Romance, Chapter 48

Chapter 48. Banquet on the Yangtse; Cao Cao’s Song: The Northern Men Fight on the Chained Ships

In the last chapter Pang Tong was brought up with a sudden shock when some one seized him and said he understood. Upon turning to look at the man he saw it was Xu Shu, an old friend, and his heart revived. Looking around and seeing no one near he said, “If you expose my plan it will be a pity, for the people of all the eighty-one districts of Jiangnan will have been sent to their death by you.” Xu Shu smiled. “And what of the fate of these eighty-three legions of men and horse?” said he. “Do you intend to wreck my scheme?”

卻說龐統聞言，喫了一驚，急回視其人，原來卻是徐庶。統見是故人，心下方定。回顧左右無人，乃曰：“你若說破我計，可惜江南八十一州百姓，皆是你送了也！”庶笑曰：“此間八十三萬人馬，性命如何？”統曰：“元直真欲破我計耶？”

“I have never forgotten the great kindness of the Imperial Uncle Liu, nor ceased to wish to repay it. Cao Cao sent my mother to her death, and I have said I would never think out a single plan for him as long as I live. So am I likely to wreck yours now, brother? But I have followed the army thus far and after they shall have been defeated, good and bad will suffer alike and how can I escape? Tell me how I can secure safety and I sew up my lips and go away.” Pang Tong smiled, “If you are as high-minded as that there is no great difficulty.”

庶曰：“吾感劉皇叔厚恩，未嘗忘報。曹操送死吾母，吾已說過終身不設一謀，今安肯破兄良策？只是我亦隨軍在此，兵敗之後，玉石不分，豈能免難？君當教我脫身之術，我即緘口遠避矣。”統笑曰：“元直如此高見遠識，諒此有何難哉！”

“Still I wish you would instruct me.” So Pang Tong whispered something in his ear, which seemed to please Xu Shu greatly, for he thanked him most cordially and took his leave. Then Pang Tong betook himself to his boat and left for the southern shore.

庶曰：“願先生賜教。”統去徐庶耳邊略說數句。庶大喜，拜謝。龐統別卻徐庶，下船自回江東。

His friend gone, Xu Shu mischievously spread certain rumours in the camp, and next day were to be seen everywhere men in small groups, some talking, others listening, heads together and ears stretched out, till the camps seemed to buzz. Spies soon went to Cao Cao and told him that a rumour was running around that Han Sui and Ma Teng of Xiliang had rebelled and were marching on Xuchang. This troubled Cao Cao, who called together his advisers to council. Said he, “The only anxiety I have felt in this expedition was about the possible doings of Han Sui and Ma Teng.

且說徐庶當晚密使近人去各寨中暗布謠言。次日，寨中三三五五，交頭接耳而說。早有探事人報知曹操，說：“軍中傳言西涼州韓遂、馬騰謀反，殺奔許都來。”操大驚，急聚衆謀士商議曰：“吾引兵南征，心中所憂者，韓遂、馬騰耳。

Now there is a rumour running among the men, and though I know not whether it be true or false, it is necessary to be on one’s guard.” At this point Xu Shu said, “You have been kind enough to give me an office, Sir, and I have really done nothing in return. If I may have three companies I will march at once to San Pass and guard it. If there be any pressing matter I will report at once.” “If you would do this I should be quite at my ease. There are soldiers at the Pass too, and they shall be under your command.

軍中謠言，雖未辨虛實，然不可不防。”言未畢，徐庶進曰：“庶蒙丞相收錄，恨無寸功報效。請得三千人馬，星夜往散關把住隘口；如有緊急，再行告報。”操喜曰：“若得元直去，吾無憂矣！散關之上，亦有軍兵，公統領之。

Now I will give you three companies of horse and foot, with Zang Ba to lead the van. March by night and do not delay.” Xu Shu took leave of the Minister and left in company with Zang Ba. This was Pang Tong’s scheme to secure the safety of Xu Shu.

目下撥三千馬步軍，命臧霸爲先鋒，星夜前去，不可稽遲。”徐庶辭了曹操，與臧霸便行。此便是龐統救徐庶之計。

A poem says:— Cao Cao marched south, but at his back
There rode the fear of rear attack.
Pang Tong’s good counsel Xu Shu took,
And thus the fish escaped the hook. Cao Cao’s anxiety diminished after he had thus sent away Xu Shu. Then he rode round all the camps, first the land forces and then the naval. He took his place on a great ship in the centre and thereon set up his standard of command. The naval camps were ranged on either side, and a thousand bows and crossbows lay hidden on board his ship.

後人有詩曰：“曹操徵南日日憂，馬騰韓遂起戈矛。
鳳雛一語教徐庶，正似游魚脫釣鉤。
”曹操自遣徐庶去後，心中稍安，遂上馬先看沿江旱寨，次看水寨。
乘大船一隻於中央，上建帥字旗號，兩傍皆列水寨，船上埋伏弓弩千張。
操居於上。

It was then the fifteenth day of the eleventh month, in the winter of the thirteenth year of Jian’an. The sky was clear; there was no wind and the river lay unruffled. He prepared a great banquet, with music, and thereto invited all his captains. As evening drew on the moon rose over the eastern hills in its immaculate beauty and beneath it lay the broad belt of the river like a band of pure white silk. Several hundred attendants stood around Cao Cao, all clad in gorgeous silks and embroidered robes, bearing spears and halberds that glittered in the moonlight.

時建安十三年冬十一月十五日，天氣晴明，平風靜浪。操令：“置酒設樂於大船之上，吾今夕欲會諸將。”天色向晚，東山月上，皎皎如同白日。長江一帶，如橫素練。操坐大船之上，左右侍御者數百人，皆錦衣繡襖，荷戈執戟。

The officers, civil and military, were seated in their proper order of precedence. The setting, too, was exquisite. The Nanping hills were outlined as in a picture; the boundaries of Chaisang lay in the east; the river showed west as far as Xiakou; on the south lay the Hills of Fan, on the north was Wulin. The view stretched wide on every side. Cao’s heart was jubilant and he harangued the assembly, “My one aim since I enlisted my first small band of volunteers has been the removal of evil from the State and I have sworn to cleanse the country and restore tranquillity. Now there is only left this land of Jiangnan to withstand me.

文武衆官，各依次而坐。操見南屏山色如畫，東視柴桑之境，西觀夏口之江，南望樊山，北覷烏林，四顧空闊，心中歡喜，謂衆官曰：“吾自起義兵以來，與國家除兇去害，誓願掃清四海，削平天下；所未得者江南也。

I am at the head of a hundred legions. I depend upon you, gentlemen, and have no doubt of my final success. After I have subdued Jiangnan there will be no trouble in all the country. Then we shall enjoy wealth and honour and revel in peace.” They rose in a body and expressed their appreciation saying, “We trust that you may soon report complete victory and we shall all repose in the shade of your good fortune.” In his elation Cao Cao bade the servants bring more wine and they drank till late at night. Warmed and mellowed, the host pointed to the south bank saying, “Zhou Yu and Lu Su know not the appointed time.

今吾有百萬雄師，更賴諸公用命，何患不成功耶！收服江南之後，天下無事，與諸公共享富貴，以樂太平。”文武皆起謝曰：“願得早奏凱歌！我等終身皆賴丞相福廕。”操大喜，命左右行酒。飲至半夜，操酒酣，遙指南岸曰：“周瑜、魯肅，不識天時！

Heaven is aiding me, for now I have men who have come over from their side and who will be a disease in their very vitals.” “O Minister, say nothing of these things lest they become known to the enemy,” said Xun You. But the Minister only laughed. “You are all my trusty friends,” said he, “both officers and humble attendants. Why should I refrain?” Pointing to Xiakou he continued, “You do not reckon for much with your puny force, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. How foolish of you to attempt to shake Mount Tai! I am now fifty-four and if I get Jiangnan I shall have something to rejoice over in secret.

今幸有投降之人，爲彼心腹之患，此天助吾也。”荀攸曰：“丞相勿言，恐有泄漏。”操大笑曰：“座上諸公，與近侍左右，皆吾心腹之人也，言之何礙！”又指夏口曰：“劉備、諸葛亮，汝不料螻蟻之力，欲撼泰山，何其愚耶！”顧謂諸將曰：“吾今年五十四歲矣，如得江南，竊有所喜。

In the days of long ago Lord Qiao and I were the closest of friends, and I knew his two daughters were lovely beyond words. Then, beyond my expectation, they became wives to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. But now I have newly built the Bronze Bird Terrace on the Zhang River, and victory over the south will mean that I marry these two fair women. I will put them in the terrace and they shall rejoice my declining years. My desires will then be completely attained.” Having said this he laughed aloud. Du Mu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, in one poem says:— A broken halberd buried in the sand,
With deep rust eaten.
Loud tells of ancient battles on the strand,
When Cao was beaten.

昔日喬公與吾至契，吾知其二女皆有國色。後不料爲孫策、周瑜所娶。吾今新構銅雀臺於漳水之上，如得江南，當娶二喬，置之臺上，以娛暮年，吾願足矣！”言罷大笑。唐人杜牧之有詩曰：“折戟沉沙鐵未銷，自將磨洗認前朝。

Had eastern winds Zhou’s plan refused to aid
And fan the flame,
Two captives fair, locked in the Bronze Bird’s shade,
Had gone to shame. But suddenly amid the merriment was heard the hoarse cry of a raven flying toward the south. “Why does the raven thus cry in the night?” asked Cao Cao. “The moon is so bright that he thinks it is day,” said they, “and so he leaves his tree.” Cao laughed; by this time he was quite intoxicated. He took his spear and stood in the prow of the ship and poured a libation into the river and then drank three brimming goblets. Holding the spear crosswise he said to his captains, “This is the spear that broke up the Yellow Turbans, captured Lü Bu, destroyed Yuan Shu and subdued Yuan Shao. It went deep beyond the northern frontier and reached straight to Liaodong, and it has ranged across the whole empire. It has not failed the resolve of a true man.

東風不與周郎便，銅雀春深鎖二喬。”曹操正笑談間，忽聞鴉聲望南飛鳴而去。操問曰：“此鴉緣何夜鳴？”左右答曰：“鴉見月明，疑是天曉，故離樹而鳴也。”操又大笑。時操已醉，乃取槊立於船頭上，以酒奠於江中，滿飲三爵，橫槊謂諸將曰：“我持此槊，破黃巾、擒呂布、滅袁術、收袁紹，深入塞北，直抵遼東，縱橫天下：頗不負大丈夫之志也。

The present scene moves me to the depths and I will sing a song in which you shall accompany me.” And so he sang:— When goblets are brimming then song is near birth,
But life is full short and has few days of mirth,
Life goes as the dew drops fly swiftly away,
’Neath the glance of the glowing hot ruler of day.
Man’s life may be spent in the noblest emprise,
But sorrowful thoughts in his heart oft arise.
Let us wash clean away the sad thoughts that intrude,
With bumpers of wine such as Du Kang once brewed.
Gone is my day of youthful fire
And still ungained is my desire.
The deer feed on the level plain
And joyful call, then feed again.
My noble guests are gathered round,
The air is trilled with joyful sound.

今對此景，甚有慷慨。吾當作歌，汝等和之。”歌曰：“對酒當歌，人生幾何：譬如朝露，去日苦多。慨當以慷，憂思難忘；何以解憂，惟有杜康。青青子衿，悠悠我心；但爲君故，沉吟至今。呦呦鹿鳴，食野之苹；我有嘉賓，鼓瑟吹笙。

Bright my future lies before me,
As the moonlight on this plain;
But I strive in vain to reach it
When shall I my wish attain?
None can answer; and so sadness
Grips my inmost heart again.
Far north and south,
Wide east and west,
We safety seek;
Vain is the quest.
Man’s heart oft yearns
For converse sweet,
And my heart burns
When old friends greet.
The stars are paled by the full moon’s light,
The raven wings his southward flight,
And thrice he circles round a tree,
No place thereon to rest finds he.
They weary not the mountains of great height,
The waters deep of depth do not complain,
Duke Zhou no leisure found by day or night
Stern toil is his who would the Empire gain. The song made they sang it with him and were all exceedingly merry; save one guest who suddenly said, “When the great army is on the point of battle and lives are about to be risked, why do you, O Minister, speak such ill words?”

皎皎如月，何時可輟？憂從中來，不可斷絕！越陌度阡，枉用相存；契闊談宴，心念舊恩。月明星稀，烏鵲南飛；繞樹三匝，無枝可依。山不厭高，水不厭深：周公吐哺，天下歸心。”歌罷，衆和之，共皆歡笑。忽座間一人進曰：“大軍相當之際，將士用命之時，丞相何故出此不吉之言？”

Cao turned quickly toward the speaker, who was Liu Fu, styled Yuanying, the Imperial Inspector of Yangzhou, a man of Xiang in the State of Pei. Rising at Hefei, Liu Fu had founded the seat of the provincial government there and gathered in the scattered and fleeing people. He had founded schools, extended the military farms and promoted good government and learning. He had long served under Cao Cao and rendered valuable service. Holding his spear crosswise Cao said, “What ill-omened words did I use?” “You spoke of the moon paling the stars and the raven flying southward without finding a resting place.

操視之，乃揚州刺史，沛國相人，姓劉，名馥，字元穎。馥起自合淝，創立州治，聚逃散之民，立學校，廣屯田，興治教，久事曹操，多立功績。當下操橫槊問曰：“吾言有何不吉？”馥曰：“月明星稀，烏鵲南飛；繞樹三匝，無枝可依。

These are ill-omened words.” “How dare you spoil my pleasure?” cried Cao, very wrathful; and with that he smote Liu Fu with his spear and slew him. The assembly broke up and the guests dispersed in fear and confusion. Next day, when he had recovered from his drunken bout, Cao Cao was very grieved at what he had done and when Liu Fu’s son, Liu Xi, came to crave the body of his father for burial, Cao wept and expressed his sorrow. “I am guilty of your father’s death; I was drunk yesterday. I regret the deed exceedingly. Your father shall be interred with the honours of a minister of the highest rank.” He sent an escort of soldiers to take the body home for burial.

此不吉之言也。”操大怒曰：“汝安敢敗吾興！”手起一槊，刺死劉馥。衆皆驚駭。遂罷宴。次日，操酒醒，懊恨不已。馥子劉熙，告請父屍歸葬。操泣曰：“吾昨因醉誤傷汝父，悔之無及。可以三公厚禮葬之。”又撥軍士護送靈柩，即日回葬。

Next day the naval commanders Mao Jie and Yu Jin came to say the ships, great and small, were all connected together by chains, and all was now ready. They asked for the command to start. Thereupon the leaders of both land and naval forces were assembled on board a large ship in the centre of the squadron to receive orders. The various armies and squadrons were distinguished by different flags, the central naval squadron, yellow, under Mao Jie and Yu Jin; the leading squadron, red, under Zhang He; the rear squadron, black, under Lü Qian; the left, blue, under Wen Pin; and the right, white, under Lü Tong. Of the horse and foot on shore, the leading army had a red flag under Xu Huang; the rear, black, under Li Dian; the left, blue, under Yue Jin; and the right, white, under Xiahou Yuan.

次日，水軍都督毛玠、于禁詣帳下，請曰：“大小船隻，俱已配搭連鎖停當。旌旗戰具，一一齊備。請丞相調遣，剋日進兵。”操至水軍中央大戰船上坐定，喚集諸將，各各聽令。水旱二軍，俱分五色旗號：水軍中央黃旗毛玠、于禁，前軍紅旗張郃，後軍皁旗呂虔，左軍青旗文聘，右軍白旗呂通；馬步前軍紅旗徐晃，後軍皁旗李典，左軍青旗樂進，右軍白旗夏侯淵。

Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong were the supporting commanders for both land and water; Xu Chu and Zhang Liao were the guards who went to and fro overseeing the battle. The other valiant leaders each kept to their own companies. All being ready, the squadron drums beat the roll thrice and the ships sailed out under a strong north-west wind on a trial cruise and when they got among the waves they were found to be as steady and immoveable as the dry land itself. The northern men showed their delight at the absence of motion by capering and flourishing their weapons.

水陸路都接應使：夏侯惇、曹洪；護衛往來監戰使：許褚、張遼。其餘驍將，各依隊伍。令畢，水軍寨中發擂三通，各隊伍戰船，分門而出。是日西北風驟起，各船拽起風帆，衝波激浪，穩如平地。北軍在船上，踊躍施勇，刺槍使刀。

The ships moved on, the squadrons keeping quite distinct. Fifty light cruisers sailed to and fro keeping order and urging progress. Cao Cao watched his navy from the General’s terrace and was delighted with their evolutions and manœuvres. Surely this meant complete victory. He ordered the recall and the squadrons returned in perfect order to their base.

前後左右各軍，旗幡不雜。又有小船五十餘隻，往來巡警催督。操立於將臺之上，觀看調練，心中大喜，以爲必勝之法；教且收住帆幔，各依次序回寨。

Then Cao Cao went to his tent and summoned his advisers. He said, “If Heaven had not been on my side, should I have got this excellent plan from the Phoenix Chick? Now that the ships are attached firmly to each other, one may traverse the river as easily as walking on firm earth.” “With the ships all chained together they are steady indeed,” said Cheng Yu, “but if the enemy use fire it will be hard to escape. You must be on your guard against it.” Cao Cao laughed. “Cheng Zhongde looks a long way ahead,” said he, “but there are still things he does not see.” “What Zhongde says is very much to the point,” said Xun You.

操升帳謂衆謀士曰：“若非天命助吾，安得鳳雛妙計？鐵索連舟，果然渡江如履平地。”程昱曰：“船皆連鎖，固是平穩；但彼若用火攻，難以迴避。不可不防。”操大笑曰：“程仲德雖有遠慮，卻還有見不到處。”荀攸曰：“仲德之言甚是。

“Why do you laugh at him, O Minister?” “Any one using fire depends upon the wind. This is now the depth of winter and only west and north winds blow. You will get neither east nor south winds. I am on the north-west and the enemy is on the south bank. If they use fire they will destroy themselves. I have nothing to fear. If it were the “little spring” of the tenth moon, I would long ago have provided against fire.” “The Minister is indeed wise,” said the others in chorus. “None can equal him.”

丞相何故笑之？”操曰：“凡用火攻，必藉風力。方今隆冬之際，但有西風北風，安有東風南風耶？吾居於西北之上，彼兵皆在南岸，彼若用火，是燒自己之兵也，吾何懼哉？若是十月小春之時，吾早已提備矣。”諸將皆拜伏曰：“丞相高見，衆人不及。”

“The men of Qing, Xu, Yan and Dai are not used to ships,” said Cao to his captains. “But for this plan, how could they ever have crossed the perils of the great river?” Then he saw two of the secondary leaders stand up and they said, “We are men of You and Yan in the north, but we too can handle boats. Pray lend us twenty patrol boats and we will go straight to the mouth of the river and seize some of the enemy’s flags and drums for you that we may prove ourselves adepts on the water.” The speakers were two men who had served under Yuan Shao, named Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan.

操顧諸將曰：“青、徐、燕、代之衆，不慣乘舟。今非此計，安能涉大江之險！”只見班部中二將挺身出曰：“小將雖幽、燕之人，也能乘舟。今願借巡船二十隻，直至江口，奪旗鼓而還，以顯北軍亦能乘舟也。”操視之，乃袁紹手下舊將焦觸、張南也。

“I do not think naval work would suit you two, born and brought up in the north,” said Cao. “The Jiangnan men are thoroughly accustomed to ships. You should not regard your lives as a child’s plaything.” They cried, “If we fail, treat us according to army laws.” “The fighting ships are all chained together, there are only small, twenty-men boats free. They are unsuitable for fighting.” “If we took large ships where would be the wonderful in what we will do?

操曰：“汝等皆生長北方，恐乘舟不便。江南之兵，往來水上，習練精熟，汝勿輕以性命爲兒戲也。”焦觸、張南大叫曰：“如其不勝，甘受軍法！”操曰：“戰船盡已連鎖，惟有小舟。每舟可容二十人，只恐未便接戰。”觸曰：“若用大船，何足爲奇？

No; give us a score of the small ships and we will take half each and go straight to the enemy’s naval port. We will just seize a flag, slay a leader and come home.” “I will let you have the twenty ships and half a company of good, vigorous men with long spears and stiff crossbows. Early to-morrow the main fleet shall make a demonstration on the river and I will also tell Wen Pin to support you with thirty ships.” The two men retired greatly elated.

乞付小舟二十餘隻，某與張南各引一半，只今日直抵江南水寨，須要奪旗斬將而還。”操曰：“吾與汝二十隻船，差撥精銳軍五百人，皆長槍硬弩。到來日天明，將大寨船出到江面上，遠爲之勢。更差文聘亦領三十隻巡船接應汝回。”焦觸、張南欣喜而退。

Next morning, very early, food was prepared and at the fifth watch all was ready for a start. Then from the naval camp rolled out the drums and the gongs clanged, as the ships moved out and took up their positions, the various flags fluttering in the morning breeze. And the two intrepid leaders with their squadron of small scouting boats went down the lines and out into the stream. Now the night before, the sound of Cao Cao’s drums had been heard on the southern bank and the watchers had seen Cao Cao’s fleet manœuvring in the open river, and the scouts had reported it to Zhou Yu.

次日，四更造飯，五更結束已定，早聽得水寨中擂鼓鳴金。船皆出寨，分佈水面，長江一帶，青紅旗號交雜。焦觸、張南領哨船二十隻，穿寨而出，望江南進發。卻說南岸隔夜聽得鼓聲喧震，遙望曹操調練水軍，探事人報知周瑜。

Zhou Yu went up a hill to watch, but the fleet had already gone in again. Next day the sound of drums was again heard, shaking the sky, and the soldiers hurried up the heights to watch. All they saw was a squadron of small ships bounding over the waves. But as they came nearer the news was taken to the leader who called for volunteers to go out against them. Han Dang and Zhou Tai offered themselves. They were accepted and orders were issued to the camps to remain ready for action but not to move till told. Han Dang and Zhou Tai sailed out, each with five scouting boats, one on the left and one on the right.

瑜往山頂觀之，操軍已收回。次日，忽又聞鼓聲震天，軍士急登高觀望，見有小船衝波而來，飛報中軍。周瑜問帳下：“誰敢先出？”韓當、周泰二人齊出曰：“某當權爲先鋒破敵。”瑜喜，傳令各寨嚴加守禦，不可輕動。韓當、周泰各引哨船五隻，分左右而出。

The two braggarts from the north really only trusted to their boldness and luck. Their ships came down under the powerful strokes of the oars. Han Dang, wearing only a heart-protector, gripped his long spear and took his station in the prow. Jiao’s ship led and as soon as he came near enough his men began to shoot at Han Dang, who fended off the arrows with his buckler. Jiao twirled his long spear as he engaged Han Dang, but with one thrust Han Dang killed him. Zhang Nan came up behind with great shouts.

卻說焦觸、張南憑一勇之氣，飛棹小船而來。韓當獨披掩心，手執長槍，立於船頭。焦觸船先到，便命軍士亂箭望韓當船上射來。當用牌遮隔。焦觸捻長槍與韓當交鋒。當手起一槍，刺死焦觸。張南隨後大叫趕來。

Then Zhou Tai’s ships sailed out at an angle. Zhang Nan stood in his prow gripping his spear, and the two sides shot arrows at each other in clouds. Zhou Tai, his buckler on one arm and his sword in the other hand, waited till the two ships were within seven or eight feet, then leaped across and cut down Zhang Nan. Zhang’s dead body fell into the water. Then the battle became confused and the attacking ships rowed hard to get away. Han Dang and Zhou Tai pursued, and in mid-river they met Wen Pin’s supporting fleet.

隔斜裏周泰船出。張南挺槍立於船頭，兩邊弓矢亂射。周泰一臂挽牌，一手提刀，兩船相離七八尺，泰即飛身一躍，直躍過張南船上，手起刀落，砍張南於水中，亂殺駕舟軍士。衆船飛棹急回。韓當、周泰催船追趕，到半江中，恰與文聘船相迎。

Once more the ships engaged and the men fought with each other. Zhou Yu with his officers stood on the summit of a mountain and watched the enemy’s great warships ranged over the river on the northern side. The flags and the ensigns were all in perfect order. Then he saw Wen Pin and his own fleets engaged in battle and soon it was evident that the former was not a match for his own sailors. Wen Pin turned about to retire, Zhou and Han pursued. Zhou Yu, fearing lest the two should go too deep into danger, waved the white flag and had the gongs beaten for recall.

兩邊便擺定船廝殺。卻說周瑜引衆將立於山頂，遙望江北水面艨艟戰船，排合江上，旗幟號帶，皆有次序。回看文聘與韓當、周泰相持，韓當、周泰奮力攻擊，文聘抵敵不住，回船而走，韓、周二人，急催船追趕。周瑜恐二人深入重地，便將白旗招颭，令衆鳴金。

So the two turned their boats and came back. From the hilltop Zhou Yu watched the enemy ships across the river all go back into their naval camp. To his officers Zhou Yu said, “The masts of their ships stand thick as reeds; Cao himself is full of wiles; how can we destroy him?” No one replied, for just then the great yellow flag that flapped in the breeze in the middle of Cao’s fleet suddenly fell over into the river. Zhou Yu laughed. “That is a bad omen,” said he. Then an extra violent blast of wind came by and the waves rose high and beat upon the bank.

二人乃揮棹而回。周瑜于山頂看隔江戰船，盡入水寨。瑜顧謂衆將曰：“江北戰船如蘆葦之密，操又多謀，當用何計以破之？”衆未及對，忽見曹軍寨中，被風吹折中央黃旗，飄入江中。瑜大笑曰：“此不祥之兆也！”正觀之際，忽狂風大作，江中波濤拍岸。

A corner of his own flag flicked Zhou Yu on the cheek and suddenly a thought flashed through his mind. He uttered a loud cry, staggered and fell backward. They picked him up; there was blood upon his lips and he was unconscious.

一陣風過，颳起旗角於周瑜臉上拂過。瑜猛然想起一事在心，大叫一聲，往後便倒，口吐鮮血。諸將急救起時，卻早不省人事。

At one moment he laughed, the next he cried out;
Hard it will be for the south to defeat the north.
Zhou Yu’s fate will appear as the story unfolds.

正是：一時忽笑又忽叫，難使南軍破北軍。
畢竟周瑜性命如何，且看下文分解。