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

第dì六liù十shí九jiǔ回huí 卜bo周zhōu易yì管guǎn辂lù知zhī机jī　　　讨tǎo汉hàn贼zéi五wǔ臣chén死sǐ节jié

69-1

却què说shuō当dāng日rì曹cáo操cāo，见jiàn黑hēi风fēng中zhōng群qún尸shī首shǒu皆jiē起qǐ，惊jīng倒dǎo于yú地dì。须xū臾yú风fēng定dìng，群qún尸shī皆jiē不bú见jiàn。左zuǒ右yòu扶fú操cāo回huí宫gōng，惊jīng而ér成chéng疾jí。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī赞zàn左zuǒ慈cí曰yuē：

The sight of the corpses of his victims rising to their feet in the storm and running toward him was too much for Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and he swooned. However, the wind quickly fell and the corpses disappeared. His followers assisted Ts‘ao to his palace, but he was very ill. Apoet celebrated the episode of the murdered Taoist:— He studied his magical books, He was learned in mystical lore, And with magical fleetness of foot He could travel the wide world o‘er. The magical arts that he knew, He employed in an earnest essay To reform the bad heart of Ts‘ao Man, But in vain; Ts‘ao held on his way.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-2

飞fēi步bù凌líng云yún遍biàn九jiǔ州zhōu，独dú凭píng遁dùn甲jiǎ自zì邀yāo游yóu。

With cloud-soaring steps he roamed the nine provinces wide, Relying on talismans to wander free and unconfined.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-3

等děng闲xián施shī设shè神shén仙xiān术shù，点diǎn悟wù曹cáo瞒mán不bù转zhuǎn头tóu。

At will he wrought the arts of the immortals, Yet failed to turn Cao the Deceitful from his path.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-4

曹cáo操cāo染rǎn病bìng，服fú药yào无wú愈yù。适shì太tài史shǐ丞chéng许xǔ芝zhī，自zì许xǔ昌chāng来lái见jiàn操cāo。操cāo令lìng芝zhī卜bo易yì。芝zhī曰yuē：「大dà王wáng曾céng闻wén神shén卜bo管guǎn辂lù否fǒu？」操cāo曰yuē：「颇pǒ闻wén其qí名míng，未wèi知zhī其qí术shù。汝rú可kě详xiáng言yán之zhī。」

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s illness seemed beyond the art of the leech and drugs seemed of no avail. It happened that T‘aishih Ch'êng and Hsü Chih came from the capital to visit the prince, who bade the latter take the sortes from the “Book of Changes.” “Have you ever heard of Kuan Lu? He is more than human in his skill at divination,” said Hsü. “I have heard a lot about him, but I do not know how clever he is; you tell me about him,” replied Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-5

芝zhī曰yuē：「管guǎn辂lù字zì公gōng明míng，平píng原yuán人rén也yě。容róng貌mào粗cū丑chǒu，好háo酒jiǔ疎shū狂kuáng。其qí父fù曾céng为wèi瑯láng琊yá郡jùn丘qiū长zhǎng。辂lù自zì幼yòu便biàn喜xí仰yǎng视shì星xīng辰chén，夜yè不bù思sī寐mèi。父fù母mǔ不bù能néng禁jìn止zhǐ。常cháng云yún：『家jiā鸡jī野yé鹄gǔ，尚shàng自zì知zhī时shí，何hé况kuàng为wéi人rén在zài世shì乎hū？』与yǔ邻lín儿ér共gòng戏xì，辄zhé划huà地dì为wèi天tiān文wén，分fēn布bú日rì月yuè星xīng辰chén。

“He is from P‘ingyüan; his other name is Kung-ming. His face is ugly and coarse; he drinks to excess and is rather dissipated. His father was chief of the aborigines of the Langya districts. From a lad Kuan Lu loved to study the stars, staying up all night to watch them, in spite of the prohibition of his father and mother. He used to say that if domestic fowls and wild geese knew the seasons naturally how much more should a man. He often used to play with other boys at drawing pictures of the sky on the ground, putting in the sun, moon and stars. When he grew older he studied the 'Book of Changes' very deeply and observed the winds. He was a marvellous calculator and excellent physiognomist.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-6

及jí稍shāo长zhǎng，即jí深shēn明míng周zhōu易yì，仰yǎng观guān风fēng角jiǎo，数shù学xué通tōng神shén，兼jiān善shàn相xiàng术shù。」

“He is from P‘ingyüan; his other name is Kung-ming. His face is ugly and coarse; he drinks to excess and is rather dissipated. His father was chief of the aborigines of the Langya districts. From a lad Kuan Lu loved to study the stars, staying up all night to watch them, in spite of the prohibition of his father and mother. He used to say that if domestic fowls and wild geese knew the seasons naturally how much more should a man. He often used to play with other boys at drawing pictures of the sky on the ground, putting in the sun, moon and stars. When he grew older he studied the 'Book of Changes' very deeply and observed the winds. He was a marvellous calculator and excellent physiognomist.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-7

「瑯láng琊yá太tài守shǒu单dān子zi春chūn闻wén其qí名míng，召zhào辂lù相xiāng见jiàn。时shí有yǒu坐zuò客kè百bǎi余yú人rén，皆jiē能néng言yán之zhī士shì。辂lù谓wèi子zi春chūn曰yuē：『辂lù年nián少shào胆dǎn气qì未wèi坚jiān，先xiān请qíng美méi酒jiǔ三sān升shēng，饮yǐn而ér后hòu言yán。』子zi春chūn奇qí之zhī，遂suì与yú酒jiǔ三sān升shēng。饮yǐn毕bì，辂lù问wèn子zi春chūn：『今jīn欲yù与yǔ辂lù为wèi对duì者zhě，若ruò府fǔ君jūn四sì座zuò之zhī士shì耶yé﹖』子zi春chūn曰yuē：『吾wú自zì与yǔ卿qīng旗qí鼓gǔ相xiāng当dāng。

“His fame reached the ears of the Prefect Tan Tzu-ch‘un, who called him to his residence for an interview. There were present some hundred or so other guests, every one of whom could be called able of speech. “'I am young and not over-bold,' said Kuan Lu to the Prefect. 'I pray you give me three stoups of wine to loosen my tongue.' “The request was astonishing, but the wine was brought in, and when he had drunk it, Kuan Lu, looking contemptuously at the other guests, said, 'Now I am ready; are these the sort of opponents you have got together for me to contend with? Are these gentlemen sitting around me disputants?'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-8

』于yú是shì与yǔ辂lù讲jiǎng论lùn易yì理lǐ。辂lù亹wéi亹wěi而ér谈tán，言yán言yán精jīng奥ào。子zi春chūn反fǎn覆fù辨biàn难nán，辂lù对duì答dá如rú流liú，从cóng晓xiǎo至zhì暮mù，酒jiǔ食shí不bù行xíng。子zi春chūn及jí众zhòng宾bīn客kè，无wú不bú叹tàn服fú。于yú是shì天tiān下xià号hào为wèi『神shén童tóng』。」

“ 'I myself am anxious for a match with you,' said Tan. “Then they began upon the meaning of the 'Book of Changes.' Kuan Lu’s words poured forth like a torrent, and his ideas were most recondite. The Prefect replied, stating difficulties; Kuan swept them away in a stream of eloquence. So it went on the whole day without a pause even for refreshment. Neither Tan nor his other guests could help praising him and agreeing with him. “His fame spread wide after this encounter, and people spoke of him as the 'Supernatural Boy.'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-9

「后hòu有yǒu居jū民mín郭guō恩ēn者zhě，兄xiōng弟dì三sān人rén，皆jiē得dé躄bì疾jí，请qǐng辂lù卜bo之zhī。辂lù曰yuē：『卦guà中zhōng有yǒu君jūn家jiā本běn墓mù中zhōng女nǘ鬼guǐ，非fēi君jūn伯bó母mǔ即jí叔shū母mú也yě。昔xī饥jī荒huāng之zhī年nián，谋móu数shù升shēng之zhī米mǐ之zhī利lì，推tuī之zhī落luò井jǐng，以yǐ大dà石shí压yā破pò其qí头tóu，孤gū魂hún痛tòng苦kǔ，自zì诉sù于yú天tiān；故gù君jūn兄xiōng弟dì有yóu此cǐ报bào，不bù可kě禳ráng也yě。』郭guō恩ēn等děng涕tì泣qì伏fú罪zuì。」

“After this he became famous in another way. There was a certain Kuo En, a man of the people, who had two brothers. All three became lame and they called in Kuan Lu to cast lots and discover the reason. Kuan Lu said, 'By the lots there is a female demon in your family tomb, an aunt, the wife of one of your father’s brothers. Some years ago, in a time of dearth, for the sake of a few measures of grain, she was pushed into a well and a great stone was thrown in on her, crushing her head so that she suffered intensely. She complained to the Most High, and your lameness is the retribution for that crime. No prayers will avert the evil. “The three brothers wept and acknowledged their guilt.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-10

「安ān平píng太tài守shǒu王wáng基jī，知zhī辂lù神shén卜bo，延yán辂lù至zhì家jiā。适shì信xìn都dōu令lìng妻qī，常cháng患huàn头tóu风fēng；其qí子zi又yòu患huàn心xīn痛tòng；因yīn请qǐng辂lù卜bo之zhī。辂lù曰yuē：『此cǐ堂táng之zhī西xī角jiáo有yǒu二èr死sǐ尸shī。一yī男nán持chí矛máo，一yī男nán持chí弓gōng箭jiàn。头tóu在zài壁bì内nèi，脚jiǎo在zài壁bì外wài。持chí矛máo者zhé主zhǔ刺cì头tóu，故gù头tóu痛tòng；持chí弓gōng箭jiàn者zhé主zhǔ刺cì胸xiōng腹fù，故gù心xīn痛tòng。』乃nǎi掘jué之zhī。入rù地dì八bā尺chǐ，果guó有yǒu二èr棺guān。

“The Prefect Wang Chi, of Anping, heard of the diviner’s fame and invited him to come on a visit, and he went. It happened that the wife of the magistrate of Hsintu suffered from headaches and his son from pains in the heart. Kuan Lu was asked to discover the reason. He cast lots and said that at the west corner of the main hall there were buried two corpses, one of a man who held a spear, the other of a man who had a bow and arrows. The wall was built across them. The spearman’s master had gashed his head and so his head pained. The archer’s master had stabbed him in the heart and so his heart suffered anguish. They dug where he indicated and, about eight feet down, found two coffins, one with a spear inside and the other with a strung bow and wooden arrows. All were much decayed. Kuan Lu bade them remove the bones and bury them ten li outside the walls. Thereafter the woman and her son suffered no more.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-11

一yī棺guān中zhōng有yǒu矛máo，一yī棺guān中zhōng有yóu角jiǎo弓gōng及jí箭jiàn，木mù俱jù已yí朽xiǔ烂làn。辂lù令lìng徙xǐ骸hái骨gǔ去qù城chéng外wài十shí里lǐ埋mái之zhī，妻qī与yǔ子zi遂suì无wú恙yàng。」

“The Prefect Wang Chi, of Anping, heard of the diviner’s fame and invited him to come on a visit, and he went. It happened that the wife of the magistrate of Hsintu suffered from headaches and his son from pains in the heart. Kuan Lu was asked to discover the reason. He cast lots and said that at the west corner of the main hall there were buried two corpses, one of a man who held a spear, the other of a man who had a bow and arrows. The wall was built across them. The spearman’s master had gashed his head and so his head pained. The archer’s master had stabbed him in the heart and so his heart suffered anguish. They dug where he indicated and, about eight feet down, found two coffins, one with a spear inside and the other with a strung bow and wooden arrows. All were much decayed. Kuan Lu bade them remove the bones and bury them ten li outside the walls. Thereafter the woman and her son suffered no more.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-12

「馆guǎn陶táo令lìng诸zhū葛gě原yuán，迁qiān新xīn兴xīng太tài守shǒu，辂lù往wǎng送sòng行xíng。客kè言yán辂lù能néng射shè覆fù。诸zhū葛gě原yuán不bú信xìn，暗àn取qǔ燕yàn卵luǎn、蜂fēng窠kē、蜘zhī蛛zhū三sān物wù，分fēn置zhì三sān盒hé之zhī中zhōng，令lìng辂lù卜bo之zhī。卦guà成chéng，各gè写xiě四sì句jù于yú盒hé上shàng。其qí一yī曰yuē：『含hán气qì须xū变biàn，依yī乎hū堂táng宇yǔ；雌cí雄xióng以yǐ形xíng，羽yǔ翼yì舒shū张zhāng。此cǐ燕yàn卵luán也yě。』其qí二èr曰yuē：『家jiā室shì倒dào悬xuán，门mén户hù众zhòng多duō；

“A certain Chuko Yüan, magistrate of Kuant‘ao, newly promoted to Prefect, was leaving for his new post, and Kuan Lu went to see him off. One of the guests mentioned that Kuan Lu could divine what was hidden from sight. The Prefect doubted such powers and said he would put a test. He got a swallow’s egg, a wasp’s nest and a spider and con cealed them in three separate boxes. He asked Kuan to guess the contents. The divination made, he wrote three quatrains:— 'The latent life will declare itself; It will cling to your lordly hall, Or male or female, flung into space, Wide wings will prevent its fall. 'This seems to indicate a swallow’s egg. ‘A many-chambered dwelling Is hanging to your eaves, Each room has a poisonous tenant; Who‘ll be flying when he leaves.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-13

藏cáng精jīng育yù毒dú，得dé秋qiū乃nǎi化huà。此cǐ蜂fēng窠kē也yě。』其qí三sān曰yuē：『觳hú觫sù长cháng足zú，吐tǔ丝sī成chéng罗luó；寻xún网wǎng求qiú食shí，利lì在zài昏hūn夜yè。此cǐ蜘zhī蛛zhū也yě。』满mǎn座zuò惊jīng骇hài。

'This answers to a wasp’s nest. Therein’s a long-shanked, trembling thing, Who spins a thread from his inside And spreads a fine spun net for flies; He profits most at eventide. ‘And this it a spider.'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-14

乡xiāng中zhōng有yóu老lǎo妇fù失shī牛niú，求qiú卜bo之zhī。辂lù判pàn曰yuē：『北běi溪xī之zhī滨bīn，七qī人rén宰zǎi烹pēng；急jí往wǎng追zhuī寻xún，皮pí肉ròu尚shàng存cún。』老lǎo妇fù果guó往wǎng寻xún之zhī，见jiàn七qī人rén于yú茅máo舍shè后hòu煮zhǔ食shí，皮pí肉ròu犹yóu存cún。妇fù告gào本běn郡jùn太tài守shǒu刘liú邠bīn，捕bǔ七qī人rén罪zuì之zhī，因yīn问wèn老lǎo妇fù曰yuē：『汝rǔ何hé以yǐ知zhī之zhī？』妇fù告gào以yí管guǎn辂lù之zhī神shén卜bo。

“The guests were amazed. “An old woman in his village having lost a cow, came to consult him. After the divination he told her that seven men had taken away the cow and were cooking and eating it on the bank of a certain mountain stream. She had better go there quickly and see who they were. If she went with all speed she would find the skin and the flesh. She went and found the seven men hidden behind a small shanty, boiling beef. Most of the cow’s flesh was still there. She told the Prefect, who arrested the seven men and punished them. Then he asked the old lady how she got to know exactly who the offenders were, and she told him.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-15

刘liú邠bīn不bú信xìn，请qǐng辂lù至zhì府fǔ，取qǔ印yìn囊náng及jí山shān鸡jī毛máo藏cáng于yú盒hé中zhōng，令lìng卜bo之zhī。辂lù卜bo其qí一yī曰yuē；『内nèi方fāng外wài圆yuán，五wǔ色sè成chéng文wén；含hán宝báo守shǒu信xìn，出chū则zé有yǒu章zhāng。此cǐ印yìn囊náng也yě。』其qí二èr曰yuē：『高gāo岳yuè岩yán岩yán，有yóu鸟niǎo朱zhū身shēn；羽yǔ翼yì玄xuán黄huáng，鸣míng不bù失shī晨chén。此cǐ山shān鸡jī毛máo也yě。』刘liú邠bīn大dà惊jīng，遂suì待dài为wèi上shàng宾bīn。

“He was dubious, too. He sent for Kuan Lu and put him to the following test. He placed his seal and a pheasant feather in a box and asked what were the contents. The reply was:— 'Square within, without so round, Beauteous colours here abound; The jewel within is held secure And what it witnesses is sure. ‘Is not this a seal in its bag?' “With regard to the other thing, Kuan Lu said:— 'There’s a bird on the precipice steep, Its body with flame seems aglow, Its wings are barred yellow and black, At sunrise it ne‘er fails to crow. 'And I think this hints at a pheasant feather.' “The Prefect Liu treated the marvellous diviner with great honour.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-16

一yī日rì出chū郊jiāo闲xián行xíng，见jiàn一yī少shào年nián耕gēng于yú田tián中zhōng，辂lù立lì道dào傍bàng观guān之zhī。良liáng久jiǔ，问wèn曰yuē：『少shào年nián高gāo姓xìng、贵guì庚gēng？』答dá曰yuē：『姓xìng赵zhào，名míng颜yán。年nián十shí九jiǔ岁suì矣yǐ。敢gǎn问wèn先xiān生shēng为wèi谁shuí？』辂lù曰yuē：『吾wú管guǎn辂lù也yě。吾wú见jiàn汝rǔ眉méi间jiān有yóu死sǐ气qì，三sān日rì内nèi必bì死sǐ，汝rǔ貌mào美měi，可kě惜xī无wú寿shòu。』赵zhào颜yán回huí家jiā，急jí告gào其qí父fù。

“One day Kuan Lu saw a youth ploughing a field. After watching him for a long time, Kuan Lu suddenly asked his name and age. “ 'My name is Chao Yen, and I am nineteen,' said the young man. ‘Pray, who may you be, Sir?' “ ‘I am Kuan Lu; you may have heard of me. I see an air of early death about you, and you will be done with life in three days. It is a pity that one so handsome should die so young.'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-17

父fù闻wén之zhī，赶gǎn上shàng管guǎn辂lù，哭kū拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：『请qǐng归guī救jiù吾wú子zǐ！』辂lù曰yuē：『此cí乃nǎi天tiān命mìng也yě，安ān可kě禳ráng乎hū？』父fù告gào曰yuē：『老lǎo夫fū止zhí有yóu此cǐ子zi，望wàng乞qǐ垂chuí救jiù！』赵zhào颜yán亦yì哭kū求qiú。辂lù见jiàn父fù子zǐ情qíng切qiè，乃nǎi谓wèi赵zhào颜yán曰yuē：「汝rú可kě备bèi净jìng酒jiǔ一yī瓶píng，鹿lù脯pú一yī块kuài，来lái日rì赍jī往wǎng南nán山shān之zhī中zhōng，大dà树shù之zhī下xià，看kàn盘pán石shí上shàng有yǒu二èr人rén亦yì棋qí。

“Chao Yen forsook his plough, hurried home and told his father. The father at once set out to find Kuan Lu, and, having found him, threw himself on the ground and besought him to save his son. “ 'How can I avert the doom? It is fate,' said Kuan Lu. “ 'Alas! I have but this one son, I pray you to save him.'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-18

一yī人rén向xiàng南nán坐zuò，穿chuān白bái袍páo，其qí貌mào甚shèn𫫇ě；一yī人rén向xiàng北běi坐zuò，穿chuān红hóng袍páo，其qí貌mào甚shèn美měi。汝rú可kě乘chéng其qí弈yì兴xīng浓nóng时shí，将jiāng酒jiǔ及jí鹿lù跪guì进jìn之zhī。待dài其qí饮yǐn食shí毕bì，汝rú乃nǎi哭kū拜bài求qiú寿shòu，必bì得děi益yì算suàn矣yǐ。但dàn切qiè勿wù言yán是shì吾wú所suǒ教jiào。」

“And the son added his tears and prayers to those of his father. Kuan Lu was deeply touched. Then he turned to the lad and said, 'You get ready some good wine and some venison. To-morrow go into the forest on the south there, and underneath a lofty tree you will see two men seated on boulders playing wei-ch‘i. One of them will be dressed in white, and he will be facing the south. He is very evil looking. The other will be seated opposite, dressed in red. He is very handhome. They will be deeply absorbed in their game and will not notice who offers them food and wine, which you will humbly present on your knees. When they have eaten and drunk, you will prostrate yourself and with tears pray them to grant you length of days. You will gain an increased span of life, but, above all things, do not mention that I told you what to do.'

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-19

「老lǎo人rén留liú辂lù在zài家jiā。次cì日rì，赵zhào颜yán携xié酒jiǔ脯pú杯bēi盘pán入rù南nán山shān之zhī中zhōng。约yuē行xíng五wǔ六liù里lǐ，果guó有yǒu二èr人rén于yú大dà松sōng树shù下xià盘pán石shí上shàng奕yì棋qí。全quán然rán不bú顾gù，赵zhào颜yán跪guì进jìn酒jiǔ脯pú。二èr人rén贪tān著zhù棋qí，不bù觉jué饮yín酒jiú已yí侭jǐn。赵zhào颜yán哭kū拜bài于yú地dì而ér求qiú寿shòu，二èr人rén大dà惊jīng。穿chuān红hóng袍páo者zhě曰yuē：『此cǐ必bì管guǎn子zi之zhī言yán也yě。吾wú二èr人rén既jì受shòu其qí私sī，必bì须xū怜lián之zhī。

“The father kept Kuan Lu as a guest, and the next day the son followed out his instructions. He entered the forest and soon came upon the two men seated beneath a pine, playing wei-ch‘i . They seemed oblivious to all around them. Chao Yen presented the wine and the food, and the two men ate absent-mindedly, for the game went on. “But when Chao Yen threw himself on the ground and implored the gift of long life, they seemed startled.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-20

』穿chuān白bái袍páo者zhě，乃nǎi于yú身shēn边biān取qǔ出chū簿bù籍jí检jiǎn看kàn，谓wèi赵zhào颜yán曰yuē：『汝rǔ今jīn年nián十shí九jiǔ岁suì，当dāng死sǐ。吾wú今jīn于yú『十shí』字zì上shàng添tiān上shàng一yī『九jiǔ』字zì，汝rǔ寿shòu可kě至zhì九jiǔ十shí九jiǔ。回huí见jiàn管guǎn辂lù，教jiào再zài休xiū泄xiè漏lòu天tiān机jī；不bù然rán，必bì致zhì天tiān谴qiǎn。』穿chuān红hóng者zhě出chū笔bǐ添tiān讫qì，一yī阵zhèn香xiāng风fēng过guò处chù，二èr人rén化huà作zuò二èr白bái鹤hè，冲chōng天tiān而ér去qù。」

“ 'This must be some of Kuan Lu’s doing,' said Red Robe. 'Still, as we have accepted a gift at his hand we must have pity on him.' “He who was dressed in white then lifted up a book that hung at his side and looked therein. “ 'You are nineteen this year,' said he to Chao Yen. 'You ought to die. But we will insert a ‘nine' over the 'ten' and so make it read ninety and nine, and that is the age you will attain. But when you go back, tell Kuan Lu he is not to betray the secrets of fate, or Heaven will surely punish him.' “Then Red Robe took out a pen and added the figure gust of wind passed, and the two old men were transformed into two cranes that rose into the sky and flew away.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-21

「赵zhào颜yán归guī问wèn管guǎn辂lù。辂lù曰yuē：『穿chuān红hóng者zhě，南nán斗dòu也yě；穿chuān白bái者zhě，北béi斗dóu也yě。』颜yán曰yuē：『吾wú闻wén北béi斗dóu九jiǔ星xīng，何hé止zhǐ一yī人rén？』辂lù曰yuē：『散sàn而ér为wéi九jiǔ，合hé而ér为wéi一yī也yě。北béi斗dǒu注zhù死sǐ，南nán斗dòu注zhù生shēng。今jīn已yǐ添tiān注zhù寿shòu算suàn，子zi复fù何hé忧yōu﹖』父fù子zǐ拜bài谢xiè。自zì此cí管guǎn辂lù恐kǒng泄xiè天tiān机jī，更gèng不bù轻qīng为wéi人rén卜bo。

“Chao Yen came back home and told what he had seen. Kuan Lu told him the red-robed man was the Southern Dipper Constellation, and the white-robed, the Northern Dipper. “ 'But the Northern Dipper consists of nine stars, and there was only one man,' objected the lad. " 'Separately they are nine, but they combine to form one. I The Northern Dipper records deaths; the Southern Dipper, births. Now the extra figure has been added you need have no anxiety; you will live long.' “Father and son both thanked him most sincerely, but thereafter Kuan Lu was very careful how he divined for people lest he should betray celestial secrets.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-22

此cǐ人rén现xiàn在zài平píng原yuán，大dà王wáng欲yù知zhī休xiū咎jiù，何hé不bú召zhào之zhī？」

“Now, this man is at P‘ingyüan, and you, O Prince, can seek your fate of him. Why not call him?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-23

操cāo大dà喜xǐ，即jí差chà人rén往wǎng平píng原yuán召zhào辂lù。辂lù至zhì，参cān拜bài讫qì，操cāo令lìng卜bo之zhī。辂lù答dá曰yuē：「此cǐ幻huàn术shù耳ěr，何hé必bì为wèi忧yōu？」操cāo心xīn安ān，病bìng乃nǎi渐jiàn可kě。操cāo令lìng卜bo天tiān下xià之zhī事shì。辂lù卜bo曰yuē：「三sān八bā纵zòng横héng，黄huáng猪zhū遇yù虎hǔ；定dìng军jūn之zhī南nán，伤shāng折zhé一yī股gǔ。」又yòu今jīn卜bo传chuán祚zuò修xiū短duǎn之zhī数shù。辂lù卜bo曰yuē：「狮shī子zi宫gōng中zhōng，以yǐ安ān神shén位wèi；王wáng道dào鼎dǐng新xīn，子zǐ孙sūn极jí贵guì。

Kuan Lu was sent for and came. As soon as the salutations were over, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked him to cast lots for him. Kuan Lu at once found that the illness was only due to magical machinations, and said so; at which Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was much relieved in his mind, and his health began to improve. Next Ts‘ao Ts‘ao wished to know about the conditions in the world’s affairs. After the necessary calculations the prophet said, “Three-eight crosswise; the yellow boar meets the tiger: stop the southern expedition with the loss of one limb.” Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked him to enquire whether his life should be long or not. He replied, “Lion in the Palace to preserve the talents of ancestors: the Prince’s way is securely renewed and his son and grandson shall come to high honour.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-24

」操cāo问wèn其qí详xiáng。辂lù曰yuē：「茫máng茫máng天tiān数shù，不bù可kě预yù知zhī。待dài后hòu自zì验yàn。」

Then Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked concerning himself. “Divinations concerning the fate of the universe may not be foreknown; wait a time and I will look into it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-25

操cāo欲yù封fēng辂lù为wèi太tài吏lì。辂lù曰yuē：「命mìng薄bó相xiāng穷qióng，不bù称chēng此cǐ职zhí，不bù敢gǎn受shòu也yě。」操cāo问wèn其qí故gù。答dá曰yuē：「辂lù额é无wú主zhú骨gǔ，眼yǎn无wú守shǒu睛jīng；鼻bí无wú梁liáng柱zhù，脚jiǎo无wú天tiān根gēn；背bèi无wú三sān甲jiǎ，腹fù无wú三sān壬rén。只zhí可kě泰tài山shān治zhì鬼guǐ，不bù能néng治zhì生shēng人rén也yě。」操cāo曰yuē：「汝rǔ相xiāng吾wú若ruò何hé？」辂lù曰yuē：「位wèi极jí人rén臣chén，又yòu何hé必bì相xiāng？

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was pleased and would like to keep such a man near him, so he offered him the post of historiographer (who was also soothsayer) at his court, but it was declined. “My destiny is mean, my luck despicable; I am not equal to such an office and dare not undertake it.” “Why not?” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “My forehead has no lofty fullness; my eyes no steady expression; my nose no bridge; my feet no round, solid heels; my back lacks the triple armour (of shoulder blades and intervening muscles); and my breast the three marks (like the character jên , which indicates wealth). I can only control evil spirits securely; I cannot rule living men.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-26

」再zài三sān问wèn之zhī，辂lù但dàn笑xiào而ér不bù答dá。操cāo令lìng辂lù遍biàn相xiāng文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo。辂lù曰yuē：「皆jiē治zhì世shì之zhī臣chén也yě。」操cāo问wèn休xiū咎jiù，皆jiē不bù肯kén侭jǐn言yán。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī赞zàn管guǎn辂lù曰yuē：

“What think you of my physiognomy?” “What can a minister of extremely exalted rank like yourself desire further?” said Kuan Lu. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao pressed him to say: the soothsayer only laughed. Then Ts‘ao asked him to look at the many officers of all kinds standing around. “Every one of them is a servant equal to the administration of the world,” said Kuan Lu. But when Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked whether good or bad fortune was to be his, the soothsayer would not give a clear and full reply. Apoem says:— Kuan Lu was a seer of old, Stars to him their secrets told. Mysteries, occult and dim, Were as daylight unto him. His so subtle intellect Could the shade of death detect, But the secrets of his skill Died with him,—are secrets still.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-27

平píng明míng神shén卜bo管guǎn公gōng明míng，能néng算suàn南nán辰chén北béi斗dǒu星xīng。

At dawn the divine diviner Lord Guanming, Could reckon the stars of South Dipper and North.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-28

八bā卦guà幽yōu微wēi通tōng鬼guǐ窍qiào，六liù爻yáo玄xuán奥ào究jiū天tiān庭tíng。

The Eight Trigrams' subtlety reached the ghosts' hidden gates, The Six Lines' mystery plumbed the courts of heaven.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-29

预yù知zhī相xiāng法fǎ应yīng无wú寿shòu，自zì觉jué心xīn源yuán极jí有yǒu灵líng。

He foresaw by physiognomy his own life would be short, And knew his mind's source held profoundest spirit.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-30

可kě惜xī当dāng年nián奇qí异yì术shù，后hòu人rén无wú复fù授shòu遗yí经jīng。

A pity those wondrous arts of former years— No later men receive the teachings he left behind.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-31

操cāo令lìng卜bo东dōng吴wú、西xī蜀shǔ二èr处chù。辂lù设shè卦guà云yún：「东dōng吴wú主zhǔ亡wáng一yī大dà将jiàng，西xī蜀shú有yǒu兵bīng犯fàn界jiè。」操cāo不bú信xìn。忽hū合hé淝féi报bào来lái：「东dōng吴wú陆lù口kóu守shǒu将jiàng鲁lǔ肃sù身shēn故gù。」操cāo大dà惊jīng，便biàn差chà人rén往wǎng汉hàn中zhōng探tàn听tīng消xiāo息xī。不bú数shù日rì，飞fēi报bào：「刘liú玄xuán德dé遣qiǎn张zhāng飞fēi、马mǎ超chāo屯tún兵bīng下xià辨biàn取qǔ关guān。

Again Ts‘ao Ts‘ao asked him to divine concerning his rivals Wu and Shu. He said the former had just lost a famous leader and the latter had encroached on his territory. Ts‘ao’s doubts as to the accuracy of one of these events were soon set at rest, for a messenger came from Hofei to say that Lu Su had died. Then Ts‘ao sent hurriedly into Hanchung, and the scout returned to say that Chang Fei and Ma Ch‘ao had taken the Pass at Hsiapien. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was angry and inclined to march at once against the invaders; but he consulted the great soothsayer, who advised him not to move.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-32

」操cāo大dà怒nù，便biàn欲yù自zì领lǐng兵bīng再zài入rù汉hàn中zhōng，令lìng管guǎn辂lù卜bo之zhī，辂lù曰yuē：「大dà王wáng未wèi可kě妄wàng动dòng。来lái春chūn许xǔ都dōu必bì有yóu火huǒ灾zāi。」操cāo见jiàn辂lù言yán累lèi验yàn，故gù不bù敢gǎn轻qīng动dòng，留liú居jū邺yè郡jùn，使shǐ曹cáo洪hóng领lǐng兵bīng五wǔ万wàn，往wǎng助zhù夏xià侯hóu渊yuān、张zhāng郃hé同tóng守shǒu东dōng川chuān；又yòu差chà夏xià侯hóu惇dūn领lǐng兵bīng三sān万wàn，于yú许xǔ都dōu来lái往wǎng巡xún警jǐng，以yǐ备bèi不bù虞yú；又yòu教jiào长zháng史shǐ王wáng必bì总zǒng督dū御yù林lín军jūn马mǎ。

“In the coming spring there will be a conflagration in Hsütu,” said he.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-33

主zhǔ簿bù司sī马mǎ懿yì曰yuē：「王wáng必bì嗜shì酒jiǔ性xìng宽kuān，恐kǒng不bù堪kān任rèn此cǐ职zhí。」操cāo曰yuē：「王wáng必bì是shì孤gū披pī荆jīng棘jí历lì艰jiān难nán时shí相xiāng随suí之zhī人rén，忠zhōng而ér且qiě勤qín，心xīn如rú铁tiě石shí，最zuì足zú相xiāng当dāng。」遂suì委wěi王wáng必bì领lǐng御yù林lín军jūn马mǎ屯tún于yú许xǔ都dōu东dōng华huá门mén外wài。

Having been witness of the verification of Kuan Lu’s words, Ts‘ao Ts‘ao was in no mood to neglect the warning. He stayed on in his palace, but he sent Ts‘ao Hung with five legions to assist in the defence of East Ch‘uan,while Hsiahou Tun, with three legions, went to Hsütu to keep careful watch and be ready against any surprises. He placed Chang Shih and Wang Pi in command of the Imperial Guard. Ssŭma I warned him against this Wang Pi. Said he, “The man is given to wine, and slack. He is not a fit man for such a post.” Ts‘ao Ts‘ao replied, “He is very fit. He has followed me through all difficulties and dangers. He is loyal and diligent, solid as stone or iron.” Wang Pi was appointed and led the guard into camp at the capital, outside the Tung-hua Gate of the Imperial Palace.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-34

时shí有yǒu一yī人rén姓xìng耿gěng，名míng纪jì，字zì季jì行xíng，洛luò阳yáng人rén也yě；旧jiù为wèi丞chéng相xiàng府fǔ掾yuàn，后hòu迁qiān侍shì中zhōng少shào府fǔ，与yǔ司sī直zhí韦wéi晃huǎng甚shèn厚hòu；见jiàn曹cáo操cāo进jìn封fēng王wáng爵jué，出chū入rù用yòng天tiān子zi车chē服fú，心xīn甚shèn不bù平píng。建jiàn安ān二èr十shí三sān年nián春chūn正zhēng月yuè，耿gěng纪jì与yǔ韦wéi晃huǎng密mì议yì曰yuē：「操cāo贼zéi奸jiān𫫇ě日rì甚shèn，将jiāng来lái必bì为wèi篡cuàn逆nì之zhī事shì。吾wú等děng为wèi汉hàn臣chén，岂qí可kě同tóng𫫇ě相xiāng济jì？

Now there was a certain Kêng Chi, a Loyang man, who had long been employed in the minister’s palace in a subordinate capacity and afterward had been promoted to a rather better post. He, Ssŭma Chih and Wei Huang were close friends. These three were greatly distressed at Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s advance to princely rank, and more especially at his use of the imperial chariots. In the early months of the twenty-third year Kêng and Wei came to a secret exchange of views on Ts‘ao’s conduct.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-35

」韦wéi晃huǎng曰yuē：「吾wú有yǒu心xīn腹fù人rén，姓xìng金jīn，名míng袆huī，乃nǎi汉hàn相xiāng金jīn日rì䃅之zhī后hòu，素sù有yóu讨tǎo操cāo之zhī心xīn；更gèng兼jiān与yǔ王wáng必bì甚shèn厚hòu。若ruò得dé同tóng谋móu，大dà事shì济jì矣yǐ。」耿gěng纪jì曰yuē：「他tā既jì与yǔ王wáng必bì交jiāo厚hòu。岂qí肯kén与yú我wǒ同tóng谋móu乎hū？」韦wéi晃huǎng曰yuē：「且qié往wǎng说shuō之zhī，看kàn是shì如rú何hé。」

Kêng Chi said, “The man is a rebel and wicked, every day behaving worse. He intends to go farther, and how can we, as servants of the dynasty, help him in his wickedness? I have a friend named Chin I, who also is a servant of Han and an enemy of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s. He is a descendant of Chin Jih-ti, one-time minister. Beside, he is friendly with Wang Pi. If we all tried our best we ought to succeed.” “But if he is friendly with Wang Pi he will not assist us!” said Kêng. “Let us go and sound him,” said Wei Huang.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-36

于yú是shì二èr人rén同tóng至zhì金jīn袆huī宅zhái中zhōng。袆huī接jiē入rù后hòu堂táng，坐zuò定dìng。晃huǎng曰yuē：「德dé伟wéi与yǔ王wáng长zháng史shǐ甚shèn厚hòu，吾wú三sān人rén特tè来lái告gào求qiú。」袆huī曰yuē：「所suǒ求qiú何hé事shì？」晃huǎng曰yuē：「吾wú闻wén魏wèi王wáng早záo晚wǎn受shòu禅chán，将jiāng登dēng大dà宝bǎo，公gōng与yǔ王wáng长zháng史shǐ必bì高gāo迁qiān。望wàng不bù相xiāng弃qì，麹qū赐cì提tí携xié，感gǎn德dé非fēi浅qiǎn！」袆huī拂fú袖xiù而ér起qǐ。适shì从cóng者zhě奉fèng茶chá至zhì，便biàn将jiāng茶chá泼pō于yú地dì上shàng。

So the two went to see Chin I, who received them in his private rooms. There they talked. Said Wei Huang, “O virtuous I, we know you are on most friendly terms with Commander Wang Pi, and so have come to beg a favour.” “What is it you ask?” “The Prince of Wei will soon receive the abdication of the Emperor and himself ascend to the seat of the mighty. Then you and your friend Wang will advance to places of great honour; and when that day comes, we pray you not to forget us, but to recommend us for employment. We should feel no shallow gratitude for your kindness.” Chin I flicked down his sleeves and arose looking very angry. At that instant arrived the tea for the visitors. He snatched it away from the serving-man and emptied it on the floor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-37

晃huǎng佯yáng惊jīng曰yuē：「德dé伟wěi故gù人rén，何hé薄bó情qíng也yě？」袆huī曰yuē：「吾wú与yú汝rǔ交jiāo厚hòu，为wèi汝rú等děng是shì汉hàn朝cháo臣chén宰zǎi之zhī后hòu；今jīn不bù思sī报bào本běn，欲yù辅fǔ造zào反fǎn之zhī人rén，吾wú有yǒu何hé麺miàn目mù与yú汝rǔ为wéi友yǒu！」耿gěng纪jì曰yuē：「奈nài天tiān数shù如rú此cǐ，不bù得dé不bù然rán耳ěr！」袆huī大dà怒nù。耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huǎng见jiàn袆huī果guó有yǒu忠zhōng义yì之zhī心xīn，乃nái以yǐ实shí情qíng相xiāng告gào曰yuē：「吾wú等déng本běn欲yù讨tǎo贼zéi，来lái求qiú足zú下xià。

Wei Huang started up in feigned alarm. “How have I offended you, my good old friend?” cried he. “I have been friends with you because you are descendants of men who have served Han faithfully. Now, if instead of trying to repay the debt of gratitude you ought to feel, you turn aside to assist one who is their enemy, think you that I can regard you as friends? How could I look the world in the face?” “But if it be destiny, one cannot help it,” said Kêng. “One must accept it.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-38

前qián言yán特tè相xiāng试shì耳ěr。」袆huī曰yuē：「吾wú累lèi世shì汉hàn臣chén，安ān能néng从cóng贼zéi？公gōng等děng欲yù扶fú汉hàn室shì，有yǒu何hé高gāo见jiàn？」晃huǎng曰yuē：「虽suī有yǒu报bào国guó之zhī心xīn，未wèi有yóu讨tǎo贼zéi之zhī计jì。」袆huī曰yuē：「吾wú欲yù里lǐ应yìng外wài合hé，杀shā了le王wáng必bì，夺duó其qí兵bīng权quán，扶fú助zhù銮luán舆yú，更gèng结jié刘liú皇huáng叔shū为wèi外wài援yuán，操cāo贼zéi可kě灭miè矣yǐ。」二èr人rén闻wén之zhī，抚fú掌zhǎng称chēng善shàn。

Chin grew still more angry, so that the two visitors were convinced that at heart he was still loyal to the dynasty. Then they began to tell him the true state of the case. “Our real desire is to destroy this rebel, and we have come to ask your help in that. What we said at first was only a test to find out what you thought.” “Think you, with my ancestry, generation after generation in the confidence and service of the Hans, that I would willingly follow a rebel? If you, Sirs, really think of restoring the dynasty, pray tell me your plans.” “Though we have the desire to prove our gratitude, yet we lack the means to destroy the enemy,” said Wei. Said Chin, “We desire helpers within and supporters without. If we could slay Wang Pi we could use his name and troops to help the Emperor. With the help of Liu, the Imperial Uncle, we should be able to destroy the rebel Ts‘ao.” Hearing Chin I’s plan, the others clapped their hands in approval.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-39

袆huī曰yuē：「吾wú有yǒu心xīn腹fù二èr人rén，与yǔ操cāo贼zéi有yǒu杀shā父fù之zhī仇chóu，现xiàn居jū城chéng外wài，可kě用yòng为wèi羽yǔ翼yì。」耿gěng纪jì问wèn是shì何hé人rén。袆huī曰yuē：「太tài医yī吉jí平píng之zhī子zi：长zhǎng名míng吉jí邈miǎo，字zì文wén然rán；次cì名míng吉jí穆mù，字zì思sī然rán。操cāo昔xī为wèi董dǒng承chéng衣yī带dài诏zhào事shì，曾céng杀shā其qí父fù。二èr子zi逃táo窜cuàn远yuǎn乡xiāng，得dé免miǎn于yú难nán。今jīn已yǐ潜qián归guī许xǔ都dōu。若ruò使shǐ相xiāng助zhù讨tǎo贼zéi，无wú有yǒu不bù从cóng。

“And I have two friends who will go with us,” said Chin. “Both of them have the murder of a father to avenge. They are sons of the great physician Chi P‘ing and are called Chi Miao and Chi Mu. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao put their father to death for his connection with the plot organised by Tung Ch'êng when he received the secret edict conveyed in the robe and girdle that was conferred upon him by the Emperor. The two sons escaped that time by flight, but they have since secretly returned to the capital. With their help all will go well.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-40

」耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huǎng大dà喜xǐ。金jīn袆huī即jí使shǐ人rén密mì唤huàn二èr吉jí。须xū臾yú，二èr人rén至zhì。袆huī具jù言yán其qí事shì。二èr人rén感gǎn愤fèn流liú泪lèi，怨yuàn气qì冲chōng天tiān，誓shì杀shā国guó贼zéi。金jīn袆huī曰yuē：「正zhēng月yuè十shí五wǔ日rì夜yè间jiān，城chéng中zhōng大dà张zhāng灯dēng火huǒ，庆qìng赏shǎng元yuán宵xiāo。耿gěng少shào府fǔ、韦wéi司sī直zhí，你nǐ二èr人rén各gè领lǐng家jiā僮tóng，杀shā至zhì王wáng必bì营yíng前qián；只zhǐ看kàn营yíng中zhōng火huó起qǐ，分fēn两liǎng路lù杀shā入rù；

The two conspirators rejoiced at the prospect of further help, and a messenger was sent to call in the two Chi. Soon they arrived, and the plot was laid before them. They were deeply affected and shed copious tears. Their wrath rose to the sky and they swore to aid in the destruction of the rebel.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-41

杀shā了le王wáng必bì，迳jìng跟gēn我wǒ入rù内nèi，请qǐng天tiān子zi登dēng五wǔ凤fèng楼lóu，召zhào百bǎi官guān麺miàn谕yù讨tǎo贼zéi。吉jí文wén然rán兄xiōng弟dì于yú城chéng外wài杀shā入rù，放fàng火huǒ为wèi号hào，各gè要yào扬yáng声shēng，叫jiào百bǎi姓xìng诛zhū杀shā国guó贼zéi，截jié住zhù城chéng内nèi救jiù军jūn；待dài天tiān子zi降jiàng诏zhào，招zhāo安ān已yǐ定dìng，便biàn进jìn兵bīng杀shā奔bēn邺yè郡jùn擒qín曹cáo操cāo，即jí发fā使shǐ赍jī诏zhào召zhào刘liú皇huáng叔shū。今jīn日rì约yuē定dìng，至zhì期qī二èr更gèng举jǔ事shì，勿wù似shì董dǒng承chéng自zì取qǔ其qí祸huò。

“On the fifteenth day of the first month there will be grand illuminations in the city,” said Chin I, “and felicitations will be going on on every side. Kêng Chi and Wei Huang will each lead out their retainers and make their way quickly to Wang Pi’s camp to wait till they see the fire begin. Then they will dash in, slay Wang Pi and follow me inside the palace. We will then request the Emperor to ascend the Tower of the Five Phoenixes, assemble his officers and issue orders to destroy the rebels. The two brothers Chi will make their way into the city and set fires going. Then all will raise their voices and summon the populace to their aid. They are to hold up any rescue force in the city till the Emperor has issued the edict and disturbance is allayed, when they will rush toward Yehchün and seize Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. Then a messenger will be despatched with a summons for Liu, the Imperial Uncle. We will begin our work this night at the second watch and we will escape the ill success that attended Tung Ch'êng’s attempt.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-42

」五wǔ人rén对duì天tiān说shuō誓shì，歃shà血xuè为wéi盟méng，各gè自zì归guī家jiā，整zhěng顿dùn军jūn马mǎ器qì械xiè，临lín期qī而ér行xíng。

All five swore before Heaven to be true, and they smeared their lips with blood in earnest of their oath. After this, each returned to his own home to prepare arms and call up their men.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-43

且qiě说shuō耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huǎng二èr人rén，各gè有yǒu家jiā僮tóng三sān四sì百bǎi，预yù备bèi器qì械xiè。吉jí邈miǎo兄xiōng弟dì，亦yì聚jù三sān、四sì百bǎi人rén口kǒu，只zhǐ推tuī围wéi猎liè。安ān排pái已yǐ定dìng。金jīn袆huī先xiān期qī来lái见jiàn王wáng必bì，言yán：「方fāng今jīn海hái宇yǔ稍shāo安ān，魏wèi王wáng威wēi震zhèn天tiān下xià；今jīn值zhí元yuán宵xiāo令lìng节jié，不bù可kě不bú放fàng灯dēng火huǒ，以yǐ示shì太tài平píng气qì象xiàng。」王wáng必bì然rán其qí言yán，告gào谕yù城chéng内nèi居jū民mín，侭jǐn张zhāng灯dēng结jié彩cǎi，庆qìng赏shǎng佳jiā节jié。

Both Kêng Chi and Wei Huang had a large number of retainers, whom they armed. The brothers Chi also got together some hundreds of men. They gave out a story of a hunting party to explain the gathering. When the preparations were complete, and before the time fixed for the rising, Chin I went to see Wang Pi and said, “Everything in the world seems now tranquil, and the power of the Prince of Wei extends over all the land. It is a season of joy and felicitation, and everyone is hanging out lanterns and putting up decorations for the occasion.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-44

至zhì正zhèng月yuè十shí五wǔ夜yè，天tiān色sè晴qíng霁jì，星xīng月yuè交jiāo辉huī。六liù街jiē三sān市shì，竞jìng放fàng花huā灯dēng。真zhēn个gè金jīn吾wú不bú禁jìn，玉yù漏lòu无wú催cuī！王wáng必bì与yǔ御yù林lín诸zhū将jiāng，在zài营yíng中zhōng饮yǐn宴yàn。二èr更gèng以yǐ后hòu，忽hū闻wén营yíng中zhōng呐nà喊hǎn，人rén报bào营yíng后hòu火huó起qǐ。王wáng必bì慌huāng忙máng出chū帐zhàng看kàn时shí，只zhǐ见jiàn火huǒ光guāng乱luàn滚gǔn；

The night of full moon was very clear, moon and stars most brilliant. The people of the capital took advantage of the night and thronged the “six streets and the three market places.” The lanterns were hung out in profusion, and all went merrily. No official interfered with the crowd, no one thought of the flight of time; all was simple gaiety.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-45

又yòu闻wén喊hǎn杀shā连lián天tiān，知zhī是shì营yíng中zhōng有yǒu变biàn，急jí上shàng马mǎ出chū南nán门mén，正zhèng遇yù耿gěng纪jì，一yī箭jiàn射shè中zhōng肩jiān膊bó，几jī乎hū坠zhuì马mǎ，遂suì望wàng西xī门mén而ér走zǒu。背bèi后hòu有yǒu车chē赶gǎn来lái。王wáng必bì著zhù忙máng，弃qì马mǎ步bù行xíng，至zhì金jīn袆huī门mén首shǒu，慌huāng叩kòu其qí门mén。原yuán来lái金jīn袆huī一yī麺miàn使shǐ人rén于yú营yíng中zhōng放fàng火huǒ；一yī麺miàn亲qīn领lǐng家jiā僮tóng随suí后hòu助zhù战zhàn，只zhǐ留liú妇fù女nǚ在zài家jiā。

That night Wang Pi and his officers of the guards had a feast in their camp. Just after the second watch had begun they heard a great shouting in the camp, and someone came in to say that a fire had started in the rear. Wang Pi hurriedly left the table and went outside. He saw flames leaping up and rolling by and heard shouts of “Kill!” rising on every side and echoing to the very sky. He thought the camp had certainly mutinied, and, jumping on his horse, went out at the south gate. Just outside he ran against Kêng Chi, who loosed an arrow which struck him in the shoulder. He nearly fell with the shock, but he got away toward the west gate. He found he was pursued by armed men, so he got flurried, dismounted and went on foot. Presently he came to the house of Chin Wei and hammered at the door. Now the fire that had created such a scare had been raised by Chin’s own men sent for that purpose, and he had followed them to fight when the time came. Hence there was no one but the women folk left in his house. When the women heard the clamour at the door they thought Chin I had come back, and his wife, from the door of the women’s quarter, called out, “Have you killed Wang Pi?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-46

时shí家jiā中zhōng闻wén王wáng必bì叩kòu门mén之zhī声shēng，只zhǐ道dào金jīn袆huī归guī来lái。袆huī妻qī从cóng隔gé门mén便biàn问wèn曰yuē：「王wáng必bì那nà厮sī杀shā了le么me？」王wáng必bì大dà惊jīng，方fāng悟wù金jīn祎yī同tóng谋móu，迳jìng投tóu曹cáo休xiū家jiā报bào知zhī金jīn袆huī、耿gěng纪jì等děng同tóng谋móu反fǎn。休xiū急jí披pī挂guà上shàng马mǎ，引yǐn千qiān余yú人rén在zài城chéng中zhōng拒jù敌dí。城chéng内nèi四sì下xià火huó起qǐ，烧shāo著zhù五wǔ凤fèng楼lóu，帝dì避bì于yú深shēn宫gōng。曹cáo氏shì心xīn腹fù爪zhǎo牙yá，死sǐ据jù宫gōng门mén。

This was a shock, but it told Wang Pi that his quondam friend was now an enemy. Wherefore he fled further to the house of Ts‘ao Hsiu and told him that Kêng Chi and Chin I had raised a disturbance. Ts‘ao Hsiu immediately armed himself, got to horse and led a company into the city. He found fires on all sides, and the Tower of the Five Phoenixes was in flames. The Emperor had fled into the recesses of the palace, but Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s friends and partizans were defending the palace gate like grim death.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-47

城chéng中zhōng但dàn闻wén人rén叫jiào：「杀shā侭jǐn曹cáo贼zéi，以yǐ扶fú汉hàn室shì！」

In the city the crowd was shouting one to another to slay Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and restore the Hans.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-48

原yuán来lái夏xià侯hóu惇dūn奉fèng曹cáo操cāo命mìng，巡xún警jíng许xǔ昌chāng，领lǐng三sān万wàn军jūn，离lí城chéng五wú里lǐ屯tún扎zhā；是shì夜yè遥yáo望wàng见jiàn城chéng中zhōng火huó起qǐ，便biàn领lǐng大dà军jūn前qián来lái，围wéi住zhù许xǔ都dōu，使shǐ一yī枝zhī军jūn入rù城chéng接jiē应yīng。曹cáo休xiū直zhí混hùn杀shā至zhì天tiān明míng。耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huáng等děng无wú人rén相xiāng助zhù。人rén报bào金jīn袆huī、二èr吉jí皆jiē被bèi杀shā死sǐ。耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huǎng夺duó路lù杀shā出chū城chéng门mén，正zhèng遇yù夏xià侯hóu惇dūn大dà军jūn围wéi住zhù，活huó捉zhuō去qù了le。

When Hsiahou Tun had received the command to keep watch and ward over the capital, he had gone into camp five li from the city. When he saw the conflagration start he set the army in motion and surrounded the city. He also sent reinforcements to Ts‘ao Hsiu within. Inside the city the fighting went on all night. No one joined the conspirators; the small band were left to their own efforts. Soon it was reported that Chin I and the brothers Chi were slain. Kêng and Wei found their way to one of the gates, but there they met Hsiahou Tun’s main force and were made prisoners. The handful of men with them were cut to pieces.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-49

手shǒu下xià百bǎi余yú人rén皆jiē被bèi杀shā。夏xià侯hóu惇dūn入rù城chéng，救jiù灭miè遗yí火huǒ，侭jǐn收shōu五wǔ人rén老láo小xiǎo宗zōng族zú，使shǐ人rén飞fēi报bào曹cáo操cāo。操cāo传chuán令lìng教jiào将jiāng耿gěng、韦wéi二èr人rén，及jí五wǔ家jiā宗zōng族zú老láo小xiǎo，皆jiē斩zhǎn于yú市shì，并bìng将jiāng在zài朝cháo大dà小xiáo百bǎi官guān，侭jǐn拏ná解jiě邺yè郡jùn，听tīng侯hóu发fā落luò。

When the fighting subsided, Hsiahou Tun went into the city and set his men to put out the fires. He also laid hands on the whole households of the five conspirators. Then he sent a report to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, who sent back orders to execute the two conspirators and put to death in public all the members of the five families. He was also to arrest every official and send the whole batch to Yehchün.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-50

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn押yā耿gěng、韦wéi二èr人rén至zhì市shì曹cáo。耿gěng纪jì厉lì声shēng大dà叫jiào曰yuē：「曹cáo阿ā瞒mán，吾wú生shēng不bù能néng杀shā汝rǔ，死sǐ当dàng作zuò厉lì鬼guí以yǐ击jī贼zéi！」刽guì子zi手shóu以yǐ刀dāo搠shuò其qí口kǒu，流liú血xié满mǎn地dì，大dà骂mà不bù绝jué而ér死sǐ。韦wéi晃huáng以yǐ麺miàn颊jiá顿dùn地dì曰yuē：「可kě恨hèn！可kě恨hèn！」咬yǎo牙yá皆jiē碎suì而ér死sǐ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī赞zàn曰yuē：

Hsiahou Tun sent his two chief prisoners to the place of execution. They shouted against Ts‘ao Ts‘ao. “Living we have failed to slay you, Ts‘ao A-man; dead we will be malicious spirits smiting rebels in all places.” The executioner smote Kêng on the mouth with his sword, so that the blood gushed out, but he continued to shout as long as he could. Wei Huang, his fellow-conspirator, dashed his temples on the ground crying, “How I hate him!” and ground his teeth till he broke them to fragments. And he died. Who can with outstretched hands uphold the sky Or thrones maintain by simple loyalty? Han’s day was done; two would avert the doom, But failed, and carried anger to the tomb.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-51

耿gěng纪jì精jīng忠zhōng韦wéi晃huǎng贤xián，各gè持chí空kōng手shǒu欲yù扶fú天tiān。

Geng Ji's pure loyalty, Wei Huang's worthiness too, With empty hands they sought to shore up heaven.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-52

谁shuí知zhī汉hàn祚zuò相xiāng将jiāng侭jǐn，恨hèn满mǎn心xīn胸xiōng丧sàng九jiǔ泉quán。

Who knew the Han's mandate was drawing to its close? Their hearts brimmed with regret as they died in the Nine Springs.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-53

夏xià侯hóu惇dūn侭jín斩zhán五wǔ家jiā老láo小xiǎo宗zōng族zú，将jiāng百bǎi官guān解jiě赴fù邺yè郡jùn。曹cáo操cāo于yú教jiào场chǎng立lì红hóng旗qí于yú左zuǒ、白bái旗qí于yú右yòu，下xià令lìng曰yuē：「耿gěng纪jì、韦wéi晃huáng等děng造zào反fǎn，放fàng火huǒ焚fén许xǔ都dōu，汝rú等děng亦yì有yǒu出chū救jiù火huó者zhě，亦yì有yǒu闭bì门mén不bù出chū者zhě。如rú曾céng救jiù火huó者zhě，可kě立lì于yú红hóng旗qí下xià；如rú不bù曾céng救jiù火huó者zhě，可kě立lì于yú白bái旗qí下xià。

Hsiahou Tun carried out his chief’s orders and sent the officials he had arrested to Yehchün. There Ts‘ao Ts‘ao set up two flags, one red and one white, in the drill ground and sent all the officials thither. Then he addressed them. “In this late rebellion some of you went out to extinguish the fire, some of you stayed within doors. Let those who went forth to put out the fire take their stand by the red flag and those who remained in their houses go to the white flag.' ” The officials thought within themselves, “Certainly there can be nothing wrong in trying to put out a fire,” so they nearly all placed themselves under the red flag; only about a third went to the white.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-54

」众zhòng官guān自zì思sī救jiù火huó者zhě必bì无wú罪zuì，于yú是shì多duō奔bēn红hóng旗qí之zhī下xià。三sān停tíng内nèi只zhí有yǒu一yī停tíng立lì于yú白bái旗qí下xià。操cāo教jiào侭jǐn拏ná立lì于yú红hóng旗qí下xià者zhě。众zhòng官guān各gè言yán无wú罪zuì。操cāo曰yuē：「汝rǔ当dāng时shí之zhī心xīn，非fēi是shì救jiù火huǒ，实shí欲yù助zhù贼zéi耳ěr。」侭jǐn命mìng牵qiān出chū漳zhāng河hé边biān斩zhǎn之zhī，死sí者zhě三sān百bǎi余yú员yuán。其qí立lì于yú白bái旗qí下xià者zhě，侭jǐn皆jiē赏shǎng赐cì，仍réng令lìng还hái许xǔ都dōu。

Then the order was given to seize all those by the red flag. They protested. “We are guiltless!” cried they. Ts‘ao Ts‘ao said, “At that time you intended not to put out the flames but to aid the rebels.” He sent them all down to the Chang River and had them put to death on the bank. There were more than three hundred victims. He rewarded those who were under the white flag and sent them to their homes in the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-55

时shí王wáng必bì已yǐ被bèi箭jiàn疮chuāng发fā而ér死sǐ，操cāo命mìng厚hòu葬zàng之zhī。令lìng曹cáo休xiū总zǒng督dū御yù林lín军jūn马mǎ，钟zhōng繇yáo为wèi相xiàng国guó，华huá歆xīn为wèi御yù史shǐ大dà夫fū。遂suì定dìng侯hóu爵jué六liù等děng十shí八bā级jí，关guān中zhōng侯hóu爵jué十shí七qī级jí，皆jiē金jīn印yìn紫zǐ绶shòu；又yòu置zhì关guān内nèi外wài侯hóu十shí六liù级jí，银yín印yìn龟guī纽niǔ墨mò绶shòu；五wǔ大dà夫fū十shí五wǔ级jí，铜tóng印yìn镮huán组zǔ绶shòu。定dìng爵jué封fēng官guān，朝cháo廷tíng又yòu换huàn一yī班bān人rén物wù。

Wang Pi died from his wound and was buried with great honour. Ts‘ao Hsiu was placed over the guards; Chung Yu was dreated Prime Minister, Hua Hsin became a Chief Censor. The occasion was taken to create six grades of the title of “Marquis” with three divisions each, eighteen in all. There were seventeen grades of marquis under the name Kuan-hsi , or “West of the Pass.” And all these had golden seals of office with purple ribbons. There were also sixteen ranks of marquis called Kuan-nei , “Interior,” and Kuan-wai , “Exterior". They had silver seals with tortoise ornaments on the back and black ribbons. There were five classes of T‘ai-fu with three grades in each class. These had brass seals, with chain ornaments and ribbons. And with all these various gradations of ranks and nobility reorganised, the Court was entirely transformed. There were new ranks and new men in office.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-56

曹cáo操cāo方fāng悟wù管guǎn辂lù火huǒ灾zāi之zhī说shuō，遂suì重zhòng赏shǎng辂lù。辂lù不bú受shòu。

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao then remembered the warning about a conflagration in the capital and wished to reward Kuan Lu for his prescience, but he would receive nothing.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-57

却què说shuō曹cáo洪hóng领lǐng兵bīng到dào汉hàn中zhōng，令lìng张zhāng郃hé、夏xià侯hóu渊yuān各gè据jù险xiǎn要yào。曹cáo洪hóng亲qīn自zì进jìn兵bīng拒jù敌dí。时shí张zhāng飞fēi自zì与yǔ雷léi同tóng守shǒu巴bā西xī。马mǎ兵bīng至zhì下xià办bàn，令lìng吴wú兰lán为wèi先xiān锋fēng，领lǐng军jūn哨shào出chū，正zhèng与yǔ曹cáo洪hóng军jūn相xiāng遇yù，吴wú兰lán欲yù退tuì。牙yá将jiāng任rèn夔kuí曰yuē：「贼zéi兵bīng初chū至zhì，若ruò不bù先xiān挫cuò其qí锐ruì气qì，何hé颜yán见jiàn孟mèng起qǐ乎hū？」于yú是shì骤zhòu马má挺tǐng枪qiāng搦nuò曹cáo洪hóng战zhàn。

Ts‘ao Hung with an army went into Hanchung. He placed Hsiahou Yüan and Chang Ho in command at points of importance, while he went on to the attack. At that time Chang Fei with Lei T‘ung were holding Pahsi. Ma Ch‘ao marched to Hsiapan and sent Wu Lan out as van leader to reconnoitre. He fell in with Ts‘ao Hung, and Wu Lan was going to retire. But a petty officer, Jên K‘uei, advised against this. “They are newly arrived, why not fight and take the keen edge off their pride? If we do not fight, how can we look our chief in the face when we return?” So it was decided to offer battle, and Jên K‘uei rode out and challenged Ts‘ao Hung. The challenge was accepted, and the warriors advanced. Jên K‘uei fell in the third encounter. Ts‘ao Hung pressed the advantage, and Wu Lan was driven off. When he returned and told Ma Ch‘ao, he was blamed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-58

洪hóng自zì提tí刀dāo跃yuè马mǎ而ér出chū。交jiāo锋fēng三sān合hé，斩zhǎn任rèn夔kuí于yú马mǎ下xià，乘chéng势shì掩yǎn杀shā。吴wú兰lán大dà败bài，回huí见jiàn马mǎ超chāo。超chāo责zé之zhī曰yuē：「汝rǔ不bù得dé吾wú令lìng，何hé故gù轻qīng敌dí致zhì败bài？」吴wú兰lán曰yuē：「任rèn夔kuí不bù听tīng吾wú言yán，故gù有yóu此cǐ败bài。」马mǎ超chāo曰yuē：「可ké紧jín守shǒu隘ài口kǒu，勿wù与yǔ交jiāo锋fēng。」一yī麺miàn申shēn报bào成chéng都dū，听tīng候hòu行xíng止zhǐ。

“Why did you attack without orders and bring about this defeat?” “It was the fault of Jên K‘uei, who disobeyed orders.” “Defend most carefully; do not engage,” said Ma Ch‘ao. Ma Ch‘ao sent a report to Ch'êngtu and awaited orders for a further action. Ts‘ao Hung suspected some ruse when Ma Ch‘ao remained so long inactive, and retired to Nanchün. Here he was visited by Chang Ho, who asked why he had retired after the successful attack and slaughter of one of the enemy leaders.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-59

曹cáo洪hóng见jiàn马mǎ超chāo连lián日rì不bù出chū，恐kóng有yǒu诈zhà谋móu，引yǐn军jūn退tuì回huí南nán郑zhèng。张zhāng郃hé来lái见jiàn曹cáo洪hóng，问wèn曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn既jì已yí斩zhǎn将jiāng，如rú何hé退tuì兵bīng？」洪hóng曰yuē：「吾wú见jiàn马mǎ超chāo不bù出chū，恐kóng有yǒu别bié谋móu。且qié我wǒ在zài邺yè郡jùn，闻wén神shén卜bo管guǎn辂lù有yǒu言yán，当dāng于yú此cǐ地dì折zhé一yī员yuán大dà将jiàng。吾wú疑yí此cǐ言yán，故gù不bù敢gǎn轻qīng进jìn。

“Seeing that Ma Ch‘ao declined to come out to fight I suspected some ruse,” replied he. “Beside, when I was at Yehtu that wonderful soothsayer, Kuan Lu, foretold the loss of a leader here. I heeded what he said and so was careful.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-60

」张zhāng郃hé大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「将jiāng军jūn行xíng兵bīng半bàn生shēng，今jīn奈nài何hé信xìn卜bo者zhě之zhī言yán，而ér惑huò其qí心xīn哉zāi？郃hé虽suī不bù才cái，愿yuàn以yí本běn部bù兵bīng取qǔ巴bā西xī。若ruò得dé巴bā西xī，蜀shǔ郡jùn易yì耳ěr。」洪hóng曰yuē：「巴bā西xī守shǒu将jiàng张zhāng飞fēi，非fēi比bí等děng闲xián，不bù可kě轻qīng敌dí。」张zhāng郃hé曰yuē：「人rén皆jiē怕pà张zhāng飞fēi，吾wú视shì之zhī如rú小xiǎo儿ér耳ěr！此cǐ去qù必bì擒qín之zhī！」洪hóng曰yuē：「倘táng有yǒu疏shū失shī，若ruò何hé？

Chang Ho laughed, “You have been a leader of soldiers for half your life and yet you heed the sayings of a soothsayer! I may be of small wit, but I would take Pahsi with my own troop, and the possession of Pahsi would be the key to the whole of Shu.” “The defender of Pahsi is Chang Fei,” said Ts‘ao Hung. “He is no ordinary man to meet. One must be careful.” “All of you fear this Chang Fei, but I do not; I look upon him as a mere nobody. I shall have to capture him this time.” “But if you fail, what then?” “Then I shall be content to pay the penalty according to military rules.” Ts‘ao Hung made him put his undertaking in writing, and then Chang Ho marched to the attack. The proud are often defeated, Lightsome attacks oft fail. The following chapter will tell how Chang Ho fared.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

69-61

」郃hé曰yuē：「甘gān当dāng军jūn命mìng。」洪hóng勒lēi了le文wén状zhuàng，张zhāng郃hé进jìn兵bīng。正zhèng是shì：

"I gladly accept the army's command," said He. Hong made him sign a pledge, and Zhang He advanced his troops. It was exactly:

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-62

自zì古gǔ骄jiāo兵bīng多duō致zhì败bài，从cóng来lái轻qīng敌dí少shǎo成chéng功gōng。

Since ancient times, arrogant armies have mostly met defeat; From of old, those who slight the foe have seldom found success.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

69-63

未wèi知zhī胜shèng负fù如rú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