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This is a story from Kingdoms. After suppressing the separatist forces in the north and taking control of the court， Cao Cao led his 830，000-strong army to the north bank of the Yangtze River， aiming to destroy Sun Quan and Liu Bei who were on the other side of the river. It was the thirteenth year of Jian Ah， the fifteenth day of the eleventh month. The weather was clear and bright， the wind calm， the waves still. Cao Cao ordered a feast and entertainment for the commanders that evening. The moon was bright and the Great River lay slack， like a belt of white silk unrolled. Aboard ship， all the attendants were in damask coats and embroidered jackets. Cao Cao spoke to the assembly： We have raised this force to purge evil， dispel threats to the ruling family and to calm the empire. The Southland alone remains outside our sphere. Today I invite you to join me. When we have received the submission of the Southland and the empire is at peace， we shall share with you the enjoyments of wealth and glory. The audience rose as one to give Cao Cao thanks. Cao Cao was gratified and offered wine to the river. Then he quaffed three full goblets and， leveling his spear， said to his commanders， Here is the weapon that broke the Yellow Scarves， took Lu Bu， eliminated Yuan Shu， subdued Yuan Shao， penetrated beyond the northern frontier， and conquered the east as far as Liao dong. In the length and breadth of this land no man has withstood me. My ambitions have always been those of a man of action， a leader among men. And now the scene before us fills my soul with profound passion. I shall perform a song， and you must join me. Cao Cao recited： | 
