In chapter 39 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei has just made Zhuge Liang his adviser. When Xiahou Dun marches on them with 100,000 men, Liu Bei asks how to meet him. His sworn brother Zhang Fei answers: “Brother, why not send the ‘water’?” The “water” is the newcomer Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang tells Liu Bei: “I fear that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei will not obey my orders. If my lord wants me to command the troops, lend me your sword and seal.” Liu Bei hands them over, and Zhuge Liang calls the generals to receive their orders.