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

第dì三sān十shí九jiǔ回huí 荆jīng州zhōu城chéng公gōng子zi三sān求qiú计jì　　博bó望wàng坡pō军jūn师shī初chū用yòng兵bīng

39-1

却què说shuō孙sūn权quán督dū众zhòng攻gōng打dǎ夏xià口kǒu，黄huáng祖zǔ兵bīng败bài将jiàng亡wáng，情qíng知zhī守shóu把bǎ不bú住zhù，遂suì弃qì江jiāng夏xià，望wàng荆jīng州zhōu而ér走zǒu。甘gān宁níng料liào得dé黄huáng祖zǔ必bì走zǒu荆jīng州zhōu，乃nǎi于yú东dōng门mén外wài伏fú兵bīng等děng候hòu。祖zǔ带dài数shù十shí骑qí突tū出chū东dōng门mén，正zhèng走zǒu之zhī间jiān，一yī声shēng喊hán起qǐ，甘gān宁níng拦lán住zhù。祖zǔ于yú马mǎ上shàng谓wèi宁níng曰yuē：「我wǒ向xiàng日rì不bù曾céng轻qīng待dài汝rǔ，今jīn何hé相xiāng逼bī耶yé？

Now Sun Ch'üan fought against Hsiak‘ou. When Huang Tsu recognised that he was beaten and could not maintain his position, he abandoned Chianghsia and took the road to Chingchou. Kan Ning, foreseeing this, had laid an ambush outside the east gate. Soon after the fugitive, with a small following, had burst out of the gate he found his road blocked. From horseback, Huang Tsu said, “I treated you well in the past, why do you now press me so hard?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-2

」宁níng叱chì曰yuē：「吾wú昔xī在zài江jiāng夏xià，多duō立lì功gōng绩jì，汝rú乃nái以yǐ劫jié江jiāng贼zéi待dài我wǒ，今jīn日rì尚shàng有yǒu何hé说shuō？」

Kan Ning angrily shouted, “I did good service for you and yet you treated me as a pirate. Now what have you to say?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-3

黄huáng祖zǔ自zì知zhī难nán免miǎn，拨bō马mǎ而ér走zǒu。甘gān宁níng冲chōng开kāi士shì卒zú，直zhí赶gǎn将jiāng来lái，只zhǐ听tīng得dé后hòu麺miàn喊hǎn声shēng起qǐ处chù，又yòu有yǒu数shù骑qí赶gǎn来lái。宁níng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi程chéng普pú也yě。宁níng恐kóng普pǔ来lái争zhēng功gōng，慌huāng忙máng拈niān弓gōng搭dā箭jiàn，背bèi射shè黄huáng祖zǔ，祖zǔ中zhōng箭jiàn翻fān身shēn落luò马mǎ，宁níng枭xiāo其qí首shǒu级jí，回huí马má与yǔ程chéng普pǔ合hé兵bīng一yī处chù，回huí见jiàn孙sūn权quán，献xiàn黄huáng祖zú首shǒu级jí。

There was nothing to be said, and Huang turned his horse to escape. But Kan Ning thrust aside his men and himself rode in pursuit. Then he heard a shouting in his rear and saw Ch'êng P‘u coming up. Fearing lest this other pursuer should overpass him and score the success he desired for himself, Kan fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the fugitive. Huang was hit and fell from his steed. Then Kan Ning cut off his head. After this, joining himself to Ch'êng P‘u, the two returned bearing the ghastly trophy to their lord. Sun Ch‘üan ordered them to place it in a box to be taken back home and offered as a sacrifice to the manes of his father.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-4

权quán命mìng以yǐ木mù匣xiá盛shèng贮zhù，待dài回huí江jiāng东dōng祭jì献xiàn于yú亡wáng父fù灵líng前qián。重zhòng赏shǎng三sān军jūn，升shēng甘gān宁níng为wèi都dū尉wèi。商shāng议yì欲yù分fēn兵bīng守shǒu江jiāng夏xià。张zhāng昭zhāo曰yuē：「孤gū城chéng不bù可ké守shǒu，不bù如rú且qiě回huí江jiāng东dōng。刘liú表biǎo知zhī我wǒ破pò黄huáng祖zǔ，必bì来lái报bào雠chóu。我wó以yǐ逸yì待dài劳láo，必bì败bài刘liú表biǎo。表biǎo败bài而ér后hòu乘chéng势shì攻gōng之zhī，荆jīng襄xiāng可kě得dé也yě。」权quán从cóng其qí言yán，遂suì弃qì江jiāng夏xià，班bān师shī回huí江jiāng东dōng。

Having rewarded the soldiers for the victory and promoted Kan Ning, Sun Ch'üan next discussed the advisability of sending a force to hold Chianghsia. But his adviser, Chang Chao, said it was useless to try to hold one city alone. It would be better to return home and prepare for the expedition that Liu Piao would surely send in revenge. They would defeat him, push home the attack and capture his district. Sun Ch'üan saw the advice was wise so he left Chianghsia and led his army home to the east.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-5

苏sū飞fēi在zài槛kǎn车chē内nèi，密mì使shǐ人rén告gào甘gān宁níng求qiú救jiù。宁níng曰yuē：「飞fēi即jí不bù言yán，吾wú岂qǐ忘wàng之zhī？」大dà军jūn既jì至zhì吴wú会huì，权quán命mìng将jiāng苏sū飞fēi枭xiāo首shǒu，与yǔ黄huáng祖zú首shǒu级jí一yī同tóng祭jì献xiàn。甘gān宁níng乃nǎi入rù见jiàn权quán，顿dùn首shǒu哭kū告gào曰yuē：「某mǒu向xiàng日rì若ruò不bù得dé苏sū飞fēi，则zé骨gǔ填tián沟gōu壑hè矣yǐ，安ān能néng效xiào命mìng将jiāng军jūn麾huī下xià哉zāi？

Now Su Fei was still confined, but he got some one to go to Kan Ning to beg him to plead for mercy. Kan Ning had expected this although the prisoner had said no word and he was averse from leaving his friend and one-time protector to perish. “I should not have forgotten him even if he had said nothing,” said Kan.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-6

今jīn飞fēi罪zuì当dāng诛zhū，某mǒu念niàn其qí昔xī日rì之zhī恩ēn情qíng，愿yuàn纳nà还hái官guān爵jué，以yǐ赎shú飞fēi罪zuì。」权quán曰yuē：「彼bǐ既jì有yǒu恩ēn于yú君jūn，吾wú为wéi君jūn赦shè之zhī；但dàn彼bǐ若ruò逃táo去qù，奈nài何hé？」宁níng曰yuē：「飞fēi得dé免miǎn诛zhū戮lù，感gǎn恩ēn无wú地dì，岂qí肯kén走zǒu乎hū？若ruò飞fēi去qù，宁nìng愿yuàn将jiāng首shǒu级jí献xiàn于yú阶jiē下xià。」权quán乃nǎi赦shè苏sū飞fēi，止zhǐ将jiāng黄huáng祖zú首shǒu级jí祭jì献xiàn。祭jì毕bì设shè宴yàn，大dà会huì文wén武wǔ庆qìng功gōng。

When the army had reached Wuhui the victor gave orders for Su Fei’s execution that his head might be offered with that of Huang Tsu. Then Kan Ning went in to his lord and said, weeping, “Long ago, if it had not been for Su Fei, my bones would have been rotting in some ditch and how then could I have rendered service under your banner? Now he deserves death, but I cannot forget his kindness to me and I pray you take away the honours you have bestowed on me as a set-off to his crime.” Sun Ch'üan replied, “Since he once showed kindness to you, I will pardon him for your sake. But what can be done if he run away?” “If he be pardoned and escape death he will be immeasureably grateful and will not go away. If he should, then will I offer my life in exchange.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-7

正zhèng饮yín酒jiǔ间jiān，忽hū见jiàn座zuò上shàng一yī人rén大dà哭kū而ér起qǐ，拔bá剑jiàn在zài手shǒu，直zhí取qǔ甘gān宁níng。宁níng忙máng举jǔ坐zuò椅yí以yǐ迎yíng之zhī。权quán惊jīng视shì其qí人rén，乃nǎi凌líng统tóng也yě。因yīn甘gān宁níng在zài江jiāng夏xià时shí，射shè死sǐ他tā父fù亲qīn凌líng操cāo，今jīn日rì相xiāng见jiàn，故gù欲yù报bào雠chóu。权quán连lián忙máng劝quàn住zhù，谓wèi统tǒng曰yuē：「兴xīng霸bà射shè死sǐ卿qīng父fù，彼bǐ时shí各gè为wèi其qí主zhǔ，不bù容róng不bú侭jìn力lì。今jīn既jì为wèi一yī家jiā人rén，岂qí可kě复fù理lǐ旧jiù雠chóu？

So the condemned man escaped death and only one head was offered in sacrifice. After the sacrificial ceremonies a great banquet was spread in honour of the victories. As it was proceeding suddenly one of the guests burst into loud lamentations, drew his sword and rushed upon Kan Ning. Kan hastily rose and defended himself with the chair on which he had been sitting. The host looked at the assailant and saw it was Ts‘ao T‘ung, whose father had fallen under an arrow shot by Kan Ning. The son was now burning to avenge his father’s death. Hastily leaving his place, Sun Ch'üan checked the angry officer, saying, “If he slew your noble father, then remember each was fighting for his lord for whom he was bound to exert himself to the utmost. But now that you are under one flag and are of one house you may not recall an ancient injury. You must regard my interests continually.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-8

万wàn事shì皆jiē看kàn吾wú麺miàn。」凌líng统tǒng叩kòu头tóu大dà哭kū曰yuē：「不bú共gòng戴dài天tiān之zhī雠chóu，岂qǐ容róng不bú报bào？」权quán与yǔ众zhòng官guān再zài三sān劝quàn之zhī，凌líng统tóng只zhǐ是shì怒nù目mù而ér视shì甘gān宁níng。权quán即jí日rì命mìng甘gān宁níng领lǐng兵bīng五wǔ千qiān，战zhàn船chuán一yì百bái只zhǐ，往wǎng夏xià口kǒu镇zhèn守shǒu，以yǐ避bì凌líng统tǒng。宁níng拜bài谢xiè，领lǐng兵bīng自zì往wǎng夏xià口kǒu去qù了le。权quán又yòu加jiā封fēng凌líng统tǒng为wèi承chéng烈liè都dū尉wèi，统tóng只zhǐ得dé含hán恨hèn而ér止zhǐ。

Ts‘ao Ling beat his head upon the floor and cried, saying, “But how can I not avenge this? It is a blood feud and we may not both live under the same sky.” The guests interfered, beseeching the man to forgo his revenge, and at last he ceased from his murderous intention. But he sat glaring wrathfully at his enemy. So soon after Kan Ning was despatched with half a legion and a squadron of ships to guard Hsiak‘ou, where he was beyond the reach of his enemy’s wrath. Then Sun Ch‘üan promoted Ts‘ao Ling and so he was somewhat appeased.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-9

东dōng吴wú自zì此cí广guǎng造zào战zhàn船chuán，分fēn兵bīng守shóu把bǎ江jiāng岸àn；又yòu命mìng孙sūn静jìng引yǐn一yī枝zhī军jūn守shǒu吴wú会huì；孙sūn权quán自zì领lǐng大dà军jūn，屯tún柴chái桑sāng；周zhōu瑜yú日rì于yú鄱pó阳yáng湖hú教jiào练liàn水shuǐ军jūn，以yǐ备bèi攻gōng战zhàn。

From about this time Wu enlarged her fleets, and men were sent to various points to guard the river banks. The brother of the chieftain was placed in command at Wuhui and Sun Ch'üan himself, with a large army, camped at Ch‘aisang. Chou Yü, the Commander-in-Chief of the forces, was on the Pʻoyang Lake training the naval forces, and general preparations were made for defence and attack.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-10

话huà分fēn两liǎng头tóu。却què说shuō玄xuán德dé差chà人rén打dǎ探tàn江jiāng东dōng消xiāo息xī，回huí报bào：「东dōng吴wú已yǐ攻gōng杀shā黄huáng祖zǔ，现xiàn今jīn屯tún兵bīng柴chái桑sāng。」玄xuán德dé便biàn请qíng孔kǒng明míng计jì议yì。正zhèng话huà间jiān，忽hū刘liú表biǎo差chà人rén来lái请qǐng玄xuán德dé赴fù荆jīng州zhōu议yì事shì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì因yīn江jiāng东dōng破pò了le黄huáng祖zǔ，故gù请qíng主zhǔ公gōng商shāng议yì报bào雠chóu之zhī策cè也yě。某mǒu当dāng与yú主zhǔ公gōng同tóng往wǎng，相xiàng机jī而ér行xíng，自zì有yǒu良liáng策cè。

Here our story digresses to follow the adventures of Liu Pei. By his spies he had tidings of the doings in the lower portion of the great river, and knew of the death of Huang Tsu. So he consulted K‘ung-ming as to his action. While they were discussing matters, there arrived a messenger from Liu Piao, begging Liu Pei to go to see him. K‘ung-ming advised him to go and said, “This call is to consult you about avenging Huang Tsu. You must take me with you and let me act as the circumstances direct. There are advantages to be got.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-11

」玄xuán德dé从cóng之zhī，留liú云yún长zháng守shǒu新xīn野yě，令lìng张zhāng飞fēi引yín五wú百bǎi人rén马mǎ跟gēn随suí往wǎng荆jīng州zhōu来lái。玄xuán德dé在zài马mǎ上shàng谓wèi孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「今jīn见jiàn景jǐng升shēng，当dāng若ruò何hé对duì答dá？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「当dāng先xiān谢xiè襄xiāng阳yáng之zhī事shì。他tā若ruò令lìng主zhǔ公gōng去qù征zhēng讨tǎo江jiāng东dōng，切qiè不bù可kě应yīng允yǔn。但dàn说shuō容róng归guī新xīn野yě，整zhěng顿dùn军jūn马mǎ。」

Leaving his second brother in command at Hsinyeh, Liu Pei set forth, taking Chang Fei with half a company as his escort. On the way he discussed the course of action with his adviser, who said, “First you must thank him for having saved you from the evil that was planned against you at Hsiangyang. But you must not undertake any expedition against Wu; say you must return to Hsinyeh to put your army in good order.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-12

玄xuán德dé依yī言yán，来lái到dào荆jīng州zhōu，馆guǎn驿yì安ān下xià，留liú张zhāng飞fēi屯tún兵bīng城chéng外wài。玄xuán德dé与yú孔kǒng明míng入rù城chéng见jiàn刘liú表biǎo。礼lǐ毕bì，玄xuán德dé请qǐng罪zuì于yú阶jiē下xià。表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ悉xī知zhī贤xián弟dì被bèi害hài之zhī事shì。当dāng时shí即jí欲yù斩zhǎn蔡cài瑁mào之zhī首shǒu，以yǐ献xiàn贤xián弟dì。因yīn众zhòng人rén告gào免miǎn，故gù姑gū恕shù之zhī。弟dì幸xìng勿wù见jiàn罪zuì。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「非fēi干gàn蔡cài将jiāng军jūn之zhī事shì，想xiǎng皆jiē下xià人rén所suǒ为wèi耳ěr。

With this admonition Liu Pei came to Chingchou and was lodged in the guest-house. Chang Fei and the escort camped without the walls. In due course Liu Pei and K‘ung-ming were received, and after the customary salutations, the guest apologised for his conduct. The host said, “Worthy brother, I know you were the victim of a vile plot and I should have put the prime mover to death for it had there not been so universal a prayer for mercy. However, I remitted that penalty. I hope you do not consider that I was wrong.' ” “Mao had little to do with it; I think it was due to his subordinates,” replied Pei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-13

」表biǎo曰yuē：「今jīn江jiāng夏xià失shī守shǒu，黄huáng祖zǔ遇yù害hài，故gù请qǐng贤xián弟dì共gòng议yì报bào复fù之zhī策cè。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「黄huáng祖zǔ性xìng暴bào，不bù能néng用yòng人rén，故gù致zhì此cǐ祸huò。今jīn若ruò兴xīng兵bīng南nán征zhēng，倘tǎng曹cáo操cāo北běi来lái，又yòu将jiāng奈nài何hé？」表biǎo曰yuē：「吾wú今jīn年nián老lǎo多duō病bìng，不bù能néng理lǐ事shì，贤xián弟dì可kě来lái助zhù我wǒ。我wó死sǐ之zhī后hòu，弟dì便biàn为wèi荆jīng州zhōu之zhī主zhú也yě。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「兄xiōng何hé出chū此cǐ言yán？

Piao said, “Chianghsia is lost, as you know; Huang is dead. So I have asked you to come that we might take measures of vengeance.” “Huang was harsh and cruel and never used his men in the proper way; that was the real cause of his fall. But have you reflected what Ts‘ao Ts‘ao may do on the north if we attack the south?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-14

量liàng备bèi安ān敢gǎn当dāng此cǐ重zhòng任rèn？」

“I am getting old and weak and I am unable to manage affairs properly; will you aid me, brother? After I am gone you will have this district. “Why do you say this, my brother? Think you that I am equal to such a task?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-15

孔kǒng明míng以yǐ目mù视shì玄xuán德dé。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「容róng徐xú思sī良liáng策cè。」遂suì辞cí出chū，回huí至zhì馆guǎn驿yì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「景jǐng升shēng欲yù以yǐ荆jīng州zhōu付fù主zhǔ公gōng，奈nài何hé却què之zhī？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「景jǐng升shēng待dài我wǒ，恩ēn礼lǐ交jiāo至zhì，安ān忍rěn乘chéng其qí危wēi而ér夺duó之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng叹tàn曰yuē：「真zhēn仁rén慈cí之zhī主zhú也yě！」

Here K‘ung-ming glanced at Liu Pei who continued, “But give me a little time to think it over.' ” And at this point he took his leave. When they had reached their lodging, K‘ung-ming said, “Why did you decline his offer of the district.” “He has always been most kind and courteous. I could not take advantage of his weakness. ” “A perfectly kindly and gracious lord,” sighed K‘ung-ming.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-16

正zhèng商shāng论lùn间jiān，忽hū报bào公gōng子zi刘liú琦qí来lái见jiàn。玄xuán德dé接jiē入rù。琦qí泣qì拜bài曰yuē：「继jì母mǔ不bù能néng相xiāng容róng，性xìng命mìng只zhǐ在zài旦dàn夕xī，望wàng叔shū父fù怜lián而ér救jiù之zhī。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「此cǐ贤xián姪zhí家jiā事shì耳ěr，奈nài何hé问wèn我wǒ？」孔kǒng明míng微wēi笑xiào，玄xuán德dé求qiú计jì于yú孔kǒng明míng。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「此cǐ家jiā事shì，亮liàng不bù敢gǎn与yù闻wén。

Soon after the son of Liu Piao was announced and Liu Pei received him and led him in. The young man began to weep saying, “My mother cannot bear the sight of me. My very life is in danger. Can you not save me, Uncle?” “My worthy nephew, this is a family affair. You should not come to me.” K‘ung-ming, who was present, smiled. Liu Pei turned to him to know what he should do. “This is a family affair; I cannot touch it!” replied K‘ung-ming.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-17

」少shǎo时shí，玄xuán德dé送sòng琦qí出chū，附fù耳ěr低dī言yán曰yuē：「来lái日rì我wó使shí孔kǒng明míng回huí拜bài贤xián姪zhí，可kě如rú此cǐ如rú此cǐ，彼bǐ定dìng有yǒu妙miào计jì相xiāng告gào。」琦qí谢xiè而ér去qù。

The young man soon left and when Yüan-tê was saying good-bye he whispered, “I will get K‘ung-ming to return your call and you can talk with him. He will advise you.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-18

次cì日rì，玄xuán德dé只zhǐ推tuī腹fù痛tòng，乃nái浼méi孔kǒng明míng代dài往wǎng回huí拜bài刘liú琦qí。孔kǒng明míng允yǔn诺nuò，来lái至zhì公gōng子zi宅zhái前qián下xià马mǎ，入rù见jiàn公gōng子zi。公gōng子zi邀yāo入rù后hòu堂táng。茶chá罢bà，琦qí曰yuē：「琦qí不bú见jiàn容róng于yú继jì母mǔ，幸xìng先xiān生shēng一yī言yán相xiāng救jiù。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「亮liàng客kè寄jì于yú此cǐ，岂qí敢gán与yǔ人rén骨gǔ肉ròu之zhī事shì？倘táng有yǒu漏lòu泄xiè，为wéi害hài不bù浅qiǎn。」说shuō罢bà，起qǐ身shēn告gào辞cí。

Liu Chi thanked him and left. Next day when the call was to be returned Yüan-tê pretended to be suffering from colic and made that an excuse to send K‘ung-ming to return the call. The adviser went, and when he had reached the Palace, dismounted and was led in, Liu Chi conducted him into one of the inner rooms and when the tea had been brought, said, “I am an object of my stepmother’s dislike; can you advise me what to do?” “As a mere stranger guest I can hardly have anything to do with your own 'bone and flesh' matters. If I did, and the story got abroad, much harm might ensue.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-19

琦qí曰yuē：「既jì承chéng光guāng顾gù，安ān敢gǎn慢màn待dài？」乃nái挽wǎn留liú孔kǒng明míng入rù密mì至zhì共gòng饮yǐn。

With this he rose to take leave. But Chi was unwilling to say farewell. He said, “Your glory has turned in my direction, you cannot mean to go away so pointlessly.” He led his visitor into a private chamber and had refreshments brought. While they ate and drank Chi repeated his first request: what was he to do since his stepmother disliked him?

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-20

饮yín酒jiǔ之zhī间jiān，琦qí又yòu曰yuē：「继jì母mǔ不bú见jiàn容róng，乞qǐ先xiān生shēng一yī言yán救jiù我wǒ。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「此cǐ非fēi亮liàng所suó敢gǎn谋móu也yě。」言yán讫qì，又yòu欲yù辞cí去qù。琦qí曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng不bù言yán则zé已yǐ，何hé便biàn欲yù去qù？」孔kǒng明míng乃nǎi复fù坐zuò。琦qí曰yuē：「琦qí有yǒu一yī古gǔ书shū，请qǐng先xiān生shēng一yī观guān。」乃nái引yín孔kǒng明míng登dēng一yī小xiǎo楼lóu。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「书shū在zài何hé处chù？

“It is not the sort of thing I can advise in,” replied K‘ung-ming, as he rose for the second time to take leave. “Master, if you will not reply, that is well. But why incontinently leave me?” ”So the adviser once more seated himself and Liu Chi said, “There is an ancient writing I should like to show you.' And he led his visitor to a small upper room.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-21

」琦qí泣qì拜bài曰yuē：「继jì母mǔ不bú见jiàn容róng，琦qí命mìng在zài旦dàn夕xī，先xiān生shēng忍rěn无wú一yī言yán相xiāng救jiù乎hū？」

“Where is the writing?” said K‘ung-ming. Instead of answering Liu Chi wept, saying, “My stepmother cannot bear me; my life is in danger. O Master, will you not say a word to save me?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-22

孔kǒng明míng作zuò色sè而ér起qǐ，便biàn欲yù下xià楼lóu，只zhǐ见jiàn楼lóu梯tī已yǐ撤chè去qù。琦qí告gào曰yuē：「琦qí欲yù求qiú教jiào良liáng策cè，先xiān生shēng恐kóng有yǒu泄xiè漏lòu，不bù肯kěn出chū言yán；今jīn日rì上shàng不bú至zhì天tiān，下xià不bú至zhì地dì，出chū君jūn之zhī口kǒu，入rù琦qí之zhī耳ěr，可ké以yǐ赐cì教jiào矣yǐ。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「疏shū不bú间jiàn亲qīn，亮liàng何hé能néng为wéi公gōng子zi谋móu？」琦qí曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng终zhōng不bù肯kěn教jiào琦qí乎hū？

K‘ung-ming flushed and rose to go away. But he found the ladder by which they had mounted had been removed. Again Chi besought some advice, “Master, you fear lest it may get abroad! Is that why you are silent? Here we are between earth and sky and what you say will come out of your mouth directly into my ear. No other soul can hear. Now can you tell me what to do?” “Sow not dissension among relatives,” said K‘ung-ming. “Is it possible for me to make any plan for you?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-23

琦qí命mìng固gù不bù保báo矣yǐ，请qǐng即jí死sǐ于yú先xiān生shēng之zhī前qián。」乃nǎi掣chè剑jiàn欲yù自zì刎wěn。孔kǒng明míng止zhǐ之zhī曰yuē：「已yí有yǒu良liáng计jì。」琦qí拜bài曰yuē：「愿yuàn即jí赐cì教jiào。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「公gōng子zi岂qǐ不bù闻wén申shēn生shēng、重zhòng耳ěr之zhī事shì乎hū？申shēn生shēng在zài内nèi而ér亡wáng，重zhòng耳ěr在zài外wài而ér安ān。今jīn黄huáng祖zǔ新xīn亡wáng，江jiāng夏xià乏fá人rén守shǒu御yù，公gōng子zi何hé不bú上shàng言yán，乞qǐ屯tún兵bīng守shǒu江jiāng夏xià？则zé可ké以yǐ避bì祸huò矣yǐ。」

“Then is my life indeed in danger,” said the young man. “I will die at your feet.” So saying, he pulled out a dagger and threatened to make an end of himself.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-24

琦qí再zài拜bài谢xiè教jiào，乃nǎi命mìng人rén取qǔ梯tī送sòng孔kǒng明míng下xià楼lóu。孔kǒng明míng辞cí别bié，回huí见jiàn玄xuán德dé，具jù言yán其qí事shì，玄xuán德dé大dà喜xǐ。次cì日rì，刘liú琦qí上shàng言yán，欲yù守shǒu江jiāng夏xià。刘liú表biǎo犹yóu豫yù未wèi决jué，请qǐng玄xuán德dé共gòng议yì。玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「江jiāng夏xià重zhòng地dì，固gù非fēi他tā人rén可ké守shǒu，正zhèng须xū公gōng子zi自zì往wǎng。东dōng南nán之zhī事shì，兄xiōng父fù子zǐ当dāng之zhī；西xī北běi之zhī事shì，备bèi愿yuàn当dāng之zhī。

K‘ung-ming checked him. “There is a way,” said he. “I pray you tell me.” “You have heard of Shên Shêng and Ch‘ung Erh, have you not? Shên Shêng stayed at home and died; his brother went away and lived in peace. Now that Huang Tsu is gone and Chianghsia is weakly defended, why do you not ask to be sent there to guard it? Then you would be out of the way of harm.” Chi thanked him. Then he called to his people to restore the ladder and he escorted K‘ung-ming down to the level ground. K‘ung-ming returned to Yüan-tê and related the whole interview. The young man soon acted on the advice given him, but his father would not at first consent to let him go. To settle his doubts he sent for Yüan-tê, who said, “Chianghsia is important and your son is the most suitable man to defend it. You must let him go. The south-east will be defended by your son; the north-west I will look after.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-25

」表biǎo曰yuē：「近jìn闻wén曹cáo操cāo于yú邺yè郡jùn作zuò玄xuán武wǔ池chí以yǐ练liàn水shuǐ军jūn，必bì有yǒu南nán征zhēng之zhī意yì，不bù可kě不bù防fáng。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「备bèi已yǐ知zhī之zhī，兄xiōng勿wù忧yōu虑lǜ。」遂suì拜bài辞cí回huí新xīn野yě。刘liú表biǎo令lìng刘liú琦qí引yǐn兵bīng三sān千qiān往wǎng江jiāng夏xià镇zhèn守shǒu。

“I hear that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao has been training a naval force and I am afraid he has intentions against us. We must be on our guard.” “I know all about it; you need feel no anxiety,” said Yüan-tê. He took leave of his relative and went home while Liu Chi received command of three companies and went to guard Chianghsia.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-26

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo罢bà三sān公gōng之zhī职zhí，自zì以yǐ丞chéng相xiàng兼jiān之zhī，以yǐ毛máo玠jiè为wèi东dōng曹cáo掾yuàn，崔cuī琰yǎn为wèi西xī曹cáo掾yuàn，司sī马mǎ懿yì为wèi文wén学xué掾yuàn。懿yì字zì仲zhòng达dá，河hé内nèi温wēn人rén也yě。颍yǐng川chuān太tài守shǒu司sī马mǎ隽juàn之zhī孙sūn，京jīng兆zhào尹yǐn司sī马mǎ防fáng之zhī子zi，主zhǔ簿bù司sī马má朗lǎng之zhī弟dì也yě。自zì是shì文wén官guān大dà备bèi，乃nǎi聚jù武wǔ将jiàng商shāng议yì南nán征zhēng。

At this time Ts‘ao Ts‘ao suppressed the three high officers of State and exercised their functions himself. He appointed as his general secretaries or Ts‘ao-ch‘uan, Mao Chieh and Ts‘ui Yen, and as literary secretary, Ssŭma I, grandson of Ssŭma Sui and son of Ssŭma Fang. Thus he was strong in literary talent.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-27

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn进jìn曰yuē：「近jìn闻wén刘liú备bèi在zài新xīn野yě，每měi日rì教jiào演yǎn士shì卒zú，必bì为wèi后hòu患huàn，可ké早zǎo图tú之zhī。」

He then called his military officers to a council to discuss an expedition against the south. Hsiahou Tun opened the debate saying, “Liu Fei is drilling his army at Hsinyeh, and is a source of danger. He should be destroyed.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-28

操cāo即jí命mìng夏xià侯hóu惇dūn为wèi都dū督dū，于yú禁jìn、李lí典diǎn、夏xià侯hóu兰lán、韩hán浩hào为wèi副fù将jiāng，领lǐng兵bīng十shí万wàn，直zhí抵dǐ博bó望wàng城chéng，以yǐ窥kuī新xīn野yě。荀xún彧yù谏jiàn曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi英yīng雄xióng，今jīn更gèng兼jiān诸zhū葛gě亮liàng为wèi军jūn师shī，不bù可kě轻qīng敌dí。」惇dūn曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi鼠shǔ辈bèi耳ěr，吾wú必bì擒qín之zhī。」徐xú庶shù曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn勿wù轻qīng视shì刘liú玄xuán德dé。今jīn玄xuán德dé得dé诸zhū葛gě亮liàng为wèi辅fǔ，如rú虎hǔ生shēng翼yì矣yǐ。

Accordingly he was appointed Commander-in-Chief and four assistants were given him. With these he led ten legions to Powangch'êng, whence he could observe Hsinyeh. “Hsün Yü was opposed to this and said, “Liu Pei is a famous warrior and he has lately taken to himself as his director of training Chuko Liang. Caution is needed.” Tun replied, “Liu Pei is a mean rat. I will certainly take him prisoner.' ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-29

」操cāo曰yuē：「诸zhū葛gě亮liàng何hé人rén也yě？」庶shù曰yuē：「亮liàng字zì孔kǒng明míng，道dào号hào卧wò龙lóng先xiān生shēng。有yǒu经jīng天tiān纬wěi地dì之zhī才cái，出chū鬼guǐ入rù神shén之zhī计jì，真zhēn当dāng世shì奇qí士shì，非fēi可ké小xiǎo觑qù。」

“Do not despise him,” said Hsü Shu. “Remember he has Chuko Liang to help him and so he is like a tiger who has grown wings.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “Who is this Chuko Liang?” “He is also called K‘ung-ming, and has taken a Taoist cognomen of 'Sleeping Dragon.' He is a perfect genius, god and devil combined, the greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-30

操cāo曰yuē：「比bǐ公gōng若ruò何hé？」庶shù曰yuē：「庶shù安ān敢gán比bǐ亮liàng？庶shù如rú萤yíng火huǒ之zhī光guāng，亮liàng乃nǎi皓hào月yuè之zhī明míng也yě。」夏xià侯hóu惇dūn曰yuē：「元yuán直zhí之zhī言yán谬miù矣yǐ。吾wú看kàn诸zhū葛gě亮liàng如rú草cǎo芥jiè耳ěr，何hé足zú惧jù哉zāi！吾wú若ruò不bù一yī阵zhèn生shēng擒qín刘liú备bèi，活huó捉zhuō诸zhū葛gě，愿yuàn将jiāng首shǒu级jí献xiàn与yǔ丞chéng相xiàng。」操cāo曰yuē：「汝rú早zǎo报bào捷jié书shū，以yǐ慰wèi吾wú心xīn。」惇dūn奋fèn然rán辞cí曹cáo操cāo，引yǐn军jūn登dēng程chéng。

“How does he stand as compared with you?” asked Ts‘ao. “There is no comparison. I am a mere glow-worm spark; he is the glory of the full moon,” replied Hsü Shu.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-31

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé自zì得dé孔kǒng明míng，以yǐ师shī礼lǐ待dài之zhī。关guān、张zhāng二èr人rén不bú悦yuè曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng年nián幼yòu，有yǒu甚shèn才cái学xué？兄xiōng长zhǎng待dài之zhī太tài过guò！又yòu未wèi见jiàn他tā真zhēn实shí效xiào验yàn！」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「吾wú得dé孔kǒng明míng，犹yóu鱼yú之zhī得dé水shuí也yě。两liǎng弟dì勿wù复fù多duō言yán。」关guān、张zhāng见jiàn说shuō，不bù言yán而ér退tuì。一yī日rì，有yǒu人rén送sòng牦máo牛niú尾wěi至zhì。玄xuán德dé取qú尾wěi亲qīn自zì结jié帽mào。

“You are mistaken,” replied Tun. “This Chuko Liang of yours is of no account. Who would fear him? If I do not take him and his master prisoners in the first battle, then here is my head, a free gift to our lord, the minister.” “Hasten to comfort me with news of victory,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Hsiahou Tun hastened to depart.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-32

孔kǒng明míng入rù见jiàn，正zhèng色sè曰yuē：「明míng公gōng无wú复fù有yóu远yuǎn志zhì，但dàn事shì此cǐ而ér已yǐ耶yé？」玄xuán德dé投tóu帽mào于yú地dì而ér谢xiè曰yuē：「吾wú聊liáo假jiá此cí以yǐ忘wàng忧yōu耳ěr。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「明míng公gōng自zì度dù比bǐ曹cáo操cāo若ruò何hé？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「不bù如rú也yě。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「明míng公gōng之zhī众zhòng，不bú过guò数shù千qiān人rén，万wàn一yī曹cáo兵bīng至zhì，何hé以yǐ迎yíng之zhī？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「吾wú正zhèng愁chóu此cǐ事shì，未wèi得dé良liáng策cè。

The advent of K‘ung-ming and the extravagant deference shown him did not please Liu Pei’s sworn brothers who grumbled, saying, “He is very young although he is clever and learned. Our brother really treats him too well. We have not seen any evidence of his wonderful skill.” Liu Pei replied, “You do not know his worth. To me it seems as if the fish had got into the water again. Pray do not discuss this matter further, my brothers.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-33

」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「可kě速sù招zhāo募mù民mín兵bīng，亮liàng自zì教jiào之zhī，可ké以yǐ待dài敌dí。」玄xuán德dé遂suì招zhāo新xīn野yě之zhī民mín，得dé三sān千qiān人rén。孔kǒng明míng朝cháo夕xī教jiào演yǎn阵zhèn法fǎ。忽hū报bào曹cáo操cāo差chà夏xià侯hóu惇dūn引yǐn兵bīng十shí万wàn，杀shā奔bēn新xīn野yě来lái了le。张zhāng飞fēi闻wén知zhī，谓wèi云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「可kě著zhù孔kǒng明míng前qián去qù迎yíng敌dí便biàn了liǎo。」

They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied. One day a man presented Liu Pei with a yak’s tail and he at once put it in his cap as an ornament. K‘ung-ming came in and noticed it at once. “Then you have renounced all ambition, my lord; you are just going to attend to this sort of thing,” he quietly remarked. Yüan-tê snatched off his cap and flung it away. “I was only amusing myself with the thing,” replied he. “How do you think you stand compared with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao?” asked K‘ung-ming. “Inferior.” “Yes; your army is less than one legion and the chances are ten thousand to one that he will attack. How can we meet him?” “I am greatly distressed about it; but I see no way.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-34

正zhèng说shuō之zhī间jiān，玄xuán德dé召zhào二èr人rén入rù，谓wèi曰yuē：「夏xià侯hóu惇dūn引yǐn兵bīng到dào来lái，如rú何hé迎yíng敌dí？」张zhāng飞fēi曰yuē：「哥gē哥gē何hé不bù使shǐ『水shuǐ』去qù？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「智zhì赖lài孔kǒng明míng，勇yǒng须xū二èr弟dì，何hé可kě推tuī诿wěi？」关guān、张zhāng出chū，玄xuán德dé请qíng孔kǒng明míng商shāng议yì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「但dàn恐kǒng关guān、张zhāng二èr人rén，不bù肯kěn听tīng吾wú号hào令lìng。主zhǔ公gōng若ruò欲yù亮liàng行xíng兵bīng，乞qí假jiǎ剑jiàn印yìn。

“You might recruit and I will train them. Then we might be able to oppose him.” So recruiting began and three companies were enlisted. K‘ung-ming set about drilling them diligently. Soon they heard that Hsiahou Tun was leading an army of ten legions against them. When he heard it Chang Fei said to his brother, Kuan Yu, “We will get this K‘ung-ming to go and fight them.” Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked their advice. “Why not send the 'Water' brother?” said Chang Fei. “For method I rely on K‘ung-ming; but for action I put my faith in you, my brothers. Are you going to fail me?” They went out and K‘ung-ming was called. “I fear your brothers will not obey me,” said K‘ung-ming. “Wherefore, if I am to direct the campaign, you must give me a seal of office and a sword of authority.” So Yüan-tê gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power he assembled the officers to receive their orders. “We will go just to see what he will do,” said one brother to the other.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-35

」玄xuán德dé便biàn以yǐ剑jiàn印yìn付fù孔kǒng明míng，孔kǒng明míng遂suì聚jù集jí众zhòng将jiāng听tīng令lìng。张zhāng飞fēi谓wèi云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「且qiě听tīng令lìng去qù．看kàn他tā如rú何hé调diào度dù。」

So Yüan-tê gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power he assembled the officers to receive their orders. “We will go just to see what he will do,” said one brother to the other.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-36

孔kǒng明míng令lìng曰yuē：「博bó望wàng之zhī左zuó有yǒu山shān，名míng曰yuē豫yù山shān；右yòu有yǒu林lín，名míng曰yuē安ān林lín：可ké以yǐ埋mái伏fú军jūn马mǎ。云yún长zháng可ké引yǐn一yī千qiān军jūn往wǎng豫yù山shān之zhī前qián，先xiān且qiě埋mái伏fú，等déng彼bǐ军jūn至zhì，放fàng过guò休xiū敌dí。其qí辎zī重zhòng粮liáng草cǎo，必bì在zài后hòu麺miàn。但dàn看kàn南nán麺miàn火huó起qǐ，可kě纵zòng兵bīng出chū击jī，就jiù焚fén其qí粮liáng草cǎo。

In the assembly K‘ung-ming spoke saying, “On the left of Powang are hills called Yüshan. On the right is a forest, Anlin. There we will prepare an ambush. Kuan Yü will go to the former place with one company. He will remain there quiescent till the enemy has passed, but when he sees a flame in the south, that will be the signal to attack. He will first burn their baggage train. Chang Fei will go to a valley behind the forest. When he sees the signal he is to go to the old stores depôt at Powang and burn that. Kuan P‘ing and Liu Fêng will take half a company each, prepare combustibles and be ready with them beyond Powang Slope. The enemy will arrive about dusk and then they can start the blaze.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-37

翼yì德dé可ké引yǐn一yī千qiān军jūn去qù安ān林lín背bèi后hòu山shān谷gǔ中zhōng埋mái伏fú，只zhǐ看kàn南nán麺miàn火huó起qǐ，便biàn可kě出chū，向xiàng博bó望wàng城chéng旧jiù屯tún粮liáng草cǎo处chù纵zòng火huǒ烧shāo之zhī。关guān平píng、刘liú封fēng可ké引yǐn兵bīng五wú百bǎi军jūn，预yù备bèi引yín火huǒ之zhī物wù，于yú博bó望wàng坡pō后hòu两liǎng边biān等děng候hòu，至zhì初chū更gèng兵bīng到dào，便biàn可kě放fàng火huó矣yǐ。」又yòu命mìng于yú樊fán城chéng取qǔ回huí赵zhào云yún，令lìng为wèi前qián部bù，不bú要yào赢yíng，只zhǐ要yào输shū。「主zhǔ公gōng自zì引yǐn一yī军jūn为wèi后hòu援yuán。

In the assembly K‘ung-ming spoke saying, “On the left of Powang are hills called Yüshan. On the right is a forest, Anlin. There we will prepare an ambush. Kuan Yü will go to the former place with one company. He will remain there quiescent till the enemy has passed, but when he sees a flame in the south, that will be the signal to attack. He will first burn their baggage train. Chang Fei will go to a valley behind the forest. When he sees the signal he is to go to the old stores depôt at Powang and burn that. Kuan P‘ing and Liu Fêng will take half a company each, prepare combustibles and be ready with them beyond Powang Slope. The enemy will arrive about dusk and then they can start the blaze.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-38

各gè须xū依yī计jì而ér行xíng，勿wù使shí有yǒu失shī。」

“Chao Yün, now recalled from Fanch'êng, is to lead the attack, but he is to lose and not win. And Liu Pei is to command the reserve. See that each one obeys these orders and let there be no mistakes.' ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-39

云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「我wó等děng皆jiē出chū迎yíng敌dí，未wèi审shěn军jūn师shī却què作zuò何hé事shì？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「我wó只zhǐ坐zuò守shóu此cǐ城chéng。」张zhāng飞fēi大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「我wǒ们men都dōu去qù厮sī杀shā，你nǐ却què在zài家jiā里lǐ坐zuò地dì，好hǎo自zì在zài！」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「剑jiàn印yìn在zài此cǐ，违wéi令lìng者zhé斩zhǎn！」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「岂qǐ不bù闻wén『运yùn筹chóu帷wéi幄wò之zhī中zhōng，决jué胜shèng千qiān里lǐ之zhī外wài』？二èr弟dì不bù可kě违wéi令lìng。」张zhāng飞fēi冷lěng笑xiào而ér去qù。

Then said Kuan Yü, “All of us are to go out to meet the enemy, but I have not yet heard what you are going to do.” “I am going to guard the city.” Chang Fei burst into a laugh, “We are to go out to bloody battle and you are to stay quietly at home quite comfortable.” “Here is the sword and here the seal, replied the strategist, displaying the emblems of authority. “Disobedience of orders will be death.” Liu Pei said, “Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber decide success over thousands of li? Do not disobey the command, my brothers.” Chang Fei went out smiling cynically.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-40

云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「我wǒ们men且qiě看kàn他tā的de计jì应yīng也yě不bù应yīng，那nà时shí却què来lái问wèn他tā未wèi迟chí。」

Kuan Yü remarked, “Let us await the result. If he fail then we can look to it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-41

二èr人rén去qù了le。众zhòng将jiāng皆jiē未wèi知zhī孔kǒng明míng韬tāo略lüè，今jīn虽suī听tīng令lìng，却què都dōu疑yí惑huò不bú定dìng。孔kǒng明míng谓wèi玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng今jīn日rì可kě便biàn引yǐn兵bīng就jiù博bó望wàng山shān下xià屯tún住zhù。来lái日rì黄huáng昏hūn，敌dí军jūn必bì到dào，主zhǔ公gōng便biàn弃qì营yíng而ér走zǒu。但dàn见jiàn火huó起qǐ，即jí回huí军jūn掩yǎn杀shā。亮liàng与yǔ糜mí竺zhú、糜mí芳fāng引yín五wú百bǎi军jūn守shǒu县xiàn，命mìng孙sūn干gàn、简jiǎn雍yōng准zhǔn备bèi庆qìng喜xǐ筵yán席xí，安ān排pái功gōng劳láo簿bú伺cì候hòu。

The brothers left. None of the officers understood anything of the general line of strategy and, though they obeyed orders, they were not without doubts and misgivings. K‘ung-ming said to Liu Pei, “You may now lead your men to the hills and camp till the enemy shall arrive to-morrow evening. Then you are to abandon the camp and move away retreating till the signal is seen. Then you will advance and attack with all force. The two Mi and I will guard the city.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-42

」派pài拨bō已yǐ毕bì，玄xuán德dé亦yì疑yí惑huò不bú定dìng。

In the city he prepared banquets to celebrate the victory and also prepared the books to record exceptional services. Liu Pei noted all these things with not a little trouble in his heart.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-43

却què说shuō夏xià侯hóu惇dūn与yǔ于yú禁jìn等déng引yǐn兵bīng至zhì博bó望wàng，分fēn一yí半bàn精jīng兵bīng作zuò前qián队duì，其qí余yú侭jǐn护hù粮liáng车chē而ér行xíng。时shí当dāng秋qiū月yuè，商shāng飙biāo徐xú起qǐ。人rén马má趱zǎn行xíng之zhī间jiān，望wàng见jiàn前qián麺miàn尘chén头tóu忽hū起qǐ。惇dūn便biàn将jiāng人rén马má䙓bǎi开kāi，问wèn乡xiāng导dǎo官guān曰yuē：「此cǐ间jiān是shì何hé处chù？」答dá曰yuē：「前qián麺miàn便biàn是shì博bó望wàng坡pō，后hòu麺miàn是shì罗luó川chuān口kǒu。」

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s army in due course reached Powang. Then half of them, the veterans, were told off for the first attack and the remainder were to guard the baggage train and supplies. Thus they marched in two divisions. The season was autumn and a chilly wind began to blow. They pressed forward. Presently they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them and the general ordered the ranks to be reformed. He questioned the guides as to the name of the place. They told him the place in front was Powang Slope and behind them was the Lok‘ou Stream. Then Hsiahou Tun rode to the front to reconnoitre, leaving Yü Chin and Li Tien to finish setting out the battle array.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-44

惇dūn令lìng于yú禁jìn、李lí典diǎn押yā住zhù阵zhèn脚jiǎo，亲qīn自zì出chū马mǎ阵zhèn前qián。遥yáo望wàng军jūn马mǎ来lái到dào，惇dūn忽hū然rán大dà笑xiào。众zhòng问wèn：「将jiāng军jūn为wèi何hé而ér笑xiào？」惇dūn曰yuē：「吾wú笑xiào徐xú元yuán直zhí在zài丞chéng相xiàng麺miàn前qián，夸kuā诸zhū葛gě亮liàng为wèi天tiān人rén。今jīn观guān其qí用yòng兵bīng，乃nái以yí此cí等děng军jūn马mǎ为wèi前qián部bù，与yǔ吾wú对duì敌dí，正zhèng如rú驱qū犬quǎn羊yáng与yú虎hǔ豹bào斗dòu耳ěr！

They pressed forward. Presently they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them and the general ordered the ranks to be reformed. He questioned the guides as to the name of the place. They told him the place in front was Powang Slope and behind them was the Lok‘ou Stream. Then Hsiahou Tun rode to the front to reconnoitre, leaving Yü Chin and Li Tien to finish setting out the battle array.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-45

吾wú于yú丞chéng相xiàng前qián夸kuā口kǒu，要yào活huó捉zhuō刘liú备bèi、诸zhū葛gě亮liàng，今jīn必bì应yīng吾wú言yán矣yǐ。」遂suì自zì纵zòng马mǎ向xiàng前qián。赵zhào云yún出chū马mǎ。惇dūn骂mà曰yuē：「汝rú等děng随suí刘liú备bèi，如rú孤gū魂hún随suí鬼guí耳ěr！」

Presently he began to laugh and, when they asked the cause of this merriment, he replied, “Hsü Shu praised Chuko Liang to the very skies as something more than human. But now that I see how he has placed his men and the stuff he has put into his vanguard, it seems to me that he is sending dogs or sheep against tigers and leopards. I bragged a little when I said I would take him prisoner, but I am going to make good my boast.” Then he rode forward at full speed. Chao Yün rode to meet him and Tun opened a volley of abuse. “You lot, followers of Liu Pei, are only like wraiths following devils.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-46

云yún大dà怒nù，纵zòng马mǎ来lái战zhàn。两liáng马mǎ相xiāng交jiāo，不bú数shù合hé，云yún诈zhà败bài而ér走zǒu。夏xià侯hóu惇dūn从cóng后hòu追zhuī赶gǎn。云yún约yuē走zǒu十shí余yú里lǐ，回huí马mǎ又yòu战zhàn，不bú数shù合hé又yòu走zǒu。韩hán浩hào拍pāi马mǎ向xiàng前qián谏jiàn曰yuē：「赵zhào云yún诱yòu敌dí，恐kóng有yǒu埋mái伏fú。」惇dūn曰yuē：「敌dí军jūn如rú此cǐ，虽suī十shí麺miàn埋mái伏fú，吾wú何hé惧jù哉zāi！」遂suì不bù听tīng浩hào言yán，直zhí赶gǎn至zhì博bó望wàng坡pō。

This angered Chao Yün and a combat began. In a little time Chao Yün turned and retreated as if he was worsted. Tun pressed after him and kept up the chase for some ten li. Then Chao suddenly turned again and offered fight; but only to retreat after a few passes. Seeing these tactics Han Hao, one of Tun’s captains, rode up to his chief and urged him to use caution saying he feared he was being inveigled into an ambush. “With such antagonists as these I should not fear a score of ambushes,” replied Tun, pressing forward eagerly. ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-47

一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，玄xuán德dé自zì引yǐn军jūn冲chōng将jiāng过guò来lái，接jiē应yīng交jiāo战zhàn。夏xià侯hóu惇dūn笑xiào谓wèi韩hán浩hào曰yuē：「此cǐ即jí埋mái伏fú之zhī兵bīng也yě！吾wú今jīn晚wǎn不bú到dào新xīn野yě，誓shì不bú罢bà兵bīng！」乃nǎi催cuī军jūn前qián进jìn。玄xuán德dé、赵zhào云yún退tuì后hòu便biàn走zǒu。

Just as he reached the slope he heard the roar of a bomb and out came Liu Pei to attack. “Here is your ambush,’ said Hsiahou Tun, laughing. “I will get to Hsinyeh this evening before I have done.” He urged his men forward and his opponents retired in measure as he advanced.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-48

时shí天tiān色sè己jí晚wǎn，浓nóng云yún密mì布bú，又yòu无wú月yuè色sè；昼zhòu风fēng既jì起qǐ，夜yè风fēng愈yù大dà。夏xià侯hóu惇dūn只zhǐ顾gù催cuī军jūn赶gǎn杀shā。于yú禁jìn、李lí典dián赶gǎn到dào窄zhǎi狭xiá处chù，两liǎng边biān都dōu是shì芦lú苇wěi。典diǎn谓wèi禁jìn曰yuē：「欺qī敌dí者zhě必bì败bài。南nán道dào路lù狭xiá，山shān川chuān相xiāng逼bī，树shù木mù丛cóng杂zá，倘táng彼bǐ用yòng火huǒ攻gōng，奈nài何hé？」禁jìn曰yuē：「君jūn言yán是shì也yě。吾wú当dāng往wǎng前qián为wèi都dū督dū言yán之zhī。君jūn可ké止zhǐ住zhù后hòu军jūn。

As evening came on, thick clouds overcast the whole sky. The wind increased but the leader still urged his men after the retreating foe. The two captains came to a narrow part of the road with reeds and rushes thick all round them. “Those who despise the enemy are beaten,” said Li Tien to Yü Chin. “Away south there the roads are narrow, and streams and mountains make the country difficult. The forests are dense and if the enemy used fire we should be lost.” “You are right,” replied Chin. “I will get on and warn the Commander. Perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-49

」李lí典diǎn便biàn勒lēi回huí马mǎ，大dà叫jiào：「后hòu军jūn慢màn行xíng！」人rén马má走zǒu发fā，那nà里lǐ拦lán当dāng得dé住zhù。于yú禁jìn骤zhòu马mǎ大dà叫jiào：「前qián军jūn都dū督dū且qiě住zhù！」

“You are right,” replied Chin. “I will get on and warn the Commander. Perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-50

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn正zhèng走zǒu之zhī间jiān，见jiàn于yú禁jìn从cóng后hòu军jūn奔bēn来lái，便biàn问wèn何hé故gù。禁jìn曰yuē：「南nán道dào路lù狭xiá，山shān川chuān相xiāng逼bī，树shù木mù丛cóng杂zá，可kě防fáng火huǒ攻gōng。」夏xià侯hóu惇dūn猛méng省shěng，即jí回huí马mǎ令lìng军jūn马mǎ勿wù进jìn。言yán未wèi已yǐ，只zhǐ听tīng背bèi后hòu喊hǎn声shēng震zhèn起qǐ，早zǎo望wàng见jiàn一yī派pài火huǒ光guāng烧shāo著zhù；随suí后hòu两liǎng边biān芦lú苇wěi亦yì著zhù。一yī霎shà时shí，四sì方fāng八bā麺miàn，侭jǐn皆jiē是shì火huǒ。又yòu值zhí风fēng大dà，火huǒ势shì愈yù猛měng。

Yü Chin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice. Hsiahou Tun saw him coming up and asked what was the matter. Chin told him of the state of the country and reminded him of the danger of fire. His ferocity had then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main body. Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in “the four quarters and the eight sides,” and fanned by a strong wind.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-51

曹cáo家jiā人rén马mǎ，自zì相xiāng践jiàn踏tà，死sí者zhě不bú计jì其qí数shù。赵zhào云yún回huí军jūn赶gǎn杀shā，夏xià侯hóu惇dūn冒mào烟yān突tū火huǒ而ér走zǒu。

The Ts‘ao troops were thrown into confusion and trampled each other down. Many perished. Chao Yün turned on them again. The Commander-in-Chief dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-52

且qiě说shuō李lí典diǎn见jiàn势shì头tou不bù好hǎo，急jí奔bēn回huí博bó望wàng城chéng，时shí火huǒ光guāng中zhōng一yī军jūn拦lán住zhù。当dāng先xiān大dà将jiàng，乃nǎi关guān云yún长zháng也yě。李lí典diǎn纵zòng马mǎ混hùn战zhàn，夺duó路lù而ér走zǒu。于yú禁jìn见jiàn粮liáng草cǎo车chē辆liàng，都dōu被bèi火huǒ烧shāo，便biàn投tóu小xiǎo路lù奔bēn逃táo去qù了le。夏xià侯hóu兰lán、韩hán浩hào来lái救jiù粮liáng草cǎo，正zhèng遇yù张zhāng飞fēi。战zhàn不bú数shù合hé，张zhāng飞fēi一yī枪qiāng刺cì夏xià侯hóu兰lán于yú马mǎ下xià。韩hán浩hào夺duó路lù走zǒu脱tuō。

Now Li Tien saw that things were going very badly so he turned to get back to Powangch'êng but fell upon a body of men in the way, led by Kuan Yü. He dashed into their midst and managed to get clear. Yü Chin saw the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to guard, so he escaped along a bye-path. Two other captains, who came to try to save the baggage train, met Chang Fei and one of them was slain forthwith, but the other escaped. Next morning the countryside was strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-53

直zhí杀shā到dào天tiān明míng，却què才cái收shōu军jūn。杀shā得dé尸shī横héng遍biàn野yě，血xuè流liú成chéng河hé。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

The armies met on Powang Slope And K‘ung-ming fought with fire; A perfect strategist, he bent All men to his desire. But poor Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, his enemy, He trembled in his shoes Before the man, who‘d never fought But yet could armies use.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-54

博bó望wàng相xiāng持chí用yòng火huǒ攻gōng，指zhǐ挥huī如rú意yì笑xiào谈tán中zhōng。

At Powang they stood fast and fought with fire,

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

39-55

直zhí须xū惊jīng破pò曹cáo公gōng胆dǎn，初chū出chū茅máo庐lú第dì一yī功gōng！

He directed all things at his ease, with a smile and jest;

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

39-56

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn收shōu拾shí残cán军jūn，自zì回huí许xǔ昌chāng。

Such a move was bound to shatter Cao Cao's gall—

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

39-57

却què说shuō孔kǒng明míng收shōu军jūn，关guān、张zhāng二èr人rén相xiāng谓wèi曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng真zhēn英yīng杰jié也yě！」行xíng不bú数shù里lǐ，见jiàn糜mí竺zhú、糜mí芳fāng引yǐn军jūn簇cù拥yōng著zhù一yī辆liàng小xiǎo军jūn，车chē中zhōng端duān坐zuò一yī人rén，乃nái孔kǒng明míng也yě。关guān、张zhāng下xià马mǎ拜bài伏fú于yú车chē前qián。须xū臾yú，玄xuán德dé、赵zhào云yún、刘liú封fēng、关guān平píng等děng皆jiē至zhì，收shōu聚jù众zhòng军jūn，把bá所suǒ获huò粮liáng草cǎo辎zī重zhòng，分fēn赏shǎng将jiàng士shì，班bān师shī回huí新xīn野yě。

Hsiahou Tung drew up the battered remains of his army and led them back to the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-58

新xīn野yé百bǎi姓xìng望wàng尘chén遮zhē道dào而ér拜bài，曰yuē：「吾wú属shǔ生shēng全quán，皆jiē使shǐ君jūn得dé贤xián人rén之zhī力lì也yě！」

K‘ung-ming ordered his armies to collect, and as Kuan and Chang rode homeward they confessed to each other that the new strategist was a fine fellow. Before long they met him seated in a light carriage and they dismounted and bowed before him. The remaining bodies came in. The spoil was distributed among the soldiers and all returned to Hsinyeh, where the populace lined the roads to bid them welcome. “We owe our lives to the Prince,” they cried to Liu Pei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-59

孔kǒng明míng回huí至zhì县xiàn中zhōng，谓wèi玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「夏xià侯hóu惇dūn虽suī败bài去qù，曹cáo操cāo必bì自zì引yǐn大dà军jūn来lái。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「似shì此cǐ如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「亮liàng有yǒu一yī计jì，可kě敌dí曹cáo军jūn。」正zhèng是shì：

Said K‘ung-ming, “Hsiahou Tun has been driven off, but Ts‘ao Ts‘ao will come with a stronger force.” “And what shall we do?” replied Liu Pei. “My plan is quite ready,” said K‘ung-ming. Always battles, nowhere rest for horse or man; Must rely on ruses, dodging where one can. The plan prepared against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao will be unfolded in the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

39-60

破pò敌dí未wèi堪kān息xī战zhàn马mǎ，避bì兵bīng又yòu必bì赖lài良liáng谋móu。

The very first exploit since he left his thatched hut!

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

39-61

未wèi知zhī其qí计jì若ruò何hé，且qiě看kàn下xià回huí分fēn解jiě。

Xiahou Tun gathered his shattered remnant and returned of his own accord to Xuchang.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated