Liu
Bei and Zhuge Liang went out of the city to welcome the envoy of the South Land
and led him to the guest-house.
After
the usual greetings, Lu Su said, "Hearing of the death of your nephew, my
lord Sun Quan has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the
funeral sacrifices. General Zhou Yu also sends regards to the Imperial Uncle
and to you, Master Zhuge Liang."
Both rose at once and thanked him zfor the courtesy. Then the gifts were
handed over and a banquet prepared, and while it was in progress, the guest
brought up the real object of his visit.
"You
said, Sir, that Jingzhou should be returned to us after the death of Liu Qi.
Now that that event has happened, rendition becomes due, and I should be glad
to know when the transfer can take place."
"We will discuss that later. In the meantime let us go on with our
wine," said Liu Bei.
So
the feasting continued. Some time later Lu Su returned to the subject, but this
time his host remained silent.
However,
Zhuge Liang, changing color, said, "Lu Su, you are unreasonable. You could
not wait till some other has to explain this matter to you. From the very
foundation of the empire by our illustrious ancestor, the great heritage has
descended in due course till today when, unhappily, evil doers have risen among
the powerful and they have seized upon such portions as they could. But with
God's favor and help, unity is nearly restored. My lord is a scion of the
Imperial House, a great great grandson of Emperor Jing. Now, as the Emperor's
Uncle, should he not have a share of the empire? Moreover, Liu Biao was my
lord's elder brother, and there is certainly nothing extraordinary in one
brother's succession to another's estate.
"What is your master? The son of a petty official on the
banks of the River Qiantang, absolutely without merit so far as the state is
concerned. Just because he is powerful, he holds actual possession of six
territories and eighty-one counties, which has whetted his insatiable appetite
till he now desires to swallow the whole empire. The land is the estate of the
Liu family and my lord, who is of that name, has no share thereof, while your
master, whose name is Sun, would dispute with, and even fight him. Beside, at
the battle at the Red Cliffs my lord did good service and acquired great merit
while his commanders risked their lives. Was it solely the strength of your
southern soldiers that won that fight? Had I not brought that southeast wind
that meant so much for Zhou Yu, could he have done anything? Had the South Land
been conquered, it is needless to say that the two paramount beauties would now
be gracing the Bronze Bird Palace. And as for yourself and other officers,
insignificant though your families be, could you have been sure to survive?
Just now my lord did not reply because he was willing to believe rather that a
scholar of your abilities would understand without a detailed explanation, and
I trust now that you will."
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This speech absolutely shut
the guest's mouth for a time, and he said no word in reply. But after an
interval he said, "What you say, Zhuge Liang, I think is devoid of reason,
and means much unpleasantness for me."
"What
unpleasantness?" asked Zhuge Liang.
The guest replied,
"When Liu Bei was in serious straits at Dangyang, I conducted you across
the river and introduced you to my lord. I opposed Zhou Yu when he was going to
capture Jingzhou, and then it came to agreement that the place was to be ours
when the young man died. And I pledged myself to that. Now how can I go back
and say you break your promise? Both my lord and Zhou Yu will hold me guilty. I
would not mind death so much, but I fear that my master will be very wrathful
and make war on the Imperial Uncle, who will have no place of refuge and he
will look ridiculous in the eyes of the world for no reason."
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Replied Zhuge Liang,
"I care not for Cao Cao with his million troops and the Emperor in name at
his back, and do you think I fear such a youngster as Zhou Yu? However, as it
may cause you some loss of consideration, I will try to persuade my master to
put the matter in writing and give you a paper to the effect that he is
temporarily occupying Jingzhou as a base. When he can obtain possession of some
other city, this shall be returned to you. What think you the South Land would
say to this?"
"Wait
till what other place was obtained?" said Lu Su.
"My
master can scarcely think of attacking the Middle Land yet, but Liu Zhang in
Yizhou is ignorant and weak, and my master will attack him. If he gets the
western region, then this place will be given up to you."
Lu Su had no alternative and accepted the offer. Liu Bei with his own
hand wrote the pledge and sealed it. Zhuge Liang being named as guarantor also
signed the document.
"Since
I belong to this side of the compact and one can hardly have a guarantor of the
same party, I would trouble you, Lu Su, also to sign. It will look better when
you reach the South Land again," said Zhuge Liang.
Lu
Su said, "I know that your master is perfectly honorable and will adhere
to the bargain."
And so Lu Su signed. Then he received the document in formal style and
took his departure.
He
was sent off with every mark of great respect, both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang
attending him to his boat.
There the Directing Instructor delivered him a last exhortation,
"When you see your master, speak discreetly and explain fully so as not to
create a bad impression. If he rejects our document, we may get angry and we
will take his whole country. The one thing now is for our two houses to live in
harmony and not give our common enemy, Cao Cao, an opportunity against
us."
Lu
Su went down into his ship. He reached Chaisang and there saw Zhou Yu, who
said, "Well, how did you speed with your demand for Jingzhou?"
"Here is the document," said Lu Su, giving it to Zhou Yu to
read.
"You have been
victimized by Zhuge Liang!" said Zhou Yu, stamping his foot with
irritation. "In name it may be temporary occupation, but in fact it is
humbug. They say the place is to be returned when they get the west. Who knows
when that will be? Suppose ten years: Then it will be ten years before they
give us Jingzhou. What is the use of such a document as this? And you are a
guarantor of its due performance! If they do not give us the city, you get into
trouble. Suppose our lord finds you in the wrong, what then?"
Lu
Su was dumbfounded. When he had somewhat recovered his self-possession, he
said, "I think Liu Bei will be true to me."
"You,
my friend, are simple and sincere. Liu Bei is a scoundrel adventurer, and Zhuge
Liang is a slippery customer. They and you are utterly different."
"What
then is to be done?" cried Lu Su distressfully.
"You are my dear friend, and your kindness in freely offering your
store of grain to relieve my army is still fresh in my memory. Of course I will
save you. Do not be anxious, but wait a few days till we get news of what is
doing on the north of the river, and then we can decide upon a plan."
Lu Su passed some very
uneasy days. Then the scouts came back saying that in Jingzhou everything
seemed in excellent order and the white flags were flying everywhere, while
outside the city they were building a magnificent mausoleum for Lady Gan, wife
of Liu Bei. All the soldiers were in mourning.
When Zhou Yu knew who was
dead, he said to Lu Su, "My scheme is made. You will see Liu Bei just
stand still to be bound, and we shall get Jingzhou like turning a hand."
"What
is the main spring of your plan?" said Lu Su.
"Liu Bei will want to remarry, and our lord has a sister, Sun Ren.
She is a tough lady, whose women guards number many hundreds, all armed with
weapons of war. Her apartments also are full of such things. I will write to
our lord to send an intermediary to arrange that the lady shall wed Liu Bei at
her family home, and thus we shall entice Liu Bei to Nanxu. But instead of
marrying a wife, Liu Bei will find himself a prisoner, and then we will demand
Jingzhou as ransom. When they have handed over the region, I shall find
something else to say and nothing will fall on your head."
Lu
Su was very grateful. Then Zhou Yu wrote letters to his master, and a swift
boat was chosen to take Lu Su to see the Marquis of Wu.
After
the lending of Jingzhou had been discussed, Lu Su presented the document given
him by Liu Bei.
"What
is the use of such nonsense as this?" said Sun Quan, when he had read it.
"There
is another letter from General Zhou Yu. And he says that if you will employ his
scheme, you can recover Jingzhou," replied Lu Su.
Having read that letter, Sun Quan was more pleased and began to consider
who was the best person to send.
Suddenly
he cried, "I have it. Lu Fan is the man to send."
Sun Quan called Lu Fan and said to him, "I have just heard that Liu
Bei has lost his wife. I have a sister whom I should like to marry to him and
so make a bond of union between our two houses. Thus we should be united
against Cao Cao and in support of the House of Han. You are the one man to be
intermediary, and I hope you will go to Jingzhou and see to this."
Under these orders, Lu Fan
at once began to prepare his ships for the voyage and soon started.
Liu
Bei was greatly distressed at the death of Lady Gan, fretting for her day and
night. One day when he was talking with his adviser, they announced the arrival
of Lu Fan who had come on a mission from the South Land.
"One
of Zhou Yu's devices," said Zhuge Liang smiling, "and it is all on
account of this region. I will just retire behind the screen and listen. But
you, my lord, agree to whatever the messenger proposes. Then let the messenger
be taken to the guest-house while we arrange what is to be done."
So
the envoy was introduced. Bows having been exchanged, host and guest being
seated in due order and the tea drunk, Liu Bei opened the interview.
"You
must have some commands for me, Sir, since you come thus."
"News
has just been received that you, O Imperial Uncle, have just been bereaved of
your consort. I venture to hope you would not object to an advantageous match,
and I have come to propose one. Are you disposed to listen?"
"To lose one's wife in middle age is truly a great
misfortune," said Liu Bei. "While her body is still warm, I cannot
listen to proposals for another marriage."
Lu Fan said, "A man
without a wife is like a house without a ridge pole. At your age, one should
not live an incomplete life. I am come on the part of Marquis Sun Quan, who has
a sister, beautiful as she is, accomplished and well fitted to be a mate for
you. Should the two families become allied as formerly were Qin and Jin, then
that ruffian Cao Cao would never dare so much as look this way. Such an
alliance would be to the benefit of both our houses and of the state. I hope, O
Imperial Uncle, that you will fairly consider the proposal. However, since the
young girl's mother is dotingly fond of her, the mother does not wish her to go
far away, and so I must ask you to come into our country for the wedding."
"Does
the Marquis know of your coming?"
"How dare I come without his knowledge?"
"I
am no longer young," said Liu Bei. "I am fifty and grizzled. This
fair damsel, the sister of the Marquis, is now in the flower of her youth and
no mate for me."
"Although the damsel is a woman, yet in mind she surpasses many a
man, and she has said she will never wed anyone who is unknown to fame. Now,
Sir, you are renowned throughout the four seas. Marriage with you would be the
chaste maiden mating with the born gentleman. Of what consequence is the
difference in age?"
"Sir, stay here
awhile, and I will give you a reply tomorrow," said Liu Bei.
So
that day the envoy was entertained at a banquet and then conducted to the
guest-house to repose, while, late as it was, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang discussed
their plans.
"I
knew what he had come about," said the adviser. "While he was
talking, I consulted the oracle and obtained an excellent sign. Wherefore you
may accept the proposal and send Sun Qian back with this envoy to arrange the
details. When the promise has been ratified, we will choose a day and you shall
go to complete the ceremony."
"How can I thus go into enemy territory? Zhou Yu has wanted to slay
me for a long time."
"Let Zhou Yu employ
all his ruses. Think you he can get beyond me? Let me act for you, and his calculations
will always fail halfway. Once Sun Quan's sister is in your power, there will
be no fear for Jingzhou."
Still
Liu Bei doubted in his mind. However, Sun Qian was sent to the South Land, with
definite instructions, and traveled thither with Lu Fan.
At
the interview Sun Quan said, "I wish my sister could induce Liu Bei to
live here with us. He would come to no harm."
Sun
Qian took his leave. And returning to Jingzhou, he told the bridegroom elect,
saying, "Sun Quan's sole desire is for our lord to go over and complete
the marriage."
However,
Liu Bei feared and would not go.
Zhuge Liang said, "I have prepared three plans, but I need Zhao
Zilong to carry them out. He will be sent as your guard."
So
Zhuge Liang called in Zhao Zilong, gave him three silken bags, and whispered in
his ear, saying, "Here are three schemes enclosed in three bags. When you
escort our lord to the South Land, you will take these with you and act as they
direct."
Zhao
Zilong hid the three silken bags in his breast so that they should be at hand
when required.
Zhuge Liang next sent the wedding gifts, and when these had been
received, the preliminaries were settled.
It
was then the early winter of the fourteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD
209). The bridegroom elect, his escort, and the intermediary left the city of
Jingzhou with a fleet of ten fast ships to sail down the river to Nanxu.
Zhuge
Liang remained to guard and rule the region.
But Liu Bei was far from feeling comfortable. They arrived and the ships
were made fast. This done, the time had come for the first of the silken bags
to be opened. And so it was. Thereupon Zhao Zilong gave each of his five
hundred guards his instructions, and they went their several ways. Next Zhao
Zilong told Liu Bei what he was to do: To pay his visit first to the State
Patriarch Qiao, who was the father-in-law of Sun Ce and of Zhou Yu.
The
State Patriarch Qiao resided in Nanxu and to his house, leading sheep and
bearing wine jars, went the bridegroom elect.
Having
made his obeisance, Liu Bei explained that as Lu Fan had arranged, he had come
to marry a wife.
In
the meantime the five hundred guards, all in gala dress, had scattered over the
city place buying all sorts of things, as they said, for the wedding of Liu Bei
with the daughter of the Sun House. They spread the news far and wide and the
whole town talked about it.
When
Sun Quan heard of Liu Bei's arrival, he bade Lu Fan wait upon him and take him
to the guest-house.
Meanwhile
the State Patriarch Qiao went to the Dowager Marchioness, mother of Sun Quan,
to congratulate her on the happy event.
"What happy event?" ejaculated the old lady.
"The
betrothal of your beloved daughter to Liu Bei. And he has arrived too, as
surely you know."
"My poor old self does not know," said the Dowager. "I
have heard nothing of all this."
She at once summoned her
son and also sent her servants out into the town to see what was going about.
They
quickly returned to say: "The whole city know of the coming wedding, and
the bridegroom is now at the guest-house. Moreover, he has come with a large
escort, and they are spending freely, buying pork and mutton and fruits, all in
readiness for the wedding feasting. Lu Fan and Sun Qian are the intermediaries
on each side, and they are in the guest-house too."
The Dowager Marchioness was terribly taken aback and upset so that, when
Sun Quan arrived, he found his mother beating her breast and weeping bitterly.
"What
has disturbed you, Mother?" asked he.
"What you have just done," said she. "You have
treated me as a nonentity. When my elder sister lay dying, what did she tell
you?"
Sun
Quan began to be frightened, but he said boldly, "Please speak out
plainly, Mother. What is this great sorrow?"
"When
a son is grown, he takes a wife; and when a girl is old enough, she goes to her
husband. And that is right and proper. But I am the mother, and you ought to
have told me that your sister was to become the wife of Liu Bei. Why did you
keep me in the dark? It was my place to promise her in marriage."
"Whence
comes this story?" said the Marquis, really much frightened.
"Do
you pretend ignorance? There is not a soul in the city who does not know! But
you have succeeded in keeping me in the dark."
"I heard it several days ago," said the State Patriarch Qiao.
"And I came just now to offer my felicitations."
"There
is no such thing," said Sun Quan. "It is just one of the ruses of
Zhou Yu to get hold of Jingzhou. He has used this means to inveigle Liu Bei
here and hold him captive till Jingzhou is restored to us. And if they will not
give it back, then Liu Bei will be put to death. That is the plot. There is no
real marriage."
But
the Dowager was in a rage and vented her wrath in abusing Zhou Yu.
She said, "Zhou Yu is a pretty sort of governor over the six
territories and eighty-one counties, if he cannot find any means of recovering
one region except making use of my child as a decoy. Truly this is a fine deed,
to spoil the whole of my child's life and condemn her to perpetual widowhood,
because he wants to use the fair damsel ruse to slay a man! Who will ever come
to talk of marriage with her after this?"
Said
the State Patriarch Qiao, "By this means you may indeed recover Jingzhou,
but you will be a shameful laughing stock to all the world. What can be
done?"
Sun Quan had nothing to say. He could only hang his head, while the
Dowager abused his general.
The State Patriarch Qiao
tried to soothe her, saying, "After all Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, is a
scion of the reigning family. You can do nothing better now than to welcome him
as a son-in-law and not let this ugly story get abroad."
"I
am afraid their ages do not match," interposed Sun Quan.
"Liu Bei is a very famous man," said the State Patriarch Qiao.
"There can be no shame in having such a son-in-law."
"I have never seen
him," said the Dowager. "Arrange that I may get a look at him
tomorrow at the Sweet Dew Temple. If he displeases me, you may work your will
on him. But if I am satisfied with him, then I shall simply let the girl marry
him."
Now
Sun Quan was above all things filial and at once agreed to what his mother
said. He went out, called in Lu Fan, and told him to arrange a banquet for the
morrow at the temple so that the Dowager Marchioness might see the bridegroom.
"Why
not order Jia Hua to station some men in the wings of the temple? Then if the
Dowager be not pleased, we can call them out and fall upon him," said Lu
Fan.
Accordingly the ambush was prepared and five hundred ruffians posted to
act as the Dowager's attitude might determine.
When the State Patriarch
Qiao took his leave and had reached his house, he sent to tell Liu Bei, saying,
"Tomorrow the Marquis and the Dowager Marchioness wished to see you. So be
careful!"
Liu
Bei and his faithful henchman discussed their plans.
Zhao Zilong said, "The morrow bodes rather ill than well. However,
your escort shall be there."
Next day the Dowager
Marchioness and the State Patriarch Qiao went to the Temple of Sweet Dew as had
been arranged. Sun Quan came with a number of his strategists; and when all
were assembled, Lu Fan was sent to the guest-house to request Liu Bei to come.
He obeyed the summons, but as a precaution he put on a light coat of mail under
his brocaded robe. His followers too took their swords upon their backs and
followed close. He mounted his steed, and the cavalcade set out for the temple.
At the door of the temple he met Sun Quan on whom the visitor's brave demeanor
was not lost. After they had exchanged salutations, Sun Quan led Liu Bei into
the presence of his mother.
"Just
the son-in-law for me!" said the Dowager delighted with the appearance of
Liu Bei.
"He
has the air of an emperor and a look like the sun," remarked the State
Patriarch Qiao.
"When
one remembers also that his fair fame has spread over the whole earth, you may
well be congratulated on getting such a noble son-in-law."
Liu
Bei bowed, in acknowledgment of his reception. Soon after they were all seated
at the banquet in the temple, Zhao Zilong entered and took his place beside Liu
Bei.
"Who
is this?" asked the Dowager.
"This is Zhao Zilong of Changshan."
"Then
he must be the hero of Dangyang, who saved the little Liu Shan."
"Yes,
this is he," replied Liu Bei.
"A fine general!" said the Dowager, and she gave him wine.
Presently Zhao Zilong said
to his master, "I have seen a lot of armed ruffians hidden away in the
purlieus of the temple. They can be there for no good, and you should ask the
Dowager to get them sent away."
Thereupon
Liu Bei knelt at the feet of the Dowager and, weeping, said, "If you would
slay me, let it be here."
"Why
do you say this?" asked she.
"Because
there are assassins in hiding in the wings of the temple. What are they there
for if not to kill me?"
The
Dowager wrathfully turned on Sun Quan, "What are armed men doing there
today, when Liu Bei is to become my son-in-law and the pair are my son and
daughter?"
Sun
Quan said he did not know and sent Lu Fan to inquire.
Lu Fan put the blame on Jia
Hua. The Dowager summoned him and upbraided him severely. He had nothing to
say, and she told them to put him to death.
But
Liu Bei interceded, saying, "The General's death will do me harm and make
it hard for me to stay at your side."
The State Patriarch Qiao also interceded, and she only ordered the
general out of her presence. His subordinates also scattered and ran like
frightened rats.
By
and bye, strolling out of the banquet room into the temple grounds, Liu Bei
came to a boulder.
Drawing
his sword he looked up to heaven and prayed, saying, "If I am to return to
Jingzhou and achieve my intent to become a chief ruler, then may I cleave this
boulder asunder with my sword. But if I am to meet my doom in this place, then
may the sword fail to cut this stone."
Raising his sword he smote the boulder. Sparks flew in all directions,
and the boulder lay split in twain.
It
happened that Sun Quan had seen the blow, and he said, "Why do you thus
hate that stone?"
Liu Bei replied, "I am near my fifth decade and have so far failed
to rid the state of evil. I greatly regret my failure. Now I have been accepted
by the Dowager as her son-in-law, and this is a critical moment in my life. So
I implored of Heaven a portent that I might destroy Cao Cao as I would that
boulder and restore the dynasty. You saw what happened."
"That
is only to deceive me," thought Sun Quan. Drawing his own sword, he said,
"And I also ask of Heaven an omen, that if I am to destroy Cao Cao, I may
also cut this rock."
So
he spoke. But in his secret heart he prayed, "If I am to recover Jingzhou
and extend my borders, may the stone be cut in twain."
He smote the stone and it split in twain. And to this day
there are cross cuts in the stone, which is still preserved.
One
who saw this relic wrote a poem:
The shining blades fell and the rock was shorn through,
The metal rang clear and the sparks widely flew.
Thus fate then declared for the dynasties two
And the tripartite rule there began.
Both
put up their swords and returned hand in hand to the banquet hall.
After
some more courses, Sun Qian gave his master a warning look, and Liu Bei said,
"I pray you excuse me as my drinking powers are very small."
Wherefore
Sun Quan escorted him to the gate.
As
they walked down looking at high land and rolling river spreading in glorious panorama
before their eyes, Liu Bei exclaimed, "Really this is the finest scene in
the whole world!"
These
words are recorded on a tablet in the Temple of the Sweet Dew, and one who read
them wrote a poem:
From the riverside hills the rain clears off,
And the black clouds roll away,
And this is the place of joy and mirth
And never can sorrow stay.
And here two heroes of ages past
Decided their parts to play,
And the lofty heights flung back wind and wave
Then, as they do today.
Yes,
they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast
river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward
heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding
over the waves as if all was perfect calm.
"The
northern people are riders and the southern people sailors. It is said quite
true," sighed Liu Bei.
Sun Quan hearing this
remark took it as a reproach to his horsemanship. Bidding his servants lead up
his steed, Sun Quan leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the
hill. Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed.
"So the southerners
cannot ride, eh?" said Sun Quan laughing.
Not to be outdone, Liu Bei
lifted the skirts of his robe, jumped upon his horse and repeated the feat.
The
two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their
whips and laughing.
Thence
forward that hillside was known as the "Slope Where the Horses
Stood," and a poem was written about it:
Their galloping steeds were of noble breed,
And both of spirit high,
And the riders twain from the hill-crest gazed
At the river rolling by.
One of them mastered the western mountains.
One ruled by the eastern sea;
And the hill to this very day
Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood.
When
they rode side by side into Nanxu, the people met them with acclamations. Liu
Bei made his way to the guest-house and there sought advice from Sun Qian as to
the date of the wedding.
Sun Qian advised, "It should be fixed as early as possible so that
no further complications could arise."
So
next day Liu Bei went to the State Patriarch Qiao and told him in plain words,
"Many the people of the place mean harm to me, and I cannot stay here
long. I must return soon."
"Do
not be anxious," said the State Patriarch Qiao. "I will tell the
Dowager Marchioness, and she will protect you."
Liu
Bei bowed to express his thanks.
The
State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the
reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave.
"Who would dare harm my son-in-law?" cried she.
But she made Liu Bei move
into the library of the palace as a precaution, and she chose a day for the
celebration of the wedding. But his soldiers could not keep guard at the
library and were removed from his commands. Liu Bei explained to his hostess,
and when she understood this, she gave her son-in-law and his people rooms in her
own palace so that he might be quite safe.
Liu Bei was very happy, and
there were fine banquets, and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their
troth.
And when it grew late and the guests had gone, the newly
wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial
apartment.
To
his extreme surprise, Liu Bei found the chambers furnished with spears and
swords and banners and flags, while every waiting-maid had girded on a sword.
Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw,
And armed waiting-maids;
His heart fell back on all its fears
Of well-laid ambuscades.
What
happened will be related in the next chapter.
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Sun
Quan & Sun Xiang xiang Thượng Hương & Dowager Marchioness & Zhang
Zhao
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Sun
Xiangxiang
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Zhou Yu
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