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

第dì七qī十shí九jiǔ回huí 兄xiōng逼bī弟dì曹cáo植zhí赋fù诗shī　　　姪zhí陷xiàn叔shū刘liú封fēng伏fú法fǎ

79-1

却què说shuō曹cáo丕pī闻wén曹cáo彰zhāng提tí兵bīng而ér来lái，惊jīng问wèn众zhòng官guān；一yī人rén挺tǐng身shēn而ér出chū，愿yuàn往wǎng折zhé服fú之zhī。众zhòng视shì其qí人rén，乃nǎi谏jiàn议yì大dà夫fū贾jiǎ逵kuí也yě。曹cáo丕pī大dà喜xǐ，即jí命mìng贾jiǎ逵kuí前qián往wǎng。逵kuí领lǐng命mìng出chū城chéng，迎yíng见jiàn曹cáo彰zhāng。彰zhāng问wèn曰yuē：「先xiān王wáng玺xǐ绶shòu安ān在zài？」逵kuí正zhèng色sè而ér言yán曰yuē：「家jiā有yóu长zháng子zǐ，国guó有yóu储chǔ君jūn，先xiān王wáng玺xǐ绶shòu，非fēi君jūn侯hóu之zhī所suǒ宜yí问wèn也yě。

All eyes turned toward the speaker, the high officer of state Chia K‘uei, and the young prince commanded him to undertake the mission. So he went out of the city and sought to speak with Ts‘ao Chang. Ts‘ao Chang came quickly to the point. “Who has the late prince’s seal?” asked he. Chia K‘uei replied calmly, “There is an eldest son to a house, and an heir-apparent to a state. Such a question from you is unbecoming, O Marquis.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-2

」彰zhāng默mò然rán无wú语yǔ，乃nái与yú贾jiǎ逵kuí同tóng入rù城chéng。至zhì宫gōng门mén前qián，逵kuí问wèn曰yuē：「君jūn侯hóu此cǐ来lái，欲yù奔bēn丧sāng耶yé？欲yù争zhēng位wèi耶yé？」彰zhāng曰yuē：「吾wú来lái奔bēn丧sāng，别bié无wú异yì心xīn。」逵kuí曰yuē：「既jì无wú异yì心xīn，何hé故gù带dài兵bīng入rù城chéng？」彰zhāng即jí时shí叱chì退tuì左zuǒ右yòu将jiàng士shì，只zhī身shēn入rù内nèi，拜bài见jiàn曹cáo丕pī。兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén，相xiāng抱bào大dà哭kū。曹cáo彰zhāng将jiāng本běn部bù军jūn马má侭jǐn交jiāo与yǔ曹cáo丕pī。

The marquis held his peace, and the two proceeded into the city to the gates of the palace. There Chia K‘uei suddenly asked him whether he came as a mourner or as a rival claimant. “I am come as a mourner; I never had any ulterior motive.” “That being so, why bring in your soldiers?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-3

丕pī令lìng彰zhāng回huí鄢yān陵líng自zì守shǒu，彰zhāng拜bài辞cí而ér去qù。

Whereupon Ts‘ao Chang ordered his escort to retire, and entered the city alone. When the brothers met they fell into each other’s arms and wept. Then the younger brother yielded command of all his following, and he was directed to go back to Yenling and guard it. He obediently withdrew. ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-4

于yú是shì曹cáo丕pī安ān居jū王wáng位wèi，改gǎi建jiàn安ān二èr十shí五wǔ年nián为wèi延yán康kāng元yuán年nián。封fēng贾jiá诩xǔ为wèi太tài尉wèi，华huá歆xīn为wèi相xiàng国guó，王wáng朗lǎng为wèi御yù史shǐ大dà夫fū。大dà小xiǎo官guān僚liáo，侭jǐn皆jiē升shēng赏shǎng。谥shì曹cáo操cāo曰yuē武wǔ王wáng，葬zàng于yú邺yè郡jùn高gāo陵líng。令lìng于yú禁jìn董dǒng治zhì陵líng事shì。

War waged he for many a year, Yet fell prey to craven fear. None can know another’s heart, Drawing tigers, with bones start. Soon after the accession, Hua Hsin memorialised, saying, “The Marquis of Yenling has cut himself loose from his army and gone quietly to his post, but your other two brothers did not attend the funeral of their father. Their conduct should be enquired into and punished.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-5

禁jìn奉fèng命mìng到dào彼bǐ，只zhǐ见jiàn陵líng屋wū中zhōng白bái粉fěn壁bì上shàng，图tú划huà关guān云yún长zháng水shuí渰yǎn七qī军jūn擒qín获huò于yú禁jìn之zhī事shì：划huà云yún长zháng俨yǎn然rán上shàng坐zuò，庞páng德dé愤fèn怒nù不bù屈qū，于yú禁jìn拜bài伏fú于yú地dì，哀āi求qiú乞qǐ命mìng之zhī状zhuàng。原yuán来lái曹cáo丕pī以yǐ于yú禁jìn兵bīng败bài被bèi擒qín，不bù能néng死sǐ节jié，既jì降jiàng敌dí而ér复fù归guī，心xīn鄙bǐ其qí为wéi人rén，故gù先xiān令lìng人rén图tú划huà陵líng屋wū粉fěn壁bì，故gù意yì使shǐ之zhī往wǎng见jiàn以yǐ愧kuì之zhī。

Ts‘ao P‘ei, being now firmly established, changed the name of the period of his rule to Yen-K‘ang, “Prolonged Repose. He gave high rank to Chia Hsü, Hua Hsin and Wang Lang, and made many promotions. To the late prince he gave the posthumous title of Wu Wang, “Prince of War,” and buried him in Kaoling. To the superintendence of the building of his tomb he nominated Yü Chin, but with malevolent intent. For when Yü Chin reached his post he found the walls of the rooms decorated with chalk sketches depicting the drowning of his army and the capture of himself by Kuan Yü. Kuan Yü was looking very dignified and severe. P‘ang Tê was refusing to bow to the victor, while he himself was lying in the dust pleading for his life.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-6

当dāng下xià于yú禁jìn见jiàn此cǐ划huà像xiàng，又yòu羞xiū又yòu恼nǎo，气qì愤fèn成chéng病bìng，不bù久jiǔ而ér死sǐ。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

Ts‘ao P‘ei had chosen this method of putting Yü to open shame because he had not preferred death to the dishonour of capture, and had sent an artist on purpose to depict the shameful scenes. When Yü Chin saw them, shame and rage alternately took possession of him till he fell ill. Soon after he died. War waged he for many a year, Yet fell prey to craven fear. None can know another’s heart, Drawing tigers, with bones start.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-7

三sān十shí年nián来lái说shuō旧jiù交jiāo，可kě怜lián临lín难nàn不bù忠zhōng曹cáo。

For thirty years they called each other friend; sad that when peril came, he was not loyal to Cao.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-8

知zhī人rén未wèi向xiàng心xīn中zhōng识shí，划huà虎hǔ今jīn从cóng骨gú里lǐ描miáo。

Knowing men goes deeper than the heart; painting a tiger now is traced from the bone.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-9

却què说shuō华huá歆xīn奏zòu曹cáo丕pī曰yuē：「鄢yān陵líng侯hóu已yǐ交jiāo割gē军jūn马mǎ，赴fù本běn国guó去qù了le；临lín淄zī侯hóu植zhí，萧xiāo怀huái侯hóu熊xióng，二èr人rén竟jìng不bù来lái奔bēn丧sāng，理lǐ当dāng问wèn罪zuì。」丕pī从cóng之zhī，即jí分fēn遣qiǎn二èr使shí往wǎng二èr处chù问wèn罪zuì。不bù一yī日rì，萧xiāo怀huái使shí者zhě回huí报bào：「萧xiāo怀huái侯hóu曹cáo熊xióng惧jù罪zuì，自zì缢yì身shēn死sǐ。」丕pī令lìng厚hòu葬zàng之zhī，追zhuī赠zèng萧xiāo怀huái王wáng。

Soon after the accession, Hua Hsin memorialised, saying, “The Marquis of Yenling has cut himself loose from his army and gone quietly to his post, but your other two brothers did not attend the funeral of their father. Their conduct should be enquired into and punished.” Ts‘ao P‘ei took up the suggestion and sent a commissioner to each. He who was sent to the younger quickly returned to say that the Marquis of Hsiaohuai had committed suicide rather than suffer for his fault. P‘ei ordered honourable burial for him and gave him the posthumous title of “Prince.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-10

又yòu过guò了le一yī日rì，临lín淄zī使shí者zhě回huí报bào，说shuō：「临lín淄zī侯hóu日rì与yǔ丁dīng仪yí、丁dīng廙yì兄xiōng弟dì二èr人rén酣hān饮yǐn，悖bèi慢màn无wú礼lǐ；闻wén使shǐ命mìng至zhì，临lín淄zī侯hóu端duān坐zuò不bú动dòng。丁dīng仪yí骂mà曰yuē：『昔xī日rì先xiān王wáng本běn欲yù立lì吾wú主zhǔ为wèi世shì子zi，被bèi谗chán臣chén所suó阻zǔ；今jīn王wáng丧sàng未wèi远yuǎn，便biàn问wèn罪zuì于yú骨gǔ肉ròu，何hé也yě？』丁dīng廙yì又yòu曰yuē：『据jù吾wú主zhǔ聪cōng明míng冠guān世shì，自zì当dāng承chéng嗣sì大dà位wèi，今jīn反fǎn不bù得dé立lì。

Soon after, the envoy to Lintzŭ returned to report that the marquis was spending his time in dissipation, his especial boon companions being two brothers named Ting. They had been very rude. When the envoy had presented himself, the marquis had sat bolt upright, but would not say a word. Ting I had used insulting words. “The late prince intended our lord to succeed, but was turned therefrom by the slanderous tongues of certain among you. As soon as he is dead your master begins to think of punishment for his own flesh and blood.” The other brother said, “In intellect our lord leads the age, and he ought to have been heir to his father. Now, not only does he not succeed, but he is treated in this harsh way by a lot of court persons of your sort, ignorant of what genius means.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-11

汝rǔ那nà庙miào堂táng之zhī臣chén，何hé不bù识shí人rén才cái若ruò此cǐ！』临lín淄zī侯hóu因yīn怒nù叱chì武wǔ士shì，将jiāng臣chén乱luàn棒bàng打dǎ出chū。」

And then the marquis, in a fit of anger, had ordered his lictors to beat the envoy and turn him out.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-12

丕pī闻wén之zhī，大dà怒nù，即jí令lìng许xú褚chú领líng虎hǔ卫wèi军jūn三sān千qiān，火huǒ速sù至zhì临lín淄zī擒qín曹cáo植zhí等děng一yī干gān人rén来lái。褚chǔ奉fèng命mìng，引yǐn军jūn至zhì临lín淄zī城chéng。守shǒu将jiàng拦lán阻zǔ，褚chǔ立lì斩zhǎn之zhī，直zhí入rù城chéng中zhōng，无wú一yī人rén敢gǎn当dāng锋fēng锐ruì，迳jìng到dào府fǔ堂táng。只zhǐ见jiàn曹cáo植zhí与yǔ丁dīng仪yí、丁dīng廙yì等déng侭jǐn皆jiē醉zuì倒dào。褚chǔ皆jiē缚fù之zhī，载zài于yú车chē上shàng，并bìng将jiāng府fǔ下xià大dà小xiáo属shǔ官guān，侭jǐn行xíng拿ná解jiě邺yè郡jùn，听tīng候hòu曹cáo丕pī发fā落luò。

This treatment of his messenger annoyed Ts‘ao P‘ei greatly, and he despatched a force under Hsu Chu to arrest his brother and all his immediate surroundings. When Hsü Chu arrived he found the marquis and all his companions dead drunk; so he bound them, put them into carts and sent them to court. He also arrested all the officers of the palace.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-13

丕pī下xià令lìng，先xiān将jiāng丁dīng仪yí、丁dīng廙yì等déng侭jǐn皆jiē诛zhū戮lù。丁dīng仪yí字zì正zhèng礼lǐ，丁dīng廙yì字zì敬jìng礼lǐ，沛pèi郡jùn人rén，乃nǎi一yī时shí文wén士shì；及jí其qí被bèi杀shā，人rén多duō惜xī之zhī。

Ts‘ao P‘ei’s first order was to put to death the two brothers Ting. The two brothers were not wholly base; they had a reputation for learning, and many were sorry for them.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-14

却què说shuō曹cáo丕pī之zhī母mǔ卞biàn氏shì，听tīng得dé曹cáo熊xióng缢yì死sǐ，心xīn甚shèn悲bēi伤shāng；忽hū又yòu闻wén曹cáo植zhí被bèi擒qín，其qí党dǎng丁dīng仪yí等déng已yǐ杀shā，大dà惊jīng。急jí出chū殿diàn，召zhào曹cáo丕pī相xiāng见jiàn。丕pī见jiàn母mǔ出chū殿diàn，慌huāng来lái拜bài谒yè。卞biàn氏shì哭kū谓wèi丕pī曰yuē：「汝rǔ弟dì植zhí平píng生shēng嗜shì酒jiǔ疎shū狂kuáng，盖gài因yīn自zì恃shì胸xiōng中zhōng之zhī才cái，故gù尔ěr放fàng纵zòng。汝rú可kě念niàn同tóng胞bāo之zhī情qíng，存cún其qí性xìng命mìng。吾wú至zhì九jiǔ泉quán亦yì瞑míng目mù也yě。

Ts‘ao P‘ei’s mother, the Lady P‘ien, was alarmed at the severity of the new rule, and the suicide of her youngest son wounded her deeply. When she heard that Ts‘ao Chih had been arrested and his comrades put to death, she left her palace and went to see her eldest son. As soon as he saw her, the prince hastened to meet her. She began to weep. “Your brother has always had that weakness for wine, but we let him go his way out of consideration for his undoubted ability. I hope you will not forget he is your brother and that I bore you both. Spare his life that I may close my eyes in peace when I set out for the deep springs.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-15

」丕pī曰yuē：「儿ér亦yì深shēn爱ài其qí才cái，安ān肯kěn害hài他tā？今jīn正zhèng欲yù戒jiè其qí性xìng耳ěr。母mǔ亲qīn勿wù忧yōu。」

“I also admire his ability, mother, and have no intention to hurt him. But I would reform him. Have no anxiety as to his fate.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-16

卞biàn氏shì洒sǎ泪lèi而ér入rù。丕pī出chū偏piān殿diàn，召zhào曹cáo植zhí入rù见jiàn。华huá歆xīn问wèn曰yuē：「适shì来lái莫mò非fēi太tài后hòu劝quàn殿diàn下xià勿wù杀shā子zi建jiàn乎hū？」丕pī曰yuē：「然rán。」歆xīn曰yuē：「子zi建jiàn怀huái才cái抱bào智zhì，终zhōng非fēi池chí中zhōng物wù；若ruò不bù早zǎo除chú，必bì为wèi后hòu患huàn。」丕pī曰yuē：「母mǔ命mìng不bù可kě违wéi。」歆xīn曰yuē：「人rén皆jiē言yán子zi建jiàn出chū口kǒu成chéng章zhāng，臣chén未wèi深shēn信xìn。主zhǔ上shàng可kě召zhào入rù，以yǐ才cái试shì之zhī。

So the mother was comforted and withdrew. The prince then went to a private room and bade them call his brother. Said Hua Hsin, “Surely the princess-mother has just been interceding for your brother; is it not so?” “It is so,” replied the prince. “Then let me say that he is too clever to be content to remain in a humble station. If you do not remove him he will do you harm.” “I must obey my mother’s command.” “People say your brother simply talks in literature. I do not believe it myself, but he might be put to the test. If he bears a false reputation you can slay him; if what they say is true, then degrade him, lest the scholars of the land should babble.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-17

若ruò不bù能néng，即jí杀shā之zhī；若ruò果guǒ能néng，则zé贬biǎn之zhī，以yǐ绝jué天tiān下xià文wén人rén之zhī口kǒu。」丕pī从cóng之zhī。须xū臾yú，曹cáo植zhí入rù见jiàn，惶huáng恐kǒng伏fú拜bài请qǐng罪zuì。丕pī曰yuē：「吾wú与yú汝rǔ情qíng虽suī兄xiōng弟dì，义yì属shǔ君jūn臣chén；汝rǔ安ān敢gǎn恃shì才cái蔑miè礼lǐ？昔xī先xiān君jūn在zài日rì，汝rǔ常cháng以yǐ文wén章zhāng夸kuā示shì于yú人rén，吾wú深shēn疑yí汝rǔ必bì用yòng他tā人rén代dài笔bǐ。吾wú今jīn限xiàn汝rǔ行xíng七qī步bù吟yín诗shī一yī首shǒu。若ruò果guǒ能néng，则zé免miǎn一yī死sǐ；

Soon Ts‘ao Chih came, and in a state of great trepidation bowed low before his elder brother, confessing his fault. The prince addressed him, saying, “Though we are brothers, yet the proper relation between us of prince and minister must not be overlooked. Why then did you behave indecorously? While the late prince lived you made a boast of your literary powers, but I am disposed to think you may have made use of another’s pen. Now I require you to compose a poem within the time taken to walk seven paces, and I will spare your life if you succeed. If you fail, then I shall punish you with rigour.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-18

若ruò不bù能néng，则zé从cóng重zhòng治zhì罪zuì，决jué不bù姑gū恕shù。」植zhí曰yuē：「愿yuàn乞qǐ题tí目mù。」时shí殿diàn上shàng悬xuán一yī水shuǐ墨mò划huà，划huà著zhù两liáng只zhǐ牛niú，斗dòu于yú土tǔ墙qiáng之zhī下xià，一yī牛niú坠zhuì井jǐng而ér亡wáng。丕pī指zhǐ划huà曰yuē：「即jí以yí此cǐ划huà为wèi题tí。诗shī中zhōng不bù许xǔ犯fàn著zhù『二èr牛niú斗dòu墙qiáng下xià，一yī牛niú坠zhuì井jíng死sǐ』字zì样yàng。」植zhí行xíng七qī步bù，其qí诗shī已yǐ成chéng。诗shī曰yuē：

“Will you suggest a theme?” asked Chih. Now there was hanging in the hall a black and white sketch of two bulls that had been fighting at the foot of a wall, and one of them had just fallen dead into a well. Ts‘ao P‘ei pointed to the sketch and said, “Take that as the subject. But you are forbidden to use the words 'two bulls, one bull, fighting, wall’s foot, falling, well and dead.' “ Ts‘ao Chih took seven paces and then recited this poem:— Two butcher’s victims lowing walked along, Each head bore curving bones, a sturdy pair, They met just by a hillock, both were strong, Each would avoid a pit new digged there. They fought unequal battle, for at length One lay below a gory mass, inert. 'Twas not that they were of unequal strength— Though wrathful both, one did not strength exert.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-19

两liǎng肉ròu齐qí道dào行héng，头tóu上shàng带dài凹āo骨gǔ。

Two lumps of flesh go down the road, each with a hollow bone atop its head.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-20

相xiāng遇yù凷kuài山shān下xià，欻chuā起qǐ相xiāng搪táng突tū。

They meet beneath a mound, and sudden rise to butt and shove.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-21

二èr敌dí不bú俱jù刚gāng，一yī肉ròu卧wò土tǔ窟kū。

When two foes clash, both cannot be hard; one lump lies prone in an earthen pit.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-22

非fēi是shì力lì不bù如rú，盛shèng气qì不bú泄xiè毕bì。

It is not that his strength was less, but his swelling fury was not yet spent.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-23

曹cáo丕pī及jí群qún臣chén皆jiē惊jīng。丕pī又yòu曰yuē：「七qī步bù成chéng章zhāng，吾wú犹yóu以yǐ为wéi迟chí。汝rǔ能néng应yīng声shēng而ér作zuò诗shī一yī首shóu否fǒu？」植zhí曰yuē：「愿yuàn即jí命mìng题tí。」丕pī曰yuē：「吾wú与yú汝rú乃nǎi兄xiōng弟dì也yě。以yí此cǐ为wèi题tí。亦yì不bù许xǔ犯fàn著zhù『兄xiōng弟dì』字zì样yàng。」植zhí略lüè不bù思sī索suǒ，即jí口kǒu占zhàn一yī首shǒu曰yuē：

This exhibition of skill amazed the prince and the whole court. Ts‘ao P‘ei thought he would use another test, so he bade his brother improvise on the theme of their fraternal relationship, the words “brotherhood” or “brother” being barred. Without seeming to reflect, Ts‘ao Chih rattled off this rhyme:— They were boiling beans on a beanstalk fire; Came a plaintive voice from the pot, “O why, since we sprang from the selfsame root, Should you kill me with anger hot?"

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-24

煮zhǔ豆dòu燃rán豆dòu萁qí，豆dòu在zài釜fǔ中zhōng泣qì。

Boiling beans, burning beanstalks; in the pot the beans weep.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-25

本běn是shì同tóng根gēn生shēng，相xiāng煎jiān何hé太tài急jí！

Born of the selfsame root—why sear each other in such haste!

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-26

曹cáo丕pī闻wén之zhī，潸shān然rán泪lèi下xià。其qí母mǔ卞biàn氏shì，从cóng殿diàn后hòu出chū曰yuē：「兄xiōng何hé逼bī弟dì之zhī甚shèn耶yé？」丕pī慌huāng忙máng离lí坐zuò告gào曰yuē：「国guó法fǎ不bù可kě废fèi耳ěr。」于yú是shì贬biǎn曹cáo植zhí为wèi安ān乡xiāng侯hóu。植zhí拜bài辞cí上shàng马mǎ而ér去qù。

The allusion in these verses to the cruel treatment of one member of a family by another was not lost upon Ts‘ao P‘ei, and he dropped a few silent tears. The mother of both men came out at this moment from her abiding place and said, “Should the elder brother thus oppress the younger?” The prince jumped from his seat, saying, “My mother, the laws of the state cannot be nullified.” Ts‘ao Chih was degraded to the rank of “Marquis of Anhsiang.” He accepted the decision without a murmur and at once left his brother’s court.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-27

曹cáo丕pī自zì继jì位wèi之zhī后hòu，法fǎ令lìng一yī新xīn，威wēi逼bī汉hàn帝dì，甚shén于yú其qí父fù。早záo有yǒu细xì作zuò报bào入rù成chéng都dū。汉hàn中zhōng王wáng闻wén之zhī，大dà惊jīng，即jí与yǔ文wén武wǔ商shāng议yì曰yuē：「曹cáo操cāo已yí死sǐ，曹cáo丕pī继jì位wèi，威wēi逼bī天tiān子zi，更gèng甚shén于yú操cāo。东dōng吴wú孙sūn权quán，拱góng手shǒu称chēng臣chén。孤gū欲yù先xiān伐fá东dōng吴wú，以yǐ报bào云yún长zhǎng之zhī雠chóu；次cì讨tǎo中zhōng原yuán，以yǐ除chú乱luàn贼zéi。

Ts‘ao P‘ei’s accession was the signal for a set of new laws and new commands. His behaviour toward the Emperor was more intemperate than his father’s had ever been. The stories of his harshness reached Ch'êngtu and almost frightened Liu Pei, who summoned his counsellors to discuss what he should do. Said he, “Since the death of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao and the accession of his son the position of the Emperor has changed for the worse. Sun Ch'üan acknowledges the lordship of Wei, and its influence is becoming too great. I am disposed to destroy Sun Ch'üan in revenge for the death of my brother. That done, I will proceed to the capital and its district and purge the whole land of rebellion. What think you?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-28

」言yán未wèi毕bì，廖liào化huà出chū班bān，哭kū拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：「关guān公gōng父fù子zǐ遇yù害hài，实shí刘liú封fēng、孟mèng达dá之zhī罪zuì。乞qǐ诛zhū此cǐ二èr贼zéi。」玄xuán德dé便biàn欲yù遣qiǎn人rén擒qín之zhī。孔kǒng明míng谏jiàn曰yuē：「不bù可kě。且qiě宜yí缓huǎn图tú之zhī。急jí则zé生shēng变biàn矣yǐ。可kě升shēng此cǐ二èr人rén为wéi郡jùn守shǒu，分fēn调diào开kāi去qù。然rán后hòu可kě擒qín。」

Then Liao Hua stood out from the ranks of officers and threw himself upon the earth, saying with tears, “Liu Fêng and Mêng Ta were the true cause of the death of your brother and his adopted son; both these renegades deserve death.” Yüan-tê was of the same opinion and was going to send and arrest them forthwith, but here K‘ung-ming intervened and gave wiser advice. “That is not the way; go slowly or you may stir up strife. Promote these two and separate them. After that you may arrest.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-29

玄xuán德dé从cóng之zhī，遂suì遣qián使shǐ升shēng刘liú封fēng去qù守shǒu绵mián竹zhú。原yuán来lái彭péng羕yàng与yǔ孟mèng达dá甚shèn厚hòu，听tīng知zhī此cǐ事shì，急jí回huí家jiā作zuò书shū，遣qiǎn心xīn腹fù人rén驰chí报bào孟mèng达dá。使shí者zhě方fāng出chū南nán门mén外wài，被bèi马mǎ超chāo巡xún视shì军jūn捉zhuō获huò，解jiě见jiàn马mǎ超chāo。超chāo审shěn知zhī此cǐ事shì，即jí往wǎng见jiàn彭péng羕yàng。羕yàng接jiē入rù，置zhì酒jiǔ相xiāng待dài。酒jiǔ至zhì数shù巡xún，超chāo以yǐ言yán挑tiāo之zhī曰yuē：「昔xī汉hàn中zhōng王wáng待dài公gōng甚shèn厚hòu，今jīn何hé渐jiàn薄báo也yě？

The prince saw the prudence of this procedure and stayed his hand. He raised Liu Fêng to the Prefectship of Mienchu, and so separated the two delinquents. Now P'êng Yang and Mêng Ta were old friends. Hearing what was afoot, the former hastened home and wrote warning his friend. The letter was confided to a trusty messenger to bear to Mêng Ta. The messenger was caught as he went out of the city and carried before Ma Ch‘ao, who thus got wind of the business. He then went to P'êng’s house, where, nothing being suspected, he was received kindly and wine was brought in. The two drank for some time. When Ma Ch‘ao thought his host sufficiently off his guard, he said, “The Prince of Hanchung used to look on you with great favour; why does he do so no longer?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-30

」羕yàng因yīn酒jiǔ醉zuì，恨hèn骂mà曰yuē：「老lǎo革gé荒huāng悖bèi，吾wú必bì有yóu以yǐ报bào之zhī！」超chāo又yòu探tàn曰yuē：「某mǒu亦yì怀huái怨yuàn心xīn久jiú矣yǐ。」羕yàng曰yuē：「公gōng起qí本běn部bù军jūn，结jié连lián孟mèng达dá为wèi外wài合hé，某móu领lǐng川chuān兵bīng为wèi内nèi应yìng，大dà事shì可kě图tú也yě。」超chāo曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng之zhī言yán甚shèn当dāng。来lái日rì再zài议yì。」超chāo辞cí了le彭péng羕yàng，即jí将jiāng人rén与yǔ书shū解jiě见jiàn汉hàn中zhōng王wáng，细xì言yán其qí事shì。

The host began to rave against his master. “The obstinate old leather-belly! But I will find some way to pay him out.” In order to see to what lengths he would go, Ma Ch‘ao led him on, saying, “Truth to tell, I have long hated the man too.” “Then you join Mêng Ta and attck, while I will win over the Hsich‘uan men. That will make it easy enough,” said Piêng Yang. “What you propose is very feasible, but we will talk it over again tomorrow,” said Ma Ch‘ao, and took leave. Taking with him the captured man and the letter he carried, he then proceeded to see the prince, to whom he related the whole story. Yüan-tê was very angry and at once had the intended traitor arrested and put in prison, where he was examined under torture to get at full details.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-31

玄xuán德dé大dà怒nù，即jí令lìng擒qín彭péng羕yàng下xià狱yù，拷kǎo问wèn其qí情qíng。羕yàng在zài狱yù中zhōng，悔huǐ之zhī无wú及jí。玄xuán德dé问wèn孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「彭péng羕yàng有yǒu谋móu反fǎn之zhī意yì，当dāng何hé以yǐ治zhì之zhī？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「羕yàng虽suī狂kuáng士shì，然rán留liú之zhī久jiǔ必bì生shēng祸huò。」于yú是shì玄xuán德dé赐cì彭péng羕yàng死sǐ于yú狱yù。

While P'êng Yang lay in prison, bitterly but vainly repentant, Yüan-tê consulted his adviser. “That fellow P‘êng meant to turn traitor: what shall I do with him?” “The fellow is something of a scholar, but irresponsible,” replied K‘ung-ming. “He is too dangerous to be left alive.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-32

羕yàng既jì死sǐ，有yǒu人rén报bào知zhī孟mèng达dá。达dá大dà惊jīng，举jú止zhǐ失shī错cuò。忽hū使shǐ命mìng至zhì，调diào刘liú封fēng回huí守shǒu绵mián竹zhú去qù讫qì。孟mèng达dá慌huāng请qǐng上shàng庸yōng、房fáng陵líng都dū尉wèi申shēn耽dān、申shēn仪yí弟dì兄xiōng二èr人rén商shāng议yì曰yuē：「我wó与yú法fǎ孝xiào直zhí同tóng有yǒu功gōng于yú汉hàn中zhōng王wáng；今jīn孝xiào直zhí已yí死sǐ，而ér汉hàn中zhōng王wáng忘wàng我wǒ前qián功gōng，乃nǎi欲yù见jiàn害hài，为wéi之zhī奈nài何hé？」耽dān曰yuē：「某móu有yǒu一yī计jì，使shǐ汉hàn中zhōng王wáng不bù能néng加jiā害hài于yú公gōng。

Thereupon orders were given that he should be put to death in gaol. The news that he had been made away with frightened his sympathiser and friend, Mêng Ta, and put him in a quandary. What had he better do? On the top of this, Liu Fêng’s promotion and transfer to Mienchu arrived, and frightened him still more. So he sought advice from two friends, brothers, who lived in Shangyung.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-33

」达dá大dà喜xǐ，急jí问wèn何hé计jì。耽dān曰yuē：「吾wú弟dì兄xiōng欲yù投tóu魏wèi久jiú矣yǐ；公gōng可kě作zuò一yī表biǎo，辞cí了le汉hàn中zhōng王wáng，投tóu魏wèi王wáng曹cáo丕pī，丕pī必bì重zhòng用yòng。吾wú二èr人rén亦yì随suí后hòu来lái降jiàng也yě。」达dá猛měng然rán省xǐng悟wù，即jí写xié表biǎo一yí通tòng，付fù与yǔ来lái使shǐ；当dàng晚wán引yín五wǔ十shí余yú骑qí投tóu魏wèi去qù了le。使shǐ命mìng持chí表biǎo回huí成chéng都dū，奏zòu汉hàn中zhōng王wáng，言yán孟mèng达dá投tóu魏wèi之zhī事shì。先xiān主zhǔ大dà怒nù，览lǎn其qí表biǎo曰yuē：

“My friend Fa Chêng and I did much for the prince. But now Fa is dead and I am forgotten. More than that, he wishes to put me to death. What can I do?” said Mêng. Shên Tan, one of the two, replied, “I think I can find a plan that will secure your safety.” “What is it?” asked Mêng Ta, feeling happier. “Desertion. My brother I and I have long desired to go over to Wei. You just write the prince a memorial resigning your service and betake yourself to the Prince of Wei, who will certainly employ you in some honourable way. Then we two will follow.” Mêng Ta saw that this was his best course, so he wrote a memorandum, which he gave to the messenger who had brought the recent despatches to take back with him. That night he left his post and went to Wei. The messenger returned to Ch'êngtu, handed in Mêng Ta’s memorial and told the story of his desertion. The king was angry. He tore open the letter and read:—

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-34

臣chén达dá伏fú惟wéi殿diàn下xià将jiāng建jiàn伊yī、吕lǚ之zhī业yè，追zhuī桓huán、文wén之zhī功gōng，大dà事shì草cǎo创chuàng，假jiǎ势shì吴wú、楚chǔ，是shì以yí有yǒu为wéi之zhī士shì，望wàng风fēng归guī顺shùn。臣chén委wěi质zhì以yǐ来lái，愆qiān戾lì山shān积jī；臣chén犹yóu自zì知zhī，况kuàng于yú君jūn乎hū？今jīn王wáng朝cháo英yīng俊jùn鳞lín集jí，臣chén内nèi无wú辅fú佐zuǒ之zhī器qì，外wài无wú将jiàng领lǐng之zhī才cái，列liè次cì功gōng臣chén，诚chéng足zú自zì愧kuì！

“In the humble opinion of thy servant, O Prince, you have set out to accomplish a task comparable with that of I Yin and Lu Shang, and to walk in the meritorious footsteps of Huan Kung and Wên Kung. When the great design was rough-hewn you had the support of Wu and Ch‘u, wherefore many men of ability incontinently joined you. Since I entered your service I have committed many faults; and if I recognise them, how much more do you see them! Now, O Prince, you are surrounded by famous men, while I, useless as a helper at home and inept as a leader abroad, should be shamed were I to take a place among them.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-35

臣chén闻wén范fàn蠡lǐ识shí微wēi，浮fú于yú五wǔ湖hú；舅jiù犯fàn谢xiè罪zuì，逡qūn巡xún河hé上shàng。夫fū际jì会huì之zhī间jiān，请qǐng命mìng乞qǐ身shēn，何hé哉zāi：欲yù洁jié去qù就jiù之zhī分fēn也yě。况kuàng臣chén卑bēi鄙bǐ，无wú元yuán功gōng巨jù勋xūn，自zì系xì于yú时shí，窃qiè慕mù前qián贤xián，早zǎo思sī远yuán耻chǐ。昔xī申shēn生shēng至zhì孝xiào，见jiàn疑yí于yú亲qīn；子zi胥xū至zhì忠zhōng，见jiàn诛zhū于yú君jūn；蒙méng恬tián拓tuò境jìng而ér被bèi大dà刑xíng，乐yuè毅yì破pò齐qí而ér遭zāo谗chán佞nìng。

“It is well known that when Fan Li saw certain eventualities he went sailing on the lakes, and Chiu Fan acknowledged his faults and stayed by the river. Inasmuch as one cannot take means of safeguarding one’s self at the critical and dangerous moment, I desire—as is my duty—to go away as I came, untainted. Moreover, I am stupid and without use or merit, merely born in these days as the sport of circumstances. In the days of old, Shên Shêng, though perfectly filial, incurred the suspicions of his father and died; Tzŭ-hsü (Wu Yüan), though perfectly loyal, was put to death. Mêng T‘ien, though he extended the borders, suffered the extreme penalty; and Yüeh I, though he destroyed the might of Ch‘i, was the victim of calumny. Whenever I have read of these men I have been moved to tears, and now I am in like case and the more mortified. Lately Chingchou was overwhelmed and many officers of rank failed in their duty, not one in a hundred behaving as he should. Only I remained in Fangling and Shangyung and sought service abroad. Now I desire you, O Prince, graciously to understand, to sympathise with thy servant and to condone the step he is about to take. Really I am but a mean man, incapable of great deeds. I know what I am doing, and I dare to say it is no fault. They say that dissolution of bonds should not occasion recrimination and the dismissed servant should take leave without heartburnings. I have taken your orders many times, and now, O Prince, you must act yourself. I write this with extreme trepidation.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-36

臣chén每měi读dú其qí书shū，未wèi尝cháng不bù感gán慨kǎi流liú涕tì；而ér亲qīn当dāng其qí事shì，益yì用yòng伤shāng悼dào！

But the reading gave rise to great anger in the breast of the prince.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-37

迩ér者zhě，荆jīng州zhōu覆fù败bài，大dà臣chén失shī节jié，百bǎi无wú一yī还hái；惟wéi臣chén寻xún事shì，自zì致zhì房fáng陵líng、上shàng庸yōng，而ér复fù乞qǐ身shēn自zì放fàng于yú外wài。伏fú想xiǎng殿diàn下xià圣shèng恩ēn感gǎn悟wù，愍mǐn臣chén之zhī心xīn，悼dào臣chén之zhī举jǔ。臣chén诚chéng小xiǎo人rén，不bù能néng始shǐ终zhōng。知zhī而ér为wéi之zhī，敢gǎn谓wèi非fēi罪zuì？臣chén每měi闻wén「交jiāo绝jué无wú𫫇ě声shēng，去qù臣chén无wú怨yuàn辞cí」。臣chén过guò奉fèng教jiào于yú君jūn子zǐ，愿yuàn君jūn王wáng勉miǎn之zhī。臣chén不bú胜shèng惶huáng恐kǒng之zhī至zhì！

“It is well known that when Fan Li saw certain eventualities he went sailing on the lakes, and Chiu Fan acknowledged his faults and stayed by the river. Inasmuch as one cannot take means of safeguarding one’s self at the critical and dangerous moment, I desire—as is my duty—to go away as I came, untainted. Moreover, I am stupid and without use or merit, merely born in these days as the sport of circumstances. In the days of old, Shên Shêng, though perfectly filial, incurred the suspicions of his father and died; Tzŭ-hsü (Wu Yüan), though perfectly loyal, was put to death. Mêng T‘ien, though he extended the borders, suffered the extreme penalty; and Yüeh I, though he destroyed the might of Ch‘i, was the victim of calumny. Whenever I have read of these men I have been moved to tears, and now I am in like case and the more mortified. Lately Chingchou was overwhelmed and many officers of rank failed in their duty, not one in a hundred behaving as he should. Only I remained in Fangling and Shangyung and sought service abroad. Now I desire you, O Prince, graciously to understand, to sympathise with thy servant and to condone the step he is about to take. Really I am but a mean man, incapable of great deeds. I know what I am doing, and I dare to say it is no fault. They say that dissolution of bonds should not occasion recrimination and the dismissed servant should take leave without heartburnings. I have taken your orders many times, and now, O Prince, you must act yourself. I write this with extreme trepidation.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-38

玄xuán德dé看kàn毕bì，大dà怒nù曰yuē：「匹pǐ夫fū叛pàn吾wú，安ān敢gán以yǐ文wén辞cí相xiāng戏xì耶yé！」即jí欲yù起qǐ兵bīng擒qín之zhī。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「可kě就jiù遣qiǎn刘liú封fēng进jìn兵bīng，令lìng二èr虎hǔ相xiāng并bìng；刘liú封fēng或huò有yǒu功gōng，或huò败bài绩jì，必bì归guī成chéng都dū，就jiù而ér除chú之zhī，可kě绝jué两liǎng害hài。」玄xuán德dé从cóng之zhī，遂suì遣qián使shǐ到dào绵mián竹zhú，传chuán谕yù刘liú封fēng。封fēng受shòu命mìng，率lǜ兵bīng来lái擒qín孟mèng达dá。

But the reading gave rise to great anger in the breast of the prince. “The stupid fellow!” said he. “He turns traitor and dares to insult me by sending a letter of farewell.” He was just giving orders to send a force to seize the deserter, when K‘ung-ming interposed, saying, “You had better send Liu Fêng to capture him and let the two tigers worry each other to weakness. Whether Liu Fêng succeeds or fails, he will have to come to the capital, and you can kill him. Thus will you cut off two evils.” Yüan-tê took his advice. Orders were sent to Mienchu, and Liu Fêng obediently led out his men.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-39

却què说shuō曹cáo丕pī正zhèng聚jù文wén武wǔ议yì事shì，忽hū近jìn臣chén奏zòu曰yuē：「蜀shǔ将jiāng孟mèng达dá来lái降jiàng。」丕pī召zhào入rù问wèn曰yuē：「汝rú此cǐ来lái，莫mò非fēi诈zhà降xiáng乎hū？」达dá曰yuē：「臣chén为wèi不bú救jiù关guān公gōng之zhī危wēi，汉hàn中zhōng王wáng欲yù杀shā臣chén，因yīn此cǐ惧jù罪zuì来lái降jiàng，别bié无wú他tā意yì。」曹cáo丕pī尚shàng未wèi准zhǔn信xìn，忽hū报bào刘liú封fēng引yín五wǔ万wàn兵bīng来lái取qǔ襄xiāng阳yáng，单dān搦nuò孟mèng达dá厮sī杀shā。

Now Mêng Ta arrived when Ts‘ao P‘ei was holding a great council. When the attendants told him that Mêng Ta of Shu had come, Ts‘ao P‘ei summoned him to enter and said to him, “Is not this an insincere surrender?” Mêng Ta replied, “I was in fear of death for not having relieved Kuan Yü. That is my only reason for coming. ” However, Ts‘ao P‘ei did not trust him. When they reported that Liu Fêng was coming to arrest him, with a large army, and had attacked Hsiangyang and was challenging Mêng Ta to battle, Ts‘ao P‘ei said, “You seem to be true. Go then to Hsiangyang and take Liu Fêng. If you bring me his head I shall no longer doubt.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-40

丕pī曰yuē：「汝rǔ既jì是shì真zhēn心xīn，便biàn可kě去qù襄xiāng阳yáng取qǔ刘liú封fēng首shǒu级jí来lái，孤gū方fāng准zhǔn信xìn。」达dá曰yuē：「臣chén以yǐ利lì害hài说shuō之zhī，不bú必bì动dòng兵bīng，令lìng刘liú封fēng亦yì来lái降jiàng也yě。」丕pī大dà喜xǐ，遂suì加jiā孟mèng达dá为wèi散sàn骑qí常cháng侍shì、建jiàn武wǔ将jiàng军jūn、平píng阳yáng亭tíng侯hóu，领lǐng新xīn城chéng太tài守shǒu，去qù守shǒu襄xiāng阳yáng、樊fán城chéng。原yuán来lái夏xià侯hóu尚shàng、徐xú晃huáng已yǐ先xiān在zài襄xiāng阳yáng，正zhèng将jiāng收shōu取qǔ上shàng庸yōng诸zhū部bù。

Mêng Ta replied, “I will convince him by argument; no soldiers will be needed. I will bring him to surrender too.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-41

孟mèng达dá到dào了le襄xiāng阳yáng，与yǔ二èr将jiāng礼lǐ毕bì，探tàn得dé刘liú封fēng离lí城chéng五wǔ十shí里lǐ下xià寨zhài。达dá即jí修xiū书shū一yī封fēng，使shǐ人rén赍jī赴fù蜀shǔ寨zhài招zhāo降xiáng刘liú封fēng。刘liú封fēng览lǎn书shū大dà怒nù曰yuē：「此cǐ贼zéi误wù吾wú叔shū姪zhí之zhī义yì，又yòu间jiān吾wú父fù子zǐ之zhī亲qīn，使shǐ吾wú为wèi不bù忠zhōng不bú孝xiào之zhī人rén也yě！」遂suì扯chě碎suì来lái书shū，斩zhǎn其qí使shǐ。次cì日rì，引yǐn军jūn前qián来lái搦nuò战zhàn。

So Mêng Ta was given rank and honours and sent to guard Hsiangyang. Now there were two generals there already, Hsiahou Shang and Hsü Huang engaged in reducing the surrounding district. Mêng Ta arrived, met his two colleagues and was told that Liu Fêng was fifty li from the city. Whereupon he wrote him a letter urging him to surrender. But Liu Fêng was in no mood to surrender; instead he tore up the letter and put the messenger to death. “The renegade has already made me offend against my duty to my uncle, and now would sever me from my father so that I shall be reproached as disloyal and unfilial,” said Liu Fêng.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-42

孟mèng达dá知zhī刘liú封fēng扯chě书shū斩zhán使shǐ，勃bó然rán大dà怒nù，亦yì领lǐng兵bīng出chū迎yíng。两liǎng阵zhèn对duì圆yuán，封fēng立lì马mǎ于yú门mén旗qí下xià，以yǐ刀dāo指zhǐ骂mà曰yuē：「背bèi国guó反fǎn贼zéi，安ān敢gǎn乱luàn言yán！」孟mèng达dá曰yuē：「汝rú死sí已yǐ临lín头tóu，还hái自zì执zhí迷mí不bù省shěng！」封fēng大dà怒nù，拍pāi马mǎ轮lún刀dāo，直zhí奔bēn孟mèng达dá。战zhàn不bù三sān合hé，达dá败bài走zǒu，封fēng乘chéng虚xū追zhuī杀shā二èr十shí余yú里lǐ，一yī声shēng喊hán起qǐ，伏fú兵bīng侭jǐn出chū。

Mêng Ta went out with his army to give battle. Liu Fêng rode to the front, pointed with his sword at his opponent and railed against him. “Death is very near you,” replied Mêng Ta, “yet you continue blindly in the way of foolishness and will not understand.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-43

左zuǒ边biān夏xià侯hóu尚shàng杀shā来lái，右yòu边biān徐xú晃huǎng杀shā来lái，孟mèng达dá回huí身shēn复fù战zhàn：三sān军jūn夹jiā攻gōng。刘liú封fēng大dà败bài而ér走zǒu，连lián夜yè奔bēn回huí上shàng庸yōng，背bèi后hòu魏wèi兵bīng赶gǎn来lái。刘liú封fēng到dào城chéng下xià叫jiào门mén，城chéng上shàng乱luàn箭jiàn射shè下xià。申shēn耽dān在zài敌dí楼lóu上shàng叫jiào曰yuē：「吾wú已yǐ降jiàng了le魏wèi也yě！」封fēng大dà怒nù，欲yù要yào攻gōng城chéng，背bèi后hòu追zhuī军jūn将jiāng至zhì。封fēng立lì脚jiǎo不bù牢láo，只zhǐ得dé望wàng房fáng陵líng而ér奔bēn，见jiàn城chéng上shàng已yí侭jǐn插chā魏wèi旗qí。

Liu Fêng rode out flourishing his sword. He engaged Mêng Ta, who ran away before the conflict had well begun. Liu Fêng pursued hotly to a long distance. Then he fell into an ambush and found himself attacked on two sides. Also Mêng Ta returned to the attack. Liu Féng was forced to fly. He made straight for Shangyung, pursued all the way. When he reached the city and hailed the gate he was met by a volley of arrows. “I have surrendered to Wei,” cried Shên Tan from the city tower.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-44

申shēn仪yí在zài敌dí楼lóu上shàng将jiāng旗qí一yī飐zhǎn，城chéng后hòu一yī彪biāo军jūn出chū，旗qí上shàng大dà书shū「右yòu将jiāng军jūn徐xú晃huǎng」。封fēng抵dǐ敌dí不bú住zhù，急jí望wàng西xī川chuān而ér走zǒu。晃huǎng乘chéng势shì追zhuī杀shā。刘liú封fēng部bú下xià只zhǐ剩shèng得dé百bǎi余yú骑qí，到dào了le成chéng都dū，入rù见jiàn汉hàn中zhōng王wáng，哭kū拜bài于yú地dì，细xì奏zòu前qián事shì。玄xuán德dé怒nù曰yuē：「辱rǔ子zi有yǒu何hé麺miàn目mù复fù来lái见jiàn吾wú！

It was impossible to attack the city, as the army of Wei was close behind, and having no resting place he set off for Fangling. He arrived there to find the banners of Wei set out along the walls. Then he saw Shên I wave a signal from the tower, and at once there appeared from the shelter of the wall a body of men led by Hsü Huang. Then Liu Fêng made for home. But he was pursued, and only a handful of his men remained to him when he regained Ch'êngtu.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-45

」封fēng曰yuē：「叔shū父fù之zhī难nán，非fēi儿ér不bú救jiù，因yīn孟mèng达dá谏jiàn阻zǔ故gù耳ěr。」玄xuán德dé转zhuǎn怒nù曰yuē：「汝rǔ须xū食shí人rén食shí、穿chuān人rén衣yī，非fēi土tǔ木mù偶ǒu人rén！安ān可kě听tīng谗chán贼zéi所suó阻zǔ！」命mìng左zuǒ右yòu推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī。汉hàn中zhōng王wáng既jì斩zhǎn刘liú封fēng，后hòu闻wén孟mèng达dá招zhāo之zhī，毁huǐ书shū斩zhán使shǐ之zhī事shì，心xīn中zhōng颇pó悔huǐ；又yòu哀āi痛tòng关guān公gōng，以yǐ致zhì染rǎn病bìng，因yīn此cǐ按àn兵bīng不bú动dòng。

Seeking an interview with his adopted father, he found but scant sympathy, for in reponse to his petition, made prostrate and weeping, Yüan-tê said, “Shameful son! How are you come to see me at all?” “My uncle’s mishap was not due to my refusal of help, but because Mêng Ta thwarted me.” “You eat as a man, you dress as a man; but you have no more the instincts of a man than an image of clay or wood. What mean you by saying another wretch thwarted you?” Yüan-tê bade his executioners expel him and put him to death. But he felt some compunction later when he heard of the treatment meted out to the messenger who had brought Mêng Ta’s letter inviting him to become a traitor. And he gave way to grief for the death of his brother until he fell ill. So no military movements were made.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-46

且qiě说shuō魏wèi王wáng曹cáo丕pī，自zì即jí王wáng位wèi，将jiāng文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo，侭jǐn皆jiē升shēng赏shǎng；遂suì统tóng甲jiǎ兵bīng三sān十shí万wàn，南nán巡xún沛pèi国guó谯qiáo县xiàn，大dà飨xiǎng先xiān茔yíng。乡xiāng中zhōng父fù老lǎo，扬yáng尘chén遮zhē道dào，奉fèng觞shāng进jìn酒jiǔ，效xiào汉hàn高gāo祖zǔ还hái沛pèi之zhī事shì。人rén报bào大dà将jiāng军jūn夏xià侯hóu惇dūn病bìng危wēi，丕pī即jí还hái邺yè郡jùn。时shí惇dūn已yǐ卒zú，丕pī为wèi挂guà孝xiào，以yǐ厚hòu礼lǐ殡bìn葬zàng。

It may be stated here that after he had succeeded to the princedom, Ts‘ao P‘ei raised all his officers to high rank and had an army prepared of thirty legions, and manœuvred them over the southern districts and made great feasts. And the aged villagers lined the roads offering gifts of wine, just as when the Founder of the Hans returned home to P‘ei. When it was announced that the faithful warrior Hsiahou Tun was near death, Ts‘ao P‘ei hastened back to Yeh, but arrived too late to see him. He put on mourning for the great leader and instituted magnificent funeral ceremonies.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-47

是shì岁suì八bā月yuè间jiān，报bào称chēng石shí邑yì县xiàn凤fèng凰huáng来lái仪yí，临lín淄zī城chéng麒qí麟lín出chū现xiàn，黄huáng龙lóng现xiàn于yú邺yè郡jùn。于yú是shì中zhōng郎láng将jiāng李lǐ伏fú、太tài史shǐ丞chéng许xǔ芝zhī商shāng议yì：种zhóng种zhǒng瑞ruì征zhēng，乃nǎi魏wèi当dāng代dài汉hàn之zhī兆zhào，可kě安ān排pái受shòu禅chán之zhī礼lǐ，令lìng汉hàn帝dì将jiāng天tiān下xià让ràng于yú魏wèi王wáng。

In the late summer of this same year it was reported that a phoenix had been seen to bow at Shihihsien and a ch‘i-ling had appeared at Lintzŭ, while a yellow dragon was observed in Yeh. Whereupon certain high officers discussed these appearances, and putting them all together concluded that they presaged that Wei was about to supplant Han and the altar of abdication should be set up. Presently a deputation of two score officers went into the palace and proposed to the Emperor Hsien that he should abdicate and yield to the Prince of Wei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-48

遂suì同tóng华huá歆xīn、王wáng朗lǎng、辛xīn毗pí、贾jiá诩xǔ、刘liú廙yì、刘liú晔yè、陈chén矫jiǎo、陈chén群qún、桓huán阶jiē等děng，一yī班bān文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo，四sì十shí余yú人rén，直zhí入rù内nèi殿diàn，来lái奏zòu汉hàn献xiàn帝dì，请qǐng禅chán位wèi于yú魏wèi王wáng曹cáo丕pī。正zhèng是shì：

In the late summer of this same year it was reported that a phoenix had been seen to bow at Shihihsien and a ch‘i-ling had appeared at Lintzŭ, while a yellow dragon was observed in Yeh. Whereupon certain high officers discussed these appearances, and putting them all together concluded that they presaged that Wei was about to supplant Han and the altar of abdication should be set up. Presently a deputation of two score officers went into the palace and proposed to the Emperor Hsien that he should abdicate and yield to the Prince of Wei. It is time to set up the throne of Wei, And steal the land from the Hans. The next chapter will record the Emperor’s reply.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

79-49

魏wèi家jiā社shè稷jì今jīn将jiāng建jiàn，汉hàn代dài江jiāng山shān忽hū已yǐ移yí。

The altars of Wei are now to be raised; the realm of Han has suddenly been shifted away.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

79-50

未wèi知zhī献xiàn帝dì如rú何hé回huí答dá，且qiě看kàn下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But how the Emperor Xian replied must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated