Romance, Chapter 83

Chapter 83. Fighting at Xiaoting, the First Ruler Takes His Enemies; Guarding the River Mouth, a Scholar Is Made Commander-in-Chief

Now in the first month of spring in the second year of Zhangwu, Huang Zhong, the Martial and Mighty General of the Rear, was following the First Ruler on the campaign against Wu. When he heard that the First Ruler had said old generals were useless, he at once took up his sword, mounted his horse and, with five or six of his personal followers, went straight to the camp at Yiling. Wu Ban, with Zhang Nan and Feng Xi, received him and asked, “What brings you here, old General?” Huang Zhong said, “Since I followed the Son of Heaven from Changsha until now, I have borne much toil.

卻說章武二年春正月，武威後將軍黃忠隨先主伐吳；忽聞先主言老將無用，即提刀上馬，引親隨五六人，徑到彝陵營中。吳班與張南、馮習接入，問曰：“老將軍此來，有何事故？”忠曰：“吾自長沙跟天子到今，多負勤勞。

Though I am past seventy now, I still eat ten catties of meat, my arms can draw a two-stone bow, and I can ride a thousand-li horse. That is not old. Yesterday our lord said that men like us were old and useless, so I have come here to cross swords with Eastern Wu. Watch me cut down their generals, and see whether I am old or not!” While he was speaking, word suddenly came that the Wu vanguard had arrived and their scouting horsemen were close to the camp. Huang Zhong rose up eagerly, left the tent and mounted his horse. Feng Xi and the others urged him, “Old General, do not advance rashly.”

今雖七旬有餘，尚食肉十斤，臂開二石之弓，能乘千里之馬，未足爲老。昨日主上言吾等老邁無用，故來此與東吳交鋒，看吾斬將，老也不老！”正言間，忽報吳兵前部已到，哨馬臨營。忠奮然而起，出帳上馬。馮習等勸曰：“老將軍且休輕進。”

Huang Zhong would not listen and galloped off. Wu Ban ordered Feng Xi to take troops and help him. In front of the Wu lines Huang Zhong reined in his horse, held his sword crosswise, and challenged the vanguard commander Pan Zhang alone to fight. Pan Zhang rode out with his subordinate general Shi Ji. Shi Ji, scorning Huang Zhong for his age, levelled his spear and came out to fight, but before they had fought three bouts Huang Zhong cut him from his horse with a single stroke. Pan Zhang, in a great rage, whirled the Green Dragon blade that Guan Yu had used and came at Huang Zhong. They fought several bouts without either gaining the upper hand.

忠不聽，縱馬而去。吳班令馮習引兵助戰。忠在吳軍陣前，勒馬橫刀，單搦先鋒潘璋交戰。璋引部將史蹟出馬。跡欺忠年老，挺槍出戰；鬥不三合，被忠一刀斬於馬下。潘璋大怒，揮關公使的青龍刀，來戰黃忠。交馬數合，不分勝負。

Huang Zhong fought on with all his might, and Pan Zhang, reckoning he could not win, turned his horse and fled. Huang Zhong pressed the pursuit with the advantage and came back with a complete victory. On the way he met Guan Xing and Zhang Bao. Guan Xing said, “We have come by imperial command to help you, old General. Since you have already won merit, please return to camp at once.” Huang Zhong would not listen. Next day Pan Zhang came again to offer battle. Huang Zhong mounted eagerly. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao wanted to help, but he would not allow it; Wu Ban wanted to help, and he would not allow that either. He went out to meet the enemy with only five thousand men of his own.

忠奮力惡戰，璋料敵不過，撥馬便走。忠乘勢追殺，全勝而回。路逢關興、張苞。興曰：“我等奉聖旨來助老將軍；既已立了功，速請回營。”忠不聽。次日，潘璋又來搦戰。黃忠奮然上馬。興、苞二人要助戰，忠不從；吳班要助戰，忠亦不從；只自引五千軍出迎。

They had fought only a few bouts when Pan Zhang trailed his blade and fled. Huang Zhong galloped after him, shouting in a harsh voice, “Rebel general, do not run! Today I will avenge Guan Yu!” He had chased him more than thirty li when shouts rose up mightily on every side and ambushers came out all together: Zhou Tai on the right, Han Dang on the left, Pan Zhang in front and Ling Tong behind, trapping Huang Zhong in their midst. Suddenly a furious wind arose. As Huang Zhong was hastily falling back, Ma Zhong came out with a force from the hillside and with one arrow struck him in the hollow of the shoulder, so that he very nearly fell from his horse.

戰不數合，璋拖刀便走。忠縱馬追之，厲聲大叫曰：“賊將休走！吾今爲關公報仇！”追至三十餘里，四面喊聲大震，伏兵齊出：右邊周泰，左邊韓當，前有潘璋，後有淩統，把黃忠困在垓心。忽然狂風大起，忠急退時，山坡上馬忠引一軍出，一箭射中黃忠肩窩，險些兒落馬。

Seeing that Huang Zhong had been hit, the Wu troops attacked all together. But suddenly a great shout went up behind them and two columns came charging in. The Wu troops broke and scattered, and Huang Zhong was rescued: it was Guan Xing and Zhang Bao. The two young generals escorted Huang Zhong straight to the imperial camp. Huang Zhong was old and his blood was weak; his arrow wound tore open painfully, and his condition was very grave. The First Ruler came in person to see him, stroked his back and said, “That you have been wounded, old General, is my fault!”

吳兵見忠中箭，一齊來攻，忽後面喊聲大起，兩路軍殺來，吳兵潰散，救出黃忠，乃關興、張苞也。二小將保送黃忠徑到御前營中。忠年老血衰，箭瘡痛裂，病甚沉重。先主御駕自來看視，撫其背曰：“令老將軍中傷，朕之過也！”

Huang Zhong said, “I am only a man of arms, yet I was fortunate enough to meet Your Majesty. I am seventy-five this year, and have lived long enough. I hope that Your Majesty will take good care of your sacred person and pursue the recovery of the Central Plain!” With these words he lost consciousness. That night he died in the imperial camp.

忠曰：“臣乃一武夫耳，幸遇陛下。臣今年七十有五，壽亦足矣。望陛下善保龍體，以圖中原！”言訖，不省人事。是夜殞於御營。

A later poet lamented:
Of old generals, men speak of Huang Zhong,
Who won great merit when the Chuan lands were taken.
Once more he donned his golden chain-mail;
With both hands he drew his iron-cored bow.
His daring struck terror north of the Yellow River;
His fame held sway over the land of Shu.
At his death his head was white as snow,
Yet still he showed himself a hero.

後人有詩嘆曰：“老將說黃忠，收川立大功。
重披金鎖甲，雙挽鐵胎弓。
膽氣驚河北，威名鎮蜀中。
臨亡頭似雪，猶自顯英雄。
”

When the First Ruler saw that Huang Zhong had breathed his last, he grieved without end. He ordered an inner and outer coffin prepared and had him buried at Chengdu. The First Ruler sighed, “Of the Five Tiger Generals, three are already dead, and still I have not been able to take revenge. How bitterly painful!” Then he led the Imperial Guard straight to Xiaoting, assembled all his generals, and divided the army into eight columns to advance by land and water together. He put Huang Quan in command of the troops on the water route, while he himself led the main army forward by land.

先主見黃忠氣絕，哀傷不已，敕具棺槨，葬於成都。先主嘆曰：“五虎大將，已亡三人。朕尚不能復仇，深可痛哉！”乃引御林軍直至猇亭，大會諸將，分軍八路，水陸俱進。水路令黃權領兵，先主自率大軍於旱路進發。

It was then the middle of the second month of the second year of Zhangwu. When Han Dang and Zhou Tai learned that the First Ruler was coming on campaign in person, they led out their troops to meet him. When the two armies were drawn up facing each other, Han Dang and Zhou Tai rode out. They saw the banners at the gate of the Shu camp part, and the First Ruler himself came out under a canopy of yellow silk worked with gold, with the white yak-tail standard and the golden axe on either side, and gold and silver banners and insignia surrounding him front and rear. Han Dang shouted, “Your Majesty is now the Ruler of Shu. Why come out so lightly in person?

時章武二年二月中旬也。韓當、周泰聽知先主御駕來徵，引兵出迎。兩陣對圓，韓當、周泰出馬，只見蜀營門旗開處，先主自出，黃羅銷金傘蓋，左右白旄黃鉞，金銀旌節，前後圍繞。當大叫曰：“陛下今爲蜀主，何自輕出？

If any mishap should befall you, how could regret undo it?” The First Ruler pointed at him from afar and cursed, “You curs of Wu have maimed my own hands and feet. I swear I will not share heaven and earth with you!” Han Dang turned to his generals and said, “Who dares charge the Shu troops?” His subordinate general Xia Xun levelled his spear and rode out. From behind the First Ruler, Zhang Bao, levelling his eighteen-foot spear, galloped out, gave a great shout and went straight for Xia Xun. When Xia Xun heard Zhang Bao’s voice like a mighty thunderclap, he was struck with fear and was just about to flee. Zhou Tai’s younger brother Zhou Ping, seeing that Xia Xun could not hold out, came galloping up, whirling his blade.

倘有疏虞，悔之何及！”先主遙指罵曰：“汝等吳狗，傷朕手足，誓不與立於天地之間！”當回顧衆將曰：“誰敢衝突蜀兵？”部將夏恂，挺槍出馬。先主背後張苞挺丈八矛，縱馬而出，大喝一聲，直取夏恂。恂見苞聲若巨雷，心中驚懼；恰待要走，周泰弟周平見恂抵敵不住，揮刀縱馬而來。

Guan Xing saw this and spurred his horse forward, blade in hand, to meet him. With a great shout Zhang Bao ran Xia Xun through with a single thrust of his spear, and Xia Xun pitched headlong from his horse. Zhou Ping was dismayed, and before he could defend himself Guan Xing cut him down with one stroke. The two young generals then went for Han Dang and Zhou Tai, and the two of them fell back hastily into their lines. The First Ruler watched and sighed, “A tiger father has no puppies for sons!” He pointed with his imperial whip, and the Shu troops swept forward all together. The Wu troops were utterly defeated.

關興見了，躍馬提刀來迎。張苞大喝一聲，一矛刺中夏恂，倒撞下馬。周平大驚，措手不及，被關興一刀斬了。二小將便取韓當、周泰。韓、周二人，慌退入陣。先主視之，嘆曰：“虎父無犬子也！”用御鞭一指，蜀兵一齊掩殺過去，吳兵大敗。

Those eight columns surged on like a gushing spring, cutting down the Wu army until corpses covered the fields and blood ran in rivers. Now Gan Ning was just then recuperating from illness aboard his ship. Hearing that the Shu troops had arrived in force, he mounted his horse in all haste, and ran straight into a band of Man tribesmen. All of them had loose hair and bare feet, and all bore bows and crossbows, long spears, shields, swords and axes. At their head was the barbarian king Shamoke. His face was red as if spattered with blood, his green eyes bulged, he wielded an iron mace studded with caltrop spikes, and he wore two bows at his waist. He was a figure of awesome might.

那八路兵，勢如泉湧，殺的那吳軍屍橫遍野，血流成河。卻說甘寧正在船中養病，聽知蜀兵大至，火急上馬，正遇一彪蠻兵，人皆被髮跣足，皆使弓弩長槍，搪牌刀斧；爲首乃是番王沙摩柯，生得面如噀血，碧眼突出，使一個鐵蒺藜骨朵，腰帶兩張弓，威風抖擻。

Seeing how strong they were, Gan Ning dared not engage them and turned his horse to flee, but Shamoke shot him in the head with an arrow. With the arrow still in him Gan Ning fled on until he reached Fuchikou, where he sat down beneath a great tree and died. Several hundred crows in the tree circled about his body. When the King of Wu heard of it, he grieved without end. He had him buried with full honours and built a temple where sacrifices were offered to him.

甘寧見其勢大，不敢交鋒，撥馬而走；被沙摩柯一箭射中頭顱。寧帶箭而走，到於富池口，坐於大樹之下而死。樹上羣鴉數百，圍繞其屍。吳王聞之，哀痛不已，具禮厚葬，立廟祭祀。

A later poet lamented:
Gan Xingba of Wu Commandery
Sailed the Yangtze in boats hung with brocade.
He repaid his lord, prizing the one who knew his worth;
He made amends to a friend, turning enmity to friendship.
Raiding the enemy camp, he led light horsemen;
Driving his men on, he had them drink from great bowls.
The sacred crows showed his divine power;
Incense will burn for him a thousand autumns.

後人有詩嘆曰：“吳郡甘興霸，長江錦幔舟。
酬君重知己，報友化仇讎。
劫寨將輕騎，驅兵飲巨甌。
神鴉能顯聖，香火永千秋。
”

Meanwhile, pressing the pursuit with the advantage, the First Ruler took Xiaoting. The Wu troops fled in all directions. When the First Ruler gathered in his troops, only Guan Xing was missing. The First Ruler anxiously ordered Zhang Bao and the others to search for him everywhere. What had happened was that Guan Xing, cutting his way into the Wu lines, had come upon his enemy Pan Zhang and galloped after him. Pan Zhang, in great alarm, fled into a mountain valley, and there was no telling where he had gone. Guan Xing, reckoning that he must be somewhere in the hills, searched back and forth but could not find him.

卻說先主乘勢追殺，遂得猇亭。吳兵四散逃走。先主收兵，只不見關興。先主慌令張苞等四面跟尋。原來關興殺入吳陣，正遇仇人潘璋，驟馬追之。璋大驚，奔入山谷內，不知所往。興尋思只在山裏，往來尋覓不見。

Soon it grew late, and he lost the trail and his way. Luckily the stars and moon were bright, and he followed on into the remote hills. It was already the second watch when he came to a farmstead, dismounted and knocked at the gate. An old man came out and asked who was there. Guan Xing said, “I am a fighting general. I lost my way and came here. I beg a meal to still my hunger.” The old man led him in, and Guan Xing saw bright candles lit in the hall and a sacred image of Guan Yu painted in the central hall. Guan Xing wept aloud and bowed before it. The old man asked, “General, why do you weep and bow?”

看看天晚，迷蹤失路。幸得星月有光，追至山僻之間，時已二更，到一莊上，下馬叩門。一老者出問何人。興曰：“吾是戰將，迷路到此，求一飯充飢。”老人引入，興見堂內點着明燭，中堂繪畫關公神像。興大哭而拜。老人問曰：“將軍何故哭拜？”

Guan Xing said, “This is my father.” When the old man heard this, he at once bowed down. Guan Xing said, “Why do you worship my father?” The old man replied, “All this region was the revered god’s domain. Even in his lifetime every household served him; how much more now that he is a god! This old man has only been hoping that the Shu army would soon take revenge. Now that you have come here, General, the people are blessed.” Then he set out wine and food for him, unsaddled his horse and fed it.

興曰：“此吾父也。”老人聞言，即便下拜。興曰：“何故供養吾父？”老人答曰：“此間皆是尊神地方。在生之日，家家侍奉，何況今日爲神乎？老夫只望蜀兵早早報仇。今將軍到此，百姓有福矣。”遂置酒食待之，卸鞍餵馬。

After the third watch there was suddenly another knock at the door. The old man went out to ask who it was: it was the Wu general Pan Zhang, who had also come seeking lodging for the night. As soon as he stepped into the thatched hall, Guan Xing saw him, gripped his sword and roared, “Villain, do not run!” Pan Zhang turned to go out again. Suddenly a man came in from outside the gate: his face was like a deep-red date, with the eyes of the red phoenix and brows like sleeping silkworms, and three strands of a fine beard streaming; he wore a green robe and golden armour, and his hand was on his sword. When Pan Zhang saw that it was Guan Yu manifesting his divine presence, he gave a great cry and his wits flew from him. He was about to turn when Guan Xing’s hand rose and his sword fell, and Pan Zhang was cut down on the floor. Guan Xing took out his heart and let its blood flow as an offering before the sacred image of Guan Yu.

三更已後，忽門外又一人擊戶。老人出而問之，乃吳將潘璋亦來投宿。恰入草堂，關興見了，按劍大喝曰：“歹賊休走！”璋回身便出。忽門外一人，面如重棗，丹鳳眼，臥蠶眉，飄三縷美髯，綠袍金鎧，按劍而入。璋見是關公顯聖，大叫一聲，神魂驚散；欲待轉身，早被關興手起劍落，斬於地上，取心瀝血，就關公神像前祭祀。

Guan Xing recovered his father’s Green Dragon crescent blade and hung Pan Zhang’s head beneath his horse’s neck. Then he took leave of the old man, mounted Pan Zhang’s horse and set off for his own camp. The old man himself dragged out Pan Zhang’s corpse and burned it.

興得了父親的青龍偃月刀，卻將潘璋首級，擐於馬項之下，辭了老人，就騎了潘璋的馬，望本營而來。老人自將潘璋之屍拖出燒化。

Now Guan Xing had gone only a few li when he suddenly heard men’s voices and horses neighing, and a band of troops came up. The general at their head was Pan Zhang’s subordinate Ma Zhong. When Ma Zhong saw that Guan Xing had killed his commander Pan Zhang and hung his head beneath his horse’s neck, and had got the Green Dragon blade as well, he flew into a towering rage and galloped at Guan Xing. Seeing that Ma Zhong was the enemy who had brought about his father’s death, Guan Xing felt his fury rise to the Ox and the Dipper; he raised the Green Dragon blade and slashed at Ma Zhong.

且說關興行無數里，忽聽得人言馬嘶，一彪軍來到；爲首一將，乃潘璋部將馬忠也。忠見興殺了主將潘璋，將首級擐於馬項之下，青龍刀又被興得了，勃然大怒，縱馬來取關興。興見馬忠是害父仇人，氣衝牛斗，舉青龍刀望忠便砍。

Ma Zhong’s three hundred men pressed forward together with a great shout and surrounded Guan Xing. He was alone and in peril. Suddenly a band of troops came charging in from the northwest: it was Zhang Bao. Seeing that help had come, Ma Zhong hastily drew off with his troops. Guan Xing and Zhang Bao gave chase together. They had not gone many li when Mi Fang and Fu Shiren came up ahead with troops, looking for Ma Zhong. The two forces met and fought a confused battle.

忠部下三百軍併力上前，一聲喊起，將關興圍在垓心。興力孤勢危。忽見西北上一彪軍殺來，乃是張苞。馬忠見救兵到來，慌忙引軍自退。關興、張苞一處趕來。趕不數里，前面糜芳、傅士仁引兵來尋馬忠。兩軍相合，混戰一處。

Zhang Bao and Guan Xing, having few troops, hastily withdrew and returned to Xiaoting to see the First Ruler. They presented the head and told him the whole story. The First Ruler marvelled and rewarded the three armies. Meanwhile Ma Zhong went back to Han Dang and Zhou Tai, and they gathered their defeated troops and divided up to hold their positions. The wounded were past counting. Ma Zhong, with Fu Shiren and Mi Fang, camped on a sandbank by the river. That night, at the third watch, the soldiers wept without ceasing.

苞、興二人兵少，慌忙撤退，回至猇亭，來見先主，獻上首級，具言此事。先主驚異，賞犒三軍。卻說馬忠回見韓當、周泰，收聚敗軍，各分頭守把。軍士中傷者不計其數。馬忠引傅士仁、糜芳於江渚屯紮。當夜三更，軍士皆哭聲不止。

Mi Fang listened secretly and heard one group of soldiers saying, “We are all soldiers of Jingzhou. Lü Meng’s treachery cost our lord his life. Now Imperial Uncle Liu has come on campaign in person, and Eastern Wu is finished sooner or later. The ones we hate are Mi Fang and Fu Shiren. Why don’t we kill these two traitors and go over to the Shu camp? That would be no small service.” Another group said, “Don’t be hasty. Wait for an opening, then strike.”

糜芳暗聽之，有一夥軍言曰：“我等皆是荊州之兵，被呂蒙詭計送了主公性命，今劉皇叔御駕親征，東吳早晚休矣。所恨者，糜芳、傅士仁也。我等何不殺此二賊，去蜀營投降？功勞不小。”又一夥軍言曰：“不要性急，等個空兒，便就下手。”

When Mi Fang had heard this, he was greatly alarmed, and he consulted with Fu Shiren: “The mood of the troops has turned. Our lives are in danger. The one the Ruler of Shu hates now is only Ma Zhong. Why not kill him and take his head to present to the Ruler of Shu, telling him: ‘We had no choice but to surrender to Wu. Now that we know Your Majesty has come, we have come expressly to your camp to beg pardon for our offence’?” Fu Shiren said, “No. If we go, disaster is sure to follow.” Mi Fang said, “The Ruler of Shu is lenient, humane and of generous virtue. Crown Prince A Dou is my nephew. As long as he remembers the bond of our being his kin by marriage, he will surely not harm us.”

糜芳聽畢，大驚，遂與傅士仁商議曰：“軍心變動，我二人性命難保。今蜀主所恨者馬忠耳；何不殺了他，將首級去獻蜀主，告稱：我等不得已而降吳，今知御駕前來，特地詣營請罪。”仁曰：“不可。去必有禍。”芳曰：“蜀主寬仁厚德：目今阿斗太子是我外甥，彼但念我國戚之情，必不肯加害。”

When the two had settled their plan, they first got horses ready. At the third watch they went into the tent, stabbed Ma Zhong to death and cut off his head. Then the two of them, with a few dozen horsemen, made straight for Xiaoting. Soldiers lying in ambush along the road first brought them before Zhang Nan and Feng Xi, and they told the whole story. Next day they came to the imperial camp to see the First Ruler. Presenting Ma Zhong’s head, they wept before him and said, “We truly had no thought of rebellion. We fell victim to Lü Meng’s trickery: he told us Guan Yu was already dead and so tricked us into opening the city gates. We had no choice but to surrender.

二人計較已定，先備了馬。三更時分，入帳刺殺馬忠，將首級割了，二人帶數十騎，徑投猇亭而來。伏路軍人先引見張南、馮習，具說其事。次日，到御營中來見先主，獻上馬忠首級，哭告於前曰：“臣等實無反心；被呂蒙詭計，稱言關公已亡，賺開城門，臣等不得已而降。

Now, hearing that Your Majesty had come, we killed this rebel expressly to avenge Your Majesty’s wrong. We humbly beg Your Majesty to pardon our offence.” The First Ruler said in a great rage, “It is a long time since I left Chengdu. Why did you two not come to beg pardon before? Today, when things are going badly for you, you come with clever words, hoping to save your lives! If I spared you, how could I face Guan Yu in the Nine Springs below?” With that he ordered Guan Xing to set up a spirit tablet for Guan Yu in the imperial camp.

今聞聖駕前來，特殺此賊。以雪陛下之恨。伏乞陛下恕臣等之罪。”先主大怒曰：“朕自離成都許多時，你兩個如何不來請罪？今日勢危，故來巧言，欲全性命！朕若饒你，至九泉之下，有何面目見關公乎！”言訖，令關興在御營中，設關公靈位。

The First Ruler himself held up Ma Zhong’s head and went forward to offer it in sacrifice. He also ordered Guan Xing to strip Mi Fang and Fu Shiren of their clothes, make them kneel before the tablet, and with his own hand slice them to death as a sacrifice to Guan Yu. Suddenly Zhang Bao came up into the tent, wept and bowed before him, saying, “The enemies of my second uncle have all been put to death. When will my father’s wrong be avenged?” The First Ruler said, “Do not worry, dear nephew. I will cut down and pacify Jiangnan and kill every last cur of Wu. I will be sure to capture those two villains and let you mince them yourself as a sacrifice to your father.” Zhang Bao thanked him in tears and withdrew.

先主親捧馬忠首級，詣前祭祀。又令關興將糜芳、傅士仁剝去衣服，跪於靈前，親自用刀剮之，以祭關公。忽張苞上帳哭拜於前曰：“二伯父仇人皆已誅戮；臣父冤仇，何日可報？”先主曰：“賢侄勿憂。朕當削平江南，殺盡吳狗，務擒二賊，與汝親自醢之，以祭汝父。”苞泣謝而退。

By now the First Ruler’s might resounded far and wide, and the people of Jiangnan were all terrified, wailing day and night. Han Dang and Zhou Tai, greatly alarmed, hastily reported to the King of Wu, telling him how Mi Fang and Fu Shiren had killed Ma Zhong and gone over to the Emperor of Shu, only to be put to death by the Emperor of Shu as well. Sun Quan lost heart and called together his civil and military officials to consult. Bu Zhi memorialized, “The men the Ruler of Shu hates are Lü Meng, Pan Zhang, Ma Zhong, Mi Fang and Fu Shiren.

此時先主威聲大震，江南之人盡皆膽裂，日夜號哭。韓當、周泰大驚，急奏吳王，具言糜芳、傅士仁殺了馬忠，去歸蜀帝，亦被蜀帝殺了。孫權心怯，遂聚文武商議。步騭奏曰：“蜀主所恨者，乃呂蒙、潘璋、馬忠、糜芳、傅士仁也。

Now these men are all dead, and only Fan Jiang and Zhang Da remain, here in Eastern Wu. Why not seize these two and send them back by envoy, together with Zhang Fei’s head? We can hand over Jingzhou, send back the lady, and present a memorial seeking peace, renewing our former friendship so that we may plan together to destroy Wei. Then the Shu army will withdraw of its own accord.” Sun Quan followed his advice. He had a box of aloeswood prepared to hold Zhang Fei’s head, had Fan Jiang and Zhang Da bound and shut in a prison cart, and sent Cheng Bing as envoy, bearing a letter of state, towards Xiaoting.

今此數人皆亡，獨有范疆、張達二人，現在東吳。何不擒此二人，並張飛首級，遣使送還，交與荊州，送歸夫人，上表求和，再會前情，共圖滅魏，則蜀兵自退矣。”權從其言，遂具沉香木匣，盛貯飛首，綁縛范疆、張達，囚於檻車之內，令程秉爲使，齎國書，望猇亭而來。

Meanwhile the First Ruler was about to send his army forward when one of his attendant ministers suddenly reported, “Eastern Wu has sent an envoy to return the head of Zhang, the Chariots and Cavalry General, and to deliver the two villains Fan Jiang and Zhang Da in captivity.” The First Ruler raised both hands to his forehead and said, “This is Heaven’s gift, and the work of my third brother’s spirit too!” At once he had Zhang Bao set up a spirit tablet for Zhang Fei. When the First Ruler saw Zhang Fei’s head in the box, its countenance unchanged, he burst into loud weeping. Zhang Bao took a sharp knife in his own hand and put Fan Jiang and Zhang Da to death by a thousand cuts, as a sacrifice to his father’s spirit.

卻說先主欲發兵前進。忽近臣奏曰：“東吳遣使送張車騎之首，並囚范疆、張達二賊至。”先主兩手加額曰：“此天之所賜，亦由三弟之靈也！”即令張苞設飛靈位。先主見張飛首級在匣中面不改色，放聲大哭。張苞自仗利刀，將范疆、張達萬剮凌遲，祭父之靈。

When the sacrifice was over, the First Ruler’s anger was still not appeased, and he was set on destroying Wu. Ma Liang memorialized, “Your enemies have all been put to death; your wrong may be considered avenged. Cheng Bing, a Grand Master of Wu, has come here wishing to return Jingzhou and send back the lady, to form a lasting alliance and plan together for the destruction of Wei. He humbly awaits your imperial decision.” The First Ruler said angrily, “The enemy I gnash my teeth at is Sun Quan. If I make peace with him now, I betray the oath I swore with my second brother in days gone by.

祭畢，先主怒氣不息，定要滅吳。馬良奏曰：“仇人盡戮，其恨可雪矣。吳大夫程秉到此，欲還荊州，送回夫人，永結盟好，共圖滅魏，伏候聖旨。”先主怒曰：“朕切齒仇人，乃孫權也。今若與之連和，是負二弟當日之盟矣。

Now I shall destroy Wu first, and Wei after.” He was about to behead the envoy to cut off all ties with Wu, and only the earnest pleading of many officials spared him. Cheng Bing fled back like a rat, covering his head, and reported to the Ruler of Wu, “Shu will not agree to peace. They have sworn to destroy Eastern Wu first and then attack Wei. The ministers pleaded earnestly, but he would not listen. What are we to do?” Sun Quan was greatly alarmed and did not know what to do. Kan Ze stepped out of the ranks and memorialized, “There is a pillar that can hold up the sky right here. Why do you not use him?”

今先滅吳，次滅魏。”便欲斬來使，以絕吳情。多官苦告方免。程秉抱頭鼠竄，回奏吳主曰：“蜀不從講和，誓欲先滅東吳，然後伐魏。衆臣苦諫不聽，如之奈何？“權大驚，舉止失措。闞澤出班奏曰：“現有擎天之柱，如何不用耶？”

Sun Quan asked urgently who that might be. Kan Ze said, “In former days the great affairs of Eastern Wu were entrusted wholly to Zhou Yu. Later Lu Zijing took his place, and after Zijing died, Lü Ziming made the decisions. Now, though Ziming is dead, there is Lu Boyan in Jingzhou. Though he is called a scholar, he truly has heroic talent and grand strategy. In my judgement he is not inferior to Zhou Yu. It was Boyan who devised all the plans by which we defeated Guan Yu before. If my lord will use him, Shu will certainly be defeated.

權急問何人。澤曰：“昔日東吳大事，全任周郎；後魯子敬代之；子敬亡後，決於呂子明；今子明雖喪，現有陸伯言在荊州。此人名雖儒生，實有雄才大略，以臣論之，不在周郎之下；前破關公，其謀皆出於伯言。主上若能用之，破蜀必矣。

If he fails, I am ready to share his punishment.” Sun Quan said, “If not for your words, Derun, I would nearly have ruined a great enterprise.” Zhang Zhao said, “Lu Xun is only a scholar, no match for Liu Bei. I fear he cannot be used.” Gu Yong also said, “Lu Xun is young and has little standing. I fear the gentlemen will not submit to him, and if they do not, disorder will arise and the great enterprise will surely be ruined.” Bu Zhi also said, “Lu Xun’s talent is equal only to governing a commandery. To entrust him with great affairs would not be fitting.”

如或有失，臣願與同罪。”權曰：“非德潤之言，孤幾誤大事。”張昭曰：“陸遜乃一書生耳，非劉備敵手；恐不可用。”顧雍亦曰：“陸遜年幼望輕，恐諸公不服；若不服則生禍亂，必誤大事。”步騭亦曰：“遜才堪治郡耳；若託以大事，非其宜也。”

Kan Ze cried out, “If you do not use Lu Boyan, Eastern Wu is finished! I will stake my whole household on him!” Sun Quan said, “I too have long known that Lu Boyan is a rare talent! My mind is made up. Say no more, gentlemen.” He then ordered Lu Xun summoned. Lu Xun’s original name was Lu Yi; he later changed it to Xun. His courtesy name was Boyan, and he was a native of Wu County in Wu Commandery. He was the grandson of Lu Yu, Colonel of the City Gates under the Han, and the son of Lu Jun, Commandant of Jiujiang. He was eight chi tall, with a face like fine jade, and he held the post of General Who Guards the West.

闞澤大呼曰：“若不用陸伯言，則東吳休矣！臣願以全家保之！”權曰：“孤亦素知陸伯言乃奇才也！孤意已決，卿等勿言。”於是命召陸遜。遜本名陸議，後改名遜，字伯言，乃吳郡吳人也；漢城門校尉陸紆之孫，九江都尉陸駿之子；身長八尺，面如美玉；官領鎮西將軍。

Summoned, he came, and when he had made his obeisance Sun Quan said, “Now the Shu army is at our borders. I specially appoint you to command all our forces and defeat Liu Bei.” Lu Xun said, “The civil and military officials of Jiangdong are all old servants of Your Highness. I am young and without talent; how could I control them?” Sun Quan said, “Kan Derun has staked his whole household on you, and I too have long known your talent. I now appoint you Commander-in-Chief. Do not decline.” Lu Xun said, “And if the officials, civil and military, will not submit?”

當下奉召而至，參拜畢，權曰：“今蜀兵臨境，孤特命卿總督軍馬，以破劉備。”遜曰：“江東文武，皆大王故舊之臣；臣年幼無才，安能制之？”權曰：“闞德潤以全家保卿，孤亦素知卿才。今拜卿爲大都督，卿勿推辭。”遜曰：“倘文武不服，何如？”

Sun Quan took the sword he wore and gave it to him, saying, “If anyone disobeys your orders, behead him first and report afterwards.” Lu Xun said, “Having received so weighty a charge, how could I dare not accept? But I beg Your Highness to assemble all the officials tomorrow and then bestow it on me.” Kan Ze said, “In ancient times, when a general was appointed, an altar was always built and the multitude assembled, and he was presented with the white yak-tail standard and the golden axe, the seal and ribbon and the military tally; only then did his authority prevail and his orders command respect. Your Highness should now follow this rite: choose a day, build an altar, and appoint Boyan Commander-in-Chief with the Credentials and the Axe. Then everyone will submit of their own accord.”

權取所佩劍與之曰：“如有不聽號令者，先斬後奏。”遜曰：“荷蒙重託，敢不拜命；但乞大王於來日會聚衆官，然後賜臣。”闞澤曰：“古之命將，必築壇會衆，賜白旄黃鉞、印綬兵符，然後威行令肅。今大王宜遵此禮，擇日築壇，拜伯言爲大都督，假節鉞，則衆人自無不服矣。”

Sun Quan agreed, and had men work through the night to finish building the altar. He assembled all the officials and invited Lu Xun to ascend the altar, where he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Protector of the Army of the Right and General Who Guards the West, and advanced in rank to Marquis of Lou. He was presented with a precious sword and a seal and ribbon, and given command of the forces of the six commanderies and eighty-one districts, together with all the circuits of Jing and Chu. The King of Wu charged him, “Within the threshold I shall be master; beyond the threshold, General, you shall have command.”

權從之，命人連夜築壇完備，大會百官，請陸遜登壇，拜爲大都督、右護軍鎮西將軍，進封婁侯，賜以寶劍印綬，令掌六郡八十一州兼荊楚諸路軍馬。吳王囑之曰：“閫以內，孤主之；閫以外，將軍制之。”

Lu Xun accepted his command, came down from the altar, appointed Xu Sheng and Ding Feng as his guards, and set out that very day, while at the same time calling up the forces of all the circuits to advance by land and water together. When the dispatch reached Xiaoting, Han Dang and Zhou Tai said in great alarm, “Why has our lord put a mere scholar in command of the army?” When Lu Xun arrived, no one was willing to submit to him. When he took his seat in the command tent to confer, they offered their congratulations only grudgingly. Lu Xun said, “Our lord has made me his general, to command the army and defeat Shu.

遜領命下壇，令徐盛、丁奉爲護衛，即日出師；一面調諸路軍馬，水陸並進。文書到猇亭，韓當、周泰大驚曰：“主上如何以一書生總兵耶？”比及遜至，衆皆不服。遜升帳議事，衆人勉強參賀。遜曰：“主上命吾爲大將，督軍破蜀。

The army has its fixed laws, and each of you gentlemen should observe them. Against those who break them, the king’s law knows no favour, so do not bring regret upon yourselves.” All were silent. Zhou Tai said, “At present Sun Huan, the General Who Pacifies the East, our lord’s nephew, is besieged in the city of Yiling, with no grain or fodder within and no relief without. We ask the Commander-in-Chief to put a good plan into effect soon and rescue Sun Huan, to set our lord’s mind at ease.” Lu Xun said, “I know well that Sun, the Pacifier of the East, has won the hearts of his troops. He will surely hold firm. There is no need to rescue him.

軍有常法，公等各宜遵守。違者王法無親，勿致後悔。”衆皆默然。周泰曰：“目今安東將軍孫桓，乃主上之侄，現困於彝陵城中，內無糧草，外無救兵；請都督早施良策，救出孫桓，以安主上之心。”遜曰：“吾素知孫安東深得軍心，必能堅守，不必救之。

Once I have defeated Shu, he will come out of his own accord.” They all laughed at him behind his back as they withdrew. Han Dang said to Zhou Tai, “To make this boy our general — Eastern Wu is finished! Did you see how he behaves?” Zhou Tai said, “I sounded him out with a few words, and he has not a single plan. How can he defeat Shu?”

待吾破蜀後，彼自出矣。”衆皆暗笑而退。韓當謂周泰曰：“命此孺子爲將，東吳休矣！公見彼所行乎？”泰曰：“吾聊以言試之，早無一計，安能破蜀也！”

Next day Lu Xun issued orders for the generals to guard the passes at every point and hold the narrow defiles firmly, and not to engage the enemy lightly. They all laughed at his timidity and would not hold firm. The following day Lu Xun took his seat in the tent, summoned the generals and said, “I have reverently received the King’s command to direct all the armies. Yesterday I gave you orders again and again to hold firm at your posts, yet none of you obeys me. Why?” Han Dang said, “Since I followed General Sun in pacifying Jiangnan, I have fought hundreds of battles. The other generals followed either the General Who Smites Rebels or our present King. All of us are men who have put on stout armour and taken up sharp weapons and passed in and out of death.

次日，陸遜傳下號令，教諸將各處關防，牢守隘口，不許輕敵。衆皆笑其懦，不肯堅守。次日，陸遜升帳喚諸將曰：“吾欽承王命，總督諸軍，昨已三令五申，令汝等各處堅守；俱不遵吾令，何也？”韓當曰：“吾自從孫將軍平定江南，經數百戰；其餘諸將，或從討逆將軍，或從當今大王，皆披堅執銳，出生入死之士。

Now our lord has made you Commander-in-Chief to drive back the Shu army. You ought to settle on a plan early, dispatch the troops and advance in separate columns to achieve the great aim. Instead you merely order us to hold firm and not fight. Do you mean to wait for Heaven to kill the enemy for us? I am no man to cling to life and fear death. Why make us blunt our keen spirit?” At this all the generals in the tent spoke up in chorus: “General Han is right.

今主上命公爲大都督，令退蜀兵，宜早定計，調撥軍馬，分頭徵進，以圖大事；乃只令堅守勿戰，豈欲待天自殺賊耶？吾非貪生怕死之人，奈何使吾等墮其銳氣？”於是帳下諸將，皆應聲而言曰：“韓將軍之言是也。

We are willing to fight it out to the death!” When Lu Xun had heard this, he drew his sword, gripped it and said sternly, “Though I am only a scholar, our lord has entrusted me with this heavy charge because I have some small merit: I can bear humiliation and carry a heavy burden. Each of you is simply to guard your defile and hold your strongpoint firmly, and make no rash move. Anyone who disobeys will be beheaded!” They all withdrew, fuming. Meanwhile the First Ruler had deployed his army from Xiaoting all the way to Chuankou, in a line stretching seven hundred li, with forty camps from front to rear. By day their banners hid the sun; by night their fires lit up the sky.

吾等情願決一死戰！”陸遜聽畢，掣劍在手，厲聲曰：“僕雖一介書生，今蒙主上託以重任者，以吾有尺寸可取，能忍辱負重故也。汝等只各守隘口，牢把險要，不許妄動，如違令者皆斬！”衆皆憤憤而退。卻說先主自猇亭佈列軍馬，直至川口，接連七百里，前後四十營寨，晝則旌旗蔽日，夜則火光耀天。

Suddenly a spy reported, “Eastern Wu has made Lu Xun Commander-in-Chief with overall command of its forces. Lu Xun has ordered his generals each to hold their strongpoints and not come out.” The First Ruler asked, “What sort of man is Lu Xun?” Ma Liang memorialized, “Though Lu Xun is only a scholar of Eastern Wu, he is young and very talented, and deep in strategy. The earlier surprise attack on Jingzhou was all this man’s cunning scheme.” The First Ruler said in a great rage, “The cunning scheme of this whelp destroyed my second brother. Now I shall take him captive!”

忽細作報說：“東吳用陸遜爲大都督，總制軍馬。遜令諸將各守險要不出。”先主問曰：“陸遜何如人也？”馬良奏曰：“遜雖東吳一書生，然年幼多才，深有謀略；前襲荊州，皆系此人之詭計。”先主大怒曰：“豎子詭計，損朕二弟，今當擒之！”

At once he sent out the order to advance. Ma Liang remonstrated, “Lu Xun’s ability is no less than Zhou Yu’s. You must not take him lightly.” The First Ruler said, “I have grown old in the handling of troops. Am I now to be outdone by a yellow-beaked boy?” He took personal command of the forward army and attacked the passes, fords and defiles in many places. When Han Dang saw the First Ruler’s troops coming, he sent word to Lu Xun. Lu Xun, afraid Han Dang would act rashly, came galloping in haste to see for himself, and found Han Dang sitting his horse on a hilltop. Far off, the Shu troops could be seen coming on, covering the hills and plains, and in the midst of the army a yellow silk canopy could faintly be made out.

便傳令進兵。馬良諫曰：“陸遜之才，不亞周郎，未可輕敵。”先主曰：“朕用兵老矣，豈反不如一黃口孺子耶！”遂親領前軍，攻打諸處關津隘口。韓當見先主兵來，差人投知陸遜。遜恐韓當妄動，急飛馬自來觀看，正見韓當立馬于山上；遠望蜀兵漫山遍野而來，軍中隱隱有黃羅蓋傘。

Han Dang met Lu Xun, and they sat their horses side by side to watch. Han Dang pointed and said, “Liu Bei must be in that army. I want to attack him.” Lu Xun said, “Since Liu Bei raised his army and came east, he has won more than ten battles in a row, and his spirit is at its keenest. For now we should only hold the heights and guard the strong points. We must not go out lightly; to go out would be to our disadvantage. We should simply encourage our officers and men and spread our defences widely, and watch for a change. Now he is riding at will over the plains and open country, thinking himself triumphant. If we hold firm and do not come out, he will seek battle and find none, and he is sure to move his camps into the hills and woods. Then I shall defeat him with a surprise stratagem.”

韓當接着陸遜，並馬而觀。當指曰：“軍中必有劉備，吾欲擊之。”遜曰：“劉備舉兵東下，連勝十餘陣，銳氣正盛；今只乘高守險，不可輕出，出則不利。但宜獎勵將士，廣佈守禦之策，以觀其變。今彼馳騁於平原廣野之間，正自得志；我堅守不出，彼求戰不得，必移屯于山林樹木間。吾當以奇計勝之。”

Han Dang agreed with his lips, but in his heart he still would not submit. The First Ruler had his forward units challenge them to battle, hurling every kind of insult. Lu Xun ordered his men to stop their ears and not listen, and forbade anyone to go out to meet them. He went round all the passes and defiles in person, encouraging officers and men and ordering them all to hold firm. When the First Ruler saw that the Wu army would not come out, he grew impatient. Ma Liang said, “Lu Xun is deep in strategy. Your Majesty has come from afar to attack, and spring has passed into summer. His refusal to come out means he is waiting for something to go wrong in our army.

韓當口雖應諾，心中只是不服，先主使前隊搦戰，辱罵百端。遜令塞耳休聽，不許出迎，親自遍歷諸關隘口，撫慰將士，皆令堅守。先主見吳軍不出，心中焦躁。馬良曰：“陸遜深有謀略。今陛下遠來攻戰，自春歷夏；彼之不出，欲待我軍之變也。

I beg Your Majesty to consider this.” The First Ruler said, “What scheme could he have? He is simply afraid of us. He has been defeated several times before; how would he dare come out again now?” The vanguard commander Feng Xi memorialized, “The weather now is blazing hot. The army is camped in the scorching fire of the sun, and it is very inconvenient to fetch water.” So the First Ruler ordered all the camps to move to places where the woods were thick, close to streams and brooks, to wait until summer had passed into autumn and then advance with united strength. Feng Xi, obeying the edict, moved all the camps into places of dense, shady woodland.

願陛下察之。”先主曰：“彼有何謀？但怯敵耳。曏者數敗，今安敢再出！”先鋒馮習奏曰：“即今天氣炎熱，軍屯於赤火之中，取水深爲不便。”先主遂命各營，皆移于山林茂盛之地，近溪傍澗；待過夏到秋，併力進兵。馮習遂奉旨，將諸寨皆移於林木陰密之處。

Ma Liang memorialized, “If Wu troops were to swoop down on us while our army is moving, what then?” The First Ruler said, “I shall have Wu Ban take ten thousand or so of the weaker troops and camp on the level ground near the Wu camps, while I myself pick eight thousand crack troops and lie in ambush in the mountain valleys. If Lu Xun learns that I am moving my camps, he is sure to seize the chance to attack. Then Wu Ban will feign defeat, and if Lu Xun pursues, I will burst out with my troops and cut off his retreat. The boy can be taken.”

馬良奏曰：“我軍若動，倘吳兵驟至，如之奈何？”先主曰：“朕令吳班引萬餘弱兵，近吳寨平地屯住；朕親選八千精兵，伏于山谷之中。若陸遜知朕移營，必乘勢來擊，卻令吳班詐敗；遜若追來，朕引兵突出，斷其歸路，小子可擒矣。”

The officials, civil and military, all congratulated him: “Your Majesty’s divine strategy and marvellous calculation are beyond anything your servants could conceive!” Ma Liang said, “I hear that Chancellor Zhuge is now in Dongchuan inspecting the defiles in various places, for fear that the Wei army will invade. Why does Your Majesty not have the sites where the camps are being moved drawn up in a map and ask the Chancellor about it?” The First Ruler said, “I know a good deal about the art of war myself. Why should I ask the Chancellor as well?” Ma Liang said, “The ancients said, ‘Listen to all sides and you will see clearly; listen to one side and you will be blinded.’

文武皆賀曰：“陛下神機妙算，諸臣不及也！”馬良曰：“近聞諸葛丞相在東川點看各處隘口，恐魏兵入寇。陛下何不將各營移居之地，畫成圖本，問於丞相？”先主曰：“朕亦頗知兵法，何必又問丞相？”良曰：“古云兼聽則明，偏聽則蔽。

I beg Your Majesty to consider it.” The First Ruler said, “You may go yourself to the camps, draw up a map of the boundaries on all four sides and the roads in all eight directions, and take it in person to Dongchuan to ask the Chancellor. If there is anything amiss, come back quickly and let me know.” Ma Liang took his orders and departed. So the First Ruler moved his troops into the dense, shady woods to escape the heat. Spies soon brought word to Han Dang and Zhou Tai. On hearing this, the two were delighted and came to Lu Xun, saying, “Now the forty-odd camps of the Shu army have all moved into the thick woods on the hills, beside streams and brooks, resting by the water to keep cool.

望陛下察之。”先主曰：“卿可自去各營，畫成四至八道圖本，親到東川去問丞相。如有不便，可急來報知。”馬良領命而去。於是先主移兵於林木陰密處避暑。早有細作報知韓當、周泰。二人聽得此事，大喜，來見陸遜曰：“目今蜀兵四十餘營，皆移于山林密處，依溪傍澗，就水歇涼。

The Commander-in-Chief can take advantage of this weakness to strike.”

都督可乘虛擊之。”

Indeed:
The Ruler of Shu, rich in schemes, could lay an ambush;
The Wu troops, fond of daring, would surely be captured.
Whether Lu Xun heeded their words will be told in the next chapter.

正是：蜀主有謀能設伏，吳兵好勇定遭擒。
未知陸遜可聽其言否，且看下文分解。