Romance, Chapter 96

Chapter 96. Kongming Weeps as He Beheads Ma Su; Zhou Fang Cuts Off His Hair to Deceive Cao Xiu

Now the man who offered the plan was the Secretary Sun Zi. Cao Rui asked him, “What clever plan do you have?” Sun Zi said, “In the past, when the Grand Progenitor, Emperor Wu, subdued Zhang Lu, he came through only after great danger. He often said to his ministers that the land of Nanzheng was truly a prison made by Heaven, and that the Xie Valley road through it was five hundred li of rocky tunnel, no place for the use of arms. If we now raise every soldier in the empire to attack Shu, Eastern Wu will invade us again.

卻說獻計者，乃尚書孫資也。曹睿問曰：“卿有何妙計？”資奏曰：“昔太祖武皇帝收張魯時，危而後濟；常對羣臣曰：南鄭之地，真爲天獄。中斜谷道爲五百里石穴，非用武之地。今若盡起天下之兵伐蜀，則東吳又將入寇。

It would be better to take the troops we have now, order our great generals to hold the strategic passes separately, and nurture our strength and sharpen our edge. Within a few years the Middle Kingdom will grow stronger by the day, and the two states of Wu and Shu are sure to tear at each other. To make our move then—would that not be the winning calculation? I beg Your Majesty to decide.” Cao Rui then asked Sima Yi, “What do you think of this argument?” Sima Yi said, “What Secretary Sun says is entirely right.” Cao Rui followed it and ordered Sima Yi to assign the generals to hold the strategic passes, leaving Guo Huai and Zhang He to guard Changan.

不如以現在之兵，分命大將據守險要，養精蓄銳。不過數年，中國日盛，吳、蜀二國必自相殘害：那時圖之，豈非勝算？乞陛下裁之。”睿乃問司馬懿曰：“此論若何？”懿奏曰：“孫尚書所言極當。”睿從之，命懿分撥諸將守把險要，留郭淮、張郃守長安。

He rewarded the whole army generously and returned in his carriage to Luoyang. Meanwhile Kongming had returned to Hanzhong. When he counted his troops, only Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi were missing. Deeply worried, he ordered Guan Xing and Zhang Bao each to take a force and go to meet them. The two were just about to set out when word suddenly came that Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi had arrived without losing a single man or horse, and that none of their baggage and equipment had been lost either. Kongming was overjoyed and went out in person with his generals to welcome them.

大賞三軍，駕回洛陽。卻說孔明回到漢中，計點軍士，只少趙雲、鄧芝，心中甚憂；乃令關興、張苞，各引一軍接應。二人正欲起身，忽報趙雲、鄧芝到來，並不曾折一人一騎；輜重等器，亦無遺失。孔明大喜，親引諸將出迎。

Zhao Yun hurriedly dismounted and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, “Why should the Chancellor trouble to come so far to meet a defeated general?” Kongming quickly raised him up, took his hand and said, “It was I who could not tell the worthy from the foolish, and so it came to this! Everywhere else our troops and generals were beaten and lost, yet Zilong alone did not lose a single man or horse. How was that?” Deng Zhi said, “I led the troops on ahead, and Zilong alone held the rear. He cut down enemy generals and won merit, and the enemy were terrified, so we did not have to abandon any of our supplies or goods.”

趙雲慌忙下馬伏地曰：“敗軍之將，何勞丞相遠接？”孔明急扶起，執手而言曰：“是吾不識賢愚，以致如此！各處兵將敗損，惟子龍不折一人一騎，何也？”鄧芝告曰：“某引兵先行，子龍獨自斷後，斬將立功，敵人驚怕，因此軍資什物，不曾遺棄。”

Kongming said, “A true general!” He took fifty jin of gold and presented it to Zhao Yun, and ten thousand bolts of silk to reward Zhao Yun’s men. Zhao Yun declined, saying, “The army has not a foot or an inch of merit, and each of us is guilty. If we were to receive rewards instead, it would mean the Chancellor’s rewards and punishments were not clear. Please keep them in the storehouse for now; it will not be too late to give them to the troops this winter.” Kongming sighed and said, “While the late Emperor lived, he always praised Zilong’s virtue. Now I see how right he was!” And he respected him all the more.

孔明曰：“真將軍也！”遂取金五十斤以贈趙雲，又取絹一萬匹賞雲部卒。雲辭曰：“三軍無尺寸之功，某等俱各有罪；若反受賞，乃丞相賞罰不明也。且請寄庫，候今冬賜與諸軍未遲。”孔明嘆曰：“先帝在日，常稱子龍之德，今果如此！”乃倍加欽敬。

Suddenly it was reported that Ma Su, Wang Ping, Wei Yan and Gao Xiang had arrived. Kongming first called Wang Ping into his tent and rebuked him: “I ordered you to hold Jieting together with Ma Su. Why did you not remonstrate with him, and so let the position be lost?” Wang Ping said, “I urged him again and again to build an earthen wall across the main road and pitch camp there to hold it. The Army Adviser flew into a rage and would not listen, so I took five thousand men myself and camped ten li from the hill. The Wei troops came up suddenly and surrounded the hill on all four sides. I led my men to charge in more than ten times, but we could not break through.

忽報馬謖、王平、魏延、高翔至。孔明先喚王平入帳，責之曰：“吾令汝同馬謖守街亭，汝何不諫之，致使失事？”平曰：“某再三相勸，要在當道築土城，安營守把。參軍大怒不從，某因此自引五千軍離山十里下寨。魏兵驟至，把山四面圍合，某引兵衝殺十餘次，皆不能入。

The next day the force on the hill collapsed like crumbling earth and shattering tiles, and countless men surrendered. With my lone force I could not hold out, so I went to Wei Wenchang for help. On the way I was trapped in a mountain valley by Wei troops again, but I fought my way out at the risk of my life. By the time I got back to my camp, it had already been taken by the Wei troops. As I was heading for Lieliucheng I met Gao Xiang on the road, and we divided our troops into three columns to raid the Wei camp, hoping to recover Jieting. But when we saw there were no troops lying in wait along the roads at Jieting, we grew suspicious.

次日土崩瓦解，降者無數。某孤軍難立，故投魏文長求救。半途又被魏兵困在山谷之中，某奮死殺出。比及歸寨，早被魏兵佔了。及投列柳城時，路逢高翔，遂分兵三路去劫魏寨，指望克復街亭。因見街亭並無伏路軍，以此心疑。

Climbing to high ground to look, I saw Wei Yan and Gao Xiang surrounded by Wei troops. I at once fought my way into the encirclement, rescued the two generals, and then joined forces with the Army Adviser. Fearing that Yangping Pass would be lost, I hurried back to hold it. It is not that I failed to remonstrate. If the Chancellor does not believe me, you may ask the officers of every unit.” Kongming shouted at him to withdraw, and then called Ma Su into the tent.

登高望之，只見魏延、高翔被魏兵圍住，某即殺入重圍，救出二將，就同參軍並在一處。某恐失卻陽平關，因此急來回守。非某之不諫也。丞相不信，可問各部將校。”孔明喝退，又喚馬謖入帳。

Ma Su had bound himself and knelt before the tent. Kongming’s expression changed, and he said, “From your youth you have read your fill of military books and are well versed in the art of war. Time and again I warned you earnestly that Jieting was the root of everything for us. You pledged the lives of your whole family when you took on this heavy charge. If you had listened to Wang Ping’s advice in time, how could this disaster have happened? Now the army is defeated, generals are lost, territory is lost and cities have fallen—all through your fault! If I do not uphold military law clearly, how can I command the obedience of the troops?

謖自縛跪於帳前。孔明變色曰：“汝自幼飽讀兵書，熟諳戰法。吾累次丁寧告戒：街亭是吾根本。汝以全家之命，領此重任。汝若早聽王平之言，豈有此禍？今敗軍折將，失地陷城，皆汝之過也！若不明正軍律，何以服衆？

You have broken the law, so do not blame me. After your death I will provide your family with salary and grain every month, so you need not worry about them.” He shouted to his attendants to take him out and behead him. Ma Su wept and said, “The Chancellor has regarded me as a son, and I have regarded the Chancellor as a father. I truly cannot escape the death I deserve. If only the Chancellor will remember the principle by which Emperor Shun put Gun to death and then employed Yu, I will die without regret in the Nine Springs below!” When he had finished speaking he wept bitterly.

汝今犯法，休得怨吾。汝死之後，汝之家小，吾按月給與祿糧，汝不必掛心。”叱左右推出斬之。謖泣曰：“丞相視某如子，某以丞相爲父。某之死罪，實已難逃；願丞相思舜帝殛鯀用禹之義，某雖死亦無恨於九泉！”言訖大哭。

Kongming, his tears flowing, said, “You and I are bound as brothers by duty; your son is my son. You need say no more.” The attendants dragged Ma Su out beyond the gate of the camp to behead him. Just then the Army Adviser Jiang Wan arrived from Chengdu. Seeing the soldiers about to behead Ma Su, he was greatly alarmed and cried out, “Spare him!” He went in to see Kongming and said, “Long ago, when Chu put Dechen to death, Duke Wen rejoiced. Now, while the empire is still unsettled, to kill a minister of wisdom and resource—is that not a pity?”

孔明揮淚曰：“吾與汝義同兄弟，汝之子即吾之子也，不必多囑。”左右推出馬謖於轅門之外，將斬。參軍蔣琬自成都至，見武士欲斬馬謖，大驚，高叫：“留人！”入見孔明曰：“昔楚殺得臣而文公喜。今天下未定，而戮智謀之臣，豈不可惜乎？”

Kongming answered with tears streaming down, “Long ago Sun Wu was able to win victories throughout the world because he applied the law clearly. Now the four quarters are divided and at war, and the fighting has only just begun. If we set the law aside again, how can we punish the rebels? He must be beheaded.” A moment later the soldiers presented Ma Su’s head at the foot of the steps. Kongming wept bitterly and could not stop. Jiang Wan asked, “Now that Youchang has been punished for his crime and military law has been upheld, why does the Chancellor weep?”

孔明流涕而答曰：“昔孫武所以能制勝於天下者，用法明也。今四方分爭，兵戈方始，若復廢法，何以討賊耶？合當斬之。”須臾，武士獻馬謖首級於階下。孔明大哭不已。蔣琬問曰：“今幼常得罪，既正軍法，丞相何故哭耶？”

Kongming said, “I am not weeping for Ma Su. I was thinking of how, when the late Emperor lay dying at Baidicheng, he charged me: ‘Ma Su’s words go beyond his real ability. He must not be given great responsibility.’ Now his words have come true. So I bitterly reproach myself for my lack of discernment, and as I recall the late Emperor’s words, I cannot help weeping!” Every officer and soldier, high and low, shed tears. Ma Su died at the age of thirty-nine, in the fifth month, in summer, of the sixth year of Jianxing.

孔明曰：“吾非爲馬謖而哭。吾想先帝在白帝城臨危之時，曾囑吾曰：“馬謖言過其實，不可大用。今果應此言。乃深恨己之不明，追思先帝之言，因此痛哭耳！”大小將士，無不流涕。馬謖亡年三十九歲，時建興六年夏五月也。

A later poet wrote:
The crime of losing Jieting was no light one;
Alas for Ma Su, who talked of war in vain!
Beheaded at the camp gate to make martial law strict—
Yet, wiping his tears, Kongming still recalled the late Emperor’s insight. Having beheaded Ma Su, Kongming had the head shown throughout all the camps, then had it sewn back onto the body with thread, provided a coffin for burial, and wrote a funeral address himself and made offerings. He took special care of Ma Su’s family and provided them with salary rice every month. Then Kongming wrote a memorial himself and had Jiang Wan submit it to the Latter Ruler, asking to be demoted from the post of Chancellor. Jiang Wan returned to Chengdu, went in to see the Latter Ruler and presented Kongming’s memorial. The Latter Ruler opened it and read it.

後人有詩曰：“失守街亭罪不輕，堪嗟馬謖枉談兵。
轅門斬首嚴軍法，拭淚猶思先帝明。
”卻說孔明斬了馬謖，將首級遍示各營已畢，用線縫在屍上，具棺葬之，自修祭文享祀；將謖家小加意撫卹，按月給與祿米。
於是孔明自作表文，令蔣琬申奏後主，請自貶丞相之職。
琬回成都，入見後主，進上孔明表章。
後主拆視之。

The memorial read: “Your servant, of mediocre talent, has unworthily occupied a post beyond his deserts. I personally held the banner and the axe to inspire the army, yet I could not instruct them in the regulations and make the law clear. Facing the event I was fearful, so that there came the fault of disobeyed orders at Jieting and the lapse of unwariness at Ji Valley. The blame lies wholly with me, for I assigned the commands without judgment. My discernment did not know men, and my care for affairs was often blind. The Spring and Autumn Annals holds the commander responsible, and my office is where the responsibility falls. I ask to demote myself by three grades to answer for my fault. Overcome with shame, I prostrate myself and await your command!”

表曰：“臣本庸才，叨竊非據，親秉旄鉞，以勵三軍。不能訓章明法，臨事而懼，至有街亭違命之闕，箕谷不戒之失。咎皆在臣，授任無方。臣明不知人，恤事多暗。《春秋》責帥，臣職是當。請自貶三等，以督厥咎。臣不勝慚愧，俯伏待命！”

When the Latter Ruler had finished reading, he said, “Victory and defeat are the ordinary lot of soldiers. Why does the Chancellor say such things?” The Palace Attendant Fei Yi said, “I have heard that one who governs a state must give weight above all to upholding the law. If the law is not carried out, how can people be made to submit? The Chancellor was defeated, and it is only right that he should demote himself.” The Latter Ruler agreed and issued an edict demoting Kongming to General of the Right, acting as Chancellor and in overall command of the army as before. He then ordered Fei Yi to carry the edict to Hanzhong.

後主覽畢曰：“勝負兵家常事，丞相何出此言？”侍中費禕奏曰：“臣聞治國者，必以奉法爲重。法若不行，何以服人？丞相敗績，自行貶降，正其宜也。”後主從之，乃詔貶孔明爲右將軍，行丞相事，照舊總督軍馬，就命費禕齎詔到漢中。

When Kongming had received the edict and accepted his demotion, Fei Yi, fearing that Kongming would feel ashamed, congratulated him: “The people of Shu know that the Chancellor took four counties at the outset, and they are delighted.” Kongming’s expression changed. “What are you saying? To gain and then lose again is the same as never to have gained. If you congratulate me on this, you only make me more ashamed.” Fei Yi went on, “I have heard lately that the Chancellor has won Jiang Wei, and the Son of Heaven is very pleased.” Kongming said angrily, “The army was defeated and has come back without taking an inch of ground. That is my great crime.

孔明受詔貶降訖，禕恐孔明羞赧，乃賀曰：“蜀中之民，知丞相初拔四縣，深以爲喜。”孔明變色曰：“是何言也！得而復失，與不得同。公以此賀我，實足使我愧赧耳。”禕又曰：“近聞丞相得姜維，天子甚喜。”孔明怒曰：“兵敗師還，不曾奪得寸土，此吾之大罪也。

What loss is it to Wei that I have gained one Jiang Wei?” Fei Yi said again, “The Chancellor now commands several hundred thousand fine troops. Can you attack Wei again?” Kongming said, “When our great army was stationed at Mount Qi and Ji Valley, we had more troops than the rebels, yet we could not defeat them and were defeated by them instead. The fault did not lie in the number of troops but in the commander. Now I intend to reduce the troops and cut back the generals, make punishments clear and reflect on my faults, and work out a more flexible way for the future. If I do not, what use would more troops be?

量得一姜維，於魏何損？”禕又曰：“丞相現統雄師數十萬，可再伐魏乎？”孔明曰：“昔大軍屯於祁山、箕谷之時，我兵多於賊兵，而不能破賊，反爲賊所破：此病不在兵之多寡，在主將耳。今欲減兵省將，明罰思過，較變通之道於將來；如其不然，雖兵多何用？

From now on, if all of you who think far ahead for the state will diligently attack my failings and reproach my shortcomings, then the task can be settled, the rebels can be destroyed, and success can be awaited on tiptoe.” Fei Yi and the generals were all convinced by his words. Fei Yi went back to Chengdu.

自今以後，諸人有遠慮於國者，但勤攻吾之闕，責吾之短，則事可定，賊可滅，功可翹足而待矣。”費禕諸將皆服其論。費禕自回成都。

In Hanzhong Kongming cared for his troops and loved the people, encouraged his soldiers and trained them in arms. He had engines built for attacking cities and crossing rivers, stored up grain and fodder, and prepared war rafts in readiness for future campaigns. Spies learned of this and reported it to Luoyang. When Cao Rui, the Ruler of Wei, heard of it, he at once summoned Sima Yi to discuss a plan for taking the lands of Shu. Sima Yi said, “Shu cannot be attacked yet. The weather is now scorching hot, so the Shu troops will certainly not come out. If our army goes deep into their land, they will hold their strategic passes, and we will not be able to take them quickly.”

孔明在漢中，惜軍愛民，勵兵講武，置造攻城渡水之器，聚積糧草，預備戰筏，以爲後圖。細作探知，報入洛陽，魏主曹睿聞知，即召司馬懿商議收川之策。懿曰：“蜀未可攻也。方今天道亢炎，蜀兵必不出；若我軍深入其地，彼守其險要，急切難下。”

Cao Rui said, “And if the Shu troops come to invade again, what then?” Sima Yi said, “I have already worked out that this time Zhuge Liang will certainly imitate Han Xin’s stratagem of secretly crossing at Chencang. I will recommend a man to go to the entrance of the Chencang road and build a fortress to defend it; then there will not be one chance in ten thousand of failure. This man is nine feet tall, with long ape-like arms, a fine archer, and deep in strategy. If Zhuge Liang invades, this man is fully able to withstand him.” Cao Rui was delighted and asked, “Who is he?”

睿曰：“倘蜀兵再來入寇，如之奈何？”懿曰：“臣已算定今番諸葛亮必效韓信暗度陳倉之計。臣舉一人往陳倉道口，築城守禦，萬無一失：此人身長九尺，猿臂善射，深有謀略。若諸葛亮入寇，此人足可當之。”睿大喜，問曰：“此何人也？”

Sima Yi said, “He is a man of Taiyuan, surnamed Hao, named Zhao, with the courtesy name Bodao. He is now a general of miscellaneous title guarding Hexi.” Cao Rui agreed, promoted Hao Zhao to General Who Guards the West, and ordered him to hold the entrance of the Chencang road, sending a messenger with the edict.

懿奏曰：“乃太原人，姓郝，名昭，字伯道，現爲雜號將軍，鎮守河西。”睿從之，加郝昭爲鎮西將軍，命守把陳倉道口，遣使持詔去訖。

Suddenly word came that Cao Xiu, Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of Yang Province, had sent up a memorial: Zhou Fang, the Prefect of Poyang in Eastern Wu, wished to surrender with his commandery and had secretly sent a man to set out seven points, saying that Eastern Wu could be defeated and asking that troops be sent soon to take it. Cao Rui spread it out on the imperial couch and read it together with Sima Yi. Sima Yi said, “This is very reasonable. Wu is doomed! I wish to lead a force to help Cao Xiu.” Suddenly a man stepped forward from the ranks of officials and said, “What the men of Wu say changes back and forth and is never consistent. It cannot be relied upon.

忽報揚州司馬大都督曹休上表，說東吳鄱陽太守周魴，願以郡來降，密遣人陳言七事，說東吳可破，乞早發兵取之。睿就御牀上展開，與司馬懿同觀。懿奏曰：“此言極有理，吳當滅矣！臣願引一軍往助曹休。”忽班中一人進曰：“吳人之言，反覆不一，未可深信。

Zhou Fang is a man of wisdom and resource and would never be willing to surrender. This is only a trick to lure our troops.” Everyone looked: it was Jia Kui, General Who Establishes Might. Sima Yi said, “These words cannot be ignored either, but neither can the opportunity be missed.” The Ruler of Wei said, “Zhongda, you and Jia Kui together shall help Cao Xiu.” The two received their orders and left. And so Cao Xiu led the main army straight to take Wancheng; Jia Kui, with the General of the Van Man Chong and the Prefect of Dongguan Hu Zhi, went straight to take Yangcheng and headed directly for the Dongguan Pass; and Sima Yi led his own troops straight to take Jiangling.

周魴智謀之士，必不肯降，此特誘兵之詭計也。”衆視之，乃建威將軍賈逵也。懿曰：“此言亦不可不聽，機會亦不可錯失。”魏主曰：“仲達可與賈逵同助曹休。”二人領命去訖。於是曹休引大軍徑取皖城；賈逵引前將軍滿寵、東莞太守胡質，徑取陽城，直向東關；司馬懿引本部軍徑取江陵。

Meanwhile Sun Quan, the Ruler of Wu, gathered his officials at Dongguan in Wuchang to consult. “Zhou Fang, the Prefect of Poyang, has sent me a secret memorial reporting that Cao Xiu, the Wei Commander of Yang Province, intends to invade. Now Zhou Fang has played a trick on him by secretly setting out seven points to lure the Wei troops deep into dangerous ground, where we can lay an ambush and capture them. The Wei troops are now coming by three routes. What wise ideas do you have, gentlemen?” Gu Yong came forward and said, “No one but Lu Boyan can undertake this great task.”

卻說吳主孫權，在武昌東關，會多官商議曰：“今有鄱陽太守周魴密表，奏稱魏揚州都督曹休，有入寇之意。今魴詐施詭計，暗陳七事，引誘魏兵深入重地，可設伏兵擒之。今魏兵分三路而來，諸卿有何高見？”顧雍進曰：“此大任非陸伯言不敢當也。”

Sun Quan was overjoyed. He summoned Lu Xun and appointed him Senior General Who Supports the State and Supreme Marshal Who Pacifies the North, in command of the great army of the Imperial Guard and acting on the king’s behalf. He granted him the white yak-tail standard and the golden axe, and all the officials, civil and military, were to obey his orders. Sun Quan personally held the whip for Lu Xun. When Lu Xun had received his orders and given thanks, he proposed two men as Commanders of the Left and Right, to divide the troops and meet the three routes. Sun Quan asked who they were. Lu Xun said, “Zhu Huan, General Who Displays Might, and Quan Cong, General Who Pacifies the South—these two can serve as my assistants.”

權大喜，乃召陸遜，封爲輔國大將軍、平北都元帥，統御林大兵，攝行王事：授以白旄黃鉞，文武百官，皆聽約束。權親自與遜執鞭。遜領命謝恩畢，乃保二人爲左右都督，分兵以迎三道。權問何人。遜曰：“奮威將軍朱桓，綏南將軍全琮，二人可爲輔佐。”

Sun Quan agreed and at once made Zhu Huan Commander of the Left and Quan Cong Commander of the Right. Lu Xun then took overall command of the forces of the eighty-one districts of Jiangnan together with those of Jing and the lakes, more than seven hundred thousand men, placing Zhu Huan on the left and Quan Cong on the right while he himself took the centre, and advanced by three routes. Zhu Huan offered a plan: “Cao Xiu holds his post because he is a kinsman; he is not a general of wisdom or courage. He has listened to Zhou Fang’s enticing words and come deep into dangerous ground. If you, Marshal, attack him, Cao Xiu will certainly be defeated.

權從之，即命朱桓爲左都督，全琮爲右都督，於是陸遜總率江南八十一州並荊湖之衆七十餘萬，令朱桓在左，全琮在右。遜自居中，三路進兵。朱桓獻策曰：“曹休以親見任，非智勇之將也。今聽周魴誘言，深入重地，元帥以兵擊之，曹休必敗。

After his defeat he is bound to flee by one of two roads: on the left is Jiashi, on the right Guache. Both are remote mountain tracks and extremely steep. Let me and Quan Zihuang each take a force and lie in ambush in the mountain passes. If we first block the roads with brushwood and great boulders, Cao Xiu can be captured. Once we have captured Cao Xiu, we can drive straight on, take Shouchun as easily as spitting on our palms, and threaten Xu and Luoyang. This is a chance that comes once in ten thousand generations.”

敗後必走兩條路：左乃夾石，右乃掛車。此二條路，皆山僻小徑，最爲險峻。某願與全子璜各引一軍，伏于山險，先以柴木大石塞斷其路，曹休可擒矣。若擒了曹休，便長驅直進，唾手而得壽春，以窺許、洛，此萬世一時也。”

Lu Xun said, “That is not a good plan. I have a clever use of my own in mind.” And so Zhu Huan withdrew, resentful. Lu Xun ordered Zhuge Jin and others to hold Jiangling against Sima Yi. The troops on every route were all duly assigned. Meanwhile, when Cao Xiu’s army approached Wancheng, Zhou Fang came out to meet him and went straight to Cao Xiu’s tent. Cao Xiu asked, “I recently received your letter. The seven points you set out were very reasonable, so I reported them to the Son of Heaven, and a great army has set out along three routes.

遜曰：“此非善策，吾自有妙用。”於是朱桓懷不平而退。遜令諸葛瑾等拒守江陵，以敵司馬懿。諸路俱各調撥停當。卻說曹休兵臨皖城，周魴來迎，徑到曹休帳下。休問曰：“近得足下之書，所陳七事，深爲有理，奏聞天子，故起大軍三路進發。

If we win the lands of Jiangdong, your merit will be no small thing. There are those who say you are full of schemes and fear that what you said may not be true, but I judge that you would never deceive me.” Zhou Fang burst into loud weeping, snatched the sword from one of his attendants and was about to cut his own throat. Cao Xiu hastily stopped him. Leaning on the sword, Zhou Fang said, “When I set out the seven points, I only regretted that I could not spit out my heart and liver to show you. Now you have doubts instead—this must be the men of Wu using a stratagem to sow discord.

若得江東之地，足下之功不小。有人言足下多謀，誠恐所言不實。吾料足下必不欺我。”周魴大哭，急掣從人所佩劍欲自刎。休急止之。魴仗劍而言曰：“吾所陳七事，恨不能吐出心肝。今反生疑，必有吳人使反間之計也。

If you listen to them, I am a dead man. My loyalty can be shown by Heaven alone!” With that he again tried to cut his throat. Cao Xiu, greatly alarmed, hastily threw his arms around him and said, “I was only joking. Why do you act like this?” Then Zhou Fang cut off his hair with the sword and flung it on the ground, saying, “I treat you with loyalty, and you make a jest of me. I cut off the hair my father and mother gave me to show you my heart!” Then Cao Xiu trusted him completely and gave a banquet in his honour.

若聽其言，吾必死矣。吾之忠心，惟天可表！”言訖，又欲自刎。曹休大驚，慌忙抱住曰：“吾戲言耳，足下何故如此！”魴乃用劍割發擲於地曰：“吾以忠心待公，公以吾爲戲，吾割父母所遺之發，以表此心！”曹休乃深信之，設宴相待。

When the feast was over, Zhou Fang took his leave. Suddenly it was announced that Jia Kui, General Who Establishes Might, had come to see him. Cao Xiu had him brought in and asked, “What have you come for?” Jia Kui said, “I judge that the troops of Eastern Wu must all be massed at Wancheng. The Commander should not advance rashly. Wait until I can attack from both sides, and the rebel troops can be defeated.” Cao Xiu said angrily, “Do you mean to steal my glory?” Jia Kui said, “I have also heard that Zhou Fang cut off his hair as an oath. That is a trick. Long ago Yao Li cut off his own arm, and then assassinated Qing Ji.

席罷，周魴辭去。忽報建威將軍賈逵來見，休令入，問曰：“汝此來何爲？”逵曰：“某料東吳之兵，必盡屯於皖城。都督不可輕進，待某兩下夾攻，賊兵可破矣。”休怒曰：“汝欲奪吾功耶？”逵曰：“又聞周魴截髮爲誓，此乃詐也，昔要離斷臂，刺殺慶忌。

He must not be trusted.” Cao Xiu flew into a rage. “I am just about to advance, and you say such things to undermine the army’s morale!” He shouted to his attendants to take him out and behead him. The generals pleaded, “To behead a senior general before the army has even advanced would bode ill for the army. We beg you to spare him for now.” Cao Xiu agreed. He kept Jia Kui’s troops in the camp under his own command and led a force himself to take the Dongguan Pass. When Zhou Fang heard that Jia Kui had been stripped of his command, he rejoiced secretly and said, “If Cao Xiu had taken Jia Kui’s advice, Eastern Wu would have been defeated!

未可深信。”休大怒曰：“吾正欲進兵，汝何出此言以慢軍心！”叱左右推出斬之。衆將告曰：“未及進兵，先斬大將，于軍不利。且乞暫免。”休從之，將賈逵兵留在寨中調用，自引一軍來取東關。時周魴聽知賈逵削去兵權，暗喜曰：“曹休若用賈逵之言，則東吳敗矣！

Today Heaven is letting me succeed!” At once he sent a man secretly to Wancheng to report to Lu Xun. Lu Xun called his generals together and gave his orders: “Shiting, ahead of us, is a mountain road, but it is quite suitable for an ambush. Go ahead early and occupy the open ground at Shiting, draw up your battle formations and wait for the Wei army.” Then he made Xu Sheng his vanguard and sent him forward with troops. Meanwhile Cao Xiu ordered Zhou Fang to lead the way with his troops. As they were marching, Cao Xiu asked, “Where are we coming to?”

今天使我成功也！”即遣人密到皖城，報知陸遜。遜喚諸將聽令曰：“前面石亭，雖是山路，足可埋伏。早先去佔石亭闊處，布成陣勢，以待魏軍。”遂令徐盛爲先鋒，引兵前進。卻說曹休命周魴引兵而進，正行間，休問曰：“前至何處？”

Zhou Fang said, “Ahead is Shiting, a good place to station troops.” Cao Xiu agreed and took the whole army, with its carts and equipment, to Shiting and encamped there. The next day scouts reported, “Ahead of us there are countless Wu troops holding the mouth of the pass.” Cao Xiu was greatly alarmed. “Zhou Fang said there were no troops. How is it they are prepared?” He hastily looked for Zhou Fang to question him, but was told that Zhou Fang had gone off with a few dozen men, no one knew where.

魴曰：“前面石亭也，堪以屯兵。”休從之，遂率大軍並車仗等器，盡赴石亭駐紮。次日，哨馬報道：“前面吳兵不知多少，據住山口。”休大驚曰：“周魴言無兵，爲何有準備？”急尋魴問之。人報周魴引數十人，不知何處去了。

Cao Xiu said with bitter regret, “I have fallen into the rebels’ trap! Even so, there is nothing to fear!” He made the senior general Zhang Pu his vanguard and sent him with several thousand troops to engage the Wu army. When the two armies had drawn up facing each other, Zhang Pu rode out and cursed them: “Rebel general, surrender now!” Xu Sheng rode out to meet him. After only a few bouts Zhang Pu could not hold his own; he reined in his horse, drew back his troops, returned to Cao Xiu and told him that Xu Sheng’s valour was irresistible.

休大悔曰：“吾中賊之計矣！雖然如此，亦不足懼！”遂令大將張普爲先鋒，引數千兵來與吳兵交戰。兩陣對圓，張普出馬罵曰：“賊將早降！”徐盛出馬相迎。戰無數合，普抵敵不住，勒馬收兵，回見曹休，言徐盛勇不可當。

Cao Xiu said, “I shall beat him with a surprise force.” He ordered Zhang Pu to take twenty thousand men and lie in ambush south of Shiting, and Xue Qiao to take twenty thousand men and lie in ambush north of Shiting. “Tomorrow I will lead a thousand men myself to offer battle, then pretend to be defeated and lure them to the front of the northern hill. When the signal gun is fired, attack from three sides together, and we will surely win a great victory.” The two generals received their instructions and, at nightfall, each went off with twenty thousand men to lie in ambush.

休曰：“吾當以奇兵勝之。”就令張普引二萬軍伏於石亭之南，又令薛喬引二萬軍伏於石亭之北。“明日吾自引一千兵搦戰，卻佯輸詐敗，誘到北山之前，放炮爲號，三面夾攻，必獲大勝。”二將受計，各引二萬軍到晚埋伏去了。

Meanwhile Lu Xun called Zhu Huan and Quan Cong and instructed them: “Each of you take thirty thousand men and go round by the mountain road at Shiting to the rear of Cao Xiu’s camp, and set fires as a signal. I will lead the main army myself along the central road. Then Cao Xiu can be captured.” That day at dusk the two generals received their instructions and advanced with their troops. At the second watch, just as Zhu Huan with his force came round to the rear of the Wei camp, he ran into Zhang Pu’s ambush.

卻說陸遜喚朱桓、全琮分付曰：“汝二人各引三萬軍，從石亭山路抄到曹休寨後，放火爲號；吾親率大軍從中路而進：可擒曹休也。”當日黃昏，二將受計引兵而進。二更時分，朱桓引一軍正抄到魏寨後，迎着張普伏兵。

Zhang Pu, not knowing they were Wu troops, came straight up to question them, and Zhu Huan cut him from his horse with a single stroke of his blade. The Wei troops fled at once. Zhu Huan ordered his rear troops to set fires. Quan Cong, going round with his force to the rear of the Wei camp, ran straight into Xue Qiao’s lines, and there a great battle was fought. Xue Qiao was beaten and fled; the Wei troops suffered heavy losses and ran back to their main camp. From behind, Zhu Huan and Quan Cong came fighting in along two routes. Cao Xiu’s camp was thrown into utter confusion, his men colliding with one another.

普不知是吳兵，徑來問時，被朱桓一刀斬於馬下。魏兵便走。桓令後軍放火。全琮引一軍抄到魏寨後，正撞在薛喬陣裏，就那裏大殺一陣。薛喬敗走，魏兵大損，奔回本寨。後面朱桓、全琮兩路殺來。曹休寨中大亂，自相沖擊。

Cao Xiu leapt onto his horse in panic and fled toward the Jiashi road. Xu Sheng came fighting in along the main road with the great body of his army. Countless Wei soldiers were killed, and those who escaped with their lives threw away all their clothes and armour. Cao Xiu, in great alarm, fled with all his might along the Jiashi road. Suddenly a band of troops burst out from a side path, and the general at their head was Jia Kui. Cao Xiu’s panic subsided a little, and he said in shame, “I did not take your advice, and sure enough I have suffered this defeat!”

休慌上馬，望夾石道奔走。徐盛引大隊軍馬，從正路殺來。魏兵死者不可勝數，逃命者盡棄衣甲。曹休大驚，在夾石道中奮力奔走。忽見一彪軍從小路衝出，爲首大將，乃賈逵也。休驚慌少息，自愧曰：“吾不用公言，果遭此敗！”

Jia Kui said, “Commander, get out of this road quickly! If the Wu troops block it with timber and stones, we are all in danger!” So Cao Xiu galloped off while Jia Kui guarded the rear. Wherever the woods were thick and the paths narrow and steep, Jia Kui set up many flags and banners as decoys. When Xu Sheng came up in pursuit and saw the corners of flags flickering below the hillside, he suspected an ambush and did not dare to pursue; he gathered his troops and went back. And so Cao Xiu was saved. When Sima Yi heard that Cao Xiu had been defeated, he too withdrew his troops.

逵曰：“都督可速出此道：若被吳兵以木石塞斷，吾等皆危矣！”於是曹休驟馬而行，賈逵斷後。逵於林木盛茂處，及險峻小徑，多設旌旗以爲疑兵。及至徐盛趕到，見山坡下閃出旗角，疑有埋伏，不敢追趕，收兵而回。因此救了曹休。司馬懿聽知休敗，亦引兵退去。

Meanwhile Lu Xun was awaiting news of victory when, before long, Xu Sheng, Zhu Huan and Quan Cong all arrived. The carts and equipment, oxen and horses, donkeys and mules, military supplies and weapons they had captured were past counting, and tens of thousands of soldiers had surrendered. Lu Xun was overjoyed and at once led the army back to Wu together with the Prefect Zhou Fang and the generals. Sun Quan, the Ruler of Wu, came out of Wuchang with his civil and military officials to welcome them, and shaded Lu Xun with the imperial canopy as they entered. All the generals were promoted and rewarded.

卻說陸遜正望捷音，須臾，徐盛、朱桓、全琮皆到。所得車仗、牛馬、驢騾、軍資、器械，不計其數，降兵數萬餘人。遜大喜，即同太守周魴並諸將班師還吳。吳主孫權，領文武官僚出武昌城迎接，以御蓋覆遜而入。諸將盡皆升賞。

Seeing that Zhou Fang had no hair, Sun Quan comforted him, saying, “You cut off your hair to accomplish this great deed; your merit and name deserve to be written on bamboo and silk.” He at once made Zhou Fang a Marquis of the Interior, and held a great banquet to feast the army and celebrate. Lu Xun said, “Now that Cao Xiu has suffered a great defeat, Wei has already lost its nerve. We should write a letter of state and send an envoy into Shu to have Zhuge Liang advance his troops and attack Wei.” Sun Quan followed his advice and sent an envoy with a letter into Shu.

權見周魴無發，慰勞曰：“卿斷髮成此大事，功名當書於竹帛也。”即封周魴爲關內侯；大設筵會，勞軍慶賀。陸遜奏曰：“今曹休大敗，魏已喪膽；可修國書，遣使入川，教諸葛亮進兵攻之。”權從其言，遂遣使齎書入川去。

Indeed:
Only because the eastern state could work its stratagem
Was Xichuan moved to take up arms again.
Whether Kongming won or lost when he came again to attack Wei will be told in the next chapter.

正是：只因東國能施計，致令西川又動兵。
未知孔明再來伐魏，勝負如何，且看下文分解。