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

第dì五wǔ十shí八bā回huí 马mǎ孟mèng起qǐ兴xìng兵bīng雪xuě恨hèn　　　曹cáo阿ā瞒mán割gē须xū弃qì袍páo

58-1

却què说shuō献xiàn策cè之zhī人rén，乃nǎi治zhì书shū侍shì御yù史shǐ陈chén群qún，字zì长zhǎng文wén。操cāo问wèn曰yuē：「陈chén长zhǎng文wén有yǒu何hé良liáng策cè？」群qún曰yuē：「今jīn刘liú备bèi、孙sūn权quán结jié为wèi唇chún齿chǐ，若ruò刘liú备bèi欲yù取qǔ西xī川chuān，丞chéng相xiàng可kě命mìng上shàng将jiàng提tí兵bīng，会huì合hé淝féi之zhī众zhòng，迳jìng取qǔ江jiāng南nán，则zé孙sūn权quán必bì求qiú救jiù于yú刘liú备bèi。备bèi意yì在zài西xī川chuān，必bì无wú心xīn救jiù权quán；权quán无wú救jiù则zé力lì乏fá兵bīng衰shuāi，江jiāng东dōng之zhī地dì，必bì为wèi丞chéng相xiàng所suǒ得de。

“W hat is this good plan of yours, friend Ch'ên?” asked Ts‘ao of the speaker, who was a civilian in his service named Ch‘ên Ch‘ün. Ch‘ên replied, “Your two principal enemies are now firm allies, close as lins and teeth. But Liu Pei wants Hsich‘uan and if you, O Minister, send a mighty host against Sun Ch'üan, he must ask help from his friend Liu, who, having his heart set on the west, will refuse it. Sun without this aid cannot stand and will become so weak that Chiangtung will be yours for the taking and Chingchou will follow in a tap of the drum. The west will follow and the whole Empire is yours.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-2

若ruò得dé江jiāng东dōng，则zé荆jīng州zhōu一yī鼓gú可kě平píng也yě。荆jīng州zhōu既jì平píng，然rán后hòu徐xú图tú西xī川chuān，天tiān下xià定dìng矣yǐ。」操cāo曰yuē：「长zhǎng文wén之zhī言yán，正zhèng合hé吾wú意yì。」即jí时shí起qǐ大dà兵bīng三sān十shí万wàn，迳jìng下xià江jiāng南nán；令lìng合hé淝féi张zhāng辽liáo，准zhǔn备bèi粮liáng草cǎo，以yǐ为wéi供gōng给jǐ。

“Those are my thoughts put into words,” replied Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. The expeditionary force of thirty legions set out for the south. Chang Liao of Hofei was in command of the supply department.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-3

早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò报bào知zhī孙sūn权quán。权quán聚jù众zhòng将jiāng商shāng议yì。张zhāng昭zhāo曰yuē：「可kě差chà人rén往wáng鲁lǔ子zi敬jìng处chù，教jiào急jí书shū到dào荆jīng州zhōu，使shǐ玄xuán德dé同tóng力lì拒jù曹cáo。子zi敬jìng有yǒu恩ēn于yú玄xuán德dé，其qí言yán必bì从cóng；且qiě玄xuán德dé既jì为wèi东dōng吴wú之zhī婿xù，亦yì义yì不bù容róng辞cí。若ruò玄xuán德dé来lái相xiāng助zhù，江jiāng南nán可kě无wú患huàn矣yǐ。」权quán从cóng其qí言yán，即jí遣qiǎn人rén谕yù鲁lǔ肃sù，使shǐ求qiú救jiù于yú玄xuán德dé。

Sun Ch'üan speedily heard of the move and called in his advisers. At the council Chang Chao said, “Let us send to Lu Su to tell him to write at once to Liu Pei that he may help us. They are good friends and Liu will certainly respond favourably. Beside, since Liu Pei and Sun Ch'üan are now connected by marriage, there is no risk of refusal. With the support of Liu Pei there is no danger to our country.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-4

肃sù领lǐng命mìng，随suí即jí修xiū书shū使shǐ人rén送sòng玄xuán德dé。玄xuán德dé看kàn了le书shū中zhōng之zhī意yì，留liú使shí者zhě于yú馆guán舍shě，差chà人rén往wǎng南nán郡jùn请qíng孔kǒng明míng。孔kǒng明míng到dào荆jīng州zhōu，玄xuán德dé将jiāng鲁lǔ肃sù书shū与yú孔kǒng明míng看kàn毕bì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「也yě不bù消xiāo动dòng江jiāng南nán之zhī兵bīng，也yě不bú必bì动dòng荆jīng州zhōu之zhī兵bīng，自zì使shǐ曹cáo操cāo不bù敢gǎn正zhèng觑qù东dōng南nán。」便biàn回huí书shū与yú鲁lǔ肃sù，教jiào高gāo枕zhěn无wú忧yōu；

Sun Ch'üan listened to this advice and sent to Lu Su bidding him to ask help from Liu Pei. Accordingly, on receipt of this command, a letter was written to Liu Pei, who after reading it, retained the messenger at the guest-house till K‘ung-ming could arrive from Nanchün. As soon as he arrived Liu Pei showed him the letter. The adviser said, “It is not necessary for Chiangnan troops to move, nor need we send ours. I can prevent Ts‘ao Ts‘ao from even daring to look in a south-easterly direction.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-5

若ruò但dàn有yóu北běi兵bīng侵qīn犯fàn，皇huáng叔shū自zì有yǒu退tuì兵bīng之zhī策cè。使shí者zhě去qù了le。玄xuán德dé问wèn曰yuē：「今jīn操cāo起qǐ三sān十shí万wàn大dà军jūn，会huì合hé淝féi之zhī众zhòng，一yī拥yōng而ér来lái，先xiān生shēng有yǒu何hé妙miào计jì，可ké以yǐ退tuì之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「操cāo平píng生shēng所suǒ虑lǜ者zhě，乃nǎi西xī凉liáng之zhī兵bīng也yě。今jīn操cāo杀shā马mǎ腾téng，其qí子zi马mǎ超chāo，现xiàn统tǒng西xī凉liáng之zhī众zhòng，必bì切qiè齿chǐ操cāo贼zéi。

So he wrote a reply telling Lu Su he could lay aside all anxiety and rest content, for should the northern army approach, they would be forced backward at once. The letter was given to the messenger and then Liu Pei asked his adviser how he could hope to roll back the huge army that Ts‘ao had prepared to bring south.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-6

主zhǔ公gōng可kě作zuò一yī书shū，往wǎng结jié马mǎ超chāo，使shǐ超chāo兴xīng兵bīng入rù关guān，则zé操cāo又yòu无wú暇xiá下xià江jiāng南nán矣yǐ。」玄xuán德dé大dà喜xǐ，即jí时shí作zuò书shū，遣qiǎn一yī心xīn腹fù人rén，迳jìng往wǎng西xī凉liáng州zhōu投tóu下xià。

He replied, “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s chief fear is Hsiliang. Now just lately he has slain Ma T'êng and his son as well, and the men of Hsiliang are grinding their teeth with rage. Now you must write and ask Ma Ch‘ao to march through the pass and Ts‘ao will have no leisure to think of any expedition to the south.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-7

却què说shuō马mǎ超chāo在zài西xī凉liáng州zhōu，夜yè感gǎn一yī梦mèng：梦mèng见jiàn身shēn卧wò雪xuě地dì，群qún虎hǔ来lái咬yǎo，惊jīng惧jù而ér觉jué，心xīn中zhōng疑yí惑huò，聚jù帐zhàng下xià将jiāng佐zuǒ，告gào说shuō梦mèng中zhōng之zhī事shì。帐zhàng下xià一yī人rén应yīng声shēng曰yuē：「此cǐ梦mèng乃nǎi不bù祥xiáng之zhī兆zhào也yě。」众zhòng视shì其qí人rén，乃nǎi帐zhàng前qián心xīn腹fù校xiào尉wèi，姓xìng庞páng，名míng德dé，字zì令lìng名míng。超chāo问wèn：「令lìng名míng所suǒ见jiàn若ruò何hé？」德dé曰yuē：「雪xuě地dì遇yù虎hǔ，梦mèng兆zhào殊shū𫫇ě。

The letter was written, sent by a trusty hand and duly delivered. Now Ma Ch‘ao was in Hsiliang. One night he had a vision. In his dream he saw himself lying out on a snowy plain and many tigers were coming up and biting him. He awoke in a fright and began to wonder what the dream portended. Failing to explain it, he told the dream to his officers. One of them ventured to say the portent was evil. This was one, P‘ang Tê, a junior officer. “What is your interpretation?” asked Ma Ch‘ao. “Meeting with tigers on a snowy plain is a very inauspicious subject to dream about. Assuredly our old General is in trouble at the capital.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-8

莫mò非fēi老lǎo将jiàng军jūn在zài许xǔ昌chāng有yǒu事shì否fǒu？」言yán未wèi毕bì，一yī人rén踉liàng跄qiàng而ér入rù，哭kū拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：「叔shū父fù与yǔ弟dì皆jiē死sí矣yǐ！」超chāo视shì之zhī，乃nái马mǎ岱dài也yě。超chāo惊jīng问wèn。岱dài曰yuē：「叔shū父fù与yǔ侍shì郎láng黄huáng奎kuí同tóng谋móu杀shā操cāo，不bú幸xìng事shì泄xiè，皆jiē被bèi斩zhǎn于yú市shì。二èr弟dì亦yì遇yù害hài。惟wéi岱dài扮bàn作zuò客kè商shāng，星xīng夜yè走zǒu脱tuō。」

And at that moment one came in in hot haste and cast himself on the earth weeping and crying, “Both your uncle and your brother are dead.” It was Ma Tai and he told the story of the evil that had fallen through Huang K‘uei and the plotted assassination that had miscarried and become known. They two had been put to death in the market place and he had escaped in disguise. Ma Ch‘ao fell to the ground and wept bitterly, grinding his teeth with rage at his enemy Ts‘ao. They lifted him to his feet and led him away to repose.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-9

超chāo闻wén言yán，哭kū倒dào于yú地dì。众zhòng将jiāng救jiù起qǐ。超chāo咬yǎo牙yá切qiè齿chǐ，痛tòng恨hèn操cāo贼zéi。忽hū报bào荆jīng州zhōu刘liú皇huáng叔shū遣qiǎn人rén赍jī书shū至zhì。超chāo拆chāi视shì之zhī，书shū略lüè曰yuē：「伏fú念niàn汉hàn室shì不bú幸xìng，操cāo贼zéi专zhuān权quán，欺qī君jūn罔wǎng上shàng，黎lí民mín凋diāo残cán。备bèi昔xī与yǔ令lìng先xiān君jūn同tóng受shòu密mì诏zhào，誓shì诛zhū此cǐ贼zéi。今jīn令lìng先xiān君jūn被bèi操cāo所suǒ害hài，此cǐ将jiāng军jūn不bú共gòng天tiān地dì，不bù同tóng日rì月yuè之zhī雠chóu也yě。

Soon after arrived a messenger with a letter from Liu Pei, which read like this:—“In these latter days of the hapless Hans, when the rebellious and tyrannical Ts‘ao monopolises all power, to the injury of the Emperor and the wretchedness of the people, I, Liu Pei, recall that I and your father were recipients of an edict and we swore to exterminate the recreant. Now your father has suffered death at the hands of the tyrant and you must avenge him. As the holy books say, you cannot let the same sky cover you nor the same sun shine upon you and your father’s murderer. If you can lead your men to attack Ts‘ao on one side I will march my armies to prevent his retreat and he will be taken and all his evil crew can be exterminated. Then and thus will your father be avenged and the Hans can be restored. I might add more but I will await your reply.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-10

若ruò能néng率lǜ西xī凉liáng之zhī兵bīng，以yǐ攻gōng操cāo之zhī右yòu，备bèi当dāng举jǔ荆jīng襄xiāng之zhī众zhòng，以yǐ遏è操cāo之zhī前qián。则zé逆nì操cāo可kě擒qín，奸jiān党dáng可kě灭miè，雠chóu辱rǔ亦yì可kě报bào，汉hàn室shì可kě兴xīng矣yǐ。书shū不bú侭jìn言yán，立lì待dài回huí音yīn。」

Wiping his tears, Ma Ch‘ao wrote a reply which was returned by the bearer. The Hsiliang army was then mustered; horse and foot were assembled. Just before the day that had been fixed for the start the Governor of the district, Han Sui, sent for Ma Ch‘ao, to whom he showed a letter from Ts‘ao Ts‘ao promising the Marquisate of Hsiliang as a reward for sending Ma Ch‘ao a prisoner to the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-11

马mǎ超chāo看kàn毕bì，即jí时shí挥huī涕tì回huí书shū，发fā使shí者zhě先xiān回huí，随suí后hòu便biàn起qǐ西xī凉liáng军jūn马mǎ。正zhèng欲yù进jìn发fā，忽hū西xī凉liáng太tài守shǒu韩hán遂suì使shǐ人rén请qíng马mǎ超chāo往wǎng见jiàn。超chāo至zhì遂suì府fǔ，遂suì将jiāng出chū曹cáo操cāo书shū示shì之zhī。内nèi云yún：「若ruò将jiāng马mǎ超chāo擒qín赴fù许xǔ都dōu，即jí封fēng汝rǔ为wèi西xī凉liáng侯hóu。」超chāo拜bài伏fú于yú地dì曰yuē：「请qǐng叔shū父fù就jiù䌸俺ǎn兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén，解jiě赴fù许xǔ昌chāng，免miǎn叔shū父fù戈gē戟jǐ之zhī劳láo。

“Bind us both, Uncle, and send us thither; you need not move a single spear,” said the younger man prostrating himself. But Han Sui raised him saying, “Your father and I were sworn brothers; think you I would harm you? Rather will I help if you are going to fight.” Ma Ch‘ao expressed his gratitude. The unhappy bearer of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s letter was dragged forth and beheaded. This done the two took count of their armies. Han Sui had eight divisions under as many commanders, all to be relied upon to follow Han Sui, while the younger man had twenty legions counting those under P‘ang Tê and Ma Tai. Such were the forces with which they could attack Ch‘angan the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-12

」韩hán遂suì扶fú起qǐ曰yuē：「吾wú与yú汝rǔ父fù结jié为wèi兄xiōng弟dì，安ān忍rěn害hài汝rǔ？汝rǔ若ruò兴xīng兵bīng，吾wú当dāng相xiāng助zhù。」

The commander of that city was Chung Yu. As soon as he heard what was afoot he sent a fleet messenger to Ts‘ao and prepared for defence. He led his force out into the open plain and arrayed it for battle.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-13

马mǎ超chāo拜bài谢xiè。韩hán遂suì便biàn将jiāng操cāo使shí者zhě推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī，乃nái点dián手shǒu下xià八bā部bù军jūn马mǎ，一yī同tóng进jìn发fā。那nà八bā部bù？乃nǎi侯hóu选xuǎn、程chéng银yín、李lǐ堪kān、张zhāng横héng、梁liáng兴xīng、成chéng宜yí、马mǎ玩wán、杨yáng秋qiū也yě。八bā将jiāng随suí著zhù韩hán遂suì，合hé马mǎ超chāo手shǒu下xià庞páng德dé、马mǎ岱dài共gòng起qǐ二èr十shí万wàn大dà兵bīng，杀shā奔bēn长cháng安ān来lái。长cháng安ān郡jùn守shǒu钟zhōng繇yáo，飞fēi报bào曹cáo操cāo；一yī麺miàn引yǐn军jūn拒jù敌dí，布bú阵zhèn于yú野yě。

Ma Tai, with a legion and half, came on first, pouring over the countryside like a flood. Chung Yu would parley with him, but he came forward, sword in hand, to attack. However, the defender did not take the challenge but turned and fled. Ma Tai followed in pursuit. Soon the main body of the invaders arrived and they surrounded the city, which Chung Yu set about defending.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-14

西xī凉liáng州zhōu前qián部bù先xiān锋fēng马mǎ岱dài，引yǐn军jūn一yī万wàn五wǔ千qiān，浩hào浩hào荡dàng荡dàng，漫màn山shān遍biàn野yě而ér来lái。钟zhōng繇yáo出chū马mǎ答dá话huà。岱dài使shí宝bǎo刀dāo一yī口kǒu，与yǔ繇yáo交jiāo战zhàn。不bù一yī合hé，繇yáo大dà败bài奔bēn走zǒu，岱dài提tí刀dāo赶gǎn来lái。马mǎ超chāo、韩hán遂suì引yǐn大dà军jūn都dōu到dào，围wéi住zhù长cháng安ān，钟zhōng繇yáo上shàng城chéng守shǒu护hù。

Ch‘angan had been the capital of the western Hans and so was well fortified with a solid wall and a deep moat, safe against the most terrific attacks. The new armies besieged the city for ten days without success. Then P‘ang Tê proposed a plan. Said he, “Since the land about the city is barren and the water bitter, the people must have communication with the country around in order to live. Further they have no fuel. Ten days of siege must have exhausted the supplies in the city, wherefore if we relax for a time—well, you will see. We shall capture the city without moving a finger.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-15

长cháng安ān乃nǎi西xī汉hàn建jiàn都dū之zhī处chù，城chéng郭guō坚jiān固gù，河hé堑qiàn险xiǎn深shēn，急jí切qiè攻gōng打dǎ不bú下xià。一yī连lián围wéi了le十shí日rì，不bù能néng攻gōng破pò。庞páng德dé进jìn计jì曰yuē：「长cháng安ān城chéng中zhōng土tǔ硬yìng水shuí畒mú碱jiǎn，甚shèn不bù堪kān食shí。更gèng兼jiān无wú柴chái，今jīn围wéi十shí日rì，军jūn民mín饥jī荒huāng，不bù如rú暂zàn且qiě收shōu军jūn。只zhǐ须xū如rú此cǐ如rú此cǐ，长cháng安ān唾tuò手shóu可kě得dé。」马mǎ超chāo曰yuē：「此cǐ计jì大dà妙miào！

“Your plan seems excellent,” said Ma Ch‘ao, when he heard what it was. Thereupon they sent orders to each division to retire and Ma Ch‘ao covered the retreat. Next day Chung Yu went up on the walls to look around and saw that the besiegers had gone. However, suspecting a ruse, he sent out spies, who returned to say the soldiers had really moved away to a distance. Wherefore he felt much relieved and allowed both soldiers and people to go out into the country to cut the much-needed firewood and bring in water. The city gates, thrown wide open, were thronged with those passing in and out.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-16

」即jí时shí差chà「令lìng」字zì旗qí传chuán于yú各gè部bù，侭jǐn教jiào退tuì军jūn，马mǎ超chāo亲qīn自zì断duàn后hòu，各gè部bù军jūn马mǎ渐jiàn渐jiàn退tuì去qù。

This continued for five days and then they heard that Ma Ch‘ao’s army was returning. A panic ensued. The people rushed into the city and the gates were once more barred.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-17

钟zhōng繇yáo次cì日rì登dēng城chéng看kàn时shí，军jūn皆jiē退tuì了le，只zhí恐kóng有yǒu计jì；令lìng人rén哨shào探tàn，果guǒ然rán远yuǎn去qù，方fāng才cái放fàng心xīn；纵zòng令lìng军jūn民mín出chū城chéng打dǎ柴chái取qú水shuǐ，大dà开kāi城chéng门mén，放fàng人rén出chū入rù。至zhì第dì五wǔ日rì，人rén报bào马mǎ超chāo兵bīng又yòu到dào，军jūn民mín竞jìng奔bēn入rù城chéng，钟zhōng繇yáo仍réng复fù闭bì城chéng坚jiān守shǒu。

The captain of the west gate was Chung Chin, brother of Chung Yu. About the third watch of the night a torch was seen moving just inside the gate and when the captain went to see what was wrong, and was passing the gateway, a man suddenly galloped up and slashed at him with a sword. At the same time he shouted “Here is P‘ang Tê!” The captain of the gate was taken aback, could not defend himself and was cut down. The gate guard was soon disposed of, the gates were shattered and the soldiers outside came pouring in. Chung Yu escaped by the opposite gate and left the city in the hands of his enemies. He reached Chang Pass, where he fortified himself and sent news of the misfortune to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-18

却què说shuō钟zhōng繇yáo弟dì钟zhōng进jìn，守shóu把bǎ西xī门mén。约yuē近jìn三sān更gēng，城chéng门mén里lǐ一yī把bá火huó起qǐ。钟zhōng进jìn急jí来lái救jiù时shí，城chéng边biān转zhuǎn过guò一yī人rén，举jǔ刀dāo纵zòng马mǎ大dà喝hē曰yuē：「庞páng德dé在zài此cǐ！」钟zhōng进jìn措cuò手shǒu不bù及jí，被bèi庞páng德dé一yī刀dāo斩zhǎn于yú马mǎ下xià，杀shā散sàn军jūn校xiào，斩zhǎn关guān断duàn锁suǒ，放fàng马mǎ超chāo韩hán遂suì军jūn马mǎ入rù城chéng。钟zhōng繇yáo从cóng东dōng门mén弃qì城chéng而ér走zǒu。马mǎ超chāo、韩hán遂suì得dé了le城chéng池chí，赏shǎng劳láo三sān军jūn。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao threw aside all plans for his expedition to the south when Ch‘angan was lost. He at once ordered that the unfortunate Chung Yu at Chang Pass should be replaced by Ts‘ao Hung and Hsü Huang, who had a legion under their command. They were told to hold the Pass at all costs for at least ten days, or they should pay for its loss with their heads. After ten days the Pass would be no concern of theirs, for Ts‘ao Ts‘ao would be there with the main army.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-19

钟zhōng繇yáo退tuì守shǒu潼tóng关guān，飞fēi报bào曹cáo操cāo。操cāo知zhī失shī了le长cháng安ān，不bù敢gǎn复fù议yì南nán征zhēng，遂suì唤huàn曹cáo洪hóng、徐xú晃huǎng分fēn付fù：「先xiān带dài一yī万wàn人rén马mǎ，替tì钟zhōng繇yáo紧jín守shǒu潼tóng关guān。如rú十shí日rì内nèi失shī了le关guān隘ài，皆jiē斩zhǎn。十shí日rì外wài，不bú干gàn汝rǔ二èr人rén之zhī事shì。我wó统tǒng大dà军jūn随suí后hòu便biàn至zhì。」二èr人rén领lǐng了le将jiàng令lìng，星xīng夜yè便biàn行xíng。曹cáo仁rén谏jiàn曰yuē：「洪hóng性xìng躁zào，诚chéng恐kǒng误wù事shì。

The two captains made all haste to the Pass and took over the command from Chung Yu. They confined themselves to defence, and though Ma Ch‘ao appeared every day and reviled and said shameful things of the three generations of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s family, the guardians of the Pass remained quiet. But Ts‘ao Hung fretted at the daily insults and would have led the defenders out to fight had not his colleague restrained him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-20

」操cāo曰yuē：「你ní与yú我wǒ押yā粮liáng草cǎo，便biàn随suí后hòu接jiē应yīng。」

“Ma Ch‘ao only wishes to provoke you to come out, but remember our orders and go not. The Minister has some master plan.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-21

却què说shuō曹cáo洪hóng、徐xú晃huǎng到dào潼tóng关guān，替tì钟zhōng繇yáo坚jiān守shǒu关guān隘ài，并bìng不bù出chū战zhàn。马mǎ超chāo领lǐng军jūn来lái关guān下xià，把bǎ曹cáo操cāo三sān代dài毁huǐ骂mà。曹cáo洪hóng大dà怒nù，要yào提tí兵bīng下xià关guān厮sī杀shā。徐xú晃huǎng谏jiàn曰yuē：「此cǐ是shì马mǎ超chāo要yào激jī将jiàng军jūn厮sī杀shā，切qiè不bù可ké与yǔ战zhàn。待dài丞chéng相xiàng大dà军jūn来lái，必bì有yóu主zhǔ划huà。」马mǎ超chāo军jūn日rì夜yè轮lún流liú来lái骂mà，曹cáo洪hóng只zhǐ要yào厮sī杀shā，徐xú晃huáng苦kú苦kú挡dǎng住zhù。

So spake Hsü Huang. But the advice was hard to follow for Ma Ch‘ao’s men took turns in reviling the defenders of the Pass, resting neither day nor night. And Hsü Huang found it hard to curb his colleague’s impatience. Thus it continued till the ninth day. Then the defenders saw that their enemies had turned all their horses loose and were lolling about on the grass and sleeping as if quite fatigued. Thereupon Ts‘ao Hung bade them saddle his horse, told off three companies and soon this small force was dashing down to catch the besiegers unprepared. They at once fled leaving their steeds and throwing aside their weapons. Ts‘ao Hung could not resist pursuit and chased them.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-22

至zhì第dì九jiǔ日rì，在zài关guān上shàng看kàn时shí，西xī凉liáng军jūn都dōu弃qì马mǎ在zài于yú关guān前qián草cǎo地dì上shàng坐zuò；多duō半bàn困kùn乏fá，就jiù于yú地dì上shàng睡shuì卧wò。曹cáo洪hóng便biàn教jiào备bèi马mǎ，点dián起qǐ三sān千qiān兵bīng杀shā下xià关guān来lái。西xī凉liáng兵bīng弃qì马mǎ抛pāo戈gē而ér走zǒu，洪hóng迤yí逦lǐ追zhuī赶gǎn。

At this time Hsü Huang was higher up the road taking in cartloads of grain and forage; but when he heard what his impulsive colleague had done he hastily got some men together and went to his rescue. He shouted to Ts‘ao Hung to return.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-23

时shí徐xú晃huǎng正zhèng在zài关guān上shàng点diǎn视shì粮liáng草cǎo，闻wén曹cáo洪hóng下xià关guān厮sī杀shā，大dà惊jīng，急jí引yǐn兵bīng随suí后hòu赶gǎn来lái，大dà叫jiào曹cáo洪hóng回huí马mǎ；忽hū然rán背bèi后hòu喊hǎn声shēng大dà震zhèn，马mǎ岱dài引yǐn军jūn杀shā至zhì。曹cáo洪hóng、徐xú晃huǎng急jí回huí走zǒu时shí，一yī棒bàng鼓gú响xiǎng，山shān背bèi后hòu两liǎng军jūn截jié出chū：左zuǒ是shì马mǎ超chāo，右yòu是shì庞páng德dé，混hùn杀shā一yī阵zhèn。曹cáo洪hóng抵dí挡dǎng不bú住zhù，折zhé军jūn大dà半bàn，撞zhuàng出chū重chóng围wéi，奔bēn到dào关guān上shàng。

Suddenly a great shouting arose near him and out dashed Ma Tai to attack. Both Ts‘ao and Hsü turned to flee, but the drums rolled and two bodies of men came out from behind the hills. Then a battle began which went against them from the first. The Ts‘ao men fell fast, but some of them thrust through the press and made for the Pass. Their enemies came in close pursuit and they had to abandon their post and flee whither they could find a way.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-24

西xī凉liáng兵bīng随suí后hòu赶gǎn来lái，洪hóng等děng弃qì关guān而ér走zǒu。庞páng德dé直zhí追zhuī过guò潼tóng关guān，撞zhuàng见jiàn曹cáo仁rén军jūn马mǎ，救jiù了le曹cáo洪hóng等děng一yī军jūn。马mǎ超chāo接jiē应yīng庞páng德dé上shàng关guān。

Ts‘ao Hung made all haste to his master to give him the evil tidings. “When I gave you the limit of ten days, why did you leave the Pass on the ninth?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-25

曹cáo洪hóng失shī了le潼tóng关guān，奔bēn见jiàn曹cáo操cāo。操cāo曰yuē：「与yú你nǐ十shí日rì限xiàn，如rú何hé九jiǔ日rì失shī了le潼tóng关guān？」洪hóng曰yuē：「西xī凉liáng军jūn兵bīng，百bǎi般bān辱rǔ骂mà。因yīn见jiàn彼bǐ军jūn懈xiè怠dài，乘chéng势shì赶gǎn去qù，不bù想xiǎng中zhōng贼zéi奸jiān计jì。」操cāo曰yuē：「洪hóng年nián幼yòu躁zào暴bào，徐xú晃huáng你nǐ须xū晓xiǎo事shì！」晃huǎng曰yuē：「累lèi谏jiàn不bù从cóng。当dāng日rì晃huǎng在zài关guān上shàng点diǎn粮liáng草cǎo，比bǐ及jí知zhī道dào，小xiǎo将jiàng军jūn已yǐ下xià关guān了le。

“Those men from Hsiliang hurled every sort of insult at us,” replied Ts‘ao Hung, “And when I thought I had them unprepared I took the opportunity. But I fell victim to their cunning.” “You are young and impetuous. But, Hsü Huang, you ought to have known.” “He would not listen though I told him many times. And that day I was taking in stores in another part of the Pass. As soon as they told me I felt sure there would be some misfortune and so I hastened after him, but it was too late.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-26

晃huáng恐kóng有yǒu失shī，连lián忙máng赶gǎn去qù，已yǐ中zhōng贼zéi奸jiān计jì矣yǐ。」

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was annoyed and ordered Ts‘ao Hung to be put to death. But his brother-officers begged that he might be pardoned, and as he had confessed his fault, he was allowed to go free and unpunished.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-27

操cāo大dà怒nù，喝hē斩zhǎn曹cáo洪hóng，众zhòng官guān告gào免miǎn，曹cáo洪hóng服fú罪zuì而ér退tuì。操cāo进jìn兵bīng直zhí抵dǐ潼tóng关guān。曹cáo仁rén曰yuē：「可kě先xiān下xià定dìng寨zhài栅zhà，然rán后hòu打dǎ关guān未wèi迟chí。」操cāo令lìng砍kǎn伐fá树shù木mù，起qǐ立lì排pái栅zhà，分fēn作zuò三sān寨zhài：左zuǒ寨zhài曹cáo仁rén，右yòu寨zhài夏xià侯hóu渊yuān，操cāo自zì居jū中zhōng寨zhài。次cì日rì，操cāo引yǐn三sān寨zhài大dà小xiǎo将jiàng校xiào，杀shā奔bēn关guān隘ài前qián去qù，正zhèng遇yù西xī凉liáng军jūn马mǎ。两liǎng边biān各gè布bú阵zhèn势shì。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao advanced to Chang Pass and Ts‘ao Jên said it would be well to establish a strong stockade before attacking. So trees were felled and a strong stockade built. They made three camps and Ts‘ao himself was in the centre one. Soon after, Ts‘ao and all his officers in a body rushed to attack the Pass. They ran against the Hsiliang men posted on two sides, halted and formed their array. This done, Ts‘ao rode to the centre standard whence he looked at his opponents.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-28

操cāo出chū马mǎ于yú门mén旗qí下xià，看kàn西xī凉liáng之zhī兵bīng，人rén人rén勇yǒng健jiàn，个gè个gè英yīng雄xióng。又yòu见jiàn马mǎ超chāo生shēng得dé麺miàn如rú傅fù粉fěn，唇chún若ruò抹mǒ朱zhū；腰yāo细xì膀bǎng宽kuān，声shēng雄xióng力lì猛měng；白bái袍páo银yín铠kǎi，手shǒu执zhí长zhǎng鎗qiāng，立lì马mǎ阵zhèn前qián；上shàng首shǒu庞páng德dé，下xià首shóu马mǎ岱dài。操cāo暗àn暗àn称chēng奇qí，自zì纵zòng马mǎ谓wèi超chāo曰yuē：「汝rú乃nǎi汉hàn朝cháo名míng将jiàng子zǐ孙sūn，何hé故gù背bèi反fǎn耶yé？

He saw before him a body of fine men, every one with the bearing of a hero. And the leader, Ma Ch‘ao, was worthy of them, with his pale face and red lips, his supple hips and broad shoulders, his deep voice and fierce strength. He was wearing a silver helmet and gripped a long spear as he sat there on his charger. P‘ang Tê and Ma Tai supported him and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao admired him in his secret heart. However, Ts‘ao urged forward his steed and shouted to Ma Ch‘ao, “Why are you arrayed against the Hans, whom your father and grandfather served faithfully?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-29

」超chāo咬yǎo牙yá切qiè齿chǐ，大dà骂mà：「操cāo贼zéi欺qī君jūn罔wǎng上shàng，罪zuì不bù容róng诛zhū！害hài我wǒ父fù弟dì，不bú共gòng戴dài天tiān之zhī雠chóu！吾wú当dāng活huó捉zhuō生shēng啖dàn汝rǔ肉ròu！」

Ma ground his teeth and cursed Ts‘ao Ts‘ao for a rebel, a betrayer of both prince and people, the murderer of his father and brother. “My hate for you is to the death; the same sky shall not continue to cover us for I will take you captive and satiate my appetite on your living flesh.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-30

说shuō罢bà，挺tǐng鎗qiāng直zhí杀shā过guò来lái。曹cáo操cāo背bèi后hòu于yú禁jìn出chū迎yíng。两liáng马mǎ交jiāo战zhàn，斗dòu得dé八bā九jiǔ合hé，于yú禁jìn败bài走zǒu。张zhāng郃hé出chū迎yíng，战zhàn二èr十shí合hé亦yì败bài走zǒu。李lǐ通tōng出chū迎yíng，超chāo奋fèn威wēi交jiāo战zhàn，数shù合hé之zhī中zhōng，一yī鎗qiāng刺cì李lǐ通tōng于yú马mǎ下xià。超chāo把bǎ鎗qiāng望wàng后hòu一yī招zhāo，西xī凉liáng兵bīng一yī齐qí冲chōng杀shā过guò来lái。操cāo兵bīng大dà败bài。西xī凉liáng兵bīng来lái得de势shì猛měng，左zuǒ右yòu将jiāng佐zuǒ皆jiē抵dí挡dǎng不bú住zhù。

With this he set his spear and rode over toward Ts‘ao Ts‘ao as if to slay him. But Yü Chin came out from behind and engaged Ma Ch‘ao in battle. These two fought some half score bouts and then Yü Chin had to flee. Chang Ho, however, took his place and the two heroes exchanged a score of passes. Then Chang Ho, too, ran away. Next to come forth was Li T‘ung. Ma Ch‘ao’s martial prowess was now at its height and he made short work of Li T‘ung, who went out of the saddle at the first blow. Then Ma Ch‘ao flourished his spear at the men behind him as a signal for them to come on, which they did like a flood. They overwhelmed Ts‘ao’s men and Ma Ch‘ao and his colleague rode forward to try to capture Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-31

马mǎ超chāo、庞páng德dé、马mǎ岱dài引yín百bǎi余yú骑qí，直zhí入rù中zhōng军jūn来lái捉zhuō曹cáo操cāo。操cāo在zài乱luàn军jūn中zhōng，只zhǐ听tīng得dé西xī凉liáng军jūn大dà叫jiào：「穿chuān红hóng袍páo的de是shì曹cáo操cāo！」操cāo就jiù马mǎ上shàng急jí脱tuō下xià红hóng袍páo，又yòu听tīng得dé大dà叫jiào：「长zhǎng髯rán者zhě是shì曹cáo操cāo！」操cāo惊jīng慌huāng，掣chè所suǒ佩pèi刀dāo断duàn其qí髯rán。军jūn中zhōng有yǒu人rén将jiāng曹cáo操cāo割gē髯rán之zhī事shì，告gào知zhī马mǎ超chāo。超chāo遂suì令lìng人rén叫jiào拏ná：「短duǎn髯rán者zhě是shì曹cáo操cāo！

They came close. Ts‘ao heard one of his pursuers shout to another, “That is he in the red dress!” So he hastily tore off his red robe and threw it away. He also heard one say “That is Ts‘ao Ts‘ao with the long beard!” At once Ts‘ao took the sword that he wore at his side and sawed off some of the beard. Yet again a soldier recognised him and told Ma Ch‘ao that Ts‘ao had now cut his beard, whereupon the order went forth to capture short beards. And then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao wrapped the corner of a flag about neck and jowl and fled.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-32

」操cāo闻wén知zhī，即jí扯chě旗qí角jiǎo包bāo颈jǐng而ér逃táo。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī曰yuē：

Hearing this, Cao Cao immediately tore off a corner of his banner, wrapped it around his neck, and fled. A later poet wrote:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

58-33

潼tóng关guān战zhàn败bài望wàng风fēng逃táo，孟mèng德dé怆chuàng惶huáng脱tuō锦jǐn袍páo。

Defeated at Tongguan, he fled at the sight of them; Mengde, in wild panic, cast off his brocade robe.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

58-34

剑jiàn割gē髭zī髯rán应yīng丧sàng胆dǎn，马mǎ超chāo声shēng价jià盖gài天tiān高gāo。

He cut his beard and whiskers, his courage surely shattered; Ma Chao's renown soared high, above the heavens.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

58-35

曹cáo操cāo正zhèng走zǒu之zhī间jiān，背bèi后hòu一yī骑qí赶gǎn来lái。回huí头tóu视shì之zhī，正zhèng是shì马mǎ超chāo。操cāo大dà惊jīng。左zuǒ右yòu将jiàng校xiào见jiàn超chāo赶gǎn来lái，各gè自zì逃táo命mìng，只zhǐ撇piē下xià曹cáo操cāo。超chāo厉lì声shēng大dà叫jiào曰yuē：「曹cáo操cāo休xiū走zǒu！」操cāo惊jīng得dé马mǎ鞭biān坠zhuì地dì。看kàn看kàn赶gǎn上shàng，马mǎ超chāo从cóng后hòu使shǐ鎗qiāng搠shuò来lái。操cāo遶rào树shù而ér走zǒu。超chāo一yī鎗qiāng搠shuò在zài树shù上shàng，急jí拔bá下xià时shí，操cāo已yí走zóu远yuǎn。

Panic seized upon the soldiers at T‘ung Pass; Frightened, Mêng-tê flung off his brocade robe And, terror-stricken, sawed his beard off with a sword. The fame of Ma Ch‘ao rose even to the sky. Ts‘ao had got clear of the battle and was getting calmer. Then again the sound of hoofs fell upon his ears and on looking round he perceived Ma Ch‘ao quite close. He and those near were panic-stricken, and all scattered for their lives, careless of the fate of their captain. “Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, do not flee!” cried Ma coming nearer.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-36

超chāo纵zòng马má赶gǎn来lái，山shān坡pō边biān转zhuǎn出chū一yī将jiāng，大dà叫jiào：「勿wù伤shāng吾wú主zhǔ！曹cáo洪hóng在zài此cǐ！」轮lún刀dāo纵zòng马mǎ，拦lán住zhù马mǎ超chāo。操cāo得dé命mìng走zǒu脱tuō。洪hóng与yú马mǎ超chāo战zhàn到dào四sì五wǔ十shí合hé，渐jiàn渐jiàn刀dāo法fá散sǎn乱luàn，气qì力lì不bù加jiā。夏xià侯hóu渊yuān引yǐn数shù十shí骑qí随suí到dào。马mǎ超chāo独dú自zì一yī人rén，恐kǒng被bèi所suǒ算suàn，乃nǎi拨bō马mǎ而ér回huí，夏xià侯hóu渊yuān也yě不bù来lái赶gǎn。

The whip dropped from Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s nerveless hand as he saw his enemy coming closer and closer. But just as Ma had levelled his spear for a thrust Ts‘ao slipped behind a tree, changed the direction of his flight and so escaped, while Ma struck the tree. He quickly pulled out his spear but the delay gave the fugitive an advantage although it did not quite free him from pursuit, for Ma Ch‘ao was soon again galloping on his track. As they drew near the slope of some hills a bold captain suddenly appeared, who cried, “Do not hurt my lord!”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-37

曹cáo操cāo回huí寨zhài，却què得dé曹cáo仁rén死sǐ据jù定dìng了le寨zhài栅zhà，因yīn此cǐ不bù曾céng多duō折zhé军jūn马mǎ。操cāo入rù帐zhàng叹tàn曰yuē：「吾wú若ruò杀shā了le曹cáo洪hóng，今jīn日rì必bì死sǐ于yú马mǎ超chāo之zhī手shóu也yě！」遂suì唤huàn曹cáo洪hóng重zhòng加jiā赏shǎng赐cì。收shōu拾shí败bài军jūn，坚jiān守shǒu寨zhài栅zhà；深shēn沟gōu高gāo垒lěi，不bù许xǔ出chū战zhàn。超chāo每měi日rì引yǐn兵bīng来lái寨zhài前qián辱rǔ骂mà搦nuò战zhàn，操cāo传chuán令lìng教jiào军jūn士shì坚jiān守shǒu，如rú乱luàn动dòng者zhé斩zhǎn。

This was Ts‘ao Hung and he went toward Ma Ch‘ao, whirling his sword. Ma Ch‘ao was stopped and this saved Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s life. Ts‘ao Hung and Ma Ch‘ao fought half a hundred bouts till both began to grow weary and become uncertain of their strokes. And when, shortly after, Hsiahou Yüan appeared with a half score of horse, Ma Ch‘ao found it prudent to retire. Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was escorted to his camp. Although he had lost Ts‘ao Jên yet the camps were still unharmed and the losses had not been great.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-38

诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「西xī凉liáng之zhī兵bīng，侭jín使shí长zhǎng鎗qiāng，当dāng选xuǎn弓gōng弩nǔ迎yíng之zhī。」操cāo曰yuē：「战zhàn与yǔ不bú战zhàn，皆jiē在zài于yú我wǒ，非fēi在zài贼zéi也yě。贼zéi虽suī有yóu长zhǎng鎗qiāng，安ān能néng便biàn刺cì！诸zhū公gōng但dàn坚jiān壁bì观guān之zhī，贼zéi自zì退tuì矣yǐ。」诸zhū将jiāng皆jiē私sī相xiāng议yì曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng自zì来lái征zhēng战zhàn，一yī身shēn当dāng先xiān；今jīn败bài于yú马mǎ超chāo，何hé如rú此cǐ之zhī弱ruò也yě？」

As he sat in his tent Ts‘ao said, “Had I not spared Ts‘ao Hung I should have fallen at the hands of Ma Ch‘ao to-day.” So he called in his rescuer and rewarded him well. And they got together the scattered men and strengthened the camp, deepening the moat and raising the rampart. Ma Ch‘ao came daily and challenged any one to combat and abused them all shamefully, but, by the order of the General these insults were treated with silent contempt. “Our enemies use long spears,” said the officers. “We will meet them with bows and crossbows.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-39

过guò了le几jǐ日rì，细xì作zuò报bào来lái：「马mǎ超chāo又yòu添tiān二èr万wàn生shēng力lì兵bīng来lái助zhù战zhàn，乃nǎi是shì羌qiāng人rén部bú落luò。」操cāo闻wén知zhī大dà喜xǐ。诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「马mǎ超chāo添tiān兵bīng，丞chéng相xiàng反fán喜xǐ，何hé也yě？」操cāo曰yuē：「待dài吾wú胜shèng了le，却què对duì汝rú等děng说shuō。」三sān日rì后hòu又yòu报bào关guān上shàng又yòu添tiān军jūn马mǎ。操cāo又yòu大dà喜xǐ，就jiù于yú帐zhàng中zhōng设shè宴yàn作zuò贺hè。诸zhū将jiāng皆jiē暗àn笑xiào。

“They may have long spears,” replied Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “but whether I give battle or not depends on my decision. How can they thrust at us if we do not go out? All you have to do is to take no notice of them and they will speedily retire.” The officers wondered. They said one to another, “The Minister came out on this expedition of his own will and was foremost in the fight; why does he accept defeat so easily?” After some days the spies reported that Ma Ch‘ao had been reinforced by the Ch‘iang , the tribesmen beyond the frontier. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao took the news gleefully. His officers asked him why the news pleased him and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao replied, “Wait till I have defeated them and I will explain.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-40

操cāo曰yuē：「诸zhū公gōng笑xiào我wǒ无wú破pò马mǎ超chāo之zhī谋móu，公gōng等déng有yǒu何hé良liáng策cè？」徐xú晃huǎng进jìn曰yuē：「今jīn丞chéng相xiàng盛shèng兵bīng在zài此cǐ，贼zéi亦yì全quán部bú见jiàn屯tún关guān上shàng，此cǐ去qù河hé西xī，必bì无wú准zhǔn备bèi；若ruò得dé一yī军jūn暗àn渡dù蒲pú坂bǎn津jīn，先xiān截jié贼zéi归guī路lù，丞chéng相xiàng迳jìng发fā河hé北běi击jī之zhī，贼zéi两liǎng不bù相xiāng应yìng，势shì必bì危wēi矣yǐ。」操cāo曰yuē：「公gōng明míng之zhī言yán，正zhèng合hé吾wú意yì。

His Three days later there was a report of further reinforcements and Ts‘ao not only smiled but gave a banquet officers ridiculed him in secret. Then said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “You gentlemen laugh because I cannot destroy Ma Ch‘ao. Well then, can any one of you propose a plan?” Then rose Hsü Huang and said, “O Minister, you have a large force here and the enemy are strongly posted beyond the Pass. This means that on the west side of the river they are unprepared. If you can get an army secretly across the river and block the ferry you will cut off their retreat, and if you can smite them on the north side of the river they can get no reinforcements and must fail.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-41

」便biàn教jiào徐xú晃huáng引yǐn精jīng兵bīng四sì千qiān，和hé朱zhū灵líng同tóng去qù迳jìng袭xí河hé西xī，伏fú于yú山shān谷gǔ之zhī中zhōng，「待dài我wǒ渡dù河hé北běi同tóng时shí击jī之zhī。」徐xú晃huǎng、朱zhū灵líng领lǐng命mìng，先xiān引yǐn四sì千qiān军jūn暗àn暗àn去qù了le。操cāo下xià令lìng，先xiān教jiào曹cáo洪hóng于yú蒲pú坂bǎn津jīn，安ān排pái船chuán筏fá。留liú曹cáo仁rén守shǒu寨zhài，操cāo自zì领lǐng兵bīng渡dù渭wèi河hé。早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò报bào知zhī马mǎ超chāo。

“What you propose is just what I think,” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. So Hsü Huang was placed over four companies and with Chu Ling marched to the west of the river and hid in the gullies. They were to wait till Ts‘ao Ts‘ao crossed the river to the north so that both could strike together. Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao ordered Ts‘ao Hung to prepare boats and rafts at the ferry. Ts‘ao Jên was left in command of the camps.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-42

超chāo曰yuē：「今jīn操cāo不bù攻gōng潼tóng关guān，而ér使shǐ人rén准zhǔn备bèi船chuán筏fá，欲yù渡dù河hé北běi，必bì将jiāng遏è吾wú之zhī后hòu也yě。吾wú当dāng引yǐn一yī军jūn渡dù河hé拒jù住zhù北běi岸àn。操cāo兵bīng不bù得dé渡dù，不bù消xiāo二èr十shí日rì，河hé东dōng粮liáng侭jǐn，操cāo兵bīng必bì乱luàn，却què循xún河hé南nán而ér击jī之zhī，操cāo可kě擒qín矣yǐ。」韩hán遂suì曰yuē：「不bú必bì如rú此cǐ。岂qǐ不bù闻wén兵bīng法fá有yǒu云yún：『兵bīng半bàn渡dù可kě击jī。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao himself crossed the River Wei, and when Ma Ch‘ao heard of the new military movements he said, “I understand. The Pass is left, rafts are being prepared; that means that he is going to cross to the north side and cut off my retreat. I must coast along the river and keep him off. If I can do that his food will run short within twenty days and that will cause a mutiny. I will travel along the south bank and attack.” Han Sui did not approve this plan. He quoted the military maxim to strike when troops were half over the river. “Attack from the south bank when his army is in the act of crossing and his men will be drowned in the river,” said he. “Uncle, your words are good,” replied Ma Ch‘ao. And the spies went forth to find out the time of crossing the river.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-43

』待dài操cāo兵bīng渡dù至zhì一yí半bàn，汝rǔ却què于yú南nán岸àn击jī之zhī，操cāo兵bīng皆jiē死sǐ于yú河hé内nèi矣yǐ。」超chāo曰yuē：「叔shū父fù之zhī言yán甚shèn善shàn。」即jí使shǐ人rén探tàn听tīng曹cáo操cāo几jǐ时shí渡dù河hé。

When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s preparations were complete and all was ready he sent three parties of soldiers over the river first. They reached the ferry at the first sign of dawn and the veterans were sent over first and lay out a camp. Ts‘ao and his guard took up station on the south bank to watch the crossing.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-44

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo整zhěng兵bīng已yǐ毕bì，分fēn三sān停tíng军jūn，前qián渡dù渭wèi河hé，比bǐ及jí人rén马mǎ到dào河hé内nèi时shí，日rì光guāng初chū起qǐ。操cāo先xiān发fā精jīng兵bīng渡dù过guò北běi岸àn，开kāi创chuàng营yíng寨zhài。操cāo自zì引yǐn亲qīn随suí护hù卫wèi军jūn将jiāng百bǎi人rén，按àn剑jiàn坐zuò于yú南nán岸àn，看kàn军jūn渡dù河hé。忽hū然rán人rén报bào：「后hòu边biān白bái袍páo将jiāng军jūn到dào了le！」众zhòng皆jiē认rèn得de是shì马mǎ超chāo，一yī拥yōng下xià船chuán。河hé边biān军jūn争zhēng上shàng船chuán者zhě，声shēng喧xuān不bù止zhǐ。

Very soon the sentinels reported the approach of a General dressed all in white, whom everyone knew must be Ma Ch‘ao. This terrified them and they made a rush to get into the boats. The river bank became a scene of shouting men struggling who could first embark. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao sat watching and never stirred. He only issued orders to stop the confusion. Meanwhile the yelling of the men and the neighing of the horses of the approaching army came nearer and nearer. Suddenly a captain jumped out of one of the boats and shouted to Ts‘ao. “The rebels are close! Get into a boat, O Minister.” “The rebels are near; why not?” replied Ts‘ao simply to the speaker, who was Hsü Ch‘u. And he turned round to look at them.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-45

操cāo犹yóu坐zuò而ér不bú动dòng，按àn剑jiàn指zhǐ约yuē休xiū闹nào。只zhǐ听tīng得dé人rén喊hán马mǎ嘶sī，蜂fēng拥yōng而ér来lái，船chuán上shàng一yī将jiāng跃yuè身shēn上shàng岸àn，呼hū曰yuē：「贼zéi至zhì矣yǐ！请qǐng丞chéng相xiàng下xià船chuán！」操cāo视shì之zhī，乃nái许xú褚chú也yě。操cāo口kǒu内nèi犹yóu言yán：「贼zéi至zhì何hé妨fáng？」回huí头tóu视shì之zhī，马mǎ超chāo已yǐ离lí不bù得dé百bǎi余yú步bù。许xú褚chǔ拖tuō操cāo下xià船chuán时shí，船chuán已yǐ离lí岸àn一yī丈zhàng有yǒu余yú，褚chǔ负fù操cāo一yī跃yuè上shàng船chuán。

As a fact Ma Ch‘ao was very close, not a hundred paces away, and Hsü Ch‘u laid hold of Ts‘ao and dragged him down the bank. The boat had already pushed off and was ten feet from the bank but Hsü Ch‘u took Ts‘ao Ts‘ao on his back and leaped on board. The boat was small and in danger of being overturned, wherefore Hsü Ch‘u drew his sword and chopped away at the hands clinging to the side so that the men fell back into the water. The boat went down stream, Hsü Ch‘u standing in the prow poling as hard as he could. His master crouched out of sight at his feet.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-46

随suí行xíng将jiāng士shì侭jǐn皆jiē下xià水shuǐ，扳bān住zhù船chuán边biān，争zhēng欲yù上shàng船chuán逃táo命mìng。船chuán小xiǎo将jiàng翻fān，褚chǔ掣chè刀dāo乱luàn砍kǎn，船chuán傍bàng手shóu侭jǐn折zhé，倒dào于yú水shuǐ中zhōng，急jí将jiāng船chuán望wàng下xià水shuǐ棹zhào去qù。许xú褚chǔ立lì于yú梢shāo上shàng，忙máng用yòng木mù篙gāo撑chēng之zhī。操cāo伏fú在zài许xú褚chú脚jiǎo边biān。马mǎ超chāo赶gǎn到dào河hé岸àn，见jiàn船chuán已yǐ流liú在zài半bàn河hé，遂suì拈niān弓gōng搭dā箭jiàn，喝hè令lìng骁xiāo将jiàng遶rào河hé射shè之zhī，矢shǐ如rú雨yǔ急jí。

When Ma Ch‘ao saw the boat in mid-stream drifting down with the current he took his bow and arrows and began to shoot. He also ordered his brave captains to go along the river and shoot so that a shower of arrows fell about the boat. Hsü Ch‘u fearing Ts‘ao Ts‘ao would be wounded, protected him with a saddle which he held over him with his left hand, for Ma Ch‘ao’s shooting was not in vain. Many of the men working the boat were wounded. Some had fallen overboard, while more lay in the bottom of the boat. The boat itself got out of control and was whirled hither and thither by the current. Hsü Ch‘u straddled over the tiller and tried thus to guide the boat while he poled with one hand and with the other held the protecting saddle over Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s head.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-47

褚chú恐kǒng伤shāng曹cáo操cāo，以yí左zuó手shóu举jú马mǎ鞍ān遮zhē之zhī。马mǎ超chāo箭jiàn不bù虚xū发fā，船chuán上shàng驾jià舟zhōu之zhī人rén，应yīng弦xián落luò水shuǐ；船chuán中zhōng数shù十shí人rén皆jiē被bèi射shè倒dào。其qí船chuán反fǎn撑chēng不bú定dìng，于yú急jí水shuǐ中zhōng旋xuán转zhuǎn。许xú褚chǔ独dú奋fèn神shén威wēi，将jiāng两liáng腿tuǐ夹jiā舵duò摇yáo撼hàn，一yī手shóu使shǐ篙gāo撑chēng船chuán，一yī手shóu举jǔ鞍ān遮zhē护hù曹cáo操cāo。

Then the Magistrate of Weinan, Ting P‘ei, who from a hill top saw that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was very closely pressed, nay, even in danger of his life, drove out from his camp all the cattle and horses there, so that they scattered over the hillside. This was too much for the born herdsmen of the plains. At sight of the beasts, they left the river and ran off to secure them. Nor had they any inclination to pursue their enemy.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-48

时shí有yǒu渭wèi南nán县xiàn令lìng丁dīng斐fěi，在zài南nán山shān之zhī上shàng，见jiàn马mǎ超chāo追zhuī操cāo甚shèn急jí，恐kǒng伤shāng操cāo命mìng，遂suì将jiāng寨zhài内nèi牛niú只zhí马má匹pǐ，侭jǐn驱qū于yú外wài，漫màn山shān遍biàn野yě，皆jiē是shì牛niú马mǎ。西xī凉liáng兵bīng见jiàn之zhī，都dōu回huí身shēn争zhēng取qǔ牛niú马mǎ，无wú心xīn追zhuī赶gǎn，曹cáo操cāo因yīn此cǐ得dé脱tuō。方fāng到dào北běi岸àn，便biàn把bǎ船chuán筏fá凿záo渖shěn。诸zhū将jiāng听tīng得dé曹cáo操cāo在zài河hé中zhōng逃táo难nàn，急jí来lái救jiù时shí，操cāo已yǐ登dēng岸àn。

And so Ts‘ao Ts‘ao escaped. As soon as they reached the northern shore the boat was scuttled. The rumour had spread that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was on the river and in danger, so all his officers came to his aid. But he was now safe on shore. Hsü Ch‘u's double armour was stuck full of arrows. His officers escorted Ts‘ao Ts‘ao to the camp where they made their obeisance and expressed the hope that he had not suffered seriously. “The rebels very nearly caught me to-day,” said he smiling.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-49

许xú褚chǔ身shēn被bèi重zhòng铠kǎi，箭jiàn皆jiē嵌qiàn在zài甲jiǎ上shàng。众zhòng将jiāng保bǎo操cāo至zhì野yě寨zhài中zhōng，皆jiē拜bài于yú地dì而ér问wèn安ān。操cāo大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「我wǒ今jīn日rì几jǐ为wèi小xiǎo贼zéi所suǒ困kùn！」褚chǔ曰yuē：「若ruò非fēi有yǒu人rén纵zòng马mǎ放fàng牛niú以yǐ诱yòu贼zéi，贼zéi必bì努nǔ力lì渡dù河hé矣yǐ。」操cāo问wèn曰yuē：「诱yòu贼zéi者zhě谁shuí也yě？」有yǒu知zhī者zhě答dá曰yuē：「渭wèi南nán县xiàn令lìng丁dīng斐féi也yě。」少sháo顷qǐng，斐fěi入rù见jiàn。

“They would have got across the river had they not been enticed away by the freeing of the cattle and horses.” said Hsu Ch‘u. ” “Who was it that drew them off?” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Some one who knew told him. Before long the Magistrate Ting came in to pay his respects and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao thanked him. “I should have been a prisoner but for your happy thought,' said he. And the Magistrate received a rank in the army. “Though they have gone, yet they will assuredly return to-morrow,” said Ting P‘ei. “You must prepare to repel them.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-50

操cāo谢xiè曰yuē：「若ruò非fēi公gōng之zhī良liáng谋móu，则zé吾wú被bèi贼zéi所suǒ擒qín矣yǐ。」遂suì命mìng为wèi典diǎn军jūn校xiào尉wèi。斐fěi曰yuē：「贼zéi虽suī暂zàn去qù，明míng日rì必bì复fù来lái。须xū以yǐ良liáng策cè拒jù之zhī。」操cāo曰yuē：「吾wú已yí准zhǔn备bèi了le也yě。」遂suì唤huàn诸zhū将jiāng：「各gè分fēn头tóu循xún河hé筑zhù起qí甬yǒng道dào，暂zàn为wèi寨zhài脚jiǎo。贼zéi若ruò来lái时shí，陈chén兵bīng于yú甬yǒng道dào外wài，内nèi虚xū立lì旌jīng旗qí，以yǐ为wéi疑yí兵bīng；

“My preparations are all made,” was the reply. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao ordered his captains to spread themselves along the river bank and throw up mounds as shelters for camps. If they saw the enemy approaching the soldiers were to be withdrawn from behind the mounds, leaving the ensigns all flying, so as to give the impression that each camp contained a garrison. Along the river they were to dig ditches and put up sheds, thus to entice the enemy there and their men would stumble into the pits and fall easy victims.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-51

更gèng沿yán河hé掘jué下xià壕háo堑qiàn，虚xū土tǔ栅zhà盖gài，河hé内nèi以yǐ兵bīng诱yòu之zhī；贼zéi急jí来lái必bì陷xiàn，贼zéi陷xiàn便biàn可kě擒qín矣yǐ。」

Ma Ch‘ao returned to Han Sui and told him how he had nearly captured Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, but a certain bold captain had taken Ts‘ao on his back and leaped with him into a boat.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-52

却què说shuō马mǎ超chāo回huí见jiàn韩hán遂suì，说shuō：「几jī乎hū捉zhuō住zhù曹cáo操cāo，有yǒu一yī将jiāng奋fèn勇yǒng负fù操cāo下xià船chuán去qù了le，不bù知zhī何hé人rén。」遂suì曰yuē：「吾wú闻wén曹cáo操cāo选xuǎn极jí壮zhuàng之zhī人rén，为wèi帐zhàng前qián侍shì卫wèi，名míng曰yuē『虎hǔ卫wèi军jūn』，以yǐ骁xiāo将jiàng典diǎn韦wéi、许xú褚chú领lǐng之zhī。典diǎn韦wéi已yí死sǐ，今jīn救jiù曹cáo操cāo者zhě，必bì许xú褚chú也yě。此cǐ人rén勇yǒng力lì过guò人rén，人rén皆jiē称chēng为wéi『虎hǔ痴chī』；如rú遇yù之zhī，不bù可kě轻qīng敌dí。

Han Sui replied, “I have heard that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao had a body guard of the bravest and strongest soldiers under the command of Tien Wei and Hsü Ch‘u. They are called the Tiger Guards. Now as Tien Wei is dead, the man you saw must have been Hsu Ch‘u. He is both brave and powerful and goes by the name of Tiger-lust. You will do well to avoid him.” “I know his name, too,” said Ma.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-53

」超chāo曰yuē：「吾wú亦yì闻wén其qí名míng久jiú矣yǐ。」遂suì曰yuē：「今jīn操cāo渡dù河hé，将jiāng袭xí我wǒ后hòu，可kě速sù攻gōng之zhī，不bù可kě令lìng他tā创chuàng立lì营yíng寨zhài。若ruò立lì营yíng寨zhài，急jí难nàn剿jiǎo除chú。」超chāo曰yuē：「以yǐ姪zhí愚yú意yì，还hái只zhǐ拒jù住zhù北běi岸àn，使shí彼bǐ不bù得dé渡dù河hé，乃nǎi为wèi上shàng策cè。」遂suì曰yuē：「贤xián姪zhí守shǒu寨zhài，吾wú引yǐn军jūn循xún河hé战zhàn操cāo，若ruò何hé？」超chāo曰yuē：「令lìng庞páng德dé为wèi先xiān锋fēng，跟gēn叔shū父fù前qián去qù。」

“Ts‘ao Ts‘ao now means to attack our rear,” continued Han Sui; “let us attack first, before he can establish camps and stockades. If once he can do that it will be difficult to dislodge him.” “My idea is that we should hold the north bank and prevent him from crossing.” “Worthy nephew, keep guard here while I go along the bank of the river and fight Ts‘ao Ts‘ao.” “If you will take P‘ang Tê as your van-leader, I am content,” said Ma Ch‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-55

于yú是shì韩hán遂suì与yǔ庞páng德dé将jiàng兵bīng五wǔ万wàn，直zhí奔bēn渭wèi南nán。操cāo令lìng众zhòng将jiāng于yú甬yǒng道dào两liǎng旁páng诱yòu之zhī。庞páng德dé先xiān引yín铁tiě骑qí千qiān余yú，冲chōng突tū而ér来lái。喊hǎn声shēng起qǐ处chù，人rén马mǎ俱jù落luò于yú陷xiàn马mǎ坑kēng内nèi。庞páng德dé踊yǒng身shēn一yī跳tiào，跃yuè出chū土tǔ坑kēng，立lì于yú平píng地dì，立lì杀shā数shù人rén，步bù行xíng砍kǎn出chū重chóng围wéi。韩hán遂suì已yǐ被bèi困kùn在zài垓gāi心xīn。庞páng德dé步bù行xíng救jiù之zhī，正zhèng遇yù著zhù曹cáo仁rén部bú将jiàng曹cáo永yǒng；

So Han Sui and P‘ang Tê, with five legions, went away down to the river, while Ts‘ao again warned his captains to entice the enemy. P‘ang Tê was in advance with a goodly squadron of iron-clad horsemen and they burst along at full speed. Then there arose a confused shouting as they all went plunging into the ditches prepared for them. P‘ang Tê soon leaped out, gained the level ground and laid about him with all his might. He slew many men and presently got out of the thick of the fight.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-56

被bèi庞páng德dé一yī刀dāo砍kǎn于yú马mǎ下xià，夺duó其qí马mǎ，杀shā开kāi一yī条tiáo血xuè路lù，救jiù出chū韩hán遂suì，投tóu东dōng南nán而ér走zǒu。背bèi后hòu曹cáo兵bīng赶gǎn来lái，马mǎ超chāo引yǐn军jūn接jiē应yīng，杀shā败bài曹cáo兵bīng。复fù救jiù出chū大dà半bàn军jūn马mǎ。战zhàn至zhì日rì暮mù，方fāng回huí。计jì点diǎn人rén马mǎ，折zhé了le将jiāng佐zuǒ程chéng银yín、张zhāng横héng，陷xiàn坑kēng中zhōng死sí者zhě二èr百bǎi余yú人rén。超chāo与yǔ韩hán遂suì商shāng议yì：「若ruò迁qiān延yán日rì久jiǔ，操cāo于yú河hé北běi立lì了le营yíng寨zhài，难nán以yǐ退tuì敌dí；

But Han Sui had also been involved and P‘ang went afoot to try to aid him. On the way he met Ts‘ao Jung, whom he cut down. Then mounting the dead man’s steed he rode forward fiercely, slaying as he passed. He reached his leader whom he led away south-east. The men of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pursued him, but Ma Ch‘ao came with reinforcements and drove them off. He rescued a great number and they continued fighting till evening when they withdrew and mustered their men. Some officers were missing and a couple of hundred men had been killed when they fell into the pits.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-57

不bú若ruò乘chéng今jīn夜yè引yǐn轻qīng骑qí去qù劫jié野yě营yíng。」遂suì曰yuē：「须xū分fēn兵bīng前qián后hòu相xiāng救jiù。」于yú是shì超chāo自zì为wèi前qián部bú，令lìng庞páng德dé、马mǎ岱dài为wèi后hòu应yīng，当dāng夜yè便biàn行xíng。

Ma Ch‘ao and Han Sui discussed what should next be done. “If we give the enemy time, he will make himself strong on the north bank. I think we can do no better than to raid his camp to-night.” “We must have a force and supports for it,” said Han Sui.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-58

却què说shuō曹cáo操cāo收shōu兵bīng屯tún渭wèi北běi，唤huàn诸zhū将jiāng曰yuē：「贼zéi欺qī我wǒ未wèi立lì寨zhài栅zhà，必bì来lái劫jié野yě营yíng。可kě四sì散sàn伏fú兵bīng，虚xū其qí中zhōng军jūn。号hào砲pào响xiǎng时shí，伏fú兵bīng侭jín起qǐ，一yī鼓gú可kě擒qín也yě。」众zhòng将jiāng依yī令lìng，伏fú兵bīng已yǐ毕bì。当dāng夜yè马mǎ超chāo却què先xiān使shǐ成chéng宜yí引yǐn三sān十shí骑qí往wǎng前qián哨shào探tàn。成chéng宜yí见jiàn无wú人rén马mǎ，迳jìng入rù中zhōng军jūn。操cāo军jūn见jiàn西xī凉liáng兵bīng到dào，遂suì放fàng号hào砲pào。

So it was decided that Ma Ch‘ao should lead the striking force with P‘ang Tê and Ma Tai as supports. They would start at nightfall. Now Ts‘ao’s men were on the north bank of the Wei and he gave his captains orders, saying, “The rebels will try to surprise us as they are deceived by my not having set up stockades. You will place your men in ambush.” At nightfall Ma Ch‘ao sent out a small scouting party, which seeing nothing, penetrated deep into the enemy’s lines. Presently the signal was given. Out leapt the hidden men and in a few moments the whole scouting party were killed. And close at hand came the main army.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-59

四sì麺miàn伏fú兵bīng皆jiē出chū，只zhǐ围wéi得dé三sān十shí骑qí。成chéng宜yí被bèi夏xià侯hóu渊yuān所suǒ杀shā。马mǎ超chāo却què自zì背bèi后hòu与yǔ庞páng德dé、马mǎ岱dài分fēn兵bīng三sān路lù蜂fēng拥yōng而ér杀shā来lái。正zhèng是shì：

Wait for the foe all undismayed, Place your men in ambuscade. Captains striving to outvie Are not beaten easily. Who got the advantage will presently be told.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

58-60

纵zòng有yǒu伏fú兵bīng能néng候hòu敌dí，怎zěn当dāng健jiàn将jiàng共gòng争zhēng先xiān？

Though ambushed troops lie in wait to meet the foe, How can they withstand bold captains striving to lead?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

58-61

未wèi知zhī胜shèng负fù若ruò何hé，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