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

第dì二èr回huí 张zhāng翼yì德dé怒nù鞭biān督dū邮yóu　　　何hé国guó舅jiù谋móu诛zhū宦huàn竖shù

2-1

且qiě说shuō董dǒng卓zhuó字zì仲zhòng颖yǐng，陇lǒng西xī临lín洮táo人rén也yě。官guān拜bài河hé东dōng太tài守shǒu，自zì来lái骄jiāo傲ào。当dāng日rì怠dài慢màn了le玄xuán德dé，张zhāng飞fēi性xìng发fā，便biàn欲yù杀shā之zhī。玄xuán德dé与yǔ关guān公gōng急jí止zhǐ之zhī曰yuē：「他tā是shì朝cháo廷tíng命mìng官guān，岂qí可kě擅shàn杀shā？」飞fēi曰yuē：「若ruò不bù杀shā这zhè厮sī，反fǎn要yào在zài他tā部bú下xià听tīng令lìng，其qí实shí不bù甘gān！二èr兄xiōng要yào便biàn住zhù在zài此cǐ，我wǒ自zì投tóu别bié处chù去qù也yě！」

It must here be told who this Tung Cho was. Cho, or Chung-ying, was born in the west at Lint‘ao in modern Shênsi. His father was a prefect. He himself was arrogant and overbearing. But the day he had treated the three brothers with contumely had been his last had not the two elders restrained their wrathful brother. “Remember he has the government commission;” said Yüan-tê, “who are we to judge and slay?” “It is bitter to take orders from such a wretch; I would rather slay him. You may stay here an you wish to, but I will seek some other place.” “We three are one in life and in death; there is no parting for us. We will all go hence.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-2

玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「我wǒ三sān人rén义yì同tóng生shēng死sǐ，岂qí可kě相xiāng离lí？不bú若ruò都dōu投tóu别bié处chù去qù便biàn了liǎo。」飞fēi曰yuē：「若ruò如rú此cǐ，稍shāo解jiě吾wú恨hèn。」于yú是shì三sān人rén连lián夜yè引yǐn军jūn来lái投tóu朱zhū俊jùn。俊jùn待dài之zhī甚shèn厚hòu，合hé兵bīng一yī处chù，进jìn讨tǎo张zhāng宝bǎo。是shì时shí曹cáo操cāo自zì跟gēn皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng讨tǎo张zhāng梁liáng，大dà战zhàn于yú麹qū阳yáng。这zhè里lǐ朱zhū俊jùn进jìn攻gōng张zhāng宝bǎo。张zhāng宝báo引yǐn贼zéi众zhòng八bā九jiǔ万wàn，屯tún于yú山shān后hòu。

So spake Yüan-tê and his brother was satisfied. Wherefore all three set out and lost no time in travelling till they came to Chu Chien, who received them well and accepted their aid in attacking Chang Pao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-3

俊jùn令lìng玄xuán德dé为wèi其qí先xiān锋fēng，与yǔ贼zéi对duì敌dí。张zhāng宝báo遣qiǎn副fù将jiāng高gāo升shēng出chū马mǎ搦nuò战zhàn。玄xuán德dé使shǐ张zhāng飞fēi击jī之zhī。飞fēi纵zòng马má挺tǐng矛máo，与yǔ升shēng交jiāo战zhàn，不bú数shù合hé，刺cì升shēng落luò马mǎ。玄xuán德dé麾huī军jūn直zhí冲chōng过guò去qù。张zhāng宝bǎo就jiù马mǎ上shàng披pī发fà仗zhàng剑jiàn，作zuò起qǐ妖yāo法fǎ。只zhǐ见jiàn风fēng雷léi大dà作zuò，一yī股gǔ黑hēi气qì，从cóng天tiān而ér降jiàng：黑hēi气qì中zhōng似shì有yǒu无wú限xiàn人rén马mǎ杀shā来lái。

At this time Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had joined himself to Huangfu Sung and they were trying to destroy Chang Liang and there was a great battle at Chuyang. At the same time Chang Pao was attacked. The rebel had led his men to a strong position in the rear of the hills. An attack being decided upon Yüan-tê was hsien-fêng , or leader of the van. On the rebel side a subordinate leader, Kao Hsing, came out to offer battle. Chang Fei was sent to smite him. Out rode Fei at full speed, his spear ready set. After a few bouts he wounded Kao, who was unhorsed. At this the main army had the signal to advance. Then Chang Pao, while still mounted, loosened his hair, grasped his sword and uttered his incantations. Thereupon began the wind to howl and the thunder to roll, while a dense black cloud from the heavens settled upon the field. And therein seemed to be horse and footmen innumerable, who swept to attack the imperial troops. Fear came upon them and Yüan-tê led off his men, but they were in disorder and returned defeated.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-4

玄xuán德dé连lián忙máng回huí军jūn，军jūn中zhōng大dà乱luàn，败bài阵zhèn而ér归guī，与yǔ朱zhū俊jùn计jì议yì。俊jùn曰yuē：「彼bǐ用yòng妖yāo术shù，我wǒ来lái日rì可ké宰zǎi猪zhū羊yáng狗gǒu血xuè，令lìng军jūn士shì伏fú于yú山shān头tóu；候hòu贼zéi赶gǎn来lái，从cóng高gāo坡pō上shàng泼pō之zhī，其qí法fá可ké解jiě。」

Chu Chien and Yüan-tê considered the matter. “He uses magic,” said Chien. “Tomorrow, then, will I prepare counter magic in the shape of the blood of slaughtered swine and goats and dogs. This blood shall be sprinkled upon their hosts from the precipices above by men whom they see not. Thus shall we be able to break the power of their black art.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-5

玄xuán德dé听tīng令lìng，拨bō关guān公gōng、张zhāng飞fēi各gè引yǐn军jūn一yī千qiān，伏fú于yú山shān后hòu高gāo冈gāng之zhī上shàng，盛shèng猪zhū羊yáng狗gǒu血xuè并bìng秽huì物wù准zhǔn备bèi。次cì日rì，张zhāng宝bǎo摇yáo旗qí擂léi鼓gǔ，引yǐn军jūn搦nuò战zhàn，玄xuán德dé出chū迎yíng。交jiāo锋fēng之zhī际jì，张zhāng宝bǎo作zuò法fǎ，风fēng雷léi大dà作zuò，飞fēi砂shā走zǒu石shí，黑hēi气qì漫màn天tiān，滚gún滚gǔn人rén马mǎ，自zì天tiān而ér下xià。玄xuán德dé拨bō马mǎ便biàn走zǒu，张zhāng宝bǎo驱qū兵bīng赶gǎn来lái。

So it was done. The two younger brothers took each a company of men and hid them on the high cliffs behind the hills, and they had a plentiful supply of the blood of swine and goats and dogs and all manner of filthy things. And so next day, when the rebels with fluttering banners and rolling drums came out to challenge, Yüan-tê rode forth to meet them. At the same moment that the armies met, again Chang Pao began his magic and again the elements began to struggle together. Sand flew in clouds, pebbles were swept along the ground, black masses of vapour filled the sky and rolling masses of foot and horse descended from on high. Yüan-tê turned, as before, to flee and the rebels rushed on. But as they pressed through the hills the trumpets blared and the hidden soldiers exploded bombs, threw down filth and spattered blood. The masses of men and horses in the air fluttered to the earth as fragments of torn paper, the wind ceased to blow, the thunder subsided, the sand sank and the pebbles lay still upon the ground.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-6

将jiāng过guò山shān头tóu，关guān、张zhāng伏fú军jūn放fàng起qǐ号hào砲pào，将jiāng秽huì物wù齐qí泼pō。但dàn见jiàn空kōng中zhōng纸zhǐ人rén草cáo马mǎ，纷fēn纷fēn坠zhuì地dì；风fēng雷léi顿dùn息xī，砂shā石shí不bù飞fēi。张zhāng宝bǎo见jiàn解jiě了le法fǎ，急jí欲yù退tuì军jūn。左zuǒ关guān公gōng，右yòu张zhāng飞fēi，两liǎng军jūn都dōu出chū，背bèi后hòu玄xuán德dé、朱zhū俊jùn一yī齐qí赶gǎn上shàng，贼zéi兵bīng大dà败bài。玄xuán德dé望wàng见jiàn地dì公gōng将jiāng军jūn旗qí号hào，飞fēi马má赶gǎn来lái，张zhāng宝bǎo落luò荒huāng而ér走zǒu。玄xuán德dé发fā箭jiàn，中zhōng其qí左zuǒ臂bì。

So it was done. The two younger brothers took each a company of men and hid them on the high cliffs behind the hills, and they had a plentiful supply of the blood of swine and goats and dogs and all manner of filthy things. And so next day, when the rebels with fluttering banners and rolling drums came out to challenge, Yüan-tê rode forth to meet them. At the same moment that the armies met, again Chang Pao began his magic and again the elements began to struggle together. Sand flew in clouds, pebbles were swept along the ground, black masses of vapour filled the sky and rolling masses of foot and horse descended from on high. Yüan-tê turned, as before, to flee and the rebels rushed on. But as they pressed through the hills the trumpets blared and the hidden soldiers exploded bombs, threw down filth and spattered blood. The masses of men and horses in the air fluttered to the earth as fragments of torn paper, the wind ceased to blow, the thunder subsided, the sand sank and the pebbles lay still upon the ground.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-7

张zhāng宝bǎo带dài箭jiàn逃táo脱tuō，走zǒu入rù阳yáng城chéng，坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū。朱zhū俊jùn引yǐn兵bīng围wéi住zhù阳yáng城chéng攻gōng打dǎ，一yī麺miàn差chà人rén打dǎ探tàn皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng消xiāo息xī。探tàn子zi回huí报bào，具jù说shuō：「皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng大dà获huò胜shèng捷jié，朝cháo廷tíng以yí董dǒng卓zhuó屡lǚ败bài，命mìng嵩sōng代dài之zhī。嵩sōng到dào时shí，张zhāng角jiáo已yí死sǐ；张zhāng梁liáng统tǒng其qí众zhòng，与yú我wǒ军jūn相xiāng拒jù，被bèi皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng连lián胜shèng七qī阵zhèn，斩zhǎn张zhāng梁liáng于yú麹qū阳yáng。

Chang Pao quickly saw his magic had been countered and turned to retire. Then he was attacked on the flanks by the two younger brothers, and in rear by Yüan-tê and Chu Chien. The rebels were routed. Yüan-tê, seeing from afar the banner of the “Duke of Earth,” galloped toward it but only succeeded in wounding the “Duke” with an arrow in the left arm. Wounded though he was, he got away into Yangch‘êng, where he fortified himself and was besieged by Chu Chien. Scouts, sent out to get news of Huangfu, reported that he had been very successful and Tung Cho had suffered many reverses. Therefore the Court had put Huangfu in the latter’s place. Chang Chio had died before his arrival. Chang Liang had added his brother’s army to his own but no headway could be made against Huangfu, whose army gained seven successive victories. And Chang Liang had been slain at Chüyang. Beside this Chang Chio’s coffin had been exhumed, the corpse beheaded and the head, after exposure, had been sent to the capital. The common crowd had surrendered. For these services Huangfu had been promoted and now ruled in Ichou.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-8

发fā张zhāng角jiǎo之zhī棺guān，戮lù尸shī枭xiāo首shǒu，送sòng往wǎng京jīng师shī。余yú众zhòng俱jù降jiàng。朝cháo廷tíng加jiā皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng为wèi车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn，领lǐng冀jì州zhōu牧mù。皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng又yòu表biǎo奏zòu卢lú植zhí有yǒu功gōng无wú罪zuì，朝cháo廷tíng复fù卢lú植zhí原yuán官guān。曹cáo操cāo亦yì以yí有yǒu功gōng，除chú济jǐ南nán相xiāng，即jí日rì将jiāng班bān师shī赴fù任rèn。」朱zhū隽juàn听tīng说shuō，催cuī促cù军jūn马mǎ，悉xī力lì攻gōng打dǎ阳yáng城chéng。贼zéi势shì危wēi急jí，贼zéi将jiāng严yán政zhèng，刺cì杀shā张zhāng宝bǎo，献xiàn首shǒu投tóu降xiáng。

He had not forgotten his friends. His first act after he had attained to power was to memorialise concerning the case of Lu Chih, who was then restored to his former rank. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao also had received advancement for his services and was preparing to go south to his new post.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-9

朱zhū俊jùn遂suì平píng数shù郡jùn，上shàng表biǎo献xiàn捷jié。

Hearing these things Huangfu Sung pressed harder yet upon Yangch‘êng and the approaching break-up of the rebellion became evident. Then one of Chang Pao’s officers killed his leader and brought his head in token of submission. Thus rebellion in that part of the country was stamped out and Chu Chien made his report to the government.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-10

时shí又yòu黄huáng巾jīn余yú党dǎng三sān人rén，─赵zhào弘hóng、韩hán忠zhōng、孙sūn仲zhòng─，聚jù众zhòng数shù万wàn，望wàng风fēng烧shāo劫jié，称chēng与yǔ张zhāng角jiǎo报bào雠chóu。朝cháo廷tíng命mìng朱zhū俊jùn即jí以yǐ得dé胜shèng之zhī师shī讨tǎo之zhī。俊jùn奉fèng诏zhào，率shuài军jūn前qián进jìn。时shí贼zéi据jù宛wǎn城chéng，俊jùn引yǐn兵bīng攻gōng之zhī，赵zhào弘hóng遣qiǎn韩hán忠zhōng出chū战zhàn。俊jùn遣qiǎn玄xuán德dé、关guān、张zhāng攻gōng城chéng西xī南nán角jiǎo。韩hán忠zhōng侭jǐn率lǜ精jīng锐ruì之zhī众zhòng，来lái西xī南nán角jiáo抵dǐ敌dí。

“The conditions are different,” replied Chu Chien. “In those days disorder was universal and the people had no fixed lord. Wherefore submission was welcomed and support rewarded to encourage people to come over. Now the Empire is united and the Yellow Turbans are the only malcontents. To receive their surrender is not to encourage the good. To allow brigands, when successful, to give way to every licence, and to let them surrender when they fail is to encourage brigandage. Your plan is not a good one.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-11

朱zhū俊jùn自zì纵zòng铁tiě骑qí二èr千qiān，迳jìng取qǔ东dōng北béi角jiǎo。贼zéi恐kǒng失shī城chéng，急jí弃qì西xī南nán而ér回huí。玄xuán德dé从cóng背bèi后hòu掩yǎn杀shā，贼zéi众zhòng大dà败bài，奔bēn入rù宛wǎn城chéng。朱zhū俊jùn分fēn兵bīng四sì麺miàn围wéi定dìng，城chéng中zhōng断duàn粮liáng，韩hán忠zhōng使shǐ人rén出chū城chéng投tóu降xiáng。俊jùn不bù许xǔ。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「昔xī高gāo祖zǔ之zhī得dé天tiān下xià，盖gài为wèi能néng招zhāo降xiáng纳nà顺shùn；公gōng何hé拒jù韩hán忠zhōng耶yé？」俊jùn曰yuē：「彼bǐ一yī时shí，此cǐ一yī时shí也yě。

However, the embers still smouldered. Three of the rebels Chao Hung, Han Chung and Sun Chung, began to murder and rob and burn, calling themselves the avengers of Chang Chio. The successful Chu Chien was commanded to lead his veteran and successful troops to destroy them. He at once marched toward Wanch‘êng, which the rebels were attacking. When Chu arrived Han Chung was sent to oppose him. Chu Chien sent the three brothers, our heroes, to attack the south west angle of the city. Han Chung at once led the best of his men to beat them off. Meanwhile Chu Chien himself led two companies of armoured horsemen to attack the opposite corner. The rebels, thinking the city lost, abandoned the south west and turned back. The three brothers pressed hotly in their rear and they were utterly routed. They took refuge in the city which was then invested. When famine pressed upon the besieged they sent a messenger to offer to surrender but the offer was refused.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-12

昔xī秦qín项xiàng之zhī际jì，天tiān下xià大dà乱luàn，民mín无wú定dìng主zhǔ，故gù招zhāo降xiáng赏shǎng附fù，以yǐ劝quàn来lái耳ěr。今jīn海hǎi内nèi一yī统tǒng，惟wéi黄huáng巾jīn造zào反fǎn；若ruò容róng其qí降jiàng，无wú以yǐ劝quàn善shàn。使shǐ贼zéi得dé利lì恣zì意yì劫jié掠lüè，失shī利lì便biàn投tóu降xiáng：此cí长zhǎng寇kòu之zhī志zhì，非fēi良liáng策cè也yě。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「不bù容róng寇kòu降jiàng是shì矣yǐ。

Said Yüan-tê, “Seeing that the founder of the Han Dynasty could welcome the submissive and receive the favourable why reject these?” “The conditions are different,” replied Chu Chien. “In those days disorder was universal and the people had no fixed lord. Wherefore submission was welcomed and support rewarded to encourage people to come over. Now the Empire is united and the Yellow Turbans are the only malcontents. To receive their surrender is not to encourage the good. To allow brigands, when successful, to give way to every licence, and to let them surrender when they fail is to encourage brigandage. Your plan is not a good one.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-13

今jīn四sì麺miàn围wéi如rú铁tié桶tǒng，贼zéi乞qǐ降xiáng不bù得dé，必bì然rán死sǐ战zhàn，万wàn人rén一yī心xīn，尚shàng不bù可kě当dāng，况kuàng城chéng中zhōng有yǒu数shù万wàn死sǐ命mìng之zhī人rén乎hū？不bú若ruò撤chè去qù东dōng南nán，独dú攻gōng西xī北běi。贼zéi必bì弃qì城chéng而ér走zǒu，无wú心xīn恋liàn战zhàn，可kě即jí擒qín也yě。」俊jùn然rán之zhī，遂suì撤chè东dōng南nán二èr麺miàn军jūn马mǎ，一yī齐qí攻gōng打dǎ西xī北běi。韩hán忠zhōng果guó引yǐn军jūn弃qì城chéng而ér奔bēn。

Yüan-tê replied, “Not to let brigands surrender is well. But the city is surrounded as by an iron barrel. If the rebels’ request be refused they will be desperate and fight to the death and a myriad such men cannot be withstood. In the city there are many times that number, all doomed to death. Let us withdraw from one corner and only attack the opposite. They will all assuredly flee and have no desire to fight. We shall take them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-14

俊jùn与yǔ玄xuán德dé、关guān、张zhāng率lǜ三sān军jūn掩yǎn杀shā，射shè死sǐ韩hán忠zhōng，余yú皆jiē四sì散sàn奔bēn走zǒu。

“We can capture these,” said he to his father.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-15

正zhèng追zhuī赶gǎn间jiān，赵zhào弘hóng、孙sūn仲zhòng引yǐn贼zéi众zhòng到dào，与yǔ俊jùn交jiāo战zhàn。俊jùn见jiàn弘hóng势shì大dà，引yǐn军jūn暂zàn退tuì。弘hóng乘chéng势shì复fù夺duó宛wǎn城chéng。俊jùn离lí十shí里lǐ下xià寨zhài，方fāng欲yù攻gōng打dǎ，忽hū见jiàn正zhèng东dōng一yī彪biāo人rén马mǎ到dào来lái。为wéi首shǒu一yī将jiāng，生shēng得dé广guǎng额é阔kuò麺miàn，虎hú体tǐ熊xióng腰yāo；吴wú郡jùn富fù春chūn人rén也yě：姓xìng孙sūn，名míng坚jiān，字zì文wén台tái，乃nǎi孙sūn武wǔ子zi之zhī后hòu。

Chu Chien saw that the advice was good and followed it. As predicted the rebels ran out, led by Han Chung. The besiegers fell upon them as they fled and their leader was slain. They scattered in all directions. But the other two rebels came with large reinforcements, and as they appeared very strong, the government soldiers retired and the new body of rebels entered Wanch‘êng. Chu Chien encamped ten li from the city and prepared to attack. Just then there arrived a body of horse and foot from the east. They were led by one Sun Chien.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-16

年nián十shí七qī岁suì，与yǔ父fù至zhì钱qián塘táng，见jiàn海hǎi贼zéi十shí余yú人rén，劫jié取qǔ商shāng人rén财cái物wù，于yú岸àn上shàng分fēn赃zāng。坚jiān谓wèi父fù曰yuē：「此cǐ贼zéi可kě擒qín也yě。」遂suì奋fèn力lì提tí刀dāo上shàng岸àn，扬yáng声shēng大dà叫jiào，东dōng西xī指zhǐ挥huī，如rú唤huàn人rén状zhuàng。贼zéi以yǐ为wéi官guān兵bīng至zhì，侭jǐn弃qì财cái物wù奔bēn走zǒu。坚jiān赶gǎn上shàng，杀shā一yī贼zéi。由yóu是shì郡jùn县xiàn知zhī名míng，荐jiàn为wèi校xiào尉wèi。

Sun Chien had a broad open face, was lithe and yet powerfully built. He was a native of Wu, a descendant of Sun Wu. His minor name was Wên-tai. When he was seventeen he was with his father on the Ch‘ientang River and saw a party of pirates, who had been plundering a merchant, dividing their booty on the river bank. “We can capture these,” said he to his father. So, gripping his sword, he ran boldly up the bank and cried out to this side and that as if he was calling his men to come on. This made the pirates believe the soldiers were on them and they fled, leaving their booty behind them. He actually killed one of the pirates.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-17

由yóu是shì郡jùn县xiàn知zhī名míng，荐jiàn为wèi校xiào尉wèi。后hòu会huì稽jī妖yāo贼zéi许xǔ昌chāng造zào反fǎn，自zì称chēng阳yáng明míng皇huáng帝dì聚jù众zhòng数shù万wàn；坚jiān与yǔ郡jùn司sī马mǎ招zhāo募mù勇yǒng士shì千qiān余yú人rén，会huì合hé州zhōu郡jùn破pò之zhī，斩zhán许xǔ昌chāng并bìng其qí子zi许xǔ韶sháo。刺cì史shǐ臧zāng旻mín，上shàng表biǎo奏zòu其qí功gōng，除chú坚jiān为wèi盐yán渎dú丞chéng；又yòu除chú盱xū眙yí丞chéng，下xià邳pī丞chéng。今jīn见jiàn黄huáng巾jīn寇kòu起qǐ，聚jù集jí乡xiāng中zhōng少shào年nián及jí诸zhū商shāng旅lǚ，并bìng淮huái泗sì精jīng兵bīng一yī千qiān五wú百bǎi余yú人rén，前qián来lái接jiē应yīng。

In this way be became known and was recommended for official rank. Then, in collaboration with the local officials, he raised a band and helped to quell the rebellion of one Hsü Ch‘ang, who called himself the Yangming Emperor. The rebel’s son was also slain. For this he was commended in a memorial to the throne and received further promotion. When the Yellow Turban rebellion began he gathered together the young men of his village, some of the merchant class, got a company and a half of veteran soldiers and took the field. Now he had reached the fighting area.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-18

朱zhū俊jùn大dà喜xǐ，便biàn令lìng坚jiān攻gōng打dǎ南nán门mén，玄xuán德dé打dá北běi门mén，朱zhū俊jùn打dǎ西xī门mén，留liú东dōng门mén与yǔ贼zéi走zǒu。孙sūn坚jiān首shǒu先xiān登dēng城chéng，斩zhǎn贼zéi二èr十shí余yú人rén，贼zéi众zhòng奔bēn溃kuì。赵zhào弘hóng飞fēi马mǎ突tū槊shuò，直zhí取qǔ孙sūn坚jiān。坚jiān从cóng城chéng上shàng飞fēi身shēn夺duó弘hóng槊shuò，刺cì弘hóng下xià马mǎ；却què骑qí弘hóng马mǎ，飞fēi身shēn往wǎng来lái杀shā贼zéi。孙sūn仲zhòng引yǐn贼zéi突tū出chū北běi门mén，正zhèng迎yíng玄xuán德dé，无wú心xīn恋liàn战zhàn，只zhǐ待dài奔bēn逃táo。

Chu Chien welcomed him gladly and ordered him to attack the south gate. Other gates were simultaneously attacked, but the east gate was left free to give the rebels a chance of exit. Sun Chien was the first to mount the wall and cut down a score of men with his own hand. The rebels ran, but Chao Hung their leader, rode directly at Sun Chien with his spear ready to thrust. Sun Chien leaped down from the wall, snatched away the spear and with it knocked the rebel from his horse. Then mounting the horse he rode hither and thither, slaying as he went.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-19

玄xuán德dé张zhāng弓gōng一yī箭jiàn，正zhèng中zhōng孙sūn仲zhòng，翻fān身shēn落luò马mǎ。朱zhū俊jùn大dà军jūn，随suí后hòu掩yǎn杀shā，斩zhán首shǒu数shù万wàn级jí，降jiàng者zhě不bù可kě胜shèng计jì。南nán阳yáng一yī路lù，十shí数shù郡jùn皆jiē平píng。俊jùn班bān师shī回huí京jīng，诏zhào封fēng为wèi车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn，河hé南nán尹yǐn。俊jùn表biǎo奏zòu孙sūn坚jiān、刘liú备bèi等děng功gōng。坚jiān有yǒu人rén情qíng，除chú别bié郡jùn司sī马mǎ上shàng任rèn去qù了le；惟wéi玄xuán德dé听tīng候hòu日rì久jiǔ，不bù得dé除chú授shòu。

The rebels fled north. Meeting Yüan-tê they declined to fight and scattered. But Yüan-tê drew his bow, fitted an arrow and wounded their leader Sun Chung, who fell to the ground. The main army came up, and after tremendous slaughter, the others surrendered. Thus was peace brought to the country about Nanyang. Chu Chien led his army to the capital, was promoted to a General of Cavalry and received the governorship of Honan. He did not forget those who had helped him to win victory.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-20

三sān人rén郁yù郁yù不bú乐lè，上shàng街jiē闲xián行xíng，正zhèng值zhí郎láng中zhōng张zhāng钧jūn车chē到dào。玄xuán德dé见jiàn之zhī，自zì陈chén功gōng绩jì。钧jūn大dà惊jīng，随suí入rù朝cháo见jiàn帝dì曰yuē：「昔xī黄huáng巾jīn造zào反fǎn，其qí原yuán皆jiē由yóu十shí常cháng侍shì卖mài官guān鬻yù爵jué，非fēi亲qīn不bú用yòng，非fēi雠chóu不bù诛zhū，以yǐ致zhì天tiān下xià大dà乱luàn。今jīn宜yí斩zhǎn十shí常cháng侍shì，悬xuán首shǒu南nán郊jiāo，遣qián使shí者zhě布bú告gào天tiān下xià，有yǒu功gōng者zhě重zhòng加jiā赏shǎng赐cì，则zé四sì海hǎi自zì清qīng平píng也yě。

Sun Chien, having influential friends to support him, quickly got an appointment and went to it. But Yüan-tê, in spite of Chu Chien’s memorial, waited in vain for preferment and the three brothers became very sad. Walking along one day Yüan-tê met a Court official, Chang Chün by name, to whom he related his services and told his sorrows. Chang was much surprised at this neglect and one day at Court spoke to the Emperor about it.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-21

」十shí常cháng侍shì奏zòu帝dì曰yuē：「张zhāng钧jūn欺qī主zhǔ。」帝dì令lìng武wǔ士shì逐zhú出chū张zhāng钧jūn。十shí常cháng侍shì共gòng议yì：「此cǐ必bì破pò黄huáng巾jīn有yǒu功gōng者zhě，不bù得dé除chú授shòu，故gù生shēng怨yuàn言yán。权quán且qiě教jiào省shěng家jiā铨quán注zhù微wēi名míng，待dài后hòu却què再zài理lǐ会huì未wèi晚wǎn。」因yīn此cǐ玄xuán德dé除chú授shòu定dìng州zhōu中zhōng山shān府fǔ安ān喜xǐ县xiàn尉wèi，克kè日rì赴fù任rèn。

Said he, “The Yellow Turbans rebelled because the eunuchs sold offices and bartered ranks. There was employment only for their friends, punishment only for their enemies. This led to rebellion. Wherefore it would be well to slay the eunuchs and expose their heads and proclaim what had been done throughout the whole empire. Then reward the worthy. Thereby the land would be wholly tranquil.” But the eunuchs fiercely opposed this and said the memorialist was insulting the Emperor and they bade the guard thrust him without. However, the eunuchs took counsel together and one said, “Surely some one who rendered some service against rebels resents being passed over.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-22

玄xuán德dé将jiàng兵bīng散sàn回huí乡xiāng里lǐ，止zhǐ带dài亲qīn随suí二èr十shí余yú人rén，与yǔ关guān、张zhāng来lái安ān喜xǐ县xiàn中zhōng到dào任rèn。署shǔ县xiàn事shì一yí月yuè，与yǔ民mín秋qiū毫háo无wú犯fàn，民mín皆jiē感gǎn化huà。到dào任rèn之zhī后hòu，与yǔ关guān、张zhāng食shí则zé同tóng桌zhuō，寝qǐn则zé同tóng床chuáng。如rú玄xuán德dé在zài稠chóu人rén广guǎng坐zuò，关guān、张zhāng侍shì立lì，终zhōng日rì不bú倦juàn。

So they caused a list of unimportant people to be prepared for preferment by and by. Among them was Yüan-tê, who received the post of magistrate of the Anhsi district, to which he proceeded without delay after disbanding his men and sending them home to their villages. He retained a score or so as escort.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-23

到dào县xiàn未wèi及jí四sì月yuè，朝cháo廷tíng降jiàng诏zhào，凡fán有yǒu军jūn功gōng为wèi长zhǎng吏lì者zhě当dāng沙shā汰tài。玄xuán德dé疑yí在zài遣qiǎn中zhōng。适shì督dū邮yóu行xíng部bú至zhì县xiàn，玄xuán德dé出chū墎guō迎yíng接jiē，见jiàn督dū邮yóu施shī礼lǐ。督dū邮yóu坐zuò于yú马mǎ上shàng，惟wéi微wēi以yǐ鞭biān指zhǐ回huí答dá。关guān、张zhāng二èr公gōng俱jù怒nù。及jí到dào馆guǎn驿yì，督dū邮yóu南nán麺miàn高gāo坐zuò，玄xuán德dé侍shì立lì阶jiē下xià。良liáng久jiǔ，督dū邮yóu问wèn曰yuē：「刘liú县xiàn尉wèi是shì何hé出chū身shēn？

The three brothers reached Anhsi, and soon the administration of the district was so reformed and the rule so wise that in a month there was no law-breaking. The three brothers lived in perfect harmony, eating at the same table and sleeping on the same couch. But when Yüan-tê was in the company of others, the two younger brothers would stand in attendance, were it even a whole day. Four months after their arrival there came out a general order for the reduction of the number of military officers holding civil posts, and Yüan-tê began to fear that he would be among those thrown out. In due course the inspecting official arrived and was met at the boundary, but to the polite obeisance of Yüan-tê he made no return, save a wave of his whip as he sat on his horse. This made the younger brothers furious; but worse was to follow. When the inspector had arrived at his lodging, he took his seat on the daïs leaving Yüan-tê standing below. After a long time he addressed him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-24

」玄xuán德dé曰yuē「备bèi乃nǎi中zhōng山shān靖jìng王wáng之zhī后hòu自zì涿zhuō郡jùn剿jiǎo戮lù黄huáng巾jīn大dà小xiǎo三sān十shí余yú战zhàn颇pó有yǒu微wēi功gōng因yīn得dé除chú今jīn职zhí。」督dū邮yóu大dà喝hē曰yuē「汝rǔ诈zhà称chēng皇huáng亲qīn虚xū报bào功gōng绩jì目mù今jīn朝zhāo廷tíng降jiàng诏zhào正zhèng要yào沙shā汰tài这zhè等děng滥làn官guān污wū吏lì」玄xuán德dé喏nuò喏nuò连lián声shēng而ér退tuì。归guī到dào县xiàn中zhōng与yǔ县xiàn吏lì商shāng议yì。吏lì曰yuē「督dū邮yóu入rù威wēi无wú非fēi要yào贿huì赂lù耳ěr。」

“Magistrate Liu, what was your origin?” Liu Pei replied, “I am descended from Prince Ching. Since my first fight with the Yellow Turban rebels at Chochün I have been in some score of battles, wherein I gained some trifling merit. My reward was this office.” “You lie about your descent and your statement of services is false,” roared the inspector. “Now the Court has ordered the reduction of your sort of low class officials.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-25

玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「我wó与yǔ民mín秋qiū毫háo无wú犯fàn，那nà得dé财cái物wù与yǔ他tā？」次cì日rì，督dū邮yóu先xiān提tí县xiàn吏lì去qù，勒lè令lìng指zhǐ称chēng县xiàn尉wèi害hài民mín。玄xuán德dé几jǐ番fān自zì往wǎng求qiú免miǎn，俱jù被bèi门mén役yì阻zǔ住zhù，不bù肯kěn放fàng参cān。

Yüan-tê muttered to himself and withdrew. On his return to the magistracy he took council with his secretaries. “This pompous attitude only means he wants a bribe,” said they. “I have never wronged the people to the value of a single stalk of stubble; then where is a bribe to come from?” Next day the inspector had the minor officials before him and forced them to bear witness that their master had oppressed the people. Yüan-tê time after time went to rebut this charge, but the doorkeepers drove him away and he could not enter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-26

郤xì说shuō张zhāng飞fēi饮yǐn了le数shù杯bēi闷mèn酒jiǔ，乘chéng马mǎ从cóng馆guǎn驿yì前qián过guò，见jiàn五wǔ六liù十shí个gè老lǎo人rén，皆jiē在zài门mén前qián痛tòng哭kū。飞fēi问wèn其qí故gù。众zhòng老lǎo人rén答dá曰yuē：「督dū邮yóu逼bī勒lēi县xiàn吏lì，欲yù害hài刘liú公gōng；我wó等děng皆jiē来lái苦kǔ告gào，不bù得dé放fàng入rù，反fǎn遭zāo把bǎ门mén人rén赶gán打dǎ！」张zhāng飞fēi大dà怒nù，睁zhēng圆yuán环huán眼yǎn，咬yǎo碎suì钢gāng牙yá，滚gǔn鞍ān下xià马mǎ，迳jìng入rù馆guǎn驿yì，把bǎ门mén人rén那nà里lí阻zú挡dǎng得dé住zhù。

Now Chang Fei had been all day drowning his sorrow in wine and had drunk far too much. Calling for his horse he rode out past the lodging of the inspector, and at the gate saw a small crowd of white-haired men weeping bitterly. He asked why. They said, “The inspector has compelled the underlings to bear false witness against our magistrate, with the desire to injure the noble Liu. We came to beg mercy for him, but are not permitted to enter. Moreover, we have been beaten by the doorkeepers.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-27

直zhí奔bēn后hòu堂táng，见jiàn督dū邮yóu正zhèng坐zuò厅tīng上shàng，将jiāng县xiàn吏lì绑bǎng倒dào在zài地dì。飞fēi大dà喝hē：「害hài民mín贼zéi！认rèn得de我wǒ么me？」督dū邮yóu未wèi及jí开kāi言yán，早zǎo被bèi张zhāng飞fēi揪jiū住zhù头tóu发fà，扯chě出chū馆guǎn驿yì，直zhí到dào县xiàn前qián马mǎ桩zhuāng上shàng缚fù住zhù；扳bān下xià柳liǔ条tiáo，去qù督dū邮yóu两liáng腿tuǐ上shàng著zhù力lì鞭biān打dǎ，一yī连lián打dǎ折zhé柳liǔ条tiáo十shí数shù枝zhī。

This provoked the irascible and half intoxicated man to fury. His eyes opened till they became circles; he ground his teeth; in a moment he was off his steed, had forced his way past the scared doorkeepers into the building and was in the rear apartments. There he saw the inspector sitting on high with the official underlings in bonds at his feet. “Oppressor of the people, robber!” cried Fei, “do you know me?” But before he could reply Fei had him by the hair and had dragged him down. Another moment he was outside and firmly lashed to the hitching post in front of the building. Then breaking off a switch from a willow tree Fei gave his victim a severe thrashing, only staying his hand when the switch was too short to strike with.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-28

玄xuán德dé正zhèng纳nà闷mèn间jiān听tīng得dé县xiàn前qián喧xuān闹nào问wèn左zuǒ右yòu答dá曰yuē「张zhāng将jiāng军jūn绑bǎng一yī人rén在zài县xiàn前qián痛tòng打dǎ。」玄xuán德dé忙máng去qù观guān之zhī见jiàn绑bǎng缚fù者zhé乃nǎi督dū邮yóu也yě。玄xuán德dé惊jīng问wèn其qí故gù。飞fēi曰yuē「此cí等děng害hài民mín贼zéi不bù打dá死sí等děng甚shèn」督dū邮yóu告gào曰yuē「玄xuán德dé公gōng救jiù我wǒ性xìng命mìng」玄xuán德dé终zhōng是shì仁rén慈cí的de人rén急jí喝hē张zhāng飞fēi住zhù手shǒu。

Yüan-tê was sitting alone, communing with his sorrow, when he heard a shouting before his door. He asked what was the matter. They told him General Chang had bound somebody to a post and was thrashing him. Hastily going outside he saw who the unhappy victim was and asked the reason. “If we do not beat this sort of wretch to death what may we expect?” said Fei. “Noble Sir, save me,” cried the victim. Now Yüan-tê had always been kindly and gracious, wherefore he bade his brother release the officer and go his way.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-29

傍bàng边biān转zhuǎn过guò关guān公gōng来lái曰yuē「兄xiōng长zhǎng建jiàn许xǔ多duō大dà功gōng仅jǐn得dé县xiàn尉wèi今jīn反fǎn被bèi督dū邮yóu侮wú辱rǔ。吾wú思sī枳zhǐ棘jí丛cóng中zhōng非fēi栖qī鸾luán凤fèng之zhī所suǒ不bù如rú杀shā督dū邮yóu弃qì官guān归guī乡xiāng别bié图tú远yuǎn大dà之zhī计jì。」玄xuán德dé乃nái取qǔ印yìn绶shòu挂guà于yú督dū邮yóu之zhī颈jǐng责zé之zhī曰yuē「据jù汝rǔ害hài民mín本běn当dāng杀shā却què今jīn姑gū饶ráo汝rǔ命mìng。吾wú缴jiǎo还hái印yìn绶shòu从cóng此cǐ去qù矣yǐ」

Then Kuan Yü came up saying, “Brother, after your magnificent services you only got this petty post and even here you have been insulted by this fellow . A thorn bush is no place for a phoenix. Let us slay this fellow, leave here and go home till we can evolve a bigger scheme.” Yüan-tê contented himself with hanging the official seal about the inspector’s neck saying, “If I hear that you injure the people I will assuredly kill you. I now spare your life and I return to you the seal. We are going.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-30

督dū邮yóu归guī告gào定dìng州zhōu太tài守shǒu，太tài守shǒu申shēn文wén省shéng府fǔ，差chà人rén捕bǔ捉zhuō。玄xuán德dé、关guān、张zhāng三sān人rén往wǎng代dài州zhōu投tóu刘liú恢huī。恢huī见jiàn玄xuán德dé乃nǎi汉hàn室shì宗zōng亲qīn，留liú匿nì在zài家jiā不bù题tí。

The inspector went to the Prefect and complained, and orders were issued for the arrest of the brothers, but they got away to Taichou and sought refuge with Liu Hui, who sheltered them because of Liu Pei’s noble birth.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-31

却què说shuō十shí常cháng侍shì既jì握wò重zhòng权quán，互hù相xiāng商shāng议yì：但dàn有yǒu不bù从cóng己jí者zhě，诛zhū之zhī。赵zhào忠zhōng，张zhāng让ràng，差chà人rén问wèn破pò黄huáng巾jīn将jiàng士shì索suǒ金jīn帛bó，不bù从cóng者zhě奏zòu罢bà职zhí。皇huáng甫fǔ嵩sōng、朱zhū俊jùn皆jiē不bù肯kén与yǔ，赵zhào忠zhōng等děng俱jù奏zòu罢bà其qí官guān。帝dì又yòu封fēng赵zhào忠zhōng等děng为wèi车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn，张zhāng让ràng等děng十shí三sān人rén皆jiē封fēng列liè侯hóu。朝cháo政zhèng愈yù坏huài，人rén民mín嗟jiē怨yuàn。于yú是shì长cháng沙shā贼zéi区qū星xīng作zuò乱luàn；

But nothing will be here related of this. By this time the Ten Eunuchs had everything in their hands and they put to death all who did not stand in with them. From every officer who had helped to put down the rebels they demanded presents, and if these were not forthcoming he was removed from office. Huangfu and Chu both fell victims to these intrigues, while on the other hand the eunuchs received the highest honours. Thirteen of them were ennobled. The government grew worse and worse and every one was irritated.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-32

渔yú阳yáng张zhāng举jǔ、张zhāng纯chún反fǎn：举jǔ称chēng天tiān子zi，纯chún称chēng大dà将jiāng军jūn。表biǎo章zhāng雪xuě片piàn告gào急jí，十shí常cháng侍shì皆jiē藏cáng匿nì不bú奏zòu。

But nothing will be here related of this. By this time the Ten Eunuchs had everything in their hands and they put to death all who did not stand in with them. From every officer who had helped to put down the rebels they demanded presents, and if these were not forthcoming he was removed from office. Huangfu and Chu both fell victims to these intrigues, while on the other hand the eunuchs received the highest honours. Thirteen of them were ennobled. The government grew worse and worse and every one was irritated.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-33

一yī日rì，帝dì在zài后hòu园yuán与yǔ十shí常cháng侍shì饮yǐn宴yàn，谏jiàn议yì大dà夫fū刘liú陶táo，迳jìng到dào帝dì前qián大dà恸tòng。帝dì问wèn其qí故gù。陶táo曰yuē：「天tiān下xià危wēi在zài旦dàn夕xī，陛bì下xià尚shàng自zì与yǔ阉yān官guān共gòng饮yǐn耶yé！」帝dì曰yuē：「国guó家jiā承chéng平píng，有yǒu何hé危wēi急jí？」陶táo曰yuē：「四sì方fāng盗dào贼zéi并bìng起qǐ，侵qīn掠lüè州zhōu郡jùn。其qí祸huò皆jiē由yóu十shí常cháng侍shì卖mài官guān害hài民mín，欺qī君jūn罔wǎng上shàng。朝cháo廷tíng正zhèng人rén皆jiē去qù，祸huò在zài目mù前qián矣yǐ！

Rebellion broke out in Changsha led by one Ou Hsing, and in other places. Memorials were sent up in number as snow flakes in winter, but the eunuchs suppressed them all. One day the Emperor was at a feast in one of the gardens with the eunuchs when a certain high minister Liu T‘ao suddenly appeared showing very great distress. The Emperor asked what was the matter. “Sire, how can you be feasting with these when the Empire is at the last gasp?” said Liu T‘ao. “All is well,” said the Emperor , “Where is anything wrong?” Said T‘ao, “Robbers swarm on all sides and plunder the cities. And all is the fault of the Ten Eunuchs who sell offices and injure the people, oppress the prince and deceive their superiors. All virtuous men have left the services and misfortune is before our very eyes.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-34

」十shí常cháng侍shì皆jiē免miǎn冠guān跪guì伏fú于yú帝dì前qián曰yuē：「大dà臣chén不bù相xiāng容róng，臣chén等děng不bù能néng活huó矣yǐ。愿yuàn乞qǐ性xìng命mìng归guī田tián里lǐ，侭jǐn将jiāng家jiā产chán以yǐ助zhù军jūn资zī。」言yán罢bà痛tòng哭kū。帝dì怒nù谓wèi陶táo曰yuē：「汝rǔ家jiā亦yì有yǒu近jìn侍shì之zhī人rén，何hé独dú不bù容róng朕zhèn耶yé？」呼hū武wǔ士shì推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī。刘liú陶táo大dà呼hū：「臣chén死sǐ不bù惜xī；可kě怜lián汉hàn室shì天tiān下xià，四sì百bǎi余yú年nián，到dào此cǐ一yí旦dàn休xiū矣yǐ！」

At this the eunuchs pulled off their hats and threw themselves at their master’s feet. “His Excellency disapproves of us,” they said, “and we are in danger. We pray that our lives be spared and we may go to our homes. Lo! we yield our property to help defray military expenses.” And they wept bitterly. The Emperor turned angrily to the minister, saying, “You also have servants; why can you not bear with mine?” And thereupon he called to the guards to eject T‘ao and put him to death. Liu T‘ao cried aloud, “My death matters nothing. The pity is that the Hans, after four centuries of reign, are falling fast.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-35

武wǔ士shì拥yōng陶táo出chū，方fāng欲yù行xíng刑xíng，一yī大dà臣chén喝hē住zhù曰yuē：「勿wù得dé下xià手shǒu，待dài我wǒ谏jiàn去qù。」众zhòng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi司sī徒tú陈chén耽dān。迳jìng入rù室shì中zhōng来lái谏jiàn帝dì曰yuē：「刘liú谏jiàn议yì得dé何hé罪zuì而ér受shòu诛zhū？」帝dì曰yuē：「毁huǐ谤bàng近jìn臣chén，冒mào朕zhèn躬gōng。」耽dān曰yuē：「天tiān下xià人rén民mín，欲yù食shí十shí常cháng侍shì之zhī肉ròu，陛bì下xià敬jìng之zhī如rú父fù母mǔ，身shēn无wú寸cùn功gōng，皆jiē封fēng列liè侯hóu；

The guards hustled him away and were just about to carry out their orders when another minister stopped them, saying, “Strike not! Wait till I have spoken with His Majesty.” It was the Ssŭ-tu , Chên Tan. He went in to the Emperor, to whom he said, “For what fault is Liu the Censor to be put to death?” “He has vilified my servants; and has insulted me,” said the Emperor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-36

况kuàng封fēng谞xū等děng结jié连lián黄huáng巾jīn，欲yù为wèi内nèi乱luàn：陛bì下xià今jīn不bú自zì省xǐng，社shè稷jì立lì见jiàn崩bēng摧cuī矣yǐ！」帝dì曰yuē：「封fēng谞xū作zuò乱luàn，其qí事shì不bù明míng。十shí常cháng侍shì中zhōng，岂qǐ无wú一yī二èr忠zhōng臣chén？」陈chén耽dān以yǐ头tóu撞zhuàng阶jiē而ér谏jiàn。帝dì怒nù，命mìng牵qiān出chū，与yǔ刘liú陶táo皆jiē下xià狱yù。是shì夜yè，十shí常cháng侍shì即jí于yú狱yù中zhōng谋móu杀shā之zhī；假jiǎ帝dì诏zhào以yǐ孙sūn坚jiān为wèi长cháng沙shā太tài守shǒu，讨tǎo区qū星xīng。

“All the Empire would eat the flesh of the eunuchs if they could, and yet, Sire, you respect them as if they were your parents. They have no merit, but they are created nobles. Moreover, Fêng Hsü was in league with the late rebels. Unless Your Majesty looks to it the State will fall. ” “There was no proof against Fêng,” replied the Emperor. “Are there none faithful among the eunuchs?” The minister beat his forehead on the steps of the throne and did not desist from remonstrance. Then the Emperor grew angry and commanded his removal and imprisonment with Liu T‘ao. That night he was murdered.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-37

不bù五wǔ十shí日rì，报bào捷jié，江jiāng夏xià平píng。诏zhào封fēng坚jiān为wèi乌wū程chéng侯hóu；封fēng刘liú虞yú为wèi幽yōu州zhōu牧mù，领lǐng兵bīng往wǎng渔yú阳yáng征zhēng张zhāng举jǔ、张zhāng纯chún。代dài州zhōu刘liú恢huī以yǐ书shū荐jiàn玄xuán德dé见jiàn虞yú。虞yú大dà喜xǐ，令lìng玄xuán德dé为wèi都dū尉wèi，引yǐn兵bīng直zhí抵dǐ贼zéi巢cháo，与yǔ贼zéi大dà战zhàn数shù日rì，挫cuò动dòng锐ruì气qì。张zhāng纯chún专zhuān一yī凶xiōng暴bào，士shì卒zú心xīn变biàn，帐zhàng下xià头tou目mù刺cì杀shā张zhāng纯chún，将jiāng头tóu纳nà献xiàn，率lǜ众zhòng来lái降jiàng。

The minister beat his forehead on the steps of the throne and did not desist from remonstrance. Then the Emperor grew angry and commanded his removal and imprisonment with Liu T‘ao. That night he was murdered.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-38

张zhāng举jǔ见jiàn势shì败bài，亦yì自zì缢yì死sǐ。渔yú阳yáng侭jǐn平píng。刘liú虞yú表biǎo奏zòu刘liú备bèi大dà功gōng，朝cháo廷tíng赦shè免miǎn鞭biān督dū邮yóu之zhī罪zuì，除chú下xià密mì丞chéng，迁qiān高gāo堂táng尉wèi。公gōng孙sūn瓒zàn又yòu表biǎo陈chén玄xuán德dé前qián功gōng，荐jiàn为wèi别bié部bù司sī马mǎ，守shǒu平píng原yuán县xiàn令lìng。玄xuán德dé在zài平píng原yuán，颇pó有yǒu钱qián粮liáng军jūn马mǎ，重zhòng整zhěng旧jiù日rì气qì象xiàng。刘liú虞yú平píng寇kòu有yǒu功gōng，封fēng太tài尉wèi。

Then a forged edict went forth making Sun Chien Prefect of Changsha, with orders to suppress the rebellion, and in less than two months he reported the district all tranquil. For this he was created Marquis of Wuch‘êng. Further Liu Yü was made magistrate of Yuchow to move against Yüyang and suppress Chang Chü and Chang Shun. The Prefect of Taichow recommended Yüan-tê to Liu Yü, who welcomed him and gave him rank and sent him against the rebels. He fought with and worsted them, and entirely broke their spirit. Chang Shun was cruel and his men turned against him. One of his officers then slew him and brought in his head, after which the others submitted. The other leader Chang Chü saw that all was lost and committed suicide. Yüyang being now tranquil Liu Pei’s services were reported to the throne and he received full pardon for the insult to the inspector. He also became an official in Mich‘êng. Then Sun Chien stated his previous good services and he was made Pieh-pu Ssŭ-ma and sent to Pingyüan. This place was very prosperous and Yüan-tê recovered something of his old manner before the days of adversity. Liu Yü also received preferment.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-39

中zhōng平píng六liù年nián，夏xià四sì月yuè，灵líng帝dì病bìng笃dǔ，召zhào大dà将jiāng军jūn何hé进jìn入rù宫gōng，商shāng议yì后hòu事shì。那nà何hé进jìn起qǐ身shēn屠tú家jiā；因yīn妹mèi入rù宫gōng为wèi贵guì人rén，生shēng皇huáng子zi辩biàn，遂suì立lì为wèi皇huáng后hòu，进jìn由yóu是shì得dé权quán重zhòng任rèn。帝dì又yòu宠chǒng幸xìng王wáng美měi人rén，生shēng皇huáng子zi协xié。何hé后hòu嫉jí妒dù，鸩zhèn杀shā王wáng美měi人rén。皇huáng子zi协xié养yǎng于yú董dǒng太tài后hòu宫gōng中zhōng。董dǒng太tài后hòu乃nǎi灵líng帝dì之zhī母mǔ，解jiě渎dú亭tíng侯hóu刘liú苌cháng之zhī妻qī也yě。

Yüyang being now tranquil Liu Pei’s services were reported to the throne and he received full pardon for the insult to the inspector. He also became an official in Mich‘êng. Then Sun Chien stated his previous good services and he was made Pieh-pu Ssŭ-ma and sent to Pingyüan. This place was very prosperous and Yüan-tê recovered something of his old manner before the days of adversity. Liu Yü also received preferment.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-40

初chū因yīn桓huán帝dì无wú子zi，迎yíng立lì解jiě渎dú亭tíng侯hóu之zhī子zi，是shì为wèi灵líng帝dì。灵líng帝dì入rù继jì大dà统tǒng，遂suì迎yíng养yáng母mǔ氏shì于yú宫gōng中zhōng，尊zūn为wèi太tài后hòu。董dǒng太tài后hòu尝cháng劝quàn帝dì立lì皇huáng子zi协xié为wèi太tài子zi。帝dì亦yì偏piān爱ài协xié，欲yù立lì之zhī。当dāng时shí病bìng笃dǔ，中zhōng常cháng侍shì蹇jiǎn硕shuò奏zòu曰yuē：「若ruò欲yù立lì协xié，必bì先xiān诛zhū何hé进jìn，以yǐ绝jué后hòu患huàn。」帝dì然rán其qí说shuō，因yīn宣xuān进jìn入rù宫gōng。

In the summer of the year A.D. 189 the Emperor became seriously ill and summoned Ho Chin into the palace to arrange for the future. This man Ho had sprung from a humble family of butchers, but a sister had become a concubine of rank and borne a son to the Emperor, named Pien. After this she became Huang-hou or Empress and Ho Chin became powerful. The Emperor had also greatly loved a beautiful girl named Wang who had borne him a son named Hsieh. The Empress Ho had poisoned the girl from jealousy, and the babe had been given into the care of the Empress Dowager Tung, who was the mother of the Emperor Ling. She was the wife of Liu Chang, the Marquis of Tu-ting. As time went on and the Emperor Huan had no son of his own he adopted the son of the marquis, who succeeded as the Emperor Ling. After his accession he had taken his own mother into the palace to live and had conferred upon her the title of T‘ai-hou , or Empress Dowager.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-41

进jìn至zhì宫gōng门mén，司sī马mǎ潘pān隐yǐn谓wèi进jìn曰yuē：「不bù可kě入rù宫gōng：蹇jiǎn硕shuò欲yù谋móu杀shā公gōng。」进jìn大dà惊jīng，急jí归guī私sī宅zhái，召zhào诸zhū大dà臣chén，欲yù侭jǐn诛zhū宦huàn官guān。座zuò上shàng一yī人rén挺tǐng身shēn出chū曰yuē：「宦huàn官guān之zhī势shì，起qǐ自zì冲chōng、质zhì之zhī时shí；朝cháo廷tíng滋zī蔓màn极jí广guǎng，安ān能néng侭jǐn诛zhū？倘tǎng机jī不bú密mì，必bì有yǒu灭miè族zú之zhī祸huò：请qǐng细xì详xiáng之zhī。」进jìn视shì之zhī，乃nái典diǎn军jūn校xiào尉wèi曹cáo操cāo也yě。

The Dowager Empress had always tried to persuade her son to name Hsieh as the Heir Apparent, and in fact the Emperor greatly loved the boy and was disposed to do as his mother desired. When he fell ill one of the eunuchs said, “If Hsieh is to succeed, Ho Chin must be killed.” The Emperor saw this too and commanded Ho Chin to come to him. But at the very gates of the palace Ho had been warned of his danger and had secreted himself. Ho had then called many of the ministers to his side and they met to consider how to put the eunuchs to death. At this assembly Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had spoken saying, “The influence of the eunuchs dates back half a century and has spread like a noxious weed in all directions. How can we hope to destroy it? Above all keep this plot secret or you will be exterminated.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-42

进jìn叱chì曰yuē：「汝rú小xiǎo辈bèi安ān知zhī朝cháo廷tíng大dà事shì！」正zhèng踌chóu躇chú间jiān，潘pān隐yǐn至zhì，言yán：「帝dì已yǐ崩bēng。今jīn蹇jiǎn硕shuò与yǔ十shí常cháng侍shì商shāng议yì，秘mì不bù发fā丧sāng，矫jiǎo诏zhào宣xuān何hé国guó舅jiù入rù宫gōng，欲yù绝jué后hòu患huàn，册cè立lì皇huáng子zi协xié为wèi帝dì。」说shuō未wèi了liǎo，使shǐ命mìng至zhì，宣xuān进jìn速sù入rù，以yǐ定dìng后hòu事shì。操cāo曰yuē：「今jīn日rì之zhī计jì，先xiān宜yí正zhèng君jūn位wèi，然rán后hòu图tú贼zéi。

Ho Chin was very angry at this speech and cried, “What do inferiors like you know of the ways of government?” And in the midst of the confusion a messenger came to say the Emperor was no more. He also told them the eunuchs had decided to keep the death a secret and forge a command to Ho, the ‘State Uncle,’ to come into the palace to settle the succession. Meanwhile to prevent trouble they had inscribed the name of Hsieh on the roll. And as he finished speaking the edict arrived. “The matter for the moment is to set up the rightful heir,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “The other affair can wait.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-43

」进jìn曰yuē：「谁shuí敢gán与yǔ吾wú正zhèng君jūn讨tǎo贼zéi？」一yī人rén挺tǐng身shēn出chū曰yuē：「愿yuàn借jiè精jīng兵bīng五wǔ千qiān，斩zhǎn关guān入rù内nèi，册cè立lì新xīn君jūn，侭jǐn诛zhū阉yān竖shù，扫sǎo清qīng朝cháo廷tíng，以yǐ安ān天tiān下xià！」进jìn视shì之zhī，乃nǎi司sī徒tú袁yuán逢féng之zhī子zi，袁yuán隗kuí之zhī姪zhí：名míng绍shào，字zì本běn初chū，见jiàn为wèi司sī隶lì校xiào尉wèi。何hé进jìn大dà喜xǐ，遂suì点diǎn御yù林lín军jūn五wǔ千qiān。绍shào全quán身shēn披pī挂guà。

“Who dares to join me?” asked Ho Chin. At once one stood forward saying, “Give me five companies of veterans and we will break into the palace, set up the true heir, slay the eunuchs and sweep clean the government. Then will follow peace.” The energetic speaker was Yüan Shao, who then held the rank of Hsiao-yü .

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-44

何hé进jìn引yǐn何hé颙yóng、荀xún攸yōu、郑zhèng泰tài等děng大dà臣chén三sān十shí余yú员yuán，相xiāng继jì而ér入rù，就jiù灵líng帝dì柩jiù前qián，扶fú立lì太tài子zi辩biàn即jí皇huáng帝dì位wèi。

At once one stood forward saying, “Give me five companies of veterans and we will break into the palace, set up the true heir, slay the eunuchs and sweep clean the government. Then will follow peace.” The energetic speaker was Yüan Shao, who then held the rank of Hsiao-yü .

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-45

百bǎi官guān呼hū拜bài已yǐ毕bì，袁yuán绍shào入rù宫gōng收shōu蹇jiǎn硕shuò。硕shuò慌huāng走zǒu入rù御yù花huā园yuán花huā阴yīn下xià，为wèi中zhōng常cháng侍shì郭guō胜shèng所suǒ杀shā。硕shuò所suó领lǐng禁jìn军jūn，侭jǐn皆jiē投tóu顺shùn。绍shào谓wèi何hé进jìn曰yuē：「中zhōng官guān结jié党dǎng。今jīn日rì可kě乘chéng势shì侭jǐn诛zhū之zhī。」张zhāng让ràng等děng知zhī事shì急jí，慌huāng入rù告gào何hé后hòu曰yuē：「始shǐ初chū设shè谋móu陷xiàn害hài大dà将jiāng军jūn者zhě，止zhí蹇jiǎn硕shuò一yī人rén，并bìng不bú干gàn臣chén等děng事shì。

Ho Chin mustered five companies of the guards. Shao put on complete armour and took command. Ho Chin, supported by a large number of ministers, went into the palace and in the hall where lay the coffin of the late Emperor they placed Pien on the throne. After the ceremony was over and all had bowed before the new Ruler, Yüan Shao went in to arrest the eunuch Chien Shih. Shih in terror fled into the palace garden and hid among the shrubs, where he was discovered and murdered by another eunuch. The guards under his command went over to the other side. Shao thought the moment most opportune to slay all the eunuchs and it had been well if his advice had been taken. But the eunuchs scented the danger and went to the Empress Dowager Ho.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-46

今jīn大dà将jiāng军jūn听tīng袁yuán绍shào之zhī言yán，欲yù侭jǐn诛zhū臣chén等děng，乞qǐ娘niáng娘niáng怜lián悯mǐn！」何hé太tài后hòu曰yuē：「汝rú等děng勿wù忧yōu，我wǒ当dāng保báo汝rǔ。」传chuán旨zhǐ宣xuān何hé进jìn入rù。太tài后hòu密mì谓wèi曰yuē：「我wó与yú汝rǔ出chū身shēn寒hán微wēi，非fēi张zhāng让ràng等děng，焉yān能néng享xiáng此cǐ富fù贵guì？今jīn蹇jiǎn硕shuò不bù仁rén，既jì已yǐ伏fú诛zhū，汝rǔ何hé信xìn人rén言yán，欲yù侭jǐn诛zhū宦huàn官guān耶yé？

Ho Chin mustered five companies of the guards. Shao put on complete armour and took command. Ho Chin, supported by a large number of ministers, went into the palace and in the hall where lay the coffin of the late Emperor they placed Pien on the throne. After the ceremony was over and all had bowed before the new Ruler, Yüan Shao went in to arrest the eunuch Chien Shih. Shih in terror fled into the palace garden and hid among the shrubs, where he was discovered and murdered by another eunuch. The guards under his command went over to the other side. Shao thought the moment most opportune to slay all the eunuchs and it had been well if his advice had been taken. But the eunuchs scented the danger and went to the Empress Dowager Ho. They said, “The originator of the plan to injure your brother was Chien Shih; only he was concerned and no other. Now General Ho, on his lieutenant’s advice, wishes to slay every one of us. We implore thy pity, O Grandmother.” “Fear not,” said she, “I will protect you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-47

」何hé进jìn听tīng罢bà出chū谓wèi众zhòng官guān曰yuē「蹇jiǎn硕shuò设shè谋móu害hài我wó可kě族zú灭miè其qí家jiā。其qí余yú不bú必bì妄wàng加jiā残cán害hài。」袁yuán绍shào曰yuē「若ruò不bù斩zhán草cǎo除chú根gēn必bì为wèi丧sàng身shēn之zhī本běn。」进jìn曰yuē「吾wú意yì已yǐ决jué汝rǔ勿wù多duō言yán。」众zhòng官guān皆jiē退tuì。

She sent for her brother, and said, “I and you are of lowly origin and we owe our good fortune to the eunuchs. The misguided Chien Shih is now dead and need you really put all the others to death as Yüan Shao advises?” And Ho Chin obeyed her wish. He explained to his party that the real offender having met his fate they need not exterminate the whole party nor injure his colleagues. “Slay them, root and branch,” cried Shao, “or they will ruin you.” “I have decided;” said Ho, coldly, “say no more.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-48

次cì日rì，太tài后hòu命mìng何hé进jìn参cān录lù尚shàng书shū事shì，其qí余yú皆jiē封fēng官guān职zhí。董dǒng太tài后hòu宣xuān张zhāng让ràng等děng入rù宫gōng商shāng议yì曰yuē：「何hé进jìn之zhī妹mèi，始shǐ初chū我wǒ抬tái举jǔ他tā。今jīn日rì他tā孩hái儿ér即jí皇huáng帝dì位wèi，内nèi外wài臣chén僚liáo，皆jiē其qí心xīn腹fù：威wēi权quán太tài重zhòng，我wǒ将jiāng如rú何hé？」让ràng奏zòu曰yuē：「娘niáng娘niáng可kě临lín朝cháo，垂chuí帘lián听tīng政zhèng；封fēng皇huáng子zi协xié为wèi王wáng；加jiā国guó舅jiù董dǒng重zhòng大dà官guān，掌zhǎng握wò军jūn权quán；

Within a few days Ho became a President of a Board and his friends received offices. Tung T‘ai-hou summoned the eunuch Chang Jang and his party to a council. Said she, “It was I who first brought forward the sister of Ho Chin. To-day her son is on the throne and all the officials are her friends and her influence is enormous. What can we do?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-49

重zhòng用yòng臣chén等děng：大dà事shì可kě图tú矣yǐ。」董dǒng太tài后hòu大dà喜xǐ。次cì日rì设shè朝cháo，董dǒng太tài后hòu降jiàng旨zhǐ，封fēng皇huáng子zi协xié为wèi陈chén留liú王wáng，董dǒng重zhòng为wèi骠piào骑qí将jiāng军jūn，张zhāng让ràng等děng共gòng预yù朝cháo政zhèng。何hé太tài后hòu见jiàn董dǒng太tài后hòu专zhuān权quán，于yú宫gōng中zhōng设shè一yī宴yàn，请qíng董dǒng太tài后hòu赴fù席xí。酒jiǔ至zhì半bàn酣hān，何hé太tài后hòu起qǐ身shēn捧pěng杯bēi再zài拜bài曰yuē：「我wó等děng皆jiē妇fù人rén也yě，参cān预yù朝cháo政zhèng，非fēi其qí所suǒ宜yí。

Jang replied, “Madam should administer the state from ‘behind the veil’; create the Emperor’s son Hsieh a prince; give ‘Uncle’ Tung high rank and place him over the army and use us. That will do it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-50

昔xī吕lǚ后hòu因yīn握wò重zhòng权quán，宗zōng族zú千qiān口kǒu皆jiē被bèi戮lù。今jīn我wó等děng宜yí深shēn居jū九jiǔ重chóng；朝cháo廷tíng大dà事shì，任rèn大dà臣chén元yuán老lǎo自zì行xíng商shāng议yì，此cǐ国guó家jiā之zhī幸xìng也yě。愿yuàn垂chuí听tīng焉yān。」董dǒng太tài后hòu大dà怒nù曰yuē：「汝rǔ鸩zhèn死sǐ王wáng美měi人rén，设shè心xīn嫉jí妒dù。今jīn倚yí汝rǔ子zi为wéi君jūn，与yú汝rǔ兄xiōng何hé进jìn之zhī势shì，辄zhé敢gǎn乱luàn言yán！吾wú敕chì骠piào骑qí断duàn汝rǔ兄xiōng首shǒu，如rú反fán掌zháng耳ěr！

Tung T‘ai-hou approved. Next day she held a court and issued an edict in the sense proposed. When Ho T‘ai-hou saw this she prepared a banquet to which she invited her rival. In the middle of the feast, when all were well warmed with wine, she rose and offered a cup to her guest saying, “It is not fitting that we two women should meddle in state affairs. Of old when Lü T‘ai-hou laid hands upon the government all her clan were put to death. We ought to remain content, immured in our palaces, and leave state affairs to the statesmen. That would be well for the country and I trust you will act thus.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-51

」何hé后hòu亦yì怒nù曰yuē「吾wú以yí好hǎo言yán相xiāng劝quàn何hé反fǎn怒nù耶yé」董dǒng后hòu曰yuē「汝rǔ家jiā屠tú沽gū小xiǎo辈bèi有yǒu何hé见jiàn识shí」

But the Empress Tung only got angry. “You poisoned the lady Wang out of jealousy. Now, relying upon the fact that your son sits on the throne and that your brother is powerful, you speak these wild words. I will command that your brother be beheaded and that can be done as easily as I turn my hand.” Then Empress Ho in her turn waxed wroth and said, “I tried to persuade you with fair words; why get so angry?” “You low born daughter of a butcher, what do you know of offices?” cried her rival.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-52

两liǎng宫gōng互hù相xiāng争zhēng竞jìng，张zhāng让ràng等děng各gè劝quàn归guī宫gōng。何hé后hòu连lián夜yè召zhào何hé进jìn入rù宫gōng，告gào以yǐ前qián事shì。何hé进jìn出chū，召zhào三sān公gōng共gòng议yì：来lái早zǎo设shè朝cháo，使shǐ廷tíng臣chén奏zòu董dǒng太tài后hòu原yuán系xì藩fān妃fēi，不bù宜yí久jiǔ居jū宫gōng中zhōng，合hé仍réng迁qiān于yú河hé间jiān安ān置zhì，限xiàn日rì下xià即jí出chū国guó门mén。一yī麺miàn遣qiǎn人rén起qǐ送sòng董dǒng后hòu；一yī麺miàn点diǎn禁jìn军jūn围wéi骠piào骑qí将jiāng军jūn董dǒng重zhòng府fǔ宅zhái，追zhuī索suǒ印yìn绶shòu。

And the quarrel waxed hot.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-53

董dǒng重zhòng知zhī事shì急jí，自zì刎wěn于yú后hòu堂táng。家jiā人rén举jǔ哀āi，军jūn士shì方fāng散sàn。张zhāng让ràng、段duàn珪guī见jiàn董dǒng后hòu一yī枝zhī已yǐ废fèi，遂suì皆jiē以yǐ金jīn珠zhū玩wán好hǎo结jié搆gòu何hé进jìn弟dì何hé麹qū并bìng其qí母mú舞wǔ阳yáng君jūn，令lìng早záo晚wǎn入rù何hé太tài后hòu处chù，善shàn言yán遮zhē蔽bì：因yīn此cǐ十shí常cháng侍shì又yòu得dé近jìn幸xìng。

The eunuchs persuaded the ladies to retire. But in the night Ho T‘ai-hou summoned her brother into the palace and told him what had occurred. He went out and took counsel with the principal officers of state. Next morn a court was held and a memorial was presented saying that Tung T‘ai-hou , being the consort of a “frontier” prince—only a collateral—could not properly occupy any part of the palace. She was to be removed into Hochien and was to depart immediately. And while they sent an escort to remove the lady a strong guard was placed about her brother’s dwelling. They took away his seal of office and he, knowing this was the end, committed suicide in his private apartments. His dependents, who wailed his death, were driven off by the guards. Two of the eunuchs having lost their patroness, sent large gifts to Ho Chin’s younger brother Miao and his mother, and thus got them to put in a good word to the Empress Dowager Ho so as to gain her protection. And so they gained favour once more at court.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-54

六liù月yuè，何hé进jìn暗àn使shǐ人rén酖zhèn杀shā董dǒng后hòu于yú河hé间jiān驿yì庭tíng，举jǔ柩jiù回huí京jīng，葬zàng于yú文wén陵líng。进jìn托tuō病bìng不bù出chū，司sī隶lì校xiào尉wèi袁yuán绍shào入rù见jiàn进jìn曰yuē：「张zhāng让ràng、段duàn珪guī等děng流liú言yán于yú外wài，言yán公gōng酖zhèn杀shā董dǒng后hòu，欲yù谋móu大dà事shì。乘chéng此cǐ时shí不bù诛zhū阉yān宦huàn，后hòu必bì为wéi大dà祸huò。昔xī窦dòu武wǔ欲yù诛zhū内nèi竖shù，机jī谋móu不bú密mì，反fǎn受shòu其qí殃yāng。今jīn公gōng兄xiōng弟dì部bù麹qū将jiāng吏lì，皆jiē英yīng俊jùn之zhī士shì；

Afew months later the secret emissaries of Ho Chin murdered Tung T‘ai-hou in her residence in the country. Her remains were brought to the capital and buried. Ho Chin feigned illness and did not attend the funeral.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-55

若ruò使shǐ侭jìn力lì，事shì在zài掌zhǎng握wò。此cǐ天tiān赞zàn之zhī时shí，不bù可kě失shī也yě。」进jìn曰yuē：「且qiě容róng商shāng议yì。」左zuǒ右yòu密mì报bào张zhāng让ràng﹔让ràng等déng转zhuǎn告gào何hé苗miáo，又yòu多duō送sòng贿huì赂lù。苗miáo入rù奏zòu何hé后hòu云yún：「大dà将jiāng军jūn辅fú佐zuǒ新xīn君jūn，不bù行xíng仁rén慈cí，专zhuān务wù杀shā伐fá。今jīn无wú瑞ruì又yòu欲yù杀shā十shí常cháng侍shì，此cí取qǔ乱luàn之zhī道dào也yě。」后hòu纳nà其qí言yán。

Yüan Shao went one day to see Ho Chin to tell him that two eunuchs, Chang Jang and Tuan Kuei, were spreading the report outside that Ho Chin had caused the death of the late empress dowager and was aiming at the throne. He urged Ho to make this an excuse to put them finally out of the way. Shao pointed out how Tou Wu had missed his chance because the secret had not been kept and urged upon him the ease with which they could be destroyed under the then favourable conditions. It was a heaven-sent opportunity.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-56

少sháo顷qǐng何hé进jìn入rù白bái后hòu欲yù诛zhū中zhōng涓juān。何hé后hòu曰yuē「中zhōng官guān统tóng领lǐng禁jìn省shěng汉hàn家jiā故gù事shì。先xiān帝dì新xīn弃qì天tiān下xià尔ěr欲yù诛zhū杀shā旧jiù臣chén非fēi重zhòng宗zōng庙miào也yě。」进jìn本běn是shì没méi决jué断duàn之zhī人rén听tīng太tài后hòu言yán唯wéi唯wéi而ér出chū。袁yuán绍shào迎yíng问wèn曰yuē「大dà事shì若ruò何hé」进jìn曰yuē「太tài后hòu不bù允yǔn如rú之zhī奈nài何hé」

But Ho Chin replied, “Let me think it over.” His servants secretly told the intended victims, who sent further gifts to the younger brother. Corrupted by these he went in to speak with his sister and said, “The General is the chief support of the new Emperor, yet he is not gracious and merciful but thinks wholly of slaughter. If he slay the eunuchs without cause, it may bring about revolution.” Soon after her brother entered and told her of his design to put the eunuchs to death. She argued with him. She said that they looked after palace affairs and were old servants. To kill the old servants just after the death of their master would appear disrespectful to the Dynasty. And as Ho was of a vacillating mind he murmured assent and left her. “What about it?” said Shao on meeting him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-57

绍shào曰yuē「可kě召zhào四sì方fāng英yīng雄xióng人rén士shì勒lēi兵bīng来lái京jīng侭jǐn诛zhū阉yān竖shù。此cǐ时shí事shì急jí不bù容róng太tài后hòu不bù从cóng。」进jìn曰yuē「此cǐ计jì大dà妙miào」便biàn发fā檄xí至zhì各gè镇zhèn召zhào赴fù京jīng师shī。

“She will not consent; what can be done?” “Call up an army and slay them; it is imperative. Never mind her consent.” “That is an excellent plan,” said Ho.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-58

主zhǔ簿bù陈chén琳lín曰yuē：「不bù可kě！俗sú云yún：『掩yǎn目mù而ér捕bǔ燕yàn雀què』，是shì自zì欺qī也yě。微wēi物wù尚shàng不bù可kě欺qī以yǐ得dé志zhì，况kuàng国guó家jiā大dà事shì乎hū？今jīn将jiāng军jūn仗zhàng皇huáng威wēi，掌zhǎng兵bīng要yào，龙lóng骧xiāng虎hǔ步bù，高gāo下xià在zài心xīn：若ruò欲yù诛zhū宦huàn官guān，如rú鼓gǔ洪hóng炉lú燎liáo毛máo发fà耳ěr。

And he sent orders all round to march soldiers to the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-59

但dàn当dāng速sù发fā，行xíng权quán立lì断duàn，则zé天tiān人rén顺shùn之zhī﹔却què反fǎn外wài檄xí大dà臣chén，临lín犯fàn京jīng阙quē，英yīng雄xióng聚jù会huì，各gè怀huái一yī心xīn：所suǒ谓wèi倒dǎo持chí干gān戈gē，授shòu人rén以yí柄bǐng，功gōng必bì不bù成chéng，反fǎn生shēng乱luàn矣yǐ。」何hé进jìn笑xiào曰yuē：「此cǐ懦nuò夫fū之zhī见jiàn也yě！」傍bàng边biān一yī人rén鼓gú掌zhǎng大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「此cǐ事shì易yì如rú反fán掌zhǎng，何hé必bì多duō议yì！」视shì之zhī，乃nǎi曹cáo操cāo也yě。正zhèng是shì：

But the Recorder, Ch‘ên Lin, said, “Nay; do not act blindly. The proverb says ‘To cover the eyes and snatch at swallows is to fool one’s self.’ If in so small a matter you cannot attain your wish, what of great affairs? Now by virtue of the imperial prestige and with the army under your hand you may do as you please. To use such enormous powers against the eunuchs would resemble lighting up a furnace to burn a hair. But act promptly; use your powers and smite at once and all the Empire will be with you. But to summon forces to the capital, to gather many bold men into one spot, each with his own schemes, is to turn one’s weapons against one’s own person, to place one’s self in the power of another. Nothing but failure can come of it, nothing but confusion.” “The view of a mere book-worm,” said Ho with a smile. Then one of those about him suddenly clapped his hands, crying “It is as easy as turning over one’s hand! why so much talk?” The speaker was Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Wouldst thou withdraw wicked men from thy prince’s side Then seek counsel of the wise men of the State. What Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said will be disclosed in later chapters.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

2-60

欲yù除chú君jūn侧cè宵xiāo人rén乱luàn，须xū听tīng朝cháo中zhōng智zhì士shì谋móu。

To purge the court of wicked men by night, you must heed the wise men's plans by day.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

2-61

不bù知zhī曹cáo操cāo说shuō出chū甚shèn话huà来lái，且qiě听tīng下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated