却说张郃部兵三万，向分三寨，各傍山险：一名宕渠寨，一名蒙头寨，一名荡石寨。当日张郃于三寨中，各分军一半，去取巴西，留一半守寨。早有探马报到巴西，说张郃引兵来了。张飞急唤雷铜商议。铜曰：「阆中地𫫇山险，可以埋伏。
Chang Ho’s army, with which he felt so sure of victory, consisted of three legions, and they were in three camps protected by some hills. They were named “Yench'ü Camp, “Mêngt‘ou Camp” and “Tangshih Camp.” When he marched he left half the men in each camp as defenders.
将军引兵出战，我出奇兵相助，郃可擒矣。」
The news soon reached Pahsi, and Chang Fei called in his colleague Lei T‘ung to give his opinion. Lei said, “The country is bad and the hills full of danger in Langchung; let us lay an ambush. You, O General, go out to give battle and I will help you by some sudden and unexpected attack. We ought to get Chang Ho.”
张飞拨精兵五千与雷铜去讫。飞自引兵一万，离阆中三十里，与张郃兵相遇。两军排开，张飞出马，单搦张郃。郃挺抢纵马而出。战到三十余合，后军忽然喊起。原来望见山背后有蜀兵旗旛，故此扰乱。张郃不敢恋战，拨马回走。张飞从后掩杀。前麺雷铜又引兵杀出。
Whereupon Chang Fei gave half a legion to Lei T‘ung and himself led out a legion to a point thirty li from Langchung. Having set them in order, he rode out and challenged Chang Ho to single combat. Chang galloped out to meet him. After the thirtieth or so bout Chang Ho’s men suddenly began to shout and soon showed signs of confusion. The reason was the appearance of the banners of Shu from the cover of some hills. Chang Ho dared not continue to fight after this, and he fled. Chang Fei pursued him. Lei Tung also appeared in his road and attacked, and so, with enemies on both sides, Chang Ho lost the day. Both Chang Fei and Lei T‘ung continued to smite him, even into the night, till he got back to his camp at Yench‘ü Hill.
两下夹攻，郃兵大败。张飞、雷铜连夜追袭，直赶到宕渠山。张郃仍旧分兵守住三寨，多置擂木砲石，坚守不战。张飞离宕渠十里下寨，次日引兵搦战。郃在山上大吹大擂饮酒，并不下山。张飞令军士大骂，郃只不出。飞只得还营。
Chang Ho reverted to his old plan of defending the three camps, rolling down logs and hurling stones. But he remained behind his defences. Chang Fei made a camp ten li off. Next day he went forth and offered battle, but Chang Ho took no notice. He ascended to the summit of the hill and drank wine to the accompaniment of trumpets and drums, but he would not fight. Chang Fei bade his soldiers shout insults, but these had no effect. Lei T‘ung was sent up the hill, but the rolling logs and hurtling stones forced him to retire. Then the men of the other two camps came out to the attack and Lei was discomfited.
次日，雷铜又去山下搦战。郃又不出。雷铜驱军士上山，山上擂木石駮打将下来。雷铜急退。荡石、蒙头两寨兵出，杀败雷铜。次日，张飞又去搦战。张郃又不出。飞使军人百般秽骂，郃在山上亦骂。张飞寻思，无计可施。相拒五十余日，飞就在山前扎住大寨，每日饮酒；
Next day Chang Fei again offered battle, but there was no response. Again the soldiers yelled every form of insult, but Chang Ho from the hill top only replied by similar abuse. Chang Fei was at his wits' ends; and this game was played for more than fifty days.
饮至大醉，坐于山前辱骂。
Then Chang Fei made a strong stockade just in front of the hill, and therein he sat day after day drinking till he became half drunk. And when he was so, he reviled his opponent.
玄德差人犒军，见张飞终日饮酒，使者回报玄德。玄德大惊，忙来问孔明。孔明笑曰：「原来如此。军前恐无好酒；成都佳酿极多，可将五十饔作三车装，送到军前与张将军饮。」玄德曰；「吾弟自来饮酒失事，军师何故反送酒与他？
About this time Liu Pei sent gifts to the army, and when the messenger went back he told Liu that his brother was giving himself over to wine. This made Liu Pei anxious, so he lost no time in asking advice from K‘ung-ming. K‘ung-ming was jocular, saying, “Since that is so let us send him fifty vessels of the best brew of Ch'êngtu. He probably has but poor stuff in the camp.”
」孔明笑曰：「主公与翼德做了许多年兄弟，还不知其为人耶？翼德自来刚强，然前于收川之时，义释严颜，此非勇夫所为也。今与张郃相拒五十余日，酒醉之后，便坐山前辱骂，傍若无人；此非贪杯，乃败张郃之计耳。」玄德曰：「虽然如此，未可托大。可使魏延助之。
“But he has always had a weakness for wine, and he has failed because of it. Yet you would encourage him to drink by sending him more wine?”
」孔明今魏延解酒赴军前，车上各插黄旗，大书「军前公用美酒」。魏延领命，解酒到寨中，见张飞，传说主公赐酒，飞拜受讫，分付魏延、雷铜各引一枝人马，为左右翼；只看军中红旗起，便各进兵；教将酒䙓列帐下，令军士大开旗鼓而饮。
“My lord, is it that you do not understand your brother even after all these years? He is brave and steady, yet when we first invaded Shu he released Yen Yen, which was not what a mere bravo would have done. He is face to face with Chang Ho, and has been for nearly two months, and day after day he drinks and rages and insults his enemy openly. He treats him with most perfect contempt. But this is not only the wine-cup; it is a deep plan to get the better of Chang Ho.” “This may be so,” replied Liu Pei, “but let us not rely upon it too much. Let Wei Yen go to help him.”
有细作报上山来，张郃自来山顶观望。见张飞坐于帐下饮酒，令二小卒于麺前相扑为戏。郃曰：「张飞欺我太甚！」传令今夜下山劫飞寨。令蒙头、荡石二寨，皆出为左右援。当夜张郃乘著月色微明，引军从山侧而下，迳到寨前。遥望张飞大明灯烛，正在帐中饮酒。
K‘ung-ming sent Wei Yen with the wine, and the carts set out, each flying a yellow flag with a writing in large characters that it was fine wine for the general use of the army in the field. When Wei Yen reached the army he handed over the wine, which he said was a gift from the lord of Shu. And Chang Fei received it with due respect. He told Wei Yen and Lei T‘ung each to take a company and move out on the two wings, ready to act when they saw a red flag displayed. And then he had the wine laid out and called up some soldiers to drink with a great display of flags and a rolling of drums. The spies reported all these doings on the hill-top, and Chang Ho came out to look for himself. There he saw his opponent drinking, and two of the soldiers were boxing before him for his amusement.
张郃当先大喊一声，山前擂鼓为助，直杀入中军。但见张飞端坐不动。张郃骤马到麺前一鎗刺到，却是一个草人。急勒马回时，帐后连珠砲起。一将当先，拦住去路，睁圆环眼，声如巨雷，乃张飞也；挺矛跃马，直取张郃。两将在火光中，战到三五十合。
“He despises me too much,” said Chang Ho, and he gave orders to prepare for a night attack on the enemy camp. His own men should do the raiding and the other two camps were to support them. There was little moon that night, and Chang Ho took advantage of the obscurity to steal down the side of the hill. He got quite close to the enemy camp and stood for a time looking at Chang Fei sitting amid a blaze of lamps and drinking. Suddenly he dashed forward with a yell, and at the same moment his drums on the hill-top rolled out their defiance. Chang Fei never stirred. Chang Ho rushed at him and delivered a mighty thrust with his spear. Chang Fei toppled over—it was a Chang Fei of straw. Ho checked and turned his steed. At that moment he heard a string of detonations and a warrior appeared before him barring his way. It was the real Chang Fei, as the round head and thundering voice speedily made manifest.
张郃只盼两寨来救，谁知两寨救兵，已被魏延、雷铜两将杀退，就势夺了二寨。张郃不见救兵，正没奈何，又见山上火起，已被张飞后军夺了寨栅。张郃三寨俱失，只得奔瓦口关去了。张飞大获胜捷，报入成都。玄德大喜，方知翼德饮酒是计，只要诱张郃下山。
With spear set, he rode toward Chang Ho. The two warriors fought many bouts under the gleaming lights. No help came to Chang Ho. In vain he yearned for the assistance which the two camps were to bring him. How could he know that his reinforcements had been driven back by Wei Yen and Lei T‘ung? And that the two camps were now in possession of his enemies? As the help did not come he was powerless; and, to add to his discomfiture, the glare of fire out on the hill told him of the seizure of his third camp. Nothing could be done, and he fled to Wak‘ou Pass. The victory was all to Chang Fei. The news of the success delighted Liu Pei, and he knew then that Chang Fei’s drinking had been part of a stratagem to entice his enemy into the open and defeat him.
却说张郃退守瓦口关，三万军已折了二万，遣人问曹洪求救。洪大怒曰：「汝不听吾言，强要进兵，失了紧要隘口，却又来求救！」遂不肯发兵，使人催督张郃出战。郃心慌，只得定计，分两军去关口前山僻埋伏；分付曰：「我诈败，张飞必然赶来，汝等就截其归路。」
Chang Ho reached the Pass, but with the loss of more than half his army. He stood on defence and sent urgent messages to his colleague to come to his rescue. Ts‘ao Hung angrily replied, “He disobeyed my orders and marched; he has lost an important point and now he sends to me for help.”
当日张郃引军前进，正遇雷铜。战不数合，张郃败走，雷铜赶来。两军齐出，截断回路。张郃复回，刺雷铜于马下。败军回报张飞。飞自来与张郃挑战，郃又诈败，张飞不赶。郃又回战，不数回，又败走。
While refusing aid, he sent to urge his colleague to go out and fight. But Chang Ho too greatly feared. At length he decided upon a plan of action. He sent out two parties into ambush and said to them, “I will pretend defeat and fly. They will follow and you can cut off their retreat.” When he did march out he met Lei T‘ung. The two engaged in battle and Chang presently ran away. Lei pursued and fell into the ambush. Then Chang Ho returned and slew Lei Tung. His men went back and told Chang Fei, who came up to provoke another fight. Chang Ho again tried his stratagem, but Chang Fei did not pursue. Again and again the ruse was tried, but Chang Fei knew it was only a ruse and simply retired to his own camp.
张飞知是计，收军回寨，与魏延商议曰：「张郃用埋伏计，杀了雷铜，又要赚吾，何不将计就计？」延问曰：「如何？」飞曰：「我明日先引一军前往，汝却引精兵于后。待伏兵出，汝可分兵击之。用车十余乘，各藏柴草，寨住小路，放火烧之。
He said to Wei Yen, “Chang Ho has compassed the death of Lei T‘ung by leading him into an ambush, and he wants to inveigle me into another. What say you to meeting trick with trick?” “But how?” said Wei Yen.
吾乘势擒张郃，与雷铜报雠。」魏延领计。次日，张飞引兵前进。张郃兵又至，与张飞交锋。战到十合，郃又诈败。张飞引马步军赶来，郃且战且走。引张飞过山谷口，郃将后军为前，复扎住营，与飞又战。指望两彪伏兵出，要围困张飞。
“To-morrow I will lead the army forward, you following me with some reliable soldiers. When his men come out from their ambush you can smite them, sending half your men against each party. We will secretly fill the by-roads with loads of combustibles, entice the enemy among them and start a fire. In the confusion I shall try to capture Chang Ho. So will we avenge our comrade’s death.” So Chang Fei went out, and Chang Ho’s men came and began to fight. After a half score bouts, Chang Ho ran away, and this time Chang Fei pursued. Ho, now fleeing, now stopping to exchange a blow or two, led Fei through the hills to a valley. Here, suddenly changing front, he halted, made a camp and offered battle.
不想伏兵却被魏延精兵到，赶入谷口，将车辆截住山路，放火烧车，山谷草木皆著，烟迷其径，兵不得出。张飞只顾引军冲突，张郃大败，死命杀开条路，走上瓦口关，收聚残兵，坚守不出。
It was now the time when he expected his hidden men to appear and surround Chang Fei. But none appeared. He knew not that his ambush had been broken up by Wei Yen’s brave men and driven into the valley where the road was filled with cart-loads of combustibles, and that the valley even then was all aflame. Then Chang Fei came to the attack, and the rout was complete. Chang Ho, fighting desperately, got through to the Wak‘ou Pass and there mustered the remnant of his men. He strengthened the position and remained behind his ramparts.
张飞和魏延连日攻打关隘不下。飞见不济事，把军退二十里，却和魏延引数十骑，自来两边哨探小路。忽见男女数人，各背小包，于山僻路攀藤附葛而走。飞于马上用鞭指与魏延曰：「夺瓦口关，只在这几个百姓的身上。
Chang Fei and Wei Yen then tried to take the Pass, but day after day they failed. Chang Fei, seeing no hope of success, retired twenty li and bivouacked. From this point he sent out scouts under Wei Yen to explore the country. While going along they observed some burden-bearers, men and women, going up a very retired path, pulling down the creepers and pushing aside the grasses.
」便唤军士分付：「休要惊恐他，好生唤那几个百姓来。」军士连忙唤到马前。飞用好言以安其心，问其何来。百姓告曰：「某等皆汉中居民，今欲还乡，听知大军厮杀，塞闭阆中官道；今过苍溪，从梓潼山桧𬬱川入汉中，还家去。
“That is the way to take Wak‘ou Pass,” cried Chang Fei, pointing with his whip to the wayfarers. He ordered his soldiers not to scare the people, but to call a few gently and bring them to him. They soon had several standing before their leader, who spoke to them kindly and put them at ease.
」飞曰：「这条路取瓦口关远近若何﹖」百姓曰：「从梓潼山小路，却是瓦口关背后。」飞大喜，带百姓入寨中，与了酒食，分付魏延引兵扣关攻打，「我亲自引轻骑出梓潼山攻关后。」便令百姓引路，选轻骑五百，从小路而进。
“Whence come you?” asked Fei. “We belong to Hanchung and are going home. We heard that you were out fighting and the high road to Langchung was blockaded, and so we have come across the Ts‘angchi Torrent and Tzŭchang Mountain and down Kueichin River. We are going to our homes in Hanchung.”
却说张郃为救军不到，心中正闷。人报：「魏延在关下攻打。张郃披挂上马，却待下山，忽报：关后四五路火起，不知何处兵来。」郃自领兵来迎。旗开处，早见张飞。郃大惊，急往小路而走，马不堪行。后麺张飞追赶甚急，郃弃马上山，寻迳而逃，方得走脱。
“Can one reach Wak‘ou Pass by this road? And how far is it?” The country people replied, “A small road leads past to the rear of the Pass from Tzŭchang Mountain.” For this piece of information Chang Fei rewarded them by taking them into his camp and giving them a good meal, and he sent off Wei Yen to make a frontal attack on the Pass while he himself with some light horse attacked it from the rear by way of Tzŭchang Mount.
随行只有十余人，步行入南郑，见曹洪。洪见张郃只剩十余人，大怒曰：「吾教汝休去，汝取下文状要去；今日折侭大兵，尚不自死，还来做甚！」喝令左右推出斩之。行军司马郭淮谏曰：「『三军易得，一将难求』。张郃虽然有罪，乃魏王所深爱者也，不可便诛。
Chang Ho was grieved and disappointed that his colleague sent no help, and the news of Wei Yen’s attack only added to his sorrow. But he girded on his armour and was about to ride out when they told him that fires had started at half a dozen places behind the Pass. They most likely indicated soldiers. However, he went out to meet them, and, to his horror, when the flags opened out, his eyes fell on the figure of Chang Fei. Away he ran along a by-road. But his steed was not fast, and as Chang Fei pressed him close, Chang Ho dismounted and ran up the mountain side. So he saved his life. He had, however, very few followers, and it was a small and dejected party that presently found its way into Nanch'êng. He saw Ts‘ao Hung, and Ts‘ao was very angry at his plight.
可再与五千兵迳取葭萌关，牵动其各处之兵，汉中自安矣。如不成功，二罪俱罚。」曹洪从之，又与兵五千，教张郃取葭萌关。郃领命而去。
“I told you not to go, but you were wilful. And you gave in your written pledge. You have lost all your men, yet you do not commit suicide. What will you do next?” Ts‘ao Hung ordered the lictors to put him to death. But the Commissary General interceded.
却说葭萌关守将孟达、霍峻，知张郃兵来。霍峻只要坚守，孟达定要迎敌。引军下关与张郃交锋，大败而回。霍峻急申文书到成都。玄德闻知，请军师商议。孔明聚众将于堂上，问曰：「今葭萌关紧急，必须阆中取翼德，方可退张郃也。
“An army is easily raised; a leader is hard to find. Though Chang Ho is guilt, he is a great favourite with our prince. I think you should spare him. Rather give him command of another army and send him to take Chiaming Pass and so hold up the soldiers at all the stations. Hanchung will be tranquil of its own accord. If he fail a second time you can punish him for both faults.” Ts‘ao Hung was satisfied to do this, and instead of dealing with his fault gave Chang Ho half a legion and told him to take the Pass.
」法正曰：「今翼德兵屯瓦口，镇守阆中，亦是紧要之地，不可取回。帐中诸将内，选一人去破张郃。」孔明笑曰：「张郃乃魏之名将，非等闲可及。除非翼德，无人可当。」忽一人厉声而出曰：「军师何轻视众人耶？吾虽不才，愿斩张郃首级，献于麾下。」
The captains of the Pass he was to capture were Mêng Ta and Ho Hsün. They were at variance—the former desiring to go out to meet Chang Ho, the letter being in favour of defence. Mêng Ta being set on having his way went out, gave battle and was defeated. Ho Hsün reported this to the capital, where Yüan-tê at once called in the Commander-in-chief to ask advice. K‘ung-ming assembled all the chief captains into the hall. “Chiaming Pass is in danger; we must get Chang Fei from Langchung to drive off Chang Ho,” said he.
众视之，乃老将黄忠也。孔明曰：「汉升虽勇，争奈年老，恐非张郃对手。」忠听了，白须倒竖而言曰：「某虽老，两臂尚开三石之弓，浑身还有千斤之力；岂不足敌张郃匹夫耶？」孔明曰：「将军年近七十，如何不老？」忠趋步下堂，取架上大刀，轮动如飞；
Fa Chêng replied, “Chang Fei is encamped at Wak‘ou, and Langchung is no less important than Chiaming. I do not think he should be recalled. Choose one among the captains to go and defeat Chang Ho.” K‘ung-ming laughed, “Chang Ho is renowned in Wei; no ordinary leader will avail. Chang Fei is the only man to send, the only one equal to the task.”
壁上硬弓，连拽折两张。孔明曰：「将军要去，谁为副将？」忠曰：「老将严颜，可同我去。但有疏虞，先纳下这白头。」玄德大喜，即时令严颜、黄忠去与张郃交战。赵云谏曰：「今张郃亲犯葭萌关，军师休为儿戏。若葭萌关一失，益州危矣。何故以二老将当此大敌乎？
Then among the captains one started up crying angrily, “O Commander, why do you thus despise us? I will use what little skill I have in slaying our enemy and I will lay his head at the foot of our standard.” The speaker was the veteran Huang Chung, and all eyes centred on him.
」孔明曰：「汝以二人老迈，不能成事，吾料汉中必于此二人手内可得。」赵云等各各晒笑而退。
“Friend Huang, you are bold enough, but what about your age? I fear you are no match for Chang Ho.” Huang Chung’s white beard bristled, and he said, “I know I am old. But these two arms can still pull the three hundred catty bow, and the vigour of my body is not yet departed. Am I not strong enough to meet such a poor thing as Chang Ho?” “General, you are nearly seventy; can you still hold you are not aged?”
却说黄忠、严颜到关上，孟达、霍峻见了，心中亦笑孔明欠调度：「是这般紧要去处，如何只教两个老的来！」黄忠谓严颜曰：「你见诸人动静么？他笑我二人年老，今可立奇功，以服众心。」严颜曰：「愿听将军之令。」两个商议定了，黄忠引军下关，与张郃对阵。
Huang tore down the hall. Seizing one of the great swords off the rack he whirled it as if it flew. And the stiffest bow that hung on the wall he pulled till it snapped.
张郃出马，见了黄忠，笑曰：「你许大年纪，犹不识羞，尚欲出战耶！」忠怒曰：「竖子欺我年老！吾手中宝刀却不老！」遂拍马向前与郃决战。二马相交，约战二十余合，忽然背后喊声起。原来是严颜从小路抄在张郃军后。两军夹攻，张郃大败。
“Well, if you will go, who will second you?” said K‘ung-ming. “I would prefer Yen Yen. And if there is the least anxiety,—well, here is this hoary head.”
连夜赶去，张郃兵退八九十里。黄忠、严颜收兵入寨，俱各按兵不动。
Yüan-tê was pleased to let these two go to fight Chang Ho. However, Chao Yün put in a protest. “Chang Ho has already got through Chiaming Pass, so that the fighting will be no child’s play, and the loss of that Pass endangers the whole of Ichou. It is no task to set to a couple of old men.” Replied K‘ung-ming, “You regard the two as too old and stupid to succeed, but I think the attainment of Hanchung depends upon these two.”
曹洪听知张郃输了一阵，又欲见罪。郭淮曰：「张郃被逼，必投西蜀；今可遣将助之，就近监督，使不生外心。」曹洪从之，即遣夏侯惇之姪夏侯尚，并降将韩玄之弟韩浩，二人引五千兵，前来助战。二将即时起行，到张郃寨中，问及军情。郃言：「老将黄忠，甚是英雄；
Chao Yün and many others sniggered as they went from the hall; they did not agree with K‘ung-ming. In due course the veteran captain and his chosen colleague arrived at the Pass. At sight of them the defenders laughed in their hearts, thinking that in sending such a pair of dotards on such a mission K‘ung-ming had slipped up in his calculations.
更有严颜相助，不可轻敌。」韩浩曰：「我在长沙知此老贼利害。他和魏延献了城池，害吾亲兄，今既相遇，必当报雠。」遂与夏侯尚，引新军离寨前进。
Huang Chung said to his colleague, “You see the behaviour of these people? They are laughing at us because we are old. Now we will do something that will win admiration from all the world.” “I should be glad to hear your orders,” replied Yen Yen.
原来黄忠连日哨探，已知路径。严颜曰：「此去有山名天荡山。山中乃曹操屯粮积草之地。若取得那个去处，断其粮草，汉中可得也。」忠曰：「将军之言，正合吾意。可与吾如此如此。」严颜依计，自领一枝军去了。
The two captains came to a decision how to act. Huang Chung led his men down below to meet Chang Ho in the open plain. Both drew up their array. When Chang Ho rode out and saw his venerable opponent he laughed in his face.
却说黄忠听知夏侯尚、韩浩来，遂引军马出营。韩浩在阵前，大骂黄忠：「无义老贼！」拍马挺枪，来取黄忠。夏侯尚便出夹攻。黄忠力战二将，各斗十余合，黄忠败走。二将赶二十余里，夺了黄忠营寨。忠又草创一营。
“You must be very old, and yet you are unashamed to go into the battle, eh?” said Chang Ho. “You menial!” replied the veteran. “Do you despise me for my age? You will find my good sword, however, young enough.”
次日，夏侯尚、韩浩赶来，忠又出阵，战数合，又败走，二将又赶二十里，夺了黄忠营寨，唤张郃守后寨。郃来前寨谏曰：「黄忠连退二日，于中必有诡计。」夏侯尚叱张郃曰：「你如此胆怯，可知屡次战败！今再休多言，看吾二人建功！」张郃羞赧而退。
So he urged forward his steed and rode at Chang Ho. The two chargers met and a score of bouts were fought. Then suddenly a great shouting came from the rear. Yen had come up and fallen upon the rear portion of Chang Ho’s army. Thus attacked on two sides, Chang Ho was defeated. The pursuit did not cease with nightfall, and Chang Ho was driven back near a hundred li . Contented with this success, Huang and his colleague went into their camp, where they rested their men for a time. When Ts‘ao Hung heard of Chang Ho’s new defeat, he was going to exact the penalty. But Kuo Chun persuaded him to forbear.
次日，二将又战，黄忠又败退二十余里；二将迤逦赶上。次日，二将兵出，黄忠望风而走，连败数阵，直退在关上。二将扣关下寨，黄忠坚守不出。孟达暗暗发书，申报玄德，说：「黄忠连败数阵，现今退在关上。」玄德慌问孔明。孔明曰：「此乃老将骄兵之计也。
“If he is pressed too hard he may take refuge in Shu,” said he. “Rather send him help. You will thus keep a hold over him and prevent his desertion.” Wherefore Hsiahou Shang was sent with reinforcements. This Shang was a nephew of Hsiahou Tun. The brother of Han Yüan, Han Hao by name, was also sent. They had half a legion.
」赵云等不信。玄德差刘封来关上接应黄忠。忠与封相见，问刘封曰：「小将军来助战何意？」封曰：「父亲得知将军数败，故差某来。」忠笑曰：「此老夫骄兵之计也。看今夜一阵，可侭复诸营，夺其粮食马匹，此是借寨与彼屯辎重耳。
The two captains soon reached Chang Ho, and asked how now the war was going. “That old man Huang is really a hero,” said Chang; “and with Yen Yen’s help he is very formidable.” “When I was at Changsha I heard the old man was very fierce. He and Wei Yen yielded the city and killed my own brother. Now that I shall meet him I can have my revenge,' said Han Hao. So he and Hsiahou Shang led out the new army.
今夜留霍峻守关，孟将军可与我搬粮草夺马匹。小将军看我破敌。」
Now, by means of spies Huang had got a thorough knowledge of the country, and Yen said, “Hereabout there is a mountain named “T‘ientang” wherein Ts‘ao Ts‘ao has stored his supplies. If we can gain possession we shall reduce the enemy to want and we shall get Hanchung.” Huang replied, “I think so, too, and so let us do so-and-so.” Yen agreed with him and marched off with a body of men to carry out his part in the stratagem.
是夜二更，忠引五千军开关直下。原来夏侯尚、韩浩二将，连日见关上不出，侭皆懈怠；被黄忠破寨直入，人不及甲，马不及鞍，二将各自逃命而走，军马自相践踏，死者无数。比及天明，连夺三寨。寨中丢下军器鞍马无数，侭教孟达搬运入关。黄忠催军马随后而进。
At news of the coming of new armies, Huang Chung marched out to meet them. He found Han Hao in front of his array, and Han began to abuse the veteran as a disgraceful old ruffian. Then he whipped up his steed and set his spear at Huang. Hsiahou Shang also rode out and took part in the combat. The veteran held them both at bay for some half score bouts and then fled. They pursued him for twenty li , when they reached and seized his camp. Huang, however, quickly made another defence of brushwood. Next day they renewed the pursuit, which ended with the capture of the temporary camp of the day before. And they had advanced twenty li further. Then they called upon Chang Ho to protect the rear camp. When Chang Ho came up he dissuaded them from continuing.
刘封曰：「军士力困，可以暂歇。」忠曰：「『不入虎穴，焉得虎子？』」策马先进，士卒皆努力向前。张郃军兵，反被自家败兵冲动，都屯扎不住，望后而走，侭弃了许多栅寨，直奔至汉水傍。
“Huang Chung has retreated before you for two days; there is some deep stratagem behind this,” said Chang Ho. Hsiahou Shang scoffed at him. “You are such a coward that you have been defeated many times. Now say no more, but let us accomplish something.”
张郃寻见夏侯尚、韩浩。议曰：「此天荡山，乃粮草之所；更接米仓山，亦屯粮之地；是汉中军士养命之源。倘若疏失，是无汉中也。当思所以保之。」夏侯尚曰：「米仓山有吾叔夏侯渊分兵守护，那里正接定军山，不必忧虑。
Chang Ho retired much mortified and shamed. Next day the two captains again went out to battle, and again Huang fled from them for twenty li. The two captains pursued as quickly as they could. The day after, Huang fled without any pretence of showing fight, except at short intervals. He got to the Pass and went on the defensive. The pursuers knocked at the very gate of the Pass and made a camp close by.
天荡山有吾兄夏侯德镇守，我等宜往投之，就保此山。」
Then Mêng Ta secretly wrote to Yüan-tê that Huang Chung had been repeatedly defeated and now was in the Pass and unable to go out. Yüan-tê became alarmed and consulted K‘ung-ming, who said, “The old captain is making the enemy over-confident,—to their ultimate destruction. But Chao Yün did not share this opinion, nor did many others, and Yüan-tê decided to send Liu Fêng to reinforce his aged captain. The young man came to the Pass and saw Huang, who asked him bluntly why he had come to help. “My father heard that you have sustained several defeats, and he has sent me,” said Liu Fêng.
于是张郃与二将连夜投天荡山来，见夏侯德，具言前事。夏侯德曰：「吾此处屯十万兵，你可引去，复取原寨。」郃曰：「只宜坚守，不可妄动。」忽听山前金鼓大震，人报：「黄忠兵到。」夏侯德大笑曰：「老贼不谙兵法，只恃勇耳！」郃曰：「黄忠有谋，非止勇也。
“But I am only employing the ruse of leading on the enemy,” said Huang Chung, smiling. “You will see to-night that in one battle I shall regain all the camps and capture their supplies and many horses. I have only lent the camps to them to store their supplies. To-night I shall leave Ho Hsün to guard the Pass, while General Mêng will gather up the spoils for Now, young Sir, you shall see the destruction of the us enemy.”
」德曰：「川兵远涉而来，连日疲困。更兼深入敌境，此无谋也。」郃曰：「亦不可轻敌。且宜坚守。」韩浩曰：「愿借精兵三千击之，当无不克。」
That same night, at the second watch, Huang left the Pass with half a legion. But now Hsiahou Shang and Han Hao, seeing no move from the Pass for many days, had become careless and so their camps were unable to resist. Their men had no time to don their armour or to saddle their horses. All the leaders did was to flee for their lives, while their men trampled each other down and were killed in great numbers. All three camps were recovered by dawn, and in them were found all sorts of military equipment. Horses and their caparisons also fell to the victors, and all the booty was carried off by Mêng Ta and stored in the Pass.
德遂分兵与浩下山。黄忠整兵来迎。刘封谏曰：「日已西渖矣，军皆远来劳困，且宜暂息。」忠笑曰：「不然；此天赐奇功，不取是逆天也。」言毕，鼓噪大进。韩浩引兵来战。黄忠挥刀直取浩，只一合，斩浩于马下。蜀兵大喊，杀上山来。张郃、夏侯尚急引军来迎。
Huang Chung pressed on his victory. Liu Fêng ventured to say that the men needed repose.
忽听山后大喊，火光冲天而起，上下通红。夏侯德提兵来救火时，正遇老将严颜，手起刀落，斩夏侯德于马下。原来黄忠预先使严颜引军埋伏于山僻去处，只等黄忠军到，却来放火，柴草堆上一齐点著，烈燄飞腾，照耀山谷。
“Can you seize the tiger’s whelps without going into the tiger’s den?” cried Huang. And he urged on his steed. The soldiers also were eager. Chang Ho’s own army was thrown into confusion by the flying men from the other armies, and he could not maintain his station, but was forced to re treat. They abandoned all their stockades and rushed to the bank of the Han Waters.
严颜既斩夏侯德，从山后杀来。张郃、夏侯尚前后不能相顾，只得弃天荡山，望定军山投奔夏侯渊去了。黄忠、严颜守住天荡山，捷音飞报成都。玄德闻之，众将庆喜。
Then Chang Ho sought the two captains who had brought about the misfortune and said to them, “This is T‘ientang Mountain, where our stores are. Close by is Mits‘ang Mountain, where the grain is stored. They are the very source of life of the Hanchung army. Lose them and Hanchung is gone too. We must see to their security.”
法正曰：「昔曹操降张鲁，定汉中，不因此势以图巴蜀，乃留夏侯渊、张郃二将屯守，而自引军北还，此失计也。今张郃新败，天荡失守，主公若乘此时，举大兵亲往征之，汉中可定也。既定汉中，然后练兵积粟，观衅伺隙，进可讨贼，退可自守。此天与之时，不可失也。
Hsiahou Shang said, “My uncle, Hsiahou Yüan, will look out for the defence of the mountain where the granaries are: there need be no anxiety about that as it is hard by Tingchün Mount and my brother, Hsiahou Tê, guards T‘ientang Mountain. Let us go to him and help to protect that.”
」玄德、孔明皆深然之，遂传令赵云、张飞为先锋。玄德与孔明亲自引兵十万，择日图汉中；传檄各处，严加提备。
Chang Ho and the two captains set out at once. They reached the mountain and told Hsiahou Tê all that had happened. “I have ten legions in camp here,” replied he. “You may take some of them and recover your lost camps.”
时建安二十三年，秋七月吉日。玄德大军出葭萌关下营，召黄忠、严颜到寨，厚赏之。玄德曰：「人皆言将军老矣，惟军师独知将军之能。今果立奇功。但今汉中定军山，乃南郑保障，粮草积聚之所；若得定军山，阳平一路，无足忧矣。将军还敢取定军山否？
“No,” replied Chang Ho. “The only proper course to defend.” Almost as they spoke the rolling of drums and the clang of gongs were heard, and the look-outs came to say that Huang Chung was near.
」黄忠慨然应诺，便要领兵前去。孔明急止之曰：「老将军虽然英勇，然夏侯渊非张郃之比也。渊深通韬略，善晓兵机。曹操倚之为西凉藩蔽；先曾屯兵长安，拒马孟起；今又屯兵汉中。操不托他人，而独托渊者，以渊有将才也。今将军虽胜张郃，未卜能胜夏侯渊。
“The old ruffian does not know much of the art of war, after all,” said Hsiahou Tê with a laugh; “he is only a brave.” “Be not mistaken; he is crafty and not only bold,” said Chang Ho.
吾欲酌量著一人去荆州，替回关将军来，方可敌之。」
“This move is against the rules and not at all crafty. He is fresh from a long march and his men are fatigued and they are deep in an enemy’s country.” “Nevertheless, be careful how you attack,” said Chang Ho. “You would still do well to depend upon defence only.”
忠奋然答曰：「昔廉颇年八十，尚食斗米，肉十斤，诸侯畏其勇，不敢侵犯赵界，何况黄忠未及七十乎？军师言吾老，吾今并不用副将，只将本部兵三千人去，立斩夏侯渊首级，纳于麾下。」孔明再三不容。黄忠只是要去。
“Give me three companies of good men and I will cut him to pieces,” cried Han Hao. They told off the three companies for him, and down he went into the plain. As he approached, Huang Chung arrayed his men. Liu Fêng put in a note of warning that it was late in the day to fight and the men were weary, but Huang paid little attention. “I do not hold with your objections. This is the one God-given opportunity to make good, and it would be a sin not to take it.” So saying, the drums rolled for a great attack. Han Hao came forward with his men and the aged captain went toward him whirling his sword. In the first encounter Han Hao fell. At this the men of Shu gave a yell and went away up the hill, whereupon Chang Ho and Hsiahou Shang hastily moved out to withstand them. But a great red glare sprang into the sky from behind the hill, and a shouting arose. Hastily Hsiahou Tê led off his men to meet the danger there and went straight into the arms of Yen Yen. His arm rose, the sword fell and Hsiahou Tê dropped from his steed to rise no more. This ambush, into which the dead captain had rushed, had been carefully prepared by Huang, who had sent Yen away before he marched himself and given him orders what to do. It was the brushwood that his men had spent the time in collecting that now sent forth the flames reaching up to the heavens and filling the valleys. Yen Yen, after slaying Hsiahou Tê, came round the hill to aid in the attack, so that the defenders were taken both in front and rear. They could do nothing and presently left the battle-field and rushed toward Tingchun Mount to seek refuge with Hsiahou Yüan. Meanwhile the victors took steps to hold the position they had won and sent the good news of victory to Ch'êngtu. And when the news arrived, Yüan-tê called together all his officers to rejoice. Then said Fa Chêng, “Not long ago Chang Lu submitted to Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, and thereby he got possession of Hanchung quite easily. Instead of following up this by an advance on the west he left two captains to guard it and went north. That was a mistake. Now, my lord, do not make a mistake yourself, but take advantage of the present favourable position, with Chang Ho newly defeated and T‘ientang captured, to attack Hanchung and you will have it at once. Once that is yours, you can train your army and amass supplies ready for a stroke against the arch-rebel himself. This God-given advantage will be confirmed to you and you should not miss it.” Both Yüan-tê and K‘ung-ming saw the wisdom of this scheme and prepared to act. Chao Yün and Chang Fei were to lead the van, while Yüan-tê with K‘ung-ming commanded the main army of ten legions. A day was chosen to set out, and orders were sent to everyone to keep careful guard. It was a certain auspicious day in the seventh month of the twenty-third year that the army marched. Reaching Chiaming Pass, Huang Chung and Yen Yen were summoned and well rewarded for their services. “People said you were old, General, but the army know you better than they, and you have rendered amazing service. Still, Tingchün Mountain is yet to be captured and Paochang is a great central store of supplies. If we could get Tingchün Mount we could be quite easy about the whole district of Yangpʻing. Think you that you are equal to taking Tingchün Mountain?” To this harangue of Liu Pei the veteran nobly answered that he was willing to try and was ready to start when they would. Said K‘ung-ming hastily, “Do not be hasty. You are brave enough, General, but Hsiahou Yüan is a man of different stamp from Chang Ho. Hsiahou is a real strategist and tactician; so much so that Ts‘ao Ts‘ao relies upon him as his defence against Hsiliang. He it was who was set to defend the capital when threatened by Ma Ch‘ao. Now he is in Hanchung and Ts‘ao Ts‘ao puts his whole confidence in him and his skill as a leader. You have overcome Chang Ho, but it is not certain you will conquer this man. I think I must send down to Chingchou for Kuan Yü for this task.” Huang hotly replied, “Old Lien P‘o was four score and yet he ate a measure of rice and ten catties of flesh, so that his vigour frightened the nobles and not one dared encroach upon the borders of Chao. I am not yet seventy. You call me old, O Commander; then I will not take any helper, but go out simply with my own three companies and we will lay Hsiahou Yüan’s head at your feet.” K‘ung-ming refused to allow him to go; Huang Chung insisted. At last K‘ung-ming consented, but said he would send an overseer. They put upon his mettle the man who was to go, Youth’s vigour may be lesser worth than age’s powers, we know. The next chapter will tell who the overseer was.
孔明曰：「即将军要去，吾使一人为监军同去，若何？」正是：
"If the General insists on going, what if I send one to act as overseer and go with you?" Just then—
请将须行激将法，少年不若老年人。
To spur a general on one must use the goading art, In this the young fall short of veterans from the start.
未知其人是谁，且看下文分解。
But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.