Romance, Chapter 65

Chapter 65. Ma Chao Fights a Great Battle at Jiameng Pass; Liu Bei Makes Himself Imperial Protector of Yizhou

Now while Yan Pu was urging Zhang Lu not to help Liu Zhang, Ma Chao stepped boldly forward and said, “I am grateful for your kindness, my lord, and have had no way to repay it. Let me lead an army to take Jiameng Pass and capture Liu Bei alive, and I will see to it that Liu Zhang cedes twenty districts to you.” Zhang Lu was delighted. He first sent Huang Quan back by the byways, and then mustered twenty thousand troops and gave them to Ma Chao. At this time Pang De lay ill and could not march, so he stayed behind in Hanzhong. Zhang Lu appointed Yang Bai to supervise the army, and Ma Chao and his brother Ma Dai chose a day and set out.

卻說閻圃正勸張魯勿助劉璋，只見馬超挺身出曰：“超感主公之恩，無可上報，願領一軍攻取葭萌關，生擒劉備，務要劉璋割二十州奉還主公。”張魯大喜，先遣黃權從小路而回，隨即點兵二萬與馬超。此時龐德臥病不能行，留於漢中。張魯令楊柏監軍，超與弟馬岱選日起程。

Meanwhile, with Xuande’s army at Luo City, the messenger whom Fa Zheng had sent with his letter returned and reported, “Zheng Du has advised Liu Zhang to burn all the grain in the fields and all the granaries everywhere, to lead the people of Baxi away to the west of the Fu River, and there to dig deep moats and build high ramparts and refuse to fight.” When Xuande and Kongming heard this, they were both greatly alarmed and said, “If he follows this advice, our position will be perilous!” Fa Zheng laughed and said, “Do not worry, my lord. Venomous as the plan is, Liu Zhang will certainly not be able to use it.”

卻說玄德軍馬在雒城，法正所差下書人回報說：“鄭度勸劉璋盡燒野谷並各處倉廩，率巴西之民，避於涪水西，深溝高壘而不戰。”玄德、孔明聞之，皆大驚曰：“若用此言，吾勢危矣！”法正笑曰：“主公勿憂。此計雖毒，劉璋必不能用也。”

Within a few days came news that Liu Zhang would not move the people and had rejected Zheng Du’s advice. Only then was Xuande’s mind at ease. Kongming said, “We should advance quickly and take Mianzhu. Once we hold it, Chengdu will be easy to take.” So Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were sent forward with troops. When Fei Guan heard that Xuande’s army was coming, he sent Li Yan out to meet it. Li Yan too led out three thousand troops, and both sides drew up their lines. Huang Zhong rode out and fought Li Yan forty or fifty bouts without either gaining the upper hand.

不一日，人傳劉璋不肯遷動百姓，不從鄭度之言。玄德聞之，方始寬心。孔明曰：“可速進兵取綿竹。如得此處，成都易取矣。”遂遣黃忠、魏延領兵前進。費觀聽知玄德兵來，差李嚴出迎。嚴領三千兵也，各佈陣完。黃忠出馬，與李嚴戰四五十合，不分勝敗。

Kongming had the gongs sounded in the lines to recall the troops. Huang Zhong came back and asked, “I was just about to capture Li Yan. Why did you call off the troops, Director of Strategy?” Kongming said, “I have seen Li Yan’s skill at arms; he cannot be taken by force. When you fight again tomorrow, pretend to be defeated and lure him into the mountain valley. Then we will send out a surprise force to beat him.” Huang Zhong accepted the plan. The next day Li Yan came again with his troops. Huang Zhong again went out to fight, and before ten bouts he feigned defeat and fled with his men.

孔明在陣中教鳴金收軍。黃忠回陣，問曰：“正待要擒李嚴，軍師何故收兵？”孔明曰：“吾已見李嚴武藝，不可力取。來日再戰，汝可詐敗，引入山峪，出奇兵以勝之。”黃忠領計。次日，李嚴再引兵來，黃忠又出戰，不十合詐敗，引兵便走。

Li Yan gave chase and followed him, winding his way into the mountain valley, when suddenly he realised what was happening. He was about to turn back in haste when Wei Yan appeared in front with his troops drawn up. Kongming himself stood on a hilltop and called out, “If you do not surrender, Sir, strong crossbows are already hidden on both sides, and we mean to avenge our Pang Shiyuan.” Li Yan hastily dismounted, threw off his armour and surrendered. Not one soldier was harmed. Kongming led Li Yan to see Xuande, who treated him very generously.

李嚴趕來，迤邐趕入山峪，猛然省悟。急待回來，前面魏延引兵擺開。孔明自在山頭，喚曰：“公如不降，兩下已伏強弩，欲與吾龐士元報仇矣。”李嚴慌下馬卸甲投降。軍士不曾傷害一人。孔明引李嚴見玄德。玄德待之甚厚。

Li Yan said, “Although Fei Guan is a kinsman of the Imperial Protector of Yizhou, he and I are very close. Let me go and persuade him.” Xuande at once ordered Li Yan to return to the city and win Fei Guan over. Li Yan entered Mianzhu and praised to Fei Guan the benevolence and virtue of Xuande, warning him that if he did not surrender now, great disaster would surely follow. Fei Guan took his advice, opened the gates and surrendered. So Xuande entered Mianzhu and discussed dividing his forces to take Chengdu.

嚴曰：“費觀雖是劉益州親戚，與某甚密，當往說之。”玄德即命李嚴回城招降費觀。嚴入綿竹城，對費觀贊玄德如此仁德；今若不降，必有大禍。觀從其言，開門投降。玄德遂入綿竹，商議分兵取成都。

Suddenly an express courier galloped in with urgent news: Meng Da and Huo Jun were holding Jiameng Pass, but Zhang Lu of Dongchuan had sent Ma Chao with Yang Bai and Ma Dai to attack it, and they were pressing very hard; if help came late, the pass would be lost. Xuande was greatly alarmed. Kongming said, “Only one of our two generals, Zhang or Zhao, can stand against him.” Xuande said, “Zilong is out with his troops and has not come back. Yide is already here; we can send him at once.” Kongming said, “Say nothing yet, my lord. Let me stir him up.”

忽流星馬急報，言孟達、霍峻守葭萌關，今被東川張魯遣馬超與楊柏、馬岱領兵攻打甚急，救遲則關隘休矣。玄德大驚。孔明曰：“須是張、趙二將，方可與敵。”玄德曰：“子龍引兵在外未回。翼德已在此，可急遣之。”孔明曰：“主公且勿言，容亮激之。”

Now when Zhang Fei heard that Ma Chao was attacking the pass, he rushed in shouting, “Let me take leave of you, elder brother, and go straight off to fight Ma Chao!” Kongming pretended not to hear and said to Xuande, “Ma Chao is now attacking the pass, and there is no one who can stand against him. Unless we fetch Guan Yunchang from Jingzhou, no one will be a match for him.” Zhang Fei said, “Why do you look down on me, Director of Strategy? I once held off Cao Cao’s army of a million single-handed. Why should I worry about a mere fellow like Ma Chao?”

卻說張飛聞馬超攻關，大叫而入曰：“辭了哥哥，便去戰馬超也！”孔明佯作不聞，對玄德曰：“今馬超侵犯關隘，無人可敵；除非往荊州取關雲長來，方可與敵。”張飛曰：“軍師何故小覷吾！吾曾獨拒曹操百萬之兵，豈愁馬超一匹夫乎！”

Kongming said, “When you held the river and broke down the bridge, Yide, it was only because Cao Cao did not know how things really stood. Had he known, General, how could you have come through unscathed? Now Ma Chao’s valour is known to all the world. In six battles at Wei Bridge he pressed Cao Cao so hard that Cao cut off his beard and threw away his robe and very nearly lost his life. He is no ordinary foe. Even Yunchang might not be sure of beating him.” Zhang Fei said, “I will go this very moment, and if I cannot beat Ma Chao, I will willingly submit to military law!”

孔明曰：“翼德拒水斷橋，此因曹操不知虛實耳；若知虛實，將軍豈得無事？今馬超之勇，天下皆知，渭橋六戰，殺得曹操割須棄袍，幾乎喪命，非等閒之比。雲長且未必可勝。”飛曰：“我只今便去；如勝不得馬超，甘當軍令！”

Kongming said, “Since you are willing to put that in writing, you shall lead the van. My lord, please go there yourself, and leave me to guard Mianzhu. When Zilong comes we will make further plans.” Wei Yan said, “I also wish to go.”

孔明曰：“既爾肯寫文書，便爲先鋒。請主公親自去一遭，留亮守綿竹。待子龍來，卻作商議。”魏延曰：“某亦願往。”

Kongming ordered Wei Yan to go ahead with five hundred scouts, with Zhang Fei second and Xuande in the rear, and they set out for Jiameng Pass. Wei Yan’s scouts reached the foot of the pass first and there ran into Yang Bai. Wei Yan fought Yang Bai, and before ten bouts Yang Bai was beaten and fled. Wei Yan, eager to snatch the first honours from Zhang Fei, followed up his advantage and gave chase. Ahead of him a force was drawn up, led by Ma Dai. Thinking it was Ma Chao, Wei Yan whirled his sword and spurred forward to meet him.

孔明令魏延帶五百哨馬先行，張飛第二，玄德後隊，望葭萌關進發。魏延哨馬先到關下，正遇楊柏。魏延與楊柏交戰，不十合，楊柏敗走。魏延要奪張飛頭功，乘勢趕去。前面一軍擺開，爲首乃是馬岱。魏延只道是馬超，舞刀躍馬迎之。

Before ten bouts Ma Dai was beaten and fled. Wei Yan went after him, but Ma Dai turned in the saddle and shot an arrow that struck Wei Yan in the left arm. Wei Yan quickly wheeled his horse and fled. Ma Dai chased him right up to the pass, when suddenly a general with a voice like thunder came flying down from the pass straight at him. It was Zhang Fei, who had just arrived at the pass. Hearing fighting before it, he had come to look, and seeing that Wei Yan had been hit by an arrow, he had galloped down from the pass and rescued him.

與岱戰不十合，岱敗走。延趕去，被岱回身一箭，中了魏延左臂。延急回馬走。馬岱趕到關前，只見一將喊聲如雷，從關上飛奔至面前。原來是張飛初到關上，聽得關前廝殺，便來看時，正見魏延中箭，因驟馬下關，救了魏延。

Zhang Fei shouted at Ma Dai, “Who are you? Tell me your name before we fight!” Ma Dai said, “I am Ma Dai of Xiliang.” Zhang Fei said, “So you are not Ma Chao after all. Go back at once! You are no match for me! Just tell that fellow Ma Chao to come himself, and say that Zhang Fei of Yan is here!” Ma Dai was furious and said, “How dare you look down on me!” He levelled his spear, spurred his horse and rode straight at Zhang Fei.

飛喝馬岱曰：“汝是何人？先通姓名，然後廝殺！”馬岱曰：“吾乃西涼馬岱是也。”張飛曰：“你原來不是馬超，快回去！非吾對手！只令馬超那廝自來，說道燕人張飛在此！”馬岱大怒曰：“汝焉敢小覷我！”挺槍躍馬，直取張飛。

Before ten bouts Ma Dai was beaten and fled. Zhang Fei was about to pursue when a rider came down from the pass calling, “Brother, don’t go after him!” Zhang Fei looked round and saw that it was Xuande who had come. So Zhang Fei gave up the chase and went up to the pass with him. Xuande said, “I was afraid your hot temper would get the better of you, so I followed you here. Now that you have beaten Ma Dai, rest for a night and fight Ma Chao tomorrow.” At dawn the next day drums thundered below the pass: Ma Chao’s army had arrived.

戰不十合，馬岱敗走。張飛欲待追趕，關上一騎馬到來，叫：“兄弟且休去！”飛回視之，原來是玄德到來。飛遂不趕，一同上關。玄德曰：“恐怕你性躁，故我隨後趕來到此。既然勝了馬岱，且歇一宵，來日戰馬超。”次日天明，關下鼓聲大震，馬超兵到。

Xuande looked out from the pass and saw Ma Chao ride out from the shadow of the standards, spear in hand. He wore a lion helmet and a belt clasped with a beast’s head, silver armour and a white robe. His attire was extraordinary, and his person was outstanding. Xuande sighed and said, “People call him Ma Chao the Splendid, and his fame is well deserved!” Zhang Fei wanted to go down from the pass at once, but Xuande hastily stopped him, saying, “Do not go out to fight yet. First we must let his keen edge wear off.” Below the pass Ma Chao challenged Zhang Fei alone to come out, and on the pass Zhang Fei longed to swallow Ma Chao whole, but three or five times Xuande held him back.

玄德在關上看時，門旗影裏，馬超縱騎持槍而出；獅盔獸帶，銀甲白袍：一來結束非凡，二者人才出衆。玄德嘆曰：“人言錦馬超，名不虛傳！”張飛便要下關。玄德急止之曰：“且休出戰。先當避其銳氣。”關下馬超單搦張飛出馬，關上張飛恨不得平吞馬超，三五番皆被玄德當住。

As the afternoon wore on, Xuande saw that the men and horses in Ma Chao’s lines were all weary. So he picked five hundred horsemen to follow Zhang Fei, and they charged down from the pass. When Ma Chao saw Zhang Fei’s force coming, he waved his spear towards the rear, and his army drew back about a bowshot. Zhang Fei’s men halted all together and took up position, and the troops on the pass came down one after another. Zhang Fei levelled his spear, rode out and roared, “Do you know Zhang Yide of Yan?”

看看午後，玄德望見馬超陣上人馬皆倦，遂選五百騎，跟着張飛，衝下關來。馬超見張飛軍到，把槍望後一招，約退軍有一箭之地。張飛軍馬一齊扎住；關上軍馬，陸續下來。張飛挺槍出馬，大呼：“認得燕人張翼德麼！”

Ma Chao said, “My family have been dukes and marquises for generations. How should I know a rustic lout?” Zhang Fei flew into a rage. The two horses sprang out together and the two spears rose side by side. They fought over a hundred bouts, and neither could win. Watching them, Xuande sighed and said, “A true tiger of a general!” Fearing that Zhang Fei might come to harm, he quickly had the gongs sounded to recall the troops, and the two warriors each went back. Zhang Fei returned to his lines and rested his horse for a short while. Then, without his helmet and with only a turban wrapped round his head, he mounted again and rode out before the lines to challenge Ma Chao to fight.

馬超曰：“吾家屢世公侯，豈識村野匹夫！”張飛大怒。兩馬齊出，二槍並舉。約戰百餘合，不分勝負。玄德觀之，嘆曰：“真虎將也！”恐張飛有失，急鳴金收軍。兩將各回。張飛回到陣中，略歇馬片時，不用頭盔，只裹包巾上馬，又出陣前搦馬超廝殺。

Ma Chao came out again and the two fought once more. Afraid that Zhang Fei might come to grief, Xuande put on his armour himself, went down from the pass and rode right up to the front. He watched Zhang Fei and Ma Chao fight another hundred bouts and more, both growing twice as spirited as before. Xuande had the gongs sounded to recall the troops. The two warriors parted and each returned to his own lines.

超又出，兩個再戰。玄德恐張飛有失，自披掛下關，直至陣前；看張飛與馬超又鬥百餘合，兩個精神倍加。玄德教鳴金收軍。二將分開，各回本陣。

By then it was already late in the day, and Xuande said to Zhang Fei, “Ma Chao is a brave hero and must not be taken lightly. Let us withdraw to the pass for now and fight again tomorrow.” But Zhang Fei’s blood was up from the fighting; how could he be willing to stop? He bellowed, “I swear to die rather than go back!” Xuande said, “It is late today; you cannot fight.” Zhang Fei said, “Light plenty of torches and get ready for a night battle!” Ma Chao had also changed his horse, and he came out before the lines again, shouting, “Zhang Fei!

是日天色已晚，玄德謂張飛曰：“馬超英勇，不可輕敵，且退上關。來日再戰。”張飛殺得性起，那裏肯休？大叫曰：“誓死不回！”玄德曰：“今日天晚，不可戰矣。”飛曰：“多點火把，安排夜戰！”馬超亦換了馬，再出陣前，大叫曰：“張飛！

Dare you fight at night?” Zhang Fei’s temper flared. He asked Xuande for a fresh horse, dashed out from the lines and shouted, “If I cannot capture you, I swear I will not go back up to the pass!” Ma Chao said, “If I cannot beat you, I swear I will not return to my camp!” Both armies raised a great shout and lit hundreds upon thousands of torches until it was as bright as day. The two warriors fought furiously again before the lines. After some twenty bouts Ma Chao wheeled his horse and made off. Zhang Fei roared, “Where do you think you are going?”

敢夜戰麼？”張飛性起，問玄德換了坐下馬，搶出陣來，叫曰：“我捉你不得，誓不上關！”超曰：“我勝你不得，誓不回寨！”兩軍吶喊，點起千百火把，照耀如同白日。兩將又向陣前鏖戰。到二十餘合，馬超撥回馬便走。張飛大叫曰：“走那裏去！”

Ma Chao, seeing that he could not beat Zhang Fei, had hit upon a trick: he would pretend to be beaten and lure Zhang Fei into pursuit, and he secretly drew a bronze hammer, meaning to twist round and strike at Zhang Fei with it. But Zhang Fei, seeing Ma Chao flee, had been on his guard. When the bronze hammer came at him, he dodged, and it flew past his ear. As Zhang Fei reined round to ride back, Ma Chao in turn came after him.

原來馬超見贏不得張飛，心生一計：詐敗佯輸，賺張飛趕來，暗掣銅錘在手，扭回身覷着張飛便打將來。張飛見馬超走，心中也提防；比及銅錘打來時，張飛一閃，從耳朵邊過去。張飛便勒回馬走時，馬超卻又趕來。

Zhang Fei pulled up his horse, took his bow, fitted an arrow and shot back at Ma Chao, but Ma Chao dodged it too. The two warriors each returned to their lines. Xuande himself called out before the lines, “I treat others with benevolence and righteousness and do not use tricks. Ma Mengqi, withdraw your troops and rest; I will not take advantage of this to pursue you.” When Ma Chao heard this, he took charge of the rearguard himself, and his troops gradually withdrew. Xuande too withdrew his men up to the pass. The next day Zhang Fei again wanted to go down from the pass and fight Ma Chao.

張飛帶住馬，拈弓搭箭，回射馬超；超卻閃過。二將各自回陣。玄德自於陣前叫曰：“吾以仁義待人。不施譎詐。馬孟起，你收兵歇息，我不乘勢趕你。”馬超聞言，親自斷後，諸軍漸退。玄德亦收軍上關。次日，張飛又欲下關戰馬超。

Word came that the Director of Strategy had arrived, and Xuande went to meet Kongming. Kongming said, “I have heard that Mengqi is the tiger general of our age. If he and Yide fight to the death, one of them is sure to be hurt. So I left Zilong and Hansheng to hold Mianzhu and came here with all speed through the night. With a small stratagem we can make Ma Chao submit to you, my lord.” Xuande said, “I have seen how brave Ma Chao is, and I admire him greatly. How can I win him?” Kongming said, “I hear that Zhang Lu of Dongchuan wants to make himself Prince of Hanning.

人報軍師來到。玄德接着孔明。孔明曰：“亮聞孟起世之虎將，若與翼德死戰，必有一傷；故令子龍、漢升守住綿竹，我星夜來此。可用條小計，令馬超歸降主公。”玄德曰：“吾見馬超英勇，甚愛之。如何可得？”孔明曰：“亮聞東川張魯，欲自立爲漢寧王。

Among his advisers is one Yang Song, who is extremely greedy for bribes. My lord, you should send someone by the byways straight to Hanzhong, first to win over Yang Song with gold and silver, and then to present a letter to Zhang Lu, saying: ‘My struggle with Liu Zhang for Xichuan is to avenge you. Do not listen to those who would set us against each other. When the matter is settled, I will guarantee you the title of Prince of Hanning.’ Get him to recall Ma Chao’s troops. When Ma Chao comes to withdraw, we can use a stratagem to induce him to surrender.”

手下謀士楊松，極貪賄賂。主公可差人從小路徑投漢中，先用金銀結好楊松，後進書與張魯，雲吾與劉璋爭西川，是與汝報仇。不可聽信離間之語。事定之後，保汝爲漢寧王。令其撤回馬超兵。待其來撤時，便可用計招降馬超矣。”

Xuande was delighted and at once wrote a letter. He sent Sun Qian with gold and pearls by the byways straight to Hanzhong. Sun Qian first went to see Yang Song, told him the matter and handed over the gold and pearls. Yang Song was delighted. He took Sun Qian to see Zhang Lu and put in a good word for him. Zhang Lu said, “Xuande is only General of the Left. How can he guarantee me the title of Prince of Hanning?” Yang Song said, “He is an Imperial Uncle of the great Han; he is just the man to recommend you to the throne.” Zhang Lu was delighted and at once sent someone to tell Ma Chao to break off the fighting.

玄德大喜，即時修書，差孫乾齎金珠從小路徑至漢中，先來見楊松，說知此事，送了金珠。松大喜，先引孫乾見張魯，陳言方便。魯曰：“玄德只是左將軍，如何保得我爲漢寧王？”楊松曰：“他是大漢皇叔，正合保奏。”張魯大喜，便差人教馬超罷兵。

Sun Qian stayed at Yang Song’s house waiting for the reply. Within a few days the messenger came back and reported, “Ma Chao says that he has not yet achieved his aim and cannot withdraw.” Zhang Lu sent another man to summon him, but again he would not come back. Three times in a row he was summoned, and three times he did not come. Yang Song said, “This man has never been trustworthy. His refusal to withdraw must mean that he intends to rebel.” So he had people spread a rumour: “Ma Chao means to seize Xichuan and make himself lord of Shu to avenge his father, and he will not be a subject of Hanzhong.”

孫乾只在楊松家聽回信。不一日，使者回報：“馬超言：未成功，不可退兵。”張魯又遣人去喚，又不肯回。一連三次不至。楊松曰：“此人素無信行，不肯罷兵，其意必反。”遂使人流言云：“馬超意欲奪西川，自爲蜀主，與父報仇，不肯臣於漢中。”

When Zhang Lu heard this, he asked Yang Song what to do. Yang Song said, “On the one hand, send someone to tell Ma Chao: ‘Since you are set on achieving your aim, you shall have a time limit of one month, and you must carry out three things for me. If you do them, you will be rewarded; if not, you will certainly be put to death. First, you must take Xichuan; second, you must bring Liu Zhang’s head; third, you must drive back the Jingzhou army. If these three things are not done, you shall forfeit your own head.’ On the other hand, have Zhang Wei muster troops and hold the passes against a revolt by Ma Chao’s army.”

張魯聞之，問計於楊松。松曰：“一面差人去說與馬超：汝既欲成功，與汝一月限，要依我三件事。若依得，便有賞；否則必誅：一要取西川，二要劉璋首級，三要退荊州兵。三件事不成，可獻頭來。一面教張衛點軍守把關隘，防馬超兵變。”

Zhang Lu followed this advice and sent men to Ma Chao’s camp to deliver these three demands. Ma Chao was astonished and said, “How can things have changed like this?” He talked it over with Ma Dai and said, “We had better withdraw.” But Yang Song spread another rumour: “If Ma Chao brings his army back, it will surely be with treacherous intent.” So Zhang Wei divided his forces into seven columns and held the narrow passes firmly, refusing to let Ma Chao’s troops in. Ma Chao could neither advance nor retreat and had no idea what to do. Kongming said to Xuande, “Ma Chao is now caught between advance and retreat. Relying on my three-inch tongue that never wears out, I will go myself to his camp and persuade him to come over to us.”

魯從之，差人到馬超寨中，說這三件事。超大驚曰：“如何變得恁的！”乃與馬岱商議：“不如罷兵。”楊松又流言曰：“馬超回兵，必懷異心。”於是張衛分七路軍，堅守隘口，不放馬超兵入。超進退不得，無計可施。孔明謂玄德曰：“今馬超正在進退兩難之際，亮憑三寸不爛之舌，親往超寨，說馬超來降。”

Xuande said, “You, Sir, are my right arm and my closest confidant. If anything should happen to you, what would I do?” Kongming was determined to go, and Xuande again and again refused to let him. While they were still undecided, word suddenly came that Zhao Yun had sent a letter recommending a man of Xichuan who had come to surrender. Xuande called him in and questioned him. The man was from Yuyuan in Jianning, surnamed Li, named Hui, styled Deang. Xuande said, “I heard some time ago that you earnestly remonstrated with Liu Zhang. Why do you come over to me now?”

玄德曰：“先生乃吾之股肱心腹，倘有疏虞，如之奈何？”孔明堅意要去，玄德再三不肯放去。正躊躇間，忽報趙雲有書薦西川一人來降。玄德召入問之。其人乃建寧俞元人也，姓李名恢，字德昂。玄德曰：“向日聞公苦諫劉璋，今何故歸我？”

Li Hui said, “I have heard that a good bird chooses its tree before it roosts, and a wise minister chooses his master before he serves. When I remonstrated with the Imperial Protector of Yizhou before, it was to do my full duty as a subject. Since he would not take my advice, I knew he was bound to fail. Now your benevolence and virtue, General, have spread throughout Shu, and I know that your cause will succeed. That is why I have come over to you.” Xuande said, “Your coming, Sir, will surely be of benefit to me.” Li Hui said, “I hear that Ma Chao is now caught between advance and retreat. When I was in Longxi some time ago, I made his acquaintance. I would like to go and persuade him to submit. What do you think?”

恢曰：“吾聞良禽相木而棲，賢臣擇主而事，前諫劉益州者，以盡人臣之心；既不能用，知必敗矣。今將軍仁德佈於蜀中，知事必成，故來歸耳。”玄德曰：“先生此來，必有益於劉備。”恢曰：“今聞馬超在進退兩難之際。恢昔在隴西，與彼有一面之交，願往說馬超歸降，若何？”

Kongming said, “I was just wanting someone to go in my place. May I hear what you would say to him?” Li Hui whispered in Kongming’s ear, so and so. Kongming was delighted and sent him off at once.

孔明曰：“正欲得一人替吾一往。願聞公之說詞。”李恢於孔明耳畔陳說如此如此。孔明大喜，即時遣行。

When Li Hui reached Ma Chao’s camp, he first sent in his name. Ma Chao said, “I know Li Hui is a persuasive talker. He must have come to talk me round.” He first called twenty swordsmen and axemen, hid them beneath his tent and instructed them, “When I tell you to strike, cut him to mincemeat at once!” Presently Li Hui strode proudly in. Ma Chao sat bolt upright in his tent without moving and snapped at him, “What have you come for?” Li Hui said, “I have come expressly as a persuader.” Ma Chao said, “The precious sword in my case has just been sharpened.

恢行至超寨，先使人通名姓。馬超曰：“吾知李恢乃辯士，今必來說我。”先喚二十刀斧手伏於帳下，囑曰：“令汝砍，即砍爲肉醬！”須臾，李恢昂然而入。馬超端坐帳中不動，叱李恢曰：“汝來爲何？”恢曰：“特來作說客。”超曰：“吾匣中寶劍新磨。

Speak, then. If what you say does not make sense, I will try my sword on you!” Li Hui laughed and said, “Your own disaster is not far off, General! I only fear that your newly sharpened sword will be tried not on my head but on your own!” Ma Chao said, “What disaster threatens me?” Li Hui said, “I have heard that even the cleverest slanderer could not hide the beauty of Xi Shi of Yue, and even the cleverest flatterer could not cover up the ugliness of the woman of Wuyan in Qi. When the sun reaches noon it begins to decline; when the moon is full it begins to wane. This is the constant law of the world.

汝試言之，其言不通，便請試劍！”恢笑曰：“將軍之禍不遠矣！但恐新磨之劍，不能試吾之頭，將欲自試也！”超曰：“吾有何禍？”恢曰：“吾聞越之西子，善毀者不能閉其美；齊之無鹽，善美者不能掩其醜；日中則昃，月滿則虧：此天下之常理也。

Now, General, you have the death of your father to avenge on Cao Cao, and in Longxi, too, there are those who hate you bitterly. In front, you cannot save Liu Zhang and drive back the Jingzhou army; behind, you cannot master Yang Song and face Zhang Lu. At present there is no place for you within the four seas, and you have no lord to serve. If you should meet with another defeat like that at Wei Bridge, or another loss like that of Jicheng, how could you face the people of the world?” Ma Chao bowed his head to the ground in thanks and said, “What you say is absolutely right, Sir, but I have no way open to me.”

今將軍與曹操有殺父之仇，而隴西又有切齒之恨；前不能救劉璋而退荊州之兵，後不能制楊松而見張魯之面；目下四海難容，一身無主；若復有渭橋之敗，冀城之失，何面目見天下之人乎？”超頓首謝曰：“公言極善，但超無路可行。”

Li Hui said, “If you are ready to listen to me, why are swordsmen and axemen hidden beneath your tent?” Ma Chao was deeply ashamed and ordered them all out. Li Hui said, “Liu, the Imperial Uncle, treats the worthy with courtesy and humbles himself before scholars. I knew he was sure to succeed, and so I left Liu Zhang and came over to him. Your honoured father once made a pact with the Imperial Uncle to destroy the traitor together. Why do you not turn your back on darkness and go over to the light, so that you may avenge your father above and win fame and merit below?” Ma Chao was delighted. He at once called Yang Bai in and cut him down with a single stroke of his sword. Then, taking the head with him, he went up to the pass with Li Hui and surrendered to Xuande.

恢曰：“公既聽吾言，帳下何故伏刀斧手？”超大慚，盡叱退。恢曰：“劉皇叔禮賢下士，吾知其必成，故舍劉璋而歸之。公之尊人，昔年曾與皇叔約共討賊，公何不背暗投明，以圖上報父仇，下立功名乎？”馬超大喜，即喚楊柏入，一劍斬之，將首級共恢一同上關來降玄德。

Xuande welcomed him in person and treated him as an honoured guest. Ma Chao bowed his head to the ground in thanks and said, “Now that I have met an enlightened lord, it is like seeing the blue sky when the clouds and mist are swept away!” By this time Sun Qian had returned. Xuande again ordered Huo Jun and Meng Da to hold the pass, and then withdrew his army to go and take Chengdu. Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong welcomed him into Mianzhu. News came that the Shu generals Liu Jun and Ma Han were approaching with an army. Zhao Yun said, “Let me go and capture these two!”

玄德親自接入，待以上賓之禮。超頓首謝曰：“今遇明主，如撥雲霧而見青天！”時孫乾已回。玄德覆命霍峻、孟達守關，便撤兵來取成都。趙雲、黃忠接入綿竹。人報蜀將劉晙、馬漢引軍到。趙雲曰：“某願往擒此二人！”

With that he mounted and led his troops out. Xuande entertained Ma Chao with wine on the city wall. Before they had even settled in their seats, Zilong had already cut off the heads of the two and laid them before the banquet. Even Ma Chao was astonished, and he respected Zilong all the more. Ma Chao said, “There is no need for your army to fight, my lord. I will call Liu Zhang out myself and make him surrender. If he will not, my brother Ma Dai and I will take Chengdu ourselves and present it to you with both hands.” Xuande was delighted. That day they feasted to their hearts’ content.

言訖，上馬引軍出。玄德在城上管待馬超喫酒。未曾安席，子龍已斬二人之頭，獻於筵前。馬超亦驚，倍加敬重。超曰：“不須主公軍馬廝殺，超自喚出劉璋來降。如不肯降，超自與弟馬岱取成都，雙手奉獻。”玄德大喜。是日盡歡。

Now the defeated troops got back to Yizhou and reported to Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang was greatly alarmed and shut himself up behind his gates. When word came that Ma Chao’s relief army had arrived north of the city, Liu Zhang at last ventured to go up on the wall and look. He saw Ma Chao and Ma Dai standing below the wall, shouting, “Let Liu Jiyu come and speak with us!” Liu Zhang called down from the wall to ask what they wanted. Pointing with his whip from the saddle, Ma Chao said, “I originally came with Zhang Lu’s troops to rescue Yizhou. Who could have imagined that Zhang Lu would listen to Yang Song’s slanders and turn on me?

卻說敗兵回到益州，報劉璋。璋大驚，閉門不出。人報城北馬超救兵到，劉璋方敢登城望之。見馬超、馬岱立於城下，大叫：“請劉季玉答話。”劉璋在城上問之。超在馬上以鞭指曰：“吾本領張魯兵來救益州，誰想張魯聽信楊松讒言，反欲害我。

I have now submitted to the Imperial Uncle Liu. You should hand over your territory and surrender, and spare the people from suffering. If you persist in your folly, I will attack the city first!” Liu Zhang was so shocked that his face turned the colour of earth, and he fell down in a faint on the wall. His officials revived him. Liu Zhang said, “I have been blind. What use is regret now? It would be better to open the gates and surrender, to save the people of the whole city.” Dong He said, “There are still more than thirty thousand troops in the city, and money, silk, grain and fodder enough to last a year. Why surrender now?”

今已歸降劉皇叔。公可納士拜降，免致生靈受苦。如或執迷，吾先攻城矣！”劉璋驚得面如土色，氣倒於城上。衆官救醒。璋曰：“吾之不明，悔之何及！不若開門投降，以救滿城百姓。”董和曰：“城中尚有兵三萬餘人；錢帛糧草，可支一年：奈何便降？”

Liu Zhang said, “My father and I have been in Shu for more than twenty years and have shown the people no kindness. For three years there has been fighting, and flesh and blood have been cast away in the wilds. All this is my fault. How can my heart be at peace? Better to surrender and give the people peace.” All who heard him shed tears. Suddenly a man stepped forward and said, “My lord’s words accord exactly with the will of Heaven.” They looked and saw that it was a man of Xichongguo in Baxi, surnamed Qiao, named Zhou, styled Yunnan.

劉璋曰：“吾父子在蜀二十餘年，無恩德以加百姓；攻戰三年，血肉捐於草野，皆我罪也。我心何安？不如投降以安百姓。”衆人聞之，皆墮淚。忽一人進曰：“主公之言，正合天意。”視之，乃巴西西充國人也，姓譙名周，字允南。

This man had long been versed in astronomy. When Liu Zhang questioned him, Qiao Zhou said, “Observing the heavens by night, I have seen the stars gathering over Shu Commandery, and the light of the great star is like the bright moon. That is the sign of an emperor. Moreover, a year ago the children were singing a rhyme: ‘If you want to eat new rice, you must wait for the First Lord to come.’ This was an omen. We must not go against the Way of Heaven.” When Huang Quan and Liu Ba heard this, they were both furious and wanted to put him to death, but Liu Zhang stopped them. Suddenly came the news: “Xu Jing, the Prefect of Shu Commandery, has gone over the wall and surrendered.” Liu Zhang went back to his residence weeping bitterly.

此人素曉天文。璋問之，周曰：“某夜觀乾象，見羣星聚於蜀郡；其大星光如皓月，乃帝王之象也。況一載之前，小兒謠雲：若要喫新飯，須待先主來。此乃預兆。不可逆天道。”黃權、劉巴聞言皆大怒，欲斬之。劉璋擋住。忽報：“蜀郡太守許靖，逾城出降矣。”劉璋大哭歸府。

The next day word came that the Imperial Uncle Liu had sent his aide Jian Yong, who was at the foot of the wall calling for the gates to be opened. Liu Zhang had the gates opened and let him in. Jian Yong sat in his carriage, looking about him with an arrogant air, quite at his ease. Suddenly a man drew his sword and shouted, “A petty fellow who has got his way behaves as though no one else existed! How dare you look down on the men of Shu!” Jian Yong hastily got down from his carriage to greet him. The man was a native of Mianzhu in Guanghan, surnamed Qin, named Mi, styled Zichi. Jian Yong laughed and said, “I did not recognise you, worthy brother. Please do not hold it against me.”

次日，人報劉皇叔遣幕賓簡雍在城下喚門。璋令開門接入。雍坐車中，傲睨自若。忽一人掣劍大喝曰：“小輩得志，傍若無人！汝敢藐視吾蜀中人物耶！”雍慌下車迎之。此人乃廣漢綿竹人也，姓秦名宓，字子敕。雍笑曰：“不識賢兄，幸勿見責。”

Then they went in together to see Liu Zhang, and Jian Yong explained at length that Xuande was generous and magnanimous and had no intention of harming him. So Liu Zhang made up his mind to surrender and treated Jian Yong handsomely. The next day he took his seals of office and his registers and records himself and rode out of the city in the same carriage as Jian Yong to surrender. Xuande came out of his camp to meet him, grasped his hands and said with tears, “It is not that I would not act with benevolence and righteousness; circumstances left me no choice!” They entered the camp together, the seals, registers and records were handed over, and they rode side by side into the city.

遂同入見劉璋，具說玄德寬洪大度，並無相害之意。於是劉璋決計投降，厚待簡雍。次日，親齎印綬文籍，與簡雍同車出城投降。玄德出寨迎接，握手流涕曰：“非吾不行仁義，奈勢不得已也！”共入寨，交割印綬文籍，並馬入城。

When Xuande entered Chengdu, the people came out to their doors with incense, flowers, lamps and candles to welcome him. Xuande went to the government hall, ascended and took his seat. All the officials of the commandery made obeisance below the hall; only Huang Quan and Liu Ba shut their gates and would not come out. The generals were enraged and wanted to go and kill them, but Xuande hastily issued an order: “Anyone who harms these two men shall have his family exterminated to the third degree!” Xuande went to their doors in person and asked the two men to take office. Moved by his kindness and courtesy, they came out at last.

玄德入成都，百姓香花燈燭，迎門而接。玄德到公廳，升堂坐定。郡內諸官，皆拜於堂下；惟黃權、劉巴，閉門不出。衆將忿怒，欲往殺之。玄德慌忙傳令曰：“如有害此二人者，滅其三族！”玄德親自登門，請二人出仕。二人感玄德恩禮，乃出。

Kongming made a request: “Now that Xichuan is pacified, there is no room for two masters. Liu Zhang should be sent away to Jingzhou.” Xuande said, “I have only just won Shu Commandery. I cannot send Jiyu far away yet.” Kongming said, “Liu Zhang lost his inheritance only because he was too weak. My lord, if you meet affairs with a woman’s tender-heartedness and cannot make up your mind, I fear you will not hold this land for long.” Xuande agreed. He gave a great banquet, asked Liu Zhang to pack up his wealth and possessions, conferred on him the seal and ribbon of General Who Spreads Awe, and ordered him to take his wife and children and all his household, free and servile, to live at Gong’an in Nan Commandery. He set out that same day.

孔明請曰：“今西川平定，難容二主，可將劉璋送去荊州。”玄德曰：“吾方得蜀郡，未可令季玉遠去。”孔明曰：“劉璋失基業者，皆因太弱耳。主公若以婦人之仁，臨事不決，恐此土難以長久。”玄德從之，設一大宴，請劉璋收拾財物，佩領振威將軍印綬，令將妻子良賤，盡赴南郡公安住歇，即日起行。

Xuande made himself Imperial Protector of Yizhou. All the civil and military officials who had surrendered were richly rewarded and given titles and ranks: Yan Yan was made General of the Front; Fa Zheng, Prefect of Shu Commandery; Dong He, General of the Household Who Directs the Army; Xu Jing, Chief Clerk to the General of the Left; Pang Xi, Marshal of the Camp; Liu Ba, General of the Left; and Huang Quan, General of the Right. The rest — Wu Yi, Fei Guan, Peng Yang, Zhuo Ying, Li Yan, Wu Lan, Lei Tong, Li Hui, Zhang Yi, Qin Mi, Qiao Zhou, Lü Yi, Huo Jun, Deng Zhi, Yang Hong, Zhou Qun, Fei Yi, Fei Shi and Meng Da, the civil and military officials who had surrendered, more than sixty in all — were every one promoted to office.

玄德自領益州牧。其所降文武，盡皆重賞，定擬名爵：嚴顏爲前將軍，法正爲蜀郡太守，董和爲掌軍中郎將，許靖爲左將軍長史，龐羲爲營中司馬，劉巴爲左將軍，黃權爲右將軍。其餘吳懿、費觀、彭羕、卓膺、李嚴、吳蘭、雷銅、李恢、張翼、秦宓、譙周、呂義，霍峻、鄧芝、楊洪、周羣、費禕、費詩、孟達，文武投降官員，共六十餘人，並皆擢用。

Zhuge Liang was made Director of Strategy; Guan Yunchang, General Who Sweeps Away Bandits and Marquis of Hanshouting; Zhang Fei, General Who Subdues Barbarians and Marquis of Xinting; Zhao Yun, General Who Guards Distant Lands; Huang Zhong, General Who Conquers the West; Wei Yan, General Who Displays Martial Might; and Ma Chao, General Who Pacifies the West. Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, Liu Feng, Wu Ban, Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua, Ma Liang, Ma Su, Jiang Wan, Yi Ji and all the civil and military officials of the old days in Jing and Xiang were promoted and rewarded.

諸葛亮爲軍師，關雲長爲蕩寇將軍、漢壽亭侯，張飛爲徵虜將軍、新亭侯，趙雲爲鎮遠將軍，黃忠爲徵西將軍，魏延爲揚武將軍，馬超爲平西將軍。孫乾、簡雍、糜竺、糜芳、劉封、吳班、關平、周倉、廖化、馬良、馬謖、蔣琬、伊籍，及舊日荊襄一班文武官員，盡皆升賞。

Envoys were sent to take Yunchang five hundred jin of gold, a thousand jin of silver, fifty million coins and a thousand bolts of Shu brocade as gifts. The other officials and officers received rewards according to rank. Oxen and horses were slaughtered for a great feast for the soldiers, and the granaries were opened for the relief of the people. Soldiers and people alike were overjoyed.

遣使齎黃金五百斤、白銀一千斤、錢五千萬、蜀錦一千匹，賜與雲長。其餘官將，給賞有差。殺牛宰馬，大餉士卒。開倉賑濟百姓，軍民大悅。

Now that Yizhou was settled, Xuande wished to divide the famous fields and mansions of Chengdu among his officials. Zhao Yun remonstrated, “The people of Yizhou have suffered war and fire again and again, and their fields and houses stand empty. Now they should be given back to the people so that they may live in peace and return to their work. Only then will the people’s hearts be won. It would be wrong to take them away as private rewards.” Xuande was delighted and followed his advice. He had the Director of Strategy Zhuge draw up regulations for governing the state, and the penalties were rather severe. Fa Zheng said, “Of old, the Founder of the Han agreed on a code of just three articles, and all the common people were grateful for his virtue.

益州既定，玄德欲將成都有名田宅，分賜諸官。趙雲諫曰：“益州人民，屢遭兵火，田宅皆空；今當歸還百姓，令安居復業，民心方服；不宜奪之爲私賞也。”玄德大喜，從其言。使諸葛軍師定擬治國條例，刑法頗重。法正曰：“昔高祖約法三章，黎民皆感其德。

I hope, Director of Strategy, that you will make the punishments lighter and the laws fewer, to satisfy the people’s hopes.” Kongming said, “You know one side of the matter, Sir, but not the other. Qin used its laws with savage cruelty, and all the people hated it; that is why the Founder of the Han won the realm by leniency and benevolence. But Liu Zhang was benighted and weak. Virtuous government was not practised, and punishments were not enforced with rigour, so that the proper relation between lord and subject gradually decayed. When men are favoured with high positions, they turn cruel once they reach the top; when they are indulged with kindness, they grow insolent once the kindness runs out. That is what brought about the rot.

願軍師寬刑省法。以慰民望。”孔明曰：“君知其一、未知其二：秦用法暴虐，萬民皆怨，故高祖以寬仁得之。今劉璋闇弱，德政不舉，威刑不肅；君臣之道，漸以陵替。寵之以位，位極則殘；順之以恩，恩竭則慢。所以致弊，實由於此。

Now I shall make them stand in awe of the law, and when the law is carried out, they will know what kindness is. I shall limit them with ranks, and when a rank is conferred, they will know what honour is. When kindness and honour work together, superiors and inferiors each keep their proper place. Therein the way of good government is made plain.” Fa Zheng bowed, convinced. From then on soldiers and people lived in peace. Troops were stationed to keep order throughout the forty-one districts, and all were pacified. As Prefect of Shu Commandery, Fa Zheng repaid every favour, down to a single meal, and every grudge, down to an angry glance.

吾今威之以法，法行則知恩；限之以爵，爵加則知榮。恩榮並濟，上下有節。爲治之道，於斯著矣。”法正拜服。自此軍民安堵。四十一州地面，分兵鎮撫，並皆平定。法正爲蜀郡太守，凡平日一餐之德，睚眥之怨，無不報復。

Someone said to Kongming, “Xiaozhi is too high-handed. You ought to restrain him a little.” Kongming said, “When our lord was hard pressed in Jingzhou, fearing Cao Cao to the north and dreading Sun Quan to the east, it was Xiaozhi who served as his wings, so that he soared up and could no longer be held down by anyone. How can I now forbid Xiaozhi from having his way a little?” So in the end he let the matter be. When Fa Zheng heard of this, he restrained himself of his own accord.

或告孔明曰：“孝直太橫，宜稍斥之。”孔明曰：“昔主公困守荊州，北畏曹操，東憚孫權，賴孝直爲之輔翼，遂翻然翱翔，不可複製。今奈何禁止孝直，使不得少行其意耶？”因竟不問。法正聞之，亦自斂戢。

One day, while Xuande was chatting at leisure with Kongming, word suddenly came that Yunchang had sent Guan Ping to give thanks for the gold and silks he had been given. Xuande called him in. Guan Ping made his obeisance and presented a letter, saying, “My father knows that Ma Chao’s skill at arms surpasses other men’s, and he wishes to come into Xichuan to match himself against him and see which is the better. He told me to report this to you, uncle.” Xuande was greatly alarmed and said, “If Yunchang comes into Shu and matches himself against Mengqi, one of them will not survive.”

一日，玄德正與孔明閒敘，忽報雲長遣關平來謝所賜金帛。玄德召入。平拜罷，呈上書信曰：“父親知馬超武藝過人，要入川來與之比試高低。教就稟伯父此事。”玄德大驚曰：“若雲長入蜀，與孟起比試，勢不兩立。”

Kongming said, “No harm done. I will write a reply myself.” Xuande was only afraid of Yunchang’s hasty temper, so he had Kongming write the letter and sent Guan Ping back to Jingzhou with all speed through the night. When Guan Ping got back to Jingzhou, Yunchang asked, “Did you tell them that I want to match myself against Ma Mengqi?” Guan Ping replied, “The Director of Strategy has sent a letter; here it is.” Yunchang opened it and read: “I hear that you wish to measure yourself against Mengqi, General, to see which is the better.

孔明曰：“無妨。亮自作書回之。”玄德只恐雲長性急，便教孔明寫了書，發付關平星夜回荊州。平回至荊州，雲長問曰：“我欲與馬孟起比試，汝曾說否？”平答曰：“軍師有書在此。”雲長拆開視之。其書曰：“亮聞將軍欲與孟起分別高下。

As I see it, Mengqi, for all his exceptional valour and fierceness, is only of the same sort as Qing Bu and Peng Yue. He might race neck and neck with Yide for the lead, but he still falls short of the peerless, all-surpassing Lord of the Beautiful Beard. You have now been entrusted with the defence of Jingzhou, a charge by no means light. If you were to come into Xichuan and Jingzhou were lost meanwhile, no crime could be greater. I trust you will see this clearly.” When Yunchang had read it, he stroked his beard and laughed, “Kongming knows my heart.” He showed the letter to all his guests and gave up any idea of going into Xichuan.

以亮度之：孟起雖雄烈過人，亦乃黥布、彭越之徒耳；當與翼德並驅爭先，猶未及美髯公之絕倫超羣也。今公受任守荊州，不爲不重；倘一入川，若荊州有失。罪莫大焉。惟冀明照。”雲長看畢，自綽其髯笑曰：“孔明知我心也。”將書遍示賓客，遂無入川之意。

Meanwhile Sun Quan of Eastern Wu learned that Xuande had swallowed up Xichuan and driven Liu Zhang off to Gong’an. So he summoned Zhang Zhao and Gu Yong to consult, saying, “When Liu Bei borrowed Jingzhou from me, he said that once he had taken Xichuan he would give Jingzhou back. Now that he has won the forty-one districts of Ba and Shu, we must demand the return of the commanderies along the Han River. If he will not give them back, we will take up arms at once.” Zhang Zhao said, “Wu has only just settled down; we must not go to war.

卻說東吳孫權，知玄德併吞西川，將劉璋逐於公安，遂召張昭、顧雍商議曰：“當初劉備借我荊州時，說取了西川，便還荊州。今已得巴蜀四十一州，須用取索漢上諸郡。如其不還，即動干戈。”張昭曰：“吳中方寧，不可動兵。

I have a plan that will make Liu Bei hand Jingzhou back to you with both hands, my lord.”

昭有一計，使劉備將荊州雙手奉還主公。”

Indeed:
In Western Shu a new sun and moon had just begun to shine,
When Eastern Wu came claiming old hills and streams once more.
What the plan was will be told in the next chapter.

正是：西蜀方開新日月，東吳又索舊山川。
未知其計如何，且看下文分解。