Romance, Chapter 61

Chapter 61. Zhao Yun Intercepts the River and Recovers A Dou; Sun Quan Writes a Letter and Drives Back Cao Cao

Now Pang Tong and Fa Zheng urged Xuande to kill Liu Zhang at the banquet, saying that Xichuan could then be had as easily as spitting on one’s palm. Xuande said, “I have only just entered Shu, and I have not yet established my kindness and good faith. This must on no account be done.” The two pressed him again and again, but Xuande would not agree. The next day he feasted with Liu Zhang in the city once more. The two opened their hearts to each other at length and were on the closest terms. When the wine was half drunk, Pang Tong consulted with Fa Zheng, saying, “Things have come to this point; we can no longer leave it to our lord.”

卻說龐統、法正二人，勸玄德就席間殺劉璋，西川唾手可得。玄德曰：“吾初入蜀中，恩信未立，此事決不可行。”二人再三說之，玄德只是不從。次日，復與劉璋宴於城中，彼此細敘衷曲，情好甚密。酒至半酣，龐統與法正商議曰：“事已至此，由不得主公了。”

So they had Wei Yan go up into the hall and perform a sword dance, meaning him to seize the chance to kill Liu Zhang. Wei Yan drew his sword, stepped forward and said, “There is nothing to amuse us at this feast. Allow me to dance with the sword for your entertainment.” Pang Tong then called in a band of armed men and ranged them below the hall, waiting only for Wei Yan to strike. Liu Zhang’s officers saw Wei Yan dancing with his sword before the banquet, and saw the armed men at the foot of the steps with their hands on their sword hilts, staring straight up into the hall. The Attendant Officer Zhang Ren also drew his sword and danced, saying, “A sword dance needs a partner. I should like to dance with General Wei.”

便教魏延登堂舞劍，乘勢殺劉璋。延遂拔劍進曰：“筵間無以爲樂，願舞劍爲戲。”龐統便喚衆武士入，列於堂下，只待魏延下手。劉璋手下諸將，見魏延舞劍筵前，又見階下武士手按刀靶，直視堂上，從事張任亦掣劍舞曰：“舞劍必須有對，某願與魏將軍同舞。”

The two danced facing each other before the feast. Wei Yan glanced at Liu Feng, and Liu Feng too drew his sword and joined the dance. Thereupon Liu Gui, Leng Bao and Deng Xian each drew their swords and came out, saying, “We should all dance together and give you something to laugh at.” Xuande was greatly alarmed. He hastily drew the sword worn by one of his attendants, stood up on his mat and said, “We brothers have met to drink our fill, and there is no suspicion or mistrust between us. Nor is this the feast at Hongmen. What need is there of sword dancing? Whoever does not throw down his sword shall be beheaded at once!”

二人對舞於筵前。魏延目視劉封，封亦拔劍助舞。於是劉璝、泠苞、鄧賢各掣劍出曰：“我等當羣舞，以助一笑。”玄德大驚，急掣左右所佩之劍，立於席上曰：“吾兄弟相逢痛飲，並無疑忌。又非鴻門會上，何用舞劍？不棄劍者立斬！”

Liu Zhang also shouted angrily, “When brothers meet together, what need is there to carry swords?” He ordered his guards to take off all their swords. Everyone went down from the hall in confusion. Xuande called the officers up into the hall and gave them wine, saying, “We brothers are of one clan and one blood. We are consulting together on great affairs and have no thought of treachery. Do not be suspicious.” The officers all bowed and thanked him. Liu Zhang took Xuande’s hand and said, weeping, “Brother, I swear I shall never forget your kindness!”

劉璋亦叱曰：“兄弟相聚，何必帶刀？”命侍衛者盡去佩劍。衆皆紛然下堂。玄德喚諸將士上堂，以酒賜之，曰：“吾弟兄同宗骨血，共議大事，並無二心。汝等勿疑。”諸將皆拜謝。劉璋執玄德之手而泣曰：“吾兄之恩，誓不敢忘！”

The two drank happily until evening and then parted. When Xuande returned to his camp he rebuked Pang Tong, saying, “Why do you gentlemen want to drag me into an unrighteous act? From now on you must never do such a thing.” Pang Tong sighed and withdrew. Meanwhile, when Liu Zhang returned to his camp, Liu Gui and the others said, “My lord, did you see what happened at the feast today? You had better go home early and spare yourself trouble later.” Liu Zhang said, “My brother Liu Xuande is not like other men.” The officers said, “Even if Xuande has no such intention, his followers all want to swallow up Xichuan to win wealth and rank for themselves.”

二人歡飲至晚而散。玄德歸寨，責龐統曰：“公等奈何欲陷備於不義耶？今後斷勿爲此。”統嗟嘆而退。卻說劉璋歸寨，劉璝等曰：“主公見今日席上光景乎？不如早回，免生後患。”劉璋曰：“吾兄劉玄德，非比他人。”衆將曰：“雖玄德無此心，他手下人皆欲吞併西川，以圖富貴。”

“Do not try to sow discord between my brother and me,” said Liu Zhang. He would not listen and spent every day in pleasant talk with Xuande. Suddenly news came that Zhang Lu had put his army in order and was about to attack Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang at once asked Xuande to go and hold him off. Xuande readily agreed, and that very day he led his own troops away toward Jiameng Pass. Liu Zhang’s officers urged him to order senior generals to guard all the passes closely, as a precaution against a rising by Xuande’s troops.

璋曰：“汝等無間吾兄弟之情。”遂不聽，日與玄德歡敘。忽報張魯整頓兵馬，將犯葭萌關。劉璋便請玄德往拒之。玄德慨然領諾，即日引本部兵望葭萌關去了。衆將勸劉璋令大將緊守各處關隘，以防玄德兵變。

At first Liu Zhang refused, but later, because they all pressed him so earnestly, he ordered Yang Huai and Gao Pei, the Commanders of Baishui, to hold Fushui Pass. Liu Zhang himself went back to Chengdu. When Xuande reached Jiameng Pass he kept strict discipline among his troops and was generous with his favours, so as to win the hearts of the people.

璋初時不從，後因衆人苦勸，乃令白水都督楊懷、高沛二人，守把涪水關。劉璋自回成都。玄德到葭萌關，嚴禁軍士，廣施恩惠，以收民心。

Spies soon brought the news to Eastern Wu. Sun Quan, the Marquis of Wu, assembled his civil and military officers to discuss it. Gu Yong came forward and said, “Liu Bei has divided his army and gone far away over dangerous mountains, and he cannot easily come and go. Why not send an army first to cut off the river mouth into Shu and block his road home, and then raise all the forces of Eastern Wu and take Jingxiang at one stroke? This is a chance that must not be missed.” “An excellent plan!” said Sun Quan. Just as they were discussing it, someone suddenly came out from behind the screen, shouting, “Whoever proposed this plan ought to be beheaded!

早有細作報入東吳。吳侯孫權會文武商議。顧雍進曰：“劉備分兵遠涉山險而去，未易往還。何不差一軍先截川口，斷其歸路，後盡起東吳之兵，一鼓而下荊襄？此不可失之機會也。”權曰：“此計大妙！”正商議間，忽屏風後一人大喝而出曰：“進此計者可斬之！

Do you want to take my daughter’s life?” All looked round in alarm; it was the Dowager Wu. In her anger she said, “In all my life I have had only one daughter, and she is married to Liu Bei. If you send an army now, what will become of my daughter’s life?” Then she berated Sun Quan, “You have inherited the patrimony of your father and brother and sit ruling eighty-one districts, and still it is not enough! You look to a small gain and care nothing for your own flesh and blood!” Sun Quan said “Yes, yes” over and over, and answered, “How could I dare disobey my old mother’s teaching?”

欲害吾女之命耶！”衆驚視之，乃吳國太也。國太怒曰：“吾一生惟有一女，嫁與劉備。今若動兵，吾女性命如何！”因叱孫權曰：“汝掌父兄之業，坐領八十一州，尚自不足，乃顧小利而不念骨肉！”孫權喏喏連聲，答曰：“老母之訓，豈敢有違！”

So he dismissed the officials with a rebuke. The Dowager went indoors, still resentful. Sun Quan stood under the eaves thinking to himself, “If this chance is lost, when shall I ever get Jingxiang?” While he was brooding, Zhang Zhao came in and asked, “My lord, what is troubling you?” “I was just thinking of what happened a while ago,” said Sun Quan. Zhang Zhao said, “That is very easily managed. Send a trusted officer with only five hundred men to slip into Jingzhou and deliver a secret letter to the Princess. Let it say only that the Dowager is dangerously ill and wishes to see her own daughter, and have him bring the Princess back to Eastern Wu with all speed, travelling through the night.

遂叱退衆官。國太恨恨而入。孫權立於軒下，自思：“此機會一失，荊襄何日可得？”正沉吟間，只見張昭入問曰：“主公有何憂疑？”孫權曰：“正思適間之事。”張昭曰：“此極易也：今差心腹將一人，只帶五百軍。潛入荊州，下一封密書與郡主，只說國太病危，欲見親女，取郡主星夜回東吳。

Xuande has only one son in all his life; have her bring the boy with her. Then Xuande will surely hand over Jingzhou in exchange for A Dou. And if he will not, you may send your army as you please; what is there to hinder you?” “An excellent plan!” said Sun Quan. “I have a man named Zhou Shan who is very bold. From his youth he has had the run of the household, inner rooms and all, and he often attended my brother. I can send him.” “Take care that nothing leaks out,” said Zhang Zhao. “Send him off at once.”

玄德平生只有一子，就教帶來。那時玄德定把荊州來換阿斗。如其不然，一任動兵，更有何礙？”權曰：“此計大妙！吾有一人，姓周，名善，最有膽量。自幼穿房入戶，多隨吾兄。今可差他去。”昭曰：“切勿漏泄。只此便令起行。”

So Zhou Shan was secretly sent off with five hundred men disguised as merchants and divided among five boats. A state letter was also forged in case they should be questioned, and weapons were hidden in the boats. Zhou Shan took his orders and came by the water route to Jingzhou. He moored his boats by the riverbank and went into the city of Jingzhou alone, where he had the gatekeeper announce him to Lady Sun. The lady ordered Zhou Shan to be brought in, and he presented the secret letter. When she read that the Dowager was dangerously ill she wept and asked him about it.

於是密遣周善將五百人，扮爲商人，分作五船；更詐修國書，以備盤詰；船內暗藏兵器。周善領命，取荊州水路而來。船泊江邊，善自入荊州，令門吏報孫夫人。夫人命周善入。善呈上密書。夫人見說國太病危，灑淚動問。

Zhou Shan bowed and said, “The Dowager is gravely ill and thinks of nothing but you, Madam, morning and night. If you are slow in going, I fear you may never see each other again. She bids you bring A Dou with you so that she may see him once.” The lady said, “The Imperial Uncle has led his army far away. If I am to go home now, I must send word to the Director of Strategy before I can set out.” Zhou Shan said, “And what if the Director of Strategy replies that you must inform the Imperial Uncle and wait for his answer before you may board a boat?”

周善拜訴曰：“國太好生病重，旦夕只是思念夫人。倘去得遲，恐不能相見。就教夫人帶阿斗去見一面。”夫人曰：“皇叔引兵遠出，我今欲回，須使人知會軍師，方可以行。”周善曰：“若軍師回言道：須報知皇叔，候了回命，方可下船，如之奈何？”

“If I go without taking leave, I fear someone may stop me,” said the lady. “Boats are ready on the Great River,” said Zhou Shan. “I beg you, Madam, to get into your carriage and leave the city at once.” Hearing that her mother was dangerously ill, how could Lady Sun not be flustered? She put A Dou, a child of seven, into her carriage, took over thirty attendants with her, each wearing a sword, mounted, left the city of Jingzhou and came down to the river to board the boats. By the time the people of the residence thought to send word, Lady Sun had already reached Shatou Town and was aboard.

夫人曰：“若不辭而去，恐有阻當。”周善曰：“大江之中，已準備下船隻。只今便請夫人上車出城。”孫夫人聽知母病危急，如何不慌？便將七歲孩子阿斗，載在車中；隨行帶三十餘人，各跨刀劍，上馬離荊州城，便來江邊上船。府中人慾報時，孫夫人已到沙頭鎮，下在船中了。

Zhou Shan was just about to push off when he heard someone shouting loudly from the bank, “Do not push off yet! Let me bid the lady farewell!” He looked and saw it was Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun had just come back from a patrol and had been startled to hear the news. Taking only four or five horsemen, he had raced along the river like a whirlwind. Zhou Shan, holding a long halberd, shouted, “Who are you, to dare stand in my mistress’s way?” He ordered his men to push off all together, and each brought out his weapons and ranged them on the boats.

周善方欲開船，只聽得岸上有人大叫：“且休開船，容與夫人餞行！”視之，乃趙雲也。原來趙雲巡哨方回，聽得這個消息，喫了一驚，只帶四五騎，旋風般沿江趕來。周善手執長戈，大喝曰：“汝何人，敢當主母！”叱令軍士一齊開船，各將軍器出來，擺列在船上。

The wind was fair and the current swift, and the boats were all carried off downstream. Zhao Yun followed along the bank, calling, “Let the lady go where she will. I have only one word to say to her.” Zhou Shan paid no heed and only urged the boats on faster. When Zhao Yun had followed the river for more than ten li, he suddenly saw a fishing boat moored slantwise on the sandy shore. He abandoned his horse, took his spear and leapt into the fishing boat. With only two men to work it, the boat went after the great boat in which the lady sat.

風順水急，船皆隨流而去。趙雲沿江趕叫：“任從夫人去。只有一句話拜稟。”周善不睬，只催船速進。趙雲沿江趕到十餘里，忽見江灘斜纜一隻漁船在那裏。趙雲棄馬執槍，跳上漁船。只兩人駕船前來，望着夫人所坐大船追趕。

Zhou Shan ordered his men to shoot. Zhao Yun parried the arrows with his spear, and they all fell pattering into the water. When he was only ten feet or so from the great boat, the Wu soldiers thrust wildly at him with their spears. Zhao Yun left his spear in the little boat, drew the Qinggang sword that hung at his side, and, beating aside the spear points, flung himself in one leap toward the Wu boat and landed on its deck. The Wu soldiers all fell over in fright. Zhao Yun went into the cabin, where he found the lady holding A Dou in her arms. She shouted at him, “Why this insolence?”

周善教軍士放箭。趙雲以槍撥之，箭皆紛紛落水。離大船懸隔丈餘，吳兵用槍亂刺。趙雲棄槍在小船上，掣所佩青釭劍在手，分開槍搠，望吳船湧身一跳，早登大船。吳兵盡皆驚倒。趙雲入艙中，見夫人抱阿斗於懷中，喝趙雲曰：“何故無禮！”

Zhao Yun sheathed his sword and answered respectfully, “Where is my lady going? Why did you not inform the Director of Strategy?” The lady said, “My mother is dangerously ill. I had no time to tell anyone.” “If my lady is going to visit the sick,” said Zhao Yun, “why take the young master with you?” The lady said, “A Dou is my son. If I left him in Jingzhou there would be no one to look after him.” Zhao Yun said, “My lady is wrong. In all his life our master has only this one child of his own flesh and blood. I rescued him from the midst of an army of a million men at Changban Slope in Dangyang, and now you, Madam, would carry him off. What reason is there in this?”

雲插劍聲喏曰：“主母欲何往？何故不令軍師知會？”夫人曰：“我母親病在危篤，無暇報知。”雲曰：“主母探病，何故帶小主人去？”夫人曰：“阿斗是吾子，留在荊州，無人看覷。”雲曰：“主母差矣。主人一生，只有這點骨血，小將在當陽長坂坡百萬軍中救出，今日夫人卻欲抱將去，是何道理？”

The lady said angrily, “You are nothing but a common soldier of the camp. How dare you meddle in my family affairs?” Zhao Yun said, “If you want to go, Madam, then go. Only leave the young master behind.” The lady shouted, “You have forced your way into my boat halfway through my journey. You must mean to rebel!” Zhao Yun said, “Unless you leave the young master behind, I dare not let you go, even if I must die ten thousand deaths.” The lady shouted to her maids to go forward and lay hands on him, but Zhao Yun pushed them over, snatched A Dou from the lady’s arms, and carried him out to the bow of the boat.

夫人怒曰：“量汝只是帳下一武夫，安敢管我家事！”雲曰：“夫人要去便去，只留下小主人。”夫人喝曰：“汝半路輒入船中，必有反意！”雲曰：“若不留下小主人，縱然萬死，亦不敢放夫人去。”夫人喝侍婢向前揪捽，被趙雲推倒，就懷中奪了阿斗，抱出船頭上。

He wanted to bring the boat to the bank, but he had no one to help him; he wanted to use force, but feared that would be against propriety. He could neither advance nor retreat. The lady shouted to her maids to snatch A Dou back, but Zhao Yun held the child tight in one arm and his sword in the other hand, and no one dared come near. At the stern Zhou Shan gripped the helm and did nothing but let the boat run downstream. The wind was fair and the current swift, and they made for the middle of the river. Zhao Yun was alone, and one hand cannot clap; he could only protect A Dou, and how could he bring the boat to the bank?

欲要傍岸，又無幫手；欲要行兇，又恐礙於道理：進退不得。夫人喝侍婢奪阿斗，趙雲一手抱定阿斗，一手仗劍，人不敢近。周善在後梢挾住舵，只顧放船下水。風順水急，望中流而去。趙雲孤掌難鳴，只護得阿斗，安能移舟傍岸。

At this critical moment, a dozen or more boats suddenly came out in a line from a creek downstream, with flags waving and drums beating. Zhao Yun thought to himself, “This time I have fallen into a trap laid by Eastern Wu!” But then he saw a great general standing on the leading boat, holding a long spear, who shouted in a loud voice, “Sister-in-law, leave my nephew behind!” It was Zhang Fei. He had been out on patrol, and on hearing the news he had hurried to the mouth of the Youjiang. He ran straight into the Wu boats and quickly blocked their way.

正在危急，忽見下流頭港內一字兒使出十餘隻船來，船上磨旗擂鼓。趙雲自思：“今番中了東吳之計！”只見當頭船上一員大將，手執長矛，高聲大叫：“嫂嫂留下侄兒去！”原來張飛巡哨，聽得這個消息，急來油江夾口，正撞着吳船，急忙截住。

Then Zhang Fei, sword in hand, leapt onto the Wu boat. When Zhou Shan saw Zhang Fei come aboard he came at him with a broadsword, but Zhang Fei cut him down with a single stroke, picked up his head and threw it down before Lady Sun. The lady cried out in great alarm, “Brother-in-law, why this insolence?” Zhang Fei said, “You, sister-in-law, care nothing for my elder brother and are going home without his leave. That is what I call insolence!” The lady said, “My mother is gravely ill; it is very urgent. If I wait for your brother’s answer, I shall be too late. If you will not let me go home, I would rather throw myself into the river and die!”

當下張飛提劍跳上吳船。周善見張飛上船，提刀來迎，被張飛手起一劍砍倒，提頭擲於孫夫人前。夫人大驚曰：“叔叔何故無禮？”張飛曰：“嫂嫂不以俺哥哥爲重，私自歸家，這便無禮！”夫人曰：“吾母病重，甚是危急，若等你哥哥回報，須誤了我事。若你不放我回去，我情願投江而死！”

Zhang Fei consulted with Zhao Yun: “If we drive the lady to her death, that is no way for subjects to behave. Let us just keep A Dou safe and take him over to our boat.” Then he said to the lady, “My elder brother is the Imperial Uncle of the great Han; he is no disgrace to you, sister-in-law. We part today, but if you think of my brother’s kindness and devotion, come back soon.” With that he took A Dou in his arms and went back with Zhao Yun to his own boat, letting Lady Sun’s five boats go on their way.

張飛與趙雲商議：“若逼死夫人，非爲臣下之道。只護着阿斗過船去罷。”乃謂夫人曰：“俺哥哥大漢皇叔，也不辱沒嫂嫂。今日相別，若思哥哥恩義，早早回來。”說罷，抱了阿斗，自與趙雲回船，放孫夫人五隻船去了。

A later poet wrote these lines in praise of Zilong:
Years ago at Dangyang he saved his lord;
Today he flung himself upon the Great River.
The Wu soldiers on the boat were all struck with terror:
Zilong’s valour has no equal in the world!

後人有詩讚子龍曰：“昔年救主在當陽，今日飛身向大江。
船上吳兵皆膽裂，子龍英勇世無雙！
”

And another poem praises Yide:
By the bridge at Changban his fury rose;
One tiger’s roar drove back Cao Cao’s host.
Today on the river he rescued his imperilled lord;
The annals shall carry his name for ten thousand years.

又有詩讚翼德曰：“長坂橋邊怒氣騰，一聲虎嘯退曹兵。今朝江上扶危主，青史應傳萬載名。”

The two turned back joyfully. They had gone only a few li when Kongming came to meet them with a large fleet of boats. Seeing that A Dou had been recovered, he was delighted, and the three rode home side by side. Kongming himself wrote a dispatch to Jiameng Pass to inform Xuande. Meanwhile, Lady Sun returned to Wu and related in full how Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun had killed Zhou Shan, blocked the river and taken A Dou from her. Sun Quan was furious. “Now that my sister has come home, we are no longer kin to them. How can I leave the killing of Zhou Shan unavenged?”

二人歡喜回船。行不數里，孔明引大隊船隻接來，見阿斗已奪回，大喜。三人並馬而歸。孔明自申文書往葭萌關，報知玄德。卻說孫夫人回吳，具說張飛、趙雲殺了周善，截江奪了阿斗。孫權大怒曰：“今吾妹已歸，與彼不親，殺周善之仇，如何不報！”

He called his civil and military officers together to discuss raising an army to attack and take Jingzhou. They were in the midst of planning the troop movements when suddenly news came that Cao Cao had raised an army of four hundred thousand and was coming to avenge the Red Cliffs. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. He put Jingzhou aside for the time being and discussed how to resist Cao Cao. Then word came that the Chief Secretary Zhang Hong, who had retired home on account of illness, had now died, and that a letter he had written on his deathbed was being presented. Sun Quan opened and read it. In it Zhang Hong urged him to move his seat to Moling, saying that the hills and rivers of Moling had the air of emperors and kings, and that he should move there quickly and make it the foundation of an enterprise to last ten thousand generations.

喚集文武，商議起軍攻取荊州。正商議調兵，忽報曹操起軍四十萬來報赤壁之仇。孫權大驚，且按下荊州，商議拒敵曹操。人報長史張紘辭疾回家，今已病故，有哀書上呈。權拆視之，書中勸孫權遷居秣陵，言秣陵山川有帝王之氣，可速遷於此，以爲萬世之業。

When Sun Quan had read the letter he wept bitterly and said to his officials, “Zhang Zigang urged me to move to Moling. How can I not do as he said?” He at once ordered the seat of government moved to Jianye and had the walls of Shitoucheng built. Lü Meng came forward and said, “When Cao Cao’s army comes, we should build a fort at the mouth of the Ruxu River to hold him off.” The officers all said, “We land and strike the enemy, then jump barefoot back into our boats. What need is there to build walls?” Lü Meng said, “Arms have their good days and bad, and no battle is sure to be won. If we suddenly meet the enemy and his foot and horse press us hard, our men will not even have time to reach the water. How could they get into the boats?”

孫權覽書大哭，謂衆官曰：“張子綱勸吾遷居秣陵，吾如何不從！”即命遷治建業，築石頭城。呂蒙進曰：“曹操兵來，可於濡須水口築塢以拒之。”諸將皆曰：“上岸擊賊，跣足入船，何用築城？”蒙曰：“兵有利鈍，戰無必勝。如猝然遇敵，步騎相促，人尚不暇及水，何能入船乎？”

Sun Quan said, “He who takes no thought for the distant future will have troubles close at hand. Ziming sees far indeed.” He sent tens of thousands of soldiers to build the fort of Ruxuwu. They worked day and night and finished it by the appointed time.

權曰：“人無遠慮，必有近憂。子明之見甚遠。”便差軍數萬築濡須塢。曉夜並工，刻期告竣。

Meanwhile Cao Cao, in Xudu, grew more overbearing in his power day by day. The Chief Secretary Dong Zhao came forward and said, “Since ancient times no subject has ever achieved merit like yours, Prime Minister; not even the Duke of Zhou or Lü Wang can compare with you. For more than thirty years you have combed your hair in the wind and washed in the rain, sweeping away the host of villains and ridding the people of their afflictions, so that the House of Han survives once more. How can you stand in the same rank as the other ministers? You ought to receive the title of Duke of Wei and be granted the Nine Dignities to make your merit and virtue manifest.”

卻說曹操在許都，威福日甚。長史董昭進曰：“自古以來，人臣未有如丞相之功者，雖周公、呂望，莫可及也。櫛風沐雨，三十餘年，掃蕩羣兇，與百姓除害，使漢室復存。豈可與諸臣宰同列乎？合受魏公之位，加九錫以彰功德。”

And what were the Nine Dignities? First, carriage and horses (one dalu and one ronglu: the dalu is a carriage of gold, the ronglu a war chariot; with two teams of four black stallions, and eight yellow horses). Second, robes (the gunmian robes, with chixi to go with them: the gunmian is the dress of a king, and the chixi are vermilion shoes). Third, the yuexuan (the yuexuan is the music of a king). Fourth, the zhuhu (to dwell behind the zhuhu, that is, red gates). Fifth, the nabi (the nabi, by which to ascend;

你道那九錫？一，車馬（大輅、戎輅各一。大輅，金車也。戎輅，兵車也。玄牡二駟，黃馬八匹。）二，衣服（袞冕之服，赤舄副焉。袞冕，王者之服。赤舄，朱履也。）三，樂懸（樂懸，王者之樂也。）四，朱戶（居以朱戶，紅門也。）五，納陛（納陛以登。

the bi are the steps). Sixth, the huben (three hundred huben, the soldiers who guard the gates). Seventh, the fu and yue axes (one of each: the fu is an axe, and the yue is a kind of axe). Eighth, bows and arrows (one tong bow and a hundred tong arrows, tong meaning red; ten lu bows and a thousand lu arrows, lu meaning black). Ninth, juchang and a guizan (one you of juchang, with a guizan to go with it: ju is black millet; chang is fragrant wine, poured on the ground to seek the spirits below;

陛，階也。）六，虎賁（虎賁三百人，守門之軍也。）七，鈇鉞（鈇鉞各一。鈇，即斧也。鉞，斧屬。）八，弓矢（彤弓一，彤矢百。彤，赤色也。玈弓十，玈矢千。玈，黑色也。）九，秬鬯圭瓚（秬鬯一卣，圭瓚副焉。秬，黑黍也。鬯，香酒，灌地以求神於陰。

the you is a middle-sized wine vessel; the guizan is a ritual vessel of the ancestral temple, used in sacrifices to the former kings). The Palace Attendant Xun Yu said, “No. The Prime Minister originally raised a righteous army to support and uphold the House of Han. He should hold fast to a loyal and upright purpose and keep to humility and self-restraint. The superior man loves others through virtue; this is not fitting.” When Cao Cao heard this his face changed with anger. Dong Zhao said, “How can one man be allowed to stand in the way of what all desire?” And he sent up a memorial asking that Cao Cao be honoured as Duke of Wei and granted the Nine Dignities.

卣，中樽也。圭瓚，宗廟祭器，以祀先王也。）侍中荀彧曰：“不可。丞相本興義兵，匡扶漢室，當秉忠貞之志，守謙退之節。君子愛人以德，不宜如此。”曹操聞言，勃然變色。董昭曰：“豈可以一人而阻衆望？”遂上表請尊操爲魏公，加九錫。

Xun Yu sighed, “I never thought I should live to see this!” When Cao Cao heard of it he hated him bitterly, thinking that Xun Yu would not support him. In the winter, in the tenth month of the seventeenth year of Jian’an, Cao Cao raised an army to go down against the South, and ordered Xun Yu to go with him. Xun Yu knew by now that Cao Cao meant to kill him, and on the pretext of illness he stopped at Shouchun. Suddenly Cao Cao sent a man with a box of food. On the box was a seal in Cao Cao’s own hand. Xun Yu opened it and found nothing inside.

荀彧嘆曰：“吾不想今日見此事！”操聞，深恨之，以爲不助己也。建安十七年冬十月，曹操興兵下江南，就命荀彧同行。彧已知操有殺己之心，託病止於壽春。忽曹操使人送飲食一盒至。盒上有操親筆封記。開盒視之，並無一物。

Xun Yu understood what it meant, and he took poison and died. He was fifty years old.

彧會其意，遂服毒而亡。年五十歲。

A later poet lamented him in these lines:
The brilliant gifts of Wenruo were known throughout the world;
Alas, that he lost his footing at the gate of power!
Let no one after compare him to the Marquis of Liu:
At his death he had no face to meet the Han emperor.
His son Xun Yun sent out the notice of mourning to inform Cao Cao. Cao Cao was full of remorse; he ordered a lavish burial and conferred the posthumous title of Marquis Jing.

後人有詩嘆曰：“文若才華天下聞，可憐失足在權門。
後人休把留侯比，臨沒無顏見漢君。
”其子荀惲，發哀書報曹操。
操甚懊悔，命厚葬之，諡曰敬侯。

Now Cao Cao’s great army reached Ruxu, and first he sent Cao Hong with thirty thousand armoured horsemen to scout as far as the riverbank. Cao Hong came back and reported, “Looking out along the whole length of the river, we saw countless flags and banners, but we could not tell where the troops were gathered.” Cao Cao was uneasy, so he led his army forward in person and drew up his battle lines at Ruxukou. Then with a hundred or more men he climbed a hillside and gazed out at the warships, which were drawn up in order, each in its own squadron.

且說曹操大軍至濡須，先差曹洪領三萬鐵甲馬軍，哨至江邊。回報雲：“遙望沿江一帶，旗幡無數，不知兵聚何處。”操放心不下，自領兵前進，就濡須口排開軍陣。操領百餘人上山坡，遙望戰船，各分隊伍，依次擺列。

Their flags were of five colours, and their weapons gleamed brightly. In the middle, on a great ship beneath a canopy of blue silk, sat Sun Quan, with his civil and military officers standing in attendance on either side. Cao Cao pointed with his whip and said, “A son should be like Sun Zhongmou! As for sons like Liu Jingsheng’s, they are mere pigs and dogs!” Suddenly there was a loud report, and the southern ships all came speeding across together. At the same time another force came out of the fort of Ruxuwu and charged Cao Cao’s men. Cao Cao’s troops fell back and fled, and no shouting could stop them.

旗分五色，兵器鮮明。當中大船上青羅傘下，坐着孫權。左右文武，侍立兩邊。操以鞭指曰：“生子當如孫仲謀！若劉景升兒子，豚犬耳！”忽一聲響動，南船一齊飛奔過來。濡須塢內又一軍出，衝動曹兵。曹操軍馬退後便走，止喝不住。

Suddenly a thousand or so horsemen came racing up to the foot of the hill. At their head rode a man with green eyes and a purple beard, whom everyone recognised as Sun Quan himself. Sun Quan had led a troop of horse in person to attack Cao Cao. Cao Cao was greatly alarmed, and as he hastily turned his horse, two great generals of Eastern Wu, Han Dang and Zhou Tai, came charging straight at him. Behind Cao Cao, Xu Chu spurred his horse forward, whirling his broadsword, and held off the two generals, so that Cao Cao was able to escape back to his camp.

忽有千百騎趕到山邊，爲首馬上一人碧眼紫髯，衆人認得正是孫權。權自引一隊馬軍來擊曹操。操大驚，急回馬時，東吳大將韓當、周泰，兩騎馬直衝將上來。操背後許褚縱馬舞刀，敵住二將，曹操得脫歸寨。

Xu Chu fought the two generals for thirty bouts before he came back. When Cao Cao had returned to camp he rewarded Xu Chu handsomely and berated his other officers: “You fell back first in the face of the enemy and blunted our keen spirit! If this happens again, I will have you all beheaded.” That night, at about the second watch, a great roar of shouting suddenly broke out outside the camp. Cao Cao quickly mounted and saw fires springing up on every side: the Wu troops had broken into his main camp. The fighting went on until daylight, and Cao Cao’s army fell back more than fifty li and pitched camp.

許褚與二將戰三十合方回。操回寨，重賞許褚，責罵衆將：“臨敵先退，挫吾銳氣！後若如此，盡皆斬首。”是夜二更時分，忽寨外喊聲大震。操急上馬，見四下裏火起，卻被吳兵劫入大寨。殺至天明，曹兵退五十餘里下寨。

Cao Cao was gloomy at heart and passed the time reading books on war. Cheng Yu said, “Prime Minister, you know the art of war. Do you not know that in war speed is everything? You raised your army and then delayed for a long time, so Sun Quan was able to make his preparations and build a fort on both sides of the mouth of the Ruxu River, which is hard to attack. Better to withdraw for the present, go back to Xudu and make some other good plan.” Cao Cao made no reply.

操心中鬱悶，閒看兵書。程昱曰：“丞相既知兵法，豈不知兵貴神速乎？丞相起兵，遷延日久，故孫權得以準備，夾濡須水口爲塢，難於攻擊。不若且退兵還許都，別作良圖。”操不應。

Cheng Yu went out. Cao Cao lay with his head down on his desk, and suddenly he heard the roar of surging waves, like ten thousand horses racing one another. He looked quickly and saw a red sun rise up out of the Great River, its brilliance dazzling his eyes. He looked up at the sky and saw two more suns shining on each other. Then suddenly the red sun in the middle of the river flew straight up and fell into the hills in front of the camp with a sound like thunder. He awoke with a start and found that he had been dreaming in his tent.

程昱出。操伏几而臥，忽聞潮聲洶湧，如萬馬爭奔之狀。操急視之，見大江中推出一輪紅日，光華射目；仰望天上，又有兩輪太陽對照。忽見江心那輪紅日，直飛起來，墜於寨前山中，其聲如雷。猛然驚覺，原來在帳中做了一夢。

A soldier in front of the tent reported that it was noon. Cao Cao had his horse made ready and, with fifty or so horsemen, rode straight out of the camp to the hill where he had seen the sun fall in his dream. As he was looking about, he suddenly saw a body of horsemen. At their head was a man in a golden helmet and golden armour. Cao Cao looked, and it was Sun Quan. Seeing Cao Cao arrive, Sun Quan showed no alarm. He reined in his horse on the hill, pointed his whip at Cao Cao and said, “Prime Minister, you hold sway over the Central Plains, and your wealth and honour are already beyond measure. Why are you so greedy that you must come and invade our Jiangnan as well?”

帳前軍報道午時。曹操教備馬，引五十餘騎，徑奔出寨，至夢中所見落日山邊。正看之間，忽見一簇人馬，當先一人，金盔金甲。操視之，乃孫權也。權見操至，也不慌忙，在山上勒住馬，以鞭指操曰：“丞相坐鎮中原，富貴已極，何故貪心不足，又來侵我江南？”

Cao Cao replied, “You are a subject and do not honour the royal house. I have come with a decree from the Son of Heaven to punish you!” Sun Quan laughed. “Are you not ashamed to say that? Does not the whole world know that you hold the Son of Heaven in your grip in order to command the nobles? It is not that I do not honour the Han court. I only wish to punish you and set the state to rights.” Cao Cao was enraged and shouted to his generals to go up the hill and seize Sun Quan. Suddenly a drum rolled, and two bands of soldiers came out from behind the hill: on the right Han Dang and Zhou Tai, on the left Chen Wu and Pan Zhang.

操答曰：“汝爲臣下，不尊王室。吾奉天子詔，特來討汝！”孫權笑曰：“此言豈不羞乎？天下豈不知你挾天子令諸侯？吾非不尊漢朝，正欲討汝以正國家耳。”操大怒，叱諸將上山捉孫權。忽一聲鼓響，山背後兩彪軍出，右邊韓當、周泰，左邊陳武、潘璋。

The four generals, with three thousand archers and crossbowmen, loosed their arrows wildly, and the shafts fell like rain. Cao Cao hastily turned back with his generals and fled. The four generals pursued him hotly from behind. Halfway, Xu Chu came up with the Tiger Guards and held them off, and brought Cao Cao back safely. The Wu troops all sang songs of triumph and returned to Ruxu. Back in his camp Cao Cao thought to himself, “Sun Quan is no ordinary man. The red sun was an omen: one day he is sure to become an emperor.”

四員將帶三千弓弩手亂射，矢如雨發。操急引衆將回走。背後四將趕來甚急。趕到半路，許褚引衆虎衛軍敵住，救回曹操。吳兵齊奏凱歌，回濡須去了。操還營自思：“孫權非等閒人物。紅日之應，久後必爲帝王。”

So in his heart he thought of withdrawing, yet he feared the ridicule of Eastern Wu, and he could not decide whether to advance or retreat. The two sides faced each other for more than another month and fought several battles, each winning some and losing some. When the first month of the next year came, the spring rains fell without end, the waterways and creeks were all full, and most of the soldiers were living in mud and water, suffering extreme hardship. Cao Cao was very anxious. That day he was in his camp consulting with his advisers. Some urged him to withdraw his army; others said that now it was warm spring, just the time to hold on, and that he must not retreat. Cao Cao hesitated and could not make up his mind.

於是心中有退兵之意，又恐東吳恥笑，進退未決。兩邊又相拒了月餘，戰了數場，互相勝負。直至來年正月，春雨連綿，水港皆滿，軍士多在泥水之中，困苦異常。操心甚憂。當日正在寨中，與衆謀士商議。或勸操收兵，或雲目今春暖，正好相持，不可退歸。操猶豫未定。

Suddenly it was announced that an envoy had come from Eastern Wu with a letter. Cao Cao opened it and read. The gist of the letter was this: “You and I, Prime Minister, are both ministers of the Han court. Yet instead of thinking how to repay the state and bring peace to the people, you recklessly take up arms and cruelly slaughter living souls. Is this the conduct of a humane man? The spring floods are now beginning to rise, and you should leave quickly. If you do not, you will meet another disaster like the Red Cliffs. You would do well to think it over.” On the back of the letter two more lines were written: “As long as you live, I cannot be at peace.”

忽報東吳有使齎書到。操啓視之。書略曰：“孤與丞相，彼此皆漢朝臣宰。丞相不思報國安民，乃妄動干戈，殘虐生靈，豈仁人之所爲哉？即日春水方生，公當速去。如其不然，復有赤壁之禍矣。公宜自思焉。”書背後又批兩行雲：“足下不死，孤不得安。”

When Cao Cao had finished reading, he laughed loudly and said, “Sun Zhongmou does not deceive me.” He rewarded the envoy handsomely and gave the order to withdraw. He ordered Zhu Guang, Prefect of Lujiang, to hold Wancheng, and led the main army back to Xuchang himself. Sun Quan also withdrew his army and returned to Moling. There he consulted with his generals: “Although Cao Cao has gone north, Liu Bei is still at Jiameng Pass and has not returned. Why not lead the army that held off Cao Cao and take Jingzhou?”

曹操看畢，大笑曰：“孫仲謀不欺我也。”重賞來使，遂下令班師，命廬江太守朱光鎮守皖城，自引大軍回許昌。孫權亦收軍回秣陵。權與衆將商議：“曹操雖然北去，劉備尚在葭萌關未還。何不引拒曹操之兵，以取荊州？”

Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “Do not move the army yet. I have a scheme that will make it impossible for Liu Bei ever to return to Jingzhou.”

張昭獻計曰：“且未可動兵。某有一計，使劉備不能再還荊州。”

Indeed:
Mengde’s mighty host had just withdrawn to the north,
And Zhongmou’s bold ambition turned again to the south.
What scheme did Zhang Zhao propose? What happened next will be told in the next chapter.

正是：孟德雄兵方退北，仲謀壯志又圖南。
不知張昭說出甚計來，且看下文分解。