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

第dì三sān回huí 议yì温wēn明míng董dǒng卓zhuō叱chì丁dīng原yuán　　餽kuì金jīn珠zhū李lǐ肃sù说shuō吕lǚ布bù

3-1

且qiě说shuō曹cáo操cāo当dāng日rì对duì何hé进jìn曰yuē「宦huàn官guān之zhī祸huò古gǔ今jīn皆jiē有yǒu但dàn世shì主zhǔ不bú当dàng假jiǎ之zhī权quán宠chóng使shǐ至zhì于yú此cǐ。若ruò欲yù治zhì罪zuì当dāng除chú元yuán𫫇ě但dàn付fù一yī狱yù吏lì足zú矣yǐ何hé必bì纷fēn纷fēn召zhào外wài兵bīng乎hū欲yù侭jǐn诛zhū之zhī事shì必bì宣xuān露lù。吾wú料liào其qí必bì败bài也yě。」何hé进jìn怒nù曰yuē「孟mèng德dé亦yì怀huái私sī意yì耶yé」操cāo退tuì曰yuē「乱luàn天tiān下xià者zhě必bì进jìn也yě。」

What Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said was this: “The eunuch evil is of very old standing, but the real cause of the present trouble is in the improper influence allowed them by the ruler, and the misplaced favouritism they have enjoyed. But a gaoler would be ample force to employ against the evil. Why increase confusion by summoning troops from the provinces? Any desire to slay them will speedily become known and the plan will fail.” “Then Mêng-tê, you have some scheme of your own to further,” said Ho with a sneer. “Ho Chin is the man to throw the empire into confusion,” retorted Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-2

进jìn乃nǎi暗àn差chāi使shǐ命mìng赍jī密mì诏zhào星xīng夜yè往wǎng各gè镇zhèn去qù。

Then Ho Chin sent swift, secret letters far and wide.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-3

却què说shuō前qián将jiāng军jūn斄lí乡xiāng侯hóu西xī凉liáng刺cì史shí董dǒng卓zhuó，先xiān为wèi破pò黄huáng巾jīn无wú功gōng，朝cháo廷tíng将jiāng治zhì其qí罪zuì，因yīn贿huì赂lù十shí常cháng侍shì幸xìng免miǎn；后hòu又yòu结jié托tuō朝cháo贵guì，遂suì任rèn显xiǎn官guān，统tǒng西xī州zhōu大dà军jūn二èr十shí万wàn，常cháng有yǒu不bù臣chén之zhī心xīn。是shì时shí得dé诏zhào大dà喜xǐ，点dián起qǐ军jūn马mǎ，陆lù续xù便biàn行xíng；

It must be recalled here that the now powerful Tung Cho had failed in his attempt to destroy the Yellow Turban rebellion and would have been punished but for the protection of the Ten Eunuchs, whom he had bribed heavily. Later he obtained an important military command in the west. But he was treacherous and disloyal at heart. So when he received the summons to the capital he rejoiced greatly and lost no time in obeying it. He left a son-in-law Niu Fu to hold Shênsi and set out for Loyang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-4

使shǐ其qí婿xù中zhōng郎láng将jiāng牛niú辅fǔ，守shǒu住zhù陕shǎn西xī，自zì己jǐ却què带dài李lǐ傕jué、郭guō汜sì、张zhāng济jì、樊fán稠chóu等děng提tí兵bīng望wàng洛luò阳yáng进jìn发fā。卓zhuó婿xù谋móu士shì李lǐ儒rú曰yuē：「今jīn虽suī奉fèng诏zhào，中zhōng间jiān多duō有yǒu暗àn昧mèi。何hé不bú差chà人rén上shàng表biǎo，名míng正zhèng言yán顺shùn，大dà事shì可kě图tú。」卓zhuó大dà喜xǐ，遂suì上shàng表biǎo。其qí略lüè曰yuē：

It must be recalled here that the now powerful Tung Cho had failed in his attempt to destroy the Yellow Turban rebellion and would have been punished but for the protection of the Ten Eunuchs, whom he had bribed heavily. Later he obtained an important military command in the west. But he was treacherous and disloyal at heart. So when he received the summons to the capital he rejoiced greatly and lost no time in obeying it. He left a son-in-law Niu Fu to hold Shênsi and set out for Loyang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-5

窃qiè闻wén天tiān下xià所suó以yǐ乱luàn逆nì不bù止zhí者zhě，皆jiē由yóu黄huáng门mén常cháng侍shì张zhāng让ràng等déng侮wǔ慢màn天tiān常cháng之zhī故gù。臣chén闻wén扬yáng汤tāng止zhǐ沸fèi，不bù如rú去qù薪xīn；溃kuì痈yōng虽suī痛tòng，胜shèng于yú养yǎng毒dú。臣chén敢gǎn鸣míng钟zhōng鼓gǔ入rù洛luò阳yáng，请qǐng除chú让ràng等děng。社shè稷jì幸xìng甚shèn！天tiān下xià幸xìng甚shèn！

Li Ju, his adviser and son-in-law said, “Though a formal summons has come there are many obscurities in it. It would be well to send up a memorial stating plainly our aims and intentions. Then we can proceed.” So he composed one something like this: “Thy servant knows that the continual rebellions owe their origin to the eunuchs who act counter to all recognised precept. Now to stop the ebullition of a pot the best way is to withdraw the fire; to cut out an abscess, though painful, is better than to nourish the evil. I have dared to undertake a military advance on the capital, and now pray that Chang Jang and the other eunuchs be removed for the happiness of the Dynasty and of the whole land.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-6

何hé进jìn得dé表biǎo，出chū示shì大dà臣chén。侍shì御yù史shǐ郑zhèng泰tài谏jiàn曰yuē：「董dǒng卓zhuó乃nǎi豺chái狼láng也yě，引yǐn入rù京jīng城chéng，必bì食shí人rén矣yǐ。」进jìn曰yuē：「汝rǔ多duō疑yí，不bù足zú谋móu大dà事shì。」卢lú植zhí亦yì谏jiàn曰yuē：「植zhí素sù知zhī董dǒng卓zhuó为wéi人rén，麺miàn善shàn心xīn狠hěn；一yī入rù禁jìn庭tíng，必bì生shēng祸huò患huàn。不bù如rú止zhǐ之zhī勿wù来lái，免miǎn致zhì生shēng乱luàn。」进jìn不bù听tīng，郑zhèng泰tài、卢lú植zhí皆jiē弃qì官guān而ér去qù。朝cháo廷tíng大dà臣chén，去qù者zhě大dà半bàn。

Ho Chin read this memorial and showed it to his partisans. Then said Cheng T‘ai, “A fierce wild beast; if he come his prey will be men.” Ho Chin replied, “You are too timorous; you are unequal to great schemes.” But Lu Chih also said, “Long have I known this man; in appearance innocent, he is a very wolf at heart. Let him in and calamity enters with him. Stop him; do not let him come and thus will you avoid confusion.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-7

进jìn使shǐ人rén迎yíng董dǒng卓zhuó于yú渑miǎn池chí，卓zhuó按àn兵bīng不bú动dòng。

Ho Chin was obstinate and both these men gave up their posts and retired, as did more than half the ministers of State, while Ho Chin sent a warm welcome to Tung Cho, who soon camped at Ying Pool.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-8

张zhāng让ràng等děng知zhī外wài兵bīng到dào，共gòng议yì曰yuē：「此cǐ何hé进jìn之zhī谋móu也yě；我wó等děng不bù先xiān下xià手shǒu，皆jiē灭miè族zú矣yǐ。」乃nǎi先xiān伏fú刀dāo斧fú手shóu五wǔ十shí人rén于yú长cháng乐lè宫gōng嘉jiā德dé门mén内nèi，入rù告gào何hé太tài后hòu曰yuē：「今jīn大dà将jiāng军jūn矫jiǎo诏zhào召zhào外wài兵bīng至zhì京jīng师shī，欲yù灭miè臣chén等děng，望wàng娘niáng娘niáng垂chuí怜lián赐cì救jiù。」太tài后hòu曰yuē：「汝rú等déng可kě诣yì大dà将jiāng军jūn府fǔ谢xiè罪zuì。」让ràng曰yuē：「若ruò到dào相xiāng府fǔ，骨gǔ肉ròu虀jī粉fén矣yǐ。

The eunuchs knew this move was directed against them and recognised that their only chance for safety was to strike the first blow. So they first hid a band of armed ruffians in the palace at the Gate of Abundant Virtue and then went in to see the Empress. They said, “The General, feigning to act under command, has called up armies to the capital to destroy us. We pray you, Grandmother, to pity and save us.” “Go to the General and confess your faults,” said she. “If we did then should we be cut to mincemeat. Rather summon the General into your presence and command him to cease. If he will not, then we pray but to die in your presence.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-9

望wàng娘niáng娘niáng宣xuān大dà将jiāng军jūn入rù宫gōng谕yù止zhǐ之zhī。如rú其qí不bù从cóng，臣chén等déng只zhǐ就jiù娘niáng娘niáng前qián请qíng死sǐ。」太tài后hòu乃nǎi降jiàng诏zhào宣xuān进jìn。进jìn得dé诏zhào便biàn行xíng。主zhǔ簿bù陈chén琳lín谏jiàn曰yuē：「太tài后hòu此cǐ诏zhào，必bì是shì十shí常cháng侍shì之zhī谋móu，切qiè不bù可kě去qù。去qù必bì有yǒu祸huò。」进jìn曰yuē：「太tài后hòu诏zhào我wǒ，有yǒu何hé祸huò事shì？」袁yuán绍shào曰yuē：「今jīn谋móu已yǐ泄xiè，事shì已yǐ露lù，将jiāng军jūn尚shàng欲yù入rù宫gōng耶yé？

She issued the requisite command and Ho was just going to her when Ch‘ên Lin advised him not to enter, saying the eunuchs were certainly behind the order and meant him harm. But Ho could only see the command of the Empress and was blind to all else. “The plot is no longer a secret”; and Yüan Shan, “still you may go if you are ready to fight your way in.” “Get the eunuchs out first,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “Silly children!” said Ho. “What can they do against the man who holds the forces of the Empire in the palm of his hand?” Shao said, “If you will go, then we will come as a guard, just as a precaution.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-10

」曹cáo操cāo曰yuē：「先xiān召zhào十shí常cháng侍shì出chū，然rán后hòu可kě入rù。」进jìn笑xiào曰yuē：「此cí小xiǎo儿ér之zhī见jiàn也yě。吾wú掌zhǎng天tiān下xià之zhī权quán，十shí常cháng侍shì敢gǎn待dài如rú何hé？」绍shào曰yuē：「公gōng必bì欲yù去qù，我wó等déng引yín甲jiǎ士shì护hù从cóng，以yǐ防fáng不bú测cè。」于yú是shì袁yuán绍shào、曹cáo操cāo各gè选xuǎn精jīng兵bīng五wú百bǎi，命mìng袁yuán绍shào之zhī弟dì袁yuán术shù领lǐng之zhī。袁yuán术shù全quán身shēn披pī挂guà，引yǐn兵bīng布bú列liè青qīng琐suǒ门mén外wài。

Whereupon both he and Ts‘ao chose a half company of the best men under their command, at whose head they placed a brother of Yüan Shao, named Shu. Yüan Shu, clad in mail, drew up his men outside the Chingso Gate while the other two went as escort. When Ho Chin neared the palace the eunuchs said, “The orders are to admit the General and none other.” So the escort was detained outside.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-11

绍shào与yǔ操cāo带dài剑jiàn护hù送sòng何hé进jìn至zhì长cháng乐lè宫gōng前qián。黄huáng门mén传chuán懿yì旨zhǐ云yún：「太tài后hòu特tè宣xuān大dà将jiāng军jūn，余yú人rén不bù许xǔ辄zhé入rù。」将jiāng袁yuán绍shào、曹cáo操cāo等děng都dōu阻zǔ住zhù宫gōng门mén外wài。何hé进jìn昂áng然rán直zhí入rù。至zhì嘉jiā德dé殿diàn门mén，张zhāng让ràng、段duàn圭guī迎yíng出chū，左zuǒ右yòu围wéi住zhù，进jìn大dà惊jīng。让ràng厉lì声shēng责zé进jìn曰yuē：「董dǒng后hòu何hé罪zuì，妄wàng以yǐ酖zhèn死sǐ？国guó母mǔ丧sāng葬zàng，托tuō疾jí不bù出chū！

Ho Chin went in proudly. At the Gate of Abundant Virtue he was met by the two chief eunuchs and their followers quickly closed in around him. Ho began to feel alarmed. Then Chang Jang in a harsh voice began to revile him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-12

汝rú本běn屠tú沽gū小xiǎo辈bèi，我wó等děng荐jiàn之zhī天tiān子zi，以yǐ致zhì荣róng贵guì：不bù思sī报bào效xiào，欲yù相xiāng谋móu害hài！汝rǔ言yán我wó等děng甚shèn浊zhuó，其qí清qīng者zhě是shì谁shuí？」进jìn慌huāng急jí，欲yù寻xún出chū路lù，宫gōng门mén侭jǐn闭bì，伏fú甲jiǎ齐qí出chū，将jiāng何hé进jìn砍kǎn为wèi两liǎng段duàn。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn之zhī曰yuē：

“What crime had Tung T‘ai-hou committed that she should have been put to death? And when the Mother of the Country was buried, who feigned sickness and did not attend? We raised you and your paltry, huckstering family to all the dignity and wealth you have, and this is your gratitude! You would slay us. You call us sordid and dirty; who is the cleaner?” Ho Chin was panic stricken and looked about for a way to escape, but the eunuchs closed him in and then the assassins appeared and did their bloody work.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-13

汉hàn室shì倾qīng危wēi天tiān数shù终zhōng，无wú谋móu何hé进jìn作zuò三sān公gōng。

The Han house falls, its heavenly mandate spent— A fool like He Jin held the topmost place.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

3-14

几jǐ番fān不bù听tīng忠zhōng臣chén谏jiàn，难nán免miǎn宫gōng中zhōng受shòu剑jiàn锋fēng。

Time and again he scorned the loyal's plea; In the palace, sword-blades he could not flee.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

3-15

让ràng等děng既jì杀shā何hé进jìn，袁yuán绍shào久jiǔ不bú见jiàn进jìn出chū，乃nǎi于yú宫gōng门mén外wài大dà叫jiào曰yuē：「请qǐng将jiāng军jūn上shàng车chē！」让ràng等děng将jiāng何hé进jìn首shǒu级jí从cóng墙qiáng上shàng掷zhì出chū，宣xuān谕yù曰yuē：「何hé进jìn谋móu反fǎn，已yǐ伏fú诛zhū矣yǐ。其qí余yú胁xié从cóng，侭jǐn皆jiē赦shè宥yòu。」袁yuán绍shào厉lì声shēng大dà叫jiào：「阉yān官guān谋móu杀shā大dà臣chén！诛zhū𫫇é党dáng者zhě前qián来lái助zhù战zhàn！」何hé进jìn部bú将jiàng吴wú匡kuāng，便biàn于yú青qīng琐suǒ门mén外wài放fàng起qí火huǒ来lái。

Closing the days of the Hans, and the years of their rule were near spent, Stupid and tactless was Ho Chin, yet stood he highest in office; Many were they who advised him, but he was deaf as he heard not; Wherefore fell he a victim under the swords of the eunuchs. So Ho Chin died. Yüan Shao waited long. By and by, impatient at the delay, he called through the Gate, “Thy carriage waits, O General.” For reply the head of the murdered officer was flung over the wall. Adecree was proclaimed that Ho Chin had contemplated treachery and therefore had been slain. It pardoned his adherents. Yüan Shao shouted, “The eunuchs have slain the minister. Let those who will slay this wicked party come and help me.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-16

袁yuán术shù引yǐn兵bīng突tū入rù宫gōng庭tíng，但dàn见jiàn阉yān官guān，不bú谕yù大dà小xiǎo，侭jǐn皆jiē杀shā之zhī。袁yuán绍shào、曹cáo操cāo斩zhǎn关guān入rù内nèi。赵zhào忠zhōng，程chéng旷kuàng，夏xià恽yùn，郭guō胜shèng四sì个gè被bèi赶gǎn至zhì翠cuì花huā楼lóu前qián，剁duò为wèi肉ròu泥ní。宫gōng中zhōng火huǒ燄yàn冲chōng天tiān。张zhāng让ràng、段duàn圭guī、曹cáo节jié、侯hóu览lǎn将jiāng太tài后hòu及jí太tài子zi并bìng陈chén留liú王wáng劫jié去qù内nèi省xǐng，从cóng后hòu道dào走zóu北běi宫gōng。

Then one of Ho Chin’s officers set fire to the gate. Yüan Shu at the head of his men burst in and fell to slaying the eunuchs without regard to age or rank. Yüan Shao and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao broke into the inner part of the palace. Four of the eunuchs fled to the Blue Flower Lodge where they were hacked to pieces. Fire raged, destroying the buildings. Four of the eunuchs led by Chang Jang carried off the Empress, the heir apparent and the Prince of Ch‘ên-liu toward the north palace.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-17

时shí卢lú植zhí弃qì官guān未wèi去qù，见jiàn宫gōng中zhōng事shì变biàn，擐huàn甲jiǎ持chí戈gē，立lì于yú阁gé下xià。遥yáo见jiàn段duàn圭guī拥yōng逼bī何hé后hòu过guò来lái，植zhí大dà呼hū曰yuē：「段duàn圭guī逆nì贼zéi，安ān敢gǎn劫jié太tài后hòu！」段duàn圭guī回huí身shēn便biàn走zǒu。太tài后hòu从cóng窗chuāng中zhōng跳tiào出chū，植zhí急jí救jiù得dé免miǎn。吴wú匡kuāng杀shā入rù内nèi庭tíng，见jiàn何hé苗miáo亦yì提tí剑jiàn出chū。匡kuāng大dà呼hū曰yuē：「何hé苗miáo同tóng谋móu害hài兄xiōng，当dāng共gòng杀shā之zhī！

Lu Chih, since he had resigned office, was at home, but hearing of the revolution in the palace he donned his armour, took his spear and prepared to fight. He saw the eunuch Tuan Kuei hurrying the Empress along and called out “You rebels, how dare you abduct the Empress?” The eunuch fled. The Empress leaped out of a window and was taken to a place of safety.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-18

」众zhòng人rén俱jù曰yuē：「愿yuàn斩zhǎn谋móu兄xiōng之zhī贼zéi！」苗miáo欲yù走zǒu，四sì麺miàn围wéi定dìng，砍kǎn为wèi齑jī粉fěn。绍shào复fù令lìng军jūn士shì分fēn头tóu来lái杀shā十shí常cháng侍shì家jiā属shǔ，不bù分fēn大dà小xiǎo，侭jǐn皆jiē诛zhū绝jué，多duō有yǒu无wú须xū者zhě误wù被bèi杀shā死sǐ。曹cáo操cāo一yī麺miàn救jiù灭miè宫gōng中zhōng之zhī火huǒ，请qǐng何hé太tài后hòu权quán摄shè大dà事shì，遣qiǎn兵bīng追zhuī袭xí张zhāng让ràng等děng，寻xún觅mì少shǎo帝dì。

Wu K‘uang burst into one of the inner halls where he found Ho Miao, sword in hand. “You also were in the plot to slay your brother,” cried he. “You shall die with the others.” “Let us kill the plotter against his elder brother,” cried many. Miao looked around; his enemies hemmed him in on every side. He was hacked to pieces. Shao bade his soldiers scatter and seek out all the families of the eunuchs, sparing none. In that slaughter many beardless men were killed in error. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao set himself to extinguish the fires. He then begged Ho T‘ai-hou to undertake the direction of affairs and soldiers were sent to pursue Chang Jang and rescue the young Emperor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-19

且qiě说shuō张zhāng让ràng、段duàn圭guī劫jié拥yōng少shǎo帝dì及jí陈chén留liú王wáng，冒mào烟yān突tū火huǒ，连lián夜yè奔bēn走zǒu至zhì北běi邙máng山shān。约yuē三sān更gēng时shí分fēn，后hòu麺miàn喊hǎn声shēng大dà举jǔ，人rén马má赶gǎn至zhì；当dāng前qián何hé南nán中zhōng部bú掾yuàn吏lì闵mǐn贡gòng，大dà呼hū：「逆nì贼zéi休xiū走zǒu！」张zhāng让ràng见jiàn事shì急jí，遂suì投tóu河hé而ér死sǐ。帝dì与yǔ陈chén留liú王wáng未wèi知zhī虚xū实shí，不bù敢gǎn高gāo声shēng，伏fú于yú河hé边biān乱luàn草cǎo之zhī内nèi。军jūn马mǎ四sì散sàn去qù赶gǎn，不bù知zhī帝dì之zhī所suǒ在zài。

The two chief eunuchs, Chang Jang and Tuan Kuei, had hustled away the Emperor and the Prince of Ch‘ên-liu. They burst through the smoke and fire and travelled without stopping till they reached the Peimang Hills. It was then the third watch. They heard a great shouting behind them and saw soldiers in pursuit. Their leader was shouting “Stop, stop!” Chang Jang, seeing that he was lost, jumped into the river, where he was drowned.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-20

帝dì与yǔ王wáng伏fú至zhì四sì更gèng，露lù水shuǐ又yòu下xià，腹fù中zhōng饥jī馁něi，相xiāng抱bào而ér哭kū；又yòu怕pà人rén知zhī觉jué，吞tūn声shēng草cáo莽mǎng之zhī中zhōng。陈chén留liú王wáng曰yuē：「此cǐ间jiān不bù可ké久jiǔ恋liàn，须xū别bié寻xún活huó路lù。」于yú是shì二èr人rén以yǐ衣yī相xiāng结jié，爬pá上shàng岸àn边biān。满mǎn地dì荆jīng棘jí，黑hēi暗àn之zhī中zhōng，不bú见jiàn行xíng路lù。正zhèng无wú奈nài何hé，忽hū有yǒu流liú萤yíng千qiān百bǎi成chéng群qún，光guāng芒máng照zhào耀yào，只zhǐ在zài帝dì前qián飞fēi转zhuàn。

The two boys ignorant of the meaning of all this confusion and terrified out of their senses, dared not utter a cry; they crept in among the rank grass on the river bank and hid. The soldiers scattered in all directions but failed to find them. So they remained till the fourth watch, shivering with cold from the drenching dew and very hungry. They lay down in the thick grass and wept in each other’s arms, silently, lest any one should discover them. “This is no a place to stay in,” said the Prince, “we must find some way out.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-21

陈chén留liú王wáng曰yuē：「此cǐ天tiān助zhù我wǒ兄xiōng弟dì也yě！」遂suì随suí萤yíng火huǒ而ér行xíng，渐jiàn渐jiàn见jiàn路lù。行xíng至zhì五wǔ更gēng，足zú痛tòng不bù能néng行xíng。山shān冈gāng边biān见jiàn一yī草cǎo堆duī，帝dì与yǔ王wáng卧wò于yú草cǎo堆duī之zhī畔pàn。草cǎo堆duī前qián麺miàn是shì一yī所suǒ庄zhuāng院yuàn。庄zhuāng主zhǔ是shì夜yè梦mèng两liǎng红hóng日rì坠zhuì于yú庄zhuāng后hòu，惊jīng觉jué，披pī衣yī出chū户hù，四sì下xià观guān望wàng。见jiàn庄zhuāng后hòu草cǎo堆duī上shàng红hóng光guāng冲chōng天tiān，慌huāng忙máng往wǎng视shì，却què是shì二èr人rén卧wò于yú草cǎo畔pàn。

So the two children knotted their clothes together and managed to crawl up the bank. They were in a thicket of thorn bushes and it was quite dark. They could not see any path. They were in despair when, all at once, millions of fireflies sprang up all about them and circled in the air in front of the Emperor. “God is helping us,” said the Prince. They followed whither the fireflies led and gradually got into a road. They walked till their feet were too sore to go further, when, seeing a heap of straw near the road, they crept to it and lay down.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-22

庄zhuāng主zhǔ问wèn曰yuē「二èr少shào年nián谁shuí家jiā之zhī子zi」帝dì不bù敢gǎn应yīng。陈chén留liú王wáng指zhǐ帝dì曰yuē「此cǐ是shì当dāng今jīn皇huáng帝dì遭zāo十shí常cháng侍shì之zhī乱luàn逃táo难nàn到dào此cǐ。吾wú乃nǎi皇huáng弟dì陈chén留liú王wáng也yě。」庄zhuāng主zhǔ大dà惊jīng再zài拜bài曰yuē「臣chén先xiān朝cháo司sī徒tú崔cuī烈liè之zhī弟dì崔cuī毅yì也yě。因yīn见jiàn十shí常cháng侍shì卖mài官guān嫉jí贤xián故gù隐yǐn于yú此cǐ。」遂suì扶fú帝dì入rù庄zhuāng跪guì进jìn酒jiǔ食shí。

This heap of straw was close to a farm house. In the night, as the farmer was sleeping, he saw in a vision two bright red suns drop behind his dwelling. Alarmed by the portent he hastily dressed and went forth to look about him. Then he saw a bright light shooting up from a heap of straw. He hastened thither and then saw two youths lying behind it. “To what household do you belong, young gentlemen?” asked he. The Emperor was too frightened to reply, but his companion said, “He is the Emperor. There has been a revolution in the palace and we ran away. I am his brother Prince of Ch‘ên-liu.” The farmer bowed again and again and said, “I am the brother of a former official and my name is Ts‘ui I. My brother was disgusted with the behaviour of the eunuchs and so resigned and hid away here.” The two lads were taken into the farm and their host on his knees served them with refreshment.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-23

却què说shuō闵mǐn贡gòng赶gǎn上shàng段duàn圭guī拏ná住zhù，问wèn天tiān子zi何hé在zài。圭guī言yán已yǐ在zài半bàn路lù相xiāng失shī，不bù知zhī何hé往wǎng。贡gòng遂suì杀shā段duàn圭guī，悬xuán头tóu于yú马mǎ项xiàng下xià，分fēn兵bīng四sì散sàn寻xún觅mì；自zì己jǐ却què独dú乘chéng一yī马mǎ，随suí路lù追zhuī寻xún。偶ǒu至zhì崔cuī毅yì庄zhuāng，毅yì见jiàn首shǒu级jí，问wèn之zhī，贡gòng说shuō详xiáng细xì。崔cuī毅yì引yǐn贡gòng见jiàn帝dì，君jūn臣chén痛tòng哭kū。贡gòng曰yuē：「国guó不bù可kě一yī日rì无wú君jūn，请qǐng陛bì下xià还hái都dōu。

It has been said that Min Kung had gone in pursuit of the eunuch Tuan Kuei. By and by Kung overtook him and cried, “Where is the Emperor?” “He disappeared. I do not know where he is.” Kung slew him and hung the bleeding head on his horse’s neck. Then he sent his men searching in all directions and he rode off by himself on the same quest. Presently he came to the farm. Ts‘ui I, seeing what hung on his horse’s neck, questioned him and, satisfied with his story, led him to the Emperor. The meeting was affecting; all were moved to tears.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-24

」崔cuī毅yì庄zhuāng上shàng只zhí有yǒu瘦shòu马mǎ一yì匹pǐ，备bèi与yǔ帝dì乘chéng。贡gòng与yǔ陈chén留liú王wáng共gòng乘chéng一yī马mǎ。离lí庄zhuāng而ér行xíng，不bú到dào三sān里lǐ，司sī徒tú王wáng允yǔn，太tài尉wèi杨yáng彪biāo，左zuǒ军jūn校xiào尉wèi淳chún于yú琼qióng，右yòu军jūn校xiào尉wèi赵zhào萌méng，后hòu军jūn校xiào尉wèi鲍bào信xìn，中zhōng军jūn校xiào尉wèi袁yuán绍shào，一yī行xíng人rén众zhòng，数shù百bǎi人rén马mǎ，接jiē著zhù车chē驾jià，君jūn臣chén皆jiē哭kū。先xiān使shǐ人rén将jiāng段duàn圭guī首shǒu级jí往wǎng京jīng师shī号hào令lìng。

“The State cannot be without its ruler,” said Min Kung. “I pray Your Majesty to return to the city.” At the farm they had but one sorry nag and this they saddled for the Emperor. The young prince was taken on Min Kung’s charger. And thus they left the farm. Soon they fell in with other officials and the several guards and soldiers made up an imposing cavalcade. Tears were shed freely as the ministers met their Emperor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-25

另lìng换huàn好háo马má与yǔ帝dì及jí陈chén留liú王wáng骑qí坐zuò簇cù帝dì还hái京jīng。先xiān是shì洛luò阳yáng小xiǎo儿ér谣yáo曰yuē「帝dì非fēi非fēi王wáng千qiān乘chéng万wàn骑qí走zóu北běi邙máng。」至zhì此cí果guǒ应yīng其qí谶chèn。

Aman was sent on in front to the capital there to expose the head of the eunuch Tuan Kuei. As soon as they could they placed the Emperor on a better steed and the young prince had a horse to himself. Thus the Emperor returned to Loyang and so it happened after all as the street boys’ ditty ran:— Though the Emperor doesn’t rule, though the prince no office fills, Yet a brilliant cavalcade comes along from Peimang Hills.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-26

车chē驾jià行xíng不bú到dào数shù里lǐ忽hū见jiàn旌jīng旗qí蔽bì日rì尘chén土tǔ遮zhē天tiān一yī枝zhī人rén马mǎ到dào来lái。百bǎi官guān失shī色sè帝dì亦yì大dà惊jīng。袁yuán绍shào骤zhòu马mǎ出chū问wèn何hé人rén。绣xiù旗qí影yíng里lǐ一yī将jiāng飞fēi出chū厉lì声shēng问wèn「天tiān子zi何hé在zài」帝dì战zhàn栗lì不bù能néng言yán。陈chén留liú王wáng勒lēi马mǎ向xiàng前qián叱chì曰yuē「来lái者zhě何hé人rén」卓zhuó曰yuē「西xī凉liáng刺cì史shí董dǒng卓zhuó也yě。」陈chén留liú王wáng曰yuē「汝rǔ来lái保bǎo驾jià耶yé汝rǔ来lái劫jié驾jià耶yé」

The cavalcade had not proceeded far when they saw coming towards them a large body of soldiers with fluttering banners hiding the sun and raising a huge cloud of dust. The officials turned pale and the Emperor was greatly alarmed. Yüan Shao rode out in advance and demanded who they were. From under the shade of an embroidered banner rode out an officer demanding if they had seen the Emperor. His Majesty was too panic-stricken to respond but the Prince of Ch‘ên-liu rode to the front and cried, “Who are you?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-27

卓zhuó应yīng曰yuē「特tè来lái保bǎo驾jià。」陈chén留liú王wáng曰yuē「既jì来lái保bǎo驾jià天tiān子zi在zài此cǐ何hé不bú下xià马mǎ」卓zhuó大dà惊jīng慌huāng忙máng下xià马mǎ拜bài于yú道dào左zuǒ。陈chén留liú王wáng以yǐ言yán抚fǔ慰wèi董dǒng卓zhuó自zì初chū至zhì终zhōng并bìng无wú失shī语yǔ。卓zhuó暗àn奇qí之zhī已yǐ怀huái废fèi立lì之zhī意yì。是shì日rì还hái宫gōng见jiàn何hé太tài后hòu俱jù各gè痛tòng哭kū。检jián点diǎn宫gōng中zhōng不bú见jiàn了le传chuán国guó玉yù玺xǐ。

Tung Cho replied giving his name and rank. “Have you come to protect the chariot or to steal it?” said the prince. “I have come to protect,” said Tung Cho. “If that is so the Emperor is here; why do you not dismount?” Cho hastily dismounted and made obeisance on the left of the road. Then the prince spoke graciously to him. From first to last the prince had carried himself most perfectly so that Cho in his heart admired his behaviour, and then arose the first desire to set aside the Emperor in favour of the prince. They reached the palace the same day and there was an affecting interview with Ho T‘ai-hou . But when they had restored order in the palace the Hereditary Seal, the special seal of the Emperor, was missing.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-28

董dǒng卓zhuó屯tún兵bīng城chéng外wài，每měi日rì带dài铁tié甲jiá马mǎ军jūn入rù城chéng，横héng行xíng街jiē市shì，百bǎi姓xìng惶huáng惶huáng不bù安ān。卓zhuó出chū入rù宫gōng庭tíng，略lüè无wú忌jì惮dàn。后hòu军jūn校xiào尉wèi鲍bào信xìn，来lái见jiàn袁yuán绍shào，言yán董dǒng卓zhuó必bì有yǒu异yì心xīn，可kě速sù除chú之zhī。绍shào曰yuē：「朝cháo廷tíng新xīn定dìng，未wèi可kě轻qīng动dòng。」鲍bào信xìn见jiàn王wáng允yǔn，亦yì言yán其qí事shì。允yǔn曰yuē：「且qiě容róng商shāng议yì。」信xìn自zì引yín本běn部bù军jūn兵bīng，投tóu泰tài山shān去qù了le。

Tung Cho camped without the walls but every day he was to be seen in the streets with an escort of mailed soldiers so that the common people were in a state of constant trepidation. He also went in and out of the palace careless of all the rules of propriety. Pao Hsin spoke of his behaviour to Yüan Shao, saying, “This man harbours some evil design and should be removed.” “Nothing can be done till the government is more settled,” said Shao. ” Then he saw Wang Yün and asked what he thought. “Let us talk it over,” was the reply.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-29

董dǒng卓zhuó招zhāo诱yòu何hé进jìn兄xiōng弟dì部bú下xià之zhī兵bīng，侭jǐn归guī掌zhǎng握wò。私sī谓wèi李lǐ儒rú曰yuē：「吾wú欲yù废fèi帝dì立lì陈chén留liú王wáng，何hé如rú？」李lǐ儒rú曰yuē：「今jīn朝zhāo廷tíng无wú主zhǔ，不bú就jiù此cǐ时shí行xíng事shì，迟chí则zé有yǒu变biàn矣yǐ。来lái日rì于yú温wēn明míng园yuán中zhōng，召zhào集jí百bǎi官guān，谕yù以yǐ废fèi立lì；有yǒu不bù从cóng者zhé斩zhǎn之zhī，则zé威wēi权quán之zhī行xíng，正zhèng在zài今jīn日rì。」卓zhuó喜xǐ。次cì日rì大dà排pái筵yán会huì，遍biàn请qǐng公gōng卿qīng。

Pao Hsin said no more but he left the capital and retired to T‘aishan. Tung Cho induced the soldiers of the two brothers Ho to join his command and privately spoke to his adviser about deposing the Emperor in favour of the Prince of Ch‘ên-liu. “The government is really without a head; there can be no better time than this to carry out your plan. Delay will spoil all. Tomorrow assemble the officials in the Wênming Garden and address them on the subject. Put all opponents to death and your prestige is settled.” So spoke his adviser and the words pleased Tung Cho mightily.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-30

公gōng卿qīng皆jiē惧jù董dǒng卓zhuó，谁shuí敢gǎn不bú到dào？卓zhuó待dài百bǎi官guān到dào了le，然rán后hòu徐xú徐xú到dào园yuán门mén下xià马mǎ，带dài剑jiàn入rù席xí。酒jiǔ行xíng数shù巡xún，卓zhuó教jiào停tíng酒jiú止zhǐ乐lè，乃nǎi厉lì声shēng曰yuē：「吾wú有yǒu一yī言yán，众zhòng官guān静jìng听tīng。」众zhòng官guān侧cè耳ěr。卓zhuó曰yuē：「天tiān子zi为wèi万wàn民mín之zhī主zhǔ，无wú威wēi仪yí不bù可ké以yǐ奉fèng宗zōng庙miào社shè稷jì。今jīn上shàng懦nuò弱ruò，不bú若ruò陈chén留liú王wáng聪cōng明míng好hào学xué，可kě承chéng大dà位wèi。

So the next day he spread a feast and invited many guests. As all the officers went in terror of him no one dared be absent. He himself rode up to the garden last of all and took his place with his sword girded on. When the wine had gone round several times Tung Cho stopped the service and the music and began to speak. “I have something to say; listen quietly all of you.” All turned towards him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-31

吾wú欲yù废fèi帝dì，立lì陈chén留liú王wáng，诸zhū大dà臣chén以yǐ为wéi何hé如rú？」诸zhū官guān听tīng罢bà，不bù敢gǎn出chū声shēng。座zuò上shàng一yī人rén推tuī案àn直zhí出chū，立lì于yú筵yán前qián，大dà呼hū：「不bù可kě！不bù可kě！汝rǔ是shì何hé人rén，敢gǎn发fā大dà语yǔ？天tiān子zi乃nǎi先xiān帝dì嫡dí子zǐ，初chū无wú过guò失shī，何hé得dé妄wàng议yì废fèi立lì？汝rǔ欲yù为wèi篡cuàn逆nì耶yé？」卓zhuó视shì之zhī，乃nǎi荆jīng州zhōu刺cì史shǐ丁dīng原yuán也yě。卓zhuó怒nù叱chì曰yuē：「顺shùn我wó者zhě生shēng，逆nì我wó者zhé死sǐ！

“The Emperor is lord of all and if he lacks dignity and behaves in an unseemly manner he is no fitting inheritor of the ancestral prerogatives. He who is now on the throne is a weakling, inferior to the Prince of Ch‘ên-liu in intelligence and love of learning. The Prince is in every way fitted for the throne. I desire to depose the Emperor and set up the Prince in his place. What think you?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-32

」遂suì掣chè佩pèi剑jiàn欲yù斩zhǎn丁dīng原yuán。时shí李lǐ儒rú见jiàn丁dīng原yuán背bèi后hòu一yī人rén，生shēng得dé器qì字zì轩xuān昂áng，威wēi风fēng凛lín凛lǐn，手shǒu执zhí方fāng天tiān划huà戟jǐ，怒nù目mù而ér视shì。李lǐ儒rú急jí进jìn曰yuē：「今jīn日rì饮yǐn宴yàn之zhī处chù，不bù可kě谈tán国guó政zhèng；来lái日rì向xiàng都dōu堂táng公gōng论lùn未wèi迟chí。」众zhòng人rén皆jiē劝quàn丁dīng原yuán上shàng马mǎ而ér去qù。

The assembly listened in perfect silence, none daring at first to utter a word of dissent. But one dared; for suddenly a guest stood up in his place, smote the table and cried. “No! No! who are you, that you dare utter such bold words? The Emperor is the son of the lawful consort and has done no wrong. Why then should he be deposed? Are you a rebel?” The speaker was Ting Yüan, governor of Chinchow. Cho glared at him. “There is life for those who are with me, death for those against,” roared he. He drew his sword and made for the objector. But the watchful Li Ju had noticed standing behind Ting Yüan a particularly dangerous looking henchman of his, who was now handling his spear threateningly, and whose eyes were blazing with anger. So he hastily interposed, saying, “But this is the banquet chamber and state affairs should be left outside. The matters can be fully discussed tomorrow.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-33

卓zhuó问wèn百bǎi官guān曰yuē：「吾wú所suǒ言yán，合hé公gōng道dào否fǒu？」卢lú植zhí曰yuē：「明míng公gōng差chāi矣yǐ：昔xī太tài甲jiǎ不bù明míng，伊yī尹yǐn放fàng之zhī于yú桐tóng宫gōng。昌chāng邑yì王wáng登dēng位wèi方fāng二èr十shí七qī日rì，造zào𫫇ě三sān千qiān余yú条tiáo，故gù霍huò光guāng告gào太tài庙miào而ér废fèi之zhī。今jīn上shàng虽suī幼yòu，聪cōng明míng仁rén智zhì，并bìng无wú分fēn毫háo过guò失shī。公gōng乃nǎi外wài郡jùn刺cì史shǐ，素sù未wèi参cān与yù国guó政zhèng，又yòu无wú伊yī、霍huò之zhī大dà才cái，何hé可kě强qiáng主zhǔ废fèi立lì之zhī事shì？

His fellow guests persuaded Ting Yüan to leave, and after his departure Tung Cho said, “Is what I said just and reasonable?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-34

圣shèng人rén云yún『有yǒu伊yī尹yǐn之zhī志zhì则zé可kě，无wú伊yī尹yǐn之zhī志zhì则zé篡cuàn也yě。』」卓zhuó大dà怒nù，拔bá剑jiàn向xiàng前qián欲yù杀shā植zhí。议yì郎láng彭péng伯bó谏jiàn曰yuē：「卢lú尚shàng书shū海hǎi内nèi人rén望wàng，今jīn先xiān害hài之zhī，恐kǒng天tiān下xià震zhèn怖bù。」卓zhuó乃nái止zhǐ。司sī徒tú王wáng允yǔn曰yuē：「废fèi立lì之zhī事shì，不bù可ké酒jiǔ后hòu相xiāng商shāng，另lìng日rì再zài议yì。」于yú是shì百bǎi官guān皆jiē散sàn。

“You are mistaken , Illustrious Sir,” said Lu Chih. “Of old Tai Chia was unenlightened. Wherefore I Yin immured him in the T‘ung Palace till he reformed. Later Prince Ch‘ang I ascended the throne, and in less than a month he committed more than three thousand categorical faults. Wherefore Ho Kuang, the regent, declared in the ancestral temple that he was deposed. Our present Emperor is young, but he is intelligent, benevolent and wise. He has not committed a single fault. You, Sir, are not a metropolitan official and have had no experience in state administration. Neither have you the pure intentions of I Yin which qualified his actions. Without that justification such an act is presumption.” Tung Cho angrily drew his sword to slay the bold speaker, but another official remonstrated. “President Lu is the cynosure of the whole country and his violent death would stir the hearts of all men,” said P‘êng Po. Then Tung Cho stayed his hand. Then said Wang Yün, “A great question like the deposition and substitution of Emperors is not one to be decided after a wine party. Let it be put off till another time.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-35

卓zhuó按àn剑jiàn立lì于yú园yuán门mén，忽hū见jiàn一yī人rén跃yuè马mǎ持chí戟jǐ，于yú园yuán门mén外wài往wǎng来lái驰chí骤zhòu。卓zhuó问wèn李lǐ儒rú：「此cǐ何hé人rén也yě？」儒rú曰yuē：「此cǐ丁dīng原yuán义yì儿ér：姓xìng吕lǚ，名míng布bú，字zì奉fèng先xiān者zhé也yě。主zhǔ公gōng且qiě须xū避bì之zhī。」卓zhuó乃nǎi入rù园yuán潜qián避bì。次cì日rì，人rén报bào丁dīng原yuán引yǐn军jūn城chéng外wài搦nuò战zhàn。卓zhuó怒nù，引yǐn军jūn同tóng李lǐ儒rú出chū迎yíng。

So the guests dispersed. Cho stood at the gate with drawn sword watching them depart. Standing thus he noticed a spearman galloping to and fro on a fiery steed and asked Li Ju if he knew him. “That is Lü Pu, the adopted son of Ting Yüan. His ordinary name is Fênhsien. You must keep out of his way, my lord.” Tung Cho went inside the gate so that he could not be seen. But next day a man reported to him that Ting Yüan had come out of the city with a small army and was challenging to a battle. Tung Cho went forth to accept the challenge. And the armies were drawn up in proper array.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-36

两liǎng阵zhèn对duì圆yuán，只zhǐ见jiàn吕lǚ布bù顶dǐng束shù发fà金jīn冠guān，披pī百bǎi花huā战zhàn袍páo，擐huàn唐táng猊ní铠kái甲jiǎ，系xì狮shī蛮mán宝bǎo带dài，纵zòng马má挺tíng戟jǐ，随suí丁dīng建jiàn阳yáng出chū到dào阵zhèn前qián。建jiàn阳yáng指zhǐ卓zhuó骂mà曰yuē：「国guó家jiā不bú幸xìng，阉yān官guān弄nòng权quán，以yǐ致zhì万wàn民mín涂tú炭tàn。尔ěr无wú尺chǐ寸cùn之zhī功gōng，焉yān敢gǎn妄wàng言yán废fèi立lì，欲yù乱luàn朝cháo廷tíng？」董dǒng卓zhuó未wèi及jí回huí言yán，吕lǚ布bù飞fēi马mǎ直zhí杀shā过guò来lái。董dǒng卓zhuó慌huāng走zǒu，建jiàn阳yáng率shuài军jūn掩yǎn杀shā。

Lü Pu was a conspicuous figure in the forefront. His hair was arranged under a handsome headdress of gold and he had donned a beautiful embroidered fighting robe, a t‘ang-ni helmet and breast plate, and round his waist was a mang belt with a lion’s head clasp. With spear set he rode close behind his master. Ting Yüan, pointing his finger at Tung Cho, began to revile him. “Unhappy indeed was this State when the eunuchs became so powerful that the people were as if trodden into the mire under their feet. Now you, devoid of the least merit, dare to talk of deposing the rightful Emperor and setting up another. This is to desire rebellion and no less.” Tung Cho could not reply for Lü Pu, eager for the fight, rode straight at him. Tung Cho fled and Ting’s army came on. The battle went in their favour and the beaten men retired and made another camp. Here Tung Cho called his officers to a council.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-37

卓zhuó兵bīng大dà败bài，退tuì三sān十shí余yú里lǐ下xià寨zhài，聚jù众zhòng商shāng议yì。卓zhuó曰yuē：「吾wú观guān吕lǚ布bù非fēi常cháng人rén也yě。吾wú若ruò得dé此cǐ人rén，何hé虑lǜ天tiān下xià哉zāi？」帐zhàng前qián一yī人rén出chū曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng勿wù忧yōu：某móu与yú吕lǚ布bù同tóng乡xiāng，知zhī其qí勇yǒng而ér无wú谋móu，见jiàn利lì忘wàng义yì。某mǒu凭píng三sān寸cùn不bú烂làn之zhī舌shé，说shuō吕lǚ布bù拱góng手shǒu来lái降jiàng，可kě乎hū？」卓zhuó大dà喜xǐ，观guān其qí人rén，乃nái虎hǔ贲bēn中zhōng郎láng李lǐ肃sù也yě。

“This Lü Pu is a marvel,” said Tung Cho. “If he was only on my side I would defy the whole world.” At this a man advanced saying, “Be content, O my lord! I am a fellow villager of his and know him well, his bravery, his stupidity, his cupidity and unscrupulousness. With this little, blarneying tongue of mine I can persuade him to put up his hands and come over to your side.” Tung Cho was delighted and gazed admiringly at the speaker, on Li Su a minor officer of his army.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-38

卓zhuó曰yuē：「汝rǔ将jiāng何hé以yǐ说shuō之zhī？」肃sù曰yuē：「某mǒu闻wén主zhǔ公gōng有yǒu名míng马mǎ一yì匹pǐ，号hào曰yuē『赤chì兔tù』，日rì行xíng千qiān里lǐ。须xū得dé此cí马mǎ，再zài用yòng金jīn珠zhū，以yǐ利lì结jié其qí心xīn。某mǒu更gèng进jìn说shuō词cí，吕lǚ布bú必bì反fǎn丁dīng原yuán，来lái投tóu主zhǔ公gōng矣yǐ。」卓zhuó问wèn李lǐ儒rú曰yuē：「此cǐ言yán可kě乎hū？」儒rú曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng欲yù取qǔ天tiān下xià，何hé惜xī一yī马mǎ？

“What arguments will you use with him?” “You have a fine horse, the Hare, one of the best ever bred. I must have this steed, and gold and pearls to win his heart. Then will I go and persuade him. He will certainly abandon Ting Yüan’s service for yours.” “What think you?” said Tung Cho to his adviser Li.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-39

」卓zhuó欣xīn然rán与yǔ之zhī，更gèng与yǔ黄huáng金jīn一yī千qiān两liǎng、明míng珠zhū数shù十shí颗kē、玉yù带dài一yī条tiáo。

“One cannot grudge a horse to win an empire,” was the reply.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-40

李lǐ肃sù赍jī了le礼lǐ物wù，投tóu吕lǚ布bú寨zhài来lái。伏fú路lù军jūn人rén围wéi住zhù。肃sù曰yuē：「可kě速sù报bào吕lǚ将jiāng军jūn，有yǒu故gù人rén来lái见jiàn。」军jūn人rén报bào知zhī，布bú命mìng入rù见jiàn。肃sù见jiàn布bù曰yuē：「贤xián弟dì别bié来lái无wú恙yàng！」布bù揖yī曰yuē：「久jiǔ不bù相xiāng见jiàn，今jīn居jū何hé处chù？」肃sù曰yuē：「见jiàn任rèn虎hǔ贲bēn中zhōng郎láng将jiāng之zhī职zhí。闻wén贤xián弟dì匡kuāng扶fú社shè稷jì，不bú胜shèng之zhī喜xǐ。

So they gave the corrupter of morals what he demanded—a thousand taels of gold, ten strings of beautiful pearls and a jewelled belt, and these accompanied Li Su on his visit to his fellow villager. He reached the camp and said to the guard, “Please tell General Lü that a very old friend has come to visit him.” He was admitted forthwith. “Worthy brother, have you been well since we last met?” “How long it is since we last saw each other!” replied Pu, bowing in return. “And where are you now?” “I am an officer in the Tiger Company. When I learned you were a strong supporter of the throne I could not say how I rejoiced. I have come now to present to you a really fine horse, a thousand li a day horse, one that crosses rivers and goes up mountains as if they were the level plain. He is called The Hare. He will be a fitting aid to your valour.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-41

有yǒu良liáng马mǎ一yì匹pǐ，日rì行xíng千qiān里lǐ，渡dù水shuǐ登dēng山shān，如rú履lǚ平píng地dì，名míng曰yuē『赤chì兔tù』：特tè献xiàn与yǔ贤xián弟dì，以yǐ助zhù虎hǔ威wēi。」布bú便biàn令lìng牵qiān过guò来lái看kàn。果guǒ然rán那nà马mǎ浑hún身shēn上shàng下xià，火huǒ炭tàn般bān赤chì，无wú半bàn根gēn杂zá毛máo；从cóng头tóu至zhì尾wěi，长zhǎng一yī丈zhàng；从cóng蹄tí至zhì项xiàng，高gāo八bā尺chǐ；嘶sī喊hǎn咆páo哮xiāo，有yǒu腾téng空kōng入rù海hǎi之zhī状zhuàng。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī单dān道dào赤chì兔tù马mǎ曰yuē：

Lü Pu bade them lead out the horse. He was of a uniform colour like glowing charcoal; not a hair of another colour. He measured ten feet from head to tail and from hoof to neck eight feet. When he neighed the sound filled the empyrean and shook the ocean. Mark ye the steed swift and tireless, see the dust, spurned by his hoofs, rising in clouds; Now he swims the river, anon climbs the hill, rending the purple mist asunder; Scornful he breaks the rein, shakes from his head the jewelled bridle; He is as a fiery dragon descending from the highest heaven.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-42

奔bēn腾téng千qiān里lǐ荡dàng尘chén埃āi渡dù水shuǐ登dēng山shān紫zǐ雾wù开kāi。

It gallops a thousand li, sweeping dust away, Crossing streams and scaling peaks, the purple mist parts.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

3-43

掣chè断duàn丝sī缰jiāng摇yáo玉yù辔pèi火huǒ龙lóng飞fēi下xià九jiǔ天tiān来lái。

Reining the silken cord, the jade bit sways— A fire-dragon descends from the Ninth Heaven.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

3-44

布bú见jiàn了le此cí马mǎ大dà喜xǐ谢xiè肃sù曰yuē「兄xiōng赐cì此cǐ良liáng驹jū将jiāng何hé以yǐ为wéi报bào」肃sù曰yuē「某mǒu为wèi义yì气qì而ér来lái岂qǐ望wàng报bào乎hū」布bú置zhì酒jiǔ相xiāng待dài。酒jiǔ酣hān肃sù曰yuē「肃sù与yǔ贤xián弟dì少shǎo得dé相xiāng见jiàn令lìng尊zūn却què常cháng会huì来lái。」布bù曰yuē「兄xiōng醉zuì矣yǐ先xiān父fù弃qì世shì多duō年nián安ān得dé与yǔ兄xiōng相xiāng会huì」肃sù大dà笑xiào曰yuē「非fēi也yé某mǒu说shuō今jīn日rì丁dīng刺cì史shí耳ěr。」

Pu was delighted with the horse and said, “What return can I hope to make for such a creature?” “What return can I hope for? I came to you out of a sense of what is right.” Wine was brought in and they drank.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-45

布bù惶huáng恐kǒng曰yuē「某mǒu在zài丁dīng建jiàn阳yáng处chù亦yì出chū于yú无wú奈nài。」肃sù曰yuē「贤xián弟dì有yǒu擎qíng天tiān驾jià海hǎi之zhī才cái四sì海hǎi孰shú不bù钦qīn敬jìng功gōng名míng富fù贵guì如rú探tàn囊náng取qǔ物wù何hé言yán无wú奈nài而ér在zài人rén之zhī下xià乎hū」布bù曰yuē「恨hèn不bù逢féng其qí主zhú耳ěr。」肃sù笑xiào曰yuē「『良liáng禽qín择zé木mù而ér栖qī贤xián臣chén择zé主zhǔ而ér事shì。』见jiàn机jī不bù早záo悔huǐ之zhī晚wán矣yǐ。」

“We have seen very little of each other, but I am constantly meeting your honourable father,” said Li Su. “You are drunk,” said Pu. “My father has been dead for years.” “Not so; I spoke of Ting Yüan, the man of the day.” Lü Pu started. “Yes, I am with him but only because I can do no better.” “Sir, your talent is higher than the heavens, deeper than the seas. Who in all the world does not bow before your name? Fame and riches and honours are yours for the taking. And you say you can do no better than remain a subordinate!” “If I could only find a master to serve!” said Lü Pu. “The clever bird chooses the branch whereon to perch; the wise servant selects the master to serve. Seize the chance when it comes, for repentance ever comes too late.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-46

布bù曰yuē「兄xiōng在zài朝cháo廷tíng观guān何hé人rén为wéi世shì之zhī英yīng雄xióng」肃sù曰yuē「某mǒu遍biàn观guān群qún臣chén皆jiē不bù如rú董dǒng卓zhuó董dǒng卓zhuó为wéi人rén敬jìng贤xián礼lǐ士shì赏shǎng罚fá分fēn明míng终zhōng成chéng大dà业yè。」布bù曰yuē「某mǒu欲yù从cóng之zhī恨hèn无wú门mén路lù。」肃sù取qǔ金jīn珠zhū、玉yù带dài列liè于yú布bù前qián。布bù惊jīng曰yuē「何hé为wéi有yóu此cǐ」

“Now you are in the government. Who think you is really the bravest of all?”, asked Lü Pu. “I despise the whole lot except Tung Cho. He is one who respects wisdom and reveres scholarship; he is discriminating in his rewards and punishments. Surely he is destined to be a really great man.” “I would that I could serve him, but there is no way, I fear.” Then Su produced his pearls and gold and the jewelled belt and laid them out before his host. “What is this? What does it mean?" said Lü Pu.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-47

肃sù令lìng叱chì退tuì左zuǒ右yòu告gào布bù曰yuē「此cǐ是shì董dǒng公gōng久jiǔ慕mù大dà名míng特tè令lìng某mǒu将jiāng此cǐ奉fèng献xiàn。赤chì兔tù马mǎ亦yì董dǒng公gōng所suǒ赠zèng也yě。」布bù曰yuē「董dǒng公gōng如rú此cǐ见jiàn爱ài某mǒu将jiāng何hé以yǐ报bào之zhī」肃sù曰yuē「如rú某mǒu之zhī不bù才cái尚shàng为wèi虎hǔ贲bēn中zhōng郎láng将jiāng公gōng若ruò到dào彼bǐ贵guì不bù可kě言yán。」布bù曰yuē「恨hèn无wú涓juān埃āi之zhī功gōng以yǐ为wéi进jìn见jiàn之zhī礼lǐ。」

“Send away the attendants,” said Li Su. And he went on, “Tung Cho has long respected your valour and sent these by my hand. The Hare was also from him.” “But, if he loves me like this, what can I do in return?” “If a stupid fellow like me can be an officer in The Tigers, it is impossible to say what honours await you.” “I am sorry I can offer him no service worth mentioning.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-48

肃sù曰yuē：「功gōng在zài翻fān手shǒu之zhī间jiān，公gōng不bù肯kěn为wèi耳ěr。」布bù渖shěn吟yín良liáng久jiǔ曰yuē：「吾wú欲yù杀shā丁dīng原yuán，引yǐn军jūn归guī董dǒng卓zhuó，何hé如rú？」肃sù曰yuē：「贤xián弟dì若ruò能néng如rú此cǐ，真zhēn莫mò大dà之zhī功gōng也yě！但dàn事shì不bù宜yí迟chí，在zài于yú速sù决jué。」布bù与yǔ肃sù约yuē于yú明míng日rì来lái降jiàng，肃sù别bié去qù。

“There is one service you can do, and an extremely easy one to perform; but you would not render that.” Lü Pu pondered long in silence. Then he said, “I might slay Ting Yüan and bring over his soldiers to Tung Cho’s side; what think you of that?” “If you would do that, there could be no greater service. But such a thing must be done quickly.” And Lü Pu promised his friend that he would do the deed and come over on the morrow.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-49

是shì夜yè二èr更gèng时shí分fēn，布bù提tí刀dāo迳jìng入rù丁dīng原yuán帐zhàng中zhōng。原yuán正zhèng秉bǐng烛zhú观guān书shū，见jiàn布bú至zhì，曰yuē：「吾wú儿ér来lái有yǒu何hé事shì故gù？」布bù曰yuē：「吾wú堂táng堂táng丈zhàng夫fū，安ān肯kěn为wèi汝rǔ子zi乎hū！」原yuán曰yuē：「奉fèng先xiān何hé故gù心xīn变biàn？」布bú向xiàng前qián一yī刀dāo砍kǎn下xià丁dīng原yuán首shǒu级jí，大dà呼hū：「左zuǒ右yòu！丁dīng原yuán不bù仁rén，吾wú已yǐ杀shā之zhī。肯kěn从cóng吾wú者zhě在zài此cǐ，不bù从cóng者zhě自zì去qù！」军jūn士shì散sàn其qí大dà半bàn。

So Li Su took his leave. That very night, at the second watch, Lü Pu entered, sword in hand, into his master’s tent. He found Ting Yüan reading by the light of a solitary candle. Seeing who came in he said, “My son, what is afoot?” “I am a bold hero,” said Pu, “do you think I am willing to be a son of yours?” “Why this change, Fêng-hsien?” As a reply Lü Pu made one cut at his protector and his head fell to the earth. Then he called the attendants and said, “He was an unjust man and I have slain him. Let those who back me stay; the others may depart.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-50

军jūn士shì散sàn其qí大dà半bàn。次cì日rì布bù持chí丁dīng原yuán首shǒu级jí往wǎng见jiàn李lǐ肃sù。肃sù遂suì引yǐn布bú见jiàn卓zhuó。卓zhuó大dà喜xǐ置zhì酒jiǔ相xiāng待dài。卓zhuó先xiān下xià拜bài曰yuē「卓zhuó今jīn得dé将jiāng军jūn如rú旱hàn苗miáo之zhī得dé甘gān雨yú也yě。」布bú纳nà卓zhuó坐zuò而ér拜bài之zhī曰yuē「公gōng若ruò不bú弃qì布bù请qǐng拜bài为wèi义yì父fù。」卓zhuó以yǐ金jīn甲jiá锦jǐn袍páo赐cì布bú畅chàng饮yǐn而ér散sàn。

Most ran away. Next day, with the head of the murdered man as his gift, Lü Pu betook himself to Li Su, who led him to Tung Cho. Cho received him with a warm welcome and had wine set before him. “Your coming is welcome as the gentle dew to the parched grass,” said Tung Cho. Lü Pu made Cho seat himself and then made his obeisance, saying, “Pray let me bow to you as my adopted father.” Tung Cho gave his newly won ally gold and armour and silken robes and spread the feast of welcome. They then separated.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-51

卓zhuó自zì是shì威wēi势shì越yuè大dà，自zì领lǐng前qián将jiāng军jūn事shì，封fēng弟dì董dǒng旻mín为wèi左zuǒ将jiāng军jūn鄠hù侯hóu，封fēng吕lǚ布bú为wèi骑qí都dū尉wèi中zhōng郎láng将jiāng都dōu亭tíng侯hóu。

Thence Tung Cho’s power and influence increased rapidly. He gave ranks of nobility to his brother and Lü Pu, who were leaders of the two wings, he himself being leader of the centre. The adviser Li Ju never ceased from urging him to carry out the design of deposing the young Emperor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-52

李lǐ儒rú劝quàn卓zhuó早zǎo定dìng废fèi立lì之zhī计jì。卓zhuó乃nǎi于yú省shěng中zhōng设shè宴yàn，会huì集jí公gōng卿qīng，令lìng吕lǚ布bù将jiāng甲jiǎ士shì千qiān余yú，侍shì卫wèi左zuǒ右yòu。是shì日rì，太tài傅fù袁yuán隗kuí与yú百bǎi官guān皆jiē到dào。酒jiǔ行xíng数shù巡xún，卓zhuó拔bá剑jiàn曰yuē：「今jīn上shàng暗àn弱ruò，不bù可ké以yǐ奉fèng宗zōng庙miào；吾wú将jiāng依yī伊yī尹yǐn、霍huò光guāng故gù事shì，废fèi帝dì为wèi弘hóng农nóng王wáng，立lì陈chén留liú王wáng为wèi帝dì。有yǒu不bù从cóng者zhé斩zhǎn！」群qún臣chén惶huáng怖bú莫mò敢gǎn对duì。

The now all-powerful general prepared a banquet in the capital at which all the officers of State were guests. He also bade Lü Pu post a company of armed men right and left ready for action. The feast began and several courses were served with nothing to distinguish that banquet from any other. Then suddenly the host arose and drew his sword, saying, “He who is above us being weak and irresolute is unfit for the duties of his high place. Wherefore I, as of old did I Yin and Ho Kuang, will set aside this Emperor giving him the title of Prince Hung-nung and I will place on the throne the present Prince of Ch‘ên-liu. And those who do not support me will suffer death.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-53

中zhōng军jūn校xiào尉wèi袁yuán绍shào挺tǐng身shēn出chū曰yuē：「今jīn上shàng即jí位wèi未wèi几jǐ，并bìng无wú失shī德dé；汝rǔ欲yù废fèi嫡dí立lì庶shù，非fēi反fǎn而ér何hé？」卓zhuó怒nù曰yuē：「天tiān下xià事shì在zài我wǒ！我wǒ今jīn为wéi之zhī，谁shuí敢gǎn不bù从cóng？汝rǔ视shì我wǒ之zhī剑jiàn不bú利lì否fǒu？」袁yuán绍shào亦yì拔bá剑jiàn曰yuē：「汝rǔ剑jiàn利lì，吾wú剑jiàn未wèi尝cháng不bú利lì！」两liǎng个gè在zài筵yán上shàng对duì敌dí。正zhèng是shì：

Fear seized them in its grip and they were silent, all but Yüan Shao who said that the Emperor was innocent of any fault and to set him aside in favour of a commoner was rebellion and nothing else. “The Empire is in my hands;” cried Cho, “an I choose to do this thing who will dare say nay? Think you my sword lacks an edge?” “If your sword is sharp, mine is never blunt,” said Shao as his sword flashed out of the sheath. The two men stood face to face amid the feasters: When Ting by treacherous murder died, The loss was great to Yüan’s side. The fate of Yüan Shao will be disclosed in later chapters.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

3-54

丁dīng原yuán仗zhàng义yì身shēn先xiān丧sàng，袁yuán绍shào争zhēng锋fēng势shì又yòu危wēi。

Ding Yuan, upholding right, was first to die; Yuan Shao, pressing the fight, stands in peril now.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

3-55

毕bì竟jìng袁yuán绍shào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