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

第dì三sān十shí二èr回huí 夺duó冀jì州zhōu袁yuán尚shàng争zhēng锋fēng　　　决jué漳zhāng河hé许xǔ攸yōu献xiàn计jì

32-1

却què说shuō袁yuán尚shàng自zì斩zhán史shǐ涣huàn之zhī后hòu，自zì负fù其qí勇yǒng，不bú待dài袁yuán谭tán等děng兵bīng至zhì，自zì引yǐn兵bīng数shù万wàn出chū黎lí阳yáng，与yǔ曹cáo军jūn前qián队duì相xiāng迎yíng。张zhāng辽liáo当dāng先xiān出chū马mǎ，袁yuán尚shàng挺tǐng枪qiāng来lái战zhàn，不bù三sān合hé，架jià隔gé遮zhē拦lán不bú住zhù，大dà败bài而ér走zǒu。张zhāng辽liáo乘chéng势shì掩yǎn杀shā，袁yuán尚shàng不bù能néng主zhǔ张zhāng，急jí急jí引yǐn军jūn奔bēn回huí冀jì州zhōu。

Y üan Shang was puffed up with pride after his victory over Shih Huan and, without deigning to wait the arrival of his brothers, he marched out to Liyang to meet the army of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Chang Liao came out to challenge him, and Yüan Shang, accepting the challenge rode out with spear set. But he only lasted to the third bout when he had to give way. Chang Liao smote with full force and Shang, quite broken, fled pell mell to Ch‘ichou. His defeat was a heavy shock to his father, who had a severe fit of hemorrhage at the news and swooned.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-2

袁yuán绍shào闻wén袁yuán尚shàng败bài回huí，又yòu受shòu了le一yī惊jīng，旧jiù病bìng复fù发fā，吐tù血xiě数shù斗dòu，昏hūn倒dào在zài地dì。刘liú夫fū人rén慌huāng救jiù入rù卧wò内nèi，病bìng势shì渐jiàn危wēi。刘liú夫fū人rén急jí请qíng审shěn配pèi、逢féng纪jì，直zhí至zhì袁yuán绍shào榻tà前qián，商shāng议yì后hòu事shì。绍shào但dàn以yí手shóu指zhǐ而ér不bù能néng言yán。刘liú夫fū人rén曰yuē：「尚shàng可kě继jì后hòu嗣sì否fǒu？」绍shào点diǎn头tóu。审shěn配pèi便biàn就jiù榻tà前qián写xiě了le遗yí嘱zhǔ。

The Lady Liu, his wife, got him to bed as quickly as possible, but he did not rally and she soon saw it was necessary to prepare for the end. So she sent for Shên P‘ei and Fêng Chi that the succession might be settled. They came and stood by the sick man’s bed, but by this time he could no longer speak; he only made motions with his hands. When his wife put the formal question, whether Shang was to succeed, he nodded his head. Shên P‘ei at the bedside wrote out the dying man’s testament. Presently he uttered a loud moan, a fresh fit of bleeding followed and he passed away. Born of a line of nobles famous for generations, He himself in his youth was wayward always and headstrong, Vainly he called to his side captains skilled and courageous, Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers, For he was timid at heart, a lambkin dressed as a tiger, Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless. Pitiful was the fate of his house; for when he departed Brother with brother strove and quarrels arose in the household.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-3

绍shào翻fān身shēn大dà叫jiào一yī声shēng，又yòu吐tù血xiě斗dòu余yú而ér死sǐ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

Later generations composed a poem saying:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-4

累lèi世shì公gōng卿qīng立lì大dà名míng，少shào年nián意yì气qì自zì纵zòng横héng。

For generations nobles of great fame, In youth he was headstrong, wild, and vain.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-5

空kōng招zhāo俊jùn杰jié三sān千qiān客kè，漫màn有yǒu英yīng雄xióng百bǎi万wàn兵bīng。

In vain he drew three thousand gallant guests, In vain he mustered heroes in great hosts.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-6

羊yáng质zhì虎hǔ皮pí功gōng不bú就jiù，凤fèng毛máo鸡jī胆dǎn事shì难nán成chéng。

Sheep in a tiger's skin, his deeds came to naught, A phoenix's plume with a chicken's heart, naught he wrought.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-7

更gèng怜lián一yī种zhǒng伤shāng心xīn处chù，家jiā难nán徒tú延yán两liǎng弟dì兄xiōng。

Yet more there is to break the heart with grief: Two brothers dragged their house to ruin, brief.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-8

袁yuán绍shào既jì死sǐ，审shěn配pèi等déng主zhǔ持chí丧sāng事shì。刘liú夫fū人rén便biàn将jiāng袁yuán绍shào所suǒ爱ài宠chǒng妾qiè五wǔ人rén，侭jǐn行xíng杀shā害hài；又yòu恐kǒng其qí阴yīn魂hún于yú九jiǔ泉quán之zhī下xià再zài与yǔ绍shào相xiāng见jiàn，乃nǎi髡kūn其qí发fā，刺cì其qí麺miàn，毁huǐ其qí尸shī：其qí妒dù𫫇ě如rú此cǐ。袁yuán尚shàng恐kóng宠chǒng妾qiè家jiā属shǔ为wéi害hài，并bìng收shōu而ér杀shā之zhī。审shěn配pèi、逢féng纪jì立lì袁yuán尚shàng为wéi大dà司sī马mǎ将jiāng军jūn，领lǐng冀jì、青qīng、幽yōu、并bìng四sì州zhōu牧mù，遣qián使shǐ报bào丧sāng。

Shên P‘ei and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the dead man. His wife, the Lady Liu, put to death five of his favourite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Springs. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their death. Shên P‘ei and Fêng Chi declared Yüan Shang successor with the titles of Minister of War and General Governor of the four prefectures of Ch‘i, Ch‘ing, Yu and Ping and sent in a report of the death of the late governor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-9

此cǐ时shí袁yuán谭tán已yǐ发fā兵bīng离lí青qīng州zhōu；知zhī父fù死sǐ，便biàn与yǔ郭guō图tú、辛xīn评píng商shāng议yì。图tú曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng不bú在zài冀jì州zhōu，审shěn配pèi、逢féng纪jì必bì立lì显xián甫fǔ为wéi主zhú矣yǐ。当dāng速sù行xíng。」辛xīn评píng曰yuē：「审shěn、逢féng二èr人rén，必bì预yù定dìng机jī谋móu。今jīn若ruò速sù往wǎng，必bì遭zāo其qí祸huò。」袁yuán谭tán曰yuē：「若ruò当dāng此cǐ如rú何hé？」郭guō图tú曰yuē：「可kě屯tún兵bīng城chéng外wài，观guān其qí动dòng静jìng。某mǒu当dāng亲qīn往wǎng察chá之zhī。」

At this time Yüan T‘an, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, but hearing of his father’s death he called in Kuo T‘u and Hsin P‘ing to consult as to his course of action. “In your absence, my lord,” said Kuo T‘u, “the two advisers of your younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must act quickly.” “Those two, Shên and Fêng, have already laid their plans,” said Hsin P‘ing. “If you go you will meet with some misfortune.” “Then what should I do?” asked Tan. Kuo T‘u replied, “Go and camp near the city and watch what is taking place while I enter and enquire.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-10

谭tán依yī言yán。郭guō图tú遂suì入rù冀jì州zhōu，见jiàn袁yuán尚shàng。礼lǐ毕bì，尚shàng问wèn：「兄xiōng何hé不bú至zhì？」图tú曰yuē：「因yīn抱bào病bìng在zài军jūn中zhōng，不bù能néng相xiāng见jiàn。」尚shàng曰yuē：「吾wú受shòu父fù亲qīn遗yí命mìng，立lì我wǒ为wéi主zhǔ，加jiā兄xiōng为wèi车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn。目mù下xià曹cáo军jūn压yā境jìng，请qǐng兄xiōng为wèi前qián部bù，吾wú随suí后hòu便biàn调diào兵bīng接jiē应yīng也yě。」图tú曰yuē：「军jūn中zhōng无wú人rén商shāng议yì良liáng策cè，愿yuàn乞qí审shěn正zhèng南nán、逢féng元yuán图tú二èr人rén为wéi辅fǔ。

Accordingly Kuo T‘u entered the city and sought an interview with the young governor. “Why did not my brother come?” asked Shang after the usual salutes. Kuo T‘u said, “He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.” “By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I wish him to go at once to attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.” “There is no one in our camp to give advice,” said Kuo T‘u. “I wish to have the services of Shên P‘ei and Fêng Chi.” “I also need the help of these two,” said Shang. “And as I am always working at schemes I do not see how I can do without them.” “Then let one of these two go,” replied T‘u.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-11

」尚shàng曰yuē：「吾wú亦yì欲yù仗zhàng此cǐ二èr人rén早záo晚wǎn划huà策cè，如rú何hé离lí得dé？」图tú曰yuē：「然rán则zé于yú二èr人rén内nèi遣qiǎn一yī人rén去qù，何hé如rú？」尚shàng不bù得dé已yǐ，乃nǎi令lìng二èr人rén拈niān阄jiū，拈niān著zhù者zhě便biàn去qù。逢féng纪jì拈niān著zhù，尚shàng即jí命mìng逢féng纪jì赍jī印yìn缓huǎn，同tóng郭guō图tú赴fù袁yuán谭tán军jūn中zhōng。纪jì随suí图tú至zhì谭tán军jūn，见jiàn谭tán无wú病bìng，心xīn中zhōng不bù安ān，献xiàn上shàng印yìn绶shòu。谭tán大dà怒nù，欲yù斩zhǎn逢féng纪jì。

Kuo T‘u said, “He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell.” “By the command of my late father I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of Cavalry and I wish him to go at once to attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order.” “There is no one in our camp to give advice,” said Kuo T‘u. “I wish to have the services of Shên P‘ei and Fêng Chi.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-12

郭guō图tú密mì谏jiàn曰yuē：「今jīn曹cáo军jūn压yā境jìng，且qié只zhí款kuǎn留liú逢féng纪jì在zài此cǐ，以yǐ安ān尚shàng心xīn。待dài破pò曹cáo之zhī后hòu，却què来lái争zhēng冀jì州zhōu不bù迟chí。」

Shang could do no other than accede to this request so he bade the two men cast lots who should go. Fêng Chi drew the lot and was appointed, receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Kuo T‘u to the camp. But when he arrived and found T‘an in perfect health he grew suspicious and resigned. T‘an angrily refused to accept his resignation and was disposed to put him to death, but Kuo T‘u privately dissuaded him saying, “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is on the borders and he must be kept here to allay your brother’s suspicions. After we have beaten Ts‘ao we can at once make an attempt on Ch‘ichou.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-13

谭tán从cóng其qí言yán。即jí时shí拔bá寨zhài起qǐ行xíng，前qián至zhì黎lí阳yáng，与yǔ曹cáo军jūn相xiāng抵dǐ。谭tán遣qiǎn大dà将jiàng汪wāng昭zhāo出chū战zhàn，操cāo遣qiǎn徐xú晃huǎng迎yíng敌dí。二èr将jiāng战zhàn不bú数shù合hé，徐xú晃huǎng一yī刀dāo斩zhǎn汪wāng昭zhāo于yú马mǎ下xià。曹cáo军jūn乘chéng势shì掩yǎn杀shā，谭tán军jūn大dà败bài。谭tán收shōu败bài军jūn入rù黎lí阳yáng，遣qiǎn人rén求qiú救jiù于yú尚shàng。尚shàng与yú审shěn配pèi计jì议yì，只zhǐ发fā兵bīng五wǔ千qiān余yú人rén相xiāng助zhù。

Yüan T‘an agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the enemy. He reached Liyang and lost no time in offering battle. He chose for his champion Wang Chao and, when he rode out, Ts‘ao Tsʻao sent Hsü Huang to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Wang Chao was slain. At once Ts‘ao’s army pressed forward and T‘an suffered a severe defeat. He drew off his army and retired into Liyang, whence he sent to his brother for reinforcements.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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曹cáo操cāo探tàn知zhī救jiù军jūn已yǐ到dào，遣qiǎn乐lè进jìn、李lí典dián引yǐn兵bīng于yú半bàn路lù接jiē著zhù，两liǎng头tóu围wéi住zhù侭jǐn杀shā之zhī。袁yuán谭tán知zhī尚shàng止zhǐ拨bō兵bīng五wǔ千qiān，又yòu被bèi半bàn路lù坑kēng杀shā，大dà怒nù，乃nǎi唤huàn逢féng纪jì责zé骂mà。纪jì曰yuē：「容róng某mǒu作zuò书shū致zhì主zhǔ公gōng，求qiú其qí亲qīn自zì来lái救jiù。」谭tán即jí令lìng纪jì作zuò书shū，遣qiǎn人rén到dào冀jì州zhōu致zhì袁yuán尚shàng。尚shàng与yú审shěn配pèi共gòng议yì。

Shang and his adviser Shên P‘ei discussed the matter and half a legion only was sent. Ts‘ao hearing of the despatch of this meagre force sent two generals to waylay them and the half legion was destroyed. When T‘an heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction he was very wrath and roundly abused Fêng Chi. Fêng replied, “Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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配pèi曰yuē：「郭guō图tú多duō谋móu，前qián次cì不bù争zhēng而ér去qù者zhě，为wèi曹cáo军jūn在zài境jìng也yě。今jīn若ruò破pò曹cáo，必bì来lái争zhēng冀jì州zhōu矣yǐ。不bù如rú不bù发fā救jiù兵bīng，借jiè操cāo之zhī力lì以yǐ除chú之zhī。」

So Fêng Chi wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived Shang again consulted Shên P‘ei who said, “Kuo T‘u, your elder brother’s adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Ts‘ao was on the border. If Ts‘ao be defeated there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Ts‘ao’s hand to destroy your rival.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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尚shàng从cóng其qí言yán，不bù肯kěn发fā兵bīng。使shí者zhě回huí报bào，谭tán大dà怒nù，立lì斩zhǎn逢féng纪jì，议yì欲yù降jiàng曹cáo。早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò密mì报bào袁yuán尚shàng。尚shàng与yú审shěn配pèi议yì曰yuē：「使shǐ谭tán降jiàng曹cáo，并bìng力lì来lái攻gōng，则zé冀jì州zhōu危wēi矣yǐ。」乃nǎi留liú审shěn配pèi并bìng大dà将jiàng苏sū由yóu固gù守shǒu冀jì州zhōu，自zì领lǐng大dà军jūn来lái黎lí阳yáng救jiù谭tán。尚shàng问wèn军jūn中zhōng谁shuí敢gǎn为wéi前qián部bú，大dà将jiàng吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén愿yuàn去qù。

Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned without success T‘an was very angry and showed it by putting Fêng Chi to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Ts‘ao. Soon spies brought news of this to Shang and again Shên P‘ei was called in. Said he, “If he goes over to Ts‘ao they will both attack Ch‘ichou and we shall be in great danger.” Finally Shên P‘ei and Su Yu were left to take care of the defence of the city and Yüan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother. “Who dares lead the van?” said Yüan Shang. Two brothers named Lü volunteered and three legions were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-17

尚shàng点diǎn兵bīng三sān万wàn，使shǐ为wèi先xiān锋fēng，先xiān至zhì黎lí阳yáng。谭tán闻wén尚shàng自zì来lái，大dà喜xǐ，遂suì罢bà降jiàng曹cáo之zhī议yì。谭tán屯tún兵bīng城chéng中zhōng，尚shàng屯tún兵bīng城chéng外wài，为wèi犄jī角jiǎo之zhī势shì。

“Who dares lead the van?” said Yüan Shang. Two brothers named Lü volunteered and three legions were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-18

不bù一yī日rì，袁yuán熙xī、高gāo干gàn皆jiē领lǐng军jūn到dào城chéng外wài，屯tún兵bīng三sān处chù，每měi日rì出chū兵bīng与yǔ操cāo相xiāng持chí。尚shàng屡lǚ败bài，操cāo兵bīng屡lǚ胜shèng。至zhì建jiàn安ān八bā年nián春chūn三sān月yuè，操cāo分fēn路lù攻gōng打dǎ，袁yuán谭tán、袁yuán熙xī、袁yuán尚shàng、高gāo干gàn皆jiē大dà败bài，弃qì黎lí阳yáng而ér走zǒu。操cāo引yǐn兵bīng迫pò至zhì冀jì州zhōu。谭tán与yǔ尚shàng入rù城chéng坚jiān守shǒu，熙xī与yǔ干gàn离lí城chéng三sān十shí里lǐ下xià寨zhài，虚xū张zhāng声shēng势shì。操cāo兵bīng连lián日rì攻gōng打dǎ不bú下xià。

T‘an was pleased that his brother had made up his mind to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yüan Shang camped outside, making that an angle of their strategic position. Before long Yüan Hsi, the second brother, and their cousin, Kao Kan, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-19

郭guō嘉jiā进jìn曰yuē：「袁yuán氏shì废fèi长zhǎng立lì幼yòu，而ér兄xiōng弟dì之zhī间jiān，权quán力lì相xiāng并bìng，各gè自zì树shù党dǎng，急jí之zhī则zé相xiāng救jiù，缓huǎn之zhī则zé相xiāng争zhēng，不bù如rú举jǔ兵bīng南nán向xiàng荆jīng州zhōu，征zhēng讨tǎo刘liú表biǎo，以yǐ候hòu袁yuán氏shì兄xiōng弟dì之zhī变biàn；变biàn成chéng而ér后hòu击jī之zhī，可kě一yī举jǔ而ér定dìng也yě。」

Engagements took place daily and Shang suffered many defeats. On the other hand Ts‘ao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year, Tsʻao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then they abandoned Liyang and Ts‘ao pursued them to Ch‘ichou, where T‘an and Shang went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about thirty li away making a show of great force. When Ts‘ao had made many attacks without success Kuo Chia proffered the following plan. He said, “There is dissension among the Yüans because the elder has been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally strong and each has his party. If we oppose them they unite to assist each other, but if we have patience they will be weakened by family strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Piao in Chingchou and let the fraternal quarrels develop. When they have fully developed we can smite them and settle the matter.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-20

操cāo善shàn其qí言yán，命mìng贾jiá诩xǔ为wèi太tài守shǒu，守shǒu黎lí阳yáng；曹cáo洪hóng引yǐn兵bīng守shǒu官guān渡dù。操cāo引yǐn大dà军jūn向xiàng荆jīng州zhōu进jìn兵bīng。谭tán、尚shàng听tīng知zhī曹cáo军jūn自zì退tuì，遂suì相xiāng庆qìng贺hè。袁yuán熙xī、高gāo干gàn各gè自zì辞cí去qù。袁yuán谭tán与yǔ郭guō图tú、辛xīn评píng议yì曰yuē：「我wǒ为wèi长zháng子zǐ，反fǎn不bù能néng承chéng父fù业yè；尚shàng乃nǎi继jì母mú所suǒ生shēng，反fǎn承chéng大dà爵jué；心xīn实shí不bù甘gān。

Ts‘ao approved of the plan. So leaving Chia Hsü as Prefect of Liyang and Ts‘ao Hung as guard at Kuantu the army went away toward Chingchou. The two brothers T‘an and Shang congratulated each other on the withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Hsi and cousin marched their armies back to their own districts. Then the quarrels began. T‘an said to his confidants, “I, the eldest, have been prevented from succeeding my father, while the youngest son, born of a second wife, received the main heritage. My heart is bitter.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-21

」图tú曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng可kě勒lēi兵bīng城chéng外wài，只zhǐ做zuò请qíng显xián甫fǔ、审shěn配pèi饮yín酒jiǔ，伏fú刀dāo斧fú手shǒu杀shā之zhī，大dà事shì定dìng矣yǐ。」谭tán从cóng其qí言yán。适shì别bié驾jià王wáng修xiū自zì青qīng州zhōu来lái，谭tán将jiāng此cǐ计jì告gào之zhī。修xiū曰yuē：「兄xiōng弟dì者zhě，左zuǒ右yòu手shóu也yě。今jīn与yǔ他tā人rén争zhēng斗dòu，自zì断duàn其qí手shǒu，而ér曰yuē我wǒ必bì胜shèng，安ān可kě得dé乎hū？夫fū弃qì兄xiōng弟dì而ér不bù亲qīn，天tiān下xià其qí谁shuí亲qīn之zhī？

Said Kuo T‘u, “Camp your men outside, invite your brother and Shên P‘ei to a banquet and assassinate them. The whole matter is easily settled.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-22

彼bǐ谗chán人rén离lí间jiàn骨gǔ肉ròu，以yǐ求qiú一yī朝zhāo之zhī利lì，愿yuàn塞sāi耳ěr勿wù听tīng也yě。」

And T‘an agreed. It happened that a certain Wang Hsiu came just then from Ch‘ingchou whom T‘an took into his confidence. Wang opposed the murder plan saying, “Brothers are as one’s limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom will you take in all the world as a relation? That fellow Kuo is a dangerous mischief-maker, who would sow dissension between brothers for a momentary advantage, and I beg you to shut your ears and not listen to his persuasions.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-23

谭tán怒nù，叱chì退tuì王wáng修xiū，使shǐ人rén去qù请qǐng袁yuán尚shàng。尚shàng与yú审shěn配pèi商shāng议yì。配pèi曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì郭guō图tú之zhī计jì也yě。主zhǔ公gōng若ruò往wǎng，必bì遭zāo奸jiān计jì；不bù如rú乘chéng势shì攻gōng之zhī。」袁yuán尚shàng依yī言yán，便biàn披pī挂guà上shàng马mǎ，引yǐn兵bīng五wǔ万wàn出chū城chéng。袁yuán谭tán见jiàn袁yuán尚shàng引yǐn军jūn来lái，情qíng知zhī事shì泄xiè，亦yì即jí披pī挂guà上shàng马mǎ，与yǔ尚shàng交jiāo锋fēng。尚shàng见jiàn谭tán大dà骂mà。

This was displeasing to T‘an and he angrily dismissed Wang, while he sent the treacherous invitation to his brother. His brother and Shên P‘ei talked over the matter. Shên P‘ei said, “I recognise one of Kuo T‘u’s stratagems and if you go, my lord, you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them at once.” Whereupon Shang rode out to battle. His brother T‘an, seeing him come with five legions, knew that his treachery had been discovered, so he also took the field, and when the forces were near enough T‘an opened on Shang with a volley of abuse.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-24

谭tán亦yì骂mà曰yuē：「汝rǔ药yào死sǐ父fù亲qīn，篡cuàn夺duó爵jué位wèi，今jīn又yòu来lái杀shā兄xiōng耶yé！」二èr人rén亲qīn自zì交jiāo锋fēng，袁yuán谭tán大dà败bài。尚shàng亲qīn冒mào矢shǐ石shí，冲chōng突tū掩yǎn杀shā。谭tán引yǐn败bài军jūn奔bēn平píng原yuán，尚shàng收shōu兵bīng还hái。袁yuán谭tán与yǔ郭guō图tú再zài议yì进jìn兵bīng，令lìng岑cén璧bì为wèi将jiāng，领lǐng兵bīng前qián来lái。尚shàng自zì引yǐn兵bīng出chū冀jì州zhōu。

“You poisoned my father and usurped the succession; now you come out to slay your elder brother?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-25

两liǎng阵zhèn对duì圆yuán，旗qí鼓gǔ相xiāng望wàng。璧bì出chū骂mà阵zhèn，尚shàng欲yù自zì战zhàn。大dà将jiàng吕lǚ旷kuàng，拍pāi马má舞wǔ刀dāo，来lái战zhàn岑cén璧bì；二èr将jiāng战zhàn无wú数shù合hé，旷kuàng斩zhǎn岑cén璧bì于yú马mǎ下xià。谭tán兵bīng又yòu败bài，再zài奔bēn平píng原yuán。审shěn配pèi劝quàn尚shàng进jìn兵bīng，追zhuī至zhì平píng原yuán。谭tán抵dǐ当dāng不bú住zhù，退tuì入rù平píng原yuán，坚jiān守shǒu不bù出chū。尚shàng三sān麺miàn围wéi城chéng攻gōng打dǎ。谭tán与yǔ郭guō图tú计jì议yì。

The battle went against T‘an. Shang himself took part in the fight, risking the arrows and the stones. He urged on his men and drove his brother off the field. He took refuge in P‘ingyüan. Yüan Shang drew off his men to his own city.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-26

图tú曰yuē：「今jīn城chéng中zhōng粮liáng少shǎo，彼bǐ军jūn方fāng锐ruì，势shì不bù相xiāng敌dí。愚yú意yì可ké遣qiǎn人rén投tóu降xiáng曹cáo操cāo，使shǐ操cāo将jiàng兵bīng攻gōng冀jì州zhōu，尚shàng必bì还hái救jiù。将jiāng军jūn引yǐn兵bīng夹jiā击jī之zhī，尚shàng可kě擒qín矣yǐ。若ruò操cāo击jī破pò尚shàng军jūn，我wǒ因yīn而ér敛liǎn其qí军jūn实shí以yǐ拒jù操cāo。操cāo军jūn远yuǎn来lái，粮liáng食shí不bú继jì，必bì自zì退tuì去qù；我wó可ké以yǐ仍réng据jù冀jì州zhōu，以yǐ图tú进jìn取qú也yě。」

Yüan T‘an and Kuo T‘u decided upon a new attack and this time they chose Ts‘ên Pi as leader. Yüan Shang went to meet him. When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Ts‘ên Pi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. At first Shang was going to answer the challenge himself but Lü K‘uang actually went out. Lü and Ts‘ên met but had fought only a few bouts when the latter fell. T‘an’s men were once more defeated and ran away to P‘ingyüan. Shên P‘ei urged his master to press home the advantage and T‘an was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go out. So the city was besieged on three sides.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-27

谭tán从cóng其qí言yán，问wèn曰yuē：「何hé人rén可kě为wèi使shǐ？」图tú曰yuē：「辛xīn评píng之zhī弟dì辛xīn毗pí，字zì佐zuǒ治zhì，见jiàn为wèi平píng原yuán令lìng。此cǐ人rén乃nǎi能néng言yán之zhī士shì，可kě命mìng为wèi使shǐ。」谭tán即jí召zhào辛xīn毗pí。毗pí欣xīn然rán而ér至zhì。谭tán修xiū书shū付fù毗pí，使shǐ三sān千qiān军jūn送sòng毗pí出chū境jìng。毗pí星xīng夜yè赍jī书shū往wǎng见jiàn曹cáo操cāo。时shí操cāo屯tún军jūn西xī平píng伐fá刘liú表biǎo，表biáo遣qiǎn玄xuán德dé引yǐn兵bīng为wèi前qián部bù以yǐ迎yíng之zhī。

T‘an asked his strategist what should be done next and he said, “The city is short of food, the enemy is flushed with victory and we cannot stand against them. My idea is to send some one to offer surrender to Ts‘ao Tsʻao and thus get him to attack Ch‘ichou. Your brother will be forced to return thither, which will leave you free to join in the attack. We may capture Shang. Should Ts‘ao begin to get the better of your brother’s army we will lend our force to help him against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and as Ts‘ao’s base of supply is distant we shall drive him off. And we can seize on Ch‘ichou and begin our real career.” “Supposing this scheme be attempted, who is the man for a messenger?” “I have one, Hsin P‘i, Hsin P‘ing’s younger brother; he is magistrate here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and suited to your purpose.” So Hsin P‘i was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given him and an escort of three companies took him beyond the border. He travelled as quickly as possible.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-28

未wèi及jí交jiāo锋fēng，辛xīn毗pí到dào操cāo寨zhài。见jiàn操cāo礼lǐ毕bì，操cāo问wèn其qí来lái意yì，毗pí具jù言yán袁yuán谭tán相xiāng求qiú之zhī意yì，呈chéng上shàng书shū信xìn。

At that time Ts‘ao’s camp was at Hsip‘ing and he was attacking Liu Piao, who had sent Yüan-tê out to offer the first resistance. No battle had yet taken place.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-29

操cāo看kàn书shū毕bì，留liú辛xīn毗pí于yú寨zhài中zhōng，聚jù文wén武wǔ计jì议yì。程chéng昱yù曰yuē：「袁yuán谭tán被bèi袁yuán尚shàng攻gōng击jī太tài急jí，不bù得dé已yǐ而ér来lái降jiàng，不bù可ké准zhǔn信xìn。」吕lǚ虔qián、满mán宠chǒng亦yì曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng既jì引yǐn兵bīng至zhì此cǐ，安ān可kě复fù舍shé表biǎo而ér助zhù谭tán？」荀xún攸yōu曰yuē：「三sān公gōng之zhī言yán未wèi善shàn。

Soon after his arrival Hsin P‘i was admitted to the Minister’s presence, and after the ceremonies of greeting Ts‘ao asked the object of the visit. Hsin Pʻi explained that Yüan T‘an wanted assistance and presented his despatches. Ts‘ao read them and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-30

以yǐ愚yú意yì度dù之zhī：天tiān下xià方fāng有yǒu事shì，而ér刘liú表biǎo坐zuò保bǎo江jiāng、汉hàn之zhī间jiān，不bù敢gán展zhǎn足zú，其qí无wú四sì方fāng之zhī志zhì可kě知zhī矣yǐ；袁yuán氏shì据jù四sì州zhōu之zhī地dì，带dài甲jiǎ数shù十shí万wàn，若ruò二èr子zi和hé睦mù，共gòng守shǒu成chéng业yè，天tiān下xià事shì未wèi可kě知zhī也yě。今jīn其qí兄xiōng弟dì相xiāng攻gōng，势shì穷qióng而ér投tóu我wǒ；我wǒ提tí兵bīng先xiān除chú袁yuán尚shàng，后hòu观guān其qí变biàn，并bìng灭miè袁yuán谭tán，天tiān下xià定dìng矣yǐ。此cǐ机jī会huì不bù可kě失shī也yě。」

The council met. Ch‘êng Yu said, “Yüan T‘an has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure of his brother’s attack. Put no trust in him.” Lü Ch‘ien and Man Ch‘ung said, “You have led your armies here for a special purpose; how can you abandon that and go to assist Yüan T‘an?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-31

操cāo大dà喜xǐ，便biàn邀yāo辛xīn毗pí饮yín酒jiǔ，谓wèi之zhī曰yuē：「袁yuán谭tán之zhī降jiàng，真zhēn耶yé诈zhà耶yé？袁yuán尚shàng之zhī兵bīng，果guó可kě必bì胜shèng耶yé？」毗pí对duì曰yuē：「明míng公gōng勿wù问wèn真zhēn与yǔ诈zhà也yě，只zhǐ论lùn其qí势shì可ké耳ěr。袁yuán氏shì连lián年nián丧sàng败bài，兵bīng革gé疲pí于yú外wài，谋móu臣chén诛zhū于yú内nèi；兄xiōng弟dì谗chán隙xì，国guó分fēn为wéi二èr；加jiā之zhī饥jī馑jǐn并bìng臻zhēn，天tiān灾zāi人rén困kùn；无wú问wèn智zhì愚yú，皆jiē知zhī土tǔ崩bēng瓦wá解jiě。

“Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice,” interposed Hsün Yu. “This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the midst of which Liu Piao remains quietly content with his position between Chiang and Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yüans hold four Chou and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family and none can foresee what will happen in the Empire. Now take advantage of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened and have to yield to our Minister. Then Yüan Shang can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Yüan T‘an can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure.” Ts‘ao realised the truth of this and treated the messenger well. At a banquet he said, “But is this surrender of Yuan T‘an real or false? Do you really think that Shang’s army is sure to overcome him?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-32

此cí乃nǎi天tiān灭miè袁yuán氏shì之zhī时shí也yě。今jīn明míng公gōng提tí兵bīng攻gōng邺yè，袁yuán尚shàng不bù还hái救jiù，则zé失shī巢cháo穴xué；若ruò还hái救jiù，则zé谭tán踵zhǒng袭xí其qí后hòu。以yǐ明míng公gōng之zhī威wēi，击jī疲pí惫bèi之zhī众zhòng，如rú迅xùn风fēng之zhī扫sǎo秋qiū叶yè也yě。舍shé此cǐ之zhī图tú，而ér伐fá荆jīng州zhōu，荆jīng州zhōu丰fēng乐lè之zhī地dì，国guó和hé民mín顺shùn，未wèi可kě摇yáo动dòng。况kuàng四sì方fāng之zhī患huàn，莫mò大dà于yú河hé北běi。河hé北běi既jì平píng，则zé霸bà业yè成chéng矣yǐ。愿yuàn明míng公gōng详xiáng之zhī。

Hsin P‘i replied, “Illustrious one, do not enquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yüans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near, the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yüans is at hand. Now you have a force attacking Yeh, and if Yüan Shang will not return to give aid the place of refuge is lost. If he help, then T‘an will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother’s army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. If he do not, then he will attack Chingchou. Now Chingchou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than Hopei. If that be reduced then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-33

」操cāo大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「恨hèn与yǔ辛xīn佐zuǒ治zhì相xiāng见jiàn之zhī晚wán也yě！」即jí日rì督dū军jūn还hái取qǔ冀jì州zhōu。玄xuán德dé恐kǒng操cāo有yǒu谋móu，不bù敢gǎn追zhuī袭xí，引yǐn兵bīng自zì回huí荆jīng州zhōu。

“I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier,” said Ts‘ao, much gratified with this speech. Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Ch‘ichou. Yüan-tê, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Chingchou.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-34

却què说shuō袁yuán尚shàng知zhī曹cáo军jūn渡dù河hé，急jí急jí引yǐn军jūn还hái邺yè，命mìng吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng断duàn后hòu。袁yuán谭tán见jiàn尚shàng退tuì军jūn，乃nǎi大dà起qǐ平píng原yuán军jūn马mǎ，随suí后hòu赶gǎn来lái。行xíng不bú到dào数shù十shí里lǐ，一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，两liǎng军jūn齐qí出chū：左zuǒ边biān吕lǚ旷kuàng，右yòu边biān吕lǚ翔xiáng，兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén截jié住zhù袁yuán谭tán。谭tán勒lēi马mǎ告gào二èr将jiāng曰yuē：「吾wú父fù在zài日rì，吾wú并bìng未wèi慢màn待dài二èr将jiāng军jūn，今jīn何hé从cóng吾wú弟dì而ér见jiàn迫pò耶yé？」

When Yüan Shang heard that Ts‘ao had crossed the river he hastily led his army back to Yeh, ordering the two Lüs to guard the rear. His brother T‘an started from P‘ingyüan with a force in pursuit. He had not proceeded far when he heard a bomb and two bodies of men came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lü K‘uang and Lü Hsiang. T‘an reined in and addressed them, saying, “While my father lived I never treated you badly; why do you support my brother and try to injure me?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-35

二èr将jiāng闻wén言yán，乃nǎi下xià马mǎ降jiàng谭tán。谭tán曰yuē：「勿wù降jiàng我wǒ，可kě降jiàng曹cáo丞chéng相xiàng。」二èr将jiāng因yīn随suí谭tán归guī营yíng。谭tán候hòu操cāo军jūn至zhì，引yǐn二èr将jiāng见jiàn操cāo。操cāo大dà喜xǐ，以yí女nǘ许xǔ谭tán为wèi妻qī，即jí令lìng吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng为wèi媒méi。谭tán请qǐng操cāo攻gōng取qǔ冀jì州zhōu。操cāo曰yuē：「方fāng今jīn粮liáng草cǎo不bù接jiē，搬bān运yùn劳láo苦kǔ，我wǒ由yóu济jì河hé遏è淇qí水shuǐ入rù白bái沟gōu，以yǐ通tōng粮liáng道dào，然rán后hòu进jìn兵bīng。」令lìng谭tán且qiě居jū平píng原yuán。

The two men had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission. T‘an said, “Do not surrender to me but to the Minister,” and he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Ts‘ao and then presented the pair. Ts‘ao received them well. He promised his daughter to T‘an to wife and he appointed the two brothers as advisers. When T‘an asked Ts‘ao to attack Chʻichou the reply was “Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of the Chishui into the Paiho from Chiho whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-36

操cāo引yǐn军jūn退tuì屯tún黎lí阳yáng，封fēng吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng为wèi列liè侯hóu，随suí军jūn听tīng用yòng。郭guō图tú谓wèi袁yuán谭tán曰yuē：「曹cáo操cāo以yí女nǘ许xǔ婚hūn，恐kǒng非fēi真zhēn意yì。今jīn又yòu封fēng赏sháng吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng，带dài去qù军jūn中zhōng，此cí乃nǎi牢láo笼lóng河hé北běi人rén心xīn。后hòu必bì终zhōng为wèi我wǒ祸huò。主zhǔ公gōng可kě刻kè将jiāng军jūn印yìn二èr颗kē，暗àn使shǐ人rén送sòng与yǔ二èr吕lǚ，令lìng作zuò内nèi应yìng。待dài操cāo破pò了le袁yuán尚shàng，可kě乘chéng便biàn图tú之zhī。」

Ordering T‘an to remain in P‘ingyüan, Ts‘ao retired into camp at Liyang. The two brothers Lü, who were renegades from Yüan Shang, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries.

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谭tán依yī言yán，遂suì刻kè将jiāng军jūn印yìn二èr颗kē，暗àn送sòng与yǔ二èr吕lǚ。二èr吕lǚ受shòu讫qì，迳jìng将jiāng印yìn来lái禀bǐng曹cáo操cāo。操cāo大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「谭tán暗àn送sòng印yìn者zhě，欲yù汝rú等děng为wèi内nèi助zhù，待dài我wǒ破pò袁yuán尚shàng之zhī后hòu，就jiù中zhōng取qǔ事shì耳ěr。汝rú等děng权quán且qiě受shòu之zhī，我wǒ自zì有yóu主zhǔ张zhāng。」自zì此cǐ曹cáo操cāo便biàn有yǒu杀shā谭tán之zhī心xīn。

Kuo T‘u noted this advancement and said to T‘an, “He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lüs and taken them with him. This is a trap for the northern people but he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals’ seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Ts‘ao shall have broken your brother’s power and we can begin to work against him.” The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the brothers received them they informed Tsʻao Ts‘ao, who smiled saying, “He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yüan Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do.”

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且qiě说shuō袁yuán尚shàng与yú审shěn配pèi商shāng议yì：「今jīn曹cáo兵bīng运yùn粮liáng入rù白bái沟gōu，必bì来lái攻gōng冀jì州zhōu，如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？」配pèi曰yuē：「可kě发fā檄xí使shí武wǔ安ān长zháng尹yín楷kǎi屯tún毛máo城chéng，通tōng上shàng党dǎng运yùn粮liáng道dào；令lìng沮jǔ授shòu之zhī子zi沮jú鹄gú守shǒu邯hán郸dān，遥yáo为wèi声shēng援yuán。主zhǔ公gōng可kě进jìn兵bīng平píng原yuán，急jí攻gōng袁yuán谭tán。先xiān绝jué袁yuán谭tán，然rán后hòu破pò曹cáo。

Thenceforward T‘an was doomed. Shên P‘ei and his master also discussed the situation. “Ts‘ao is getting grain into Paikou, which means an attack on Ch‘ichou; what is to be done?” asked Shang.

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」袁yuán尚shàng大dà喜xǐ，留liú审shěn配pèi与yǔ陈chén琳lín守shǒu冀jì州zhōu，使shí马mǎ延yán、张zhāng𫖮二èr将jiāng为wèi先xiān锋fēng，连lián夜yè起qǐ兵bīng攻gōng打dǎ平píng原yuán。谭tán知zhī尚shàng兵bīng来lái近jìn，告gào急jí于yú操cāo。操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú今jīn番fān必bì得děi冀jì州zhōu矣yǐ。」

Shên P‘ei replied, “Send letters to Yin Kai, Chief of Wuan, bidding him camp at Maoch‘êng to secure the road to Shangtang and direct Chu Ku to maintain Hantan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on P‘ingyüan and attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” The plan seemed good. Yüan Shang left Shên P‘ei and Ch‘ên Lin in charge of Ch‘ichou, appointed two captains Ma Yen and Chang K‘ai as van leaders, and set out hastily for P‘ingyüan.

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正zhèng说shuō间jiān，适shì许xǔ攸yōu自zì许xǔ昌chāng来lái；闻wén尚shàng又yòu攻gōng谭tán，入rù见jiàn操cāo曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng坐zuò守shǒu于yú此cǐ，岂qǐ欲yù待dài天tiān雷léi击jī杀shā二èr袁yuán乎hū？」操cāo笑xiào曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ料liào定dìng矣yǐ。」遂suì令lìng曹cáo洪hóng先xiān进jìn兵bīng攻gōng邺yè，操cāo自zì引yǐn一yī军jūn来lái攻gōng尹yín楷kǎi。兵bīng临lín本běn境jìng，楷kái引yǐn军jūn来lái迎yíng。楷kǎi出chū马mǎ，操cāo曰yuē：「许xǔ仲zhòng康kāng安ān在zài？」许xú褚chǔ应yīng声shēng而ér出chū，纵zòng马mǎ直zhí取qú尹yín楷kǎi。

When T‘an heard of the approach of his brother’s army he sent urgent messages to Ts‘ao, who said to himself, “I am going to get Ch‘ichou this time.” Just at this time it happened that Hsü Yu came down from the capital. When he heard that Yüan Shang was attacking his brother T‘an he sought Ts‘ao and said, “You, Sir Minister, sit here on guard; are you waiting till Heaven’s thunder shall strike the two Yüans?” “I have thought it all out,” said Ts‘ao.

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楷kǎi措cuò手shǒu不bù及jí，被bèi许xú褚chǔ一yī刀dāo斩zhǎn于yú马mǎ下xià，余yú众zhòng奔bēn溃kuì。操cāo侭jǐn招zhāo降xiáng之zhī，即jí勒lēi兵bīng取qǔ邯hán郸dān。沮jú鹄gǔ进jìn兵bīng来lái迎yíng。张zhāng辽liáo出chū马mǎ，与yú鹄gǔ交jiāo锋fēng，战zhàn不bù三sān合hé，鹄gǔ大dà败bài，辽liáo从cóng后hòu追zhuī赶gǎn。两liáng马mǎ相xiāng离lí不bù远yuǎn，辽liáo急jí取qǔ弓gōng射shè之zhī，应yīng弦xián落luò马mǎ。操cāo指zhǐ挥huī军jūn马má掩yǎn杀shā，众zhòng皆jiē奔bēn散sàn。

Then he ordered Ts‘ao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and was killed by Hsü Ch‘u. His men ran away and presently joined Ts‘ao’s army. Next he led the army to Hantan and Chu Ku came out to fight him. Chang Liao advanced to fight with Chu and after the third encounter the latter was defeated and fled. Liao went after him and when their two horses were not far apart, Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing soldier fell as the bowstring twanged. Ts‘ao sent Ma Yen to complete the rout and Chu Ku’s force was broken up.

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于yú是shì操cāo引yǐn大dà军jūn前qián抵dǐ冀jì州zhōu。曹cáo洪hóng已yǐ近jìn城chéng下xià。操cāo令lìng三sān军jūn遶rào城chéng筑zhù起qí土tǔ山shān，又yòu暗àn掘jué地dì道dào以yǐ攻gōng之zhī。审shěn配pèi设shè守shǒu坚jiān固gù，法fǎ令lìng甚shèn严yán，东dōng门mén守shǒu将jiàng冯féng礼lǐ，因yīn酒jiǔ醉zuì有yǒu误wù巡xún警jǐng，配pèi痛tòng责zé之zhī。冯féng礼lǐ怀huái恨hèn，潜qián地dì出chū城chéng降jiàng操cāo。操cāo问wèn破pò城chéng之zhī策cè，礼lǐ曰yuē：「突tū门mén内nèi土tǔ厚hòu，可kě掘jué地dì道dào而ér入rù。

Then he ordered Ts‘ao Hung to go and fight against Yeh, while he led another army against Yin Kai. Kai could make no adequate defence and was killed by Hsü Ch‘u. His men ran away and presently joined Ts‘ao’s army. Next he led the army to Hantan and Chu Ku came out to fight him. Chang Liao advanced to fight with Chu and after the third encounter the latter was defeated and fled. Liao went after him and when their two horses were not far apart, Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing soldier fell as the bowstring twanged. Ts‘ao sent Ma Yen to complete the rout and Chu Ku’s force was broken up. Now Ts‘ao led his armies to an attack on Ch‘ichou. Ts‘ao Hung went close to the city and a regular siege began. The army encompassed the city and began by throwing up great mounds. They also tunnelled subterranean ways. Within the city Shên P‘ei turned his whole care to the defence and issued the severest commands. The captain of the east gate, one Fêng Li, got intoxicated and failed to keep his watch for which he was severely punished. He resented this, sneaked out of the city, went over to the besiegers and told them how the place could be attacked. “The earth within the T‘umên is solid enough to be tunnelled and entrance can be effected there,” said the traitor.

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」操cāo便biàn命mìng冯féng礼lí引yǐn三sān百bǎi壮zhuàng士shì，夤yín夜yè掘jué地dì道dào而ér入rù。

So Fêng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under cover of darkness.

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却què说shuō审shěn配pèi自zì冯féng礼lǐ出chū降jiàng之zhī后hòu，每měi夜yè亲qīn自zì登dēng城chéng点diǎn视shì军jūn马mǎ。当dāng夜yè在zài突tū门mén阁gé上shàng，望wàng见jiàn城chéng外wài无wú灯dēng火huǒ。配pèi曰yuē：「冯féng礼lǐ必bì引yǐn兵bīng从cóng地dì道dào而ér入rù也yě。」急jí唤huàn精jīng兵bīng运yùn石shí击jī突tū闸zhá门mén，门mén闭bì，冯féng礼lǐ及jí三sān百bǎi壮zhuàng士shì，皆jiē死sǐ于yú土tǔ内nèi。操cāo折zhé了le这zhè一yī场cháng，遂suì罢bà地dì道dào之zhī计jì，退tuì军jūn于yú洹huán水shuǐ之zhī上shàng，以yǐ候hòu袁yuán尚shàng回huí兵bīng。

So Fêng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under cover of darkness.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-45

袁yuán尚shàng攻gōng平píng原yuán，闻wén曹cáo操cāo已yǐ破pò尹yín楷kǎi、沮jú鹄gǔ，大dà军jūn围wéi困kùn冀jì州zhōu，乃nǎi掣chè兵bīng回huí救jiù。部bú将jiàng马mǎ延yán曰yuē：「从cóng大dà路lù去qù，曹cáo操cāo必bì有yǒu伏fú兵bīng；可ké取qú小xiǎo路lù，从cóng西xī山shān出chū滏fú水shuí口kǒu去qù劫jié曹cáo营yíng，必bì解jiě围wéi也yě。」

After Fêng Li had deserted to the enemy Shên P‘ei went every night to the wall to inspect the men on duty. The night of the sapping he went there as usual and saw that there were no lights outside the city and all was perfectly quiet. So he said to himself, “Fêng is certain to try to come into the city by an underground road.” Whereupon he ordered his men to bring up stones and pile them on the cover of the tunnel opening. The opening was stopped up and the attacking party perished in the tunnel they had excavated. Ts‘ao having failed in this attempt abandoned the scheme of underground attack. He drew off the army to a place above the Hêngshui to await till Yüan Shang should return to relieve the city.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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尚shàng从cóng其qí言yán，自zì领lǐng大dà军jūn先xiān行xíng，令lìng马mǎ延yán与yǔ张zhāng𫖮断duàn后hòu。早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò去qù报bào曹cáo操cāo。操cāo曰yuē：「彼bǐ若ruò从cóng大dà路lù上shàng来lái，吾wú当dāng避bì之zhī；若ruò从cóng西xī山shān小xiǎo路lù而ér来lái，一yī战zhàn可kě擒qín也yě。吾wú料liào袁yuán尚shàng必bì举jú火huǒ为wèi号hào，令lìng城chéng中zhōng接jiē应yīng。吾wú可kě分fēn兵bīng击jī之zhī。」于yú是shì分fēn拨bō已yǐ定dìng。

Yüan Shang heard of the defeat of Yin Kai and Chu Ku, and the siege of his own city, and bethought himself of relieving it. One of his captains, Ma Yen, said, “The high road will surely be ambushed; we must find some other way. We can take a bye-road from the Western Hills and get through at Fushuik‘ou, whence we can fall upon Ts‘ao’s camp.” The plan was acceptable and Shang started off with the main body, Ma Yen and Chang K‘ai being rear guard.

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却què说shuō袁yuán尚shàng出chū滏fú水shuǐ界jiè口kǒu，东dōng至zhì阳yáng平píng，屯tún军jūn阳yáng平píng亭tíng，离lí冀jì州zhōu十shí七qī里lǐ，一yī边biān靠kào著zhù滏fú水shuǐ。尚shàng令lìng军jūn士shì堆duī积jī柴chái薪xīn干gān草cǎo，至zhì夜yè焚fén烧shāo为wèi号hào，遣qián主zhǔ簿bù李lǐ孚fú扮bàn作zuò曹cáo军jūn都dū督dū，直zhí至zhì城chéng下xià，大dà叫jiào：「开kāi门mén！」审shěn配pèi认rèn得de是shì李lǐ孚fú声shēng音yīn，于yú入rù城chéng中zhōng，说shuō：「袁yuán尚shàng已yǐ陈chén兵bīng在zài阳yáng平píng亭tíng，等děng候hòu接jiē应yīng；

Ts‘ao’s spies soon found out this move and when they reported it he said, “If he comes by the high road I shall have to keep out of the way; if by the Western Hills bye-road I can settle him in one battle. And I think he will show a blaze as a signal to the besieged that they may make a sortie. I shall prepare to attack both.” So he made his preparations. Now Yüan Shang went out by the Fushui Pass east toward Yangp‘ing and near this he camped. Thence to his own city was seventeen li . The Fushui stream ran beside the camp. He ordered his men to collect firewood and grass ready for the blaze he intended to make at night as his signal. He also sent Li Fu, a civil officer, disguised as an officer of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army, to inform Shên P‘ei of his intentions.

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若ruò城chéng中zhōng兵bīng出chū，亦yì举jú火huǒ为wèi号hào。」配pèi教jiào城chéng中zhōng堆duī草cǎo放fàng火huǒ，以yǐ通tōng音yīn信xìn。孚fú曰yuē：「城chéng中zhōng无wú粮liáng，可kě发fā老lǎo弱ruò残cán兵bīng并bìng妇fù人rén出chū降jiàng；彼bǐ必bì不bù为wéi备bèi，我wǒ即jí以yǐ兵bīng继jì百bǎi姓xìng之zhī后hòu出chū攻gōng之zhī。」配pèi从cóng其qí论lùn。

Fu reached the city wall safely and called out to the guards to open. Shên P‘ei recognised his voice and let him in. Thus Shên P‘ei knew of the arrangements for his relief and it was agreed that a blaze should be raised within the city so that the sortie could be simultaneous with Shang’s attack. Orders were given to collect inflammables.

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次cì日rì，城chéng上shàng竖shù起qǐ白bái旗qí，上shàng写xiě「冀jì州zhōu百bǎi姓xìng投tóu降xiáng」。操cāo曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì城chéng中zhōng无wú粮liáng，教jiào老lǎo弱ruò百bǎi姓xìng投tóu降xiáng；后hòu必bì有yǒu兵bīng出chū也yě。」操cāo教jiào张zhāng辽liáo、徐xú晃huǎng各gè引yǐn三sān千qiān军jūn马mǎ，伏fú于yú两liǎng边biān。操cāo自zì乘chéng马mǎ、张zhāng麾huī盖gài至zhì城chéng下xià。果guǒ见jiàn城chéng门mén开kāi处chù，百bǎi姓xìng扶fú老lǎo携xié幼yòu，手shǒu持chí白bái旛fān而ér出chū。百bǎi姓xìng才cái出chū侭jǐn，城chéng中zhōng兵bīng突tū出chū。

Then said Fu, “As your food supply is short it would be well for the old men, the feeble soldiers and the women to surrender. This will come upon them as a surprise and we will send the soldiers out behind them.” Shên P‘ei promised to do all this and next day they hoisted on the wall a white flag with the words “The populace of Ch‘ichou surrender” on it. “Ho ho! This means no food,” said Ts‘ao. “They are sending away the non-combatants to escape feeding them. And the soldiers will follow behind them.”

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操cāo教jiào将jiāng红hóng旗qí一yī招zhāo，张zhāng辽liáo、徐xú晃huáng两liǎng路lù兵bīng齐qí出chū乱luàn杀shā，城chéng中zhōng兵bīng只zhǐ得dé复fù回huí。操cāo自zì飞fēi马má赶gǎn来lái，到dào吊diào桥qiáo边biān，城chéng中zhōng弩nǔ箭jiàn如rú雨yǔ，射shè中zhōng操cāo盔kuī，险xiǎn透tòu其qí顶dǐng。众zhòng将jiāng急jí救jiù回huí阵zhèn。操cāo更gēng衣yī换huàn马mǎ，引yǐn众zhòng将jiāng来lái攻gōng尚shàng寨zhài。尚shàng自zì迎yíng敌dí。

So on two sides he laid an ambush of three companies while he went near the wall in full state. Presently the gates were opened and out came the people supporting their aged folk and leading their little ones by the hand. Each carried a white flag. As soon as the people had passed the gate the soldiers followed with a rush.

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时shí各gè路lù军jūn马mǎ一yī齐qí杀shā至zhì，两liǎng军jūn混hùn战zhàn，袁yuán尚shàng大dà败bài。尚shàng引yǐn兵bīng退tuì往wǎng西xī山shān下xià寨zhài，令lìng人rén催cuī取qú马mǎ延yán、张zhāng𫖮军jūn来lái。不bù知zhī曹cáo操cāo已yí使shí吕lǚ旷kuàng、吕lǚ翔xiáng去qù招zhāo安ān二èr将jiāng。二èr将jiāng随suí二èr吕lǚ来lái降jiàng，操cāo亦yì封fēng为wèi列liè侯hóu。即jí日rì进jìn兵bīng攻gōng打dǎ西xī山shān，先xiān使shǐ二èr吕lǚ、马mǎ延yán、张zhāng𫖮截jié断duàn袁yuán尚shàng粮liáng道dào。

Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao showed a red flag and the ambushed soldiers fell upon the sortie. The men tried to return and Ts‘ao’s men made a direct attack. The chase continued to the drawbridge, but there they met with a tremendous shower of arrows and crossbow bolts which checked the advance. Ts‘ao’s helmet was struck and the crest carried away. So the men retired. As soon as Ts‘ao had changed his dress and mounted a fresh horse he set out at the head of the army to attack Yüan Shang’s camp. Yüan Shang led the defence. The attack came simultaneously from many directions, the defenders were quite disorganised and presently defeated. Shang led his men back by the hills and made a camp under their shelter. Thence he sent messengers to urge Ma Yen and Chang K‘ai to bring up the supports. He did not know that Ts‘ao had sent the two Lüs to persuade these two into surrender and that they had already passed under Ts‘ao’s banner, and he had made them marquises.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-52

尚shàng情qíng知zhī西xī山shān守shǒu不bú住zhù，夜yè走zǒu溢yì口kǒu。安ān营yíng未wèi定dìng，四sì下xià火huǒ光guāng并bìng起qǐ，伏fú兵bīng齐qí出chū，人rén不bù及jí甲jiǎ，马mǎ不bù及jí鞍ān。尚shàng军jūn大dà溃kuì，退tuì走zóu五wǔ十shí里lǐ，势shì穷qióng力lì极jí，只zhǐ得dé遣qiǎn豫yù州zhōu刺cì史shǐ阴yīn夔kuí至zhì操cāo营yíng请qǐng降xiáng。操cāo佯yáng许xǔ之zhī，却què连lián夜yè使shǐ张zhāng辽liáo、徐xú晃huǎng去qù劫jié寨zhài。尚shàng侭jǐn弃qì印yìn绶shòu节jié钺yuè，衣yī甲jiǎ辎zī重zhòng，望wàng中zhōng山shān而ér逃táo。操cāo回huí军jūn攻gōng冀jì州zhōu。

Then came an attack on Ch‘ichou and to help out this Hsü Yu suggested drowning the city by turning the course of the River Chang. Ts‘ao adopted the suggestion and at once sent a small number of men to dig a channel to lead the water to the city. All told, it was forty li . Shên P‘ei saw the diggers from the city wall and noticed that they made only a shallow channel. He chuckled, saying to himself, “What is the use of such a channel to drown out the city from a deep river?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-53

许xǔ攸yōu献xiàn计jì曰yuē：「何hé不bù决jué漳zhāng河hé之zhī水shuí以yí渰yǎn之zhī？」

Just before going to attack the Western Hills he sent the two Lüs with Ma Yen and Chang K‘ai to seize the source of Yüan Shang’s supplies. Shang had realised he could not hold the hills so he went by night to Ik‘ou. Before he could get camped he saw flaring lights springing up all around him and soon an attack began. He was taken aback and had to oppose the enemy with his men half armed, his steeds unsaddled. His army suffered and he had to retreat another fifty li . By that time his force was too enfeebled to show any resistance and as no other course was possible he sent to ask that he might surrender. Ts‘ao feigned to consent, but that night he sent a force to raid Shang’s camp. Then it became flight, abandoning everything, seals, emblems of office and even personal clothing. He made for the hills.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-54

操cāo然rán其qí计jì，先xiān差chà军jūn于yú城chéng外wài掘jué河hé堑qiàn，周zhōu围wéi四sì十shí里lǐ。审shěn配pèi在zài城chéng上shàng见jiàn操cāo军jūn在zài城chéng外wài掘jué堑qiàn，却què掘jué得dé甚shèn浅qiǎn。配pèi暗àn笑xiào曰yuē：「此cǐ欲yù决jué漳zhāng河hé之zhī水shuí以yǐ灌guàn城chéng耳ěr。河hé深shēn可kě灌guàn，如rú此cǐ之zhī浅qiǎn，有yǒu何hé用yòng哉zāi？」遂suì不bù为wéi备bèi。

Then came an attack on Ch‘ichou and to help out this Hsü Yu suggested drowning the city by turning the course of the River Chang. Ts‘ao adopted the suggestion and at once sent a small number of men to dig a channel to lead the water to the city. All told, it was forty li .

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-55

当dāng夜yè曹cáo操cāo添tiān十shí倍bèi军jūn士shì，并bìng力lì发fā掘jué，比bǐ及jí天tiān明míng，广guǎng深shēn二èr丈zhàng，引yǐn漳zhāng水shuǐ灌guàn入rù城chéng中zhōng，水shuǐ深shēn数shù尺chǐ。更gèng兼jiān粮liáng绝jué，军jūn士shì皆jiē饿è死sǐ。辛xīn毗pí在zài城chéng外wài，用yòng枪qiāng挑tiāo袁yuán尚shàng印yìn绶shòu衣yī服fú，招zhāo安ān城chéng内nèi之zhī人rén。审shěn配pèi大dà怒nù，将jiāng辛xīn毗pí家jiā属shú老láo小xiǎo八bā十shí余yú口kǒu，就jiù于yú城chéng上shàng斩zhǎn之zhī，将jiāng头tóu掷zhì下xià。辛xīn毗pí号háo哭kū不bù已yǐ。

Shên P‘ei saw the diggers from the city wall and noticed that they made only a shallow channel. He chuckled, saying to himself, “What is the use of such a channel to drown out the city from a deep river?” So he made no preparations to keep out the water. But as soon as night came on Ts‘ao increased his army of diggers tenfold and by daylight the channel was deepened to twenty feet and the water was flowing in a great stream into the city where it already stood some feet deep. So this misfortune was added to the lack of food.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-56

审shěn配pèi之zhī姪zhí审shěn荣róng，素sù与yǔ辛xīn毗pí相xiāng厚hòu；见jiàn辛xīn毗pí家jiā属shǔ被bèi害hài，心xīn中zhōng怀huái恨hèn，乃nǎi密mì写xiě献xiàn门mén之zhī书shū，拴shuān于yú箭jiàn上shàng，射shè下xià城chéng来lái。军jūn士shì拾shí献xiàn辛xīn毗pí，毗pí将jiāng书shū献xiàn操cāo。操cāo先xiān下xià令lìng：如rú入rù冀jì州zhōu，休xiū得dé杀shā害hài袁yuán氏shì一yī门mén老láo小xiǎo；军jūn民mín降jiàng者zhé免mián死sǐ。

Hsin Pʻi now displayed the captured seal and garments of Yüan Shang hung out on spears, to the great shame of their late owner, and called upon the people of the city to surrender. This angered Shên P‘ei, who avenged the insult by putting to death on the city wall the whole of the Hsin family who were within the city. There were nearly a hundred of them and their severed heads were cast down from the walls. Hsin P‘i wept exceedingly.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-57

次cì日rì天tiān明míng，审shěn荣róng大dà开kāi西xī门mén，放fàng曹cáo兵bīng入rù。辛xīn毗pí跃yuè马mǎ先xiān入rù，军jūn将jiāng随suí后hòu杀shā入rù冀jì州zhōu。审shěn配pèi在zài东dōng南nán城chéng楼lóu上shàng，见jiàn操cāo军jūn已yǐ入rù城chéng中zhōng，引yǐn数shù骑qí下xià城chéng死sǐ战zhàn，正zhèng迎yíng徐xú晃huǎng交jiāo马mǎ。徐xú晃huǎng生shēng擒qín审shěn配pèi，绑bǎng出chū城chéng来lái，路lù逢féng辛xīn毗pí。毗pí咬yǎo牙yá切qiè齿chǐ，以yǐ鞭biān指zhǐ配pèi首shǒu曰yuē：「贼zéi杀shā才cái！今jīn日rì死sí矣yǐ！」配pèi大dà骂mà辛xīn毗pí：「贼zéi徒tú！

Shên P‘ei’s nephew Shên Yung, one of the gate wardens, was a dear friend of Hsin P‘i and the murder of P‘i’s family greatly distressed him. He wrote a secret letter offering to betray the city and tied it to an arrow, which he shot out among the besiegers. The soldiers found it, gave it to Hsin P‘i and he took it to his chief.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-58

引yǐn曹cáo操cāo破pò我wǒ冀jì州zhōu，我wǒ恨hèn不bù杀shā汝rú也yě！」

Ts‘ao issued an order that the family of the Yüans should be spared when the city should be taken and that no one who surrendered should be put to death. The next day the soldiers entered by the west gate, opened for them by Shên’s nephew. Hsin P‘i was the first to prance in on horseback and the men followed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-59

徐xú晃huáng解jiě配pèi见jiàn操cāo。操cāo曰yuē：「汝rǔ知zhī献xiàn门mén接jiē我wó者zhě乎hū？」配pèi曰yuē：「不bù知zhī。」操cāo曰yuē：「此cí汝rǔ姪zhí审shěn荣róng所suǒ献xiàn也yě。」配pèi怒nù曰yuē：「小xiǎo儿ér不bù行xíng，乃nǎi至zhì于yú此cǐ！」操cāo曰yuē：「昨zuó孤gū至zhì城chéng下xià，何hé城chéng中zhōng弩nǔ箭jiàn之zhī多duō耶yé？」配pèi曰yuē：「恨hèn少shǎo！恨hèn少shǎo！」操cāo曰yuē：「卿qīng忠zhōng于yú袁yuán氏shì，不bù容róng不bù如rú此cǐ。今jīn肯kěn降jiàng吾wú否fǒu？」配pèi曰yuē：「不bú降jiàng！

When Shên, who was on the southeast of the city, saw the enemy within the gates he placed himself at the head of some horsemen and dashed toward them. He was met and captured by Hsü Huang who bound him and led him outside the city. On the road they met Hsin Pʻi, who ground his teeth with rage at the murderer of his relatives and then struck the prisoner over the head with his whip and abused him as a murderer. Shên retorted by calling him traitor and saying how sorry he was not to have slain him before. When the captive was taken into Ts‘ao’s presence Ts‘ao said, “Do you know who opened the gate to let me in?” “No; I know not.” “It was your nephew Shên Yung who gave up the gate,” said Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-60

不bú降jiàng！」辛xīn毗pí哭kū拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：「家jiā属shǔ八bā十shí余yú口kǒu，侭jǐn遭zāo此cǐ贼zéi杀shā害hài。愿yuàn丞chéng相xiàng戮lù之zhī，以yí雪xué此cǐ恨hèn！」配pèi曰yuē：「吾wú生shēng为wèi袁yuán氏shì臣chén，死sǐ为wèi袁yuán氏shì鬼guǐ，不bú似shì汝rǔ辈bèi谗chán谄chǎn阿ē谀yú之zhī贼zéi！可kě速sù斩zhán我wǒ！」操cāo教jiào牵qiān出chū。临lín受shòu刑xíng，叱chì行xíng刑xíng者zhě曰yuē：「吾wú主zhǔ在zài北běi，不bù可ké使shí我wǒ麺miàn南nán而ér死sǐ！」乃nǎi向xiàng北běi跪guì，引yín颈jǐng就jiù刃rèn。

“He was always unprincipled; and it has come to this!” said Shên. “The other day when I approached the city why did you shoot so hard at me?” “I am sorry we shot too little.” “As a faithful adherent of the Yüans you could do no otherwise. Now will you come over to me?” “Never; I will never surrender.” Hsin P‘i threw himself on the ground with lamentations, saying, “Eighty of my people murdered by this ruffian; I pray you slay him, O Minister!” “Alive, I have served the Yüans,” said Shên, “dead, I will be their ghost. I am no flattering time-server as you are. Kill me!” Ts‘ao gave the order; they led him away to put him to death. On the execution ground he said to the executioners, “My lord is in the north, I pray you not to make me face the south.” So he knelt facing the north and extended his neck for the fatal stroke.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-61

后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

Later generations composed a poem in lament:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-62

河hé北běi多duō名míng士shì，谁shuí如rú审shěn正zhèng南nán？

Hebei boasts many men of worth, but who like Shen Zhengnan?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-63

命mìng因yīn昏hūn主zhǔ丧sàng，心xīn与yú古gǔ人rén参shēn。

His life was lost for a foolish lord, his heart matched the men of old.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-64

忠zhōng直zhí言yán无wú隐yǐn，廉lián能néng志zhì不bù贪tān。

Loyal and plain, his words held nothing back, ungreedy and pure his will.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-65

临lín亡wáng犹yóu北běi麺miàn，降jiàng者zhé侭jǐn羞xiū惭cán。

Facing north even as he died, all who surrendered hung their heads in shame.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-66

审shěn配pèi既jì死sǐ，操cāo怜lián其qí忠zhōng义yì，命mìng葬zàng于yú城chéng北běi。众zhòng将jiāng请qǐng曹cáo操cāo入rù城chéng。操cāo方fāng欲yù起qǐ行xíng，只zhǐ见jiàn刀dāo斧fú手shǒu拥yōng一yī人rén至zhì，操cāo视shì之zhī，乃nǎi陈chén琳lín也yě。操cāo谓wèi之zhī曰yuē：「汝rǔ前qián为wèi本běn初chū作zuò檄xí，但dàn罪zuì状zhuàng孤gū可ké也yě；何hé乃nái辱rǔ及jí祖zǔ、父fù耶yé？」琳lín答dá曰yuē：「箭jiàn在zài弦xián上shàng，不bù得dé不bù发fā耳ěr。」左zuǒ右yòu劝quàn操cāo杀shā之zhī。操cāo怜lián其qí才cái，乃nǎi赦shè之zhī，命mìng为wèi从cóng事shì。

Who of all th’ official throng In Hopei was true like Shên? Sad his fate! he served a fool, But faithful, as the ancient men. Straight and true was every word, Never from the road he swerved. Faithful unto death, he died Gazing toward the lord he’d served. Thus died Shên P‘ei and from respect for his character Ts‘ao ordered that he be buried honourably on the north of the city. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao then entered the city. As he was starting he saw the executioners hurrying forward a prisoner who proved to be Ch‘ên Lin. “You wrote that manifesto for Yüan Shao. If you had only directed your diatribe against me, it would not have mattered. But why did you shame my forefathers?” said Ts‘ao. “When the arrow is on the string, it must fly,” replied Lin. Those about Ts‘ao urged him to put Ch‘ên Lin to death, but he was spared on account of his genius and given a small civil post.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-67

却què说shuō操cāo长zháng子zǐ曹cáo丕pī，字zì子zi桓huán，时shí年nián十shí八bā岁suì。丕pī初chū生shēng时shí，有yǒu云yún气qì一yī片piàn，其qí色sè青qīng紫zǐ，圆yuán如rú车chē盖gài，覆fù于yú其qí室shì，终zhōng日rì不bú散sàn。有yǒu望wàng气qì者zhě，密mì谓wèi操cāo曰yuē：「此cǐ天tiān子zi气qì也yě。令lìng嗣sì贵guì不bù可kě言yán。」丕pī八bā岁suì能néng属zhǔ文wén，有yǒu逸yì才cái，博bó古gǔ通tōng今jīn，善shàn骑qí射shè，好hǎo击jī剑jiàn。

Those about Ts‘ao urged him to put Ch‘ên Lin to death, but he was spared on account of his genius and given a small civil post. Now Ts‘ao’s eldest son was named P‘ei, otherwise Tzŭ-hêng. At the taking of the city he was eighteen years of age. When he was born a dark purplish halo hung over the house for a whole day. One who understood the meaning of such manifestations had secretly told Ts‘ao that the halo belonged to the Imperial class and portended honours which could not be put into words.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-68

时shí操cāo破pò冀jì州zhōu，丕pī随suí父fù在zài军jūn中zhōng，先xiān领lǐng随suí身shēn军jūn，迳jìng投tóu袁yuán绍shào家jiā，下xià马mǎ拔bá剑jiàn而ér入rù。有yǒu一yī将jiāng当dāng之zhī曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng有yǒu命mìng，诸zhū人rén不bù许xǔ入rù绍shào府fǔ。」丕pī叱chì退tuì，提tí剑jiàn入rù后hòu堂táng。见jiàn两liǎng个gè妇fù人rén相xiāng抱bào而ér哭kū，向xiàng前qián欲yù杀shā之zhī。正zhèng是shì：

Now Ts‘ao’s eldest son was named P‘ei, otherwise Tzŭ-hêng. At the taking of the city he was eighteen years of age. When he was born a dark purplish halo hung over the house for a whole day. One who understood the meaning of such manifestations had secretly told Ts‘ao that the halo belonged to the Imperial class and portended honours which could not be put into words. At eight the lad could compose very skilfully and he was well read in ancient history. Now he was an adept at all military arts and very fond of fencing. He had gone with his father on the expedition to Ch‘ichou. He led his escort in the direction of the Yüan family dwelling, and when he reached it he strode in sword in hand. When some one would have stayed him, saying that by order of the Minister no one was to enter the house, he bade them begone. The guards fell back and he made his way into the private rooms, where he saw two women weeping in each other’s arms. He went forward to slay them. Four generations of honours, gone like a dream, Fate follows on ever surely, though slow she seem. The fate of the two women will be told in the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

32-69

四sì世shì公gōng侯hóu已yǐ成chéng梦mèng，一yī家jiā骨gǔ肉ròu又yòu遭zāo殃yāng。

Four generations of lords are now a dream, and one family's flesh and blood meets woe.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

32-70

未wèi知zhī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