Romance, Chapter 85

Chapter 85. The First Ruler Liu Leaves an Edict Entrusting His Orphan; Zhuge Liang Sits at Ease and Quells the Five Armies

Now in the sixth month, in summer, of the second year of Zhangwu, Lu Xun of Eastern Wu dealt the Shu army a crushing defeat at Xiaoting and Yiling. The First Ruler fled back to Baidicheng, where Zhao Yun held the city with his troops. Then Ma Liang arrived. Seeing that the great army had already been defeated, and that regret was now too late, he reported Kongming’s words to the First Ruler. The First Ruler sighed, “Had I listened to the Chancellor’s advice earlier, I would not have come to this defeat today! With what face can I now go back to Chengdu and meet my ministers?”

卻說章武二年夏六月，東吳陸遜大破蜀兵於猇亭彝陵之地；先主奔回白帝城，趙雲引兵據守。忽馬良至，見大軍已敗，懊悔不及，將孔明之言，奏知先主。先主嘆曰：“朕早聽丞相之言，不致今日之敗！今有何面目復回成都見羣臣乎！”

He then issued orders to encamp at Baidicheng and had the post-station lodge renamed Yongan Palace. Word came that Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Fu Tong, Cheng Ji, Shamoke and others had all died in the service of the state, and the First Ruler grieved without end. Then a courtier memorialized, “Huang Quan has taken the troops north of the river and gone over to Wei. Your Majesty should hand his family over to the authorities to be punished.” The First Ruler said, “Huang Quan was cut off on the north bank of the river by the Wu army. He had no road back, and had no choice but to surrender to Wei. It is I who failed Quan, not Quan who failed me. Why punish his family?”

遂傳旨就白帝城駐紮，將館驛改爲永安宮。人報馮習、張南、傅彤，程畿、沙摩柯等皆歿於王事，先主傷感不已。又近臣奏稱：“黃權引江北之兵，降魏去了。陛下可將彼家屬送有司問罪。”先主曰：“黃權被吳兵隔斷在江北岸，欲歸無路，不得已而降魏：是朕負權，非權負朕也，何必罪其家屬？”

And he continued to pay out Huang Quan’s stipend of rice for the support of his family. Meanwhile, when Huang Quan surrendered to Wei, the generals brought him before Cao Pi. Cao Pi said, “In surrendering to me now, do you wish to follow the example of Chen Ping and Han Xin?” Huang Quan wept and memorialized, “I received the favour of the Emperor of Shu, who treated me with exceptional kindness. He put me in command of the armies north of the river, and Lu Xun cut me off. I had no road back to Shu, and I could not surrender to Wu, so I came to give myself up to Your Majesty. For a general of a beaten army it is fortune enough to escape death. How should I dare to follow the example of the ancients?”

仍給祿米以養之。卻說黃權降魏，諸將引見曹丕，丕曰：“卿今降朕，欲追慕於陳、韓耶？”權泣而奏曰：“臣受蜀帝之恩，殊遇甚厚，令臣督諸軍於江北，被陸遜絕斷。臣歸蜀無路，降吳不可，故來投陛下。敗軍之將，免死爲幸，安敢追慕於古人耶！”

Cao Pi was delighted and appointed Huang Quan General Who Guards the South, but Huang Quan firmly declined and would not accept. Then a courtier memorialized, “A spy has come from Shu who says the Ruler of Shu has put Huang Quan’s whole family to death.” Huang Quan said, “The Ruler of Shu and I trusted each other with complete sincerity. He knows my true heart and would never be willing to kill my wife and children.” Cao Pi agreed.

丕大喜，遂拜黃權爲鎮南將軍。權堅辭不受。忽近臣奏曰：“有細作人自蜀中來，說蜀主將黃權家屬盡皆誅戮。”權曰：“臣與蜀主，推誠相信，知臣本心，必不肯殺臣之家小也。”丕然之。

A later poet wrote these lines in reproach of Huang Quan:
He would not yield to Wu, yet yielded to Cao instead;
How can loyalty and duty serve two courts in turn?
Alas that Huang Quan should grudge a single death:
The brush of Ziyang will not lightly let him go.

後人有詩責黃權曰：“降吳不可卻降曹，忠義安能事兩朝？
堪嘆黃權惜一死，紫陽書法不輕饒。
”

Cao Pi asked Jia Xu, “I mean to unite the empire under one rule. Should I take Shu first, or Wu first?” Jia Xu said, “Liu Bei is a man of heroic talent, and he has Zhuge Liang besides, who is skilled at governing a state. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu can tell the real from the false, and Lu Xun now has troops stationed at the strategic points. With the river between us and their fleets upon the lakes, neither can be overcome in haste. As I see it, there is no one among our generals who is a match for Sun Quan or Liu Bei. Even if Your Majesty came against them in your heavenly might, I do not see a situation that promises certain success.

曹丕問賈詡曰：“朕欲一統天下，先取蜀乎？先取吳乎？”詡曰：“劉備雄才，更兼諸葛亮善能治國；東吳孫權，能識虛實，陸遜現屯兵於險要，隔江泛湖，皆難卒謀。以臣觀之，諸將之中，皆無孫權、劉備敵手。雖以陛下天威臨之，亦未見萬全之勢也。

We can only hold our ground and wait for a change in the two states.” Cao Pi said, “I have already sent great armies by three routes against Wu. How can they fail to win?” The Chief Secretary Liu Ye said, “Lu Xun of Eastern Wu has just crushed seven hundred thousand troops of Shu. High and low are of one mind, and they have the barrier of the rivers and lakes besides. They cannot be subdued in haste. Lu Xun is full of stratagems and is sure to be prepared.” Cao Pi said, “Before, you urged me to attack Wu, and now you remonstrate against it. Why?”

只可持守，以待二國之變。”丕曰：“朕已遣三路大兵伐吳，安有不勝之理？”尚書劉曄曰：“近東吳陸遜，新破蜀兵七十萬，上下齊心，更有江湖之阻，不可卒制，陸遜多謀，必有準備。”丕曰：“卿前勸朕伐吳，今又諫阻，何也？”

Liu Ye said, “The times are different. In the past Eastern Wu had been beaten again and again by Shu and its strength was broken, so it could be attacked. Now it has won a complete victory and its fighting spirit is a hundredfold. It must not be attacked.” Cao Pi said, “My mind is made up. Say no more.” He then led the Imperial Guard in person to support the armies on the three routes. Scouts soon reported that Eastern Wu was already prepared: Lü Fan had been sent with troops to hold off Cao Xiu, Zhuge Jin with troops at Nan Commandery to hold off Cao Zhen, and Zhu Huan with troops to guard Ruxu against Cao Ren. Liu Ye said, “Since they are prepared, I fear there is nothing to be gained by going.” Cao Pi would not listen, and set off with his army.

曄曰：“時有不同也。昔東吳累敗於蜀，其勢頓挫，故可擊耳；今既獲全勝，銳氣百倍，未可攻也。”丕曰：“朕意已決，卿勿復言。”遂引御林軍親往接應三路兵馬。早有哨馬報說東吳已有準備：令呂範引兵拒住曹休，諸葛瑾引兵在南郡拒住曹真，朱桓引兵當住濡須以拒曹仁。劉曄曰：“既有準備，去恐無益。”丕不從，引兵而去。

Now the Wu general Zhu Huan was only twenty-seven years old, but he was full of courage and strategy, and Sun Quan was very fond of him. At this time he commanded the army at Ruxu. Hearing that Cao Ren was leading a great army to take Xianxi, Zhu Huan sent off all his troops to defend Xianxi, keeping only five thousand horsemen to guard the city. Suddenly news came that Cao Ren had ordered his senior general Chang Diao, with Zhuge Qian and Wang Shuang, to lead fifty thousand picked troops at speed against the city of Ruxu.

卻說吳將朱桓，年方二十七歲，極有膽略，孫權甚愛之；時督軍於濡須，聞曹仁引大軍去取羨溪，桓遂盡撥軍守把羨溪去了，止留五千騎守城。忽報曹仁令大將常雕同諸葛虔、王雙、引五萬精兵飛奔濡須城來。

The soldiers all looked afraid. Zhu Huan, his hand on his sword, said, “Victory and defeat depend on the general, not on the number of troops. The books of war say: ‘When the invaders are twice as many and the defenders half as many, the defenders can still defeat the invaders.’ Now Cao Ren has trekked a thousand li, and his men and horses are worn out. You and I hold a high-walled city together, with the great river to the south and the mountain heights at our backs to the north. We wait at ease for a tired enemy; we are the hosts, and we master the guests. This is the position that wins a hundred battles out of a hundred.

衆軍皆有懼色。桓按劍而言曰：“勝負在將，不在兵之多寡。兵法雲：客兵倍而主兵半者，主兵尚能勝於客兵。今曹仁千里跋涉，人馬疲睏。吾與汝等共據高城，南臨大江，北背山險，以逸待勞，以主制客：此乃百戰百勝之勢。

Even if Cao Pi came himself, there would be nothing to fear, still less from the likes of Cao Ren!” Then he issued orders for the troops to lower their banners and silence their drums, making it look as though no one were guarding the city.

雖曹丕自來，尚不足憂，況仁等耶！”於是傳令，教衆軍偃旗息鼓，只作無人守把之狀。

Meanwhile the Wei vanguard general Chang Diao came with his picked troops to take the city of Ruxu. Looking at the walls from a distance, he saw no soldiers or horses on them at all. He urged his men forward at speed, and when they were not far from the city a bombard roared and banners sprang up all together. Zhu Huan galloped out, his blade levelled, and made straight for Chang Diao. Before they had fought three bouts, Zhu Huan cut Chang Diao down from his horse with a single stroke. The Wu troops charged on the strength of it and cut their way in, and the Wei army was utterly defeated, with countless dead.

且說魏將先鋒常雕，領精兵來取濡須城，遙望城上並無軍馬。雕催軍急進，離城不遠，一聲炮響，旌旗齊豎。朱桓橫刀飛馬而出，直取常雕。戰不三合，被桓一刀斬常雕於馬下。吳兵乘勢衝殺一陣，魏兵大敗，死者無數。

Zhu Huan won a great victory and took countless banners, weapons and war-horses. Cao Ren came up behind with his army, only for the Wu troops to fall upon him from Xianxi. Cao Ren was badly beaten and retreated. He went back to the Ruler of Wei and reported the defeat in detail. Cao Pi was greatly alarmed. While they were still deliberating, a scout suddenly reported, “Cao Zhen and Xiahou Shang surrounded Nan Commandery, but Lu Xun had troops in ambush inside and Zhuge Jin had troops in ambush outside. Attacked from within and without at once, they were badly defeated.”

朱桓大勝，得了無數旌旗軍器戰馬。曹仁領兵隨後到來，卻被吳兵從羨溪殺出。曹仁大敗而退，回見魏主，細奏大敗之事。丕大驚。正議之間，忽探馬報：“曹真、夏侯尚圍了南郡，被陸遜伏兵於內，諸葛瑾伏兵於外，內外夾攻，因此大敗。”

Before he had finished, another scout reported, “Cao Xiu has also been routed by Lü Fan.” When Cao Pi learned that all three armies had been defeated, he sighed heavily and said, “I did not listen to Jia Xu and Liu Ye, and this defeat is the result!” It was summer, and a great pestilence was raging; six or seven in ten of his horse and foot died. So he led the army back to Luoyang. From this time on Wu and Wei were at odds.

言未畢，忽探馬又報：“曹休亦被呂範殺敗。”丕聽知三路兵敗，乃喟然嘆曰：“朕不聽賈詡、劉曄之言，果有此敗！”時值夏天，大疫流行，馬步軍十死六七，遂引軍回洛陽。吳、魏自此不和。

Now the First Ruler had fallen ill in Yongan Palace and could not rise from his bed, and he grew steadily worse. By the fourth month of summer in the third year of Zhangwu, he knew that the sickness had entered his limbs. He wept, too, for his two brothers Guan and Zhang, and his illness grew deeper still, until his eyes were dim and blurred. He could not bear the sight of his attendants, so he drove them all away and lay alone on the dragon couch. Suddenly a cold, eerie wind sprang up and set the lamp flickering; it went out and then flared up again, and in the lamp’s shadow he saw two men standing in attendance.

卻說先主在永安宮，染病不起，漸漸沉重，至章武三年夏四月，先主自知病入四肢，又哭關、張二弟，其病癒深：兩目昏花。厭見侍從之人，乃叱退左右，獨臥於龍榻之上。忽然陰風驟起，將燈吹搖，滅而復明，只見燈影之下，二人侍立。

The First Ruler said angrily, “My mind is troubled. I told you to leave me; why have you come back?” He shouted at them, but they did not go. The First Ruler rose to look: the one in the upper place was Yunchang, and the one in the lower place was Yide. The First Ruler said in great astonishment, “So you are still alive, my brothers?” Yunchang said, “We are not men but ghosts. Because the two of us never failed in good faith and loyalty all our lives, the Supreme Lord has decreed that we both be made gods. The day when elder brother will be reunited with his younger brothers is not far off.”

先主怒曰：“朕心緒不寧，教汝等且退，何故又來！”叱之不退。先主起而視之，上首乃雲長，下首乃翼德也。先主大驚曰：“二弟原來尚在？”雲長曰：“臣等非人，乃鬼也。上帝以臣二人平生不失信義，皆敕命爲神。哥哥與兄弟聚會不遠矣。”

The First Ruler clung to them and wept aloud. Then he woke with a start, and his two brothers were gone. He called his attendants at once and asked the hour: it was just the third watch. The First Ruler sighed, “I shall not be long in this world!” He sent a messenger to Chengdu summoning the Chancellor Zhuge Liang, the Director of the Masters of Writing Li Yan and others to come to Yongan Palace with all speed, travelling by night, to receive his last commands. Kongming and the others came to Yongan Palace with the First Ruler’s second son Liu Yong, Prince of Lu, and Liu Li, Prince of Liang, to see the Emperor, leaving the Heir Apparent Liu Shan to guard Chengdu.

先主扯定大哭。忽然驚覺，二弟不見。即喚從人問之，時正三更。先主嘆曰：“朕不久於人世矣！”遂遣使往成都，請丞相諸葛亮，尚書令李嚴等，星夜來永安宮，聽受遺命。孔明等與先主次子魯王劉永、梁王劉理，來永安宮見帝，留太子劉禪守成都。

When Kongming arrived at Yongan Palace and saw how gravely ill the First Ruler was, he hastily prostrated himself at the foot of the dragon couch. The First Ruler gave orders for Kongming to be seated beside the couch, and stroking his back he said, “Since I gained you, Chancellor, I have had the good fortune to found an imperial line. Who would have thought that, shallow and ignorant as I was, I would reject your advice and bring defeat upon myself? Remorse has turned to sickness, and I may die any day. My heir is weak, and I have no choice but to entrust the great cause to you.”

且說孔明到永安宮，見先主病危，慌忙拜伏於龍榻之下。先主傳旨，請孔明坐於龍榻之側。撫其背曰：“朕自得丞相，幸成帝業；何期智識淺陋，不納丞相之言，自取其敗。悔恨成疾，死在旦夕。嗣子孱弱，不得不以大事相托。”

When he had finished, tears streamed down his face. Kongming too wept and said, “I pray Your Majesty will take good care of your sacred person, and so fulfil the hopes of the empire!” The First Ruler cast his eyes around the room and saw only Ma Su, Ma Liang’s younger brother, at his side. He told him to withdraw for a while. When Ma Su had gone out, the First Ruler said to Kongming, “What do you think of Ma Su’s abilities, Chancellor?” Kongming said, “He too is one of the outstanding talents of the age.” The First Ruler said, “Not so.

言訖，淚流滿面。孔明亦涕泣曰：“願陛下善保龍體，以副天下之望！”先主以目遍視，只見馬良之弟馬謖在傍，先主令且退。謖退出，先主謂孔明曰：“丞相觀馬謖之才何如？”孔明曰：“此人亦當世之英才也。”先主曰：“不然。

I have observed that this man’s words go beyond his real abilities. He should not be given great responsibility. You must watch him closely, Chancellor.” Having given this charge, he sent for his ministers to enter the hall, called for paper and brush, wrote his last edict and handed it to Kongming, sighing, “I am no scholar, and know only the broad outlines of things. The sage said: ‘When a bird is about to die, its cry is mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are good.’ I had hoped to destroy the traitor Cao together with you all and uphold the House of Han, but by misfortune I must part from you halfway.

朕觀此人，言過其實，不可大用。丞相宜深察之。”分付畢，傳旨召諸臣入殿，取紙筆寫了遺詔，遞與孔明而嘆曰：“朕不讀書，粗知大略。聖人云：鳥之將死，其鳴也哀；人之將死，其言也善。朕本待與卿等同滅曹賊，共扶漢室；不幸中道而別。

I trouble you, Chancellor, to give this edict to the Heir Apparent Shan, and tell him not to take it as ordinary words. In all things I hope you will instruct him!” Kongming and the others wept and bowed to the ground, saying, “We pray Your Majesty will rest and care for your sacred person! We will exert ourselves like dogs and horses to repay Your Majesty’s kindness in recognizing us.” The First Ruler ordered his attendants to raise Kongming up. Covering his tears with one hand and holding Kongming’s hand with the other, he said, “I am dying now, and I have words from my heart to tell you!”

煩丞相將詔付與太子禪，令勿以爲常言。凡事更望丞相教之！”孔明等泣拜於地曰：“願陛下將息龍體！臣等盡施犬馬之勞，以報陛下知遇之恩也。”先主命內侍扶起孔明，一手掩淚，一手執其手，曰：“朕今死矣，有心腹之言相告！”

Kongming said, “What is Your Majesty’s command?” The First Ruler wept and said, “Your talents are ten times those of Cao Pi. You will surely bring peace and order to the state and in the end accomplish the great task. If my heir is worth assisting, then assist him; but if he proves to have no talent, you should make yourself lord of Chengdu.” When Kongming heard this, sweat poured from his whole body and he did not know what to do with his hands and feet. He wept and bowed to the ground, saying, “How could I dare do other than exert all my strength as your arm and leg, keep faith with loyalty and devotion, and carry on until death!”

孔明曰：“有何聖諭！”先主泣曰：“君才十倍曹丕，必能安邦定國，終定大事。若嗣子可輔，則輔之；如其不才，君可自爲成都之主。”孔明聽畢，汗流遍體，手足失措，泣拜於地曰：“臣安敢不竭股肱之力，盡忠貞之節，繼之以死乎！”

When he had finished, he knocked his head on the ground until the blood flowed. The First Ruler again asked Kongming to sit on the couch, and called Liu Yong, Prince of Lu, and Liu Li, Prince of Liang, to come close. He charged them, “Remember my words, all of you: after I am gone, you three brothers are to serve the Chancellor as your father, and never be remiss.” Having said this, he ordered the two princes to bow together to Kongming. When they had bowed, Kongming said, “Though my brains and liver be spilled upon the ground, how could I ever repay the kindness of your recognition!”

言訖，叩頭流血。先主又請孔明坐於榻上，喚魯王劉永、梁王劉理近前，分付曰：“爾等皆記朕言：朕亡之後，爾兄弟三人，皆以父事丞相，不可怠慢。”言罷，遂命二王同拜孔明。二王拜畢，孔明曰：“臣雖肝腦塗地，安能報知遇之恩也！”

The First Ruler said to the officials, “I have entrusted my orphan to the Chancellor and bidden my heir serve him as a father. None of you may be remiss and fail my hopes.” Then he charged Zhao Yun, “You and I have followed each other through trouble and danger until today. I never thought we would part in this place. Remember our old friendship and watch over my son morning and evening. Do not fail my words.” Zhao Yun wept and bowed: “How dare I not exert myself like a dog or a horse!”

先主謂衆官曰：“朕已託孤於丞相，令嗣子以父事之。卿等俱不可怠慢，以負朕望。”又囑趙雲曰：“朕與卿於患難之中，相從到今，不想於此地分別。卿可想朕故交，早晚看覷吾子，勿負朕言。”雲泣拜曰：“臣敢不效犬馬之勞！”

The First Ruler said again to the officials, “I cannot give each of you his charge one by one. I hope you will all take care of yourselves.” When he had finished speaking, he died, at the age of sixty-three. It was the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month, in summer, of the third year of Zhangwu. Later Du Fu of the Ministry of Works

先主又謂衆官曰：“卿等衆官，朕不能一一分囑，願皆自愛。”言畢，駕崩，壽六十三歲。時章武三年夏四月二十四日也。後杜工部

wrote this poem in lament:
The Ruler of Shu, with eyes on Wu, set out for the Three Gorges;
In the year of his death he was still at Yongan Palace.
His kingfisher banners one can only imagine beyond the empty hills;
His jade halls have vanished into a temple in the wilds.
In the firs and pines of the old shrine the water-cranes nest;
At the summer and winter festivals the village elders come.
The Martial Marquis’s shrine has long stood close beside;
Ruler and minister, as one body, share the same offerings.

有詩嘆曰：“蜀主窺吳向三峽，崩年亦在永安宮。
翠華想像空山外，玉殿虛無野寺中。
古廟杉松巢水鶴，歲時伏臘走村翁。
武侯祠屋長鄰近，一體君臣祭祀同。
”

When the First Ruler died, there was no one among the officials, civil or military, who did not grieve. Kongming led the officials in escorting the imperial coffin back to Chengdu. The Heir Apparent Liu Shan came out of the city to meet the bier and had it laid in the main hall. When the rites of mourning were over, the last edict was opened and read. It said: “When I first fell ill it was no more than dysentery, but afterwards other ailments arose, and I can hardly recover. I have heard that a man who reaches fifty cannot be said to have died young. I am now over sixty; what regret should I have in dying?

先主駕崩，文武官僚，無不哀痛。孔明率衆官奉梓宮還成都。太子劉禪出城迎接靈柩，安於正殿之內。舉哀行禮畢，開讀遺詔。詔曰：“朕初得疾，但下痢耳；後轉生雜病，殆不自濟。朕聞人年五十，不稱夭壽。今朕年六十有餘，死復何恨？

My only concern is for you brothers. Strive! Strive! Do no evil because it is small; leave no good undone because it is small. Only worth and virtue can win men’s submission. Your father’s virtue was slight and not worth imitating. When you work with the Chancellor, serve him as a father. Do not be remiss! Do not forget! You brothers must seek further to make your names known. This is my earnest charge! My earnest charge!” When the ministers had finished reading the edict, Kongming said, “A state cannot be without a ruler for a single day. I ask that the heir be enthroned to carry on the line of Han.”

但以卿兄弟爲念耳。勉之！勉之！勿以惡小而爲之，勿以善小而不爲。惟賢惟德，可以服人；卿父德薄，不足效也。卿與丞相從事，事之如父，勿怠！勿忘！卿兄弟更求聞達。至囑！至囑！”羣臣讀詔已畢。孔明曰：“國不可一日無君，請立嗣君，以承漢統。”

Thereupon the Heir Apparent Shan was set on the imperial throne, and the reign title was changed to Jianxing. Zhuge Liang was given the added title of Marquis of Wuxiang and made Imperial Protector of Yizhou. The First Ruler was buried in the Hui Mausoleum and given the posthumous title Emperor Zhaolie. The Empress, Lady Wu, was honoured as Empress Dowager; Lady Gan was posthumously named Empress Zhaolie, and Lady Mi too was posthumously named Empress. The ministers were promoted and rewarded, and a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the empire. The Wei army soon learned of this and sent word to the Central Plains.

乃立太子禪即皇帝位，改元建興。加諸葛亮爲武鄉侯，領益州牧。葬先主於惠陵，諡曰昭烈皇帝。尊皇后吳氏爲皇太后；諡甘夫人爲昭烈皇后，糜夫人亦追諡爲皇后。升賞羣臣，大赦天下。早有魏軍探知此事，報入中原。

A courtier reported it to the Ruler of Wei. Cao Pi was delighted and said, “Liu Bei is dead, and I have nothing more to worry about. Why not take advantage of his kingdom having no master, and raise an army to attack it?” Jia Xu remonstrated, “Though Liu Bei is dead, he will certainly have entrusted his orphan to Zhuge Liang. Grateful for Liu Bei’s kindness in recognizing him, Zhuge Liang will surely give his whole heart and strength to supporting the heir. Your Majesty must not attack in haste.” As he was speaking, a man suddenly strode out from the ranks and said, “If we do not advance now, what better time are we waiting for?”

近臣奏知魏主。曹丕大喜曰：“劉備已亡，朕無憂矣。何不乘其國中無主，起兵伐之？”賈詡諫曰：“劉備雖亡，必託孤於諸葛亮。亮感備知遇之恩，必傾心竭力，扶持嗣主。陛下不可倉卒伐之。”正言間，忽一人從班部中奮然而出曰：“不乘此時進兵，更待何時？”

They all looked: it was Sima Yi. Cao Pi was delighted and asked him for a plan. Sima Yi said, “If we raise only the troops of the Central States, it will be hard to win quickly. We must use great armies on five routes and attack from all four sides, so that Zhuge Liang cannot bring help from head to tail. Only then can we succeed.” When Cao Pi asked what the five routes were, Sima Yi said, “We can write a letter and send an envoy to the Xianbei kingdom in Liaodong, to see its king Kebineng. Bribe him with gold and silk and have him raise a hundred thousand Qiang troops of Liaoxi to take Xiping Pass first by the overland road. That is the first route.

衆視之，乃司馬懿也。丕大喜，遂問計於懿。懿曰：“若只起中國之兵，急難取勝。須用五路大兵，四面夾攻，令諸葛亮首尾不能救應，然後可圖。”丕問何五路，懿曰：“可修書一封，差使往遼東鮮卑國，見國王軻比能，賂以金帛，令起遼西羌兵十萬，先從旱路取西平關：此一路也。

Next, write another letter and send an envoy with patents of office and gifts straight into the land of the Nanman, to see Meng Huo, the Man king. Have him raise a hundred thousand troops to attack the four commanderies of Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangke and Yuexi, and so strike at the south of Xichuan. That is the second route. Next, send an envoy to Wu to make friends, promising a grant of territory, and have Sun Quan raise a hundred thousand troops to attack the Gorge Mouth of the two Chuan and go straight for Fucheng. That is the third route. Then send an envoy to the surrendered general Meng Da to raise a hundred thousand troops of Shangyong and march west against Hanzhong. That is the fourth route.

再修書遣使齎官誥賞賜，直入南蠻，見蠻王孟獲，令起兵十萬，攻打益州、永昌、牂牁、越嶲四郡，以擊西川之南：此二路也。再遣使入吳修好，許以割地，令孫權起兵十萬，攻兩川峽口，徑取涪城：此三路也。又可差使至降將孟達處，起上庸兵十萬，西攻漢中：此四路也。

After that, appoint the Grand General Cao Zhen Commander-in-Chief and have him lead a hundred thousand troops from Jingzhao straight out through Yangping Pass to take Xichuan. That is the fifth route. With great armies totalling five hundred thousand advancing together on five routes, even if Zhuge Liang had the talents of Lü Wang, how could he withstand them?” Cao Pi was delighted, and at once secretly sent four eloquent officials as envoys. He also appointed Cao Zhen Commander-in-Chief to lead a hundred thousand troops straight for Yangping Pass.

然後命大將軍曹真爲大都督，提兵十萬，由京兆徑出陽平關取西川；此五路也。共大兵五十萬，五路並進，諸葛亮便有呂望之才，安能當此乎？”丕大喜，隨即密遣能言官四員爲使前去；又命曹真爲大都督，領兵十萬，徑取陽平關。

At this time Zhang Liao and the other veteran generals had all been made marquises and were stationed in the provinces of Ji, Xu and Qing, at Hefei and other places, guarding the passes, fords and strongholds, so they were not called up again. Meanwhile, since Liu Shan, the Latter Ruler of Shu-Han, had come to the throne, many of the old ministers had died of illness; there is no telling of them in detail. All matters of the court, the selection of officials, money and grain, lawsuits and the like, were left to the judgment of Chancellor Zhuge. At that time the Latter Ruler had not yet named an Empress, and Kongming and the ministers submitted a proposal: “The daughter of the late General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Fei is very virtuous and is seventeen years old. She would be fit to be taken as Empress of the principal palace.” The Latter Ruler took her as his consort at once.

此時張遼等一班舊將，皆封列侯、俱在冀、徐、青及合淝等處，據守關津隘口，故不復調用。卻說蜀漢後主劉禪，自即位以來，舊臣多有病亡者，不能細說。凡一應朝廷選法，錢糧、詞訟等事，皆聽諸葛丞相裁處。時後主未立皇后，孔明與羣臣上言曰：“故車騎將軍張飛之女甚賢，年十七歲，可納爲正宮皇后。”後主即納之。

In the eighth month, in autumn, of the first year of Jianxing, an urgent report suddenly came from the frontier: “Wei has mobilized great armies on five routes to take Xichuan. On the first route, Cao Zhen as Commander-in-Chief has raised a hundred thousand troops to take Yangping Pass. On the second, the rebel general Meng Da has raised a hundred thousand troops of Shangyong to invade Hanzhong. On the third, Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has raised a hundred thousand picked troops to take the Gorge Mouth and enter the Chuan. On the fourth, Meng Huo, the Man king, has raised a hundred thousand Man troops to invade the four commanderies of Yizhou. On the fifth, Kebineng, the barbarian king, has raised a hundred thousand Qiang troops to invade Xiping Pass.

建興元年秋八月，忽有邊報說：“魏調五路大兵，來取西川；第一路，曹真爲大都督，起兵十萬，取陽平關；第二路，乃反將孟達，起上庸兵十萬，犯漢中；第三路，乃東吳孫權，起精兵十萬，取峽口入川；第四路，乃蠻王孟獲，起蠻兵十萬，犯益州四郡；第五路，乃番王軻比能，起羌兵十萬，犯西平關。

These armies on the five routes are very formidable.” The Chancellor had already been informed, but for some reason he had not come out to attend to affairs for several days. The Latter Ruler was greatly alarmed at the news and at once sent an attendant with a decree summoning Kongming to court. The messenger was gone half a day and came back to report, “The servants at the Chancellor’s residence say the Chancellor is ill and cannot come out.” The Latter Ruler grew more alarmed still. Next day he sent the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Dong Yun and the Grand Counsellor Du Qiong to the Chancellor’s bedside to tell him of this grave matter.

此五路軍馬，甚是利害。”已先報知丞相，丞相不知爲何，數日不出視事。後主聽罷大驚，即差近侍齎旨，宣召孔明入朝。使命去了半日，回報：“丞相府下人言，丞相染病不出。”後主轉慌；次日，又命黃門侍郎董允、諫議大夫杜瓊，去丞相臥榻前，告此大事。

When Dong Yun and Du Qiong reached the gate of the Chancellor’s residence, they were not allowed in. Du Qiong said, “The late Emperor entrusted his orphan to the Chancellor. Now our sovereign has only just ascended the precious throne, Cao Pi’s armies are invading our borders on five routes, and the military situation is most urgent. Why does the Chancellor plead illness and stay indoors?” After a long while the gatekeeper passed on the Chancellor’s word: “I am a little better. Tomorrow morning I will come out to the council hall to discuss affairs.” Dong and Du sighed and went back. Next day many officials again came to wait at the Chancellor’s gate.

董、杜二人到丞相府前，皆不得入。杜瓊曰：“先帝託孤於丞相，今主上初登寶位，被曹丕五路兵犯境，軍情至急，丞相何故推病不出？”良久，門吏傳丞相令，言：“病體稍可，明早出都堂議事。”董、杜二人嘆息而回。次日，多官又來丞相府前伺候。

From morning to evening they waited, but again he did not appear. The officials, uneasy and at a loss, had no choice but to disperse. Du Qiong went in and memorialized the Latter Ruler, “I beg Your Majesty to go in person to the Chancellor’s residence and ask him for a plan.” The Latter Ruler at once led the officials into the palace and informed the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was greatly alarmed and said, “Why is the Chancellor behaving like this? He is failing the trust the late Emperor placed in him! I will go myself.” Dong Yun memorialized, “Your Majesty should not go lightly.

從早至晚，又不見出。多官惶惶，只得散去。杜瓊入奏後主曰：“請陛下聖駕，親往丞相府問計。”後主即引多官入宮，啓奏皇太后。太后大驚，曰：“丞相何故如此？有負先帝委託之意也！我當自往。”董允奏曰：“娘娘未可輕往。

I believe the Chancellor must have some lofty and far-seeing plan. Let our sovereign go first. If he proves to be negligent, it will not be too late for Your Majesty to summon him to the Ancestral Temple and question him then.” The Empress Dowager agreed.

臣料丞相必有高明之見。且待主上先往。如果怠慢，請娘娘於太廟中，召丞相問之未遲。”太后依奏。

Next day the Latter Ruler went in his carriage to the Chancellor’s residence himself. When the gatekeeper saw the imperial carriage arrive, he hastily prostrated himself on the ground to welcome it. The Latter Ruler asked, “Where is the Chancellor?” The gatekeeper said, “I do not know where he is. I have only the Chancellor’s order to keep all the officials out and let no one in on any account.” The Latter Ruler got down from his carriage and went on foot, alone, through the third gate. There he saw Kongming, leaning alone on a bamboo staff, watching the fish beside a little pond.

次日，後主車駕親至相府。門吏見駕到，慌忙拜伏於地而迎。後主問曰：“丞相在何處？”門吏曰：“不知在何處。只有丞相鈞旨，教擋住百官，勿得輒入。”後主乃下車步行，獨進第三重門，見孔明獨倚竹杖，在小池邊觀魚。

The Latter Ruler stood behind him for a long while, then said slowly, “Is the Chancellor well and happy?” Kongming turned round, and seeing that it was the Latter Ruler, he hastily threw aside his staff and prostrated himself, saying, “I deserve ten thousand deaths!” The Latter Ruler raised him up and asked, “Cao Pi has now divided his forces along five routes, and they are pressing hard on our borders. Why will you not come out of your residence and attend to affairs, Father Chancellor?” Kongming laughed heartily, helped the Latter Ruler into an inner room, and when they were seated he said, “How could I not know that armies were coming on five routes? I was not watching the fish; I was thinking.”

後主在後立久，乃徐徐而言曰：“丞相安樂否？”孔明回顧，見是後主，慌忙棄杖，拜伏於地曰：“臣該萬死！”後主扶起，問曰：“今曹丕分兵五路，犯境甚急，相父緣何不肯出府視事？”孔明大笑，扶後主入內室坐定，奏曰：“五路兵至，臣安得不知，臣非觀魚，有所思也。”

The Latter Ruler said, “What is to be done?” Kongming said, “Kebineng, the Qiang king; Meng Huo, the Man king; the rebel general Meng Da; and the Wei general Cao Zhen: the armies on these four routes I have already driven back. Only Sun Quan’s army on the remaining route is left. I already have a plan to repel it, but I need an eloquent man to go as envoy. As I have not yet found such a man, I have been thinking it over carefully. Why should Your Majesty worry?”

後主曰：“如之奈何？”孔明曰：“羌王軻比能，蠻王孟獲，反將孟達，魏將曹真；此四路兵，臣已皆退去了也。止有孫權這一路兵，臣已有退之之計，但須一能言之人爲使。因未得其人，故熟思之。陛下何必憂乎？”

When the Latter Ruler had heard this, he was both astonished and delighted, and said, “Father Chancellor, you truly have the resourcefulness of the gods, beyond all reckoning! I would like to hear your plan for driving back the enemy.” Kongming said, “The late Emperor entrusted Your Majesty to me. How could I dare be negligent for a single day? None of the officials in Chengdu understand the subtlety of the art of war, whose value lies in keeping others from guessing your plans. How could I let the secret out? I knew beforehand that Kebineng, king of the Western Fan, would lead his troops against Xiping Pass. Reckoning that Ma Chao’s family had for generations been people of Xichuan and that he had long won the hearts of the Qiang, who regard him as the Heavenly General of Divine Might, I had already sent a man riding day and night with a dispatch ordering Ma Chao to hold Xiping Pass firmly, lay surprise forces in ambush at four places, relieve them each day, and hold off the enemy with them. We need not worry about this route.

後主聽罷，又驚又喜，曰：“相父果有鬼神不測之機也！願聞退兵之策。”孔明曰：“先帝以陛下付託與臣，臣安敢旦夕怠慢。成都衆官，皆不曉兵法之妙，貴在使人不測，豈可泄漏於人？老臣先知西番國王軻比能，引兵犯西平關；臣料馬超積祖西川人氏，素得羌人之心，羌人以超爲神威天將軍，臣已先遣一人，星夜馳檄，令馬超緊守西平關，伏四路奇兵，每日交換，以兵拒之：此一路不必憂矣。

Then, as for Meng Huo of the Nanman invading the four commanderies with his army, I sent a dispatch in haste ordering Wei Yan to take a force and march out on the left and back in on the right, out on the right and back in on the left, as a ruse with decoy troops. The Man troops rely only on brute courage, and they are suspicious by nature. When they see the decoy troops, they will not dare advance. So there is no need to worry about this route either. Then I knew that Meng Da would lead his troops out against Hanzhong. Meng Da and Li Yan once swore a friendship unto death. When I returned to Chengdu I left Li Yan to guard Yongan Palace, and I have already written a letter made to look as though it were in Li Yan’s own hand and had it delivered to Meng Da. Meng Da is sure to plead illness and stay put, and so slacken his army’s spirit. So there is no need to worry about this route either.

又南蠻孟獲，兵犯四郡，臣亦飛檄遣魏延領一軍左出右入，右出左入，爲疑兵之計：蠻兵惟憑勇力，其心多疑，若見疑兵，必不敢進：此一路又不足憂矣。又知孟達引兵出漢中；達與李嚴曾結生死之交；臣回成都時，留李嚴守永安宮；臣已作一書、只做李嚴親筆，令人送與孟達；達必然推病不出，以慢軍心：此一路又不足憂矣。

I also knew that Cao Zhen would lead his troops against Yangping Pass. The terrain there is steep and can be held, so I have already sent Zhao Yun with a force to guard the pass and on no account go out to fight. When Cao Zhen sees that our army will not come out, he will soon withdraw of his own accord. So the armies on these four routes are nothing to worry about. Still fearing that I could not be sure of holding everything, I also secretly sent the two generals Guan Xing and Zhang Bao, each with thirty thousand troops, to camp at key points, ready to go to the aid of any route.

又知曹真引兵犯陽平關；此地險峻，可以保守，臣已調趙雲引一軍守把關隘，並不出戰；曹真若見我軍不出，不久自退矣。此四路兵俱不足憂。臣尚恐不能全保，又密調關興、張苞二將，各引兵三萬，屯於緊要之處，爲各路救應。

None of these dispatches to the various places went through Chengdu, which is why no one knew of them. As for the army of Eastern Wu on the remaining route, it will not necessarily move at once. If it sees the four other armies winning and the Chuan in danger, it will certainly come to attack us; but if the four routes fail, why would it move? I reckon that Sun Quan still resents Cao Pi’s invasion of Wu on three routes and will not be willing to do what he asks. Even so, we must send a man with a persuasive tongue straight to Eastern Wu to talk to them in terms of gain and loss, and so turn back Eastern Wu first. Then what is there to fear from the armies on the other four routes?

此數處調遣之事，皆不曾經由成都，故無人知覺。只有東吳這一路兵，未必便動：如見四路兵勝，川中危急，必來相攻；若四路不濟，安肯動乎？臣料孫權想曹丕三路侵吳之怨，必不肯從其言。雖然如此，須用一舌辯之士，徑往東吳，以利害說之，則先退東吳；其四路之兵，何足憂乎？

But I have not yet found the man to persuade Wu, and that is why I hesitated. Why should Your Majesty have troubled to come in person?” The Latter Ruler said, “The Empress Dowager also wished to come and see you, Father Chancellor. Now that I have heard your words, it is as though I had just woken from a dream. What more is there to worry about?”

但未得說吳之人，臣故躊躇。何勞陛下聖駕來臨？”後主曰：“太后亦欲來見相父。今朕聞相父之言，如夢初覺。復何憂哉！”

Kongming and the Latter Ruler drank several cups of wine together, and then he saw the Latter Ruler out of the residence. The officials were all standing in a ring outside the gate, and they saw that the Latter Ruler’s face was full of joy. The Latter Ruler took leave of Kongming, mounted his carriage and returned to court. The officials were all puzzled and uncertain. Kongming noticed one man among them who looked up at the sky and laughed, his face too full of joy. Kongming looked at him: it was a man of Xinye in Yiyang, surnamed Deng, named Zhi, styled Bomiao, who was then Minister of Revenue, a descendant of Deng Yu, Marshal of the Han.

孔明與後主共飲數杯，送後主出府。衆官皆環立於門外，見後主面有喜色。後主別了孔明，上御車回朝。衆皆疑惑不定。孔明見衆官中，一人仰天而笑，面亦有喜色。孔明視之，乃義陽新野人，姓鄧，名芝，字伯苗，現爲戶部尚書；漢司馬鄧禹之後。

Kongming secretly had someone detain Deng Zhi. When the officials had all dispersed, Kongming invited Deng Zhi into his study and asked him, “Now Shu, Wei and Wu divide the land into three kingdoms like the legs of a tripod. If we wish to conquer the other two, unify the realm and restore the dynasty, which kingdom should we attack first?” Deng Zhi said, “In my humble opinion, Wei, though a traitor to Han, is very powerful and hard to shake in haste; it must be worked against slowly and patiently. Our sovereign has just ascended the precious throne and the people’s hearts are not yet settled. We should ally with Eastern Wu, bind ourselves together like lips and teeth, and wash away once and for all the late Emperor’s old grievance. That is the plan for the long term.

孔明暗令人留住鄧芝。多官皆散，孔明請芝到書院中，問芝曰：“今蜀、魏、吳鼎分三國，欲討二國，一統中興，當先伐何國？”芝曰：“以愚意論之：魏雖漢賊，其勢甚大，急難搖動，當徐徐緩圖；今主上初登寶位，民心未安，當與東吳連合，結爲脣齒，一洗先帝舊怨，此乃長久之計也。

I do not know what the Chancellor thinks.” Kongming laughed heartily and said, “I have been thinking of this for a long time, but had not found the right man. Today at last I have found him!” Deng Zhi said, “What does the Chancellor want the man for?” Kongming said, “I want to send someone to make an alliance with Eastern Wu. Since you understand this so clearly, you will surely not disgrace your sovereign’s commission. The mission to Wu can be entrusted to no one but you.” Deng Zhi said, “My talents are meagre and my wisdom shallow. I fear I am not equal to the task.”

未審丞相鈞意若何？”孔明大笑曰：“吾思之久矣，奈未得其人。今日方得也！”芝曰：“丞相欲其人何爲？”孔明曰：“吾欲使人往結東吳。公既能明此意，必能不辱君命。使吳之任，非公不可。”芝曰：“愚才疏智淺，恐不堪當此任。”

Kongming said, “Tomorrow I will report to the Son of Heaven and ask you, Bomiao, to make the journey. On no account refuse.” Deng Zhi agreed and withdrew. Next day Kongming obtained the Latter Ruler’s approval and sent Deng Zhi to persuade Eastern Wu. Deng Zhi took his leave and set out for Eastern Wu.

孔明曰：“吾來日奏知天子，便請伯苗一行，切勿推辭。”芝應允而退。至次日，孔明奏準後主，差鄧芝往說東吳。芝拜辭，望東吳而來。

Indeed:
The men of Wu had only just seen the clash of arms subside,
When an envoy from Shu came again bearing jade and silk.
How Deng Zhi fared on this mission will be told in the next chapter.

正是：吳人方見干戈息，蜀使還將玉帛通。
未知鄧芝此去若何，且看下文分解。