Romance, Chapter 33

Chapter 33. Cao Pi Finds a Wife: A Plan for Settling Liaodong

As was said, Cao Pi, having made his way into the Yuan Palace, saw two women there whom he was about to kill. Suddenly a red light shone in his eyes, and he paused. Lowering his sword he said, “Who are you?” “Thy handmaid is the widow of the late Yuan Shao, née Liu,” said the elder of the two, “and this is the wife of Xi, his second son. She was of the Zhen family. When Xi was sent to command in You she was unwilling to go so far from home and so stayed behind.”

卻說曹丕見二婦人啼哭，拔劍欲斬之。忽見紅光滿目，遂按劍而問曰：“汝何人也？”一婦人告曰：“妾乃袁將軍之妻劉氏也。”丕曰：“此女何人？”劉氏曰：“此次男袁熙之妻甄氏也。因熙出鎮幽州，甄氏不肯遠行，故留於此。”

Cao Pi drew her toward him and looked at her closely. Her hair hung disordered, her face was dusty and tear-stained, but when, with the sleeve of his inner garment, he had wiped away these disfigurements he saw a woman of exquisite loveliness, with a complexion clear as jade touched with the tender bloom of a flower petal, a woman indeed beautiful enough to ruin a kingdom. “I am the son of the Minister Cao,” said he turning to the elder woman. “I will guarantee your safety so you need fear nothing.” He then put by his sword and sat down at the upper end of the room.

丕拖此女近前，見披髮垢面。丕以衫袖拭其面而觀之，見甄氏玉肌花貌，有傾國之色。遂對劉氏曰：“吾乃曹丞相之子也。願保汝家。汝勿憂慮。”遂按劍坐於堂上。

As the great Minister Cao was entering the gate of the conquered city Xu You rode up very quickly, passed him and pointed with his whip at the gate saying, “A-man, you would not have been here but for my plans.” Cao laughed, but his captains were very annoyed. When he reached the Yuan residence he stopped at the gate, and asked if any one had gone in. The guard at the gate said, “Your son is within.” Cao called him out and chid him.

卻說曹操統領衆將入冀州城，將入城門，許攸縱馬近前，以鞭指城門而呼操曰：“阿瞞，汝不得我，安得入此門？”操大笑。衆將聞言，俱懷不平。操至紹府門下，問曰：“誰曾入此門來？”守將對曰：“世子在內。”操喚出責之。

Then Lady Liu came out, bowed and said, “But for your son we had not been saved. I desire to present to you a lady, of the Zhen family, as a handmaid to your son.” Cao bade them bring out the girl and she bowed before him. After looking at her intently he said, “Just the wife for him!” and he told Cao Pi to take her to wife.

劉氏出拜曰：“非世子不能保全妾家，願獻甄氏爲世子執箕帚。”操教喚出甄氏拜於前。操視之曰：“真吾兒婦也？”遂令曹丕納之。

After the conquest of Jizhou had been made quite sure, Cao made a ceremonial visit to the Yuan family cemetery, where he sacrificed at the tomb of his late rival, bowed his head and lamented bitterly. Turning to his captains he said, “In former days when Benchu and I first raised our armies together he asked me, saying, ‘If the enterprise should fail, what region could be held?’ and I replied asking him what he thought. He said, ‘To the south I would hold the river, on the north, guard against Yan and Dai and the hordes from the Shamo. Thence southward I would try for the Empire and do you not think I might succeed?’

操既定冀州，親往袁紹墓下設祭，再拜而哭甚哀，顧謂衆官曰：“昔日吾與本初共起兵時，本初問吾曰：‘若事不輯，方面何所可據？’吾問之曰：‘足下意欲若何？’本初曰：‘吾南據河，北阻燕代，兼沙漠之衆，南向以爭天下，庶可以濟乎？’

I replied saying, I depended upon the wisdom and force of the world directed by the right Way; then every thing would be possible. These words seem as if spoken only yesterday, and now he is gone. Thinking over it I cannot refrain from tears.” His officers were deeply affected. Cao treated the widow generously, giving her gold and silks and food to her content. He also issued a further order that the taxes for this year in Hebei would be remitted in consideration of the sufferings of the people during the warlike operations. He sent up a memorial and formally became Governor of Jizhou.

吾答曰：‘吾任天下之智力，以道御之，無所不可。’此言如昨，而今本初已喪，吾不能不爲流涕也！”衆皆嘆息。操以金帛糧米賜紹妻劉氏。乃下令曰：“河北居民遭兵革之難，盡免今年租賦。”一面寫表申朝；操自領冀州牧。

One day Xu Chu, riding in at the east gate, met Xu You, who called out to him, “Would you fellows be riding through here if it had not been for me?” Xu Chu replied, “We fellows, those who survive and those who perished, risked our lives in bloody battle to get this city, so do not brag of your deeds.” “You are a lot of blockheads, not worth talking about,” said You. Chu in his anger drew his sword and ran him through. Then he took his head and went to tell Cao the reason.

一日，許褚走馬入東門，正迎許攸，攸喚褚曰：“汝等無我，安能出入此門乎？”褚怒曰：“吾等千生萬死，身冒血戰，奪得城池，汝安敢誇口！”攸罵曰：“汝等皆匹夫耳，何足道哉！”褚大怒，拔劍殺攸，提頭來見曹操，說“許攸如此無禮，某殺之矣。”

Said Cao, “He and I were old friends and we could joke together. Why did you kill him?” He blamed Xu Chu very severely and gave orders that the corpse should be buried honourably. He enquired for any wise and reputable men who were known to be living in the district and was told of a certain Commandant of Cavalry named Cui Yan, styled Jigui, of Dongwucheng in Qinghe, who had on many occasions given valuable advice to Yuan Shao. As the advice was not followed Yan had pleaded indisposition and remained at home. Cao sent for this man, made him Biejia, Attendant Officer of the district, and said to him, “According to the former registers there are three hundred thousand people in the district so that one may well call it a major district.”

操曰：“子遠與吾舊交，故相戲耳，何故殺之！”深責許褚，令厚葬許攸。乃令人遍訪冀州賢士。冀民曰：“騎都尉崔琰，字季珪，清河東武城人也。數曾獻計於袁紹，紹不從，因此託疾在家。”操即召琰爲本州別駕從事，因謂曰：“昨按本州戶籍，共計三十萬衆，可謂大州。”

Yan replied, “The Empire is rent and the country is torn; the brothers Yuan are at war and the bones of the people of Ji lie bleaching in the fields. Yet, Sir, you do not hasten to enquire after local conditions and how to rescue the people from misery, but first compute the possibilities of taxation. Can you expect to gain the support of our people by such means?” Cao changed countenance, thanked him and treated him all the better for it.

琰曰：“今天下分崩，九州幅裂，二袁兄弟相爭，冀民暴骨原野，丞相不急存問風俗，救其塗炭，而先計校戶籍，豈本州士女所望於明公哉？”操聞言，改容謝之，待爲上賓。

As soon as Jizhou was settled, Cao sent to find out the movements of Yuan Tan. He heard he was ravaging Ganling, Anping, Bohai and Hejian. Hearing that Yuan Shang had fled to Zhongshan, Tan had led his army to attack him, but Shang would not face a battle. He had gone away to Youzhou to his brother Xi. Tan, having received the surrender of all Shang’s army, prepared for another attempt on Jizhou. Whereupon Cao summoned him. Tan refused to come and Cao sent letters breaking off the marriage alliance. Soon after Cao led an expedition against Tan and marched to Pingyuan.

操已定冀州，使人探袁譚消息。時譚引兵劫掠甘陵、安平、渤海、河間等處，聞袁尚敗走中山，乃統軍攻之。尚無心戰鬥，徑奔幽州投袁熙。譚盡降其衆，欲復圖冀州。操使人召之，譚不至。操大怒，馳書絕其婚，自統大軍徵之，直抵平原。

Hearing that Cao was coming in person, Tan sent to Liu Biao to beg assistance. Biao sent for Liu Bei to consult about this and he said, “Cao is very strong now that he has overcome Jizhou and the Yuans will be unable to hold out for long. Nothing is to be gained by helping this man and it may give Cao the loophole he is always looking for to attack this place. My advice is to keep the army in condition and devote all our energies to defence.” “Agreed; but what shall we say?” said Biao. “Write to both the brothers as peacemaker in gracious terms.”

譚聞操自統軍來，遣人求救於劉表。表請玄德商議。玄德曰：“今操已破冀州，兵勢正盛，袁氏兄弟不久必爲操擒，救之無益；況操常有窺荊襄之意，我只養兵自守，未可妄動。”表曰：“然則何以謝之？”玄德曰：“可作書與袁氏兄弟，以和解爲名，婉詞謝之。”

Accordingly Liu Biao wrote thus to Yuan Tan:—“When the superior man would escape danger he does not go to an enemy State. I heard recently that you had crooked the knee to Cao, which was ignoring the enmity between him and your father, rejecting the duties of brotherhood and leaving behind you the shame of an alliance with the enemy. If your brother, the successor to Jizhou, has acted unfraternally, your duty was to bend your inclination to follow him and wait till the state of affairs had settled. Would it not have been very noble to bring about the redress of wrongs?” And to Yuan Shang he wrote:—“Your brother, the ruler of Qingzhou, is of an impulsive temperament and confuses right with wrong.

表然其言，先遣人以書遺譚。書略曰：“君子違難，不適仇國。日前聞君屈膝降曹，則是忘先人之仇，棄手足之誼，而遺同盟之恥矣。若冀州不弟，當降心相從。待事定之後，使天下平其曲直，不亦高義耶？”又與袁尚書曰：“青州天性峭急，迷於曲直。

You ought first to have destroyed Cao in order to put an end to the hatred which your father bore him and, when the situation had become settled, to have endeavoured to redress the wrongs. Would not that have been well? If you persist in following this mistaken course, remember the hound and the hare, both so wearied that the peasant got the hare.” From this letter Yuan Tan saw that Liu Biao had no intention of helping him, and feeling he alone could not withstand Cao, he abandoned Pingyuan and fled to Nanpi.

君當先除曹操，以卒先公之恨。事定之後，乃計曲直，不亦善乎？若迷而不返，則是韓盧、東郭自困於前，而遺田父之獲也。”譚得表書，知表無發兵之意，又自料不能敵操，遂棄平原，走保南皮。

Cao Cao pursued him to Nanpi. The weather was very cold and the river was frozen, so that his grain boats could not move. Wherefore Cao ordered the inhabitants to break the ice and tow the boats. When the peasants heard the order they ran away. Cao angrily wished to arrest and behead them. When they heard this they went to his camp in a body and offered their heads to the sword. “If I do not kill you, my order will not be obeyed,” said Cao. “Yet supposing I cut off your heads—but I cannot bear to do that. Quickly flee to the hills and hide so that my soldiers do not capture you.” The peasants left weeping.

曹操追至南皮，時天氣寒肅，河道盡凍，糧船不能行動。操令本處百姓敲冰拽船，百姓聞令而逃。操大怒，欲捕斬之。百姓聞得，乃親往營中投首。操曰：“若不殺汝等，則吾號令不行；若殺汝等，吾又不忍：汝等快往山中藏避，休被我軍士擒獲。”百姓皆垂淚而去。

Then Yuan Tan led out his army against Cao. When both sides were arrayed Cao rode to the front, pointed with his whip at his opponent and railed at him saying, “I treated you well; why then have you turned against me?” Tan replied, “You have invaded my land, captured my cities and broken off my marriage; yet you accuse me of turning against you.” Cao ordered Xu Huang to go out and give battle. Tan bade Peng An accept the challenge. After a few bouts Xu Huang slew Peng An.

袁譚引兵出城，與曹軍相敵。兩陣對圓，操出馬以鞭指譚而罵曰：“吾厚待汝，汝何生異心？”譚曰：“汝犯吾境界，奪吾城池，賴吾妻子，反說我有異心耶！”操大怒，使徐晃出馬。譚使彭安接戰。兩馬相交，不數合，晃斬彭安於馬下。

Tan, having lost, fled and went into Nanpi, where he was besieged. Tan, panic-stricken, sent Xin Ping to see Cao and arrange surrender. “He is nothing but a fickle-minded child,” said Cao. “He is never of the same mind two days running and I cannot depend upon what he says. Now your brother is in my employ and has a post of importance, you had better remain here also.” “Sir Minister, you are in error,” said Xin Ping. “It is said that the lord’s honour is the servant’s glory, the lord’s sadness is the servant’s shame. How can I turn my back on the family I have so long served?” Cao felt he could not be persuaded and sent him back.

譚軍敗走，退入南皮。操遣軍四面圍住。譚着慌，使辛評見操約降。操曰：“袁譚小子，反覆無常，吾難準信。汝弟辛毗，吾已重用，汝亦留此可也。”評曰：“丞相差矣。某聞主貴臣榮，主憂臣辱。某久事袁氏，豈可背之！”操知其不可留，乃遣回。

Ping returned and told Tan the surrender could not be arranged and Tan turned on him angrily calling him a traitor. At this unmerited reproach such a huge wave of anger welled up in the man’s breast that he was overcome and fell in a swoon. They carried him out, but the shock had been too severe and soon after he died. Tan regretted his conduct when it was too late. Then Guo Tu said, “To-morrow when we go out to battle we will drive the people out in front as a screen for the soldiers and we will fight Cao Cao to the death.” Tan followed his advice.

評回見譚，言操不準投降。譚叱曰：“汝弟現事曹操，汝懷二心耶？”評聞言，氣滿填胸，昏絕於地。譚令扶出，須臾而死。譚亦悔之。郭圖謂譚曰：“來日盡驅百姓當先，以軍繼其後，與曹操決一死戰。”譚從其言。

That night they assembled all the common people of the place and forced into their hands swords and spears. At daylight they opened the four gates and a huge party with much shouting came out at each, peasantry carrying arms in front, and soldiers behind them. They pushed on toward Cao’s camps and a mêlée began which lasted till near midday. But this was quite indecisive, although heaps of dead lay everywhere. Seeing that success was at best only partial Cao left his horse, climbed a hill and beat the drums himself. Officers and men, seeing that he could observe them in person, exerted themselves to the utmost and Tan’s army was severely defeated.

當夜盡驅南皮百姓，皆執刀槍聽令。次日平明，大開四門，軍在後，驅百姓在前，喊聲大舉，一齊擁出，直抵曹寨。兩軍混戰，自辰至午，勝負未分，殺人遍地。操見未獲全勝，棄馬上山，親自擊鼓。將士見之，奮力向前，譚軍大敗。

Of the peasantry driven into the battlefield multitudes were slain. Cao Hong, who displayed very great valour, burst into the press of battle and met Yuan Tan face to face. Cao Hong slashed wildly at him and Tan was slain in the midst of the battle. Guo Tu saw that his side was wholly disorganised and galloped off to take shelter in the city. Yue Jin saw this, fitted an arrow to his bow and shot him down into the moat, where man and horse perished together. The city fell to Cao; he entered and set about restoring peace and order. Then suddenly appeared a new army under Yuan Xi’s captains Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan.

百姓被殺者無數。曹洪奮威突陣，正迎袁譚，舉刀亂砍，譚竟被曹洪殺於陣中，郭圖見陣大亂，急馳入城中。樂進望見，拈弓搭箭，射下城壕，人馬俱陷。操引兵入南皮，安撫百姓。忽有一彪軍來到，乃袁熙部將焦觸、張南也。

Cao led out his men to meet them, but the two commanders laid down their arms and yielded. They were rewarded with the rank of marquis. Then Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Hills Brigands, came with ten legions and gave in his submission. He was made General Who Subdues the North. By an order of Cao Cao’s the head of Yuan Tan was exposed and death was threatened to any one who should lament for him. Nevertheless a man dressed in mourning attire was arrested for weeping below the exposed head at the north gate. Taken into Cao’s presence he said he was Wang Xiu and had been Biejia of Qingzhou. He had been expelled because he had remonstrated with Tan, but when the news of Tan’s death came he had come to weep for him.

操自引軍迎之。二將倒戈卸甲，特來投降。操封爲列侯。又黑山賊張燕，引軍十萬來降，操封爲平北將軍。下令將袁譚首級號令，敢有哭者斬。頭掛北門外。一人布冠衰衣，哭於頭下。左右拿來見操。操問之，乃青州別駕王脩也，因諫袁譚被逐，今知譚死，故來哭之。

“Did you know of my command?” “I knew it.” “Yet you were not afraid?” “When one has received favours from a man in life it would be wrong not to mourn at his death. How can one stand in the world if one forgets duty through fear? If I could bury his body I would not mind death.” Cao said, “And there were many such as this in this district. What a pity that the Yuan family could not make the best of them! But if they had done so I should never have dared to turn my eyes toward this place.”

操曰：“汝知吾令否？”修曰：“知之。”操曰：“汝不怕死耶？”修曰：“我生受其辟命，亡而不哭，非義也。畏死忘義，何以立世乎！若得收葬譚屍，受戮無恨。”操曰：“河北義士，何其如此之多也！可惜袁氏不能用！若能用，則吾安敢正眼覷此地哉！”

The intrepid mourner was not put to death. The remains of Yuan Tan were properly interred and Wang Xiu was well treated and given the post of Director of Metal Works. In his new position he was asked for advice about the best way to proceed against Yuan Shang, who had fled to his brother, but he held his peace, thereby winning from Cao renewed admiration for his constancy. “He is indeed loyal!” said Cao. Then he questioned Guo Jia, who said, “Let Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan and the other captains who surrendered from the Yuans attack them.” Cao followed this advice and sent Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, Lü Kuang, Lü Xiang, Ma Yan and Zhang Yi, each with his own troops, to attack Youzhou along three routes, while Li Dian and Yue Jin joined Zhang Yan to attack Gao Gan in Bingzhou.

遂命收葬譚屍，禮修爲上賓，以爲司金中郎將。因問之曰：“今袁尚已投袁熙，取之當用何策？”修不答。操曰：“忠臣也。”問郭嘉，嘉曰：“可使袁氏降將焦觸、張南等自攻之。”操用其言，隨差焦觸、張南、呂曠、呂翔、馬延、張顗，各引本部兵，分三路進攻幽州；一面使李典、樂進會合張燕，打并州，攻高幹。

The two brothers Shang and Xi heard of Cao’s advance with dismay for they had no hope of successful resistance. Therefore they abandoned the city and hastily marched into Liaoxi to join the Wuhuan. Then Wuhuan Chu, Imperial Protector of Youzhou, called the officials of Youzhou together to swear an oath in blood and discuss abandoning the Yuans for Cao Cao. Wuhuan Chu spoke first and said, “I understand that Cao Cao is the most powerful man of the day and I am going to support him and those who do not go with me I shall put to death.” Each in turn smeared his lips with the blood of sacrifice and took the oath till it came to the turn of Han Heng, the Biejia.

且說袁尚、袁熙知曹兵將至，料難迎敵，乃棄城引兵，星夜奔遼西投烏桓去了。幽州刺史烏桓觸，聚幽州衆官，歃血爲盟，共議背袁向曹之事。烏桓觸先言曰：“吾知曹丞相當世英雄，今往投降，有不遵令者斬。”依次歃血，循至別駕韓珩。

Instead he dashed his sword to the ground crying, “I have received great benefits from the Yuans. Now my lord has been vanquished; my knowledge was powerless to save him, my bravery insufficient to cause me to die for him; I have failed in my duty. But I refuse to commit the crowning act of treachery and ally myself with Cao.” This speech made the others turn pale. Wuhuan Chu said, “For a great undertaking there must be lofty principles. However, success does not necessarily depend upon universal support and since Han Heng is actuated by such sentiments then let him follow his conscience.” So he turned Han Heng out of the assembly.

珩乃擲劍於地，大呼曰：“吾受袁公父子厚恩，今主敗亡，智不能救，勇不能死，於義缺矣！若北面而降操，吾不爲也！”衆皆失色。烏桓觸曰：“夫興大事，當立大義。事之濟否，不待一人。韓珩既有志如此，聽其自便。”推珩而出。

Wuhuan Chu then went out of the city to meet and welcome Cao Cao’s army and rendered his submission. Cao was delighted and made him General Who Guards the North.

烏桓觸乃出城迎接三路軍馬，徑來降操。操大喜，加爲鎮北將軍。

Then the scouts came to say that the three captains had marched to Bingzhou but that Gao Gan had occupied Huguan Pass and could not be dislodged. So Cao marched thither himself. The defender still maintaining his position Cao asked for plans. Xun You proposed that a band should go over pretending to be deserters. Cao assented and then called the two brothers Lü, to whom he gave whispered orders.

忽探馬來報：“樂進、李典、張燕攻打并州，高幹守住壺關口，不能下。”操自勒兵前往。三將接着，說幹拒關難擊。操集衆將共議破幹之計。荀攸曰：“若破幹，須用詐降計方可。”操然之。喚降將呂曠、呂翔，附耳低言如此如此。

They left with their companies. Soon they came near the pass and called out, saying, “We are old officers in Yuan’s armies forced into surrender to Cao. We find him so false and he treats us so meanly that we want to return to help our old master. Wherefore quickly open your gates to us.” Gao Gan was suspicious, but he let the two officers come up to the pass, and when they had stripped off their armour and left their horses they were permitted to enter. And they said to Gao Gan, “Cao’s men are new to the country and not settled; you ought to fall upon their camp this very evening.

呂曠等引軍數十，直抵關下，叫曰：“吾等原系袁氏舊將，不得已而降曹。曹操爲人詭譎，薄待吾等；吾今還扶舊主。可疾開關相納。”高幹未信，只教二將自上關說話。二將卸甲棄馬而入，謂幹曰：“曹軍新到，可乘其軍心未定，今夜劫寨。

If you approve we will lead the attack.” Gao Gan decided to trust them and prepared to attack, giving the two brothers the leadership. But as they drew near Cao’s camp a great noise arose behind them and they found themselves in an ambush attacked on all sides. Realising too late that he had been the victim of a ruse, Gao retreated to the pass, but found it occupied by the enemy. Gao Gan then made the best of his way to the barbarian chieftain Shanyu. Cao gave orders to hold the passes and sent companies in pursuit. When Gao Gan reached the boundary of Shanyu’s territory he met the Wise Prince of the Left of the northern tribesmen.

某等願當先。”於喜，從其言，是夜教二呂當先，引萬餘軍前去。將至曹寨，背後喊聲大震，伏兵四起。高幹知是中計，急回壺關城，樂進、李典已奪了關、高幹奪路走脫，往投單于。操領兵拒住關口，使人追襲高幹。幹到單于界，正迎北番左賢王。

Gao Gan dismounted and made a low obeisance saying, “Cao is conquering and absorbing all the borders and your turn, O Prince, will come quickly. I pray you help me and let us smite together for the safety of the northern regions.” The Prince replied, “I have no quarrel with Cao, why then should he invade my land? Do you desire to embroil me with him?” He would have nothing to do with Gao Gan and sent him away. At his wits’ end Gan decided to try to join Liu Biao and got so far on his journey as Shangluo when he was taken prisoner and put to death by the Commandant Wang Yan. His head was sent to Cao Cao and Wang was created a marquis for this service.

幹下馬拜伏於地，言曹操吞併疆土，今欲犯王子地面，萬乞救援，同力克復，以保北方。左賢王曰：“吾與曹操無仇，豈有侵我土地？汝欲使我結怨於曹氏耶！”叱退高幹。幹尋思無路，只得去投劉表。行至上洛，被都尉王琰所殺，將頭解送曹操。操封琰爲列侯。

Thus Bingzhou was conquered. Then Cao Cao began to discuss the overthrow of Wuhuan on the west. Cao Hong, speaking in the name of his brother officials, said, “The two brothers Yuan are nearly done for and too weak to be feared. They have fled far into the Sea of Sand and if we pursue them thither it may bring down Liu Biao and Liu Bei upon the capital. Should we be unable to rescue it the misfortune would be immense. Wherefore we beg you to return to Xudu.” But Guo Jia was of different advice. “You are wrong,” said he. “Though the prestige of our lord fills the Empire, yet the men of the desert, relying upon their inaccessibility, will not be prepared against us. Wherefore I say attack, and we shall conquer them.

并州既定，操商議西擊烏桓。曹洪等曰：“袁熙、袁尚兵敗將亡，勢窮力盡，遠投沙漠；我今引兵西擊，倘劉備、劉表乘虛襲許都，我救應不及，爲禍不淺矣：請回師勿進爲上。”郭嘉曰：“諸公所言錯矣。主公雖威震天下，沙漠之人恃其邊遠，必不設備；乘其無備，卒然擊之，必可破也。

Beside Yuan Shao was kind to the nomads and the two brothers have been more so. They must be destroyed. As for Liu Biao he is a mere talker, who knows that his own ability is not enough to control Liu Bei. If he gives Liu Bei a heavy charge he fears he cannot control him, and if he gives him a light one Liu Bei will not serve him. You may leave the State with perfect safety and make as long an expedition as you choose. Nothing will happen.” “You speak well, O Fengxiao,” said Cao. He led his legions, heavy and light, to the edge of the desert, with several thousand waggons.

且袁紹與烏桓有恩，而尚與熙兄弟猶存，不可不除。劉表坐談之客耳，自知纔不足以御劉備，重任之則恐不能制，輕任之則備不爲用。雖虛國遠征，公無憂也。”操曰：“奉孝之言極是。”遂率大小三軍，車數千輛，望前進發。

The expedition marched into the desert. The rolling ocean of yellow sand spread its waves before them and they saw far and near the eddying sand pillars, and felt the fierce winds that drove them forward. The road became precipitous and progress difficult. Cao began to think of returning and spoke thereof to Guo Jia, who had advised the journey. Guo had speedily fallen victim to the effects of the climate, and at this time he lay in his cart very ill. Cao’s tears fell as he said, “My friend, you are suffering for my ambition to subdue the Shamo. I cannot bear to think you should be ill.” “You have always been very good to me,” said the sick man, “and I can never repay what I owe you.” “The country is exceedingly precipitous and I am thinking of going back; what think you?”

但見黃沙漠漠，狂風四起；道路崎嶇，人馬難行。操有回軍之心，問於郭嘉。嘉此時不服水土，臥病車上。操泣曰：“因我欲平沙漠，使公遠涉艱辛，以至染病，吾心何安！”嘉曰：“某感丞相大恩，雖死不能報萬一。”操曰：“吾見北地崎嶇，意欲回軍，若何？”

Jia replied, “The success of an expedition of this kind depends upon celerity. To strike a sudden blow on a distant spot with a heavy baggage train is difficult. To ensure success the need is light troops marching by double stages to strike quickly before an enemy has time to prepare. Now you must find guides who know the road well.”

嘉曰：“兵貴神速。今千里襲人，輜重多而難以趨利，不如輕兵兼道以出，掩其不備。但須得識徑路者爲引導耳。”

Then the sick adviser was left at Yizhou for treatment and they sought among the natives for some persons to serve as guides. Someone said that Tian Chou, one of Yuan Shao’s old captains, knew those parts well and Cao called him and questioned him. He said, “In summer and autumn this route is under water, the shallow places too heavy for wheeled traffic, the deep parts insufficient for boats. It is always difficult. Therefore you would do better to return and at Lulongkou cross the Baitan Pass into the desert. Then advance to Liucheng (Willow City) and smite before there is time to prepare. One sudden rush will settle Tadun.”

遂留郭嘉於易州養病，求嚮導官以引路。人薦袁紹舊將田疇深知此境，操召而問之。疇曰：“此道秋夏間有水，淺不通車馬，深不載舟楫，最難行動。不如回軍，從盧龍口越白檀之險，出空虛之地，前近柳城，掩其不備：蹋頓可一戰而擒也。”

For this valuable information and plan Tian Chou was made a “Pacificator of the North” General, and went in advance as leader and guide. Next after him came Zhang Liao and Cao brought up the rear. They advanced by double marches.

操從其言，封田疇爲靖北將軍，作嚮導官，爲前驅；張遼爲次；操自押後：倍道輕騎而進。

Tian Chou led Zhang Liao to White Wolf Hill, where they came upon the two Yuans with Tadun and a large force of cavalry. Zhang Liao galloped to inform his chief and Cao rode up to the top of an eminence to survey the foe. He saw a large mass of cavalry without any military formation advancing in a disorderly crowd. Said he, “They have no formation, we can easily rout them.” Then he handed over his ensign of command to Zhang Liao who, with Xu Chu, Yu Jin and Xu Huang, made a vigorous attack from four different points, with the result that the enemy was thrown into confusion.

田疇引張遼前至白狼山，正遇袁熙、袁尚會合蹋頓等數萬騎前來。張遼飛報曹操。操自勒馬登高望之，見蹋頓兵無隊伍，參差不整。操謂張遼曰：“敵兵不整，便可擊之。”乃以麾授遼。遼引許褚、于禁、徐晃分四路下山，奮力急攻，蹋頓大亂。

Zhang Liao rode forward and slew Tadun and the rest all gave in. The brothers Yuan with a few companies of horse got away into Liaodong. Cao Cao then led his army into Liucheng. For his services he conferred upon Tian Chou the rank of marquis of Liuting and put him over the city. But Tian Chou declined the rank, saying with tears, “I am a renegade and a fugitive. It is my good fortune that you spared my life and how can I accept a price for the Lulong fort? I would rather die than accept the marquisate.”

遼拍馬斬蹋頓於馬下，餘衆皆降。袁熙、袁尚引數千騎投遼東去了。操收軍入柳城，封田疇爲柳亭侯，以守柳城。疇涕泣曰：“某負義逃竄之人耳，蒙厚恩全活，爲幸多矣；豈可賣盧龍之寨以邀賞祿哉！死不敢受侯爵。”

Cao recognised that reason was on his side and made him a Court Counsellor. Cao then pacified the Shanyu chieftains; collected ten thousand fine horses and at once set out on the homeward march. The season was winter, cold and dry. For two hundred li there was no water, and grain also was scanty. The troops fed on horse flesh. They had to dig very deep, thirty to forty chang, to find water. When Cao reached Yizhou he rewarded those who had remonstrated with him against the expedition. He said, “I took some risk in going so far but by good fortune I have succeeded.

操義之，乃拜疇爲議郎。操撫慰單于人等，收得駿馬萬匹，即日回兵。時天氣寒且旱，二百里無水，軍又乏糧，殺馬爲食，鑿地三四十丈，方得水。操回至易州，重賞先曾諫者；因謂衆將曰：“孤前者乘危遠征，僥倖成功。

Though I have won, it was Heaven that aided me, and this is not to be taken as a rule. Your remonstrances were counsels of perfect safety and therefore I reward you to prove my appreciation of advice and that hereafter you may not fear to speak your minds.”

雖得勝，天所佑也，不可以爲法。諸君之諫，乃萬安之計，是以相賞。後勿難言。”

The adviser, Guo Jia, did not live to see the return of his lord. His coffin was placed on the bier in a hall of the government offices and Cao went thither to sacrifice to his manes. Cao mourned for him, saying, “Alas! Heaven has smitten me; Fengxiao is dead.” Then turning to his officers he said, “You, gentlemen, are of the same age as myself, but he was very young to die. I needed him for the future and unhappily he has been torn from me in the flower of his age. My heart and my bowels are torn with grief.” The servants of the late adviser presented his last testament, which they said his dying hand had written, and he had told them to say, “If the Minister shall follow the advice given herein then Liaodong will be secure.”

操到易州時，郭嘉已死數日，停柩在公廨。操往祭之，大哭曰：“奉孝死，乃天喪吾也！”回顧衆官曰：“諸君年齒，皆孤等輩，惟奉孝最少，吾欲託以後事。不期中年夭折，使吾心腸崩裂矣！”嘉之左右，將嘉臨死所封之書呈上曰：“郭公臨亡，親筆書此，囑曰：丞相若從書中所言，遼東事定矣。”

Cao opened the cover and read, nodding his head in agreement and uttering deep sighs. But no other man knew what was written therein. Shortly after, Xiahou Dun at the head of a delegation presented a petition saying, “For a long time Gongsun Kang, the Prefect of Liaodong, has been contumacious and it bodes ill for peace that the brothers Yuan have fled to him. Would it not be well to attack before they move against you?” “I need not trouble your tiger courage, gentlemen,” said Cao smiling. “Wait a few days and you will see the heads of our two enemies sent to me.”

操拆書視之，點頭嗟嘆。諸人皆不知其意。次日，夏侯惇引衆人稟曰：“遼東太守公孫康，久不賓服。今袁熙、袁尚又往投之，必爲後患。不如乘其未動，速往徵之，遼東可得也。”操笑曰：“不煩諸公虎威。數日之後，公孫康自送二袁之首至矣。”

They could not believe it. As has been related the two brothers Yuan escaped to the east with a few squadrons of horse. The Prefect of Liaodong was a son of General Gongsun Du, “the Warlike” as his title ran. He was a native of Xiangping. When he heard that the Yuans were on their way to his territory he called a council to decide upon his plan. At the council Gongsun Gong rose saying, “When Yuan Shao was alive he nourished the plan of adding this district to his own. Now his sons, homeless, with a broken army and no officers, are coming here; it seems to me like the dove stealing the magpie’s nest.

諸將皆不肯信。卻說袁熙、袁尚引數千騎奔遼東。遼東太守公孫康，本襄平人，武威將軍公孫度之子也。當日知袁熙、袁尚來投，遂聚本部屬官商議此事。公孫恭曰：“袁紹在日，常有吞遼東之心；今袁熙，袁尚兵敗將亡，無處依棲，來此相投，是鳩奪鵲巢之意也。

If we offer them shelter they will assuredly intrigue against us. I advise that they be inveigled into the city, put to death and their heads sent to Cao, who will be most grateful to us.” Said the Prefect, “I have one fear; Cao will come against us. If so, it would be better to have the help of the Yuans against him.” “Then you can send spies to ascertain whether the army is preparing to attack us. If it is then save them alive; if not, then follow my advice.” It was decided to wait till the spies came back.

若容納之，後必相圖。不如賺入城中殺之，獻頭與曹公，曹公必重待我。”康曰：“只怕曹操引兵下遼東，又不如納二袁使爲我助。”恭曰：“可使人探聽。如曹兵來攻，則留二袁；如其不動，則殺二袁，送與曹公。”康從之，使人去探消息。

In the meantime the two Yuans had taken counsel together as they approached Liaodong, saying, “Liaodong has a large army strong enough to oppose Cao Cao. We will go thither and submit till we can slay the Prefect and take possession. Then when we are strong enough we will attack and recover our own land.” With these intentions they went into the city. They were received and lodged in the guests’ quarters, but when they wished to see Gongsun Kang he put them off with the excuse of indisposition. However, before many days the spies returned with the news that Cao Cao’s army was quartered at Yizhou and there was no hint of any attack.

卻說袁熙、袁尚至遼東，二人密議曰：“遼東軍兵數萬，足可與曹操爭衡。今暫投之，後當殺公孫康而奪其地，養成氣力而抗中原，可復河北也。”商議已定，乃入見公孫康。康留於館驛，只推有病，不即相見。不一日，細作回報：“曹公兵屯易州，並無下遼東之意。”

Then Gongsun Kang called the Yuans into his presence. But before they came he hid swordmen and axemen behind the arras in the hall. When the visitors came and had made their salutations, Kang bade them be seated. Now it was bitterly cold and on the couch where Shang was sitting were no coverings. So he asked for a cushion. The host surlily said, “When your heads take that long, long journey, will there be any cushions?” Before Shang could recover from his fright Kang shouted, “Why do you not begin?” At this out rushed the assassins and the heads of the two brothers were cut off as they sat. Packed in a small wooden box they were sent to Cao Cao at Yizhou.

公孫康大喜，乃先伏刀斧手於壁衣中，使二袁入。相見禮畢，命坐。時天氣嚴寒，尚見牀榻上無茵褥，謂康曰：“願鋪坐席。”康瞋目言曰：“汝二人之頭，將行萬里！何席之有！”尚大驚。康叱曰：“左右何不下手！”刀斧手擁出，就坐席上砍下二人之頭，用木匣盛貯，使人送到易州，來見曹操。

All this time Cao had been calmly waiting, and when his impatient officers had petitioned in a body that he would march to the capital if he intended no attack on the east, he told them what he was waiting for. He would go as soon as the heads arrived. In their secret hearts they laughed. But then, surely enough, a messenger soon came from Liaodong bringing the heads. Then they were greatly surprised and when the messenger presented his letters Cao cried, “Just as Fengxiao said!”

時操在易州，按兵不動。夏侯惇、張遼入稟曰：“如不下遼東，可回許都。恐劉表生心。”操曰：“待二袁首級至，即便回兵。”衆皆暗笑。忽報遼東公孫康遣人送袁熙、袁尚首級至，衆皆大驚。使者呈上書信。操大笑曰：“不出奉孝之料！”

He amply rewarded the messenger and Gongsun Kang was made Marquis of Xiangping and General of the Left; and when the officers asked what had happened, Cao told them what the late adviser had predicted. He read to them the dead officer’s testament, which ran something like this:—“Yuan Shang and his brother are going to Liaodong. Illustrious Sir, you are on no account to attack for Gongsun Kang has long lived in fear lest the Yuans should absorb his country. When they arrive Kang will hesitate. If you attack, he will save the Yuans to help him; if you wait, they will work against each other. This is evident.”

重賞來使，封公孫康爲襄平侯、左將軍。衆官問曰：“何爲不出奉孝之所料？”操遂出郭嘉書以示之。書略曰：“今聞袁熙、袁尚往投遼東，明公切不可加兵。公孫康久畏袁氏吞併，二袁往投必疑。若以兵擊之，必併力迎敵，急不可下；若緩之，公孫康、袁氏必自相圖，其勢然也。”

The officers simply jumped with surprise to see how perfectly events had been foreseen. Then Cao at the head of all his officers performed a grand sacrifice before the coffin of the wise Guo Jia. He had died at the age of thirty-eight, after eleven years of meritorious and wonderful service in the wars.

衆皆踊躍稱善。操引衆官復設祭於郭嘉靈前。亡年三十八歲，從徵十有一年，多立奇勳。

When Heaven permitted Guo Jia’s birth,
It made him ablest man on earth.
He knew by rote all histories,
From him war kept no mysteries.
Like Fan’s, his plans were quite decisive,
As Chen’s, his strokes were most incisive.
Too soon he ran his earthly race,
Too soon the great beam fell from place.

後人有詩讚曰：“天生郭奉孝，豪傑冠羣英：腹內藏經史，胸中隱甲兵；運謀如范蠡，決策似陳平。
可惜身先喪，中原樑棟傾。
”

When Cao returned to Jizhou he sent off the coffin of his late adviser to the capital where it was interred.

操領兵還冀州，使人先扶郭嘉靈柩於許都安葬。

Then Cheng Yu and others said that as the north had been overcome it was time to settle Jiangnan. Cao was pleased and said that had long occupied his thoughts. The last night he spent in Jizhou he went to one of the corner towers and stood there regarding the sky. His only companion was Xun You. Presently Cao said, “That is a very brilliant glow there in the south. It seems too strong for me to do anything there.” “What is there that can oppose your heaven-high prestige?” said You.

程昱等請曰：“北方既定，今還許都，可早建下江南之策。”操笑曰：“吾有此志久矣。諸君所言，正合吾意。”是夜宿於冀州城東角樓上，憑欄仰觀天文。時荀攸在側，操指曰：“南方旺氣燦然，恐未可圖也。”攸曰：“以丞相天威，何所不服！”

Suddenly a beam of golden light shot up out of the earth. “Surely a treasure is buried there,” remarked You. They went down from the city wall, called some men and led them to the point whence the light proceeded. There the men were ordered to dig.

正看間，忽見一道金光，從地而起。攸曰：“此必有寶於地下。”操下樓令人隨光掘之。

The southern skies with portents glow,
The northern lands their treasures show.
What the diggers found will appear in the next chapter.

正是：星文方向南中指，金寶旋從北地生。
不知所得何物，且聽下文分解。