Romance, Chapter 66

Chapter 66. Guan Yunchang Goes to the Feast with a Single Sword; Empress Fu Gives Her Life for the State

Now Sun Quan wanted to reclaim Jingzhou. Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “The one Liu Bei relies on is Zhuge Liang alone. His elder brother Zhuge Jin now serves in Wu. Why not seize Zhuge Jin’s family and send him into Chuan to tell his brother, ‘If Jingzhou is not returned, my family will surely suffer for it,’ so that he urges Liu Bei to hand over Jingzhou? For love of his own flesh and blood, Zhuge Liang will certainly agree.” Sun Quan said, “Zhuge Jin is an honest gentleman. How could I bear to lock up his family?”

卻說孫權要索荊州。張昭獻計曰：“劉備所倚仗者，諸葛亮耳。其兄諸葛瑾今仕於吳，何不將瑾老小執下，使瑾入川告其弟，令勸劉備交割荊州：‘如其不還，必累及我老小。’亮念同胞之情，必然應允。”權曰：“諸葛瑾乃誠實君子，安忍拘其老小？”

“Tell him plainly that it is only a stratagem,” said Zhang Zhao, “and he will naturally be at ease.” Sun Quan agreed. He summoned Zhuge Jin’s family and held them in his residence under a sham arrest, and at the same time wrote a letter and sent Zhuge Jin off to Xichuan.

昭曰：“明教知是計策，自然放心。”權從之，召諸葛瑾老小，虛監在府；一面修書，打發諸葛瑾往西川去。

Within a few days he reached Chengdu and first sent a man ahead to inform Xuande. Xuande asked Kongming, “What has your worthy brother come for?” “He has come to demand Jingzhou, that is all,” said Kongming. “How shall I answer him?” “Just do thus and thus.” Their plan settled, Kongming went out of the city to meet Zhuge Jin. He did not take him to his private house but went straight to the guest lodge. When they had exchanged greetings, Zhuge Jin burst out weeping aloud. Zhuge Liang said, “Brother, if something is the matter, just tell me.

不致日，早到成都，先使人報知玄德。玄德問孔明曰：“令兄此來爲何？”孔明曰：“來索荊州耳。”玄德曰：“何以答之？”孔明曰：“只須如此如此。”計會已定，孔明出郭接瑾。不到私宅，徑入賓館。參拜畢，瑾放聲大哭。亮曰：“兄長有事但說。

Why do you grieve?” “My whole family is lost!” said Zhuge Jin. “Is it not because Jingzhou has not been returned? If your family has been seized on my account, how can my heart be at ease? Do not worry, brother. I have a plan to have Jingzhou returned, and there’s an end of it.”

何故發哀？”瑾曰：“吾一家老小休矣！”亮曰：“莫非爲不還荊州乎？因弟之故，執下兄長老小，弟心何安？兄休憂慮，弟自有計還荊州便了。”

Zhuge Jin was overjoyed and at once went in with Kongming to see Xuande, to whom he presented Sun Quan’s letter. Having read it, Xuande said angrily, “Sun Quan gave me his sister in marriage, then took advantage of my absence from Jingzhou to spirit her away in secret. By every feeling and every principle, that is not to be borne! I was just about to raise the armies of Chuan in force, fight my way down to the south of the river and avenge my wrong, and now he thinks to come and demand Jingzhou!” Kongming prostrated himself on the ground in tears and said, “The Marquis of Wu has seized my brother’s family. If Jingzhou is not returned, my brother’s whole house will be put to death.

瑾大喜，即同孔明入見玄德，呈上孫權書。玄德看了，怒曰：“孫權既以妹嫁我，卻乘我不在荊州，竟將妹子潛地取去，情理難容！我正要大起川兵，殺下江南，報我之恨，卻還想來索荊州乎！”孔明哭拜於地，曰：“吳侯執下亮兄長老小，倘若不還，吾兄將全家被戮。

If my brother dies, how can I live on alone? I beg you, my lord, for my sake to return Jingzhou to Eastern Wu and preserve the bond between my brother and me!” Xuande refused again and again, but Kongming did nothing but weep and plead. At length Xuande said slowly, “Since it is so, for the sake of the Director of Strategy I will return half of Jingzhou: I will give him the three commanderies of Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang.” “Now that you have consented,” said Zhuge Liang, “please write to Yunchang and order him to hand over the three commanderies.”

兄死，亮豈能獨生？望主公看亮之面，將荊州還了東吳，全亮兄弟之情！”玄德再三不肯，孔明只是哭求。玄德徐徐曰：“既如此，看軍師面，分荊州一半還之：將長沙、零陵、桂陽三郡與他。”亮曰：“既蒙見允，便可寫書與雲長令交割三郡。”

Xuande said, “When you get there, Ziyu, you must use gentle words in making your request of my brother. His temper is like a raging fire; even I fear him. Be very careful.”

玄德曰：“子瑜到彼，須用善言求吾弟。吾弟性如烈火，吾尚懼之。切宜仔細。”

Having obtained the letter, Zhuge Jin took leave of Xuande, parted from Kongming and set out straight for Jingzhou. Yunchang invited him into the central hall, and host and guest exchanged courtesies. Zhuge Jin produced Xuande’s letter and said, “The Imperial Uncle has agreed to return three commanderies to Eastern Wu first. I hope, General, that you will hand them over this very day, so that I may go back and face my lord.” Yunchang’s face changed. “My brother and I swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden and vowed together to uphold the House of Han. Jingzhou is the territory of the great Han; how could any inch or foot of it be rashly given away to another?

瑾求了書，辭了玄德，別了孔明，登途徑到荊州。雲長請入中堂，賓主相敘。瑾出玄德書曰：“皇叔許先以三郡還東吳，望將軍即日交割，令瑾好回見吾主。”雲長變色曰：“吾與吾兄桃園結義，誓共匡扶漢室。荊州本大漢疆土，豈得妄以尺寸與人？

A general in the field does not accept every command of his lord. Though my brother has sent a letter, I simply will not return it.” “Now the Marquis of Wu has seized my family,” said Zhuge Jin. “If he does not get Jingzhou, they will surely be put to death. Have pity on them, General!” “This is a crafty ruse of the Marquis of Wu,” said Yunchang. “How could it deceive me?” “Why, General, do you show so little regard for anyone’s face?” Yunchang gripped his sword. “Say no more! This sword has no regard for anyone’s face!”

將在外，君命有所不受。雖吾兄有書來，我卻只不還。”瑾曰：“今吳侯執下瑾老小，若不得荊州，必將被誅。望將軍憐之！”雲長曰：“此是吳侯譎計，如何瞞得我過！”瑾曰：“將軍何太無面目？”雲長執劍在手曰：“休再言！此劍上並無面目！”

Guan Ping put in, “This will make the Director of Strategy lose face. Father, I beg you to calm your anger.” Yunchang said, “If it were not for the Director of Strategy’s sake, I would see to it that you never got back to Eastern Wu!”

關平告曰：“軍師面上不好看，望父親息怒。”雲長曰：“不看軍師面上，教你回不得東吳！”

Covered in shame, Zhuge Jin hastily took his leave, boarded his boat and went back to Xichuan to see Kongming. But Kongming had already gone off on a tour of inspection. Zhuge Jin had no choice but to see Xuande again, and tearfully told him how Yunchang had wanted to kill him. Xuande said, “My brother is hot-tempered and very hard to talk to. Go back for the time being, Ziyu. Let me first take Dongchuan and the commanderies of Hanzhong; then I will transfer Yunchang to guard them, and only then can Jingzhou be handed over.”

瑾滿面羞慚，急辭下船，再往西川見孔明。孔明已自出巡去了。瑾只得再見玄德，哭告雲長欲殺之事。玄德曰：“吾弟性急，極難與言。子瑜可暫回，容吾取了東川、漢中諸郡，調雲長往守之，那時方得交付荊州。”

Zhuge Jin had no choice but to return to Eastern Wu and see Sun Quan, to whom he related all that had happened. Sun Quan was furious. “This journey of yours, Ziyu, back and forth and round about—was it not all Zhuge Liang’s scheme?” “No,” said Zhuge Jin. “My brother too begged Xuande in tears before he agreed to return three commanderies first. But there was nothing to be done when Yunchang stubbornly refused.” Sun Quan said, “Since Liu Bei has said he will return three commanderies first, we can send officials to take up their posts in the three commanderies of Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang, and see what happens.”

瑾不得已，只得回東吳見孫權，具言前事。孫權大怒曰：“子瑜此去，反覆奔走，莫非皆是諸葛亮之計？”瑾曰：“非也。吾弟亦哭告玄德，方許將三郡先還，又無奈雲長恃頑不肯。”孫權曰：“既劉備有先還三郡之言，便可差官前去長沙、零陵、桂陽三郡赴任，且看如何。”

“My lord’s words are most excellent,” said Zhuge Jin. Sun Quan then had him take his family home, and at the same time sent officials to take up posts in the three commanderies. Before long the officials sent to the three commanderies had all been driven back. They reported to Sun Quan, “Guan Yunchang would not tolerate us and drove us back to Wu that very night. Any who lagged behind, he said, would be killed.”

瑾曰：“主公所言極善。”權乃令瑾取回老小，一面差官往三郡赴任。不一日，三郡差去官吏，盡被逐回，告孫權曰：“關雲長不肯相容，連夜趕逐回吳。遲後者便要殺。”

Sun Quan, in a great rage, sent for Lu Su and rebuked him: “Zijing, you once stood surety for Liu Bei when he borrowed our Jingzhou. Now Liu Bei has taken Xichuan and refuses to give it back. How can you sit by and watch?” “I have already thought of a plan,” said Lu Su, “and was just about to lay it before you, my lord.” “What plan?” asked Sun Quan. “I will now station troops at Lukou and send someone to invite Guan Yunchang to a meeting. If Yunchang is willing to come, I will try to persuade him with fair words; if he will not comply, I will have swordsmen and axemen lying in ambush to kill him.

孫權大怒，差人召魯肅責之曰：“子敬昔爲劉備作保，借吾荊州；今劉備已得西川，不肯歸還，子敬豈得坐視？”肅曰：“肅已思得一計，正欲告主公。”權問：“何計？”肅曰：“今屯兵於陸口，使人請關雲長赴會。若雲長肯來，以善言說之；如其不從，伏下刀斧手殺之。

And if he will not come, we will advance our troops at once, fight it out with him and seize Jingzhou, and that will be the end of it.” “That is exactly what I have in mind,” said Sun Quan. “Carry it out at once.” Kan Ze came forward. “No! Guan Yunchang is the tiger among the generals of this age, far beyond the reach of ordinary men. I fear the plan will miscarry and we shall suffer harm instead.” Sun Quan said angrily, “If we go on like this, when shall we ever get Jingzhou?” And he ordered Lu Su to carry out the plan without delay. So Lu Su took leave of Sun Quan and went to Lukou, where he called in Lü Meng and Gan Ning to confer. He prepared a banquet in the Linjiang Pavilion outside the camp at Lukou and wrote a letter of invitation. Choosing a glib, quick-tongued man from among his staff as envoy, he sent him across the river by boat.

如彼不肯來，隨即進兵，與決勝負，奪取荊州便了。”孫權曰：“正合吾意。可即行之。”闞澤進曰：“不可，關雲長乃世之虎將，非等閒可及。恐事不諧，反遭其害。”孫權怒曰：“若如此，荊州何日可得！”便命魯肅速行此計。肅乃辭孫權，至陸口，召呂蒙、甘寧商議，設宴於陸口寨外臨江亭上，修下請書，選帳下能言快語一人爲使，登舟渡江。

At the river mouth Guan Ping questioned him and then brought the envoy into Jingzhou, where he was presented to Yunchang. He explained fully that Lu Su invited him to a meeting and presented the letter of invitation. Having read it, Yunchang said to the messenger, “Since Zijing has invited me, I will come to the banquet tomorrow. You may go back ahead of me.”

江口關平問了，遂引使者入荊州，叩見雲長，具道魯肅相邀赴會之意，呈上請書。雲長看書畢，謂來人曰：“既子敬相請，我明日便來赴宴。汝可先回。”

The envoy took his leave. Guan Ping said, “Lu Su’s invitation surely means no good. Father, why did you accept?” Yunchang laughed. “Do you think I don’t know? Zhuge Jin went back and reported to Sun Quan that I would not return the three commanderies, so they have had Lu Su station troops at Lukou and invite me to a meeting where he can demand Jingzhou. If I do not go, they will say I am afraid. Tomorrow I will go alone in a small boat, with only ten or so of my personal attendants, and attend the meeting with a single sword. Let us see how Lu Su dares come near me!”

使者辭去。關平曰：“魯肅相邀，必無好意；父親何故許之？”雲長笑曰：“吾豈不知耶？此是諸葛瑾回報孫權，說吾不肯還三郡，故令魯肅屯兵陸口，邀我赴會，便索荊州。吾若不往，道吾怯矣。吾來日獨駕小舟，只用親隨十餘人，單刀赴會，看魯肅如何近我！”

Guan Ping remonstrated, “Father, why should you, whose person is worth ten thousand pieces of gold, walk into a den of tigers and wolves yourself? I fear that is no way to honour the trust my uncle has placed in you.” Yunchang said, “Amid a thousand spears and ten thousand blades, with arrows and stones flying from every side, I have ridden my lone horse back and forth as though through a land without a soul. Why should I fear the pack of rats in Jiangdong?” Ma Liang also remonstrated: “Though Lu Su has the manner of a worthy elder, the matter is urgent now, and he cannot help harbouring other designs.

平諫曰：“父親奈何以萬金之軀，親蹈虎狼之穴？恐非所以重伯父之寄託也。”雲長曰：“吾於千槍萬刃之中，矢石交攻之際，匹馬縱橫，如入無人之境；豈憂江東羣鼠乎！”馬良亦諫曰：“魯肅雖有長者之風，但今事急，不容不生異心。

You must not go lightly, General.” Yunchang said, “Long ago, in the time of the Warring States, Lin Xiangru of Zhao had not the strength to truss a chicken, yet at the meeting at Mianchi he looked upon the King of Qin and his ministers as nothing at all. How much less need I fear, who once learned to be a match for ten thousand men! I have given my word and cannot break faith.” “Even if you go, General,” said Ma Liang, “you should be prepared.” Yunchang said, “I will simply have my son pick ten fast boats and hide five hundred good marines in them to wait on the river.

將軍不可輕往。”雲長曰：“昔戰國時趙人藺相如，無縛雞之力，於澠池會上，覷秦國君臣如無物；況吾曾學萬人敵者乎！既已許諾，不可失信。”良曰：“縱將軍去，亦當有準備。”雲長曰：“只教吾兒選快船十隻，藏善水軍五百，於江上等候。

When he sees my signal flag go up, he is to cross the river at once.” Guan Ping received the order and went off to make ready. Meanwhile the envoy returned and reported to Lu Su that Yunchang had readily accepted and would certainly come the next day. Lu Su consulted with Lü Meng: “Now that he is coming, what shall we do?” “If he brings troops and horses,” said Lü Meng, “Gan Ning and I will each lie in ambush beside the bank with a force, and at the signal of a bombard we will be ready to fight. If he brings no troops, we need only hide fifty swordsmen and axemen behind the hall and kill him at the banquet.”

看吾認旗起處，便過江來。”平領命自去準備。卻說使者回報魯肅，說雲長慨然應允，來日準到。肅與呂蒙商議：“此來若何？”蒙曰：“彼帶軍馬來，某與甘寧各人領一軍伏於岸側，放炮爲號，準備廝殺；如無軍來，只於庭後伏刀斧手五十人，就筵間殺之。”

The plan was settled. Next day Lu Su had men keep watch from the bank at the river mouth. After the hour of the Dragon they saw a single boat coming over the water, with only a handful of boatmen and sailors. A red flag fluttered in the wind, displaying a large character “Guan.” As the boat drew near the bank they saw Yunchang seated in it, in a blue turban and green robe. Beside him Zhou Cang held his great blade, and eight or nine burly men from Guanxi each wore a sword at his waist.

計會已定。次日，肅令人於岸口遙望。辰時後，見江面上一隻船來，梢公水手只數人，一面紅旗，風中招颭，顯出一個大“關”字來。船漸近岸，見雲長青巾綠袍，坐於船上；傍邊周倉捧着大刀；八九個關西大漢，各跨腰刀一口。

Surprised and uneasy, Lu Su received him and led him into the hall. When the courtesies were over they took their seats and drank. Lu Su raised his cup and pressed him to drink, but dared not look him in the face. Yunchang talked and laughed as if nothing were amiss.

魯肅驚疑，接入庭內。敘禮畢，入席飲酒，舉杯相勸，不敢仰視。雲長談笑自若。

When the wine was half drunk, Lu Su said, “I have something to put before you, Your Lordship, and I pray you will hear me. Some time ago your elder brother the Imperial Uncle had me stand surety before my lord for the loan of Jingzhou as a temporary abode, on the promise that it would be returned once Chuan was taken. Now Xichuan has been won, yet Jingzhou has not been returned. Is that not breaking faith?” Yunchang said, “This is an affair of state. There is no need to discuss it at a banquet.” Lu Su said, “My lord has nothing but the small land of Jiangdong, yet he was willing to lend Jingzhou because he took pity on you and the others, Your Lordship, who had come from afar after defeat with nothing to sustain you.

酒至半酣，肅曰：“有一言訴與君侯，幸垂聽焉：昔日令兄皇叔，使肅於吾主之前，保借荊州暫住，約於取川之後歸還。今西川已得，而荊州未還，得毋失信乎？”雲長曰：“此國家之事，筵間不必論之。”肅曰：“吾主只區區江東之地，而肯以荊州相借者，爲念君侯等兵敗遠來，無以爲資故也。

Now that Yizhou has been won, Jingzhou should naturally be returned. Yet the Imperial Uncle will cede only three commanderies first, and Your Lordship will not comply even with that. I fear it cannot be justified on any principle.” Yunchang said, “In the battle of Wulin the General of the Left braved arrows and stones in person and strove with all his might to defeat the enemy. Was all that toil to go for nothing, without a foot of land to show for it? And now, sir, you come again to demand territory?” “Not so,” said Lu Su. “When Your Lordship and the Imperial Uncle were routed together at Changban, your schemes exhausted and your strength spent, you were about to flee far away. My lord, pitying the Imperial Uncle who had nowhere to lay his head, did not grudge the land and gave him a place to set his foot, so that he might aim at future achievements. But the Imperial Uncle has betrayed that kindness and broken the friendship: having won Xichuan, he still holds Jingzhou. Greedy and faithless—I fear he will become the laughingstock of the world.

今已得益州，則荊州自應見還；乃皇叔但肯先割三郡，而君侯又不從，恐於理上說不去。”雲長曰：“烏林之役，左將軍親冒矢石，戮力破敵，豈得徒勞而無尺土相資？今足下復來索地耶？”肅曰：“不然。君侯始與皇叔同敗於長坂，計窮力竭，將欲遠竄，吾主矜念皇叔身無處所，不愛土地，使有所託足，以圖後功；而皇叔愆德隳好，已得西川，又佔荊州，貪而背義，恐爲天下所恥笑。

I beg Your Lordship to consider this.” Yunchang said, “All this is my brother’s affair; it is not for me to meddle in it.” Lu Su said, “I have heard that you and the Imperial Uncle swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden and vowed to live and die together. The Imperial Uncle and you are one. How can you shift it off onto him?” Before Yunchang could reply, Zhou Cang called out sternly from below the steps, “The land under heaven belongs only to those who have virtue. Why should your Eastern Wu alone have it?”

惟君侯察之。”雲長曰：“此皆吾兄之事，非某所宜與也。”肅曰：“某聞君侯與皇叔桃園結義，誓同生死。皇叔即君侯也，何得推託乎？”雲長未及回答，周倉在階下厲聲言曰：“天下土地，惟有德者居之。豈獨是汝東吳當有耶！”

Yunchang rose, his face changing colour, snatched the great blade from Zhou Cang’s hands and stood in the middle of the hall. Glaring at Zhou Cang, he shouted, “This is an affair of state. How dare you say so much? Be off with you at once!” Zhou Cang understood his meaning. He went ahead to the bank and waved the red flag once. Guan Ping’s boats shot off like arrows and came racing across toward Jiangdong. Yunchang, holding the blade in his right hand and gripping Lu Su’s hand with his left, feigned drunkenness and said, “You invited me to a banquet today, sir. Do not bring up the matter of Jingzhou.

雲長變色而起，奪周倉所捧大刀，立於庭中，目視周倉而叱曰：“此國家之事，汝何敢多言！可速去！”倉會意，先到岸口，把紅旗一招。關平船如箭發，奔過江東來。雲長右手提刀，左手挽住魯肅手，佯推醉曰：“公今請吾赴宴，莫提起荊州之事。

I am drunk now, and I fear we might injure the feelings of old friendship. Another day I will send someone to invite you to a meeting in Jingzhou, and we can discuss it then.” Lu Su, frightened out of his wits, was dragged by Yunchang down to the river’s edge. Lü Meng and Gan Ning were about to sally forth, each with his own troops, but seeing Yunchang holding his great blade and gripping Lu Su himself, they feared Lu Su would be hurt, and so they dared not move. Only when he reached the side of his boat did Yunchang let go. In a moment he was standing in the bow, bidding Lu Su farewell.

吾今已醉，恐傷故舊之情。他日令人請公到荊州赴會，另作商議。”魯肅魂不附體，被雲長扯至江邊。呂蒙、甘寧各引本部軍欲出，見雲長手提大刀，親握魯肅，恐肅被傷，遂不敢動。雲長到船邊，卻纔放手，早立於船首，與魯肅作別。

Lu Su stood as if dazed and stupefied, watching Lord Guan’s boat already sailing away on the wind.

肅如癡似呆，看關公船已乘風而去。

A later poet wrote in praise of Lord Guan:
He looked on the ministers of Wu as little children,
Went to the feast with a single sword and calmly cowed them all.
The heroic spirit he showed that day
Surpassed even Xiangru’s at Mianchi.
Yunchang returned to Jingzhou.

後人有詩讚關公曰：“藐視吳臣若小兒，單刀赴會敢平欺。
當年一段英雄氣，尤勝相如在澠池。
”雲長自回荊州。

Lu Su conferred with Lü Meng: “This plan too has failed. What are we to do?” “Report to our lord at once,” said Lü Meng, “and let him raise an army to fight a decisive battle with Yunchang.” Lu Su immediately sent a man to report to Sun Quan. On hearing it Sun Quan was furious and began discussing raising every soldier in the land to go and take Jingzhou. Suddenly came a report: “Cao Cao has raised another great army of three hundred thousand and is on his way!” Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. He told Lu Su not to provoke the forces of Jingzhou for the present, and moved his troops toward Hefei and Ruxu to resist Cao Cao.

魯肅與呂蒙共議：“此計又不成，如之奈何？”蒙曰：“可即申報主公，起兵與雲長決戰。”肅即時使人申報孫權。權聞之大怒，商議起傾國之兵，來取荊州。忽報：“曹操又起三十萬大軍來也！”權大驚，且教魯肅休惹荊州之兵，移兵向合淝、濡須，以拒曹操。

Now Cao Cao was about to set out on his southern expedition when the Military Adviser Fu Gan, styled Yancai, submitted a letter of remonstrance. In substance it said: “I have heard that when one uses arms, awe comes first; when one uses letters, virtue comes first; only when awe and virtue complement each other is the royal work achieved. In the past, when the empire was in great disorder, Your Excellency drove out the troubles by force of arms and pacified nine parts of ten. Those who still do not accept the royal command are only Wu and Shu. Wu has the barrier of the Great River, and Shu the obstacle of lofty mountains; it will be hard to overcome them by awe alone.

卻說操將欲起程南征，參軍傅幹，字彥材，上書諫操。書略曰：“幹聞用武則先威，用文則先德；威德相濟，而後王業成。往者天下大亂，明公用武攘之，十平其九；今未承王命者，吳與蜀耳。吳有長江之險，蜀有崇山之阻，難以威勝。

In my humble opinion you should for the present further cultivate civil virtue, lay aside armour and rest your weapons, give the army respite and nurture your officers, and wait for the right moment to move. If now you raise a host of several hundred thousand and halt it on the bank of the Great River, and the rebels hold their strongholds and lie deep in hiding, so that our soldiers and horses cannot display their prowess and no surprise stratagem can be brought into play, then the majesty of heaven will be humbled. I pray Your Excellency will examine this carefully.” When Cao Cao had read it, he gave up the southern expedition, founded schools and received scholars with honour.

愚以爲且宜增修文德，按甲寢兵，息軍養士，待時而動。今若舉數十萬之衆，頓長江之濱，倘賊憑險深藏，使我士馬不得逞其能，奇變無所用其權，則天威屈矣。惟明公詳察焉。”曹操覽之，遂罷南征，興設學校，延禮文士。

Thereupon four men, the Palace Attendants Wang Can, Du Xi, Wei Kai and He Qia, proposed to honour Cao Cao as King of Wei. The Director of the Palace Secretariat, Xun You, said, “No. The Chancellor’s rank has reached Duke of Wei, and he has been honoured with the Nine Distinctions; his position is already at its height. To raise him now to the rank of king would be against all principle.” Hearing of this, Cao Cao said angrily, “Does this man want to follow the example of Xun Yu?” When Xun You learned of it, grief and indignation made him ill. He lay sick for ten days or so and died, at the age of fifty-eight.

於是侍中王粲、杜襲、衛凱、和洽四人，議欲尊曹操爲魏王。中書令荀攸曰：“不可。丞相官至魏公，榮加九錫，位已極矣。今又進升王位，於理不可。”曹操聞之，怒曰：“此人慾效荀彧耶！”荀攸知之，憂憤成疾，臥病十數日而卒，亡年五十八歲。

Cao Cao gave him a lavish burial, and the matter of the kingship was dropped. One day Cao Cao entered the palace wearing his sword. Emperor Xian was sitting with Empress Fu. At the sight of Cao Cao the Empress rose in haste, and the Emperor trembled uncontrollably. Cao Cao said, “Sun Quan and Liu Bei each lord it over a region and do not honour the court. What should be done?” The Emperor said, “It is all for the Duke of Wei to decide.” Cao Cao said angrily, “If Your Majesty speaks so, those outside who hear it will only say that I bully my sovereign.”

操厚葬之，遂罷魏王事。一日，曹操帶劍入宮，獻帝正與伏后共坐。伏后見操來，慌忙起身。帝見曹操，戰慄不已。操曰：“孫權、劉備各霸一方，不尊朝廷，當如之何？”帝曰：“盡在魏公裁處。”操怒曰：“陛下出此言，外人聞之，只道吾欺君也。”

The Emperor said, “If you are willing to support me, I shall be most fortunate. If not, I beg you to show me mercy and let me go.” At these words Cao Cao glared at the Emperor and went out seething with resentment. Someone among the attendants said to the Emperor, “We hear that the Duke of Wei means to make himself a king. Before long he will surely usurp the throne.” The Emperor and Empress Fu wept bitterly. The Empress said, “My father, Fu Wan, has long wished to kill Cao Cao. I will now write a letter and plot with him in secret.” The Emperor said, “In the past Dong Cheng was not secret enough and brought great disaster upon himself. If it leaks out again, it will be the end of both of us!”

帝曰：“君若肯相輔則幸甚；不爾，願垂恩相舍。”操聞言，怒目視帝，恨恨而出。左右或奏帝曰：“近聞魏公欲自立爲王，不久必將篡位。”帝與伏后大哭。後曰：“妾父伏完常有殺操之心，妾今當修書一封，密與父圖之。”帝曰：“昔董承爲事不密，反遭大禍；今恐又泄漏，朕與汝皆休矣！”

The Empress said, “Morning and evening I feel as if I were sitting on a mat of needles. Rather than live like this, better to die early! Among the eunuchs, I see none so loyal and trustworthy as Mu Shun. He shall carry the letter.” So they at once called Mu Shun behind the screen and sent away the attendants. Weeping bitterly, the Emperor and Empress said to Mu Shun, “Cao the rebel wants to be King of Wei, and sooner or later he will surely usurp the throne. We wish the Empress’s father, Fu Wan, to plot secretly against this rebel, but everyone about us is the rebel’s creature, and there is no one we can trust.

後曰：“旦夕如坐鍼氈，似此爲人，不如早亡！妾看宦官中之忠義可託者，莫如穆順，當令寄此書。”乃即召穆順入屏後，退去左右近侍。帝后大哭告順曰：“操賊欲爲魏王，早晚必行篡奪之事。朕欲令後父伏完密圖此賊，而左右之人，俱賊心腹，無可託者。

We want you to take the Empress’s secret letter to Fu Wan. Knowing your loyalty, we are sure you will not fail us.” Mu Shun said, weeping, “I am moved by Your Majesty’s great kindness. How could I not repay it with my life? Let me go at once.” The Empress then wrote the letter and gave it to Mu Shun. He hid it in his hair, slipped out of the palace, went straight to Fu Wan’s house and presented it. Seeing that it was in the Empress’s own hand, Fu Wan said to Mu Shun, “Cao the rebel has a great many adherents. We cannot move against him in haste.

欲汝將皇后密書，寄與伏完。量汝忠義，必不負朕。”順泣曰：“臣感陛下大恩，敢不以死報！臣即請行。”後乃修書付順。順藏書於發中，潛出禁宮，徑至伏完宅，將書呈上。完見是伏后親筆，乃謂穆順曰：“操賊心腹甚衆，不可遽圖。

Only when Sun Quan in Jiangdong and Liu Bei in Xichuan raise armies outside will Cao Cao be sure to march in person. Then we must seek out the loyal ministers at court and plot together. With an attack from within and without, we may hope to succeed.” Mu Shun said, “Your Excellency, as father of the Empress, should write a reply to the Emperor and Empress and ask for a secret decree, then secretly send men to both Wu and Shu, so that they agree to raise armies together to destroy the rebel and rescue our sovereign.” Fu Wan at once took paper and wrote a letter, which he gave to Mu Shun. Mu Shun hid it in his topknot, took leave of Fu Wan and returned to the palace.

除非江東孫權、西川劉備，二處起兵於外，操必自往。此時卻求在朝忠義之臣，一同謀之。內外夾攻，庶可有濟。”順曰：“皇丈可作書覆帝后，求密詔，暗遣人往吳、蜀二處，令約會起兵，討賊救主。”伏完即取紙寫書付順。順乃藏於頭髻內，辭完回宮。

But someone had already informed Cao Cao, and he was waiting ahead of time at the palace gate. On his way back Mu Shun ran into Cao Cao, who asked, “Where have you been?” “The Empress is ill and ordered me to go for a physician,” answered Mu Shun. “Where is the physician you sent for?” “He has not come yet.” Cao Cao shouted to his attendants to search him from head to foot, but nothing was hidden on him, so he was allowed to pass. Suddenly the wind blew off his cap. Cao Cao called him back again, took the cap and examined it, but finding nothing in it, gave it back and told him to put it on.

原來早有人報知曹操。操先於宮門等候。穆順回遇曹操，操問：“那裏去來？”順答曰：“皇后有病，命求醫去。”操曰：“召得醫人何在？”順曰：“還未召至。”操喝左右，遍搜身上，並無夾帶，放行。忽然風吹落其帽。操又喚回，取帽視之，遍觀無物，還帽令戴。

Mu Shun put his cap back on with both hands, the wrong way round. Cao Cao’s suspicion was aroused. He had his attendants search Mu Shun’s hair, and out came Fu Wan’s letter. When Cao Cao read it, he found that it spoke of joining with Sun Quan and Liu Bei as allies from outside. In a great rage Cao Cao had Mu Shun seized and interrogated in a secret chamber, but Mu Shun would not confess. That same night Cao Cao mustered three thousand armoured soldiers, surrounded Fu Wan’s house and arrested everyone, old and young. The letter in the Empress’s own hand was found there, and forthwith the three branches of the Fu clan were all thrown into prison.

穆順雙手倒戴其帽。操心疑，令左右搜其頭髮中，搜出伏完書來。操看時，書中言欲結連孫、劉爲外應。操大怒，執下穆順於密室問之，順不肯招。操連夜點起甲兵三千，圍住伏完私宅，老幼並皆拿下；搜出伏后親筆之書，隨將伏氏三族盡皆下獄。

At dawn Xi Lü, General of the Imperial Guard, was sent into the palace bearing the staff of authority, to take away first of all the Empress’s seal and ribbon. That day the Emperor was in the outer hall when he saw Xi Lü march straight in at the head of three hundred armoured soldiers. “What is the matter?” asked the Emperor. “By command of the Duke of Wei I have come to take the Empress’s seal,” said Xi Lü. The Emperor knew that the plot had leaked out, and his heart and courage were shattered. When Xi Lü reached the rear palace, Empress Fu had only just risen. Xi Lü at once called the keeper of the seals, demanded the jade seal and went out with it.

平明，使御林將軍郗慮持節入宮，先收皇后璽綬。是日，帝在外殿，見郗慮引三百甲兵直入。帝問曰：“有何事？”慮曰：“奉魏公命收皇后璽。”帝知事泄，心膽皆碎。慮至後宮，伏后方起。慮便喚管璽綬人索取玉璽而出。

Empress Fu knew that all was discovered, and she hid inside a double wall in the Pepper Chamber behind the hall. Soon after, Hua Xin, Director of the Masters of Writing, entered the rear hall with five hundred armoured soldiers and asked the palace women, “Where is Empress Fu?” They all pleaded ignorance. Hua Xin had the soldiers break open the vermilion doors and search, but she could not be found. Guessing that she was inside the wall, he ordered the soldiers to break it open and search. Hua Xin with his own hands seized the Empress by her hair and dragged her out.

伏后情知事發，便於殿後椒房內夾壁中藏躲。少頃，尚書令華歆引五百甲兵入到後殿，問宮人：“伏后何在？”宮人皆推不知。歆教甲兵打開朱戶，尋覓不見；料在壁中，便喝甲士破壁搜尋。歆親自動手揪後頭髻拖出。

“Spare my life, I beg you!” said the Empress. “Go and plead with the Duke of Wei yourself!” Hua Xin shouted at her. With her hair loose and her feet bare, the Empress was hustled out by two soldiers. Now Hua Xin had long been known for his talent, and in earlier days he had been a close friend of Bing Yuan and Guan Ning. People of that time called the three of them one dragon: Hua Xin was the dragon’s head, Bing Yuan the dragon’s belly and Guan Ning the dragon’s tail. One day Guan Ning and Hua Xin were planting vegetables together in a garden when, hoeing the ground, they came upon some gold.

後曰：“望免我一命！”歆叱曰：“汝自見魏公訴去！”後披髮跣足，二甲士推擁而出。原來華歆素有才名，向與邴原、管寧相友善。時人稱三人爲一龍：華歆爲龍頭，邴原爲龍腹，管寧爲龍尾。一日，寧與歆共種園蔬，鋤地見金。

Guan Ning went on swinging his hoe without a glance at it, but Hua Xin picked it up and looked at it before throwing it down. Another day Guan Ning and Hua Xin were sitting together reading when they heard outriders calling outside the door as some nobleman drove past in his carriage. Guan Ning sat upright and did not stir, but Hua Xin threw down his book and went to look. From then on Guan Ning despised Hua Xin’s character. He cut the mat in two so that they sat apart, and would be his friend no longer. Later Guan Ning withdrew to live in Liaodong. He always wore a white cap and lived in a single tower, sitting and sleeping there without setting foot on the ground, and all his life he refused to serve Wei. Hua Xin, on the other hand, first served Sun Quan and later went over to Cao Cao, and now it had come to his arresting Empress Fu.

寧揮鋤不顧；歆拾而視之，然後擲下。又一日，寧與歆同坐觀書，聞戶外傳呼之聲，有貴人乘軒而過。寧端坐不動，歆棄書往觀。寧自此鄙歆之爲人，遂割席分坐，不復與之爲友。後來管寧避居遼東，常戴白帽，坐臥一樓，足不履地，終身不肯仕魏；而歆乃先事孫權，後歸曹操，至此乃有收捕伏皇后一事。

A later poet lamented Hua Xin:
That day Hua Xin gave rein to his cruel designs,
Broke through the wall and seized the mother of the realm alive.
Aiding a tyrant, in one morning he gave wings to the tiger;
For a thousand years his name is cursed and the “Dragon’s Head” is mocked!

後人有詩嘆華歆曰：“華歆當日逞兇謀，破壁生將母后收。
助虐一朝添虎翼，罵名千載笑龍頭！
”

Another poem praised Guan Ning:
In Liaodong, they say, still stands the tower of Guan Ning;
The man is gone, the tower empty, yet his name alone remains.
How laughable was Ziyu in his greed for wealth and rank—
How could he compare with the white cap’s untroubled grace?

又有詩讚管寧曰：“遼東傳有管寧樓，人去樓空名獨留。笑殺子魚貪富貴，豈如白帽自風流。”

Hua Xin brought Empress Fu under guard to the outer hall. When the Emperor saw her, he came down from the hall, took her in his arms and wept. “The Duke of Wei has given his orders,” said Hua Xin. “Move on at once!” Weeping, the Empress said to the Emperor, “Can you not save my life?” “I do not know how long my own life will last!” said the Emperor. The soldiers hustled the Empress away, and the Emperor beat his breast in utter grief. Seeing Xi Lü at his side, the Emperor said, “Lord Xi! Can such a thing happen under heaven?”

且說華歆將伏后擁至外殿。帝望見後，乃下殿抱後而哭。歆曰：“魏公有命，可速行！”後哭謂帝曰：“不能復相活耶？”帝曰：“我命亦不知在何時也！”甲士擁後而去，帝捶胸大慟。見郗慮在側，帝曰：“郗公！天下寧有是事乎！”

Then he fell to the ground weeping. Xi Lü had the attendants help the Emperor back into the palace. Hua Xin took Empress Fu before Cao Cao, who railed at her, “I have treated all of you with sincerity, and you in return want to destroy me! If I do not kill you, you will surely kill me!” He shouted to his attendants to beat her to death with clubs. Then he went straight into the palace and had the two sons borne by Empress Fu put to death with poisoned wine. That same evening Fu Wan, Mu Shun and their clans, more than two hundred persons in all, were beheaded in the marketplace.

哭倒在地。郗慮令左右扶帝入宮。華歆拿伏后見操。操罵曰：“吾以誠心待汝等，汝等反欲害我耶！吾不殺汝，汝必殺我！”喝左右亂棒打死。隨即入宮，將伏后所生二子，皆鴆殺之。當晚將伏完、穆順等宗族二百餘口，皆斬於市。

There was no one, at court or in the country, who was not horrified. This was in the eleventh month of the nineteenth year of Jian’an.

朝野之人，無不驚駭。時建安十九年十一月也。

A later poet lamented:
Cao Man’s cruelty had no equal in the world;
What could Fu Wan’s loyalty avail?
Pitiful the place where Emperor and Empress were parted—
They fared worse than any common wife and husband!

後人有詩嘆曰：“曹瞞兇殘世所無，伏完忠義欲何如。
可憐帝后分離處，不及民間婦與夫！
”

After losing Empress Fu, Emperor Xian would eat nothing for days on end. Cao Cao came in and said, “Your Majesty has nothing to fear; I harbour no disloyal intent. My daughter is already Your Majesty’s Honoured Lady. She is most virtuous and most filial and ought to occupy the principal palace.” How could Emperor Xian dare to refuse? On the first day of the first month of the twentieth year of Jian’an, at the celebration of the New Year, Cao Cao’s daughter, the Honoured Lady Cao, was installed as Empress of the principal palace. None of the officials dared say a word.

獻帝自從壞了伏后，連日不食。操入曰：“陛下無憂，臣無異心。臣女已與陛下爲貴人，大賢大孝，宜居正宮。”獻帝安敢不從。於建安二十年正月朔，就慶賀正旦之節，冊立曹操女曹貴人爲正宮皇后。羣下莫敢有言。

By this time Cao Cao’s might and power grew greater day by day. He gathered his high ministers to discuss subduing Wu and destroying Shu. Jia Xu said, “You should summon Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren back to discuss this.” Cao Cao at once sent messengers to call them back, travelling through the night. Before Xiahou Dun arrived, Cao Ren came first and that very night went straight into the palace to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao had just lain down, overcome with wine, and Xu Chu stood sword in hand inside the door of the hall. When Cao Ren tried to go in, Xu Chu barred his way.

此時曹操威勢日甚。會大臣商議收吳滅蜀之事。賈詡曰：“須召夏侯惇、曹仁二人回，商議此事。”操即時發使，星夜喚回。夏侯惇未至，曹仁先到，連夜便入府中見操。操方被酒而臥，許褚仗劍立於堂門之內，曹仁欲入，被許褚當住。

Cao Ren was furious. “I am of the Cao clan. How dare you stop me?” Xu Chu said, “Though you are a kinsman, General, you are an official guarding an outer frontier. Though I, Xu Chu, am no relation, I now serve as the inner guard. Our lord is lying drunk in the hall, and I dare not let you in.” So Cao Ren did not venture to go in. When Cao Cao heard of this, he sighed, “Xu Chu is truly a loyal servant!” Within a few days Xiahou Dun also arrived, and they discussed the campaign together. Xiahou Dun said, “Wu and Shu cannot be attacked in haste. We should first take Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, then with a victorious army take Shu. It can be brought down at a single roll of the drum.”

曹仁大怒曰：“吾乃曹氏宗族，汝何敢阻當耶？”許褚曰：“將軍雖親，乃外藩鎮守之官；許褚雖疏，現充內侍。主公醉臥堂上，不敢放入。”仁乃不敢入。曹操聞之，嘆曰：“許褚真忠臣也！”不數日，夏侯惇亦至，共議征伐。惇曰：“吳、蜀急未可攻，宜先取漢中張魯，以得勝之兵取蜀，可一鼓而下也。”

“That is exactly what I have in mind,” said Cao Cao, and he raised an army and marched west.

曹操曰：“正合吾意。”遂起兵西征。

Indeed:
Having worked his cruel schemes to bully a feeble sovereign,
He now drove his hardy troops to sweep a remote realm.
What happened next will be told in the next chapter.

正是：方逞兇謀欺弱主，又驅勁卒掃偏邦。
未知後事如何，且看下文分解。