Romance, Chapter 76

Chapter 76. Xu Gongming Fights a Great Battle on the Mian River; Guan Yunchang Is Defeated and Flees to Maicheng

Now when Mi Fang heard that Jingzhou was lost, he was at his wits’ end. Suddenly it was announced that Fu Shiren, the general guarding Gong’an, had come. Mi Fang hastily welcomed him into the city and asked what had happened. Fu Shiren said, “It is not that I am disloyal. Our position was perilous and our strength exhausted; I could not hold out, and I have now surrendered to Eastern Wu. You too, General, would do best to surrender early.” Mi Fang said, “We have received great kindness from the King of Hanzhong. How could I bear to turn against him?” Fu Shiren said, “On the day Guan Yu left, he was bitterly angry with the two of us. If one day he comes back victorious, he will certainly not let us off lightly.

卻說糜芳聞荊州有失，正無計可施。忽報公安守將傅士仁至，芳忙接入城，問其事故。士仁曰：“吾非不忠。勢危力困，不能支持，我今已降東吳。將軍亦不如早降。”芳曰：“吾等受漢中王厚恩，安忍背之？”士仁曰：“關公去日，痛恨吾二人；倘一日得勝而回，必無輕恕。

Think it over carefully, sir.” Mi Fang said, “We brothers have long served the King of Hanzhong. How can we turn against him in a single morning?” While he was still wavering, it was announced that Guan Yu had sent a messenger, who was brought into the hall. The messenger said, “Guan Yu’s army is short of grain, and he has sent me expressly to fetch a hundred thousand dan of white rice from the two places, Nan Commandery and Gong’an. You two generals are to escort it to the front with all speed, travelling by night, and hand it over there. If you are late, you will be beheaded on the spot.” Mi Fang was aghast. He turned to Fu Shiren and said, “Jingzhou has already been taken by Eastern Wu. How can this grain be got through?”

公細察之。”芳曰：“吾兄弟久事漢中王，豈可一朝相背？”正猶豫間，忽報關公遣使至，接入廳上。使者曰：“關公軍中缺糧，特來南郡、公安二處取白米十萬石，令二將軍星夜解去軍前交割。如遲立斬。”芳大驚，顧謂傅士仁曰：“今荊州已被東吳所取，此糧怎得過去？”

Fu Shiren said sharply, “There is no need for more doubts!” and drawing his sword, he cut down the messenger there in the hall. Mi Fang said in alarm, “Why did you kill him?” Fu Shiren said, “What Guan Yu really means is to behead the two of us. How can we fold our hands and wait for death? If you do not surrender to Eastern Wu quickly now, you will certainly be killed by Guan Yu.” Just as they were talking, it was announced that Lü Meng had come with troops and was attacking below the city walls. Mi Fang, greatly alarmed, went out of the city with Fu Shiren and surrendered.

士仁厲聲曰：“不必多疑！”遂拔劍斬來使於堂上。芳驚曰：“公如何斬之？”士仁曰：“關公此意，正要斬我二人。我等安可束手受死？公今不早降東吳，必被關公所殺。”正說間，忽報呂蒙引兵殺至城下。芳大驚，乃同傅士仁出城投降。

Lü Meng was delighted and took the two of them to see Sun Quan, who rewarded them both handsomely. When the people had been set at ease, a great feast was given to reward the whole army.

蒙大喜，引見孫權。權重賞二人。安民已畢，大犒三軍。

At this time Cao Cao was in Xudu, discussing the affairs of Jingzhou with his advisers, when it was announced that Eastern Wu had sent a messenger bearing a letter. Cao Cao had him brought in, and the messenger presented the letter. Cao Cao opened and read it. It set out in full that the forces of Wu were about to fall on Jingzhou, and asked Cao Cao to join in attacking Yunchang from the other side; it also urged him to let nothing leak out, lest Yunchang be put on his guard. Cao Cao discussed this with his advisers, and the Recorder Dong Zhao said, “Fancheng is now under siege, craning its neck for rescue. It would be best to have someone shoot this letter into Fancheng to ease the minds of the troops there, and at the same time let Guan Yu know that Eastern Wu is about to fall on Jingzhou.

時曹操在許都，正與衆謀士議荊州之事，忽報東吳遣使奉書至。操召入，使者呈上書信。操拆視之，書中具言吳兵將襲荊州，求操夾攻雲長；且囑勿泄漏，使雲長有備也。操與衆謀士商議，主簿董昭曰：“今樊城被困，引頸望救，不如令人將書射入樊城，以寬軍心；且使關公知東吳將襲荊州。

Fearing to lose Jingzhou, he will surely withdraw his troops in haste; then we have Xu Huang take the chance to fall upon him, and the victory will be complete.” Cao Cao followed this plan. On the one hand he sent to urge Xu Huang to give battle quickly; on the other he himself led a great army straight to Yangling Slope, south of Luoyang, and camped there, to relieve Cao Ren.

彼恐荊州有失，必速退兵，卻令徐晃乘勢掩殺，可獲全功。”操從其謀，一面差人催徐晃急戰；一面親統大兵，徑往洛陽之南陽陵坡駐紮，以救曹仁。

Now Xu Huang was sitting in his tent when it was announced that a messenger from the King of Wei had come. Xu Huang welcomed him in and questioned him, and the messenger said, “The King of Wei is leading an army and has already passed Luoyang. He orders you, General, to give battle to Guan Yu quickly and lift the siege of Fancheng.” As they were speaking, a scout reported, “Guan Ping is camped at Yancheng and Liao Hua at Sizhong, with twelve stockaded camps in all, front and rear, linked one to the next without a break.” Xu Huang at once sent his lieutenants Xu Shang and Lü Jian, flying his own banners as a disguise, to go to Yancheng and give battle to Guan Ping.

卻說徐晃正坐帳中，忽報魏王使至。晃接入問之，使曰：“今魏王引兵，已過洛陽；令將軍急戰關公，以解樊城之困。”正說間，探馬報說：“關平屯兵在偃城，廖化屯兵在四冢：前後一十二個寨柵，連絡不絕。”晃即差副將徐商、呂建假着徐晃旗號，前赴偃城與關平交戰。

Xu Huang himself took five hundred picked troops and went along the Mian River to attack Yancheng from the rear. Meanwhile Guan Ping, hearing that Xu Huang had come in person with his army, led out his own troops to meet the enemy. When the two sides were drawn up facing each other, Guan Ping rode out and engaged Xu Shang; after only three bouts Xu Shang was badly beaten and fled. Lü Jian came out to fight, and after five or six bouts he too was beaten and fled. Guan Ping followed up his victory and pursued them, cutting them down, for more than twenty li, when suddenly it was reported that fire had broken out in the city.

晃卻自引精兵五百，循沔水去襲偃城之後。且說關平聞徐晃自引兵至，遂提本部兵迎敵。兩陣對圓，關平出馬，與徐商交鋒，只三合，商大敗而走；呂建出戰，五六合亦敗走。平乘勝追殺二十餘里，忽報城中火起。

Guan Ping knew he had fallen into a trap and hastily turned his troops back to save Yancheng. There he found a body of troops drawn up, with Xu Huang sitting his horse beneath the great banner. Xu Huang shouted, “Worthy nephew Guan Ping, you are courting death and do not know it! Your Jingzhou has already been seized by Eastern Wu, and still you run wild here!” Guan Ping, enraged, galloped forward whirling his sword and made straight for Xu Huang. Before they had fought three or four bouts, a shout went up from the whole army, and flames blazed up high inside Yancheng. Guan Ping dared not stay to fight; he cut his way out along the main road and made straight for the camp at Sizhong.

平知中計，急勒兵回救偃城。正遇一彪軍擺開，徐晃立馬在門旗下，高叫曰：“關平賢侄，好不知死！汝荊州已被東吳奪了，猶然在此狂爲！”平大怒，縱馬輪刀，直取徐晃；不三四合，三軍喊叫，偃城中火光大起。平不敢戀戰，殺條大路，徑奔四冢寨來。

Liao Hua received him and said, “People are saying that Jingzhou has already been seized in a surprise attack by Lü Meng, and the men are alarmed and uneasy. What is to be done?” Guan Ping said, “This must be a false rumour. Any soldier who repeats it is to be beheaded.”

廖化接着。化曰：“人言荊州已被呂蒙襲了，軍心驚慌，如之奈何？”平曰：“此必訛言也。軍士再言者斬之。”

Suddenly a courier galloped up to report that the First Camp, due north, was under attack by troops led by Xu Huang. Guan Ping said, “If the First Camp falls, how can any of the other camps be safe? Here we are all backed on the Mian River, so the enemy will not dare come this far. Let us go together to save the First Camp.” Liao Hua called his officers and instructed them: “Hold the camp firmly. If the enemy comes, light the beacon at once.” The officers said, “The Sizhong camp is ringed with ten rows of deer-horn barricades; not even a flying bird could get in. Why worry about the enemy?”

忽流星馬到，報說正北第一屯被徐晃領兵攻打。平曰：“若第一屯有失，諸營豈得安寧？此間皆靠沔水，賊兵不敢到此。吾與汝同去救第一屯。”廖化喚部將分付曰：“汝等堅守營寨，如有賊到，即便舉火。”部將曰：“四冢寨鹿角十重，雖飛鳥亦不能入，何慮賊兵！”

So Guan Ping and Liao Hua called out all the picked troops of the Sizhong camp and hurried to the First Camp, where they halted. Seeing that the Wei troops were camped on a low hill, Guan Ping said to Liao Hua, “Xu Huang has pitched his camp without the advantage of the ground. Tonight we can lead troops to raid it.” Liao Hua said, “Take half the men and go, General. I will keep careful watch over this camp.”

於是關平、廖化盡起四冢寨精兵，奔至第一屯住紮。關平看見魏兵屯於淺山之上，謂廖化曰：“徐晃屯兵，不得地利，今夜可引兵劫寨。”化曰：“將軍可分兵一半前去，某當謹守本寨。”

That night Guan Ping led a body of troops in an attack on the Wei camp, but found no one there. He knew it was a trap and was hurrying back when Xu Shang on the left and Lü Jian on the right fell on him from both sides. Guan Ping was badly beaten and went back to his camp, but the Wei troops followed up their advantage, pursued him there and surrounded it on all sides. Unable to hold out, Guan Ping and Liao Hua abandoned the First Camp and made straight for the camp at Sizhong. Even from afar they could see fire rising inside it, and when they hurried up to it, the banners they saw were all those of Wei.

是夜，關平引一枝兵殺入魏寨，不見一人。平知是計，火速退時，左邊徐商，右邊呂建，兩下夾攻。平大敗回營，魏兵乘勢追殺前來，四面圍住。關平、廖化支持不住，棄了第一屯，徑投四冢寨來。早望見寨中火起。急到寨前，只見皆是魏兵旗號。

Guan Ping and the others withdrew and hurried off along the main road to Fancheng. Ahead of them a force barred the way, and the general at its head was none other than Xu Huang. Guan Ping and Liao Hua fought with desperate courage and forced their way through. Back at the main camp they went to see Guan Yu and said, “Xu Huang has now taken Yancheng and the other places. What is more, Cao Cao himself is leading a great army, in three divisions, to relieve Fancheng. And many are saying that Jingzhou has already been seized by Lü Meng.”

關平等退兵，忙奔樊城大路而走。前面一軍攔住，爲首大將，乃是徐晃也。平、化二人奮力死戰，奪路而走，回到大寨，來見關公曰：“今徐晃奪了偃城等處；又兼曹操自引大軍，分三路來救樊城；多有人言荊州已被呂蒙襲了。”

Guan Yu shouted, “This is a rumour the enemy has spread to unsettle our troops, nothing more! Lü Meng of Eastern Wu is gravely ill, and that stripling Lu Xun has taken his place. There is nothing to worry about!”

關公喝曰：“此敵人訛言，以亂我軍心耳！東吳呂蒙病危，孺子陸遜代之，不足爲慮！”

Before he had finished speaking, word came that Xu Huang’s troops had arrived. Guan Yu ordered his horse saddled. Guan Ping protested, “Father, you are not yet recovered. You must not face the enemy.” Guan Yu said, “Xu Huang and I are old acquaintances, and I know well what he can do. If he will not retreat, I will cut him down first as a warning to the generals of Wei.” He put on his armour, took up his blade, mounted and rode boldly out. At the sight of him there was not one in the Wei army who was not struck with fear. Guan Yu reined in his horse and asked, “Where is Xu Gongming?” Where the great banners of the Wei camp parted, Xu Huang rode out, bowed in his saddle and said, “Since I parted from Your Lordship, several years have slipped by. I never thought that Your Lordship’s beard and hair would have turned so grey!

言未畢，忽報徐晃兵至。公令備馬。平諫曰：“父體未痊，不可與敵。”公曰：“徐晃與吾有舊，深知其能；若彼不退，吾先斬之，以警魏將。”遂披掛提刀上馬，奮然而出。魏軍見之，無不驚懼。公勒馬問曰：“徐公明安在？”魏營門旗開處，徐晃出馬，欠身而言曰：“自別君侯，倏忽數載，不想君侯鬚髮已蒼白矣！

I remember how in my young days I followed you and was often favoured with your instruction; I am grateful for it and have never forgotten. Now Your Lordship’s heroic fame shakes all the Middle Kingdom, and hearing of it, your old friend cannot help sighing with admiration! Now that I am fortunate enough to see you once more, my long thirst is deeply comforted.” Guan Yu said, “Gongming, the friendship between us is deep and close, not to be compared with any other. Why then have you now pressed my son so hard, time and again?” Xu Huang turned to his generals and shouted in a harsh voice, “Whoever takes the head of Yunchang shall have a great reward of a thousand pieces of gold!”

憶昔壯年相從，多蒙教誨，感謝不忘。今君侯英風震於華夏，使故人聞之，不勝歎羨！茲幸得一見，深慰渴懷。”公曰：“吾與公明交契深厚，非比他人；今何故數窮吾兒耶？”晃回顧衆將，厲聲大叫曰：“若取得雲長首級者，重賞千金！”

Guan Yu said in astonishment, “Gongming, how can you say such a thing?” Xu Huang replied, “Today it is the business of the state, and I dare not set aside the public duty for private feeling.” With that he swung his great axe and came straight at Guan Yu. Guan Yu, in a towering rage, swung his blade to meet him. They fought over eighty bouts. Peerless though Guan Yu’s martial skill was, his right arm still lacked strength. Guan Ping, afraid his father would come to harm, hastily had the gongs sounded, and Guan Yu wheeled his horse and returned to camp. Suddenly a great roar of shouting arose on all sides.

公驚曰：“公明何出此言？”晃曰：“今日乃國家之事，某不敢以私廢公。”言訖，揮大斧直取關公。公大怒，亦揮刀迎之。戰八十餘合，公雖武藝絕倫，終是右臂少力。關平恐公有失，火急鳴金，公撥馬回寨。忽聞四下裏喊聲大震。

It turned out that Cao Ren in Fancheng, hearing that Cao Cao’s relief army had arrived, had led his troops out of the city in a sortie and joined forces with Xu Huang, and the two were attacking from both sides. The Jingzhou troops fell into great confusion. Guan Yu mounted and, with his generals, hurried off toward the upper reaches of the Xiang River, with the Wei troops pursuing close behind. He hastily crossed the Xiang River and fled toward Xiangyang. Suddenly a courier galloped up with the news: “Jingzhou has already been taken by Lü Meng, and your family has fallen into the enemy’s hands.”

原來是樊城曹仁聞曹操救兵至，引軍殺出城來，與徐晃會合，兩下夾攻，荊州兵大亂。關公上馬，引衆將急奔襄江上流頭。背後魏兵追至。關公急渡過襄江，望襄陽而奔。忽流星馬到，報說：“荊州已被呂蒙所奪，家眷被陷。”

Guan Yu was greatly alarmed. Not daring to make for Xiangyang, he led his army toward Gong’an. Then a scout reported, “Fu Shiren at Gong’an has already surrendered to Eastern Wu.” Guan Yu was furious. Next the man who had been sent to hurry the grain arrived and reported, “Fu Shiren of Gong’an went to Nan Commandery, killed your messenger, and persuaded Mi Fang to go over to Eastern Wu with him.”

關公大驚。不敢奔襄陽，提兵投公安來。探馬又報：“公安傅士仁已降東吳了。”關公大怒。忽催糧人到，報說：“公安傅士仁往南郡，殺了使命，招糜芳都降東吳去了。”

When Guan Yu heard this, rage choked him; his wound burst open and he fell senseless to the ground. His generals brought him round, and he turned to his Marshal Wang Fu and said, “I regret that I did not listen to your words. Today it has come about just as you said!” Then he asked, “Why were no beacons lit up and down the river?” The scout answered, “Lü Meng had all his boatmen dress in white and cross the river disguised as merchants, with picked troops hidden in the holds of the big boats. They seized the soldiers guarding the beacon towers first, so no beacons could be lit.”

關公聞言，怒氣衝塞，瘡口迸裂，昏絕於地。衆將救醒，公顧謂司馬王甫曰：“悔不聽足下之言，今日果有此事！”因問：“沿江上下，何不舉火？”探馬答曰：“呂蒙使水手盡穿白衣，扮作客商渡江，將精兵伏於【舟冓】【舟鹿】之中，先擒了守臺士卒，因此不得舉火。”

Guan Yu stamped his foot and groaned, “I have fallen into the trap of those treacherous villains! With what face can I meet my brother now!” Zhao Lei, the Commissary Commander, said, “Matters are urgent now. Send someone to Chengdu to ask for help, and at the same time go by land to retake Jingzhou.” Guan Yu did as he advised. He sent Ma Liang and Yi Ji with three dispatches to hasten to Chengdu day and night and ask for help. Meanwhile he led his army to retake Jingzhou, going ahead himself with the van and leaving Liao Hua and Guan Ping to guard the rear.

公跌足嘆曰：“吾中奸賊之謀矣！有何面目見兄長耶！”管糧都督趙累曰：“今事急矣，可一面差人往成都求救，一面從旱路去取荊州。”關公依言，差馬良、伊籍齎文三道，星夜赴成都求救；一面引兵來取荊州，自領前隊先行，留廖化、關平斷後。

Meanwhile, with the siege of Fancheng lifted, Cao Ren led his generals to see Cao Cao, and wept as he bowed and begged to be punished. Cao Cao said, “This was the will of Heaven; it was no fault of yours.” He rewarded the whole army handsomely and went in person to look over the ground around the Sizhong camp. Turning to his generals, he said, “The Jingzhou troops had ringed themselves with trenches and deer-horn barricades, row upon row, yet Xu Gongming went deep inside them and won a complete victory. I have commanded armies for more than thirty years, but never have I dared to drive so far straight into an enemy’s defences.

卻說樊城圍解，曹仁引衆將來見曹操，泣拜請罪。操曰：“此乃天數，非汝等之罪也。”操重賞三軍，親至四冢寨周圍閱視，顧謂衆將曰：“荊州兵圍塹鹿角數重，徐公明深入其中，竟獲全功。孤用兵三十餘年，未敢長驅徑入敵圍。

Gongming truly has both courage and insight!” All were filled with admiration. Cao Cao withdrew his army and camped at Mopi. When Xu Huang’s troops arrived, Cao Cao went out of his camp in person to welcome them, and he saw that Xu Huang’s men all marched in formation, without the least disorder. Delighted, Cao Cao said, “General Xu truly has the style of Zhou Yafu!” He made Xu Huang General Who Pacifies the South, and set him to hold Xiangyang with Xiahou Shang to check Guan Yu’s army.

公明真膽識兼優者也！”衆皆歎服。操班師還於摩陂駐紮。徐晃兵至，操親出寨迎之，見晃軍皆按隊伍而行，並無差亂。操大喜曰：“徐將軍真有周亞夫之風矣！”遂封徐晃爲平南將軍，同夏侯尚守襄陽，以遏關公之師。

Since Jingzhou was not yet settled, Cao Cao kept his army at Mopi to await news. Meanwhile Guan Yu, on the road to Jingzhou, found no way either to advance or to retreat. He said to Zhao Lei, “Now there are Wu troops in front of me and Wei troops behind, and I am caught between them, and no relief comes. What is to be done?” Zhao Lei said, “When Lü Meng was at Lukou, he once wrote to Your Lordship proposing that our two houses make friends and join to destroy the traitor Cao. Now instead he has helped Cao Cao and attacked us. That is a breach of their pledge.

操因荊州未定，就屯兵於摩陂，以候消息。卻說關公在荊州路上，進退無路，謂趙累曰：“目今前有吳兵，後有魏兵，吾在其中，救兵不至，如之奈何？”累曰：“昔呂蒙在陸口時，嘗致書君侯，兩家約好，共誅操賊，今卻助操而襲我，是背盟也。

Let Your Lordship halt the army here for the time being and send someone with a letter reproaching Lü Meng, and see what answer he makes.” Guan Yu took his advice, wrote a letter and sent a messenger with it to Jingzhou.

君侯暫駐軍於此，可差人遺書呂蒙責之，看彼如何對答。”關公從其言，遂修書遣使赴荊州來。

Now Lü Meng, in Jingzhou, had issued an order: throughout the commanderies of Jingzhou, the families of officers and men who had gone on campaign with Guan Yu were not to be troubled by the Wu troops; they were to be given grain every month, and any who fell ill were to have physicians sent to treat them. The soldiers’ families, grateful for his kindness, stayed quietly at home. Then word came that a messenger from Guan Yu had arrived. Lü Meng went out beyond the outer wall to welcome him, brought him into the city and treated him with the courtesy due a guest. The messenger presented the letter to Lü Meng.

卻說呂蒙在荊州，傳下號令：凡荊州諸郡，有隨關公出徵將士之家，不許吳兵攪擾，按月給與糧米；有患病者，遣醫治療。將士之家，感其恩惠，安堵不動。忽報關公使至，呂蒙出郭迎接入城，以賓禮相待。使者呈書與蒙。

When Lü Meng had read it, he said to the messenger, “The friendship I once made with General Guan was a matter of my own private feeling. What has happened now was done at the command of my superiors, and was not mine to decide. I must trouble you, sir, to go back and give the General my kind regards.” He then gave a banquet in the messenger’s honour and sent him to the guesthouse to rest. Thereupon the families of the officers and men on campaign all came to ask for news. Some gave him letters from home to carry, others gave him spoken messages, and all said that their households were safe and wanted for neither food nor clothing.

蒙看畢，謂來使曰：“蒙昔日與關將軍結好，乃一己之私見；今日之事，乃上命差遣，不得自主。煩使者回報將軍，善言致意。”遂設宴款待，送歸館驛安歇。於是隨徵將士之家，皆來問信；有附家書者，有口傳音信者，皆言家門無恙，衣食不缺。

The messenger took his leave of Lü Meng, who escorted him out of the city himself. Back with Guan Yu, the messenger reported all that Lü Meng had said, and added, “In the city of Jingzhou, Your Lordship’s family and the households of all the generals are safe and well, and want for nothing.” Guan Yu said in a fury, “This is a scheme of that treacherous villain! If I cannot kill him while I live, I will kill him after I am dead, to avenge my wrongs!” And he drove the messenger out with a shout. As the messenger left the camp, the generals all came to ask about their families. The messenger told them in detail that every household was safe and well and that Lü Meng was treating them with the utmost kindness, and he delivered the letters to each of them. The generals were delighted, and none had any heart left for fighting.

使者辭別呂蒙，蒙親送出城。使者回見關公，具道呂蒙之語，並說：“荊州城中，君侯寶眷並諸將家屬，俱各無恙，供給不缺。”公大怒曰：“此奸賊之計也！我生不能殺此賊，死必殺之，以雪吾恨！”喝退使者。使者出寨，衆將皆來探問家中之事；使者具言各家安好，呂蒙極其恩恤，並將書信傳送各將。各將欣喜，皆無戰心。

Guan Yu led his army to retake Jingzhou, but as they marched, many officers and men deserted and went back to Jingzhou. Guan Yu grew angrier and more bitter than ever and pressed his army forward. Suddenly a great shout went up and a force barred the way. The general at its head was Jiang Qin, who reined in his horse, levelled his spear and shouted, “Yunchang, why do you not surrender at once?” Guan Yu cursed him: “I am a general of Han. Would I surrender to rebels?” He whipped up his horse and, whirling his blade, made straight for Jiang Qin.

關公率兵取荊州，軍行之次，將士多有逃回荊州者。關公愈加恨怒，遂催軍前進。忽然喊聲大震，一彪軍攔住，爲首大將，乃蔣欽也，勒馬挺槍大叫曰：“雲長何不早降！”關公罵曰：“吾乃漢將，豈降賊乎！”拍馬舞刀，直取蔣欽。

Before three bouts had been fought, Jiang Qin was beaten and fled. Guan Yu, blade in hand, pursued him for more than twenty li, when suddenly shouts arose: from a valley on the left Han Dang dashed out with his troops, from a valley on the right Zhou Tai dashed out with his, and Jiang Qin wheeled round to fight again, so that Guan Yu was attacked from three sides at once. He hastily withdrew his men and turned back. He had gone only a few li when he saw a crowd gathered on a ridge of the southern hills, where a white flag fluttered bearing the four words “Men of Jingzhou,” and all the people there were calling on the men of that region to surrender quickly.

不三合，欽敗走。關公提刀追殺二十餘里，喊聲忽起，左邊山谷中韓當領軍衝出，右邊山谷中周泰引軍衝出，蔣欽回馬復戰，三路夾攻。關公急撤軍回走。行無數里，只見南山岡上人煙聚集，一面白旗招颭，上寫“荊州土人”四字，衆人都叫本處人速速投降。

In a rage Guan Yu made to climb the ridge and kill them, but from a fold in the hills two more forces burst out, Ding Feng on the left and Xu Sheng on the right. Joined with the three forces of Jiang Qin and the others, they raised shouts that shook the earth, their drums and horns deafening the heavens, and they hemmed Guan Yu in at the centre. The officers and men under his command gradually thinned away. When the fighting had gone on until dusk, Guan Yu looked far off to the hills all around and saw that they were all covered with Jingzhou soldiers, calling to their elder brothers and younger brothers, seeking their sons and their fathers, their cries never ceasing.

關公大怒，欲上岡殺之。山崦內又有兩軍撞出：左邊丁奉，右邊徐盛；併合蔣欽等三路軍馬，喊聲震地，鼓角喧天，將關公困在垓心。手下將士，漸漸消疏。比及殺到黃昏，關公遙望四山之上，皆是荊州士兵，呼兄喚弟，覓子尋爺，喊聲不住。

The hearts of his troops were entirely changed, and they all went off in answer to the calls. Guan Yu shouted at them to stop, but could not hold them, and his following was reduced to little more than three hundred men. They fought on until the third watch, when shouts rose to the sky due east: Guan Ping and Liao Hua, with their troops in two columns, were cutting their way into the ring of encirclement, and they rescued Guan Yu. Guan Ping said, “The men’s hearts are in disorder. We must find a walled city to hold for a time while we wait for reinforcements. Maicheng is small, but it will do to hold.” Guan Yu agreed, and hurried the remnants of his army on to Maicheng, where he divided his men to guard the four gates closely and gathered his officers to take counsel.

軍心盡變，皆應聲而去。關公止喝不住，部從止有三百餘人。殺至三更，正東上喊聲連天，乃是關平、廖化分兩路兵殺入重圍，救出關公。關平告曰：“軍心亂矣，必得城池暫屯，以待援兵。麥城雖小，足可屯紮。”關公從之，催促殘軍前至麥城，分兵緊守四門，聚將士商議。

Zhao Lei said, “This place is close to Shangyong, which Liu Feng and Meng Da are holding now. We should send someone at once to ask them for troops. If we get help from that force and hold on until the army from Xichuan arrives in strength, the men’s hearts will settle of themselves.”

趙累曰：“此處相近上庸，現有劉封、孟達在彼把守，可速差人往求救兵。若得這枝軍馬接濟，以待川兵大至，軍心自安矣。”

As they were deliberating, word came that the Wu army had arrived and surrounded the city on all four sides. Guan Yu asked, “Who dares to break through the siege and go to Shangyong for help?” Liao Hua said, “I will go.” Guan Ping said, “I will escort you out through the enemy lines.” Guan Yu at once wrote a letter and gave it to Liao Hua, who hid it on his person. Having eaten his fill, Liao Hua mounted, the gate was opened and he rode out of the city. At once the Wu general Ding Feng barred the way, but Guan Ping charged him with all his might and Ding Feng was beaten and fled. Taking advantage of this, Liao Hua broke through the encircling lines and set off for Shangyong. Guan Ping went back into the city and held it fast, not venturing out.

正議間，忽報吳兵已至，將城四面圍定。公問曰：“誰敢突圍而出，往上庸求救？”廖化曰：“某願往。”關平曰：“我護送汝出重圍。”關公即修書付廖化藏於身畔。飽食上馬，開門出城。正遇吳將丁奉截住。被關平奮力衝殺，奉敗走，廖化乘勢殺出重圍。投上庸去了。關平入城，堅守不出。

Now after Liu Feng and Meng Da had taken Shangyong, its Prefect Shen Dan had come over to them with his people, and so the King of Hanzhong had given Liu Feng the additional rank of Deputy General and set him to hold Shangyong together with Meng Da. That day they had learned of Guan Yu’s defeat, and the two of them were discussing it when Liao Hua was announced.

且說劉封、孟達自取上庸，太守申耽率衆歸降，因此漢中王加劉封爲副將軍，與孟達同守上庸。當日探知關公兵敗，二人正議間，忽報廖化至。

Liu Feng had him brought in and asked what had happened. Liao Hua said, “Guan Yu has been defeated and is now trapped in Maicheng, under close and desperate siege. Relief from Shu cannot arrive between one morning and the next evening, so he ordered me expressly to break out through the siege and come here to ask for help. I beg you two generals to raise the troops of Shangyong quickly and rescue him from this peril. If there is the least delay, he will surely be lost.” Liu Feng said, “Rest for now, General, and let me consider it.”

封令請人問之。化曰：“關公兵敗，現困於麥城，被圍至急。蜀中援兵，不能旦夕即至。特命某突圍而出，來此求救。望二將軍速起上庸之兵，以救此危。倘稍遲延，公必陷矣。”封曰：“將軍且歇，容某計議。”

Liao Hua went to the guesthouse to rest and waited only for the troops to be sent. Liu Feng said to Meng Da, “My uncle is under siege. What are we to do?” Meng Da said, “The troops of Eastern Wu are well trained and their generals brave. Moreover, the nine commanderies of Jingzhou are all theirs now, and all that is left is Maicheng, a place no bigger than a pellet. Besides, I hear that Cao Cao himself is at Mopi at the head of a great army of four or five hundred thousand. Consider: how could the men of our little mountain city stand against the powerful armies of both houses?

化乃至館驛安歇，專候發兵。劉封謂孟達曰：“叔父被困，如之奈何？”達曰：“東吳兵精將勇；且荊州九郡，俱已屬彼，止有麥城，乃彈丸之地；又聞曹操親督大軍四五十萬，屯於摩陂：量我等山城之衆，安能敵得兩家之強兵？

We must not take the enemy lightly.” Liu Feng said, “I know that too. But Guan Yu is my uncle; how can I bear to sit and watch without going to his rescue?” Meng Da laughed. “You regard Guan Yu as your uncle, General, but I fear Guan Yu does not necessarily regard you as his nephew. I have heard that when the King of Hanzhong first adopted you, Guan Yu was displeased at once. Later, after the King of Hanzhong took the throne, he wished to name an heir and asked Kongming about it. Kongming said, ‘This is a family matter; you should ask Guan and Zhang.’ So the King of Hanzhong sent someone to Jingzhou to ask Guan Yu, and Guan Yu said that you were only an adopted son and could not presume to be made heir. He urged the King of Hanzhong to put you far away in the mountain city of Shangyong, so as to forestall trouble later on.

不可輕敵。”封曰：“吾亦知之。奈關公是吾叔父，安忍坐視而不救乎？”達笑曰：“將軍以關公爲叔，恐關公未必以將軍爲侄也。某聞漢中王初嗣將軍之時，關公即不悅。後漢中王登位之後，欲立後嗣，問於孔明，孔明曰：‘此家事也，問關、張可矣，’漢中王遂遣人至荊州問關公，關公以將軍乃螟蛉之子，不可僭立，勸漢中王遠置將軍於上庸山城之地，以杜後患。

Everyone knows of this; how is it that you alone do not, General? Why do you still cling to the duty of nephew to uncle today and wish to take a rash step at great risk?” Liu Feng said, “What you say is right, but with what words can I refuse?” Meng Da said, “Simply say that the mountain city has only just submitted and the people’s hearts are not yet settled, so that you dare not rashly raise troops for fear of losing what you are holding.” Liu Feng followed his advice. The next day he sent for Liao Hua and told him that this mountain city had only just submitted, and that he could not spare troops to go to the rescue.

此事人人知之，將軍豈反不知耶？何今日猶沾沾以叔侄之義，而欲冒險輕動乎？”封曰：“君言雖是，但以何詞卻之？”達曰：“但言山城初附，民心未定，不敢造次興兵，恐失所守。”封從其言。次日，請廖化至，言此山城初附之所，未能分兵相救。

Liao Hua was aghast. He knocked his head on the ground and said, “If that is so, it is all over with Guan Yu!” Meng Da said, “Even if I went at once, how could a cup of water put out a whole cartload of burning firewood? Go back quickly, General, and wait quietly for the troops of Shu to come.” Liao Hua wept bitterly and pleaded with them, but Liu Feng and Meng Da both shook out their sleeves and went inside. Seeing that nothing could be done, Liao Hua decided he must appeal to the King of Hanzhong for help. He mounted his horse and, cursing loudly, rode out of the city and set off toward Chengdu.

化大驚，以頭叩地曰：“若如此，則關公休矣！”達曰：“我今即往，一杯之水，安能救一車薪之火乎？將軍速回，靜候蜀兵至可也。”化大慟告求，劉封、孟達皆拂袖而入。廖化知事不諧，尋思須告漢中王求救，遂上馬大罵出城，望成都而去。

Meanwhile, in Maicheng, Guan Yu watched and waited for the troops from Shangyong, but there was no sign of them. He had only five or six hundred men left, most of them wounded, and there was no grain in the city; their sufferings were very great. Then word came that a man below the walls was asking them not to shoot, saying he had something to say and had come to see His Lordship. Guan Yu had him let in, and on asking, found that it was Zhuge Jin. When the courtesies were over and tea had been taken, Zhuge Jin said, “I come now at the command of the Marquis of Wu, expressly to advise you, General.

卻說關公在麥城盼望上庸兵到，卻不見動靜；手下止有五六百人，多半帶傷；城中無糧，甚是苦楚。忽報城下一人教休放箭，有話來見君侯。公令放入，問之，乃諸葛瑾也。禮畢茶罷，瑾曰：“今奉吳侯命，特來勸諭將軍。

Since ancient times it has been said that he who understands the needs of the times is a true hero. The nine commanderies along the Han that you commanded, General, have all passed into other hands. You have only one isolated city left, with no grain or fodder within and no relief without, and danger may overtake you any morning or evening. Why not follow my advice, General, and submit to the Marquis of Wu? Then you could again govern Jing and Xiang and keep your family safe. I beg Your Lordship to think it over carefully.” Guan Yu answered gravely, “I am but a simple soldier from Jieliang, whom my lord has treated as his own hands and feet. How could I betray my duty and go over to an enemy state?

自古道識時務者爲俊傑，今將軍所統漢上九郡，皆已屬他人矣；止有孤城一區，內無糧草，外無救兵，危在旦夕。將軍何不從瑾之言，歸順吳侯，復鎮荊襄，可以保全家眷。幸君侯熟思之。”關公正色而言曰：“吾乃解良一武夫，蒙吾主以手足相待，安肯背義投敵國乎？

If the city falls, there is nothing for it but to die. Jade may be shattered, but its whiteness cannot be changed; bamboo may be burned, but its joints cannot be destroyed. Though my body perish, my name will be handed down on bamboo and silk. Say no more, but leave the city at once. I mean to fight Sun Quan to the death!” Zhuge Jin said, “The Marquis of Wu wishes to form with Your Lordship a bond like that of Qin and Jin, so that together we may crush Cao Cao and uphold the House of Han. He has no other intention. Why is Your Lordship so stubbornly blind?”

城若破，有死而已。玉可碎而不可改其白，竹可焚而不可毀其節，身雖殞，名可垂於竹帛也。汝勿多言，速請出城，吾欲與孫權決一死戰！”瑾曰：“吳侯欲與君侯結秦晉之好，同力破曹，共扶漢室，別無他意。君侯何執迷如是？”

Before he had finished, Guan Ping drew his sword and stepped forward to cut Zhuge Jin down. Guan Yu stopped him, saying, “His brother Kongming is in Shu, assisting your uncle. If we killed him now, it would wound the love between the brothers.” And he ordered his attendants to put Zhuge Jin out. His face burning with shame, Zhuge Jin mounted and left the city. He went back to the Marquis of Wu and said, “Guan Yu’s heart is like iron or stone. He cannot be persuaded.” Sun Quan said, “A truly loyal minister! In that case, what is to be done?”

言未畢，關平拔劍而前，欲斬諸葛瑾。公止之曰：“彼弟孔明在蜀，佐汝伯父，今若殺彼，傷其兄弟之情也。”遂令左右逐出諸葛瑾。瑾滿面羞慚，上馬出城，回見吳侯曰：“關公心如鐵石，不可說也。”孫權曰：“真忠臣也！似此如之奈何？”

Lü Fan said, “Let me divine whether fortune or misfortune lies ahead.” Sun Quan told him to do so at once. Lü Fan counted out the milfoil stalks and formed a figure: it was the hexagram Shi, “the Army,” Earth over Water, and moreover the Dark Warrior stood at the responding line, which signified that the enemy would flee far away. Sun Quan asked Lü Meng, “The hexagram says the enemy will flee far away. By what plan will you capture him?” Lü Meng smiled and said, “The signs fit my plan exactly. Even if Guan Yu had wings to soar to the sky, he could not fly out of my net!”

呂範曰：“某請卜其休咎。”權即令卜之。範揲蓍成象，乃“地水師卦”，更有玄武臨應，主敵人遠奔。權問呂蒙曰：“卦主敵人遠奔，卿以何策擒之？”蒙笑曰：“卦象正合某之機也。關公雖有沖天之翼，飛不出吾羅網矣！”

Indeed:
A dragon in a ditch is teased by shrimps;
A phoenix in a cage is bullied by common birds.
What Lü Meng’s plan was will be told in the next chapter.

正是：龍游溝壑遭蝦戲，鳳入牢籠被鳥欺。
畢竟呂蒙之計若何，且看下文分解。