Records of Wu 9: Biographies of Zhou Yu, Lu Su and Lü Meng

Records of Wu 9: Biographies of Zhou Yu, Lu Su and Lü Meng

Zhou Yu

周瑜

Zhou Yu, courtesy name Gongjin, was a man of Shu County in Lujiang Commandery. His grand-uncle Zhou Jing and Zhou Jing's son Zhou Zhong had both been Grand Commandant of the Han. His father Zhou Yi was Magistrate of Luoyang. As he grew up Zhou Yu became tall and strong, with a handsome bearing. Earlier, when Sun Jian raised loyalist troops to attack Dong Zhuo, he moved his family to Shu. Sun Jian's son Sun Ce was the same age as Zhou Yu, and the two became especially close friends. Zhou Yu gave up a large house south of the road to lodge Sun Ce, went up into the hall to pay his respects to Sun Ce's mother, and they shared whatever they had or lacked. When Zhou Yu's uncle Zhou Shang became Prefect of Danyang, Zhou Yu went to visit him.

周瑜字公瑾，廬江舒人也。從祖父景，景子忠，皆為漢太尉。¹父異，洛陽令。瑜長壯有姿貌。初，孫堅與義兵討董卓，徙家於舒。堅子策與瑜同年，獨相友善，瑜推道南大宅以舍策，升堂拜母，有無通共。瑜從父尚為丹楊太守，瑜往省之。

Just then Sun Ce was about to cross east over the river. On reaching Liyang he sent a letter posthaste to inform Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yu led troops to meet him. Sun Ce was overjoyed and said, “Now that I have you, all will go well.” Zhou Yu then followed him in attacking Hengjiang and Dangli, taking both. They crossed the river to strike Moling and defeated Ze Rong and Xue Li. Turning aside, they took Hushu and Jiangcheng and advanced into Qu'e. Liu Yao fled, and Sun Ce's host already numbered several tens of thousands. Sun Ce then said to Zhou Yu, “With this host I have enough to take Wu and Kuaiji and subdue the Shanyue.

會策將東渡，到歷陽，馳書報瑜，瑜將兵迎策。策大喜曰：「吾得卿。諧也。」遂從攻橫江、當利，皆拔之。乃渡江擊秣陵，破笮融、薛禮。轉下湖孰、江乘，進入曲阿。劉繇奔走，而策之眾已數萬矣。因謂瑜曰：「吾以此眾取吳會平山越已足。

You go back and hold Danyang.” Zhou Yu went back. Soon afterward Yuan Shu sent his cousin Yuan Yin to replace Zhou Shang as Prefect, and Zhou Yu returned to Shouchun together with Zhou Shang. Yuan Shu wanted to make Zhou Yu one of his generals, but Zhou Yu judged that Yuan Shu would never accomplish anything, so he asked to be made Chief of Juchao, intending to use that route to return east. Yuan Shu granted it. So he went from Juchao back to Wu. That year was the third year of Jian'an.

卿還鎮丹楊。」瑜還。頃之，袁術遣從弟胤代尚為太守，而瑜與尚俱還壽春。術欲以瑜為將，瑜觀術終無所成，故求為居巢長，欲假塗東歸，術聽之。遂自居巢還吳。是歲，建安三年也。

Sun Ce came in person to welcome Zhou Yu, appointed him General of the Household Who Establishes Might, and at once gave him two thousand troops and fifty horses. Zhou Yu was twenty-four at the time, and everyone in Wu called him Young Master Zhou. Because Zhou Yu's kindness and good faith were well known in Lujiang, he was sent out to guard Niuzhu, and later took charge of Chungu as its Chief. Soon afterward, when Sun Ce wanted to take Jing Province, he made Zhou Yu Central Protector of the Army and had him take charge of Jiangxia as Prefect. Zhou Yu followed him in attacking Wan and took it. At that time they captured the two daughters of Lord Qiao, both of them the greatest beauties in the land.

策親自迎瑜，授建威中郎將，即與兵二千人，騎五十匹。¹瑜時年二十四，吳中皆呼為周郎。以瑜恩信著於廬江，出備牛渚，後領春穀長。頃之，策欲取荊州，以瑜為中護軍，領江夏太守，從攻皖，拔之。時得橋公兩女，皆國色也。

Sun Ce himself took Daqiao as his consort, and Zhou Yu took Xiaoqiao. They advanced again near Xunyang and defeated Liu Xun, attacked Jiangxia, and on returning pacified Yuzhang and Luling. Zhou Yu stayed behind to guard Baqiu.

策自納大橋，瑜納小橋。¹復近尋陽，破劉勳，討江夏，還定豫章、廬陵，留鎮巴丘。²

In the fifth year Sun Ce died, and Sun Quan took over the government. Zhou Yu led his troops to attend the mourning and then remained in Wu, where as Central Protector of the Army he managed affairs together with the Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao.

五年，策薨。權統事。瑜將兵赴喪，遂留吳，以中護軍與長史張昭共掌眾事。¹

In the eleventh year Zhou Yu commanded Sun Yu and others in attacking the two strongholds of Ma and Bao. They beheaded the rebel chiefs and displayed their heads, took more than ten thousand captives, and returned to their defensive posts. Huang Zu, Prefect of Jiangxia, sent his general Deng Long with several thousand troops into Chaisang; Zhou Yu pursued and attacked him, captured Deng Long alive, and sent him to Wu. In the spring of the thirteenth year, when Sun Quan attacked Jiangxia, Zhou Yu was Grand Commander of the Vanguard. In the ninth month of that year Lord Cao entered Jing Province and Liu Cong surrendered with all his forces. Lord Cao gained his navy, and his ships and foot soldiers numbered several hundred thousand. When the officers and men heard this, they were all afraid.

十一年，督孫瑜等討麻、保二屯，梟其渠帥，囚俘萬餘口，還備。江夏太守黃祖遣將鄧龍將兵數千人入柴桑，瑜追討擊，生虜龍送吳。十三年春，權討江夏，瑜為前部大督。其年九月，曹公入荊州，劉琮舉眾降，曹公得其水軍，船步兵數十萬，將士聞之皆恐。

Sun Quan received his officials and asked them for a plan. Those who spoke all said, “Lord Cao is a jackal and a tiger, yet he acts in the name of the Han Chancellor and holds the Son of Heaven in his grip to campaign in every direction, always citing the court as his pretext. If we resist him today, our cause will look all the more contrary to right. Moreover, the great advantage that lets you, General, resist Cao Cao is the Yangtze. Now Cao Cao has taken Jing Province and holds all of its land. The navy Liu Biao built up has covered assault ships and fighting vessels numbering in the thousands, and Cao Cao has launched them all to sail along the river. He also has infantry, and they are coming down by water and by land together.

權延見群下，問以計策。議者咸曰：「曹公豺虎也，然託名漢相，挾天子以征四方，動以朝廷為辭，今日拒之，事更不順，且將軍大勢可以拒操者，長江也。今操得荊州，奄有其地。劉表治水軍，蒙沖鬥艦，乃以千數，操悉浮以沿江，兼有步兵，水陸俱下。

With this, the barrier of the Yangtze is already shared between him and us. And as for the balance of strength and numbers, there is no comparison. In our humble view, the best overall plan is to welcome him.” Zhou Yu said, “Not so. Although Cao Cao acts in the name of the Han Chancellor, in truth he is a traitor to the Han. You, General, with your divine martial prowess and heroic talent, and relying as well on the achievements of your father and elder brother, hold the land east of the Yangtze as your own. Your territory stretches several thousand li, your troops are elite and sufficient for use, and heroes delight in their service. You ought to range freely across the realm and rid the house of Han of its cruel and foul elements.

此為長江之險，已與我共之矣。而勢力眾寡，又不可論。愚謂大計不如迎之。」瑜曰：不然。操雖託名漢相，其實漢賊也。將軍以神武雄才，兼仗父兄之烈，割據江東，地方數千里，兵精足用，英雄樂業，尚當橫行天下，為漢家除殘去穢。

How much less should you welcome Cao Cao when he is coming to his own death! Let me reckon it out for you, General. Suppose the northern lands were already settled, Cao Cao had no troubles at home, and he could spend days and months in a long campaign to contest our borders, and could also match us in battle on boats—even then, could he succeed? But now the northern lands are not yet at peace, and moreover Ma Chao and Han Sui are still west of the passes, a threat at Cao Cao's rear. Besides, abandoning saddle and horse and relying on boat and oar to contend with the men of Wu and Yue has never been the strength of the Central Plains.

況操自送死，而可迎之耶？請為將軍籌之：今使北土已安，操無內憂，能曠日持久，來爭疆場，又能與我校勝負於船楫，可乎？今北土既未平安，加馬超、韓遂尚在關西，為操後患。且捨鞍馬，仗舟楫，與吳越爭衡，本非中國所長。

Furthermore, it is now the depth of winter, and there is no fodder for the horses. He is driving the troops of the Central Plains far into the land of rivers and lakes, where they are not used to the water and climate, and disease is sure to break out among them. These several things are what one must dread in war, yet Cao Cao is defying them all. The day for you to capture Cao Cao, General, is today. I ask for thirty thousand picked troops to advance and garrison Xiakou, and I guarantee that I will defeat him for you.”

又今盛寒，馬無藁草。驅中國士眾遠涉江湖之間不習水土，必生疾病。此數四者，用兵之患也，而操皆冒行之。將軍擒操，宜在今日。瑜請得精兵三萬人，進住夏口，保為將軍破之。

Sun Quan said, “The old traitor has long wished to depose the Han and set himself up, and the only ones he feared were the two Yuans, Lü Bu, Liu Biao and myself. Now those heroes have all been destroyed and I alone remain. The old traitor and I cannot both stand. Your view that we should attack accords perfectly with mine. Heaven has given you to me.”

權曰：「老賊欲廢漢自立久矣，徒忌二袁、呂布、劉表與孤耳。今數雄已滅，惟孤尚存，孤與老賊，勢不兩立。君言當擊，甚與孤合，此天以君授孤也。」¹

At this time Liu Bei, defeated by Lord Cao, wanted to lead his men south across the river. He met Lu Su at Dangyang, and they made plans together; he then advanced to garrison Xiakou and sent Zhuge Liang to Sun Quan. Sun Quan then sent Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu and others to join forces with Liu Bei against Lord Cao, and they met him at Red Cliffs. By then sickness had already broken out in Lord Cao's army, and at the very first clash Lord Cao's army was beaten back and withdrew to encamp north of the river. Zhou Yu and the others were on the south bank.

時劉備為曹公所破，欲引南渡江。與魯肅遇於當陽，遂共圖計，因進住夏口，遣諸葛亮詣權。權遂遣瑜及程普等與備並力逆曹公，遇於赤壁。時曹公軍眾已有疾病，初一交戰，公軍敗退，引次江北。瑜等在南岸。

Zhou Yu's subordinate general Huang Gai said, “Now the enemy are many and we are few; it will be hard to hold out against them for long. But I see that the ships of Cao Cao's army are joined bow to stern; we can burn them and put them to flight.” So he took several dozen covered assault ships and fighting vessels, filled them with firewood and dry grass, and poured oil over it. He wrapped them in curtains and raised command banners on them. He first sent a letter to inform Lord Cao, deceiving him that he wished to surrender. He also prepared fast skiffs in advance, each tied behind one of the large ships, and they advanced together in order.

瑜部將黃蓋曰：「今寇眾我寡，難與持久。然觀操軍船艦，首尾相接，可燒而走也。」乃取蒙沖鬥艦數十艘，實以薪草，膏油灌其中。裹以帷幕，上建牙旗，先書報曹公，欺以欲降。¹又豫備走舸，各系大船後，因引次俱前。

The officers and men of Lord Cao's army all craned their necks to watch, pointing and saying that Huang Gai was coming to surrender. Huang Gai let the ships loose and set them all alight at once. The wind was blowing fiercely at the time, and the fire spread to burn all the camps on the shore. In a moment smoke and flame filled the sky, and a great many men and horses were burned or drowned. The army was defeated and fell back to hold Nan Commandery. Liu Bei, Zhou Yu and the others again pursued together. Lord Cao left Cao Ren and others to hold the city of Jiangling and went straight back north himself.

曹公軍吏士皆延頸觀望，指言蓋降。蓋放諸船，同時發火。時風盛猛，悉延燒岸上營落。頃之。煙炎張天，人馬燒溺死者甚眾，軍遂敗退，還保南郡。¹備與瑜等復共追。曹公留曹仁等守江陵城。逕自北歸。

Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu then advanced again on Nan Commandery and faced Cao Ren, each side separated by the great river. Before the armies had crossed blades, Zhou Yu promptly sent Gan Ning ahead to seize Yiling. Cao Ren split off infantry and cavalry to attack and surround Gan Ning separately, and Gan Ning reported the emergency to Zhou Yu. Following Lü Meng's plan, Zhou Yu left Ling Tong to guard his rear and went upriver himself with Lü Meng to rescue Gan Ning. Once Gan Ning's siege was lifted, they crossed and camped on the north bank and set a date for a great battle. Zhou Yu rode out in person to sweep the enemy lines, but a stray arrow struck him in the right side, and as the wound was severe he returned.

瑜與程普又進南郡，與仁相對，各隔大江。兵未交鋒，¹瑜即遣甘寧前據夷陵。仁分兵騎別攻圍寧。寧告急於瑜。瑜用呂蒙計，留淩統以守其後，身與蒙上救寧。寧圍既解，乃渡屯北岸，剋期大戰。瑜親跨馬擽陳，會流矢中右脅，瘡甚，便還。

Later, hearing that Zhou Yu lay in bed unable to rise, Cao Ren marshaled his troops and drew up in battle array. Zhou Yu then got up by himself and went round inspecting the camps, rousing the officers and men, and as a result Cao Ren at last withdrew.

後仁聞瑜臥未起，勒兵就陳。瑜乃自興，案行軍營，激揚吏士，仁由是遂退。

Sun Quan appointed Zhou Yu Lieutenant General and had him take charge of Nan Commandery as Prefect, granted him Xiajuan, Hanchang, Liuyang and Zhouling as his fief, and had him garrison Jiangling. Liu Bei, as General of the Left, had taken charge of Jing Province as Governor, with his seat at Gong'an. When Liu Bei went to Jing to see Sun Quan, Zhou Yu submitted a memorial saying, “Liu Bei has the qualities of a fierce hero, and he has Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, generals like bears and tigers. He is certainly not one who will long bow down to be used by others. In my humble view, the best overall plan is to move Liu Bei and settle him in Wu, build him grand palaces, give him many beautiful women and pleasures to amuse his eyes and ears, and separate those two men, placing each in a different quarter, so that someone like me can take them along to fight. Then the great enterprise can be settled.

權拜瑜偏將軍，領南郡太守。以下雋、漢昌、劉陽、州陵為奉邑，屯據江陵。劉備以左將軍領荊州牧，治公安，備詣京見權，瑜上疏曰：「劉備以梟雄之姿，而有關羽、張飛熊虎之將，必非久屈為人用者。愚謂大計宜徙備置吳，盛為築宮室，多其美女玩好，以娛其耳目，分此二人，各置一方，使如瑜者得挾與攻戰，大事可定也。

If we now rashly carve off land to give them a base and gather these three men together on our frontier, I fear that the dragon will find its clouds and rain and in the end will be no creature of the pond.” Sun Quan felt that, with Lord Cao in the north, he ought to gather heroes widely, and he also feared that Liu Bei could not be quickly brought under control, so he did not accept the advice. At this time Liu Zhang was Governor of Yi Province and was being raided from outside by Zhang Lu. Zhou Yu then went to Jing to see Sun Quan and said, “Cao Cao has just suffered defeat and is now preoccupied with troubles close to his heart; he cannot join battle with you, General.

今猥割土地以資業之，聚此三人，俱在疆場，恐蛟龍得雲雨，終非池中物也。」權以曹公在北方，當廣攬英雄，又恐備難卒制，故不納。是時劉璋為益州牧。外有張魯寇侵，瑜乃詣京見權曰：「今曹操新折衄，方憂在腹心，未能與將軍連兵相事也。

I ask to advance together with the General Who Displays Might to take Shu. Once we have Shu, we can annex Zhang Lu, then leave the General Who Displays Might to hold that land firmly and form a good alliance with Ma Chao. I will come back and, with you, General, hold Xiangyang to press Cao Cao hard; then the north can be won.” Sun Quan approved. Zhou Yu returned to Jiangling to prepare for the march, but on the way he fell ill and died at Baqiu, aged thirty-six. Sun Quan put on plain mourning clothes and wept for him, moving everyone around him. When the coffin was to return to Wu, he went out to meet it at Wuhu, and all the funeral expenses were provided by him. Later he issued an ordinance: “The retainers and clients of the late generals Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu shall not be subjected to any inquiry.”

乞與奮威俱進取蜀，得蜀而並張魯，因留奮威固守其地，好與馬超結援。瑜還與將軍據襄陽以蹙操，北方可圖也。」權許之。瑜還江陵為行裝，而道於巴丘病卒，¹時年三十六。權素服舉哀。感動左右。喪當還吳，又迎之蕪湖，眾事費度，一為供給。後著令曰：「故將軍周瑜、程普，其有人客，皆不得問。」

Earlier, Zhou Yu had been treated as a friend by Sun Ce, and the Grand Consort also had Sun Quan serve him as an elder brother. At that time Sun Quan's rank was that of a general, and the courtesies of the generals and guests toward him were still simple, but Zhou Yu alone was the first to show him full respect and at once observed the proper conduct of a subject. He was broad-minded and generous in temperament and on the whole won people over; only with Cheng Pu was he on bad terms.

初瑜見友於策，太妃又使權以兄奉之。是時權位為將軍，諸將賓客為禮尚簡，而瑜獨先盡敬，便執臣節。性度恢廓，大率為得人，惟與程普不睦。¹

From his youth Zhou Yu was deeply versed in music. Even after three rounds of wine, if there was any omission or mistake in the playing, Zhou Yu would always notice it, and whenever he noticed he would always turn to look. So the people of the time had a saying: “When the tune goes wrong, Young Master Zhou turns his head.”

瑜少精意於音樂。雖三爵之後，其有闕誤。瑜必知之，知之必顧，故時人謠曰：「曲有誤，周郎顧。」

Zhou Yu had two sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to the Crown Prince Sun Deng. His son Zhou Xun married a princess and was appointed Chief Commandant of Cavalry; he had his father's style but died young. Zhou Xun's younger brother Zhou Yin was first appointed Chief Commandant of Xingye. He was given a woman of the royal clan as his wife and a thousand troops, and garrisoned Gong'an. In the first year of Huanglong he was enfeoffed as Chief District Marquis, but later, for an offense, he was banished to Luling Commandery. In the second year of Chiwu, Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi submitted a joint memorial saying: “Zhou Yin, son of the late general Zhou Yu, was once favored and adorned with honors, receiving a fief and a generalship. Yet he could not nurture his good fortune or think of achieving merit, and went so far as to indulge his passions, bringing punishment upon himself.

瑜兩男一女，女配太子登。男循尚公主，拜騎都尉，有瑜風，早卒。循弟胤，初拜興業都尉。妻以宗女，授兵千人，屯公安。黃龍元年，封都鄉侯，後以罪徙廬陵郡。赤烏二年，諸葛瑾、步騭連名上疏曰：故將軍周瑜子胤，昔蒙粉飾，受封為將，不能養之以福，思立功效，至縱情慾，招速罪辟。

We humbly consider that Zhou Yu was once favored and trusted: at court he was the heart and backbone of the state, and in the field its claws and teeth. Taking up his orders, he went forth on campaign, faced arrows and stones in person, gave his utmost loyalty and his life, and looked on death as a return home. Thus he was able to crush Cao Cao at Wulin and put Cao Ren to flight at Ying, spreading the might and virtue of the state, so that all of China trembled and the benighted Man tribes of Jing, every one, submitted. Even Fangshu of Zhou, or Han Xin and Ying Bu of Han, could truly not surpass him. Ministers who break the enemy's charge and ward off disaster have been prized by every emperor and king since ancient times. Therefore the oath of Emperor Gao of Han on conferring fiefs said, ‘Until the Yellow River is as narrow as a sash and Mount Tai as worn as a whetstone, your states shall endure forever and pass to your descendants.’

臣竊以瑜昔見寵任，入作心膂，出為爪牙，銜命出征，身當矢石，盡節用命，視死如歸。故能摧曹操於烏林，走曹仁於郢都，揚國威德，華夏是震，蠢爾蠻荊，莫不賓服。雖周之方叔，漢之信、布，誠無以尚也。夫折沖扞難之臣，自古帝王莫不貴重，故漢高帝封爵之誓曰『使黃河如帶，太山如礪，國以永存，爰及苗裔』。

He proclaimed it in documents written in red, reinforced it with sworn covenants and imprecations, and stored them in the ancestral temple to be handed down without end, wishing the descendants of meritorious ministers to follow one another generation after generation—not merely their sons and grandsons but their distant posterity. That he repaid virtue and honored merit with such earnest devotion was to encourage and admonish those who came after, so that ministers who gave their lives would die without regret. How much more lamentable, then, that Zhou Yu has not long been dead, and yet his son Zhou Yin has been reduced to a commoner.

申以丹書，重以盟詛，藏於宗廟，傳於無窮，欲使功臣之後，世世相踵，非徒子孫，乃關苗裔，報德明功，勤勤懇懇，如此之至，欲以勸戒後人，用命之臣，死而無悔也。況於瑜身沒未久，而其子胤降為匹夫，益可悼傷。

We humbly reflect that Your Majesty, reverent and enlightened and a student of antiquity, sets great store by reviving and continuing lineages. We therefore plead on Zhou Yin's behalf and beg that his remaining guilt be pardoned, that his troops be returned and his rank restored, so that the rooster that missed the dawn may crow again, and a minister burdened with guilt may show what he can yet achieve.”

竊惟陛下欽明稽古，隆於興繼，為胤歸訴，乞丐餘罪，還兵復爵，使失旦之雞，復得一鳴。抱罪之臣，展其後效。

Sun Quan replied, “As a trusted confidant and a man of old merit who worked with me in common cause, Gongjin was all of that, and truly I shall never forget it. Formerly, when Zhou Yin was young and had as yet no merit at all, he was given elite troops beyond his due and ranked as marquis and general—all because my regard for Gongjin extended to him. But Zhou Yin relied on this and gave himself up to drunkenness and debauchery. Again and again he was warned, yet he never repented or changed. My bond with Gongjin is just like yours, gentlemen; how could my wish to see Zhou Yin make good ever cease? But pressed by his crimes, it is not yet right to restore him at once; I mean to let him suffer for a while so that he comes to know himself.

權答曰：「腹心舊勳，與孤協事，公瑾有之，誠所不忘。昔胤年少，初無功勞，橫受精兵，爵以侯將，蓋念公瑾以及於胤也。而胤恃此，酗淫自恣，前後告喻，曾無悛改。孤於公瑾，義猶二君，樂胤成就，豈有已哉？迫胤罪惡，未宜便還，且欲苦之，使自知耳。

Now that you two so earnestly cite Emperor Gao of Han's oath by the river and the mountain, I feel ashamed. Although my virtue is not of his kind, I still hope to come near it, and this matter too is in that spirit; that is why I have not yet complied with your wish. Since he is Gongjin's son, and you two are standing between us, if only he can reform, what is there to worry about?” The memorials of Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi came up one after another, and Zhu Ran and Quan Cong also both pleaded, so Sun Quan at last granted it. Just then Zhou Yin died of illness.

今二君勤勤援引漢高河山之誓，孤用恧然。雖德非其疇，猶欲庶幾，事亦如爾，故未順旨。以公瑾之子，而二君在中間，苟使能改，亦何患乎！」瑾、騭表比上，朱然及全琮亦俱陳乞，權乃許之。會胤病死。

Zhou Yu's elder brother's son Zhou Jun was also made Lieutenant General because of Zhou Yu's great merit and commanded a thousand officers and men. When Zhou Jun died, Quan Cong recommended that Zhou Jun's son Zhou Hu be made a general. Sun Quan said, “In the past, driving off Cao Cao and opening up and holding Jing Province were all the work of Gongjin, and I never forget it. When I first heard that Zhou Jun had died, I wanted to employ Zhou Hu in his place, but I heard that Zhou Hu's character and conduct are dangerous, and employing him would only bring about disaster, so I dropped the idea. How could my regard for Gongjin ever cease?”

瑜兄子峻，亦以瑜元功為偏將軍，領吏士千人。峻卒，全琮表峻子護為將。權曰：「昔走曹操，拓有荊州，皆是公瑾，常不忘之。初聞峻亡，仍欲用護，聞護性行危險，用之適為作禍，故便止之。孤念公瑾，豈有已乎？」

Lu Su

魯肅

Lu Su, courtesy name Zijing, was a man of Dongcheng County in Linhuai Commandery. He lost his father at birth and lived with his grandmother. The family was wealthy, and he was by nature fond of giving. At that time the realm was already in turmoil, and Lu Su neglected the management of his household, gave away his wealth on a large scale, and put his fields up for sale, devoting himself to relieving the poor and befriending men of worth, so that he greatly won the hearts of his home district. When Zhou Yu was Chief of Juchao, he came by with several hundred men expressly to call on Lu Su and to ask for supplies and provisions. Lu Su's family had two granaries of rice, each holding three thousand hu.

魯肅字子敬，臨淮東城人也。生而失父，與祖母居。家富於財，性好施與，爾時天下已亂，肅不治家事，大散財貨，摽賣田地，以賑窮弊結士為務，甚得鄉邑歡心。周瑜為居巢長，將數百人故過候肅，並求資糧。肅家有兩囷米，各三千斛。

Lu Su simply pointed to one granary and gave it to Zhou Yu, and Zhou Yu recognized all the more how remarkable he was. They then became close friends, sealing a bond like that of Zichan and Ji Zha. Yuan Shu heard of his reputation and appointed him Chief of Dongcheng. Lu Su saw that Yuan Shu had no discipline or order and was not worth building anything with, so, bringing the old and weak and leading more than a hundred bold young men of chivalrous temper, he went south to Juchao to join Zhou Yu. When Zhou Yu crossed east, Lu Su went with him and left his family at Qu'e. When his grandmother died, he went back to bury her at Dongcheng.

肅乃指一囷與周瑜，瑜益知其奇也。遂相親結，定僑、札之分。袁術聞其名，就署東城長。肅見術無綱紀，不足與立事，乃攜老弱將輕俠少年百餘人，南到居巢就瑜。瑜之東渡，因與同行，¹留家曲阿。會祖母亡，還葬東城。

Liu Ziyang was a good friend of Lu Su and sent him a letter saying, “Now the heroes of the realm are rising up everywhere, and your gifts and talents are especially suited to this day. Hurry back and fetch your old mother; there is no reason to linger at Dongcheng. Nearby, a man named Zheng Bao is now at Chao Lake with more than ten thousand followers, holding rich and fertile land, and many people of the Lujiang region have gone to join him—how much more should men like us? Judging by his situation, he can gather still more people. The moment must not be lost. Make haste.”

劉子揚與肅友善，遺肅書，曰：「方今天下豪傑並起，吾子姿才，尤宜今日。急還迎老母，無事滯於東城。近鄭寶者，今在巢湖，擁眾萬餘，處地肥饒，廬江間人多依就之，況吾徒乎？觀其形勢，又可博集，時不可失，足下速之。」

Lu Su wrote back agreeing with his plan. After the burial he returned to Qu'e, intending to go north. But Zhou Yu had already moved Lu Su's mother to Wu, and Lu Su told Zhou Yu everything about the matter. At this time Sun Ce had already died, and Sun Quan was still living in Wu. Zhou Yu said to Lu Su, “Long ago Ma Yuan answered Emperor Guangwu, ‘In the present age, it is not only the lord who chooses his ministers; the ministers also choose their lord.’ Our present master draws the worthy close and honors men of learning, welcomes the remarkable and employs the exceptional. Moreover, I have heard in the secret teachings of former sages that the one who receives the mandate to replace the house of Liu will surely rise in the southeast. Reckoning the course of events, he fits that destiny; in the end he will lay the foundations of an imperial house in accord with the signs of Heaven. This is the season when men of spirit cling to the dragon and hold fast to the phoenix, and race to serve.

肅答然其計。葬畢還曲阿，欲北行。會瑜已徙肅母到吳，肅具以狀語瑜。時孫策已薨，權尚住吳，瑜謂肅曰：「昔馬援答光武云『當今之世，非但君擇臣，臣亦擇君』。今主人親賢貴士，納奇錄異，且吾聞先哲秘論，承運代劉氏者，必興於東南，推步事勢，當其歷數，終構帝基，以協天符，是烈士攀龍附鳳馳騖之秋。

I have come to see this clearly, so you need not give any thought to what Ziyang said.” Lu Su followed his advice. Zhou Yu then recommended Lu Su, saying that his talents were fit to aid the times, that men of his kind should be sought far and wide to accomplish great deeds, and that he must not be allowed to leave.

吾方達此，足下不須以子揚之言介意也。」肅從其言。瑜因薦肅才宜佐時，當廣求其比，以成功業，不可令去也。

Sun Quan received Lu Su at once, talked with him and was greatly pleased. When the guests had withdrawn and Lu Su too took his leave, Sun Quan called Lu Su alone back, and they sat facing each other on joined couches and drank. Then he consulted him in secret, saying, “The house of Han is now tottering and in peril, and the four quarters are in turmoil like churning clouds. I have inherited the legacy of my father and elder brother, and I aspire to achieve what Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin achieved. Since you have been good enough to come to me, how will you help me?” Lu Su replied, “In the past Emperor Gao earnestly wished to honor and serve Emperor Yi but could not, because Xiang Yu did him harm.

權即見肅，與語甚悅之。眾賓罷退，肅亦辭出，乃獨引肅還，合榻對飲。因密議曰：「今漢室傾危，四方雲擾，孤承父兄餘業，思有桓文之功。君既惠顧，何以佐之？」肅對曰：「昔高帝區區欲尊事義帝而不獲者，以項羽為害也。

The Cao Cao of today is like the Xiang Yu of old; how could you, General, become a Duke Huan or a Duke Wen? By my humble reckoning, the house of Han cannot be restored, and Cao Cao cannot be quickly removed. The only plan for you, General, is to stand firm as one leg of a tripod in the lands east of the Yangtze and watch for a rift in the realm. With a design on this scale, you will arouse no suspicion. Why? Because the north truly has a great many troubles. Taking advantage of those troubles, you can wipe out Huang Zu, advance to attack Liu Biao, and take and hold the whole length of the Yangtze to its farthest reach. Then you can proclaim yourself emperor and plan for the whole realm. This is the achievement of Emperor Gao.”

今之曹操，猶昔項羽，將軍何由得為桓文乎？肅竊料之，漢室不可復興，曹操不可卒除。為將軍計，惟有鼎足江東，以觀天下之釁。規模如此，亦自無嫌。何者？北方誠多務也。因其多務，剿除黃祖，進伐劉表，竟長江所極，據而有之，然後建號帝王以圖天下，此高帝之業也。」

Sun Quan said, “All I strive for now is the hope of supporting the Han; such words are beyond my reach.” Zhang Zhao faulted Lu Su for lacking humility and often disparaged him, saying that Lu Su was young, rough and careless and not yet fit to be employed. Sun Quan paid no heed to this and valued Lu Su all the more. He bestowed on Lu Su's mother clothing, curtains and all manner of household goods, so that her wealth equaled what it had been before.

權曰：「今盡力方冀以輔漢耳，此言非所及也。」張昭非肅謙下不足，頗訾毀之，云肅年少粗疏，未可用。權不以介意，益貴重之，賜肅母衣服幃帳，居處雜物，富擬其舊。

When Liu Biao died, Lu Su came forward to advise, “Jing and Chu border our state. Its rivers flow northward; outside it is girdled by the Yangtze and the Han, and inside it is shielded by mountains and hills, as strong as a city of metal. Its fertile fields stretch ten thousand li, and its gentry and people are prosperous. If we could take and hold it, it would be the foundation of an emperor. Now Liu Biao has just died, and his two sons have never been on good terms, while the generals in the army are split into factions. Moreover, Liu Bei, a fierce hero of the realm who has a quarrel with Cao Cao, has been lodging with Liu Biao, and Liu Biao resented his abilities and could not make use of him.

劉表死，肅進說曰：「夫荊楚與國鄰接，水流順北，外帶江漢，內阻山陵，有金城之固，沃野萬里，士民殷富，若據而有之，此帝王之資也。今表新亡，二子素不輯睦，軍中諸將，各有彼此。加劉備天下梟雄，與操有隙，寄寓於表，表惡其能而不能用也。

If Liu Bei is of one mind with them and high and low are united, we should reassure them and form an alliance of friendship. If they are divided and at odds, we should make other plans to accomplish our great enterprise. I ask to be sent under orders to offer condolences to Liu Biao's two sons and to console those who hold power in their army, and to persuade Liu Bei to win over Liu Biao's followers so that they unite in heart and purpose to deal with Cao Cao together. Liu Bei will surely be glad to comply. If it succeeds, the realm can be settled. If I do not go at once, I fear Cao Cao will get there first.” Sun Quan sent Lu Su off at once.

若備與彼協心，上下齊同，則宜撫安，與結盟好：如有離違，宜別圖之，以濟大事。肅請得奉命吊表二子，並慰勞其軍中用事者，及說備使撫表眾，同心一意，共治曹操，備必喜而從命。如其克諧，天下可定也。今不速往，恐為操所先。」權即遣肅行。

On reaching Xiakou he heard that Lord Cao was already heading for Jing Province, so he pressed on day and night. By the time he reached Nan Commandery, Liu Biao's son Liu Cong had already surrendered to Lord Cao, and Liu Bei was fleeing in panic, wanting to cross the river to the south. Lu Su went straight to meet him and joined Liu Bei at Changban in Dangyang. He conveyed Sun Quan's intentions, explained how strong and secure the lands east of the Yangtze were, and urged Liu Bei to join forces with Sun Quan. Liu Bei was delighted. At that time Zhuge Liang was accompanying Liu Bei. Lu Su said to Zhuge Liang, “I am a friend of Ziyu,” and they at once became friends. Liu Bei then went to Xiakou and sent Zhuge Liang as envoy to Sun Quan, and Lu Su too returned to report.

到夏口，聞曹公已向荊州，晨夜兼道。比至南郡，而表子琮已降曹公，備惶遽奔走，欲南渡江。肅徑迎之，到當陽長阪，與備會，宣騰權旨，及陳江東強固，勸備與權並力。備甚歡悅。時諸葛亮與備相隨。肅謂亮曰「我子瑜友也」，即共定交。備遂到夏口，遣亮使權，肅亦反命。¹

Just then Sun Quan received word that Lord Cao intended to come east. He consulted his generals, and they all urged him to welcome Cao Cao; only Lu Su said nothing. When Sun Quan rose to change his clothes, Lu Su followed him under the eaves. Sun Quan understood what he meant, took Lu Su's hand and said, “What is it you wish to say?” Lu Su replied, “Just now I observed the counsel of the others: they only want to mislead you, General, and are not worth planning great matters with. Now I, Lu Su, could welcome Cao Cao, but someone like you, General, cannot. Why do I say so?

會權得曹公欲東之問，與諸將議，皆勸權迎之，而肅獨不言。權起更衣，肅追於宇下，權知其意，執肅手曰：「卿欲何言？」肅對曰：「向察眾人之議，專欲誤將軍，不足與圖大事。今肅可迎操耳，如將軍，不可也。何以言之？

If I welcome Cao Cao now, Cao Cao will send me back to my home district. When they rank my name and standing, I will still not fall below an Attendant Officer in a lower bureau; I will ride in a calf-drawn carriage, have clerks and soldiers in my train, and mix with the gentry, and as my offices accumulate I will surely not miss becoming head of a province or commandery. But if you, General, welcome Cao Cao, where will you end up? I beg you to settle on a grand plan soon and not to follow the counsel of the others.” Sun Quan sighed and said, “The views these men put forward greatly disappointed me. Now you have laid open a grand plan that is exactly the same as mine. Heaven has granted you to me.”

今肅迎操，操當以肅還付鄉黨。品其名位，猶不失下曹從事，乘犢車、從吏卒、交遊士林、累官故不失州郡也。將軍迎操，欲安所歸？願早定大計，莫用眾人之議也。」權歎息曰：「此諸人持議，甚失孤望；今卿廓開大計，正與孤同，此天以卿賜我也。」¹

At this time Zhou Yu had gone to Poyang on a mission, and Lu Su urged that he be recalled at once. So Sun Quan entrusted Zhou Yu with the conduct of affairs and made Lu Su Colonel Assisting the Army, to help draw up the plans. When Lord Cao was defeated and fled, Lu Su returned first, and Sun Quan assembled all his generals in grand style to welcome him. As Lu Su was about to enter the gate and bow, Sun Quan rose to show him courtesy and said, “Zijing, if I hold the saddle and dismount to welcome you, is that enough to do you honor?” Lu Su hurried forward and said, “Not yet.” Everyone who heard this was astonished.

時周瑜受使至鄱陽，肅勸追召瑜還。遂任瑜以行事，以肅為贊軍校尉，助畫方略。曹公破走，肅即先還，權大請諸將迎肅。肅將入閣拜，權起禮之，因謂曰：「子敬，孤持鞍下馬相迎，足以顯卿未？」肅趨近曰：「未也。」眾人聞之，無不愕然。

When they had taken their seats, he slowly raised his whip and said, “I wish that my Supreme Lord's might and virtue will extend to the four seas, that you will bring the Nine Provinces under your rule and complete the imperial enterprise, and then summon me again with a comfortable carriage on padded wheels. Only then will I have been honored.” Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed with delight.

就坐，徐舉鞭言曰：「願至尊威德加乎四海。總括九州，克成帝業，更以安車軟輪徵肅，始當顯耳。」權撫掌歡笑。

Later, when Liu Bei went to Jing to see Sun Quan and asked to be made commander over Jing Province, only Lu Su urged Sun Quan to lend it to him so that they could resist Lord Cao together. When Lord Cao heard that Sun Quan had given land to Liu Bei as a base, he was in the middle of writing and dropped his brush on the ground. When Zhou Yu was gravely ill, he submitted a memorial saying, “The realm is now beset by war, and this is what I worry over day and night. I hope that my Supreme Lord will first take thought for what has not yet happened, and only then take his ease. Now that we are already enemies of Cao Cao, and Liu Bei is close by at Gong'an, the borders are pressed tightly together and the people have not yet given their allegiance. We must find a good general to hold and pacify the region.

後備詣京見權，求都督荊州，惟肅勸權借之，共拒曹公。¹曹公聞權以土地業備，方作書，落筆於地。周瑜病困，上疏曰：「當今天下，方有事役，是瑜乃心夙夜所憂，願至尊先慮未然，然後康樂。今既與曹操為敵，劉備近在公安，邊境密邇，百姓未附，宜得良將以鎮撫之。

Lu Su’s wisdom and strategy are fully equal to the task; I beg that he be made to take my place. On this day when I fall, I have said all that is in my heart.” Sun Quan at once appointed Lu Su Colonel of Vehement Might and had him lead the troops in place of Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu’s soldiers, more than four thousand men, and his four fief counties all passed to Lu Su. Cheng Pu was made to take charge of Nan Commandery as Prefect. Lu Su first stayed at Jiangling and later went downriver to garrison Lukou. His authority and kindness took wide effect, his following grew by more than ten thousand, and he was appointed Prefect of Hanchang and Lieutenant General. In the nineteenth year he followed Sun Quan in taking the city of Wan and was transferred to General Who Traverses the Jiang.

魯肅智略足任，乞以代瑜。瑜隕踣之日，所懷盡矣。」¹即拜肅奮武校尉，代瑜領兵。瑜士眾四千餘人。奉邑四縣，皆屬焉。令程普領南郡太守。肅初住江陵，後下屯陸口，威恩大行，眾增萬餘人，拜漢昌太守、偏將軍。十九年，從權破皖城，轉橫江將軍。

Before this, Liu Zhang, Governor of Yi Province, had let order and discipline fall into decay. Zhou Yu and Gan Ning both urged Sun Quan to take Shu, and Sun Quan consulted Liu Bei about it; Liu Bei secretly wished to take it for himself. So he replied deceitfully: “Liu Zhang and I alike belong to the imperial clan, and we hope to rely on the spirits of our ancestors to set the Han court right. Now, although Liu Zhang has offended you, I can only tremble with fear alone; this is not something I dare to hear. I beg you to be lenient and pardon him. If my request is not granted, I will loosen my hair and go back to the mountains and forests.” Later Liu Bei went west to move against Liu Zhang, leaving Guan Yu behind on guard.

先是，益州牧劉璋綱維頹弛。周瑜、甘寧並勸權取蜀，權以諮備，備內欲自規。仍偽報曰：「備與璋托為宗室，冀憑英靈，以匡漢朝。今璋得罪左右，備獨竦懼，非所敢聞，願加寬貸。若不獲請，備當放發歸於山林。」後備西圖璋，留關羽守。

Sun Quan said, “The crafty wretch dares to play such tricks!” When Guan Yu came to share a border with Lu Su, suspicions often arose and disputes tangled along the frontier, but Lu Su always calmed matters with friendship. After Liu Bei had settled Yi Province, Sun Quan asked for Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang. Liu Bei did not accept his wishes, so Sun Quan sent Lü Meng with troops to take them. When Liu Bei heard of this, he returned in person to Gong’an and sent Guan Yu to contend for the three commanderies. Lu Su stayed at Yiyang and faced Guan Yu. Lu Su invited Guan Yu to a meeting; each side halted its troops and horses a hundred paces away, and only the generals met, each bearing a single sword.

權曰：「猾虜乃敢挾詐！」及羽與肅鄰界，數生狐疑，疆場紛錯，肅常以歡好撫之。備既定益州，權求長沙、零、桂，備不承旨，權遣呂蒙率眾近取。備聞，自還公安，遣羽爭三郡。肅住益陽，與羽相拒。肅邀羽相見，各駐兵馬百步上，但諸將軍單刀俱會。

Lu Su then rebuked Guan Yu, listing his faults: “Our state in all sincerity lent land to your house because your army had been defeated and had come from afar with nothing to sustain it. Now you have already obtained Yi Province, yet you have no intention of returning it, and when we ask for only three commanderies, you still do not obey.” Before he had finished speaking, a man in the company said, “Land belongs only to where virtue lies. What permanent owner does it have?” Lu Su shouted him down, his words and expression very stern.

肅因責數羽曰：「國家區區本以土地借卿家者，卿家軍敗遠來，無以為資故也。今已得益州，既無奉還之意，但求三郡，又不從命。」語未究竟，坐有一人曰：「夫土地者，惟德所在耳，何常之有！」肅厲聲呵之，辭色甚切。

Guan Yu took up his sword, rose, and said, “This is a matter for the state; what does this man know of it?” With a glance he sent the man away. Liu Bei at last divided the land along the Xiang River as the boundary, and with that the armies were withdrawn.

羽操刀起謂曰：「此自國家事，是人何知！」目使之去。¹備遂割湘水為界，於是罷軍。

Lu Su died in the twenty-second year of Jian’an, at the age of forty-six. Sun Quan held mourning rites for him and also attended his burial in person. Zhuge Liang too held mourning for him. When Sun Quan took the imperial title and ascended the altar, he looked around at the ministers and said, “Long ago Lu Zijing spoke of this very thing; he may be called clear-sighted about the course of affairs.” When Lu Su’s posthumous son Lu Shu grew up, Zhang Cheng, Area Commander of Ruxu, said that he would in the end reach high office. In the Yong’an era he became General of Brilliant Martial Might, Marquis of a Chief District, and Area Commander of Wuchang.

肅年四十六，建安二十二年卒。權為舉哀，又臨其葬。諸葛亮亦為發哀。¹權稱尊號，臨壇，顧謂公卿曰：「昔魯子敬嘗道此，可謂明於事勢矣。」肅遺腹子淑既壯，濡須督張承謂終當到至。永安中，為昭武將軍、都亭侯、武昌督。

In the Jianheng era he was granted the tally of authority and transferred to Area Commander of Xiakou. Wherever he served he was strict and orderly and had a talent for management. He died in the third year of Fenghuang. His son Lu Mu succeeded to his rank and commanded his troops and horses.

建衡中，假節，遷夏口督。所在嚴整，有方幹。鳳凰三年卒。子睦襲爵，領兵馬。

Lü Meng

呂蒙

Lü Meng, courtesy name Ziming, was a man of Fubo County in Runan Commandery. When young he crossed the Jiang to the south and lived with his elder sister’s husband, Deng Dang. Deng Dang was one of Sun Ce’s officers and campaigned several times against the Shanyue. When Lü Meng was fifteen or sixteen, he secretly followed Deng Dang to fight the rebels. Deng Dang looked around, saw him, and was greatly alarmed; he shouted at him but could not stop him. On returning he told Lü Meng’s mother, who in her anger wished to punish him, but Lü Meng said, “Poverty and low station are hard to live with. If by chance I win merit, wealth and rank can be had. Besides, if one does not probe the tiger’s den, how can one get the tiger’s cub?”

呂蒙字子明，汝南富陂人也。少南渡，依姊夫鄧當。當為孫策將，數討山越。蒙年十五六，竊隨當擊賊，當顧見大驚，呵叱不能禁止。歸以告蒙母，母恚欲罰之，蒙曰：「貧賤難可居，脫誤有功，富貴可致。且不探虎穴，安得虎子？」

His mother took pity on him and let him off. At that time an official serving under Deng Dang looked down on Lü Meng for his youth and said, “What can that brat do? This is just feeding meat to a tiger.” Another day, meeting Lü Meng, he mocked and insulted him again. Lü Meng flew into a rage, drew his sword, killed the official, and fled, hiding in the house of Zheng Chang, a man from his town. Later he came out and gave himself up through the Colonel Yuan Xiong, who found an opportunity to speak for him. Sun Ce summoned him, saw that he was remarkable, and kept him by his side. Several years later Deng Dang died, and Zhang Zhao recommended Lü Meng to take Deng Dang’s place; he was appointed Major of a Separate Command.

母哀而捨之。時當職吏以蒙年小輕之，曰：「彼豎子何能為？此欲以肉餧虎耳。」他日與蒙會，又蚩辱之。蒙大怒，引刀殺吏，出走，逃邑子鄭長家。出因校尉袁雄自首，承間為言，策召見奇之，引置左右。數歲，鄧當死，張昭薦蒙代當，拜別部司馬。

When Sun Quan took charge of affairs, he surveyed the junior officers whose troops were few and of little use, intending to merge them. Lü Meng secretly bought on credit and made crimson clothing and leggings for his soldiers, so that on the day of inspection his ranks were a brilliant sight and his men well drilled. Sun Quan was delighted when he saw them and increased his troops. He followed the campaign against Danyang and won merit wherever he went; he was appointed Commandant Who Pacifies the North and took charge of Guangde as Chief. He followed the campaign against Huang Zu, who ordered his Area Commander Chen Jiu to come out with his fleet and give battle.

權統事，料諸小將兵少而用薄者，欲併合之。蒙陰賒貰，為兵作絳衣行滕，及簡日，陳列赫然，兵人練習，權見之大悅，增其兵。從討丹楊，所向有功，拜平北都尉，領廣德長。從征黃祖，祖令都督陳就逆以水軍出戰。

Lü Meng led the vanguard and personally cut off Chen Jiu’s head, and the officers and men, riding on the victory, advanced to attack the city. When Huang Zu heard that Chen Jiu was dead, he abandoned the city and fled, but the soldiers pursued and captured him. Sun Quan said, “The success of the enterprise came from taking Chen Jiu first.” He made Lü Meng General of the Household Who Sweeps the Wilds and granted him ten million cash.

蒙勒前鋒，親梟就首，將士乘勝，進攻其城。祖聞就死，委城走，兵追禽之。權曰：「事之克，由陳就先獲也。」以蒙為橫野中郎將，賜錢千萬。

That year, together with Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, and others, he also went west and defeated Lord Cao at Wulin, then besieged Cao Ren in Nan Commandery. Xi Su, an officer of Yi Province, came over with his whole army to join them, and Zhou Yu memorialized that Xi Su’s troops be added to Lü Meng’s. Lü Meng warmly praised Xi Su for his courage and ability, and said that since he had come from afar out of admiration for their civilizing influence, right required that his forces be increased, not taken away. Sun Quan approved of his words and returned Xi Su’s troops to him. Zhou Yu sent Gan Ning ahead to occupy Yiling, and Cao Ren divided his forces to besiege Gan Ning. Gan Ning, hard pressed, sent a messenger to ask for help.

是歲，又與周瑜、程普等西破曹公於烏林，圍曹仁於南郡。益州將襲肅舉軍來附，瑜表以肅兵益蒙，蒙盛稱肅有膽用。且慕化遠來，於義宜益不宜奪也。權善其言，還肅兵。瑜使甘寧前據夷陵，曹仁分眾圍寧，寧困急，使使請救。

The other generals thought their troops too few to divide, but Lü Meng said to Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, “Leave Ling Gongji behind; if I go with you, lifting the siege and relieving the emergency will not take long, as matters stand. I guarantee that Gongji can hold out for ten days.” He also persuaded Zhou Yu to send three hundred men separately to block the steep roads with felled timber, so that when the enemy fled their horses could be taken. Zhou Yu followed this plan. When the army reached Yiling it gave battle that very day, and more than half the enemy were killed. The enemy fled by night; when they came to the roads blocked with timber, the horsemen all abandoned their horses and fled on foot.

諸將以兵少不足分，蒙謂瑜、普曰：「留凌公績，蒙與君行，解圍釋急，勢亦不久，蒙保公績能十日守也。」又說瑜分遣三百人柴斷險道，賊走可得其馬。瑜從之。軍到夷陵，即日交戰，所殺過半。敵夜遁去，行遇柴道，騎皆捨馬步走。

The soldiers pursued and pressed their attack, captured three hundred horses, and brought them back loaded on boats lashed side by side. At this the spirit of the officers and men doubled of itself. They then crossed the Jiang, set up a camp, and fought back and forth with the enemy until Cao Ren retreated and fled. They then held Nan Commandery and pacified Jing Province. On his return Lü Meng was appointed Lieutenant General and took charge of Xunyang as Magistrate.

兵追蹙擊，獲馬三百匹，方船載還。於是將士形勢自倍，乃渡江立屯，與相攻擊，曹仁退走。遂據南郡，撫定荊州。還，拜偏將軍，領尋陽令。

When Lu Su replaced Zhou Yu and was on his way to Lukou, he passed by Lü Meng’s camp. Lu Su still privately thought little of Lü Meng, but someone said to him, “General Lü’s fame grows more illustrious by the day; you must not treat him as you used to. You should call on him.” So Lu Su went to visit Lü Meng. When the wine had flowed freely, Lü Meng asked Lu Su, “You have received a heavy charge and are to be Guan Yu’s neighbor. What plans will you make to guard against the unexpected?” Lu Su answered offhand, “I will do what suits the moment.” Lü Meng said, “Though east and west are now one family, Guan Yu is truly a bear or a tiger. How can plans not be settled in advance?”

魯肅代周瑜，當之陸口，過蒙屯下。肅意尚輕蒙，或說肅曰：「呂將軍功名日顯，不可以故意待也，君宜顧之。」遂往詣蒙。酒酣，蒙問肅曰：「君受重任，與關羽為鄰，將何計畧以備不虞？」肅造次應曰：「臨時施宜。」蒙曰：「今東西雖為一家，而關羽實熊虎也，計安可不豫定？」

He then sketched out five plans for Lu Su. At this Lu Su left his mat, went over to him, and patted his back, saying, “Lü Ziming, I never knew your talent and strategy had come this far.” He then paid his respects to Lü Meng’s mother, formed a friendship with him, and departed. At that time Lü Meng’s camp lay close to those of Cheng Dang, Song Ding, and Xu Gu. The three generals died, and since their sons and younger brothers were young and weak, Sun Quan wished to merge all their troops into Lü Meng’s. Lü Meng firmly declined, representing that Xu Gu and the others had all toiled in the service of the state, and that although their sons were young, they should not be set aside.

因為肅畫五策。肅於是越席就之，拊其背曰：「呂子明，吾不知卿才畧所及乃至於此也。」遂拜蒙母，結友而別。¹時蒙與成當、宋定、徐顧屯次比近，三將死，子弟幼弱，權悉以兵並蒙。蒙固辭，陳啟顧等皆勤勞國事，子弟雖小，不可廢也。

Only after he had written three times did Sun Quan consent. Lü Meng then also chose teachers for them to assist and guide them. Such, as a rule, was the care he took.

書三上，權乃聽。蒙於是又為擇師，使輔導之，其操心率如此。

Wei made Xie Qi of Lujiang Agricultural Commandant of Qichun and had him garrison Tianxiang in Wan, from where he repeatedly raided the frontier. Lü Meng sent men to entice him over; when he would not comply, Lü Meng watched for an opening and attacked him. Xie Qi at last shrank back and withdrew, and his subordinates Sun Zicai, Song Hao, and others all came to Lü Meng with their old and weak, leading them by the hand or carrying them on their backs, and surrendered. Later he followed Sun Quan in resisting Lord Cao at Ruxu, where he repeatedly offered unusual stratagems. He also urged Sun Quan to build a fortified dock straddling the mouth of the river; the defenses were so meticulous that Lord Cao could not take it and withdrew.

魏使廬江謝奇為蘄春典農，屯皖田鄉，數為邊寇。蒙使人誘之，不從，則伺隙襲擊，奇遂縮退，其部伍孫子才、宋豪等，皆攜負老弱，詣蒙降。後從權拒曹公於濡須，數進奇計，又勸權夾水口立塢，所以備禦甚精，¹曹公不能下而退。

Lord Cao sent Zhu Guang as Prefect of Lujiang to garrison Wan. He opened up extensive rice fields and also had spies entice the rebel chiefs of Poyang to act as insiders for him. Lü Meng said, “The fields of Wan are rich; once a harvest ripens, their numbers are sure to grow. If this goes on for a few years, Cao Cao’s designs will show themselves. We should remove him early.” He then set out the situation in full. So Sun Quan campaigned against Wan in person and summoned his generals to ask for their plans. Lü Meng recommended Gan Ning as Area Commander for Scaling the Walls, to direct the attack in front, while he himself followed with the picked troops.

曹公遣朱光為廬江太守，屯皖，大開稻田，又令間人招誘鄱陽賊帥，使作內應。蒙曰：「皖田肥美，若一收孰，彼眾必增，如是數歲，操態見矣，宜早除之。」乃具陳其狀。於是權親征皖，引見諸將，問以計策。¹蒙乃薦甘寧為升城督，督攻在前，蒙以精銳繼之。

They advanced to the attack at dawn. Lü Meng beat the war drum with his own hands, and the soldiers all leapt up and scaled the walls of their own accord; by breakfast time the city had fallen. Soon afterward Zhang Liao reached Jiashi, but hearing that the city had already been taken, he withdrew. Sun Quan praised his achievement and at once appointed him Prefect of Lujiang, gave him all the men and horses captured, and separately granted him six hundred households of military colonists at Xunyang and thirty officials for his staff. Lü Meng returned to Xunyang, and before a year had passed, rebels rose in Luling. The generals attacked them but could not capture them. Sun Quan said, “A hundred birds of prey are not worth one osprey,” and again ordered Lü Meng to deal with them. When Lü Meng arrived, he executed the ringleaders and released all the rest, letting them become ordinary subjects again.

侵晨進攻，蒙手執枹鼓，士卒皆騰踴自升，食時破之。既而張遼至夾石，聞城已拔，乃退。權嘉其功，即拜廬江太守，所得人馬皆分與之，別賜尋陽屯田六百戶，官屬三十人。蒙還尋陽，未期而廬陵賊起，諸將討擊不能禽，權曰：「鷙鳥累百，不如一鶚。」復令蒙討之。蒙至，誅其首惡，餘皆釋放，復為平民。

At this time Liu Bei had Guan Yu guarding Jing Province, holding its lands entirely for himself, and Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to go west and take the three commanderies of Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang. Lü Meng sent letters to two of the commanderies, and they submitted at the first sign of his approach; only Hao Pu, Prefect of Lingling, held his city and would not surrender. Then Liu Bei came in person from Shu to Gong’an and sent Guan Yu to contend for the three commanderies. Sun Quan was then staying at Lukou. He had Lu Su station ten thousand men at Yiyang to resist Guan Yu, and sent an urgent letter summoning Lü Meng, ordering him to give up Lingling and hurry back to help Lu Su.

是時劉備令關羽鎮守，專有荊士，權命蒙西取長沙、零、桂三郡。蒙移書二郡，望風歸服，惟零陵太守郝普城守不降。而備自蜀親至公安，遣羽爭三郡。權時住陸口，使魯肅萬人屯益陽拒羽，而飛書召蒙，使捨零陵，急還助肅。

Earlier, after Lü Meng had settled Changsha, on his way to Lingling he passed through Ling and took along Deng Xuanzhi of Nanyang in his carriage. Deng Xuanzhi was an old friend of Hao Pu, and Lü Meng meant to have him coax Hao Pu into submission. When the letter ordering him back arrived, Lü Meng kept it secret. That night he summoned his generals and gave them their orders, announcing that they would attack the city at dawn. Then he turned to Deng Xuanzhi and said, “Hao Zitai has heard that there are such things as loyalty and righteousness in the world and wants to practice them too, but he does not understand the times. The General of the Left is in Hanzhong, besieged by Xiahou Yuan;

初，蒙既定長沙，當之零陵，過酃，載南陽鄧玄之，玄之者郝普之舊也，欲令誘普。及被書當還，蒙秘之。夜召諸將，授以方畧，晨當攻城。顧謂玄之曰：郝子太聞世間有忠義事，亦欲為之，而不知時也。左將軍在漢中，為夏侯淵所圍。

Guan Yu is in Nan Commandery, and now our Supreme Lord is confronting him in person. Recently we broke Fan Ben’s garrison, and those who came to relieve Ling were in turn crushed by Sun Gui. All this happened before your very eyes; you saw it yourself. They are hanging upside down, head and tail alike, without even the means to save themselves from death; how could they have strength to spare for this place? Now our soldiers are picked men, each resolved to give his life, and the troops our Supreme Lord sends follow one another along the roads. Yet Zitai, with a life that may not last from morning to evening, waits for a rescue that cannot be hoped for.

關羽在南郡，今至尊身自臨之。近者破樊本屯，救酃，逆為孫規所破。此皆目前之事，君所親見也。彼方首尾倒懸，救死不給，豈有餘力復營此哉？今吾士卒精銳，人思致命。至尊遣兵，相繼於道。今子太以旦夕之命，待不可望之救。

He is like a fish in a puddle left in an ox’s hoofprint, hoping to rely on the Jiang and the Han; clearly they cannot be counted on. If Zitai could surely unite the hearts of his soldiers and keep his lone city secure, putting off the end from one day to the next while he waits for the side he looks to, that would be one thing. But now I have weighed our strength and considered the matter; if I attack this place, the city will certainly fall before the day is out. Once the city falls, what good will his death do anything? And to cause his mother of a hundred years to be executed under her white hair, is that not grievous?

猶牛蹄中魚，冀賴江漢，其不可恃亦明矣。若子太必能一士卒之心，保孤城之守，尚能稽延旦夕，以待所歸者，可也。今吾計力度慮，而以攻此，曾不移日，而城必破，城破之後，身死何益於事，而令百歲老母，戴白受誅，豈不痛哉？

I reckon this fellow has had no news from outside and thinks that help can be relied on; that is the only reason things have come to this. You may go and see him and set out for him what brings disaster and what brings good fortune.”

度此家不得外問，謂援可恃，故至於此耳。君可見之，為陳禍福。

Deng Xuanzhi met Hao Pu and conveyed Lü Meng’s message in full, and Hao Pu, afraid, complied. Deng Xuanzhi came out first and reported to Lü Meng, “Hao Pu will follow shortly.” Lü Meng had already instructed four officers each to select a hundred men and, as soon as Hao Pu came out, to go in and hold the city gates. Presently Hao Pu came out. Lü Meng went to meet him, took his hand, and went down with him to the boats. When they had finished talking, he brought out the letter and showed it to him, clapping his hands and laughing loudly. When Hao Pu saw the letter and learned that Liu Bei was at Gong’an and Guan Yu at Yiyang, he was so ashamed and bitter that he wished to sink into the ground.

玄之見普，具宣蒙意，普懼而聽之。玄之先出報蒙：「普尋後當至。」蒙豫敕四將，各選百人，普出，便入守城門。須臾普出，蒙迎執其手，與俱下船。語畢，出書示之。因拊手大笑。普見書，知備在公安，而羽在益陽，慚恨入地。

Lü Meng left men behind and entrusted them with affairs there, and that same day led his army to Yiyang. Liu Bei asked for a covenant, and Sun Quan then sent Hao Pu and the others back. The land was divided along the Xiang River, and Lingling was returned. Xunyang and Yangxin were made Lü Meng’s fief.

蒙留，委以後事，即日引軍赴益陽。劉備請盟，權乃歸普等。割湘水，以零陵還之。以尋陽、陽新為蒙奉邑。

When the army returned, they went on to campaign against Hefei. After the troops had been withdrawn, they were attacked by Zhang Liao and others, and Lü Meng, together with Ling Tong, fought to the death to shield Sun Quan. Later, when Lord Cao again came out in great force to Ruxu, Sun Quan made Lü Meng area commander, had him hold the fortified dock built earlier, and set up ten thousand powerful crossbows on it to resist Lord Cao. Before Lord Cao’s vanguard had finished making camp, Lü Meng attacked and broke it, and Lord Cao withdrew. Lü Meng was appointed Protector of the Army on the Left and General of Tigerish Might.

師還，遂征合肥，既撤兵，為張遼等所襲，蒙與淩統以死扞衛。後曹公又大出濡須，權以蒙為督，據前所立塢，置強弩萬張於其上，以拒曹公。曹公前鋒屯未就，蒙攻破之，曹公引退。拜蒙左護軍、虎威將軍。

When Lu Su died, Lü Meng went west to garrison Lukou, and all of Lu Su’s men and horses, more than ten thousand, were placed under him. He was also appointed Prefect of Hanchang and received the revenues of Xiajuan, Liuyang, Hanchang, and Zhouling. His territory bordered Guan Yu’s, and he knew that Guan Yu was fierce and heroic and bent on annexation, and that since he sat upstream of the state, the situation could not last. Earlier, Lu Su and others had held that since Lord Cao was still alive and troubles had only just begun, they ought to help and cooperate with Guan Yu and face the common enemy together, and must not lose him.

魯肅卒，蒙西屯陸口，肅軍人馬萬餘盡以屬蒙。又拜漢昌太守，食下雋、劉陽、漢昌、州陵。與關羽分土接境，知羽驍雄，有並兼心，且居國上流，其勢難久。初，魯肅等以為曹公尚存，禍難始構，宜相輔協，與之同仇，不可失也。

Lü Meng then secretly set out his plan: “Now let the General Who Conquers Caitiffs hold Nan Commandery, station Pan Zhang at Baidi, and have Jiang Qin lead ten thousand mobile troops up and down the Jiang to respond wherever the enemy appears, while I advance on the state’s behalf to seize Xiangyang. If this is done, why worry about Cao Cao, and why rely on Guan Yu? Moreover, Guan Yu and his lord and ministers pride themselves on trickery and force and change sides wherever they are; they cannot be treated as trusted friends. The only reason Guan Yu has not yet turned east is that Your Supreme Lordship is sage and enlightened and that we, your servants, are still alive.

蒙乃密陳計策曰：「今令征虜守南郡，潘璋住白帝，蔣欽將遊兵萬人循江上下，應敵所在，蒙為國家前據襄陽，如此，何憂於操，何賴於羽？且羽君臣，矜其詐力，所在反覆，不可以腹心待也。今羽所以未便東向者，以至尊聖明，蒙等尚存也。

If we do not deal with him now while we are strong and vigorous, and one day we fall, will it be possible to exert ourselves again?” Sun Quan took his plan deeply to heart, and also discussed with him, in passing, the idea of taking Xu Province. Lü Meng replied, “At present Cao Cao is far away north of the Yellow River; he has just defeated the Yuans and is gathering in and pacifying You and Ji, and has no time to look east. I hear that the troops guarding the land of Xu are not worth mentioning, so if we go we can surely take it. But the terrain is connected by land, a place where swift cavalry can gallop. If Your Supreme Lordship takes Xu Province today, Cao Cao will surely come to contend for it within ten days, and even if it were held with seventy or eighty thousand men, we would still have cause for worry.

今不於強壯時圖之，一日僵僕，欲復陳力，其可得邪？」權深納其策，又聊復與論取徐州意。蒙對曰：「今操遠在河北，新破諸袁，撫集幽、冀，未暇東顧。徐土守兵，聞不足言，往自可克。然地勢陸通，驍騎所騁，至尊今日得徐州，操後旬必來爭，雖以七八萬人守之，猶當懷憂。

It would be better to take Guan Yu and hold the whole of the Yangtze River, which would make our position all the stronger.” Sun Quan thought these words especially sound. When Lü Meng replaced Lu Su and first arrived at Lukou, he outwardly redoubled his kindness and generosity and established friendly relations with Guan Yu.

不如取羽，全據長江，形勢益張。」權尤以此言為當。及蒙代肅，初至陸口，外倍修恩厚，與羽結好。

Later, when Guan Yu went to attack Fan, he left troops and officers to guard Gong’an and Nan Commandery. Lü Meng sent up a memorial: “Guan Yu is attacking Fan yet leaves many troops behind on guard; it must be that he fears I will move against his rear. I am often ill; I beg to take part of my troops back to Jianye on the pretext of treating my illness. When Guan Yu hears of this, he will surely withdraw his guard troops and send them all to Xiangyang. Then our main army can float down onto the Jiang, speed upriver day and night, and strike where he is empty; Nan Commandery can be taken and Guan Yu captured.”

後羽討樊，留兵將備公安、南郡。蒙上疏曰：「羽討樊而多留備兵，必恐蒙圖其後故也。蒙常有病，乞分士眾還建業，以治疾為名。羽聞之，必撤備兵，盡赴襄陽。大軍浮江，晝夜馳上，襲其空虛，則南郡可下，而羽可擒也。」

He then declared that his illness was grave, and Sun Quan issued an open dispatch recalling Lü Meng and secretly made plans with him. Guan Yu indeed believed it and gradually withdrew his troops to send to Fan. Wei sent Yu Jin to relieve Fan, but Guan Yu captured Yu Jin and all the rest. With men and horses now numbering tens of thousands, he used a shortage of grain as a pretext and helped himself to the rice at Xiangguan. When Sun Quan heard of this, he set out on campaign, sending Lü Meng ahead first. When Lü Meng reached Xunyang, he hid all his picked troops in the holds of covered boats and had men in plain white clothes work the oars, dressed as merchants, traveling day and night. When they reached the posts and lookouts Guan Yu had set along the riverbank, they seized and bound them all, so Guan Yu heard nothing of it.

遂稱病篤，權乃露檄召蒙還，陰與圖計。羽果信之，稍撤兵以赴樊。魏使于禁救樊，羽盡擒禁等，人馬數萬，託以糧乏，擅取湘關米。權聞之，遂行。先遣蒙在前。蒙至尋陽，盡伏其精兵𦩷𦪇中，使白衣搖櫓，作商賈人服，晝夜兼行，至羽所置江邊屯候，盡收縛之，是故羽不聞知。

At length he reached Nan Commandery, where Shi Ren and Mi Fang both surrendered. Lü Meng entered and held the city and took into his hands all the families of Guan Yu and his officers and men. He comforted them all and ordered the army not to intrude on any household or demand anything from it. One of the soldiers under Lü Meng, a man of Runan and so his fellow townsman, took a bamboo hat from a commoner’s house to cover a set of government armor. Although the armor was public property, Lü Meng still regarded this as a breach of military orders and held that the law could not be set aside for the sake of a fellow townsman; weeping, he had the man beheaded.

遂到南郡，士仁、麋芳皆降。¹蒙入據城，盡得羽及將士家屬，皆撫慰，約令軍中不得干歷人家，有所求取。蒙麾下士，是汝南人，取民家一笠，以覆官鎧，官鎧雖公，蒙猶以為犯軍令，不可以鄉里故而廢法，遂垂涕斬之。

At this the whole army trembled, and no one on the roads picked up what others had dropped. Morning and evening Lü Meng sent men close to him to look after the elderly and ask what they lacked; he gave doctors and medicine to the sick and clothing and grain to the hungry and cold. All the treasures in Guan Yu’s storehouses he sealed up to await Sun Quan’s arrival. On his way back, Guan Yu repeatedly sent men to exchange messages with Lü Meng. Each time Lü Meng treated the envoys generously and let them go all around the city, so that household after household sent greetings, some writing letters in their own hand as proof. When Guan Yu’s men returned, they questioned one another in private and all learned that their families were safe and were being treated better than in ordinary times. Therefore Guan Yu’s officers and men lost the will to fight.

於是軍中震慄，道不拾遺。蒙旦暮使親近存卹耆老，問所不足，疾病者給醫藥，饑寒者賜衣糧。羽府藏財寶，皆封閉以待權至。羽還，在道路，數使人與蒙相聞，蒙輒厚遇其使，周遊城中，家家致問，或手書示信。羽人還，私相參訊，咸知家門無恙，見待過於平時，故羽吏士無鬬心。

Soon afterward Sun Quan arrived, and Guan Yu, knowing he was isolated and at the end of his resources, fled to Maicheng and then west to Zhangxiang, where his followers all abandoned him and surrendered. Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran and Pan Zhang to cut off his route, and father and son were captured together. Jing Province was thus pacified.

會權尋至，羽自知孤窮，乃走麥城，西至漳鄉，眾皆委羽而降。權使朱然、潘璋斷其徑路，即父子俱獲，荊州遂定。

Lü Meng was made Prefect of Nan Commandery and enfeoffed as Marquis of Chanling, and was granted a hundred million cash and five hundred jin of gold. Lü Meng firmly declined the gold and cash, but Sun Quan would not allow it. Before the enfeoffment had been formally issued, Lü Meng’s illness flared up. Sun Quan, who was then at Gong’an, brought him into the inner palace. Every possible method was tried to treat and care for him, and Sun Quan offered a thousand pieces of gold to anyone within his domains who could cure Lü Meng’s illness. Whenever acupuncture needles were applied, Sun Quan was pained for him. He wanted to see his color often but feared tiring him, so he would bore a hole through the wall to watch him. When he saw him able to take a little food he was glad, and turned to those about him talking and laughing; otherwise he sighed and could not sleep at night.

以蒙為南郡太守，封孱陵侯，¹賜錢一億，黃金五百斤。蒙固辭金錢，權不許。封爵未下。會蒙疾發，權時在公安，迎置內殿。所以治護者萬方，募封內有能愈蒙疾者，賜千金。時有針加，權為之慘戚，欲數見其顏色，又恐勞動，常穿壁瞻之，見小能下食則喜，顧左右言笑，不然則咄唶，夜不能寐。

When his illness eased midway, Sun Quan proclaimed an amnesty for his sake, and all the officials offered congratulations. Later it grew worse again, and Sun Quan came in person to see him and ordered Daoist priests to pray for his life beneath the stars. At forty-two he died at last in the inner palace. Sun Quan grieved bitterly at the time and reduced his meals and ceremonies for him. Before Lü Meng died, he had handed over all the gold, treasures, and gifts he had received to the government storehouses, instructing those in charge to return them all to the throne on the day his life ended, and ordering that his funeral be kept frugal. When Sun Quan heard of this, he was all the more moved to grief.

病中瘳，為下赦令，群臣畢賀。後更增篤，權自臨視，命道士於星辰下為之請命。年四十二，遂卒於內殿。時權哀痛甚，為之降損。蒙未死時，所得金寶諸賜盡付府藏，敕主者命絕之日皆上還，喪事務約。權聞之，益以悲感。

In his youth Lü Meng had not studied the classics and histories, so whenever he presented a major matter, he always dictated his letters and memorials. Once he was reported by Cai Yi, Prefect of Jiangxia, over a matter concerning his troops, but Lü Meng bore him no grudge. When Gu Shao, Prefect of Yuzhang, died and Sun Quan asked whom to appoint, Lü Meng recommended Cai Yi as a fine official who served his office well. Sun Quan laughed and said, “Do you want to be a Qi Xi?” And so he appointed him. Gan Ning was rough and violent and fond of killing; he often displeased Lü Meng and at times disobeyed Sun Quan’s orders. Whenever Sun Quan grew angry with him, Lü Meng would plead, “The realm is not yet settled, and fighting generals like Gan Ning are hard to find. You should bear with him.”

蒙少不修書傳，每陳大事，常口占為箋疏。常以部曲事為江夏太守蔡遺所白，蒙無恨意。及豫章太守顧邵卒，權問所用，蒙因薦遺奉職佳吏，權笑曰：「君欲為祁奚耶？」於是用之。甘寧粗暴好殺，既常失蒙意，又時違權令，權怒之，蒙輒陳請：「天下未定，鬥將如寧難得，宜容忍之。」

Sun Quan thereafter treated Gan Ning generously and in the end made good use of him. Lü Meng’s son Lü Ba succeeded to his rank and was given three hundred households to tend the tomb and fifty qing of tax-exempt land. When Lü Ba died, his elder brother Lü Cong succeeded to the marquisate. When Lü Cong died, his younger brother Lü Mu became heir.

權遂厚寧，卒得其用。蒙子霸襲爵，與守塚三百家，復田五十頃。霸卒，兄琮襲侯。琮卒，弟睦嗣。

Sun Quan, discussing Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Lü Meng with Lu Xun, said: “Gongjin was heroic and fierce, with courage and strategy beyond other men. He went on to defeat Mengde and open up Jing Province. He stands far above and is hard to follow, and now you follow him. Long ago Gongjin invited Zijing to come east and brought him to me. When I feasted and talked with him, he at once came to the grand strategy of an emperor’s enterprise. That was the first delight. Later, Mengde, riding the momentum of having won over Liu Cong, boasted that he was about to lead several hundred thousand men down by water and by land together.

孫權與陸遜論周瑜、魯肅及蒙曰：公瑾雄烈，膽略兼人，遂破孟德，開拓荊州，邈焉難繼，君今繼之。公瑾昔要子敬來東，致達於孤，孤與宴語，便及大略帝王之業，此一快也。後孟德因獲劉琮之勢，張言方率數十萬眾水步俱下。

I summoned all my generals and asked them what should be done, but none would answer first; and when it came to Zibu and Wenbiao, both said we should send envoys and prepare a proclamation to welcome him. Zijing at once refuted this as unacceptable and urged me to call Gongjin quickly, entrust him with the troops, and meet the enemy head-on. That was the second delight. Moreover, the resolution of his plans and intentions went far beyond Zhang Yi and Su Qin. Although he later urged me to lend land to Xuande, which was a shortcoming of his, it is not enough to diminish his two strengths.

孤普請諸將，諮問所宜，無適先對，至子布、文表，俱言宜遣使修檄迎之，子敬即駁言不可，勸孤急呼公瑾，付任以眾，逆而擊之，此二快也。且其決計策意，出張、蘇遠矣。後雖勸吾借玄德地，是其一短，不足以損其二長也。

The Duke of Zhou did not demand perfection of any one man; so I forget his shortcoming and value his strengths, and have always compared him to Deng Yu. As for Ziming, when he was young I thought him merely someone who shrank from no task, hard or easy, bold and courageous and nothing more. But when he grew up, his learning broadened him and his strategies became remarkable, so that he could be ranked next to Gongjin, only falling short of him in brilliance of speech and argument. In planning and taking Guan Yu he surpassed Zijing. Zijing wrote in reply to me: ‘Whenever emperors and kings arise, there are always those to be swept away; Guan Yu is not worth fearing.’

周公不求備於一人，故孤忘其短而貴其長，常以比方鄧禹也。又子明少時，孤謂不辭劇易，果敢有膽而已。及身長大，學問開益，籌略奇至，可以次於公瑾，但言議英發不及之耳。圖取關羽，勝於子敬。子敬答孤書云：『帝王之起，皆有驅除，羽不足忌。』

This was simply Zijing being unable to manage it inwardly and making a big show of words outwardly. I too forgave him and did not rebuke him lightly. Yet in handling troops and setting up camps he never failed to see that orders were carried out and prohibitions obeyed; within his jurisdiction there was no neglect of duty or default, and no one on the roads picked up what others had dropped. His methods were admirable as well.”

此子敬內不能辦，外為大言耳，孤亦恕，不苟責也。然其作軍屯營，不失令行禁止，部界無廢負，路無拾遺，其法亦美也。

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Lord Cao, using the resources of a Han chancellor, held the Son of Heaven in his grasp and swept away the host of warlords. Having newly overrun the cities of Jing, he relied on his might to face the eastern lands, and at that time there was no one in council who did not waver and harbor doubts. Zhou Yu and Lu Su established the clarity of an independent decision that stood out above the multitude; they were truly extraordinary talents. Lü Meng was brave and resourceful, decisive and discerning in military planning; his deception of Hao Pu and capture of Guan Yu were the finest of his feats. Though at first he was rash and impetuous and killed recklessly, in the end he mastered himself and had the capacity of a gentleman of national stature; how could he have been merely a military general! Sun Quan’s assessment judges their merits and faults fairly, so it has been recorded here.

評曰：曹公乘漢相之資，挾天子而掃群桀，新蕩荊城，仗威東夏，於時議者莫不疑貳。周瑜、魯肅建獨斷之明出眾人之表，實奇才也。呂蒙勇而有謀，斷識軍計，譎郝普，禽關羽，最其妙者。初雖輕果妄殺，終於克己，有國士之量，豈徒武將而已乎！孫權之論，優劣允當，故載錄焉。