeared before Sun Quan. Sun Quan said, "I am willing to have my younger sister marry Liu Bei as a son-in-law; I have no ulterior motives." Sun Qian bowed in thanks, returned to Jingzhou, and reported to Liu Bei, saying that Marquis Wu was waiting solely for him to come and conclude the marriage. Liu Bei was suspicious and dared not go. Zhuge Liang said, "I have already devised three stratagems, and none but Zilong can carry them out." He then summoned Zhao Yun close and whispered in his ear, "When you escort my lord into Wu, you shall carry these three brocade bags. Inside are three marvelous plans; execute them in order." He then handed the three brocade bags to Zhao Yun, who stored them close to his person. Zhuge Liang first sent someone to Eastern Wu to deliver the betrothal gifts, and everything was made ready.

It was then the tenth month of the fourteenth year of the Jian'an era. Liu Bei, together with Zhao Yun and Sun Qian, took ten fast boats, accompanied by over five hundred men, and departed from Jingzhou, heading for Nanxu. All matters in Jingzhou were left to Zhuge Liang's management. Liu Bei's heart was filled with unease. When they reached Nanxu, the boats had already docked. Zhao Yun said, "The military counselor instructed us to follow the three plans in order. Now that we have arrived here, we should first open the first brocade bag and look."

So he opened the bag and read the plan. He then summoned the five hundred accompanying soldiers and gave them each orders, saying, "Do thus and so." The soldiers received their commands and departed. He also instructed Liu Bei to first go and visit the Elder Qiao. This Elder Qiao was the father of the Two Qiao sisters and lived in Nanxu. Liu Bei led a sheep and carried wine, going first to pay his respects, saying that Lü Fan had acted as matchmaker for his marriage to the lady. The five hundred accompanying soldiers all draped themselves in red and hung festive colors, entering Nanjun to purchase goods. They spread the news that Liu Bei was marrying into Eastern Wu, and everyone in the city learned of the matter. Sun Quan, knowing that Liu Bei had arrived, ordered Lü Fan to attend to him and lodged him in a guesthouse.

Now, Elder Qiao, having seen Liu Bei, went in to see Lady Dowager Wu to offer congratulations. The lady said, "What happy event is this?" Elder Qiao said, "Your beloved daughter has been betrothed to Liu Xuande as his wife. Now Xuande has already arrived; why are you kept in the dark?" The lady started in alarm and said, "I know nothing of this matter!" She then sent someone to invite Marquis Wu to ascertain the truth, while also sending others into the city to make inquiries. Everyone reported back, "It is indeed so. The son-in-law is already resting in the guesthouse. Five hundred accompanying soldiers are all in the city buying pigs, sheep, and fruits, preparing for the wedding. The matchmaker for the bride's family is Lü Fan, and for the groom's family, Sun Qian; both are waiting at the guesthouse." The lady was greatly shocked.

Shortly after, Sun Quan entered the rear hall to see his mother. The lady beat her breast and wept bitterly. Sun Quan said, "Mother, why are you so distressed?" The lady said, "You treat me as if I were nothing! When your elder sister was at death's door, what words did she entrust to you?" Sun Quan, startled, said, "Mother, speak plainly if you have something to say. Why torment yourself so?" The lady said, "A son should marry when of age, a daughter should wed when of age—that is the constant principle from ancient to present. I am your mother; such matters should be reported to me for approval. You are inviting Liu Xuande as a son-in-law—how could you hide it from me? The daughter is mine!"

Sun Quan was taken aback and asked, "Where did you hear this?" The lady said, "If you want no one to know, do nothing. Every man and woman in the city knows of it, yet you try to hide it from me!" Elder Qiao said, "I have known for several days already, and I have come specially to offer congratulations." Sun Quan said, "No. This is Zhou Yu's scheme. Because he wants to seize Jingzhou, he used this as a pretext to lure Liu Bei here, trap him in captivity, and force him to exchange Jingzhou. If he does not comply, Liu Bei will be executed first. This is a plan, not a genuine intention."

The lady flew into a rage and cursed Zhou Yu, saying, "You are the Grand Commander of Six Commanderies and Eighty-One Prefectures, yet you have no plan to take Jingzhou, and you use my daughter's name to set up a 'beauty trap'! If Liu Bei is killed, my daughter will be a widow before she is even wed. How will she ever find a match in the future? You will ruin my daughter's whole life! What a scheme you've concocted!" Elder Qiao said, "If this plan is used, even if you get Jingzhou, you will be mocked by the whole world. How can such a thing be done?" These words left Sun Quan speechless. The lady continued to curse Zhou Yu without stopping. Elder Qiao urged, "Since things have come to this point, Imperial Uncle Liu is a member of the Han imperial clan. Why not truly take him as your son-in-law and avoid further disgrace?" Sun Quan said, "I fear the age difference is unsuitable." Elder Qiao said, "Imperial Uncle Liu is a hero of the age. If you take him as your son-in-law, it will bring no shame to your younger sister." The lady said, "I have never met Imperial Uncle Liu. Tomorrow, I will arrange to meet him at Ganlu Temple. If he does not please me, you may do as you wish. If he pleases me, I will marry my daughter to him myself."

Sun Quan was a man of great filial piety. Seeing his mother speak thus, he immediately assented. He went out, summoned Lü Fan, and instructed him to prepare a banquet in the abbot's quarters of Ganlu Temple the next day, as the lady wished to see Liu Bei. Lü Fan said, "Why not order Jia Hua to lead three hundred sword-and-axe men to lie in ambush in the two corridors? If the lady is displeased, at a single signal, they can all rush out and seize him." Sun Quan then summoned Jia Hua and ordered him to make preparations in advance, watching only for the lady's reaction.

Now, Elder Qiao took his leave of Lady Dowager Wu and returned home. He sent someone to report to Liu Bei, saying that the next day Marquis Wu and the lady would personally meet him, and he should be very attentive. Liu Bei discussed this with Sun Qian and Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun said, "This meeting tomorrow bodes more ill than good. I, Zhao Yun, will personally lead five hundred soldiers to protect you."

The next day, Lady Dowager Wu and Elder Qiao first took their seats in the abbot's quarters of Ganlu Temple. Sun Quan, leading a group of advisors, arrived shortly after. He then sent Lü Fan to the guesthouse to invite Liu Bei. Liu Bei wore fine armor under his robes and a brocade gown on top. His attendants, with swords at their backs, followed closely. He mounted his horse and headed for Ganlu Temple. Zhao Yun, fully armed and girded, led five hundred soldiers in his train. When they reached the temple, he dismounted and first saw Sun Quan. Sun Quan, observing Liu Bei's extraordinary bearing, felt a sense of awe in his heart.

After the two exchanged formal greetings, they entered the abbot's quarters to see the lady. When the lady saw Liu Bei, she was overjoyed and said to Elder Qiao, "He is truly my son-in-law!" Elder Qiao said, "Xuande has the mien of a dragon and phoenix, the appearance of a sun and sky; moreover, his benevolence and virtue are spread throughout the land. Lady, in gaining such a fine son-in-law, you are truly to be congratulated." Liu Bei bowed in thanks, and they all feasted together in the abbot's quarters.

After a short while, Zilong entered with his sword, standing at Liu Bei's side. The lady asked, "Who is this?" Liu Bei replied, "Zhao Zilong of Changshan." The lady said, "Is he not the one who carried Adou at the Long Slope of Dangyang?" Liu Bei said, "He is." The lady said, "A true general!" She then bestowed wine upon him. Zhao Yun said to Liu Bei, "Just now, as I was patrolling the corridors, I saw sword-and-axe men lying in ambush in the rooms. Their intentions must be ill. You should inform the lady." Liu Bei then knelt before the lady's mat and said tearfully, "If you intend to kill Liu Bei, then let me be executed here and now." The lady asked, "What words are these?" Liu Bei said, "There are sword-and-axe men secretly hidden in the corridors. If not to kill Liu Bei, what else could it be?"

The Grand Lady flew into a rage and berated Sun Quan: “Today, Xuande has become my son-in-law, and thus he is my own child. Why have you concealed armed swordsmen beneath the corridor?” Sun Quan pleaded ignorance and summoned Lü Fan to question him. Lü Fan shifted the blame to Jia Hua; the Grand Lady summoned Jia Hua and scolded him, but Jia Hua remained silent. The Grand Lady ordered him beheaded. Liu Bei interceded, saying: “If you execute a great general, it will bring harm to our kinship. I, Liu Bei, will find it hard to remain long under your protection.” Qiao the Elder also urged leniency. Only then did the Grand Lady angrily dismiss Jia Hua. The armed swordsmen all fled with their heads in their hands.

Liu Bei, having changed his robes, came out before the hall and saw a block of stone in the courtyard. Drawing the sword from his attendant’s belt, he looked up to heaven and made a vow: “If Liu Bei is destined to return to Jingzhou and achieve the enterprise of kings and hegemons, let this sword cleave the stone in two with one stroke. If I am to die here, the sword shall not split the stone.” With these words, he raised the sword and brought it down; sparks flew, and the stone was split in two.

Sun Quan, watching from behind, asked: “Xuande, why do you bear such hatred toward this stone?” Liu Bei replied: “I am nearly fifty years old, yet I have not been able to rid the realm of the rebel band. My heart is often filled with self-reproach. Now, I have been favored by the Grand Lady to become her son-in-law—this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Just now, I cast a divination to Heaven: if I am to defeat Cao Cao and revive the Han, let me break this stone. And indeed it has happened thus.” Sun Quan thought to himself: “Is Liu Bei using these words to deceive me?” He also drew his sword and said to Liu Bei: “I too will cast a divination to Heaven. If I can defeat that traitor Cao Cao, I will also break this stone.” But in his heart, he made a secret vow: “If I can once again seize Jingzhou and bring prosperity to Eastern Wu, let the stone be split in two!” He raised the sword and brought it down, and the great stone also split. To this day, a stone with cross-shaped cracks remains. Later generations, viewing this remarkable site, composed a poem in praise:

When the precious sword fell, the mountain stone was sundered;

Where the golden ring clashed, a flash of fire sprang.

The fortunes of two dynasties were all ordained by Heaven;

From this, the realm stood firm as a tripod’s three feet.

When the precious sword fell, the mountain stone was sundered;

Where the golden ring clashed, a flash of fire sprang.

The fortunes of two dynasties were all ordained by Heaven;

From this, the realm stood firm as a tripod’s three feet.

The two men discarded their swords and, arm in arm, returned to the feast. After several more rounds of wine, Sun Qian cast a meaningful glance at Liu Bei. Liu Bei excused himself: “I cannot hold my liquor well; I beg leave to withdraw.” Sun Quan escorted him out before the temple, where they stood side by side, gazing at the landscape of rivers and mountains. Liu Bei said: “This is the finest landscape under Heaven!” To this day, the stele at Sweet Dew Temple bears the inscription: “The Finest Landscape Under Heaven.” Later generations composed a poem in praise:

After the rain, the river and mountains wear a turquoise crown;

In this realm, there is no sorrow, only the greatest joy.

Where heroes of old once fixed their gaze,

The cliffs and crags still stand against the wind and waves.

After the rain, the river and mountains wear a turquoise crown;

In this realm, there is no sorrow, only the greatest joy.

Where heroes of old once fixed their gaze,

The cliffs and crags still stand against the wind and waves.

As the two men together surveyed the view, the river wind howled fiercely, and great waves rose like snow-white foam, surging toward the sky. Suddenly, they saw a small boat upon the waves, moving across the river’s surface as if on level ground. Xuande sighed in admiration: “‘Southerners steer boats; northerners ride horses’—truly, there is such a saying!” At these words, Sun Quan thought to himself: “Liu Bei’s remark is meant to mock my lack of skill in riding.” So he ordered his attendants to bring a horse, vaulted into the saddle, galloped down the mountain, then spurred his horse up the ridge, and laughed, saying to Xuande: “Can a Southerner not ride a horse?” Xuande, hearing this, gathered up his robes, leaped onto a horse, flew down the hill, and then raced back up again. The two reined in their horses on the slope, raised their whips, and laughed heartily. To this day, the place is called “Dismount Slope.” Later, someone wrote a poem:

Galloping on a dragon steed with boundless spirit,

The two men rode side by side, gazing at the mountains and rivers.

Eastern Wu and Western Shu became kings and hegemons;

Through the ages, Dismount Slope still remains.

That day, the two rode back together, side by side. In Nanxu, there was no one among the common folk who did not rejoice. Liu Bei returned to his lodging and conferred with Sun Qian. Sun Qian said: “My lord, you must only beseech Qiao the Elder to hasten the marriage, lest other complications arise.” The next day, Liu Bei again dismounted before the gate of Qiao the Elder’s residence. The Elder welcomed him in, and after the formalities and tea, Liu Bei told him: “There are many in Jiangdong who wish to harm me; I fear I cannot stay long here.” The Elder said: “Rest assured, Xuande: I will report this to the Grand Lady and have her take you under her protection.”

Liu Bei bowed in thanks and returned. Qiao the Elder went to the palace to see the Grand Lady and told her that Liu Bei feared someone might plot against him and was anxious to leave. The Grand Lady flew into a rage and said: “My son-in-law—who dares harm him!” She immediately ordered him to move into the Academy for temporary lodging and set a date for the wedding. Liu Bei himself went to inform the Grand Lady: “I am only concerned that Zhao Yun, being outside, may be inconvenienced, and the soldiers will have no one to restrain them.” The Grand Lady ordered them all to move into the mansion to rest, and not to remain in the lodging, to avoid any trouble. Liu Bei was secretly delighted.

Within a few days, a great banquet was spread, and Lady Sun and Liu Bei were married. When the evening came and the guests departed, two rows of red candles led Liu Bei into the bridal chamber. Under the lamplight, he saw a forest of swords and spears; the maidservants all wore swords and carried daggers, standing on either side. Liu Bei was so terrified that his soul left his body. Truly:

Startled to see the handmaidens standing with swords drawn,

He feared they were ambushers laid by Eastern Wu.

What was the reason for this? Let the next chapter explain.