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

第dì八bā十shí五wǔ回huí 刘liú先xiān主zhǔ遗yí诏zhào托tuō孤gū儿ér　　诸zhū葛gé亮liàng安ān居jū平píng五wǔ路lù

85-1

却què说shuō章zhāng武wǔ二èr年nián夏xià六liù月yuè，东dōng吴wú陆lù逊xùn，大dà破pò蜀shǔ兵bīng于yú猇xiāo亭tíng彝yí陵líng之zhī地dì；先xiān主zhǔ奔bēn回huí白bái帝dì城chéng，赵zhào云yún引yǐn兵bīng据jù守shǒu。忽hū马mǎ良liáng至zhì，见jiàn大dà军jūn已yǐ败bài，懊ào悔huǐ不bù及jí，将jiāng孔kǒng明míng之zhī言yán，奏zòu知zhī先xiān主zhǔ。先xiān主zhǔ叹tàn曰yuē：「朕zhèn早zǎo听tīng丞chéng相xiàng之zhī言yán，不bú致zhì今jīn日rì之zhī败bài！今jīn有yǒu何hé麺miàn目mù复fù回huí成chéng都dū见jiàn群qún臣chén乎hū！

It was in the sixth month of the second year of Chang-Wu that Lu Hsün destroyed the army of Shu at Iling and forced the king to seek refuge in Paitich'êng, of which Chao Yün then undertook the defence. When Ma Liang returned only to find his lord defeated he was more distressed than he could say. He announced what K‘ung-ming had said concerning the plans, and the First Ruler sighed, saying, “If I had listened to the Prime Minister’s advice the defeat would not have happened. Now how can I face a return to my capital?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-2

」遂suì传chuán旨zhǐ就jiù白bái帝dì城chéng驻zhù扎zhā，将jiāng馆guǎn驿yì改gǎi为wéi永yǒng安ān宫gōng。人rén报bào冯féng习xí、张zhāng南nán、傅fù彤tóng、程chéng畿jī、沙shā摩mó柯kē等děng皆jiē殁mò于yú王wáng事shì，先xiān主zhǔ伤shāng感gǎn不bù已yǐ。又yòu近jìn臣chén奏zòu称chēng：「黄huáng权quán引yǐn江jiāng北běi之zhī兵bīng，降jiàng魏wèi去qù了le。陛bì下xià可kě将jiāng彼bǐ家jiā属shǔ送sòng有yǒu司sī问wèn罪zuì。

So he promulgated a command to change the guest-house into the “Palace of Eternal Peace.' He was deeply grieved when they told him of the death of so many of his captains. Next he heard that Huang Ch'üan, who had been given command of the army on the north bank, had given in to Wei. They suggested to him that the family of the renegade was in his power and he could hold them responsible. But he only said, “The army was quite cut off, and he had no alternative but to surrender. Really, I betrayed him, not he me. Why should I take vengeance on his family?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-3

」先xiān主zhǔ曰yuē：「黄huáng权quán被bèi吴wú兵bīng隔gé断duàn在zài江jiāng北běi岸àn，欲yù归guī无wú路lù，不bù得dé已yǐ降jiàng魏wèi：是shì朕zhèn负fù权quán，非fēi权quán负fù朕zhèn也yě。何hé必bì罪zuì其qí家jiā属shǔ？」仍réng给gěi禄lù米mí以yí养yǎng之zhī。

So he continued the issue of the renegade’s pay to his family.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-4

却què说shuō黄huáng权quán降jiàng魏wèi，诸zhū将jiāng引yǐn见jiàn曹cáo丕pī。丕pī曰yuē：「卿qīng今jīn降jiàng朕zhèn，欲yù追zhuī慕mù于yú陈chén、韩hán耶yé？」权quán泣qì而ér奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén受shòu蜀shǔ帝dì之zhī恩ēn殊shū遇yù甚shèn厚hòu，令lìng臣chén督dū诸zhū军jūn于yú江jiāng北běi，被bèi陆lù逊xùn绝jué断duàn。臣chén归guī蜀shǔ无wú路lù，降jiàng吴wú不bù可kě，故gù来lái投tóu陛bì下xià。败bài军jūn之zhī将jiàng，免mián死sǐ为wèi幸xìng，安ān敢gǎn追zhuī慕mù于yú古gǔ人rén耶yé？」丕pī大dà喜xǐ，遂suì拜bài黄huáng权quán为wèi镇zhèn南nán将jiāng军jūn。

When Huang Ch'üan surrendered he was led into the presence of the King of Wei, who said, “You have surrendered to me because you desired to imitate the admirable conduct of Ch'ên and Han.” But Huang replied, weeping, “The Emperor of Shu has been very kind to me, and he gave me the leadership of the army on the north bank. Lu Hsün cut me off so that I could not return to Shu, and I would not surrender to Wu, wherefore I have yielded to Your Majesty. Defeated as I am, I should be only too happy if my life were spared, but I have no claim to the credit of the virtuous ones of old.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-5

权quán坚jiān辞cí不bú受shòu。忽hū近jìn臣chén奏zòu曰yuē：「有yǒu细xì作zuò人rén自zì蜀shǔ中zhōng来lái，说shuō蜀shú主zhǔ将jiàng黄huáng权quán家jiā属shú侭jǐn皆jiē诛zhū戮lù。」权quán曰yuē：「臣chén与yú蜀shú主zhǔ，推tuī诚chéng相xiāng信xìn，知zhī臣chén本běn心xīn，必bì不bù肯kěn杀shā臣chén之zhī家jiā小xiáo也yě。」丕pī然rán之zhī。后hòu人rén有yǒu诗shī责zé黄huáng权quán曰yuē：

The reply satisfied the King of Wei, and he conferred an office on Huang, who, however, declined the offer. Then one of the courtiers said that a spy had reported that all the family of Huang had been put to death. But the leader replied that he could not believe it. “I have the greatest confidence in the clemency of the King of Shu. He knows I would not have surrendered of my own free will, and he would not injure my family.” And the King of Wei agreed with his opinion.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-6

降jiàng吴wú不bù可kě却què降jiàng曹cáo，忠zhōng义yì安ān能néng事shì两liǎng朝cháo？

To yield to Wu he would not, yet to Wei he turned aside; How could true loyalty and honor serve two masters' pride?

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-7

堪kān叹tàn黄huáng权quán惜xī一yī死sǐ，紫zǐ阳yáng书shū法fǎ不bù轻qīng饶ráo。

We sigh that Huang Quan clung too fast to life and breath; The brush of Ziyang spares no man who shuns a martyr's death.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-8

曹cáo丕pī问wèn贾jiá诩xǔ曰yuē：「朕zhèn欲yù一yī统tǒng天tiān下xià：先xiān取qú蜀shǔ乎hū？先xiān取qǔ吴wú乎hū？」诩xǔ曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi雄xióng才cái，更gèng兼jiān诸zhū葛gě亮liàng善shàn能néng治zhì国guó；东dōng吴wú孙sūn权quán，能néng识shí虚xū实shí，陆lù逊xùn见jiàn屯tún兵bīng于yú险xiǎn要yào隔gé江jiāng泛fàn湖hú，皆jiē难nán卒zú谋móu。以yǐ臣chén观guān之zhī，诸zhū将jiāng之zhī中zhōng，皆jiē无wú孙sūn权quán、刘liú备bèi敌dí手shǒu。虽suī以yǐ陛bì下xià天tiān威wēi临lín之zhī，亦yì未wèi见jiàn万wàn全quán之zhī势shì也yě。

But a poem has been written upbraiding Huang Ch'üan: 'Twas a pity that Huang Ch'üan grudged to die; Though he yielded to Wei, not Wu, Yet he crooked the knee in an alien court, Which the loyal cannot do. And the judgment calm of history Condemns such men all through. Ts‘ao P‘ei sought advice from Chia Hsü concerning his design of bringing the whole country under his own rule. “I wish to bring the whole empire under my rule; which shall I first reduce, Shu or Wu?” “Liu Pei is an able warrior, and Chuko Liang is a most capable administrator; Sun Ch'üan possesses discrimination, and his general, Lu Hsün, occupies all the strategical positions of importance. The natural obstacles, the intervening rivers and spreading lakes, would be hard to overcome. I do not think you have any leader to match either of these two men. Even with the prestige of Your Majesty’s own presence, no one could guarantee the result. The better course is to hold on and await the outcome of the struggle between those other two.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-9

只zhí可kě持chí守shǒu，以yǐ待dài二èr国guó之zhī变biàn。」丕pī曰yuē：「朕zhèn已yí遣qiǎn三sān路lù大dà兵bīng伐fá吴wú，安ān有yǒu不bú胜shèng之zhī理lǐ？」尚shàng书shū刘liú晔yè曰yuē：「近jìn东dōng吴wú陆lù逊xùn，新xīn破pò蜀shǔ兵bīng七qī十shí万wàn，上shàng下xià齐qí心xīn，更gèng有yǒu江jiāng湖hú之zhī阻zǔ，不bù可kě卒zú制zhì。陆lù逊xùn多duō谋móu，必bì有yóu准zhǔn备bèi。」丕pī曰yuē：「卿qīng前qián劝quàn朕zhèn伐fá吴wú，今jīn又yòu谏jiàn阻zǔ，何hé也yě？

“I have already despatched three armies against Wu; can it be that they will fail?” The President, Liu Yeh, held the same opinion as his colleague. Said he, “Lu Hsün has just won a great victory over the great host of Shu, and all his army is full of confidence. Further, there are the lakes and the rivers, which are natural difficulties hard to cope with. And again, Lu Hsün is resourceful and well prepared.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-10

」晔yè曰yuē：「时shí有yǒu不bù同tóng也yě：昔xī东dōng吴wú累lèi败bài于yú蜀shǔ，其qí势shì顿dùn挫cuò，故gù可kě击jī耳ěr；今jīn既jì获huò全quán胜shèng，锐ruì气qì百bǎi倍bèi，未wèi可kě攻gōng也yě。」丕pī曰yuē：「朕zhèn意yì已yǐ决jué，卿qīng勿wù复fù言yán。」遂suì引yǐn御yù林lín军jūn亲qīn往wǎng接jiē应yīng三sān路lù兵bīng马mǎ。

The king said, “Formerly, Sir, you urged me to attack Wu; why do you now give contrary advice?” “Because times have changed. When Wu was suffering defeat after defeat the country was depressed and might be smitten. Now this great victory has changed all that and their morale has increased a hundredfold. I say now they may not be attacked.” “Well; but I have decided to attack. So say no more,” said the king.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-11

早záo有yǒu哨shào马mǎ报bào说shuō东dōng吴wú已yí有yóu准zhǔn备bèi：令lìng吕lǚ范fàn引yǐn兵bīng拒jù住zhù曹cáo休xiū，诸zhū葛gé瑾jín引yǐn兵bīng在zài南nán郡jùn拒jù住zhù曹cáo真zhēn，朱zhū桓huán引yǐn兵bīng当dāng住zhù濡rú须xū以yǐ拒jù曹cáo仁rén。刘liú晔yè曰yuē：「既jì有yóu准zhǔn备bèi，去qù恐kǒng无wú益yì。」丕pī不bù从cóng，引yǐn兵bīng而ér去qù。

He then led the Imperial Guards out to support his three armies. But the scouts soon brought news justifying the opinion of his advisers. A force had been sent to oppose each of his three armies. Liu Yeh pointed this out and again said that no success could be expected. Still the king was obstinate, and marched.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-12

却què说shuō吴wú将jiāng朱zhū桓huán，年nián方fāng二èr十shí七qī岁suì，极jí有yóu胆dǎn略lüè，孙sūn权quán甚shèn爱ài之zhī；时shí督dū军jūn于yú濡rú须xū，闻wén曹cáo仁rén引yǐn大dà军jūn去qù取qǔ羡xiàn溪xī，桓huán遂suì侭jǐn拨bō军jūn守shóu把bǎ羡xiàn溪xī去qù了le，止zhǐ留liú五wǔ千qiān骑qí守shǒu城chéng。忽hū报bào曹cáo仁rén令lìng大dà将jiàng常cháng雕diāo同tóng诸zhū葛gě虔qián、王wáng双shuāng，引yín五wǔ万wàn精jīng兵bīng飞fēi奔bēn濡rú须xū城chéng来lái。众zhòng军jūn皆jiē有yǒu惧jù色sè。桓huán按àn剑jiàn而ér言yán曰yuē：「胜shèng负fù在zài将jiāng，不bú在zài兵bīng之zhī多duō寡guǎ。

The Wu leader, Chu Huan, who had been sent against Ts‘ao Jên at Juhsü, was a young man of twenty-seven. He was bold and resourceful, and Sun Ch'üan held him in great regard. Hearing that Ts‘ao Jên was going to attack Tzuchi, Chu led the bulk of his men to befend it, leaving only half a legion in Juhsü. Then he heard that the van of the enemy, under Ch‘ang Tiao, had made a dash for Juhsü, so he hastened back and found the small garrison a prey to fear. Drawing his sword, he made a speech, “Success depends upon the leader rather than on the number of men. The 'Art of War' says that the value of soldiers who come from afar is doubled; that of those who inhabit a place is halved, yet always those who are in possession overcome those who come from afar. Now the enemy is weary from a long march and I and you, my men, can hold this place together. We have a great river to defend us on the south, and we are backed by the mountains on the north. Success should be ours easily, and we are as hosts at home awaiting the arrival of our weary visitors. This will give us victory in every fight. Even if the great Ts‘ao P‘ei come, we need feel no anxiety. How much less care we for Ts‘ao Jên and his men?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-13

兵bīng法fǎ云yún；『客kè兵bīng倍bèi而ér主zhǔ兵bīng半bàn者zhě，主zhǔ兵bīng尚shàng能néng胜shèng于yú客kè兵bīng。』今jīn曹cáo仁rén千qiān里lǐ跋bá涉shè，人rén马mǎ疲pí困kùn。吾wú与yú汝rú等děng，共gòng据jù高gāo城chéng，南nán临lín大dà江jiāng，北běi背bèi山shān险xiǎn，以yǐ逸yì待dài劳láo，以yí主zhǔ制zhì客kè：此cí乃nái百bǎi战zhàn百bǎi胜shèng之zhī势shì。虽suī曹cáo丕pī自zì来lái，尚shàng不bù足zú忧yōu，况kuàng仁rén等děng耶yé？」于yú是shì传chuán令lìng，教jiào众zhòng军jūn偃yǎn旗qí息xī鼓gǔ，只zhǐ作zuò无wú人rén守shóu把bǎ之zhī状zhuàng。

Then he issued orders to furl all the banners and to silence all the drums as if the city was empty of defenders.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-14

且qiě说shuō魏wèi将jiāng先xiān锋fēng常cháng雕diāo，领lǐng精jīng兵bīng来lái取qǔ濡rú须xū城chéng，遥yáo望wàng城chéng上shàng并bìng无wú军jūn马mǎ。雕diāo催cuī军jūn急jí进jìn，离lí城chéng不bù远yuǎn，一yī声shēng砲pào响xiǎng，旌jīng旗qí齐qí竖shù。朱zhū桓huán横héng刀dāo飞fēi马mǎ而ér出chū，直zhí取qǔ常cháng雕diāo。战zhàn不bù三sān合hé，被bèi桓huán一yī刀dāo斩zhǎn常cháng雕diāo于yú马mǎ下xià。吴wú兵bīng乘chéng势shì冲chōng杀shā一yī阵zhèn，魏wèi兵bīng大dà败bài，死sí者zhě无wú数shù。朱zhū桓huán大dà胜shèng，得dé了liǎo无wú数shù旌jīng旗qí军jūn器qì战zhàn马mǎ。

In time, Ch‘ang Tiao and his veterans of the van came to the city. Not a man was visible, and he hastened forward with all speed. But as he neared the city, suddenly a bomb went off. Immediately up rose a forest of flags, and out dashed Chu Huan, with his sword drawn. And he made for Ch‘ang Tiao. In the third encounter he cut down his enemy, and his men, rushing to the attack, thoroughly routed the invaders, slaying innumerable men. Beside scoring a complete victory, Chu Huan took much spoil of flags and weapons and horses. Ts‘ao Jên himself, coming up later, was attacked by the garrison of Tzŭchi and also routed. He fled home to his master with the news of defeat and destruction.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-15

曹cáo仁rén领lǐng兵bīng随suí后hòu到dào来lái，却què被bèi吴wú兵bīng从cóng羡xiàn溪xī杀shā出chū。曹cáo仁rén大dà败bài而ér退tuì，回huí见jiàn魏wèi主zhǔ，细xì奏zòu大dà败bài之zhī事shì。丕pī大dà惊jīng。正zhèng议yì之zhī间jiān，忽hū探tàn马mǎ报bào：「曹cáo真zhēn、夏xià侯hóu尚shàng围wéi了le南nán郡jùn，被bèi陆lù逊xùn伏fú兵bīng于yú内nèi，诸zhū葛gé瑾jǐn伏fú兵bīng于yú外wài，内nèi外wài夹jiā攻gōng，因yīn此cǐ大dà败bài。」言yán未wèi毕bì，忽hū探tàn马mǎ又yòu报bào：「曹cáo休xiū亦yì被bèi吕lǚ范fàn杀shā败bài。

And before the king could decide what course to take in regard to this loss the news came of the defeat of his other two armies.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-16

」丕pī听tīng知zhī三sān路lù兵bīng败bài，乃nǎi喟kuì然rán叹tàn曰yuē：「朕zhèn不bù听tīng贾jiá诩xǔ、刘liú晔yè之zhī言yán，果guó有yóu此cǐ败bài！」时shí值zhí夏xià天tiān，大dà疫yì流liú行xíng，马mǎ步bù军jūn十shí死sǐ六liù七qī，遂suì引yǐn军jūn回huí洛luò阳yáng。吴wú、魏wèi自zì此cǐ不bù和hé。

So all three had failed and were lost, and P‘ei sighed and said sadly, “This has come from my wilfulness and neglect of advice.” The summer of that year was very unhealthy, and a pestilence swept away the soldiers in huge numbers. So they were marched home to Loyang. The two countries were at enmity though they were not fighting.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-17

却què说shuō先xiān主zhǔ在zài永yǒng安ān宫gōng染rǎn病bìng不bù起qǐ，渐jiàn渐jiàn渖shěn重zhòng。至zhì章zhāng武wǔ三sān年nián夏xià四sì月yuè，先xiān主zhǔ知zhī病bìng入rù四sì肢zhī；又yòu哭kū关guān、张zhāng二èr弟dì，其qí病bìng愈yù深shēn，两liǎng目mù昏hūn花huā，厌yàn见jiàn侍shì从cóng之zhī人rén；乃nǎi叱chì退tuì左zuǒ右yòu，独dú卧wò于yú龙lóng榻tà之zhī上shàng。忽hū然rán阴yīn风fēng骤zhòu起qǐ，将jiāng灯dēng吹chuī摇yáo，灭miè而ér复fù明míng。只zhǐ见jiàn灯dēng影yǐng之zhī下xià，二èr人rén侍shì立lì。先xiān主zhǔ怒nù曰yuē；

Meanwhile the First Ruler was failing. He remained in his Palace of Eternal Peace and presently was confined to his couch. Gradually he became worse, and in the fourth moon of the third year his condition became serious. He himself felt the end was near, and he was depressed and wept for his two lost brothers till the sight of his eyes suffered. He was morose and ill-tempered: he could not bear any of his court near him, drove away his servants and lay upon his couch sad and solitary.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-18

「朕zhèn心xīn绪xù不bù宁níng，教jiào汝rú等déng且qiě退tuì，何hé故gù又yòu来lái！」叱chì之zhī不bú退tuì。先xiān主zhú起qǐ而ér视shì之zhī：上shàng首shóu乃nǎi云yún长zhǎng，下xià首shóu乃nǎi翼yì德dé也yě。先xiān主zhǔ大dà惊jīng曰yuē：「二èr弟dì原yuán来lái尚shàng在zài！」云yún长zhǎng曰yuē：「臣chén等děng非fēi人rén，乃nǎi是shì鬼guí也yě。上shàng帝dì以yǐ臣chén二èr人rén平píng生shēng不bù失shī信xìn义yì，皆jiē敕chì命mìng为wèi神shén。哥gē哥gē与yǔ兄xiōng弟dì聚jù会huì不bù远yuán矣yǐ。」先xiān主zhú扯chě定dìng大dà哭kū。

One evening as thus he lay, a sudden gust of wind came into the chamber, almost extinguishing the candles. As they burned bright again he saw two men standing in the shade behind them. “I told you I was worried,” said the king, “and bade you leave me; why have you come back? Go!” But they remained and did not go. Wherefore the king rose and went over to look at them. As he drew near he saw one was Yün-ch‘ang; the other I-tê. “Are you still alive, then, brothers?” said he. “We are not men; we are shades,” said Kuan Yü. “The Supreme One has conferred spirithood upon us in consideration of our faithfulness throughout life, and ere long, brother, we three shall be together again.” The king clutched at the figures and burst into tears; then he awoke. The two figures were no longer there. He called in his people and asked the hour: they told him the third watch.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-19

忽hū然rán惊jīng觉jué：二èr弟dì不bú见jiàn。即jí唤huàn从cóng人rén问wèn之zhī，时shí正zhèng三sān更gēng。先xiān主zhǔ叹tàn曰yuē：「朕zhèn不bù久jiǔ于yú人rén世shì矣yǐ！」遂suì遣qián使shí往wǎng成chéng都dū，请qǐng丞chéng相xiàng诸zhū葛gě亮liàng、尚shàng书shū令lìng李lǐ严yán等děng，星xīng夜yè来lái永yǒng安ān宫gōng，听tīng受shòu遗yí命mìng。孔kǒng明míng等déng与yǔ先xiān主zhǔ次cì子zi鲁lǔ王wáng刘liú永yǒng、梁liáng王wáng刘liú理lǐ，来lái永yǒng安ān宫gōng见jiàn帝dì，留liú太tài子zi刘liú禅chán守shǒu成chéng都dū。

“I am not much longer for this world,” said he with a sigh. Messengers were sent to the capital to summon the Prime Minister and certain other high officers of state to receive the king’s last instructions. They came, K‘ung-ming bringing the two younger sons. The eldest, the heir-apparent, was left in charge of the capital.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-20

且qiě说shuō孔kǒng明míng到dào永yǒng安ān宫gōng，见jiàn先xiān主zhǔ病bìng危wēi，慌huāng忙máng拜bài伏fú于yú龙lóng榻tà之zhī下xià。先xiān主zhǔ传chuán旨zhǐ，请qíng孔kǒng明míng坐zuò于yú龙lóng榻tà之zhī侧cè，抚fǔ其qí背bèi曰yuē：「朕zhèn自zì得dé丞chéng相xiàng，幸xìng成chéng帝dì业yè；何hé期qī智zhì识shí浅qiǎn陋lòu，不bú纳nà丞chéng相xiàng之zhī言yán，自zì取qǔ其qí败bài。悔huǐ恨hèn成chéng疾jí，死sǐ在zài旦dàn夕xī。嗣sì子zǐ孱chán弱ruò，不bù得dé不bù以yǐ大dà事shì相xiāng托tuō。」言yán讫qì，泪lèi流liú满mǎn麺miàn。

K‘ung-ming saw at once that his master was very ill. He bowed to the ground at the foot of the “dragon” couch. The dying king bade him come near and sit beside him, and he patted his faithful minister on the back, saying, “The attainment of emperorship was your work. Little thought you that I should prove so stupid as not to follow your advice and so bring about the late disasters. But I am deeply sorry, and now I shall not live long. My heir is a degenerate, but I must leave him to do the best he can with the great inheritance." And the tears flowed in streams.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-21

孔kǒng明míng亦yì涕tì泣qì曰yuē：「愿yuàn陛bì下xià善shàn保bǎo龙lóng体tǐ，以yǐ副fù天tiān下xià之zhī望wàng！」先xiān主zhú以yǐ目mù遍biàn视shì，只zhǐ见jiàn马mǎ良liáng之zhī弟dì马mǎ谡sù在zài傍bàng，先xiān主zhǔ令lìng且qiě退tuì。谡sù退tuì出chū，先xiān主zhǔ谓wèi孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng观guān马mǎ谡sù之zhī才cái何hé如rú？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「此cǐ人rén亦yì当dāng世shì之zhī英yīng才cái也yě。」先xiān主zhǔ曰yuē：「不bù然rán。朕zhèn观guān此cǐ人rén，言yán过guò其qí实shí，不bù可kě大dà用yòng。丞chéng相xiàng宜yí深shēn察chá之zhī。

“I trust Your Majesty will fulfil the hopes of the people by a speedy recovery,” said K‘ung-ming, also in tears. Turning his head, the king saw Ma Liang’s brother at the bedside. He bade him retire. When he had left the chamber, the king said, “Do you think Ma Su is clever?” “He is one of the ablest men in the world,” said K‘ung-ming. “I do not think so. I think his words exceed his deeds. Do not make much use of him. Watch him carefully.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-22

」分fēn付fù毕bì，传chuán旨zhǐ召zhào诸zhū臣chén入rù殿diàn，取qú纸zhí笔bí写xiě了le遗yí诏zhào，递dì与yú孔kǒng明míng而ér叹tàn曰yuē：「朕zhèn不bù读dú书shū，粗cū知zhī大dà略lüè。圣shèng人rén云yún：『鸟niǎo之zhī将jiāng死sǐ，其qí鸣míng也yě哀āi；人rén之zhī将jiāng死sǐ，其qí言yán也yě善shàn。』朕zhèn本běn待dài与yǔ卿qīng等děng同tóng灭miè曹cáo贼zéi，共gòng扶fú汉hàn室shì；不bú幸xìng中zhōng道dào而ér别bié。烦fán丞chéng相xiàng将jiāng诏zhào付fù与yǔ太tài子zi禅chán，令lìng勿wù以yǐ为wéi常cháng言yán。凡fán事shì更gèng望wàng丞chéng相xiàng之zhī！」

Having said this, he bade them summon the high officers of state to the chamber. Taking paper and pen the First Ruler wrote his testament. He handed it to the Prime Minister with a sigh and said, “I am no great scholar, and I only know the rough outlines of what should be known. But the Holy One has said that a bird’s song is sad when death is near and a dying man’s words are good. I was waiting that we might aid each other in the destruction of Ts‘ao and the restoration of the Hans, but ere the work is complete I am called away, and this last command of mine I confide to you as Prime Minister to be handed to my son and heir, Chan. My words are to be taken seriously. I trust that you will instruct and guide my son.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-23

孔kǒng明míng等děng泣qì拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：「愿yuàn陛bì下xià将jiāng息xī龙lóng体tǐ！臣chén等déng侭jǐn施shī犬quán马mǎ之zhī劳láo，以yǐ报bào陛bì下xià知zhī遇yù之zhī恩ēn也yě。」先xiān主zhǔ命mìng内nèi侍shì扶fú起qí孔kǒng明míng，一yī手shóu掩yǎn泪lèi，一yī手shǒu执zhí其qí手shǒu，曰yuē：「朕zhèn今jīn死sí矣yǐ！有yǒu心xīn腹fù之zhī言yán相xiāng告gào！」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「有yǒu何hé圣shèng谕yù？」先xiān主zhǔ泣qì曰yuē：「君jūn才cái十shí倍bèi曹cáo丕pī，必bì能néng安ān邦bāng定dìng国guó，终zhōng定dìng大dà事shì。

K‘ung-ming and all those present wept and prostrated themselves, saying, “We pray Your Majesty to repose yourself. We will do our utmost whereby to prove our gratitude for the kindness we have received.” At the king’s command the attendants raised K‘ung-ming from the earth. With one hand the dying man brushed away the falling tears, while with the other he grasped K‘ung-ming’s hand and said, “The end is near; I have something more to say as to a friend.” “What holy command has Your Majesty to give?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-24

若ruò嗣sì子zí可ké辅fǔ，则zé辅fǔ之zhī；如rú其qí不bù才cái，君jūn可kě自zì为wèi成chéng都dū之zhī主zhǔ。」孔kǒng明míng听tīng毕bì，汗hàn流liú遍biàn体tǐ，手shǒu足zú失shī措cuò，泣qì拜bài于yú地dì曰yuē：「臣chén安ān敢gǎn不bù竭jié股gǔ肱gōng之zhī力lì，效xiào忠zhōng贞zhēn之zhī节jié，继jì之zhī以yí死sǐ乎hū！」言yán讫qì，叩kòu头tóu流liú血xiě。

“You are many times more clever than Ts‘ao P‘ei, and you must safeguard the kingdom and complete the great work. If my son can be helped, help him. But if he prove a fool then take the throne yourself.” Such a speech almost startled K‘ung-ming out of his senses. A cold sweat broke out all over his body, and his limbs threatened to cease to support him. He fell on his knees, saying, “I could never do otherwise than wear myself to the bone in the service of your son, whom I will serve till death.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-25

先xiān主zhǔ又yòu请qíng孔kǒng明míng坐zuò于yú榻tà上shàng，唤huàn鲁lǔ王wáng刘liú永yǒng、梁liáng王wáng刘liú理lǐ近jìn前qián，分fēn付fù曰yuē：「尔ér等děng皆jiē记jì朕zhèn言yán，朕zhèn亡wáng之zhī后hòu，尔ěr兄xiōng弟dì三sān人rén，皆jiē以yǐ父fù事shì丞chéng相xiàng，不bù可kě怠dài慢màn。」言yán罢bà，遂suì命mìng二èr王wáng同tóng拜bài孔kǒng明míng。二èr王wáng拜bài毕bì，孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「臣chén虽suī肝gān脑nǎo涂tú地dì，安ān能néng报bào知zhī遇yù之zhī恩ēn也yě！」

He knocked his head upon the ground. The dying man called K‘ung-ming closer, and at the same time making his two sons come near, he said to them, “My sons, remember your father’s words. After my death you are to treat the Prime Minister as you would your father and be not remiss, for thereby you will fulfil your father’s hopes.' ” He made the two princes pay to K‘ung-ming the obeisance due to a father. Said K‘ung-ming, “Were I destroyed and ground into the earth, I should be unable to repay the kindness I have experienced.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-26

先xiān主zhǔ谓wèi众zhòng官guān曰yuē：「朕zhèn已yǐ托tuō孤gū于yú丞chéng相xiàng，令lìng嗣sì子zí以yǐ父fù事shì之zhī。卿qīng等děng俱jù不bù可kě怠dài慢màn，以yǐ负fù朕zhèn望wàng。」又yòu嘱zhǔ赵zhào云yún曰yuē：「朕zhèn与yǔ卿qīng于yú患huàn难nàn之zhī中zhōng，相xiāng从cóng到dào今jīn，不bù想xiǎng于yú此cǐ地dì分fēn别bié。卿qīng可ké想xiǎng朕zhèn故gù交jiāo，早záo晚wǎn看kàn觑qù吾wú子zǐ，勿wù负fù朕zhèn言yán。」云yún泣qì拜bài曰yuē：「臣chén敢gǎn不bú效xiào犬quán马mǎ之zhī劳láo！

Turning to the assembled officers, the First Ruler said, “As you have seen, I have confided my orphan son to the care of the Prime Minister and bidden my sons treat him as a father. You too, Sirs, are to treat him with deference. This is my dying request and charge to you.” Turning to Chao Yün, he said, “I and you have gone together through many dangers and difficulties. Now comes the parting of our ways. You will not forget our old friendship, and you must see to it that my sons follow my precepts.” “I shall never dare to give other than my best,” said Chao Yün. “The fidelity of the dog and horse is mine to give and shall be theirs.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-27

」先xiān主zhǔ又yòu谓wèi众zhòng官guān曰yuē：「卿qīng等děng众zhòng官guān，朕zhèn不bù能néng一yī一yī分fēn嘱zhǔ，愿yuàn皆jiē自zì爱ài。」言yán毕bì，驾jià崩bēng，寿shòu六liù十shí三sān岁suì：时shí章zhāng武wǔ三sān年nián四sì月yuè二èr十shí四sì日rì也yě。后hòu杜dù工gōng部bù有yǒu诗shī叹tàn曰yuē：

Then he turned to the others, “Noble Sirs, I am unable to speak to you one by one and lay a charge upon each individual; but I say to you, Maintain your self-respect.” These were his last words. He was sixty-three, and he died on the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month (223 a. d. )

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-28

蜀shú主zhǔ窥kuī吴wú向xiàng三sān峡xiá，崩bēng年nián亦yì在zài永yǒng安ān宫gōng。

The Shu lord gazed toward Wu through the Three Gorges' steep, And died within Yong'an Palace in his final sleep.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-29

翠cuì华huá想xiǎng在zài空kōng山shān外wài，玉yù殿diàn虚xū无wú野yě室shì中zhōng。

His imperial canopies now vanish in the empty hills afar, His jeweled palace fades to nothing midst the rustic huts of war.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-30

古gǔ庙miào杉shān松sōng巢cháo水shuǐ鹤hè，岁suì时shí伏fú腊là走zǒu村cūn翁wēng。

In the ancient shrine, firs and pines give nest to cranes of the stream; At the seasonal rites of summer and winter, village elders come.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-31

武wǔ侯hóu祠cí屋wū长zhǎng邻lín近jìn，一yī体tǐ君jūn臣chén祭jì祀sì同tóng。

The shrine of the Prime Minister stands ever close at hand; Lord and minister, one in spirit, share the offerings of the land.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-32

先xiān主zhǔ驾jià崩bēng，文wén武wǔ官guān僚liáo，无wú不bù哀āi伤shāng，孔kǒng明míng率lǜ众zhòng官guān奉fèng梓zǐ宫gōng还hái成chéng都dū。太tài子zi刘liú禅chán出chū城chéng迎yíng接jiē灵líng柩jiù，安ān于yú正zhèng殿diàn之zhī内nèi。举jǔ哀āi行xíng礼lǐ毕bì，开kāi读dú遗yí诏zhào。诏zhào曰yuē：

Apoem was written by Tu Fu on his death:— The king set out to destroy the land that lay through the gorges, Failed he and breathed his last in the palace “Eternal Tranquillity,” The palace fair of his thoughts lay not this side the highlands. Beautiful chambers are vainly sought in his rural temple, Now are the pines near his shrine nesting places for herons, Through the courts aged peasants saunter, enjoying their leisure, Nearby often is found a shrine to this strategist famous, Prince and minister’s needs are now but offerings in season. Thus died the First Ruler. All present lifted up their voices and wept. The Prime Minister led the procession that escorted the coffin to the capital, and the heir, Liu Ch‘an, came to the outskirts of the city, as a dutiful son should, to receive the remains with due respect. The coffin was laid in the Great Hall of the palace, wherein they lamented and performed the ceremonies appointed. At the end of these the testament was opened and read.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-33

朕zhèn初chū得dé疾jí，但dàn下xià痢lì耳ěr；后hòu转zhuǎn生shēng杂zá病bìng，殆dài不bú自zì济jì。朕zhèn闻wén「人rén年nián五wǔ十shí，不bù称chēng夭yāo寿shòu」。今jīn朕zhèn六liù十shí有yǒu余yú，死sǐ复fù何hé恨hèn。但dàn以yí汝rǔ兄xiōng弟dì为wèi念niàn耳ěr。勉miǎn之zhī！勉miǎn之zhī！勿wù以yí𫫇é小xiǎo而ér为wéi之zhī，勿wù以yǐ善shàn小xiǎo而ér不bù为wéi。惟wéi贤xián惟wéi德dé可ké以yǐ服fú人rén；汝rǔ父fù德dé薄báo，不bù足zú效xiào也yě，吾wú亡wáng之zhī后hòu，汝rú与yǔ丞chéng相xiàng从cóng事shì，事shì之zhī如rú父fù，勿wù怠dài！勿wù忘wàng！

“I first fell ill from a simple ailment. Other disorders followed, and it became evident that I should not recover. They say that death at fifty cannot be called premature, and as I have passed three score I may not resent the call. But when I think of you and your brothers I regret. Now I say to you, strive and strive again. Do no evil because it is a small evil; do not leave undone a small good because it is a small good. Only with wisdom and virtue men can be won. But your father’s virtue was but slender and unequal to the strain.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-34

汝rǔ兄xiōng弟dì更gèng求qiú闻wén达dá，至zhì嘱zhǔ！至zhì嘱zhǔ！

“After my death you are to conduct the affairs of the state with the Prime Minister. You are to treat him as a father and serve him without remissness. You and your brothers are to seek instruction. This is my final and simple command.' ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-35

群qún臣chén读dú诏zhào已yǐ毕bì。孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「国guó不bù可kě一yī日rì无wú君jūn；请qǐng立lì嗣sì君jūn，以yǐ承chéng汉hàn统tǒng。」乃nǎi立lì太tài子zi禅chán即jí皇huáng帝dì谥shì位wèi，改gǎi元yuán建jiàn兴xīng。加jiā诸zhū葛gě亮liàng为wèi武wǔ乡xiāng侯hóu，领lǐng益yì州zhōu牧mù。葬zàng先xiān主zhǔ于yú惠huì陵líng，谥shì曰yuē昭zhāo烈liè皇huáng帝dì。尊zūn皇huáng后hòu吴wú氏shì为wèi皇huáng太tài后hòu。甘gān夫fū人rén为wèi昭zhāo烈liè皇huáng后hòu。糜mí夫fū人rén亦yì追zhuī谥shì为wèi皇huáng后hòu。升shēng赏shǎng群qún臣chén，大dà赦shè天tiān下xià。

When this had been read, K‘ung-ming said, “The state cannot go a single day without a prince, wherefore I beg you to install the heir as successor to the great line of the Hans.” Thereupon the ceremony was performed, and the new Emperor took his place. The style of the reign was changed to Chien-Hsing . Chuko Liang became “Marquis of Wuhsiang and Governor of Ichou.” Then they buried the late king at Huiling with the posthumous style of Chao-Lieh Huang-ti . The Empress, of the Wu family, was formally created Empress Dowager. The late consort Kan became Chao-Lieh Empress, and the Lady Mi was granted similar, also posthumous, rank. There were promotions in rank and rewards for all, and a general amnesty was proclaimed.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-36

早záo有yǒu魏wèi军jūn探tàn知zhī此cǐ事shì，报bào入rù中zhōng原yuán。近jìn臣chén奏zòu知zhī魏wèi主zhǔ。曹cáo丕pī大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi已yǐ亡wáng，朕zhèn无wú忧yōu矣yǐ。何hé不bù乘chéng其qí国guó中zhōng无wú主zhǔ，起qǐ兵bīng伐fá之zhī？」贾jiá诩xǔ谏jiàn曰yuē：「刘liú备bèi亡wáng，必bì托tuō孤gū于yú诸zhū葛gě亮liàng。亮liàng感gǎn备bèi知zhī遇yù之zhī恩ēn，必bì倾qīng心xīn竭jié力lì，扶fú持chí嗣sì主zhǔ。陛bì下xià不bù可kě仓cāng卒cù伐fá之zhī。

Before long, knowledge of these things came to the army of Wei, and a report was sent to the capital and made known to the Prince of Wei. Ts‘ao P‘ei felt relieved and was glad of the death of his rival, and his thoughts at once turned toward an attack during the critical moment of a change of ruler.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-37

」正zhèng言yán间jiān，忽hū一yī人rén从cóng班bān部bù中zhōng奋fèn然rán而ér出chū曰yuē：「不bù乘chéng此cǐ时shí进jìn兵bīng，更gèng待dài何hé时shí？」众zhòng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi司sī马mǎ懿yì也yě。丕pī大dà喜xǐ，遂suì问wèn计jì于yú懿yì。懿yì曰yuē：「若ruò只zhí起qǐ中zhōng国guó之zhī兵bīng，急jí难nàn取qǔ胜shèng。须xū用yòng五wǔ路lù大dà兵bīng，四sì麺miàn夹jiā攻gōng，令lìng诸zhū葛gě亮liàng首shóu尾wěi不bù能néng救jiù应yīng，然rán后hòu可kě图tú。」

But Chia Hsü dissuaded him. “Liu Pei is gone, but surely he has confided the care of the state to Chuko Liang, who is indebted to him so deeply. He will exhaust every effort to support his young lord. You may not hastily attack.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-38

丕pī问wèn何hé五wǔ路lù。懿yì曰yuē：「可kě修xiū书shū一yī封fēng，差chāi使shí往wǎng辽liáo东dōng鲜xiān卑bēi国guó王wáng轲kē比bǐ能néng，赂lù以yǐ金jīn帛bó，令lìng起qǐ辽liáo西xī羌qiāng兵bīng十shí万wàn，先xiān从cóng旱hàn路lù取qǔ西xī平píng关guān：此cǐ一yī路lù也yě。再zài修xiū书shū遣qián使shǐ赍jī官guān诰gào赏shǎng赐cì，直zhí入rù南nán蛮mán见jiàn蛮mán王wáng孟mèng获huò，令lìng起qǐ兵bīng十shí万wàn，攻gōng打dǎ益yì州zhōu、永yǒng昌chāng、牂zāng牁kē、越yuè隽juàn四sì郡jùn，以yǐ击jī西xī川chuān之zhī南nán：此cǐ二èr路lù也yě。

As he tendered this remonstrance, a man suddenly stepped out from the serried ranks of courtiers and said fiercely, “If you neglect this moment can you expect a more favourable opportunity?” All eyes turned to the speaker; it was Ssŭma I. The interruption greatly pleased P‘ei, who at once asked how it was to be done. He propounded his plan in the following speech:— “It would be very difficult to obtain success with our own resources. Hence we must use five armies and attack all round at the same time, so as to embarrass Chuko Liang.” “Where are the five armies to come from?” said Ts‘ao P‘ei.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-39

再zài遣qián使shǐ入rù吴wú修xiū好hǎo，许xú以yǐ割gē地dì，令lìng孙sūn权quán起qǐ兵bīng十shí万wàn，攻gōng两liǎng川chuān夹jiā口kǒu，径jìng取qǔ涪fú城chéng：此cǐ三sān路lù也yě。又yòu可ké遣qián使shǐ至zhì降jiàng将jiāng孟mèng达dá处chù，起qǐ上shàng庸yōng兵bīng十shí万wàn，西xī攻gōng汉hàn中zhōng：此cǐ四sì路lù也yě。然rán后hòu命mìng大dà将jiāng军jūn曹cáo真zhēn为wéi大dà都dū督dū，提tí兵bīng十shí万wàn，由yóu京jīng兆zhào径jìng出chū阳yáng平píng关guān取qǔ西xī川chuān：此cí五wǔ路lù也yě。共gòng大dà兵bīng五wǔ十shí万wàn，五wǔ路lù并bìng进jìn。

Ssŭma went on, “The first is to be got from Liaotung, from the Hsian-pi country (Inner Mongolia). You must write to Prince K‘opinêng and send him presents of gold and silks so that he may send ten legions of the Ch‘iang (Tanguts) from Liaohsi to attack Hsip‘ing Pass. Secondly, the present prince of the Man Tribes, Mênghuo, must be persuaded to attack the south of Hsich'üan, the districts of Ichou, Jungch‘ang, Tsangko and Yüehchien. Thirdly, you must send an ambassador to Wu with fair promises of an increase of territory, and so induce Sun Ch'üan to lead ten legions to the attack, making Fouch'êng his objective. The fourth army can be got from Mêng Ta in Shangyung, who can attack Hanchung. Lastly, our own force may be placed under Ts‘ao Chên, who will attack by way of Yangping Pass. With fifty legions making a simultaneous attack along five different directions, it would be hard for Chuko Liang to hold his own even if he had the talent of Lü Wang (T‘ai Kung) himself.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-40

诸zhū葛gě亮liàng便biàn有yóu吕lǚ望wàng之zhī才cái，安ān能néng当dāng此cǐ乎hū？」丕pī大dà喜xǐ，随suí即jí密mì遣qiǎn能néng言yán官guān四sì员yuán为wèi使shǐ前qián去qù；又yòu命mìng曹cáo真zhēn为wéi大dà都dū督dū，领lǐng兵bīng十shí万wàn，迳jìng取qǔ阳yáng平píng关guān。此cǐ时shí张zhāng辽liáo等děng一yī班bān旧jiù将jiāng，皆jiē封fēng列liè侯hóu，俱jù在zài冀jì、徐xú、青qīng及jí合hé淝féi等děng处chù，据jù守shǒu关guān津jīn隘ài口kǒu，故gù不bú复fù调diào用yòng。

The scheme delighted Ts‘ao P‘ei, who at once cast about for four glib-tongued messengers. He also issued a commission to Ts‘ao Chên as Commander-in-chief. At this time Chang Liao and most others of the veterans who had served Ts‘ao Ts‘ao were enjoying their leisure in various parts of the country, and as nobles were keeping watch and ward at certain passes and fords and such places. Their appointments were more or less sinecures. They were not summoned for this expedition to the west.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-41

却què说shuō蜀shǔ汉hàn后hòu主zhǔ刘liú禅chán，自zì即jí位wèi以yǐ来lái，旧jiù臣chén多duō有yǒu病bìng亡wáng者zhě，不bù能néng细xì说shuō。凡fán一yī应yīng朝cháo廷tíng、选xuán法fǎ、钱qián粮liáng、词cí讼sòng等děng事shì，皆jiē听tīng诸zhū葛gě丞chéng相xiàng裁cái处chǔ。时shí后hòu主zhǔ未wèi立lì皇huáng后hòu。孔kǒng明míng与yǔ群qún臣chén上shàng言yán曰yuē：「故gù车chē骑qí将jiāng军jūn张zhāng飞fēi之zhī女nǚ甚shèn贤xián，年nián十shí七qī岁suì，可kě纳nà为wèi正zhèng宫gōng皇huáng后hòu。」后hòu主zhǔ即jí纳nà之zhī。

Although all the details of what came to pass in Shu after the accession of the Second King Liu Ch‘an need not be told yet it may be noted that many of those who had served his father died after the decease of their master. The work of the administration of the kingdom, the choice of officials, law-making, taxation, decision of legal cases, was all done by the Prime Minister. As the new king had no consort, the courtiers, headed by K‘ung-ming, proposed a daughter of the late Chang Fei as young and prudent, and she was married to the Emperor and so became Empress.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-42

建jiàn兴xīng元yuán年nián秋qiū八bā月yuè，忽hū有yǒu边biān报bào说shuō：「魏wèi调diào五wǔ路lù大dà兵bīng，来lái取qǔ西xī川chuān：第dì一yī路lù，曹cáo真zhēn为wéi大dà都dū督dū，起qǐ兵bīng十shí万wàn，取qǔ阳yáng平píng关guān；第dì二èr路lù，乃nái反fǎn将jiāng孟mèng达dá，起qǐ上shàng庸yōng兵bīng十shí万wàn，犯fàn汉hàn中zhōng；第dì三sān路lù，乃nǎi东dōng吴wú孙sūn权quán，起qǐ精jīng兵bīng十shí万wàn，取qǔ峡xiá口kǒu入rù川chuān；第dì四sì路lù，乃nǎi蛮mán王wáng孟mèng获huò，起qǐ蛮mán兵bīng十shí万wàn，犯fàn益yì州zhōu四sì郡jùn；

It was in the autumn of the year of his accession that the Later Ruler heard of the plans and intentions of Wei against his state. The persons who told him gave him full details of the five armies and said they had previously told the Prime Minister.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-43

第dì五wǔ路lù，乃nǎi番fān王wáng轲kē比bǐ能néng，起qǐ羌qiāng兵bīng十shí万wàn，犯fàn西xī平píng关guān－此cí五wǔ路lù军jūn马mǎ，甚shèn是shì利lì害hài。已yǐ先xiān报bào知zhī丞chéng相xiàng，丞chéng相xiàng不bù知zhī为wèi何hé，数shù日rì不bù出chū视shì事shì。」后hòu主zhǔ听tīng罢bà大dà惊jīng，即jí差chà近jìn侍shì赍jī旨zhǐ，宣xuān召zhào孔kǒng明míng入rù朝cháo。使shǐ命mìng去qù了le半bàn日rì，「回huí报bào丞chéng相xiàng府fǔ下xià人rén言yán，丞chéng相xiàng染rǎn病bìng不bù出chū。」后hòu主zhú转zhuǎn慌huāng；

“But his conduct puzzles us,” said the informers. “We do not know why he does not take some action instead of remaining shut up in his palace all the time.” The Later Ruler became really alarmed, and he sent one of his personal attendants to call the Prime Minister to court. The servant was gone a long time, and then returned to say that the servants had told him the Prime Minister was ill and not to be seen.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-44

次cì日rì，又yòu命mìng黄huáng门mén侍shì郎láng董dóng允yǔn、谏jiàn议yì大dà夫fū杜dù琼qióng，去qù丞chéng相xiàng卧wò榻tà前qián，告gào此cǐ大dà事shì。董dǒng、杜dù二èr人rén，到dào丞chéng相xiàng府fǔ前qián，皆jiē不bù得dé入rù。杜dù琼qióng曰yuē：「先xiān帝dì托tuō孤gū于yú丞chéng相xiàng，今jīn主zhǔ上shàng初chū登dēng宝bǎo位wèi，被bèi曹cáo丕pī五wǔ路lù兵bīng犯fàn境jìng，军jūn情qíng至zhì急jí，丞chéng相xiàng何hé故gù推tuī病bìng不bù出chū？」良liáng久jiǔ，门mén吏lì传chuán丞chéng相xiàng令lìng，言yán：「病bìng体tǐ稍shāo可kě，明míng早zǎo出chū都dōu堂táng议yì事shì。

The young Emperor’s distress increased, and he sent two high officers to K‘ung-ming, saying they were to see him even if he was on his couch and tell him the dreadful news of invasion. They went; but they got no farther than the gate. The keepers of the gate refused them admission. Then they confided their message in brief to the wardens of the gate, who went inside with it. After keeping them waiting a long time the wardens returned to say that the Prime Minister was rather better and would be at court in the morning. The two messengers sighed deeply as they wended their way to the Emperor’s palace.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-45

」董dǒng、杜dù二èr人rén叹tàn息xī而ér回huí。次cì日rì，多duō官guān又yòu来lái丞chéng相xiàng府fǔ前qián伺cì侯hòu。从cóng早zǎo至zhì晚wǎn，又yòu不bú见jiàn出chū。众zhòng官guān惶huáng惶huáng，只zhǐ得dé散sàn去qù。杜dù琼qióng入rù奏zòu后hòu主zhǔ曰yuē：「请qǐng陛bì下xià圣shèng驾jià，亲qīn往wǎng丞chéng相xiàng府fǔ问wèn计jì。」后hòu主zhǔ即jí引yǐn多duō官guān入rù宫gōng，启qǐ皇huáng太tài后hòu。太tài后hòu大dà惊jīng，曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng何hé故gù如rú此cǐ？有yǒu负fù先xiān帝dì委wěi托tuō之zhī情qíng也yě！我wǒ当dāng自zì往wǎng。

Next morning a great crowd of officers assembled at the gate of the Prime Minister’s residence to wait for him to appear. But he did not come out. It began to grow late, and many of them were tired of waiting, when at last Tu Ch‘iung, one of the two who had been sent to tell K‘ung-ming why his presence was desired at council, went again to the Emperor and suggested that His Majesty should go in person and try to get K‘ung-ming to say what should be done. The Emperor then returned to his palace and told his Consort his trouble. She was also alarmed. “What can he mean?” said she. “This does not look like acting in the spirit of the charge laid upon him by the late Emperor. Let me go myself.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-46

」董dóng允yǔn奏zòu曰yuē：「娘niáng娘niáng未wèi可kě轻qīng往wǎng。臣chén料liào丞chéng相xiàng必bì有yóu有yǒu高gāo明míng之zhī见jiàn。且qiě待dài主zhǔ上shàng先xiān往wǎng。如rú果guǒ怠dài慢màn，请qǐng娘niáng娘niáng于yú太tài庙miào中zhōng，召zhào丞chéng相xiàng问wèn之zhī未wèi迟chí。」太tài后hòu依yī奏zòu。

“Oh no,” said Tung Yün. “Your Majesty must not go. We think all is well, and the Prime Minister certainly understands and will do something. Beside, you must let His Majesty go first, and if the Prime Minister still shows remissness then Your Majesty can summon him to the Temple of the Dynasty and ask him.” So it was left at that. And the next day the Emperor rode in his chariot to the gate of his minister. When the doorkeepers saw the imperial chariot appear they fell upon their faces to welcome the Emperor.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-47

次cì日rì，后hòu主zhǔ车chē驾jià亲qīn至zhì相xiāng府fǔ。门mén吏lì见jiàn驾jià到dào，慌huāng忙máng拜bài伏fú于yú地dì而ér迎yíng。后hòu主zhǔ问wèn曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng在zài何hé处chù？」门mén吏lì曰yuē：「不bù知zhī在zài何hé处chù。只zhí有yǒu丞chéng相xiàng钧jūn旨zhǐ，教jiào挡dǎng住zhù百bǎi官guān，勿wù得dé辄zhé入rù。」后hòu主zhú乃nǎi下xià车chē步bù行xíng，独dú进jìn第dì三sān重chóng门mén，见jiàn孔kǒng明míng独dú倚yǐ竹zhú杖zhàng，在zài小xiǎo池chí边biān观guān鱼yú。

“Where is the Prime Minister?” asked he. “We do not know. But we have orders not to let in the crowd of officers.” The Emperor then descended and went on foot right in to the third gate. Then he saw K‘ung-ming leaning on a staff beside a fishpond looking at the fish. He approached, and stood behind him for a long time. Presently the king said slowly and with dignity, “Is the Prime Minister really enjoying himself?” K‘ung-ming started and looked round. When he saw who the speaker was he suddenly dropped his staff and prostrated himself. “I ought to be put to death ten thousand times,” said he. But the Emperor put forth his hand and helped him to rise, saying, “Ts‘ao P‘ei threatens immediate invasion from five points; why will you not come forth and attend to business?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-48

后hòu主zhǔ在zài后hòu立lì久jiǔ，乃nǎi徐xú徐xú而ér言yán曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng安ān乐lè否fǒu？」孔kǒng明míng回huí顾gù，见jiàn是shì后hòu主zhǔ，慌huāng忙máng弃qì杖zhàng，拜bài伏fú于yú地dì曰yuē：「臣chén该gāi万wàn死sǐ！」后hòu主zhǔ扶fú起qǐ，问wèn曰yuē；「今jīn曹cáo丕pī分fēn兵bīng五wǔ路lù，犯fàn境jìng甚shèn急jí，相xiāng父fù缘yuán何hé不bù肯kěn出chū府fǔ视shì事shì？」孔kǒng明míng大dà笑xiào，扶fú后hòu主zhǔ入rù内nèi室shì坐zuò定dìng，奏zòu曰yuē：「五wǔ路lù兵bīng至zhì，臣chén安ān得dé不bù知zhī？

Kʻung-ming laughed. He conducted the Emperor into an inner room, and, when he was seated, K‘ung-ming addressed his king, saying, “Could it be possible that I was ignorant of these five armies? I was not looking at the fish; I was thinking.” “But, this being so, what shall we do?” “I have already turned back that K‘opinêng, of the Tanguts, and Mênghuo of the Man and the rebel leader Mêng Ta and the army from Wei. I have also thought out a plan to circumvent the army from Wu, but I need a special sort of man to carry it out. I want an envoy, an able talker, one capable of persuading other people. It was because I have not found such a man yet that I was so deeply in thought. But Your Majesty may set your mind at rest and not be anxious.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-49

臣chén非fēi观guān鱼yú，有yóu所suǒ思sī也yě。」后hòu主zhǔ曰yuē：「如rú之zhī奈nài何hé？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「羌qiāng王wáng轲kē比bǐ能néng，蛮mán王wáng孟mèng获huò，反fǎn将jiāng孟mèng达dá，魏wèi将jiāng曹cáo真zhēn：此cǐ四sì路lù兵bīng，臣chén已yǐ皆jiē退tuì去qù了le也yě。止zhí有yǒu孙sūn权quán这zhè一yī路lù兵bīng，臣chén已yí有yǒu退tuì兵bīng之zhī计jì，但dàn须xū一yī能néng言yán之zhī人rén为wéi使shǐ。因yīn未wèi得dé其qí人rén，故gù熟shú思sī之zhī。陛bì下xià何hé必bì忧yōu乎hū？」

The Later Ruler heard this half terrified and half glad. “Surely your superhuman devices are too deep for mortal man. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-50

后hòu主zhǔ听tīng罢bà，又yòu惊jīng又yòu喜xǐ，曰yuē：「相xiāng父fù果guó有yóu鬼guǐ神shén不bú测cè之zhī机jī也yě！愿yuàn闻wén退tuì兵bīng之zhī策cè。」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「先xiān帝dì以yǐ陛bì下xià付fù托tuō与yǔ臣chén，臣chén安ān敢gǎn旦dàn夕xī怠dài慢màn？成chéng都dū众zhòng官guān，皆jiē不bù晓xiǎo兵bīng法fǎ之zhī妙miào，贵guì在zài使shǐ人rén不bú测cè，岂qí可kě泄xiè漏lòu于yú人rén？老lǎo臣chén先xiān知zhī西xī番fān国guó王wáng轲kē比bǐ能néng，引yǐn兵bīng犯fàn西xī平píng关guān；

The Later Ruler heard this half terrified and half glad. “Surely your superhuman devices are too deep for mortal man. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-51

臣chén料liào马mǎ超chāo积jī祖zǔ西xī川chuān人rén氏shì，素sù得dé羌qiāng人rén之zhī心xīn，羌qiāng人rén以yǐ超chāo为wèi神shén威wēi大dà将jiāng军jūn；臣chén已yǐ先xiān遣qiǎn一yī人rén，星xīng夜yè驰chí檄xí，令lìng马mǎ超chāo紧jín守shǒu西xī平píng关guān，伏fú四sì路lù奇qí兵bīng，每měi日rì交jiāo换huàn，以yǐ兵bīng拒jù之zhī：此cǐ一yī路lù不bú必bì忧yōu矣yǐ。又yòu南nán蛮mán孟mèng获huò，兵bīng犯fàn四sì邵shào，臣chén亦yì飞fēi檄xí遣qiǎn魏wèi延yán领lǐng一yī军jūn左zuǒ出chū右yòu入rù，右yòu出chū左zuǒ入rù，为wèi疑yí兵bīng之zhī计jì；

K‘ung-ming started and looked round. When he saw who the speaker was he suddenly dropped his staff and prostrated himself. “I ought to be put to death ten thousand times,” said he. But the Emperor put forth his hand and helped him to rise, saying, “Ts‘ao P‘ei threatens immediate invasion from five points; why will you not come forth and attend to business?” Kʻung-ming laughed. He conducted the Emperor into an inner room, and, when he was seated, K‘ung-ming addressed his king, saying, “Could it be possible that I was ignorant of these five armies? I was not looking at the fish; I was thinking.” “But, this being so, what shall we do?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-52

蛮mán兵bīng惟wéi勇yǒng力lì，其qí心xīn多duō疑yí，若ruò见jiàn疑yí兵bīng，必bì不bù敢gǎn进jìn：此cǐ一yī路lù又yòu不bù足zú忧yōu矣yǐ。又yòu知zhī孟mèng达dá引yǐn兵bīng出chū汉hàn中zhōng；孟mèng达dá与yú李lǐ严yán曾céng结jié生shēng死sǐ之zhī交jiāo；臣chén回huí成chéng都dū时shí，留liú李lǐ严yán守shóu永yǒng安ān宫gōng；臣chén已yǐ作zuò一yī书shū，只zhǐ做zuò李lǐ严yán亲qīn笔bǐ，令lìng人rén送sòng与yǔ孟mèng达dá；达dá必bì然rán推tuī病bìng不bù出chū，以yǐ慢màn军jūn心xīn：此cǐ一yī路lù又yòu不bù足zú忧yōu矣yǐ。又yòu知zhī曹cáo真zhēn引yǐn兵bīng犯fàn阳yáng平píng关guān；

“I have already turned back that K‘opinêng, of the Tanguts, and Mênghuo of the Man and the rebel leader Mêng Ta and the army from Wei. I have also thought out a plan to circumvent the army from Wu, but I need a special sort of man to carry it out. I want an envoy, an able talker, one capable of persuading other people. It was because I have not found such a man yet that I was so deeply in thought. But Your Majesty may set your mind at rest and not be anxious.” The Later Ruler heard this half terrified and half glad. “Surely your superhuman devices are too deep for mortal man. But may I ask how these armies have been made to turn back.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-53

此cǐ地dì险xiǎn峻jùn，可ké以yí保báo守shǒu，臣chén已yǐ调diào赵zhào云yún引yǐn一yī军jūn守shóu把bǎ关guān隘ài，并bìng不bù出chū战zhàn；曹cáo真zhēn若ruò见jiàn我wǒ军jūn不bù出chū，不bù久jiǔ自zì退tuì矣yǐ。此cǐ四sì路lù兵bīng俱jù不bù足zú忧yōu。臣chén尚shàng恐kǒng不bù能néng全quán保bǎo，又yòu密mì调diào关guān兴xīng、张zhāng苞bāo二èr将jiāng，各gè引yǐn兵bīng三sān万wàn，屯tún于yú紧jǐn要yào之zhī处chù，为wèi各gè路lù救jiù应yīng。此cǐ数shù处chù调diào遣qiǎn之zhī事shì，皆jiē不bù曾céng经jīng由yóu成chéng都dū，故gù无wú人rén知zhī觉jué。

Since His late Majesty bade me take the best care of your welfare, I dare not be remiss for a single moment. These officers in Ch'êngtu are ignorant of that refinement of war which consists in not allowing the enemy to guess your plans. How could I let them know anything? When I heard that the Tanguts might invade, I remembered that Ma Ch‘ao’s fore fathers were friendly with them and they had a high opinion of Ma Ch‘ao, thinking him a leader of supreme prestige. So I sent orders by despatch to Ma Ch‘ao to hold the Hsip‘ing Pass, and to prepare ambushes in certain places and change them daily so as to keep the Ch‘iang off. That settled them. I sent hastily to the south to order Wei Yen to move certain bodies of men about through the south-west districts, to be seen and then to disappear, to go in and come out and march to and fro, so that the Mans should be perplexed. The Mans are brave, but prone to doubts and hesitations, and they would not advance in the face of the unknown. Hence there is nothing to fear in that quarter. I also knew that Mêng Ta and our Li Yen were sworn friends. I had left him in charge of the Palace of Eternal Tranquillity. I then wrote a letter as if from Li to Mêng, so that I know Mêng will feign illness and not move his army. I sent Chao Yün to occupy all the strategical positions on the way by which Ts‘ao Chên would march, and bade him defend only and not go out to battle. If our men refuse to come out, Ts‘ao Chên will certainly have to retire. So all those four are settled. But for greater security I have sent your two cousins each with three legions to camp at points whence they can quickly help any of the others who may need it. And none of these arrangements are known here.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-54

只zhí有yǒu东dōng吴wú这zhè一yī路lù兵bīng，未wèi必bì便biàn动dòng：如rú见jiàn四sì路lù兵bīng胜shèng，川chuān中zhōng危wēi急jí，必bì来lái相xiāng攻gōng；若ruò四sì路lù不bú济jì，安ān肯kěn动dòng乎hū？臣chén料liào孙sūn权quán想xiǎng曹cáo丕pī三sān路lù侵qīn吴wú之zhī怨yuàn，必bì不bù肯kěn从cóng其qí言yán。虽suī然rán如rú此cǐ，须xū用yòng一yī舌shé辩biàn之zhī士shì，迳jìng往wǎng东dōng吴wú，以yǐ利lì害hài说shuō之zhī，则zé先xiān退tuì东dōng吴wú；其qí四sì路lù之zhī兵bīng，何hé足zú忧yōu乎hū？但dàn未wèi得dé说shuō吴wú之zhī人rén，臣chén故gù踌chóu躇chú。

“Now there is only Wu left to deal with. Had the other four succeeded and Shu been in danger, Sun Ch'üan would have come to the attack. If the others fail I know he will not budge, for he will remember that Ts‘ao P‘ei has just sent three armies to attack his country. And this being so, I want some man with a ready tongue and ingenious mind to go and talk plainly to Sun Ch'üan. So far I have not found such a man, and I am perplexed. I regret that I have given Your Majesty occasion to make this journey.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-55

何hé劳láo陛bì下xià圣shèng驾jià来lái临lín？」后hòu主zhǔ曰yuē：「太tài后hòu亦yì欲yù来lái见jiàn相xiāng父fù。今jīn朕zhèn闻wén相xiāng父fù之zhī言yán，如rú梦mèng初chū觉jué，复fù何hé忧yōu哉zāi！」

“My Consort also wanted to come,” said the Emperor. “But now you have spoken, O Minister-Father, I am as one awakened from a dream; I shall grieve no more.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-56

孔kǒng明míng与yǔ后hòu主zhǔ共gòng饮yǐn数shù杯bēi，送sòng后hòu主zhǔ出chū府fǔ。众zhòng官guān皆jiē环huán立lì于yú门mén外wài，见jiàn后hòu主zhǔ麺miàn有yóu喜xǐ色sè。后hòu主zhǔ别bié了le孔kǒng明míng，上shàng御yù车chē回huí朝cháo。众zhòng皆jiē疑yí惑huò不bú定dìng。孔kǒng明míng见jiàn众zhòng官guān中zhōng，一yī人rén仰yǎng天tiān而ér笑xiào，麺miàn亦yì有yóu喜xǐ色sè。孔kǒng明míng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi义yì阳yáng新xīn野yě人rén：姓xìng邓dèng，名míng芝zhī，字zì伯bó苗miáo；现xiàn为wèi户hù部bú尚shàng书shū；汉hàn司sī马mǎ邓dèng禹yǔ之zhī后hòu。孔kǒng明míng暗àn令lìng人rén留liú住zhù邓dèng芝zhī。

They two drank a few cups of wine together, and the minister escorted his master to his chariot. A ring of courtiers were waiting, and they could not help remarking the happiness that shone in their master’s face. The Emperor took his leave and returned to his palace, but the courtiers did not know what to think. Now K‘ung-ming had noted a certain man among the crowd who smiled and looked quite happy. He looked at him intently and then recollected his name, which was Têng Chih, a man of reputable ancestry, who came from Hsinyeh. He sent a man privately to detain Têng, and when all the others had gone, K‘ung-ming led him into the library for a chat. Presently he came to the matter near his heart.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-57

多duō官guān皆jiē散sàn。孔kǒng明míng请qǐng芝zhī到dào书shū院yuàn中zhōng，问wèn芝zhī曰yuē：「今jīn蜀shǔ、魏wèi、吴wú鼎dǐng分fēn三sān国guó，欲yù讨tǎo二èr国guó，一yī统tǒng中zhōng兴xīng，当dāng先xiān伐fá何hé国guó？」芝zhī曰yuē：「以yǐ愚yú意yì论lùn之zhī，魏wèi虽suī汉hàn贼zéi，其qí势shì甚shèn大dà，急jí难nàn摇yáo动dòng，当dāng徐xú徐xú缓huǎn图tú。今jīn主zhǔ上shàng初chū登dēng宝bǎo位wèi，民mín心xīn未wèi安ān，当dāng与yǔ东dōng吴wú连lián合hé结jié为wèi唇chún齿chǐ，一yī洗xǐ先xiān帝dì旧jiù怨yuàn，此cí乃nǎi长cháng久jiǔ之zhī计jì也yě。

“The three states have become a fact,” said he. “Now if our state wanted to absorb the other two and restore the condition of one rule, which country should it attack first?” “Though Wei is the real rebel, yet Wei is strong and would be very difficult to overthrow. Any move against it would have to develop slowly. As our Emperor has but lately succeeded his father and the people are none too decided in his favour, I should propose a treaty of mutual defence with Wu. This would obliterate the enmity of His late Majesty and would have important results. However, you, Sir, may have another opinion. What is it?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-58

未wèi审shěn丞chéng相xiàng钧jūn意yì若ruò何hé。」孔kǒng明míng大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「吾wú思sī之zhī久jiú矣yǐ，奈nài未wèi得dé其qí人rén，今jīn日rì方fāng得dé也yě！」芝zhī曰yuē：「丞chéng相xiàng欲yù其qí人rén何hé为wéi？」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「吾wú欲yù使shǐ人rén往wǎng结jié东dōng吴wú。公gōng既jì能néng明míng此cǐ意yì，必bì能néng不bù辱rǔ君jūn命mìng。使shǐ吴wú之zhī任rèn，非fēi公gōng不bù可kě。」芝zhī曰yuē：「愚yú才cái智zhì浅qiǎn，恐kǒng不bù堪kān当dāng此cǐ重zhòng任rèn。

“That is what I have been thinking of this long time, but I had not the man for the task. Now I have found him.” “What do you want a man to do?” “I want him to go as envoy to Wu to negotiate such a treaty. As you understand the position so well you will surely do honour to your prince’s commission as envoy. There is no other who would succeed.” “I fear I am not equal to such a task: I am not clever enough and too ignorant.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-59

」孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「吾wú来lái日rì奏zòu知zhī天tiān子zi，便biàn请qǐng伯bó苗miáo一yī行xíng，切qiè勿wù推tuī辞cí。」芝zhī应yīng允yǔn而ér退tuì。至zhì次cì日rì，孔kǒng明míng奏zòu准zhǔn后hòu主zhǔ，差chà邓dèng芝zhī往wǎng说shuō东dōng吴wú。芝zhī拜bài辞cí，望wàng东dōng吴wú而ér来lái。正zhèng是shì：

Iwill inform the Emperor to-morrow and beg him to appoint you. Of course you will accept.” Têng Chih consented and then took his leave. As promised, K‘ung-ming memorialised, and the Emperor consented that the mission should be entrusted to Têng Chih. And he started. The din of war will cease in Wu, When Shu’s desires are known. For the success or failure of this mission read the next chapter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

85-60

吴wú人rén方fāng见jiàn干gān戈gē息xī，蜀shú使shǐ还hái将jiāng玉yù帛bó通tōng。

The men of Wu had just seen weapons laid to rest, When Shu's envoy came with gifts of jade and silk, as guests unblessed.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

85-61

未wèi知zhī邓dèng芝zhī此cǐ去qù若ruò何hé，且qiě看kàn下xià文wén分fēn解jiě。

But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated