Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

Strategic Analysis: Three Kingdoms, Volume I

The boy is also quite mature and composed himself.

...at his home, where Zhang Liao greeted his wife and children. Qu Likely Zang Qu, a representative or relative of the surrendering party was delighted and accompanied Zhang Liao to visit Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao sent Qu back and rebuked Zhang Liao, saying: "This is not the standard protocol for a great general Cao Cao likely felt that Zhang Liao took an unnecessary personal risk by entering enemy territory alone to meet the family." Liao apologized, saying: "Because your Excellency’s prestige and trustworthiness are known across the four seas, I was following your sacred

These are just empty words; it was only because...

will, and therefore Qu would certainly not have dared to harm me."

This was merely Sun Quan’s tactical hesitation.

Cao Cao sent a letter demanding that Sun Quan send a hostage-son Hostage-son (renzǐ): A practice where a regional leader sends a son or close relative to the imperial court—controlled here by Cao Cao—as a guarantee of loyalty. Quan summoned his various officials for a meeting. Zhang Zhao and others were hesitant and could not reach a decision. Sun Quan then led Zhou Yu to appear before Lady Wu Sun Quan's mother to finalize the debate. Zhou Yu said: "In ancient times, the State of Chu was first enfeoffed with a territory of less than a hundred miles. Through a succession of virtuous and capable rulers, they expanded their borders and opened up new lands, eventually occupying the regions of Jing and Yang all the way to the South China Sea, passing down their legacy for over nine hundred years. Now, General, you have inherited the assets of your father and brother; you command the multitudes of the six commanderies, your troops are elite and your grain is plentiful, and your generals and soldiers follow your orders. You 'mint from the mountains and boil the sea' original: "鑄山煑海" (zhù shān zhǔ hǎi). A metaphor for immense regional wealth derived from mining copper for coinage and extracting salt from seawater; your domain is rich and prosperous. Under what pressure are you that you would wish to send a hostage? Once a hostage enters, you will have no choice but to comply with the Cao clan...