Romance, Chapter 47

Chapter 47. Kan Ze Presents the Treacherous Letter: Pang Tong Suggests Chaining the Ships Together

This Kan Ze, styled Derun, was from Shanyin in Kuaiji, a son of a humble family. He loved books, but as he was too poor to buy he used to borrow. He had a wonderfully tenacious memory, was very eloquent and no coward. Sun Quan had employed him among his advisers and he and Huang Gai were excellent friends. The latter had thought of him to present the treacherous letter as his gifts made him most suitable. Kan Ze accepted with enthusiasm, saying, “A man who lives in the world and cannot win merit and build up an enterprise is little better than the herbs that rot in the field!

卻說闞澤字德潤，會稽山陰人也；家貧好學，與人傭工，嘗借人書來看，看過一遍，更不遺忘；口才辨給，少有膽氣。孫權召爲參謀，與黃蓋最相善。蓋知其能言有膽，故欲使獻詐降書。澤欣然應諾曰：“大丈夫處世，不能立功建業，不幾與草木同腐乎！

When you, my friend, are ready to give your body to repay our lord, why should I grudge my own poor life?” Huang Gai slipped off the couch and came over to salute him. “However, this matter must speed,” continued Kan Ze; “there is no time to lose.” “The letter is already written,” said Huang Gai. Kan Ze received it and left. That night he disguised himself as an old fisherman and started in a small punt for the north shore.

公既捐軀報主，澤又何惜微生！”黃蓋滾下牀來，拜而謝之。澤曰：“事不可緩，即今便行。”蓋曰：“書已修下了。”澤領了書，只就當夜扮作漁翁，駕小舟，望北岸而行。

The sky that night was full of cold, glittering stars. At the third watch he drew near the enemy’s naval camp and was captured by the river patrol. Without waiting for day they informed Cao Cao, who said, “Is he not just a spy?” “No,” said they, “he is alone, just an old fisherman; and he says he is an adviser in the service of Wu named Kan Ze, and he has come on secret business.” “Bring him,” said Cao Cao and he was led in. Cao was seated in a brilliantly lighted tent. He was leaning on a small table and as soon as he saw the prisoner, he said, “You are an adviser of Wu; what then are you doing here?”

是夜寒星滿天。三更時候，早到曹軍水寨。巡江軍士拿住，連夜報知曹操。操曰：“莫非是奸細麼？”軍士曰：“只一漁翁，自稱是東吳參謀闞澤，有機密事來見。”操便教引將入來。軍士引闞澤至，只見帳上燈燭輝煌，曹操憑几危坐，問曰：“汝既是東吳參謀，來此何干？”

“People say that you greedily welcome men of ability; I do not think your question a very proper one. Friend Huang, you made a mistake,” said Kan. “You know I am fighting against Wu and you come here privately. Why should I not question you?” “Huang Gai is an old servant of Wu, one who has served three successive rulers. Now he has been cruelly beaten, for no fault, before the face of all the officers in Zhou Yu’s camp. He is grievously angry about this and wishes to desert to your side that he may be revenged. He discussed it with me.

澤曰：“人言曹丞相求賢若渴，今觀此問，甚不相合。黃公覆，汝又錯尋思了也！”操曰：“吾與東吳旦夕交兵，汝私行到此，如何不問？”澤曰：“黃公覆乃東吳三世舊臣，今被周瑜於衆將之前，無端毒打，不勝忿恨。因欲投降丞相，爲報仇之計，特謀之於我。

He and I are as close as flesh and blood, so I have come straight to present his secret letter. Will you, O Minister, receive him or not?” “Where is the letter?” said Cao. The missive was produced and presented.

我與公覆，情同骨肉，徑來爲獻密書。未知丞相肯容納否？”操曰：“書在何處？”闞澤取書呈上。

Cao Cao opened it and read it by the lamp. In brief it said:—“I, Huang Gai, have been generously treated by the Sun family and ought not to be double-hearted. But as matters stand today, the soldiers of the six commanderies east of the river are to be set against the million-strong host of the central land. As every one knows our few are no match for such a multitude and every officer of Wu, wise or foolish, recognises that quite well. However, Zhou Yu who, after all, is but a youth and a shallow minded simpleton, maintains that success is possible and rashly desires to smash stones with an egg. Beside this he is arbitrary and tyrannical, punishing for no crime, and leaving meritorious service unrewarded.

操拆書，就燈下觀看。書略曰：“蓋受孫氏厚恩，本不當懷二心。然以今日事勢論之：用江東六郡之卒，當中國百萬之師，衆寡不敵，海內所共見也。東吳將吏，無有智愚，皆知其不可。周瑜小子，偏懷淺戇，自負其能，輒欲以卵敵石；兼之擅作威福，無罪受刑，有功不賞。

I am an old servant and for no reason have been shamed in the sight of men. Wherefore I hate him in my heart. “You, O Minister, treat men with sincerity and are ready to welcome ability and so I, and those under my leadership, desire to enter your service whereby to acquire reputation and remove the shameful stigma. The commissariat, weapons and the supply ships will also come over to you. In perfect sincerity I state these matters; I pray you not to doubt me.” Leaning there on the low table by his side, Cao turned this letter over and over and read it again and again. Then he smacked the table, opened his eyes wide with anger saying, “Huang Gai is trying to play the personal injury trick on me, is he? And you are in it as the intermediary to present the letter. How dare you come to sport with me?”

蓋系舊臣，無端爲所摧辱，心實恨之！伏聞丞相誠心待物，虛懷納士，蓋願率衆歸降，以圖建功雪恥。糧草車仗，隨船獻納。泣血拜白，萬勿見疑。”曹操於几案上翻覆將書看了十餘次，忽然拍案張目大怒曰：“黃蓋用苦肉計，令汝下詐降書，就中取事，卻敢來戲侮我耶！”

He ordered the lictors to thrust forth the messenger and take off his head. Kan Ze was hustled out, his face untroubled. On the contrary, he laughed aloud. At this Cao told them to bring him back and harshly said to him, “What do you find to laugh at now that I have foiled you and your ruse has failed?” “I was not laughing at you; I was laughing at my friend’s simplicity.” “What do you mean by his simplicity?” “If you want to slay, slay; do not trouble me with a multitude of questions.” “From my youth I have read all the books on the art of war and I am well versed in all ways of misleading the enemy.

便教左右推出斬之。左右將闞澤簇下。澤面不改容，仰天大笑。操教牽回，叱曰：“吾已識破奸計，汝何故哂笑？”澤曰：“吾不笑你。吾笑黃公覆不識人耳。”操曰：“何不識人？”澤曰：“殺便殺，何必多問！”操曰：“吾自幼熟讀兵書，深知奸僞之道。

This ruse of yours might have succeeded with many, but it will not do for me.” “Then tell me, which thing in the letter is the trick?” said Kan. “I will point out your flaw, so that you may die without complaint. If the thing was real and you were sincere, why does not the letter name a time? What have you to say to that?” Kan Ze waited to the end and then laughed louder than ever, saying, “Have you no shame, that you dare to boast of your knowledge of the books of war?

汝這條計，只好瞞別人，如何瞞得我！”澤曰：“你且說書中那件事是奸計？”操曰：“我說出你那破綻，教你死而無怨：你既是真心獻書投降，如何不明約幾時？你今有何理說？”闞澤聽罷，大笑曰：“虧汝不惶恐，敢自誇熟讀兵書！

You had better lead your soldiers home while there is time! If you fight, Zhou Yu will certainly capture you. You ignorant fellow! How sad to think that I must die unjustly at your hand!” “What mean you? I, ignorant?” “You are ignorant of any strategy and a victim of unreason; is not that sufficient?” “Well then, tell me in what points I am wrong.” “You treat wise men too badly for me to talk to you. You can finish me and let there be an end of it.”

還不及早收兵回去！倘若交戰，必被周瑜擒矣！無學之輩！可惜吾屈死汝手！”操曰：“何謂我無學？”澤曰：“汝不識機謀，不明道理，豈非無學？”操曰：“你且說我那幾般不是處？”澤曰：“汝無待賢之禮，吾何必言！但有死而已。”

“If you can speak with any show of reason, I will treat you differently.” “Do you not know that when one is going to desert one’s master and become a renegade one cannot say exactly when the chance will occur? If one binds one’s self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered. One must watch for an opportunity and take it when it comes. Think; is it possible to know exactly when? But you know nothing of common sense; all you know is how to put good men to death. So you really are an ignorant fellow.” At this Cao changed his manner, got up and came over to the prisoner bowing, “I did not see clearly; that is quite true. I offended you and I hope you will forget it.”

操曰：“汝若說得有理，我自然敬服。”澤曰：“豈不聞背主作竊，不可定期？倘今約定日期，急切下不得手，這裏反來接應，事必泄漏。但可覷便而行，豈可預期相訂乎？汝不明此理，欲屈殺好人，真無學之輩也！”操聞言，改容下席而謝曰：“某見事不明，誤犯尊威，幸勿掛懷。”

“The fact is that Huang Gai and I are both inclined to desert to you; we even yearn for it as a child desires its parents. Is it possible that we should play you false?” “If you two could render me so great a service, you shall certainly be ranked above all others.” “We do not desire rank or riches; we come because it is the will of heaven and the plain way of duty.” Then wine was set out and Kan Ze was treated as an honoured guest.

澤曰：“吾與黃公覆，傾心投降，如嬰兒之望父母，豈有詐乎！”操大喜曰：“若二人能建大功，他日受爵，必在諸人之上。”澤曰：“某等非爲爵祿而來，實應天順人耳。”操取酒待之。

While they were drinking some one came in and whispered in Cao’s ear. He replied, “Let me see the letter.” Whereupon the man pulled out and gave him a letter, which evidently pleased him. “That must be Cai Zhong and Cai He reporting the punishment of Huang Gai,” thought Kan Ze. “That is why Cao is pleased: it proves to him that our surrender is genuine.” Turning toward Kan Ze, Cao said, “I must ask you to return to settle the date with your friend: as soon as I know I will have a force waiting.”

少頃，有人入帳，於操耳邊私語。操曰：“將書來看。”其人以密書呈上。操觀之，顏色頗喜。闞澤暗思：“此必蔡中、蔡和來報黃蓋受刑消息，操故喜我投降之事爲真實也。”操曰：“煩先生再回江東，與黃公覆約定，先通消息過江，吾以兵接應。”

“I cannot return; pray, Sir, send some other man you can trust.” “If some one else should go the secret would out.” Kan Ze refused again and again but at last gave way, saying, “If I am to go I must not wait here; I must be off at once.” Cao offered him gold and silks, which were refused. Ze started, left the camp and re-embarked for the south bank, where he related all that had happened to Huang Gai. “If it had not been for your persuasive tongue then had I undergone this suffering in vain,” said Huang.

澤曰：“某已離江東，不可復還。望丞相別遣機密人去。”操曰：“若他人去，事恐泄漏。”澤再三推辭；良久，乃曰：“若去則不敢久停，便當行矣。”操賜以金帛，澤不受。辭別出營，再駕扁舟，重回江東，來見黃蓋，細說前事。蓋曰：“非公能辯，則蓋徒受苦矣。”

“I will now go to Gan Ning’s camp to get news of Cai Zhong and Cai He,” said Kan Ze. “Excellent,” said Huang. He went to the camp commanded by Gan Ning and when they were seated he said to his host, “I was much distressed when I saw how disgracefully you were treated for your intercession on behalf of Huang Gai.” Gan Ning smiled but made no reply. Just then Cai He and Cai Zhong came in. Kan Ze gave Gan Ning a look, and Gan Ning, understanding, said, “Zhou Gongjin trusts only in his own abilities and takes no thought of the rest of us.

澤曰：“吾今去甘寧寨中，探蔡中、蔡和消息。”蓋曰：“甚善。”澤至寧寨，寧接入，澤曰：“將軍昨爲救黃公覆，被周公瑾所辱，吾甚不平。”寧笑而不答。正話間，蔡和、蔡中至。澤以目送甘寧，寧會意，乃曰：“周公瑾只自恃其能，全不以我等爲念。

I have now been insulted and am ashamed to face anyone east of the river!” And he gritted his teeth, smacked the table and shouted aloud. Kan Ze made a show of leaning over toward his host and saying something in a very low voice, at which Gan Ning bent his head without a word and sighed again and again. The two visitors and spies gathered from this that both Gan and Kan were ripe for desertion and determined to probe them. “Why are you so vexed, General? And what grievance have you, Sir?” said they. “What know you of our bitterness?” said Kan Ze. “Can it be that you wish to turn against Wu and go over to Cao Cao?” said Cai He.

我今被辱，羞見江左諸人！”說罷，咬牙切齒，拍案大叫。澤乃虛與寧耳邊低語。寧低頭不言，長嘆數聲。蔡和、蔡中見寧、澤皆有反意，以言挑之曰：“將軍何故煩惱？先生有何不平？”澤曰：“吾等腹中之苦，汝豈知耶！”蔡和曰：“莫非欲背吳投曹耶？”

Kan Ze at this lost colour: Gan Ning started up and drew his sword, crying, “They have found out; they must die to keep their mouths shut.” “No, no,” cried the two in a flurry. “Let us tell you something quite secret.” “Quick, then,” cried Gan Ning. So Cai He said, “The truth is that we two were sent by Lord Cao to pretend to desert, and if you two gentlemen are of our way of thinking we can manage things for you.” “But are you speaking the truth?” said Gan.

闞澤失色，甘寧拔劍而起曰：“吾事已爲窺破，不可不殺之以滅口！”蔡和、蔡中慌曰：“二公勿憂。吾亦當以心腹之事相告。”寧曰：“可速言之！”蔡和曰：“吾二人乃曹公使來詐降者。二公若有歸順之心，吾當引進。”寧曰：“汝言果真？”

“Is it likely we should say such a thing if it were untrue?” cried both at the same moment. Gan Ning put on a pleased look and said, “Then this is the very heaven-given chance.” “We have already told the Minister of the Huang Gai affair and of how you were insulted,” said the two Cais. “The fact is I have given the Minister a letter on behalf of Huang Gai and now I have come expressly to see Xingba, that we may agree to go over together,” said Kan. “When an honest man happens upon an enlightened master his heart will always be drawn toward him,” said Gan Ning.

二人齊聲曰：“安敢相欺！”寧佯喜曰：“若如此，是天賜其便也！”二蔡曰：“黃公覆與將軍被辱之事，吾已報知丞相矣。”澤曰：“吾已爲黃公覆獻書丞相，今特來見興霸，相約同降耳。”寧曰：“大丈夫既遇明主，自當傾心相投。”

The four then drank together and opened their hearts to each other. The two brothers Cai wrote a private letter to their master saying that Gan Ning had agreed to act with them from within. Kan Ze also wrote a letter of his own and sent it secretly to Cao Cao. Kan’s letter said that Huang had found no opportunity so far. However, when he came his boat could be recognised by a blue, indented flag on its prow. That would mean he was on board.

於是四人共飲，同論心事。二蔡即時寫書，密報曹操，說“甘寧與某同爲內應。”闞澤另自修書，遣人密報曹操，書中具言：黃蓋欲來，未得其便；但看船頭插青牙旗而來者，即是也。

However, when Cao Cao got these two letters he was still doubtful and called together his advisers to talk over the matter. Said he, “On the other side Gan Ning has been put to shame by Zhou Yu and offers to act for us from within. Huang Gai has been punished and sent Kan Ze to propose that he should come over to our side. But neither can be fully trusted. Who dares go straight into Zhou Yu’s camp to find out the real truth?” Then Jiang Gan spoke up, saying, “I failed in my mission the other day and am greatly mortified.

卻說曹操連得二書，心中疑惑不定，聚衆謀士商議曰：“江左甘寧，被周瑜所辱，願爲內應；黃蓋受責，令闞澤來納降：俱未可深信。誰敢直入周瑜寨中，探聽實信？”蔣幹進曰：“某前日空往東吳，未得成功，深懷慚愧。

I will risk my life again and, this time, I shall surely bring back the truth to you.” Cao Cao approved of him as messenger and bade him start. He set out in a small craft and speedily arrived in Jiangnan landing near the naval camp. Then he sent to inform Zhou Yu, who hearing who it was chuckled, saying, “Success depends upon this man.” Then he called Lu Su and told him to call Pang Tong to come and do certain things for him. This Pang Tong was from Xiangyang. His other name was Shiyuan and he had gone to the east of the river to get away from the strife. Lu Su had recommended him to Zhou Yu.

今願捨身再往，務得實信，回報丞相。”操大喜，即時令蔣幹上船。幹駕小舟，徑到江南水寨邊，便使人傳報。周瑜聽得幹又到，大喜曰：“吾之成功，只在此人身上！”遂囑付魯肅：“請龐士元來，爲我如此如此。”原來襄陽龐統，字士元，因避亂寓居江東，魯肅曾薦之於周瑜。

Before Pang Tong had gone to present himself, Zhou Yu sent Lu Su to ask what scheme of attack he would recommend against Cao Cao, Pang Tong had said secretly to Lu Su, “You must use fire against him. But the river is wide and if one ship is set on fire the others will scatter unless they are fastened together so that they must remain in one place. That is the one road to success.” Lu Su took this message to the General, who pondered over it and then said, “The only person who can manage this is Pang Tong himself.”

統未及往見，瑜先使肅問計於統曰：“破曹當用何策？”統密謂肅曰：“欲破曹兵，須用火攻；但大江面上，一船着火，餘船四散；除非獻連環計，教他釘作一處，然後功可成也。”肅以告瑜，瑜深服其論，因謂肅曰：“爲我行此計者，非龐士元不可。”

“Cao Cao is very wily,” said Lu Su, “how can Pang Tong go?” So Zhou Yu was sad and undecided. He could think of no method till suddenly the means presented itself in the arrival of Jiang Gan. He at once sent instructions to Pang Tong how to act and then sat himself in his tent to await his visitor Jiang Gan.

肅曰：“只怕曹操奸猾，如何去得？”周瑜沉吟未決。正尋思沒個機會，忽報蔣幹又來。瑜大喜，一面分付龐統用計；一面坐於帳上，使人請幹。

But the visitor became ill at ease and suspicious when he saw that his old student friend did not come to welcome him and he took the precaution of sending his boat into a retired spot to be made fast before he went to the General’s tent. When Zhou Yu saw him he put on an angry face and said, “My friend, why did you treat me so badly?” Jiang Gan laughed and said, “I remembered the old days when we were as brothers and I came expressly to pour out my heart to you. Why do you say I treated you badly?” “You came to persuade me to betray my master, which I would never do unless the sea dried up and the rocks perished. Remembering the old times I filled you with wine and kept you to sleep with me. And you; you plundered my private letters and stole away with never a word of farewell. You betrayed me to Cao Cao and caused the death of Cai Mao and Zhang Yun and so caused all my plans to miscarry.

幹見不來接，心中疑慮，教把船於僻靜岸口纜系，乃入寨見周瑜。瑜作色曰：“子翼何故欺吾太甚？”蔣幹笑曰：“吾想與你乃舊日弟兄，特來吐心腹事，何言相欺也？”瑜曰：“汝要說我降，除非海枯石爛！前番吾念舊日交情，請你痛飲一醉，留你共榻；你卻盜吾私書，不辭而去，歸報曹操，殺了蔡瑁、張允，致使吾事不成。

Now what have you come for? Certainly it is not out of kindness to me! Were it not for our old friendship, I would cut you in two with one stroke. I would send you back again, but within a day or two I shall attack that rebel and, if I let you stay in my camp, my plans will leak out. So I am going to tell my attendants to conduct you to a certain retired hut in the western hills and keep you there till I shall have won the victory. Then I will send you back again.” Jiang Gan tried to say something but Zhou Yu would not listen. He turned his back and went into the recesses of his tent.

今日無故又來，必不懷好意！吾不看舊日之情，一刀兩段！本待送你過去，爭奈吾一二日間，便要破曹賊；待留你在軍中，又必有泄漏。”便教左右：“送子翼往西山庵中歇息。待吾破了曹操，那時渡你過江未遲。”蔣幹再欲開言，周瑜已入帳後去了。

The attendants led the visitor off, set him on a horse and took him away over the hills to the small hut, leaving two soldiers to look after him. When Jiang Gan found himself in the lonely hut he was very depressed and had no desire to eat or sleep. But one night, when the stars were very brilliant, he strolled out to enjoy them. Presently he came to the rear of his lonely habitation and heard, near by, some one crooning over a book. Approaching with stealthy steps he saw a tiny cabin half hidden in a cliff whence a slender beam or two of light stole out between the rafters. He went nearer and peeping in, saw a man reading by the light of a lamp near which hung a sword. And the book was the art of war of Sun Wu and Wu Qi.

左右取馬與蔣幹乘坐，送到西山背後小庵歇息，撥兩個軍人伏侍。幹在庵內，心中憂悶，寢食不安。是夜星露滿天，獨步出庵後，只聽得讀書之聲。信步尋去，見山岩畔有草屋數椽，內射燈光。幹往窺之，只見一人掛劍燈前，誦孫、吳兵書。

“This is no common person,” thought he and so he knocked at the door. The door was opened by the reader, who bade him welcome with cultivated and refined ceremony. Jiang Gan enquired his name and the host replied that he was Pang Tong, sometimes known as Shiyuan. “Then you are surely The Master known as ‘Phoenix Fledgeling,’ are you not?” “Yes; I am he.” “How often have I heard you talked about! You are famous. But why are you hidden away in this spot?” “That fellow Zhou Yu is too conceited to allow that any one else has any talent and so I live here quietly. But who are you, Sir?”

幹思：“此必異人也。”叩戶請見。其人開門出迎，儀表非俗。幹問姓名，答曰：“姓龐，名統，字士元。”幹曰：“莫非鳳雛先生否？”統曰：“然也。”幹喜曰：“久聞大名，今何僻居此地？”答曰：“周瑜自恃才高，不能容物，吾故隱居於此。公乃何人？”

“I am Jiang Gan.” Then Pang Tong made him very welcome and led him in and the two sat down to talk. “With your gifts you would succeed anywhere,” said Jiang Gan. “If you would enter Cao Cao’s service I would recommend you to him.” “I have long desired to get away from here and if you, Sir, will present me there is no time like the present. If Zhou Yu heard of my wish he would kill me, I am sure.” So without more ado they made their way down the hill to the water’s edge to seek the boat in which Jiang had come. They embarked and, rowing swiftly, they soon reached the northern shore.

幹曰：“吾蔣幹也。”統乃邀入草菴，共坐談心。幹曰：“以公之才，何往不利？如肯歸曹，幹當引進。”統曰：“吾亦欲離江東久矣。公既有引進之心，即今便當一行。如遲則周瑜聞之，必將見害。”於是與干連夜下山，至江邊尋着原來船隻，飛棹投江北。

At the central camp Jiang landed and went to seek Cao Cao to whom he related the story of the discovery of his new acquaintance. When Cao Cao heard that the newcomer was Fengchu, or the “Phoenix Chick” Master, he went to meet him, made him very welcome and soon they sat down to talk on friendly terms. Cao Cao said questioningly, “And so Zhou Yu in his youth is conceited and annoys his officers and rejects all their advice; I know that. But your fame has been long known to me and now that you have been gracious enough to turn my way I pray you not to be niggardly of your advice.” “I, too, know well that you are a model of military strategy,” said Pang Tong, “but I should like to have one look at your disposition.” So horses were brought, and the two rode out first to view the land camp.

既至操寨，幹先入見，備述前事。操聞鳳雛先生來，親自出帳迎入，分賓主坐定，問曰：“周瑜年幼，恃才欺衆，不用良謀。操久聞先生大名，今得惠顧，乞不吝教誨。”統曰：“某素聞丞相用兵有法，今願一睹軍容。”操教備馬，先邀統同觀旱寨。

Host and visitor, side by side on equal terms, ascended a hill whence they had a wide view. After looking all round Pang Tong remarked, “Sun Wu and Wu Qi, come to life again, could not do better, nor Rangju if he reappeared. All accords with the precepts. The camp is beside the hill and is flanked by a forest. The front and rear are within sight of each other. Gates of egress and ingress are provided and the roads of advance and retirement are bent and broken.” “Master, I entreat you not to overpraise me, but to advise me where I can make further improvements,” said Cao. Then the two men rode down to the naval camp, where twenty four openings were arranged facing the south. The cruisers and the battleships were all lined up so as to protect the lighter craft which lay inside. There were channels to pass to and fro and fixed anchorages and stations. Pang Tong surveying all this smiled, saying, “Sir Minister, if this is your method of warfare, you enjoy no empty reputation.”

統與操並馬登高而望。統曰：“傍山依林，前後顧盼，出入有門，進退曲折，雖孫、吳再生，穰苴復出，亦不過此矣。”操曰：“先生勿得過譽，尚望指教。”於是又與同觀水寨。見向南分二十四座門，皆有艨艟戰艦，列爲城郭，中藏小船，往來有巷，起伏有序，統笑曰：“丞相用兵如此，名不虛傳！”

Then pointing to Jiangnan he went on, “Zhou, my friend, Master Zhou, you are finished; you will have to die.” They rode back to the chief tent and wine was brought. They discussed military matters and Pang Tong held forth at length. Remarks and comments flowed freely between the two, and Cao formed an exalted opinion of his new adherent’s abilities and treated him with the greatest honour. By and bye the guest seemed to have succumbed to the influence of many cups and said, “Have you any capable medical men in your army?” “What for?” said Cao. “There is a lot of illness among the marines and you ought to find some remedy.” The fact was that at this time Cao’s men were suffering from the climate; many were vomiting and not a few had died. It was a source of great anxiety to him and when the newcomer suddenly mentioned it, of course he had to ask advice.

因指江南而言曰：“周郎，周郎！剋期必亡！”操大喜。回寨，請入帳中，置酒共飲，同說兵機。統高談雄辯，應答如流。操深敬服，殷勤相待。統佯醉曰：“敢問軍中有良醫否？”操問何用。統曰：“水軍多疾，須用良醫治之。”時操軍因不服水土，俱生嘔吐之疾，多有死者，操正慮此事；忽聞統言，如何不問？

Pang Tong said, “Your marine force is excellent, but there is just one defect; it is not quite perfect.” Cao pressed him to say where the imperfection lay. “I have a plan to overcome the ailment of the men so that no one shall be sick and all fit for service.” “What is this excellent scheme?” said Cao. “The river is wide and the tides ebb and flow. The winds and waves are never at rest. Your men from the north are unused to ships and the motion makes them ill. If your ships, large and small, were classed and divided into thirties, or fifties, and joined up stem to stem by iron chains and boards spread across them, to say nothing of men being able to pass from one to the next, even horses could move about on them. If this were done, then there would be no fear of the wind and the waves and the rising and falling tides.”

統曰：“丞相教練水軍之法甚妙，但可惜不全。”操再三請問。統曰：“某有一策，使大小水軍，並無疾病，安穩成功。”操大喜，請問妙策。統曰：“大江之中，潮生潮落，風浪不息；北兵不慣乘舟，受此顛播，便生疾病。若以大船小船各皆配搭，或三十爲一排，或五十爲一排，首尾用鐵環連鎖，上鋪闊板，休言人可渡，馬亦可走矣，乘此而行，任他風浪潮水上下，復何懼哉？”

Coming down from his seat Cao Cao thanked his guest saying, “I could never defeat the land of Wu without this scheme of yours.” “That is only my shallow view,” said Pang Tong, “it is for you to decide about it.” Orders were then issued to call up all the blacksmiths and set them to work, night and day, forging iron chains and great bolts to lock together the ships. And the men rejoiced when they heard of the plan.

曹操下席而謝曰：“非先生良謀，安能破東吳耶！”統曰：“愚淺之見，丞相自裁之。”操即時傳令，喚軍中鐵匠，連夜打造連環大釘，鎖住船隻。諸軍聞之，俱各喜悅。

At Red Cliffs the fight was won by flame,
And all who planned agreed the same;
By Pang’s advice the ships were chained,
Else Zhou had not that battle gained.

後人有詩曰：“赤壁鏖兵用火攻，運籌決策盡皆同。
若非龐統連環計，公瑾安能立大功？
”

Pang Tong further told Cao Cao saying, “I know many bold men on the other side who hate Zhou Yu. If I may use my little tongue in your service I can induce them to come over to you and if Zhou Yu be left alone you can certainly take him captive. And Liu Bei is of no account.” “Certainly if you could render me so great a service I would memorialise the throne and obtain for you one of the highest offices,” said Cao. “I am not doing this for the sake of wealth or honours, but from a desire to succour mankind.

龐統又謂操曰：“某觀江左豪傑，多有怨周瑜者；某憑三寸舌，爲丞相說之，使皆來降。周瑜孤立無援，必爲丞相所擒。瑜既破，則劉備無所用矣。”操曰：“先生果能成大功，操請奏聞天子，封爲三公之列。”統曰：“某非爲富貴，但欲救萬民耳。

If you cross the river I pray you be merciful.” “I am Heaven’s means of doing right and could not bear to slay the people.” Pang Tong thanked him and begged for a document that would protect his own family. Cao Cao asked where they lived. He replied that they lived by the river bank and Cao Cao ordered a protection to be prepared. Having sealed it he gave it to Pang Tong who said, “You should attack as soon as I have gone but do not let Zhou Yu know anything.” Cao Cao agreed.

丞相渡江，慎勿殺害。”操曰：“吾替天行道，安忍殺戮人民！”統拜求榜文，以安宗族。操曰：“先生家屬，現居何處？”統曰：“只在江邊。若得此榜，可保全矣。”操命寫榜僉押付統。統拜謝曰：“別後可速進兵，休待周郎知覺。”操然之。

Pang Tong took his leave and went to the river bank. Just as he was about to embark he saw a man in a Taoist robe, with a bamboo cap, who seized him saying, “You are very bold. Huang Gai is planning to use the ‘personal injury ruse’ and Kan Ze has presented the letter of pretended desertion. You have proffered the fatal scheme of chaining the ships together lest the flames may not completely destroy them. This sort of mischievous work may have been enough to blind Cao Cao but I saw it all.” Pang Tong became helpless with fear, his three hun flown away, his seven po scattered.

統拜別，至江邊，正欲下船，忽見岸上一人，道袍竹冠，一把扯住統曰：“你好大膽！黃蓋用苦肉計，闞澤下詐降書，你又來獻連環計：只恐燒不盡絕！你們把出這等毒手來，只好瞞曹操，也須瞞我不得！”唬得龐統魂飛魄散。

Say not that the south-east alone can win;
Who says the north-west has no man? Who, after all, was this man? The next chapter will tell.

正是：莫道東南能制勝，誰雲西北獨無人？
畢竟此人是誰，且看下文分解。