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

第dì二èr十shí五wǔ回huí 屯tún土tǔ山shān关guān公gōng约yuē三sān事shì　　救jiù白bái马mǎ曹cáo操cāo解jiě重zhòng围wéi

25-1

却què说shuō程chéng昱yù献xiàn计jì曰yuē：「云yún长zháng有yǒu万wàn人rén之zhī敌dí，非fēi智zhì谋móu不bù能néng取qǔ之zhī。今jīn可kě即jí差chà刘liú备bèi手shǒu下xià投tóu降xiáng之zhī兵bīng，入rù下xià邳pī，见jiàn关guān公gōng，只zhǐ说shuō是shì逃táo回huí的de，伏fú于yú城chéng中zhōng为wèi内nèi应yìng；却què引yǐn关guān公gōng出chū战zhàn，诈zhà败bài佯yáng输shū，诱yòu入rù他tā处chǔ，以yǐ精jīng兵bīng截jié其qí归guī路lù，然rán后hòu说shuō之zhī可ké也yě。」操cāo听tīng其qí谋móu，即jí令lìng徐xú州zhōu降jiàng兵bīng数shù十shí，迳jìng投tóu下xià邳pī来lái降jiàng关guān公gōng。

The plan to seduce Kuan Yü from allegiance to his brothers was now announced by its proposer. Since Kuan was far braver than ordinary men he could only be overreached by superior cunning. So it was proposed to send some of his soldiers who had lately been of Liu Pei’s army into Hsiapʻi, where they would say they had come back. They would thus be allies on the inside. Then an attack and a feigned defeat would entice Kuan to a distance from the city. And his return road would be cut.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-2

关guān公gōng以yǐ为wéi旧jiù兵bīng，留liú而ér不bù疑yí。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao accepted the scheme and a few score of the men who had lately been in Hsüchou were sent to the city. The commander believed the story they told and trusted them. So they were suffered to remain.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-3

次cì日rì，夏xià侯hóu惇dūn为wèi先xiān锋fēng，领lǐng兵bīng五wǔ千qiān来lái搦nuò战zhàn。关guān公gōng不bù出chū，惇dūn即jí使shǐ人rén于yú城chéng下xià辱rǔ骂mà。关guān公gōng大dà怒nù，引yǐn三sān千qiān人rén马mǎ出chū城chéng，与yǔ夏xià侯hóu惇dūn交jiāo战zhàn。约yuē战zhàn十shí余yú合hé，惇dūn拨bō回huí马má走zǒu。关guān公gōng赶gǎn来lái，惇dūn且qiě战zhàn且qié走zǒu。关guān公gōng约yuē赶gǎn二èr十shí里lǐ，恐kǒng下xià邳pī有yǒu失shī，提tí兵bīng便biàn回huí。

After this part of the game had been played, Hsiahou Tun led forward five companies against the city. At first Kuan Yü would not accept the challenge, but provoked by men sent to hurl insults at him from the foot of the wall, his wrath got the better of him and he moved out with three companies. After the leaders had exchanged a half score bouts Tun made to run away. Kuan Yü pursued. Tun stopped and made a stand; then he fled again. Thus alternately fighting and retiring, he enticed Kuan Yü twenty li from the city. Then Kuan suddenly remembering the risk to the city drew off his men to return homeward.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-4

只zhǐ听tīng得dé一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，左zuó有yǒu徐xú晃huǎng，右yòu有yóu许xú褚chǔ，两liǎng队duì军jūn截jié住zhù去qù路lù。关guān公gōng夺duó路lù而ér走zǒu，两liǎng边biān伏fú兵bīng排pái下xià硬yìng弩nú百bǎi张zhāng，箭jiàn如rú飞fēi蝗huáng。关guān公gōng不bú过guò，勒lēi兵bīng再zài回huí，徐xú晃huǎng、许xú褚chǔ接jiē住zhù交jiāo战zhàn。关guān公gōng奋fèn力lì杀shā退tuì二èr人rén，引yǐn军jūn欲yù回huí下xià邳pī，夏xià侯hóu惇dūn又yòu截jié住zhù厮sī杀shā。

Soon, at the sound of a signal bomb, out moved two bodies of men who barred his way. Kuan Yü hastened along a road that seemed to offer retreat, but from both sides his ambushed enemies shot their crossbows and the arrows flew like locusts on the wing. No way past was found and he turned back. Then both bodies joined in attacking him. He drove them off and got into the road to his own city, but soon Hsiahou Tun came up again and attacked fiercely as before. Evening came and still Kuan was hemmed in, so he went up on a low hill upon which he encamped for a rest.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-5

公gōng战zhàn至zhì日rì晚wǎn，无wú路lù可kě归guī，只zhǐ得dé到dào一yī座zuò土tǔ山shān，引yǐn兵bīng屯tún于yú山shān头tóu，权quán且qié少shǎo歇xiē。曹cáo兵bīng团tuán团tuán将jiāng土tǔ山shān围wéi住zhù。关guān公gōng于yú山shān上shàng遥yáo望wàng下xià邳pī城chéng中zhōng火huǒ光guāng冲chōng天tiān，却què是shì那nà诈zhà降xiáng兵bīng卒zú偷tōu开kāi城chéng门mén，曹cáo操cāo自zì提tí大dà军jūn杀shā入rù城chéng中zhōng，只zhǐ教jiào举jú火huó以yǐ惑huò关guān公gōng之zhī心xīn。

He was surrounded on all sides by enemies. By and by, looking toward his city, he saw the glow of fire. It meant that the traitors, who had come in to surrender, had opened the gate and the enemy had gone in in force. They had made the fires in order to perplex and distress Kuan Yü and indeed the sight saddened him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-6

关guān公gōng见jiàn下xià邳pī火huó起qǐ，心xīn中zhōng惊jīng惶huáng，连lián夜yè几jǐ番fān冲chōng下xià山shān来lái，皆jiē被bèi乱luàn箭jiàn射shè回huí。挨āi到dào天tiān晓xiǎo，再zài欲yù整zhěng顿dùn下xià山shān冲chōng突tū，忽hū见jiàn一yī人rén跑páo马mǎ上shàng山shān来lái，视shì之zhī乃nǎi张zhāng辽liáo也yě。关guān公gōng迎yíng谓wèi曰yuē：「文wén远yuǎn欲yù来lái相xiāng敌dí耶yé？」辽liáo曰yuē：「非fēi也yě。想xiǎng故gù人rén旧jiù日rì之zhī情qíng，特tè来lái相xiāng见jiàn。」遂suì弃qì刀dāo下xià马mǎ，与yǔ关guān公gōng叙xù礼lǐ毕bì，坐zuò于yú山shān顶dǐng。

In the night he made efforts to escape from the hill, but every attempt was checked by flights of arrows. At daybreak he prepared for one more effort, but before moving he saw a horseman riding up at full speed and presently discerned Chang Liao. When within speaking distance, Kuan Yü said, “Are you come to fight me, Wên-yüan?” “No,” replied Chang Liao. “I am come to see you because of our old friendship.” Wherefore he threw aside his sword, dismounted and came forward saluting. And the two sat down.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-7

公gōng曰yuē：「文wén远yuǎn莫mò非fēi说shuō关guān某mǒu乎hū？」辽liáo曰yuē：「不bù然rán。昔xī日rì蒙méng兄xiōng救jiù弟dì，今jīn日rì弟dì安ān得dé不bú救jiù兄xiōng？」公gōng曰yuē：「然rán则zé文wén远yuǎn将jiāng欲yù助zhù我wǒ乎hū？」辽liáo曰yuē：「亦yì非fēi也yě。」公gōng曰yuē：「既jì不bú助zhù我wǒ，来lái此cǐ何hé干gān？」

“Then naturally you have come to talk me over,” said Kuan Yü. “Not so;” said Chang Liao. “Sometime ago you saved me; can I help saving you?” “Then you desire to help me.” “Not exactly that,” replied Chang. “Then what are you doing here if you have not come to help me?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-8

辽liáo曰yuē：「玄xuán德dé不bù知zhī存cún亡wáng，翼yì德dé未wèi知zhī生shēng死sǐ。昨zuó夜yè曹cáo公gōng已yǐ破pò下xià邳pī，军jūn民mín侭jǐn无wú伤shāng害hài，差chà人rén护hù卫wèi玄xuán德dé家jiā眷juàn，不bù许xǔ惊jīng扰rǎo。如rú此cǐ相xiāng待dài，弟dì特tè来lái报bào兄xiōng。」关guān公gōng怒nù曰yuē：「此cǐ言yán特tè说shuō我wó也yě。吾wú今jīn虽suī处chù绝jué地dì，视shì死sǐ如rú归guī。汝rǔ当dāng速sù去qù，吾wú即jí下xià山shān迎yíng战zhàn。」张zhāng辽liáo大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「兄xiōng此cǐ言yán岂qǐ不bù为wéi天tiān下xià笑xiào乎hū？

“Nothing is known of the fate of your elder brother, nor whether your younger brother is alive or dead. Last night your city fell into the hands of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, but neither soldiers nor people were harmed and a special guard was set over the family of Yüan-tê lest they should be alarmed. I came to tell you how well they had been treated.” “This is certainly talking me over,” said Kuan testily. “Though escape is impossible yet I am not perturbed. I look upon death as going home. You had better depart quickly and let me go down and begin the struggle again.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-9

」公gōng曰yuē：「吾wú仗zhàng忠zhōng义yì而ér死sǐ，安ān得dé为wèi天tiān下xià笑xiào？」辽liáo曰yuē：「兄xiōng今jīn即jí死sǐ，其qí罪zuì有yǒu三sān。」公gōng曰yuē：「汝rú且qiě说shuō我wǒ那nà三sān罪zuì？」

“Surely you must know everybody will ridicule you when they hear of this,” said Chang, laughing loud. “I shall die for loyalty and righteousness. Who will laugh?” said Kuan. “You would be guilty of three faults if you died.” “Tell me them,” said Kuan.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-10

辽liáo曰yuē：「当dāng初chū刘liú使shǐ君jūn与yǔ兄xiōng结jié义yì之zhī时shí，誓shì同tóng生shēng死sǐ；今jīn使shǐ君jūn方fāng败bài，而ér兄xiōng即jí战zhàn死sǐ，倘táng使shǐ君jūn复fù出chū，欲yù求qiú兄xiōng相xiāng助zhù，而ér不bù可kě复fù得dé，岂qǐ不bú负fù当dāng年nián之zhī盟méng誓shì乎hū？其qí罪zuì一yī也yě。刘liú使shǐ君jūn以yǐ家jiā眷juàn付fù托tuō于yú兄xiōng，兄xiōng今jīn战zhàn死sǐ，二èr夫fū人rén无wú所suó倚yǐ赖lài，负fù却què使shǐ君jūn依yī托tuō之zhī重zhòng。其qí罪zuì二èr也yě。

“The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister Ts‘ao. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Liu so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Wên-yüan, I pray you hasten back and announce them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-11

兄xiōng武wǔ艺yì超chāo群qún，兼jiān通tōng经jīng史shǐ，不bù思sī共gòng使shǐ君jūn匡kuāng扶fú汉hàn室shì，徒tú欲yù赴fù汤tāng蹈dáo火huǒ，以yǐ成chéng匹pǐ夫fū之zhī勇yǒng，安ān得dé为wèi义yì？其qí罪zuì三sān也yě。兄xiōng有yóu此cǐ三sān罪zuì，弟dì不bù得dé不bú告gào。」

“First of all you and your elder brother pledged yourselves in the Peach Garden to die or to live together. Now your brother has been defeated and you want to fight to the death. Therefore, if your brother appear again by and by and wants your help, he will seek it in vain. Is this anything else than betraying the Peach Garden oath? Secondly you are in charge of your brother’s family and, if you fought and died, the two women would be left forlorn and without a protector. That would be a betrayal of trust. Thirdly your military skill stands out conspicuous and will go down in history. If you do not aid your brother in his noble attempt to maintain the Dynasty then all your labours and sufferings will have been spent to win a worthless reputation as a valiant fool. Where is the sense in that? I feel it my duty to point out these three faults to you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-12

公gōng渖shěn吟yín曰yuē：「汝rǔ说shuō我wó有yǒu三sān罪zuì，欲yù我wǒ如rú何hé？」辽liáo曰yuē：「今jīn四sì麺miàn皆jiē曹cáo公gōng之zhī兵bīng，兄xiōng若ruò不bú降jiàng，则zé必bì死sǐ；徒tú死sǐ无wú益yì，不bú若ruò且qiě降jiàng曹cáo公gōng，却què打dǎ听tīng刘liú使shǐ君jūn音yīn信xìn，知zhī何hé处chù，即jí往wǎng投tóu之zhī。一yī者zhé可ké以yí保bǎo二èr夫fū人rén，二èr者zhě不bú背bèi桃táo园yuán之zhī约yuē，三sān者zhé可kě留liú有yǒu用yòng之zhī身shēn。有yóu此cǐ三sān便biàn，兄xiōng宜yí详xiáng之zhī。」

Kuan Yü remained silent and thought for some time. Then he said, “You have spoken of my three faults. What do you desire?” “You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is to yield to Ts‘ao Tsʻao till you hear news of Liu Pei and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life. Brother, you must reflect on these things.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-13

公gōng曰yuē：「兄xiōng言yán三sān便biàn，吾wú有yǒu三sān约yuē。若ruò丞chéng相xiàng能néng从cóng我wǒ，即jí当dāng卸xiè甲jiǎ；如rú其qí不bù允yǔn，吾wú宁níng受shòu三sān罪zuì而ér死sǐ。」辽liáo曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng宽kuān洪hóng大dà量liàng，何hé所suǒ不bù容róng？愿yuàn闻wén三sān事shì。」公gōng曰yuē：「一yī者zhě，吾wú与yǔ皇huáng叔shū设shè誓shì，共gòng扶fú汉hàn室shì，吾wú今jīn只zhǐ降jiàng汉hàn帝dì，不bú降jiàng曹cáo操cāo；二èr者zhě，二èr嫂sǎo处chù请qíng给gěi皇huáng叔shū俸fèng禄lù赡shàn，一yī应yīng上shàng下xià人rén等děng，皆jiē不bù许xǔ到dào门mén；

“Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three conditions. If the Minister concede these then will I doff my armour. If he refuse, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.” “Why should the Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you to let me hear your conditions.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-14

三sān者zhě，但dàn知zhī刘liú皇huáng叔shū去qù向xiàng，不bù管guǎn千qiān里lǐ万wàn里lǐ，便biàn当dāng辞cí去qù。三sān者zhě缺quē一yī，断duàn不bù肯kěn降jiàng。望wàng文wén远yuǎn急jí急jí回huí报bào。」

“The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans I now submit to the Emperor and not to his minister Ts‘ao. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Liu so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Wên-yüan, I pray you hasten back and announce them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-15

张zhāng辽liáo应yìng诺nuò，遂suì上shàng马mǎ，回huí见jiàn曹cáo操cāo，先xiān说shuō降jiàng汉hàn不bú降jiàng曹cáo之zhī事shì。操cāo笑xiào曰yuē；「吾wú为wèi汉hàn相xiāng，汉hàn即jí吾wú也yě。此cí可kě从cóng之zhī。」辽liáo又yòu言yán：「二èr夫fū人rén欲yù请qǐng皇huáng叔shū俸fèng给gěi，并bìng上shàng下xià人rén等děng不bù许xǔ到dào门mén。」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú于yú皇huáng叔shū俸fèng内nèi，更gèng加jiā倍bèi与yǔ之zhī。至zhì于yú严yán禁jìn内nèi外wài，乃nǎi是shì家jiā法fǎ，又yòu何hé疑yí焉yān？

Chang Liao lost no time but rode back to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. When he spoke of Kuan Yü’s intention to submit to the Hans but not to Tsʻao Ts‘ao, the latter smiled, saying, “As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that.” Chang then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Ts‘ao replied, “I will give them twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should there be any doubt . ?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-16

」辽liáo又yòu曰yuē：「但dàn知zhī玄xuán德dé信xìn息xī，虽suī远yuǎn必bì往wǎng。」操cāo摇yáo首shǒu曰yuē：「然rán则zé吾wú养yǎng云yún长zhǎng何hé用yòng？此cǐ事shì却què难nán从cóng。」辽liáo曰yuē：「岂qǐ不bù闻wén豫yù让ràng众zhòng人rén国guó士shì之zhī论lùn乎hū？刘liú玄xuán德dé待dài云yún长zhǎng不bú过guò恩ēn厚hòu耳ěr。丞chéng相xiàng更gèng施shī厚hòu恩ēn以yǐ结jié其qí心xīn，何hé忧yōu云yún长zhǎng之zhī不bù服fú也yě？」操cāo曰yuē：「文wén远yuǎn之zhī言yán甚shèn当dāng，吾wú愿yuàn从cóng此cǐ三sān事shì。」

Then said Chang, “Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Yüan-tê, he must go to him.” At this Ts‘ao shook his head, saying, “Then I am merely to feed Yün-ch‘ang. What is the use of this? I cannot consent.” Chang replied, “You must know of the difference in Yü Jang’s behaviour brought about by difference of treatment? Yüan-tê treats Yün-ch‘ang just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage his heart and support by being kinder and more liberal.” “What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions,” said Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-17

张zhāng辽liáo再zài往wǎng上shàng回huí报bào关guān公gōng。关guān公gōng曰yuē：「虽suī然rán如rú此cǐ，暂zàn请qǐng丞chéng相xiàng退tuì军jūn，容róng我wǒ入rù城chéng见jiàn二èr嫂sǎo，告gào知zhī其qí事shì，然rán后hòu投tóu降xiáng。」张zhāng辽liáo再zài回huí，以yí此cǐ言yán报bào曹cáo操cāo。操cāo即jí传chuán令lìng，退tuì军jūn至zhì十shí里lǐ。荀xún彧yù曰yuē：「不bù可kě。恐kóng有yǒu诈zhà。」操cāo曰yuē：「云yún长zhǎng义yì士shì，必bì不bù失shī信xìn。」遂suì引yǐn军jūn退tuì。

Whereupon Chang Liao left to carry the news to Kuan Yü, still on the summit of the hill. “Now I expect the army to withdraw so that I may enter the city to tell the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I submit at once.” Chang Liao rode back once more with this request and the order was given for the army to retire ten li . “Do not do this,” said Hsün Yü. “I fear treachery.” “He will certainly not break faith,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “He is too high principled.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-18

关guān公gōng引yǐn兵bīng入rù下xià邳pī，见jiàn人rén民mín安ān妥tuǒ不bú动dòng，竟jìng到dào府fǔ中zhōng，来lái见jiàn二èr嫂sǎo。

“As the Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf there is now but little to discuss,” said Kuan.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-19

甘gān、糜mí二èr夫fū人rén听tīng得dé关guān公gōng到dào来lái，急jí出chū迎yíng之zhī。公gōng拜bài于yú阶jiē下xià曰yuē：「使shǐ二èr嫂sǎo受shòu惊jīng，某mǒu之zhī罪zuì也yě。」二èr夫fū人rén曰yuē：「皇huáng叔shū今jīn在zài何hé处chù？」公gōng曰yuē：「不bù知zhī去qù向xiàng。」二èr夫fū人rén曰yuē：「二èr叔shū今jīn将jiāng若ruò何hé？」公gōng曰yuē：「关guān某mǒu出chū城chéng死sǐ战zhàn，被bèi困kùn土tǔ山shān，张zhāng辽liáo劝quàn我wǒ投tóu降xiáng，我wó以yǐ三sān事shì相xiāng约yuē。

The army retired and Kuan Yü with his force re-entered the city, where he saw that the people were following their ordinary avocations in tranquillity. He came to the palace and went in to see the two ladies, who hastened to meet him. He bowed to them below the steps and said, “I apologise for having caused you to feel alarmed.” “Where is the Uncle?” asked they. “I know not whither he has gone.” “What do you intend to do, brother-in-law?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-20

曹cáo操cāo已yǐ皆jiē允yǔn从cóng，故gù特tè退tuì兵bīng，放fàng我wǒ入rù城chéng。我wǒ不bù曾céng得dé嫂sáo嫂sáo主zhǔ意yì，未wèi敢gǎn擅shàn便biàn。」二èr夫fū人rén问wèn那nà三sān事shì。关guān公gōng将jiāng上shàng项xiàng三sān事shì，备bèi述shù一yī遍biàn。甘gān夫fū人rén曰yuē：「昨zuó日rì曹cáo军jūn入rù城chéng，我wó等děng皆jiē以yǐ为wéi必bì死sǐ；谁shuí想xiǎng毫háo发fā不bú动dòng，一yī军jūn不bù敢gǎn入rù门mén。叔shū叔shū既jì已yí领lǐng诺nuò，何hé必bì问wèn我wǒ二èr人rén？只zhí恐kǒng日rì后hòu曹cáo操cāo不bù肯kěn容róng叔shū叔shū去qù寻xún皇huáng叔shū。

“I went out of the city to try a last battle. I was surrounded on a hill top and Chang Liao has urged me to yield. I proposed three conditions, all of which were conceded, and the enemy drew off to allow me to return to the city. Unless I have your decision, sisters-in-law, I scarcely dare to take any final step.” They asked what were the conditions and were told. Then Kan Fu-jên said, “When Ts‘ao’s army came in we took it to mean certain death. But it is scarcely credible that not a hair of our heads has been disturbed, not a soldier has dared enter our doors. You have accepted the conditions, brother-in-law, and there is no need to ask our consent. Our only fear is that he will not let you go by and by to search for the Uncle.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-21

」公gōng曰yuē：「嫂sáo嫂sǎo放fàng心xīn，关guān某mǒu自zì有yóu主zhǔ张zhāng。」二èr夫fū人rén曰yuē：「叔shū叔shū自zì家jiā裁cái处chǔ，凡fán事shì不bú必bì问wèn俺án女nǚ流liú。」

“Sisters-in-law, you need not be anxious. I will see to that.” “You must decide everything and need not ask us women kind.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-22

关guān公gōng辞cí退tuì，遂suì引yǐn数shù十shí骑qí来lái见jiàn曹cáo操cāo。操cāo自zì出chū辕yuán门mén相xiāng接jiē。关guān公gōng下xià马mǎ入rù拜bài，操cāo慌huāng忙máng答dá礼lǐ。关guān公gōng曰yuē：「败bài兵bīng之zhī将jiāng，深shēn荷hé不bù杀shā之zhī恩ēn。」操cāo曰yuē：「素sù慕mù云yún长zhǎng忠zhōng义yì，今jīn日rì幸xìng得de相xiāng见jiàn，足zú慰wèi平píng生shēng之zhī望wàng。」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「文wén远yuǎn代dài禀bǐng三sān事shì，蒙méng丞chéng相xiàng应yīng允yǔn，谅liàng不bù食shí言yán。」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú言yán既jì出chū，安ān敢gǎn失shī信xìn？

Kuan Yü withdrew and then, with a small escort, went to his interview with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Ts‘ao came to the outermost gate to welcome him and Kuan Yü dismounted and made obeisance. Ts‘ao returned his salute with the greatest cordiality. “The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life,” said Kuan Yü. “I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life,” replied Ts‘ao. “As the Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf there is now but little to discuss,” said Kuan.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-23

」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「关guān某mǒu若ruò知zhī皇huáng叔shū所suǒ在zài，虽suī蹈dáo水shuí火huǒ，必bì往wǎng从cóng之zhī。此cǐ时shí恐kǒng不bù及jí拜bài辞cí，伏fú乞qǐ见jiàn原yuán。」操cāo曰yuē：「玄xuán德dé若ruò在zài，必bì从cóng公gōng去qù；但dàn恐kǒng乱luàn军jūn中zhōng亡wáng矣yǐ。公gōng且qiě宽kuān心xīn，尚shàng容róng缉jī听tīng。」

“As I have spoken, so be it; I could not break faith,” replied Ts‘ao. “Whenever I hear where Uncle Liu is I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there there will be no opportunity of taking leave. I trust you will understand the reason.” “If Liu Pei should prove to be alive you must certainly be allowed to go to him. But I fear that in the confusion he may have lost his life. You may set your mind at rest and let me make enquiries.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-24

关guān公gōng拜bài谢xiè。操cāo设shè宴yàn相xiāng待dài。次cì日rì班bān师shī还hái许xǔ昌chāng。关guān公gōng收shōu拾shí车chē仗zhàng，请qǐng二èr嫂sǎo上shàng车chē，亲qīn自zì护hù车chē而ér行xíng。于yú路lù安ān歇xiē驿yì馆guǎn，操cāo欲yù乱luàn其qí君jūn臣chén之zhī礼lǐ，使shǐ关guān公gōng与yǔ二èr嫂sǎo共gòng处chǔ一yī室shì。关guān公gōng乃nái秉bǐng烛zhú立lì于yú户hù外wài，自zì夜yè达dá旦dàn，毫háo无wú倦juàn色sè。操cāo见jiàn公gōng如rú此cǐ，愈yù加jiā敬jìng服fú。既jì到dào许xǔ昌chāng，操cāo拨bō一yī府fú与yǔ关guān公gōng居jū住zhù。

Kuan Yü thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in his honour. Next day the army started on its homeward march. For the journey to the capital a carriage was prepared for the two ladies and Kuan Yü was its guard. On the road they rested at a certain post station and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, anxious to compromise Kuan by beguiling him into forgetfulness of his duty, assigned him to the same apartment as his sisters-in-law. Kuan stood the whole night before the door with a lighted candle in his hand. Not once did he yield to fatigue. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s respect for him could not but increase.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-25

关guān公gōng分fēn一yī宅zhái为wèi两liǎng院yuàn，内nèi门mén拨bō老lǎo军jūn十shí人rén把bá守shǒu。关guān公gōng自zì居jū外wài宅zhái。操cāo引yǐn关guān公gōng朝cháo见jiàn献xiàn帝dì，帝dì命mìng为wèi偏piān将jiāng军jūn。公gōng谢xiè恩ēn归guī宅zhái。

At the capital the Minister assigned a dignified residence to Kuan Yü, which he immediately divided into two enclosures, the inner one for the two ladies and the other for himself. He placed a guard of eighteen of his veterans over the women’s quarters.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-26

操cāo次cì日rì设shè大dà宴yàn，会huì众zhòng谋móu臣chén武wǔ士shì，以yǐ客kè礼lǐ待dài关guān公gōng，延yán之zhī上shàng座zuò；又yòu备bèi绫líng锦jǐn及jí金jīn银yín器qì皿mǐn相xiāng送sòng。关guān公gōng都dōu送sòng与yǔ二èr嫂sǎo收shōu贮zhù。关guān公gōng自zì到dào许xǔ昌chāng，操cāo待dài之zhī甚shèn厚hòu：小xiǎo宴yàn三sān日rì，大dà宴yàn五wǔ日rì；又yòu送sòng美méi女nǚ十shí人rén，使shǐ侍shì关guān公gōng。关guān公gōng侭jǐn送sòng入rù内nèi门mén，令lìng伏fú侍shì二èr嫂sǎo。却què又yòu三sān日rì一yī次cì于yú内nèi门mén外wài躬gōng身shēn施shī礼lǐ，动dòng问wèn二èr嫂sǎo安ān否fǒu。

Kuan Yü was presented to the Emperor Hsien who conferred upon him the rank of General. Soon after Ts‘ao made a great banquet, inviting all his advisers and fighting men, solely in honour of Kuan Yü, who sat in the seat of honour. Beside this he received presents of silks and gold and silver vessels, all of which were sent into the ladies’ quarters for their use and keeping. In fact from the day of arrival in the capital Kuan Yü was treated with marked respect and distinction, banquets and feasts following each other in quick succession. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao also presented him with ten most lovely serving girls; these also were sent within to wait upon his two sisters-in-law.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-27

二èr夫fū人rén回huí问wèn皇huáng叔shū之zhī事shì毕bì，曰yuē：「叔shū叔shū自zì便biàn。」关guān公gōng方fāng敢gǎn退tuì回huí。操cāo闻wén之zhī，又yòu叹tàn服fú关guān公gōng不bù已yǐ。

Every third day Kuan Yü went to the door of the women’s quarters to enquire after their welfare, and then they asked if any news of the wanderer had come. This ceremony closed with the words “Brother-in-law, you may retire when you wish.” Ts‘ao heard of this extremely correct behaviour and thought all the more of the man for it.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-28

一yī日rì，操cāo见jiàn关guān公gōng所suǒ穿chuān绿lǜ锦jǐn战zhàn袍páo已yǐ旧jiù，即jí度dù其qí身shēn品pǐn，取qǔ异yì锦jǐn作zuò战zhàn袍páo一yī领lǐng相xiāng赠zèng。关guān公gōng受shòu之zhī，穿chuān于yú衣yī底dǐ，上shàng仍réng用yòng旧jiù袍páo罩zhào之zhī。操cāo笑xiào曰yuē：「云yún长zhǎng何hé如rú此cǐ之zhī俭jiǎn乎hū？」公gōng曰yuē：「某mǒu非fēi俭jián也yě。旧jiù袍páo乃nǎi刘liú皇huáng叔shū所suǒ赐cì，某mǒu穿chuān之zhī如rú见jiàn兄xiōng麺miàn，不bù敢gán以yǐ丞chéng相xiàng之zhī新xīn赐cì而ér忘wàng兄xiōng长zhǎng之zhī旧jiù赐cì，故gù穿chuān于yú上shàng。

One day Ts‘ao noticed that the robe Kuan Yü was wearing was old and frayed. Taking his measurements Ts‘ao had a new one made of fine brocade and presented it to him. He took it and put it on under the old robe, so that the latter covered it.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-29

」操cāo叹tàn曰yuē：「真zhēn义yì士shì也yě！」然rán口kǒu虽suī称chēng羡xiàn，心xīn实shí不bú悦yuè。

“Why so very thrifty?” laughed Ts‘ao. “It is not thrift,” was his reply. “The old robe was a gift from my brother and I wear it because it reminds me of him. I could not allow the new gift to eclipse his old one.” “How very high principled!” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao sighing.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-30

一yī日rì，关guān公gōng在zài府fǔ，忽hū报bào：「内nèi院yuàn二èr夫fū人rén哭kū倒dào于yú地dì，不bù知zhī为wèi何hé，请qǐng将jiāng军jūn速sù入rù。」关guān公gōng乃nái整zhěng衣yī跪guì于yú内nèi门mén外wài，问wèn二èr嫂sǎo为wèi何hé悲bēi泣qì。甘gān夫fū人rén曰yuē：「我wǒ夜yè梦mèng皇huáng叔shū身shēn陷xiàn于yú土tǔ坑kēng之zhī内nèi，觉jué来lái与yǔ糜mí夫fū人rén论lùn之zhī，想xiǎng在zài九jiǔ泉quán之zhī下xià矣yǐ，是shì以yǐ相xiāng哭kū。」关guān公gōng曰yuē；「梦mèng寐mèi之zhī事shì，不bù可kě凭píng信xìn。此cǐ是shì嫂sáo嫂sáo想xiǎng念niàn之zhī故gù。

But he was not pleased with the man for all that he praised his conduct. One day when Kuan Yü was at home there came a messenger to say that the two women had thrown themselves on the ground and were weeping. They would not say why. Kuan Yü set his dress in order, went over and knelt by the door saying, “Why this grief, sisters-in-law?” Kan Fu-jên replied, “In the night I dreamed that the Uncle had fallen into a pit. I woke up and told Mi Fu-jên and we think he must be dead. So we weep.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-31

请qǐng勿wù忧yōu愁chóu。」

“Dreams are not to be credited,” he replied. “You dreamed of him because you were thinking of him. Pray do not grieve.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-32

正zhèng说shuō间jiān，适shì曹cáo操cāo命mìng使shǐ来lái请qǐng关guān公gōng赴fù宴yàn。公gōng辞cí二èr嫂sǎo，往wǎng见jiàn操cāo。操cāo见jiàn公gōng有yǒu泪lèi容róng，问wèn其qí故gù。公gōng曰yuē：「二èr嫂sǎo思sī兄xiōng痛tòng哭kū，不bù由yóu某mǒu心xīn不bù悲bēi。」操cāo笑xiào而ér宽kuān解jiě之zhī，频pín以yí酒jiǔ相xiāng劝quàn。公gōng醉zuì，自zì绰chuò其qí髯rán而ér言yán曰yuē：「生shēng不bù能néng报bào国guó家jiā，而ér背bèi其qí兄xiōng，徒tú为wéi人rén也yě！」操cāo问wèn曰yuē：「云yún长zhǎng髯rán有yǒu数shù乎hū？」公gōng曰yuē：「约yuē数shù百bǎi根gēn。

Just then Kuan Yü was invited to another banquet so he took leave of the ladies and went. Seeing Kuan looked sad and tearful his host asked the reason. “My sisters-in-law have been weeping for my brother and I cannot help being sad in sympathy.” Ts‘ao smiled and tried to cheer up his guest. He plied him with wine so that he became quite intoxicated and sat stroking his beard and saying, “What a useless thing am I! I could do no service for my country and I have parted from my elder brother.” “How many hairs in your beard?” suddenly asked his host.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-33

每měi秋qiū月yuè约yuē退tuì三sān五wǔ根gēn。冬dōng月yuè多duō以yǐ皂zào纱shā囊náng裹guǒ之zhī，恐kǒng其qí断duàn也yě。」操cāo以yǐ纱shā锦jǐn作zuò囊náng，与yǔ关guān公gōng护hù髯rán。次cì日rì，早zǎo朝cháo见jiàn帝dì。帝dì见jiàn关guān公gōng一yī纱shā锦jǐn囊náng垂chuí于yú胸xiōng次cì，帝dì问wèn之zhī。关guān公gōng奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén髯rán颇pó长zhǎng，丞chéng相xiàng赐cì囊náng贮zhù之zhī。」帝dì令lìng当dāng殿diàn披pī拂fú，过guò于yú其qí腹fù。帝dì曰yuē：「真zhēn美měi髯rán公gōng也yě！」因yīn此cǐ人rén皆jiē呼hū为wèi美měi髯rán公gōng。

“Some hundreds, perhaps. In the autumn a few fall out, but in the winter it is fullest. Then I use a black silk bag to keep the hairs from being broken,” replied Kuan. Ts‘ao had a bag made for him to protect his beard. Soon after when they were at Court the Emperor asked what was the bag he saw on Kuan Yü’s breast. “My beard is rather long, Your Majesty,” said Kuan. “So the Minister gave me a bag to protect it.” The Emperor bade him take off the bag and show his beard in all its fullness and it fell in rippling waves below his breast. “Really a most beautiful beard!” said the Emperor. This is why people call him “The Duke with the Beautiful Beard.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-34

忽hū一yī日rì，操cāo请qǐng关guān公gōng宴yàn。临lín散sàn，送sòng公gōng出chū府fǔ，见jiàn公gōng马mǎ瘦shòu，操cāo曰yuē：「公gōng马mǎ因yīn何hé而ér瘦shòu？」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「贱jiàn躯qū颇pǒ重zhòng，马mǎ不bù能néng载zài，因yīn此cǐ常cháng瘦shòu。」操cāo令lìng左zuǒ右yòu备bèi一yī马mǎ来lái。须xū臾yú牵qiān至zhì。那nà马mǎ身shēn如rú火huǒ炭tàn，状zhuàng甚shèn雄xióng伟wěi。操cāo指zhǐ曰yuē：「公gōng识shí此cí马má否fǒu？」公gōng曰yuē：「莫mò非fēi吕lǚ布bù所suǒ骑qí赤chì兔tù马mǎ乎hū？」操cāo曰yuē：「然rán也yě。

Another time, after a banquet, Ts‘ao was seeing his guest start from the gate of his palace when he noticed that his charger was very thin. “Why is he so thin?” said Ts‘ao. “My worthless body is rather heavy and really too much for him. He is always out of condition.” Ts‘ao at once told his men to bring out a certain steed and before long he appeared. He was red, like glowing charcoal, and a handsome creature in every way. “Do you recognise him?” asked Ts‘ao. “Why, it is no other than ‘Red Hare!’ ” cried Kuan Yü.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-35

」遂suì并bìng鞍ān辔pèi送sòng与yǔ关guān公gōng。关guān公gōng再zài拜bài称chēng谢xiè。操cāo不bú悦yuè曰yuē：「吾wú累lèi送sòng美méi女nǚ金jīn帛bó，公gōng未wèi尝cháng下xià拜bài；今jīn吾wú赠zèng马mǎ，乃nái喜xǐ而ér再zài拜bài，何hé贱jiàn人rén而ér贵guì畜chù耶yé？」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「吾wú知zhī此cí马mǎ日rì行xíng千qiān里lǐ，今jīn幸xìng得de之zhī，若ruò知zhī兄xiōng长zhǎng下xià落luò，可kě一yī日rì而ér见jiàn麺miàn矣yǐ。」操cāo愕è然rán而ér悔huǐ。关guān公gōng辞cí去qù。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

“Yes; it is he,” said Ts‘ao, and he presented the horse, all fully caparisoned, to his guest. Kuan Yü bowed many times and thanked him again and again, till Ts‘ao began to feel displeased and said, “I have given you many things, lovely handmaids and gold and silks and never won a bow of gratitude from you before. This horse seems to please you better than all the rest. Why do you think so poorly of the damsels and so much of the steed?” “I know the horse, and his speed, and I am very lucky to get him. Now as soon as I find out where my brother is I can get to him in a single day,” said Kuan. Ts‘ao grumbled to himself and began to repent of his gift, but Kuan Yü took his leave and went away. Fortune dealt a stunning blow, still he played his part; Partitioning his dwelling proved his purity of heart. The crafty Minister desired to win him to his side, But felt that failure was foredoomed however much he tried.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-36

威wēi倾qīng三sān国guó著zhù英yīng豪háo，一yī宅zhái分fēn居jū义yì气qì高gāo。

His fame through the Three Kingdoms a hero's prestige commands, One house shared in friendship, a bond of high honor stands.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

25-37

奸jiān相xiāng枉wǎng将jiāng虚xū礼lǐ待dài，岂qǐ知zhī关guān羽yǔ不bú降jiàng曹cáo。

The cunning minister's empty courtesies were vain; Did he not know Guan Yu would never yield to Cao's domain?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

25-38

操cāo问wèn张zhāng辽liáo曰yuē：「吾wú待dài云yún长zhǎng不bù薄báo，而ér彼bǐ常cháng怀huái去qù心xīn，何hé也yě？」辽liáo曰yuē：「容róng某mǒu探tàn其qí情qíng。」次cì日rì，往wǎng见jiàn关guān公gōng。礼lǐ毕bì，辽liáo曰yuē：「我wǒ荐jiàn兄xiōng在zài丞chéng相xiàng处chù，不bù曾céng落luò后hòu。」公gōng曰yuē：「深shēn感gǎn丞chéng相xiàng厚hòu意yì；只zhǐ是shì吾wú身shēn虽suī在zài此cǐ，心xīn念niàn皇huáng叔shū，未wèi尝cháng去qù怀huái。」辽liáo曰yuē：「兄xiōng言yán差chà矣yǐ。处chǔ世shì不bù分fēn轻qīng重zhòng，非fēi丈zhàng夫fū也yě。

Said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao to Chang Liao, “I have treated him pretty liberally, but he still cherishes the desire to leave me. Do you know if it is really so?” “I will try to find out,” was the reply. So he took an early opportunity of seeing Kuan Yü and when the politenesses of the visit were over, Liao said, “I recommended you to the Minister and you have not lost much by that.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-39

玄xuán德dé待dài兄xiōng，未wèi必bì过guò于yú丞chéng相xiàng，兄xiōng何hé故gù只zhǐ怀huái去qù志zhì？」公gōng曰yuē：「吾wú固gù知zhī曹cáo公gōng待dài吾wú甚shèn厚hòu；奈nài吾wú受shòu刘liú皇huáng叔shū厚hòu恩ēn，誓shì以yǐ共gòng死sǐ，不bù可kě背bèi之zhī。吾wú终zhōng不bù留liú此cǐ。要yào必bì立lì效xiào以yǐ报bào曹cáo公gōng，然rán后hòu去qù耳ěr。」辽liáo曰yuē：「倘tǎng玄xuán德dé已yǐ弃qì世shì，公gōng何hé所suǒ归guī乎hū？」公gōng曰yuē：「愿yuàn从cóng于yú地dì下xià。」

“I am deeply affected by his kindness and bounty,” said Kuan Yü, “but, though my body is here, yet I am always thinking of my brother.” “Your words do not express present conditions quite correctly. One who lives in the world without discrimination and consideration of his relations with others is not the most admirable type of man. Even Yüan-tê never treated you better than does the Minister. Why then do you maintain this desire to get away?” “I know only too well that he has been most kind, but I have also received great kindness from Uncle Liu. Beside we have sworn to die together and I cannot remain here, but before I go I must try to render him some signal service to prove my gratitude.” “Supposing Yüan-tê should have left the world, whither will you go?” said Chang. “I will follow him to the realms below.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-40

辽liáo知zhī公gōng终zhōng不bù可kě留liú，乃nǎi告gào退tuì，回huí见jiàn曹cáo操cāo，具jù以yǐ实shí告gào。操cāo叹tàn曰yuē：「事shì主zhǔ不bú忘wàng其qí本běn，乃nǎi天tiān下xià之zhī义yì士shì也yě！」荀xún彧yù曰yuē：「彼bǐ言yán立lì功gōng方fāng去qù，若ruò不bú教jiào彼bǐ立lì功gōng，未wèi必bì便biàn去qù。」操cāo然rán之zhī。

There could no longer be the least doubt as to Kuan Yü’s intentions and Chang Liao told Ts‘ao Ts‘ao just how matters stood. Ts‘ao sighed. “To serve one’s chief with unswerving fidelity is a proof of the highest principle of all,” said he. Said Hsün Yü, “He spoke of performing some act of service before leaving. If he gets no chance of such a thing, he will not be able to go.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao agreed that this was so.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-41

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé在zài袁yuán绍shào处chù，旦dàn夕xī烦fán恼nǎo。绍shào曰yuē：「玄xuán德dé何hé故gù常cháng忧yōu？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「二èr弟dì不bù知zhī音yīn耗hào，妻qī小xiǎo陷xiàn于yú曹cáo贼zéi；上shàng不bù能néng报bào国guó，下xià不bù能néng保bǎo家jiā，安ān得dé不bù忧yōu？」绍shào曰yuē：「吾wú欲yù进jìn兵bīng赴fù许xǔ都dōu久jiú矣yǐ。方fāng今jīn春chūn煖nuǎn，正zhèng好hǎo兴xīng兵bīng。」便biàn商shāng议yì破pò曹cáo之zhī策cè。田tián丰fēng谏jiàn曰yuē：「前qián操cāo攻gōng徐xú州zhōu，许xǔ都dōu空kōng虚xū，不bù及jí此cǐ时shí进jìn兵bīng；

The story of Yüan-tê broke off at the point when he went to Yüan Shao for refuge. Here he was always sorrowful and, when asked the reason, said he did not know where his brothers were nor what had happened to his family since they fell into the hands of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “Why should I not be sad when I have failed towards my country and my family?” said he. “I have long wished to attack Hsütu,” said Yüan Shao. “Now it is autumn and just the time for an expedition, so let us discuss plans for the destruction of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-42

今jīn徐xú州zhōu已yǐ破pò，操cāo兵bīng方fāng锐ruì，未wèi可kě轻qīng敌dí。不bù如rú以yí久jiǔ持chí之zhī，待dài其qí有yǒu隙xì而ér后hòu可kě动dòng也yě。」

T‘ien Fêng at once opposed this. “When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao attacked Hsüchou and Hsütu was undefended you let the chance slip by. Now that Hsüchou has been captured and the soldiers are flushed with victory it would be madness to attempt it. It is necessary to await another chance.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-43

绍shào曰yuē：「待dài我wǒ思sī之zhī。」因yīn问wèn玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「田tián丰fēng劝quàn我wǒ固gù守shǒu，何hé如rú？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「曹cáo操cāo欺qī君jūn之zhī贼zéi，明míng公gōng若ruò不bù讨tǎo之zhī，恐kǒng失shī大dà义yì于yú天tiān下xià。」绍shào曰yuē：「玄xuán德dé之zhī言yán甚shèn善shàn。」遂suì欲yù兴xīng兵bīng。田tián丰fēng又yòu谏jiàn。绍shào怒nù曰yuē：「汝rú等děng弄nòng文wén轻qīng武wǔ，使shí我wǒ失shī大dà义yì！」田tián丰fēng顿dùn首shǒu曰yuē：「若ruò不bù听tīng臣chén良liáng言yán，出chū师shī不bú利lì。

“Let me think about it,” said Yüan Shao. He asked advice from Yüan-tê, whether to attack or to hold on. Yüan-tê replied, “Ts‘ao is a rebel. I think you are failing in your duty if you do not attack him.” “Your words are good,” said Shao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-44

」绍shào大dà怒nù，欲yù斩zhǎn之zhī。玄xuán德dé力lì劝quàn，乃nǎi囚qiú于yú狱yù中zhōng。沮jǔ授shòu见jiàn田tián丰fēng下xià狱yù，乃nǎi会huì其qí宗zōng族zú，侭jǐn散sàn家jiā财cái，与yǔ之zhī诀jué曰yuē：「吾wú随suí军jūn而ér去qù，胜shèng则zé威wēi无wú不bù加jiā，败bài则zé一yī身shēn不bù保báo矣yǐ！」众zhòng皆jiē下xià泪lèi送sòng之zhī。

He made up his mind to move. But again the adviser T‘ien intervened. Then Shao grew angry, saying, “You fellows who cultivate literature and despise war have made me miss a lot.” T‘ien Fêng bowed his head and said, “Neglect your servant’s wise words and you will fail in the field.” Yüan Shao was so angry that he wanted to put him to death. However Yüan-tê begged him off and he was only imprisoned. Seeing the fate of his colleague another adviser, Chu Shou by name, assembled his clan and distributed among them all his possessions, saying, “I go with the army. If we succeed, then nothing can exceed our glory, but if we are defeated, the risk I run is great.” His friends wept as they said farewell.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-45

绍shào遣qiǎn大dà将jiàng颜yán良liáng作zuò先xiān锋fēng，进jìn攻gōng白bái马mǎ。沮jǔ授shòu谏jiàn曰yuē：「颜yán良liáng性xìng狭xiá，虽suī骁xiāo勇yǒng，不bù可kě独dú任rèn。」绍shào曰yuē：「吾wú之zhī上shàng将jiàng，非fēi汝rú等déng可kě料liào。」大dà军jūn进jìn发fā至zhì黎lí阳yáng，东dōng郡jùn太tài守shǒu刘liú延yán告gào急jí许xǔ昌chāng。曹cáo操cāo急jí议yì兴xīng兵bīng抵dǐ敌dí。关guān公gōng闻wén知zhī，遂suì入rù相xiāng府fǔ见jiàn操cāo曰yuē：「闻wén丞chéng相xiàng起qǐ兵bīng，某mǒu愿yuàn为wèi前qián部bù。」操cāo曰yuē：「未wèi敢gǎn烦fán将jiāng军jūn。

Yen Liang was appointed to the command of the advance guard, to go to attack Paima. Then Chu Shou first protested, “His mind is too narrow for such a post. He is brave but unequal to such a trust.” “You are not the sort of man to measure my best generals,” replied Shao. The army marched to Liyang and the Prefect sent an urgent call to Hsüch‘ang for aid. Ts‘ao moved his armies hastily. As soon as the news of battle got about Kuan Yü went to see the Minister and asked that he might go with the first body. “I scarcely dare put you to such inconvenience, but presently, if need arises, I will call upon you.” So Kuan Yü retired and fifteen legions marched out in three directions. On the road the letters from Liu Yen arrived praying for help and the first five legions went to Paima and took up a position supported by the hills. In the wide plains in front of them Yen Liang was encamped with ten legions of veterans.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-46

早záo晚wán有yǒu事shì，当dāng来lái相xiāng请qǐng。」关guān公gōng乃nǎi退tuì。操cāo引yǐn兵bīng十shí五wǔ万wàn，分fēn三sān麺miàn队duì行xíng。于yú路lù又yòu连lián接jiē刘liú延yán告gào急jí文wén书shū，操cāo先xiān提tí五wǔ万wàn军jūn亲qīn临lín白bái马mǎ，靠kào土tǔ山shān劄zhā住zhù。遥yáo望wàng山shān前qián平píng川chuān旷kuàng野yě之zhī地dì，颜yán良liáng前qián部bù精jīng兵bīng十shí万wàn，排pái成chéng阵zhèn势shì。操cāo骇hài然rán，回huí顾gù吕lǚ布bú旧jiù将jiāng宋sòng宪xiàn曰yuē：「吾wú闻wén汝rú乃nái吕lǚ布bú部bú下xià猛měng将jiàng，今jīn可ké与yǔ颜yán良liáng一yī战zhàn。」

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was frightened at the force opposed to him and, returning to camp, spoke to Sung Hsien, who had once served under Lü Pu, saying, “You are one of Lü Pu’s famous veteran generals; can you give battle to this Yen?” Sung Hsien agreed to try. He armed himself, mounted and rode to the front. Yen Liang was there on horseback his sword lying crossways. Seeing an opponent approaching he uttered a loud shout and galloped toward him. The two met, but after only three bouts, Sung Hsien fell under a mighty slash from the other's sword. “What a terrible leader!” said Ts‘ao. “He has slain my comrade, I want to go and avenge him,” then cried Wei Hsü. Ts‘ao bade him go and he rode out, spear in rest, and in front of the army railed at Yen Liang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-47

宋sòng宪xiàn领lǐng诺nuò，绰chuò枪qiāng上shàng马mǎ，直zhí出chū阵zhèn前qián。颜yán良liáng横héng刀dāo立lì马mǎ于yú门mén旗qí下xià；见jiàn宋sòng宪xiàn马mǎ至zhì，良liáng大dà喝hē一yī声shēng，纵zòng马mǎ来lái迎yíng。战zhàn不bù三sān合hé，手shóu起qǐ刀dāo落luò，斩zhǎn宋sòng宪xiàn于yú阵zhèn前qián。曹cáo操cāo大dà惊jīng曰yuē：「真zhēn勇yǒng将jiàng也yě！」魏wèi续xù曰yuē：「杀shā我wǒ同tóng伴bàn，愿yuàn去qù报bào雠chóu！」操cāo许xǔ之zhī。续xù上shàng马mǎ持chí矛máo，迳jìng出chū阵zhèn前qián，大dà骂mà颜yán良liáng。

Yen Liang replied not a word, but their two steeds came together and at the first blow from Yen’s sword this second champion fell. “Now, who again dares face him?” cried Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-48

良liáng更gèng不bù打dǎ话huà，交jiāo马mǎ一yī合hé，照zhào头tóu一yī刀dāo，劈pī魏wèi续xù于yú马mǎ下xià。操cāo曰yuē：「今jīn谁shuí敢gǎn当dāng之zhī？」徐xú晃huǎng应yīng声shēng而ér出chū，与yǔ颜yán良liáng战zhàn二èr十shí合hé，败bài归guī本běn阵zhèn。诸zhū将jiāng栗lì然rán。曹cáo操cāo收shōu军jūn，良liáng亦yì引yǐn军jūn退tuì去qù。

Hsü Huang took up the challenge and he went out. The combat endured a score of bouts and then Hsü fled back to his own side. The other captains were now greatly depressed at their failure. Yen Liang however had marched off his men leaving Ts‘ao very sad at the loss of two captains in quick succession.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-49

操cāo见jiàn连lián折zhé二èr将jiāng，心xīn中zhōng忧yōu闷mèn。程chéng昱yù曰yuē：「某móu举jǔ一yī人rén可kě敌dí颜yán良liáng。」操cāo问wèn是shì谁shuí。昱yù曰yuē：「非fēi关guān公gōng不bù可kě。」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú恐kǒng他tā立lì了le功gōng便biàn去qù。」昱yù曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi若ruò在zài，必bì投tóu袁yuán绍shào。今jīn若ruò使shǐ云yún长zhǎng破pò袁yuán绍shào之zhī兵bīng，绍shào必bì疑yí刘liú备bèi而ér杀shā之zhī矣yǐ。备bèi既jì死sǐ，云yún长zhǎng又yòu安ān往wǎng乎hū？」操cāo大dà喜xǐ，遂suì差chāi人rén去qù请qǐng关guān公gōng。

Then Ch‘êng Yü went to see him saying, “I can produce a man the equal of Yen Liang.” “Who?” cried Ts‘ao. “No other than Kuan Yü.” “I am afraid that if he is given an opportunity to perform that return service he spoke of he will leave me.” “If Liu Pei is still alive he is with Yüan Shao. If you get Kuan Yü to defeat Yüan Shao’s army Shao will look askance at Liu Pei and put him to death. Liu Pei gone, where can Kuan Yü go?” This argument appealed to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao at once and he sent to request Kuan Yü to come.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-50

关guān公gōng即jí入rù辞cí二èr嫂sǎo。二èr嫂sǎo曰yuē：「叔shū叔shū此cǐ去qù，可ké打dǎ听tīng皇huáng叔shū消xiāo息xī。」

Previous to obeying the call Kuan went to say farewell to his sisters-in-law. “You may get news of the Uncle on the journey,” said they. “Yes,” said Kuan and left them.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-51

关guān公gōng领lǐng诺nuò而ér出chū，提tí青qīng龙lóng刀dāo，上shàng赤chì兔tù马mǎ，引yǐn从cóng者zhě数shù人rén，直zhí至zhì白bái马mǎ来lái见jiàn曹cáo操cāo。操cāo叙xù说shuō：「颜yán良liáng连lián诛zhū二èr将jiāng，勇yǒng不bù可kě当dāng，特tè请qǐng云yún长zhǎng商shāng议yì。」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「容róng某mǒu观guān之zhī。」操cāo置zhì酒jiǔ相xiāng待dài。忽hū报bào颜yán良liáng搦nuò战zhàn，操cāo引yǐn关guān公gōng上shàng土tǔ山shān观guān看kàn。操cāo与yǔ关guān公gōng坐zuò，诸zhū将jiāng环huán立lì。

Armed with his famous Black Dragon, riding on the swift steed “Red Hare,” and having but a slender following, Kuan Yü was not long in arriving at Paima. He saw Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who told him what had happened. Yen Liang was too valiant for any to face. “Let me look at him,” said Kuan. Then wine was served for his refreshment and while they were drinking, it was reported that Yen Liang once again offered a challenge. So Ts‘ao and his guest and staff went to the summit of a hill whence the enemy could be seen. These two sat on the hill top and the captains stood about them. Ts‘ao pointed out Yen Liang’s men arrayed on the plains below. The ensigns and banners waving fresh and bright amid the forest of spears and swords made a grand and imposing spectacle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-52

曹cáo操cāo指zhǐ山shān下xià颜yán良liáng排pái的de阵zhèn势shì，旗qí帜zhì鲜xiān明míng，枪qiāng刀dāo森sēn布bù，严yán整zhéng有yǒu威wēi，乃nǎi谓wèi关guān公gōng曰yuē：「河hé北běi人rén马mǎ，如rú此cǐ雄xióng壮zhuàng！」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「以yǐ吾wú观guān之zhī，如rú土tǔ鸡jī瓦wá犬quán耳ěr！」操cāo又yòu指zhǐ曰yuē：「麾huī盖gài之zhī下xià，锈xiù袍páo金jīn甲jiǎ，持chí刀dāo立lì马má者zhě，乃nǎi颜yán良liáng也yě。」关guān举jǔ目mù一yī望wàng，谓wèi操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú观guān颜yán良liáng，如rú插chā标biāo卖mài首shóu耳ěr！

“See what fine fellows these northmen are,” said Ts‘ao. “I regard them as so many clay fowls and mud dogs,” said Kuan. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pointed out Yen Liang, saying, “There he is under that umbrella.” He was wearing an embroidered robe and a silver breastplate and rode on horseback. His hand gripped his sword. “His head looks as though it was stuck on a pole for sale,” said Kuan, just glancing over the army at his feet.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-53

」操cāo曰yuē：「未wèi可kě轻qīng视shì。」关guān公gōng起qǐ身shēn曰yuē：「某mǒu虽suī不bù才cái，愿yuàn去qù万wàn军jūn中zhōng取qǔ其qí首shǒu级jí，来lái献xiàn丞chéng相xiàng。」张zhāng辽liáo曰yuē：「军jūn中zhōng无wú戏xì言yán，云yún长zhǎng不bù可kě忽hū也yě。」

“You must not despise him,” said Ts‘ao. Kuan rose, saying, “I am a poor thing but I will go over and bring you his head if you like.” “Joking is not allowed in this army,” interposed Chang Liao. “Be careful what you say.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-54

关guān公gōng奋fèn然rán上shàng马mǎ，倒dào提tí青qīng龙lóng刀dāo，跑pǎo下xià山shān来lái，凤fèng目mù圆yuán睁zhēng，蚕cán眉méi直zhí竖shù，直zhí冲chōng彼bǐ阵zhèn，河hé北běi军jūn如rú波bō开kāi浪làng裂liè。关guān公gōng迳jìng奔bēn颜yán良liáng。颜yán良liáng正zhèng在zài麾huī盖gài下xià，见jiàn关guān公gōng冲chōng来lái，方fāng欲yù问wèn时shí，关guān公gōng赤chì兔tù马mǎ快kuài，早záo已yí跑pǎo到dào麺miàn前qián。颜yán良liáng措cuò手shǒu不bù及jí，被bèi云yún长zháng手shóu起qǐ一yī刀dāo，刺cì于yú马mǎ下xià。

Kuan Yü quickly mounted, turned down his mighty weapon and galloped down the hill, his phoenix eyes rounded and his heavy eyebrows fiercely bristling. He dashed straight into the enemy’s array and the northmen opened like water before him, a wave spreading right and left. He made directly for the general. Now Yen Liang sitting there in state saw a horseman rushing toward him and just as he began to ask who the rider of the red horse was, lo! the horseman was there. Taken utterly by surprise the leader could make no defence. Kuan’s arm rose and the mighty weapon fell. And with it fell Yen Liang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-55

忽hū地dì下xià马mǎ，割gē了le颜yán良liáng首shǒu级jí，拴shuān于yú马mǎ项xiàng之zhī下xià，飞fēi身shēn上shàng马mǎ，提tí刀dāo出chū阵zhèn，如rú入rù无wú人rén之zhī境jìng。河hé北běi兵bīng将jiāng大dà惊jīng，不bú战zhàn自zì乱luàn。曹cáo军jūn乘chéng势shì攻gōng击jī，死sí者zhě不bù可kě胜shèng数shǔ，马má匹pǐ器qì械xiè，抢qiǎng夺duó极jí多duō。关guān公gōng纵zòng马mǎ上shàng山shān，众zhòng将jiāng侭jǐn皆jiē称chēng贺hè。公gōng献xiàn首shǒu级jí于yú操cāo前qián。操cāo曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn真zhēn神shén人rén也yě！」关guān公gōng曰yuē：「某mǒu何hé足zú道dào哉zāi！

Leaping from the saddle Kuan Yü cut off his victim’s head and hung it to his horse’s neck. Then he mounted and rode out, just as if there was no army there. The northern men, panic stricken, made no fight. Ts‘ao’s army attacked with vigour and slew great numbers of them. They captured many horses and weapons and much military gear. Kuan Yü rode quickly back up the hill and laid the proof of his prowess at the feet of the Minister. “You are more than human, General!” cried Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-56

吾wú弟dì张zhāng翼yì德dé于yú百bǎi万wàn军jūn中zhōng取qǔ上shàng将jiàng之zhī头tóu，如rú探tàn囊náng取qǔ物wù耳ěr。」操cāo大dà惊jīng，回huí顾gù左zuǒ右yòu曰yuē：「今jīn后hòu如rú遇yù张zhāng翼yì德dé，不bù可kě轻qīng敌dí。」令lìng写xiě于yú衣yī袍páo襟jīn底dí以yǐ记jì之zhī。

“What have I done to talk about?” said Kuan. “My brother, Chang I-tê, did the same thing in an army of a hundred legions, and did it easily.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao marvelled at the statement and turning to those about him said, “If you meet this brother be careful.” And he bade them make a note on the overlap of their robes so that they should remember.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-57

却què说shuō颜yán良liáng败bài军jūn奔bēn回huí，半bàn路lù迎yíng见jiàn袁yuán绍shào，报bào说shuō被bèi赤chì麺miàn长zhǎng须xū使shǐ大dà刀dāo一yī勇yǒng将jiàng，匹pí马mǎ入rù阵zhèn，斩zhǎn颜yán良liáng而ér去qù，因yīn此cǐ大dà败bài。绍shào惊jīng问wèn曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén是shì谁shuí？」沮jǔ授shòu曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì是shì刘liú玄xuán德dé之zhī弟dì关guān云yún长zháng也yě。」绍shào大dà怒nù，指zhǐ玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「汝rǔ弟dì斩zhǎn吾wú爱ài将jiāng，汝rǔ必bì通tōng谋móu，留liú你nǐ何hé用yòng！」唤huàn刀dāo斧fú手shǒu推tuī出chū玄xuán德dé斩zhǎn之zhī。正zhèng是shì：

The beaten army returning northward met Yüan Shao on the road and told their story. “A red-faced warrior with a long beard, wielding a huge sword, broke into the army, cut off the general’s head and bore it off,” said they. “Who was this?” asked Shao. Chu Shou said, “It must have been Liu Yüan-te’s brother; it could be nobody else.” Yüan Shao was very angry and, pointing to Liu Pei, he said, “Your brother has slain my beloved leader. You are in the plot too. Why should I save you alive?” He bade the lictors take him away and behead him. Morning saw him guest on high, Evening, prisoner, doomed to die. His actual fate will be told in the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

25-58

初chū见jiàn方fāng为wèi座zuò上shàng客kè，此cǐ日rì几jǐ同tóng阶jiē下xià囚qiú。

At first he sat an honored guest beneath the roof, Today he seemed a prisoner, as if in handproof.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

25-59

未wèi知zhī玄xuán德dé性xìng命mìng如rú何hé，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