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The officers of Yiazhou met to consider how to oppose the further advance of Liu Bei, and Huang Quan said, “Let us send without delay a force to hold Luocheng, which is the very throat of the road he must take. He may have veteran soldiers and fiery generals, but he will not be able to pass.”

So the four ablest generals — Deng Xian, Ling Bao, Liu Gui, and Zhang Ren — were told off for this duty, and they led fifty thousand troops.

As they marched, Liu Gui said, “In the Silky Hills there is a wonderful Taoist who calls himself 'The Super Human of the Dark Void.' He has the gift of second sight, so let us visit him as we pass and inquire what our fortunes are to be.”

“What should one seek of a hermit when one is out to repulse an enemy?” said his colleague, Zhang Ren, contemptuously.

“Your view is wrong,” said Liu Gui. “The Holy One ((Confucius)) has said that it is characteristic of the most entire sincerity to be able to foreknow. So let us inquire of this man of high intelligence that we may know what to do and what to avoid.”

Whereupon they went up into the hills and sought the hermit's retreat. They were a small party, on horseback. Meeting a wood-cutter, they inquired the whereabouts of the dwelling of the wise man, and he pointed to one of the highest hills, saying that the Sage lived on the very summit. They climbed up to the spot he had told them of and found a small hut. At their summons, a lad in Taoist garb came out to speak with them. He asked their names and led them into the presence of the Super Human, who received them seated on a rush cushion. They made a low obeisance, told him the reason of their coming, and asked of the future.

“How can a poor Taoist recluse know ought of fortunes, good or evil?” said he.

However, after a time, as Liu Gui repeated his request again and again and comported himself most humbly, the hermit bade the lad bring paper and ink and he wrote eight lines, which he handed to his questioner.

“Supported by dragon and phoenix,

So flies he westward.

But the phoenix shall fall to the earth.

And the dragon shall soar to the sky;

There shall be successes and failures,

For such is the eternal law.

See that ye act when occasion offers,

Lest ye descend to the Nine Golden Springs.”

Having read the oracle, they pressed the seer to reveal them their individual fortunes, but he replied, “Why ask these things? None can escape his fate.”

Liu Gui ventured to question the Sage further, but his eyelids dropped as if he slumbered. Nor would he vouchsafe a word more, and the four generals took leave and descended the hill.

“One must have faith in such as he says,” said Liu Gui.

“What is to be gained by listening to the sayings of a daft old man?” replied Zhang Ren.

So they continued their road to Luocheng. When they arrived, they said, “Luocheng is the throat of the road to Chengdu. We must create a pincers defense for the city. Two of us are to guard the ramparts while the other two are to station themselves in front of the city, where is a point of vantage sheltered by some hills.”

Thus Deng Xian and Ling Bao wanted to build the ramparts outside the city. Twenty thousand troops were told off; the two generals went to establish two camps in two stockades twenty miles away, hoping to be able to keep the foe away from the city.

The River Fu Pass being captured, Liu Bei took counsel with his adviser as to the next point to be attempted. This was Luocheng.

The scouts reported: “Liu Zhang has sent four generals to the defense of that city, and two camps has been established twenty miles away to form an ox horn.”

Then Liu Bei assembled his officers and asked who would go to attack the camps. The veteran Huang Zhong offered himself.

“Veteran General, take your own troops and go,” said Liu Bei. “A goodly reward shall be yours if you capture the two camps.”

Huang Zhong thanked his lord and was just leading away his troops when suddenly up spoke a youthful leader, saying, “The General is too old to go on such an expedition; I am of poor ability, but I wish to take his place.” The speaker was Wei Yan.

Huang Zhong replied, “I already have my commission; why should you wish to supplant me?”

“Because the task is beyond an old man's strength,” said Wei Yan. “The two generals in those camps we know are the best and boldest in the country. They are strong, and, veteran as you are, I fear you will be unable to overcome them. If you fail, our lord's great design will be hindered. Therefore I ask that I may replace you, and my intent is kindly.”

This reminder of his age angered the old man.

“Old, am I? Dare you compete with me in the use of warlike weapons?” said Huang Zhong.