In order to lure Xu Shu out from becoming Liu Bei’s military advisor, Cao Cao asked his men to invite Xu Shu’s mother to capital. And now, Xu Shu’s mother is in Cao Cao’s custody. Cao Cao tried to influence Xu Shu’s mother, so that she would persuade his son to work for him instead of Liu Bei.

However, Xu Shu’s mother knew Lord Liu Bei was a virtuous ruler who respect by the people and his was a real hero. Thus, she refused to write a letter to persuade Xu Shu. Cao Cao has no choice, and finally, he got an idea to mimic Xu Shu mother’s handwriting. Here’s the content:”Since the death of our younger brother, I’ve been living alone. Suddenly, Cao Cao’s men brought me to him and blame me for the things you did. Thanks to Cheng Yu, otherwise my life wouldn’t be spared. Here I’m in the Prime Minister’s custody. Please quickly come and see me. They said that they will put me to death if you don’t surrender. Therefore, I implore you to come here as soon as possible to free me from here.

After reading the letter, Xu Shu was very upset and depressed.

Therefore, he decided to tell the truth to Liu Bei, so that he could rush to his mother’s place. Liu Bei was very saddened after Xu Shu told him that he was forced to leave him. He knew that mother is someone’s closet relative; he has to let him go although he can’t watch a talented man like Xu Shu to leave. The next day, Liu Bei and his brothers farewell with Xu Shu and Xu Shu promised he won’t help Cao Cao at all. He would only depart to see his mother.

Before Xu Shu left, he told Liu Bei, 20 miles to the west of Xiang Yang, in the Long Zhong area, there lives a man of extraordinary talent. This information could be his farewell present for Liu Bei. This man’s talent if compare with Xu Shu, Xu Shu is like a firefly and his talented friend is like a moon. This man is not an easy man to recruit, he advised Liu Bei to invite him personally.

He was the number one genius on this earth and his name is Zhuge Liang or nick name called “Kong Ming”. People also called him the “Master of Sleeping Dragon”. The other master Liu Bei curious was “The Fledgling Phoenix”. Xu Shu replied this man “The Fledgng Phoenix” was Pang Tong, styled Shiyuan.

Without knowing that it was Cao Cao’s tactics, Xu Shu left Liu Bei and reached the Capital. Xu Shu’s mother was shocked when she saw her son there. After Xu Shu showed her mother the letter, they were enlightened that Xu Shu was tricked. His mother was very angry because Xu Shu was not alert that this was actually Cao Cao’s tactics and due to this scenario, she hung herself and end her life. Ironically, Xu Shu never would’ve thought things would turn into a tragedy.

Though Xu Shu is now at Cao Cao’s side, who was Liu Bei’s enemy, his loyalty does not change. He would keep his promised that he would never suggest any tactic to anyone.