Records of Wei 7: Biographies of Lü Bu, Zhang Miao and Zang Hong

Records of Wei 7: Biographies of Lü Bu, Zhang Miao and Zang Hong

Lü Bu

呂布

Lü Bu, whose courtesy name was Fengxian, was a man of Jiuyuan in Wuyuan Commandery. For his fierce courage he was given service in Bing Province. When the Inspector Ding Yuan became Chief Commandant of Cavalry and was stationed in Henei, he made Lü Bu his Registrar and treated him with great intimacy and favour. When Emperor Ling died, Ding Yuan led troops to Luoyang, joined He Jin in a plot to put the eunuchs to death, and was appointed Bearer of the Golden Mace. After He Jin was defeated, Dong Zhuo entered the capital intending to stir up disorder, and he wished to kill Ding Yuan and absorb his troops. Seeing that Lü Bu was trusted by Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo enticed Lü Bu into killing him.

呂布字奉先，五原郡九原人也。以驍武給并州。刺史丁原為騎都尉，屯河內，以布為主簿，大見親待。靈帝崩，原將兵詣洛陽。 ¹與何進謀誅諸黃門，拜執金吾。進敗，董卓入京都，將為亂，欲殺原，併其兵眾。卓以布見信於原，誘布令殺原。

Lü Bu cut off Ding Yuan's head and went with it to Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo made Lü Bu Chief Commandant of Cavalry, loved and trusted him greatly, and swore that they would be father and son.

布斬原首詣卓，卓以布為騎都尉，甚愛信之，誓為父子。

Lü Bu was skilled with bow and horse, and his physical strength surpassed other men's, so that he was called the Flying General. He was gradually promoted to General of the Household and enfeoffed as Marquis of a Chief Village. Dong Zhuo knew that he himself treated people without courtesy and feared that others would plot against him, so wherever he went or stayed he always had Lü Bu guard him. But Dong Zhuo was harsh and narrow by nature, and when angry he gave no thought to the consequences. Once, when something displeased him slightly, he drew a hand halberd and hurled it at Lü Bu. Lü Bu dodged it nimbly and turned to Dong Zhuo to apologise, and Dong Zhuo's anger subsided. From then on Lü Bu secretly resented him. Dong Zhuo often had Lü Bu guard the inner apartments, and there Lü Bu had an affair with one of Dong Zhuo's maidservants. He feared that the matter would be discovered and could not be at ease.

布便弓馬，膂力過人，號為飛將。稍遷至中郎將，封都亭侯。卓自以遇人無禮，恐人謀己，行止常以布自衛。然卓性剛而褊，忿不思難，嘗小失意，拔手戟擲布。布拳捷避之，¹為卓顧謝，卓意亦解。由是陰怨卓。卓常使布守中閤，布與卓侍婢私通，恐事發覺，心不自安。

Before this, the Minister over the Masses Wang Yun, because Lü Bu came from the same province and was strong and robust, had received him with great generosity. Later Lü Bu went to see Wang Yun and told him how he had nearly been killed by Dong Zhuo. At that time Wang Yun and the Deputy Director Shisun Rui were secretly plotting to kill Dong Zhuo, so they told Lü Bu of it and had him act as their inside man. Lü Bu said, “But what of our being father and son?” Wang Yun said, “Your surname is Lü; you are no flesh and blood of his. You have no time to spare from worrying about your own death, so what is this talk of father and son?” Lü Bu then agreed, and stabbed Dong Zhuo with his own hand.

先是，司徒王允以布州里壯健，厚接納之。後布詣允，陳卓幾見殺狀。時允與僕射士孫瑞密謀誅卓，是以告布使為內應。布曰：「奈如父子何！」允曰：「君自姓呂，本非骨肉。今憂死不暇，何謂父子？」布遂許之，手刃刺卓。

The account is in the biography of Dong Zhuo. Wang Yun made Lü Bu General Who Arouses Martial Might, granted him the Staff of Authority and ceremonial honours equal to the Three Excellencies, and raised his fief to Marquis of Wen, and together they held the reins of court government. After killing Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu feared and loathed the men of Liang Province, and the men of Liang Province all resented him. For this reason Li Jue and the others banded together and came back to attack the city of Chang'an. Lü Bu could not hold them off, and Li Jue and the others entered Chang'an. Sixty days after Dong Zhuo's death, Lü Bu too was defeated. Leading several hundred horsemen, he went out through Wu Pass, intending to go to Yuan Shu.

語在卓傳。允以布為奮武將軍，假節，儀比三司，進封溫侯，共秉朝政。布自殺卓後，畏惡涼州人，涼州人皆怨。由是李傕等遂相結還攻長安城。 ¹布不能拒，傕等遂入長安。卓死後六旬，布亦敗。 ²將數百騎出武關，欲詣袁術。

Lü Bu considered that in killing Dong Zhuo he had avenged Yuan Shu's family, and he expected Yuan Shu to be grateful. But Yuan Shu disliked his fickleness, refused him, and would not take him in. He went north to Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao joined Lü Bu in attacking Zhang Yan at Changshan. Zhang Yan had more than ten thousand picked troops and several thousand horsemen. Lü Bu had a fine horse called Red Hare. With his close followers Cheng Lian, Wei Yue and others he would always break through the enemy's front and charge into their ranks, and in the end he routed Zhang Yan's army. But he then asked for more troops, and his officers and men plundered, so that Yuan Shao grew worried and suspicious of him.

布自以殺卓為術報讎，欲以德之。術惡其反覆，拒而不受。北詣袁紹，紹與布擊張燕于常山。燕精兵萬餘，騎數千。布有良馬曰赤兔。 ¹常與其親近成廉、魏越等陷鋒突陳，遂破燕軍。而求益兵眾，將士鈔掠，紹患忌之。

Lü Bu perceived his intent and asked Yuan Shao's leave to depart. Yuan Shao, fearing that he would come back to do him harm, sent strong men to fall on Lü Bu by night and kill him, but they failed to get him. When the plot came to light, Lü Bu fled to Henei and joined forces with Zhang Yang. Yuan Shao ordered his men to pursue him, but they were all afraid of Lü Bu and none dared come near him.

布覺其意，從紹求去。紹恐還為己害，遣壯士夜掩殺布，不獲。事露，布走河內，¹與張楊合。紹令眾追之，皆畏布，莫敢逼近者。 ²

Zhang Miao

張邈

Zhang Miao, whose courtesy name was Mengzhuo, was a man of Shouzhang in Dongping. In his youth he was known for his chivalry; he helped the destitute and rescued those in distress, emptying his household's wealth without regret, and many men of standing gathered to him. Taizu and Yuan Shao were both his friends. He was summoned to the office of one of the Excellencies, and because he ranked highest in merit he was appointed Chief Commandant of Cavalry, and was later transferred to be Prefect of Chenliu. During Dong Zhuo's disorders, Taizu and Zhang Miao were the first to raise loyalist troops. At the battle of the Bian River, Zhang Miao sent Wei Zi with troops to follow Taizu. After Yuan Shao became leader of the alliance he showed an arrogant manner, and Zhang Miao rebuked him with upright argument.

張邈字孟卓，東平壽張人也。少以俠聞，振窮救急，傾家無愛，士多歸之。太祖、袁紹皆與邈友。辟公府，以高第拜騎都尉，遷陳留太守。董卓之亂，太祖與邈首舉義兵。汴水之戰，邈遣衞茲將兵隨太祖。袁紹旣爲盟主，有驕矜色，邈正議責紹。

Yuan Shao wanted Taizu to kill Zhang Miao, but Taizu would not listen and rebuked Yuan Shao, saying, “Mengzhuo is a close friend. Whatever his rights and wrongs, we ought to bear with him. The realm is not yet settled, and we should not endanger one another.” When Zhang Miao learned of this he was all the more grateful to Taizu. When Taizu set out to campaign against Tao Qian, he instructed his household, “If I do not return, go and take refuge with Mengzhuo.” When he later came back and saw Zhang Miao, the two faced each other in tears. Such was their closeness.

紹使太祖殺邈，太祖不聽，責紹曰：「孟卓，親友也，是非當容之。今天下未定，不宜自相危也。」邈知之，益德太祖。太祖之征陶謙，勑家曰：「我若不還，往依孟卓。」後還，見邈，垂泣相對。其親如此。

When Lü Bu left Yuan Shao to follow Zhang Yang, he called on Zhang Miao, and at parting they clasped hands and swore an oath together. Yuan Shao heard of it and was bitterly resentful. Zhang Miao feared that Taizu would in the end attack him on Yuan Shao's behalf, and he could not be at ease. In the first year of Xingping, when Taizu again campaigned against Tao Qian, Zhang Miao's younger brother Zhang Chao plotted rebellion against Taizu together with Taizu's general Chen Gong and the Attendant Officers of the Household Xu Si and Wang Kai. Chen Gong urged Zhang Miao, “Now heroes rise up on every side and the realm is split and crumbling. You command a host that spans a thousand li and hold a land open to battle on all four sides. Merely by grasping your sword and glancing about you, you would be a leader among men; yet instead you are controlled by another. Is that not base?

呂布之捨袁紹從張楊也，過邈臨別，把手共誓。紹聞之，大恨。邈畏太祖終爲紹擊己也，心不自安。興平元年，太祖復征謙，邈弟超，與太祖將陳宮、從事中郎許汜、王楷共謀叛太祖。宮說邈曰：「今雄傑並起，天下分崩，君以千里之衆，當四戰之地，撫劒顧眄，亦足以爲人豪，而反制於人，不以鄙乎！

Now the provincial army has gone east on campaign, and the province lies empty. Lü Bu is a man of valour, a fine fighter whom no one can stand against. If for the time being you welcome him and govern Yan Province together, watch the state of the realm and wait for the times to change, this too would be a moment to range freely.” Zhang Miao followed his advice. Taizu had at first left Chen Gong in command of troops garrisoned in Dong Commandery, and Chen Gong now led his forces east to welcome Lü Bu, made him Imperial Protector of Yan Province, and occupied Puyang. The commanderies and counties all responded; only Juancheng, Donge and Fan held out for Taizu.

今州軍東征，其處空虛，呂布壯士，善戰無前，若權迎之，共牧兖州，觀天下形勢，俟時事之變通，此亦縱橫之一時也。」邈從之。太祖初使宮將兵留屯東郡，遂以其衆東迎布爲兖州牧，據濮陽。郡縣皆應，唯鄄城、東阿、范爲太祖守。

Taizu led his army back and fought Lü Bu at Puyang, but it went badly for Taizu's army, and the two sides held each other at bay for more than a hundred days. At that time the year was one of drought and locusts, grain was scarce, and the people ate one another. Lü Bu moved east and camped at Shanyang. In the course of the second year Taizu recovered all the cities and crushed Lü Bu at Juye. Lü Bu fled east to Liu Bei.

太祖引軍還，與布戰於濮陽，太祖軍不利，相持百餘日。是時歲旱、蟲蝗、少穀，百姓相食，布東屯山陽。二年間，太祖乃盡復收諸城，擊破布於鉅野。布東奔劉備。

Zhang Miao went with Lü Bu, leaving Zhang Chao in charge of their families at Yongqiu. Taizu besieged and attacked it for several months, then massacred the city and beheaded Zhang Chao and his family. Zhang Miao went to Yuan Shu to ask for help, but before he arrived he was killed by his own soldiers.

¹邈從布，留超將家屬屯雍丘。太祖攻圍數月，屠之，斬超及其家。邈詣袁術請救未至，自爲其兵所殺。²

While Liu Bei was away in the east attacking Yuan Shu, Lü Bu made a surprise attack and seized Xiapi, and Liu Bei came back and submitted to Lü Bu. Lü Bu had Liu Bei station himself at Xiaopei. Lü Bu styled himself Inspector of Xu Province. Yuan Shu sent his general Ji Ling and others with thirty thousand foot and horse to attack Liu Bei, and Liu Bei asked Lü Bu for help. Lü Bu's generals said to him, “General, you have always wanted to kill Liu Bei. Now you can let Yuan Shu do it for you.” Lü Bu said, “Not so. If Yuan Shu destroys Liu Bei, he will link up in the north with the generals of Mount Tai, and I will find myself inside Yuan Shu's encirclement. I have no choice but to save him.”

備東擊術，布襲取下邳，備還歸布。布遣備屯小沛。布自稱徐州刺史。¹術遣將紀靈等步騎三萬攻備，備求救於布。布諸將謂布曰：「將軍常欲殺備，今可假手於術。」布曰：「不然。術若破備，則北連太山諸將，吾爲在術圍中，不得不救也。」

He at once readied a thousand foot soldiers and two hundred horsemen and galloped off to Liu Bei's aid. When Ji Ling and the others heard that Lü Bu had come, they all held back their troops and dared not attack again. Lü Bu made camp one li southwest of Pei, sent his orderlies to invite Ji Ling and the others, and they in turn invited Lü Bu, and they ate and drank together. Lü Bu said to Ji Ling and the others, “Xuande is my younger brother. My brother has been hard pressed by you gentlemen, so I have come to rescue him. By nature I do not like to set men fighting; I only like to part them.” Lü Bu had his gate officer set up a single halberd inside the camp gate and said, “Gentlemen, watch me shoot at the small branch of that halberd. If I hit it with one shot, you should lift the siege and go; if I miss, you may stay and fight it out.”

便嚴步兵千、騎二百，馳往赴備。靈等聞布至，皆斂兵不敢復攻。布於沛西南一里安屯，遣鈴下請靈等，靈等亦請布共飲食。布謂靈等曰：「玄德，布弟也。弟爲諸君所困，故來救之。布性不喜合鬬，但喜解鬬耳。」布令門候於營門中舉一隻戟，布言：「諸君觀布射戟小支，一發中者諸君當解去，不中可留決鬬。」

Lü Bu raised his bow and shot at the halberd, striking the small branch squarely. The generals were all astonished and said, “General, you have the might of Heaven!” The next day they gathered again in good cheer, and afterwards each side withdrew.

布舉弓射戟，正中小支。諸將皆驚，言「將軍天威也」！明日復歡會，然後各罷。

Yuan Shu wished to bind Lü Bu to him as an ally, so he asked for Lü Bu's daughter as a wife for his son, and Lü Bu agreed. Yuan Shu sent the envoy Han Yin to inform Lü Bu of his plan to assume an imperial title, and at the same time to ask to escort the bride back. The Chancellor of Pei, Chen Gui, fearing that if Yuan Shu and Lü Bu were joined by marriage, Xu and Yang provinces would form an alliance that would bring calamity on the state, went to Lü Bu and urged him, “Lord Cao has welcomed and serves the Son of Heaven and assists in governing the state. His might and renown are the foremost of the age, and he will soon campaign across the four seas. General, you ought to join forces and share counsel with him, and so plan for a security as firm as Mount Tai.

術欲結布爲援，乃爲子索布女，布許之。術遣使韓胤以僭號議告布，并求迎婦。沛相陳珪恐術、布成婚，則徐、揚合從，將爲國難，於是往說布曰：「曹公奉迎天子，輔讚國政，威靈命世，將征四海，將軍宜與恊同策謀，圖太山之安。

If you now ally with Yuan Shu by marriage, you will earn a name for unrighteousness throughout the realm and will surely be in danger like a stack of eggs.” Lü Bu, for his part, resented that Yuan Shu had at first refused to take him in, so although his daughter was already on the road, he had her brought back and broke off the marriage, put Han Yin in fetters and sent him off, and had him beheaded and his head displayed in the marketplace of Xu. Chen Gui wanted to send his son Chen Deng to Taizu, but Lü Bu would not let him go. Just then an envoy arrived and appointed Lü Bu General of the Left. Lü Bu was delighted and at once allowed Chen Deng to go, and had him carry a memorial of thanks for the favour. When Chen Deng saw Taizu, he explained that Lü Bu was brave but had no plans, and changed sides lightly, so that he should be dealt with early.

今與術結婚，受天下不義之名，必有累卵之危。」布亦怨術初不己受也，女已在塗，追還絕婚，械送韓胤，梟首許市。珪欲使子登詣太祖，布不肯遣。會使者至，拜布左將軍。布大喜，即聽登往，并令奉章謝恩。¹登見太祖，因陳布勇而無計，輕於去就，宜早圖之。

Taizu said, “Lü Bu has the savage heart of a wolf cub; it is truly hard to keep him long. No one but you could have fathomed his true nature.” He at once raised Chen Gui's rank to Fully Two Thousand Bushels and appointed Chen Deng Prefect of Guangling. At parting, Taizu took Chen Deng's hand and said, “Affairs in the east I entrust to you.” He had Chen Deng secretly gather followers to act as an inside force.

太祖曰：「布，狼子野心，誠難久養，非卿莫能究其情也。」即增珪秩中二千石，拜登廣陵太守。臨別，太祖執登手曰：「東方之事便以相付。」令登陰合部衆以爲內應。

Earlier, Lü Bu had asked through Chen Deng to be made Imperial Protector of Xu Province. When Chen Deng returned, Lü Bu flew into a rage, drew his halberd, hacked at his desk and said, “Your father urged me to join with Lord Cao and break off the marriage with Gonglu. Now I have got nothing of what I sought, while you and your father are both raised to high honour. You have sold me out! What did you say on my behalf? Tell me.” Chen Deng, without changing expression, calmly explained, “When I saw Lord Cao I said, ‘Dealing with the General is like keeping a tiger. You must feed him his fill of meat; if he is not fed full, he will devour men.’

始，布因登求徐州牧，登還，布怒，拔戟斫机曰：「卿父勸吾恊同曹公，絕婚公路；今吾所求無一獲，而卿父子並顯重，爲卿所賣耳！卿爲吾言，其說云何？」登不爲動容，徐喻之曰：「登見曹公言：『待將軍譬如養虎，當飽其肉，不飽則將噬人。』

Lord Cao said, ‘It is not as you say. It is like keeping a hawk: when hungry it is useful, but when full it flies away.’ That is what he said.” Only then was Lü Bu's anger dispelled.

公曰：『不如卿言也。譬如養鷹，饑則爲用，飽則揚去。』其言如此。」布意乃解。

Yuan Shu was furious. He joined forces with Han Xian, Yang Feng and others and sent his senior general Zhang Xun to attack Lü Bu. Lü Bu said to Chen Gui, “It is because of you that Yuan Shu's army has come upon us. What shall we do?” Chen Gui said, “Han Xian and Yang Feng and Yuan Shu are only an army thrown together in haste. Their plans were not settled beforehand, and they cannot hold together. My son Deng reckons that they are like chickens tied together, which by their nature cannot all perch on one roost; they can be split apart.” Lü Bu adopted Chen Gui's plan and sent men to persuade Han Xian and Yang Feng to join forces with him in attacking Yuan Shu's army, promising them all the army's supplies. Han Xian and Yang Feng went along with this, and Zhang Xun suffered a crushing defeat.

術怒，與韓暹、楊奉等連勢，遣大將張勳攻布。布謂珪曰：「今致術軍，卿之由也，爲之柰何？」珪曰：「暹、奉與術，卒合之軍耳，策謀不素定，不能相維持，子登策之，比之連雞，勢不俱棲，可解離也。」布用珪策，遣人說暹、奉，使與己并力共擊術軍，軍資所有，悉許暹、奉。於是暹、奉從之，勳大破敗。¹

In the third year of Jian'an, Lü Bu again turned traitor and sided with Yuan Shu, sending Gao Shun to attack Liu Bei at Pei and defeating him. Taizu sent Xiahou Dun to rescue Liu Bei, but he was beaten by Gao Shun. Taizu then marched against Lü Bu in person. Arriving beneath his city walls, he sent Lü Bu a letter setting out the consequences for good and ill. Lü Bu wanted to surrender, but Chen Gong and others, believing their own guilt too deep, thwarted the plan. Lü Bu sent men to ask Yuan Shu for help, and himself led more than a thousand horsemen out to fight, but he was defeated and fled back to hold the city, and dared not come out again.

建安三年，布復叛爲術，遣高順攻劉備於沛，破之。太祖遣夏侯惇救備，爲順所敗。太祖自征布，至其城下，遺布書，爲陳禍福。布欲降，陳宮等自以負罪深，沮其計。¹布遣人求救於術，自將千餘騎出戰，敗走，還保城，不敢出。²

Yuan Shu too was unable to help. Although Lü Bu was fierce and valiant, he had no strategy and was full of suspicion; he could not control his own followers and relied only on his generals. The generals each had their own ideas and distrusted one another, so in battle after battle they were defeated. Taizu dug trenches and besieged him for three months, until high and low were divided in heart, and his generals Hou Cheng, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied up Chen Gong and surrendered with their men. Lü Bu and his personal guard climbed the Baimen Tower. When the besiegers pressed hard, he came down and surrendered. He was bound alive, and Lü Bu said, “The ropes are too tight. Loosen them a little.”

術亦不能救。布雖驍猛，然無謀而多猜忌，不能制御其黨，但信諸將。諸將各異意自疑，故每戰多敗。太祖塹圍之三月，上下離心，其將侯成、宋憲、魏續縛陳宮，將其衆降。¹布與其麾下登白門樓。兵圍急，乃下降。遂生縛布，布曰：「縛太急，小緩之。」

Taizu said, “When binding a tiger, one cannot help binding it tight.” Lü Bu pleaded, “Illustrious lord, the only thing that troubled you was me, and now I have submitted. There is nothing left in the realm to worry about. If you command the infantry and let me command the cavalry, the realm will be easily settled.” Taizu looked doubtful. Liu Bei came forward and said, “Illustrious lord, have you not seen how Lü Bu served Ding Jianyang and Grand Tutor Dong?” Taizu nodded. Lü Bu pointed at Liu Bei and said, “This is the fellow least to be trusted!” Then Lü Bu was strangled. Lü Bu, Chen Gong, Gao Shun and the others all had their heads cut off and sent to Xu, and afterwards they were buried.

太祖曰：「縛虎不得不急也。」布請曰：「明公所患不過於布，今已服矣，天下不足憂。明公將步，令布將騎，則天下不足定也。」太祖有疑色。劉備進曰：「明公不見布之事丁建陽及董太師乎！」太祖頷之。布因指備曰：「是兒最叵信者。」¹於是縊殺布。布與宮、順等皆梟首送許，然後葬之。²

Chen Gong

陳宮

When Taizu captured Chen Gong, he asked whether he wished his old mother and his daughter to live. Chen Gong replied, “I have heard that one who governs the realm by filial piety does not cut off another man's parents, and one who spreads benevolence across the four seas does not end another man's ancestral sacrifices. My old mother's fate rests with you, Lord Cao, not with me.” Taizu sent for his mother and supported her to the end of her life, and married off his daughter.

太祖之禽宮也，問宮欲活老母及女不？宮對曰：「宮聞孝治天下者不絕人之親，仁施四海者不乏人之祀，老母在公，不在宮也。」太祖召養其母終其身，嫁其女。¹

Chen Deng

陳登

Chen Deng, whose courtesy name was Yuanlong, won an awesome reputation at Guangling. He also earned merit by harrying Lü Bu from the flank, and was given the additional title of General Who Calms the Waves. He died at the age of thirty-nine. Later Xu Si and Liu Bei were both sitting with Liu Biao, Imperial Protector of Jing Province, and when Liu Biao and Liu Bei were discussing the men of the realm, Xu Si said, “Chen Yuanlong is a man of the lakes and seas; he has never shed his swaggering spirit.” Liu Bei said to Liu Biao, “Is Master Xu's judgement right?” Liu Biao said, “If I say it is wrong, this gentleman is a good man and would not speak idly. If I say it is right, Yuanlong's name carries great weight in the realm.”

陳登者，字元龍，在廣陵有威名。又掎角呂布有功，加伏波將軍，年三十九卒。後許汜與劉備並在荊州牧劉表坐，表與備共論天下人，汜曰：「陳元龍湖海之士，豪氣不除。」備謂表曰：「許君論是非？」表曰：「欲言非，此君爲善士，不宜虛言；欲言是，元龍名重天下。」

Liu Bei asked Xu Si, “You call him swaggering. Did something happen?” Xu Si said, “Once, when I was passing through Xiapi during the disorders, I called on Yuanlong. He showed none of a host's regard for his guest. For a long time he did not speak with me at all, then climbed onto the large bed to sleep himself and made his guest sleep on the lower bed.” Liu Bei said, “You have a name as a gentleman of national stature. Now the realm is in great turmoil and the sovereign has lost his place; he hoped that you would be anxious for the state and forget your own household, and that you would have a mind to save the world. But you sought fields and asked after houses, and nothing you said was worth taking up. That is what Yuanlong despised. Why should he have talked with you?

備問汜：「君言豪，寧有事邪？」汜曰：「昔遭亂過下邳，見元龍。元龍無客主之意，久不相與語，自上大牀卧，使客卧下牀。」備曰：「君有國士之名，今天下大亂，帝主失所，望君憂國忘家，有救世之意，而君求田問舍，言無可采，是元龍所諱也，何緣當與君語？

Had it been me, I would have lain on top of a tower a hundred feet high and made you lie on the ground. Why stop at the difference between an upper and a lower bed?” Liu Biao laughed heartily. Liu Bei went on, “For letters and arms, courage and resolve such as Yuanlong's, one must look among the ancients. In our own day it would be hard to find his equal.”

如小人，欲卧百尺樓上，卧君於地，何但上下牀之閒邪？」表大笑。備因言曰：「若元龍文武膽志，當求之於古耳，造次難得比也。」¹

Zang Hong

臧洪

Zang Hong, whose courtesy name was Ziyuan, was a man of Sheyang in Guangling. His father, Zang Min, served successively as General of the Household in Charge of the Xiongnu and as Prefect of Zhongshan and of Taiyuan, and won a name wherever he served. Zang Hong was large and imposing in build and looks, unlike other men. He was nominated as Filial and Incorrupt and made a Gentleman. At that time Gentlemen of the Three Bureaus were being selected to fill posts as county chiefs: Zhao Yu of Langya became Chief of Ju, Liu Yao of Donglai Chief of Xiayi, Wang Lang of Donghai Chief of Zaiqiu, and Zang Hong Chief of Jiqiu. At the end of Emperor Ling's reign he gave up his post and returned home, and the Prefect Zhang Chao invited him to be his Officer of Merit.

臧洪字子源，廣陵射陽人也。父旻，歷匈奴中郎將、中山、太原太守，所在有名。 ¹洪體貌魁梧，有異於人，舉孝廉為郎。時選三署郎以補縣長；琅邪趙昱為莒長，東萊劉繇下邑長，東海王朗菑丘長，洪即丘長。靈帝末，棄官還家，太守張超請洪為功曹。

When Dong Zhuo killed the emperor and schemed to endanger the altars of the state, Zang Hong said to Zhang Chao, “Your Honour's family has received favour for generations, and you and your brother both hold great commanderies. Now the royal house is about to fall into danger and the traitorous minister's head is not yet hung up. This is truly the time for the righteous and heroic men of the realm to repay kindness and give their lives. The commandery is still intact, and its officials and people are prosperous. If you take up the drumstick and beat the drum, you can raise twenty thousand men. To use them to destroy the enemy of the state and lead the realm in doing so is righteousness of the highest order.”

董卓殺帝，圖危社稷，洪說超曰：「明府歷世受恩，兄弟並據大郡，今王室將危，賊臣未梟，此誠天下義烈報恩效命之秋也。今郡境尚全，吏民殷富，若動枹鼓，可得二萬人，以此誅除國賊，為天下倡先，義之大者也。」

Zhang Chao agreed with him, and went west with Zang Hong to Chenliu to see his elder brother Zhang Miao and plan the matter. Zhang Miao had long had the same intention. When they met at Suanzao, Zhang Miao said to Zhang Chao, “I hear that since you became prefect, your government and teaching, your severity and your kindness do not come from you; you leave everything to Zang Hong. What sort of man is this Zang Hong?” Zhang Chao said, “Zang Hong surpasses me in talent and strategy, wisdom and calculation. I love him dearly. He is an extraordinary man of the realm.” Zhang Miao at once called Zang Hong in to meet him, spoke with him, and thought him most remarkable. He introduced him to Liu Gongshan of Yan Province and Kong Gongxu of Yu Province, and both became close friends with Zang Hong.

超然其言，與洪西至陳留，見兄邈計事。邈亦素有心，會於酸棗，邈謂超曰：「聞弟為郡守，政教威恩，不由己出，動任臧洪，洪者何人？」超曰：「洪才略智數優超，超甚愛之，海內奇士也。」邈即引見洪，與語大異之。致之於劉兗州公山、孔豫州公緒，皆與洪親善。

So they set up an altar ground to swear a covenant together. The various provinces and commanderies each deferred to the others and none dared take the lead, and all of them put forward Zang Hong. Zang Hong ascended the altar, held up the dish, smeared his lips with blood and swore: “The House of Han has met misfortune, and the imperial order has lost its hold. The traitorous minister Dong Zhuo has seized the opportunity to do harm without restraint; his outrages have reached the Most Honoured One and his cruelty has flowed over the common people. We greatly fear that the altars of the state will be lost and all within the four seas overturned. Liu Dai, Inspector of Yan Province; Kong Zhou, Inspector of Yu Province; Zhang Miao, Prefect of Chenliu; Qiao Mao, Prefect of Dong Commandery; Zhang Chao, Prefect of Guangling, and others have gathered loyal troops and together hasten to the aid of the state in its distress.

乃設壇場，方共盟誓，諸州郡更相讓，莫敢當，咸共推洪。洪乃升壇操槃歃血而盟曰：「漢室不幸，皇綱失統，賊臣董卓乘釁縱害，禍加至尊，虐流百姓，大懼淪喪社稷，翦覆四海。兗州刺史岱、豫州刺史伷、陳留太守邈、東郡太守瑁、廣陵太守超等，糾合義兵，並赴國難。

All of us in this covenant shall be of one heart and combine our strength to fulfil our duty as subjects; though we lose our heads, we shall never be of two minds. Whoever breaks this covenant, may he lose his life and leave no descendants. May August Heaven and Sovereign Earth and the bright spirits of our ancestors all bear witness!” Zang Hong's words and bearing were so stirring and impassioned, and his tears flowed so freely, that of all who heard him, even common soldiers, grooms and cooks, none was not roused, and every man resolved to give his all. Before long, however, none of the armies would be the first to advance, and when their food ran out the host dispersed.

凡我同盟，齊心戮力，以致臣節，殞首喪元，必無二志。有渝此盟，俾墜其命，無克遺育。皇天后土，祖宗明靈，實皆鑑之！」洪辭氣慷慨，涕泣橫下，聞其言者，雖卒伍廝養，莫不激揚，人思致節。 ¹頃之，諸軍莫適先進，而食盡眾散。

Zhang Chao sent Zang Hong to consult with the Grand Marshal Liu Yu, but he ran into the troubles with Gongsun Zan. When he reached Hejian, You and Ji provinces were at war with each other, and he could not deliver his mission. Yuan Shao met Zang Hong and he too found him remarkable and held him in high regard, and they formed a close friendship. When the Inspector of Qing Province, Jiao He, died, Yuan Shao had Zang Hong take charge of Qing Province to pacify its people. After Zang Hong had been in the province for two years, the bands of robbers had fled. Yuan Shao admired his ability and transferred him to be Prefect of Dong Commandery, with his seat at Dongwuyang.

超遣洪詣大司馬劉虞謀，值公孫瓚之難，至河間，遇幽、冀二州交兵，使命不達。而袁紹見洪，又奇重之，與結分合好。會青州刺史焦和卒，紹使洪領青州以撫其眾。 ¹洪在州二年，群盜奔走。紹歎其能，徙為東郡太守，治東武陽。

When Taizu besieged Zhang Chao at Yongqiu, Zhang Chao said, “My only hope is Zang Hong. He will surely come to rescue me.” Everyone thought that since Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were then on good terms, and Zang Hong owed his appointment to Yuan Shao's recommendation, he would certainly not break the friendship and invite disaster by coming so far to the rescue. Zhang Chao said, “Ziyuan is a man of honour known throughout the realm, one who will never turn his back on those he owes. I fear only that he will be restrained and unable to reach me in time.” When Zang Hong heard of it, he did indeed go barefoot, weeping and wailing, marshalled all the troops under his command, and further asked Yuan Shao for soldiers and horses, seeking to rescue Zhang Chao; but Yuan Shao never gave permission.

太祖圍張超於雍丘，超言：「唯恃臧洪，當來救吾。」眾人以為袁、曹方睦，而洪為紹所表用，必不敗好招禍，遠來赴此。超曰：「子源，天下義士，終不背本者，但恐見禁制，不相及逮耳。」洪聞之，果徒跣號泣，並勒所領兵，又從紹請兵馬，求欲救超，而紹終不聽許。

In the end Zhang Chao's whole clan was exterminated. Because of this Zang Hong resented Yuan Shao and broke off all contact with him. Yuan Shao raised troops and besieged him, but for a year and more could not take the city. Yuan Shao had Chen Lin, a man from Zang Hong's own county, write to Zang Hong, admonishing him with talk of fortune and misfortune and reproaching him in the name of kindness and duty. Zang Hong replied: Far apart, I think of you longingly, waking and sleeping. Happily we are only a few paces from each other, yet because we have chosen different paths we cannot meet. How can the heart bear such sorrow? The other day you did not forget me, and lately I was honoured with your gracious letter, setting out fortune and misfortune in terms most earnest, both public and private.

超遂族滅。洪由是怨紹，絕不與通。紹興兵圍之，歷年不下。紹令洪邑人陳琳書與洪，喻以禍福，責以恩義。洪答曰：隔闊相思，發於寤寐。幸相去步武之間耳，而以趣舍異規，不得相見，其為愴悢，可為心哉！前日不遺，比辱雅貺，述敘禍福，公私切至。

The reason I did not reply at once was, on the one hand, that my learning is shallow and my wits dull, not equal to answering your reproaches; and on the other, that you have brought your household with you and set down your burden with our master, your family lies in the eastern province, and I have become his enemy. When one serves another in such a position, even if one opens one's heart and lays bare one's liver and gall, one remains distant and at fault, and sweet words only arouse suspicion. When you cannot save yourself head or tail, how can you have pity for others? Besides, with your talents you have mastered all the classics; how could you be ignorant of the great principles and fail to grasp my meaning?

所以不即奉答者，既學薄才鈍，不足塞詰；亦以吾子攜負側室，息肩主人，家在東州，僕為仇敵。以是事人，雖披中情，墮肝膽，猶身疏有罪，言甘見怪，方首尾不救，何能卹人？且以子之才，窮該典籍，豈將闇於大道，不達餘趣哉！

Yet since you still went on in this vein, I knew from it that your words truly did not come from your heart, but were meant to save you from harm. If I wished to weigh strengths and weaknesses and argue right and wrong, arguments about right and wrong already fill the realm; setting them out would make nothing clearer, and leaving them unsaid loses nothing. Moreover, to announce a break in words would wound the principle of friendship, and that I could not bear to do. So I cast aside paper and brush and gave no answer at all. I hoped too that from afar you would gauge my heart and know that my course was fixed and would not change.

然猶復云云者，僕以是知足下之言，信不由衷，將以救禍也。必欲算計長短，辯諮是非，是非之論，言滿天下，陳之更不明，不言無所損。又言傷告絕之義，非吾所忍行也，是以捐棄紙筆，一無所答。亦冀遙忖其心，知其計定，不復渝變也。

But now I have received a second letter from you, citing ancient and modern examples in a jumble six sheets long. Though I would rather say nothing, how can I keep silent? I am a man of no account. Through the course of my official duties I was given a great province beyond my deserts; the favour was deep and the bond was strong. How could I take any pleasure today in turning back to cross blades? Each time I climb the wall and marshal my troops, and look out at our master's banners and drums and remember the companionship of an old friend, I stroke my bowstring and grip my arrows, and before I know it tears cover my face. Why? Because in serving our master I myself had nothing to regret.

重獲來命，援引古今，紛紜六紙，雖欲不言，焉得已哉！僕小人也，本因行役，寇竊大州，恩深分厚，寧樂今日自還接刃！每登城勒兵，望主人之旗鼓，感故友之周旋，撫弦搦矢，不覺流涕之覆面也。何者？自以輔佐主人，無以為悔。

Our master treated me far above all my peers. When I first took up my charge, I thought we would see the great enterprise through to the end and together exalt the royal house. How could I have known that the Son of Heaven would be displeased, my home province invaded, my commandery general would meet a calamity like the imprisonment at Youli, and Chenliu would succeed in its plan to raise troops? Were I to linger over my plans, I would lose my name for loyalty and filial duty; were I to take up my whip and turn my back, I would fail in the obligations of friendship. Weighing the two, since one could not be avoided, losing my name for loyalty and filial duty and failing in the way of friendship differ in weight and in closeness, so I dried my tears and announced the break.

主人相接，過絕等倫。當受任之初，自謂究竟大事，共尊王室。豈悟天子不悅，本州見侵，郡將遘牖里之厄，陳留克創兵之謀，謀計棲遲，喪忠孝之名，杖策攜背，虧交友之分。揆此二者，與其不得已，喪忠孝之名與虧交友之道，輕重殊塗，親疏異畫，故便收淚告絕。

Had our master shown a little regard for old friends, making room in his honoured seat for those who stayed and restraining himself toward those who left, not hastening to drive away his friends nor relying on punishment and execution to support himself, then I would have held to the resolve of Ji Zha and would not be fighting today's battle. How can I prove this? Formerly Zhang Jingming personally ascended the altar and tasted the blood, took his orders and hurried about on them, and in the end caused Governor Han to yield up his seal so that our master gained the territory. Yet afterwards, merely because he had sent a memorial to the court, been granted a title and received a post warrant, within a short time he was denied the indulgence of having his faults weighed with understanding and suffered the calamity of extermination.

若使主人少垂故人，住者側席，去者克己，不汲汲於離友，信刑戮以自輔，則僕抗季札之志，不為今日之戰矣。何以效之？昔張景明親登壇啖血，奉辭奔走，卒使韓牧讓印，主人得地；然後但以拜章朝主，賜爵獲傳之故，旋時之間，不蒙觀過之貸，而受夷滅之禍。

Lü Fengxian, having struck down Dong Zhuo, came to take refuge with us. He asked for troops and was refused; what crime was there in announcing that he would leave? Yet he was set upon with blades again and came close to death. Liu Zihuang came as an envoy and overstayed his time. He asked leave to go and was refused; fearing our master's power and longing for his family, he sought to return by a ruse. He may be called a man whose heart was set on loyalty and filial duty, and who did no harm to the hegemon's cause. Yet he was struck down dead beneath the banners without being pardoned. Though I am not clever, and have never been able to foresee the end from the beginning or to perceive the manifest in the subtle, when I privately gauge our master's heart, does he really think these three men deserved to die and that their punishment fitted the law?

¹呂奉先討卓來奔，請兵不獲，告去何罪？復見斫刺，濱於死亡。劉子璜奉使逾時，辭不獲命，畏威懷親，以詐求歸，可謂有志忠孝，無損霸道者也；然輒僵斃麾下，不蒙虧除。 ²僕雖不敏，又素不能原始見終，睹微知著，竊度主人之心，豈謂三子宜死，罰當刑中哉？

In truth he wants to unite all the land east of the mountains and enlarge his army to strike at his enemies, and fearing that his soldiers would waver and that he would have no means to deter or encourage them, he suppressed and set aside the royal command in order to exalt his own authority to act in the emperor's name. Those who admire righteousness receive honours; those who wait to be released are put to death. This serves our master's interest; it is not what wandering men of service would wish. So, taking warning from those before me, I fight to the death in my extremity. Foolish as I am, I have heard the words of the gentleman. This is truly not my wish. It is our master who has brought it on.

實且欲一統山東，增兵討讎，懼戰士狐疑，無以沮勸，故抑廢王命以崇承制，慕義者蒙榮，待放者被戮，此乃主人之利，非遊士之願也。故僕鑑戒前人，困窮死戰。僕雖下愚，亦嘗聞君子之言矣。此實非吾心也。乃主人招焉。

The reason I have forsaken the state and its people and staked my life on this city is precisely the principle that when a gentleman departs, he does not go over to an enemy state. For this I have offended our master and been under attack for more than a season, and yet you cite this very principle as advice to me. Is that not using the same words to go in the opposite direction? This is not how a gentleman shares in another's joys and sorrows! I have heard that righteousness does not turn against one's kin and loyalty does not defy one's lord. So to the east I honoured my home province as a kindred support, and at the centre I stood by my commandery general to secure the altars of the state, gaining two things at one stroke in pursuit of loyalty and filial duty. What is wrong with that?

凡吾所以背棄國民，用命此城者，正以君子之違，不適敵國故也。是以獲罪主人，見攻逾時，而足下更引此義以為吾規，無乃辭同趨異，非君子所為休戚者哉！吾聞之也，義不背親，忠不違君，故東宗本州以為親援，中扶郡將以安社稷，一舉二得以徼忠孝，何以為非？

Yet you would have me make light of my roots and ruin my family, treating our master as the equal of my lord. To me our master is an elder brother in years and a devoted friend in bond; when our ways parted I announced my departure so as to bring peace to my lord and my kin, and that may be called proper. By your reasoning, Baoxu ought to have laid down his life for Wu Yuan, and should not have wailed at the court of Qin. You are so taken up with warding off misfortune that you do not see your words run counter to reason. Perhaps, seeing that the siege is not lifted and no relief has come, and moved by the ties of our families' marriages and mindful of our lifelong friendship, you think it better to bend one's principles and cling to life than to hold to righteousness and be destroyed.

而足下欲吾輕本破家，均君主人。主人之於我也，年為吾兄，分為篤友，道乖告去，以安君親，可謂順矣。若子之言，則包胥宜致命於伍員，不當號哭於秦庭矣。苟區區於攘患，不知言乖乎道理矣。足下或者見城圍不解，救兵未至，感婚姻之義，惟平生之好，以屈節而苟生，勝守義而傾覆也。

Of old, Yan Ying did not bend his will before naked blades, and the Southern Historian did not twist his brush to save his life; therefore their likenesses were painted and their names handed down to later ages. How much more so for me, who hold a city as strong as metal, command the strength of officers and people, and have spread three years' stores to serve as one year's supplies, relieving hardship and making good shortages to gladden the realm. What do you hope to gain by building huts and tilling the fields to sit out a siege? My only fear is that when the autumn wind raises the dust, Bogui will turn his horse's head south, and Zhang Yang and the Flying Swallow will put forth their strength to make trouble; then the northern frontier will report a crisis as dire as hanging upside down, and your master's right-hand ministers will earnestly petition him to return.

昔晏嬰不降志於白刃，南史不曲筆以求生，故身著圖像，名垂後世，況僕據金城之固，驅士民之力，散三年之畜，以為一年之資，匡困補乏，以悅天下，何圖築室反耕哉！但懼秋風揚塵，伯珪馬首南向，張楊、飛燕，膂力作難，北鄙將告倒縣之急，股肱奏乞歸之誠耳。

Our master ought to take warning from men like us, turn his banners about, withdraw his army and train his troops at the walls of Ye. Why should he go on disgracing himself with his great anger and making a show of his might beneath my walls? You mock me for relying on the Heishan Bandits for rescue; do you alone forget the alliance with the Yellow Turbans? Besides, the Flying Swallow and his like have all received the royal command. Of old, Gaozu took Peng Yue from Juye, and Guangwu laid his foundations among the Lülin, and in the end they soared like dragons, restored the dynasty and accomplished the imperial enterprise. If one can help the sovereign and promote good government, what is there to object to?

主人當鑑我曹輩，反旌退師，治兵鄴垣，何宜久辱盛怒，暴威於吾城下哉？足下譏吾恃黑山以為救，獨不念黃巾之合從邪！加飛燕之屬悉以受王命矣。昔高祖取彭越於鉅野，光武創基兆於綠林，卒能龍飛中興，以成帝業，苟可輔主興化，夫何嫌哉！

What is more, I have personally received a letter under the imperial seal to work together with them. Go your way, Kongzhang! You seek profit beyond the borders; Zang Hong gives his life for his lord and his kin. You have entrusted yourself to the leader of the alliance; Zang Hong has his name enrolled at Chang'an. You say that I shall die and my name perish; I in turn laugh that you will live and die unheard of. Alas! From the same root we have grown into branches that part. Strive on, strive on. What more is there to say?

況僕親奉璽書，與之從事。行矣孔璋！足下徼利於境外，臧洪授命於君親；吾子託身於盟主，臧洪策名於長安。子謂余身死而名滅，僕亦笑子生死而無聞焉，悲哉！本同而末離，努力努力，夫復何言！

When Yuan Shao saw Zang Hong's letter he knew he had no intention of surrendering, and he added troops and pressed the attack. The grain in the city was already exhausted, and there was no strong relief from outside. Zang Hong reckoned that he could not escape, so he summoned his officers and men and said, “The Yuan are without principle; what they scheme is lawless, and they would not rescue my commandery general. For the sake of the great cause I cannot but die, but you gentlemen have been drawn into this calamity for nothing. Before the city falls, you may take your wives and children and leave.” The officers, soldiers and people all wept and said, “Your Honour had no quarrel or rift with the Yuan to begin with; you have brought yourself to this ruin for the sake of your former commandery general. How could we officials and people bear to abandon Your Honour and go?”

紹見洪書，知無降意，增兵急攻。城中糧穀以盡，外無強救，洪自度必不免，呼吏士謂曰：「袁氏無道，所圖不軌，且不救洪郡將。洪於大義，不得不死，今諸君無事空與此禍！可先城未敗，將妻子出。」將吏士民皆垂泣曰：「明府與袁氏本無怨隙，今為本朝郡將之故，自致殘困，吏民何忍當舍明府去也！」

At first they could still dig out rats and boil sinews and horn, but later there was nothing more to eat. The Registrar reported that there were three pecks of rice in the inner kitchen and asked that it be divided and made little by little into gruel. Zang Hong sighed and said, “What would be the point of my eating this alone?” He had it made into thin gruel for everyone to share, and he killed his beloved concubine to feed the officers and men. The officers and men all wept, and none could raise their eyes to look at him. Seven or eight thousand men and women died lying one upon another, and not one deserted or rebelled.

初尚掘鼠煮筋角，後無可復食者。主簿啟內廚米三斗，請中分稍以為糜粥，洪歎曰：「獨食此何為！」使作薄粥，眾分歠之，殺其愛妾以食將士。將士咸流涕，無能仰視者。男女七八千人相枕而死，莫有離叛。

When the city fell, Yuan Shao took Zang Hong alive. Yuan Shao had always been fond of Zang Hong, so he had curtains hung in great state and assembled all his generals to receive him, and said, “Zang Hong, how could you betray me like this? Will you submit now?” Zang Hong, sitting with his hands on the ground and glaring, said, “The Yuan clan served the Han for four generations and produced five Excellencies; you may be said to have received great favour. Now the royal house is weak, yet you have no thought of supporting it; you want to seize the moment to reach for what is not yours, and you kill many loyal and good men to establish your wicked power. I saw with my own eyes how you called Zhang of Chenliu your elder brother, so my own lord should likewise have been your younger brother. You should have joined forces to rid the state of harm. Why did you sit with your host and watch him be slaughtered?

城陷，紹生執洪。紹素親洪，盛施幃幔，大會諸將見洪，謂曰：「臧洪，何相負若此！今日服未？」洪據地瞋目曰：「諸袁事漢，四世五公，可謂受恩。今王室衰弱，無扶翼之意，欲因際會，希冀非望，多殺忠良以立姦威。洪親見呼張陳留為兄，則洪府君亦宜為弟，同共戮力，為國除害，何為擁眾觀人屠滅！

My only regret is that my strength was too little to drive home the blade and avenge the realm. What is this talk of submitting?” Yuan Shao had always loved Zang Hong and meant to make him submit and then pardon him, but seeing how fierce his words were, he knew that Zang Hong would never serve him, and so he put him to death. Chen Rong, a man of Zang Hong's county, had been a young scholar who loved and admired Zang Hong and had followed him to become Assistant of Dong Commandery; before the city fell, Zang Hong had sent him out. Yuan Shao had him seated at the gathering, and when Chen Rong saw that Zang Hong was to die, he rose and said to Yuan Shao, “General, you raised your great cause in order to rid the realm of tyranny, yet you put the loyal and righteous to death first of all. How can that accord with the will of Heaven?

惜洪力劣，不能推刃為天下報仇，何謂服乎！」紹本愛洪，意欲令屈服，原之；見洪辭切，知終不為己用，乃殺之。 ¹洪邑人陳容少為書生，親慕洪，隨洪為東郡丞；城未敗，洪遣出。紹令在坐，見洪當死，起謂紹曰：「將軍舉大事，欲為天下除暴，而專先誅忠義，豈合天意！

Zang Hong raised his troops for the sake of his commandery general. How can you kill him for it?” Yuan Shao was ashamed, and his attendants had Chen Rong dragged out, saying to him, “You are no follower of Zang Hong. Why do this for nothing?” Chen Rong looked back and said, “Humanity and righteousness have no fixed abode: follow them and you are a gentleman, turn your back on them and you are a petty man. Today I would rather die on the same day as Zang Hong than live on the same day as you, General!” He too was put to death. Of those seated with Yuan Shao, none failed to sigh, and they whispered to one another, “How can two heroic men be killed in a single day?”

臧洪發舉為郡將，奈何殺之！」紹慚，左右使人牽出，謂曰：「汝非臧洪儔，空復爾為！」容顧曰：「夫仁義豈有常，蹈之則君子，背之則小人。今日寧與臧洪同日而死，不與將軍同日而生！」復見殺。在紹坐者無不嘆息，竊相謂曰：「如何一日殺二烈士！」

Before this, Zang Hong had sent two Majors out to ask Lü Bu for help. By the time they returned the city had already fallen, and both of them charged the enemy and died.

先是，洪遣司馬二人出，求救於呂布；比還，城已陷，皆赴敵死。

Appraisal

作者評價

Appraisal: Lü Bu had the courage of a roaring tiger but none of the strategy of a truly outstanding man; frivolous, crafty and fickle, he looked only to his own advantage. From antiquity to the present, no one like him has escaped destruction. Of old, Emperor Guangwu of Han misjudged Pang Meng, and more recently Taizu of Wei was deceived by Zhang Miao. “To know men is wisdom, and even the Emperor found it hard”: how true that is! Chen Deng and Zang Hong both had heroic spirit and firm integrity, but Chen Deng's allotted years were few and he died early before his work was accomplished, while Zang Hong's troops were weak and his enemy strong, so that his fierce resolve could not be realised. What a pity!

評曰：呂布有虓虎之勇，而無英奇之略，輕狡反覆，唯利是視。自古及今，未有若此不夷滅也。昔漢光武謬於龐萌，近魏太祖亦蔽於張邈。知人則哲，唯帝難之，信矣！陳登、臧洪並有雄氣壯節，登降年夙隕，功業未遂，洪以兵弱敵強，烈志不立，惜哉！