Romance, Chapter 69

Chapter 69. Divining by the Book of Changes, Guan Lu Foresees Events; Attacking the Traitor to Han, Five Ministers Die for Their Loyalty

That day, when Cao Cao saw the corpses all rise up in the black wind, he fell to the ground in terror. In a moment the wind died down, and the corpses had all vanished. His attendants helped him back to his palace, but the fright had made him ill.

卻說當日曹操見黑風中羣屍皆起，驚倒於地。須臾風定，羣屍皆不見。左右扶操回宮，驚而成疾。

A later poet wrote in praise of Zuo Ci:
With flying steps he rode the clouds through all the Nine Provinces;
Relying on the art of Dunjia alone, he roamed wherever he pleased.
Lightly he worked the magic of the immortals
To awaken Cao Man, but Cao Man would not turn his head.
Cao Cao fell ill, and the medicines he took did not cure him. Just then Xu Zhi, the Deputy Grand Astrologer, came from Xuchang to see him, and Cao Cao ordered him to divine by the Book of Changes.

後人有詩讚左慈曰：“飛步凌雲遍九州，獨憑遁甲自遨遊。
等閒施設神仙術，點悟曹瞞不轉頭。
”曹操染病，服藥無愈。
適太史丞許芝，自許昌來見操。
操令芝卜易。

Xu Zhi said, “Has Your Highness ever heard of the divine diviner Guan Lu?” “I have heard his name often enough,” said Cao Cao, “but I know nothing of his art. Tell me about him in detail.” Xu Zhi said, “Guan Lu, styled Gongming, is a man of Pingyuan. He is coarse and ugly in appearance, fond of wine, and wild and unrestrained in his ways. His father was once Chief of Jiqiu in Langya. From childhood Guan Lu loved to gaze up at the stars; he would not sleep at night, and his parents could not stop him. He used to say, ‘Even the barnyard fowl and the wild swan know the seasons of their own accord; how much more should a man living in the world?’

芝曰：“大王曾聞神卜管輅否？”操曰：“頗聞其名，未知其術。汝可詳言之。”芝曰：“管輅字公明，平原人也。容貌粗醜，好酒疏狂。其父曾爲琅琊即丘長。輅自幼便喜仰視星辰，夜不肯寐，父母不能禁止。常雲家雞野鵠，尚自知時，何況爲人在世乎？

When he played with the neighbours’ children, he would always draw the heavens on the ground and set out the sun, moon and stars. As soon as he was a little older he had a profound understanding of the Book of Changes; he looked up and observed the winds from the four corners, his skill in the art of numbers was uncanny, and he was also expert in physiognomy. Shan Zichun, the Prefect of Langya, heard of his fame and summoned him to an interview. More than a hundred guests were present, all of them men of eloquence. Guan Lu said to Shan Zichun, ‘I am young and my nerve is not yet firm. Let me first ask for three measures of good wine; after I have drunk it, I will speak.’

與鄰兒共戲，輒畫地爲天文，分佈日月星辰。及稍長，即深明《周易》，仰觀風角，數學通神，兼善相術。琅琊太守單子春聞其名，召輅相見。時有坐客百餘人，皆能言之士。輅謂子春曰：輅年少膽氣未堅，先請美酒三升，飲而後言。

Shan Zichun thought this remarkable and gave him the three measures of wine. When he had finished drinking, Guan Lu asked him, ‘Are those who wish to debate with me now the scholars seated all around you, sir?’ ‘I myself will be your match,’ said Shan Zichun. So they discussed the principles of the Changes together. Guan Lu talked on tirelessly, and every word was subtle and profound. Shan Zichun raised difficulties again and again, but Guan Lu answered as fluently as flowing water. From dawn till dusk no one so much as touched the wine and food. Shan Zichun and all his guests were filled with admiration.

子春奇之，遂與酒三升。飲畢，輅問子春：今欲與輅爲對者，若府君四座之士耶？子春曰：吾自與卿旗鼓相當。於是與輅講論易理。輅亹亹而談，言言精奧。子春反覆辯難，輅對答如流。從曉至暮，酒食不行。子春及衆賓客，無不歎服。

From then on the whole world called him a divine prodigy. Later there was a man named Guo En, who with his two brothers had become lame, and he asked Guan Lu to divine for them. Guan Lu said, ‘In the hexagram there is the ghost of a woman from your family’s ancestral tomb; she was the wife of one of your father’s brothers, either the elder or the younger. Long ago, in a year of famine, for the gain of a few measures of rice, she was pushed down a well and her head was crushed with a great stone. Her lonely spirit, in its anguish, made its own complaint to Heaven, and so you brothers suffer this retribution.

於是天下號爲神童。後有居民郭恩者，兄弟三人，皆得躄疾，請輅卜之。輅曰：卦中有君家本墓中女鬼，非君伯母即叔母也。昔饑荒之年，謀數升米之利，推之落井，以大石壓破其頭，孤魂痛苦，自訴於天，故君兄弟有此報。

It cannot be averted by prayer.’ Guo En and his brothers wept and confessed the crime. Wang Ji, the Prefect of Anping, knew of Guan Lu’s divine skill and invited him to his house. It happened that the wife of the Magistrate of Xindu suffered constantly from headaches, and her son from pains in the chest, so they asked Guan Lu to divine for them. Guan Lu said, ‘At the western corner of this hall lie two corpses. One man holds a spear, the other a bow and arrows. Their heads are inside the wall and their feet outside it. The spearman’s part is to stab the head, hence the headaches; the archer’s part is to pierce the chest and belly, hence the chest pains.’

不可禳也。郭恩等涕泣伏罪。安平太守王基，知輅神卜，延輅至家。適信都令妻常患頭風，其子又患心痛，因請輅卜之。輅曰：此堂之西角有二死屍：一男持矛，一男持弓箭。頭在壁內，腳在壁外。持矛者主刺頭，故頭痛；持弓箭者主刺胸腹，故心痛。

So they dug there. Eight feet into the ground they found, just as he had said, two coffins. In one was a spear, in the other a horn bow and arrows; the wood had all rotted away. Guan Lu had the bones moved and buried ten li outside the city, and the wife and son were well again. When Zhuge Yuan, the Magistrate of Guantao, was promoted to be Prefect of Xinxing, Guan Lu went to see him off. The guests said that Guan Lu could guess what was hidden under a cover. Zhuge Yuan did not believe it. He secretly took three things—a swallow’s egg, a wasps’ nest and a spider—put them into three separate boxes, and told Guan Lu to divine what they were.

乃掘之。入地八尺，果有二棺。一棺中有矛，一棺中有角弓及箭，木俱已朽爛。輅令徙骸骨去城外十里埋之，妻與子遂無恙。館陶令諸葛原，遷新興太守，輅往送行。客言輅能覆射。諸葛原不信，暗取燕卵、蜂窠、蜘蛛三物，分置三盒之中，令輅卜之。

When the hexagrams were formed, he wrote four lines on each box. The first read: ‘It holds breath and must transform; it depends on the eaves of a house. Male and female take their shape, and its wings will spread wide: this is a swallow’s egg.’ The second read: ‘Its house hangs upside down, with many doors and gates; it stores essence and breeds poison, and in autumn it is transformed: this is a wasps’ nest.’ The third read: ‘Trembling, with long legs, it spits out silk to make a net; it follows its web in search of food, and its advantage lies in the dark of night: this is a spider.’ Everyone present was astounded.

卦成，各寫四句於盒上。其一曰：含氣須變，依乎宇堂；雌雄以形，羽翼舒張：此燕卵也。其二曰：家室倒懸，門戶衆多；藏精育毒，得秋乃化：此蜂窠也。其三曰：觳觫長足，吐絲成羅；尋網求食，利在昏夜：此蜘蛛也。滿座驚駭。

An old woman of the district lost her ox and came to ask for a divination. Guan Lu pronounced: ‘On the bank of the northern stream, seven men have slaughtered it and are cooking it. Go quickly in pursuit, and the hide and flesh will still be there.’ The old woman went to look, and indeed seven men were cooking and eating it behind a thatched hut, and the hide and flesh were still there. She reported it to Liu Bin, the Prefect of the commandery, who had the seven men arrested and punished. Then he asked the old woman, ‘How did you know?’ She told him of Guan Lu’s divine skill. Liu Bin did not believe it. He invited Guan Lu to his office, hid a seal pouch and a pheasant’s feather in boxes, and told him to divine them.

鄉中有老婦失牛，求卜之。輅判曰：北溪之濱，七人宰烹；急往追尋，皮肉尚存。老婦果往尋之：七人於茅舍後煮食，皮肉猶存。婦告本郡太守劉邠，捕七人罪之。因問老婦曰：汝何以知之？婦告以管輅之神卜。劉邠不信，請輅至府，取印囊及山雞毛藏於盒中，令卜之。

Guan Lu divined the first and said, ‘Square within and round without, its five colours form a pattern; it holds a treasure and keeps faith, and when it comes out it leaves its mark: this is a seal pouch.’ Of the second he said, ‘On the lofty crags there is a bird with a brocaded body and a scarlet coat; its wings are black and yellow, and its cry never misses the dawn: this is a pheasant’s feather.’ Liu Bin was astonished and thereafter treated him as an honoured guest. One day Guan Lu went out strolling in the countryside and saw a youth ploughing in a field. He stood by the roadside watching him for a long while, then asked, ‘Young man, what is your honourable surname, and how old are you?’

輅卜其一曰：內方外圓，五色成文；含寶守信，出則有章：此印囊也。其二曰：巖巖有鳥，錦體朱衣；羽翼玄黃，鳴不失晨：此山雞毛也。劉邠大驚，遂待爲上賓。一日，出郊閒行，見一少年耕于田中，輅立道傍，觀之良久，問曰：“少年高姓、貴庚？

The youth replied, ‘My surname is Zhao and my name is Yan, and I am nineteen years old. May I ask who you are, sir?’ ‘I am Guan Lu,’ he said. ‘I see the air of death between your brows. Within three days you will surely die. You are a handsome lad; it is a pity you are not to live long.’ Zhao Yan went home and hurriedly told his father. On hearing it, the father hurried after Guan Lu, knelt weeping on the ground and said, ‘I beg you to come back with me and save my son!’ ‘This is the decree of Heaven,’ said Guan Lu. ‘How can it be averted by prayer?’ The father pleaded, ‘I am an old man, and this is my only son. I beg you to have pity and save him!’

答曰：姓趙，名顏，年十九歲矣。敢問先生爲誰？輅曰：吾管輅也。吾見汝眉間有死氣，三日內必死。汝貌美，可惜無壽。趙顏回家，急告其父。父聞之，趕上管輅，哭拜於地曰：請歸救吾子！輅曰：“此乃天命也，安可禳乎？父告曰：老夫止有此子，望乞垂救！

Zhao Yan too wept and begged. Seeing how deep the feeling between father and son was, Guan Lu said to Zhao Yan, ‘Prepare a bottle of pure wine and a piece of dried venison, and tomorrow take them into the Southern Mountain. Under a great tree, on a flat rock, you will see two men playing chess. One sits facing south, wearing a white robe, and his face is very ugly; the other sits facing north, wearing a red robe, and his face is very handsome. When they are deep in the enjoyment of their game, kneel and offer them the wine and venison.

趙顏亦哭求。輅見其父子情切，乃謂趙顏曰：汝可備淨酒一瓶，鹿脯一塊，來日齎往南山之中，大樹之下，看盤石上有二人弈棋：一人向南坐，穿白袍，其貌甚惡；一人向北坐，穿紅袍，其貌甚美。汝可乘其弈興濃時，將酒及鹿脯跪進之。

Wait until they have finished eating and drinking, then weep, bow and beg for longer life, and you will surely have your years increased. But on no account say that I told you to do this.’ The old man kept Guan Lu at his house. The next day Zhao Yan took the wine and dried meat, with cups and a platter, and went into the Southern Mountain. After going five or six li, he did indeed find two men playing chess on a flat rock under a great pine tree, paying no heed to anything else. Zhao Yan knelt and offered them the wine and meat. The two were so absorbed in their game that they did not notice they had drunk all the wine.

待其飲食畢，汝乃哭拜求壽，必得益算矣。但切勿言是吾所教。老人留輅在家。次日，趙顏攜酒脯杯盤入南山之中。約行五六里，果有二人於大松樹下盤石上着棋，全然不顧。趙顏跪進酒脯。二人貪着棋，不覺飲酒已盡。

Zhao Yan knelt weeping on the ground and begged for longer life, and the two men were greatly startled. The one in the red robe said, ‘This must be Master Guan’s doing. Since we two have accepted his private offering, we must take pity on the boy.’ The one in the white robe then took a register from his person, looked through it, and said to Zhao Yan, ‘You are nineteen this year and are due to die. Now I will add the character for nine above the character for ten, and your life shall reach ninety-nine. When you go back and see Guan Lu, tell him never again to leak the secrets of Heaven; otherwise he will surely incur Heaven’s punishment.’

趙顏哭拜於地而求壽，二人大驚。穿紅袍者曰：此必管子之言也。吾二人既受其私，必須憐之。穿白袍者，乃於身邊取出簿籍檢看，謂趙顏曰：汝今年十九歲，當死。吾今於十字上添一九字，汝壽可至九十九。回見管輅，教再休泄漏天機；不然，必致天譴。

The one in red took out a brush and made the addition. Then, as a gust of fragrant wind passed by, the two men turned into two white cranes and soared up into the sky. Zhao Yan returned and asked Guan Lu about it. Guan Lu said, ‘The one in red was the Southern Dipper; the one in white was the Northern Dipper.’ ‘I have heard that the Northern Dipper has nine stars,’ said Zhao Yan. ‘Why was there only one man?’ ‘Scattered, they are nine; united, they are one,’ said Guan Lu. ‘The Northern Dipper records death; the Southern Dipper records life. Now that your years have been added to the record, what more have you to fear?’

穿紅者出筆添訖，一陣香風過處，二人化作二白鶴，沖天而去。趙顏歸問管輅。輅曰：穿紅者，南鬥也；穿白者，北斗也。顏曰：吾聞北斗九星，何止一人？輅曰：散而爲九，合而爲一也。北斗注死，南鬥注生。今已添注壽算，子復何憂？

Father and son bowed and thanked him. From then on Guan Lu, fearing to leak the secrets of Heaven, would no longer lightly divine for anyone. This man is now in Pingyuan. If Your Highness wishes to know what fortune or misfortune lies ahead, why not summon him?” Cao Cao was delighted and at once sent a man to Pingyuan to summon Guan Lu. When Guan Lu arrived and had made his obeisance, Cao Cao told him to divine. Guan Lu replied, “This was nothing but a conjuring trick. Why should it trouble you?”

父子拜謝。自此管輅恐泄天機，更不輕爲人卜。此人現在平原，大王欲知休咎，何不召之？”操大喜，即差人往平原召輅。輅至，參拜訖，操令卜之。輅答曰：“此幻術耳，何必爲憂？”

With his mind at ease, Cao Cao gradually recovered from his illness. He then had Guan Lu divine the affairs of the empire. Guan Lu divined and said, “Three and eight crosswise and lengthwise; the yellow boar meets the tiger. South of Dingjun, one limb is wounded and broken.” Cao Cao also had him divine how long or short the succession of his house would last. Guan Lu divined and said, “In the Palace of the Lion the spirit tablet is set at rest; the kingly way is made new, and sons and grandsons are exalted to the utmost.” Cao Cao asked for the details. “The vast reckonings of Heaven cannot be known beforehand,” said Guan Lu. “Wait, and in time they will prove themselves.” Cao Cao wished to appoint Guan Lu Grand Astrologer.

操心安，病乃漸可。操令卜天下之事。輅卜曰：“三八縱橫，黃豬遇虎；定軍之南，傷折一股。”又令卜傳祚修短之數。輅卜曰：“獅子宮中，以安神位；王道鼎新，子孫極貴。”操問其詳。輅曰：“茫茫天數，不可預知。待後自驗。”操欲封輅爲太史。

Guan Lu said, “My fate is thin and my features are poor. I am not fit for such an office and dare not accept it.” When Cao Cao asked why, he replied, “My forehead lacks the master bone, my eyes lack the guarding pupils, my nose lacks a bridge, my feet lack the heavenly root, my back lacks the three jia, and my belly lacks the three ren. I am fit only to govern ghosts on Mount Tai, not to govern the living.” “And what do you read in my features?” asked Cao Cao. “Your rank is already the highest a subject can reach,” said Guan Lu. “What need is there to read your features?” Cao Cao asked again and again, but Guan Lu only smiled and would not answer.

輅曰：“命薄相窮，不稱此職，不敢受也。”操問其故，答曰：“輅額無主骨，眼無守睛；鼻無梁柱，腳無天根；背無三甲，腹無三壬：只可泰山治鬼，不能治生人也。”操曰：“汝相吾若何？”輅曰：“位極人臣，又何必相？”再三問之，輅但笑而不答。

Cao Cao had Guan Lu read the features of all his officials, civil and military. “All of them are ministers fit to govern the world,” said Guan Lu. But when Cao Cao asked about their fortunes, good or ill, he would not tell the whole of it for any of them.

操令輅遍相文武官僚。輅曰：“皆治世之臣也。”操問休咎，皆不肯盡言。

A later poet wrote in his praise:
Guan Gongming of Pingyuan, diviner divine,
Could reckon the southern stars and the Northern Dipper.
Through the subtle depths of the Eight Trigrams he reached the portals of the spirits;
Through the mysteries of the six lines he searched out the court of Heaven.
By his art of physiognomy he foresaw that his own life would be short,
And he knew that the source of his mind was wondrously inspired.
Alas for the rare and wondrous arts of that day—
No later man has received the book he left behind.

後人有詩讚曰：“平原神卜管公明，能算南辰北斗星。
八卦幽微通鬼竅，六爻玄奧究天庭。
預知相法應無壽，自覺心源極有靈。
可惜當年奇異術，後人無復授遺經。
”

Cao Cao told him to divine concerning the two regions of Eastern Wu and Western Shu. Guan Lu cast the hexagrams and said, “Eastern Wu is to lose a great general, and troops from Western Shu will violate your borders.” Cao Cao did not believe it. But suddenly a report came from Hefei: “Lu Su, the general guarding Lukou for Eastern Wu, has died.” Cao Cao was greatly startled and at once sent men to Hanzhong for news. Within a few days an urgent report came that Liu Xuande had sent Zhang Fei and Ma Chao to camp at Xiabian and seize the pass. Cao Cao was furious and wanted to lead a great army into Hanzhong once more himself. He told Guan Lu to divine the outcome.

操令卜東吳、西蜀二處。輅設卦雲：“東吳主亡一大將，西蜀有兵犯界。”操不信。忽合淝報來：“東吳陸口守將魯肅身故。”操大驚，便差人往漢中探聽消息。不數日，飛報劉玄德遣張飛、馬超兵屯下辨取關。操大怒，便欲自領大兵再入漢中，令管輅卜之。

“Your Highness must not act rashly,” said Guan Lu. “Next spring there will surely be a fire in Xudu.” Having seen Guan Lu’s words come true again and again, Cao Cao did not dare to move lightly and remained at Yejun. He sent Cao Hong with fifty thousand troops to help Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He hold Dongchuan. He also sent Xiahou Dun with thirty thousand troops to patrol to and fro around Xudu, to guard against anything unforeseen. And he put his Chief Clerk, Wang Bi, in overall command of the Imperial Guard.

輅曰：“大王未可妄動，來春許都必有火災。”操見輅言累驗，故不敢輕動，留居鄴郡。使曹洪領兵五萬，往助夏侯淵、張郃同守東川；又差夏侯惇領兵三萬，於許都來往巡警，以備不虞；又教長史王必總督御林軍馬。

The Recorder, Sima Yi, said, “Wang Bi is fond of wine and lax by nature. I fear he is not equal to this post.” Cao Cao said, “Wang Bi followed me when I was cutting my way through thorns and brambles and going through every hardship. He is loyal and diligent, with a heart like iron and stone. No one is better fitted for it.” So he entrusted Wang Bi with the Imperial Guard, stationed outside the Donghua Gate of Xudu.

主簿司馬懿曰：“王必嗜酒性寬，恐不堪任此職。”操曰：“王必是孤披荊棘歷艱難時相隨之人，忠而且勤，心如鐵石，最足相當。”遂委王必領御林軍馬屯於許都東華門外。

There was at that time a man named Geng Ji, styled Jixing, a native of Luoyang. He had formerly been a clerk in the Minister’s office and had later been promoted to Palace Attendant and Privy Treasurer, and he was on very close terms with Wei Huang, the Director of Rectitude. When he saw that Cao Cao had been raised to the rank of prince and went in and out with the carriage and robes of the Son of Heaven, he was deeply resentful. It was then the first month of spring in the twenty-third year of Jian’an. Geng Ji secretly consulted with Wei Huang, saying, “The villainy of the traitor Cao grows worse every day. In time he will surely usurp the throne.

時有一人，姓耿，名紀，字季行，洛陽人也；舊爲丞相府掾，後遷侍中少府，與司直韋晃甚厚；見曹操進封王爵，出入用天子車服，心甚不平。時建安二十三年春正月。耿紀與韋晃密議曰：“操賊奸惡日甚，將來必爲篡逆之事。

We are servants of Han; how can we join with evil and help it along?” Wei Huang said, “I have a trusted friend named Jin Yi, a descendant of the Han minister Jin Midi. He has long wished to destroy Cao Cao, and what is more, he is on very close terms with Wang Bi. If we can get him to join us, our great cause will succeed.” “But if he is such a close friend of Wang Bi,” said Geng Ji, “how would he be willing to plot with us?” “Let us go and sound him out and see how things stand,” said Wei Huang.

吾等爲漢臣，豈可同惡相濟？”韋晃曰：“吾有心腹人，姓金，名禕，乃漢相金日磾之後，素有討操之心；更兼與王必甚厚。若得同謀，大事濟矣。”耿紀曰：“他既與王必交厚，豈肯與我等同謀乎？”韋晃曰：“且往說之，看是如何。”

So the two of them went together to Jin Yi’s house. Jin Yi received them in his inner hall, and they sat down. Wei Huang said, “Dewei, you are on very close terms with Chief Clerk Wang, and we two have come especially to ask a favour of you.” “What favour?” asked Jin Yi. Wei Huang said, “We hear that the King of Wei will soon receive the abdication and ascend the throne. You and Chief Clerk Wang are certain to rise high. We hope you will not abandon us but will kindly help us along. We would be deeply grateful!” Jin Yi shook out his sleeves and rose. Just then a servant came in bearing tea, and Jin Yi dashed the tea to the ground.

於是二人同至金禕宅中。禕接入後堂，坐定。晃曰：“德偉與王長史甚厚，吾二人特來告求。”禕曰：“所求何事？”晃曰：“吾聞魏王早晚受禪，將登大寶，公與王長史必高遷。望不相棄，曲賜提攜，感德非淺！”禕拂袖而起。適從者奉茶至，便將茶潑於地上。

Wei Huang pretended to be startled. “Dewei, we are old friends. Why are you so unkind?” Jin Yi said, “I made friends with you because you were descendants of ministers of the Han court. Now, instead of thinking how to repay your origins, you want to help a rebel. How could I face being your friend!” Geng Ji said, “But Heaven’s reckoning is so; we have no choice but to do it!” Jin Yi was furious.

晃佯驚曰：“德偉故人，何薄情也？”禕曰：“吾與汝交厚，爲汝等是漢朝臣宰之後；今不思報本，欲輔造反之人，吾有何面目與汝爲友！”耿紀曰：“奈天數如此，不得不爲耳！”禕大怒。

Seeing that Jin Yi truly had a loyal and righteous heart, Geng Ji and Wei Huang told him the truth. “We really mean to destroy the traitor, and we came to ask for your help. What we said before was only to test you.” Jin Yi said, “My family have served Han for generations. How could I follow a traitor! If you gentlemen wish to uphold the House of Han, what plan do you propose?” “We have the will to repay our country,” said Wei Huang, “but as yet no plan for destroying the traitor.” Jin Yi said, “I intend that we strike from within and without together, kill Wang Bi, seize his command, and support the imperial carriage.

耿紀、韋晃見禕果有忠義之心，乃以實情相告曰：“吾等本欲討賊，來求足下。前言特相試耳。”禕曰：“吾累世漢臣，安能從賊！公等欲扶漢室，有何高見？”晃曰：“雖有報國之心，未有討賊之計。”禕曰：“吾欲裏應外合，殺了王必，奪其兵權，扶助鑾輿。

If we also ally ourselves with the Imperial Uncle Liu as our support from outside, the traitor Cao can be destroyed.” The two clapped their hands and approved. Jin Yi said, “I have two trusted men who have a blood feud with the traitor Cao, for he killed their father. They are living outside the city now, and they can serve as our wings.” Geng Ji asked who they were. Jin Yi said, “They are the sons of the Imperial Physician Ji Ping. The elder is named Ji Miao, styled Wenran; the younger is Ji Mu, styled Siran. Years ago Cao Cao killed their father over Dong Cheng’s affair of the edict in the girdle, but the two sons fled to a distant district and escaped the disaster.

更結劉皇叔爲外援，操賊可滅矣。”二人聞之，撫掌稱善。禕曰：“我有心腹二人，與操賊有殺父之仇，現居城外，可用爲羽翼。”耿紀問是何人。禕曰：“太醫吉平之子：長名吉邈，字文然；次名吉穆，字思然。操昔日爲董承衣帶詔事，曾殺其父；二子逃竄遠鄉，得免於難。

They have now secretly returned to Xudu. If we ask them to help destroy the traitor, they will certainly agree.” Geng Ji and Wei Huang were delighted. Jin Yi at once sent someone to summon the two Jis in secret, and soon they arrived. Jin Yi told them the whole plan. Stirred and indignant, the two wept, their resentment rising to the skies, and they swore to kill the traitor to the state. Jin Yi said, “On the night of the fifteenth of the first month, lanterns will be lit everywhere in the city to celebrate the Lantern Festival. Privy Treasurer Geng and Director Wei, you two will each lead your household servants and fight your way to the front of Wang Bi’s camp. As soon as you see fire break out inside the camp, attack in two columns. Once Wang Bi is killed, follow me straight into the palace. We will ask the Son of Heaven to ascend the Tower of the Five Phoenixes, summon all the officials, and command them in person to destroy the traitor.

今已潛歸許都，若使相助討賊，無有不從。”耿紀、韋晃大喜。金禕即使人密喚二吉。須臾，二人至。禕具言其事。二人感憤流淚，怨氣沖天，誓殺國賊。金禕曰：“正月十五日夜間，城中大張燈火，慶賞元宵。耿少府、韋司直，你二人各領家僮，殺到王必營前；只看營中火起，分兩路殺入；殺了王必，徑跟我入內，請天子登五鳳樓，召百官面諭討賊。

Ji Wenran and his brother will fight their way in from outside the city, starting fires as a signal. Each of you must raise his voice and call upon the people to kill the traitor to the state, and cut off any relief troops within the city. When the Son of Heaven has issued his edict and the people have been pacified, we will advance at once on Yejun and capture Cao Cao, and immediately send an envoy with an edict to summon the Imperial Uncle Liu. Let us fix it today: when the time comes, we rise in the second watch of the night. Let us not be like Dong Cheng, who brought disaster on himself.” The five men swore an oath before Heaven and smeared their lips with blood to seal their covenant. Then each went home to put his men, horses and weapons in order, ready to act when the time came.

吉文然兄弟於城外殺入，放火爲號，各要揚聲，叫百姓誅殺國賊，截住城內救軍；待天子降詔，招安已定，便進兵殺投鄴郡擒曹操，即發使齎詔召劉皇叔。今日約定，至期二更舉事。勿似董承自取其禍。”五人對天說誓，歃血爲盟，各自歸家，整頓軍馬器械，臨期而行。

Now Geng Ji and Wei Huang each had three or four hundred household servants, and they got weapons ready. The Ji brothers also gathered three hundred men, giving out that they were going hunting, and all their arrangements were made. Before the appointed day Jin Yi went to see Wang Bi and said, “Now that the land within the seas is somewhat at peace and the might of the King of Wei awes the whole empire, and we have come to the fine festival of the Lantern Night, we must light lanterns to show the signs of peace and prosperity.” Wang Bi agreed and proclaimed to the people of the city that they should all hang out lanterns and decorations to celebrate the festival.

且說耿紀、韋晃二人，各有家僮三四百，預備器械。吉邈兄弟，亦聚三百人口，只推圍獵，安排已定。金禕先期來見王必，言：“方今海宇稍安，魏王威震天下；今值元宵令節，不可不放燈火以示太平氣象。”王必然其言，告諭城內居民，盡張燈結綵，慶賞佳節。

On the night of the fifteenth of the first month the sky was clear, and the stars and moon shone together. In all the six streets and three markets people vied in lighting flowered lanterns. Truly the Capital Guards enforced no curfew, and the jade water-clock did not hurry the hours! Wang Bi was feasting in his camp with the officers of the Imperial Guard. After the second watch a shout was suddenly heard in the camp, and someone reported that fire had broken out at the rear. Wang Bi hurried out of his tent to look and saw flames rolling wildly; he also heard cries of battle filling the sky. Knowing there was a revolt in the camp, he hastily mounted and rode out of the south gate, where he ran straight into Geng Ji. An arrow struck him in the shoulder, and he nearly fell from his horse. He fled toward the west gate.

至正月十五夜，天色晴霽，星月交輝，六街三市，競放花燈。真個金吾不禁，玉漏無催！王必與御林諸將在營中飲宴。二更以後，忽聞營中吶喊，人報營後火起。王必慌忙出帳看時，只見火光亂滾；又聞喊殺連天，知是營中有變，急上馬出南門，正遇耿紀，一箭射中肩膊，幾乎墜馬，遂望西門而走。

Soldiers came in pursuit behind him. In his panic Wang Bi abandoned his horse and went on foot. Reaching Jin Yi’s gate, he knocked on it in haste. Now Jin Yi had sent men to set fire to the camp and at the same time had himself led his household servants to join the fighting, leaving only the women at home. Hearing Wang Bi knocking, the household thought Jin Yi had come back, and Jin Yi’s wife called out through the door, “Have you killed that scoundrel Wang Bi?”

背後有軍趕來。王必着忙，棄馬步行。至金禕門首，慌叩其門。原來金禕一面使人於營中放火，一面親領家僮隨後助戰，只留婦女在家。時家中聞王必叩門之聲，只道金禕歸來。禕妻從隔門便問曰：“王必那廝殺了麼？”

Wang Bi was aghast, realizing only then that Jin Yi was one of the plotters. He went straight to the house of Cao Xiu and told him that Jin Yi, Geng Ji and others had rebelled together. Cao Xiu hastily put on his armour, mounted, and led more than a thousand men to resist the enemy in the city. Fires broke out on every side within the city and reached the Tower of the Five Phoenixes, and the Emperor took refuge deep in the palace. The trusted men and henchmen of the Cao clan held the palace gates to the death. Throughout the city nothing could be heard but people shouting, “Kill every one of the Cao traitors and uphold the House of Han!”

王必大驚，方悟金禕同謀，徑投曹休家，報知金禕、耿紀等同謀反。休急披掛上馬，引千餘人在城中拒敵。城內四下火起，燒着五鳳樓，帝避於深宮。曹氏心腹爪牙，死據宮門。城中但聞人叫：“殺盡曹賊，以扶漢室！”

Now Xiahou Dun, on Cao Cao’s orders, had been patrolling Xuchang with thirty thousand troops, camped five li from the city. That night, seeing fire rise in the city in the distance, he led his army there at once, surrounded Xudu, and sent a detachment into the city to support Cao Xiu. The confused fighting went on until dawn. Geng Ji and Wei Huang had no one to help them. It was reported that Jin Yi and the two Jis had all been killed. Geng Ji and Wei Huang cut their way out through a city gate, only to be surrounded by Xiahou Dun’s army and taken alive.

原來夏侯惇奉曹操命，巡警許昌，領三萬軍，離城五里屯紮；是夜，遙望見城中火起，便領大軍前來，圍住許都，使一枝軍入城接應曹休。直混殺至天明。耿紀、韋晃等無人相助。人報金禕、二吉皆被殺死。耿紀、韋晃奪路殺出城門，正遇夏侯惇大軍圍住，活捉去了。

More than a hundred of their followers were all killed. Xiahou Dun entered the city, put out the remaining fires, arrested all the old and young and the whole clans of the five men, and sent a swift report to Cao Cao. Cao Cao sent orders that Geng Ji and Wei Huang, together with the clans of the five families, old and young, should all be beheaded in the marketplace, and that all the officials at court, great and small, should be arrested and sent under escort to Yejun to await his judgement. Xiahou Dun took Geng Ji and Wei Huang to the execution ground in the marketplace.

手下百餘人皆被殺。夏侯惇入城，救滅遺火，盡收五人老小宗族，使人飛報曹操。操傳令教將耿、韋二人，及五家宗族老小，皆斬於市，並將在朝大小百官，盡行拿解鄴郡，聽候發落。夏侯惇押耿、韋二人至市曹。

Geng Ji shouted at the top of his voice, “Cao Aman! Since I could not kill you while I lived, I will become a vengeful ghost when I am dead and strike at you, traitor!” The executioner thrust his blade into his mouth, and blood flowed all over the ground, but he died still cursing without end. Wei Huang beat his face against the ground, crying, “Oh, the bitterness of it! The bitterness of it!” He ground his teeth until they were all broken, and so died.

耿紀厲聲大叫曰：“曹阿瞞！吾生不能殺汝，死當作厲鬼以擊賊！”劊子以刀搠其口，流血滿地，大罵不絕而死。韋晃以面頰頓地曰：“可恨！可恨！”咬牙皆碎而死。

A later poet wrote in their praise:
Geng Ji was utterly loyal and Wei Huang worthy;
Each with bare hands sought to hold up the sky.
Who could have known that Han’s fortunes were nearly spent?
With hearts full of bitterness they went down to the Nine Springs.

後人有詩讚曰：“耿紀精忠韋晃賢，各持空手欲扶天。
誰知漢祚相將盡，恨滿心胸喪九泉。
”

Xiahou Dun put to death all the clans of the five families, old and young, and sent the officials under escort to Yejun. On the drill ground Cao Cao set up a red flag on the left and a white flag on the right, and issued an order: “When Geng Ji, Wei Huang and the others rebelled and set fire to Xudu, some of you came out to fight the fire, and some of you shut your doors and stayed inside. Those who fought the fire are to stand under the red flag; those who did not are to stand under the white flag.”

夏侯惇盡殺五家老小宗族，將百官解赴鄴郡。曹操於教場立紅旗於左、白旗於右，下令曰：“耿紀、韋晃等造反，放火焚許都，汝等亦有出救火者，亦有閉門不出者。如曾救火者，可立於紅旗下；如不曾救火者，可立於白旗下。”

The officials thought that those who had fought the fire could not possibly be guilty, so most of them ran to the red flag. Only one in three stood under the white flag. Cao Cao ordered all who stood under the red flag to be seized. Each of them protested his innocence. Cao Cao said, “What was in your minds at the time was not to put out the fire but to help the rebels.” He had them all taken out to the bank of the Zhang River and beheaded; more than three hundred died. Those who had stood under the white flag were all rewarded and sent back to Xudu.

衆官自思救火者必無罪，於是多奔紅旗之下。三停內只有一停立於白旗下。操教盡拿立於紅旗下者。衆官各言無罪。操曰：“汝當時之心，非是救火，實欲助賊耳。”盡命牽出漳河邊斬之，死者三百餘員。其立於白旗下者，盡皆賞賜，仍令還許都。

By this time Wang Bi had died of his festering arrow wound, and Cao Cao ordered that he be given a generous burial. He put Cao Xiu in overall command of the Imperial Guard, and made Zhong Yao Chancellor of State and Hua Xin Imperial Censor-in-Chief. He then established six grades of noble rank. The eighteenth rank, and the Marquis of Guanzhong at the seventeenth rank, both received gold seals with purple ribbons. He also created the Marquises Within and Without the Pass at the sixteenth rank, with silver seals, tortoise knobs and black ribbons, and the Fifth-Rank Grandees at the fifteenth rank, with bronze seals, ring knobs and black ribbons.

時王必已被箭瘡發而死，操命厚葬之。令曹休總督御林軍馬，鍾繇爲相國，華歆爲御史大夫。遂定侯爵六等十八級，關中侯爵十七級，皆金印紫綬；又置關內外侯十六級，銀印龜紐墨綬；五大夫十五級，銅印環紐墨綬。

With ranks fixed and offices conferred, the court was filled with a new set of men. Only now did Cao Cao understand Guan Lu’s prophecy of fire, and he rewarded him generously; but Guan Lu would not accept.

定爵封官，朝廷又換一班人物。曹操方悟管輅火災之說，遂重賞輅。輅不受。

Now Cao Hong led his troops to Hanzhong and had Zhang He and Xiahou Yuan each hold a strategic position, while he himself advanced to meet the enemy. At that time Zhang Fei was holding Baxi together with Lei Tong. When Ma Chao’s troops reached Xiabian, he sent Wu Lan in the van to lead a reconnaissance, which ran straight into Cao Hong’s army. Wu Lan wanted to retreat, but his subordinate general Ren Kui said, “The rebel troops have only just arrived. If we do not first blunt their edge, how can we face Mengqi?”

卻說曹洪領兵到漢中，令張郃、夏侯淵各據險要。曹洪親自進兵拒敵。時張飛自與雷銅守把巴西。馬超兵至下辨，令吳蘭爲先鋒，領軍哨出，正與曹洪軍相遇。吳蘭欲退，牙將任夔曰：“賊兵初至，若不先挫其銳氣，何顏見孟起乎？”

So Ren Kui galloped out with his spear levelled and challenged Cao Hong to fight. Cao Hong himself rode out, sword in hand. After three bouts he cut Ren Kui down from his horse and pressed the attack while he had the advantage. Wu Lan was badly defeated and went back to Ma Chao, who rebuked him: “Why did you make light of the enemy and bring on a defeat without my orders?” Wu Lan said, “Ren Kui would not listen to me; that is why we were defeated.” Ma Chao said, “Hold the pass firmly and do not engage them.” At the same time he sent a report to Chengdu and awaited instructions.

於是驟馬挺槍搦曹洪戰。洪自提刀躍馬而出。交鋒三合，斬夔於馬下，乘勢掩殺。吳蘭大敗，回見馬超。超責之曰：“汝不得吾令，何故輕敵致敗？”吳蘭曰：“任夔不聽吾言，故有此敗。”馬超曰：“可緊守隘口，勿與交鋒。”一面申報成都，聽候行止。

Seeing that Ma Chao did not come out day after day, Cao Hong feared some trick and withdrew his army to Nanzheng. Zhang He came to see him and asked, “General, you have already slain one of their commanders. Why are you withdrawing?” Cao Hong said, “Seeing that Ma Chao does not come out, I fear he has some other scheme. Besides, when I was at Ye, I heard that the divine diviner Guan Lu had said a great general would be lost in this place. This prophecy troubles me, so I dare not advance lightly.” Zhang He laughed loudly. “General, you have commanded troops for half your life. Why now let the words of a fortune-teller cloud your mind?

曹洪見馬超連日不出，恐有詐謀，引軍退回南鄭。張郃來見曹洪，問曰：“將軍既已斬將，如何退兵？”洪曰：“吾見馬超不出，恐有別謀。且我在鄴都，聞神卜管輅有言：當於此地折一員大將。吾疑此言，故不敢輕進。”張郃大笑曰：“將軍行兵半生，今奈何信卜者之言而惑其心哉！

Unworthy as I am, I would like to take Baxi with my own troops. Once we have Baxi, the land of Shu will be easy.” “Zhang Fei, who holds Baxi, is no ordinary man,” said Cao Hong. “You must not make light of him.” “Everyone is afraid of Zhang Fei,” said Zhang He, “but to me he is no more than a child! This time I will surely capture him!” “And if you should fail?” asked Cao Hong. “Then I will gladly submit to military law,” said Zhang He. Cao Hong had him sign a written pledge, and Zhang He advanced.

郃雖不才，願以本部兵取巴西。若得巴西，蜀郡易耳。”洪曰：“巴西守將張飛，非比等閒，不可輕敵。”張郃曰：“人皆怕張飛，吾視之如小兒耳！此去必擒之！”洪曰：“倘有疏失，若何？”郃曰：“甘當軍令。”洪勒了文狀，張郃進兵。

Indeed:
Since ancient times proud armies have mostly met defeat;
Those who make light of the foe have seldom won success.
Who won and who lost will be told in the next chapter.

正是：自古驕兵多致敗，從來輕敵少成功。
未知勝負如何，且看下文分解。