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

第dì一yī百bǎi六liù回huí 公gōng孙sūn渊yuān兵bīng败bài死sǐ襄xiāng平píng　　司sī马mǎ懿yì诈zhà病bìng赚zhuàn曹cáo爽shuǎng

106-1

却què说shuō公gōng孙sūn渊yuān乃nǎi辽liáo东dōng公gōng孙sūn度dù之zhī孙sūn，公gōng孙sūn康kāng之zhī子zi也yě。建jiàn安ān十shí二èr年nián，曹cáo操cāo追zhuī袁yuán尚shàng，未wèi到dào辽liáo东dōng，康kāng斩zhǎn尚shàng首shǒu级jí献xiàn操cāo，操cāo封fēng康kāng为wèi襄xiāng平píng侯hóu；后hòu康kāng死sǐ，有yǒu二èr子zi，长zhǎng曰yuē晃huǎng，次cì曰yuē渊yuān，皆jiē幼yòu；康kāng弟dì公gōng孙sūn恭gōng继jì职zhí。曹cáo丕pī时shí封fēng恭gōng为wèi车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn、襄xiāng平píng侯hóu。

This Kungsun Yüan was of a family long settled in Liaotung. When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was pursuing Yüan Shang, who had fled eastward, Kungsun K‘ang, the father of the present rebel, had captured him, beheaded him and sent his head to Ts‘ao. For this service Kungsun received the title of “Marquis of Hsiangpʻing.” After Kungsun K‘ang’s death, as his two sons were young, his brother took the chiefship, and Ts‘ao P‘ei, beside confirming the marquisate, gave him the rank of General. A few years later, the second son, Yüan, being now grown up, well-educated and trained in military exercises, obstinate and fond of fighting, took away his uncle’s power and ruled the heritage of his father. Ts‘ao Jui conferred upon him the title of Yang-lieh , “Wielder of Ferocity,” and made him Prefect.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-2

太tài和hé二èr年nián，渊yuān长zhǎng大dà，文wén武wǔ兼jiān备bèi，性xìng刚gāng好hǎo斗dòu，夺duó其qí叔shū公gōng孙sūn恭gōng之zhī位wèi，曹cáo叡ruì封fēng渊yuān为wèi扬yáng烈liè将jiāng军jūn、辽liáo东dōng太tài守shǒu。后hòu孙sūn权quán遣qiǎn张zhāng㳽mí、许xǔ宴yàn赍jī金jīn宝bǎo珍zhēn玉yù赴fù辽liáo东dōng，封fēng渊yuān为wèi燕yàn王wáng。渊yuān惧jù中zhōng原yuán，乃nái斩zhǎn张zhāng、许xǔ二èr人rén，送sòng首shóu与yǔ曹cáo叡ruì。叡ruì封fēng渊yuān为wéi大dà司sī马mǎ、乐lè浪làng公gōng。

Then Sun Ch'üan, anxious to secure his support, sent two envoys with gifts and offered Kungsun Yüan the title of “Prince Yen.” Fearing that the capital would resent any dallying with Wu, the Prefect slew the envoys. For this proof of lealty Ts‘ao Jui gave him the title of Minister of War and the Dukedom of Yüehlang. However, he was dissatisfied, and his thoughts turned toward independence. He took council with his officers and proposed to style himself “King Yen” and to adopt a reign-title of his own.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-3

渊yuān心xīn不bù足zú，与yǔ众zhòng商shāng议yì，自zì号hào为wèi燕yàn王wáng，改gǎi元yuán绍shào汉hàn元yuán年nián。副fù将jiāng贾jiǎ范fàn谏jiàn曰yuē：「中zhōng原yuán待dài主zhǔ公gōng以yǐ上shàng公gōng之zhī爵jué，不bù为wéi卑bēi贱jiàn；今jīn若ruò背bèi反fǎn，实shí为wèi不bú顺shùn。更gèng兼jiān司sī马mǎ懿yì善shàn能néng用yòng兵bīng，西xī蜀shǔ诸zhū葛gé武wǔ侯hóu且qiě不bù能néng取qǔ胜shèng，何hé况kuàng主zhǔ公gōng乎hū？」

One officer, Chia Fan, opposed this and said, “My lord, the central authorities have treated you well and honoured you. I fear that Ssŭma I is too skilful a leader for rebellion to succeed. You see even Chuko Liang cannot defeat him; how much less can you?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-4

渊yuān大dà怒nù，叱chì左zuǒ右yòu䌸贾jiǎ范fàn，将jiāng斩zhǎn之zhī。参cān军jūn伦lún直zhí谏jiàn曰yuē：「贾jiǎ范fàn之zhī言yán是shì也yě。圣shèng人rén云yún：『国guó家jiā将jiāng亡wáng，必bì有yǒu妖yāo孽niè。』今jīn国guó中zhōng屡lǚ见jiàn怪guài异yì之zhī事shì。近jìn有yóu犬quǎn戴dài巾jīn帻zé，身shēn披pī红hóng衣yī，上shàng屋wū作zuò人rén行xíng。又yòu城chéng南nán乡xiāng民mín造zào饭fàn，饭fàn甑zèng之zhī中zhōng，忽hū有yǒu一yī小xiǎo儿ér蒸zhēng死sǐ于yú内nèi。

Kungsun’s reply was to condemn Chia Fan to death. However, General Lun Chih ventured upon further remonstrance. “Chia Fan spoke well. The Sacred One says that extraordinary phenomena presage the destruction of a state. Now this time portents are not wanting, and wonders have been seen. A dog, dressed in red and wearing a turban, went up the length of a room walking like a man. Moreover, while a certain person living in a village south of the city was cooking his food, he saw a child in the pan, boiled to death. A great cave opened near the market-place and threw out a large, fleshy body completely human save that it lacked limbs. Swords could not cut it; arrows could not penetrate it. No one knew what to call it, and when they consulted the sortes they obtained the reply, 'Incomplete shape, silent mouth: a state is near destruction.' These prodigies are all inauspicious. Flee from evil and strive to walk in fair fortune’s way. Make no move without most careful thought.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-5

襄xiāng平píng北běi市shì中zhōng，地dì忽hū陷xiàn一yī穴xué，涌yǒng出chū一yī块kuài肉ròu，周zhōu围wéi数shù尺chǐ，头tóu麺miàn眼yán耳ér口kǒu鼻bí都dōu具jù，独dú无wú手shǒu足zú，刀dāo箭jiàn不bù能néng伤shāng，不bù知zhī何hé物wù。卜bo者zhě占zhàn之zhī曰yuē：『有yǒu形xíng不bù成chéng，有yóu口kǒu不bù声shēng；国guó家jiā亡wáng灭miè，故gù现xiàn其qí形xíng。』有yóu此cǐ三sān者zhě，皆jiē不bù祥xiáng之zhī兆zhào也yě。主zhǔ公gōng宜yí避bì凶xiōng就jiù吉jí，不bù可kě轻qīng举jǔ妄wàng动dòng。

This second remonstrance enraged the rebel still more, and he sent Lun to death with Chia. Both were executed in the public place.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-6

」渊yuān勃bó然rán大dà怒nù，叱chì武wǔ士shì绑bǎng伦lún直zhí并bìng贾jiǎ范fàn同tóng斩zhǎn于yú市shì，令lìng大dà将jiāng军jūn卑bēi衍yǎn为wèi元yuán帅shuài，杨yáng祚zuò为wèi先xiān锋fēng，起qǐ辽liáo兵bīng十shí五wǔ万wàn，杀shā奔bēn中zhōng原yuán来lái。

Kungsun then prepared to make a bid for empire. He raised an army of fifteen legions, appointed a general, Pei Yen, and a leader of the van, Yang Tsu. This army set out for the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-7

边biān官guān报bào知zhī魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo叡ruì。叡ruì大dà惊jīng，乃nǎi召zhào司sī马mǎ懿yì入rù朝cháo计jì议yì。懿yì奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén部bú下xià马mǎ步bù官guān军jūn四sì万wàn，足zú可kě破pò贼zéi。」叡ruì曰yuē：「卿qīng兵bīng少shǎo路lù远yuǎn，恐kǒng难nán收shōu复fù。」懿yì曰yuē：「兵bīng不bú在zài多duō，在zài能néng设shè奇qí用yòng智zhì耳ěr。臣chén托tuō陛bì下xià洪hóng福fú，必bì擒qín公gōng孙sūn渊yuān以yǐ献xiàn陛bì下xià。」叡ruì曰yuē：「卿qīng料liào公gōng孙sūn渊yuān作zuò何hé举jǔ动dòng？

King Jui was alarmed at the report of this rising, and sent for Ssŭma I. Ssŭma was not greatly perturbed, and said, “My four legions will be equal to the task.” The king replied, “The task is heavy, for your men are few and the road is long.” “The strength of an army is not in numbers, but in strategy. Aided by Your Majesty’s good fortune I shall certainly be able to bring this fellow a captive to your feet.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-8

」懿yì曰yuē：「渊yuān若ruò弃qì城chéng预yù走zǒu，是shì上shàng计jì也yě；守shǒu辽liáo东dōng拒jù大dà军jūn，是shì中zhòng计jì也yě；坐zuò守shǒu襄xiāng平píng，是shì为wèi下xià计jì，必bì被bèi臣chén所suǒ擒qín矣yǐ。」叡ruì曰yuē：「此cǐ去qù往wǎng复fù几jǐ时shí？」懿yì曰yuē：「四sì千qiān里lǐ之zhī地dì，往wáng百bǎi日rì，攻gōng百bǎi日rì，休xiū息xī六liù十shí日rì；大dà约yuē一yī年nián足zú矣yǐ。」叡ruì曰yuē：「倘tǎng吴wú、蜀shǔ入rù寇kòu，如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？

“What do you think will be the rebel’s plan?"asked the king. “His best plan would be flight before our army can arrive; his second best is defending his position; his third, and worst, would be to try to hold Hsiangp‘ing. In the last case I shall certainly capture him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-9

」懿yì曰yuē：「臣chén已yǐ定dìng下xià守shǒu御yù之zhī策cè，陛bì下xià勿wù忧yōu。」叡ruì大dà喜xǐ，即jí命mìng司sī马mǎ懿yì兴xīng师shī往wáng讨tǎo公gōng孙sūn渊yuān。懿yì辞cí朝cháo出chū城chéng，令lìng胡hú遵zūn为wèi先xiān锋fēng，引yǐn前qián部bù兵bīng先xiān到dào辽liáo东dōng下xià寨zhài。哨shào马mǎ飞fēi报bào公gōng孙sūn渊yuān。渊yuān令lìng卑bēi衍yǎn、杨yáng祚zuò分fēn八bā万wàn兵bīng屯tún于yú辽liáo隧suì，围wéi堑qiàn二èr十shí余yú里lǐ，环huán遶rào鹿lù角jiǎo，甚shèn是shì严yán密mì。胡hú遵zūn令lìng人rén报bào知zhī司sī马mǎ懿yì。

“How long will the expedition take?” “We have to cover four thousand li , which will take a hundred days. Attack will consume another hundred. The return will need a hundred, and with sixty days to rest we shall take a year.” “Suppose during that year we are attacked by Wu or Shu.” “My plans provide for that; Your Majesty need have no anxiety.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-10

懿yì笑xiào曰yuē：「贼zéi不bù与yú我wǒ战zhàn，欲yù老láo我wǒ兵bīng耳ěr。我wǒ料liào贼zéi众zhòng大dà半bàn在zài此cǐ，其qí巢cháo穴xué空kōng虚xū，不bú若ruò弃qì却què此cǐ处chù，迳jìng奔bēn襄xiāng平píng；贼zéi必bì往wǎng救jiù，却què于yú中zhōng途tú击jī之zhī，必bì获huò全quán功gōng。」于yú是shì勒lēi兵bīng从cóng小xiǎo路lù向xiàng襄xiāng平píng进jìn发fā。

The king being thus reassured, formally ordered Ssŭma to undertake the expedition. Hu Tsun was appointed to lead the van. He went and camped in Liaotung. The scouts hasted to tell Kungsun, who sent his general and van-leader to camp at Liaochui. They surrounded their camp with a wall twenty li in circumference and placed “deer-horns” outside the rampart. It seemed very secure. Hu Tsun saw these preparations and sent to tell his chief. Ssŭma smiled. “So the rebel does not want to fight, but thinks to weary my men,” said Ssǔma. “Now I am disposed to think that most of his army is within that wall, so that his stronghold is empty and undefended. I will make a dash at Hsiangpʻing. He will have to go to its rescue and I will smite him on the way. I should score a great success.” So he hastened to Hsiangpʻing along unfrequented ways.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-11

却què说shuō卑bēi衍yán与yǔ杨yáng祚zuò商shāng议yì曰yuē：「若ruò魏wèi兵bīng来lái攻gōng，休xiū与yǔ交jiāo战zhàn。彼bǐ千qiān里lǐ而ér来lái，粮liáng草cǎo不bú继jì，难nán以yǐ持chí久jiǔ，粮liáng侭jǐn必bì退tuì；待dài他tā退tuì时shí，然rán后hòu出chū奇qí兵bīng击jī之zhī，司sī马mǎ懿yì可kě擒qín也yě。昔xī司sī马mǎ懿yì与yú蜀shǔ兵bīng相xiāng拒jù，坚jiān守shǒu渭wèi南nán，孔kǒng明míng竟jìng卒zú于yú军jūn中zhōng。今jīn日rì正zhèng与yú此cí理lǐ相xiāng同tóng。」二èr人rén正zhèng商shāng议yì间jiān，忽hū报bào：「魏wèi兵bīng往wǎng南nán去qù了le。

Meanwhile the two captains within the walled camp discussed their plans. Yang Tsu said, “When the Wei army comes near we will not fight. They will have come a long march and their supplies will be short, so that they cannot hold out long. When they retreat we shall find our opportunity. These were the tactics Ssŭma I used against Chuko on the Wei River, and Chuko died before the end of the expedition. We will try similar means.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-12

」卑bēi衍yǎn大dà惊jīng曰yuē：「彼bǐ知zhī吾wú襄xiāng平píng军jūn少shǎo，去qù袭xí老lǎo营yíng也yě。若ruò襄xiāng平píng有yǒu失shī，我wó等déng守shóu此cǐ处chù无wú益yì矣yǐ。」遂suì拔bá寨zhài随suí后hòu而ér起qǐ。早záo有yǒu探tàn马mǎ飞fēi报bào司sī马mǎ懿yì。懿yì笑xiào曰yuē：「中zhōng吾wú计jì矣yǐ！」令lìng夏xià侯hóu霸bà、夏xià侯hóu威wēi，各gè引yǐn一yī军jūn伏fú于yú济jì水shuǐ之zhī滨bīn：「如rú辽liáo兵bīng到dào，两liǎng下xià齐qí出chū。」二èr人rén受shòu计jì而ér往wǎng。早zǎo望wàng见jiàn卑bēi衍yǎn、杨yáng祚zuò引yǐn兵bīng前qián来lái。

Presently the scouts reported that the Wei army had marched south. Pei Yen at once saw the danger and said, “They are going to attack Hsiangpʻing, which they know is defenceless. If that be lost this position is useless.” So they broke up their camp and followed the enemy. When Ssŭma heard it he rejoiced, saying, “Now they will fall into the snare I have laid for them.” He sent the two Hsiahous to take up position on the Chi River. They were to attack if the men of Liao came near them. They had not long to wait. As soon as Pei Yen and his army approached they exploded a bomb, beat the drums, waved their flags and came out, one force on each side. The Liao leaders made but a feeble fight and soon fled to Shoushan, where they joined the main army under Kungsun Yüan. Then they turned to give battle to the Wei army.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-13

一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，两liǎng边biān鼓gǔ噪zào摇yáo旗qí，左zuó有yǒu夏xià侯hóu霸bà，右yòu有yǒu夏xià侯hóu威wēi，一yī齐qí杀shā出chū。卑bēi、杨yáng二èr人rén，无wú心xīn恋liàn战zhàn，夺duó路lù而ér走zǒu；奔bēn至zhì首shǒu山shān，正zhèng逢féng公gōng孙sūn渊yuān兵bīng到dào，合hé兵bīng一yī处chù，回huí马mǎ再zài与yǔ魏wèi兵bīng交jiāo战zhàn。卑bēi衍yǎn出chū马mǎ骂mà曰yuē：「贼zéi将jiāng休xiū使shí诡guǐ计jì！汝rú敢gǎn出chū战zhàn否fǒu？」夏xià侯hóu霸bà纵zòng马mǎ挥huī刀dāo来lái迎yíng。

Pei Yen rode to the front and reviled the enemy, taunted them with trickery and challenged to a fight in the open. Hsiahou Pa rode out to accept the challenge, and after a few bouts Pei fell. In the confusion caused by the death of their leader, Hsiahou urged on his men and drove Kungsun back to Hsiangp‘ing. He took refuge in the city.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-14

战zhàn不bú数shù合hé，被bèi夏xià侯hóu霸bà一yī刀dāo斩zhǎn卑bēi衍yǎn于yú马mǎ下xià，辽liáo兵bīng大dà乱luàn。霸bà驱qū兵bīng掩yǎn杀shā，公gōng孙sūn渊yuān引yǐn败bài兵bīng奔bēn入rù襄xiāng平píng城chéng去qù，闭bì门mén坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū。魏wèi兵bīng四sì麺miàn围wéi合hé。

The city was surrounded. It was autumn, and the rain fell day after day without ceasing. At the end of the month the plain was under three feet of water, so that the grain boats sailed straight from Liaohok‘ou to the city walls. The besiegers suffered much from the floods.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-15

时shí值zhí秋qiū雨yǔ连lián绵mián，一yí月yuè不bù止zhǐ，平píng地dì水shuǐ深shēn三sān尺chǐ，运yùn粮liáng船chuán自zì辽liáo河hé口kǒu直zhí至zhì襄xiāng平píng城chéng下xià。魏wèi兵bīng皆jiē在zài水shuǐ中zhōng，行xíng坐zuò不bù安ān。左zuǒ都dū督dū裴péi景jǐng入rù帐zhàng告gào曰yuē：「雨yú水shuǐ不bú住zhù，营yíng中zhōng泥ní泞nìng，军jūn不bù可kě停tíng，请qǐng移yí于yú前qián麺miàn山shān上shàng。」懿yì怒nù曰yuē：「捉zhuō公gōng孙sūn渊yuān只zhǐ在zài旦dàn夕xī，安ān可kě移yí营yíng？如rú有yǒu再zài言yán移yí营yíng者zhé斩zhǎn！」裴péi景jǐng喏nuò喏nuò而ér退tuì。

The Commander of the Left went to Ssŭma and asked that the army might be moved to camp on the higher ground, out of the mud and water. But Ssŭma flouted the suggestion. “How can the army move away just when success is in sight? The rebels will be conquered now any day, and if any other speaks about drawing off he will be put to death.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-16

少sháo顷qǐng，右yòu都dū督dū仇chóu连lián又yòu来lái告gào曰yuē：「军jūn士shì苦kú水shuǐ，乞qǐ太tài尉wèi移yí营yíng高gāo处chù。」懿yì大dà怒nù曰yuē：「吾wú军jūn令lìng己jǐ发fā，汝rǔ何hé敢gǎn故gù违wéi！」即jí命mìng推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī，悬xuán首shǒu于yú南nán门mén外wài。于yú是shì军jūn心xīn震zhèn慑shè。

Pei went away muttering angrily to himself. Soon after, his colleague in command of the right wing repeated the suggestion and was put to death. His head was suspended at the camp gate as a warning to others. The soldiers were much depressed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-17

懿yì令lìng两liǎng寨zhài人rén马mǎ暂zàn退tuì二èr十shí里lǐ，纵zòng城chéng内nèi军jūn民mín出chū城chéng樵qiáo采cǎi柴chái薪xīn，牧mù放fàng牛niú马mǎ。司sī马mǎ陈chén群qún问wèn曰yuē：「前qián太tài尉wèi攻gōng上shàng庸yōng之zhī时shí，兵bīng分fēn八bā路lù，八bā日rì赶gǎn至zhì城chéng下xià，遂suì生shēng擒qín孟mèng达dá而ér成chéng大dà功gōng；今jīn带dài甲jiǎ四sì万wàn，数shù千qiān里lǐ而ér来lái，不bú令lìng攻gōng打dǎ城chéng池chí，却què使shí久jiǔ居jū泥ní泞nìng之zhī中zhōng，又yòu纵zòng贼zéi众zhòng樵qiáo牧mù，某mǒu实shí不bù知zhī太tài尉wèi是shì何hé主zhǔ意yì。

Then the south camp was abandoned, and the men marched twenty li south. This side of the city being thus left clear, the soldiers and people came out to gather fuel and pasture their cattle. The attacking army could not understand this move, and Ch'ên Chün spoke about it. “When you besieged Shangyung, O T‘aiyü , you attacked all round at eight points, and the city fell in as many days. Mêng Ta was taken, and you won a great success. Now your four legions have borne their armour many days over long marches and you do not press the attack, but keep the men in the mud and mire and let the enemy gather supplies and feed their cattle. I do not know what your intention may be.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-18

」懿yì笑xiào曰yuē：「公gōng不bù知zhī兵bīng法fǎ耶yé？昔xī孟mèng达dá粮liáng多duō兵bīng少shǎo，我wǒ粮liáng少shǎo兵bīng多duō，故gù不bù可kě不bú速sù战zhàn；出chū其qí不bú意yì，突tū然rán攻gōng之zhī，方fāng可ké取qǔ胜shèng。今jīn辽liáo兵bīng多duō，我wǒ兵bīng少shǎo，贼zéi饥jī我wó饱bǎo，何hé必bì力lì攻gōng？正zhèng当dāng任rèn彼bǐ自zì走zǒu，然rán后hòu乘chéng机jī击jī之zhī。我wǒ今jīn放fàng开kāi一yī条tiáo路lù，不bù绝jué彼bǐ之zhī樵qiáo牧mù，是shì容róng彼bǐ自zì走zóu也yě。」陈chén群qún拜bài服fú。

“Sir,” replied the Commander-in-chief, “I see you are ignorant of war after all. You do not understand the different conditions. Mêng Ta then had ample supplies and few men; we were under exactly opposite conditions, and so we had to attack vigorously and at once. The suddenness of the attack defeated the enemy. But look at present conditions. The Liao men are many and we few; they are on the verge of starvation, and we are full fed. Why should we force the attack? Our line is to let them flee and smite them as they run. Therefore I leave a gate open and the road free that they may run away.” Ch'ên then understood and acknowledged the correctness of the strategy. Ssŭma sent to Loyang to hasten supplies, that there should be no shortage.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-19

于yú是shì司sī马mǎ懿yì遣qiǎn人rén赴fù洛luò阳yáng催cuī粮liáng。魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo叡ruì设shè朝cháo。群qún臣chén皆jiē奏zòu曰yuē：「近jìn日rì秋qiū雨yǔ连lián绵mián，一yí月yuè不bù止zhǐ，人rén马mǎ疲pí劳láo，可kě召zhào回huí司sī马mǎ懿yì，权quán且qiě罢bà兵bīng。」叡ruì曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ太tài尉wèi善shàn能néng用yòng兵bīng，临lín危wēi制zhì变biàn，多duō有yǒu良liáng谋móu，捉zhuō公gōng孙sūn渊yuān计jì日rì而ér待dài：卿qīng等děng何hé必bì忧yōu也yě？」遂suì不bù听tīng群qún臣chén之zhī谏jiàn，使shǐ人rén运yùn粮liáng解jiě至zhì司sī马mǎ懿yì军jūn前qián。

However, the war was not supported in the capital, for when the messenger arrived and the king summoned his courtiers, they said, “In Liaotung the rain has been continuous for a month, and the men are in misery. Ssŭma ought to be recalled and the war renewed at a more convenient season.” The king replied, “The leader of our army is most capable and best able to decide upon what should be done. He understands the conditions and is teeming with magnificent plans. He will certainly succeed. Wherefore, O Nobles, wait a few days and let us not be anxious about the result.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-20

懿yì在zài寨zhài中zhōng，又yòu过guò数shù日rì，雨yú止zhǐ天tiān晴qíng。是shì夜yè懿yì出chū帐zhàng外wài，仰yǎng观guān天tiān文wén，忽hū见jiàn一yī星xīng，其qí大dà如rú斗dòu，流liú光guāng数shù丈zhàng，自zì首shǒu山shān东dōng北běi，坠zhuì于yú襄xiāng平píng东dōng南nán。各gè营yíng将jiàng士shì，无wú不bù惊jīng骇hài。懿yì见jiàn之zhī大dà喜xǐ，乃nǎi谓wèi众zhòng将jiāng曰yuē：「五wǔ日rì之zhī后hòu，星xīng落luò处chù必bì斩zhǎn公gōng孙sūn渊yuān矣yǐ。来lái日rì可kě并bìng力lì攻gōng城chéng。」

So the king heeded not the voice of the dissentients, but took care that provisions were sent. After a few days the rain ceased, and fine, clear weather followed. Ssŭma went out of his tent that he might study the sky. Suddenly he saw a very large and bright star start from a point over Shoushan and travel over toward Hsiangp‘ing, where it fell. The soldiers were rather frightened at this apparition, but the leader rejoiced. “Five days from now Kungsun Yüan will be slain where that star fell,” said he. “Therefore attack with vigour.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-21

众zhòng将jiāng得dé令lìng，次cì日rì侵qīn晨chén，引yǐn兵bīng四sì麺miàn围wéi合hé，筑zhù土tǔ山shān，掘jué地dì道dào，立lì砲pào架jià，装zhuāng云yún梯tī，日rì夜yè攻gōng打dǎ不bù息xī，箭jiàn如rú急jí雨yǔ，射shè入rù城chéng去qù。公gōng孙sūn渊yuān在zài城chéng中zhōng粮liáng侭jǐn，皆jiē宰zǎi牛niú马mǎ为wèi食shí。人rén人rén怨yuàn恨hèn，各gè无wú守shǒu心xīn，欲yù斩zhǎn渊yuān首shǒu，献xiàn城chéng归guī降xiáng。渊yuān闻wén之zhī，甚shèn是shì惊jīng忧yōu，慌huāng令lìng相xiàng国guó王wáng建jiàn，御yù史shǐ大dà夫fū柳liú甫fǔ，往wǎng魏wèi寨zhài请qǐng降xiáng。

They opened the attack the next morning at dawn, throwing up banks and sapping the walls, setting up ballistæ and rearing ladders. When night came the attack did not cease. Arrows fell in the city like pelting rain. Within the city, grain began to run short, and soon there was none. They slaughtered bullocks and horses for food. The soldiers began to be mutinous and no longer fought with any spirit. There was talk of slaying Kungsun and yielding the city. Kungsun was disheartened and frightened, and decided to sue for peace. He sent a minister and a censor out of the city to beg Ssŭma to allow him to submit. These two had to be let down from the walls by ropes, as no other means of exit were possible. They found their way to Ssŭma and said, “We pray you, O T‘ai-yü , to retire twenty li and allow the officers to come forth and surrender.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-22

二èr人rén自zì城chéng上shàng系xì下xià，来lái告gào司sī马mǎ懿yì曰yuē：「请qǐng太tài尉wèi退tuì二èr十shí里lǐ，我wǒ君jūn臣chén自zì来lái投tóu降xiáng。」懿yì大dà怒nù曰yuē：「公gōng孙sūn渊yuān何hé不bú自zì来lái？殊shū为wèi无wú理lǐ！」叱chì武wǔ士shì推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī，将jiāng首shǒu级jí付fù与yǔ从cóng人rén。

“Why did not Kungsun himself come?” said Ssŭma. “He is rude.” He put the two envoys to death and sent their heads back into the city.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-23

从cóng人rén回huí报bào，公gōng孙sūn渊yuān大dà惊jīng，又yòu遣qiǎn侍shì中zhōng卫wèi演yǎn来lái到dào魏wèi营yíng。司sī马mǎ懿yì升shēng帐zhàng，聚jù众zhòng将jiāng立lì于yú两liǎng边biān。演yǎn膝xī行xíng而ér进jìn，跪guì于yú帐zhàng下xià，告gào曰yuē：「愿yuàn太tài尉wèi息xī雷léi霆tíng之zhī怒nù。克kè日rì先xiān送sòng世shì子zi公gōng孙sūn修xiū为wèi质zhì当dàng。然rán后hòu君jūn臣chén自zì缚fù来lái降jiàng。

Kungsun was still more alarmed, but he resolved to make one more attempt. This time he sent Wei Yen, a Shih-chung , as his envoy. Ssŭma received this messenger sitting in state in his tent with his officers standing right and left. The envoy approached on his knees, and when he reached the door of the tent recited his petition.” “I pray you, O T‘ai-yü , to turn your thundrous wrath from us; we will send the son of our leader as hostage and all the officers shall appear before you bound with cords.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-24

」懿yì曰yuē：「军jūn事shì大dà要yào有yóu五wǔ：能néng战zhàn当dāng战zhàn，不bù能néng战zhàn当dāng守shǒu，不bù能néng守shǒu当dāng走zǒu，不bù能néng走zǒu当dāng降jiàng，不bù能néng降jiàng当dāng死sí耳ěr。何hé必bì送sòng子zi为wèi质zhì当dàng？」叱chì卫wèi演yǎn回huí报bào公gōng孙sūn渊yuān。演yǎn抱bào头tóu鼠shǔ窜cuàn而ér去qù，归guī告gào公gōng孙sūn渊yuān。渊yuān大dà惊jīng，乃nái与yǔ子zi公gōng孙sūn修xiū密mì议yì停tíng当dàng，选xuǎn下xià一yī千qiān人rén马mǎ，当dāng夜yè二èr更gèng时shí分fēn，开kāi了le南nán门mén，往wǎng东dōng南nán而ér走zǒu。

Ssŭma replied. “There are five possible operations for any army. If you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die. These five courses are open to you, and a hostage would be useless. Now return and tell your master.” Wei Yen put his hands over his head and fled like a rat. He went into the city and related what had happened to him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-25

渊yuān见jiàn无wú人rén，心xīn中zhōng暗àn喜xǐ。行xíng不bú到dào十shí里lǐ，忽hū听tīng得dé山shān上shàng一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，鼓gú角jiǎo齐qí鸣míng，一yī枝zhī兵bīng拦lán住zhù，中zhōng央yāng乃nǎi司sī马mǎ懿yì也yě；左zuó有yǒu司sī马mǎ师shī，右yòu有yǒu司sī马mǎ昭zhāo，二èr人rén大dà叫jiào曰yuē：「反fǎn贼zéi休xiū走zǒu！」渊yuān大dà惊jīng，急jí拨bō马mǎ寻xún路lù奔bēn逃táo。早záo有yǒu胡hú遵zūn兵bīng到dào；左zuó有yǒu夏xià侯hóu霸bà、夏xià侯hóu威wēi，右yòu有yǒu张zhāng虎hǔ、乐lè𬘭：四sì麺miàn围wéi得dé铁tié桶tǒng相xiāng似sì。

The Kungsuns, father and son, resolved to flee. They chose a company of mounted men, and in the dead of night opened the south gate and got out. They took the road to the east and were rejoiced to find it clear. All went well for a distance of ten li , when a bomb exploded. This was followed by a roll of drums and the blare of trumpets; and a cohort stood in the way. The leader was Ssŭma I, supported by his two sons. “Stop, O rebel!” cried they.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-26

公gōng孙sūn渊yuān父fù子zǐ，只zhǐ得dé下xià马mǎ纳nà降xiáng。懿yì在zài马mǎ上shàng顾gù诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「吾wú前qián夜yè丙bǐng寅yín日rì，见jiàn大dà星xīng落luò于yú此cǐ处chù，今jīn夜yè壬rén申shēn日rì应yīng矣yǐ。」众zhòng将jiāng称chēng贺hè曰yuē：「太tài尉wèi真zhēn神shén机jī也yě！」懿yì传chuán令lìng斩zhǎn之zhī。公gōng孙sūn渊yuān父fù子zǐ对duì麺miàn受shòu戮lù。司sī马mǎ懿yì遂suì勒lēi兵bīng来lái取qǔ襄xiāng平píng。未wèi及jí到dào城chéng下xià时shí，胡hú遵zūn早záo引yǐn兵bīng入rù城chéng中zhōng。人rén民mín焚fén香xiāng拜bài迎yíng。魏wèi兵bīng侭jǐn皆jiē入rù城chéng。

But Kungsun lashed his steed to a gallop. Then Hu Tsun and the two Hsiahous, with their men, came up and quickly surrounded them so that they were helpless. Kungsun saw that escape was impossible, so he came with his sons, dis mounted and offered surrender. Ssŭma hardly looked at the two men, but he turned to his officers and pointed out that the two Kungsuns stood where the star had fallen just five nights previously. They all felicitated him and praised his superhuman skill. The two helpless men were slain where they stood.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-27

懿yì坐zuò于yú衙yá上shàng，将jiāng公gōng孙sūn渊yuān宗zōng族zú，并bìng同tóng谋móu官guān僚liáo人rén等děng，俱jù杀shā之zhī，计jì首shǒu级jí七qī十shí余yú颗kē。出chū榜bǎng安ān民mín。人rén告gào懿yì曰yuē：「贾jiǎ范fàn、伦lún直zhí苦kǔ谏jiàn渊yuān不bù可ké反fǎn叛pàn，俱jù被bèi渊yuān所suǒ杀shā。」懿yì遂suì封fēng其qí墓mù而ér荣róng其qí子zǐ孙sūn；就jiù将jiāng库kù内nèi财cái物wù，赏shǎng劳láo三sān军jūn，班bān师shī回huí洛luò阳yáng。

Ssŭma turned to resume the siege of the city, but before he had reached the walls Hu Tsun’s men had entered. Ssŭma went in and was received with great respect, the people burning incense as he passed. He went to the residence, and then the whole of the Kungsun clan, and all who had assisted in his rising, were beheaded. They counted heads to the number of three score and ten. The city taken and the rebels destroyed, the victor issued a proclamation in order to restore confidence among the people. Certain persons told him that Chia Fan and Lun Chih had been against the revolt and had therefore suffered death, so he honoured their tombs and conferred ranks upon their children. The contents of the treasury were distributed among the soldiers as rewards, and then the army marched back to Loyang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-28

却què说shuō魏wèi主zhǔ在zài宫gōng中zhōng，夜yè至zhì三sān更gēng，忽hū然rán一yī阵zhèn阴yīn风fēng，吹chuī灭miè灯dēng光guāng。只zhǐ见jiàn毛máo皇huáng后hòu引yǐn数shù十shí个gè宫gōng人rén哭kū至zhì座zuò前qián索suǒ命mìng，叡ruì因yīn此cǐ得dé病bìng。病bìng渐jiàn渖shěn重zhòng，命mìng侍shì中zhōng光guāng禄lù大dà夫fū刘liú放fàng、孙sūn资zī，掌zhǎng枢shū密mì院yuàn一yī切qiè事shì务wù；又yòu召zhào文wén帝dì子zi燕yàn王wáng曹cáo宇yǔ为wéi大dà将jiāng军jūn，佐zuǒ太tài子zi曹cáo芳fāng摄shè政zhèng。宇yǔ为wéi人rén恭gōng俭jiǎn温wēn和hé，不bù肯kěn当dāng此cǐ大dà任rèn，坚jiān辞cí不bú受shòu。

One night the King of Wei was suddenly awakened by a chill blast that extinguished all the lights, but he saw the form of his late Consort, with a score or two of others, coming toward the seat whereon he sat, and as they approached they demanded his life. He was very frightened and fell ill so that he was like to die. So the two officers Liu Fang and Sun Tzu were set over the privy council, and he summoned his brother Yü to the capital to make him Ta-Chiang-Chün , and assistant to the regent, Ts‘ao Fang, the Heir Apparent. However, his brother being modest and retiring by nature, declined these high offices and their responsibilities.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-29

叡ruì召zhào刘liú放fàng、孙sūn资zī问wèn曰yuē：「宗zōng族zú之zhī内nèi，何hé人rén可kě任rèn？」二èr人rén久jiǔ得dé曹cáo真zhēn之zhī惠huì，乃nái保bǎo奏zòu曰yuē：「惟wéi曹cáo子zi丹dān之zhī子zi曹cáo爽shuáng可ké也yě。」叡ruì从cóng之zhī。二èr人rén又yòu奏zòu曰yuē：「欲yù用yòng曹cáo爽shuǎng，当dāng遣qiǎn燕yàn王wáng归guī国guó。」叡ruì然rán其qí言yán。二èr人rén遂suì请qǐng叡ruì降jiàng诏zhào，赍jī出chū谕yù燕yàn王wáng曰yuē：「有yǒu天tiān子zi手shǒu诏zhào，命mìng燕yàn王wáng归guī国guó，限xiàn即jí日rì就jiù行xíng；若ruò无wú诏zhào不bù许xǔ入rù朝cháo。

The king then turned to his two confidants and enquired of them who of the family was a suitable person to support the Heir Apparent. As they had both received many favours from Ts‘ao Chên, they replied that none was so fit as Ts‘ao Shuang, the son of their patron. The king approved their choice, and thus Shuang became a great person. Then they memorialised, saying that as Ts‘ao Shuang had been chosen, the king’s broher Ts‘ao Yü, Prince Yen, should be ordered to leave the capital and return to his own place. The king consented and issued an edict, which these two bore to the prince, saying, “The edict in the King’s own hand bids you return to your own domain at once, and you are not to return to court without a special command.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-30

」燕yàn王wáng涕tì泣qì而ér去qù。遂suì封fēng曹cáo爽shuǎng为wéi大dà将jiāng军jūn，总zǒng摄shè朝cháo政zhèng。

The prince wept, but he left forthwith. Thereupon Ts‘ao Shuang was created Ta-Chiang-chün , and administered the government.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-31

叡ruì病bìng渐jiàn危wēi，急jí令lìng使shǐ持chí节jié诏zhào司sī马mǎ懿yì还hái朝cháo。懿yì受shòu命mìng迳jìng到dào许xǔ昌chāng，入rù见jiàn魏wèi主zhǔ。叡ruì曰yuē：「朕zhèn惟wéi恐kǒng不bù得dé见jiàn卿qīng；今jīn日rì得dé见jiàn，死sǐ无wú恨hèn矣yǐ。」懿yì顿dùn首shǒu奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén在zài途tú中zhōng，闻wén陛bì下xià圣shèng体tǐ不bù安ān，恨hèn不bù肋lē生shēng两liǎng翼yì，飞fēi至zhì阙què下xià。今jīn日rì得dé见jiàn龙lóng颜yán，臣chén之zhī幸xìng也yě。

But the king’s illness advanced rapidly, and he called Ssŭma into the palace. As soon as he arrived he was led to the king’s chamber. “I feared lest I should not see you again,” said the king; “but now I can die content.” The general bowed and said, “On the road they told me the sacred person was not perfectly well; I grieved that I had not wings to hasten hither. But I am happy in that I now behold the 'dragon' countenance.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-32

」叡ruì宣xuān太tài子zi曹cáo芳fāng，大dà将jiāng军jūn曹cáo爽shuǎng，侍shì中zhōng刘liú放fàng、孙sūn资zī等děng，皆jiē至zhì御yù榻tà之zhī前qián。叡ruì执zhí司sī马mǎ懿yì之zhī手shǒu曰yuē：「昔xī刘liú玄xuán德dé在zài白bái帝dì城chéng病bìng危wēi，以yǐ幼yòu子zi刘liú禅chán托tuō孤gū于yú诸zhū葛gé孔kǒng明míng，孔kǒng明míng因yīn此cǐ竭jié侭jìn忠zhōng诚chéng，至zhì死sǐ方fāng休xiū，偏piān邦bāng尚shàng然rán如rú此cǐ，何hé况kuàng大dà国guó乎hū？朕zhèn幼yòu子zi曹cáo芳fāng，年nián才cái八bā岁suì，不bù堪kān掌zháng理lǐ社shè稷jì。

The heir was summoned to the king’s bedside and also Ts‘ao Shuang, Liu Fang, Sun Tzu, and certain others. Taking Ssŭma by the hand, the dying king said, “When Liu Yüan-tê lay dying at Paitich'êng he confided his son, so soon to be an orphan, to the care of Chuko K‘ung-ming, who laboured in this task to the very end and whose devotion only ceased with death. If such conduct is possible in the mere remnant of a dying dynasty continued in a small state, how much more may I hope for it in a great country! My son is only eight years of age, and incapable of sustaining the burden of rulership. Happily for him he has ample merit and experience around him in the persons of yourself and his relatives. He will never lack friends for my sake.” Turning to the young prince, he continued, “My friend Chung-ta is as myself, and you are to treat him with the same respect and deference.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-33

幸xìng太tài尉wèi及jí宗zōng兄xiōng元yuán勋xūn旧jiù臣chén，竭jié力lì相xiāng辅fǔ，无wú负fù朕zhèn心xīn！」又yòu唤huàn芳fāng曰yuē：「仲zhòng达dá与yǔ朕zhèn一yī体tǐ，尔ěr宜yí敬jìng礼lǐ之zhī。」遂suì命mìng懿yì携xié芳fāng近jìn前qián。芳fāng抱bào懿yì颈jǐng不bú放fàng。叡ruì曰yuē：「太tài尉wèi勿wù忘wàng幼yòu子zi今jīn日rì相xiāng恋liàn之zhī情qíng！」言yán讫qì，潸shān然rán泪lèi下xià。懿yì顿dùn首shǒu流liú涕tì。魏wèi主zhǔ昏hūn渖shěn，口kǒu不bù能néng言yán，只zhí以yí手shóu指zhǐ太tài子zi，须xū臾yú而ér卒zú；

The king bade Ssŭma lead the young prince forward. The boy threw his arms around his new guardian’s neck and clung to him. “Never forget the affection he has just shown,” said the king, weeping. And Ssŭma wept also.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-34

在zài位wèi十shí三sān年nián，寿shòu三sān十shí六liù岁suì。时shí魏wèi景jǐng初chū三sān年nián春chūn正zhēng月yuè下xià旬xún也yě。

The dying man swooned; although he could not speak, his hand still pointed to his son, and soon after he died. He had reigned thirteen years and was thirty-six years of age. His death took place in the last decade of the first month of the third year of Ch‘u-Ching .

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-35

当dāng下xià司sī马mǎ懿yì、曹cáo爽shuǎng，扶fú太tài子zi曹cáo芳fāng即jí皇huáng帝dì位wèi。芳fāng字zì兰lán卿qīng，乃nǎi叡ruì乞qí养yǎng之zhī子zi，秘mì在zài宫gōng中zhōng，人rén莫mò知zhī其qí所suǒ由yóu来lái，于yú是shì曹cáo芳fāng谥shì叡ruì为wèi明míng帝dì，葬zàng于yú高gāo平píng陵líng；尊zūn郭guō皇huáng后hòu为wèi皇huáng太tài后hòu；改gǎi元yuán正zhèng始shǐ元yuán年nián。司sī马mǎ懿yì与yǔ曹cáo爽shuáng辅fǔ政zhèng。爽shuǎng事shì懿yì甚shèn谨jǐn，一yī应yīng大dà事shì，必bì先xiān启qǐ知zhī。爽shuǎng字zì昭zhāo伯bó，自zì幼yòu出chū入rù宫gōng中zhōng；

No time was lost in enthroning the new king, the supporters being Ssŭma and Ts‘ao Shuang. The new ruler’s name was Ts‘ao Fang, his other name being Lan-ching. However, he was the King’s son only by adoption. He had been brought up in the palace as a son, and no one knew his real origin. The posthumous title of “Emperor Ming” was conferred upon the late ruler, and he was buried in the Kaop‘ing Tombs. The late Empress Kuo was given the title of “ T‘ai-hou .” The new reign was styled Chêng-Shih . Ssŭma I and Ts‘ao Shuang conducted the government, and in all matters the latter treated his colleague with deference and took no steps without his knowledge.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-36

明míng帝dì见jiàn爽shuáng谨jǐn慎shèn，甚shèn是shì爱ài敬jìng。爽shuǎng门mén下xià有yǒu客kè五wú百bǎi人rén，内nèi有yóu五wǔ人rén以yǐ浮fú华huá相xiāng尚shàng：一yī是shì何hé晏yàn，字zì平píng叔shū；一yī是shì邓dèng飏yáng，字zì玄xuán茂mào，乃nǎi邓dèng禹yǔ之zhī后hòu；一yī是shì李lǐ胜shèng，字zì公gōng昭zhāo；一yī是shì丁dīng谧mì，字zì彦yàn静jìng；一yī是shì毕bì轨guǐ，字zì昭zhāo先xiān。又yòu有yǒu大dà司sī农nóng桓huán范fàn字zì元yuán则zé，颇pó有yǒu智zhì谋móu，人rén多duō称chēng为wéi「智zhì囊náng」。此cǐ数shù人rén皆jiē爽shuáng所suǒ信xìn任rèn。

Ts‘ao Shuang was no stranger at court. The late king had respected him for his diligence and care and had been very fond of him, He had had the freedom of the palace all his life. He had a host of clients and retainers. Among them were five wholly light and foppish. Their family names were Ho, Têng, Li, Ting and Pi. Beside these five there was another named Huan Fan, a man of good parts, who had the sobriquet of “Bag o' Wisdom". These six were Ts‘ao Shuang’s most trusted companions and confidants.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-37

何hé晏yàn告gào爽shuǎng曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng大dà权quán，不bù可ké委wěi托tuō他tā人rén，恐kǒng生shēng后hòu患huàn。」爽shuǎng曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ公gōng与yú我wǒ同tóng受shòu先xiān帝dì托tuō孤gū之zhī命mìng，安ān忍rěn背bèi之zhī？」晏yàn曰yuē：「昔xī日rì先xiān公gōng与yǔ仲zhòng达dá破pò蜀shǔ兵bīng之zhī时shí，累lèi受shòu此cǐ人rén之zhī气qì，因yīn而ér致zhì死sǐ﹔主zhǔ公gōng何hé不bù察chá也yě？

Now that they saw their patron in such an exalted position they began to think how to exploit it. One day Ho Yen said, “Ts‘ao Shuang, you should not let your great powers slip into the hands of any other, or you will repent it.” Ts‘ao replied, “Ssŭma I as well as I received the king’s sacred trust, and I mean to be true.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-38

」爽shuáng猛měng然rán省xǐng悟wù，遂suì与yǔ多duō官guān计jì议yì停tíng当dàng，入rù奏zòu魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo芳fāng曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ懿yì功gōng高gāo德dé重zhòng，可kě加jiā为wèi太tài傅fù。」芳fāng从cóng之zhī，自zì是shì兵bīng权quán皆jiē归guī于yú爽shuǎng。

Ho said, “When your father and this Ssŭma were winning their victories in the east, your father suffered much from this man’s temper, which ultimately brought about his death. Why do you not look into that?” Ts‘ao seemed suddenly to wake up. Having entered into an intrigue with the majority of the officers about the court, then one day he presented to the king a memorial proposing that Ssŭma should be promoted to the rank of T‘aifu for his great merits and services. The promotion was made, and, consequently, Ssŭma disappeared from the administration, and the whole military authority fell into the hands of Ts‘ao Shuang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-39

爽shuǎng命mìng弟dì曹cáo羲xī为wèi中zhōng领lǐng军jūn，曹cáo训xùn为wèi武wǔ卫wèi将jiāng军jūn，曹cáo彦yàn为wèi散sàn骑qí常cháng侍shì，各gè引yǐn三sān千qiān御yù林lín军jūn，任rèn其qí出chū入rù禁jìn宫gōng；又yòu用yòng何hé晏yàn、邓dèng飏yáng、丁dīng谧mì为wèi尚shàng书shū，毕bì轨guǐ为wèi司sī隶lì校xiào尉wèi，李lǐ胜shèng为wèi河hé南nán尹yǐn：此cí五wǔ人rén日rì夜yè与yǔ曹cáo爽shuǎng议yì事shì。于yú是shì曹cáo爽shuǎng门mén下xià宾bīn客kè日rì盛shèng。司sī马mǎ懿yì推tuī病bìng不bù出chū，二èr子zi亦yì皆jiē退tuì职zhí闲xián居jū。

Having thus far succeeded, Ts‘ao next appointed his brothers to high military posts, so that each commanded three companies of the guards, with right to go in and out of the palace at will. Moreover, three of his friends were created Presidents, and the two others received powerful offices, one of which was the governorship of Honan. These five and their patron were close associates in all concerns of state. Ts‘ao Shuang gathered about him larger and still larger numbers of supporters, till Ssŭma gave out that he was ill and remained in seclusion. His two sons also resigned their offices.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-40

爽shuáng每měi日rì与yǔ何hé晏yàn等déng饮yín酒jiǔ作zuò乐lè。凡fán用yòng衣yī服fú器qì皿mǐn，与yǔ朝cháo廷tíng无wú异yì；各gè处chù进jìn贡gòng玩wán好hǎo珍zhēn奇qí之zhī物wù，先xiān取qǔ上shàng等déng者zhě入rù己jǐ，然rán后hòu进jìn宫gōng。佳jiā人rén美méi女nǚ，充chōng满mán府fǔ院yuàn。黄huáng门mén张zhāng当dāng，谄chǎn事shì曹cáo爽shuǎng，私sī选xuǎn先xiān帝dì侍shì妾qiè七qī八bā人rén，送sòng入rù府fǔ中zhōng。爽shuǎng又yòu选xuǎn善shàn歌gē舞wǔ良liáng家jiā子zí女nǚ三sān四sì十shí人rén，为wèi家jiā乐lè；

Ts‘ao Shuang and his friends now gave themselves up to dissipation, spending days and nights in drinking and music. In their dress and the furniture of their table they copied the palace patterns. Tribute in the shape of jewels and curios went to the residence of Ts‘ao before it entered the palace, and his courts swarmed with beautiful damsels.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-41

又yòu建jiàn重zhòng楼lóu划huà阁gé，造zào金jīn银yín器qì皿mǐn，用yòng巧qiǎo匠jiàng数shù百bǎi人rén，昼zhòu夜yè工gōng作zuò。

The eunuch Chang Fang toadied to Ts‘ao Shuang so far as to select a few of the late emperor’s handmaids and send them to the now powerful minister; he also chose for him a chorus of two score well-born ladies who were skilled in music and dancing. Ts‘ao Shuang also built for himself beautiful towers and pavilions and made to himself vessels of gold and silver, the work of the most expert craftsmen, whom he kept constantly employed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-42

却què说shuō何hé晏yàn闻wén平píng原yuán管guǎn辂lù明míng数shù术shù，请qíng与yǔ论lùn易yì。时shí邓dèng飏yáng在zài座zuò，问wèn辂lù曰yuē：「君jūn自zì谓wèi善shàn易yì，而ér语yǔ不bù及jí易yì中zhōng词cí义yì，何hé也yě？」辂lù曰yuē：「夫fū善shàn易yì者zhě，不bù言yán易yì也yě。」晏yàn笑xiào而ér赞zàn之zhī曰yuē：「可kě谓wèi要yào言yán不bù烦fán。」因yīn谓wèi辂lù曰yuē：「试shì为wèi我wǒ卜bo一yī卦guà，可kě至zhì三sān公gōng否fǒu？」又yòu问wèn：「连lián梦mèng青qīng蝇yíng数shù十shí，来lái集jí鼻bí上shàng，此cǐ是shì何hé兆zhào？

Now Ho Yen heard of Kuan Lu’s great skill in divination and sent to him in P‘ingyuan to invite him to take the sortes on his account. When the soothsayer arrived, Têng Yang was of the company to meet him, and he said to Kuan, “You call yourself a skilful diviner, but your speech does not resemble the language of the Book of Changes. How is that?” Kuan replied, “An interpreter does not use the language of the original.” Ho laughed, saying, “Certainly good words are not wearisome. But cast a lot for me, and tell me whether I shall ever arrive at the highest dignity or not, for I have dreamed repeatedly that many black flies settled on my nose.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-43

」辂lù曰yuē：「元yuán、恺kái辅fǔ舜shùn，周zhōu公gōng佐zuǒ周zhōu，皆jiē以yǐ和hé惠huì谦qiān恭gōng，享xiáng有yǒu多duō福fú。今jīn君jūn侯hóu位wèi尊zūn势shì重zhòng，而ér怀huái德dé者zhě鲜xiān，畏wèi威wēi者zhě众zhòng，殆dài非fēi小xiǎo心xīn求qiú福fú之zhī道dào。且qiě鼻bí者zhě，山shān也yě；山shān高gāo而ér不bù危wēi，所suó以yí长zháng守shǒu贵guì也yě。今jīn青qīng蝇yíng臭chòu𫫇ě而ér集jí焉yān，位wèi峻jùn者zhě颠diān，可kě不bú惧jù乎hū？愿yuàn君jūn侯hóu裒póu多duō益yì寡guǎ，非fēi礼lǐ勿wù履lǚ；

Kuan replied, “Yüan K‘ai aided Shun; Duke Chou assisted Chou; both these were kindly and modest and enjoyed great happiness. You, Sir, have come to high honours and wield great powers, but those who esteem you are few and those who fear you, many. You are not careful to walk in the way of good fortune. Now the nose is an eminence. If an eminence retains its characteristic, thereby it remains in honour. But is it not that black flies gather to foul objects and the lofty fears a fall? I would wish you to give of your abundance for the good of the poor and avoid walking in the wrong road. Then indeed may you reach the highest dignity, and the black flies will disperse.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-44

然rán后hòu三sān公gōng可kě至zhì，青qīng蝇yíng可kě驱qū也yě。」邓dèng飏yáng怒nù曰yuē：「此cí老lǎo生shēng之zhī常cháng谈tán耳ěr！」辂lù曰yuē：「老lǎo生shēng者zhě见jiàn不bù生shēng，常cháng谈tán者zhě见jiàn不bù谈tán。」遂suì拂fú袖xiù而ér去qù。二èr人rén大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「真zhēn狂kuáng士shì也yě！」辂lù到dào家jiā，与yǔ舅jiù言yán之zhī。舅jiù大dà惊jīng曰yuē：「何hé、邓dèng二èr人rén，权quán甚shèn重zhòng，汝rǔ奈nài何hé犯fàn之zhī？」辂lù曰yuē：「吾wú与yú死sǐ人rén语yǔ，何hé所suǒ畏wèi耶yé？」舅jiù问wèn其qí故gù。

“This is mere senile gossip,” said Têng. “The gift of age is to see that which is yet to come; the gift of gossip is to perceive what is not said,” replied Kuan. Thereupon he shook out his sleeves and went away.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-45

辂lù曰yuē：「邓dèng飏yáng行xíng步bù，筋jīn不bú束shù骨gǔ，脉mài不bú制zhì肉ròu，起qǐ立lì倾qīng倚yǐ，若ruò无wú手shǒu足zú：此cǐ为wèi『鬼guǐ躁zào』之zhī相xiāng。何hé晏yàn视shì候hòu，魂hún不bù守shǒu宅zhái，血xuè不bù华huá色sè，精jīng爽shuǎng烟yān浮fú，容róng若ruò槁gǎo木mù：此cǐ为wèi『鬼guǐ幽yōu』之zhī相xiāng。二èr人rén早záo晚wǎn必bì有yǒu杀shā身shēn之zhī祸huò，何hé足zú畏wèi也yě？」其qí舅jiù不bú骂mà辂lù为wèi狂kuáng子zi而ér去qù。

“He is very mad, really,” said his two hosts. Kuan Lu went home. When he saw his uncle he gave him an account of the interview. His uncle was alarmed at the probable consequences, and said, “Why did you anger them? They are too powerful for you to offend.” “What is there to fear? I have been talking to two dead men.” “What do you mean?” “Têng Yang’s gait is that of one whose sinews are loosed from his bones, and his pulse is unsteady. When he would stand he totters as a man without limbs. This is the aspect of a disembodied soul. Ho Yen looks as if his soul was about to quit its habitation. He is bloodless, and what should be solid in him is mere vapour. He looks like rotten wood. This is the aspect of a soul even now in the dark valley. Both these men will certainly soon die a violent death, and none need fear them.” His uncle left, cursing him for a madman.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-46

却què说shuō曹cáo爽shuǎng尝cháng与yǔ何hé晏yàn、邓dèng飏yáng等děng畋tián猎liè。其qí弟dì曹cáo羲xī谏jiàn曰yuē：「兄xiōng威wēi权quán太tài甚shèn，而ér好hǎo出chū外wài游yóu猎liè，倘tǎng为wéi人rén所suǒ算suàn，悔huǐ之zhī无wú及jí。」爽shuǎng叱chì曰yuē：「兵bīng权quán在zài吾wú手shǒu中zhōng，何hé惧jù之zhī有yǒu？」司sī农nóng桓huán范fàn亦yì谏jiàn，不bù听tīng。时shí魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo芳fāng，改gǎi正zhèng始shǐ十shí年nián为wèi嘉jiā平píng元yuán年nián。曹cáo爽shuǎng一yí向xiàng专zhuān权quán，不bù知zhī仲zhòng达dá虚xū实shí。

Ts‘ao Shuang and his five friends were devoted to the chase and were often out of the city. Ts‘ao Hsi, a brother of Shuang’s, remonstrated with him about this and pointed out the dangers of such frequent absence on these excursions. “You are in an exalted position and yet you are constantly going out hunting. If anyone took advantage of this to work you evil you might have cause to be exceedingly regretful.” Ts‘ao Shuang only showed anger, and replied, “The whole military authority is in my hands and what is there to fear?” Huan Fan, then Minister of Agriculture, also reasoned with him, but he would not listen. About this time the style of the reign was changed to Chia-P‘ing . Now ever since Ts‘ao had enjoyed the monopoly of military authority he had never heard the truth about the state of health of the man he had manœuvred out of power. But when a certain Li Shêng was appointed to the governorship of Ch‘ingchou he bade him go to take leave of Ssŭma I, at the same time to find out the true state of his rival’s health.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-47

适shì魏wèi主zhǔ除chú李lǐ胜shèng为wèi荆jīng州zhōu刺cì史shǐ，即jí令lìng李lǐ胜shèng往wǎng辞cí仲zhòng达dá，就jiù探tàn消xiāo息xī，胜shèng迳jìng到dào太tài传chuán府fǔ下xià，早záo有yǒu门mén吏lì报bào入rù。司sī马mǎ懿yì谓wèi二èr子zǐ曰yuē：「此cí乃nǎi曹cáo爽shuáng使shǐ来lái探tàn吾wú病bìng之zhī虚xū实shí也yě。」乃nǎi去qù冠guān散sàn发fà，上shàng床chuáng拥yōng被bèi而ér坐zuò；又yòu令lìng二èr婢bì扶fú策cè，方fāng请qíng李lǐ胜shèng入rù府fǔ。胜shèng至zhì床chuáng前qián拜bài曰yuē：「一yí向xiàng不bú见jiàn太tài傅fù，谁shuí想xiǎng如rú此cǐ病bìng重zhòng。

So Li proceeded to the residence of the T‘ai-fu and was announced. Ssŭma saw through the device at once and told his sons the real reason of this visit, and bade them play their parts in the scene he arranged before the visitor was admitted. He threw aside his head-dress, so letting his hair fall in disorder, stretched himself upon his couch, tumbled the bedding into confusion, got a couple of slave girls to support him, and then told his servants to lead in the visitor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-48

今jīn天tiān子zi命mìng某mǒu为wèi荆jīng州zhōu刺cì史shǐ，特tè来lái拜bài辞cí。」懿yì佯yáng答dá曰yuē：「并bīng州zhōu近jìn朔shuò方fāng，好hǎo为wéi之zhī备bèi。」胜shèng曰yuē：「除chú荆jīng州zhōu刺cì史shǐ：非fēi并bīng州zhōu也yě。」懿yì笑xiào曰yuē：「你nǐ方fāng从cóng并bīng州zhōu来lái？」胜shèng曰yuē：「山shān东dōng青qīng州zhōu耳ěr。」懿yì大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「你nǐ从cóng青qīng州zhōu来lái也yě。」胜shèng曰yuē：「太tài傅fù如rú何hé病bìng得dé这zhè等děng了le？」左zuǒ右yòu曰yuē：「太tài傅fù耳ěr聋lóng。

Li came in and went up to the sick man, saying, “It is a long time since I have seen you, and I did not know you were so seriously ill. His Majesty is sending me to Ch‘ingchou, and I have come to pay my respects to you and bid you farewell.” “Ah; Pingchou is in the north; you will have to be very careful there,” said Ssŭma feigning that he had not heard. “I am going as Governor of Ch‘ingchou, not Pingchou,” said Li. “Oh, you have just come from Pingchou.” “Ch‘ingchou, in Shantung.” “Just back from Ch‘ingchou, eh?” said Ssŭma, smiling. “How very ill the T‘ai-fu is!” said Li Shêng to the servants. “The T‘ai-fu is deaf,” said they.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-49

」胜shèng曰yuē：「乞qí纸zhí笔bǐ一yī用yòng。」左zuǒ右yòu取qú纸zhí笔bí与yǔ胜shèng。胜shèng写xiě毕bì，呈chéng上shàng。懿yì看kàn之zhī，笑xiào曰yuē：「吾wú病bìng的de耳ěr聋lóng了le。此cǐ去qù保bǎo重zhòng。」言yán讫qì，以yí手shóu指zhí口kǒu。侍shì婢bì进jìn汤tāng，懿yì将jiāng口kǒu就jiù之zhī，汤tāng流liú满mǎn襟jīn，乃nǎi作zuò哽gěng噎yē之zhī声shēng曰yuē：「吾wú今jīn衰shuāi老lǎo病bìng笃dǔ，死sǐ在zài旦dàn夕xī矣yǐ。二èr子zi不bú肖xiào，望wàng君jūn教jiào之zhī。若ruò见jiàn大dà将jiāng军jūn，千qiān万wàn看kàn觑qù二èr子zi！

“Give me paper and a pen,” said Li. Writing materials were brought, when Li wrote what he wished to say and put it before his host. “My illness has made me very deaf; take care of yourself on the way,” said Ssŭma. Looking up, he pointed to his mouth. One of the girls brought some broth and held the cup for him to drink. He put his lips to the cup, but spilled the broth all over his dress. “I am very weak and ill,” said he, “and may die at any moment. My sons are but poor things, but you will instruct them, and when you see the general you will remember them, will you not?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-50

」言yán讫qì，倒dào在zài床chuáng上shàng，声shēng嘶sī气qì喘chuǎn。李lǐ胜shèng拜bài辞cí仲zhòng达dá，回huí见jiàn曹cáo爽shuǎng，细xì言yán其qí事shì。爽shuǎng大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「此cí老lǎo若ruò死sǐ，吾wú无wú忧yōu矣yǐ！」

At this point he fell back on the couch, panting, and Li took his leave. He told his patron what he had seen, and Ts‘ao Shuang rejoiced, thinking his rival could not last long. “If the old man died, I should not be the one to grieve,” said he.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-51

司sī马mǎ懿yì见jiàn李lǐ胜shèng去qù了le，遂suì起qǐ身shēn谓wèi二èr子zǐ曰yuē：「李lǐ胜shèng此cǐ去qù，回huí报bào消xiāo息xī，曹cáo爽shuǎng必bì不bú忌jì我wó矣yǐ。只zhǐ待dài他tā出chū城chéng畋tián猎liè之zhī时shí，方fāng可kě图tú之zhī。」不bù一yī日rì，曹cáo爽shuáng请qǐng魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo芳fāng去qù谒yè高gāo平píng陵líng，祭jì祀sì先xiān帝dì。大dà小xiǎo官guān僚liáo，皆jiē随suí驾jià出chū城chéng。

But no sooner had Li gone than Ssŭma rose from his couch and said to his sons, “Li Shêng will take a full account of this to his patron, who will not fear me any more. But wait till he goes on his next hunting trip, and we will see what can be done.” Soon after this, Ts‘ao Shuang proposed to the king to visit the tomb of his father and perform the filial sacrifices in person. So they went, a goodly company in the train of the imperial chariot, and Ts‘ao Shuang with all his brothers and his friends went with the guards. Ts‘ao’s friend Huan entreated him to remain in the city for fear of plots and risings, but Ts‘ao asked angrily and rudely who would dare make trouble, and bade him hold his tongue. And he went with the king.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-52

爽shuáng引yǐn三sān弟dì，并bìng心xīn腹fù人rén何hé晏yàn等děng，及jí御yù林lín军jūn护hù驾jià正zhèng行xíng，司sī农nóng桓huán范fàn叩kòu马mǎ谏jiàn曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng总zóng典diǎn禁jìn兵bīng，不bù宜yí兄xiōng弟dì皆jiē出chū。倘tǎng城chéng中zhōng有yǒu变biàn，如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？」爽shuáng以yǐ鞭biān指zhǐ而ér叱chì之zhī曰yuē：「谁shuí敢gǎn为wéi变biàn！再zài勿wù乱luàn言yán！

His departure rejoiced the heart of Ssŭma, who at once began quietly to muster his trusty friends and henchmen and put the finishing touches to the plot for the overthrow of his rival.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-53

」当dāng日rì司sī马mǎ懿yì见jiàn爽shuǎng出chū城chéng，心xīn中zhōng大dà喜xǐ，即jí起qǐ旧jiù日rì手shǒu下xià破pò敌dí之zhī人rén，并bìng家jiā将jiàng数shù十shí，引yǐn二èr子zi上shàng马mǎ，迳jìng来lái谋móu杀shā曹cáo爽shuǎng。正zhèng是shì：

Now terminates his forced inaction, He must destroy the hostile faction. Ts‘ao Shung’s fate will appear in the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

106-54

闭bì户hù必bì然rán有yóu起qǐ色sè，驱qū兵bīng自zì此cí逞chěng雄xióng风fēng。

Behind closed doors he surely shall rise anew, And leading forth his troops his fierce prowess show.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

106-55

未wèi知zhī曹cáo爽shuǎng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