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

第dì三sān十shí四sì回huí 蔡cài夫fū人rén隔gé屏píng听tīng密mì语yǔ　　刘liú皇huáng叔shū跃yuè马mǎ过guò檀tán溪xī

34-1

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo于yú金jīn光guāng处chù，掘jué出chū一yī铜tóng雀què，问wèn荀xún攸yōu曰yuē：「此cǐ何hé兆zhào也yě？」攸yōu曰yuē：「昔xī舜shùn母mǔ梦mèng玉yù雀què入rù怀huái而ér生shēng舜shùn。今jīn得dé铜tóng雀què，亦yì吉jí祥xiáng之zhī兆zhào也yě。」操cāo大dà喜xǐ，遂suì命mìng作zuò高gāo台tái以yǐ庆qìng之zhī。乃nǎi即jí日rì破pò土tǔ断duàn木mù，烧shāo瓦wǎ磨mó砖zhuān，筑zhù铜tóng雀què台tái于yú漳zhāng河hé上shàng之zhī上shàng。约yuē计jì一yī年nián而ér工gōng毕bì。

The story says that the diggers at the spot whence the golden light proceeded presently unearthed a bronze bird. Looking as at it, Ts‘ao turned to his companion, saying, “What is the portent?” “You will remember that Shun’s mother dreamed of a jade bird before his birth, so certainly it is a felicitous omen,” said Hsün Yü. Ts‘ao was very pleased and he ordered forthwith the building of a lofty tower to celebrate the find, and they began to dig foundations and cut timber, to burn tiles and to smooth bricks for the Bronze Bird Tower on the banks of the Chang River. Ts‘ao set a year for the building.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-2

少sháo子zǐ曹cáo植zhí进jìn曰yuē：「若ruò建jiàn层céng台tái，必bì立lì三sān座zuò：中zhōng间jiān高gāo者zhě，名míng为wèi铜tóng雀què；左zuǒ边biān一yī座zuò，名míng为wèi玉yù龙lóng；右yòu边biān一yī座zuò，名míng为wèi金jīn凤fèng。更gèng作zuò两liǎng条tiáo飞fēi桥qiáo，横héng空kōng而ér上shàng，乃nǎi为wèi壮zhuàng观guān。」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú儿ér所suǒ言yán甚shèn善shàn。他tā日rì台tái成chéng，足zú可kě娱yú吾wú老láo矣yǐ！」原yuán来lái曹cáo操cāo有yóu五wǔ子zi，惟wéi植zhí性xìng敏mǐn慧huì，善shàn文wén章zhāng，曹cáo操cāo平píng日rì最zuì爱ài之zhī。

His younger son, Chih, said, “If you build a terraced tower you should add two others, one on each side. The centre tower and the tallest should be called The Bronze Bird Tower; the side towers named Jade Dragon Tower and Golden Phœnix Tower. Then connect these by flying bridges and the effect will be noble.” “My son, your words are very good and by and bye when the building is complete I can solace my old age therein.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had five sons, but this one Chih was the most clever and his essays were particularly elegant. His father was very fond of him and, seeing that the young man took an interest in the building, Ts‘ao left him with his brother P‘ei at Yehchün to superintend the work, while he led the army that had recently conquered the Yüans back to the capital. When he arrived he distributed rewards liberally and memorialised the throne obtaining the title of “The Pure Marquis” for the late Kuo Chia. And he took Kuo’s son to be brought up in his own family.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-3

于yú是shì留liú曹cáo植zhí与yǔ曹cáo丕pī在zài邺yè郡jùn造zào台tái，使shǐ张zhāng燕yàn守shóu北běi寨zhài。操cāo将jiāng所suǒ得de袁yuán绍shào之zhī兵bīng，共gòng五wǔ六liù十shí万wàn，班bān师shī回huí许xǔ都dōu，大dà封fēng功gōng臣chén；又yòu表biǎo赠zèng郭guō嘉jiā为wèi贞zhēn侯hóu，养yǎng其qí子zi奕yì于yú府fǔ中zhōng。复fù聚jù众zhòng谋móu士shì商shāng议yì，欲yù南nán征zhēng刘liú表biǎo。荀xún彧yù曰yuē：「大dà军jūn方fāng北běi征zhēng而ér回huí，未wèi可kě复fù动dòng。且qiě待dài半bàn年nián，养yǎng精jīng蓄xù锐ruì，刘liú表biǎo、孙sūn权quán，可kě一yī鼓gǔ而ér下xià也yě。

Next he began to consider the reduction of Liu Piao’s power. Hsün Yü said, “The Grand Army has only just returned from the north and needs rest. Wait half a year that the men may recover from the fatigue of the campaign and both Liu Piao and Sun Ch‘ûan will fall at the first roll of the drums.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-4

」操cāo从cóng之zhī，遂suì分fēn兵bīng屯tún田tián，以yǐ候hòu调diào用yòng。

Presently Ts‘ao approved of this plan and to rest his men he assigned certain lands to them to till while they rested.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-5

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé自zì到dào荆jīng州zhōu，刘liú表biǎo待dài之zhī甚shèn厚hòu。一yī日rì，正zhèng相xiāng聚jù饮yín酒jiǔ，忽hū报bào降jiàng将jiāng张zhāng武wǔ、陈chén孙sūn在zài江jiāng夏xià掠lüè人rén民mín，共gòng谋móu造zào反fǎn。表biǎo惊jīng曰yuē：「二èr贼zéi又yòu反fǎn，为wèi祸huò不bù小xiǎo！」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「不bù须xū兄xiōng长zhǎng忧yōu虑lǜ，备bèi请qíng往wáng讨tǎo之zhī。」表biǎo大dà喜xǐ，即jí点diǎn三sān万wàn军jūn，与yǔ玄xuán德dé前qián去qù。玄xuán德dé领lǐng命mìng即jí行xíng，不bù一yī日rì，来lái到dào江jiāng夏xià。

Liu Piao had been very generous to Liu Pei ever since he had come, a fugitive seeking shelter. One day at a banquet there came news that two captains, who had tendered their submission, had suddenly begun plundering the people in Chiangshia. They evidently meant rebellion. “If they really rebel it will cause a lot of trouble,” said Piao, rather dismayed. “Do not let that trouble you, I will go and settle it,” said P‘ei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-6

张zhāng武wǔ、陈chén孙sūn引yǐn兵bīng来lái迎yíng。玄xuán德dé与yǔ关guān、张zhāng、赵zhào云yún出chū马mǎ在zài门mén旗qí下xià。望wàng见jiàn张zhāng武wú所suǒ骑qí之zhī马mǎ，极jí其qí雄xióng骏jùn。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì千qiān里lí马má也yě。」

Pleased with this proposal, Piao told off three legions and placed them under his friend, and the army marched as soon as the orders were issued. In a short time it reached the scene and the two malcontents came out to fight. Yüan-tê and his two brothers took their stand beneath the great banner and looked over at the enemy. The two leaders were riding handsome prancing horses and Yüan-tê said, “They certainly have fine steeds.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-7

言yán未wèi毕bì，赵zhào云yún挺tǐng枪qiāng出chū，径jìng冲chōng彼bǐ阵zhèn。张zhāng武wǔ纵zòng马mǎ来lái迎yíng，不bù三sān合hé，被bèi赵zhào云yún一yī枪qiāng刺cì落luò马mǎ下xià，随suí手shóu扯chě住zhù辔pèi头tóu，牵qiān马mǎ回huí阵zhèn。陈chén孙sūn见jiàn了le，随suí赶gǎn来lái夺duó。张zhāng飞fēi大dà喝hē一yī声shēng，挺tǐng矛máo直zhí出chū，将jiāng陈chén孙sūn刺cì死sǐ。众zhòng皆jiē溃kuì散sàn。玄xuán德dé招zhāo安ān余yú党dǎng，平píng复fù江jiāng夏xià诸zhū县xiàn，班bān师shī而ér回huí。表biǎo出chū郭guō迎yíng接jiē入rù城chéng，设shè宴yàn庆qìng功gōng。

As he spoke Chao Yün galloped out with his spear set and dashed toward the enemy. Chang Wu, one of the leaders, came out to meet him, but the combat was very brief for Chang was soon killed. Thereupon Chao Yün laid a hand upon the bridle of the fallen man’s horse to lead him back to this own side. The slain rebel’s companion Ch‘ên Sun at once rode after him, whereupon Chang Fei uttered a loud shout and rode out to meet him. With one thrust he slew the rebel. Their followers now scattered and Yüan-tê speedily restored order and returned.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-8

酒jiǔ至zhì半bàn酣hān，表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú弟dì如rú此cǐ雄xióng才cái，荆jīng州zhōu有yóu倚yǐ赖lài也yě。但dàn忧yōu南nán越yuè不bù时shí来lái寇kòu，张zhāng鲁lǔ、孙sūn权quán皆jiē足zú为wèi虑lǜ。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「弟dì有yǒu三sān将jiāng，足zú可ké委wěi用yòng：使shǐ张zhāng飞fēi巡xún南nán越yuè之zhī境jìng；云yún长zhǎng拒jù固gù子zi城chéng，以yǐ镇zhèn张zhāng鲁lǔ；赵zhào云yún拒jù三sān江jiāng，以yǐ当dāng孙sūn权quán；何hé足zú虑lǜ哉zāi？」

Liu Piao, grateful for this service, rode out to the boundary to welcome the victors. They re-entered the city and grand banquets were instituted, at which they emptied great goblets in congratulations over the victory. At one of these banquets the Prefect said, “With such heroism as my brother has shown Chingchou has one upon whom to rely. But a source of sorrow is the south country Yueh, from which a raid may come at any time. Chang Lu and Sun Ch‘üan are to be feared.” “But I have three bold captains,” said Yüan-tê, “quite equal to any task you can set them. Send Chang Fei to keep ward on the southern marches, Kuan Yü to guard the city against Chang Lu and Chao Yün will protect you from Sun Ch‘üan. Why need you grieve?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-9

表biáo喜xǐ，欲yù从cóng其qí言yán。蔡cài瑁mào告gào其qí姊zǐ蔡cài夫fū人rén曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi遣qiǎn三sān将jiāng居jū外wài，而ér自zì居jū荆jīng州zhōu，久jiǔ必bì为wéi患huàn。」蔡cài夫fū人rén乃nǎi夜yè对duì刘liú表biǎo曰yuē：「我wǒ闻wén荆jīng州zhōu人rén多duō与yǔ刘liú备bèi往wǎng来lái，不bù可kě不bù防fáng之zhī。今jīn容róng其qí居jū住zhù城chéng中zhōng，无wú益yì，不bú若ruò遣qián使shǐ他tā往wǎng。」表biǎo曰yuē：「玄xuán德dé仁rén人rén也yě。」蔡cài氏shì曰yuē：「只zhí恐kǒng他tā人rén不bú似shì汝rǔ心xīn。」表biáo渖shěn吟yín不bù答dá。

The scheme appealed strongly to the Prefect, but Ts‘ai Mao did not approve. So he spoke to his sister, Liu Piao’s wife, and insisted on the danger of putting these men in such commanding positions all round the prefecture. The lady Ts‘ai, thus influenced by her brother, undertook to remonstrate and that night began by saying, “The Chingchou men seem to have a great liking for Liu Pei; they are always coming and going. You ought to take precautions. I do not think you should let them stay in the city. Why not send them on some mission?” “Yüan-tê is a good man,” replied the Prefect. “I think others differ from you,” said the lady.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-10

次cì日rì出chū城chéng，见jiàn玄xuán德dé所suǒ乘chéng之zhī马mǎ极jí骏jùn，问wèn之zhī，知zhī是shì张zhāng武wǔ之zhī马mǎ，表biǎo赞zàn不bù已yǐ。玄xuán德dé遂suì将jiāng此cí马mǎ送sòng与yǔ刘liú表biǎo。表biǎo大dà喜xǐ，骑qí回huí城chéng中zhōng。蒯kuǎi越yuè见jiàn而ér问wèn之zhī。表biǎo曰yuē：「此cǐ玄xuán德dé所suǒ送sòng也yě。」越yuè曰yuē：「昔xī先xiān兄xiōng蒯kuǎi良liáng，最zuì善shàn相xiàng马mǎ，越yuè亦yì颇pó晓xiǎo。此cí马má眼yǎn下xià有yǒu泪lèi槽cáo，额é边biān生shēng白bái点diǎn，名míng为wèi的de卢lú，骑qí则zé妨fáng主zhǔ。

The scheme appealed strongly to the Prefect, but Ts‘ai Mao did not approve. So he spoke to his sister, Liu Piao’s wife, and insisted on the danger of putting these men in such commanding positions all round the prefecture. The lady Ts‘ai, thus influenced by her brother, undertook to remonstrate and that night began by saying, “The Chingchou men seem to have a great liking for Liu Pei; they are always coming and going. You ought to take precautions. I do not think you should let them stay in the city. Why not send them on some mission?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-11

张zhāng武wǔ为wèi此cí马mǎ而ér亡wáng。主zhǔ公gōng不bù可kě乘chéng之zhī。」

The Prefect said nothing but muttered to himself. Soon after he went out of the city to see Yüan-tê and noticed he was riding a very handsome horse. They told him it was a prize taken from the recently conquered rebels, and as he praised it very warmly, the horse was presented to him. Liu Piao was delighted and rode it back to the city. K‘uai Yüeh saw it and asked where it had come from. The Prefect told him it was a gift from Liu P‘ei and Yüeh said, “My brother knew horses very well and I am not a bad judge. This horse has tear-tracks running down from his eyes and a white blaze on his forehead. He is called a tilu and he is a danger to his master. That is why Chang Wu was killed. I advise you not to ride him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-12

表biǎo听tīng其qí言yán。次cì日rì请qǐng玄xuán德dé饮yǐn宴yàn，因yīn言yán曰yuē：「昨zuó承chéng惠huì良liáng马mǎ，深shēn感gǎn厚hòu意yì。但dàn贤xián弟dì不bù时shí征zhēng进jìn，可ké以yǐ用yòng之zhī。敬jìng当dāng送sòng还huán。」玄xuán德dé起qǐ谢xiè。表biǎo又yòu曰yuē：「贤xián弟dì久jiǔ居jū此cǐ间jiān，恐kǒng废fèi武wǔ事shì。襄xiāng阳yáng属shǔ邑yì新xīn野yě县xiàn，颇pó有yǒu钱qián粮liáng。弟dì可ké引yín本běn部bù军jūn马mǎ于yú本běn县xiàn屯tún扎zhā，何hé如rú？」

The Prefect began to think. Soon after he asked Yüan-tê to a banquet and in the course of it said, “You kindly presented me with a horse lately and I am most grateful, but you may need him on some of your expeditions and, if you do not mind, I would like to return him.” Yüan-tê rose and thanked him. The Prefect continued, “You have been here a long time and I fear I am spoiling your career as a warrior. Now Hsinyeh in Hsiangjang is no poverty-stricken town; how would you like to garrison it with your own men?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-13

玄xuán德dé领lǐng诺nuò。次cì日rì，谢xiè别bié刘liú表biǎo，引yín本běn部bù军jūn马mǎ迳jìng往wǎng新xīn野yě。方fāng出chū城chéng门mén，只zhǐ见jiàn一yī人rén在zài马mǎ前qián长cháng揖yī曰yuē：「公gōng所suǒ骑qí马mǎ，不bù可kě乘chéng也yě。」玄xuán德dé视shì之zhī，乃nǎi荆jīng州zhōu幕mù宾bīn伊yī藉jí，字zì机jī伯bó，山shān阳yáng人rén也yě。玄xuán德dé忙máng下xià马mǎ问wèn之zhī。籍jí曰yuē：「昨zuó闻wén蒯kuǎi异yì度dù对duì刘liú荆jīng州zhōu云yún：『此cí马mǎ名míng的de卢lú，乘chéng则zé妨fáng主zhǔ。

Yüan-tê naturally took the offer as a command and set out as soon as he could, taking leave of the Prefect the next day. And so he took up his quarters in Hsinyeh. When he left the city he noticed in the gate a person making him emphatic salutations and the man presently said, “You should not ride that horse.” Yüan-tê looked at the man and recognised in the speaker one of the secretaries named I Chi, a native of Shanyang. So he hastily dismounted and asked why. I Chi replied, “Yesterday I heard that K‘uai Yüeh told the Prefect that that horse was a tilu and brought disaster to its owner. That is why it was returned to you. How can you mount it again?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-14

』因yīn此cǐ还hái公gōng，公gōng岂qí可kě复fù乘chéng之zhī？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「深shēn感gǎn先xiān生shēng见jiàn爱ài。但dàn凡fán人rén死sǐ生shēng有yǒu命mìng，岂qí马má所suǒ能néng妨fáng哉zāi！」籍jí深shēn服fú其qí高gāo见jiàn，自zì此cǐ常cháng与yǔ玄xuán德dé往wǎng来lái。

“I am deeply touched by your affection,” replied Yüan-tê, “but a man’s life is governed by fate and what horse can interfere with that?” I Chi admitted his superior view, but thereafter he followed Yüan-tê wherever he went.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-15

玄xuán德dé自zì到dào新xīn野yě，军jūn民mín皆jiē喜xǐ，政zhèng治zhì一yī新xīn。建jiàn安ān十shí二èr年nián春chūn，甘gān夫fū人rén生shēng刘liú禅chán。是shì夜yè有yǒu白bái鹤hè一yī只zhī，飞fēi来lái县xiàn衙yá屋wū上shàng，高gāo鸣míng四sì十shí余yú声shēng，望wàng西xī飞fēi去qù。临lín分fēn娩miǎn时shí，异yì香xiāng满mǎn室shì。甘gān夫fū人rén尝cháng夜yè梦mèng仰yǎng吞tūn北béi斗dǒu，故gù乳rǔ名míng阿ā斗dǒu。

The arrival of Liu P‘ei in Hsinyeh was a matter of rejoicing to all the inhabitants and the whole administration was reformed. In the spring of the twelfth year the Lady Kan gave birth to a son who was named Ch‘an. The night of his birth a crane settled on the roof of the house, screeched some forty times and then flew away westward. Just at the time of birth a miraculous incense filled the chamber. Lady Kan one night had dreamed that she was looking up at the sky and the constellation of the Great Bear, Peitou, had fallen down her throat. As she conceived soon after she gave her son the milk-name of O-tou.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-16

此cǐ时shí曹cáo操cāo正zhèng统tǒng兵bīng北běi征zhēng。玄xuán德dé乃nái往wǎng荆jīng州zhōu，说shuō刘liú表biǎo曰yuē：「今jīn曹cáo操cāo北běi征zhēng，许xǔ昌chāng空kōng虚xū，若ruò以yǐ荆jīng襄xiāng之zhī众zhòng，乘chéng间jiān袭xí之zhī，大dà事shì可kě就jiù也yě。」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú坐zuò据jù荆jīng州zhōu足zú矣yǐ，岂qí可kě别bié图tú？」玄xuán德dé默mò然rán。表biǎo邀yāo入rù后hòu堂táng饮yín酒jiǔ。酒jiǔ至zhì半bàn酣hān，表biǎo忽hū然rán长cháng叹tàn。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「兄xiōng长zhǎng何hé故gù长cháng叹tàn？

While Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was absent from the capital on his northern expedition, Liu P‘ei went to Liu Piao and said to him, “Why do you not take this opportunity to march against the capital? An empire might follow from that.” “I am well placed here,” was the reply, “Why should I attempt other things?” Yüan-tê said no more. Then the Prefect invited him into the private apartments to drink and while they were so engaged he suddenly began to sigh despondently. “O brother, why do you sigh thus?” asked Yüan-tê.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-17

」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú有yǒu心xīn事shì，未wèi易yì明míng言yán。」玄xuán德dé再zài欲yù问wèn时shí，蔡cài夫fū人rén出chū立lì屏píng后hòu。刘liú表biáo乃nǎi垂chuí头tóu不bù语yǔ。

“I have a secret sorrow that is difficult to speak about,” said Piao. Yüan-tê was on the point of asking what it was when the Lady Ts‘ai came and stood behind the screen, whereat Piao hung his head and became silent. Before long host and guest bade each other farewell and Liu P‘ei went back to his own place.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-18

须xū臾yú席xí散sàn，玄xuán德dé自zì归guī新xīn野yě。至zhì是shì年nián冬dōng，闻wén曹cáo操cāo自zì柳liǔ城chéng回huí，玄xuán德dé甚shèn叹tàn表biǎo之zhī不bú用yòng其qí言yán。忽hū一yī日rì，刘liú表biáo遣qián使shǐ至zhì，请qǐng玄xuán德dé赴fù荆jīng州zhōu相xiāng会huì。

That winter they heard that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had returned from Liuch‘êng and Liu P‘ei sighed when he reflected that his friend had paid no heed to his advice.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-19

玄xuán德dé随suí使shǐ而ér往wǎng，刘liú表biǎo接jiē著zhù，叙xù礼lǐ毕bì，请qǐng入rù后hòu堂táng饮yǐn宴yàn，因yīn谓wèi玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「近jìn闻wén曹cáo操cāo提tí兵bīng回huí许xǔ都dōu，势shì日rì强qiáng盛shèng，必bì有yǒu吞tūn并bìng荆jīng襄xiāng之zhī心xīn，昔xī日rì悔huǐ不bù听tīng贤xián弟dì之zhī言yán，失shī此cí好hǎo机jī会huì！」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「今jīn天tiān下xià分fēn裂liè，干gān戈gē日rì起qǐ，机jī会huì岂qí有yóu侭jǐn乎hū？若ruò能néng应yīng之zhī于yú后hòu，未wèi足zú为wèi恨hèn也yě。」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú弟dì之zhī言yán甚shèn当dāng。

Unexpectedly a messenger came from the principal city with a request that Liu P‘ei would go thither to consult with the Prefect. So he started at once with the messenger. He was received very kindly, and when the salutations were over, the two men went into the private quarters at the rear to dine. Presently the host said, “Ts‘ao has returned and he is stronger than ever. I am afraid he means to absorb this district. I am sorry I did not follow your advice for I have missed an opportunity.” “In this period of disruption, with strife on every side, one cannot pretend that there will be no more opportunities. If you only take that what offers there will be nothing to regret.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-20

」相xiāng与yǔ对duì饮yǐn。

“What you say, brother, is quite to the point,” replied Liu Piao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-21

酒jiǔ酣hān，表biǎo忽hū潸shān然rán下xià泪lèi。玄xuán德dé问wèn其qí故gù。表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú有yǒu心xīn事shì，前qián者zhě欲yù诉sù与yǔ贤xián弟dì，未wèi得dé其qí便biàn。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「兄xiōng长zháng有yǒu何hé难nán决jué之zhī事shì？倘táng有yǒu用yòng弟dì之zhī处chù，弟dì虽suī死sǐ不bù辞cí。」表biǎo曰yuē：「前qián妻qī陈chén氏shì所suǒ生shēng长zhǎng子zi琦qí，为wéi人rén虽suī贤xián，而ér柔róu懦nuò不bù足zú立lì大dà事shì；后hòu妻qī蔡cài氏shì所suǒ生shēng少sháo子zǐ琮cóng，颇pǒ聪cōng明míng。

They drank on for a time till presently Liu P‘ei noticed that his host was weeping, and when he asked the cause of these tears, Piao replied, “It is that secret sorrow I spoke of to you before; I wished to tell you, but there was no opportunity that day.” “O brother, what difficulty have you, and can I assist you? I am entirely at your service.” “My wife, of the Ch‘ên family, bore me a son Ch‘i, my eldest. He grew up virtuous but weakly and unfitted to succeed me in my office. Later I took a wife of the Ts‘ai family, who bore me a son named Ts‘ung, fairly intelligent. If I pass over the elder in favour of the younger there is the breach of the rule of primogeniture, and if I follow law and custom there are the intrigues of the mother’s family and clan to be reckoned with. Further, the army is in the hollow of their hands. There will be trouble and I cannot decide what to do.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-22

吾wú欲yù废fèi长zhǎng立lì幼yòu，恐kǒng碍ài于yú礼lí法fǎ；欲yù立lì长zháng子zǐ，争zhēng奈nài蔡cài氏shì族zú中zhōng，皆jiē掌zhǎng军jūn务wù，后hòu必bì生shēng乱luàn：因yīn此cí委wěi决jué不bú下xià。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「自zì古gǔ废fèi长zhǎng立lì幼yòu，取qǔ乱luàn之zhī道dào。若ruò忧yōu蔡cài氏shì权quán重zhòng，可kě徐xú徐xú削xuē之zhī，不bù可kě溺nì爱ài而ér立lì少sháo子zí也yě。」表biǎo默mò然rán。原yuán来lái蔡cài夫fū人rén素sù疑yí玄xuán德dé，凡fán遇yù玄xuán德dé与yú表biǎo叙xù论lùn，必bì来lái窃qiè听tīng。

Liu P‘ei said, “All experience proves that to set aside the elder for the younger is to take the way of confusion. If you fear the power of the Ts‘ai faction, then gradually reduce its power and influence, but do not let doting affection lead you into making the younger your heir.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-23

是shì时shí正zhèng在zài屏píng风fēng后hòu，闻wén玄xuán德dé此cǐ言yán，心xīn甚shèn恨hèn之zhī。

“In the past I was always in the saddle and I was slender and lithe. Now it is so long since I rode that I am getting stout and the days and months are slipping by, wasted; I shall have old age on me in no time and I have accomplished nothing. So I am sad.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-24

玄xuán德dé自zì知zhī语yǔ失shī，遂suì起qǐ身shēn如rú厕cè。因yīn见jiàn己jǐ身shēn髀bì肉ròu复fù生shēng，亦yì不bù觉jué潸shān然rán流liú泪lèi。少sháo顷qǐng复fù入rù席xí。表biǎo见jiàn玄xuán德dé有yǒu泪lèi容róng，怪guài问wèn之zhī。玄xuán德dé长cháng叹tàn曰yuē：「备bèi往wǎng常cháng身shēn不bù离lí鞍ān，髀bì肉ròu皆jiē散sàn；今jīn久jiǔ不bù骑qí，髀bì里lǐ肉ròu生shēng。日rì月yuè蹉cuō跎tuó，老lǎo将jiàng至zhì矣yǐ，而ér功gōng业yè不bú建jiàn，是shì以yǐ悲bēi耳ěr！

Piao agreed. But the Lady Ts‘ai had had a suspicion why her lord had summoned Liu P‘ei and what was the subject of discussion, so she had determined to listen secretly. She was behind the screen when the matter was talked over and she conceived deep resentment against Liu P‘ei for what he had said. On his side he felt that his advice had fallen upon deaf ears and he arose and walked across the room. As he did so he noticed that he was getting heavy and stiff and a furtive tear stole down his cheek as he thought of the past. When he returned and sat down his host noticed the traces of weeping and asked the cause of his sorrow.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-25

」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú闻wén贤xián弟dì在zài许xǔ昌chāng，与yǔ曹cáo操cāo青qīng梅méi煮zhú酒jiǔ，共gòng论lùn英yīng雄xióng，贤xián弟dì侭jín举jǔ当dāng世shì名míng士shì，操cāo皆jiē不bù许xǔ，而ér独dú曰yuē：『天tiān下xià英yīng雄xióng，惟wéi使shǐ君jūn与yǔ操cāo耳ěr。』以yǐ曹cáo操cāo之zhī权quán力lì，犹yóu不bù敢gǎn居jū吾wú弟dì之zhī先xiān，何hé虑lǜ功gōng业yè不bú建jiàn乎hū？」玄xuán德dé乘chéng著zhù酒jiǔ兴xìng，失shī口kǒu答dá曰yuē：「备bèi若ruò有yǒu基jī本běn，天tiān下xià碌lù碌lù之zhī辈bèi，诚chéng不bù足zú虑lǜ也yě。

“In the past I was always in the saddle and I was slender and lithe. Now it is so long since I rode that I am getting stout and the days and months are slipping by, wasted; I shall have old age on me in no time and I have accomplished nothing. So I am sad.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-26

」表biǎo闻wén言yán默mò然rán。玄xuán德dé自zì知zhī失shī语yǔ，托tuō醉zuì而ér起qǐ，归guī馆guán舍shě安ān歇xiē，后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī赞zàn玄xuán德dé曰yuē：

“I have heard a story that when you were at Hsucheng at the season of green plums you and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao were discussing heroes. You mentioned this name and that to him as men of parts and he rejected every one of them. Finally he said that you and he were the only two men of real worth in the whole country. If he with all his power and authority did not dare to place himself in front of you, I do not think you need grieve about having accomplished nothing.” At this flattering speech Liu P‘ei pretended that the wine was getting the better of him and in a half maudlin manner he replied, “If I only had a starting point then I would not trouble about any one in a worldful of fools.” His host said no more and the guest, feeling that he had slipped up in speech, rose as if drunk, took leave and staggered out saying he must return to his lodging to recover. The episode has been celebrated in a poem:— When with crooking fingers counting, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao reckoned up the forceful Men of real determination, Only two he found; and one was Yüan-tê. But by inaction He had grown both fat and slothful; Yet the months and years in passing Fretted him with nought accomplished.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-27

曹cáo公gōng屈qū指zhǐ从cóng头tóu数shù，天tiān下xià英yīng雄xióng独dú使shǐ君jūn。

Cao counted on his fingers through them all— the only hero under heaven is you, my lord.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-28

髀bì肉ròu复fù生shēng犹yóu感gǎn叹tàn，争zhēng教jiào寰huán宇yǔ不bù三sān分fēn？

He sighed that flesh had grown again on his thigh— had the world not been fated to split in three?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-29

却què说shuō刘liú表biǎo闻wén玄xuán德dé语yǔ，口kǒu虽suī不bù言yán，心xīn怀huái不bú乐lè，别bié了le玄xuán德dé，退tuì入rù内nèi宅zhái。蔡cài夫fū人rén曰yuē：「适shì间jiān我wǒ于yú屏píng后hòu听tīng得dé刘liú备bèi之zhī言yán，甚shèn轻qīng觑qù人rén，足zú见jiàn其qí有yǒu吞tūn并bìng荆jīng州zhōu之zhī意yì。今jīn若ruò不bù除chú，必bì为wèi后hòu患huàn。」表biǎo不bù答dá，但dàn摇yáo头tóu而ér已yǐ。蔡cài氏shì乃nǎi密mì召zhào蔡cài瑁mào入rù，商shāng议yì此cǐ事shì。瑁mào曰yuē：「请qǐng先xiān就jiù馆guán舍shě杀shā之zhī，然rán后hòu告gào知zhī主zhǔ公gōng。

Though Liu Piao kept silence when he heard the words of Yüan-tê, yet he felt the more uneasy. After the departure of his guest he retired into the inner quarters where he met his wife. The Lady Ts‘ai said, “I happened to be behind the screen just now and so heard the words of Liu P‘ei. They betray scant regard for other people and mean that he would take your country if he could. If you do not remove him it will go ill with you.” Her husband made no reply, but only shook his head. Then the Lady Ts‘ai took counsel with her kinsman Ts‘ai Mao, who said, “Let me go to the guest-house and slay him forthwith, and we can report what we have done.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-30

」蔡cài氏shì然rán其qí言yán。瑁mào出chū，便biàn连lián夜yè点diǎn军jūn。

His sister consented and he went out, and that night told off a party of soldiers to do the foul deed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-31

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé在zài馆guán舍shě中zhōng秉bǐng烛zhú而ér坐zuò，三sān更gēng以yǐ后hòu，方fāng欲yù就jiù寝qǐn。忽hū一yī人rén叩kòu门mén而ér入rù，视shì之zhī乃nǎi伊yī籍jí也yě。原yuán来lái伊yī籍jí探tàn知zhī蔡cài瑁mào欲yù害hài玄xuán德dé，特tè夤yín夜yè来lái报bào。当dāng下xià伊yī籍jí将jiāng蔡cài瑁mào之zhī谋móu，报bào知zhī玄xuán德dé，催cuī促cù玄xuán德dé速sù速sù起qǐ身shēn。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「未wèi辞cí景jǐng升shēng，如rú何hé便biàn去qù？」籍jí曰yuē：「公gōng若ruò辞cí，必bì遭zāo蔡cài瑁mào之zhī害hài矣yǐ。」

Now Yüan-tê sat in his lodging by the light of a single candle till about the third watch, when he prepared to retire to bed. He was startled by a knock at his door and in came I Chi, who had heard of the plot against his new master and had come in the darkness to warn him. He related the details of the plot and urged speedy departure. “I have not said farewell to my host; how can I go away?” said Liu P‘ei. “If you go to bid him farewell you will fall a victim to the Ts‘ai faction,” said I Chi.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-32

玄xuán德dé乃nǎi谢xiè别bié伊yī籍jí，急jí唤huàn从cóng者zhě，一yī齐qí上shàng马mǎ。不bú待dài天tiān明míng，星xīng夜yè奔bēn回huí新xīn野yě。比bǐ及jí蔡cài瑁mào领lǐng军jūn到dào馆guán舍shě时shí，玄xuán德dé已yǐ去qù远yuán矣yǐ。瑁mào悔huǐ恨hèn无wú及jí，乃nái写xiě诗shī一yī首shǒu于yú壁bì间jiān，迳jìng入rù见jiàn表biǎo曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi有yóu反fǎn叛pàn之zhī意yì，题tí反fǎn诗shī于yú壁bì上shàng，不bù辞cí而ér去qù矣yǐ。」表biǎo不bú信xìn，亲qīn诣yì馆guán舍shě观guān之zhī，果guó有yǒu诗shī四sì句jù。诗shī曰yuē：

So Yüan-tê said a hasty good-bye to his friend, called up his escort and they all mounted and rode away by the light of the stars toward Hsinyeh. Soon after they had left the soldiers arrived at the guest-house, but their intended victim was already well on his way.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-33

数shù年nián徒tú守shǒu困kùn，空kōng对duì旧jiù山shān川chuān。

Years spent in vain confinement, empty before the old streams and hills.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-34

龙lóng岂qǐ池chí中zhōng物wù，乘chéng雷léi欲yù上shàng天tiān！

How could a dragon be a creature of the pool? Riding the thunder, it means to soar to heaven!

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-35

刘liú表biǎo见jiàn诗shī大dà怒nù，拔bá剑jiàn言yán曰yuē：「誓shì杀shā此cǐ无wú义yì之zhī徒tú！」行xíng数shù步bù，猛méng省shěng曰yuē：「吾wú与yǔ玄xuán德dé相xiāng处chú许xǔ多duō时shí，不bù曾céng见jiàn他tā作zuò诗shī，此cǐ必bì外wài人rén离lí间jiàn之zhī计jì也yě。」遂suì回huí步bú入rù馆guán舍shě，用yòng剑jiàn尖jiān削xiāo去qù此cǐ诗shī，弃qì剑jiàn上shàng马mǎ。蔡cài瑁mào请qǐng曰yuē：「军jūn士shì已yí点diǎn齐qí，可kě就jiù往wǎng新xīn野yě擒qín刘liú备bèi。」表biǎo曰yuē：「未wèi可kě造zào次cì，容róng徐xú图tú之zhī。」

Naturally the failure of the plot chagrined the treacherous Ts‘ai Mao, but he took the occasion to scribble some calumnious verses on one of the partitions. Then he went to see Liu Piao to whom he said, “Liu P‘ei has treacherous intentions, as can be seen from some lines written on the wall. And his hurried departure is suspicious.” Liu Piao felt doubtful, but he went to the guest-house and there on the wall he read this poem: Too long, far too long I have dreamed life away, Gazing at scenery day after day. A dragon can never be kept in a pond, He should ride on the thunder to heaven and beyond. Greatly angered by what he read, Liu Piao drew his sword and swore to slay the writer. But before he had gone many paces his anger had already died down and he said to himself, “I have seen much of the man, but have never known him write verses. This is the handiwork of some one who wishes to sow discord between us.” So saying he turned back and with the point of his sword scraped away the poem. Then, putting up his sword, he mounted and rode home. By and bye Ts‘ai Mao reminded him that the soldiers were awaiting orders and asked whether they could go to Hsinyeh and arrest Liu P‘ei. “There is no hurry,” he replied.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-36

蔡cài瑁mào见jiàn表biǎo迟chí疑yí不bù决jué，乃nǎi暗àn与yǔ蔡cài夫fū人rén商shāng议yì，即jí日rì大dà会huì众zhòng官guān于yú襄xiāng阳yáng，就jiù彼bǐ处chù谋móu之zhī。次cì日rì，瑁mào禀bíng表biǎo曰yuē：「近jìn年nián丰fēng熟shú，合hé聚jù众zhòng官guān于yú襄xiāng阳yáng，以yǐ示shì抚fǔ慰wèi之zhī意yì。请qíng主zhǔ公gōng一yī行xíng。」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú近jìn日rì气qì疾jí作zuò，实shí不bù能néng行xíng。可kě令lìng二èr子zi为wéi主zhǔ待dài客kè。」瑁mào曰yuē：「公gōng子zi年nián幼yòu，恐kǒng失shī于yú礼lǐ节jié。

Ts‘ai Mao saw his brother-in-law’s hesitation and again sought his sister. She said, “Soon there is to be the great gathering at Hsiangyang and we can arrange something for that day.” Next day Ts‘ai Mao petitioned the Prefect, saying, “I pray you, Sir, to attend the Full Harvest Festival at Hsiangyang; it would be an encouragement to the people.” “I have been feeling my old trouble lately; I certainly cannot go,” replied he, “but my two sons can go to represent me and receive the guests.” “They are full young,” replied Mao, “They may make some mistakes.” “Then go to Hsinyeh and request Liu P‘ei to receive the guests,” said Piao. Nothing could have pleased Ts‘ai Mao more, for this would bring Liu P‘ei within reach of his plot. Without loss of time he sent to Yüan-tê requesting him to go to preside at the Festival.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-37

」表biǎo曰yuē：「可ké往wǎng新xīn野yé请qǐng玄xuán德dé待dài客kè。」瑁mào暗àn喜xǐ正zhèng中zhōng其qí计jì，便biàn差chà人rén请qǐng玄xuán德dé赴fù襄xiāng阳yáng。

It has been said that Yüan-tê made the best of his way home to Hsinyeh. He felt that he had offended by that slip in speech, but determined to keep silence about it and attempt no explanation. So he discussed it with nobody. Then came the message asking him to preside at the Festival, and he needed counsel. Sun Ch‘ien said, “You have seemed worried and preoccupied lately and I think something untoward happened at Chingchou. You should consider well before you accept this invitation.” Thereupon Yüan-tê told his confidants the whole story.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-38

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé奔bēn回huí新xīn野yě，自zì知zhī失shī言yán取qǔ祸huò，未wèi对duì众zhòng人rén言yán之zhī。忽hū使shí者zhě至zhì，请qǐng赴fù襄xiāng阳yáng。孙sūn干gàn曰yuē：「昨zuó见jiàn主zhǔ公gōng匆cōng匆cōng而ér回huí，意yì甚shèn不bú乐lè。愚yú意yì度dù之zhī，在zài荆jīng州zhōu必bì有yǒu事shì故gù。今jīn忽hū请qǐng赴fù会huì，不bù可kě轻qīng往wǎng。」玄xuán德dé方fāng将jiāng前qián项xiàng事shì诉sù与yǔ诸zhū人rén。云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「兄xiōng自zì疑yí心xīn语yǔ失shī。刘liú荆jīng州zhōu并bìng无wú嗔chēn责zé之zhī意yì。

Kuan Yü said, “You yourself think your speech offended the Prefect, but he said nothing to show displeasure. You need pay no attention to the babble of outsiders. Hsiangyang is quite near and, if you do not go, Liu Chinchou will begin to suspect something really is wrong.” “You speak well,” said Yüan-tê. Said Chang Fei, “Banquets are no good; gatherings are no better; it is best not to go.” “Let me take three hundred horse and foot as escort; there will be no trouble then,” said Chao Yün. “That is the best course,” said Yüan-tê.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-39

外wài人rén之zhī言yán，未wèi可kě轻qīng信xìn。襄xiāng阳yáng离lí此cǐ不bù远yuǎn，若ruò不bú去qù，则zé荆jīng州zhōu反fǎn生shēng疑yí矣yǐ。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「云yún长zhǎng之zhī言yán是shì也yě。」张zhāng飞fēi曰yuē：「筵yán无wú好hǎo筵yán，会huì无wú好hǎo会huì，不bù如rú休xiū去qù。」赵zhào云yún曰yuē：「某mǒu将jiāng马mǎ步bù军jūn三sān百bǎi人rén同tóng往wǎng，可ké保báo主zhǔ公gōng无wú事shì。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「如rú此cǐ甚shèn好hǎo。」遂suì与yǔ赵zhào云yún即jí日rì赴fù襄xiāng阳yáng。

They soon set out for the gathering place and Ts‘ai Mao met them at the boundary and was most affable and courteous. Soon arrived the Prefect’s sons at the head of a great company of officers, civil and military. Their appearance put Yüan-tê more at ease. He was conducted to the guest-house and Chao Yün posted his men so as to guard it completely, while he himself, armed, remained close to his chief. Liu Ch‘i said to Yüan-tê, “My father is feeling unwell and could not come, wherefore he begs you, Uncle Liu, to preside at the various ceremonies and conduct the inspections.” “Really I am unfit for such responsibilities,” said Yüan-tê, “But my brother’s command must be obeyed.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-40

蔡cài瑁mào出chū郭guō迎yíng接jiē，意yì甚shèn谦qiān谨jǐn。随suí后hòu刘liú琦qí、刘liú琮cóng二èr子zi，引yǐn一yī班bān文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo出chū迎yíng。玄xuán德dé见jiàn二èr公gōng子zi俱jù在zài，并bìng不bù疑yí忌jì。是shì日rì请qǐng玄xuán德dé于yú馆guán舍shě暂zàn歇xiē。赵zhào云yún引yǐn三sān百bǎi军jūn围wéi绕rào保bǎo护hù。云yún披pī甲jiǎ挂guà剑jiàn，行xíng坐zuò不bù离lí左zuǒ右yòu。刘liú琦qí告gào玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「父fù亲qīn气qì疾jí作zuò，不bù能néng行xíng动dòng，特tè请qǐng叔shū父fù待dài客kè，抚fǔ劝quàn各gè处chù守shǒu牧mù之zhī官guān。

They soon set out for the gathering place and Ts‘ai Mao met them at the boundary and was most affable and courteous. Soon arrived the Prefect’s sons at the head of a great company of officers, civil and military. Their appearance put Yüan-tê more at ease. He was conducted to the guest-house and Chao Yün posted his men so as to guard it completely, while he himself, armed, remained close to his chief.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-41

」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「吾wú本běn不bù敢gǎn当dāng此cǐ，既jì有yǒu兄xiōng命mìng，不bù敢gǎn不bù从cóng。」

Next day it was reported that the officials from the forty-one departments of the nine districts had all arrived.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-42

次cì日rì，人rén报bào九jiǔ郡jùn四sì十shí二èr州zhōu官guān员yuán，俱jù已yǐ到dào齐qí。蔡cài瑁mào预yù请qíng蒯kuǎi越yuè计jì议yì曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi世shì之zhī枭xiāo雄xióng，久jiǔ留liú于yú此cǐ，后hòu必bì为wéi害hài，可kě就jiù今jīn日rì除chú之zhī。」越yuè曰yuē：「恐kǒng失shī士shì民mín之zhī望wàng。」瑁mào曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ密mì领lǐng刘liú荆jīng州zhōu言yán语yǔ在zài此cǐ。」越yuè曰yuē：「既jì如rú此cǐ，可kě预yù作zuò准zhǔn备bèi。

Then Ts‘ai Mao said to K‘uai Yüeh, “This Liu P‘ei is the villain of the age and if left alive will certainly work harm to us. He must be got rid of now.” “I fear you would forfeit everybody’s favour if you harmed him,” replied K‘uai. “I have already secretly spoken in these terms to Prefect Liu,” said Ts‘ai, “and I have his word here.” “So it may be regarded as settled; then we can prepare.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-43

」瑁mào曰yuē：「东dōng门mén岘xiàn山shān大dà路lù，已yí使shǐ吾wú弟dì蔡cài和hé引yǐn军jūn守shóu把bǎ；南nán门mén外wài己jí使shǐ蔡cài中zhōng守shóu把bǎ；北běi门mén外wài已yí使shǐ蔡cài勋xūn守shóu把bǎ。止zhí有yǒu西xī门mén不bú必bì守shóu把bǎ，前qián有yǒu檀tán溪xī阻zǔ隔gé，虽suī数shù万wàn之zhī众zhòng，不bú易yì过guò也yě。」越yuè曰yuē：「吾wú见jiàn赵zhào云yún行xíng坐zuò不bù离lí玄xuán德dé，恐kǒng难nán下xià手shǒu。」瑁mào曰yuē：「吾wú伏fú五wú百bǎi军jūn在zài城chéng内nèi准zhǔn备bèi。

Ts‘ai Mao said, “One of my brothers is posted on the road to the Hsien Hills from the east gate and the others are on the north and south roads. No guard is needed on the west as the T‘an Torrent is quite safeguard enough. Even with legions he could not get over that.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-44

」越yuè曰yuē：「可ké使shǐ文wén聘pìn、王wáng威wēi二èr人rén另lìng设shè一yī席xí于yú外wài厅tīng，以yǐ待dài武wǔ将jiàng。先xiān请qǐng住zhù赵zhào云yún，然rán后hòu可kě行xíng事shì。」

K‘uai replied, “I notice that Chao Yün never leaves him. I feel sure he expects some attack.” “I have placed five hundred men in ambush in the city.” “We will tell Wên P‘ing and Wang Wei to invite all the military officers to a banquet at one of the pavilions outside the city, and Chao Yün will be among them. Then will be our opportunity.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-45

瑁mào从cóng其qí言yán。当dāng日rì杀shā牛niú宰zái马mǎ，大dà张zhāng筵yán席xí。玄xuán德dé乘chéng的de卢lú马mǎ至zhì州zhōu衙yá，命mìng牵qiān入rù后hòu园yuán擐huàn系xì。众zhòng官guān皆jiē至zhì堂táng中zhōng。玄xuán德dé主zhǔ席xí，二èr公gōng子zi两liǎng边biān分fēn坐zuò，其qí余yú各gè依yī次cì而ér坐zuò。赵zhào云yún带dài剑jiàn立lì于yú玄xuán德dé之zhī侧cè。文wén聘pìn、王wáng威wēi入rù请qǐng赵zhào云yún赴fù席xí。云yún推tuī辞cí不bú去qù。玄xuán德dé令lìng云yún就jiù席xí，云yún勉mián强qiǎng应yìng命mìng而ér出chū。

Ts‘ai Mao thought this a good device for getting Chao Yün out of the way. Now oxen and horses had been slaughtered and a grand banquet prepared. Yüan-tê rode to the residence on the horse of ill omen and when he arrived the steed was led into the back part of the enclosure and tethered there. Soon the guests arrived and Yüan-tê took his place as master of the feast, with the two sons of the Prefect, one on each side. The guests were all arranged in order of rank. Chao Yün stood near his lord sword in hand as a faithful henchman should do.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-46

蔡cài瑁mào在zài外wài收shōu拾shí得dé铁tié桶tǒng相xiāng似sì，将jiāng玄xuán德dé带dài来lái三sān百bǎi军jūn，都dōu遣qiǎn归guī馆guán舍shě，只zhǐ待dài半bàn酣hān，号hào起qǐ下xià手shǒu。

Then Wên and Wang came to invite Chao Yün to the banquet they had prepared for the military officers. But he declined. However, Yüan-tê told him to go, and, after some demur, he went. Then Ts‘ai Mao perfected his final arrangements, placing his men surrounding the place like a ring of iron. The three hundred guards that formed the escort of Yüan-tê were sent away to the guest-house.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-47

酒jiǔ至zhì三sān巡xún，伊yī籍jí起qí把bá盏zhǎn，至zhì玄xuán德dé前qián，以yǐ目mù视shì玄xuán德dé，低dī声shēng谓wèi曰yuē：「请qǐng更gēng衣yī。」玄xuán德dé会huì意yì，即jí起qǐ如rú厕cè。伊yī籍jí把bá盏zhǎn毕bì，疾jí入rù后hòu园yuán，接jiē著zhù玄xuán德dé，附fù耳ěr报bào曰yuē：「蔡cài瑁mào设shè计jì害hài君jūn，城chéng外wài东dōng、南nán、北běi三sān处chù，皆jiē有yǒu军jūn马má守shóu把bǎ。惟wéi西xī门mén可ké走zǒu，公gōng宜yí急jí逃táo！

All were ready and awaiting the signal. At the third course, I Chi took a goblet of wine in his hands and approached Yüan-tê, at the same time giving him a meaning look. Then in a low voice he said, “Make an excuse to get away.” Yüan-tê understood and presently rose as if stiff with long sitting and went outside. There he found I Chi, who had gone thither after presenting the cup of wine. I Chi then told him more of the plot and that all the roads were guarded except that to the west. And he advised him to lose no time.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-48

」玄xuán德dé大dà惊jīng，急jí解jiě的de卢lú马mǎ，开kāi后hòu园yuán门mén牵qiān出chū，飞fēi身shēn上shàng马mǎ，不bú顾gù从cóng者zhě，匹pí马mǎ望wàng西xī门mén而ér走zǒu。门mén吏lì问wèn之zhī，玄xuán德dé不bù答dá，加jiā鞭biān而ér出chū。门mén吏lì当dāng之zhī不bú住zhù，飞fēi报bào蔡cài瑁mào。瑁mào即jí上shàng马mǎ，引yín五wú百bǎi军jūn随suí后hòu追zhuī赶gǎn。

Yüan-tê was quite taken aback. However, he got hold of the horse of ill omen, opened the door of the garden and led him out. Then he took a flying leap into the saddle and galloped off without waiting for the escort. He made for the west gate. At the gate the wardens wanted to question him, but he only whipped up his steed and rode through. The guards at the gate ran off to report to Ts‘ai Mao, who quickly went in pursuit with a half company of soldiers.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-49

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé撞zhuàng出chū西xī门mén，行xíng无wú数shù里lǐ，前qián有yǒu大dà溪xī，拦lán住zhù去qù路lù。那nà檀tán溪xī阔kuò数shù丈zhàng，水shuǐ通tōng襄xiāng江jiāng，其qí波bō甚shèn紧jǐn。玄xuán德dé到dào溪xī边biān，见jiàn不bù可kě渡dù，勒lēi马mǎ再zài回huí，遥yáo望wàng城chéng西xī尘chén头tóu大dà起qǐ，追zhuī兵bīng将jiāng至zhì。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「今jīn番fān死sí矣yǐ！」遂suì回huí马mǎ到dào溪xī边biān。回huí头tóu看kàn时shí，追zhuī兵bīng已yǐ近jìn。玄xuán德dé著zhù慌huāng，纵zòng马mǎ下xià溪xī。

As has been said Yüan-tê burst out at the west gate. Before he had gone far there rolled before him a great river barring the way. It was the T‘an, many score feet in width, which pours its waters into the Hsiang. Its current was very swift.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-50

行xíng不bú数shù步bù，马mǎ前qián蹄tí忽hū陷xiàn，浸jìn湿shī衣yī袍páo。玄xuán德dé乃nǎi加jiā鞭biān大dà呼hū曰yuē：「的de卢lú，的de卢lú！今jīn日rì妨fáng吾wú！」言yán毕bì，那nà马mǎ忽hū从cóng水shuǐ中zhōng涌yǒng身shēn而ér起qǐ，一yī跃yuè三sān丈zhàng，飞fēi上shàng西xī岸àn。

Yüan-tê reached the bank and saw the river was unfordable. So he turned his horse and rode back. Then, not far off, he saw a cloud of dust and knew that his pursuers were therein. He thought that it was all over. However, he turned again toward the swift river, and seeing the soldiers now quite near, plunged into the stream. A few paces, and he felt the horse’s fore legs floundering in front while the water rose over the skirt of his robe. Then he plied the whip furiously, crying, “Tilu, Tilu, I trust to you.” Whereupon the good steed suddenly reared up out of the water and, with one tremendous leap, was on the western bank. Yüan-tê felt as if he had come out of the clouds.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-51

玄xuán德dé如rú从cóng云yún雾wù中zhōng起qǐ。后hòu来lái苏sū学xué士shì有yóu古gǔ风fēng一yī篇piān，单dān咏yǒng刘liú玄xuán德dé跃yuè马mǎ檀tán溪xī事shì。诗shī曰yuē：

In after years the famous court official, Su T‘ung-p‘o, wrote a poem on this leap over the T‘an Torrent:— I’m growing old, the leaves are sere, My sun slopes westward, soon will sink, And I recall that yester year I wandered by T‘an River brink. Irresolute, anon I paused, Anon advanced, and gazed around, I marked the autumn’s reddened leaves, And watched them eddying to the ground I thought of all the mighty deeds Of him who set the House of Han On high, and all the struggles since, The battlefields, the blood that ran. I saw the nobles gathered round The board, set in the Banquet Hall; Amid them, one, above whose head There hung a sword about to fall. I saw him quit that festive throng And westward ride, a lonely way; I saw a squadron follow swift, Intent the fugitive to slay. Isaw him reach the River T‘an, Whose swirling current rushes by; Adown the bank he galloped fast, “Now leap, my steed!” I heard him cry. His steed’s hoofs churn the swollen stream; What recks he that the waves run high? He hears the sound of clashing steel, Of thundering squadrons coming nigh. And upward from the foaming waves I saw two peerless beings soar: One was a destined western king, And him another dragon bore. The T‘an still rolls from east to west, Its roaring torrent ne’er dry. Those dragons twain, Ah! where are they? Yes, where? But there is no reply. The setting sun, in dark relief Against the glowing western sky, Throws out the everlasting hills While, saddened, here I stand and sigh. Men died to found the kingdoms three, Which now as misty dreams remain. Of greatest deeds the traces oft Are faint that fleeting years retain.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-52

老lǎo去qù花huā残cán春chūn日rì暮mù，宦huàn游yóu偶ǒu至zhì檀tán溪xī路lù；

Growing old, the blossoms wither, spring draws to a close, journeying in office, I chanced on the Tanxi road;

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-53

停tíng驺zōu遥yáo望wàng独dú徘pái徊huái，眼yǎn前qián零líng落luò飘piāo红hóng絮xù。

I halted my train and gazed afar, pacing alone, before my eyes the fallen catkins drifted and scattered.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-54

暗àn想xiǎng咸xián阳yáng火huǒ德dé衰shuāi，龙lóng争zhēng虎hǔ斗dòu交jiāo相xiāng持chí。

I mused that the fire-virtue of Xianyang was in decline, dragons and tigers struggled, locked in strife.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-55

襄xiāng阳yáng会huì上shàng王wáng孙sūn饮yǐn，坐zuò中zhōng玄xuán德dé身shēn将jiāng危wēi。

At the Xiangyang feast the nobles drank, in their midst Xuande's life was in peril.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-56

逃táo生shēng独dú出chū西xī门mén道dào，背bèi后hòu追zhuī兵bīng复fù将jiāng到dào。

To save his life he fled alone by the west-gate road, behind him the pursuing troops were closing in.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-57

一yī川chuān烟yān水shuí涨zhǎng檀tán溪xī，急jí叱chì征zhēng骑qí往wǎng前qián跳tiào。

The river's mist and waters swelled the Tanxi stream; he urged his warhorse on and leaped straight ahead.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-58

马mǎ蹄tí踏tà碎suì青qīng玻bō璃lí，天tiān风fēng响xiǎng处chù金jīn鞭biān挥huī。

Its hooves shattered the green glass of the water, at the rush of heaven's wind the golden whip was swung.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-59

耳ěr畔pàn但dàn闻wén千qiān骑qí走zǒu，波bō中zhōng忽hū见jiàn双shuāng龙lóng飞fēi。

In his ears he heard the thunder of a thousand chargers; in the waves he suddenly saw twin dragons take flight.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-60

西xī川chuān独dú霸bà真zhēn英yīng主zhǔ，坐zuò下xià龙lóng驹jū两liǎng相xiāng遇yù。

The true hero lord who would alone rule western lands— and the dragon foal beneath him, the two met here.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-61

檀tán溪xī溪xī水shuǐ自zì东dōng流liú，龙lóng驹jū英yīng主zhǔ今jīn何hé处chù？

The waters of Tanxi still flow on to the east— where now are the dragon foal and the hero lord?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-62

临lín流liú三sān叹tàn心xīn欲yù酸suān，斜xié阳yáng寂jì寂jì照zhào空kōng山shān。

Gazing at the stream, I sigh three times, my heart aches; the slanting sun shines silent on the empty hills.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-63

三sān分fēn鼎dǐng足zú浑hún如rú梦mèng，踪zōng迹jì空kōng留liú在zài世shì间jiān。

The threefold stand of cauldrons is all a dream, only their traces remain in the world.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-64

玄xuán德dé跃yuè过guò溪xī西xī，顾gù望wàng东dōng岸àn．蔡cài瑁mào已yí引yǐn军jūn赶gǎn到dào溪xī边biān，大dà叫jiào：「使shǐ君jūn何hé故gù逃táo席xí而ér去qù？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「吾wú与yú汝rǔ无wú雠chóu，何hé故gù欲yù相xiāng害hài？」瑁mào曰yuē：「吾wú并bìng无wú此cǐ心xīn，使shǐ君jūn休xiū听tīng人rén言yán。」玄xuán德dé见jiàn瑁mào手shǒu将jiāng拈niān弓gōng取qǔ箭jiàn，乃nǎi急jí拨bō马mǎ望wàng西xī南nán而ér去qù。瑁mào谓wèi左zuǒ右yòu曰yuē：「是shì何hé神shén助zhù也yě！

Thus Liu P‘ei crossed the rolling river. Then he turned and looked back at the other bank which his pursuers had just gained. “Why did you run away from the feast?” called out Ts‘ai Mao. “Why did you wish to harm one who has done you no injury?” replied Yüan-tê. “I have never thought of such a thing; do not listen to what people say to you.” But Yüan-tê saw that his enemy was fitting an arrow to his bowstring, so he whipped up his steed and rode away southwest. “What spirits aided him?” said Ts‘ai Mao to his followers. Then he turned to go back to the city, but in the gate he saw Chao Yün coming out at the head of his company of guards. By wondrous leap the dragon steed his rider’s life could save, Now follows him, on vengeance bent, his master’s henchman brave. The next chapters will tell what fate befell the traitor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

34-65

」方fāng欲yù收shōu军jūn回huí城chéng，只zhǐ见jiàn西xī门mén内nèi赵zhào云yún引yǐn三sān百bǎi军jūn赶gǎn来lái。正zhèng是shì：

Just as he was about to withdraw his troops and return to the city, he saw Zhao Yun leading three hundred men approaching from within the west gate. It was exactly:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-66

跃yuè去qù龙lóng驹jū能néng救jiù主zhǔ，追zhuī来lái虎hǔ将jiàng欲yù诛zhū雠chóu。

The leaping dragon foal could save its lord; the pursuing tiger general sought to slay his foe.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

34-67

未wèi知zhī蔡cài瑁mào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