chinese story - 8

　When Sima Yan read this, he gave orders for the army to move. But three officers——Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Dan——opposed it, and the orders were withdrawn.
　　Yang Hu was disappointed at the news and said, “What a pity it is that of ten affairs in the world, one always meets with eight or nine vexations！”
　　In the fourth year of Universal Tranquillity, in Jin calendar （AD 278）, Yang Hu went to court and asked leave to retire on account of ill health.
　　Before granting him leave to go, Sima Yan asked, “Do you have plans to propose to settle the empire？”
　　Yang Hu replied, “Sun Hao is a very cruel ruler and could be conquered without fighting. If he were to die and a wise successor sat upon his throne, Your Majesty would never be able to gain possession of Wu.”
　　the Ruler of Jin realized the truth, and he said, “Suppose your army attacked now. What then？”
　　“I am now too old and too ill for the task,” replied Yang Hu. “Some other bold and capable leader must be found.”
　　Yang Hu left the court and retired to his home. Toward the end of the year he was nigh unto death, and the Ruler of Jin went to visit him. The sight of his master at his bedside brought tears to the eyes of the faithful old leader.
　　“If I died a myriad times, I could never requite Your Majesty,” said Yang Hu.
　　Sima Yan also wept, saying, “My GREat grief is that I could not take advantage of your abilities to attack Wu. Who now is there to carry out your design？”
　　Hesitatingly the sick man replied, “I am dying and must be wholly sincere. General Du Yu is equal to the task, and is the one man to attack Wu.”