Romance, Chapter 42

Chapter 42. Zhang Fei’s Great Fight at Changban Bridge: Liu Bei, Defeated, Flees to Hanjin Ford

As related in the last chapter, the two brothers Zhong Jin and Zhong Shen barred the way of our warrior, who rode at them with his spear ready for a thrust. Zhong Jin was leading, flourishing his battle-axe. Zhao Yun engaged and before three bouts had unhorsed him with a thrust of his spear. Then he galloped away. Zhong Shen rode up behind ready with his halberd and his horse’s nose got so close to the other’s tail that in Zhao Yun’s back heart-protecting mirror he could see the play of the reflection of his weapon. Then suddenly, and without warning, Zhao Yun wheeled round his horse so that he faced his pursuer and their two steeds struck breast to breast.

卻說鍾縉、鍾紳二人攔住趙雲廝殺。趙雲挺槍便刺，鍾縉當先揮大斧來迎。兩馬相交，戰不三合。被雲一槍刺落馬下，奪路便走。背後鍾紳持戟趕來，馬尾相銜，那枝戟只在趙雲後心內弄影。雲急撥轉馬頭，恰好兩胸相拍。

With his spear in his left hand he warded off the halberd strokes and in his right he swung the sword Qinggang. One slash and he had cut through both helmet and head; Zhong Shen fell to the ground, a corpse with only half a head on his body. His followers fled and Zhao Yun retook the road toward Changban Bridge. But in his rear arose another tumultuous shouting, seeming to rend the very sky, and Wen Pin came up behind. However, although the man was weary and his steed highspent, Zhao Yun got close to the bridge where he saw Zhang Fei, spear in hand, sitting his horse upon the bridge, all ready for any fray. “Help me, Yide!” he cried and crossed the bridge. “Hasten, Zilong!” cried Zhang Fei, “I will keep back the pursuers.”

雲左手持槍隔過畫戟，右手拔出青釭寶劍砍去，帶盔連腦，砍去一半，紳落馬而死，餘衆奔散。趙雲得脫，望長坂橋而走，只聞後面喊聲大震，原來文聘引軍趕來。趙雲到得橋邊，人困馬乏。見張飛挺矛立馬於橋上，雲大呼曰：“翼德援我！”飛曰：“子龍速行，追兵我自當之。”

About twenty li from the bridge he saw Xuande with his followers reposing in the shade of some trees. He dismounted and prostrated himself on the ground, weeping. The tears also started to Xuande’s eyes when he saw his faithful follower. Still panting from his exertions, Zhao Yun gasped out, “My fault——death is too light a punishment. The Lady Mi was severely wounded; she refused my horse and threw herself into a well. She is dead and all I could do was to push down an earthen wall to cover the well. But I placed the babe in the breast of my fighting robe and have won my way out of the press of battle. Thanks to your great good fortune, my lord, I have escaped.

雲縱馬過橋，行二十餘里，見玄德與衆人憩於樹下。雲下馬伏地而泣。玄德亦泣。雲喘息而言曰：“趙雲之罪，萬死猶輕！糜夫人身帶重傷，不肯上馬，投井而死，雲只得推土牆掩之。懷抱公子，身突重圍；賴主公洪福，幸而得脫。

At first he cried a good deal, but for some time now he has not stirred or made a sound. I fear I may not have saved his life after all.” Then he opened his robe and looked; the child was fast asleep. “Happily, Sir, your son is unhurt,” said Zhao as he drew him forth and presented him in both hands. Xuande took the child but threw it aside angrily, saying, “To preserve that suckling I very nearly lost a great captain.” Zhao Yun picked up the child again and, weeping, said, “Were I ground to powder I could not prove my gratitude.”

適來公子尚在懷中啼哭，此一會不見動靜，多是不能保也。”遂解視之，原來阿斗正睡着未醒。雲喜曰：“幸得公子無恙！”雙手遞與玄德。玄德接過，擲之於地曰：“爲汝這孺子，幾損我一員大將！”趙雲忙向地下抱起阿斗，泣拜曰：“雲雖肝腦塗地，不能報也！”

From out Cao’s host a tiger rushed,
His wish but to destroy;
Though Liu Bei’s consort lost her life,
Zhao Yun preserved her boy.
“Too great the risk you ran to save
This child,” the father cried.
To show he rated Zhao Yun high,
He threw his son aside.

後人有詩曰：“曹操軍中飛虎出，趙雲懷內小龍眠。
無由撫慰忠臣意，故把親兒擲馬前。
”

Wen Pin and his company pursued Zhao Yun till they saw Zhang Fei’s bristling moustache and fiercely glaring eyes before them. There he was seated on his battle steed, his hand grasping his terrible serpent-like spear, guarding the bridge. They also saw great clouds of dust rising above the trees and concluded they would fall into an ambush if they ventured across the bridge. So they stopped the pursuit, not daring to advance further. In a little time Cao Ren, Li Dian, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Yue Jin, Zhang Liao, Zhang He, Xu Chu and other captains came up.

卻說文聘引軍追趙雲至長坂橋，只見張飛倒豎虎鬚，圓睜環眼，手綽蛇矛，立馬橋上，又見橋東樹林之後，塵頭大起，疑有伏兵，便勒住馬，不敢近前。俄而曹仁、李典、夏侯惇、夏侯淵、樂進、張遼、張郃、許褚等都至。

None dared advance, frightened not only by Zhang Fei’s fierce look, but lest they should become victims of a ruse of the terrible Zhuge Liang. As they came up they formed a line on the west side, halting till they could inform their lord of the position. As soon as the messengers arrived and Cao Cao heard about it he mounted and rode to the bridge to see for himself. Zhang Fei’s fierce eye scanning the hinder position of the army opposite him saw the silken umbrella, the axes and banners coming along and concluded that Cao Cao came to see for himself how matters stood.

見飛怒目橫矛，立馬於橋上，又恐是諸葛孔明之計，都不敢近前。扎住陣腳，一字兒擺在橋西，使人飛報曹操。操聞知，急上馬，從陣後來。張飛睜圓環眼，隱隱見後軍青羅傘蓋、旄鉞旌旗來到，料得是曹操心疑，親自來看。

So in a mighty voice he shouted, “I am Zhang Yide of Yan; who dares fight with me?” At the sound of this thunderous voice all Cao’s soldiers shook with fear, and Cao Cao hastily bade them take the umbrella away. Turning to his followers he said, “Guan Yu said that his brother Zhang Fei was the sort of man to go through an army of a hundred legions and take the head of its commander-in-chief; and do it easily. Now here is this terror in front of us and we must be careful.”

飛乃厲聲大喝曰：“我乃燕人張翼德也！誰敢與我決一死戰？”聲如巨雷。曹軍聞之，盡皆股慄。曹操急令去其傘蓋，回顧左右曰：“我向曾聞雲長言：翼德於百萬軍中，取上將之首，如探囊取物。今日相逢，不可輕敵。”

As he finished speaking again that terrible voice was heard, “I am Zhang Yide of Yan; who dares fight with me?” Cao, seeing his enemy so fierce and resolute, was too frightened to think of anything but retreat and Zhang Fei, seeing a movement going on in the rear, once again shook his spear and roared, “What mean you, cowards? You will not fight nor do you run away.” This roar had scarcely begun when Xiahou Jie, who was at Cao Cao’s side, reeled and fell from his horse terror-stricken, paralysed with fear.

言未已，張飛睜目又喝曰：“燕人張翼德在此！誰敢來決死戰？”曹操見張飛如此氣概，頗有退心。飛望見曹操後軍陣腳移動，乃挺矛又喝曰：“戰又不戰，退又不退，卻是何故！”喊聲未絕，曹操身邊夏侯傑驚得肝膽碎裂，倒撞於馬下。

The panic touched Cao Cao, and spread to his whole surroundings and he and his staff galloped for their lives.

操便回馬而走。於是諸軍衆將一齊望西奔走。

They were as frightened as a suckling babe at a clap of thunder or a weak woodcutter at the roar of a tiger. Many threw away their spears, dropped their casques and fled, a wave of panic-stricken humanity, a tumbling mass of terrified horses. None thought of aught but flight, and those who ran trampled the bodies of fallen comrades under foot.

正是：黃口孺子，怎聞霹靂之聲；病體樵夫，難聽虎豹之吼。
一時棄槍落盔者，不計其數，人如潮湧，馬似山崩，自相踐踏。

Zhang Fei was wrathful; and who dared
To accept his challenge? Fierce he glared;
His thundrous voice rolled out, and then
In terror fled Cao’s armed men.

後人有詩讚曰：“長坂橋頭殺氣生，橫槍立馬眼圓睜。
一聲好似轟雷震，獨退曹家百萬兵。
”

Panic stricken Cao Cao galloped westward with the rest, thinking of nothing but getting away. He lost his headdress and his loosened hair streamed behind him. Presently Zhang Liao and Xu Chu came up with him and seized his bridle; fear had deprived him of all self-control. “Do not be frightened,” said Zhang Liao. “After all Zhang Fei is but one man and not worthy of extravagant fear. If you will only return and attack you will capture Liu Bei.” By that time Cao had somewhat overcome his panic and become reasonable. Zhang Liao and Xu Chu were ordered back to Changban Bridge to reconnoitre.

卻說曹操懼張飛之威，驟馬望西而走，冠簪盡落，披髮奔逃。張遼、許褚趕上，扯住轡環。曹操倉皇失措。張遼曰：“丞相休驚。料張飛一人，何足深懼！今急回軍殺去，劉備可擒也。”曹操神色方纔稍定，乃令張遼、許褚再至長坂橋探聽消息。

Zhang Fei saw the disorderly rout of the enemy but he dared not pursue. However, he bade his score or so of dust-raising followers to cut loose the branches from their horses’ tails and come to help destroy the bridge. This done he went to report to his brother and told him of the destruction of the bridge. “Brave as you are, brother, and no one is braver, you are no strategist,” said Liu Bei. “What mean you, brother?” “Cao Cao is full of schemes. You should not have destroyed the bridge; now he will surely pursue.”

且說張飛見曹軍一擁而退，不敢追趕；速喚回原隨二十餘騎，解去馬尾樹枝，令將橋樑拆斷，然後回馬來見玄德，具言斷橋一事。玄德曰：“吾弟勇則勇矣，惜失於計較。”飛問其故。玄德曰：“曹操多謀。汝不合拆斷橋樑，彼必追至矣。”

“If he ran away at a yell of mine, think you he will dare return?” “If you had left the bridge he would have thought there was an ambush and would not have dared to pass it. Now the destruction of the bridge tells him we are weak and fearful, and he will pursue. He has a million men; even the Yangtze and the Han they could fill up and cross. Why should he fear a broken bridge?” So orders were given to march and they went by a bye-road which led diagonally to Hanjin and then took the road to Mianyang.

飛曰：“他被我一喝，倒退數里，何敢再追？”玄德曰：“若不斷橋，彼恐有埋伏，不敢進兵，今拆斷了橋，彼料我無軍而怯，必來追趕。彼有百萬之衆，雖涉江漢，可填而過，豈懼一橋之斷耶？”於是即刻起身，從小路斜投漢津，望沔陽路而走。

Zhang Liao and Xu Chu, sent by Cao to reconnoitre near Changban Bridge, returned, saying, “The bridge has been destroyed, Zhang Fei has left.” “Then he is afraid,” said Cao. He at once gave orders to set a legion at work on three floating bridges to be finished that night. Li Dian said, “I fear this is one of the wiles of Zhuge Liang; so be careful.” “Zhang Fei is just a bold warrior, but there is no guile about him,” said Cao Cao. He gave orders for immediate advance.

卻說曹操使張遼、許褚探長坂橋消息，回報曰：“張飛已拆斷橋樑而去矣。”操曰：“彼斷橋而去，乃心怯也。”遂傳令差一萬軍，速搭三座浮橋，只今夜就要過。李典曰：“此恐是諸葛亮之詐謀，不可輕進。”操曰：“張飛一勇之夫，豈有詐謀！”遂傳下號令，火速進兵。

Liu Bei was making all speed to Hanjin. Suddenly there appeared in his track a great cloud of dust whence came loud rolls of drums and shoutings. Xuande was dismayed and said, “Before us rolls the great river; behind is the pursuer. What hope is there for us?” But he bade Zhao Yun organise a defence. Now Cao Cao in an order to his army had said, “Liu Bei is a fish in the fish kettle; a tiger in the pit. Catch him this time, or the fish will get back to the sea and the tiger escape to the hills.

卻說玄德行近漢津，忽見後面塵頭大起，鼓聲連天，喊聲震地。玄德曰：“前有大江，後有追兵，如之奈何？”急命趙雲準備抵敵。曹操下令軍中曰：“今劉備釜中之魚，阱中之虎；若不就此時擒捉，如放魚入海，縱虎歸山矣。

Therefore every captain must use his best efforts to press on.” In consequence every leader bade those under him hasten forward. And they were pressing on at great speed when suddenly soldiers appeared from the hills and a voice cried, “I have waited here a long time.” The leader who had shouted this bore in his hand the Green Dragon blade and rode “Red Hare,” for indeed it was no other than Guan Yu. He had gone to Jiangxia for help and had returned with a whole legion. Having heard of the battle he had taken this very road to intercept pursuit.

衆將可努力向前。”衆將領命，一個個奮威追趕。忽山坡後鼓聲響處，一隊軍馬飛出，大叫曰：“我在此等候多時了！”當頭那員大將，手執青龍刀，坐下赤兔馬，原來是關雲長，去江夏借得軍馬一萬，探知當陽長坂大戰，特地從此路截出。

As soon as Guan Yu appeared Cao stopped and said to his officers, “Here we are, tricked again by that Zhuge Liang.” Without more ado he ordered a retreat.

曹操一見雲長，即勒住馬回顧衆將曰：“又中諸葛亮之計也！”傳令大軍速退。

Guan Yu followed him some ten li and then drew off to act as guard to his elder brother on his way to the river. There boats were ready, and Guan Yu begged Xuande, the Lady Gan and A Dou to go on board. When all were settled comfortably in the boat Guan Yu asked, “Why do I not see my second sister-in-law?” Then Xuande told him the story of Dangyang. “Alas!” said Guan Yu. “Had you taken my advice that day of the hunting in Xutian we should have escaped the misery of this day.”

雲長追趕十數里，即回軍保護玄德等到漢津，已有船隻伺候，雲長請玄德並甘夫人、阿斗至船中坐定。雲長問曰：“二嫂嫂如何不見？”玄德訴說當陽之事。雲長嘆曰：“曩日獵於許田時，若從吾意，可無今日之患。”

“But,” said Xuande, “on that day it was ‘Ware damage when pelting rats.’ ” Just as he spoke he heard war-drums on the south bank. A fleet of boats, thick as a flight of ants, came running up with swelling sails before the fair wind. He was alarmed. The boats came nearer. There he saw the figure of a man in a white robe and silver armour who stood in the prow of the foremost ship. He cried, “Are you all right, my uncle? I am very guilty.” It was Liu Qi. He crossed over to Xuande’s ship and bowed low, weeping, saying, “I heard you were in danger from Cao Cao and I have come to aid you.”

玄德曰：“我於此時亦投鼠忌器耳。”正說之間，忽見江南岸戰鼓大鳴，舟船如蟻，順風揚帆而來。玄德大驚。船來至近，只見一人白袍銀鎧，立於船頭上大呼曰：“叔父別來無恙！小侄得罪。”玄德視之，乃劉琦也。琦過船哭拜曰：“聞叔父困於曹操，小侄特來接應。”

Xuande welcomed him with joy and his soldiers joined in with the main body and the whole fleet sailed on, while they told each other their adventures. Unexpectedly in the south-west there appeared a line of fighting ships swishing up before a fair wind. Liu Qi said, “All my men are here and now there is an enemy barring the way. If they are not Cao Cao’s ships they must be from Jiangdong. We have a poor chance. What now?” Xuande went to the prow and gazed at them. Presently he made out a figure in a turban and Taoist robe sitting in the bows of one of the boats and knew it to be Kongming. Behind him stood Sun Qian.

玄德大喜，遂合兵一處，放舟而行。在船中正訴情由，江西南上戰船一字兒擺開，乘風唿哨而至，劉琦驚曰：“江夏之兵，小侄已盡起至此矣。今有戰船攔路，非曹操之軍，即江東之軍也，如之奈何？”玄德出船頭視之，見一人綸巾道服，坐在船頭上，乃孔明也，背後立着孫乾。

When they were quite near Xuande hastily invited Kongming to his ship and asked him how he came to be there. And he reported what he had done, saying, “When I reached Jiangxia I sent Guan Yu to land at Hanjin with reinforcements, for I feared pursuit from Cao Cao and knew the road you would take. So I prayed your nephew to go to meet you while I went to Xiakou to muster as many men as possible.” The new-comers added to their strength and they began once more to consider how their powerful enemy might be overcome.

玄德慌請過船，問其何故卻在此。孔明曰：“亮自至江夏，先令雲長於漢津登陸地而接。我料曹操必來追趕，主公必不從江陵來，必斜取漢津矣；故特請公子先來接應，我竟往夏口，盡起軍前來相助。”玄德大悅，合爲一處，商議破曹之策。

Said Kongming, “Xiakou is strong and a good strategical point; it is also rich and suited for a lengthy stay. I would ask you, my lord, to make it a permanent camp. Your nephew can go to Jiangxia to get the fleet in order and prepare weapons. Thus there will be two threatening angles to our position. If we all return to Jiangxia the position will be weakened.” Liu Qi replied, “The Adviser-General’s words are excellent, but I would rather my uncle stayed awhile in Jiangxia till the army was in thorough order. Then he could go back to Xiakou; it would not be too late.”

孔明曰：“夏口城險，頗有錢糧，可以久守。請主公且到夏口屯住。公子自回江夏，整頓戰船，收拾軍器，爲掎角之勢，可以抵當曹操。若共歸江夏，則勢反孤矣。”劉琦曰：“軍師之言甚善。但愚意欲請叔父暫至江夏；整頓軍馬停當，再回夏口不遲。”

“You speak to the point, nephew,” replied Xuande. Then leaving Guan Yu with half a legion at Xiakou he, with Kongming and his nephew, went to Jiangxia.

玄德曰：“賢侄之言亦是。”遂留下雲長，引五千軍守夏口。玄德、孔明、劉琦共投江夏。

When Cao Cao saw Guan Yu with a force ready to attack he feared lest a greater number were hidden away behind, so he stopped the pursuit. He also feared lest Xuande should take Jiangling, so he marched thither with all haste. Deng Yi and Liu Xian, the two officers in command at Jingzhou, had heard of what happened at Xiangyang and, knowing that there was no chance of successful defence against Cao Cao’s armies, they led out the people of Jingzhou to the outskirts and offered submission. Cao entered the city and, after restoring order and confidence, he released Han Song and gave him the dignified office of Director of Ambassadorial Receptions.

卻說曹操見雲長在旱路引軍截出，疑有伏兵，不敢來追；又恐水路先被玄德奪了江陵，便星夜提兵赴江陵來。荊州治中鄧義、別駕劉先，已備知襄陽之事，料不能抵敵曹操，遂引荊州軍民出郭投降。曹操入城、安民已定，釋韓嵩之囚，加爲大鴻臚。

He rewarded the others. Then said Cao Cao, “Liu Bei has gone to Jiangxia and may ally himself with Wu and the opposition to me will be greater. Can he be destroyed?” Xun You said, “The splendour of your achievements has spread wide. Therefore you might send a messenger to invite Sun Quan to a grand hunting party at Jiangxia and you two could seize Liu Bei, share Jingzhou with Sun and make a solemn treaty. Sun will be too frightened not to come over to you and your end will be gained.”

其餘衆官，各有封賞。曹操與衆將議曰：“今劉備已投江夏，恐結連東吳，是滋蔓也，當用何計破之？”荀攸曰：“我今大振兵威，遣使馳檄江東，請孫權會獵於江夏，共擒劉備，分荊州之地，永結盟好。孫權必驚疑而來降，則吾事濟矣。”

Cao agreed. He sent the letters by a messenger and he prepared his men, horse and foot and marines. He had in all eighty-three legions, but he called them a hundred. The attack was to be by land and water at the same time. Ships and horsemen advanced side by side along the river. On the west the line reached to Jing and Xia, on the east to Qi and Huang. The stockades stretched three hundred li.

操從其計，一面發檄遣使赴東吳；一面計點馬步水軍共八十三萬，詐稱一百萬，水陸並進，船騎雙行，沿江而來，西連荊、峽、東接蘄、黃，寨柵聯絡三百餘里。

At this point the narrative must digress. The story of Cao Cao’s movements and successes reached Sun Quan, then in camp at Chaisang. He assembled his strategists to decide on a scheme of defence. Lu Su said, “Jingzhou is contiguous to our borders. It is strong and defensive, its people are rich. It is the sort of country that an emperor or a king should have. Liu Biao has just died and Liu Bei has just been defeated. This gives an excuse for me to be sent to convey condolence and, once there, I shall be able to talk over Liu Bei and the officers of the late prefect to combine with you against Cao. If Liu Bei does as I wish, then success is yours.”

話分兩頭。卻說江東孫權，屯兵柴桑郡，聞曹操大軍至襄陽，劉琮已降，今又星夜兼道取江陵，乃集衆謀士商議御守之策。魯肅曰：“荊州與國鄰接，江山險固，士民殷富。吾若據而有之，此帝王之資也。今劉表新亡，劉備新敗，肅請奉命往江夏弔喪，因說劉備使撫劉表衆將，同心一意，共破曹操；備若喜而從命，則大事可定矣。”

Sun Quan thought this a good plan, so he had the necessary letters prepared, and the gifts, and sent Lu Su with them to Jiangxia. All this time Liu Bei was at Jiangxia where, with Kongming and Liu Qi, he was endeavouring to evolve a good plan of campaign. Kongming said, “Cao Cao’s power is too great for us to cope with. Let us go over to Wu and ask help from Sun Quan. If we can set north and south at grips we ought to be able to get some advantage from our mediary position between them.” “But will they be willing to have anything to do with us?” said Xuande. “It is a large and populous country and Sun Quan has ambitions of his own.”

權喜從其言，即遣魯肅齎禮往江夏弔喪。卻說玄德至江夏，與孔明、劉琦共議良策。孔明曰：“曹操勢大，急難抵敵，不如往投東吳孫權，以爲應援。使南北相持，吾等於中取利，有何不可？”玄德曰：“江東人物極多，必有遠謀，安肯相容耶？”

Kongming replied, “Cao with his army of a hundred legions holds the Han and the Yangtze. Jiangdong will certainly send to find out all possible about the position. Should any messenger come I shall borrow a little boat and make a little trip over the river and trust to my little lithe tongue to set north and south at each other’s throats. If the southern men win, we will assist in destroying Cao in order to get Jingzhou; if the north win, we shall profit by the victory to get Jiangnan. So we shall get some advantage either way.” “That is a very fine view to take,” said Xuande. “But how are you going to get hold of any one from the south to talk to?”

孔明笑曰：“今操引百萬之衆，虎踞江漢，江東安得不使人來探聽虛實？若有人到此，亮借一帆風，直至江東，憑三寸不爛之舌，說南北兩軍互相吞併。若南軍勝，共誅曹操以取荊州之地；若北軍勝，則我乘勢以取江南可也。”玄德曰：“此論甚高。但如何得江東人到？”

Liu Bei’s question was answered by the arrival of Lu Su, and as the ship touched the bank and the envoy came ashore, Kongming laughed, saying, “It is done!” Turning to Liu Qi he asked, “When Sun Ce died did your country send any condolences?” “Is it likely there would be any mourning courtesies between them and us while there was the death of a father to avenge?” “Then it is certain that this envoy does not come to present condolences but to spy out the land.”

正說間，人報江東孫權差魯肅來弔喪，船已傍岸。孔明笑曰：“大事濟矣！”遂問劉琦曰：“往日孫策亡時，襄陽曾遣人去弔喪否？”琦曰：“江東與我家有殺父之仇，安得通慶弔之禮！”孔明曰：“然則魯肅之來，非爲弔喪，乃來探聽軍情也。”

So he said to Xuande, “When Lu Su asks about the movements of Cao Cao, you will know nothing. If he press the matter, say he can ask me.” Having thus prepared their scheme they sent to welcome the envoy, who entered the city in mourning garb. The gifts having been accepted, Liu Qi asked Lu Su to meet Xuande. When the introductory ceremonies were over the three men went to one of the inner chambers to drink a cup of wine. Presently Lu Su said to Xuande, “By reputation I have known you a long time, Uncle Liu, but till to-day I have not met you.

遂謂玄德曰：“魯肅至，若問曹操動靜，主公只推不知，再三問時，主公只說可問諸葛亮。”計會已定，使人迎接魯肅。肅入城弔喪；收過禮物，劉琦請肅與玄德相見。禮畢，邀入後堂飲酒，肅曰：“久聞皇叔大名，無緣拜會；今幸得見。

I am very gratified at seeing you. You have been fighting Cao Cao, though, lately, so I suppose you know all about him. Has he really so great an army? How many, do you think, he has?” “My army was so small that we fled whenever we heard of his approach; so I do not know how many he had.” “You had the advice of Zhuge Kongming and you used fire on Cao Cao twice. You burned him almost to death so that you can hardly say you know nothing about his men,” said Lu. “Without asking my adviser I really do not know the details.”

實爲欣慰。近聞皇叔與曹操會戰，必知彼虛實：敢問操軍約有幾何？”玄德曰：“備兵微將寡，一聞操至即走，竟不知彼虛實。”魯肅曰：“聞皇叔用諸葛孔明之謀，兩場火燒得曹操魂亡膽落，何言不知耶？”玄德曰：“除非問孔明，便知其詳。”

“Where is Kongming? I should like to see him,” said Lu. So they sent for him and he was introduced.

肅曰：“孔明安在？願求一見。”玄德教請孔明出來相見。

When the ceremonies were over Lu Su said, “I have long admired your genius but have never been fortunate enough to meet you. Now that I have met you I hope I may speak of present politics.” Replied Kongming, “We know all Cao Cao’s infamies and wickednesses, but to our regret we were not strong enough to withstand him. That is why we avoided him.” “Is the Imperial Uncle going to stay here?” “The Princely One is an old friend of Wu Chen, Prefect of Cangwu and intends to go to him.” “He has few men and insufficient supplies, he cannot ensure safety. How can he receive the Uncle?” said Lu.

肅見孔明禮畢，問曰：“嚮慕先生才德，未得拜晤；今幸相遇，願聞目今安危之事。”孔明曰：“曹操奸計，亮已盡知；但恨力未及，故且避之。”肅曰：“皇叔今將止於此乎？”孔明曰：“使君與蒼梧太守吳臣有舊，將往投之。”肅曰：“吳臣糧少兵微，自不能保，焉能容人？”

“His place is not one to remain in long, but it is good enough for the present. We can make other plans for the future.” Lu said, “Sun Quan is strongly posted and is exceedingly well supplied. He treats able men and scholars with the greatest courtesy and so they gather round him. Now if you are seeking a plan for your Prince you cannot do better than send some friend to confer with him.” “There have never been any relations between my master and yours,” said Kongming. “I fear there would be nothing but a waste of words.

孔明曰：“吳臣處雖不足久居，今且暫依之，別有良圖。”肅曰：“孫將軍虎踞六郡，兵精糧足，又極敬賢禮士，江表英雄，多歸附之。今爲君計，莫若遣心腹往結東吳，以共圖大事。”孔明曰：“劉使君與孫將軍自來無舊，恐虛費詞說。

Besides, we have no one to send.” “Your elder brother is there as adviser and is longing to see you. I am but a simple wight, but I should be pleased to go with you to see my master and discuss the great matter together.” “But Kongming is my teacher,” said Xuande, “and I cannot do without him. He cannot go.” Lu Su pressed him. Xuande pretended to refuse permission. “It is important; I pray you give me leave to go,” said Kongming.

且別無心腹之人可使。”肅曰：“先生之兄，現爲江東參謀，日望與先生相見。肅不才，願與公同見孫將軍，共議大事。”玄德曰：“孔明是吾之師，頃刻不可相離，安可去也？”肅堅請孔明同去。玄德佯不許。孔明曰：“事急矣，請奉命一行。”

Then Xuande consented. And they soon took leave and the two set out by boat for Chaisang.

玄德方纔許諾。魯肅遂別了玄德、劉琦，與孔明登舟，望柴桑郡來。

A little boat sailed down the stream
With Zhuge well content;
For he could see his enemies
To black perdition sent. What came of Kongming’s journey will be told in the next chapter.

正是：只因諸葛扁舟去，致使曹兵一旦休。
不知孔明此去畢竟如何，且看下文分解。