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

第dì一yī百bǎi九jiǔ回huí 困kùn司sī马mǎ汉hàn将jiāng奇qí谋móu　　　废fèi曹cáo芳fāng魏wèi家jiā果guǒ报bào

109-1

蜀shǔ汉hàn延yán熙xī十shí六liù年nián秋qiū，将jiāng军jūn姜jiāng维wéi起qǐ兵bīng二èr十shí万wàn，令lìng廖liào化huà、张zhāng翼yì为wèi左zuǒ右yòu先xiān锋fēng，夏xià侯hóu霸bà为wèi参cān谋móu，张zhāng嶷yí为wèi运yùn粮liáng使shǐ，大dà兵bīng出chū阳yáng平píng关guān伐fá魏wèi。维wéi与yǔ夏xià侯hóu霸bà商shāng议yì曰yuē：「向xiàng取qǔ雍yōng州zhōu，不bú克kè而ér还hái；今jīn若ruò再zài出chū，必bì又yòu有yóu准zhǔn备bèi。公gōng有yǒu何hé高gāo见jiàn？」霸bà曰yuē：「陇lǒng上shàng诸zhū郡jùn，只zhí有yǒu南nán安ān钱qián粮liáng最zuì广guǎng；若ruò先xiān取qǔ之zhī，足zú可kě为wèi本běn。

It was in the sixteenth year of Yen-Hsi that Chiang Wei’s army of twenty legions was ready to march against the House of Wei. Miao Hua and Chang I were leaders of the van; Hsiahou Pa was strategist; Chang Ni was in command of the commissariat. The army marched out by the Yangpʻing Pass. Discussing the plan of campaign with Hsiahou Pa, Chiang Wei said, “Our former attack on Yungchou failed, so this time they will doubtless be even better prepared to resist. What do you suggest?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-2

向xiàng者zhě不bú克kè而ér还hái，盖gài因yīn羌qiāng兵bīng不bú至zhì。今jīn可kě先xiān遣qiǎn人rén会huì羌qiāng人rén于yú陇lǒng右yòu，然rán后hòu进jìn兵bīng出chū石shí营yíng，从cóng董dǒng亭tíng直zhí取qǔ南nán安ān。」维wéi大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「公gōng言yán甚shèn妙miào！」遂suì遣qiǎn郤xì正zhèng为wèi使shǐ，赍jī金jīn珠zhū蜀shú锦jǐn入rù羌qiāng，结jié好hǎo羌qiāng王wáng。羌qiāng王wáng迷mí当dāng，得dé了le礼lǐ物wù，便biàn起qǐ兵bīng五wǔ万wàn，令lìng羌qiāng将jiāng俄é何hé烧shāo戈gē为wéi大dà先xiān锋fēng，引yǐn兵bīng南nán安ān来lái。

The strategist replied, “Nanan is the only well-provided place in all Shênsi; if we take that it will serve as an excellent base. Our former ill-success was due to the non-arrival of the Ch‘iang . Let us therefore send early to tell them to assemble, after which we will move out at Shihying and march to Nanan by way of Tungt‘ing.” Chiang approved the plan and at once sent Ch‘i Chêng as his envoy, bearing gifts of gold and pearls and Ssuch‘uan silk to win the help of the Prince of the Ch‘iang , whose name was Mitang. The mission was successful; the prince accepted the presents and sent five legions to Nanan under the leadership of Ohoshaoko.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-3

魏wèi左zuǒ将jiāng军jūn郭guō淮huái闻wén报bào，飞fēi奏zòu洛luò阳yáng。司sī马mǎ师shī问wèn诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「谁shuí敢gǎn去qù敌dí蜀shǔ兵bīng？」辅fǔ国guó将jiāng军jūn徐xú质zhì曰yuē：「某mǒu愿yuàn往wǎng。」师shī素sù知zhī徐xú质zhì英yīng勇yǒng过guò人rén，心xīn中zhōng大dà喜xǐ，即jí令lìng徐xú质zhì为wèi先xiān锋fēng，令lìng司sī马mǎ昭zhāo为wéi大dà都dū督dū，领lǐng兵bīng望wàng陇lǒng西xī进jìn发fā。军jūn至zhì董dǒng亭tíng，正zhèng遇yù姜jiāng维wéi，两liǎng军jūn列liè成chéng阵zhèn势shì。徐xú质zhì使shǐ开kāi山shān大dà斧fǔ，出chū马má挑tiǎo战zhàn。

When Kuo Huai heard of the threatened attack, he sent a hasty memorial to Loyang. Ssŭma Shih at once asked who of his captains would go out to meet the army from the west. Hsü Chih volunteered, and as the Prime Minister had a high opinion of his capacity, he was appointed leader of the van. The brother of the Prime Minister, Ssŭma Chao, went as Commander-in-chief.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-4

蜀shǔ阵zhèn中zhōng廖liào化huà出chū迎yíng。战zhàn不bú数shù合hé，化huà拖tuō刀dāo败bài回huí，张zhāng翼yì纵zòng马má挺tǐng枪qiāng而ér迎yíng；战zhàn不bú数shù合hé，又yòu败bài入rù阵zhèn。徐xú质zhì驱qū兵bīng掩yǎn杀shā，蜀shǔ兵bīng大dà败bài，退tuì三sān十shí余yú里lǐ。司sī马mǎ昭zhāo亦yì收shōu兵bīng回huí，各gè自zì下xià寨zhài。

The Wei army set out for Shênsi, reached Tungt‘ing and there fell in with Chiang Wei. When both sides were arrayed Hsü Chih, who wielded a mighty axe called “Splitter of Mountains” as his weapon, rode out and challenged. Miao Hua went forth to accept, but after a few bouts he took advantage of a feint and fled. Then Chang I set his spear and rode forth to continue the fight. He also soon fled and returned within his own ranks. Thereupon Hsü Chih gave the signal to fall on in force, and the army of Shu lost the day. They retired thirty li ; Ssŭma also drew off his men, and both sides encamped.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-5

姜jiāng维wéi与yǔ夏xià侯hóu霸bà商shāng议yì曰yuē：「徐xú质zhì勇yǒng甚shèn，当dāng以yǐ何hé策cè擒qín之zhī？」霸bà曰yuē：「来lái日rì诈zhà败bài，以yǐ埋mái伏fú之zhī计jì胜shèng之zhī。」维wéi曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ昭zhāo乃nǎi仲zhòng达dá之zhī子zi，岂qǐ不bù知zhī兵bīng法fǎ？若ruò见jiàn地dì势shì掩yǎn映yìng，必bì不bù肯kěn追zhuī。吾wú见jiàn魏wèi兵bīng累lěi次cì断duàn吾wú粮liáng道dào，今jīn却què用yòng此cǐ计jì诱yòu之zhī，可ké斩zhǎn徐xú质zhì矣yǐ。

“Hsü Chih is very formidable; how can we overcome him?” asked Chiang Wei. “To-morrow make pretence of defeat and so draw them into an ambush,” was the reply. “But remember whose son this Ssŭma Chao is,” said Chiang. “He cannot be a novice in war, and if he sees a likely spot for an ambush he will halt. Now the men of Wei have cut our communications many times; let us do the same to them, and we may slay this Hsü.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-6

」遂suì唤huàn廖liào化huà吩fēn咐fù如rú此cǐ如rú此cǐ，又yòu换huàn张zhāng翼yì吩fēn咐fù如rú此cǐ如rú此cǐ；二èr人rén领lǐng兵bīng去qù了le。一yī麺miàn令lìng军jūn士shì于yú路lù撒sā下xià铁tiě蒺jí藜lí，寨zhài外wài多duō排pái鹿lù角jiǎo，示shì以yí久jiǔ计jì。

He called in the two leaders of his van and gave them secret orders, sending them in different directions. Then he laid iron caltrops along all the approaches and planted chevaux de frise ("deer-horns") as if making a permanent defence. When the men of Wei came up and challenged, the men of Shu refused battle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-7

徐xú质zhì连lián日rì引yǐn兵bīng搦nuò战zhàn，蜀shǔ兵bīng不bù出chū。哨shào马mǎ报bào司sī马mǎ昭zhāo说shuō：「蜀shǔ兵bīng在zài铁tiě笼lóng山shān后hòu，用yòng木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ搬bān运yùn粮liáng草cǎo，以yǐ为wéi久jiǔ计jì，只zhǐ待dài羌qiāng兵bīng策cè应yìng。」昭zhāo唤huàn徐xú质zhì：「昔xī日rì所suó以yǐ胜shèng蜀shú者zhě，因yīn断duàn彼bǐ粮liáng道dào也yě。今jīn蜀shǔ兵bīng在zài铁tiě笼lóng山shān后hòu运yùn粮liáng，汝rǔ今jīn夜yè引yǐn兵bīng五wǔ千qiān，断duàn其qí粮liáng道dào，蜀shǔ兵bīng自zì退tuì矣yǐ。

The scouts discovered that the Shu supplies were coming up along the rear of T‘iehlung Mountains, and they were using the wooden oxen and running horses as transport. They also reported the look of permanency in the defences and said they were evidently awaiting the arrival of their allies the barbarian tribes. Then said Ssŭma, “We formerly defeated the army of Shu by cutting off supplies, and we can do that again. Let half a legion go out to-night and occupy the road.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-8

」徐xú质zhì领lǐng令lìng，初chū更gèng时shí分fēn，引yǐn兵bīng望wàng铁tiě笼lóng山shān来lái，果guǒ见jiàn蜀shǔ兵bīng二èr百bǎi余yú人rén，驱qū百bǎi余yú头tóu木mù牛niú流liú马mǎ，装zhuāng载zài粮liáng草cǎo而ér行xíng。魏wèi兵bīng一yī声shēng喊hán起qǐ，徐xú质zhì当dàng先xiān拦lán住zhù。蜀shǔ兵bīng侭jǐn弃qì粮liáng草cǎo而ér走zǒu。质zhì分fēn兵bīng一yí半bàn，押yā送sòng粮liáng草cǎo回huí寨zhài；自zì引yǐn兵bīng一yí半bàn追zhuī来lái。追zhuī不bú到dào十shí里lǐ，前qián麺miàn车chē仗zhàng横héng截jié去qù路lù。

About the middle of the first watch Hsü Chih marched across the hills, and when he came to the other side he saw a couple of hundred men driving a hundred or so head of mechanical animals laden with grain and forage. His men rushed down upon them with shouts, and the men of Shu, seeing that their road was impassable, abandoned their supplies and ran away. Hsü took possession of the supply train, which he sent back to his own camp under the escort of half his men. With the other half he set out in pursuit.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-9

质zhì令lìng军jūn士shì下xià马mǎ拆chāi开kāi车chē仗zhàng，只zhǐ见jiàn两liǎng边biān忽hū然rán火huó起qǐ。质zhì急jí勒lēi马mǎ回huí走zǒu，后hòu麺miàn山shān僻pì窄zhǎi狭xiá处chù，亦yì有yǒu车chē仗zhàng截jié路lù，火huǒ光guāng迸bèng起qǐ。质zhì等děng冒mào烟yān突tū火huǒ，纵zòng马mǎ而ér出chū。一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，两liǎng路lù兵bīng杀shā来lái：左zuó有yǒu廖liào化huà，右yòu有yǒu张zhāng翼yì，大dà杀shā一yī阵zhèn，魏wèi兵bīng大dà败bài。徐xú质zhì奋fèn死sǐ只zhī身shēn而ér走zǒu，人rén困kùn马mǎ乏fá。

About ten li away, the road was found blocked with carts set across the track. Some of his men dismounted to clear the way, but as they did so the brushwood on both sides burst into a blaze. Hsü at once drew off his men and turned to retire, but coming to a defile he found the road again blocked with waggons, and again the brushwood began to burn. He made a dash to escape, but before he could get clear a bomb roared, and he saw the men of Shu coming down on him from two directions. Both fell on Hsü with great fury, and the men of Wei were wholly defeated. Hsü Chih himself got clear, but without any following.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-10

正zhèng奔bēn走zǒu间jiān，前qián麺miàn一yī枝zhī兵bīng杀shā到dào，乃nǎi姜jiāng维wéi也yě。质zhì大dà惊jīng无wú措cuò；被bèi维wéi一yī枪qiāng刺cì倒dào坐zuò下xià马mǎ，徐xú质zhì跌diē下xià马mǎ来lái，被bèi众zhòng军jūn乱luàn刀dāo砍kán死sǐ。质zhì所suǒ分fēn一yí半bàn押yā粮liáng兵bīng，亦yì被bèi夏xià侯hóu霸bà所suǒ擒qín，侭jǐn降jiàng其qí众zhòng。霸bà将jiāng魏wèi兵bīng衣yī甲jiá马má匹pǐ，令lìng蜀shǔ兵bīng穿chuān了le，就jiù令lìng骑qí坐zuò，打dǎ著zhù魏wèi军jūn旗qí号hào，从cóng小xiǎo路lù迳jìng奔bēn回huí魏wèi寨zhài来lái。

He struggled on till he and his steed were almost spent with fatigue. Presently he saw another company of the enemy in his way, and the leader was Chiang Wei. He could make no resistance. His horse fell from a spear thrust, and as Hsü Chih lay on the ground he was cut to pieces. Meanwhile those men of Wei who had been sent to escort to camp the convoy of supplies which they had seized were captured by Hsiahou Pa. They surrendered. Hsiahou then stripped them of their weapons and clothing and therein disguised some of his own men. Holding aloft banners of Wei, these disguised men made for the Wei camp. When they arrived they were mistaken by those in the camp for comrades, and the gates were thrown open.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-11

魏wèi军jūn见jiàn本běn部bù兵bīng回huí，开kāi门mén放fàng入rù，蜀shǔ兵bīng就jiù寨zhài中zhōng杀shā起qǐ。司sī马mǎ昭zhāo大dà惊jīng，慌huāng忙máng上shàng马má走zǒu时shí，前qián麺miàn廖liào化huà杀shā来lái。昭zhāo不bù能néng前qián进jìn，急jí退tuì时shí，姜jiāng维wéi引yǐn兵bīng从cóng小xiǎo路lù杀shā到dào。昭zhāo四sì下xià无wú路lù，只zhǐ得dé勒lēi兵bīng上shàng铁tiě笼lóng山shān据jù守shǒu：原yuán来lái此cǐ山shān只zhí有yǒu一yī条tiáo路lù，四sì下xià皆jiē险xiǎn峻jùn难nán上shàng；其qí上shàng惟wéi有yǒu一yī泉quán，止zhǐ彀gòu百bǎi人rén之zhī饮yǐn。

They rushed in and began to slay. Taken wholly by surprise, Ssŭma Chao leaped upon his steed and fled. But Miao Hua met him and drove him back. Then appeared Chiang Wei in the path of retreat, so that no road lay open. Ssŭma made off for the hills, hoping to be able to hold out on the T‘iehlung Hill. Now there was but one road up the hill, which rose steeply on all sides. There was but one small spring of water, enough to serve a hundred men or so, while Ssŭma’s force numbered six thousand. Their enemies had blocked the only road. This one fountain was unequal to supplying the needs of the beleaguered army, and soon they were tormented with thirst. In despair, Ssŭma looked up to heaven and sighed, saying, “Death will surely come to me here.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-12

此cǐ时shí昭zhāo手shǒu下xià有yǒu六liù千qiān人rén，被bèi姜jiāng维wéi绝jué其qí路lù口kǒu，山shān上shàng泉quán水shuǐ不bù敷fū，人rén马mǎ枯kū渴kě。昭zhāo仰yǎng天tiān长cháng叹tàn曰yuē：「吾wú死sǐ于yú此cǐ地dì矣yǐ！」后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

The host of Wei on T‘iehlung Hill Were once fast held by Chiang Wei’s skill; When P‘ang first crossed the Maling line His strategy was reckoned fine As Hsiang Yü's at the Nine Mile Hill; Both bent opponents to their will.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-13

妙miào算suàn姜jiāng维wéi不bù等děng闲xián，魏wèi师shī受shòu困kùn铁tiě笼lóng间jiān。

Chiang Wei's brilliant plans are no common thing; the Wei host is trapped on T'iehlung Hill.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-14

庞páng涓juān始shǐ入rù马mǎ陵líng道dào，项xiàng羽yǔ初chū围wéi九jiú里lǐ山shān。

P'ang Chüan first entered the Maling defile, Hsiang Yü first was encircled on the Nine Mile Hill.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-15

主zhǔ簿bù王wáng韬tāo改gǎi曰yuē：「昔xī日rì耿gěng恭gōng受shòu困kùn，拜bài井jǐng而ér得dé其qí泉quán；将jiāng军jūn何hé不bú效xiào之zhī？」昭zhāo从cóng其qí言yán，遂suì上shàng山shān顶dǐng泉quán边biān，再zài拜bài而ér祝zhù曰yuē：「昭zhāo奉fèng诏zhào来lái退tuì蜀shǔ兵bīng，若ruò昭zhāo合hé死sǐ，令lìng甘gān泉quán枯kū竭jié，昭zhāo自zì当dāng刎wén颈jǐng，教jiào部bù军jūn侭jǐn降jiàng；如rú寿shòu禄lù未wèi终zhōng，愿yuàn苍cāng天tiān早záo起qǐ甘gān泉quán，以yǐ活huó众zhòng命mìng！」祝zhù毕bì，泉quán水shuí涌yǒng出chū，取qǔ之zhī不bù竭jié；因yīn此cǐ人rén马mǎ不bù死sǐ。

In this critical situation a certain civil officer, Wang T‘ao by name, reminded his leader of what Kêng Kung had done, saying, “O General, why do you not imitate Kêng Kung, who, being in great need, prostrated himself and prayed at a well, wherefrom he afterwards was supplied with sweet water?” So the leader went to the summit of the hill and knelt beside the spring and prayed thus:—“The humble Chao received a command to repulse the army of Shu. If he is to die here, then may this spring cease its flow, when he will end his own life and let his soldiers yield to the enemy. But if his allotted span of life be not reached, then, O Blue Vault, increase the flow of water and save the lives of this multitude.” Thus he prayed; and the waters gushed forth in plenty, so that they all quenched their thirst and lived.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-16

却què说shuō姜jiāng维wéi在zài山shān下xià困kùn住zhù魏wèi兵bīng，谓wèi众zhòng将jiāng曰yuē：「昔xī日rì丞chéng相xiàng在zài上shàng方fāng谷gǔ，不bù曾céng捉zhuō住zhù司sī马mǎ懿yì，吾wú深shēn为wéi恨hèn；今jīn司sī马mǎ昭zhāo必bì被bèi吾wú擒qín矣yǐ。」

Chiang Wei had surrounded the hill, holding the army thereon as in a prison. He said to his officers, “I have always regretted that our great minister was unable to capture Ssŭma I in the Shangfang Valley, but now I think his son is doomed to fall into our hands.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-17

却què说shuō郭guō淮huái听tīng知zhī司sī马mǎ昭zhāo困kùn于yú铁tiě笼lóng山shān上shàng，欲yù提tí兵bīng来lái。陈chén泰tài曰yuē：「姜jiāng维wéi会huì合hé羌qiāng兵bīng，欲yù先xiān取qǔ南nán安ān。今jīn羌qiāng兵bīng已yǐ到dào，将jiāng军jūn若ruò撤chè兵bīng去qù救jiù，羌qiāng兵bīng必bì乘chéng虚xū袭xí我wǒ后hòu也yě。可kě先xiān令lìng人rén诈zhà降xiáng羌qiāng人rén，于yú中zhōng取qǔ事shì。若ruò退tuì了le此cǐ兵bīng，方fāng可kě救jiù铁tiě笼lóng之zhī围wéi。

However, news of the dangerous position of Ssŭma Chao had come to Kuo Huai, who set about a rescue. Ch'ên T‘ai said to him, “Chiang Wei has made a league with the Ch‘iang , and they are helping him. They will first take Nanan. If they have arrived, and you go away to rescue Ssŭma, leaving this city weak, they will attack from the rear. Therefore I would propose to send some one to the barbarians to try to create a diversion and get them to retire. If they are disposed of, you may go to the rescue of Ssŭma.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-18

」郭guō淮huái从cóng之zhī，遂suì令lìng陈chén泰tài引yín五wǔ千qiān兵bīng，迳jìng到dào羌qiāng王wáng寨zhài内nèi，解jié甲jiǎ而ér入rù，泣qì拜bài曰yuē：「郭guō淮huái妄wàng自zì尊zūn大dà，常cháng有yǒu杀shā泰tài之zhī心xīn，故gù来lái投tóu降xiáng。郭guō淮huái军jūn中zhōng虚xū实shí，某mǒu俱jù知zhī之zhī。只zhǐ今jīn夜yè愿yuàn引yǐn一yī军jūn前qián去qù劫jié寨zhài。便biàn可kě成chéng功gōng。如rú兵bīng到dào魏wèi寨zhài，自zì有yǒu内nèi应yìng。」迷mí当dāng大dà喜xǐ，遂suì令lìng俄é何hé烧shāo戈gē同tóng陈chén泰tài来lái劫jié魏wèi寨zhài。

Kuo saw there was much reason in this and told Ch'ên to take a small force and go himself to the camp of the Prince of the Ch‘iang . When he reached the camp he threw off his armour and entered weeping and crying that he was in danger of death. He said, “Kuo Huai sets himself up as superior to everyone and is trying to slay me. Therefore I have come to offer my services to you. I know all the secrets of the Wei army, and, if you will, this very night I can lead you to their camp. I have friends in the camp to help, and you can destroy it.” Prince Mitang was taken with the scheme, and sent his lieutenant Ohoshaoko to go with Ch'ên. The deserters from Wei were placed in the rear, but Ch'ên himself rode with the leading body of Ch‘iang . They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found the gates open, and Ch‘ên rode in boldly.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-19

俄é何hé烧shāo戈gē教jiào泰tài降jiàng兵bīng在zài后hòu，令lìng泰tài引yǐn羌qiāng兵bīng为wèi前qián部bú。是shì夜yè二èr更gèng，竟jìng到dào魏wèi寨zhài，寨zhài门mén大dà开kāi。陈chén泰tài一yī骑qí马mǎ先xiān入rù。俄é何hé烧shāo戈gē骤zhòu马má挺tǐng枪qiāng入rù寨zhài之zhī时shí，只zhǐ叫jiào得dé一yī声shēng苦kǔ，连lián人rén带dài马mǎ，跌diē在zài陷xiàn坑kēng里lǐ。陈chén泰tài从cóng后hòu麺miàn杀shā来lái，郭guō淮huái从cóng左zuǒ边biān杀shā来lái，羌qiāng兵bīng大dà乱luàn，自zì相xiāng践jiàn踏tà，死sí者zhě无wú数shù，生shēng者zhé侭jǐn降jiàng。俄é何hé烧shāo戈gē自zì刎wěn而ér死sǐ。

But when the Ch‘iang galloped in, there suddenly arose a great cry as men and horses went tumbling into great pits. At the same time Ch'ên came round in the rear and attacked, while Kuo appeared on the flank. The barbarians trampled each other down, and many were killed. Those who escaped death surrendered, and the leader, Ohoshaoko, committed suicide.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-20

郭guō淮huái、陈chén泰tài引yǐn兵bīng直zhí杀shā到dào羌qiāng人rén寨zhài中zhōng，迷mí当dāng大dà王wáng急jí出chū帐zhàng上shàng马mǎ时shí，被bèi魏wèi兵bīng生shēng擒qín活huó捉zhuō，来lái见jiàn郭guō淮huái。淮huái慌huāng下xià马mǎ，亲qīn去qù其qí缚fù，用yòng好hǎo言yán抚fǔ慰wèi曰yuē：「朝cháo廷tíng素sù以yǐ公gōng为wèi忠zhōng义yì，今jīn何hé故gù助zhù蜀shǔ人rén也yě？」迷mí当dāng惭cán愧kuì伏fú罪zuì。淮huái乃nǎi说shuō迷mí当dāng曰yuē：「公gōng今jīn为wèi前qián部bú，去qù解jié铁tiě笼lóng山shān之zhī围wéi，退tuì了le蜀shǔ兵bīng，吾wú奏zòu准zhǔn天tiān子zi自zì有yǒu厚hòu赐cì。」

Kuo and Ch'ên then hastened back into the camp of the Ch‘iang . Mitang, taken unprepared, rushed out of his tent to get to horse, but was made prisoner. He was taken before Kuo Huai, who hastily dismounted, loosed the prisoner’s bonds and soothed him with kindly words. “Our government has always regarded you as a loyal and true friend,” said Kuo. “Why then are you helping our enemies?” Mitang sank to the ground in confusion, while Kuo continued, “If you will now raise the siege of T‘iehlung Hill and drive off the men of Shu, I will memorialise and obtain a substantial reward for you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-21

迷mí当dāng从cóng之zhī，遂suì引yǐn羌qiāng兵bīng在zài前qián，魏wèi兵bīng在zài后hòu，迳jìng奔bēn铁tiě笼lóng山shān。时shí值zhí三sān更gēng，先xiān令lìng人rén报bào知zhī姜jiāng维wéi。维wéi大dà喜xǐ，教jiào请qǐng入rù相xiāng见jiàn。魏wèi兵bīng多duō半bàn杂zá在zài羌qiāng人rén部bú内nèi；行xíng到dào蜀shǔ寨zhài前qián，维wéi令lìng大dà兵bīng皆jiē在zài寨zhài外wài屯tún扎zhā，迷mí当dāng引yín百bǎi余yú人rén到dào中zhōng军jūn帐zhàng前qián。姜jiāng维wéi、夏xià侯hóu霸bà二èr人rén出chū迎yíng。魏wèi将jiāng不bù等děng迷mí当dāng开kāi言yán，就jiù从cóng背bèi后hòu杀shā将jiāng起qǐ来lái。

Mitang agreed. He set out forthwith, his own men leading and the men of Wei in the rear. At the third watch he sent on a messenger to tell Chiang Wei of his coming. And the Shu leader was glad. Mitang was invited to enter, leaving the greater portion of his men outside. On the march the men of Wei had mingled with the Ch‘iang , and many of them were in the forefront of the army. Mitang went up toward the gate with a small company, and Chiang Wei with Hsiahou Pa went to welcome him. Just as they met, before Mitang could say a word, the Wei captains dashed on past him and set on to slay. Chiang was taken aback, leaped on his steed and fled, while the mixed force of men of Shu and barbarians drove the camp defenders before them and sent them flying.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-22

维wéi大dà惊jīng，急jí上shàng马mǎ而ér走zǒu。羌qiāng、魏wèi之zhī兵bīng，一yī齐qí杀shā入rù。蜀shǔ兵bīng四sì纷fēn五wǔ落luò，各gè自zì逃táo生shēng。维wéi手shǒu无wú器qì械xiè，腰yāo间jiān止zhí有yǒu一yī副fù弓gōng箭jiàn，走zǒu得dé慌huāng忙máng，箭jiàn皆jiē落là了le，只zhí有yǒu空kōng壸kǔn。维wéi望wàng山shān中zhōng而ér走zǒu，背bèi后hòu郭guō淮huái引yǐn兵bīng赶gǎn来lái；见jiàn维wéi手shǒu无wú寸cùn铁tiě，乃nǎi骤zhòu马má挺tǐng枪qiāng追zhuī之zhī。看kàn看kàn至zhì近jìn，维wéi虚xū拽zhuāi弓gōng弦xián，连lián响xiǎng十shí余yú次cì。

When Chiang leaped upon his steed at the gate he had no weapon in his hand, only his bow and quiver hung at his shoulder. In his hasty flight the arrows fell out and the quiver was empty, so when he set off for the hills with Kuo Huai in pursuit, Chiang had nothing to oppose to the spears of his pursuers. As they came near he laid hands upon his bow and made as if to shoot. The string twanged and Kuo Huai blenched. But as no arrow went flying by he knew Chiang had none to shoot. Kuo therefore hung his spear, took his bow and shot. Chiang caught the arrow as it flew by and fitted it to his bowstring. He waited till his enemy came quite near, when he pulled the string with all his force and sent the arrow flying straight at Kuo’s face. Kuo fell even as the bowstring sang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-23

淮huái连lián躲duǒ数shù番fān，不bú见jiàn箭jiàn到dào，知zhī维wéi无wú箭jiàn，乃nǎi挂guà住zhù钢gāng枪qiāng，拈niān弓gōng搭dā箭jiàn射shè之zhī。维wéi急jí闪shǎn过guò，顺shùn手shǒu接jiē了le，就jiù扣kòu在zài弓gōng弦xián上shàng；等děng淮huái追zhuī近jìn，望wàng麺miàn门mén上shàng侭jìn力lì射shè去qù，淮huái应yīng弦xián落luò马mǎ。维wéi勒lēi回huí马mǎ来lái杀shā郭guō淮huái，魏wèi军jūn骤zhòu至zhì。维wéi下xià手shǒu不bù及jí，只zhǐ掣chè得dé淮huái枪qiāng而ér去qù。魏wèi兵bīng不bù敢gǎn追zhuī赶gǎn，急jí救jiù淮huái归guī寨zhài，拔bá出chū箭jiàn头tóu，血xuè流liú不bù止zhǐ而ér死sǐ。

Chiang pulled up and turned to finish his fallen enemy, but the men of Wei were nearly upon him, and he had only time to snatch up his spear and ride off. Now that Chiang Wei was armed and their own leader wounded, the soldiers of Wei had no more desire to fight. They picked up their general and carried him to camp. There the arrow-head was pulled out, but the flow of blood could not be staunched, and Kuo Huai died.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-24

司sī马mǎ昭zhāo下xià山shān引yǐn兵bīng追zhuī赶gǎn，半bàn途tú而ér回huí。夏xià侯hóu霸bà随suí后hòu逃táo至zhì，与yǔ姜jiāng维wéi一yī齐qí奔bēn走zǒu。维wéi折zhé了le许xǔ多duō人rén马mǎ，一yī路lù收shōu扎zhā不bú住zhù，自zì回huí汉hàn中zhōng。虽suī然rán兵bīng败bài，却què射shè死sǐ郭guō淮huái，杀shā死sǐ徐xú质zhì，挫cuò动dòng魏wèi国guó之zhī威wēi，将jiāng功gōng补bǔ罪zuì。

Ssŭma descended from the hill as soon as Chiang moved away, and pursued some distance. Hsiahou Pa rejoined his colleague as soon as he could, and they marched together. The losses of Shu in this defeat were very heavy. On the road they dared not halt to muster or reform, but went helter-skelter into Hanchung. The leaders said to themselves that, though they had been defeated, they had killed two generals on the other side and had damaged the prestige of Wei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-25

却què说shuō司sī马mǎ昭zhāo犒kào劳láo羌qiāng兵bīng，发fā遣qiǎn回huí国guó去qù讫qì，班bān师shī回huí洛luò阳yáng，与yǔ兄xiōng司sī马mǎ师shī专zhuān制zhì朝cháo权quán，群qún臣chén莫mò敢gǎn不bù服fú。魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo芳fāng每měi见jiàn师shī入rù朝cháo，战zhàn栗lì不bù已yǐ。如rú针zhēn刺cì背bèi。一yī曰yuē，芳fāng设shè朝cháo，见jiàn师shī挂guà剑jiàn上shàng殿diàn，慌huāng忙máng下xià榻tà迎yíng之zhī。师shī笑xiào曰yuē：「岂qí有yǒu君jūn迎yíng臣chén之zhī礼lí也yě？请qǐng陛bì下xià稳wěn便biàn。

After rewarding the Ch‘iang for their help, Ssŭma led his army back to Loyang, where he joined his brother in administering the government. They were too strong for any of the officers to dare opposition, and they terrorised King Fang so that he shook with fright whenever he saw Ssŭma Shih at court, and felt as if needles were being stuck into his back.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-26

」须xū臾yú，群qún臣chén奏zòu事shì，司sī马mǎ师shī俱jù自zì剖pōu断duàn，并bìng不bù启qǐ奏zòu魏wèi主zhǔ。少shǎo时shí师shī退tuì，昂áng然rán下xià殿diàn，乘chéng车chē出chū内nèi，前qián遮zhē后hòu拥yōng，不bú下xià数shù千qiān人rén马mǎ，芳fāng退tuì入rù后hòu殿diàn，顾gù左zuǒ右yòu止zhí有yǒu三sān人rén，乃nǎi太tài常cháng夏xià侯hóu玄xuán，中zhōng书shū令lìng李lǐ丰fēng，光guāng禄lù大dà夫fū张zhāng缉jī。缉jī乃nǎi张zhāng皇huáng后hòu之zhī父fù，曹cáo芳fāng之zhī皇huáng丈zhàng也yě。芳fāng叱chì退tuì近jìn侍shì，同tóng三sān人rén至zhì密mì室shì商shāng议yì。

One day, when the king was holding a Court, Ssŭma Shih came into the hall wearing his sword. The king hastily left his place to receive him. “What does this mean? Is this the correct etiquette for a prince when his minister approaches?” said Ssŭma, smiling. “I pray Your Majesty remember your dignity and listen while the ministers address the Throne.” Court business then proceeded. Ssŭma decided every question without reference to the king, and when he retired he stalked haughtily down the hall and went home, followed by his escort, which numbered thousands of horse and foot. When the king left the court only three followed him to the private apartments. They were Hsiahou Hsien, Li Fêng and Chang Ch‘i, all ministers. The last was the father of his Consort. Sending away the servants, the king and these three went into a private chamber.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-27

芳fāng执zhí张zhāng缉jī之zhī手shǒu而ér哭kū曰yuē：「司sī马mǎ师shī视shì朕zhèn如rú小xiǎo儿ér，觑qù百bǎi官guān如rú草cǎo芥jiè，社shè稷jì早záo晚wǎn必bì归guī此cǐ人rén矣yǐ！」言yán讫qì大dà哭kū。李lǐ丰fēng奏zòu曰yuē：「陛bì下xià勿wù忧yōu。臣chén虽suī不bù才cái，愿yuàn以yǐ陛bì下xià之zhī明míng诏zhào，聚jù四sì方fāng之zhī英yīng杰jié，以yí剿jiáo此cǐ贼zéi。」夏xià侯hóu玄xuán奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén兄xiōng夏xià侯hóu霸bà降jiàng蜀shǔ，因yīn惧jù司sī马mǎ兄xiōng弟dì谋móu害hài故gù耳ěr。今jīn若ruò剿jiǎo除chú此cǐ贼zéi，臣chén兄xiōng必bì回huí也yě。

Seizing his father-in-law’s hand, the king began to weep, saying, “That man Ssŭma Shih treats me as a child and regards the officers of state as if they were so many straws. I am sure the throne will be his one day.” And he wept bitterly. Said Li, “Do not be so sad, Sire. I am but a poor sort of person, but if Your Majesty will give me authority, I will call together all the bold men in the country and slay this man.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-28

臣chén乃nǎi国guó家jiā旧jiù戚qī，安ān敢gǎn坐zuò视shì奸jiān贼zéi乱luàn国guó？愿yuàn同tóng奉fèng诏zhào讨tǎo之zhī。」芳fāng曰yuē：「但dàn恐kǒng不bù能néng耳ěr。」三sān人rén哭kū奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén等děng誓shì当dāng同tóng心xīn讨tǎo贼zéi，以yǐ报bào陛bì下xià！」

“It was from fear of this man that my brother was forced to go over to Shu,” said Hsiahou Hsien. “If he were destroyed, my brother could return. I belong to a family related to the rulers of the state for many generations, and I cannot sit still while a wretch ruins the government. Put my name in the command as well as Li’s, and we will work together to remove him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-29

芳fāng脱tuō下xià龙lóng凤fèng汗hàn衫shān，咬yǎo破pò指zhǐ尖jiān，写xiě了le血xuè诏zhào，授shòu与yǔ张zhāng缉jī，乃nái嘱zhǔ曰yuē：「朕zhèn祖zú武wǔ皇huáng帝dì诛zhū董dǒng承chéng，盖gài为wèi机jī事shì不bú密mì也yě。卿qīng等děng须xū谨jǐn细xì，勿wù泄xiè于yú外wài。」丰fēng曰yuē：「陛bì下xià何hé出chū此cǐ不bú利lì之zhī言yán？臣chén等děng非fēi董dǒng承chéng之zhī辈bèi，司sī马mǎ师shī安ān比bí武wú祖zú也yě？陛bì下xià勿wù疑yí。

“But I am afraid,” said the king. They wept. The three ministers pledged themselves to work together for the destruction of the tyrant. The king them stripped himself of his innermost garment, gnawed his finger till the blood flowed and with his finger-tip traced a command in blood. He gave it to his father-in-law, saying, “My ancestor the Emperor Wu (Ts‘ao Ts‘ao) put to death Tung Ch'êng for just such a matter as this, so you must be exceedingly careful and maintain the greatest secrecy.” “Oh, why use such ill-omened words?” cried Li Fêng. “We are not like Tung any more than Ssŭma Shih resembles your great ancestor. Have no doubts.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-30

」三sān人rén辞cí出chū，至zhì东dōng华huá门mén左zuǒ侧cè，正zhèng见jiàn司sī马mǎ师shī带dài剑jiàn而ér来lái，从cóng者zhě数shù百bǎi人rén，皆jiē持chí兵bīng器qì。三sān人rén立lì于yú道dào傍bàng。师shī问wèn曰yuē：「汝rǔ三sān人rén退tuì朝cháo何hé迟chí？」李lǐ丰fēng曰yuē：「圣shèng上shàng在zài内nèi廷tíng观guān书shū，我wǒ三sān人rén侍shì读dú故gù耳ěr。」师shī曰yuē：「所suǒ看kàn何hé书shū？」丰fēng曰yuē：「乃nǎi夏xià、商shāng、周zhōu三sān代dài之zhī书shū也yě。」师shī曰yuē：「上shàng见jiàn此cǐ书shū，问wèn何hé故gù事shì？

The three conspirators took leave and went out carrying the edict with them. Beside the Tunghua Gate of the palace they saw their enemy coming to meet them wearing a sword. Following him were many armed men. They took the side of the road to let the party go by. “Why are you three so late in leaving the palace?” asked Ssŭma. “His Majesty was reading, and we stayed with him,” said Li. “What was he reading?” “The histories of the Hsia, Shang and Chou dynasties.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-31

」丰fēng曰yuē：「天tiān子zi所suǒ问wèn：伊yī尹yǐn扶fú商shāng、周zhōu公gōng摄shè政zhèng之zhī事shì；我wó等děng皆jiē奏zòu曰yuē：『今jīn司sī马mǎ大dà将jiāng军jūn，即jí伊yī尹yǐn、周zhōu公gōng也yě。』」师shī冷lěng笑xiào曰yuē：「汝rú等déng岂qǐ将jiāng吾wú比bǐ伊yī尹yǐn、周zhōu公gōng！其qí心xīn实shí指zhǐ吾wú为wèi王wáng莽mǎng、董dǒng卓zhuó！」三sān人rén皆jiē曰yuē：「我wó等děng皆jiē将jiāng军jūn门mén下xià之zhī人rén，安ān敢gǎn如rú此cǐ？」师shī大dà怒nù曰yuē：「汝rú等déng乃nái口kǒu谀yú之zhī人rén！

“What questions did the king ask as he read those books?” “He asked about I Yin and how he upheld the Shangs; and Duke Chou, how he acted when he was regent. And we told His Majesty that you were both I Yin and Duke Chou to him.” Ssŭma smiled grimly. “Why did you compare me with those two? You made him think me a rebel like Wang Chieh or Tung Cho.” “How should we dare when we are your subordinates?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-32

适shì间jiān与yǔ天tiān子zi在zài密mì室shì中zhōng所suǒ哭kū何hé事shì？」三sān人rén曰yuē：「实shí无wú此cǐ状zhuàng。」师shī叱chì曰yuē：「汝rǔ三sān人rén泪lèi眼yǎn尚shàng红hóng，如rú何hé抵dǐ赖lài！」夏xià侯hóu玄xuán知zhī事shì已yǐ泄xiè，乃nǎi厉lì声shēng大dà骂mà曰yuē：「吾wú等déng所suǒ哭kū者zhě，为wèi汝rǔ威wēi震zhèn其qí主zhǔ，将jiāng谋móu篡cuàn逆nì耳ěr！」师shī大dà怒nù，叱chì武wǔ士shì捉zhuō夏xià侯hóu玄xuán。玄xuán揎xuān拳quán裸luǒ袖xiù，迳jìng击jī司sī马mǎ师shī，却què被bèi武wǔ士shì擒qín住zhù。

“You are a lot of flatterers,” said Ssŭma, angrily. “And what were you crying about in that private chamber with the king?” “We did no such thing.” “Your eyes are still red; you cannot deny that.” Hsiahou Hsien then knew that they had been betrayed already, so he broke out into a volley of abuse, crying, “Well, we were crying because of your conduct, because you terrorise over the king and are scheming to usurp the Throne.” “Seize him!” roared Ssŭma. Hsiahou threw back his sleeves and struck at Ssŭma with his fists, but the lictors pulled him back. Then the three were searched, and on Chang was found the blood-stained garment of the king. They handed it to their chief, who recognised the object of his search, the secret edict.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-33

师shī令lìng将jiāng各gè人rén搜sōu检jiǎn，于yú张zhāng缉jī身shēn畔pàn搜sōu出chū一yī龙lóng凤fèng汗hàn衫shān，上shàng有yǒu血xuè字zì。左zuǒ右yòu呈chéng与yǔ司sī马mǎ师shī。师shī视shì之zhī，乃nǎi密mì诏zhào也yě。诏zhào曰yuē：

It said:—“The two brothers Ssŭma have stolen away all my authority and are plotting to take the Throne. The edicts I have been forced to issue do not represent my wishes, and hereby all officers, civil and military, may unite to destroy these two and restore the authority of the Throne. These ends achieved, I will reward those who help to accomplish them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-34

司sī马mǎ师shī兄xiōng弟dì，共gòng持chí大dà权quán，将jiāng图tú篡cuàn逆nì。所suǒ行xíng诏zhào制zhì，皆jiē非fēi朕zhèn意yì。各gè部bù官guān兵bīng将jiàng士shì，可kě同tóng仗zhàng忠zhōng义yì，讨tǎo灭miè贼zéi臣chén，匡kuāng扶fú社shè稷jì。功gōng成chéng之zhī日rì，重zhòng加jiā爵jué赏shǎng。

Ssŭma, more angry than ever, said, “So you wish to destroy me and my brother. This is too much.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-35

司sī马mǎ师shī看kàn毕bì，勃bó然rán大dà怒nù曰yuē：「原yuán来lái汝rú等děng正zhèng欲yù谋móu害hài吾wú兄xiōng弟dì！情qíng理lǐ难nán容róng！」遂suì令lìng将jiāng三sān人rén腰yāo斩zhǎn于yú市shì，灭miè其qí三sān族zú。三sān人rén骂mà不bù绝jué口kǒu。比bǐ临lín东dōng市shì中zhōng，牙yá齿chí侭jǐn被bèi打dǎ落luò，各gè人rén含hán糊hú数shù骂mà而ér死sǐ。师shī直zhí入rù后hòu宫gōng。魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo芳fāng正zhèng与yǔ张zhāng皇huáng后hòu商shāng议yì此cǐ事shì。皇huáng后hòu曰yuē：「内nèi廷tíng耳ěr目mù颇pǒ多duō，倘tǎng事shì泄xiè露lòu，必bì累lèi妾qiè矣yǐ！

He ordered his followers to cut the three to pieces on the public execution ground and to destroy their whole clans. The three reviled without ceasing. On the way to the place of execution they ground their teeth with rage, spitting out the pieces they broke off. They died muttering curses.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-36

」正zhèng言yán间jiān，忽hū见jiàn师shī入rù，皇huáng后hòu大dà惊jīng。师shī按àn剑jiàn谓wèi芳fāng曰yuē：「臣chén父fù立lì陛bì下xià为wéi君jūn，功gōng德dé不bú在zài周zhōu公gōng之zhī下xià；臣chén事shì陛bì下xià，亦yì与yǔ伊yī尹yǐn何hé别bié乎hū？今jīn反fán以yǐ恩ēn为wèi雠chóu，以yǐ功gōng为wèi过guò，欲yù与yǔ二èr三sān小xiǎo臣chén，谋móu害hài臣chén兄xiōng弟dì，何hé也yě？」芳fāng曰yuē：「朕zhèn无wú此cǐ心xīn。」师shī袖xiù中zhōng取qǔ出chū汗hàn衫shān，掷zhì之zhī于yú地dì曰yuē：「此cǐ谁shuí人rén所suǒ作zuò耶yé？

Ssŭma then went to the rear apartments of the palace, where he found the Emperor talking with his Consort. Just as he entered she was saying, “The palace is full of spies, and if this comes out it will mean trouble for me.” Ssŭma strode in, sword in hand.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-37

」芳fāng魂hún飞fēi天tiān外wài，魄pò散sàn九jiǔ霄xiāo，战zhàn栗lì而ér答dá曰yuē：「此cǐ皆jiē为wèi他tā人rén所suǒ逼bī故gù也yě。朕zhèn岂qí敢gǎn兴xīng此cǐ心xīn？」师shī曰yuē：「妄wàng诬wū大dà臣chén造zào反fǎn，当dāng加jiā何hé罪zuì？」芳fāng跪guì告gào曰yuē：「朕zhèn合hé有yǒu罪zuì，望wàng大dà将jiāng军jūn恕shù之zhī！」师shī曰yuē：「陛bì下xià请qíng起qǐ。国guó法fǎ未wèi可kě废fèi也yě。」乃nái指zhǐ张zhāng皇huáng后hòu曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì张zhāng缉jī之zhī女nǚ，理lǐ当dāng除chú之zhī！

“My father placed Your Majesty on the throne, a service no less worthy than that of Duke Chou; I have served Your Majesty as I Yin served his master. Now is kindness met by enmity and service regarded as a fault. Your Majesty has plotted with two or three insignificant officials to slay me and my brother. Why is this?” “I had no such intention,” said the king. In reply, Ssŭma drew the garment from his sleeve and threw it on the ground. “Who did this?” The king was overwhelmed; his soul flew beyond the skies, his spirit fled to the ninth heaven. Shaking with fear, he said, “I was forced into it. How could I think of such a thing?” “To slander ministers by charging them with rebellion is an aggravated crime,” said Ssŭma. The king knelt at his feet, saying, “Yes; I am guilty; forgive me.” “I beg Your Majesty to rise; the laws must be respected.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-38

」芳fāng大dà哭kū求qiú免miǎn，师shī不bù从cóng，叱chì左zuǒ右yòu将jiāng张zhāng后hòu捉zhuō出chū，至zhì东dōng华huá门mén内nèi，用yòng白bái练liàn绞jiáo死sǐ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

Pointing to the Empress, he said, “She is of the Chang house and must die.” “Spare her,” cried the king, weeping bitterly. But Ssŭma was obdurate. He bade the lictors lead her away, and she was strangled with a white silk cord at the palace gate.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-39

当dāng年nián伏fú后hòu出chū宫gōng门mén，跣xiǎn足zú哀āi号háo别bié至zhì尊zūn。

In former years when the Empress Fu left the palace gate, barefoot she wailed in parting from the sovereign.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-40

司sī马mǎ今jīn朝zhāo依yī此cǐ例lì，天tiān教jiào还huán报bào在zài儿ér孙sūn。

Today Ssu-ma follows this same pattern; Heaven ordains the retribution falls on sons and grandsons.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-41

次cì日rì，司sī马mǎ师shī大dà会huì群qún臣chén曰yuē：「今jīn主zhǔ上shàng荒huāng淫yín无wú道dào，亵xiè近jìn娼chāng优yōu，听tīng信xìn谗chán言yán，闭bì塞sè贤xián路lù：其qí罪zuì甚shén于yú汉hàn之zhī昌chāng邑yì，不bù能néng主zhǔ天tiān下xià。吾wú谨jǐn按àn伊yī尹yǐn、霍huò光guāng之zhī法fǎ，别bié立lì新xīn君jūn，以yí保bǎo社shè稷jì，以yǐ安ān天tiān下xià，如rú何hé？」众zhòng皆jiē应yīng曰yuē：「大dà将jiāng军jūn行xíng伊yī、霍huò之zhī事shì，所suǒ谓wèi应yìng天tiān顺shùn人rén，谁shuí敢gǎn违wéi命mìng？

Now I recall another year; and lo! An empress borne away to shameful death. Barefooted, weeping bitterly, she shrieks “Farewell,” torn from her consort’s arms. To-day History repeats itself; time’s instrument, Ssŭma, avenges this on Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s heirs.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-42

」师shī遂suì同tóng多duō官guān入rù永yǒng宁níng宫gōng，奏zòu闻wén太tài后hòu。太tài后hòu曰yuē：「大dà将jiāng军jūn欲yù立lì何hé人rén为wéi君jūn？」师shī曰yuē：「臣chén观guān彭péng城chéng王wáng曹cáo据jù，聪cōng明míng仁rén孝xiào，可ké以yǐ为wéi天tiān下xià之zhī主zhǔ。」太tài后hòu曰yuē：「彭péng城chéng王wáng乃nái老lǎo身shēn之zhī叔shū，今jīn立lì为wéi君jūn，我wǒ何hé以yǐ当dāng之zhī？今jīn有yǒu高gāo贵guì乡xiāng公gōng曹cáo髦máo，乃nǎi文wén皇huáng帝dì之zhī孙sūn，此cǐ人rén温wēn恭gōng克kè让ràng，可ké以yǐ立lì之zhī。

The day after these events Ssŭma Shih assembled all the officers and addressed them thus:—“Our present lord is profligate and devoid of principle; familiar with the vile and friendly with the impure. He lends a ready ear to slander and keeps good men at a distance. His faults exceed those of Chang I of Han, and he has proved himself unfit to rule. Wherefore, following the precedents of I Yin and Ho Kuang, I have decided to put him aside and to set up another, thereby to maintain the sanctity of the ruler and ensure tranquillity. What think you, Sirs?” They all agreed, saying, “General you are right to play the same part as I Yin and Ho Kuang, thereby acting in accordance with Heaven and fulfilling the desire of mankind. Who dares dispute it?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-43

卿qīng等děng大dà臣chén，从cóng长cháng计jì议yì。」一yī人rén奏zòu曰yuē：「太tài后hòu之zhī言yán是shì也yě。便biàn可kě立lì之zhī。」众zhòng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi司sī马mǎ师shī宗zōng叔shū司sī马mǎ孚fú也yě。师shī遂suì遣qián使shí往wǎng元yuán城chéng召zhào高gāo贵guì乡xiāng公gōng，请qǐng太tài后hòu升shēng太tài极jí殿diàn，召zhào芳fāng责zé之zhī曰yuē：「汝rǔ荒huāng淫yín无wú度dù，亵xiè近jìn娼chāng优yōu，不bù可kě承chéng天tiān下xià；当dāng纳nà下xià玺xǐ绶shòu，复fù齐qí王wáng之zhī爵jué，目mù下xià起qǐ程chéng，非fēi宣xuān召zhào不bù许xǔ入rù朝cháo。

Then Ssŭma, followed by the whole of the officials, went to the Palace of Eternal Peace and informed the Empress Dowager of his intention. “Whom do you propose to place on the throne, General?” she asked. “I have observed that Ts‘ao Chü, Prince P'êngch'êng, is intelligent, benevolent and filial; he is fit to rule the empire.” She replied, “He is my uncle and cannot become Emperor. However, there is Ts‘ao Mao, Duke of Kaokueihsiang, and grandson of the Emperor Wên. He is of mild temperament, respectful and deferential, and may be set up. You, Sir, and the high officers of state might favourably consider this.” Then spake one, saying, “Her Majesty speaks well; he should be raised to the throne.” All eyes turned toward the speaker, who was Ssŭma Fu, uncle of Ssŭma Shih.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-44

」芳fāng泣qì拜bài太tài后hòu，纳nà了le国guó宝bǎo，乘chéng王wáng车chē大dà哭kū而ér去qù。只zhí有yǒu数shù员yuán忠zhōng义yì之zhī臣chén，含hán泪lèi而ér送sòng。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

The duke was summoned to the capital. The Empress called King Ts‘ao Fang into her presence in the Hall of Eternity and blamed him, saying, “You are vicious beyond measure, a companion of lewd men and a friend of vile women. You are unfitted to rule. Therefore resign the imperial seal and revert to your status of Prince Ch‘i. You are forbidden to present yourself at court without special command.” Ts‘ao Fang, weeping, threw himself at her feet. He gave up the seal, got into his carriage and went away. Only a few faithful ministers restrained their tears and bade him farewell. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, the mighty minister of Han Oppressed the helpless; little then thought he That only two score swiftly passing years Would bring like fate to his posterity.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-45

昔xī日rì曹cáo瞒mán相xiāng汉hàn时shí，欺qī他tā寡guǎ妇fù与yǔ孤gū儿ér。

In days gone by, when Ts'ao Ts'ao controlled the Han, he bullied the widows and the orphans.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-46

谁shuí知zhī四sì十shí余yú年nián后hòu，寡guǎ妇fù孤gū儿ér亦yì被bèi欺qī！

Who could know that, forty years and more thereafter, a widow and an orphan would likewise be bullied!

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-47

却què说shuō高gāo贵guì乡xiāng公gōng曹cáo髦máo，字zì彦yàn士shì，乃nǎi文wén帝dì之zhī孙sūn，东dōng海hǎi定dìng王wáng霖lín之zhī子zi也yě。当dāng日rì司sī马mǎ师shī以yǐ太tài后hòu命mìng宣xuān至zhì，文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo，备bèi銮luán驾jià于yú西xī掖yē门mén外wài拜bài迎yíng。髦máo慌huāng忙máng答dá礼lǐ。太tài尉wèi王wáng肃sù曰yuē：「主zhǔ上shàng不bú当dàng答dá礼lǐ。」髦máo曰yuē：「吾wú亦yì人rén臣chén也yě，安ān得dé不bù答dá礼lǐ乎hū？

The Emperor-elect Ts‘ao Mao, who also bore the name Yenshih, was the grandson of the Emperor Wên, and son of Ts‘ao Lin, Prince Ting of Tunghai. When he was nearing the capital all the officers attended to receive him at the Nanyeh Gate, where an imperial carriage awaited him. He hastily returned their salutations. “The ruler ought not to return these salutations,” said Wang Shu, one of the officers. “I also am a minister and must respond,” replied he.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-48

」文wén武wǔ扶fú髦máo上shàng辇niǎn入rù宫gōng，髦máo辞cí曰yuē：「太tài后hòu诏zhào命mìng，不bù知zhī为wèi何hé，吾wú安ān敢gǎn乘chéng辇niǎn而ér入rù？」遂suì步bù行xíng至zhì太tài极jí东dōng堂táng。司sī马mǎ师shī迎yíng看kàn，髦máo先xiān下xià拜bài，师shī急jí扶fú起qǐ。问wèn候hòu已yǐ毕bì，引yǐn见jiàn太tài后hòu。后hòu曰yuē：「吾wú见jiàn汝rǔ年nián幼yòu时shí，有yǒu帝dì王wáng之zhī相xiāng；汝rǔ今jīn可kě为wèi天tiān下xià之zhī主zhǔ：务wù须xū恭gōng俭jiǎn节jié用yòng，布bù德dé施shī仁rén，勿wù辱rǔ先xiān帝dì也yě。」髦máo再zài三sān谦qiān辞cí。

They conducted him to the carriage to ride into the palace, but he refused to mount it, saying, “Her Majesty has commanded my presence, I know not for what reason. How dare I enter the palace in such a carriage?” He went on foot to the Hall, where Ssŭma Shih awaited him. He prostrated himself before the minister. Ssŭma hastily raised him and led him into the presence. The Empress-Dowager said, “In your youth I noticed that you bore the impress of majesty. Now you are to be the Ruler of the Empire. You must be respectful and moderate, diffusing virtue and benevolence. You must do honour to your ancestors the former emperors.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-49

师shī令lìng文wén武wú请qǐng髦máo出chū太tài极jí殿diàn，是shì日rì立lì为wèi新xīn君jūn，改gǎi嘉jiā平píng六liù年nián为wèi正zhèng元yuán元yuán年nián，大dà赦shè天tiān下xià，假jiǎ大dà将jiāng军jūn司sī马mǎ师shī黄huáng钺yuè，入rù朝cháo不bù趋qū，奏zòu事shì不bù名míng，带dài剑jiàn上shàng殿diàn。文wén武wú百bǎi官guān，各gè有yǒu封fēng赐cì。

Ts‘ao Mao modestly declined the proposed honour, but he was compelled to accept it. He was led out of the presence of the Empress-Dowager and placed in the seat of empire. The style of the reign was proclaimed as Chêng-Yüan . An amnesty was granted. Honours were heaped upon Ssŭma Shih, who also received the golden axes, with the right to proceed leisurely within the precincts, to address the Throne without using his prænom and to wear arms at court.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-50

正zhèng元yuán二èr年nián春chūn正zhēng月yuè，有yǒu细xì作zuò飞fēi报bào，说shuō镇zhèn东dōng将jiāng军jūn毌guàn丘qiū俭jiǎn、扬yáng州zhōu刺cì史shǐ文wén钦qīn，以yǐ废fèi主zhǔ为wèi名míng，起qǐ兵bīng前qián来lái。司sī马mǎ师shī大dà惊jīng。正zhèng是shì：

But in the spring it was reported at court that the General Wuch‘iu Chien and the Governor of Yangchou, Wên Ch‘in, were raising armies with the declared design of restoring the deposed emperor. Ssŭma Shih was disconcerted. If ministers of Han have always faithful been, Wei leaders, too, to prove their loyalty are keen. How this new menace was met will appear in the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

109-51

汉hàn臣chén曾céng有yǒu勤qín王wáng志zhì，魏wèi将jiāng还hái兴xīng讨tǎo贼zéi师shī。

Han ministers once had the will to aid the king; now Wei generals raise an army to strike the traitor down.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

109-52

未wèi知zhī如rú何hé迎yíng敌dí，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