Chü Shou said, “Victory is not always to the many. Tsʻao Tsʻao’s discipline is excellent; his soldiers are brave and well drilled. He will not sit down quietly waiting to be surrounded as Kungsun Tsan did. Now you abandon the intention to inform the Throne of our success, which I find a good plan, but you intend to send out an army without any valid excuse. Our lord should not do that.” Then followed adviser Kuo Tʻu, “You are wrong. No expedition against Tsʻao Tsʻao can lack excuse. But if our master would take the chance now offering itself of coming into his own, he will accede to the request in the letter and ally himself with Liu Pei for the destruction of Tsʻao. This would win the approval of heaven and the affections of the people, a double blessing.” Thus the four advisers differed and wrangled and Yüan Shao could not decide which to follow. Then there came two others, Hsü Yu and Hsün Shên, and, seeing them, Shao said, “You two have wide experience, how would you decide?” The two made their obeisance and Yüan Shao said, “A letter from Chêng the President has arrived, counselling me to support Liu Pei in an attack on Tsʻao Tsʻao. Now am I to send an army or not send an army?” They both cried with one voice, “Send! Your armies are numerous enough and strong enough; you will destroy a traitor and help the dynasty.” “Your words just express my desire,” said Shao and thenceforward the discussion turned on the expedition. First Sun Chʻien was sent back with Yüan Shao’s consent and instructions for Liu Pei to make ready to co-operate. Officers were assigned divisions and advisers were told off. The army was to be composed of thirty legions, horse and foot in equal numbers. They were to march on Liyang. When the arrangements were complete Kuo Tʻu went to his chief saying, “In order to manifest the righteousness of your attack on Tsʻao it would be well to issue a manifesto with a summary of his various crimes.” Yüan Shao approved of this and a certain Chʻên Lin, well known as a scholar, who had been a Recorder in the late Emperor’s reign, was entrusted to compose such a document. This is the manifesto:— “A perspicacious ruler wisely provides against political vicissitudes; a loyal minister carefully foresees the difficulties in the assertion of authority. Wherefore a man of unusual parts precedes an extraordinary situation, and of such a man the achievements will be extraordinary. For indeed the ordinary man is quite unequal to an extraordinary situation.