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

第dì四sì十shí七qī回huí 阚hǎn泽zé密mì献xiàn诈zhà降jiàng书shū　　　庞páng统tǒng巧qiǎo授shòu连lián环huán计jì

47-1

却què说shuō阚hǎn泽zé字zì德dé润rùn，会huì稽jī山shān阴yīn人rén也yě。家jiā贫pín好hào学xué，与yǔ人rén佣yōng工gōng，尝cháng借jiè人rén书shū来lái看kàn。看kàn过guò一yī遍biàn，便biàn不bù遗yí忘wàng。口kǒu才cái辨biàn给gěi，少sháo有yóu胆dǎn气qì。孙sūn权quán召zhào为wèi参cān谋móu，与yǔ黄huáng盖gài最zuì相xiāng善shàn。盖gài知zhī其qí能néng言yán有yóu胆dǎn，故gù欲yù使shǐ献xiàn诈zhà降xiáng书shū。泽zé欣xīn然rán应yìng诺nuò曰yuē：「大dà丈zhàng夫fū处chǔ世shì，不bù能néng立lì功gōng建jiàn业yè，不bù几jí与yú草cǎo木mù同tóng腐fǔ乎hū？

This K‘an Tsê was from Shanyin, a son of a humble family. He loved books, but as he was too poor to buy he used to borrow. He had a wonderfully tenacious memory, was very eloquent and no coward. Sun Ch'üan had employed him among his advisers and he and Huang Kai were excellent friends. The latter had thought of him to present the treacherous letter as his gifts made him most suitable. K‘an Tsê accepted with enthusiasm, saying, “When you, my friend, have suffered so much for our lord, could I spare myself? No; while a man lives he must go on fulfilling his mission or he is no better than the herbs that rot in the field.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-2

公gōng既jì捐juān躯qū报bào主zhǔ，泽zé又yòu何hé惜xī微wēi生shēng！」黄huáng盖gài滚gǔn下xià床chuáng来lái拜bài而ér谢xiè之zhī。泽zé曰yuē：「事shì不bù可ké缓huǎn，即jí今jīn便biàn行xíng。」盖gài曰yuē：「书shū已yǐ修xiū下xià了le。」

Huang Kai slipped off the couch and came over to salute him. “However, this matter must speed,” continued K‘an Tsê; "there is no time to lose.” “The letter is already written,” said Huang Kai.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-3

泽zé领lǐng了le书shū，只zhǐ就jiù当dāng夜yè扮bàn作zuò渔yú翁wēng，驾jià小xiǎo舟zhōu，望wàng北běi岸àn而ér行xíng。是shì夜yè寒hán星xīng满mǎn天tiān，三sān更gēng时shí候hòu，早zǎo到dào曹cáo军jūn水shuǐ寨zhài。巡xún江jiāng军jūn士shì拏ná住zhù，连lián夜yè报bào知zhī曹cáo操cāo。操cāo曰yuē：「莫mò非fēi是shì奸jiān细xì么me？」军jūn士shì曰yuē：「只zhǐ一yī渔yú翁wēng，自zì称chēng是shì东dōng吴wú参cān谋móu阚hǎn泽zé，有yǒu机jī密mì事shì来lái见jiàn。」操cāo便biàn教jiào引yǐn将jiāng入rù来lái。

K‘an Tsê received it and left. That night he disguised himself as an old fisherman and started in a small punt for the north shore, under the cold, glittering light of the stars. Soon he drew near the enemy’s camp and was captured by the patrol. Without waiting for day they informed their General, who said at once, “Is he not just a spy?” “No,” said they, “he is alone, just an old fisherman; and he says he is an adviser in the service of Wu named K‘an Tsê, and he has come on secret business.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-4

军jūn士shì引yín阚hǎn泽zé至zhì，只zhǐ见jiàn帐zhàng上shàng灯dēng烛zhú辉huī煌huáng，曹cáo操cāo凭píng几jǐ危wēi坐zuò，问wèn曰yuē：「汝rǔ既jì是shì东dōng吴wú参cān谋móu，来lái此cǐ何hé干gān？」泽zé曰yuē：「人rén言yán曹cáo丞chéng相xiàng求qiú贤xián若ruò渴kě，今jīn观guān此cǐ问wèn，甚shèn不bù相xiāng合hé。黄huáng公gōng覆fù，汝rǔ又yòu错cuò寻xín思sī了le也yě！」

“Bring him,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and he was led in. Ts‘ao was seated in a brilliantly lighted tent. He was leaning on a small table and as soon as he saw the prisoner, he said, “You are an adviser of Wu; what then are you doing here?” “People say that you greedily welcome men of ability; I do not think your question a very proper one. Friend Huang, you made a mistake,” said K‘an.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-5

操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú与yǔ东dōng吴wú旦dàn夕xī交jiāo兵bīng，汝rǔ私sī行xíng到dào此cǐ，如rú何hé不bú问wèn？」泽zé曰yuē：「黄huáng公gōng覆fù乃nǎi东dōng吴wú三sān世shì旧jiù臣chén，今jīn被bèi周zhōu瑜yú于yú众zhòng将jiāng之zhī前qián，无wú端duān毒dú打dǎ，不bú胜shèng忿fèn恨hèn。因yīn欲yù投tóu降xiáng丞chéng相xiàng，为wèi报bào仇chóu之zhī计jì，特tè谋móu之zhī于yú我wǒ。我wó与yǔ公gōng覆fù，情qíng同tóng骨gǔ肉ròu，迳jìng来lái为wèi献xiàn密mì书shū。未wèi知zhī丞chéng相xiàng肯kěn容róng纳nà否fǒu？」操cāo曰yuē：「书shū在zài何hé处chù？

“You know I am fighting against Wu and you come here privately. Why should I not question you?” “Huang Kai is an old servant of Wu, one who has served three successive rulers. Now he has been cruelly beaten, for no fault, before the face of all the officers in Chou Yü's camp. He is grievously angry about this and wishes to desert to your side that he may be revenged. He discussed it with me, and as we are inseparable, I have come to give you his letter asking whether you would receive him.” “Where is the letter? said Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-6

」阚hǎn泽zé取qǔ书shū呈chéng上shàng。操cāo拆chāi书shū，就jiù灯dēng下xià观guān看kàn。书shū略lüè曰yuē：

“You, O Minister, treat men with sincerity and are ready to welcome ability and so I, and those under my leadership, desire to enter your service whereby to acquire reputation and remove the shameful stigma. The commissariat, weapons and the supply ships will also come over to you. In perfect sincerity I state these matters; I pray you not to doubt me.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-7

盖gài受shòu孙sūn氏shì厚hòu恩ēn，本běn不bú当dàng怀huái二èr心xīn。然rán以yǐ今jīn日rì事shì势shì论lùn之zhī：用yòng江jiāng东dōng六liù郡jùn之zhī卒zú，当dāng中zhōng国guó百bǎi万wàn之zhī师shī，众zhòng寡guǎ不bù敌dí，海hǎi内nèi所suǒ共gòng见jiàn也yě。东dōng吴wú将jiāng吏lì，无wú论lùn智zhì愚yú，皆jiē知zhī其qí不bù可kě。周zhōu瑜yú小xiǎo子zi，偏piān怀huái浅qiǎn戆gàng，自zì负fù其qí能néng，辄zhé欲yù以yí卵luǎn敌dí石shí；兼jiān之zhī擅shàn作zuò威wēi福fú，无wú罪zuì受shòu刑xíng，有yǒu功gōng不bù赏shǎng。

The missive was produced and presented. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao opened it and read:—“I, Huang Kai, have been generously treated by the Sun family and have served them single-heartedly. Lately they have been discussing an attack with our forces on the enormous army of the central government. As every one knows our few are no match for such a multitude and every officer of Wu, wise or foolish, recognises that quite well. However, Chou Yü who, after all, is but a youth and a shallow minded simpleton, maintains that success is possible and rashly desires to smash stones with an egg. Beside this he is arbitrary and tyrannical, punishing for no crime, and leaving meritorious service unrewarded. I am an old servant and for no reason have been shamed in the sight of men. Wherefore I hate him in my heart.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-8

盖gài系xì旧jiù臣chén，无wú端duān为wèi所suǒ摧cuī辱rǔ，心xīn实shí恨hèn之zhī！伏fú闻wén丞chéng相xiàng，诚chéng心xīn待dài物wù，虚xū怀huái纳nà士shì，盖gài愿yuàn率lǜ众zhòng归guī降xiáng，以yǐ图tú建jiàn功gōng雪xué耻chǐ。粮liáng草cǎo车chē仗zhàng，随suí船chuán献xiàn纳nà。泣qì血xuè拜bài白bái，万wàn勿wù见jiàn疑yí。

“You, O Minister, treat men with sincerity and are ready to welcome ability and so I, and those under my leadership, desire to enter your service whereby to acquire reputation and remove the shameful stigma. The commissariat, weapons and the supply ships will also come over to you. In perfect sincerity I state these matters; I pray you not to doubt me.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-9

曹cáo操cāo于yú几jī案àn上shàng翻fān覆fù将jiāng书shū看kàn了le十shí余yú次cì，忽hū然rán拍pāi案àn张zhāng目mù大dà怒nù曰yuē：「黄huáng盖gài用yòng苦kǔ肉ròu计jì，令lìng汝rǔ下xià诈zhà降xiáng书shū，就jiù中zhōng取qǔ事shì，却què敢gǎn来lái戏xì侮wú我wǒ耶yé！」便biàn教jiào左zuǒ右yòu推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī。左zuǒ右yòu将jiāng阚hǎn泽zé簇cù下xià，泽zé麺miàn不bù改gǎi容róng，仰yǎng天tiān大dà笑xiào。操cāo教jiào牵qiān回huí，叱chì曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ识shí破pò奸jiān计jì，汝rǔ何hé故gù哂shěn笑xiào？」泽zé曰yuē：「吾wú不bú笑xiào你nǐ。

Leaning there on the low table by his side, Ts‘ao turned this letter over and over and read it again and again. Then he smacked the table, opened his eyes wide with anger saying, “Huang Kai is trying to play the personal injury trick on me, is he? And you are in it as the intermediary to present the letter. How dare you come to sport with me?” He ordered the lictors to thrust forth the messenger and take on his head. K‘an Tsê was hustled out, his face untroubled. On the contrary, he laughed aloud. At this Ts‘ao told them to bring him back and harshly said to him, “What do you find to laugh at now that I have foiled you and your ruse has failed?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-10

吾wú笑xiào黄huáng公gōng覆fù不bù识shí人rén耳ěr。」操cāo曰yuē：「何hé不bù识shí人rén？」泽zé曰yuē：「杀shā便biàn杀shā，何hé必bì多duō问wèn！」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú自zì幼yòu熟shú读dú兵bīng书shū，深shēn知zhī奸jiān伪wěi之zhī道dào。汝rǔ这zhè条tiáo计jì，只zhí好hǎo瞒mán别bié人rén，如rú何hé瞒mán得dé我wǒ！」泽zé曰yuē：「你ní且qiě说shuō书shū中zhōng那nà件jiàn事shì是shì奸jiān计jì？」操cāo曰yuē：「我wǒ说shuō出chū你nǐ那nà破pò绽zhàn，教jiào你ní死sǐ而ér无wú怨yuàn！

“I was not laughing at you; I was laughing at my friend’s simplicity.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-11

你nǐ既jì是shì真zhēn心xīn献xiàn书shū投tóu降xiáng，如rú何hé不bù明míng约yuē几jǐ时shí？如rú今jīn你ní有yǒu何hé理lǐ说shuō？」

“What do you mean by his simplicity?” “If you want to slay, slay; do not trouble me with a multitude of questions.” “I have read all the books on the art of war and I am well versed in all ways of misleading the enemy. This ruse of yours might have succeeded with many, but it will not do for me.” “And so you say that the letter is a vicious trick?” said K‘an. “What I say is death your risked that your little slip has sent you to the If the thing was real and you were sincere, why does not the letter name a time? What have you to say to that?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-12

阚hǎn泽zé听tīng罢bà，大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「亏kuī汝rǔ不bù惶huáng恐kǒng，敢gǎn自zì夸kuā熟shú读dú兵bīng书shū！还hái不bù及jí早zǎo收shōu兵bīng回huí去qù！倘tǎng若ruò交jiāo战zhàn，必bì被bèi周zhōu瑜yú擒qín矣yǐ！无wú学xué之zhī辈bèi！可kě惜xī吾wú屈qū死sí汝rú手shǒu！」操cāo曰yuē：「何hé谓wèi我wǒ无wú学xué？」泽zé曰yuē：「汝rǔ不bù识shí机jī谋móu，不bù明míng道dào理lǐ，岂qǐ非fēi无wú学xué？」操cāo曰yuē：「你ní且qiě说shuō我wǒ那nà几jǐ般bān不bú是shì处chù？

K‘an Tsê waited to the end and then laughed louder than ever, saying, “I am so glad you are not frightened, but can still boast of your knowledge of the books of war. Now you will not lead away your soldiers. If you fight, Chou Yü will certainly capture you. But how sad to think I die at the hand of such an ignorant fellow!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-13

」泽zé曰yuē：「汝rǔ无wú待dài贤xián之zhī礼lǐ，吾wú何hé必bì言yán？但dàn有yóu死sǐ而ér已yǐ。」操cāo曰yuē：「汝rǔ若ruò说shuō得dé有yóu理lǐ，我wǒ自zì然rán敬jìng服fú。」泽zé曰yuē：「岂qǐ不bù闻wén『背bèi主zhǔ作zuò窃qiè，不bù可kě定dìng期qī』？倘tǎng今jīn约yuē定dìng日rì期qī，急jí切qiè下xià不bù得dé手shǒu，这zhè里lí反fǎn来lái接jiē应yīng，事shì必bì泄xiè漏lòu。但dàn可kě觑qù便biàn而ér行xíng，岂qí可kě预yù期qī相xiāng订dìng乎hū？

“What mean you? I, ignorant?” “You are ignorant of any strategy and a victim of unreason; is not that sufficient?” “Well then, tell me where is any fault in my navy.” “You treat wise men too badly for me to talk to you. You can finish me and let there be an end of it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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汝rǔ不bù明míng此cí理lǐ，欲yù屈qū杀shā好hǎo人rén，真zhēn无wú学xué之zhī辈bèi也yě！」

“If you can speak with any show of reason, I will treat you differently.” “Do you not know that when one is going to desert one’s master and become a renegade one cannot say exactly when the chance will occur? If one binds one’s self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered. One must watch for an opportunity and take it when it comes. Think; is it possible to know exactly when? But you know nothing of common sense; all you know is how to put good men to death. So you really are an ignorant fellow.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-15

操cāo闻wén言yán，改gǎi容róng下xià席xí而ér谢xiè曰yuē：「某mǒu见jiàn事shì不bù明míng，误wù犯fàn尊zūn威wēi，幸xìng勿wù挂guà怀huái。」泽zé曰yuē：「吾wú与yǔ黄huáng公gōng覆fù，倾qīng心xīn投tóu降xiáng，如rú婴yīng儿ér之zhī望wàng父fù母mǔ，岂qí有yǒu诈zhà乎hū？」操cāo大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「若ruò二èr人rén能néng建jiàn大dà功gōng，他tā日rì受shòu爵jué，必bì在zài诸zhū人rén之zhī上shàng。」泽zé曰yuē：「某móu等děng非fēi为wèi爵jué禄lù而ér来lái，实shí应yìng天tiān顺shùn人rén耳ěr。」操cāo取qú酒jiǔ待dài之zhī。

At this Ts‘ao changed his manner, got up and came over to the prisoner bowing, “I did not see clearly; that is quite true. I offended you and I hope you will forget it.” “The fact is that Huang Kai and I are both inclined to desert to you; we even yearn for it as a child desires its parents. Is it possible that we should play you false?” “If you two could render me so great a service, you shall certainly be richly rewarded.” “We do not desire rank or riches; we come because it is the will of heaven and the plain way of duty.” Then wine was set out and K‘an Tsê was treated as an honoured guest. While they were drinking some one came in and whispered in Ts‘ao’s ear. He replied, “Let me see the letter.” Whereupon the man pulled out and gave him a letter, which evidently pleased him. “That is from the two Ts‘ais,” thought K‘an Tsê. “They are reporting the punishment of my friend and that will be a proof of the sincerity of his letter.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-16

少sháo顷qǐng，有yǒu人rén入rù帐zhàng，于yú操cāo耳ěr边biān私sī语yǔ。操cāo曰yuē：「将jiāng书shū来lái看kàn。」其qí人rén以yǐ密mì书shū呈chéng上shàng。操cāo观guān之zhī，颜yán色sè颇pó喜xǐ。阚hǎn泽zé暗àn思sī：「此cǐ必bì蔡cài中zhōng、蔡cài和hé来lái报bào黄huáng盖gài受shòu刑xíng消xiāo息xī，操cāo故gù喜xí我wǒ投tóu降xiáng之zhī事shì为wèi真zhēn实shí也yě。」操cāo曰yuē：「烦fán先xiān生shēng再zài回huí江jiāng东dōng，与yǔ黄huáng公gōng覆fù约yuē定dìng，先xiān通tōng消xiāo息xī过guò江jiāng，吾wú以yǐ兵bīng接jiē应yīng。

Turning toward K‘an Tsê, Ts‘ao said, “I must ask you to return to settle the date with your friend: as soon as I know I will have a force waiting.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-17

」泽zé曰yuē：「某móu已yǐ离lí江jiāng东dōng，不bù可kě复fù还hái。望wàng丞chéng相xiàng别bié遣qiǎn机jī密mì人rén去qù。」操cāo曰yuē：「若ruò他tā人rén去qù，事shì恐kǒng泄xiè漏lòu。」泽zé再zài三sān推tuī辞cí，良liáng久jiú乃nǎi曰yuē：「若ruò去qù则zé不bù敢gán久jiǔ停tíng，便biàn当dāng行xíng矣yǐ。」

“I cannot return; pray, Sir, ser. I some other man you can trust.” “If some one else should go the secret would out.” K‘an Tsê refused again and again but at last gave way, saying, “If I am to go I must not wait here; I must be off at once.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-18

操cāo赐cì以yǐ金jīn帛bó，泽zé不bú受shòu，辞cí别bié出chū营yíng，再zài驾jià扁piān舟zhōu，重zhòng回huí江jiāng东dōng，来lái见jiàn黄huáng盖gài，细xì说shuō前qián事shì。盖gài曰yuē：「非fēi公gōng能néng辩biàn，则zé盖gài徒tú受shòu苦kú矣yǐ。」泽zé曰yuē：「吾wú今jīn去qù甘gān宁níng寨zhài中zhōng，探tàn蔡cài中zhōng、蔡cài和hé消xiāo息xī。」盖gài曰yuē：「甚shèn善shàn。」泽zé至zhì宁níng寨zhài，宁níng接jiē入rù。泽zé曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn昨zuó为wèi救jiù黄huáng公gōng覆fù，被bèi周zhōu公gōng瑾jín所suó辱rǔ，吾wú甚shèn不bù平píng。

Ts‘ao offered him gold and silks, which were refused. Tsê started, left the camp and re-embarked for the south bank, where he related all that had happened to Huang Kai. “If it had not been for your persuasive tongue then had I undergone this suffering in vain,” said Huang. “I will now go to get news of the two Ts‘ais,” said K‘an Tsê. “Excellent,” said Huang. He went to the camp commanded by Kan Ning and when they were seated he said to his host, “I was much distressed when I saw how disgracefully you were treated for your intercession on behalf of Huang Kai.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-19

」宁níng笑xiào而ér不bù答dá。

“What know you of our bitterness?” said K‘an Tsê.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-20

正zhèng话huà间jiān，蔡cài和hé、蔡cài中zhōng至zhì。泽zé以yǐ目mù送sòng甘gān宁níng。宁níng会huì意yì，乃nǎi曰yuē：「周zhōu公gōng瑾jín只zhǐ自zì恃shì其qí能néng，全quán不bù以yí我wó等děng为wèi念niàn。我wǒ今jīn被bèi辱rǔ，羞xiū见jiàn江jiāng左zuǒ诸zhū人rén！」说shuō罢bà，咬yǎo牙yá切qiè齿chǐ，怕pà案àn大dà叫jiào。泽zé乃nǎi虚xū与yǔ宁níng耳ěr边biān低dī语yǔ，宁níng低dī头tóu不bù言yán，长cháng叹tàn数shù声shēng。

Kan Ning smiled. Just then the two Ts‘ais came, and host and guest exchanged glances. The former said, “The truth is the General is over confident and he reckons us as nobody. We count for nothing. Every one is talking of the way I was insulted. Aiya!” and he shouted and gritted his teeth and smacked the table in his wrath.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-21

蔡cài和hé、蔡cài中zhōng见jiàn泽zé、宁níng皆jiē有yóu反fǎn意yì，以yǐ言yán挑tiāo之zhī曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn何hé故gù烦fán恼nǎo？先xiān生shēng有yǒu何hé不bù平píng？」泽zé曰yuē：「吾wú等děng腹fù中zhōng之zhī苦kǔ，汝rú岂qǐ知zhī耶yé！」蔡cài和hé曰yuē：「莫mò非fēi欲yù背bèi吴wú投tóu曹cáo耶yé？」阚hǎn泽zé失shī色sè。甘gān宁níng拔bá剑jiàn而ér起qǐ曰yuē：「吾wú事shì已yǐ为wèi窥kuī破pò，不bù可kě不bù杀shā之zhī以yǐ灭miè口kǒu！」

K‘an Tsê leaned over toward his host and said something in a very low voice, at which Kan Ning bent his head and sighed. The two visitors and spies gathered from this that both Kan and K‘an were ripe for desertion and determined to probe them. “Why, Sir, do you anger him? Why not be silent about his injuries?” said they. “What know you of our bitterness?” said K‘an Tsê. “We think you seem much inclined to go over to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao,” said they. K‘an Tsê at this lost colour: Kan Ning started up and drew his sword, crying, “They have found out; they must die to keep their mouths shut.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-22

蔡cài和hé、蔡cài中zhōng慌huāng曰yuē：「二èr公gōng勿wù忧yōu，吾wú亦yì当dāng以yǐ心xīn腹fù之zhī事shì相xiāng告gào。」宁níng曰yuē：「可kě速sù言yán之zhī！」蔡cài和hé曰yuē：「吾wú二èr人rén乃nǎi曹cáo公gōng使shǐ来lái诈zhà降xiáng者zhě，二èr公gōng若ruò有yǒu归guī顺shùn之zhī心xīn，吾wú当dāng引yǐn进jìn。」宁níng曰yuē：「汝rǔ言yán果guǒ真zhēn乎hū？」二èr人rén齐qí声shēng曰yuē：「安ān敢gǎn相xiāng欺qī？」宁níng佯yáng喜xǐ曰yuē：「若ruò如rú此cǐ，是shì天tiān赐cì其qí便biàn也yě！

“No, no,” cried the two in a flurry. “Let us tell you something quite secret.” “Quick, then,” cried Kan Ning. So Ts‘ai Ho said, “The truth is that we are only pretended deserters, and if you two gentlemen are of our way of thinking we can manage things for you.” “But are you speaking the truth?” said Kan. “Is it likely we should say such a thing if it were untrue?” cried both at the same moment.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-23

」二èr蔡cài曰yuē：「黄huáng公gōng覆fù与yǔ将jiāng军jūn被bèi辱rǔ之zhī事shì，吾wú已yǐ报bào知zhī丞chéng相xiàng矣yǐ。」泽zé曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ为wèi黄huáng公gōng覆fù献xiàn书shū丞chéng相xiàng，今jīn特tè来lái见jiàn兴xīng霸bà，相xiāng约yuē同tóng降jiàng耳ěr。」宁níng曰yuē：「大dà丈zhàng夫fū既jì遇yù明míng主zhǔ，自zì当dāng倾qīng心xīn相xiāng投tóu。」于yú是shì四sì共gòng饮yǐn，同tóng论lùn心xīn事shì。二èr蔡cài即jí时shí写xiě书shū，密mì报bào曹cáo操cāo，说shuō甘gān宁níng与yú某mǒu同tóng为wèi内nèi应yìng。

Kan Ning put on a pleased look and said, “Then this is the very heaven-given chance.” “You know we have already told Ts‘ao of the Huang Kai affair and how you were insulted.” “The fact is I have given the Minister a letter on behalf of Huang Kai and he sent me back again to settle the date of his desertion,” said K‘an. “When an honest man happens upon an enlightened master his heart will always be drawn toward him,” said Kan Ning.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-24

阚hǎn泽zé另lìng自zì修xiū书shū，遣qiǎn人rén密mì报bào曹cáo操cāo。书shū中zhōng具jù言yán黄huáng盖gài欲yù来lái，未wèi得dé其qí便biàn，但dàn看kàn船chuán头tóu插chā青qīng牙yá旗qí而ér来lái者zhě，即jí是shì也yě。

The four then drank together and opened their hearts to each other. The two brothers Ts‘ai wrote a private letter to their master saying that Kan Ning had agreed to join in their plot and play the traitor, and K‘an Tsê also wrote and they sent the letters secretly to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Kan’s letter said that Huang had found no opportunity so far. However, when he came his boat could be recognised by a black, indented flag. That would mean he was on board.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-25

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo连lián得dé二èr书shū，心xīn中zhōng疑yí惑huò不bú定dìng，聚jù众zhòng谋móu士shì商shāng议yì曰yuē：「江jiāng左zuǒ甘gān宁níng，被bèi周zhōu瑜yú所suó辱rǔ，愿yuàn为wèi内nèi应yìng；黄huáng盖gài受shòu责zé，令lìng阚hǎn泽zé来lái纳nà降xiáng。俱jù未wèi可kě深shēn信xìn。谁shuí敢gǎn直zhí入rù周zhōu瑜yú寨zhài中zhōng，探tàn听tīng实shí信xìn？」蒋jiǎng干gàn进jìn曰yuē：「某mǒu前qián日rì空kōng往wǎng东dōng吴wú，未wèi得dé成chéng功gōng，深shēn怀huái惭cán愧kuì。今jīn愿yuàn舍shě身shēn再zài往wǎng，务wù得dé实shí信xìn，回huí报bào丞chéng相xiàng。

However, when Ts‘ao Ts‘ao got these two letters he was still doubtful and called together his advisers to talk over the matter. Said he, “On the other side Kan Ning has been put to shame by the Commander-in-Chief whom he is prepared to betray for the sake of revenge. Huang Kai has been punished and sent K‘an Tsê to propose that he should come over to our side. Only I still distrust the whole thing. Who will go over to the camp to find out the real truth?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-26

」操cāo大dà喜xǐ，即jí时shí令lìng蒋jiǎng干gàn上shàng船chuán。干gàn驾jià小xiǎo舟zhōu，迳jìng到dào江jiāng南nán水shuǐ寨zhài边biān，便biàn使shǐ人rén传chuán报bào。

Then Chiang Kan spoke up, saying, “I failed in my mission the other day and am greatly mortified. I will risk my life again and, this time, I shall surely bring good news.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-27

周zhōu瑜yú听tīng得dé干gàn又yòu到dào，大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「吾wú之zhī成chéng功gōng，只zhǐ在zài此cǐ人rén身shēn上shàng！」遂suì嘱zhǔ付fù鲁lǔ肃sù：「请qǐng庞páng士shì元yuán来lái，为wèi我wǒ如rú此cǐ如rú此cǐ。」原yuán来lái襄xiāng阳yáng庞páng统tǒng，字zì士shì元yuán，因yīn避bì乱luàn寓yù居jū江jiāng东dōng。鲁lǔ肃sù曾céng荐jiàn之zhī于yú周zhōu瑜yú，统tǒng未wèi及jí往wǎng见jiàn。瑜yú先xiān使shǐ肃sù问wèn计jì于yú统tǒng曰yuē：「破pò曹cáo当dāng用yòng何hé策cè？」统tǒng密mì谓wèi肃sù曰yuē：「欲yù破pò曹cáo兵bīng，须xū用yòng火huǒ攻gōng；

” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao approved of him as messenger and bade him start. He set out in a small craft and speedily arrived in Chiangnan landing near the naval camp. Then he sent to inform Chou Yü, who hearing who it was chuckled, saying, “Success depends upon this man.” Then he called Lu Su and told him to call P‘ang T‘ung to come and do certain things for him. This P‘ang T‘ung was from Hsiangyang. His other name was Shih-yüan and he had gone to the east of the river to get away from the strife. Lu Su had recommended him to Chou Yü, but he had not yet presented himself. When Chou Yü sent to ask what scheme of attack he would recommend against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, P‘ang T‘ung had said to the messenger, “You must use fire against him. But the river is wide and if one ship is set on fire the others will scatter unless they are fastened together so that they must remain in one place. That is the one road to success.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-28

但dàn大dà江jiāng麺miàn上shàng，一yī船chuán著zhù火huǒ，余yú船chuán四sì散sàn。除chú非fēi献xiàn『连lián环huán计jì』，教jiào他tā钉dīng作zuò一yī处chù，然rán后hòu功gōng可kě成chéng也yě。」肃sù以yǐ告gào瑜yú，瑜yú深shēn服fú其qí论lùn，因yīn谓wèi肃sù曰yuē：「为wèi我wǒ行xíng此cǐ计jì者zhě，非fēi庞páng士shì元yuán不bù可kě。」肃sù曰yuē：「只zhǐ怕pà曹cáo操cāo奸jiān猾huá，如rú何hé去qù得dé？」

Lu Su took this message to the General, who pondered over it and then said, “The only person who can manage this is P‘ang T‘ung himself.” “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao is very wily,” said Lu Su, “how can P‘ang T‘ung go?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-29

周zhōu瑜yú渖shěn吟yín未wèi决jué，正zhèng寻xín思sī没méi个gè机jī会huì，忽hū报bào蒋jiǎng干gàn又yòu来lái。瑜yú大dà喜xǐ，一yī麺miàn分fēn付fù庞páng统tǒng用yòng计jì；一yī麺miàn坐zuò于yú帐zhàng上shàng，使shǐ人rén请qǐng干gàn。干gàn见jiàn不bù来lái接jiē，心xīn中zhōng疑yí虑lǜ，教jiào把bǎ船chuán于yú僻pì静jìng岸àn口kóu缆lǎn系xì，乃nǎi入rù寨zhài见jiàn周zhōu瑜yú。瑜yú作zuò色sè曰yuē：「子zi翼yì何hé故gù欺qī吾wú太tài甚shèn？

So Chou Yü was sad and undecided. He could think of no method till suddenly the means presented itself in the arrival of Chiang Kan. He at once sent instructions to P‘ang T‘ung how to act and then sat himself in his tent to await his visitor Chiang Kan. But the visitor became ill at ease and suspicious when he saw that his old student friend did not come to welcome him and he took the precaution of sending his boat into a retired spot to be made fast before he went to the General’s tent. When Chou Yü saw him he put on an angry face and said, “My friend, why did you treat me so badly?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-30

」蒋jiǎng干gān笑xiào曰yuē：「吾wú想xiáng与yú你ní乃nǎi旧jiù日rì弟dì兄xiōng，特tè来lái吐tǔ心xīn腹fù事shì，何hé言yán相xiāng欺qī也yě？」瑜yú曰yuē：「汝rǔ要yào说shuō我wǒ降jiàng，除chú非fēi海hǎi枯kū石shí烂làn！前qián番fān吾wú念niàn旧jiù日rì交jiāo情qíng，请qíng你nǐ痛tòng饮yǐn一yī醉zuì，留liú你nǐ同tóng榻tà；你nǐ却què盗dào吾wú私sī书shū，不bù辞cí而ér去qù，归guī报bào曹cáo操cāo，杀shā了le蔡cài瑁mào、张zhāng允yǔn，致zhì使shǐ吾wú事shì不bù成chéng。今jīn日rì何hé故gù又yòu来lái，必bì不bù怀huái好hào意yì！

Chiang Kan laughed and said, “I remembered the old days when we were as brothers and I came expressly to pour out my heart to you. Why do you say I treated you badly?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-31

吾wú不bú看kàn旧jiù日rì之zhī情qíng，一yī刀dāo两liǎng段duàn！本běn待dài送sòng你nǐ过guò去qù，争zhēng奈nài吾wú一yī二èr日rì间jiān，便biàn要yào破pò曹cáo贼zéi；待dài留liú你nǐ在zài军jūn中zhōng，又yòu必bì有yǒu泄xiè漏lòu。」便biàn教jiào左zuǒ右yòu：「送sòng子zi翼yì往wǎng西xī山shān庵ān中zhōng歇xiē息xī。待dài吾wú破pò了le曹cáo操cāo，那nà时shí渡dù你nǐ过guò江jiāng未wèi迟chí。」

“You came to persuade me to betray my master, which I would never do unless the sea dried up and the rocks perished. Remembering the old times I filled you with wine and kept you to sleep with me. And you; you plundered my private letters and stole away with never a word of farewell. You betrayed me to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and caused the death of my two friends on the other side and so caused all my plans to miscarry. Now what have you come for? Certainly it is not out of kindness to me and I care no more for our old friendship; it is cut in two, destroyed. I would send you back again, but within a day or two I shall attack that rebel and, if I let you stay in my camp, my plans will leak out. So I am going to tell my attendants to conduct you to a certain retired hut in the western hills and keep you there till I shall have won the victory. Then I will send you back again.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-32

蒋jiǎng干gàn再zài欲yù开kāi言yán，周zhōu瑜yú已yǐ入rù帐zhàng后hòu去qù了le。左zuǒ右yòu取qú马má与yú蒋jiǎng干gàn乘chéng坐zuò，送sòng到dào西xī山shān背bèi后hòu小xiǎo庵ān歇xiē息xī，拨bō两liǎng个gè军jūn人rén伏fú侍shì。干gàn在zài庵ān内nèi，心xīn中zhōng忧yōu闷mèn，寝qǐn食shí不bù安ān。是shì夜yè星xīng露lù满mǎn天tiān，独dú步bù出chū庵ān后hòu，只zhǐ听tīng得dé读dú书shū之zhī声shēng。信xìn步bù寻xún去qù，见jiàn山shān岩yán畔pàn有yóu草cǎo屋wū数shù椽chuán，内nèi射shè灯dēng光guāng。

Chiang Kan tried to say something but Chou Yü would not listen. He turned his back and went into the recesses of his tent. The attendants led the visitor off, set him on a horse and took him away over the hills to the small hut, leaving two soldiers to look after him. When Chiang Kan found himself in the lonely hut he was very depressed and had no desire to eat or sleep. But one night, when the stars were very brilliant, he strolled out to enjoy them. Presently he came to the rear of his lonely habitation and heard, near by, some one crooning over a book. Approaching with stealthy steps he saw a tiny cabin half hidden in a cliff whence a slender beam or two of light stole out between the rafters. He went nearer and peeping in, saw a man reading by the light of a lamp near which hung a sword. And the book was Sun Wu’s “Art of War.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-33

干gàn往wǎng窥kuī之zhī，只zhǐ见jiàn一yī人rén挂guà剑jiàn灯dēng前qián，诵sòng孙sūn、吴wú兵bīng书shū。干gàn思sī此cǐ必bì异yì人rén也yě，叩kòu户hù请qǐng见jiàn。其qí人rén开kāi门mén出chū迎yíng，仪yí表biǎo非fēi俗sú。干gàn问wèn姓xìng名míng，答dá曰yuē：「姓xìng庞páng，名míng统tǒng，字zì士shì元yuán。」干gàn曰yuē：「莫mò非fēi凤fèng雏chú先xiān生shēng否fǒu？」统tǒng曰yuē：「然rán也yě。」干gàn喜xǐ曰yuē：「久jiǔ闻wén大dà名míng，今jīn何hé僻pì居jū此cǐ地dì？

“This is no common person,” thought he and so he knocked at the door. The door was opened by the reader, who bade him welcome with cultivated and refined ceremony. Chiang Kan enquired his name and the host replied that he was P‘ang T‘ung, sometimes known as Shih-yüan. “Then you are surely The Master known as 'Phoenix Fledgeling,' are you not?” “Yes; I am he.” “How often have I heard you talked about! You are famous. But why are you hidden away in this spot?” “That fellow Chou Yü is too conceited to allow that any one else has any talent and so I live here quietly. But who are you, Sir?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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」答dá曰yuē：「周zhōu瑜yú自zì恃shì才cái高gāo，不bù能néng容róng物wù，吾wú故gù隐yǐn居jū于yú此cǐ。公gōng乃nǎi何hé人rén？」干gàn曰yuē：「吾wú蒋jiǎng干gàn也yě。」

“I am Chiang Kan.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-35

统tóng乃nǎi邀yāo入rù草cǎo庵ān，共gòng坐zuò谈tán心xīn。干gàn曰yuē：「以yǐ公gōng之zhī才cái，何hé往wǎng不bú利lì？如rú肯kěn归guī曹cáo，干gàn当dāng引yǐn进jìn。」统tǒng曰yuē：「吾wú亦yì欲yù离lí江jiāng东dōng久jiú矣yǐ。公gōng既jì有yóu引yǐn进jìn之zhī心xīn，即jí今jīn便biàn当dāng一yī行xíng。如rú迟chí则zé周zhōu瑜yú闻wén之zhī，必bì将jiāng见jiàn害hài。」

Then P‘ang T‘ung made him very welcome and led him in and the two sat down to talk. “With your gifts you would succeed anywhere,” said Chiang Kan. “If you would enter Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s service I would recommend you to him.” “I have long desired to get away from here and if you, Sir, will present me there is no time like the present. If Chou Yü heard of my wish he would kill me, I am sure.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-36

于yú是shì与yǔ干gān连lián夜yè下xià山shān，至zhì江jiāng边biān寻xún著zhù原yuán来lái船chuán只zhī，飞fēi棹zhào投tóu江jiāng北běi。既jì至zhì操cāo寨zhài，干gàn先xiān入rù见jiàn，备bèi述shù前qián事shì。操cāo闻wén凤fèng雏chú先xiān生shēng来lái，亲qīn自zì出chū帐zhàng迎yíng入rù，分fēn宾bīn主zhǔ坐zuò定dìng，问wèn曰yuē：「周zhōu瑜yú年nián幼yòu，恃shì才cái欺qī众zhòng，不bú用yòng良liáng谋móu。操cāo久jiǔ闻wén先xiān生shēng大dà名míng，今jīn得dé惠huì顾gù，乞qǐ不bú吝lìn教jiào诲huì。

So without more ado they made their way down the hill to the water’s edge to seek the boat in which Chiang had come. They embarked and, rowing swiftly, they soon reached the northern shore. At the central camp Chiang landed and went to seek Ts‘ao Ts‘ao to whom he related the story of the discovery of his new acquaintance. When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao heard that the newcomer was Fêng-ch‘u, or the “Phoenix Chick” Master, he went to meet him, made him very welcome and soon they sat down to talk on friendly terms. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said questioningly, “And so Chou Yü in his youth is conceited and annoys his officers and rejects all their advice; I know that. But your fame has been long known to me and now that you have been gracious enough to turn my way I pray you not to be niggardly of your advice.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

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」统tǒng曰yuē：「某mǒu素sù闻wén丞chéng相xiàng用yòng兵bīng有yóu法fǎ，今jīn愿yuàn一yī睹dǔ军jūn容róng。」

“I, too, know well that you are a model of military strategy,” said P‘ang T‘ung, “but I should like to have one look at your disposition.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-38

操cāo教jiào备bèi马mǎ，先xiān邀yāo统tǒng同tóng观guān旱hàn寨zhài。统tóng与yǔ操cāo并bìng马mǎ登dēng高gāo而ér望wàng。统tǒng曰yuē：「傍bàng山shān依yī林lín，前qián后hòu顾gù盼pàn，出chū入rù有yǒu门mén，退tuì进jìn麹qū折zhé，虽suī孙sūn、吴wú再zài生shēng，穰ráng苴jū复fù出chū，亦yì不bú过guò此cí矣yǐ。」操cāo曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng勿wù得dé过guò誉yù，尚shàng望wàng指zhǐ教jiào。」于yú是shì又yòu与yǔ同tóng观guān水shuǐ寨zhài。

So horses were brought and the two rode out to the lines, host and visitor on equal terms, side by side. They ascended a hill whence they had a wide view. After looking all round P‘ang T‘ung remarked, “Sun Wu, come to life again, could not do better, nor Jang Chu if he reappeared. All accords with the precepts. The camp is beside the hill and is flanked by a forest. The front and rear are within sight of each other. Gates of egress and ingress are provided and the roads of advance and retirement are bent and broken.” “Master, I entreat you not to overpraise me, but to advise me where I can make further improvements,” said Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-39

见jiàn向xiàng南nán分fēn二èr十shí四sì座zuò门mén，皆jiē有yǒu艨méng艟chōng战zhàn舰jiàn，列liè为wèi城chéng郭guō，中zhōng藏cáng小xiǎo船chuán，往wǎng来lái有yǒu巷xiàng，起qǐ伏fú有yǒu序xù，统tǒng笑xiào曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng用yòng兵bīng如rú此cǐ，名míng不bù虚xū传chuán！」因yīn指zhǐ江jiāng南nán而ér言yán曰yuē：「周zhōu郎láng！周zhōu郎láng！克kè期qī必bì亡wáng！」

Then the two men rode down to the naval camp, where twenty four openings were arranged facing the south. The cruisers and the battleships were all lined up so as to protect the lighter craft which lay inside. There were channels to pass to and fro and fixed anchorages and stations. P‘ang Tʻung surveying all this smiled, saying, “Sir Minister, if this is your method of warfare, you enjoy no empty reputation.” Then pointing to Chiangnan he went on, “Chou, my friend, Master Chou, you are finished; you will have to die.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-40

操cāo大dà喜xǐ回huí寨zhài，请qǐng入rù帐zhàng中zhōng，置zhì酒jiǔ共gòng饮yǐn，同tóng说shuō兵bīng机jī。统tǒng高gāo谈tán雄xióng辩biàn，应yìng答dá如rú流liú。操cāo深shēn敬jìng服fú，慇yīn懃qín相xiāng待dài。统tǒng佯yáng醉zuì曰yuē：「敢gǎn问wèn军jūn中zhōng有yǒu良liáng医yī否fǒu？」操cāo问wèn何hé用yòng。统tǒng曰yuē：「水shuǐ军jūn多duō疾jí，须xū用yòng良liáng医yī治zhì之zhī。」时shí操cāo军jūn因yīn不bù服fú水shuí土tǔ，俱jù生shēng呕ǒu吐tù之zhī疾jí，多duō有yóu死sí者zhě。操cāo正zhèng虑lǜ此cǐ事shì，忽hū闻wén统tǒng言yán，如rú何hé不bú问wèn？

They rode back to the chief tent and wine was brought. They discussed military matters and P‘ang T‘ung held forth at length. Remarks and comments flowed freely between the two, and Ts‘ao formed an exalted opinion of his new adherent’s abilities and treated him with the greatest honour. By and bye the guest seemed to have succumbed to the influence of many cups and said, “Have you any capable medical men in your army?” “What for?” said Ts‘ao. “There is a lot of illness among the marines and you ought to find some remedy.” The fact was that at this time Ts‘ao’s men were suffering from the climate; many were vomiting and not a few had died. It was a source of great anxiety to him and when the newcomer suddenly mentioned it, of course he had to ask advice.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-41

统tǒng曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng教jiào练liàn水shuǐ军jūn之zhī法fǎ甚shèn妙miào，但dàn可kě惜xī不bù全quán。」操cāo再zài三sān请qǐng问wèn。统tǒng曰yuē：「某móu有yǒu一yī策cè，使shǐ大dà小xiáo水shuǐ军jūn，并bìng无wú疾jí病bìng，安ān稳wěn成chéng功gōng。」

P‘ang T‘ung said, “Your marine force is excellent, but there is just one defect; it is not quite perfect.” Ts‘ao pressed him to say where the imperfection lay. “I have a plan to overcome the ailment of the men so that no one shall be sick and all fit for service.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-42

操cāo大dà喜xǐ，请qǐng问wèn妙miào策cè。统tǒng曰yuē：「大dà江jiāng之zhī中zhōng，潮cháo生shēng潮cháo落luò，风fēng浪làng不bù息xī，北běi兵bīng不bú惯guàn乘chéng舟zhōu，受shòu此cǐ颠diān播bō，便biàn生shēng疾jí病bìng。若ruò以yǐ大dà船chuán小xiǎo船chuán各gè皆jiē配pèi搭dā，或huò三sān十shí为wèi一yī排pái，或huò五wǔ十shí为wèi一yī排pái，首shóu尾wěi用yòng铁tiě环huán连lián锁suǒ，上shàng铺pù阔kuò板bǎn，休xiū言yán人rén可kě渡dù，马mǎ亦yì可ké走zóu矣yǐ。乘chéng此cǐ而ér行xíng，任rèn他tā风fēng浪làng潮cháo水shuǐ上shàng下xià，复fù何hé惧jù哉zāi？

“What is this excellent scheme?” said Ts‘ao. “The river is wide and the tides ebb and flow. The winds and waves are never at rest. Your men from the north are unused to ships and the motion makes them ill. If your ships, large and small, were classed and divided into thirties, or fifties, and joined up stem to stem by iron chains and boards spread across them, to say nothing of men being able to pass from one to the next, even horses could move about on them. If this were done, then there would be no fear of the wind and the waves and the rising and falling tides.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-43

」曹cáo操cāo下xià席xí而ér谢xiè曰yuē：「非fēi先xiān生shēng良liáng谋móu，安ān能néng破pò东dōng吴wú耶yé？」统tǒng曰yuē：「愚yú浅qiǎn之zhī见jiàn，丞chéng相xiàng自zì裁cái之zhī。」操cāo即jí时shí传chuán令lìng，唤huàn军jūn中zhōng铁tiě匠jiàng，连lián夜yè打dǎ造zào连lián环huán大dà钉dīng，锁suǒ住zhù船chuán只zhī。诸zhū军jūn闻wén之zhī，俱jù各gè喜xǐ悦yuè。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

Coming down from his seat Ts‘ao Ts‘ao thanked his guest saying, “I could never defeat the land of Wu without this scheme of yours.” “That is my idea,” said P‘ang T‘ung, “it is for you to decide about it.” Orders were then issued to call up all the blacksmiths and set them to work, night and day, forging iron chains and great bolts to lock together the ships. And the men rejoiced when they heard of the plan. In Red Wall’s fight they used the flame, The weapon here will be the same. By P‘ang’s advice the ships were chained, Else Chou had not that battle gained.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-44

赤chì壁bì鏖áo兵bīng用yòng火huǒ攻gōng，运yùn筹chóu决jué策cè侭jǐn皆jiē同tóng。

At Red Cliffs the fierce battle turns on fire; the plans and stratagems are wholly shared.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

47-45

若ruò非fēi庞páng统tǒng连lián环huán计jì，公gōng瑾jǐn安ān能néng立lì大dà功gōng？

Had not Pang Tong devised the linked-ship scheme, how could Zhou Yu have won such great renown?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

47-46

庞páng统tǒng又yòu谓wèi操cāo曰yuē：「某mǒu观guān江jiāng左zuǒ豪háo杰jié，多duō有yǒu怨yuàn周zhōu瑜yú者zhě。某mǒu凭píng三sān寸cùn舌shé，为wèi丞chéng相xiàng说shuō之zhī，使shǐ皆jiē来lái降jiàng，周zhōu瑜yú孤gū立lì无wú援yuán，必bì为wèi丞chéng相xiàng所suǒ擒qín。瑜yú既jì破pò，则zé刘liú备bèi无wú所suǒ用yòng矣yǐ。」操cāo曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng果guǒ能néng成chéng大dà功gōng，操cāo请qǐng奏zòu闻wén天tiān子zi，封fēng为wèi三sān公gōng之zhī列liè。」统tǒng曰yuē：「某mǒu非fēi为wèi富fù贵guì，但dàn欲yù救jiù万wàn民mín耳ěr。丞chéng相xiàng渡dù江jiāng，慎shèn勿wù杀shā害hài。

P‘ang Tʻung further told Ts‘ao Ts‘ao saying, “I know many bold men on the other side who hate Chou Yü. If I may use my little tongue in your service I can induce them to come over to you and if Chou Yü be left alone you can certainly take him captive. And Liu Pei is of no account.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-47

」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú替tì天tiān行xíng道dào，安ān忍rěn杀shā戮lù人rén民mín？」统tǒng拜bài求qiú榜bǎng文wén，以yǐ安ān宗zōng族zú。操cāo曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng家jiā属shǔ，现xiàn居jū何hé处chù？」统tǒng曰yuē：「只zhǐ在zài江jiāng边biān。若ruò得dé此cí榜bǎng，可ké保bǎo全quán矣yǐ。」

“Certainly if you could render me so great a service I would memorialise the throne and obtain for you one of the highest offices,” said Ts‘ao. “I am not doing this for the sake of wealth or honours, but from a desire to succour mankind. If you cross the river I pray you be merciful.” “I am Heaven’s means of doing right and could not bear to slay the people.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-48

操cāo命mìng写xié榜bǎng佥qiān押yā付fù统tǒng。统tǒng拜bài谢xiè曰yuē：「别bié后hòu可kě速sù进jìn兵bīng，休xiū待dài周zhōu郎láng知zhī觉jué。」操cāo然rán之zhī。

P‘ang T‘ung thanked him and begged for a document that would protect his own family. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked where they lived. He replied that they lived by the river bank and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao ordered a protection to be prepared. Having sealed it he gave it to P‘ang T‘ung who said, “You should attack as soon as I have gone but do not let Chou Yü know anything.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-49

统tǒng拜bài别bié，至zhì江jiāng边biān，正zhèng欲yù下xià船chuán，忽hū见jiàn岸àn上shàng一yī人rén，道dào袍páo竹zhú冠guān，一yī把bá扯chě住zhù统tǒng曰yuē：「你ní好hǎo大dà胆dǎn！黄huáng盖gài用yòng苦kǔ肉ròu计jì，阚hǎn泽zé下xià诈zhà降xiáng书shū，你nǐ又yòu来lái献xiàn连lián环huán计jì，只zhí恐kǒng烧shāo不bú侭jìn绝jué！你nǐ们men拿ná出chū这zhè等děng毒dú手shǒu来lái，只zhí好hǎo瞒mán曹cáo操cāo，也yě须xū瞒mán我wǒ不bù得dé！」吓xià得dé庞páng统tǒng魂hún飞fēi散sàn。正zhèng是shì：

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao promised secrecy and the wily traitor took his leave. Just as he was about to embark he met a man in a Taoist robe, with a bamboo comb in his hair, who stopped him saying, “You are very bold. Huang Kai is planning to use the 'personal injury ruse' and K‘an Tsê has presented the letter of pretended desertion. You have proffered the fatal scheme of chaining the ships together lest the flames may not completely destroy them. This sort of mischievous work may have been enough to blind Ts‘ao Ts‘ao but I saw it all.” P‘ang T‘ung become helpless with fear, his three hun flown away, his seven po scattered. By guileful means one may succeed, The victims too find friends in need. The next chapter will tell who the stranger was.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

47-50

莫mò道dào东dōng南nán能néng制zhì胜shèng，谁shuí云yún西xī北běi独dú无wú人rén？

Say not the southeast alone can win the day; who claims the northwest has no man its own?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

47-51

毕bì竟jìng此cǐ人rén是shì谁shuí，且qiě看kàn下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated