却说庞统闻言，吃了一惊；急回视其人，原来却是徐庶。统见是故人，心下方定；回顾左右无人，乃曰：「你若说破我计，可惜江南八十一州百姓，皆是你送了也！」庶笑曰：「此间八十三万人马，性命如何？」统曰：「元直真欲破我计耶？
In the last chapter P‘ang T‘ung was brought up with a sudden shock when some one seized him and said he understood. Upon turning to look at the man he saw it was Hsü Shu, an old friend, and his heart revived. Looking around and seeing no one near he said, “It would be a pity if you upset my plan; the fate of the people of all the eighty-one districts is in your hands.”
」庶曰：「吾感刘皇叔厚恩，未尝忘报。曹操逼死吾母，吾已说过终身不设一谋，今安肯破兄良策？只是我亦随军在此，兵败之后，玉石不分，岂能免难？君当教我脱身之术，我即缄口远避矣。」统笑曰：「元直如此高见远识，谅此有何难哉！」庶曰：「愿先生赐教。
Hsü Shu smiled. “And what of the fate of these eighty-three legions of men and horse?” said he. “Do you intend to wreck my scheme?” “I have never forgotten the kindness of Uncle Liu, nor my oath to avenge the death of my mother at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s hands. I have said I would never think out a plan for him. So am I likely to wreck yours now, brother? But I have followed the army thus far and after they shall have been defeated, good and bad will suffer alike and how can I escape? Tell me how I can secure safety and I sew up my lips and go away.”
」统去徐庶耳边略说数句。庶大喜，拜谢。庞统别却徐庶下船，自回江东。
P‘ang T‘ung smiled, “If you are as high-minded as that there is no great difficulty.” “Still I wish you would instruct me.” So P‘ang T‘ung whispered something in his ear, which seemed to please Hsü Shu greatly, for he thanked him most cordially and took his leave. Then P‘ang T‘ung betook himself to his boat and left for the southern shore.
且说徐庶当晚密使近人去各寨中暗布谣言。次日，寨中三三五五，交头接耳而说。早有探事人报知曹操，说：「军中传言西凉州韩遂、马腾谋反，杀奔许都来。」操大惊，急聚众谋士商议曰：「吾引兵南征，心中所忧者，韩遂、马腾耳。
His friend gone, Hsü Shu mischievously spread certain rumours in the camp, and next day were to be seen everywhere men in small groups, some talking, others listening, heads together and ears stretched out, till the camps seemed to buzz. Some of the men went to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and told him that a rumour was running around that Han Sui and Ma T'êng had attacked the capital. This troubled Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who called together his advisers to council. Said he, “The only anxiety I have felt in this expedition was about the possible doings of Han Sui and Ma Tiêng. Now there is a rumour running among the men, and though I know not whether it be true or false, it is necessary to be on one’s guard. ”
军中谣言，虽未辨虚实，然不可不防。」
At this point Hsü Shu said, “You have been kind enough to give me an office, Sir, and I have really done nothing in return. If I may have three companies I will march at once to San Pass and guard it. If there be any pressing matter I will report at once.” “If you would do this I should be quite at my ease. There are already men beyond the Pass, who will be under your command, and now I will give you three companies of horse and foot and Tsang Pa shall lead the van and march quickly.”
言未毕，徐庶进曰：「庶蒙丞相收录，恨无寸功报效。请得三千人马，星夜往散关把住隘口。如有紧急，再行告报。」操喜曰：「若得元直去，吾无忧矣。散关之上，亦有军兵，公统领之。目下拨三千军步军，命臧霸为先锋，星夜前去，不可稽迟。
Hsü Shu took leave of the Minister and left in company with Tsang Pa. This was P‘ang’s scheme to secure the safety of Hsü Shu.
」徐庶辞了曹操，与臧霸便行。此便是庞统救徐庶之计。后人有诗曰：
Apoem says:— Ts‘ao Ts‘ao marched south, but at his back There rode the fear of rear attack. P‘ang Tung’s good counsel Hsü Shu took, And thus the fish escaped the hook.
曹操征南日日忧，马腾韩遂起戈矛。
Cao Cao fretted day by day as he marched south; Ma Teng and Han Sui raised spears against him.
凤雏一语教徐庶，正似游鱼脱钓钩。
One word from the Young Phoenix taught Xu Shu the way, Just like a swimming fish slipping free of the hook.
曹操自遣徐庶去后，心中稍安，遂上马先看沿江旱寨，次看水寨。乘大船一只，于中央上建「帅」字旗号，两傍皆列水寨，船上埋伏弓弩千张。操居于上。时建安十二年冬十一月十五日，天气晴明，平风静浪。操令：「置酒设乐于大船之上，吾今夕欲会诸将」。
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s anxiety diminished after he had thus sent away Hsü Shu. Then he rode round all the camps, first the land forces and then the naval. He boarded one of the large ships and thereon set up his standard. The naval camps were arranged along two lines and every ship carried a thousand bows and crossbows. While he remained with the fleet occurred the full moon of the eleventh month of the twelfth year of “Established Tranquillity.” The sky was clear; there was no wind and the river lay unruffled. He prepared a great banquet, with music, and thereto invited all his captains. As evening drew on the moon rose over the eastern hills in its immaculate beauty and beneath it lay the broad belt of the river like a band of pure white silk. It was a great assembly and all the guests were clad in gorgeous silks and embroidered robes and the arms of the fighting men glittered in the moonlight. The officers, civil and military, were seated in their proper order of precedence.
天色向晚，东山月上，皎皎如同白日。长江一带，如横素练。操坐大船之上，左右侍御者数百人，皆锦衣绣袄，荷戈执戟。文武众官，各依次而坐。
The setting, too, was exquisite. The Nanping hills were outlined as in a picture; the boundaries of Ch‘aisang lay in the east; the river showed west as far as Hsiak‘ou; on the south lay the Hills of Fan, on the north was the “Black” Forest. The view stretched wide on every side.
操见南屏山色如划，东视柴桑之境，西观夏口之江，南望樊山，北觑乌林，四顾空阔，心中欢喜，谓众官曰：「吾自起义兵以来，与国家除凶去害，誓愿扫清四海，削平天下，所未得者江南也。今吾有百万雄师，更赖诸公用命，何患不成功耶？
Ts‘ao’s heart was jubilant and he harangued the assembly, “My one aim since I enlisted my first small band of volunteers has been the removal of evil from the State and I have sworn to cleanse the country and restore tranquillity. Now there is only left this land of Chiangnan to withstand me. I am at the head of a hundred legions. I depend upon you, gentlemen, and have no doubt of my final success. After I have subdued Chiangnan there will be no trouble in all the country. Then we shall enjoy wealth and honour and revel in peace.”
收服江南之后，天下无事，与诸公共享富贵，以乐太平。」文武皆起谢曰：「愿得早奏凯歌。我等终身皆赖丞相福荫。」操大喜，命左右行酒。
They rose in a body and expressed their appreciation saying, “We trust that you may soon report complete victory and we shall all repose in the shade of your good fortune.” In his elation Ts‘ao Ts‘ao bade the servants bring more wine and they drank till late at night. Warmed and mellowed, the host pointed to the south bank saying, “Chou Yü and Lu Su know not the appointed time. Heaven is aiding me bringing upon them the misfortune of the desertion of their most trusted friends.”
饮至半夜，操酒酣，遥指南岸曰：「周瑜、鲁肃，不识天时。今幸有投降之人，为彼心腹之患，此天助吾也。」荀攸曰：「丞相勿言，恐有泄漏。」操大笑曰：「座上诸公，与近侍左右，皆吾心腹之人也，言之何碍？
“O Minister, say nothing of these things lest they become known to the enemy,” said Hsün Yu. But the Minister only laughed. “You are all my trusty friends,” said he, “both officers and humble attendants. Why should I refrain?”
」又指夏口曰：「刘备，诸葛亮，汝不料蝼蚁之力，欲撼泰山，何其愚耶！」顾谓诸将曰：「吾今年五十四岁矣。如得江南，窃有所喜。昔日乔公与吾至契，吾知其二女皆有国色。后不料为孙策、周瑜所娶。
Pointing to Hsiak‘ou he continued, “You do not reckon for much with your puny force, Liu Pei and Chuko Liang. How foolish of you to attempt to shake T‘aishan! I am now fifty-four and if I get Chiangnan I shall have the wherewithal to rejoice. In the days of long ago the late noble Ch‘iao and I were great friends and we came to an agreement on certain matters, for I knew his two daughters were lovely beyond words. Then by some means they became wives to Sun Ts'ê and Chou Yü. But now my palace of rest is built on the Chang River and victory over the south will mean that I marry these two fair women. I will put them in my palace and they shall rejoice my declining years. My desires will then be completely attained.”
吾今新构铜雀台于漳水之上，如得江南，当娶二乔，置之台上，以娱暮年，吾愿足矣。」言罢大笑。唐人杜牧之有诗曰：
He smiled at the anticipation. Tu Mu, a poet of the T‘ang Dynasty, in one poem says:— Abroken halberd buried in the sand, With deep rust eaten, Loud tells of ancient battles on the strand, When Ts‘ao was beaten. Had eastern winds Chou’s plan refused to aid And fan the flame, Two captives fair, locked in the Bronze Bird’s shade, Had gone to shame.
折戟渖沙铁未销，自将磨洗认前朝。
A broken halberd buried in the sand, its iron not yet rusted away, I wash and polish it, discerning the dynasty of old.
东风不与周郎便，铜雀春深锁二乔。
Had the east wind not granted Zhou Yu the boon, Two Qiaos would have been locked deep in Bronze Sparrow in spring.
曹操正笑谈间，忽闻鸦声望南飞鸣而去。操问曰：「此鸦缘何夜鸣？」左右答曰：「鸦见月明，疑是天晓，故离树而鸣也。」操又大笑。
But suddenly amid the merriment was heard the hoarse cry of a raven flying toward the south. “Why does the raven thus cry in the night?” said Ts‘ao to those about him. “The moon is so bright that he thinks it is day,” said they, “and so he leaves his tree.” Ts‘ao laughed; by this time he was quite intoxicated. He set up his spear in the prow of the ship and poured a libation into the river and then drank three brimming goblets. As he lowered the spear he said, “This is the spear that broke up the Yellow Turbans, captured Lü Pu, destroyed Yüan Shao and subdued his brother, whose armies are now mine. In the north it reached to Liaotung and it stretched out over the whole south. It has never failed in its task. The present scene moves me to the depths and I will sing a song in which you shall accompany me.
时操已醉，乃取槊立于船上，以酒奠于江中，满饮三爵，横槊谓诸将曰：「我持此槊破黄巾、擒吕布、灭袁术、收袁绍，深入塞北，直抵辽东，纵横天下，颇不负大丈之志也。今对此景，甚有慷慨。吾当作歌，汝等和之。」歌曰：
And so he sang:— When goblets are brimming then song is near birth, But life is full short and has few days of mirth, Life goes as the dew drops fly swiftly away, 'Neath the glance of the glowing hot ruler of day. Man’s life may be spent in the noblest emprise, But sorrowful thoughts in his heart oft arise. Let us wash clean away the sad thoughts that intrude, With bumpers of wine such as Tu K‘ang once brewed. Gone is my day of youthful fire And still ungained is my desire. The deer feed on the level plain And joyful call, then feed again. My noble guests are gathered round, The air is trilled with joyful sound. Bright my future lies before me, As the moonlight on this plain; But I strive in vain to reach it. When shall I my wish attain? None can answer; and so sadness Grips my inmost heart again. Far north and south, Wide east and west, We safety seek; Vain is the quest. Man’s heart oft yearns For converse sweet, And my heart burns When old friends greet. The stars are paled by the full moon’s light, The raven wings his southward flight, And thrice he circles round a tree, No place thereon to rest finds he. They weary not the mountains of great height, The waters deep of depth do not complain, Duke Chou no leisure found by day or night Stern toil is his who would the Empire gain.
对酒当歌，人生几何？
When there is wine, one should sing— how long does life last?
譬如朝露，去日苦多。
Like the morning dew, gone; bitter are the days that have passed.
慨当以慷，忧思难忘。
Deep in my breast, my thoughts are generous, yet sorrow lingers, hard to forget.
何以解忧，惟有杜康。
What can dispel my grief? Only Dukang's wine.
青青子衿，悠悠我心。
Blue, blue are the collars of the scholars; longing, longing is my heart.
但为君故，渖吟至今。
But for your sake alone, I have pondered to this day.
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之𬞟。
Deer cry out, yuu-yuu, grazing on wild celery.
我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙。
I have honored guests; I play the zither and blow the reed-pipe.
皎皎如月，何时可辍？
Bright as the moon, when will it ever cease?
忧从中来，不可断绝。
Sorrow wells up from within, it cannot be cut off.
越陌度阡，枉用相存。
Crossing paths and field-boundaries, you condescend to visit me.
契阔谈䜩，心念旧恩。
In close fellowship we talk and feast, our hearts mindful of old kindness.
月明星稀，乌鹊南飞，
The moon is bright, the stars are sparse; crows and magpies fly south.
遶树三匝，无枝可依。
They circle the tree three times— no branch to rest upon.
山不厌高，水不厌深。
Hills do not weary of height; waters do not weary of depth.
周公吐哺，天下归心。
The Duke of Zhou spat out his food; the hearts of the realm turned to him.
歌罢，众和之，共皆欢笑。忽座间一人进曰：「大军相当之际，将士用命之时，丞相何故出此不吉之言？」操视之，乃扬州刺史，沛国相人，姓刘，名馥，字元颖。馥起自合淝，创立州治，聚逃散之民，立学校，广屯田，兴治教，久事曹操，多立功绩。
The song made they sang it with him and were all exceedingly merry; save one guest who suddenly said, “When the great army is on the point of battle and lives are about to be risked, why do you, O Minister, speak such ill words?” Ts‘ao turned quickly toward the speaker, who was Liu Fu, the Governor of Yangchou. This Liu sprang from Hofei. When first appointed to his post he had gathered in the terrified and frightened people and restored order. He had founded schools and encouraged the people to till the land. He had long served under Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and rendered valuable service.
当下操横槊问曰：「吾言有何不吉？」馥曰：「『月明星稀，乌鹊南飞，遶树三匝，无枝可依。』此不吉之言。」操大怒曰：「汝安敢败吾兴！」手起一槊，刺死刘馥。众皆惊骇，遂罢宴。
When he spoke Ts‘ao dropped his spear to the level and said, “What ill-omened words did I use?” “You spoke of the moon paling the stars and the raven flying southward without finding a resting place. These are ill-omened words.” “How dare you try to belittle my endeavour?” cried Ts‘ao, very wrathful; and with that he smote Liu Fu with his spear and slew him. The assembly broke up and the guests dispersed in fear and confusion. Next day, when he had recovered from his drunken bout, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was very grieved at what he had done and when the murdered man’s son came to crave the body of his father for burial, Ts‘ao wept and expressed his sorrow.
次日，操酒醒，懊恨不已。馥子刘熙，告请父尸归葬。操泣曰：「吾昨因醉误伤汝父，悔之无及。可以三公厚礼葬之。」又拨军士护送灵柩，即日回葬。次日，水军都督毛玠、于禁诣帐下，请曰：「大小船只，俱已配搭连锁停当。旌旗战具，一一齐备。
“I am guilty of your father’s death; I was drunk yesterday. I regret the deed exceedingly. Your father shall be interred with the honours of a minister of the highest rank.” He sent an escort of soldiers to take the body home for burial.
请丞相调遣，克日进兵。」
Afew days after this the two leaders of the naval force came to say the ships were all connected together by chains as had been ordered, and all was now ready. They asked for the command to start.
操至水军中央大战船上坐定，唤集诸将，各各听令。水旱二军，俱分五色旗号。水军中央黄旗毛玠、于禁，前军红旗张郃，后军皂旗吕虔，左军青旗文聘，右军白旗吕通。马步前军红旗徐晃，后军皂旗李典，左军青旗乐进，右军白旗夏侯渊。水陆路都接应使夏侯惇、曹洪；
Thereupon the leaders of both land and naval forces were assembled on board a large ship in the centre of the squadron to receive orders. The various armies and squadrons were distinguished by different flags, the central naval squadron, yellow; the leading squadron, red; the rear squadron, black; the left, blue, and the right, white. On shore the horsemen had a red flag; for the vanguard, black; blue and white for the rearguard and the wings respectively. Hsiahou Tun and Ts‘ao Hung were in reserve and the general staff was under the leadership of Hsü Ch‘u and Chang Liao. The other leaders were ordered to remain in camp, but ready for action.
护卫往来监战使许褚、张辽。其余骁将，各依队伍。
All being ready, the squadron drums beat the roll thrice and the ships sailed out under a strong north-west wind on a trial cruise and when they got among the waves they were found to be as steady and immoveable as the dry land itself. The northern men showed their delight at the absence of motion by capering and flourishing their weapons. The ships moved on, the squadrons keeping quite distinct. Fifty light cruisers sailed to and fro keeping order and urging progress.
令毕，水军寨中发擂三通，各队伍战船，分门而出。是日西北风骤起，各船拽起风帆，冲波激浪，稳如平地。北军在船上，踊跃施勇，刺枪使刀。前后左右各军，旗旛不杂。又有小船五十余只，往来巡警催督。操立于将台之上，观看调练，心中大喜，以为必胜之法。
Ts‘ao Ts‘ao watched his navy from the General’s terrace and was delighted with their evolutions and manœuvres. Surely this meant complete victory. He ordered the recall and the squadrons returned in perfect order to their base.
教且收住帆幔，各依次序回寨。操升帐谓众谋士曰：「若非天命助吾，安得凤雏妙计？铁索连舟，果然渡江如履平地。」程昱曰：「船皆连锁，固是平稳；但彼若用火攻，难以回避。不可不防。」操大笑曰：「程仲德虽有远虑，却还有见不到处。
Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao went to his tent and summoned his advisers. He said, “If Heaven had not been on my side, should I have got this excellent plan from the Phoenix Chick? Now that the ships are attached firmly to each other, one may traverse the river as easily as walking on firm earth.” “The ships are firmly attached to each other,” said Ch‘êng Yü, “but you should be prepared for an attack by fire so that they can scatter to avoid it.” The General laughed. “You look a long way ahead,” said he, “but you see what cannot happen.”
」荀攸曰：「仲德之言甚是。丞相何故笑之？」
“He speaks much to the point” said Hsün Yü, “why do you laugh at him?”
操曰：「凡用火攻，必藉风力。方今隆冬之际，但有西风北风，安有东风南风耶？吾居于西北之上，彼兵皆在南岸，彼若用火，是烧自己之兵也，吾何惧哉？若是十月小春之时，吾早已提备矣。」诸拜皆伏拜曰：「丞相高见，众人不及。
“Any one using fire depends upon the wind. This is now winter and only west winds blow. You will get neither east nor south winds. I am on the north-west and the enemy is on the south bank. If they use fire they will destroy themselves. I have nothing to fear. If it was the tenth moon, or early spring, I would provide against fire.” “The Minister is indeed wise,” said the others in chorus. “None can equal him.”
」操顾诸将曰：「青、徐、燕、代之众，不惯乘舟。今非此计，安能涉大江之险！」只见班部中，二将挺身出曰：「小将虽幽、燕之人，也能乘舟。今愿借巡船二十只，直至北江口，夺旗鼓而还，以显北军亦能乘舟也。」
“With northern men unused to shipboard I could never have crossed the river but for this plan,” said Ts‘ao. Then he saw two of the secondary leaders stand up and they said, “We are from the north, but we are also sailors. Pray give us a small squadron and we will seize some of the enemy’s flags and drums for you that we may prove ourselves adepts on the water.” The speakers were two men who had served under Yüan Shao, named Chiao Ch‘u and Chang Nan.
操视之，乃袁绍手下旧将焦触、张南也。操曰：「汝等皆生长北方，恐乘舟不便。江南之兵，往来水上，习练精熟，汝勿轻以性命为儿戏也。」焦触、张南大叫曰：「如其不胜，甘受军法。」操曰：「战船侭已连锁，惟有小舟。每舟可容二十人，只恐未便接战。
“I do not think naval work would suit you two, born and brought up in the north,” said Ts‘ao. “The Chiangnan men are thoroughly accustomed to ships. You should not regard your lives as a child’s plaything.” They cried, “If we fail, treat us according to army laws.” “The fighting ships are all chained together, there are only small, twenty-men boats free. They are unsuitable for fighting.' ”
」触曰：「若用大船，何足为奇？乞付小舟二十余只。某与张南各引一半，只今日直抵江南水寨，须要夺旗斩将而还。」操曰：「吾与汝二十只船，差拨精锐军五百人，皆长枪硬弩。到来日天明，将大寨船出到江麺上，远为之势。更差文聘亦领三十只巡船接应汝回。
“If we took large ships where would be the wonderful in what we will do? No; give us a score of the small ships and we will take half each and go straight to the enemy’s naval port. We will just seize a flag, slay a leader and come home.” “I will let you have the twenty ships and half a company of good, vigorous men with long spears and stiff crossbows. Early to-morrow the main fleet shall make a demonstration on the river and I will also tell Wên P‘ing to support you with thirty ships.”
」焦触、张南欣喜而退。次日四更造饭，五更结束已定，早听得水寨中擂鼓鸣金。船皆出寨，分布水麺。长江一带，青红旗号交杂。焦触、张南领哨船二十只，穿寨而出，望江南进发。
The two men retired greatly elated. Next morning, very early, food was prepared and at the fifth watch all was ready for a start. Then from the naval camp rolled out the drums and the gongs clanged, as the ships moved out and took up their positions, the various flags fluttering in the morning breeze. And the two intrepid leaders with their squadron of small scouting boats went down the lines and out into the stream.
却说南岸隔日听得鼓声喧震，遥望曹操调练水军，探事人报知周瑜。瑜往山顶观之，操军已收回。次日，忽又闻鼓声震天，军士急登高观望，见有小船冲波而来，飞报中军。周瑜问帐下谁敢先出。韩当、周泰二人齐出曰：「某当权为先锋破敌。
Now a few days before the sound of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s drums had been heard on the southern bank and the watchers had seen their enemy’s fleet manœuvring in the open river. Chou Yü had watched the manœuvres from the top of a hill till the fleet had gone in again. So when the sound of drums was again heard all the army went up the hills to watch the fleet. All they saw was a squadron of small ships bounding over the waves. But as they came nearer the news was taken to the leader who called for volunteers to go out against them. Han Tang and Chou T‘ai offered themselves. They were accepted and orders were issued to the camps to remain ready for action but not to move till told.
」瑜喜，传令各寨严加守御，不可轻动。韩当、周泰各引哨船五只，分左右而出。
Han and Chou sailed out each with a small squadron of five ships in line.
却说焦触、张南，凭一勇之气，飞棹小船而来。韩当胸披掩心，手执长枪，立于船头。焦触船先到，便命军士乱箭望韩当船上射来。当用牌遮隔。焦触挺长枪与韩当交锋。当手起一枪，刺死焦触。张南随后大叫赶来。刺斜里周泰船出。张南挺枪立于船头，两边弓矢乱射。
The two braggarts from the north really only trusted to their boldness and luck. Their ships came down under the powerful strokes of the oars and as they neared the two leaders put on their heart-protectors, gripped their spears and each took his station in the prow of the leading ship of his division. Chiao’s ship led and as soon as he came near enough his men began to shoot at Han Tang, who fended off the arrows with his buckler. Chiao twirled his long spear as he engaged his opponent. But, at the first thrust, he was killed.
周泰一臂挽牌，一手提刀。两船相离七八尺，泰即飞身一跃，直跃过张南船上，手起刀落，砍张南于水中，乱杀驾舟军士。众船飞棹急回。韩当、周泰，催船追赶，到半江中，恰与文聘船相迎。两边便䙓定船厮杀。
His comrade with the other ships was coming up with great shouts when Chou T‘ai sailed up at an angle and these two squadrons began shooting arrows at each other in clouds. Chou T‘ai fended off the arrows with his shield and stood gripping his sword firmly till his ships came within a few feet of the enemy’s ships when he leaped across and cut down Chang Nan. Chang’s dead body fell into the water. Then the battle became confused and the attacking ships rowed hard to get away. The southerners pursued but soon came in sight of Wên P‘ing’s supporting fleet. Once more the ships engaged and the men fought with each other.
却说周瑜引众将立于山顶，遥望江北水麺艨艟战船，排合江上，旗帜号带，皆有次序。回看文聘与韩当、周泰相持。韩当、周泰奋力攻击，文聘抵敌不住，回船而走。韩、周二人，急催船追赶。周瑜恐二人深入重地，便将白旗招飐，令众鸣金。二人乃挥棹而回。
Chou Yü with his officers stood on the summit of a mountain and watched his own and the enemy ships out on the river. The flags and the ensigns were all in perfect order. Then he saw Wên P‘ing and his own fleets engaged in battle and soon it was evident that the former was not a match for his own sailors. Wên P‘ing turned about to retire, Chou and Han pursued. Chou Yü fearing lest his sailors should go too far, then hoisted the white flag of recall.
周瑜于山顶看隔江战船，侭入水寨。瑜顾谓众将曰：「江北战船如芦苇之密，操又多谋，当用何计以破之？」众未及对，忽见曹操寨中，被风吹折中央黄旗，飘入江中。瑜大笑曰：「此不祥之兆也！」
To his officers Chou Yü said, “The masts of their ships stand thick as reeds; Ts‘ao himself is full of wiles; how can we destroy him?” No one replied, for just then the great yellow flag that flapped in the breeze in the middle of Ts‘ao’s fleet suddenly fell over into the river. Chou Yü laughed. “That is a bad omen,” said he.
正观之际，忽狂风大作，江中波涛拍岸。一阵风过，刮起旗角于周瑜脸上拂过。瑜猛然想起一事在心，大叫一声，往后便倒，口吐鲜血。诸将急救起时，却早不省人事。正是：
Then an extra violent blast of wind came by and the waves rose high and beat upon the bank. A corner of his own flag flicked Chou Yü on the cheek and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. He uttered a loud cry, staggered and fell backward. They picked him up; there was blood upon his lips and he was unconscious. Presently, however, he revived. And once he laughed, then gave a cry, T‘is hard to ensure a victory. Chou Yü's fate will appear as the story unfolds.
一时忽笑又忽叫，难使南军破北军。
Now laughing, now crying in an instant— hard to make the southern army break the northern.
毕竟周瑜性命如何，且看下文分解。
But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.