Romance, Chapter 53

Chapter 53. Guan Yu, from a Sense of Righteousness, Releases Huang Zhong: Sun Quan Fights a Great Battle with Zhang Liao

What Kongming required from Zhang Fei was a formal recognition of responsibility for success. Said he, “When Zhao Yun went on his expedition he gave written guarantee of being responsible for success and you ought to do the same now that you are starting for Wuling. In that case you may have men and start.” So Zhang Fei gave the required document and joyfully received three companies of soldiers. He set out at once and travelled night and day toward the borders of Wuling. When the Prefect of Wuling, Jin Xuan by name, heard that an expedition against him was afoot he mustered his officers, reviewed his best soldiers and put his weapons in order, ready to go out of the city and meet the enemy.

卻說孔明謂張飛曰：“前者子龍取桂陽郡時，責下軍令狀而去。今日翼德要取武陵，必須也責下軍令狀，方可領兵去。”張飛遂立軍令狀，欣然領三千軍，星夜投武陵界上來。金旋聽得張飛引兵到，乃集將校，整點精兵器械，出城迎敵。

A certain secretary, Gong Zhi, remonstrated with his chief for opposing a scion of the imperial house, saying, “Liu Xuande is of the Hans, and recognised as an uncle of the Emperor. All the world knows he is kindly and righteous. Added to that his brother Zhang Fei is extraordinarily bold. We cannot face them in battle with hope of success. Our best course is to give in.” But his master angrily replied, “Do you want to play the traitor and take the side of the rebels and help them?” He called in the lictors and told them to put Gong to death. The other officers interceded for him, saying, “It augers ill to start an expedition by slaying your own men.” So the Prefect merely sent Gong Zhi away. He himself led the army out of the city.

從事鞏志諫曰：“劉玄德乃大漢皇叔，仁義佈於天下；加之張翼德驍勇非常。不可迎敵，不如納降爲上。”金旋大怒曰：“汝欲與賊通連爲內變耶？”喝令武士推出斬之。衆官皆告曰：“先斬家人，于軍不利。”金旋乃喝退鞏志，自率兵出。

After marching twenty li he met with Zhang Fei’s army. Zhang Fei at once rode to the front, spear ready to thrust, and opened with a shout. Jin Xuan turned to his officers and asked who would go out to fight him, but no one replied; they were too afraid. So the Prefect himself galloped out, flourishing his sword. Seeing him advance Zhang Fei shouted in a voice of thunder. Poor Jin was seized with panic, turned pale and could not go on. He turned his steed and fled. Then Zhang Fei and his army went in pursuit and smote the fugitives, chasing them to the city wall. Here the fugitives were greeted by a flight of arrows from their own wall.

離城二十里，正迎張飛。飛挺矛立馬，大喝金旋。旋問部將：“誰敢出戰？”衆皆畏懼，莫敢向前。旋自驟馬舞刀迎之。張飛大喝一聲，渾如巨雷，金旋失色，不敢交鋒，撥馬便走。飛引衆軍隨後掩殺。金旋走至城邊，城上亂箭射下。

Greatly frightened, Jin Xuan looked up to see what this meant and there was Gong Zhi, who had opposed him, standing on the wall. “You brought defeat upon yourself because you opposed the will of God,” cried the traitor. “I and the people with me are determined to yield to Liu Bei.” Just as he finished speaking an arrow wounded Jin Xuan in the face and he fell to the ground. Thereupon his own men cut off his head, which they forthwith presented to Zhang Fei. Gong Zhi then went out and made formal submission and Zhang Fei bade him take the seal and cord of office to Guiyang to Liu Bei, who was greatly pleased and gave Jin Xuan’s post to Gong Zhi.

旋驚視之，見鞏志立於城上曰：“汝不順天時，自取敗亡，吾與百姓自降劉矣。”言未畢，一箭射中金旋面門，墜於馬下，軍士割頭獻張飛。鞏志出城納降，飛就令鞏志齎印綬，往桂陽見玄德。玄德大喜，遂令鞏志代金旋之職。

Soon after Xuande came in person to Wuling and soothed the people. This done he wrote to his other brother telling him Yide and Zilong had gained a district each. Guan at once wrote back and said that Changsha was yet to be taken and if he was not thought too feeble he would like to be sent to attack it. Xuande agreed and sent Zhang Fei to relieve his brother, whom he ordered to return and prepare for an expedition to Changsha.

玄德親至武陵安民畢，馳書報雲長，言翼德、子龍各得一郡。雲長乃回書上請曰：“聞長沙尚未取，如兄長不以弟爲不才，教關某幹這件功勞甚好。”玄德大喜，遂教張飛星夜去替雲長守荊州，令雲長來取長沙。

Guan Yu came and went in to see his elder brother and Kongming. At this interview Kongming said that the other two successful warriors had done their work with three companies. The Prefect of Changsha, Han Xuan, was not worth mentioning, but there was a certain general with him, named Huang Zhong, who had to be reckoned with. “Huang Zhong,” said Kongming, “is a native of Nanyang. He used to be a General of the Household under Liu Biao and held Changsha together with Liu Pan, Liu Biao’s nephew; afterwards he served Han Xuan. Now, although he is nearly sixty, no ten thousand men could withstand him, and he is not to be taken lightly.

雲長既至，入見玄德、孔明。孔明曰：“子龍取桂陽，翼德取武陵，都是三千軍去。今長沙太守韓玄，固不足道。只是他有一員大將，乃南陽人，姓黃，名忠，字漢升；是劉表帳下中郎將，與劉表之侄劉磐共守長沙，後事韓玄；雖今年近六旬卻有萬夫不當之勇，不可輕敵。

You ought to take a larger number of men.” Guan Yu replied, “Director of Strategy, what makes you damp another man’s ardour to fight and do away with your own dignity? I do not think the old leader need be discussed and I do not think I require three companies of men. Give me my own half company of swordsmen and I will have the heads of Huang Zhong and Han Xuan to lay beneath our standard.” Xuande strove hard to dissuade him, but Guan would not give way. He just took his half company and set out.

雲長去，必須多帶軍馬。”雲長曰：“軍師何故長別人銳氣，滅自己威風？量一老卒，何足道哉！關某不須用三千軍，只消本部下五百名校刀手，決定斬黃忠、韓玄之首，獻來麾下。”玄德苦擋。雲長不依，只領五百校刀手而去。

“If he is not careful how he attacks Huang Zhong there will be a mishap,” said Kongming. “You must go to support him.” Xuande accordingly, at the head of another and larger party, set out toward Changsha.

孔明謂玄德曰：“雲長輕敵黃忠，只恐有失。主公當往接應。”玄德從之，隨後引兵望長沙進發。

The Prefect of Changsha was of hasty temperament with small compunction in matters of life and death and was universally hated. When he heard of the army coming against him he called his veteran leader, Huang, to ask advice. The latter said, “Do not be distressed; with this sword of mine and this bow, if a thousand come, a thousand shall die.” Huang Zhong could bend a bow of two shi and never missed his mark. Before he had finished speaking a certain man spoke up from below the steps and said, “Let not the old General go out to battle. Trust to my right arm and you shall have this Guan a prisoner in your hands.”

卻說長沙太守韓玄，平生性急，輕於殺戮，衆皆惡之。是時聽知雲長軍到，便喚老將黃忠商議。忠曰：“不須主公憂慮。憑某這口刀，這張弓，一千個來，一千個死！”原來黃忠能開二石力之弓，百發百中。言未畢，階下一人應聲而出曰：“不須老將軍出戰，只就某手中定活捉關某。”

The speaker was Yang Ling, a Commandant of the army. The Prefect was greatly pleased and told off a company to go with him and they quickly rode out of the city. About fifty li from the city they observed a great cloud of dust approaching and soon distinguished the invaders. Yang Ling set his spear and rode to the front to abuse and fight. Guan Yu made no reply to the abuse, but rode forward flourishing his sword. The warriors soon met and in the third encounter Yang Ling was cut down.

韓玄視之，乃管軍校尉楊齡。韓玄大喜，遂令楊齡引軍一千，飛奔出城。約行五十里，望見塵頭起處，雲長軍馬早到。楊齡挺槍出馬，立於陣前罵戰。雲長大怒，更不打話，飛馬舞刀，直取楊齡。齡挺槍來迎。不三合，雲長手起刀落，砍楊齡於馬下。

Guan Yu’s company dashed forward and pursued the defeated force to the city wall. When the Prefect heard of this reverse he ordered the veteran Huang Zhong to go out while he went up on the city wall to watch the fight. Huang Zhong took his sword and dashed across the drawbridge at the head of five hundred horsemen. Guan Yu, seeing an old leader riding out, knew it must be Huang Zhong. He drew up his five hundred swordsmen in a single line. Then sitting there on horseback he said, “He who comes is surely Huang Zhong, eh?” “Since you know me, how dare you come within my boundaries?” replied the veteran.

追殺敗兵，直至城下。韓玄聞之大驚，便教黃忠出馬。玄自來城上觀看。忠提刀縱馬，引五百騎兵飛過吊橋。雲長見一老將出馬，知是黃忠，把五百校刀手一字擺開，橫刀立馬而問曰：“來將莫非黃忠否？”忠曰：“既知我名，焉敢犯我境！”

“I have come expressly to get your head.” Then the combat began. They fought a hundred and more bouts and neither seemed nearer victory. At this point the Prefect, fearing some mishap to his veteran general, beat the gong to retreat and the battle ceased, one side going into the city and the other camping ten li away to the rear. Guan Yu thought in his heart that the fame of the veteran opposed to him was well merited. He had fought a hundred bouts and discovered never a weak spot. He determined that in the next encounter he would use a feint (or “Parthian” stab) and so overcome him.

雲長曰：“特來取汝首級！”言罷，兩馬交鋒。鬥一百餘合，不分勝負。韓玄恐黃忠有失，鳴金收軍。黃忠收軍入城。雲長也退軍，離城十里下寨，心中暗忖：“老將黃忠，名不虛傳：鬥一百合，全無破綻。來日必用拖刀計，背砍贏之。”

Next day, the early meal eaten, Guan Yu came to the city wall and offered his challenge. The Prefect seated himself on the city wall and bade his veteran warrior go out to accept it, and at the head of a few hundred horsemen he dashed across the drawbridge. The two champions engaged and at the end of half a hundred bouts neither had the advantage. On both sides the soldiers cheered lustily. When the drums were beating most furiously, suddenly Guan Yu wheeled round his horse and fled. Of course Huang Zhong followed. Just as the moment for the feint arrived Guan Yu heard behind him a tremendous crash and turned to see his pursuer lying prone upon the ground. His steed had stumbled and thrown him.

次日早飯畢，又來城下搦戰。韓玄坐在城上，教黃忠出馬。忠引數百騎殺過吊橋，再與雲長交馬。又鬥五六十合，勝負不分，兩軍齊聲喝采。鼓聲正急時，雲長撥馬便走。黃忠趕來。雲長方欲用刀砍去，忽聽得腦後一聲響；急回頭看時，見黃忠被戰馬前失，掀在地下。

Guan Yu turned, raised his sword in both hands, and cried in a fierce tone, “I spare your life, but quick! get another horse and come again to battle.” Huang Zhong pulled his horse to its feet hastily, leapt upon its back and went into the city at full speed. The prefect was astonished and asked for an account of the accident. “The horse has not been in battle for a long time,” replied Huang. “Why did you not shoot since your arm is so perfect?” asked the Prefect. “I will try again to-morrow,” said Huang. “Then I will run away as if overcome and so tempt him to the drawbridge and then shoot him.”

雲長急回馬，雙手舉刀猛喝曰：“我且饒你性命！快換馬來廝殺！”黃忠急提起馬蹄，飛身上馬，棄入城中。玄驚問之。忠曰：“此馬久不上陣，故有此失。”玄曰：“汝箭百發百中，何不射之？”忠曰：“來日再戰，必然詐敗，誘到吊橋邊射之。”

The Prefect gave the veteran a dark horse that he usually rode himself; Huang thanked him and retired. But he could not forget Guan Yu’s generous conduct, nor could he understand it. He could not make up his mind to shoot the man who had spared his life. Yet if he did not shoot, he disobeyed his general’s order. It was very perplexing and the whole night spent in thinking it over found him still undecided.

玄以自己所乘一匹青馬與黃忠。忠拜謝而退，尋思：“難得雲長如此義氣！他不忍殺害我，我又安忍射他？若不射，又恐違了將令。”是夜躊躇未定。

At daybreak a man came in saying that Guan Yu was near the wall and challenging them again. So Huang Zhong gave orders to go out. Now Guan Yu, having fought for two days and not having overcome Huang Zhong, was very ill at ease. So he called up all his dignity when he went forth to fight that day. Before they had fought thirty bouts Huang Zhong fled as if he was overcome. Guan Yu pursued. As he rode away Huang Zhong thought in his heart, “He spared me only yesterday and I cannot bear to shoot him to-day.” Putting up his sword he took his bow and twanged the string only; no arrow flew. Guan Yu dodged, but seeing no arrow in the air, he re-took the pursuit. Again Huang twanged an arrowless bowstring and again Guan dodged, but no arrow came. Then he said to himself, “He cannot shoot,” and pressed on in pursuit.

次日天曉，人報雲長搦戰。忠領兵出城。雲長兩日戰黃忠不下，十分焦躁，抖擻威風，與忠交馬。戰不到三十餘合，忠詐敗，雲長趕來。忠想昨日不殺之恩，不忍便射，帶住刀，把弓虛拽弦響，雲長急閃，卻不見箭；雲長又趕，忠又虛拽，雲長急閃，又無箭；只道黃忠不會射，放心趕來。

As they neared the city wall, the veteran stopped on the drawbridge, fitted an arrow, pulled the bow and sent an arrow flying that just hit the base of the plume on Guan’s helmet. The soldiers shouted at the display of marksmanship. Guan Yu was taken aback and set off for camp with the arrow still sticking. Then he knew that Huang Zhong’s skill was equal to piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces and he understood that he owed this warning in the shape of an arrow in his plume to gratitude for sparing the veteran the preceding day. Guan Yu led his men away. But when the veteran leader went up on the wall to see the Prefect, the Prefect at once bade his men seize him.

將近吊橋，黃忠在橋上搭箭開弓，弦響箭到，正射在雲長盔纓根上。前面軍齊聲喊起。雲長喫了一驚，帶箭回寨，方知黃忠有百步穿楊之能，今日只射盔纓，正是報昨日不殺之恩也。雲長領兵而退。黃忠回到城上來見韓玄，玄便喝左右捉下黃忠。

“What have I done?” cried Huang Zhong. “I have seen these last three days that you were fooling me; you were slack the day before yesterday, which proved you had some sinister intention. Yesterday, when your horse stumbled and he spared you, it showed that you were in league with him. And to-day you twice twanged a vain bowstring, while at the third shot you only hit your opponent’s helmet. Dare you say there is no secret understanding in all this? If I do not put you to death it will assuredly redound to my own hurt.” The Prefect ordered the executioners to take him outside the city gate and behead him.

忠叫曰：“無罪！”玄大怒曰：“我看了三日，汝敢欺我！汝前日不力戰，必有私心；昨日馬失，他不殺汝，必有關通；今日兩番虛拽弓弦，第三箭卻正射他盔纓，如何不是外通內連？若不斬汝，必爲後患！”喝令刀斧手推下城門外斬之。

The officers wished to intercede, but the Prefect said that any one who pleaded for the condemned would be held equally guilty. The executioners had hustled the old man out of the city and the sword was in the air and on the point of descending, when a man suddenly dashed in, cut down the lictor and rescued Huang Zhong. “Huang Zhong is our bulwark;” shouted he, “to destroy him is to destroy the Changsha people. This Han is too fierce and cruel, too lightly values good men and is too arrogant toward his officers. We ought rather to kill him, and those who will, let them follow me.”

衆將欲告，玄曰：“但告免黃忠者，便是同罪！”剛推到門外，恰欲舉刀，忽然一將揮刀殺入，砍死刀手，救起黃忠，大叫曰：“黃漢升乃長沙之保障，今殺漢升，是殺長沙百姓也！韓玄殘暴不仁，輕賢慢士，當衆共殛之！願隨我者便來！”

All eyes turned toward this bold speaker, who was bronzed and had eyes like bright stars. It was Wei Yan, a native of Yiyang. He had followed Liu Bei from Xiangyang but, unable to come up with him, had gone into the service of Han Xuan. Han Xuan took exception to his arrogant carriage and lack of polish and neglected him, and so he had been kept in obscurity there. After the rescue of Huang Zhong he called upon the people to make an end of the Prefect. He waved his arm and shouted to the people. Soon he had a following of several hundreds. Huang Zhong could not stop them. In a very short time Wei had dashed up on the wall and with one stroke cut the Prefect in two. Taking his head, Wei Yan rode off out of the city at the head of the people to lay the blood-stained trophy at the feet of Guan Yu.

衆視其人，面如重棗，目若朗星，乃義陽人魏延也。自襄陽趕劉玄德不着，來投韓玄；玄怪其傲慢少禮，不肯重用，故屈沉於此。當日救下黃忠，教百姓同殺韓玄，袒臂一呼，相從者數百餘人。黃忠攔當不住。魏延直殺上城頭，一刀砍韓玄爲兩段，提頭上馬，引百姓出城，投拜雲長。

Guan Yu was greatly pleased and forthwith went into the city to restore confidence. When the people were all quiet, Guan sent to request Huang Zhong to come to see him, but the old general pleaded illness. Next he sent the good news to his brother and to Kongming and asked them to come.

雲長大喜，遂入城。安撫已畢，請黃忠相見；忠託病不出。雲長即使人去請玄德、孔明。

Soon after Guan Yu had left to capture Changsha, Liu Bei and Kongming had followed him up with supports in case of need. While on the march a blue flag was furled backwards and a crow flew over from north to south croaking thrice as it passed. “What good or evil things do these omens presage?” asked Xuande. With hands hidden within his long sleeves, Kongming performed a rapid calculation on his fingers of the auspices and replied, “Changsha is taken and a great leader gained as well. We shall know soon after noon.” Sure enough a simple soldier presently came galloping along with the tidings: “General Guan has taken Changsha, and the generals Huang Zhong and Wei Yan have surrendered.

卻說玄德自雲長來取長沙，與孔明隨後催促人馬接應。正行間，青旗倒卷，一鴉自北南飛，連叫三聲而去。玄德曰：“此應何禍福？”孔明就馬上袖佔一課，曰：“長沙郡已得，又主得大將。午時後定見分曉。”少頃，見一小校飛報前來，說：“關將軍已得長沙郡，降將黃忠、魏延。

They await only your arrival, my lord.” Liu Bei was greatly pleased and entered Changsha, where Guan Yu received him in the hall and told him of Huang Zhong’s deeds. Xuande went in person to Huang’s house and enquired for him, whereupon he came forth and yielded formally. He requested to be permitted to bury the remains of Han Xuan on the east of Changsha.

耑等主公到彼。”玄德大喜，遂入長沙。雲長接入廳上，具言黃忠之事。玄德乃親往黃忠家相請，忠方出降，求葬韓玄屍首於長沙之東。

A poet wrote in praise of Huang Zhong:
Lofty as is heaven above earth was the spirit of the captain,
Who, even in his white-haired age, was held down south of the Han;
Cheerfully had he approached death, with no thought of resentment,
But, bowing before the conqueror, he hung his head and was ashamed.
Praise the sword, gleaming snow-white, and the glory of super-human bravery,
Consider the mail-clad steed snuffing the wind and rejoicing in the battle,
That warrior’s name shall stand high and its brightness be undiminished,
While the lonely moon sheds her light on Xiangtan.

後人有詩讚黃忠曰：“將軍氣概與天參，白髮猶然困漢南。
至死甘心無怨望，臨降低首尚懷慚。
寶刀燦雪彰神勇，鐵騎臨風憶戰酣。
千古高名應不泯，長隨孤月照湘潭。
”

Xuande was generous toward the veteran leader who had come under his banner. But when Wei Yan was introduced, Kongming suddenly ordered him to be thrust forth and put to death. “He has merit; he has committed no fault,” exclaimed Xuande. “Why slay him?” But Kongming replied, “Ingratitude; to eat a man’s bread and slay him is most disloyal; to live on his land and offer his territory to another is most wrong. I see the bone of treachery at the back of his head and he will certainly turn against his master. Wherefore it is well to put him to death and prevent him from doing harm.”

玄德待黃忠甚厚。雲長引魏延來見，孔明喝令刀斧手推下斬之。玄德驚問孔明曰：“魏延乃有功無罪之人，軍師何故欲殺之？”孔明曰：“食其祿而殺其主，是不忠也；居其土而獻其地，是不義也。吾觀魏延腦後有反骨，久後必反，故先斬之，以絕禍根。”

“If we slay this man others who may wish to surrender will be deterred by the danger. I pray you forgive him.” Kongming pointed his finger at Wei Yan and said, “You are pardoned. You would do well to be perfectly faithful to your lord as well as grateful. Do not let a single thought stray elsewhere or I will have your head by fair means or foul.” Wei Yan went away, murmuring “Yes, yes” again and again. Huang Zhong recommended Liu Pan, a nephew of Liu Biao, then living in retirement in You County. Xuande sent for him and gave him charge of Changsha.

玄德曰：“若斬此人，恐降者人人自危。望軍師恕之。”孔明指魏延曰：“吾今饒汝性命。汝可盡忠報主，勿生異心，若生異心，我好歹取汝首級。”魏延喏喏連聲而退。黃忠薦劉表侄劉磐——現在攸縣閒居，玄德取回，教掌長沙郡。

The four commanderies being now at peace, Xuande and his army returned to Jingzhou. The name Youjiangkou was changed to Gong’an. Thenceforth money and grain were plentiful and able men came from all sides. Generals and troops were stationed at the passes and strategic points.

四郡已平，玄德班師回荊州，改油江口爲公安。自此錢糧廣盛，賢士歸之；將軍馬四散屯於隘口。

It is time to return to Zhou Yu. When he went to Chaisang to recover from his wound he left Gan Ning in command at Baling and Ling Tong at Hanyang. The fleet was shared between these two places to be ready to move when required. The remainder of the force was under Cheng Pu and he went to Hefei, where Sun Quan had been since the great battle at Red Cliffs. He was still fighting the northern army and in half a score encounters, small and great, neither had gained a decided advantage. He could not approach the city but entrenched himself about fifty li away.

卻說周瑜自回柴桑養病，令甘寧守巴陵郡，令淩統守漢陽郡，二處分佈戰船，聽候調遣。程普引其餘將士投合淝縣來。原來孫權自從赤壁鏖兵之後，久在合淝，與曹兵交鋒，大小十餘戰，未決勝負，不敢逼城下寨，離城五十里屯兵。

When he heard of the coming of Cheng Pu he was very pleased and went in person out of his camp to welcome the army. Lu Su was in advance of the main body and Sun Quan dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet him. As soon as he saw this, Lu Su slid out of the saddle and made his obeisance. But the officers were amazed at the attitude of Sun Quan, and still more so when Sun Quan asked Lu Su to remount and ride by his side. Presently he said secretly to Lu Su, “I, the Lone One, dismounted to greet you as you saw; was that manifestation enough for you?” “No,” replied Lu Su. “Then what further can I do?”

聞程普兵到，孫權大喜，親自出營勞軍。人報魯子敬先至，權乃下馬立待之。肅慌忙滾鞍下馬施禮。衆將見權如此待肅，皆大驚異。權請肅上馬，並轡而行，密謂曰：“孤下馬相迎，足顯公否？”肅曰：“未也。”權曰：“然則何如而後爲顯耶？”

“I want to see your authority and virtue spread over the four seas and enfold the nine provinces and you yourself playing your part as Emperor. Then will my name be inscribed in the annals and I shall indeed be known.” Sun Quan clapped his hands and laughed gleefully. When they reached the camp a banquet was prepared, the warriors of the great battle were rewarded, and they discussed how to destroy Hefei.

肅曰：“願明公威德加於四海，總括九州，克成帝業，使肅名書竹帛，始爲顯矣。”權撫掌大笑。同至帳中，大設飲宴，犒勞鏖兵將士，商議破合淝之策。

Suddenly one came in to say that Zhang Liao had sent a written challenge to battle. Sun Quan tore open the cover and what he read therein made him very wrath. “This Zhang has insulted me grossly,” said he, “he hears that Cheng Pu has arrived and sends a challenge. To-morrow I will not use the newly-come army; you shall see me fight a great battle with him.” Orders were given that at the fifth watch that night the army would move out of camp and advance on Hefei. Early in the morning, when they had advanced about halfway, they met the army of Cao.

忽報張遼差人來下戰書。權拆書觀畢，大怒曰：“張遼欺吾太甚！汝聞程普軍來，故意使人搦戰！來日吾不用新軍赴敵，看我大戰一場！”傳令當夜五更，三軍出寨，望合淝進發。辰時左右，軍馬行至半途，曹兵已到。

Both sides drew up in battle array. Sun Quan, with helmet and breastplate of gold, rode to the front with Song Qian and Jia Hua, each armed with a ji halberd to support him and guard him one on each side. When the third roll of the drum ceased, the centre of the Cao array opened to allow the exit of three warriors, all fully armed. In the centre was Zhang Liao, on the left Li Dian and on the right Yue Jin. Zhang Liao, the central figure, especially designated Sun Quan as the object of his challenge.

兩邊布成陣勢。孫權金盔金甲，披掛出馬；左宋謙，右賈華，二將使方天畫戟，兩邊護衛。三通鼓罷，曹軍陣中，門旗兩開，三員將全裝慣帶，立於陣前：中央張遼，左邊李典，右邊樂進。張遼縱馬當先，專搦孫權決戰。

Sun Quan took his spear and was about to accept the challenge, when the ranks behind him were broken by Taishi Ci, who galloped forth with his spear ready to thrust. Zhang Liao whirled up his sword to strike the newcomer and the two fought seventy or eighty bouts without a decisive blow. Then said Li Dian to Yue Jin, “He there opposite us with the golden helm is Sun Quan; could we but capture him the loss of our eight hundred and thirty thousand would be amply avenged.” Before he had finished speaking Yue Jin rode out, alone, just one man and one sword, and went sidelong straight at Sun Quan. Then suddenly, swift as a flash of lightning, he ran forward and slashed at Sun.

權綽槍欲自戰，陣門中一將挺槍驟馬早出，乃太史慈也。張遼揮刀來迎。兩將戰有七八十合，不分勝負。曹陣上李典謂樂進曰：“對面金盔者，孫權也。若捉得孫權，足可與八十三萬大軍報仇。”說猶未了，樂進一騎馬，一口刀，從刺斜裏徑取孫權，如一道電光，飛至面前，手起刀落。

But Sun Quan’s two guards were too quick for him. Up went the two ji guarding their lord’s head. The blow fell, but on the crossed ji which were shorn through near the head, and in another moment they were hammering away on the head of Yue Jin’s steed with the shafts of their broken weapons and forcing him back. Song Qian snatched a spear from a soldier near and went in pursuit of Yue Jin, but Li Dian, on the other side, fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed at Song’s heart from behind. And he fell as the bowstring twanged. Then Taishi Ci, seeing that some one behind him had fallen from his horse, left off the fight with Zhang Liao and returned to his own line. At this Zhang Liao fell on in a swift attack and the army of Wu, thrown into confusion, scattered and fled.

宋謙、賈華急將畫戟遮架。刀到處，兩枝戟齊斷，只將戟杆望馬頭上打。樂進回馬，宋謙綽軍士手中槍趕來。李典搭上箭，望宋謙心窩裏便射，應弦落馬。太史慈見背後有人墮馬，棄卻張遼，望本陣便回。張遼乘勢掩殺過來，吳兵大亂，四散奔走。

Zhang Liao, having distinguished Sun Quan in the distance, galloped in pursuit and had nearly come up with him, when Cheng Pu happily rushed in from one side of the line of fight, stayed the pursuit and saved his master. Zhang Liao withdrew to Hefei. Cheng Pu escorted Sun Quan back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him. When Sun knew of the death of Song Qian he was greatly pained and wept aloud. But Zhang Hong, the recorder, reproached him saying, “My lord, you relied too much upon your martial prowess and lightly engaged in battle with a formidable enemy. Every man in the army was chilled with fear.

張遼望見孫權，驟馬趕來。看看趕上，刺斜裏撞出一軍，爲首大將，乃程普也；截殺一陣，救了孫權。張遼收軍自回合淝。程普保孫權歸大寨，敗軍陸續回營。孫權因見折了宋謙，放聲大哭。長史張紘曰：“主公恃盛壯之氣，輕視大敵，三軍之衆，莫不寒心。

Even to slay generals and seize banners and make your might felt on the battlefield is the duty of a subordinate captain, and not fitting for you, my lord. Rather curb and repress such physical feats as those of Meng Ben and Xia Yu and contemplate schemes of exercising princely virtues with the hegemony of all the feudal states. It is because of your ill-regulated action in engaging in battle that Song Qian perished at the hands of your enemies. Hereafter you should regard as most important your personal safety.” “Yes; it is indeed a fault,” said Sun Quan. “I will reform.” Soon after Taishi Ci entered the tent and said, “In my command there is a certain Ge Ding, brother of a groom who keeps the horses in the army of Zhang Liao. This groom is deeply resentful on account of a punishment inflicted upon him. He has sent over to-night to say that they will raise a fire as a signal and assassinate Zhang Liao in revenge for the death of your late leader Song Qian.

即使斬將搴旗，威振疆場，亦偏將之任，非主公所宜也。願抑賁、育之勇，懷王霸之計。且今日宋謙死於鋒鏑之下，皆主公輕敵之故。今後切宜保重。”權曰：“是孤之過也。從今當改之。”少頃，太史慈入帳，言：“某手下有一人，姓戈，名定，與張遼手下養馬後槽是弟兄，後槽被責懷怨，今晚使人報來，舉火爲號，刺殺張遼，以報宋謙之仇。

I wish to take some men over to support them from outside.” “Where is this Ge Ding?” asked Sun Quan. “He has mingled with the enemy and gone into the city. Let me have five companies.” Zhuge Jin said, “Zhang Liao is full of guile, I think you will find him prepared for your coming. Be careful.” As Taishi Ci urged his chief to let him go, and Sun Quan, deeply hurt by the death of Song Qian, was eager for revenge, he gave Taishi Ci five thousand men to go and support them from outside.

某請引兵爲外應。”權曰：“戈定何在？”太史慈曰：“已混入合淝城中去了。某願乞五千兵去。”諸葛瑾曰：“張遼多謀，恐有準備，不可造次。”太史慈堅執要行。權因傷感宋謙之死，急要報仇，遂令太史慈引兵五千，去爲外應。

Now here it must be said that Taishi Ci and this Ge Ding were natives of the same place. Ge had mingled with the soldiers and made his way into the city, found the groom and the two talked it over. Ge told him that he had sent word to Taishi Ci, who would surely come over that night to help them, and asked what the groom would do. The groom said, “We are far from the headquarters here and cannot get to it quickly at night, so we will make a huge bonfire of straw and then you can rush out and cry treachery. That will throw all into confusion and will give a chance to kill Zhang Liao.”

卻說戈定乃太史慈鄉人；當日雜在軍中，隨入合淝城，尋見養馬後槽，兩個商議。戈定曰：“我已使人報太史慈將軍去了，今夜必來接應。你如何用事？”後槽曰：“此間離中軍較遠，夜間急不能進，只就草堆上放起一把火，你去前面叫反，城中兵亂，就裏刺殺張遼，餘軍自走也。”

“This is an excellent plan,” said Ge Ding. That night after the victory Zhang Liao returned to the city and rewarded his men but he issued orders that no one was to doff his armour or sleep. His attendants said, “You have gained a great victory to-day and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armour and get some repose.” But Zhang Liao replied, “That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If the men of Wu suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready to-night and be doubly careful.”

戈定曰：“此計大妙！”是夜張遼得勝回城，賞勞三軍，傳令不許解甲宿睡。左右曰：“今日全勝，吳兵遠遁，將軍何不卸甲安息？”遼曰：“非也。爲將之道：勿以勝爲喜，勿以敗爲憂。倘吳兵度我無備，乘虛攻擊，何以應之？今夜防備，當比每夜更加謹慎。”

Scarcely had he said this than a fire started in the rear camp and cries of “Treachery!” arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way. Those about him said, “The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means.” “A whole city cannot be traitors,” said he. “Some traitor is trying to frighten the soldiers. Any one who makes disorder shall be slain first.” Soon after this Li Dian dragged up Ge Ding and his fellow-traitor.

說猶未了，後寨火起，一片聲叫反，報者如麻。張遼出帳上馬，喚親從將校十數人，當道而立。左右曰：“喊聲甚急，可往觀之。”遼曰：“豈有一城皆反者？此是造反之人，故驚軍士耳。如亂者先斬！”無移時，李典擒戈定並後槽至。

After a few brief questions they were beheaded. Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate. “That means the men of Wu are there to help,” said Zhang Liao. “But we will destroy them by a simple ruse.” He bade them start a fire inside the city gate and yell “Treachery! Rebellion!” and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge. When Taishi Ci saw the gates swing open he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate. But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places.

遼詢得其情，立斬於馬前。只聽得城門外鳴鑼擊鼓，喊聲大震。遼曰：“此是吳兵外應，可就計破之。”便令人於城門內放起一把火，衆皆叫反，大開城門，放下吊橋。太史慈見城門大開，只道內變，挺槍縱馬先入。城上一聲炮響，亂箭射下，太史慈急退，身中數箭。

Then Li Dian and Yue Jin fell on them from behind, and more than half the men of Wu were cut off. The pursuers followed right up to the camp, where Lu Xun and Dong Xi came out and rescued Taishi Ci, and the Cao soldiers returned. Sun Quan was the more grieved when he saw how grievously Taishi Ci was wounded, and when Zhang Zhao prayed him to cease from war he consented. They gathered in their men to their ships and sailed back to Runzhou in Nanxu, where they camped. Meanwhile Taishi Ci grew worse. When his lord sent Zhang Zhao and others to ask how he fared, he cried, “When a worthy man is born into a turbulent world, he should gird on a three-foot sword and win deeds unmatched in his age. My purpose is not yet fulfilled; why must I die?”

背後李典、樂進殺出，吳兵折其大半，乘勢直趕到寨前。陸遜，董襲殺出，救了太史慈。曹兵自回。孫權見太史慈身帶重傷，愈加傷感。張昭請權罷兵。權從之，遂收兵下船，回南徐潤州。比及屯住軍馬，太史慈病重；權使張昭等問安，太史慈大叫曰：“大丈夫生於亂世，當帶三尺劍立不世之功；今所志未遂，奈何死乎！”

These were his last words; he was forty-one years of age.

言訖而亡，年四十一歲。

A poet wrote in praise:
Single minded and perfectly loyal,
Such was Taishi, in Donglai born,
Far distant frontiers rang with his exploits,
Riding or archery, all men he excelled,
He repaid a kindness in Beihai one day,
He fought his fill at Shenting once,
Dying, he spoke of his great ambition;
All through the ages men sigh for his fate.

後人有詩讚曰：“矢志全忠孝，東萊太史慈：姓名昭遠塞，弓馬震雄師；北海酬恩日，神亭酣戰時。
臨終言壯志，千古共嗟諮！
”

Sun Quan was exceedingly grieved when Taishi Ci died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honourably at the foot of Beigu Hill in Nanxu and took his son, Taishi Xiang, into his own palace to be brought up. Xuande was setting his army in order at Jingzhou when he heard that Sun Quan had been defeated at Hefei and had gone back to Nanxu, and he and Kongming discussed their plans. Said Kongming, “I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the north-west. The Imperial family is to suffer a loss.” He had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Liu Qi, son of Liu Biao.

孫權聞慈死，傷悼不已，命厚葬於南徐北固山下，養其子太史享於府中。卻說玄德在荊州整頓軍馬，聞孫權合淝兵敗，已回南徐，與孔明商議。孔明曰：“亮夜觀星象，見西北有星墜地，必應折一皇族。”正言間，忽報公子劉琦病亡。

Xuande at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him, “Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one quickly to hold the city and make arrangements for the interment.” “Who can go?” asked Xuande. “No other than Guan Yu.” So they sent him to guard the city of Xiangyang. Then Xuande said, “Now that Liu Qi is dead, Wu will surely come to demand Jingzhou. How shall we answer?”

玄德聞之，痛哭不已。孔明勸曰：“生死分定，主公勿憂，恐傷貴體。且理大事：可急差人到彼守禦城池，並料理葬事。”玄德曰：“誰可去？”孔明曰：“非雲長不可。”即時便教雲長前去襄陽保守。玄德曰：“今日劉琦已死，東吳必來討荊州，如何對答？”

Kongming replied, “If any one comes, I shall have my own answer ready.” In half a month it was announced that Lu Su had come from Wu to mourn at the funeral.

孔明曰：“若有人來，亮自有言對答。”過了半月，人報東吳魯肅特來弔喪。

Thus the plan was laid and settled first,
And they waited only for the envoy of Wu. What reply Kongming made will be told in the next chapter.

正是：先將計策安排定，只等東吳使命來。
未知孔明如何對答，且看下文分解。