Romance, Chapter 80

Chapter 80. Cao Pi Deposes the Emperor and Usurps the Throne of the Fiery Liu; The King of Han Takes His Rightful Place and Continues the Great Succession

Now Hua Xin and a band of civil and military officials went in to see Emperor Xian. Hua Xin memorialized, “We humbly observe that since the King of Wei ascended his throne, his virtue has spread in all four directions and his benevolence has reached all living things. He surpasses the ancients and excels the moderns; even Tang and Yu could not outdo him. The ministers have met in council and say that the fortunes of Han are at an end. We hope that Your Majesty will follow the way of Yao and Shun and yield the mountains and rivers, the altars of land and grain, to the King of Wei. Then above you will accord with the heart of Heaven and below with the will of the people, and Your Majesty will enjoy in peace the blessing of leisure. Great fortune for your ancestors!

卻說華歆等一班文武，入見獻帝。歆奏曰：“伏睹魏王，自登位以來，德布四方，仁及萬物，越古超今，雖唐、虞無以過此。羣臣會議，言漢祚已終，望陛下效堯、舜之道，以山川社稷，禪與魏王，上合天心，下合民意，則陛下安享清閒之福，祖宗幸甚！

Great fortune for all living souls! We have reached our decision in council and have come expressly to petition you.” On hearing the memorial the Emperor was greatly alarmed. For a long while he said nothing; then, looking round at the officials, he wept and said, “I think of how Emperor Gaozu took up his three-foot sword, slew the serpent and raised the standard of righteousness, pacified Qin and destroyed Chu, and founded the dynasty, which has been handed down from generation to generation for four hundred years. Though I lack talent, I have committed no wrong or wickedness. How could I bear to cast away lightly the great heritage of my ancestors? You officials, deliberate on this again, and fairly.”

生靈幸甚！臣等議定，特來奏請。”帝聞奏大驚，半晌無言，覷百官而哭曰：“朕想高祖提三尺劍，斬蛇起義，平秦滅楚，創造基業，世統相傳，四百年矣。朕雖不才，初無過惡，安忍將祖宗大業，等閒棄了？汝百官再從公計議。”

Hua Xin brought Li Fu and Xu Zhi forward and memorialized, “If Your Majesty does not believe us, you may ask these two men.” Li Fu memorialized, “Since the King of Wei came to his throne, a qilin has been born, the phoenix has come to dance, a yellow dragon has appeared, auspicious grain has grown in abundance, and sweet dew has fallen. These are auspicious signs shown by Heaven above, portents that Wei is to replace Han.” Xu Zhi then memorialized, “Our office is in charge of observing the heavens. Watching the celestial signs by night, we have seen that the destiny of the fiery Han has run its course and Your Majesty’s imperial star is hidden and dim, while the celestial signs of the state of Wei reach to the ends of heaven and earth, more than words can tell.

華歆引李伏、許芝近前奏曰：“陛下若不信，可問此二人。”李伏奏曰：“自魏王即位以來，麒麟降生，鳳凰來儀，黃龍出現，嘉禾蔚生，甘露下降。此是上天示瑞，魏當代漢之象也。”許芝又奏曰：“臣等職掌司天，夜觀乾象，見炎漢氣數已終，陛下帝星隱匿不明；魏國乾象，極天際地，言之難盡。

Moreover, it answers the prophetic texts, which say: ‘Ghost at the side, wei joined on; he shall replace the Han, no more need be said. Speech in the east, noon in the west; two suns shine together, moving up and down.’ Judging by this, Your Majesty should abdicate soon. ‘Ghost at the side, wei joined on’ makes the character Wei; ‘speech in the east, noon in the west’ makes the character Xu; ‘two suns shine together, moving up and down’ makes the character Chang. This means that Wei is to receive the abdication of Han at Xuchang.

更兼上應圖讖，其讖曰：鬼在邊，委相連；當代漢，無可言。言在東，午在西；兩日並光上下移。以此論之，陛下可早禪位。鬼在邊，委相連，是魏字也；言在東，午在西，乃許字也；兩日並光上下移，乃昌字也：此是魏在許昌應受漢禪也。

We beg Your Majesty to consider it.” The Emperor said, “Auspicious signs and prophetic texts are all empty and false. How can you use empty and false things as grounds for suddenly demanding that I give up the heritage of my ancestors?” Wang Lang memorialized, “Since ancient times, whatever rises must fall, and whatever flourishes must decline. Was there ever a state that did not perish, or a house that did not fail? The House of Han has been handed down for more than four hundred years, and now that it has come down to Your Majesty, its destiny is exhausted. You should step aside early and not hesitate, for delay will bring trouble.” The Emperor burst into loud weeping and went off into the rear hall. The officials withdrew, sneering.

願陛下察之。”帝曰：“祥瑞圖讖，皆虛妄之事；奈何以虛妄之事，而遽欲朕舍祖宗之基業乎？”王朗奏曰：“自古以來，有興必有廢，有盛必有衰，豈有不亡之國、不敗之家乎？漢室相傳四百餘年，延至陛下，氣數已盡，宜早退避，不可遲疑；遲則生變矣。”帝大哭，入後殿去了。百官哂笑而退。

Next day the officials gathered again in the great hall and sent a eunuch in to ask Emperor Xian to come out. The Emperor, anxious and afraid, dared not go. Empress Cao said, “The officials ask Your Majesty to hold court. Why does Your Majesty put them off?” The Emperor wept and said, “Your brother means to usurp the throne and has set the officials to press me. That is why I will not go out.” Empress Cao said in great anger, “How can my brother do such a rebellious thing?” Before she had finished speaking, Cao Hong and Cao Xiu came in wearing swords and asked the Emperor to come out to the hall.

次日，官僚又集於大殿，令宦官入請獻帝。帝憂懼不敢出。曹后曰：“百官請陛下設朝，陛下何故推阻？”帝泣曰：“汝兄欲篡位，令百官相逼，朕故不出。”曹后大怒曰：“吾兄奈何爲此亂逆之事耶！”言未已，只見曹洪、曹休帶劍而入，請帝出殿。

Empress Cao cursed them roundly: “It is all you rebels, greedy for wealth and rank, who have hatched this treason together! My father’s achievements covered the whole world and his might shook the empire, yet even he dared not usurp the sacred vessel of the throne. Now my brother has barely succeeded to his title, and already he thinks of usurping the Han. August Heaven will surely not bless you!” With that she went into the palace, weeping bitterly. All the attendants about her sobbed and shed tears. Cao Hong and Cao Xiu pressed Emperor Xian hard to come out to the hall, and the Emperor, unable to withstand them, had no choice but to change his robes and go out to the front hall.

曹后大罵曰：“俱是汝等亂賊，希圖富貴，共造逆謀！吾父功蓋寰區，威震天下，然且不敢篡竊神器。今吾兄嗣位未幾，輒思篡漢，皇天必不祚爾！”言罷，痛哭入宮。左右侍者皆歔欷流涕。曹洪、曹休力請獻帝出殿。帝被逼不過，只得更衣出前殿。

Hua Xin memorialized, “Your Majesty should act on what we proposed yesterday, and so escape a great calamity.” The Emperor wept bitterly and said, “You have all eaten the salary of Han for a long time, and many among you are descendants of the Han court’s meritorious ministers. How can you bear to do so disloyal a thing?” Hua Xin said, “If Your Majesty does not follow the counsel of the many, I fear that disaster may break out within your own walls any day now. It is not that we are disloyal to Your Majesty.” The Emperor said, “Who would dare to murder me?”

華歆奏曰：“陛下可依臣等昨日之議，免遭大禍。”帝痛哭曰：“卿等皆食漢祿久矣；中間多有漢朝功臣子孫，何忍作此不臣之事？”歆曰：“陛下若不從衆議，恐旦夕蕭牆禍起。非臣等不忠於陛下也。”帝曰：“誰敢弒朕耶？”

Hua Xin said harshly, “Everyone in the empire knows that Your Majesty lacks a ruler’s good fortune, and that this is why the four quarters have fallen into great disorder! Were it not for the King of Wei at court, would there be only one man seeking to murder Your Majesty? Yet Your Majesty still does not know how to acknowledge kindness and repay virtue. Do you really wish to have all the people of the empire rise against you together?” The Emperor, greatly alarmed, shook out his sleeves and rose. Wang Lang gave Hua Xin a look. Hua Xin strode forward, seized the Emperor’s dragon robe, and said with a changed countenance, “Yes or no — speak out now!”

歆厲聲曰：“天下之人，皆知陛下無人君之福，以致四方大亂！若非魏王在朝，弒陛下者，何止一人？陛下尚不知恩報德，直欲令天下人共伐陛下耶？”帝大驚，拂袖而起，王朗以目視華歆。歆縱步向前，扯住龍袍，變色而言曰：“許與不許，早發一言！”

The Emperor trembled and could not answer. Cao Hong and Cao Xiu drew their swords and shouted, “Where is the Keeper of the Seals?” Zu Bi stepped forward in answer: “The Keeper of the Seals is here!” Cao Hong demanded the Jade Seal. Zu Bi rebuked him: “The Jade Seal is the treasure of the Son of Heaven. How dare you demand it on your own authority!” Cao Hong roared to his guards to take him out and behead him. Zu Bi died cursing, never once ceasing.

帝戰慄不能答，曹洪、曹休拔劍大呼曰：“符寶郎何在？”祖弼應聲出曰：“符寶郎在此！”曹洪索要玉璽。祖弼叱曰：“玉璽乃天子之寶，安得擅索！”洪喝令武士推出斬之。祖弼大罵不絕口而死。

A later poet wrote in his praise:
Villains seized all power, and the House of Han was lost;
Falsely they called it abdication, aping Yu and Tang.
The hundred lords of the whole court all bowed before Wei;
One loyal subject alone was seen: the Keeper of the Seals.

後人有詩讚曰：“奸宄專權漢室亡，詐稱禪位效虞唐。
滿朝百辟皆尊魏，僅見忠臣符寶郎。
”

The Emperor could not stop trembling. Below the steps he saw several hundred men in armour holding halberds, all of them Wei soldiers. Weeping, he said to his ministers, “I am willing to yield the empire to the King of Wei, if only I may be allowed to keep what breath is left me and live out my natural span.” Jia Xu said, “The King of Wei will surely not fail Your Majesty. Your Majesty should issue the edict at once, to set everyone’s mind at rest.” The Emperor had no choice but to have Chen Qun draft the edict of abdication, and to have Hua Xin carry the edict and the seal and lead the officials straight to the palace of the King of Wei to present them.

帝顫慄不已。只見階下披甲持戈數百餘人，皆是魏兵。帝泣謂羣臣曰：“朕願將天下禪於魏王，幸留殘喘，以終天年。”賈詡曰：“魏王必不負陛下。陛下可急降詔，以安衆心。”帝只得令陳羣草禪國之詔，令華歆齎捧詔璽，引百官直至魏王宮獻納。

Cao Pi was overjoyed. He opened the edict and read: “We have been on the throne for thirty-two years and have met with the upheaval of the empire, but by the good grace of the spirits of Our ancestors We were imperilled and preserved again. Yet now, looking up at the signs of heaven and down at the hearts of the people, We see that the destined span of the Spirit of Fire has ended, and the cycle of the elements now rests with the house of Cao. Thus the former king established a record of divine martial prowess, and the present king in turn has made his bright virtue shine, answering the time. The reckoning of Heaven is clear and can truly be known.

曹丕大喜。開讀詔曰：“朕在位三十二年，遭天下蕩覆，幸賴祖宗之靈，危而復存。然今仰瞻天象，俯察民心，炎精之數既終，行運在乎曹氏。是以前王既樹神武之跡，今王又光耀明德，以應其期。歷數昭明，信可知矣。

When the Great Way prevails, the empire belongs to all. Yao of Tang did not keep it for his own son, and his name has spread through endless ages; this We privately admire. Now, following in the footsteps of the Canon of Yao, We yield the throne to the Chancellor, the King of Wei. Let the King not decline!”

夫大道之行，天下爲公；唐堯不私於厥子，而名播於無窮，朕竊慕焉，今其追踵堯典，禪位於丞相魏王。王其毋辭！”

When Cao Pi had heard it through, he was ready to accept the edict at once. Sima Yi remonstrated: “No. Though the edict and the seal have come, Your Highness should first send up a memorial humbly declining, so as to cut off the slanders of the world.” Cao Pi agreed and had Wang Lang write a memorial in which he declared his virtue too slight and asked that some other man of great worth be sought to succeed to the heavenly throne. When the Emperor read the memorial he was astonished and perplexed, and said to his ministers, “The King of Wei modestly declines. What is to be done?” Hua Xin said, “In the past, when King Wu of Wei received his royal title, he declined three times, and only when the edicts refused to accept his refusal did he take it. If Your Majesty now issues another edict, the King of Wei will naturally consent.”

曹丕聽畢，便欲受詔。司馬懿諫曰：“不可。雖然詔璽已至，殿下宜且上表謙辭，以絕天下之謗。”丕從之，令王朗作表，自稱德薄，請別求大賢以嗣天位。帝覽表，心甚驚疑，謂羣臣曰：“魏王謙遜，如之奈何？”華歆曰：“昔魏武王受王爵之時，三辭而詔不許，然後受之，今陛下可再降詔，魏王自當允從。”

The Emperor had no choice but to have Huan Jie draft another edict, and he sent Zhang Yin, Envoy of the Gao Temple, bearing the imperial tally and the seal, to the palace of the King of Wei. Cao Pi opened the edict and read: “Ah, you, King of Wei, have sent up a letter humbly declining. We privately consider that the way of Han has been in decline for a long time now. Happily We could rely on King Wu, Cao Cao, whose virtue answered the auspicious signs of destiny, who roused his divine martial might, cut down the violent and the cruel, and brought order and peace to the Middle Kingdom. Now King Pi carries on the work of his forebear. His perfect virtue shines brightly, his fame and teaching cover the four seas, and the wind of his benevolence blows through the eight regions. The reckoning of Heaven truly rests in your person.

帝不得已，又令桓階草詔，遣高廟使張音，持節奉璽至魏王宮。曹丕開讀詔曰：“諮爾魏王，上書謙讓。朕竊爲漢道陵遲，爲日已久；幸賴武王操，德膺符運，奮揚神武，芟除兇暴，清定區夏。今王丕纘承前緒，至德光昭，聲教被四海，仁風扇八區；天之歷數，實在爾躬。

Of old, Shun of Yu had twenty great achievements, and Fangxun yielded the empire to him; the great Yu had the merit of dredging and channelling the waters, and Chonghua yielded the imperial throne to him. The Han inherited the fortunes of Yao and has the duty of passing the throne on to a sage. Moreover, in obedience to the spirits of heaven and earth and in continuance of Heaven’s bright mandate, We send the Acting Imperial Censor-in-Chief Zhang Yin, bearing the imperial tally, to present the Emperor’s seal and ribbon. Let the King accept them!”

昔虞舜有大功二十，而放勳禪以天下；大禹有疏導之績，而重華禪以帝位。漢承堯運，有傳聖之義，加順靈祇，紹天明命，使行御史大夫張音，持節奉皇帝璽綬。王其受之！”

Cao Pi received the edict with delight and said to Jia Xu, “Though there have now been two edicts, I still fear that in the eyes of the world and of later ages I shall not escape the name of usurper.” Jia Xu said, “That is very easily managed. Order Zhang Yin once more to take the seal and ribbon back, and then have Hua Xin get the Han Emperor to build an altar, called the Altar of Accepting the Abdication. Choose a lucky day and an auspicious hour, gather all the nobles and ministers, great and small, below the altar, and have the Son of Heaven present the seal and ribbon with his own hands and yield the empire to you. Then all doubts will be dispelled and all talk silenced.”

曹丕接詔欣喜，謂賈詡曰：“雖二次有詔，然終恐天下後世，不免篡竊之名也。”詡曰：“此事極易，可再命張音齎回璽綬，卻教華歆令漢帝築一罈，名受禪壇；擇吉日良辰，集大小公卿，盡到壇下，令天子親奉璽綬，禪天下與王，便可以釋羣疑而絕衆議矣。”

Cao Pi was delighted. He at once had Zhang Yin take back the seal and ribbon, and again wrote a memorial humbly declining. Zhang Yin went back and reported to Emperor Xian. The Emperor asked his ministers, “The King of Wei has declined again. What does he mean by it?” Hua Xin memorialized, “Your Majesty should build an altar, named the Altar of Accepting the Abdication, gather the nobles, ministers and common people, and abdicate openly for all to see. Then Your Majesty’s sons and grandsons for generations to come will surely enjoy the favour of Wei.” The Emperor agreed. He sent officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to divine a site at Fanyang, where they built a high altar of three tiers, and he chose the hour of yin on the day gengwu of the tenth month for the abdication.

丕大喜，即令張音齎回璽綬，仍作表謙辭。音回奏獻帝。帝問羣臣曰：“魏王又讓，其意若何？”華歆奏曰：“陛下可築一罈，名曰受禪壇，集公卿庶民，明白禪位；則陛下子子孫孫，必蒙魏恩矣。”帝從之，乃遣太常院官，卜地於繁陽，築起三層高壇，擇於十月庚午日寅時禪讓。

When the day came, Emperor Xian asked Cao Pi, the King of Wei, to ascend the altar and receive the abdication. Below the altar were gathered more than four hundred officials great and small and over three hundred thousand of the Imperial Guard and Tiger Guards. The Emperor with his own hands presented the Jade Seal to Cao Pi, who accepted it. The ministers below the altar knelt and heard the document of investiture read: “Ah, you, King of Wei! Of old, Yao of Tang yielded the throne to Shun of Yu, and Shun in turn passed the charge to Yu. The mandate of Heaven is not constant; it goes only to the virtuous.

至期，獻帝請魏王曹丕登壇受禪，壇下集大小官僚四百餘員，御林虎賁禁軍三十餘萬，帝親捧玉璽奉曹丕。丕受之。壇下羣臣跪聽冊曰：“諮爾魏王！昔者唐堯禪位於虞舜，舜亦以命禹：天命不於常，惟歸有德。

The way of Han declined and the age lost its order. When it came down to Our own person, great disorder deepened the darkness; the host of evildoers rebelled at will, and all within the seas was overturned. By the divine martial might of King Wu, these troubles were relieved in every quarter and the Middle Kingdom was made clean, so that Our ancestral temple was preserved and made secure. It was not I alone who gained good order; the whole realm, to its farthest domains, truly received the benefit. Now the King reverently carries on the work of his forebear and makes his own virtue shine; he extends the great enterprise of civil and martial rule and makes glorious the mighty deeds of your late father.

漢道陵遲，世失其序；降及朕躬，大亂滋昏，羣兇恣逆，宇內顛覆。賴武王神武，拯茲難於四方，惟清區夏，以保綏我宗廟；豈予一人獲乂，俾九服實受其賜。今王欽承前緒，光於乃德；恢文武之大業，昭爾考之弘烈。

The august spirits have sent down good omens, and men and gods alike have declared the signs. You have greatly shown forth your works, and the multitude has commended you to Us. All say that your measure matches that of Shun of Yu. Therefore, following Our Canon of Tang, We respectfully yield Our throne to you. Oh! The reckoning of Heaven is in your person. Reverently follow the great rites, receive the homage of the ten thousand states, and accept with awe the mandate of Heaven!”

皇靈降瑞，人神告徵；誕惟亮採，師錫朕命。全曰爾度克協於虞舜，用率我唐典，敬遜爾位。於戲！天之歷數在爾躬，君其祗順大禮，饗萬國以肅承天命！”

When the reading of the document was done, Cao Pi, the King of Wei, received the eight great rites and ascended the imperial throne. Jia Xu led the officials, great and small, to do homage below the altar. The first year of Yankang was changed to the first year of Huangchu, and the state was named Great Wei. Cao Pi at once issued an order proclaiming a general amnesty throughout the empire. He gave his father Cao Cao the posthumous title of Emperor Wu, Grand Progenitor. Hua Xin memorialized, “‘There are not two suns in the sky, nor two lords over the people.’ Since the Han Emperor has yielded the empire, it is right that he withdraw to the status of a vassal.

讀冊已畢，魏王曹丕即受八般大禮，登了帝位。賈詡引大小官僚朝於壇下。改延康元年爲黃初元年。國號大魏。丕即傳旨，大赦天下。諡父曹操爲太祖武皇帝，華歆奏曰：“‘天無二日，民無二主’。漢帝既禪天下，理宜退就藩服。

We beg you to issue a clear decree: where is the Liu to be settled?” When he had finished, he helped Emperor Xian down to kneel below the altar and hear the decree. Cao Pi issued a decree making the former Emperor Duke of Shanyang, to depart that same day. Hua Xin, his hand on his sword, pointed at him and said harshly, “To set up one emperor and depose another is the constant way of antiquity! His present Majesty is benevolent and merciful and cannot bear to do you harm; he has made you Duke of Shanyang. You will leave today, and you are not to come to court unless summoned!”

乞降明旨，安置劉氏於何地？”言訖，扶獻帝跪於壇下聽旨。丕降旨封帝爲山陽公，即日便行。華歆按劍指帝，厲聲而言曰：“立一帝，廢一帝，古之常道！今上仁慈，不忍加害，封汝爲山陽公。今日便行，非宣召不許入朝！”

Emperor Xian, holding back his tears, bowed his thanks, mounted his horse and departed. The soldiers and people below the altar who saw it were endlessly grieved. Cao Pi said to his ministers, “Now I understand the affair of Shun and Yu!” The ministers all cried, “Long live the Emperor!” A later poet, looking upon this Altar of Accepting the Abdication,

獻帝含淚拜謝，上馬而去。壇下軍民人等見之，傷感不已。丕謂羣臣曰：“舜、禹之事，朕知之矣！”羣臣皆呼萬歲。後人觀此受禪壇，

wrote these lines in lament:
The Two Han dynasties were built with no small toil,
Yet in a single morning the old realm was lost.
Huangchu would copy what Tang and Yu had done;
The Sima will one day take it as their model.
The officials asked Cao Pi to offer thanks to Heaven and Earth.

有詩嘆曰：“兩漢經營事頗難，一朝失卻舊江山。
黃初欲學唐虞事，司馬將來作樣看。
”百官請曹丕答謝天地。

Cao Pi was just making his obeisance when suddenly a strange wind swirled up before the altar. Sand flew and stones rolled, fierce as a sudden downpour, so that one could not see a person face to face, and the candles on the altar were all blown out. Cao Pi fell down on the altar in fright. The officials hurriedly rescued him and brought him down, and it was a long while before he came to. His attendants helped him into the palace, and for several days he could not hold court. Only when his illness had somewhat abated did he come out to the hall to receive the congratulations of his ministers. He made Hua Xin Minister over the Masses and Wang Lang Minister of Works, and promoted and rewarded the officials, great and small, one by one.

丕方下拜，忽然壇前捲起一陣怪風，飛砂走石，急如驟雨，對面不見；壇上火燭，盡皆吹滅。丕驚倒於壇上，百官急救下壇，半晌方醒。侍臣扶入宮中，數日不能設朝。後病稍可，方出殿受羣臣朝賀。封華歆爲司徒，王朗爲司空；大小官僚，一一升賞。

As his illness had not fully mended, Cao Pi suspected that the palaces at Xuchang were full of evil spirits, and so he moved from Xuchang to Luoyang and built palaces there on a grand scale.

丕疾未痊，疑許昌宮室多妖，乃自許昌幸洛陽，大建宮室。

Before long someone came to Chengdu with the news that Cao Pi had made himself Emperor of Great Wei and was building palaces at Luoyang, and there was a rumour too that the Han Emperor had been put to death. When the King of Hanzhong heard it he wept bitterly all day long. He ordered all his officials to put on mourning, set up sacrifices facing toward the distant capital, and conferred on the Emperor the honoured posthumous title of Emperor Xiaomin. Xuande was so troubled by this that he fell ill and could not attend to affairs, and he entrusted all the business of government to Kongming.

早有人到成都，報說曹丕自立爲大魏皇帝，於洛陽蓋造宮殿；且傳言漢帝已遇害。漢中王聞知，痛哭終日，下令百官掛孝，遙望設祭，上尊諡曰“孝愍皇帝”。玄德因此憂慮，致染成疾，不能理事，政務皆託與孔明。

Kongming conferred with Xu Jing, the Grand Tutor, and Qiao Zhou, Grand Master of the Palace, saying that the empire could not be without a ruler for a single day, and that they wished to honour the King of Hanzhong as emperor. Qiao Zhou said, “Lately there have been auspicious signs of propitious winds and happy clouds. At the northwest corner of Chengdu a yellow vapour dozens of zhang high rose up into the sky, and the imperial star has appeared in the sector of the lunar mansions Bi, Wei and Mao, shining as bright as the moon. This is a sure sign that the King of Hanzhong should take the imperial throne at once and continue the line of Han. What more is there to doubt?”

孔明與太傅許靖、光祿大夫譙周商議，言天下不可一日無君，欲尊漢中王爲帝。譙周曰：“近有祥風慶雲之瑞；成都西北角有黃氣數十丈，沖霄而起；帝星見於畢、胃、昴之分，煌煌如月。此正應漢中王當即帝位，以繼漢統，更復何疑？”

So Kongming and Xu Jing led the officials, great and small, in presenting a memorial asking the King of Hanzhong to assume the imperial throne. When the King of Hanzhong read the memorial he said in great alarm, “Would you trap me into being a disloyal and unrighteous man?” Kongming memorialized, “Not so. Cao Pi has usurped the Han and set himself up, and Your Highness is a scion of the House of Han; it is only right that you continue the line and prolong the sacrifices of Han.” The King of Hanzhong flushed with anger and said, “Should I imitate what rebels do?” He shook out his sleeves, rose, and went into the inner palace. The officials all dispersed.

於是孔明與許靖，引大小官僚上表，請漢中王即皇帝位。漢中王覽表，大驚曰：“卿等欲陷孤爲不忠不義之人耶？”孔明奏曰：“非也。曹丕篡漢自立，王上乃漢室苗裔，理合繼統以延漢祀。”漢中王勃然變色曰：“孤豈效逆賊所爲！”拂袖而起，入於後宮。衆官皆散。

Three days later Kongming again led the officials to court and asked the King of Hanzhong to come out. They all bowed down before him. Xu Jing memorialized, “The Son of Heaven of Han has now been murdered by Cao Pi. If Your Highness does not take the imperial throne and raise an army to punish the rebel, that cannot be called loyalty and righteousness. There is no one in the empire now who does not wish Your Highness to become sovereign and avenge Emperor Xiaomin. If you do not follow our counsel, you will lose the hopes of the people.”

三日後，孔明又引衆官入朝，請漢中王出。衆皆拜伏於前。許靖奏曰：“今漢天子已被曹丕所弒，王上不即帝位，興師討逆，不得爲忠義也。今天下無不欲王上爲君，爲孝愍皇帝雪恨。若不從臣等所議，是失民望矣。”

The King of Hanzhong said, “Though I am a descendant of Emperor Jing, I have never spread any virtue or bounty among the people. If I were suddenly to set myself up as emperor now, how would that differ from usurpation?” Kongming urged him earnestly several times, but the King of Hanzhong stubbornly refused.

漢中王曰：“孤雖是景帝之孫，並未有德澤以佈於民；今一旦自立爲帝，與篡竊何異！”孔明苦勸數次，漢中王堅執不從。

Kongming then devised a plan and told the officials to do thus and thus. After that he pleaded illness and did not appear. When the King of Hanzhong heard that Kongming was gravely ill, he went in person to his residence and straight in to his bedside. “What illness has struck you, Director of Strategy?” he asked. Kongming answered, “My heart burns with anxiety, and I have not long to live!” “What is it that troubles you, Director of Strategy?” asked the King of Hanzhong. He asked several times over, but Kongming only pleaded that he was too ill, and closed his eyes and did not answer.

孔明乃設一計，謂衆官曰：如此如此。於是孔明託病不出。漢中王聞孔明病篤，親到府中，直入臥榻邊，問曰：“軍師所感何疾？”孔明答曰：“憂心如焚，命不久矣！”漢中王曰：“軍師所憂何事？”連問數次，孔明只推病重，瞑目不答。

The King of Hanzhong pressed him again and again. At last Kongming heaved a long sigh and said, “Ever since I came out of my thatched cottage and met Your Highness, I have followed you until now, and you have heeded my words and followed my plans. Now, happily, Your Highness holds the lands of the two Chuan, just as I told you long ago. At present Cao Pi has usurped the throne, and the sacrifices of Han are about to be cut off. All the officials, civil and military, wish to set you up as emperor, destroy Wei and restore the Liu, and together win merit and fame. Little did they expect Your Highness to refuse so stubbornly. Now they all feel aggrieved, and before long they will surely all drift away.

漢中王再三請問。孔明喟然嘆曰：“臣自出茅廬，得遇大王，相隨至今，言聽計從；今幸大王有兩川之地，不負臣夙昔之言。目今曹丕篡位，漢祀將斬，文武官僚，鹹欲奉大王爲帝，滅魏興劉，共圖功名；不想大王堅執不肯，衆官皆有怨心，不久必盡散矣。

If the officials, civil and military, all scatter, and Wu and Wei come to attack, the two Chuan will be hard to hold. How can I help being anxious?” The King of Hanzhong said, “It is not that I am putting it off; I only fear what people in the empire will say.” Kongming said, “The Sage said, ‘If names are not correct, words will not ring true.’ Now Your Highness’s name is correct and your words ring true. What is there for anyone to criticize? Have you not heard that if Heaven gives and you do not take, you bring blame upon yourself?” The King of Hanzhong said, “When your illness is better, Director of Strategy, it will not be too late to do it.”

若文武皆散，吳、魏來攻，兩川難保。臣安得不憂乎？”漢中王曰：“吾非推阻，恐天下人議論耳。”孔明曰：“聖人云：名不正則言不順，今大王名正言順，有何可議？豈不聞天與弗取，反受其咎？”漢中王曰：“待軍師病可，行之未遲。”

When Kongming heard this, he sprang up from his couch and struck the screen once. At that, the civil and military officials waiting outside all came in, bowed to the ground and said, “Since Your Highness has consented, we beg you to choose a day to perform the great ceremony.” The King of Hanzhong looked at them. They were the Grand Tutor Xu Jing; Mi Zhu, General Who Pacifies Han; Xiang Ju, Marquis of Qingyi; Liu Bao, Marquis of Yangquan; the Attendant Officer Zhao Zuo; the Headquarters Officer Yang Hong; the Councillor Du Qiong; the Assistant Officer Zhang Shuang; Lai Gong, Minister of Ceremonies; Huang Quan, Minister of the Household; the Libationer He Zong; the Scholar Yin Mo; Qiao Zhou, Director of Studies; Yin Chun, Grand Marshal; Zhang Yi, Lieutenant General; Wang Mou, Privy Treasurer; Yi Ji, Erudite of Zhaowen; Qin Mi, Assistant Gentleman; and others.

孔明聽罷，從榻上躍然而起，將屏風一擊，外面文武衆官皆入，拜伏於地曰：“王上既允，便請擇日以行大禮。”漢中王視之，乃是太傅許靖、安漢將軍糜竺、青衣侯向舉、陽泉侯劉豹、別駕趙祚、治中楊洪、議曹杜瓊、從事張爽、太常卿賴恭、光祿卿黃權、祭酒何宗、學士尹默、司業譙周、大司馬殷純、偏將軍張裔、少府王謀、昭文博士伊籍、從事郎秦宓等衆也。

The King of Hanzhong said in alarm, “So it is you who have driven me into unrighteousness!” Kongming said, “Since Your Highness has granted our request, let us build an altar, choose a lucky day, and reverently perform the great ceremony.” They at once escorted the King of Hanzhong back to his palace, and meanwhile the Erudite Xu Ci and the Gentleman Remonstrant Meng Guang were put in charge of the rites, and an altar was built south of Wudan in Chengdu. When all was ready, the officials drew up the imperial carriage in due order and invited the King of Hanzhong to ascend the altar and offer sacrifice.

漢中王驚曰：“陷孤於不義，皆卿等也！”孔明曰：“王上既允所請，便可築壇擇吉，恭行大禮。”即時送漢中王還宮，一面令博士許慈、諫議郎孟光掌禮，築壇於成都武擔之南。諸事齊備，多官整設鑾駕，迎請漢中王登壇致祭。

Qiao Zhou, standing on the altar, read out the sacrificial address in a loud voice: “On the twelfth day, dingsi, of the fourth month, whose first day was bingwu, in the twenty-sixth year of Jian’an, the Emperor Bei ventures to make this solemn announcement to August Heaven and Sovereign Earth: The Han has held the empire, and its reckoning has had no bound. In former times, when Wang Mang usurped and stole the throne, Emperor Guangwu rose in wrath and put him to death, and the altars of the state were restored. Now Cao Cao, relying on his troops, cruel and ruthless, slew his sovereign’s empress, and his crimes swelled to the heavens; and Cao Cao’s son Pi has gone on to give free rein to his wicked rebellion and has stolen and seized the sacred vessel of the throne.

譙周在壇上，高聲朗讀祭文曰：“惟建安二十六年四月丙午朔，越十二日丁巳，皇帝備，敢昭告於皇天后土：漢有天下，歷數無疆。曩者王莽篡盜，光武皇帝震怒致誅，社稷復存。今曹操阻兵殘忍，戮殺主後，罪惡滔天；操子丕，載肆凶逆，竊據神器。

My officers and men below held that since the sacrifices of Han had fallen into ruin, I, Bei, ought to continue them, carry on the martial work of the two Founders, and carry out Heaven’s punishment in person. Fearing that, lacking virtue, I would disgrace the imperial throne, I consulted the common people, and beyond them the chiefs of distant lands, and all said: ‘Heaven’s mandate must be answered; the ancestral heritage cannot long be left in abeyance; the four seas cannot be without a lord.’ The hopes of all the land rest on me, Bei, alone. In awe of Heaven’s bright mandate, and fearing too that the work of Gaozu and Guangwu will fall to the ground, I have reverently chosen a lucky day to ascend the altar and announce it in sacrifice, to receive the Emperor’s seal and ribbon, and to watch over the four quarters.

羣下將士，以爲漢祀墮廢，備宜延之，嗣武二祖，躬行天罰。備懼無德忝帝位，詢於庶民，外及遐荒君長，僉曰：天命不可以不答，祖業不可以久替，四海不可以無主。率土式望，在備一人。備畏天明命，又懼高、光之業，將墜於地，謹擇吉日，登壇告祭，受皇帝璽綬，撫臨四方。

May the spirits accept this offering and bless the House of Han, and grant lasting peace to the realm!” When the address had been read, Kongming led the officials in reverently presenting the Jade Seal. The King of Hanzhong received it and held it up on the altar, but declined again and again, saying, “I, Bei, have neither talent nor virtue. I beg you to choose one who has them to receive it.” Kongming memorialized, “Your Highness has brought peace to the four seas, and your merit and virtue shine throughout the empire; moreover you are of the imperial clan of the great Han. You should take your rightful place at once. The announcement has already been made in sacrifice to the gods of Heaven. What is there left to decline?”

惟神饗祚漢家，永綏歷服！”讀罷祭文，孔明率衆官恭上玉璽。漢中王受了，捧於壇上，再三推辭曰：“備無才德，請擇有才德者受之。”孔明奏曰：“王上平定四海，功德昭於天下，況是大漢宗派，宜即正位。已祭告天神，復何讓焉！”

All the officials, civil and military, cried, “Long live the Emperor!” When the ceremonial bowing and dancing were over, the reign title was changed to the first year of Zhangwu. His consort Lady Wu was made Empress and his eldest son Liu Shan Heir Apparent; his second son Liu Yong was made Prince of Lu and his third son Liu Li Prince of Liang. Zhuge Liang was made Chancellor and Xu Jing Minister over the Masses, and the officials, great and small, were promoted and rewarded one by one. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire. There was no one, soldier or civilian, in the two Chuan who did not leap for joy. Next day court was held, and when the officials, civil and military, had made their obeisance, they stood in two lines.

文武各官，皆呼萬歲。拜舞禮畢，改元章武元年。立妃吳氏爲皇后，長子劉禪爲太子；封次子劉永爲魯王，三子劉理爲梁王；封諸葛亮爲丞相，許靖爲司徒；大小官僚，一一升賞。大赦天下。兩川軍民，無不欣躍。次日設朝，文武官僚拜畢，列爲兩班。

The First Ruler issued an edict: “Ever since the Peach Garden, when I swore brotherhood with Guan and Zhang, we vowed to live and die together. Now, alas, my second brother Yunchang has been slain by Sun Quan of Eastern Wu. If I do not avenge him, I betray our oath. I mean to raise every soldier in the land to cut down Eastern Wu and take the rebel alive, and so wipe out this wrong!” Before he had finished, a man stepped out of the ranks and bowed down below the steps in remonstrance: “You must not.” The First Ruler looked, and saw that it was Zhao Yun, General of Tiger Might.

先主降詔曰：“朕自桃園與關、張結義，誓同生死。不幸二弟雲長，被東吳孫權所害；若不報仇，是負盟也。朕欲起傾國之兵，剪伐東吳，生擒逆賊，以雪此恨！”言未畢，班內一人拜伏於階下，諫曰：“不可。”先主視之，乃虎威將軍趙雲也。

Indeed:
Before the sovereign could carry out the punishment of Heaven,
A subject, we hear, came forward with forthright words.
What Zilong said in remonstrance will be told in the next chapter.

正是：君王未及行天討，臣下曾聞進直言。
未知子龍所諫若何，且看下文分解。