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

第dì八bā十shí六liù回huí 难nán张zhāng温wēn秦qín宓mì逞chěng天tiān辩biàn　　破pò曹cáo丕pī徐xú盛shèng用yòng火huǒ攻gōng

86-1

却què说shuō东dōng吴wú陆lù逊xùn自zì退tuì魏wèi兵bīng之zhī后hòu，吴wú王wáng拜bài逊xùn为wèi辅fǔ国guó将jiāng军jūn江jiāng陵líng侯hóu，领lǐng荆jīng州zhōu牧mù；自zì此cǐ军jūn权quán皆jiē归guī于yú逊xùn。张zhāng昭zhāo、顾gù雍yōng启qǐ奏zòu吴wú王wáng，请qǐng自zì改gǎi元yuán。权quán从cóng之zhī，遂suì改gǎi为wéi黄huáng武wǔ元yuán年nián。忽hū报bào魏wèi主zhú遣qián使shǐ至zhì，权quán召zhào入rù。使shǐ命mìng陈chén说shuō：「蜀shǔ前qián使shǐ人rén求qiú于yú魏wèi，魏wèi一yī时shí不bù明míng，故gù发fā兵bīng应yīng之zhī；

After his recent exploits Lu Hsün became the one hero of Wu. He was given the title “Pillar of the State,” was ennobled as “Marquis of Chiangling,” and received the Governorship of Chingchou. He became commander of all the military forces. Chang Chao and Ku Yung, thinking the moment opportune for enhancing their lord’s dignity, sent in a memorial proposing that his rule should be designated by a distinctive style, and he assumed Huang-Wu as his nien-hao . Then arrived a messenger from Wei, and he was called in to an assembly and bidden to state his business. He said, “Recently Shu sent to Wei for help, and, the situation being misunderstood, a force was despatched. Now this action is greatly regretted. In Wei it is thought desirable to set four armies in motion against Shu to capture it, and if Wu will assist, and success crown these efforts, Wei and Wu will share the conquered territory.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-2

今jīn已yǐ大dà悔huǐ，欲yù起qǐ四sì路lù兵bīng取qǔ川chuān，东dōng吴wú可kě来lái接jiē应yīng。若ruò得dé蜀shú土tǔ，各gè分fēn一yí半bàn。」权quán闻wén言yán，不bù能néng决jué，乃nǎi问wèn于yú张zhāng昭zhāo、顾gù雍yōng等děng。昭zhāo曰yuē：「陆lù伯bó言yán极jí有yǒu高gāo见jiàn，可kě问wèn之zhī。」权quán即jí召zhào陆lù逊xùn至zhì。逊xùn至zhì，奏zòu曰yuē：「曹cáo丕pī坐zuò镇zhèn中zhōng原yuán，急jí不bù可kě图tú；今jīn若ruò不bù从cóng，必bì为wèi雠chóu矣yǐ。臣chén料liào魏wèi与yǔ吴wú皆jiē无wú诸zhū葛gě亮liàng之zhī敌dí手shǒu。

Sun Ch'üan listened, but was not prepared to give a decided answer. He betook himself to his counsellors, who suggested that the sapient Lu Hsün should be consulted. So he was called, and his speech ran thus:— “Ts‘ao P‘ei is too firmly established in the capital to be upset now, and if this offer of his be refused we shall provoke his enmity. Neither Wei nor Wu, so far as I see, has any man fit to oppose Chuko Liang. We must perforce consent and put our army in order. But we can wait till we see how the four armies speed. If Shu seems likely to fall and Chuko Liang is out-manoeuvred, then our army can be despatched and we will take the capital. If the four armies fail we shall have to consider.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-3

今jīn且qié勉mián强qiǎng应yīng允yǔn，整zhěng军jūn预yù备bèi，只zhǐ探tàn听tīng四sì路lù如rú何hé。若ruò四sì路lù兵bīng胜shèng，川chuān中zhōng危wēi急jí，诸zhū葛gě亮liàng首shóu尾wěi不bù能néng救jiù，主zhǔ上shàng则zé发fā兵bīng以yǐ应yīng之zhī，先xiān取qǔ成chéng都dū，此cǐ为wèi上shàng策cè；如rú四sì路lù兵bīng败bài，别bié作zuò商shāng议yì。」权quán从cóng之zhī，乃nǎi谓wèi魏wèi使shǐ曰yuē：「军jūn需xū未wèi办bàn，择zé日rì便biàn当dāng起qǐ程chéng。」使shí者zhě拜bài辞cí而ér去qù。

So Sun Ch'üan said to the envoy of Wei, “We are not ready at the moment, so we will choose a day to start later.' And with this answer the envoy left.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-4

权quán令lìng人rén探tàn得dé西xī番fān兵bīng出chū西xī平píng关guān，见jiàn了le马mǎ超chāo，不bú战zhàn自zì退tuì；南nán蛮mán孟mèng获huò起qǐ兵bīng攻gōng四sì郡jùn，皆jiē被bèi魏wèi延yán用yòng疑yí兵bīng计jì杀shā退tuì回huí洞dòng去qù了le；上shàng庸yōng孟mèng达dá兵bīng至zhì半bàn路lù，忽hū然rán染rǎn病bìng不bù能néng行xíng；曹cáo真zhēn兵bīng出chū阳yáng平píng关guān，赵zhào子zi龙lóng拒jù住zhù各gè处chù险xiǎn道dào，果guǒ然rán一yī将jiāng守shǒu关guān，万wàn夫fū莫mò开kāi。曹cáo真zhēn屯tún兵bīng于yú斜xié谷gǔ道dào，不bù能néng取qǔ胜shèng而ér回huí。

Next they made careful enquiries about the success or failure of the armies against Shu. They heard that the western tribes had turned back when they saw Ma Ch‘ao in command at Hsip‘ing Pass. The Mans had been perplexed at the tactics of Wei Yen and had retreated to their caves. The Shangyung leader, Mêng Ta, had set out, but half way had fallen ill and gone back, and Ts‘ao Chên’s army had been brought to a halt by the defensive preparations of Chao Yün, who had garrisoned every pass and occupied every point of vantage. They had eventually retreated, after being camped in Hsiehku for some time.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-5

孙sūn权quán知zhī了liáo此cǐ信xìn，乃nǎi谓wèi文wén武wǔ曰yuē：「陆lù伯bó言yán真zhēn神shén算suàn也yě。孤gū若ruò妄wàng动dòng，又yòu结jié怨yuàn于yú西xī蜀shú矣yǐ。」忽hū报bào西xī蜀shú遣qiǎn邓dèng芝zhī到dào。张zhāng昭zhāo曰yuē：「此cǐ又yòu是shì诸zhū葛gě亮liàng退tuì兵bīng之zhī计jì，遣qiǎn邓dèng芝zhī为wèi说shuō客kè也yě。」权quán曰yuē：「当dāng何hé以yǐ答dá之zhī？」昭zhāo曰yuē：「先xiān于yú殿diàn前qián立lì一yī大dà鼎dǐng盛shèng，贮zhù油yóu数shù百bǎi斤jīn，下xià用yòng炭tàn烧shāo。

Knowing all this, Sun Ch'üan said to his officials, “Lu Hsün’s words were indeed prophetic; he made most perfect deductions. Any rash action on my part would place me on bad terms with Shu.” Just then the coming of an envoy from Shu was announced. Said Chang Chao, “This mission is also part of Chuko Liang’s scheme to divert danger from Shu. Têng Chih has come as envoy. ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-6

待dài其qí油yóu沸fèi，可ké选xuǎn身shēn长cháng麺miàn大dà武wǔ士shì一yī千qiān人rén，各gè执zhí刀dāo在zài手shǒu，从cóng宫gōng门mén前qián直zhí排pái至zhì殿diàn上shàng，却què唤huàn芝zhī入rù见jiàn。休xiū等déng此cǐ人rén开kāi言yán下xià说shuō词cí，责zé以yǐ郦lì食yì其jī说shuō齐qí故gù事shì，效xiào此cǐ例lì烹pēng之zhī，看kàn其qí人rén如rú何hé对duì答dá。」

“That being so, how should I reply?” asked Sun Ch'üan. “I will tell you. Set up a large cauldron and pour therein a quantity of oil. Light a fire beneath. When the oil is boiling, choose a goodly company of your tallest and brawniest fighting men, arm them and draw them up in lines between the palace gate and your throne room. Then summon the envoy, but before he can say a word upbraid him with being guilty of the same sort of treachery as Li Shê-ch‘i and worthy of the same fate of being boiled in oil. Then see what he will say.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-7

权quán从cóng其qí言yán，遂suì立lì油yóu鼎dǐng，命mìng武wǔ士shì立lì于yú左zuǒ右yòu，各gè执zhí军jūn器qì，召zhào邓dèng芝zhī入rù。芝zhī整zhěng衣yī冠guān而ér入rù。行xíng至zhì宫gōng门mén前qián，只zhǐ见jiàn两liǎng行xíng武wǔ士shì，威wēi风fēng凛lín凛lǐn，各gè持chí钢gāng刀dāo、大dà斧fǔ、长cháng剑jiàn、短duán戟jǐ，直zhí列liè至zhì殿diàn前qián。芝zhī晓xiǎo其qí意yì，并bìng无wú惧jù色sè，昂áng然rán而ér行xíng。至zhì殿diàn前qián，又yòu见jiàn鼎dǐng镬huò内nèi热rè油yóu正zhèng沸fèi。左zuǒ右yòu武wǔ士shì以yǐ目mù视shì之zhī，芝zhī但dàn微wēi微wēi而ér笑xiào。

Sun Ch'üan followed this advice, and prepared the cauldron of oil and had the strong men ready. Then he bade them introduce the envoy. Têng Chih came, his ceremonial dress in perfect order, and advanced as far as the gate. Seeing the grim array of fighting men armed, some with gleaming swords, some with great axes, some with long spears and some with short knives, he understood at once what was meant, but he never blenched. He advanced quite steadily and bravely till he reached the door of the hall. Even when he saw the boiling cauldron of oil and the savage executioners glaring at him he only smiled.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-8

近jìn臣chén引yǐn至zhì帘lián前qián，邓dèng芝zhī长cháng揖yī不bú拜bài。权quán令lìng卷juán起qǐ珠zhū帘lián，大dà喝hē曰yuē：「何hé不bú拜bài！」芝zhī昂áng然rán而ér答dá曰yuē：「上shàng国guó天tiān使shǐ，不bú拜bài小xiǎo邦bāng之zhī主zhǔ。」权quán大dà怒nù曰yuē：「汝rǔ不bú自zì料liào，欲yù掉diào三sān寸cùn之zhī舌shé，效xiào郦lì生shēng说shuō齐qí乎hū？可kě速sù入rù油yóu鼎dǐng！」芝zhī大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「人rén皆jiē言yán东dōng吴wú多duō贤xián，谁shuí想xiǎng惧jù一yī儒rú生shēng！

He was led to the front of the curtain behind which sat the prince, and he made the ordinary salutation of raising his extended arms, but he did not bow in obeisance. The prince bade his attendants roll up the curtain, and called out, “Why do you not make an obeisance?” Têng Chih boldly replied, “The envoy of the superior state does not make an obeisance to the ruler of a smaller country.” “If you do not control that tongue of yours, but will let it wag, you will be like that fellow Li who went to talk to Ch‘i. You will soon find yourself in the cauldron.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-9

」权quán转zhuǎn怒nù曰yuē：「孤gū何hé惧jù尔ěr一yì匹pǐ夫fū耶yé？」芝zhī曰yuē：「既jì不bú惧jù邓dèng伯bó苗miáo，何hé愁chóu来lái说shuō汝rú等déng也yě？」权quán曰yuē：「尔ěr欲yù为wèi诸zhū葛gě亮liàng作zuò说shuō客kè，来lái说shuō孤gū绝jué魏wèi向xiàng蜀shǔ，是shì否fǒu？」芝zhī曰yuē：「吾wú乃nái蜀shǔ中zhōng一yī儒rú生shēng，特tè为wèi吴wú国guó利lì害hài而ér来lái。乃nǎi设shè兵bīng陈chén鼎dǐng，以yǐ拒jù一yī使shǐ，何hé其qí局jú量liàng之zhī不bù能néng容róng物wù耶yé？」

Then Têng Chih laughed aloud. “People say there are many sages in Wu; no one would believe that they would be frightened of a simple scholar.” This reply only increased Sun Ch'üan’s anger, and he said, “Who fears a fool like you?” “If you fear not the envoy, why so anxious about what he may have to say?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-10

权quán闻wén言yán惶huáng愧kuì，即jí叱chì退tuì武wǔ士shì，命mìng芝zhī上shàng殿diàn，赐cì坐zuò而ér问wèn曰yuē：「吴wú、魏wèi之zhī利lì害hài若ruò何hé？愿yuàn先xiān生shēng教jiào我wǒ。」芝zhī曰yuē：「大dà王wáng欲yù与yú蜀shú讲jiǎng和hé，还hái是shì欲yù与yǔ魏wèi讲jiǎng和hé？」权quán曰yuē；「孤gū正zhèng欲yù与yú蜀shú主zhú讲jiǎng和hé；但dàn恐kóng蜀shú主zhǔ年nián轻qīng识shí浅qiǎn，不bù能néng全quán始shǐ全quán终zhōng耳ěr。」芝zhī曰yuē：「大dà王wáng乃nǎi命mìng世shì之zhī英yīng豪háo，诸zhū葛gě亮liàng亦yì一yī时shí之zhī俊jùn杰jié；

“Because you come here as spokesman of Chuko Liang and you want me to sever with Wei and turn to your country; is not that your message?” “I am a simple scholar of Shu, and I am come to explain matters to the state of Wu. But here I find armed men and a boiling cauldron all prepared against a simple envoy. How can I form any other opinion than that you will not allow me to speak?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-11

蜀shú有yǒu山shān川chuān之zhī险xiǎn，吴wú有yǒu三sān江jiāng之zhī固gù：若ruò二èr国guó连lián和hé，共gòng为wéi唇chún齿chǐ，进jìn则zé可ké以yǐ兼jiān吞tūn天tiān下xià，退tuì则zé可ké以yí鼎dǐng足zú而ér立lì。今jīn大dà王wáng若ruò委wěi贽zhì称chēng臣chén于yú魏wèi，魏wèi必bì望wàng大dà王wáng朝cháo觐jìn，求qiú太tài子zi以yǐ为wéi内nèi侍shì；如rú其qí不bù从cóng，则zé兴xīng兵bīng来lái攻gōng，蜀shǔ亦yì顺shùn流liú而ér进jìn取qǔ，如rú此cǐ则zé江jiāng南nán之zhī地dì，不bú复fù为wéi大dà王wáng有yóu矣yǐ。

As soon as Sun Ch'üan heard these words he bade the soldiers go, and called the envoy into the hall. There he invited him to a seat and said, “What is the real matter between Wei and Wu? I desire that you would inform me. ” Then Têng replied, “Do you, great Prince, desire to discuss peace with Wei or with Shu?” “I really desire to discuss peace with the lord of Shu. But he is young and inexperienced and ignorant, and unable to carry a matter through.” “Prince, you are a valiant warrior, just as Chuko Liang is a great minister. Now Shu has the strength of its geographical difficulties just as Wu has the protection of its three rivers. If these two countries are at peace they are mutually protective. They may swallow up the rest of the empire, or they may stand secure alone. If you send tribute to Wei, and acknowledge yourself one of its ministers, you will be expected to attend at court, and your heir-apparent will become a servant in that court; and if you disobey, an army will be sent to attack you. Shu also will come down the river and invade your country. Then this country will be yours no longer. And if you listen not to these words of mine, and refuse my offer, I shall commit suicide before your face and so justify the post I have as an envoy.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-12

若ruò大dà王wáng以yǐ愚yú言yán为wèi不bù然rán，愚yú将jiāng就jiù死sǐ于yú大dà王wáng之zhī前qián，以yǐ绝jué说shuō客kè之zhī名míng也yě。」言yán讫qì，撩liāo衣yī下xià殿diàn，望wàng油yóu鼎dǐng中zhōng便biàn跳tiào。权quán急jí命mìng止zhǐ之zhī，请qǐng入rù后hòu殿diàn，以yǐ上shàng宾bīn之zhī礼lǐ相xiāng待dài。权quán曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng之zhī言yán，正zhèng合hé孤gū意yì。孤gū今jīn欲yù与yú蜀shú主zhǔ连lián和hé，先xiān生shēng肯kěn为wèi我wǒ介jiè绍shào乎hū？」芝zhī曰yuē：「适shì欲yù烹pēng小xiǎo臣chén者zhě，乃nǎi大dà王wáng也yě；

As he spake these last words he gathered up his robes and marched down the hall as though he was just going to jump into the cauldron.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-13

今jīn欲yù使shí小xiǎo臣chén者zhě，亦yì大dà王wáng也yě；大dà王wáng犹yóu自zì狐hú疑yí未wèi定dìng，安ān能néng取qǔ信xìn于yú人rén？」权quán曰yuē：「孤gū意yì已yǐ决jué，先xiān生shēng勿wù疑yí。」

“Stop him!” cried Sun Ch'üan, and they did so. Then he requested Têng to go into an inner apartment, where he treated the envoy as a guest of the highest honour. “O Master,” said Sun Ch'üan; “your words exactly express my thoughts, and I desire to make a league of peace with your country. Are you willing to be the intermediary?” “Just now it was you, O Prince, who wished to boil this poor servant; now it is also you who wish to use him. How can such a doubtful person be trusted?” “My mind is made up,” replied Sun Ch'üan. “Do not doubt me, Master.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-14

于yú是shì吴wú王wáng留liú住zhù邓dèng芝zhī，集jí多duō官guān问wèn曰yuē：「孤gū掌zhǎng江jiāng南nán八bā十shí一yī州zhōu，更gèng有yǒu荆jīng楚chǔ之zhī地dì，反fǎn不bù如rú西xī蜀shǔ偏piān僻pì之zhī处chù也yě：蜀shú有yǒu邓dèng芝zhī，不bù辱rǔ其qí主zhǔ；吴wú并bìng无wú一yī人rén入rù蜀shǔ，以yǐ达dá孤gū意yì。」忽hū一yī人rén出chū班bān奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén愿yuàn为wèi使shǐ。」众zhòng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi吴wú郡jùn吴wú人rén：姓xìng张zhāng，名míng温wēn，字zì惠huì恕shù，现xiàn为wèi中zhōng郎láng将jiāng。

Têng Chih was detained, and a conclave of officers gathered. Said Sun Ch'üan to the assembly, “Under my hand are all the four score and one districts of the east, and I have the lands of Chingchou and Ch‘u to boot, yet I am not so well off as that little country of Shu, for Shu has Têng Chih for an envoy, and he glorifies his lord. I have no one to send to declare my wishes to Shu.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-15

权quán曰yuē：「恐kǒng卿qīng到dào蜀shǔ见jiàn诸zhū葛gé亮liàng，不bù能néng达dá孤gū之zhī情qíng。」温wēn曰yuē：「孔kǒng明míng亦yì人rén耳ěr，臣chén何hé畏wèi彼bǐ哉zāi？」权quán大dà喜xǐ，重zhòng赏shǎng张zhāng温wēn，使shǐ同tóng邓dèng芝zhī入rù川chuān通tōng好hǎo。

Then one stepped forth and said he would go. The speaker was Chang Wên, of Wu, who held an office of no great rank. “Sir, I fear that when you reach Shu and are in the presence of Chuko Liang you will not explain my real sentiments,” said Sun. Chang Wên replied, “Think you that I shall fear him? He also is but a man.” Sun Ch'üan conferred great gifts on Chang Wên, and sent him on the return mission to Shu to negotiate the league of peace.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-16

却què说shuō孔kǒng明míng自zì邓dèng芝zhī去qù后hòu，奏zòu后hòu主zhǔ曰yuē：「邓dèng芝zhī此cǐ去qù，其qí事shì必bì成chéng。吴wú地dì多duō贤xián，定dìng有yǒu人rén来lái答dá礼lǐ。陛bì下xià当dāng礼lǐ貌mào之zhī，令lìng彼bǐ回huí吴wú，以yǐ通tōng盟méng好hǎo。吴wú若ruò通tōng和hé，魏wèi必bì不bù敢gǎn加jiā兵bīng于yú蜀shú矣yǐ。吴wú、魏wèi宁níng靖jìng，臣chén当dāng征zhēng南nán，平píng定dìng蛮mán方fāng，然rán后hòu图tú魏wèi。魏wèi削xuē则zé东dōng吴wú亦yì不bù能néng久jiǔ存cún，可ké以yǐ复fù一yī统tǒng之zhī基jī业yè也yě。」后hòu主zhǔ然rán之zhī。

While Têng Chih was absent, K‘ung-ming said to his lord, “This mission to Wu will succeed, and of the many wise men in the east one will come as return envoy. Your Majesty should treat him with courtesy, and let him return to Wu to complete the league. For if we have an alliance with Wu, Wei will not dare to send an army against us. And if we are safe from those quarters, I will lead an expedition to subdue the Mans in the south country. After that we can deal with Wei. If Wei is reduced, Wu will not last long, and the whole empire will again be under one ruler.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-17

忽hū报bào东dōng吴wú遣qiǎn张zhāng温wēn与yǔ邓dèng芝zhī入rù川chuān答dá礼lǐ，后hòu主zhǔ聚jù文wén武wǔ于yú丹dān墀chí，令lìng邓dèng芝zhī、张zhāng温wēn入rù。温wēn自zì以yǐ为wéi得dé志zhì，昂áng然rán上shàng殿diàn，见jiàn后hòu主zhǔ施shī礼lǐ。后hòu主zhǔ赐cì锦jǐn墩dūn，坐zuò于yú殿diàn左zuǒ，设shè御yù宴yàn待dài之zhī。后hòu主zhǔ但dàn敬jìng礼lǐ而ér已yǐ。宴yàn罢bà，百bǎi官guān送sòng张zhāng温wēn到dào馆guán舍shě。次cì日rì，孔kǒng明míng设shè宴yàn相xiāng待dài。孔kǒng明míng谓wèi张zhāng温wēn曰yuē：「先xiān帝dì在zài日rì，与yǔ吴wú不bú睦mù，今jīn已yǐ晏yàn驾jià。

Presently the report reached the capital that Têng Chih and Chang Wên, as envoy of Wu, would soon arrive. The king and court assembled to receive them honourably. The envoy of Wu carried himself as one who had attained his desires, and advanced boldly. Having made his salute, the Later Ruler gave him to sit on a brocaded stool on his left hand. A banquet followed at which Chang Wên was treated with much honour. At the end of the banquet the whole court escorted the envoy to the guest-house where he was to lodge. On the second day there was a banquet at the Prime Minister’s palace, and K‘ung-ming broached the real business. He said, “Our late ruler was not on friendly terms with Wu. But that is all changed, as is demonstrated by these banquets, and our present king is disposed to be very friendly. It is hoped that the former enmity may be entirely forgotten and the two countries swear eternal friendship and alliance in their common end, the destruction of Wei. I look to you, Sir, to speak in favour of this league.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-18

当dāng今jīn主zhǔ上shàng：深shēn慕mù吴wú王wáng，欲yù捐juān旧jiù忿fèn，永yǒng结jié盟méng好hǎo，并bìng力lì破pò魏wèi。望wàng大dà夫fū善shàn言yán回huí奏zòu。」张zhāng温wēn领lǐng诺nuò。酒jiǔ至zhì半bàn酣hān，张zhāng温wēn喜xǐ笑xiào自zì若ruò，颇pó有yǒu傲ào慢màn之zhī意yì。

Chang Wên said that he would support the plan. The wine went merrily round, and as the envoy became mellow he laughed freely and swaggered and put on a proud demeanour.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-19

次cì日rì，后hòu主zhǔ将jiàng金jīn帛bó赐cì与yǔ张zhāng温wēn，设shè宴yàn于yú城chéng南nán邮yóu亭tíng之zhī上shàng，命mìng众zhòng官guān相xiāng送sòng。孔kǒng明míng慇yīn懃qín劝quàn酒jiǔ。正zhèng饮yín酒jiǔ间jiān，忽hū一yī人rén乘chéng醉zuì而ér入rù，昂áng然rán长cháng揖yī，入rù席xí就jiù坐zuò。温wēn怪guài之zhī，乃nǎi问wèn孔kǒng明míng曰yuē：「此cǐ何hé人rén也yě？」孔kǒng明míng答dá曰yuē：「姓xìng秦qín，名míng宓mì，字zì子zi𠡠；现xiàn为wèi益yì州zhōu学xué士shì。」温wēn笑xiào曰yuē：「名míng称chēng学xué士shì，未wèi知zhī胸xiōng中zhōng曾céng学xué事shì否fǒu？

The king gave Chang Wên rich presents of gold and stuffs and prepared a parting banquet for him in the south guest chamber, and all the court assembled to take leave of him. The Prime Minister paid him assiduous attention and pressed him to drink. While this banquet was in progress, a man suddenly came in as if he were already drunk, made a proud sort of salutation to the company and at once took a seat. His conduct seemed strange to Chang Wên, who asked who the new comer was. “He is a man named Ch‘in Fu, a learned education officer of Ichou,” replied K‘ung-ming. “He may be that,” said Chang with a laugh, “but I wonder if he has any learning at all inside him.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-20

」宓mì正zhèng色sè而ér言yán曰yuē：「蜀shǔ中zhōng三sān尺chí小xiǎo童tóng，尚shàng皆jiē就jiù学xué，何hé况kuàng于yú我wǒ？」温wēn曰yuē：「且qiě说shuō公gōng何hé所suǒ学xué？」宓mì对duì曰yuē：「上shàng至zhì天tiān文wén，下xià至zhì地dì理lǐ，三sān教jiào九jiǔ流liú，诸zhū子zí百bǎi家jiā，无wú所suǒ不bù通tōng；古gǔ今jīn兴xīng废fèi，圣shèng贤xián经jīng传zhuàn，无wú所suǒ不bù览lǎn。」温wēn笑xiào曰yuē：「公gōng既jì出chū大dà言yán，请qǐng即jí以yǐ天tiān为wèi问wèn。天tiān有yǒu头tóu乎hū？」宓mì曰yuē：「有yǒu头tóu。

Ch‘in Fu listened without changing countenance, and said, “Since our children are all learned, of course I am more so.” “What may have been your special studies, Sir?” said Chang Wên. “Everything; astronomy on one hand, geography on the other; the three teachings and the nine systems; all the philosophers; history all through and all sacred books and traditions. There is nothing I have not read.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-21

」温wēn曰yuē：「头tóu在zài何hé方fāng？」宓mì曰yuē：「在zài西xī方fāng。《诗shī》云yún：『乃nǎi眷juàn西xī顾gù。』以yí此cǐ推tuī之zhī，头tóu在zài西xī方fāng也yě。」温wēn又yòu问wèn：「天tiān有yóu耳ěr乎hū？」宓mì答dá曰yuē：「天tiān处chù高gāo而ér听tīng卑bēi。《诗shī》云yún：『鹤hè鸣míng于yú九jiǔ皋gāo，声shēng闻wén于yú天tiān。』无wú耳ěr何hé能néng听tīng？」温wēn又yòu问wèn：「天tiān有yǒu足zú乎hū？」宓mì曰yuē；「有yǒu足zú。《诗shī》云yún：『天tiān步bù艰jiān难nán。

“Since you talk so big,” said Chang, “I should like to ask you a few questions on celestial matters. Now has the sky ( t‘ien ) a head?” “Yes; it has a head.” “Where is it?” “In the western quarter; the Odes say, 'God turned his head kindly toward the west,' and further it follows from this that the head is in the west.' ”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-22

』无wú足zú何hé能néng步bù？」温wēn又yòu问wèn：「天tiān有yǒu姓xìng乎hū？」宓mì曰yuē：「岂qǐ得dé无wú姓xìng！」温wēn曰yuē：「何hé姓xìng？」宓mì答dá曰yuē：「姓xìng刘liú。」温wēn曰yuē：「何hé以yǐ知zhī之zhī？」宓mì曰yuē：「天tiān子zi姓xìng刘liú，以yǐ故gù知zhī之zhī。」温wēn又yòu问wèn曰yuē：「日rì生shēng于yú东dōng乎hū？」宓mì对duì曰yuē：「虽suī生shēng于yú东dōng，而ér没méi于yú西xī。」

“Well; has the sky ears?” “O yes. The sky is above and listens to all things below. The Odes say, 'The crane calls from the midst of the marsh, his cry is heard by the sky ( t‘ien ).' How could the sky hear without ears?” “Has the sky feet?” “It has; the Odes say, ' t‘ien (heaven) treads down difficulties.' If there were no feet how could it tread?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-23

此cǐ时shí秦qín宓mì语yǔ言yán清qīng朗lǎng，答dá问wèn如rú流liú，满mǎn座zuò皆jiē惊jīng。张zhāng温wēn无wú语yǔ。宓mì乃nǎi问wèn曰yuē：「先xiān生shēng东dōng吴wú名míng士shì，既jì以yǐ天tiān事shì下xià问wèn，必bì能néng深shēn明míng天tiān之zhī理lǐ。昔xī混hùn沌dùn既jì分fēn，阴yīn阳yáng剖pōu判pàn；轻qīng清qīng者zhě上shàng浮fú而ér为wéi天tiān，重zhòng浊zhuó者zhě下xià凝níng而ér为wéi地dì；至zhì共gòng工gōng氏shì战zhàn败bài，头tóu触chù不bù周zhōu山shān，天tiān柱zhù折zhé，地dì维wéi缺quē；天tiān倾qīng西xī北běi，地dì陷xiàn东dōng南nán。

“Has heaven a name?” “Why not?” “Then what is it?” “Liu.” “How do you know that?” “Because the Emperor’s family name is Liu, and he is the Son of Heaven. That is how I know.” “Does the sun spring from the east?” “Though it does, yet it disappears in the west.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-24

天tiān既jì轻qīng清qīng而ér上shàng浮fú，何hé以yǐ倾qīng其qí西xī北běi乎hū？又yòu未wèi知zhī轻qīng清qīng之zhī外wài，还hái有yǒu何hé物wù？愿yuàn先xiān生shēng教jiào我wǒ。」张zhāng温wēn无wú言yán可kě对duì，乃nǎi避bì席xí而ér谢xiè曰yuē：「不bú意yì蜀shǔ中zhōng多duō出chū俊jùn杰jié！恰qià闻wén讲jiǎng论lùn，使shǐ仆pū顿dùn开kāi芧xù塞sāi。」孔kǒng明míng恐kǒng温wēn羞xiū愧kuì，故gù以yǐ善shàn言yán解jiě之zhī曰yuē：「席xí间jiān问wèn难nàn，皆jiē戏xì谈tán耳ěr。足zú下xià深shēn知zhī安ān邦bāng定dìng国guó之zhī道dào，何hé在zài唇chún齿chǐ之zhī戏xì哉zāi？

All this time Ch‘in Fu’s repartees had flashed back clear and perfect; they came so naturally as to astonish all the guests. Chang Wên had no word to reply to them. Then it became Ch‘in’s turn. “You are a famous scholar in your own land, Sir, and since you have asked so many questions about t‘ien I take it you are well up in all celestial matters. When original chaos resolved into its two elements, yin and yang, or female and male, the lighter portion, or ether, rose and became t‘ien, sky, and the grosser sank and solidified into ti, earth. When Kung Kung’s rebellion was crushed, its head struck the Puchou (Imperfect) Mountain, the supports of heaven were broken and the bonds of earth were destroyed. Heaven fell over to the north-west, and earth sank into the south-east. Since heaven was ethereal and had floated to the top, how could it fall over? Another thing I do not know is what is beyond the ether. I should be glad if you would explain, Master.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-25

」温wēn拜bài谢xiè。孔kǒng明míng又yòu令lìng邓dèng芝zhī入rù吴wú答dá礼lǐ，就jiù与yǔ张zhāng温wēn同tóng行háng。张zhāng、邓dèng二èr人rén拜bài辞cí孔kǒng明míng，望wàng东dōng吴wú而ér来lái。

Chang Wên had no reply ready, but he rose from his place and bowed his acknowledgements, saying, “I knew not that there was so much ability in this land. I am happy to have heard such a discourse. Now all obstructions have disappeared, and I see quite clearly.” But K‘ung-ming, fearing lest the guest should feel mortified, soothed him with fair words, saying, “This is all play upon words, the sort of puzzles one propounds at a merry feast. You, honoured Sir, know that the tranquillity and safety of states are no matters to joke with.” The envoy bowed. Then Têng Chih was ordered to return to Wu and thank its ruler for his courtesy, and he was to accompany Chang Wên. So both, having taken leave of the Prime Minister, set out on their journey to the east.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-26

却què说shuō吴wú王wáng见jiàn张zhāng温wēn入rù蜀shǔ未wèi还hái，乃nǎi聚jù文wén武wǔ商shāng议yì。忽hū近jìn臣chén奏zòu曰yuē；「蜀shú遣qiǎn邓dèng芝zhī同tóng张zhāng温wēn入rù国guó答dá礼lǐ。」权quán召zhào入rù。张zhāng温wēn拜bài于yú殿diàn前qián，备bèi称chēng后hòu主zhǔ、孔kǒng明míng之zhī德dé，愿yuàn求qiú永yǒng结jié盟méng好hǎo，特tè遣qiǎn邓dèng尚shàng书shū又yòu来lái答dá礼lǐ。权quán大dà喜xǐ，乃nǎi设shè宴yàn待dài之zhī。

In the meantime Sun Ch'üan was beginning to feel perplexed at the long delay of his envoy. He had summoned a council to discuss this question, when the report came that his own envoy had returned, and Têng was with him. They were brought in forthwith; and Chang Wên, having made his obeisance, began to discourse upon the virtue of the King of Shu and K‘ung-ming and to lay before his lord the proposal for a league of peace. Têng Chih, the President of a Board, was empowered to discuss this matter.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-27

权quán问wèn邓dèng芝zhī曰yuē：「若ruò吴wú、蜀shǔ二èr国guó同tóng心xīn灭miè魏wèi，得dé天tiān下xià太tài平píng，二èr主zhǔ分fēn治zhì，岂qǐ不bú乐lè乎hū？」芝zhī答dá曰yuē：「『天tiān无wú二èr日rì，民mín无wú二èr王wáng。』如rú灭miè魏wèi之zhī后hòu，未wèi识shí天tiān命mìng所suǒ归guī何hé人rén。但dàn为wéi君jūn者zhě，各gè修xiū其qí德dé；为wéi臣chén者zhě，各gè侭jǐn其qí忠zhōng，则zé战zhàn争zhēng方fāng息xī耳ěr。」权quán大dà笑xiào曰yuē：「君jūn之zhī诚chéng款kuǎn，乃nǎi如rú是shì耶yé！」遂suì厚hòu赠zèng邓dèng芝zhī还hái蜀shǔ。

Turning to Têng, Sun Ch'üan said, “Would it not be a happy result if tranquillity should be restored to the empire by the destruction of Wei, and Wu and Shu should share its administration?” “The sky knows not two suns,” replied Têng, “nor can the people recognise two kings. If Wei be destroyed, no one can say upon whom the divine command will devolve. But one who becomes a prince must perfect his virtue, and those who become ministers must be wholly loyal. In this way strife will cease.” Sun Ch'üan smiled, saying, “And your sincerity is like this, eh?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-28

自zì此cǐ吴wú、蜀shǔ通tōng好hǎo。

Têng Chih was dismissed with rich gifts, and after this Wu and Shu were good friends.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-29

却què说shuō魏wèi国guó细xì作zuò人rén探tàn知zhī此cǐ事shì，火huǒ速sù报bào入rù中zhōng原yuán。魏wèi主zhǔ曹cáo丕pī听tīng知zhī，大dà怒nù曰yuē：「吴wú、蜀shǔ连lián和hé，必bì有yǒu图tú中zhōng原yuán之zhī意yì也yě。不bú若ruò朕zhèn先xiān伐fá之zhī。」于yú是shì大dà集jí文wén武wǔ，商shāng议yì起qǐ兵bīng伐fá吴wú。此cǐ时shí大dà司sī马mǎ曹cáo仁rén、太tài尉wèi贾jiá诩xú已yǐ亡wáng。侍shì中zhōng辛xīn毗pí出chū班bān奏zòu曰yuē：「中zhōng原yuán之zhī地dì，土tǔ阔kuò民mín稀xī，而ér欲yù用yòng兵bīng，未wèi见jiàn其qí利lì。

The negotiations between his two rivals were reported in the capital without loss of time, and Ts‘ao P‘ei was very angry. “If they have made an alliance it can only mean that they cherish the intention of destroying the capital. My best move is to strike first.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-30

今jīn日rì之zhī计jì，莫mò若ruò养yǎng兵bīng屯tún田tián十shí年nián，足zú食shí足zú兵bīng，然rán后hòu用yòng之zhī，则zé吴wú、蜀shǔ方fāng可kě破pò也yě。」丕pī怒nù曰yuē：「此cǐ迂yū儒rú之zhī论lùn也yě！今jīn吴wú、蜀shǔ连lián和hé，早záo晚wǎn必bì来lái侵qīn境jìng，何hé暇xiá等děng待dài十shí年nián？」即jí传chuán旨zhí起qǐ兵bīng伐fá吴wú。司sī马mǎ懿yì奏zòu曰yuē：「吴wú有yǒu长cháng江jiāng之zhī险xiǎn，非fēi船chuán莫mò渡dù。

He called a great council. This council lacked the presence of Ts‘ao Jên and Chia Hsü, who had both died, but Hsin P‘i stepped forward and said, “The country is extensive, but the population so sparse that no successful army could be raised just now. My advice is to wait ten years, spending that period in forming an army and in cultivating the land till stores and weapons shall have been accumulated. Then both our rivals may be destroyed.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-31

陛bì下xià必bì御yù驾jià亲qīn征zhēng，可ké选xuǎn大dà小xiǎo战zhàn船chuán，从cóng蔡cài、颍yǐng而ér入rù淮huái，取qǔ寿shòu春chūn，至zhì广guǎng陵líng，渡dù江jiāng口kǒu，迳jìng取qǔ南nán徐xú：此cǐ为wèi上shàng策cè。」丕pī从cóng之zhī。于yú是shì日rì夜yè并bìng工gōng，造zào龙lóng舟zhōu十shí只zhǐ，长zhǎng二èr十shí余yú丈zhàng，可kě容róng二èr千qiān余yú人rén；收shōu拾shí战zhàn船chuán三sān千qiān余yú只zhǐ。

“This is only the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant. Having made this league, the two countries may fall upon us at any moment. This matter cannot be postponed for ten years,” said the king. An edict appeared commanding the enlistment of soldiers and the formation of an army. Ssŭma I then pointed out that ships were necessary, as Wu was protected by the Great River, and he proposed a plan of campaign. “Your Majesty must lead. The navy can advance by way of the Huai, taking Shouch‘un. When you reach Kuangling, the river is to be crossed and Nanhsü is to be captured.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-32

魏wèi黄huáng初chū五wǔ年nián秋qiū八bā月yuè，会huì聚jù大dà小xiǎo将jiàng士shì，令lìng曹cáo真zhēn为wèi前qián部bù，张zhāng辽liáo、张zhāng邰tái、文wén聘pìn、徐xú晃huáng等děng为wéi大dà将jiāng先xiān行xíng，许xú褚chǔ、吕lǚ虔qián为wèi中zhōng军jūn护hù卫wèi，曹cáo休xiū为wèi合hé后hòu，刘liú晔yè、蒋jiǎng济jì为wèi参cān谋móu。前qián后hòu水shuǐ陆lù军jūn马mǎ三sān十shí余yú万wàn，克kè日rì起qǐ兵bīng。封fēng司sī马mǎ懿yì为wèi尚shàng书shū仆pū射shè，留liú在zài许xǔ昌chāng。凡fán国guó政zhèng大dà事shì，并bìng皆jiē听tīng懿yì决jué断duàn。

This plan was accepted, and the construction of dragon ships was put in hand and went on day and night. Ten were built two hundred feet long to carry two companies (of a thousand) each. They also collected three thousand fighting ships.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-33

不bù说shuō魏wèi兵bīng起qǐ程chéng。却què说shuō东dōng吴wú细xì作zuò探tàn知zhī此cǐ事shì，报bào入rù吴wú国guó。近jìn臣chén慌huāng奏zòu吴wú王wáng曰yuē：「今jīn魏wèi王wáng曹cáo丕pī，亲qīn自zì乘chéng驾jià龙lóng舟zhōu，提tí水shuǐ陆lù大dà军jūn三sān十shí余yú万wàn，从cóng蔡cài、颍yǐng出chū淮huái，必bì取qú广guǎng陵líng，渡dù江jiāng来lái下xià江jiāng南nán，甚shèn为wéi利lì害hài。」孙sūn权quán大dà惊jīng，即jí聚jù众zhòng文wén武wǔ商shāng议yì。

In the autumn of the fifth year the various captains assembled, and Ts‘ao Chên was appointed leader of the first corps. Chang Liao, Chang Ho, Wên P‘ing and Hsü Huang were chief leaders. Hsü Ch‘u and Lü Wên were guards of the centre, and Ts‘ao Ho commanded the rear guard. The strategists were Liu Yeh and Chiang Chi. In all, land and marine forces numbered over thirty legions. When the starting day was decided upon, Ssuma I was made President of the Board of War with the Lordship of the Archery, and left in the capital with the powers of a regent.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-34

顾gù雍yōng曰yuē：「今jīn主zhǔ上shàng既jì与yǔ西xī蜀shǔ连lián和hé，可kě修xiū书shū与yǔ诸zhū葛gé孔kǒng明míng，令lìng起qǐ兵bīng出chū汉hàn中zhōng，以yǐ分fēn其qí势shì；一yī麺miàn遣qiǎn一yī大dà将jiàng，屯tún兵bīng南nán徐xú以yǐ拒jù之zhī。」权quán曰yuē：「非fēi陆lù伯bó言yán不bù可kě当dāng此cǐ重zhòng任rèn。」雍yōng曰yuē：「陆lù伯bó言yán镇zhèn守shǒu荆jīng州zhōu，不bù可kě轻qīng动dòng。」权quán曰yuē：「孤gū非fēi不bù知zhī：奈nài眼yǎn前qián无wú替tì力lì之zhī人rén。

Passing over the story of how the Wei army started, history shifts the scene to Wu, where the spies told the king’s attendants of the dangers, and the latter hastened to inform the king. They said Ts‘ao P‘ei was leading in person and the danger was great. When Sun Ch'üan met his council, Ku Yung said, “My lord, you can call upon Shu for help according to the treaty. Write to K‘ung-ming and get him to send out an army through Hanchung so as to divert part of Wei’s army. Also send an army to Nanhsü to oppose them there.” “I shall have to recall Lu Hsün,” said the prince. “He is the only man to undertake this great task.” “Do not move him if you can help it; he is necessary for the protection of Chingchou.” “Yes, I know; but there is no other strong enough.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-35

」言yán未wèi侭jǐn，一yī人rén从cóng班bān部bú内nèi应yìng声shēng而ér出chū曰yuē：「臣chén虽suī不bù才cái，愿yuàn统tǒng一yī军jūn以yǐ当dāng魏wèi兵bīng。若ruò曹cáo丕pī亲qīn渡dù大dà江jiāng，臣chén必bì生shēng擒qín，以yǐ献xiàn殿diàn下xià；若ruò不bú渡dù江jiāng，亦yì杀shā魏wèi兵bīng大dà半bàn，令lìng魏wèi兵bīng不bù敢gǎn正zhèng视shì东dōng吴wú。」权quán视shì之zhī，乃nǎi徐xú盛shèng也yě。权quán大dà喜xǐ曰yuē：「如rú得dé卿qīng守shǒu江jiāng南nán一yī带dài，孤gū何hé忧yōu哉zāi？

At these words Hsü Shêng advanced, saying, “I know I am not very able, but I desire to be given an army to meet this danger. If Ts‘ao P‘ei crosses the river in person I will make him prisoner and present him at the gate of your palace. If he does not come over here I will slay so many of his men that his army shall not dare even to look this way.” Sun Ch'üan was pleased to find a willing volunteer, and replied, “Noble Sir, what anxiety need I feel if I have your protection?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-36

」遂suì封fēng徐xú盛shèng为wèi安ān东dōng将jiāng军jūn，总zǒng镇zhèn都dū督dū建jiàn业yè、南nán徐xú军jūn马mǎ。盛shèng谢xiè恩ēn，领lǐng命mìng而ér退tuì；即jí传chuán令lìng教jiào众zhòng官guān军jūn多duō置zhì器qì械xiè，多duō设shè旌jīng旗qí，以yǐ为wéi守shǒu护hù江jiāng岸àn之zhī计jì。

Hsu was given the title of “Protector of the East” and made Commander-in-chief of all the forces in Nanhsü. As soon as he had received his orders, he retired. He gave command to gather enormous quantities of weapons, and had many flags and banners made for the protection of the river banks.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-37

忽hū一yī人rén挺tǐng身shēn出chū曰yuē：「今jīn日rì大dà王wáng以yǐ重zhòng任rèn委wěi托tuō将jiāng军jūn，欲yù破pò魏wèi兵bīng以yǐ擒qín曹cáo丕pī，将jiāng军jūn何hé不bù早zǎo发fā军jūn马mǎ渡dù江jiāng，于yú淮huái南nán之zhī地dì迎yíng敌dí？直zhí待dài曹cáo丕pī兵bīng至zhì，恐kǒng无wú及jí矣yǐ。」盛shèng视shì之zhī，乃nǎi吴wú王wáng姪zhí孙sūn韶sháo也yě。韶sháo字zì公gōng礼lǐ，官guān授shòu扬yáng威wēi将jiāng军jūn，曾céng在zài广guǎng陵líng守shǒu御yù；年nián幼yòu负fù气qì，极jí有yóu胆dán勇yǒng。

But another impetuous young leader was anxious to take more vigorous measures, and he stood forth, saying, “My lord has laid upon you, O General, a heavy responsibility, but if you really desire to capture the ruler of Wei you should send an army to meet him on the north side in Huainan. I fear failure if you wait till the northern men have come this far.” The young man was Sun Shao, cousin of the Prince of Wu. He had already the title of “Leader of Wide Prestige,” and was in command at Kuangling. Though young and impetuous, he was very valiant.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-38

盛shèng曰yuē：「曹cáo丕pī势shì大dà，更gèng有yǒu名míng将jiāng为wèi先xiān锋fēng，不bù可kě渡dù江jiāng迎yíng敌dí。待dài彼bǐ船chuán皆jiē集jí于yú北běi岸àn，吾wú自zì有yǒu计jì破pò之zhī。」韶sháo曰yuē：「吾wú手shǒu下xià自zì有yǒu三sān千qiān军jūn马mǎ，更gèng兼jiān深shēn知zhī广guǎng陵líng路lù势shì，吾wú愿yuàn自zì去qù江jiāng北běi，与yǔ曹cáo丕pī决jué一yī死sǐ战zhàn。如rú不bú胜shèng，甘gān当dāng军jūn令lìng。」盛shèng不bù从cóng。韶sháo坚jiān执zhí要yào去qù。盛shèng只zhǐ是shì不bù肯kěn，韶sháo再zài三sān要yào行xíng。

“Ts‘ao P‘ei’s army is strong and its leaders famous. I hold that we may not cross the river to meet him, but wait the arrival of his ships on the other side. Then I shall carry out my plan,” said Hsü. “I have three companies of my own, and I know the country about Kuangling thoroughly. Let me go across the river and fight a battle. I will willingly undergo the penalty if I fail,” said the younger Sun.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-39

盛shèng怒nù曰yuē：「汝rǔ如rú此cǐ不bù听tīng号hào令lìng，吾wú安ān能néng制zhì诸zhū将jiāng乎hū？」叱chì武wǔ士shì推tuī出chū斩zhǎn之zhī。刀dāo斧fú手shǒu拥yōng孙sūn韶sháo出chū辕yuán门mén之zhī外wài，立lì起qǐ皂zào旗qí。韶sháo部bú将jiàng飞fēi报bào孙sūn权quán。权quán听tīng知zhī，急jí上shàng马mǎ来lái救jiù。武wǔ士shì恰qià待dài行xíng刑xíng，孙sūn权quán早zǎo到dào，喝hē散sàn刀dāo斧fú手shǒu，救jiù了le孙sūn韶sháo，韶sháo哭kū奏zòu曰yuē：「臣chén往wǎng年nián在zài广guǎng陵líng，深shēn知zhī地dì理lǐ；

However, Hsü Shêng refused, and all the pleadings of his impetuous captain were vain. And when he still persisted, the Commander-in-chief grew angry and said, “What control shall I have if you are allowed to disobey orders?” He ordered the lictors to take him out and put him to death. They led him away, and forthwith the black flag was hoisted. But one of Sun Shao’s captains went off in hot haste to tell Sun Ch'üan, who came immediately to try to save his favourite.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-40

不bú就jiù那nà里lí与yǔ曹cáo丕pī厮sī杀shā，直zhí待dài他tā下xià了le长cháng江jiāng，东dōng吴wú指zhǐ日rì休xiū矣yǐ！」

Happily the execution had not been accomplished when the prince appeared on the scene, and he bade the executioners disperse. The youth was saved. He began to press his claim to the prince. “I have been at Kuangling, and if we do not attack the enemy there, but let him get down to the river, there will be an end of Wu.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-41

权quán迳jìng入rù营yíng来lái。徐xú盛shèng迎yíng接jiē入rù帐zhàng，奏zòu曰yuē：「大dà王wáng命mìng臣chén为wèi都dū督dū，提tí兵bīng拒jù魏wèi；今jīn扬yáng威wēi将jiāng军jūn孙sūn韶sháo，不bù遵zūn军jūn法fǎ，违wéi令lìng当dāng斩zhǎn，大dà王wáng何hé故gù赦shè之zhī？」权quán曰yuē：「韶sháo倚yǐ血xuè气qì之zhī壮zhuàng，误wù犯fàn军jūn法fǎ，万wàn希xī宽kuān恕shù。」盛shèng曰yuē：「法fǎ非fēi臣chén所suǒ立lì，亦yì非fēi大dà王wáng所suǒ立lì，乃nǎi国guó家jiā之zhī典diǎn刑xíng也yě。若ruò以yǐ亲qīn而ér免miǎn之zhī，何hé以yǐ令lìng众zhòng乎hū？

Sun Ch'üan went into the camp, and Hsü Shêng came to receive him. When the prince was seated in his tent, he said, “O Prince, you placed me in command of the force to repulse Wei. Now this captain of mine, Sun Shao, is disobedient and should suffer death. I would ask why he should be pardoned." “He is naturally hot and impetuous. He has been guilty of disobedience, but I hope you will overlook his fault.” “The law is none of my making, nor is it yours, O Prince; it is a state penalty, and if relationship is enough to evade it, where is discipline?”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-42

」权quán曰yuē：「韶sháo犯fàn法fá本běn应yīng任rèn将jiāng军jūn处chǔ治zhì；奈nài此cǐ子zi虽suī本běn姓xìng俞yú氏shì，然rán孤gū兄xiōng甚shèn爱ài之zhī，赐cì姓xìng孙sūn。于yú孤gū颇pó有yǒu劳láo绩jì，今jīn若ruò杀shā之zhī，负fù兄xiōng义yì矣yǐ。」盛shèng曰yuē：「且qiě看kàn大dà王wáng之zhī麺miàn，寄jì下xià死sǐ罪zuì。」权quán令lìng孙sūn韶sháo拜bài谢xiè。韶sháo不bù肯kěn拜bài，厉lì声shēng而ér言yán曰yuē：「据jù吾wú之zhī见jiàn，只zhǐ是shì引yǐn军jūn破pò曹cáo丕pī！便biàn死sí也yě不bù服fú你nǐ的de见jiàn识shí！」徐xú盛shèng变biàn色sè。

“He has offended, and you have the right to judge and punish. But although his real name was Yü, yet my brother loved him and gave him our family name. He has rendered me good service, and if he should be put to death I should fail in my fraternal duty.” “Since you have intervened, O Prince, I remit the death penalty.” Sun Ch'üan bade his nephew thank his chief, but the youth would not make an obeisance. On the contrary, he loudly maintained the correctness of his view. “I can only lead my men against Ts‘ao and so die,” cried he. “I cannot consent to the other plan.” Hsü Shêng’s countenance changed. The recalcitrant young man was ordered to leave the tent.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-43

权quán叱chì退tuì孙sūn韶sháo，谓wèi徐xú盛shèng曰yuē：「便biàn无wú此cǐ子zi，何hé损sǔn于yú吴wú？今jīn后hòu勿wù再zài用yòng之zhī。」言yán讫qì自zì回huí。是shì夜yè人rén报bào徐xú盛shèng，说shuō孙sūn韶sháo引yín本běn部bù三sān千qiān精jīng兵bīng，潜qián地dì过guò江jiāng去qù了le。盛shèng恐kóng有yǒu失shī，于yú吴wú王wáng麺miàn上shàng不bù好hǎo看kàn，乃nǎi唤huàn丁dīng奉fèng授shòu以yǐ密mì计jì，引yǐn三sān千qiān兵bīng渡dù江jiāng接jiē应yīng。

“He will not be any loss,” said Sun Ch‘üan, “and I will not employ him again.” Then the prince left and returned to his own place. That night they reported to Hsü Shêng that Sun Shao had gone secretly over the river with his own force, and the commander, who did not wish him to come to harm, as evidently that would displease the prince, sent a force to support him. Ting Fêng was chosen to command this reinforcement, and he was told what to do.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-44

却què说shuō魏wèi王wáng驾jià龙lóng舟zhōu至zhì广guǎng陵líng，前qián部bù曹cáo真zhēn已yí领lǐng兵bīng列liè于yú大dà江jiāng之zhī岸àn。曹cáo丕pī问wèn曰yuē：「江jiāng岸àn有yǒu多duō少shǎo兵bīng？」真zhēn曰yuē：「隔gé岸àn远yuǎn望wàng，并bìng不bú见jiàn一yī人rén，亦yì无wú旌jīng旗qí营yíng寨zhài。」丕pī曰yuē：「此cǐ必bì诡guǐ计jì也yě。朕zhèn自zì往wǎng观guān其qí虚xū实shí。」于yú是shì大dà开kāi江jiāng道dào，放fàng龙lóng舟zhōu直zhí至zhì大dà江jiāng，泊pō于yú江jiāng岸àn。

The Ruler of Wei, in his dragon ships, reached Kuangling, and the van got to the river bank. He came to survey the position. “How many soldiers are on the other bank?” asked Ts‘ao. Ts‘ao Chên replied, “I have not seen a single one; nor are there any flags or encampments.” “That is a ruse; I will go and find out.” So he set out to cross the river in one of the dragon ships. He anchored under the bank. On his boat were displayed the emblems proper to an imperial equipage, and they shone out bravely. Seated in the ship, the prince looked up and down the south bank, but not a man was visible.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-45

船chuán上shàng建jiàn龙lóng凤fèng日rì月yuè五wǔ色sè旌jīng旗qí，銮luán仪yí簇cù拥yōng，光guāng耀yào射shè目mù。曹cáo丕pī端duān坐zuò舟zhōu中zhōng，遥yáo望wàng江jiāng南nán，不bú见jiàn一yī人rén，回huí顾gù刘liú晔yè、蒋jiǎng济jì曰yuē：「可kě渡dù江jiāng否fǒu？」晔yè曰yuē：「兵bīng法fǎ实shí实shí虚xū虚xū。彼bǐ见jiàn大dà军jūn至zhì，如rú何hé不bú作zuò整zhěng备bèi？陛bì下xià未wèi可kě造zào次cì。且qiě待dài三sān五wǔ日rì，看kàn其qí动dòng静jìng，然rán后hòu发fā先xiān锋fēng渡dù江jiāng以yǐ探tàn之zhī。」丕pī曰yuē：「卿qīng言yán正zhèng合hé朕zhèn意yì。」

“Do you think we should cross?” asked the prince of his strategists. “If the rules of war mean anything, they ought to be prepared. We think Your Majesty should exercise caution. Wait a few days and watch. Then perhaps the van might be sent to make a reconnaissance.” “So I think,” said the prince. “But as it is now late, we will pass the night on the river.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-47

是shì日rì天tiān晚wǎn，宿sù于yú江jiāng中zhōng。当dāng夜yè月yuè黑hēi。军jūn士shì皆jiē执zhí灯dēng火huǒ，明míng耀yào天tiān地dì，恰qià如rú白bái昼zhòu。遥yáo望wàng江jiāng南nán，并bìng不bú见jiàn半bàn点diǎn儿er火huǒ光guāng。丕pī问wèn左zuǒ右yòu曰yuē：「此cǐ何hé故gù也yě？」近jìn臣chén奏zòu曰yuē：「想xiǎng闻wén陛bì下xià天tiān兵bīng来lái到dào，故gù望wàng风fēng逃táo窜cuàn耳ěr。」丕pī暗àn笑xiào。及jí至zhì天tiān晓xiǎo，大dà雾wù迷mí漫màn，对duì麺miàn不bú见jiàn。

It was a dark night, and the ship was brilliantly lighted up; it seemed like day on board. But all along the south bank there appeared no glimmer of light. “What do you think it means?” said Ts‘ao. The courtiers replied, “They heard that Your Majesty’s heavenly army was coming, and ran away like so many rats.”

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-48

须xū臾yú风fēng起qǐ，雾wù散sàn云yún收shōu，望wàng见jiàn江jiāng南nán一yī带dài皆jiē是shì连lián城chéng；城chéng楼lóu上shàng鎗qiāng刀dāo耀yào日rì，遍biàn城chéng侭jǐn插chā旌jīng旗qí号hào带dài。顷qǐng刻kè数shù次cì人rén来lái报bào：「南nán徐xú沿yán江jiāng一yī带dài，直zhí至zhì石shí头tou城chéng：一yī连lián数shù百bái里lǐ，城chéng郭guō舟zhōu车chē，连lián绵mián不bù绝jué，一yī夜yè成chéng就jiù。」曹cáo丕pī大dà惊jīng。原yuán来lái徐xú盛shèng束shù缚fù芦lú苇wěi为wéi人rén，侭jǐn穿chuān青qīng衣yī，执zhí旌jīng旗qí，立lì于yú假jiǎ城chéng疑yí楼lóu之zhī上shàng。

The prince laughed to himself. When daylight came there came with it a thick fog, so that nothing on the bank could be seen. After a time a breeze blew off the fog, and then, to their immense surprise, they found that the whole length of the south bank as far as they could see was one battlement, with towers at intervals, while spears and swords glittered in the sun and flags and pennons fluttered in the breeze. Also the scouts began to report a similar wall at Nanhsü. A long stone wall had grown up in a night and stood there with carts and masts of ships lying along it. This may be explained. The fact was that the wall was an imitation, and the warriors that manned it were bundles of reeds dressed in soldiers' uniforms. But the sight chilled the ardour of the invaders.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-49

魏wèi兵bīng见jiàn城chéng上shàng许xǔ多duō人rén马mǎ，如rú何hé不bù胆dǎn寒hán？丕pī叹tàn曰yuē：「魏wèi虽suī有yóu武wǔ士shì千qiān群qún，无wú所suǒ用yòng之zhī。江jiāng南nán人rén物wù，未wèi可kě图tú也yě！」

“My hosts of men are no use against such warriors; we can do nothing,” said Ts‘ao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-50

正zhèng惊jīng讶yà间jiān，忽hū然rán狂kuáng风fēng大dà作zuò，白bái浪làng滔tāo天tiān，江jiāng水shuǐ溅jiàn湿shī龙lóng袍páo，大dà船chuán将jiāng覆fù。曹cáo真zhēn慌huāng令lìng文wén聘pìn撑chēng小xiǎo舟zhōu急jí来lái救jiù驾jià。龙lóng舟zhōu上shàng人rén站zhàn立lì不bú住zhù。文wén聘pìn跳tiào上shàng龙lóng舟zhōu，负fù丕pī下xià得dé小xiǎo舟zhōu，奔bēn入rù河hé港gǎng。忽hū流liú星xīng马mǎ报bào道dào：「赵zhào云yún引yǐn兵bīng出chū阳yáng平píng关guān，迳jìng取qǔ长cháng安ān。」丕pī听tīng得dé，大dà惊jīng失shī色sè，便biàn教jiào收shōu军jūn。众zhòng军jūn各gè自zì奔bēn走zǒu。

He thought over this sadly enough. But now the wind had increased in force, and white combers began to heave up in the river, and seas broke over his boat, drenching the dragon robes. The ship seemed as if she would roll right over. So Ts‘ao Chên sent out small boats to rescue his master and his men. But they were too affrighted to move. Wherefore Wen P‘ing, who was in charge, leaped on board and helped the prince down into one of the smaller craft, which then flew away before the wind and got safely into a creek. Soon came a hasty messenger from the west to say that Chao Yün had marched out through Hsip‘ing Pass and threatened Ch‘angan. This frightened Ts‘ao P‘ei so badly that he decided to retreat, and gave orders to retire. The whole army were in a mood to run away, and moved off toward the north, pursued by the men of Wu. To hasten the march, the Prince of Wei bade his men abandon all the imperial paraphernalia and impediments. The dragon ships withdrew into the Huai River one by one.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-51

背bèi后hòu吴wú兵bīng追zhuī至zhì。丕pī传chuán旨zhǐ教jiào侭jǐn弃qì御yù用yòng之zhī物wù而ér走zǒu。龙lóng舟zhōu将jiāng次cì入rù淮huái，忽hū然rán鼓gú角jiǎo齐qí鸣míng，喊hǎn声shēng大dà震zhèn，刺cì斜xié里lǐ一yī彪biāo军jūn杀shā到dào；为wéi首shǒu大dà将jiàng，乃nǎi孙sūn韶sháo也yě。魏wèi兵bīng不bù能néng抵dǐ当dāng，折zhé其qí大dà半bàn，渰yán死sí者zhě无wú数shù。

As they moved in disorder, suddenly arose the sounds of an enemy force, shouts and the rolling of drums and the blaring of trumpets, and a cohort marched down obliquely on to their line. And at the head was Sun Shao.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-52

诸zhū将jiāng奋fèn力lì救jiù出chū魏wèi主zhǔ。魏wèi主zhǔ渡dù淮huái河hé，行xíng不bù三sān十shí里lǐ，淮huái河hé中zhōng一yī带dài芦lú苇wěi，预yù灌guàn鱼yú油yóu，侭jǐn皆jiē火huǒ著zhù；顺shùn风fēng而ér下xià，风fēng势shì甚shèn急jí；火huǒ燄yàn漫màn空kōng，截jié住zhù龙lóng舟zhōu。丕pī大dà惊jīng，急jí下xià小xiǎo船chuán。傍bàng岸àn时shí，龙lóng舟zhōu上shàng早záo已yí火huǒ著zhù。丕pī慌huāng忙máng上shàng马mǎ，岸àn上shàng一yī彪biāo军jūn杀shā来lái，为wéi首shǒu大dà将jiàng，乃nǎi丁dīng奉fèng也yě。

The men of Wei could make no effective stand, and many were slain, while large numbers were driven into the river and drowned. By dint of great efforts, the prince was saved and got away up the river. But when they had sailed about thirty li, they saw ahead a tract of blazing reeds. The enemy had poured fish oil over the dry reeds and set them alight. The wind was spreading the flames down river toward the men of Wei, and the heat was intense. The dragon ships had to stop. Ts‘ao P‘ei was put into a smaller craft and taken on shore; his larger ships were presently set on fire and destroyed. They mounted the prince on a horse and moved along the bank, but soon they fell in with another body of men. This time it was the supports under Ting Fêng.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-53

张zhāng辽liáo急jí拍pāi马mǎ来lái迎yíng，被bèi奉fèng一yī箭jiàn射shè中zhōng其qí腰yāo，却què得dé徐xú晃huǎng救jiù了le，同tóng保bǎo魏wèi主zhǔ而ér走zǒu；折zhé军jūn无wú数shù。背bèi后hòu孙sūn韶sháo、丁dīng奉fèng夺duó得de马má匹pǐ、车chē仗zhàng、船chuán只zhī、器qì械xiè，不bú计jì其qí数shù。魏wèi兵bīng大dà败bài而ér回huí。吴wú将jiāng徐xú盛shèng，全quán获huò大dà功gōng。吴wú王wáng重zhòng加jiā赏shǎng赐cì。张zhāng辽liáo回huí到dào许xǔ昌chāng，箭jiàn疮chuāng迸bèng裂liè而ér亡wáng。曹cáo丕pī厚hòu葬zàng之zhī，不bú在zài话huà下xià。

Chang Liao rode ahead to engage the leader, but was soon wounded by an arrow in the loins. However, he was helped away by Hsü Huang, and the prince was got safely out of the turmoil. The loss of men was heavy, and a huge booty of horses, carts, ships and weapons fell to the victors. So the Wei armies went away north thoroughly beaten, while Hsü Shêng had scored a great success. He was richly rewarded. Chang Liao got to Hsüch‘ang, but only to die from the effects of his wound. He was honourably buried by the prince, but the story of his funeral will not be told.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-54

却què说shuō赵zhào云yún引yǐn兵bīng杀shā出chū阳yáng平píng关guān之zhī次cì，忽hū报bào丞chéng相xiàng有yǒu文wén书shū到dào，说shuō益yì州zhōu耆qí帅shuài雍yōng闿kǎi结jié连lián蛮mán王wáng孟mèng获huò，起qǐ十shí万wàn蛮mán兵bīng侵qīn掠lüè四sì郡jùn；因yīn此cǐ宣xuān云yún回huí军jūn，令lìng马mǎ超chāo坚jiān守shǒu阳yáng平píng关guān，丞chéng相xiàng欲yù自zì南nán征zhēng。赵zhào云yún乃nǎi急jí收shōu兵bīng而ér回huí。此cǐ时shí孔kǒng明míng在zài成chéng都dū整zhěng饬chì军jūn马mǎ，亲qīn自zì南nán征zhēng。正zhèng是shì：

It has been said that Chao Yün was threatening Chʻangan, but soon after he went through the Pass the Prime Minister of Shu sent a despatch to recall him because the aged General Yung K‘ai of Ichou had joined himself with the Mans and invaded the four districts. So Chao Yün returned. Meanwhile Ma Ch‘ao was put in charge of the Yangp‘ing Pass. The Prime Minister was about to go to invade the south. He was then preparing at Ch'êngtu for this expedition. First Wu met Wei and drove them north, Then Shu against the Mans went forth. The story of this campaign will follow in the next chapters.

Brewitt-Taylor · 1925 · public domain

86-55

方fāng见jiàn东dōng吴wú敌dí北běi魏wèi，又yòu看kàn西xī蜀shǔ战zhàn南nán蛮mán。

Just seen the East Wu face the North Wei, now we watch the West Shu fight the South Man.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated

86-56

未wèi知zhī胜shèng负fù如rú何hé，且qiě看kàn下xià回huí分fēn解jiě。

But the sequel must be told in the next chapter.

GLM · 2026 · machine-generated