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

第dì四sì十shí回huí 蔡cài夫fū人rén议yì献xiàn荆jīng州zhōu　　　诸zhū葛gé亮liàng火huǒ烧shāo新xīn野yě

40-1

却què说shuō玄xuán德dé问wèn孔kǒng明míng求qiú拒jù曹cáo兵bīng之zhī计jì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「新xīn野yé小xiǎo县xiàn，不bù可ké久jiǔ居jū。近jìn闻wén刘liú景jǐng升shēng病bìng在zài危wēi笃dǔ，可kě乘chéng此cǐ机jī会huì，取qú彼bǐ荆jīng州zhōu为wèi安ān身shēn之zhī地dì，庶shù可kě拒jù曹cáo操cāo也yě。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「公gōng言yán甚shèn善shàn。但dàn备bèi受shòu景jǐng升shēng之zhī恩ēn，安ān忍rěn图tú之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「今jīn若ruò不bù取qǔ，后hòu悔huǐ何hé及jí？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「吾wú宁níng死sǐ不bù忍rěn作zuò负fù义yì之zhī事shì。

When Yüan-tê asked how his adviser hoped to repel Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, K‘ung-ming replied, “This is a small city and unfitted for our lengthy occupation. Liu Piao is ill and failing fast, so this is the time to take his district as a base where we may be safe against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” “You speak well, Master, but Liu Piao has shown me great kindness and I could not bear to serve him an ill turn.” “If you after do not take this opportunity you will regret it ever after,” said K‘ung-ming. “I would rather perish than do what is wrong.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-2

」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「且qiě再zài作zuò商shāng议yì。」

“Li Tien and Yu Chin reminded me; I am sorry enough now.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-3

却què说shuō夏xià侯hóu惇dūn败bài回huí许xǔ昌chāng，自zì缚fù见jiàn曹cáo操cāo，伏fú地dì请qíng死sǐ。操cāo释shì之zhī。惇dūn曰yuē：「惇dūn遭zāo诸zhū葛gě亮liàng诡guǐ计jì，用yòng火huǒ攻gōng破pò我wǒ军jūn。」操cāo曰yuē：「汝rǔ自zì幼yòu用yòng兵bīng，岂qǐ不bù知zhī狭xiá处chù须xū防fáng火huǒ攻gōng？」惇dūn曰yuē：「李lí典diǎn、于yú禁jìn曾céng言yán及jí此cǐ，悔huǐ之zhī不bù及jí！」操cāo乃nái赏shǎng二èr人rén。惇dūn曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi如rú此cǐ猖chāng獗jué，真zhēn腹fù心xīn之zhī患huàn也yě，不bù可kě不bù急jí除chú。

“We will discuss it again,” replied K‘ung-ming. When Hsiahou Tun reached the capital he presented himself to his master in bonds and craved death. But his master loosed him and let him tell his tale. And he said, “I was the victim of Chuko Liang’s evil machinations; he attacked with fire.” “As a soldier from your youth you should have remembered that fire was a likely weapon in narrow roads.' ” “Li Tien and Yu Chin reminded me; I am sorry enough now.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao rewarded his two captains who had warned their leader. “Liu Pei as strong as he is now certainly is a menace to our existence and he must be quickly destroyed,” said Hsiahou Tun.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-4

」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú所suǒ虑lǜ者zhě，刘liú备bèi、孙sūn权quán耳ěr。余yú皆jiē不bù足zú介jiè意yì。今jīn当dāng乘chéng此cǐ时shí扫sǎo平píng江jiāng南nán。」便biàn传chuán令lìng起qǐ大dà兵bīng五wǔ十shí万wàn，令lìng曹cáo仁rén、曹cáo洪hóng，为wèi第dì一yī队duì；张zhāng辽liáo、张zhāng郃hé，为wèi第dì二èr队duì；夏xià侯hóu渊yuān、夏xià侯hóu惇dūn，为wèi第dì三sān队duì；于yú禁jìn、李lí典diǎn，为wèi第dì四sì队duì；操cāo自zì领lǐng诸zhū将jiāng为wèi第dì五wǔ队duì。每měi队duì各gè引yǐn兵bīng十shí万wàn。

“He is one of my anxieties,” replied Ts‘ao. “Sun Ch'üan is the other. The rest do not count. We must take this chance to sweep the south clean.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-5

又yòu令lìng许xú褚chǔ为wèi折zhé冲chōng将jiāng军jūn，引yǐn兵bīng三sān千qiān为wèi先xiān锋fēng。选xuǎn定dìng建jiàn安ān十shí三sān年nián秋qiū七qī月yuè丙bíng午wǔ日rì出chū师shī。

Then orders were issued to prepare an army of fifty legions, in five divisions of ten legions each. Each had two leaders, except the fifth, which Ts‘ao Ts‘ao himself led. The van was commanded by Hsü Ch‘u. The seventh moon of the thirteenth year was fixed for the march.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-6

大dà中zhōng大dà夫fū孔kǒng融róng谏jiàn曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi、刘liú表biǎo皆jiē汉hàn室shì宗zōng亲qīn，不bù可kě轻qīng伐fá。孙sūn权quán虎hǔ踞jù六liù郡jùn，且qié有yǒu大dà江jiāng之zhī险xiǎn，亦yì不bú易yì取qǔ。今jīn丞chéng相xiàng兴xīng此cǐ无wú义yì之zhī师shī，恐kǒng失shī天tiān下xià之zhī望wàng。」操cāo怒nù曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi、刘liú表biǎo、孙sūn权quán皆jiē逆nì命mìng之zhī臣chén，岂qǐ容róng不bù讨tǎo？」遂suì叱chì退tuì孔kǒng融róng，下xià令lìng如rú有yǒu再zài谏jiàn者zhě必bì斩zhǎn。

The high officer, K‘ung Jung, offered a remonstrance. He said, “Liu Pei and Liu Piao are both of the Imperial House and should not be attacked without grave reasons. Sun Ch'üan in the six districts is terrible as a crouching tiger and, with the Great River as his defence, he is very secure. If, Sir Minister, you undertake this unjustifiable expedition, you will forfeit the respect of the world, I fear.” “All three of them are disobedient ministers and rebels and how can I fail to punish them?” replied Ts‘ao. He was angry, and bade the adviser go from his presence. Presently he gave formal orders that he would put to death any one who remonstrated on the subject of his expedition.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-7

孔kǒng融róng出chū府fǔ，仰yǎng天tiān叹tàn曰yuē：「以yǐ至zhì不bù仁rén伐fá至zhì仁rén，安ān得dé不bú败bài乎hū！」

K‘ung Jung went forth from the palace sadly. Casting his eyes up to heaven, he cried, “Where is the chance of success when the perfectly inhumane attacks the perfectly humane? He must be defeated.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-8

时shí御yù史shǐ大dà夫fū郗xī虑lǜ家jiā客kè闻wén此cǐ言yán，报bào知zhī郗xī虑lǜ。虑lǜ常cháng被bèi孔kǒng融róng侮wǔ慢màn，心xīn正zhèng恨hèn之zhī，乃nái以yí此cǐ言yán入rù告gào曹cáo操cāo；且qiě曰yuē：「融róng平píng日rì每méi每měi狎xiá侮wǔ丞chéng相xiàng，又yòu与yǔ祢mí衡héng相xiāng善shàn。衡héng赞zàn融róng曰yuē：『仲zhòng尼ní不bù死sǐ。』融róng赞zàn衡héng曰yuē：『颜yán回huí复fù生shēng。』向xiàng者zhě祢mí衡héng之zhī辱rǔ丞chéng相xiàng，乃nǎi融róng使shǐ之zhī也yě。」操cāo大dà怒nù，遂suì命mìng廷tíng尉wèi捕bǔ捉zhuō孔kǒng融róng。

One of the clients of the historian Ch‘i Lü, whom K‘ung Jung had always treated contemptuously and disdainfully, happened to hear this apostrophe and told his patron who carried the tale to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. He also added to it that K‘ung habitually spoke disrespectfully of the Chief Minister and had been very friendly with Mi Hêng. In fact the insults that Mi Hêng had hurled at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had been deliberately arranged and intrigued by K‘ung. K‘ung Jung and Mi Hêng seemed to admire each other hugely and Mi used to say, “Confucius is not dead” and the other used to reply “Yen Hui has risen again.” Ch‘i Lü's tale angered Ts‘ao, who ordered the arrest of the historian and sent T‘ing Wei to carry it out.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-9

融róng有yǒu二èr子zi，年nián尚shàng少shǎo，时shí方fāng在zài家jiā，对duì坐zuò奕yì棋qí。左zuǒ右yòu急jí报bào曰yuē：「尊zūn君jūn被bèi廷tíng尉wèi执zhí去qù，将jiāng斩zhán矣yǐ。二èr公gōng子zi何hé不bù急jí避bì？」二èr子zǐ曰yuē：「覆fù巢cháo之zhī下xià，安ān有yǒu完wán卵luǎn乎hū？」

Now K‘ung Jung had two sons, both young, who were sitting at home playing wei-ch‘i , when one of their servants ran in and said, “Your father has just been carried off for execution; why do you not run away?” The youths replied, “When the nest is pulled down are the eggs left unbroken?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-10

言yán未wèi已yǐ，廷tíng尉wèi又yòu至zhì，侭jǐn收shōu融róng家jiā小xiǎo并bìng二èr子zi，皆jiē斩zhǎn之zhī，号hào令lìng融róng尸shī于yú市shì。京jīng兆zhào脂zhī习xí伏fú尸shī而ér哭kū。操cāo闻wén之zhī，大dà怒nù，欲yù杀shā之zhī。荀xún彧yù曰yuē：「彧yù闻wén脂zhī习xí常cháng谏jiàn融róng曰yuē：『公gōng刚gāng直zhí太tài过guò，乃nái取qǔ祸huò之zhī道dào。』今jīn融róng死sǐ而ér来lái哭kū，乃nǎi义yì人rén也yě，不bù可kě杀shā。」操cāo乃nái止zhǐ。习xí收shōu融róng父fù子zǐ尸shī首shǒu，皆jiē葬zàng之zhī。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī赞zàn孔kǒng融róng曰yuē：

Even at that moment the same officer came and carried off the whole household. The two youths were beheaded. The father’s corpse was exposed in the streets. The Prefect of the Metropolis, Chih Hsi, wept over the corpse. This public exhibition of sympathy re-kindled Ts‘ao’s anger and he was going to punish it with death. However, this additional cruelty was prevented by the adviser Hsün Yü, who said, “You should not slay a righteous man who came to mourn over his friend’s corpse. He had often warned his friend, K‘ung Jung, against the danger his severe rectitude might lead him into.” Chih Hsi took up the remains of father and sons and buried them. K‘ung Jung, who dwelt on the north sea shore, A noble reputation bore; With him all guests warm welcome found, And ceaselessly the wine went round. For skill in letters he was famed, In speech, he dukes and princes shamed, Historians his merits tell, Recorders say that he did well.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-11

孔kǒng融róng居jū北béi海hǎi，豪háo气qì贯guàn长cháng虹hóng。

Kong Rong dwelt in Beihai, his heroic spirit pierced the rainbow.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-12

坐zuò上shàng客kè长zháng满mǎn，樽zūn中zhōng酒jiǔ不bù空kōng。

Guests ever filled his seats, wine in his cups was never empty.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-13

文wén章zhāng惊jīng世shì俗sú，谈tán笑xiào侮wǔ王wáng公gōng。

His writings startled the world; in laughter he slighted lords and princes.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-14

史shí笔bǐ褒bāo忠zhōng直zhí，存cún官guān纪jì太tài中zhōng。

The historian's pen praised his loyalty and uprightness, his title remembered as Taizhong.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-15

曹cáo操cāo既jì杀shā孔kǒng融róng，传chuán令lìng五wǔ队duì军jūn马mǎ次cì第dì起qǐ行xíng，只zhǐ留liú荀xún彧yù等déng守shóu许xǔ昌chāng。

After wreaking his wrath on K‘ung Jung, Ts‘ao issued the order to march. Hsün Yü was left in command of the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-16

却què说shuō荆jīng州zhōu刘liú表biǎo病bìng重zhòng，使shǐ人rén请qǐng玄xuán德dé来lái托tuō孤gū。玄xuán德dé引yǐn关guān、张zhāng至zhì荆jīng州zhōu见jiàn刘liú表biǎo。表biǎo曰yuē：「我wǒ病bìng已yǐ入rù膏gāo肓huāng，不bù久jiǔ便biàn死sí矣yǐ；特tè托tuō孤gū于yú贤xián弟dì。我wǒ子zi无wú才cái，恐kǒng不bù能néng承chéng父fù业yè。我wó死sǐ之zhī后hòu，贤xián弟dì可kě自zì领lǐng荆jīng州zhōu。」玄xuán德dé泣qì拜bài曰yuē：「备bèi当dāng竭jié力lì以yí辅fǔ贤xián姪zhí，安ān敢gán有yǒu他tā意yì乎hū？」

About this time the Prefect of Chingchou became seriously ill and he summoned Liu Pei to his chamber. He went accompanied by his two brothers and the adviser. Liu Piao said, “The disease has attacked my very vitals and my time is short. I confide my orphans to your guardianship. My son is unfit to succeed to my place, and I pray you, my brother, to administer the district after my death.” Liu Pei wept, saying, “I will do my utmost to help my nephew; what else could I do, indeed?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-17

正zhèng说shuō间jiān，人rén报bào曹cáo操cāo自zì统tǒng大dà兵bīng至zhì。玄xuán德dé急jí辞cí刘liú表biǎo，星xīng夜yè回huí新xīn野yě。刘liú表biǎo病bìng中zhōng闻wén此cǐ信xìn，吃chī惊jīng不bù小xiǎo，商shāng议yì写xiě遗yí嘱zhǔ，令lìng玄xuán德dé辅fú佐zuó长zháng子zǐ刘liú琦qí为wèi荆jīng州zhōu之zhī主zhǔ。蔡cài夫fū人rén闻wén之zhī大dà怒nù，关guān上shàng内nèi门mén，使shǐ蔡cài瑁mào、张zhāng允yǔn二èr人rén把bǎ住zhù外wài门mén。时shí刘liú琦qí在zài江jiāng夏xià，知zhī父fù病bìng危wēi，来lái至zhì荆jīng州zhōu探tàn病bìng。

Even at this moment came the news of the march of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s armies and Liu Pei, taking hasty leave of his kinsman, was forced to hurry to his station. The evil tidings aggravated the sick man’s condition and he began to make his last arrangements. In his testament he appointed Yüan-tê the guardian of his son Liu Chi, who was to succeed in the lordship. This arrangement greatly angered his wife the Lady Ts‘ai. She closed the inner doors against all and confided to her own partizans, of whom her brother and Chang Yün were her confidants, the keeping of the outer gates.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-18

方fāng到dào外wài门mén，蔡cài瑁mào当dāng住zhù曰yuē：「公gōng子zi奉fèng父fù命mìng镇zhèn守shǒu江jiāng夏xià，其qí任rèn至zhì重zhòng。今jīn擅shàn难nán职zhí守shǒu，倘tǎng东dōng吴wú兵bīng至zhì，如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？若ruò入rù见jiàn主zhǔ公gōng，主zhǔ公gōng必bì生shēng嗔chēn怒nù，病bìng将jiāng转zhuǎn增zēng，非fēi孝xiào也yě。宜yí速sù回huí。」

The heir was at Chianghsia and he came to make filial enquiries as soon as his father’s condition became serious. But Ts‘ai Mao refused him admittance and said, “Your father sent you to guard Chianghsia. Such a very responsible post should by no means have been quitted without orders. Suppose it was attacked, what might not happen? If your father sees you he will be very angry and it will make him worse. That would be most undutiful and you should return to your command at once.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-19

刘liú琦qí立lì于yú门mén外wài，大dà哭kū一yī场cháng，上shàng马mǎ仍réng回huí江jiāng夏xià。刘liú表biǎo病bìng势shì危wēi笃dǔ，望wàng刘liú琦qí不bù来lái；至zhì八bā月yuè戊wù申shēn日rì，大dà叫jiào数shù声shēng而ér死sǐ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn刘liú表biǎo曰yuē：

Liu Chi stood out for some time, but admittance was denied him in spite of his tears. So he returned to his post. Meanwhile his father rapidly grew worse. He anxiously looked for his son, but he came not. Suddenly he uttered piercing shrieks and then passed away. When the Yüans were lords of the north, And Piao held the bank of the river, It seemed, so strong were they both, That they would endure for ever. But the women folk troubled their states, And, meddling, confusion made; It was mournful indeed to see How quickly the house decayed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-20

昔xī闻wén袁yuán氏shì居jū河hé朔shuò，又yòu见jiàn刘liú君jūn霸bà汉hàn阳yáng。

Once I heard the Yuans held Heshuo, now I see Lord Liu ruling Hanyang.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-21

总zǒng为wèi牝pìn晨chén致zhì家jiā累lěi，可kě怜lián不bù久jiú侭jǐn消xiāo亡wáng。

All because a hen crowed at dawn brought ruin to the house—alas, soon they perished utterly.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-22

刘liú表biǎo既jì死sǐ，蔡cài夫fū人rén与yǔ蔡cài瑁mào、张zhāng允yǔn商shāng议yì，假jiá写xiě遗yí嘱zhǔ，令lìng次cì子zi刘liú琮cóng为wèi荆jīng州zhōu之zhī主zhǔ，然rán后hòu举jǔ哀āi报bào丧sāng。时shí刘liú琮cóng年nián方fāng十shí四sì岁suì，颇pǒ聪cōng明míng，乃nǎi聚jù众zhòng言yán曰yuē：「吾wú父fù弃qì世shì，吾wú兄xiōng现xiàn在zài江jiāng夏xià，更gèng有yǒu叔shū父fù玄xuán德dé在zài新xīn野yě。汝rú等děng立lì我wǒ为wéi主zhǔ，倘tǎng兄xiōng与yǔ叔shū父fù兴xīng兵bīng问wèn罪zuì，如rú何hé解jiě释shì？」

So the Prefect died. Then the widow and her partizans took counsel together and forged a testament conferring the lordship of Chingchou on the second son Liu Ts‘ung before they published the news of the death. The wrongful heir was then fourteen years of age. He was no fool, so he assembled the officials and said, “My father has passed away and my elder brother is at Chianghsia. More than that, our uncle is at Hsinyeh. You have made me lord, but if my brother and uncle come here with an army to punish me for usurping the lordship, what explanation can I offer?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-23

众zhòng官guān未wèi及jí对duì，幕mù官guān李lǐ珪guī答dá曰yuē：「公gōng子zi之zhī言yán甚shèn善shàn。今jīn可kě急jí发fā哀āi书shū至zhì江jiāng夏xià，请qǐng大dà公gōng子zi为wèi荆jīng州zhōu之zhī主zhǔ；就jiù命mìng玄xuán德dé一yī同tóng理lǐ事shì。北béi可ké以yǐ敌dí曹cáo操cāo，南nán可ké以yǐ拒jù孙sūn权quán，此cǐ万wàn全quán之zhī策cè也yě。」蔡cài瑁mào叱chì曰yuē：「汝rǔ何hé人rén，敢gǎn乱luàn言yán以yǐ逆nì主zhǔ公gōng遗yí命mìng！

At first no one replied. Then a secretary Li Kuei, rose and said, “You speak well. Now hasten to send letters of mourning to your brother and ask him to come and take his inheritance. Also call upon Yüan-tê to come and assist in the administration. Then shall we be safe against our enemies on both north and south. I consider this the most excellent plan.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-24

」李lǐ珪guī大dà骂mà曰yuē：「汝rǔ内nèi外wài朋péng谋móu，假jiǎ称chēng遗yí命mìng，废fèi长zhǎng立lì幼yòu，眼yǎn见jiàn荆jīng襄xiāng九jiǔ郡jùn，送sòng于yú蔡cài氏shì之zhī手shǒu！故gù主zhú有yǒu灵líng，必bì当dāng殛jí汝rǔ！」蔡cài瑁mào大dà怒nù，喝hè令lìng左zuǒ右yòu推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī，李lǐ珪guī至zhì死sǐ大dà骂mà不bù绝jué。于yú是shì蔡cài瑁mào遂suì立lì刘liú琮cóng为wéi主zhǔ。蔡cài氏shì宗zōng族zú，分fēn领lǐng荆jīng州zhōu之zhī兵bīng；命mìng治zhì中zhōng邓dèng义yì、别bié驾jià刘liú先xiān守shǒu荆jīng州zhōu。

But Ts‘ai Mao replied harshly, “Who are you to speak thus wildly and oppose the testament of our late lord?” Li began to abuse him, “You and your party have fabricated this testament, setting aside the rightful heir. Now the whole district is in the hands of the Ts‘ai family and if our dead lord knew your doings he would slay you.” Ts‘ai Mao ordered the lictors to take him away to execution. He was hurried out, but his tongue ceased not.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-25

蔡cài夫fū人rén自zì与yǔ刘liú琮cóng前qián赴fù襄xiāng阳yáng驻zhù扎zhā，以yǐ防fáng刘liú琦qí、刘liú备bèi，就jiù葬zàng刘liú表biǎo之zhī棺guān于yú襄xiāng阳yáng城chéng东dōng汉hàn阳yáng之zhī原yuán，竟jìng不bú讣fù告gào刘liú琦qí与yǔ玄xuán德dé。

So the younger son was placed in his father’s seat and the Ts‘ai clan shared among them the whole military authority of the district. The defence of Chingchou was confided to Têng I and Liu Hsien, while Lady Ts‘ai and her son took up their residence in Hsiangyang so as to be out of the reach of the rightful heir and his uncle. They interred the remains of the late Prefect on the east of Hsiangyang. No notice of the death was sent to Liu Chi, the son, or to his uncle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-26

刘liú琮cóng至zhì襄xiāng阳yáng，方fāng才cái歇xiē马mǎ，忽hū报bào曹cáo操cāo引yǐn大dà军jūn迳jìng望wàng襄xiāng阳yáng而ér来lái。琮cóng大dà惊jīng，遂suì请qíng蒯kuǎi越yuè、蔡cài瑁mào，等děng商shāng议yì。东dōng曹cáo掾yuàn傅fù巽xùn进jìn言yán曰yuē：「不bú特tè曹cáo操cāo兵bīng来lái为wèi可kě忧yōu。今jīn大dà公gōng子zi在zài江jiāng夏xià，玄xuán德dé在zài新xīn野yě，我wǒ皆jiē未wèi往wǎng报bào丧sāng，若ruò彼bǐ兴xīng兵bīng问wèn罪zuì，荆jīng襄xiāng危wēi矣yǐ。巽xùn有yǒu一yī计jì，可ké使shǐ荆jīng襄xiāng之zhī民mín，安ān如rú泰tài山shān，又yòu可ké保bǎo全quán主zhǔ公gōng名míng爵jué。

Liu Ts‘ung arrived at Hsiangyang, but, before he had had time to recover from the fatigue of the journey, the startling news of the approach of a great army came in. He summoned K‘uai Yüeh and Ts‘ai Mao and others to ask counsel. One of the secretaries, Fu Sun, offered his advice, saying, “Not only are we threatened by a great army, but the elder son, who is the real heir, at Chianghsia, and his uncle at Hsinyeh, are to be reckoned with. These two have not been notified of the death, and they will resent that. We shall be in sad case if they also march against us. But if you will adopt my suggestion then our people will be as steady as Mount T‘ai and our young lord’s position and rank will be assured.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-27

」琮cóng曰yuē：「计jì将jiāng安ān出chū？」巽xùn曰yuē：「不bù如rú将jiāng荆jīng襄xiāng九jiǔ郡jùn，献xiàn与yǔ曹cáo操cāo。操cāo必bì重zhòng待dài主zhǔ公gōng也yě。」

“What is your plan?” asked the young lord. “To offer the whole district to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who will treat our young master most liberally.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-28

琮cóng叱chì曰yuē：「是shì何hé言yán也yě！孤gū受shòu先xiān君jūn之zhī基jī业yè，坐zuò尚shàng未wèi稳wěn，岂qí可kě便biàn弃qì之zhī他tā人rén？」蒯kuǎi越yuè曰yuē：「傅fù公gōng悌tì之zhī言yán是shì也yě。夫fū逆nì顺shùn有yǒu大dà体tǐ，强qiáng弱ruò有yǒu定dìng势shì。今jīn曹cáo操cāo南nán征zhēng北béi讨tǎo，以yǐ朝cháo廷tíng为wèi名míng，主zhǔ公gōng拒jù之zhī，其qí名míng不bú顺shùn。且qié主zhǔ公gōng新xīn立lì，外wài患huàn未wèi宁níng，内nèi忧yōu将jiāng作zuò。

“What advice!” said Liu Ts‘ung angrily. “Am I to yield my heritage to another before I have even fairly succeeded to it?” “The advice is good,” said K‘uai Yüeh. “Opportunism is a policy and possibilities need consideration. In the name of government, Ts‘ao is fighting against his neighbours. If our lord oppose him he will be termed contumacious. Beside, any misfortune on our borders before our young lord is well established will react upon the internal administration and our people will be panic-stricken at the mere news of the approach of a hostile army. How could we then offer any resistance?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-29

荆jīng襄xiāng之zhī民mín，闻wén曹cáo兵bīng至zhì，未wèi战zhàn而ér胆dǎn先xiān寒hán，安ān能néng与yǔ之zhī敌dí哉zāi？」琮cóng曰yuē：「诸zhū公gōng之zhī言yán，非fēi我wǒ不bù从cóng，但dàn以yǐ先xiān君jūn之zhī业yè，一yí旦dàn弃qì与yǔ他tā人rén，恐kǒng贻yí笑xiào于yú天tiān下xià耳ěr。」

Liu Ts‘ung replied, “It is not that I disagree with you, but I should be a laughing-stock to the whole world were I to abandon my heritage without an effort.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-30

言yán未wèi已yǐ，一yī人rén昂áng然rán而ér进jìn曰yuē：「傅fù公gōng悌tì、蒯kuǎi异yì度dù之zhī言yán甚shèn善shàn，何hé不bù从cóng之zhī？」众zhòng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi山shān阳yáng高gāo平píng人rén，姓xìng王wáng，名míng粲càn，字zì仲zhòng宣xuān。粲càn容róng貌mào廋sōu弱ruò，身shēn材cái短duán小xiǎo；幼yòu时shí往wǎng见jiàn中zhōng郎láng蔡cài邕yōng。时shí邕yōng高gāo朋péng满mǎn座zuò，闻wén粲càn至zhì，倒dào履lǚ迎yíng之zhī。宾bīn客kè皆jiē惊jīng曰yuē：「蔡cài中zhōng郎láng何hé独dú敬jìng此cí小xiǎo子zi耶yé？

He was interrupted by a speaker who said, “If their advice is good, why not follow it?” They turned toward the speaker who was a certain Wang Ts‘an of Shangyang, a lean, cadaverous individual much below the middle height of a man. However, his talents did not conform to his physical appearance. When he was yet a youth he went to visit Ts‘ai Yung, then a vice-president, and although many guests of exalted rank were present, the host hastened to welcome the newcomer with the greatest deference. The others were astonished and asked why he was so respectful to a mere youth.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-31

」邕yōng曰yuē：「此cǐ子zi有yǒu异yì才cái，吾wú不bù如rú也yě。」粲càn博bó闻wén强qiáng记jì，人rén皆jiē不bù及jí。尝cháng观guān道dào旁páng碑bēi文wén一yī过guò，便biàn能néng记jì诵sòng；观guān人rén奕yì棋qí，棋qí局jú乱luàn，粲càn复fù为wèi䙓bǎi出chū，不bú差chà一yī子zi。又yòu善shàn算suàn术shù。其qí文wén词cí妙miào绝jué一yī时shí。年nián十shí七qī，辟pì为wèi黄huáng门mén侍shì郎láng，不bú就jiù。后hòu因yīn避bì乱luàn至zhì荆jīng襄xiāng，刘liú表biáo以yǐ为wéi上shàng宾bīn。

“He is a young man with the highest gifts; were I only like him —— —,” said Ts‘ai.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-32

当dāng日rì谓wèi刘liú琮cóng曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn自zì料liào比bǐ曹cáo公gōng何hé如rú？」琮cóng曰yuē：「不bù如rú也yě。」粲càn曰yuē：「曹cáo公gōng兵bīng强qiáng将jiàng勇yǒng，足zú智zhì多duō谋móu。擒qín吕lǚ布bù于yú下xià邳pī，摧cuī袁yuán绍shào于yú官guān渡dù，逐zhú刘liú备bèi于yú陇lǒng右yòu，破pò乌wū桓huán于yú白bái狼láng：枭xiāo除chú荡dàng定dìng者zhě，不bù可kě胜shèng计jì。今jīn以yǐ大dà军jūn南nán下xià荆jīng襄xiāng，势shì难nán抵dǐ敌dí。傅fù、蒯kuǎi二èr君jūn之zhī谋móu，乃nǎi长cháng策cè也yě。

Wang was widely read and had a most retentive memory, better than any of his contemporaries. If he glanced at a roadside monument as he passed, he remembered every word of the inscription. If he saw people playing wei-ch‘i and the board was suddenly overthrown, he could replace every pip in its proper place. He was a good mathematician and his poems were exquisite. At seventeen he was appointed a court official but did not take up the appointment. When the disturbance in the empire grew serious he sought refuge in Chingchou, where he was received with great honour as guest of the Prefect. What he said was this, “General, how do you compare with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-33

将jiāng军jūn不bù可kě迟chí疑yí，致zhì生shēng后hòu悔huǐ。」琮cóng曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng见jiàn教jiào极jí是shì。但dàn须xū禀bǐng告gào母mǔ亲qīn知zhī道dào。」只zhǐ见jiàn蔡cài夫fū人rén从cóng屏píng后hòu转zhuǎn出chū，谓wèi琮cóng曰yuē：「既jì是shì仲zhòng宣xuān、公gōng悌tì、异yì度dù三sān人rén所suǒ见jiàn相xiāng同tóng，何hé必bì告gào我wǒ？」

“Inferior,” replied Liu Ts‘ung. Wang continued, “Ts‘ao has many soldiers and bold leaders; he is able and resourceful. He took Lü Pu and broke the power of Yüan Shao. He pursued Liu Pei into Lung and destroyed Wu Huan. The destruction of such firmly established men shows his invincible character. Now he is on the way here and it will be very difficult to withstand him. The plan proposed is the best you can expect and you should not delay and hesitate till it is too late for aught but regret.” “Worthy Sir, you indeed speak to the point; I must inform my mother,” said the young ruler. But just then they saw his mother appear from behind a screen; she had been listening to all that was said. “Why refer to me when three such gentlemen coincide in their opinions?” said she.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-34

于yú是shì刘liú琮cóng意yì决jué，便biàn写xiě降jiàng书shū，令lìng宋sòng忠zhōng潜qián地dì往wǎng曹cáo操cāo军jūn前qián投tóu献xiàn。宋sòng忠zhōng领lǐng命mìng，直zhí至zhì宛wǎn城chéng，接jiē著zhù曹cáo操cāo，献xiàn上shàng降jiàng书shū。操cāo大dà喜xǐ，重zhòng赏shǎng宋sòng忠zhōng，分fēn付fù教jiào刘liú琮cóng出chū城chéng迎yíng接jiē，便biàn著zhù他tā永yǒng为wèi荆jīng州zhōu之zhī主zhǔ。宋sòng忠zhōng拜bài辞cí曹cáo操cāo，取qǔ路lù回huí荆jīng襄xiāng。将jiāng欲yù渡dù江jiāng，忽hū见jiàn一yī枝zhī人rén马mǎ到dào来lái。视shì之zhī，乃nǎi关guān云yún长zháng也yě。

So he decided, and the letter of surrender was composed and entrusted to one Sung Chung to convey secretly to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Sung went straight to Wanch'êng and presented the letter. It was received with joy and the bearer well rewarded. The submission was accepted and Sung was told to tell his master to go out to meet Ts‘ao Ts‘ao in the open country and he was to be confirmed in perpetual tenure of his land.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-35

宋sòng忠zhōng回huí避bì不bù及jí，被bèi云yún长zhǎng唤huàn住zhù，细xì问wèn荆jīng州zhōu之zhī事shì。忠zhōng初chū时shí隐yǐn讳huì，后hòu被bèi云yún长zhǎng盘pán问wèn不bú过guò，只zhǐ得dé将jiāng前qián后hòu事shì情qíng，一yī一yī实shí告gào。云yún长zhǎng大dà惊jīng，随suí捉zhuō宋sòng忠zhōng至zhì新xīn野yě见jiàn玄xuán德dé，备bèi言yán其qí事shì。

Sung Chung left the city and took the homeward way. He had nearly reached the ferry when he fell in with a party of horse. On a closer look he saw the leader was Kuan Yü. The messenger tried to escape observation, but was presently captured and taken to the leader to be questioned. At first he prevaricated but on being closely questioned told the whole story. Then he was carried off to Hsinyeh and made to retell his story to Liu Pei who heard it with lamentations.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-36

玄xuán德dé闻wén之zhī大dà哭kū。张zhāng飞fēi曰yuē：「事shì已yǐ如rú此cǐ，可kě先xiān斩zhǎn宋sòng忠zhōng，随suí起qǐ兵bīng渡dù江jiāng，夺duó了le襄xiāng阳yáng，杀shā了le蔡cài氏shì、刘liú琮cóng，然rán后hòu与yǔ曹cáo操cāo交jiāo战zhàn。」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「你ní且qiě缄jiān口kǒu，我wǒ自zì有yǒu斟zhēn酌zhuó。」乃nǎi叱chì宋sòng忠zhōng曰yuē：「你nǐ知zhī众zhòng人rén作zuò事shì，何hé不bù早zǎo来lái报bào我wǒ？今jīn虽suī斩zhán汝rǔ，无wú益yì于yú事shì，可kě速sù去qù。」忠zhōng拜bài谢xiè，抱bào头tóu鼠shǔ窜cuàn而ér去qù。

Chang Fei said. “This being so, I propose that we put this fellow to death, then cross the river, attack Hsiangyang and make an end of the Ts‘ai tribe and Liu Ts‘ung as well. Then we can attack Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” But Yüan-tê replied, “Just shut your mouth. I have something more to say.” Then turning to the prisoner he shouted, “When they did all this why did you not come to tell me? As things are now there is nothing to be gained by killing you. You may go.” Sung Chung stammered his thanks, threw his arms over his head and ran away. Yüan-tê was very sad.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-37

玄xuán德dé正zhèng忧yōu闷mèn间jiān，忽hū报bào公gōng子zi刘liú琦qí差chà伊yī籍jí到dào来lái。玄xuán德dé感gǎn伊yī籍jí昔xī日rì相xiāng救jiù之zhī恩ēn，降jiàng阶jiē迎yíng之zhī，再zài三sān称chēng谢xiè。籍jí曰yuē：「大dà公gōng子zi在zài江jiāng夏xià，闻wén荆jīng州zhōu已yǐ故gù，蔡cài夫fū人rén与yǔ蔡cài瑁mào等děng商shāng议yì，不bù来lái报bào丧sāng，竟jìng立lì刘liú琮cóng为wéi主zhǔ。公gōng子zi差chà人rén往wǎng襄xiāng阳yáng探tàn听tīng，回huí说shuō是shì实shí。恐kóng使shǐ君jūn不bù知zhī，特tè差chà某mǒu赍jī哀āi书shū呈chéng报bào；

Presently a certain I Chi, a messenger from his nephew, was announced. Yüan-tê was very fond of this man and went down the steps to welcome him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-38

并bìng求qiú使shǐ君jūn侭jín起qǐ麾huī下xià精jīng兵bīng，同tóng往wǎng襄xiāng阳yáng问wèn罪zuì。」

Then said I Chi, “The heir has heard that his father is dead, but his stepmother and her family are keeping back the news so that they may set up Liu Ts‘ung. He knows the news is true, as he sent a special messenger to find out. He thinks you, O Prince, may not know and has sent me to inform you and his letter begs you to lead all the men you can to Hsiangyang to help him assert his claims.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-39

玄xuán德dé看kàn书shū毕bì，谓wèi伊yī籍jí曰yuē：「机jī伯bó只zhǐ知zhī刘liú琮cóng僭jiàn立lì，更gèng不bù知zhī刘liú琮cóng已yǐ将jiāng荆jīng襄xiāng九jiǔ郡jùn，献xiàn与yǔ曹cáo操cāo矣yǐ！」籍jí大dà惊jīng曰yuē：「使shǐ君jūn何hé从cóng知zhī之zhī？」玄xuán德dé具jù言yán拿ná获huò宋sòng忠zhōng之zhī事shì。籍jí曰yuē：「若ruò如rú此cǐ，使shǐ君jūn不bù如rú以yǐ吊diào丧sāng为wèi名míng，前qián赴fù襄xiāng阳yáng，诱yòu刘liú琮cóng出chū迎yíng，就jiù便biàn擒qín下xià，诛zhū其qí党dǎng类lèi，则zé荆jīng州zhōu属shú使shǐ君jūn矣yǐ。」

Yüan-tê opened and read the letter. Then he said, “Yes; you know that the younger son has usurped the lordship, but you have not heard that he has already sent to offer the district to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” This news shocked I Chi. “How know you this?” he asked. Liu Pei told of the capture of Sung Chung. Chi said, “You can go to Hsiangyang as if to attend the mourning ceremonies and so draw Liu Ts‘ung into coming out of the city to welcome you. Then you can seize him, slay his party and take the district.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-40

孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「机jī伯bó之zhī言yán是shì也yě，主zhǔ公gōng可kě从cóng之zhī。」玄xuán德dé垂chuí泪lèi曰yuē：「吾wú兄xiōng临lín危wēi托tuō孤gū于yú我wǒ，今jīn若ruò执zhí其qí子zi而ér夺duó其qí地dì，异yì日rì死sǐ于yú九jiǔ泉quán之zhī下xià，何hé麺miàn目mù复fù见jiàn吾wú兄xiōng乎hū？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「如rú不bù行xíng此cǐ事shì，今jīn曹cáo兵bīng已yǐ至zhì宛wǎn城chéng，何hé以yǐ拒jù敌dí？」玄xuán德dé曰yuē：「不bù如rú走zǒu樊fán城chéng以yǐ避bì之zhī。」

“Your advice is good,” said K‘ung-ming, “and my lord ought to take it.” Liu Pei wept, saying, “In his last interview my brother confided his son and heir to my care. If I lay hands upon another son and seize upon the inheritance, how shall I be able to look my brother in the face when I meet him by and bye beyond the grave?” “If you do not act in this way now how will you repel Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who has already reached Wanch'êng?” said K‘ung-ming. “Our best plan is to take refuge in Fanch'êng,” replied Yüan-tê.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-41

正zhèng商shāng议yì间jiān，探tàn马mǎ飞fēi报bào曹cáo兵bīng已yǐ到dào博bó望wàng了le。玄xuán德dé慌huāng忙máng发fā付fù伊yī籍jí回huí江jiāng夏xià，整zhěng顿dùn军jūn马mǎ，一yī麺miàn与yú孔kǒng明míng商shāng议yì拒jù敌dí之zhī计jì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「主zhǔ公gōng且qiě宽kuān心xīn，前qián番fān一yī把bá火huǒ，烧shāo了le夏xià侯hóu惇dūn大dà半bàn人rén马mǎ；今jīn番fān曹cáo军jūn又yòu来lái，必bì教jiào他tā中zhōng这zhè条tiáo计jì。我wó等děng在zài新xīn野yě住zhù不bù得dé了le，不bù如rú早zǎo到dào樊fán城chéng去qù。

Just about this time the spies came to say that Ts‘ao’s army had reached Powang. So I Chi was sent off with instructions to take measures for the defence of Chianghsia, while Liu Pei and K‘ung-ming discussed plans for meeting the enemy. K‘ung-ming bade his master take heart. As he had seen the last army destroyed by fire, so would he see this one also the victim of a ruse. He said, “This is no place to live in; we will move over to Fanch‘êng.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-42

」便biàn差chà人rén四sì门mén张zhāng榜bǎng，晓xiǎo谕yù居jū民mín：「无wú论lùn老lǎo幼yòu男nán女nǚ，愿yuàn从cóng者zhě，即jí于yú今jīn日rì皆jiē跟gēn我wó往wǎng樊fán城chéng暂zàn避bì，不bù可kě自zì误wù。」差chà孙sūn干gàn往wǎng河hé边biān调diào拨bō船chuán只zhī，救jiù济jì百bǎi姓xìng；差chà糜mí竺zhú护hù送sòng各gè官guān家jiā眷juàn到dào樊fán城chéng。一yī麺miàn聚jù诸zhū将jiāng听tīng令lìng，先xiān教jiào云yún长zháng引yǐn一yī千qiān军jūn去qù白bái河hé上shàng流liú头tóu埋mái伏fú：「各gè带dài布bú袋dài，多duō装zhuāng沙shā土tǔ，遏è住zhù白bái河hé之zhī水shuǐ；

Then notices were posted at all the gates that all the people, without any exception, were to follow their rulers at once to the new city to escape danger. Boats were prepared and the people sent away under the direction of Sun Ch‘ien. Mi Chu saw to the safe conveyance of the families of the officials.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-43

至zhì来lái日rì三sān更gēng后hòu，只zhǐ听tīng下xià流liú头tóu人rén喊hán马mǎ嘶sī，急jí取qú起qǐ布bú袋dài，放fàng水shuǐ淹yān之zhī，却què顺shùn水shuǐ杀shā将jiāng下xià来lái接jiē应yīng。」又yòu唤huàn张zhāng飞fēi引yǐn一yī千qiān军jūn去qù博bó陵líng渡dù口kǒu埋mái伏fú：「此cǐ处chù水shuǐ势shì最zuì慢màn，曹cáo军jūn被bèi淹yān，必bì从cóng此cǐ逃táo难nàn，可kě便biàn乘chéng势shì杀shā来lái接jiē应yīng。

The intention was to set fire to the city when the army of the enemy had entered it for shelter. There would be a strong breeze next day in the evening which would fan the flames. When this wind began to blow, fire arrows were to be shot into the city from all sides. When the flames were high there was to be a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate was to be left free for escape, but the flying men were to be smitten after passing the gate. Fanch‘êng was the rallying centre after the battle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-44

」又yòu唤huàn赵zhào云yún「引yǐn军jūn三sān千qiān，分fēn为wéi四sì队duì，自zì领lǐng一yī队duì伏fú于yú东dōng门mén外wài，其qí三sān队duì分fēn伏fú西xī、南nán、北běi三sān门mén，却què先xiān于yú城chéng内nèi人rén家jiā屋wū上shàng，多duō藏cáng硫liú黄huáng燄yàn硝xiāo引yín火huǒ之zhī物wù。曹cáo军jūn入rù城chéng，必bì安ān歇xiē民mín房fáng。来lái日rì黄huáng昏hūn后hòu，必bì有yǒu大dà风fēng。但dàn看kàn风fēng起qǐ，便biàn令lìng西xī、南nán、北běi三sān门mén伏fú军jūn侭jǐn将jiāng火huǒ箭jiàn射shè入rù城chéng去qù。

Then the officers assembled for orders. Kuan Yü was to go to the White River. His men were to carry bags to fill with sand and earth to dam the river till the enemy should be heard, about the third watch next day. Then the waters were to be freed to drown one of the armies. He was then to march down river. Chang Fei was to go to Poling Ferry, where the current was slow. After the waters of the White River had been let loose on Ts‘ao’s men they would try to get over the river at the ferry. They were to be attacked. Chao Yün was to divide three companies into four parties and take one to the east gate. The other three were for the other gates. The roofs of the houses within the city walls were piled with sulphur nitre and other combustibles.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-45

待dài城chéng中zhōng火huǒ势shì大dà作zuò，却què于yú城chéng外wài呐nà喊hǎn助zhù威wēi，只zhǐ留liú东dōng门mén放fàng他tā出chū走zǒu，汝rǔ却què于yú东dōng门mén外wài从cóng后hòu击jī之zhī。天tiān明míng会huì合hé关guān、张zhāng二èr将jiāng，收shōu军jūn回huí樊fán城chéng。」再zài令lìng糜mí芳fāng、刘liú封fēng二èr人rén，带dài二èr千qiān军jūn，一yí半bàn红hóng旗qí，一yí半bàn青qīng旗qí，去qù新xīn野yě城chéng外wài三sān十shí里lǐ鹊què尾wěi坡pō前qián屯tún住zhù：「一yī见jiàn曹cáo军jūn到dào，红hóng旗qí军jūn走zǒu在zài左zuǒ，青qīng旗qí军jūn走zǒu在zài右yòu。

The intention was to set fire to the city when the army of the enemy had entered it for shelter. There would be a strong breeze next day in the evening which would fan the flames. When this wind began to blow, fire arrows were to be shot into the city from all sides. When the flames were high there was to be a great shouting outside to add to the general terror. The east gate was to be left free for escape, but the flying men were to be smitten after passing the gate. Fanch‘êng was the rallying centre after the battle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-46

他tā心xīn疑yí必bì不bù敢gǎn追zhuī，汝rǔ二èr人rén却què去qù分fēn头tóu埋mái伏fú。只zhǐ望wàng城chéng中zhōng火huó起qǐ，便biàn可kě追zhuī杀shā败bài兵bīng，然rán后hòu却què来lái白bái河hé上shàng流liú头tóu接jiē应yīng。」孔kǒng明míng分fēn拨bō已yǐ定dìng，乃nái与yǔ玄xuán德dé登dēng高gāo瞭liào望wàng，只zhǐ候hòu捷jié音yīn。

Other orders were given to Mi Fang and Liu Fêng to take command of two companies, one half with red flags and the other half with black. They were to go to Magpie Tail Slope (Hsiwei P‘o), about thirty li from the city and camp. When they saw the Ts‘ao army coming along they were to move right and left to confuse them so that they should be afraid to advance further. All the orders given, the various leaders went their way to take up their positions and await the burning of the city. K‘ung-ming and Liu Pei went away to an eminence whence they could watch what happened and where they would await the reports of victory.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-47

却què说shuō曹cáo仁rén、曹cáo洪hóng引yǐn军jūn十shí万wàn为wèi前qián队duì，前qián麺miàn已yí有yóu许xú褚chú引yǐn三sān千qiān铁tié甲jiǎ军jūn开kāi路lù，浩hào浩hào荡dàng荡dàng，杀shā奔bēn新xīn野yě来lái。是shì日rì午wǔ牌pái时shí分fēn，来lái到dào鹊què尾wěi坡pō，望wàng见jiàn坡pō前qián一yī簇cù人rén马mǎ，侭jín打dǎ青qīng红hóng旗qí号hào。许xú褚chǔ催cuī军jūn向xiàng前qián，刘liú封fēng、糜mí芳fāng分fēn为wéi四sì队duì，青qīng、红hóng旗qí各gè归guī左zuǒ右yòu。

Ts‘ao Hung and Ts‘ao Jên, with their ten legions, preceded by Hsü Ch‘u leading three companies of mailed men, marched toward Hsinyeh. They formed a mighty host. They reached Magpie Tail Slope about noon. Looking ahead, they saw what seemed a goodly army with many black and red flags. Hsü Ch‘u pressed forward. As he neared the flags moved from side to side and he hesitated. He began to think it unwise to advance and called a halt. Finally it was decided to go no farther then and the leader rode back to the main body to see Ts‘ao Jên.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-48

许xú褚chǔ勒lēi马mǎ，教jiào：「且qiě休xiū进jìn，前qián麺miàn必bì有yǒu伏fú兵bīng，我wǒ兵bīng只zhǐ在zài此cǐ处chù住zhù下xià。」许xú褚chǔ一yī骑qí马mǎ飞fēi报bào前qián队duì曹cáo仁rén。曹cáo仁rén曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì疑yí兵bīng，必bì无wú埋mái伏fú。可kě速sù进jìn兵bīng。我wǒ当dāng催cuī军jūn继jì至zhì。」

“Those men are only make-believe,” said Ts‘ao Jên. “Advance, there is no ambush. I will hasten up the supports.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-49

许xú褚chǔ复fù回huí坡pō前qián，提tí兵bīng杀shā入rù。至zhì林lín下xià追zhuī寻xún时shí，不bú见jiàn一yī人rén。时shí日rì已yǐ坠zhuì西xī，许xú褚chǔ方fāng欲yù前qián进jìn，只zhǐ听tīng得dé山shān上shàng大dà吹chuī大dà擂léi。抬tái头tóu看kàn时shí，只zhǐ见jiàn山shān顶dǐng上shàng一yī簇cù旗qí，旗qí丛cóng中zhōng两liáng把bá伞sǎn盖gài，左zuǒ玄xuán德dé，右yòu孔kǒng明míng，二èr人rén对duì坐zuò饮yín酒jiǔ。许xú褚chǔ大dà怒nù，引yǐn军jūn寻xún路lù上shàng山shān。山shān上shàng擂léi木mù砲pào石shí打dǎ将jiāng下xià来lái，不bù能néng前qián进jìn。

So Hsü Ch‘u rode to his own command again and advanced. When he reached the wood where he had seen the flags he saw no one at all. It was then late in the afternoon but he decided to move on. Then he heard from the hills the sound of musical instruments and, looking up, saw on the hill top two umbrellas surrounded by many banners. There sat Liu Pei and K‘ung-ming quietly drinking.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-50

又yòu闻wén山shān后hòu喊hǎn声shēng大dà震zhèn，欲yù寻xún路lù厮sī杀shā，天tiān色sè已yí晚wǎn。

Angry at their coolness, he sought for a way up, but logs of wood and great stones were thrown down and he was driven back. Further, from the rear of the hills came a confused roar. He could find no way to attack and it was getting late.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-51

曹cáo仁rén领lǐng兵bīng到dào，教jiào且qiě夺duó新xīn野yě城chéng歇xiē马mǎ。军jūn士shì至zhì城chéng下xià时shí，只zhǐ见jiàn四sì门mén大dà开kāi。曹cáo兵bīng突tū入rù，并bìng无wú阻zǔ当dāng。城chéng中zhōng亦yì不bú见jiàn一yī人rén，竟jìng是shì一yī座zuò空kōng城chéng了le。

Then Ts‘ao Jên arrived and ordered an attack on Hsinyeh that he might have a place to rest in. They marched to the walls and found the gates wide open. They entered and found a deserted city. No one was visible.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-52

曹cáo洪hóng曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì势shì孤gū计jì穷qióng，故gù侭jǐn带dài百bǎi姓xìng逃táo窜cuàn去qù了le。我wǒ军jūn权quán且qiě在zài城chéng安ān歇xiē，来lái日rì平píng明míng进jìn兵bīng。」此cǐ时shí各gè军jūn走zǒu乏fá，都dōu已yǐ饥jī饿è，皆jiē去qù寻xún房fáng造zào饭fàn。曹cáo仁rén、曹cáo洪hóng，就jiù在zài衙yá内nèi安ān歇xiē。初chū更gèng已yǐ后hòu，狂kuáng风fēng大dà作zuò。守shǒu门mén军jūn士shì飞fēi报bào火huó起qǐ。曹cáo仁rén曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì军jūn士shì造zào饭fàn不bù小xiǎo心xīn，遗yí漏lòu之zhī火huǒ，不bù可kě自zì惊jīng。」

“This shows they are done,” said Ts‘ao Hung, “They have all run away, people and all. We may as well occupy the city and rest our men ready for the morrow.” The soldiers were fatigued with marching and hungry as well, so they lost no time in scattering among the houses and setting about preparing food in the deserted kitchens. The leaders took up their quarters in the yamên . After the first watch the wind began to blow. Soon after the gate guards reported that a fire had started. “The careless men have let sparks fly about,” said the General.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-53

说shuō犹yóu未wèi了liǎo，接jiē连lián几jǐ次cì飞fēi报bào，西xī、南nán、北běi三sān门mén皆jiē火huó起qǐ。曹cáo仁rén急jí令lìng众zhòng将jiāng上shàng马mǎ时shí，满mǎn县xiàn火huó起qǐ，上shàng下xià通tōng红hóng。是shì夜yè之zhī火huǒ，更gèng胜shèng前qián日rì博bó望wàng烧shāo屯tún之zhī火huǒ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

He thought no more about it just then, but along came other reports of like nature and soon he realised that fires breaking out in all quarters were not due to accident. So he gave orders to evacuate the city. Soon the whole city seemed on fire and a red glow hung in the sky. The army was beset with fire fiercer than it had been at Powang. Thrice wicked was Ts‘ao, but he was bold; Though all in the capital he controlled, Yet with this he was not content, So southward his ravaging army went. But, the autumn wind aiding, the Spirit of Fire Wrought to his army destruction dire.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-54

奸jiān雄xióng曹cáo操cāo守shǒu中zhōng原yuán，九jiǔ月yuè南nán征zhēng到dào汉hàn川chuān。

The arch-villain Cao Cao held the Central Plains; in the ninth month he marched south to Hanchuan.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-55

风fēng伯bó怒nù临lín新xīn野yě县xiàn，祝zhù融róng飞fēi下xià燄yàn摩mó天tiān。

The Wind God raged over Xinye County; Zhurong descended, flames soaring to the sky.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-56

曹cáo仁rén引yǐn众zhòng将jiāng突tū烟yān冒mào火huǒ，寻xún路lù奔bēn走zǒu，闻wén说shuō东dōng门mén无wú火huǒ，急jí急jí奔bēn出chū东dōng门mén。军jūn士shì自zì相xiāng践jiàn踏tà，死sí者zhě无wú数shù。曹cáo仁rén等děng方fāng才cái脱tuō得dé火huǒ厄è，背bèi后hòu一yī声shēng喊hán起qǐ，赵zhào云yún引yǐn军jūn赶gǎn来lái混hùn战zhàn，败bài军jūn各gè逃táo性xìng命mìng，谁shuí肯kěn回huí身shēn厮sī杀shā。

Officers and men dashing through the smoke and fire in utter confusion sought some way of escape, and hearing that the east gate was free they made for that quarter. Out they rushed pell-mell, many being trodden down and trampled to death. Those who got through took the road to the east.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-57

正zhèng奔bēn走zǒu间jiān，糜mí芳fāng引yǐn一yī军jūn至zhì。又yòu冲chōng杀shā一yī阵zhèn，曹cáo仁rén大dà败bài，夺duó路lù而ér走zǒu，刘liú封fēng又yòu引yǐn一yī军jūn截jié杀shā一yī阵zhèn。到dào四sì更gèng时shí分fēn，人rén困kùn马mǎ乏fá，军jūn士shì大dà半bàn焦jiāo头tóu烂làn额é。奔bēn至zhì白bái河hé边biān，喜xǐ得dé河hé水shuǐ不bú甚shèn深shēn，人rén马mǎ都dōu下xià河hé吃chī水shuǐ。人rén相xiāng喧xuān嚷rǎng，马má侭jǐn嘶sī鸣míng。

But presently there was a shouting behind them and Chao Yün’s company came up and attacked. Then Ts‘ao’s men scattered, each fleeing for his life. No stand was made. A little later Mi Chu came. The fleeing general then had very few followers and those left him were scorched and burned and very wearied. They directed their way to the Paiho, joyfully remembering that the river was shallow and fordable. And they went down into the stream and drank their fill, men shouting and horses neighing.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-58

却què说shuō云yún长zhǎng在zài上shàng流liú用yòng布bú袋dài遏è住zhù河hé水shuǐ。黄huáng昏hūn时shí分fēn，望wàng见jiàn新xīn野yé火huó起qǐ，至zhì四sì更gèng，忽hū听tīng得dé下xià流liú头tóu人rén喊hán马mǎ嘶sī，急jí令lìng军jūn士shì一yī齐qí掣chè起qǐ布bú袋dài，水shuǐ势shì滔tāo天tiān，望wàng下xià流liú冲chōng去qù，曹cáo军jūn人rén马mǎ俱jù溺nì于yú水shuǐ中zhōng，死sí者zhě极jí多duō。曹cáo仁rén引yǐn众zhòng将jiāng望wàng水shuǐ势shì慢màn处chù夺duó路lù而ér走zǒu。

Meantime Kuan Yü, higher up its course, had dammed the river with sandbags so that its waters were collected in a lake. Toward evening he had seen the red glow of the burning city and began to look out for his signal. About the fourth watch he heard down stream the sounds of men and horse and at once ordered the breaking of the dam. The water rushed down in a torrent and overwhelmed the men just then in the bed of the river. Many were swept away and drowned. Those who escaped made their way to where the stream ran gently and got away.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-59

行xíng到dào博bó陵líng渡dù口kǒu，只zhǐ听tīng喊hǎn声shēng大dà起qǐ，一yī军jūn拦lán路lù，当dāng先xiān大dà将jiàng，乃nǎi张zhāng飞fēi也yě，大dà叫jiào：「曹cáo贼zéi快kuài来lái纳nà命mìng！」曹cáo军jūn大dà惊jīng。正zhèng是shì：

Presently they reached the ferry at Powang. Here, where they thought there would be safety, they found the road barred. “You Ts‘ao brigands!” shouted Chang Fei. “Come and receive your fate!” Within the city the red flame leaps out: On the river bank black anger is met. What happened will appear in later chapters.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

40-60

城chéng内nèi才cái看kàn红hóng燄yàn吐tǔ，水shuǐ边biān又yòu遇yù黑hēi风fēng来lái。

Scarce had they seen red flames spew within the walls when, by the water, a black gale struck.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

40-61

未wèi知zhī曹cáo仁rén性xìng命mìng如rú何hé，且qiě看kàn下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But whether Cao Ren lived or died must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated