The banquet over and the messenger conducted to his lodging to seek repose, Yüan-tê, before going to rest, called in his councillors to consider the letter. “There need be no compunction about putting him to death,” said Chang Fei; “he is a bad man.” “But he came to me for protection in his weakness, how can I put him to death? That would be immoral,” said Liu Pei. “If he was a good man; it would be difficult,” replied Fei. Liu Pei would not consent. Next day, when Lü Pu came to offer congratulations, he was received as usual. He said, “I have come to felicitate you on the receipt of the imperial bounty.” Liu Pei thanked him in due form. But then he saw Chang Fei draw his sword and come up the hall as if to slay Lü Pu. He hastily interfered and stopped him. Lü Pu was surprised and said, “Why do you wish to slay me, I-tê?” “Tsʻao Tsʻao says you are immoral and tells my brother to kill you,” shouted Chang Fei. Liu Pei shouted again and again to him to go away, and he led Lü Pu into the private apartments out of the way. Then he told him the whole story and showed him the secret letter. He wept as he finished reading. “This is that miscreant’s scheme for sowing discord between us.” “Be not anxious, elder brother,” said Liu Pei. “I pledge myself not to be guilty of such an infamous crime.” Lü Pu again and again expressed his gratitude and Liu Pei kept him for a time. They remained talking and drinking wine till late. Said the other two brothers, “Why not kill him?” Liu Pei said, “Because Tsʻao Mêng-tê fears that Lü and I may attack him, he is trying to separate us and get us to ‘swallow’ each other, while he steps in and takes the advantage. Is there any other reason?” Kuan nodded assent, but Chang Fei said, “I want to get him out of the way lest he trouble us later.” “That is not what a noble man should do,” said his elder brother. Soon the messenger was dismissed and returned to the capital with the reply from Liu Pei. The letter only said the plan would be made later. But the messenger, when he saw Tsʻao Tsʻao, told him the story of Liu Pei’s pledge to Lü Pu. Then said Tsʻao Tsʻao, “The plan has failed; what next?” Hsün Yu replied, “I have another trick called ‘The Tiger and the Wolf’ in which the tiger is made to gobble up the wolf.” “Let us hear it,” said Tsʻao. “Send to Yüan Shu to say that Liu Pei has sent up a secret memorial that he wishes to subdue the southern districts. Shu will be angry and attack him. Then you will order Pei to dispose of Shu and so set them destroying each other. Lü Pu will certainly think that is his chance and turn traitor. This is The Tiger-Wolf trick.” Tsʻao thought this good and sent the messenger and also sent a false edict to Liu Pei. When this came the messenger was received with all the ceremonies and the edict ordered the capture of Yüan Shu. After the departure of the bearer Liu called Mi Chu who pronounced it a ruse.