Romance, Chapter 75

Chapter 75. Guan Yunchang Has the Poison Scraped from His Bone; Lü Ziming Crosses the River in White

Now when Cao Ren saw Guan Yu fall from his horse, he at once led his troops out of the city to attack, but Guan Ping drove them back in one fierce charge, rescued Guan Yu and brought him back to camp, where the arrow was drawn from his arm. The arrowhead, it turned out, had been poisoned, and the poison had already entered the bone; his right arm was swollen and livid, and he could not move it. In alarm Guan Ping consulted the other generals. “If Father loses the use of this arm,” he said, “how can he go out against the enemy? It would be better for him to return to Jingzhou for a while to recover.” So he went with the generals into the tent to see Guan Yu.

卻說曹仁見關公落馬，即引兵衝出城來；被關平一陣殺回，救關公歸寨，拔出臂箭。原來箭頭有藥，毒已入骨，右臂青腫，不能運動。關平慌與衆將商議曰：“父親若損此臂，安能出敵？不如暫回荊州調理。”於是與衆將入帳見關公。

“What brings you all here?” asked Guan Yu. “We see that Your Lordship’s right arm is injured,” they replied, “and we fear that if you are roused to anger in the face of the enemy, it will be hard for you to charge into the fray. We have agreed among ourselves that you should withdraw the army for a time and return to Jingzhou to recover.” Guan Yu said angrily, “The taking of Fancheng is close at hand. Once Fancheng is taken, I shall drive on in a great advance straight to Xudu, destroy the traitor Cao and bring peace to the House of Han. How can I let a small wound ruin a great undertaking?

公問曰：“汝等來有何事？”衆對曰：“某等因見君侯右臂損傷，恐臨敵致怒，衝突不便。衆議可暫班師回荊州調理。”公怒曰：“吾取樊城，只在目前；取了樊城，即當長驅大進，徑到許都，剿滅操賊，以安漢室。豈可因小瘡而誤大事？

Do you dare to undermine the spirit of my army?” Guan Ping and the others withdrew in silence. Seeing that Guan Yu would not retreat and that the wound would not heal, the generals had no choice but to seek out famous physicians in every direction. Then one day a man came in a small boat from Jiangdong straight to the front of the camp, and a junior officer brought him to Guan Ping. Guan Ping looked him over: he wore a square cap and loose, flowing robes, with a blue bag hanging from his arm. He gave his name: he was a native of Qiao Commandery in the State of Pei, surnamed Hua, named Tuo, styled Yuanhua.

汝等敢慢吾軍心耶！”平等默然而退。衆將見公不肯退兵，瘡又不痊，只得四方訪問名醫。忽一日，有人從江東駕小舟而來，直至寨前。小校引見關平。平視其人：方巾闊服，臂挽青囊；自言姓名，乃沛國譙郡人，姓華，名佗，字元化。

He said he had heard that General Guan was a hero of the whole world and had now been struck by a poisoned arrow, so he had come expressly to treat him. “Are you not the one who once healed Zhou Tai of Eastern Wu?” asked Guan Ping. “I am,” said Hua Tuo. Guan Ping was overjoyed and at once went with the generals to bring Hua Tuo into the tent to see Guan Yu. Guan Yu’s arm had in fact been hurting him, but, fearing to unsettle his men and having nothing else to take his mind off it, he was just then playing weiqi with Ma Liang. Hearing that a physician had come, he at once had him called in. When the greetings were over, he gave him a seat.

因聞關將軍乃天下英雄，今中毒箭，特來醫治。平曰：“莫非昔日醫東吳周泰者乎？”佗曰：“然。”平大喜，即與衆將同引華佗入帳見關公。時關公本是臂疼，恐慢軍心，無可消遣，正與馬良弈棋；聞有醫者至，即召入。禮畢，賜坐。

When they had drunk their tea, Hua Tuo asked to see the arm. Guan Yu slipped his robe down off his shoulder and held out his arm for Hua Tuo to examine. “This wound was made by a crossbow bolt,” said Hua Tuo, “and there was aconite poison on it, which has gone right through into the bone. If it is not treated soon, this arm will be useless.” “What will you treat it with?” asked Guan Yu. “I have my own method of treatment,” said Hua Tuo, “but I fear Your Lordship may be afraid of it.” Guan Yu laughed. “I look on death as going home. What should I be afraid of?” “In a quiet place,” said Hua Tuo, “a post must be set up with a large ring fastened to the top. Your Lordship will pass your arm through the ring, and it will be tied fast with cords; then your head will be covered with a quilt.

茶罷，佗請臂視之。公袒下衣袍，伸臂令佗看視。佗曰：“此乃弩箭所傷，其中有烏頭之藥，直透入骨；若不早治，此臂無用矣。”公曰：“用何物治之？”佗曰：“某自有治法，但恐君侯懼耳。”公笑曰：“吾視死如歸，有何懼哉？”佗曰：“當於靜處立一標柱，上釘大環，請君侯將臂穿於環中，以繩系之，然後以被蒙其首。

Then with a sharp knife I shall cut open the skin and flesh right down to the bone, scrape the arrow poison off the bone, apply medicine and sew up the wound with thread. Only then will you be out of danger. But I fear Your Lordship may be afraid.” Guan Yu laughed. “If that is all, it is easy! What need is there for a post and ring?” And he ordered a feast set out to entertain him.

吾用尖刀割開皮肉，直至於骨，颳去骨上箭毒，用藥敷之，以線縫其口，方可無事。但恐君侯懼耳。”公笑曰：“如此，容易！何用柱環？”令設酒席相待。

Guan Yu drank several cups of wine and then, still playing weiqi with Ma Liang, held out his arm for Hua Tuo to cut. Hua Tuo took the sharp knife in his hand and had a junior officer hold a large basin beneath the arm to catch the blood. “I shall begin now,” said Hua Tuo. “Do not be alarmed, Your Lordship.” “Treat it as you see fit,” said Guan Yu. “Am I to be likened to the common run of men who fear pain?” Hua Tuo then set his knife to the arm and cut open the skin and flesh down to the bone, which was already stained blue-green. He scraped the bone with his knife, and it made a rasping sound.

公飲數杯酒畢，一面仍與馬良弈棋，伸臂令佗割之。佗取尖刀在手，令一小校捧一大盆於臂下接血。佗曰：“某便下手，君侯勿驚。”公曰：“任汝醫治，吾豈比世間俗子懼痛者耶！”佗乃下刀，割開皮肉，直至於骨，骨上已青；佗用刀刮骨，悉悉有聲。

Everyone in and around the tent who saw it covered his face and turned pale. But Guan Yu went on drinking wine and eating meat, talking and laughing over the board, with no sign of pain at all. In a short while the blood had filled the basin. Hua Tuo scraped away all the poison, applied the medicine and sewed up the wound with thread. Guan Yu rose with a great laugh and said to his generals, “This arm stretches as freely as ever, and there is no pain at all. Master, you are truly a divine physician!” “In all my life as a physician,” said Hua Tuo, “I have never seen the like.

帳上帳下見者，皆掩面失色。公飲酒食肉，談笑弈棋，全無痛苦之色。須臾，血流盈盆。佗刮盡其毒，敷上藥，以線縫之。公大笑而起，謂衆將曰：“此臂伸舒如故，並無痛矣。先生真神醫也！”佗曰：“某爲醫一生，未嘗見此。

Your Lordship is truly a god from heaven!”

君侯真天神也！”

A later poet wrote:
To heal the sick one must tell inner ills from outer,
Yet in this world, alas, such marvellous skill is rare.
In godlike might few can match General Guan;
Of sacred hands that heal, men speak of Hua Tuo.

後人有詩曰：“治病須分內外科，世間妙藝苦無多。
神威罕及惟關將，聖手能醫說華佗。
”

When his arrow wound had healed, Guan Yu gave a banquet to thank Hua Tuo. “Your Lordship’s arrow wound has been treated,” said Hua Tuo, “but you must take good care of it. On no account let anger strain it. After a hundred days it will be as sound as before.” Guan Yu offered him a hundred taels of gold as his fee. “I came to treat you because I had heard of Your Lordship’s lofty sense of honour,” said Hua Tuo. “How could I look for a reward?” He firmly declined and would not accept it, but left a packet of medicine to be applied to the wound, then took his leave and departed.

關公箭瘡既愈，設席款謝華佗。佗曰：“君侯箭瘡雖治，然須愛護。切勿怒氣傷觸。過百日後，平復如舊矣。”關公以金百兩酬之。佗曰：“某聞君侯高義，特來醫治，豈望報乎！”堅辭不受，留藥一帖，以敷瘡口，辭別而去。

Now after Guan Yu had captured Yu Jin and beheaded Pang De, his fame and might shook the land, and the whole realm was astounded. When scouts brought the news to Xudu, Cao Cao was greatly alarmed. He assembled his civil and military officers to take counsel. “I have always known that Yunchang’s wisdom and courage overshadow the age,” he said. “Now he holds Jingxiang, and he is like a tiger that has grown wings. Yu Jin has been captured and Pang De beheaded, and the edge of the Wei army has been blunted. If he leads his troops straight to Xudu, what are we to do? I am minded to move the capital to avoid him.”

卻說關公擒了于禁，斬了龐德，威名大震，華夏皆驚。探馬報到許都，曹操大驚，聚文武商議曰：“某素知雲長智勇蓋世，今據荊襄，如虎生翼。于禁被擒，龐德被斬，魏兵挫銳；倘彼率兵直至許都，如之奈何？孤欲遷都以避之。”

Sima Yi remonstrated. “You must not. Yu Jin and the others were overwhelmed by the floods, not beaten in battle, so the great interests of the state have not really suffered. Now Sun Quan and Liu Bei have fallen out, and Sun Quan will certainly not be pleased to see Yunchang have his way. Your Highness should send an envoy to Eastern Wu to lay out where his interests lie, and have Sun Quan secretly raise an army to follow on Yunchang’s heels, promising that when the matter is settled you will carve out the land south of the River and enfeoff him with it. Then the danger to Fancheng will resolve itself.”

司馬懿諫曰：“不可。于禁等被水所淹，非戰之故；於國家大計，本無所損。今孫、劉失好，雲長得志，孫權必不喜；大王可遣使去東吳陳說利害，令孫權暗暗起兵躡雲長之後，許事平之日，割江南之地以封孫權，則樊城之危自解矣。”

The Recorder Jiang Ji said, “Zhongda is right. An envoy can be sent to Eastern Wu at once; there is no need to move the capital and throw everyone into turmoil.” Cao Cao agreed and did not move the capital. Then he sighed and said to his generals, “Yu Jin followed me for thirty years. Who would have thought that in the hour of danger he would prove inferior to Pang De? Now, on the one hand, we will send an envoy with a letter to Eastern Wu; on the other, I must have a great general to stand against Yunchang’s onslaught.” Before he had finished speaking, a general stepped forward from below the steps in answer. “I will go.”

主簿蔣濟曰：“仲達之言是也。今可即發使往東吳，不必遷都動衆。”操依允，遂不遷都；因嘆謂諸將曰：“于禁從孤三十年，何期臨危反不如龐德也！今一面遣使致書東吳，一面必得一大將以當雲長之銳。”言未畢，階下一將應聲而出曰：“某願往。”

Cao Cao looked and saw that it was Xu Huang. Greatly pleased, he assigned him fifty thousand picked troops, with Xu Huang in command and Lü Jian as his second, and they set out on a fixed day to go forward and encamp at Yangling Slope. Once they saw a response from the southeast, they were to advance and attack.

操視之，乃徐晃也。操大喜，遂撥精兵五萬，令徐晃爲將，呂建副之，剋日起兵，前到陽陵坡駐紮；看東南有應，然後徵進。

Meanwhile Sun Quan received Cao Cao’s letter. When he had read it, he gladly consented, wrote a reply at once and sent the envoy back ahead, then assembled his civil and military officers to take counsel. Zhang Zhao said, “We hear that Yunchang has lately captured Yu Jin and beheaded Pang De, and his might has shaken the whole realm, so that Cao Cao wanted to move his capital to avoid his onslaught. Now Fancheng is in peril, and so Cao Cao sends an envoy to seek our help; but once the matter is settled, I fear he may go back on his word.” Before Sun Quan could reply, word suddenly came that Lü Meng had arrived by small boat from Lukou with a matter to report in person.

卻說孫權接得曹操書信，覽畢，欣然應允，即修書發付使者先回，乃聚文武商議。張昭曰：“近聞雲長擒于禁，斬龐德，威震華夏，操欲遷都以避其鋒。今樊城危急，遣使求救，事定之後，恐有反覆。”權未及發言，忽報呂蒙乘小舟自陸口來，有事面稟。

Sun Quan called him in and asked what it was. “Yunchang has now led his troops to besiege Fancheng,” said Lü Meng. “We should take advantage of his being far away to seize Jingzhou by surprise.” “I would like to go north and take Xuzhou,” said Sun Quan. “What do you think?” “Cao Cao is now far away in Hebei,” said Lü Meng, “with no leisure to look east, and Xuzhou is lightly garrisoned, so if we went we would certainly take it. But the lie of the land there favours fighting on land, not on water, so even if we won it, it would be hard to hold. Better to take Jingzhou first and hold the whole of the Great River, and then make other good plans.”

權召入問之，蒙曰：“今雲長提兵圍樊城，可乘其遠出，襲取荊州。”權曰：“孤欲北取徐州，如何？”蒙曰：“今操遠在河北，未暇東顧，徐州守兵無多，往自可克；然其地勢利於陸戰，不利水戰，縱然得之，亦難保守。不如先取荊州，全據長江，別作良圖。”

“Taking Jingzhou was my intention all along,” said Sun Quan. “What I said before was only to test you. Make your plans for me quickly, and I will raise my army and follow close behind.”

權曰：“孤本欲取荊州，前言特以試卿耳。卿可速爲孤圖之。孤當隨後便起兵也。”

Lü Meng took leave of Sun Quan and returned to Lukou, where scouts were already waiting to report: “Up and down the River, every twenty or thirty li, there is a beacon tower on each high rise of ground.” He also heard that the Jingzhou army was in good order and well prepared in advance. Lü Meng was greatly alarmed. “If this is so,” he said, “it will be hard to bring off in a hurry. On the spur of the moment I urged the Marquis of Wu to take Jingzhou; what am I to do now?” He pondered but could find no plan, so he pleaded illness and stayed indoors, and sent a man to report to Sun Quan.

呂蒙辭了孫權，回至陸口，早有哨馬報說：“沿江上下，或二十里，或三十里，高阜處各有烽火臺。”又聞荊州軍馬整肅，預有準備，蒙大驚曰：“若如此，急難圖也。我一時在吳侯面前勸取荊州，今卻如何處置？”尋思無計，乃託病不出，使人回報孫權。

When Sun Quan heard that Lü Meng was ill, he was deeply dispirited. Lu Xun came forward and said, “Lü Ziming’s illness is only a pretence; he is not really ill.” “If you know it is a pretence, Boyan,” said Sun Quan, “go and see him.” Lu Xun took his orders and travelled through the night to the camp at Lukou. When he saw Lü Meng, there was indeed no look of illness on his face. “I come at the command of the Marquis of Wu,” said Lu Xun, “to inquire respectfully after your honoured health, Ziming.” “My humble body happens to be a little unwell,” said Lü Meng. “There was no need to trouble yourself to visit me.”

權聞呂蒙患病，心甚怏怏。陸遜進言曰：“呂子明之病，乃詐耳，非真病也。”權曰：“伯言既知其詐，可往視之。”陸遜領命，星夜至陸口寨中，來見呂蒙，果然面無病色。遜曰：“某奉吳侯命，敬探子明貴恙。”蒙曰：“賤軀偶病，何勞探問。”

“The Marquis of Wu has entrusted you with a heavy charge,” said Lu Xun, “yet instead of seizing the moment to act, you sit here nursing your gloom in vain. Why is that?” Lü Meng looked at Lu Xun and for a long time said nothing. “I have a little prescription,” Lu Xun went on, “that can cure your illness, General. I wonder whether you could make use of it?” At that Lü Meng sent away his attendants and asked, “Boyan, pray tell me this fine prescription at once.” Lu Xun smiled. “Your illness, Ziming, comes of nothing more than the good order of the Jingzhou army and the beacon towers kept ready along the River.

遜曰：“吳侯以重任付公，公不乘時而動，空懷鬱結，何也？”蒙目視陸遜，良久不語。遜又曰：“愚有小方，能治將軍之疾，未審可用否？”蒙乃屏退左右而問曰：“伯言良方，乞早賜教。”遜笑曰：“子明之疾，不過因荊州兵馬整肅，沿江有烽火臺之備耳。

I have a plan that will keep the guards along the River from ever lighting their fires, and make the troops of Jingzhou yield with their hands tied. How would that be?” Lü Meng thanked him in astonishment. “Your words, Boyan, are as if you could see into my very heart. I would gladly hear your plan.” “Yunchang relies on his own heroism,” said Lu Xun, “and reckons that he has no match; the only one he is wary of is you, General. Take this opportunity to plead illness and resign your post, and hand over the command at Lukou to someone else. Let that man praise Guan Yu in humble words to make him proud. Then he will surely withdraw all the troops from Jingzhou and turn them against Fancheng.

予有一計，令沿江守吏，不能舉火；荊州之兵，束手歸降，可乎？”蒙驚謝曰：“伯言之語，如見我肺腑。願聞良策。”陸遜曰：“雲長倚恃英雄，自料無敵，所慮者惟將軍耳。將軍乘此機會，託疾辭職，以陸口之任讓之他人，使他人卑辭讚美關公，以驕其心，彼必盡撤荊州之兵，以向樊城。

With Jingzhou left unguarded, a single brigade using some unexpected stratagem can take it by surprise, and Jingzhou will be in the palm of your hand.” Lü Meng was delighted. “A fine plan indeed!”

若荊州無備，用一旅之師，別出奇計以襲之，則荊州在掌握之中矣。”蒙大喜曰：“真良策也！”

So Lü Meng pleaded illness, would not rise from his bed and sent up a letter resigning his post. Lu Xun went back to Sun Quan and told him the whole plan. Sun Quan then summoned Lü Meng back to Jianye to recover. When Lü Meng arrived and came in to see him, Sun Quan asked, “In the past Zhou Gongjin recommended Lu Zijing to take his place in the command at Lukou, and later Zijing in turn recommended you to take his. Now you too should recommend someone of both high talent and high repute to take your place.” “If you employ a man of great repute,” said Lü Meng, “Yunchang will certainly be on his guard.

由是呂蒙託病不起，上書辭職。陸遜回見孫權，具言前計。孫權乃召呂蒙還建業養病。蒙至，入見權，權問曰：“陸口之任，昔周公瑾薦魯子敬以自代，後子敬又薦卿自代，今卿亦須薦一才望兼隆者，代卿爲妙。”蒙曰：“若用望重之人，雲長必然提備。

Lu Xun is deep and far-sighted in his thinking, yet he has no great name as yet, so Yunchang does not fear him. If you employ him to take over my charge, he is sure to succeed.” Sun Quan was delighted and that very day appointed Lu Xun Lieutenant General and Commander of the Right, to hold Lukou in place of Lü Meng. Lu Xun thanked him and said, “I am young and unlearned, and I fear I am not equal to so heavy a charge.” “Ziming has vouched for you,” said Sun Quan, “so there can be no mistake. You must not decline.” So Lu Xun bowed and received the seal and ribbon, and set out for Lukou that very night. When he had finished taking over the three arms—horse, foot and marines—he at once wrote a letter and, with gifts of fine horses, rare brocades, wine and the like, sent a messenger to Fancheng with them to see Guan Yu.

陸遜意思深長，而未有遠名，非雲長所忌；若即用以代臣之任，必有所濟。”權大喜，即日拜陸遜爲偏將軍、右都督，代蒙守陸口。遜謝曰：“某年幼無學，恐不堪重任。”權曰：“子明保卿，必不差錯。卿毋得推辭。”遜乃拜受印綬，連夜往陸口；交割馬步水三軍已畢，即修書一封，具名馬、異錦、酒禮等物，遣使齎赴樊城見關公。

At that time Guan Yu was resting to let his arrow wound heal, and was holding his troops in place. Suddenly it was reported: “Lü Meng, the commander at Lukou in Jiangdong, has fallen gravely ill, and Sun Quan has called him back to recover. Lu Xun has lately been made general in his place to hold Lukou. Now Lu Xun has sent a man with a letter and gifts, who has come expressly to pay his respects.” Guan Yu had the man called in and, pointing at him, said, “Zhongmou is short-sighted indeed, to make a general of this mere boy!” The messenger prostrated himself and said, “General Lu presents this letter and these gifts, first to congratulate Your Lordship, and second to seek friendship between our two houses.

時公正將息箭瘡，按兵不動。忽報：“江東陸口守將呂蒙病危，孫權取回調理，近拜陸遜爲將，代呂蒙守陸口。今遜差人齎書具禮，特來拜見。”關公召入，指來使而言曰：“仲謀見識短淺，用此孺子爲將！”來使伏地告曰：“陸將軍呈書備禮：一來與君侯作賀，二來求兩家和好。

I beg you to accept them with a smile.” Guan Yu opened the letter and read it; its tone was humble and deferential in the extreme. When he had finished, he threw back his head and laughed aloud, had his attendants take the gifts and sent the messenger back. The messenger returned to Lu Xun and said, “Guan Yu was delighted and seems no longer to have any worry about Jiangdong.”

幸乞笑留。”公拆書視之，書詞極其卑謹。關公覽畢，仰面大笑，令左右收了禮物，發付使者回去。使者回見陸遜曰：“關公欣喜，無復有憂江東之意。”

Lu Xun was delighted. He sent men in secret to find out, and learned that Guan Yu had indeed withdrawn more than half the troops from Jingzhou and sent them to Fancheng to await orders, and was only waiting for his arrow wound to heal before advancing. When Lu Xun had learned all the details, he at once sent a man to travel through the night and report to Sun Quan. Sun Quan summoned Lü Meng to take counsel. “Now Yunchang has indeed withdrawn the troops from Jingzhou to attack Fancheng,” he said, “so we can lay a plan to take Jingzhou by surprise. How would it be if you and my younger brother Sun Jiao led the main army there together?”

遜大喜，密遣人探得關公果然撤荊州大半兵赴樊城聽調，只待箭瘡痊可，便欲進兵。遜察知備細，即差人星夜報知孫權，孫權召呂蒙商議曰：“今雲長果撤荊州之兵，攻取樊城，便可設計襲取荊州。卿與吾弟孫皎同引大軍前去，何如？”

Sun Jiao, styled Shuming, was the second son of Sun Quan’s uncle Sun Jing. “My lord,” said Lü Meng, “if you think I am fit to be used, then use me alone; if you think Shuming fit, then use Shuming alone. Have you not heard how in the past, when Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu were Commanders of the Left and Right, though decisions rested with Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, being an old minister placed beneath him, was on poor terms with him, and only came to respect and submit to him after seeing his talent?

孫皎字叔明，乃孫權叔父孫靜之次子也。蒙曰：“主公若以蒙可用則獨用蒙；若以叔明可用則獨用叔明。豈不聞昔日周瑜、程普爲左右都督，事雖決於瑜，然普自以舊臣而居瑜下，頗不相睦；後因見瑜之才，方始敬服？

Now my talent falls short of Zhou Yu’s, while Shuming is closer kin to you than Cheng Pu ever was, so I fear we may not work well together.”

今蒙之纔不及瑜，而叔明之親勝於普，恐未必能相濟也。”

Sun Quan saw the point at once. He appointed Lü Meng Commander-in-Chief, in overall command of the armies of all the circuits of Jiangdong, and ordered Sun Jiao to follow behind and keep him supplied with grain and fodder. Lü Meng bowed his thanks. He mustered thirty thousand troops and more than eighty fast boats, chose men skilled on the water and disguised them as merchants, all dressed in white, to work the oars on deck, while picked soldiers lay hidden in the covered holds. Next he called up seven senior generals—Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, Xu Sheng and Ding Feng—to advance one after another.

權大悟，遂拜呂蒙爲大都督，總制江東諸路軍馬；令孫皎在後接應糧草。蒙拜謝，點兵三萬，快船八十餘隻，選會水者扮作商人，皆穿白衣，在船上搖櫓，卻將精兵伏於【舟冓】【舟鹿】船中。次調韓當、蔣欽、朱然、潘璋、周泰、徐盛、丁奉等七員大將，相繼而進。

All the rest were to follow the Marquis of Wu as the rearguard and relief. On the one hand he sent an envoy with a letter to Cao Cao, asking him to advance and fall upon Yunchang’s rear; on the other he first sent word to Lu Xun, then dispatched the men in white to sail the fast boats toward the Xunyang River. Pressing on day and night, they came straight to the northern bank. When the soldiers guarding the beacon tower on the riverbank challenged them, the men of Wu replied, “We are all travelling merchants. The wind was against us on the River, so we have put in here for shelter.”

其餘皆隨吳侯爲合後救應。一面遣使致書曹操，令進兵以襲雲長之後；一面先傳報陸遜，然後發白衣人，駕快船往潯陽江去。晝夜趲行，直抵北岸。江邊烽火臺上守臺軍盤問時，吳人答曰：“我等皆是客商，因江中阻風，到此一避。”

With that they handed over valuables to the soldiers guarding the tower. The soldiers believed them and let them moor by the bank. Toward the second watch, the picked troops poured out from the covered holds all at once and bound the government soldiers on the beacon tower. At a single signal the picked troops on more than eighty boats all rose together, seized every soldier at the watchtowers in key places and carried them off into the boats; not a single man got away. Then they drove on in a great advance straight for Jingzhou, and no one knew anything of it.

隨將財物送與守臺軍士。軍士信之，遂任其停泊江邊。約至二更，【舟冓】【舟鹿】中精兵齊出，將烽火臺上官軍縛倒，暗號一聲，八十餘船精兵俱起，將緊要去處墩臺之軍，盡行捉入船中，不曾走了一個。於是長驅大進，徑取荊州，無人知覺。

As they drew near Jingzhou, Lü Meng spoke kindly to the government soldiers he had captured at the watchtowers along the River, soothed them and gave each a generous reward, then ordered them to trick the gatekeepers into opening the city gates and to start a fire as a signal. When they had accepted their orders, Lü Meng had them lead the way. At midnight they reached the foot of the walls and called for the gate to be opened. The gatekeepers recognised them as Jingzhou troops and opened the gates. The soldiers raised a great shout together and lit the signal fire just inside the gate. The Wu troops poured in and took Jingzhou by surprise.

將至荊州，呂蒙將沿江墩臺所獲官軍，用好言撫慰，各各重賞，令賺開城門，縱火爲號。衆軍領命，呂蒙便教前導。比及半夜，到城下叫門。門吏認得是荊州之兵，開了城門。衆軍一聲喊起，就城門裏放起號火。吳兵齊入，襲了荊州。

Lü Meng at once issued an order to the army: “Anyone who wantonly kills a single person or wantonly takes a single thing from the common people will be dealt with according to military law.” The officials already in office all kept their former posts. Guan Yu’s family was housed separately in another residence, and no idle visitors were allowed to disturb them. At the same time he sent a man to report to Sun Quan.

呂蒙便傳令軍中：“如有妄殺一人，妄取民間一物者，定按軍法。”原任官吏，並依舊職。將關公家屬另養別宅，不許閒人攪擾。一面遣人申報孫權。

One day, when it was raining heavily, Lü Meng mounted his horse and rode round the four gates with a few horsemen to inspect them. Suddenly he saw a man who had taken a bamboo-leaf rain hat from one of the townsfolk to cover his armour. Lü Meng shouted to his attendants to seize him and questioned him; the man turned out to be from his own home district. “Though you are from my own village,” said Lü Meng, “my order has been given, and you have broken it knowingly. You must be dealt with by military law.” The man wept and pleaded, “I was afraid the rain would wet the government armour, so I took it to cover it. It was not for my own use.

一日大雨，蒙上馬引數騎點看四門。忽見一人取民間箬笠以蓋鎧甲，蒙喝左右執下問之，乃蒙之鄉人也。蒙曰：“汝雖系我同鄉，但吾號令已出，汝故犯之，當按軍法。”其人泣告曰：“某恐雨溼官鎧，故取遮蓋，非爲私用。

I beg you, General, remember that we come from the same village!” “I know well that you meant to cover the government armour,” said Lü Meng, “but still you should not have taken anything from the people.” He shouted to his attendants to take the man out and behead him. When the head had been exposed to all as a warning, he had the body gathered up and buried it in tears. From then on the whole army was awed into strict discipline. Before long Sun Quan arrived with his host. Lü Meng went out beyond the walls to meet him and escorted him into the government office. When Sun Quan had commended him for his labours, he kept Pan Jun on as Assistant Officer to manage the affairs of Jingzhou. He had Yu Jin released from prison and sent back to Cao Cao. Then he set the people at ease, rewarded the troops and held a banquet in celebration.

乞將軍念同鄉之情！”蒙曰：“吾固知汝爲覆官鎧，然終是不應取民間之物。”叱左右推下斬之。梟首傳示畢，然後收其屍首，泣而葬之。自是三軍震肅。不一日，孫權領衆至。呂蒙出郭迎接入衙。權慰勞畢，仍命潘浚爲治中，掌荊州事；監內放出于禁，遣歸曹操；安民賞軍，設宴慶賀。

Sun Quan said to Lü Meng, “Now that Jingzhou is ours, how are we to bring in the two places held by Shi Ren at Gong’an and Mi Fang in Nan Commandery?” Before he had finished speaking, a man suddenly stepped forward and said, “There will be no need to draw a single bow or loose a single arrow. With this unwithering three-inch tongue of mine I will talk Shi Ren of Gong’an into surrendering. How would that be?” They all looked and saw that it was Yu Fan. “What good plan do you have, Zhongxiang,” asked Sun Quan, “to bring Shi Ren to surrender?”

權謂呂蒙曰：“今荊州已得，但公安傅士仁、南郡糜芳，此二處如何收復？”言未畢，忽一人出曰：“不須張弓只箭，某憑三寸不爛之舌，說公安傅士仁來降，可乎？”衆視之，乃虞翻也。權曰：“仲翔有何良策，可使傅士仁歸降？”

“I have been close friends with Shi Ren since we were boys,” said Yu Fan. “If I put the gains and losses to him now, he is sure to come over.” Sun Quan was delighted and at once ordered Yu Fan to take five hundred men and make straight for Gong’an.

翻曰：“某自幼與士仁交厚；今若以利害說之，彼必歸矣。”權大喜，遂令虞翻領五百軍，徑奔公安來。

Meanwhile, when Shi Ren heard that Jingzhou had been lost, he hastily ordered the city gates shut and held fast. When Yu Fan arrived and found the gates tightly closed, he wrote a letter, tied it to an arrow and shot it into the city. A soldier picked it up and brought it to Shi Ren, who opened it and found that it invited him to surrender. When he had read it, he thought, “Remembering how Guan Yu resented me on the day he left, I had better surrender early.” At once he had the city gates thrown open and invited Yu Fan into the city.

卻說傅士仁聽知荊州有失，急令閉城堅守。虞翻至，見城門緊閉，遂寫書拴於箭上，射入城中。軍士拾得，獻與傅士仁。士仁拆書視之，乃招降之意。覽畢，想起“關公去日恨吾之意，不如早降。”即令大開城門，請虞翻入城。

When the two had exchanged greetings, they talked over old times. Yu Fan told him how generous and large-minded the Marquis of Wu was, how he treated the worthy with courtesy and humbled himself before men of talent. Shi Ren was delighted and at once went with Yu Fan to Jingzhou, bringing his seal and ribbon, to surrender. Sun Quan was delighted and sent him back to hold Gong’an as before. But Lü Meng said to Sun Quan privately, “Yunchang has not yet been taken. If Shi Ren is left at Gong’an, sooner or later there is sure to be trouble. Better to send him to Nan Commandery to persuade Mi Fang to surrender.” So Sun Quan summoned Shi Ren and said, “Mi Fang is a close friend of yours. If you can bring him over, I will reward you richly.”

二人禮畢，各訴舊情。翻說吳侯寬洪大度，禮賢下士；士仁大喜，即同虞翻齎印綬來荊州投降。孫權大悅，仍令去守公安。呂蒙密謂權曰：“今雲長未獲，留士仁於公安，久必有變；不若使往南郡招糜芳歸降。”權乃召傅士仁謂曰：“糜芳與卿交厚，卿可招來歸降，孤自當有重賞。”

Shi Ren readily agreed and, taking a dozen or so horsemen, went straight to Nan Commandery to win Mi Fang over.

傅士仁慨然領諾，遂引十餘騎，徑投南郡招安糜芳。

Indeed:
Today at Gong’an there was no will to hold out;
Wang Fu’s warning of old had been good advice.
What came of this mission will be told in the next chapter.

正是：今日公安無守志，從前王甫是良言。
未知此去如何，且看下文分解。