← 三Sān国Guó演Yǎn义Yì · Romance of the Three Kingdoms

第dì一yī百bǎi三sān回huí 上shàng方fāng谷gǔ司sī马mǎ受shòu困kùn　　　五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán诸zhū葛gé禳ráng星xīng

103-1

却què说shuō司sī马mǎ懿yì被bèi张zhāng翼yì、廖liào化huà一yī阵zhèn杀shā败bài，匹pí马mǎ单dān枪qiāng，望wàng密mì林lín间jiān而ér走zǒu，张zhāng翼yì收shōu住zhù后hòu军jūn，廖liào化huà当dāng先xiān追zhuī赶gǎn。看kàn看kàn赶gǎn上shàng，懿yì著zhù慌huāng遶rào树shù而ér转zhuǎn。化huà一yī刀dāo砍kǎn去qù，正zhèng砍kǎn在zài树shù上shàng；及jí拔bá出chū刀dāo时shí，懿yì已yí走zǒu出chū林lín外wài。廖liào化huà随suí后hòu赶gǎn出chū，却què不bù知zhī去qù向xiàng，但dàn见jiàn树shù林lín之zhī东dōng，落là下xià金jīn盔kuī一yí个gè。

Sorely smitten in the battle, Ssŭma fled from the field a lonely horseman, a single spear. Seeing a thick wood in the distance he made for its shelter. Chang I halted the rear division while Miao Hua pressed forward after the fugitive, whom he could see threading his way among the trees. And Ssŭma indeed was soon in fear of his life, dodging from tree to tree as his pursuer neared. Once Miao Hua was actually close enough to slash at his enemy, but he struck a tree instead of his man, and before he could pull his sword out of the wood Ssŭma had got clear away. When Miao got through into the open country he did not know which way to go. Presently he noticed a helmet lying on the ground, just lately thrown aside. He picked it up, hung it on his saddle and went away eastward.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-2

廖liào化huà取qǔ盔kuī捎shāo在zài马mǎ上shàng，一yì直zhí望wàng东dōng追zhuī赶gǎn。原yuán来lái司sī马mǎ懿yì把bǎ金jīn盔kuī弃qì于yú林lín东dōng，却què反fǎn向xiàng西xī走zǒu去qù了le。廖liào化huà追zhuī了le一yī程chéng，不bú见jiàn踪zōng迹jì，奔bēn出chū谷gú口kǒu，遇yù见jiàn姜jiāng维wéi，同tóng回huí寨zhài见jiàn孔kǒng明míng。张zhāng嶷yí早zǎo驱qū木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ到dào寨zhài。交jiāo割gē已yǐ毕bì，获huò粮liáng万wàn余yú石shí。廖liào化huà献xiàn上shàng金jīn盔kuī，录lù为wèi头tóu功gōng。魏wèi延yán心xīn中zhōng不bú悦yuè，口kǒu出chū怨yuàn言yán，孔kǒng明míng只zhǐ做zuò不bù知zhī。

But the crafty fugitive, having flung away his helmet thus on the east side of the wood, had gone away west, so that Miao was going away from his quarry. After some time Miao fell in with Chiang Wei, when he abandoned the pursuit and rode with him back to camp. The “wooden oxen and running horses” having been driven into camp, their loads were put into the storehouse. The grain that fell to the victors amounted to a myriad “stone” or more. Miao Hua presented the enemy’s helmet as proof of his prowess in the field and received a reward of the first grade of merit. But Wei Yen had nothing to offer, and so was overlooked. He went away angry and discontented, muttering that the general pretended to be ignorant of his services.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-3

且qiě说shuō司sī马mǎ懿yì逃táo回huí寨zhài中zhōng，心xīn甚shèn恼nǎo闷mèn。忽hū使shǐ命mìng赍jī诏zhào至zhì，言yán东dōng吴wú三sān路lù入rù寇kòu，朝cháo廷tíng正zhèng议yì命mìng将jiāng抵dǐ敌dí，令lìng懿yì等děng坚jiān守shǒu勿wù战zhàn。懿yì受shòu命mìng已yǐ毕bì，深shēn沟gōu高gāo垒lěi，坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū。

Very sadly Ssŭma returned to his own camp. Bad news followed, for a messenger brought letters telling of an invasion by three armies of Wu. The letters said that forces had been sent against them, and the king again enjoined upon his general a waiting and defensive policy. So Ssŭma deepened his moats and raised his ramparts.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-4

却què说shuō曹cáo叡ruì闻wén孙sūn权quán分fēn兵bīng三sān路lù而ér来lái，亦yì起qǐ兵bīng三sān路lù迎yíng之zhī：命mìng刘liú劭shào引yǐn兵bīng救jiù江jiāng夏xià，田tián豫yù引yǐn兵bīng救jiù襄xiāng阳yáng，叡ruì自zì与yú满mán宠chǒng率lǜ大dà军jūn救jiù合hé淝féi。满mán宠chǒng先xiān引yǐn一yī军jūn至zhì巢cháo湖hú口kǒu，望wàng见jiàn东dōng岸àn战zhàn船chuán无wú数shù，旌jīng旗qí整zhěng肃sù。宠chǒng入rù军jūn中zhōng秦qín魏wèi主zhǔ曰yuē：「吴wú人rén必bì轻qīng我wó远yuǎn来lái，未wèi曾céng隄dī备bèi。今jīn夜yè可kě乘chéng虚xū劫jié其qí水shuǐ寨zhài，必bì得děi全quán胜shèng。

King Ts‘ao Jui had sent three armies against the invaders; Liu Shao led that to save Changhsia, T‘ien Yu led the Hsiangyang force. The king, with Man Ch‘ung, went into Hofei. This last was the main army. Man Ch‘ung led the leading division toward Ch‘aohuk‘ou. Thence, looking across to the eastern shore, he saw only a few ships, but a large number of flags and banners. So he returned to the main army and proposed an attack without loss of time. “The enemy think we shall be fatigued after a long march and have not troubled to prepare any defence; we should attack this night, and we shall overcome them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-5

」魏wèi主zhǔ曰yuē：「汝rǔ言yán正zhèng合hé朕zhèn意yì。」即jí令lìng骁xiāo将jiàng张zhāng球qiú领líng五wǔ千qiān兵bīng，各gè带dài火huǒ具jù，从cóng湖hú口kǒu攻gōng之zhī；满mán宠chóng引yǐn兵bīng五wǔ千qiān，从cóng东dōng岸àn攻gōng之zhī。是shì夜yè二èr更gèng时shí分fēn，张zhāng球qiú、满mán宠chǒng，各gè引yǐn军jūn悄qiāo悄qiāo望wàng湖hú口kǒu进jìn发fā﹔将jiāng近jìn水shuǐ寨zhài，一yī齐qí呐nà喊hǎn杀shā入rù。吴wú兵bīng慌huāng乱luàn，不bú战zhàn而ér走zǒu﹔被bèi魏wèi军jūn四sì下xià举jú火huǒ，烧shāo毁huǐ战zhàn船chuán、粮liáng草cǎo、器qì具jù不bú计jì其qí数shù。

“What you say accords with my own ideas,” said the king, and he told off the cavalry leader, Chang Ch‘iu, to take five companies and try to burn out the enemy. Man Ch‘ung was also to attack from the eastern bank. In the second watch of that night the two forces set out and gradually approached the entrance to the lake. They reached the marine camp unobserved, burst upon it with a yell, and the men of Wu fled without striking a blow. The men of Wei set fires going in every direction and thus destroyed all the ships together with much grain and many weapons.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-6

诸zhū葛gé瑾jǐn率lǜ败bài兵bīng逃táo走zóu沔mián口kǒu。魏wèi兵bīng大dà胜shèng而ér回huí。

Chuko Chin, who was in command, led his beaten men to Mienk‘ou, and the attackers returned to their camp much elated.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-7

次cì日rì，哨shào军jūn报bào知zhī陆lù逊xùn。逊xùn集jí诸zhū将jiāng议yì曰yuē：「吾wú当dàng作zuò表biǎo申shēn奏zòu主zhǔ上shàng，请qǐng撤chè新xīn城chéng之zhī围wéi，以yǐ兵bīng断duàn魏wèi军jūn归guī路lù，吾wú率lǜ众zhòng攻gōng其qí前qián，彼bí首shóu尾wěi不bù敌dí，一yī鼓gú可kě破pò也yě。」众zhòng服fú其qí言yán。陆lù逊xùn即jí具jù表biǎo，遗yí一yī小xiǎo校xiào密mì地dì赍jī往wǎng新xīn城chéng。小xiǎo校xiào领lǐng命mìng，赍jī看kàn表biǎo文wén，行xíng至zhì渡dù口kǒu，不bù期qī被bèi魏wèi军jūn伏fú路lù的de捉zhuō住zhù，解jiě赴fù军jūn中zhōng见jiàn魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo叡ruì。

When the report come to Lu Hsün he called together his officers and said, “I must write to the king to abandon the siege of Hsinch‘êng, that the men may be employed to cut off the retreat of the Wei army, while I will attack them in front. They will be harassed by the double danger, and we shall break them.” All agreed that this was a good plan, and the memorial was drafted. It was sent by the hard of a junior officer, who was told to convey it secretly. But this messenger was captured at the ferry and taken before King Jui, who read the despatch, saying, with a sigh, “This Lu Hsün is really very resourceful.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-8

叡ruì搜sōu出chū陆lù逊xùn表biǎo文wén，览lǎn毕bì，叹tàn曰yuē：「东dōng吴wú陆lù逊xùn，真zhēn妙miào算suàn也yé许xǔ！」遂suì命mìng将jiāng吴wú卒zú监jiān下xià，命mìng刘liú劭shào谨jǐn防fáng孙sūn权quán后hòu兵bīng。

The captive was put into prison, and Liu Shao was told off to defend the rear and keep off Sun’s army.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-9

却què说shuō诸zhū葛gé瑾jǐn大dà败bài一yī阵zhèn，又yòu值zhí暑shǔ天tiān，人rén马mǎ多duō生shēng疾jí病bìng；乃nǎi修xiū书shū一yī封fēng，令lìng人rén转zhuǎn达dá陆lù逊xùn，议yì欲yù撤chè兵bīng还hái国guó。逊xùn看kàn书shū毕bì，谓wèi来lái人rén曰yuē：「拜bài上shàng将jiàng军jūn，吾wú自zì有yóu主zhǔ意yì。」使shí者zhě回huí报bào诸zhū葛gé瑾jǐn。瑾jǐn问wèn：「陆lù将jiāng军jūn作zuò何hé举jǔ动dòng？」使shí者zhě曰yuē：「但dàn见jiàn陆lù将jiāng军jūn催cuī督dū众zhòng人rén于yú营yíng外wài种zhǒng荳dòu菽shū，自zì与yǔ诸zhū将jiāng在zài辕yuán门mén射shè戏xì。

Now Chuko’s defeated men were suffering from hot weather illnesses, and at length he was compelled to write and tell Lu Hsün, and ask that his army be relieved and sent home. Having read this despatch, Lu said to the messenger, “Make my obeisance to the Great General and say that I will decide.” When the messenger returned with this reply Chuko asked what was doing in the Commander-in-chief’s camp. He replied that the men were all outside planting beans, and the officers were amusing themselves at the gates. They were playing a game of skill, throwing arrows into narrow-necked vases. Then Chuko himself went to his chief’s camp and asked how the pressing danger was to be met.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-10

」瑾jǐn大dà惊jīng，亲qīn自zì往wǎng陆lù逊xùn营yíng中zhōng，与yǔ逊xùn相xiāng见jiàn；问wèn曰yuē：「今jīn曹cáo叡ruì亲qīn来lái，兵bīng势shì甚shèn盛shèng，都dū督dū何hé以yǐ御yù之zhī？」逊xùn日rì：「吾wú前qián遣qiǎn人rén奏zòu表biǎo于yú主zhǔ上shàng，不bú料liào为wèi敌dí人rén所suǒ获huò。机jī谋móu既jì泄xiè，彼bǐ必bì知zhī备bèi；与yǔ战zhàn无wú益yì，不bù如rú且qiě退tuì。已yǐ差chà人rén奉fèng表biǎo约yuē主zhǔ上shàng缓huán缓huǎn退tuì兵bīng矣yǐ。」瑾jǐn日rì：「都dū督dū既jì有yóu此cǐ意yì，即jí宜yí速sù退tuì，何hé又yòu迟chí延yán？

Lu Hsün replied, “My messenger to the king was captured, and thus my plans were discovered. Now it is useless to prepare to fight, and so we had better retreat. I have sent in a memorial to engage the king to retire gradually.” Chuko replied, “Why delay? If you think it best to retire, it had better be done quickly.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-11

」逊xùn曰yuē：「吾wú军jūn欲yù退tuì，当dāng徐xú徐xú而ér动dòng。今jīn若ruò退tuì兵bīng，魏wèi人rén必bì乘chéng势shì追zhuī赶gǎn，此cí取qǔ败bài之zhī道dào也yě。足zú下xià宜yí先xiān督dū船chuán只zhī诈zhà为wèi拒jù敌dí之zhī意yì，吾wú悉xī以yǐ人rén马mǎ向xiàng襄xiāng阳yáng而ér进jìn，为wèi疑yí敌dí之zhī计jì，然rán后hòu徐xú徐xú退tuì归guī江jiāng东dōng，魏wèi兵bīng自zì不bù敢gǎn近jìn耳ěr。」瑾jǐn依yī其qí计jì，逊xùn辞cí归guī本běn营yíng，整zhěng顿dùn船chuán只zhī，预yù备bèi起qǐ行xíng。

“My army must retreat slowly, or the enemy will come in pursuit, which will mean defeat and loss. Now you must first prepare your ships as if you meant to resist, while I make a semblance of an attack toward Hsiangyang. Under cover of these operations I shall withdraw into Chiangtung, and the enemy will not dare to follow.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-12

陆lù逊xùn整zhěng肃sù部bù伍wǔ，张zhāng扬yáng声shēng势shì，望wàng襄xiāng阳yáng进jìn发fā。

So Chuko returned to his own camp and began to fit out his ships as if for an immediate expedition, while Lu made all preparations to march, giving out that he intended to advance upon Hsiangyang. The news of these movements were duly reported in the Wei camps, and when the leaders heard it they wished to go out and fight. But the king knew his opponent better than they and would not bring about a battle. So he called his officers together and said to them, “This Lu Hsün is very crafty; keep careful guard, but do not risk a battle.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-13

早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò报bào知zhī魏wèi主zhǔ，说shuō吴wú兵bīng已yǐ动dòng，须xū用yòng隄dī防fáng。魏wèi将jiāng闻wén之zhī，皆jiē要yào出chū战zhàn。魏wèi主zhǔ素sù知zhī陆lù逊xùn之zhī才cái，谕yù众zhòng将jiāng曰yuē：「陆lù逊xùn有yǒu谋móu，莫mò非fēi用yòng诱yòu敌dí之zhī计jì，不bù可kě轻qīng动dòng。」众zhòng将jiāng乃nái止zhǐ。数shù日rì后hòu，哨shào卒zú来lái报bào说shuō：「东dōng吴wú三sān路lù兵bīng马mǎ皆jiē退tuì矣yǐ。」魏wèi主zhǔ未wèi信xìn，再zài令lìng人rén探tàn之zhī，回huí报bào果guǒ然rán侭jǐn退tuì。

The officers obeyed, but a few days later the scouts brought in news that the armies of Wu had retired. The king doubted and sent out some of his own spies, who confirmed the report. When he thus knew it was true he consoled himself with the words, “Lu Hsün knows the rat of war even as did Sun Wu and Wu P‘ing; they were no whit his superior. The subjugation of the south-east is not for me this time.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-14

魏wèi主zhǔ叹tàn曰yuē：「陆lù逊xùn用yòng兵bīng，不bú亚yà孙sūn吴wú，东dōng南nán未wèi可kě平píng也yě。」因yīn敕chì诸zhū将jiāng，各gè守shóu险xiǎn要yào，自zì引yǐn大dà军jūn屯tún合hé淝féi，以yǐ伺cì其qí变biàn。

Thereupon he distributed his captains among the various vantage points and led the main army back into Hofei, where he camped ready to take advantage of any change of conditions that might promise success.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-15

却què说shuō孔kǒng明míng在zài祁qí山shān，欲yù为wèi久jiǔ驻zhù之zhī计jì，乃nǎi令lìng蜀shǔ兵bīng与yǔ魏wèi民mín相xiāng杂zá种zhǒng田tián：军jūn一yī分fēn，民mín二èr分fēn，并bìng不bù侵qīn犯fàn，魏wèi民mín皆jiē安ān心xīn乐lè业yè。司sī马mǎ师shī入rù告gào其qí父fù曰yuē：「蜀shǔ兵bīng劫jié去qù我wó许xǔ多duō粮liáng米mǐ，今jīn又yòu令lìng蜀shǔ兵bīng与yú我wǒ民mín相xiāng杂zá，屯tún田tián于yú渭wèi滨bīn，以yǐ为wéi久jiǔ计jì：似shì此cǐ真zhēn为wéi国guó家jiā大dà患huàn。父fù亲qīn何hé不bù与yú孔kǒng明míng约yuē期qī大dà战zhàn一yī场cháng，以yǐ决jué雌cí雄xióng？

Meanwhile K‘ung-ming was at Ch‘ishan, where, to all appearances, he intended to make a long sojourn. He made his soldiers mix with the people and share in the labour of the fields. He gave strict orders against any encroachment on the property of the farmers, and so they and the soldiers lived together very amicably. Then Ssŭma’s son, Shih, went to his father and said, “These men of Shu have despoiled us of much grain, and now they are mingling with the people of Ch‘ishan and tilling the fields along the banks of the Wei River as if they intended to remain there. This would be a calamity for us. Why do you not appoint a time to fight a decisive battle with K‘ung-ming?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-16

」懿yì曰yuē：「吾wú奉fèng旨zhǐ坚jiān守shǒu，不bù可kě轻qīng动dòng。」正zhèng议yì间jiān，忽hū报bào魏wèi延yán将jiāng著zhù元yuán帅shuài前qián日rì所suǒ失shī金jīn盔kuī，前qián来lái骂mà战zhàn。众zhòng将jiāng忿fèn怒nù，俱jù欲yù出chū战zhàn。懿yì笑xiào曰yuē：「圣shèng人rén云yún：『小xiǎo不bù忍rěn则zé乱luàn大dà谋móu。』但dàn坚jiān守shǒu为wèi上shàng。」诸zhū将jiāng依yī令lìng不bù出chū。魏wèi延yán辱rǔ骂mà良liáng久jiǔ方fāng回huí。

His father replied, “I have the king’s orders to act on the defensive and may not do as you suggest.” While they were thus talking, one reported that Wei Yen had come near and was insulting the army and reminding them that they had the helmet of its leader. And he was challenging them. The captains were greatly incensed and desired to accept the challenge, but the Commander-in-chief was immovable in his decision to obey his orders. “The Holy One says if we cannot suffer small things, great matters are imperilled. Our plan is to defend.” So the challenge was not accepted, and there was no battle. After reviling them for some time, Wei Yen went away.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-17

孔kǒng明míng见jiàn司sī马mǎ懿yì不bù肯kěn出chū战zhàn，乃nǎi密mì令lìng马mǎ岱dài造zào成chéng木mù栅shān，营yíng中zhōng掘jué下xià深shēn堑qiàn，多duō积jī干gān柴chái引yín火huǒ之zhī物wù；周zhōu围wéi山shān上shàng，多duō用yòng柴chái草cǎo，虚xū搭dā窝wō铺pù，内nèi外wài皆jiē伏fú地dì雷léi。置zhì备bèi停tíng当dàng，孔kǒng明míng附fù耳ér嘱zhǔ之zhī曰yuē：「可kě将jiāng葫hú芦lú谷gǔ后hòu路lù塞sāi断duàn，暗àn伏fú兵bīng于yú谷gǔ中zhōng。若ruò司sī马mǎ懿yì追zhuī到dào，任rèn他tā入rù谷gǔ，便biàn将jiāng地dì雷léi干gān柴chái一yī齐qí放fàng起qí火huǒ来lái。

Seeing that his enemy was not to be provoked into fighting, K‘ung-ming gave orders to build a strong stockade and therein to excavate pits and to collect large quantities of inflammables. So on the hill they piled wood and straw in the shape of sheds, and all about they digged pits and buried mines. When these preparations were complete Ma Tai received instructions to block the road in rear of Hulu Valley and to lay an ambush at the entrance. “If Ssŭma comes, let him enter the valley, and then explode the mines and set fire to the straw and the wood,” said K‘ung-ming.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-18

」又yòu令lìng军jūn士shì昼zhòu举jǔ七qī星xīng号hào带dài于yú谷gú口kǒu，夜yè设shè七qī盏zhǎn明míng灯dēng于yú山shān上shàng，以yǐ为wéi暗àn号hào。马mǎ岱dài受shòu计jì引yǐn兵bīng而ér去qù。孔kǒng明míng又yòu唤huàn魏wèi延yán分fēn付fù曰yuē：「汝rú可ké引yín五wú百bǎi兵bīng去qù魏wèi寨zhài讨tǎo战zhàn，务wù要yào诱yòu司sī马mǎ懿yì出chū战zhàn。不bù可ké取qǔ胜shèng，只zhí可kě诈zhà败bài。懿yì必bì追zhuī赶gǎn，汝rǔ却què望wàng七qī星xīng旗qí处chù而ér入rù；若ruò是shì夜yè间jiān，则zé望wàng七qī盏zhǎn灯dēng处chù而ér走zǒu。

K‘ung-ming set up a seven-star signal at the mouth of the valley and also arranged a night signal of seven lamps on the hill. After Ma Tai had gone, Wei Yen was called in, and Kʻung-ming said to him, “Go to the camp of Wei with half a company and provoke them to battle. The important matter is to entice Ssŭma out of his stronghold. You will be unable to obtain a victory, so retreat that he may pursue; and you are to make for the signal, the seven stars by day or the seven lamps at night. Thus you will lead him into the Hulu Valley, where I have a plan prepared for him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-19

只zhǐ要yào引yǐn得dé司sī马mǎ懿yì入rù葫hú芦lú谷gǔ内nèi，吾wú自zì有yǒu擒qín之zhī之zhī计jì。」魏wèi延yán受shòu计jì，引yǐn兵bīng而ér去qù。孔kǒng明míng又yòu唤huàn高gāo翔xiáng吩fēn咐fù曰yuē：「汝rǔ将jiāng木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ或huò二èr三sān十shí为wèi一yī群qún，或huò四sì五wǔ十shí为wèi一yī群qún，各gè装zhuāng米mǐ粮liáng，于yú山shān路lù往wǎng来lái行xíng走zǒu。如rú魏wèi兵bīng抢qiǎng去qù，便biàn是shì汝rǔ之zhī功gōng。」高gāo翔xiáng领lǐng计jì，驱qū驾jià木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ去qù了le。

When he had gone, Kao Hsiang was summoned. “Take small herds, two or three score at a time, of the 'wooden oxen and running horses,' load them up with grain and lead them to and fro on the mountains. If you can succeed in getting the enemy to capture them you will render a service.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-20

孔kǒng明míng将jiāng祁qí山shān兵bīng一yī一yī调diào去qù，只zhǐ推tuī屯tún田tián；分fēn付fù：「如rú别bié兵bīng来lái战zhàn，只zhí许xǔ诈zhà败bài；若ruò司sī马mǎ懿yì自zì来lái，方fāng并bìng力lì只zhǐ攻gōng渭wèi南nán，断duàn其qí归guī路lù。」孔kǒng明míng分fēn拨bō已yǐ毕bì，自zì引yǐn一yī军jūn近jìn上shàng方fāng谷gǔ下xià营yíng。

So the transport “cattle” were sent forth to play their part in the scheme, and the remainder of the Ch‘ishan soldiers were sent to work in the fields, with orders to join in the battle only if Ssŭma came in person. In that case they were to attack the south bank of the river and cut off the retreat. Then K‘ung-ming led his army away to camp in the Shangfang Valley.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-21

且qiě说shuō夏xià侯hóu惠huì、夏xià侯hóu和hé二èr人rén入rù寨zhài告gào司sī马mǎ懿yì曰yuē：「今jīn蜀shǔ兵bīng四sì散sàn结jié营yíng，各gè处chù屯tún田tián，以yǐ为wéi久jiǔ计jì；若ruò不bú趁chèn此cǐ时shí除chú之zhī，纵zòng令lìng安ān居jū日rì久jiǔ，深shēn根gēn固gù蒂dì，难nán以yǐ摇yáo动dòng。」懿yì曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì又yòu是shì孔kǒng明míng之zhī计jì。」二èr人rén曰yuē：「都dū督dū若ruò如rú此cǐ疑yí虑lǜ，寇kòu敌dí何hé时shí得dé灭miè？我wǒ兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén，当dāng奋fèn力lì决jué一yī死sǐ战zhàn，以yǐ报bào国guó恩ēn。

Hsiahou Hui and Hsiahou Ho went to their chief, Ssŭma I, and said, “The enemy have set out camps and are engaged in field work as though they intended to remain. If they are not destroyed now, but are allowed to consolidate their position, they will be hard to dislodge.” “This certainly is one of K‘ung-ming’s ruses,” said the chief.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-22

」懿yì曰yuē：「既jì如rú此cǐ，汝rǔ二èr人rén可kě分fēn头tóu出chū战zhàn。」遂suì令lìng夏xià侯hóu惠huì、夏xià侯hóu和hé，各gè引yín五wǔ千qiān兵bīng去qù讫qì。懿yì坐zuò待dài回huí音yīn。

“You seem very afraid of him, General,” retorted they. “When do you think you can destroy him? At least let us two brothers fight one battle that we may prove our gratitude for the king’s kindness.” “If it must be so, then you may go in two divisions,” said Ssŭma.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-23

却què说shuō夏xià侯hóu惠huì、夏xià侯hóu和hé二èr人rén分fēn兵bīng两liǎng路lù，正zhèng行xíng之zhī间jiān，忽hū见jiàn蜀shǔ兵bīng驱qū木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ而ér来lái。二èr人rén一yī齐qí杀shā将jiāng过guò去qù，蜀shǔ兵bīng大dà败bài奔bēn走zǒu，木mù牛niú流liú马má侭jǐn被bèi魏wèi兵bīng抢qiǎng获huò，解jiè送sòng司sī马mǎ懿yì营yíng中zhōng。次cì日rì又yòu劫jié掳lǔ得dé人rén马má百bǎi余yú，亦yì解jiě赴fù大dà寨zhài。懿yì将jiāng解jiě到dào蜀shǔ兵bīng，诘jí审shěn虚xū实shí。

As the two divisions were marching along they saw coming toward them a number of the transport “animals” of the enemy. They attacked at once, drove off the escort, captured them and sent them back to camp. Next day they captured more, with men and horses as well, and sent them also to camp.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-24

蜀shǔ兵bīng告gào曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng只zhǐ料liào都dū督dū坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū，侭jǐn命mìng我wó等děng四sì散sàn屯tún田tián，以yǐ为wéi久jiǔ计jì；不bù想xiǎng却què被bèi擒qín获huò。」懿yì即jí将jiāng蜀shǔ兵bīng侭jǐn皆jiē放fàng回huí。夏xià侯hóu和hé曰yuē：「何hé不bù杀shā之zhī？」懿yì曰yuē：「量liàng此cí小xiǎo卒zú，杀shā之zhī无wú益yì。放fàng归guī本běn寨zhài，令lìng说shuō魏wèi将jiāng宽kuān厚hòu仁rén慈cí，释shì彼bǐ战zhàn心xīn；此cí吕lǚ蒙méng取qǔ荆jīng州zhōu之zhī计jì也yě。

Ssŭma called up the prisoners and questioned them. They told him that K‘ung-ming quite understood that he would not fight and so had told off the soldiers to various places to work in the fields and thus provide for future needs. They had been unwittingly captured. Ssŭma set them free and bade them begone.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-25

」遂suì传chuán令lìng今jīn后hòu凡fán有yǒu擒qín到dào蜀shǔ兵bīng，俱jù当dāng善shàn遣qiǎn之zhī，仍réng重zhòng赏sháng有yǒu功gōng将jiāng吏lì。诸zhū将jiāng皆jiē听tīng令lìng而ér去qù。

“Why spare them?” asked Hsiahou Ho. “There is nothing to be gained by the slaughter of a few common soldiers. Let them go back to their own and praise the kindliness of the Wei leaders. That will slacken the desire of their comrades to fight against us. That was the plan by which Lü Mêng captured Chingchou.” Then he issued general orders that all Shu prisoners should be well treated and sent away free, and he rewarded those of his army who had done well.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-26

却què说shuō孔kǒng明míng令lìng高gāo翔xiáng佯yáng作zuò运yùn粮liáng，驱qū驾jià木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ，往wǎng来lái于yú上shàng方fāng谷gǔ内nèi；夏xià侯hóu惠huì等děng不bù时shí截jié杀shā；半bàn月yuè之zhī间jiān，连lián胜shèng数shù阵zhèn。司sī马mǎ懿yì见jiàn蜀shǔ兵bīng屡lǚ败bài，心xīn中zhōng欢huān喜xǐ。一yī日rì，又yòu擒qín到dào蜀shǔ兵bīng数shù十shí人rén。懿yì唤huàn至zhì帐zhàng下xià问wèn曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng今jīn在zài何hé处chù？」众zhòng告gào曰yuē：「诸zhū葛gě丞chéng相xiàng不bú在zài祁qí山shān，在zài上shàng方fāng谷gǔ西xī十shí里lǐ下xià营yíng安ān住zhù。

As has been said, Kao Hsiang was ordered to keep pretended convoys on the move, and the soldiers of Wei attacked and captured them whenever they saw them. In half a month they had scored many successes of this sort, and Ssŭma’s heart was cheered. One day, when he had made new captures of men, he sent for them and questioned them again.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-27

今jīn每měi日rì运yùn粮liáng屯tún于yú上shàng方fāng谷gǔ。」懿yì备bèi细xì问wèn了le，即jí将jiāng众zhòng人rén放fàng去qù；乃nǎi唤huàn诸zhū将jiāng分fēn付fù曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng今jīn不bú在zài祁qí山shān，在zài上shàng方fāng谷gǔ安ān营yíng。汝rú等děng于yú明míng日rì，可kě一yī齐qí并bìng力lì攻gōng取qǔ祁qí山shān大dà寨zhài。吾wú自zì引yǐn兵bīng来lái接jiē应yīng。」众zhòng将jiàng领lǐng命mìng，各gè各gè准zhǔn备bèi出chū战zhàn。司sī马mǎ师shī曰yuē：「父fù亲qīn何hé故gù反fǎn欲yù攻gōng其qí后hòu？

“Where is K‘ung-ming now?” “He is no longer at Ch‘ishan, but in camp about ten li from Shangfang Valley. He is gathering great store of grain there.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-28

」懿yì曰yuē：「祁qí山shān乃nái蜀shǔ人rén之zhī根gēn本běn，若ruò见jiàn我wǒ兵bīng攻gōng之zhī，各gè营yíng必bì侭jǐn来lái救jiù，我wǒ却què取qǔ上shàng方fāng谷gǔ烧shāo其qí粮liáng草cǎo，使shí彼bí首shóu尾wěi不bù接jiē，必bì大dà败bài也yě。」司sī马mǎ师shī拜bài服fú。懿yì即jí发fā兵bīng起qǐ行xíng，令lìng张zhāng虎hǔ、乐lè𬘭各gè引yín五wǔ千qiān兵bīng，在zài后hòu救jiù应yīng。

After he had questioned them fully, he set the prisoners free. Calling together his officers, he said, “K‘ung-ming is not camped on Ch‘ishan, but near Shangfang Valley. Tomorrow you shall attack the Ch‘ishan camp, and I will command the reserve.” The promise cheered them, and they went away to prepare. “Father, why do you intend to attack the enemy’s rear?” asked Ssŭma Shih. “Ch‘ishan is their main position, and they will certainly hasten to its rescue. Then I shall make for the valley and burn the stores. That will render them helpless and will be a victory.” The son dutifully agreed with his father and set out, while his father followed with the reserves.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-29

且qiě说shuō孔kǒng明míng正zhèng在zài祁qí山shān望wàng见jiàn魏wèi兵bīng或huò三sān五wǔ千qiān一yī行xíng，或huò一yī二èr千qiān一yī行xíng，队duì伍wǔ纷fēn纷fēn，前qián后hòu顾gù盼pàn，料liào必bì来lái取qǔ祁qí山shān大dà寨zhài，乃nǎi密mì传chuán今jīn众zhòng将jiāng：「若ruò司sī马mǎ懿yì自zì来lái，汝rú等děng便biàn往wǎng劫jié魏wèi寨zhài，夺duó了le渭wèi南nán。」众zhòng将jiāng各gè各gè听tīng令lìng。

From the top of a hill K‘ung-ming watched the Wei soldiers march and noticed that they moved carelessly, not even keeping their ranks. He guessed that their object was the Ch‘ishan camp and sent strict orders to his captains that if Ssŭma led in person they were to go off and capture the camp on the south bank.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-30

却què说shuō魏wèi兵bīng皆jiē奔bēn祁qí山shān寨zhài来lái，蜀shǔ兵bīng四sì下xià一yī齐qí呐nà喊hǎn奔bēn走zǒu，虚xū作zuò救jiù应yīng之zhī势shì。司sī马mǎ懿yì见jiàn蜀shǔ兵bīng都dōu去qù救jiù祁qí山shān寨zhài，便biàn引yǐn二èr子zi并bìng中zhōng军jūn护hù卫wèi人rén马mǎ，杀shā奔bēn上shàng方fāng谷gǔ来lái。魏wèi延yán在zài谷gú口kǒu，只zhǐ盼pàn司sī马mǎ懿yì到dào来lái；忽hū见jiàn一yī枝zhī魏wèi兵bīng杀shā到dào，延yán纵zòng马mǎ向xiàng前qián视shì之zhī，正zhèng是shì司sī马mǎ懿yì。延yán大dà喝hē曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ懿yì休xiū走zǒu！」舞wǔ刀dāo相xiāng迎yíng。

When the men of Wei had got near and made their rush toward the camp of Shu, the men of Shu ran up also, yelling and pretending to reinforce the defenders. Ssŭma, seeing this, suddenly changed his direction and turned off for the Shangfang Valley. Here Wei Yen was expecting him, and as soon as he appeared Wei Yen galloped up and soon recognised Ssŭma as the leader. “Ssŭma I, stay!” shouted he as he came near. He flourished his sword, and Ssŭma set his spear. The two warriors exchanged a few passes, and then Wei Yen suddenly turned his steed and bolted. As he had been ordered, he made direct for the seven-starred flag, and Ssŭma followed, the more readily as he saw the fugitive had but a small force. The two sons of Ssŭma rode with him, one on either hand.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-31

懿yì挺tǐng枪qiāng接jiē战zhàn。不bú上shàng三sān合hé，延yán拨bō回huí马mǎ便biàn走zǒu，懿yì随suí后hòu赶gǎn来lái。延yán只zhǐ望wàng七qī星xīng旗qí处chù而ér走zǒu。

Presently Wei Yen and his men entered the mouth of the valley. Ssŭma halted a time while he sent forward a few scouts, but when they returned and reported nothing to be seen but a few straw houses on the hills, he rode in, saying, “This must be the store valley.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-32

懿yì见jiàn魏wèi延yán只zhǐ一yī人rén，军jūn马mǎ又yòu少shǎo，放fàng心xīn追zhuī之zhī；令lìng司sī马mǎ师shī在zài左zuǒ，司sī马mǎ昭zhāo在zài右yòu，懿yì自zì居jū中zhōng，一yī齐qí攻gōng杀shā将jiāng来lái。魏wèi延yán引yín五wú百bǎi兵bīng皆jiē退tuì入rù谷gǔ中zhōng去qù。懿yì追zhuī到dào谷gú口kǒu，先xiān令lìng人rén入rù谷gǔ中zhōng哨shào探tàn。回huí报bào谷gǔ内nèi并bìng无wú伏fú兵bīng，山shān上shàng皆jiē是shì草cǎo房fáng。懿yì曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì是shì积jī粮liáng之zhī所suó也yě。」遂suì大dà驱qū士shì马mǎ，侭jǐn入rù谷gǔ中zhōng。

But when he had got well within, Ssŭma noticed that kindling wood was piled over the straw huts, and as he saw no sign of Wei Yen he began to feel uneasy.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-33

懿yì忽hū见jiàn草cǎo房fáng上shàng侭jìn是shì干gān柴chái，前qián麺miàn魏wèi延yán已yǐ不bú见jiàn了le。懿yì心xīn疑yí，谓wèi二èr子zǐ曰yuē：「倘táng有yǒu兵bīng截jié断duàn谷gú口kǒu，如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？」言yán未wèi已yǐ，只zhǐ听tīng得dé喊hǎn声shēng大dà震zhèn，山shān上shàng一yī齐qí丢diū下xià火huó把bǎ来lái，烧shāo断duàn谷gú口kǒu。魏wèi兵bīng奔bēn逃táo无wú路lù。山shān上shàng火huǒ箭jiàn射shè下xià，地dì雷léi一yī齐qí突tū出chū，草cǎo房fáng内nèi干gān柴chái都dōu著zhù，刮guā刮guā杂zá杂zá，火huǒ势shì冲chōng天tiān。

“Supposing soldiers seize the entrance; what then?” said he to his sons. As he spoke there arose a great shout, and from the hillside came many torches, which fell all around them and set fire to the straw, so that soon the entrance to the valley was lost in smoke and flame. They tried to get away from the fire, but no road led up the hillside. Then fire-arrows came shooting down, and the earth-mines exploded, and the straw and firewood blazed high as the heavens. Ssŭma I, scared and helpless, dismounted, clasped his arms about his two sons and wept, saying, “My sons, we three are doomed.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-34

司sī马mǎ懿yì惊jīng得dé手shǒu足zú无wú措cuò，乃nǎi下xià马mǎ抱bào二èr子zi大dà哭kū曰yuē：「我wǒ父fù子zǐ三sān人rén皆jiē死sǐ于yú此cǐ处chù矣yǐ！」正zhèng哭kū之zhī间jiān，忽hū然rán狂kuáng风fēng大dà作zuò，黑hēi气qì漫màn空kōng；一yī声shēng霹pī雳lì响xiǎng处chù，骤zhòu雨yǔ倾qīng盆pén。满mán谷gǔ之zhī火huǒ，侭jǐn皆jiē浇jiāo灭miè；地dì雷léi不bú震zhèn，火huǒ器qì无wú功gōng。司sī马mǎ懿yì大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「不bú就jiù此cǐ时shí杀shā出chū，更gèng待dài何hé时shí！」即jí引yǐn兵bīng奋fèn力lì冲chōng杀shā。

But suddenly a fierce gale sprang up, black clouds gathered, a peal of thunder followed and rain poured down in torrents, speedily extinguishing the fire all through the valley. The mines no longer exploded and all the fiery contrivances ceased to work mischief. “If we do not break out now, what better chance shall we have?” cried the father, and he and his two sons made a dash for the outlet. As they broke out of the valley they came upon reinforcements under Chang Hu and Yüeh Lin, and so were once more safe. Ma Tai was not strong enough to pursue, and the men of Wei got safely to the river.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-35

张zhāng虎hǔ、乐lè𬘭亦yì各gè引yǐn兵bīng杀shā来lái接jiē应yīng。马mǎ岱dài军jūn少shǎo，不bù敢gǎn追zhuī赶gǎn。司sī马mǎ懿yì父fù子zí与yǔ张zhāng虎hǔ、乐lè𬘭合hé兵bīng一yī处chù，同tóng归guī渭wèi南nán大dà寨zhài。不bù想xiǎng寨zhài栅zhà已yǐ被bèi蜀shǔ兵bīng夺duó了le。郭guō淮huái、孙sūn礼lǐ正zhèng在zài浮fú桥qiáo上shàng与yú蜀shǔ兵bīng接jiē战zhàn。司sī马mǎ懿yì等déng引yǐn兵bīng杀shā到dào，蜀shǔ兵bīng退tuì去qù。懿yì烧shāo断duàn浮fú桥qiáo，据jù住zhù北běi岸àn。

But there they found their camp in the possession of the enemy, while Chiang Huai and his colleague were on the float ing bridge struggling with the men of Shu. However, as Ssŭma neared, the men of Shu retreated, whereupon the bridges were burned and the north bank occupied.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-36

且qiě说shuō魏wèi兵bīng在zài祁qí山shān攻gōng打dá蜀shǔ寨zhài，听tīng知zhī司sī马mǎ懿yì大dà败bài，失shī了le渭wèi南nán营yíng寨zhài，军jūn心xīn慌huāng乱luàn；急jí退tuì时shí，四sì麺miàn蜀shǔ兵bīng冲chōng杀shā将jiāng来lái，魏wèi兵bīng大dà败bài，十shí伤shāng八bā九jiǔ，死sí者zhě无wú数shù，余yú众zhòng奔bēn过guò渭wèi北běi逃táo生shēng。孔kǒng明míng在zài山shān上shàng见jiàn魏wèi延yán诱yòu司sī马mǎ懿yì入rù谷gǔ，一yī霎shà时shí火huǒ光guāng大dà起qǐ，心xīn中zhōng甚shèn喜xǐ，以yǐ为wéi司sī马mǎ懿yì此cǐ番fān必bì死sǐ；

The Wei army attacking the Ch‘ishan camp were greatly disturbed when they heard of the defeat of their general and the loss of the camp on the Wei River. The men of Shu took the occasion to strike with greater vigour, and so gained a great victory. The beaten army suffered great loss. Those who escaped fled across the river. When K‘ung-ming from the hill-top saw that his enemy had been inveigled into the trap he had so carefully prepared, he rejoiced exceedingly, and when he saw the flames burst forth he thought surely his rival was done for. Then, unhappily for him, Heaven thought it well to send down torrents of rain, which quenched the fire and upset all his calculations.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-37

不bù期qī天tiān降jiàng大dà雨yǔ，火huǒ不bù能néng著zhù，哨shào马mǎ报bào说shuō司sī马mǎ懿yì父fù子zǐ俱jù逃táo去qù了le。孔kǒng明míng叹tàn曰yuē：「『谋móu事shì在zài人rén，成chéng事shì在zài天tiān』。不bù可kě强qiáng也yě！」后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

Soon after, the scouts reported the escape of his victims, and he sighed, saying, “Man proposes; God disposes. We cannot wrest events to our will.” Fierce fires roared in the valley, But the rain quenched them. Had Chuko’s plan but succeeded, Where had been the Chins?

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-38

谷gú口kǒu风fēng狂kuáng烈liè燄yàn飘piāo，何hé期qī骤zhòu雨yǔ降jiàng青qīng霄xiāo。

Fierce winds at the gorge mouth scattered the roaring flames; Who could have thought a sudden storm would fall from the azure skies?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

103-39

武wǔ侯hóu妙miào计jì如rú能néng就jiù，安ān得dé山shān河hé属shǔ晋jìn朝cháo？

Had the Marshal's wondrous plan but met success, How could the realm and rivers have fallen to the Jin?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

103-40

却què说shuō司sī马mǎ懿yì在zài渭wèi北běi寨zhài内nèi传zhuàn令lìng曰yuē：「渭wèi南nán寨zhài栅zhà，今jīn已yǐ失shī了le。诸zhū将jiāng如rú再zài言yán出chū战zhàn者zhé斩zhǎn。」众zhòng将jiāng听tīng令lìng，据jù守shǒu不bù出chū。郭guō淮huái入rù告gào曰yuē：「近jìn日rì孔kǒng明míng引yǐn兵bīng巡xún哨shào，必bì将jiāng择zé地dì安ān营yíng。」懿yì曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng若ruò出chū武wǔ功gōng，依yī山shān而ér东dōng，我wó等děng皆jiē危wēi矣yǐ；若ruò出chū渭wèi南nán，西xī止zhí五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán，方fāng无wú事shì也yě。

From the new camp on the north bank of the river Ssŭma issued an order that he would put to death any officer who proposed going out to battle. The final result of the late ill-advised expedition had been the loss of the south bank of the river. Accordingly no one spoke of attacking, but all turned their energies toward defence. Kuo Huai went to the general to talk over plans. He said, “The enemy have been carefully spying out the country and are certainly selecting a new position for a camp. If K‘ung-ming go out to Wukung, and thence eastward, we shall be in grave danger; if he go out by Huainan and halts on the Wuchang Plain, we need feel no anxiety.” They decided to send scouts to find out the movements of their enemy. Presently the scouts returned to say that he had chosen the plain. “Our great Emperor of Wei has remarkable fortune,” said Ssŭma, clapping his hand to his forehead. Then he confirmed the order to remain strictly on the defensive till some change of circumstances on the part of the enemy should promise advantage.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-41

」令lìng人rén探tàn之zhī，回huí报bào果guǒ屯tún五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán。司sī马mǎ懿yì以yí手shǒu加jiā额é曰yuē：「大dà魏wèi皇huáng帝dì之zhī洪hóng福fú也yě！」遂suì令lìng诸zhū将jiāng坚jiān守shǒu勿wù出chū，彼bí久jiǔ必bì自zì变biàn。

After his army had settled into camp on the plain, K‘ung-ming continued his attempts to provoke a battle. Day after day, parties went to challenge the men of Wei, but they resisted all provocation.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-42

且qiě说shuō孔kǒng明míng自zì引yǐn一yī军jūn屯tún于yú五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán，累lèi令lìng人rén搦nuò战zhàn，魏wèi兵bīng只zhǐ不bù出chū。孔kǒng明míng乃nái取qǔ巾jīn帼guó并bìng妇fù人rén缟gǎo素sù之zhī服fú，盛shèng于yú大dà盒hé之zhī内nèi，修xiū书shū一yī封fēng，遣qiǎn人rén送sòng至zhì魏wèi寨zhài。诸zhū将jiāng不bù敢gán隐yǐn蔽bì，引yǐn来lái使shǐ入rù见jiàn司sī马mǎ懿yì。懿yì对duì众zhòng启qǐ盒hé视shì之zhī，内nèi有yǒu巾jīn帼guó妇fù人rén之zhī衣yī，并bìng书shū一yī封fēng。懿yì拆chāi视shì其qí书shū。略lüè曰yuē：

One day K‘ung-ming packed a woman’s head-dress and a robe of white silk in a box, which he sent, with a letter, to his rival. The insult could not be concealed, so the captains led the bearer of the box to their chief. He opened the box and saw the dress of a woman. Then he opened the letter, which read something like this:—

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-43

仲zhòng达dá既jì为wéi大dà将jiāng，统tóng领lǐng中zhōng原yuán之zhī众zhòng，不bù思sī披pī坚jiān执zhí锐ruì，以yǐ决jué雌cí雄xióng，乃nǎi甘gān窟kū守shóu土tǔ巢cháo，谨jǐn避bì刀dāo箭jiàn，与yǔ妇fù人rén又yòu何hé异yì哉zāi！今jīn遣qiǎn人rén送sòng巾jīn帼guó素sù衣yī至zhì。如rú不bù出chū战zhàn，可kě再zài拜bài而ér受shòu之zhī；倘táng耻chǐ心xīn未wèi泯mǐn，犹yóu有yǒu男nán子zi胸xiōng襟jīn，早záo与yǔ批pī回huí，依yī期qī赴fù敌dí。

“Friend Ssŭma, although you are a General and lead the troops of the capital, you seem but little disposed to display the firmness and valour that would render a contest decisive. Instead, you have prepared a comfortable lair where you are safe from the keen edge of the sword. Are you not very like a woman? Wherefore I send the bearer with a suitable gift, and you will humbly accept it and the humiliation, unless, indeed, you finally decide to come out and fight like a man. If you are not entirely indifferent to shame, if you retain any of the feelings of a man, you will send this back to me and come out and give battle.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-44

司sī马mǎ懿yì看kàn毕bì，心xīn中zhōng大dà怒nù；乃nǎi佯yáng笑xiào曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng视shì我wǒ为wèi妇fù人rén耶yé？」即jí受shòu之zhī，令lìng重zhòng待dài来lái使shǐ。懿yì问wèn日rì：「孔kǒng明míng寝qǐn食shí及jí事shì之zhī烦fán简jiǎn若ruò何hé？」使shí者zhě曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng夙sù兴xīng夜yè寐mèi，罚fá二èr十shí以yǐ上shàng皆jiē亲qīn览lǎn焉yān。所suǒ啖dàn之zhī食shí，日rì不bú过guò数shù升shēng。」懿yì顾gù谓wèi诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng食shí少shǎo事shì烦fán，其qí能néng久jiǔ乎hū！

Ssŭma I, although inwardly raging, pretended to take it all as a joke and smiled. “So he regards me as a woman,” said he. He accepted the gift and treated the messenger well. Before he left, Ssŭma asked him a few questions about his master’s eating and sleeping and hours of labour. “He works very hard,” said the messenger. “He rises early and retires to bed late. He attends personally to all cases requiring punishment of over a score of strokes. As for food, he does not eat more than a few hsing (pints) of grain.” “That is, he eats little and works much,” remarked Ssŭma. “Can he last long?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-45

」使shí者zhě辞cí去qù，回huí到dào五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán，见jiàn了le孔kǒng明míng，具jù说shuō：「司sī马mǎ懿yì受shòu了le巾jīn帼guó女nǚ衣yī，看kàn了le书shū札zhá，并bìng不bù嗔chēn怒nù，只zhǐ问wèn丞chéng相xiàng寝qǐn食shí及jí事shì之zhī烦fán简jiǎn，绝jué不bù提tí起qǐ军jūn旅lǚ之zhī事shì。某mǒu如rú此cǐ应yìng对duì，彼bǐ言yán『食shí少shǎo事shì烦fán，岂qǐ能néng长cháng久jiǔ？』」孔kǒng明míng叹tàn曰yuē：「彼bǐ深shēn知zhī我wó也yě！」主zhǔ簿bù杨yáng颙yóng曰yuē：「某mǒu见jiàn丞chéng相xiàng常cháng自zì校xiào簿bù书shū，窃qiè以yǐ为wéi不bú必bì。

The messenger returned to his own side and reported that the general had taken the whole episode in good part and shown no sign of anger. He had only asked about K‘ung-ming’s hours of rest, and food and such things. He had said no word about military matters. “I told him that you ate little and worked long hours, and then he said, 'Can he last long?' That was all.” “He knows,” said K‘ung-ming, pensively.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-46

夫fū为wèi治zhì有yóu体tǐ，上shàng下xià不bù可kě相xiāng侵qīn。譬pì之zhī治zhì家jiā之zhī道dào，必bì使shǐ仆pū执zhí耕gēng，婢bì典diǎn爨cuàn，私sī业yè无wú旷kuàng，所suǒ求qiú皆jiē足zú，其qí家jiā主zhǔ从cóng容róng自zì在zài，高gāo枕zhén饮yǐn食shí而ér已yǐ，若ruò皆jiē身shēn亲qīn其qí事shì，将jiāng形xíng疲pí神shén困kùn，终zhōng无wú一yì成chéng。岂qǐ其qí智zhì之zhī不bù如rú婢bì仆pū哉zāi？失shī为wèi家jiā主zhǔ之zhī道dào也yě。是shì故gù古gǔ人rén称chēng坐zuò而ér论lùn道dào，谓wèi之zhī三sān公gōng；作zuò而ér行xíng之zhī，谓wèi之zhī士shì大dà夫fū。

The Accountant Yang Yung presently ventured to remonstrate with his chief. “I notice,” said Yang, “that you check the books personally. I think that is needless labour for a Prime Minister to undertake. In every administration the higher and subordinate ranks have their especial fields of activity, and each should confine his labours to his own field. In a household, for example, the male servants plough and the female cook, and thus operations are carried on without waste of energy, and all needs are supplied. The master of the house has ample leisure and tranquillity. If one individual strives to attend personally to every matter he only wearies himself and fails to accomplish his end. How can he possibly hope to perform all the various tasks so well as the maids or the hinds? He fails in his own part, that of playing the master. And, indeed, the ancients held this same opinion, for they said that the high officers should attend to the discussion of ways and means and the lower should carry out details. Of old, Ping Chi was moved to deep thought by the panting of an ox, which showed the seasons untimely, but enquired not about the corpses—of certain brawlers—which lay about the road, for this matter concerned the magistrate. Ch'ên P‘ing was ignorant of the figures relating to taxes, for he said these were the concern of the controllers of taxes.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-47

昔xī丙bǐng吉jí忧yōu牛niú喘chuǎn，而ér不bú问wèn横héng道dào死sǐ人rén；陈chén平píng不bù知zhī钱qián谷gǔ之zhī数shù，曰yuē：『自zì有yóu主zhú者zhě。』今jīn丞chéng相xiàng亲qīn理lǐ细xì事shì，汗hàn流liú终zhōng日rì，岂qǐ不bù劳láo乎hū？司sī马mǎ懿yì之zhī言yán，真zhēn至zhì言yán也yě。」孔kǒng明míng泣qì曰yuē：「吾wú非fēi不bù知zhī，但dàn受shòu先xiān帝dì托tuō孤gū之zhī重zhòng，惟wéi恐kǒng他tā人rén不bú似shì我wǒ侭jìn心xīn也yě！」众zhòng皆jiē垂chuí泪lèi。自zì此cí孔kǒng明míng自zì觉jué神shén思sī不bù宁níng，诸zhū将jiāng因yīn此cǐ未wèi敢gǎn进jìn兵bīng。

“O Minister, you weary yourself with minor details and sweat yourself every day. You are wearing yourself out, and Ssŭma I has good reason for what he said.” “I know; I cannot but know,” replied K‘ung-ming. “But this heavy responsibility was laid upon me, and I fear no other will be so devoted as I am.” Those who heard him wept. Thereafter K‘ung-ming appeared more and more harassed, and military operations did not speed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-48

却què说shuō魏wèi将jiāng皆jiē知zhī孔kǒng明míng以yǐ巾jīn帼guó女nǚ衣yī辱rǔ司sī马mǎ懿yì，懿yì受shòu之zhī不bú战zhàn。众zhòng将jiāng侭jǐn忿fèn，入rù帐zhàng告gào曰yuē：「我wó等děng皆jiē大dà国guó名míng将jiàng，安ān忍rěn受shòu蜀shǔ人rén如rú此cǐ之zhī辱rǔ？即jí请qǐng出chū战zhàn，以yǐ决jué雌cí雄xióng。」懿yì曰yuē：「吾wú非fēi不bù敢gǎn出chū战zhàn，而ér甘gān心xīn受shòu辱rú也yě；奈nài天tiān子zi明míng诏zhào，令lìng坚jiān守shǒu无wú动dòng。今jīn若ruò轻qīng出chū，有yǒu违wéi君jūn命mìng矣yǐ。」众zhòng将jiāng俱jù忿fèn怒nù不bù平píng。

On the other side the officers of Wei resented bitterly the insult that had been put upon them when their leader had been presented with a woman’s dress. They wished to avenge the taunt, and went to their general, saying, “We are reputable captains of the army of a great state; how can we put up with such insults from these men of Shu? We pray you to let us fight them.” “It is not that I fear to go out,” said Ssŭma, “nor that I relish the insults, but I have the king’s command to hold on and may not disobey.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-49

懿yì曰yuē：「汝rú等děng既jì要yào出chū战zhàn，待dài我wǒ奏zòu准zhǔn天tiān子zi，同tóng力lì赴fù敌dí，何hé如rú？」众zhòng将jiāng允yǔn诺nuò。懿yì乃nái写xié表biáo遣qián使shǐ，直zhí至zhì合hé淝féi军jūn前qián，奏zòu闻wén魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo叡ruì。叡ruì拆chāi表biáo览lǎn之zhī。表biǎo略lüè曰yuē：

The officers were not in the least appeased. Wherefore he said, “I will send your request to the Throne in a memorial; what think you of that?” They consented to await the king’s reply, and a messenger bore to King Jui, in Hofei, this memorial:—

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-50

臣chén才cái薄báo任rèn重zhòng，伏fú蒙méng明míng旨zhǐ，今jīn臣chén坚jiān守shǒu不bú战zhàn，以yǐ待dài蜀shǔ人rén之zhī自zì敝bì；奈nài今jīn诸zhū葛gě亮liàng遗yí臣chén以yǐ巾jīn帼guó，待dài臣chén如rú妇fù人rén，耻chí辱rǔ至zhì甚shèn。臣chén谨jǐn先xiān达dá圣shèng聪cōng：旦dàn夕xī将jiāng效xiào死sǐ一yī战zhàn，以yǐ报bào朝cháo廷tíng之zhī恩ēn，以yí雪xuě三sān军jūn之zhī耻chǐ。臣chén不bú胜shèng激jī切qiè之zhī至zhì！

“I have small ability and high office. Your Majesty laid on me the command to defend and not fight till the men of Shu had suffered by the efflux of time. But Chuko Liang has now sent me a gift of a woman’s dress, and my shame is very deep. Wherefore I advise Your Majesty that one day I shall have to fight in order to justify your kindness to me and to remove the shameful stigma that now rests upon my army. I cannot express the degree to which I am urged to this course.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-51

叡ruì览lǎn讫qì，乃nǎi谓wèi多duō官guān曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ懿yì坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū，今jīn何hé故gù又yòu上shàng表biǎo求qiú战zhàn？」卫wèi尉wèi辛xīn毗pí曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ懿yì本běn无wú战zhàn心xīn，必bì因yīn诸zhū葛gě亮liàng耻chí辱rǔ，众zhòng将jiāng忿fèn怒nù之zhī故gù，特tè上shàng此cí表biǎo，欲yù更gèng乞qǐ明míng旨zhǐ，以yǐ遏è诸zhū将jiāng之zhī心xīn耳ěr。」叡ruì然rán其qí言yán，即jí令lìng辛xīn毗pí持chí节jié至zhì渭wèi北běi寨zhài传chuán谕yù，令lìng勿wù出chū战zhàn。

The king read it and turned questioningly to his courtiers seeking an explanation. Hsin P‘i supplied it. “Ssŭma has no desire to give battle; this memorial is because of the shame put upon the officers by K‘ung-ming’s gift. They are all in a rage. He wishes for an edict to pacity them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-52

司sī马mǎ懿yì接jiē诏zhào入rù帐zhàng，辛xīn毗pí宣xuān谕yù曰yuē：「如rú再zài有yóu敢gǎn言yán出chū战zhàn者zhě，即jí以yǐ违wéi旨zhǐ论lùn。」众zhòng将jiāng只zhǐ得dé奉fèng诏zhào。懿yì暗àn谓wèi辛xīn毗pí曰yuē：「公gōng真zhēn知zhī我wǒ心xīn也yě。」于yú是shì令lìng军jūn中zhōng传chuán说shuō：魏wèi主zhǔ命mìng辛xīn毗pí持chí节jié，传chuán谕yù司sī马mǎ懿yì勿wù得dé出chū战zhàn。蜀shǔ将jiāng闻wén知zhī此cǐ事shì，报bào与yú孔kǒng明míng。孔kǒng明míng笑xiào曰yuē：「此cí乃nǎi司sī马mǎ懿yì安ān三sān军jūn之zhī法fá也yě。

The king understood and gave to Hsin P‘i a chieh (formal authority) and sent him to the river camp to make known that it was the king’s command not to fight. Ssŭma received the messenger with all respect, and it was given out that any future reference to offering battle would be taken as disobedience to the king’s especial command in the edict. The officers could but obey, but their general told the king’s messenger that he had interpreted his own desire correctly. It was thenceforward understood that the general was forbidden to give battle. When it was told to K‘ung-ming, he said, “This is only Ssŭma’s method of pacifying his army. He has never had any intention of fighting and requested the edict to justify his strategy. It is well known that a general in the field takes no command from any person, not even his own king. Is it likely that he would send a thousand li to ask permission to fight if that was all he needed? The officers were bitter, and so Ssŭma got the king to assist him in maintaining discipline. All this is meant to slacken our men.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-53

」姜jiāng维wéi曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng何hé以yǐ知zhī之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「彼bí本běn无wú战zhàn心xīn；所suó以yí请qǐng战zhàn者zhě，以yǐ示shì武wǔ于yú众zhòng耳ěr。岂qǐ不bù闻wén：『将jiāng在zài外wài，君jūn命mìng有yóu所suǒ不bú受shòu』？安ān有yǒu千qiān里lǐ而ér请qǐng战zhàn者zhě乎hū？此cí乃nǎi司sī马mǎ懿yì因yīn将jiàng士shì忿fèn怒nù，故gù借jiè曹cáo叡ruì之zhī意yì，以yǐ制zhì众zhòng人rén。今jīn又yòu播bō传chuán此cǐ言yán，欲yù懈xiè我wǒ军jūn心xīn也yě。」

Just at this time Fei I came. He was called in to see the general, and K‘ung-ming asked the reason for his coming. He replied, “King Jui, of Wei, hearing that Wu has invaded his country at three points, has led a great army to Hofei and sent three other armies to oppose the invaders. The stores and fight-material of Wu have been burned, and the men of Wu have fallen victims to sickness. A letter from Lu Hsün containing a scheme of attack fell into the hands of the enemy, and the lord of Wu has marched back into his own country.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-54

正zhèng论lùn间jiān，忽hū报bào费fèi祎yī到dào，孔kǒng明míng请qǐng入rù问wèn之zhī。祎yī曰yuē：「魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo叡ruì闻wén东dōng吴wú三sān路lù进jìn兵bīng，乃nǎi自zì引yǐn大dà军jūn至zhì合hé淝féi，令lìng满mán宠chǒng、田tián豫yù、刘liú劭shào分fēn兵bīng三sān路lù迎yíng敌dí。满mán宠chǒng设shè计jì侭jǐn烧shāo东dōng吴wú粮liáng草cǎo战zhàn具jù，吴wú兵bīng多duō病bìng。陆lù逊xùn上shàng表biǎo于yú吴wú王wáng，约yuē会huì前qián后hòu夹jiā攻gōng，不bú意yì赍jī表biǎo人rén中zhōng途tú被bèi魏wèi兵bīng所suǒ获huò；因yīn此cǐ机jī关guān泄xiè漏lòu，吴wú兵bīng无wú功gōng而ér还hái。

K‘ung-ming listened to the end; then, without a word, he fell in a swoon. He recovered after a time, but he was broken. He said, “My mind is all in confusion. This is a return of my old complaint, and I am doomed.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-55

」孔kǒng明míng听tīng知zhī此cǐ信xìn，长cháng叹tàn一yī声shēng，不bù觉jué昏hūn倒dào于yú地dì；众zhòng将jiāng急jí救jiù，半bàn晌shǎng方fāng苏sū。孔kǒng明míng叹tàn曰yuē：「吾wú心xīn昏hūn乱luàn，旧jiù病bìng复fù发fā，恐kǒng不bù能néng生shēng矣yǐ！」是shì夜yè孔kǒng明míng扶fú病bìng出chū帐zhàng，仰yǎng观guān天tiān文wén，十shí分fēn惊jīng慌huāng：入rù帐zhàng谓wèi姜jiāng维wéi曰yuē：「吾wú命mìng在zài旦dàn夕xī矣yǐ！」维wéi曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng何hé出chū此cǐ言yán？

Ill as he was, K‘ung-ming that night went forth from his tent to scan the heavens and study the stars. They filled him with fear. He returned and said to Chiang Wei, “My life may end at any moment.” “Why do you say such a thing?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-56

」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「吾wú见jiàn三sān台tái星xīng中zhōng，客kè星xīng倍bèi明míng，主zhǔ星xīng幽yōu隐yǐn，相xiāng辅fǔ列liè曜yào，其qí光guāng昏hūn暗àn：天tiān象xiàng如rú此cǐ，吾wú命mìng可kě知zhī！」维wéi曰yuē：「天tiān象xiàng虽suī则zé如rú此cǐ，丞chéng相xiàng何hé不bú用yòng祈qí禳ráng之zhī法fá挽wǎn回huí之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「吾wú素sù谙ān祈qí禳ráng之zhī法fǎ，但dàn未wèi知zhī天tiān意yì若ruò何hé。汝rú可ké引yín甲jiǎ士shì四sì十shí九jiǔ人rén，各gè执zhí皂zào旗qí，穿chuān皂zào衣yī，环huán遶rào帐zhàng外wài；

“Just now in the San-t‘ai constellation the roving star was twice as bright as usual, while the fixed stars were darkened; the supporting stars were also obscure. With such an aspect I know my fate.” “If the aspect be as malignant as you say, why not pray in order to avert it?” replied Chiang. “I am in the habit of praying,” replied K‘ung-ming, “but I know not the will of God. However, prepare me forty-nine men and let each have a black flag. Dress them in black and place them outside my tent. Then will I from within my tent invoke the Seven Stars of the North. If my master-lamp remain alight for seven days, then is my life to be prolonged. If the lamp go out, then I am to die. Keep all idlers away from the tent and let a couple of youths bring me what is necessary.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-57

我wǒ自zì于yú帐zhàng中zhōng祈qí禳ráng北béi斗dǒu。若ruò七qī日rì内nèi主zhǔ灯dēng不bú灭miè，吾wú寿shòu可kě增zēng一yī纪jì；如rú灯dēng灭miè，吾wú必bì死sí矣yǐ。闲xián杂zá人rén等děng，休xiū教jiào放fàng入rù。凡fán一yī应yīng需xū用yòng之zhī物wù，只zhǐ令lìng二èr小xiǎo童tóng搬bān运yùn。」姜jiāng维wéi领lǐng命mìng，自zì去qù准zhǔn备bèi。

Chiang prepared as directed. It was then the eighth month, mid-autumn, and the Silver River (Milky Way) was brilliant with scattered jade. The air was perfectly calm, and no sound was heard.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-58

时shí值zhí八bā月yuè中zhōng秋qiū，是shì夜yè银yín河hé耿géng耿gěng，玉yù露lù零líng零líng；旌jīng旗qí不bú动dòng，刁diāo斗dòu无wú声shēng。姜jiāng维wéi在zài帐zhàng外wài引yǐn四sì十shí九jiǔ人rén守shǒu护hù。孔kǒng明míng自zì于yú帐zhàng中zhōng设shè香xiāng花huā祭jì物wù。地dì上shàng分fēn布bù七qī盏zhǎn大dà灯dēng，外wài布bú四sì十shí九jiú盏zhán小xiǎo灯dēng，内nèi安ān本běn命mìng灯dēng一yī盏zhǎn。孔kǒng明míng拜bài祝zhù曰yuē：「亮liàng生shēng于yú乱luàn世shì，甘gān老lǎo林lín泉quán；

The forty-nine men were brought up and spaced out to guard the tent, while within K‘ung-ming prepared incense and offerings. On the floor of the tent he arranged seven lamps, and, outside these, forty-nine smaller lamps. In the midst he placed the lamp of his own fate.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-59

承chéng昭zhāo烈liè皇huáng帝dì三sān顾gù之zhī恩ēn，托tuō孤gū之zhī重zhòng，不bù敢gǎn不bù竭jié犬quán马mǎ之zhī劳láo，誓shì讨tǎo国guó贼zéi。不bú意yì将jiāng星xīng欲yù坠zhuì，阳yáng寿shòu将jiāng终zhōng。谨jǐn书shū尺chǐ素sù，上shàng告gào穹qióng苍cāng。伏fú望wàng天tiān慈cí，俯fǔ垂chuí鉴jiàn听tīng，麹qū延yán臣chén算suàn，使shǐ得de上shàng报bào君jūn恩ēn，下xià救jiù民mín命mìng，克kè复fù旧jiù物wù，永yǒng延yán汉hàn祀sì。非fēi敢gǎn妄wàng祈qí，实shí由yóu情qíng切qiè。」拜bài祝zhù毕bì，就jiù帐zhàng中zhōng俯fǔ伏fú待dài旦dàn。

This done, he prayed, saying, “Liang, born into an age of trouble, would willingly have grown old in retirement. But His Majesty Chao-Lieh sought him thrice and confided to him the heavy responsibility of guarding his son. He dared not do less than spend himself to the utmost in such a task and he pledged himself to destroy the rebels. Suddenly the star of his leadership has declined, and his life now nears its close. He has humbly indited a declaration to the Great Unknowable and now hopes that He will graciously listen and extend the number of his days that he may prove his gratitude to his prince and be the saviour of the people, restore the old state of the empire and establish eternally the Han sacrifices. He dares not make a vain prayer; this is from his heart.” This prayer ended, in the solitude of his tent he awaited the dawn.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-60

次cì日rì，扶fú病bìng理lǐ事shì，吐tù血xiě不bù止zhǐ；日rì则zé计jì议yì军jūn机jī，夜yè则zé布bù罡gāng踏tà斗dòu。

Next day, ill as he was, he did not neglect his duties, although he spat blood continually. All day he laboured at his plans, and at night he paced the magic steps, the steps of “the four” and “the seven” stars of Ursa Major.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-61

却què说shuō司sī马mǎ懿yì在zài营yíng中zhōng坚jiān守shǒu，忽hū一yī夜yè仰yǎng观guān天tiān文wén，大dà喜xǐ，谓wèi夏xià侯hóu霸bà曰yuē：「吾wú见jiàn将jiāng星xīng失shī位wèi，孔kǒng明míng必bì然rán有yǒu病bìng，不bù久jiǔ便biàn死sǐ。你ní可ké引yǐn一yī千qiān军jūn去qù五wǔ丈zhàng原yuán哨shào探tàn。若ruò蜀shǔ人rén攘rǎng乱luàn不bù出chū接jiē战zhàn，孔kǒng明míng必bì然rán患huàn病bìng矣yǐ。吾wú当dāng乘chéng势shì击jī之zhī。」霸bà引yǐn兵bīng而ér去qù。孔kǒng明míng在zài帐zhàng中zhōng祈qí禳ráng已yǐ及jí六liù夜yè，见jiàn主zhǔ灯dēng明míng亮liàng，心xīn中zhōng甚shèn喜xǐ。

Ssŭma I remained still on the defensive. One night as he sat gazing up at the sky and studying its aspect he suddenly turned to Hsiahou Pa, saying, “A leadership star has just lost position; surely K‘ung-ming is ill and will soon die. Take a reconnoitring party to the Wuchang Plain and find out. If you see signs of confusion do not attack; it means that K‘ung-ming is ill. I shall take the occasion to smite hard.” Hsiahou Pa left. It was the sixth night of K‘ung-ming’s prayers, and the lamp of his fate still burned brightly. He began to feel a secret joy. Presently Chiang Wei entered and watched the ceremonies.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-62

姜jiāng维wéi入rù帐zhàng，正zhèng见jiàn孔kǒng明míng披pī发fà仗zhàng剑jiàn，踏tà罡gāng步bú斗dòu，压yā镇zhèn将jiāng星xīng。忽hū听tīng得dé寨zhài外wài呐nà喊hǎn，方fāng欲yù令lìng人rén出chū问wèn，魏wèi延yán飞fēi步bú入rù告gào曰yuē：「魏wèi兵bīng至zhì矣yǐ！」延yán脚jiǎo步bù急jí，竟jìng将jiāng主zhǔ灯dēng扑pū灭miè。孔kǒng明míng弃qì剑jiàn而ér叹tàn曰yuē：「死sǐ生shēng有yǒu命mìng，不bù可kě得dé而ér禳ráng也yě！」魏wèi延yán惶huáng恐kǒng，伏fú地dì请qǐng罪zuì。姜jiāng维wéi忿fèn怒nù，拔bá剑jiàn欲yù杀shā魏wèi延yán。正zhèng是shì：

Suddenly a great shouting was heard outside, and immediately Wei Yen dashed in, crying, “The Wei soldiers are upon us!” In his haste he had knocked over and extinguished the Lamp of Fate. K‘ung-ming threw down the sword and sighed, saying, “Life and death are foreordained; no prayers can alter them.” Wei Yen fell to the earth and craved forgiveness. Chiang drew his sword to slay the unhappy soldier. Nought is under man’s control, Nor can he with fate contend. Did Chiang kill the blundering warrior? The next chapter will unfold.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

103-63

万wàn事shì不bù由yóu人rén做zuò主zhǔ，一yī心xīn难nán与yǔ命mìng争zhēng衡héng。

Ten thousand things are not for man to decide; A single heart can hardly wrestle with fate.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

103-64

未wèi知zhī魏wèi延yán性xìng命mìng如rú何hé，且qiě看kàn下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated