Romance, Chapter 57

Chapter 57. “Sleeping Dragon” Mourns at Chaisang: “Phoenix Fledgeling” Intervenes at Leiyang

In the last chapter it was said that a sudden rage filled the bosom of Zhou Yu and he fell to the ground. Then he was carried to his boat. It only added to his rage and mortification to be told that Xuande and Kongming could be seen on the top of the hill in front, drinking and making merry. He lay grinding his teeth with vexation. “They say I shall never be able to get Xichuan! But I will; I swear I will.” Just then it was reported that Sun Yu, brother of the Marquis of Wu, had come. Zhou Yu received him and told him all that had happened. “My brother sent me to assist you,” said Sun Yu.

卻說周瑜怒氣填胸，墜於馬下，左右急救歸船。軍士傳說：“玄德、孔明在前山頂上飲酒取樂。”瑜大怒，咬牙切齒曰：“你道我取不得西川，吾誓取之！”正恨間，人報吳侯遣弟孫瑜到。周瑜接入。具言其事。孫瑜曰：“吾奉兄命來助都督。”

Zhou Yu ordered the army to press forward and they got to Baqiu. There the scouts reported that Liu Feng and Guan Ping with their forces were barring the river route upstream. This made Zhou Yu angrier than ever. Then came a messenger with a letter from Kongming. Zhou Yu opened it and read:—“Zhuge Liang, Director of Strategy and General of the Household of Han, to Master Gongjin, Grand Commander of Eastern Wu. Since our parting at Chaisang I have thought of you often and cannot forget you.

遂令催軍前行。行至巴丘，人報上流有劉封、關平二人領軍截住水路。周瑜愈怒。忽又報孔明遣人送書至。周瑜拆封視之。書曰：“漢軍師中郎將諸葛亮，致書於東吳大都督公瑾先生麾下：亮自柴桑一別，至今戀戀不忘。

Now comes to me a report that you desire to take Xichuan, which I venture to think impossible. The people of Yizhou are strong and the country is precipitous and defensible. Liu Zhang may be dull and weak, but he is strong enough to defend himself. Now indeed, General, you would go far and you would render great services, yet can any one foretell the final result? No; not even Wu Qi the great General could say for certain, nor could Sun Wu be sure of a successful issue. Cao Cao suffered severe defeat at Red Cliffs; think you he will ever cease to hope for revenge? Now if you undertake a long expedition, will he not seize the occasion to fall upon Jiangnan and grind it to powder?

聞足下欲取西川，亮竊以爲不可。益州民強地險，劉璋雖闇弱，足以自守。今勞師遠征，轉運萬里，欲收全功，雖吳起不能定其規，孫武不能善其後也。曹操失利於赤壁，志豈須臾忘報仇哉？今足下興兵遠征，倘操乘虛而至，江南齏粉矣！

I cannot bear to sit by and watch, and so I venture to warn you. I hope you may condescend to regard it.” The letter made Zhou Yu feel very sorrowful and he sighed deeply. He called for paper and a pen and wrote to the Marquis Wu and, having done this, he said to his assembled officers, “I have honestly tried to do my best for my country but my end is at hand. The number of my days is accomplished. You must continue to aid our master till his end shall be achieved——” He stopped; for he had swooned. Slowly he regained consciousness and as he looked up to heaven he sighed heavily, “O God, since thou madest me; why didst thou also create Liang?”

亮不忍坐視，特此告知。幸垂照鑑。”周瑜覽畢，長嘆一聲，喚左右取紙筆作書上吳侯。乃聚衆將曰：“吾非不欲盡忠報國，奈天命已絕矣。汝等善事吳侯，共成大業。”言訖，昏絕。徐徐又醒，仰天長嘆曰：“既生瑜，何生亮！”

He cried out thus several times and passed away; he was only thirty-six.

連叫數聲而亡。壽三十六歲。

The battle at Red Cliffs made him famous;
Though young in years he gained a veteran’s reputation.
Deep feeling, his music declared its intensity;
Subtle, with excess hospitality he foiled a plot;
Persuasive, he once obtained a large gift of grain;
Capable, he led an army of millions.
Baqiu was his deathbed, there his fate met him.
Sadly indeed they mourned him. Zhou Yu’s coffin rested at Baqiu, and his captains sent his sealed memorial in haste to Sun Quan, who was most deeply affected and wept aloud at the sad tidings of his death. When he opened the letters he saw that Lu Su was named as the dead general’s successor.

後人有詩嘆曰：“赤壁遺雄烈，青年有俊聲。
絃歌知雅意，杯酒謝良朋，曾謁三千斛，常驅十萬兵。
巴丘終命處，憑弔欲傷情。
”周瑜停喪於巴丘。
衆將將所遺書緘，遣人飛報孫權。
權聞瑜死，放聲大哭。
拆視其書，乃薦魯肅以自代也。

This is the letter:— “Possessing but ordinary abilities, there was no reason why I should have been the recipient of your confidence and high office, but I have not spared myself in the leadership of the great army under my command that thereby I might prove my gratitude. Yet none can measure life and the number of our days is ordained by fate. Before I could achieve even my poor intentions my feeble body has failed me. I regret it without measure. I die with Cao Cao threatening and our northern borders disturbed and with Liu Bei lodging in your territory as though you were rearing a tiger. None can foretell the fate of the empire in these weary days of stress and of peculiar anxiety for you.

書略曰：“瑜以凡才，荷蒙殊遇，委任腹心，統御兵馬，敢不竭股肱之力，以圖報效。奈死生不測，修短有命；愚志未展，微軀已殞，遺恨何極！方今曹操在北，疆場未靜；劉備寄寓，有似養虎；天下之事，尚未可知。此正朝士旰食之秋，至尊垂慮之日也。

“Lu Su is most loyal, careful in all matters and a fitting man to succeed to my office. When a man is near death his words are wise and if I may haply retain your regard I may die but I shall not decay.” “He should have been a king’s counsellor,” cried Sun Quan, amid his tears. “He has left me, alas! too soon, and whom have I to lean upon? But in his last letter he specially recommends Zijing, and I dare not do otherwise.” That very day he appointed Lu Su Commander in Zhou Yu’s place, with control of all the forces. He also gave orders that the coffin of Zhou Yu be taken home for burial.

魯肅忠烈，臨事不苟，可以代瑜之任。人之將死，其言也善。倘蒙垂鑑，瑜死不朽矣。”孫權覽畢，哭曰：“公瑾有王佐之才，今忽短命而死，孤何賴哉？既遺書特薦子敬，孤敢不從之。”即日便命魯肅爲都督，總統兵馬；一面教發周瑜靈柩回葬。

Now Kongming in Jingzhou was gazing up at the heavens by night when he saw a general’s star fall to the earth. “Zhou Yu is dead,” said he with a smile. At dawn he sent to tell Xuande, who sent men to find out, and they came back to say it was true; he had died. “Now that this has come to pass what should we do?” said Xuande. “He who takes Zhou Yu’s command will surely be Lu Su,” said Kongming. “I see in the heavens signs of an assembly of captains in the east. The mourning for Zhou Yu will serve me as a pretext.

卻說孔明在荊州，夜觀天文，見將星墜地，乃笑曰：“周瑜死矣。”至曉，告於玄德。玄德使人探之，果然死了。玄德問孔明曰：“周瑜既死，還當如何？”孔明曰：“代瑜領兵者，必魯肅也。亮觀天象，將星聚於東方。亮當以弔喪爲由。

I shall go over to Jiangdong and there look for some able scholar to help you, my lord.” “I am afraid lest the captains of Wu harm you,” said Liu Bei. “While Zhou Yu lived I did not fear; is there anything to dread now that he is gone?” So he took Zhao Yun and five hundred men and, having prepared the offerings, embarked for Baqiu to mourn. On the road he learned that Sun Quan had already made Lu Su Commander and that the coffin of Zhou Yu had been taken back to Chaisang.

往江東走一遭，就尋賢士佐助主公。”玄德曰：“只恐吳中將士加害於先生。”孔明曰：“瑜在之日，亮猶不懼；今瑜已死，又何患乎？”乃與趙雲引五百軍，具祭禮，下船赴巴丘弔喪。於路探聽得孫權已令魯肅爲都督，周瑜靈柩已回柴桑。

Kongming went straight on to Chaisang, where he was received with all courtesy by Lu Su. Zhou Yu’s officers all wished to kill Kongming, but the sight of Zhao Yun, sword at his side and always close at hand, kept them from lifting a hand against him. Kongming had the offerings set out before the bier and he himself poured the libation. Then he knelt and read this threnody:— “Alas, Gongjin! Hapless are you in your early death. Length of days is in the hands of God, yet do men suffer and my heart is deeply grieved for you. I pour this libation that your spirit may enjoy its fragrance.

孔明徑至柴桑，魯肅以禮迎接。周瑜部將皆欲殺孔明，因見趙雲帶劍相隨，不敢下手。孔明教設祭物於靈前，親自奠酒，跪於地下，讀祭文曰：“嗚呼公瑾，不幸夭亡！修短故天，人豈不傷？我心實痛，酹酒一觴；君其有靈，享我烝嘗！

“I lament you. I lament your younger days, when you became the friend of Bofu; upholding righteousness and making light of wealth, you gave up your own house for him to dwell in. “I lament your early manhood, when like the roc you soared ten thousand li, founded a great dominion and held the land south of the River. “I lament your ripe strength when you guarded distant Baqiu, so that Liu Jingsheng was troubled and the General Who Attacks Rebels had nothing to fear. “I lament the grace of your manhood. Married to a fair maid of the Qiao family, son-in-law of a minister, you were such as would add lustre to the Han Court. “I lament your resolute purpose when you opposed the pledge-giving. As in the beginning your wings drooped not, so in the end your pinions spread wide.

吊君幼學，以交伯符；仗義疏財，讓舍以居。吊君弱冠，萬里鵬摶；定建霸業，割據江南。吊君壯力，遠鎮巴丘；景升懷慮，討逆無憂。吊君丰度，佳配小喬；漢臣之婿，不愧當朝，吊君氣概，諫阻納質；始不垂翅，終能奮翼。

“I lament your abandon, when your false friend, Jiang Gan, came to you at Poyang as a persuader. There you manifested your lofty ideals. “I lament your magnificent talents, proved in civil administration as in military science. With fire attacking the fierce enemy you brought his strength to weakness. “I recall you as you were but yesterday, bold and successful, and I weep your untimely death. Prostrate I weep tears of sorrow. Loyal and upright in heart, noble and spiritual by nature, your life has been but three decades but your fame will endure for ages. “I mourn for your affection. My bowels writhe with sorrow and my deep-seated sadness will never cease.

吊君鄱陽，蔣幹來說；揮灑自如，雅量高志。吊君弘才，文武籌略；火攻破敵，挽強爲弱。想君當年，雄姿英發；哭君早逝，俯地流血。忠義之心，英靈之氣；命終三紀，名垂百世，哀君情切，愁腸千結；惟我肝膽，悲無斷絕。

The very heavens are darkened. The army is sad; your lord sheds tears; your friends weep floods. “Scanty of ability am I, yet even of me you begged plans and sought schemes to aid Wu to repulse Cao, to support the Han and give peace to the House of Liu. But with you as the firm corner stone and your perfect dispositions, could the final result cause any anxiety? “Alas, my friend! The quick and the dead are ever separate; they mingle never. If in the deep shades spirits have understanding you now read my inmost heart, yet hereafter there will be none on earth to comprehend.

昊天昏暗，三軍愴然；主爲哀泣；友爲淚漣。亮也不才，丐計求謀；助吳拒曹，輔漢安劉；掎角之援，首尾相儔，若存若亡，何慮何憂？嗚呼公瑾！生死永別！樸守其貞，冥冥滅滅，魂如有靈，以鑑我心：從此天下，更無知音！

“Alas, the pain! “Deign to accept this my sacrifice.” The sacrifice finished, Kongming bowed to the ground and keened while his tears gushed forth in floods. He was deeply moved. The officers said one to another, “People lied when they said these two were enemies; look at the sincerity shown in sacrifice.” And Lu Su was particularly affected by the display of feeling and thought, “Plainly Kongming loved him much, but Gongjin was narrow-minded and brought about his own death.”

嗚呼痛哉！伏惟尚饗。”孔明祭畢，伏地大哭，淚如湧泉，哀慟不已。衆將相謂曰：“人盡道公瑾與孔明不睦，今觀其祭奠之情，人皆虛言也。”魯肅見孔明如此悲切，亦爲感傷，自思曰：“孔明自是多情，乃公瑾量窄，自取死耳。”

Before the Sleeping Dragon emerged from his Nanyang retreat
Another bright star came down on Shucheng;
Since, O azure Heaven, ye made Gongjin
Why needed dusty earth produce a Kongming?

後人有詩嘆曰：“臥龍南陽睡未醒，又添列曜下舒城。
蒼天既已生公瑾，塵世何須出孔明！
”

Lu Su gave a banquet for Kongming after which the guest left. Just as he was embarking his arm was clutched by a man on the bank in a Taoist robe and a bamboo cap, with a black sash and white shoes, who laughed aloud and said, “You exasperated literally to death the man whose body lies up there; to come here as a mourner is an open insult to Wu. It is as good as to say there is no one left in Eastern Wu.” At first Kongming did not recognise the speaker but very soon he saw it was no other than Pang Tong, or the “Phoenix Fledgeling.” Then he laughed in his turn, and they two hand in hand went down into the ship, where they talked heart to heart for a long time.

魯肅設宴款待孔明。宴罷，孔明辭回。方欲下船，只見江邊一人道袍竹冠，皁絛素履，一手揪住孔明大笑曰：“汝氣死周郎，卻又來弔孝，明欺東吳無人耶！”孔明急視其人，乃鳳雛先生龐統也。孔明亦大笑。兩人攜手登舟，各訴心事。

Before leaving, Kongming gave his friend a letter and said, “I do not think that Sun Zhongmou will use you as you merit. If you find life here distasteful, then you may come to Jingzhou and help to support my master. He is liberal and virtuous and will not disdain what you have spent your life in learning.” Then they parted and Kongming went alone to Jingzhou.

孔明乃留書一封與統，囑曰：“吾料孫仲謀必不能重用足下。稍有不如意，可來荊州共扶玄德。此人寬仁厚德，必不負公平生之所學。”統允諾而別，孔明自回荊州。

Lu Su had the coffin of Zhou Yu taken to Wuhu, where Sun Quan received it with sacrifices and lamentations. He ordered that the dead leader be buried with honour in his native place. His family consisted of two sons and a daughter, the sons being named Xun and Yin. Sun Quan treated them with tenderness. Lu Su said, “I am a man of common and mediocre talent, and Zhou Gongjin was mistaken in recommending me, for I have not the requisite ability and am unfitted for this post. But I can commend to you a certain able man, versed above in the lore of the heavens and below in the lie of the land, a strategist not inferior to Guan Zhong or Yue Yi, one whose plans are as good as those of Sun Wu and Wu Qi, the most famous masters of the Art of War.

卻說魯肅送周瑜靈柩至蕪湖，孫權接着，哭祭於前，命厚葬於本鄉。瑜有兩男一女，長男循，次男胤，權皆厚恤之。魯肅曰：“肅碌碌庸才，誤蒙公瑾重薦，其實不稱所職，願舉一人以助主公。此人上通天文，下曉地理；謀略不減於管、樂，樞機可並於孫、吳。

Zhou Yu often took his advice and Kongming believes in him. He is now here in Jiangnan; why not employ him?” This was good news for Sun, who asked the man’s name, and was told, “He is a man of Xiangyang, named Pang Tong, styled Shiyuan, whose Taoist name is Master Phoenix Fledgeling.” Sun Quan replied, “Yes; I know him by reputation; let him come.”

往日周公瑾多用其言，孔明亦深服其智，現在江南，何不重用！”權聞言大喜，便問此人姓名。肅曰：“此人乃襄陽人，姓龐，名統，字士元：道號鳳雛先生。”權曰：“孤亦聞其名久矣。今既在此，可即請來相見。”

Whereupon Pang Tong was invited to the Palace and introduced. The formal salutations over, Sun Quan was disappointed with the man’s appearance, which was indeed extraordinary. He had bushy eyebrows, a turned-up nose, a dark skin and a stubby beard. So he was prejudiced against him. “What have you studied,” asked he, “and what are you master of?” Pang Tong replied, “One must not be narrow and obstinate; one must change with circumstances.” “How does your learning compare with that of Zhou Yu?” asked Sun. “My learning is altogether different from that of Gongjin,” said Pang Tong with a smile.

於是魯肅邀請龐統入見孫權。施禮畢。權見其人濃眉掀鼻，黑麪短髯，形容古怪，心中不喜。乃問曰：“公平生所學，以何爲主？”統曰：“不必拘執，隨機應變。”權曰：“公之才學，比公瑾如何？”統笑曰：“某之所學，與公瑾大不相同。”

Now Sun Quan had always loved his late general and he could not bear to hear him disparaged. This speech of Pang’s only increased his dislike. So he said, “You may retire, Sir; I will send for you when I can employ you.” Pang Tong uttered one long sigh and went away. When he had gone Lu Su said, “My lord, why not employ him?” “What good would result; he is just one of those mad fellows.” “He did good service at the battle of Red Cliffs, however, for it was he who got Cao Cao to chain his ships together.”

權平生最喜周瑜，見統輕之，心中愈不樂，乃謂統曰：“公且退。待有用公之時，卻來相請。”統長嘆一聲而出。魯肅曰：“主公何不用龐士元？”權曰：“狂士也，用之何益！”肅曰：“赤壁鏖兵之時，此人曾獻連環策，成第一功。主公想必知之。”

“It was simply that Cao wished to chain his ships together. No credit was due to this fellow. In any case I give you my word that I will not employ him. That much is certain.”

權曰：“此時乃曹操自欲釘船，未必此從之功也，吾誓不用之。”

Lu Su went out and explained to Pang Tong that the failure was not due to lack of recommendation, but simply a whim of Sun Quan’s and he must put up with it. The disappointed suitor hung his head and sighed many times without speaking. “Can it be that you have no mind to stay in Wu?” said Lu Su. But still Pang Tong was silent. “With your wonderful gifts of course you will be successful whithersoever you may go. You may take my word for that. But to whom will you go?” “I think I will join Cao Cao,” said Pang Tong suddenly. “That would be flinging a gleaming pearl into darkness. Rather go to Jingzhou and join Liu the Imperial Uncle, who would appreciate you and employ you fittingly.”

魯肅出謂龐統曰：“非肅不薦足下，奈吳侯不肯用公。公且耐心。”統低頭長嘆不語。肅曰：“公莫非無意於吳中乎？”統不答。肅曰：“公抱匡濟之才，何往不利？可實對肅言，將欲何往？”統曰：“吾欲投曹操去也。”肅曰：“此明珠暗投矣，可往荊州投劉皇叔，必然重用。”

“The truth is that I have been thinking of this for a long time,” said Pang Tong. “I was only joking just now.” “I will give you a letter to Liu Bei, and if you go to him you must try to maintain peace between him and my lord and get them to act together against Cao Cao.” “That has been the one desire of my life.” He took the letter offered by Lu Su and soon made his way to Jingzhou.

統曰：“統意實欲如此，前言戲耳。”肅曰：“某當作書奉薦，公輔玄德，必令孫、劉兩家，無相攻擊，同力破曹。”統曰：“此某平生之素志也。”乃求肅書。徑往荊州來見玄德。

He arrived at a moment when Kongming was absent inspecting the four commanderies, but the doorkeeper announced him and said he had come to throw in his lot with Liu Bei. He was received, for he was no stranger in name. When Pang Tong was admitted he made the ordinary salutation but did not make an obeisance and this, coupled with his ugly face, did not please his host. “You have come a long and arduous journey,” said Liu Bei. At this point the suitor should have produced his letters from Kongming and Lu Su, but did not. Instead he replied, “I hear, O Imperial Uncle, that you are welcoming the wise and receiving scholars, wherefore I have come to join your service.”

此時孔明按察四郡未回，門吏傳報：“江南名士龐統，特來相投。”玄德久聞統名，便教請入相見。統見玄德，長揖不拜。玄德見統貌陋，心中亦不悅，乃問統曰：“足下遠來不易？”統不拿出魯肅、孔明書投呈，但答曰：“聞皇叔招賢納士，特來相投。”

“The land of Jing and Chu is only now becoming settled and unfortunately there is no office vacant. But a hundred and thirty li to the northeast there is a county, Leiyang, which needs a magistrate. I can offer you that post until there should be something more fitting.” Pang Tong thought this rather poor welcome for a man of his talent. He would have tried to move Xuande with his talents, but Kongming was absent, so he could do nothing but control his annoyance and accept. He took his leave and started. But when he arrived at his post he paid no attention to business at all; he gave himself up entirely to dissipation. The taxes were not collected nor were lawsuits decided.

玄德曰：“荊楚稍定，苦無閒職。此去東北一百三十里，有一縣名耒陽縣，缺一縣宰，屈公任之，如後有缺，卻當重用。”統思：“玄德待我何薄！”欲以才學動之，見孔明不在，只得勉強相辭而去。統到耒陽縣，不理政事，終日飲酒爲樂；一應錢糧詞訟，並不理會。

News of this reaching Liu Bei, he was angry and said, “Here is this stiff-necked pedant throwing my administration into disorder.” So he sent Zhang Fei with some followers to make a tour of inspection of the counties of southern Jingzhou and look into any irregularities and disorders. But as he thought there might be some tact needed Sun Qian was also sent as coadjutor. In due course the inquisitors arrived at Leiyang.

有人報知玄德，言龐統將耒陽縣事盡廢。玄德怒曰：“豎儒焉敢亂吾法度！”遂喚張飛分付，引從人去荊南諸縣巡視：“如有不公不法者，就便究問。恐於事有不明處，可與孫乾同去。”張飛領了言語，與孫乾前至耒陽縣。

The soldiers, the people and the officials all came out beyond the walls to welcome them. But the magistrate did not appear. “Where is the magistrate?” asked Zhang Fei. “Ever since his arrival, a hundred days ago and more, he has attended to no business, but spends his days from morn to night in wine-bibbing and is always intoxicated. Just now he is sleeping off a debauch and is not yet risen.” This raised Zhang Fei’s choler and he would have arrested the offender forthwith had not Sun Qian said, “Pang Tong is a man of great ability and it would be wrong to deal with him thus summarily.

軍民官吏，皆出郭迎接，獨不見縣令。飛問曰：“縣令何在？”同僚覆曰：“龐縣令自到任及今，將百餘日，縣中之事，並不理問，每日飲酒，自旦及夜，只在醉鄉。今日宿酒未醒，猶臥不起。”張飛大怒，欲擒之。孫乾曰：“龐士元乃高明之人，未可輕忽。

Let us go to the magistracy and enquire into it. If he is really in the wrong, it will not be too late to punish him.” So they went to the magistracy, took their seats in the hall of justice and summoned the magistrate before them. He came with dress all disordered and still under the influence of wine. “My brother took you for a decent man,” said Zhang Fei, angrily, “and sent you here as magistrate. How dare you throw the affairs of the district into disorder?” “Do you think I have done as you say, General?” said Pang Tong. “What affairs have I disordered?” “You have been here over a hundred days and spent the whole time in dissipation. Is not that disorderly?”

且到縣問之。如果於理不當，治罪未晚。”飛乃入縣，正廳上坐定，教縣令來見。統衣冠不整，扶醉而出。飛怒曰：“吾兄以汝爲人，令作縣宰，汝焉敢盡廢縣事！”統笑曰：“將軍以吾廢了縣中何事？”飛曰：“汝到任百餘日，終日在醉鄉，安得不廢政事？”

“Where would be the difficulty in dealing with the business of a trifling district like this? I pray you, General, to sit down for a while till I have settled the cases.” Thereupon he bade the clerks bring in all the arrears and he would settle them at once. So they brought in the piles of papers and ordered the suitors to appear. They came and knelt in the hall while the magistrate, pencil in hand, noted this and minuted that, all the while listening to the pleadings. Soon all the difficulties and disputes were adjusted, and never a mistake was made, as the satisfied bows of the people proved.

統曰：“量百里小縣，些小公事，何難決斷！將軍少坐，待我發落。”隨即喚公吏，將百餘日所積公務，都取來剖斷。吏皆紛然齎抱案卷上廳，訴詞被告人等，環跪階下。統手中批判，口中發落，耳內聽詞，曲直分明，並無分毫差錯。民皆叩首拜伏。

In less than half a day the whole of the cases were disposed of and the arrears of the hundred days settled and decided. This done the magistrate threw aside his pencil and turned to the inquisitors saying, “Where is the disorder? When I can take on Cao Cao and Sun Quan as easily as I can read this paper, what attention from me is needed for the business of this paltry place?” Zhang Fei was astonished at the man’s ability, rose from his seat and crossed over saying, “You are indeed a marvel, Master. I have not treated you respectfully enough but now I shall commend you to my brother with all my might.” Then Pang Tong drew forth Lu Su’s letter and showed it to Zhang Fei.

不到半日，將百餘日之事，盡斷畢了，投筆於地而對張飛曰：“所廢之事何在！曹操、孫權，吾視之若掌上觀文，量此小縣，何足介意！”飛大驚，下席謝曰：“先生大才，小子失敬。吾當於兄長處極力舉薦。”統乃將出魯肅薦書。

“Why did you not show this to my brother when you first saw him?” asked Zhang Fei. “If I had produced it at once, it would have looked as if I had come to seek office merely on the strength of a letter of commendation.” Zhang Fei turned to his colleague and said, “But for you we should have lost a great sage.” They left the magistracy and returned to Liu Bei to whom they related what had happened. Liu Bei was greatly startled and said, “I have been wrong; I have behaved unjustly to a sage.” Zhang Fei then gave his brother the letter in which Lu Su had recommended Pang Tong. Opening it he read:—

飛曰：“先生初見吾兄，何不將出？”統曰：“若便將出，似乎專藉薦書來干謁矣。”飛顧謂孫乾曰：“非公則失一大賢也。”遂辭統回荊州見玄德，具說龐統之才。玄德大驚曰：“屈待大賢，吾之過也！”飛將魯肅薦書呈上。玄德拆視之。

“Pang Shiyuan is no talent for a county of a hundred li. Only in such a post as Headquarters Officer or Aide-de-camp to a governor will he be able to stretch his thoroughbred legs. Beware of judging him by his looks or you may lose the advantage of his abilities and some other will gain him. This would be a misfortune.” While he was feeling cast down at the mistake he had made, as shown by the letter, they announced the return of Kongming. Soon he entered the hall and the first question he put after the formal salutations was “Is Instructor-General Pang quite well?” “He is in charge of Leiyang,” replied Xuande, “where he is given to wine and neglects his business.”

書略曰：“龐士元非百里之才，使處治中、別駕之任，始當展其驥足。如以貌取之，恐負所學，終爲他人所用，實可惜也！”玄德看畢，正在嗟嘆，忽報孔明回。玄德接入，禮畢，孔明先問曰：“龐軍師近日無恙否？”玄德曰：“近治耒陽縣，好酒廢事。”

Kongming laughed. “My friend Pang has extraordinary abilities and ten times my knowledge. I gave him a letter for you, my lord. Did he present it?” “This very day I have received a letter, but from Lu Su. I have had no letter written by you.” “When a man of transcendent abilities is sent to a paltry post he always turns to wine out of simple ennui,” said Kongming. “If it had not been for what my brother said, I should have lost a great man,” said Xuande.

孔明笑曰：“士元非百里之才，胸中之學，勝亮十倍。亮曾有薦書在士元處，曾達主公否？”玄德曰：“今日方得子敬書，卻未見先生之書。”孔明曰：“大賢若處小任，往往以酒糊塗，倦於視事。”玄德曰：“若非吾弟所言，險失大賢。”

Then he lost no time, but sent Zhang Fei off to Leiyang to request Pang Tong to come to Jingzhou. When he arrived Liu Bei went out to meet him and at the foot of the steps asked pardon for his mistake. Then Pang Tong produced the letter that Kongming had given him. What Xuande read therein was this:—“As soon as the “Phoenix Fledgeling” shall arrive he should be given an important post.” Liu Bei rejoiced indeed as he read it, for had not Sima Dechao said of the two men, Sleeping Dragon and Phoenix Fledgeling, that any man who obtained the help of either of them could bring peace to the empire? As he now had them both surely the Hans would rise again.

隨即令張飛往耒陽縣敬請龐統到荊州。玄德下階請罪。統方將出孔明所薦之書。玄德看書中之意，言鳳雛到日，宜即重用。玄德喜曰：“昔司馬德操言：‘伏龍、鳳雛，兩人得一，可安天下。’今吾二人皆得，漢室可興矣。”

Then he appointed Pang Tong Vice Director of Strategy and General of the Household, to share the planning with Kongming, and the two strategists began training the army against the day of the expedition.

遂拜龐統爲副軍師中郎將，與孔明共贊方略，教練軍士，聽候征伐。

News of these doings came to the capital and Cao Cao was told of Liu Bei’s two strategists and of the army in training and the stores he was accumulating and the league between his two chief enemies. And he knew that he had to expect an attack sooner or later. So he summoned his strategists to a council. Said Xun You, “Sun Quan should be first attacked, because of the recent death of their ablest general Zhou Yu. Liu Bei will follow.” Cao Cao replied, “If I go on such a distant expedition, Ma Teng may fall upon the capital.

早有人報到許昌，言劉備有諸葛亮、龐統爲謀士，招軍買馬，積草屯糧，連結東吳，早晚必興兵北伐。曹操聞之，遂聚衆謀士商議南征。荀攸進曰：“周瑜新死，可先取孫權，次攻劉備。”操曰：“我若遠征，恐馬騰來襲許都。

While I was at Red Cliffs there were sinister rumours of this and I must guard against it.” Xun You said, “The best thing that occurs to stupid me is to obtain for Ma the title of ‘Subduer of the South’ and send him against Wu. Thus he can be enticed to the capital and got rid of. Then you can have no fear of marching southward.” Cao Cao was delighted and that very day sent a messenger with an edict to Xiliang to summon Ma Teng. Ma Teng, styled Shoucheng, was a descendant of the famous leader Ma Yuan, styled General, “Queller of the Waves.” His father’s name was Ma Su, styled Zishi. In the reign of Emperor Huan he had been Commandant of Langan County in Tianshui, but had lost his office and drifted to Longxi, where he lived amongst the Qiang, one of whose women he took to wife. She bore him a son, Ma Teng.

前在赤壁之時，軍中有訛言，亦傳西涼入寇之事，今不可不防也。”荀攸曰：“以愚所見，不若降詔加馬騰爲徵南將軍，使討孫權，誘入京師，先除此人，則南征無患矣。”操大喜，即日遣人齎詔至西涼召馬騰。卻說騰字壽成，漢伏波將軍馬援之後，父名肅，字子碩，桓帝時爲天水蘭干縣尉；後失官流落隴西，與羌人雜處，遂娶羌女生騰。

Ma Teng was rather over the common height, and bold-looking. He was of a mild disposition and very popular. In the last years of Emperor Ling many of the Qiang rebelled, and Ma Teng raised a force of militia and put them down. In the Chuping period, for his services against the rebels, he received the title of General, “Corrector of the West.” He and Han Sui, who was known as “Guardian of the West,” were pledged brothers. On receipt of the summons to the capital he took counsel with his eldest son, Ma Chao. “Ever since Dong Cheng and I received the Girdle Edict, I have been pledged with Liu Xuande to destroy the rebel together. Unhappily Dong Cheng is dead and Xuande has been defeated again and again.

騰身長八尺。體貌雄異，稟性溫良，人多敬之。靈帝末年，羌人多叛，騰招募民兵破之。初平中年，因討賊有功，拜徵西將軍，與鎮西將軍韓遂爲弟兄。當日奉詔，乃與長子馬超商議曰：“吾自與董承受衣帶詔以來，與劉玄德約共討賊，不幸董承已死，玄德屢敗。

And I, far away here in Xiliang, have been unable to help him. Now I hear that Liu Bei now holds Jingzhou and I am inclined to carry out the plan we made so long ago. But here I am summoned by Cao Cao and what is to be done?” Ma Chao replied, “Cao Cao has the command of the Emperor to call you and if you do not go that will mean disobeying an imperial command and you will be punished. Obey the summons in so far as to go to the capital, where you may be able to arrange to carry out your original intention.”

我又僻處西涼，未能協助玄德。今聞玄德已得荊州，我正欲展昔日之志，而曹操反來召我，當是如何？”馬超曰：“操奉天子之命以召父親。今若不往，彼必以逆命責我矣。當乘其來召，竟往京師，於中取事，則昔日之志可展也。”

But his nephew, Ma Dai, held other opinions and opposed this. Said he, “Cao’s designs are unfathomable and if you go, Uncle, I fear you will suffer.” “Let me raise all the troops of Xiliang and follow you, Father, to fight our way into Xuchang,” said Ma Chao. “Why should we not rid the empire of this evil?” But his father said, “You must take command of the Qiang troops for the defence of our territory here. I will take with me only your younger brothers Ma Xiu and Ma Tie and your cousin Ma Dai. When Cao knows that you have the Qiang at your call and that Han Sui is prepared to assist, he will hardly dare to work any harm to me.”

馬騰兄子馬岱諫曰：“曹操心懷叵測，叔父若往，恐遭其害。”超曰：“兒願盡起西涼之兵，隨父親殺入許昌，爲天下除害，有何不可？”騰曰：“汝自統羌兵保守西涼，只教次子馬休、馬鐵並侄馬岱隨我同往。曹操見有汝在西涼，又有韓遂相助，諒不敢加害於我也。”

“Father, if you must go be careful not to enter the city till you know exactly what plots and machinations are afoot.” “I will certainly take great care, so do not be too anxious,” said the father.

超曰：“父親欲往，切不可輕入京師。當隨機應變，觀其動靜。”騰曰：“吾自有處，不必多慮。”

The order of march was prepared. Ma Teng took five thousand men of Xiliang, with Ma Xiu and Ma Tie as leaders of the van and Ma Dai left in the rear in support. They set out along the winding road to Xuchang, and twenty li from the city they camped. When Cao heard of Ma Teng’s arrival he called to him Huang Kui, a Gentleman of the Palace Gate, and said to him, “Ma Teng is to be sent against the south and I appoint you adviser to his army. You are first to go to his camp and feast his troops and say that as Xiliang is so distant and transport very difficult, he is not to take too large an army of his own.

於是馬騰乃引西涼兵五千，先教馬休、馬鐵爲前部，留馬岱在後接應，迤邐望許昌而來。離許昌二十里屯住軍馬。曹操聽知馬騰已到，喚門下侍郎黃奎分付曰：“目今馬騰南征，吾命汝爲行軍參謀，先至馬騰寨中勞軍，可對馬騰說：西涼路遠，運糧甚難，不能多帶人馬。

I will send a large force. Also tell him to come into the city tomorrow for audience of the Emperor, and I will then furnish him with supplies.” With these instructions Huang Kui went to Ma Teng, who brought out wine and entertained him well. In his cups the messenger grew confidential and said, “My father Huang Wan perished in the troubles caused by Li Jue and Guo Si and I have always nourished resentment. Now there is another rebel in power wronging our prince.” “Who is that?” asked Ma. “The wrong doer is that rebel Cao, of course.

我當更遣大兵，協同前進。來日教他入城面君，吾就應付糧草與之。”奎領命，來見馬騰。騰置酒相待。奎酒半酣而言曰：“吾父黃琬死於李傕、郭汜之難，嘗懷痛恨。不想今日又遇欺君之賊！”騰曰：“誰爲欺君之賊？”奎曰：“欺君者操賊也。

Do you mean to say you do not know?” However, Ma was careful. He thought it very likely that these words were but a trap for him so he pretended to be greatly shocked and begged his guest to be careful lest he be overheard. But he cared not. “Then you have quite forgotten the ‘Girdle Edict,’ eh?” shouted he. Ma Teng began to see he was sincere and presently became confidential in turn and told his guest all his schemes. “He wants you to go in to audience; there is no good intention there. Do not go,” said Huang Kui. “You lead your men up close to the city and get Cao Cao to come and review them and when he comes, assassinate him.”

公豈不知之，而問我耶？”騰恐是操使來相探，急止之曰：“耳目較近，休得亂言。”奎叱曰：“公竟忘卻衣帶詔乎！”騰見他說出心事，乃密以實情告之。奎曰：“操欲公入城面君，必非好意。公不可輕入。來日當勒兵城下。待曹操出城點軍，就點軍處殺之，大事濟矣。”

They two settled how this plan could be worked out and the messenger, still hot with anger and excitement, returned to his home. Seeing him so disturbed in mind his wife asked him what was wrong. But he would tell her nothing. Now it happened that his concubine, Li Chunxiang, had an intrigue with his wife’s younger brother, Miao Ze, who much desired to have her but saw no way to it. The concubine, who also saw her lord’s anger, said to her paramour, “Today Huang the Gentleman came back from discussing military affairs in a great rage; I do not know with whom.” Miao Ze told her to draw him out with a leading question: “Say to him, ‘Everyone says that Liu the Imperial Uncle is humane and virtuous and that Cao Cao is a crafty villain. Why is that?’

二人商議已定。黃奎回家，恨氣未息。其妻再三問之，奎不肯言。不料其妾李春香，與奎妻弟苗澤私通。澤欲得春香，正無計可施。妾見黃奎憤恨，遂對澤曰：“黃侍郎今日商議軍情回，意甚憤恨，不知爲誰？”澤曰：“汝可以言挑之曰：‘人皆說劉皇叔仁德，曹操奸雄，何也？’

Then see what he says.” That evening Huang Kui went to the apartments of his concubine and she presently put the question proposed by her lover. Her lord, still rather intoxicated, said, “You are only a woman; still you know right from wrong as well as I. My enemy and the man I would slay if I could, is Cao Cao.” “If you wish to slay him, how will you set about it?” said she. “I have already arranged with General Ma to kill him tomorrow when he reviews the troops outside the city.” The concubine told Miao Ze, and Miao Ze told Cao Cao.

看他說甚言語。”是夜黃奎果到春香房中。妾以言挑之。奎乘醉言曰：“汝乃婦人，尚知邪正，何況我乎？吾所恨者，欲殺曹操也！”妾曰：“若欲殺之，如何下手？”奎曰：“吾已約定馬將軍，明日在城外點兵時殺之。”妾告於苗澤，澤報知曹操。

Cao Cao secretly called Cao Hong and Xu Chu and gave them certain orders, and then Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang and gave them certain orders too; and when they had gone, he first arrested Huang Kui and all his household. Next day Ma Teng and his western men drew near the city. Ahead of them was a cluster of red flags bearing the ensign of the Prime Minister, whereby Ma Teng supposed that Cao Cao had come to hold the review in person. So he rode forward.

操便密喚曹洪、許褚分付如此如此；又喚夏侯淵、徐晃分付如此如此。各人領命去了，一面先將黃奎一家老小拿下。次日，馬騰領着西涼兵馬，將次近城，只見前面一簇紅旗，打着丞相旗號。馬騰只道曹操自來點軍，拍馬向前。

Suddenly a bomb exploded; where the red flags parted, bows and crossbows shot all together, and at the head came Cao Hong. As Ma Teng wheeled his horse, shouts arose on both sides: on the left Xu Chu came out to attack, on the right Xiahou Yuan, and from the rear Xu Huang with his men, cutting off the western men, so that Ma Teng and his two sons were hemmed in. Ma Teng saw that things had gone wrong and fought valiantly to break out.

忽聽得一聲炮響，紅旗開處，弓弩齊發。一將當先，乃曹洪也。馬騰急撥馬回時，兩下喊聲又起：左邊許褚殺來，右邊夏侯淵殺來，後面又是徐晃領兵殺至，截斷西涼軍馬，將馬騰父子三人困在垓心。馬騰見不是頭，奮力衝殺。

Ma Tie was soon killed by a flight of arrows. Ma Xiu kept with his father, and they rode this way and that, seeking a way out, but failed on every side. Both were sorely wounded and when their steeds fell from their many arrow wounds, both were captured. Cao Cao had Huang Kui and Ma Teng and his son brought before him, all bound together. Huang Kui loudly protested his innocence. Cao Cao then called in Miao Ze to bear witness against him. “That worthless pedant has spoiled my great design!” cried Ma Teng.

馬鐵早被亂箭射死。馬休隨着馬騰，左衝右突，不能得出。二人身帶重傷，坐下馬又被箭射倒。父子二人俱被執。曹操教將黃奎與馬騰父子，一齊綁至。黃奎大叫：“無罪！”操教苗澤對證。馬騰大罵曰：“豎儒誤我大事！

“Now I cannot slay the rebel for my country. It is the will of Heaven.” Cao Cao ordered them to be led out. Ma Teng never ceased to revile him, and he, his son Ma Xiu and Huang Kui were put to death together.

我不能爲國殺賊，是乃天也！”操命牽出。馬騰罵不絕口，與其子馬休及黃奎，一同遇害。

The son and father share one niche of fame,
For purest loyalty their praise the same.
To their own hurt the rebels they withstood,
Content to die to make their pledges good.
In blood the solemn oath they did indite
To slay the wicked and preserve the right.
A worthy father’s worthy son by western bride.
Old Fubo’s name his grandson glorified.

後人有詩嘆馬騰曰：“父子齊芳烈，忠貞著一門，捐生圖國難，誓死答君恩。
嚼血盟言在，誅奸義狀存。
西涼推世胄，不愧伏波孫！
”

“I desire no other reward than Li Chunxiang as wife,” said Miao Ze to Cao Cao. Cao smiled and said, “For the sake of a woman then you have destroyed the whole household of your sister’s husband. What advantage would there be in preserving such a miscreant?” So he bade the executioners put Miao Ze and Li Chunxiang to death in the market-place, together with the whole household of Huang Kui. Of those who saw it there were none who did not sigh.

苗澤告操曰：“不願加賞，只求李春香爲妻。”操笑曰：“你爲了一婦人，害了你姐夫一家，留此不義之人何用！”便教將苗澤、李春香與黃奎一家老小並斬於市。觀者無不嘆息。

Through passion base a loyal man was slain,
And she who shared his passion shared his fate;
The man they served was pitiless in hate,
And thus a mean man’s treachery was vain.

後人有詩嘆曰：“苗澤因私害藎臣，春香未得反傷身。
奸雄亦不相容恕，枉自圖謀作小人。
”

Cao Cao sent to win over the soldiers of Xiliang, proclaiming to them, “Ma Teng and his sons plotted treason; it has nothing to do with you.” However, he sent to secure the passes so that Ma Dai should not escape. Ma Dai, with a thousand men, was in the rear. Before long soldiers who had fled from outside Xuchang came and told him what had occurred. This frightened him so much that he abandoned his army and escaped by night disguised as a trader.

曹操教招安西涼兵馬，諭之曰：“馬騰父子謀反，不幹衆人之事。”一面使人分付把住關隘，休教走了馬岱。且說馬岱自引一千兵在後。早有許昌城外逃回軍士，報知馬岱。岱大驚，只得棄了兵馬，扮作客商，連夜逃遁去了。

Having slain Ma Teng, Cao Cao decided to set out on his expedition to the south. But then came the news that Liu Bei was training his army and gathering weapons, intending to take Xichuan. This caused him alarm. “If Liu Bei takes Xichuan,” said he, “the bird’s wings will be fully grown. How shall I deal with him?” Before he had finished, a man below the steps came forward and said, “I know how to prevent Liu Bei and Sun Quan from helping each other and both Jiangnan and Xichuan will be yours, O Minister.”

曹操殺了馬騰等，便決意南征。忽人報曰：“劉備調練軍馬，收拾器械，將欲取川。”操驚曰：“若劉備收川，則羽翼成矣。將何以圖之？”言未畢，階下一人進言曰：“某有一計，使劉備、孫權不能相顧，江南、西川皆歸丞相。”

Chill death struck down the heroes of the west,
Calamity approached the bold men of the south.
Who offered the scheme will be told in the next chapter.

正是：西州豪傑方遭戮，南國英雄又受殃。
未知獻計者是誰，且看下文分解。